We do not own Koihime Musou or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective creators. We just thought this idea would be fun and decided to give it a try. If you like it, then that's great. If you don't, then we tried. Anyway, come along and let's see what you think.
KRC: I do listen and acknowledge the criticism I've received, I just insist on writing the story my way. Good or bad, it's still my story and I want to share it. I don't mean to sound rude, but I'm not just doing this for my readers, but for me as well, and while the story has gotten 'grimdark', I just wanted to show things getting worse before getting better. It seems hopeless now, but that's just how it is, so get used to it.
Inside an odd shop, a tea kettle whistled, indicating that it was done boiling. Its owner walked up to it and turned off the stove. As the steam began to fade, the kettle's owner lifted it up and poured hot tea into his cup. As he made his tea, the owner turned to face the audience and with a cheery smile.
"Hello and greetings, my gracious viewers. For those who are new, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Topper Liquer." Topper took a sip of his tea and continued to explain, "You may not be aware of this but right now, in your neighborhood, there might be a hero among you. Comic books have already shown us that even the most normal-seeming people could be hiding something extraordinary about them. He might have the ability to run faster than a speeding bullet or might have skin made of steel. He could even be powerful enough to stop a moving locomotive or even leap over a skyscraper in a single bound without suffering from a wedgie. He could even prowl the night as a dark knight, protecting us from the shadows. But we're not talking about those heroes, oh no. Today, we'll be talking about the Armored War Gods of the Three Kingdoms."
A dimensional veil appeared behind him, showing various images of the Armored War Gods' exploits like a movie screen.
"The Armored War Gods were just normal people who became powerful due to their multitude of weapons and their boundless compassion towards life." Topper placed his teacup down on a table before he sat himself down on his comfortable armchair. "However, what really makes a hero? What drives them? When is a hero born?"
Topper gazed at a birdcage sitting on the table beside him which contained a little red bird. He opened the cage door and reached inside to pet the bird. The little red bird chirped happily from the gentle attention.
A book magically appeared in Topper's lap. It had a red leather cover with the image of a phoenix on it. He opened the book and addressed his audience again.
"Every hero has an origin story and our young Crimson Enforce Mitsuki Akechi is no exception."
His pet bird continued to chirp as its eyes glowed red before its entire body suddenly burst into flames.
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Co-Written By: Kamen Rider Chrome & Ten-Faced Paladin
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92
Baron-Hen Prelude Part 1: Extinguished Flame
Two young children, a boy & a girl, walked up the hill carrying a shoebox. There were air holes punches in the lid, implying there was something alive inside.
Having reached the peak, the girl was given the honor of opening the box. A kaleidoscope of butterflies flew out from the box, their wings were a beautiful myriad of colors as they fluttered in the air.
Mitsuki Akechi watched as his little sister slept peacefully in her bed. He had come to visit her at the hospital and did not dare to wake her up. Instead, he gently held her hand.
"Get better, L'il Loli. Home's not quite right without you."
Karin Akechi was suffering from a terrible illness so she needed the best medical treatment her family could afford to get better. It was pretty expensive, but money was no object when it came to her well-being.
Mitsuki felt his sister squeeze his hand and looked to see that she had woken up. Her blue eyes opened and met his brown eyes.
"Ani-chan..." She started to get up but Mitsuki put his hand gently on the shoulder to keep her down.
"Don't get up, Loli. You need to take it easy," he urged her.
"Ani-chan, when did you get here?" Karin asked.
"Not very long," he lied. He'd actually been sitting beside her for over an hour. "I brought something." He held up a familiar musical instrument, which made her eyes lit up.
"Your guitar?"
Mitsuki gave her a cocky smile.
"I just wrote a new song."
Karin returned with a teasing smile.
"For a girl?"
"Yeah, you."
