Chapter 24: The Master of Irrevocable (Part 13)
"What? Curse of Mittavinda? What niche tale is this?"
"Well that confirms it then, if you have no knowledge of it then it's the perfect tool of murder to bring low a pantheon."
He paused for a moment as if in thought before shrugging.
"Well, technically there's no guarantee it's actually called the Curse of Mittavinda but the effects are pretty damn similar and the end result is the same. I got the info from a Bhuddist monk I befriended a while back after he'd given up vows and other sacrosanct whatevers."
Akito quietly observed the room at large, all present eyeing the man with varying degrees of skepticism and wariness as he continued with, "Regardless the curse itself is a nasty, fucked up bit of work fitting for a nasty, fucked up way of killing someone. And it stems from a story no less nasty and fucked up."
It took the Kitsune a fair bit of self-control not to laugh at how many of the gathered crowd flinched or scowled at the crass language, constantly changing from one extreme to the other as Harris played the group as if it was his own personal entourage, having them shift from one mood to the next.
"Are you deliberately trying to keep us in suspense or do you wish to actually have us demand you speak of it?"
"My lady, you only needed to ask."
The playful and mocking words had the goddess gritting her teeth as Harris chuckled, nonetheless acquiescing as he folded his arms behind his back, beginning with, "There was once a monk who lived in a small village, the richest man who lived there happy to provide him with shelter and food so that he could pursue the path of enlightenment, to rid himself of faults and perform only good deeds. For a long time the monk was content with this arrangement, never knowing or truly appreciating just how good he had it."
"Then, one day, an elderly monk traveled to the village and he was perfect. He had followed the path of truth nearly to the end and was all but faultless. The rich man offered him lunch and was happy to receive a teaching from a monk possessing such wisdom. He directed him to the local monastery where the first monk was staying and they greeted each other pleasantly, the elderly monk being shown to his room by the younger."
"Later that night, the rich man visited once again and brought the older monk gifts and drinks, receiving yet another lesson and offered the two monks to have lunch at his home the next day before leaving."
Harris grinned, teasingly remarking, "I imagine this is where we can see where the tale goes? I mean, none of us are perfect beings…"
The audience narrowed their eyes, not willing to indulge the shapeshifter's words even if they agreed with his assessment.
"That night the younger monk fell into a dangerous spiral, poisonous jealousy and worry plaguing his prior calm. The older monk was obviously more wise and faultless than he was, perhaps the village rich man would no longer feed and shelter him now that a more superior individual had arrived? He began to plot to make the older monk leave and - being an ascended sort of type - the old man instantly knew his feelings and pitied him, pitied his inability to let go of attachment. Very jedi-like."
Akito resisted the urge to roll his eyes, the final reference or order going over the heads of all present.
"The young monk carried out his morning duties but in a sneaky way, very lightly ringing the bell and knocking on the older monk's door before going to eat lunch at the rich man's home. He enjoyed a wonderful feast, full of excellent food and drink and once all was said and done he made an insulting excuse for the older monk before being given excellent food to take to his elder. Instead he burned the food, worried that the older monk would never leave if he tasted such excellent meals."
"And that was that, the young monk had been consumed by his own avarice and guilt. Even as the older monk left and the rich man continued to provide for him the monk's remaining days were plagued with an uneasy mind and gnawing certainty that he was no true wise man, imperfect in the worst of ways."
Harris spread his hands, jokingly stating, "What follows after is the usual overblown bullshit. Thousands of years and lives of torment and reincarnation as he lives an existence of starvation and constant hunger, fighting for scraps of puke and afterbirth in a punishment that I'm amazed made anyone want to follow such a fucked up system of belief. But regardless, he was finally born as a human into a poor, starving family under the name of Mittavinda, that being his last trial before his dumbass penance was done with."
The tale was concluded, all present silent and wary as Amaterasu was quick to point out, "A fascinating tale, truly. But how, exactly, does this relate to Kaiyo and Amoghasiddhi's respective deaths? A cycle of reincarnation and penance doesn't equate to the undetectable and unknown expiration of the divine."
"It does if you think about it. I've been told that Kaiyo was quite enthusiastic about this shift in sovereignty, in Japan earning its independence from China and charting its own course. Indulge me, Lady Amaterasu…"
The man's grin grew positively predatory.
