In the Minamoto Forbidden Grounds, the Miko White Snake let out a piercing shriek under endless torment. Amidst this agony, the resentment of the miko spirits surged at an incredible speed, rapidly approaching a critical threshold. If this continued, the Miko White Snake’s malice would reach its peak before the onmyoji from the Onmyoryo could arrive, inevitably triggering Orochi’s intervention.
Just as Miketsu found herself nearly powerless to stop the unfolding disaster, Dakini-ten’s voice echoed in her mind, claiming she could lend even more of her power.
"Your power? Can your power solve this mess?" Miketsu asked Dakini-ten, her voice tinged with doubt.
"Naturally. Do not forget, this white snake is essentially a collection of vengeful spirits. As someone who can be considered a Bodhisattva-Deity, I can deal with her far more effectively..." Dakini-ten spoke slowly, her tone playful.
Miketsu countered immediately. "But I have used your power to perform purifications for them before, and it was ineffective..."
"The reason it was ineffective was because their spiritual mass was too great, and they were being held fast by that evil god. With your current level of syncretism, the amount of my power you can manifest is too small to purify her. You only need to further increase your level of syncretism with me. Then, perhaps you can successfully purify them with a much stronger power of prayer..." Dakini-ten’s voice wound through Miketsu’s mind like a melody.
Miketsu’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
"Increase the level of syncretism? To what extent must it be raised to purify them?"
"Well... this white snake’s vengeful spirit is exceptionally powerful, a rarity in this world. Unless I act personally, there is no chance of purifying it. In other words, you need to achieve complete syncretism with me. It can no longer be just the level of borrowing power like before..." Dakini-ten continued, her voice now carrying a distinct smile and an obvious teasing undertone.
"Hehe, what do you say, Inari Okami? To save all living beings and end this tragedy, do you have the resolve to become one with me completely? This means you will lose your sense of self forever and become my avatar. Do you truly have the—"
Dakini-ten was whispering in Miketsu’s ear with a seductive tone, but before she could finish, Miketsu cut her off.
"As long as I achieve complete syncretism with you, it will be fine, right?"
"Uh... correct. Once you and I are completely syncretized, our divine names and status will be as one. You will naturally be able to use my power in its entirety... Hehe, but in doing so, you will become my avatar, forever dwelling beneath me. Are you will—"
"Understood. Let us begin now," Miketsu said in her heart, her voice direct and calm. She pressed her palms together, preparing to act. However, she suddenly realized that the previously boastful Dakini-ten had gone quiet for some reason. Not a word came from her for a long while. This strange reaction caused Miketsu to tilt her head slightly.
"What is it? Why have you stopped talking?"
"You... give me a bit of a reaction, would you!" Dakini-ten suddenly shouted, her devilish tone completely gone. She seemed extremely dissatisfied with Miketsu’s response. "After I said all that, you should at least have a painful internal struggle! Hesitate for a while, then say something like, 'Curse you... was this all part of your plan?' What kind of reaction is this? So plain and indifferent!"
"Hiss... keep it down." Rubbing her temples, a look of helplessness appeared on Miketsu’s face. She looked down at the Miko White Snake, whose struggles were growing more violent, and continued to respond to Dakini-ten.
"I don't know what you were expecting, but time is of the essence. This is no time for hesitation or internal conflict. We must act immediately, or it will be too late."
"You... do you really not care at all about being eroded by me and becoming my avatar?" Dakini-ten’s voice rang out again, this time with a hint of something strange in her tone.
"I care. How could I not? But the current situation is beyond such talk. Besides, I’ve been using your power for free for over ten years now. Perhaps this is the payment I must finally hand over..." Miketsu spoke to Dakini-ten in her heart with a flat tone. Her words left the other deity momentarily speechless.
"You..."
"Enough. There is no need for more nonsense. Let us begin."
Miketsu, with her palms pressed together, began to glow. She slowly drifted away from Tsuruha, floating upward.
"Wait to the side, Tsuruha."
"Yes, Lady Uka..."
Casting a worried glance at Miketsu, Tsuruha flew to the side. Suspended in mid-air, Miketsu gradually crossed her legs. The radiance on her body grew brighter and brighter, and the faint phantom of a soft celestial ribbon began to flicker around her.
In a dense forest thousands of miles away, Byakuren, wearing her bamboo hat and riding atop a fierce tiger, seemed to sense something. She also pressed her palms together and bowed toward the distance.
On Mount Shigi in Nara, countless monks stopped their activities and sat where they were, piously chanting scriptures toward the same direction.
"Dakini-ten... Syncretism..."
Amidst the radiance, Miketsu’s form began to change. The white robe and red hakama she wore, along with the Heavenly Mirror Crown, vanished into points of light. In their place, gold-threaded silks wrapped around her body, and jade and gold ornaments adorned her ankles, wrists, and neck.
Miketsu had now completely manifested in her Celestial Maiden Form. Floating ribbons circled her, and minimal garments of silk covered her body, leaving much of her skin exposed. Her bare feet were adorned with gold rings, and many parts of her body were decorated with exquisite jewelry. A flower mark appeared on her forehead. As she held her palms together, four more slender arms grew from her back, each forming different mudras in various poses.
This was the true form of Dakini-ten.
Miketsu opened her mouth slightly, and waves of mysterious Divine Chants echoed between heaven and earth. As if a deity had personally descended, an immense divine power was bestowed upon the screaming Miko White Snake. Subsequently, the creature grew calm and began to dissolve.
The Miko White Snake began to separate. Every scale that fell off flew in different directions, transforming into a miko with a peaceful expression. These miko, their eyes no longer filled with hatred, bowed deeply toward Miketsu in the sky before their figures faded and gradually vanished.
"What... Hmph, it seems you have more tricks than I imagined..." During the dissolution of the Miko White Snake, Orochi’s voice manifested once more. But as the snake crumbled, His voice finally faded away. Within a short time, the Miko White Snake had completely dissolved and vanished. At the same time, the black clouds in the sky gradually dispersed. Miketsu finished her chanting and looked down at the ruined grounds under the setting sun, letting out a soft sigh.
"I hope you will not suffer such a fate in your next life..."
At that moment, Tsuruha flew over from the distance. Looking at the familiar yet strange figure before her, she spoke uncertainly.
"Lady Uka?"
"Yes, it is me, Tsuruha."
Miketsu responded to Tsuruha in her usual tone. She then extended her hand, adorned with a gold bracelet, inspected it, and a small smile played at the corners of her mouth.
"So this is... what it feels like to be an avatar? It doesn't feel much different from before..."
As Miketsu spoke, a familiar voice rang out in her head again. It was Dakini-ten.
"Hey, stop pretending. I don't believe for a second that you can't tell whether you're the original self or an avatar."
Rate on N.U.
