(AN): Welcome to the small intermissions I've been so excited to write for ages, hopefully, it's as good as I hoped!
Chapter 22: Rose of the Vale Part 1
Genevieve
"So, wait," Gabriel said, watching me hastily pack everything I had into whatever miserable excuses of storage I could for my journey. "You're telling me Entei, the Entei just up and jumped out of nowhere and told you to 'go to the Vale' immediately? To meet Raikou?"
The gardevoir paced around the living room, his tall slender legs clearing much of the carpeted floor with their stride.
"I don't sense that you're lying, but-"
"You don't understand," I whimpered, pulling out my Wakizashi: Sunrise from under my bed. "I've been instructed by the gods… by Ho-oh herself… for everything I've done to her, she believes in redemption… I have to do this, Gabriel!"
The gardevoir looked down, then to the house around him, his pink eyes filling with sadness.
"I… I won't stop you," Gabriel sighed, his eyes looking me up and down. "But… Genevieve… are you even ready to return to the Vale…?"
"N-no… but…" I bit my lip. "I have to… I feel as if something horrid will happen if I don't."
He nodded, taking a step over to me, opening his arms. I gulped and walked over to him, accepting his hug, trying not to let my blades or his chest spike get in the way of it. He pulled me into his chest, one hand on my back, the other caressing my head. I whimpered again, trying not to cry. I thought for a moment, despite it all… he was only a year older than Father was. He seemed as wise as my dad… but with a hint more compassion. I considered him a real dad.
"Genevieve," He sighed and pulled back, his Sir Gardevoir facade completely absent from his ruby eyes. "I'm so proud of you. You'll be strong… if you see King Shoto, give him a few kicks, and say they're from House Marshall of the West."
I let a few tears fall down my cheek, causing him to wipe it away.
"I-I will, Gabe," I sniffed, making sure everything was in order, I had food, water, and my sword. I believed I was ready to return to where the Spring was eternal, where the people were sharp… "Thank you for everything, Gabriel."
"It was my pleasure, dearest," He whispered as I took one last look around the small farmhouse we called home for the time being, at the old wooden furniture.
"What will you do as I leave?"
"I… I'm not sure, I might regroup with Starmie," He explained with a solemn expression. "I'll say you fell in battle… just to get them off your tail. They don't know you're a lady. So you'll be safe."
"Arigato," I bowed. "I… I think I should be leaving now, I cannot waste time… the journey will take all night… and I think I'll reach there by sunrise."
He nodded.
"I'll leave while everyone sleeps," I said, turning to the door, holding the hilt of my little katana, making sure I had all the shuriken and kunai for the road ahead. "Sayonara, Gabriel-dono."
He tilted his head.
"I-it means I respect you a lot… as a higher authority." I blushed.
"I see, well, I'll see you later, your Eminence," He gave me a curtsy of his land, followed by a deep bow of the Vale. I widened my eyes before returning the gesture. I opened the door and quickly left, into the night.
A cold wind blew, a chill sent down my spine. Regardless of the cold evening, I had to press onwards. My hooves were heavy, my divine purpose set for me. I held my head high, my eyes turning to the Twin Moons, watching the glow of the little blue one dominate the night sky. I felt like I was some sort of divine samurai, tasked with such a higher purpose.
Before leaving the sheltered farm town of Evergreen, I had somewhere to visit.
With a quick detour made, I went to the little wooded opening, where I had set up the small shrine of my mother. I walked past the remains of my brooch, bowing to the picture I had crafted of Mother. I bowed.
"Mother, I… I am returning to the Vale," I whispered. "Guide my hand, and give me strength as I go home… the strength I need to confront Father."
I glanced behind me, to the town behind.
"Guard the town with your grace, and… please… make sure the interloper is safe."
I thought of the riolu… I wondered… Where was he? Was he well? Why was I so fond of him all of a sudden? Tsk… foolish blue dog. How dare he affect me so! I bowed at the shrine, noticing how Entei's flames upon the candle still burned brightly and bright red. I tilted my head. His flames must have been strong and divine.
With one last bow, I stood up from my kneeling position and thought of the friends I made in this town, especially the lopunny. I thought for a moment… if I was seen with such a creature… that would have been mass insolence, I was glad he knew not of my gender. I snorted and turned on my heel, trying not to remember Grandfather's Bisharp-First policies.
Leaving the small wooded area for the main path leading out of town, I looked up to the stars, at how they twinkled in the dark evening sky. It really was quite beautiful. I remembered looking at the vast sky for freedom, for the mountainous expanse of the Nakamura Vale blocked the horizon. I sighed and set my eyes to the south, recognising the sign names. Pointing nearly directly in front of me, was the 'Pink Road.' My way home. The flatlands ahead would be easy to navigate, so long as I stuck to the path… and if the Minutemon did their damn jobs guarding the roads.
