DHS CHAPTER PART 25: CASUALTIES
Priest Venom and Dr. Shingami had gotten away. Not only that they'd taken something. Shinichi only found four empty coffins with shattered chains littering the floor. The chamber wasn't actually made to keep people from entering but to keep something from getting out.
He contacted his teammates, who'd already finished off the Kappa Darkloids and were on their way. Shinichi could tell they were coming from the echoing sound of footsteps, the shine of flashlights and the voices.
Yokoshima: "Man, this is creepy."
Rika: "I never knew there was a secret chamber down here."
Hanyuu: "Au! Neither did I!"
Shinichi continued to shine his flashlight around and when he shone it on the walls he found writing. It was covered in dust but still eligible. He used his palm to wipe the dust away so it could read. However, the chamber was so dark that Shinichi had to read slowly and carefully with his flashlight.
Mion called as she came down, leading the rest of the group, "Hey, Shin-chan! Are you down there?"
"Yeah!" he responded. "And you're not gonna believe what I found down here!"
Rika read the writing on the wall, "According to this, centuries ago, the village founders faced against a great, powerful and terrible demon. This demon, however, was not alone as its spawn also aided it. Its most powerful spawn were four generals created directly from parts of its own body. They were the most powerful of them all and nigh invincible. However, the founders were able to seal the Dark Generals away and also seal the demon. The Dark Generals were sealed in this chamber where the shrine was built and their demonic creator was sealed in…" Her eyes widened.
"Sealed where?" Shinichi prompted.
"The swamp," she finished.
"The swamp?" Yokoshima echoed. "So, there's some demon sleeping in the swamp?"
"Yes, and the village founders sealed it inside a box that was bound in blessed chains and talismans. Nothing would be able to escape that prison," said Rika.
"Are you sure? If the box is in there for this long, the seal would've weakened," said Chiaki.
"Yes, and I'm afraid it's been weakening for a very long time," said Rika.
"What do you mean, Rika-chan?" Keiichi asked.
"The Darklings and Darkloids." Rika explained, "According to these writings they are the spawn of the demon. In fact, this demon was the source of all the Darklings and Darkloids and also…"
"The source of the Hinamizawa Syndrome," Shinichi finished. Rika gave a grim nod. He gave Hanyuu a look. "Hanyuu, did you know about this?"
Hanyuu looked guilty and gave a nod. She then spoke in her defense, "But I just thought that the seal would last and the demon wouldn't get loose!"
"It didn't have to. The seal has already gotten so weak that its power has leaked out, creating the Darklings and Darkloids we've been fighting," Daichi spoke.
"How exactly were these generals and the demon sealed away?" Shion asked.
"The founders used their three treasures and the three mystic orbs to weaken and finally seal the demons away," Hanyuu answered.
"Three treasures?" Shinichi asked. "You mean the Furude Clan's Higurashi no Yaiba, the Kimiyoshi Clan's Kage no Hoshi and the Sonozaki Clan's Oni no Hone?" Hanyuu's nod affirmed his statement. "I see."
"So the mystic orbs must refer to the ones that Shinichi and Daichi swallowed and the one that Gebok has, right?" added Hana.
"So, basically, the DHS now has four uber-powerful demon generals with them," Chiaki said grimly. "Just great…"
"So much for a normal life," Shinichi murmured. Months had passed since the defeat of GIN-SHOCKER but he was still busy with fighting this new DHS organization. Not only that, weird stuff kept happening to him. "Then again, since when has my life ever been normal?" he half-joked to himself.
He heard a knock at the door and said, "Come in." The door opened and Shiori entered. She was smiling. It looked like she had good news.
"Shinji, I just got off the phone with a friend of mine called Hiyori Minazuki. She's a mangaka," she informed her son.
"Really?" Shinichi was interested. Hiyori Minazuki was a famous manga artist who drew Shoujo manga. He'd seen a few of her graphic novels in Rena's room.
"And she wants to do a collaboration with me! I'll write the story and she'll draw!" Shiori beamed.
"Congratulations, Kaa-chan," Shinichi said sincerely. To see his mother's novels turned into graphic novels would be quite interesting.
Shiori noticed that Shinichi was packing. "Shinji, why are you packing?"
