---

@Taka@ERode@Lonewolf685@I-Am-X

After the events at Nijo Castle, Utsumi and Kuuto escorted the students back to the inn. There was a tense silence in the air when they walked back, and Kuuto was constantly answering phone calls, likely from the other Alliance members. Based on some of the responses, they were asking where Motsumine had gone... Kuuto didn't seem too happy, but that was to be expected given the events.

From reports he was given, it seemed that Shinzou had left the area, and likely will leave the city based on how far out he's gone, so then what of the Divine Egg? Was he abandoning it? Still, they didn't have the manpower to pursue someone so dangerous without casualties, of which there were plenty. Nijo Castle was guarded rather closely.

Up above, Lorelai could notice her yokai friend Sakichi watching from afar, they may want to talk again later.

As they arrived to the inn, there was a palpable bubble set around the group, Utsumi could tell there were questions lingering, and more importantly that these kids seemed to have some stake in what was happening here.

"Well, I suppose it would be a good idea to listen to you all, before we give you the usual spiel to stay out of trouble... Seeing as it may not work", Utsumi began. Before anyone could talk, Kuuto turned to Utsumi, getting off the phone.

"I'll have to take off, basically everything fell into my lap after Motsumine left for awhile. What rotten timing... Be sure to report to me what's going on with the students", and with that he started walking off. A short silence followed before Utsumi turned back to the group,

"So, tell me everything that's happened. You all must have some kind of reason to have run in there", he inquired.

---

---

"You must be in rather dire straits to be here now of all times Motsy. Well, you better than the stick-in-the-mud you call a friend at least. At least we're able to talk over sweets and tea, but you have gone through the trouble of refusing them today...", Kuzunoha raised her fan, covering her mouth, waving it a little before snapping it closed as she swung it on her wrist's arch.

"So tell me, to what does Eiseikato owe the pleasure of the Leader of the Kyoto Alliance?", though she did not present any malice or hatred, there seemed to be an acknowledgement of some animosity between the people that these two lead.

"Many apologies, it has been many years and I am aware it may have been rude to refuse, but time is of the essence. I had deigned to come myself, rather than send a Yatagarasu representative, as this is not merely a report, but a request", he began. Kuzunoha's brow furrowed ever so slightly, but she kept silent, letting him continue.

"To not mince words, we request the assistance of the Eiseikato yokai. Up until now, the Sennen no Matsuri had no power, and so we were able to suppress their activities, but lately they have obtained new leadership, and mysteriously, have begun to gain power and traction. I am sure you of all people are noticing, new yokai coming to this fine city have reduced greatly over the past few months, and so I believe it is-",

"Enough", Motsumine did not alter his expression, merely stopping with an open mouth, then slowly closing it. There was a tense pause as the two locked eyes, and it was clear that the expression upon the young onmyoudo was grave, his carefree smile was not present. Kuzunoha snapped her fan open again and covered her mouth as she looked to her side, as if pondering.

"Of course, I had some inkling that this was your purpose here today. You will not be getting Eiseikato's cooperation. This is a city for yokai to live in peace, not a military fortress", Kuzunoha stood up from her cushy bedding, walking down the stairs now, her impossibly long kimono trailing behind and beside her, a slit revealing only her sandals with each step.

"Do you ask the people of Kyoto the common man, woman, and child, to fight your battles?", she asked. Motsumine looked down, she was right. This was not that kind of place.

"Of course not... And so, Eiseikato will stay as it is, a city for peaceful yokai to live out their days"

A wind blade was nothing special, not when one simply considered that magic had a habit of overturning any understanding of the natural world. But that didn't make it any less deadly, and Otis, for all his perceptiveness and speed, didn't have time to dodge.

He didn't need to either, not when Utsumi blocked it for him, leaving Otis alive and once again, pissed.

Fucking egghead dipshit should've come up with some counter to wind magic overall. He already knew Shinzou had that sort of power, and it wasn't like there was a difference between an arrow and a wind blast anyways. If this was a proper deathmatch, Otis would've been dead again. 2-0 for the yokai supremacist goon with delusions of grandeur, who even managed to escape after that. A kurobozu was what Kuuto had called the shadow. Something else to consider for the future, another thing to design a counter for. Ah fuck, he was definitely gonna kill that shadow next time. If Shinzou took this as a sign to just hide away for the rest of his life, Otis was going to make it his own mission to hunt the bastard down and turn him into meat.

