Part Seven
Back in Ingersil, the battlefield is transformed into a well-fortified camp for the Grand Army and the Elite Force, but both factions are split in two by a wooden wall. Two muscular guards stand by the opening to Delta' shrine, which is retrofitted into a camping ground. Ayazz, wearing clean clothes, walks over with Rift at his side and they approach Queen Valim with Mercury and Dola'wic flanking her. Valim sits on a heavy wood throne, garishly inlaid with gold, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.
Ayazz: You summoned me, your majesty?
Valim: Yes. I understand that I asked you to put an end to the fox. But instead of doing so, you allowed him to escape.
Rift: We were given a mission for the rescue, and we are doing it.
Mercury: My queen, we don't need the Grand Army. They've always been so soft to people who are not of their own kind. But with the Elite Force, we can change all that.
Ayazz: I demanded the yokai to return your son to us. I've been serving for decades, and our reputation never fails. Even before the Great Barrier breach, we have always been the best.
Dola'wic: Perhaps. There's no doubt about your potential, Commander. Even the great Omicron knows it. However… the Queen has an objection.
Valim: Yes. I do. The beach belonged to the yokai in the morning. It belongs to humanity in the afternoon. A great victory was won today, but that victory was not yours, Ayazz. Royalties did not kneel to the Grand Army. Royalties did not pay homage to Grand Army.
Ayazz: Perhaps your troops were too anxious to win. My troops won the battle, but my Lieutenant was the bravest of us all.
Valim: History remembers royalties, not soldiers! Tomorrow, we'll burn through the trees. I'll build monuments to victory on every corner of Ingersil, carve "Valim" in the stone, and my name will last through the ages! But you, on the other hand, your names are written in sand for the waves to wash away.
Ayazz: Be careful what you wish for. Things don't go the way we plan.
Mercury: I couldn't agree more.
Two battle-scarred soldiers drag Ikaruga into the shrine. Her face was bruised; clearly, she's been slapped around.
Mercury: [smirks] The spoils of war.
Valim: Burn the shit out of her eyes.
The soldiers hold her still. Mercury draws a sword from a furnace with its tip burning, then he walks and brings it close to the scared and struggling Ikaruga. Suddenly, Rift breaks the burning blade in half with his own sword, and slaps Mercury across the face. The other two soldiers draw their blades, but Rift points his sword at their faces, forcing them to go back.
Valim: [stands] How dare you defy me?!
Rift: We sent us here to find your son. She is here for interrogation. You kill her, and she won't even spill the beans.
Valim: The High King would hear about this.
Dola'wic: [whispering] Careful, my queen. We need him. Omicron has ordered me to spare his life for a reason. If that reason would be to bring back your son, this could be it.
[5 second silence]
Valim: So be it. She has twenty-four hours to explain all the details. [to the guards] Let them pass.
Now with Ikaruga, Ayazz and Rift both take their leave. Mercury recovers with a black eye and he walks over to Dola'wic for a private chat.
Mercury: What now? Aren't we going to do something about the other mission?
Dola'wic: We must proceed with the plans. I will take care of the yokai, while you take your best men to rendezvous with the others in Dallad. The golden cannons should be set there soon enough. Once we sack Ingersil, we will join you.
Mercury: But what if you don't get there in time?
Dola'wic: I will have enough time to spare. Enough time to get what I seek.
Dola'wic takes out a piece of cloth that reveals a fountain.
Outside, Ayazz takes his leave to scour the place. But Rift is left alone with Ikaruga, who is terrified but trying to retain her composure, and he is feeling bad for her.
Rift: I'll take you to your tent.
Ikaruga: [surprised] My tent? But I thought-
Rift: What? You actually wanna be in a cage?
Ikaruga: No.
Rift: Then follow me.
Rift leads Ikaruga to her tent. As they proceed, Ikaruga begins to lag behind. She looks at the battlefield with all the scattered body parts and blood spills from all the fallen warriors, both humans and yokai. Frightened, she gasps and runs to catch up with the demigod. Rift looks back at Ikaruga, and sees a tear running down her cheek.
Ikaruga: Why? Why didn't you kill me?
