Dialogue with the Sealed God

Time rewinds to the final days of the war preparations being conducted by Miketsu and the others.

Originally, when Miketsu believed that all preparations were complete, she took Qin Xin and Menreiki for an outing in Heian-kyo. By chance, she spotted Kagura and Minamoto no Hiromasa also out on an excursion. After Qin Xin informed her of their sibling relationship, Miketsu immediately realized a grave problem: the fact that Amaterasu might be the Great Snake's Miko.

Minamoto no Kagura had been confirmed as the Great Snake's Miko, and the Minamoto Clan originated from the Imperial Family, who in turn descended from Amaterasu. Having visited Takamagahara and seen the iconic red-streaked hair of the three Fire God brothers—Amaterasu's great-grandsons—Miketsu had clarified the bloodline connection from Amaterasu to Minamoto no Kagura. This had become the greatest oversight in her original plan.

In Miketsu's original plan, she intended to use the revived Suwako to counter the revived Tokoyo-no-Kami. Meanwhile, she would exploit the fact that the Great Snake's revival required a ritual priest, desperately guarding Kagura to ensure the conditions for the Great Snake's return could never be met. By doing so, she would pin it down before its revival, just as she had with the Ancient God of the Sea. As long as Kagura was in her hands, the initiative for the Great Snake's revival would remain with her.

However, once Miketsu confirmed that Amaterasu could also serve as the Great Snake's Miko, that plan fell apart. If Amaterasu was the Miko, the initiative for reviving the Great Snake was actually in her hands. Although Amaterasu's motives were unclear, she was certainly not on their side. Not only would they be unable to prevent the Great Snake's revival, but they might even end up facing a pincer attack from both Takamagahara and the Great Snake's forces. This was undoubtedly a dire situation.

While Miketsu's side could deploy Suwako as a revived ancient god, Suwako herself had admitted that while she could handle the Tokoyo Butterfly in its complete form, she could not deal with the Great Snake at full strength—let alone with Takamagahara added to the mix. Furthermore, the Great Snake's revival would likely accelerate the Tokoyo Butterfly's emergence from its cocoon. Even for an ancient god, it would be a two-on-one battle with no prospect of victory. Miketsu's own recovery progress would take at least another six months, meaning she could not make it in time for this war.

After considering these circumstances, Miketsu realized the tide of war was heavily against them. To achieve ultimate victory, she had to find new assistance.

That night, Miketsu sat in her room, lost in thought until late. As she stepped outside for a walk and looked up at the bright moon in the sky, a bold strategy gradually formed in her mind.

Thus, carrying this strategy, Miketsu headed directly to the Lunar Capital the following day. There, she found Eirin.

...

"What? You want to borrow the power of Chang'e?"

In the forest of the Lunar Secret Realm, Eirin looked at Miketsu with a startled expression. Miketsu looked back at her with a look of absolute sincerity.

"Yes. I have just explained the current situation to you. If the Great Snake is certain to be revived, then we have no chance of winning at this stage. Therefore, we must obtain new assistance," Miketsu said solemnly. Seeing her determined expression, Eirin could not help but speak seriously as well.

"Then how do you plan to 'borrow' it? Like Ao and the others, giving Chang'e a body and then attempting to control it? I'm telling you, that is completely impossible. Although our detections of Chang'e's power show that its current state is very weak, it is still not something we can control with our current means! Trying to forcibly harness it will only lead to the same disaster that befell Ao and his group," Eirin said with a warning tone. Miketsu, however, spoke calmly and indifferently.

"No, it is not about control, nor is it about harnessing. It is about dialogue. I intend to talk with Chang'e..."

"Talk... Are you serious? Talking with an alien invader?" Hearing Miketsu's words, Eirin's expression became even more serious, though she did not show much surprise.

"It is indeed an alien invader, but weren't the moon rabbits originally the same? The moon rabbits became what they are today under the influence of our planet. Could it be that Chang'e is still the same as she was hundreds of millions of years ago? Or rather, if the moon rabbits are a part of Chang'e, then the influence they receive is equivalent to Chang'e being influenced as well," Miketsu continued in a low voice. She knew that the Lunar Sage before her understood this logic, so she did not show excessive shock.

"You have a point. Judging from Reisen's case, Chang'e has indeed displayed some emotions she shouldn't possess. She may have already acquired some of our characteristics in her consciousness. I had originally planned to conduct long-term research on this, exploring Chang'e's current state in a step-by-step manner... with dialogue being the final step. But you've gone and moved that final step right to the front. Do you understand the risks involved?" A slight smile appeared on Eirin's lips as she looked at Miketsu. Miketsu nodded solemnly.

"I understand, of course. But time no longer permits us to do anything superfluous. It is difficult to ensure everything in this world is perfect. In times like these, taking risks is inevitable..." Miketsu continued slowly. After she and Eirin locked eyes for a moment, Eirin finally let out a somewhat helpless sigh.

"Very well. Since we are forced by the circumstances, it can't be helped. However, even if you successfully communicate with Chang'e, what makes you think she will assist you?"

"Don't worry about that. I believe I can offer conditions significant enough for Chang'e to take them seriously," Miketsu said confidently in response to Eirin's question.

...

In the Lunar Secret Realm, beneath the giant crater, at the edge of the Abyss of the Seal.

Having decided to meet Chang'e, Miketsu and Eirin arrived there together. Looking at the pitch-black abyss leading straight to the lunar core, Miketsu took a small paper figure from her sleeve.

"Substitute Katashiro..."

Whispering the words, Miketsu threw the paper figure. It transformed amidst a flash of fire, eventually becoming a new Miketsu. This was a clone shikigami created using Miketsu's Jutsu-shiki.

"I didn't realize you had such attainments in Jutsu-shiki," Eirin said with a smile, looking at Miketsu's clone. Miketsu responded directly.

"It's only mediocre. This is merely a shell..." Miketsu said plainly. This clone shikigami was Seimei's specialty; he could use it to form an array by himself. Miketsu had only learned the basics from him. While the clone she created had no combat power, it was sufficient for relaying messages.

And so, Miketsu linked her consciousness to the clone, letting it slowly take flight and descend into the pitch-black Abyss of the Seal.

Now, Miketsu was going to meet the alien god she had personally sealed twice... Chang'e.