o o o
Shigeu focused on the locked gates leading to the Hious. He couldn't be too sure of Kaname's sneakiness, but taking advantage of his aversion of the Kuruizaki-hime was a plausible start. The Kuran king touched the gold locks of the gate, carved in sakuras and leaves. Unlike other purebloods, the Hiou matriarch did not resent low-level vampires. She'd forsaken reputation, social standing, as well as given up being a member of his court to marry a human whom she later turned into a vampire. Shigeu was certain Kaname would use the Hiou Mountain to hide Yuki. Hadn't the matriarch requested he marry her daughter? He retreated from the gate and crossed the road. The flurry of Hiou guards skittered anxiously to the side, head bowed as he wandered without a glance.
Shizuka Hiou would not let anything get in the way of her daughter becoming queen. No pureblood clan would pass such an opportunity. Yuki would not be able to face the confounded matriach. If Kaname had the nerve to leave her in the mountain, it wouldn't be long before the matriarch clawed Yuki's insides out and left her skin hanging on the very locked gates he had just seen.
Shigeu couldn't penalize Kaname, he needed to win the war. If Kaname learnt of Shigeu's knowledge about Yuki remaining alive, he'd interfere. Shigeu tore into his palm with a claw and drew murky red blood, a dark form morphed midair and flapped black wings. The falcon's crimson eyes turned toward its creator, squawking.
"Find the blood who comes from me and is not altogether mine." Shigeu ordered, letting the shadow-falcon flutter over his head as he continued to walk nonchalantly down the road.
o o o
" ' I'll tarnish the echelon system if that's what it takes. For me, it's you.' "
Her nails fiercely dug into the leather reins.
" 'No matter whom you choose to be with, or how you live your life, I will always be with you. "
She clenched her fangs, glaring into the smoky humid clouds of petering cold, hard rain on the chain of samurais.
" 'An honorable pureblood will follow any order given to him, even go as far as to kill himself - all you have to do, Yuki Hanako, is say my birth name.' "
Years ago, together they set foot to capture Taito Takamiya where he mentioned in a roundabout manner about commanding a pureblood. No matter, it was notable purebloods were uncontrollable. Yuki hadn't understood why he brought up ordering purebloods. She searched the Shoto journal where she learned about Blood Summon, which bound a pureblood to the one holding his or her mark. Contemplatively Yuki fingered the chest plate of her armor, the mark burned above her breast. He hadn't marked her then, but Kaname was definitely referring to the Blood Summon.
Why did father have to pay the price?
Red spots coated her line of vision, shadowing the bull horn helmets of the warlord in front of her.
" 'Marriage isn't as horrible as it sounds. All I want is for you to start building a future.' "
Yuki turned her head toward the balanced, solid-looking noble vampire who insisted on riding abreast. It would've been conducive for the future leader of the Aidou clan to offend from the frontline with his father. Aidou was always considerate, he'd accompanied her and lent a hand at the Souen tavern, as well as review the books and lectures Kaname left for her to complete. He was supportive of her endeavor to remain a hunter and had no qualms about her handling weapons and killing criminals. Her father rooted for Aidou the most. He came from a trustworthy background with a social rank that did not present a threat to her. Nagamichi-sama was also a kind and understanding father.
The left side of her chest squeezed, she gasped from the sharp pain before prudently picking her head up to avoid being noticed. Yuki gaped at the black tide racing up her veins. It moved faster than it used to. By nightfall the blood infection would be discernible to her collarbone.
A pale pair of wings whisked in front of her horse. The butterfly circled Yuki's left shoulder patiently. She waited for her shadow messenger to settle in the middle of her palm and detached the note.
" Yuki,
The Kurashikans grow nervous. We received the sad news yesterday evening. I'm sorry things didn't work out. We know Haruka-sama would've wanted to face his punishment like a respected man. He meant too much to each of us. You don't need to come retrieve me, the roads are unsafe. Stay with the Aidous, Haruka-sama would've preferred you no where else.
His estate and lands were confiscated by the Internal Affairs. No one knows what the future holds. For hundreds of years Kurashiki was owned by the Tusnamasa clan, everyone lived serenely and tax-free. I hear talk in the streets about people itching to flee, but with the existing pureblood trouble, there's no guarantee for anything. No one knows what the imperial monarchs will do with the town. If the Jizamurai ride in, Kurashiki will not be the same. I asked Ms. Laison to stay with me at step-father's shop. The Shikis and I are following Haruka-sama's orders, and the borders remain protected.
Here's to hoping for better news in a few days. For the most part, we are safe and well. I know you and Zero are facing the riptide between the purebloods on the battlefield. If it's the two of you, you don't need luck or good wishes. We miss you both. After things are stable, I will see you. For now, let's just hold out and stay strong.
- Ichiru. "
Yuki crumpled the response, licking blood tears that had trickled on her lips. No one had it easy. The war was not only frightening, but the changes did not look promising. Kurashikans were not used to threat or famine. Her father's work would be ruined if the land was not released from the Internal Affairs and another dependable figure lorded the South. Agony trapped inside her sternum, quivering and rigid, a congested mold of loss.
