+----+ Chapter 3: Invasion of the Makai Bandits. Fight on, Reikai Tantei! +----+
The sky split open, a red rift tearing through the air. From out of the mysterious gateway, a horde of winged creatures swarmed out. They looked almost like lizards, but with a feral and deadly look about them. Green, sparkling scales covered their entire bodies, and huge black wings fluttered to support the huge beasts.
Shinrai stared, wide-eyed, at the spectacle, and Taisho chuckled, turning to face Shinrai, "Looks like the invasion force has arrived.... Get ready! We fight!"
"What.... are those things?!" cried Shinrai. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, and turned to see the young women looking at him.
"They're called Wingscale demons - they're one of the lower classes of demon, but dangerous in numbers. Watch yourself."
"Enough class for the day?!" called out Taisho. "We have work to do!" He ran towards the rift in the sky fearlessly, a faint green light shimmering around him.
The young woman said only one thing more, "My name's Hazumi Shousa, pleasure to meet you. Now, let's go!" At that, she ran off, following Taisho, one hand tightly gripping the staff on her back.
Shinrai shook off his fears, and followed after them. The demons were terrorizing the city, smashing everything in sight and robbing people of anything they might be carrying. There seemed to be thousands of them - and only three Reikai Tantei to handle them, thought Shinrai grimly. He shook it off, and continued running. When he caught up with Taisho and Hazumi, they were fighting off several dozen Wingscales at once, fists and staff flying, until none were left standing. A lone Wingscale crept up behind Hazumi, and attacked, but she easily blocked it and bashed in its skull with her staff.
*They're strong, alright.... Maybe we can do this.* Shinrai thought, his spirits rising. And with that, he joined the fray. A pair of Wingscales were terrorizing a young mother and her son, and they closed their eyes tightly, knowing the end was near.... When suddenly both Wingscales exploded into dust. The pair slowly opened their eyes to see the young Shinrai, his fist still glowing from his Reikou Shou, and smiled. But the smiles quickly turned to gasps as more Wingscales surrounded Shinrai, hoping to avenge their fallen comrades.
Shinrai fought them as best he could, dodging and striking with elegant finesse, but he was simply outnumbered. One of the Wingscales flew towards the young child, its fangs bared, and Shinrai noticed just in time to deliver his Reikou Shou to its skull, vaporizing it. "What are you waiting for?! Go!" he cried, as the pair nodded and ran off to safety. Without warning, Shinrai was struck hard in the stomach and knocked into a nearby wall. He was completely surrounded now - no chance of escape with the sheer number of Wingscales out for his blood. And then came a far-off cry....
"Rei Kou Ha! Shotgun!"
Green light enveloped the demons, breaking through them each in turn. As the Wingscales fell dead to the ground, Kioku saw Taisho, fist extended and still glowing, grinning at him. "Be more careful, kid! I won't always be here to pull yer ass out of the fire!" he called. Shinrai nodded his head, smirking slightly. He arose, and ran off to find more Wingscales.
Battle after battle was fought in the streets of Tokyo. At first, the Wingscales were disorganized, had no idea or care for where their fellows were. But now, all three Tantei were surrounded. All of the remaining demons - about 100 in all, were circled around them, fangs dripping with demonic saliva at the thought of tasting human flesh once more. Things seemed hopeless now, for sure.... And then they charged
"Ensatsu Hadou Hou!!!"
A large group of demons not too far from Shinrai burst into flames, screeching in unholy screams before falling to the ground as bare skeletons. The rest of the Wingscales stopped, and turned to face the one who had massacred their comrades. From the smoke rising off of the dead Wingscale carcasses, a lone figure appeared. Slowly, his features became more distinct, and as they did, the demons recoiled in terror.
Crimson red hair covered his head, making it seem as though his head was one fire. His arms ended in large, clawed hands, his skin a dark red color. Ebony eyes stared coldly, without mercy, at the demons. A large broadsword hung on his back. And on his face was a cocky smirk.
Hazumi and Taisho were frozen as well, in shock at seeing this demon here. Shinrai braced himself to attack, but Taisho restrained him. "No," he spoke, "he's an ally. Kiyou, the 'Burning Hellfire Demon'.... Never thought he'd show up to help."