Before he could do that though, he had to plan. Strategize. Think. Create.

Regeneration, teleportation, wind magic, superior physical capabilities, and partial resistance to anti-youkai techniques owing to his heritage. There was that glowing energy as well that had to be analyzed and studied. Many notes to take, but how many more days did they even have left before the teachers could conveniently whisk them out of Kyoto and leave the 'professionals' to handle this? Otis narrowed his eyes, then took in a deep breath. He felt the air enter his blood vessels, seeping into every corner of his body, and then he pressed his fingers against his forehead until his furrowed brow relaxed. He'll use his anger when he needs that extra volatile energy. Before then, however, he needed to remain calm and rational.

By the time Otis returned to the inn, Shinzou was no longer living rent-free in his head.

And when Utsumi asked, it became a good opportunity to organize and clarify his thoughts. "You are aware of the first incident, Utsumi. We met Seirin, were attacked by an assassin associated with the Sennen-no-Matsuri, fought them off, and then parted ways. A short, but amicable encounter that ingrained the idea, one way or the other, that Seirin was a decent person who deserved better. After our conversation about the whereabouts of Koyuki and the others, I began my personal investigations, culminating in an encounter with Shinzou and a Yatagarasu ninja at the Convention Center. Afterwards, I created a device meant to detect the spiritual energy that yokai and certain Arcanis races exude, for the purpose of finding a way into that other side of Kyoto."

This would be a good chance to take a breath, so Otis did, and in that moment, recalled the intonation and pitch of Shinzou's voice as well. "The detector lead me to Nijo Castle, where I watched and observed until something happened that was significant enough for me to wish to investigate in person. My classmates had similar ideas. We came across the dead, and the dead lead us to Shinzou, overseeing the Egg. After questioning him, this is how he responded."

And then, the Strigidae pinched his vocal cords and mimicked that half-blooded archer bastard. “The Divine Egg is unique to Amaterasu, and those who have been blessed by her power. Her radiant fire is the fire of life and creation, and from the egg she can spring forth life. Why Seirin and why Tamamo you ask? Why it’s simple, they are both among Amaterasu’s Blessed chosen ones. Using a Sekko-Seki, a fragment of Tamamo, and forcibly combining it with a more complete vessel, we can revive Tamamo by using the life force of that person. Because Tamamo no Mae is the only yokai to still exist in this world, she is the only one who can still be revived of the Three Great Evils. While the other two Otakemaru and Shuten Douji have descendants, those descendants are too diluted in power, and it would take yet another thousand years for them be able to compare. Our leader of the Sennen no Matsuri is one of those descendants, and he too knows this keenly.”

His voice returned to normal.

"As previously established, our connection with Seirin prevents us from just watching and enjoying this monumental display, so we fought. And now, after the fight, I've a question for you, Utsumi. How will Seirin be saved?"

While her classmates were involved in yet another dangerous situation, the snow white fox spent her days at the peaceful town of the yokai with no knowledge of the current events outside. Today, she was given another assignment from the head mistress of the inn for her to ponder on. But putting that aside, Koyuki had ended her shift for the day and was out and about, searching for the place of the painter she was recommended to by a coworker fox. According to her information, there was a female zashiki warashi with a gifted talent of art who lived on the outskirts of the town. A female yokai huh, the mischievous fox spirit thought to herself with a smirk.

---

Knock knock knock.

"Oh! Um, we're open for business, you may come in.", a soft, feminine voice called out from inside the small, wooden cottage. A moment later, the front door was slid open with a rattle, and revealed a silver haired young man with fox features from behind the door. Upon entering, the walls at the entranceway were filled with landscape painting scrolls of different areas of the yokai town. One depicted an evening scenery lit with vibrant festival lights. Another painted a mansion garden with colorful koi fish in a pond. The scroll across was a painting of the height of stairs leading up to the inn. This certainly seemed to be the home of the painter.

