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In the dungeon located beneath Enjutsu's castle, a couple of guards were standing watch in front of the cell holding Ensho and her subordinates. The first guard had a scar that ran across his nose while the second guard wore an eyepatch.
These were not the same guards that Enjutsu originally had under her employ. Ever since Sadako Ryoma had effortlessly infiltrated Enjutsu's court, she managed to convince the foolish ruler to replace all her guards with cultists of Genesis. It was just so easy to manipulate the girl once she had the counterfeit Seal of Heaven in her possession.
Nose Scar sneezed.
"Bless you," Eyepatch said to Nose Scar.
Nose Scar exhaled an annoyed groan.
"Seriously, why are we here again?" Nose Scar asked unhappily.
"Because we need to guard the prisoners," Eyepatch answered simply. It just seemed pretty obvious what their job was.
"I know that, but it's fucking boring!" Nose Scar complained. "Ukitsu-sama took the others with him and pretty much left us here to just stand around and do nothing." It was obvious that he wanted some action and to have a chance to fight those phony Armored War Gods.
"And to watch out for intruders or any escape attempts," Eyepatch amended. If he were to be honest, he was a bit disappointed that he was not among the chosen taken to raid Touka Village.
"Seriously?" Nose Scar grumbled as he looked at the cell holding Ensho and her subordinates. They looked weak and starving. "Do they look like they're in any state to try to escape?"
Eyepatch looked at the prisoners and his eye roamed over each of them. They were very attractive young women. He licked his lips as a dark lecherous thought entered his mind. These girls would not be able to put up much of a fight and it was not like there was anyone around to stop them.
"You said you were bored, right?" Eyepatch asked Nose Scar with a perverse grin as he held up a set of keys. "How about we have some fun?"
Nose Scar looked at Eyepatch then back at the cell, then back at his partner again, before a similar grin spread across his face.
They were up to no good.
"Call down the rest of the guys so we can have a party," Eyepatch suggested. Nose Scar nodded eagerly and went to fetch their buddies who were probably in need of a morale boost.
While they were ordered by Enjutsu that the prisoners would not be harmed, these guards were not truly loyal to her. Their true loyalty was to the Genesis cult. As such, they would happily ignore the commands of a brat and do whatever they wanted.
Once Nose Scar was gone, Eyepatch opened up the cell and entered. He grabbed the closest girl which just happened to be Ensho.
"Get up!" Eyepatch yelled at Ensho who yelped as she was forced to her feet.
"Unhand me, you brute!" Ensho demanded as she struggled in his grasp.
"Hey, let Reiha-sama go!" Bunshu rose up but Eyepatch kicked her down.
"Iishe!" Ensho yelled, worried about her subordinate.
"Stay down and wait your turn!" Eyepatch commanded.
Ganryo rose up to help but Eyepatch suddenly pulled a dagger and held it against Ensho's throat. The blonde froze and paled, the blood draining from her face as Ganryo paused. She could not do anything or risk getting Ensho hurt.
"Stay down or I'll slit her throat," Eyepatch threatened. It would be a waste to kill Ensho before they had their fun, but they could still have fun with their other prisoners in a gangbang party.
After Eyepatch roughly dragged Ensho out of the cell, he proceeded to slam the door shut, locking it soon after. He roughly pushed Ensho against the wall and began to fondle her.
"Only my husband may touch me!" Ensho shouted as she slapped Eyepatch across the face. It only served to enrage him as he smacked her right back. Gripping her by the throat, he pinned her against the wall.
"Look, bitch. Either you can make this easy on yourself and enjoy it or I can make it painful for you," Eyepatch growled and the blonde whimpered weakly, much to his delight. She looked to her subordinates - her friends - for help but they could not escape the cell. They could only watch helplessly as the guard was going to have his way with Ensho.
Ensho closed her eyes, tears brimming in them as she felt his dirty hands roam over her body. He started to lift up her skirt when he heard footsteps. That must be Nose Scar with their buddies.
