04/14/2012, Whisper in the Breeze, Morning.
The first rays of the Sun are piercing through the curtains of the bedroom on the second floor of the Kioh's antique shop, illuminating the still resting figure of Tosen, the shisa former student of Kegawa. The older yokai decided to close the shop for today so that he can watch over Tosen and for being sure to be there when he wakes up in order to avoid useless panic.
Kegawa is now sitting on a chair near the bed reminiscing the past when he was training Tosen to become a master in the art of the sword.
09/01/1989, Nikko's National park, Morning.
A teenager Tosen carrying an heavy backpack is following his master through the snowy slopes of mount Nikko-shirane. "Master how long will ot take to reach the top?" asks the tored student. "Don't fret yourself Tosen, hiking is like a battle you have to take your time and study your moves. If you feel tired slow down, if you feel full of energy fast up your pace. The only thing that matters is to not stop" answers the master, a younger Chomei Tanaka with a smile on his face, something that will become rarer and rarer in yhe future.
"Yes master" says Tosen, listening to the words of his master he slows down. "When we'll reach the top I will start teaching you the way of the wind" says Kegawa encouraging his student who's eyes beams with light. "Really? Will you even help me develope the lighting affinity Lord Nurarihyon said I have?" asks Tosen as happy as a kid. Kegawa nods his head. "Yes, yes Tosen. It's my duty to make you into the best version of yourself". "I won't let you down Master!" proclaims the shisa.
Back in the present, a faint smile appears on the tanuki's face as he bites a celery stalk to pass the time. "It's already been more than twenty years, uh" he grunts shaking his head.
Suddenly Kegawa sees the shisa's eyes to open wide as he frantically looks around himself. "Tosen! It's me, calm down" says Kegawa pushing down the shisa who was breathing heavily out of tiredness and shock. The younger yokai looks directly into Kegawa's eyes as he calms down and lays back on the bed after recognizing the face. "M-master..." he exhales holding his head. "I'm sorry... what happened? Why am I here?" he asks to his mentor with a tired look on his face.
"You were fainted on the ground, I brought you here" answers Kegawa. Tosen tries to stand up and sit on the bed, despite the fatigue he's able to do it as he leans on the wall and looks at his wounds, seeing them healed. "Master... I have to go back and report to Lord Nurarihyon" says the shisa. The tanuki takes Tosen and makes him to lay down on the bed again. "Not now. You almost died, before you go anywhere your body needs to rest" sternly says Kegawa, ignoring his former apprentice's protests. "Today the devils ruling this town will probably come here, I will be there so don't do anything reckless" informs the tanuki as he makes to leave Tosen to rest.
"Devils?" Tosen grunts at the mention of devils and looks at his master. "Did you really accept Woland Sitri's offer master?" the yokai's tone betrays his hate for said devil and his disappointment, not towards his master but towards himself. "We're not here to talk about my decisions Tosen. Those are mine and mine only. Now rest" with this said Kegawa leaves the bedroom.
Tosen remains in silence for some minutes thinking about what his former master just said. 'Master...' he thinks. 'You are right, now is not the place to talk about that. I have to go back to Nikko'. Tosen tries again to stand up, but his body doesn't help him as he falls back on the bed. "Fuck" he curses unable to properly move. Tosen gives up after another couple of tries, but nothing and decides to rest just as Kegawa said.
04/14/2012, Old School Building, After School.
In the courtyard behind the old school building Kiba was slashing a wooden sword against a training mannequin. He has been doing this since the end of the lessons and was now covered in sweat. "Aaagh!" grunts the blonde as he throws away the fake sword. 'This training is useless' he thinks frustrated. Akeno told him about what happened yesterday and that they having to fight Riser Phenex and his peerage might be Rias' only chance to free herself from the marriage. After releasing some stress with a kick on the ground Kiba picks up the sword and begins to attack the mannequin once again. 'I lost once against Sothillis... it won't happen again' thinks Kiba with each slash of his sword. 'I will show everyone why I'm president's knight'
Inside the old school building, in a empty room on the first floor, Koneko is sitting on the ground trying to meditate. It scares her, it scares her so much. She fears she could go mad in any instant... just like her sister, that's why she is doing it alone and she is also trying to gather only her ki for now. After having risked to see two of her senpais die, first Kiba and then Akeno, with her unable to do anything, Koneko decided to improve herself. No matter how much she is scared, she will be useful next time. She will be useful against Phenex, she won't be anymore just the little Koneko. The rook breathes in and out, trying to empty her mind. In and out.
Not only Kiba and Koneko were doing their best after classes to get stronger. Akeno thought it could be a good idea to help Irumi with magic, she was wrong. Despite the girl having some magic power, nothing too extraordinary, but still useful, she's completely unable to use it, even the tiniest bit. "I don't think I'm suited for this senpai" complains Irumi looking at Akeno who had a conflicted look on her face. "Don't worry" simply answers Akeno quieter than usual. "Ehy senpai is something wrong? Now that I think about it I haven't seen the President today" tells the red dragon empress noticing Akeno's strange behavior. "It's better if it's Rias to say it to you..." answers Akeno. "If you say so".
