Miki clung securely to the back of the devilman as they flew over the ocean at incredible speeds. Only a ways behind them was Koda and Junichi, following at a respectable distance, and Tako whose wings beat like that of a hummingbird right beside them. It pleased the young witch how smoothly everything was turning out, in a way the ease itself was almost unsettling. However, she dismissed that thought instead appreciating the calm moment for all it could offer.
"So what is the first thing we need to do when we get back Akira?" she whispered curiously into his ear. "What's supposed to happen next?"
The wing-like flap on the side of the devilman's head twitched hearing her voice. He didn't turn to face her, but the motion showed his acknowledgment.
"Well, what normally happens is a huge war breaks out between demons and humans. Every time I can remember, the humans never fair well even with the help of the devilmen. But most of the time that's because we're unaware of what we're getting ourselves into, and it's too late for us to get any push back. That's why this time will be different, I plan to wipe out the demon king first leaving them disoriented, then we'll strike before Satan has a chance to really rally them up. And finally, I will then kill Satan myself," he explained with a grotesque grin.
The witch watched him with a cautious eye. She knew he said all this to protect them, but some part of her couldn't help but be unsettled by the bloodlust in his description. He enjoyed the idea more than she was admittedly comfortable with. The events with the angel and that on demoness replayed in her mind. She knew the demons were dangerous, but in that moment the scariest thing there was Akira himself.
"Akira?" Miki uttered dubiously.
"Yeah," he responded.
"If you could save everyone without having to hurt anyone else, would you? Like if there was a way to resolve this war peacefully? I know, I would prefer that, where everybody could live and the good in everyone could thrive, you know?"
The devilman paused for a moment to consider what Miki had hoped would be an immediate answer.
"Well of course Miki, but that's not really realistic. Unfortunately, war is inevitable, and for everything those demons had ever done they deserve every bit that's coming to them."
The girl seemed mixed on the response. She knew he had a point, but her underlying concerns were only being that much more confirmed.
"Yeah, I know, but you only would do it because you have to right?" she asked.
Akira was becoming more skeptical of her little interrogation. For a moment he attempted to look around and view her in the eyes.
"Miki, is there something else worrying you?" he spoke seriously. In a way the girl was thankful he asked that question, yet simultaneously now she knew she must answer, but how she would do so evaded her. She allowed her head to drop ever so slightly, her chin nearly resting between his shoulder blades as she mused.
"Well, I suppose it's just that, I'm worried for you. I hate to see you get so angry, so upset. I mean I know it's all very upsetting and you have a lot of reason to feel that way. I guess it's just that, I hate seeing you get so consumed by it sometimes," she confessed.
Akira's brow narrowed, he was not angered but his tone was still defensive, "What do you mean? Are you talking about what happened earlier?"
Miki felt a swell grow in her throat she forced down. It was an uncomfortable thing to speak about, and she felt guilt in even bringing it up. Regardless she knew in her spirit she would regret even more so to never talk about it.
"Yeah," she started meekly. "I guess I'm just not used to seeing you like that. It's one thing to have to kill demons who are threatening you, but she wasn't really doing anything, and you were hurting her…and you seemed to be really enjoying it. I don't know, it just scared me, I wasn't sure if even I could do anything about it there for a moment."
The devilman stayed unsettlingly quiet for several moments. The longer the stalemate lasted the more insecure Miki felt in her decisions. After what seemed far too long, Akira finally scoffed.
"She didn't really do anything…" he shook his head. "Miki, you don't know her, you don't know what she's done, you don't know the pain she's caused. She's Satan's little right-hand demon, she'll do anything he asks, and won't regret a thing. Don't accuse me of things you know nothing about. She deserved everything she got and worse!"
Miki shrunk back feeling conflicted. Akira could feel the energy she radiated and her squirming on his back. He sighed, feeling remorse for his harshness.
"Miki, I'm sorry, I don't want to sound like that with you. It's just, you weren't there the whole time. You couldn't have known how horrible these beings are, what they've done to me and all of humanity for that matter. Even Koda, if you'd have known him you would have never wanted to bring him along either, but I did it for you. I did it for the hope that the good in people prevails. I have to say though, in recent times I don't know how much I believe in that myself anymore, but I know you do, and I believe in you…"
Miki felt a warmth swell through her body that was accompanied by a bitter bite after. To know her impact on him was enduring, but to simultaneously know his own faith had been waning worried the poor girl.
"I see what you mean, and you're right in some regard. I guess I just don't want you to lose yourself in all of this… and I don't want to lose you, you know."