As my journey continued, the air only got colder, the sounds of the world drowned out by the breeze. I shut my eyes and contemplated the world for a moment.
What was my purpose? To be a weapon? To be a queen? What was I? I had spent so long being bossed around by higher authorities that… no. Best not to mope over it for now. Ho-oh was not to be defied. I winced. How could I have attacked the Vale's most worshipped Kami? I didn't even have my prized rainbow feather anymore…
I sighed and continued forward, trying not to let this issue annoy me too much. I looked back at town, only faintly seeing flickering lights where it was. I had already been moving for an hour. Curse my faulty leg! Before I could mope too much, to my dismay, a sandslash and quilava jumped from the bushes, both wearing bandanas over their mouths. Highwaymen, I could only assume. I grabbed my sword's hilt and watched them with intent. I was bigger, yet their types were advantageous over me.
"Far from the vale, aren't we, sharpy?" The quilava spat at me. "Weird seeing one of you murderous fucks outside of your little kingdom!"
"Nice sword," the shrew eyed me up. "I'd like me one for my collection."
Incompetent Minutemon…
"Move aside," I said, putting on the voice of Sir Bisharp. "Or I shall leave you here on the road in pieces."
"Hear that?!" The quilava yelled. "Alright, bitch, you leave us no choice! Lil samurai here wants a piece of us."
I lowered my stance and quickly unsheathed my blade and slashed at him as he lunged at me. He screamed as I grazed his face, leaving a huge cut on it. Using his momentum, I shoved him aside, letting the fool writhe on the floor. I attempted to slash at the sandslash, but he just lifted his sharp claws and caught the blade of my wakizashi between his fingers, parrying my attack! I grunted as he disarmed me, throwing my blade aside.
"Let's see how good you are without your little sword, samurai!" He taunted and lunged at me, striking me with his whole body. His weight and my bad leg brought me down to the ground.
"B-Baka!"
I yelled as he pinned me, quickly angling my head out of the way as he attempted to stab my face with a claw. He was heavy… with all my might, I broke his pin by rolling with all my mass, sending him off me. He rolled into a ball, however, quickly rolling into me as I got up, attacking my already criplled leg, denying me the ability to stand. I grunted as my body began to ache. Curse that fall!
I yelped as I felt him strike at me a few more times.
"Some warrior of the vale!" He scoffed. "Without your sword you are nothing!"
He kicked me.
"No wonder you're already so bunged up," He looked at the quilava, who was trying to recover. "Maybe I should do the same to—"
"Don't you simpletons know how to treat a lady?" I heard a familiar voice call from behind as the sandslash's hand was held in place. His eyes filled with terror.
Walking slowly, with his hand held up, glowing purple, was Gabriel, in his free hand, a rapier. Instead of his cape, he wore a fancy cravat with a badge on it. He marched forward, his dress blowing in the wind. I never felt happier to see him.
"W-what the? L-let me go!" The shrew begged, trying to escape the gardevoir's psychic grasp.
"Ahaha, and where's the fun in that?" Gabriel cooed, eyes flicking to the injured quilava; who attempted to shoot a flamethrower at him, only to be met with a blast of psychic to the face, finishing him off. "And you… you miserable creature, begging to be let go when you know you lose. You sicken me."
"Gabriel…" I sniffed.
The taller Gardevoir held the sandslash up in the air.
"G-get away from me, freak!" As much as he struggled, Gabriel's grasp was too strong.
"No no, let me get closer," he grinned. "As a prosecutor, I charge you with aggravated assault, attempted robbery, attempted murder, and… most of all… the attempted assassination of a key political figure. I sentence you both to… death."
I saw the life drain from his eyes.
"Or, take a plea deal," He smirked. "Run along and turn yourselves in. Or die. Simple."
The coward looked at us, then nodded, scurrying away the moment he was let go by the duke, dragging the casualty away. I sighed and sat up, watching Gabriel pick my sword up and dust it off.
"Thanks, Gabe," I sighed. "What're you doing here?"
He pulled me up, dusting my shoulders.
"I've made a choice," He said. "I want to come with you… I won't have any use with Starmie…"
He bit his lip.
"No doubt I'd be blamed for your loss so," He shrugged. "Where you go, I'll follow."
"Gabe…" I sniffed and hugged him. "Thank you…"
"I-I… it's no big deal… let's just… go…" he hastily hugged me back. "Just don't cry on my cravat! That was expensive!"
The night was long and cold, the light of the twin moons guiding our way as we explored the Minutemon territory, passing towns and staying clear of the occasional patrolling soldiers. The lack of lights on the roads made me feel somewhat at ease.
