Hashioki at the main hideout of Orochi the eight-headed dragon, located on the 40^th floor of RPG Fantasia. 

The house of Orochi reminded him of countless traditional houses scattered all over Japan.

 He chose to forego his usual clothing of suit and tie. He opted to wear the traditional black kimono with the words Orochi the Black Dragon on the back of the kimono with white ink, written in shodo.

He also wore traditional Japanese slippers.

White and yellow chrysanthemums dotted the open grounds outside the red gate going into the house, alongside Sakura blossom flowers and cherry blossom trees.

A large sculpture of a black 8-headed dragon is placed right outside the gate.

It’s been a long time since he last visited Orochi.

Nothing has changed since he last visited the minor god.

He noted that many people are busy meditating on mats or practicing tai chi n the courtyard garden right in front of Orochi’s house.

 In the back of the house is a pond garden where koi fish and carp are kept.

He went to the dojo to observe the samurais practicing kendo, ninjutsu, naginatajutsu, and other martial arts aside from practicing katana sword techniques.

Orochi either practiced at the dojo, or else taught his followers the way of the bushido, and helped them improve in every aspect when he was not busy.

He saw a young girl practicing the sword techniques of her katana.

He could not mistake the black katana sheath at the girl’s right hip engraved with the picture of a golden dragon.

 He instantly recognized Hinata, Orochi’s youngest daughter. 

He approached Hinata and tapped her on the shoulder.

He bowed his head in a greeting to Hinata. Hinata also did the same.

Hinata, this is Hashioki speaking. Pardon me for the interruption.”

“Where is your father, Hinata? I’d like to talk to him.”

“My father is inside the house. What brings you here?”

 “I have important business to talk about with your father.”

“Let me accompany you to his study.”

 “Please do. Thank you and sorry for disturbing you.”

Then they both left the dojo while talking.

Hinata filled in Hashioki on the events that happened during those few years that he hadn’t been able to visit, while Hashioki listened.

Before they entered the house, they put their slippers on the metal rack for slippers and shoes.

They knocked outside the door of Orochi’s study.

He noticed Japanese calligraphy, painting, and sculpture that’s already a thing of the past in modern-day, capitalistic Japan, all over the house.

“Come in.” A calm and soothing voice said from inside the study room.

So, Hashioki came in alone while Hinata returned to the dojo.

He surveyed the whole study.

There’s not much in this room except for pillows for seating piled up neatly on the tatami floormat, at the right corner of the room.

At the left corner is a large bookshelf stacked with books, and detailed, comprehensive map sketches of the entire 5 stages of RPG Fantasia.

Lighting came from the windows.

Right in the center is a figure of a handsome and gentle-faced middle-aged man seated on a pillow, with a low table right in front of him.

The man wore a golden kimono with black inscriptions on the back of his kimono.

On the table is a pile of scrolls, and a jar of ink.

“Hello, Orochi. Good morning. It’s been a long time since we last met. I came here to talk about important stuff.”

“Take a seat, Hashioki. We have a lot of things to talk about. “

One pillow flew towards Hashioki, landing straight at his feet.

Hashioki sat down, with his front facing the minor kami.

Orochi placed his quill pen back into the jar of ink and looked at Hashioki.

The table automatically cleared itself and got replaced by a glass jar full of shochu, two ceramic Japanese shot glasses, and traditional food such as ramen, sashimi, Takoyaki, onigiri, tofu, yakitori, and okonomiyaki appeared on the table, complete with a full Japanese dining set.

“Help yourself. Let’s eat and drink.’

They talked while eating and drinking.

“Are you here to talk about your youngest son, and request me to back him up, Hashioki?”

“Precisely. And also, to warn you of something I sense brewing in the other faction. Most specifically, the camp of the goddess of death Morrigan in the far southwest corner of the Legendary Stage. My spies report that she tricked the demon Beleth to preserve the foothold of the Necromancer Guild, and obtain a majority seat at the game administrator’s council. “

Orochi nearly choked at the piece of Takoyaki that he was eating upon hearing those words.

“That bitch still hasn’t learned her lesson. Two of my most elite shinobi fought her undercover spies before when she got caught red-handed trying to instigate a war between dwarven and elven kings. It escalated into finger-pointing and eventually, a full-blown war between me and that bitch.”

Orochi spat outside the window after he spoke. The memory of the past left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Hashioki stayed silent.

He knew what happened in that war. He had his hands tied up with other matters when the news reached him. He still managed to send assistance by sending God-class weapons, potions, and other provisions Orochi and his allies needed for the war.

 It dragged on for two years until Morrigan was defeated when the war came to an end.

Orochi’s mind went back to the past again.

Roles got reversed in a dramatic turning of the tables at the end of the war as Morrigan bravely tried to fend off wave after wave of invaders in her home territory with the assistance of her allies.

The final wave turned into a decisive battle where it meant either victory or defeat for both sides.

Morrigan and Orochi fought with such intensity in the skies above the hilly battlefield, while the heavy sounds of fighting, could be heard right below. 

Orochi’s dragon finally found the crow’s weak spot and roasted Morrigan’s crow to a burnt crisp.

Morrigan’s soldiers threw down their weapons and raised their hands as a sign of surrender at the sight of their leader’s defeat.

“I shouldn’t have shown Morrigan mercy that she didn’t deserve back then. I should have ordered an all-out route and eliminated her as an answer for the atrocities she committed.”

Orochi’s lips formed into a sneer, and his eyes turned blood-red again. Wisps of draconic power started to ooze from his body.

 “Amaterasu, O Great Goddess of the Sun, I invoke you to return this dragon to his senses. “

After Hashioki performed the incantation, Orochi calmed down.

“Thanks for calming me down, old friend. We need to do what we can to stop Morrigan. Let’s involve the rest of our allies. I’m sure Morrigan won’t do it if she has no one backing her up.”

“I was hoping you’d say that, old friend. I’ll see myself out, then. “