Into the Storm Report

General Summary

During their nearly two month recovery period in Tengoku after their devastating battle with Galbatorix Arazaleus , Conradus and Benkei began planning their final confrontation with Nultial Invictus . After speaking with Isidor, Conradus learned that Laxius had come to some sort of agreement with the newly released Tamamo no Mae . Benkei was also visited by envoys from Byakuroku , including the captain of the Iron Samurai Gaiden Homura, who he once knew as Minamoto no Raikou. On behalf of Daimyo Mikazuki Tanjiro , they offered to share some of Byakuroku's technology with Tengoku if Benkei offered himself to the Blood Lotus Guild for research. He was also visited by Laxius who informed him that he had separated from Nultial. He told Benkei to contact him once they were ready to battle Nultial and attempted to take a sliver of Benkei's broken body with him. When Benkei confronted him about this Laxius attempted to cast a spell on Benkei, but he was able to resist it, after which he took his leave.   Once Benkei had fully recovered he had another vision where he saw Kagutsuchi and Izanami in a dark throne room. His pact with Kagutsuchi was then broken. With no other leads, and no other options, Conradus and Benkei decided to converse with Mugen . After stepping into his demiplane, the leader of the Yonkishi divulged to them that unless Nultial and Tamamo no Mae knew of some other way, the only one with the knowledge of how to free Izanami was her husband, Izanagi. In exchange for his removal from the demiplane, he agreed to guide them to the Dangai Coast, where Izanagi was suspected to have hidden himself.   After stocking up on supplies, Benkei teleported the group to the north coasts, where an eternal storm pounded at the dark cliffs. After travelling west along the coast, they came upon a monastic research center devoted to the study of storm elementals built directly into the cliffside. In one of the research rooms, they came across research documents concerning the Sanshu no Jingi (the three sacred regalia), the "sword" Ame no Murakumo, which was last seen in the possession of a lone monk near the Dangai cliffs, the Yata no Kagami, and Yasakani no Magatama. While they were absorbed in their research, they were ambushed by a group of spider-like constructs that paralyzed Benkei and removed a chunk of wood from his body before simply teleporting away.   The following day, the group discovered a land bridge leading out to sea, and after following it for several hours, came upon a strange temple to Susanoo the Storm Monarch tended to by a lone monk. The monk inquired if the group was prepared to traverse the 1000 gates. After stepping through the tunnel, they found themselves in an endless maze of torii gates. It was only after Conradus prayed to Susanoo for guidance that they received a hint as to how to reach the end of the trial, finding themselves before a massive torii gate glowing with blinding light.   Stepping into the light, the group found themselves in the middle of a completely different ocean a ways away from a mysterious island, surrounded by strange birds and aquatic life. As they made their way towards it, Benkei attempted to cast a spell and turned into a potted plant.