Kyoya sat in front of a flickering fireplace, the flames within steadily fed by wood. He held a book between his hands, and he scanned through the words quickly.
"Find anything?" Enma asked quietly. He had a thick blanket draped on his shoulders, and he settled into the other armchair. He also pulled a thick, dusty tome into his lap.
Kyoya narrowed his eyes. "Not yet."
The Simon outpost was a large log cabin on the edge of the glacier, set on stable mountain. Only one other member, Aoba Koyo, had been present at the cabin, and he had let them in after a large amount of complaining. Thankfully, he'd quickly been preoccupied by Ryohei, and they soon set off to compete in…something. Kyoya wasn't quite sure, and he had no inclination to find out.
The rest had quickly been given a tour of the facilities, but Kyoya had immediately wheeled around on Enma.
"I need to know of your legends," he had demanded, quietly, so that nobody else could hear. They deserved to rest, but Kyoya needed to be prepared, and if Genbu had instructed him to ask the Simon, then he'd do so.
"Pardon?" Enma blinked.
"Your legends," Kyoya had repeated impatiently. "The truth of this land. A story untold. Anything."
"I have no idea what you speak of," Enma began slowly. After a moment's pause, he said, "But I can direct you towards our library. Our ancestors were all historians, and they recorded each moment in history in our annals."
"Take me there," Kyoya had instructed.
He'd been reading for hours since, yet he still hadn't found anything of this 'truth' the Guardians had spoken of. He snapped the book shut.
"What, exactly, are you looking for?" Enma asked. Between, the fire crackled merrily, and Kyoya yearned for a nap. Not yet, though, not until he had an answer.
"Anything about the first Chosen One," Kyoya replied. "Sawada Tsunayoshi and his adventures. Anything that doesn't agree with the legends they tell in Namimori."
Enma fell silent, and he gazed into the fire. He fiddled with a page of his tome, and he closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"Did you know, long ago, our tribe used to live in Namimori?" he asked quietly. When he opened his eyes again, they gleamed gold. He gently set aside his tome and laced his fingers together. "We traveled to the north because one of my ancestors was left the capital, and he moved here."
Enma rose and disappeared into the stacks of their library. He reappeared shortly after, holding an old, leather-bound journal. He held it reverently, carefully, and handed it to Kyoya. Kyoya took it delicately.
"When you asked for the truth, I gathered that this is what you wanted. However, I was reluctant to part with the secrets of my family. Now, though, I realize that this information may be crucial for you." Enma sat back in his armchair, legs curled in front of him. "This is Simon Cozarto's journal. He once served as a royal retainer at the palace. Within his journal holds his memories."
Wordlessly, Kyoya opened the cover, and began reading.
XxX
I warned Giotto of the possible repercussions of his actions. Unfortunately, my dear friend is too idealistic, and he holds great dreams. Uniting all of Nippon under one banner is a great feat, yet nigh impossible. The Millefiore of the east are isolated and fear outsiders. The protectors of the south are hard to find, and even harder to persuade to join our kingdom. The west holds the greatest innovators, and they pose the most resistance, with their weapons and great defenses. The nomads of the north are reclusive as well and value their freedom, and they will not concede easily to being ruled over.
Giotto is stubborn and hardheaded, and he believes that he needs more power to unite Nippon, to demonstrate that he has the means to protect and serve the people. This ritual, this summoning that will pull a great power to this land, may unbalance the world. Our land is balanced by all five Guardians, yet Giotto wants to tip the scales. He is insistent on proceeding with the ritual to bring a greater power to this land, and he needs my aid.
I will not give it to him. Tomorrow, I have decided to leave this land and journey north. Hopefully, my absence will be deterrent enough. I deeply cherish my dear friend, and it is because of this that I refuse to allow him to proceed with the summoning.
I fear the consequences of Giotto's plan.
I am en route to the north. I hear that it is beautiful at the glaciers this time of year. Hopefully, I will find a nomadic tribe willing enough to accept an outsider.
I pray that Giotto does not proceed with the ritual.
Today, Giotto attempted the summoning. I could feel it deep within my bones, and the messenger who visited me only confirmed my suspicions. I don't know if he found a replacement for me, nor do I know if he deemed the number of retainers he had was enough. All I know is that someone, or something not natural has arrived in this land.
