The storm raged outside, rain lashing against their home, but in that room, there was only the steady rhythm of Imuru's voice and the weight of everything he had carried alone until now.
Forcent did recall the fairy Le-va-none. Back then he wasn't particularly focused on the fairy nor did he interact with him much, but now after Imuru's telling of his past; he quickly put the details together to form his conclusion that this was no ordinary fairy. "... Le-va-none. Imuru, were you ever told what he was? And the entity you mentioned; Eld-onone, I fear it might be using you for some purpose."
Hearing the concerns of Forcent, Imuru just heard his validation for his fear over Eld-onone. "I strongly agree. Le-va-none just seems like a mischievous and energetic fairy, but Eld-onone on the other hand gives creepy vibes…" He rested a finger on his lip thinking over his interaction with Eld-onone, in case he had missed something. "No… no…" Imuru mumbled. "Hmm. He did mention others refused it. I don't think there's any curses on me… though I haven't rebuked the title so I can't really verify. At the end of our conversation he was just threatening. And I doubt Le-va-none would allow that to happen to me."
Forcent narrowed his eyes, everything he heard pointed to malicious intent. "The only way to get his point across was to have that private chat with you."
"Seems about right. The question is, what does he want?" Imuru asked aloud, crossing his arms. "He hasn't made any demands of me."
"Yet…"
Forcent brought Imuru to the reality of the fact. "At that point in time your strength—while impressive, wasn't adequate enough for any. Asking you then would only serve no purpose but to make you rash. To think you'd be in a position now… he must have some good insights into the future."
Imuru eyebrows sprung from the mention of such a capability. "A skill to see into the future?" Imuru inquired, albeit these words were coming from a place of worry.
"Highly probable."
Forcent's quick reply made the colour fade from Imuru's face as he started to feel nauseous. To correct this and put him even a bit at ease, he reinterpreted himself. "But… that's just my guess. You're not the first he asked. Let's just say he got lucky. That in mind, it is not a possibility we should rule out."
It wasn't that Imuru was going to disagree. Forcent had every right to bring it up. But the thought of an ability being used on him like that didn't really sit right with him. "I-I get it."
"Another guess I would make is that it has something to do with you being an Otherworlder…" Forcent pointed out.
"Uh… Does being an Otherworlder make that much of a difference?" Imuru inquired curiously, this whole notion of him being one just went right over his head, almost forgetting about it completely after his battle with T1… nevertheless if he could gain some knowledge about this he wouldn't mine.
Forcent's ears drooped. Imuru had more on his plate than he'd initially realized, so before he began to explain the concept of an Otherworlder, he wanted to point them out.
".... I will. Before that I'd like to point out some glaring issues. First being; your claim over the Celestial Lake. Since you're unaware, even though it does seem you have an unproblematic relationship with Ukuter, he's more of a puppet for the Yellow Lineage, it's unlikely they won't come after you once they get news of this."
"You have this Eld-onone entity in the background waiting. At the end of it all I can see this being your most pressing problem."
"Then the Sacred Forest. I fear you might've overlooked how complicated it would be to maintain order here. Then we must consider that outside forces can play a part."
Taking in Forcent's words, it became clear to Imuru that he indeed had a lot on his plate. But what could he do? Up until this point, he had simply been winging it, moving from one crisis to the next, praying for the best result with each decision.
If he were to look at it... truly look... he would have to consider himself the luckiest person in the Central World.
"Moving on," Forcent continued, his tone as steady as ever. "There are different types of Otherworlders that come to this world. One can be by summoning... or the simple death of the person."
"What? Summoning and—" Imuru paused. The last past was what T1 had told him. "Death?"
"There are specific summoning magic to bring mortals from another world, one without magic," Forcent explained. "From what I know, the second method is... complicated. Interesting enough, they could reincarnate as other creatures. Or remain human."
Imuru leaned back. "What's so special about them—uh, us?"
"It is known that Otherworlders are unnaturally capable," Forcent said. "There isn't enough information to determine much, so a lot goes unanswered. But I know this…"
Forcent readied himself to go into a more in-depth explanation, carefully formulating his words so Imuru could easily grasp the information.
"Otherworlders' bodies are broken down and reformed as they transfer worlds, to instill Perivállon within their bodies—something done automatically by the God's Will system, or 'Calling Out To The World' as some call it. During this process, desires and wills take form in the emergence of Skills or Resistances in the transferred individuals, making them naturally much stronger and more adaptable than the regular humans of the Central World." He paused. "This isn't foolproof. It is better for an individual to have died to come to this world than be summoned. Being summoned skips over the processing of their being and lands them in a world they are not accustomed to—a world of Perivállon."
