Chapter Text
As Hiyori helped Yato out of the pool, the cave rumbled. Yato and Hiyori looked at each other.
“Looks like Kofuku’s back.” Yato said. A boom echoed around the cave. The opposite wall exploded, boulders tumbling down. The cave filled with wind.
Kofuku and Daikoku appeared through the dust. Kofuku gasped at the sight of Yato and ran to embrace him. The usually stalwart god tipped under her embrace, still weak from his brush with death. “I’m so glad you’re ok,” Kofuku said. “Now let’s get you out of here.”
Hiyori and Yato caught sight of Yukine standing by Daikoku. “Yato, I’m-” a screech echoed through the cavern. A phantom that looked like a centipede with three sets of bat wings swooped into the cavern, circling the ceiling. It knocked huge crystals loose, which crashed down into the sacred pool, sending up an arc of blessed water.
“How can that thing be in here?” Hiyori gasped. “Seals can repel most phantoms, but it is never absolute.” Kofuku replied.
“Yukine, I need you!” Yato called.
“But I-” he was interrupted as the phantom swooped towards them. The group dodged, rock shards showering down where the phantom slashed its armored tail.
“Yukine, now-”
“But what if I hurt you again?” Yukine cried.
Yato stood in front of the boy, then embraced him. “No one blames you,’ he said. ‘You’re allowed to make mistakes Yukine. Don’t let them overshadow the amazing things you can do. Now, I need my sekki.” Yukine sniffed, then nodded. “Right!”
He transformed into a glowing blade. Yato leapt into the air then slashed towards the pool. An arc of light sent a wave of water onto the phantom. The monster screamed and reeled, its body steaming.
“Rend!” Yato came down and decapitated the phantom. Red light illuminated the cavern, then it was gone, only the calm glow of the pink crystals and the blue glow of the water remained.
The phantoms didn’t give them much trouble as the group left the cavern. Likely the death throes if the giant phantom scared them off. They made it back to Kofuku’s house, exhausted but smiling. They cleared the living room and placed five sleeping mats on the floor. The sun went down, and they illuminated the space with two electric lamps on either side of the room. No one wanted to make dinner, so they passed around bags of snacks. Yato antagonized Daikoku while Hiyori, Kofuku, and Yukine giggled. After their stomachs hurt from laughter and junk food, the four fell fast asleep. Yato remained awake. The god sat up and looked at their peaceful sleeping faces. His gaze lingered on Hiyori. Yato let out a shaky breath. What did he do to deserve these amazing friends?
‘You are what you make of yourself.’ her words echoed in his head. Yato shook his head. “A bunch of suckers, that’s what they are,” he muttered to himself as he lay back down. His heart swelled, for the first time in a long time, he felt wanted. He felt loved.