I only hope that disaster will not befall us all.
Something has happened.
A great wave of dark energy erupted from the south this morning. It is steadily spreading, and dark clouds have begun rolling in from Namimori. We have also come across the strangest of creatures, seemingly made of pitch darkness with checkered masks upon their heads. They do not die until these masks are shattered, and when they are defeated they leave no trace of their presences behind.
These are ominous signs. Our tribe has been attacked many times already.
I warned Giotto. I told him to be content with what power he had, but he has gone and unbalanced our whole nation.
Today, a messenger arrived from Namimori. They speak of the disappearance of the great Yellow Chimera, and my dearest friend, Giotto, has fallen in battle. Today, I mourn for the loss of my longest and closest friend, and I mourn the fate of Nippon.
I fear what will happen now.
A stranger visited the Black Tortoise's shrine. He was a young man, and he claimed to be pulled from another land. He was accompanied by G, and several of the protectors of the other shrines. They have all gathered to defeat Checker Face, the great evil I sensed months ago and the one who felled Namimori and Giotto.
It is ironic that this young man, the very power that Giotto pulled from another land and caused this destruction, should unite Nippon against the very evil caused by his presence.
Tomorrow, I shall bring this young man, by the name Sawada Tsunayoshi, to Genbu-sama's shrine, and then I will go with him to Namimori to avenge my friend. This is my last entry, and I pass this journal to my descendants, so that they may know the truth of what has happened.
XxX
Kyoya shut the journal quietly, mind whirring. The baby boss had never been summoned for the purpose of defeating Checker Face, but rather uniting Nippon. Sawada's foreign presence in Nippon had unbalanced the land, thus giving birth to Checker Face. There was a fifth Guardian, the Yellow Chimera, who disappeared when Checker Face appeared. Together, with the four Guardians, Sawada had managed to seal the great evil.
The puzzle pieces began clicking together in his mind, and Kyoya finally grasped the truth.
"The Yellow Chimera…" Kyoya said quietly, and Enma nodded.
"I've had my suspicions as well." Enma met Kyoya's eyes. "You now know the truth. Giotto brought ruin upon Nippon, but the first Chosen One united the land."
Kyoya rose. "We must leave."
"Tomorrow." Enma stood, still wrapped in his blanket, and met Kyoya's glare fearlessly. "Everyone is tired from the weeks of journey. You can afford one night to recover, and tomorrow we will provide you with our fastest horses."
Kyoya hesitated, but finally relented. Tomorrow they would set out. The end was in sight.
XxX
"I've never heard of a fifth Guardian," Kyoko said. Her horse nickered softly, and she patted it absently. The Simon had gifted them with fantastic beasts, necks thick with muscles and manes wild in the wind, capable of lessening several weeks' of journey into only one.
Beside her, Adelheid shook her head, her long hair floating in the breeze. "It is ancient history, a thousand years old. It is no wonder that, even at the seat of its power, the Yellow Chimera's story has faded."
They approached the ruins of Namimori slowly. On the way, they had passed several camps of Namimori's residents. They had cheered with the return of their princess and the Chosen One, relief in their cries and hope in their eyes. Currently their party had stopped for last minute preparations.
Kyoya was perched in a tree, away from the commotion. He needed time to gather himself, a small reprieve from the constant company he'd recently had. Companions, even friends, they had all been, but Kyoya had always been, by nature, a solitary creature.
He gazed over the ruined city of Namimori. A dark black haze had descended, and Oni swarmed within it. Their faces flickered in the shadows, and occasionally an eerie shriek echoed through the fog.
He cocked his head, a plan already formulating in his head.
If his suspicions were correct, they couldn't fight this battle on only one side. They would need a two pronged attack, one to create a distraction and focus Checker Face's attention on them, and one to head directly to the shrine and focus their power on the obsidian shrine Kyoya had remembered seeing his very first day in this land.
He centered himself, and felt the age old anticipation for battle rise deep within. He dropped to the ground.
"We head out," Kyoya said.
Hana nodded. Her head was raised high, fire burning in her eyes. "The last leg of our journey."
"Hopefully, this will all be over soon," Kyoko agreed. She turned and hugged her brother fiercely. Ryohei clutched her little sister back. "Good luck, big brother."