"Hmph, we should be nearing the Vale, do you know any of my language?" I whispered.
"Only a few phrases, ahah," He rolled his eyes playfully. "It's hard to understand a language that's written backwards."
"Yours is backwards to me," I sneered. "What phrases do you know?"
"Konichiwa?" He tilted his head. "Is that a phrase?"
"Gods… just… let me do the talking, Gabe," I shook my head at him.
"Ahaha~" He chortled. "My father fought with your grandfather Nobunaga, of course I wouldn't know your language! I do have a doctored passport, though."
"…why?"
"Just in case my father ever wanted me to spy," he responded as quietly as he could. "Those plans never came to be because of King Shoto and my Father's joint allegiance with Starmie, I suppose."
"Hmph… well… could be useful," I said as we could just barely see a tall mountain range in the distance, not too far from an old human dam; only about fifty miles or so. "If the Gaiko Commission finds out it's fake, then…"
"I'll be fine," He shrugged. "I've jimmied my way through tighter spots. I'm sure a kingdom full of Genes could be easy to sneak through."
"Say that to a bisharp ninja that ambushes you," I scoffed, continuing to lead the fall Gardevoir onward.
"So, are you a ninja or samurai?"
"Hmph… both… and I'm a trained Miko… but… that's not as relevant…"
"Miko?"
"Not relevant."
Hours passed, and the night only got darker, yet less cold thanks to the Vale's mountain range. The once dirt path was replaced by cobble roads. Before we approached the entrance, Gabriel made sure to acquire his passport from the pocket dimension he seemed to have access to. With everything in order, we walked to the mountain entrance, a large canyon breaking up the mountains. Gabriel looked up, eyes widening at all the colourful bunting and flags between the walls, and how they all blew in the wind. We approached the gate, stopped by a duo of yari wielding bisharp honourgauard.
"Halt!" One of the bisharp held his hand forward, crossing his spear with the other. He spoke in the outsider's tongue. "By birthright, bisharp, you are allowed in. You. Gardevoir. Your passport!"
Gabriel smiled and handed over his passport to the honourguard. The bisharp eyed up the black booklet, at all the stamps inside. My heart stopped as he examined the Nakamura Vale symbol in the book. He squinted but nodded, handing Gabriel back his passport.
"All clear, Gardevoir-san," The honourguard nodded and stamped his spear on the ground, letting us pass. "Stay on good behaviour, you too, Shoto-Heika is getting more harsh with his laws."
"A-Arigato…" I bowed. "We'll be on good behaviour."
"Yeah, thanks," Gabe nodded, bowing too as we passed the soldiers.
We walked together, past the torches and under the flowing flags. He looked up at all the decorations. His eyes were immediately drawn to the two large statues built into the walls. Two bisharp, both holding their swords, pointing down.
"Grandfather," I whispered, looking at the one on the left. "Nobunaga, Dragon of the South"
My eyes went to the one on the right.
"Father, Blade of the North."
I pointed them out as we passed. Even despite my opinions about them, I still felt like I had to bow before them.
"Well, your kind are certainly… patriotic," Gabriel said.
"King Nobunaga had this constructed within the first year of his reign…" I responded. "The one of himself… father saw fit to do the same…"
"Tsk, wish I had the resources and manpower to make such things of myself, ahaha~" he chortled as we climbed the final set of stairs out of the canyon.
They led up onto a grassy cliff, overlooking my homeland. I could hear the breath be stripped from him as he overlooked the land. Blocking the horizon of the Vale was a large row of tall, snow capped mountains. They surrounded the lush fields and hills, most of which were used for growing rice. His eyes shifted up to the near endless rain of pink sakura petals, his hands automatically reaching out to catch one.
"Arceus almighty," he gasped. "I've heard of the legends, but… this is… wow…"
His attention turned to the largest mountain, situated in the centre of the land. Standing above all, and cast in a blue rock, was the mighty Yamamura. The mountain, while nowhere near as tall as Nenshō or Cosma, was still dominating the sky. I could remember when I was a pawniard in training, thinking it was the biggest thing in the world…
How foolish I was.
My eyes went from Yamamura to the castle at its base, my home of Tenshumura, the great white castle. My body froze upon seeing such a building. Father was likely there. For the sake of my sanity, I hoped I wouldn't have to see him.
"So we're here, in your home," He said, placing a hand on his hip. "Did Entei say anything about where you'd meet Raikou?"
"I…" I went quiet. "He… he didn't…"
"How big is this Vale?" He sighed.