The two of them laughed at the answer and their laughter seemed to brighten the usual sterile and dreary room. Karin was allowed to have a few things from home, like a framed picture of her family to keep her company and a vase full of flowers. She often got get-well cards from her classmates too, hoping she made a speedy recovery.
"So, how about it? I play and you sing?" Mitsuki requested.
Karin did her vocal exercises to warm up her voice.
"La, la, la. Mi, mi, mi. Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do~!"
She suddenly coughed.
"Hey, relax," he said as he gently rubbed her back.
"Water," Karin requested and Mitsuki poured her a glass for her to sip.
"Just take it easy."
"Sorry," she apologized as she put the glass down on her bedside table. Damn her weak throat.
"I'll play it for you, OK? You just sit back, enjoy and join in when you can."
Mitsuki then started to play on his guitar for his little sister. She closed her eyes as she listened and enjoyed it. It was so beautiful and soothing. She soon started to hum along.
When the song was over, she applauded.
"That's your best yet, Ani-chan," Karin smiled at her brother.
"Thanks, Karin," Mitsuki smiled. "You're not so bad either. You should consider a career as an idol."
Karin blushed, knowing her brother was just teasing her. Her, an idol. Yeah, she might be good but she was not good enough to become an idol.
Although, if her brother thought she was good enough, maybe she should try out and join an audition once she was better and out of the hospital.
"So, how's Dad been?" Karin asked. "Is he working late again?"
"Well, you know how he is," Mitsuki forced a smile. "He's gotta work hard to feed us."
"Ani-chan, I'm not dumb, you know," Karin glared. "My medical bills aren't getting any cheaper. If dad can't afford to pay, then I could just stay at home."
"Dad thinks that you should stay here. The hospital has everything you need. That way, you'll be taken care of and you'll get better faster," Mitsuki argued.
"He doesn't want to see me, does he?" Karin asked, feeling guilty. Her dad was working so hard because she was sick. If only she was not so weak. She hugged herself, looking away as tears brimmed in her eyes. She hated being stuck in this hospital. It made her feel lonely. She missed her home, she missed going to school with her friends, but most of all she missed being with her family. Mitsuki may visit frequently with their father visiting her occasionally when his job did not get in the way, but it still was not the same.
"No, that's not true," Mitsuki denied. "Don't ever say that. Dad loves you. He's just been really busy working hard so he can pay for your treatment."
"Well, if you say so," Karin smiled. She knew how much her dad loved them. He would not be working so hard if she was not worth it. But she'd like to see him more often.
Mitsuki heard a knock on the door and it opened before a nurse entered.
"Sir, visiting hours will be over soon. You should go home," the nurse advised.
"I understand," Mitsuki answered. He hated having his visits cut short, but rules were rules.
"If there's anything you need, please give us a call," the nurse said before leaving the brother-sister pair alone.
Karin looked at the time and could see, as the nurse had said, that visiting hours were almost over.
"It's getting late, Ani-chan. You should go."
"Right," Mitsuki agreed. "But maybe I can sleepover next time and keep you company."
"I'd like that. Bye, Ani-chan."
"Bye, Karin. Just get some rest, OK? I'll see you again."
"Same time as usual?"
"Yes, same time as usual."
Mitsuki stepped out of the hospital room, carrying his guitar, and closed the door behind him. He considered getting Karin something nice for his next visit. Maybe a slice of cake from her favorite bakery. She was probably sick of hospital food by now.
His phone rang as he got a phone call. On the screen, he saw the caller ID. It was his dad.
"Hey, old man," Mitsuki answered.
"How's your sister?"
"Yeah, I just saw Karin. She's hanging in there."
"...Mitsuki, something happened at work."
"Dad, what's wrong?" Mitsuki grew worried. From his dad's tone, he knew it was going to be bad news.
"I didn't get the promotion. I'm sorry, son."
"Dammit, Dad. What happened?"
"Office politics, that's what happened. But don't worry. All I gotta do now is to take more overtime."
