04/18/2012, Takamagahara, Dawn.
The Sun is rising and its first rays illuminate the residence of the shinto gods, Mount Takamagahara. An idyllic plateau reigned by the shining goddess Amaterasu. The sky of this divine realm is filled with floating islands, the personal homes of the various shinto gods and their immediate servants, all of them with their entrance oriented towards the fortified castle of Takamagahara where all the decisions regarding Japan and its residents are taken.
Inari, after three long days of deep meditation, has finally decided to speak with the rest of her pantheon. Especially the three noble children of the Creator Izanagi: Amaterasu, Susano'o and Tsukuyomi. Now, the goddess of foxes is walking towards the castle enjoying the soft breeze. "Lady Inari, welcome back to Takamagahara" says a guard wearing the typical armaments of a samurai, this is one of the blessed souls that received the honour to serve their gods during their afterlife thanks to their dutiful life on Earth as a devoted shintoist. Inari nods her head to the soldier in acknowledgement as she walks past him.
The gates of the castle are opened when Inari approaches them, a great greatly illuminated hallway leads to the throne room of Amaterasu and her two brothers. "Inari! Long time no see, it isn't often you are seen around Takamagahara. You requested a meeting with Amaterasu, right?" asks a voice, belonging to the god of lightnings Raiden, a muscular man with electric blue hair. "Indeed" answers Inari, not wasting any time in useless chats. "Oh" Raiden catches the tone of seriousness in Inari's voice. "I guess this time I have to attend too, uh?" he asks shrugging his shoulders, not excited about the prospect of attending a meeting with his fellow gods. Not that he dislikes them, he just hates politics, in this sense he's similar to his friend and rival: Susano'o. "It would be desirable" answers the other goddess. "Ok... well, I'm following you the sooner we start, the sooner we end" says the god of lightnings.
The two gods walk through the great hallway, the many servants, human and non, bowing to them. On the walls of the corridor are hanged the best paintings made by the best artists from the supernatural Japan. A woman wearing a red kimono with her face painted with a white make-up is having an heated discussion with a beagle yokai with a colour board in hand and an artist hat on his head about a painting in front of them. "I told you Jinzataro, that I like your new painting however I find it... Ah, my bad I don't have the right word for it... Let me think" says the woman. "Lady Ame-no-Uzume, perhaps what you want to say is daring, if you concede me" says the yokai. "Yeah, daring. Exactly. This painting is daring, maybe even arrogant. That's why you are the best in your sector Jinzataro" says Ame-no-Uzume, admiring the painting depicting Takamagahara and its gods, something no one else ever tried to paint considering it too much for mortal hands to draw, however this yokai, Jinzataro, did it.
"Lady Inari! Lord Raiden! I beg your pardon, I didn't see you" apologies Jinzataro bowing. "There's no need to apologise painter, I too find this painting amusing" asserts Raiden making the yokai to sigh in relief. "Ame-no-Uzume, can you follow me too to Amaterasu's throne room. It's better if as many of us as possible hear what I have to say" tells Inari. Ame-no-Uzume makes a thumbs up and joins the duo of gods.
They eventually arrive in the throne room where three sits are being occupied by the strongest shinto gods. In the center, on the golden throne is sitting the goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu. A woman with black hair and shining yellow eyes, wearing a large vest of golden fabric held together by buttons made of little emeralds. Her lips are of a bright red and between them a bamboo kiseru, the classic japanese pipe, from which she inhales a little gust of smoke. Her head is adorned with a silver tiara, a round piece of gold encased in its center.
To her right sits Tsukuyomi, god of the Moon, on a silver throne. A young looking man with shoulder lenght black hair, the same colour as his sister and completely white eyes resembling the ground of the Moon. He wears a light and long kimono made of silk, two bracelets keeping the vest from being and hindrance to the god making his movements slower. He keeps a small compact mirror made by Moon sand in his, when he sees Inari entering the room he closes it, waiting patiently for Amaterasu to officially start the meeting.
