On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor Two Hundred And Fifty-Three

Two Hundred And Fifty-Three

“How do you know Shaeula?” I growled. “And I told you, calm down with the fucking fire hair, Tan. I’m running out of patience with you rapidly.” I looked around, but luckily the quiet booth we were at was in one corner, and no tables near us were full at this hour, so nobody had seen us yet.

“I do not have to entertain your…” Tan began, before her eyes turned black again, the flas dying down as her hair turned silver once more. Those fires must be spiritual, as otherwise that jumper should have burst into flas…

“Aki. Sorry.” Her face looked dreadful, ashen and pale, and her eyes were tearing up. She bit on her lip nervously, as if to prevent the words she would have to say next. “I need you to be honest with . Do you know soone who calls himself the Raven Knight?”

My eyes went wide with shock, but I quickly composed myself. Yeah, that’s one explanation. Not the one I expected, but… “I’m always honest with you, Shiro. Yes, I know the bastard. He nearly killed back when I was just starting out.” I rembered the Jaws of the Questing Beast and how it was a near-miracle I dodged that. “He and his spider friend killed so of my allies too.” I rembered the trolls and white snakes that died. Unlike the weaselkin, they weren’t brought back by Kin Restoration, so their deaths were a true and permanent tragedy.

“It’s true then… you’re the one.” Shiro said, before bursting into tears, great heaving sobs. As she wailed, it drew the attention of the other patrons, though being Japanese they quickly started minding their own business, except for a waitress who ca over, looking concerned, especially when she saw Shiro bawling. Fixing with a stern glare, which was a bit incongruous when coming from a maid dressed as a cat-girl, she asked if everything was all right.

“No, not really.” I said, unwilling to lie, puzzled by her sudden outpouring of emotion. “We were celebrating an important occasion when Shiro got so very bad news. She’s pretty distraught. Can you give us so privacy for a while? I’ll of course pay extra for the disturbance.” I pulled out so money and handed it over. “Get everyone here a drink, with my apologies.”

As she took the money she asked Shiro again if she was all right., and she nodded, wiping her nose on one of the napkins. “Yeah… it’s just… today was the best, and now… I’m sorry for causing a fuss.” She apologised. “Just… leave us alone… a while. Okay?”

With one last look the waitress departed, starting to ask the other patrons for what drink they wanted and to advise them to give us space. I reached over to console Shiro but she pulled away from , her face stricken.

“So, what’s this about? Why the tears?” I asked, having a bad feeling. I’m the one? The one what?

“I… he never said the na of the person who was working with Shaeula. Either he didn’t know it or care to rember.” Shiro managed after a mont to compose herself, her tears bright on her cheeks. “But apparently you worked with an evil Faerie to steal a Tree from him and nearly killed him, Aki.”

“Bullshit.” I growled, rembering. “And you know , Shiro. Would I be doing the bidding of so evil Fae? Shaeula is far from evil. If anything, it’s that bastard Raven Knight who is vile. The things he said to her…” I shook my head to clear those painful mories. “Anyway, you know that bastard? Wait… if you are close enough to exchange stories… is he one of your allies?” I asked, and as Shiro nodded, numb, I felt a ball of dread in the pit of my stomach.

“Fuck. This is what we get for letting him escape last ti. Although he outclassed us then, it’s true. You don’t… have a contract with him as well, do you?”

Another pained nod. Shiro was shaking, trembling life a leaf in the wind. “We… we do. And the terms…”

“If the fucker wants his Tree back, well, we can sort sothing out.” I grated. “A Tree like that, it’s nothing, compared to getting you free from that bastard.” It’d be a sha to lose the Darkness elent the Tree puts out, but in terms of Ether generation, it’s gone from a big part of our gains to only a fraction.

I thought that would cheer Shiro up, but she only bit down harder, as if to stop herself crying out. I reached for her again, but once more she shrank away. I started to feel my own eyes feeling hot, my chest hurting. Why? Why is she backing off? Surely she wouldn’t believe that bastard over ?

I was soon answered, as she spoke, voice hoarse. “Yes, we made a contract to get back his Tree. But also… to help him kill Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan, his enemy, and also… the mortal that helped her.” She flailed out with one fist, catching on the arm, heedless of the pain of striking my tough body. Again and again she struck , gentle as a whisper, but her hands started to bruise, her fingers swollen. As she cried I finally managed to grab her resisting body, pulling her head into my chest.

“Aki… what do I do? What…” her wails were heartrending, and I could feel us drawing more and more attention.

