The Journey Never Ends (Original Fantasy Quest)

"I'll have to consider the matter carefully," you say eventually. "Recent events have shown that I must be careful with what I say and do in public, and I must focus my attention on Yashima for now."

The Mother-Queen pauses, but nods shortly after as she receives a drink from one of her attendants. She doesn't look pleased, but the myrmidon seems to at least have expected this outcome.

"Understandable. We expect an answer once things are more settled here, however."

"You'll have it when I return to Kiengir," you promise.

"Very well, take your time to consider it," she intones. "But look around this broken city and its broken inhabitants. This is what we seek to prevent, and we hope you see the wisdom of our offer."

Silence falls over the carriage after that remark as the two of you think over the conversation between you. A weariness you didn't notice building up within you makes itself known as your shoulders sag slightly. Things are ever changing and moving forward in Kiengir, and you'll eventually always be forced to respond and adapt to it.

---

After a few days spent wandering Tsukishima, the contrast between the Administration HQ and the city feels even more distinct than before. Energy suffuses the air as those inside work to rebuild the city and nation, and with additional support from the expedition, it's only grown more hectic.

Lumen Corp employees speak with relieved technicians while laborers aid in the construction and organization of supplies sent over. You pass by it quickly, but you catch sight of the mercenaries with you receiving assignments from the Yashiman Defense Force as well. A few myceli wander around the area, especially in the places where you can detect plant life being tested.

You are here for one thing only however, and judging from the raised voices you hear in the distance, it seems it'll be an ordeal to go through.

"... and we've finished a lot of preliminary tests, and can finally start using prototypes throughout Tsukishima!"

Another researcher is currently talking your ears off for now as she guides you to where the research facilities are. Admittedly, the topics she's bringing up are what you want to learn about, but to your growing shame you simply don't understand much of what she's explaining. Etsuko seems pleased to gush about the topic though to you, so you nod and smile as she gesticulates with her hands.

You take in the kappa as you turn to her. For reasons you're actually uncertain about, they've become a rare sight in recent times. Races with lower or dwindling populations aren't too uncommon to hear about for you, the elves perhaps being the most famous case after all, but there shouldn't be any particular reason for the kappa's downfall. Still, Etsuko doesn't seem too bothered being the only kappa in a lab coat here and has even decorated the shell on her back with stickers.

"I see. I'm glad to see I have helped in some way with these 'Reflectors'."

She nods eagerly, rubbing one of the leaves functioning as her hair as she turns to you. "Yeah! That sword you brought in really streamlined everything for us. We're still not sure why it works, but replicating a few of the underlying processes of its core aetheric structure was enough to strengthen the effects of the area normalization field. Who knew the Kami could be so good at programming? Maybe we can get a few friendly spirits to write legible code for us?"

You laugh, "The divine are capable of wondrous things indeed."

"So are corporations apparently," she admits with a rueful smile on her strange beaked lips. "It's not like they're doing anything crazy, but somehow the Lumen people are managing to fix a lot of the power and infrastructure issues we've been having. The Reflectors too have been running a lot better after we studied their designs on similar nullifying effects."

"It seems Tsukishima is well on the road to recovery then," you reply.

Part of you feels a little put out by how much things have progressed without you doing much at all since you arrived, but this is what you aimed for, isn't it? The people of Orbis have shown time and again to be capable and resilient enough to survive all manner of tragedies. You just had to be the match that ignited it all for the expedition.

"Well, long-range and even mid-range communications are still spotty," she says. "And we still have supply issues. N-not that you guys didn't help, or anything! There's just a lot of people here and not a lot of space or opportunity to support them all. We've got a lot of breathing room though, and with a little bit of spirit, I know we can get through this!"

You raise an eyebrow as she slams her fist into a palm in determination, causing her to blush a darker green.

"S-sorry if I'm being a bit much. Things are just looking up so much these days. And…" she trails off before stopping suddenly and bowing low to you. "You returned someone really important to me in the expedition. Thank you so much."

"Ah… the credit does not only go to me," you say, a little abashed. Sincere praise still makes you uncomfortable after all this time.

Etsuko just smiles as she rises and continues guiding you, chattering away about various developments you struggle to understand.

Soon you reach a room that immediately makes you tense as you enter it. One of the creatures, a Kenoman, floats in a strange tubelike structure filled with an unidentifiable liquid bubbling inside it. It's dead from what you can sense, but the fact that it hasn't dissipated makes you a little nervous about what is going on here. Several figures stand near it, and you start when you notice that the Administrator is here, but only two people seem to be talking—or shouting.

"This is complete nonsense, typical of mages like you both," the mokujin researcher growls, his face showing complete incredulity. "It's beyond obvious that there's an esoteric force creating and animating the Kenomans."

The sylvan druid Azalea sneers, "And what do you know? Don't your type worship observable facts and replicable experiments? She can do it again and again until your skin rots if you want."

'She' you assume is referring to the Pedra Moura floating… horizontally in the air as she stares at the ceiling. No, her head is tilted towards the floor slightly, the red cap on top of it shielding part of her face from view. You can't imagine that being comfortable, but she doesn't seem to mind it.

"Our 'type' are innovators," he puffs up as he speaks. "Visionaries. We see things others do not, blazing a path forward in our fields. Magicians are… children, smashing together the findings we've made like they are toy figurines."

Azalea rolls her eyes. "Guess there's people like you on this side of the discipline as well. For your information, a majority of what your 'advanced' technology is based on comes from the academies in Tarshish."

You lean in to whisper in Etsuko's ears, "What's going on?"