"Stay safe," Ryohei said, and he looked in Kyoya's eyes. "Keep her safe."
Kyoya nodded. "Stay vigilant." He met each of the protector's eyes.
Daisy, who had never failed in battle, who carried the gift of life in his veins. Ryohei, with fire burning in his blood and a war cry forever at his lips. Shoichi, so fearful of battle but with enough strength to do what needed to be done. And Adelheid, as fierce and skilled in battle as Kyoya, iron resolve in her very bones and hands.
"Good luck, Chosen One," Daisy said quietly.
Kyoya set out towards the ruined city, Kyoko and Hana flanking him, as the others moved to circle around the city and sneak covertly into the shrine.
XxX
It wasn't hard to stir trouble. All Kyoya needed to do was defeat one Oni, and its defeated cries drew even more towards them. Soon, they were surrounded on all sides, but where they had had trouble at the beginning of their quest defeating their enemies, now they were practiced. Kyoya covered for Hana, cutting through his enemies and obliterating anything that dared to come close to the archer. Hana's arrows flew true, felling Oni with every sweep of her hand. Kyoko was stalwart as a rock, positioned near Hana and bisecting masks, ferocity in every movement. They worked seamlessly as one unit, so used to fighting alongside each other that it had become second nature.
Not even five minutes had passed when the ground rumbled. The ground erupted, and dirt showered them.
Checker Face rose, even larger than before. Its thin tail whipped through the air, and its great horns swept through the miasma like a bull's. Its skeletal wings spread, creaking like the unoiled hinges of a door, and its checkered skin rippled over muscle. It bared its teeth, dripping with saliva, and every drop that landed on the ground gave birth to a new Oni. Its eyes glowed from behind its mask.
Back again, Chosen One? It laughed, a roar screech that echoed among the Oni, each chattering with amusement. Was your first defeat not enough? If so, I shall give you the permanent end you so crave!
"You will not defeat us," Kyoko said resolutely, a lioness facing down a greater foe with no hesitation. "We will defeat you, and you shall not terrorize Namimori anymore."
So confident! The little heiress believes she can overcome my power!
"She is not alone," Hana said. She raised her bow, and the tip of her arrow pointed directly at the giant, looming mask.
Ah yes! The rest of your troupe. My Oni have reported that you visited each of the shrines, yet you have none of the crystals with you. Did they flee, knowing that your cause was hopeless? Checker Face brought down a large, clawed hand, and earth rumbled and rolled. It lowered its great head. Were you too proud to ask for help, little Chosen One? Did you think you could finish this on your own? My chains have been shattered, and I am free to roam now.
"Why haven't you?" Kyoya asked, quietly, but Checker Face heard nonetheless. The great beast cocked its head quizzically. He smirked tauntingly. "You have been free to leave Namimori for at least a month now, yet you still remain here. Why is that?"
Checker Face shook its head, as if to ward off a buzzing fly. I…to see your defeat here! I knew you would return, and-
"You remain here because of something else," Kyoya continued steadily. He took a step forward, tonfa still gripped in his hands. Sweat slicked the handles, yet he remained firm. Tension rocketed through his body. "Did this used to be your home?"
I had no home before…!
"Before what? What were you before you were Checker Face?"
Checker Face screamed, in anger or agony Kyoya could not tell. Black lightning flashed between its horns, and it stomped its great feet. The ground tremored, and Kyoya had to leap aside as the ground he was standing on caved in.
I will defeat you here!
Black energy crackled up Checker Face's arms, and it roared, deafening and so loudly it drowned out all other noise.
What followed, even Kyoya could not tell clearly. The usual lust for battle was tinged with desperation, and fear was accompanied with determination. He fought as he had never fought before, thinking only to protect the two women covering his back. He ducked and dodged, struck Oni in the mask and deflected blows aimed at his head. He leapt between unstable ground, and he distracted Checker Face so that its attention was only on him, not the women.
Dust mixed with sweat and blood caked his skin, yet Kyoya did not relent. Checker Face swept out his arms, and Kyoya caught the blow, managing to halt its momentum. He ran up the arm and directly began attacking Checker Face's mask. Arrows flew at the cracks Kyoya made, furthering the small spider webbing already edging around the hard material.
