Earth Quest 21

You decided to opt for the personal protection over everyone. It seemed likely that Inari would defend the mountain, or at least serve as a deterrence for most threats, making it a de facto safe space regardless. The safety of Inari's protection outside would be indispensable to those of you who were going to venture out to find the things you needed to repair the barrier. Especially for Asuka, who was granted an additional layer.

You split into two groups. Mishiko was the only one staying behind to handle the preparations. Maoka, Asuka, Fin and you ventured down into the alleyway. The glowing confluence of spiritual activity that snaked its way throughout the city. Making your way down into the busy alley there were shops flanking both sides, and figures with utterly strange shapes walking up and down the road, going about their business. There were many beastfolk-like beings with more pronounced animal heads. There were shadow people and those who simply looked like demons or horrors walking about like they were on a normal shopping trip. Asuka and Maoka tried to keep their heads down. You and Fin were looking around in amazement.

"This is incredible." He remarked.

"Seems like they're avoiding us."

"It's the protection... it creates a sort of passive aversion, like an electric fence." Aran claimed from above. Her towering spider-human figure gave her the appearance of a Dryder. Denizens of the spirit world skirted around her cautiously.

"Are you a big deal?" Fin asked.

"Didn't feel like it..."

"I also have the protection. If I did not, I would have also been a tasty target..."

"What about you? Do any of these guys look tasty to you?" You asked.

She licked her lips. "A few... but I feel it not appropriate to just... try and eat someone right out in the open or every strong being would be consuming every weaker being right before our eyes."

"Fair." You shrugged.

"You two still be careful, but you're probably drawing more attention by being nervous."

"O-oh." Asuka lifted her head, as did Maoka. Asuka eyed Fin as the first thing she properly regarded.

"Is it true you're the Demon King?"

"Not anymore. I also wasn't really ever a King. I was..."

"A cult leader?" You smirked.

"What?" He eyed you.

"Listen... I am..." His shoulders slumped. He looked at Asuka and Maoka earnestly.

"I don't feel great about who I was or what I did. Leave it at that for now."

Maoka cocked her head to one side. "You feel bad?"

"Of course." Fin nodded.

Asuka was thinking rather deeply. "You're definitely different from what I expected."

"I hope to leave a better impression than the one I had before I showed up."

"Was what Inari said a lie?" She asked.

"Nnn... o. Not exactly." He sighed, shaking his head.

"I could've done way better."

"Hmm." Maoka leaned over and patted him on the arm.

"Thanks." Fin chuckled.

"No problem."

"What're we looking for, folks? Anyone know?" You looked around. Maoka and Asuka shrugged. Fin raised his hand.

"Go ahead."

"We could just ask someone."

"Wow, I didn't think of that." You retorted sarcastically.

"Be nice." He narrowed his eyes on you.

"But also, I think you're still not allowed to offer your opinion and I'm not allowed to take it. So asking someone is out of the question, now. Look what you did?"

"Inari's not here." Fin grumbled.

"I was just joking, but I think it's probably still true in spirit."

"What do you mean?"

"If you do what she's expecting you to do, wouldn't she be disappointed? You need to show her you've changed." You explained.

"Oh." Fin blushed.

"He's right, Demon King." Maoka agreed.

"If you were our Dad we'd be disappointed if you immediately went back on your deal."

"I mean... It's not a great deal." Asuka defended him.

"Thank you." Fin smiled.

"Both of you." He patted both girls on the head.

"Don't touch me." Maoka asked.

"Thanks." Asuka smiled.

"Are you all from the temple?" A voice asked in a long, slithering tone. You all turned around suddenly to see a very tall man in a black suit with green eyes and pale white skin. He wore a black top hat with a green ribbon around it.

You held out your arm, blocking him off from everyone. "Who are you? What do you want?"

He let out a coy giggle. "My name is Salaszar. A... representative of sorts for all of the businesses here." He had a definite accent. A sort of french tone with southern twang that confused you all to no end.

"You all seem lost. I'd be honoured to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Maybe more..." He waggled his eyebrows upon saying 'more.'

"This doesn't f-" Fin began. Asuka tugged on his sleeve. He sighed, zipping his lips.

"Alright. Hands off."

"There's some dynamic here that I'm not party to, but am I right in assuming that it is you sir that makes all the decisions?" He pointed his cane in your direction. He stepped closer, green snakeskin boots with heels clacking on the stone.

"That's me." You nodded, eying him suspiciously.

"What do you think we want?"

"That is an excellent question! One I am more than willing to answer if you all follow me."

"Why should we do that."

He smirked, looking around. "The street has MANY eyes and ears."

"We're not going to your lair."

"Just a step or two off the beaten path. Enough that every Tom, Dick and Hardy can't listen in on our conversation. You wouldn't want that... would you?" He smiled.

"Fine." You sighed.

