Sasaki entered the hall. It was meant for meetings with several magi and officials. But more importantly, to her at least, that it was a place of studying. A wide open space, to move around and teach younglings. She had many memories of this place, in this wooden, plain looking place. Because of that, she was worried. Hisoka hasn't been in here since ages. The same went for Sasaki as well. Which was why she couldn't fight off that sinking feeling in her stomach. That something was going to go wrong.
She recognized what Hisoka was doing. The elements drawn on the piece of paper shifted and morphed, as if becoming star constellations themselves. Then slowly but surely, they disappeared, going up the old woman's arm. She let out a breath before rolling her shoulders. Lightening up her pipe, she took a deep whiff from it, deeper than she had ever seen. Sasaki bit her lip as she took a step forward.
"Hisoka?"
"You should leave."
It was said so suddenly. So somber. As if she was saying…Sasaki's eyes widened and she put her hands on Hisoka's shoulders, forcing her to turn around.
"What did you see?" When the old woman just stared at her, impassionately, she began to shake her, her voice cracking. "What did you see?!"
Calmly, Hisoka shoved the hands away from her shoulder and held them in her own hands. Gently stroking them, the old woman smiled softly.
"Something that has been a long time coming I suppose." She let out a dry snort. "256 years. Heh. Took long enough."
She was going to die. The mere thought caused something to snap in her. She shot up, panicked smile meant to reassure herself appearing.
"I'll gather my forces. I'll plead with the Shogun, we'll fi-"
"You will do no such thing." Hisoka pulled her down, forcing her to stay. She shook her head with a sigh. "We both know what will happen."
With that, Sasaki fell down on her knees. She knew it. But she wanted to deny it so much. The Shogun wouldn't help. He never helped. Why would he? And if someone wasn't useful, in his eyes, they usually…
Her vision became blurry. It were tears, she realized faintly. Then, she threw herself at Hisoka, wrapping her arms around her as she screamed in agony.
"I... I don't want to lose you too! Please!"
In that moment, she wasn't in the Genbu clan anymore. She was at that day.
Orange hair fluttered in the wind. A wide, confident smile. Someone she could consider a close friend. Or even something else. Then, that smiling head would be separated from its body. Bleeding, shown to everyone. Horror filled her heart at that moment. Horror and fear. Fear of doing the same as Karifu did, wanting to change things. Hisoka was her support. Both decided to live. But Amako... Amako never looked so angry before. She decided to be... be...
She felt a hand ruffle her hair. Returning to reality, she sniffed, looking into Hisoka's eyes.
"Sasaki." She sighed, a peaceful expression on her face. "We've been dead for a while. It's only catching up to us now." The old woman grit her teeth, letting her frustration seep out. But then, she smiled wide, brushing Sasaki's hair aside. "But I have faith. In you. I'm just an old lady. You are young. Smart. I know that you will change things for the better."
Hisoka was wrong. She wasn't smart. Not smart enough. Never smart enough. She was average, worse than her predecessors. What worth did she have... But, a small part of her wanted to believe. That the woman that was like her grandmother, spoke the truth. Lowering her head, she shuddered, trying to calm down even as the tears dropped.
"Why can't we just live in peace... "
"I can't blame the enemy. If what you found out is true... " Hisoka let out a quiet chuckle, sarcastically. "Survival can be an ugly thing."
It wasn't fair, she thought. Why couldn't they just die? Why did they have to suffer so much, just for the sake of survival? She remembered to what she saw, in Yomi. Impossible. Insane. Yet it was the truth and it was a terrible one.
"If only I had more time, I could-"
She was shushed, a finger on her lips. Hisoka shook her head, before pulling her up. With her hands on her shoulder, the old woman nodded encouragingly.
"Live well, my dear."
Leaving was the hardest thing she ever did. But she held her head high. She was a clan head. She could do this. But as she left her grandmother behind, something that felt too long to do and too tortuous… She did something she had never done in her life before. As she rode away into the distance, she folded her hands, clenching her eyes shut... and began to pray.
/
The center of the Genbu clan's power was at the same time its strongest asset. It almost seemed like it could be an actual, giant turtle, a Divine Beast that would strike down any army. It was because of that, the the soldiers were confident. For ages, the black guardian of the North stood tall, its shadow are great guardian. But still, they were ready. Disciplined. Soldiers spread across its wall and in front of it, patrols on mounts and equipped in the best artifacts their homeland had to offer, only falling short to the elite in the Shogun's fortress.
However, they felt the shift in the air. They only had a few moments of warning, before something large and red crashed into their lines. Shouts of panic sounded, but the soldiers quickly regained their discipline. Arrows were nocked, blades were drawn. But when they saw who attacked them, even the bravest of the warriors paled.
