A Flower Amongst Devils

Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable/High School DxD

Chapter 43

..

Created by: Atlus/Sega and Ishibumi Ichiei

Author's Notes: This is a crossover of High School DxD and Persona 3 Portable. The FeMC would be named Arisato Minako. I would like to thank two particular authors who had been very influential in me publishing this fic, gabriel blessing and The Crimson Lord. Thank you for the great work you two did in HS DxD to get me interested in writing one as well.

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Well this took a while. My apologies it took that long. Enjoy the new development. Thank you Ubernimrod for the beta. And at the very end, I dedicate this chapter as a homage to a very influential fic that I read throughout 2017 and a bit of 2016. I hope you would have caught the reference, Author-san!

Beta Notes: How long has it been again? WOW!

I have not lost my enthusiasm for this, but Real Life keeps trying to keep me busy with everything else but editing this. Frozen shoulder (yes, that is a thing. Google it.) and everything surrounding it, including physical therapy and extra work to pay for the therapy and time off, have kept me far too busy to get this worked on in a timely fashion. In other words, this is all my fault.

wrathie should get an award for tolerating me, but I think getting this chapter out is important. If it looks a little rough, that is my fault.

Tamamo Branch Shrine

2 Days later

...

"So are you all packed, Asia-chan?" Yuzu asked Asia as she leaned against the wall in her natural form, that of a twenty something year old woman rather than the young teenager that she appeared to be around Issei.

The Tamamo Clan member had been drafted into active duty like the rest of her family, Asia wasn't spared too but there was no complaints from her.

Asia wanted to get stronger to support her darling Issei, and as for Yuzu herself, she couldn't afford to be left behind by Issei who was making huge strides in his training together with the Devils.

Issei had been sworn to secrecy but she was his girlfriend after all and she knew that he was training with Tannin, one of the Former Dragon Kings. His training was brutal and punishing but according to Asia, he was making great progress on a daily basis.

Yuzu herself was never a combatant, she didn't have the aptitude for it, but that didn't mean she couldn't train in other forms to get stronger in her own way.

So she approached Yasaka-sama for help, asking for more training for herself and Asia. Yasaka-sama didn't disappoint at all.

"Almost… I just need to get another pair of clothes. I don't want to run out of them… I still can't get used to clothing myself with illusion magic."

"You shouldn't bother, from what I heard from Ravel-chan and Kunou-sama, our trainer would get a little lenient if you show more skin." Yuzu huffed but grinned too when Asia blushed redder than a tomato but didn't immediately chastise her.

Yuzu had taken special effort to corrupt, eh, desensitize Asia about the finer aspects of life, particular about sex.

To say that the Kitsune were open about that subject was an understatement, and in all of honesty Asia was lucky to be in the branch shrine after Minako-sama had took over. Before it was under Minako-sama's control, it was a den of sin - the norm for any Tamamo held shrine behind the professional facade that were seen by humans.

Since most, if not all Kitsune Shrines worship Inari Okami-sama, who was a Goddess of Fertility, there wasn't anything wrong with that in particular.
And if Asia was going to start a family with Issei, there wasn't a reason that Asia can't take the lead in doing the act.

Yuzu even graciously offered Asia to take the lead the first time, and second time, but the third and fourth was hers.

"I'm not going to let Susano-O-sama see me indecent." Asia pouted, and Yuzu nodded slowly before replying.

"Well then, you have to get better at that clothing charm we taught you~ That way you can have SOME modesty." Yuzu grinned while Asia frowned at her.

That was another minor victory for Yuzu, Asia was a sweet child, a little too sweet actually and she needed to have a little mean streak in her if she was going to succeed in life. Being a pushover forever will eventually hurt her, something Yuzu would never want to see happen.

She had poked and prodded at Asia's nerves, all in the name of fun after all and she eventually learned that sometimes, it was fine to snap back at people to defend yourself.

Life itself was hard, it's mean at times and there was no reason for anyone to get trodden over if they could help it.

This was especially true for women, and Yuzu was proud to see Asia able to stand up for herself a little now. She'd be eaten alive by Susano-O-sama if she couldn't, not that she would allow the Elder God to have his way with her.

"Yuzu-chan isn't wearing anything at all now, are you?" Asia's eyes twitched as Yuzu grinned at her and the sister's shoulders sagged before shaking her head.

"I should be used to it by now." She moaned piteously and even prayed for strength, causing her to flinch when the backlash from the heavenly host caused a headache and Yuzu was at her side instantly.

"And you never learn." Yuzu sighed while rubbing her forehead gently to ease the pain for her. Asia smiled shyly at how her older sister cared for her in her own way.

"... Thank you. But… I'm worried. Is Susano-O-sama really the right person to teach us senjutsu? We can ask for Kiririn and Kirina-san right?"

"We could, but they're busy with the war kicking off today." Yuzu's reminder made Asia nod her head in understanding.

Tamamo Kiririn and Kirina were undoubtedly the strongest Kitsune after Yasaka-sama but they would be busy in the upcoming war efforts. Asking one of them for training would be impossible.

"Susano-O-sama is training Ravel-chan and Kunou-sama too and they've made great improvements didn't they?" Yuzu recalled fondly a few days ago when Susano-O-sama had dropped the two of them back to grab supplies and to take a 20 minute breather.

The two of them had gotten strong visibly and from only a few weeks effort! It was astounding for them to see as they weren't blessed with any powerful sacred gear like Issei were. Susano-O-sama was indeed a great teacher to be able to show so much progress within such a short time when Yasaka-sama couldn't motivate Kunou-sama to learn from her.

Then again, Kunou-sama had been through a traumatic event recently, so it was understandable.

"I guess… Minako-sama is going to the field right?" Asia was worried, but she shouldn't be.

"Minako-sama will be fine." She would be, she has to be. Yuzu could never imagine a future where Minako-sama wasn't there, and wasn't it odd - Minako-sama had been in their lives for slightly more than two years and she was the central figure of their family, of their organisation and their allies.

"I guess she would be." Asia agreed as she finished packing and grabbed her luggage, pulling it to stand beside her.

"Ready?"

"Yep. Let's… work… out… I guess…" Yuzu's shoulders slumped as she invoked the charm to summon her to Susano-O's training grounds. There was hell awaiting them.

Alliance HQ, Mt Fuji

..

Minako sat mediating, circling her energy with senjutsu to increase her awareness of her environment and heightening her physical ability. In about an hour's time, the first conflict of the Great Unification War was about to begin, and if she had her way, no blood would be spilled from her side and ideally, both sides.

She was aware that it was a foolish way of thinking, but it was a goal that she would strive for.

It was like she had explained to the Prime Minister, the Yuki-Onna's were holed up in Mt Fuji and had created a boundary based barrier that enclosed their entire base within it.

The seals and boundaries were well made but wasn't something that Kochiyo couldn't overcome. What made it a siege that she described to the Prime Minister was their control over the elements and weather patterns around their base.

The supernaturally created blizzard of ice would flash freeze any being that entered its range and its effectiveness was more than tripled due to the confined area, the blizzard feeding and fanning itself so strongly that the temperature was close to absolute zero.

As the blizzard was caused by Youkai, it could hurt the supernatural.

They were in a stalemate as her men couldn't engage safely and the Yuki-onna couldn't leave their base, they themselves being immune to the frigid natures. Indeed they even got stronger by being there.

The right strategy would be to starve them out by cutting access of their leyline away, forcing them to use their natural reserves and what they could gather from the environment to fuel their barrier.

That was the best way, the easiest way too. But it would carry risks for the Yuki-Onna as well, and Minako didn't want a repeat of the Nue genocide if she could help it.

So she'll break the siege, but first - her men. The individuals who volunteered for this war that she led, she would need to address them herself.

..

"Attention!" The order was given before she took to the stage to greet the many Youkai from many clans and families that would be part of their first skirmish of this war.

Minako walked swiftly down the rows from behind the troops, causing most of them to swivel their eyes to try and catch a glimpse of her. They didn't whisper or fidget much however, Atsushi had done his best to instill discipline to the volunteers and it seemed that it had paid off as Minako headed to the podium placed in front to address them all.

Walking her was Takamine Atsushi, the commander in chief for this operation, the other Elder Youkai's were not behind the lines of combat but were planning and negotiating terms of joining the Alliance with various other clans.

It was like she had said before: War was young men dying and old men speaking.

But in this case, it was the best arrangement as the pull and influence of Yasaka, Kanami, Hidetoshi and Naoya would be more useful in persuading the minor clans to join the alliance. As much as she would like to be there to find out what the other old coots would get up to, she wasn't going to be useful there as she lacked experience navigating those choppy waters.

Shizune would have been here taking the position of commander in chief in place of Atsushi if not for Minako's personal request, and of course Minako's own plan to break the siege without casualties where she was the lynchpin.

Clearing her throat, Minako addressed the crowd with the help of a voice amplification spell that Yasaka had taught her.

..

"Good morning all, thank you for coming today. Thank you for volunteering to enlist into our forces. I am the Priestess, Arisato Minako." She paused and winced, for all of them had lowered their head in deference the moment she had started her address. She didn't think she should be worshipped at all, but on hindsight her reputation had made it almost impossible.

She was only human, scratch that, she was just another individual that had unfortunately been in the right place and the right time to gain the powers she had. She did not deserve to be worshipped in this fashion and if she just accepted it at face value now, she would not be able to refuse them again. Pity that argument was going to be moot soon enough.

So she bowed back, lowering her head and waiting for several moments before Atsushi barked out another command.

"ATTENTION!"

Only then did she raise her head again, to see the men waiting for her to speak again, they did not move, but they did fidget a little and those whom she met eyes with turned away just ever so little.

They were obviously uncomfortable with her giving them as much respect as she did so to them.

"Today marks the start of the conflict, our first battle as part of the Alliance. All of us will be remembered in history as the first to enter the battle, and hopefully, the last as well. Let it be known that we were left with no choice as all other venues for resolution were tried. We've spoke, we've bargained, we've given them plenty of time to negotiate and to come terms with our request." Minako paused as she looked around the silent battalion ready to go to war on her command.