On Amaterasu's left there is Susano'o, god of sea and storms sitting on a platinum throne. Susano'o is the tallest amongst the siblings with long black hair with a single blue lock. He's the only one not in elegant or formal robes, as a heavy bronze armor is covering his arms and legs. A double edged sword in its sheath is hanging from the god's shoulder, as soon as Raiden arrived in the room he and Susano'o greeted each others with a sign of their hand.
"Inari" greets Amaterasu waiting for her and the other gods to sit on the comfortable armchairs disposed in a semicircular shape in front of the three thrones of the noble children. Aside from Raiden and Ame-no-Uzume other gods are already present, like Bishamonten one of the seven gods of fortune and one of the gods of war. Beside Bishamonten there is his most treasured servant, Tokugawa Ieyasu first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate ascended to Takamagahara as a demigod together with the other Great Unifiers of Japan: Oda Nobunaga and Toyotami Hideyoshi. Tenjin and Takemikazuchi gods of intelligence and swords are already present too.
"I thank all of you present here today. What I'm about to say will have great consequences on the situation of Japan. On the 14th of April I manifested myself inside one of my shrines. It was the one in Kuoh Town, the city we had to give to the devils of the Gremory and Sitri clans" says Inari, darkening the mood as soon as she mentions the two devil families. The two most isolationist gods, Bishamonten and Susano'o, which never liked the fact devils had so much power in their home grit their teeth. "What did those devils dared to do for you to intervene Inari? Did they desecrate your shine!? Is this another one of their tricks to steal land from us and our believers!? I forgave the Glasya-Labolas one time last month, it won't happen again!" shoust Susano'o touching the side of his sword ready to jump in action, but thanks to Amaterasu he calms. "Let Inari speak brother, we'll decide later" she says cooling the heated spirit of the Sea God.
"No, this time devils didn't do anything. The Gremory and the Sitri respected the accords. I'm here to talk to you about Izanami, it was her who attacked my shrine" says Inari making the gods starting to talk with each others, the topic of the Mother Goddess of Shintoism creating quite the turmoil between them. "Our followers are fighting a group of rebels who call themselves followers of Izanami" whispers to himself in deep thought Tenjin. "Izanami is sealed in Yomi, it's impossible she was in a city ruled by devils" tells Takemikazuchi who heard Tenjin as he was sitting beside him. "What if she freed herself?" asks Bishamonten, already considering various scenarios. "If Izanami leaves Yomi Amaterasu would feel the balance between Takamagahara and Yomi to shift in the latter's favour" points out Raiden.
"Order, please" asks Tsukuyomi drawing everyone's attention. "Brother's right, Inari go on" Amaterasu lets the goddess finish her tale. "I immediately felt an unusual amount of kegare in one of my shrines. When I noticed it was the Kuoh Town's one I decided to leave it be, then when one of my blessed foxes was attacked I immediately manifested there. However, instead of finding devils desecrating my altar I found her. Izanami. She was... strong, too strong. She was completely different from the Izanami's we knew, but it is obvious she was her. The same crazy eyes devoid of any sign of logic, but instead of being full of pain they were full of hatred. When she saw me her face grimaced into a mask of pure hate along with... sadistic joy. I was attacked by her, one single purple lighting was enough to... knock me unconscious" silence follows Inari's words. The gods look at each other, then their gaze stop on Susano'o.
The entire throne room was shaking under the pressure of his aura, fed by his anger. "I told you we should have killed mother long ago Amaterasu! When our father was alive we could let her be. She now somehow managed to free herself!? Is she the one behind the uprising of those rebels!? Of course she is!" shouts Susano'o standing up from his throne, ready to invade Yomi himself. "Susano'o! We must think about this carefu-" tries to say Amaterasu before being stopped by her brother again. "No Amaterasu! You know I respect your choices as the chief goddess of our pantheon, but this is too much. There is nothing to discuss here we strike Mother before it's too late!" replies Susano'o not listening to any objections.
