Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Faded Divinity
Prologue: Little Trouble in Tainted Tokyo
Kaguya was sitting on a small table, as she was dangling one leg over the other, as she was being fairly relaxed at the current situation at hand, before Yukari came in.
"Kaguya… you are fairly early here, considering what has happened." Yukari told Kaguya stoically, as she merely un-crossed her legs in response.
"Out with it, where are you sending me? Whatever's being thrown at me, I can handle it." Kaguya stated. "After all, Eirin did say that I needed to go out often, and what better way to do that than to have some real action to deal with."
"It's not like you to joke at these times, Kaguya." Yukari stated, as Kaguya's expression soured.
"And I'm trying to keep myself from going over the edge with what happened." Kaguya answered back coldly. "So Yukari, spare me the wait and tell me where I can go, so that I can immediately start preparing. The sooner I can bring Richard back… the better, so that I can slap his damn face off for being such a reckless idiot."
"It's too evident how much you care for him." Yukari sighed.
"No shit." Kaguya scoffed. "I don't have the time to be chill, while Richard is literally on a countdown to being gone forever. We might not have made the effort to connect to each other often, since this crisis began… but you know that I would go far for him… after everything he had done to give me a feeling of love again."
"Very well." Yukari responded back. "You're heading to the world of gods and demons, the world of Shin Megami Tensei. I'm sure that with your unique skill-set… you will be able to fight against any threat over there."
"Damn right I can." Kaguya answered back. "I might not be a heavy slinger to the likes of Marisa or Richard, but my own abilities should grant me enough power to face down most of what I will meet. And I still have the crutch of being able to make use of the unique properties down there."
"Indeed, you'll need quite the squad of Demons, if you're going to survive down there, let alone find and bring Richard out." Yukari answered back. "You and I are both aware of the myriad dangers that lurk over there. Do not be swayed easily by either side of the never-ending conflict of law and chaos."
"As if I will fall to such extremities." Kaguya scoffed. "Don't worry, I'll make it back faster than most of the others."
Yukari merely snapped her fan open, as she created a sukima for Kaguya, who immediately pulled her naginata out, as she prepared for what was about to come, and stepped right through the sukima.
"And so… all are sent to their destinations." Yukari mused to herself. "I wonder… what could they come across in their many journeys…? I doubt that it would be as simple as merely retrieving Richard's fragments and leaving… even more so in the case of Meiling, Suika and Kaguya…"
Kaguya immediately found herself standing on loose sand, as she looked around, and saw only a desolate desert around here, with the entire sky and horizon being obscured by a deep fog, only allowing her to see only about a small part of what was around her, as she could see that there was a broken subway tunnel behind her, and ahead of her were pillars of rock that stretched into the sky above her, as some of them had their tops shattered, leaving levitating pieces of rock that floated above them.
"Huh… seems like the SMTIV timeline to me. But that would have to be the past." Kaguya remarked, before shaking her head. "...Nah, can't be. Even Past Tokyo seemed to be much more empty than this, it was a literal wasteland, but this is still technically ruins."
Kaguya began to walk ahead of her, as she noticed that there was a formation of rocks ahead of her, as it gave her a feeling that there was going to be some actual structures ahead, whether it be civilization's ruins or a natural nest of demons. She immediately drew her weapon, believing that danger was going to come close.
Kaguya's hunch payed off immediately, as a wave of red-haired imp-like demons with deranged red eyes, a pair of straight horns, a gargoyle-like body, and bat wings appeared, wielding twisted tridents, as they rushed towards Kaguya with growls and hisses.
"Oh, look. Fodder." Kaguya remarked, as she twirled her naginata. "What, you expect easy prey? Too bad for you, I'm the apex predator for you little runts!"
Kaguya then leapt into the air, before she then sliced one of the imps in two, as it howled in agony, before the two halves evaporated into red light, before she then continued by taking out several more of their numbers with each swing of her naginata.
As soon as they shook their panic off, the imps rushed Kaguya as one, resulting in a aerial fight between the two forces, as Kaguya blocked and deflected each of their blows, only taking glancing blows from their attacks, and countering to take out the imps one by one.
The fight was slowly working towards the advantage of Kaguya, as the number of imps was rapidly declining, although both sides were unaware that there was a bright blue light that was descending towards the area,
"Target confirmed." A familiar voice remarked, as Kaguya's attention was split for a moment, allowing her to see the light above her, as she immediately flew back, as the blue light turned into arcs of blue lightning that killed the measly few imps that remained, from an overdose of electric power.
Kaguya flew down, as she watched as the light hit the ground, before coalescing into some sort of homunculi that looked like Richard, as his hair was a dark-blue instead of raven-black, and his eyes were yellow. He also had a pair of half-moon glasses over his eyes, although it looked more like a part of him, rather than cosmetic, and his entire body from the neck to his own feet, was covered in a silver armored suit that looked mechanical, with silver energy lines coursing to his limbs and around the center of his body, with a golden core in the middle of his chest.
"...You are the one that I seek." The homunculi remarked, before putting a hand out to Kaguya. "Regardless of how powerful you are… you will not survive long without someone to aid you. Take my hand, and let me bless you with my power."
Kaguya contemplated for a moment whether to take the homunculi's offer, before she then made her choice, as she walked forward, and clasped the homunculi's hand.
