Walking out into the clearing with Mei's sheltered well to see the magical barrier still up, the passing overcast of clouds clear away; sunlight seems brighter over the forest compared to how gloomy and dead the area was only yesterday.
Giving the two hope of a good day, fully fed and well stocked thanks to their vanishing host's hospitality, Sanemaru turns into his true form.
Allowing Umeko to climb on, he takes to the sky with the fiery wings making him appear as the legendary Pegasus.
Taking more breaks than ideal so he may refuel on every resting traveler along the way, Sanemaru eventually lands at the shrine's gate a few hours before dusk.
With his eyes being the only ones sharp enough to notice the humble shack at the very top surrounded by tall trees before he landed, the enchanting horse kneels for Umeko to jump down onto a dusty path.
Enmeshed by dense forestry, they stand in an opening that faces a high set of many stone steps ascending a very high, mountainside hill.
Returning to his true form with fluttering fire wings, standing excitedly with sparkly eyes, Sanemaru's hands clasp together over his heart while breathing in the sight of a massive, red stone gate; wondering if it was the work of a giant or the mighty Creator of Japan himself, the bold and flawless, opaque stone wrapped in white flowering vines, is topped with a giant, black stone basin of water.
Gasping at the beauty before him, "Heaven's Gate. . . It's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Caressing the back of his neck, "On second thought, I don't think I've ever had a reason to imagine it. . ."
Umeko looks around, seeing two towering, pitted red stone pillars with cracks, toppers with a red and black archway, covered in overgrown plants, "What's so special about this run-down looking gate?"
Walking closer to poke at the ancient stone forgotten by nature's timeline, "You really think this thing's that special? I guess it must've taken a long time for the people that used to live here to build it. . .which is amazing."
Hitting his stomach with the back of her hand to regain his attention, "Let's go."
Why are there stairs everywhere I need to go? . . .I'm so tired of climbing. . .please don't have more stairs than Tsukiyomi-sama's palace. My feet will fall off!
Reaching the first step to place her foot on it, Umeko pauses to look back; seeing a twinkle-eyed Sanemaru inspecting the gate and staring into the empty space beyond it completely enthralled, rather than following her, she grows perplexed.
Umeko tugs at the sleeve of his shirt, "What's your deal?"
Wrapping his left arm around her shoulders to pull her in close, his right hand pans across the gate in front of them, "Your weak little eyes have no idea what's really there. Is that what you're telling me?"
Scoffing, thinking there's nothing wrong with her eyes, "Sane, this is a nice enough area but it's nowhere near as beautiful as Tsukiyomi's garden."
Horse ears dance as he rocks her in his embrace, "You're not really seeing it! You're blind."
Narrowing her eyes defensively, "Only if you think a run down looking gate with a bunch of worn down stairs as high as the eye can see is beautiful," she shoves him away, "Then yeah."
Umeko rolls her eyes into an annoyed pout.
Snapping his fingers before rummaging through her bag, "I bet there's a potion in here that'll let you see."
Refusing to be tempted, "I will not use something you stole for my benefit," she points her chin away from him.
Pursing her lips to challenge her curiosity, the girl succumbs and faces him, "What're the other ways a human can see it?"
Excitedly grasping her shoulders to get in her face, "Pretty sure you either make a soul pact with a spirit that will lend you its power, or. . ."
Pulling her close until their foreheads touch and he stares deadpan into her eyes, "You die and go there yourself."
Chuckling as he backs up to raise the flap on her satchel, "Want to take your chances of me killing then reviving you? I know I saw a potion that said, "Heal All"."
"No way," she elbows him out the way and walks to the stairs, "What's wrong with you?"
Stopping momentarily to think about if drinking a potion is worth it, Umeko shakes her head no. Glancing at him, "Can't you just tell me what you see?"
"That's the LEAST entertaining way for you to see what it looks like, but if you insist," Sanemaru describes the other side of the gate while standing centered in the massive doorway with her at his side.
Looking through a glowing veil with the songs birds filling his ears, the scent of exotic flowers that sway in the breeze wraps around his nose while filling his eyes with colors he's never seen before.
Torches create an endless railing all the way up, while leafy vines and tiny furry creatures crawl up the steps. His detailed description gives her confidence that this is the right place and her plan will work.
