Epilogue 1

Location: One of Zuken Banksi’s safehouses in Haviskali…

Zuken sat at his desk and went over the paperwork he had to deal with. Despite all the mess in the Desert, the aftermath was quite normal, which was elating and concerning at the same time. The sudden disappearance of Warlord Mujin Shimizu within days of the loss of their Sacred Eight status, followed by the most ‘violent’ rumors about the destruction of his supposedly hidden fortress had led all to all kinds of speculation in the South-eastern zone of the Empire, specifically in the Llaisy Kingdom and Eaborid Kingdom. Some were connecting that the sudden attack on Zuken followed by the precipitous fall of the Shimizu with the actions of the Earth King, whose warship had been witnessed moving towards Cyffnar. Of course, no one had the guts or the insanity to directly question the Earth King about it, and neither did the Earth King have anything to comment about the sudden disappearance of his ‘friend’ Mujin.

Quite naturally, it fanned the rumors even more.

One would think that after all that time being imprisoned by the Shimizu, followed by a most unexplained and surprising escape, Zuken would get some time at his hands to relax and breathe a bit. Instead he had found himself buried with paperwork.

Rows and columns of paperwork.

It was extremely dull work, and oftentimes, he had put it to the side to check on the new construction in the Northern Dominion, gifted to a certain Lady Kandra by Lord Straff for reasons hitherto unknown, and Zuken’s organization Iylerion, had gotten the job contract for its construction. Of course, the official documents failed to show that a subterranean construction beneath the dungeon floors of the castle was included in the plans, a territory that spanned for miles on end, penetrating into the heart of the very mountain on which the castle would stand. That there were two major ley lines passing through the land itself, or that there was a strange, unexplained, ever present ripple in the air also escaped mention from the books.

Still, work was work, and having been raised to exemplify perfection in everything, petty things such as boredom posed no risk to the quality and efficiency of her work.

He didn’t so much as flinch when the wards informed him that he was about to have an unscheduled guest. Normally, he’d debate for a moment whether or not the unexpected visitor should even be entertained, but given the current circumstances, it was likely important. The door opened to reveal a black-haired woman in a forest green shawl and intense hazel eyes with a feline look in them, making him feel like he was in the presence of a dangerous predator and not a beautiful woman.

Like always, his instincts were spot on.

“Lady Kandra,” he welcomed, using the title the skinwalker used to conduct her businesses in the Empire. It amused him greatly that one of the  most dangerous and influential power brokers in the Empire was actually a centuries-old yokai that interacted with Shoguns on a regular basis, offering them information in exchange for more information and at times, resources and coin. Then he remembered that said skinwalker was also responsible for painting a target on his back and all amusement vanished off from his face.

“This is quite the surprise.”

It really was. He wasn’t supposed to be hearing from the skinwalker at least for another fortnight.

‘If you say so, Zuken Banksi,” said Solana. “I came to discuss Aguilar and Tanya.”

“Naturally,” said Zuken, pushing back on his chair, his fingers meeting each other in a characteristic gesture. “Do you have any news on that front?”

Solana shook her head. “The Outsider made it clear. He has access to the Haze, and will most likely re-enter the world through the rift inside my quarters. He was quite clear about reaching out to you when the two of them returned. Does make me wonder what sort of power you hold over the Outsider to garner such sway over him.”

Zuken laughed. “Oh no. I just know him enough to realize that playing games with him isn’t the best way to secure his confidence.”

Solana shifted her feet slightly, but remained standing. The skinwalker had lost a lot of the command and power she had previously wielded among the yokai ever since Aguilar had come into the picture, and more importantly, the impossible prowess and myriad abilities he had demonstrated in the war — from facing the Warlord, to destroying a King’s Warship, to entrapping said Warlord’s kami despite it being at full strength, followed by Mujin’s eventual demise at Lukas’s hands. Zuken hadn’t been there to see the last bit with his own eyes, but he didn’t have a hard time believing it either way.

