(I don't own all characters of Bleach and Queen's Blade, only my OC)
Hey everyone... Well I kept my promise and after I had finished the story, I immediately fell asleep because pulling an all nighter the day before New Year's Eve and working until Midnight of New Year's Day is SEVERE taxing on me! But other than that, I have the chapter ready for y'all. Sorry in advance if the ending was rushed or something. Still I hope you like it. Happy 2015 everyone and Chapter 9 of both my stories will be in production next week.
Queen's Blade: Path of the Wandering Spirits
Chapter 8: Awakened, Leina's New Power
The story resumes with Nanael flying over Amara. Ever since her run-in with an enraged Seishin and seeing Leina fall to her unconfirmed doom, she's not feeling like her usual self.
"Aw... after all of that, I am not even sure if i could count it as part of the Queen's Blade," Nanael sighed sadly, "and now Leina's missing. What can I do, it's not my fault that happened..."
Just then, the blue haired angel remembered that moment when Seishin interrupted the fight...
...
"I thought you 'Holy Angels' were supposed to help those in need, but I guess I was wrong.
...
"No, this WAS all my fault." Nanael stopped flying and looked down with tears in her eyes. "That male traveler was right. If I wasn't so engrossed with forcing a Queen's Blade Match, Leina would still be alive. If only I..."
Just then she noticed the black clouds and the ruins from afar. As she looked closely, she noticed three people in the middle of the sandstorm
"Is that... Leina?" She gasped. "That is her, she's still alive! I better go there and make amends with her and the male traveler... that is, if he's there..."
Tomoe clashing blades with Leina who is currently possessed by Menace's dark magic. The two clashed from outside the ruins to the largely decorated corridor inside the Amaran Palace. Tomoe continued to fight back, but Leina's possessed strength overwhelmed her and pinned her against the walls. Though Leina's possessed, she's putting up a fight against the Hinomotan Priestess.
"Kneel before the power of Amara or you will die here." Leina said as she was about to make the fatal blow until Seishin stepped in, parrying her attack with his zanpaktou. Tomoe was quite surprised that he was able to block Leina's attack. As the two fighters exchanged glares, Seishin immediately pushed her back while standing his ground.
"Thanks for saving me, Seishin." Tomoe said. "Please be careful, this is not the same warrior you already know."
"I'm aware; she's under a trance." Seishin replied while looking at Leina. "We have to find the source of where that power came from."
"But how?" Tomoe asked.
"Leina mentioned one night that an Amaran Princess lives here." Seishin explained while clashing swords with Leina. "If we find her, we'll have her break the spell. However I have faith Leina will break the spell without her help... I believe in her..."
"Submit to the power of Amara!" Leina cried as she shoved Seishin back. To his surprise, he saw faint blue streaks of energy seeping out of her body and fusing with the dark aura surrounding her. Seishin knew what that energy was since the night she first tapped into that power when she fought Echidna in a wrestling match.
"Oh, no... it's Leina's reiatsu!" Seishin's hollow cried."It seems this Amaran princess has found out about it and wanted to put her nearly harnessed potential to the test!"
"She'll break through it," Seishin thought, "just give it time."
"Leina you have to fight this!" Seishin cried. "Leina, please!"
"Sei...shin...?" Leina began to fight back for control of her body, resisting the attemption to kill Seishin. Menace, who was watching the events on her waterfall projection from the safety of her Ceremonial Chamber.
"I see she's still trying to resist my control once more." Menace said. "That young man must be the reason she's fighting back against me. I would love to have him as my slave... no as my prince. First I want to see just how strong he really is." Menace said as she resumed channeling her spell to Leina, regaining control of her once more.
Leina starts to lost control once more as that dark aura returned but stronger than before. The red rings in her eyes began to glow brightly through the dark aura as she stares back at Seishin and Tomoe with a murderous intent.
"Damn, she's still under the spell's control." Seishin growled. "We need to find the Princess here and get her to undo the spell."
"Right, I hope we'll also find Shizuka, Seika and Lady Yoruichi along the way." Tomoe said.