"OK, you guys can have fun with the rest of the bitches but this one's mine," Eyepatch said with his perverted attention on his prey, being very eager to get this party started.
Ensho trembled. Soon, all of them were going to be used and violated by these horrible men.
"Haru-sama, please save me..." she whimpered helplessly, praying for her husband and savior to come and rescue her.
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Co-Written By: Kamen Rider Chrome & Ten-Faced Paladin
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92 & Kamen Rider Goji
Chapter 41: Ride to the Rescue
The filthy guard (Eyepatch) was enjoying himself as he molested Ensho's nubile body. He hated her haughty attitude. It was because of people like her who looked down on common people like him that he joined up with the Genesis cult. Now she was at his mercy and if she wanted to survive this, then she would have to service him like a common whore. She better please him properly, or else he might just mess up that pretty face of hers.
Ensho tried to resist, but she was weak from starvation and dehydration. The guards gave them barely enough food and water.
Sitting in that cell was a horrible existence. It was like waiting for a death sentence. Oh, she had faith that her beloved Haru-sama would save her. However, in exchange, he would have to attack their allies. It was heartbreaking to see him make such a difficult choice, but he made it anyway, all so he could save her and her retainers.
But now he was not here to protect her and she was about to be violated by this horrid man whose breath smelled like rotten fish. She turned away, eyes clenched shut, cringing as he sniffed her hair. With his body pressed up against hers, she could smell his body odor and nearly gagged in disgust.
She heard footsteps and began to feel her hopes fading as more men were coming to violate her and her friends. Bunshu and Ganryo would fight, but like herself, they were too weak due to starvation and dehydration. These men could easily overpower them and then they would have their fun with three helpless women. These men would break them and turn them into sex slaves to be used for their own selfish pleasure as they indulged in their hedonistic debauchery.
"Haru-sama, please save me..." Ensho whimpered helplessly, praying for her husband and savior to come and rescue her. She wished he was here right now and that this was all just a horrible nightmare.
Eyepatch was too busy leering at Ensho as he attempted to tear open her shirt when a fist suddenly collided with the side of his face. He comically let out a yelp of surprise and pain, his eye bulging out in shock, with teeth, blood and spit flying, before he fell, knocked out on the floor. His tongue hung out of his mouth as he collapsed, falling into unconsciousness before he even touched the ground.
Even unconscious, he still looked disgusting.
Ensho felt strong masculine hands touch her shoulders. Instantly, she panicked and began attacking her assailant.
"Let me go! Let me go! Don't touch me!"
"Reiha-chan! Relax! It's me!"
Ensho stopped. Only one man ever called her name like that. She opened her eyes and to both her surprise and relief, she found herself looking at her husband.
"Haru-sama!" Ensho embraced him tightly, praying that this was not a dream. "You've come back!"
"Got the keys," Iori said as he held up the keys for the dungeon cells. He had come along with Haru to aid him on his rescue mission.
"And you brought help," Ensho said she watched Iori open the cell.
"I really couldn't do this without backup," Haru shrugged as Bunshu and Ganryo stepped out of the cell. He originally planned on doing this alone before Iori convinced him to let him help.
"Haru-sama," Ganryo smiled gratefully.
Bunshu playfully punched his arm.
"About time you showed up," Bunshu grinned.
"Are you girls OK?" Haru asked.
"Just starved and thirsty."
"We'll get you water and something to eat once we get out of here." Haru soon noticed that they were missing a couple of people. He did a quick head count to double-check. "Wait, where's little Machi and Nanano?"
This upset the En Clan.
"They were taken," Ensho said regretfully. Some time ago after Haru had left, Denho and Chokun were taken from their cell. Ensho, Bunshu, and Ganryo had tried to stop them, but there was nothing they could have done.
"Then we have to go and find them!" Haru yelled urgently, believing Chokun and Denho were still being held in the castle. "Nobody's getting left behind tonight!"
Iori heard footsteps and chatter approaching. This was bad. The guards were coming.
