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Chapter Text

Mino province, Tokugawa shogunate Japan, December 17, 1640.

Dear Hide,

I regret to inform you that my father has passed. I understand the loss of Lord Ieyasu and Lord Honda, and the recent loss of lord Date upset you greatly, and my Father realized that his loss would likely be no different. He instructed me to inform you that he passed away happily, and is at peace. I ask that you do not hesitate to visit our home should you find yourself in need of companionship. As you are no doubt aware, my father told me you were, and always will be, more than a fading relic of a time of war and strife. You are more than the sohayamaru. 

Sincerely,

Joseph Adams. 

Hide felt tears come to her stinging eyes, yet another close friend lost to the human condition of aging, time having stolen her last connection to the world. Mumyo had passed two years ago, struck by illness re-settling the remains of the Sohaya.

Joseph’s offer was a kind one, but Hide felt it would only upset him if she arrived, still looking no older than twenty. Her yokai blood was a potent thing, and growing up with the Sohayamaru, fragmented though it was, meant it had slowed her already drastically reduced aging to next to nothing.

“Oh dear, Sir Anjin has passed?” An older voice stated from behind her. “That is a shame indeed. But it is the nature of the lives humans live.” Behind her stood one of her three guardian spirits, and the only one to talk to others regularly, Hakutaku. A three eyed goat dressed in a green haori. Though he rarely appeared to other people, so few these days could see Yokai and Guardian spirits, much less manifest the latter.

With the spirit stones fading, Yokai had begun retreating more and more from interacting with humanity. Many now believed them to have never existed at all.

“You’re thinking about the Yokai retreating into the annals of myth and legend once again, aren’t you my dear?” Hakutaku asked gently. Hide gave a sheepish nod.

“Yes, it is unfortunate. But do not despair. They are still out there.” Hide understood the old spirit’s point. His teacher’s spirit meant he was quick to offer comfort and guidance when he felt she needed it, especially when she found herself in the same dreary mood she found herself in now. 

But this time, her last friend from the Sengoku period, the one whom, on days like this, she would compose a letter to, was dead.

All of her guardian spirits but Sohaya, Kagewani, and Hakutaku had asked to be allowed to watch over another mortal. And the Yokai slaying samurai, the wielder of Sohayamaru, and one half of the shared Identity of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was once again just Hide. A humble Miko watching over a shrine in Mino province.

With her purpose fulfilled in destroying Otakemaru’s incarnation of hatred, and the Tokugawa shogunate established, Hide saw little reason to remain a ghost among the living. Exiting her home to the frosty air and blanketed snow surrounding her home in Jusanzakura, the village she had visited on the night that had changed her life forever, she turned toward The large tree in the inner shrine that still bore flowering Sakura petals despite being out of season. The reason being Hide’s only use of the Spirit stones’ power. 

The people of the village had been massacred the night she first visited, and when she returned to settle in 1617, the abandoned village had still not been repopulated. The rumors of the “everblossom” tree that she had created, however, soon drew in refugees from the Sengoku period who had lost their homes to the ceaseless era of war.

To their shock, they had found the homes they expected to lie in ruins, surrounded by the corpses of their former occupants, the houses had all been repaired and maintained. Yet the only sign someone still lived was the light that came from a hut built behind the walls of the village’s inner shrine. She had left a note attached to the shrine doors, explaining that she had rebuilt the houses, and anyone who wanted to settle was welcome. Slowly, the village began to thrive once more. Hide hoped that the village would continue to prosper after she left it behind. 

“Do you mean to cross the interim’s river?”  Hakutaku asked as she finished cleaning up the small house she had lived in, tucking away her swords and the armor that once belonged to her mother into a far corner of her small house.

Kneeling on the floor, Hide closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she next opened them, she was knelt inside of the hollow trunk of a great tree. Inside, several platforms with small Buddha statues were connected by winding wooden paths up and down the tree. Once, the platforms held departed friends, those of whom that had died with regrets, and were unable to move on as a result. Now, they stood empty. The silence only reminded her of their absence.

In front of her and behind her both were wooden docks leading out into the water. The one behind her held the way back to the land of the living, a path only she could walk. In front of her was the dock that led to where all her friends had gone. Stepping onto the old wooden boards, Hakutaku appeared at her side. “Are you quite sure about this my dear? Make no mistake, I understand your reasons, but once you cross the river, you will never be able to travel farther than this dock.”

Hide nodded slowly, before looking toward the old goat spirit in concern. If she crossed, what would become of him? “Worry not Hide.” Hakutaku chuckled. “I am not bound by the same rules as Humans or Yokai. But I will be going with you. It seems the world has little need for both of us anymore. Sohaya, Kagewani, what do you think?”

The two spirits came as called, Sohaya, a six-winged, white dragon appeared in front of her, Whilst Kagewani, a light blue shark, circled her. “My purpose as the soul of the Sohayamaru is fulfilled. I will stay at your side, as I promised your mother all those centuries ago.” The dragon’s rumbling voice replied.

 “This one will depart your company. Though you have been a most stalwart and courageous ward, I believe my purpose still lies in the world of the living. There are many who would benefit from my protection through troubled waters.” The shark spirit replied in its hissed whisper.

“Then it would seem this is goodbye, farewell Kagewani.” Hakutaku bleated.

Hide turned to the shark spirit, who had stopped circling her, and bowed deeply. “Thank you.” She whispered. 

As Kagewani faded, the two spirits remaining repositioned themselves at her sides. With only a moment’s hesitation, Hide stepped off of the dock, onto the waters that should have swallowed her had they been like those of the world of the living. Walking upon the river’s surface was a strange sensation, every sense of her body told her the ground beneath her should not be as stable as it was. As she walked, the fog around her became thicker, becoming so oppressive that she couldn’t see her hands when she held them up. Eventually, the waters beneath her began to churn and froth 

Come, and be summoned, champion of another realm. An earth shaking voice rumbled from no discernible source. Thy spirits shall be sealed within gates, else they could not follow you. In an instant, Sohaya and Hakutaku disappeared, in their place two intricate golden keys were summoned to her hand. A silhouette of both her spirits carved into each of the keys’ handles. 

The stage is set, chosen. Now go, re-establish mine law, slay the cursed one with thine golden blade. 

In an instant, a chasm opened beneath her, casting her into the abyssal waters below. 

Chapter Text

The smell of pine and timber reached Hide’s nose as consciousness slowly returned her senses. Sitting up, the half-yokai took stock of her surroundings. She appeared to be within a forest. Not unlike those of Japans. Yet somehow, her yokai senses told her this was not anywhere she knew.

Wherever this place was, it wasn’t the other side of the interim’s river. Hide felt a pang of worry, had she been rejected from the afterlife? Was such a thing possible? The resurrecting power of the sohayamaru was something known to her; But having lost its glow, it shouldn’t have interfered with her crossing.

The weight of something within her Kosode brought her out of her musings. tucked inside were two ornate golden keys, each bearing the silhouette of Sohaya and Hakutaku respectively. The pit in her stomach grew, attempting to sharpen her senses, she was panicked to find that both spirits had vanished from her. Panic overtook her at the thought of being completely alone. Were the keys to some sort of prison? She wasn’t aware of any method to trap guardian spirits, but her lack of knowledge didn’t mean such a thing couldn’t exist.

Hide sank to the ground, dread welling up within her. What good was a key if she didn’t know the location of the lock? Hide searched her memories of Abe no Seimei’s lessons on Omnyo magic and the nature of guardian spirits. Both with his shikigami and its creator. Guardian spirits did not exist on the same astral plane that their wards did, hence their incorporeal nature.

This wasn’t to say they could not affect the world around them, but that doing so required them to reach through to the “other side.”. Truthfully, Hide likely did not have quite the grasp on the concept that Seimei would have liked, but the thought gave her pause. If the Guardian spirits did not exist on the same plane as her, then it stood to reason wherever she was followed the same rule. But if such a thing were the case, why couldn’t she feel their presence?

The keys were likely the missing piece to the puzzle. Closing her eyes, Hide felt within the depths of her soul. While she could not feel her spirits, she found a trace of them, a trace that felt similar to the energy emanating from the keys in her hand. The answer soon became clear:

Her spirits connective presence within her had not vanished into the ether, but merely changed mediums. It appeared that the rule of this place was thus: Spirits could not open the gate to appear from their side. These keys were likely the medium required for their summoning.

Sticking Hakutaku’s key out in front of her, Hide mimed the motion of turning a lock. With a rush of air, the sound of a bell rang out as a bright light nearly blinded her. Hide lowered her hand from her eyes as the light faded, hoping to see the familiar spectral goat.

Instead, a kindly looking older man stood in front of her, dressed in a similar Kimono and Haori as her beloved guardian spirit. Adorning his lined face were a pair of round spectacles. Capping off his unusual features were a pair of goat horns sprouting from his head. “There you are my dear!” The man greeted. “I feared you had been cast elsewhere from us!”

Hide blinked in confusion, the silhouette showed Hakutaku’s normal form, what had caused this change in appearance? Hakutaku merely chuckled. “I’m rather confused myself my dear. When we fell through the interim’s waters, Sohaya and I were transported to another realm, full of spirits like he and I. Our arrival caused quite the stir amongst other spirits. Apparently there hadn’t been any new spirits arriving in some time.”

This revelation was only cause for further concern. Where were they, truly? That not even Hakutaku knew was, to her knowledge, impossible. The old goat held knowledge over all things of the world. If he didn’t have any answers then- “Then that means the world we have found ourselves in is not the one you tried to leave.” Hakutaku finished. Hide felt the blood drain from her face at the thought.

“I’m sure Sohaya is still explaining the situation to the other spirits and their king. He was rather confused himself. Apparently those keys you hold are the medium by which spirits of this world are summoned. But all of the keys were made by the celestial spirit king himself, and by you summoning me, you have confirmed that is no longer the case.” Hide’s concern for the dragon and goat grew. By being summoned, had she offended this spirit king?

The thought of something happening to her spirits made Hide sick. She had little connecting her to the happiest times of her life among the Hideyoshi army. If this spirit king demanded punishment, could she stop him? He was likely king of this world’s spirits for a reason, and she doubted he could truly be harmed by any means, including the sohayamaru.

As if sensing her distress, Hakutaku put a comforting hand upon her shoulder, a gesture that to her surprise, she could feel. “I was summoned only partway through the conversation, but the spirit king seemed more befuddled by our appearance than angered by any perceived trespass.” He said gently.

Nodding, Hide felt most of her worry fade. The knowledge she could summon her spirits at any time bringing a large sense of relief. “I think you should summon Sohaya next.” Hakutaku chuckled. “The old dragon might not say it, but he worries for you more than I do.” Hide couldn’t help but giggle at the thought, Sohaya may have been the one of the latest additions to her many spirits, but his affinity for her bloodline was well known.

“I’ll take my leave then. It seems as though I can return of my own volition. I will continue to speak with the spirits of the other side. In the meantime my dear, it may be best to try and find out whether or not there are any cities or villages nearby.” Hide nodded in affirmation. With a flash of light, Hakutaku disappeared.

Hide knew there were several ways of finding civilization if one were to find themselves lost. Chief among them was to find a river. Villages and towns were most often situated near some sort of fresh water. Or at the very least, they were nearby.

Finding a river was also deceptively simple. At least it was for a shiftling like her. She could pick up the sound of running water, and the sent of wet moss often carried her in the direction of some sort of river or lake. Sure enough, the familiar scent reached her nose, carrying her northward.

A short while later, she came upon the river she was looking for. The stream wasn’t very wide, but could hold plenty of fish and water for a small sized village. A good sign, but what was likely a better one was the smell of smoke. Forest fires were rare, it was more likely someone was camping nearby. She could likely get directions from whoever had started the fire.

Such thoughts were interrupted when she caught the faint glow coming from beyond the treeline. Too bright to be a campfire, especially with the way the light just peaked over the treetops. With a growing sense of alarm, Hide charged across the river, hoping that it was a forest fire. Such hopes were dashed as she caught the scent of blood on the wind.

Chapter Text

Bursting from the treeline, Hide found a small village in chaos. Two small houses had been set ablaze, with one more about to catch. Several rough looking men attacked what looked to be the villagers. For a moment, Hide feared that she had returned to the Sengoku era. However, the sight of the villager’s dress and what looked to be spells entirely foreign to any she had seen through her study of Onmyo.

Even still, the sight of bandits bringing destruction to a village was one that set her blood ablaze with fury. Charging one of the men chasing a young woman, Hide brought a closed fist into his sternum. With her opponent suddenly winded, Hide swept his legs out from under him. Another punch knocked the woman’s assailant out cold.

A sudden roar brought Hide’s attention to another man, this time with his fists coated in stone. With a quick turn of her body,  Hide grabbed her assailant’s arm, throwing his weight over her shoulder. With a harsh twist, she felt the bone in his arm break. Another bandit came charging for her, brandishing a katana.

The man swung for her neck. Managing to dodge the strike, Hide retreated a few steps. Her first priority was to create distance, without any sort of weapon besides her raw strength, the rogue had the advantage. Suddenly, a young man came running up behind her assailant, hoe in hand.

Grabbing her foe from behind, the young man used the handle to strangle the sword wielder, who dropped his blade and flailed uselessly. After a few moments, the man fell limp, allowing the young man to drop him to the ground. Her unexpected ally turned to her, holding out a hand for her to shake.

“Thanks for the help. Bastards came out of nowhere. If I had to guess, they’re a dark guild.”

Hide had no idea what a “dark guild” meant, but the words implied these men were not under the employ of some warlord.

