Chapter 29

"It's hard to imagine Dais letting this simply blow over." Kayura stated, shaking her head.

Kima clenched her fists as she turned to stare out the window. "He'll come. When he does, I'm going to murder him."

"Don't waste your time." Shuten told her. "He'll come after Claudia and probably Kenpachi. His focus will be on them."

"That might be true," Kima said, "but I'm going to keep him from getting to Claudia and Kenpachi won't bother with him either. I'll kill him."

No one bothered saying anything else to the blonde, for a look of malice twisted her features. Toshiro kept his eyes on her as she stared angrily out the window. Any confrontation between her and Dais would be bad. They'd be going for the throat. Killing was their main intent.

It was Ichigo that broke the tense silence that surrounded them. "Doji-san, you mentioned other warlords. We know Dais's abilities. What about the others? Some of us haven't fought them before."

Shuten rose from his seated position before attempting to answer the question. "I think it would be in our best interest if you knew, so I will tell you. The Ronin Warriors have become used to their attacks and will know what to expect from them. The warlords will also have their 'favorites', so to speak, to go after. Sekhmet is the warlord of Venom. His attribute is filial piety. He has two swords that drip poison. The effects increase the more the victim is cut. He uses an attack to confuse his opponent, much like a snake. The Snake Fang Strike is a visual trick akin to sleight of hand. It appears as if he has six arms and six blades when only two of them are real. Sekhmet will go after Cye most likely."

"Six arms; two of them are real. Gotcha." Ichigo commented. "Anything else?"

"Sekhmet's powers are not limited to cuts. He can poison water and the wildlife and nature around him. His poison is especially strong when he is angry."

Uryu adjusted his glasses as he focused on the Ancient. "What about the other one?"

"Cale the warlord of Darkness. His attribute is obedience. His abilities are just as his name says. Cale can bend the darkness to his will. By blocking out all form of light, there is no way for his opponent to see what's going on. Also, as in the instance with Hardrock, he could use his sword when it was separated from him. By plunging it into the rock where Kento slept, the sword would push deeper, only stopping when it found his heart. Had Sage and Mia not found him in time, Kento would've been killed."

"So Cale can manipulate darkness. Is that all we have to worry about from him?" Inoue asked.

Shuten shook his head. "As Sage could also tell you, Cale can manipulate the darkness of the heart as well. When he and Mia were rescuing Kento, the animals of the forests nearby attacked them. Normally docile creatures were turned into monsters. If Cale has that power over animals, he also has that power of humans as well. This Black Lightning Strike is not to be taken lightly. It is mostly easily outdone with the Halo's Lightning Strike. Sage will be his main target."

"So there is the possibility that Cale could attempt to turn us against one another?" Uryu asked, his expression severe.

"There is always that chance. Dais holds that power as well. Ask the Ronins about the illusion he created for them while they were awake. They were made to believe that whoever they saw was Dais himself. They fought one another, believing that they were fighting the warlord of Illusion. They figured out his illusion too late."

"We were young then." Kima said, the tone of her voice sounding angry even if it was kept level. "We were blind to his tricks and it was perhaps the first or second time we'd fought Dais as a team. He had his favorites to go after. Kento was one. I was the other one. I'm tired of his stupid games. This time, I will crush him like the spider he is. I will show him no mercy."

Shuten focused on this sudden swell in anger and spiritual pressure coming from the blonde. If he didn't know any better, he'd say this was the work of Cale. If that were the case, then all three of them were close. That meant that an attack was certain. He wouldn't say anything yet. Perhaps in the next few minutes when everyone was a bit calmer, he'd inform them that they were being watched.

...

Growling angrily, Dais clenched his fists tightly, digging his fingernails into the palm of his hand. How were they able to destroy his web? He thought his deception had been perfectly woven. How had they figured him out? Kayura wouldn't have been that knowledgeable about his techniques even though they had worked closely together for a while. Perhaps one of the shinigami knew something? No, that wasn't even a possibility. They were fools.

Cale approached him, a grin on his face as he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Things didn't go quite as planned, did they Dais?"

"How could you ever tell that?" the warlord of Illusion asked in return, rolling his eyes.

"Never fear," Sekhmet said from the shadows not too far off, "we shall retaliate against those fools and crush them like so many insects."

Dais smiled at this. "We will have our revenge. You are twisting a darkened heart, are you not, Cale?"

"That of the Destroyer. You should have fun with this fight."

"Yes, and the master has shielded our presence from the shinigami." Sekhmet said, a nasty grin covering his face.

An evil grin also spread across Dais's face. "We'll have fun with this fight. Spill all the blood that you can. When the sun rises, the sky will be red."