Climbing the dull and plain, cracked mountain stairs, trying to force her eyes to see what Sanemaru does until she realizes he's fallen behind. Seeing if his ascent on the walkway of twenty steps or so is having an effect on him, she discovers he's far behind not because of physical limitation, but because he's so enveloped in whatever creatures he sees that he's really dragging ass.
Losing concern over his safety as she pushes forward, Umeko finally reaches the top stair without him; having no time to waste on things beyond her reach, the girl feels a sudden warmth encompassing her.
Umeko's heart pounds in her head as she struggles to steady her breathing in hopes of calming down. Before her very eyes, the worn structure transforms from a small, two-person hut into a grand palace.
Blinking a few times and rubbing her eyes in confusion, she gawks in awe at the sudden magnificence manifesting itself in front of her. Facing a towering structure made of rammed earth at the base and wood at every angle up into the sky, she takes a cautious step forward.
The sudden architecture overwhelms her vision as cinnamon eyes dance over the white wooden panels that make up the walls. Golden-yellow, wooden shingles make up an elegantly curved roof that flares out beyond the walls to provide shade.
The castle calls for her to approach as the two large and heavy wooden doors open; metal plates driven into thick wood with decorative patterns glitter under the purely brilliant sunlight as they swing apart into a long hall.
Rays of golden white light pours into this strange new place that materialized out of thin air. Unsure if she's dreaming or losing her sanity, Umeko approaches the entrance in a trance; coming to her senses just before stepping inside gold-foil painted doors that open inward for her, the absent space where she hoped Sanemaru would be.
I can't believe he's missing all this.
Realizing that she's alone in this place, there is no fear to be found within her; a feeling of warmth and love embraces her with every filling breath.
When she steps into the hall, her body raises from the ground and flies torso forward with force; upon reaching an altar at the other end of a grand hall filled with light and art, her body floats for a moment before delicately sinking to her feet.
Examining the room, she stares at the walls lined with tapestries of nature scenes. The massive altar in front of her has a vast and colorful painting filling the wall behind it.
The image is of a warrior-like, middle-aged man and a young lady of unparalleled beauty.
The man is holding a spear and squatting in a hunting position. His thick hair ends just past his shoulders and his mustache is thin and short, not unlike his eyebrows.
The woman is standing gracefully off to the side in a stunning, layered gown of many colorful patterns with dark hair draped around her feet like a never-ending supply of silk.
Surrounded by sky and sea, the separation of the two blends into one another around the land at their feet that Umeko could not locate the horizon.
Under the painting is a small sign that reads, "Izanagi and Izanami."
"Wow."
Umeko raises her eyebrows in surprise. Nodding while closing her eyes, she kneels to the ground to focus on praying to Izanagi no Mikoto.
When her eyes open at the end of her plea, she finds a set of pedicured, men's feet in front of her.
Struggling to raise her gaze any higher, her eyes widen in amazed horror when in her spirit knows this is Lord Izanagi no Mikoto himself.
Feeling the powerful, compassionate grace of his presence melding her into the floor, I can't even get up to face him. Is it because I. . .I don't deserve to look at him?!
Imagining the true face of Tsukiyomi's father, she's sure the sunlight peeking through the open, stone window-ways high on the walls will shroud him in rays of gold.
Finding an average looking man with dark hair spread about his shoulders, flowing past his waist, she's drawn to the blue streaks shining through his locks under the light. He also has a short, heavy mustache and broad eyebrows.
His eyes, the sight she is most curious about, were mistaken as brown at first sight but truly burn a golden brown with yellow specks when sunlight caresses his serene and inviting face.
Is this what Tsukiyom's presence will feel like to me after he ascends? I'll never. . .be able to be with him again. Not in the way that I have been. . .this whole time.
The man's voice is a soothing tempo that instantly relieves her worry of all things, "A curious pair of friends, a yokai and mortal. Have you come from the same circumstance?"
"Yes, your holy majesty," Umeko keeps her eyes fixed on the stone beneath her face.
"Rise my guest, and be treated as a daughter."
As though her body is granted mercy, the weight pinning her to the floor dissipates and she works her way into a kneeling bow.
A daughter? Of whose?! I don't even feel worthy enough to be my father's daughter. And I don't want to see Tsukiyomi-sama as my brother if you mean the creator of this domain. . .
Standing with poise and regality, his arms crossed in front of him while peering down upon Umeko, she hesitantly raises a shaky gaze to his neck, "Now, what purpose has led you to your present condition?"