“They’re all mages, if you’re gonna take them all on, best be careful. I can help you.”

Hide shook her head, revealing Sohaya’s key. Recognition spread across the young villagers face as hope ignited in his eyes. “A celestial mage! Well, I’ll probably only get in your way then. I’ll round up everyone else and get down to the river.”

Giving a nod of approval, Hide picked up the fallen mage’s sword and charged into the burning village.

The smell of smoke and blood was overwhelming, as Hide directed fleeing survivors, she cut down several of the supposed mages trying to stop her. Whatever methods they used to earn the title, it wasn’t through Onmyo magic.

As she helped an older man to his feet, another marauder came charging at her.

“ Earth magic! Earth make club!”  He cried. A strange glowing circle containing an assortment of runes appeared in his hands, much like others she had seen that night. Suddenly, A large column of dirt and rock shot from the circle, toppling down onto her and the one she was trying to protect. With a few quick swipes of her pilfered blade, the column came apart.

Undeterred, her assailant continued his charge forward, making the same gesture with his hands. Seeing her chance, Hide shot forward. Stunned by her aggression, her opponent stopped, attempting to shift to protect himself. A reaction that would come too late.

With a roar of her own, Hide carved a deep gash into his chest. With a shout of agony, he collapsed to the ground. “Well lookie here!” A voice called out. “Looks like someone in this backwater decided to put up a fight! You’ve hurt some of my buddies real bad tonight sweetheart, so we’re gonna make you pay for it.”

Hide turned to see a man with a patchy beard and black trench coat stood among several assembled mages. On the man’s left cheek was a tattoo of a cross with two ghostly orbs on either side of the cross’ head. A close look revealed identical markings visible on some of the other marauders.

“Now, you’re pretty quick with Doral’s sword there, But I don’t think you can take all of us.”

Hide gripped the golden key In her hand, raising it out in front of her and turning a phantom lock. With a flash of light, Sohaya emerged from his gate.

Much like Hakutaku, Sohaya had also changed his appearance, but his transformation was far less drastic. Now considerably larger, about the size of a horse, the dragon curled around her protectively, his golden teeth bared in a snarl. Several of the marauders took a fearful step back, frightened by the dragon’s menacing appearance.

“A fight is it?” Sohaya rumbled. “Must I always be the brute to Hakutaku’s scholar?” Hide said nothing as usual, instead raising her blade in a defensive stance. With a jet of bright green flame, the draconic spirit singed a line into the ground at the leader’s feet. “Surrender. Or cross that line and face hell.”

One particularly brave (and foolish) mage seemed to prefer trying his luck with the large dragon, only for another jet of green fire to erupt from Sohaya’s mouth. The mage screamed as he rolled around, trying to extinguish Sohaya’s purifying flame.

The leader of the dark mages remained unfazed by his Comrade’s grizzly injuries. Instead taking a step over the line Sohaya had burned at his feet. “That dragon’s impressive, but you won’t-“ The dark mage cut himself off as he jumped back to avoid Hide swinging for his throat. 

Stumbling backward, two more mages attempted to support their leader by charging her. One throwing what looked like glowing cards at her, whilst the other tried to grab her with flaming tendrils. Hide rushed forward, avoiding the thrown cards and targeting the one who sent them.

With a lunging slash, Hide relieved the card thrower of his left arm, and kicked him to the ground. Sohaya lunged after the fire mage, opening his jaws and severing the fire user’s right arm. With a startled and agonized scream, the mage collapsed and retreated backward, clutching what remained of the appendage.

Sohaya lunged at the remaining group, striking several of the rogue mages with his tail, Spraying his flames at others who tried to retaliate from a distance. Hide used the opportunity to charge the leader.

The trench coat clad man raised a hand with a smirk, unbothered by Hide’s rapid approach. As she neared, a sword appeared in his hand with a flash of light. Blocking her first strike, her opponent seemed caught off guard by the force behind the attack, and opted to grip the blade tighter as he forced her back.

“This sword’s magically enhanced.” The man bragged. “It gets sharper the more blood it draws. So why don’t you be a good girl and become it’s whetstone!?” Breaking the blade lock, the dark mage swung for Hide’s middle. Angling her blade, Hide blocked his swing and caused him to stumble past her as his sword slid down

Turning on her heel, Hide circled the leader, at the same time delivering 6 precise cuts all over his body. As the leader collapsed, Hide turned to see Sohaya flying toward her, his white scales spattered with blood.

“It is good to see the years have not dulled your prowess.” He rumbled. “I shall take my leave for a time, But summon me again soon. There is much to discuss.”   With a flash of light, the six winged dragon vanished.

“Hey!” A familiar voice called out.

The young man that had helped her earlier came running up to her, which what appeared to be the rest of the villagers in tow. “That dragon spirit is something else! Thank you both for your help. Those bastards would have burned our homes to the ground trying to find-“ the young farmer cut himself off.

“Sorry, but it’s kind of a secret. But these dark mages were after it.” Hide nodded. Whatever secret the villagers were hiding, it seemed the type that could be left well alone with no ill effects. Turning away from the young villager, Hide began her well practiced ritual of searching the corpses of the mages who had succumbed to their injuries.

“Hold on, you’re not even going to question that?!” The farmhand asked incredulously. “And what are you doing looting those bodies?!” Hide turned and stared blankly at him before holding out the strange marked slips of linen that she assumed were currency.

The farmhand looked a mix of confused and horrified. “That’s not what I meant! If you need cash we can pay you! And probably more than whatever these scumbags had on them!” Hide shook her head, and gestured to the several ruined homes around him.

“…if you’re sure, then go ahead, whatever Jewel you can loot off of them is yours.” Hide nodded and returned to her scavenging. After roughly half an hour, she found herself with around 5,000 jewels if the western numerals were still accurate to what William had taught her.

After finishing her scrounging, Hide dragged the corpses to the edge of the treeline and began to bury them. After burying the corpses, Hide began sprinkling salt atop the graves and placing an ofuda each atop them. The measures were likely unnecessary for those burned by Sohaya, but Hide would not take the chance of any coming back as vengeful yokai.

Hide had just finished burial rites when the voice of the farmhand broke the silence. “They aren’t worth what you’ve done for them.” He said bitterly.

Hide turned to face him as he approached the freshly dug graves. “These bastards tried to burn down our home. Might have killed us if we didn’t give up the village’s treasure.”

With a small sigh, he turned to Hide. “I’m sorry, Dark mages killed my parents when I was ten. I’m sure you have your reasons. At least you buried them away from the village. I’m Silas, by the way. Sorry, but I don’t think I ever caught your name.”

Hide made to reach for sohayamaru, only to find it missing. Thinking back, she remembered she had left it locked away, having returned to its Tantō form. Instead, Hide drew her sword and scratched her Name’s Kanji into a nearby tree trunk.

Silas stared at the kanji uncomprehendingly. “Ah, sorry, but that’s uh- not a language I recognize.”

Hide froze for a moment. While she could understand English just fine thanks to William, there was no way to know if what she was hearing was actually English. Reluctantly, she decided her voice had to be used in this situation.

“Hide.” she replied softly.

Silas looked to her in surprise. “You can talk?!” he squawked.

Hide hesitated a moment. To explain her reluctance to speak would require telling him her full life’s story. One that was more likely to paint her as insane.

Evidently her hesitation worked in her favor, as Silas quickly composed himself. “Wait, you probably can’t speak Fiorish can you?” He asked. “Some sort of translation spell that only works one way?”

Hide latched onto the explanation quickly, nodding in affirmation.

“Ah, that explains a lot then. Well Hide, It’s a pleasure.” The young man stuck out his hand in greeting, which Hide answered by shaking it.

“So, what will you do now?”

Hide found herself caught off guard by the question. She had been looking for civilization, but now that she had found it, what was her goal? She had been prepared to leave behind the world of the living before finding herself here. She supposed she had technically succeeded.

But the reason why Hide had left for the other side was just as important. And now, it seemed, that rejoining Tokichiro, Mumyo and her other friends and loved ones was now impossible.

“If you’ve nowhere to be, maybe you could stick around?”

The question caught Hide off guard. For a split second, she was back in Jusanzakura, a scrappy merchant stood in front of her with a wide grin and large ambitions. Finding a smile come to her face, Hide nodded.

Chapter Text

Ordan Village, Kingdom of Fiore, August 16th, X784.

Over the next month, the people of the village, whose name Hide would come to learn was Ordan, gave her a spare bed in a family’s loft as she helped them rebuild the homes damaged by the dark guild’s attack. Hide took it upon herself to teach a few in the village a crash course in combat in their downtime, should any others come looking for its treasure.

Over the course of several weeks, Hide began constructing a home for herself on the edge of the village, Similar to her home in Jusanzakura. The architecture of which was of interest to many in Ordan. Who often questioned her about Japan and it’s history.

Hakutaku had explained that Hide had left her island nation following the end of a little over a century of civil war. An explanation that was not exactly a lie, except by omission. But the horrors that a century of uninterrupted conflict implied was more than enough to stifle any further questions beyond mundane curiosities.

Alongside her home, Hide had also constructed a small forge, wherein she used the plethora of techniques Toyo had taught her to forge and repair Ordan’s tools and plows; Along with a stash of weapons that, should the need arise, the villagers could defend themselves with.

A little over a month after her arrival, Hide was preparing to retire for the night when she thought to summon Hakutaku and Sohaya. The two soon appeared, With Sohaya taking a similar humanoid form like Hakutaku to more comfortably fit within her home.

“Ah, Good to see you again my dear.” Hakutaku bleated. “How can we assist?”

Sohaya let out an amused snort at the goat spirit’s greeting. “Is it so difficult to believe she might simply want to speak with us? I am, after all, a rather engaging conversationalist.”

Hide couldn’t help the fond smile that came to her face. Gesturing to the small tea tray in front of her, she invited them to enjoy themselves in a manner that was impossible previously.

“The celestial spirit world is quite different to the one Sohaya and I knew.” Hakutaku supplied as he helped himself to a cup of tea.

“Indeed. However it is far from unpleasant. However, there are some…unique personalities among them.”

“You are referring to Aquarius, yes?”

Sohaya nodded, “among others. Though I fail to see what is so irksome about her contracted mage. Dropping our keys causes, as far as I’m aware, no discomfort on our part.”

“Perhaps she wishes for her mage to be more responsible?” Hakutaku supplied.

Sohaya raised an eyebrow. “There are less extreme ways of airing one’s grievances. A riding crop seems an overreaction on her part.”

Hide nearly spat out her mouthful of tea. A riding crop?! The thought of any of her spirits making their displeasure with her known through corporal punishment was hard to imagine. From what the two had explained, Other celestial mages formed contracts with spirits, what kind of advantage did Aquarius provide that her mage was willing to overlook such a thing?!

“Ah, that reminds me, the Spirit King informed everyone today that four new keys have begun to form. It’s likely that whatever, or whomever, brought us here has begun pulling through other guardian spirits from our world.”

Hide’s eyes grew wide at the revelation. How could such a thing be possible? She had released her spirits long ago, Why would they be following her, and why now?

“Spirit division is not so simple my dear. Did Saorise leave William when he shared her with you? Spirits may watch over multiple individuals at a time. When you released the others, you did not lose your connection with them. You merely relinquished your ability to communicate. The others never truly left you when they sought new charges. It is likely that just as a version of me watches over another back in Japan, the others have been called to this world.”

The information came as both a shock and relief to Hide. That she had not completely driven away her other spirits was of substantial comfort. But the fact that others may get their hands on her spirits keys, and potentially use them for ill, left a pit in her stomach.

Hide found new resolve, she would find her lost spirits, however many were called back to her, and she would not lose them again. Standing up, Hide began to gather her things. She would leave at dawn the next morning to set out on her search.

At first light, Hide had begun to set out when Silas came running after her. “Hey! Wait!” He called.

Hide turned to face the young farmhand, who approached with something wrapped in silk cloth in his arms.

“You’re not leaving for good are you?” He asked, his voice full of concern and the slightest bits of hurt. Hide shook her head, reaching into her Kosode and pulling out her two keys, then pointing at the road.

“You’re looking for more keys? Oh, you mean those rumors about new golden keys appearing in the spirit world are true?” Hide nodded. If rumors had begun circulating about the new keys, it was likely that the other spirits had told their contracted mages.

“Then, if you’re heading out to find them, we all want you to have this.” Silas presented her with the silk wrapped object. Taking it, Hide took a look at what the cloth concealed. Inside was an impossible sight.

Two katana, one slightly shorter than the other, and both a little less than the standard length sat inside. The cloth wrapping the hilts and the saya were both a bright white, with golden accents including the tsuba. On the Saya of each sword was the Kanji of her name, and the Toyotomi clan mon.

The swords had been a gift from Tokichiro following the clan’s founding after the battle of Anegawa, and had served her faithfully even after she cut ties with the Hideyoshi army. The blades had disappeared from her home 14 years before she received word of William’s passing.

Hide had thought they had been stolen. Instead, it seemed that whatever had sent her here had sent her blades first. “These are Ordan’s treasure. We found them 14 years ago in the forest, in a bed of red spider lilies. When I took them out to inspect them for rust, I saw the symbol you carved into the tree the day we met. They’re yours, aren’t they?”

Hide nodded in affirmation. “We had someone from the magic institute look at them. Whatever you had them made out of, it conducts magic unlike anything they’d ever seen.”

The blades were specially crafted by Toyo to conduct her onmyo magic. The blacksmith had gone through four iterations before she was satisfied.