"We will, but first..." Seishin pushed her back once more and before she could fight back, the red haired shinigami used his Hono Senko to distract her. Leina deflected each of them, but the last arrow of Seishin's attack immediately exploded, creating a smokescreen. "Let's go!" Seishin grabbed Tomoe by the hand and the two had ran out of the decorated corridor and through the halls.
As the smoke clears, Leina looks around for the two swordusers but to no avail as the two vanished without a trace. She gripped her sword tightly and ran down one of the halls, looking for them. Meanwhile, Seishin and Tomoe ran across the center halls as fast as they can until they stopped by another entrance with two pillars brightly lit.
"This isn't going to be easy to find the Princess of this place." Tomoe said. "This place is like a maze with no clues to get out."
"You got that right, but we can't stop now." Seishin replied. "We have to find her before Leina finds us."
"Right!" Tomoe nodded. "Lead the way, Seishin."
As Seishin was about to run through the lit halls, he was bumped into someone. As he sat up, he gasped and scowled in anger as the person he bumped into was none other than Nanael.
"You!" Seishin growled with eyes filled with hate.
"Seishin, please wait! Let me explain!" Nanael gasped nervously as she started to crawl away from the red haired man as he summoned his zanpaktou. Nanael would've been burnt to a crisp if Tomoe didn't stop in between with her hands out to the sides.
"Seishin, wait!" Tomoe cried out which made Seishin stop on the spot. "I don't know why you have a grudge with this angel but please calm down otherwise you'll cause more problems in the long run."
Seishin remembered the time Seika told him something similar to him back when he was in his inner world.
...
"Look, I can't blame you for having a grudge with the Vance Family for ruining Leina's life. But going around, feeling angry and bitter about it doesn't solve problems. It only causes more problems with yourself."
...
Seishin heeded both Seika's and Tomoe's words and withdrew his zanpaktou. He turned away with his fists tightened while looking down as he remembered the unfortunate moment when Seishin was unable to save her after her forced fight with Claudette.
"Seishin, please tell me what caused you to be so enraged around this angel." Tomoe pleaded.
He slightly turned and eyed the blue haired angel for a second as he squinted his eyes in anger. Then he shifted his sight to Tomoe who was deeply concern for the young man.
"If you remember the fight between Leina and Claudette, that was all a set up, by this... angel..." Seishin replied with venom in his voice when he said his last word. "Because of her, Leina not only had fallen down the gorge, but it felt like I was unable to save her in time..."
Seishin began to break down as tears began building up. He looked down and fell on one knee as his eyes were covered by the bangs of his hair. His fists were on the ground, pressed against the cold stone and his teeth were gritted, struggling not to cry. Tomoe kneeled down to him and hugged him tightly as he silently cried and Nanael felt even more guilty for what she had done.
"Seishin... Leina is alive now, that's all that matters." Tomoe replied as she calms her down.
Just as Seishin tries to calm himself down, Nanael then stepped forward; ready to admit her wrongdoings. She was nervous at first, but after seeing Seishin broken down she decides to speak up despite her nervousness.
"Seishin..." She called him, getting his attention. "I've been thinking over what happened... and I do regret what I had done. I took your kindness for granted and decieved you, all for setting a match up behind your back. I deserve to be punished by either you, or the Head Angel. All I want to say is that I am sorry I for what I've done."
Seishin heard everything as he stopped crying. He rose up and walked towards Nanael while his eyes were still covered. As he stopped in front of her, Nanael was hoping he would hug her as a way to accept her apology but instead...
SMACK! A loud but strong slap echoed the halls as Seishin slapped her across her left cheek, leaving a faintly glowing red hand print on her face. Nanael winced in pain from the slap on the face. Tomoe was surprised that Seishin would do something like that.
"What was that for, Human?!" Nanael snapped. "I already said I'm sorry! What more could I do to show you that I am sorry!?"
"What I did, was for Leina..." Seishin said as Nanael stopped her angry rant, only to see Seishin with calm eyes. Then he leaned in as he hugged her, "and that's for your apology. Don't ever do something like that again otherwise, I'll burn more than just your panties off..."
"Dah... I understood!" Nanael replied nervously.
Just then, the three all spotted Leina who was running towards them with her sword in hand.
"Damn! Tomoe, you and Nanael get moving and find the others, I'll hold her Leina off and look for the Amaran Princess!"
