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.
Kanu Unchou stood alone, facing an unstoppable opponent.
Her sisters-in-arms lay all around her, beaten and unable to fight.
Kanu's opponent was not a bandit, a monster nor even an Armored War Devil.
It was Armored War God Gaim himself.
How had it come to this?
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Written By: Kamen Rider Chrome
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92 & Kamen Rider Goji
Chapter 52: Dragonhearts
Hideyoshi was not around since he had been sent to an outpost as a healer. He would not be back for a while and there was no way he could leave his responsibilities behind even if Iori called. Iori could go to him instead but he did not feel like he could make the trip. Since Hideyoshi was not free to do any house calls at the moment, Iori was left with no choice but to go to the next best thing.
"Your Ki poisoning is getting worse," Kada diagnosed after he gave Iori another checkup. Ever since Iori began using Makai Ryugen, his Ki was getting more and more tainted and it was slowly killing him. Not even Kada's acupuncture could help purify Iori's Ki.
Iori had gone to Hideyoshi several times before to heal his internal injuries but the Sovereign of the Black Turtle was unable to cleanse his Ki. As potent as his healing powers were, they were not a miraculous magical cure-all. He could cure illnesses and heal wounds but not cleanse tainted Ki. Maybe with time and practice, he could, someday, but that was neither here nor now.
"I'm fine," Iori insisted. "I'll just have Hideyoshi heal me as usual when he gets back."
"It's not 'fine'. Have you even told your wife about this?" Kada questioned as he always did. He always received the same answer in return.
"No, and you won't tell her either. That goes the same for everyone," Iori warned.
"Do you know what this is doing to you? Your lifespan could be cut short because of this. You may have either 10 years or 10 months left since your Ki is literally killing you." Kada wanted Iori to see reason, that he could not keep this secret forever.
"Just give me some damn medicine for this cough and painkillers, Kada!" Iori angrily demanded.
Kada shook his head. Stubborn patients that ignored his advice frustrated him to no end. They were just the worst but Kada had taken an oath when he joined THE WAY OF THE FIVE GRAINS so he was obligated to provide Iori with medicine.
After getting his medicine, Iori returned to his and Kochu's room to see his wife putting their baby daughter to bed in her crib.
"I'm back," Iori greeted softly as he did not want to wake their baby.
"Airen, we need to talk," Kochu said, sounding serious.
"Can't it wait until later?" Iori asked, not in the mood for this discussion right now.
"No, it cannot," Kochu insisted in that usual tone of hers.
"Alright," he sighed, knowing he could not put this off any longer if his wife had anything to say about it. "Let's talk."
"Why did you go behind our backs to kill her?" she asked directly.
Straight to the point as usual, huh, Kochu?
"I already told you why. I'd do anything to protect my family and she was a threat," he answered, justifying his actions.
"She wasn't a threat to anybody. She was already locked in a cell and her equipment was confiscated," she argued.
"And do you think that matters to someone like her? Even if we keep her locked up, if we keep her alive, she'll just put us in danger just like she did before," he reasoned.
"Even so, this is the first time we've seen her in months and in that time we haven't heard a peep from her. While I agree she should be punished for her crimes, you still crossed the line and went behind our backs. You could've at least told me."
"You would've tried to stop me if I did."
"With good reason, Iori. We have laws for a reason and you can't just go and execute prisoners just because you feel like it, especially before they get a fair trial."
Iori went over to Yomi's crib and gazed at his adorable little daughter. She was so young, so innocent, and so vulnerable. Kochu was not wrong. He should not have attempted to kill Karasu behind their backs but he did not regret it.
As much as he hated Karasu Oda, Iori Tokugawa genuinely sympathized with Nagata. He had lost his brother. He remembered celebrating the birth of his daughter with his big brother before he tragically lost his life.
All his life, his parents had focused on grooming his big brother Ichiro while pretty much neglecting him. Oh, they provided for him with money and everything he could possibly need but he just wanted their affection. However, they always acted so cold toward him. There was very little affection being thrown his way when Ichiro was the heir while Iori was just the spare, and therefore not deserving much attention. All he was required to do was to behave properly as to not bring disgrace to their family's reputation.
He grew up resenting his big brother but he still loved him. While his parents rarely spent time with him and never attended any of his archery tournaments, Ichiro was always there, supporting him.
But now, his brother was gone. He had arrived too late and could only helplessly witness as Majin Gaim devoured him. At least Majin Gaim was gone now and while part of him was grateful to Nagata, a petty more spiteful part of him resented him for stealing his kill. He should have been the one to avenge his brother. Instead, it was Nagata who had done what he could not.
What really angered the Ultimate Eye was that Nagata was still the same unreliable bastard who got people killed, the same bastard who abandoned Shoku when their people needed him the most, the same bastard who came back as an undead freak like their enemies, and the same bastard who got in his way when he tried to get his revenge on Karasu. He had even stolen his kill, once again showing him disrespect.
What made him hate Nagata right now was how much stronger he had become when he did not even deserve that kind of power. Unlike Iori, Nagata did not suffer any kind of lethal side-effects from using his power. How was that fair!? Why did such power fall in the lap of some careless idiot who did not need to suffer to earn it? That power should have been his, not Nagata's! He was more worthy of being Shoku's sole dragon!
If only Iori understood what Nagata went through in Purgatory, maybe he would accept why Nagata was worthy.
"Do you remember when Nise kidnapped Riri and how helpless and angry we felt?" Iori reminded her.
"I do," Kochu remembered. It had been the worst experience of her life and she had been willing to do anything to get her daughter back. It was the same for Iori. Riri was everything to them and so was Yomi. Nothing was more important than their daughters.
"That's how I felt when Karasu took control of me like a puppet. That's how I felt when Karasu got away. That's how I felt when I lost my brother. This is our daughter, our baby. I wasn't ready for this but when you told me you were pregnant, I knew I had to be. Right then, I promised myself that I would be prepared to do everything in my power to protect our family. And after Yomi was born, my conviction has only gotten stronger. I've already lost my brother. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you all too."
