Cooled Passions Chapter 79: Playing Fair

Chapter 79: Playing Fair

“Focus, feel your body. Fill your awareness with your own physical limits. The horns and tail, the features you want to hide, feel them, focus on them, empty your mind, let your instincts rise.” Her voice was low, soothing.

Unfortunately, her words were too much for me to resist, a smile coming unbidden to my face, “Careful, if I do that in your presence I might act inappropriately.”

“I’m sure I would survive.” Was the dry response, before a tap struck my nose, causing it to scrunch, “Focus. Concentrate. Once you become conscious of them, the rest should come naturally.”

I chuckled, before focusing on her instructions. The stress had piled up, one thing after another as soon as Runeas revealed my heritage to me. I barely had a few minutes with which to sort things out before my meeting with Hachiman. Here, now, in the gardens of the Yokai Palace, I finally had some time to reflect and centre myself.

Just as Yasaka had said, once I focused on my body, I was able to feel the horns and the tail. Much like my hands, it was a natural part of me, something that I could move on instinct. Concentrating on them harder, I could feel a metaphysical muscle, one that I took a bit to figure out how to pull. Once I did, I could feel the strange sensation of the bones sliding back into my body, disappearing and hiding from view.

Opening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of a smiling Kitsune, warm pride in her golden eyes.

“Thank you, Yasaka. That was a great help.” I spoke earnestly, causing her smile to widen, before it was replaced with a look of worry.

“I’m glad that the Yokai method was able to be of help to you, but Damocles… what happened?” She reached out, hand gently touching my upper arm, “Are you truly a descendant of Lucifer?”

“Apparently so.” I sighed, “I was under a seal that kept my bloodline contained, but once I became aware of the knowledge the seal broke itself. I was only informed just before I arrived here.”

“I see. I’m sorry that my request forced you to reveal yourself so soon after such a massive upheaval of your life.” Her apology was genuine, “What are your plans going forward? Are you going to take up the Lucifer name?”

“For now, my plan is to go fetch the last members of my Peerage. There are questions I need answered from the one who revealed the truth to me and I do not trust her to give them to me honestly. Thankfully, I should be able to get them from the one I’m going to meet.” I answered, causing her eyes to narrow, to which I shrugged, “I don’t think I will, Yasaka. I am a Sagan, it’s what I have built myself up as. More to the point, I don’t want the legacy that comes with the name. He was petty, deluded and not worth emulating or honouring.”

“Don’t let any other Devils hear you say that.” She grinned, a short-lived expression, “However, Damocles, I feel I must warn you. Your bloodline will affect you, will be an important part of you. Rejecting it is not healthy or safe.”

“I’m not rejecting it. I am a descendant of Lucifer, I accept that.” I responded, reaching a hand up to gently grasp her own, “It’s up to me to decide what that means for me, or how I live my life. Not anyone else, especially someone who has been dead for centuries.”

Her smile returned at my words, stronger now, “I’m glad, you are strong, I am sure that you will conquer this. I want you to know, Kyoto is always open to you. Should your kind not accept this new you, should the Underworld itself turn against you, I offer you a safe haven.”

“Thank you Yasaka. Truly.” I squeezed her hand, “Knowing that you are willing to do that for me means a lot. I will try not to impose such difficulty on you, but I cannot promise it will not happen.”

She squeezed back, “Good. I’m glad you are not feeding me nonsense about how you’ve got it all handled.”

“It would be nice if I could.” I laughed, using the grip to pull on her gently, enveloping her in a hug as she tilted towards me, “Thank you again. For everything.”

“I wish I could do more.” She muttered, hugging me tightly.

“Just this is plenty already. I won’t forget it.” I answered.

We held each other for a few heartbeats, before I gently pushed her back, staring into her eyes as we shared our breath.

“The chase has been fun, Yasaka.” I spoke, cupping her cheek as she blinked in surprise, “But when I come back, we will need to have a serious discussion.”

Apprehension filled her gaze, before it was washed away with resolve and she leaned forwards, boldly placing a kiss upon my lips and whispering, “I will have an answer for you.”

“I can guess it.” I grinned, stealing another taste of her before pulling away fully, “Look towards that discussion with excitement. I know I will.”

“Even now, you are filled with unearned pride and confidence.” She rolled her eyes, the effect ruined by her wide smile, “Stay safe, Damocles.”

“I always do.” Was my cheeky reply, the familiar pull of teleportation allowing me to see her just beginning to wave before the sight was replaced with the halls of my home.

Taking a deep breath, I refocused myself. I needed to meditate, to find the most likely version of the candidate to agree to join my Peerage. Hopefully I could get to her before I was killed or forced out of the world.

Moving to my room, I fell into a half-trance, pulling through different variations and parallel realities, until I found one that seemed promising. Making sure that I wasn’t missing anything, I locked it in.

Opening my door, I didn’t step into my room, but instead a rocky, warm cavern for the briefest of moments. I barely saw my destination for an instant before a hole in reality opened up in front of me, my momentum carrying me through it.

Instead of the realm of rock and magma I was expecting, I was greeted with an endless expanse of black, stretching infinitely off into all directions. There was only a single thing in this void, perched almost comically in the middle of nothing. A pink floral couch, upon which rested a beautiful, mature woman.

She was wearing an old style of white dress, over which she was wearing a Taoist apron, of a deep purple colour. On her head was a white, frilled cap, with a dark pink ribbon holding it to her long, blonde hair, even as she reclined on the couch.

