Here, we end this story. We're going to see some trips down memory lane and I think that I'll take some time writing all things out.
A lot of things come from the requester as he's more versed in the material here.
We also went to Bart Peeters while I was writing this crap. Plus, a new keyboard to test out. Things are going to take a while before this was all said and done.
Also, one of my friends, VIRUS GO, rewrote my story "Crossed Paths." It's also Infinite Stratos and it handles the descendants of this fic. The last chapter was updated on the second of April. Check it out if you are interested.
Started on 31/03/2022
Ended on 11/04/2022
Matthijs felt the last signs of fatigue leaving his body when he opened his eyes. It was already light despite the fact that Autumn had already begun to make its way around the world. Nex to him, Sarah had begun to stir as well.
A nearly forty-year marriage had caused her to be sharp enough to wake whenever Matthijs was leaving.
The beauty looked at the man that she had chosen as her husband.
"Something wrong, dear?" The Orlejov was quiet as he looked back at her.
"Besides everything else? I am fine." Immediately, Sarah understood what he meant.
"If you are going to apologize about it, don't. And do not lie to me, Matthijs Orlejov. I deserve the truth."
Sarah would be the only one who had the right to send shivers to every Orlejov.
"Sarah, I think you'd understand that with the chosen direction, it will not end well. You know what will happen once I am finished with the preparations."
Matthijs did not want to share the ugly truth. He was bound with the curse that plagued his family for eons.
"Your father did the same, as did your brother. I have prepared myself for that, the day I married you." Sarah had wanted Matthijs when both were mere children.
Everyone, Matthijs included, warned her about the hardships that would come with marrying an Orlejov.
Yet, she persisted and the marriage had given her as many grievances as it had given her joys.
"It will not end for you, Sarah when I am dead. I fear you will have to continue." Sarah raised an eyebrow when she heard Matthijs talk.
"How exactly?"
"I can't exactly leave Azalof nor Kerlongsj on the throne. Hence why I'll be breaking tradition and putting you in that position until one of them is old enough." That was already enough to cause Sarah to gulp. She had known of the position as next to her husband.
Well, if things worked out, the biggest problem would be away but it would be a daunting task nonetheless.
"And there has been talk on who gets left behind." Sarah wondered what he would mean by that.
"With the Reiki destroyed, we do not wish the Orimura children to be cursed for the sins of their parents. There has been talking on which Diva will take which child in."
"And you want to have Ichika with his direct sisters."
"You'll have to take care of them. Together with Azalof and Kerlongsj. The youngest can fully break the damned curse which I hoped my grandfather had achieved his goal."
Matthijs admitted and Sarah would see where he was going at.
"It will not be easy. Although from what I gather, the Orimura children aren't that much of a nightmare." She had heard the stories and was beyond grateful that Tatsuya had lived with the promises that he made Matthijs eons ago.
Miyuki kept the Matriarchs in check and had given the children a relatively decent upbringing.
With Ichika born, that would change very soon.
"One thing that comes to mind is why you want me to take the role. Isn't Erwin supposed to do that?"
"Yes, but he has requested to come with me. While I do hate the fact he is willing to make his boys orphans, he wants to take Izanagi's life."
"Hard to blame him." If her ten-year-old self could see her, she would be horrified at how callous Sarah had become but she had been jarred enough.
"No, you can't blame him at all." Matthijs would be a hypocrite.
It was for the same reason that he would go to his death.
"What stops me from doing the same?" She hadn't expected her husband to glare at her and turn to her with a furious look.
"Tatsuya killed my father, Izanagi killed my brother! I do not believe you have such a reason to fight!" Sarah bound down when she heard him talk again.
"I understand. Doesn't mean that I have to like it."
"I don't like it either." Mattheus looked to the ceiling.
He had to get up and running.
Everything would come to an end. He had been making preparations for nearly everything.
It would be more than just battles between beings of a higher power. No, for this to end, the Orimura legacy had to burn down completely.
Otherwise, his own offspring would never see peace.
Turning back around, he placed a loving kiss on his wife.
She had aged in a way that made him lover her even more. Unlike Miyuki, Sarah had taken the process of aging and ran her own way on it. It made Matthijs love her even more.
"I haven't left yet. And I will make you enough to remember me by when I'm gone."
It sent shivers down Sarah's spine. But she would take those words to heart.
Then Matthijs left the room and Sarah flopped back on the sheets. She looked at the ceiling. She had run a great road with him but it looked like he was at an end.
Scene skip
When Matthijs walked into the conference room, it was already buzzing with generals doing their job for once. It had always been seen as a great waste of money but now, it paid off to have those preparations.
Even before Matthijs sat down properly, there were tons of reports already flying in.
"Sir, five companies have claimed they don't have enough ammunition and fuel sent through."
"See to the suppliers. Make sure that they have ammo within the week. Make those idiots work for a change."
"Sir, we have also gotten reports that a few battalions have not enough men filled out."
"I thought that I send out word for every active member to be enlisted in this?"
"Yes and we already had those divided. The reserves are coming through now only."
"How long will it take to get those done?"
"Two weeks."
"Cut it one and a half. See that the reserves are put where they belong." One was done and the next flew in.
"Sir, there have been several complaints raised from the soldiers."
Matthijs already felt exhausted when he heard this news. He and Erwin had been taking over shifts for this and his idiot son had fallen asleep on his desk.
"Can someone get that poor corpse to a bed?!" When the leader spoke, the rest followed, and before long, Erwin was taken up and put in a bed.
It might be a good thing that he was already a widower given the fact that his daughter-in-law wouldn't take such crap.
"Okay, now that is done. What are the soldiers complaining about?"
"Well, there have been concerns of the War Divas. Most of the men really don't want to work with them."
Matthijs really wished that he could go there himself but if he wanted to get this done, it would take more than just himself.
"They won't have to work with them."
"Well, two of them have amassed armies as well so…"
"I have made it in such a way that they only have to occupy themselves with other Runners. Let that news go out."
There were tons of reports coming through that he could easily figure out what was asked of Matthijs.
He had hoped it would have been easier to get every last one of his soldiers up and running but clearly, he was mistaken.
Not that it really hurt. The Divas had to see to their training with the Giants and they were far from done.
Later that day, Matthijs had begun to inspect the troops.