"I understand," Kochu said sympathetically. "But you still should've waited for a trial so we could fairly decide her punishment. If she was to be sentenced to death, it would've been because it was a fair punishment. Remember, we fight for peace and justice."
"Well, sometimes to make sure justice is upheld, we need to take matters into our own hands and if we want peace, we need to be firm," Iori resolved. "But you're right too. I shouldn't have gone behind your backs. That just makes it seems like I don't trust any of you. I didn't mean to do that and I'm sorry."
Kochu closed her eyes. She loved her husband oh so dearly and they now had two beautiful children, but there were times his relative lack of war experience and his culture clashed with the world they lived in. He was angry, feeling helpless, and it showed in many of his impulsive and reckless actions. She didn't blame him for feeling this way but with how he kept striking out on his own, throwing himself into danger against foes like Karasu and others without considering the ramifications, it was going to begin making things harder for everyone in politics and on the battlefield. War wasn't just how well you fought, but how you were perceived when the battles temporarily ceased. Those telling moments could determine if the war ended or continued.
Iori himself felt frustrated with his wife. He loved her to death, of course, but he just couldn't understand why so many of his comrades and leaders were content to wait and see or take the slow route when they could end all conflict by just going out and dealing with it personally. They had several advantages going for them, and no one would really protest against hunting down Nise, Karasu, or others like them.
Yes, it was reckless of him, but battles weren't fought and won by just playing it safe. When Nagata had died, someone had to pick up the slack. Somebody had to go out there to fight those battles. It may as well be him since so many others were overthinking the situation and trying to play it safe far too often. He could not afford to play it safe as he had a family to think about.
"I believe you. Just come talk to me first before you decide to do something like that again and don't hide things from me," Kochu requested.
"I promise," Iori lied as he was still hiding his condition from Kochu and had no plans of revealing it to her. He did not want her to needlessly worry about his issues. This was his problem and he would deal with it himself.
They heard a knock at their door and wondered who it was. Iori opened it and found Juniku standing in their doorway.
"Juniku, what brings you to our room?" Iori asked.
"Sousou-sama wishes to speak with you, Ryugen," Juniku informed him.
"She does? Why?" Iori wondered.
"Just come with me," Juniku ordered. She was just the messenger. Sousou would explain everything.
"I have brought Ryugen, Karin-sama," Juniku stated after bringing Iori to Sousou's bedchamber.
"Thank you, Keifa. You may leave us," Sousou instructed and Juniku obeyed as she let Iori in before closing the door. She remained outside, keeping watch for her mistress.
"Why have you called for me, Sousou?" Iori asked carefully. Being in the same room, alone with Sousou, would suggest something intimate. Fortunately for Iori, she was not interested in him that way. She preferred the company of women and would not poach a married man. He also knew his wife would fill her with arrows if she tried.
"I heard about what happened, Ryugen," Sousou said. "You went behind all our backs to punish the traitor, Idunn."
"If you're going to chastise me, I can just leave," Iori responded with an annoyed scowl. He did not need to be judged for his just actions and Karasu was dead anyway. Just move on already. "I've already gotten enough of that from Touka."
"On the contrary, Ryugen. I actually approve of your actions," Sousou smiled.
This made Iori pause.
"...You do?" He had not expected that.
"I do," Sousou confirmed. "You recognized a threat and went to eliminate it. It takes initiative to do what needs to be done. Your talents are wasted serving under Ryuubi."
"What about the law?"
"I suppose you should be punished but right now we need all the help we can get and I'd rather have you on my side than to lock you up in my dungeon."
"This is a recruitment pitch, isn't it?" Iori guessed. He was not so ignorant as to not see what Sousou was doing here. She was trying to poach him, just not for sexual purposes.
"And you're very perceptive. I like that too," Sousou smiled. "Yes, I wish to recruit you in my faction."
"You want me to leave Touka and serve you? It just seems like I'll just be trading one master for another."
"Unlike Ryuubi, I won't be holding a leash around your neck. I'm good at letting my generals do what they want, provided that it benefits me. Also, unlike the other kingdoms, Sou Gi has yet to fall. Don't you think it would benefit you more to work for someone who has your best interests at heart? You want your family to be taken care of, don't you?"
"You just want me to help you make your ambition into a reality." Iori knew Sousou wanted to be the supreme ruler of the land. It was why she worked to conquer everything, to bring them under her rule.
"Is my ambition a bad thing?" Sousou asked rhetorically. "All I want is peace and prosperity for our people. Just think about it, Ryugen. Come back to me with your answer once you made up your mind. I'll respect whatever decision you make."
"OK, I'll think about it. May I go?"
"You may go."
After Sousou dismissed him, Iori started to consider her offer as she had given him time to think about it and he had much to think about. He could agree to serve her now but he promised his wife to never go behind their backs again. This was an important decision and not one he could make without consulting someone.
He needed to consult his wife and get her input first.
"So what did Sousou-dono wish to speak with you about?" Kochu asked once Iori returned from his talk with Sousou.
"She offered me a job," Iori answered. "She wants me to leave the Shoku Faction to serve her."
Kochu was surprised by this. She had not expected this but she really should have. Sousou had an eye for talent and power that would benefit her the most. Now, she wanted her husband to serve her.
"You're not thinking of accepting, are you, Airen?" Kochu asked.
"I haven't agreed yet but there are benefits in working for her," Iori answered, considering Sousou's offer.
"What about Touka? What about the others?" she pressed. Iori could not leave their faction. They were family.
"You have to admit that Touka's approach is too soft and she's always just been a substitute for Nagata. Now that he's back, she might give her leadership back to him. And you've seen what happened when he was in charge. We lost our home, Koi."
"So you're just going to abandon us?" Kochu accused.
"I'm not abandoning anyone," Iori denied. "I'm just considering a better opportunity. This could be good for me and it could also be good for us and our family. We could make Sou Gi our new home. I just want you to support me, Koi. Please."