...

The night had dwindled away quickly as the occupants of the house sat up waiting for the attack that Shuten had suspected. Each of them was on edge and sleep was far from their minds. Kima had been fuming the entire time, like a shadow had passed over her. Toshiro could see the dark aura around her and suspected that Shuten could see it as well. Mia's living room was crowded as the lot of them sat around with mugs of coffee.

"Knowing those three, they'll probably wait until they think we're worn down from exhaustion." Ryo commented, taking another sip of his coffee. A pained look crossed his face as he saw Mia huddle against Shuten, but it was better that she was happy.

Sage nodded. "I already sense the spell that Cale has put on Kima. If they're going to attack, they'll do it soon."

"Then what are they doing?" Claudia growled.

"They're most likely waiting for Cale's spell to take full effect." Kima spat. "He's twisting my anger so that when a fight does break out, I won't hold back. The after effects will stay with me for a while."

"Control it, Kima. I know you're stronger than this." Cye said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

The blonde shrugged her shoulder away, glaring at him nastily. "Maybe I don't want to control it." She snapped. "Maybe I want to tear Dais apart. I won't deny that I hate him. Not anymore. I want to destroy him."

"You have to keep your head, Kima, or you'll lose it." Toshiro said, looking at her intently. "If they kill you before you complete the transfer to the Ronins, they'll never get their armors back."

Kima looked away, lowering her gaze. "I understand that. I won't die. Eventually, but not now. I still have too much to do before the final transfer. I will give Dais some wounds he won't forget."

"Then give them to me now!"

The armored figure of Dais came crashing through the window, showering glass all over the place as he moved straight to Kima. His fingers clutched her throat as she gave a startled cry. The warlord of Illusion yanked her out through the broken window, cutting her arms and legs as he did so. Throwing her to the ground, he stood over her. Once she'd recovered her bearings a bit, her face twisted in rage.

If there was a single day I could live…

A single breath I could take

I'd trade all the others away

The increase of spiritual pressure was ridiculous as Kima rose to her feet, her body rigid. Her armor was on her without even being called. Dais's expression changed to one of pleasure as her sickles materialized in her hands. He'd been wanting a fight with her. Now he was going to get it.

"You couldn't just wait, could you?" she spat.

"It was you who couldn't wait. I could feel your hate like it was some kind of animal attacking, Destroyer. You wanted this confrontation."

Kima sneered as she set her feet in position. "It wasn't just me who wanted this, Dais. You've apparently been thinking about this for a while. What was with the dreams? Were you afraid to attack head on like you just did?"

"Hardly." The warlord snorted. "I wanted to weaken you just enough so that I could have the edge. That's all."

"You're a coward. You always have been; hiding behind your web of lies. Today it's catching up to you."

The Ronins were the first to make it out the front door. The others followed close behind but it was too late by then. The fighting had already started and they knew that there was no way to stop it. The battle that took place before them was one that had been waiting to happen for years.

The blood's on the wall, so you might as well just admit it

And bleach out the stains, commit to forgetting it

You're better off empty and blank

Then left with a single pathetic trace of this

The grinding of steel against steel rang through the air as the two opponents matched one another's blow for blow. Locked in a ferocious and lethal dance, Dais and Kima were using their anger to power movements. The others were soon kept busy as Cale and Sekhmet joined in the fray. The white-haired warlord grinned as he saw the sweat dripping into his opponent's eyes. It wouldn't take long for her to wear down.

"Why don't you just give up? This would be much easier for my master if you did."

"I don't think so." Kima growled as she pushed back on his morning star with her own weapons. "I won't give you the satisfaction of winning."

"Who said anything about the winning? I want to see your body hanging from my blades. I want to see your blood spilled on the ground in front of me. I want to see you dead." Dais hissed as he pushed against her with all of his weight.

He'd spotted Claudia a few minutes earlier, but she hadn't given him a second glance. Dais gave an inner laugh as he finally pushed Kima away from him and a little further away from the group. Claudia could ignore him if she wished, but he was going to slay the woman she'd grown close to. That would serve her for breaking out of his illusion.

Dais lunged at Kima as she leapt into the air to avoid the attack. The white-haired warlord jumped to follow her, the blades of their weapons meeting once again. Neither of the two was giving an inch and from Toshiro's perspective, the fight was getting worse. They really were trying to kill each other.

Smother another failure, lay this to rest

Console yourself, you're better alone

Destroy yourself, see who gives a fuck

Absorb yourself, you're better alone

Destroy yourself

Youja had also begun to fill the yard as the other warlords attacked. The Ronins had called on their sub armors and the shinigami shed their gigais. There was mass chaos as Mia and Yulie stood behind Shuten, who seemed to have gone unnoticed. The brunette gripped the young man close to her in a protective manner as Shuten glanced back of her shoulder at her.