Meanwhile Rias was looking for Ryoji, she wanted to speak to him soon as the class ended, but he somehow slipped away before she could stop him. 'Ah, where has Mochizuki gone?' wonders the red-haired as she's roaming around the academy, effortlessly. Why was she looking for Ryoji? To ask him some 'delicate' questions. From what he and Elizabeth told her and Sona Mochizuki was quite literally the God of Death, Thanatos. Who could suggest her better on how to deal with immortality than Death itself? It made sense, right? Rias sighs as she hasn't found him yet. 'I should search for Makoto...' thinks Rias, but she stops herself. 'No. We are friends I don't want to drag him in my family problems'.
After ten more minutes of search Rias gives up understanding Ryoji isn't in the school's ground anymore and heads back to the Occult Research Club.
04/14/2012, Whisper in the Breeze, Afternoon.
Ryoji and Makoto are in front of Kegawa's shop as they notice the closed sign on the door. "Sir, I'm Mochizuki" says Ryoji as he knocks on the door. They wait for an answer for some time until they hear footsteps from behind the door and see Kegawa, in his human form, opening the door to greet them. "Mochizuki" he nods to him, still conflicted on how he should address Ryoji, with reverence or just the normal boy he thought he was. Or at least wanted to think. The disguised yokai then looks at Makoto. "This is Makoto Yuki, my best friend" says Ryoji smiling. "Glad to meet you" says Makoto with a polite greet.
'What is this?' asks the annoyed voice of Lucifer. 'What do you mean Morning Star?' replies Orpheus Telos. 'This thing it's trying to deceive us with his aspect' snorts Lucifer seeing past Kegawa's disguise. As Ryoji is near Makoto he can hear is personas talking even if he's not currently in his Thanatos form nor inside Makoto's mind. 'He's not deceiving us Lucifer' sternly says Thanatos telepathically silencing the Devil.
"Come in" says Kegawa showing Makoto and Ryoji the way through the second floor of the shop. "How is your apprentice sir?" asks Ryoji. "He woke up, but he still needs to rest. The daughter of Sitri hasn't come yet, I expected her to come before you" says Kegawa before turning towards Makoto. "Are you a devil, boy? I feel something about you and it remembers me the feeling of a devil" asks Kegawa causing a laughter in Ryojj.
'Not a devil, the Devil' answers Lucifer from Makoto's mind, but obviously Kegawa cannot hear him. "No, I'm not. I'm human" answers Makoto as he then looks at the laughing Ryoji. "What's so funny?" asks the blue-haired boy. "Nothing" casually answers Ryoji, it was Lucifer the reason he was laughing, hearing his annoyed answer randomly made the Death to laugh like he just heard the best of jokes. Even the other personas, especially Apollo and Fafnir, laughs at Lucifer's reaction. 'You are all just childish' grunts the Morning Star.
He doesn't know why, but even Kegawa smirks at the sight of Ryoji laughing, his laughter infecting him. 'I never imagined to see him laughing so much, he seems like such a calm... boy' thinks the tanuki as he looks at the strange duo of Makoto and Ryoji in front of him, complete opposite of each other from their personalities to their clothes.
The three of them arrive in front of the bedroom's door. "Tosen" Kegawa opens the door, but the room inside is empty, no traces of the shisa to be seen. "Tosen!?" shouts the old man frowning and looking for the other yokai. "Where has he gone?". Kegawa transforms into his yokai form and starts searching around the room for anything Tosen might have left behind.
In town the shisa is trying to sneak his way out of Kuoh. He moves through the alleyways avoiding eye contact with humans. 'I didn't thank master for curing me...' thinks Tosen slowly making his way towards the outskirts of the city. 'I will do it properly when this matter will be dealt with. Maybe Lord Nurarihyon could forgive master if he helps us... No, he made a deal with that devil. I'm sorry master I should have been there to help you'. Tosen frowns, conflicted berween the respect he has for his master and the disdain he has for devils. 'Let's just get out of this town' declares in his mind the shisa.
Tosen looks at the palm of his hand, seeing the symbol of a black hook appearing on his furred hand. 'What's this?' he asks himself. The yokai's supernatural senses ring at the newly formed symbol. 'A curse!' internally shouts Tosen. Without much thinking the shisa starts rushing in search of a place where he could perform a purification ritual. 'There was a shrine near master's new house' still looking at the curse on his hand Tosen hurries to reach the shrine of the town.
"Prize" murmurs a black figure with long arms, far longer than the average human one and out of proportion to the rest of it's body, covered by white tattered bends and ending in clawed hands with 4 razor sharp talons each. It's face is skeletal with few stripes of flesh still attached to the skull, a dark purple cape covers it's shoulders and a heavy necklace of shining perls hangs from it's neck. "Prize" tells again the figure as it slouches through Kuoh Town, invisible to the human eye, leaving stains of darkness behind as the noise of the many jewels it wears resounds around it. From the pockets of it's ragged white trousers, held by a golden belt around the creature waist decorated with shining gems. Many bright marbles fall, breaking into blackness as they hit the ground. "Prize... Need to reclaim fled prize" the figure violently shoves it's hand into the right his pocket, seemingly deep enough for it to hold half the creature's arm, and pulls out a coin.