Rift: Huh? Oh. Because… that's not what I do. I…. Don't know why you'd want to die when you just defeated.
Ikaruga: I was bested. You caught my sacred sword barehanded, and for that failure… I should have ended my life. It's… my honor.
Rift: Like it or not… you're under our custody now. Only until we can have an answer from you about your captive, then we can let you decide your own fate.
Finally, they make it to the tent where Rift lets her in by herself.
Rift: Now, take a rest. I will… give you something to eat. It will… take some time.
He zips the tent entrance, closing it. Ikaruga, terrified, runs over to the bed and flings herself onto it, finally breaking down and crying.
Part Eight
Meanwhile, Tora-Kai stands by the room's open balcony. Beyond the city and Sakura Forest, he sees his beach occupied by the tremendous human force. Kesseki, Rai-Khan, Chizuru, and several of Kouta's generals, aristocrats and priests sit around the long table. Among them is General Tango the tengu (crow-man yokai), Kuma the kappa (frog-man yokai), and Shoukaku.
Shoukaku: We saw it all. Ikaruga was taken into human custody, and I was… too weak to save her.
Rai-Khan: Since the beginning of time, we have been the guardians and the healers of plantlife. They have sacked the shrine of Delta, destroyed her statue, and I say… we crush them all with everything we've got!
Tango: Settle down. If the humans want a fight, we can give 'em one. Even if the humans have outnumbered us ten to one, we can always have the advantage, because we have our shinobi, we have Sakura Forest as our barrier, and we have the finest archers in the world.
Tora-Kai: Tango, you've been our strategist for sixty-five years, but we're going to need more than a prediction.
Kuma: Well, that's a problem, highness. Because General Tango can't give you anything more than he predicted.
Tango: So what do we do? Surrender the valley, let Kouta burn, our men killed, our children enslaved, and our wives raped?
Kuma: I suggest diplomacy. The humans came here for one thing. Let's be honest, my friends. They invaded our shores, cut down our trees, and dug up their earth, because of one youthful indiscretion.
Kuma looks at Chizuru until she returns her gaze. Chizuru looks away from the kappa.
Kesseki: The Grand Army will not start this war tomorrow. This is not a conflict of nations. It's a dispute between two factions. The King of Sirendor requested me to help turn down the Elite Force's drafting on all the jobless men, even the ones who have supported our kind.
Rai-Khan: Kesseki, we don't know that.
Kesseki: But I do. I've spent time with them.
Rai-Khan: You may be willing to risk our safety, but I'm not. You should protect this family and stay away from them.
Tora-Kai: Rai-Khan!
Shoukaku: But that knight. One of the Grand Army soldiers just stormed through the blizzard like it was nothing. Who was it?
Kesseki: [hesitates] His name is Riftaminus Sholdra. He is the… son of Kappa.
Upon hearing that, the yokai gasp and murmur in surprise.
Tango: A demigod?
Rai-Khan: You've gone too far, Kesseki. There are no demigods. They were all killed off.
Kesseki: And yet, this one survives.
Tora-Kai: If you have a predicament, let's hear it.
Kesseki: Tomorrow morning, they will be expecting Prince Gerald to come. He will have to express his feelings, and when they hear it, they will have to honor it. Even if it means to defy the Queen's wishes.
Rai-Khan frowns, but does not resume any arguments with his cousin. He walks away to where Chizuru is at.
Chizuru: Rai-Khan, for once, listen to Kesseki.
Rai-Khan: [frowns] I lost the woman I love because of you.
Rai-Khan leaves the room. The others sit in stunned silence.
Kuma: Do we have a chance?
Everyone looks at Tango, who meditates before answering.
Tango: I agree… with Kesseki. However, we need our army outside the gate in the morning. The Queen won't let this war end with a debate.
Afterwards, Chizuru is in her home, where she explains the whole situation to Gerald, who is sitting beside her on the bed.
Gerald: It's true of what he said. There is a demigod in the Grand Army. Sir Sholda is said to be trained by Commander Ayazz, and he… single-handedly bested the dark wizard Dola'wic, and slayed a giant.
Chizuru: [worried] Then… the gods are cursing us. I was right about what I said before.
Gerald: But Chizuru… is it true about what they said? That you… go after other kids?
