Chapter 74

Island Battle

Riku surveyed the battlefield before him. It wasn't really all that much. First was the portal, then an open plane covered in sand, followed by a wide stream, another sandy plane, and a stone wall in front of the palace the rebels stayed at. A hundred rebels were trying to fight off Kane while the others stayed at the wall.  

Kane laughed as he killed rebel after rebel with his mighty sword. "Die insects!!!" he roared as he killed six in one horizontal swing. "This can't get any worse" a rebel solider said. Just then hundreds of Ghouls ran out of the portal. "Don't every say that again" the solider next to him said. In all, over a thousand Ghouls ran onto the battlefield. The defenders numbered only 300 and Kane was making that number dwindle.

"Kane!!!" Shiro yelled as he Mizu and Aurora fought their way through the enemy ranks. Mizu saw one of the gates to the fortress they were guarding under heavy attack. "Genso!!!" she said. Genso flew onto the air and with a roar grew to be over twenty feet long. With another roar he charged the attackers. The Ghouls scream before being incinerated by Genso's blue fire. Water dragons like him can breathe either water or blue fire.

A series of monstrous roars could be heard from the portal. Three black Japanese dragons with bat-like wings flew out of the portal. Genso flew up to meet them. He fired at them while avoiding their own attacks.

By now Shiro, Aurora, Mizu, and a dozen other rebels were the only ones fighting outside the wall. The others were trying to stop the Ghouls from breaching the wall.

"This attack is meant to take the island" Aurora said as she sliced through one of the Ghouls. Shiro fired three shots and killed the Ghouls that were charging him. He spun around and sliced another across the hip. Mizu was with the other dozen rebels near the stream. She chanted spells that caused the water to shot at the in jets at the Ghouls keeping them at bay. The remaining Ghouls were attacking the walls but the defenders were keeping them from scaling it.

"Well, well if it isn't Shiro and the mercenary" Kane said as the two ran in front of him. "This is the last time you'll ever attack us" Shiro said. "Oh really, then come on" Kane said. Shiro lifted his gun and fired six shots at Kane. The shots harmlessly hit his armor. Kane laughed and raised his sword. Shiro rolled out of the way while firing more shots at Kane but the shockwaves created by the sword hitting the ground caused him to lose balance.

Aurora appeared behind Kane and brought her sword down. The sword bounced off his armor. Kane spun around and grabbed her around the waist with his left hand. "You'll be the first to die" he said menacingly. Shiro was about to attack when five Ghouls charged him. "I don't have time for this" he said as he sheathed his sword and gathered energy in his free hand. "BURNING MANDALA" rings of fire shot out his hand and flew through the Ghouls slicing them to pieces.

He then looked up and saw Genso about to be attack from behind by one of the enemy dragons. More energy gathered in his hand. "FIRE BUBBLE" a sphere of fire shot out of his hand and at the dragon. When it hit it grew to surround the dragon's body. As the dragon struggled to get free the sphere started flying higher and higher into the air. Shiro smirked and fisted his hand. The sphere exploded and the dragon came crashing into the sea covered in flames.

"BURNING MANDALA" this time the rings headed for Kane's head. Kane growled and used his sword to block them all. "Pest" he said before raising his right foot. He slammed it to the ground and the force split the ground. It moved so fast Shiro had no time to dodge and was hit head on by the attack. He fell to one knee as Kane laughed.

Aurora continued to struggle by firing at Kane's head and stabbing his arm with her sword. Nothing could get through his armor. Kane's head turned to her. "I haven't forgotten about you" he said before squeezing. Aurora screamed as his grip around her waist tightened. I can't take much more of this she thought. Kane was laughing the entire time.

Suddenly a red blur flew at Kane's arm and a sword slammed through his arm and cut a gash on his wrist. Kane screamed in pain and let go of Aurora. As she fell to the ground she felt two strong arms catch her. She looked up at her savior and saw Riku's golden eyes looking back at her. "You okay?" he asked. She nodded. "Good" Riku said as he gently set her down.

Shiro managed to run over to them as Kane continued to scream in pain. "Let me see that sword" he said. Riku held his sword out for the fire demon to see. "It really is the Crescent Edge" Shiro said. "Riku, your sword is the only weapon ever to pierce Kane's armor" Aurora said. "That's useful to know. You two should go help the wall. I'll handle Kane" Riku said. The other two nodded and ran to the wall. "Mizu, come on!!!" Shiro yelled. Mizu looked over to them and saw where they were heading. "All right everyone, we're heading for the wall" she said to the dozen rebels she was with. They all fought their way to Shiro and Aurora.

