Okay yeah... This chapter is short compared to the over chapters. But it's been a while since I posted the last one and I at least wanted to get what I had out. So, NEXT chapter should be the end of the introductory phase, as well as our first full appearance of the main villain.
Most would say that the realms of the Supreme Kai don't vary much in looks throughout the various universes. There's always a fading purple void as the skyward barrier to this holy land, always a combination of sprawling pure green grass and crystal clear lakes, always a traditional oak tree that stood as unbreakable as a Supreme Kai's will.
But for Yarimasu the defining feature of a Supreme Kai's world is the feel of the world, the meaning buried into the very foundation of their residence. A testimant to a Supreme Kai's duties. For Universe 10, the raw power and strength oozed from it's world, despite how decrepid and worn their Supreme Kai would seem. Universe 11 was a place of order and justice. Universe 3's gave off that air of progress, the last time Yarimasu had visited, she couldn't help but get enveloped in the overwhelming sense of some sort of advancement of her self.
However, she'd say that the atmosphere of this Universe was her guilty pleasure. From the start of their journey through the Universes to bump off the other Supreme Kais, this had been the one step in their journey she had been dreading. Her insecurities building up over time, with every whisper in her mind wondering 'what-if'. After her last time here, she didn't like to entertain the thought of returning to this place.
Even then, much to her displeasure, as soon as she and Shimasu's feet hit the soft bed of lush greenery; she drowned in that familiar aura. The warmth. The recognition. The sense of belonging. The sense… Of being home. She hated herself for it. This was the symbol of her old life, her life as a pathetic spectator, as a failure. But she couldn't bring herself to detest those beautifully crafted walls and those flourishing trees.
A hand slowly moved over her should, a comforting pat on the back. "Do you need a minute?" The question came from Shimasu, his voice laced with worry for his sibling.
"No, we need to just get this over with" Her response was blunt and immediate, with perhaps too much force behind it as she pushed forward, away from the comforting hand. "We've procrastinated from this long enough. If we wait too long to commit the deed, we'll only risk losing our faith in our abilities to do so" The anger in her voice became apparent. "I am not the same coward as before…"
"You were never a coward." He said, lagging just behind her long strides, his eyes wondering to the various carved ornaments that littered the grounds and peaked through the blades of grass.
"I was worst. I was a failure. I was useless" She spoke in a factual manner, not eager for an argument on her point. With tensions rising at the mere sight of this place, she didn't want to risk snapping at him. "But now, I atone for that. You and I will make up for the incompetence of the other Gods. Right?"
Shimasu offered a sigh of defeat, he could never hold an argument. "Of course. Whatever you say. Beat yourself up to your poor hearts content" They moved through the two large peach trees that formed an archway over the bridge, a tall crooked structure shaped like a pure green beetle coming into view. "But when your heart submits, I shall be here to heal it while telling you that 'I told you so'. Sist-" They came to a halt, the feeling of a familiar ki approaching. "-Company. I do hope they have tea…"
Yarimasu's face fell flat as she spotted a small form land in front of them, the muddy green three-toed feet came first, followed by a thin pair of legs and torso wrapped in thin white armour as the woman landed. "Mam?" The arcosian was slim with the only real bits of muscle lying in her knees and hands, you'd never guess that she was a strong fighter. But then again, female arcosians were known for how visually deceptive they could be. "I apologise for my lack of manners, mam; but I could have sworn I just left you enjoying your brunch…"
The arcosian showed no sign of an actual apology, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed in suspision. "You did, Glacia." Yarimasu kept her expression clean, staring down her attendant for the slightest bit of threat. The twisted and low pitched tones of the woman's voice did nothing to lower Yarimasu's guard, as far as Yarimasu remembered, Glacia was an observant woman.
"And yet, here you stand without even a wrinkle"
"Isn't that odd?"
"Indeed." The Arcosian's eyes moved into a perinant steel gaze of suspicion, her arms together in a regal stance, her head leaning forward. "How lucky for you to look so much younger"
Shimasu clapped Yarimasu on the shoulder. "Ah! How kind. See, Shimasu, she's giving you a compliment"
"And you certainly don't look like a trustworthy individual" The attendant added bluntly.
"No need to get personal…" He said, his lips frowning slightly.
Yarimasu walked forward without hesitation, not giving Glacia a second glance. "Come now, Brother. We have wasted too much time alredy. We have a meeting to attend to"
Even when the Arcosian stepped in front of her, standing at eye level with the woman, Yarimasu still kept the air of expectance around her. "I don't know why you seek to immitait a Supreme Kai, but some cheap magic tricks will not get by me. Leave now, because I am not letting you get anywhere close to the Supreme Kai"
For a moment, Yarimasu let herself smile. "I'm glad that after all this time, you still kept that loyalty" But that smile was short lived, falling to a stern line as her hand reached for the axe on her back, the Arcosian raising her hand. It's a strange feeling, having to kill someone twice… And don't even know you did it the first time. Yarimasu had to act quick, before she got he-
"That is enough." It was a rather intense moment, hearing her own voice come from far away, wthout her mouth moveing. Like waking up from a nightmare caked in sweat and adrenaline. Yarimasu moved her gaze upwards, when Glacia had jumped out of the way and fallen into a submissive bow, Yarimasu had a clear view of her own eyes staring back at her. They were the same colour, but they also held differences. They were cold, sad… Empty.
She turned slightly to speak to Shimasu "Do I always look that depressed?"
"Only when you're trying to win an argument" Said the other Kai, chuckling at Yarimasu's expression. "I told you so." The older kai stood atop the long staircase that led into the large building, taking in the scene before her.
"Mam, this imposter-" Glacia had begun, only to be cut off by the Yarimasu of this timeline.
"Imposter?" The older woman leaned forward, eyeing up her younger counterpart, her gaze quickly falling upon the silver ring upon the woman's middle finger; the same ring the older version had stored elsewhere. "She is no imposter, I'm afraid" Briefly her eyes flickered over Shimasu, a flair of recognition and regret.
Glacia was understandably confused. "But, how? You're right here… But over there? I'm sorry, but this doesn't make any sense"
"You don't need to understand" The Kai moved down the staircase at a brisk pace, flicking her fingers in a gesture for Glacia to leave. "Fetch our new guests some tea-"
"She has tea!"
"-Though I assume that this is more than a pleasant visit" She reached the bottom step, her stern gaze sending the attendant rushing off. When the Arcosian had disappeared from view, the two look-a-likes looked each other in the eyes. The Future Yarimasu showing no hesitation in coming to her conclusion. "You're here to kill me, aren't you?"
The younger kai simply nodded and said "We have a lot to talk about and so much time for everything to go wrong"