"We need to go," Iori countered insistently.
"But we can't just leave them!" Haru started to protest.
"There's no time. We need to go right now," Iori ordered as he pointed at the wall where a Helheim portal was open. That was how he and Haru managed to get inside the dungeon.
Haru wanted to argue, but then he looked at his wife and their retainers. They needed to be rescued, to be taken away from this terrible place so they could recover. Haru could fight the guards and protect them but could he risk it? He gritted his teeth angrily. He hated leaving anyone behind, but he needed to get Ensho and the girls out of here now.
"C'mon," Haru said to the En Clan as he helped Ensho walk over to the portal.
"What is that?" Ensho asked nervously, referring to the eerie otherworldly forest on the other side of the portal that she was being led to.
"Our way out," answered Iori as he brought up the rear. "Now, hurry up before they get here."
"Just one last thing," said Ensho before she went and kicked the terrible guard several times in the stomach.
"Are you satisfied?" Iori asked.
Ensho stomped and buried her heel into the perverted guard's crotch for good measure. Now she was satisfied.
"OK, let's go."
The group escaped through the portal. Just before it was about to zip close, the guards came and saw it.
A gang of guards was coming down. When the first guard told them that they were going to have some fun with the prisoners, they leaped to the chance. So many horribly filthy ideas filled their minds as they discussed what they planned to do with the girls. Obviously, the men were horny and had no issue raping girls. They felt like it was something owed to them for all their hard work and suffering.
When they arrived, they found the cell empty and their fellow guard knocked unconscious. And then they watched as a Helheim portal zipped close.
Haru took the chance to give them a 'Fuck You' gesture before the portal closed completely.
"Oh crap! They've escaped!" Nose Scar yelled.
He was going to be in so much trouble for this!
He did not want to be fed to that demon!
Iori put away the Tulip Hopper after it closed up the portal. Nobody should be able to follow them now, probably.
Ensho had never stepped foot in Helheim Forest before. While she had heard stories and seen her husband use the strange portals to enter this strange alien realm, this was the first time she and her retainers had ever entered this place.
The first thing she noted about the misty forest was how lush it was. There were trees for miles as far as her eyes could see, with vines wrapped around them. On the vines, strange fruit grew.
Strange and delicious fruit with an aroma that was causing her mouth to water. She was so hungry that she just wanted to sink her teeth into that delicious fruit.
"C'mon, the exit portal's this way," Iori called out to the En Clan as he pointed up ahead.
"Huh?" Ensho blinked in confusion. "What?"
"You all should be careful. This forest might seem beautiful, but everything here is deadly," Iori warned.
"Even the fruit?" Ganryo asked. Her stomach growled. She was so hungry and the fruit was looking even tastier with each passing second.
"Especially the fruit. It's poisonous and then there's the local wildlife," Iori cautioned. He was referring to the Inves who zealously guarded their precious food source. He was pretty much telling them that this whole forest was deadly.
Ensho looked around and could spot some strange grey creatures surrounding a tree and feeding on the fruit that hung from the vines. She recognized them as Inves. So, this was the realm that they called home.
If the fruit was poisonous, then how come these Inves could eat them? Ensho wanted to know for herself as she bit her lower lip. She wanted to taste the fruit, to sink her teeth into it, to feel its juice pour down her throat.
She was so hungry that even a poisonous fruit looked delicious.
A small bite couldn't hurt, right?
A tiny nibble should be OK, right?
"Reiha-chan," Haru called out and Ensho blinked again, surprised. She had been about to ignore Iori's warning about poisonous fruit. Maybe the Inves were just immune to it. Since this was their home, they were immune to whatever poison the fruit contained. Anyone from outside this realm would die from taking a single bite.
Haru and Iori were worried about the girls. Unlike the two Armored War Gods, they did not have SengokuDrivers to shield them from the fruit's hypnotic allure. Also, in their starving state, the fruit's influence was considerably stronger. They just needed to have strong willpower, but that would still be no match for their hunger if they remained in this forest for much longer.