Mitsuki did not want that. He had long noticed how long 'overtime' was for his father and what it was doing to him. He would come home late, exhausted. It was not good for him. Sometimes, Mitsuki found him passed out and had to drag him to bed.
"No, Dad. You're practically working yourself to death. Karin's worried about you." Mitsuki was worried too, but he left it unsaid.
"I gotta do this for Karin, Mitsuki. She needs to get better."
"No, we're doing this for Karin. I took that part-time job so I could help pay for Karin's medical expenses too. What she needs right now is to see you. It's been weeks since you last came to visit."
"OK, OK. I'll come visit again as soon as I can. I promise," Mitsuki's dad swore.
"You better. Don't make promises you can't keep, old man. Otherwise, I'm gonna kick your ass and drag you over here myself," Mitsuki threatened.
"Seriously, talking to your dad like that?"
"Hey, if my dad is being a dumbass I'll talk to him any way I want."
"Geez, kid. You really do take after your mother. Fine, I'll be there. Knowing you, you'll do it."
Mitsuki and Karin's dad came to visit the next day, as promised. He did look a bit exhausted. He had to pull an all-nighter the day before. Thankfully, it was the weekend, so he got some shut-eye before going to see his daughter.
A week later, Mitsuki's dad returned home from work with a look that said he had gotten some more bad news.
When Mitsuki saw him, he looked depressed but he said nothing.
When Mitsuki was making dinner, he still said nothing.
It was when they sat down for dinner in their small apartment when his dad decided to break the news.
"OK, spill," Mitsuki demanded. He wanted to know what was making his dad look so depressed.
"I lost my job," Mitsuki and Karin's dad, Issei Akechi, confessed while having dinner with his son.
Mitsuki gaped at his father.
"What!? How!? What happened!?"
How could his father have lost his job? He was a hard worker and he did overtime too. He worked late and even did all-nighters. Why would the company just sack him like that?
"The company decided to lay off some people. I just happened to be one of those unlucky bastards," said Issei with a sad sigh.
"But what about Karin's medical expenses!?" Mitsuki questioned . Issei was paying for the bulk of it while Mitsuki gave up his weekly paycheck to help pay the bills as well.
Issei sighed. He knew this would come up once Mitsuki learned he had lost his job. He wore a stupid grin as he tried to be optimistic.
"Look it's not so bad, we still got some money saved up and money from your mom's life insurance," Issei answered. "In the meantime, I just gotta find a new job."
"It's not easy to find a job these days," Mitsuki reminded his father. Issei might have years of working experience, but some people are looking for younger people to fill in certain positions.
"Believe me, I know. It's the damn economy's fault," Issei accepted. He was not stupid. He knew how unfair life was. "Maybe I should call your mom's family and ask them for a loan."
"Dad, they didn't even bother to show up to mom's funeral. Do you think they'll start caring about Karin or us now if you suddenly give them a call?" Mitsuki shot back.
"Well, I'm gonna try anyway!" Issei was willing to do anything for his baby girl. He looked at a framed picture of his wife. When setting up dinner, they always put his wife's picture with them at the table. Made it feel like she was there with them. "I got to do this. I swore to your mom I'd take care of Karin."
"Mom..." Mitsuki gazed at his late mother's picture. She had died while giving birth to Karin. He had been young when it happened so it took time for him to understand why his mother never came home. He did not blame Karin or resent her for it, though.
"Don't worry. I'll call some of my old pals. Maybe they got something I can do," Issei said with a wide optimistic grin.
While Mitsuki did not show much respect for his dad, he did respect his father's strength and foolish optimism. He was someone who did not know how to give up, even when things got bad. He got depressed after his wife died, but he managed to get back up and be strong for his kids. Now he was trying to be strong for them again.
The phone rang and Issei answered it.
"Hello?"
It was an urgent phone call from the hospital.
Mitsuki and Issei arrived at the hospital, asking about Karin. They were not told any details on the phone, only that they needed to come straight away.
