Chapter 90
Final Battle: Part I
Kage sighed for the tenth time in the past two minutes. He, Kuwabara, and Crystal were on a helicopter flying toward the portal defenses. He shifted position in his seat. These guns can be uncomfortable sometimes.
His white trench coat did a good job of concealing the arsenal of guns he had with him. He knew he'd need them. Kuwabara and Crystal were sitting across from him. "You okay Kage?" Crystal asked worriedly.
"Just a little nervous."
"So how much longer till we get there?" Kuwabara asked.
"I'd say about fifteen minutes."
Kuwabara groaned and slumped in his seat. Crystal was inwardly smiling. She knew Kage was really worried about Maya. It was obvious to the half wolf that he had developed deep feelings for her adopted sister. You may be good at hiding your feelings Kage, but not from me.
"How big do you think the King's army is?" Crystal asked.
"Probably a few million. And from what I've heard, there only fifty thousand defenders. It will be brutal." He pulled out one of his pistols and started polishing it. "But we have the advantage of firearms. The Black Legion still uses Middle Age weapons. The worst we can expect are crossbows and they are in limited numbers. We may fall, but we'll take plenty of them with us."
Kuwabara gulped. Crystal looked at him and placed a reassuring hand on his. "Don't worry Kazuma. If Yusuke and the others can beat the Demon King then we'll win."
Kuwabara blushed and smiled nervously. "Th-thanks Crystal."
Crystal smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Kuwabara fainted. "And to think you were once swooning over Damien" Kage laughed.
"Kuwabara may not be the best looking guy, but he's still sweet."
"And he likes cats as much as you do."
The two chuckled and silence feel on the copter. The remaining time passed and soon they could see their destination. The portal was in a huge valley a few miles wide. About one mile in front of it was the wall. It stood and impressive 100 feet high with two 500-foot high towers at each end of the valley. There was only one gate and it had been sealed shut.
On the ground behind it was the defenders' camp. It was littered with tents, fires, and weapons in preparation for the battle. Kage could already see troops rushing around to get in position.
"Kage, look over there" Crystal said pointing to the wall.
Kage followed her finger and could see two dragons help position the eighteen canons behind the wall by lifting them and placing them in the proper locations. "They look like Draco and Genso. Pilot set us down."
"Yes sir." The helicopter descended to the ground and landed about twenty feet from the wall.
Kage helped Crystal drag Kuwabara out and placed him carefully against the copter's side.
"Kage!!!" Kage turned to the voice and was immediately pulled into a tight hug.
"It's good to see you to Maya."
Maya broke the hug and looked down trying to hide the blush on her face. "I was worried you wouldn't make it."
"You know me, I'd never miss a good fight."
Crystal could see her father, Rogato, Damien, Ricardo, Mizu, and Shiro walking toward them.
Shiro was the first to speak. "Took you long enough Kage. We wouldn't be able to do much good without our commander."
"If that were to happen then you'd be in charge."
"So have Riku and the others gone to fight the Demon King?" Kovu asked.
"I'm sure they did dad. We left for here before they did," Crystal said.
"You left without seeing them off?"
"It was Kage's idea."
Maya looked up and glared at Kage. "You mean to tell me you didn't wait for them to leave?"
"Well we said goodbye before we left. Besides I wanted to get to you as quickly as I could."
Maya blushed as everyone burst out laughing. Kage and Maya turned away from each other to avoid any more embarrassment.
"Don't tell me she's got you whipped already," Ricardo laughed.
"The portal's activating!!!" a guard yelled from the wall.
"Party poopers."
Kage took off toward the wall with Maya right behind him. Kovu lifted Kuwabara over his shoulder and followed. To think I may call this boy son one day. Crystal and the others were right behind him.
Draco reverted back to normal form and landed near Lita. Genso followed suit and took his place on Mizu's shoulder. The rest of the clan along with Jin and Touya were waiting for them. Kage jumped to the top of the wall and looked at the portal. The green energies of it were starting to stir, a sure sign something was coming through it.
He looked at the others. Lita and Draco were holding hands visibly worried. Touya and Azeri were standing very close to each other. Kage smirked at them. In response Touya looked away blushing and Azeri glared. From the corner of his eyes he noticed Naien scoot a little closer to Javik while he stood staring at the portal. Looks like someone has a crush.
Damien and Kavik ran up to them. "Anything yet?" Damien asked, "We heard the alarm."