“It’s all right.” I whispered, stroking her head gently, using Ether Healing to heal her battered hands. Tan stirred at that, but remained quiescent, perhaps Shiro keeping her at bay, or perhaps… waiting. “It’ll be all right. I promised I’d help you carry your burdens. This is just one more.” I whispered in her ear, and she gasped miserably, stifling her cries.

“That stupid crow bastard. Obviously I can’t let him kill or Shaeula. But for a punch in the fucking face and a promise to never bother her again, I can give him the Tree.” I decided to be bold. “Then he can fuck off. You don’t need allies like him.” I assured her. “Shaeula and I are far more worthy.”

“It’s… not that simple.” Shiro sniffled. “We have a contract. We have to follow through. Or else we have to pay the compensation, or die!” she was trembling in my arms, and I felt my rage towards the Raven Knight growing rapidly. “I’m skirting the terms just being with you now I that I know your identity! It’s making my body ache, Aki!” she cried. “It’s only because Tan can’t fully manifest here, and I know I can’t kill you, that I’m not in violation of the contact!”

Shit, shit, shit! This is the worst case scenario! I need to think. “Okay, well… what’s the compensation? I might be able to pay it for you to free you. That could work.” Shiro hadn’t done more than touch on the issue of compensation before, so I was reaching, but…

“No, that wouldn’t work, Aki.” She said, dashing my hopes. “We… well, Tan set it up so that either way, she’d get access to the Fae realm. And I agreed. After all…” she chuckled bitterly. “I’d rather she gains strength from draining non-humans dry than people. Though knowing the Raven Knight and his Jorogumo, I know they are sentient beings too, with hopes, dreams and fears…” her hands were bleeding, her nails shredding her palm, and as droplets of blood ran down her pale flesh and stained my suit, I continually eased her wounds with Ether Healing, soothing her.

“… but I’m not a monster, Aki, I’m not! I’m selfish yes, but… we won’t win without sacrifice! You must know that, right?”

“Yes, I do.” I whispered to her. “I’ve killed Fae creatures, Wild Hunt, Unseelie. Yes. It’s the sa as killing people. I hate to do it. But if it’s to save those I love from suffering, or to save more lives…” I hesitated, before making up my mind.

“If… if I kill the Raven Knight, wouldn’t that void…” I suddenly felt pain as flas licked over the whole of Shiro’s body. It was as if sothing was taking bites out of my flesh, sucking at my blood. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the feeling of agony I was enduring watching Shiro suffer, the elation of finally finding soone to understand her, to love her, co crashing down in the cruellest of ways. My chakra network responded, cooling spirit water pulsing through , dampening the injuries, and my Ether Healing started on the burns to my Astral body.

“You utter fool.” Tan snapped, one eye a brilliant crimson. “To say such, it is almost as if you wish to make us forfeit the terms of our contact.” She let out an angry hiss. “Do not say such foolishness to us! Besides…”

“We have contracts with all the others, well, except for that spider-woman, she’s with the Raven Knight. If we break faith with any, how will the others ever trust us again, Aki?” Shiro chid in. “Besides, you may hate him, and I agree he seems unpleasant, but… he has his pain too.” She pursed her lips. “Apparently his mother and father were betrayed by his aunt, a powerful sorceress. He seeks revenge on her. Wouldn’t you, Aki? If… if soone betrayed , you’d want justice, right?”

“I would. Well… look, calm the flas, Tan, they bloody hurt! I’ll be careful about what I say.” I promised. “I want the best outco for everyone, but… well, a contract can surely be nullified if both parties agree, right?” I suggested. “I can return his Tree, and even offer to help him with his aunt. Then he can go on his way, happy and satisfied. Surely standing by my side would benefit you more. He may have been stronger than before, but he was still the one to lose. Now… he’s not my match.”

“I see. Yes, that might…” Shiro paused, eye looking into the distance, before Tan took over.

“This is not the place to hold such… discussions.” Tan said, pointing to a stairwell at the back of the café. “We cannot speak freely here, and I have no wish to incur the consequences of your idiocy without recourse.” She licked her parched lips. “Such would not please .”

“Fine.” Slipping out, the drained Shiro in my arms, I left money on the table to cover our bill, before heading for the exit, but instead of taking the stairs down we headed up, to the roof. The door was locked, but a whisper of wind wriggling in the keyhole had it open quickly, and we stepped out, the view and bustle of Akihabara around us normally enough to bring joy, but now it was only background noise.