"Curse you" Kane said as he turned to Riku. "You're as ugly as I've heard" Riku said. "So you're the new Devil Wolf. Even if you transform you won't be able to defeat me" Kane said. "That's where you're wrong. You may be powerful but you're slow. All I have to do is outrun you and slice you to pieces" Riku said.

"I'll have your head for a trophy" Kane said as he charged. Riku jumped into the air to avoid a horizontal swing to the right. "CRESCENT CLAWS" his attack hit Kane's wounded left wrist. As Kane recovered, the skulls on his sword started to glow. Riku remembered the attacks they created so at top speed he sliced them off the sword.

Kane's eyes widened as the skulls fell to the ground. "So much for your attacks" Riku said. Kane roared and raised his sword. He brought it down and it collided with Riku's. A pushing match started and surprisingly Riku managed to stand his ground. With a cry he pushed Kane back and swung as hard as he could at the giant's sword.

The two swords collided and Kane's sword cracked. He stepped back and swung horizontally again. Riku's sword blocked it and the force shattered Kane's sword. Kane ignored the pain in his wrist and punched Riku causing the wolf to go crashing to the right. Riku rolled out of the way of a stomp and raised his sword.

He struck Kane's shin guard and shattered the armor. Kane growled and threw another punch at Riku. Riku jumped and landed on the top of Kane's fist. He ran up the arm and swung at Kane's shoulder shattering that armor as well. He jumped off the shoulder and spun around to slice through the back of Kane's armor. As Riku landed Kane spun around and kicked Riku. Riku felt his ribs break as Kane's foot slammed into him and sent him flying thirty feet before crashing into the sand.

Kane charged and leapt high into the air. Riku rolled out of the way of Kane's feet but the shockwave caused the ground around them to crater. Riku was caught in the crater and rolled toward Kane. With a laugh Kane picked up Riku and threw him toward the wall. The force caused the place Riku hit to crumble.

"Riku!!!" Mizu said as she ran to the rubble. Riku rose out of the rubble though he was covered in cuts. Kane roared and charge. Riku readied his sword for a thrust.

"NOW YOU DIE!!!" Kane yelled as he neared. "That's my line" Riku said as his sword started to glow. Kane threw a punch at Riku as he thrust his sword forward. When they met Riku's sword incinerated Kane's hand. Riku continued forward and the tip off his sword pierced one of Kane's eyeholes.

Kane reared back and screamed as a red beam of light shot out of the hole in his face armor. "Shiro now!!!" Aurora said. "Riku take cover!!!" Mizu yelled. Riku ducked behind the ruble as Shiro gathered more energy than he had before. "DRAGON OF THE ETERNAL FLAME" a dragon made of red flames shot out of his hand and charged toward Kane.

The attack hit Kane and the resulting explosion created a fifty-foot wide pillar of fire. Everyone was blown back as the pillar dispersed. A crater was left with the Crescent Edge stabbed into the center. Nothing was left of Kane. "We…won" Mizu said. The black dragons and remaining Ghouls retreated back to the portal.

Riku walked to his sword and picked it up. He then had a strange feeling, as if something was talking to him. As the others ran to congratulate him he suddenly took off at top speed toward the portal. "What's he doing?" Shiro said.

When Riku reached the portal he leapt into the air and raised his sword. He brought it down and literally sliced the portal down the middle. The energy became unstable and caused a huge explosion. The others had to shield their eyes from the intense light.

When it died down they looked at what had happened and gasped. Everything in front of the wall was now being submerged under the water. "Where's Riku?" Mizu said. "Up there" Aurora said pointing into the sky. They looked up and saw Riku falling toward them. He landed gracefully on his feet in front of them.

"Why did you do that?" Shiro asked. "That portal was to great a threat to this world. At least that's what the Crescent Edge told me" Riku said. "The sword told you to destroy the portal?" Mizu asked as Genso perched on her shoulder. Riku nodded.

"Well whatever happened doesn't matter. The important thing is that we're all alive and we've got one less Apocalypse Ten to deal with" Shiro said. "That leaves Demonus, Ace, and the mystery general" Mizu said. "What about that Shion guy?" Riku asked. "He's no threat. He left the Demon King after the war and no one's heard from him since" Shiro said. "You know what he looks like?" Riku asked. "The only one of us that fought him was our second in command Katana. And his personality meant he didn't like telling us about his battles" Mizu said.

