For the Land to Heal

Sachi stared at the aftermath. The evil Yokai were defeated, the sky islands didn't fall and destroy the whole world, instead they fit into the surface and became one land. "Is it finally over...?"

The warrior Tengu and the Tsuchigumo on the birds flew back down to the surface.

Daichi lowered Fumiko to the ground.

Everyone stared at the sight before them. The immediate danger was gone. The lands were now one. But what now?

Soma rose and recited the prophecy: 

"Unless the wrongs are made right.

A soul of another world will step through

The barrier shall break.

The sky shall meet the earth

Forever changing what was known.

Only when there is peace

Shall the land heal."

Soma's voice echoed across the field. "The results of human betrayal and greed drove the spirit of the world to break our land apart. We waited too long to make amends with the Tengu and Tsuchigumo, causing the otherworlder to be brought to our world and the prophecy to take effect. The cloud barrier has broken, and the sky islands have returned to the surface once again. Now, the people of Motokami and Motonari shall live in an alliance of peace with the Tengu and Tsuchigumo, learning from our ancestors' mistakes. We shall no longer let fear and greed rule us!"

The people of Motokami hummed in approval.

"The people of Motonari stand with you!" A deep voice boomed over the crowd.

Itsuki's father, Kenji, appeared on horseback leading the army of resistance fighters from the capital with Isamu.

"Dad! Isamu!" Itsuki cried as she ran towards her family.

Kenji dismounted his horse to give his daughter a hug before rejoicing to the battlefield. "I speak for the people of Motonari when I say we no longer wish to live as it has been. We wish to welcome a new era."

The resistance fighters with Kenji cheered in response.

Over the hill, Emi appeared holding Kasumi's hand. Sachi ran up to them. "What are you two doing here?"

Kasumi clutched onto Sachi's leg.

"Kasumi insisted we come." Emi explained.

Kenji, Isamu, and Itsuki approached Emi.

"Emi..." Kenji's voice spoke gently.

Emi turned around and her heart welled. Tenderly she entered the embrace with the rest of her family. 

Sachi smiled as she held Kasumi's held and walked over to Soma. "Soma, this is Kasumi, princess of Motonari. She's a bit young but she is the only royal blood of the land left. I'm not sure how we should handle her status."

Soma gazed at the young child. "I wouldn't want to strip her of her title just because she's young. I made a pact with the Tengu to solidify our alliance, and I would like to do the same with the Tsuchigumo, but I wouldn't want to force a child to do that too..."

Fumiko approached, overhearing the conversation. "Then we will wait until the child comes of age. I'm sure the people of Motonari can elect a temporary leader until the child can decide for herself if she wishes to take the throne."

Soma looked over Fumiko. "Are you the leader of the Tsuchigumo?"

"I am." Fumiko outstretched her hand, crackling dark magic sparkling from her palm. "You wish to make a pact as the leader of Motokami?"

Soma's cold storming hand met Fumiko's. "I do." A magic circle encircled them, glowing in response to the pact. "I vow with this alliance that the humans shall not betray the Tsuchigumo, for if they do, they will relinquish their magic."

"And the Tsuchigumo shall live in harmony with the humans as they watch over and protect them as they once did before." Fumiko responded.

The air and ground trembled as their pact formed an alliance.

Sachi turned to Fumiko. "I thought you wanted to rid humans of their magic now?"

Fumiko shook her head. "After seeing the humans use their magic for good, I can't help but think maybe it's okay if they keep it."

Soma kneeled and bowed his head. "I'll make sure you won't regret it."

"You and your bowing! You're a king, aren't you?" Hayato yelled as he made his way over.

Soma stood up. "A king should know how to bow and make amends when mistakes are made."

Fumiko smiled. "I admire your ideology. I should learn from you."

Yasu came over helping a limping Himari. She was covered in Tsuchigumo silk to heal her wounds.

Soma's eyes flooded as his nose leaked, and his voice whined. "Himari, you look awful!"

Himari sighed. "No need for you to cry about how bad I look."

Sachi ran to Himari's side to help steady her. "Are you okay?"

Himari nodded. "I am thanks to Yasu here. He bandaged me up."

Sachi turned to Yasu. "Thank you, Yasu."

Yasu awkwardly chuckled. "It's the least I can do. I'm not as strong as everyone else so I don't think I was much help with the whole island crashing into the surface issue."

Sachi shook her head. "Everyone played an important part."

"Especially you Sachi." Fumiko complimented. "It was your idea to let the sky islands combine with the surface."

"What? It was your idea Sachi?" Himari gasped.

"I really didn't do anything... I just thought if this world was together once before then why not put it back together again..." Sachi humbly admitted. 

"That's incredible Sachi!" Himari squealed. "We were so busy trying to prevent the islands from falling that we missed something so simple."

Itsuki came running over from her family. "What are you squealing about?"

Himari put her arm around Sachi. "About how amazing Sachi is. It's because of her genius that the Tsuchigumo are on our side and that the Great Collapse didn't destroy the world."

Itsuki patted Sachi on the back. "Way to go Sachi! It was also your idea to form the alliance with the prospects of getting rid of magic... When is that going to happen? I can still feel my magic."

Hayato grinned. "The Tengu decided to give the humans another chance with magic."

Fumiko nodded. "So did the Tsuchigumo."

Soma turned to Himari. "Guess that means you get to learn how to use magic finally."

"Huh?" Sachi and Itsuki turned.

Himari nervously chuckled. "It's a long story..."

Sachi smiled. "I can't wait to hear about it."

Soma looked around the surroundings and then turned to Hayato and Fumiko. "It will take some time to sort out the affairs between Motokami and Motonari... Where do you want your people to reside? Shall we build a kingdom for you?"

Fumiko smiled. "The Tsuchigumo will help rebuild any destruction and also tend to the injured until matters are sorted between the humans. After that, a kingdom where my people can call home would be nice, but I would also like my people to roam where they want."

"I'll lead the warrior Tengu in making sure the evil Yokai are taken care of while the rest of the Tengu help rebuild. I think we can make the mountain into a home now that the sky is within our reach. That shall be our kingdom." Hayato added.

Soma nodded. "Looks like we're on track for the land to heal. I look forward to the future of working with you and your people."

-

The sun shined down on the surface for the first time in centuries while the people began to work together to treat the injured, clean the debris, and rebuild the homes.

Kasumi stared in awe at the shimmering sun and the clear blue sky. It was everything she had dreamed it was. 

Sachi noticed Kasumi's eyes. "Do you like the sky Kasumi?"

Kasumi nodded. "It looks so peaceful and quiet."

Sachi stared in admiration at the sky. "It does, doesn't it?"

Himari arrived, arms fill with carrying bandages and herbs, hair retied with the crimson hair ornament. Moments later, Itsuki followed, carrying a bundle of chopped wood on her shoulder. They both joined the girls in the clearing, pausing for a moment.

The peace was new, delicate. And for the first time in what felt like forever, they allowed themselves to feel it.

"Girls! Come eat some food!" Emi called from afar.

Kasumi turned and happily ran to Emi. "We'll eat a little later!" Itsuki yelled back to her mother.

Sachi, Himari, and Itsuki just took a moment between the three of them to breathe and enjoy the fruits of their effort.