"Being summoned against their will complicates the breaking and rebuilding process to properly integrate an Otherworlder... On that last part the primary issue is Perivállon Crystallization? Aren't I correct?" Imuru was quick to point out the problem recalling what Yosho had taught him.
"Precisely," Forcent confirmed. "They could die horrifically in a matter of seconds... or suffer for days as they try to adapt."
"You know a lot about this..." Imuru put forth, deducing that Forcent might have had some form of close or even firsthand experience with these rituals.
"I do," Forcent replied, unknowingly confirming Imuru's deduction. "I've met a summoner, or summoners, who practiced these summoning arts. They weren't doing it for themselves, that much I was sure of. They were doing it for someone else." His voice broke from disinterest, the events slowly reoccurring back to him, "At the end, it didn't matter for whom. They crossed my path... and I ended them."
He added, almost as an afterthought, "Ah, yes. And if I recall correctly, they had an individual in their summoning circle... I was able to treat them before they died."
"Treat them?" Imuru raised an eyebrow. There was no way Forcent had just casually thrown that out there at the end. "You mind explaining?"
"In the simplest of ways." Forcent's gaze drifted, as if recalling something distant. "I didn't have time or interest to circulate and manage the Perivállon around her until she could manage it herself, so I stored a spirit into her that did it for me. From bleeding from her pores... to looking like a normal girl. In a matter of seconds."
This act from Forcent was indeed a kind gesture, but Imuru couldn't shake the underlying issues at hand. "Is this right? Why do they allow that to go on? Being forced here with the potential to die in pain doesn't seem quite fair," He protested.
"Not all are heartless about the ethical concerns," Forcent assured, "these are criminal acts in some nations. What I just explained to you was an operation unknown to the public, under a random town. I'm sure you'll understand that it's impossible to regulate something like this." He brought down the clear fact of reality down on Imuru.
⟨Nothing is impossible.⟩ Imuru retorted defensively in his thoughts, his hands folding into firm fists.
"Noted."
With all this in mind, Imuru couldn't help but ponder. ⟨This world… is messed up and unfair. If I could meet someone else from my world… yeah, I'd like that actually. Right now, I shouldn't think much about it, first and foremost I have a lot ahead of me I need to handle. Until then, it's something to keep in mind.⟩
"Your life is more complicated than I thought," Forcent expressed in mild exasperation. "For now, you should focus on the tangible results we can achieve."
"Agreed. Hopefully Huln and I can have a conversation without it delving into the motion of violence…"
Saying this from his mouth, Imuru had a deep feeling that this peaceful talk he's hoping might not come to fruition.
"When do you plan to leave?" Forcent inquired.
Imuru shrugged his shoulders in response. "I don't even have a plan… not that I had any up till now. No reason to complain at the end of the day, I haven't died yet… yet."
"Not many around here do…" Forcent stated, his remark aimed solely at the Dark Deviders; easily deciphered by Imuru.
"Hiya-Hiya~..."
Imuru scratched the back of his head. "Dark Deviders… I get the grievances with them, but there are a few that have been quite helpful. Roll and Linira, handle the aftermath of Cherishnot's problems once I'm through with the leaders. Without Roll especially I am not sure we would've gotten very far."
"Then there are Titani and Yot, who have proven themselves that Dark Deviders can improve," He spoke their names in deep respect with a smile playing on his lips.
"Arken… Arken is… Well Arken has been Arken for a while. And I like him," Imuru smiled brightly, "he's fun to be around. If I weren't playing Great Demon Lord, it would be extremely thrilling to go around messing with people…"
"I'm the Great Demon Lord, fear me, mortal," Imuru said in an overly dramatic tone. "It might be wrong, but I would also perhaps indulge in some other wrongful activities…"
Listening to Imuru ramble on Forcent was getting the full unfiltered personality of Imuru and it wouldn't be fair enough to say that he was taken aback. Not that he was judging, he was naturally fine with it, and preferred none over the other; whether he be acting or not. Sticking around with Imuru, he can see himself gradually learning a thing or too.
"Great Imuru!"
It was a familiar voice at the door; the voice of Imuru's secretary Yosho. Imuru wasted little time to welcome her in with his response. The door slid open, and remaining at the door, Yosho spoke.
