On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“The second Trial is over. Winner, Shaeraggo Gul Shae Dannan!” as Selensha’s relieved voice rang out across the battlefield Shaeula froze, momentarily unable to process what had happened, but when she saw Eri and I rushing towards her, compassion and sorrow writ over our faces, she collapsed to her knees, strength finally leaving her, knife and pinwheel falling from her grip.

“Shaeula, are you all right? You’re hurt really bad!” Eri was sniffling, trying to hold back further tears. “There’s so much blood!”

Shaeula allowed Eri to fuss over her, merely meeting my gaze. All she said was a single word. “Why?”

Why? WHY? Damn, I’m furious now! “What do you mean, why? You think I… we… can sit back and watch you kill yourself? This mist barrier isn’t perfect! If you were to die, I don’t know what I’d do…”

I trailed off as Shaeula burst into tears, and the sight surprised me. For a long time she just wailed and sobbed, and we simply held her, me cradling her head, Eri patting and rubbing her back soothingly. Once she quietened down, she looked at me, amber eyes dull, lacking their usual sparkle.

“I am sorry. I could not-not keep my promise. I did not-not take victory. I so…” her lip started trembling again, eyes brimming with more tears. “… I so wanted to win. I do not-not want to be taken from you, from Eri, From Aiko, or Karen, or Ichika or any of the other friends I have made-made. And worse…” she whispered, her voice sinking so that we had to lean in to hear. “You will be stripped of all your power, your efforts squandered due to my loss-loss, and Eri will be forced to carry the burden of your protection. I… owww…”

Shaeula let out a pained yelp as Eri flicked her forehead hard. “Where did the fearless, proud girl who blazed into our lives like a storm go?” Eri asked her. “This isn’t you at all! So you didn’t win, so what? We aren’t done yet. Don’t break down and do nothing but wallow in misery because things didn’t go your way. That’s just what I did, and it was you who came and dragged me out of that! And let me tell you, it won’t make you happy! Nothing feels worse than giving up on what you want, watching as it all just disappears.”

“She’s right.” I echoed. “You did your best, you really did, and I’m proud of you.” I ruffled her hair, trying to soothe her. “It doesn’t matter how it ends, if you’ve given your all, then don’t regret it. Besides, Eri is right. It’s only one apiece. This is far from over.” It’s all up to me now. And just looking at Shaeraggo and his smug expression, it really makes me want to teach him how to be a decent brother…

“From the moment Shaeraggo turned up with such an army while our Territory was indefensible, we were defeated. It was only thanks to you and this Trial of Three that we even had a shadow of a chance, and not only that, you put yourself at risk not once, but twice, to secure us a path to the final battle. Without your efforts, we’d be done.”

“That’s right.” Eri agreed. “Now don’t give up, trust in Akio. After all, he’s the man you love, isn’t he?”

Eri? It was unusual for Eri to say such things, but she seemed to want to cheer up Shaeula as much as I did, so I didn’t comment. “I know you fear for me against your brother, and I’m under no illusions I’m his match, but… well, I just have to follow your lead and get creative. After all, you did defeat Ulfuric, right? There’ll be time to mourn if we lose, but rest assured, I have no intentions of letting Shaeraggo stomp all over our dreams for such a petty reason. Now smile, for me, please? Not to sound like your idiot brother, but I want the Shaeula I know back!”

“So… so… stupid, both of you-you.” She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. “And I as well, it seems. You are right.” She shook herself, wincing at her remaining injuries, the worst of which were still weeping blood down her abdomen. “You have performed miracles before, and I have feared you lost also. Yet you came back to me-me. What is one more unlikely twist of fate?” she turned to Eri then. “You have my thanks for reminding me of what is important. Besides…” she managed a faint smile. “You are not-not yet ready to take my place in protecting Akio. So we must strive until the bitter end.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready, so you had better stay with us to train me.” Eri replied tenderly. “Now, let’s get you to Selensha, she can heal you. those wounds must hurt.”

“They do-do indeed.” Shaeula agreed. “I was trying to maintain my royal dignity, but I suppose I have failed.”