"Seishin... Alright, but catch up when you can!" Tomoe replied as she and Nanael ran off through the lit halls while Seishin continues clashing blades with Leina.
"Seika, I hope you, Yoruichi and Shizuka are hanging in there."Seishin thought as he and Leina fought with equal inhuman speeds.
Elsewhere, Seika is in another small room filled with Amaran hieroglyphics and paintings with a pool in the center. She was still unconscious after being wiped out from the sudden sandstorm with Yoruichi and Shizuka beside her; little did they know Setra, who snuck away without Menace noticing, appeared and looked down on the three girls.
"Aw, what a shame..." Setra said while eyeing the three beauties covered in sand, "I can't let a good moment like this go to waste." Just then Seika immediately woke up and jumped out of the sand, gripping her zanpaktou.
"A talking scepter..." Seika said while scoffing, "boy, ain't that a surprise."
"Yes..." Setra said as he stretched his 'tail' out and entangled her, and the unconscious Shizuka and Yoruichi in his grip. "But I'm gonna do more than just spectate, I'm gonna take a taste."
Just as Setra was going to dive in and lick the valley between Seika's cleavage, the red-haired female smirked and chuckled.
"Just tell me, how can a pervert like you, do something like that... when I am behind you?" Seika asked the floating scepter which got his attention. Before he could answer her question two sets of six light bars were surrounding the floating scepter, preventing him from moving his body other than his head. When he turned, he was surprised to see the three girls appearing behind him.
"Nice thinking, Yoruichi." Shizuka said with a smirk, "So... you're the Queen's little playtoy."
"What kind of magic is this?" Setra asked as he struggled to free himself. "Let me out!"
"Save it, ya perverted baby rattle." Seika rebuked.
"We'll do so..." Yoruichi replied as Shizuka pointed her blade at Setra's neck. "After you tell us everything; including where the princess is."
"Leave this to me." Seika said. " I sense a trace of spiritual pressure within these walls. Maybe if I can connect my reiatsu with the walls, maybe I can gain some insight at what happened here."
"You can?" Shizuka asked.
"Well then Seika, lead the way." Yoruichi replied as she smirked at the female red headed shinigami.
Meanwhile Seishin and Leina continued fighting as they are on a thin bridgeway over what seems to be a bottomless pit. The two combatants were at equal strength without any sign of holding back despite some of the wear and tear on both ends; Leina with her armor partially broken with one of her breasts hanging out and Seishin with his uniform covered in cuts from Leina's sword. After one last clash, the two pushed back and stood their grounds.
"Stop it, Leina. This isn't you." Seishin continued to call out to Leina. "You can break this; you're stronger than that, I know you are!
"S-Seishin..." Leina forces to speak while her body's under a spell.
"Stand down, servant!" A female voice called out, causing Leina to snap back into attention while under possession as she returned her sword back into her sheath. Just then, Seishin noticed the sillouhette of a young female woman behind her, walking towards the two of them. As she stepped out into the illuminated bridge, Seishin blushed at the choice of clothing she wore. Wearing only a bejeweled breast plate that covered her chest midway, and blue striped panties.
"So this is the man who tried to break my spell on my servant," The young woman said.
"...and you're the specter who brainwashed Leina." Seishin boldly rebuked.
"I have no idea what a spector is, but you're speaking to the Princess of the Legendary Kingdom of Amara." She stated. "My name is Menace and you-" Just then she stopped as she saw the young man before her. She blushed immensely as she saw the young man before her. The calm blue eyes, the wild red hair, and the muscular but lean build body of his made her want to melt on his arms. She gasped for a second, which was quickly replaced with a smile as she gazed at him with dreamy eyes "You... You... You're one tall chalise of wine."
"T-Thanks..." Seishin replied. "My name is Seishin Samayou. What happened to your kingdom? It looks like a barren wasteland."
Menace looked down, reflecting on unfortunate past events. Her eyes glaring down on the ground with her fists tightened, but seeing her guest question her, even if her guest was a handsome man like Seishin; she couldn't say no to someone like him.