"Just the usual," she sighs before walking forward authoritatively. "Hey you two idiots! She's here now, so stop arguing already and tell her why she needed to come here."

Everyone in the room turns to you as you step up to them, nodding your head. The contrast between the colorful pink-haired sylvan druid and the drab mokujin in a lab coat is quite apparent with how they stand in the middle of everything. While more seem to be supporting the mokujin, you're surprised to see a few Yashiman researchers with Azalea and the Pedra Moura as well, along with a magician or two.

"Greetings, I hope I haven't come at an inopportune time. I know Druid Azalea here, but you are…?"

The mokujin bows, though it's a little distracted. "I am Doctor Iwamoto Daichi. It's an honor to meet you."

Both of them calm down after that, but your attention is on the Pedra Moura as she rotates and stares at you floating upside-down.

"Hi," she says, voice flat.

You've seen little of her and haven't met privately with the mage yet, but she has always seemed to snap out of whatever stupor that claims her when she catches sight of you. There's an interest she has for you, but it's discreet enough that you don't really know what she finds intriguing. Not being captivating enough for her to approach you first at any rate is the best position to be in with powerful magicians.

You nod at her. "Hello. I'm interested to know why my insight was asked for here. Between Yashima's technology and La Encantada's capabilities, I imagine there's little I can offer."

Dr. Iwamoto shakes his head as he responds. "Despite our disagreements, there have been… many developments since the expedition has arrived. We would welcome another perspective on some unresolved matters."

"You have a lot of experience with fighting otherworldly threats and monsters from Light knows where, right?" Azalea asks. "The academies make sure to teach us about spirit and demon stuff, but it doesn't really match actually fighting and defeating… well, everything you've done."

Crossing your arms, you say, "I would be glad to, but these Kenomans are unlike anything I've faced. A demon's presence can be many different things, but they are mostly comprehensible. This Kenoman invokes the same burning feeling as all things fell do, but everything else is quite new to me."

"It's the same," the Pedra Moura cuts in.

You blink.

"Excuse me?"

"It's all the same," she repeats, floating towards the dead Kenoman while still upside-down.

Iwamoto seems like he wants to cut in, but before he does, the myconid stretches her hand out and… completely disintegrates the Kenoman. A discordant humming noise makes you wince as motes of light and energy explode out a few meters before stopping on some invisible barrier. Then with a simple wave of her hand, she reassembles the scattered remnants of the monster before you into its previous state. Identical in every way to what it was before.

You attuned your senses to the magical currents around you when she started… but you don't understand what she did. Or perhaps you do, but the impossibility of it makes you question what you just witnessed. Did she just manipulate every last particle of this beast without any…?

"All the same," she mutters one last time, a hint of… disappointment in her voice? No, not quite. Something else you can't quite decipher.

"I'm sorry, I'm uncertain as to what that display means," you say after a brief moment.

Druid Azalea steps forward, resting a hand on the mage's back. "Basically, Bea is saying that the makeup of these Kenomans are pretty much the same as any other lifeforms on Orbis."

"Which is ridiculous, quite frankly!" Iwamoto interjects now, sighing. "I'll admit there may be something here with Rossi-san's ability to deconstruct and reform the Kenoman, but the most basic sensors will tell you that there's something off about these things!"

"Yeah, there's some force changing things about people, we aren't saying there isn't. It's just the actual Kenomans are made of matter like the rest of us."

"Perhaps when it is dead," he concedes. "But what about when it is alive? I notice that she is not reanimating it. And why do the corpses dissipate on death?"

She rolls her eyes. "Come on. Matter can be manipulated by magic. Just because there's strange effects that can't normally occur without magic, doesn't mean the actual thing itself is some strange… memetic entity or whatever you're implying."

"What I'm implying is that we are facing a being capable of warping our entire country into its domain, unleashing countless monstrosities into it, and if what Pathstrider-san says is true, is invading the Currents and winning. That… something strange is going on here."

"I'm sorry for what you've gone through, but we're not saying something weird isn't happening," Azalea says in a frustrated tone of one trying to be sympathetic but rapidly losing patience. "You guys held on for so long, and I respect that, but I think that's blinded you all to the fact that the truth is probably simpler than you think."

You step forward at that point. "What are these truths you two are proposing?"

Dr. Iwamoto fixes his glasses as he turns to you, sighing, "We don't know for sure, but the research department has looked at the esoteric effects and energies that have resulted from the Impact. Something transforms people into a Kenoman, the Kenoma is a realm that doesn't work off our realm's laws, and the Anomalies receive power from a nontraditional source. Continuing to research this, with the added resources of the expedition, is what we believe is best."

You turn to La Encantada, but it is her partner who steps up to speak again, "Right, but you just saw what she did. These things are material beings with mangled spirits, made from essentially the same stuff we all are. Something is different in the exact configuration and biology, but it works off similar principles. Let's look into that further, develop weapons and tools better designed to fend off and detect more solid beings, and leave the more esoteric stuff to things like the Reflectors we've developed. And I don't want to use this argument too much, but Bea here sees things on a level none of us do. She knows what she's talking about, even if she sucks at explaining it."

Everyone stares at the Pedra Moura after that remark, who finally rotates her body to float upright.

"I see… everything," she whispers. "Small things. That's it. Nothing is… different. We are all made of things, made of smaller things, smaller and smaller, and we too are small things making up a small thing that forms a small thing in a small—"

Beatrice stops as Azalea hugs her from behind, head on her shoulder as she brings the mage back down to Orbis. The Pedra Moura's expression didn't shift at all as she spoke, but you catch the slight tightening of her hands on her lover.

"... yeah," the druid says with a shaky smile.

"I see," you say.