The mood was still brittle, fears under the surface in our hearts, but at least we could move forward. Helping Shaeula to her feet, Eri and I took one side each and carried her gently over to where Selensha was applying healing to the remaining injured from the last Trial. Even with the decrease in damage, there were still many who were hurt, Shaeula included, though most of the blood on her was from wounds that had vanished. This is going to take a while… still, it gives me time to finalise my plans for Shaeraggo. He’s an archer, so I’ll need to close in fast…

Selensha was back at the main shrine building, working healing on Ulfuric, who was standing stoically, not making any sounds of pain as she repaired his broken arm, which had persisted even after the battle. Our Kamaitachi were already healed, though they still looked pained and weak. I’m glad they didn’t die again… On seeing us carrying over Shaeula, they hurried over as fast as they could. “Princess…” the first spoke. “... I am-am afraid we were unable to carry you to victory. Please forgive our incompetence.” The second echoed his words, also begging pardon.

“Fools.” Shaeula scoffed, a little of her spirit returning. “You fought well-well, I have no complaints. If you still feel shame at our-our loss, then you can make it up to me in our battle against the foe from the north. But for now-now, you should rest. You did not have the benefit of the Moonlight Mist Realm…” at that she glanced at me, and guessing what she was worried about, I once more rubbed her head reassuringly.

“You know, I’ve been thinking, and if it’s a lunar chakra that makes one a Fae, then just maybe I might be able to benefit from the barrier too. But it doesn’t matter. Whatever happens, I will face your brother, and when it’s all over, he’ll be apologising to you, I promise.”

“Oh, I shall be doing what-what?” Shaeraggo sneered as he strolled over, looking far more relaxed. He had his bow ready, and his deep green eyes were glittering menacingly. “At least you have courage, if nothing else, mortal.” Ignoring me after that, he looked at his sister. “Was it worth it, going against me, little sister? Your defeat was certain, all it earned you was pain-pain. It wounds my heart to see you so injured, but remember it-it is for your own good. I do not enjoy such chastisement, but as your older brother it-it is my duty.”

“That’s a load of crap.” Eri suddenly snapped. “Sure, if your sister is taking the wrong path, you should definitely help her see that, but this…? It isn’t chastisement, merely the worst form of cruel bullying. And you never made any effort to listen to Shaeula or her own views. I think it’s you who needs correcting, and Akio will do it!” she glared at him furiously, her face white with anger. Even when he turned to her, eyes glowing a baleful jade, she did not take a step back.

Well, she can’t as we are still supporting Shaeula. But… shit, shit, shit… she’s really got his attention now. This can’t be good…

“I have been wondering this a while now.” Shaeraggo spat coldly. “Just who are you, girl? You seem to be a mortal, so why are you here-here? And what gives you the right to speak to trueborn Seelie royalty in such a disrespectful manner. I have taken heads for less-less.”

“Who am I?” Eri said, her voice trembling a little, but she wasn’t backing down. “I would have thought that would have been obvious. I’m Akio’s first wife.”

Wait, what? First? I wondered if I had misheard, but in my arms Shaeula let out a gasp, her eyes going wide, staring at Eri.

“Bah.” Shaeraggo scoffed. “So, little sister, you aren’t even this worthless thief’s’ first wife? Pathetic. You lose to a mortal of all things, one who-who can barely even maintain her subtle body? You have sunk lower than even I had imagined, my disappointment in you is immeasurable.”

“I think Shaeula got all the brains in your family.” Eri snapped, unwilling to back down. “First? Second? Does it matter so long as there’s love? Don’t you think you are being rude to Selensha over there, do you care for her less just because she wasn’t first?” the edge in her voice was brutal, and it reminded me of the times my sis said Eri could be quite cutting if she actually was provoked enough… I closed my mouth, since the words I were going to say had pretty much been said by Eri anyway.

“Why, you insolent bitch, I should…” Shaeraggo boiled with fury, but Shaeula halted him with her own cold anger.

“Brother. Enough. Should you persist in showing such an attitude to Akio and Eri, I shall make good on my promise. Even should you-you triumph over Akio, and take me from this place, I shall never acknowledge you or any of my siblings ever again. I shall-shall hold my silence until the end of time! And you, Eri…” the tone of her voice changed as she addressed her, the anger replaced by a mixture of longing and hope. “… did you mean what you said? You were not-not just getting carried away by the moment?”