The Orimura had around ten thousand troops if his memory served him.
Matthijs had nearly twenty times more men under his command. But the armies would merely be a costly distraction.
As long the Orimura were alive, it would never end. It would amount to huge costs to his armies and he was aware that there would be many deaths waiting for the Orlejov.
All men in the room were aware of that. All of the men on the ships, storehouses, tanks, every last one knew that.
But if they allowed the Orimura to roam, there would no world for their children to enjoy. For their descendants.
Orimura saw humanity as nothing more than a waste of the world.
It was time that ended.
Matthijs felt hours go by and his mind only set on this. Food came in and was eaten while men only stopped to sleep, only to come back, six hours later.
Scene skip
Erwin awoke hours later as he slept through the day.
"Ah, sleeping beauty." The younger Hacker flipped the bird to his Old Man as he stood up.
"Don't you start." Shaking awake the blankets, Erwin walked to the table as he yawned one more time.
"Move it. Time for me to take over." Matthijs looked at his son. The stench was nearly palpable and it was clear that he hadn't eaten since last night.
Which would easily be more than 24 hours ago.
"Get something to eat. And get yourself cleaned up. I can't have you working in this state."
Knowing that his father made sense, the young man walked down
"And go see your son for a bit. It'll be hard enough on them all." Erwin didn't turn around when he heard the words.
There were two parts of him that played through.
One part wanted to destroy Izanagi for all the wrong he had delivered to Erwin.
The other part knew that by doing so, he would leave his own son.
The one thing he swore he would never do unto his son because it was what happened to him.
Yet, Erwin always knew it would always end this way. He sighed.
"Can I see you for some training? I really need some bits done to get this old body working."
Without turning around, Erwin nodded to the question.
He briefly wondered what the Divas were doing. They would meet in Japan but he doubted that they would just twiddle their fingers.
Training with their Aliens most likely. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to do the same thing with his father.
Scene skip
Lee kneeled down in front of a sword. She had been preparing her own army, ready for this fight. It would be the best way to get every soldier under her command ready. Of course, compared to the army of Matthijs, it wouldn't hold a candle.
But hers and Tsukiko would join in the fray and they would help out the Hackers.
There would be no other way how they could match the Orimura.
She breathed in and out. Before her laid a sword. She knew exactly on who she would use it.
The woman who took everything away from her. Izanami would die.
Taking out the sword, she knew how to use it. Her aura mixed with the power of Tiga in her body. She wanted to fight, to tear.
She knew exactly how to fight with her powers now. Her sword would convey the feelings that were lost on her years ago.
It was time for her to take revenge. And this time, Izanagi would die. She would make sure of that.
Scene skip
Oyuki breathed in while she felt the power. Dyna might have come from outer space but she could feel her powers running through her body now. Oyuki knew what she had on Dyna.
How crude Matthijs was, he spoke the truth. The War Divas would all too happily fuck Izanagi if they had a chance for that. So getting payback would be more than fitting. Shizuka would be her opponent.
Shizuka would be fitting given her own raw strength that the Golden Orimura would have gotten over the course of their lives. She had monstrous powers and that was something that Oyuki looked forward to.
Scene skip
Tsukiko knew who she would face. Just like Lee, they would align their armies with the Hackers but they would play second fiddle to their allies.
Given how they would be doing this, it wasn't surprising though. Minazuki would use the sort of sadism so she had to match that power and return it tenfold.
She would be light and agile but when it came to it, she would use the fullest power that she had.
She looked back at the cradles that stood there. Kanzashi and Tatenashi. Those were the ones she also fought for.
She needed to live them as well. It would otherwise be a horrible place. And if they all kept secrets, what good would that do?
Scene skip
Ayaka knew that Agul would be the edge that she would need for Shiori.
Blades would be clashing while they would have their match. Shiori might have been the most unhinged of all Orimura but it wouldn't be a cakewalk.
There would be no other way to take care of this mess while they would have their fights.
Ayaka would somewhat enjoy the fight and she had to make sure that she killed every bit of Shiori. Plus, she would pull out many weapons, even with the Reiki destroyed, they would be formidable opponents.
Yet, she felt she was ready for this.
Scene skip
Matthijs watched the first few training of his men but now found that they were better prepared than ever before.
They were under twenty-five and under fire, they would thrive. They would be the scorn of their enemies. They were fast and they wouldn't mourn.
Their losses and that of their foes.
He used his own speed to run through the lines as he saw his own son meeting his blade. Huge blasts of power came through.
For good measure, the Orlejov had taken an empty storehouse to fight. The soldiers saw the two Orlejov fights. Their blades matched and clashed as inhuman blasts of powers shone through.
Their Nanites were taking the form of wolves like the one of Matthijs demanded obedience from Erwin. Which the younger wolf refused to give into.
He was old enough to match his father. Erwin was thrown away by Matthijs and smashed into a wall.
The Hackers that were present didn't show any emotion. They had seen countless fights and it would end with one winner but it was never sure who would win.
Both men thought about the same thing. Namely the fight of the Orimura. How they would fight against their foes.
When Matthijs made a sword with his own Nanites, Erwin responded with his own. With one in each hand, they clashed again.
They were on edge of madness and they would be in for a time of sadness. But they would enjoy this fight.
Matthijs smashed again with the swords against Erwin who used what the younger Hacker dubbed a rollcall.
They had been forged in war, they were unbreakable. Again, his son got up and smashed his sword against that of his father.
They were feeling their powers. It was nearly in the fastest way that no one would be able to keep up with their moves.
Even not themselves as they relied on their bodies and senses, not their eyes. It would be the only way for them to kill the two Orimura before they met their own end.
Scene skip
Erwin sat back while the wounds of the fights were healing. He was now outside of the city while he flew through the sky.
"Faster, dad, faster." On his back, sat his now seven-year-old son, Kerlongsj. The youngest Orlejov was all too blissfully aware of what would come.
The city was for them while they sat back while they could feel the air of Autumn was coming through.
"You want faster? Let's do this." Shutting down his hoverboard, their screams mixed as they plummeted to the ground. Right before that, they began to fly again while they flew through the sky.
"That was awesome," Kerlongsj shouted while he was back up in the sky.
Again, they flew together while the sky was darkening. The song "Lone Wolf" went through his head.