The man walked in towards the room that connected to the entrance then eyed the petite, raven, bob cut haired girl organizing supplies on a shelf in the room covered in painting scrolls. The male fox spirit flashed a gentle smile towards the zashiki warashi, who currently had her back towards the man, and offered a greeting, "Excuse me for my intrusion, but I come looking for a painting to purchase as a sou-ve-nir for myself. And I couldn't help but notice how beautifully painted your works are. I would assume they are as beautiful as the artist herself."

Independent skill Mischievous Charm activate.

The hands of the zashiki warashi carrying art supplies from the shelf rattled from the last remark of the silver haired fox, causing a CLATTER upon the floor. "A-Ah! I-I'm sorry for the mess, you surprised me..." The girl shuffled around in a panic to collect the fallen brushes while bashfully turning her face away from the customer. A masculine hand with thin, long fingers reached toward the other supplies from behind her as she flinched in response and turned towards the fox with blue eyes.

"Haha, I apologize for startling you, it was merely a jest. Though I see it holds true still.", he chuckled with a fanged smile before continuing and picking up the rest of the fallen supplies. "I'm Yuki and as you can see, I'm a fox spirit. This is my first visit to Eiseikato and I thought to keep a me-men-to of the time here before I take my leave." The male fox explained as he handed the tools over to the painter.

"O-Oh, I see... I'm happy to hear that yo-you seem to like my paintings." The zashiki warashi quietly replied before accepting her belongings from Yuki and back onto the shelf. With her hazel gaze averted from the fox, she replied to his introduction with her own, "Um, my name is Rinko, a zashiki warashi. I-I don't do too well in front of others from my racial nature, I'm sorry... Bu-But do please take a look around to see if any of my works interests you." She bashfully hid the lower half of her face with the sleeve of her navy blue kimono as she finished her piece.

Yuki lightly nodded and rose from his knees to view the displayed works of art. A painting of the rainy scenery of the garden with a pond; the vivid colors of the hydrangeas stood out. One painting depicted the town square showered with crimson autumn leaves and a mikoshi being carried. Then the one beside it, .... The fox spirit gazed at this specific painting for more than a moment. The scenery the fox spirit first saw upon arrival to the ethereal town was naturalistically painted upon the scroll, almost as if he were in that exact moment once more. The petals from the cherry blossom tree danced in the wind along the river, with the red bridge and a bright full moon illuminating the eternally dark sky. "There can be no other, I'm entranced by this particular one. I have no words to express how you've beautifully painted this, but please accept my humble compliment."

Shyly smiling from the compliment given by the male fox spirit, Rinko the zashiki warashi approached the man in front of the scroll and excitedly with a quiet tone replied, "Yo-You find this one appealing to your eyes too? I-It's one of my masterpieces that I myself am proud of. Um, I'm happy you agree with my sentiments and I-I wouldn't mind giving this to you for a fee lower than my usual charge..." The girl spoke with faintly blushed cheeks as Yuki beamed at Rinko in response.

---

Yuki waved back at the artist goodbye with a securely sealed scroll in arm and walked away some distance from the cottage before speaking in a familiar, female voice, "Hehehe, that was easy."

Thought the orchestrator of the night's events was driven off and the egg remained unhatched, there remained a bitter taste upon the blonde's tongue and it was no small feat to keep it stilled as they were marched back to the hotel. If this were some cheesy anime the teacher would rip into them for running off into danger and try to ground them to the hotel without a lick of consideration for the motives, so it was a relief she did not have to unleash her frustrations in a diatribe fueled rant that would haunt her the rest of the school year.

Should students have rushed off into that situation? Certainly not, even Lorelai could accept that, where the circumstances ideal. That is to say, that the castle's defenders weren't entirely inadequate and their delaying action seemingly all that kept the egg from hatching on time.

So it was that cooler- read, compartmentalized- minds such as Otis' spoke up, unleashing a deluge of clinical facts with no personal flair or passion. She watched with widening eyes before following it with a clipped nod. "You'd be surprised what you can hear people say in front of you when they think you a foreign yankee."

"If you'll excuse me professor, that...Shinzou person, wasn't exactly gentle and I'd like to rest my aching ribs. I'll be in my room." She made her excuses, affecting a sag to her posture as though the adrenaline was finally leaving her to feel the full weight of injuries she didn't truly have. She just wanted an excuse to fling the window of her room open and get the low down from her avian friend while texting a certain black smith's sister to except Lorelai first thing in the morning.