Chizuru: [hesitates] Yes. I do. I just…. I have a taste for boys because they're so small and cute. I have gone through many boys before, but they all just leave me because they have a home. And so do you.
Gerald: That's not true. I asked you to bring me here, so I could live so freely, and you granted my birthday wish.
Chizuru: But… your mother. Your father.
Gerald: [pauses] Vincent is my stepfather. My dad passed away when I was eight years old, and he left us nothing but unpaid debts. And my mother married him so she could keep us from ending up in the gutter. But unlike her, my dad would understand me better.
Chizuru: So, what then? You know the soldiers are coming here.
Gerald: I have to face my mother some time in my life. Tomorrow, I will walk right up to her and tell her I'm staying…. With you.
Chizuru is touched by Gerald's own words, enough to make her flustered, and she clings onto him to sink into the bed.
Chizuru: I love you, Gerald. And I want you with me. We will have lots and lots of babies to love and cherish. [giggles]
Gerald: [blushing] Uh, Chizuru? Maybe not that much.
Then, Chizuru begins smooching all over Gerald. However, Rai-Khan is spying on them from outside the room, and he walks away with disgust. But he is thinking about his encounter with Rift back then, and he seems disturbed.
Rai-Khan: That man who just killed Issei outside of Delta's shrine. I've never seen an axe thrown like that. [pauses] An impossible throw. But… does this really mean… the gods are siding with the humans with him?
Rai-Khan looks horrified. But he sees a collection of portraits with him and other kitsune who can transform into nine-tailed foxes with fire powers. Thinking about it while looking at the pictures, Rai-Khan regains his composure.
Rai-Khan: No. We're the sole-protectors of Xenotopia's plantlife. We're going to face them all, if we have to, to ensure life will carry on.
Part Nine
Back in Jadeshores, Trimbo is in the private room with Marissa, where she holds onto her baby in her arms. Darius is standing by the opened window, smoking a pipe and watching the night sky.
Marissa: You've been through quite the journey. But… are you sure you want to stay hidden?
Trimbo: I have no choice. As far as I can tell, everyone thinks I'm dead, and if they find out that Raizer tried to kill me, he'll stop at nothing to murder me.
Marissa: And what about those two young people? Milan and Gideon, if I recall correctly.
Trimbo: They…. [beat] They consulted with me to regain my composure, after feeling responsible for… not saving father's life on time. Gideon wants to open an apothecary, and Milan wants to marry him. I promised to fulfill their wishes if they helped me. I gave them my word.
Marissa: Well, I'd say Darius and I can approve that for you. We can give them both the rights to be married and let them open their apothecary, while you just go into hiding, until… they know the true heir.
Trimbo: What do you mean?
Darius: The will. Townley's will. Maybe you didn't hear the whole details, but the will says that Edgar Morningstar would be crowned as High King, until the end of his lifespan and everything will be passed on to Raizer.
While talking, Darius walks over to approach the two siblings. But from the opened window, the Death-Trio watches them.
Darius: However, if Edgar's rule would be short-lived, such as going to war with the ogres, the Crystal Throne will pass over the crown prince. [beat] You.
Trimbo: [stunned] Me?
Marissa: [to a nanny] Nelly, take Olivia to her crib.
A nanny, Nelly, takes the baby, Olivia, from Marissa's arms to put her to bed. The Death-Trio's eyes widen as they see the baby and they dart inside to go somewhere.
Trimbo: But…. Who am I to lead these people? I'd be a horrible king. I even caused trouble back home.
Marissa: We know, but Trimbo, everyone makes mistakes. You screwed up because you were more focused on leaving Ukrim and you… tried too hard. The only thing you have to do is be confident in yourself and just… put the welfare of others above your own.
Trimbo is lost in thought, but he's thinking about what his sister said.
Nelly is walking to a bedroom, where there is a baby carriage for Olivia, but it is slowly rocking back and forth.
Nelly: What the? Who in Gamma's name is there?
She approaches it, and as she reaches up to pull the blanket back, Sleek lunges at her threateningly like a jack-in-the-box.
Sleek: BOO!
Then, Trimbo, Darius and Marissa hear Nelly's terrified scream from outside the room, alarmed.