"I am but a Weary huntsman of my bloodline bereft,
The pain of being last is that once I'm gone
There's no one left"
Looking over his shoulder, that line wouldn't be up for Erwin. Kerlongsj would be his bloodline to continue. And if the world would be someplace, there was a good chance that his grandchildren would be mixed Orlejov and Orimura.
"The lone wolf walks alone upon each
Frozen ridge and dune
Since hunting is forbidden and the forests all are hewn"
Kerlongsj sang along with the lines.
Erwin looked back at his son while they enjoyed their time. They would have a lot to think back on.
His son would look for examples when he and his father were no longer around.
"Dad, why do you have to go fight the Orimura?"
They landed on a flat while they overlooked the city. The sun began to set but none of them wanted to move. For some reason, both enjoyed those hours. Often, they would just sit there, overlooking the place.
The summer has been filled with such memories.
Ever since his wife passed, Erwin became a lot closer to his son. Of course, he was glad that he had Sarah, Azalof, and Matthijs to fall back on.
"Dad, why do you have to go and fight the Orimura?"
He hated the fact that he would never see his son grow up into a man that would walk in his shoes like they were made for him.
"It's not just for me. But for the entire world. We cut them off here and we get something of a world. We don't and they'll have very nefarious things planned for you."
Kerlongsj just glared back at Azalof.
"I will kick their ass."
"What do you think I am going to do?"
They remained quiet while they overlooked the city. It would easily be one more week before they would have to leave.
"Can I ask who you will fight?"
"I'm going to kill Izanagi. It will end. With us." Kerlongsj felt his own Nanites spike when he heard that name.
"Give him one more punch for me." Azalof wondered why he shivered when he saw such hatred in his son's eyes. But he knew that Kerlongsj shared the hatred for Izanagi.
If the two Orlejov could have a say, they would have murdered Izanagi years ago.
"I don't mind if you hate Izanagi. I feel the same. But don't keep the hatred for his children. Understand?"
Kerlongsj nodded. He was wise beyond his years.
He would have to be if he were to ever lead the Hackers. Raising the blade, Kerlongsj smiled while they enjoyed their time.
It would be most likely for the last time.
Scene skip
A week went by faster than most would have foreseen. The armies had been shipped in and plans had been drawn out.
With the help of his generals, Matthijs had figured out how they would take care of the armies. Tsukiko and Lee would take the flanks while the Hackers took care of that.
As a start, they would make sure the Orimura would get no air support. Under heavy fire, they would send his own troops in.
When the barrage would destroy most of the forest, it would give the Hackers a way to get their soldiers on the ground.
It would never be the easiest way.
Then it became time to speak to his men. In a giant auditorium, not even ten percent of his soldiers were gathered. But they would all hear his message.
On a stage, Matthijs Orlejov stood and looked over the men that had pledged their lives to him.
Placing his hands on the mic, Matthijs booted up the Nanites.
"Well, this seems to work." Looking over his men, Matthijs watched the soldiers.
"Men, I will not sugarcoat this. Today, we are going to end what we all have trained you for. Every last one of you, gathered before me, or on the ships going to Japan, we are at a point of no return."
He paused and collected himself.
"We are going to the Orimura and we are going to end them. Once and for all, we are going to put a stop to their poison. Some might not believe the source of their powers, some might think they are a myth themselves. But that is not the issue here. No, we are to fight and destroy every last one of them. I will not be sitting back as I will be facing my destiny. This will not be easy, this will not be clean, and this will be a merciless fight. We win and we rid the world of their evil once and for all, we lose, they end up ruling this world."
Matthijs looked over at them.
"But this is not about our lives, our lives are meant to protect the ones we care about. Our wives, our children, our creed. I have suffered loss as well. My own father and brother are both dead because of the Orimura. So either we are going to end them or we will see our lives erased."
"Tonight, we die for an ideal which meant we lived for something more!"
There were shouts, men raised their fists and Matthijs looked proudly at the soldiers. Bowing his head, he left the stage.
Behind him, the men that he saw as brothers got on their ships. They knew their roles, it wouldn't be an issue to leave the matters to them while he made one last stop.
Gathered in a room were Azalof, Sarah, Erwin, and Kerlongsj. Sarah had the youngest Orlejov in her lap while Azalof was looking with Erwin on the scene.
"Good speech. Bit cliché but I can get why you like it." Azalof broke the silence to which Erwin chuckled.
"Thank you, Azalof." Turning serious, Matthijs looked over the ones that he called his family. Sarah broke the silence as she stood up. Walking to her husband, she knew exactly what he wanted to say.
"You can do all you want but I will not sit back. There are ships who need commanders."
"You do not belong there, Sarah. We had this discussion." Matthijs shot back to which Sarah crossed her arms.
"Far as I can see, neither you nor Erwin will be alive. Somebody needs to guide the survivors back home. And I know how to handle them." Sarah's fury was matched by that of her husband.
"That is not the point."
"The point remains old man, that mum is right." Erwin backed his mother. A surprise for all in the room.
"We will not live this through. You know that. We need somebody and Sarah is our only option." Before him stood his grandchildren.
"We are too young to lead the Hackers. This is our lesson to say goodbye to you and Erwin." Azalof stood by.
"You are not coming along either. Are you out of your goddamn mind?"
"You are outvoted in this regard," Sarah answered. Time really changed. She would never allow her sons or grandsons to be around danger. Now, she wanted to send them right in the heat.
"Fine. You win. I just pray that the world doesn't lose you before." With that said, the Orlejov leader walked away with Erwin in tow. Sarah watched her husband leave. She knew very well that it would be the last time that she would ever see her husband and son alive.
Sarah turned to the two youngest Orlejovs. They were older beyond what they were. Extending her hands, she guided the two boys to their new roles.
Scene skip
Matthijs would have never guessed that it would have worked so well.
The Orimura didn't have time to prepare. Under continuous fire, the Hackers touched ground together with the Sarashiki and Lee armies as the Orimura released their own forces.
But a massive fight was a great distraction which they used to their fullest advantage.
All of them knew the way how the palace was by heart. Before long they split up and all four of them would be meeting their destiny as soon as they would find their fights.
Matthijs did not worry about leading his army. Despite his protests, Sarah knew exactly how to use the men and guided them through the valleys.