"Amara wasn't a barren wasteland since one thousand years ago." Menace explained as she remembered every detail until her untimely demise. "Back then Amara was once a florished kingdom, but it had perished. I was destined to become the new Queen of Amara; still I lived in a lap of luxury; days filled with pleasure and satisfaction, until one day my Instructor, Anarista decieved my kingdom and killed me and all of my people. I was then reborn by the powers of the Swampland Witch with the sole purpose to restore my kingdom."
"I see..." Seishin looked down as he imagined how much of a grudge she has against her former assistant. "I'm sorry to hear what had happened, Menace."
"But now, I can still restore it." Menace continued. "Originally, I wanted to have you as my servant, but seeing just how good looking you are and how strong you are, I have a proposition."
"Hmmm, what proposition..." He wondered.
"Seishin right?" Menace hugged his arm into her cleavage as she got even closer to him; pressing her body against him. "I want you as my new king of Amara. With the two of us, we'll restore the kingdom to its fullest. Your friend will be restored to normal and will be working for us. The only thing you have to do is join me."
Seishin pondered over what she suggested; as much as he wanted to flat out say no to Menace, he had to admit that her terms were rather beneficial. He knew that Leina would be back to normal and Amara will be on the road of restoration. If he could do something to improve Menace's standard of living and Leina's future, he would have to throw away everything that makes Seishin... well Seishin. Seeing Leina become stronger was the one thing he wanted to see happen, and so he was clear on the decision he takes.
"As much as I wanted to see Amara back to normal, I'm gonna have to pass." Seishin replied, surprising the Amaran Princess. It was clear to him that she didn't expect the young man to deny her proposition, especially what she had offered him. "being a king of a kingdom is exciting; I really would like to do so, but if it means Leina not being as strong as she can be, then I'm sorry... I can't accept the proposition."
"B-But why...? After what I want to offer you." Menace said to him, but he calmly turned his attention to Leina who was struggling to regain control of herself through what Seishin said.
"I do want to see you Kingdom restored like before, but if it means me giving up on what I cared; someone I do love, then I would rather place her dream of becoming strong ahead of my own decisions." Seishin gently placed his hand on Leina's face and smiled, "Leina Vance! If you wish to become strong, then break the shackles that's binding you and become who you truely want to be! Do it for me, for Risty and for your mom!"
Leina within in subconscious felt the very words Seishin had said. She was rather amazed at how much he really cared for her. With newfound strength, Leina rose back up as she wiped her tears and tries to reach out for her sword, hanging outside the cage she's in.
"I won't... let Seishin... down!" She said as she continues to reach out to her sword. Inch by inch, her hand grew closer to her weapon and her body steadily returning to her control.
Seishin pulled out the coin Risty had given her and flipped it into the air. As it fell to the ground, Leina immediately remembered the good moments he, Risty and her mother had given her. That alone managed to snap her out of Menace's trance.
"S-Sei... shin..." Leina forced herself to say his name once more as her inner self managed to seize her sword. Then her eyes began to glow a bluish white as her spiritual pressure began surging as her aura and Menace's spell were swirling around her.
"Where is she getting all this power from?!" Menace looked at Leina as she was breaking free of Menace's spell. She growled and tries again to call out to her.
"Attend me, servant! By the name of the Princess of Amara, you will obey my commands!" Menace commanded as she used more of her spell on Leina
"M-My... name... is Leina...!" Leina's spiritual pressure began to overwhelm Menace's power as the force of her reiatsu began to make some of the rubble on the bridge and some drops from the waterfall levitate around the three of them, "and... I'm a... Noble Warrior!"
With one last scream, Leina unleashed her reiatsu in the form of a bright light as it enveloped the area she, Seishin and Menace are on. The two covered their eyes for a few seconds until the bright light began to fade. When the coast was clear, they were surprised at Leina's new appearance. Leina has on a custom short shihakushō that goes a little below her waist. Her top was open, revealing a hefty amount of cleavage while a shorter version of Leina's Breastplate was over it. Her right sleeve was cut off and was replaced with armor covering her right arm while her left sleeve covered her left arm with a silver bracelet attached to her wrist, with three sleek horizontal pauldrons sticking out. On her fore legs, she has on a sleeker version of her previous fitted leg armor.