Kochu still looked uncertain but then she thought about it. Sousou was powerful and her rule allowed Sou Gi to prosper. Unlike Son Go which had been taken over by the enemy and Shoku which they had to abandon because of the sudden Helheim infestation, Sou Gi still stood.
"I still don't know if this is such a good idea but I trust you to make the right decision. Whatever you decide, Airen, I'll support you. But don't let this cost you your friendship with everyone."
Iori kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Koi."
"So, when does she expect an answer?"
"Soon but let's sleep on it, alright?"
Day broke and Nagata had not slept at all last night. As an undead Rinrinshi, Nagata had no need for sleep, so he spent the entire night thinking about Chosen's warning and it filled him with nothing but dread. He just sat on his bed, holding Karasu's Ringo Lockseed.
If the final battle was drawing closer, then that meant Dai Shi was getting ready to meet them all in one final confrontation. The stakes would be high and losses would be too great.
He replayed Karasu's death in his head repeatedly but each time he did, someone else would die in her place.
He saw Kanu die, he saw Ryuubi die, he saw Chouhi die, he saw Chou'un die, he saw Bacho die, and he even saw Ryofu die. He saw them, everyone he knew and loved, die and in every scenario, he failed to save them.
No, there was something he could do to save them.
He flipped open his LockPhone and sent a message to their talking mirrors.
He knew what he had to do.
This was the only way.
Meanwhile, Iori and his family were getting ready to take a walk in the city and spend some quality family time together. After Yomi's birth, Iori had asked Komei to make a baby carriage. It was made out of bamboo with an umbrella attached to provide shade for the baby. The inside of the carriage was lined with soft cushioning to make sure Yomi was comfortable.
Iori had not made a decision yet about Sousou's offer but he was leaning toward accepting it. There were benefits to joining Sousou's faction and it did not seem like he had a future in the Shoku Faction with Nagata around.
No, he would not think about Nagata. This was his time with his family. They would get breakfast, do some shopping, have lunch, catch a show if they had time, and come back to the palace for dinner. Ten'i was a great cook. She knew exactly what their favorite food was.
A stress-free day of quality family time was just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully, nothing happened while they were away.
"Give me all your Lockseeds," Nagata ordered as soon as he saw them. He did not greet them nor explain himself. He just demanded they hand over their Lockseeds to him.
Nagata had asked the Shoku Armored War Goddesses, except Kochu, to gather in Sousou's courtyard. They wondered what was so important that he needed to speak with them. His message seemed urgent.
None of them expected that.
"Nagata-sama, why do you want our Lockseeds?" Ryuubi asked.
"I just need you to give them up. Now, hand them over," Nagata demanded as he held his hand out expectantly to them.
"No," Kanu objected. "Not until you explain yourself, Nagata-sama."
Nagata gritted his teeth. Of course, they would want an explanation. Even while serving him loyally, they would never follow any order blindly, which was one of the things he loved about them. Kanu had a point as they deserved an explanation.
"You want me to explain myself, Aisha?" Nagata asked through his clenched teeth. "It's simple: I am just so sick and tired of losing the people I love. My power now should be enough so there's no need for you to have those Lockseeds anymore."
"That's where you're wrong, Nagata-sama," Kanu argued. "We do need this power to protect ourselves, the people we love, and everyone under our protection."
"Rinrin?" Nagata asked his little sister.
"I'm sorry, Onii-chan." Chouhi shook her head, unwilling to give up the power. When Nagata had died, it was the one thing she had to remember him by.
"Sei, Sui, Ren?" Nagata asked them.
"Sorry, Nagata-sama, but we're keeping these," Bacho answered.
"Yes, as it is our power after all," Chou'un agreed.
"Mine," Ryofu stated.
"What about you, Touka?" Nagata asked.
Ryuubi looked at her Gaim Lockseed. A long time ago, back when she used to be a fangirl, she might have given it up at his request. Now, though, she was a leader and a warrior. They were at war and they needed every advantage they could get their hands on to survive.
"No, Nagata-sama." Ryuubi shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't do what you ask."
Nagata sighed. Of course, they would not give up such power so easily. It was foolish of him to even ask.
[LEGENDRIVER!]
"Then you leave me no choice." Nagata's eyes narrowed as he hardened his heart and summoned his LegenDriver. "I'll have to take them from you and show you why my power is enough."
[KACHIDOKI! LOCK ON!]
[RYUJIN!]
The Shoku Warriors were taken aback as Nagata activated his equipment.
"Nagata-sama, you can't be serious!" Ryuubi shouted in denial.
He was serious.
"Henshin."
[LOCK OPEN! RYUJIN ARMS! DAI RYUOH! SORA NO SEIRYU, RISE TO THE THRONE!]
"I must save you all," Ryujin Gaim swore, wielding the Dai Ryujin Calibur. "If you know what's best, then understand why I need you to give up your Lockseeds."
The Shoku Warriors just stared at Ryujin Gaim, unable to comprehend what was going on. Seeing as they could not make him see reason with their words alone, the Shoku Warriors had no choice but to engage.
"Henshin!"
[GAIM ARMS! FRUITS YOROI MUSHA ON PARADE!]
[GUAN YU ARMS! DRAGON WAR GODDESS!]
[ZHANG FEI ARMS! FIERCE TURTLE GENERAL!]
[ZHAO YUN ARMS! RISING UNICORN!]
[MA CHAO ARMS! SPLENDID LION!]
[LU BU ARMS! INSANE CAVALRY!]
"What should we do, Touka?" Zhao Yun asked.
Gaimu studied Ryujin Gaim, trying to come up with a plan. He was fast and could take out an entire army single-handedly in a matter of seconds. They needed to focus on his weak spot and it was right there in front of them, wrapped around his waist.
"Aim for his belt," Gaimu instructed, believing it was the source of all this. Maybe it had been corrupted and it was affecting him. There was no way he could even attempt this unless he was being influenced by dark forces. "If we target it, we can get him out of that armor and subdue him."
"He's still too fast, though," Ma Chao reminded.