Haru was afraid. If any of the girls took a bite of the fruit, then there was no turning back. He knew he would be forced to execute them if they turned into feral Inves. He just did not know if he could bring himself to do it. However, it was better than letting them suffer when the fruit took over their minds and turned them into monsters.
He just hoped it never came to that. He did not want to end up killing them after he came all this way to rescue them.
They had no time to waste. They needed to get to the exit portal right now. Their lives depended on it.
"Just ignore the fruit, Reiha-chan. Ignore the fruit. Iishe, Toshi, you too. Ignore the fruit. Ignore the fruit," Haru advised.
The girls repeated the phrase like a mantra, to keep them focused on not focusing on the fruit. If they wanted to get out of this godforsaken forest alive, they needed to abide by that rule and ignore the fruit.
Yes, ignore the fruit. Ignore the fruit that was right there in front of them. Ignore the delicious fruit that was ripe for the picking.
Suddenly, rapid gunfire rained down around them. Bunshu and Ganryo screamed in shock as Ensho shrieked and panicked, clinging tightly onto Haru for protection. The group quickly took cover behind some trees.
"What is happening!?" Ensho screamed.
Iori's gaze went up to the sky and he saw that they were being pursued by Kurokage Troopers on Dandeliners, ten in total, with a Kurokage Commander in the lead.
"They found us," Iori grimaced. He thought they had given the guards the slip, but they still managed to pursue them. Luckily for them, these Kurokage Troopers had terrible aim.
"Then let's take them out!" Haru furiously responded with a Suika Lockseed in hand. He was itching for a fight and wanted to make these guys pay.
"No," Iori denied as he snapped on a Genesis Core to his SengokuDriver. "Get the girls out of here. I'll hold them off." He gave Haru a glare, daring him to argue.
Fortunately for all of them, Haru did not argue and led the girls away. Good, Haru was rational enough to follow orders.
The Kurokage Troopers continued shooting but missed their targets due to the thick forest covering them and their terrible aim.
"If it's a dogfight you want," Iori growled as he unlocked the Dragon Fruit Energy and Pitaya Lockseeds.
[DRAGON FRUIT ENERGY!] [PITAYA!]
"Then it's a dogfight you'll get! Henshin!"
[LOCK ON! MIX! JIMBER DRAGON! HA-HA!]
The Dandeliners-riding Kurokage Troopers were trying to spot the fugitives when they suddenly found themselves being furiously fired at from the ground. A couple of unfortunate Kurokage Troopers' vehicles took too much damage and crashed to the ground, killing their riders.
The source of the gunfire was Ryugen who was clad in his new Jimber Dragon Arms Armor. It was colored red in the front with a pattern of dragon fruits decorating it and Ryugen's personal emblem stamped on the left breast. He also possessed additional equipment in the form of a jetpack with draconic wings that went over his shoulders to fold across his chestplate. As for the weapons, he was armed with a pair of high-powered miniguns - the DraGatlingers - that were contained in red mechanical dragon heads connected to his jetpack via cables. The barrels stuck out of the dragons' mouths, smoking after firing recently. His helmet was slightly altered, now with a red Ryugan visor and silver faceplate.
The Kurokage Commander ordered his men to attack.
"KILL HIM!"
In response, Ryugen took to the skies with the aid of his draconic wings which unfolded and expended as his jetpack burst to life to lift him into the air. Once he met them in the air, both parties engaged in a furious firefight in the skies of Helheim Forest while Haru and the others made their escape. Ryugen blasted the Kurokage Troopers and the DraGatlingers roared as they ferociously spewed bullets like fire-breathing dragons.
The Kurokage Troopers returned fire, but the thrusters on Ryugen's winged jetpack boosted his speed, allowing him to avoid enemy gunfire. This resulted in a few Kurokage Troopers falling from friendly fire. A few more were blasted by Ryugen who showed no mercy as he riddled their bodies and Dandeliners with bullets. If they had used the Suika Arms instead, they might have stood a chance. Unfortunately, for the Kurokage Troopers, they did not seem to be very intelligent.
