Crossing Illusion: Reflection (Book 1) #Wattys2017

Chapter 57: Change of Time

The storm has ended on that night, and peace restored to the world, though the scars that ran across the land of Kyoto will forever be the remembrance of the event. For those who witnessed the battle, they would remember the terror of the raven and the bravery of the heroes as they fought through the sky. Lightning flashing, thunders echoing, rain continue to pour down as harsh wind battered everything. Then, when hope seems to lost, the divine light returned and cleaves through the darkness...

At that night, the evil spirit of Emperor Sutoku has been vanquished, and his curse is now gone, though he manage to leave a mark of disaster to the world. Every news of every media are talking about the unknown typhoon and unexpected earthquake of unbelievable caliber, and not even the government could cover the case. However, what most important is that mankind was saved, and their lives will continue to go as they should be, as what was happened will be remembered as history of the past, while the world move on to a better future.

The battle with the youkai has ended when the dawn, the sunrise arrived, illuminating the horizon as the storm vanished. The survivors that are the Mirage of SPD are still resting on the valley for at least an hour, tending the wounded, including themselves and their allies. The onmyouji of Daisenkou are gathered, praying with praises to their kami as they're given chance to see the daylight again. Though many died in that night, it was a victory worth paid for, as they did what they must, and the deed was done. They pay respect to the dead that now passed in peace, before they get up and start working on cleaning the mess.

For the time being, Daisenkou is closed under the renovation, and most of the members are either returned home, or staying there to help with the work. Masakura clan and their leaders supervise the progress while they took a well-deserved rest for themselves. It was for the first time after many decades that the great priestess Urahime Masakura and the mighty monk Oda, are completely away from duty. True, they did took a rest every once in a while, but they rarely ever leave Daisenkou, and even if they did, they never leave for long. This time, it seems like the gods just tell them to sit back and act like a normal human being, as a reminder that they're indeed mortal. The battle was a harsh wake up call on them, as they never fought against something so powerful, so strong, so terrifying, that they nearly killed more than twice there. It really makes them grateful to be alive, and perhaps to also remind them that there's always a bigger fish out there...

Taking a moment to breathe away and rediscovered their inner peace, the two returned to their home, quite far from Daisenkou, but still around Kyoto prefecture, around the mountains and forest that still surrounded by pristine nature. Beyond the bamboo hill, there's an estate that belong to the Masakura clan. As soon as their guest enter the front gate, they're welcomed by stepping stones through the gardens, ponds, a white field of soft sands, then a complex of large traditional Japanese houses, though also reminiscent of a grandiose temple, and surrounded by shrines. Here and there are lanterns, and there's many reddish orange trees reminiscent of autumn maples, which usually prominent during November to to early December in Japan, though the cold snowy atmosphere of the winter makes it more fitting with the pale cherry blossoms. 

"Sheesh.... Everything looks so expensive here...." Noir move around uncomfortably on the guest room along with everyone else, with them sitting on a tatami room with a large wooden table at the center, perfect for traditional Japanese banquet. The room is illuminated by some lantern, surrounded by the sliding paper doors, and traditional oriental windows where they could see the scenery of the snowy garden outside, with a little peek to the forest of the mountains as well.

"You guys earned it! Don't be shy!" Tomo said as she enter the room along with several housemaids that brought them some hot tea to enjoy along with many snacks, onigiri to mochi, dango to senbei, that are merely the appetizer before the main dish that will come soon, as soon as the sun set down.