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Feather-Bound

Blessed by the Gods, when the world was about to end; their champion, the Blighted One faces the mission made by the gods to become a Goddess herself. Traveling the multiverse to fulfill her quest discover different realms and realities, This novel is all from the point of view of the MC, also she is an Unreliable Narrator. There are AU universes and the OG universes. This is going to be long and chaotic. Content warning: This fic will contain graphic violence, including blood and gore, at a later date it will have sex, abuse and some dark undertones. It will have some heavily religious characters. Of many different religions.

Nightrow · Anime & Comics
Not enough ratings
27 Chs

Chapter 13

Eighteen towers of light rose from the ground surrounding the castle, at the same time Takae ran like a flash, bringing every single innocent bystander outside. When they crossed the barrier they instantly fell asleep.

Nineteen seconds. That's how long it took the Yokai to gather their wits, not fast enough. But not sufficiently slow either. At least Takae brought everyone outside.

Frankly, it's not that she's getting faster. Because it's not, she hasn't practiced or trained yet, it's just that the touristic areas are quite close, and if she can run a few kilometers under a second; with how small the distance was between us it's no wonder she managed to bring many each second.

A small army of Yokai, headed by the Kijo approached us. The moment they exited the castle, the eighteen monks started chanting the Amithaba.

"om ami dewa hrih"

The chant that is the sacred mantra of Buddha, Amitabha enhances compassion while bringing blessings each time it is spoken.

"om ami dewa hrih"

Each word, destroying obstacles, sealing evil, protecting the pure.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"What-Is-The-Meaning-Of-This!?" The Kijo shouted, every single Yokai feeling in their scalp the danger of the barrier, the eighteen pillars of light becoming more solid with each chant, the air becoming purer each second. Dangerous to them.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"Well, it is what it is, ain't it?" I smirked with my mouth full of nonsense.

"It is, indeed," Takae responded from my side, cocking one hip while crossing her arms.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"If-You-Want-To-Live-I-Demand-That-You-Stop-These-Actions!" The voice of the Kijo became slowly more and more like a roar, while the eyes of every single Yokai turned red.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"Did you really think that humans wouldn't strike back? That we would stand by while you killed, cursed, and played with us however you wanted? Did you truly think that your curses are enough protection!?" I roared back.

"om ami dewa hrih"

If there's something I truly hate, it's oppressors. And more if they're monsters. I was the champion of humanity for 7500 years after all. While it's true that in the end I was burned and wanted nothing more than to die, I still did protect the world from Ishmahllah.

"Humans." The voice was filled with disgust, hate dripping on each word. The Kijo stopped holding back and transformed into a three-meter monster, four legs, four arms, two heads. A little bit more and I would have called her a Beyblade or something.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"Takae, remember, don't kill her. Disable her arms, her legs, break her bones as much as you want, but don't kill her." I warned Takae, who was now wearing full enchanted leather armor I had on my storage ring.

"Understood." Her clipped answer betrayed her thoughts, her face full of righteous fury, anger wasn't a word that came close to her feelings. With my understanding of the girl, I knew she wasn't one of feeling such sentiments. She was a pretty laidback girl, all things considered.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"Go, don't worry about the others or the innocents, I got this." I smiled at her. Suddenly slashing backward, blocking a few arrows. "Hoh, they can't wait anymore. Go! Run Takae, run and surpass your limits!"

With a yell her body became a flash of thunder, which instantly struck the Kijo, bouncing from the mere kinetic push towards the castle walls, breaking it. A ray of thunder followed it immediately.

"om ami dewa hrih"

Sidestepping the stab of a big umbrella with an eye, I was about to slice it in half as a hail of ice struck at me, forcing me to jump backward.

"Hmpf. You guys are quite annoying." Drawing my revolver, I shot towards the two ogres rushing at me from my back, one of them getting vaporized, the other losing his arm.

Jumping towards the injured Ogre, I slash towards his neck. However, I get parried by a floating sword, only to be cut in half. Still, the ogre manages to escape my slash thanks to the intervention.

"om ami dewa hrih"

The walls, now pure white surrounding the castle, the figure of a Buddha slowly taking place in the middle of the walls. The air now is toxic to the Yokai.

With desperation and abandon, every single Yokai rushes at me, with their weapons, be it swords or claws striking at me. With a grin I dodge all the attacks, weaving like a fish through water, slicing those I reach with ease.

"om ami dewa hrih"

The golden light of Buddha illuminates the world. The Yokai burn.

"This is not working! We're all gonna die!" A small Tanuki wielding a spear shouts, afraid and scared.

"Perhaps... We should do it." A big Kamaitachi rumbles, as they start coughing and feeling weak.

"om ami dewa hrih"

"Hoh, are you gonna try something else? Go on, don't disappoint me." I state as I stop moving and look at them.

"Raaaaaargh!" The Yokai scream as one, as black motes of light come out of them. Their bodies become transparent at the blink of an eye, and the motes of darkness become one, fusing all Yokai into a single being.