"They've forced our hands, and we have no other options but to go to war. They will call it an invasion, lament that we are forcefully taking their lands and their freedom. We will be labelled as conquerors, dictators and terrorists who are enforcing their laws on others forcefully." Minako paused, and was satisfied when she saw the men not even quiver or appear uneasy from the negative picture. It was a hard truth that all of them needed to understand and acknowledge.

"The world is not black and white, any act when viewed from a different point of view would be different from the initial assessment. There is no true answer to whether one is good or bad, nor can we expect one to be. But what I do want all of you to remember three things today." She paused and looked around, meeting the eyes of as many people as she can manage.

"The people that you fight for, the home you are safeguarding and the people that are waiting for you." Minako paused again for dramatic effect, as she took one step forward, placing her hands over her chest as she knelt down on the podium floor.

"We are fighting not just for ourselves, not just for our family or those who we are leaving behind today. We are fighting for the future, our future. It is my duty to do as much as I can to ensure that you can share in that future, and not lose your part in it tomorrow. Even if it's one more day, just one day – I will fight for you with all of my power. So for today, and for any other day that I might require your aid and presence." Minako lowered her head, bowed again and breathed.

"Please lend me your aid, and I will lend your mine, all of it – for all of us, for the present and for the future."

Xenovia now completely understood why the fallen exorcists would pledge their allegiance to her, why anyone who she spoke to within the Tamamo Branch Family, and in extension, all who was allied under the banner of the Priestess had nothing but good things to say about her. Why she had a fanatical following that would follow her to the death, to grudging critics who would concede to her ways despite being disillusioned about the world.

She was more than a leader, she was a revolutionary and seeing her ask for help in this manner, humbly and respectfully to those that she would lead to battle – was different from what she had seen in the Church.

There the religious leaders were placed far apart from the Exorcists, giving commands from the upper echelons but remaining in the shadows of the Church. Many were the times when the orders that were given to her had no face attached to them, no reason or justification given for the Exorcists to draw their swords and to take lives.

The exorcists did not question, for they were the final solution, the last resort when all other means had failed. Xenovia took some comfort in that they were the last line of defence against the unworthy, the damned and those who seek to hurt their mortal kin.

She saw no reason to question them, till she knew of their deceit and what they had kept hidden behind the convenient truth.

So to see the Priestess be so open, willing to stake her reputation and image and all that she worked for – and even going so far as to stand in the front lines and lead, to be in the thick of it and to take responsibility for all of it.

Xenovia respected that resolve, and that reinforced why she was here now, taking a shift among the other Exorcists for the defence of the shrine, a place that she had slowly began to embrace as her home.

Irina had left, returning into the embraces of the Church that Xenovia had started to doubt and question. Irina's faith too had weakened, but it was her had no hard feelings for her friend, whose faith was built on other things. If Irina could still believe and cling onto the faith that the Church was well and good, so be it.

Not her, Xenovia had decided to continue to be an asylum seeker from the Church. The Wielder of Durandal was aware that it was only due to the hands-off policy the Church had with regards to the Priestess that stopped them from marking her as a traitor to the church. It was a odd feeling, was it alright for her to hope that the Church was wary of the Priestess?

..

Looking to the side, Xenovia offered a curt nod to her fellow Exorcists who had straightened their backs after bowing in return to the speech by Minako-sama which was broadcasted live to all the Youkai households who had access to the Youkai Net.

Yes, the invasion was apparently going to be broadcasted live to all those who cared to watch. Xenovia wasn't sure of how it was done but all she needed to be aware of was that it was indeed broadcast live.

Wars among the Youkai Clans weren't uncommon, but footage of those wars were rare and she doubted that they would broadcast the conflict live. The start of the war, yes, but footage of actual fighting? Unlikely. Unless violence was so ingrained within the culture of the Youkai that it was part of their culture and it was a national pastime.

From how secretive the Shinto/Youkai Faction was, the Church wasn't able to infiltrate their organisation at all and the situation wasn't about to change any time soon. The speech was probably televised to increase morale and support for Minako and from what Xenovia could see – it was a resounding success as the speech delivered struck the right notes for a population ready for war.

She was someone Xenovia could respect, Xenovia had decided a long time ago, and to see that fact confirmed like this was both a relief and a concern.

For that performance showed her kindness, leadership and selflessness. But what about her strength? Xenovia had seen that strength first hand, but had the rest? Ruling with kindness brings about their own worries, like a show of force.

Xenovia knew the Priestess was strong, but how would she show this?

She watched with baited breath as the Tengu commander offered a hand to the Priestess and took flight, kicking up a cloud of dust as he sped skywards towards Mount Fuji, the location where the siege was taking place.

The Yuki-Onna's were holding strong against the Alliance and Minako-sama had said that she would take to the field to end this stalemate. The question on everyone's mind was: How?

Minako has to give Takamine Atsushi credit, the Tengu commander was a perfect gentleman and soldier that didn't question her at any point about her plan, nor did he try to dissuade her from what others would call foolish.

Then again, the Tengu had always been a prideful clan who followed the code of honor strictly. By questioning her, Atsushi would be questioning his commander and liege.

He carried her gently in his arms, one hand supporting her weight as she sat on his arm while she wrapped one arm around his waist for stability as he took to the skies above the circular shaped boundary that the Yuki-Onna had fortified for themselves.

The campaign had started off as a siege as the Yuki-Onna had hunkered down on their territory of Mount Fuji, isolating the shrine of the Shinto Deity Konohana Sakuya, and with the Deity unwilling to intervene despite Amaterasu Omikami's appeal to her, the situation had turned to a siege as the Yuki-Onna wasn't willing to negotiate further.

The Yuki-Onna had turned their territory into a contained blizzard, barriers forming a dome of protection that shielded and hid them from prying eyes of humanity and to the Youkai with the manipulation of the weather around them.

The Alliance knew where they were, but the contained blizzard had sent temperatures plummeting to nearing absolute zero. No Youkai could enter the territory controlled by the Yuki-Onna without being detected even if they could survive the extreme temperature there.

They could starve them out if they could trap them there, but that would take time, for the Yuki-Onna and the other clans they represented had stockpiled their resources and were ready for any attempts by the other clans to block all supplies to them.

Minako was here to break that siege personally - just like she had promised the Prime Minister, and to stop this from escalating as much as she could. The longer the campaign, the more chances there were for it to go terribly wrong. A push in the wrong direction and that'll be all it takes for the campaign to be long and bloody with no chance of conciliation.

If she could end this by breaking the will to fight early - perhaps no one would be hurt. Minako could only hope that panned out.

..

With Mount Fuji evacuated fully and with the Japanese Government keeping a close eye on the developments as much as they could, this was the biggest and most prominent opening that Minako would get to show her strength in a controlled environment.

She'll take it and end this mindless conflict before the men under her command would even step into the battlefield.

"We're here, Priestess-sama." Atsushi's calm voice cut into the silence, the skills of the Tengu made it possible to talk normally even while surrounded by the strong air currents that should have been deafening for then.

The Yuki-Onna had tried attacking them as they ascended, daggers of ice trying to cut Atsushi off but he had seen them coming and took evasive measures almost casually due to the sheer amount of distance involved. The attacks themselves had tapered off as he ascended higher and higher, till he was out of range and floating far above the tip of the barrier that had formed into a dome below them.

"Thank you, Atsushi-san. I'll be just a moment." Minako nodded to him as he let go of her, watching and letting Minako go into freefall and straight down on a collision course straight towards the barrier.

"Godspeed, Priestess-sama." Atsushi saluted as he watched Minako spin in mid eye to drop down face first before stretching a hand out, grasping something that wasn't there before.

"Ragnarok."

To the observers of the war, all they would see was a crimson streak slicing through a path through the air and plunging straight through the barrier of the Yuki-Onna like a hot knife through butter.

There was no resistance at all, the streak that had to be the Priestess making it through the protective dome that had stubbornly kept them at bay when they erected that barrier. If it was anyone else, they would have been worried about whether she had survived the fall, but since it was Minako, there was no doubt she had survived.

Worryingly however, the barrier didn't shatter or break, it reformed over the hole that the Priestess had punched through and if anything, the contained blizzard within got stronger and more violent as the barrier turned dark blue, a sign of increase power being held back.

The temperature reached absolute zero at the core of the dome shaped barrier, where the majority of the Yuki-Onna's magic was focused on.

But miraculously, if one viewed the entire battlefield with an infrared camera, one could see a single hot spot in the middle of that sealed area.

Defying the impossible, fire and heat while contained by absolute zero conditions seemed unaffected by it, defying the laws of physics. – The hot spot within the sphere of snow and ice, maintained its presence at first before slowly spreading its influence, heating its immediate surroundings, raising the temperature despite it still being absolute zero around it as it expanded.

Minako felt the connection to the Magician Arcana firm itself and allowed it to empower her, the familiar yet not familiar presence of the Norse Deity, Surt, once again lending its strength as she gripped the mystic sword of the Norse Giant in her hands.

The Ultimate Magician Arcana Persona in her world, Surt was one of the first Personas that she attained as a result of her firm bonds with Junpei. She had relied on it earlier on before other more powerful Personas took his place. But she would still rely on it at the final battle for her soul, the Norse Giant serving her well with it's technique of fire and flames along with it's immunity to ice after Minako imbued it with that power in the Velvet Room.

In this world, his counterpart was Hyoudou Issei, her student and even if it was different – even if it wasn't the same, that bond allowed her to draw upon Surt's power from her inner world.

Igor could provide the Persona to her, but as she had learned – Personas or Deities that she gained here were different from those she had gained at her own world. She was using a twisted medley of the two right now to get the job done.

Drawing upon Surt granted her invulnerability to fire, for the Norse giant had in its presence Ragnarok, the mythical sword that would draw upon the fire that would envelop the world upon its end.

What was ice to fire - especially mythical fire that won't be extinguished by mundane means? It was that power that Minako used on as she pierced through the Yuki-Onna's barrier like it was nothing. The barrier not even stopping her for a moment as the intense heat allowed her to slip through the barrier easily.

