Formed and Broken

Himari, Soma, and the soldiers that came to the mountain continued to kneel waiting for the Tengu to return with their decision. 

Himari looked over the group of soldiers, looking for someone that wasn't there.

Some noticed Himari's eyes wander. "Your mother has been stripped of her title. She remains in the kingdom awaiting further punishment." 

Himari's eyes lowered. "You don't have to go so far to punish her..." 

"I do in fact. She is a very respected figure in the kingdom and for that we must show that such behavior shall not be allowed in the new era, no matter who you are or how strong you are... There's also been the unfortunate discovery that you were not the only child who didn't meet parents' expectation; however, those children have met their untimely end already. Your mother is just the start. For the future of our kingdom this is an important matter that must be dealt with properly."

"You bear a heavy burden, but I'm sure you can pull it off."

Footsteps steadily approached. 

Hayato, elder Tsubasa, and four more elder Tengu stood before Himari and Soma.

Himari bowed her head as Soma raised his to meet Hayato's eyes.

The other Tengu knelt behind their leaders, matching the people of Motokami.

Hayato met Soma's eyes and spoke with resounding confidence. "People of Motokami. Hear my words. One of our own chose the side of the humans. He fought alongside a human, protected a human, and blessed a human with his life. We cannot overlook such a commitment and belief. We shall honor his sacrifice and believe in what he wanted to protect. I, Hayato, leader of the Tengu, guided by the elders wisdom and moved by my peoples wishes, declare that the Tengu have decided to form an alliance with the humans once again... Now raise king Soma and let us solidify our alliance."

Soma rose and approached Hayato.

"Do humans really intend to give up their magic?" Hayato questioned.

This was the first Soma had heard of humans losing magic. He looked over to Himari, assuming this was her suggestion. Soma took a deep breath and faced Hayato. "If the loss of our magic is what it takes for you to work with us then we would gladly give it up."

Hayato laughed. "I admire your determination, but we have decided that it serves us no need to take back the magic given to humans. I'm sure your people have grown strong over the centuries but so have we. We will not run away if your people come for us again."

"Then let us make a pact. For if the humans betray the Tengu again, they will relinquish their rights to magic. You agree to form an alliance with my people in honor of a fallen comrade, but surely this reassurance will give you more confidence in the matter?"

Hayato smiled. "That does indeed add more confidence. But I shall wish to add one more condition that my people desire." He looked to Himari. "My people would also find it reassuring if the one blessed by our comrade was made a bridge between both our peoples. For she is a human with the powers of a Tengu, we find it a fitting role."

Soma held out his hand, a cold blizzard emitting from his hand. "The people of Motokami pledge their loyalty to the Tengu. I swear that the people of Motokami will give up their magic if there is any betrayal against the Tengu. I will also make Himari an Ambassador of Motokami for the Tengu. She will be the bridge between the humans and the Tengu."

Hayato extended his hand to meet Soma's, a storm of sharp magic dancing in his palm. "The Tengu pledge allegiance once again to protect the humans from dangers out of their control. We shall watch over and fight for the humans as long as their loyalties hold true."

Their hands shook. A magic circle formed around them, glowing with the bond of an alliance. The air shook as their magic formed a pact.

-

Sachi waited for the Tsuchigumo to finish voting. Anxiety set in her stomach as the time dragged out and silence filled the cave. She couldn't tell how the vote was going and if the vote turned out against her, she didn't know what was going to happen to her or what she was supposed to do. Sachi stood there trying to come up with some idea for a backup plan, but she had nothing else to offer. 

"Human!" The queen called from her seat.

Sachi nervously approached the stone dais where Daichi and the queen sat.

The queen got up from her seat to stand before Sachi. "I suppose we shall be seeing more of each other in the future to come."

Sachi stared in confusion, not quite registering the words. "Does this mean you will form an alliance?"

The queen sighed. "I thought I made it clear enough but if you must hear the words then yes. I, the queen of the Tsuchigumo, hereby declare that we shall join together with the humans once again."

Sachi's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe she had pulled it off. "What made you come to this decision?"

"You were right. I was forcing my ideas onto my people. If they want to leave, I should not be the one to stop them. My people voted they wanted to leave and be among humans once again. They agreed in favor of an alliance and of course if my people are to be among humans then I want assurance of their safety."

"Do you want to take back the magic given to humans?" Sachi asked.

"For the safety of my people, I see it as the best course of action."

Sachi nodded. "If it means an alliance with the Tsuchigumo again then I believe it's a necessary sacrifice that the humans will have to get used to."

The queen extended her hand. "I look forward to what this alliance will bring."

Sachi eagerly took the queen's hand, shaking in agreement to the alliance.

The queen used her earth magic and molded the cave with the tips of her fingers, combining the hundreds of tunnels into one large tunnel leading to the exit. "Lead us to the humans and we shall formally make this alliance with."

Sachi nodded and turned to lead the way.

"Would you tell me your name?" The queen stopped her to ask.

Sachi turned back and smiled. "Sachi."

"Fumiko." The queen replied.

Queen Fumiko turned to her people. "All those that wish to leave the caves shall follow me and Sachi to meet the humans of the new alliance!"

The Tsuchigumo cheered and followed the lead of Sachi and the queen.

They were able to exit the cave and leave the forest before the earth suddenly groaned with a deep, monstrous growl before it split wide open. Jagged fissures tearing across the land like claws raking through flesh. The violent quake tossed the trees of the forest like toys. Trees splintered, stone crumbled, and the very bones of the world seemed to break.

The wind screamed with unnatural fury. Tornadoes began to writhe into existence - not gentle spirals but vicious whirlpools of air. They spun with maddening speed, forming like an army, tearing across the shattered earth.

Then came the sound - a shrill soul-piercing screech that tore through the land and ruptured eardrums for miles around. Everyone fell to their knees, clutching their heads, blood streaming from their ears as the very air vibrated with the sound of the world unraveling.

Sachi looked upward in horror. The cloud barrier was broken through. Shattered pieces of sky peeled back like breaking glass, revealing the sky islands.

They were no longer descending. They were falling. Falling quickly.

The wind howled louder, as if mourning the collision to come. If the sky islands were to fall, nothing would survive - not the islands, and not the surface.

As if it couldn't get any worse, dark shapes surged through the fractured clouds. The swarm of the malice filled Yokai, twisted and free. They moved like shadows, eyes burning with hatred, laughter echoing with hunger. They poured down to the surface in unending waves.

Sachi's heart sank as she stared at the sight before. "We failed..."

-

The mountain shook intensely, cracks racing up the sides of the mountain. Everyone clutched their heads as world's cry of pain reached their nerves.

The cloud barrier surrounding the mountain disappeared quickly like a breath in winter, revealing the sight of the sky islands charging to the surface with the evil Yokai in tow.

Himari stared in shock as she watched the islands of her home plummet to the ground. "We're too late..."