“You could be a master thief too, Aki.” She muttered, as I locked the door behind us, setting her down gently. “This… definitely wasn’t how I saw today going, you know? It seems a bit of a cruel joke.”

“I know. To be honest, I thought today would go very differently as well. Look, Tan… I want the outco that Shiro, Shaeula and I are all happy. Anything else here I’m prepared to compromise on. Can we make sothing work?” Paying compensation, having the contract withdrawn by mutual consent, killing the Raven Knight. Killing Tan, maybe… There were options, but I didn’t know the ramifications of many of them.

“I don’t know about this Shaeula, but… I can’t let Aki… ugh…” she clutched her chest, expression terribly pained, and her eyes turned crimson.

“Foolish girl. Do not deny the contract, lest it ensnare you. Do you wish to be his servant until he takes revenge on his aunt? Or you die? I shall lose too, if that happens. That would not taste sweet at all.” Tan growled.

His servant? Damn, no way I’ll let Shiro do that. Although… if she voided the contract, then started serving him, I could kill him quickly then before he did anything unpleasant, but… fuck. There’s too much I don’t know about the details. If I did that and she then died with him… why the hell would a god decide to hand down such troubleso powers?

“No. Shiro. Best think that you are going to kill right now.” I said, with a heavy heart.

“But Aki…” she glanced at her ring sadly, one eye black again. “… I don’t know…”

“I know. I’ll be damned if I let you die or be the servant of that bastard for god knows how long. Shit, Tan, did you have to make such stupid deals? What moronic pacts did you make with the others?”

“It was hardly foolish. I do not approve of your insolent tone.” Tan grated, licking her parched lips. “We secured the services of the Raven Knight, opening potential new grounds for us to exploit. The others are bound to us as well, able to protect us, expand our influence and are there for if… well, I do not see why I am explaining this to you.”

“Tan, please.” Shiro pleaded. “You’re smart and powerful, you must be able to do sothing about all this?”

With one dark eye peering at with pain and sorrow, the other a crimson orb of indifference and unpleasantness, I found myself torn. What to do? I’m leaning towards just trying to kill Tan here and now, then rely on Chirurgery and Ether healing. But if Shiro dies… I don’t know if I can forgive myself. As my muscles clenched, responding to my desire to fight, to beat down this unreasonable situation, half of Shiro’s face quirked into a grin.

“I believe we should continue this discussion in a more… appropriate… location.” Tan said. “The spiritual realm, the Boundary that surrounds your world.”

“Wait, Tan, if you go there, won’t you and Aki…” Shiro began, but she was silenced by Tan placing a finger to her own lips.

“Hush, little princess. This is a matter of victory is it not? You should not interfere.”

“But…” Shiro managed, before Tan spoke over her, her whole body now under her control, her crimson, flaming hair fluttering in the breeze, her ruby eyes matching the lights of Tokyo around us for intensity. It looked sowhat strange, seeing a girl in fashionable blue skirt and rich purple jumper looking so… unnatural, but having experience with Shaeula and Hyacinth I could put that aside.

“You say you care for her, man. Well, prove it.” she smiled coldly, utterly lacking in humour. “Else I cannot permit you to stand by her side.”

“Shouldn’t that be her choice?” I observed. “After all, you aren’t to interfere in her daily life, are you?”

“If your presence would destroy her, it violates many of the tenets of the contract.” She shook her head, fiery locks flowing. “I am to protect her safety, after all. You should want this, no?” she persisted.

“Fine. You make a good point.” I grated. “But, let be clear. I only want Shiro’s safety. I’m liking you less and less the more I learn of you. And I have no trust for you.”

“How unkind.” Tan chuckled. “Why, do you worry I shall return while you are within the Boundary and devour your mortal body, drinking deep of you? So untrusting.” She giggled. “I should fear you will do the sa to , should I not?”

“Don’t be a fucking idiot. You know I can’t risk hurting Shiro. I’m the one at risk, after all, I’m the target of your dumbass contract.” I looked into her eyes. “I know you can hear , Shiro. Next ti, let Tan take all the risks in a contract. And if she tries to bullshit you saying ‘she needs to put you at risk to win’ then you know she’s no good, all right?”

Her eyes darkened a mont, and she looked down, and I knew my ssage was received, before Tan was back in control. “No good? I could have rely handed her the divine favour, and she would be dead, killed by the wolves that roam the Boundary. Such as you. Or I could have left her alone, and her death would surely be soon, her spiritual body failing her. For such beauty to waste away, it is far too sad. Instead, I offered a fair trade.”