"Aww Miki," she could hear the gentle smile on his lips. "I won't lose myself, and you certainly won't lose me, I already made that promise to you, remember?"
Her cheeks glowed with a slight blush, "Yeah, I remember." She finished as she tucked herself in close to him, giving him a comforting embrace as they flew. For a short time, the moment was sweet and quiet, but just as soon as it had become cozy, it disappeared, with a crashing scream.
On instinct, Akira transformed his body completely to that of his inner devil before detecting the source of the cry. Both he and Miki felt their spirits puddle viewing what they dreaded the most. Right ahead of them an attack was being held, and on the ones most precious to them. Zennon had sent out his armies to ambush the small fleet traveling on their way back to the main base, and with them were their families. The devilman had been holding up well enough for the time, Miko and Taro especially fighting with all their brawn.
There weren't two thoughts that passed through the devilman's head before he went barreling into the fight. Miki felt the same as she shared her power with the demonic being along with her familiar now rushing to her side.
"Quick summon backup!" Akira instructed as he slashed through a demon enemy. "It's about time I put these damn devils in their place."
"Akira!"
"Akira, what should we do!"
"Help us!"
The humans all screamed in a flustered panic, as the leader and the rest of the devilmen scrambled in the fight, waiting for more of their own.
"Stay calm everyone, and don't let go of the devilman chaperoning you! We'll protect you!" Miki yelled out. Focusing her energy she took the demon's attacks coming at her and redirected them back.
All the devilmen fought bravely, all put in their share, especially that of the commander. He slain their enemies as if cutting through a barrage of cardboard. He did so on full instinct, his eyes stared forward nearly as bloody as his fingers.
Just to the side of the commotion, Koda flew with Junichi, and ever so steadily he cowered further away.
"Moyuru, what are you doing? We should be helping them."
"I'm trying to keep you out of the way, you can't defend yourself against these guys," he answered in a rush.
"I know, but you can. Everybody else is sticking together and helping each other. If we get too far, we could be in even more danger!" his partner argued.
The devilman clenched his teeth, wishing to sweep away that very real possibility. The risks in his mind were just too great. He'd come too far to just let everything go now, but then again; he could very well be putting them all in more peril. He needed the rest of the devilmen, wither he wanted to believe it or not, and this act just might tarnish any trust he had developed with them.
An aggravated huff left his mouth as he looked back to witness the soft and pleading look on Junichi's face. The moment lingered until Koda felt the last second he had evade him. Another breathy sigh left him as he swung his head forward again.
"Okay, but you hang on tight, and if anything goes wrong, I'm getting us out of here immediately!" he announced as he shot back upwards in the air. His body morphed fully into a monstrous bull shape, as he charged full force, back into the battle.
Not long after their battle had begun did a storm of their own at last make an appearance, and Akira couldn't be more thankful.
"Now, we're talking," the leader grinned under his breath. "All devilmen carrying humans fall back to the base, everybody else hold back the demons and cover those escaping!"
The newcomers did as they were told, allowing a safe retreat to those with the most valuable passengers, that was all except Akira with Miki, who stayed to help in the quarrel. Out of the corner of his eye, the commander watched to make sure all the humans made it out safely. Interestingly, he could see Koda and his boyfriend start off in that direction, but what was curious was that Koda actually gave away his lover to another devilman. He was hesitant, and Junichi didn't seem to want to go, but he made him anyway. Akira could see the devilman carefully fly off with the human as Moyuru watched him off for only a few moments longer. It was after that, the bovine turned about with an enraged face, and began snapping and goring any demon that lay in his path.
The small battle was rising in stakes as the devilmen poured in and along with them even more demons to face. Akira with Miki made short work of many of them. The leader alone could slay a large number of demons single-handedly but with the witch there aiding him, his numbers doubled. With the addition of Tako, they were practically impenetrable together. Zennon particularly took great notice of this.
From a distance the vengeful king stood watching the fight before him, sending in more and more of his armies. His stare tapered resentfully at the devilman commander. He knew what he was capable of by himself and having that witch along with him was far too much in the demon's eyes.
"Sargent," the king suddenly spoke.
The sound of his brash voice made his listener shutter before he replied.
"Yes, sire?"
"I want your armies to target the devilman commander," Zennon instructed in an unnervingly calm tone.
"Oh, your highness, I assure you we have been. He's a lot to take on possessing the power of Am-"
"No, I want you to target him not for the devilman himself, but for the witch he carries, and that familiar too…"
Not another word was needed as the general nodded his head to the higher up. He turned to his men urgent and stern as he gave the word and instructed them of their mission.
