On this day, every living thing in Ashihara no Nakatsukuni only needed to look up to see a meteor streaking across the sky. It was the clearest of days, yet even with the sun at its zenith, the light was unmistakable—a brilliance no different from the sun's own.
But it was a retrograde meteor, not falling from the sky to the earth, but flying from the earth toward the sky, toward the top of the Milky Way that was visible even in the daytime. According to Sū ěr understanding, that was where the gods of this world lived.
The destructive power was far less than the symbolic meaning.
He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but today's sun felt much hotter than usual. Even though it was winter and the snow had not yet melted, the stinging sensation on the skin was like the height of summer.
Watching the meteor containing the monster leave, Sū ěr even raised his right hand and waved toward the sky. He didn't know if the gods in Takamagahara could see what was happening in Yamato, but considering this was a kingdom under the direct rule of Amaterasu-Omikami... they were likely watching.
"There's only one reason you were killed... and that's because you disgusted me," Sū ěr said softly, watching the meteor still making its way toward the top of the Milky Way.
The sunlight from the surface poured through the massive hole created by the Earth Dragon's departure, bathing Sū ěr group, yet the temperature didn't change at all.
The meteor continued to fly, leaving a long trail, growing smaller and smaller... pop!
Sound could not travel such a distance, but everyone who saw the scene couldn't help but add the sound in their hearts. It seemed that having reached the peak of its flight, it burst like a firework, then rippled outward and melted into that starry sky.
"At least we've confirmed that Takamagahara is up there, right?" Think said, floating beside Sū ěr and looking at the frozen starry sky with interest.
"Yeah, we'll go visit later," Sū ěr agreed simply. He walked to the edge of the massive hollow formed by the removal of the soil and rock. In his perception, something seemed to be stir in the depths.
Hoderi was still staring blankly at the sky, two lines of tears flowing from his eyes. He wasn't sure if he was overjoyed by the sunlight now shining upon him and the fact that the entire Oni race was finally free, or if he felt sorrow over the mysterious disappearance of his old father.
Sū ěr didn't pay much attention to this minor Oni; his request was of little importance. What Sū ěr was going to do wouldn't change because of his request.
"Aren't you going to take this opportunity to challenge him?" Yukari tried to poke Yuuka, but the green-haired flower youkai nimbly dodged. Not minding the slight, Yukari winked mischievously and said, "I thought your blood would be boiling after seeing all that... can you really restrain yourself?"
Clearly, the blonde youkai was maliciously stirring the pot, or rather, teasing Yuuka, who was famous for her love of battle. Yuuka naturally saw through this and gave Yukari a cold glare. she took several quick, deep breaths to barely suppress the boiling blood in her body and release the excess heat.
'I'm not strong enough yet.' She had thought following them would give her a chance to fight a powerful enemy, but she hadn't even had a chance to act. While this left Yuuka feeling regretful, she was also looking forward to more.
Knowing that there were still many powerful enemies to surpass on the road ahead was something to celebrate. There was only one chance for a challenge; she needed to become even stronger.
Again, Yuuka was never a foolish youkai... she would find an opportunity to beat up Yukari.
Yuuka eyes were aiming to the right.
The anomaly behind them naturally didn't escape Sū ěr and Think ears, but neither of them had any intention of interfering. They were leaning over and looking at the very bottom of the hollow, where darkness was fermenting.
Aside from the "medicine balls" scattered in the nooks and crannies by Sū ěr rough pulling, the site of the anomaly was where the monster formed by the Tenson had been perched for centuries. From the cracks where the monster's tentacles had once reached, black mist was continuously seeping out.
No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that entire area—clouds of mist were oozing out from the rocks and soil, constantly shifting in shape. They even formed translucent physical bodies, undeniably in the shape of the humans of this world. They stood there, one after another, in a row. When Sū ěr looked down at them, they also looked up at him—then smiled, their teeth turning pitch black.
But this was by no means their true form. However, when Sū ěr tentatively threw a stone down, the translucent mist seemed like a startled flock of birds, scattering in panic, only to tentatively reclaim the spot after a long time.
"What's this supposed to be?" Sū ěr found it somewhat amusing and threw another stone down. He was certain this wasn't some leftover anomaly caused by that monster. Aside from the unhealthy color, these mists were surprisingly harmless.
"Likely the final hopes and grudges of the people who died here, right?" Yukari also leaned over and peered down curiously. "They were being pressed down by that monster before, but now they've finally had a chance to surface."
As the blonde youkai spoke, the little figures formed from the mist below ran to the side of a "medicine ball" that hadn't yet been covered by soil. Likely, their residual consciousness from when they were alive resonated with the flesh and blood. They had a singular interest in these "medicine balls," but after several attempts to push them, they simply passed right through; no collision occurred.
"So, youkai?" Sū ěr summarized.
"At least they aren't youkai yet. While they will eventually become members of the youkai as time passes, for now they are just like a natural phenomenon, not a threat," Yukari said with a shrug. Such "youkai" were all too common in this world.
The lingering regrets and grudges left behind by dead lives.
"I see," Sū ěr said with a long sigh. "That truly is a world in chaos."
With the fall of his palm, the hollow was completely covered by the flowing soil, burying this hideous place—where countless human remains had been interred—deep underground. Perhaps it would see the light of day again in the future, but that would have nothing to do with Sū ěr.