It was a meatgrinder, there was no doubt of that. But at least, this time, he would join the dead. When they finally reached the inner sanctum of the palace, they were greeted by the sight that they as much dreaded as hated.
The four matriarchs, and the two patriarchs of the Orimura.
The first one who saw them was Tatsuya. He was an older man whose build like Matthijs hadn't slowed down. A dark cloak went over his kimono. Normally, his Reiki would be enough to make most cower.
The other man had a kinder face. Black raven hair that hung over his head while his bangs showed a sickly way. His build had gone down. Erwin could feel his Nanites and blood boil.
The other four, the women, were already dressed to the nines for the fight. Instead of their kimonos, they wore black fighter outfits. The only thing that differed them was their hair color.
Black hair for the oldest, light green for the second oldest, brilliant red for the third, and long blonde hair for the last.
Their bodies were at the peak of female beauty. Too bad they were all tainted by their evil.
Looking over them, Tatsuya had as much hate for Matthijs as he had for the others.
"Took you long enough." Those four words were spoken by Tatsuya.
"I like to keep my promises. Now, how about we end this?" Matthijs asked as Tatsuya let his Okami Reiki come out while Matthijs released his Nanites.
Cracking his knuckles, Erwin did the same thing while he watched Izanagi. A grin covered his face as he saw that Izanagi never learned to do that.
"The children?"
"With Miyuki. You'll have them if you win." Tatsuya answered. Turning to his daughters, he glared at them.
"You have your jobs. Do them." Before one could answer, Erwin had raced to Izanagi and kicked him right in the face. A lunatic grin covered his face as he dragged Izanagi away. Raising his hands, Erwin made a barrier.
"You can all fuck off today. I'm going to rip this asshole to pieces." Turning to Izanagi, he had already taken out his katana.
"So still mad?"
"What do you think?" His blade came out from beneath his wrists.
Erwin growled at Izanagi. He would enjoy this fight even if it killed him. Izanagi couldn't understand why this Orlejov had such hatred for the Orimura.
Even his father didn't have the intense loathing that Erwin carried.
Not that it mattered for Izanagi as he would use his own powers against Erwin.
"You think you can defeat me? You are broken. Just like every last one of your bloodline." Erwin pulled up his hoodie and locked eyes with the Orimura son.
"I'm broken but my children can be fixed. You are sick. You will never heal. So let's see, Izanagi, whose drawback will do its wielder in."
The wolf came around his Nanites.
"After all, I managed to make this while you are stuck with the usual Reiki."
Tatsuya had also been blown away by Matthijs.
Unlike their sons, it was more a matter of duty than an issue of hate.
It just left the woman standing in the hallway.
The Four War Divas had their eyes locked. They had already discussed which Matriarch would meet her end.
"So any reason why you four whores are all here?" Izanami's eyes settled on Jin who just glared back.
"Are we going to stand here all day or we are going to fight?"
Izanami had a malicious smirk as she honed in on Lee." It was all too easy for her to block the sword as they destroyed a wall to get through. She glared at her sisters.
"Do not interfere! I want this one!"
Tsukiko was the first to use her own energy. With a high kick delivered to Minazuki, the only thing that she could do was take that hit in. Tsukiko used her own powers of Gaia that prevented Minazuki to take up the hints but just like her, she was taking in the hits.
Two were down, there were two more up.
Shizuka turned to Oyuki who had been anticipating. Both could feel their powers.
Oyuki had Dyna by her side while Shizuka had her own sleepy expression of a fight. It was the Orimura who stroke first. Unlike usual, where the person would have been torn apart, Oyuki had managed to take the blow.
Throwing Shizuka over her, Oyuki went right after them.
The only ones left in the hallway were Ayaka and Shiori.
"Any reason why you are acting now? You never were interested?"
Taking out her set of blades, Ayaka honed in on Shiori. The least unhinged one of the Orimura although one could argue that wasn't saying much.
"Something forced our hand. I'll tell you when you are on death's door."
Scene skip
While inside the castle, the leaders fought, outside, the Orimura soldiers were not having a great day.
They had one advantage over the invading force. They knew the terrain.
That was all.
The Orlejov, Lee, and Sarashiki armies had air superiority, and artillery superiority and outnumbered the Orimura one to fifteen.
Plus, they had a working command structure.
Even with the leaders out, Sarah had taken command. Matthijs had a great reason why he was so strong. He was the fighter, the one who focused on fights while he had a wife that knew how to make strategies.
Sarah Adjzof had been undefeated in games like Risk.
"I want the two sectors down. Focus on the living quarters of the soldiers!" Hackers would have never accepted a woman to take command but Sarah had proven herself over and over again.
It worked great as the fire came from sides.
On the ground, troops fired on the Orimura.
It was a forest war so she wanted it cut down. The fire was spreading yet, they could withstand that. They had to be careful. A cacophony of carnage sounded through the woods.
"We have reports of Orimura who come from the Eastern side of the Palace."
"Use ships, Sector 4 and Sector 6. Focus their power on that. When their barrage is over, I want ships Sector 5, 7, and 8 to drop their men off!"
Sarah's focus was shaken up when the palace shook and the howls of a wolf were heard.
The woman knew exactly what that meant.
Sarah shook her head. Now was not the time to be impressed by her husband.
"I want two more barrages on both ends."
"Should we not worry about our commander?"
Sarah turned with a furious look at the generals. Everyone backed down when they heard her talk.
"I would worry about your own safety. My husband can do her business."
Scene skip
Tatsuya had waited for this day since he was old enough to comprehend language. This was his destiny coming into play. He could feel his own lust for battle surge as his blades met Matthijs.
They both exploded with power as they wanted this fight. Tatsuya's eyes went round and he came to find that his house was burning. He could hear the chaos that spread around the Orimura.
Tatsuya breathed in and collected his thoughts. He knew exactly why Matthijs wanted this. Lancing on his feet, he and Matthijs came halfway as their blades crossed each other again.
When they met, an explosive amount of power set through the entire place.
Again, the two wolves howled as they spread their chaos through the battlefield.
Sparks of metal went at each other while they kept their eyes on each other.
From that point, they broke off their attacks to go at it again.
Their defense had matched their offense as they continued to fight. Again and again, their blades met the other. Their wolves bit and snapped at each other while underneath, Matthijs and Tatsuya used more of their bodies.