[HAI~! JIMBER DRAGON SQUASH!]
Deciding to wipe the rest of them out immediately, Ryugen initiated his finisher. Energy gathered around the barrels of his DraGatlingers and they roared as Ryugen screamed, unleashing their payload. Instead of bullets, the draconic miniguns launched missiles that blew up the Kurokage Troopers, leaving the Kurokage Commander the sole survivor due to luck.
Gripping his Kagematsu-Shin, the Kurokage Commander yelled and sped toward Ryugen to impale him. Ryugen evaded and the Kurokage Commander spun around. He fired a high-powered laser that hit Ryugen directly in the chest. Ryugen cried out in pain and yelled louder as the Kurokage Commander rammed straight into him.
Both Ryugen and the Kurokage Commander crashed to the ground.
As Ryugen tumbled on the grass, the Kurokage Commander walked away from the crash unharmed. While his Dandeliner was damaged, it did not matter. He still had a way to get out of Helheim Forest, but first, he was going to have Ryugen's head.
"Now you're mine," the Kurokage Commander growled as he charged at Ryugen. Swiftly, Ryugen detached his jetpack and rolled away, dodging the Kagematsu-Shin as it was being driven down on him.
Ryugen grunted from the pain in his shoulder and leg. While his armor had protected him from most of the impact in the crash, he could feel his wounds were going to reopen. He would have to go to Kada later for some proper stitches, but first, he would need to survive this fight.
Climbing shakily back to his feet, Ryugen summoned his Sonic Arrow and narrowed his eyes.
"You know, you can walk away from this," Ryugen offered. He really had no intention of fighting anyone. He merely came along with Haru to help him rescue the En Faction and then hold off their pursuers.
"And lose this opportunity? No way! Once I slay one of you, I'll be rewarded! I might even be promoted and be given greater power!" the Kurokage Commander bragged.
Ryugen shook his head at the poor deluded fool. He might be a higher-ranked Kurokage, but that did not change the fact that he was still just cannon fodder.
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY SPARKING!]
The Kurokage Commander charged at Ryugen to finish him off with a killing blow. The glowing Kagematsu-Shin was thrust forward, aiming for Ryugen's heart.
At the very last second, Ryugen fell sideways, avoiding his attack.
[HAI~! JIMBER DRAGON AU LAIT!]
Ryugen delivered a devastating energy slash in return, an attack which took the form of a dragon's claw that raked savagely across the Kurokage Commander's body. He screamed and collapsed before finally exploding.
Ryugen rose to his feet and dusted himself off. He looked over his shoulder at the Kurokage Commander's remains, giving them a cold gaze.
"You should've taken my offer when you had the chance."
He picked up his jetpack and walked away to catch up with Haru and the others.
Haru - now Knuckle - led the En Clan toward the exit portal. He was adorned in his Kurumi Arms to protect them. As the Inves were naturally territorial and protective of their food supply, they would viciously attack any intruders that stepped foot in their realm. They were even more aggressive when they targeted Armored War Gods who carried Lockseeds on them, considering the items a much more delicious version of their favorite and only food source.
"Haru-sama, I'm hungry..." Ganryo groaned from the rear.
"Just wait a little longer, Toshi," Knuckle reassured her whilst keeping an eye out for enemies. "We're almost there."
The group passed by a tree that was infested by vines and Helheim Fruit, but they ignored it. Well, all of them except for Ganryo. She was just so hungry and just being so close to the fruit made her stop to gaze at it. Her mouth watered as the aroma filled her brain. She licked her lips. Knuckle had warned them that the fruit was dangerous, but one bite couldn't hurt, right?
Ganryo picked the fruit and was about to take a bite when all of a sudden, an energy arrow shot it out of her hand. Shocked, she screamed and fell on her butt.