Blinking, you look away from the disturbed expressions of those around you to glance at the Administrator who's been silently watching this. She just shrugs as you meet her eyes though, seemingly fine with letting you choose without her input. You still aren't quite sure what to make of it, but you suppose they're simply asking which viewpoint seems correct to take on the Kenomans created by the Demiurge.

You're tempted to ask why they don't just research both paths, but you assume there's a reason for it. Perhaps a lack of resources or manpower. Or time. Whatever the case, all they asked for is your opinion, and what they choose to do after you give it is not something you need to worry about.

Choose One:

[] Dr. Iwamoto is right, something isn't right with any of this, and they should continue focusing on developing technologies to counteract the abnormal and esoteric effects of the Kenoma and Demiurge with the new resources they have

[] La Encantada is right. They've been over complicating it and failed to see that these are material beings, not spiritual or psychic monsters from the Currents. Working from a new direction might lead to additional developments and considerations

[] Ophelia, help! She might lend another helpful perspective to this as a being from the Currents. Her view of the Kenomans and the Kenoma must be very different compared to people from Orbis.

---

After the first day of the expedition's arrival, you received a worrying message that the local miko and the Light contingent were having a conflict. Thankfully, it seems the presence of the Paragon managed to ease tensions, but you know religious disagreements have a way of making things complicated. So it's no surprise that the shrine eventually requests a meeting with you, though you suspect there may be additional reasons for it.

"Truly, the Kami has given you their blessings."

You watch as Fushimi Fumi, the Gūji of the miko, carefully draws the Ame no Shisen from its scabbard. Unlike many in the city, she has put great effort into her appearance, and you're unable to spot a single wrinkle or stain on her red and white hakama. A white-golden layer decorated with a white flowery crest is draped over it however to signify her status, and she wears a kanmuri hat atop her head. Pristine white fur tipped in a fiery orange covers her, especially noticeable on her four tails, and purple eyes take in the heavenly blade gifted to you with rapt attention.

You simply nod your head. "The divine has not abandoned us. I pray that we may find a path for all faithful."

The kitsune raises her eyes at you momentarily on that, but goes back to looking over the Ame no Shisen quickly after.

"Of course, of course. The Kami protect all under their domain who come in good faith," she says, before widening her eyes. "Ah, I see! How delightfully simple but effective. As expected of the Amatsu-Kami."

"What is it?" You say, raising an eyebrow.

She runs a finger along the spine of the blade as she speaks, "The Ame no Shisen is a mirror, reflecting your original and true self back at you. Think of it as reminding your spirit of what it looks like. There may be a more 'scientific' explanation for this, presumably on how the blade analyzes and absorbs the spiritual and physical make-up of those around it, but it is in essence an embodiment of the concept of a mirror that cannot be so easily replicated by the mundane."

"That… is quite insightful actually. I thought it actively fought the corruption of the Yamikiri. It seems to bother the Kenomans from what I've seen as well."

"Ah, if only it were so simple," Fushimi says with a rueful smile. "There is a haze or mist surrounding us, yes, but it cannot be 'fought' like demonic corruption. It either has to be removed outright or, as demonstrated here, reflected back so that those suffering may regain their wits. Or the abominations to realize the horror of their being. We have tried many times to push the Yamikiri back, but how can we push back something that isn't pushing in the first place? Focusing on restoring the Kami's presence in these lands bit by bit is the best we can do."

"Or," Willow interjects, the Paragon having stayed silent the whole time. "You can let us do our thing."

The Gūji looks up with a glare, but when she glances at you, schools her face into a blank, even expression.

"Your priests and clerics have been helpful in easing the suffering of some of our afflicted," she says after a moment's pause, looking as if it pained her greatly to say it. "But I would request you follow our lead. Yashima has long been the home of the Kami, and it is only through restoring their vitality that we may begin the process of healing the land."

Willow looks unconvinced as she stands up from her lean to look down at the Gūji.

"I call bullshit on that. I've seen your type, you just want to hang onto whatever scraps of power your position gives you, don'tcha?"

Fushimi immediately springs up to her feet from her seiza position to glare at the woman, bristling, "How dare you? I never once asked for this position, and I followed the previous Gūji without complaint."

"Then," the Paragon says, holding up her hands. "It shouldn't be a problem for us to establish our own places to help everyone out, yeah?"

You sigh, unable to hide your irritation. "Please you two, I have only just recently stepped away from another argument. What is the problem here?"

The Hand of the Beholder has the decency to look a little sheepish, but the kitsune maintains her stone cold expression.

"Look," Willow starts. "I'm just asking we be allowed to set up our own sites and sanctuaries. The miko here do good work, and I won't force anyone to leave, but I'm sure it'll make any followers of the Light here feel better to be looked over by people sharing similar beliefs in a more comfortable area and not trying to convert them."

You look sharply at the kitsune at that. "Have you been forcibly—"

"No, by the Kami, no. We do not turn away followers of other faiths or set conditions for aid. There are even followers of the Light within our own ranks," she denies, looking offended.

"It isn't always obvious, but you can't deny the implications are present, or feel like they're present," the human counters.

Fushimi shakes her head, growling slightly, but you raise your hand.

"I'm certain you do not countenance such behavior, Gūji, but it does seem like her proposal would solve many issues. Why are you against it?"

"Because it's not as simple as just letting everyone do as they wish," she sighs. "The way spiritual energy and rites work makes it complicated for competing influences to come together in a way that's beneficial. Not to the extent that we must force all to worship and pray in the same manner, but if we are performing complicated ceremonies and constantly maintaining powerful wards and protections, it… changes things."

