On a tranquil day in Watatsumi island, Angel, Cherri and Pentious had been called over by Kokomi.
« Ma'am, I understand that you are technically my boss, but you must know I'm quite busy. We've liberated most of the magic racoons, but their boss is a far tougher nut to crack. » Pentious said.
« Not to worry. This conversation will end quickly. I actually wanted to make a request after you're done with the Bake-Danuki. » Kokomi replied.
« Might it relate as to why ya called us? » Angel asked.
« Indeed. I would very much be interested in the resurrection of…another god, if you catch my drift. » Kokomi replied.
« Bitch I'm in. » Cherri replied.
« You may remember the Taragami energy that you purified when you claimed the Mikage Furnace, yes? » Kokomi turned to Pentious.
« Yes, what about it? » Pentious asked.
« Such energy originates from the death of Orobashi no Mikoto, an ancient dragon-like serpent god that was defeated by Ei at Yashiori Island. The Musoujin Gorge is the scar left by the god when she delivered a blow from her Musou no Hitotachi, slaying the serpent. Its lingering power has resulted in the Tatarigami. Here in Watatsumi island we worship Orobashi, as it taught us how to farm and smelt after discovering us in the Dark Sea, now known as Enkanomiya. » Kokomi explained.
« Hohoho…a powerful ally indeed. » Pentious smirked.
« Finally warming up to our methods, ain't ya? » Angel smirked.
« You have managed to give us results after all. Even though you also caused plenty of collaterals. » Kokomi replied. « Anyway, once you're done with Iori, I request for you to build a new body for Orobashi with the aid of the Mikage Furnace. »
« It shall be done! » Pentious declared, as he raced off.
« And where do we fit in the plan? » Angel asked.
« As for you two, since the rest of the demons are busy helping Hanachirusato awaken the sky kitsune and earth kitsune turned into statues, I request you two aid a shrine maiden of mine, Tsuyuko, with the Watatsumi Goryou Matsuri ritual. » Kokomi requested.
« Will it help us against tits-katana? » Angel asked.
« Eeeehhhhhh….» Kokomi shrugged.
« Works for me. » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group reached Tsuyuko. « Hello, guests from afar. My name is Tsuyuko, and I am a shrine maiden at the Sangonomiya Shrine. Are you here to help? »
« Sure looks like it. We're here for a ritual or some shit. » Cherri replied.
« Thank you so much, then. Let me give you the backstory. The deep pool directly across from the Sangonomiya Shrine is the entrance to Enkanomiya. Legend has it that this place was the origin of the Watatsumi people. » Tsuyuko explained. « In days of old, the beauties of Watatsumi were renowned for their soft skin, which would conceal seven types of skin blemish... This, of course, being mostly a consequence of our ancestors' lack of sunlight in the depths of Enkanomiya... »
« Is there a stop between here and the fucking point? » Angel asked.
« Oh, sorry. In the past, I would usually give guided tours to people coming to Watatsumi Island, so I just... » Tsuyuko apologized.
« T. » Angel demanded.
« Well. In order to commemorate Watatsumi Omikami and our ancestors, we traditionally bring tributes that we let sink down towards Enkanomiya. It has been said, and it is recorded in our ancient writings, that our ancestors from Byakuyakoku relied on the meagre light of the Dainichi Mikoshi in order to survive the sharpened claws of the Dragonheir of the Depths. That was up until a few thousand years ago, when the Watatsumi Omikami came and defeated the Dragonheir of the Depths and led us back to dry land. That was where we would build our new home on Watatsumi Island — Sangonomiya. » Tsuyuko explained. « And the underwater nation of Byakuyakoku was henceforth named Enkanomiya, in juxtaposition to our new homeland Sangonomiya, which stood high above the ocean surface. Of course, legends are just legends. For example, the Shogun's Army rallies itself around the god-subduing legends from Narukami. The theme of sacrifice and remembrance serves a similar purpose for us. It is a weapon we arm ourselves with as we battle to protect what is ours. »
« Pretty ballsy ta speak like that as a shrine maiden…» Angel smirked.
« It's true that shrine maidens shouldn't be speaking like this, but I am only human. I believe that we should look at history and folklore in a critical light. » Tsuyuko replied. « I apologize, I digressed again... In short, Watatsumi Island's "Holy Soil" problem is acting up again. »
« Holy soil? The fuck is that? » Cherri asked.
« Just as the human heart runs deep and water flows downhill, the spirit of Watatsumi Island constantly feels the call of Enkanomiya, down in the depths. » Tsuyuko explained. « As a result, our soil is slowly bleaching, becoming Holy Soil. If this continues, Watatsumi Island will one day become a desert as pale as the moonlight. »
« Shit, that's a big problem, actually. » Angel realized.
« Is it, though? To me, it's nothing more than just a superstition spread by the elderly. Although there may be some truth to it, it still lacks logical credibility. » Tsuyuko reasoned.
« We live in a land with Storm-dominating femboys, mountain shaping Rock Daddies and strange women pulling swords out of their tits, stranger shit has happened. » Angel rebutted. « None the less, how do we solve this shit? »
« According to tradition, every several centuries, we must take advantage of a moment when the spirit veins flow smoothly to break the barrier that blocks the connection between Enkanomiya and Sangonomiya... » Tsuyuko explained. « We will need to dive down to Enkanomiya and retrieve a Jade Coral Branch left behind by our Omikami, which was used to suppress the Dragonheir of the Depths. »
« Then what? » Cherri asked.
« Then, we must use the Jade Coral Branch to perform the Watatsumi Mitama Omatsuri ritual, thus causing the sunken "spirit" to return, which will stop the erosion of the Holy Soil. » Tsuyuko explained.
