Story:

And inside the main temple, the other farewell was already underway.

Murasame knelt before the packed carrying case of the Tonbokiri—the spear that cut dragonflies from the sky—making her goodbye to Shrine Master Kannagi Chitose, to the Amatsu twins, and to her friend Shiro.

Chitose folded her hands and offered a prayer-chant for the Taimanin, wishing her the good blessing of the kami in the coming war—the defense of Kyoto, the defense of the Tenno, the battles no one would sing of but everyone would owe their lives to.

Ai and Mai flung themselves at Murasame onee-san in a double hug, both of them talking at once, thanking her again and again for all the coaching, the corrections, the drills at dawn.

"Murasame onee-san! Thank you for all your coaching these past days—safe travels!"

"You two—stay alive, and live well." Murasame ruffled each of their heads in turn.

"Next time we meet, I'm going to test your swordwork—and see whether it has slipped, or whether you've finally earned everything I beat into you."

She gave each twin's hair one last, rough, affectionate pat, her fingers lingering just a moment—then pulled away.