She trails off for a moment, taking some time to think over her next words.

"One… commonality both our faiths share is that all things are connected. We are not simply drawing from an infinite well of power in a vacuum, nor are our prayers simply requests for powers and blessings. Just as the kami and divine are bolstered by our faith, so too are our lands and spirits changed by the beliefs we hold. With Yashima in such dire straits, I believe it unwise for the Light's faithful to perform their work and potentially disrupt ours."

You mull it over, trying to decipher how sincere the kitsune is. The stereotype of them being tricksters and deceivers is mostly based on a few notorious ones in history, but a kitsune in this position would be adept in persuasion. Still, what she's said so far isn't necessarily wrong. That was one of the main reasons for spreading the Light after all. Competing faiths that weakened each other greatly destabilized Orbis.

And while you're unsure how much she knows about you, she must be wary of speaking to two ardent supporters of the Light, even if the both of you are more tolerant than usual. The Paragon's accusation that the Gūji is afraid of losing power may not be fully correct, but you wouldn't be surprised if the kitsune is worried that the two of you will just ask her to lay down and accept the Light's dominion over her beliefs and faith for the greater good.

Willow speaks up as you think, "I'm aware of that, but even with our help right now, things are progressing slowly in your shrines. I don't think too much is at risk if we take volunteers and attempt our own treatments."

"As Gūji of the miko with the responsibility for both the people and land, I'm afraid I can't accept leaving their fates to an outsider if the result is uncertain, no matter how well-intentioned," she replies firmly. "The Light has been a net positive for Orbis, I don't deny this. It is, however, a deeply personal faith, one where its followers focus on discovering their inner light and worth. It will not be up to the task of healing the land itself, especially when dealing with Kami."

"Come on, if you know your history then you know that isn't the winning argument you think it is. You think this is the first religion the Light has worked side by side with? It was made to adapt to various cultures and beliefs. I get that you have the right to be concerned about the health of those under your roof, but you really need to stop letting your bias affect your judgement," the Paragon shoots back.

Something glints in the purple eyes of the Gūji as she stares into the dark of the Hand of the Beholder.

"I have my reservations about the Light, this I'll admit," she says. "If you think that I would let that stop me from helping Yashima, you are sorely mistaken. I once followed the strongest believer of the Light despite our differences and saw the faith flourish before the Impact in a way it hasn't for many years. I then saw her torn apart by these abominations invading our reality, unable to fend off their influence."

"Abominations," the Paragon states flatly. "On that topic, I wonder what your miko think of the Anomalies walking around the city. I hope you don't see them as abominations as well, right?"

Fushimi looks at you before exhaling. "The Osen—Anomalies, we believe them to be afflicted by a terrible curse. Some take it too far in calling for them to be hunted down instead of cared for, but I assure you that I will do my utmost to curtail such behavior. It isn't as if the Light's touch hurts them any less than the Kami's blessings."

You look at the Paragon for confirmation, and she nods reluctantly in response. "Yeah, it's a bit different than curing and treating those simply undergoing Erosion. They don't react well to us wielding the Light's power."

A silence falls over the three of you after that, the many issues around this weighing down on you all. In the distance, you can hear the quiet ministrations of the miko and priests, as well as the occasional pained cries and groans of those whose spirits may soon be lost forever.

"I'm not asking for much," Willow repeats, more gently this time. "Competing with other faiths isn't why I came here. The Light has its problems, but this isn't a situation where any of them will cause an issue. We can speed things up if we're given more freedom and independence to do things our way for those following the Light. This is hardly the worst situation the Light has been in when coming into contact with other faiths, as I'm sure you know, and I think we can handle what comes our way."

The Gūji sighs and to your surprise bows her head slightly to you. "You would have our gratitude even beyond allowing us to gaze upon a small sign of the divine if you would lend us your word. Please trust that I am not letting my judgment be colored by my prejudice, and that I am speaking earnestly when I say that following the Kami's will is the best path forward for healing Yashima and its people currently. That may change later, and I will not seek to forcibly convert anyone regardless, but I would rather not put people at risk now."

At their expectant looks, you do your best to maintain a neutral expression as you think. Technically, you don't wield any official power over the two. In reality, you are the current wielder of the Ame no Shisen and the one who brought an entire expedition over to help Yashima. Your support for either one of them will probably swing things in their favor considerably, and that's probably why they called you in to mediate. Neither path seems outright wrong to you, so you have to consider this carefully.

Choose One:

[] Trust in the Paragon. From what you've seen of her, she's a sincere, but reasonable follower of the Light. You doubt that there's any malicious intent here, and that she's knowledgeable enough of the various issues that might crop up with introducing the Light here.

[] Trust in the Gūji. She's admitted she has a dim view of the Light, but nevertheless seems genuinely worried about the stability of those under her care. You should heed the concerns of someone who has been maintaining the sanctuaries of the city for the past decade.

[] Ophelia, help! Faith and religion aren't really the fae's thing, but she might know something about the patients' Erosion and how the Yamikiri interacts with the material realm and sanctuaries that the other don't know about.

---

Sitting over the edge of an abandoned skyscraper, you look over the city you've resided in for about a week. You chose a location near the borders of the danger zones where you can more clearly detect the Yamikiri and its signature distortion and cracks in the air. From here, you can see how bleak living here truly is, even with all the effort put into building Tsukishima into a bastion of safety and security. The silence and lack of activity outside is all the more apparent up here where reality gives way to… something else.

Though there's more you imagine you can do here, you're already itching to move on. Exploring a city is one thing, but fixing all its problems isn't your job or specialty. Nokoyo was a rather unique situation tailored to your particular experience, but Yashima is ironically closer to what you're used to. You're here to explore and help Yashima with Tsukishima being a safe location to report back to. If things are this bad here, then how much worse is it outside?