A golden pulse of energy rippled between the both of them, before several more ripples began to form, each more violent than the last, before a large repelling force sent the both of them flying back, backs hitting the sand.
"Argh!" Kaguya exclaimed, before she then quickly got up, and glared at the homunculi. "What the hell was that for!?"
"It… failed? No, that's not possible! My synchronicity ratio is supposed to be perfect with any human being that I met, regardless of other factors. The fusion process cannot possibly fail… unless…" The homunculi remarked, before getting up and walking towards Kaguya. "...your strength… your body is of human flesh, but there is something else within you… a spark of immortality. You aren't human… so that is perhaps why the process rejected us both."
"Yeah, I'm a Hourai Immortal." Kaguya answered back. "And funny enough, this surprised me too. If you didn't do that out of malice, and tried to help me. I suppose I shouldn't be so brash with you. If we're going to work together, I need to know your name first."
"Hourai Immortal… such a concept exists… it seems that my knowledge is not sufficient…" The homunculi mumbled to itself, before then facing Kaguya again. "You may call me Omoikane. It is the designation which I am assigned with. If you wish to nickname something else, then I ask that you give time for me to get accustomed to your orders."
"Orders?" Kaguya answered back. "You mean that you're going to be my sidekick or companion, or whatever, right?"
"That is my primary directive." Omoikane answered back. "It has led me to you, and I have no authority to challenge it, even if your data is erroneous."
Before Kaguya could question Omoikane, a booming demonic voice rang through the land.
"How interesting. So an attempt to become Nahobino has been made. But it is not clear who is the Vessel of Life, and who is the Vessel of Knowledge, and so the attempt fails…" The voice boomed. "No matter, it is proof that more shall come in this age. Knowledge and Life had remained separate until now. Perhaps the future is secured. Otherworldly immortal, and your artificial god. Light or dark, you may chase whatever you please. I shall await you in the realm beyond the earth and heavens. Until then, acquire realization of your powers, and seek to become Nahobino, for it is your only way to seek what you wish for."
The voice then faded away, as Kaguya bit her lip, and Omoikane seemed to be drawn into the being's words.
"Tch, didn't think that the Big Under-Lord himself would greet me this quickly." Kaguya remarked. "So we tried to become Nahobino… and yet we failed, because we're missing something… or maybe we got something, but aren't ready to use it. Either way, this will be something I'll have to figure out."
Kaguya then turned to Omoikane. "Hey, Omoikane. Let's do a hypothetical." She told him. "If we successfully became Nahobino, what would have happened in your expectations?"
"You shall take a form like mine, and acquire my own power." Omoikane answered back. "In this case, both sets of powers would be possible to be utilized. However, the bearer of Knowledge is considered to be the one in control of the fused body… No, it would be more apt to state that you will relay orders for me to operate the body with. This is the case for all standard Nahobino… unless the bearer of Life has a far stronger will to dominate the connection."
"And you sure you aren't going to control me with some back-door trick?" Kaguya remarked with narrowed eyes.
"I have assessed my chances. They are a flat zero, considering your inhuman physique and your own strength of will." Omoikane responded back. "However, the matter is not important. We cannot become Nahobino due to an error in the process. We must rectify this as soon as possible… or else you will be in great danger."
"We'll see about that." Kaguya sneered. "So, since you're the knowledge expert, tell me about this place."
"This is the Netherworld." Omoikane answered back. "The place where the demons reside in, their natural home. Demons are all descendants of the gods of old, which are too referred to as demons. In this world, their rule is absolute. It is not a place where any human being should stay long in, for any demon could become a Nahobino by consuming the right human, but they care less about that, and will devour any human they can get their hands on… if they are not sentient, which is a far less cruel fate than most others."
"Hm, I could tell." Kaguya hummed gently. "So, since we have nothing more to talk about… how about we figure out where to go from here?"
"I suggest that we explore the surroundings ahead. I have been lacking in many of my own memories." Omoikane answered back. "But before we continue, you need to be aware of the Magatsuhi that lies within here."
"Magatsuhi?" Kaguya answered back. "Is that some sort of magical source that gives the demons here power?"
"Hm, it seems that you have taken a guess… but you are mostly correct." Omoikane answered back. "Laid about us are the crystalised forms of Magatsuhi."
"You mean, the sand?" Kaguya asked, lifting her foot to check the sand on the soles of her shoe.
"No… It seems that you are incapable of seeing them… and you aren't connected to me." Omoikane frowned, as he fell silent for a moment, before then speaking again. "...Close your eyes. I will need to do something that requires modifying your own sight slightly."
"Alright… if it'll help. Just know that I'll know if something goes wrong." Kaguya answered back, as she slowly closed her eyes.
Omoikane then floated forward, before he then pressed both of his palms over Kaguya's closed eyes, as there was a blue glow over them, as Kaguya could feel a warm sensation flowing around her eyes.
Kaguya then opened her eyes, as soon as Omoikane took his hands off them, as she could see shimmering crystals of red, yellow and green around the area.
"Alright, I can see them." Kaguya answered back. "I see red, green and yellow ones. Care for a lesson on them?"
"Good, it seems to work. I am not sure how it will work for you… but from what I am implanted with, the red crystals are known to be wellsprings of power that allow use of powerful abilities." Omoikane explained. "Yellow crystals are known for replenishing one's spirit and mind, while the green crystals heals one's body."