"Forty miles from end to end…"
"Brilliant, how on Gaia are we supposed to find such a creature in this land?!" The Gardevoir barked. "Stupid fiery—"
"Ello, mon,"
A quiet voice whispered in both of our ears, causing us to quickly jump back and turn. Standing behind us with a cheeky grin was a large canine like Entei, but instead of dark brown fur, he sported a bright yellow and white coat with flowing purple tufts. In his muzzle was a set of mighty tusks.
Both Gabriel and I froze.
"What? Never seen a raikou before?" He chuckled, voice more aged than that of Entei. "That's not very nice, I've seen plenty. All one of em."
He chuckled again. This was the Yokai of tenacity?!
"Ya man, you must be Genevieve, princess of this land?" He circled me, scanning me with red eyes. "Ya not as tall as I thought ya to be. Maybe dis green thing is the princess?"
"Oi!" Gabriel hissed.
"Ahaha, little joke, mon!" The great beast chuckled. "Anyway… ya be needed here, Suicune and I be feelin something mighty awful coming this place's way. I don't like it. And she needed you."
I looked at my feet, then to him.
"Then tell me what I must do, Yokai," I whispered. "For my Vale."
"That's the spirit," he chuckled before his face went serious. "Suicune said shady things are going on in the villages. We'd investigate, but… well… we blend as well as a machamp in a chansey's dressing room… and the shogunate isn't as willing to listen to us ever since ya grandpa."
"I see…" I nodded and looked at Gabriel. "Could you help me investigate?"
"Of course," he nodded.
"Good stuff," Raikou nodded. "Apparently, strange people be skulking around these villages, moving containers and supplies."
"And?" Gabriel said, looking over the Nakamura Vale with a curiosity. "Supply shipments are standard procedure for a country, we call that—"
"Infrastructure," a booming voice called from behind, causing us all to flinch. Stood atop of a ridge, was entei, looking down upon us. "We do not need your lectures or jokes, Gabriel of House Marshal."
Entei jumped down, landing in front of us with a boom. He stood proud and tall over all of us, his posture even somewhat intimidating Gabe. Where he could have been when I was attacked earlier was a mystery that annoyed me greatly. Not that I had the gall to speak up about it.
"Your actions, the transgressions against Ho-oh have not gone unnoticed," He scowled. "Hadn't it been for Suicune's words regarding the likes of you, I would have incinerated you where you stand."
Gabriel gulped and stepped back, holding his badge anxiously.
"If ya assist us, then," Raikou continued, circling the Gardevoir with Entei. "We might just forgive ya for this."
"Will you aid us?" Entei barked.
"I-I… ahem, of course I will," Gabriel held a hand to his chest and gave the fakest smile imaginable. Even I could sense his fear. "I assure you… whatever wrongdoings I have done will surely be corrected… a noble promise is always kept."
"Good," Entei nodded. "I suggest you two get to work before daybreak."
I nodded and looked to the nearby village of Taganuma, deciding to snoop around while the night was still dark. Without warning, I began to trek down the hilled entrance of the vale, to the border town. Gabe quickly looked at the yokai and bowed, before quickly running my way.
"Aaand breathe," He gasped. "Starmie liked making powerful foes, didn't he?!"
"Hmph, it was his loss," I responded, closing my eyes and letting the familiar sounds of my home fill my ears. I placed my hand on my sword's hilt, worried about any potential bandits. "But… we mustn't toil where he did."
"I don't want my head mounted on some bisharp's wall," He shuddered as we approached the wooden gates of town.
"Keep your head down," I whispered, walking the dirt path of the village, between the small houses. Strung from house to house were flags and decorations to mark the festivals. Even with such pleasantries, the village was still in the night. Too still.
"Are wa dare?" I heard a bisharp woman whisper from their door, her eyes focused on Gabriel. Behind her, a taller one looked on. Husband, perhaps?
"Kare wa samurai to isshodesu…" he whispered, eyes immediately locking on to me. As soon as I glanced, they both bowed, fearfully.
My eyes twitched at their reaction. What was Father doing?!
With a grimace, I pressed on.
"What're they saying?" Gabriel leaned to me, voice barely a whisper.
"Nothing important," I responded with a heavy sigh as we reached the town centre, where the shrine was. I glanced at the stone lantern and the candles around it. I smiled at the charms and wishes scattered about before my eyes caught movement near one of the edges of town. .
"Did you see that?" I squinted, whispering to Gabriel.
"I did," He responded and rubbed his chin.
"Let's move," I said, treading as lightly as I could that way.
As we snuck, I took note of the sakura petals that forever danced in the wind. I thought for a moment, my ancestor's true happiness from ho-oh was a beautiful, eternal land… and yet, it lay in the hands of tyrants since grandfather… and by birthright… the kingdom was mine to inherit one day… with that daunting thought in my head, I pressed on, trying not to dwell on it. I was glad the houses were all dark and my ability to sneak was undamaged by the fall. Being outside at such times was considered insolence, however… for the sake of my home, a bit of insolence was to be expected. I couldn't even hear the late night discussions of the people. This wasn't the vale I knew.
