Before there is light, there is darkness, the black void that swallows all. It is an endless body that exists around the entire world, nothing can stop its sprawl no matter how hard they try. But darkness cannot exist without light, the everlasting glow that lights the way and warms the heart. Light and dark exist together in harmony, in light there is strength, in darkness there is serenity.

Darkness laid upon Shinkyo and the spirits paid no heed. Spirits -young and old—continued their daily lives as the night rained down on their heads. There were spirits of many origin: The Ushi Oni, an ox demon with talons for feet. The Nurikabe, a large Yokai that appeared as a large, living wall. The Satori, highly intelligent ape-like creatures, even the various Onna, from Yuki Onna to the Yanagi Onna. The spirits lived in harmony forever following the law of the city. They ate in restaurants, worked on their carpentry and silk, aided in financial affairs. It was so alive, so free…

On a hill overlooking the city was a shrine belonging to a great kami, one that all spirits respected. It was here, in the darkness, that Tsukuyomi meditated. His breath was contained and serene, each breath gave new life to the plants around him. When he exhaled, a moonrose bloomed from his garden. Wheat sprang to life in a nearby field as the moon peaked over the mountain, and the grand Wisteria tree that blossomed in the main courtyard of his shrine breathed its elegant sweet scent.

The tree's aroma was carried throughout the shrine on the wind, and a young man felt it soothe his soul as he sat in front of the grand kami himself. Izuku slowly opened his eyes and allowed the moonlight to soak him, and he looked ahead at what was to come. Tsukuyomi sat quietly with his chin resting on his hands, his eyes shone like the very moon itself, and they stared at Izuku with pure focus. Izuku heard what was being said next to him; Jiro was giving her report about the Yuki Onna attack that transpired in Fukuoka. The danger, the ice, Dabi's arrival, the great battle, all of it. Izuku could hear the sound of Jiro's voice, but the only sound he could understand was static. He blinked once, then twice, then gulped as his body grew warm. He felt the soft threads of his kimono wrap around his skin as though a parent were hugging him. And yet, it couldn't hide his true feelings. The chains that shackled his core were too strong for him to break, all he could do was wait in silence…

"To recap; you and Jiro were at a restaurant in Fukuoka and were about to return to Inari's home, then a snap blizzard appeared due to a Yuki Onna's presence?" the lunar deity asked.

Izuku silently nodded.

"And afterward the two of you investigated, to which you, Midoriya, were separated from Jiro and you confronted the Yuki Onna, alone, until a Hero arrived?"

Izuku nodded again.

"And after a long battle with this Yokai, you managed to create a Soul Bridge… and cleansed her Niwa from Blight?"

"Yes sir, a-and her name is- was … Michi Akiyama…" Izuku muttered. Tsukuyomi stared at him with cosmic purple eyes. "Uhm… what's a Soul Bridge, sir?"

"The fact that you must ask that question shows your ignorance of the situation." The god said firmly.

"What? That's not fair! Midoriya still saved her in the end, he at least deserves that!" Jiro protested.

"I'm well aware young lady, but even with that in mind he acted callously."

Jiro snapped her head into Tenko's direction.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"All I know is what I'm hearing right now, I wasn't there." He explained. "I wanna hear everything first, then I'll give my piece, Jiro."

Izuku waited as everyone else argued back and forth. He gulped quietly, and shook in his seat.

"Enough." Tsukuyomi ordered. The room fell silent. "Jiro, I want a full report inked by tomorrow evening, the fact that a Yuki Onna-"

Tsukuyomi paused, and glanced at Izuku. Suddenly, he cleared his throat.

"The fact that Akiyama went on such a rampage in a human city is gravely concerning. As you know Yuki Onna never travel to such populated areas, they remain on mountains and isolated paths. This change in behavior is most troublesome."

Jiro relented, and bowed deeply. She placed her hands on the soft wooden floor.

"Yes, Lord Tsukuyomi." She said. She raised her head and bit her lip.

"For now, Midoriya, you must continue your training. You are not ready to become a Kaiho-sya, despite your accomplishments earlier today."

Izuku gasped.