He had seen the young man in a variety of situations — some of which he had deliberately engineered himself. If the Warlord’s power, and to a certain extent, even Tanya — was like an unstoppable force of nature, then Lukas was more akin to an immovable object. Someone that had power, had skill, had abilities that often betrayed comprehension and common sense, and yet, someone that almost wanted to blend in with mundane monotony. In fact, between his desire to be left alone, and his almost childish retorts, it was exceedingly easy to simply ignore his existence as an irascible young man, until one stumbled upon the madness leftover from the trials he overcame. From his actions against the svartalfars, the stories he had heard about Aguilar’s performance inside the borderland, against the shadow of the Empress Meynte, and most recently, against the Shimizu Warlord, there was no doubt in this mind that Lukas Aguilar was an unpredictable disaster that everyone should always be wary of, and at the same time, be extra careful to never tamper with.

Not unlike… a building cauldron with an exceedingly dangerous and temperamental potion within it.

And when that immovable object, a perpetual constant that wanted to remain unchanged and irrefutable was forced to finally move, no doubt the action would leave lasting imprints, as Solana could definitely swear to. In fact, almost the entirety of her problems seemed to arise out of the situation that she pushed Lukas far enough for him to actually play his hand.

And the results were out for everyone to see.

It also probably didn’t help that Tanya, the proclaimed Queen of the yokai, deferred to Aguilar, instead of Solana, the official Leader of the yokai. That Lukas didn’t think anything of Tanya’s deference and the nigh religious reverence that many among the yokai displayed towards him, uncaring of their unsaid fealty only made things worse for the skinwalker.

“Speaking of power and sway, I received an official missive from the Earth King,” said Zuken. “It feels like my father wishes to speak to me after all these years.”

“Oh?” asked the skinwalker. “Are you going to attend it?”

“Of course not,” said Zuken. “I am officially in a terribly weak state, after all the torture inflicted on my person by the Shimizu. Lord Naowa wrote a very little letter to the Earth King, requesting such summons be delayed until I’m better, or until the next Shogun meeting, due in another month, whichever is earliest. I believe the Fire King will be present there as well, to discuss with the Earth King and the shoguns about the unexplained alien energy signatures occurring in the South-eastern region.”

“So you weren’t completely foolish,” she leered.

“You give me too much credit. I’ve made my professional relationship with Tanya personal, and I’ve been harboring an Outsider in secret over the past year. From first hand experience, I can assure you that I’m certain I’m at the height of idiocy. While I certainly believe myself capable and well-connected in certain fields, I should’ve never involved myself in this private struggle between Tanya and the Shimizu. Not willingly at least.”

“Willingly?”

“I’m a Level-2 terramancer at best with a flexible mentality, and these are powers that are beyond my paygrade.”

“Mmmm…” said Solana, not challenging his excuse. He supposed she too had had a first hand experience of fighting against that sort of power in the recent conflict.

“I exchanged words with Lord Naowa and Lord Straff recently,” said Solana. “Both are willing to vouch for the girl’s legitimacy, upon condition she is able to perform an acceptable manifestation of the Wind King’s kami in front of the Earth and Fire Kings. Whatever happened between Mujin Shimizu and his granddaughter is private Clan business, so naturally, neither King shall meander too deep into it. So long as the girl does not admit to anything incriminating, she should gain legitimacy without any hitches.”

“The Shimizu retain their Sacred Eight status then,” asked Zuken.

“On a probationary status only,” said Solana. “Or at least, that is the propositions what the two shoguns shall approach the two Kings with. I’m told that you are responsible for removing her record of Sinning in the past.”

Zuken said nothing.

“It is speculated that you have had a long working relationship with Tanya Shimizu, but there is no way to prove that your interests had anything in common with the private conflict between Tanya and her clan. It would be for the best if the official word remained that way.”

“I can get behind that.”

“Tanya Shimizu has had a working relationship with the Zwaray Keep in the past. There is speculation that Tanya had much to do with the attack on the Shimizu fortress to rescue you out from their prison. The svartalfars have voted to officially believe in the rumor that Tanya Shimizu destroyed the fortress to rescue you from the Shimizus, which might have resulted in the deaths of Ultaf Shimizu and his army, who attacked the Zwaray Keep. For taking their retribution, they have declared her a Friend to the Svartalfar Nation. So long as she lives, she will always be welcome in Zwaray Keep as an honorary svartalfar. Dvalinn, Second Stag of Yggdrasil, has stated that the following holds true so long as another ongoing deal also continues in good faith.”