There's one last thing you can do here, and it's something you hesitated to do. It's already risky trying to summon Ophelia here, but it would be downright dangerous to ask her to scout the area around here in the Currents. Still, there might be valuable information she can uncover if she does, even if it's just readings you don't quite understand. Ophelia probably won't ask a favor if she fails to find anything, but you're wary of what might happen to her if something fails. Beings from the Currents are apparently more vulnerable to the Demiurge after all…

Choose One:

[] Ophelia, help! No one in Tsukishima can really penetrate the Demiurge's realm quite yet, and those few who fell into the breaches you've heard about were never seen again. Have her scout the area around the Kenoma, and if possible, sneak in and see what it's like. It could give crucial insight into the inner workings of the place.

[] Ophelia, stay! Summoning her is already risky. Sending her into an area that an extremely powerful celestial told you has swallowed celestials, devils, fae, and demons alike is careless and dangerous. While Ophelia is frustrating and mercenary, you don't want her to come to genuine harm. Or worse.

---

AN:

Very interesting vote so far! I'm loving some of the discussion and explanations you guys are coming up with. There's a tie for the Gūji vs Paragon debate so far on whether to consult Ophelia or not, so I'm giving around 24 hours for that to resolve itself(Edit: 24 hours for all voting, not just a tiebreaker mind). The other two votes are more clear-cut, but have votes for other options.

"I… know of one who may be of more assistance in this matter," you say.

Your connection with Ophelia in Yashima was something you've put aside when you arrived, but now seems like an opportune time to test it. The risk should be minimal, you believe. There are always dangerous beings lurking in the Currents, and your fairy friend has few difficulties reaching you with the connection you have. Even if complications arise, you're sure Ophelia can at least break the summoning and escape.

Still, you had hoped to put it off for a bit longer…

---

"A fairy… I think my grandpa saw one once, but even in our forest, they don't appear anymore."

In a scene you're becoming more familiar with, you stand on a raised platform alone with observers looking on from a distance. Instead of foreboding and classic architecture though, you're surrounded by blinking screens and machines of all sorts buzzing around you like a swarm of hornets. Glowing lines run through the floor and walls around you, with kanji and ofuda breaking up the overwhelming modernity throughout.

There's a sense of excitement to be sure… but there is much more wariness too than back in even Nokoyo. If you weren't the one who brought the expedition here in the first place, you feel like the Administrator would've glared a hole through your skull. As it is now, there is simply a scrunched up face as she crosses her arms and taps her finger on one, apprehension radiating out of her. You get why others may be wary of visitors from beyond the veil, but she seemed like a reasonable sort…

Shaking off your musings, you focus on what you came here for. It takes a while for you to get used to the static feeling of the aether around you, courtesy of the measures in place put for security by the Administration, but soon you take hold of the tether between you and Ophelia and gently tug on it. Unlike the dance you performed back at Nokoyo, you decided to go for a more careful, measured approach on summoning the fairy.

A moment passes, and soon you receive a small jolt in affirmation. More carefully than you've ever seen her travel towards you, Ophelia glides along the path the two of you forged with your connection. At times she disappears from your senses only for her to pop back up a few seconds later, traversing the Currents with an expertise only a fairy of her caliber can pull off.

When you feel like she is a few seconds away however, she suddenly stops in place. You frown. Ophelia isn't sending any signals of danger towards you, but remaining motionless in the Currents is a very easy way to get swept away by them. Considering whether you should send a questioning pulse or to not distract her, you jump a little when Ophelia sprints towards you and appears by your side in an instant.

"Gah! What the f—"

"Ophelia! Turn it down!" you say, wincing.

The fairy still hasn't fully shifted to her usual form on Orbis yet, and it takes her a worryingly long time to start doing so. You look around the room and see that more than a few people have started drawing their weapons, and you're not entirely sure you blame them. The Administrator at least seems to be keeping her cool as she calls for everyone to remain calm.

"I can help."

You whip your head back to Ophelia to see the Pedra Moura floating beside the mostly corporeal form of the fairy, who has formed enough of a face to look shocked at the magician's intervention. La Encantada's body rotates in the air as she mutters and moves her hands around before dispelling whatever seems to be affecting the fairy, allowing her to fully form in Orbis and burst free with her wings.

Beatrice tilts her head from her now upside-down position. "Interesting."

Ophelia blinks at her after a brief shudder. "... who the heck are you?"

You step in before the magician can answer however and lay a hand on the fairy's shoulder. "Ophy, are you well?"

"... yeah, yeah I am," she says after shaking her head. "By all that is holy and infernal, that's something I don't wanna go through again."

You bend down and give her a mini-hug. "I'm sorry. Were you hurt? I sensed that you stopped for a moment before appearing all of a sudden here."

Ophelia grimaces, closing her too large eyes as she shudders. "I don't think it would've hurt me in the long run, but I felt… something changing within me and stopped to investigate. Then something or someone popped up near me and began asking if I'd like to learn more or some mumbo jumbo. I blasted them in the face before coming straight here."

"She was becoming like everything else," the Pedra Moura interjects, reaching out to poke Ophelia. "The same as everyone here. Small things coming together to make her many."

"... right, weirdo," Ophelia says, moving to put you between her and the too-curious magician. "Where do you find these people, Deir?"

You laugh as things finally start calming down. "I'll introduce you to everyone Ophy. Now the one who helped you is…"

---

"Mmm, this stuff is all… chewy and gunky. It's weird."

