Interception

North of Heian-kyo, in a mountain valley, the river waters surged violently. The turbulent currents rushed through the mountains, and as the water level rapidly rose, the raging water burst forth from the valley, forming a massive wave that surged south towards Heian-kyo.

Within the wave, the current Black Tortoise Divine General, a chimera yokai formed from countless merged yokai, twisted its massive body, swimming forward. It was now the master of this terrestrial giant wave, wielding the power of water control gained through Black Tortoise spiritual power. The Black Tortoise's chimera yokai intended to carry this increasingly powerful wave to assault the divine domain.

Suddenly, the clear sky darkened. The previously calm air currents in the space above the surging wave abruptly accelerated, and fierce winds began to howl. In just an instant, several large tornadoes rapidly formed.

Thick tornadoes raged across the surface of the massive wave. Spiraling upward air currents swept vast amounts of water into the sky. These colossal tornadoes acted like several high-powered water pumps, drawing the wave's water into the heavens, dispersing it into dark clouds, and blowing it far away.

Under the onslaught of the water tornadoes, the wave's water level rapidly receded. Eventually, the colossal chimera yokai swimming within was exposed above the water. Gazing at the quickly diminishing surface, the chimera yokai, with its multiple different-shaped heads, looked up at the sky and collectively let out a piercing roar.

“A hybrid of yokai? Hmph… how disgusting…”

The Wind God, seated cross-legged in the sky, scrutinized the strange yokai below. With a raise of her hand, Kanako conjured even fiercer gales.

“Then, let me, the Wind God, see now the might of a Divine General, capable of reaching the divine domain.”

…

Above the forest west of Heian-kyo, Minamoto no Yorimasa flew at extreme speed, trailing an aura of biting cold, rushing towards the divine domain ahead.

As the current White Tiger Divine General, his hair had turned pale under the influence of White Tiger spiritual power, and his armor was covered in frost and snow. The cold winds he generated during his flight froze all the trees along his path.

Minamoto no Yorimasa continued to speed forward. The cold aura emanating from his body subtly formed the head of a giant tiger.

Suddenly, a sharp shriek echoed through the sky. A figure descended rapidly from above, aiming directly at the flying Minamoto no Yorimasa. Sensing the danger, Minamoto no Yorimasa reacted instantly, swinging his blade upwards.

The clash of weapons resounded through the sky. Minamoto no Yorimasa's ice crystal cold blade blocked the downward slash. At that moment, Minamoto no Yorimasa clearly saw the attacker's figure: a young Miko, wielding a long blade and dressed in red and white Miko robes.

“Where did this Miko come from… Don't get in my way!”

With an angry roar, Minamoto no Yorimasa tightened his grip on his long blade. Potent ice-cold power surged through the point where the two blades met, rapidly freezing the sharp blade in the Miko's hand. The spreading ice layer was incredibly fast, threatening to encase the Miko's hand in ice in an instant.

“Hosuseri-no-Mikoto…”

Suddenly, the Miko's long blade burst into fierce flames, instantly melting the ice layer covering it. The clash of fire blade and ice blade generated a large amount of steam. Seeing this, Minamoto no Yorimasa immediately retreated, widening the distance, and said with a serious expression,

“This is divine power… Who exactly are you!?”

Facing Minamoto no Yorimasa's inquiry, the purple-haired Miko swung her flaming long blade. Illuminated by the firelight, she murmured,

“Watatsuki no Yorihime, merely a Miko of Lady Uka from the moon…”

…

South of Heian-kyo, on a flat avenue, Hagoromo Gitsune, clad in a single, luxurious robe, floated slightly forward. The scorching heat emanating from her body ignited the withered branches and fallen leaves along her path. In the sky, a pair of eyes watched Hagoromo Gitsune, who blazed with fire.

“A Nine-Tailed Great Yokai, the mother of Onmyoji? What an interesting secret lore…”

Above, Ao Andon smiled, observing the scene below. Then, she swiped her hand through the void, and three cards appeared in her grasp.

“Secret Lore Summoning… Appear now… Great Onmyoji…”

As Ao Andon spoke, the cards in her hand vanished. Immediately, three figures appeared beside her: Abe no Seimei, Ashiya Doman, and Asakura Hao.

These were the three Onmyo Taiyu of the human Onmyoryo in this era, whose legends circulated among humans and yokai alike.

After summoning the three secret lore avatars, Ao Andon took three small bamboo segments from her sleeve and tossed them to the three Onmyoji. The Onmyoji, having caught the small bamboo segments, quickly flew down, scattering into a triangular formation. Upon landing, they opened the bamboo segments and poured their contents onto the ground: three portions of fresh blood.

“Barrier – Blood Compensation…”

As the Onmyoji completed their hand seals, the blood on the ground before them emitted a faint glow. These three glows then linked together, and along their connecting paths, a massive crimson barrier rose. This triangular colossal barrier completely enveloped Hagoromo Gitsune as she advanced.

“A barrier…”

Hagoromo Gitsune murmured, looking at the barrier rising before her. Then, several massive fireballs condensed around her, blasting towards the barrier ahead.

Under the continuous explosive bombardment, firelight and fierce flames erupted and scattered. However, after the flames dissipated, the barrier before Hagoromo Gitsune remained completely unharmed. This caused Hagoromo Gitsune to momentarily freeze, and then stop in her tracks.

“Why? This barrier shouldn't be this strong…”

“On its own, this barrier isn't particularly strong. However, through its medium, it can transfer any damage it receives to the medium's owner…” At that moment, a voice sounded behind Hagoromo Gitsune. She immediately turned, and what appeared before her was a white-haired girl with a look of wild exhilaration.

“You are…”

“Heh… My name is Fujiwara no Mokou. I am the former wielder of your Vermilion Bird Power, and now, I am one with this barrier.” As she spoke, Mokou gazed at Hagoromo Gitsune with a smile.

“This barrier is forged from my blood; it is a part of me. So, if you wish to break through it and advance, you'll have to kill me first, you know.”

As she finished speaking, a burst of fierce flames erupted from Mokou's hand.

…

East of Heian-kyo, Dark Seimei stood suspended in mid-air. Arcs of electricity crackled around him, and his pupils glowed with overflowing azure energy. An invisible pressure emanated from his being.

At this moment, opposite Dark Seimei, another man, identical to him in appearance, floated in the air. However, he bore no wild electricity or oppressive aura; his calm eyes exuded only gentleness.

Thus, Seimei and Dark Seimei, two beings of one soul, met for the very first time.