“Well now, usually I can stop people before they arrive so suddenly like that. But nothing about this specific visitor is normal, is it, Devil?” She spoke, eyes taking in my form.

I recognised her on sight of course. The singular being who made this world the most dangerous of any I have tried to enter. The one reason why I was waiting to even attempt this.

The Lady of Gaps, Yakumo Yukari.

---XXX---

Her yellow eyes raked my form, seeming to peer both at and through me. I didn’t feel anything brushing against my defences, but whether or not that meant anything against someone like her was up for debate. She was old and powerful, much more so than most beings I had met. Ophis, Ranni and Gabriel matched or even surpassed her, they too had ways of obtaining information that I doubted I was even aware of.

“Yakumo Yukari.” I named her, watching as her golden eyes narrowed at my knowledge, “My name is Damocles Sagan. It’s an honour to meet you.”

“An honour you would gladly do without, I am sure.” She responded back, quickly, “After all, you sneaked in through the window, not even bothering to knock on the door.”

“I apologise for any rudeness. My way of travelling to other worlds doesn’t give me any other choice. I am unsure how I could have been polite in this case.” I bowed slightly to her, her blonde eyebrows raising at the gesture, “Please accept my contrition.”

“I doubt your contrition is enough for you to abandon your goal here?” She questioned, huffing at my shaking head.

“I’m afraid not. But I promise, I am not here to cause any problems for you or your realm, I am here only to-” She cut me off.

“I know why you are here, Devil. You have come to pluck a flower from my garden.” Her tone was final.

“Yes.” I didn’t bother to deny it, “I am here to make one of the denizens of Gensokyo an offer.”

“An offer they can’t refuse?” She tilted her head.

I put up my hands reassuringly, “Not at all. Should they say no, I will leave empty-handed.”

“Only to come back to a different Gensokyo a month later and try again.” Her words made me pause, something she noticed and smiled at, “Your way of travelling was novel, but not difficult to decipher. You have the force of probability on your side, thus why you are so content to accept rejection.”

“True. That is also why I will not start a fight or harm anyone in Gensokyo. If I am refused, I will simply leave.” I didn’t deny it.

She placed a finger on her chin, “That offends my sense of fairness. Given enough tries, all attempts verge on certainty, no? Why should I let you just do as you wish, if you take no risks and aim to ensnare one of my people?”

“Is Gensokyo a prison? A place that no one can leave if they wish to? Would you really deny someone if they decide for themselves that they wish to go with me?” I asked, rhetorically.

“No.” She responded, suddenly deadly serious, “Gensokyo is a sanctuary, not a prison. However, if you refine your approach over many attempts, again and again, could it really be said that whoever you are offering your deal to accepted out of their free will?”

She raised a finger as I made to respond, continuing to speak, “No. I know just what to do. I dislike killing, so instead I shall offer you a deal, Devil. Your kind like those.”

“What deal?” I questioned, intrigued despite myself.

“I shall place a signature on you, one that only I can detect. You will approach this fairly, in one attempt. Should she reject your offer, you shall leave and the signature will alert other versions of me that this is not your first attempt. If you attempt to remove it, no matter where you are, I will know. Do you accept?”

“What will happen if I don’t, out of curiosity?” I asked.

“I will eject you, here and now.” She responded, deadly serious.

I considered her offer. To be honest, I was going to accept either way. I was certain that my target would jump on what I offered, as it was everything she had ever wished for. Yukari herself was strong, but I felt that if we came to blows, I could make her work for the victory. The outcome would likely favour her, but there is a slim possibility that I could win if I challenged her to a Danmaku match, judging by her magical power.

It seems that is why she offered this deal, viewing it as too much effort to force me to leave involuntarily.

I was right to save this for last.

“I accept.” Was my response to her.

---XXX---

She reclined on her throne, uncomfortable. She wished she could get the thing remade, or add more cushions, but something about doing that to the ancient piece of furniture always seemed wrong to her. So instead, she endured it, viewing it as one more part of her duty. The denizens of Hell could enter the throne room and see her holding court, just as they should.

Of course, no one actually did so, all of them terrified of her. But still, it was the thought that counted!

She adjusted her posture, trying to find a more comfortable spot as she read her book. This was how she passed the time when she held court, the hours disappearing in between the pages of her novels. Honestly, she was almost glad that she was left alone to do so, as she had a massive library of unread books that she would never make a dent in otherwise.

Her focus was broken by the opening of the doors of the palace, footsteps echoing as they leisurely made their way towards her. She straightened herself up, slipping the book into it’s hidey-hole behind the throne as she did so. Smoothing out her dress, she sat upright and regal, projecting authority and class.

The doors to the throne room creaked open, causing her to cringe and mentally note that Rin should really oil the hinges more frequently. As she saw the figure enter, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

He was certainly attractive, long, flowing white hair and piercing blue eyes on a beautiful, flawless face. His clothes were high quality, his posture one of casual confidence. As his eyes found her own, that was not what was causing her reaction.

No, instead it was what she didn’t see or hear. It was the silence.

His mind was closed off to her.

“Lady Satori.” His voice was smooth, suave, sending shivers down her spine with its sound, “My name is Damocles Sagan. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

She narrowed her eyes. This being was powerful. Much too powerful for her to have no clue who he was. That meant that he was an Outsider. If that was the case, how did he know her name? Something wasn’t right here.

“Greetings, Damocles.” She responded, despite her suspicion, “Why have you sought this audience?”

“I have come to Gensokyo from far away, to speak to you.” He confirmed her suspicions with ease, “I wish to offer you a deal.”