Swords met blades, kicks, and blows were also averted. Their footing proved to be very important as they moved their way around their foe. Blasts of power were mixed in as Matthijs avoided the attacks while Tatsuya had a focus on his own powers.
They were just seeing each other. But it became a stalemate like this. It was all too easy to find a way through their powers. Not that either wanted it to end like this.
They both wanted more of this fight.
So they let their powers, their emotions consume them and from men, they became animals.
When Tatsuya used one of his strikes, Matthijs blocked it, went around, and gave a kick. The Orimura patriarch was kicked away while Matthijs went right after him. In the rubble, Matthijs honed in. His knife aimed at Tatsuya who brought up his sword as it blocked the blades. With a pivotal attack, Matthijs wanted to get through this.
But Tatsuya didn't leave up. With a punch, it was Matthijs turn to fly away as he swatted away. Crashing through trees and houses, Matthijs barely seemed to notice the pain in his system. But there was a bigger focus on Tatsuya who just like him went right after him.
When his speed came down, Matthijs feet found a wall that withstood his attack. Flying back, Tatsuya foresaw that attack and he met Matthijs.
With the speed and ferocity, again, their powers exploded. Both managed to land though through the destruction of the lands.
When the dust settled, it became evident that neither of them was just going to end this. They had taken a few steps back while they seized their opponent.
"It appears that you are not done with this. I do have to ask. Why now?"
"Not exactly my choice. Although haven't you figured it out?" Tatsuya wondered what Matthijs meant until he gulped. He noticed something in his powers.
Did he? No, he couldn't. But how did he?
"The Reiki? How did you?"
"I already figured out it was not a natural source. When we found the source, we shut it down. Frankly, you should be happy. While it will kill your Juuka Reiki, your Okami Reiki won't suffer from this. That is your own." Matthijs let Skoll come out as Tatsuya released Hatti.
"I see that you have managed this. But the Divas, how do they?"
"Don't make deals with aliens. It's a long story." Tatsuya glared at him.
"You'll tell me."
"Sure. When we are in hell. Still, I have to thank you, Tatsuya. You kept your promise." Tatsuya retched when he spat on the ground. There was nothing why he wanted to keep that damned promise with Matthijs.
Just a bit longer and he would no longer have to keep it.
"You have to thank Miyuki. She was so foolish to use me for that." Matthijs knew that was all he would say.
So they felt the rain coming down. Their lives were so intertwined from birth till death.
So the two old men again matched a sword as they felt their powers hitting each other as they fought.
Most normal humans would have been torn apart. Yet, for neither of them, they were far from over.
Scene skip
[Glory Hammer. Universe on Fire]
Away from their fathers, Izanagi landed on the rooftops. Erwin was right behind him. They locked eyes with each other as Izanagi had no genuine idea why Erwin wanted him dead so badly.
The Hacker had just landed right behind him. Standing before him stood the Hacker, his knives had come out. His wolf growled while Izanagi released his own Reiki.
"So you are here again?"
"Back for a job our fathers started decades ago."
Izanagi tilted his head while he just watched the Hacker seethe with hate.
"Are you still mad about what I did?"
"You took my wife, you took my dad. And now it's time to give." Erwin answered as his fury became to set in.
It was like Izanagi remembered what the Hacker meant with that.
"Oh, you are talking about your whore? I can't believe that you still are furious-!." Before Izanagi could have continued to talk, Erwin had jammed his left knife in the right eye.
The Orimura heir didn't even see him move as he could no longer open his eye. His left could see how Matthijs' son pulled his knife out before delivering a savage uppercut.
In the sky, Erwin went right after him while Izanagi could bring out his swords. Despite his wound, Izanagi relied on other senses to fight back.
It wasn't easy though with the blood pouring down from it.
When gravity did its work, the two landed on the ground.
"Dad might give your father an honest fight but I am not in the same mind. I am going to rip you to pieces." Erwin said as Izanagi continued to rely on his Reiki. Of course, that damned bastard could restore his body with that forsaken power.
"Are you still angry about that?"
"You had whores, your sisters. I had a wife." Erwin shot back.
"Yes and just one son. Is that something to be proud of?" Izanagi said while the middle Orlejov pondered about it.
"Given everything, yes." Erwin brought himself face to face with Izanagi who could easily withstand the blow. Their ferocity was the same as their fathers. Despite all things that Erwin had learned about Izanagi, it was always impossible to match him.
The Nanites reacted in a way that Matthijs expected when exposed to [Jaaku Reiki]. Hence why Tatsuya and he had their wolfhood as they dubbed it.
But with Izanagi, who had both [Jaaku Reiki] and [Junsuina Reiki], it proved impossible for Erwin to guess how he would have to fight.
The edge that the Orlejov son had was the fact that, unlike Izanagi, he also adopted the wolf Nanites. It might have something to do with the fact that he never had to play second fiddle to his father.
"There is more to raising a child than shoving your dick in a woman, fuckface." Erwin said as he knew all the times that he spent with his son.
"You know nothing of our way." Erwin rolled his eyes. Not the best move as the Orimura son slashed through his body.
His body would have been cut in half but he managed to get his healing power back up. While he was thrown away, he saw how Izanagi went after him. Bringing up his arms, he managed to stop the Orimura as his Nanites made a shield.
"That was lucky. But you think that I know nothing of your ways?"
Erwin kicked the shins away from underneath Izanagi, causing him to collapse. It didn't destroy him but it gave Erwin enough breathing room to get back on his feet. Same with Izanagi who sent a wave of Reiki his way. The wolf just ate the power from it while Erwin covered his head with his hoodie.
A ball of energy was cut to pieces by a sword.
"Your father was rescued by my family. And how did he repay it? By murdering my wife, my father, and my grandfather. I know your ways, Orimura. It makes me the right person to tear you to pieces." Izanagi's sword was aimed right at him as Erwin blocked the incoming attack.
"We have been doing this for eons. Are you only now complaining?" Erwin looked back into Izanagi's eyes.
"Tonight, this Circle ends. Our sons will be better than us." Again, their blades matched. Erwin kept his wolf hidden this time. He didn't want to attract his father to this fight.
No, he wanted Izanagi for himself.
