Sasaki didn't dare to look up. In the hall, where only black flames flickered around her, she could barely see anything anyway. Still, as calm as she could be, she reported the events that led her to this place. The outsiders, to be specific. Still, she couldn't help but sweat nervously at the ominous pressure her... lord was radiating. She had no idea how he looked like. Nobody truly did, aside of maybe those two. She shuddered, remembering their first meeting. They felt just as terrifying as the Shogun.
Before she could even think or speak more, the divine being clicked his tongue. She froze up in fear, her skin turning pale.
"So you didn't get the stolen treasures back."
"My apolo-"
"And not only that... " The shogun didn't even bother to let her finish, silencing her with a dismissive tone as he sighed. Then, he walked towards her. Each step like a dagger into Sasaki's spine as she began to shake violently. "You wasted time by losing those soldiers. Do you know how long it takes for them to leave Yomi? Should I even bother?"
With them or with her, Sasaki finished the sentence in her head. She tried to find the words, to protect herself, but nothing came out but gasping breaths. As the steps came closer and closer, she could only clench her eyes shut, unable to escape her fa-
"Peace, most merciful of Shogun."
Sasaki almost broke down in relief at hearing the old, female voice, perfectly disciplined from behind her. The Shogun stopped whatever he planned to do and let out a scoff.
"Genbu."
She knelt down next to Sasaki. The latter could just imagine how she looked like. Calm. Almost non caring. Her gray hair, styled in a bun, would be unblemished, just like her purple, silk like clothes that could fit on someone belonging to the family of the Emperor himself.
"Byakko has done nothing wrong. Her caution made sure that we didn't lose a third treasure." The old woman took a deep breath. "Her loyalty cannot be questioned either. She hurried over here, to warn you, oh divine Shogun."
Sasaki almost rolled her eyes at the dramatic words. Instead, she focused on her hope that these very words would be enough to calm him. To her relief, the Shogun clicked his tongue before stepping away from them.
"Hmph. True enough." With a light groan, he saw down with a sneer she could hear in his voice. "I shall forgive you for now. Be grateful."
Soon enough, they left the room, its massive gates closed. With the light shining through the halls of the fortress they resided in, gold and black colors clashing as much as they mixed, Sasaki breathed out in frustration, more stomping than walking.
"Be grateful... " She muttered angrily. A hand rested on her shoulder. She turned around, to see the wrinkled face of her benefactor, taking a smoke from her pipe. Exhaling right at her face, Sasaki coughed a bit, but couldn't help but calm down a bit. The old woman smirked, contrary to her noble tone from before as she patted the girl reassuringly.
"I know, girl. But if you want to survive properly, you need to work on your cock sucking skill."
"H-Hisoka! Language!"
The old lady scoffed at Sasaki's red face, merely pinching her cheeks a bit with a teasing smirk.
"I've been alive longer than your parents, I don't got no time for language." Hisoka's features softened up as she glanced back at the massive gate they were leaving behind. "Just endure it."
Sasaki bit her lip in frustration. Endure it. A tenant that the Genbu clan and the Byakko clan represented for ages, even before she was born. For the sake of survival, they had to follow orders, abandoning any sort of pride or former promises. Even as much as they hated the callous being that ruled over their home land with an iron fist. She lowered her head in shame, clenching her eyes shut.
"I feel useless... "
Before she could get lost in her dark thoughts however, a sharp pain flared up on her head. She yelped, tears dwelling up as she covered her head with a whine. Hisoka glared at her, before proceeding to jab her finger at her forehead over and over again.
"Don't start that self pity now. You're doing plenty for your clan. So what if you aren't a fighter?" Waving her off dismissively, she began to walk of, taking a whiff from her pipe. "Just do some research. I'll cover for you."
"Ah! Of course!" Sasaki brightened up, doing a small jump as she hurried up to walk beside her fellow clan head. "I'm near a breakthrough anyway!"
Her worries were temporarily forgotten, talking about the research she did in the Underworld.
/
The "base" that Amako talked about was different from what Ritsuka was expecting. He figured it would be a fort like in Russia, where they had an entire structure build up. Instead, the way they would get to the base at this... professional spy feel that made him a bit excited to seeing more. It took them a while, to reach a forest thick with trees, with all the new refugees. That was when the literal magic happened.
Amako did nothing more than placed her palm on a specific tree, slowly breathing in and out three times. Once she did so, the trees around them began to light up, magical energy flowing from her arm into them. The ground rumbled, before suddenly, it gave away, like some sort of elevator. He could barely contain his excitement when they descended, the ground above them closing and finally arrived at the "base". The girls of Chaldea let out a sound of awe as they did so.