"Well, at least this is a single opponent," I mutter.

"om ami dewa hrih"

No longer a Yokai, my enemy became an onryō. A dark spirit created by the dark desires of every Yokai involved. They sacrificed their lives, to create something rotten and horrible. I can feel the malice bubbling inside the spirit.

Dark fog rose from the floor, followed by a pair of white pasty legs, a robe forming above the knees, like a dress. slowly forming a figure.

From the fog came a mockery of a woman. Skin white as paper, black veins protruding from her skin, long black hair covering her face. And erratic tics as she clacks her neck.

"om ami dewa hrih"

The light of Buddha illuminates. Buddha cleanses. Yet the light did nothing to the spirit. It basked in the light, extended the arms to the sides like waiting for the embrace of a lover.

The action instantly enrages me. "You're toeing the line, bitch." I growl.

This was a mistake. The monster was born with the darkness of Yokai and the Light of Buddha. My anger rushed through my veins, the anger making me half-insane.

No, no, no. No fucking monster is gonna bask in the light of Buddha. With a snarl, I shot at it with my revolver into the awaiting chest of the spirit.

However, the spirit merely dissipates before the mini-suns could reach it.

Snapping my fingers as a tarot card flew out of my hand, making the fool a fool as it attracted one another.

The spirit, now bound to the card faces my wrath as I bring the holy sword down its legs. A noiseless scream tore the grounds. No sound, but the feeling of someone shouting on my soul made it apparent.

"You can't harm my soul," I growled in its face. Why? Why am I feeling this rage? I do not understand.

My anger not abated, I tore the arms of the spirit, carved my name on its chest with my sword. And even impaled the spirit as a jug of holy wine appeared in my hand.

"Prepare to suffer on eternity, beast." I can feel my mouth forming a smile, but I can't feel my smile. What's going on? I can barely control my body.

As my hand slowly turned the jug of Holy Wine, a hand, shrouded in lightning stopped mine from turning more.

"Stop." Takae's voice. But why do my eyes not turn towards her? "Please, this is not you." She's begging. I can feel her breath, she's injured. Yet I do nothing about it. I only wish to torture the spirit in front of me.

"Belatsunat!" -slap- "Please, wake up!"

"om ami dewa hrih"

The Buddha on the walls opens their eyes. The light rushed towards me, cleansing my body. Black motes of light leaving my body, I can feel myself once again.

As the Jug disappears, I turn towards Takae and engulf her in my arms. "Thank you," I mutter.

"I was careless... I don't know how they invaded my body. But had I destroyed the spirit they would have lived within me. -Sigh- "I am sorry for scaring you. Are you alright? Here, eat this." I say as a golden cube appears in my hand.

"About you... I am sorry about this. You have just been born, yet have suffered plenty. As a dark spirit, you can't be allowed to exist. But that's not a reason to torture you. Begone!" I expulse the spirit from this realm with two fingers on its head.

"Ah... I am fine I guess. You looked... Different. Your eyes were black, your hair was getting red and your veins were black. Just like the spirit. What happened?" She clearly focuses more on me than on herself. -sigh- what am I gonna do with this girl?

"If I had to guess... I lost my humanity not long ago." I look to the side in sadness. "I haven't fully accepted it yet. Truth be told, I should be quite a lot stronger now, but instead, I am weaker. My energy, my body, everything is desynchronized." I mutter. This time looking at her in the eye.

"My feelings, my actions, I am not myself. But I am." I state, my intention clear. I don't know if what I feel for her is real or not.

"What?" Her voice cracks. "Then... About everything you've promised me? Staying with me? And all that?" She asks.

"Hm. I told you I was cursed too, didn't I? Well, for once, I am immortal. I was cursed with immortality, if that were all, well. I wouldn't have suffered so much. But the truth of the curse was that at the time I had a lover. And we were both cursed, me, to remain immortal and live always remembering the love we had. And his curse was to die early, loveless, and before his death, he would remember our love and his curse. Forever torturing his soul." I say as we slowly walk towards where the Kijo is knocked out.

"A week ago the curse was lifted, at least from my side. But it is not as good as it seems, because the curse was removed as long as my humanity, bits, and pieces of my soul were destroyed. I suddenly was able to love again, I suddenly was able to truly think and feel. But I was not myself. I am no longer human and I've not yet accepted it. And the energies of my body are out of synch as well."

Walking through the silent halls, I can see patches of blood and broken tiles.

"It's not that what I feel for you is wrong, or a mistake. I truly do love you. Even if we only met three days ago, and isn't that the kicker? I met you three days ago, yet I would die for you. I lived for more than 7500 years." Stopping and looking at her in the eyes "I just can't believe that my feelings are either real or a product of my broken soul." Squeezing her hands, "When I look at you I can feel the fire when I breathe, Takae. I do love you, but I am just feeling everything too fast, too much."

Takae's expression is no longer one of heartache, if I could describe it, I would say confused relief.

