Fubuki's Soul is Sundered

Life, Supernatural

Successful in ridding Aka no Kitsunebi of a cursed dagger, healing her infirmities, and receiving the patronage of an aspect of knowledge, Fubuki finally returned from the Imperial Palace’s gardens to keep an appointment with Abe no Seimei in Ōtsu Castle. Seimei had been at work preparing a ritual, and had finished not long ago when Fubuki and companions joined her in the castle basement. The Black Blade communicated a shortened version of the events, then affirmed that she* was ready to be granted a Sheele, like many of her* companions already had.

Venturing into the center of the magical circle, Fubuki held still as Seimei began the ritual. At first it seemed as though nothing was happening. Then, all at once, it was as though a piece of her* very essence were being ripped forcefully out of her* body. As far as Fubuki understood the ritual, that was exactly what was transpiring. The sensations of painful duality became overwhelming for a time, but Fubuki managed to keep her stance and dignity intact.   It was difficult to tell how much time had actually passed, but eventually the supplicant returned to her* senses. Fubuki was alone in the center of the circle. Alone, but together. Seimei’s ritual had called forth a slight creature, fox masked and feminine, into the space beside her*. At first, the sheele only mimicked everything that Fubuki said. After asked a direct question, however, she stated her name as “Kōyō.” At Seimei’s urging, Fubuki found that she* could indeed speak, feel, and sense directly through the sheele, although the process took some practice. This, she* thought, could open up some interesting opportunities.