The base was an entire underground village. Solid rock, carved into homes if the countless doors were anything to go by. The area illuminated with blue crystals and torches, with a sort of market place plaza in the middle. Some people were haggling, others were somehow growing crops, changing the rock into soft soil and shining with a sun like light. Magi among normal workers? From what he could tell, this was a rather humble life. Yet everyone worked together, living as good as they could in this amazing construct of this world's people. The flags of Takeda were located everywhere, may it be as paint on the walls or flags carried by people or stuck in the ground. He glanced at the other girls, getting a bit overwhelmed by the sight. Mash was just staring in awe, while Amako was busy greeting everyone and accepting their respectful bows. A high position then? Meanwhile Kagetora worried him a bit. Her smile seemed to have a somewhat... somber tone to it. Nobu on the other hand…
"God, no matter how many times I see it, that emblem is as dumb as ever."
"Please don't ruin the moment," Ritsuka sighed, causing the warlord to laugh nonchalantly, hitting his back with her hand.
"It's my gimmick, master!"
Soon enough, they reached a gathering of people, especially children. Ritsuka's eyes widened at the center of attention. Even with all the children climbing on it, its scarlet red feathers shone as if they were unblemished. The bird held its head high, eerily not moving. Then, with a sudden movement, its head turned to Amako. The girl giggled lightly, strokings its head with a soft expression.
"Good work, Suzaku."
Then, closings its eyes, the Vermillion Bird shone brightly, before promptly morphing down into a small feather. Putting it on her ear, she turned around to the others with a grin. She threw her thumb over her shoulder, pointing at the various bales of rice the bird apparently brought here.
"Well, gotta help sorting this stuff out! You guys go up ahead to the Emperor! Can't miss it!"
Chaldea in return could only blink. Emperor? Eh? Eeeeeh? He wasn't ready for that kind of audience! He was just your average Japanese young man! Did he even deserve meeting the Emperor himself?! Crap, he was starting to hyperventilate.
"Senpai? Senpai!" Mash began to shake him with worry. "I know he's important, but didn't you meet literal gods?"
"It's the Emperor, Mash!" Ritsuka shouted, since that sentence alone could explain everything. But in response, he only received a snort from Nobu, raising her eyebrow in amusement.
"Geez, I forgot how much the guy is hyped up in your time."
Before he could intensify the death glare for Nobu, Kagetora cleared her throat before leaning against a wall with a casual expression.
"I'll stay here if you don't mind, master."
Ritsuka blinked. Huh. Weird. Well, not that weird, he supposed. With a nod, he waved at her, before starting to ascend the stairs towards the wooden structure erected around the door Amako pointed at earlier. Stopping before it, with a guard speaking through the door with a low voice, he took a deep breath. Just gonna meet what was and has been the symbolic leader of Japan. No big deal. Gathering his determination, he pushed the doors open.
What he saw surprised him. While he bowed, his manners ingrained in him kicking in, he couldn't help but notice one key characteristic of the Emperor. He was... young. His clothes were humble, his hair was black and short and he didn't seem to radiate the sort of authority he expected. Honestly, if he wasn't told earlier, he seemed like a simple farmer boy. Yet he showcased his gestures like a ruler, moving his hand so that Ritsuka and Mash would rise their heads. Then, with a small smile, he gestured towards the seats.
"Greetings, outsiders." He glanced at the third person in the room, who just stood there with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed judgingly. "You must be the phantom of Nobunaga Oda. I've read a lot about you."
"Always glad to meet a fan," Nobu replied with a smirk. With a neutral expression, the Emperor nodded, before turning to Ritsuka.
"I believe you have some questions?"
"We do, your majesty. About... well, everything."
The child scratched his chin with a thoughtful expression. He stared at Mash and Ritsuka for a bit, most likely taking in the "foreigners" as they were before taking a deep breath.
"Hm. I may not be the best source, as Lord Takeda lived the story I am about to tell you. So I will explain the current situation instead."
Lived the story? The odds of Lord Takeda being who he thought it was were rising. But could a man truly live so long, without breaking? His mind wandered to Bedivere. Well, it was possible. Absolutely rare, but possible. Shaking the thoughts off, Ritsuka leaned forward, focused on the Emperor's words.
"This... Shogun is ruling over our country with an iron fist. Complete isolation, due to the storm front that my sorcerers believe to be enforced by Susanoo-no-Mikoto himself."