Sneaking through streets of hay topped roofs, we eventually tracked our targets down. Two bisharp carrying a crate of some kind. They seemed shaky. They snuck off to a larger building on the outside of town. I squinted, noting the katanas on their hips. Hmph. Samurai. I lowered myself and snuck in behind them, eyes widening as the door froze in a purple aura, as to not squeak. I looked back at the tall Gardevoir, who nodded and motioned me to go in.
Without delay, I snuck into the barn house and hid behind one of the walls, snooping in on the situation. I saw the two samurai place the box down among a pile of others. Strange… they didn't seem like farming supplies. I squinted and tried to see what they were up to.
In our native tongue, they spoke.
"Ugh, how many of these crates must we move?!" The shorter of the two samurai said, stretching his limbs, looking around with sharp blue eyes.
"Hmph, I care not," the other responded, sharpening their blade while examining the supply. "Why the Rose needs all this Ofuda is beyond me… if the Gaiko Commission found out we've been moving so much of these then…"
He shuddered and pulled out one of the wooden cards from the crate, reading the inscriptions on them.
"Must be really afraid of ghosts or something…"
"Doubt it," The small samurai grunted and shook his head. "Maybe those outsiders think these are valuable, they don't need thousands of em for just ghosts."
The tall one just frowned and looked down.
"Maybe not, I just feel bad for the Mikos who have to work overtime to make these," He said. "When is the informant going to show up?"
"What's the situation, Gene?" Gabe whispered, joining me, speaking via telepathy.
"Waiting for an informant," I thought in response; making sure to use his native language. "An outsider. Act natural, and I'll translate. Perhaps we could wring some information out of them."
"I like your idea," the Gardevoir smiled and cracked his knuckles. I nodded and held my blade, leading him first. We Walked out into the barn. Immediately, their attention was drawn to us. "Hello, my samurai friends, I suppose you're here with the goods?"
I stood in the middle to translate both parties.
"So, you're the Rose's informant," the tall one squinted. "We didn't expect the same species to be sent…"
I froze and glanced at Gabriel, if for a moment before the conversation continued.
"That's three thousand Ofuda, as your lord asked,"
The shorter one explained and presented the box. Without hesitation and acting as if he was truly in command, Gabriel walked over and grinned, examining the contents.
"If we may be so brazen, Dono," the samurai asked. "Why do you need these many—"
"Ah ah ah!" Gabe waggled his finger and picked one of them up. "The Rose has deemed this matter too private to look into for grunts like you."
I made sure to exclude that last part.
Gabriel sneered and held one of the shrine charms up.
"And how can we tell if it's authentic, Samurai?"
"W-we assure you it's power is genuine, imbued with the power of the Vale!" The short one barked. "The Rose was informed by Aka Miko that the power was genuine!"
Aka Miko? I thought. A name I had heard before in my youth, to be sure. We had a lead.
"Ah, I see, we'll, run along, then, Samurai," Gabe waved them off dismissively. They looked at each other, then to me before bowing.
"Have you seen that samurai before?" I heard one ask.
"No, but she reminds me of Shoto-heika,"
"Hmph," I sighed and looked down. "Do you have any idea on who this Rose is?"
"No clue, Dear Genevieve," Gabriel rubbed his chin. "Although they are like me… but there are thousands of me, many consider a Gardevoir as a good mate…"
"Too much information," I sneered.
"I only say it as it is," he giggled.
"Hmph…" with a blush, I continued. "Regardless, we have a lead."
I picked up one of the Ofuda and read the writing on it.
"Evil spirit, begone," I whispered and shook my head. Why would anybody need thousands of these?! Shaking my head, I placed the Ofuda down. We should have pressed for the destination of these, however, we would likely get our explanation upon meeting this 'Rose."
"We must make haste for Kyouko, the capital," I said. "Whatever is going on… we need to find out the source."
"Oooh it's been so long since I've actually investigated something like this," he dramatically held his forehead. "So… how far is that?"
"Not far, but…"
"But…?"
"I'll show you when we get there."
Hours passed as we worked our way to the dead centre of the Nakamura Vale, to the city of white buildings with red tiled roofs; Kyouko. It stood at the foot of the tall blue mountain of Yamamura, cloudy mist spreading to the horizon. The sun began to rise over the capital city, the white paint of the buildings essentially glowing. Gabriel and I walked down the main road of the city, watching as bisharp and pawniard began waking up and doing their daily routines, giving my Gardevoir companion strange looks. I made sure to give them looks back, which seemed to shut them up. I grimaced again and looked directly south, at the large castle that overshadowed the whole city.
