“So this is Sei’an City…” Issun quirked an eyebrow, as he held on for dear life, while his pale companion surveyed the Commoners’ Quarter from atop a knoll. Despite the colorful milieu of Ryoshima Coast to the South, the capital itself was in total disarray. An opaque cloud of green mist rose skyward, enveloping the upper and lower quarter of Sei’an City in noxious fumes. Even from her vantage point, Amaterasu grew visibly distressed with the panorama below. “I don’t get it, Ammy. We defeated him, didn’t we? So how did Ryoshima Coast and Sei’an City wind up like this?” It was all very suspicious, wasn’t it? The cursed zone should have stopped at Taka Pass, but it didn’t. Instead, it spread beyond the border, into the capital. Where it had apparently established itself as a permanent resident. Well, things were sure to get interesting in the upcoming days.
However, the toxic mist invading Sei’an City wasn’t her only concern. And besides, Issun raised a valid point. Orochi’s demise should have ushered in a new era of peace. It hadn’t, unfortunately. Now, the entire region threatened to crumble like dust on the wind. Both of her ears suddenly flattened, as Amaterasu held her head a little higher than normal. The wind brought with it unsettling news; a presence which move speedily into the city. “We are going, Issun!” She barked a command, breaking out into a long winded stride. Upon her arrival at Sei‘an City itself, the goddess and her companion witnessed a pitiful sight before them. There were sickly civilians scattered everywhere, on the main streets and slumped against dingy back alley walls. This is terrible… Mere words could not even put the actual scene into perspective. In fact, nothing in this world could have prepared Amaterasu for the desolate nature of her work.
Her throat felt sandpapery, but not unpleasantly so. The one-inch Poncle, Issun, hunkered down in Amaterasu’s coarse fur, seeking refuge in her divine aura. Regrettably, it was the only protection the sun goddess had to offer. With so much poison hanging in the air, usage of the Celestial Brush was all, but impossible. Still, the white wolf pressed on, loathing herself for being powerless to stop it. “I’m…” Useless? Was that the right term? Of course, it was. Now where did that scent run off too? Dark eyes scanned the area, searching for telltale signs of the intruder. Finally, she spotted him from afar. An individual with flaxen tresses, sitting down on the ground in apparent discomfort. It seemed as if he couldn’t breathe either. If so that eliminated the possibility of him being a demonic entity. “Hey! Hey you! In the ridiculous looking attire, are you all right?” It was Issun who called out to the stranger, as Amaterasu skidded to a sudden halt besides him.
Even Issun’s gruff display of concern sounded ridiculous. Of course, the blond wasn’t all right. He was visibly weak, his lungs probably screaming for oxygen. And all Amaterasu could was stand here, unable to dispel or even bring him and the villagers a brief respite. The goddess wouldn’t risk dragging him outside, would she? So why else could she do for him? Suddenly, an idea came to mind. What about a Traveler’s Charm? She had one in her Astral Pouch to spare, didn’t she? With a deft twist of her head, the pallid wolf tossed the pouch onto the male’s lap. “I was sorely mistaken, wasn’t I? Forgive me for jumping to conclusions so soon. Here. Take this charm, it will at least give you a semblance of protection.” The benevolent deity attempted to convey her message across, but she wasn’t even sure if the stranger could hear her telepathically.
“Where do you hail from, stranger?”