She gingerly tugged the helmet and watched Nagamichi's indicative fist, urging them to march in the mist.
o o o
Surrounded by his men that had survived the village battle, Lord Toma grinned at hundreds of purebloods, masked and armed for one of the most prominent moments of the regime. He had to be smart about his coordinations now that they were outnumbered. The king was the final opponent, and he needed his greatest, strongest men to last and face the pureblood. As for the crowned prince, Lord Toma was certain the Kyoto camp inundated with the imperial army and the Hiou army would never allow them to infiltrate the city, he couldn't use his remaining men on them. He had to be meticulous.
In an abandoned courtyard ten miles from the Kyoto camp, his lords and raiders swarmed, hungry for action, their black eyes glinting menace and impatience.
"The moment we've been waiting for is upon us." Lord Toma said. He lifted the chain along his belt and patted the silver butterfly regalia. "Don't let him get away. I need him alive for it to work, understood?"
"Yes!" His men shouted.
On the hill looming behind the building, perched in the shadows, a crimson-eyed wolf sat rather ominously as it studied the yellow-fanged men beating their chests. Black contours crept into trees, dipping on the roof of the abandoned building.
o o o
Nagamichi gaped at the horrified, stumbling lookout who tumbled to his knees in front of his horse. "My lord!" He shrieked,"The line of defense is intact. The imperial army is attacking."
"Why are you screaming?" Nagamichi was compelled to inquire by the sight of his pale complexion.
"Th-th-the Toma army is also attacking." He continued to shriek.
Nagamichi whirled toward his men, "March!" He shouted.
"No!" The lookout despaired, clinging to his armor-cladded sleeve, "The army isn't—isn't…"
"Isn't what?"
Aidou swiped the telescope from the lookout to examine the field. They were the third column in wait. Far across in the mountains, opposite to them would be Lord Kisaragi's wall. His expression turned grim as he turned around. Next to him, Yuki snatched the telescope to examine the surging men. Crippled, fragile, gray-haired men and women struggled in rags up the hill. She shifted the lens and focused on the emerald and lavender banners angled straight toward the Toma army that did not entirely consist of vampires, but mere, simple humans carrying pitchforks, rakes and shovels. She even noted lumps of wood and measly looking spears.
"They are the men and women who went missing from the villages he attacked." Aidou cried fiercely.
"Farmers and the elderly," Yuki noticed the Ichijos priming their arrows from five hundred yards away. She abruptly faced their leader. "Nagamichi-sama, I am a fast rider. I can leave now and stop the imperial army."
Nagamichi's blue eyes became frigid, a shade of ice-white. His brows curled sternly, a foreboding fear scalded his bones and teeth. "Yuki, the Ichijos are expert shots. They don't miss."
"They are charging right toward the humans." She roughly turned her horse.
"You-" A tight arm grabbed her elbow, the power of his pull almost snagging her off the saddle. Aidou stared into her eyes pleadingly, "Be careful." He gulped.
Nagamichi gestured toward the lookout, "Follow her." He commanded.
The lookout scrambled to his feet and forced himself back on his saddle, however, Yuki had maneuvered down the slope.
o o o
Takuma checked the arrows queued skyward. His horse stomped anxiously next to his grandfather's. Their swords glued to their hands, and the other clenched the reins. The army in front of them hadn't even moved across the field. From the distance it was deducible they were on foot. Asato swung an arm down and the arrows soared into the white mist.
Silver armor on a black horse cut through the hill, racing directly toward them.
Their leader.
Asato flipped his spear and aimed.
o o o
200 hundred yards ahead of the running humans, she flattened against the galloping horse. The sound of arrows spiking the land drowned her screams. Fiery metal slashed across her arms, clicking against her legs as the arrows deflected from the metal. The horse ran faster toward the charging imperial army.
Yuki sat up briefly against the raining arrows.
"TAKUUUMA!"
Another line of arrows notched the strings and hissed as it sailed across the air. Arrows flew past Yuki onto the straddling lookout far behind.
"Takuma!"
Asato Ichijo clenched his jaw and stiffened at the rider on the black horse. Less than a hundred yard in front of him, the rider flimsily waved his arms.
"Stop!" The rider shouted.
Asato kept his hold on the spear. His eyes guardedly narrowed, hesitating.
Suddenly the rider twisted his head, snaring his silver helmet off. Long dark hair fluttered in the moist wind and arms waved frantically, screaming, "Takuma, stop!"
Asato's eyes doubled wide, promptly he retracted the spear. Takuma yanked the reins of his horse, slurring at the army that skidded and broke out of formation from his abrupt yield.
"Cease, cease!" Takuma ordered. Horses collided, and the riders of the imperial army toppled. Asato nudged his horse forward after his grandson, who had dismounted.
She had also slid off her horse and wearily darted toward the blond, "You can't attack-"
Takuma bounded toward her, "What the hell are you doing here?" He raged.
Yuki glanced at Asato riding in toe of Takuma, steering around her. "Lord Toma isn't playing fa—"
Takuma spun her around, angrily, "Do you realize we were going to run you over? What the hell are you doing?" He shouted.
"The army headed here consists of the chonin." Shaking out of his grip, Yuki revealed, "They are not trained soldiers, but men and women using shovels and pitchforks."