"Then we just need to slow him down!" Gaimu threw her Daidaimaru Sluggers at Ryujin Gaim. As they came at him, they looked like they were moving in slow motion as he easily avoided them. In a burst of blinding speed, he struck the girls with his RyuCalibur, sending sparks flying as he threw them to the ground. He held back on his strength as he wanted to avoid serious injuries to them but he needed to make them understand why he was doing this. He hated to do this, but he had to use necessary force.
This was for their own good so it was time for some tough love for them.
The girls recovered and retaliated but he dodged their attacks and countered with his inhuman speed. He was practically untouchable.
"Nagata-sama, why are you doing this!?" Guan Yu demanded as they fought.
"Please stop this!" Gaimu pleaded. She did not want to fight someone she loved.
"You've all known loss, haven't you? When your family was slaughtered, Aisha, didn't you swear to avenge them? When your father died, how did that make you feel, Sui?" Ryujin Gaim questioned.
"I wanted to avenge him but you made me understand that I should honor his memory!" Ma Chao shouted her answer as she threw a punch at him but he dodged her strike.
"And I wanted to seek justice for my family!" Guan Yu added as she pointed her blade at him.
"So you understand the pain I feel from losing Kara-chan," Ryujin Gaim replied. "Her death made me realize that this war will continue to take everything from me and eventually it will take your lives. That is why I have to do this."
"So this is your solution?" Ma Chao demanded. "That's insane."
"Maybe it is," Ryujin Gaim agreed. "Maybe I've gone mad in my time in Purgatory that I can no longer think like a normal person. Maybe Kara-chan's death pushed me over the edge. But I know I must do this to save you all."
"Then forgive us if we have to beat you to save you," Zhao Yun countered. Ryujin Gaim sighed in response.
"Then please forgive me for what I must do."
Storm clouds rolled in as lightning flashed and thunder boomed. He raised his sword and lightning struck the ground. It came so suddenly and the Shoku Warriors were struck. It was not enough to kill them - Ryujin Gaim did not want any of them dead - since he only wanted to knock them out.
They all went down and their Lockseeds flew into Ryujin Gaim's hand.
"Gaimu, Zhao Yun, Lu Bu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao..." Ryujin Gaim counted. Wait, one was missing.
He watched, surprised, as Guan Yu was back on her feet. He then saw how she had protected herself from his lightning strike. She was holding her guandao and had driven the blade into the ground, turning it into a lightning rod as she grounded herself.
Clever girl.
"Aisha, surrender your Lockseed to me. Now," Ryujin Gaim commanded with absolute authority. However, Guan Yu stood her ground.
"No, Nagata-sama," Guan Yu refused. She would not obey such an irrational order. He was not himself. "What happened to you?" He was being uncharacteristically cold and brutal with them. How much had he changed since he was sent to Purgatory? How much of his old self still remained?
"Then I'm sorry it must come to this," Ryujin Gaim said regretfully as he strode over to her. He convinced himself that this was for the best, that it needed to be done, and nothing would shake his resolve.
Once within striking range, he swung his sword and she raised her Green Dragon Crescent Blade to block it. She quickly retaliated, slashing him across the chest, her blade ripping sparks off on impact, but he did not seem affected as his Ryujin Raiment protected him. He swung at her and she leaped back to avoid the slash but he came after her with an overhead swing, prompting her to jump aside as the blade buried itself into the ground. He withdrew his blade and lunged at her with his sword and sparks flew as she parried his sword with her guandao. Sparks scraped off as their blades slid against each other.
"Nagata-sama, stop this!" Guan Yu pleaded as they locked blades. "This is insanity!"
"No, this war is insane. All we're doing is killing and killing, and more killing. When will it all end, Aisha? When will it end?" Ryujin Gaim asked.
"We must fight to save our land, to save our people."
"And what if we lose everything in the process? Is it worth fighting then?"
Guan Yu could hear the sorrow in his voice. He was suffering.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to help people, Nagata-sama."
"I know and I will help you by taking that power from you."
He kicked her in the stomach, throwing her to the ground as her guandao was flung from her hand. She brought out her Dragon Calibur but he threw a lightning bolt to send it flying several feet away from her hand. Now that she was defenseless, he raised his sword.
This was for the best. They would understand that he was only doing this to save them. They had to.
"Nagata-sama, is this truly what you want?" Guan Yu asked. "If this is your resolve then I won't stop you but please allow me to face you as I am, without a mask."
She closed her Lockseed. When her armor vanished and she locked eyes with him, he stopped. He looked at her, meeting her gaze as he looked into her eyes. He could see himself being reflected in them. This caused him to back away and drop his sword.
He couldn't go through with it.
Ryujin Gaim looked around to see the girls. It was easy to beat them when he could not see their faces as he could detach himself emotionally. Without their masks, though, they weren't faceless opponents.
"...What...what am I doing...?"
They were the girls he loved.
They were his family.
And he had hurt them to claim their Lockseeds.
He clutched his head as a haze lifted from his mind.
What was he doing?
Why was he trying to hurt his loved ones?
Wasn't he trying to save them?
The moment of hesitation was all Kanu needed as she took the chance to throw herself at Ryujin Gaim and did the unexpected. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He was taken aback as he nearly lost his balance.
"Aisha...?"
Meanwhile, the others were getting back up. Ryujin Gaim had only briefly stunned them, not knocked them out as their armor had absorbed most of the voltage. Seeing what Kanu was doing, the others joined in and held him tightly in an unbreakable group hug. He did not struggle or even attempt to use his power to break free. He did not want to hurt them. He never wanted to hurt them. Ever.
He just wanted to save them. He just didn't want to lose them like he lost Karasu.
After several long minutes which felt like hours, he finally stopped struggling and broke down in their arms as he de-transformed.
"I can't lose you. I can't lose you. I can't lose you," he repeated between sobs. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
"It's OK, Nagata-sama," Kanu reassured him. "It's OK."
"We're not going anywhere," Ryuubi swore.
"We'll always be here, Onii-chan," Chouhi promised.
They stayed like that until they were sure Nagata was going to be alright.