Three people. It was only three people. Yet it was the most terrifying sight of all. Nobunaga Oda. Kenshin Uesugi. Shingen Takeda. Relics of the past, gathered with their weapons drawn.
"Since when can you do that?!" Oda shouted, pointing at the massive tiger than began to split up into smaller ones, following Takeda's lead. Uesugi giggled, twirling her lance a few times, her mount stepping around in preparation.
"He could always do that! Just like he can change his hair color and become stronger!"
"Wait, like a super saiyan?"
"You gotta explain to me what the heck that means! Now focus, ladies!"
That was the signal of the conflict truly beginning. Arrows were set loose, the magi using whatever spells they could. The soldiers were in perfect formation, roaring in defiance as they rushed towards the enemy.
None of it mattered.
None of the arrows hit. The tiger constructs themselves were protecting Takeda. Oda was shooting them down and then the snipers before they could even reach her. And Uesugi ignored them completely, the arrows avoiding her as if she was a void in reality. The armor was like wet paper to them, as bullets pierced, claws and fans teared apart and blades cut and spilled blood everywhere. And the worst of it all?
They were grinning. All of them.
"These guys are a bunch of weaklings!" Oda yelled, her muskets floating around her while she tore someone's throat out with her blade. "How didn't you kill them before?"
"It may not look like it, but this place is pretty tough to invade!" Takeda grabbed someone by the head and snapped their neck with one smooth motion. "Never had someone left that could infiltrate the place!"
The soldiers knew they wouldn't actually die. As long as they were loyal, as long as they fought, the Shogun would bring them back. But it didn't matter. Fear was starting to settle into their hearts, at the sight of the Warlords. The monsters that reigned supreme in the time before the Divine Shogun.
In that moment, they saw an unstoppable force. An alliance of Demon King, Tiger and Dragon, that could've taken over the world if the stars had ever aligned.
/
"I can't believe that was their plan… " Mash muttered, causing Ritsuka to snicker before shrugging.
"Simple is best sometimes."
And was it simple. Step one. Big guns cause big distraction outside. Step two. Ritsuka and the others sneak in, under the concealment of one of Harunobu's skills, "Silent like the Forest". Step three, get the leader and step four, success.
Smooth. Efficient. Easy to adjust when things inevitably would go wrong. Just how he liked it. At the moment it was going rather well. Few warriors were left in the building and even they were already on their way to the outside. With the presence reduced, it was rather simple to sneak past those. Still, the silence was oppressing. He could tell that Amako was tense. When she heard the plan, or rather, who exactly they were attacking, she was conflicted. She still agreed, but the way she bit her lip told him she didn't get over it soon. It was a big change from the way she smiled when she gave him that talisman. He wore it around his neck and he inspected it. She said it was meant to grant him resistance. It was high quality too, he figured, but Amako waved it off with a laugh, that she wasn't that good at making things. Not seeing her smile like she did now... Well, that wouldn't do. Trying to figure out what the problem was, Ritsuka cleared his throat.
"What can you tell us about the Genbu clan?" He whispered. Amako glanced at him, before peeking around the corner. Motioning for them to keep moving, she took a deep breath.
"They believe in slow and steady wins the race. Patience and adapting to changes in their own pace. The best defenders, so to say." Licking her lips, she clenched her fists. "Granny is one of the best there is. Leyline manipulation, divination, all that good stuff. Over 200 years old... And we have to take her down."
"We'll try not to harm her," Mash said, trying to sound reassuring. Amako let out a snort, before shaking her head.
"Dunno if it's gonna be that easy... "
This was rough, Ritsuka thought. And he didn't know how to help. They might have to kill someone that was like her grandmother. He'd try to avoid it, but fights were never that easy. Still, he didn't want to see Amako down like that. So even if it was distracting, off topic even, he smiled a bit as he looked around.
"Man, there's so many pathways... Flying in from above would be way easier."
Amako blinked for a moment, before giggling, remembering their talks from the night before.
"You mean with that... that thingie... Plane, you called it?" She asked, her eyes regaining some of that spark. She sighed wistfully. "Still can't believe that'd work. I mean... so big, so much material... it has to be too heavy, right?"
"The science behind it is kinda beyond me, but it really works."
"Heh." She closed her eyes as they walked. "Must be nice. Soaring through the sky like a dragon. Always wanted to know it that feels like-"
She came to a sudden stop. Breathing in, her eyes widened. Ritsuka was about to ask what was wrong, when she stepped around the corner without care. Mash and he were about to warn her not to be reckless, when they saw it too.
