Author's Notes: Hello all! I won't keep you long. I mostly wanted to remind you all that I'm not using Takahashi's version of hell in this story. I'm using the Japanese mythological version where hell has different levels and multiple kings ruling over it. Only one of the kings of hell will be formally introduced since he's one of the most important of the deities. The others will appear as supporting roles in political contexts.
I also have a small question. Anyone can answer this. Should I put an estimated reading time for episodes? I wanted to try to add this particular tool for new/returning readers to give them a ballpark figure on how much time it might take them to read full episodes. I'm currently revising Season 1's episodes using Grammarly, and the site has been giving me useful information such as the reading time, speaking time, and how engaging my writing is or isn't. If I had to look at Grammarly like a hard-nosed anime critic, the site believes Heiwa (Season 1, Episode 2) and Yuinou, the Gift of a Broken Friendship (Season 2, Episode 1) are the most engaging episodes, and that the writing overall has a solid B/B+ score after proper editing. I want to use this data somehow, but I only want these tools to be present if needed. Second opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the new, dark chapter ahead.
"What on Earth are you doing here, Father Oyakawa?" Meioshi asked sweetly.
She earned a light pat on her head and a joyful wink from her ancestor. Oyakawa was Unmei's grandson. His letters explained the hell traveler's training grounds and teachers. When a hell traveler receives the Gosuto~ingu marking, many things are set in motion. The immediate predecessor begins training the next in line on everything that was done while they were in power whether that's performing exorcisms like Saikaku, Oyakawa's father, or military service to Heiwa's emperor like Unmei. Oyakawa was ironically a theatre performer who specialized in comedy and historical satire for the emperor, but he was quite adept at self-defense, and he learned a great deal about the Forest of Lurking Beasts and the fate of hell traveler after his or her enemy was defeated. The hell travelers do not go through a "normal" death. They instead go through a sort of trade. Unmei had passed on when Oyakawa was merely a toddler. It was believed that Shanwang had killed him when Saikaku's wife had presented herself to the king oni, but Oyakawa was the first to deny this. He clearly stated that when it was his turn to travel to the sentry, he was reunited with Unmei, but his beloved grandfather had taken on a different form. His soul was released from his body and transformed into what is called a zodiac beast. To become the next in line, the successor must defeat his or her predecessor in a small scuffle and claim their seat among the hell travelers. Unmei was the rat much like the first of the Chinese zodiac.
Oyakawa discovered that hell travelers receive teachers through the gods. Unmei had the general of the Heiwan army, Saikaku had a Shinto priest, and Oyakawa had a master archer as his instructor in battle. Right then, Meioshi realized why the bow and arrow worked for her fight against her ancestor. He was a master archer during his time. Of course, Meioshi had her own instructor who she missed greatly now that she was thinking about her. Yes, Kirameku Ha was her sensei in learning to fight with mianyi, Shishou was her sensei as well in learning to fight wiith spiritual balance, and Kaede was her sensei in the art of medicine, but there was one teacher who shone above the rest. She wondered if she would see her again soon. Her teacher did mention to her once that she felt a pull and warmth in her soul when she first laid eyes on Meioshi as a child. "It was as if someone was taking my hand to lead me to you," was what she said.
"To train you, of course!" Oyakawa said cheerfully. "Though I'm sad now."
"Why?" Meioshi questioned, pouting cutely.
"I see no food in your arms," Oyakawa answered, turning away playfully. "No snacks, no snacks!"
"Well, I didn't know you were coming!" Meioshi tried, eyes tearing up. "You know I would've brought you something if I knew!"
"I can't tell. You haven't been up here in years. Look at my snowbell trees! Rotted and ruined!" Oyakawa complained, pointing to his pair of snowbells. Each hell traveler receives a pair of snowbell trees along the path to the sentry. He was right. They were shredded to... well, hell. Meioshi sighed at this and looked at the path. All broken and burned stones defined the pathway now. The goofy ancestor could see that his descendent was heartbroken by the loss. It was only fair that he be the one to cheer her up. He had more grave news to tell her now. He then said, "We do not guilt you, daughter."
"I wish you would," Meioshi said quietly.
"Daughter," Oyakawa said firmly, making Meioshi straighten up. Though silly by nature, the man had a stern father's voice. He then continued, "You were chosen to act in our place as hell traveler for a reason. Sulking was not it. Straighten yourself."
"Yes, father," Meioshi said, obeying his command. See? Stern.
"My visit this night was not all about training. It is your time to release us. All of us," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Father, I'm not ready to say goodbye," Meioshi said almost weakly, heart sinking at who she had to release to the sentry. "Please... I..."
"Why do you fear them so much, daughter?" Oyakawa asked, taking Meioshi's face into his hands and wiping her tears away. "They do not guilt you."