"Prize... Come back to me" the figures looks at the coin, on the face it's staring at there is the bas-relief of a desperate Tosen sorrounded by gold and gems, while on the other side another drawing of a smiling Tosen, but in a completely empty and rusty room. The figure rotates the coin looking at the other side. "Prize needs to be harvested" it says as the coin disappears into nothingness. The creature gets back to slouching through Kuoh Town.
However not only humans walk Kuoh's streets, while the figure ignores and is ignored by the normal people who even walk through it almost as it is just a ghost, it is not invisible to supernatural eye, in this case: devil eye. A tall blue-haired girl Tsubasa Yura, rook of Sona, was going back home after finishing her tasks for the student council when she notices a trail of puddles of darkness. She frowns noticing as no one around her has seen them as the people are carelessly walking on them without much problem. 'What's this?' she thinks looking at the trail of darkness. The girl then stands at attention in the exact time she sees the creature from which those puddles generates from.
'Another monster? And... is it invisible to the normal people?' thinks the rook clenching her fists. 'This is our chance. Gremory is doing all the dirty job and even though the President is fine with that I'm not!' Tsubasa seems ready to jump into fight, remembering all the times during her childhood when she fought against the strange monster only her could see, at least until she met Sona and properly found out about the supernatural.
The Sitri Rook keeps her look on the dark creature at the end of the road who's still continuing his slow march. Tsubasa takes her phone and dials Sona's number and waits for her to answer the call. "Tsubasa? It's unusual for you to call after school. What's happening?" comes the voice of Sona who immediately catched there was something off. "There is a monster walking through the city, it's not harming the people and it seem to also be invisible to them" replies Tsubasa following the creature from a safe distance. From the other side of the call Tsubasa can clearly hear a sigh escaping from Sona's lips. 'What is happening in this town lately?' ponders Sona, first the attack of the oni then that thing... the shadow and again another oni.
"Keep your eyes on it and..." Sona pauses as she understands something. Shadow Azazel, only them devils could see him, the other people didn't even know what was flying over the city. If it is just carelessly walking through the city without any sign of using some kind of concealing spell on itself then...
"Tsubasa! Get away from there, that thing is a shadow!" says the agitated Sona. Tsubasa is stunned by the sudden change in her king's tone. "You mean... like that thing president?" asks back the worried girl. Sona just hums at Tsubasa.
Back in the Whisper in the Breeze Kegawa just left the shop with Ryoji and Makoto behind him to search for Tosen. "Sir, do you have any idea where to find him?" asks Ryoji looking at the old man who just shakes his head. "He will try to get out of here without drawing any kind of attention. I just hope he's in good enough condition to do that, but I doubt it" snorts Kegawa.
'Universe, if we are searching for our new ally it will be my pleasure to help' declares Robin Hood. 'Yes?' says Makoto not understanding what the folk hero means. 'What are you sugesting? Being summoned and go scouting?' rhetorically asks Apollo. 'Don't start it Apollo' chastises Orpheus Telos earning a puff from the greek Sun God. 'Let me be your eyes and we shall find our comrade' says Robin Hood between Apollo's ramblings.
"Is he fine?" asks Kegawa to Ryoji noticing Makoto spacing out. "Yes he is" chuckles Ryoji. "Come on we need to hurry" as he says this Makoto blinks a couple of times. His blue eyes shine of a bright white light. The blue messiah's view becomes much stronger. 'Careful to not be overwhelmed by the beauty of the world Universe' jokes Robin Hood. Makoto looks at the street in front of himself, every detal, every visual aspect his amplified. 'This is the sight of a true hero Universe, a sight worth of you' says proudly the english thief. Makoto notices the traces of non-human footsteps on the roofs of the houses near the Whisper in the Breeze. "He has gone over there" tells the boy pointing to the roofs.
Kegawa looks there too and squints his eyes. "Even I struggle to see it, and I was one of the best scouts under Lord Nurarihyon..." says quietly Kegawa before shaking his head not giving too much thought on it. "We better go" says Ryoji earning a nod of agreement by both Makoto and Kegawa.
04/14/2012, Kuoh Town's Inari Shrine, Afternoon.
Tosen managed to arrive to the Inari's shrine of Kuoh avoiding any contact with humans... or worse, devils. 'Luckily there is no one around' the shisa gets closer to the small altar under the shade of a cherry tree. He inhales and exhales calming his nerves. A fox pops it's head from the stone structure, sacred to the goddess Inari and her foxes, where it was sleeping. Tosen smiles at the little orange creature as it sits in front of the yokai looking at him. "Do you want to pray Lady Inari with me?" asks Tosen offering some more space for the fox to lay down.
Tosen closes his eyes and starts to meditate, concentrating on the removal of the curse, a slow and steady process that requires calm and dedication. 'Kegare... I've never seen so much wicked and concentrated filth in my life. What are the Outcasts of Yomi doing? Could this be from Yomi itself?' Tosen resists the urge to throw up as he slowly, but steadily purify it's hand from the kegare and the curse. Inhale, exhale. Focus on the holy environment. A tall and firm tree protects from the heat of the Sun. A pool filled with fresh water made of white stone houses some chubby carps. A fox is enjoying the air under the tree's shadow taking a quick nap to restore it's energies. Nature is at peace here. Here, in the heart of a human town, nature can rest.