"But sir! Akiyama was in pain, it was all a misunderstanding! She had to live her life and her death over and over for centuries! Shouldn't we help no matter the cost?!"

" No matter the cost?! "

Izuku felt fear swallow him whole as Tsukuyomi rose from his meditation and stepped right up to the young man's face.

"You nearly had your soul devoured! Had Toya Todoroki not intervened, you would have died! Not even my vast power or the combined power of the Council would have been able to save you! How would that affect your mother?! How would that affect Jiro or Shimura? Or Inari and his ward?!"

Izuku was frozen stiff as the lunar god's eyes pierced his very soul.

"Need I remind you of the thousands of humans whose memories of the event had to be erased?! Or those who were injured by this Yokai? It is all because of this that you risked exposing the Spirit World to the humans! The Natural Scale must be upheld or we risk Armageddon once more!"

Tsukuyomi leaned back and Izuku gasped for air, his fear had won out.

"I digress." Tsukuyomi said as he exhaled deeply. "This meeting of the Apparition Exorcism Unit is adjourned. The rest of you are dismissed, however, Midoriya you are to remain for a moment longer."

Izuku caught his breath and sighed, and he nodded toward his comrades.

"I'm really sorry, I mean it."

"For what?" Tenko asked. "You did fine, you made some really dumb decisions though."

He slapped Izuku on the back of the head.

"Ow!" He yelled. He looked at Tenko with an irritated face. For a moment, one fleeting moment, he saw him. That blonde hair, that poisonous aura of pride and arrogance. The monstrous red eyes he had seen since he was a toddler. It all came racing back once again, but when Izuku blinked, Tenko had returned where it was standing.

"Next time, call me or Dabi. What happened was way above your pay grade, alright? You too, Jiro."

"Wha- Hey I've been doing this way longer than he has!"

"Yeah, I know, and you still screw up from time to time."

Jiro paused, but she lowered her head in silence. Izuku wanted to yell right back at him. That's no way to talk to friends right?! He's not better than-

But deep down, Izuku knew in his heart that it wasn't the boy he knew. It was Tenko, his mentor, and his friend. Izuku felt his fists shaking, and yet, he silently nodded.

"You coming or what?" Tenko asked Jiro coldly.

Jiro grunted as she followed Tenko out into the hall, and within a few moments, Izuku heard the howls of a wolf. He could smell flames in the distance, and before he knew it Tenko and Jiro had left the shrine.

"Shimura was holding his emotions in, understand that he blames himself for not being there."

Izuku turned around and faced the lunar god again.

"Lord Tsukuyomi, when I-"

Tsukuyomi raised a hand and silenced Izuku before he could finish. Something about his eyes were different; however, they were no longer sharp, but soft. The stars in his irises had turned a soft blue glow, and Izuku couldn't help but admire such beauty.

"You will listen and not speak a word." The lunar god said strongly. "You were reckless and brazen. You risked your life, your soul, and many others due to your actions. You are too quick to act, you do not think of the situation, and you are out of control. You will not act out again."

Izuku stared at the deity and said nothing, but even in his seat, he couldn't hide his shame.

"I cannot express enough how important it is to keep yourself safe. You are strong willed, but do not allow that to cloud your judgment. A heart can be strong, but only when tempered by the mind…"

Izuku said nothing, and stared at the floor. Tsukuyomi gazed down at the young man, and stepped forward. He reached a hand outward, and Izuku saw the shadow. He readied himself, he knew he would be struck, maybe slapped for such arrogance.

And yet, he felt an ethereal, soft hand pat his hair. The boy was shocked, he raised his head and his beady eyes looked upward at a god who gazed upon him… with compassion.

"Despite your misdeeds, you did good today . "

Izuku felt his heart skip a beat, as though he was being loved by a father.

"I am harsh, but I am fair. " Tsukuyomi explained warmly. "You recklessly fought a powerful Yokai with only a few months' worth of training and barely any experience. And yet you still managed to save her soul, and send her to the Grand Golden Woods. That cannot go unnoticed, Midoriya."

Izuku no longer felt fear, but something akin to approval. Tsukuyomi seemed like a different person now. The god rubbed the young man's hair until he gently removed his hand.