The flames ignored what the Yuki-Onna clan as a whole could do to affect it, continuing to stay ablaze even as Minako landed right in the middle of the Yuki-Onna's territory easily, even landing on tiptoe just to rub salt on the wound.

Her body wasn't lit in flames, not yet anyway but Minako only felt mildly bothered by the extreme cold. It was still cold, but in a distant way - like feeling cold from standing outside of an air-conditioned room. Minako felt fine as she stood in the middle of the snowstorm that left her seeing only white, it was still a liability as her line of sight was hampered but with senjutsu, she was always aware of things around her if she wanted to.

"Ragnarok." She called again mentally before stabbing the ebony black sword in front of her into the ground with both hands forcefully, implanting it into the earth.

The frozen earth parted with a loud sizzling and hissing sound. The flames of Ragnarok seeped out from the cracks like it was a living thing. The living flames spread slowly at first they formed a sizeable inferno that gathered around her in due time.

The flames wouldn't and couldn't touch her, and Minako waited for the flames to spread further and further without a care in the world; even ignoring the supernaturally created ice to heat the earth around them. She would see how long they could hold out.

Their opposition were hunkered below the earth, and Ragnarok would set the world ablaze, starting from the earth. The world might be encased in ice, but the flames of ragnarok would scorch the earth with its flames regardless of attempts to stop it until the sword was removed from its resting place.

She could wait, and time was on her side as the inferno spread inch by inch, robbing the Yuki-Onna's territory bit by bit till they would be forced to give and to emerge from their stronghold. They couldn't hide, not underground at least and if they emerged to engage her, well, she had a plan for that too.

Minako wanted to prove a point, if she could do this in the middle of their domain of strength easily, how could they oppose her further if they raised a hand against her outside of their base of power?

She wanted to crush any chance of them even dreaming to oppose her further, if you are going to win, you should win utterly to ensure they do not even think of trying to resist her.

Minako wasn't a tyrant, she had no interest in being a dictator or directing what the Youkai should or should not do to the minute detail, but she would do whatever she could to ensure her master plan would proceed smoothly with the least amount of bloodshed. Hmm, maybe she was a dictator in some sense, huh?

..

Perhaps the Yuki-Onna and the rest could try – but they would be powerless to harm her. The Yuki-Onna's strength was in their absolute manipulation of the cold, the temperature around them. If absolute zero couldn't touch her, what could they do to possibly harm her? Well, she shouldn't test her luck...

In any case, it was a display of strength that the Yuki-Onna couldn't ignore, especially when she threatened to destroy their home just by being here.

..

"You've made your point, Priestess." A feminine voice cut through the howling sounds of the wind after a few minutes and Minako turned to see the leader of the Kamiya-clan, the leader of the Yuki-Onna, Kamiya Setsuna crossing her arms and looking disdainfully at her. The Yuki-Onna was wearing a grand looking kimono that was coloured in blue and white, the traditional colours of the Yuki-Onna. Her hair was white in color and cut in a hime-cut, the traditional cut of their clan. Her hair was as long as her back but the hoarfrost made it hard to tell whether it was truly her hair or if it was icicles linked together to appear as her hair.

"Are you satisfied? Douse your flames and we'll talk. That's what you want, isn't it? To talk. What a rude way to get an interview." She sniffed haughtily as she raised one hand to cover her face with her sleeve. Like the Kitsune, the Yuki-Onna were predominantly female, with their otherworldly charm their second weapon.

As if she wasn't the one who made things difficult in the first place. But Minako would ignore it for now.

"That is our request, but as things did escalate this far…. without some concession on your end, I'm afraid I have no reason to cease my attempts in breaking a stalemate that you created." Minako offered a small bow in return to the Elder Youkai and she shrugged casually even as the ice storm gained in intensity, threatening to overwhelm Minako with the force of it's hurricane winds alone.

Naturally, Minako took it all in stride by flaring her own power, Surt's flames bursting from her shoulders and then in different parts of her body as they glowed red even in the frigid cold.

Steam surrounded Minako to such extent that it covered her entirely till she waved it off with a brush of her hand, causing Setsuna to gnash her teeth in frustration at the casual display of power. Minako didn't even seem to register the attempt to lower the temperature around her.

"Tsk… showing off like that…" But the proud Yuki-Onna wasn't about to let that throw her off as she too changed the surroundings around her with a wave of her hand. The biting cold ceased to be around her, and to Minako's surprise, it was as if a shelter had been carved out of the ice storm and with a simple nod, a set of tables and chairs formed out of ice behind her. Setsuna took a seat before gesturing for her to do the same, her facial features hidden by that long sleeve of hers.

The Yuki-Onna were second only to the Kitsune when judged in terms of their diplomacy skills in the Youkai World. Just like the Kitsune, they weren't famed for their strength, but for their looks and their wit. They were the peers to the Kitsune when it came to the guile of their tongue and Minako wasn't wary as she followed her lead to take a seat in the negotiating table that Setsuna had formed.

This then was the stage where the true battle between the two opposing forces was to take place.

Inner Kyoto - Yasaka's chambers

..

"Well... Is it over?" Yasaka asked offhandedly as she finished reviewing another scroll that required her approval. The ongoing campaign was a logistics nightmare that was mitigated largely due to the large support base that the Alliance had gathered. The addition of the Moon Rabbits and the Tsukimi Clan was a godsend to for their information teams, they could spread and relay information over long distances in seconds regardless of the plane of existence that they resided in, provided it wasn't hindered by seals and the like.

Kochiyo had contributed by assisting the clan to gain the contracts of several other Dosojins. None were as powerful as Minako's familiar, but they were powerful and useful in their own right. Only a fool would dismiss their potential in helping to shore up their defences.

The scroll that she received was to be given to her without delay, which meant the upper echelons of the alliance had sent this scroll. And seeing that Minako had left to break the siege half an hour ago, it must be her.

Yasaka wasn't concerned over the siege, Minako had been confident that she could break it herself. What worried her was the negotiations that would be spearheaded by Kamiya Setsuna. The family head of the Kamiya Clan had been an adversary of hers for years, and was partly why the Yuki-Onna's had not been absorbed into the alliance thus far.

Yasaka had declined to negotiate with them in fear of complicating matters, but Setsuna was a skilled negotiator who had managed to gather a substantial power base among the Youkai before Minako's introduction changed everything.

Setsuna would hold a grudge against Minako for complete upsetting her plans in the Youkai World and would make things difficult for her.

Yasaka would prefer her counterpart, Takamine Kanami take part in the negotiations as the leader, but Minako's method of breaking the deadlock made it impossible. Yasaka wondered how the negotiations had went as she unsealed the contents and skimmed through it.

"I see. That turned out better than I thought." As expected, Setsuna had wanted more say for herself and the other misaligned clans, the Youkai Clans who traditionally hunted humans. That had been expected, and anticipated by the alliance and they had several proposals in mind to gradually phase the aggressive Youkai into coexistence.

It'll be hard, but taking small steps forward was better than not taking them at all.

Setsuna had wrangled a few more concessions than Yasaka would have agreed to, the formation of several more layers of bureaucracy that would need further negotiations and the setting up of a separate family register for clans that would wish to separate themselves from the main clan under the Kamiya banner.

That said, there were a few victories on their end, like the concession from the Kamiya clan to allow for registration of their clan into official records, a major one in her opinion and the agreement to open their territory to allow entry for Youkai to enter and conduct trade with them.

The Yuki-Onna were manufacturers of ice, surprise surprise, but they were able to deliver in huge amounts and their services rendered for cooling industries in the summer would be invaluable.

With their services as escorts and companions added to the mix, Yasaka was not ashamed to admit that the two Youkai Clans had always been in those lines, it would mean an increase in income for the Alliance and the ruling council that plans on enforcing laws for the first time in recorded history among the Youkai.

The registration of Youkai members would greatly help in their endeavour, especially in reinforcing the law, the Okuri-clan was already being swamped with work and the inclusion of other aggressive Youkai like the Jorogumo who had formed an alliance with them.

The Jurogumo Youkai were spider Youkai that preyed on young men in similar ways to the Kitsune and to the Yuki-Onna, only they were more vicious in nature as their diet was composed almost entirely of humans.

The clan was almost wiped to extinction due to them being hunted down by retainers back in the days when Samurai ruled the land, and they survived in part due to their dependency to the Yuki-Onna.

The current matriarch of the clan was Juroya Katya, if Yasaka was not mistaken but it has been decades since she was last seen. Knowing Setsuna, she might have even killed the Spider Youkai to consolidate her power among the Jurogumo when Minako appeared on the scene.

"We'll have to prepare a proper welcome to Setsuna after all." Yasaka mused to herself as she wondered what would be an appropriate attire to wear to greet one of her rivals.

Alliance HQ, Mt Fuji

..

"You're unhurt, Minako-sama?" Atsushi flew to her in a heartbeat, his hand resting on his weapon on all times as he regarded Setsuna warily. As he should be, Kamiya Setsuna was a powerful Youkai, easily an Elder Youkai with her current power and in her domain, her power was absolute for those with no defence to atmospheric conditions like she was.

"No, I'm fine, Atsushi-san. Please give the order to stand down, the Yuki-onna is part of the Alliance now." Minako's reply made Atsushi relax slightly but he didn't move away immediately, instead bowing in deference to Setsuna, who was studying him closely.

"Setsuna-sama, Minako-sama, by your leave." He met eyes with Minako who nodded slightly and the Tengu left to attend to the men who wouldn't see action today.

"He's a fine man." Setsuna commented and Minako turned to look at Setsuna again, the Yuki-Onna had been a fierce negotiator but Minako had her own cards to play.

Namely, that she held the bargaining chip of guaranteed destruction of Setsuna's clan if she pushed too far. The genocide of the Nue wasn't something she enjoyed being part of her 'success' stories. But it did give her a reputation and a precedence on how she handled things.

With that card in hand, Setsuna wasn't willing to push her more than she was willing to give, and the Yuki-Onna grudgingly accepted the terms in exchange for entry to the Alliance, and an actual seat at the Elder Council for all the Founding Members of the Alliance of the Shinto/Youkai Alliance, a representative of all the minor Youkai Clans they spoke for.