With three towers, two smaller and one bigger, my home was imposing as ever, the Nakamura banners blowing in the wind, warding off any evil spirits that would dare attack the castle. I also grimaced at the hundred steps that led to the raised fortress. I hoped I wouldn't have to climb it…
Gabriel looked around, a smile on his face as he examined all the festival decorations and the kimono dresses on display. I smiled subtly at his enthusiasm and admiration of my culture.
"I must say, Gene, I didn't expect your people to be so… colourful," He smiled, watching as some ladies walked by in their floral dresses, shielding themselves under parasols. "Do… Do you wear anything like that?"
"H-hmph…" I looked down at my hooves. "I-I… I do… I like to feel pretty in them… but it has been some time since I've worn anything of the sort."
"Well… you don't need to need them to be pretty," he grinned and winked. My face just began to burn.
"Well…" I gulped and turned my eyes to the building at the foot of the castle's hill. The grand shrine, an idea popping into my head. "I think we need you in one of those dresses."
"Wha?" He gasped as I began to drag him to one of the many tailors of the city. "Wh-whatever are you doing?"
"Men are not allowed in the shrine, it is forbidden!"
"I look…" Gabriel groaned as we stood in front of a mirror in the tailor. I was glad my position as samurai was enough for them to provide this for free. The Gardevoir stood in a bright pink kimono, his slender body making the disguise convincing. He was a tad too tall, but… it would have to do. "Do I look pretty at least?"
He asked, his face as pink as his outfit. I just grinned and nodded.
"Very."
"H-hmph…" Gabriel turned his nose up and crossed his arms, his long sleeves dangling freely.
"Ha!" I pointed to him. "You 'humphed!"
I began giggling.
"Q-quiet, you!" He blushed and hid his face.
"Aha, look at you," I prodded him. "Red as a bisharp."
"Enough!" He blushed and rushed out the tailor, his voice girly for his disguise. Following him out, the sun rose higher in the sky, with even more people about to gawk at him. "I… lead the way…"
He sighed. I just nodded to him and held my sword, not wishing to aggravate him any further.
"I suppose when father said 'you're too girly,' it was a self fulfilling prophecy…" he held his waist, letting me escort him like a samurai for a queen. "Urgh…"
"Your father sounds like mine," I whispered and placed a hand on his shoulder when nobody was looking. "Did he deny you of who you are?"
Gabriel looked down at me with a frown. He just nodded sadly.
"He did."
"I'm sorry…" I whispered. "I'd give you a hug… but I don't want to mess up your outfit."
"It's… it's alright," He replied as we began to approach the grand shrine, passing under the red arches over the wooden bridge. His eyes looked down at the pond underneath, at the shimmering water. He froze for a moment and leaned on the guard rail. "It's been some time since I've even seen him."
I joined him and looked at the water too, keeping our mission in mind, but, seeing Gabriel open up like this… I wanted to help him.
"All because I chose to be a Gardevoir, I've been scorned by him, only women become Gardevoir, according to him," He explained. "It's why I like you and the other knights so much. You don't seem to judge me for what I am."
I smiled and nodded.
"All four of us are quite strange individuals," I said and peered at the shrine. "I hope… I hope that Gaston and Aegislash see the light and leave Starmie's forces too."
Gabriel looked up and closed his eyes.
"Gaston would, if he found someone stronger to follow… but… Gerald…" he shook his head. "He'd rather die first. I've known him for years."
I felt my heart grow a tad heavy for our Aegislash ex commander… never for a moment did I see him rest. The injuries he sustained in that museum, the war he led… and even so, his loyalty never seemed to falter. Gerald… I hoped you were alright.
"Enough wasting time," Gabriel clapped, pulling out one of the Ofuda from his kimono. "We need to get to the bottom of this before Entei has my arse for breakfast…"
"Mm…" I nodded, stepping back from the railing. "Just… if you need to open up… I'm here."
"Look at you, Gene," He smiled. "You've grown since the museum."
"T-thanks…" I smiled nervously as we walked over to the shrine.
It was located on its own small island at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by the deep river that served as the castle motte. Red arches stood tall above us, paired with the abundance of sakura trees. Bisharp in their Miko attire walked by, their white and red robes standing out brightly, even for the bright colours of our culture. Even the samurai guarding were all ladies. The Miko bowed as Gabriel and I walked by, greeting us with elegant smiles. I couldn't help but share the smile.
"Hello," I stopped one of the beautifully dressed shrine maidens, admiring her red robes; speaking in the tongue of the bisharp. "We would like to see Aka Miko."