"Brother no one is saying we won't do anything. Now sit and let's decide how we proceed. Together" says diplomatically Tsukuyomi. Susano'o looks at his brother and snorts before sitting down. "Ok. Inari, if you are here it means Mother's assault didn't cause you severe damage. There is anything else?" asks Susano'o in a surprising calm demeanour. "I was healed. Yes, healed. You heard me right. With me there was a human boy, a teenager, 18 years. I appeared in answer to his actions as he was the one who protected the blessed fox of mine. He didn't seem scared at all by Izanami while the devils and the two yokais present there were utterly petrified. That boy not only managed to resist Izanami's kegare, but he also healed me. It was like the effects of the beads of Amrita".
"My lords and ladies, could this boy be another prodigious human like me, Nobunaga and Toyotami?" asks after raising his hand in respect Tokugawa Ieyasu. "Are you sure he was human?" asks Bishamonten. Inari nods her head, she spent three days trying to give herself another answer, but she couldn't think of anything. That boy was human. "However..." begins Inari, putting everyone on hold. "Izanami seemed to know him, she called the boy 'Universe'. She herself defined him as human, so there's no doubt about it".
"Universe? What does it mean?" ponders Tenjin thoughtful, while stroking his thick brown beard. "Are we ignoring the fact that this 'Universe' healed Inari? Entire pantheons would go to war for having something like this" points out Takemikazuchi. "A Sacred Gear made by the christian God?" theorizes Raiden, but that possibility is immediately denied. "The only Sacred Gear able to do something like that could be Sephiroth Graal, and if Inari didn't recognize it, it's useless to even think about it" explains Tsukuyomi. "So? Are we losing time talking about a kid? He clearly isn't our enemy, first we deal with Izanami. Then you can do whatever you want" proclaims Susano'o losing his temper again as he slams his foot on the ground. He shares a look with his sister, her eyes saying more than every word. He grunts in annoyance, but doesn't leave his seat.
"It's reasonable enough for me. I agree with Susano'o" says Raiden, wanting to put an end to this story as much as Susano'o and as soon as possible. "Wait, are we really risking to give such a valuable card to the devils? He isn't our enemy, for now. You know how those creatures are ready to do everything for power" says Bishamonten. The god of war and warriors would rather let Izanami be for a while than give outside enemies like the devils another advantage. Bishamonten's reasoning makes Susano'o to snort. "Yeah..." he whispers, now unsure on what to do. "Inari, have you found anything else about 'Universe'?" asks Amaterasu.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, his name is Makoto Yuki. He makes 18 years in November and he transferred to the devil city of Kuoh Town this month moving from Iwatodai. I didn't find anything regarding supernatural, nor with him nor his parents or any other relative. Nothing that could lead to his powers nor his proficiency with the sword" this is what troubles Inari the most, the first thing she did after Makoto healed her was searching who he was, she just found the backstory of a regular teenager. The only thing that could draw suspucion is the fact that the boy's an orphan, but he isn't the only orphan in Japan and his parents were just normal people.
"I made up my mind. I'll tell you what we are going to do" says Amaterasu after being silent for a couple of minutes. The japanese goddess of the Sun knew what to do, it wasn't a matter of if, but when Izanami would have decided to retaliate against Japan as a whole. They knew it since Izanagi's death, he was the only one able to maintain a true and firm balance between Takamagahara and Yomi. Now their primary objective is to prevent Izanami to reach the human world, as long as she's sealed inside Yomi no matter her strength she won't be able to harm anyone. To do that they need to hunt and destroy her believers.
To do that they need the help of their followers, both humans and yokais. Yasaka told her she wanted to restart the project of making the yokai factions of Japan a grand federation under Sojobo, her father's most trusted servant. Amaterasu never took position about that, considering it a waste of time due to the risk of division in the already weakened shinto pantheon. This time, however, the situation is different.