"Someone important is here to speak with you… Someone on behalf of the Kitsune Highest." She delivered the news in a clear upset manner, carried by her tone and her deadpan facial expression.
"WHAT?! Now!?"
These thoughts burst out loudly in his mind, and Imuru hurried to his office in panic at this blindside.
He composed himself, looking down at himself briefly to check if he was adequately dressed to engage in conversation.
Sliding the door open, looking from behind Imuru though the lady was familiar. Clearing his throat, he approached going around his desk locking eyes with her and confirming his suspicion.
⟨It's that lady…⟩ Imuru eyed the woman; her natural beauty was worldly astonishing. He took his seat, curious to see how this would play out.
"I'm Imuru, pleasure to meet you," He started off, stretching forth a hand shaking hand.
The woman lowered her folding fan, a mischievous glint lurking within her eyes. "My, my… At a distance like this, you really are stunning," She complimented, accepting Imuru's hand as he tried to keep a straight face.
"T-Thank you. I… Appreciate that…" Imuru stammered out through a shaky breath.
"Please forgive me." She was up from her seat, bowing in respect of Imuru. "That was impolite of me. I am Nenshō Enburemu, right hand of MiLady; The Kitsune Highest," She properly introduced herself in mannerisms that resemble that of a nobility."
"Please have a seat," Imuru beckoned Nenshō.
"Thank you. Now as to what had brought me here. MiLady wishes to meet you in person," Nenshō was quick to the point. "I know this may be wrong of me to ask in troubling times like this. There will be no need for a tiresome journey. With Spatial Movement it would be instantaneous."
⟨No way I'm letting this opportunity pass me… the answer is obvious. Time to mark this off my list.⟩ "Yes," Imuru replied. "Take me to her."
At a swift reply from Imuru, Nenshō's eyes seemed to brighten. "Splendid." She eagerly drew from her seat. "I assure you, this will be graciously worth your time, Great Lord."
"Come take my hand."
Doing as requested, Imuru took Nenshō's hand. Her fingers were cool, almost ethereal, yet her grip was firm; anchoring. Before they left, he quickly informed Yosho and Forcent of the situation. Yosho's brow furrowed with concern, but she nodded. Forcent simply blinked once, a silent acknowledgement that carried more weight than words.
As she promised, They're arrival to the region of the Sacred Forest known simply as the Eternal Autumn, was instantaneous, in a quiet fiery vortex. Everything was in place other than Imuru feeling slightly nauseous. The second he began to scan his surroundings he understood the name. The trees here before leaves that glowed with a soft, inner resistance; incredibly beautiful shades of amber, gold, and deep crimson shimmering as if lit from within.
The air was crisp but cold, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and ripe fruits. Unlike back home, where rain had been aggressive, here the sky was a calm, pale lavender, unblemished by a single cloud.
Imuru exhaled, his tension easing slightly.
Refocusing, he followed Nenshō as they walked over a bridge that arched across a gentle, murmuring stream. Below, fish with scales like molten sunset drifted lazily through clear water. On the far side, the town of the Kitsune Highest came into view... the Weaving Town of Spirits.
The architecture was stunning, favoring the elegant, understated lines of old Shoin-zukuri architecture: curved eaves, wooden lattice work, paper lanterns glowing with foxfire. It was a lively town, filled with Kitsune and fox spirits of all kinds wandering the streets, going about their regular day; some in human form with telltale tails and ears, others as small, wisps that darted between the legs of passersby. The murmur of conversation, the clink of ceramic cups, the distant strum of a biwa. It all wove together into a tapestry of peaceful, bustling life.
Walking through the town, Imuru received confused looks from passersby. Here, he was no one important, a stranger, an outsider. But with Nenshō at his side, they knew he carried weight. Whispers followed in their wake, soft as falling leaves.
They reached the head compound, a walled estate guarded. At the sight of Nenshō, the barrier parted of its own accord, an unseen force granting them passage.
Inside, the compound was quieter, more serene. Imuru was led to a simple house, the house of the Kitsune Highest. No ostentation. Just polished wood, sliding paper doors, and a single, paper doors, and a single, perfect ikebana arrangement on a low table.
He was invited to sit. A fox spirit in the form of a young woman in a floral kimono poured him tea with practiced grace—green tea, fragrant and slightly sweet, steam curling upward like a question. Imuru cupped the warm ceramic in his hands, inhaling the scent.
Nenshō gave him an unreadable glance, then left the room, her footsteps fading down a corridor lined with hanging scrolls.