Scene skip
Lee Jin had always wondered what her destiny would be. And tonight, she knew that her destiny was to fight the Orimura. Before she came, the Lee had a talk with Tiga. She no longer had doubts about the fight.
She would rely on Erwin to kill the only man she had ever loved. Lee would not think about that. Jin had another focus. Namely, killing the woman who took everything away from her.
Tiga supported her during this. She had sealed her emotions away to make Lee focus on the fight. Izanami sneered as the oldest Orimura took out her fan. The huge amount of wind that thing could cause was something that Jin had forgotten. Yet, she couldn't care much about it.
Tiga proved to be an absolute necessity to protect her from the wind.
"I am really astonished, you of all people would throw your lot in with the Hackers. I thought you better, Jin."
The woman looked right at Izanami who used her high speed to get closer. Jin hadn't forgotten how Izanami knew how to use that damned fan in a fight. Yet, she couldn't hold back on that.
"I am here because of another reason." Izanami was close enough to see Jin's eyes. Yet, there was no fear in her eyes. Only the coldest hate.
"The Reiki." Izanami blinked when she heard it.
She summoned the darkest powers that she commanded. Yet, there was something. She blinked again as the oldest Orimura daughter couldn't reach it.
"What has?"
A grin covered Jin's face as she had never seen Izanami make that face.
"That Reiki. Your power." Coming in closer, Izanami could hear Jin whisper in her ear.
"It's gone." Izanami broke off the attack while she backed away from Lee.
"You are lying." Jin had the most serene face that Izanami had ever seen.
"No, I am not. And you are going to find that out soon enough."
Izanami looked down at her hands as she felt the power slipping through her body.
"Zyreus was defeated by us. So if your big bad boss can be beaten by us, then what hope do you have to live through this?"
Izanami could feel her fury and impatience building up. How dared Jin humiliate her like this? She would not stand for this.
She was an Orimura. A superior being. She tapped into most of the reserves of her power. Even if Jin was right, that didn't mean she had won just yet. Izanami could just fight back and kill her.
With her gone, there would be no one else.
With her deteriorating powers slipping through, she used her attacks. Yet, while her savage slashes and brutal strikes, which previously caused the earth to tremble, this time, Jin easily avoided them without too many issues.
Even with Izanami got closer and brought her fan right at her face, Jin just blocked it with her sword. Even with the destruction that set through the ground, Jin could take the attack and walk away from that.
"No!"
"Yes. If I didn't have my partner, things would be different." Jin said as it was her turn to attack and fight back at Izanami. The woman who took everything from her. Her lover, her life.
It was her idea to take Izanagi. And now, she would be paying a price for it.
Izanami began to attack with a faster stroke while Jin had no issue repelling her foe. She was deadly calm. In fact, this would be the first time that she would be this cool near an Orimura.
That coolness quickly became a bitter cold as she would rip Izanami to shreds. This time, it was the turn of the Orimura matriarch to use more power as she worked harder and faster over Jin.
"Damn you, damn you, damn you!" With more power, Izanami was wasting what little power she had over Jin who stood back.
"You are damned. You know that." Jin calmly said back as she delivered a stroke back to Izanami. She had remembered this technique and if the only thing that stopped her was her mind, she could use this as well.
Izanami began to get furious as she wasn't getting through to Jin. Channeling her power through her fan, the Orimura mother breathed in as she let her eyes flash.
"This will teach you." She let the remaining powers get through her body while Jin stood back.
[Tiga, you there?]
[Jin, you have an idea?]
[Yep. You read my mind?]
Feeling the smirk of her partner, Jin knew she could do this.
[Let's end this. Allow me]
Jin let her own energy come through as she was channeling her own power.
Both women moved at the same time. When Jin used a faster power, an explosion set off that engulfed the entire area.
They struggled through their power as Jin used a technique that Tiga had granted her.
The Lee leader had no idea that something like this existed. But it would be fitting that karma would be served on a platter and as a punishment for Izanami.
The sins of that woman and her sisters outweighed that of many countries.
Jin knew that there would be no salvation for the soul of Izanami. She only hoped that she would live through this.
When the dust settled, Jin stood over Izanami. The fact that she was still alive, was incredible. But Jin had no admiration for Izanami. No love, no hate, no. Lee Jin felt nothing for Izanami.
She fell to her knees while Jin regarded her as nothing more than a waste of life.
"All I did, I did for Izanagi. For Ichika. Why do you not see that?" Was she confessing? Jin knelt down to the Orimura.
"You believe me that I would accept that. What you would have done, would have caused the human race to go extinct. Nobody is going to save you." Jin stood back up and took her sword up.
"Goodbye, Izanami Orimura. Burn in hell." The sword came down on her face and Jin couldn't feel anything as her sword destroyed her most hated enemy.
Looking at the sky, she felt raindrops coming down. Jin had no idea what else she would do with her life.
She had never thought that she would see it resolved like this.
[This war isn't over yet, Jin. The others have to finish. Besides, you got someone to live for.]
Looking at the corpse of Izanami, she knew there would be more for her. And her daughter would have a safe place to call her life.
Evil would never die. But Jin would be prepared for another when that came around.
The earth rumbled. It was only the question of who did that.
Scene skip
Oyuki went through the earth as she had no clue where she was catapulted. Even with Dyna's help, Shizuka should not be underestimated. She had learned that the rough way now. Holding her eyes up, she glared at Shizuka.
She was taking Oyuki seriously now if her sleepy expression was changed by another one. More serious, deadly. Which was great for her. She wanted Shizuka to take this seriously.
Even with her Reiki diminishing, Shizuka was no slouch. It might have been a good thing that she used fists given the fact that weapons would have been shattered as soon they were used.
Oyuki went right back after her and their fists caused the earth to shake again. She could match Shizuka blow by blow.
The woman wasn't worried about it though. She had an ace up her sleeve but first, she would goad Shizuka in using more of her power.
Their fists found the other party and they could just easily fight back while she thought back on the fight with Zyreus. She knew exactly how to cover her ass.
When she blocked Shizuka with her upper hand, Shizuka grabbed her hand and readied her fist. Oyuki hoped that Dyna would thank that hit. Shizuka felt that she first made contact with Oyuki. Looking back at Oyuki, Shizuka's mouth dropped open.
