Tamamo

Beneath a dark and somber sky, the once-lush forest was now a scorched wasteland. The earth had been furrowed with deep cracks, boulders were shattered, and the vegetation leveled. The small wooden cottage that once stood there was reduced to splinters and broken tiles, and the many foxes were nowhere to be found.

What was once a secluded and tranquil place had become a ruin, as if it had endured a massive battle. Lingering traces of immense spiritual and demonic power remained on the ground, bearing witness to the overwhelming force that had ravaged this land.

A sharp screech suddenly echoed from the cloud-shrouded sky. An ancient carriage, bearing a giant demon face and overflowing with demonic energy, streaked through the air, rolling on wheels of demonic fire. After circling once over the devastated land, the yokai carriage gradually slowed and descended, finally coming to a halt before the ruins of the cottage.

Once it had settled, the demon face at the front of the carriage opened its mouth and spoke in a respectful tone.

"We have arrived, Lord Tamamo-no-Mae..."

The curtain at the back of the yokai carriage was pulled aside. The first to descend was a young yokai girl with white bangs tied back, holding a temari ball and wearing a red kimono. On both her kimono and the temari ball, countless eyes were wide open, their pupils darting and glaring in every direction—a terrifying and eerie sight.

"We're here, Lord Tamamo-no-Mae!"

The yokai girl reached her hand into the carriage. A fair, delicate hand, encased in a complex and luxurious multi-layered sleeve, rested upon the girl's hand. Stepping out next was a yokai whose gender could not be discerned from their appearance.

Cloaked in a light, ornamented veil over dark-patterned robes, wearing a half-fox mask, and with ink-black hair cascading down their back, the figure exuded an air of elegance and mystery. An indescribable androgynous beauty was perfectly embodied in this yokai known as Tamamo-no-Mae.

"That will do, Dodomeki..." Tamamo-no-Mae spoke. The voice was deep and androgynous, making it impossible to distinguish their gender.

The yokai girl named Dodomeki released Tamamo-no-Mae's hand and stood respectfully to the side. Tamamo-no-Mae walked silently to the ruins of the wooden cottage and stood there, gazing at the tragic scene in silence.

Tamamo-no-Mae remained motionless before the ruins for a long time. Behind them, Dodomeki and the yokai carriage dared not speak, waiting anxiously for Tamamo-no-Mae's reaction. After an unknown amount of time, Tamamo-no-Mae finally spoke, their voice low.

"Kuzunoha..."

With a wave of Tamamo-no-Mae's hand, a cluster of eerie green demonic fire ignited. As it dissipated, a translucent middle-aged monk appeared, dressed in a kasaya with his hands pressed together. This was clearly the ghost of a human monk.

"Enmi, examine the residual spiritual traces here."

Tamamo-no-Mae looked at the monk's ghost and gave the command. The spirit named Enmi bowed with his hands together and immediately utilized his spiritual permeability to sink into the ground. For a long while, there was no movement.

Behind Tamamo-no-Mae, Dodomeki quietly approached the demon face at the front of the yokai carriage and whispered with a giggle.

"Look, Oboroguruma, that high monk of the Tendai school has completely become Lord Tamamo-no-Mae's enslaved spirit. It's quite funny to think about how unyielding he was at first..."

"Indeed. No one can resist Lord Tamamo-no-Mae's power. Whether he was a high monk of the Tendai school or a Black Tortoise Divine General, all must submit to Lord Tamamo-no-Mae."

Oboroguruma responded to Dodomeki in a low voice. Tamamo-no-Mae ignored the chatter of their subordinates, remaining focused on waiting for Enmi's results.

After a while, Enmi's spiritual body emerged from the ground. He bowed respectfully to Tamamo-no-Mae and spoke slowly.

"Lord Tamamo-no-Mae, I have finished examining the spiritual traces left on the earth. They clearly belong to Onmyojutsu."

"Onmyojutsu?" Tamamo-no-Mae's tone shifted, as if seeking confirmation.

"Yes. It is the Onmyojutsu of the Onmyo Clans from Heian-kyo... I spent many years training at Enryaku-ji and dealt with the Onmyoryo many times. I would never mistake the techniques of those Onmyoji."

Enmi continued respectfully. Upon hearing Enmi's words, Tamamo-no-Mae fell silent for a long moment. Then, with a sweep of their sleeve, they spoke coldly.

"Withdraw..."

"Yes, Lord Tamamo-no-Mae..." Enmi responded respectfully before vanishing in a burst of flames. After hearing his report, looks of shock appeared on the faces of Dodomeki and Oboroguruma.

"It... it was actually the Onmyoji of Heian-kyo?"

"Those guys again..."

Just as Dodomeki and Oboroguruma were about to say more, Tamamo-no-Mae suddenly turned and left the ruins, walking swiftly back toward Oboroguruma. As they did, they spoke in a dark, cold tone.

"We are going back."

"Yes, yes! Lord Tamamo-no-Mae!" Dodomeki was momentarily startled by the icy malice in Tamamo-no-Mae's voice, then quickly followed them into the carriage.

Oboroguruma then soared into the air, vanishing into the dark, cloudy sky, rolling on demonic fire as it flew toward the horizon.

Inside Oboroguruma, Tamamo-no-Mae pulled a letter from their sleeve and unfolded it. The elegant handwriting belonged to their friend.

"To my friend Tamamo, I hope this letter finds you well. I apologize for writing to you so abruptly, but I have recently encountered a difficult situation involving human Onmyoji that I cannot handle alone. I am in a dire predicament and hope for your assistance. If possible, please come to my home tomorrow so we may discuss the details in person. Sincerely, Kuzunoha."

After reading the letter one last time, Tamamo-no-Mae tossed it out the window. The paper ignited with demonic fire and was reduced to ashes.

...

Far from the ruins of the cottage, an enchanting woman dressed in simple robes stood atop a small hill, gazing blankly at the receding Oboroguruma in the distant sky.

After a long while, the woman lowered her head and stroked her abdomen, murmuring dreamily.

"Tamamo has gone. He has seen everything we left behind, just as you planned... I have deceived him. Are you satisfied with this result? Seimei?"

A thick purple-black mist wafted from the woman's abdomen, and a hollow voice replied from within.

"You have done well, Mother. Tamamo-no-Mae's long-dormant hatred requires enough fuel to be ignited. To him, you are the only one in this world with enough weight to matter. You have worked hard, Mother. Now, please rest and eat well, so that you may give birth to me soon."

"Yes, Seimei... my only son."

As the woman named Kuzunoha spoke, an eerie purple-red light emanated from her eyes. In the distance, the 'Beast' shrouded in black mist watched it all unfold.