"We are going to tell our followers, especially the yokais to hunt down Izanami's followers. If Mother shows up we're just going to let her be for now, we wait until it's sure no one in the entirety of Japan supports her. Meanwhile we'll deal with this boy, Makoto Yuki. I agree with Bishamonten, the devils taking advantage of our current situation is the last thing we want, they now know about Izanami. I think is just a matter of time until Leviathan shows up demanding explanations, a war is the last thing we want so we must be fast. The ability of healing a god isn't something we can give up on" asserts Amaterasu, earning the approval of every god.
"Finally! I immediately get to work" says Susano'o jumping from his seat. "Where are you going?" asks dubious his sister. "Ah? I'm paying a visit to Toku, I'll explain to him what we're going to do and then maybe I'm going hunting too" says excited with a smile on his face and his hand on the sheath of his sword heading towards the exit of Takamagahara's castle. "If you excuse me dear sister, my peers. I'm taking my leave too" politely greets Tsukuyomi, before he leaves too by magic using his innate power to vanish in moonlight.
04/18/2012, Tsushima, Morning.
In the heart of Hakutaku Forest from the pool of blood remained after Izanami's ritual emerges the resurrected body of Kazan Ishikagawa, his fists clenched and fangs gritted. The stain of dishonour after the defeat by the hands of the devils not leaving his body. As he crawls out of the blood he sees casually sitting beside the shore of the pool the high priest and spiritual leader of the Outcasts of Yomi, Santhgrim. The ox yokai pivots his head towards the oni making a strange smile. "Kazan, my dear Kazan" he says, his voice corrupted as Izanami is currently possessing the body of the yokai. "My goddess" greets Kazan kneeling in front of Izanami.
"There's no need to be so formal Kazan, stand up. Congratulations on getting resurrected" says Izanami offering Santhgrim's hand to him, making the oni to stand up. "Tell me, why did you fail Kazan?" asks her. Kazan looks down, his eyes red in anger. "I underestimated the Gremory's affection towards her servant. I shouldn't have wasted any time and killed her queen in front of her ey-" while Kazan tries to explain the motives he failed, which he revised again and again while he was in Yomi, waiting to be reborn once again thanks to the blessing of Izanami, the goddess stops him putting her finger on his mouth.
"No Kazan, you failed because there was someone far stronger than you. You probably didn't even consider him, but the blue haired boy was the real threat" says Izanami confusing her servant. "My goddess I wouldn't dare to doubt your word, never. But the little traitor was just a human puppy, probably a servant of the bat" replies the oni, not afraid of speaking his mind. Izanami shakes her head, clearly disappointed. "Are you sure? He was the one to deal the final blow to you. He was the one who came in aid to the devils".
"Then he will be the first I'll kill in your name once I'll be back to that town" growls Kazan, this defeat now burning even more his warrior spirit. If it was an enemy to defeat him he could accept it after taking his revenge. But if it was a traitor, then this defeat will forever haunt him. "No" affirms the goddess. "Like I said he's too strong. He's not your target, but you can kill his friends that town is full of them. Take them out and you won't only take back our land, but also do me a great favour". Kazan nods his head, already planning a new strategy to attack Kuoh Town.
"Enough about the past, let's think about the future. You and Santhgrim have done a good job, I shall reward your dedication". "It will be an honour, I will use it to destroy your enemies Great Izanami" Kazan bows, ready to receive the 'reward'.
Izanami smiles, from the shade of the body of Santhgrim she is possessing two lesser shadows appear. Two of the same type she sent against the yokais in Kansai and ended up in Kuoh Town. One of them immediately delves back into the ox's shade while the other delves inside Kazan's who feels the immense quantity of kegare filling his soul. However it doesn't hurt, he's too accustomed to it now. "This is a shinigami, a fragment of one of my most sincere desire. The one I gifted to you is a sensha shinigami".
Kazan accepts the gift and after being sure the process is done Izanami leaves Santhgrim's body.