“Fair my ass. But I’m never going to convince you… so, how about a contract?”

At that, Tan drew in a long breath. “Bold. Very… very bold. A sha. I can see you are a man who can match her. Such a pity.” She shook her head. “Very well. What terms do you require? Bear in mind should you try to bind us too tightly, we will void our contract with the Raven Knight, and face the consequences. For a being such as I, that would be tireso, but for her it would be tragic.”

“Tell sothing I don’t know. No, I simply wish assurances that neither of us will attempt to harm each other’s Material bodies. Say for the next twelve hours.” I don’t want a long contract in case it triggers Shiro’s, and I can’t be too restrictive. Besides, I want the contract done quickly. I also had another purpose in asking for a contract. It was a risk, but I trusted Shiro to have told the truth about what it entailed, so…

“I see. Cautious, yet as we likely cannot kill you here with her weak body, not in violation of our prior contract. Very well.”

“Aki, you don’t have to do this… run away. Go far away. If we can’t find you we can’t…” she groaned again, pain flaring as the contract tightened a noose on her spiritual body, which was already achingly fragile and atrophied.

“Shiro, please. Stop it.” I said, anguished. At the look on my face she allowed Tan back in control. “I’ll figure sothing out. Until then, just… I don’t want you to suffer. I promised I’d bring you joy and I ant it.”

“So… sweet.” Tan licked her lips. “Very well. I swear neither I, nor the body I occupy, will make any direct attempts to injure your form here on the Material. This will be in place for twelve hours, starting from when we swear.”

I see. Very specific wording there. I was hoping she’d fall for it and damage my Astral body, but she’s too smart for that. Damn.

“I agree the sa conditions.” I said. “In terms of paynt for breaking the contract, I want you to leave Shiro’s body behind, leaving her alive and well. If I violate the terms, then I am prepared to accept death.”

“Aki…” a whisper ca from Shiro’s mouth, while her hands were held together, her finger rubbing her new engagent ring.

“I deem that tolerable.” Tan smiled knowingly. “I applaud your cunning. But alas, I have sworn to help this poor princess, this lonely girl. I cannot fail now. Nor can I fail your world, and the many worlds that drift in the highest Astral, beset by foes the likes you cannot even imagine.” She licked at her lips again. “I thirst for victory. I hunger for it. Yet my belly is empty of such treats. Now, by Sancus, ira Dei in perfido. Divine fury will smite those who break this pledge!”

A surge of power leapt from the body of Tan, surging into mine. My Eye responded, analysing it, and I caught a fleeting glimpse of a shining bracelet trailing ornate chains around the left arm of her body, before the chains plunged into my chest. The feeling was… uncomfortable… to say the least, a feeling of being unable to breathe.

You have been subjected to the Binding Chains Of Sancus, he who protects Contracts. Your oath is…

This oath will be fulfilled in 11 hours, 59 Minutes, 58 seconds…

As the ssages blazed across my vision, and the suffocating sensation dissipated, I realised only two seconds had passed, despite it feeling like I had been gasping for breath for several minutes. Still, with my Eye I could see the binding chains had wound through my Chakra network, though I noticed they only coiled round three main chakras, the root, the heart and the crown. Even so, I’m pretty certain bad things would happen if the chains tightened on those three…

“Well then…” Tan said, a pained expression on her face, and I realised that Shiro would have felt this too. Annoyed with myself at putting her through such pain, I strode over and apologised, pulling her into a hug.

“Piss off a second Tan, give so damn privacy. You know I can’t hurt her now, not that I ever would.”

As Shiro’s shining silver hair and dark eyes returned, I whispered to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would hurt you, not when you weren’t the one making it. I should have known though.”

“Aki…” she whispered back, expression gloomy and downcast, barely able to fight back tears. “How did it co to this? I was so happy just a short while ago, and now…”

“I’ll fix this. I’m not sure how yet, but I will. Now, trust . Please.” And with that I kissed her, a gentle one, more of reassurance than lust. Our lips pressed together. When we finally parted, I patted her head, before speaking to Tan.

“All right. In we go. Let’s talk this out.”

********

“What the hell…?” I asked confused, as in front of was a figure wearing knock-off Kl Klux Klan-style robes and pointy hood. There was no badge or insignia, the robes were pure white, except for a very disturbing line of black triangles where the face would be, reminding uncomfortably of Tan’s sharp teeth. “Shiro, is that you in the abomination?”