“Maybe I was.” Eri admitted. Everyone was ignoring the shocked Shaeraggo now, and I could hear Ixitt cackling away. Hopefully that wouldn’t set him off…

“Yet, when I saw your tears, I knew…” Eri continued. “To think it’s only been a couple of weeks I had him to myself… that’s a little sad, but you promised me, right? You won’t break your word?”

There seems to be something I’m missing here, conversations I’ve not been privy too, but I can read between the lines well enough. Are they serious? I think they are, but…

“Enough of this foolishness. Little sister, should you make good on your threats, I shall have no choice. If it takes me until the end of time you hold your silence to-to, should these mortals ever again set foot in a realm I can-can reach, I will have them know exquisite agony until you relent. Is it worth it, this rebellion against me? We made no oaths of peace as part of the Price, did we now?”

You bastard! Why are you going so far to torment your sister? And damn, yeah, we didn’t, did we? In theory even if I win, he can just declare war on us, though I think he would have to pay the prices he had promised first, which would buy us some time, and also we’d have the troops for Shaeula so …

“If you dare such things, brother, I shall not merely keep my silence, I swear under the moon, under the King and Queen, I shall end myself, I will… ugh!”

I staggered, my own thoughts interrupted as Eri released Shaeula into my grasp. As I pulled her close, preventing her from falling, I watched as Eri strode to the side. Everyone was watching our little confrontation, Selensha looking very upset as she laboured to finish the healing of the other wounded as fast as she could. Just… what is she doing?

She stopped in front of a chunk of dark metal sticking out of the ground. Grabbing the heavy shaft with both hands she heaved, her small muscles straining to lift it. After a second it slid free, revealing the curved crescent of bright metal. That’s the head of Ulfuric’s axe from the first bout…

Turning back towards us I recoiled a little at the expression on Eri’s face. It … well it wasn’t like Eri at all. She was ghostly pale, and her eyes were black pools of anger. I don’t think I had ever seen her so mad.

“Oh Eri…” Shaeula whispered in my arms. “… so kind, so foolish.” She turned her gaze to me, urgency in her amber eyes. “You have to stop this, master. Else…”

Wind blew up all around us, motes of verdant energy floating through the air. The pressure was quite heavy, and I had to brace myself to prevent us being blown over. Eri was struggling too, each step forwards against the gale slow and ponderous, her hair blowing out behind her in a black tide. “You dare? It isn’t enough to take Shaeula away, to spit on her hopes and dreams, and to do terrible things to my… no, our Akio? But you’d even threaten torture, force Shaeula into a position where she feels that only death is the answer?” she let out a pained scream that was unlike any I had heard from her before. Her hands were white on the cut shaft of the axe, her weak arms trembling to lift the weight. “You call yourself a brother concerned for his sister? NO!” she shouted, taking another step closer to the silent Shaeraggo, surrounded by his nimbus of raging winds. And then another. And another step.

I quickly carried Shaeula over to Selensha, laying her down. She rapidly flourished her staff and began to heal Shaeula’s injuries, the urgency of the situation not lost on her. “Yes, please stop my husband. He… he’ll regret this later if he lets his anger get the best of him…”

“You aren’t a brother. Akio is a hundred, no, a thousand, no, a trillion times the brother you’ll ever be. You don’t want a sister, you just want a doll that looks pretty and does what you say! Well fuck you!” she screamed, raising the axe above her head. The winds gusted, blowing her back away from Shaeraggo, who raised his bow, an arrow of piercing gusts forming.

Shit. Eri! I put strength in my legs, channelling aether to empower me, crashing through the turbulent winds.

“What do you know of us-us?” Shaeraggo scoffed. “I just want our sister to come home. And so… you all need to disappear!” Eri swung her axe, though she wasn’t going to reach. The arrow left the bow with a wailing twang, and Shaeula let out a cry, squeezing shut her eyes.

Not today… ouch, shit that’s painful …

“Akio?” Eri murmured, the darkness going out of her eyes as she realised the situation.

