Mercifully, Yue’s plight didn’t last long. After a few moments, Seong Eunae emerged from Yoshika’s inner sanctum, prompting the spirit fox to release Yue and pester the princess instead. Yue sighed in relief and brushed herself off.

“Thanks for the rescue, Princess Seong. Though I’m rather curious how you ended up here.”

Eunae covered her mouth with a sleeve and giggled, petting the fox spirit by her side once it shifted back down to a more manageable size.

“I could ask you the same question. Not that you’re unwelcome, of course, but it’s a bit alarming to receive unexpected visitors in my own soul.”

Yue huffed.

“I have my ways, and I assure you it only worked because I am welcome here. I was worried when you suddenly disappeared so I—”

She froze, her brain catching up to the conversation. Yue looked up at Eunae, paying closer attention. Seong Eunae had always stood out to Yue. She had a striking appearance, her bright blue eyes contrasted with her dark hair, and her many tails framed her form in a way that made her impossible to ignore. Besides that, she had a particular countenance—a presence that commanded attention simply by the way she held herself. It was the sort of thing one only noticed if they were looking, but Yue had been trained to look her entire life—and she’d only gotten more adept after years of associating with Yoshika.

Seong Eunae was very much still herself. That presence was there, unmistakable as anything else. But it was no longer alone. The particular angle of her smile, the way she idly pet the fox spirit at her side, the subtle sway of her nine—nine—tails, and the way she addressed Yue were all familiar traits of someone else entirely.

Or perhaps not, anymore.

“Oh. Oh no! You didn’t!”

Eunae—no, Yoshika—winced.

“It wasn’t intentional—or, it was, but it wasn’t planned—at least, not by us...”

Yue pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed as her best friend stumbled over her words trying to explain herself.

“I shouldn’t be surprised. I take it this is permanent?”

“I’m afraid so, yes.”

“What a mess. Alright, tell me everything.”

----------------------------------------

Within the cozy and familiar sitting room in the center of Yoshika’s soul realm, Yue chewed on her thumbnail as she fretted over the situation.

“You violently overthrew the damned queen?!”

Yoshika grimaced and averted her eyes.

“As I said, we weren’t exactly given any choice in the matter. I thought you’d be more pleased about our empire’s territory expanding.”

“It’s too much, too fast. As of now, the entire continent is now split solely between two empires. You’re not just Qin’s enemy anymore—you’re its only enemy.”

“But we have our treaty with Shen Yu, don’t we? They won’t take direct action against us, and with Goryeo’s full cooperation, we might just be able to find a way to actually break the divine seal in time.”

Yue’s eyes swam as her mind worked furiously to sort out the implications of Jiaguo’s sudden acquisition.

“Don’t lose sight of your real goals, Yoshika. What good does it do us to open a path to the divine realm when all we have there are enemies? You said yourself that Shen Yu’s promise of protection is worthless, and I agree. But that also extends to your so-called ‘treaty.’”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that there is an important distinction to be drawn between the emperor’s authority, and the emperor’s word. Shen Yu’s influence in Qin is great, but no matter how much authority has been granted to him, he is not the emperor. He can give orders to the sects, but they are not obligated to follow them.”

Eunae blinked.

“Then what good is his authority?”

“It’s complicated. The right to give those orders isn’t insignificant, and it’s not as though the sects can disobey him without consequence, but the key distinction is that his orders are not absolute. The emperor’s word is law—unquestionable—but the same is not true of Shen Yu.”

“You’re worried that they’ll declare war on us anyway?”

Yue sighed and shook her head.

“I don’t know what will happen. At the very least, Sun Quan is going to be a problem. Kucheon used to be part of his territory, and he holds a grudge against your family and you specifically.”

Eunae crossed her arms under her chest and pouted.

“I know that! It’s not like I forgot that he tried to assassinate me. That reminds me that I should press Misun about what kind of deal she worked out with him. My sister’s been keeping quite a few secrets, it seems.”

“We can worry about that later. Our first order of business is to ensure the stability of Goryeo following the transfer of power. Have you addressed the high council yet?”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“No. Min has called an assembly, and she’s going to explain things to them there.”

Yue shook her head. She might have expected that kind of naivety from Jia or Eui, but Kaede and Eunae should have both known better.

“We’re crashing it. You need to establish yourself as a strong leader right away, before those vultures can swoop in.”

“But it’s my policy to allow the nations under Jiaguo’s banner to self-govern. And what do you mean ‘we’?”

“Yoshika, I love you, but you know that’s not really true. You’ve been working tirelessly to reform the feudal system in Yamato, and if you intend to keep Goryeo under your banner you will need to do the same to its aristocracy.”

Eunae stared down at her lap and frowned.

“Maybe you’re right. I just...when the Kumiho was trying to take over my soul, she talked about creating a perfect unified world under one supreme ruler. It reminded me of Sovereign Longyan, and his domain of Conquest. I don’t want to end up like that.”

Ah. Suddenly it all made sense—why Kaede and Eunae’s political savvy seemed to be absent in Yoshika’s dealings with Goryeo, why she had grown hesitant about her plan to become a sovereign deity herself, and why she seemed to be leaning in the direction of sacrificing herself to let their world become a protectorate of Shen Yu. As ever, Yoshika was too kind for her own good.