“Sorry…” I heard her weary voice mutter. “…I made sure it was white, but… other than that…” she said quietly.

“The poor girl, she struggles to function here.” Tan said, and she did sound sorry for her, her voice kind. “Though I am substituting for what she lacks, I am still not truly part of her. Rest now, princess, and it will soon be over.”

“No, wait, that sounds ominous. Don’t fight Aki, please Tan, he’s my friend. No, he’s more… than… that…”

“Sleep, my dear girl. May your dreams not be hungry or thirty.” Tan sighed to herself. “Well, now that she is sleeping, we should… converse. But first, that sll, it is exquisite, it makes salivate. Do you really have a blessing from the World Tree? That Pantheon would surely never let such out of their grasp carelessly, no more than my father would… well, we shall not talk about him now. Do excuse the rudeness, but I simply must… see!”

Another surge of energy was emitted from Tan, a radiance bursting out from her in a bright nova. Even with my speed I was unable to dodge it, as it moved as light did. Still, as it passed through I felt no pain, rely an uncomfortable sense of… intrusion… as though sothing was rummaging through . Amber letters flared again, as my Eye once more reacted.

You have been subjected to the Searching Gaze Of Ichnaea. Your Eye has responded to deny access to your information, but only partially succeeded. So information about you has been revealed. Your Mystic Eye Of The Tree Of Knowledge has been strengthened by absorbing so of the remnant energy of Ichnaea’s Gaze.

“Well that isn’t nice, is it?” I declared, having been forcefully appraised. So that’s how it feels. “I hope you at least got to see naked?” I joked bitterly. “Though Shiro is the only girl here I want seeing that way, I guess.”

“Such… rudeness.” Tan declared. “But I shall forgive you. Yes, yes I shall.” Her voice was soft, soothing. “You are quite special, are you not? Perhaps fortune smiled on when I made the contract with that insolent Raven Knight. His attitude is rather awful, as you intimated before. She feels sorry for him, but she is a soft-hearted girl. Really, she is a miracle indeed. Born so fragile, yet sohow she lived this long. Her heart, it is so thirsty, so hungry for compassion, to be able to do what others take for granted.” Her voice was soft, soothing, and I found myself listening to her avidly, as she talked about Shiro, a girl I felt deep emotions for.

“There were others, of course. My father bade bring soone a gift, a divine favour. You wonder why we do so, do you not?” she stepped closer to , and I could sll a scent, rich and spicy. It slt a little like Shiro, her sweat, her tears, but also like burnt sandalwood, amber, saffron and more. “We do so because we have great need of success.” She sighed. “The upper reaches of the Astral are beset by many foes, but worst of all are the… well, never mind. Suffice it to say, war rages always, and realms rise and fall, Pantheons lose Territory, and gradually we are all pushed back. So we spare a little power to suitable worlds, in the hopes that they will rise from the foam of the lower Astral, strong enough to aid us in our struggles.” She was next to now, her faceless, toothy hood all I could see, her eyes hidden.

“Could we do more? Perhaps. But there are many realms we must protect, and many worlds of potential. And the Pantheons do not see eye to eye often.” She snorted bitterly. “The Throne, the Six Paths, World Mountain, your World Tree, The Land Of Endless Fog, The Dreamti… all strive for their own dominance, even as we face ruin. To think they call my father evil.” She snorted bitterly. “If we let each act as they pleased, then all would trample over the many worlds below, shattering them beneath their feet as all struggled to gain them. Indeed, it has happened before. More lives lost than you can dream of, or comprehend.” She placed am arm on my shoulder, and even through the white glove she wore and my clothing and armour, it was hot, scalding.

“You said I could commit any atrocity under the guise of ‘it needing to be done’, did you not? Well, you are clever. I could indeed. After all, what are the lives of ten compared to a hundred, a million compared to a billion, a world compared to the wider Astral? But you wrong .” She whispered into my ear, and I could feel her hot breath through her mask. “I may thirst for the power to turn back the tide of ruin, hunger for the ability to support my allies, my father. But I am not needlessly cruel. Though I am rather… pragmatic. The sa as you, no? I see the death on you, the Searching Gaze revealing your… exploits. You told the princess as much, did you not? And can you honestly…” her gloved hand trailed down my face, tickling my sweat-drenched skin. “.. tell that for this princess, for Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan, for this Eri you ntioned, that you would not end a thousand lives, no, a world’s worth of lives, if they could smile?”

