The Day of Thunder

Kai had understood there was some correlation between monks and rocks. Though she wasn't sure why Shinsei always carried the same rock around when they were so many good rocks available everywhere.

If the spirituality of the matter escaped her, she agreed with the practicality of it: They weren't many bad things that you couldn't hinder by dropping a big enough rock on them. It helped if it was a sacred rock of course. But just the weight of the thing was an argument in itself, able to break caparaces solid enough to stop a blade of steel.

Plus there was something deeply primal to that strategy able to short-circuit the brain of the enemy used to more elegant battle moves. Sometimes, you just aren't prepared to face a rock to the face.

But less thinking, more rock lifting. Kai wasn't going to build the muscles required for the even bigger rocks just by looking at the not as big rocks. Hence, she grabbed one and started raising it above her head. Good, not good enough.

---

"And what story is this going to be? The one about how Tiger got a hernia?"

Sora approached at a half-amused, half-concerned amble.

"More like the story of how every spirit in the realm tried to lift up a kitten, only for the best of them to only manage to lift one of the kitten's pawns. Which turned to be quite impressive already, as the kitten was actually one of the Snakes that had made the world under a disguise, so big it could still wrap around it, and with a weight to match.

Depending on who tells the story, that champion was either Monkey using a lever or Tiger on their own strength alone. Both tales have their merits. And they agree that some great failures are worth more than some meager victories.

And don't worry. I know my limits, and how much I can push them. Wasn't always the case. But you live, you learn.

Ate today and all that old man?"

He made a shooing motion.

"Yes, yes, in the name of etiquette, I have received the blessings of Inari. I actually knew a man named Inari once, years ago. Still find it funny."

He cocked his head to the side.

"How have you been?"

"That's the question that always calls for the answer ‘Fine, thanks you.’ no? If only because it's too complex to actually answer properly?

My body is fine. I've caught up on sleep and all. My spirit however is mild? Was expecting big changes from coming here. But, as of now, my days are mostly spent still honing owned skills and learning new ones, as before. Preparing for a battle, but without knowing what kind of battle."

"Given the... spiritual nature of the threat, the battle might be fought on many fronts. Might be we need a little bit of everything."

He shrugged.

"Or it might be the chosen Thunders do all of the work and the rest of us nibble on snacks and wish them luck. But I find that unlikely."

"Oh, they will do all the work... when it will be their moment. The short instant when the story and the reality merge as one.

The before and the after of that flash of lightning, yes, everyone is likely to be very busy. Worlds do not end and begin anew quietly."

"Y'know, it was only five years from the Tournament of the Kami to the rescue of Hisomu. Then we got a fifteen-year breather before this latest pain in the ass kicked in... this world does seem hellbent on new beginnings every time I turn around..."

"Well time to rule out something."

Reo marches over to the river, seeing the others there but ignoring them for now. He scoops out the water into a cup and sticks his finger of Jade inside, curious to see if there is a reaction.

There's not an immediate reaction. Given how slowly Jade changed even in the worst areas of the South, it would likely take hours if not days to react... if there's anything to react to.

Reo nods, mostly to himself then looks back over at the group.

"Hello there. Come to investigate the river?"

"Not exactly... I wouldn't know where to begin."

"What did I try to tell you, again and again? Too much talking, not enough showing," said Kai as she lifted another boulder high above her head.

"Building up muscles by lifting progressively heavier things. Raw strength might be useful in the fight to come, as is being comfortable with one's physical body. The more your flesh can support your spirit, the better."