"But how did he infiltrate our bloodline, father?" Meioshi questioned, shaking. "It should've been impossible, but it wasn't! He hurt them! That evil man killed my family! He even tried to kill you! The only reason he couldn't was because Shanwang stopped him! Why? How? Tell me, father! TELL ME! I need you to hate me! I let him fool me! I let him! HATE ME! I hate me... I guilt me, father..."
"You dare insult us by claiming the crimes of our enemy!" Oyakawa shouted, frightening Meioshi with the boom of his voice and burst of power washing over her. "You are a daughter of Unmei! Your might quakes the earth, strikes fear into the land of the dead, opens the heavens, and forces the worlds in-between them all to bow! Do not dismiss your bloodline to the lowly level of fools! We were chosen by the gods to right the wrongs of those who dare to cross the lines of fate! Stand on your feet or we will hate you for betraying our line for your own sniveling!"
Meioshi let out her last sob, cowered for the last time, and took some deep breaths. He was right. She couldn't keep blaming herself for something that was premeditated for years. She couldn't keep hating herself for what Sojuro (or Hidorobo) had done to her and to her family. It was her time to fight. It was her time to end this. It was her time to follow her own teachings. Her family was forgiving her for not knowing about the attack. It was time she did the same. She slowly nodded, wiping whatever tears were left, and stood strong before Oyakawa. His tiger eyes were impressive to say the least. When his power calmed down, he heard a scuffle in the distance and furrowed his brow at the clashing of power beyond the cliff. What on Earth was that?
He shook his head, dismissing it as nothing more than beasts quarreling over something simple, and continued, "Return to our shrine, daughter of Unmei. The kings of the Netherworld must decide your reach in their kingdoms."
"They've entered the mortal realm?" Meioshi shouted more than questioned, horrified at this knowledge.
"No, only our shrine," Oyakawa replied, turning to the direction of said building.
Just as he spoke the words, billowing and green smoke surrounded her. The sounds of running and rustling soon followed after that. Meioshi knew which king this was. Of all the creatures in existence, she hated and feared him the most. She would do anything to not be his servant. Goblins and pallbearers surrounded them until Oyakawa disappeared to the sentry. He gave Meioshi a reassuring kiss on her forehead before he was gone and lighting up torches. Abruptly, vines wrapped around Meioshi's neck and arms to trap her as her worst nightmare emerged from the smoke. His mask was that of a broken skeleton and the crown on his head was a tricorn piece in the style of horns. It was bejeweled with orange stones and gold. His bottom jaw was toothy and menacing, but it was very familiar to Meioshi. After all, this abomination of a man transformed her into the Netherworld predator. Laughter and drumbeats could be heard. Clacking of drumsticks sounded the king's approach. His armor was a spectacle: wide and plated like castle walls, spiked at the shoulders to pull them back, and accentuated with a cape that flowed like the river of the dead. He flashed closer to his prey.
Meioshi tried to stop shaking in front of him, but she just couldn't in his presence. The air around him was so cold. He had no remorse in his orange, spidery eyes. Removing his mask, he transformed into a handsome man with a fanged mouth and sweet, pink lips. His hair was a smoky grey and his skin ghostly pale. Observing his prey, he walked around her in a stalking manner and yanked the vine around her neck to make her body lay flat. His clawed hand then caressed her cheek and jaw before escaping to her neck, bosom, stomach, and hip. When he dropped his hand, he tsked at her and locked eyes with her.
"This attire is not fitting for my visits," he hissed. "How do you intend to be my queen?"
"I will never be your queen!" Meioshi growled, eyes glowing orange like his. The vines tightened their grip on her. "Why are you here, Biancheng?"
"You took some very priceless souls out of our domain, queen," Biancheng replied, dragging his nails up her body. "Kuroi Nurikabe should have been mine once he perished. Where is his soul?"
"It was purified at the hinoki tree," Meioshi answered, struggling to breathe.
"Don't be coy, little queen. Did you forget it is I whom you serve? Where is my soul?" Biancheng questioned, leaning over Meioshi's body.
Meioshi shook to her core with the question. The air was getting colder. She was practically freezing. She closed her eyes to calm herself and think of warm thoughts before opening her eyes to the piercing gaze of the king of hell. She said through grunts from the pulling vines, "I spared what remained in exchange for a shield."
"Shield?" Biancheng questioned, lifting a brow.
"One piece of the black wall demon became pure. Within was a strong desire to protect. He committed great crimes, yes, but he was kind to me before."
"Take a wild guess on the value of his soul now that you've taken him from the Frost King," Biancheng growled, eyes widening slightly with anger.
"I don't know."
"He had just gained the rank of titan before you purified him. His soul was worth over 160,000 kurogane alone. His rank earned him a new value that now must be replaced."
"That's why you released Rakuyama before?" Meioshi questioned, heart thumping from the king's anger rising.
