Eternal Flame
-Part 7-
The AnnouncementGonkuro had just now been slain by Kofuru and the help of his bodyguards, the Kingdom of Power is now in a state of shock. The killing of Gonkuro was a mistake. Kofuru is told that Gonkuro was the leader of the Rebel Hunter's. Now the kingdom is going to be expecting a war between the rebel hunters and themselves. King Zhou, Kofuru's father, set up a meeting with everybody in the kingdom. And he has arranged for Kofuru to make that announcement.
"WHAT?! You want me to make the announcement to the whole kingdom that we are going to be at war??" Kofuru Remarked. "That's right my son. You are, plus, it will introduce yourself to the whole kingdom." Replied King Zhou. At that moment, Kimiko walked in. "Kofuru, father. The entire Kingdom is waiting outside for the announcement." "Thank you Kimiko." Replied King Zhou, as he walked out of the room. "Kofuru, you ready?" Asked Kimiko. "It wasn't my decision to do this you know." Kofuru said, walking over to the window. "Well, it will be ok. I had to do this a couple of hundred times before. It's going to be fine. I promise." Kimiko said. "You better be right." Replied Kofuru.
"Well, lets get to it then. Oh," Kimiko said, "Change into some nicer clothes. You want to impress the people...not scare them." Kimiko said in a small snicker while walking out of the room. "Ha ha. You are funny." Kofuru said as he threw a pillow at Kimiko as she shut the door behind her. "New clothes?" Kofuru said to himself while looking down at his clothes. "These are the only clothes I brought." Kofuru looked around the room and found a closet. Kofuru walked to the closet and opened it up only to find one actually descent pair of clothes. "Hmm... I wonder..." He took off his old clothes and put on the new clothes. The shirt was all black with the Symbol of Power in red in the middle of the shirt. The pants where just like his old pants, but black. The Boots where buckled all the way down to the ankle. And a black cape that hung down to his ankles.
"Nice." Kofuru remarked. Just then Eiji walked in. "My lord, you are wanted..." "How many times have I said not to call me "my lord"? Its Kofuru. Just Kofuru." Kofuru interrupted. "I am sorry Kofuru. You are wanted at the outside podium. Kofuru took a deep breathe and replied, "I'm ready." Eiji led Kofuru to the outside podium where Kimiko stood announcing what is going on. To the side stood King Zhou and Meng Tai. And at the other side stood Junji, Kyoko, and Koneko. "And now, we have good news for you," Kimiko said, "I present to you, the Prince of Power!!" All of a sudden, a big hush came about the crowd. Kimiko motioned for Kofuru to come to the podium. Kofuru walked up to the podium and look out into the crowd.
"Tell them about the war." Kimiko whispered to Kofuru. Kofuru nodded. He looked back out into the crowd and hesitated. "I am Kofuru Kapitanu. I am guessing you all already know who I am. I did not apply for this position, and I know I did not want to tell you this. But, I have to because it is mainly my fault as to why this event is going to happen." Kofuru took a deep breath and took a look back at Kimiko. Kimiko nodded her head, and Kofuru nodded in response. He looked back at the crowd. "This kingdom is going to be at war." Kofuru finally stated. A sudden gasp came from the crowd. "The Rebel Hunter leader, Gonkuro made an attempt to kill me and my friends a couple times, on our way to the kingdom. And now he is dead. Killed by my blade. Now the Rebel Hunters are going to declare war on us because of this." Kofuru said.
"This is no time to panic though. We are a strong kingdom! The strongest at that! And I know, that we can overcome this war! We will come out victorious! In fact, to make sure we win, I will be in the front line, willing to sacrifice my life for those I love! I know I haven't been here long. But I know, that this place is my home. My only home. And any body who lives here in this kingdom is my family! And this family will never be broken! I will fight for all of you!!" Kofuru yelled. A loud cheer came from the crowd as Kofuru stood there look down at his people. At the moment, a fierce blast of wind blasted at Kofuru. Kofuru just stood there and he knew something was wrong. Kofuru turned around and faced Junji. "That was not a good sign." Junji nodded his head. "I think we should go and check it out." Junji said. "I agree, Kyoko and I will go and check it out. The rest of you stay here, and prepare our army." Kofuru replied.