---

@Taka@ERode@Lonewolf685@I-Am-X

Well, it was not unexpected to Utsumi, he'd been monitoring the situation around Kyoto at Kuuto's behest, but for him to actually do anything he still needed to be present. He had warp skills but they were limited in capabilities. With the last event, he elected to join up with Kuuto for a more precise response, though... He can't help but still be somewhat proud at how well they performed, even if it was only a little bit of luck that Shinzou did not go all out at the beginning.

He listened to the group and it was as he had expected, though unexpectedly... In a big city like this for them to have met Seirin must either be a divine prank, or something the gods had decided. Anything around Seirin had never been simply luck, it was one of the reasons she was kept locked up as much as possible. The Blessed had many strange aspects to them and they usually pertained to the god that had chosen them. The school's principle knew this better than anyone. Eventually, the conversation led to what he knew he had to answer since the start, how would Seirin be saved, asked Otis.

Utsumi looked at the group intently, then made as sincere a response as he could,

"For that, I am afraid I don't know entirely. The situation around it has just begun and we're gathering high ranking Alliance members to figure out a response. I suspect Kuuto would know what they're going to do better than I do. He has better knowledge of what we have access to here". They won't be pleased with just that, he knew he wouldn't be.

"He certainly won't let you in on the plans unfortunately, he's surprisingly thoughtful about keeping people safe... So between you all and me, I'll let you in on it when the time comes", he held out a hand, and a small blue bird appeared, which everyone would recognize was just his surveillance spell.

"Come out here when you see this bird tomorrow, if you all want to save Seirin, I will try and figure out a way for you all to", granted, he was nervous, but he felt he could trust these students to perform. They definitely showed him they can earlier under dire circumstances, and they were driven to do so out of concern for a friend.

"For now... Hmmm, perhaps prepare yourselves for tomorrow. I suggest the rest of you do the same as Lorelai, take some rest for the rest of today", if there were no more questions, they would all be dismissed and allowed to do as they liked or needed as the evening came to ahead.

@Lonewolf685

---

---

The following day came as quickly as the events of the day before. Was it the tension or the tiredness of the participants that brought it upon them more quickly? Either way, perhaps it was difficult to relax after knowing they'd be waiting for word on what to do, the most that could be done was preparation.

Among such, was Lorelai, who had received a message on her phone. The young Muramasa boy as she recalled was still using a flip phone... Well, maybe he was poor, but still, the message went as thus,



The way he made messages was rather formal, it was so stiff you could feel the tense air behind when he typed it out on his phone. Truly a master craftsman to be able to convey his emotional state through messages alone.

Lorelai's night was one of restless slumber, tossing and turning with a lustrous pinion resting on her night stand. A token of friendship a reminder of the Tengu's help and something she would hope to call upon again in the future, but such things were distant uncertainties in the face of current events. Thus she wasted no time in returning to the black smith, greeting his little sister with a deluge of warmth as though she were compensating for an inability to do the same for Seirin.

Between the life giving smiles and warmth of the younger sister, and the stiff, noble bearing of the brother, she could not help but think they required a wild eyed Susanoo to complete their family. Such musings gave way to wonder when she beheld her new and proper Yari, a weapon whose blade could be said to be one of a kind. Certainly no one had ever held a Muramasa forged from such material, yet Lorelai now cradled the shaft, tipping it hereto and forward to get a feel for the balance of it as well as the texture of the wood against her calloused palms.

Her smile burned as bright as the forge that brought such a weapon into creation and her fingers blurred as she gave it an experimental twirl away from the smithing siblings.

"I fail to find the words to express my gratitude for this. You can not fathom how necessary this is now. I feel as though...I can finally have my grasp exceed my reach." She giggled then, finding the words clumsy and oafsome even to her own ears, and turned her radiant eyes to the smith himself. "Does it have a name?"

After their ordeal, the feeling after the battle wasn't too great to be honest. While you could say they 'won' but it wasn't something you can honestly be proud of. Sure they managed to survive and fortunate enough not to take any damage despite how powerful Shinzou was but all they really accomplished was drag things out long enough for reinforcements, namely their teacher again, to come in and eventually drive them away. Not only that, but they couldn't save Seirin. After saying all that about saving her....We...no, I...

