In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed.


"OK, now that we've cleared out the Demon Market, what do we do now?"

(I say we go… which way's which?)

"That's my problem, Keiko." Tetsu looked around fruitlessly. Her eyes landed on a young boy with rabbit ears.

"Kokari!" Tetsu called. Kokari leaped.

"Tetsu? Daughter of that Susano fellow?"

"That… would be my name. Do you know whi-"

"Thank the great goddess Amaterasu you're safe!"

"Wha-what? Where did this come from?"

"I heard from Mushi that Orochi had called in his next meal! The arrow hit the brewery! Kushi is sure that you were the selected maiden."

Miya turned to Tetsu in shock. Tetsu looked at her feet. Something stiffened behind her eyes, and she looked up.

"Which way to Shinshu Field?"

"TETSU?"

"Yes, Miya. Which way to Shinshu Field?"

"Tetsu… don't go back. Going back is death and destruction."

"Kokari, don't make this harder than it has to be. Which way to Shinshu Field?"

A stunned Kokari provided directions.


"Are? You? In? Sane?"

"Yes, Miya. I have established that."

(So, we're going into the Moon Cave, where something wants to eat you for the sheer fun of it, so you can outrage me and slay the eight-faced bastard?)

"Sounds about right."

"I dislike this plan."

"You dislike insanity in general."

"No I don't. I've grown to like Keiko."

(This is no time for jokes, Miya. We have to head to the Moon Cave.)

"Since when?"

(Since I saw that piece of paper over there) The three watched as a parchment drifted over towards the Moon Cave.

"I do not like this plan."

(Stop saying that.)


Fork in the road. The Moon Cave lay ahead, the doors blocked by a heavy barrier. The parchment drifted over a vast ocean to their right.

(We aren't getting in there.)

"Let's turn around."

(Parchment, Miya.)

"Ohh…"

"So how do we get over there?"

Keiko jumped into the ocean, and landed on a water lily not there before she jumped.

(We go by Water Lily, of course.)


Keiko landed ashore. Miya shook the water out of her dress for the fifth time. Tetsu stayed by the Moon Cave. Keiko shrugged, and walked into the icy cavern. Miya muttered, before hurriedly following to get in Keiko's fur.


(There it is. The scroll.) Frozen in a tomb of ice was a scroll with a phoenix etching.

"But how do we get it out?" Keiko circled the ice, looking for the drawings. She saw a line from a fire source, and an infinity symbol.

"No. No no no no no no no no no no no no no!" Miya called.

(Calm down, Miya. I'm not that insane.)

"Oh…" Keiko set the ice on fire. "Wait that's not what I meant I was worried about the parchment catching on fire and I don't think we have much longer before we fall we are in deep trouble."

(Stop, go back, repeat that… but pause at the end of your sentences.)

Miya did so, only stopping at the point where she pointed out the floor being less than stable.


Guess who?

Ice Dragon. Mizuchi.

"Now we have to fight a dragon?"

(I'm going to go with yes.)

"But… how?"

(You have been riding on me for how long and you don't appreciate the subtle nuances of obtuse force?)

"…What?"

(I'm sorry, let me make it clearer: Big dragon gone night-night.)

Miya looked at the dragon. Sure enough, it had fallen already.

"Subtle nuance? That was more obtuse than a useless piece of charcoal."

(Who said I was killing him subtly?) The pieces of the Divine Instrument Infinity Judge flew from the Ice Dragon, forming on the back of Keiko.

"Oh, let's go see Tetsu."


(Hey Tetsu, we can make fire now!) Keiko called somewhat childishly.

"Sure, Keiko. Now how do we get in?" Keiko looked back at the ocean, worried she'd have to leap across again. Miya pulled out a mystic amber, lugging it at the door. It vanished without a trace.


The three made it up the stairs. They looked down in terror at the giant dragon Orochi. All eight of him.

Keiko leaped forward and attacked. Predictably, no dice. Orochi did not look at Keiko. He looked at Tetsu.

"Ah, young girl. It is time you became acquainted with my belly!" Orochi taunted.

"Not. This. Time."

Pokemon reference in the middle of Japanese folklore because it regards one tiny sentence at the end. And you thought I wasn't insane...

Mizuchi's pretty much here to get into the Moon Cave. Half of me thinks that I shouldn't employ every boss but the useless ones... because some need extension to fit. Orochi, not so much. The next one... I won't spoil the surprise. I'll rant then.

Next chapter may be in one or two parts, I don't know. But the true ending of the next chapter is when something obvious and yet hidden makes it's appearance. I'm looking forward to it.

Leap before you think!