From behind Kiyou, ten more demons appeared, each with the same skin color as Kiyou, but without the merciless ferocity that surrounded him. Each was covered in flames, apparently fire demons as well.
"The Fyushigi Unit," explained Hazumi, "watches over southern Japan and Korea. Kiyou is well-known for his mastery of fire, and coldness in battle. Seems Reikai thought we couldn't handle this mission on our own."
Taisho scoffed. "Feh. Quite a vote of confidence, don'cha think? Well, anyway, it's good to know we're safe now."
Kiyou's smirk vanished, as he raised his hands, palms forward, and spoke - "Die."
Flame crackled around his palms, bursting from them in a flash of red light. In an instant, nearly half of the Wingscales were enveloped and burned alive by the flames, and the others stepped back, ready to retreat. The fire demon glared at them, saying with a feral tone, "No retreating, you cowards!" His palms clenched into fists, and burst into crimson red flame, as he faded out of view.... but now for long. "Honou Shou!!!"
Kiyou brutally smashed his fist into each demon he passed, causing them to combust messily into several pieces. Demon after demon fell, burned to cinders by the attack. Shinrai watched in awe, and saw the secret behind the attack's power - real flames weren't being used, but rather Kiyou's own Ki transmutated into fire. A wave of respect swept over the young man, and he simply stared in shock at the sheer power of the fire demon. In a matter of moments, the last of the Wingscales were dead. Kiyou gave a triumphant roar, and the rest of his unit followed suit. All three of the Reikai Tantei began to applaud, but the celebration was cut short by a deep, growling voice....
"Worthless Wingscales.... Now I have to do things myself. Prepare for the void, humans!!!"
All eyes turned to the rift, which was now fluctuating wildly. From out of it, a huge creature fell from the sky and crashed into the ground near where the Tantei stood. Rocky gray skin covered his body, wings of flame sitting proudly from his back. A gut that made beer-bellies across the world seem tame jutted from his stomach. And cold, red eyes narrowed at the Tantei. Hazumi muttered something unintelligible, but Shinrai caught one word in particular - 'Kakitome.'
The sky split open, a red rift tearing through the air. From out of the mysterious gateway, a horde of winged creatures swarmed out. They looked almost like lizards, but with a feral and deadly look about them. Green, sparkling scales covered their entire bodies, and huge black wings fluttered to support the huge beasts.
Shinrai stared, wide-eyed, at the spectacle, and Taisho chuckled, turning to face Shinrai, "Looks like the invasion force has arrived.... Get ready! We fight!"
"What.... are those things?!" cried Shinrai. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, and turned to see the young women looking at him.
"They're called Wingscale demons - they're one of the lower classes of demon, but dangerous in numbers. Watch yourself."
"Enough class for the day?!" called out Taisho. "We have work to do!" He ran towards the rift in the sky fearlessly, a faint green light shimmering around him.
The young woman said only one thing more, "My name's Hazumi Shousa, pleasure to meet you. Now, let's go!" At that, she ran off, following Taisho, one hand tightly gripping the staff on her back.
Shinrai shook off his fears, and followed after them. The demons were terrorizing the city, smashing everything in sight and robbing people of anything they might be carrying. There seemed to be thousands of them - and only three Reikai Tantei to handle them, thought Shinrai grimly. He shook it off, and continued running. When he caught up with Taisho and Hazumi, they were fighting off several dozen Wingscales at once, fists and staff flying, until none were left standing. A lone Wingscale crept up behind Hazumi, and attacked, but she easily blocked it and bashed in its skull with her staff.
*They're strong, alright.... Maybe we can do this.* Shinrai thought, his spirits rising. And with that, he joined the fray. A pair of Wingscales were terrorizing a young mother and her son, and they closed their eyes tightly, knowing the end was near.... When suddenly both Wingscales exploded into dust. The pair slowly opened their eyes to see the young Shinrai, his fist still glowing from his Reikou Shou, and smiled. But the smiles quickly turned to gasps as more Wingscales surrounded Shinrai, hoping to avenge their fallen comrades.