Asato rode past the screaming Aidou lookout to analyze the running mass of old, broken and drained humans. He motioned the imperial army with a strict glare. "Get ready to block, shields up!"
Yuki flung toward the Taisho, but Takuma nastily wrung her back. His green eyes flashed impatiently from her pale countenance to the guarded expression of his grandfather's. "You need to get off the field." Takuma grabbed her metal sleeve and tugged her toward his horse.
The imperial army surrounding Takuma managed to prop themselves in an organized line. Takuma pulled her out of the main field with his grandfather's glare shadowing their steps. Yuki grabbed the reins of her horse. The trusted Taisho would be forced to reveal she was alive to the king. Her heart did not sink heavily like it used to in fear, instead she accepted it and felt the same fear dissipate. The worst had been done to her already, what possibly could the Kuran king do? Somehow killing her was not a terrible fate. She was not afraid to face the king.
Yuki had brought her horse and followed Takuma patiently from the region of impact. The imperial army would simply deflect and push them back as far as possible. She continued to eye the Taisho gesturing the samurais to form an impenetrable wall.
Takuma snatched her wrist and yanked her through the shrubbery on the side of the field. She crossed sure-footed behind the noble vampire and whisked her wrist back the moment he eased to a stop and whirled around, infuriated but grim. His brilliant green eyes no longer warm or cheerful, instead his stare was cold and heavy.
Yuki could assimilate his line of thought before he ventured to ask, so she ventured to say, "I'm staying with the Aidous."
Takuma didn't even pass a glance over her metal-cladded attire, nor did he humble himself with the sight of the icicle emblem on her armor. His eyes narrowed chillingly and he stepped dauntingly toward her, fangs clenched, "You gave your word you wouldn't disappear. Why did you leave?"
Her gaze blackened instantly, she averted. "It's true, an Ichijo can forgive his murderer as soon as the blade cuts his throat. I'm not an angel like you."
"Are you listening to yourself?" Takuma chided, "Come with me to our camp, you can talk—"
She had turned around and moved away, focusing on the sound of horses and shouts of men in the field not far. "No." Yuki replied solidly.
Takuma anxiously shook his head. "What happened was awful, despicable—there are no words! I can't fathom what incited him to do it either. He cared about your father."
Yuki clenched her fists and closed her eyes.
"He looked up to-"
"Stop it."
Takuma held fast and found her pained black-red eyes rimmed with blood tears, she glared over the shoulder at him.
"I will have nothing to do with purebloods anymore." He head her solemn dark vow. "I never want to see another Kuran again." She started back toward the trees they had petered from.
"Your blood infection-" Takuma called out, "We spent months quelling your seizures. The condition only stopped after you were with Kaname. Can you live without ever seeing him?"
A blood tear dropped loudly on her balled knuckles. "Aristocrat vampires had it hard after the king ordered us to be annihilated. I don't want the children I bring into the world to grow up feeling like me. I don't want them to be afraid or hide. I will live with the blood infection, I guess it's the best punishment for drinking from a pureblood."
"The answer lies in the Shoto journal, I couldn't piece it together. Ai shed some light on it. Remember there's a section describing the types of bonds through blood? Blood bond and Blood Summon. Did you ever realize why he's the cure to your blood infection? The human waif the Kuran progenitor transformed missed him when he went away." Takuma frowned and approached Yuki from behind. He pulled her arm and tugged the dark protective material underneath the metal. Sure enough, he uncovered black veins fishing consistently up to her forearms.
He shook her wrist. "She missed him to the point her veins turned black and collapsed into seizures. To soothe her, he gave her his Blood Summon. She called him when she missed him, and he instantly appeared. She never fell sick afterward. Why miss him to point of physical illness, Yuki?" Takuma demanded, "Why won't you listen to your own heart?"
Tears welled in her eyes, flooding her vision in ash white and brown blood. "Doesn't change a thing," She removed her arm violently, "He beheaded my father."
He stared at her determinedly, the ever-green emerald irises margining on yellow and black as he mustered to ask, "Am I your enemy too?"
Yuki didn't meet him in the eye but brushed past him. "I won't burden you to choose sides." She murmured composedly, "You're true to whom you believe. I'm true to what I believe."
"He won't have anyone else if you leave him," Takuma sorrowfully whispered, "We both know he doesn't hurt people out of cruel intentions. I will get to the bottom of thi-"
"Forget it, Takuma." Yuki interrupted roughly, as if chastising the noble vampire. "I have no desire to understand why Kurans are deceptive and manipulative. I will take my heart out to be free of him when the time comes."
Takuma whirled around in horror, but she walked into the stream of high trees and waiting shadows. He could feel the force of dark anger trailing her footsteps. Yuki rode out of the field from the sidelines, maintaining her distance from the imperial army and the Taisho. Takuma saddled his horse. The stern conversation left a hot welt of goosebumps down his arms and legs. That did not seem like the hot-tempered Yuki. While her animosity was evident, her words were not temperamental or seething, the anger and defeat was chillingly firm. She meant each word she said. He gulped and secured his helmet. Witnessing her father's death had destroyed any nuance of forgiveness and tolerance Yuki had.