Darius: Olivia!
They all rush in, they see Sleek running away with Olivia. Trimbo starts rushing ahead, urging Darius to follow him.
Trimbo: Quickly, Darius!
As Trimbo disappears behind a wall, he quickly changes direction as a large boulder is rolling towards them.
Trimbo: Fuck, look out!
He and Darius leap out of its way. A chandelier is falling right over them. They run for their lives, just before the chandelier is about to crush them, and a guard rushes over to them.
Guard: Your grace. What's happening?
Darius: My daughter's kidnapped! Sound the alarm!
With a salute, the guard blows a horn that echoes everywhere in the castle, and when more guards blow their own horns, everyone inside is alarmed. Even Gideon and Milan, who just walk out of their room.
Gideon: What's going on?
Milan: I don't know. Maybe Trimbo could tell.
But behind their backs, Gibber emerges from the shadows and they notice him.
Gibber: So, the two lovebirds have been sleeping in their nest. [snickers] But not for long. Time to-
Suddenly, Gibber is cut off when Gideon throws another one of his potions on him, which traps him in a gooey substance.
Gideon: I think we know what is going on now.
Gideon and Milan are running down the hall to join then, but Ozzy jumps out with a roar. It causes Milan to scream in fright, collapsing right on top of her boyfriend.
Ozzy: [chuckles] You're such a coward.
Back with Trimbo and Darius, they rush by, but Sleek throws a suit of armor at them with an outstretched spear. Trimbo is able to leap out of the way, but the jousting spear has caught Darius by his jacket, and he was hurled towards the wall, pinned to it.
Trimbo: Okay, you ask for it!
Trimbo looks behind him, and his head is smashed between the cymbals, which is used by Ozzy. Trimbo dizzily stumbles over to a catapult display and trips over it, causing it to fire balls; several balls fly toward Darius, one hitting him on his head. Then, Ozzy picks up Trimbo over his shoulder, ready to leave.
Ozzy: I got him! Boys, let's go.
He opens the window, and is nearly eaten by Blaze, who growls and roars at him. Ozzy slams the window shut and climbs up the staircase.
Part Ten
For Sleek, he gently puts down the baby on the doorstep, and makes his way to leave, but he sees the manticore staring at him. Screaming, he runs back inside, with the manticore in hot pursuit. The beast, with teeth and claws bared, chases Sleek around at high speed everywhere in the castle.
Gibber walks over to a balcony, getting the goo off of him, and Ozzy joins him.
Gibber: You got him?
Ozzy: Oh, yes. I love it when everything goes as planned.
Suddenly, Sleek runs into Ozzy, causing them both to collapse on the floor.
Ozzy: Sleek! What's the matter with you?!
Sleek: SHE'S GONNA EAT ME!
Ozzy: Who is?
Ozzy overlooks Sleek and sees the manticore charging at full speed towards them.
Ozzy: [panicked] FUCK!
Gibber: Quick, jump over before it catches us!
The Death-Trio, holding onto the unconscious Trimbo, jumps off the balcony to escape the manticore's wrath.
Sleek: That was close. And to think, I was gonna lose another life.
Gibber: Just hang onto the guy, Sleek!
They fall into a tree, and they slide down to land safely on the ground. But then, the trees come to life to slam their branches at them, and one of them snatches up Trimbo.
Ozzy: Hey! That's our bounty!
Suddenly, Blaze comes over and breathes fire on them, but they take shelter behind a rock. As soon as Trimbo regains his consciousness, he finds himself being sent to Rozella who is the one commanding the trees.
Rozella: Are you okay?
Trimbo: I am. But…. Olivia. They took Olivia.
Wor-Kis: She's right here.
One of the trees lowers down a branch with Olivia on it, and Trimbo walks over to check on her. Unbeknownst to them, the Death-Trio is spying on them.
Sleek: Now what?
Ozzy: Now we kill 'em.
Their shadows are cast on the rock they pass, they shape-shift into snakes.
Rozella: Aww, she's so cute.
Trimbo: Rozella… I can't thank you enough. If anything more were to happen to anyone in my family, I would never forgive myself.
Rozella: I couldn't agree more.