“I don’t know how they got here, and I don’t think you do either. But if they’re yours, take them with you.”

Hide hesitated a moment, before accepting them with a bow. Nodding in thanks, Hide set out to the nearby town of Tulip to begin her search.

Chapter Text

Magnolia town, Kingdom of Fiore, August 26th, X784.

Lucy sat at on her bed, staring down at one of the golden keys that had been given to her as a reward for her help on Galuna Island. The only reward. Her mind corrected.

Master Makarov and Erza had outright refused the reward money, on the grounds that the request was technically not completed. The islanders were never cursed, and the moon was not destroyed. In reality, it was likely Makarov wanted to avoid rewarding Natsu’s theft of an S class quest.

The first key she had been given was known to her: Sagittarius, the archer. A spirit that had been dutiful and polite as she drafted their contract. The key itself was gold, like the zodiac keys, but lacked any astrological symbol associated with them.

Instead, the key held a silhouette of a peacock, its tail fan spread out behind it. The key itself held a feather like design, with blue gems across the shaft. Running a slight current of magic through it revealed it was a real spirit key, and one whose power matched that of the zodiac’s.

What puzzled her was the fact that none could Identify the key. The villagers of Galuna said they had found it in the box they kept Sagittarius’ key in the night before they arrived.

She had heard that there were new keys appearing in the world. And a conversation with Virgo had confirmed the rumors. Apparently, two new spirits manifested in the spirit world a month ago. But the spirit king asked them all to keep quiet about it, so as to avoid the lucky mage that had already claimed their keys being attacked.

The gag order had been lifted following the manifestation of four more spirits, now that it seemed likely that this sudden manifestation was not a one time occurrence. As the only celestial wizard in Fairy Tail, already her guildmates had provided her with rumors of one of the new key’s locations. Much like how any dragon rumors were passed on to Natsu.

The question she faced now was; Would she chase these rumors? Natsu had an energy and stamina that dwarfed hers, hindered only by his motion sickness. How he balanced getting money from jobs and searching for Igneel was beyond her.

In the end, she supposed that it was better to simply continue to live happily as a Fairy Tail mage and amateur novelist. Becoming famous or wealthy never held as much value to her as it did to her father. And as such, she would make a contract with this spirit.

Holding the key out in front of her, she found the Spirit’s name by running a current of her magic into the key. “Tengen Kujaku, Rainbow adorned peacock, Heed my call and step through thy gate. I summon thee, for the purpose of establishing a contract between summoner and spirit!”

As she finished her incantation, a tall man dressed in an iridescent green and blue Kimono and hakama appeared. Two peacock feather earrings hung from his ears, whilst three rings with blue, gold and red gems adorned his index middle and ring fingers on each hand. Striking golden eyes studied her as if estimating her value.

“Hmm.” The spirit said finally. “Not the summoner I was expecting. Hakutaku should know better than to make promises for her.” Lucy said nothing as the spirit looked around her home. “Hm. Rather homely if I do say so myself, if a little small.” The spirit turned to her, his expression shifting from interest to an annoyed frown.

“Well? You summoned me girl. Are you making a contract or here to gawk at my- ah, yes, that’s right, my feathers are not present at the moment.” Lucy snapped out of the daze she had found herself in. “That’s right, I’d like to form a contract with you and become your celestial mage.”  The spirit raised an eyebrow. “An interesting choice. And what, exactly, would a contract with you entail?”

“Are you able to fight?” She asked, falling into a rhythm familiar to her. “Willing, able, and quite capable.” Kujaku replied with pride. “Do you have any special skills?” “I hold a unique mastery of three elements of magic, and limited precognition.”

“Are there circumstances or days you can’t be summoned?” “Hardly. What sort of guardian spirit would I be if I couldn’t be summoned to assist consistently?” Lucy was taken aback. If Tengen Kujaku wasn’t lying about his abilities, then he was liable to be one of her most powerful spirits. No restrictions on his summoning beyond what he cost in her magic power? Three elemental magic types? Where was the catch?

“Now, that isn’t to say I don’t have conditions of my own. This is a contract after all.” Ah, there it is. She thought to herself. “The celestial spirit king made clear the rules I must abide by as a spirit when I was first brought to his world. I shan’t break them. Second, continue to strive for your ambitions, however banal you believe them to be. I refuse to serve one bound in complacency.”

“I’ll abide by those conditions. In exchange I will be able to summon you at whatever time or place I want?” “Hardly a difference from my last charge. But yes.” Lucy nodded, and stuck out her hand, ready to finalize the contract, only for the spirit to shake his head. “Not so fast. There is a third and final stipulation, and rather important one.”

Kujaku folded his arms. “Those under my protection are said to live rather eventful lives. And in my experience, this has been true. If such a life is not the one you want, I advise you abandon this contract.”

Lucy considered his warning. Already since joining Fairy Tail, she had had more excitement and danger than she would have imagined before she joined. But Fairy Tail was where she wanted to make her home, and it seemed an eventful life was the price for joining the guild.

A price she would pay gladly.

Sticking out her hand once more, she met Tengen Kujaku’s gaze with what she hoped was a look of determined resolve. The spirit looked at her outstretched hand for a moment, before a smile split his face. “Don’t disappoint me.”  With the contract complete, he disappeared in a flash of light.

Chapter Text

Tulip town, Kingdom of Fiore, August 28th, X784.

The town of Tulip was larger than Ordan, but not by much. What the town lacked in population however, it more than made up for in leads. Already several idle conversations between townsfolk were abuzz with the revelation of new celestial spirit keys, their worth, and which ones had been found.

“Heard there’s a mage out in Ordan who took out a bunch of dark mages with one of them new keys.” One burly man mentioned. “Jed told me about ‘er when he came to sell a few weeks ago.” Hide recognized the name. Jed was the owner of the wagon the village used to sell the excess of their harvests.

In truth, she wasn’t surprised by word of her deeds leaving the village. But she hoped that the whispers of her possession of new celestial keys would not lead to further trouble for Ordan. “That ain’t the only key s’been found, those Fairy Tail nutjobs are at it again, heard one of theirs has one of the new keys, managed to wipe out a nest of giant ants with that spirit alone.”

That got Hide’s attention. Fairy Tail was supposed to be the strongest mage guild in Fiore, though she had heard many of the villagers bemoan their lively nature resulted in more collateral damage than other guilds. “They’re harmless, really.” Silas had said when Hakutaku asked why such a guild was still allowed to operate.

“Sure, things do tend to get loud when Fairy Tail’s involved, but they foot the bill for repairs and if you need something taken care of pronto, Fairy Tail is your best bet.” Ever since Silas’ explanation of the guild system, Hide had kept Fairy Tail in mind.

Now, it seemed, Magnolia was her next stop.

Magnolia town, Kingdom of Fiore, September 1, X784.

The city of Magnolia was almost the complete opposite of Ordan. With its lively atmosphere and bright colors contrasting the quiet and lush green of the village she had made her home. In truth, it was almost a little overwhelming. The people eyed her blades with Idle curiosity, but none seemed to take issue with their presence. 

Turning the corner, she found the location of the Fairy Tail guild hall. The building stood tall and proud, with a squared design with emerald accents and pillars. Heavy bronze doors stood tall, but strangely not intimidating like those of Samurai Castles. The entire property had a warm, homely feeling about it.

Stepping inside, she found the guild hall abuzz with members checking a board with jobs placed upon it, engaging in idle conversation or drinking from frothy mugs. Several members bearing the guild’s mark took notice of her arrival, with some offering a friendly wave or brief nod. Standing behind the bar was a beautiful woman with white hair and a lacy red dress.

“Welcome!” She greeted cheerily as Hide approached. “How may I help you?” Hide paused, her tongue failing her at a simple question. Hide had spent the last month attempting to speak to others more, under the guise of learning their language. But it seemed her lips had been disconnected from her brain.

The white haired woman tilted her head quizzically as Hide attempted to will herself to speak before her eyes widened slightly with realization. “Oh! I’m so sorry, do you have trouble speaking?” Hide gave a sheepish nod, before miming the act of writing. “Of course, let me get a light pen!”

Borrowing a cylindrical instrument from a rotund man painting near the bar, the woman held it out to Hide. “Just write in the air with it after pressing the button on the side!” Pressing the aforementioned button, Hide began to write out her response.

‘Hello. I was hoping I could speak to one of your mages. A celestial wizard whom I heard obtained one of the new Celestial keys. ’ The barmaid had a flash of concern cross her features, but remained friendly. “Are you trying to request her specifically for a job, or are you hoping to obtain the key?” Hide thought over the question.

Truthfully, while she would love to have all the guardian spirits pulled from her world back with her, if any had chosen to serve the Fairy Tail mage, who was she to demand them back? Likely, she would speak to this mage and her former spirit before taking any action.

I posses two new keys as well, and was hoping to speak to her about the spirit contained within hers. She replied. The concern seemed to fade from the Barmaid’s features as she read the reply. “Truly? Would you mind speaking to our guild master?” Hide nodded, and followed Mirajane up the steps to a second story.

“Master, This mage says she’s found two of the new spirit keys, and wants to talk to our celestial mage.” A diminutive old man, sat behind a simple desk, looked up from his papers. “Oh? Well, come on in.” Hide stepped into the office, with the barmaid closing the door behind her.

“Now then, you say you’ve found a pair of the 4 new keys?” He asked. Hide nodded, pulling Hakutaku and Sohaya’s keys from her Kosode and handing them to the wisened mage. “Hmm. Judging by their look and feel, they’re the real thing. But what are you hoping to gain from speaking with the owner of the third key?”

Hide faltered. Merely asking to speak to this mage would likely only increase any suspicion of her. But what could she say? That the spirit originally belonged to her? That would require telling them…everything.

“As long as you have no ill intentions toward my guild or its members, I’ll keep an open mind my dear.” The old man said kindly. With great trepidation, she summoned Hakutaku. “Show him.” She whispered. The old goat spirit’s eyes widened at her command. “Everything?” He asked.

“Everything.”

Chapter Text

Fairy Tail guild hall, Kingdom of Fiore, September 1st, x784.

Makarov waited expectantly, staring at the  horned man stood in front of him, similar in age to himself. He assumed this was one of the new celestial spirits. “Hide’s story is a long one my friend. I can share her memories with you, allow you to view them. But believe me, it is not a happy tale.” The spirit warned.

By now, Makarov was morbidly curious. What was this girl’s story, that she was so reluctant to share? He was no stranger to tragedy. Many of his children in Fairy Tail had less than happy origins. He could bear to hear another.

“I’m no stranger to tragic tales. Many in this guild have tragedies in their pasts. I am prepared to hear yours.”

The spirit nodded and offered his hand. “When you are ready.”

Taking his hand, Makarov felt a pulling sensation as his vision and surroundings melted away.

Shadows danced across a canvas that seemed stretched across his vision, depicting a child, knelt over the body of their mother.

My mother was killed in front of me. A woman’s voice narrated. And I was left alone. During my early days bereft of her love and company, I had found others, people who would take me in.

The scene shifted to show the child being led into a small home by a man and woman, only for the couple’s images to shift, appearing to shout and chase the child from the home.

But it wouldn’t last…I was a Shiftling. A creature born of man and Yokai. And as such both worlds were inaccessible to me. My only comfort, was the first of my guardian spirits .

The Silhouette of Hide slowly revealed golden glowing horns, like those of a reindeer, protruding from her head. Eerie blue eyes leaked tears as she ran from the shouting couple, accompanied by a floating shark.

For years I would remain a recluse, earning a meager living isolated in the woods, slaying Yokai.

Until I met him…

The scene changed once again, The silhouette of a man appeared, holding a glowing stone, with a monkey at his feet.

Tokichiro was a merchant, who longed to rise to have his own castle and lands. He bid me to join him, to rise above slaying Yokai and living out my days in the woods.

He and I became inseparable. Working under a daimyo known as Saito Dosan. A man, whom I would come to find out only at the time of his death, was my father. He was slain by the forces of his own daughter.

Fleeing the province, Tokichiro and I would enter into the service of an ambitious visionary. Oda Nobunaga. With his support, though we were of lowly birth, he made Samurai, and within his court we worked to realize his dream of reunifying our home.

Another man, with a fan in hand, stood over the bowed figures of Hide and Tokichiro, a peacock and panther at his side.

The scene shifted again, Hide, Tokichiro and several others sat around a table, laughing, enjoying themselves.

Under Lord Nobunaga, I found companions and a sense of belonging I had never known before. Friendships, Comrades, People who accepted my Yokai blood, and looked upon me without fear. Eventually, Tokichiro and I would come to share a name: Hideyoshi.

Along the way many would come to share their guardian spirits with me. Their fears, their ambitions, the principles they followed.

A menagerie of animals, flanked by individuals bearing similar colors to their silhouettes, flashed by. An eyepatch wearing man, and a wolf, A woman with a nine tailed fox, a man with an old matchlock rifle, paired with a three legged crow.

With lord Nobunaga’s help, I stormed the castle of my sister, and defeated her. Only for my Mother’s murderer to emerge from her, killing her.

An armored figure writhed in agony before collapsing, a man holding a staff rising from her body.

This man was the one fanning the flames of war. And he would continue to pull the strings, corrupting Tokichiro, and forcing me to strike him down after he helped plan Lord Nobunaga’s assasination. It would fall to me to restore a legendary blade, the sohayamaru, and destroy the demon once and for all.

The man with the staff transformed into a towering figure, carrying three swords. Hide faces the monster down with a golden sword, seven branches adorning its blade.