"I do like you, Nat. I don't love you, not yet at the very least. But I would do anything for you, you have helped me a lot. I owe you." Looking for a second to the side, she smiles at me. "Can you fix your body or synchronize it or whatever you do to fix it? I don't know if I can help you. But if I can, I'll do it. The Kijo should be in that broken room." She points at a busted door.

"Alright. I need to meditate. But I may need your help, to bring me back. I can't track the time when I meditate. I'll explain it to you later."

Walking inside the room, I see the Kijo turned back into her basic two-form. Their legs and arms are broken, and they're separated, suffering from the distance.

Looking at Takae from the corner of my eye I can see her satisfied smirk as she observes them. -snort- "And I was being unreasonable before with the spirit?" I smirk.

"Just so you know, Omnyodo rituals are all about pacifying the spirit of the earth. They indeed eliminate Yokai's and all that, but we're gonna pacify the Koji, and then use their soul to trigger the curse and then destroy it. I don't know if it will hurt or not." I state before taking out a couple of fans and five talismans.

"Alright, do as I say and focus. We'll speak later."

I throw all talismans around, forming a pentagram, motioning Takae to sit in front of me in seiza. Giving her one of the fans, I grab her other hand. No motioning towards one of the talismans I shout.

"CHI," I pronounce, steady like a mountain.

"CHI," Takae repeats after me, stubborn to not be left behind.

The talisman grows rocks and a stalactite from it.

Pointing towards the next talisman I shout once again.

"SUI" I state, my words flowing from my mouth.

"SUI" Takae repeats after me, her emotions running wild as she swiftly pronounces the word.

Water, a river flowing from the talisman. Directing my fan towards the next talisman.

"KA" With passion, with Takae at the forefront of my mind.

"KA" She repeats, I can hear the smile in her voice.

Fire surges from the talisman, like it wants to devour the house like it wants to warm our bodies. My fan is already in the direction of the next one.

"FU" I breathe out, like a whisper in the wind.

"FU" She whispers, her eyes close, probably remembering the wind on her hair when she runs.

Wind, a piece of storm, the soothing and savage wind comes from the talisman. Our hands are already intertwined as we point with our fans towards the last talisman.

"KU!" I say, emotionless. Like the calm before the storm, but no calm at all.

"KU" Takae answers her voice, not emotionless. She's injecting all her creativity into it.

The talisman, now a purple vortex made of void appears in the world once again.

"The five elements of the Omnyodo. Earth, water, fire, wind, and void."

"I summon the Go-Rin-To" I plead to the world. And it answers as the talismans stop flowing their element, as they suddenly become colorful papers, they shot beams of light that met in the middle of the room. Creating a small golden pagoda. The mere presence of the pagoda rouses the Kijo, as they scream in pain and fear.

Motioning to Takae to do what I do, we stand up, slowly. Hand in hand, spinning slowly inside the room, the fan closed in front of me. And with a concise movement, we stop and open the fan at the same time as we point to the Kijo. One each. I point the old one, Takae points towards the younger one.

The light of the pagoda reflects from the fans, dissolving the Kijo, as the red liquid that was once the Yokai slowly enters the pagoda.

Kneeling in front of the pagoda once again, I beseech it. "Activate the curse, destroy the curse. End the curse. All of them."

As the pagoda starts to fade, I take Takae's fan and put them both away inside the storage ring.

As Takae looks at me in confusion I gently lead her to the ground, forcing her to rest her head on my lap. "Close your eyes, I mutter."

The instant she closes her eyes, the fading pagoda pulsing energy one last time. Blinding purple energy washing all over the Kochi prefecture.

The monks and every single person in Kochi suddenly feel a sharp needle in their hearts.

The monks smile through the pain, knowing what it means. Stopping their chants, they look at the little hanafuda cards in wonder, not knowing I can see them.

With a smile, I look towards the twisting Takae, she's suffering. Her curse was exceptionally strong, since the wave of energy, black smoke has been coming out of her.

I smile because I can feel her strength. She's gonna survive this easily, and her powers are growing. The blessing of Fujin is growing stronger, it probably blocked most of the damage of the curse. Amazing.

Caressing her hair, slowly and methodically. I do not let her thrash around much, she could hurt herself. Luckily I am fucking strong.

I should have meditated before when I discovered the problem. But... Am I hurting her? What if I stop feeling what I feel for her? Monsters don't feel love, I don't want to become one. And I am not human anymore. The limits of my body are gone, I can grow stronger. But is it worth it? At the cost of my feelings? Not that I know that for sure, but my new body was recreated using part of Ishmallah's energy, and he was an unfeeling bastard. -sigh-

I should stop worrying so much about this. And fix it. I am me, I am Belatsunat, the Blighted One. And I chose to feel. The instant my resolve became true, I felt better. Hm? I see... I truly do need to meditate then. Good.

Softly smiling towards the knocked-out Takae, "Sorry for not waiting for you..." I say as I close my eyes, as I start to meditate while she's sleeping on my lap.

Creation is hard, cheer me up!

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