Kofuru and Kyoko headed through the large hallways, headed for the armory to go and retrieve their weapons. "What do you think could be wrong?" Kyoko asked. "I am not sure," Kofuru replied while strapping his sword to the back of his waist, "Gonkuro is dead. So it cannot be him. So I am not sure who it could be, or what it could be." Kofuru looked at Kyoko, his eyes full of concern. "But I have a feeling it is going to be something bad." Kofuru added. Kyoko nodded her head as she took her spear and strapped it to her back. The two walked out of the armory and headed outside. Before they could reach the door, Meng Tai walked out in front of them. "Where are you headed young masters?" Meng Tai asked in concern.
"There was a strong wind coming from the east. It was an uneasy wind at that. So we are going to check it out." Kyoko replied to Meng Tai's question. "Very well then. Just be careful. You would have no idea how much King Zhou would worry about his guest and his son." Meng Tai stated. "Do not worry Meng Tai. It is me, I will keep us safe." Kofuru mentioned. And at that, Kyoko and Kofuru left the castle and headed east.
They reached the source of where the wind came from. "Hmm...I do not see anything strange." Kofuru stated. "GET DOWN!" Kyoko yelled, as she dove to the ground. A strong gust of wind hit Kofuru dead center in his chest. He flew back into a tree and knocked the tree down and he fell to the ground. "Ah...What was that? Whatever it was, hurt like hell." Kofuru said, clutching his chest. Just then, a figure stood before Kofuru, shadows covering the figures eyes. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the illustrious Prince Kofuru. You have no clue how much of an honor it is to finally meet you!" The figure said as he let out an evil laugh.
"Who are you?" Kofuru replied, looking at Kyoko. Kyoko froze in her tracks. "Kyoko? Are you ok? What's the matter?" Kofuru asked, trying to get up. "Ha ha. Kyoko knows what she is up against. Don't you? SISTER!" The figure showed his face to Kofuru. Kofuru was speechless. He could not find any thing to say. For the Figure was Junji. But he looked different. His eyes were fully black, and he had weird marks on his face. "Why are you attacking us Junji?" Kofuru asked sternly. "Well. For one, I am not Junji. I am an ancient evil who was locked away in him so very long ago." Junji said.
Kofuru stood up. But right as Kofuru got to his feet, Junji kicked him through five trees. "KOFURU!" Kyoko yelled. "Aw. Isn't that sweet. Kyoko cares for someone other than...well, you know who." Junji smirked. Kyoko looked at Junji with eye's made of ice. "You are not my brother demon. Now leave and give us Junji back!" Kyoko yelled. "HA HA HA! And what exactly are you going to do about it?" Junji asked. "This." Kyoko replied as she charged at Junji, her spear in hand. She jumped into the air, and threw her spear down at Junji's feet. Junji looked at the spear as no threat. He then looked back up at Kyoko. She shot a giant bolt of lighting at Junji. The bolt hit the ground, and threw dust up everywhere.
As the dust cleared, Kyoko noticed that Junji was not there. "What the...GAH!" Kyoko was sent flying to the ground, with a scimitar through her shoulder. "Foolish girl." Junji said as he landed back to the ground. "BLAZING INFERNO!" Just then a fireball hit Junji and sent him flying. Kofuru jumped from over the tree's and landed on a single branch. "Not a nice thing to do." Kofuru remarked. Junji jumped to a tree branch directly across from Kofuru. "You think you can take me on foolish boy." Junji asked trivially. "I have a chance." Kofuru replied. Junji let out a laugh and sent a wind blast out to Kofuru. Kofuru hit the blast with the back of his hand, sending it straight up into the air. "Lets do this." Kofuru Drew his sword and jumped straight at Junji. Junji stood there and waited.
Kofuru slashed at Junji, but slashed the air. "What the?" Kofuru asked. He then was sent flying to the ground. "Wrong!" Kofuru yelled as he retaliated and landed on his feet. "I am stronger than I look Demon" Kofuru stated. "I know your power boy. I have seen it all thanks to Junji. He is like my delivery boy. He watched all of your moves and registered those moves to his brain. Well, it so happens that I have access to his brain. And I know every move you ........Uh!" Junji was sent flying straight into the air. "SHUT UP!!!" Kyoko yelled, as she took the scimitar out of her shoulder.