"How did Kaiyo act in the days leading up to her death?"
The solar deity stiffened as if struck, eyes widening imperceptibly.
"Precisely. Uncertainty. Fear. An uneasy worry that once certain facts of life may change for the worse. Sound familiar?"
Curiosity overwhelming his desire to simply observe Akito spoke up with, "But how did you know it would work in reverse? Or that you would be able to use it properly? Amoghasiddhi could very well have been the only one able to make use of this strange affliction, considering what he was the god of."
"Simple. I didn't. But I decided to give it a try and lo and behold, turns out a god is just as vulnerable as the mortals who gave rise to the tale. And the best part is I now know how to use it whenever I want."
The already icy air within the hall turned glacial, every god, goddess and Yokai eyeing the male with the same air one would eye a rabid Dragon merely pretending to be civilized...and Akito resisted the urge to laugh at what was happening, briefly touching his sister on the back of her nape as she shifted uncomfortably, the smaller Kitsune instantly centering herself as they both remembered a key detail.
Harris couldn't use it whenever he wanted, at least not right now. They had preserved the curse from his mother's body and then given it to Amoghasiddhi, they had never actually created or made it from scratch. Maybe Charles or Merlin could reproduce it somehow but he doubted that was the case...no, Harris was basically dissuading anyone from the Shinto or Yokai from crossing him, ensuring that the rough and abrasive reputation he'd built for himself during his short stay wouldn't result in a knife to the back.
"And isn't that the most brilliant part?"
Mittavinda's curse evidently worked if there were excessive or perpetual thoughts of worry, jealousy or uncertainty...and that perfectly described the current state of affairs in regards to most of their people and Harris. Except there was no way he could have known that before encountering Amoghasiddhi, so this had all been improvised.
"That certainly fits with what Charlotte told me of him."
Harris didn't construct some grand, master plan that had to unfold perfectly every step of the way...he just had to decide on an end goal and take opportunities as they came in achieving said goal, relying on everyone's fear and wariness of him to keep them off balance and uncertain.
All the while displaying nothing but complete and total confidence even when taking risks and gambles, acting off of assumptions or unclear discoveries.
The Kitsune didn't bother hiding his smile, electing to let events play out as they would. His people and their pantheon may fear the man but the Kitsune knew it was unfounded, having seen him perform his work firsthand. As long as they never erred in their course and became the very thing they had despised in China then Harris Xavier would always be a friend and ally.
"Are you saying that mother's soul is...eternally damned?"
Yasaka's horrified whisper immediately caused the Kitsune to tense, having not considered that potential fate-
-and Harris negligently waved a hand, stating, "I highly doubt that's the case. If a god's soul could be so easily subsumed and tortured the Hindus would be far more liberal with its usage, don't you think? No, your mother's soul is at rest, princess. I imagine all of the curse's strength is directed towards actually destroying the deity in question, not perpetuating that demise forevermore."
That seemed to be enough reassurance as the smaller Yokai sagged in relief, Akito also breathing easy. The man was right, if sending a deity's soul into a perpetual cycle of reincarnation and suffering was so simple the Hindu's would reign supreme, no question about it.
"And just how did you deliver this curse unto Amoghasiddhi?"
Amaterasu's request went unanswered, the shapeshifter cheerily responding, "A magician never reveals his secrets."
He certainly wasn't going to tell them that it was as simple as crushing up a flower Merlin had grown specifically to absorb Charlotte's cursed blood and mix it into his offered drink. They had hints aplenty in knowing that the curse was caused by intense feelings of doubt and worry, he didn't want to make things too easy for them. It clearly didn't have any taste or immediately adverse effects if the way Amoghasiddhi had drinken it without hesitation was any indication.
"And you think this will stay China's hand? Keep them from descending upon us like a pack of devouring locusts for having the gall to make use of their own tools?"
The male offered a disinterested shrug, replying, "Why wouldn't it? And now that you have this knowledge you're telling me you can't think of a way to use it?"