Takuma fixated on the line of shields propelling the attacking humans back. Their barefoot slid against the muddy grass and tools dropped, yet the chonin continued to bash madly against the imperial army.
"They are being mind controlled," The Taisho shouted, motioning toward the Aidou lookout, "Tell your lord to encapsulate them by running them from behind. We must contain them."
"Yes, m'lord," The blue-eyed lookout bobbed his head and kneed the horse's ribs.
Nagamichi could read the Taisho's mind. Before the lookout returned to his troops, the Aidous vigorously rode past him and encircled the humans.
o o o
The raiders roared and waved their swords after Lord Toma gave the order. It was time for a new line of pureblood rulers, a better king to take over the throne and set forth a new law where purebloods could have everything they desired, and the raiders would never be prisoned and given what they sought for free. As for the humans, those who were strong would not refrain from the influence of the vampires, and if they were smart, they would stick close to the vampires and serve them for life. The world was ruined by the Kuran, and if the war was not won yet, it would be won by another pureblood, or vampire. The Kuran could not remain powerful forever. Lord Toma pridefully surveyed his army and nodded at the Toma purebloods, the last of the Toma samurais that survived the blast of the Oracle Dragon.
"This round will be different." He promised.
The shadows glided past the rooftops and pinned to the walls of the abandoned building. Lord Toma pointed to the purebloods, who retreated into mists, their red eyes glinting silver before vanishing in the cold draft. Relief faintly slithered over the pureblood warlord, but a persistent tremor wiggled into his bloodstreams like an unwelcome roach in his room. He scouted the heckling raiders, mind-washed men, and vampires.
Another cold draft trickled over the courtyard, raining white mist. The faint smell of burning wood became stark. The smoke whistled and black flashes of movement crisscrossed, the sound of hisses and screams showered. Lord Toma glared to his right where a large black wolf with devilish glowing red eyes stared. Crouching on its hind legs, the wolf stalked its prey. Its white fangs dipped with poison, the stench already impacting the surrounding raiders who were losing consciousness. Another shadow passed behind Lord Toma, the skin on the back of his neck tickled.
He turned just in time to cut the sword landing on him in half. The butterfly regalia shimmered inside of his fist and white light blasted the vampire three feet back. A stream of infinite satisfaction brimmed Lord Toma at the astoundingly effective sword, but a shadow rippled over him and the large fangs of the wolf gnawed into his neck.
"AH!"
The wolf tackled him to the ground. Beneath its large paws, the pureblood rolled and kicked, fishing for the sword that had flown out of his grip. He shoved the wolf's biting fangs, feeling it dug deep into his muscle and crunch bone. Lord Toma fiercely pushed the wolf and rolled, until he crawled toward the sword. His dominant arm had been chewed, nonetheless, he painlessly grabbed the weapon and began to run. The wolf leapt after his heel, its pounding heels and snapping fangs less than two inches from Lord Toma's back.
The pureblood waved an arm and cut into midair, formalizing a white cloud and stumbled through the hole. The wolf tackled after him mercilessly, falling into the seamless portal.
Lord Toma skittered to his feet and stared at the closing portal. The wolf transformed into a neat black shadow. Two long legs moved on the soil, black hair wavered in the transition. Kaname's burning red eyes zoned on the panting pureblood, who twisted and darted, groping at the poison eating into his neck and sternum.
"You're running the wrong way, Lord Toma." Kaname succinctly pointed out, a momentary step at his tail. "Weren't you anticipating to kill me? You're obsessed with my rank and hunger for my place in the palace."
Lord Toma's dark eyes narrowed as he turned, flashing the crowned prince with an ineffable, haunting grin. His fangs dug into his bottom lip from its expansive width.
Kaname's eyes narrowed several inches, his field of vision seemingly closed by long lashes. "Changed your mind? Perfect. There's someone I can't wait to be with. The quicker I eliminate you and end this vapid excuse of a war, the sooner I can be with her."
The poison in his bloodstreams was waning. Lord Toma scoffed at the crowned prince. "Don't turn my war into a casual affair like you're out getting milk just to finish off the last tray of cookies at home."
"I don't like sweets."
"Do I care? A coward like you is not fit to become king." Lord Toma slurred.
"If I am the coward, then why are you always hiding and running from me?" Kaname quipped.
Lord Toma laughed under his breath, his dark eyes flickering animatedly. Shadows around Kaname vibrated, swiftly swallowing the forest. Kaname did not move at the mere silhouettes peeping into the light. The surrounding purebloods aimed their swords at the crowned prince in the center. Lord Toma opened his arms widely, his smirk endorsing cleverness, "Welcome. You thought I was running from you? I was luring you here."
Kaname stared at the razor sharp blades, held steadily and stealthily toward his neck and chest. The purebloods snickered musically around him.
"I haven't seen these swords," The crowned prince remarked, "The black market is thankful for your investments."
"With these swords, we can kill a dozen humans in a single slice. It has the potency to kill vampires as well."
Kaname had spread that rumor. "Ooh?" He acted. "Indeed. It must be because of your centuries of expertise in warfare, you managed to trick me through your portal and corner me. I assumed you wanted the world to witness my defeat. Are you sure this is enough?"