The Diva still stood there. Without a hurt on her face.
"You bet everything and lost."
She had a great idea and blew her air right at Shizuka. Her left leg was hit. Shizuka fell down. Then her right arm.
The Sleeping Demon felt her power leaving her.
The Reiki was one thing but now, her own techniques were inadequate.
The technique had been developed by Dyna when they were done with fighting Zyreus. With the flow of her energy being shut down, Shizuka was getting at an even worse disadvantage. When the contact was broken, Oyuki stood back while she watched Shizuka tremble.
[Never use this again.]
[Don't worry. I think that I never will]
Oyuki looked how Shizuka looked broken on the floor. She could barely raise her fist. Another breath hit Shizuka's left leg. Walking over to Shizuka, Oyuki walked behind her.
"Damn you."
"We both are. But your damnation will be due in a few minutes. You'll die like a human." That would piss Shizuka off even worse than something else.
She would die like a thing that she so despised, yet something that she would be like her.
And if Oyuki had a shred of mercy left, she would snap her neck.
Yet, for the War Diva, that was out.
She began to breathe one more part of Shizuka's body. It shut down her organs, her mind, her brains. And Oyuki just stood by and watched how Shizuka Orimura died. Betrayed by her own body, she could no longer stand up.
After ten minutes, her body fell down.
Two of the four Orimura Matriarchs had died. When the day was over, all would have perished.
Scene skip
Erwin rolled back from the attack of Izanagi who had also gotten worked up from his attacks.
Their blades had crossed again while Izanagi wasn't sure on how this would go.
Yet, he could feel this battle losing. The Hacker had been taking hits and he had been healing up from it while Izanagi was taking more.
"I can't fall here. I was destined to be a King." Izanagi felt another hit from the blade that cut through his kimono. Locked in place, Erwin raised his fist and punched two teeth out. Izanagi landed on the wall. Coming in closer, Erwin raced to him to finish it.
The sword of Izanagi met again his blades.
"If one dreams to be a King, first one should be a man." Izanagi couldn't believe what he heard.
"And I am not a Man?" Izanagi asked, unbelieved by what he heard.
"A man would never allow his woman to walk all over him. Your marriage with Lee fell through when your sisters took you for themselves and look what that did for you." Erwin avoided the attack from Izanagi.
"You only got one son and you had one woman. I had four women and eight children. I got more than you ever had."
Ewin shrugged on that remark while his blade came out. It perforated Izanagi's throat and again, the son of the Orimura fell down to the ground.
Standing above Izanagi, Erwin wasn't sure if he should go for it.
"Might be but we only had one son. And my boy is strong, wise, and tough. And if I die, I know that I will see my wife again."
Grabbing the hair of Izanagi, the hate was clear on his face.
The arm of Erwin was broken which caused him not to worry about it.
"You might have a point about me. Yet, my son will be a King one day. He'll be a man. Which you aren't. Neither your son if he takes your path."
"What do you know of ruling?" Erwin just broke off the attack and waited until Izanagi came in closer. Avoiding the second attack, he just looked disappointed.
"That a ruler is useless if he has no one to follow him." Their eyes went to see the fights of the Orimura. The Hacker soldiers were fighting through them and they were getting ground.
"What do you hope to achieve? World dominance? Ruling the universe. Being a God among men." Erwin chuckled when he heard the Orimura son talk.
"No." The son of Orlejov answered.
"When you are dead, my sons will have a better world to live in."
"And your whores will follow."
Again, the clashing of blades partook. Yet, even with their powers, they were playing second fiddle to their fathers.
The destruction of the palace had really set in as the wolves had grown in size.
Both men felt that power coming through.
Scene skip
Ayaka had never been sure about Shiori. She wasn't as insane as her sisters yet, she would not stop them.
Shiori quickly figured out that whatever Ayaka was, she wasn't the same. She could match her fight without any struggle. It was like Ayaka was waiting for Shizuka to make a mistake.
Yet, she wasn't. Shiori stood back and jumped through the sky while her blade matched that of Ayaka.
The short blades just went from fight to fight.
If Shiori would be honest, this was more fun than she had before. But then the fight changed. Instead of keeping up, she was being pushed back by Ayaka who used more power.
This time, Shiori had trouble keeping up with her power.
"Not impressed."
With a lightning kick, Shiori was blown away. She landed at a wall while her eyes were blurry.
'Is this Ayaka? What happened?' Shaking her head, she had to push those thoughts down.
The Reiki was no longer able to be used but she had her own arsenal. Unlike her sisters, she relied on other powers. Before that action could be put to use, Ayaka had already caught up to her and taken Shiori's weapons.
Shattering them like Shiori's hope, Ayaka had a cold and calculating look on her pretty face.
Taking the broken off handles, she jammed them in Shiori's heart.
This was her destiny. It had been set now with Agul's help.
[There will be more. I should leave you with some things.]
Scene skip
Matthijs would admit that he had always thought he would die facing Tatsuya. Yet, the Orimura leader really showed his age.
Despite not dying of power, they had managed to show off their powers. Frankly, Matthijs Orlejov was happy that Tatsuya Orimura kept most of his power. That way, the fight would be more interesting.
Their wolves had grown in size as they enveloped their bodies. Matthijs shined like the brightest sun while Tatsuya had turned into the darkest nights.
When their blades again touched, the result caused the entire castle to be blown apart. It wasn't a fight between gods or animals.
No, monsters they were and as monsters, they fought. Their blades touched and went back to the other. Meanwhile, the wolves just continued to howl. Biting and growling, both wanted the other dead.
Tatsuya's blade clashed right at Matthijs who just stood back and leaned over while he catapulted the Orimura over his head. Landing back on his feet, Tatsuya raced at Matthijs who let the blade come right at him.
Without even looking back, Matthijs managed to block the blade as it came from behind. Again, the power that waved through them caused major destruction. Tatsuya's eyes flashed red as he continued to feel the power.
Turning back around Matthijs looked back and blocked the swords again as they went up and he wanted to deliver the cut on the throat.
Tatsuya kicked him aside as the Orlejov leader was smashed through the forest. Tatsuya didn't let up this time as he went right after him. The slashes didn't stop as Matthijs had to take them in.
But yet, they weren't killing him. Oh, that wouldn't be the case now. Matthijs pushed his blades up and they were right at Tatsuya's throat.