There was a whir of movement, and suddenly, Kyoya was flying through the air, thrown off Checker Face's head. He braced himself for impact, and…
Suddenly, vines sprung from Checker Face's body, wrapping around it and restricting its movement.
What is this…!
Fire slammed into its mask, and it howled in agony. Giant icicles pierced its hide, and large missiles made of shrapnel shredded its skin.
You did not harness their power! Checker Face howled.
Kyoya smirked, proud. "We did. Your pride and confidence assumed that you were mightier still, and this was your undoing."
All around them, the Guardians shimmered into being. Seiryuu, a sinuous, blue body writhing in the sky. Suzaku, wings flared wide and breathing red blue fire. Byakko, claws unsheathed and metallic armor over its limbs. Genbu, hard spiked shell and snake hissing. They roared, and Checker Face roared back.
"They made it to the shrine," Hana breathed, and she stumbled against upturned earth. Dirt streaked through her hair, yet she looked fierce and triumphant.
Checker Face, it is time for you to sleep. Leave this land. Kyoya did not know who had spoken, or perhaps the Guardians had spoken simultaneously. He shuffled, legs shaking uncontrollably from exhaustion. He was surprised at toll the battle had taken on his body, and his arms shook from exertion, although he kept a firm grip on his tonfa.
Do you know who you speak to? Checker Face raked its claws against the ground, yet Byakko froze the ground, and Seiryuu's vegetation firmed it.
I speak to the one who was once the wisest, the mightiest of us all. I speak to Kirin, the Yellow Chimera, swallowed by imbalance yet still residing deep within your soul.
Kirin is dead! The giant demon's cry was anguished.
Perhaps asleep, but not yet deceased.
The four Guardians began glowing suddenly, and their transparent forms whirled and rushed at Checker Face. It roared.
This cannot be happening! I will not be defeated! For too long I have slumbered, and I will not be taken down here…!
Multicolored lights whirled from Checker Face's body, drowning the darkness and strangling it. Around them, the Oni screamed as they dissolved into bright white spores. The intensity of the light increased, and Kyoya had to avert his eyes.
"Do you think…?" Hana trailed off.
"We've won." Kyoko breathed out in relief. "We've won."
The light coalescing around Checker Face shattered. Standing, proud and regal, where Checker Face had been, was a green and yellow creature, with a large yellow horn extending from its forehead and a thin tail tipped in flowing, green yellow fur. Its hooves touched the ground delicately, and long whiskers flowed from above its bearded mouth. It had a reptilian head, yet a body like a horse, covered in white and yellow fur and scales.
I am the Yellow Chimera, Kirin, Guardian of balance and earth. I thank you, Chosen One, for awakening me and drawing me out of my darkness. It closed its eyes and bowed low. I had been driven to madness by the imbalance of the world, yet now I have been restored. The people of this land, my brethren, and I owe you a great debt and thanks.
"Kirin," Kyoko breathed. She bowed. "I am Kyoko, princess of Namimori." She smiled, and when she straightened, her eyes twinkled despite the wreckage surrounding them, regal and every bit the empress she would become. A lioness, strong and undefeatable. "I welcome you home."
Kirin touched her gently on the head with its muzzle and replied, I am grateful to be home.
"Hibari!"
There was the faint sound of squabbling, and Shoichi scrambled over a bit of earth with Daisy's help. Ryohei and Adelheid were not far behind.
"We did as you told us," Shoichi panted, finally coming to a stop before them. "We combined our powers, and suddenly the Crystals all flew out of our hands and disappeared! We didn't know what happened, so we came back, and…and…" He gaped at the giant Guardian before him.
The Kirin made an amused sound. I also owe the protectors of the shrines thanks, for you have been invaluable.
"Then Nippon will be restored?" Adelheid asked. She stared up with wide eyes, awe in her gaze.
Kirin shook its large head regretfully. Returning the land to its former glory will take decades, but the first step has already been taken. Checker Face has been vanquished, and balance is restored. There is only one thing left to do. It turned to look Kyoya in the eyes, and he immediately knew what it spoke of.
"Home."