The blade would transport me through time, to visit its previous wielders, and eventually see to its own creation. With the blade in hand I fulfilled its ultimate purpose, and the sword lost its golden light.

But bearing the blade comes with its own cost. Already slow to age from my potent yokai blood, the youth granting sword forced me to watch as my friends and loved ones slowly died, one by one. Without purpose, without connection to the world that had moved on without me, I sought to rejoin my loved ones.

But something pulled me here, when I attempted to leave to the other side. For what purpose, I’ve yet to discern. But I will not allow the spirits that once guarded those I loved to fall into the wrong hands.

Makarov blinked as the vision faded, staring bewildered at the woman across from him. This girl, who looked no older than twenty, whose eyes carried a weariness that betrayed her youthful features.

“You weren’t lying my dear. The life you’ve led has been far from kind to you.” He said quietly. “But, I think I understand now. These new spirits are from your world, yes? And you are trying to reclaim them?”

“Or, make sure the ones they serve will treat them well, and not use them to harm the innocent.” Hakutaku added.

Makarov sat back in his chair. At the very least, while excellent in battle, and a frightening opponent, she didn’t wish harm upon him or his children. That had earned her his trust. “The mage you are looking for is named Lucy, And in my opinion, you have nothing to worry about. She’s away on a job at the moment, but she’ll be returning soon. If you’d like, I can tell her you were asking after her when she returns.”

“Thank you.” She whispered.

Makarov shook his head. “No thanks needed. If you ever find yourself in need of a place to go, Fairy Tail will always have room for you.”

Hide smiled, and made to leave, with Hakutaku vanishing back to the spirit world.

Chapter Text

Fairy Tail guild hall, Kingdom of Fiore, September 2nd, x784.

Hide stared at the ruined guild hall, black Iron pillars jutted out at random angles, windows were smashed, and special care was taken to deface the guild’s flag. Ominously, a symbol was scratched into the bronze doors. An eye with a spiraling tail.

The sound of the attack on the guild hall had woken Hide, and when she had rushed out of the Inn nearby she had found a man with a wild mane of black hair stood in front of the vandalized building. Evidently admiring his handiwork.

“If you ask me, the place looks a lot better now with Phantom’s mark instead of that stupid fairy.” The man chuckled darkly, Turning to face Hide. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Hide narrowed her eyes, the mark on his shoulder was the same as the one on the door.

What she didn’t know was whether the guild he belonged to was a legal guild or not. If he belonged to a dark guild, there would be no legal repercussions for gutting him like a fish. On the other hand, he had destroyed another guild’s property, and while she likely couldn’t kill him, she could turn him in.

“What’s that look for? Don’t tell me you’re one of the losers who gets jobs from this dump. I don’t see their mark on you anywhere.”

Hide uncrossed her arms, resting one hand on one of her blades, indicating her rapidly dwindling patience. The mage seemed to get the message, placing his hands up placatingly.

“Fine, not my buisness.” He chuckled. “But tell those Fairy Tail losers Phantom Lord says hello.” Before she could make a move to stop him, the man jumped with inhuman strength and disappeared into the night.

Eventually, a group of townspeople, led by Makarov, came running up to the guild hall. There were several gasps and swears as guild members and townsfolk alike saw the state of their guild hall. Several angry glares were thrown her way. “Who did this?” Makarov asked calmly. “Did you see them?”

Hide nodded, and pointed to the symbol scratched on the doors.

“Those bastards!” A man with blue hair roared.

“What the hell is their problem?!” Another snarled.

“Gramps, we’re not letting them get away with this right?!” A woman carrying a card deck asked as she shuffled through them angrily.

Makarov looked at the trashed building and sighed. “Unfortunately, mere destruction of property is not enough justification for Fairy Tail to go to war with Phantom Lord. Even if it wasn’t forbidden by the magic council, I would not do so.”

Several of the gathered mages looked as if they wanted to argue, but wisely chose not to. “If all those pansies at Phantom Lord can manage is petty acts like this, we’ll show them we’re above their taunts.” The master continued. “For now, we’ll use the basement until repairs have been completed.”

As the gathered crowd dispersed, Makarov turned to Hide. “Don’t feel too bad about not being able to catch the one who did this my dear. It wasn’t your responsibility, and it’s not your fight. I received word that the member of the guild you wished to speak with will be returning by midday, I suggest you go back to your lodgings and get some rest.”

A few hours later, in the Guild Hall Basement.

Hide was descending the guild hall’s steps when she caught sight of a group of mages she hadn’t seen yesterday. “Hm? Ah, Hide! Good t’ shee ya!” The wisened guild master greeted drunkenly. “Lucy, thish is Hide, she’s a celestial wizard like you, n’ she wants to talk about yer new shpirit!”

A young woman turned to face Hide, a certain unease spreading across her features. “Uhm. Hi?”

Hide bowed in response, and pulled out Hakutaku and Sohaya’s keys.

“She’s got two of the new keys.” Makarov supplied. “Turnsh out there’s six of ‘em. Go upstairs an’ summon the goat man, he’ll explain. Natsu, you n’ the othersh shtay here, M’ not done talking to you.”

The group did as instructed, With Hide and Lucy Taking themselves upstairs to the destroyed guild hall.

Hide summoned Hakutaku to act as her voice. “Ah, hello there!” The spirit greeted. “You must be Lucy. A pleasure to meet you!”

Lucy stared at the spirit for a moment. If she wanted to explain, why had she summoned this spirit?

“I believe she wishes to speak to me in particular.” Tengen Kujaku announced as he stepped out of his own gate.

“What the- you can summon yourself?!” Lucy squawked, caught off guard by the spirits sudden arrival.

“Many spirits can. They choose not to due to the effort required.”

“But how did you know we were talking?”

“The overgrown salamander was talking to me in the spirit world. When the old goat got summoned, I figured our little shiftling showed up.”

Hakutaku winced and Hide stiffened at the mention of what she was.

“Well, you’ve found me. Here to ask me back are you?” He asked. Hide flinched at his harsh tone but said nothing.

“Well, you’ve come all this way. Why the sudden interest after all these years?”

“Tengen, she-“

“Do not continue speaking for her, you old goat! She’s a big girl, let her use her own tongue!”

Hide wanted to speak, to apologize for shutting her spirits out in her grief, to let the mercurial peacock know that if he was happy, she would let him serve a new master in peace. But as she struggled to move her lips, to even vocalize, her lack of response only seemed to agitate him further.

“The silent treatment it is then.” He hissed. “A tried and true method for you, it seems.”

Tengen paused as a firm hand was placed on his shoulder. Hakutaku stared him down with a hardness in his eyes the peacock hadn’t seen in almost a century.

“That’s quite enough.” He said firmly, his eyes narrowed and cold. “If all you’ve to say to her are insults, then this conversation is pointless. It seems you’ve found a master you much prefer if you’ve formed a contract.” 

“Another stunning demonstration of your reputed intellect.” Tengen growled, earning him an eye roll from the older spirit and another hand on his shoulder from Lucy.

“That’s enough Tengen. She was looking for you, so whatever happened between you two at least let her try to talk!”

Tengen gave a derisive snort. “I’m sorry to say but speech is one of the few things she lacks any skill in”

“Goodbye, Kujaku.” Hakutaku interrupted, motioning for Hide to follow him out of the ruined guild hall.

“I’d be worried if I were you.” Tengen called out. “If she loses a teacher, then what use does she have for you?” Hide stopped in her tracks in disbelief, as did Hakutaku.

The tension in the room was thick, Tengen Kujaku had overstepped and Lucy knew it. As she made to close Kujaku’s gate before either Hide or Hakutaku could attack him, a large white dragon sprang from the ether, looming over Tengen Kujaku with eyes that promised murder.

“You will survive an insult like that exactly ONCE, you petulant. iridescent. fowl.” Sohaya growled. Green tinged steam escaping between tightly clenched teeth.

“Sohaya.” A new voice called. Lucy turned to see Hide beckon the dragon, a terrible sadness in her eyes as she bowed to the assembled Fairy Tail mages. “I’m truly sorry.” She said quietly, before turning on her heel and walking out of the guild hall.

Chapter Text

Lucy Heartfilla’s apartment, Magnolia Town, Kingdom of Fiore, September 2nd, X784.

"No way, You're serious?!" Natsu squawked.

Lucy nodded in affirmation

"I wanted to tell you as soon as she left, but you'd left the guild hall You weren't at your house either." Though the reason for that had quickly become apparent when she'd opened her door to see three unexpected visitors.

Natsu leapt to his feet, making for the door.

"Natsu! you're not going out there alone this late!" Erza scolded.

The fire dragon slayer, though normally quick to obey her commands, did not relent. "Not tonight Erza! A real dragon, right here in magnolia! I'm not missin' this chance!" 

Gray stood from his seat at Lucy's desk, blocking Natsu's path. "Damn it pyro, listen to us! There's no way she's left town already! We'll look for her first thing in the morning." the ice mage growled.

"And besides, if that dragon of hers was a spirit he might not even know where igneel is!"

"why wouldn't he? He's a dragon like igneel ain't he?" Natsu asked.

"Lucy said he was a dragon SPIRIT. Try using your ears for once!"

"I'd rather use my fists!" Natsu growled, attempting to throw a punch that was swiftly blocked by Erza.

The fire dragon slayer paled and backed away, evidently remembering his fear of the swordswoman. 

"Gray isn't wrong Natsu." Lucy reprimanded. "While there's a chance he may know what happened to Igneel, there's no way of knowing for sure. It's better if we talk to her when it's safe."

Erza put a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "She's right. We'll wake before dawn and wait at the town exits, but there's no point in inviting another attack from phantom."

Natsu bristled at the mention of the rival guild's name. "What the hell are all of you so scared of?! If what gramps said was true then it was just one of those dilweeds!"

"No one's scared, we just don't want Fairy Tail to get disbanded!" Gray argued.

Lucy felt a surge of panic at the thought. Fairy Tail had quickly become a second home for her. The thought of it being disbanded made her ill.

"Disbanded?" She asked fearfully "Why?" 

Erza gave a sigh as Natsu reluctantly sat down. "Conflict between guilds is forbidden by the magic council. Any disputes between guilds have to be settled through them. If Fairy Tail were to go to war with Phantom Lord, it's unlikely either guild would survive it."

"Much as we hate to admit it, Phantom isn't that far behind us strength wise." Gray added.

Natsu gave a derisive snort. "You guys are delusional. We'd crush phantom any day. Hell, even some of our weaker guys could take most of 'em."

Magnolia Town streets, Kingdom of Fiore, September 2nd, X784.

Sleep would elude Hide tonight.

The darkened streets of Magnolia were quiet, and left Hide alone with her thoughts. She had been sat against a wall, curled into herself since the sun had set. Sohaya had summoned himself earlier, still raging over Tengen Kujaku’s parting jab. But had made himself scarce to calm himself when he saw his anger was not helping her dejection.

Truthfully, she had expected anger from Tengen Kujaku. He was the first spirit to part with her, but looking back, Hide realized that she had done more to drive him away than she realized or intended. Following the loss of Sohayamaru’s glow, Hide continued to hunt yokai that were either innately harmful to humanity or let their bitterness consume them for a time. But as the country stabilized, the Tokugawa shogunate establishing newfound order and peace, Yokai began to withdraw from the world.

Koroku’s death and the mass corruption of many of its members had decimated the Kawanami clan, a clan made up of mostly shiftlings and Yokai. And following the siege of Osaka and the destruction of the Toyotomi, the clan had dissolved entirely, with most joining other clans like the Oda or Date. Efforts by Hide to revive the Kawakami were met with failure, though she had the trust of Lord Ieyasu, many clans who had fought the Toyotomi under his leadership would resent the revival of one of their subservient clans.

Building a clan of her own of Shiftlings and Yokai was also out of the equation. Lord Ieyasu was understandibly weary of foreign nations taking an interest in Japan. And having a clan known for their supernatural members would have rendered his efforts to conceal the existence of the spirit stones moot. Why would one story be false if the other was plainly true?

With the loss of her best chance of realizing her parents dream, and unwilling to fall into the same trap of the spirit stones so many had before her, Hide quietly resigned herself to a life of quiet solitude. Lord Ieyasu, in recognition of her service that could never be officially acknowledged, had allowed her to leave back to Mino. She remembered Tengen’s surprise when she released him. Looking back, she realized how much it must have hurt.

How could she have missed it? How her spirits must have felt they were slowly cast aside, only clung to because they were the last connection to people she’d lost, then discarded when the memories became too painful. When did she begin to look at them and only see those she’d lost? How could she have turned away from her only remaining companions in her grief?

Looking back, it was little wonder they all began to seek others to bond with, when one by one she severed her ability to commune with them. Though she knew it was a selfish thought, she wondered if she was ever worthy of their companionship at all.

Another matter entirely was her inability to speak. Why? What made her tongue feel like stone in her mouth when someone engaged her in conversation? She supposed it shouldn’t bother her as much as it did. What could be gained from conversation with her? The best methods for killing an Enki? How to avoid a Nure-onna’s paralytic gaze? Perhaps she could tell them about her failures, she thought bitterly. Her failure to keep Tokichiro from falling to darkness, Her failure to save Yoshitsune from his historical fate, Her failure to save lord Nobunaga. Her failure to make her parents dream a reality…

The sound of a pained cry brought her abruptly out of her thoughts. More concerning was the smell of adrenaline and Iron. A scent that had eminated from the man who had destroyed Fairy Tail's guild hall. Turning the corner, she found him, having just finished pinning three people to a large tree in a park. The mark of Phantom Lord freshly painted on the woman's stomach.