From a mixture of not being able to save a friend and once again being in a life or death battle only for someone else to step in and bale them out was really eating at her. First the vampire, then the assassin....and now this Yokai....Goddamnit....clenching her fists hard enough to draw blood and stewed silently in rage, not paying any attention to their teacher talking until he mentioned Seirin. There's still a chance? Of course there is, if they said they'll save her, they'll save her.

They'll be running in blind and pulling it out of their ass but it's better than doing nothing. They were told to take the rest of the day to rest but Ultana was too wound up to 'rest'. She needed to get some air and preferably punch something or someone. As she once more left the inn, she found an isolated spot to work out for a little bit before returning and heading to bed.

---

The next morning it was a brief free moment until Utsumi 'summons' them with their magic. After having a brief breakfast, she leaves the inn and decides to clear her head with a stroll around the city.

"Seshoukan Muramasa..." Lorelai intoned, working the syllables over her tongue with a small pout of concentration. Then it slowly morphed, the sun shining with a vengeance behind her eyes as she rounded upon the black smith and lunged. Her arms enveloped him, pulling him close with a cry of delight.

Of course, being mindful not to smack anyone with the Yari, she didn't pay mind to wear she pulled the young man's face, but her obliviousness returned in full force.

"You've worked miracles for me, and now you've christened your finest with a name that brings joy to my heart! Oh I have been blessed to meet the Muramasa family, each and everyone one of you!" The blonde's jubilation went beyond the bounds of propriety but that implied there was someone to chastise the girl currently smothering a blacksmith while carrying a point magic spear.

I can't wait to show this to Seirin!

Such little information, such little promise. No plans that they were privy to, only the promise of being able to participate. Once again, the lack of knowledge pissed Otis off, but between Utsumi and Kuuto, it was clear that the former didn’t know what the latter did. Disappointing, yet there was no reason to lash out. The Strigidae drew in a deep breath, then nodded once, tersely.

“Fine.”

He finished his food, went into his empty, empty room, and got to work.

The weaknesses were clear now, both in the limitations and inefficiencies of his current magecraft, as well as in what more needed to be done in order to handle a transitional existence such as Shinzou. Though he had previously possessed knowledge of the half-yokai’s lineage, it seems as if leaning on one side of his bloodline or the other didn’t increase his vulnerability to anti-demon techniques noticeably. Strategies and tactics would have to be adjusted accordingly, and that wasn’t even taking into account the sheer amount of unknown factors that surrounded the site of any possible conflict, nor any other allies that the Sennen-no-Matsuri may bring to fold. Honestly, even if the students were brought into this conflict, there was no guarantee that they would personally face off against Shinzou.

It would be strange to do so, even, considering the disparity of power that the man had so casually displayed.

But that didn’t change Otis’s own decision-making. He was smart, but he was also stubborn. And while intelligence told him that not nearly enough time has passed for him to be able to pull a W out against Shinzou after two definitively Ls, obstinacy kept him going, kept him thinking. A meeting, arranged with Motsuhime to discuss what the man knew of that wind-wielding terrorist. And then…

The grind began.

It had been lonely, just a little bit, having such a large bedroom for himself, but now, it was for the betterment of all. Otis was a night owl, and experimentations in magecraft were oft times ill-conducive towards sleep. With chisel, hammer, reagents, and vials, he began his dark work, plagiarizing and reworking the techniques he’s learned to suit his own needs.

Back in Arcanis, he sought general combative ability to keep up with his magically-inclined peers.

Now in Kyoto, he was gonna shoot a goddamn ghost in the head and kill it.

His mind spun for a bit as he walked with Lady to Akimoto's Dojo. The people seemed to whiz by him, a blur due to his thoughts clouding every bit of his perceptions. Shinzou had been a tough fight, a level of opponent that Aurelius had not seen since fighting his father during intense sparring sessions. An inadequacy washed over him like a thunderstorm showering a city, the feeling of not being good enough, and the fact he did the least work; Aurelius felt as though his swordsmanship had not progressed like he expected. What would he do if another villain of such superior quality decided to rear their ugly head?