With the inclusion of the Yuki-Onna and their respective clans, approximately 90% of the Youkai population fell under their banner, the major powers had already consolidated under her banner and the minor clans felt the same way after it became apparent where the wind was blowing.

That and how she hoped that her policies of encouraging fairness and interaction was helping the fragmented Youkai Clans to gather together and grow stronger as a community.

"He is, but he is under the tutelage of Kanami-sama. He still has a way to go." Atsushi might look the part for a strong and upcoming Tengu, but he still hasn't reached the swordsmanship of Kanami or even Shizune, the Ace of the Takao Clan was one of the ace of the alliance as well, a human who was operating at more than superhuman capabilities.

"Mm, maybe he wouldn't mind me giving him a few pointers." Setsuna covered her face with her sleeve again as she giggled, trying to get a rise out of Minako.

The Yuki-Onna was trying to bait her by challenging her by flaunting her feminine assets. Unfortunately for Setsuna, Minako had never been one to be jealous of someone else's body. Not that it stopped Setsuna from trying, she was obviously had the impression that as with Yasaka as a mentor, she would be sensitive or at least, touchy about being challenged in this way.

"Perhaps that is so, you will have to run it with Kanami-sama when the board convenes. You will receive a scroll with further instructions on your responsibility as a council member." Minako's reply set Setsuna back and the beautiful Yuki-Onna huffed before nodding.

"And who would be chairing the meeting, would it be you, Priestess?" Setsuna's acknowledgement of her position and her own was not surprising, the Youkai community as a whole recognized her for who she was, her image and status equal to an Elder Youkai wasn't challenged by anyone. But being the chair of a meeting as prestigious as this one was daunting, even for her.

Fortunately however, she has other representatives to act as a proxy.

"Amaterasu-Omikami-sama herself would be chairing the meeting, along with several of her advisors."

? – Inner Kyoto

..

Kamiya Setsuna didn't know what to expect as she was reversed summoned the moment she spread her blood over the scroll that requested her attendance in a conference by the Founding Members of the Council of the Alliance.

"Well, well." She looked around warily, alert and ready to do anything while appearing relaxed and casual. Her sleeve was used to hide her facial features as she nodded to Tamamo Yasaka, her age old adversary to the side as Yasaka raised an eyebrow at her.

The two of them had been rivals for a while, and Setsuna was slightly unnerved when she noticed the leader of the Tengu, Sutoku Kanami standing patiently to the side as well, giving her considering looks before dismissing her entirely.

..

The Tengu's dismissal of the Yuki-Onna wasn't unexpected but it still rankled Setsuna, the Tengu had always been dismissive of other Youkai races who didn't possess honour or combat abilities.

In that sense, they were rivals with the Oni who possessed strength but did not possess honour. But the same could be said for the Kitsune and the Nurarihyon, the Four Vile Youkai races had dominated the Youkai Faction since their ancestors had shook the world with their presence.

For lesser clans like the Yuki-Onna, and the clans she represented, they couldn't break out of the deadlock as they weren't as renowned enough to grow their numbers significantly to challenge the four major races.

..

They had banded together to survive and to thrive, and they should have gathered enough strength to challenge the major clans in a few decades if not for the game changer, the Priestess – a human who like Okita Souji before her, took the Youkai World by storm.

Only this time she was determined to leave a permanent mark by shaking up the entire world and uniting the four great Youkai Clans together. The other clans couldn't possibly hope to compete and had followed suit, even Setsuna herself was aware that resisting it was a futile effort. If the Nue was any indicator.

..

But she tried, and yet – she was here still in the end.

Setsuna wasn't certain what to expect but she was not going to show weakness despite this intimidating sight.

"Setsuna-san, it's good that you've joined us." Hidetoshi, the Head of the Nurarihyon greeted her while being flanked by Naoya no Doji, the leader of the Oni's. The two of them were possibly allies for her and Setsuna bowed and smiled to them in greeting.

"Hidetoshi-san, Naoya-san. It is always a pleasure to meet you. It is our first meeting is it not, Naoya-san?" Setsuna lowered her sleeve slightly to smile at the Oni and the relatively young man grunted in response. His thoughts were obviously elsewhere and Setsuna turned her attention to Hidetoshi again.

"It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Council proper, even if I am not the chairperson of the meeting. I'm glad to see that you are here to represent the lesser Youkai clans that are not represented by the Takao-clan." Hidetoshi gestured for her to follow him but Setsuna hesitated.

..

This was an alliance, so they shouldn't be picking sides. But – Setsuna was well aware that was just a farce. Sides would have to be drawn, and would it be better for her to throw her lot along with the others within the Nurarihyon?

But with Takao Shizune and Kotona Saionji by Yasaka's side, along with the Priestess being aligned with them, they were definitely stronger.

However Yasaka's own history with her would mean there was little to no chance of the Yuki-Onna's competing with the Kitsune once again as they have the same preference for positions, either in the human world or in the Youkai world itself.

Then again, they might be able to form a powerful bloc if the two of them had ever set aside their differences to work together. Her options here weren't limited – but considering who summoned her here…

..

"My apologies, Hidetoshi-san, I am still awaiting the host, the Priestess did call me here. As someone who is new to the council, it would…" She lowered her sleeve and bowed to him regretfully. "- make it more difficult for me to find my position within the council."

There were many potential areas for her to grow her influence and power within the Council, even if it is by itself a stranglehold of power by the Four Great Youkai Clans.

Even a small association with the Takao Clan would open up many opportunities for them. Together with her association with Hidetoshi not in doubt, standing with them so openly for now would only strain ties with the others.

..

"I see, but I believe your concerns would be put at ease the moment you meet her. I didn't want to believe it, but she really is someone spectacular." Hidetoshi shook his head slightly as he settled down to stand besides the long table in the room.

Naoya snorted but he grinned, showing his teeth as he gripped one of the chairs tightly.

"Got it in one. Though to call us on such short notice like this… especially after you've decided to join us, Setsuna… So this is the whole gang eh? We got everyone here now but the Priestess."

Just as he said that, the entire atmosphere changed, they were all Youkai and therefore sensitive to the flow of natural energy around them. Natural energy was suddenly being generated, at one spot, at the head of the table.

One moment it wasn't there, but the next moment there was light, a small ball of light hovering above the ground before it expanded into the shape of a woman.

The featureless woman of light slowly floated down to stand on the ground before her features filled in, even as everyone else lowered their head respectfully to her.

"Ah, I'm right on time." She spoke softly, yet her voice was heard by everyone present. As the Goddess of the Sun, she lit the entire room by her presence alone and it seemed painfully bright till another figure coughed after appearing beside her.

"Amaterasu Omikami-sama, please tone down your power. They aren't the same as those in Takamagahara." The shorter woman dressed in a now less elaborate kimono must be Kaguya-Hime, the Princess of the Moon that was always by the side of the Sun Goddess.

"They might get hurt." Kaguya-Hime appraised them with one closed eye before pulling a chair for Amaterasu to sit.

"I suppose so. My apologies everyone, sometimes I'm not aware of my power." Amaterasu smiled in apology as she sat, with Kaguya-hime doing the same beside her and the rest followed suit.

..

The atmosphere wasn't tense, but no one wished to speak first till the Elder Goddess of their land spoke, a sign of their deep respect for her.

The Deities of Takamagahara, the Amatsukami and the gods of Kunitsukami had friction with each other but none of that friction had ever crossed over to the Youkai.

They were all spirits of the earth after all, and even if the Amatsukami were sent to purify the earth, the Youkai were beings of the earth and predated even humans.

Though it was true that they had flourished more with humans, whether by living together or eating them, the Deities had rarely approached them with purpose besides familial bonds.

All Youkai respected the Deities for they supposedly made their land, and despite the intrusion of many other pantheons, were still the rightful owners of their land and protected them from being hunted down like their peers in other lands.

..

"Mm, Minako-chan isn't here is she? Oh right, she's tying up some loose ends… I guess it can't be helped, Yasaka-chan, would you mind?" Amaterasu beamed as she nodded to Yasaka, who nodded and gestured for a thick scroll to be handed out to the participants.

"It's the first draft of the binding contract for the formation of the 'Land of the Rising Sun'." Yasaka explained while Kaguya-hime rolled her eyes. The casual way this meeting was being held made nerves relax further.

"The Declaration of Independence for the Allied Youkai Nation?" Hidetoshi remarked as he skimmed through the documents, they basically stated who the founding members were, the areas where the nation covered as well as when it would take effect.

"About the laws that bind us here, would that be debated on later?" Kanami asked politely while Amaterasu Omikami hummed and nodded.

"Naturally so, we have a draft copy but before we even get to that, do anyone of you have objections to this declaration that Minako-chan put up? She made a good point. We've never established ourselves as a common nation, and when she asked for my backing to form one, I agreed. The Deities of Takahamagara agrees."

"And with this document, the Kunitsukami is in agreement as well." Kaguya-hime produced another scroll that she passed to Hidetoshi, who examined it. It was prepared and signed for by Okuninushi, the unseen leader of the Kunitsukami.

"What's left is for us, the representatives of majority of the Youkai Clans, is to agree to this contract. If you have any comments, you may feel free to voice them. As one of the instigators of this document, the Tamamo Clan agrees to the conditions." Yasaka added on smoothly and it was echoed by the Sutoku and the Takao Clan shortly after.

"Good, good, I'm glad. I was worried that one of you would have objections." Amaterasu beamed as the rest agreed after going through the documents, with Setsuna taking the most time reading through to ensure that she didn't miss something.

The laws on the other hand, would need a longer and more detailed meeting another day.

..

But just as Amaterasu added her own signature to the document after everyone else has signed it, another voice spoke up.

"Did you forget about me? There is another realm that exists within our lands." The woman's voice made Amaterasu stiffen slightly and she looked up to see a gathering of black smoke at the end of the long table.

It coalesced eventually to form the image of her mother, Izanami no Mikoto or Izanami Okami who tapped her fingers on the chair as she spoke.