"We'll say in view of the strip." You claimed. Fin shrugged. You all followed the man into a slightly darker offshoot. There were no longer spirits passing by all around you. Aran blocked the way you came so no one could follow.

"Now. As to your question... what you are looking for, truly, is a way out of here. No macguffins or missions. You want to leave and I have the means, without any further adieu. That is what you want, is it not?" He leaned closer, smiling incessantly.

"That... Is actually pretty accurate. We're only fucking around with Inari's requests because we have to. We could skip it all."

"But what do you want?" Fin asked.

"Now I am nothing if not transparent. What I want from you..." he panned his cane over to Maoka.

"Is a contract. A beneficial contract of my making that would allow me to tag along to the shrine and other adventures. Offer my help and guidance. And to advance my own goals on the outside."

"Why her?" You lifted a brow.

"Well, he said it himself, right? I guess I have a special right to go into the temple, and probably take him with me the same way Asuka takes her spider. So there's something in there he wants, and he's probably also interested in you all. What would the contract require me to do? Can I read it?"

"Clever. Of course you can read it." He flicks his wrist. A piece of paper appears rolled up in his hand. He passes it to Maoka, who takes it and begins looking at it.

"I can't read this..." You crane your head back and look. You can read it. To you it read 'Let's work together. Give me the girl. We'll have a favourable deal. I'll do whatever you need once I have her for what I need.' You rolled your eyes and took it, handing it back.

"That's not how this is gonna go. Get serious." You said sternly.

He chuckled. "Well, it seems I'll have to take a different approach. I thought you were a man of self assurance. I suppose I was mistaken. I can offer slightly fairer terms."

"We've already got off on the wrong foot, right?" Maoka looked at you curiously.

"It said something bad?"

"It did." You told her openly.

She shook her head. "Yeah, I don't wanna work with you."

"Don't say that until you see the benefits. The 'Real Deal' as it were is far sweeter than the first for you my dear. Look past my previous transgression and see what I have to offer." He procured another page and handed it to her. To you and Fin it looked normal this time. She read it over.

"Wow... Yeah. Not bad." She handed it back and looked at you with a smile.

"Let's think about it."

"Now now. It's not as though you have-"

"Another option?" A female voice spoke up from the shadows. An incredibly tall, as tall as Aran in her dryder form, walked out and knelt down to be closer to everyone else's level. She was pitch black with red eyes. She wore nothing, apparently. He body was a roiling mass of shadow. Albeit... a fairly 'matronly' mass with attractive and pronounced shape to her curves, especially where her breasts were concerned.

You squinted at her. "You are?"

"Another representative." She said.

Salazar lowered his head, tipping his hat down. "Now... Chadas here is a 'shadow' which is about as nice as it sounds when you read it on the tin."

She laughed. "From your forked tongue? That sounds exactly like a compliment. I am a shadow. I am also on equal ground with this snake, here."

"In status and not size, I'm sure, my dear." Salaszar twanged sweetly.

"Oh, so modest. Show them your true form, darling and we will see who is equal to who in size." She retorts, looking down at you all with her deep red eyes.

"I will be straightforward. I want to attach myself to the weakest among you." She nodded towards Maoka.

"I'm not going to do anything 'shady.' I will bring into the light all my intentions. I want to spread my influence farther and to do that I need an actor in the human world that I do not need to worry about betraying me. You will be granted use of my influence and abilities."

"Hohoho my~ What? I didn't know we had a council meeting scheduled! You all need to alert me to when these events are taking place!" You and Fin began to sweat.

"Is that-" You began to ask.

"That sounds like-" Fin looked in the direction of the voice. In front of Aran and behind Maoka and Asuka was Serius, the Tanuki. A large fat beastfolk man that you knew of back home. A trickster, by any definition. Dangerous by most interpretations. Powerful. Very powerful. But you had to wonder what he was doing here. There was a collective gulp form the other spirits.

"I don't need a contract to help my good friends. Come! Let's leave these silly fellows behind. Join me in browsing the shops. I can help you find what you need. What else are friends for? Plus..." He grinned at Fin.

"We are practically family."

The spirits gazes shot to Fin curiously as Sirius said that. You could tell he was poisoning the well with his words, or sugaring it? Who could know what telling the spirits that would do to their interactions with Fin going forward. As you and him were standing stunned, Maoka raised her hand.

"Yes!" Sirius patted her on the shoulder with his racoon paw.

"Which of you... Any of you, have the ability to protect us from the other two." His eyes widened, then narrowed.

"That... is a surprising question, my dear! Very surprising. For a time, I can protect you from anything in this world, or the next." He smiled brightly.

"For a time." Salaszar laughed.

"I can protect you from Chadas... But not that man."

"Same answer..." The shadow uttered, staring down at Fin with wide eyes, still.

"Hm." Half of the decision-making was down to what Maoka wanted. She had a choice, but you could offer some advice, suggestion or context.