Ophelia flits about the Kenoman in the tube with a critical eye, lips pursed as she looks at it from all angles.

Beatrice suddenly appears floating next to her. "What do you mean?"

"Gah!" Ophelia cries out, glaring at the Pedra Moura. "Don't do that, you weirdo!"

The myconid tilts her head. "But I'm just traveling the way you did."

"I know! And you shouldn't be able to do that! Deir, help! I'm getting harassed by this very strange and not normal entity!"

You ignore her with a small smile as she's forced to be the one weirded out by another person. The smile dies though as you catch the Administrator standing off to the side, still looking distinctly uncomfortable. Concluding that you're no longer needed here, you step away from the commotion to stop at her side. She gives you a glance but otherwise doesn't protest your presence.

"Have I done something to offend?" you ask, curious.

Tomoko looks up at you and then away for a moment before sighing.

"No, you haven't. It's precisely why I let you make a decision here. I would be… biased, here, and such bias has no place in science."

You look away as well. "Can you elaborate, or is it a personal matter?"

"... I don't like magic. Or magicians. And probably magical beings," she says without a hint of shame.

An eyebrow is raised. "Doesn't a lot of your technology use magic?"

Tomoko lets out a chuckle. "I'm aware of the hypocrisy. I can give any number of reasons why it's different, but I'm aware that magicians and scientists are both pushing against the same circle. I still don't like magicians, mind you."

"... did a magician cause you harm, before?"

"No," she firmly denies. "Not personally. I imagine I'd have much more of a visceral emotional reaction to them otherwise. It's more of a fundamental distaste for their mindset and philosophy. I don't think any magician should have a leadership role over any group of people, for instance."

Now you're really curious. "Why not?"

"Their thought process and view of the world is irrevocably altered in a way that renders them unable to understand others on a fundamental level. Power is at their fingertips, and the world is ripe for them to mold. Hours every day are spent honing their skills, their minds consumed by spells, matrices, symbols, and little else. Tell me that you would trust that Pedra Moura girl to run a country, or even be responsible for a small group's mental and physical well-being?"

You're a little stunned by her sharp and bitter voice, words rushing out of her mouth as if she has long solidified this view over the years.

She shakes her head. "I still understand what it is to be weak. To be scared and forced to work within the rules of normal society. And I help create tools that anyone can use and constructs that are programmed to protect the mundane from the unreal. Then record the way I did it so others may be able to replicate it for their own safety and well-being if something were to happen to me. I don't go looking for ways to make myself all powerful, to break the system and make myself apart from—"

Tomoko cuts herself off at that, sighing once more.

"I'm not calling for the magically inclined to be persecuted, and I understand that in Orbis, any stable civilization finds a place for magicians and those interested in more occult fields. But seeing the world through the lens of magic is dangerous, Pathstrider-san. It's an unreliable, unstable method that never ends well for anyone, including the magician, if there aren't tight regulations in place for them and a lot of oversight."

She chuckles. "There, my piece is said and done. Feel free to call me a close-minded bigot, if you wish."

You remain silent for a moment before shaking your head. "It's not my place to judge. You've conducted yourself remarkably well for someone with such a strong opinion. You do know that I am a wielder of magic as well, don't you?"

Tomoko hums, "I was somewhat aware of the possibility, yes."

"Yet I have been treated with the utmost courtesy and even asked for my opinion and insight ever since I have arrived," you note. "So long as it does not result in the people being harmed, who am I to go against you? I do not agree, of course, but I see I don't have a full understanding yet of your situation anyways."

The two of you fall into silence after that as you watch everyone discuss the Kenoman in the tube. Tomoko isn't the first person you've met to hold a negative view on magicians, but she is perhaps the calmest and most measured about it out of all of them. As for you… the elves lived and breathed magic in their daily lives. Elves were created by it after all, and many of them wielded it in their daily activities and purposes. Interactions often had the tinge of magic to it as well.

You know what a society can be like with magic weaved into its foundations. Tomoko and others lacked the proper context for it. They only know wizard kings, evil witches, foolish warlocks, and crazed sorcerers because mortals dedicating their lives to magic often went to such extremes, especially in the olden days. It's only recently that magic has become an everyday part of life, but even then, it's filtered through the lens of magitech and psionic devices.

Of course, perhaps they have a point. Elven civilization no longer exists, and elven magicians eventually went mad. Few places still exist that are in tune with the world's essence. Reaching such conclusions based purely on results is a dangerous line of thinking, but it's difficult to refute it and easy to bring up.

Shaking your head to dispel such thoughts, you turn your attention back to the researchers. They don't seem to have come to a consensus on the matter, but you're sure you'll receive their findings and conclusions when they finally reach them later. Nodding at Tomoko, you leave her side to find a place to settle in for a while. At least your conversation seems to have eased some of the Administrator's tension.

"Deir, heeeeelp!"

Yes, you think you are done here for now.

---

"When I traveled with Archbishop Ismael, we spread the Light to all corners of the known world and made accord with gods and saints and avatars all."

Fushimi Fumi closed her eyes, resigned to your decision.

The Paragon nods. "Yeah, this isn't our first rodeo. We've got a large track record of success, so—"

"And so we left people with their faith intact, a seed of light in their hands if they so wished to plant it into their soil," you interrupt. "The Light is many things. A choice, a journey, an opportunity, a reflection, and a guide. It is not a thing which seeks to enter and disrupt your life, regardless of the attitudes of some adherents to it."

The Gūji looks up with wide eyes, "Wait, so you are not…"

"I hope you will not eye the Light with such suspicion one day," you say softly. "But I have only respect for the Kami and your decision as the Gūji. The Light only shines when one is open to it."