"They need my help, Mia."

"I understand." Was all she said.

Shuten dawned his sub armor and leapt into the fray in a matter of moments. Mia looked on as she bit her bottom lip, refusing to let the tears fall that had gathered in her eyes. This scene looked so familiar. Kima was once again fighting Dais to the death. The Ronins were fighting youja and the warlords. When did the fighting stop? Yulie looked up at her with concern.

"It'll be okay, Mia. The guys know what they're doing. It'll take more than warlords to get rid of them."

He still sounded like the little boy he had been in her ears, but she just nodded, her eyes not leaving the battle taking place in her front yard. Kima and Dais seemed to be going at it full tilt and nonstop. It was as if they were transporting around the yard they were moving so fast. What had Toshiro called it when they moved that fast? Shunpo? Where had she learned that?

Toshiro was also watching her quite carefully. Both of them seemed to be so absorbed in their battle that they didn't notice the injuries they'd acquired. There was blood dripped across the grass like paint on a large canvas. The captain disposed of his youja and stood there, awestruck by the titanic battle that was taking place. Was this the power of the hate and loathing that Kima kept locked away? Cale had brought this out? Looking at the blonde fighting the way that she was now, she was no better than a hollow. Even Kenpachi would've had a run for his money when she was in this state. Her spiritual pressure had become massive and was only growing. He winced as they moved past him quickly, a thin line of blood appearing on his cheekbone and snaking its way down. Toshiro had either been caught by someone's blade or Kima's spiritual pressure had built up so much that it was lashing out at any passing target.

I'll chain you to the truth for the truth shall set you free

I'll turn the screws of vengeance and bury you with honesty

I'll make all your dreams come to life,

Then slay them as quickly as they came

"What was it you said, Dais? 'Once you drink in the madness all else will vanish'? Is this enough madness for you?" Kima asked, knocking his helmet off with one of her sickles.

Once he'd righted himself, a nasty grin twisted his lips as he punched her in the jaw. "I think I could do with a little more before it's done. I'm the warlord of Illusion, Destroyer, I could live in a world made completely of madness. You could accomplish so much more by joining my master. You could be the warlord of Destruction and we could be the four horsemen of the apocalypse."

Kima slung her helmet off, which seemed to be inhibiting her. She kicked Dais in the stomach before answering him. "I don't think so. I've got enough to worry about without being one of your four horsemen. Believe me, this spiritual pressure thing has got me all confused."

There was no more talk as their weapons were raised once again. Everyone seemed to halt as the sound of a blade making contact with flesh froze everything. All eyes were on the two as blood began to gush, covering the armor of its bearer.

Smother another failure, lay this to rest

Console yourself, you're better alone

Destroy yourself, see who gives a fuck

Absorb yourself, you're better alone

Destroy yourself, see who gives a fuck

See who gives a fuck

See who gives a fuck

See who gives a fuck

Failure

The fighting seemed to stop momentarily as everyone seemed to become interested in who'd been wounded. Kima was gritting her teeth as the vermillion liquid covered the left side of her face. Dais's mourning star had cut across the scar tissue that crossed over her left eye. She had slumped a bit, her left eye squeezed closed as she looked at Dais.

The warlord of Illusion did not come away unscathed. A large slice ran from the outer corner of his right eyebrow, across the bridge of his nose, ending at his jaw, covering most of his face with crimson. Dais raised his arm, laughing in a crazed manner, as Kima collapsed to her knees from exhaustion. He was going to deal the final blow if it killed him. One noise and one noise alone stopped him from cleaving the blonde's head open.

"Quake with Fear!"

If there was a single day I could live…

If there was a single breath I could take

I'd trade all the others away

Dais glared down at them as he was trapped by Shuten's chains. That's when the crazed laugh rolled off his lips. It kept coming from the depths of his being like it was a natural sound for him. Claudia looked away as the other warlords had disappeared and the youja had been slain. Renji glared up at the man as he wrapped his arms around the brunette.

"I almost had you, Destroyer. If your secret weapon hadn't interfered, I'd have sent you to the Netherworld. I'd have made sure you went to hell, Kima. That's nothing less than you deserve."

The blonde gazed up at him as she had Kento's help to stand. She had one arm draped over his shoulder as he held on to her wrist while his other hand rested on her lower back to keep her balance. She spit some of the blood at him that had worked its way into her mouth. "Fuck you, Dais. Maybe I do belong in hell. I'm sure the battle will be epic once we both get there. The Dark One will have a field day with us there."