"So green for HP, yellow for MP, and red for SP, right?" Kaguya remarked, simplifying the functions in gaming terms."
Omoikane took a moment to process those words, before he then nodded. Kaguya then took several green crystals, before she then crushed them in her hands as one, as it created a yellow glow that flowed through her body, as her stamina recovered considerably. She then did the same with the red crystals, as the result gave her a red glow that flowed into her, fuelling some sort of newfound power within.
Kaguya kept note of the effect, as she then walked forward, before finding a rocky ledge that she leapt over, as she found that there was a golden floating dodecahedron, as she gave it a whack with her naginata, as it dissolved into a pile of golden coins with the Cyrillic character Tshe on it on each coin.
"Macca!" Kaguya exclaimed. "So these things are treasure chests. Gotta keep an eye on them."
"You know what Macca is, yet you don't know about the Netherworld and Magatsuhi?" Omoikane asked with a questioning tone.
"Look, Macca is common where I come from, but this place and thus Magatsuhi is not clear to me." Kaguya argued back. "You're going to expect me to know things that are not well-known and not know things that are well-known in your world. That's just how things are."
"You make a fair point. Forgive my rudeness." Omoikane answered back, as Kaguya sighed slightly.
They soon walked up the dunes, as Kaguya noticed that the ruins seem to look more like a former part of Tokyo, with the infamous red Tokyo Tower in the distance, slightly tilted.
"So this is Tokyo in this world…" Kaguya remarked. "Hm, so I was partially wrong."
"This was Tokyo, before the great war between demons and gods had brought it to its current ruined state." Omoikane answered back. "I am clear on this fact, because I was there when it occurred, as a passive actor in it. This is the only clear memory that I have, since I cannot classify the desire to link with you as a proper memory, more than it is a mere desire that guides me even in my artificial state."
"Then how about we head to Tokyo Tower then? I bet a pretty Macca that the big fight was there, and it'll surely jog your memories." Kaguya suggested.
"Hm. A wise decision. Let us proceed then." Omoikane agreed.
Kaguya then slid down the ledge from the ramp of sand, as it allowed her to reach the ruined streets of Tokyo, where she found a blue pillar of flowing light right near one of the tilted street-lights.
"Hold." Omoikane stated, before he then directed Kaguya to the light pillar. "This is a leyline fount. It is a point from which the earth's energy overflows. As one might surmise, it holds incredible power. Not only can it heal those who touch it, but it can also instantly teleport one to another location, if another leyline fount is found."
"Well, you want me to test it then? No point if we find that this thing is unreliable, when we need it most." Kaguya answered back, before she then proceeded to step right onto the leyline fount, as it suddenly transported her somewhere.
Kaguya and Omoikane seemed to find themselves in a hollow chamber of rock, as ahead of them was a massive trove of treasures, all golden in color and of varying shapes and sizes. And right in the center of the treasure trove, was a sickly green humanoid that looked more bone than flesh, with hollowed-out eye sockets, bony arms and legs, and rotted brown teeth that looked fairly whole despite the age in them. Despite its gaunt appearance, it was decked in various pieces of luxurious accessories, with rings on its fingers, a golden armlet on one arm, and a ruby bracelet on another, and a golden cuff on one of its ankles. It even had a crown on top of its head.
"Keeheehee! Well, you're a peculiar pair, aren't you?" The creature spoke with a cackling high-pitched male voice.
"Where is this place, and who are you?" Omoikane asked firmly.
"Really, now? You want to know where you are?" The creature answered back, before placing its hands over its mouth, as there was a wide toothy smile on it. "Keeheehee! Why, this is the place I call home!"
"Home?" Kaguya questioned.
"As you can plainly see, I'm a bit of a collector of sorts. It's easy living, what with the riff-raff out there and me in here! Keehee!" The creature stated. "Still, a pair of demons like you two are a first. One's an immortal in human flesh, and the other's an artificial demon! Pleasure having you both! But where are my manners? You may call me Gustave. See something in my trove, and it is all yours… for a small fee, of course. Keeheehee!"
"Ah, so you are a vendor of sorts." Kaguya answered back. "I suppose that you wouldn't mind parting with a few of your lower possessions with compensation. That's good, because we're going off to Tokyo Tower, and I'm going to need to stock up on commodities that will help along the way."
"Why, I'm a believer in the principle of 'want not waste not', elegant guest of mine." Gustave chuckled back. "Then you ought to do yourself a good favor and spend a good amount of your Macca then. You'll need an edge against the demons out there, why don't you?"
Kaguya then collected a few bottles of pink medicine from the hoard, as they were located by the dozen at the foremost parts of the hoard, before bringing it forward.
"How much for these?" Kaguya asked back.
"Why, for that, I'll give you a generous price of 200 Macca for that quartet of Medicine bottles you have." Gustave stated.
"Then have it." Kaguya remarked, as she then dumped the Macca for her purchase right into the hill of Macca on one side of the grove.
"Need anything else?" Gustave asked, before Kaguya shook her head no. "Keehee, satisfied your curiosity, have you? Allow me to send you back on your way. Before that, however, I couldn't help but think our meeting like this might be fate, so perhaps you could do me a favor."
"Shoot." Kaguya responded back.