"If the sky and the land agrees, but the one that lays below doesn't, does that mean that the denizens who die would find a place in Takahamagara?" She floated casually beside the row of audiences, behind Setsuna, Naoya and Hidetoshi and although none of them flinched or visibly reacted to her presence, they did tense a little.

But she was the God of the Underworld and the Underworld was an aspect that Amaterasu had forgotten, or had she?

"My dear mother, we were expecting you. We didn't know whether you would come, but since you had agreed previously…" Amaterasu's smile was slightly stiff but she accepted the scroll that Kaguya-hime passed her and unrolled it before Izanami Okami could reach her.

Izanami clicked her tongue as she looked at it before shrugging.

"I did of course, but to start the meeting without me… well, no matter, it's not as though Tsukuyomi could spare the time to be here, considering what he is doing for our dear Minako-chan." Izanami smiled as Amaterasu nodded in agreement.

The unspoken conversation ended when Kaguya-hime rolled up the scrolls and tied all of them together as a bundle.

The Princess of the Moon didn't seem too disturbed as she handed it to Yasaka, who handed it off to a Moon Rabbit who took it away swiftly, probably to make copies.

"If we are all in agreement, may I be allowed to announce our first duty as the Founders of this new nation?"

Kaguya-hime's declaration made everyone but Amaterasu, Izanami and Yasaka blink in surprise and Naoya found his tongue to ask incredulously.

"Seriously? We got something to do straight after we just declared independence?"

"I agree, this is a little sudden. Does it have something to do with what Minako-san is doing now? For her to be absent at such an important event is not what I would expect of her." Hidetoshi asked cautiously as he got up from his seat with his friend.

..

"And how would you know that?" Yasaka's quiet mutter made Amaterasu cover her mouth in amusement. Minako wasn't comfortable being here as she could be considered an outsider, and her presence itself might just make the thing easier to go through, which is ironically something she didn't want to happen. It would mean that the contract wouldn't be truly binding.

"She is tying up loose ends with the Vanishing Dragon. Incidentally that's where we are heading, to end this little war of hers."

Amaterasu's declaration made everyone perk up. To end this war against the Khaos Brigade? This War of Unification was a farce made to unite the nation, but here she was, the Goddess of the Sun saying Minako could end it just like this?

"Are the preparations complete, mother?"

"Naturally, Tsukiyomi-kun is pulling the wool over their eyes and Minako is there with Vali-kun." Izanami answered airily while Kaguya-Hime looked somewhat put out.

"Well then, the first duty that we should do, is to clean up the trash. On three if you would, mother. And please take cover as I introduce ourselves."

Amaterasu wriggled her fingers in the air even as spheres of light gathered around her palm.

Izanami sighed before holding up her fingers and counted down.

"Three, two, one."

..

A gigantic portal formed below them, dropping them down into an altogether different room.

..

"What-"

They found themselves dropping into another subdued meeting room. Just like theirs it was occupied and from the black leathering wings, they were the Devils that Minako was out for blood for.

"Hi~" Amaterasu Omikami smiled cheerfully in greeting even as she extended her hand towards them, and then there was light.

? - Khaos Brigade Headquarters

..

"Simply amazing." Sutoku Kanami shook her head in amazement after the trembling had stopped. Witnessing the power of the Sun Goddess first hand made her glad that they had the Empress of Takahamagara as their ally and their backer.

Amaterasu Omikami's first and probably last move was to fire a stream of light that obliterated whatever stood in front of her, blowing away a third of the building and leaving a scar in the landmass in front of her that was still smoking even now.

That blast of of pure light was akin to a surgeon's knife, disintegrating all that stood in its path cleanly. If there was anything there before, Kanami wasn't sure if it survived.

As it is, Amaterasu Omikami had created a huge hole in the building and that caused it to partially collapse, having lost a third of its mass would severely dampen the building's structural integrity.

Kanami had recovered quickly enough and darted forward slightly behind Yasaka, who had moved after Amaterasu Omikami's attack and was now combing through the ruins looking for any sign of their enemies.

According to Vali Lucifer, who was conversing with Amaterasu Omikami and Izanami Omikami respectfully, the higher echelons of the Khaos Brigade, Creuserey Asmodeus and Shalba Beelzebub were all present and were caught completely off-guard by their sudden entry.

She was aware of the immense potential held by Minako-sama's contracted Deity, but for all that Kochiyo-sama had set up the perfect ambush, it was the might of the Sun Deity, the Empress who had obliterated any chance of a counter attack from the members of the Khaos Brigade with her show of force and power.

Unlike Yasaka, Kanami wasn't afraid to close in for a purely physical fight with her foes. She circled the rubble that was once a grand mansion holding around half the active forces of the Old Maou faction of the Khaos Brigade.

When Minako-sama said she wanted to clean house, she wasn't kidding at all.

"Found anything, Yasaka?" Kanami knew that between the two of them, Yasaka had a better grasp of senjutsu and she would be able to detect any signs of anyone who was planning to attack them when they lowered their guard.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kanami took note of how Naoya Doji was looking around himself warily and was standing outside of the mansion that somehow remained standing. To think that she would be fighting alongside an Oni, Kanami wasn't sure whether it was a blessing or a curse.

But most importantly Hidetoshi Nurarihyon had disappeared, melting into the shadows after the attack and it was a good sign to see for herself how exactly the power of Hidetoshi worked. Hearsay and rumours had said that he had control over shadows, but nothing was better than a first hand account.

"Yeah, the big boys definitely survived." Yasaka shrugged as she added on. "Amaterasu Omikami-sama didn't want them dead, but she did wipe out the lackeys though." She was scanning the rubbled floor warily while the tip of two of her tails were poking into the ground, sensing for any signs of life.

"Hmm…" Kanami joined Yasaka, stepping lightly before moving into where Yasaka was signalling her to. One of their loose ends was covered by her, while the other… Hmm…

"Naoya-kun." Yasaka called out to the leader of the Doji-clan and the Oni perked up before making his way there, only to be stopped by Kanami with a raised palm.

Winking at him, Kanami's pressed a finger on her lips as Yasaka's tails shifted to direct Naoya to where their target was. The confused look on Naoya's face changed to one of contemplation before acknowledgement as he flashed a toothy grin at the two women as he got into position.

The question remains, who would flush them out even as Kanami prepared herself, thinking of the best way to subdue a foe who can fly. It wouldn't do for them to escape, not if they wanted to cut things out at the source.

The Old Maou faction had some influence here, this mansion was the base of their operations. Minako said she wouldn't stop till she wiped all of them out to remove the threat they posed. Their last attack on them had cut a little too close for her.

Kanami wouldn't be the first to admit that she didn't have a good grasp of Minako's character, the human girl that Yasaka had vouched for was hard to read. But from what Kanami could gather was that she was a powerful human girl with a gift for empathy that bordered on the supernatural.

As an Elder Youkai, Kanami had a mastery of senjutsu that was beyond most Youkai could ever dream of and being the youngest designated leader of the Tengu, Kanami wasn't ashamed to say that she was one of the best when it came to harmonizing with nature and with it came the ability to sense the moods, nature and the soul of others.

But she was unable to get a read on the Priestess, and if Yasaka, who was better in the more subtle arts of body reading along with an equal or more significant mastery of senjutsu, Kanami doubted she would ever be able to do so.

Kanami trusted her friend, and her stories about Minako along her interactions with the Priestess along with the stories painted the picture of a respectful, earnest, if reserved woman who had an impossible dream.

Minako was soft spoken but also firm, one who didn't demand respect by herself but she expected it. She held immense power, but never flaunted it, but she didn't hold it back either. Instead she allowed it to shape the world around her.

Like the 'Vanishing Dragon' and the other Elder Dragons of the world, her power would influence things around them simply by existing.

..

Kanami had no time for wool-gathering as she drew her sword, she was no master of the quick draw as compared to how Atsushi was trying to develop himself. Instead the sword was like a foci of her power and it was a combination of her skill, speed and the raw energy she could gather in her sword that allowed her to take her place as the leader of the Tengu. Yasaka needed only to make a few hand gestures for her to signal the exact location of where the Devils would resurface.

"WHO DARE-"

Kanami wondered who died and made them in charge as Shalba Beelzebub burst through the wreckage with an angry roar. Or really, tried to break through as she silenced him with a pathetically simple bash at the base of his skill that rendered him unconscious.

As Kanami pondered how to restrain him, she drew her sword abruptly at something that appeared abruptly behind her only to stop at the last minute.

"Give a warning next time Hidetoshi." Kanami warned tersely as her sword stopped an inch before cutting through Hidetoshi's body. But it was an uncertain threat at best as Hidetoshi had, with the exception of his face changed into a living mass of shadows.

"Noted. But allow me to restrain him." The Nurarihyon smiled in acknowledgement as Kanami step aside, allowing him to engulf Shalba in a mass of shadows, leaving only his head visible amidst the shadows.

It would be Kanami's first time seeing this particular Nurarihyon's abilities. While the abilities of the past Nurarihyon had been very clearly documented, his wasn't. The Hyakki Yagyo had remained the most celebrated festivals of their kingdom despite the intrusion of other festivals brought by the travelling deities. The first Nurarihyon threw down with the other Vile Youkai and fought each of them to a stalemate, his physical prowess enhanced with his control over water that allowed him to summon squalls that made him a natural disaster on par with Tamamo no Mae.

Hidetoshi was different, Kanami could barely sense him at all and she only reacted to his intent to harm.

"He's all yours then." Kanami sheathed her sword as she studied how Naoya had managed to grab and crush Creuserey Asmodeus with an enlarged hand, now pinning the Devil on the shattered ground after slamming him ruthlessly against it.

Yasaka was looking satisfied and smug, giving her a nod before turning to look at Amaterasu Omikami and Vali for further instructions when her expression changed and she darted towards the two of them.

..

"What's wrong? Did someone escape?" Kanami was a step behind her and she stood alert, wary but not afraid as Amaterasu Omikami-sama frowning but didn't look overly worried.

"There was some complications with Minako's errand." Vali explained, the 'Vanishing Dragon' looking and feeling disappointed?