Struggling to look upon his human-looking face, after a hard swallow she briefly locks eyes before falling to the floor in a humble bow. His image, burned into her mind, is adorned in wrap-tie, overlapping layers of robes. A durable material in the color of wheat, a long necklace of seashells hangs down his barreled chest. Clothed in coral-colored trousers ending loosely at his bare feet from under knee length jackets, she struggles to raise her gaze higher for some reason.
Learning it's easier for her to keep her head down, Umeko searches for the words that she hopes will please this ambassador of the great Creator of Japan, "My friend, Kjernmawati Sanemaru of the Succubi-Horse clan and I, ningen Umeko of the late Toko and Iku from a fallen Sankan no Machi, are here about Tsukiyomi no Mikoto, the banished moon god."
Bowing her head low enough for her forehead to touch the floor in her child's pose, "We have hope that Lord Izanagi no Mikoto will hear our plea to grant assistance with his eldest son's. . .infection."
Placing her palms together with enough effort to break a sweat as she hopes and prays in her heart and soul to be heard, he responds with a simple, "I see. Come."
Swallowing hard with a gasping breath of relief, all weight is removed from her heart and she's free to look up at him.
"Walk with me."
Glancing at the handsome, father-figure, she's taken aback by the way his voice and presence soothes her into peacefulness– despite the turmoil that awaits her outside these walls.
Extending an arm to the girl, he ushers her to follow; shuffling closer to him, she remains by his side as they start to walk and talk.
"What all do you know of my son?"
Umeko nearly stumbles over her own feet to the floor until he touches her shoulder gently to steady her. Swallowing dryly with a lump in her throat, "Uhhh. . .your what. . .?"
With a face that's spiraling out of control across a dozen different emotions, utter shock wins, "Y-You a-are Lord Izanagi no Mikoto?!"
Bowing her head with a noisy COUGH, "Forgive me, my lord, I--."
Waving his hand to halt her apologetic bow, his dismissive movement draws her in, "State your argument for being here."
Stepping away from the girl to head towards an open side door filled with beaming sunlight, she follows. His gait is slow and easy to follow as he leads her into a garden that reminds her of the one that Tsukiyomi created on the mountain.
Her breath is stolen by the beauty surrounding them as he turns his back to her to pet a baby pig wandering by; the garden holds even insects that could deem a work of art, with colorful wings and patterns painted on their backs. Docile animals, of many different hides, frolic happily throughout the trees and flowers without conflict.
Confessing rapidly so she doesn't keep the patient Lord waiting, "Your son's being controlled by a thought-to-be-dead dragon emperor named Ryu who plans on spreading bloodshed and misery into all the realms. Lord Tsukiyomi is losing too much strength to the demon's power. As the only two in the palace that knows the truth and remain loyal to him, we beg you to stop that monstrous fiend from destroying everything in our realm."
The creator stands tall to stare at her blankly as she catches her breath, awaiting an answer.
Deadpan to Umeko's plight as he keeps her gaze steady on his, "I am aware of his affliction. Is that truly why you are here?"
She's startled when a gold-plume nightingale swoops in to land on his shoulder. Hearing the glittering creature sing an entrancing melody, she wonders briefly if she was knocked unconscious in the woods during Sanemaru's explosion and everything since has been a figment of her imagination.
Clearing her throat, glancing from the now silent bird to the friendly smile of her creator, "Izanagi no Mikoto, my lord, Tsukiyomi-sama took the blame for Lord Susanoo's actions. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that he didn't kill one of his own. Our moon god is plagued by Ryu because of his extended time in my world. Suffering for something he didn't do."
Staring at her sandals feet as the softest and greenest grass she's ever seen comforts her toes, "And I'm afraid that he'll lose his life because of it."
Umeko stares into the face of the primordial creator of Japan, hoping that her words will have some effect. Any effect.
Coolly, "This is not news to me."
Lord Izanagi looks up above to peach-colored clouds in a light-blue, pink ribboned sky.
Following the creator's gaze as her eyes water, This must be the inspiration for the ceiling in his bathing hall. He made so many things to remind himself of home. . .
"All creatures have tests, my one and only, Plum Blossom Child. He must suffer through of his own accord. When he prevails, he will surpass me in power and it will be his time to rule over this domain," He-who-invites pauses before looking in her eyes.