“Hmph. You were fortunate this time, mortal wench.” Shaeraggo scoffed, sheathing his bow and striding away, his own anger spent.

“I don’t want you doing foolish things like that again, all right?” I said, still holding her axe in one hand, the edge having cut into my flesh, blood dripping down to the floor. My other arm was outstretched, and I had caught the arrow, the swirling winds having cut right through my palm and now was digging into my shoulder, slicing flesh like a meatgrinder. It hurt. A lot.

“Oh no! I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me! I just couldn’t face listening to him hurt Shaeula anymore and everything just went black…” Eri cried, dropping the axe. Relieved, I now had a free hand so was able to tear the arrow out of my shoulder and cast it to the floor, where it burst into a scattering of jade energies. Pulling the arrow through my palm was an experience I didn’t ever wish to repeat.

Eri started crying again as she saw my wounds, and tugging on my uninjured arm she pulled me towards Selensha. As we approached, Shaeraggo spoke sarcastically. “I suggest you receive healing before the third Trial, mortal. I would not wish for you to be defeated because you were not at your best-best.”

I nodded agreement. No way I’m putting any sort of misguided pride ahead of our victory.

Shaeula was standing, Selensha having closed up the worst injuries. On seeing us she shook her head, sighing. “Eri, while I appreciate your care of me-me, that was very foolish. If you were injured, or worse, what do you think Akio would have thought?”

“I know, but… it was like my head just went blank, and all I could think about was how he wanted to hurt Akio, and that you’d die, and…”

“It’s all right.” I said, wincing as Selensha began to heal me, bubbles of orange water element penetrating into my torn hand and shoulder. As it did so the rest of what I was going to say was washed from my mind, as the sensation of the healing had a similar tone to my Ether Healing. If I could just grasp the differences, I’m sure I can get stronger…

Eri and Shaeula continued to talk, mostly Shaeula remonstrating her for her actions, but as I concentrated Selensha whispered something to me in a small, almost frightened voice. “Please don’t hate Shaeraggo. I know he’s angry, but never doubt he does dote on his sister. He and his siblings have been beside themselves with worry ever since she was sent into exile, and he was excited to finally see her again, only to find… sorry, that doesn’t matter. The politics of the Seelie Court is shifting rapidly, and Prince Shaetanao’s faction is beset from all sides. Her exile was just one of a series of plots designed to wreck their influence. So Shaeraggo is quicker to anger than usual, especially around matters of family or nobility.” My wounds had mostly closed up, and I marvelled at how massively better her healing skills were, orders of magnitude more effective than mine, for certain.

“Well, I get that, but if only he would actually talk to her, see what she wants…”

“Don’t worry, when she’s safe at the mansion he has prepared for her, things will all work out. She has grown stronger, both in body and spirit, and so he’s confident that in time, he and his siblings can heal her wounded heart, and she can return to the Seelie Court with her head held high, and take up the life she was always supposed to have. As for you… you will always have your first wife, she seems a good girl, so forget about Shaeula, and live the best life you can.”

Forget about Shaeula? Impossible. “So, you are saying that Shaeraggo will win then? I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”

She shot me a piteous look. “False hope is only painful. Shaeraggo is a master huntsman, no prey can escape his arrows. I would have said your battle was madness, that without the protection of the mists you would surely die, but…” she paused, curiosity replacing sadness on her face. “… for some reason you seem very much like a Fae. Perhaps you are one of the rare changelings, half-Fae, that I have heard tell of. Is that why Shaeula is fond of you?”

So I was right. It’s probably down to the lunar chakra, plus my class skills said I would become more like the Fae. Knowing that, I can fight to the fullest. Not that I’d have let mere fear of injury stop me. Eri was right. Shaeula’s tears were terrible, I never want to see them again…

“How about a wager between the two of us then?” I whispered, and she cocked her head quizzically. Yeah, I guess mages are all the same, very curious. “If Shaeraggo defeats me, before I am banished, I’ll tell you everything you want to know. But if I win, I want you to help us convince Shaeraggo to listen to his sister and understand her position. There’s no point in a victory that doesn’t mend the rift between them. She may complain about them, but I know Shaeula loves her siblings. And as someone who cares for her, I want them to reconcile.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “I so pledge. I would be happy to see the two of them go back to the way things were. But against Shaeraggo…”

“Just you let me worry about that.” I cut her off, flexing my now-healed hand. “Wow, good as new. But you look wretched. Are you going to be all right doing the final Moonlight Mist Realm?”