Zennon watched the flock fly over this head. He knew the number of armies he had brought with him was dwindling by the moment, he could only hope this group would not disappoint him.
Akira and Miki had gotten far into the heat of battle, it was hard to even pick up on anything else other than the foes they faced ahead of them. As many as there were, and how harshly they fought, none ever truly posed a real threat. The devilman had hardly received more than a scratch, and Miki did not foresee her powers fizzling out on him any time soon. In their minds, this wasn't a matter of if they'd make it out but when. The fights dragged on as Akira rampantly searched for the king in this endless slew of small fry.
In the distance, they could see another army of demons coming toward them. The devilman exhaled heavily, it seemed they just wouldn't give up. Nevertheless, he and Miki went straight forward ready to take on the challenge. However, something was different this time, instead of flying forward and attacking any devilman in their course they all seemed set on one thing. If any of these demons were taken away from their mission it was by a devilman confronting them directly.
Akira narrowed his gaze; something just wasn't right. He could see they were all coming his way, he wouldn't be the least bit surprised if their orders were to take him down in a swarm. A smirk cracked across the warrior's lips. He had no problem with this plausibility, if anything he welcomed a decent opposition. He pushed forward, taking the air into his massive wings one huge swipe at a time. He was rocketed ahead, using the speed he had mustered he vanquished a whole section of the army in one go. Seconds hung in the air as the demons tried to make sense of what had just happened. They were nerve-wracked upon understanding the threat they were up against but continuing to advance, they knew their real aim was not him at all.
The commander struck at the demons within his reach but strangely they all seemed to avoid him, in favor of flying only slightly over him. Miki was forced to duck several times as she lifted an energetic shield around herself. In the whole time they were fighting not once were they on her as bad as this. It was hard for her to keep up with them all.
It was at that moment Akira's eyes grew wide with a chilling realization. They were not after him as he had thought, at least not directly, but instead were after Miki. This understanding only enraged him more and drove him to fight much fiercer. However, as hard and fast as he went, the ceaseless storm of demons blinded him and before he knew it, he heard a scream and no longer felt Miki's presence with him. He could not see her, but he could see the light of Tako's tail diving down and getting lost in the crowd, as he flew after her.
With all his weight and muscle the hulking fighter bowled through his enemies with little resistance. He hurdled downward following the fleeting glow of Tako's tail. Flying past all the demons helplessly attempting to stop him he received light lashing all over his body. They were of no concern to him however, all he could think of was to keep these horrible creatures off her and to save her from a deathly fall. He killed the demons that surrounded him, as did the devilcat, ensuring none of the others would catch her before they did. Although, as fast and hard as they tried to reach her, it seemed their circumstances were much more of a hindrance than they might have believed. So many demons at once slowed their progress, too much for either of their likings. It was as if no matter how hard they tried, they just couldn't get any more traction.
Akira's heart was ready to burst out of his chest as he knew the ground was coming harder and faster by the second. He forced himself to fight harder, to move faster, to do anything at all to reach her, to have her in the safety of his arms.
He heard a light thud. His chest twisted in knots. Where once he wanted to do everything in his power to reach her, now he did all in his power to halt himself, fearing what he might see. However, something unexpected followed the sound, it was accompanied by the swift beat of leathery wings. Akira still wasn't sure what to make of it. The sound got louder and louder and suddenly he could sense a great force rising up from beneath him. The demons in the way all scrambled at once to move, to evacuate, but none of them were fast enough. Before he knew it, a red flash went flying by him. It moved upwards so fast that the devilman could barely make out what it was. He strained with his advanced eyes, but before he saw what it was, he knew, he knew in his blooming heart it was her. After just a second, he could make out exactly what it was, and even when he could no longer deny it, it still didn't seem real.
"Koda!" The leader exclaimed.
Shooting up from the hoard the bull devil skewered countless devils on his horns, moving with a great boost Akira could only recognize as Miki. He had caught her on his back, and with her aid, he jetted back upwards with a newfound strength foreign to him, but no less exhilarating.
"Woo! You're not a bad one to keep around. I've never felt so energized in battle!" Koda said with a wide grin. The witch simply smirked and rolled her eyes at him. It felt good, however, to be able to assist the devilmen in such an impactful way.
"Well, I'd say you earned it for saving my life," she replied.
"Miki, you're okay!" Akira spoke suddenly as he flew next to them. Tako joined them as well with a relieved pleasantness about him.