"High Priest! Honourable Warrior! The yokais sent by Toku arrived on the island. It's a squad of twenty from low to middle class, what are your orders?" asks the kappa messenger of Santhgrim. The ox clears his voice. "We'll show them that the era of the Sun is over, Lady Izanami will correct Japan giving it back to it's rightful owners and the mist of Yomi shall envelope the world!" shouts Santhgrim opening his arms.
"Toku isn't among them?" asks Kazan, his red eyes full of bloodlust. "N-no sir" answers the kappa. The oni grunts as he cracks his hands. "I still have to test our lady's gift, they will be enough. Lead me where we keep our armaments" tells Kazan crossing his arms and following the kappa.
04/18/2012, Yomi, Late Morning.
Izanami whistles happy while walking through her castle's large rooms towards her throne room. Kazan received her shinigami without much problems, the experiment her father told to do has resulted in a success! "Father will be so proud" she chimes between herself already imagining Nyarlathotep praising her. "Proud about what?" comes a male voice. Leaning against the corridor stands the yellow-eyed Shalba Beelzebub. "Oh, it's you..." comments unenthusiastic Izanami at the sight of her brother. "Yes it's me. Father wants to talk to us, we were waiting you" replies Shalba, looking at Izanami like an older brother looks to his spoiled younger sister. Not that he thinks his father is doing anything wrong with Izanami, he now wonders what would have happened if Shadow Azazel survived...
"Father is here?" asks hopefully Izanami rapidly walking past Shadow Shalba, heading to her throne room as fast as possible. Shalba shakes his head annoyed and follows the shinto goddess. Nyarlathotep waits for his children in his human form sitting on Izanami's throne. He holds a book, scarily similar to the Persona Compendium but of a dark shade of red. The Crawling Chaos opens the book, a smile full of malice on his pale pink lips, and stops at the page showing the sensha shinigami, Chariot Arcana it says.
"Good job Izanami" he says as the goddess enters the throne room. "Yes Father" she says smiling at Nyarlathotep. Soon after Shalba arrives too, greeting Nyarlathotep with a nod of his head. "Now that both of you are here I will tell what we are going to do about the Universe" begins Nyarlathotep, closing the book. "Can't we just kill him? he's still human" says Shalba. The Shadow of Mankind shakes his head. "No, Shalba. No. The power of the Universe is something that trascends humankind, personas or shadows. With brute force we won't achieve anything and moreover he's far too useful to be killed" corrects Nyarlathotep.
"What we are going to do is play the same game as Philemon. He gave humanity the power to fight me, we will do the same. We will reverse the tarots, I will gift this world the power of the Reverse Personas. And this is what will help us" Nyarlathotep shows the book in his hand. "Thanks to Izanami I am now able to produce lesser shadows indigenous to this world. However to be able to contrast the Universe we need Reverse Personas that are from my original Sea of Souls" explains Nyarlathotep.
"So what my shinigamis have to do with this?" asks eager Izanami raising her hand like a curious student. "Just continue with what you are doing. In the meanwhile me and Shalba will make sure to have the means to fight the Universe. You will continue to do what your have been doing until now: build this world's Sea of Souls".
"What does that book do father?" politely asks Shalba. "Just like the attendants of my dear brother Philemon's creation, Igor. I will use this, the Reverse Compendium, to bestow the power of Reverse Personas. The only difference is that they are ultimately linked to me, and me only. It will just be power borrowed by me, not the power of one's soul. Moreover I can keep trace of the lesser shadows present and future with this" tells Nyarlathotep with sadistic pride in his voice. "Now get back to work, I have to pay a visit to my original world".
04/18/2012, Hansha Kagoshima, Midday.