"I'm rather taken with the human knick-knacks and relics of yore, so I got some pawns to go out and fetch them for me. Miman, they're called." Gustave answered back. "Trouble is, they're fickle, and even worse, they're forgetful. Oftentimes, they give up the search and do whatever they please… they're useless! That said, if you happen to run across any, mind sending 'em back old Gustave's direction? I'll see to it you're rewarded for your actions. Keehee!"
"Sure, I wouldn't mind a bit of a side job like that." Kaguya shrugged back.
"Excellent! Also, I've taken liberty to connect this place to the leyline fount. Feel free to come and go as you fancy,. Keeheehee! Till next time, eh?" Gustave stated.
Kaguya and Omoikane were warped back, before they then heard Gustave communicate through the leyline found ahead of them.
"Oh, yes, of course! I did forget that you had another purpose for the leyline fount. Here, allow me to show it to you. I can use it to heal you in whatever way you fancy…" Gustave stated, as the leyline fount turned green for a moment. "But I can't do it for free, keehee! Cough up a little Macca, however, and I'll set you right as rain in a jiffy. Be good to remember that, eh?"
"No probs, if I'm broke, I'll just have to use a broken body to scrounge the measly fee up…" Kaguya remarked.
"I highly recommend against such an action." Omoikane answered back. "Still, the fact that this demon is willing to barter for goods and allow us access to the fount for a fee of Macca… it is acceptable."
"Don't worry, I won't end up battered enough to stoop that low." Kaguya scoffed. "Anyways, let's go looking around for Miman, we did promise Gustave that we'd start the Miman hunt."
They soon continued forward, before they found a small creature that looked a gremlin, with a diminutive red body clad in a black underwear, wielding a red crystal pick. It also had a head that was a broken black sphere with a white skull painted on it, and red crystals inside of the sphere, with two eye holes.
"Hey, you a Miman?" Kaguya asked the creature. "Gustave is looking for your kind."
"Huh!? Gustave wants us back-back?" The creature remarked with a cracked voice. "Well, no find any relics yet. Fine-fine, I'll head back."
The Miman then headed to where the leyline fount was, as it disappeared inside of it.
"Well, now that we have found one, we should see what Gustave has to offer for our first find." Omoikane stated.
Kaguya nodded, as she back-tracked to the leyline fount, which transported them back into Gustave's hollow.
"Keehee. Found a Miman already, have we? My thanks, friend. I got just the thing to show my appreciation." Gustave remarked, before he then opened a hand, as a red light flowed towards Kaguya, as she snatched it, feeling that it was some sort of magical essence. "This is the essence. It contains the power of a demon, power only the chosen can wield. You'll wanna make your merry way to the leyline fount in Mita. Someone there will be able to tell you more, I'm sure."
"I see. Well, we'll see what you have to give after I find some more." Kaguya remarked, before she then left the hollow.
The duo then continued onwards, finding another Miman along the way, before they then found a lone demon before them, as it was some sort of fairy-like creature with butterfly wings, red curled hair, and clad in a tight blue suit with blue boots. The sight of the demon make Kaguya peppy.
"A Pixie! This is brilliant, finding one of the early-recruits alone is great for a start in demon negotiating." Kaguya exclaimed with joy.
"You already seem to believe that demons are able to be convinced to work in our service?" Omoikane asked Kaguya.
"Duh! I bet you were going to say the same thing." Kaguya stated. "Humans don't live long in the Netherworld alone without the help of more charitable demons. Pixie is among that cluster of demons with that disposition."
"I see. Then take this. It will serve as a negotiating gift." Omoikane stated, before he then produced a pink stone that glowed with lifeforce itself.
"A Life Stone, that'll be enough." Kaguya stated, before she then approached the demon, who noticed her. "Hey there, you won't mind a talk right?"
"Whoa? She talked to me?" Pixie remarked, as she floated closer, examining Kaguya. "She doesn't seem to look like a demon… but she feels like one. Okay then, let's talk! I'm going to ask a question, so make sure you answer in a way that'd make me happy, okay?"
Kaguya resisted the urge to roll her eyes, as she felt that the Pixie was nagging her with something she knew.
"So, do you think I'm cute?" Pixie asked, placing both of her hands under her chin in a charming gesture.
"Well, let's just say I met your kind, and no matter what they are… they're all cute. And you're on the top quartile of that list in terms of adorable." Kaguya remarked with a smug smirk, being unable to help herself in teasing the Pixie back.
"O-Oh." Pixie answered back, as she blushed slightly at the forthcoming answer. "Well, you must really want me to join you, do you?"
"Well, I can't just leave a cutie like you all alone in the big bad world." Kaguya chuckled. "And besides, I think that the two of us will get along well. You just cover my back with some spells, and I'll hack the rest for you. Sounds good?"
"Yeah! But demons won't join you for free you know, and as flattering you are, I can't make an exception." Pixie answered back, floating about. "So how about this? If you got a Life Stone, I'll take it as my induction gift into your group."
"Lucky me and lucky you." Kaguya stated, as she showed the Life Stone. "I just found one out of sheer luck. So, done deal?"
"Yep!" Pixie exclaimed, as she picked up the Life Stone, before tossing it a few times up and down. "You'll definitely get a good amount of demons with that tongue of yours, but demons are pretty fickle, so it might not go as easily as it did with me."