The girl immediately lit up seeing Akira and her familiar at her side, "Akira, Tako!"
Without hesitation or another word, she jumped from Koda's back into the arms of her lover. He scooped her up dotingly as she buried her face into her shoulder.
"I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered in her ear. Steadily he lifted his head to make eye contact with the devilman before him. All the pent-up aggression Akira held toward Koda before, at that very moment drifted away, as his chest swelled with immense gratitude.
"Thank you," he softly said. Miki turned her head around and added to her boyfriend's thanks.
The bull devil didn't speak any words in reply, instead simply smiled with a tip of his head. The tenderness of the moment could not last as the ear-piercing screeches could be heard from all around them. Akira's gentleness became ridged once more. His gaze darted from the frenzy of the war to those he fought for. He lingered on Miki's large and hopeful eyes that shimmered up to him like precious gems. That image rested itself in his brain as he looked upon her longingly.
"Akira what's wrong? I'm okay, we can't stop here we have to keep fighting," she encouraged. His view remained on her as pained reluctance took over his expression. It took him some seconds; they weren't easy seconds hearing the full roar of war surrounding him but taking the risk and opportunity he shared a sweetness with his love. He gently placed his forehead against hers taking a deep breath as he gave her a tight squeeze. Miki stayed in that moment with him, setting aside her apprehensions as she gave Akira the time he needed.
"It'll be alright Akira," she reassured privately.
He opened his eyes with a solemness, "Yeah, it will…"
Finally, he looked away from her, and with a serious disposition, he eyed Koda and Tako. He flew right up beside Moyuru and spoke hastily as he placed a confused Miki back onto his back.
"Koda, listen to me very closely. Tako is going to guide you back to the base and help you along the way. You are to get Miki to the base as safe and as fast as possible, do you understand?" Akira said strictly.
"Wait Akira, we're in this together. I'm supposed to help you, and Tako too!" Miki protested direly.
The devilman carried on as if her words had just bounced right off. Koda heard what he said, but wasn't quite yet sure if he meant it, and listening to Miki, she sounded none too receptive herself.
"Miki, you're just not safe here," he continued without even making eye contact with her. "I appreciate your help and you're a powerful witch, but you're still only human." He, at last, gazed into her eyes again, cupping her cheek with his large beastly hand. "I won't risk your life for this, I've fought too hard for it as it is."
She shook her head, readying to speak against him but she was stopped. He kissed her without giving her a chance to respond. She had so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to prove against him, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her words. She leaned into his loving display, allowing her lips to show the sorrows she couldn't speak. Feeling her concern for him nearly broke Akira's heart, but not as much as the thought of ever losing her again. He conveyed this through his own fondness. As much as she disagreed, something about his kiss mellowed her. As she, at last, pulled away quietly, her eyes never tearing away from his. He could see the glossy tears welling up in her eyes and knowing she would fight to not let them fall. So instead, with a somber face, a few light strains of tears fell from his own eyes in her honor.
"But what about you?" she choked out.
A smirk decorated his face as he wiped away the single drop that escaped from her lids in her questioning.
"I'll be fine as long as you are," was his final reply as lastly he pulled away, knowing these precious moments he had managed to carve out for himself would no longer last. Immediately he turned to meet the hostility of an oncoming devil. He made short work of it, as he turned back to Koda and Tako.
"Go, all of you go now! I'm trusting you," he focused particularly on Moyuru in his last comment. The two seemed to share an understanding as Koda nodded his head.
"Make sure they get there, Tako!" was Akira's last order to him, as the devilcat tipped his head affirmingly and quickly turned about, with the bull devil right at his heels.
Miki watched behind her until Akira was no longer in sight, and she could see, even through all the enemies he fought, he did the same. When at last she couldn't see him anymore, is when her tears fell freely. Using that hurt and worry she enhanced the energy of the devilmen she flew with, making sure at the very least Akira's orders would be carried out.
When the leader had lost view of her, he knew there was nothing left he needed to hold back. His claws and teeth carelessly slaughtered every demon that came in his path. The devilman allowed his mind to become soul centered on the fight, allowing the rush of bloodshed to guide his movements. It all appeared like thoughtless battle, amongst a few orders to his men, but there was in fact reason to his direction. He knew the demons coming at him had a leader behind them. He wanted to reach the demon king more than anything, knowing if he finished him off once and for all, the people he protected would be that much safer. Satan was still a constant worry but at the very least he would be rid of Zennon, and he would be sure to make short work of such an irritating nuisance.