[Episode 18: To Hell and Back.]

A.N: So begins the Finale Arc! Thanks for stickin' around! Now, Our heroes are about to fight more than just zealots and COVERS... Atlantis holds more beasts than Hell itself, as it has yet to prove.

Fun Fact: Kazuma's kanji contains 'Triumph over' and 'Superiority' for his first name and his last name contains the kanji for 'Incense' 'Imperial Family' and 'Night.'

Final OP: Traitor's Requiem

Kazuma looks up at the stars as the logo fades in, the shot bursts apart, showing our teams of heroes, Satsuki and Kazuma. Ryuko and Nui. The Sworn Brothers and Elite Four. Then there's Ragyo, Hoomaru, and the other Nui in their respective ways, with a mysterious Pale Swordsman there too.


The day dawned with silence, aside from the heavy thumping of the Bastion's legs hitting the seafloor littered with dead ships and bodies floated around the vicinity of Atlantis. The sea was dyed red, and we all saw the stark-white monolith that could be the subject of nightmares to come. The cannons started neat up to bombard a hole in the wall where we could get in.

This dreadful soup of death spread out before us. All the carnage, all the chaos... it made me sick. The legs drilled into the turf and I tensed, Satsuki reached over and grabbed my hand, I looked up at her and her glare was intense. She never looked bothered by it. Her blue eyes that once were full of emotion were harsh ice. The cannons started to rotate.

"Alright! Once the cannons get goin' we get on in there! Alright, Satsuki. You're with Kazuma! Ira, you're with Uzu and Takarada! Kaguya, you an' me! We'll all meet in the middle, got it?" Ryuko barked. Nonon and Mako would be providing air support, as best as they could with Hoomaru being the Red Baron of Ragyo's private militant branch of REVOCS.

We all boarded the incursion DTR, with Mikisugi proudly inside it. It was a huge mecha, with dual rifles on both arms with hands holding two blades. It was big enough for all of us to fit. He sat proudly in the pilot's chair, smiling roguishly.

"Even if it covers me! I'll still keep on being a naked Nudist!" he yelled, grabbing his aviator sunglasses, "Now let's get sticky!" he roared. The mecha ripped and tore through the COVERS trying to slow us down, Valkyrie Two provided cover fire and the Warboys darted through the waves atop their naval vehicles. The Incursion DTR made a flying leap, clinging onto the side of the building and opening up to let us all loose.

We all leaped into action.


They were here. We all saw that mech clinging onto the side of the building. Hoomaru was ready to fly. My dear Nui was in position. Goro whisked out from his wardrobe, a sword in his hands, his humanoid body whispering and whistling. His pale face wreathed by a hood over his eyes. I touched his silky-smooth cheek and resisted the urge to don him.

All in due time. I was to face my older daughter and he was to face his son. I couldn't wait.


We all piled in, with Kazuma keeping an eye peeled for anything suspicious. An oppressive sterile air swept through the area. When we entered, we all split up, with each of us trying to find an entrance to the main room. I felt the darkest aura I've ever felt before. I shut my eyes, listening. I focused on an odd humming.

"Satsuki. Everything has been leading to this, I couldn't be prouder..."

I ignored him, I had to focus. I felt my horns extend. *TAM!* A heel struck the marble roughly. There she was... my darling mother. She was smiling smugly, arms crossed.

"Well... well... well... look who it is! My sweet daughter finally returned to me with her sister and that foolish boy that thinks that his justice is right..." she sighed wistfully. I looked upon her with disgust. This wasn't the mother I vaguely remembered from when I was younger, she was different until Ryuko was born, and then she took Kazuma.

All of her love and affection went to him. While I got cold indifference. I gritted my teeth. My rage bubbled up. I swore to never let my children feel unloved. At first, I thought Kazuma was an insufferable brat with no regard for personal property, he was an angry little thing. One time, I remember this clear as day, he ran. He ran screaming into the night, Kibonochi and Kouheisei in his arms.

He ran and ran, and I remember yelling to him to keep going, yet... he stopped, doubled back, and came back. I also remembered his first words to me after Ragyo punished him, "I'm not running without you,"

"This isn't about Kazuma! This is about my father!" I yelled. Ragyo smiled and just stood in place, a taunting smile on her lips. I hated that patronizing smile, I hated that overly assured, saccharine tone. I hated my mother. I hated her with every fiber of my being. Junketsu synced and I charged.

"I JUST WANTED A NORMAL LIFE! BUT NO! YOU HAD TO RUIN IT ALL! SO DIE! DIE AND RID THIS WORLD OF YOUR FILTHY PHILOSOPHY AND SCARRING HANDS!" my voice was like a rising tide of rage and pain, culminating in a slash at her, only to see her shatter.