Iori and his family had taken shelter when they saw the dark clouds roll in, expecting a storm. When the lightning flashed and thunder boomed, Yomi was startled that she started to cry. Kochu tried to calm their baby down as Riri buried her face into the back of her daddy's legs to shield herself from the scary thunder.
Then, just as suddenly as the storm started, it just stopped as the sky cleared. There were no clouds in sight.
"That was odd," Kochu remarked as she finally had Yomi settled down.
"Was it?" Iori wondered. Weather like that was believed to be the act of gods but he suspected it to be the act of one specific Armored War God. He should go back to the palace to check.
No, no, he would not let this ruin the day he had planned with his family. Confronting Nagata could wait until after they returned.
"C'mon, I made lunch reservations. We don't want to be late," Iori said as he picked Riri up. His stepdaughter loved being carried by him.
Kochu nodded and put Yomi back in her carriage. As they made their way to the restaurant, Iori glanced back at the palace.
News of the incident quickly spread around the palace. Although some details became altered after so many retellings. In one version, it was a training session that went out of hand. In another version, it was a falling out between Gaim and his Shoku Warriors that turned violent. In another version again, it was some sort of strange and aggressive foreplay. Not sure who would ever believe that but rumors did not always have to make sense.
It did not take long for Iori to hear of the incident once he returned. Gossip traveled fast, after all.
"I heard about what happened. How are you going to punish him?" Iori questioned Ryuubi. Nagata had attacked the Shoku Warriors. That was practically treason which was a serious offense and it carried serious consequences. If Iori had been around, he would've tried to put a stop to it, despite his suspension. However, he had been out on a walk with his family and had only learned about the incident upon their return.
"We're not going to punish him, Iori-sama," Ryuubi answered. After Nagata's breakdown, they took him back to his room to rest. He needed time to mentally recover.
Wait, what!?
"Are you serious right now, Touka? Please tell me you're joking!" Iori could not believe this. If Nagata had been possessed or put under mind control, he would have accepted that but it was not the case here. Nagata had attacked them of his own volition. "I try to punish Karasu and I get suspended for it but Nagata attacks you and he gets off scot-free? He doesn't even get a slap on the wrist?"
"It's not that simple."
"Then explain it to me, Touka. Explain why he gets special treatment," Iori demanded.
"He was driven by grief and wasn't thinking straight. Losing his cousin made him think he could save us by taking our powers," Ryuubi explained.
"Oh, so just because he's sad and depressed he doesn't deserve to be punished, that's what you're telling me? Just because he had a breakdown he's easily forgiven?" Iori scoffed bitterly. It was so unfair but he should have expected this. "Fine, you can do whatever you want, Touka. I'm done with this."
"What do you mean you're done with this?"
"Like I said, I'm done with this. I'm done with you, all of you. I'm just done. If you're going to play favorites, then you're not the kind of leader I want to follow. You know, I thought this would be much harder but you've just made this decision easier."
"What decision?" Ryuubi was confused. What was Iori talking about?
"You'll hear about it from Sousou. I'll see you later, Touka."
Without another word, Iori stormed off, leaving Ryuubi to watch him go in confusion.
"What does Sousou-san have to do with all this?" she wondered.
Ryuubi was summoned to have an audience with Sousou. The Queen of Sou Gi likely wanted a report of what had transpired the day before as well of the fight that had taken place in her courtyard. She did not want to listen to gossip, just the facts.
Ryuubi mentally summarized the report she would give, which began with Nagata's return and Karasu's capture. After that, Iori had gone behind their backs to kill Karasu in a fight to the death. Nagata had then gone to intervene when Majin Gaim appeared and tried to kill them all. In the end, Karasu had been killed and Nagata was able to defeat Majin Gaim for good this time, ending his reign of terror forever. Also, earlier today, Nagata had called them to demand their Lockseeds from them, which resulted in a brief scuffle that ended with them hugging him. He was in a bad place right now and needed their support.
The rosette entered the throne room.
"Ryuubi, you made a mess in my courtyard," Sousou said, not sparing any pleasantries.
"I'm sorry, Sousou-san. We had an argument but it's been resolved," Ryuubi explained, apologizing for the mess.
"An argument, you say? That's not what I heard," Sousou smirked. "But that's not why I've called you here."
"Then why have you called for me, Sousou-san?"
"Ryugen." Sousou looked over to one of the columns in her throne room. He stepped out from behind it, surprising Ryuubi.
"Iori-sama, what are you doing here?" Ryuubi asked.
"This involves him too, Ryuubi," Sousou answered. "Ryugen, would you like to tell her or should I?"
Iori turned to face Ryuubi who saw his hardened expression. That meant this was going to be bad news.
"I'm under new employment now, Touka," Iori confessed.
"What?" Ryuubi gawked. "What do you mean by that?"
"He means that he has decided to serve me," Sousou clarified.
"Iori-sama, is this true? Why?" Ryuubi demanded.
"I'm doing this because I deserve a leader who's not afraid to do what must be done. All you've ever done is follow in Nagata's example and yet we're no closer to reclaiming our home," Iori said accusingly, breaking Ryuubi's heart.
"If you were having problems, you could've just spoken to me."
"It'd just be a waste of time and this was an opportunity I could not pass up."
"But what about Shion?" Ryuubi worried. Was Kochu going to leave the Shoku Warriors too?
"We've discussed it thoroughly and my wife supports my decision. Don't worry, though. Shion's still part of the Shoku Warriors. I'm the only one who's decided to join up with Sousou."
"Ryugen has shown that he is not afraid to take necessary action and I can appreciate someone who isn't afraid to show initiative. Since Ryugen now serves me, his suspension has been lifted. So, please return his equipment as soon as possible," Sousou finished.
"Oh, and you can take this back as well," Iori said as he took off his Shoku badge and handed it to Ryuubi. "I won't be needing it anymore."
Ryuubi took the badge, looking heartbroken. She remembered when Nagata had made these badges for them. They were a symbol that they were unified but now Iori was breaking off from them.
And thus, the Demon Dragon of the Underworld would now serve Sousou Motoku.
