After dozing off in the library, Mort finds himself between realities, where Alptraum in his wraith form invites him to visit the spirit-prison that is his dragon-blood dagger. Not off-put by the Eeee's appearance, Mort agrees, and Alptraum kicks him off into the abyss. The Korv finds himself landing at a tea pavilion full of drunken, partying crow-like beings. The Karasu Tengu look like Korvs with arms and taloned hands, which piques Mort's interest. Then Alptraum appears in very scary manner, sending the Tengu Korv was talking to (and thinking might be female) into a panic. Kaira is there, in a kimono, drinking tea with an elder. She has the two come over, introducing them as Alptraum, First Son of the House of Death, and Mortimer of the Dire Corbies, professional Psychopomp. The elder explains that they are celebrating victory over the Arigami, otherwise known as the Gods of War. Apparently when Kaira released the Gods of Luck, who always kept the Arigami in check, the Gods of War decided to let loose. The elder complains to Alptraum that Kaira refuses to admit to making such a mistake, while the dragon claims that the Arigami are simply not a serious threat. Mortimer learns that the Tengu are actually genderless demons, with only the elder and the Queen being male and female, and that the Queen is resting from some sort of dance performed on an upturned washtub that was the key to the Tengu victory. Tired or not, the Queen arrives after being told that the Arigami were attacking again (remember that panicked Tengu who ran off?) and is quickly assured otherwise. Queen Kurama is human looking, with tufts of feathers behind her ears, and Alptraum flirts with her a bit after getting a look down her kimono.