They had been beaten badly, and judging by the location of their injuries, they had been ambushed. Hide turned her furious gaze to the Phantom Lord mage, who turned at the sound of her drawing her blades. "I wouldn't do that." he taunted. "When you draw those sticks of yours all I feel is hungry." 

Hide pulled a set of Onmyo talismans from her kosode, casting two of them at her feet. A steel decree, to reduce any damage the mage managed to inflict, and a barrier talisman, that would allow her to fight longer without exhausting herself.

As soon as she finished casting her talismans, The phantom mage lunged. One of his arms morphing into a pole of black iron. Hide crossed her swords, blocking the strike. Earning a look of annoyance from her opponent. "Hmph, Those things are stronger than they look. Guess they're not just for show, huh?" Hide did not grace him with a reply, Instead forcing him backwards as she tried to cut at his chest and neck. 

Unfortunately, the iron he transformed himself with proved just as sturdy as the real thing, only scratching it's surface. With a frustrated growl, Hide pulled back, throwing another Onmyo talisman outward as it transformed into a glowing blue ball that, upon colliding with him, thuroughly soaked the phantom mage. Sending him stumbling backward, sputtering and coughing.

The two began to exchange blows, with Hide beginning to push the Iron mage onto the back foot. Swatting away one of his pole arms as he swung, Hide sent one of her blades straight for his jugular. A sure hit that would have seriously injured, if not outright killed her opponent. Instead, to her shock, the blade stopped cold against his now gray skin. Scales of iron coated the mage as he sent a devestating punch into her gut. 

"Right for my throat! I like it!" He cackled as she stumbled back. "But fancy swords and water aren't going to do you much good. What're ya hoping to do? Rust my iron?" Hide pulled out Hakutaku's key, Summoning her faithful spirit. "Oh, a celestial wizard to boot. But what's the old man gonna do that those swords can't?" 

"On my own? Likely not much." The old spirit replied calmly. "But it looks like you are quite wet. With water that came from an Onmyo spell of hers unless I miss my guess." Hakutaku raised his hand, which crackled with lightning ominously. "And you are currently covered in scales of Iron, yes?" 

The phantom mage's smirk quickly disappeared as he put the pieces together. The scent of ozone filled the air as he screamed, Hakutaku having loosed his lightning. Even after the lightning engulfing him faded, his ears rang and his vision spun. Hide gave him no time to recover, instead bringing a fierce slash aimed at his face that he only barely managed to deflect. Unexpectedly, His scales did not protect him as the tip of the sword cut through, leaving an even cut across the bridge of his nose.

Before she could follow up however, The mage blasted a ferocious vortex of wind and iron shavings her way, disorienting her enough that he was able to slip away.

Instead of pursuing, Hide turned her attention to the injured figures pinned to the tree. Likely mages of Fairy Tail. Summoning Sohaya, she had the dragon rip off the metal bindings and gently carried each mage down. With her spirit's help, Hide transported the injured mages to the nearest hospital, waking a horrified doctor with her forceful knocks on the door of his clinic.

For the rest of that evening, Hide scoured Magnolia for traces of the Phantom mage, but even afflicted by the lingering effects of her magic, he left little trace. 

Magnolia Hospital, Kingdom of Fiore, September 3rd, X784.

Makarov had rushed over as soon as the doctor had called. Levy, Jet and Droy had been delivered to the hospital late last night, by a celestial spirit mage, whose spirit had informed him of the ones responsible behind the attack. Though the doctor had not gotten her name before she left, Makarov knew exactly who had saved his children the humiliation of being put on display as a public taunt to Fairy Tail. 

Now, Many of Fairy Tail's members stood behind him, gathered around their friends. "Gramps..." Natsu hissed, his fists shaking with incandescent rage. "I know Natsu.." he replied quietly. The staff in his iron grip snapped. "I'm willing to look past the guild hall. But for this...If Phantom wants a war so bad, we'll give them war!"

Chapter Text

Fairy Tail guild hall, Kingdom of Fiore, September 3, X784.

“I wanted to thank you for your help last night.” Hide looked down at the diminutive master of Fairy Tail. Whom had sought her out following his declaration of war. “Unfortunately, I’ve also come to ask something of you I have no right to.” He explained.

Hide was taken aback by the question, arching an eyebrow in unspoken askance. Makarov sighed in response. “I don’t think Phantom has showed us their whole hand yet. I don’t trust the bastards to try something while we’re attacking them. As such, I would appreciate it if you stayed in Magnolia a while longer, in case they should strike again.”

Hide considered the request. Truthfully, beyond a few extra nights at the inn, complying would cost her nothing. The people of Magnolia had proven hospitable, and another sneak attack seemed well within the rival guild’s character. With little hesitation, Hide nodded in agreement.

“Thank you.” Makarov said quietly. “I’m all likelihood this is just Jose’s pettiness boiling over, but I can’t help but feel that’s not the whole story.” Makarov shook his head and sighed. “In any case, thank you.” “Hey gramps! What’s the holdup!? Are we kicking Phantom’s ass or not?!” Natsu called out.

“I’m coming, keep your shirt on! And Gray! put yours back on!” The wizened wizard barked back.

Several hours later…

The rain had come suddenly, and with none of the prior signs that usually preceded it. Fortunately, being out in the rain bothered Hide little. The sound was pleasing to her ears and the scent of petrichor was quite soothing.

What worried her was how the raindrops felt. They were thicker than normal rain, and the water itself carried a faint whiff of a similar scent to her water onmyo.

Turning a corner, she found the cause for her concern. Lucy was being accosted by two mages, and was trapped by a large bubble of water. Hide leapt into action, bringing her swords down on the woman holding Lucy in the bubble.

Her blades, though they cut into the woman’s back, passed through just as quickly as brushing them through a lake. There was no resistance to her flesh. Hide watched in shock as the woman’s body pulled itself back together, as if she were made of water.

“My, my Juvia! That would have been the end of you if it weren’t for your unique constitution!” The man chuckled, his voice accented in a manner unfamiliar to Hide. “Blades can’t hurt Juvia. Juvia had no reason to dodge.” The woman replied tonelessly. “Ah, were we all so resilient!” Her partner crooned before turning to Hide. “ Salut Mademoiselle!”

The man bent in an awkward manner, swaying as though his spine stopped at his waist. “A pleasure to meet you! I am Monsieur Sol! A member of the illustrious Element 4 of Phantom Lord!”

Hide narrowed her eyes, sheathing her blades, she drew Hakutaku’s key with one hand, and fired off a lightning shot talisman with the other at Juvia. Evidently, her theory about how the water woman’s body would react to Lightning had merit, as now she moved to dodge the attack.

As she made to summon Hakutaku however, the other Phantom mage sprouted from the ground, horrifically coiling his body around her arm. “ Non non non !” He chided. “From what I can see of your memories, that’s the spirit that fried poor gajeel last night! I don’t think Juvia here would like to meet him.”

Hide reeled from Sol’s words. The implication that he was actively reading her memories from physical contact with her sent a shiver down her spine. With her other arm, she brought out a lightning shikigami talisman. The sight of one of the paper slips enough for the Phantom mage to release his grip.

“A clever way to make me release you mademoiselle !” Sol congratulated. “But I’m afraid your impression of how I read memories is lacking.” Hide narrowed her eyes, charging at the man with her blades even as he continued his explanation, coiling and twisting unnaturally to dodge her strikes. “You see, I can read your memories of everything that came before you breaking contact with me!”

Hide’s frustration continued to mount as Sol seemed to dedicate all of his energy to dodging her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lucy being taken by the water woman. When she tried to fire a lightning shot after her, a wall of earth emerged from the street to block it.

“My, my. You must have a good memory, it’s more like a phone book than a novel up there!” The earth mage exclaimed, twisting his mustache. “Either that, or, forgive my saying my dear, you’re older than you look. ” The meaning behind the taunt was clear. Her secrets and past were available to him, and he did not intend to use them solely to aid him in the fight.

Hide lunged once more, sending lightning shikigami to surround him. Without space to maneuver, Sol looked briefly panicked, only for his smile to return, only much crueler. Hide’s blades stopped short of their target as a stone statue stood in front of her in the form of Tengen Kujaku’s human form. His features set in a permanent glare.

“ je suis vraiment désolé !” Sol exclaimed. “I thought to give you the gift of a familiar face! But looking back a little further, your last meeting wasn’t very friendly, was it?” Hide clenched her fists and jaw as she smashed the rocky figure in order to continue her assault.

“Ah, and he was hardly being fair!” The earth wizard continued, continuing to sink into the ground at random intervals, only to emerge elsewhere and sent fists of plaster toward Hide whenever she tried to summon her spirits or cast an Onmyo talisman. “Lambasting you for your silence! If only he could have known, you haven’t had a full conversation in…goodness, it has been a while hasn’t it?”

Hide snarled as she cut apart another earthen fist. Taunts had not worked on her previously, but the infuriating slime knew her memories, and which buttons to push.

Another swing for the man’s neck led to another statue appearing in front of her. William, as he had been the last time she had seen him in person, aging and worn, but his eyes kind. “Ah! I do seem to just be making it worse, don’t I?! Only recently informed of his passing! How cruel to you the passage of time is!”

Time and again he erected statues of those she’d lost, all the while wearing her down. Mumyo, Lords Nobunaga, Honda, Date and Ieyasu, her mother, Her father Dosan, Tenkai, Koroku, even her spirits. The statues grew in number. Meanwhile Sol gleefully espoused his false sympathies.

The building rage she had felt had nearly reached a breaking point when he produced his last statue. “ Voilà! A true masterpiece!” Sol exclaimed. There before her was Tokichiro, as he was the day they first met, young, disheveled, and poor, but with bright dreams and ambitions, and the will to see them through. “Yes, I would much prefer to remember him like this too.” Sol taunted. “But that’s not how he stayed was it?”

Another statue appeared, this time depicting him in his full regent regalia, dark horns and ashen gray skin accompanying a scowl that did not belong on his face. “It’s such a shame, that you were the one to kill him. Maybe if you had stayed by his side, rather than running off when his ambition began to swallow his kindness, you wouldn’t have needed to?”

The statement snapped whatever remaining patience she had. With frightening speed, she grabbed hold of the Mage’s neck, her muscles tensed as she prepared to crush his windpipe. Only for the phantom mage to raise a hand to her face. “ Merci la vie! ” He cried.

Pain erupted in every corner of her body. It felt like every wound she received in her lifetime had re-opened, whilst the voices of countless, friend and foe alike, spoke within her head. She could feel her legs tensing as they lost sensation, becoming encased in stone.

The world shifted from magnolia’s streets to a dark cave. A cave, she realized, that was the lair of the corrupted Yatsu-no-Kami she had fought in the viper’s sanctum. Watching sadly as the giant snake yokai slowly dissolved, she realized she was viewing her own memories. She turned at the sound of stone scraping against stone. A wounded Saito Dosan emerged from a secret passage, evidently the battle against his Daughter’s forces had not gone well.

Hide watched through her own eyes as she approached. “Who…are you?” He asked.

Hide had taken the question literally at the time, and, upon reliving the memory, only now did she realize what he had meant. The sight of the dagger he had gifted to his infant daughter, inscribed with her name, left Dosan shocked. A surprise Hide soon shared after he performed spirit division, revealing himself to be none other than her father.

Hide felt the emotions she experienced at the moment all over again. Elation at the revelation she had not lost the entirety of her family, confusion as to what caused his separation from her mother. Even a slight amount of hurt that he had taken so long to recognize her.

“Hide…my daughter…I-“ Dosan was cut off as the corrupted soldiers of Yoshitatsu broke through the doors, stalking toward the two. Dosan nodded toward the secret passage he had came from, and Hide resigned herself to witness what she knew was coming.

Though the two’s pace was far from slow, Dosan must have realized that slowing down his daughter would be the death of them both, and so, when the passage was just close enough, he shoved her through and pressed the button to close the door.

The sense of shock and desperation made Hide’s heart Twist as she turned around, ready to try and pull her father through the rapidly closing gap. “Don’t!” He barked. “Get the hell out of Mino! Go to the Oda in Owari!”

Hide watched as she pounded uselessly against the stone. Her father, found alive, was now sacrificing himself to save her just after being reunited. A fate she initially refused to accept. Though exhausted from battle, she would likely fare better than a wounded man.

“GO!” Her father barked, and, reluctantly, she obeyed.

The memory soon dissolved into another, this time, she found herself on the shores of Lake Biwa. Tokichiro sat crouched near the lake, skipping stones across the waters. “This…is where our castle will stand. The first castle of the Hashiba clan.” The mention of the first name of the clan they had founded together as Hideyoshi had been forgotten by Hide.

“A great victory, no? Thanks to the power of the spirit stones.” Despite the listing of their great accomplishment, There was no pride or mirth in his voice. “But…the children don’t triumph in this age of war…the peasants, like we used to be…they don’t either. Is this what old red-eyes meant? Is this the price of my dream?”

Looking back, Hide could only curse her silent nature for being able to offer no words of comfort. She had thought at the time he needed her silence, an encouraging presence offering the pillar of strength to support his dreams, and bear the weight of his lamentations without complaint.

Tokichiro recoiled suddenly from gazing into the spirit stone he was holding. What ge had seen in its glow was still unknown to her, but it had unsettled him greatly. “Damn it…” he cursed. “Funny…funny isn’t it?” He muttered. “Isn’t it?!” He asked again, turning to face her.