She laughed nervously. “I feel like I could sleep for an entire moon.” She admitted. “Still, this is the final one, and as it is for two combatants, it should be far less taxing. Even so, I shall need a brief break to recover my energy. Perhaps you should spend your time with your wives. For your time remaining with Shaeula is brief.” With that she strode off, back towards her husband, who was staring moodily into the void.

My wives? Ugh, if Eri did mean that when she said she was my first… I don’t know what to do. I hate seeing Shaeula pining for me, but we have laws, and moral codes, and my father would kill me…

“… so I do not-not want to see you doing such foolishness again, understand? Oh, Akio has returned.” Shaeula saw me and brightened up. Beside her Eri was downcast, yet on seeing me a small smile crossed her features.

“I have. Good as new and ready for the final Trial.” I showed off.

“I’m sorry again…” Eri began, but I shook my head, stopping her.

“I’m not happy, you could have been hurt or worse, but… you did it because you care about us. I’m not heartless enough to disregard that. Just… if you are going to fight, you need strength.”

“I know. We were talking about that too.” Eri replied. “Akio, I… I don’t know the answer to your question. If you had to offer me to someone else… for… ugh, even saying it makes me feel sick. But if I could make you stronger, I don’t know… maybe there isn’t an answer. But that isn’t the question you should ask. It’s Shaeula, not just some stranger. And the question that matters is… will we be happier?”

“Eri… do you mean it?” Shaeula asked, hope in her eyes. “I would not-not wish for you to regret…”

“You promised me. And you said that Fae are bound by their promises, right?” Eri looked at Shaeula, then at me. “You felt it too, right? When Shaeula was so heartbroken, crying because she thought she’d failed you, that she’d be parted from you… I couldn’t bear to see it. I know I’m selfish, and I do want you to myself, Akio. But… I think it would eat away at me, knowing that Shaeula was…”

“Enough chatter.” Shaeraggo interrupted, shouting over. Our forces had gathered into two opposing rings around the shrine once more, with Selensha in the middle. Damn, didn’t give her much time to rest, did you? Treat your wife better, man! I can see we are going to have to talk about more than Shaeula when this is all done… she met my eyes and gave me a tired smile.

“I grow weary of waiting. I would like to put you in-in your place, so that I can take my little sister home, where she belongs. Let us end this farce.”

Shaeula grabbed one of my hands, while Eri took the other. What am I going to do about this mess? I’m not sure what the right thing to do is. No, never mind. It doesn’t matter for now. If I can’t beat Shaeraggo, then it’s all meaningless… “Honestly, I’m not sure what we should do.” I admitted, and they both squeezed me reassuringly. “I never thought I’d be in this sort of situation, a bona-fide harem protagonist. I mean, I’ve always liked the stories, and I’ve felt bad for girls who never got the guy they loved, but I also felt bad the girls had to share. It wasn’t fair. I just… well, unless I can defeat Shaeraggo, it won’t matter either way.”

“Yeah. So do your best, my husband.” Eri said, her dark eyes glaring at the imperious Shaeraggo. “And when you win, we’ll talk.”

Shaeula nodded, eyes glittering, a thin tear leaking from one eye, running down her cheek like a crystal. “I… no, I will have faith in you. And tonight…” ignoring her fears, she forced a mysterious and alluring grin. “… I have been very curious about it ever since Eri made love to you. What would it be like, I wonder?”

“Shaeula! Now isn’t the time!” Eri chastised her, flushed red, and I could feel my own face flaming.

Seriously, we haven’t even discussed it yet. I haven’t agreed. Uh, time to get my head in the game. That sort of talk has only made Shaeraggo angrier too…

Indeed, he was grinding his teeth, hand tight on his bow, while his deep green eyes were trying to bore a hole through me. Swallowing down my nervousness, I gathered my spear and strode over to them, ready to begin the final Trial…