"I assume that 'curse' has something to do with the Shogun's power?" Ritsuka asked, swallowing at the misconception of that storm front. He had to focus on the mission than... that. The Emperor leaned back, staring at them in wonder.
"So you truly do not have it." He took a shaky breath, revealing his youth as he lowered his head. "A blessing, to be sure."
"Are you immortal?" Mash asked in a careful tone. The Emperor clenched his fists, his teeth gritted in anger.
"In a sense," he growled. Exhaling slowly, he put a hand on his chest. "Our bodies may rot away. But we will not fall into the depths of Yomi." He paused, before looking them in the eye, his expression severely tired. "For Yomi is open. Souls receive new bodies and can just walk out. Suffice to say, the Shogun has complete control over the various entrances. He decides who remains dead and who will be... rejuvenated."
"Or who ends up as a brainless pile of flesh due to flesh. Or a tortured ghost doing his bidding," Nobunaga muttered, the air starting to disort around her. Ritsuka was a bit worried, but that worry was overpowered by the building anger he was feeling. Nobody should ever have such power over others. It sounded like a curse... no wonder Amako and the Emperor now seemed to look at him with what he recognized was envy now.
It was not the good kind of immortality people wished for. It depended on the whims of one twisted individual. Whether you shall live or even keep your own personality. The Emperor shivered a bit at Nobu's aura, but focused on his own anger as he folded his hands.
"Soul degradation and subjugation, yes. Without the Shogun showing his... mercy, it's the fate of those that defy him." He spread his arms in demonstration. "And thus, you can see our history. Hundreds of years, being used as puppets for his amusement, as he locked this lands in this eternal state of the Sengoku period."
No time for progress. No time to learn about new things. An oppressive regime, that stopped any sort of creativity. People were forced to do what a single man wanted. Naturally, that was not the way of humanity. So this was the reason this place was a Lostbelt... it had no future like this.
"What the hell... " Nobu growled, representing their anger. She covered her eyes as her teeth ground against each other. "You can revive everyone in your country…" She slammed her fist against the wall, leaving behind a crack. "Why the fuck isn't he expanding?!"
Alarmed voices sounded from behind the door, but the Emperor quickly placated them. Meanwhile, Ritsuka could only look at Nobu with sympathy. After all, she made it her goal to change Japan in her image, to make it grow beyond limits. To hear that potential she saw being wasted like that... Honestly, he was glad she was just punching walls at the moment. Taking a calming breath, Ritsuka crossed his arms thoughtfully, trying to switch tracks for a moment.
"Do you know anything about that tree in the horizon?"
Surprised at the topic, the Emperor only shook his head in confusion.
"Not at all. I assume it is another of the Shogun's machinations. It appeared not too long ago. Months at best."
Ritsuka clicked his tongue. Damn it. Here he hoped they could find out more. Oh well. You got some, you lose some. Sharing a look with Mash, they nodded at each other. The latter stood up, putting a hand on her chest as she looked at the Emperor with determination.
"We will do everything in our power to help your people."
He visibly brightened up, before bowing his head. It made Ritsuka rather uncomfortable, but he stayed silent, accepting the gratitude he received.
"Your support would be much appreciated." Clearing his throat, his face gained a small blush as he averted his eyes. "If it may not be too much… C-could you share some of your knowledge as well? The people require hope. Hope about what they could ex-
Before he could end his sentence, spoken like the innocent child he was, a loud crash sounded from the outside. It was quickly followed by screaming. The inhabitants of the room could only look at each other in confusion in shock. Then, Nobu's eyes widened as realization settled in.
"Oh, that dumb bitch."
Ritsuka and Mash took only a moment who exactly she meant.
"Kagetora!" They both yelled at the same time, rushing outside. From their high position, Ritsuka could easily see the situation.
Soldiers in crimson armor, well maintained and having a more disciplined air than the warriors of the Shogun. They were taking on positions, created by experience and focus, as their expressions were settled in rage. The other refugees were in a panic, screaming as they backed off. In the middle of it?
A man in an infamous red armor. The mask covering his face, making it look like the visage of a tiger with whiskers. White hair, like a wild mane that sprouted from the horned helmet. A scar was across his left yellow eye gave him a rough appearance as it was narrowed in exertion. Last but not least, an iron fan was tight in his grip, fanned out to reveal the Takeda symbol on it.
Shingen Takeda. It couldn't be anyone else.
Another clash sounded, shaking the ground and letting dust fall from the ceiling. Oh right, one detail Ritsuka forgot to mention was that Kagetora was in the middle of pushing her katana against that very iron fan, a wild grin on her face. He grabbed his hair in agitation.
"What the heck?!