No one moved.

The wind howled for one last time before the tavern doors swung shut with a heavy slam, silencing the cold breath of the outside world. 

Standing like he owned the very land upon which the tavern had been constructed, Kami glanced around, eyes filled to the brim with the same mockery and disdain of someone inspecting faulty goods, gaze fluttering between the walls, the furniture and the humble decor, his frown growing more and more pronounced with every passing second. Finally, his eyes fell upon Akako, and a voice laced thick with accusation and judgement rang out, “Well! The first visitor to Mystorica in many long decades, and you don’t even bother to tell me? If I hadn’t seen the smoke rising from the tavern’s chimney, I wouldn’t even have known.”

Akako rolled his eyes so hard they nearly clattered to the floor. “Well, now you know,” he said flatly, arms folded with a frown, “So you can leave now.”

Kami ignored him entirely, his gaze sliding like polished glass toward the silent figure at the counter. A smirk curled his lips as he began walking toward him. “So this must be our most honored guest,” he half-sneered, half-sang, the air around him flickering faintly with silver light. “And what is your name, stranger?”

“Are you done pestering our guest?” Akako snapped, wary and agitated. “Go away already-”

“General,” came the low, gravel-toned reply.

Both Akako and Kami stopped mid-motion. Not expecting the visitor- Now self-declared General- to actually respond, Akako looked stunned. Meanwhile, Kami appeared delighted.

“Well, General,” Kami said with over-exaggerated glee, “I am Kami- The God of the Crescent Half-Moon! Since you’ve managed to find your way here, you must already know of my greatness.”

Chin raised, the heel of Kami’s shoes clicked against the wooden floor as he took one arrogant step forth, “Now, show your fealty. Kneel.”

“Kami!” Akako gaped, mortified. “What the hell are you-?!”

General looked up at last. He seems to regard Kami with the same calm, detached scrutiny he had given the menu. Then he snorted, loud and derisive.

“I know of many gods,” he said, “but you are not one I would even consider worshipping.”

Kami froze. His face first appeared to drain with color from disbelief. Then his eyes narrowed and his cheeks flushed red with anger.

“Fine,” he hissed. “If you won’t worship- Then perish!”

With a crack of silver light, an arc of radiant energy burst from Kami’s palm, slicing through the counter like paper and flinging chairs aside in a crash of splinters. Akako yelped, flinging himself back in disbelief. “Kami! Are you serious?!”

CLANK! The sound reverberated through the cold air sharply, and as the dust had settled somewhat, Akako blinked to see that General had blocked Kami’s vindictive strike as he stood, his cloak fluttering from the impact. He held a spear in one hand, freshly drawn from the harness on his back, and smoke curled from where the counter had been.

Hanako burst through the kitchen doors at the noise. “What’s going on out he-” he stopped mid-sentence as he caught sight of the surrounding chaos.

“Tch,” Kami clicked his tongue in annoyance. “You just got lucky.”

He raised both hands again, gathering light at his fingertips, but this time, Akako shoved his way in front of General, a frying pan in his hands like a makeshift shield. “That’s enough! Haven’t you wrecked enough already?!”

Hanako stepped beside him, eyes narrowed, hands empty but just as ready. Kami looked at them as though they were mere insects. “Step aside.”

“You wish,” Akako shot back with a growl.

Kami sneered, “Then die with him!”

Another brilliant blast of radiant light shot forth from Kami’s hands with a loud roar, and the tavern seemed to shake from the sheer force of Kami’s energy. But then, just before the attack could connect, the room shimmered- A wave of gentle blue mist swept through, carrying with it a scent like lotus petals floating on still water. The energy which had left Kami’s palms fizzled into nothing, and for a heartbeat, everything stopped.

As realization struck, Kami turned and looked towards the railing of the walkway leading to the second floor, eyes blazing with indignation and fury, “You!”

Everyone’s gaze followed, and there, leaned leisurely upon the wooden railing, half-veiled in mist and serenity, stood a tall man in elegant, azure robes. It was the Saint High Priest himself, Sorine.

“My apologies,” Sorine said, his voice like a lullaby. “This is not the welcome Mystorica intended to offer. I do hope you won’t hold it against us, General.”

Kami bristled. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but Sorine glanced his way, and Kami hesitated. Finally, his posture slumped, and he resorted to muttering something rude under his breath instead.

Walking down the steps, Sorine then turned to Akako and Hanako, smiling softly. “Now then, don’t mind us- Please, continue as you were.”

Akako offers a small bow in respect. “Thanks, Sorine. Seriously.”

Sorine gave a small wave of dismissal. Then, motioning for Kami to follow, he takes several unhurried steps towards the door, but at the threshold, Sorine paused, as if a thought had just occurred.

“Ah, yes,” he said, turning, “To commemorate our first visitor in decades, let us prepare a grand celebration. The day after tomorrow, at the village square. Everyone is invited to participate. Do make arrangements.”

He turned one last time to General, offering a smile that held something deeper behind it. “Of course- I hope that our most esteemed guest can attend as well.”

Then they were gone. Kami left with one final sneer. The doors shut quietly behind them.

Silence reigned for a moment, before Akako gave a loud whoop. “A celebration! Oh, it’s going to be amazing-!”

A firm tap on the shoulder stopped him. Hanako gestured to the ruined floor and overturned dish.

Akako’s eyes widened. “Oh- No no no! That’s right, your food-” He turned to General with frantic energy. “I’ll remake it right away! And for the trouble, a free night’s stay at the Candloft- On the house, of course!”

With that, he rushed back into the kitchen, while Hanako sighed and began gathering the broken pieces, already wondering how many chairs he’d have to reassemble before dawn.