"I have to stay overnight at the base," he told her. "The others and I have some important work to do. I'll be back tomorrow morning."
Shiori frowned. Whenever her son wore that expression on his face she knew she couldn't argue with him. "Wait here. I'll make you some rice balls and tea."
"Alright, Kaa-chan. Thank you." Shiori hugged him.
"Be careful, Shinji."
For the next week the NEO-NUMBERS were hard at work. Rika and Hanyuu had allowed them to take the old books and scrolls from the shrine that could provide information on the Darkloid Generals. Mion also helped by gathering the appropriate material from her clan's library and even asking permission from the village chief to borrow some of their own books.
Shinichi had even taken pictures of the writing on the chamber walls for reference. The writing told of the history of the founders' greatest battle against the demons that tried to engulf the world in darkness. The books and scrolls were spread out all over the table in the NEO-NUMBERS' base. They were hard at work as they read each and every word, taking note of whatever valuable information they could find. They used their free time for research and also training to prepare them for the fight ahead. These Darkloid Generals were the strongest of them all, even stronger than the King Titans Darkloid they had fought in the quarry when they crushed GIN-SHOCKER.
From their research, the Darkloid Generals were demonic analogues of Seiryu, Byakko, Genbu and Suzaku, the Guardian Beasts of the Four Winds. The first clue was the lids on the coffins, each depicting the four Guardian Beasts but more demonic and the second clue was how the four coffins were positioned to each point towards a different direction.
Shinichi even went to ask Yabuki, Zennin and Gokuaku about how the founders defeated the Darkloid Generals in the past. They told him that the Generals were so powerful that they could not be vanquished. Instead, they were sealed away into those four coffins and the shrine was built above the chamber holding them to make sure that they were never found or ever released. The sealing procedure, however, was a very complex process and required the Three Clan Treasures and the Three Orbs. They only had two of the orbs while DHS had the Orb of Wisdom.
The books and scrolls also explained how the Darkloid Generals served a powerful demon, the Original Darkloid and the source of all the Darklings and Darkloids. It would be logical to assume that the seal around its prison had weakened over the centuries and that its energy had seeped out to give birth to the Darklings and Darkloids that were appearing even now.
The sealed box was in the swamp. However, the water was so murky that finding it would be difficult. They would deal with it as soon as they dealt with the Darkloid Generals when they appeared.
What really troubled the NEO-NUMBERS was that it was the Dark Hatred Society who'd stolen the bodies of the Darkloid Generals. Shinichi knew Gebok wouldn't be able to revive them. He was a genius of science, not magic. It was that Priest Venom that worried him more. The evil monk seemed to be well-versed in magic since he was able to erase the memories of Shinichi's friends whenever he performed a Return to the Past during the eternal loop of Decembet 31st the past year.
As if dealing with the DHS and Darkloids was not hard enough. According to what they'd learnt, the Generals would be incredibly powerful. Unfortunately, there was no specific information like the actual appearance of the Generals or their abilities and combat prowess. They didn't know how to prepare against an enemy they knew nothing about.
Shinichi and his teammates spent many nights at the base. Shiori and Rena had to go and bring the group food so they wouldn't starve.
"Tadaima," said Shiori as she returned home.
"Welcome home, Shiori," greeted her husband, Tatsuyoshi Kasai. "Delivering food to Shinichi again?"
"Yes, and he told me he couldn't come home tonight, again," she said before sitting down on the couch with her husband. "He looks really tired too." She frowned sadly.
"That's because he's working hard to figure out a solution to this new challenge," Kasai told her. "You should know what he's like by now. He's got a huge burden on his shoulders."
Shiori sighed. "When I found him again, I thought things could go back to normal," she admitted. "I mean I found him after ten long years but I never expected him to become like this. However, I understand why after all he's been through. That horrible GIN-SHOCKER group took him away, tortured him, and turned him into a weapon for them. I don't care what he's become, though. He's still my son. It's just…I hate to see him put himself in danger."
"It's the road he chose to walk upon, Shiori," said Kasai, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close against him. "This is the duty destiny chose for him and the destiny he chose for himself. He has amazing power and is using them to protect everyone he cares for."
"Yes, I know," Shiori said as she put a hand to her stomach. "I just hope that Shinji will be alive when this baby is born. I want this baby to see his or her big brother and look up to them."