"Toshi!" Knuckle cried out when he heard the shot and her yell. He saw Ryugen coming with his Sonic Arrow lowered. "Hey, what did you do!?"
"You really should watch your friends better," Ryugen advised as he helped Ganryo up. She was shaken, but alright. "She was about to eat the fruit."
"Oh...right," Knuckle agreed, understanding why Ryugen had fired. "I'll keep that in mind."
"C'mon, let's keep moving before something else happens," Ryugen ordered. Knuckle led the way as Ryugen brought up the rear to prevent any of them from straying from the path. Hopefully, without any pursuers hunting them, things would be easier for them.
Meanwhile, back in Shoku, Kochu, Batai, and Riri were waiting outside the exit portal. They did not need to wait for much longer as Haru stepped out with Ensho, followed by Ganryo and Bunshu. Iori exited last.
"Alright, close the portal," Iori ordered.
Batai, who was manning the Tulip Hopper, nodded and pushed the button that activated the laser and sealed up the portal.
"Finally," Ensho let out a sigh of relief. She had endured and resisted the allure of the fruit, which had been quite the challenge. Now she just wanted something to eat and drink. She was also desperately in need of a bath after being stuck in that filthy cell for so long.
"Are you alright, Airen?" Kochu asked her husband.
"I'm fine, Shion," Iori reassured his wife, showing her his bandaged right hand. He had walked off some of the soreness. "You should get our friends something to eat."
Initially, Kochu had been less than happy when she found out that her husband had attempted to go on a dangerous rescue mission without telling anyone, especially her. She had been strongly against his decision due to his condition. He was still injured, having been stabbed in the shoulder, leg, and hand by his psychotic ex-fiancée.
Haru had to awkwardly watch Kochu and Iori argue. Iori firmly defended his decision. He needed to help Haru first since they knew where Ensho and the others were being held. Kochu eventually allowed him to go, on the condition that he looked after himself.
"You poor dears look hungry," Kochu said to the En Faction sympathetically. "Come with me. We'll fix you something to eat."
"Just as long as it's not cold rice porridge," Bunshu spoke up. That was all they had to eat while imprisoned. It was just so bland and disgusting.
"Well, it's not cold at least," Kochu said reassuringly. Bunshu hated the idea of eating rice porridge again, but at least it would be hot and her stomach would stop complaining once she had her fill.
Ensho looked around. They were not within the walls of Touka Village. Instead, they were in a base camp of some kind. She recognized the tents to be the ones used by Enjutsu. She also noticed that, instead of soldiers, there were civilians sitting around fires to keep warm.
"Haru-sama, what happened here?" Ensho asked.
"That's a long story, Reiha-chan. I'll tell you later. You just go get something to eat first, OK?"
"And you should let Kada take a good look at you too," Iori instructed Ensho. "He has a medical tent set up here." He planned on visiting Kada himself later. He needed stitches for his wounds. The bandages alone were not enough. He also needed new bandages.
Iori watched as Ensho, Ganryo, and Bunshu were taken by his wife to be fed. All they would get was rice porridge, but it was better than nothing. However, it still meant that they now had three extra mouths to feed. Hopefully, nobody resorted to cannibalism like the Donner Party. Oh, the circumstances were different, but that did not mean the situation was dissimilar. They had limited rations, too many people to feed, and not to mention help was a long way away.
Iori looked at Haru who seemed disappointed. He understood why the Ultimate Fist's mood was low. They had successfully rescued his wife and their two retainers, yet failed to rescue Chokun and Denho. They had no time to search for them, and Iori doubted that they could be found in Enjutsu's castle.
"Look, I know you're worried about the others, but at least you managed to save your wife and your retainers. Just consider this a win," Iori encouraged.
"But what do we do now?" Haru asked.
"We wait for Kosonsan's party to come with aid," Iori answered. "But we may run out of food until then. Even if we ration it further, it still won't be enough, and nobody is going to be happy about that."
"Yeah," Haru frowned. He felt like shit. He had been part of the attack on Touka Village, even if it had been under duress.