Hesitation nicked Lord Toma's furious glare, he wedged himself out of impulsive ideas and snapped sharply, "They will know when I am on the throne. You have no skill, books can't help you, and your favorite aunt is gone. You must be quivering in your boots."
The purebloods edged toward Kaname.
The crowned prince dispatched long black talons from his fingertips. Black blood oozed to the ground, filtering the air in dense onyx poison. At the pureblood immediate to his elbow, Kaname punched a hole through his armor and dislodged his heart out. The Toma samurai heaved at the slippery organ nestled in Kaname's black, white smoking palm. The connected ventricles vibrated out of the hole in his chest.
Kaname glared at the samurai.
He whimpered, releasing the sword from his neck. "O-O-Ouji-sa-sam-sama..."
Kaname punctured the heart with the poisonous talons. Another pureblood on the left swiped and sliced into Kaname's rib. He twisted the sword out. The metal pulverized from his touch. Two more purebloods attacked simultaneously, but Kaname had grabbed the tips of their swords and whipped it out of their arms. The melted metal and poison laced his long talons, Kaname notched them by the jugulars each, dragging them toward their gaping master. Choking from the famous poison lodged inside of their throats, the purebloods kicked their feet, struggling and wheezing for air. Kaname tossed them toward Lord Toma's feet, the pair dissolved into dust beneath his enlarged, shocked eyes.
Five Toma samurais jumped on Kaname, tackling his shoulders, two slicing into his back. Another pinned Kaname's arms. With him held down, the final samurai smirked and raised the sword over Kaname's heart and pierced the plate of firm flesh.
Kaname unblinkingly unpinned his left arm and backhanded the smirking samurai. He collapsed and flattened against the ground, horrified. He was getting irritated and snatched the pureblood choking him from the back by slinging a long arm and flipped him down, twisting his neck. From the dexterous motions, the remaining samurais staggered back, holding onto their swords shakily. Kaname glared blackly in their direction. They pedaled farther back, only the grunting slur of their cursing warlord brought them out of their nerve-wracking trance.
"Get the coward!" Lord Toma bellowed.
Together, they charged toward Kaname with their swords. The taller pureblood smashed their helmets, blood dribbled down their temples and their eyes rolled back. The ashes at his feet were covered in poison. Kaname looked at Lord Toma eyeing him in steady fascination. The weapons failed to injure the Kuran.
Lord Toma removed the silver butterfly regalia from his belt. His approach, a collection of stomps that caused the leaves around Kaname to tremble. The cold wind frisked his cheekbones, healing the cuts.
" 'Strike him using the dragon blade, the sword in your hand will absorb his life force and powers.' "
The lord was less than a meter from Kaname when he allowed a long-winded wolffish smirk. "This trick," Kaname murmured, "I learned from a crook." He slid down, swinging his foot and tripped the warlord.
Lord Toma promptly lost balance. In the gust of his fall, he tried to reclaim his footing, but Kaname punctured into his back with a black fist full of poison. The hissing lord flared his arms and plummeted, pulling Kaname in a fierce wrestle. He weaseled around, grabbing the Kuran's collar.
I can't kill him. I need his powers to gain control of the Light of Heaven.
Lord Toma punched him in the solar plexus. Hissing, he flashed a perfect row of fangs and plunged into Kaname's porcelain throat. "Gnnrrrrr-" Lord Toma reached for the dragon blade in his jacket. Exposing the golden handle, he tore the flesh of Kaname's throat by yanking his head back and stabbed him in the abdomen.
Kaname grunted as air gushed out of him. Rich, crimson blood milked down the dragon handle hotly. Deep inside of his gut, the blade ripped into organs, ramming into his spinal column. Kaname coughed blood on the ground.
Incinerating gold light wormed into Lord Toma's fingers, turning the veins black. His eyes paled as his own pureblood energies began to be absorbed by the blade. He looked at the dragon insignia beneath his fingers, red light seared into his eyes, blinding him abruptly. The light continued to burst and flood the field, soaring high in the skyline.
A white, gold dragon formed over the clouds, screeching.
Lord Toma gaped fearfully at the looming Oracle Dragon. The behemoth creature of light turned round and round in agitation.
Can it feel his pain?
Stung from the electrocuting blade, Lord Toma jerked his hands from the handle and reached for the butterfly regalia. Kaname extracted the dragon blade from his stomach, gasping hoarsely and chopped the lord's fingers, forever out of reach. Lord Toma screamed painfully, his blood gushing, but he began to turn from under Kaname's wrestle to swim toward the regalia with his might.
The Oracle Dragon swarmed the field, hovering the pair, the roar of its growl dragging trees and wracking mountains. Lord Toma stared widely at the dragon, panicking. White hot energy ballooned inside its orifice, a hollow opening of death between striking pillars of marble teeth.
It's about to attack!
He kicked Kaname off, but the crowned prince slammed him onto the ground. Lord Toma continued to struggle, his other hand managed to glance the edge of the regalia. Suffocating heat seared into his back, chewing into his bones, burning his blood and the inside of his eyes. He screamed from the impending blow of the dragon hanging directly above him, protecting its Kuran lord. Lord Toma winced and tore into the blurring entails of dirt, leaves and stone, combing a portal. He thrust Kaname powerfully, swinging his arms and knocking him toward the opening mouth of the dragon and swiped the regalia.