"Of course not!" Kaguya remarked back, crossing her arms. "But I have a special way of dealing with these rowdy ones who want to be an ass rather than join me."
"What's that?" Pixie stated, before Kaguya brandished her naginata in response.
"Hostile negotiation." Kaguya remarked with a smirk that actually made Pixie bleach a little. "I'll only make my offer once, a few times if I really want them. They slam that attempt down, then I'll beat them to an inch, and either they realize their mistake, or run away, or go ahead and just sign their death warrants."
"L-let's not get that far, right?" Pixie tried to persuade Kaguya in response.
"Of course not." Kaguya remarked, putting down her naginata. "I know that a good part of demons just need a good dialogue to understand that being by my side is the best way to deal with matters. So then, let me introduce myself. I'm Kaguya Houraisen, and floaty boy here is Omoikane."
"I'm Fairy Pixie! I hope we get along!" Pixie answered back, before she then shook Kaguya's finger as a sign of cooperation. "So, where are we going?"
"To Tokyo Tower, but we'll need to do some fighting to get there. Don't worry, the experience will help you be better." Kaguya stated. "And I could use some macca. You won't mind me taking out some jerks, won't you? Not like they're a shortage since they're an unending scourge…"
"Oh, sure." Pixie nodded back.
They then continued forward, as they found that there were several Slimes, green blob-like creatures, ahead, as Omoikane turned to Kaguya.
"...Do you require an explanation on ambush tactics regarding demons?" Omoikane asked Kaguya.
"No need. I just need to strike the first blow when they least expect it." Kaguya remarked, as she tip-toed behind one of the Slimes, before striking it with her naginata in a powerful swing, as it sent the creature onto the ground hard. "LIKE THIS!"
The other Slimes in the area noticed the attack, as they gurgled, before they shuffled towards Kaguya, with Pixie looking worried.
"Um, that's a lot of them… You sure you can handle this?" Pixie asked with concern.
"Of course, you're being too much of a worrywart. This is literal fodder." Kaguya boasted, before turning to Pixie. "Say, what skills do you know?"
"Well… I only know Dia and Patra…" Pixie admitted sheepishly, pressing her fingers together. "So, I'm sorry if I can't fight like you."
"No problem. I can handle the rest. You just stay back and let me do the reaping." Kaguya answered back, as she stepped forward. "Now, I should see what I have at hand…"
Kaguya then immediately twirled her naginata, before she then glowed with golden energy, before she then launched a beam of light right onto one of the slimes, as it reeled back, hurt heavily by the attack.
"Ooh, Hama. Now that's a good move to start with." Kaguya remarked. "I suppose it fits, considering that I am the princess of the moon, after all. But let's see what else I have."
Kaguya then waited for a moment for another Slime to approach, before she then launched a powerful lunging attack that smashed the Slime in two, as the halves faded away in red particles.
"Sweet, I've got a Lunge equivalent." Kaguya remarked. "Better not push my luck for now. Let's dance, slimy!"
Kaguya then immediately began to enter into a close-range brawl against the Slimes, as they managed to hit her a few times, despite her experienced nature, although she was not too wounded from the encounter, as she countered back with powerful strikes, casting Hama whenever she had the opportunity, as sometimes, the Slimes hit by them would immediately evaporate in the golden pillar of light, instead of being merely hit heavily by it, and Kaguya was abusing her physical strength to land Lunging strike after Lunging strike whenever she could.
After the battle was over, Kaguya was scuffled, with light bruises over her entire body, while she was panting gently, before wiping the sweat off her brow.
"Whew, that was a fight." Kaguya remarked, before turning to Pixie, as golden particles entered them both, power gained from the defeated demons. "Hey, Pixie, how do you feel?"
"I feel… great!" Pixie exclaimed, as a golden light washed over her. "I felt as if I learned a new skill… Zan! That's right, Zan! It's my one offensive skill, and I've finally learned it!"
"Glad to hear that." Kaguya nodded back, before Pixie immediately cast Dia on her, as green particles washed over Kaguya, making the bruises on her body disappear. "Ah jeez, you didn't have to. I wasn't as hurt as I looked. But thanks anyway."
"I don't want to risk it. If you die, then I'm going to be easy pickings for other demons around here…" Pixie answered back.
As the duo of immortal and demon began to walk forward, they noticed a cry of distress in the distance.
"You don't wanna eat me. Not a lot of flavor, you know? Trust me!" A young female voice was heard, as Pixie and Kaguya turned their head to the voice, as it was a small Tengu creature, with blue hair, geta, and a white kimono with red linings, with a purple sash around her waist, and a large golden band on her head, that spit her hair on top into two bundles, pointy ears and golden eyes.
The tengu seemed to be surrounded by a trio of purple gremlin like creatures that were stark naked, with golden armlets and long-lobed ears that had red talisman hanging from them both, green beady eyes, and a rectangular head that had a massive jaw. Looking at these creatures repulsed Kaguya, as her face scrunched up.
"Ugh, Pretas…" Kaguya hissed, as Pixie was surprised.
"You know who they are?" Pixie asked back.
"Damn right, and the less said about them, the better." Kaguya answered back.
"Oh, hey! You! You, with the long hair! You'll save me, right? Please?" The tengu called out to Kaguya.