Tears sat in his eyes, the depths of his despair making itself known. “We’re no closer to ending this war, are we?! I’ll probably be dead and buried before it ends. Nice and happy in a castle while the children lose their homes and lives…and what about you? You haven’t aged a day…have I cursed you too? Do you even know how I feel?”

Hide could provide no answer. It was true, Her struggles were different. She wondered if she would ever be able to find a purpose beyond killing, beyond strength as a warrior. Was she truly a person or a mere weapon? An attack dog unleashed upon whoever got in the way of Lord Nobunaga. But she kept these concerns to herself. For what use were her concerns when her friend was struggling?

The world shifted again, this time to the aftermath of the battle of Ishiyama Honganji. Hanbei’s funeral was being conducted, with most of the Kawakami and the newly formed Hashiba clans’ senior members in attendance. Conspicuously absent, however, was the other half of the Hideyoshi pair.

That day was the beginning of when Hide felt the life she had killed and bled for began to fall apart. Piece by piece the foundations of the life the two had built for themselves began to crumble with their friendship. Tokichiro grew ever more distant as they fought with the Akechi clan for their treachery.

On and on Hide watched as she was forced to relive the most painful moments of her life, her first fight with Tokichiro, his killing her after being possessed by Otakemaru, her final battle with him, the loss of her spirits, her resentment toward the youth granting powers of the Sohayamaru…

Hide felt her rage build as she watched her memories, the memories this mage had no right to, the memories that haunted her for decades that he had weaponized. It was unforgivable.

Unforgivable….

UNFORGIVABLE

UNFORGIVABLE

Sol watched with amusement as the petrified form of Hide sat immobile. Truly, what a treasure trove of memories! He had never felt such delight casting Merci le vie. That was to say nothing of the memories themselves.

The sword that made her so long lived, and the land she had come from would likely be of great interest to Master Jose. Sol contemplated the implications. He began searching her memories, trying to find the location of the blade.

An ominous cracking sound came from the petrified Hide, snapping Sol out of his search. The stone she was encased in was impossible to break from the inside, to his knowledge. But clear as day, a large crack had emerged across her torso.

The crack grew, splintering the stone further before it all crumbled away; Leaving Hide to drop to the ground, exhausted by the effort. “Bravo!” Sol exclaimed. “A truly impressive feat to break my spell like that! Unfortunately, it seems to have exhausted you.” Hide glared hatefully at the phantom mage, pulling out Sohaya’s key, she twisted it before sol could stop her.

Sohaya appeared, his murderous glare sending a chill down Sol’s spine. Nevertheless, the mage was confident, he had beaten many celestial spirits before. “You have made a grave error in judgement.” The dragon rumbled. “And so, you will know suffering.” Suddenly, the dragon turned to his charge, flying into her.

Instead of colliding with his mage, the dragon disappeared into her chest. Purple miasma began to well up around her, magic energy began to surge as she began to undergo a transformation unlike any he had seen before. Her already pale skin grew more ashen, white fur began to grow across her body with Whiskers sprouting on her cheeks.

Her canines grew in length and sharpened, her nails turning into claws. A pair of golden reindeer horns sprouted from her head as her hair grew to her lower back, its appearance growing more wild. 

Sol stepped back fearfully. Whatever she had done, it wasn’t any magic he had ever seen. Hide stood from her crouch, a feral growl escaping from her throat. Her eyes an eerie blue with slit pupils. Two daggers made of blue crystal materialized in her hands. With a frightening snarl, she lunged.

Unlike the precise, speedy strikes sol had managed to dodge earlier, it took every bit of concentration he had to avoid the most lethal of strikes that came at him with the wild fury of a predatory animal rather than a disciplined warrior.

Sharp pain erupted in his left shoulder as one of her daggers slipped through his defense. Several more deep cuts followed. He was quickly running out of magic power as the sheer ferocity of her assault wore him down. Soon it became clear, the mage, no, monster was not fighting him to incapacitate, but to kill.

“ attends, s'il te plaît! I’m sorry! I will trouble you no longer!” He begged, his clothing now in tatters and his monocle shattered. “Do not kill me! I beg of you! I surrender!” The monstrous being before him stopped its assault, pinning him to the ground with a dagger to his throat, snarling all the while.

“Do not kill me, and I will tell you where the girl is being taken!” He begged. “The phantom lord headquarters, on the outskirts of Lily town! Not far from our guild hall!” The beastial mage narrowed her eyes, but ultimately relented, dashing off, likely in pursuit of his guild master.

“Good luck master Jose…” He wheezed. “Show that thing no mercy…she will do the same…”

Chapter Text

Just outside Phantom Lord headquarters, Kingdom of Fiore, September 3rd, X784.

Natsu and Lucy were quick to make their exit from Phantom Lord’s tower, with Natsu having caught Lucy after she threw herself from its heights. The two were heading back for Magnolia with grim news. Makarov had fallen victim to one of the element four draining his magic, leaving him gravely ill. In the meantime, Phantom had indeed struck at magnolia again with the rest of Fairy Tail away, and the mage Makarov had entrusted with the town’s safety in his absence was last seen locked in battle with one of the element four whilst trying to stop her kidnapping.

“I’m sorry…” Lucy whispered as Natsu carried her back. “Jose was threatening me when the master was trying to confront him…” “It ain’t your fault Phantom didn’t have the balls to fight us fair.” Natsu growled. Lucy didn’t reply, despite Phantom’s true goal being her was something none of Fairy Tail could have known, it didn’t stop her from feeling useless. How much had she truly contributed to the battles she and her team had faced thus far?

Her musings were interrupted when Natsu suddenly stopped, setting her down and assuming a stance, evidently expecting a fight. A streak of blue, white and gold bounded towards them. A humanoid figure, running on all fours like a wild animal approached.

Lucy stared in awe as the figure lunged at Natsu, who managed to sidestep its attack. The figure landed a short distance away, turning to face them again. It was the mage who had come to Fairy Tail looking for Tengen Kujaku; But she had undergone a fearsome transformation. White fur with blue lined patterns covered her body, her nails having become long claws. A golden tail protruded from the base of her spine, with golden horns of a similar looking material crowning her head.

Low growls escaped her throat as she stared down Natsu, only for them to cease as soon as she saw his guild mark. All the tension seemed to leave her body at the sight, with her bestial aspects vanishing as she collapsed.

The two stared, dumbfounded at the unconscious mage before them. “The hell was that?!” Natsu asked, bewildered. “You saw that, right Lucy?! She had horns! And a tail! She looked like if happy fused with Erza!” Lucy balked at the comparison. “Just what about that reminded you of Erza?!” She asked. “The look in her eye like she was about to maul us if we breathed wrong!” Happy quivered.

“Whatever it was, we can ask later. She was probably trying to rescue me from Phantom.” Lucy supplied. Natsu moved forward, lifting Lucy’s attempted rescuer over his shoulder, ready to carry her back to Magnolia.

Fairy Tail Basement, Kingdom of Fiore, September 4th, x784.

Even after several hours of her being totally unconscious, Hide had yet to wake. The toll the spell had taken on her body was likely a steep one. That fact alone was already worrying on several different levels.

More unsettling was what could have possibly caused the unsettling transformation. Takeover magic like Elfman’s was the most likely answer,  yet Lucy wasn’t one to rely on Occam’s razor.

“Damn it! I can’t get a reading on Mystogan’s location!” Cana growled, flipping her cards in frustration. “Laxus was…as helpful as usual.” Mirajane sighed, turning to Lucy, she cast a concerned look toward her and the unconscious Hide. “How are you holding up?”

Lucy clenched her fists. Terribly. she thought to herself. “I’m sorry. This is because of me…” “that’s hardly true.” Mira countered. “Something tells me phantom would’ve done something like this eventually.” Lucy didn’t reply, even if Phantom would’ve started a war eventually, the fact her father had used them to retrieve her and hurt several in the guild she had come to care for wounded her terribly.

Equally frustrating was the helplessness she felt. She knew how to handle her whip, but she relied mostly on her spirits in combat. But what good was a celestial wizard without her keys?

Speaking of her keys, Lucy turned her thoughts to hide. Whom seemed to share an incredibly close bond with her spirits, so much so that one of them, at least, could speak for her. A bond that was apparently once shared by Tengen Kujaku. But how could she have known the spirit if his key was new? And how could have it soured so thoroughly?

Suddenly, a great rumbling shook the basement, like the footsteps of an approaching colossus.

Rushing outside, the assembled mages bore witnesses to the Phantom Lord headquarters, lifted and driven like a vehicle by a set of four spidery legs. It was an absurd, if intimidating display. Suddenly, a large barrel, like that of a canon’s emerged from the center.

The air around the barrel’s tip began to distort, various destructive magics building and being focused. “Everyone! Get to cover!” Erza shouted. Requiring into an incredibly elaborate suit of armor. “I won’t let you touch the guild!” She shouted.

“Erza no! I don’t care how tough you are you’re not blocking that!” He shouted. Erza ignored him, clasping the two shields attached to her arms together, she produced a magic barrier that stopped the beam cold.

For a moment, Lucy thought that the barrier would hold, the terrifying weapon rendered moot against the so called queen of the fairies. That hope was shattered as cracks began to form across the armor before it finally shattered, sending Erza flying backwards just as the attack lost form. She had stopped it, but likely at the cost of her remaining strength if the way she shook on the ground was any indication.

“Fairy Tail, Makarov, and now Titania Erza have both fallen. You have no chance of victory. Surrender Lucy Heartfilia to me, and I will consider sparing your worthless lives!”

Alzack fired a shot from one of his pistols, the shot pinged off the cannon’s barrel uselessly. “Get bent you shadowy prick!” He roared “Lucy’s one of us! And if we give her up we don’t deserve to call ourselves a guild!” A chorus of angry agreements swelled, all of them shouting insults and angry denials of Jose’s demand.

Lucy shook as she held back tears from her stinging eyes. The love and support from Fairy Tail had been unlike anything she had experienced since the death of her mother. How could they defend her like this when she was the reason they were in this position?

“Lucy, come with me.” Mira began leading her away from the crowd, Reedus following her, carrying the unconscious Hide and Erza.

“We have a safe house here, we need you to stay here until the battle’s over.” Mira explained. “We’ll put Hide here with you until she wakes up.” Lucy pulled away. “What?! I can’t just hide! I’m the reason you’re in this mess!”

Mira shook her head. “I told you Lucy, no one thinks that. But you don’t have your keys, and we need someone to watch over Erza and Hide.” “But-“ “I’m sorry Lucy, but this isn’t a debate.”

Holding her hand over Lucy’s face, Mira cast a spell that sent Hide into the darkness of sleep.

Chapter Text

Fairy Tail Safehouse, Kingdom of Fiore, September 4th, X784

Lucy had awoken in the safehouse, laid on a cot next to Hide. Reedus was nearby, painting quietly, with Erza sat next to him. “Ah, you’re awake. Sleep well?” He asked.

Lucy frowned, averting his gaze. “If only I had my keys…you wouldn’t have had to take me here, And Erza wouldn’t have been injured.” She replied sullenly. “I hate this…Not being able to fix this.”

Reedus sighed in response, continuing to work on the piece he was creating. “It’s like Mirajane said Lucy, this isn’t your fault, and we’re not hiding you solely to keep you out of the fight. If we were to let you fight, even with your keys, Phantom would most assuredly target you.”

Erza nodded in agreement. “We’re simply trying to protect our friend and deny them one of their win conditions. It’s also to help out our new friend here. Believe me, I don’t like being sidelined like this either, but-“

A sharp gasp interrupted Erza. Hide was now upright and awake, surveying her surroundings. “Oh, good morning!” Reedus supplied cheerily. “Thank you for keeping Magnolia safe, and going after Lucy.” Hide relaxed slightly, acknowledging his thanks with a nod.

“Unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods yet.” Erza added. “Phantom’s counterattack looks to be in full swing. Their magic focusing canon, Jupiter, is set to fire again within the next fifteen minutes.”

Hide clenched her fists, cursing her own body. Yokai shift was tiring even when she was used to constant battle, but reliving her most painful memories, being trapped viewing them…It seemed it was her mental strength that was lacking.

“Don’t fret. One of our members is a telepathic mage. He’s promised to give me an update should Natsu succeed in destroying the canon.” Reedus offered. “And taking down a member on a member of the element four is no mean feat.”

Hide disagreed, the man fought with unconventional tactics and used her worst memories against her, but what kind of Samurai was she if she couldn’t adapt to unexpected battlefield conditions? 

Can you call yourself Samurai? She thought to herself. You gave up that rank a long time ago. It was a thought she couldn’t disagree with. What was she at this point? A Miko? A wanderer?

Could she call herself a mage?

“Aha! Yes! Good news ladies, Jupiter is no more thanks to Natsu! Things are looking more in favor for Fairy Tail!” Reedus announced. Lucy gave a whoop of excitement, the thought of Jose turning purple with rage as Fairy Tail defied him again brought her immense joy.

The celebration was short lived, however. The metal doors bulging unnaturally as something slammed into them with terrible force. Hide jumped to her feet, eyeing her blades and keys nearby. “Lucy, stand back!” Reedus ordered, hastily painting on a small canvas. Erza summoned one of her standard armors, but remained behind the rotund painter.

Hide acted quickly, using the remaining Steel decree talismans she had on hand. While the effect could be shared by others In the vicinity, the effect was weaker to compensate. Each of them would need a full talisman’s protection if the scent of Iron and Adrenaline was any indication.

The metal door finally burst open, revealing the mage that had attacked the guild hall and two others from Phantom Lord. “Well well, Titania Erza, Hiding away?” The leader chuckled.