She breathes a sigh of relief and bows deeply before you.

"You have my gratitude. For your consideration… and your wisdom. I don't think I am comfortable thinking about it now, but perhaps later, I will give your words further thought."

To the side, the Paragon releases a sigh of her own, but she soon shakes her head and steps toward you.

"I still think we could've done a lot more good, but after your speech, I'll admit it made me feel a little bad," she says, a joking half-smile on her face.

You huff. "Your initiative is admirable, but there are times you must take a step back."

"I'll keep it in mind, Grandma," Willow chuckles before turning to the kitsune. "So, I assume we can still look over the folks following the Light…?"

Fushimi nods as she says, "Of course. There's a miko actually you may wish to speak to…"

The two speak of a few more matters before the Paragon departs, leaving you alone with the Gūji.

"Thank you again, Pathstrider-san. I am glad that there are those outside Yashima with such understanding and generosity," she says as she kneels down at the table again.

"Of course. If you'd like, you can keep the Ame no Shisen for safekeeping," you offer without missing a beat.

She starts at that and glances down at the blade she's holding, as if just realizing it was in her hands the whole time. The kitsune raises it to her face and stares deep into the mirror while she thinks. After a few moments, she shakes her head slowly before sheathing it back into the scabbard.

"It is much appreciated, but this blade belongs on the battlefield," she says, offering the Ame no Shisen to you with both hands. "The Kami have entrusted it to you, and you are free to wield it until you find one worthy of bearing its burden."

You take back the blade with both hands, matching her solemn air. A burden, hm? Some strange feeling stirs in your chest. Usually it is you that receives the weight of responsibility. Placing it on another's shoulders is… you're not sure what to think of that.

---

"We've planned exploratory missions outside Tsukishima before, but we couldn't dedicate too much to them without leaving us vulnerable in other ways. Especially with the risk of losing whatever we send out."

You sit with the Administrator and a few other officials in the same meeting room she led you to on your first day here as she displays a map on the "holographic" table of the entire nation. Taking in all its details, you're struck at just how much Yashima lost to the Impact. Tsukishima is a tiny dot compared to the rest of the nation, covered in hazardous terrain and the unknown. The lives of tens of millions were irrevocably lost or changed in a metaphorical blink of an eye historically.

"It's not the first time I've ventured alone into dangerous lands," you respond. "You need not devote extensive manpower and resources to this."

Tomoko shakes her head. "But we do. It's already been too long since we've been disconnected from the mainland. Communications are still down, but there's strong evidence that something still lives out there. Not to mention we're blind to any potential threats biding their time outside our walls. There won't be a better opportunity than now to figure it all out."

She stares at you for a bit before turning away from you. "Besides, it would look terrible if we just sent you off on your own towards who knows what."

"Very well," you laugh. "So, I heard something about the old capital on the way here…?"

"Yes. It's a good ending point for a long-term mission like this, and… well, if anywhere were to have more information, valuables, or people, it would be in the capital. I… have a hunch that those who may have been behind the Impact held many of their operations there."

A hush fell across the room at the revelation unceremoniously put out there for you to hear.

"So the Impact was caused by people?" you ask with an eyebrow arched.

Tomoko clenched her fist, swallowing as she turned to meet your stare.

"There was a movement, perhaps a decade or so before the Impact, that called for us to move beyond our mortal coils. To be as gods, for what else can someone who knows all of the way the realms work and may be manipulated be called? I was a dumb tech-obsessed girl back then, always focusing on creating better and more sophisticated machines, androids, and AI. The world started at my keyboard and ended at my programs."

You set your hands on the table, your face unchanging. Out of the corner of your eyes, the few people she brought to the meeting tense. You note that they weren't any of the delegates from the first meeting. None seem surprised at her words.

"I knew about it. It wasn't something hidden, though many more deeply involved took care not to advertise it too publicly. People asked for my expertise, floated ideas about mind transference, digital brains, virtual paradises, aetheric programming, and more to me. When the Automata became more prominent, my opinion was widely sought after. I didn't know about the end goal, but I imagine I contributed much to the Impact."

You lean forward.

"And how do you feel about that, Sanada Tomoko?"

The Administrator is not an expressive woman, and her bushy, raggedy fur did much to hide her true thoughts and emotions. Your eyes see more than most. You see the tightening of her right hand, the straightening of her back, her unblinking eyes, and the tiniest shift of her posture as her legs moved of their own volition. You can hear and see the slight gritting of her teeth, notice the faster swishing of her tail, and the rigidness of her shoulders.

"I'm here, aren't I?" she says, not offering any excuse, regret, or justification.

She makes no defensive or evasive movement. You look around the room, meeting the tense, but determined gazes of those she trusted enough to have here with her. You think back to the hustle and bustle of those who worked in the Administration Headquarters, hopeful and ready to reclaim their future. You remember the sullen but ultimately safe survivors and refugees still trying to make something of their lives, free of the many struggles such a place might have enforced on them for the greater good.

"Okay," you say, leaning back.

She blinks. "Okay?"

"Okay," you nod. "If you speak the truth of not knowing what would happen, then who am I to blame you?"

Tomoko almost seems to deflate at that, scratching at her arm as she looks around the much more relaxed room.

"Huh, I thought this would be harder," she admits.

"I told you! She's one of those types, I could see it in her eyes."

You nearly jump as your body twists to catch the armored unit you met all the way back when you first stepped off the expedition ship somehow materializing behind you.

"Sasaki-san," the Administrator chides. "You should have introduced yourself properly."