Kaguya did not answer, as she walked forward, as one of the Pretas turned around to address her.
"Who're you?" It spoke with a distorted voice, tilting its head to the side.
"None of your business, block-head." Kaguya answered back.
"You think you can snatch away our prey!?" The Preta answered back, as their cohorts turned around to face Kaguya and Pixie. "We're damn near starving to death out here! So I guess we'll be slapping YOU on the menu too!"
"Oh, believe me, you WISH you could get a piece of me." Kaguya answered back, as the Pretas waddled over. "Pixie, show these greedy fools who they're messing with, give them a taste of Zan!"
"Okay!" Pixie answered back, before she then threw her hands forward, casting several blades of green wind, as they hit one of the approaching Pretas, knocking them down.
"And now, let me! Hama!" Kaguya exclaimed, before she then flicked her naginata up, consuming one of the Pretas, as they were melted into the light.
The last Preta managed to get in range of Pixie, before jumping up and biting her arm, causing the fae to scream out in pain.
"Hands off my healer, gremlin!" Kaguya remarked, as she round-housed the Preta right off Pixie, before then cutting it in two with a horizontal slash.
Pixie managed to recover, as she cast another Zan spell, as this time, it hit the surviving Preta head on, killing it quickly.
"Whew, that's a relief." The tengu remarked, flapping up in front of Kaguya. "Seriously, thanks! You really saved me back there."
There was a moment of silence, before the tengu began to ponder something.
"Hmm… You knoooow, now that I think of it…" She continued, placing a finger on her cheek. "I, like, totally had the judgment to ask for your help, so doesn't that make me awesome too? Okay, never mind, then! Like you deserve thanks anyway!"
She then placed both of her hands on her waist in a prideful stance. "The only reason I'm alive is because I asked you for help, and you know it! Don't try to deny it either!" She declared with a huff.
"Hey, that's not nice! She did save-" Pixie was about to argue, before Kaguya walked forward, and flicked the tengu on the nose, causing her to wince and nurse it.
"Ow! What was that for?" The tengu exclaimed.
"Silly tengu, don't be so tsun-tsun." Kaguya chuckled lightly. "If you want to come with me, then you can come with me!"
"W-Who's coming with you!? I haven't made my choice, and I'm not letting you force me!" The tengu huffed, wagging her fists up and down, before she then calmed down. "But still. I have never seen you before… Wow, that's weird? So, so, who are you? Hm? Where you headed?"
"My name is Kaguya Houraisen, and I'm heading to Tokyo Tower up there." Kaguya answered back, pointing at the sunken red tower in the distance.
"Wait, Kaguya as in Kaguya-no-hime!?" The tengu exclaimed with surprise.
"In a different name, but yeah, that's me." Kaguya smirked back, crossing her arms. "Don't you feel proud being rescued by royalty, little tengu?"
"No way! You can't be her!" The tengu exclaimed back, as the smile dropped off Kaguya's face. "Kaguya is suppose to shine like a natural gem on the face of the world, and she's definitely far better dressed than that common attire of yours! And she definitely is much stronger than you!"
"Oh, is that a fact?" Kaguya answered back, as her voice turned low, with an anger vein appearing on her face, at the sheer audacity of the tengu. "Well then, it seems that you haven't been taught to respect your betters. How about I give you your introductory lessons?"
Kaguya was about to smack the mouthy tengu, before Omoikane intervened.
"She speaks with reason. I myself doubt that you are truly the figure in myths that you claim yourself as." Omoikane stated, to placate Kaguya's simmering anger. "You have not the properties to be able to be related to such a figure."
"Even you…!?" Kaguya growled, before staring at Omoikane's stoic face for a moment, before she then sighed deeply. "Fine, you win this round. But make no mistake, I'll make you recognise that I am not just Kaguya-no-hime, I'm a far better version of her!"
The tengu could only watch as Kaguya and Pixie passed by her, as she pouted for a moment, before then flying off herself.
Kaguya and Pixie then explored through the ruins of the Tokyo district, eradicating Pretas and Slimes wherever they went, and even meeting a small band of Pixies that actually recognise the Pixie by her side, and gave the immortal a Life Stone as a gift of friendship, while also collecting more ruined relics of the past, and finding a few more Mimans.
While exploring, they entered a small cavern, as they found a group of Preta that looked positively famished, as Pixie was about to attack, before Kaguya stopped her.
"Not these ones, Pixie." Kaguya answered back. "These ones… they're too weak to even fight, and they might have something for us, if we listen into their woes."
Pixie merely returned a concerned expression, as Kaguya walked towards the group, hearing their woes.
"Us Pretas are always hungry, no matter how much we put away." One of the Pretas stated. "So you can imagine it does a real number on us when we don't have anything to eat."
"Hey, have you seen our buddies? They went out to scrounge for food. If you see them, tell 'em to come back." Another Preta told Kaguya. "Any longer, and they won't have much to come back to…"
Kaguya then walked to the Preta at the very back, which she assumed was the leader of the band, as it raised its head to face Kaguya.
"Ooh, you're late…! Wait, who're you? I thought it was the boys." The Preta leader stated.
"I figured. So tell me what's your problem, and I'll help you, only because this is just sad." Kaguya answered back neutrally.
