Perpetual Samsara (Part 4)

Far removed from the incursion of the Abyss Order, Raizo and Reina were traversing the ever-expansive tundras of Cocytus to parts unknown. To avoid detection from the enemy, the Sovereign led the Crusader on foot through the wild, windswept snowfields to places that were never even fathomed. The frigid cold assailed their skin and blinded their vision, however, Reina used her authority to immerse them in a protective field that would keep them safe from the harshness of the environment and from the prying eyes of any potential enemies in the area.

"You never did explain exactly where we are going," Raizo called out over the howling winds brushing past them both.

"We are going to the realm where the Tengu dwell," Reina responded whilst focusing on her footing.

"Realm? I thought all of Cocytus was a unified realm under your control?"

"It is to a particular extent. Purgatory was something I inherited when I defeated its previous Sovereign, Tartarus, as you already know. However, this domain existed long before my time and as such, there are places that predate even my knowledge."

"So…are we just wandering around until the Tengu sense that you require aid or…can you make a call or something?"

"It is not that simple. Visiting the Realm of the Tengu is a privilege to be earned, not a right. Even with my authority and my relationship with them, I still have to earn an audience. They are a very perceptive race. They can read your intentions with just a glance."

"I see…so if they have a realm of their own…then where exactly is it?"

"The home of the Tengu lies in a place that could be expressed as the 'Other Side of the Veil'. By that I mean that their home resides in a higher, conceptual plane that permeates between the ideations of life and death. Say reality was divided into layers: the very bottom layer is Cocytus, above that is Inferno. Then the World of Humanity or…Gaia on top of that. The realm of dreams and possibility above that, then Elysium, then the True Void, and finally the Root. Somewhere lying within and outside this make-up reside the domain of the Tengu, a place governed only by its Creator - Kiichi Hogen."

"....That's…pretty complex to imagine, but I think I got an idea. So their home is like…an imaginary place that exists but at the same time doesn't?"

"It is like an abstract idea given shape and form to those who are deemed worthy enough to perceive it."

"So you don't exactly find it…"

"It finds you," Reina completed Raizo's thought with a slight nod.

"Yet here we are seeking it out?"

"Only because I was deemed worthy of the realm once and received their blessing as a result. In theory, I could use my powers over fate to expedite this process, but you are a foreigner. If we did this the easy way, it may start another conflict that I would prefer to avoid. So we are making this journey in part so that they are accepting of you."

"Heh…you really are going that far for me? I mean…are you sure that I shouldn't just try to do this myself?"

"If we were not pressed for time with the Abyss Order, perhaps I would indulge that thought, but time is not on our side. The best way to reach the domain is to follow the rivers of Cocytus to the Convergence Point," Reina expressed as the blinding wind cleared away to reveal a frigid embankment of water filled with the essence of lamenting souls.

"What the hell?"

"This is one of the many Rivers of Styx in Cocytus. The karma of souls that find themselves tormented by the Guardian of the Abyss are extracted and digested into these rivers leading to Charybdis where Cthulhu dwells. This is so their living essence can be recycled through the Great Samsara of life and death to be reborn anew in the many lives to come. The point at which these rivers gather is a portal which will take us to the Tengu Kingdom. For now…we get in this boat and prepare to pay the toll."

"And if we are not deemed worthy?"

"Then we start our journey again, but I would rather not go through that process given the depths of what we have to face."

As the duo approved the riverbank, the visage of a wooden canoe came into view with what appeared to be a cloaked shadow holding onto the oar as if waiting for them. Reina continued to press ahead unabashed by the circumstances of what awaited them. She was the first to step inside the boat and took a seat before Raizo did the same. From there, the oarsman pushed away from the dry dock and began its slow voyage down stream.

An unknown span of time wafted across their journey through the soul-filled rivers of the Abyssal Sea. The travelers did not share too many words during this journey. Granted there was much they could talk about such as how their relationship had deepened over the past few months, or perhaps ideas of the future and where their paths may lead; however, none of those subjects were broached. For the Sovereign, she was running through various scenarios in her mind over what to expect when they reach the point of being able to engage with the Tengu. For the Crusader, his thoughts were mulling over what his next step would be to attain or realize his hidden potential so he would not be a burden to his allies and actually play his part in winning this war. 

Eventually, the currents shifted below the vessel they were on as Raizo noticed a weird sensation that they were being pulled towards something. This caused the young man to lean forward in his seat to take a look around in order to ascertain the source.

"We are coming up on the convergence point, brace yourself," Reina stated calmly as if instantly sensing her master's anxiety.

"So…um…if we are going to the point where the rivers in Cocytus converge, how exactly do we get to the 'Other Side' before reaching the domain that Cthulhu resides in?" asked the nervous Stormbringer feeling like he had an inkling of what was about to occur.

"We are taking a winding circuit that will thrust us into a current toward the Abyss. Right before that moment where the rivers culminate together to reach a waterfall, there will be a distinctive portal that will open up to suck us in."

"So you mean to tell me that our trip so far is about to result in a one in a million shot at working?"

"I never said getting to the Tengu was an easy venture."

In a strong pulling motion, the vessel embarked down a narrow pass that winded around like a major corkscrew. The velocity of the canoe accelerated at such speeds that it felt like the boat would tear apart under its weight. The edge of the narrow bank was coming up fast as a huge leap over a waiting waterfall was presenting itself. Then just as they approached, a small spiraling chasm of energy opened itself in blue sparks of light that was ready to accept them. Caught by its embrace, Reina and Raizo were sucked inside while the canoe fell into the murky abyss along with the mysterious oarsman.