Suddenly he felt a tug at his arm, bringing him back to reality. Piercing flame colored eyes attached to a radiant smile were fixated upon the young boy, his friend giving her overwhelming support. Even if he felt weak, Lady would always be there to give him an unending amount of support like only his mother once did. She had not only cleared his mind, but her touch was to get him to notice that they had arrived to Akimoto's dojo. Today he would finish his training and prove that he was stronger than he thought.

Two sides of the same coin? It was an interesting analogy, one that mapped well with Otis's own Wikipedia-level understanding of Shintoism and the origin of Fuujin. Birthed from an individual that could be considered the 'demon queen', and one who escaped from hell to terrorize the living alongside his brother, Fuujin may have become worshiped to appease, rather than worshiped for greater boons. From Motsumine's own words, however, it looked as if the ancient exorcism that the Kyoto Alliance practiced was only a shallow tool, capable of scratching one face of a coin but not another. Unfortunate in the present, but another thing worth studying in the future.

On Earth, the divine and the demonic seemed to be separated by some curious universal morality, formulated from the zeitgeist of the human consciousness, but in Arcanis, gods were gods whether they were good or evil. If he had a chance to check in with his former profs, Otis would definitely do so. Shame they didn't have an e-mail address or a Facebook account though. Would've made hitting up those fellows at Maxillius so much easier.

Well, no matter. The Sennen no Matsuri were demons and Otis couldn't safely research the egg with them still around, so he would rein in his questions this time around and make it fast.

"There was no luck involved," he spoke, tone measured. "The first instance, he was matched by a Yatagarasu. The second instance, he was underestimating us. I simply need to know though. During our second fight, he used a certain technique to mold his essence into a sword, and yet that sword was never actually used. Through detection magics, it looked to have become a part of his body. What is that? Is there any record of it? What does it do? Is it magic or natural ability?"

Deep breathes echoed throughout the dojo, Aurelius' body shaking in pain from the intense training. His body had gotten used to the unique training given to him by Akimoto. Still his body was getting sore, his muscles taking in all the knowledge given them through each swing of the blades. His body turned, pivoted, and fluidly moved at his command, his mind taking a back seat to his instincts. The stances gave him no difficulty in how he was able to switch between them. Akimoto's words echoing throughout his mind, but he never let it get him overconfident. Focus was the name of the game and Aurelius kept steady in his training. Such a great focus that he didn't even notice Lady several feet away, replicating his movements whilst also changing them to fit his kick-based style.

"I can do this. I must. I'll be ready to face Shinzou again and maybe even my father eventually." His mind wandered for a bit, his hands slipping into a more rigid style, before catching himself. He quickly adjusted, switching into Akimoto's style again.

As Ultana walked around the city, she noticed a certain 'energy' in the people she passed....namely them being excited being excited about something and preparing for a festival? She wasn't sure if it that's what it was but the important thing is that whatever was coming involved food! And Ultana, being the connoisseur and gourmand that she was, she had to be involved. Having decided her participation (well unless the seirin thing happens sooner), she was brought back to reality to a familiar voice.

It was Helena and Asta on the prowl for ice cream, which considering how much the heat has been bothering them since they came to Kyoto, it's no real suprise, especially Asta. The heat definitely didn't agree with her. She was definitely someone who loved trying new foods, especially at the mention of 'unusual flavors'. Given how hot it was back home, Ice Cream was pretty much a luxury and not exactly common, so Ultana was definitely excited to try some different varieties.

"Is it?" she replied as Asta complained about the heat again. While Ultana was used to heat and wasn't nothing compared to back home especially considering she was a miner. But then again, she was hardly considered normal and by normal standards it was probably unusual to others. But she'll say this, it was definitely brighter. "....maybe the sun personally wanted in on the action" she joked to herself. Considering everything with Seirin, Shinzou and that Amaterasu crap, wouldn't surprise her if the rising heat had something to do with what Shinzou is up to...

---

@Taka


@ERode


@I-Am-X@Lonewolf685

---

---

The halls of the illustrious Inn run by Kitsune were quiet at this time. Swept clean, pristine, with nary a footstep found or heard, ghostly quiet some might even say. At the front of the Inn there was a sign saying it they were closed, and only guests already checked in would be allowed to stay. The staff was set to only the bare minimum, with only some chefs and attendants left to ensure the guests left over were taken care of. The young senior left in charge, Kohane, was stepping around the Inn, looking for the junior left in her care, Koyuki, and yet she was nowhere to be found.