Suddenly, trouble is coming back. The Death-Trio as snakes attack Trimbo, but Bestial shows up, catches them and bashes them several times against the ground. Sleek is freed, but the Manticore finally lunges at him, causing him to vanish into smoke. For the other two, Bestial ties them in a knot, whirls them around a few times and lets go, sending them flying. They smash into a rock, then vanish into smoke. Olivia sees the scene and giggles, clapping her hands.
Bestial: Nobody beats a Craitan, baby!
Marissa and Darius both rush outside with Gideon and Milan, but Wor-Kis hides himself from them in the trees. They see Olivia in Trimbo's arms, and Marissa rushes over to hold her baby.
Marissa: Thank goodness.
Darius: What were those things?
Trimbo: Deathwalkers. Dola'wic's minions.
Gideon: If they're here, they must've known where we are right now.
Milan: Does this mean we have to leave again? I just settled in.
Rozella: Tomorrow, we'll leave. But not right now. We should all get some sleep.
Everyone is walking back inside the castle. But Bestial stops when she sees a depressed Milan standing by herself.
Bestial: Wassup? What's wrong with you?
Milan: I'm tired of being scared… all the time.
Bestial: Scared? Of what?
Milan: Almost… everything. Once, I got scared of a mouse minding his own business, blowing my chance to marry Gideon. Even the time a tigersaur was going to eat us, but only Gideon was smart enough to come up with a way of drawing it off. And recently… someone jumps in to roar like a little kid.
Bestial: Hey, you're just caught off-guard. It's not that big of a deal.
Milan: Easy for you to say. You're from Craitos. All the women are bred to be warriors, and you only pick the toughest of men to marry. You're just… not scared of anything.
Bestial: Who says I have no fears?
Milan: You took on ogres. You fought off Deathwalkers. And you tied up two snakes in a knot.
Bestial: Because I was scared of losing. If you're not scared of anything, you'd have no courage. Listen, girl, you can't get rid of fear. It runs through your veins like a virus, a virus you can't get rid of. You can't beat it or outrun it, but you can get through it. You can find out what you're made of.
Milan: [stunned] You…. You think so?
Bestial: I know so. So as we leave, I'll teach all what it means to be like a Craitan woman. You'll be running with horses, locked into combat with wolves, and you can hunt like a beast. But in the end, you use your fear as an advantage.
Milan thinks about it, and she smiles to agree with Bestial's advice.
Part Eleven
The next morning, the sunlight blooms over the campsite. Ikaruga is in her private tent, sleeping. There is a "clink clink clink" at the doorway. She wakes up, gets up and walks over to it. The path is opened, and Rift comes in with a bowl of soup.
Rift: I made you breakfast. Chicken soup okay?
Ikaruga: Yes.
For Rift's entire visit, Ikaruga keeps a scolding on her face, but she begins to eat her soup, which she finds enjoyable for her.
Ikaruga: You're wasting your time. If this is how you interrogate your prisoners, I would say you've failed.
Rift: Look, I'm being nice to you, okay? We're because we need to know if a boy by the name of Gerald is in there, beyond those woods.
Ikaruga: He is. Being… treated as a guest. But at the same time, smothered by Chizuru, Kesseki's cousin.
Rift: His mother, the Queen, is seeking to rescue him. If you want what's best for both of our sides, you will tell me more.
Ikaruga: How would I know I can trust you?
Rift: Because… I wouldn't let you have your eyes burnt.
Ikaruga: [hesitates] He… claimed to be asking to come here. The prince. All he said was that he wanted to leave his mother, to have… freedom. What you're doing is not a rescue. It's an invasion. Sakura Forest has many ancient spells that not even your wizards would know, and no matter what you say or do, only the yokai can get through safely.
Rift: Don't try to scare me. I won't be the one invading, but if any one of my men would go in there, I will be the one to bring them back, even if it's the last thing I do. [pauses] I thank you for sharing the intel, but until further notice, you're to remain here with us.
Rift takes his leave out of the tent, but without him noticing, Ikaruga watches him through the doorway. And then, a dragon's roar is heard from the sky. It is Norbert flying towards the Grand Army's camp, where he lands in front of. Arkus dismounts and walks over to greet Ayazz and his troops.
