When Miko was sure the figure had disappeared, she lowered her guard. Miko took a deep breath as she thought to herself, "Time to break out of this dream... why do i always dream of these things nowadays?" She tried to connect herself to her consciousness, but was quickly interupted by laughing echoing around the darkness.
"It seems you long knew... Yet you refuse to give in." Dark smoke condensed into the same figure, a half fox with jet black hair and red eyes. She licked her lips in amusement, staring at Miko.
"Why do you always come here?" Miko asked in annoyance, "Don't you know I hate nightmares?" The figure chuckled to herself, and replied, "Of course. But you know some things are inevitable. Such as your downfall. If you listen to me now, we can still change fate."
"What?" Miko asked. What did she mean by downfall?
"The true death of your soul. If you refuse to listen to me, I am afraid you will be stuck in limbo even after death." The darker Miko answered. There was a real reason why both of them should be panicking. No one knew what happens after the true death of a soul, not even the gods. All that was understood was that a soul was to die a natural death when their time was up, which was usually after millions of years. In that case, the soul simply decomposes and breaks apart eventually combining with other soul shards and pieces to create a new soul. However, in true death, which could only be caused by omnipotent power such as the calamity star, the soul completely ceases to exist, becomming wisps of energy that can never form a soul.
"What do you want?" Miko demanded. She was sick of seeing this figure so many times. She wanted peaceful dreams where she was in a field of asago flowers with Takei, and sakura petals raining from the sky as they both watched the sunset across the horizon.
"You know what I want. Its what you don't want. Surely my battle just now with you must have invoked some... feelings." The figure said as she disappeared in a puff of smoke. The dark illusion around her crumbled to pieces as the white background behind it came into view. Miko was in the realm of her own mind again.
Miko sat down as she pondered on what her other self just said. "What I want is what you don't want?" What feelings were invoked in the battle? Miko knew what the answers were. Based on what her other self previously said, most likely, it was being with Takei. As for the battle, Miko understood it immediately. During the battle, she was allowed to use the full extent of her cultivation against herself, something which she could never do anymore. The feeling of being able to be powerful is what many conveted, including Miko.
"No matter. I can still protect him from other humans... As for beasts, the human cultivators will target them, and I'll just have to stay hidden. Wait... why am I suddenly willing to sacrifice my kind?! Is it..." Miko thought, as she thought about the disadvantages of being in a weakened state. However, she suddenly though of sacrificing her fellow beasts to the humans for hers and Takei's protection! How could she?! It was as good as a human losing his humanity! However, another thought struck her. In this world, power was never only about defending yourself. It was stepping on others. This was why the powerful dare act defiantly, while the weak could only cower and accept their fate. Such was the way of the world. Miko sighed, convincing herself this was part of integrating into human society.
As she was about to wake up, another thought struck Miko. What was it about her soul being destroyed? She did not understand it. In addition, if the figure was a reflection of her in a more negative light, how could it know something she did not? Miko knew she would not get the answers. At least not yet. She had to wait and see, if she could last that long...
Deep in the imperial throne hall, Amaterasu sat atop her throne. Clad in golden jewelry and extravagant garments, she looked completely charming, as well as both powerful and strong. She sat back in her throne as a servant entered the hall, followed by the god of the night himself.
"This humble god of the night greets our empress, the eternal sun." Tsukuyomi greeted, in a semi mocking tone. Amaterasu clicked her tongue, before shesignalled for him to rise and to speak.
"The calamity star is rising, your majesty. Its is almost at its peak position. Very soon, calamity will befall, or a soul be destroyed. What does your highness plan to do?"The god of the night asked.
"Who is it attatched to?" Amaterasu asked, her regal voice commanding the respect of the other gods in the room.
"A six hundred year old kitsune, Azuki Kamiko. In a few years, her soul is destinied to be destroyed, becomming true death." Tsukuyomi replied. Amaterasu frowned, her eyebrows furrowing.
"Was it supposed to be this fast?" Amaterasu asked. The god of the night continued, " It was meant to be awithin another ten thousand years, however the star seems to be ascending to its peak position faster, and will peak in less than five years. This humble subject is ignorant of why, but something seems to be affecting it. As an omnipotent power, it is supposed to only peak at a single time, and nothing is supposed to be able to change it, except the... ritual..."
"Hmm..." Amaterasu, thought, " But no one has sacrificed their soul. Investigate the reason immediately, this is something of serious matter, so stop talking about it so lightly."
"Your majesty! Isn't there another way? I believe this soul is young, her time up cannot be so soon! It seems unfair to her!" Inari pleaded.
"I am afraid not, unless you are willing to sacrifice your heart or find another human to take the calamity and die for her." Amaterasu replied. With a wave of her hand, Amaterasu dismissed the gods, and they exited, with the exception of Inari.
"What are you still here for?" Amaterasu asked, her voice as gentle as the breeze comming in, "I already told you I don't think there is another way." Inari opened her mouth to bargain, but was quickly silenced when Amaterasu said, "I also know you have been meddling with her life, but let me remind you nothing can change her fate. As much power as we have to change fate, this calamity star is far beyong our abilities to handle. I hope you will not do something out of line, but I will overlook what you are doing what you are doing right now." Inari was shocked at how Amaterasu knew, but already knew that the god of the night must have told her. Afterall, they have been preparing for its rise since a few thousand years ago, and as Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu were close, it was only natural she would find out.
"I understand," Inari replied, as she took her bow and proceeded to exit the room. It seems that this time, she could not protect her foxes any longer.