'I'm starting to feel better. This curse was also straining my body' notices Tosen. "Thanks Lady Inari, your humble believer is grateful for your gift" says Tosen in praying position as he starts to get up, but peace is soon over. Tosen looks at the fox running away, the carps start to agitate inside the pool, some leaves unusually fall from the tree. The shisa feels a chill running down his spine. "What?" he turns around hearing the heavy breaths of a dark and distorted voice and the jingling of jewels from behind him. "Priiiize" pants the lesser shadow who finally arrived to it's destination. "Time to harvest. No one escapes from mother's greed. Time to harvest. No one escapes from mother's greed" robotically repeats the figure.
Tosen immediately draws it's weapon. "You vile creature" he manages to say despite his gritted teeth. Tosen holds his tanto in his hand, it's handle made of wood painted green and the blade edge shining turquoise. Tosen gets in combat position wielding his dagger with the blade pointed inwards. Small lightnings began to circle around his arms moving all the way throughout his body. "I won't lose this time. This is a sacred place, dispelling you it's my duty" proclaims Tosen.
The shadow pulls out dozens of marbles and cracks all them together forming a mask. The mask has an oval shape, but on it there are many round shaped bumps as large and as many as the marbles the shadow took. On the black mask there are exactly 16 round bumps and on the top of each there is a small bright red point. The shadow covers it's face with the mask and lets out a cacophonic noise. The fight between the lesser shadow born of Izanami's desire for revenge on Izanagi and the Shinto Pantheon and the Kanto Yokai Faction agent Tosen 'Turqouise Spark' Raion begins.
04/14/2012, Occult Research Club, Late Afternoon.
Someone knocks on the ORC's clubroom door, as Rias was about to answer Sona enters the room. "S-" Rias can't speak that she's stopped by the student council president. "Rias do you know where is Yuki? Tsubasa called me and she probably saw what I think might be a shadow. I already asked Tsubaki to prepare the evacuation plans" tells seriously the bespectacled girl, Rias' eyes wide open at the mention of the possible presence of a shadow. "I don't know" before Rias can continue she's interrupted a second time, by Koneko. The young girl rushes inside the room looking pale as a ghost which captures both Rias' and Sona's attention. "Koneko are you fine?" asks worried Rias getting closer the her rook. Koneko slowly shakes her head. "President , I felt something in town... while I was... practicing, I perceived something dark, evil. It comes from the city centre I think" hesitantly says Koneko holding her hands.
"Could it be the shadow?" asks Sona. Koneko turns her head and after some seconds of thinking she shakes her head. "No" she says softly. "It isn't near at all to that thing" she finally tells hiding a bit of fear. Sona frowns, 'I was wrong? For once I'm happy about it'. Sona's phone then rings once again. "Yes Tsubasa?" says the Sitri. "President the creature is fighting, they are at the Inari's shrine" says Tsubasa. "Fighting? Who?". "The yokai Momo and Tomoe were talking about I think" answers Tsubasa. "Stay there, we're coming and Tsubasa don't do anything reckless".
"Sona what is happening?" asks Rias. "Apparently a fight is taking place at Inari's shrine" replies Sona. Rias nods her head. "Let's go then, Koneko call Akeno and tell her to bring Irumi too. This is a nice opportunity for her" says Rias to which Koneko nods, even if she's still uncertain about what she just felt. "Wait Rias, I think we should go there and just be sure no civilians get hurt". Sona's suggestion confuses Rias. "Why's that?" asks the red-haired. "I wouldn't like to upset a goddess because we devils took a fight inside one of her holy places. We have accords to respect, moreover bringing this generation's Red Dragon Empress can be seen as a prideful insult at best or as an act of hostility at worst. You know well the weight of that tile" says Sona making Rias to nod. The last thing Rias wants is to create even more trouble for herself, revealing Irumi may even hinder her trump card against Riser.
04/14/2012, Inari's Shrine, Late Afternoon.
The fight begins with Tosen blitzing in a flash of light, instantly moving behind the lesser shadow ready to stab it. Using his palm to give the dagger more force the shisa hits the back of the creature, however the attack is completely absorbed. 'Even if his skin seems to be rotting it's even sturdier than metal' thinks Tosen blitzing back to his former position and getting in a more defensive stance, thinking about his next move.
The shadow grinds the talons of it's claws between eachother sharpening them, it then make a sluggish attack against Tosen which obviously fails due to the far superior speed of the shisa. 'It's slower than the last time...' thinks Tosen, speculating it might be a trap he decides to attack from the distance. After he dodges the incoming attack of the shadow Tosen takes three shurikens and after infusing them with his ki, which gives the ninja stars a radiating aura of lightings, he throws them at the shadow. One aimed at the head, the other at the torso and the last at the legs.