She was talking about the deal Lukas had brokered with the svartalfars, Zuken realized.

“Because neither of you can either negate or verify the details of your relationship, you shall officially recognize the part Tanya Shimizu played in your rescue as a formal debt, and pledge long-term help and support with her, and by extension, Clan Shimizu. In return, Clan Shimizu and Lord Straff shall both acknowledge and officiate your organization Iylerion to operate in both kingdoms without issues, so long as you do not break any established treaties.”

Zuken cocked his head. “Intriguing, but again, acceptable. Though I am wondering why Lord Straff is being so hospitable about things. He does not strike me as the magnanimous sort. It also doesn’t explain why lord Naowa is willing to go so far for a nation he’s always at odds with.”

“Lord Straff has reached a formal understanding with the new Clan-Lady of Shimizu, brokered by Lady Kandra. It will grant him far greater independence to act within his own dominion. In return, he shall cede total control of the city of Cyffnar, the Western Expanse, and the Northern Dominion to the Shimizu Clan. Compromise and survive, I believe is the phrase.”

Crafty, thought Zuken. Cyffnar and the Western Expanse bordered the Desert on the other side, just like Haviskali bordered it from the Llaisy Kingdom’s side. It would allow the yokai safe passage from the Desert to the Eaborid Kingdom and back without any issues.

“Lord Naowa shall gain a certain quantity of extremely potent featherglass, modified for the purpose of holding the Ether King’s kami. An experimental procedure definitely, but if it succeeds, his son could take up the mantle of the next Ether King in time.”

Zuken narrowed his eyes.

“With the above established, the Shimizu Clan shall request a period of one generation, as is their right, to retain their status as Sacred Eight.”

“Sounds acceptable,” said Zuken. “Except for one thing. Tanya didn’t do any of those things. It was all Lukas. He bartered with the svartalfars over the featherglass deal. He destroyed the Peak. It was his plans that brought down the Shimizu Army, Ultaf and Mujin himself. The svartalfars might be experimenting with the featherglass sample they have, but Lukas is the one that can actually produce it from nothing. None of this would’ve happened without his intervention, but I don’t hear his name or deeds mentioned anywhere.”

Solana smiled. It was a cruel thing. “And isn’t that truly poetic? The one that was responsible for those acts shall forever remain unknown and unnamed, watching and playing the game from the shadows. Like an Outsider.”

“This… isn’t fair.”

“Life seldom is,” said Solana. “Getting him recognition comes hand in hand with accepting the deeds committed as his own. That begs the question. Where does one with no name, and no clan acquire that much power? How can he do what he does? The more he is exposed to our world, the greater trouble it will stir for all of us. For the sake of everyone, it is best that he remains shrouded.”

Zuken frowned.

“Though,” said Solana, smirking slightly. “If you truly feel that bad for him, I imagine you could offer him as your official representative to the Shimizu clan. He will probably cherish having some degree of the normalcy he desires so much, while also getting some freedom of movement.”

Zuken barked out a laugh. “Yes. I suppose he might.”

....

....

Location: In a borderland far, far away…

“Oh yeah, this is great.”

Lukas Aguilar was on a warm beach, a pair of sunglasses hiding his eyes — now mostly green, with flecks of brown in them, as he lounged back on a deck chair. His body had completely healed itself of all scars, and looked just like any other random, albeit highly athletic young man in his early twenties. A small smile crossed his face as he relaxed under the shimmering heat of the tropical island.

Next to him, Tanya lounged in her own deck chair in a two-piece. Her hair, still snowy-white, glittered in the light and her smooth, pale skin was bronzing quite nicely — even if it was temporary. A single transformation would revert it back to her pasty pale self, but that was neither here nor there.

“It’s enjoyable, yes,” Tanya answered, her voice warm and carefree. “Too bad Frost will never get to experience this.”

Lukas gazed over at her and grinned as she smiled back.