Riku shrugged. "Well if he isn't a threat then I guess there's nothing to worry about" Riku said. "Now that the portal's gone we can join the others" Mizu said. "Others?" Riku asked. "About ten thousand rebel troops are stationed in front of the only remaining portal. It's much bigger than the one here. If the Demon King launches a full-scale invasion then that's where his army will attack" Aurora said. "How do you know he's going to attack?" Riku asked. "The prophecy says the Devil Wolf's reincarnation will transform when the world is threatened by another invasion. If you're here then that means he's going to attack again" Shiro replied.

"Sounds big" Riku said. "Yes but let's worry about this later. Now we need to have a celebration" Mizu said happily. Everyone cheered and headed for the palace.

After the party

Riku chuckled as he walked out of the room. He was back in his old outfit after it had dried. Mizu and Shiro were asleep against each other after getting very drunk and dancing like a couple of maniacs. The other troops had also passed out. He found Aurora sitting on the balcony railing. "Glad to see someone's not waisted" Riku said. "I'm fifteen, I'm to young to drink. Besides I hate alcohol" she said. "That makes two of us" Riku said.

"Is something troubling you?" she asked. "It's just that I know my friends are taking my 'death' really hard" Riku said. "Well they won't have a reason to be if you meet them at the tournament" Aurora said. "How do I get there?" Riku asked. "Genso" Aurora said. The dragon ran up to them. "You can ride Genso" she said. "Are you sure Mizu will allow that?" Riku asked. "Does she look like she can say no?" Aurora asked. Riku looked over to Mizu whose head rested on Shiro's chest.

"I see your point" Riku said. "All right Genso" she said. Genso flew into the air and grew. "He'll take you to the tournament" she said. Riku nodded and climbed onto the dragon's back. "Thanks, I don't know how to repay you" Riku said. "Just defeat the Demon King" Aurora replied. "See ya" Riku said. "Genso, if we're not here when you return you know where to go" Aurora said. Genso nodded before flying into the sky. As they flew off Riku waved goodbye to Aurora.

He turned around and looked ahead. "Hurry Genso, my friends might be in trouble" Riku said. Genso picked up some speed. I'm coming Yukina Riku thought.

On the cruise ship

"WHAT!!!" the King yelled to the cowering officer in front of him. "K-Kane w-w-was defeated m-my lord" the officer replied. "How could this happen?" the King said. "I-It a-p-pears the Devil Wolf helped the r-rebels on t-t-the island" the officer replied. "So the rumors were true. He did fall overboard. He must have washed up on the island" Ace said. "This is only a minor set back. I never liked Kane anyway" the King said. "What do we do now?" Ace asked. "We'll continue with our plans" The King replied. Ace bowed and walked out of the King's private cabin.

'Well this is unexpected' a voice said in the King's head. 'Kane wasn't really needed anyhow. The important thing is that the Devil Wolf and his friends not know about you' the King replied. 'Relax my lord they have no idea I'm right under their noses so they'll never find me' the vice replied. 'See that they don't' the King said. 'Of coarse my lord' the voice said before disappearing.

In the halls of the ship Amai smiled as she and Demonus walked hand-in-hand trough the ship. "I've always wanted to take a cruise" she said. "Well here we are, and because of my status we can go wherever we want" Demonus replied. "Even a place where no one can disturb us?" she asked. "I thought I was the one who made to moves" Demonus said as he pinned her to the wall. They smiled at each other before kissing

"Prince Demonus, Prince Demonus" an officer said. Demonus growled and let go of Amai. The officer rounded the corner and stopped when he saw the prince. "What is it?" Demonus asked impatiently. "I've come to tell you General Kane has been destroyed" the officer replied. Amai gasped. "Who did it?" Demonus asked. "The Devil Wolf played a key role though it was Shiro who dealt the final blow" the officer replied. "Leave us" Demonus said. The officer bowed and walked away.

Demonus turned around and saw Amai crying. "What's wrong, you're not crying for Kane are you?' he asked as he kneeled in front of her. She threw her arms around his neck and cried in his chest. "No it's not that" she cried. "Then what is it?" Demonus asked as he stroked her back. "I don't want to lose you to the Devil Wolf either" she cried. Demonus placed a finger under her chin and made her look at him. "Amai, I won't be defeated. I have to much to live for" he said. Amai smiled before he kissed her.

Riku's heading back to the gang and Kane is dead. Next Chapter will be up Tuesday.

Next chapter, the gang arrives at the tournament. Review please.