Fight On II

By: Aviantei

A Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic One Shot

She hears about it almost constantly because there's nothing she can do about it. Her status is an unchangeable shape in this world, something she can't change. The Eighth Imperial Princess. Even with her recent status change, she's still at the bottom of the totem pole, hardly any better than her half-sister who has been demoted below her.

Kougyoku is an illegitimate child, even lower than dirt.

Maybe that's why it's so surprising when she's the one that ends up winning the Metal Vessel at the end of the dungeon and suddenly she's worth a lot more. Maybe not in a completely elevated position, but in one that's above where she was. Because in this country that's not much more than a war power, Kougyoku can now at least fight.

She enjoys it probably a bit more than she should, but that seems to be the norm among her family. She's watched Kouen lead his army in the front position, easily defeating enemies on par with his men. She's fought beside Kouha and watched as her brother laughs over the blood and the bodies. So, maybe, Kougyoku thinks, it's okay for her to smile a little as she wields Vinea as a blade imbued with magic that can wash away her enemies.

Her promotion to a general in the Imperial Subjugation Army seems to be a given. Maybe that's why nobody understands why Kougyoku walks away from the event feeling so shocked.

Beforehand, she's never amounted to anything. Even with Ka Koubun's support she couldn't do much as a princess or a delegate. Being demure is one thing, but Kougyoku's shyness seems crippling sometimes, and standing on even ground with true leaders like Sinbad is out of her reach. No matter what she tries, coming out on the top in political situations isn't something she can do.

Maybe that's why Kougyoku fights. Because at least that way she knows that she's got a chance of winning.

Sometimes Kougyoku tells herself she fights because it's the best thing to do, but she knows that's not entirely true. Even discounting morality—which is all too easy to do—she knows her battle rushes are getting worse. An excuse to pull out her Metal Vessel and extreme magic on Sinbad isn't missed. Multitudes of enemies on Magnoshutatt grounds face her sword and disappear in a haze. It's just the way that she fights, but no one ever says anything against it.

In the end, Kougyoku's reasons for fighting are nothing but selfish.

She wants her family's approval. She wants to feel like she's worth something. She wants to feel that adrenaline spike the moment she goes into battle, the moment she challenges her opponent and the logic of the ordinary world goes disappears like an afterthought.

The Kou Empire's Civil War ends up being no different.

She should be worried. And Kougyoku is. Her family is fighting. Her country is tearing itself apart—and for what? She doesn't even fathom the reasons. She can't, because it makes no sense to her. Kouen has always been aiming to unite the world, and now the royal family is tearing itself apart from the inside.

But she fights anyway, because what else is she going to do? Sit back? Let her brothers try and kill each other? Let the soldiers that trust her just remain on their own, with no help? That's not an answer. Fighting doesn't seem like much of an answer, either, but it's the Imperial Family's default by now, the only thing they know.

And Kougyoku is tired of sitting back and feeling worthless.

It's funny how much Kouha reminds Kougyoku of herself.

Admittedly, they are similar. Illegitimate children of Emperors aren't exactly uncommon, and in that aspect, she and Kouha are the same. They both have the same core bloodlust, though Kouha goes a bit farther than her. And they both want to see Kouen succeed, want to make it out of this war on the side of victors.

It's probably why they fight so well side by side.

It's funny; for all the battles the Kou Empire has fought, there haven't been many opportunities for its Subjugation Armies to come together into one unit. That's why Kougyoku has never really seen Kouha on the battlefield before, and vice versa.

But despite that, they work in tandem. And for a moment, Kougyoku looks to Kouha, and she knows that he's thinking the same thing.

If this is all I'm worth, then I better give it all I got.

For a moment, Kougyoku almost feels happy, almost feels at peace.

That's what makes it all the worse when Sinbad's magic overcomes her and sends the battle in a completely different direction.

Two years aren't enough to make up for all the trouble that Kougyoku has caused, and the changes to the Kou Empire are unmistakable. In a world where war is no longer the leading factor, they don't have much to show. The three Imperial Princes are exiled, and Kougyoku is put on the throne as nothing more than a puppet ruler, someone to hold the place until the Kou Empire collapses into its worthless economy, and the piece become fair game for the Seven Stars Alliance to pick apart.

Two years aren't enough for Kougyoku to stop feeling guilty for what she's done to her country, to stop hating herself for running it into the ground.

Because what else can we do?

"You can fight back."

She doesn't know who she expects to say those words. Certainly not herself. All her brothers are gone, and her advisors, even the stubborn Ka Koubun have given up. Everyone thinks it's just a matter of time until the Kou Empire is wiped off the map, left to be an annotation in a history that no one cares about. The entire country is ready for it.

But not Alibaba.

Kougyoku doesn't know where he's come from or what he's been doing. But she does know that right now Alibaba is the one stepping in, being the catalyst they need. And the more he talks, the more Kougyoku believes him; that there is a way to make it through this and still have her country when it's all over.

There's more than one way to fight a battle, she considers. And this is one they have the tools for, so long as they don't give up.

The Kou Empire's royal family, if nothing else, are fighters. And for that reason, Kougyoku refuses to give up.

[NOTES] I never particularly planned to do a second part to this, but after the Kou Empire's Civil War, I found myself really appreciating Kougyoku's character more. I had some thoughts, and I figured they fit the themes, so a "sequel" of sorts it is.

Thanks to Kukat, Angel-Rei-chan1, kheelwithit, Latias876, denOden, blackthorners, ZettaG514, Trafal-Girl, Petrichor in May, JTReads, Guardian's Solstice, Florffinatior, Bandyyyy, and AoiTori10 for your reviews, favorites, and follows on the first one shot. If you ever stumble across this, I hope it's also enjoyable.

This little one shot exists thanks to [Equinoctial Stars over Seasons], a mid-season [Sauce Project] for all your miscellaneous writing needs. Itching to write stuff? Check out the forums and maybe take on a challenge. I know I certainly get results out of it...

Anyway, this was fun to try and readjust the flow of Kouha's piece for Kougyoku. Thanks for reading!

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