"How's Karin?"
"What happened to my daughter?"
"I'm sorry to tell you both, but..." the doctor spoke regretfully. "But she's only gotten worse."
Mitsuki angrily grabbed the doctor by his coat and shook him.
"WHADDYA MEAN SHE JUST GOT WORSE!?" Mitsuki furiously demanded.
"Mitsuki! Please calm down!" Issei begged his son. Reluctantly, Mitsuki released the doctor. "Doctor, please explain."
"Your daughter has taken a turn for the worse, I'm afraid. She'll need to stay here for further treatment," the doctor told them.
"How much will it cost?" Issei asked, wanting to know the numbers. The doctor gave them the numbers and their eyes widened. That was just too much, especially when Issei no longer had a job, but Karin needed to stay in the hospital to get better. Somehow, they needed to get the money to pay for her medical expenses.
Mitsuki punched the wall. He hated feeling so helpless and powerless. He wanted to help his sister get better, but he was no doctor or miracle worker. He had no way of helping her.
He had no idea what to do.
The following weeks were hard on both father and son. Mitsuki worked more hours at his part-time job and Issei worked odd jobs to make a meager living to help pay for Karin's medical bills.
Karin got worse and worse every time they went to visit her. She was slowly wasting away. She became pale as she lost weight while her blonde hair lost its golden luster. Still, she smiled whenever they came to visit her.
Mitsuki and Issei tried to be supportive as they held onto their hopes and prayed for a miracle.
Then, one day, they received a call from the hospital. It was a call they've been dreading ever since Karin was first admitted.
There were no such things as miracles.
Karin didn't make it. She had passed away in her sleep one night. One of the nurses found her like that during her usual rounds.
Mitsuki had screamed at the doctors in outrage.
Why hadn't they done anything!?
Why hadn't they saved her!?
Why had they let her die!?
Issei was just speechless. He could not keep his promise to his late wife Raveru. He swore he would take care of their daughter, only to fail her in the end.
Could he really call himself a man?
Mitsuki had to drag his dad home. He was not going to make the trip on his own.
They both needed to grieve.
It rained heavily. The grey clouds gathered in the sky as a heavy shower drenched the city.
Dressed in black suits while holding umbrellas, Mitsuki and Issei stood before the grave together. It was just the two of them. Nobody from Raveru's side of the family even bothered to show up.
Issei had tried to call them for financial help, but they had refused. They had told the Akechis that they were on their own.
Mitsuki's sorrow mixed with anger as he tightened his grip on his umbrella and clenched his teeth.
"Damn them," he cursed. Oh, he hated his mother's side of the family. They were a bunch of rich elitist snobs who cared little for the ones they deemed as 'commoners'. To them, Issei and Mitsuki were not part of their family and they had long since disowned Raveru for what they claimed to be a terrible error in judgment. They just could not see that Raveru had been happier with Issei than she ever was with her family. Sure, they struggled as a middle-class family, but at least they had been happy.
Karin's grave was placed next to Raveru's. It was only right for mother and daughter to be together even in death.
Mitsuki looked at both graves somberly. This just wasn't fair. He had lost his mother at a young age and barely had enough time with her. Then his sister was taken from him. She had her whole life ahead of her. She should've been allowed to grow up and make something of herself, but her life ended while she was so young.
Issei put a hand on his son's shoulder, in an attempt to comfort him.
"At least she's not suffering anymore," Issei told his son.
"I wish she was alive and with us right now," Mitsuki countered.
In his anger, Mitsuki smashed his guitar to pieces. He remembered when he first got it after saving money for it. It had been a second-hand instrument but still in good condition.
He remembered why he got it too. Ever since Karin showed a talent for singing, Mitsuki wanted to back her up and encourage her. So, he got the guitar. She would sing and he would play. It had been fun. Every time he came to visit her, they would jam together and she would smile.