« In short, we recover the coral sticks, kick the cave dwellers ass, and celebrate, right? » Angel asked.
« ...Hmmm... Well, let's see how it goes? Anyway, I will need to trouble you to visit the Goshou Rocks on Watatsumi Island. » Tsuyuko replied. « The Goshou Rocks are the five nodes of the barrier that separates Sangonomiya and Enkanomiya. They were set up by the founding clergy of the Sangonomiya along with our Omikami. If you want to dispel the barrier and enter Enkanomiya, you will have to break these five seals. »
« Sounds easy enough. » Angel shrugged.
« However, it would be very risky to break the seals rashly. After all, many years have passed, and no one in our generation knows what dangers lie beneath. Very few reliable records exist to begin with, and most of them are ancient texts lacking in detail. They offer little of value. Perhaps the Dragonheir of the Depths is waiting below for a chance to strike... Or who knows? There might be a more dangerous monster than the Dragonheir that has infiltrated the area, waiting for the moment when the seal is loosened? » Tsuyuko explained. « Or perhaps the ruins of the past have been buried under coral and sponges, never to be found again? Or worse still... maybe there's nothing to be found down there but a hollow cavern and lots of seawater? Whatever the case may be, standing here wildly speculating will not bring us the answer. »
« We'll handle it, sweet tits. » Angel replied.
« You flatter me. So, let's get to the point. The Goshou Rocks are in five locations, namely the "eye," "fang," "fin," "tail," and "heart." » Tsuyuko explained. « First is the seal known as the "eye" on the island to the west. Look, it's right over there. »
« Then why don't you just go there, you lazy bum? » Angel asked, to which in response Tsuyuko laughed nervously. « The fuck do ya mean "hehe", Finnegan Fox!? »
« The seal has been in place for a long time, and the ritual to break the seal is now unknown to most people... In addition, due to the current situation, it is difficult for the Divine Priestess to spare time to hold a grand ceremony to break the five seals in time. » Tsuyuko explained. « I'm ashamed to have to admit all of this to an outlander, but... the only person I can rely on is someone knowledgeable and well-informed, like you. Plus, if everything goes wrong, your identity as an outlander will help us to... »
« Choose your next words carefully… » Angel threatened the woman.
« Uh…Well… I would call this a case where "ignorance absolves guilt." If the Sangonomiya Shrine is used as the base of orientation, the "fang" is located in the northwest and the "fin" is located in the north. » Tsuyuko explained. « Lastly, there is the "tail" on the eastern shoal. Near each of the four seals is a stone tablet that records ritual-related matters... But they have stood for many an age, and the handwriting is now barely legible. By obtaining the "Spirit Pearl" of these four seals, you can unlock the fifth seal — the "heart." »
« Good. Ya get ta live another day. » Angel replied.
« Finally... I know it is poor etiquette to simply stop you in your tracks and entrust such an important matter to you on an unofficial basis. Please accept my apologies for this. » Tsuyuko replied. « But in any case, this is a matter of great importance to Watatsumi Island... The Sangonomiya Shrine will be very grateful for your aid. »
« We'll handle it. » Angel casually replied.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the two reached the rock, they found it occupied by the Fatui. « Oh, for fuck sake, why are you here!? » Angel groaned annoyed.
« Why are YOU here!? » the Fatui leader demanded.
« You seem positively surprised. Tell us why, and we won't feed you to the machine. » Angel proposed.
« We did everything in our power to cause the Demon Decree after the success of the Vision Hunt Decree. Have you any idea about how much trouble you caused us back in Mondstadt and Liyue!?» the Fatui exclaimed.
« Wait, ya caused those two shitty decrees!?» Angel exclaimed.
« …Shit…» was all the Fatui could say, before he and the rest of the group were frozen by Angel's bullets.
« Just for that, we're gonna feed ya to the machine none the less… » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, both Cherri and Angel were back.
« Welcome back, demons. Is there something I can do for you? » Tsuyuko asked.
« We got all the shit! » Angel declared.
« Is that so? I knew I could count on you, thank you very much! Then, there is only one step away from unlocking the final seal of the "heart." » Tsuyuko replied. « Sorry, I have to ask you both to come along with me — I hope you don't mind. »
« No biggie, toots. Yer boss commissioned this. » Angel replied.
« There's no time to lose. Let's head off! » Tsuyuko declared.
Xxxxxxx
After placing the four pearls obtained from the previous rituals, the group reached their destination.
« Huh. Neato. » Angel commented.
« Yes, our great Omikami once stayed here... But now, there's nothing here but the echoing sound of water. It's enough to make one grieve... » Tsuyuko replied.
« Not for long. » Angel smirked.
Xxxxxxx
After a while the group finally reached the enigmatic "Heart of Watatsumi".
« Huh. Look at that. A key…» Angel noted.
« Thanks to your help, we have the Key of the Moon-Bathed Deep in hand. » Tsuyuko explained.
« Ya fucks REALLY love yer moon speech, don't ya? » Angel groaned.
« Haha, just call it the "Key of the Deep." We're not going to insist that outlanders use all the proper names for every last thing. » Tsuyuko replied. « This is something we will need to open the entrance to Enkanomiya. It was forged from the very spilled blood of our Omikami... »
« Now what? » Angel asked.
« Well, now we just need to report to the Divine Priestess, await her approval, and then wait for the spirit vein flow to be correct... » Tsuyuko replied. « And then, we can head down to Enkanomiya. »
« Well, in that case, let's just wait a couple of days, then. » Angel casually replied.
Xxxxxxx
Many thanks to Inanna for many of the suggestions for this chapter.
I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! Please review so I can know your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions for what is going to happen, so stay tuned! Also, remember to like and follow, if you want!
See you on the next update!