"Is she facing against someone now? Didn't she take Atsushi with him?" Minako could take care of herself, but there was no saying what kind of fight she could have gotten into. Speaking of which… there was another presence here that had been missing for a while now

"Where is she anyway? And Izanami Okami-sama is not here as well? Unless..."

"She's at Yomi yes… it seems things had gotten… complicated."

Yomi - Earlier

..

"So I have a date with my daughter, I can't wait to rub it in Izanagi's face." Izanami rubbed her hands in glee as she floated beside Minako, making small talk and making the small entourage that was following them look very uncomfortable and awkward.

Izanami-no-Mikoto or Izanami-Omikami was a Fallen Deity that was villainized by the general public and for many of the guards, consisting of members from the Four Great Families, having the Priestess converse casually with a Deity that they had been taught from young to be an enemy was very disconcerting.
Especially when she didn't look remotely like the gorgeous form that her history suggest. Her current, was what Izanami described as her 'goddess' form, clad out in a white dress while accessorizing with shimenawa ropes that was wrapped around her thighs, waist and even doing up her hair and covering her chest. According to Izanagi-Okami it was what she looked like before she died of her internal wounds by giving birth to Kagu-Tsuchi.

"Izanami-sama, Amaterasu-sama isn't comfortable with you yet.. You shouldn't push it, she's still getting into terms with having her father back advising her."

Minako didn't like to talk much about what happened at Takamagahara that had given her the opportunity to gain the Amatsukami as allies. One could easily infer her influence by the various titles she was given by the Amatsukami.

"Oh shush Minako-chan, let me bask in the moment. She'll be fine, she has always been fine." Izanami insisted while her eyes remained closed. To Minako, many deities did seem to prefer having their eyes closed, it wasn't as if she was hindered by the lack of sight as a Deity, their other senses more than made up for it.

The meditation exercises that she engaged in daily had always helped her focus, and closing her eyes does limit the distractions she felt, allowing her to find her centre.

Meditation to gain awareness of oneself, to overcome the five hindrances to gain enlightenment and their place in the world was something that the Youkai do much more easily as they were beings of nature. It helped with using Senjutsu too, although Kunou, Ravel and Yuzu find it much harder to achieve than Asia.

But that was neither here nor there, Izanami Omikami and the rest of her entourage was depending on her to finish this mission.

"Not always… but she's better now, especially with Kaguya-hime. Amaterasu-sama needs someone to keep her in check so she doesn't go overboard again." Minako shivered slightly as she remembered the party that Amaterasu-sama had held in honor of Minako, it had almost wrecked the entire palace. Like Gabriel, Amaterasu-sama was quite a light drinker.

In comparison Kaguya-Hime was like a machine, taking in bottles and bottles of sake like a champ and not even slowing her pace. The Amatsukami weren't as party prone as their counterparts the Kunitsukami but when they do, it was always a grand affair.

"At least now you have excuses to check up on her." Izanami smiled and nodded to Minako's reply as they approached their destination, the borders of Yomi.

..

Borders were important to ensure the autonomy of the nation and with Takamagahara actively safeguarding the nation's supernatural borders within the heavens and the Kunitsukami enforcing borders on land, the netherworld was guarded by Izanami-Omikami and her creations.

Youkai didn't 'die', not in the conventional sense as they were nature spirits. They don't go through reincarnation when they are killed, they dispersed back to nature as they were born from it, Yomi served as a stopover point before that happened.
There were notable exceptions though, those that became 'Kami' by ascending above what they ordinarily were. As Japan was the land of a million gods, Kami weren't that uncommon and as they drew power from faith, there were many minor deities who blessed the land or area they were based on. One good example was Inari Okami, an ordinary Kitsune that transcended all expectations to become a major Deity of the land, even having the title of Okami (Great Deity).

The history between Inari Okami herself and the Tamamo no Clan wasn't what Minako had expected, especially with Kuzunoha-sama still very much active and assisting Inari Okami in her dealings with the other deities.

But that was a story for another time. She has to focus on her mission to discover the anomaly that Izanami had detected at the fringes of the land, where Izanami-sama was the weakest and where members of the supernatural from other lands could cross over.

There weren't much to see within Yomi, especially when Izanami Okami had started cleaning house so to speak with Minako and the Tamamo Clan since a year back, at least. Human souls were here too, similar to the Youkai but their presence were… lesser? Their souls were complex things.

The remaining stronghold was that of the Khaos Brigade, and with the rest of the alliance raiding them soon, there wasn't a reason for them to worry, or so in theory.

The barren nature of Yomi also made it the easiest to trespass, but the problem that Izanami wish to have assistance with wasn't that simple.

It was usurpation, territory was being ceded and taken from her grasp and the rate of the consummation was worrying her as if anything, Yomi was growing as the influence of Izanami-no-Mikoto grew. It should be a hassle, but new territory was new territory and there wasn't any harm in ruling over a bigger domain after all.

..

"It's almost time, we're good by ourselves." Minako stopped, turning to see the rest of her entourage pause too, looking at her for directions. They were here mostly as a formality, Minako didn't really need the help but a show of strength was important, it might be enough to prevent a confrontation.

"Are you sure…? I mean, I know you can take care of yourself, but Kochiyo is occupied with Tsukuyomi in deceiving the Devils. I don't feel… secure leaving you alone." Minako looked at her before gesturing to the side and to her back. Minako would have the assistance of others beside her guards, but Izanami couldn't fault her for trying to raise the morale of her guards.

"I'm never alone. They'll be here with me." Izanami didn't roll her eyes, her eyes were still shut after all but she did seem reassured, if anything Minako was the last person she should be worried about.

The men accompanying her stood a little straighter, their focus a little sharper as Izanami-no-Mikoto's eyes opened and her gaze swept across the group before nodding just briefly.

"Keep her safe." WIth that she faded away from sight, melding with the earth and speeding away to where the other meeting was held.

Takamine Atsushi took a few steps forward to stand respectfully a few steps behind her, causing Minako to turn her gaze at him. Minako trusted him, and she had a position in mind for the next-in-line of the Tengu, but it was a position that was just as risky as the title would require an equally valuable weapon.

"Shall we proceed, Minako-sama." Atsushi asked quietly and they picked up the pace, moving towards where the anomaly was felt.

Izanagi's form appeared casually beside Minako side as they approached. The Father God of Japan wasn't comfortable with Yomi. Although the two creator deity had made up, sorta after their awakening in Inaba.

"So… I didn't expect this." He answered casually while Minako grimaced. Out of all the things Minako expected, a large river that she couldn't see the other end of was not what she expected.

She had been hesitant to call upon Izanami-sama's other half, and doubly so when he wasn't that comfortable here in the first place. But he had been here before, and although Cybele would happily use her knowledge as a Mother Earth Deity to provide theories, Minako wasn't comfortable letting Atsushi and other members know of her connections to other pantheons just yet.

"No, I didn't either. Do you know what this could be?" She was wary, which was smart - she might be a 'Fool' but she wasn't foolish enough to charge straight ahead if she had options to use.

Her time with S.E.E.S had only reinforced that, Minako wasn't going in blindly.

"Yomi doesn't have waters as clear as this… this definitely isn't Izanami's handiwork." Izanagi shook his head while the rest of her guards fanned out to better protect her and to prevent an ambush.

"I'm getting a familiar feeling with it…." Minako trailed off as the familiar presence of Thanatos threatened to become the dominant power that she was leaning on.

"What's the big idea?" Scathach scoffed inwardly before giving room for Thanatos and Minako felt as if everything was dimmer, colder and more distant. Such was the feeling of having death infuse one's soul, but Minako wasn't phased, she welcomed it in fact. It was soothing, and less complicated.

"Styx… no, this is… Acheron?" Minako wondered softly as Izanagi walked closer to her. The 'Original Seven' had many roles in the upcoming administration and they were absolutely loyal to her as they were 'her' after all, but she wasn't sure any of the other Deities she had contracted shared the same sentiments.

Many of them had seen her soul and had decided that her goals were worthy of supporting, but others simply did so because she was interesting.

For Izanami to feel concern over her was something that she appreciated, but not overly helpful.

"You know what this river is?" Izanagi asked as he drew his naginata, the Amenonuhoko, to his side.

"It's the river Acheron, one of the main rivers of the Greek Underworld. It leads to the River Styx further down. Why would it be here though?" Minako wondered while Atsushi shot her confused looks.

"Our land has never been close to the Greeks, we share our ties with the land of the east. Diyu or Naraka would have closer links with Yomi." Izanagi explained while Minako nodded.

"But it is intruding in our territory, isn't it? Izanami-sama mentioned that there was a risk that it might take in or capture souls from our land at this rate." Even now, water from the river was approaching them slowly and even if Yomi was a vast land, this was their territory. They couldn't let the Greek Pantheon invade them, as subtle as it might be.

"Should we stop them now, Minako-sama?" Atsushi asked politely, causing the two to look at him before turning back to the river in sync.

Honestly Minako was embarrassed that he could believe she could stop a mythological force as potent as the river of an underworld without question.

"It would be bad if I dry the River Acheron up, wouldn't I? I mean Ragnarok could do it, but it might end up being a river of slag instead." Minako mused softly while smiling. Izanagi on the other hand snorted at that mental image.

"I would have no idea, but it would cause problems, yes. If I remember accurately, our missive to the Greek Pantheon has not been returned. Then again, they were the aggressors… but perhaps we could do something that's less drastic. Some land expansion, if you would?"

Izanagi offered the Amenonuhoko to her as he floated above the tranquil waters and Minako huffed as her shoulders slouched a little. The legend of how Izanagi-sama and Izanami-sama made the first islands of Japan was well known in the world of the Youkai, or the Land of the Rising Sun. He was asking her to recreate that scene with him, Minako supposed she should be flattered that she was being compared to as equal to Izanami Omikami-sama. Hopefully she wouldn't be mad at her. It was really hard to tell how the other elder goddess would react.

"Raising our land from the Acheron River. I guess it's not confrontational?" Minako agreed in the end, leaping from her position to land on the cloud that Izanagi-sama had called to rest upon.