"A while back, some of us went out searching for food, but no one's returned yet." The Preta leader answered back. "Hey, think you could look for my buddies? I'm starving over here."
Kaguya then nodded, as the Preta leader, and those nearby lit up on seeing her response.
"Ooh, thanks!" The Preta leader answered back. "If you spot 'em, tell 'em to get their asses here pronto… And make sure they bring food!"
Kaguya then left the cave, as they continued on their journey, with the typical encounter and prizes along the way, as they found another leyline fount, which was right before some sort of dark demonic tentacled creature that blocked the path ahead, with a single glaring eye on the center of the mass of tentacles.
"Well, now… isn't this a sight to behold." A harmonious female voice was heard from the leyline fount, as Kaguya, Omoikane jolted in response to hearing it. "Let me see your face."
"Hey, wait, you gotta tell me who-" Kaguya was about to say, before she and Omoikane were warped into a dark blue space, as there were shimmering pillars around them. "-you are… huh?"
Kaguya then looked around, before she then noticed that there was a cloaked figure in the distance, as she walked forward to approach them.
"At last, you have arrived. All of this time waiting… and only now does one possess the power to see me." The voice stated, as it was coming from the cloaked figure. "An immortal who has stepped into this realm… and an artificial god who stands by her side. Your desire to become Nahobino is evident on your nature… but it is unfortunate that you are not able to…"
"Who are you? How do you know about such things?" Omoikane asked, before the figure turned around to reveal a white doll-like entity with red ribbons hanging down the front of her body, with jigsaw-like marks on her artificial body, that only her torso could be seen under the blue cloak covering her entire body, as well as a pair of glowing orange eyes.
"I am Sophia. I have come from a plane far beyond this one to act as a guide to both the world and the Nahobino to be…" Sophia introduced herself. "You seek a way to become Nahobino, so that you shall have the power to rival that of the gods. Indeed, your fusion shall exceed even the Fallen One himself, but you lack the means to achieve it. And for that, I shall awaken some of that which slumbers within you, Kaguya Houraisen. Therein, lies the key to becoming Nahobino."
Sophia then raised her head, and lifted her arms up, as Kaguya was bathed in a blue light, as it washed over, before it then gathered in front of her chest, absorbing it well.
"What's this feeling… I feel… changed inside." Kaguya responded back. "Is this, your doing, Sophia?"
"I merely have given you the power to make use of the Essences that you have acquired, Houraisen. With you, you shall be able to possess a myriad of powers and Miracles, all that shall give you the ability to shape the world… and to strengthen your own internal Life, so that the realm shall recognise the union between you and that artificial god." Sophia explained.
"So the more I gain these powers… the more… in-sync I am with Omoikane… and that in turns means that I am more likely to succeed the Nahobino creation process, right?" Kaguya answered back.
"It is not a path easily traveled. You must seek many powers to be able to create a core of artificial Life to serve as material for your eventual fusion as Nahobino." Sophia responded back. "Henceforth, you shall traverse Da'at and gather these Essences along with Glory, as they are the very source of Miracles, a decent storing that you already have. They shall be your path to becoming a Nahobino… and beyond."
"So, how do I use these Essences?" Kaguya asked back, pulling out the Essence that Gustave gave her.
"Perform Apotheosis. Your body is built well enough to handle the process with no consequences." Sophia answered back. "Perform it by pressing the Essence into your own very heart. This realm shall guide the rest for you."
Kaguya did so, as she immediately pressed the Essence right over her heart, as a red light burst from her chest, as she felt a surge of power in her, as her mind was then assaulted by a burst of knowledge, teaching her of a new spell.
"...Agi." Kaguya answered back. "Hm, this will be useful if I find any foes that are weak to fire."
"One more thing before you depart." Sophia stated, before pressing a hand to Omoikane's chest, drawing out an Essence, while Omoikane fell still for a moment, which was pure blue. "I have made use of this artificial god's Essence. Use it how you will. Unlike others, it cannot be exhausted."
"I see." Kaguya remarked, before stowing the Essence away. "Anything else I should know about my floating partner?"
"He is far from his perfect state. A mere shell of what he is truly capable of." Sophia answered back. "Another condition is to find shards of his past self, which too are in the form of Essences. Only after finding enough… will the second condition for your transformation to a Nahobino succeed, be achieved."
"We are thankful for your information, Sophia." Omoikane answered back. "...Come, let us depart… unless you wish to make use of my essence now."
Kaguya shook her head, as they teleported out of Sophia's realm, right back to the leyline fount.
"Well, well, made it to Mita's leyline fount, I see." Gustave's voice rang from the leyline fount before them. "Then, allow me to let you in on a secret. All leylines are connected. Quick trip through the Leyline Crossing, and you'll be spirited away to another fount in no time flat. See for yourself, eh? Keeheehee!"
Gustave's voice then faded from the leyline fount, as Kaguya decided to turn to Pixie.
"You alright?" Kaguya asked the fae.
"Well, you were gone for a moment, and then you just simply appeared before me in an instant." Pixie stated. "What happened, Kaguya?"
"Nothing serious." Kaguya answered back. "Let's just build up our crew a little."
Kaguya then decided to do a recruitment run around for the local demons, finding a Onmoraki, a onion-headed creature with a body of a roasted chicken, who had a affinity with fire, and even getting a Slime to work alongside them,
After the recruitment was done, Kaguya decided to walk towards the red creature in the distance, as Kaguya turned to Omoikane. "So, what you got for the class this time, wise one?" She quipped.