The shuriken aimed at the head bounces on the shadow's mask, but the other two manage to pierce it's body and as soon as they do it a powerful strike of electricity traverses all the shadow making it to fume in dark smoke after the electric shock. Tosen doesn't waste any time, he blitzes to his opponent's side ready to attack once again with other shurikens, changing the direction from where they come from so they are more difficult to predict. As three other shurikens are thrown to the shadow, it shoves his hand again into it's pocket pulling out a comically large double-headed axe. Too big for the creature's pockets, the axe is made of pure gold, with it's handle in ebony wood so shiny it reflects some light. Instead of using it as a proper axe, the shadow slams it into the ground in front of himself blocking the incoming shurikens. "Prize, don't fight. Need to harvest" says robotically the shadow with it's deep voice.
Tosen clicks his tongue after seeing the shadow's weapon. 'That is gonna be a problem, luckily it's too slow to hit me' Tosen begins again to run around the shadow, throwing his electrified shurikens at it. With Tosen circling around it, the shadow is forced to stay still and move the shield-axe around to block the incoming attacks. However, Tosen soon finishes the shurikens. 'If I only had all my equipment this would be far more easy' thinks the shisa, now only with his trusted tanto in his hand. The shadow breaks it's weapon in two making it to disappear in darkness and takes out another marble from it's pocket. "Soul for mother" it mumbles launching the little sphere at Tosen. He's able to dodge it, but the marble explodes mid-air in a burst of curse magic which hits the shisa.
Tosen flashes in a spark of turquoise lighting bolts to avoid most of the explosion, managing to significantly reduce the damage. The yokai turns his head towards his enemy again. He notices the shadow becoming less and less 'stable' as darkness starts to move chaotically from under the tattered robes and jewels. 'It must be the holy influence of the shrine. Thanks Lady Inari, I will stop this monster in you name' thinks Tosen full of determination.
Tsubasa was watching the fight from afar, gritting her teeth for not having the permission to join the fight, but she knows well to not disobey Sona's orders. The only thing she could do was swaying the people away from the shrine and placing some rudimental concealment spells around the area, she really wished someone better at this was here in her place. 'If we continue like this how does the president think we can earn experience' puffs the girl in wait.
'Makoto, I'm not sure, but there might be a shadow in town. It could be one of the lesser ones Death and the Attendant hypothesized' says Messiah. Makoto shares a look with Ryoji who also heard Messiah and nods his head. Makoto and Ryoji starts heading towards the direction of the shadow. "Where are you going?" asks Kegawa a bit irritated. "What attacked Tosen might be here sir!" shouts Ryoji, who has already run many meters away from the old man. "I'm following" says Kegawa, not accepting protests.
'I miss Fuuka's help. Messiah are you sure about the direction?' asks Makoto. 'Yes, it's weak, but it's surely there' answers the persona. 'Could we summon a navigator persona? Maybe you could finally bench Lucifer, Universe' jokes Apollo. 'The only one here who's not wanted it's you certainly not me' replies coldly the Devil. 'What are you blabbering? I'm the most loved!' declares arrogantly the Music God. 'Not even a little' says Odin, shocking Apollo. 'I hate to say iit, but I agreee' screeches Fafnir. 'Eh!?' shouts Apollo not believing his ears. 'It's not honourable to disrespect each others, but Lucifer is not totally wrong' quietly says Yoshitsune. Apollo metaphorically blinks in shock. 'Do not worry my shining friend I would never disdain you!' reassures Robin Hood.
'See!? I'm the most loved, ah ah!' chuckles triumphant Apollo. 'Sorry to say it, but I am. Hee hoo' happily says Jack Frost earning the agreement of all the other personas. 'I have to take a position here, Jack Frost is right' says Kohryu, a little ashamed for saying so. 'No! Not even you Kohryu!' complains the Sun God. 'Could you shut up please?' asks Makoto to his other selves. 'Ehy Universe, you would never b-bench me, right?' asks Apollo, fearing that cursed word... 'bench'. 'Just tell him yes and let's go on Makoto' says exasperated Ryoji, from his Thanatos form in Makoto's mind. Makoto shakes his head and ignores the rest of Apollo's childish pleads.
Meanwhile Tosen has been able to stab the lesser shadow with his dagger in a weak spot, piercing through the creature's 'flesh'. "Finally, it's over for you" declares the shisa pulling out his weapon, leaving behind it dark black blood that spills from the hole in the shadow's body, aa soon as the dagger is high jn the air he strikes again, thosi time dealing the final blow. The creature falls on the ground making suffocated sounds, it's body starting to dissolve into darkness. Tosen looks at the body of his foe, looking for any signs of life. Nothing, it continues to fade away.
Tsubasa looks at the scene. 'It ended, that yokai is quite strong... I don't understand why the president was so worried. It is not anything like that thing for sure' she thinks as the rook hears many steps coming from the road leading to the shrine. Makoto, Ryoji and Kegawa just arrived. 'They are Yuki and Mochizuki... who is that old man?' she asks herself.
"TOSEN!" shouts the tanuki as he undisguises himself. "Master" replies the shisa eith his sight low on the ground. "What have I told you? Stay in bed until you recover. But no! You couldn't listen to me and decided to do things your reckless way" Kegawa hits his former student on the back of his hand, scolding him. "Sorry master, but I need to head to Nikko and report to Lord Nurarihyon what I saw, it's urgent". Makoto looks at the fading corpse of the shadow. 'It seems that these lesser shadow are beatable by someone who is not us' thinks Makoto. 'It's because they are born from a shadow original of this world. Even if it was created by Nyarlathotep, even if it was a God. You can't make up for the absence of a strong Collective Unconscious' explains Thanatos. After he says it, in his human form, Ryoji looks at Tosen. "Sorry to ask, but can you tell us what was that you saw?" politely asks the boy.
