Sepulchral Secrets at Isonokami (Part 2)

Discovery, Exploration

Now that Shigeaki Fujino had transported herself away to a safe place, Hashinara Yoshitakatomo, Aotsuki Tsukamoto, and Ryūzaki Sanosuke could battle the remaining Gye-lyong at their leisure. Those monstrous serpents were even now caught up in the coils of Yoshitakatomo's earthen magic, unable to move or raise their heads for the immense gravity pressing down on them. In such circumstances, it might not be necessary to fight at all. Such must have been the thoughts rushing through Sanosuke's head as he grabbed the stone ring that had fallen from the first Imugi's helmet and immediately made his way to the next closest.

Careful to avoid eye contact, the Silver General popped open the remaining helmets with his nodachi before collecting the artifacts hidden inside. When all was done, he had two stone rings and a triangle, all of which he brought to the matching pattern in the center of the room. The items slotted in easily and began to turn. Stone grinding on stone heralded the activation of another device as the center of the chamber began to open. It was not, however, a rapid process. Aotsuki and Yoshitakatomo joined their comrade at the center of the room and stood on guard should the monsters manage to regain their agency.   Two of the Gye-lyong did no such thing and remained bound by gravity. One, however, threw off those arcane fetters and slithered its way aggressively toward the closest interloper: Aotsuki. As it readied itself to strike, Sanosuke shouted out quick instructions to Kagami. Turning the mirror on her head, the little Sheele managed to reflect the basilisk's own chilly gaze back at its avian face. Powerful as they were, the Gye-lyong proved not to be immune to their own abilities. Staring at itself in the mirror, their foe could not move an inch, paralyzed utterly in its ready pose.   The center mechanism opened then, revealing a glorious Seven-Branched Sword rising from a compartment even further beneath the surface of the earth. Sanosuke did not hesitate in grabbing its unhilted handle and claiming victory over the challenge. The Imugi were still active yet, but Kagami's solution had given Yoshitakatomo similar ideas. With a few spells of creation, she* conjured up an individual mirror for each Gye-lyong. Free to dispel her gravity effect now, the party could roam at will. All their foes were still alive, but all but helpless as they stared at their own petrifying reflections. Tama was particularly tickled by this poetic end to the basilisks, and her childish laughter echoed around the tunnels of the hidden chamber. Normally this alone would not catch Sanosuke's attention, but the girl's lilting voice seemed to have a strange effect on his new sword. Vibrating as though in resonance with the laughter, a bit of magical energy seemed to generate from the blade itself, plainly visible to the Silver General's S.P.E.C.T.A.C.L.E.-clad eye.   The three took a short time to examine the rest of the chamber, but found little of interest. Yoshitakatomo recognized an item portrayed in the mosaic as a Yeouiju: a powerful focus created when a dragon attains full power that grants it near-invulnerability and divine might. Tempting as that may be, it was alas only a painting on the floor. The three made their departure, but not before Sanosuke received a golden coin from a strange visitor. Was that hulking figure in brass armor who passed the talent into his hand real or imagined? Certainly there was no trace of him after the fact, but the Silver General was left one Gold Kuma Coin richer, and that was an undeniable fact.   Outside, the three reconvened with their departed ally, Shigeaki Fujino. She, of course, wanted to hear the full tale. Fortunately, by some twist of fate, an ursine hand, or the mercy of Hakutaku, Fujino remembered none of the trauma she had just been through. To her, it seemed as though she'd been waiting patiently outside all this time while her friends explored the depths. They all had a friendly chat then, under the gibbous moon. At Sanosuke's urging, Tama repeated her laugh, but the sound's effect on the Seven-Branched Sword was not repeated. The earthen sheele did repeat a bad word she'd heard Sanosuke shout after watching Fujino's death in the hidden chamber, almost causing Aotsuki to faint from shock. She promised, at least, not to say it again.   The White Frog departed then, with his "daughters," returning to other adventures in Ōtsu Castle. Sanosuke and Yoshitakatomo were left alone briefly as Fujino handled his travel arrangements. Together, they puzzled over the artifact they had won from Isonokami's depths. Adroit as always in matters of the occult, Yoshitakatomo deduced that the weapon had some hidden potential. It could store a large amount of magic, and did so in an aura around the blade rather than in the material itself. That could prove useful in sharing the bounty with a nearby ally. More impressively, the Seven-Branched Sword could resonate with certain sounds, using them to generate magical energy or other effects. Seven sounds for seven branches; the amount they could produce each day was probably limited, but still a very useful attribute. All combined with a bit of innate protection against powers of the mind, these qualities made up for what Sanosuke had noticed right away: the sword's unwieldy design was not quite ideal for actual combat.   Fujino returned then, ready to take them their separate ways. With Isonokami Shrine conquered, the two resumed their individual activities that night.   < Sepulchral Secrets at Isonokami (Part 1)