Now, there was one last loose end to take care of.
Nagata shared the news of Karasu's passing with the refugees she had saved. He told them that she was gone as she had sacrificed herself to save him.
After they accepted the sad news, they held a vigil for her, honoring her memory. To think she had touched so many lives. Maybe she just wanted to leave a positive impact, a sign of her atonement, before it was too late.
Nagata joined them in their vigil. They shared a respectful silence. No words needed to be said. Then, one by one, they offered their prayers to Karasu, hoping her soul would find peace.
It was a proper sendoff for Karasu Oda.
After the service, Nagata decided to go for a walk to clear his head and process everything that had happened.
It was all too much right now. He thought that everything would be alright once he escaped Purgatory. He was so naive. So much time had passed and it seemed the war had gotten worse in his absence. They had some victories and were able to push back against the RinJyuKen a little but their evil forces were gradually gaining ground. That only made Sousou work harder to reclaim any territory they had lost to the RinJyuKen.
As he walked around the city, he spotted something that caught his attention and walked towards it. As he got closer, he could see that it was a statue.
It was a statue of himself.
It was ten feet tall and depicted him in his armor with his Ryujin Raiment. He had his Ryujinmaru pointed down with the tip touching the ground while his hands rested on the pommel.
He looked at the inscription written on its base:
"IN HONOR OF ARMORED WAR GOD GAIM"
Under the inscription, he found a smaller one:
"Erected by Armored War God Bravo"
"So, Marcus made this for me."
The statue was built following his death, as a monument to honor and remember him by. He saw incense and offerings left at the base. As much as he appreciated it, he did not believe he deserved such an honor.
"It's a perfect likeness, Naga-kun."
He could imagine Karasu saying something like that.
The statue made him look majestic, regal, powerful, and larger than life.
All of it couldn't be farther than the truth.
"Nagata."
He turned when he heard someone call his name and saw who it was.
"Iori." A tense silence passed between them before Nagata spoke again. "What do you want?"
"To settle things between us."
Nagata saw that Iori had his SengokuDriver on and knew what he meant.
"Do you seriously want to do this now, Iori? Even after everything that's happened?" Nagata incredulously questioned. Was Iori blind or had he just lost his mind?
"All I know is that we've been doing fine without you after you died. We don't need you and your presence will only disrupt everything we've fought so hard for," Iori answered.
"I'm not in the mood, Iori."
"Well too bad. Because I'm in the mood to kill a Rinrinshi." Iori unlocked his Lockseed. "Henshin."
[YOMOTSUHEGURI!]
Nagata clenched his fists and jaw as Iori transformed.
[HAI~! YOMOTSUHEGURI ARMS! MEI, KAI, YOMI, YOMI, YOMI!]
The Yomotsuheguri Armor Part descended from a cloud of darkness and dropped on Iori's head, generating his Ride Wear suit before it disassembled and formed his armor.
Ryugen-Yomi fired his Budou Ryuhou at Nagata who dodged the energy bullets with his speed. Eyes furiously crackling with lightning, he sped into action and grabbed Ryugen-Yomi to take them both out of the city.
Ryugen-Yomi suddenly found himself in the middle of the Bloody Canyon with Nagata standing across from him, arcs of lightning surrounding his body.
"Why did you bring us here?" Ryugen-Yomi demanded.
"So we can talk, Iori. I don't want to fight you," Nagata insisted.
"Good, because that would make this easier," Ryugen-Yomi said as he fired his Budou Ryuhou at Nagata who avoided the shots with ease.
[LEGENDRIVER!]
"Henshin!"
[LOCK OPEN! RYUJIN ARMS! DAI RYUOH! SORA NO SEIRYU, RISE TO THE THRONE!]
As soon as Nagata transformed, it started to rain heavily, accompanied by thunder or lightning. Was this Nagata's doing? Who knows?
Ryugen-Yomi fired at Ryujin Gaim who deflected the energy bullets with his RyuCalibur as he charged at him. Once in range, he swung his sword but it was parried by Ryugen-Yomi's Yomiyari. Ryugen-Yomi pushed Ryujin Gaim's blade aside to strike him across the face with his trident's shaft before driving the butt end into his chest, knocking him back. He brandished his Yomiyari and struck Ryujin Gaim repeatedly, sending him backpedaling.
As Ryugen-Yomi thrust his trident at Ryujin Gaim's head, he dodged and ran around Ryugen-Yomi, circling around him as he picked up speed. Ryugen-Yomi watched as Ryujin Gaim left afterimages while trailing lightning.
Ryujin Gaim ran at Ryugen-Yomi who swung at him but his Yomiyari just passed through him like he wasn't even there. Then Ryujin Gaim ran at him, again and again, but each time it was like trying to hit a ghost. He realized that Ryujin Gaim was using his afterimages as a distraction.
The real one made his move and struck Ryugen-Yomi with his sword. In response, Ryugen-Yomi drove his trident into Ryujin-Gaim's chest. They both held their ground as they exchanged blows, sparks flying between them before they broke apart.
[HAI~! YOMOTSUHEGURI SPARKING!]
Ryugen-Yomi drove his Yomiyari into the ground to fire the Grapes of Wrath at Ryujin Gaim. As the projectiles came at him, Ryujin Gaim swung his sword, deflecting them and sending them back at Ryugen-Yomi, causing sparks to erupt from his chest.
"That's enough, Iori. Just give up and we can forget all about this," Ryujin Gaim urged. "Nobody has to know."
Ryugen-Yomi gritted his teeth. Even now, Nagata looked down on him. He hated it. He hated him.
"No!" Ryugen-Yomi snapped as his dark aura erupted, upgrading his Lockseed. "Not until I take you down!"
[HAI~! MAKAIRYU ARMS! MAKAI, RYU, MAKAI, RYU, MAKAIRYUGA! HAHAHAHAHAHA!]