“Well Frost is Frost, and that means allergic to the heat,” said Lukas. “Still, a bit of rest before the next quest will do us a bit of good.”

He idly watched the seagull-like creatures soar and buzz around above him. This particular borderland was particularly comfortable, unlike the dreary and absolutely scorching lava ridge where they had encountered the Ifrit King. He had found it during his time in the Haze earlier, and knew that it was the perfect place for them to escape their constant exertions for a well-earned break. Being the accomplished terramancer that he was now, it was child’s play to conjure a full set of deck chairs, clothes, sunglasses —and nearly every single thing one needed for a beach trip, and they were set.

Mentally, he calculated just how much time he had at his hands before Tanya triggered yet another transformation. Ever since the battle, Tanya would occasionally transform in her sleep, which meant that Lukas had gotten his fair share of waking up to a freaking ice age over the last several months.

As for how much time had passed in the real world, he had no clue. A third of the time here was the likely guess.

“You don’t have to lie to me, Lukas,” said Tanya lightly. “I know you’re just worried about the random transformations and wanted to distract me from it.”

He reached for her hand and held it. “I am worried, Tanya, but I wasn’t lying. This vacation is as much for me as it is for you. We’ve spent all this time fighting monsters, leveling up, and studying whatever we are becoming. Just like you’re reaching into the depths of Taboo, I’m discovering the true nature of the world within me. That’s why we came here, remember?”

“You came here to resurrect her. Your goddess,” said Tanya quietly.

“Yes, that too,” said Lukas evenly. He flipped to his side and gazed at her beautiful form. “Tanya, regardless of whatever happens, I’m not going to leave your side. Even if it means having to spend the rest of my life finding a solution that will keep you from losing yourself.”

“I don’t think I can be fixed, Lukas,” Tanya murmured. “In the end, it is the destiny of the Anathema to channel the Taboo in its purest form into the World, into worlds, until nothing remains. Frost and I have talked about this… at length.”

“Yeah, Frost has a bit too much confidence about how knowledgeable she is,” scoffed Lukas, remembering how Frost had been completely at sea upon hearing about the oddity that had affected Inanna. “Unlike Frost, I happen to believe in finding a way that doesn’t exist, instead of just giving up and accepting fate. And besides, it will be a good distraction between now and the next big thing that I — that we’ll get dragged into.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“Who knows?” asked Lukas lazily. “Your position as the new Lady of Shimizu? Politics, both on the Empire-level and within the yokai? Finding a way to keep your true nature hidden from the Empire?”

“You’re conveniently omitting the more important things, Lukas,” said Tanya with a smile. “Your own status as a Warlord, now that you can control Grandfather’s kami at will. Your developing world. Meynte’s memory that still lives within your world. And of course, your goddess and her own whims, once you’ve gotten her back.”

Lukas almost smiled. For all her proclamations, Tanya always maintained a healthy fear and jealousy about Inanna. Fear he could understand, but the sheer idea that Inanna, a goddess, could even feel something for a mere mortal (though the term barely qualified for him any longer) was nothing short of ridiculous. The two of them shared a bond that was partly out of friendship between unequals, partly out of respect, and partly a relationship between a teacher and her disciple. That the teacher was the goddess of Desire herself was just an extra addendum.

The Screen flickered before his eyes, reflecting on his current form as a Level-29, a significant jump from Level 25 like he had been during the last time he had been in the Haze. Every single jump in levels came with a greater ease in comprehension and use of Kinetomancy as newer vistas of motion manipulation opened their doors to his mind. The more he knew, the more he experimented with his developing skills, the more he realized just how little he knew and how much further uphill he needed to climb.

Even so, Level-39 felt decades away. He doubted he would be able to get there any time soon.

His eyes glanced down at his pendant. Ever since the completion of the Sacrifice, the pendant had been flaring with power. Lukas assumed it was as good a sign as any, and knew that the time for resurrection was fast approaching. Between all his hours exploring, fighting monsters and studying himself and Tanya, he had also butted heads with the avatar of the End, doing his best to understand exactly what he did wrong, and how to do things right this time around.

He wasn’t quite there yet.

But soon he would be.

Very soon.