"We just need to find more food," Iori said. But where were they going to find any?
Haru then remembered something.
"Miu-chan keeps jars of honey stored in her cellar," Haru recalled. "Maybe we can grab them."
Iori considered the idea. They could take the honey and distribute it around the Shoku refugee camp. Enjutsu would have to part with her precious honey supply, but it was the least she could do for her treacherous actions that made their villagers homeless in the first place.
"Alright, let's do that, but right after your wife and friends get settled in. You're going to need to share a tent," said Iori.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Haru responded, remembering a few misadventures he had with Ensho and the girls in the past.
Now he had some bad news he needed to deliver. He did not know how he was going to break the news to Enjutsu that Chokun was missing.
He really hated delivering bad news.
Enjutsu was still a prisoner, but at least she was not tied up or restrained. She was still stuck sitting in a small tent with guards preventing her escape.
Not like she had the spirit to escape anyway.
She was just so depressed right now. She had been manipulated and exploited, used to attack her own allies and also betrayed her own family. And for what? Power? Recognition? An opportunity to become the next ruler? All that no longer mattered. Even her Seal of Heaven turned out to be a fake.
What was she to do now?
She saw the flap of the tent open and Haru walked in.
"Haru-niisama!" Enjutsu gasped.
"Miu-chan, I managed to rescue Reiha-chan and the others," Haru informed her.
"That's great," Enjutsu smiled. Sure, Ensho was going to be really mad at her. OK, Ensho was going to hate her, but she was glad her cousin was safe. She quickly noticed that Haru did not look happy. "What's wrong?"
"I couldn't rescue Nanano," Haru said apologetically. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Enjutsu did not understand. "Why not?" She feared the worst. What happened to Chokun?
"Because she was gone," Haru confessed. "She wasn't in the cell with the others. I'm sorry."
"No..." Enjutsu shook her head in denial. "No! Nanano! I'm sorry! Please, Nanano! Come back!" Haru quickly wrapped his arms around the distraught child as she cried Chokun's true name. She had lost Chokun and for good this time. "Nanano! Nanano! I'm sorry! Nanano!"
Haru stayed with Enjutsu as she sobbed and begged for forgiveness.
Fruits of the Tree, Yggdrasil
Jimber Dragon Arms: This is Ryugen's Pitaya-based and dragon-themed upgrade form that is summoned by using the Pitaya Lockseed with the Dragon Fruit Energy Lockseed in his SengokuDriver through the Genesis Core. In this form, Ryugen gains the power of flight with the Dragon Wing jetpack. In addition, his offensive capabilities are further enhanced by the DraGatlingers that are equipped to the Dragon Wing. The Dragon Wing also boosts Ryugen's aerial speed with its thrusters. Like most forms that use the Genesis Core and Energy Lockseed to enhance them, Ryugen is also equipped with a Sonic Arrow.
Squash (Pitaya + Dragon Fruit Energy): Roaring Dragon Blast - Ryugen fires homing missiles from the DraGatlingers.
Au Lait (Pitaya + Dragon Fruit Energy): (Dragon Energy) Sonic Slash - the typical Sonic Arrow finisher that is executed by the user fueling their body with the energy from the Lockseeds which is then converted into the Sonic Arrow for a devastating slash attack. Ryugen's Dragon Energy Sonic Slash includes a large dragon claw that savagely rakes across the enemy's body, killing them. There is also a Squash and Sparking variation of this attack.
KRC: This was an exciting chapter for me to write. Like the title says, it's a rescue mission. Sure, there was some cringey moments in the beginning, but the tone shifted to thrilling action and suspense soon after. We get to see Ryugen's Jimber Dragon Arms and Ensho and her group had entered Helheim for the first time. I guess that was suspenseful in its own way. But what happened to Chokun and Denho? Are they alright? Well, you'll need to wait for the answer to that question real soon. Also, reviews are for reviewers, not trolls. Any trolls or flamer or even fire trolls will be blocked and any anonymous feedback that is not really a review will be deleted.
