What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams.


We headed out to Northern Ryoshima Coast. The city was cleaned and all but scoured, so we decided to search for more of Miya's book in the North. And hopefully, Miya herself.

We emerged to find massive waves skimming the surface of the water. We also got very brief glimpses of a dragon rushing along the ocean's waves.

"This isn't good."

"Wait, what? Miya told me the guardian deity of Ryoshima Coast was a dragon. And that one seems to fit the description."

"It's raging. Those waves don't look good for Ryoshima Coast."

"Hm, correct. What do we need to do to progress?" Karin gave no response. She looked across the coastline, looking for something. Without warning, she ran towards a lone pier. Keiko followed about five paces behind.


"This is the place."

"How can you tell?"

"A magician never reveal's her secrets."

"I thought you were a Miko?"

"Same thing. To activate the secret, you'll need to draw a sun here." Keiko drew one, looking at Karin like she was insane. To her surprise, a mermaid leaped out of the ocean, landed back in, and emerged right next to the pier.

"Good to sea you, Nanami," Karin greeted, smirking.

"As it is to you, daughter of Kagura. But who might this be?"

"This is Keiko. She is a great warrior of the frozen land. She is searching for certain artefacts. May she walk the ocean's waters in search of them?" Keiko looked at Karin.

"Ocean's waters? I can't breathe underwater!"

"You are a goddess, Keiko. You can survive in the ocean's depths. I, however, cannot."

"Karin?"

"Don't worry, Keiko. I'm not leaving you. I just can't accompany you this time. Nanami, can you?"

"No, I'm too old. And Chibiterasu was enough for me. But I do know someone who may be able to assist you. Princess, come here!"

A second mermaid, not looking much different from the first, broke the ocean's surface, and faced Keiko.

"Nanami, must you insist on calling me princess? Maiha is perfectly fine. Maiha-hime, if you really need to," she fussed.

"Very well, Maiha-hime. I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Nanami back flipped, and dived deep into the ocean's waves.

"So. You're a goddess, huh?"

"I have been called that. Once. Just then, in fact."

"So… you're not a goddess?"

"The more likely story."

"I'm confused. Are you a goddess or not?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm close enough to for this conversation to be extremely confusing."

"Correct. We must be off. There's something down there that you should see. I'll be waiting."

"Wait, Maiha. Keiko needs your assistance to get down there."

"What about that warp ability? Doesn't she have that?" Karin prepared a counter, but stopped. She nodded.

"Keiko, take this," she muttered, putting a small charm around her neck.

"What does it do?"

"It allows you to teleport via Origin Mirror. There should be one in the Dragon Palace, and one up here in Northern Ryoshima. That's all you need to know for now. I'll share the details later, when we aren't in the middle of something."

"I understand, Karin. Lead me to the Origin Mirror." Keiko held out her hand.


"Finally, Keiko. How long does it take to get here?" Maiha asked.

"That long."

"Ha ha. Very funny. Now, if you don't mind, while you were off in your own little world with that Miko, my mother has requested to see you."

"Are you always this hyperactive?"

"I'm not hyperactive. I'm just irritated."

"Same thing. Just take me to your mother already."


"Mum, I brought your Oina."

"Very good, Maiha. And welcome, Keiko, to our undersea heaven."

"It's very nice-looking, Queen Oto. Now, pardon my bluntness, but I believe there was a purpose to your request?"

"Yes, Oina. I have for you a scroll taken directly from the works of a Celestial Envoy. And a request… no, a plead." Keiko examined the scroll, about a penguin and the ability to guide a partner, and motioned to hear the plead.

"The Water Dragon, symbol of all that is good with the seas, is wreaking havoc. It's very existence should not be possible. My plead is this: Can you slay the impostor?" Keiko examined the curio she had been given by the Emperor.

"That is a Water Tablet. The bearer can walk along the surface of the water."

"In which case, I could defeat this dragon in my sleep. Maiha, we're going to take on a dragon."


Keiko paced along the surface of the water.

(For a malevolent dragon, he's taking his time!) she said as the Water Dragon broke the surface.

"Spoke too soon, Keiko. Now what do we do?"

(Hm… If only I had Miya's book. She'd know what role the Water Dragon played before.)

"…So my life is in the hands of someone who relies on a Miko who can't swim. We're doomed."

(The Miko's name is Karin. Miya's a different girl. A Poncle who knows anything and everything about precisely what I need.)

"Well, at least come up with some plan. The internal workings of the fight are very important."

(Duh… wait! Internal workings! Thanks, Maiha!)

"What are you doing?" Keiko set Maiha down. "You're doing what I think you're doing, huh?"

*SLAM*

Keiko barely dodged the dragon. Maiha was consumed, and was now drifting through the Dragon's belly.


The Water Dragon writhed and screeched. It pulled from side to side as Maiha worked her magic from the inside. Eventually, the Water Dragon exploded in a puff of darkness, with Maiha gracefully back flipping onto Keiko's back, and the Trinity Mirror circling around to form on Keiko's back.

"I don't think you've got that long left."

(Until what?)

Until what indeed. Fun fact: The ending, or at least the fight with the shadow at Ezofuji, was the inspiration for this story. The entire thing is just one big 'how we got here'.

And Maiha is probably my favourite of the characters I have drawn visually. Her or Miya. Sadly, I think I screwed her up a little. At least she sees what no one else has quite spotted.

And how long until we get Miya back? Either next chapter or the chapter after, depending on how exactly I can execute the next fight. Those of you who know their Okami lore can figure out with 97% certainty who the next boss is.

Leap before you think!