Tosen looks at Ryoji, he's dubious at first, then confused but eventually he bows. "You are the shinigami who I saw before fainting right?" asks Tosen. Ryoji chuckles. "Just call me Ryoji, Ryoji Mochizuki". The shisa nods his head not wanting to rebute. "We can talk at my home, let's not disturb Lady Inari anymore" says Kegawa bowing his head towards the little shrine of the fox goddess, then he makes sign to the three to follow them. Ryoji and Tosen follow the tanuki, with Makoto some steps behind.
"Tsubasa we are here, what happened?" asks Sona who just arrived with Rias, Tsubaki, Akeno and Koneko. "The fight is over president, the yokai won. However Mochizuki and Yuki are here too with an old man I don't recognize" answers the rook. "Mochizuki is here?" asks Rias, hope in her eyes. "Wait Rias, if they are here it must mean there was a shadow, no? But if the fight is over... that man must be Mr. Kegawa..." Sona is confused by the situation and tries to understand it, but Rias ignores her and heads towards the shrine. Akeno rolls her eyes seeing Rias' behaviour followed by a smirk and follows her along with Koneko. "Let's go" grunts Sona deciding to follow Rias, not wanting to be left behind.
"Mochizuki, Makoto hello!" says Rias waving her hand to them. Tosen stops looking at the Gremory heiress with an hostile face. "Calm down Tosen" scolds Kegawa. "Ehy Gremory" waves back Ryoji, with Makoto nodding his head. "Hi" he says. "Ehy Mochizuki can I ask you something?" asks Rias, but the girl is stopped by Sona. "This is not the time" harshly says the girl. "Good afternoon Mr. Kegawa, I hope you are well" politely greets the girl before turning to Tosen. "I'm Soma Sitri, one of the two supervisors of this city along with Rias Gremory here" she offers her hand, which Tosen accepts although reluctantly. "Tosen Raion" he says.
The supposed calm situation is suddenly inverted. Ryoji feels a great sense of wrongness as he turns around facing the now almost empty puddle of darkness the shadow left behind. "Get back!" shouts Death to the others as he looks at Makoto. "Makoto! Get away from there this instant!" with this said Ryoji transforms into Thanatos and delves into Makoto's mind. From the body of the lesser shadow emerges the shadowy figure of a red-eyed woman. Izanami, Nyarlathotep's currently strongest Shadow Self appears in the middle of the shrine of Inari.
"You must be the Universe" giggles Izanami as she looks at Makoto. Everyone apart from Makoto is frozen in fear. The manifestation of a god in front of them instilling the primal fear of every being: death. Like a predator staring amused at their prey Izanami looks at to he devils and the two yokais. "Nice friends you have there Universe, I must say with each passing second I come to hate this world more and more. Here humans are so insignificant they can't even see me, here the gods are so weak, I could kill them with so much ease I get bored instantly. I envy the world where you and father come from. Look at you Universe, a human. Still with even more power than I, incredible" says Izanami half amused and half amazed by Makoto.
"You are Izanami?" asks Makoto drawing his sword. 'I'll deal with this. You others won't interfere' says Lucifer ready for Makoto's to summon him. "Calm down Universe, I'm not here to fight, my body isn't even here. I'm a bit upset you killed one of my dear shinigamis, but it's okay. You are really interesting Makoto Yuki, the prophesied Messiah of this world. Even Izanagi told me about you, I hope you will be of amusement to my dear father" Izanami turns around, her gaze stopping on the Inari's shrine. A grimace appearing on her face when she sees the fox inhabitanting it. "Disgusting. Creature. Your stench screams of that bitch of Inari" Izanami points her hand towards the fox crossing her fingers. A red root appears from the ground and tries to impale the fox. "Tetrakarn" says Makoto casting the defensive spell, nullifying Izanami's attack.
"You really are a killjoy Universe" complains Izanami. "Don't you see how far superior being such as us are? These barbarians cannot even understand the Sea of Souls, the Collective Unconscious. When Father told me about your existence I was really excited, you are a man. Not like that fool of Izanagi, oh I'll love seeing my Father tear you apart".
"You are simply crazy" says Makoto pointing the evoker to his head. "Oh" reacts Izanami making the same hand sign as before. "LUCIFER!" shouts Makoto. "Rhizomes from Revenge" says back Izanami making a lotus like sign with her hands. However, both Makoto's summoning and Izanami's attack are blocked.
'WHO!?' shouts Lucifer to the other personas in Makoto's mind. 'WHICH ONE OF YOU DARES TO STOP ME!?' shouts in anger the Morning Star. 'We are not doing anything Lucifer' calmly replies Orpheus Telos trying to ease the situation. 'SILENCE!' roars Lucifer. 'There is no need to use your force Morning Star, we are already receiving help' says Kohryu, explaining the situation. 'IT WAS YOU HUANGLONG? YOU DARED TO STEP ON MINE AND THE UNIVERSE'S WILL!?' if Lucifer could he would immediately storm Kohryu with his stars, but unluckily for the Devil it is impossible. 'No, it was me. Kohryu just told me what was happening' tells Leviathan with his hoarde voice. 'Stop fighting we are in front of a shadow' says Thanatos making even the enraged Lucifer to stop.