Home. Kirin raised its head, and from the tip of its horn a bright yellow and brown light began to shine. It touched the horn to the ground, and before their eyes, a hole, much like the one Kyoya remembered seeing in the middle of his living room from so many months ago, grew.
Kami, but it felt like years since he'd arrived. He found that he would miss it.
It is time for you to return.
"Now?" Kyoko asked, and much to Kyoya's surprise, her eyes were glittering with unshed tears. "Must it happen now? So abruptly?"
Should he tarry, the world may become unbalanced again. He cannot stay.
Kyoya stared at the hole that would take him home. Yearning tore through him, yet sadness lingered as well. Sadness at leaving this beautiful land, full of lush forests and grand mountains, sadness for parting with friends he would never have thought he'd made, whom he had labeled has herbivores before they proved to be as much of predators as he was.
"It was an EXTREME pleasure fighting with you," Ryohei said.
"I will make sure that your story will be written in Enma's journal, and your feats will not be forgotten." Adelheid gave him an acknowledging nod.
Daisy shrugged and twirled a string of hair between his fingers. "This whole experience was unexpected fun. Good luck on getting back home."
"We didn't fight for long together, but it was thanks to you that I'm more comfortable with fighting, I guess." Shoichi quickly waved his hands. "Not that I like fighting!"
Kyoya nodded to each of them, and then he turned to Kyoko and Hana.
Kyoko bowed again, almost horizontal with the ground. When she straightened, she gave him a watery smile and sniffed. "It feels a bit abrupt, this ending, but I guess this must happen. I…" Suddenly, she threw herself at Kyoya, and Kyoya managed to lift his arms to catch her as she hugged him. He blinked, bewildered, unsure of where to put his hands. People didn't often hug him, but…
He laid his hands gently on her back.
"I must thank you as well," Kyoya said quietly. Further words didn't need to be spoken aloud.
Kyoko sniffled again, and when she drew away, she was replaced by Hana. Hana glared at him, steely.
"Don't you dare regress to some monkey only focused on himself and fighting," she threatened, "or else I'll come through a wormhole and personally bite you to death."
Kyoya's lips quirked in amusement, and he tilted his head upwards arrogantly. "I invite you to try."
Hana sniffed condescendingly. "Go on, then."
Kyoya gave them another sweeping look, memorizing each face. He wondered if any of their resolve, their bravery and innovation, their compassion and fighting potential resided in their counterparts in his world. Perhaps they would not be the friends he made here, but he could always make more connections.
"Let me go home."
Kirin nodded. Goodbye, Chosen One.
He turned and gazed fondly at the group he was leaving behind. Right before he was tugged in, he said loudly, "Thank you. And goodbye."
The hole flared, and light shone from deep within its depths. It blinded him, and when he blinked the spots from his eyes, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his living room. The sun was just sinking outside of his window. The wind ruffled the papers on his table (whole, unharmed from his last attack), and beside them, his phone blinked. His cup of tea sat within arm's length, still steaming, still untouched.
So little, yet so much, had changed.
The same date, the same time before he had left. No time had passed during his adventures in another world. Yet, Kyoya could feel the exhaustion of battle, the new strength in his muscles, and lessons learned from another world.
Hibird flitted into the living room, chirping in alarm and chittering when it landed on Kyoya's shoulder. Kyoya reached up to stroke its head.
On the table, his cellphone rang. Kyoya flipped it open to see that the baby boss was calling him.
"Tsunayoshi," he answered.
There was an alarmed noise, as if the baby boss hadn't expected him to pick up. "H-Hibari-san! I'm sorry to disturb you but…eek!" There was the distant sound of something exploding, and Kyoya sighed inwardly. "There's a new enemy in town! And I wanted to warn you, and you don't have to come help us, but I know you hate anything disturbing the peace!"
Kyoya smirked, and despite his fatigue, he felt bloodlust stirring to life. Perhaps it was time to fight alongside his allies.
"I will be there."
"And please don't bite me to death, I didn't mean for this to happen, but…wait, what?!"
"I do not like repeating myself. I will be there soon."
"What? Wait, Hibari-san…!"
Kyoya clicked the phone shut and turned to face the setting sun.
It was time for the cloud to join the sky.
XxX
A/N: Finished! I hope you enjoyed, and feel free to leave a review on your way out.
Sincerely,
haplesshippo