The portal closed before Kaname slipped inside. Seiren resumed roaring in inexpiable outrage, her tail whipping, hurling a storm. The burning hole in Kaname's stomach lapped a rivulet of red. He flattened on the ground, breathless. The Oracle Dragon hung above him, her growls silenced.
The trees hummed and the wind quieted. The falling blocks in the mountains paused. Kaname touched the open stab wound where his blood drained out of his body. The silver-lavender eyes of the dragon calmed.
Shigeu materialized beside his gasping son. He knelt down carefully, studying the exhaustive sea of blood. The king grabbed the dragon blade and turned toward the vigilant creature. "Return, Seiren."
Darkness flooded her pale eyes, holding competently and carefully solemn. Her outstretched wings ceased to flap and her jaws were sealed. Her once angrily whipping tail was erect and upward, toward the stars concealed in the day.
Shigeu caught her refraining from following his order, but he did not challenge the dragon. The Kuran king merely turned in concern toward his child. He slit open his wrist and let the blood pool into his palm, Shigeu held it to Kaname's lips. "Drink and heal."
Kaname had never tasted his father's pure blood. He was uneasy by its scent but did not doubt its strength or healing qualities. Kaname accepted the gesture and drank the powerful blood. The wound in his stomach did not close, however, the bleeding was barely stopping.
Shigeu exchanged his concern with a question, "You have something to say. Why aren't you making haste?"
The dragon lowered her wings at last. The scales began to shrink, and the long wings softened into silver-lavender hair. A pale silhouette shimmered in white in the sky. She lowered into the ground before the Kurans. Expressionless silver-lavender eyes spied the men and dropped to her feet, she bowed ceremoniously. "Salutations and greetings to the Kuran king." She spoke coolly, her voice soft and solemn as her stare.
"Why are you revealing yourself to us now?" Shigeu asked.
Kaname put a hand on the injury and glided lethargically to his height.
"I'm the guardian of the Kuran crypt and the dimension where the progenitor was created. My body was never weaponized to harm a Kuran. I sensed the seal was touched." Seiren answered. Her eyes passed Kaname and a softening between her brows executed, before returning to its original furrow.
The wind bristled against Shigeu's raven locks, he nodded thoughtfully. "Lord Toma is interested in the crypt and the Light of Heaven. He accessed new information from his benefactor. He was afraid to confront you and ran away. Seiren, you did nothing wrong."
"Kuran king, I'm not the one in need of comfort. The flesh of this world cannot withstand my scales and the force of my fire."
"That puts me at ease." Shigeu pocketed the dragon blade and faced Kaname. "The dragon blade nicked your pureblood disposition, your shadow spy is suffering."
Kaname could feel the current of his powers debilitate enormously after the loss of blood. Vampires of great power had the ability to travel and live out of their human forms. His father had lived in the shadow of his falcon spy for a hundred years. His mother was a lion, and Kaname had effortlessly trailed Yuki in Kurashiki in the form of a black wolf.
"I won't need my shadow spy to eliminate Lord Toma." Kaname replied.
Shigeu acknowledged his determination, adding pointedly, "I had you train secretly, I'm not worried about your skills."
"I can find him, he is close by." Kaname answered.
"You need to be careful. Our ancestors look to you to carry our legacy. Kaname, Lord Toma's thirst will end after he feels credible enough to harness power over us. I made him an artificial sword. I hoped his tenacious greed would be satisfied, and he'd give up after learning the Light of Heaven will reject him. I meant to be kind to the son of my comrades, the Tomas."
Seiren was studying Kaname.
"He's fueled by rage and revenge, blinded by emotion and beyond reason. A pureblood who discards his principles and morals cannot understand boundaries. Kaname, I can forgive you for mistakes up to here, but I cannot let you sway any further. Your soul will go to the Light of Heaven, as will mine. You cannot lose."
"Your existence is his fortune, Kuran king." Seiren interjected quietly, "You're both direct descendants of the progenitor. His powers will remain in optimal state, he will live undefeated."
Shigeu was pleased by the forecast. Seiren had served all Kuran kings, she had knowledge others couldn't understand — not even him. Nonetheless, she was a reliable source.
While the news was nice and reassuring, Kaname was not pacified. He restrained his reservations and said, "There's no issue going on the offense, I'll take my leave. Lord Toma is unprepared for an immediate counterattack."
Shigeu eagerly nodded and watched Kaname fragment into black bats. The bats flew into the clouds and disappeared in the white mist. He sensed Kaname's impatience, but he was not perturbed. Killing Lord Toma was their highest priority.
"You spoke of a seal," Shigeu blinked at the clouds, "Why am I hearing about it all of a sudden?"
Seiren was staring at the ground in deep thought. "Your son was born from Kuran power. A seal shields his pureblood soul. My blade contacted the surface, I had to make sure it was intact."
"Kaname was born with it?" Shigeu squinted his eyes in heavy confusion.
"There are things the Imperial Lord mandates, so it is."
Shigeu did not see the problem and measured an approving nod. "Kaname sure is lucky," He mouthed.