"This is what is known as an Abscess. It is a nest of demons that have been drawn together by the overflowing spiritual power." Omoikane stated. "Dangerous it might be, it hinders our only path forward. Combat against it… is unavoidable. So I hope that your preparations might be able to handle the fight ahead."
"Oh, don't worry, I got this handled." Kaguya remarked. "So come on, let's get this show on the road!"
The group then rushed towards the Abscess, before reaching the core of it, as there were a trio of Mandrakes guarding it, being small plant-like humanoids with a collar of leaves and a large flower blossom on their heads.
"Kaguya, it's wise that you immediately use the gathered Magatsuhi power to unleash a devastating assault." Omoikane warned Kaguya. "Doing so will ensure that the fight will end far better in our favor."
"Of course, that's why I've been saving it up. Now, let's raise HELL!" Kaguya exclaimed, before she then unleashed the Magatsuhi energy over her entire group, as they were washed with immeasurable power for the brief moment.
Onmoraki and Kaguya began to lay down Agi after Agi, bombarding the Mandrakes with fire that burned against their bodies, as well as Slime constantly bashing into the staggered plant-creatures, and Pixie knocking parts of them off with well-aimed Zan blasts.
With the unrelenting onslaught, the Mandrakes were destroyed, as the Abscess itself let out a drawn-out roar, before it melted away into particles, clearing the path ahead.
"High five, team!" Kaguya exclaimed, as she high-fived her three demons one by one, although it was more head to hand for Slime, and it did make Kaguya wince slightly in disgust, although she held it in.
Kaguya then walked through the area, as it was fairly desolate, save for the curious demon, before she then managed to find an abandoned subway line, and there, she saw another human, a rare sight to her.
"Hey…" Kaguya stated, before she then walked forward to address the human, who turned around, revealing that he was a high-school student, dressed in school uniform, which was a black jacket with a white shirt, plaid pants and black shoes, and he had short black hair and a pair of glasses.
"Glad that you're ok-" The boy was about to say, before he was stunned by Kaguya's appearance. "...Wait, you're not Johei… But you don't look like a demon… who are you?"
"Kaguya. Just call me Kaguya." Kaguya answered back, unwilling to divulge her full name to a human that she doesn't know, on guard about whether this boy could very well be a powerful demon summoner that could do a lot of harm to her.
"Hm… To be named after the bamboo-cutter princess. Your parents must be a fan of the classics. You even wield a naginata like bushi-onna of old." The boy answered back. "I'm Yuzuru Atsuta. I hope that we can find a way out of this together."
"Yeah… You figured out that this place is a ruined mirror of Tokyo?" Kaguya asked back.
"Yeah…." Yuzuru answered back, before tracing a hand along a decommissioned train carriage with a green stripe along the center. "That's a lot of rust, but I'd know that green stripe anywhere. This train car's from the Yamanote line. But if this is the train, then… what exactly happened here? What could possibly have happened to Tokyo while we were in that tunnel?'
"Well, this is the Netherworld, after all." Kaguya stated, crossing her arms. "We got dragged into a mirror of the city in this damned world."
"That… I cannot confirm or deny that. We need to focus on gathering more information." Yuzuru stated. "I plan on regrouping with other students of my academy. And if you have seen someone my age, with blonde hair, freckles and a cap, that's Dazai. If you could find him… please, tell him to come our way."
"Sure." Kaguya answered back. "You sure that you'll be fine, I managed to survive because I managed to find a good few demons that are willing to come fight with me."
'That's a relief. I knew that you didn't fight your way alone." Yuzuru answered back. "I'm with a group that's working to protect the world. They gave me a demon summoning program. A host of demons is trying to drag Tokyo into darkness. And we have the power to stop them. I'm not just trying to protect myself. I'm fighting to save everyone. For now, we should go our own ways. Again, if you find Dazai, tell him to come my way. I'll be able to get him to safety before something bad befalls him… This place is full of bloodthirsty demons. Living legends waiting to cut us down… but we can't die out here."
"Preaching to the choir, pal." Kaguya answered back. "Go on, and try not to pick a fight with the wrong demon. Underestimating them is fatal here."
"Thanks for the advice." Yuzuru stated, before he then followed the train tracks to another location.
"Kaguya…" Omoikane was about to say, before he was hushed by Kaguya's raised hand.
"Don't worry, I'm not in a hurry to follow him. We need to get your memory, or at least a good part of it back." Kaguya stated. "Tokyo Tower is still our goal, and as much as I worry for that kid… we got bigger fish to fry. So come on."
Kaguya then continued to walk through the deserted landscape, heading for Tokyo Tower in the distance…
Compendium:
Lady Kaguya Lvl ?
Element Nullities: Light
Element Resistance: Fire
Element Weakness: Dark
Ailment Weakness: Poison
Ailment Resistance: Charm
Initial Skills: Hama, Lunge
Proto Omoikane (New Moon) Lv 8
Element Resistances: Ice, Light, Lightning, Force
Elemental Weaknesses: Dark, Fire
Ailment Resistance: Seal
Notable Skills: Divine Eye, Bufu, Zio
Divine Eye: 1 MP, learn enemy info