Leina opened her eyes and was surprised at her new appearance. She looked at her hands and saw her reiatsu radiating off her fingers; then she looked at her new uniform and how it looks. However the only thing that remained the same was her sword. She then turned her sights to Seishin as a smile was formed on her face.
"Seishin... You really do believe in me!" Leina ran towards him and hugged the young man tightly. "Thank you... Thank you... Thank you..."
Seishin smiled as he hugged his new shinigami apprentice in return. He was happy to see that Leina has finally harnessed her own power. Menace; on the other hand, isn't all too happy.
"This will not be permitted!" Menace cried as she used her bandages in an attempt to ensnare Seishin until Leina suddenly appeared using flashstep and used her new reiatsu shield in the same shape her original one was like.
"Wow, Leina it seems like you're getting hang of your new power." Seishin smirked.
"Yeah, something... or someone in my head is telling me how to fight." Leina replied. "Honestly, I'm liking this new thing."
Meanwhile, Tomoe and Nanael continued running down the halls; searching for Shizuka, Yoruichi, and Seika. That is until they sprung another trap, causing a giant ball of rock to roll down from the top of the halls. Talk about 'Temple of Doom,' much? Anyway, as Tomoe ran down the halls as fast as she can, she encounters another hall way that; hopefully wouldn't be booby trapped. As they ran into that hall, successfully evading the rolling rock of doom, the two girls also encountered Shizuka, Seika and Yoruichi with Menace's talking scepter; trapped in Yoruichi's Kido.
"Lady Tomoe!" Shizuka cried as she ran to hug her. Yoruichi chuckled as she watched the two finally reunited. "I'm so glad to see you again!"
"Shizuka..." Tomoe said her name until she smiled and hugged back.
"Tomoe, where's Seishin?" Yoruichi asked. "Did you two find Leina, yet?"
"Well, we did find Leina , but she's possessed." Tomoe replied. "I think we can still get to her if we hurry."
"Can you please let me out of this prison, please?!" Setra cried.
"Not until we find your Princess, little kitty." Seika smirked while she tugged the scepter with her reiatsu string.
"Awww..." Setra groaned.
"Ok then, Miss Tomoe, lead the way." Seika said to Tomoe which she nodded and led the others through the halls.
Elsewhere, Seishin watched as Leina and Menace were fighting. For a resurrected Princess, she knows how to fight, but for Leina she's being one with her new self is like a walk in the park. She evaded each of Menace's attacks with ease which eventually made her rather pissed off. Menace glared at Leina's new appearance for a second, as she stood back up.
"I won't let anyone be better than me!" Menace announced as a dark aura enveloped her, and soon everyone else. "Everyone should bow down before the power of Amara! I command you!"
"I won't let you!" Leina cried as held her sword tightly. Just then she felt a pulse of reiatsu from her sword, like someone or something's calling her. At the same time, Tomoe and the others arrived to see Leina in her new shinigami form. Leina nodded at what the voice in her head said then unleashed a high density beam towards her.
The power from Leina was more than enough to consume Menace's darkness and damage the Amaran Princess in the process. As the light clears, Menace was lying down with her bejeweled breastplate destroyed, revealing her breasts to the world and the bridge has a large gash from where Leina swung to where Menace is laying at.
"Leina that was amazing!" Seishin cheered happily at the new shinigami. "You finally harnessed your spiritual pressure!"
"It's all thanks to you, Seishin." Leina smiled and blushed as she hugged her shinigami teacher.
"Is that really Leina?" Tomoe asked as that got their attention. The two turned to the group behind them as they were gasping at Leina's new appearance.
"Yep, told you so, Shizuka." Yoruichi said to her as she elbowed her side lightly. She then turned her sights to Seishin and Leina. "So, what are you two gonna do, now that Leina's a shinigami?"
"I'm gonna be training Leina to hear her zanpaktou's voice." Seishin answered.
"Zanpaktou; what's that?" Leina asked.
"The main weapon of a Soul Reaper, Leina." Yoruichi answered. "Every Soul Reaper has one; each one is unique and they reflect on the power and soul of a shinigami. Each zanpaktou's name is the name of the living spirits that empowers each of those swords and once awakened, they can share their strength with their user. Seishin will teach you more along the way."
"That's right." Seika added. "Being a shinigami's step one, now we're ready for step two. Are you up for it?"