"I don't have any doubts that Shinichi will win," said Kasai confidently. "You know what he's capable of. If anyone can win against these demons, it's him."
Rika sighed as she did her homework with Hanyuu. "Rika?" Hanyuu asked.
"Hanyuu, what are the chances that Shinichi will win against these Darkloid Generals?" Rika asked.
Hanyuu frowned. She didn't know much about the Dark Being and its Generals except for the stories and legends. "I really can't say, but since they're getting ready to face them I say they have a pretty good chance."
"I see." Rika nodded. "I'm worried, though. What if we never see beyond June again?"
Hanyuu gasped. "Rika, don't say that!"
"I'm sorry, but I have a really bad feeling that some of us won't be alive to see past June."
Hanyuu asked, "So, do you believe that Shinichi and the others will die?"
Rika spoke, "They are going to need a miracle to defeat this new enemy."
In the meta-world only Libra and the Balance Guardian Warren were present. On the small tables next to their chairs were cups of tea and plates of cookies that Ronove had prepared to them.
"This game of Topper's has gotten serious, hasn't it, my friend?" Libra asked as he traced his finger around the rim of the teacup.
"It got serious the moments the stakes were raised a long time ago," said Warren as he picked up a cookie and popped it inside his mouth. "These Darkloid Generals are nearly as powerful as some of the threats I faced before. It was not by luck that the DHS discovered them. Someone clued them in."
"Lambdadelta?" Libra guessed.
"I was going to say Beatrice, but I wouldn't put it past that psychotic little midget," retorted Warren. "I just can't believe that Bernkastel is friends with her."
"Opposites attract, but they are similar in some ways," stated Libra. "Bernkastel can be just as cruel when given a reason."
BG-Warren stared down at his cup of tea, his reflection staring right back at him. "This new enemy Shinichi will face will be something beyond whatever he'd faced before. He's going to face a traumatic loss."
Libra went silent as she took a bite out of a cookie.
Dr. Shinigami grinned as he watched the computer screens. The last time he'd tried this plan he'd failed, but now it was time to revive this plan. The Hinamizawa Syndrome could still be used as a weapon. He just needed a more effective method of spreading it. The last time he'd set up hidden broadcasting stations. Now he had a much better plan.
The Dark Hatred Society's plan to eliminate all humanity was coming to fruition. What better way for humanity to be destroyed than for it to destroy itself? All he had to do was to spread fear, anger, distrust and paranoid throughout the masses and then they would start to riot and erupt into violence.
It was time to implement Operation: Hinamizawa Syndrome II.
"Well, Brothers. It appears that we're once again free to roam the Earth," the Turtle Darkloid said. His name was Ubneg of the North. He was a hunchbacked Darkloid with a massive shell on his back with numerous bumps and spikes. His shoulders were rounded and shone like polished steel while his arms and legs were trunk-like and strong. His torso was barrel-like and carved with the images of the first Darkloid who fought the founders. His wore a turtle-based samurai helmet which hid his face and it was adorned with large tusks. He was of a calm mindset and was an excellent strategist, often taking the time to learn all about his foes before fighting them. He was born from a spinal fragment of the Dark Being.
"Indeed and soon our glorious creator will be as well," the bird-like Darkloid chuckled. His name was Ukazus of the South. He was a bird-like Darkloid with black plumage. He had tufts of feathers rising from his shoulders and had claw-like feet. Metallic talons stretched from his wrists and his arms were covered in red armor which was a mix of black and red while his legs ended in bird-like feet. Black fiery wings emerged from his back. His face was covered with a bird-like mask and a samurai helmet. The fastest and youngest of the four, he was immature at times and often flouted the other three, preferring to act on his own. His greatest skill was his ability to copy techniques of his opponents even when they were being executed on him for the first time. He was born from a rib of the Dark Being.
"Of course he will. He will be so pleased that he'll give each of us our own country," the Dragon Darkloid said. His name was Uryies of the East. This Dragon Darkloid had a scaled hide with blue accents. A Chinese dragon helmet hid his face with long gold whiskers running down his front. Gold ridges ran over his shoulders and black armor highlighted with blue kept his torso and legs safe. He wielded a naginata, but it was not his greatest skill. His greatest skill was his ability to pinpoint all the weaknesses in his opponents with just a simple exchange. Being in the middle, he often tried to stand out from his siblings. He was born from the left shoulder blade of the Dark Being.