Performing an Arms Evolution, Makai Ryugen lunged at Ryujin Gaim with his chainsaw. Ryujin Gaim parried with his sword but Makai Ryugen managed to disarm him, sending the sword flying out of his hand. He then fired his Makai Ryugahou at Ryujin Gaim who broke into a run to avoid the rapid-fire barrage. Makai Ryugen followed, keeping his target in his sights before sending him tumbling with accurate shots to his feet.
Makai Ryugen stalked toward Ryujin Gaim with his Gatling gun leveled at him.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," Makai Ryugen stated. "Goodbye, Nagata. And good riddance."
"No." Ryujin Gaim refused to be beaten as he saw his RyuCalibur lying on the ground, several feet away. "Not yet."
Ryujin Gaim threw a lightning bolt that hit Makai Ryugen in the chest, sending him flying. As Ryujin Gaim rose to his feet, he called his sword to him and the RyuCalibur came flying back into his hand. Once it was firmly in his grip, he squeezed the Ryugrip Trigger and raised the sword to the sky.
[IWAE! DAI RYUJIN ARMS! DAI-DAI-DAI-DAI-DAI TEN-O!]
Lightning struck and clad him in his regal Jade Dragon Emperor Armor. "A new Arms again?" Makai Ryugen questioned, unimpressed as he recovered and was back on his feet. "Just how many do you have? Doesn't matter. You're dead anyway."
"No, I'm not going back to that place," Ryujin Gaim swore. "Never again." Makai Ryugen proceeded to blast him with his Makai Ryugahou but Imperial Gaim just shrugged off the bullets as he reached down to his Lockseed holder. He grabbed the Nobunaga Lockseed to load it into the Ryulette's Drive Bay.
[NOBUNAGA!]
"Stop," Imperial Gaim commanded as he spun the Ryulette and pulled the Ryugrip Trigger.
[MAOU CALIBUR BREAK!]
He pointed the face of the Ryulette at Makai Ryugen and slammed his palm against its back.
"RYU SHOOTING CALIBUR!"
The symbol glowed as it fired an intense violet beam at Makai Ryugen. Imperial Gaim scored a direct hit as an explosion of sparks bloomed violently from Makai Ryugen's chest. He was brought to his knees, his armor vanishing from taking too much damage. Drenched by the rain, he looked up to see Imperial Gaim looking down at him.
"Go ahead, finish me," Iori dared. Nagata had every reason to want him dead. After all, he had caused his cousin's death.
"No," Imperial Gaim refused. Iori had a family and they would be devastated if he never came home. "Too many people have died already. I won't add to that." Imperial Gaim closed his Kachidoki Lockseed and removed the Ryujin Key to revert to his civilian form.
"Guess you'll tell everyone about this then," Iori presumed.
"No, I'm not. This stays between us. Like it or not, Iori, we're on the same side," Nagata told him, offering his hand to help him up. "And we can only end this war by working together."
"Fine," Iori conceded. They didn't have to be friends to work together. He could live with that. He ignored Nagata's hand and got up before he dusted himself off. He started to cough but managed to keep it under control.
After their altercation, Nagata brought Iori back to the palace and returned to his room to get changed out of his wet clothes. He appreciated it since he needed a place where he could be left alone with his thoughts and mourns in peace.
Had the others mourned him like this? He really did not ask about his own funeral. What would be the point, anyway? He had come back from the dead.
Unfortunately, Karasu was not as lucky. She was gone and would not be coming back. He had accepted that but it was still painful and he needed time to heal so he could move on.
He heard a knock on the door and sighed. He should put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on his door to make sure people left him alone so he could grieve in peace.
When the knocking did not cease, he opened the door to tell the person off.
"Please, leave - Aisha?"
"Nagata-sama, we need to talk and I don't think I can put this off much longer," Kanu insisted. "May I come inside?"
"Can't it wait?" he asked. He did not mean to sound cold but this really was not a good time. It was just after the vigil and his confrontation with Iori so he just wanted to be alone. Also, he did not think he could face any of them soon after what happened earlier.
"I doubt it can be delayed. It needs to be said as soon as possible."
Nagata sighed.
"Come in." He let her in before he closed the door. "What did you want to talk about?"
"I'm sorry about what happened to her. You have my condolences."
"Thank you," he accepted. He expected to hear plenty of condolences after this. "Is that all...?"
Kanu mentally searched for the right words.
"You knew her best, Nagata-sama. What was she like before?" Kanu asked. They only knew Karasu as the bandit killer, their comrade, and finally as the traitor. She thought talking about Karasu might help Nagata move on.
"...Well, she was my second cousin," Nagata started. "She was talented, more talented than I when it came to kendo. After all, she was the heiress so she was groomed into being the best. She lost her mom when she was born so her father raised her. They were never really close since he wanted a son but he was still obligated to raise her, nonetheless. The few times I saw him, from what I remember, he was always so strict and Kara-chan was always so lonely. I think the times I ever saw her happy was when she could see me."
"You made her happy."
"Yeah, and if I think about it, guess that was when she started to fall in love with me." He chose to remember Karasu as the cousin he loved and lost, not as the traitor who was driven to madness by her obsession for him. If only he had seen the signs but his love for her made him blind to her true inner darkness.
"And she loved you so much that she was willing to give her life up for you," Kanu replied. She had spent many months hating Karasu and wanting her to face justice for her crimes. Now, though, she no longer felt that way. Karasu had served her penance. It was just tragic that she had to die for it.
"I just wish she was here, you know? Maybe if I had been strong enough, or fast enough, then she would still be alive." Tears welled up in his eyes. "I miss her already."
Kanu hugged him. It was painful for him to get that off his chest but he needed to so he could start to heal.
She also had something to get off her own chest.
"The night you died, I was angry at you for leaving to go rescue her. When you did not return, I believed you had abandoned us," Kanu confessed, feeling ashamed. "But then we learned you had died and I was devastated and ashamed for even thinking you would ever abandon us."
"I would never leave you, Aisha."
"I know and I apologize for ever thinking that. After we found out you had died, Aneue and Rinrin took it the worst. Aneue went into denial that she couldn't accept you were dead. She insisted that you may have been captured and that we needed to rescue you. Rinrin could not eat or sleep. It took weeks before she was back to normal. The rest of us just focused on our duties and tried to move on."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it was not your fault. You were killed and sent to Purgatory. You've already suffered enough."