She’s… she’s right. For those within my heart, I could do it. I’ve always worried about that. Will the power blind , make evil, just doing as I please? That’s why… I let those I love anchor . As long as they are smiling, living happily, I’m on the right path.

“See, I knew you would understand…” Tan let out a sigh. Her other hand was on my arm, and she started stroking it, gently. “… I too understand your desires. After all, I t her during my search for soone to bear the small hope my father entrusted to . So fragile, so pure, so white. Yes, epheral, as you said before. And when I beheld her soul, I knew. She is a ghost, drifting from her ill-fated birth to a silent death. She knows this, resents it, hates it, and why should she not? The world has not been kind to her. Yet she has such a thirst, a hunger for that kindness, for the world to smile upon her. No, not the world. Soone.” I felt cloth on my cheek and lips, a searing heat of pain that was quickly forgotten as she continued to whisper to , her hands roaming over . “You did well. Like , you wish to fill the void in her heart, do you not? Show her that her birth was no mistake? And it surely was not. No, Saṃsāra is surely at play. Otherwise why else would I have found her, this ghost who calls herself a princess, hungry for salvation. And I shall give her that. I promise you. She will be happy, and live long. Does that please you?”

Yes, it does. It pleases a lot. I’ve wanted Shiro to be happy ever since I t her. I hate the unfairness of the world, that girls like her have to suffer. That’s why my strength is so important, strength I can use to make them smile…

“Yes, you can make her smile.” The voice was reverberating in my head, in my heart. Did I say that out loud? “You gave her the gift of love, but it is not enough to fill a white ghost. No, you need to give her another gift. After all, you would kill for her, do anything for her, right?”

I nodded slowly, chanically. Of course. “Yes, I would.” My voice sounded strange to . It was my voice, just… hotter, more passionate.

“Even die for her?” Tan whispered. For a mont my head ached, and amber letters blared on my vision, distorted and unreadable, as if shimring in a heat haze. Blinking them aside, I answered Tan, who was pressed against . Sohow the robe had opened, and I could see glimpses of soft, naked flesh beneath, skin I rembered. Shiro’s skin… I heated up more, rembering the image seared in my mind.

“Die for Shiro. I could, I would. But I need to live, so she doesn’t suffer, so they don’t suffer. Just dying solves nothing.” I managed, confused.

“But you have to die. I am afraid.” She said, and the white robe she was wearing was now a re series of cloth strips, and every ti she moved I caught glimpses of her body. Her bare hands were touching , sliding inside my clothes, leaving burning handprints on my skin, pleasure thrumming through . “There is no other way. The contract binds her.”

“I… I can solve it.” I declared. “I think we could….” I stopped as she put a finger to my lips, which then squird into my mouth, and I licked at it, tasting salt, lotus and sandalwood.

“No, even if that was to work, you still need to die.” She whispered. “For Shiro. I alone am all she needs. I will comfort her, wipe her tears. She is beautiful, as much as any of my sisters, and she is lacking what they lack, always seeking it. But for that to happen, I need to drink deep of your gifts.”

I could see her eyes, ruby red and alluring, they seed to fill my vision. I opened my filled mouth to protest, and another finger pressed in, rubbing at my lips and tongue, a surprisingly erotic feeling. “You are not even using your divine favour. So wasteful. It is a powerful one, too. From the World Tree. Tyr. But Tyr, he knew how to sacrifice, did he not? He gave up his own hand for others. Can you not give up your life, not just for another, but for Shiro, the white princess, the one you love?” All around heat was shimring, reflecting images of Tan in a hundred ways, each more alluring than the last.

“I am not sure why, perhaps this was your destiny.” She smiled, and a hundred smiles mirrored it. “It seems I am not the only one to be tired of the status quo, the Throne endlessly triumphing, only to abandon the rest of us to the ever-hungry void. But to think seeds from a Fruit of the World Tree would be here, in you…” she licked her lips, dry flesh flaking off, as though she had not drank for days, or even weeks. “… if I drink deep, consu you, quench my thirst, with the power of Tyr and the seeds… well, surely I can guide her to victory, claim this world as Astral Empress, and she will live happy and safe in a higher domain, treated as the princess she hungers to be. That is the most desirable outco, is it not? Her happy for centuries to co?”

Yes, I do want her to be happy for ever. I found myself nodding. But then… even so… “But I can’t. Even for Shiro. I have others I have to protect…” my head was clearing a little, but then Tan was there, only her crotch and breasts covered with waving white cloth, the rest of her bare and glowing with fiery sweat.