"Ubneg, Uryies, Ukazus, control yourself," the Tiger Darkloid said to the other three. "We mustn't get too excited. There are now new guardians in Hinamizawa. Freeing Father won't be so easy." This Tiger Darkloid was known as Okkayb of the West. He was donned in black armor with white stripes. This tiger-like Darkloid possessed a staff tipped with numerous blades like a tiger's claw. He was the oldest of the four and the most skilled in hand-to-hand combat. If he was disarmed of his spear, his hands were far more dangerous. His arms and legs were wrapped in white bandages while his helmet resembled a tiger's face in a full snarl. A long ponytail with white streaks in it ran down his back. Being the eldest, he was the most mature of the four and easily kept a cool head. He was born from the right shoulder blade of the Dark Being.
"Have you gone soft in the head, Okkayb?" Uryies the Dragon Darkloid asked "Even with those abilities of theirs they are still only human!"
"It was humans that trapped us and Father in our prisons, or have you forgotten
that?" the now dubbed Okkayb reminded, making Uryies wince. "And unlike our prison, Father's entrapment is far more complex."
"Indeed. Thus, for now, we must work with this Dark Hatred Society in order to achieve our own goals," Ubneg the Turtle Darkloid said. "In the meantime, let this world know we're back. Let us announce our glorious return!"
Ukazus grinned, "I like the sound of that!"
The alarms in the NEO-NUMBERS' base rang loudly and instantly Shogo went to the surveillance monitors. "Everyone, take a look at this!" he alerted them and the NEO-NUMBERS all crowded around him and the monitors. "There in Shishibone City! We have a situation!"
On the screen panicking people could be seen fleeing in terror from something as smoke rose from several buildings. Some buildings had suddenly exploded while a few had caught fire. Cars were being tossed into the air like how tin cans flew whenever they were kicked.
"Can you get a visual of what's doing all this?" Shinichi asked.
Shogo did and he zoomed in on the four causes of the disturbance.
"Are those Demon Beasts?" Michiru asked.
"No," said Shinichi as his eyes narrowed. "Those are Darkloids and not just any Darkloids. Take a closer look at what they look like."
"A tiger, a dragon, a bird and a turtle," Chiaki recognized as he looked at the Darkloid's helmets. "No way…those are…"
"The Darkloid Generals," Hana finished.
"NEO-NUMBERS, move out!" Shinichi ordered.
"Brother Okkayb, why are we even doing this? Let's go to that accursed village and kill everyone there!" Ukazus complained.
"Patience, little brother," said Okkayb calmly. "There is a reason for this."
"Indeed," agreed Ubneg. "Before we can kill the descendants of the people who imprisoned us and wipe that village off the face of the Earth, we need to get rid of their chosen guardians."
Priest Venom, after reviving them, had explained that Hinamizawa had seven guardians. They were warriors with incredible power and not to be underestimated.
"And aren't you having fun scaring these humans?" Uyries asked.
Ukazus shrugged but then his sharp ears picked up a strange sound. "What's that?"
"They are coming," said Okkayb as he stared straight ahead. Riding on mechanical horses, known as motorcycles in this era, were the seven guardians that they'd been told about. The NEO-NUMBERS machines came to a sudden stop before them before the seven Riders dismounted, removing their helmets.
"Children?" Uyries scoffed. "Our opponents are children?"
Shinichi ordered, "Minna! Ikuzo! Guardian Henshin!"
"Venom Henshin!"
"Slayer Henshin!"
"Mirage Henshin!"
"Rock-Metal Henshin!"
"Blitz Henshin!"
"Fighter Henshin!"
The seven teenagers were surrounded by energy before they appeared donned in their respective suits of armor. The Darkloid Generals were slightly surprised, though it was hard to tell when their faces were hidden behind their helmets.
"Children they may be, but they are quite surprising," said Okkayb.
Dark clouds started to roll by, covering the sky in darkness that shaded the entire city. Rain started to fall in small drips before the sudden lightning strikes signaled the rain to fall down heavily.
