Crossing Illusion: Reflection (Book 1) #Wattys2017

Chapter 52: Youkai War

There's a parade in Japan known as the hyakki yagyou, a night where demons, ghost, and many other monsters march through the country, from the mountains to the cities, the dreaded night is a forbidden festive, for whoever dare to peek shall meets an unfortunate fate.

This event lead by what said to be the strongest of youkai, what respected as their leader and elder, the jolly and pompous old man with an odd head, known as Nurarihyon. Usually depicted as harmless creature, as he slip to houses in mischief, pretending to be the owner and to help himself enjoying their expensive items. So does the legend said. Little known about his origin, whether he was man or was never was, whether he's benevolent or perhaps was more than what the eyes seen.

Tonight, in Osaka, near the end of December, the parade of one hundred demons occurs again, but not in any way could be considered a yearly phenomena. No, it's the first time to happen in century. For the first time, someone actually tried to stop the festival.

There's a hidden village of onmyouji, Buddhist monks and Shinto Priests, in a community known as Daisenkou, means the Great Thousand Light, lead by legendary clan of Masakura, entrusted by the legendary Abe no Seimei himself. The current leader, Urahime Masakura, prophesied that a great calamity about to befall them, and out of all times, it need to happen during hyakki yagyou, where they'll already be occupied by nature.

People said, to be protected from the ill fate of the youkai festival, a spell from an onmyouji is required. And only the head of an onmyouji clan is capable to walk through the parade unharmed. However, to stop the festival itself? That's like declaring a war. However it is a war that will happen, like it or not. The youkai wouldn't stop their festival, and the great Masakura clan of Daisenkou will not let them march through just like that.

Standing against the horde of demons, spirits and monsters, is Tomoko Masakura, the 17th successor of the Masakura clan, accompanied by her acquaintance from Europe, Hessenstadt, Special Police Division, Mirage Unit, that is the very leader of the group itself, Fahmir von Stadthelm, and his right hand, Reynold Danne.

In the snowy road in this winter night, flame was roaring, resulting not only melting dew but charred corpses of many monstrous fiends. Behind the lines of the surviving creatures, their leader rest above the luxurious, golden-clad palanquin carried by two gigantic ogre. The Nurarihyon stare down at the three human with drunken golly, sipping sake from a small plate. His gesture is of a landlord watching his people performing an act on a stage.

"So that's him? The one that's rumored as the most powerful youkai?" Reynold asked, definitely in doubt.

"There's no reliable record on what power do he hold, so his title as the "most powerful" is arguable at best. However, he is their leader, so he's indeed powerful in a way that can mobilize the entire supernatural force of the whole Japan." Fahmir answered leisurely, even inhaling his cigar as he spoken.

"Well gee, that sounds like a bad deal." Reynold sighed.

The Nurarihyon chuckled, no one knows whether the creature knows what they speak against him, but he does seems amused.

"I don't like him. May I try to use my Phantasm again?" Tomo stared with flat expression at the old youkai.

"Oh yes, be my guest." Fahmir said, casually. Tomo replied with a humble smile.

"Well then...." She gracefully lift her right hand, and her ethereal swordsman pointing its sword, to where the delicate finger of the girl pointing: toward the drunken one, setting him as a target to bring down.

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