The leader of the yokais of Kyushu, Toku, is heading to the war room of his palace to analyse the most recent reports regarding the Outcasts of Yomi his soldiers sent. "Sir" greets with a bow of his head one of his subordinates guarding the door of the war room. Toku doesn't answer, too concerned about the security of his land to greet back one of his soldiers, he puts his hand on the paper sliding door, but before he can open it the guard stops him. "Sir, Lord Susano'o is inside waiting for you" alerts the yokai guard. "Our protector is here? I have a bad feeling" says Toku as he opens the door.
Inside the war room Susano'o is laying on the ground in the back of the room, his back leaning on the wall as he is drinking a cup of sake; his eyes half closed enjoying the peace of the moment. He hears the door being opened and opens his eyes smiling at Toku. "Toku! Come here sit down with me and let's have a drink" says nonchalantly the god of storms filling another cup of sake. Toku politely accepts the drink and sits dowm next to the god, his legs folded. "My lord, what brings you here?" he says after taking a sip of the sake. 'Lord Susano'o always brings the best sake of Japan' he thinks savouring the liquid.
Susano'o sighs loudly. "You have no idea Toku! As much I'd like to be here just to have a drink with a good friend, unfortunately I'm here for more serious matters" whines the god refilling his cup with sake. "I understand my lord. Japan is going under a period of great change, all of us yokai leaders fear that. We had a meeting, all eight leaders of Japan reunited in one place... and you being here only strenghtens my worries" confesses Toku, speaking more like a drinking buddy to Susano'o than a servant.
"I overheard sister talking about it, yeah" replies Susano'o finishing another cup of sake. "Enough alcohol for today. So, what is the situation about the rebels following... Izanami here in Kyushu?" asks seriously the god of storms after plugging the bottle of sake and giving it to Toku. "Thanks lord" says the enkoh gladly accepting the bottle. "I sent a reconnaissance squad to Tsushima, we might have spotted a base of operations of the Outcasts of Yomi" answers Toku, standing up to show Susano'o the location on a map on the table in the centre of the war room.
"Tsushima... they are infesting my island uh?" growls the god. "You should have said it to me" he tells looking at Toku. "I didn't consider it a matter worth your time lord. I sent the best of the best, they are trained to bring them here alive so that there can be an interrogation" answers Toku, without fearing Susano'o potential reaction. Susano'o snorts, but still smirks at the enkoh. "That's what I like about you. Even in Takamagahara most of the people fear talking back to me" says the god. "When has your team departed?" he asks back in his job mindset.
"Before dawn, they should be already there by now".
Susano'o grabs his sword and heads to the exit.
"Thanks for the information Toku, expect another visit when I'm done" the god's face betrays his clear anger.
"You are going there yourself my lord?". Susano'o nods his head, and with the back of his hand waves goodbye to the yokai. 'You chose Tsushima to anger me... right mother?' thinks the shinto god. 'You were right, I'm beyond furious. I hope the vermins following you are ready to withstand the rage of the sea'.
04/18/2012, Hakutaku Forest, Early Afternoon.
The Hakutaku forest is currently being explored by the reconnaissance team that Toku sent. According to the local humans, which have been interrogated by the members of the squad most proficient with their human disguise, lately the forest has been more dangerous. The Forest Service of Tsushima sent a couple of rangers to investigate the matter, but they didn't find anything. However, the local yokais appeared to dismiss any attempts at communication outright and declined to assist the reconnaissance team.
One of the yokais says, "It is likely that they are all connected to the Outcasts of Yomi." "And what about the humans?" queries the expedition's chief. "The local authorities don't know anything while the civilians suspect something. Personally, I suspect the rebels are using the Youjutsu to deceive them. Still all the clues we found lead to this forest" replies another one. The leader of the group nods his head and starts giving orders on how to divide the various teams to explore the forest.
Outside of the tent where this conversation is happening, two yokais are guarding the outpost they built right outside the forest they were going to soon explore. "When are we going to start moving?" inquires a guard to their fellow guardsman. "When the chiefs are done talking I guess". While the two of them are talking a loud sharp sound is heard coming from the trees. A red arrow made of blood pierces through the air at high speed hitting one of the guards, which scarcely manages to avoid being hit right on the forehead and instead receives a severe scratch on the side of the head.