"That is why his enemies won't prevail."
"Of course," Shigeu couldn't help but grin, his crimson eyes glinted happiness, "He's meant to inherit the Light of Heaven. I was hesitant about letting him become king. I thought he'd turn heartless and miserable like me. I never allowed him in my court until he received the investiture. I pushed him away as a boy, hoping he could revel in the simple joys of childhood. With a warm friend like Takuma on his side, he'd learn to smile. I wanted to protect his innocence and told him to never become king. Kaname changed after meeting…" Shigeu stopped his rumination.
"Seiren," He whispered somberly, "You watched my forefathers and accompanied our progenitor here. Does it amuse you how generation after generation we continue to struggle with the same problems?"
"Each seed born after the progenitor has an assignment." Seiren answered. "Kuran king, you upheld the Light of Heaven, helped vampires and made distinctive laws to protect humans. The world changed six times under your rule. The Kuran prince has his own assignment."
"You've provided me with interesting information." Shigeu murmured softly, "In return, I'll let you stay in your present form. I will depend on your guidance later."
The slightest intensity of surprise festered in her stare, creaking her eyes lid wider by an inch. Her silver-lavender eyes blinked appreciatively. "Thank you, Kuran king." Seiren whisked her head down firmly.
"Kaname chases Lord Toma. I need to stop the lord from the front."
o o o
Knocking the controlled humans unconscious had been the best route to go. Most fell into deep sleep. The rest were sequestered in prisons. They were not tortured or starved. The purebloods at camp were unable to release the mind control. Takuma walked away from the chained humans who spat and screeched. He sighed wearily, tired and unfulfilled. His mind in a fog and his footsteps heavy. Up the path of scones he went to enter the tent of the Taisho.
The general of the imperial army scanned a note inscribed by their allies. "Lord Kisaragi's wall was successful, but they lost sight of the crowned prince." Asato burned the letter and hooked his fingers around a glass of blood.
"Kaname summoned the Oracle Dragon. He could have finished Lord Toma already."
Asato pondered the blood in the glass. "He sends us mind-controlled humans and forces the crowned prince's hand. He loves to play dirty."
"How can we quickly free the humans from mind control?" Takuma wondered.
"By killing the pureblood controlling them." Asato replied in a heartbeat.
Takuma stared out of the tent worriedly. Had they not been warned on time, the monstrous clash would leave the imperial army paralyzed in indissoluble guilt. There were no news of Lord Toma's death yet. Each counting minute was painful. Takuma paced anxiously in front of his grandfather's desk, his mind once again weaving near doom.
The experienced general broke open blood capsules and added the tables in the glass. He nudged it toward his grandson. "There are many hours of war ahead of us. You can't dilute your focus. He might not have led a war before. A pureblood war can only end when one stands victorious. Predators fighting for domination is part of nature. We're merely followers." Their formation was tasked to defend thirty miles from Kyoto and the pureblood palace.
Takuma was different compared to his grandfather. Although the trusted Taisho was revered by the king, he was able to practice healthy emotional non-infringement with purebloods. He could dutifully sacrifice his life for the Kuran, not his heart or mind.
He loved his non-blood-related pureblood brother. "I will die with Kaname when it comes down it." Takuma swore.
Ichijos could do anything for the Kuran. The Taisho was used to such declarations. "Can you avoid the half-pureblood?"
Takuma gauged his piercing glare before dumbly frowning. "Can you not share the information with the king?"
"What do I have to share? The king's knowledge is vast, he's aware she's alive."
Takuma paced his conclusions, suddenly queasy from pretending the worst was not at hand. "What'll he do?"
o o o
Most of the human army were taken by the imperial army. The fairest choice was to arrest the remainder and escort them to the Aidou camp. While the imperial camp was loftier, larger and equipped with finer resources, the Aidous had expansive terrain and hills, making their campsite tougher to enter and leave without the assistance of lookouts and samurais. The Aidou banner rippled frantically in the wind. The humans wrestled in chains, and when they reacted violently toward their guards, a pail of ice water had turned effective in making them quiet. They peered curiously for hours at the Aidous, their pale hair and eyes and the constant drilling of troops, but they chewed their lips in confusion.
Nagamichi referenced Lord Kisaragi's notes and information with the general of the imperial army before he pointed to his maps. Aidou was next to him, beady-eyed and alert.
"We have Yuki to thank for interceding the attack, our riders are not quite as fast." Nagamichi remarked, "I'll need you to be lookout."
"Understood." She examined the map beneath his thick-leathery fingers.
"Lord Kisaragi's wall is tucked in the western hilltop, here. He has the Kurenai watching from the sky. The Oracle Dragon appeared between the forest, next to the lake. Ouji-sama is within radius of fifteen miles from his camp. Lord Toma must be circling here. Hanabusa will take a column and ride there. Yuki, you need to precede them and signal for blockages."
"Done."
Aidou was sitting on a stool. His chin propped on the table and raised blond brows at her in admiration. "Yuki-chan is too comfortable using weapons. Us, Aidous, prefer to depend on supernatural abilities. If you're nervous, I can teach you a few tricks."
"I'll stick to what I'm good at." Yuki smirked at the shrugging blond.