She jumped to catch Junji, picking up her spear as her feet left the ground. "GET OUT OF MY BROTHERS BODY!!" Kyoko yelled, and attacked in a blind fury. The sky turned dark, and lightning lit up the sky. And the roar of the thunder filled the air. "FOOL!" Junji yelled. He blocked her attacks and caught the spear and pulled it in. He threw an uppercut to Kyoko's stomach. "Guh!" Kyoko uttered, as she spat up blood and fell lifelessly to the ground. "KYOKO!!!" Kofuru yelled, as he jumped up to catch her. He landed on the ground and laid her up against a tree.
Kofuru's eyes went black, just like Junji's. Kofuru then started to fly up to Junji's level. "You shall pay for what you have done." Kofuru said. "Ooo...I am so scared." Junji replied. "Good." Kofuru said as he let out a smirk. Kofuru flew straight at Junji, slashing his sword at him. Junji dodged each attack and flew back. "Is that all?" Junji mocked. Kofuru looked at him, his eyes as black as the night sky. He threw his sword to the ground, making it stick straight up. "No." Kofuru replied. All of a sudden, Junji's body began to get covered in shadows. "What? What's this?" Junji asked in shock. "Its called shadows. You should be more observant." Kofuru replied. Just then, Junji was flung into a tree, then straight to the ground. Creating a giant crater in the ground. "How did you?" Junji struggled to say. Kofuru flew to the ground and landed right on top of Junji and punched him in the face. Knocking him out.
Kofuru's eyes went back to normal as he walked to Kyoko. The sky returned to normal. Kofuru picked up Kyoko and walked to Junji, and put Junji on his back. Kofuru headed back to the castle, carrying both Kyoko and Junji. Koneko was the first one to greet Kofuru. "What?! What happened to them? And how did Junji get with you?" Koneko asked. "It's a long story." Kofuru replied as he walked into the castle. Meng Tai immediately appeared at Kofuru's side. "Get them both some help! And quick!" Kofuru demanded. Meng Tai nodded and put Junji on his back and carried Kyoko in his arms. "Kofuru. What happened out there?" Koneko asked wrapping her arms around his waist. "Junji....has a demon locked inside of him. An ancient demon. Who has been set free and used Junji's body as a puppet." Kofuru replied. Blood dripped from Kofuru's cheek.
Kofuru wrapped his arms around Koneko and kissed her forehead. "I need to go meditate." Kofuru stated. Koneko nodded and let go. She stood there as she watched Kofuru walk off. Kofuru went to the balcony and jumped up to the roof of the castle and sat down, looking out at the setting sun. It painted the sky with elaborate reds, yellows, and oranges. Making it a sight for all to see. Kimiko walked up and sat next to Kofuru, looking out at the sunset. "I heard what happened." Kimiko said. Entranced by the sun. "Yea. Junji is fine. But I am not sure about Kyoko. She lost a lot of blood trying to get that demon out of him." Kofuru replied. A tear rolled down his face. "She should not have been hurt. He was looking for me, not her. I should not have taken her. Its all my fault." Kofuru said. "No. It is not your fault Kofuru. It just happened to be a demon that she is so familiar with. You had no idea who it would have been. Hell. It could have been Gonkuro back from the dead. It is not your fault." Kimiko replied. Putting her arm around his shoulder.
Kofuru nodded at stood up. "I got a new power today." Kofuru stated. "Really? What did you unlock?" Kimiko asked in curiosity. "This." Kofuru replied as he jumped off of the building. "KOFURU!" Kimiko yelled as she ran to the edge. Kofuru flew up into the air over Kimiko. His body was covered in shadows. "What? You already unlocked the power of the shadows?" Kimiko asked in shock. Kofuru nodded as he landed right next to her. "This would have been really handy for when Gonkuro was around!" Kofuru laughed.
"What is this I am hearing about using these powers on me?" a voice said. Kofuru and Kimiko turned around to find the one and only Gonkuro standing right in front of them.