He could not stand the idea of never seeing Karin smile again. It filled him with sorrow and anger.
He wished he could have done more for her.
He wished he could have had more time with her.
How was this fair?
How could someone as sweet as Karin die like that?
Why did it have to be her?
Damn the doctors for not being able to save her!
Damn his mother's family for not helping her!
Damn the hospital for taking away their money!
Damn the disease for taking his sister from him!
DAMN THE WHOLE FUCKING UNFAIR WORLD!
The dream was broken, much like his guitar.
But Karin was now gone, so what was the point of pursuing such a pointless dream?
And he would be right there beside her.
She should have become an idol and everyone would know who she was.
She should have gotten out of the hospital and then they would become famous.
She should have gotten better.
She deserved better.
The following weeks were hard as both Akechi men tried to move on.
"Dad, I'm back," Mitsuki called as he returned to the apartment. He found his dad, passed out drunk on the floor, with empty beer cans and bottles lying around him. "Dammit, old man..."
After Karin's death, Issei was hit hard by depression and became an alcoholic. Only beer could soothe his troubled soul. He did not turn abusive toward his son, fortunately, but he was a shadow of his former self. He just gave up and felt dead inside.
Mitsuki dragged his dad back into his bedroom. He stopped when he passed Karin's door and sighed. He hoped that his sister would open the door one day and greet him. But now it served to be a reminder that she was no longer around.
Mitsuki tossed his dad onto his bed and pulled the blanket over him before he went back to clean up the living room. He put away the empty beer bottles and cans before he dumped them by the curb.
Mitsuki scowled. His dad would not be in any condition to find work while he's like this, so it was up to Mitsuki to handle everything until his old man got back on his feet. It would take some time, but Mitsuki was sure his dad would get better. He did after his mom died, and he would get better even though Karin was gone as well.
Seeing his old man like this, Mitsuki resolved not to end up the same way.
Issei opened the fridge and looked strangely at its contents.
"Hey, Mitsuki! Where's all the beer?" Issei called to his son.
Mitsuki stepped out of his room, getting ready to leave for his part-time job.
"I threw it out, Dad," Mitsuki answered.
"WHAT!?" Issei yelled in shock and outrage. "How could you!?"
"It's no good for you so I'm cutting you off," Mitsuki reasoned.
"Then I'll just go and get some more," Issei grumbled as he went to the door, only for his son to block his way. "Get out of the way, Mitsuki."
"No, I'm won't. There's no way I'm letting you go and get yourself drunk again," Mitsuki countered.
"I'm your father, boy!" Issei snapped angrily. "Now move out of the way!" He tried to shove his son aside, but Mitsuki grabbed his arm. "Hey, lemme go!"
Mitsuki just looked disappointed. His dad had a problem but he just did not realize it. Mitsuki did not intervene when his father drank in grief, but it had gone on long enough. It was time to get over it and move on.
This might be his dad, but he barely recognized him when he was drunk. He was like a whole different person, a sad and depressed person.
Mitsuki released his father's arm and looked him in the eye. Issei recoiled at the fierce look in his son's eyes.
"Get off your ass and get a job, Dad. Mom and Karin would be disappointed in you."
"They're dead!"
"Yeah, and right now, all the way in Heaven, they're watching over us and they don't like what they're seeing. I don't like what I'm seeing." Issei sputtered speechlessly as Mitsuki went to the door. "Get yourself cleaned up and find a real job, Dad. I made you coffee. You're going to need it."
Mitsuki left his dad alone, hoping he would heed his words. He did not want to see his dad depressed, pathetic and drunk again.
Unfortunately, Issei would never have the chance to get better.
"Mitsuki, I need you to deliver some flowers!" Zeroni ordered. She was a young pink-haired florist who ran a flower shop where Mitsuki worked part-time. She had hired him since the day his sister was first sent to the hospital. She wore a red dress with a white apron. Her piercing green eyes, while intimidating when angry, could be warm and gentle when her mood was light.