"Let's not waste anymore time." Nagamichi folded the map.
Yuki mounted her black stallion. The muscled beast neighed and bounced energetically on the grass.
Aidou appeared next to her on horseback. "You can tell my father you'd rather crawl in bed and sleep the day away. He wouldn't mind." He offered.
Yuki steered her horse into a light trot. The kind Aidous would not let her touch a thing if she procured a paper cut. While Yuki was not demure and soft-spoken, she had regenerated into a warm, empathetic, intuitive and understanding individual. She listened to instinct on missions and caught assailants without fail. She rode aggressively over the country, through courtyards of nobles that did not support women in her career. She understood what it meant to be despised, disrespected, insulted, and compared by the women folk.
She could live a completely different life by overriding her choices like participating in the war and arresting mind-controlled humans. She could sleep her life away—No, sleep was no longer her friend. She could dress in beautiful silk, ignore her desires by stitching embroidery and never consider adventure. Life would be better to her, wouldn't it? Life wouldn't make a miserable storm of her goals, wouldn't it? And the people in her life wouldn't betray her, wouldn't they?
Yuki studied Aidou's profile. He had a soft jaw and strong a nose. His smile was often immersed in secret mirth, as he found amusement easily, and his eyes were lit in blue crystals, the kind formed in frozen lakes. He had a warm smile, an inherited trait of his father's, she was certain. He complained on horseback the most and claimed chariots were better and he never ran out of topics to talk. It left Yuki time to ponder about things while he mused aloud.
" 'He is handsome and you are pretty. You are young, educated, a noble status, and you have individual unique skill sets that can lead to an exciting and insightful exchange of love, joy, compassion and understanding. Can there be a pair so perfect?' "
It's only when her father is no more she couldn't stop thinking about him. Why didn't she ever consider his loving advice?
" 'Every word I give you is true. ' "
A fissure of nostalgia, knotted in cords of pain struck up her spine, loosening into blistering shivers. Tears moistened Yuki's eyes. She stared at the valley in front of her. Her breathing laborious and dislodged on a horse too steady and a plain smooth like wet grass.
" 'I won't let anything happen to you. I promised I won't throw you away. ' "
Fighting for silence, she clenched the reins, her nails ripping through tough leather. Hot streams of blood-tears scrolled down her pale cheeks, gluing to her balled knuckles. Pain flared inside her chest, stomping like hot iron against her sternum and ribs. She heaved abrasively, ducking on the horse and clenched her eyes tightly as sobs charged violently out of her imprisoning fangs.
Aidou gaped in horror toward his companion, silencing for the first time.
She wheezed for a gulp of air. Her throat throbbed, too parched that the air scraped. Tremulously she covered her mouth, but the sobs rang between horse-hooves and the wild wind rummaging branches of leaves. Spasms rocked her shoulders, arms and legs. She clenched her fangs and squeezed her thighs to avoid falling from the horse.
Aidou paled beside her and waited for the spasm to stop. He had no medicine, the physicians at camp did not know much about the rarity that was blood infection. Minutes went by, he quietly wondered about the number of spasms she encountered on a daily basis. She did not discuss the matter at all. This was fairly his second time witnessing it.
Yuki was pressing a shaking fist against her quivering heart. The veins had moved across her shoulders and collarbone, a shadowy crescent in her neck. She would get used to it. She'd force herself to fight it. Depending on a traitorous pureblood was her demise, a future she did not anticipate or value.
She glanced at the courteous vampire who stalled his horse and sat in wait. His blue eyes moved curiously around her blood-stained cheeks.
"You said, the blood infection was under remission." He tensed and dejectedly mumbled, "There's no cure, right?"
Yuki shook her head, no.
"You don't have to join us. Stay back at camp." Aidou gestured down the way they came. "It's no problem, you need to take care of yourself."
"Staying at camp won't lessen the degree of the infection," Yuki cleared her throat, "The life-long disease is a reminder not to trust the wrong people." She glanced around them, "We've lingered too long. I need to go in front and scout."
"Are you sure?" Aidou asked.
She surrendered a shaking nod. Her fist notched against her heart, forcing it from moving, pumping blood.
I should just throw it away. It torments me night and day.
Yuki roused her horse urgently and started trotting quickly.
Why did I meet you?
That awkward coin toss. Someone made a bet in heaven.
If I hadn't met you, I would have died in Kyoto.
If I hadn't met you, I would not have compared your blood to others.
If I hadn't met you, I would have stayed a nameless creature of the Toma camp.
If I hadn't met you, I would not have known the rejuvenating warmth of your arms.
Yuki roughly pulled the reins, drawing the horse on an ascent toward the western hilltop. For the average rider, the ascent would take more than an hour, but she reached the peak in half the time. Yuki shook the barrel of the telescope, the shaft elongated and she searched the Kisaragi wall. The few black wings hiding behind the clouds, ever watchful of Lord Toma, and the stealthy shadows wrapped around trees consisting of vampire samurais.
o o o
© Nur Misurr • Read & Review • Thank You
Wow ^o^ you are too generous in your reviews. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, reviewing, and for sharing Echelon with YuMe fans.
All of you who are against Haruka's death and refuse to believe it are on the right track \^.^/