"Brother released her to find the black wall's killer. I had only a suspicion that you were involved. Imagine my lack of surprise when you delivered Rosanjin and now the akashita demon against the pallbearer's orders to our threshold. Both worth a fine price, but it is not enough. You owe us 50 souls...," Biancheng explained. He kissed Meioshi's lips softly and growled lowly, "under a few conditions, of course. Dress appropriately when I next visit. Restore the balance that was disrupted, and I may grant you access to a new weapon. The kings have decided to give you a chance with investigating Tetsuzan's murder. You will be informed of our findings through the pallbearers. Before I go... your powers need to be restored for our missing souls. 22,000 stones worth."
"That's nearly impossible!" Meioshi complained, struggling to move out of the vines.
Biancheng lifted his mask, eyes glowing with anticipation, and lowered the item to Meioshi's face. The doctor tried to move to escape him, but she was as trapped as a rat in a cage. Sharp veins curled out of the mask like crawling maggots, making the woman's eyes widen with fear. They shot out and stabbed the doctor in her eyes, draining blood and power directly from them, before the mask closed on her face. A boisterous roar bellowed from her soul and echoed into the night.
Sesshomaru, Homugi, and Hasumi were down below fighting the kappa together to get to the cliff. While Hasumi couldn't sense that something was wrong, the two inu explained that Meioshi was in trouble from harrying power above. The kappa, however, were tough and their defense was impressive to say the least. There was some form of barrier that the kappa had formed to block Bakusaiga's cutting power and sheer force. What kind of creatures were they really? Jaken tried to aid where he could in unleashing some of Nintojo's fire, but even that was useless against the kappas' shell shields!
"Whoa! Look at the size of the kappas, daddy!" a small familiar voice to the girls interrupted.
Homugi and Hasumi turned to see Omezo and Kiyonobu walking up to them casually. The kappa heard a noise come from above and shifted their gaze to the cliff. Meioshi's mask collapsed from her face and broke into hair pieces. She couldn't open her eyes and stumbled away from the cliff to the Kappa Kaidan. However, because Sesshomaru and Homugi tried to rush to Meioshi's side, the stairway was spiraling crookedly and caused the doctor to tumble down the stairs without being able to stop. Kiyonobu flew up to her without anyone being able to blink and caught her in his arms. When she tried to open her eyes, there were only empty wine-colored sockets in place. She couldn't see anything. Enraged, Kiyonobu's eyes began to glow and his power stirred. Walking down the stairs, undeterred from their unusual direction, Kiyonobu walked directly up to a kappa and watched the demon look at the girl in his arms. It removed the bowl from his head and took the doctor from his arms to lower her into the bowl.
"She will heal, oni," the kappa said politely. It bowed and said, "Thank you."
"What're you doin' here, Omezo?" Hasumi asked. "What's going on? Why's your dad here?"
"We came to pick up, sister!" Omezo said happily. "Daddy said he felt her powers coming back so we rushed over. I'm surprised no one noticed the fog."
"Eh?" Hasumi questioned. When she looked around, the estate was covered thickly in fog. It seemed like it had been for a while. Kiyonobu called his fog back to his body and looked at Sesshomaru with disinterest. He remembered him quite well. He was the one who tried to start a fight with Meioshi while she was on her way to Numa-o's palace. Hasumi didn't know about any of that and instead asked, "Help me out here! You could sense Meioshi's power all the way from home?"
"Uh-huh! Once an oni recognizes a fighting pattern or use of power, you become easier to track. Oh!" Omezo said, taking off his backpack to open it up. He started rifling through his things until he found the items of interest. He pulled out bell anklets for the girls and said, "These are for you! Sister-mother helped us make them for you. The fairy anklet is for Hasumi. The puppy paw anklet is for Homugi. And... sister's anklet is this rosy one! I'll give it to her after her bath."
"Thank you," Homugi said, taking the anklet from the child. "Does this mean Meioshi really is an oni and not a human?"
"She seemed human to me," Hasumi replied.
"An oni is capable of wearing mortal skin, when necessary, little fairy," Kiyonobu explained.
"Then the migration of you, bumbling fools, was for the doctor before," Sesshomaru said rudely. "What interest do the oni have with this woman?"
"You speak as if you are a worthy of an answer. Sniff for your meaningless scraps elsewhere, onery pup," Kiyonobu replied, hearing gurgling from the bowl.
Sesshomaru's eyes went blood red, letting a large amount of yoki disperse from him. "I will not be talked down to by the lowly likes of you."
"If it is a fight you want..." Kiyonobu said slowly, eyes glowing in response to Sesshomaru's power. His teeth matched Sesshomaru's in sharpness before he folded his arms with confidence and tilted his head back to continue, "Then it's a fight you'll get from a true oni!"
Author's Footnotes: Kurogane (lit. "black money") is the worth of a person's soul in hell. This is a fictional currency that the kings of hell use as bounties or otherwise. It is calculated by the product of one's net worth and the number of people the person has affected by crimes or behavior divided by 1709 (the price of a black stone). This will become important later.