"No, I still need to apologize. I'm sorry for leaving you when you needed me the most, I'm sorry for taking so long to come back, and I'm sorry about what happened this morning. I may not have been thinking straight but it was still no excuse for me to take my grief out on all of you." Nagata still needed to apologize to Chouhi, Bacho, Ryuubi, Ryofu and Chou'un. He needed to make amends, somehow.
"Aisha, I was wondering, could we maybe pick up from where we left off?" He really missed Kanu. Before he met Nanamomo and Bucky, he was all alone in Purgatory. His memories might have been missing but there were still lingering feelings he could never shake off, feelings of home, of family, of love.
Kanu wanted to say yes but said the opposite instead.
"No, Nagata-sama. I don't think it's a good time for us to resume our romantic relationship right now."
"O-oh, I understand." Nagata seemed crestfallen to hear that. "Yeah, you're right. We can't afford any distractions right now."
"But if you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."
Kanu stepped back and turned to walk out of the room. He could not see it, but she had tears in her eyes as well. She knew what her heart wanted but she had her duties and responsibilities as a general. Besides, did he deserve someone who could have doubted him like she had?
As Nagata watched her go, his heart ached. He said he wanted to be alone, but truthfully he did not want to be alone right now. However, he stopped before he could call out to her.
He needed to calm down.
He needed to process.
He needed to meditate.
As he sat down on the bed, he took Karasu's Ringo Lockseed out of his pocket.
"Kara-chan, I'm so sorry."
Karasu sat down next to him. This was not the real Karasu and he was well aware of that. Just like his guilt over Gien's death had manifested a hallucination that took her form as a ghost in Purgatory, this was just another hallucination which now took the form of Karasu's ghost.
"You have that look again, Naga-kun."
"What look?"
"The look that says 'it's all my fault'."
"I just wished I could've saved you."
"It wasn't your fault. And you avenged me. Everything is fine."
"Is it?"
"Don't let my sacrifice be in vain, Naga-kun. You need to keep fighting. That's why you came back so stop dwelling on your mistakes."
That was easier said than done. But she was right, though. They were in the middle of a war and he couldn't let his regrets drag him down. He needed to focus on what was important and make sure they all got through this together.
There was another knock at the door and Nagata looked up. Was that Kanu? Had she changed her mind?
He went to open the door. But instead of Kanu, Ryuubi stood before him.
"Touka," Nagata said, sighing.
"Nagata-sama, can we talk?" she asked.
Since Kanu had rejected him earlier, he was feeling a little lonely. He could use the company.
"Sure, come inside."
KRC: Misery loves company. This chapter was very emotion-driven. Yes, we have it start with a fight scene but it was necessary to help address the real issue and that is how we process grief. I originally based the fight on an episode of Legend Heroes, but in that episode, Liu Bei aka Ryuubi became drunk on power. I decided to use grief as the primary motivation here.
When we're in grief, we're not exactly in our right mind. Our decisions become driven by grief, as we ask ourselves what we could've done differently. In his grief, Nagata was convinced he could save the girls by taking their powers from them. Luckily, it ended without any casualties. He needs his bonds right now and he can't have them severed.
Speaking of severed bonds, it looks like Iori has decided to leave the Shoku Warriors and join up with Sousou. He has not completely cut ties with the group but their relationship will definitely be strained.
BTW, here's a How It Should've Ended, or HISHE scene, for the sake of it:
"I'm not in the mood, Iori."
"Well too bad. Because I'm in the mood to kill a Rinrinshi." Iori unlocked his Lockseed. "Henshin."
[YOMOTSUHEGURI!]
Using his super-speed, Nagata lunged forward and grabbed Iori's SengokuDriver, tearing it off before the transformation could even begin. He even swiped the Yomotsuheguri Lockseed.
Iori blinked in confusion when he saw Nagata holding both his SengokuDriver and Lockseed.
"What!?" Iori cried in shock.
"Super-speed, hah!" Nagata gloated.
"Give those back!" Iori demanded.
"No! Oh, and I'm sorry about this too!"
Nagata used his super-speed to strip Iori of his clothes and then ran off with them, leaving him in his underwear.
"Seriously!?" Iori yelped. "This cannot get any worse." And then it suddenly rained. "Oh, come on!"
[IMPERIAL CALIBUR FINISH!]
"THIS IS FOR KARA-CHAN! IMPERIAL FINAL CALIBUR! SEI-YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Dai Shi reviewed the footage up on his projection screen as it showed Seiryuu defeating Omajin Gaim with a single stroke of his sword. It seemed that Seiryuu had finally awakened his true power and all it cost was the death of a loved one.
Dai Shi smirked as he rolled the Taotie Lockseed in his hand. What a shame. He had lost Taotie but it was an acceptable loss. All he needed was the power contained in this tiny padlock. It was amazing how so much power could be contained in such a small package.
He swiped his hand to the left to switch screens to show Seiryuu fighting his harem. Dai Shi could feel his grief and it was deliciously agonizing. He just seemed so broken and pitiful, nearly pushed over the edge of his sanity, but those girls of his managed to pull him back before he fell into the darkness. A bit anticlimactic but Dai Shi wanted Seiryuu to be strong, not insane, even if his dark emotions were producing a significant amount of Rinki.
He swiped his hand to the side to switch screens again, this time showing the confrontation between Seiryuu and Zhayu. He could sense Zhayu's rage and hatred growing as his tainted Ki turned dark and murky. It was toxic and poisoning his body and mind. However, there was still a glimmer of light in his soul, his love for his family, which kept the corruption from taking over fully.
He checked one last screen to show the golden Seal of Heaven, shining brightly within a cloud of darkness as tendrils of Rinki were fed into it. Soon, it would be full.
Dai Shi darkened all his screens as he smiled. His plans were coming together. Perhaps it was finally time to formally introduce himself to his Sovereigns and Zhayu.