"I'll be right over! Just taking out the trash, Zeroni-san!" Mitsuki replied loudly from the back.
"Well, hurry up, alright?"
Mitsuki had been working for Zeroni in her flower shop for quite some time. The owner, Zeroni, was an OK boss even if she could be pretty demanding. Mitsuki did wonder about the horned headband she wore on her head, which was an odd fashion choice for a woman her age, but really it was her choice. It wasn't like he had a right to question her taste in head decorations. He wasn't the fashion police.
She also had an odd name, but he was not one to judge. He did not pry into her past as to how she got her name. He just assumed it was foreign.
Mitsuki's job was to deliver orders to customers who ordered them by phone. The pay was good and the hours were fair. Zeroni kept him pretty busy but he was not about to complain. It was honest work.
By the end of the day, Zeroni sat slumped at the counter, completely exhausted after a busy day. She had worked all day to make flower arrangements for a wedding. Though exhausted, she was satisfied as she was able to finish it all in time. She recalled her own wedding as she gazed at her ring.
Mitsuki was done for the day as well as he took off his apron and folded it up.
"I'll be going home now," said Mitsuki.
"Alright," Zeroni said as she handed him his check which was his weekly salary. "Oh, and here's the bouquet you asked for. I know your mom and sister will love them."
"Thanks." Mitsuki accepted the bouquet of lilies. "See you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you later."
Mitsuki did not head straight back home. He stopped at the cemetery to visit his mom and sister's graves. He put the bouquet down and knelt before the headstones.
"Wish you both were here. Dad's a complete mess," Mitsuki said sadly. He really hoped his dad could get better, but he knew it was going to take time. Losing his wife had been quite the blow for him, but Issei was able to stay strong for his and Karin's sake. But losing his only daughter had been another hard blow, and after losing his job, it looked like Issei was falling apart. Mitsuki hoped his dad would get better real soon.
After spending some time at the cemetery to be alone with his mom and sister, Mitsuki went home. As he arrived home, he found a crowd gathered in front of his and his dad's apartment building. He also saw the police and an ambulance. He wondered what was going on and pushed his way through the crowd to see.
There had been a traffic accident. A body was lying on the road with a sheet covering it. Nearby, the police were interviewing the driver. One of the officers, a blonde, spotted Mitsuki in the crowd and approached him.
"Excuse me, but are you Mitsuki Akechi?" the female officer asked.
"Yes, that's me," Mitsuki answered, a cold feeling developing inside his gut. "What is it?"
The officer put her hand on Mitsuki's shoulder as a gesture of comfort and sympathy.
"I'm so sorry."
Mitsuki's eyes widened as he ran toward the body, ignoring the yells by the police to stay behind the line. He pulled the sheet covering it away and gasped.
"No...No...DAAAAAAAAAD!"
"And in typical superhero origin fashion, our young protagonist lost his entire family," Topper Liquer told his audience. "But what happens next? How did he cope with such a loss?" He flipped the page of the book as the images in the dimensional veil behind him changed once more to show another series of scenes. "There are many stages of grief, one of which is anger, and it is this stage which he has found himself stuck in. He resented the world for taking his family from him, hating fate for how unfair it was to him and his family. But very soon, destiny would call upon him."
KRC: And this is PART ONE of the Baron-Hen Prelude for the next arc which will focus on Mitsuki. We look at a more detailed telling of his past which includes how he lost his sister and father. This makes him a bitter and angry young man, but maybe it won't always be that bad. Things will get better, but only when he lets them.
GKoh: Heroes aren't born, they are forged. This is where Mitsuki's journey began. Anyway, I'm glad I got my mojo back and that means I'm ready to do the Hunt of the Armored War Gods story. I'm sure it'll be ready by October. Hope y'all ready for it and just so you know, Armored War God Gaim and the other Armored War Gods were just the beginning.