"Umm, Seishin... who's she?" Leina asked Seishin nercously.
"I'll tell you more along our journey." Seishin chuckled nervously. "Anyway are you up for your new path to being a powerful shinigami?"
"Yes, Seishin... I am ready." Leina said with eagerness and ambition in her voice.
"I... I lost..." Menace said as it got Seishin and the others attention. "I lost my King, my servant... everything. How can I build my kingdom now?"
Seishin looked down at Menace whose eyes were building up tears. Her dream of restoring her village was crushed by Leina and her new power. Seeing her heartbroken made Seishin want to console her. Seika immediately noticed what Seishin's thinking.
"Hey Seishin, I hope you're not doing what i think you're doing." Seika said.
"Yeah, I am." He answered.
"Seishin, why would you do this?" Nanael asked. "She brainwashed Leina and almost made you a permanant slave."
"Girls, look..." Seishin turned to them. "I don't think Menace isn't all that bad."
"Wha- WHAT?!" The girls cried.
"I think we can get along with Menace, just like how we can get along with each other." Seishin said as he helped Menace up and covered herself with his top half of his uniform.
"Seishin... why?" Menace asked him. "Why would you still help me, after what I almost did to you and your friends."
"Menace, I feel your pain that you wanted to restore your kingdom. You cared about your kingdom, even after your death." Seishin replied, "So to make you feel better, I will help you restore your kingdom."
Menace was astonished at what Seishin said. She felt her heart skip a beat for Seishin's decision and a smile was shown on her face. He; of all people showed sympathy even to a would be enemy. That's something she would love in a King like him.
"So what do you say, Menace?" Seishin asked which her responce to him was a jump on him and smothered him with hugs and kisses while pressing her uncovered chest against him. Leina and the others were rather shocked at the Amaran's choice for a reply.
"I guess that's a yes." Seika said which made the others nod in agreement.
As the sun began to set, Seishin and the others along with Menace and Setra stood outside the ruin's entrance.
"Seishin, thanks again for helping me with restoring my Kingdom." Menace said while she stood with her hands behind her back.
"Hey, it's no problem, Menace." Seishin replied while wiping the lipstick off his face. "It's the least I can do to help the new Queen."
"N-New... Queen?" She asked.
"Yeah, you're the only living Amaran here, so it makes you the Queen of Amara." Seishin answered.
Menace smiled and jumped for joy as she heard the good news and as a result, she tackle-hugged him once more and smothered him with kisses again.
"You know, once my kingdom is restored, I will wait until you return so I can have you as my king." Menace smirked and winked at Seishin as it made him blush and chuckle nervously.
"Come on, Seishin!" Leina cried out for him.
"Alright!" He replied to Leina and then turned her sights back to Menace. "I'll see you around... Ok, Menace?"
"I'll see you then, my Amaran King." Menace replied as she kissed his lips before he left.
As the group left Amara via camel, they arrived to a nearby forest. From there, they encountered a fork in the road.
"I think it's we go our seperate ways." Seishin said to Tomoe, Shizuka and Yoruichi.
"Aw, but it feels like we've just met." Shizuka whined as she ran and hugged Seishin tightly.
"I know how you feel, Shizuka;" Yoruichi said after thinking over what Seishin had said. "We each make our own path towards this capital where the Queen's Blade Tournament is at. We'll eventually meet again soon, Shizuka."
"Seishin; you, Seika and Leina take care." Tomoe said to them with a bow. "I hope we'll cross paths again some day."
"We will, Tomoe." Seika replied as she smirked at Seishin as he managed to free himself from Shizuka's grasp and Yoruichi had to pull her in a comical fashion.
"Take care!" Leina cried out as the two groups made their seperate ways. Along the way, Seika returned to Seishin's medallion since he used his Hono Kuron and as for Menace...
"This is going to be the beginning of a new future for Amara..." Menace said as she watched merely a thousand clones of Seishin and Seika combined were helping out with restoring Amara; and as for Nanael, well she kinda got 'tied up' in a situation. Due to Leina's overwhelming power, the force of her last attack sent Nanael flying out of the pyramid and into a tree in a forest.
"Aw, why do these things ALWAYS happen to me?!" She cried.