The leader coughed up blood as Tatsuya knew that it would normally kill him.
Throwing Matthijs away, the Hacker landed on a tree while Tatsuya landed on his feet.
His Reiki healed his throat while Matthijs got back on his feet.
"Care to try this again?"
Tatsuya just unleashed more power while Matthijs let his Nanites run free. It would be a stalemate for this until either of them was done.
But with the amount of energy that both were using, that end would rather come fast.
Scene skip
Tsukiko had always been compared to a cat. Now well with Minazuki, this cat was now hunting a fox. The Hallow Devil was messing with her.
Tsukiko was happy that she got Gaia by her side. Otherwise, this would have been a very different match.
There were several traps coming at her while Minazuki also relied on her traps and poison.
To the Earth, all humans returned but thanks to Gaia, that was now avoided that it would take place immediately.
Tsukiko used her family's blade to cut through the wire all set up by the Orimura mother. Tsukiko knew that and with Gaia, she could sense the moves from Minazuki.
"Oh, this is impressive. You think that you can keep up with us?"
The voice of Minazuki ran over the place but with Gaia, she knew exactly where Minazuki went.
"How about you come out of hiding? It would make things so much easier."
When gas came out, Tsukiko just let her partner do its work.
"I have to admit that you certainly know how to use these." Without a hint of discomfort, Tsukiko continued to walk at Minazuki.
Despite the fact that things turned dark, it was all too easy to catch up to her. The sadism that Minazuki so often employed was turned useless as Tsukiko was using her powers. She made the earth tremble as well.
Tsukiko knew exactly what Minazuki was trying and as the Sarashiki was able to withstand her, she realized that the gas would either be a diversion.
Or an attack.
[I take you want me to destroy this illusion]
[Yes, please.]
The illusion was taking place in her mind but it had already come undone before it was clear what it was.
Tsukiko turned to the place where Minazuki remained. Before she could leave, the Sarashiki threw her blade right at the head of Minazuki.
It wasn't even a fight. Too easy. And to think that she once feared the Orimura. Leaving the darkest places of the palace, she quietly went into her head. She could feel the raindrops coming down.
'Thank you very much, senpai.'
Scene skip
Izanagi really didn't think that his end would come near as he felt blood pouring out of his wounds while he could barely stand up again.
Erwin and he had been destroying parts of the palace while their fight had dragged on. But there was more that caused him to lose his love for the fight.
He could feel faint traces of Reiki and during his fight, he could feel the links of his sisters die one by one.
Every time, he could feel his heart being torn to pieces. Erwin didn't care about his anguish one bit.
He had felt the same when his wife died.
Izanagi began to feel how Erwin destroyed him.
Erwin had also felt how Izanagi's remaining Reiki was killing his Nanites. And with that, himself.
Izanagi was sick, and Erwin was broken. That had been going on ever since they were born.
"Any last words?"
Izanagi looked at Erwin. The only thing that differed was that Erwin was still on his feet. Just like Izanagi, he was dying. The hatred in the Orimura's eyes set in.
The Orlejov kneeled to Izanagi.
"You are dead. So am I."
"You think this will end? My daughters, my son is alive. You will fail. That is why this war will never end." Izanagi answered. Unlike what he had guessed, Erwin shook his head.
"No. Our war has ended here. My mother will take in your son and your daughters. Your father had caused the prevention of making your children infected by that Reiki. And with that, has given us a chance for peace."
Erwin fell back while Izanagi stumbled down on the floor.
Falling back on his ass, the Hacker realized he was also dying.
'Gretel, I hope to see you again there. I am sorry that I took this long. Kerlongsj, please forgive me for leaving you here.' Looking back at Izanagi, Erwin realized how stupid he was by letting his hate consume him.
It was a question of revenge.
But with the Orimura dead, Erwin knew they had a shot at peace.
'I hope to see you all asshats there. I'll have a lot to tell.'
Then Erwin closed his eyes.
Scene skip
Matthijs could feel his age catching up to him. Eons ago, this was all so easy. Now, he could feel his body breaking down from this.
It wasn't just him though who was nearly at his end. No, Tatsuya just looked like him. Instead of the handsome young man, he was usually portrayed as.
Now, he sported a beard like Matthijs, and his hair, once black as the night, had turned grey.
His kimono had the spatters of the fight while Matthijs was sure that his trouser missed a sleeve. His blades had been intact unlike the swords of Tatsuya as they were destroyed.
Both men were taking deep breaths as they looked at each other. They had their rough fight as both had felt their bodies colliding. The last of the Reiki had died while Matthijs had felt the reserves of his Nanites die.
Skoll and Hatti had been put to rest, just like their owners. It had continued to rain while Matthijs knew exactly how this would end.
The wounds they inflicted on each other had been enough and those were doing the job now. Among them, was the destruction caused by the entire palace. It was a good thing the sanctuary wasn't hit where the children were.
The sounds of battle had died down as Tatsuya realized that this fight had been lost. Both fell down on their knees while they continued to look at each other.
Taking out a cigarette, Matthijs lifted one up to his mouth. Crawling over to him, Tatsuya asked for one. Without an issue, Matthijs delivered one and lit the cancer stick. After that, he lit his own. They smoked in silence while they could feel their bodies becoming heavier.
"You won."
"And what have I won?"
The two got closer as Tatsuya's head hit Matthijs chest. The Hacker leader felt his own eyes close. He smirked as the last thought that entered his mind was something from a long while ago.
Sarah's brother got a grandson. And they named him Mattheus. That boy should be two years younger than Kerlongsj now.
That name sounded good. Mattheus Adjzof.
Matthijs chuckled as his head touched that of Tatsuya.
He had won peace for his children.
And became a brother again with the boy that was his best friend once upon a time.
I wouldn't have guessed that I would need 10K words in this chapter and that I would take so long. It was certainly a trip to write this chapter.
There was a lot of looking back to imherepresent chapters and his work. Hard to forget what the guy all did in three years.
I also had my own ideas in this fic and I added some of that. I do not add anything else to this.
Next chapter will be closing this fanfic down and giving it an end.
That can take some time though.
Next on my list of works is Pillar Winged and after that, I am going to focus on Issei's Adventures. So this is most likely my only update in April.
Saluut.