"Hmm…" the maiden bisharp rubbed her chin, looking at Gabe and i with inquisitive green eyes. "We aren't expecting such visitors, samurai… especially an outsider."
I gave a small frown, glancing at Gabriel, who was trying his best to hold a feminine pose. It seemed I had to take drastic measures. I pulled my sword out of my sheathe somewhat, only enough to present the Nakamura Clan symbol upon the blade. Her eyes widened as she saw the four diamonds upon the shining metal. Immediately, the shrine maiden bowed before me, as deep as she could.
"O-of course, Nakamura-Heika," She gasped and beckoned us to follow her. Without hesitation, we let her lead us through the shrine, past the worshippers and maidens.
We made sure to step on the stones upon the zen garden's sand, not wishing to mess up the patterns in them. The sun was high above, shining a pleasant warmth upon us. Even despite the dire circumstances, I couldn't help but feel comforted in the shadow of the great Yamamura.
I thought of Mother for a moment. I hoped she would be proud of me.
Eventually, we reached the back of the shrine, in a small house. The Miko and I immediately began to polish our hooves upon the stones. Gabe gave a questioning look, but wiped his feet.
"Never mess up the Tatami," I whispered. "Mass insolence."
"Yeah, I can tell…"
Stepping inside, we were greeted with the scent of incense and tea. The grand maiden's office was adorned with artwork of Entei, Raikou and Suicune. I squinted. What part would she have in this conspiracy?! The elder bisharp looked at us.
"Visitors, I assume?" Aka Miko stood from behind her desk, bowing to us. "Sit. Join us."
She spoke elegantly, but I could sense a bit of distrust in her. Following her instructions. We joined her at her desk.
"What seems to be the problem, Nakamura-Sama?" Aka squinted while observing us, my sword and damaged blades in particular.
Gabriel immediately placed the charm upon the desk and frowned.
"What is this?" My Gardevoir companion spoke, placing his hand on the table sassily. "I know you can speak English. Who is the Rose? Some goons said you're connected to him, and you made thousands of these charms for them. Care to explain?"
Aka just sighed.
"And how would you know of this matter, outsider?" She asked, resting her chin on her hand. "Hmph. Insolent girl. Bringing an outsider into my shrine, and a man no less… Barely."
She looked at me with a disgusted stare, one I met with one of my own.
"You have some nerve, coming into a Miko's office and accusing her of… what? Providing someone with spirit wards?"
"If it was so harmless, why have the very beasts on the wall sent us on such a task?" I hissed, reaching for my sword subtly. "Some irony, isn't it?"
The bisharp maiden turned her nose at me.
"And what would they care?" She spat at me. "This matter doesn't concern the… why are you here anyway, Genevieve? I thought you were working for Lord Starmie."
"I left." I slowly stood. "And so did he."
"Hmph, you know the punishment for deserters," She stood as well, drawing her own katana.
"And you know the punishment for working behind the king?" I responded, drawing my blade, even if it was shorter.
"The king?" She scoffed. "Shoto will be out of the picture soon. The Rose has already disposed of his foolish clan allies."
My heart dropped into my stomach. He didn't…
"The steel council dropping like flies as their king mopes in his castle. How sad," She grinned. "This is for the kingdom's sake. No longer do we need a useless leader. Your grandfather was useless. Your father is. And by extension, you are."
"I've had enough of your prattle!" Gabe jumped up, his hands glowing with psychic power. "Who is the Rose?!"
"Someone who is actually fixing this kingdom," She responded. "I don't expect you to understand… and it matters not. For you won't get to see the kingdom!"
She yelled, immediately lunging at me. In an instant, her katana met my wakizashi with an awful clash. I grunted and pushed her back, holding my blade in a defensive stance. From my side, I saw a psybeam fly to her, a move she failed to parry or block, instead, simply absorbing it. She grinned and kicked Gabriel aside, striking me with her blade. I grunted as her blade clashed against my chest armour, feeling the sheer sharpness of it almost slicing me even through it.
"You… traitor," I grunted attempting to slice at her, but she simply jumped back and spun her sword around. "How could a priestess of the kingdom do such a thing?!"
My quiet voice was raised to a yell.
"You conspire with some outside force, driving our own magic from our borders," I squinted, feeling a dark aura seeping from me. "And you let this Rose assassinate the clans…"
I felt tears well up, knowing full well this assassin would strike my father next. Why… why did I feel so… sentimental all of a sudden?
She lunged at me, attempting to get a clean stab on me, only to be met with a thunderbolt striking the ground in front of her, lighting the tatami in flame, a flame that began to spread across the room.
"Don't touch her," Gabriel grit his teeth, throwing another bolt at her.