"I'll be intruding, Izanagi-sama." Minako bowed politely as the Creator God gave her some space to grab the shaft of the weapon safely. So positioned, the two of them started churning the waters of the River Acheron.

Tried to at least, for Minako could sense the Izanagi-sama's powers spreading to the surface of the river, but it failed to penetrate further than that, rapidly dissipating or being absorbed. Worse, the waters started to churn too deeply for it to be a direct result of their actions.

"Atsushi-san, please brace yourself." Minako called out in warning as the two of them pulled back from the river, slightly alarmed when water clung to the naginata, clinging onto the divine weapon and even stretching when Izanagi-sama tried to get it free.

"Any other ideas?" Izanagi asked but he did place himself protectively in front of Minako, letting the cloud bring Minako back to the banks of the river. He was soon fending off tendrils of water as they lashed at him, Izanagi spinning his naginata to fend off the attacks.

"A coin as an offering of passage." Minako suggested as she dug in her pockets for coins only to come up none.

"Here…" Atsushi handed her some coins and she nodded in thanks before tossing them to the river as an offering. Minako supposed that the situation was more dangerous than it was funny, but it ended up being funny anyway when the river did calm down after the offering, going back to being tranquil as Izanagi warily returned back to the bank of the river.

"Well… that worked. But we aren't really solving the problem are we." Minako shook her head in reply as Izanagi huffed.

"Do you have anyone you could call to make this a little easier? I would rather us be productive when Izanami returns." Izanagi pointed out, causing Minako to look uncomfortable but she nodded her head. Unfortunately he didn't seem to have much of an idea on what to do either, or rather - she couldn't get any meaningful conversation from him.

..

"Positions everyone!." Atsushi barked out abruptly, causing Izanagi and Minako to be on guard as they detected the presence that was fast approaching them from the other end of the bank. The two of them were too caught in thought to notice, but once they did, they sprang to action.

The other presence was too strong to be ignored, and although Minako had faith that Atsushi would be able to fend him off, she wasn't taking any chances.

"Hold your position!"

Any area that was covered by the River Acheron wasn't Yomi and even if Izanami-sama had given Atsushi and the other Youkai permission to stay in the land, staying in the underworld needed a significant amount of reserves in the first place as one needed to shrug off the polluted atmosphere of Yomi, it was especially harmful for spirits of the earth as Senjutsu was almost impossible to use here and the energy of Yomi was not what Youkai could sustain on.

..

*Clang* Izanagi's naginata rebuffed their attacker's first strike, but from how Izanagi winced, that attack had cost him and it made Minako worry and she joined in the combat a second later. She couldn't fault the creator god, Izanagi was in possibly the worst state for a battle. Despite being an Elder God, he was in Yomi for the better half of half an hour, which would be enough for Yomi to wear on his presence as the land detested him.

Secondly, Izanagi was no longer in their territory, they were officially in the land of the Greek Deities, and with their stretched ties, this rendered Izanagi's influence even more. He was possibly at perhaps 25% of his strength but for his foe to have so much strength worried her.

The attire and weapon of their foe was worrying too, he was wielding a scythe while dressed in pitch black robes and wearing a skull shaped mask.

His presence itself radiated death, and although it didn't bother her - it only reinforced the belief that Minako did the right thing by making Atsushi stand down.

"I got this, please ensure the rest are safe." Minako spoke softly while her naginata materialized as she grabbed the shaft. Her foe seemed amused that she was going to face him but he paused for a moment as he looked up and down.

"You are the Priestess." He spoke, not a question before nodding in understanding and contemplation.

"Perfect." He blurred and Minako reacted, her naginata held firm as the two clashed. Sparks erupted between the two, a storm of black and green as the two danced in the skies about the river Acheron.

..

"Grim Reapers." Izanagi identified the threats as he joined Atsushi and the rest in defending their position on their territory. The Elder God wasn't at the top of his game as the leader of the Grim Reaper's strike had dealt damage to the core of his being. It hurt, but he had shrugged it off. Extremely powerful beings out there could injure a god. The 'Longinus' Class Sacred Gears were called gears that could kill a god after all. Sadly, it wasn't the worst thing that had happened. No, the worst thing to happen was how Izanagi could see how the energies from the Grim Reapers inflicting on Minako's guard would do. Or trying to at least, for Izanami had descended upon them the moment he had sent a telepathic message to her.

This was her land and they were married after all, and Izanami was the best in curses, for the weapon of the Grim Reaper were a form of curse. It was the dozens of curses from Izanami that had eventually killed him after all. Izanami would do well here, she could protect them when he couldn't. Sealing was more his forte and he focused on trying to isolate the area to better protect Minako's guards. The party was only as strong as their weakest members and Minako would disapprove if he abandoned them.

"From the Greeks? Is Hades behind this?" Izanami asked angrily, her eyes twitching while still closed and Izanagi replied with a grunt as he parried three strikes from the Grim Reapers that were trying to mow down the Youkai that were now regrouping to better defend themselves. They weren't panicking and were working as a good unit together, but the swarms of Grim Reapers would eventually kill them.

The leader, Atsushi, was doing well as his swordsmanship was sufficient to hold them off and for him to even injure a few. His men weren't as skilled, and their lifespans were cut even if they get scratched by the Grim Reaper's weapons. It was a god sent that Youkai didn't have a definite lifespan, but each hit still struck at their life forces and it wouldn't be long before they fell if they made many mistakes.

"I see, and the leader is there?" Izanami looked up to the veritable storm of steel that was Minako and the leader of the Grim Reapers. She was holding him off admirably, not even sustaining any injuries while the top of her foe's cloak had been sheared off by a particularly beautiful sweep from Minako.

"Yes, but there might be more reinforcements." Izanagi inhaled, before blowing forward, exhaling a veritable storm in front of him that tossed the Grim Reapers away.

"There won't be." Izanami gnashed her teeth as she gathered her power before flicking a hand to the side.

A ripple of power spread from her legs in a circular fashion and the land responded, hands growing from the earth to grab at the Grim Reapers, distracting many of them for Izanagi to raise the Amenonuhoko and in one sweeping motion, removed their head from their bodies.

"Minako!" Izanami's scream shook Izanagi and he saw what had happened, the emergence of another individual that burst from the river unannounced that caught Minako off guard as she was forced into a battle of strength with the leader of the Grim Reapers, their weapons pressed against each other.

"I'm coming!' Izanami's eyes widened and she darted towards the air, Izanagi had to intervene to stop Atsushi from darting after her. The young Tengu had killed his foe in the blink of an eye when Minako was in danger, Izanagi was officially impressed but he didn't want to see the man end his life for nothing.

Especially when Izanami had taken Minako's place while the other foe dragged Minako into Acheron, the two of them disappearing below the pristine waters..

"Believe in her, and protect your men." Izanagi hissed into the Tengu's ear before stabbing the Amenonuhoko into the ground and creating growths of earth that knocked the Grim Reapers that were trying to swarm them from the river. If not for Izanami and the legion of Yomotsu Shikome that was harassing the Grim Reapers despite being cut down like wheat, the Youkai would be overwhelmed by now.

..

"Look out!" Cybele's warning came late as another individual jumped her from the water, bursting free from Acheron in a tackle that Minako couldn't avoid. Perhaps that was the plan of the Grim Reaper, to immobilize her to create an opening when it became obvious he couldn't overpower her.

Her other foe latched onto her waist and with his momentum and weight, pulled her down into Acheron. But if she wasn't mistaken, the two of them crossed the distance between her and the water's surface a little too quickly.

The water of the Acheron was like a living being, it felt like jello for all it seemed to be water. Even as it surrounded her, it seemed more solid than liquid, resisting her efforts as she struggled. Her attacker had no such issues, slipping away and leaving her be. He probably believed that it was over the moment she entered the river The River Acheron was a river that according to mythology cleanses human sin, a place of healing but due to that healing, might cause the soul to forget themselves.

For humans need that bit of evil in them to survive, for one if was not selfish, they would give away all they have and starve. If one wasn't lazy, they would overwork just because people ask them too.

There were no selfless human, those who could lay claim to that title were sages who had gain true enlightenment and would surely escape the mortal form.

Minako wasn't a sage, she wasn't perfect - she was just a human.

She was blinded too, for instead of distorted vision like she would expect from water, the water like substance turned pitch black as soon as she hit the water. Or more accurately, perhaps only the upper regions of the water was clear, leaving her unable to see what was happening around her.

She could hear what seemed to be the shouts of warning and then nothing. She felt peaceful, at ease, as if nothing bothered her and the weight of the world wasn't on her shoulders. It had been a while since she felt like this, nothing bothering her and Minako closed her eyes, savoring the moment as she steadily plunged, or was dragged below the depths of the pitch black water.

For Atsushi it was like a nightmare, he had lost the Priestess on his first mission with him, she disappeared below the clear waters of the river while he was fighting for his life on the banks back to back with Izanagi-Okami-sama.

More figures rose from the darkened water like sharks. They spread out, some forming a perimeter around them while others stood in formation in front of them, drawing scythes as weapons.

It was literal army and they barely have ten individuals at his back. Izanagi-Okami-sama might be a Creator God but he had enough on his hands trying to manipulate the land around them to their advantage.

"Scumbags! Return Minako now!" The strength of the Mother Goddess had surged the moment Minako had been dragged into the river and she lashed out more visibly, black tendrils of power piercing through the air that had the Grim Reaper Minako was facing retreat. Of course, it could just as easily be a ruse to pull Izanami-Omikami-sama further into their territory to weaken her. If that was the plan however, Atsushi wasn't sure it'll work as the Mother Goddess had shed her Mother Goddess appearance to one that was similar to that of a red skeleton with glowing red eyes with long trailing black hair. The bottom half of her body was incorporeal, similar to a wisp but there was no doubt in Atsushi's mind that she was a Goddess, albeit one that was just as terrifying as one was respectful.

Even with his less than trained skill over senjutsu, one could feel the hatred and despair in the Mother Goddess of Japan even from the distance. It told of betrayal of the highest level and Atsushi found it hard to bear.