"I want you to know that Michi Akiyama's soul is receiving the help it needs. She has not 'died', she has simply found the place where she may heal, and receive proper care in a safe environment. Despite her history and centuries of rage, the Council and the keepers of the Woods have decided to allow her a chance at redemption."

Izuku was awestruck, and he slowly teared up.

"R-Really?" he muttered.

"Indeed, and it's thanks to your compassionate soul." Tsukuyomi said. "You have quite the effect on people young man, a powerful one."

Izuku felt relief wash over him, and he lowered his head once more.

"However, despite your accomplishment my previous statements remain final. You have a long journey ahead."

"Yes sir." Izuku replied.

Tsukuyomi stood up and to Izuku's surprise, he revealed the sacred sash that he had used so many months ago when he first stepped into this divine city.

"You will continue your training to the letter, but given the findings you and Jiro reported, your studies must be doubled. I will contact Shimura and Lord Tenjin with appropriate instructions to increase the speed of your training. But for now, I'm sending you back to your home. I can see that you're exhausted, rest assured that your home is protected by the finest ofuda, and Inari's kamidana of course.."

Izuku stood up, and looked the god in the eye. He looked as though he were about to say something, Tsukuyomi could feel the energy in his soul rise, and yet, it subsided shortly after. Something was stirred in the boy, perhaps some kind of renewal or purpose…

"One final note." Tsukuyomi said. "I admit that you hold potential, Midoriya. Should you continue your journey, you may yet become one of us, a fine one."

Izuku remained silent, but felt comfort in Tsukuyomi's words.

"In light of that however, becoming Kaiho-sya does not grant you the authority to do whatever you wish. Much like your world, the Spirit World has laws that must be followed strenuously . The Natural Scale is one of them, no matter where your life leads, the Spirit World must remain secret, and hidden from the Human World, do you understand?"

Izuku nodded.

"Your mother, Jiro's parents, and Toya Todoroki are special exemptions of this, due to their status with us. Since you are here and have been chosen to become a Kaiho-sya, you must hereby swear an Oath."

Tsukuyomi held out a hand, and shining purple kanji sprang forth, painting the room with their elegant streaks and strokes.

"Izuku Midoriya, do you swear to protect the Spirit World's existence no matter the cost, even if it means lying to close friends, and giving your own life?"

Izuku pondered his words.

I have to lie to people… and if I die, then my secret dies with me? But…

He closed his eyes.

"I swear." He said punctually.

"And do you understand the consequences of breaking this Oath?" Tsukuyomi asked sternly. "Should your actions lead to the Spirit World's exposure, your Blessing will be stripped from your soul, and all memory you've gained of the Spirit World and its inhabitants; including Inari, Tenko Shimura, Kyoka Jiro, Tenjin, and myself, will be permanently wiped away."

Izuku gulped, tension had gripped his body. One slip up, and his dreams of becoming a Hero, even through the Spirit World, would be destroyed.

"I swear."

The purple kanji flashed and Izuku felt the words appear in his mind.

"Chikai."

誓い

Tsukuyomi said nothing, and waved his sash over the young man. The ribbon surrounded Izuku until only darkness remained, it spun and spun ever faster, until the boy vanished. Tsukuyomi pulled the ribbon back into his sleeve, and sighed.

"That boy… such a strong will, and yet, so much left to learn…"

And as he returned to his meditation, he felt the energy of someone familiar arrive at his Torii gate. Tsukuyomi opened his eyes and saw a young man with piercing white hair leaning on its vermillion hue.

"That was a little preemptive, making him swear an Oath, don't you think Tsuku?" Inari asked as he offered Tsukuyomi a cup of tea. The lunar god scoffed.

"I see no reason to withhold the truth." He said as he accepted Inari's tea. He bowed, and sipped on it. "Many thanks for the tea."

"Of course!" Inari chirped. "But in all seriousness, Izuku saved a soul that was nearly in the fourth stage of Blight. That is an accomplishment in its own right."

"And I made it known that I'm proud of his achievement, but the ends do not justify the means, you know this."

"Yeah, I do. " Inari replied, Tsukuyomi could feel the annoyance in his voice.