"Ah... it looks like you're not the only one who's blinded by rage..." she sighed, summoning a monitor showing Kazuma tearfully dueling... himself? I continued my rage-filled slashes, my mind dead-set on one goal: Defeat Ragyo by any means necessary. The more the mirrors shattered, the more my anger continued to rise, and with it, my horns.

I felt something break inside me, something holding in all that rage and pent-up frustration. I smiled for the first time without being around my lover or my friends. Yet this wasn't a smile of joy, this was one of RAGE.

Ragyo smiled and she appeared in front of me, her eyes full of hatred.

"Finally, you come out of your shell... SATSUKI!" she yelled, charging at me. I readied Bakuzan. Only one of us would be alive at the end of this! I slashed, cutting Ragyo's hand off, it reattached.

[RAGYO KIRYUIN.]

[World Ender, Rapist, CEO of REVOCS. Egg Donor. Need I go on?]

We clashed, sending the mirrors around us into powder. I was full of rage, the power to resist. Ragyo was stronger, her affinity with the Life Fibers all the stronger. My humanity rose to meet it. I slashed strongly, angrily, my rage making my heart pound. My humanity was always stronger than hers. She never understood. My rage, my grief...

Both were my power. She could never understand what it was like to survive. All she ever did was take. She never gave her full self to anyone. Only to take it and ruin it. I never let up, my resolve keeping me grounded. Ragyo dodged and parried, her fists meeting my body brutally. The gap between us grew wider and wider and I was struggling, she knocked me down, Junketsu was barely holding together.

"Children never listen to their parents when they grow up, yet... when they're over their heads... THEY COME CRAWLING BACK!" she yelled, lifting me by the neck, the pressure on it increasing by the second.

"Take this as... my mercy, dear..." she cooed, almost crushing my windpipe. I shut my eyes, my blade useless.

"Hold on a moment... I wonder what Kazuma would think if I killed you in front of him? How wrathful would he get then? Ah well... his hands are full enough," Ragyo reasoned. She let me go, turning away.

"You're correct, all I do is take... but it doesn't matter, I win. You cannot fix what is not broken, right?" she asked.

I gritted my teeth, "What's your goal anyway?! Did you just have me and Ryuko to use us?! Did you take Kazuma because he was going to be useful?! He loved you! Yet love means nothing to conqueror parasites like you! You bled all of us dry! Most importantly, he and his father! Every time I look into that eye... I see a haunted man, I see a paranoid man that holds on so tightly to what he believes in..." I sighed.

I remembered the first night I gave myself to him, how tentative he was to say 'I love you'. How much he shook from how scared he was to lay it all down and love me. Ragyo poisoned him. Ragyo killed his father and mine. Two men that gave themselves for us. Every time I donned Junketsu, I felt his arms around me. My father's arms, hugging me, telling me that my path was right.

That night told me so much about my lover, how much he loved me and how tightly he held me... He held me more than Ragyo ever did. Ragyo watched me boil and seethe, yet I stayed calm on the outside, my eyes focused on her.

"My path is for all of humanity... not just those you select!" I snarled.

"When the time comes, would you die for that?" she asked.

"YES! I WOULD! I KNOW KAZUMA WOULD DO THE SAME! BECAUSE WE'RE THE SAME!" I thundered.

Ragyo smiled, yet this time... It felt like she had a moment of clarity... was I wrong? Did I see a... genuine smile out of her?


Dad was alive. After all this time... he was alive?! I mean, he looks odd. He's pale, tall. Tall, dude looks like he was put in a taffy puller. Well, not really, that's just his COAT. His golden eyes shined, he waved, his hood tilting up and revealing his face.

He smiled, "Hey there, kiddo!" he greeted, unsheathing a sword from his sleeve.

"Let's get started, okay?" he asked. I reluctantly grabbed my sword hilts, my dad's smile fell. My hands shook

"I know buddy... I know you don't wanna kill yer old man..." he sighed, "But our paths never got to cross until now... bring me your best, Kazuma!" I took off Kibonochi, I wanted to face him as a human, besides... I didn't want to reveal my trump card to Ragyo. She was watching, I could feel it.

I tied him around my waist, my tattoo proudly displayed. The cold air blew, my Gray Fiber arm's silver lining started to shine. just inside of his chest, a silver heart shined. Dad smiled, his eyes closed and breathed deep.

[SHINRA KOKETSU.]

[Goro Kaguya, your beloved Dad.]