Izanami's attack is nullified as the Inari's shrine is enveloped by a green holy light. Izanami's face twists in hate. "Inari" hisses the shadow disgusted. As the light dissipates a woman with orange hair, wearing a kitsune mask covering half of her face, letting her right pink eye to be seen. A ligth white kimono covers the entirety of the voluptuous body of the goddess of prosperity leaving only her bare hands and feet, her nails painted with a golden coloured enamel.
The formerly petrified yokais manage to move again after witnessing to the appearance of the goddess, before they can bow Inari speaks. "Take the devils away" she orders as Tosen and Kegawa nod their head obeying Inari's order.
The five devils are stunned, is it really only fear what is stopping them from moving? from almost even breathing? Koneko is sweating, for someone who isn't accustomed to feel his own ki like her feeling huge amounts of kegare is... overwhelming almost unbearable. Her legs are trembling, but when the goddess appears while she should feel terror for being a devil the nekomata feels ease, she feels safer her yokai nature winning over her devil's current one.
Inari takes a look to the devils, frowning at the sight of Akeno and Tsubaki. "Has the five principal clans fallen this low?" she says sarcastically. The goddess then looks at Koneko, a look of pity appearing on her face. "Poor girl, you are a devil now". Koneko looks at Inari while she regains the ability to move. Inari nods her head. "Go on take your... king away, I have no reasons to be mad at you devils" she says as Koneko, Tosen and Kegawa takes the left devils away from the shrine area.
"You are really ignoring me Inari?" asks coldly Izanami preparing to attack the fox goddess. "I'm sorry Universe, it seems we indeed have to fight. I can't let this beast run away now that she's right in front of me" laughs Izanami bloodlust in her eyes.
"Like I would let you" says Makoto making Izanami to grin. "Absolutely fantastic, do you see Inari? I hope you and all of Takamagahara are ready crawl on the feets of this boy. Aaah, I love the image of it. The children of my disdainful husband forced to grovel in front of a human. I admit you are lucky Inari, you and Amaterasu have finally found someone you can submit to, like the bitches in heat you are" Makoto frowns in disgust hearing Izanami's madness.
"You have gone mad Izanami" says Inari, looking at the japanese goddess of death almost like she was senile which makes Izanami to growl like a beast. "EIGAON!" shouts Izanami launching a curse attack in the shape of a crackling skull. Inari shakes her head and tries to divert the incoming skull with a hust of wind, but without success. Inari looks surprised as she sees the skull trying to bite her, but Makoto crushes it with his sword. 'What is this boy thinking he's doing? Well, at least he has the decency of serving his goddess, but it's my duty to protect my folk not the contrary' thinks Inari preparing to attack Izanami.
'Universe we are just wasting time, Izanami isn't really here just finish her off already' says Odin. Makoto nods his head. "This ends now Izanami" says Makoto annoying Inari. "I thank you for saving my foxy boy really, but now step back" says the goddess. 'Arrogant girl, let's not get her killed Universe' says Kohryu. "Arrogant" says Izanami too, a purple lighting strikes Inari from the sly too fast for Makoto to react. Inari screams in pain and falls down, the power of Izanami too great even in this form.
"What has happened?" says Rias. They are now outside a holy veil placed by Inari in order to protect the town from whatever is happening inside it. Akeno and Tsubaki looks at each other in silence. "Tsubaki?" "Akeno?" asks Sona and Rias seeing their queens in this state. "Don't worry Rias..." answers Akeno. "It's alright president" replies Tsubaki. "The boy who was with the shinigami is still there we need to take him too master" says Tosen looking at Kegawa. "He doesn't need our help" says Sona confusing the shisa.
Under Inari's veil Makoto looks at the injured body of the fainted goddess. 'She's not dead, but the attack was stronger than we expected' comments Yoshitsune. "What is the problem Inari?" mockingly asks Izanami. "Is playing the damsel in distress a kink of yours?" she jokes. "Oh Universe you must be so embarrassed, if I remember right my father told me you already have a special one, right? Aigis, am I wrong? I wonder if Father makes her a visit. Back in your original world I could take some sort of reaction from you" threatens Izanami.
"What have you said?" asks Makoto, silent anger in his eyes. "Oh did I touch the right string?" giggles Izanami. 'Makoto don't let her use your feelings again-' 'Shut up Orpheus' replies Makoto to the Master of Strings. Makoto hasn't felt anger in a long while, the last time was on November 4th, Ikutsuki's betrayal...
Izanami smiles at Makoto, the blue-haired boy takes his evoker, ready to blast the woman in front of him out of existence. 'Don't use it Makoto. You will kill Inari, it's what Izanami wants!' shouts Thanatos, but Makoto is blinded by anger. "That really made you upset Universe uh? Isn't this Aigis just a piece of metal? A lifeless robot trying to imitate the beautiful human life?" each of Izanami's words is carefully weaved to anger Makoto. 'Father surely knows how to play with humans, even the Universe can't resist him and now Makoto Yuki, you will be the one to kill Inari for me, thanks a lot. Father really overestimated this boy, but even the best can make some mistakes' thinks Izanami. However she cried victory too soon.