That was also the signal for the NEO-NUMBERS Kamen Riders to begin their battle with the Four Darkloid Generals.
Topper addressed the Observers who were present as he declared, "Let the games begin! Darkloid Generals VS the NEO-NUMBERS! Place your bets, people! Place your bets!"
"KIN NO HIGURASHI ZAN!" Showa called as he unleashed his attack. The flying blade of golden energy shattered to pieces as it collided with Okkayb's claw-tipped staff.
"You may have the weapons, but you know nothing of their true power," said Okkayb.
"I'll show you power!" declared Showa."Let's Ride: V3! Let's Ride: Amazon!" Showa summoned the two Riders to attack Okkayb. He just snorted as he gripped his weapon and slashed at the two, destroying them, but that gave Showa an opening to do a jump and slash down. Okkayb blocked with his staff and sparks flew from the impact. Okkayb then pushed Showa backwards before thrusting his weapon into Showa's chest, sending him staggering.
"You are but a child," said Okkayb in disgust.
"CHO DAI-SHURIKEN!" Showa called as he tossed the giant shuriken at Okkayb, only for the Tiger Darkloid General to swat it away. With a roar, Okkayb jumped and swung down, forcing Showa to block with the Higurashi no Yaiba. The impact was so powerful that a crater formed under Showa's feet as cracks appeared around him.
The Cho Dai-Shuriken returned but Okkayb saw it coming a mile away before leaping up. It hit Showa, knocking him onto his back.
Showa groaned and then rolled away before he got skewered by Okkayb's weapon. He swiped his sword at the staff, cutting it in half and rendering it useless.
"Give up," Showa said in a commanding voice. "You've been disarmed."
"Do you honestly think I'm harmless now?" Okkayb said with a dark chuckle. He ducked as Showa swiped his sword at the Tiger Darkloid General. He then performed a downward slash but Okkayb sidestepped, tripping Showa and quickly spun, hitting the Rider with a roundhouse to his back.
"Umph!" Showa grunted, stumbling and releasing his grip on the Higurashi no Yaiba. Okkayb then punched him twice in the head before using a roundhouse kick that knocked him down.
"Pathetic," said Okkayb as he picked Showa up by the horn of his helmet. He then smashed his palm into Showa's chest, sending him flying.
"I thought turtles were slow," Armadillo said, trying to blast Ubneg but failing. Carmen got in close, slashing in all directions. However, Ubneg's quick reflexes let him move out of the way before Carmen could hit him.
Ubneg then delivered some rather brutal punches, making Carmen screech in pain. His hand was caught by some webbing from Arachnea, but he just whirled around, generating a ball of dark energy before firing it at her. Arachnea screamed as she was hurled backwards by the blast and into a window.
"Hana-chan!" Michiru cried but she received a brutal punch in the gut that sent her crashing against a car.
"Take this!" Armadillo began firing at Ubneg but the Turtle Darkloid General didn't even flinch. He just shrug the shots off as he rammed straight into Armadillo, sending the cannon-toting Rider tumbling.
"Death from above!" Ukazus screeched, attacking Slasher after jumping down. Slasher gripped his Onigari no Ryuou in his hand and thrust forward but Ukazus did a mid-air roll to avoid it. The tufts of feathers rising from his shoulders glowed before shooting out and hitting Slasher, making him wince. The glowing feathers were as sharp as daggers. He rushed forward, raising his talons to cut Slasher's throat open but Slasher managed to block the attack with his sword. He then pushed Ukazus back and swung, but the Bird Darkloid General avoided the attack. "Is that all? Come on! Hit me! Hit me!" mocked Ukazus.
Slasher growled and then spat his glue at Ukazus' face. Ukazus' eyes ended up becoming covered in glue. He screeched as he tried to pull it off. Slasher closed in and jabbed his Onigari no Ryuou straight into Ukazus' chest. Sparks erupted and the Darkloid General shrieked from the hit.
Ukazus burns the glue away and then unleashed another attack. He summoned a huge fireball and hurled it at Slasher. It exploded and Slasher was sent flying. Now vulnerable, Ukazus attacked with his feathers, piercing Slasher painfully with the dagger-like feathers. He then jumped and grabbed Slasher by the head before nose-diving and smashing Slasher into the ground hard enough to leave a crater.