"Nothing worse than a woman spurned." Izanagi-Omikami-sama sighed while a circle of earth burst around them, protecting them from the death scythes that were thrown at them. The scythes embedded themselves into the earth before being swallowed by it, the earth absorbing the scythe within itself and the earth wall retreated, leaving the Grim Reapers unsure on how to approach. The creator god might be out of his comfort zone, but he was still a formidable foe.

"What about Minako-sama?" Atsushi dragged his attention away from Izanami-no-Mikoto-sama as a bony hand extended from Izanami-Okami-sama before suddenly expanding and grabbing the leader of the Grim Reaper.

"Have faith in her." Izanagi-Okami-sama insisted as he wielded Amenonuhoko once more, resting it in a ready position as the Grim Reapers circled them warily.

None of his men were cut down, but they were all weakened to some extent from the cuts that had landed. Even so, they had done their fair share of collateral damage to the Grim Reapers in return, countless numbers of them lay littered around them, some of them even dead by his own hands.

His blade, an unnamed one that was forged by the best blacksmiths that the Tengu had was exceptional, but it was his mastery over senjutsu and how he channeled it through his blade that allowed it to cut through the Grim Reapers like how it should. Spiritual beings and Demigods like what the Grim Reapers were, were built differently and it was a wonder that some of his men could even injure them at all.

Minako-sama was human, and although she could call upon the powers of the Shinto Deities and possibly legendary Youkai, could she use enough of that power to overwhelm death itself? Atsushi worried, but kept faith and guard as the Grim Reapers advanced.

..

The peace that she felt, it was peace that came from death. Everything ends with death, and death is the final answer. The answer that humanity had called for, had ended up desiring when the Fall was imminent.

When Nyx descended upon the world, her presence was enough to awaken the primal fear and acceptance of death.

Minako's life has always been tied to death, and she has accepted that she was living on borrowed time ever since the accident that had claimed her parents life.

It was made worse when she understood that she housed death, a part of her that was just as real as who she was, it was made even more plain when she faced death without fear.

For who was she, but death - she had been dead for so long she didn't realize that she had began to live. So it was even more painful when Aragaki-senpai was almost torn from her grasp.

She lived, only to die and it was a fate shared by her other half, her soul mate that was truer in all as she was him, and he was her, the two of them having travelled ten years together in the journey of life.

This peace, it was forced onto her, it was tempting, tantalizing as it gave respite from what ailed oneself, the sweet taste of freedom from those that held one back. The breaking of chains, the promise of peace that one sought and a sense of purpose that came from understanding life's final answer.

For what is death but the conclusion of one's journey, where one finds the reason for one's life.

But this wasn't her time, and it wasn't time for her to rest - not yet, not when she still doesn't know why she's here. Why she's given this new extension in her life.

So she called to him, the presence that she had welcomed earlier but had not fully embraced.

..

Minako could remember the first time she had tried this form. Divine Possession was a mixture of her Persona abilities and her miko training and it enhanced both as she got better with it.

It was however incompatible with her Personas, the 'Original Seven'. And it wasn't for her lack of trying. The most she could manage was summoning them to be independent with one exception, herself.

..

Thanatos or perhaps Ryogi-kun. The first time she had tried, she had seen him instead of Thanatos the same way he tried to scare her to make the wrong choice by turning into Thanatos. He was the second boy he loved, the first was taken because she couldn't get him to tell her everything.

The second she killed with her own hands but there he was, reaching out to embrace her and whispering.

"Until the day our souls meet its end, we shall be forever one."

She caressed his hand that rested over her waist, grasping it tightly in the end as she felt the cold, familiar and empty feeling she associated with who she was.

The cold, stoic and yet unwavering part of her that stood firm amidst the cries of despair, fear and unrelenting helplessness as part of the Great Seal.

"Who are you." Izanagi-Okami-sama addressed the man that had burst free from the water of Acheron before landing on a boat that held its position on the still churning and raging waters.

He spent barely a moment taking note of how Izanami was cleaning house, slamming the poor Grim Reaper into the land of Yomi. God bless that poor soul. But first, the intruder.

"Charon, the ferryman of Hades." He answered easily enough, but Izanagi supposed he couldn't really hide his identity. A man on a boat on the River Acheron, he felt stupid asking that question.

"This is the territory of the Land of the East, our land." He paused. "And you have our Priestess. Leave and return both to us…" He warned softly, feeling a little off-put at the mere thought of them saving Minako, she'll probably be amused by it more than anything else however.

Was it odd for a God to feel that way towards a human, Izanagi dismissed that thought as Charon shook his head.

"She paid the right for passage. Thus she is a guest to our lands." Charon paused before nodding in the direction of another surge of power that materialized behind him that worried Izanagi, it was far beyond what he could muster at current notice. Since this was Acheron, Charon was present for the party that meant there was only one individual that could have that amount of power within the Greek Underworld.

Izanagi himself was not as involved as Izanami was in Minako's plans, the Father Deity wasn't ignored, but Minako hadn't asked for his help beyond protecting Japan, which he was already doing before.

But even he took time to study the research materials that the Youkai had given Minako, he had been content protecting their land and had decided that his daughter, Amaterasu could run things well enough.

He needed to know now however, he might be called to do battle with the Deities of another Faction and the 'Top Ten Strongest Beings in the World' was something he studied extensively.

Hades, the Deity that had been active even before he was, the Ancient Deity of Death and one that held a position among the Top Ten.

"Whether she decides otherwise, Lord Hades saw fit to welcome her to our lands. For her to fall overboard is… unfortunate." Charon took a step back as Hades swept forward. His form was that of a humanoid skeleton that looked very similar to Izanagi but dressed in a robe that Izanagi recognized as for a priest in the lands of the west.

"Greetings Lord Izanagi, I am Hades. I came to greet a fellow ruler of their land." He nodded in greeting and Izanagi did the same, he had to play this carefully. They didn't need a war yet, but having no response to this invasion would be just as bad.

"Alas I no more rule this land as well as my wife. Creator Deities we are, we have passed the mantle to the young ones." Izanagi planted the Amenonuhoko to the ground by his side, his power reaching to pool the ground of Yomi around them, he had no doubt what would happen if they clashed, but he might be able to hold him off for a while if they did it in their land, his territory.

"The young would always surpass the old… I believe that this encounter is due to a misunderstanding on our part. The River Acheron seemed to have lost it's way and had invaded into your lands. Please accept my apologies for this. We do not wish to be viewed as the aggressor in this incident." Hades made his skull change shape to look apologetic as he clasped his hands together.

"No we wouldn't. Our envoys to your domain have been treated well by Mount Olympus. We are grateful for your kind treatment." Izanagi nodded again, although he wanted to gnash his teeth in frustration he knew how the game was played. They wanted Minako, perhaps it wasn't their actual objective but now they had her in their hands, they weren't going to let go. It was understandable, but it wasn't ethical, but that's how the world works. That's also partly why the Deities of Takamagahara didn't want Amaterasu to leave their land as they didn't want to see their leader be kidnapped.

He still had one card to play though, Izanami had captured the leader of the Grim Reapers that had attacked them and he shifted slightly to see Izanami kicking away the hood that covered his head as she lorded her victory over him.

"But it seems that one of your subordinates got a little too carried away."

"Ah, true, but if one of you had identified yourselves… it might not have turned out that way. Pluto takes his job very seriously, please do forgive him for his zeal in protecting our borders. We treat border security… very seriously." Hades managed to look even more menacing as his skull detached itself from his body to float closer to their banks. Izanagi noted that the lake was indeed retreating, and that was bad for them. They were running against the clock here as if they left with Minako.

"We will discipline him accordingly if you hand him ov-" Hades stopped when the river seemingly flinched, the water stilled before pulling away from an area just in front of Charon's boat.

The ferryman, like Hades was caught flat footed and he struggled to keep his boat free from the sheer drop that the river had formed as the water of the river pulled back from only that spot, a circular area within the river itself.

Everyone was riveted on the sight, and naturally the individual that had managed to be in the center of this mess slowly floated up from where she was to stand on air itself at water level.

..

Unlike her experiences with Tamamo no Mae or even Sutoku Tengu, being one with Thanatos was simple and besides the slight chill that Minako associated while using Mudo, or more accurately - being dead, she felt the same.

As much as Thanatos was bloodthirsty in combat, he wasn't a violent soul. He is the harbinger of death and the Fall had taught her that accepting death was being robbed of motivation, of the will to live. Thanatos was the embodiment of death, but that doesn't mean he enjoyed causing death.

The physical appearance was more striking for Minako, the River Acheron had consumed her clothes like it was stomach acid but it had left her untouched as death suffused her form.

Her already pale skin whitened even more, to snow white and her eyes glowed an unnatural red. Black material spread across her body, forming a skin tight layer to cover bare skin, and when a skirt bloomed around her waist, Minako couldn't help but laugh.

At least he was considerate enough.

But as the synchronization continued, Minako felt the other cold chill of her emotions being suppressed and she reached up to pull the colorless mask of her face, dismissing it and letting the rest of the transformation take hold.

Four wings in the shape of coffins formed behind her, vibrating with power as the river parted away for her by their own will. They must have recognized the presence that she was now. They were like butterfly wings, more morbid and stiff and all black in color but still positioned in the same way.

Smaller coffins formed around her waist and chest, forming what seemed to be a belt around her waist and covering her chest like a bikini plate and finally to top it off.

A helm coalesced around around her head, Thanatos' helm snapping over her hair and covering her vision but still allowing her to somehow see through the helm.

Minako knew the exact instance when Thanatos and her soul merged and they became one, when her emotions were suppressed and the cold chill she felt suffused into her soul as well. The entire world seem dimmer, colder and generally more empty as she righted herself.

The water of Acheron had retreated from her, forming a circular ring around her that left her high and dry so she ascended slowly, trying her best to sense the presence above her.

One was Izanagi-Omikami-sama, but the other two presence before her was unfamiliar to her, and yet not really so.

The power-level of one of them concerned her, but Minako dismissed it for now, it wasn't exactly overconfidence but acceptance that Death itself wasn't something that can be ignored, power or no.

Still - if this was truly Hades, then… it might be another test of how she would stack up among the true powers of the world.