Scattered

I have, at least, partially redeemed myself in my training.  One stroke cut down the final tengu.  Vincent-san is....fitting of the stereotype of New Yorkers.  Loud, obnoxious, but...he seems nice enough, otherwise.  He does not have any sense of how to properly behave.  It will take a great deal of work to turn him into someone I would feel comfortable taking to Japan.  Aren-chan I do not have to worry over, at least.

We traveled to the Empire State Building.  After the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings, it is the tallest building in the city.  There were roadblocks, no doubt work of the Titanspawn, but given that we had taken to the rooftops, it was not very difficult to evade them.  At the door we met Náttráðr, again.  Just as arrogant and infuriating as he was in the mountain.  I offered to allow him to surrender himself, his armies, and the artifact.  As you may guess, he did not take me up on the offer.

I tuned out the taunts he and Aren-chan threw at each other.  It is best that way.  I called upon Reza-Shouten's kami.  And...I once again discovered another person who could speak Japanese.  Vincent, this time.  I must stop underestimating those I encounter.  It is a bad habit.  It also seemed as if we would finally be able to put an end to Náttráðr's evil....

Then we entered the building itself.  I seemed to find myself transported to Mother's shrine in Ise.  Yet there were no people.  I was entirely alone, and Aren-chan and Vincent-san were nowhere to be seen.