Kage looked over to them. "They haven't gotten through yet but we don't have much time." He started going along the wall yelling out orders to the defenders. There were a number of humans there but most were demons. Many were armed with guns while a few had bows and crossbows. He noted that a quarter of them had close range weapons like swords, axes, spears, clubs, and various other weapons.
"Anyone with a firearm take up positions behind the gunners!!! You have to be ready to attack should the enemy manage to climb over the wall!!!"
Ricardo was readying a sniper rifle when Kage walked up to him. "How good are you with that?"
"Anything in front of the wall is a target. I can shoot the portal from here."
"In that case, head for the east tower. I'll be in the other. We'll be able to get clean shoots of the officers from there."
Ricardo nodded and ran to the east tower. Kage found Shiro next. "You take command down here. Radio me if you need anything."
"Right," Shiro replied as he pulled out his gun.
Kage looked over to Maya and she looked back. He gave her a look that said 'Good luck' before continuing to the tower.
When he arrived he pulled a sniper rifle from his coat and aimed it at the portal. He knew that only he and Ricardo had the range to hit anything just out of the portal. He started saying a silent prayer that Riku and the others could pull through for them.
He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw something walk out of the portal. He zoomed in on it with his scoop and let out a deep breath.
The one that had waked out was on the back of a huge tiger. The tiger had black fur with dark gray stripes and was decked head to tail with armor. The rider wore black armor with a long black cape. His face was the only part not covered. He had pale blue skin with white, shoulder length hair that was neatly combed back.
In his right hand was one of the weirdest weapons Kage had ever seen. It was a six-foot long curved pole with a curved blade going along the length of it. The blade was attached at the ends of the pole.
Kage could feel the warrior's spirit energy. He must be the commander. He knew the commander was probably trying out for a position on the Apocalypse Ten. The commander would be able to either dodge a bullet or deflect it with his weapon. He could only be taken down with a close range weapon.
"Mizu, do you sense that?" Shiro asked.
"Yeah, it's Zenmaru."
"Who's Zenmaru?" Shade asked.
"He was one of the Demon King's top generals," Dusk replied. "He was on the verge of joining the Apocalypse Ten but the war ended before he could. I guess he's stuck with them ever since."
"I had my fair share of fights with him. He was very skilled." Shiro added.
Zenmaru raised his weapon. From the portal emerged the army. It comprised mostly of Ghouls armed with spears and swords at their sides. Thousands upon thousands walked out of the portal. Among their ranks were giants. Their right arms were much longer and muscular then their lefts. It was their job to hurl boulders at the wall. Kage could make out some sorcerers and a few powerful demons. The valley was soon filled with their ranks as they marched toward the wall.
Kage knew the officers were on horseback. They were distinguished from the foot solders buy the horns that stuck out the sides of their helmets. Kage took aim at one and fired.
On a mountain on the east end of the valley walls, two spectators watched on. "So Shion, does this bring back memories?" Cassandra asked.
"Yes, I feel like I've gone back in time."
"So who's your money on?"
"Well I probably should say the Black Legion. They may not use any weapons like catapults and other siege weapons but their numbers and the way they use demons makes up for that. But miracles do happen. That is if the others can defeat Satanos."
"Well I better keep an open mind."
"It really doesn't matter who wins. In the end only the master and us will come out on top."
"First you have to find Muraku."
"It's only a matter of time my dear."
The two chuckled and watched as the battle began.
The Demon King's palace
"So how do we get in?" Riku asked as they looked at the palace before them.
Kurama narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't it seem odd that there are no guards?"
"He is obviously overconfident in himself," said Hiei.
They all took a step back when the drawbridge opened. They were surprised when they saw nothing charge out at them. "Seems we're expected," said Kurama.
Yusuke started walking on the drawbridge toward the castle. "Well then let's not disappoint him." The others nodded and followed.
They walked through the halls of their palace, their footsteps echoing off the high walls.
"Fancy place he's got here," Nami said as she looked around.
Hiei looked at her. "We've come to fight not sight see."
"I was just making an observation honey."
The others snickered. "Honey?" Yusuke said trying not to laugh. Hiei glared at them.
"I have no idea where we are. It will be difficult to find the throne room," said Kurama.
'Ryu, you there?' Riku asked telepathically.
'Yeah, if my memory serves me right then you'll have to take a right up ahead. You'll come across a staircase. Go up it and you'll be in the throne room.'
'Thanks Ryu'
'Just remember to let me take over when we fight him.'
'I will.'