Her search finally led her to the last place she might be, the fine lady Kuzunoha's chamber, and as she stepped up the polished lacquered stairs, turning to her side, then slowly sliding the doors open after sitting down in seiza, she was surprised beyond belief with what she saw... Or did not see. Lady Kuzunoha was... Nowhere to be found. Kohane was told that they were to close and go onto minimal staff for the night, with other staff allowed to go and take the night off, she had all of them accounted for except Koyuki... Surprise turned to confusion, turned to speculation...

"Where... Where have they gone...?"

---

The vermillion hues spread across the sky over Kyoto appeared to forebode the kind of night that was to follow, filled with lights of gold and orange hues, with a searing brightness that strained the eyes, yet a brilliant display as it bounced against the array of clouds in the heavens. The students gathered around a small park just a minute's walk down the way from the Uzamari Ryokan, as Utsumi kept his end of the deal.

"I see your attitudes had not changed since yesterday, if anything some of you seem more determined... Although the number has... Risen a little", Utsumi adjusted his glasses as he was referring to the addition of Helena and Asta, and it was likely the former would inform Rodrick too...

"Well, I suppose more of you would increase your chances of success anyhow... I've been informed of what the Alliance has chosen to do in this event. I will be going through that, what we will be doing, as well as the challenges we are to face", he began.

"To begin with, the Alliance will be deploying a sacred artifact to destroy the egg, the katana Mikazuki Munechika, due to it's affinity with the moon, as the Egg had been identified to have a strong affinity for the sun. Kuuto has informed us that he is the one to be wielding it, as the Alliance deemed him the best option. All he's said though is... He'll send a signal when he'll be using it to create a crack in the egg. Theoretically in this instance, Seirin should be recoverable. As such, the plan goes that when he's done it, I will be sending you all in front of the Egg with the spell Great Port of Undine, and you will retrieve Seirin as priority", he explained.

"Though... Bear in mind, this is still a gamble, it is unknown if Seirin can actually be recovered from the egg like this, furthermore, it also appears that most of the Sennen Matsuri's yokai forces have retreated, which has left Shinzo and a small token crew including the Kurobozu, all alone, it is unknown why this is the case, but perhaps of interest, the young lady assassin is also there. It is very likely Shinzou will be at the egg, so as soon as you emerge from that portal and even before it, you must be prepared", it appeared that they had to be ready to act right away.

"Ah yes... I will also be providing support should a direct confrontation with Shinzou come about, as I doubt he will be so lenient as to fight like last time against you all. Given the presence of the Alliance, it's very likely that should there be a fight, you all will only need to survive long enough for us to converge and capture him", the plan seemed rather clean and clear, with only a few dangerous variables, but it felt appropriate.

"If there are any questions in regards to the operation, I suggest asking me now. Once we depart, there will not be a chance to ask us, as we'll be right in the midst of it all".

"I'll open then."

Cold, exacting, and precise. All along the way to the meeting place, Otis had been regulating his mood, his awareness. He had checked over his reagents, had reviewed his anti-youkai measures, and had eaten a light meal. He pulled out an energy gel he had bought from a convenience store, tore it open, and sucked out the sugary contents in one quick gulp. The extra kick of glucose would help maintain his razor-sharp focus, and reminded him of something else on his to-do list for developing his own magecraft.

But that was the future. Only the present mattered.

Sitting cross-legged on a park bench, the Strigidae broke open his revolver and closed one eye, simulating the upcoming fight and slotting in his bullets accordingly. Shinzou was an anomaly, but the rest of the crew wouldn't have been. What was the threat though? The assassin was skilled, but had been thwarted even when the group was wholly unprepared. The black shadow, the kurobozou, offered greater mobility, but seemed to have no other combat applications: if Shinzou chose to run away, it was basically their victory. Which left the man himself, who'll likely tap into his demonic powers immediately, and who could destroy any magical setup Otis created within a few seconds.

