The Tiny Emperor's Great Wall (Revised)

Chapter Three

Soft hums escaped Inari as she enjoyed the chaos of the palace. Servants of various species dashed around square pillars. Heavy stacks of paper weighed them down. The goddess kept her ten white bushy tails, tipped with gold, close to her back as she made her way through the halls.

Wooden walls were decorated with murals encrusted with jewelry. One scene told about a ruby-clothed archer taking out the suns. Her arrows flew up to a silver moon hosting its moon goddess, who was stroking her pet rabbit. They both looked to the high roof stretched far above them, as if to keep watch over avians overhead.

Serpentine dragons flew around the pillars and rafters holding up the expansive roof. Cool granite floors chilled her bare feet. Pretty, but it would be better once it was in Inari's pantheon's control.

Feeling a tug on her kimono, Inari looked down at the red top. Two golden foxes darted through her yellow skirt. At first, she thought they wanted her attention. Instead, they nipped at one another's tails in joy.

"Settle down, you two," she ordered. "We don't want to embarrass Lady Amaterasu." Yips came from the foxes as they sprinted on ahead, seemingly ignoring her but always staying close.

The goddess combed her fingers through her white hair and pulled it up into a bun to get ready for the upcoming meeting. One snap of a finger summoned a golden comb to pin the hair up. Allowing two tails of hair to flank the bun, she hummed in contentment. Amaterasu would hopefully take note of her style today.

"Time to start the act," declared the goddess. She jogged toward the massive doors at the end of the hall. Two stone warriors, standing twelve feet tall, guarded it. They appeared to be modelled after modern soldiers. The steel swords in their hands were held ready to cut anybody down.

"Halt," stated one of the guards through closed lips. "Who wishes to see the Emperor of the Heavens?"

"Oh, shut it," said the goddess, her tails stiffening a little from annoyance. "I answer only to Amaterasu." Just as she reached for the doors, one of the guards swung his blade.

Three of the goddess's tails wrapped around the blade and the arms. The other soldier moved in, but she took a deep breath. Mana morphed into blue flames when she blew out and melted the stone arm. Staggering back, the guard held out his dripping limb.

"Thanks for your help," stated the goddess with a smirk. She then threw the captive guard through the door. Splintered wood sprayed across the throne room. Silk carpet tore as stone skidded across it. The guard slammed to a halt at the stone stairs that led to the throne.

The goddess hummed a cheerful tune as she walked to the throne of marble. Red cushions softened the seats. Topaz embedded into the arms and sides formed a golden dragon with four claws, the symbol of the Jade Emperor.

Seated upon that throne, the Jade Emperor glared at the goddess. Golden robes, split at the sides, covered his top, while white, baggy pants went down to his feet. One of his hands stroked a long, narrow beard accompanied by a trimmed mustache. He was middle-aged, with white streaks through his brown hair. The goddess wondered if recent events had aged him.

"Do you love disrespecting me?" demanded the Jade Emperor. There was no anger in his voice, only a calm questioning of her motives. As he leaned forward, beads attached to the square brim hat clattered.

"You are not my lord, nor do I think you worthy of respect." A sly grin crossed Inari's face. "Besides, shouldn't you be more worried about being dethroned?"

"Inari," barked a voice. "This good man is still the ruler of his lands. At least acknowledge that much." Inari's heart skipped a beat upon spotting the beauty walking past her.