All he had to do now was wait.
The tea cooled and somewhere outside, a wind chime sang a single, lonely note. Imuru closed his eyes and listened.
The chime fell to gradual silence a few seconds later. Opening his eyes, Imuru traced his eyes around the room, fascinated and captivated by the nature of this town already.
Looking back at the door, he picked himself up and headed to a small bookshelf that piqued his interest. Zoning over them, he noticed a few particular ones that made up most of the books on the shelf were about 'Angels'.
The Kitsune Highest personal interest perhaps. Glancing back at the door, his fingers tapped across the surface of the book spins; contemplating which book he should choose.
⟨Let's see… let's see…⟩ "Ooh! How about this one? 'Tail Of An Encryption'" Imuru pulled it from the shelf. "Looks interesting enough…" With his book in hand, Imuru went back to sitting down, and he opened the book… or at least he tried.
He pulled… pulled again… then some more, but it simply wouldn't open. Flipping the book in his hand, his face a complex mix of confusion, Imuru scrutinized it.
⟨Is it fake?⟩ Imuru was completely lost for words. There were explanations he could come up with, but one was for sure; this book was not meant to be read by others. A privacy lock on a book.
He returned back to the bookshelf, turning his attention to the others. He removed another book about Angels, and once again it couldn't be open. Reaching for something else outside the category… They were normal books.
⟨That makes it clear. Those are private.⟩
Without a book Imuru went back to sit. While he waited he allowed his eyes to wonder again. Around the room it went, pausing at the wooden statue of a cat. The light caught the polished grain in a sudden flash, lending the static form a supple, living quality. It was a masterwork of curated detail, carved with a precision that demanded to be admired.
This admiration was cut short at the quiet sliding sound of the door.
Imuru's head turned, as he swiftly raised to his feet at the end of his anticipated wait.
And there she was… the Kitsune Highest… and from her physical appearance like Vunaru she did not disappoint.
[ONE OF THE FIVE GREAT FORCES OF THE SACRED FOREST]
[Kitsune Highest; Ruler Of The Weaving Town Of Spirits]
Standing at a diminutive four feet eight inches, she possessed a lithe, compact form. Her hair was a jagged crop of crimson, with a perfectly rectangular shaped bang that curved to the right, framing eyes that were strikingly, tapering into sharp points at both the superior and inferior lids. A voluminous red tail, finished with a stark white tip, trailed behind her truncated kimono, a vibrant garment emblazoned with a floral motif.
… Or in more plain terms… she was gorgeous… a pleasing sight for the eyes.
"Imuru…" She called his name in a hushed tone, as if testing if it was indeed him. The Kitsune Highest glided forward, her compact yet curvaceous form moving with an undulating and effortless fluidity.
"Y-Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you…" Imuru reached out a hand towards the Kitsune Highest.
Smiling sweetly, the Kitsune Highest accepted Imuru's hand, her grasp firm. "Call me Mikimi. Or Miki if you prefer," She purred, her voice tailing between that of a mature woman and a child.
"I know it's a precarious time for this meeting… but I assure you this will be worth your time."
They both sat. Then almost instantaneously Mikimi glanced over to her bookshelf; Imuru's eyes nervously followed. They were perfectly aligned, and they were, to those with a normal level of perception, but to Mikimi she knew they weren't in the position she'd left them.
"Do you have an interest in Angels?" Mikimi lifted her hand, pulling a book from the shelf into her grasp. "I'm very fascinated by them."
"Apologies, if that wasn't appropriate," Imuru replied, bowing in his head, slightly ashamed.
Mikimi chuckled in a light mischievous manner. "No harm done. I don't allow them to be open due to my writings scribbled all over the book."
"On to the topic, thank you for coming here today, Imuru. Thankfully we can mostly skip the pleasantries… We've been watching you close enough. It's about you knowing me; to your own liking. You must have a lot of questions, go ahead I'm an open book."
This sounded great on the surface, but this was an open book Imuru couldn't prob, lacking any important questions in mind. However, to play his part, he proceeded to inquire about something. "It might be a silly question, but is there something different about here? Rain is pouring back home."
"Ah, our specific location we occupy, we've mastered the control of the weather to suit our needs. Outside our zone, the storm is raging," Mikimi explained.
⟨Ooh. Hmph. That explains it. What else do I care to know?⟩ He pondered to himself, having nothing pop up in mind.
To maintain the flow of conversation and ease Imuru into his surroundings, she stood up, beckoning him toward the luminal threshold of the engawa.