Ayazz: Welcome, Arkus. In case you're wondering something, we're here to rescue someone.
Arkus: I'm not here for that. Rift, I have something to share with you.
Rift: What? What is it?
Instead of answering, Arkus gestures to Norbert's hind legs. There, Rift is seeing a wrapped body in his claws. He walks over and uncovers the wrapping, finding out it is Juno, dead.
Rift: Mom?
Arkus: Her illness has consumed her completely. But last night, she requested that she would want you to bury her. [pauses; sympathetically] I'm sorry.
Arkus walks back to Norbert, and he takes flight back in the air. But the saddened Rift kneels to his dead mother, shedding a tear, and Ayazz walks over to his side.
Ayazz: I'm sorry, son. I know I said we would go home as fast as we could.
Rift: It's not your fault. I should've stayed with her.
Ayazz: She would've wanted this, if it means to keep you alive and well, as any parent would do. [beat] Take all the time you need. Garlym and I will take care of the rest.
Rift nods his head in agreement, and he picks up his mother to find somewhere to bury her body. Ikaruga is watching the whole scene, and she feels bad for Rift after overhearing what they were saying.
Later on, the Elite Force has amassed, but most of the Grand Army are absent. In the front, Valim and Ayazz sit astride their horses, flanked by Garlym and Dola'wic. The soldiers are disciplined and well-outfitted, arranged in tight formation. They are all staring at Sakura Forest, waiting for the yokai to come.
Valim: You're confident he will arrive?
Ayazz: I'd know my soldiers well, my queen.
For a while, the army awaits for something to happen. And then, footsteps are heard from the woods. A battalion of samurai, led by Kesseki and Rai-Khan, emerge from Sakura Forest, approaching the humans, and Taro-Kai is being borne on a litter by several bear-men. Chizuru and Gerald are on the litter, sitting beside the Shogun.
Gerald: Your highness? Whatever happens… forgive me. For… bringing this.
Tora-Kai shakes his head and smiles sadly.
Tora-Kai: I blame you for nothing. Everything is in the hands of the gods. And besides, how could I blame anyone for falling in love with one of our own?
Not too far away, the Falconers climb to the top of a tall bluff near the beach. From here they can see the broad field a mile away.
Maroon: Oh, this is going to be good. Let's see what the commander would say.
Cleese: Say what? We can't even hear what they're saying from here.
Vel: Jacksyn, what do you think is going to happen?
Jacksyn: Beats me. Rift told us to remain on watch, and so we are. But…. Five bucks says the yokai would start the fight.
Cleese: I'm betting ten for the other side to start.
Jacksyn: You're on.
Back with the armies, Kesseki and Chizuru both walk together with Gerald in between them, approaching the humans.
Dola'wic: I see the Commander's words were true. Not that I… doubted him, but there were.
Kesseki: As promised, here is the prince.
Valim: Then remove him from your grasp if you know what's good for you.
Gerald: [sternly] No.
The soldiers murmur as a response for the prince's remark. Valim's face registers shock.
Valim: "No?" What do you mean no?
Gerald: I mean no, mother. I'm not going back to Sirendor. Everything I've been doing is all what you wanted, but never what I wanted. I asked Chizuru to bring me here.
Valim: What? This is not you. The monsters have put him under a spell!
Dola'wic: Unfortunately, no. I sense no magic within his mind or anywhere else around us. It's sad to say he's speaking with his own freewill.
Ayazz: But as king, you could have all the choices you want.
Gerald: All… except for freedom.
Valim: Oh, SHUT UP! I don't care what it is. You're coming home with me whether you like it or not! I'm the Queen, not you!
Chizuru: Not around here, you're not, little girl.
Valim: [insulted] "Little"?! I am forty-five years old!
Chizuru: Please. I'm a much older and more perfect woman than you are.
Valim: Then you're… A DEAD ONE!
Valim then grabs a mace behind back and rides to charge at Chizuru, but Chizuru breathes blue fire from her mouth that creates a wall of fire. As a response, the Elite Force takes the charge to attack, while Gerald makes a run for it with Chizuru. The Grand Army holds their positions to watch them go.