"What would you have me say? That what he did was a 'slip up' and something we can 'swipe under the rug?' as humans like to say? He nearly exposed us."

"You know that wasn't his fault, Akiyama was out of control and her Blight was influencing her actions."

"That is not an excuse for what happened. If the Natural Scale tipped out of balance-"

"Then chaos would sweep the lands and eradicate both of our worlds, I know." Inari retorted.

"Then why are you defending Midoriya's aimless behavior? He is not ready for this Inari. He is too ambitious, he may not admit his faults, but I can see he still clings to these foolish dreams of becoming a so-called 'Hero.' He has no inkling of what a Soul Bridge is! His progress is moving too slowly."

"I'm well aware, Tsuku." Inari replied.

"That is not an answer!"

The moon flickered in the sky, the light shimmered harshly. Inari remained still and silent, but Tsukuyomi began to fume. His body, ever slightly, shook in his meditation, and a hair fell into his face. He scoffed and brushed it back into form, and breathed deeply.

"Are you absolutely certain that Midoriya is the one to bring this 'Great Change' you speak of? What is this Great Change? When will it occur?"

"I don't know what or when, but I know Izuku is the direct cause."

"Will this Great Change be beneficial to our worlds? Or is it a calamity?"

"I don't know."

Tsukuyomi sighed and drank the tea.

"If only your prophecies were acute…" He muttered.

Inari suddenly stood up, and started to leave. Tsukuyomi raised an eyebrow and rose off the ground, following the young god.

"You know, prophecy and fate are a funny thing. Everything is 'fated' to happen, or that 'the prophecy' states something will occur down the road and that we can't do anything to change it. We even told humans the exact same thing all those centuries ago."

Inari turned around and faced Tsukuyomi.

"You ever wonder if prophecy is just a lie we tell ourselves so we can sleep better at night?" He asked. Tsukuyomi sighed.

"Do not speak in riddles. I have no time for this with the Council pressing me for answers."

"For one of the Three Precious Children, you're pretty gullible!" Inari said happily. Tsukuyomi groaned. "But if you want me to be so direct…"

Inari walked up to Tsukuyomi and looked him dead in the eye. Tsukuyomi may have been far taller than the young man, but he knew that Inari's eyes were far stronger than he could ever dream of.

"Sometimes, having a little faith in others isn't a bad thing."

Inari turned around and passed through the Torii gate.

"It is not that I lack faith, but that I refuse to play a game ruled by chance!" Tsukuyomi yelled as Inari descended the hill. "I hope that he succeeds, but we must also remind him of our traditions!"

Inari spun around.

"If you care so much maybe you should have a more direct approach!"

"Shouldn't you be doing the same?!" Tsukuyomi asked.

"You know it!"

And before Tsukuyomi knew it, Inari was gone. He felt the fox god's teleportation spell wash over him in the breeze. He didn't know how to respond, or if he should to begin with. He lowered his head and swiftly returned to his mediation circle. However, when he gazed at the stone, something changed. He looked toward his shrine, and the sweet scent of the Wisteria enveloped him.

He marched into his shrine and past the grand table that overlooked the open courtyard. He passed through the kitchen, and the quiet living room. He passed through grand halls made of ebony, passed a garden of clear water and lotus flowers, and despite the grandeur and splendor of his shrine, Tsukuyomi passed through a small, wooden wall. He laid flat against the wall, and his weight caused the wall to suddenly spin, revealing another room.

It was here, in this unkempt, filthy room, that a small shrine remained. Dust had blanketed everything, from the décor to the katana. It was here that Tsukuyomi knelt… and prayed. He opened the shrine, revealing a small, but sacred painting. A woman with black hair as elegant as a river was laid on the canvas. Her black eyes gleamed with purity, her kimono the softest and most divine in all the worlds. And behind her head, was a small sun…

Amaterasu… Tsukuyomi thought as he prayed quietly.

The moon dimmed, and for a moment, Tsukuyomi had found peace.

If you were in my shoes, what would you have done, dear sister?

He prayed for an eternity. He remembered the days of the past, the days when all seemed so simple, so peaceful.

The days that may yet return… days where the sun and moon danced in the sky…