His smile soon disappeared as he spotted Hide. Touching a finger to a scar across the bridge of his nose and under his eyes, he glared at her. “You…I owe ya a lot of pain for this little parting gift.”

“You won’t be hurting anyone else, Black steel Gajeel.” Erza snarled.

One of the accompanying Phantom mages snorted at Erza’s declaration. “Please, we all know you’re still in no condition to fight. And Humpty Dumpty over there isn’t going to be the dark horse in this race, right Gaj-“

The mage found himself cut off by Sohaya lunging from his gate, Hide having summoned the white dragon at her first chance.

Gajeel was completely blindsided by the Dragon spirit’s appearance. As were his compatriots. Erza dispatching the sound mage with relative ease.

Unfortunately for Reedus, the mirror mage was quicker to recover from the shock of seeing Sohaya, and as such sent the drawn Vulcans he had sent at her right back into him. Though it seemed Hide’s talisman had taken the brunt of the damage, the attack must have been powerful.

“Eyes on me!” Gajeel taunted, swinging one of his transformed arms. Hide leapt backward as Sohaya returned to protect his charge.

Gajeel’s iron scales once again resisted Hide’s blades, but injuring the metal man wasn’t her goal, keeping him away from his target was.

“Lucy, run! Erza, go with her!” Reedus shouted as the mirror magic user redirected another batch of drawn creatures.

Erza nodded, grabbing Lucy by the hand and making for the hole Gajeel and his cohorts had created. Hide let out an angry growl as Gajeel slipped away from her, landing in front of the fleeing members of fairy tail.

“Leavin’ so soon?” He chuckled. Erza reacted quickly, summoning one of her blades and trying to cut Gajeel down. Unfortunately, her blade faired no better than Hide’s.

Thankfully, the momentary rest was enough for Hide to prepare a lightning shot talisman. Gajeel was flung off of his feet as the bolt struck him. Leaving the two girls free to continue fleeing.

Gajeel got to his feet with a snarl. Though bruised, the lightning had not been amplified by water like their last fight. “That lightning’s starting to piss me off.” He growled.

Green flames washed over Gajeel as he jumped back. Sohaya having unleashed his purifying fire. Hide watched as Gajeel’s iron scales burned away like paper, along with the accumulated dirt and grime that had built up during their fight.

“What the hell?! What happened to my scales?!” Gajeel demanded as the last of his metallic protection faded.

“The flame of purity burns away all that is not the body’s natural state. Filth, corruption, transformations, it will never stand up to my fire.” Sohaya replied. Before unleashing another blast.

Unfortunately, the mirror mage Reedus was fighting seemed to have overheard, as a mirror appeared in front of both Reedus and Gajeel.

Hide watched in horror as Sohaya’s green flames enveloped Reedus, burning away the last of her steel talisman’s protections, and sending him collapsing to the floor.

Hide turned angrily to the Phantom member, and readied her blades, beginning a furious assault that had the Phantom stooge blocking what swings she could with her mirror magic.

Sohaya continued his assault on Gajeel whilst hide moved to help Reedus, sending a well placed kick into the woman’s sternum, knocking her to the ground, a ball of paralysis powder thrown at her prone form ensured she stayed that way.

With her opponent defeated, and Sohaya engaging Gajeel, Hide turned to trying to Treat Reedus’ wounds.

Meanwhile, Gajeel weaved and countered as Sohaya used his tail, jaws and flames to push the dragon slayer onto his heels. Unfortunately for the dragon, a mistimed tail lash allowed the man of metal to graze him with claws of iron.

Pain shot through Sohaya as he whipped his tail back. The claws had only grazed him, but the pain was far more severe than the wound.
“Ouch, that sounded like it hurt!” Gajeel taunted. “They don’t call it “dragon slayer” magic for nothing. Guess it works just as well on spirit dragons.”

Sohaya growled in response, flicking his tail angrily. “So it would seem. But you’re a long way off from actually slaying me.” The spirit dragon replied dangerously.

With a flash of light, Sohaya transformed from a six winged dragon to a more human form, that of a tall man with white scaled claw like limbs, piercing green eyes, and a shock of white hair that reached his mid back.

“Come.”

Gajeel did not need to be asked twice, sending a high kick aimed at the Draconic spirit’s neck. Sohaya reacted quickly, blocking the appendage with his forearm.

“Tell me, what has Phantom Lord’s master done to earn your loyalty? What reward could he have promised to make you want a rival guild destroyed? I can’t imagine those your Master answers to will tolerate this war, no matter which side wins.” The dragon asked.

Gajeel deftly blocked a right hook from the spirit. “I’m supposed to be loyal to my guild master Ain’t I?” The dragon slayer snarled.

Sohaya snorted at the response. “Loyalty is no crime, Whelp. But there are those who do not deserve it. My charge learned that lesson the hard way.”

Gajeel felt the wind leave his lungs as Sohaya ducked low, sending a draconic fist into his stomach that caused the dragonslayer to come flying out of the hole he made onto the streets.

“What have you to gain from this? Your guild is sure to be disbanded even should you win this war. You’ll possibly be branded a criminal, and for what? To satisfy your Master’s petty grudge?”

Gajeel attempted to rise and continue the fight, only to find himself pinned by Sohaya’s foot.

“Think, This was never about the girl! This was always about destroying another guild over HIS vendetta, Damn what happens to the members of your own guild!” The spirit snarled. 

Gajeel struggled under the spirits foot. “Master Jose-“

“IS NOTHING BUT A SHORTSIGHTED FOOL!” The dragon roared. The volume of his voice cracking several nearby windows.

“What the hell would you know?!” Gajeel snarled, “Phantom Lord was the only place I belonged!”

“Who taught you your dragon slaying magic?” Sohaya asked, his tone softening.

Gajeel opened his mouth to reply, only to be cut off when a sheer magic presence made itself known. Golden light shone from off the coast, where the Phantom lord headquarters lay in ruins. A golden magic circle hovering above it.

“That’s-“

“Not your master’s magic, I assume. It seems the war is over. Phantom Lord has lost.”

Chapter Text

Magnolia streets, Kingdom of Fiore, September 4, X784

Gajeel looked on at the crumbling fortress of Phantom Lord, where Jose’s shades had all vanished from the golden light that had shone from within.

“But…how?! How the hell did Jose lose? He’s one of the ten wizard saints!” The iron dragonslayer asked in disbelief.

“Only by a power much greater than his. I imagine Fairy Tail’s master rejoined the fight, and not a moment too soon.” Sohaya explained.

Gajeel clenched his fists, shaking as the sting of defeat washed over him. “Damn it…Damn it! If it wasn’t for you two I could’ve brought the Heartfilia girl back and helped him! What the hell are you doing fighting for Fairy Tail anyway?! You’re not a part of their guild.”

Sohaya snorted at the question. “One need not be aligned with a group to fight against those they deem worthy of putting to the sword. Your serious injury of their comrades was not provoked by any action on their part.”

Turning to face the dragonslayer, Sohaya spoke once more. “You have yet to answer my question. Who taught you your magic?”

Gajeel scoffed at the question. “Why do you care?” He asked sullenly.

“Because despite the name, I smell the scent of dragon blood on you. You were taught by a dragon were you not?” The old spirit questioned. “A spirit bound to a celestial gate I may be now, but a dragon I remain, and I can smell the scent of another on you.”

For a moment, Gajeel did not answer. “Metalicana…” he replied as Hide and Sohaya turned to leave.“He found me as a kid. Taught me how to read, how to use his Magic. Then, seven years ago, he left. Without saying a word. Guess he just got tired of me.”

Sohaya thought the statement over, conflicting feelings of confusion and indignation. He too, had raised a child in a way. Though he could not provide protection as a guardian spirit whilst acting as the Sohayamaru’s source of power, Hide had felt his presence within the blade, acting as a comforting presence and a guide up until the day her mother performed spirit division centuries in the past, when he was finally able to commune with her.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps he left because he had no other choice.” Sohaya replied.

Gajeel narrowed his eyes “what, you know where he is?” Despite the hostility in the question, his voice betrayed a small bit of hopefulness.

“ I do not. But that does not mean that there are none who do.” The spirit replied evenly.

Gajeel scoffed at the response. “Who, salamander? Give me a break. Just because he’s a dragon slayer too doesn’t mean he knows anything.”

“Perhaps not. But do you know who taught him his magic? If the answer is no then you lose nothing by asking. If he learned it the same way you did, it stands to reason he might have details you don’t.” The old dragon knelt next to the dragon slayer, turning to stare the young man in the eyes.

“And if he does not have answers, perhaps he, too, is looking for them. Many hands make light work whelp, Offering yours could result in answers you would never find on your own.” Sohaya huffed, looking back at the ruined headquarters of Phantom Lord.

“What, you think it’ll be that easy? ‘Hey salamander, I know I beat the shit out of your guildmates, but whattya say we both start looking for dragons together?” Gajeel replied mockingly. “And what if he wasn’t taught by a dragon, huh? What if he doesn’t know about Metallicana’s disappearance? Your plan relies on too many ‘maybe’s.’”

“A question not asked is a question not answered. ” The response was the last the dragon would offer. His advice could be taken, or left atop the hill he offered it. The choice was his.

Turning away from the Iron dragon slayer, Sohaya looked back toward his charge, whom was attending to Reedus’ injuries.

Somewhere within the timeframe of Hide patching up the rotund painter and the rune knights arriving, the Dragon Slayer had left. Meanwhile, Hide faced the approaching crowd of soldiers with the grim realization that Fairy Tail had committed a crime by going to war with Phantom.

Magic council inquiry chamber, Kingdom of Fiore, September 7th, X784.

“Proceed with the testimony councilor.” One of the members of the magic council droned. A professionally dressed mage, holding a written record of the war with Phantom Lord, nodded.

“Following the Destruction of Phantom Lord’s weapon Jupiter, and the defeat of Totomaru of the element 4, Phantom Lord deployed the use of their headquarters’ “golem” configuration, though such a thing was only to operate at 50% efficiency.” The councilor turned to the next page before continuing.

“This is in part due to the previous incapacitation of Phantom Lord’s S class mage Sol, by an as of yet unidentified mage allied with Fairy Tail.”

Makarov flinched at the mention of Hide, whom had been taken into Council custody and had yet to be returned. Likely due to her lack of citizenship in Magnolia.

“This efficiency would only further drop due to the defeat of Juvia Lockser, whom was powering another section of the golem. With Help from one Elfman Strauss, Fairy Tail mage Natsu Dragneel defeated the last of the Element four, Aria. With no obstacles remaining, Gray Fullbuster, Dragneel and Strauss engaged Phantom Lord’s master in combat, supported later by Erza Scarlet and Lucy Heartfilla, whom had recovered her keys from a guild mate.”

“This is where you came in, right Makarov?” Yajima asked.

Makarov nodded. “I invoked the magic Fairy Law on Master Jose following an attempt to intimidate him into surrender. And I’d do it again after seeing how he had hurt the group that had come to face him.” In truth, the injuries of Lucy, Elfman, Natsu and Erza were not drastic, considering their numbers. Yet not even all of them combined could do anything but stall Jose until Makarov returned from his coma.

“Well, that lines up with what everyone else has said.” Org replied, leaning back in his chair.

“Indeed. Given the circumstances, it is understandable why Fairy Tail chose to go to war.” Draculos added.

“However, the destruction caused by your battles is exactly why guild conflicts are forbidden!” Gran Doma roared. “Makarov, you are expected to keep things such as this from happening again. The only reason Fairy Tail has not been disbanded is because of the lack of fatalities, and the fact that Phantom Lord provoked you in pursuit of committing a crime.”

Makarov nodded, Gran’s bluster already going in one ear and out the other. The man had a steel rod up his ass a mile long, and his only comfort was that he’d been outvoted by the rest of the council. Seeing as the man’s rant wasn’t going to end anytime soon, Makarov began to tune him out.

“We also would like to ask you about the mage that assisted you. The one whom defeated sol.” Belno spoke up, snapping Makarov out of his daydreaming.

“Yes. The woman. According to Sol, she is in the same situation as one of your mages, Mystogan.” Draculos continued. “What insight can you share about her and her abilities?”

Makarov’s pulse quickened as the council all but confirmed that they had Hide in custody for reasons other than a lack of citizenship. Nevertheless, he forced himself to stay calm.

“She means no harm to anyone innocent.” Makarov replied. “As for her capabilities, it’s hard to say, but I would put her at the level of an S class mage at the minimum.”

“Are you aware of her nature as something not entirely human? The closest thing any on the council can think of to her, ah..transformation…is that of a demon.” Makarov raised an eyebrow. ‘Transformation?’ Beyond her golden reindeer horns, to his knowledge she looked entirely human.

“I am aware she possessed horns she kept hidden, likely via magic. But has she truly committed any crime? That Phantom mage was abducting someone from my guild.” Makarov replied evenly.

“Your opinion is noted Makarov, but the council will decide whether or not to release her from our custody.”  Gran hissed. The remark less an acknowledgment of anything he said and more of a reminder of who was in charge.

A warning look from Yajima indicated that arguing further would lead nowhere, and Makarov reluctantly kept from arguing further. He only hoped the council had the sense to release her, rather than leave her with little choice but to break out.

Magic Council Detainment center, Kingdom of Fiore, September 9th, X784

The knights that had escorted her to the room Hide now sat in had placed her in chains that rooted her to the floor. Her keys had been confiscated, as had her blades, but Hide saw little point in resisting unless they saw fit to execute her.

After almost an hour of sitting in silence, a man with blue hair and a red facial tattoo entered.

