Chapter 50

11 The Rust Tower. The nexus around which the other five were positioned. Looking closely at its bizarre appearance revealed that the outer wall of the tower was covered in what looked like intricate machinery. It had been built long ago, before the other five—a relic from old Japan. But whatever its ancient purpose had been, none could say, for the Rust had laid waste to it just as it had to the rest of civilization. Now it stood coated in a thick layer of rust, and from a distance it looked like a giant anthill towered over the city. At its apex, a pair of shrouded figures laid down a shriveled-up corpse and stood still before it. The taller one in the red robe placed their hand on the shorter one, clad in white, and whispered: “The Immortal Monk has given up his organs to achieve true enlightenment. He has passed through many trials. And now, by your hand, Amli, he will become the one true god, the Rust Lord.” “…” “Amli, you are the Heavenly Child. All has unfolded in this city in accordance with your wishes. All our efforts are about to be rewarded… True salvation is almost upon us.” “…I never asked…to be the Heavenly Child.” Amli quivered and hugged her body. “I just wanted…to meet my father…to talk to him…and…” She turned and glared at Raskeni. “I wanted you to be happy. I just wanted my mother to be happy. That’s all I wanted, nothing more…” “Amli… Cease this prattle. Do not call me your mother in the presence of—” “Stop it!” screamed Amli, tearing back her hood. “Haven’t I done enough?! Why can’t we go back to how things were before, when you would cuddle me and say nice things to me!! That’s all I want! I just want my mom back!” “Am…li…” Amli’s unusual behavior caught Raskeni off guard, and she took her daughter’s tearstained body in her trembling arms. Suddenly, a rumbling noise interrupted them, and the five Scriptures became bathed in a violet glow, rising into the air and spinning slowly around them. Raskeni’s face paled, and she stood up quickly. “Oh no. Lord Mashouten is becoming impatient. We must hurry and complete the Mantra of Rebirth… If our Lord is displeased, it is you who shall face the consequences.” “…” “The five high priests who tore us apart are now dead. Once Father returns, we can be a family again. A happy family once more.” “Really…?” “Yes. We’ll be together forever, Amli…” “…Together…as family…” Amli concentrated on her dear wish, then nodded, squashing any last bit of doubt remaining within her. She stepped slowly, through the trembling air, into the center of the spinning legacies. She took one last nervous look back at Raskeni, who nodded, and Amli began chanting. “Ule-shad-shouki. Shouki-addo-kon-zen-mudo-rebi-pada…” The entire tower shook, as if in response to her words. From the five Scriptures came a vast quantity of rust, bathed in purple light, coiling around the inscriptions across the surface. As Amli continued the mantra, the tornado of rust grew and grew until it was a violet whirlwind stretching all the way up to the clouds. “Haaah… haaah…! Ule-shad-shouki-snew!” As the sweat began to pour down her face, Amli pressed her eyes shut and continued chanting, and the tornado swept up the five Scriptures as well as the dried-up corpse, brought them together, and began to form into a human shape with a Fwshhh! like a steaming iron. “…Ah…” “Lord Mashouten…!” The billowing white smoke cleared to reveal an enormous man, clad in thick muscle, kneeling there silently. “…Sssssss…” With a long breath, like a hissing snake, the man rose to his feet. It was the Immortal Monk, Kelshinha…or so it must have been, but his muscles were so well defined, like an armor of steel, that aside from the white beard on his chin, it was almost impossible to recognize him as the same old man from before. He slowly cracked his joints, experimenting with his new body, and then he gradually rose to his full height, letting out a hiss, his hot breath almost like steam venting out of a high-pressure boiler. Soon he stood tall and proud at the peak of the Rust Tower, displaying his full majesty in all its glory. “I have…,” he began in a deep and imposing voice. “Y-yes?!” “I have…no clothes.” “Oh, my greatest apologies, My Lord! I’ll get you some right away…” Raskeni scurried off to find some, but Kelshinha simply raised his hand and muttered. “Won-shul…” “…?! Aaah!” Raskeni flew into Kelshinha’s hand as if drawn there by a magnet, and there he tore off her crimson robe, tying it around his waist like a loincloth. Raskeni stood there in shame, her muscular, tattooed body on full display. “Raskeni. You have done well.” “…Long have we awaited your return, My Lord. You are even more magnificent than I remember.” “Indeed.” Any vestige of humility that once had traced the old man’s visage was completely gone, replaced with an unwavering confidence. As Raskeni laid herself at his feet, he grabbed her blond hair in his burly hand and pulled her up. “Ah…!!” “How long do you intend to prostrate yourself before me? Let me see your face.” “N-no… My sight would taint your eyes, My Lord…” “Kyurumon is dead. From now on, you will be my first wife. I will not allow your face to be hidden. Your job now is to look beautiful for me.” “L-Lord Mashouten…” Kelshinha wrapped his muscular arm around Raskeni’s body, and she gazed lovingly into his eyes, her long lashes fluttering. As he leaned in for a kiss, she shut her eyes and waited… “!!!” Suddenly a sharp pain ran through her lip, and her eyes went wide. Kelshinha had bitten her, drawing blood. “I will hurt you many more times than that. Submit to me, for the sake of your own happiness.” “Ah… rrrgh…!!” Raskeni’s expression was a mixture of fear and ecstasy as she looked up at Kelshinha’s face. It was clear her loyalty to him was absolute. Meanwhile, Amli looked on with bated breath. Timidly, she met her father’s gaze and mumbled, “F-Father…I…am Raskeni’s child… Amli…is my name…” “I remember you. You were always cute as a button, my dear.” Amli’s face lit up at her father’s kind words. He stooped down and looked her straight in the eye, examining her face. She blushed like a rose and cast her eyes shyly to the floor. “Hmm.” Kelshinha suddenly stood up straight and stroked his beard. “I still feel weak, but it matters not. Everything is ready for the mantra.”