"Ketsu no Jutsu!" screams the injured yokai drawing his weapon. "We're under attack! Everyone get ready!" shouts the other amplifying his voice with the use of Senjutsu. Immediately the outpost is on high alert as everyone gets ready to fight. As tens of yokais wearing long red robes come from the forest, the battle commence.
Clashes of swords, arrows flying towards enemies and allies, battle cries, fists and kicks empowered by the ki flowing through the bodies of the yokais. The Kyushu yokais hold their ground assuming a formation around their outpost using the environment to their advantage not giving up their position. This defensive strategy seems to work as the Outcasts of Yomi start to retreat, but it's just a fake bait. "They are retreating, I want a report on the injured!" orders the leader of the squad. "Only one isn't able to continue, it's better if someo-". A chant is heard from the forest, the Outcasts of Yomi calling their champion. Like a battering ram destroying the gate of an enemy castle, Kazan Ishikagawa fully armoured with a replica of his armour, promptly created by the lesser shadow's magic, runs towards the Kyushu yokais.
"Run!" screams atop of his lungs a tanuki before he's hit by the unstoppable oni who utterly crushes the poor yokai killing him on the spot. "I humiliated myself in front of my goddess, destroying weaklings like you will be my punishment. Toku has gone mad if he thinks you were enough to even scratch us" sadistically comments Kazan cleaving the head of another yokai with his new two-handed gold sword, that too made by the sensha shinigami now residing in his very soul.
The poor reconnaissance squad tries to fight back the monster in front of them, but all their efforts are useless. Kazan Ishikagawa was supposed to be... dead, there have been no sights of him since he betrayed Nurarihyon and the Kansai Faction. He was a boogeyman used to scare the new recruits, an example of what the corruption of Izanami's cults can do. He wasn't supposed to be real.
A young, seriously injured, kitsune grips a talisman, an old family blessed relic, depicting a wave crashing on a mountain. He desperately holds into it. "G-great Susano'o" he stutters, praying his god. Kazan looks amused at the scene, one after one he maimes the traitors. One after one he slaughters them. 'That monkey dares to underestimate us. He dares to insult Lady Izanami sending a bunch of weaklings to spy on her' thinks Kazan grimacing. He looks at the massacre he just made, some of them are still clinging to life. Their pain will cleanse their souls so that Lady Izanami can find in her compassionate heart the will to forgive them.
He's about to crash the skull of the kitsune when a heavy sea breeze runs over the area hindering Kazan's movements as he's forced to plant his feet on the ground to not be blown away. 'What is this?' Kazan looks above himself seeing something coming towards him at a frightening speed. Kazan looks in stupor as he immediately raises his sword to block the incoming strike. When his weapon collides with the enemy tsurugi, the terrain beneath him cracks as the oni sinks into the ground. The impact is so strong that the trees around shake vigorously losing many leaves. The birds fly away seeing the incoming disaster, the same do the other animals who run to avoid being caught in the battle.
Kazan spits out blood, this single strike harming him more than anything else he felt in his life. If it wasn't for the sensha shinigami in his soul making him stronger and tougher he would have already been cut in two. "It's not everyday I see someone resisting my Kusanagi no Tsurugi!" chuckles Susano'o, his smile appearing from the cloud of dust formed after the impact of his sword.
'The god of storms!' internally shouts Kazan. The oni grip on his sword is tense, he's standing before a god, one of the three noble children. "You are Kazan Ishikagawa? Even I've heard of you, oni!" exclaims the god. "It's a shame you are on Mother's side" with a fast swing of his sword Susano'o attacks Kazan, the oni parrying holding his blade with both hands.