Garlym: They're going too close to the trees.
Tango the tengu general calls to a yokai standing on the canopy.
Tango: Archers, take aim and fire!
A thousand bronze-tipped arrows soar into the air. A deadly swarm of hornets that rises toward the clouds before descending on the charging humans. Having no choice, Kesseki aims with his Bow of Delta and fires at them.
Chizuru and Gerald have reached the trees, where Tora-Kai and the army wait for them. Chizuru helps Gerald get on a horse.
Chizuru: Get inside the city.
She slaps Gerald's horse, and he rides away.
Rai-Khan: Front line, halt!
The samurai on the front line draw their naginata and katanas for battle. Then, others fire their yumi bows, killing dozens of charging humans, and finally, both sides collide, starting the fight. A few soldiers are in pursuit through Sakura Forest, but they are ambushed by Jorogumo (spider-women). They spin their webs at the invaders, trying them up and proceeding to drink their blood.
But beyond Sakura Forest and in the barren parts of Kouta, Dola'wic appears in a veil of smoke, searching around the place for the crystals he was told to find. Finally, he finds a fountain (looking like the one on his cloth) that has crystallized liquid, which matches the same colour as the Crystal Throne, so it is the Liquid Gem.
Dola'wic: Ah… the Liquid Gem
With huge buckets conjured in his hand, he scoops up the Liquid Gem one bucket at a time. But then, he hears a buzzing from his head. With his magic, he hears the Death-Trio's voice.
Ozzy: [voice] You there, sir? We've found the prize.
Dola'wic: Nonsense. I'm already doing the- Wait. You mean the prince?
Sleek: [voice] Yeah. He's in Jadeshores. Or at least he was. Don't know where he is now.
Dola'wic: [pauses] Hold on. I'm going to need extra hands. Yen! Zu! Chao!
Immediately, the Death-Trio appears before him in smoke.
Dola'wic: We'll talk later. Right now, collect the Liquid Gem from the fountain.
Gibber: Okay, if you say so.
They all grab some big buckets and scoop up some crystal liquids, right before Dola'wic casts a spell to make them all disappear.
Part Twelve
Back on the battlefield, the yokai are routing the Elite Force. However, coming out are a pair of Gashadokuro (giant skeletons), and they swing their arms at the humans. With more yokai joining the fight, the human forces are in disarray. Ayazz sees Valim hiding behind her fallen horse. He runs and manages to reach her.
Ayazz: Your majesty, he was to retreat!
Valim: Never! We can never retreat!
Ayazz: We don't have an option! If we keep fighting this way, you won't have anything else!
Valim surveys the battlefield and her battered forces. She seems dazed by the turn of events. But then, Garlym sees Rai-Khan smashing his way through with his kanabo.
Garylm: To arms! Protect Ayazz!
As Rai-Khan charges at Ayazz, Garlym and the other knights jump out to defend Ayazz. Rai-Khan then swings his kanabo and knocks Garlym away with a hard force. Next, he throws down a knight with his arm and knocks out another one by head-butting him. Ayazz gasps and then grabs a sword quickly to defend himself. Rai-Khan runs towards Ayazz, screaming. Ayazz draws out his sword at the right time and swings it to cut Rai-Khan's kanabo, but the samurai draws his katana.
Kesseki: NO!
As he tries to stop Rai-Khan, Kesseki throws him out of the road as he attempts to stop him. He grabs hold of Rai-Khan and pins him to the ground, strangling him by the neck.
Kesseki: [to Ayazz] Go! Go now!
With all the time he has, the Ayazz motions for his men to retreat. He then notices an injured Garlym, having a broken leg from Rai-Khan, struggling to drag himself forward. The Commander helps the injured soldier to his feet.
Garlym: [moaning] Just go on without me! I'll slow you down!
Ayazz: We never leave a man behind.
The captains take up this cry, shouting orders to their men. The humans retreat. The yokai give a mighty shout as they pursue their enemies. During their full retreat back to camp, A Gashadokuro is crawling towards them like a big baby. Ayazz, supporting his wounded Captain, reaches the campsite before the yokai are getting any closer.
Valim: One day, you freaks will be out of the picture! ALL OF YOU WILL BE!