The crazed laughter started again as he looked down at her. "I almost had it this time. I almost had that left eye. When I kill you, I might just take it with me."

The laughing continued as Shuten released him and he disappeared. His laughter still echoed through the trees, giving Kima a chill. Toshiro moved to take her from Kento, but he was shrugged off quickly as Kima rolled her neck and moved toward the house. A frown graced his face as he watched her.

"You should really let Inoue help with that. You were banged up pretty badly."

Kima turned to look at him. The sight of blood all over her face made him want to shiver. "I'll take care of it the way I did before. Ointment and bandages. Healing it with spiritual power isn't going to get rid of the scar."

As if on cue, Mia released Yulie as she flashed a look of worry to Toshiro and headed in the house after the blonde. It wouldn't be as bad this time, but the first time she'd treated Kima's eye, she and three of the boys had been stuck in the Dynasty dungeons for days. The wound had been infected when she finally got to it and God knew that she was lucky she didn't lose her eye. Claudia moved quickly after the two and followed Mia upstairs as she grabbed the first aid kit.

Kima was sitting on the bed, free of her armor, as Mia began to clean the wound. She hissed as the peroxide began to foam. "You know," she started, her voice wavering in the slightest bit, "this fight tonight has made me realize one thing."

"What's that?" Claudia asked quietly.

"I realized that maybe I'm not as ready to go as I think I am." She replied, tears mixing in with the blood on her face. "There's so much still here that I don't want to lose; that I don't want to go away from."

"Your friends are here with you until the end, Kima." Mia said, her expression softening. "Your family would be too if they were informed."

Claudia cocked her head to the side, interested. "Your family?"

"Yes. My mother who lives in Sendai with my two siblings. My older brother, Tomahomei, is one of the chairmen of the bank there. He's the only one that knew about my armor and he didn't believe that I should've gotten involved with the supernatural. My younger sister, Mimari, is four years younger than me and will most likely be starting at a university soon. She wants to be a nurse." Kima explained.

"What about your father?" Claudia asked, aware that the two shinigami were out on the balcony just out of sight.

Kima's expression darkened as Mia began to stitch her wound. "My father was a tank operator in the Japanese army. He'd just been promoted when the Dynasty attacked. The army was sent into Tokyo to stop the Dynasty, but he was killed when Talpa turned their own weapons against them. They didn't stand a chance. I took the armor as a chance to avenge his death."

"Have you talked to your family lately?" Mia asked.

The blonde shook her head. "I've talked to my mother within the last six months. I haven't spoken to my brother in years. He refused to have any dealings with me." A sad smile came over her face. "I'm sure it wouldn't make any difference to him whether I died or not."

"Don't say that, Kima!" Mia exclaimed. "I'm sure your brother loves you very much. You're family probably misses you terribly. Why do you avoid them?"

"I don't want to cause them pain." Kima stated simply. "My death will hurt them and I don't wish that. It's hard enough for me to accept." She said, tears flowing once again. "I don't want to see the look on my mother's face when I tell her she's going to lose someone else important to her."

Mia finished stitching up the wound as she wiped the blood from Kima's face, pulling the younger woman into her embrace as she sobbed. "It's okay, hon. I know you're scared. It would scare any of us to know we're going to lay down our lives. You don't have to be so proud and brave all the time."

Kima couldn't even speak between sobs, so it took her a few minutes to form her next sentence. "I'm the Destroyer. I'm not supposed to be scared. My friends are too important to me to be selfish and keep my life, but I don't want to go."

"Destroyer was just a name that Shuten gave you. You don't have to live up to it. It's human to feel fear and I know you don't want to go." Mia said, pulling the blonde to her like a child. "We don't want you to go either. This will hit the guys the hardest. You've known each other forever. Cye will have a really hard time with losing you, but they'll all go on. They'll never forget you, but they'll be okay. I'll make sure of that."

"Can you guys do me a favor?" Kima asked, not raising her eyes.

"Anything." Claudia said, wiping her eyes quickly.

"Don't tell my mom I passed. She would die of a broken heart. I couldn't do that to her again. Please don't?"

"We promise." Claudia said, moving to hug the woman as well.

Toshiro watched from the balcony as Kima broke before his eyes. He knew it would happen eventually and it happened later than he thought. The white-haired man stared at her through hollow eyes of ice as he stood there, every muscle in his body slack. He would go to her later, when she was alone. If there was any time that she needed him the most, it was now. Toshiro knew now that he loved that woman more than his own life and would gladly sacrifice himself for her if he could. Touching the side of his face, there was a frozen trail on the surface of his skin. Had it been a tear?

...

End Chapter.