"Drowning Gash!" yells Susano'o his voice telling how much excitement he's feeling right now. The god's sword is swinged so fast it burns the oxygen around it, enveloping the sword in fire and creating a vacuum zone in front of it. Kazan is forced to retreat jumping back many meters to avoid having his lungs literally squashed by the pressure difference created by the god's technique. "You're fast Ishikagawa, bravo!". Susano'o continues to use this tactic, he forces Kazan to get away from the Kyushu yokais still alive by repeatedly using 'Drowning Gash'. He's not aiming to kill him, not yet.
'You are defending your people... why weren't you there when I needed it' thinks the oni, rage boiling inside him. "Stop toying with me!" howls Kazan as he feels something deep down his heart. 'Collect, Collect' the sensa shinigami whispers. "I SAID STOP IT!" yells Kazan, his weapon high in the air surrounded by a dark aura as on his face a mask appears, the same mask the sensha shinigamis have.
Susano'o is taken by surprise, the sudden power flowing through Kazan's body however only hypes the god. He blocks the oni's strike with the katana and prepares another attack, this time not playing anymore. "Behold an attack able to kill dragons! Eight Tidal Slashes!". Before Kazan can even process what Susano'o said, the god makes eight attacks coming from all directions. The sword is so fast that it seems it has multiplied as eight blades, almost like Susano'o is wielding eight swords at the same time. His arms moving so fast he seems to have eight tentacles, just like an octopus. A kraken stalking a ship that has been abandoned to its doom, waiting to devour it and drag the crew into the freezing waters below.
Before Susano'o hits the body of the oni, Kazan vanishes substituted by a replica of him made by purple vines and branches. The god of sea and storms stops his attack and looks annoyed at the 'wooden statue' in the shape of Kazan. "Someone saved his ass" grunts Susano'o. "M-mighty Susano'o... y-you came" coughs the young kitsune holding himself.
Susano'o turns back to look at the survivors, out of the twenty members of the squad sent by Toku only 6 survived. "Yes, I'm here" says Susano'o hiding his disappointment in himself. He was right from the start, he should have killed his own mother long ago. Before passing out from their wounds, the kitsune wails in agony. The god gathers the survivors and attempts to take them to the nearest yokai village, but ultimately decides it is best to return them to Kagoshima because Tsushima, his Tsushima, might be completely corrupted by the influence of his mother.
04/18/2012, Mount Fuji, Afternoon.
Kazan opens his eyes and discovers himself outside a large Japanese feudal house. "Ishikagawa" welcomes Santhgrim. "Priest, where are we?" asks the oni, reflecting on what has just happened. "We're on the northern slope of Mount Fuji, lady Izanami managed to bring me, you and Yakareo, the kappa you always see near me, here" answers the hakutaku yokai, sitting on a straw chair that faces towards the Aokigahara Forest. "Why this place?" Kazan asks, strangely calm despite the loss he has just experienced.
"Aokigahara is a place brimming with kegare. We were already planning the relocation of our base of operations here. Susano'o, on the other hand, completely surprised us. Fortunately, our goddess considered this possibility". Saying this Santhgrim prepares tea for the two of them.
"Who's the owner of this estate?" asks again the oni, sitting on a chair near the high priest. "This is a gift from an ally of ours; even humans are beginning to recognize what needs to be done for Japan. The Himejima family was so generous to give us one of their estates and the surrounding land to use as we please"
"Why should the Five Principal Clans help us?" Kazan, skeptical and distrustful of humans, inquires. "Kazan, my old friend. Takamagahara's current policy is unpopular among humans as well. No one wants devils, fallen angels, angels or the Church. Still, they can not say it aloud, so they decide to assist us covertly."
"This is cowardice Santhgrim. Those humans are a bunch of cowards" comments Kazan. "Freeing Japan and ushering in a new era where we receive what is rightfully ours is our shared objective, Kazan. Dominance over our land, revenge against those colonial usurpers who wronged us. I know it's hard for you to accept it, but this is our goddess' view and we must follow it if we want our goals to come true". The oni acknowledges Santhgrim's words by nodding his head.