"No, you are wrong. I'm not like you, you can say whatever you want. You can threaten Aigis as much as you want, you'll simply do nothing. I won't let you. You can insult her, you can try to deceive me. It will simply not work. I made a promise, I promised I would protect them all and this world too. Tell something to Nyarlathotep when you go back from where you came. Tell him he can strive to his greatest extent possible, I will stop him. I've faced worse than him. He can try to go to another world after this, I will follow him and stop him" as Makoto says this Izanami bursts into laughters.
"Ahahahahahah! Father was so right! you are really the exception! It's such a shame... I fear my time in the human world is nearing it's end for now... I can't wait for our next encounter Makoto!" says smiling Izanami as she fades away. 'You have done well Makoto' says Messiah. 'Indeed he has proven to be the superior hero he is!' proclaims Robin Hood. 'We're all proud' tells Kohryu. 'Thank you' smiles Makoto as he turns back to Inari. 'Messiah, can you help me?' asks Makoto. "Reverbarate, Oratorio" says the boy summoning Messiah who heals the fainted goddess with a gesture of his hand.
The shinto goddess opens her eyes looking at the human standing ahead. Inari looks around, her shrine hasn't been damaged apart from the lighting Izanami used on her... what was that? It was a bolt stronger than every lighting Raiden, the literal shinto god of them could ever strike. It didn't have destruction power, it was a precise and devastating attack: like the arrow of the mightiest of archers. Inari isn't a fighting god, but she's still probably the most prayed god in modern Japan, dealing so much damage to her with only one attack? It is terrifying. Only one thing was in Inari's mind. 'Has Izanami really declared war on Japan?'. She said herself she wanted to destroy Takamagahara and all it's inhabitants...
"Are you feeling ok?" asks Makoto. She looks at herself, her body completely healed... Inari's eyes open wide. Healing a god is something only the strongest healing items can do, magic shouldn't be able to do so. That's why the greeks treadured their beloved ambrosia so much, it is used to speed up their natural healing process. The hindu gods had the amrita, the water of eternal life. The norse had the meat of the boar Saehrimnir. Then there was the phoenix tears... made by the cirrent descendants of Lucifer's greatest prize: the Phoenix of Eden which was kidnapped by the Morning Star after Adam and Eve banishment from Eden. While shinto had... nothing like that... Amaterasu's rays could do something, but it wasn't anything like those. "You..." Inari looks at Makoto. "Thanks human..." briefly says Inari before vanishing and removing the veil she placed before. 'Yeah you're welcome' says Apollo puffing.
04/14/2012, Whisper in the Breeze, Evening.
Sitting around a table on the second floor of Kegawa's shop are the two yokais, Sona, Rias and Makoto. The blue messiah just finished explaining to Tosen and his master what just happened and all the story ahout shadows and his goal here. "I will immediately go alerting Lord Nurarihyon of this... Lord Yuki" says Tosen bowing, making Makoto to cringe hearing 'Lord' referred to him. "You're being too hasty Tosen, you need to rest first. For real this time, am I clear?" says Kegawa to his former student with a serious look. "Ok master" nods the shisa defeated. "You are welcome here in Kuoh, Mr. Raion. You can stay in one of the buildings in possession of the Sitri Clan here in town if you so desire" says Sona, backed up by Rias who also offers the yokai to stay. "Thanks..." hesitantly says Tosen.
"Thanks for everything" says Makoto finishing the cup of tea Kegawa offered them all. "Wait, Yuki why hasn't Mochizuki come?" asks Kegawa. "Oh yeah, I wanted to speak to him before... that" tells Rias. "He said he had to speak with Elizabeth".
04/14/2012, Velvet Room, Evening.
"Shinigami? Our Izanami hasn't the greatest fantasy" comments Elizabeth who was sitting on the counter pf the Velvet Room's bar looking at Ryoji drinking a cupnof tea with an exasperated look on his face. "Attendant this is a serious matter" complains Ryoji. "Oh I know that too well, Izanami hasn't always attacked my dearest guest, but also threatened my other one and dear friend Aigis" despite Elizabeth's smile she's feeling an unusual anger. "Yeah... what if Nyarlathotep can really do it?".
"We'll do as Makoto said, we won't let him. So what have you found about that lesser shadow?" asks Elizabeth, changing subject. "A shadow of the chariot arcana. It desired wealth, richness when Izanami appeared I felt a great disdain for a certain Daikokuten" tells Ryoji.
"Mmh, so a shadow born from Izanami's desire to have the soul of the god Daikokuten. She seemed really angry at the shinto gods. Do you think she can create more types of shadow?".
"I fear so, Izanami is stronger than I, or the other persona's in Makoto's mind had thought. It must mean Nyarlathotep is becoming stronger, he's probably already stronger than me when I was Nyx's Avatar, fortunately we killed Shadow Azazel before it was too late" Ryoji replies hiding his worry.
"In the best scenario she can only do a type of shadows for each arcana, in the worst she can create one type for each shinto gods".