“Good evening. My name is Siegrain, of the Fiore Magic council.”

Chapter Text

Hey everyone, it’s been a while.

Before we start, let me get the big stuff out of the way:

I am not abandoning this fic.

I will finish this thing even if it kills me.

With that out of the way, let me answer a few questions you may have:

1: what happened?

Short answer? Writers block/Schedule changes. I’ve just quit my retail job in order to start college full time. This will leave me with a lot less free time to pursue writing.

2: when is the next chapter?

As soon as I can finish it. I will avoid giving specifics just because that seems to block up my creative process worse, but it is coming.

Future plans: I plan on making edits to enhance the quality of the early chapters of this fanfiction to the same quality that the last 2 chapters have been. That being: fixing dialogue, typos and formatting. This will take less time than writing new chapters and will be completed quicker.

Chapter Text

“I’m sure you’re wondering why we’ve detained you.” The blue haired councilman stated pleasantly, seating himself at the opposite end of the table Hide was chained to.

“You’ll have to forgive our caution given your reluctance to speak and your…unuiqe physiology.”

Hide stiffened at the mention of her Yokai shift. The man in front of her had an easy smile that Tokichiro had worn many a time before. But his eyes reminded her of Matsunaga Hisahide, schemes and mischief dancing within, just out of sight.

“The magic council is willing to offer you citizenship, provided you fulfill a few conditions of ours.”

Hide narrowed her eyes. Something about the man was off, and she was weary about the “conditions.” They wanted met.

Taking her lack of reaction as either a sign to continue or a request to elaborate, the council member brought out a contract. “Signing this would grant you full Fiorish citizenship and the rights afforded by it, on the condition that you abide by our laws.”

An understandable expectation, and had that been the only condition, Hide would have signed without question.

“Additionally…”

There it was.

“Memories of yours provided by Sol of the Element four have revealed a rather intriguing artifact. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, the seven branched sword?”

Hide stilled at the mention of the sohayamaru, but carefully kept her expression neutral.

“You are a foreigner from our very plane of reality, not entirely human, and much older than you appear. And while your other half of your lineage may contribute to your lifespan, that blade contains the true key, does it not?”

Siegrain’s eyes were alight with intrigue, but the faintest glimmers of greed could be seen within the depths of his soul.

“Are you currently in possession of it? The blade, I mean.”

Hide remained silent, not bothering to hide the suspicious look she was giving him.

“Ah, obviously not actually on your person. ” The councilman laughed. “I suppose I mean to ask if you know its location?”

Safe from men like you. She wanted to hiss.

Hide’s expression turned from suspicious to a dangerous glare. Even if the sohayamaru were transported with her, she would have left the blade buried and forgotten.

Annoyingly, Siegrain seemed to take no offense from her expression, instead chuckling to himself after a few moments.

“Kidding! My apologies, but many of my colleagues are rather dour in demeanor, so I try to find my laughs where I can.”

Hide wanted to pointedly suggest that she was a poor sounding board for his jokes.

“Here’s the real condition: please keep the magic council informed when you ascertain the location or upon acquisition of any artifacts from your world.”

Hide narrowed her eyes, silently demanding for Siegrain to elaborate.

“We won’t be confiscating them, so long as they’re not extraordinarily dangerous. Many of my colleagues considered it poor form to demand anything other than a report should you come across one of the few links to your world.”

Hide weighed her options, Siegrain was not to be trusted farther than she could throw him. (Metaphorically of course, else she’d be putting a great deal of trust in him indeed.)

Nevertheless, her options were few. She could break the chains binding her through sheer strength alone, but to escape, she would need to fight a high level mage without her weapons.

Not ideal.

Or, she could sign a contract and agree to disclose information Siegrain and his colleagues had neither the right nor trust to know in exchange for one of the biggest hurdles to living in this country comfortably.

With great resignation, Hide picked up the offered pen.

Ordan village, Kingdom of Fiore, September 11, X784.

Ordan village was as quiet as Hide remembered. The villagers ambled about, working fields or performing daily chores. Many called out in greeting as she passed by.

“Hide!”

Hide turned at the sound of her name. Silas was sprinting toward her, his smile bright.

“I’m glad you’re back! Did you find the key you were looking for?”

Silas frowned at her conflicted expression. “No luck?” He asked.

Hide nodded, which only served to confuse her friend.

“You…did find the key, but the mage didn’t want to give it up?”

Hide tried to answer, but once again, her tongue felt like it was made of stone, stiff and uncompromising, and unable to produce even a single utterance.

Silas seemed to pick up on her attempts at speech. “It’s okay. Guess you’re still learning, huh?”

Hide could only nod, her excuse of “learning” could only last so long. She was reasonably sure that the residents of this world would understand her if she had spoken the English she learned from William.

Sullenly stalking back to her home, she sat at her table, slumping over it.

It was childish to mope like this, she knew. Tengen Kujaku would surely have even more to say if he saw her.

“Hide.”

Hide felt a hand on her shoulder, turning to see Hakutaku looking over her sadly.

“Kujaku has the right to be hurt by your grief. But he does not have the right to make assumptions on your part. You and I both know your silence is not out of spite.”

With a final reassuring gesture, Hakutaku dismissed himself. Leaving her alone with her thoughts.

She was Hide, formerly Hideyoshi. Hidechiyo to close friends. She was a retainer to the “three great unifiers”, and the welder of the legendary sohayamaru. She was a samurai.

And that was all she could ever be.

Chapter Text

Ordan Village, Kingdom of Fiore, September 15, X784.

Hide awoke early the next morning, and began working on repairing the various tools the people of Ordan had left in a barrel near her forge for repairs.

The backlog was smaller than she expected. Mostly old tools that had been damaged in some way. As she began her work, a few villagers came to her forge, drawn by the sound of hammering indicating she was awake, to request repairs of their own, or in some cases Nails or horseshoes.

By Midday, Silas had entered her forge wearing a concerned expression.

“Jean says he’s heard you going at it since dawn. You planning on taking a break soon?”

Truthfully, Hide was feeling fatigued, but having assisted Toyo on many occasions, she knew her limits were far beyond that of a normal human’s, owed to her by her Yokai blood. As a result, she waved a hand in casual dismissal.

Evidently, it was not enough for the concerned farmer. “Hide, take a break or I’ll grab some water and douse your forge.”

Hide set down her hammer, turning to face the farmhand with an expression that promised suffering if he did such a thing.

“Glare all you like, you and I both know I’ll do it.”

Seeing no point in further refusals, Hide stood and stretched, following Silas down the hill into the village.

The sight of other villagers tending their own patches or pens greeted the two.

“Hide!” One of the villagers, an older man by the name of Ellis, called to her as they passed, walking away from chopping firewood.

Ellis had been the man to allow her a place in his home’s loft while she built a home of her own, and other than Silas, was the most acclimated to her.

“Whatever kind of smithing you did to make this axe head is nothing short of magic. Haven’t sharpened it in weeks and it still goes through firewood like butter.” 

Hide smiled and responded with a bow. A habit she had never truly discarded, odd as it may have seemed to others of this world.

“How’s things, Ellis?” Silas asked. “Harvest is a couple days out. Any trouble?”

“The pumpkins are growing in just fine. Lucia will have enough for pie, don’t worry!” Ellis turned to Hide. “Would you like to stay over for dinner? We’re happy to have you! Lucia adores those knives you made for her.”

Hide smiled and shook her head in polite declination. Ostensibly, she refused after building her home due to the supposed language barrier making her unable to add to any conversation.

In actuality, Hide never felt more foreign and other than she did at a family’s dinner table. The laughter, conversation and warmth shared at a dinner table was not for her.

How long had she defined herself by her abilities as both Samurai and Slayer? Was there truly anything left of Hidechiyo, the child that had her mother ripped away from her?

Hide, Hideyoshi, these two names were but hollow shells, welders of blades and bow, to be pointed at the enemies of the master she served, or those that threatened Humanity and Yokai alike.

It would have been too awkward, too much of a reminder just how out of place she was here, peaceful as the past months had been.

“Some other time then.” Ellis laughed. “Don’t be a stranger Hide.” With a nod, the farmer went back to tending to his Field.

“Hide! Over here!” Another voice called. Hide turned to see Daniel, the village carpenter, waving her over.

“I’ve Gotta thank you for that chisel set, and Jed wanted me to pass on his thanks for the Horseshoes.”

“Don’t forget the hinges for the stable doors!” Jed’s wife, Lisa, called out as she passed.

“The plow and hoes too!” Someone else called.

“What we’re trying to say is, thank you. You’ve made your mark on this place. And with the harvest festival coming up soon, we’d like you to be there.” Daniel summarized.

Hide hesitated a moment. Warring with herself internally. The festival would be a dinner with a family multiplied by a factor of 20. Dancing, music, food. It all sounded wonderful…

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But we’d all appreciate you being there.” The carpenter offered. “Think about it.”

Nodding, Hide turned back in the direction of her forge.

Ordan Village, Evening of September 15, X784.

That night, Hide was preparing for bed when the scent of salt and brine hit her nose. The stench was overwhelming to her yokai senses, and an overwhelming feeling of dread began to overtake her.

For a moment, she wondered what could have been causing the smell when a small dish of salt in the corner turned black with an evil hiss.

Grabbing her swords and a bow she had fashioned herself, Hide left her home and ventured into the woods.

This routine had become commonplace for her, Monsters occasionally found themselves on the outskirts of Ordan, and Hide took it upon herself to kill them before they wandered to close. But for the salt to react the way it did was worrying. This was a dangerous threat, and one that had to be stopped immediately.

As she neared a clearing in the forest, the smell of the deep ocean became overwhelming. Standing in the clearing was a monster that had no business being this far inland.

The monster was one from the lands of the Scottish, William had described them to her once. A horrific being that looked as if a horseman had fused with its mount and then both been flayed. lacking skin, the moonlight exposed black veins coupled with raw, exposed muscle. The creature’s human like half had arms that almost reached the ground, whilst the horse half’s head had only a single, hellish yellow eye in the center of its face.

Neither Hide nor the creature moved, both studying the other. The human like torso swayed unnaturally as the horse half’s head sniffed the air, clouds of toxic, disease ridden breath left its mouth as it huffed and snorted.

Hide felt dread well up within her as she identified the creature.

A monster of the Orcadian isle

A hellish creature of the deep.

A Nuckelavee.

Readying a water-stop talisman, Hide cast it upon herself, coupled with a barrier and steel decree. With her preparations complete, she pulled an arrow from her quiver and aimed for the human half’s head.

Loosing the arrow, Hide watched as it embedded itself into the “rider’s”shoulder. The Nuckelavee let loose a piercing shriek, turning toward hide and beginning to charge her.

Notching another arrow, Hide let it fly, this one aimed for the hideous yellow eye of the horse half. The Nuckelavee raised one of its gangly limbs, swatting the arrow away like an insect and continuing its charge.

Rolling out of the way, Hide drew her swords, bringing one of them down in a lunging slash to the “Horse’s” side. Thick yellow blood spilled from lacerated veins, but the dense muscle recieved minimal damage.

Vile toxins began gathering inside the horse half’s mouth. with a sickening squelch the horse head spewed a stream of foul stagnant water, forcing Hide to dodge and abandon her attempt at charging the monster again.

Using its gangly arms, the nuckelavee tried to claw at her with gnarled fingers, or bludgeon her with closed fists.

Hide let out a yelp of pain as one of its fists managed to blindside her following another stream of toxic water from the horse head’s mouth.

The fight would be difficult. Both heads were able to see independently of each other, and the strength and speed of the creature was prodigious.

The Nuckelavee let loose a hellish howl as it swung its arms again, Grabbing for Hide. Sidestepping the grasping appendage, the Yokai slayer brought her swords down on the creature’s arm, burying the blades into the appendage and severing it just below the wrist.

With a shriek of pain, the creature turned its horse head to her and sprayed another stream of vile toxins her way. Too close to the creature to dodge, Hide sputtered as the water splattered against her.

Just as she recovered her footing, the Nuckelavee’s remaining fist careened into her chest, sending her flying.

Hide quickly got to her feet, readying for another attack.

An attack that never came.

Narrowing her eyes, Hide observed the creature as it approached. The horse half almost… prancing.

It was toying with her.

Such suspicions seemed to be confirmed when the hand Hide cut off began to regenerate, much to her shock.

Nuckelavee could not heal from wounds such as that. Nor could they ever have been this far inland naturally, especially at this time of year.

This one had been summoned.

Hide would have been angry had she not been more frustrated with herself.

Monstrous though Nuckelavee were, they were still intelligent. She had been fighting the beast as if it were a standard aratama, rather than a creature that fitted the likes of the lightning gods of Yomi, or Shuten Doji.

Pulling out Sohaya’s key, Hide summoned her faithful spirit.

Sohaya gave no greeting as he was summoned, springing from the ether and letting loose a jet of green flame at the creature, causing it to shriek and abandon drop its prey.

Taking initiative, Hide sprinted toward the creature, dividing its attention between her and Sohaya. Hide cut into the Monster’s flesh viciously, Sliding under the creature’s outstretched arms, Hide circled the beast, cutting at the tendons in its four legs, sending it crashing to the ground as it continued to flail its arms.

With a roar of her own, Hide severed the horse head before it could begin releasing its toxins. Leaping atop the stump of the horse half’s neck, Hide severed the head of the rider.

At last the creature fell limp, its flesh immediately beginning to decay, confirming Hide’s suspicions. The creature had indeed been summoned. By who, was something she would have to figure out for herself.