This was my destiny. No more holding back. No more turning back. No more. If dad wants me to bring my best... THEN HE'LL GET IT! I felt my body move, bolting towards him, blades out. I had to suck it up. I slashed, sparks of power flying from them. I clashed with him, his strength was more than mine, but I could overwhelm him with my speed.

We exchanged blows, our eyes tracking the other's movements. This was not a display of power, only skill. He taught me the ways of the sword, and I then made my own way. I made it fast, science rather than an action. He feinted, nicking me on the cheek.

"C'mon, kiddo... you think you can fool me?" he chided. We clashed again, my mind swirling with memories. Memories of Dad smiling, of him, holding Nui and me and sleeping on the couch together. How we taught Nui how to walk together, and how much he loved to see me improve. My hands shook, my breath came fast, and I dropped my blades, the rain fell, drenching us and bathing me in tears.

Dad stopped, retracting his blade and holding his arms out, "Kazuma..." he sighed.

I ran into his arms, hugging him tightly, sobbing.

"Don't worry about your old man, I'm okay with this path... I'm okay..." he whispered. The rain fell faster, and he held me tight.

"I'm so proud, son, I'm so proud of the dragon you became... I was never meant to be one... I was meant to be the demon... You chased me for so long, you wanted me back so badly... that you sacrificed your arm and eye to get this far..." he sighed, his grip on me tightening.

"I don't want to say goodbye again... not to you or Nui... I want to be your father again! I want to see what beautiful stories you both leave behind... Yet I know that I can't," he sighed deeply, he pushed me off him, grabbing my shoulders.

"Don't let the flame die out with you, Kazuma... I see it. That flame. That spark in you... let it grow into a passionate inferno! Let it burn the past away! I'm so proud of you, Kazuma... so proud, I'm gonna annoy the shit outta your Mom and Soichiro about how awesome you are! They're gonna hear it non-stop! Then, when you and Nui get up there... I wanna hear all about it, the life you two led, not what we carved out," he intoned, handing me an ornate blade.

"That's the blade you need, Kouheisei was a good blade while he lasted... and his brothers Koudari and Koudashi... but they were made with Life Fibers. That beauty is Kourajin... passed down for as long as the Kaguyas and Kiryuins have existed. The two Kou blades were going to be for you and your sister, I intended Kouheisei for her and Kourajin was going to be yours," he explained, handing it over.

I unsheathed it, seeing the bright silver blade shine in the light breaking out of the clouds, seeing Dad whisk away and I sheathed it. I watched him go, knowing that he'd die with Ragyo. Knowing that no matter what I did...

I couldn't get him back.

'Welcome to the family, Kourajin...' I thought.


I punched a COVER out of the way, "Takarada! Get off your damn phone!" I thundered angrily, dieseling through them as Takarada kept on posing and making faces at his phone as we were trying to get to Lord Kazuma.

"MEN DOU KOTE!" Uzu yelled, smacking more of them out of the way.

"Aw! I wanna keep m'streak up!" Takarada whined.

"Look, man, no one is gonna give a shit if everyone's dead! SO PUT IT UP! MENDOUKOTE!" Uzu screamed. We were plowing through COVERS, trying to get to Kazuma so we can meet up. I heard the steps of our Lord come down the hall, he was holding an ornate silver blade and the COVERS dogpiled him. He slashed them out of the way, going towards where Lady Satsuki was. He said nothing.

We all held the line, waiting for him to say something. Some final words to encourage and guide us.

Yet he said nothing. All he did was look at us, smile, and leave.

"Kazuma!" I yelled.

"Kazzy!" Takarada called.

"Kaz!" Uzu barked.

He said nothing and soldiered on. He had a destiny. His eye was bright. His sword sharp. He was the perfect warrior. Born and bred to end the tyranny of Life Fibers. After this... we didn't know where he'd end up. But wherever he goes... WE'LL FOLLOW. That's what we swore and promised. To hell and back. No matter the weather.

Kazuma is the dragon we decided to swear our swords to. Kazuma and Satsuki were the dragons we decided to follow. We silently walked together, being joined by Satsuki, Nonon, and Mankanshoku.


"HARIME!" I roared, charging at the bitch who killed my dad with her base right by my side. Kaguya wasn't as bad as Harime, she was quite the fighter... Harime was backed into a corner and I rose to meet her, with Kaguya trying to get the other half of the scissors. I slashed at Harime.

"Aww! Too bad, Ryuko! You'll never get to my Mama Ragyo!" Harime chirped, a pink blur shot by me, Kaguya bowled her over, the scissor half skittering out of her hands. She started to bash her face in.