As they moved onto the elevated planks, the air grew crisp, carrying the scent of damp moss and stone. They sat with a studied grace, Mikimi tucking her voluminous tail aside to make room. Below, the water was a liquid mirror, shattered only by the motion of the fish as they swirled in a kaleidoscopic display.
"A shift in scene… I hope you take kindly to it. Since you're lost for words, I suppose I could indulge you in my history," Mikimi suggested.
"Uh. I'm just… it's just that this is the most normal interaction I've had with a Great Force," Imuru replied.
Mikimi's ears perked up. "Ah! Did Vunaru set the bar that high? Ugh!" She dramatically looked away, feigning offense. "I'm sorry to disappoint."
"No! No!" Imuru pleaded, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "You're perfect. This method of communication is far more preferred. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
From the corner of her eyes she observed Imuru's body language, smirking mischievously at his reaction. "Awe. Imuru, you're too kind."
⟨Crisis averted.⟩ "Right, I do have another question. How's your relationship with the others? If I were to assume Murk is the lowest on the totem pole, huh?" Imuru inquired, answering his own.
Mikimi nodded subtly. "Mm-hmm. The sneaky lizard proved to be sketchy in every manner of the sense. I nearly brought an end to his life once," Mikimi explained the words flowing from her mouth in a casual manner.
Imuru blinked as the words left Mikimi's mouth. "... If that's the history, I suppose it's not right to ask if you two can work together again?"
Mikimi flicked her wrist, and tilted her head. She had already thought it over long since Imuru and Murk had started their corporation together. "Niya~... Fret not. I am willing to have you take the lead in this reformation… for your sake, like Vunaru I can put my grievances aside—but remain cautious; and leave the rest to you… Murk and all."
⟨Aww~Yes! Thank you~… If only all of them were like this.⟩ A bright smile creased Imuru's lips at Mikimi's approval. "I won't disappoint," He expressed in his tone and expression.
Before another word could be spoken, the door to the engawa slid open.
"Finally!" Mikimi stood up to her feet. "Imuru, this is my sister, Petal," Mikimi introduced.
Standing there Petal held a red box in her hand, gazing openly at Imuru. She was a striking difference from her sister in height, colour of her hair and eyes; that were lime green.
"Imuru..." Mikimi gently opened the box. Imuru observed her closely as she lifted a silver necklace from inside; delicate, elegant, with a small, softly glowing star-like pendant. "This is my gift to you. You'll need it for your upcoming interaction with Huln." Her crimson eyes met his. "You are a demon, are you not?" She handed the necklace to him.
"I am..." Imuru mumbled half-heartedly, standing up to claim the gift, eyeing the necklace with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
"It's Mystical Grade," Mikimi informed him, her tone matter-of-fact. "This necklace should provide you with two layers of resistance against Huln's Holy magic."
"Eh?!"
Imuru looked up at Mikimi in surprise, then back at the necklace. No words of appreciation could fully explain how he felt at this moment, grateful, humbled, a little overwhelmed but he managed to utter two words: "Thank you."
Mikimi giggled softly at his reaction. "No need to thank me. I look forward to speaking with you again... once the storm clears."
"Are you two dating?"
Petal spoke up, throwing herself directly into the middle of the serious conversation, her head tilted with innocent curiosity.
"HUH?!"
Mikimi and Imuru exclaimed in perfect unison, their voices overlapping in shock. Mikimi's tail poofed up from embarrassment, and Imuru stared blankly.
"For goodness sake—come, sister!" Mikimi grabbed Petal, trying to push her back into the room.
"Nooooo~..." Petal fought back, planting her feet and straining against her sister's grip.
Mikimi bared her teeth in frustration. "Forgive this... Interruption. Petal has a habit of pairing me with everything. She is unfortunately socially inept."
"No worries, that's fine." Imuru was swift in action to de-escalate the situation. "I get it." He stepped to Mikimi's side, resting a hand gently on hers.
After a couple seconds, Mikimi sighed, released her hold of Petal and the younger Kitsune immediately ran back inside to however nearby, unrepentant.
"That girl..." Mikimi subtly shook her head, hands propped at her sides.
"Does it have a name?" Imuru pointed to the necklace innocently.
Mikimi raised an eyebrow, as she hadn't really had thought about that. "... Hmm…" She eyed the necklace for a moment, before locking eyes with Imuru, "Kit-Kit."
"Hmph." Imuru quietly nodded at the response.