Shinrai fought them as best he could, dodging and striking with elegant finesse, but he was simply outnumbered. One of the Wingscales flew towards the young child, its fangs bared, and Shinrai noticed just in time to deliver his Reikou Shou to its skull, vaporizing it. "What are you waiting for?! Go!" he cried, as the pair nodded and ran off to safety. Without warning, Shinrai was struck hard in the stomach and knocked into a nearby wall. He was completely surrounded now - no chance of escape with the sheer number of Wingscales out for his blood. And then came a far-off cry....
"Rei Kou Ha! Shotgun!"
Green light enveloped the demons, breaking through them each in turn. As the Wingscales fell dead to the ground, Kioku saw Taisho, fist extended and still glowing, grinning at him. "Be more careful, kid! I won't always be here to pull yer ass out of the fire!" he called. Shinrai nodded his head, smirking slightly. He arose, and ran off to find more Wingscales.
Battle after battle was fought in the streets of Tokyo. At first, the Wingscales were disorganized, had no idea or care for where their fellows were. But now, all three Tantei were surrounded. All of the remaining demons - about 100 in all, were circled around them, fangs dripping with demonic saliva at the thought of tasting human flesh once more. Things seemed hopeless now, for sure.... And then they charged
"Ensatsu Hadou Hou!!!"
A large group of demons not too far from Shinrai burst into flames, screeching in unholy screams before falling to the ground as bare skeletons. The rest of the Wingscales stopped, and turned to face the one who had massacred their comrades. From the smoke rising off of the dead Wingscale carcasses, a lone figure appeared. Slowly, his features became more distinct, and as they did, the demons recoiled in terror.
Crimson red hair covered his head, making it seem as though his head was one fire. His arms ended in large, clawed hands, his skin a dark red color. Ebony eyes stared coldly, without mercy, at the demons. A large broadsword hung on his back. And on his face was a cocky smirk.
Hazumi and Taisho were frozen as well, in shock at seeing this demon here. Shinrai braced himself to attack, but Taisho restrained him. "No," he spoke, "he's an ally. Kiyou, the 'Burning Hellfire Demon'.... Never thought he'd show up to help."
From behind Kiyou, ten more demons appeared, each with the same skin color as Kiyou, but without the merciless ferocity that surrounded him. Each was covered in flames, apparently fire demons as well.
"The Fyushigi Unit," explained Hazumi, "watches over southern Japan and Korea. Kiyou is well-known for his mastery of fire, and coldness in battle. Seems Reikai thought we couldn't handle this mission on our own."
Taisho scoffed. "Feh. Quite a vote of confidence, don'cha think? Well, anyway, it's good to know we're safe now."
Kiyou's smirk vanished, as he raised his hands, palms forward, and spoke - "Die."
Flame crackled around his palms, bursting from them in a flash of red light. In an instant, nearly half of the Wingscales were enveloped and burned alive by the flames, and the others stepped back, ready to retreat. The fire demon glared at them, saying with a feral tone, "No retreating, you cowards!" His palms clenched into fists, and burst into crimson red flame, as he faded out of view.... but now for long. "Honou Shou!!!"
Kiyou brutally smashed his fist into each demon he passed, causing them to combust messily into several pieces. Demon after demon fell, burned to cinders by the attack. Shinrai watched in awe, and saw the secret behind the attack's power - real flames weren't being used, but rather Kiyou's own Ki transmutated into fire. A wave of respect swept over the young man, and he simply stared in shock at the sheer power of the fire demon. In a matter of moments, the last of the Wingscales were dead. Kiyou gave a triumphant roar, and the rest of his unit followed suit. All three of the Reikai Tantei began to applaud, but the celebration was cut short by a deep, growling voice....
"Worthless Wingscales.... Now I have to do things myself. Prepare for the void, humans!!!"
All eyes turned to the rift, which was now fluctuating wildly. From out of it, a huge creature fell from the sky and crashed into the ground near where the Tantei stood. Rocky gray skin covered his body, wings of flame sitting proudly from his back. A gut that made beer-bellies across the world seem tame jutted from his stomach. And cold, red eyes narrowed at the Tantei. Hazumi muttered something unintelligible, but Shinrai caught one word in particular - 'Kakitome.'