"I'll stop the pureblood demons, so take them down first. First and second shot will give you all the opening. The third shot will expose the Kurobozou. Don't fuck around." Six bullets loaded, six steps determined. He slammed the revolver back into place and opened his other eye. "Utsumi, prioritize Seirin for evacuation after we get her out of the Egg."

If Lorelai were honest with herself, she'd have thought less of her peers if they hadn't come to see their Kyoto, yet once more they had demonstrated they were shining beacons of virtue in a world seemingly turned upside down by malcontents. It was enough to have her wipe away a stray tear of joy as they gathered together, her Yari assembled and as openly displayed as Otis' revolver. Along her dominant arm laid a Talisman of Protection freshly applied with more to spare, her calligraphy an easier skill to improve then most of her other scholastic pursuits, and something she grew to appreciate in preparation for the mission to come.

She could have applied a suitable talisman to her spear, but she hadn't a clue how such would play with the effects of it's head, nor did she dare risk their success on such wild experiments. No, she had all she needed in her hands and at her back already. "Our enemies fought us when we were but children with sticks and stones. They're ambitions will die when they see what assails them now that they have no shadow to hide within."

"Though I must confess I worry over the presence of that assassin. Coward though she was, I fear such failings in her character would see her try to hurt Seirin in the moment we liberate her. We should not ignore the threat she poses or the skill she has in evading her just punishment." The blonde drew closer, body tense with anticipation, readied to crash upon their foes with the relentless ferocity of once certain they fought for a just cause. No one could stand against them united as they were, prepared as they were, and buoyed onwards by the sheer necessity of their success.

"If all goes well neither the would-be thunder god nor the murderess will persist long enough to see Seirin freed. Unlike those fiends, we will not let them continue merely to gloat over victory."

---

Utsumi adjusted his spectacles as it appeared everyone had finished deliberating on what they would do. Despite asking if they had questions, it appeared they were all set on this path they were to undertake.

“Well, it certainly seems it was foolish of me to ask if anyone had questions. You are all set on this it appears”, he signaled them to follow him as they made their way in the direction of Nijo Castle.

---

The group skirted around the castle walls, and were now standing in Suzaku Park Baseball Field, which was only a few blocks away from Nijo Castle. On a night like this, there was no one around, and based on what Utsumi described along the way, the Alliance was surrounding the castle, so the location he was using before to support which was Nijo Park, was not safe from their notice.

“When I cast this spell, the enemy will see the portal before you arrive, so once again, be ready to attack even as you pass through. As for the support I can grant you, at this distance all I can do is provide preventional protection. That means I cannot heal you or block large attacks. Naturally, I will be moving closer to increase what I can do as the events unfold”, it might appear he too was nervous, but it seems that other than stopping them from taking too much damage, he couldn’t do much else.

“Now… All we do is wait for Kuuto’s signal”, he ended.

---

The sounds and blaze of a festival danced about at the foot of the buildings of urban Kyoto, a mesmerizing cascade of gold and orange lights, like a congregation of fireflies at an insane density. At least, this was the view that Kuuto beheld as he stood atop a building in the distance, looking directly at Nijo Castle. His arms were crossed as he stood there in waiting, knowing full well what some of his students were about to do, though trusting Utsumi, he was confident they were in good hands. Furthermore it would fall to him to make it sooner rather than later.

Soon, he heard the doors behind him, the roof access, swing open as a few people in suits emerged, one of which held a long wooden box. The group of around five people then set about to stand in formation behind Kuuto as the center figure placed the box down, opening it, revealing a katana tucked in it’s saya. The saya was specially adorned with an inscription citing the moon, it’s tsuba was crafted from silver rather than the typical brass or lined with gold, further enhancing its affinity to the moon.

“Lord Kirizanto, we have arrived with the Munechika Mikazuki. You have been granted permission to utilize this artifact for this operation, naturally it must be returned after the events conclude”, said one of them. Kuuto held out his arm, hand outstretched, signalling the one who presented the katana to bring it to him. As soon as the blade was in the Kirizanto family head’s hands, he wasted no time to enter a stance, holding the blade still sheathed behind him as his coat fluttered in the wind, hand at the ready. His eyes glinted as the speck of gold on Nijo Castle became the focus of his gaze.

“Kirizanto Ougi, Mikazuki Special, Stride of Tsukuyomi”

The battle is currently being conducted in the discord server