"Ryu says we should take a right up ahead." The others looked at him but didn't question him. Riku wouldn't lie about something like that so they believed him. They took a right and were soon at the staircase. "The throne room should be at the top," Riku said.
They made their way up the stairs and soon entered the throne room. The throne itself was vacant of any Demon King.
"Where is he?" Yusuke said looking around.
There was a flash in front of them forcing them to cover their eyes. When it died down they looked at the source and saw Satanos standing there. He had a five-foot long curved sword in his right hand. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."
"So you're the big cheese around here," Yusuke said as he cracked his knuckles.
Satanos smirked. "Guilty as charged."
The five got into fighting stances. "I'm only interested in fighting the Devil Wolf. But if you want to fight so badly then you can face my sixth general."
This caused the heroes to look around for any sign of another. "Don't waist your time, he's already among us. In fact, my general is someone very close to Hiei."
"What are you talking about?" Hiei demanded.
"And by close, I mean on his body close." And with that his eyes glowed.
Hiei suddenly screamed in pain and dropped his katana. "What is it Hiei?" Nami asked rushing to his side.
"The Jagan, something's wrong with it." Hiei clutched his forehead and screamed as the pain increased. His body erupted in black energy that blew Nami back. Riku jumped into the air and caught her. The energy burned off Hiei's cloak and shirt and his screaming intensified. Energy erupted around Hiei forcing the others to shield their eyes.
"I'd like to introduce my sixth and final general, Jagan."
The others looked at the smoke surrounded Hiei and heard chuckling coming from it. "Thank you for the introduction your majesty." A voice said. It sounded like Hiei's but was mixed with a more sinister voice.
The smoke blew away and the gang gasped. Hiei was in his transformed state but his skin was red instead of green. He turned to them with a grin o his face. "You all seem surprised."
"What's wrong with you Hiei?" Nami asked.
"Hiei no longer commands this body. Now I've taken his place Nami."
"But, how?"
"My body was destroyed by Ryu during the war. Satanos managed to place my spirit in one of my eyes and snuck it to the doctor. The good doctor that gave Hiei the eye had no idea its purpose was to allow me to find a new body. I must say I've been quite impressed with Hiei's performance. His training has increased his power substantially. And now that power is mine to command."
"Where's Hiei?" Riku growled.
"He's locked away inside me never to return again."
"I think that's enough Jagan, I really want to take my revenge on the wolf" Satanos said.
"My apologies my lord. I'll deal with the others."
Satanos smirked and looked at Riku. "Follow me."
Riku landed and place Nami on her feet. "Go kick his ass," she said.
"What about you guys?"
"We'll take care of Jagan. No one messes with our friend and gets away with it," Yusuke said.
Riku nodded and followed Satanos to another part of the room. He noticed he was standing in the center of a large circle carved into the ground. Satanos lifted his hand and the circle levitated to reveal it was actually a platform. The platform flew into the air and through one of the windows. It continued and stopped hundreds of feet above the castle. They were now over the clouds.
"This is a suitable place for our final battle don't you think?"
Riku didn't reply. He seemed different now. His eyes were narrowed, his claws were longer, his hair seemed spikier, and his aura changed.
"I see Ryu has taken over."
"I stopped you once Satanos I can do it again."
"You're a bigger fool than I thought Ryu," Satanos laughed, "My power has increased since last time. I will win"
"In your dreams Satanos" Ryu replied before transforming. He looked at Satanos with his now red eyes.
"That's more like it" Satanos said smirking.
"Prepare yourself." Ryu pulled out his sword and readied it.
"Jagan will deal with your friends and I'll deal with you. Just to let you know, I sent my entire army to the wall. That's over ten billion troops."
Ryu gasped.
"The defenses there will fall, and then the human world will be mine to command."
Ryu growled and charged. He swung downward at Satanos but the King stepped to the side and parried the swing. "At last Ryu, I will have my revenge" Satanos said before swinging back. Their swords clashed and they started pushing against each other.
Riku and Satanos' battle has begun. Meanwhile, Hiei has been taken over by the Jagan eye now revealed to be the sixth general. And the defenders at the wall are going up against and army of ten billion. Three battles at the same time but one outcome.
As you can see I've adopted a new way of writing this. Should I continued like this or go back to what I was doing in previous chapters. I think this new way makes the chapters seem longer.
Next chapter, the defenders struggle to defend the wall, Yusuke and the others battle Jagan, and Ryu and Satanos clash for the last time. Review please.