Uryies twirled his naginata, stopping all of Zero's blasts from hitting him. He howled in pain as Musician used his Cricket Axe to slash at Uryies, creating a large gash slash in his throat
"Have you heard this song yet?" Musician asked as he strummed the strings, sending a shockwave that sent Uryies skidding backwards. This allowed Zero to aim and fire several laser blasts at the Dragon Darkloid General.
"DAMN YOU!" Uryies roared, extending his whiskers to entrap both Musician and Zero. He then bashed them together before throwing the away. Zero got back to his feet and aimed his drill before firing a spiraling burst of energy that collided with Uryies' armor, sending him staggering back. However, the Dragon Darkloid countered by pushing the energy back and it crashed into Zero with explosive force. Musician rushed and slashed at Uyries but the enemy Darkloid struck Musician hard in the chest with the naginata, sending him flying backwards.
The Darkloid Generals were unlike the Darkloids they'd beaten before. They were powerful. No wonder they were dubbed the most powerful. They'd earned that name.
"Are you okay?" Showa asked as he and the others regrouped with their armor showing various signs of damage.
"We've had better," said Musician grumpily.
"We're barely making a dent in these guys," said Armadillo.
"We can't just give up!" said Carmen.
The four Darkloid Generals also regrouped, facing the Rider.
"While it was fun, it's time we ended this," Ubneg said as he and his siblings gathered together with their hands stretched out in front of them, the dark aura radiating from them.
"Not good…" Showa uttered with eyes wide.
"DARK OBLIVION!" all four Darkloid Generals called out as a beam of dark energy shot out of all hands, meeting together to form one massive blast. Musician and Showa barely dodged the blasts. The others were not as lucky.
"NO!" Showa said seeing the others scream as they were hit and engulfed by the dark blast. When the blast ceased their armor was completely scorched black before they collapsed.
"Oi, are you okay?" Showa said, rushing forward before getting down. He picked Zero up. "Shogo!"
"Oi! You idiot!" Musician snapped at Armadillo who was lying on the ground. "Get up!"
Okkayb stood over them, rain dripping down his mane and armor. "Let's go."
"Won't they cause trouble for us?" Ubneg asked, gesturing to the NEO-NUMBERS.
"No, their will has already been broken. We're done here," Okkayb said.
The rain intensified, and hammered down on both Musician and Showa who checked on their teammates only to see them starting to fade away into nothing. Thunder crashed and lightning lanced across the sky.
"Shinichi, continue the fight," said Zero before he vanished before Showa's eyes.
"Shogo!" Shinichi shouted.
"Hana-chan…" Carmen reached out to Arachnea who also reached for her hand. Their hands were clasped tightly together as they began to fade together.
"Goodbye, Hanyuu-chan…" Slasher uttered weakly as he too began to disappear.
"Hana! Michiru! Chiaki!" Showa began to panic as he watched them becoming transparent before vanishing bit by bit.
"Heh," Armadillo let out a small laugh as he felt his entire being vanishing. "Looks like this is it. Tell Asmo-chan I…love…"
"No…" Musician uttered in disbelief as Armadillo and the others just vanished.
They had just vanished into thin air.
They were gone.
"Chiaki…Hana…Yokoshima…Michiru…Shogo …No…" Showa screamed, "Nooooooooooooooooo!"
Lambdadelta laughed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! What an ending!"
This earned her a cold, hard glare from the Balance Guardian. He so wanted to shut the blonde Witch of Certainty.
Bernkastel was the most sympathetic. After all, Shinichi was Rika's friend. She frowned sadly as she watched Shinichi scream in torment.
"The game isn't over yet, I'm afraid," said Topper.
"Huh?" Lambdelta suddenly stopped laughing. "But they lost, and five out of seven of them are dead!"
"The game isn't over," said Topper. "One of us hasn't played his turn yet. Am I right, Balance Guardian?"
BG-Warren wore an unreadable expression. He had a plan. He knew what to use his turn for. All he would need was the right time to use it.
Kamen Rider Chrome: Nearly the whole team was wiped out, and only Shinichi and Daichi survived. How will this affect him? BTW, I'd like to thank Ten-Faced Paladin for designing the Darkloid Generals.