"The Vale," Aka hissed, watching her office burn. "Ever since your pathetic grandfather's reign, ever since he lost to that Western degenerate, has been on a steady decline, a foolish king struggling to control his rowdy daughter, let alone the clans of a kingdom."
She and I began circling each other, holding our blades close. Gabriel watched, knowing the importance of a duel, his hands sparkling with electricity. I made the first move, thrusting my blade at her chest, where her armour was most thin. However, she met my sword with hers, a block that forced us both to disengage. Smoke tickled my nose, the very oxygen in the room becoming blotted out by thick black clouds. For a moment, I cursed the Gardevoir with me.
In both her hands, she held her katana high, the blade pointed at the ceiling. In response, I placed one hand on my belt, holding my blade as high, though at a diagonal angle. I began sweating. This was my first true duel with such blades, and against a bisharp no less. My blood boiled in rage, heart racing, the worry for my people bubbling up.
"The Rose is offering us a getaway, a retreat from the failed systems the Clans and the Nakamura have ruled with for the last seven hundred years!" She raged, bringing her sword down upon me. Again, we clashed. She attempted to strike me from a different angle, but I quickly dodged, striking her side with the brunt weight of my sword. She yelped as I drew blood from under her armour. "You insolent pest…"
She coughed, stumbling back, her blade still firmly in her hand.
"The right of the kingdom lies in the hands of the Nakamura," I said. "Not in the hands of Starmie, or the Rose, but my clan," I said, rushing her down with a brutal strike. "A mistake made by my clan is resolved by it!"
Blade met blade, the burning heat of the building practically suffocating us. My eyes were drawn up to the mural that was aflame. My heart sank, seeing such a beautiful work of art burn away. Regardless, I pressed on with the battle. I saw Gabriel choking, trying to contain the flames with his psychic, to no avail. As Aka and I clashed, she planted a solid backhand to my face. My face stung as I stumbled, feeling the blood fall down my lip and onto the scorched floor.
"B-Baka…" I grunted.
She struck my dented shoulder, making me bleed again.
"I do this for the kingdom!" She yelled. "The Vale needs change! Your kind are unfit to rule!"
She spat and kicked me down to the floor.
"I saw that darkness within you, Genevieve," She coughed and held her side, attempting to stop the blood from falling. "You're no different than the rest of your pathetic clan!"
She raised her sword.
"And you will die for this, you insolent—" immediately, she was struck in the side by a rogue support beam, thrown by telekinesis.
"A-Ahaha!" Gabriel coughed. "Honour be damned, bitch, I am not letting a treacherous wench like you win."
He reached down and picked me up, throwing a thunderbolt at the downed Miko, destroying her robes.
"You…" she gasped, clearly unable to breathe properly. "How could I…?"
Gabriel kept me upright, but began to approach her.
"I'm getting you out of this, just to question you," He smiled and laughed, about to get her.
"N-never…" She turned her blade down. "Never! The Rose will have your king's head on a platter! Even if I die, his plans shall succeed!"
Gabriel gasped as he grabbed my head and shoved it into him. I could only imagine what she did next as he jumped out of the building with me. The crackling sounds of fire filled my ears as we looked back at the burning building. The doors collapsed in, with no sign of Aka escaping. I grimaced, turning around as I watched the Miko and samurai approach us. Immediately, I noticed the plethora of katana pointed at us. I reached for my sword,
However, before any blades could clash, an elegant howl immediately caught everyone's attention. Stood atop the arch built in the water, a great blue beast stood, purple hair blowing in the wind.
"Turn your blades elsewhere," The Suicune called and jumped down, standing between us and the crowd. "The traitor among us is dead."
Her voice was calm, yet harsh.
"Gene!" She turned to me, her gaze furious. "I could only arrive when I found out the steel council had already fallen. I could only save two…"
She frowned, looked at the crowd, then to the fire.
"Get to Tenshumura! I feel the king is in grave danger!" She yelled and turned to the castle. "I'll deal with this fire."
Her glare immediately turned to Gabriel.
"And I assume you will not burn it down!" Her razor sharp glare made the Gardevoir sweat. She raised her head and began to howl, a howl that echoed across the entire kingdom. "Seeing as our cover was blown… the others shall assist you! I will join you once I deal with this!"
While in awe at her beauty, I couldn't help but feel my destiny lay in my home, the castle I was born in. Father…. My heart raced, my purpose calling to me. I looked up at my castle and began a sprint away from the burning shrine, to the hundred great steps to Tenshumura. Even despite my dented leg, my pace was fast, the pain drowned out by raw determination. The pink banners on either side of the steps blew in the wind as I approached the three great towers. I felt destiny pulling me close to where I was born.
To the Great Tenshumura…
Hopefully, Gabriel could keep up.
End of Chapter…