"Sorry, sorry," she says, looking as sheepish as a large metal construct of war could possibly be when scratching her head.

You shake your head. "I'd like an explanation, please…"

"She's my personal bodyguard, equipped with the greatest of my works," Tomoko brags, smug as always when talking about her inventions. "I've done a lot of work on stealth and detection systems, important as they were back then in society."

To fool even your senses… you feel like you could have found her if you were focusing, but stealth is more than how to slink about in dark corners. Too many people in recent weeks have managed to sneak up on you, even if none of them were intent on attacking you, and you were torn on feeling uncomfortable and fascinated on how mortals keep on surprising you.

"I appreciate you being so honest with me," you say instead.

Tomoko nods, looking back at the map now that things are more settled. "It's only right I tell you, given what we're attempting to do. And it avoids a lot of future complications. I'd rather you not get some twisted version of what happened because I neglected to tell you my part in it."

"Would there be sources of information on that?"

"That's what I was going to get to next," she says. "I ask only that you investigate the capital, but there are many other objectives that we'd like to achieve if you're willing to dedicate the time and effort to aid us in them. Dangerous ones, mind."

The Administrator pauses before continuing. "This is an actual secret we prefer you keep for now. We've been… contacted, from certain individuals outside. People I knew."

You catch the implication. "Those who were part of that movement?"

"Yes," she breathes out. "We know little, but the messages they sent back with the survivors of previous missions called me out by name. Not to mention a few actually managing to contact us through our communications. They call themselves Archons now, apparently, and they've made a combination of requests for negotiation and 'requests' we must fulfill, or else."

She adjusts the map and highlights two locations. "There's two who have actually given more than vague and cryptic messages though. I suppose you could call them… colleagues and peers of mine from before. They want to meet and put forth steps for us to contact them. I didn't deem us either capable enough of handling an ambush or desperate enough to risk it so I ignored those bastards, but with you and everyone you brought here…"

You hum, "I'll consider it."

"You seem remarkably at ease with all this," she mutters. "I'll admit this is almost more off-putting than if you have reacted harshly."

"When you have lived as long as I have and seen fantastical things for millennia, it'd be more difficult to actually surprise me," you shrug.

She grumbles but moves on, "The next thing we'd like to do is to check on as many villages and towns on the way as possible. They would've been at most risk, and it'd be very helpful to know if anyone in those areas survived. This will be a time-consuming, bleak task, but a useful one. Especially since I plan to set up as many Reflectors as possible in any place left standing."

"Onto what I believe are lower priority but some have been more insistent on investigating," she adds with a grimace as locations are highlighted on the map. "There's hidden laboratories and facilities scattered throughout Yashima. Some… people who were more in the know have informed me of a few of their locations, and I've been invited to some of them myself. Most of them are probably derelict or empty, but it would be helpful to take any documents in there. And if you do find something of note…"

She then sighs, "And finally, the Gūji has asked if we may investigate spiritually-active hotspots and springs on the way to the capital. I don't doubt the potential utility of this, but with so much to do, it might be best to leave it to future missions when we have a better grasp of what's out there. My focus is on the people first before anything else, so I will not push you to focus on this or the laboratories."

You soak in everything she's said, rolling her words in your mind. Everything she's proposed is sensible and necessary in taking the first step of rebuilding. Deep down, you realize that, and you won't refuse at least going to the capital, yet…

… there was something you wanted to do, amidst all the sophontarian work you've been doing. When you had planned to explore on your own, you wanted to take the chance to see any old places you've been to before. There was probably nothing left that you'd recognize, but you felt like you needed to investigate if anything remained of your former companions here. Their memory will always be with you, but you'll save anything left behind if you can.

For weeks now, ever since you started this whole endeavor, some uncomfortable feeling has been building up within you. No, perhaps even before then, when you were languishing in your cell after defeating the Caorthannach. The many days and weeks of feeling something was wrong, exhausted but agitated… this, all of this, it's starting to take its toll. You've endured worse, but you don't necessarily want to have to endure this. This role you've taken, that you have always left to others, it isn't you, right? Going back to being Deirdre the Drifter for just a bit, would it help?

The conversation you had with Dr. Rallis comes to mind again as you debate it in your head. This would be extremely selfish. With so much already to do, taking the time to go check on places for no real reason when millions are suffering is… difficult to justify. But you've done enough to warrant this, right? You want to help, you do, but…

"So, what do you think," the Administrator asks after staring at you in uncomfortable silence while you think. "If there's anything else you'd like to suggest…"

---

This will be a plan vote. Take as many actions below as you wish, but know that each takes time and carries their own risk. Despite all the aid given by the expedition, things are still not entirely safe here, and the threat of a large attack or invasion is one some have been concerned about.

[] Travel to the capital and investigate the situation there. You must take this action.

[] Meet with these so-called "Archons" and take their measure

[] Check on towns and villages on the way for any survivors and set up Reflectors in those that have them

[] Investigate hidden laboratories and facilities for documents and any potential surprises lurking within

[] Visit spiritually-active areas and observe their current state

[] Go and see old places and locations you might recognize, searching for signs of your old companions

Or, vote for
[] Plan: I Want It All
If you want to take every option.

In addition, you may request certain powerful individuals to accompany you and assist with any potential difficulties. They won't be present for defending Tsukishima in case of any emergencies, but there may be even more dire threats on this journey. This will also be a plan vote, separate from the mission plan. Essentially, you will be voting for two different plans.

[] La Encantada

[] Sasaki Riko

[] Aoki Junpei

[] Paragon

[] Gūji

Or, vote for
[] Plan: I'll Do It Myself
If you don't want to take any of them.

---

AN: