Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Azure Seas, Black Space
Chapter 3: The Wrath of The Fated Duo
The group of four would soon land in the world to see that Demigra had a large demon army attacking the realm, with massive quantities of demons in the army.
"Demigra did his homework. Otherwise the army wouldn't have been this big…" Siege remarked.
"Well, it's four of us plus a god of wrath against this continent-sized army." Richard answered back. "Good thing that Amagi's got lots of shells to spare, as well as a good katana for anyone who's stupid enough to think she doesn't have a close-range option."
Speaking of that God of Wrath, he would soon rush into view, beginning to slay demons, as well as some Honkai that was also in the mix.
"There he is. Perfect timing, actually." Siege said. "Let's go make our presence known to him again Richard. After all, it has been quite the number of years since we last saw him."
"Yeah, several…" Richard answered back. "How long has it been since we had to put him back together after that incident... Anyways, with him keeping peace around here, I'm sure that he might have been getting some new tricks."
Richard then immediately unsheathed his weapons, before darting right through the demon lines, as Amagi could watch with awe, as he cut a wide path ahead of him, his blades swinging at a speed that she could only see the blades blurring in front of him, while sparks of elemental energy blasted off, destroying any demons in contact with it.
"Right, I better get to work as well." Siege remarked. "Amagi, I think that you can use some HE shells to clear the demon swarmers out. They're not that strong, compared to the firepower you use. I'll just join up with Richard, and Sakura will help to make sure the enemies keep their distance from you as much as possible."
"I understand." Amagi answered back, before her cannons immediately moved into motion, as she was firing artillery barrages and shells across the demon horde, reducing their numbers.
"Amagi-san will be fine, Siege." Sakura said, drawing her Ruinous Sakura blade. "Go! Meet up with Richard and that God of Wrath!"
Siege nodded, drawing Dyrnwyn as he soon charged into battle, leaping to the area between Richard and Asura, to perform a destructive feat of strength. "DYRNWYN'S MIGHT BEHOLD! EARTHSHAKER CRASH!"
Siege slammed into the ground with his blade, as large amounts of radiant energy rushed out, cutting multiple demons and Honkai in half, which got the attention of Asura, and quite frankly impressed Richard, since Siege hadn't begun showing this much of his power before now.
"Well now, ain't this interesting." Asura grinned, as he seemed to recognise the two heroes. "Looks like we're back together to fight once again, it seems. How have you both been, Richard? Siege? Has that demon god come back to try and claim me?"
"Yeah, he's been pretty relentless to try and get you it seems." Siege said, hefting Dyrnwyn over his shoulder as he was on standby. "But, not that we can't fix this, after all, you've gotten stronger by the looks of things. Richard and I have as well."
"Considering that you're the literal anchor of this universe now… Can't let you fight your battles alone, can I? Sure, we know you can handle all these small-frys, but we all know Demigra doesn't take you lightly, and he doesn't play fair." Richard answered back, before he then immediately conjured a large magic circle in front of him. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's back to the scheduled pest-cleaning. Declare Spell-Card: Magic Sign 'Arcana Beam'!"
Richard then fired a massive beam of arcane energy that tore through the ranks of demons ahead, as he even twisted the beam around a little, taking out more of them. When the beam died out, the front was temporarily clear of enemies, before more came up to take the place of the annihilated demons.
"Heh, man it feels good to be back here!" Siege said with a smile. "In this world, we can actually let everything loose! No restraints, really!" Siege laughed as he prepared Dyrnwyn.
As the three old friends got back to their end of things, Amagi and Sakura were slaying the demons and Honkai trying to get to them. It wasn't working too well for the demons, but suddenly, they stopped attacking Sakura and Amagi.
"...What…? Why did they…" Sakura said, before looking up to see the figure that she and Amagi were preparing to face. She was in an ethereal form, but the red aura of her spirit made it clear to Amagi and Sakura one thing.
They were now in the presence of the Herrscher of Flame, who eyed both Amagi and Sakura in intrigue.
"Hm… both of you appear to be suitable vessels… the question is…" the Herrscher said as she looked at them both. "Which of you should I possess… who can hurt the other more…"
"Amagi-san… remember our plan…?" Sakura would whisper, referring to the plan of them both having their hands on the Herrscher when she would try to possess them.
Amagi silently nodded, before they faced the Herrscher without any fear or hesitation in their eyes. And with a sudden motion, they leapt up, and latched onto the Herrscher of Flames's form, as they seemed to be latching onto her as if she was tangible, as the power flowed between both of them.
"Excellent, excellent! It seems that you are eager for my power, aren't you both? Very well, let your strength determine who will possess the honour of my power!" The Herrscher cackled, as her power was flowing between both of them. However, when she noticed that she was getting her power divided equally, she began to feel suspicious, although she didn't call them out.
Sakura and Amagi exchanged looks, as they knew that their plan was progressing smoothly. It was only when most of the Herrscher's power was being drained, that the Herrscher finally realised what was going on.
"What… What is this…!?" The Herrscher exclaimed, her arrogant expression betraying disbelief and anger. "How are you both so evenly powerful enough to sap equal amounts of my power!? If this continues, then-"
"...It seems that our plan has worked, to have you off-guard like this." Amagi smirked deviously. "Indeed, we'll be both taking your powers. Tell me, demonic Herrscher, can you possess two people with your powers?"
"N… No…! I've… How could I have fallen for this…?" The Herrscher said as fear was now in her eyes. "My sisters… I… N-no…! NOOOOOOOOO!"
The last of the Herrscher of Flame's power flourished into Sakura and Amagi, as it was strong enough to cause the two to suddenly faint from the rush of power going into them, as they collapsed onto the ground, while the visage of the drained Herrscher cracked in half vertically, before it shattered into fragments, as some pieces landed inside the two unconscious girls. Demigra had watched this play out with the Herrschers of Void, Wind, and Reason, as none of them looked too pleased.
"Foolish sister!" Void said with anger in her tone. "She allowed herself to be tricked that easily!? What rubbish. This was a disaster."
"Right you are." Demigra scowled as he soon created a summoning portal. "There is but one thing left for her, that we all agreed on."
"Indeed. She failed… so now she pays the price, as her vessels die, she dies with them." The Herrscher of Reason said as out of the summoning portal came a familiar enemy to Asura, one that was strong enough it gave him a hard time.
The portal immediately closed behind the group, as the Viltra Core, in its molten glory, reappeared, although its orange colours were gone, instead replaced with dark red and black colours. It then let out a guttural roar, which caused the lesser demons to cower in fear, while Siege, Richard and Asura noticed the roar.
"Oh great… Viltra's back for a second round, no thanks to Demigra." Richard growled, before he then sensed something. "Wait a damn minute, something just happened as well… Oh… Sakura and Amagi are out for the count."
"Your companions…? Tch, seems like you need to help them. Go." Asura told both Siege and Richard, immediately activating Mantra form, as all six of his armoured hands appeared. "I'll handle this imitation of Viltra. Might be stronger than the original, but I've beaten it before, and I'm stronger than ever."
Asura roared, before he then engaged with the Viltra Core, as the clashes from the two, either blasted the demons away from the resulting shock-waves, or even blasted them into particles being too close to the fighting, even having the displeasure of being hit by the fists and appendages of both fighters.
However, as the fight drew on, and Siege and Richard rushed to Sakura and Amagi, a sudden burst of energy happened, it was subtle, but strong enough to stop everything in place from noticing it. As everyone looked at the source, which was Sakura and Amagi, cherry blossoms began to fall from the sky around the two, as both of them slowly rose to their feet, their eyes still closed.
Push Left Stick to the Right!
Upon the command being inputted, both Amagi and Sakura reached for their blades instinctively.
Push Left Stick to the Left!
This command caused both Amagi and Sakura to draw their blades, the cherry blossoms intensifying around them as the power grew stronger yet.
Press A!
Upon this input being pressed, Sakura and Amagi opened their eyes, as a flash of fire was briefly seen in their eyes, before they then turned to Viltra Core, their blades now held vertically in front of them, as Asura noticed some great power from them, causing him to halt his charge on Viltra Core
Press X, B, A, LT, RT, and Y!
Upon this command being inputted, both Amagi and Sakura raised their blades up high, as the cherry blossoms surrounded their weapons, before a large fire erupted, scattering the cherry blossoms, as both Amagi and Sakura quickly slashed them apart, as they split into flaming sparks, as the flame aura was now extremely powerful around both of them, going even beyond Asura's Mantra mode. Amagi's land rigging was gone, as it was melted to slag, however… she seemed to be on the land just fine without it. In fact, both of them turned into what they saw themselves as in the nightmares.
Masterful Herrschers of Flame: Yae Sakura and IJN Amagi
"This fight is ours now." Sakura declared, preparing her blade for combat.
(Cue - Bury the Light - LittleVMills Epic Metal Cover)
"This new power… I feel it coursing through my very veins and spirit…" Amagi answered back, before her cannons literally manifested, hovering around her, as the turrets were marked with flaming runes across the barrels and body of the armaments, and the main guns had flame-like pins on the sides of the barrels. "...With this new strength, I shall show them the true spirit of Sakura Empire!"
Amagi then fired her main cannons, as the shells that were fired from it were burning flames, which exploded, creating massive circles of flames that burnt any demons in it into black ashes. Suddenly, her secondary turrets roared into action, as in addition to Amagi's improved barrage, as she fired a triplet of straight-aimed shell waves, but also a stream of crimson fire-balls that crossed around the entire front of her horizontally, as the barrage wiped even more demons out. Some of the demons tried to rush her mid-barrage, but she immediately sliced them apart with dazzling speed, as they were sliced cleanly in twain.
The focus was now on Viltra Core, as Sakura and Amagi looked at the fearsome creature, without fear in their eyes. Sakura dashed towards Viltra Core, as she was going at a speed that not even Viltra Core could keep up with, as it was slashed multiple upon multiple times in rapid succession, before one of its limbs was cut off suddenly, as it screeched in pain, before Amagi fired her cannons, blasting another of its arms off. Sakura continued to strike at Viltra Core, as she dodged its attacks, and severing the last of its extra arms, causing it to fall to the ground, weakened.
"Sakura-san, together!" Amagi stated, as she immediately imbued her blade with the flames of her power.
"Hai! Let's finish this Amagi-san!" Sakura yelled as she did the same.
Push Left Stick Up!
This command caused both Amagi and Sakura to leap high above Viltra Core.
Press Y!
Upon this command, Sakura and Amagi shot down towards Viltra Core, as they stabbed their empowered blades through it, dealing the fatal blow, as the Viltra Core exploded with a mighty shriek. Asura looked at the two girls with an fairly impressed look, while Richard and Siege were doing the same.
"Well, I'll be, the plan did work." Siege smiled with relief. "Congrats on your new powers, Amagi, Sakura."
"Geez, this is going to be hard to explain to your fellow kin, Amagi." Richard answered back. "Well, they'll be in for a surprise when they see this."
"I'm aware… Hopefully they will take this change well." Amagi answered back. "Especially when I have become like a kami in some manner."
"Anyway, Asura… I think Demigra won't be trying anything at this point. We just wasted a lot of his reserves by taking out the army meant to deal with you." Richard answered back. "Don't worry though, I'll be sure to give him one on your behalf."
"Counting on it then." Asura grinned back.
"Come on, let's head back." Siege told Sakura and Amagi, as the four left the world, to return to the base.
Or, they would have, but reason magic stopped them in their tracks, as they knew who the source was.
"Oh for the love of… of all times, you come for us now, Mugen?" Siege asked as he turned to find Mugen.
"Well, I go around, and find that you guys have ended up here… Might as well drop in and say hello, won't I?" Mugen asked back. "Or are you not so pleased to see me at all?"
"Gently screw off." Richard responded back with a biting tone. "If you have business with us, it can wait when we're actually got the effort to spare to deal with you."
"Hmp. Is there a reason we keep toying with these fools, Mugen?" asked a female voice as a Shinobi clad in red and purple armor said as she appeared in a smoke cloud next to Mugen, as she had cyan hair and red eyes, complete with a pair of cyan fox ears. Her name was Ryinma, and the sight of her made Siege freeze in place.
"...Ryinma… it's… you… But how…? I saw you die!" Siege yelled as Ryinma scoffed.
"More like you left me for dead, Siege. Although unintentionally. But no matter. As Mugen says, and I agree with, we both have a common enemy." Ryinma said. "Although I would like to kill you for what you did, a large part of me refuses. Besides. We are not here for you. Instead, we're after the two in question that you brought with you."
"...What are you trying to elude to here?" Siege asked Mugen and Ryinma, which made her facepalm as she looked at Mugen.
"Enlighten these idiots before I lose my temper…" Ryinma said with a scowl.
"Very well then, although I can't blame you since you weren't aware of it." Mugen smirked, shaking his head side-to-side. "However, allow me to give you a statement that should provide some insight. Don't you think it's a coincidence that the Herrscher of Flames just so happened to be here? Don't you think that she has some way to figure out where you all were?"
"...I think I get it now." Richard responded back. "Or at least a part of it. Is this about the Herrschers? The fact that they sent their sister to wrest one of our own onto their side? I know for a fact that Demigra must be working with them somehow."
"Quite right, although I'm surprised that your two girls are fine, despite being given the Herrscher's power." Mugen answered back, before spinning his finger around his ear, symbolising craziness. "You see, one doesn't simply resist the Herrscher's possession. But if there are two of them taking the same power at the same time… I suppose that you used a loophole to take her powers, without the possession deal."
"Long story short, we know you are capable of beating Demigra. But… are these two prepared for such a feat? We're going to test them, as the new Herrschers." Ryinma said.
"...How do I know that this is not some ploy?" Richard asked back with a crease in his eyes. "I know that you're not above using under-handed tricks."
"Is that what you think?" Mugen stated, as he frowned hearing that. "Fine then, keep that sukima of yours open. If you want assurance that we won't try anything, then having a direct path from your base to here means that we would be foolish to try and interfere. You could have easily broken the interference. But I assure you, I never told you a lie, Richard."
"...Fine." Richard stated, before turning to Siege. "We'll step back, but we're keeping an eye on this fight."
"Good enough." Mugen stated, before he then drew his weapon. "Now then, new bearers of the Herrscher's power, show me your strength."
"As you wish." Sakura said as she drew her blade, looking to face Mugen, as Ryinma was looking to face Amagi.
(Cue - FRIP - Human Design)
Mugen immediately made the first move, as he charged at Sakura, who managed to dodge his attack, although not as a Perfect Dodge, which meant that she had to recover herself, as Mugen spun around, and thrusted at her, as their blades clashed. Sakura held Mugen at a deadlock for a mere moment, as she saw him go for another attack, which this time triggered her Ultimate Evasion, which slowed time down around her, before she slashed Mugen for a strong amount of damage from a single swing, flames trailing her blade as the attack was sending her opponent flying back a little.
Meanwhile, Ryinma drew her blade, which appeared to be a HF version of a Fire Emblem Rapier, as she dashed at Amagi with incredible speeds, as she slashed her blade at Amagi to attack. Amagi parried her attack, before she then did a cross-slash that left trails of flames, as Ryinma managed to block it, although she couldn't block the following attack, as Amagi hit her through her guard with a low slash. Ryinma used the momentum of her fall to vault in a defensive manner away from Amagi, as she threw explosive kunais towards Amagi, as Amagi back-flipped, as the kunais detonated where she was before.
"Your skill with a blade is rather impressive, for someone who hasn't had a sword for more than a day." Ryinma remarked. "You wield the blade as if you've trained for months with it, but the blade has just recently formed a connection with you… intriguing, since Siege raised me in similar ways."
"Ryinma, why won't you let that go already!?" Siege yelled as he heard her bring up that past. "I'm sorry! I really thought you were dead!"
"Are you!? Are you for real!? You sure moved on quickly enough!" Ryinma yelled in anger.
"THAT'S A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT!" Siege roared in anger.
"...Yeah… I know…" Ryinma said sadly, before shaking her head. "We'll talk after I evaluate your Ally, until then keep your mouth shut, Siege."
"To answer your question... That's because although this blade wasn't mine for more than a day, I once used a blade before, or at least the memories and experience were engraved onto me." Amagi answered back. "That is why I'm able to fight so well with it."
Amagi then immediately knocked Ryinma with a series of quick-slashes, before knocking her back with a powerful thrust, giving each other some distance. Ryinma skid to a halt before summoning an Arcana circle and procuring a spell Card.
"Declare Spell! Beast Sign 'Flames of Drago-Kitsune!'" Ryinma declared, as a large dragon and fox spirit leapt out of the magic circle, firing a danmaku barrage of fire at Amagi, as it forced the battle-cruiser ship-girl to immediately dart through the field, as she weaved in between gaps of the waves of projectiles, while firing shells in retaliation, as Ryinma was also dodging, creating an intense exchange of fire-power between each other.
This exchange of fire-power spread out towards Mugen and Sakura, as they found themselves having to avoid stray danmaku shots or artillery fire while continuing their battle, while also continuing to clash against one another, as they soon found a free moment to clash their blades, as Sakura had a question on her mind.
"Answer me this, Mugen." Sakura would say. "If you and Ryinma truly wanted to have Siege and Richard killed, then why are you two offering your aid to us in such a matter as this?"
"Oh, that question is burning in your mind?" Mugen raised an eye-brow. "Why indeed? Why speak so affably with the person I've been determined to kill, why look past all that to deal with another villain with the same goals of eradicating Richard? I think that the answer might become more evident, but until then, you and your friends might need to do some guesswork. Can't spoil the mystery now, can I?"
Ryinma glanced for a moment at hearing Mugen say this. It was true that the real reason for this would have to be shut behind closed doors for the moment, but a part of Ryinma knew that Mugen really didn't want to say it for the better. Not yet, anyways.
After a few more minutes, both sides stopped clashing as Sakura and Amagi barely looked tired. Both nodding in satisfaction, Mugen and Ryinma sheathed their blades.
"Well, given this short evaluation, I have no doubts that Demigra would be nothing more than a bloody mess should he face the two of you. It would become much worse, if you two unlock the deeper power of that Herrscher within you." Ryinma said.
"...Deeper power…?" Sakura would ask.
"The price paid at the two of you sharing the Herrscher of Flame's power, you don't automatically get all of her powers at your disposals. That comes when you two mature in the power of this Herrscher. But, even still, Demigra stands no chance at all, as expected." Ryinma said with a nod and a slight smile.
"Well, been fun duking with you guys." Mugen responded back, before he then summoned his own portal. "Anyways, I'll be seeing you all again, whether it'll be better or worse terms. Either way, you're still going to be seeing me. See ya."
Mugen stated, before he then entered the portal, as Ryinma did the same. But, before she did, Siege would soon call out to her.
"Ryinma… what did you mean… by earlier?" Siege would ask her, as she stopped, before noting Mugen was out of earshot, before she turned to Siege with a sad expression.
"Mugen would be displeased if he learned I did this… but I'll let you know this: You know as well as I do that we want to rebuild our friendship, Siege… but the reason Mugen and I keep pursuing you and Richard goes beyond that." Ryinma stated, before she stepped into the portal as it closed.
Richard watched the portal close, as he was silent for a moment, and still as well, before Siege then placed a hand on Richard's shoulder.
"Hey, Richard, did… Did those words from Mugen earlier... gave you something to think about?" Siege asked him.
"...Perhaps." Richard answered back, before he then entered the sukima. 'Is Mugen really as simple as he looks, or is there something hidden underneath his motives? Something… more personal with me?'
The four of them entered the sukima, as it took them to the GFS Ryujin.
Meanwhile…
Ryinma entered the realm that Mugen resided in, as she saw that Mugen was looking at her with a questionable look on his face, as she sighed.
"You… already know what I did… don't you?" Ryinma asked Mugen with a guilty face.
"...Not sure, but if you wanted to talk with me for a few sentences… How could I stop you? Other than Selvaria, you're not bat-shit obsessed with something." Mugen answered back. "What you had with Siege in the past doesn't really matter. We both know that we can set aside killing our targets for now. Perhaps even soften up a little… But I don't think that's likely on my side of things."
"Don't you ever have that feeling in you…?" Ryinma asked Mugen as she looked away from him, as if admitting a guilty pleasure. "The feeling that… even though you hate them… there's something about them that… you just can't help but feel an urge to mend the bridge and become friends, or at least get on friendlier terms with them? I will admit… Siege and I… we go way back… but… he's right… I wasn't dead, but Demigra… he made sure I looked like it… and then you came along and… well…"
"Hate them…? No, I don't hate Richard. I just…" Mugen stated, before his expression dimmed. "...The feeling you just said… I agree, it would be a good feeling to have, to just go back to the old days… Maybe one day he'll finally piece together everything… Just maybe…"
Mugen then sucked in a deep breath, before returning to his proper composure. "Anyways, I only did what I could with you. It's the fact that the void kept you in statis for so long, that I managed to bump into you." He stated. "After all, having an ally like you sure helps things. I'm not a jerk-ass, one that would let you spend another who-knows-how-many years stuck in a place of emptiness."
"...And… I thank you for that." Ryinma said. "Anyways, we have our own goals to achieve… if we wish to get to that last fateful encounter with Siege and Richard… let us continue, shall we, Mugen?"
"Mm… Yeah." Mugen stated, although he seemed to be slightly distracted. The thing was that Ryinma was slightly distracted as well, as both were thinking about what could have been… and if they could ever be on the good terms with Richard and Siege.