A Helheim portal opened and both Ryugen and Knuckle exited together on the former's sidecar-equipped Sakura Hurricane.
"Is this the place?" Ryugen asked as he dismounted.
"OK, this is it," Knuckle confirmed their location as he got out of the sidecar. They were in Enjutsu's honey cellar with barrels full of Enjutsu's honey supply and shelves with jars on them containing her precious golden liquid.
"Good, now let's grab as many as possible and load them in my sidecar," Ryugen instructed. They could come back for the barrels later. "And don't make a sound."
Knuckle nodded as he banished his Kurumi Bombers. They were useful in a fight but not exactly useful to pick up jars.
"Hey, since we're here, how about we look for Nanano and Machi?" Knuckle asked hopefully.
Ryugen sighed. They were here to gather supplies, but he knew Knuckle would not leave without his friends. Not again.
"Fine, we can check this place out once we're done here," Ryugen allowed. If any guards got in their way, then Ryugen would gun them down with headshots.
When it came to honey, Enjutsu had a knack for judging its quality very well. It was impressive. It was just unfortunate her taste in art did not match her taste in honey.
"You know, my pet bear loves this honey," Knuckle remarked idly.
"Wait, what?" Ryugen said, intrigued when he heard Knuckle mention a pet bear. "You have a pet bear?"
"Yeah," Knuckle confirmed. "Named him 'Kintarosan'. Found him on one of our trips and he followed us home. He's hibernating right now, though. I sure hope he's alright."
"When spring comes and he wakes up, you can see him again."
"Yeah," Knuckle said as he picked up a jar but then it slipped out of his hand and fell to the floor. The jar shattered, scattering shards and spilling honey all over the floor.
"Careful!" Ryugen hissed as he drew his Budou Ryuhou. He expected guards to come storming in as soon as they heard the jar shattering. Knuckle raised his fists and summoned his Kurumi Bombers, expecting a fight once the door swung open and guards stormed in.
"Think they heard that?" Knuckle asked quietly when neither of them heard any guards coming.
Ryugen wasn't sure. They were in the cellar, so it was possible nobody heard the noise, but they still needed to be careful.
After they finished filling up the sidecar with honey jars, the two exited the cellar and quietly went up the stairs. Ryugen walked in front with Knuckle following closely behind him. He threw the door open and looked left and right, scanning the area with his gun leveled in front of him.
"Well?" Knuckle asked.
"Coast is clear," Ryugen answered. "But it's way too quiet." Suspiciously quiet in fact.
"Let's search the rooms," Knuckle said as he ran ahead, running by Ryugen.
"Stick to the plan!" Ryugen called out to him.
The pair looked all over the place and quickly noticed that there were no guards present. There weren't even any servants around. In fact, the entire castle looked abandoned.
"Where is everyone?" Ryugen wondered.
"I don't know, but I can't find Nanano and Machi anywhere," Knuckle answered sadly after he just checked one last room only to find nothing.
"They must've left," Ryugen surmised. "And probably taken everything valuable with them." Well, almost everything. They were in Enjutsu's display room with her collection of artwork. None of it had been touched.
Guess they had much better taste than her.
"And they took Nanano and Machi too," Knuckle said as he angrily clenched his fists. "Dammit."
"I'm sorry," Ryugen said sympathetically. "I know you wanted to find them."
"It was a longshot, I know," Knuckle sighed sadly. "C'mon, let's head back and then come back for the rest of the honey."
Ryugen watched as Knuckle dragged himself back to the cellar. It was heartbreaking to see the usual jovial Ultimate Fist being so depressed, but this was the way he was. He had a heart as big as his Kurumi Bombers. He had mourned the many lives that were lost when Rakuyo was set ablaze, especially the children who had died that night.
This pain of loss was not likely to disappear anytime soon. Still, he would have to move on and keep looking elsewhere if he ever hoped to find Denho and Chokun, not just for himself, but for the En Clan too.