Smirking without an ounce of shame Harris posed, "The Bhuddists sent one of their patron deities and a hitherto unknown curse to cow and subjugate your people. Instead you discovered its origins and means of transference, turning it around and killing their messenger with that very same magic while retaining the same plausible deniability they had. And besides…"
The smirk became positively bloodthirsty, the man suggesting, "They sent Amoghasiddhi of all deities to speak with you. The Hindu god of anti-venoms, resistance to poisons and all sorts of other titles. Ever considered the fact that he may have been the only one capable of safely using and controlling the curse? After all, he died when it was used against him, think about how a god not used to that kind of power would react."
Apprehension and uncertainty were slowly replaced with cautious optimism and contemplation, even as Amaterasu and a few others gave the man looks more bewildered than before, wondering how he'd been able to handle it if Amoghasiddhi had been the selected carrier.
Akito decided he wasn't in any great hurry to relay that information. It could wait.
"And your current plans?"
There was no acknowledgement of his actions in Amaterasu's tone, no gratitude or aggression. Just exhaustion and a clear desire to be freed from his presence for good.
"Well Japan has been quite the fun and relaxing experience but I think it's time my companions and I move on to greener pastures, we'll be on our way in just a few short days. Staying in one place for too long has never sat well with me."
The court at large was obviously relieved to hear of Harris' departure-
"You will stay until I call for you one last time."
-and all eyes strayed towards Amaterasu, the woman imperiously staring at the subject of her ire with a proclamation that was anything but suggestion. It was even more surprising that, with a respectful bow that was only slightly mocking, Harris replied, "As you wish. I eagerly await whatever fiery wisdom you wish to impart."
Turning on his heel and exiting without any additional fanfare the entire assembly waited until the doors had shut in their entirety behind him before turning to their patron goddess as she announced, "Dismissed. Crown prince and princess? To my chambers. Now."
The rushed and borderline disrespectful address was wordlessly ignored by all present as ethereal embers flickered around the solar deity's form, barely repressed anger and fury clear to see.
The Kitsune siblings shared a knowing glance, well aware that they were going to be in for some serious questioning.
"Well? Have you anything to say for yourselves? Do you truly understand just what it is you have wrought in regards to this insane man?"
"He wouldn't be so threatening if he were insane, Lady Amaterasu."
Akito's idle observation left the solar deity scowling at him as they convened within her chambers, the pair of Kitsune facing their benefactor as she hunched over one of her many sitting mats, sipping from a saucer of hard liquor at a pace far too fast to count as dignified.
"Then congratulations, you have only further proven my point. This man cannot be allowed to remain affiliated with our people as he currently is. Harris Xavier was allowed far too much freedom, far too much benefit of the doubt. And where has that left us?"
This time the goddess drank deeply from the saucer, setting it down with a sharp clink as the immaculately crafted material was left spotless.
"Harried and accosted from all sides, that's where. Since Amoghasiddhi's demise I have been contacted by no less than three Hindu gods from all temperaments and sects. Indra, Yamantaka and Vairocana. Need I state the obvious and inform you just how widespread this ire and protest from China is?"
Yasaka shrank in on herself, ears and tails drooping at Amaterasu's ire…while Akito merely wore a smug grin.
"Is it any less widespread and fervent than our own was? Let them stew, Lady Amaterasu. Let us open our gates and arms, invite them to see all there is to see. And what will they find? Nothing. Just as we ourselves found nothing."
The Yokai peaceably raised a hand as the solar deity made to retort, admitting, "I speak from an angry and wounded heart, I know. A heart that seeks vindication and retribution. But that does not mean I am wrong. Assume China does find evidence of us turning the Curse of Mittavinda against them, what then? Other pantheons and kingdoms will be watching after Empresses and Gods fall one after the other and the wars still rage."
He continued to speak with utmost certainty, ignoring Amaterasu's dull glare.
"Will they admit that we discovered an unknown means of assassination capable of bringing low even the divine before turning it against them? They will be watched, hounded and regarded with even more wariness than they are now with such a potent means of killing on the loose, if not outright destroyed to do away with the threat."
"And as ones that harnessed and also made use of aforementioned curse do we not fall under the same blanket of suspicion?"
Akito nodded, not even bothering to deny the claim.
"Most likely. But then we arrive at the crux of the matter…just how far is China willing to push this? How much are they willing to lose over a mutual exchange of loss and underhanded stratagems? Will an entire pantheon risk losing everything - or at best making all of their lives far more difficult - just because one of their own was impaled upon his own sword?"