Valim and her remaining guards run back into the shrine of Delta with the doors closing behind them as the yokai throw several naginatas and fire arrows at them. On the other side, a guard barricades a door with a wooden beam before nine blades pierce through the doors briefly.
Outside, the battle is over. As Kesseki lets go of Rai-Khan, he is breathing heavily as the yokai watch. Chizuru and Tora-Kai arrive at the scene.
Kesseki: Rai-Khan…. I didn't mean…. I'm sorry, I-
Rai-Khan: You almost strangled me.
Kesseki: But Ayazz doesn't deserve death.
Chizuru: He was trying to help.
Rai-Khan: That's no excuse, Chizuru! You can't defend him like this.
Chizuru: He only wants you to learn-
Rai-Khan: Learn what? About mankind?! We can never learn anything from them.
Chizuru: Because you never give anyone a chance.
Rai-Khan: Give anyone a chance? Look at us and look at them. Your union with that human is ultimate dishonor! We can never coexist. [to Kesseki] And I asked you to protect our family… and you betrayed us all.
With a huge guilt on his face, Kesseki runs away, which makes Tora-Kai feel very sorry for him. However, the Shogun scolds Rai-Khan.
Tora-Kai: Rai-Khan, just because you were my leading samurai doesn't mean you have the right to claim the rights of honor for everyone! For twenty-three years, I expected you would be a suitable match for Ikaruga, but if she was alive, she would have to kill herself for honor, if it pleases the gods. If you continue this path, you will die a ronin.
Ashamed by the Shogun, Rai-Khan stands alone as the rest of the yokai make their way back to Sakura Forest.
All alone, Kesseki stands watching in the canopy at the humans' campsite as his teacher Kiriya approaches him.
Kesseki: Rai-Khan was right. I've betrayed my family. I've brought dishonor to us all, just like his sister when she brought the prince here. I… should be executed.
Kiriya: For what purpose? You were protecting an ally. It took courage to face your bloodline.
Kesseki: I should've… left Chizuru home when I was asked to Sirendor. And then… none of this would happen.
Kiriya: This may be the will of the gods. When you fought alongside humans, it triggered friction between the two races. But over time, after your first victory over the ogres… people were writing songs about you. The first time a shinobi was instructed in melodies in ages. All I've ever done was teach you how to survive, how to fight back… but never to interact with humans and other races that no one has ever thought of. You inspired the prince to interact with your cousin. He looks up to you… as his hero. Your family may say you would bring dishonor… but the gods know otherwise.
Kiriya takes her leave, and Kesseki is deep in thought about what his former student told him.
Meanwhile, Raizer is pacing around in the throne room, waiting for a report. Then, Dola'wic shows up with a bow.
Dola'wic: My king. Mission accomplished. We have the liquid crystal.
The dark wizard presents to Raizer the Liquid Gem in one of his buckets, and he seems a little pleased about the sight of it.
Raizer: Yes. This is the stuff. Not what I expected, but since it has the same color of the Crystal Throne, we can make do.
Dola'wic: I assure you, the Liquid Gem is in this form before it was used to create the throne your ancestors have seated on for so long. With the right ingredients, it will make enough projectiles for the golden cannons.
Raizer: Yes. [smirking] It's good to be the king.
Elsewhere, Norbert is flying across the sky, heading home to Mount Grandiose.
Arkus: [sighs] We've had a long week, haven't we Norbert? But after all these diplomatic reports, debates, rescues and transports, there's nothing that pleases me more than going home to Grandiose.
But then, he sees something that shocks him. Mount Grandiose, being assaulted by the Elite Force and fired by golden cannons, with the mountain itself protected by a massive force field.
On the ground, Mercury is giving the order as the Elite Force proceeds firing at the force field.
Mercury: Keep firing, you fuckers! This barrier won't last for long.
Soldier: Major! Ambush from behind!
With a mighty roar, Norbert swoops down and breaths fire at the attackers, setting them on fire but the golden cannons remain intact. Mercury uses a wooden plank to shield himself. As soon as the raging inferno stops, he looks at Norbert who just flies through the barrier with ease, and he growls in frustration.
To Be Continued