"NEVER! CALL! HER! THAT! I'M FUCKING TIRED OF HEARING THAT NAME IN MY HEAD! I'M TIRED WITH YOU! I'M TIRED! TIRED! TIRED! TIRED! TIRED! TIRED!" she screamed, beating the hell out of her. Harime tried to struggle, but Kaguya never. Let. Up. I scooped up the other half.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kaguya screamed aloud. She beat her clone to death. She gasped and huffed, covered in blood. Her little body tremored and her eyes closed. Her hair billowed outward, the other Nui's body dispersed into red fibers, becoming gray and digging into her skin.

"Ryuko... would you believe me and Harime were friends once? I made her because... because I was lonely..." Nui sighed, her hands still coated in red. I knelt beside her. I held the scissor half out to her.

"What she did wasn't your fault, okay?" I assured. Nui nodded but refused the scissor half.

"I want you to have it, Ryuko. We're almost through this... and then we'll hash it outright!" she promised. Holding out her hand.

"Hahhh... seein' as we'll prob'ly be related at this point... why the hell not?" I huffed, accepting her hand and helping her up. I bonded with my soon-to-be sister in law. Who knew that beatin' psychotic lolita would bring people together? Eh... Nui just smiled wryly and walked by my side. We joined the others, seeing them all gathered up, our fearless leaders had been silent.


We came before the ornate door, just beyond it was the future. Either we win or lose... No one will survive on either side. Hoomaru was shot down, torn apart by the vengeful Warboys. Harime was beaten to death. I clenched Kourajin's hilt.

"Everyone... I don't have long... I know we've made it this far... I just want you all to know, whatever happens to me... whatever happens to us... It's been an honor. I'm ready to die. I've been ready for a long time... I just don't know why she wants to destroy this world... whatever it did to her made her hateful and destroy people we all held dear. All of us have skin in this game... bones to pick, and lives to make! I may die... but... know that I do this because it's my destiny," I admitted.

I unsheathed my swords, Koudari and Koudashi's final fight was here! The door opened, and light spilled out a bright and scalding spectrum.

"Kazuma... easy does it... stay frosty,"

We edged in, with our weapons at the ready. I took point, Uzu and Takarada the sides, Satsuki and Ryuko the middle, Ira at our six. Everyone edged through the room, it seemed to be a bedroom slash throne room, I shuddered to think what Ragyo was doing to my dad in that bed... or maybe... It was meant for me. Bile rose in my throat, considering how hideous she made love for me. How ugly it looked and felt... my only remedy being Satsuki's love, so pure and beautiful.

"Isn't this a surprise? My family... all together? Oh, it'd bring tears to my eyes..." Ragyo's voice echoed. We didn't see her anywhere. We all readied ourselves. Ragyo stepped out, her slender arms and shoulders, legs too, and face as well glowed with red markings. I glanced at the red strings. I felt my strands start to writhe. Odo Nobunaga united Japan with the same strands I had in my body.

I parted them, and they all looked at me with disbelief. History burned in my veins. We circled each other.

"Why do you fight me, Kazuma?" she asked. I didn't respond, my hands clenching the hilt harshly. I hated it. I hated it all. I hated her. I had enough of her games. I blitzed in, Koudari and Koudashi slashing so fast and so forcefully that the strain was making them start to crack.

"JUST DIE!" I screamed, my blades shattered. I sent my fist into her gut, barely staggering her. I continued my offensive, seeing the others fighting by my side, Satsuki's blade flashed in sometimes, two red blades, maybe a white needle or a crab claw, a fist or a metal pole. I was relentless, not heeding Kibonochi's advice.

Except for one line.

"KAZUMA! SHE'S GONNA-"

"Come to me, Sweet Shinra!" she yelled, stretching her arms out, Dad whisked into her arms, and a bright light blew away the rest of the room, scalding and burning everything black. I unsheathed Kourajin.

"I will annihilate the sinners... STARTING WITH YOU, KAZUMA!" she screamed, I felt something stab me through the chest rapidly, blood shot out of the wound, coating the floor, my eye became blurry... all I heard was Satsuki scream.

"KAZUMA!" Satsuki's voice sounded so distant... yet all I saw was Ragyo in a long red and white dress, her arms spread wide with shafts of rainbow light floating above her hands. She caught me, holding me close, her hand stroking my hair. Her arms and body thrummed with power, she fused with the Primordial Life Fiber...

"Shh... be quiet, dear..." she cooed.

She... was unbeatable now... My eye started to close.

"Goodnight... dear Kazuma... when you wake up, this world will be gone, and in its place a new garden of Eden..." she sighed. Everything faded out and I knew no more.