The Kitsune nodded, stoically concluding, "No. They will not. And if they do then we were never going to free ourselves from China's influence to begin with as they are clearly suicidal fools that would rather throw themselves into the fire rather than listen to the bare minimum of reason."
Silence reigned for at least a solid minute, A slow, resigned sigh leaving the goddess.
"You take after your mother in the worst of ways. She was headstrong and brave to a fault as well."
"I will happily accept the compliment, My Lady."
Scowling in a manner that suggested she was less than amused the goddess nonetheless turned to Yasaka, the younger Yokai now standing straight as well.
"And you agree with your brother on this matter? To roll the dice with our homeland's fate resting in the balance?"
Her flickering orbs met Akito's resolute own.
"He certainly seems to believe in our guest's methodology being the best option."
Taking more time to think it over than her older brother had Yasaka weighed the consequences of the coming decision with what little she knew of Harris Xavier, falling deep into thought.
"How much of what he showed me in our brief time spent together is genuine and how much is an act? And what if it wasn't an act or deception? If he told me the exact truth in regards to his origins and motives…"
The Kitsune resisted the urge to sigh, realizing that getting a complete and comprehensive impression of the man was going to be all but impossible in such a short time frame. At the end of the day all she could do was make the best decision she could with the limited knowledge she possessed.
"I believe my brother has the right of it. For all his disrespect, unpredictability and seemingly nebulous goals this man and his companions have performed a great favor for us and Japan as a whole. I am confident that remaining as his friend or ally will ultimately be more beneficial than detrimental."
The siblings held their goddess's gaze in unified solidarity, Amaterasu eventually heaving out a groan as she threw a hand over her eyes as if to stave off a headache.
"...Very well. Then I shall commence with the ratifying of an agreement between his party and ours, unofficial though it may be. And as for the official aspect of it?"
She sent a glacial look Yasaka's way.
"The benefits of this pact are yours to reap as well as the responsibilities. You will continue as you were before and bind Harris to yourself both emotionally and politically. A marriage will be arranged at a later date."
Not bothering to ask how the goddess knew of her scheme - little escaped the deity's attention as long as its name wasn't Harris Xavier - Yasaka merely nodded, accepting the burden with only a slight feeling of melancholy.
Something not shared by Akito.
"What? Marriage?!"
"Yes, brother. Marr-"
"And what was this about you trying to seduce him?!"
Eyes rolling at the protective blustering of her elder sibling Yasaka dryly stated, "He has been extremely secretive and vague with both his plans, powers and origins. I merely decided to perform my duty as princess and charm him into revealing aforementioned secrets."
"You? Charm him?"
Feeling her hackles rise at the disbelieving words the Kitsune sharply asked, "Oh? Do you doubt my abilities, brother?"
Recognizing the pit he'd inadvertently stepped into Akito valiantly tried to backtrack with, "Well it's less a question of your ability and more a question of the competition! Charlotte mentioned that he's quite intimate with Merlin and Robin, so, well…you're you."
Foxfire began to dance around the Kitsune's form as Akito sent an entirely unsubtle look at her small stature, the younger Kitsune barking, "Oh, so a woman in the prime of her youth is somehow unattractive? I cannot help but notice how taken you were with your Vampire companion and can barely so much as tear your eyes away from her!"
"Well that's different-"
"HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?!"
Amaterasu idly watched the duo argue with a small ember of amusement burning within her chest, glad the pair could still so freely bicker and quarrel despite recent circumstances. While they were by no means children any longer neither were they into their third decade of life, still young by their standards.
…She hoped Yasaka understood what she was agreeing to in marrying the infuriating and dangerous man that had wandered his way into their lands. While she no doubt did - the Kitsune had inherited her mother's intelligence and beauty in equal measure - it was no small commitment to undertake. By agreeing to be wed to a man who commanded great fear, possessed uncertain standing and loyalty as well as a penchant for shucking tradition and decorum she was essentially consigning herself to the role of hostage to a foreign barbarian king.
And much like a foreign barbarian king he would seldom be present, wandering or ravaging the rest of the world while his trophy either traveled with him or stayed behind to serve as a constant reminder of his presence.
"And she need compete with two concubines or lovers as well, both who are unique and powerful enough to freely travel with such a twisted soul."
…She truly, truly hoped the Kitsune understood what she was signing up for.