“If it were up to me, I would install you as the supreme leader of our world. If anyone is going to be an immortal overlord presiding over the fates of everyone alive, I’d sooner it be you than a tyrant like Shen Yu or the god-emperor.”

“But I don’t want that!”

“I know. It’s both your greatest flaw, and one of your most valuable strengths. It’s the reason why I, and so many others like me, trust you. So let me be clear—while it may be my preference, you don’t have to be an absolute ruler.

“However, you absolutely cannot leave the same people who used and discarded you and your family to remain in power. For all the Lee Jungs and An Euis of the world, you must tear down the current structures in order to build a world where they can be safe.”

Eunae sighed.

“You’re right. Thank you, Yue. Everything’s happening so fast that it’s been hard to stay focused. I’ve always felt so powerless to do anything about the class divide in Goryeo, but that changes today. I’m lucky to have you around to keep me on track.”

Yue preened happily.

“Of course you are, dear. Now that we’ve finished stating the obvious, how quickly can Jia and Kaede return to their places? It won’t take long for Qin to learn of what’s happened today, and we need to be ready for whatever their response may be.”

Eunae cocked her head and frowned.

“Hmm...getting back to Jiaguo should be trivial. I’m never more than a moment away from home. From there, if Jia and Kaede travel together, I should be able to catch back up to Ashikaga in an hour or so.”

“That fast?! I was expecting days.”

“It will use up a lot of essence, but...”

Eunae patted the head of the flaming fox curled up next to her.

“I’ve recently acquired a bit of a windfall.”

Yue regarded the strange spirit curiously.

“What is that thing, anyway? Some leftover piece of the Kumiho? You told me about your technique, but I don’t think I understand.”

“I’m not sure either. It’s...a Unity spirit, I think. Another aspect of me, though it doesn’t really have a will of its own.”

“It could have fooled me.”

Eunae giggled.

“It’s a creature of pure emotion, but they are my emotions. That’s probably why it likes you so much.”

“I see. I suppose it’s something like a sister to Heian, then.”

As though summoned by the utterance of her name, Heian appeared out of thin air and flopped onto the couch next to Yue, scowling.

“Not at all! She’s just a piece of mother, like I used to be a piece of the greater shadow spirit. Mother promised me real sisters one day, and that fox doesn’t count!”

Eunae huffed.

“I didn’t promise, Heian—don’t put words in my mouth!”

Yue chuckled. It was the first time she’d seen Heian’s new form for herself.

“Well look at you all grown up! Taller than your mothers now, not that it’s much of an accomplishment.”

“Hey!”

She waved off Eunae’s protest.

“Oh don’t you act all indignant—you’re now Yoshika’s most well-endowed aspect by far, and I’m not just referring to height.”

Eunae blushed and covered her chest with her tails.

“It runs in the family!”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed. Anyway, what a tragedy I can no longer spoil my favorite little kitten with treats.”

Heian’s ears went flat as she whirled on Yue, her tail shooting straight up behind her.

“What?! Who says? That’s a stupid rule! Who came up with it? I’ll fight them!”

Yue doubled over, giggling. What a delightful reaction! No matter her appearance, Heian proved to be the same adorable kitten within.

“Oh, I suppose I can make an exception for the princess.”

She began to conjure up some of Heian’s favorite Light and Dark essence, but to her surprise, the moon spirit intervened, splitting a tiny piece of itself off for Yue to offer up instead. Heian stared wide-eyed at the invisible mote of Moon essence.

“Is it really okay for me to have that?”

Yue shrugged, nonplussed.

“Apparently. I’m not sure what the significance of such a gift is, but I presume it means something to spirits?”

“Yes, but it’s hard to explain. It’s like...a declaration of kinship? But not really. That’s just the closest thing I have words for. It means we’re like sisters or cousins.”

“I see. Well at least you’ve gotten better at explaining yourself over the years, because I think I actually understand what you mean.”

Eunae blinked, then her eyes widened.

“Wait, is that why the greater shadow spirit gave you to Jia?”

Heian nodded.

“Kind of. It’s been a long time since I was a shadow spirit, so it’s hard to speak for her. I think that was at least part of it, though.”

Yue gave Heian the offering, and the cat spirit accepted it gratefully, bowing her head.

“Thank you very much. I will treasure this bond.”

Her words were slightly incongruent with the way she then unceremoniously ate the mote of essence, but when it came to spirits it was literally the thought that counted. Yue tousled her hair and returned her attention to Yoshika.

“Anyway, as I was saying—Jia can handle things in Jiaguo for a while. You and Eui will be enough to deal with things here now that you have my assistance. My prompt arrival will also send a strong message about the new hierarchy. If any of the high nobles still thought that Jiaguo was a protectorate of Goryeo, we will thoroughly dispel that idea today.”

Eunae nodded, though Yue could still sense her uncertainty.

“You’re sure that this is the right path?”

“Of course not. But that’s not what matters. What matters is whether it’s your path. I’ve been rather forceful so far, so let me take the opportunity to yield for a moment and ask—is it your path?”

Yoshika stared down into her lap for a long moment, then clenched her fists and met Yue’s eyes with the strength of resolution that Yue knew and loved.

“Yes. Let’s do this.”