"What the... "
The doors were open. In that room, an old lady, grey hair, smoking her pipe as she stared at them, her eyebrow raised. He couldn't help but blink. If that didn't scream trap, Ritsuka didn't know what else would.
"Don't make an old lady waiting. Get in here already."
This situation was so bizarre, the trio could do nothing but meekly heed her command. Soon enough, the doors closed behind them, and they stood in front of the target, kneeling in front of them as if she was granting them an audience.
"Hm. A classic strategy. A big distraction outside, so that a smaller force can take out the general." She let out a dry snort. "With those monsters outside, it is an effective hammer method."
She seemed casual. As if she was talking about the weather. But it did nothing for Amako, who shuddered, clenching her hands as she stared at her with a quivering lip.
"Granny... " She took a deep breath and took a step forward. "Why are you still following that monster?"
The woman barely flinched. But she flinched nonetheless. With a deep breath, she shook her head.
"He's the Divine Shogu-"
"WE SERVE THE EMPEROR, NOT THAT BASTARD!" Amako's scream shocked them all, eyes wide as she cracked the ground with her stomp, her arms spread open. "The Four Guardians. Gathering wisdom, for the sake of the Center. You were the one who taught me that! That monster stops us from doing that! When was the last time we actually learned something new?!"
"We cannot do that when we're dead," Hisoka countered in a cold tone. Then, her features softened up and she let out a sigh. "I do not blame you for your path. Heh. You could say we're proving our ancestors right. Different paths, each searching for salvation on their own..."
"Granny, please... !" Amako pleaded, but the old woman merely rose up, refilling her pipe before igniting it.
"I will not falter. You may think otherwise, but I will not allow everyone to die. The Genbu clan endures. We wait and hope, as we slowly build ourselves up."
"Are you now?" Amako grit her teeth before taking her fighting position. Mash stepped in front of Ritsuka, her shield ready. "Damn it...!"
"Enough talk." Hisoka raised her pipe to her mouth with a sad smile. "Really, you are so green... "
Before any of them could wonder what she meant, she exhaled the smoke. Yet it was way too much smoke to make sense. Amako's eyes widened, throwing out a kick towards the woman's head. Yet it was too late.
"Allowing a magus to prepare as long as you let me? Really?"
Wraiths started to appear in the mist. The walls began to rumble and Ritsuka coul barely make out magic seals, glowing omniously. As the group turned their backs to each other, trying to cover for each others weak spots, Ritsuka sweated a bit. One of the four treasures, the Temple of Genbu, was activated to defeat the invaders. Ritsuka gulped nervously. Hopefully the three warlords had an easier time outside.
/
"Well shit, the turtle actually can move!"
"I can see that!"
"Its eyes are glowing!"
"I can see that too!"
/
Ritsuka was losing track of what was going on a while ago. Amako was shooting around, like an arrow bouncing off walls, jabs, kicks and elbows thrown whenever they saw Hisoka. Or rather her image. He lost count how many ghosts he shot at with a basic Gandr, how many of lasers and water cut techniques Mash had to block for him.
The fact the mist was making him nauseous didn't help. It reminded him too much of London. But at least this time, the talisman he wore actually helped a lot. However, with the disorientation going on, Ritsuka had no idea how long it took unti-
"Hisoka Salt!"
"Ah!"
Ritsuka snapped his head towards Mash, who rubbed her eyes in pain. At the opening, blasts of energy and ghosts converged, but thankfully, Amako picked up the slack, coming through with a cartwheel to protect them. He rushed to Mash, starting to heal her as she rubbed away the white... stuff... He couldn't help but blink. Who threw salt at people?! It wasn't as bad as he expected, even if the way Mash's eyes were red concerned him. Still, this was bad. One more slip up like this and they were screwed.
Amako seemed to think the same, staring down at her hands at the small moment of reprieve.
"This isn't working... !" She seemed to say that more to herself than to the group. Then, she blinked, taking a deep breath, before nodding in determination. Ritsuka saw the glint in her eyes and he braced himself next to Mash.
"What's the plan?"
"Something dumb, probably! It's called improvisation!" She put her hands on the ground before exhaling slowly. "Mash, shield towards me!"
Mash didn't hesitate to pull up her shield, confused but determined nonetheless. It was then that Amako began to spin her body. Her legs swung in a circle, picking up speed. She started to become a blur as she supported herself only on one arm before she screamed out. In that instance, a wheel of fire shot out of her leg, burning through their surroundings. Ritsuka immediately aimed his hand, pushing his back against Mash's back. If the entire room was attacked by that fire that meant... !
He shot out the stunning spell. The old woman jumped right into it, her eyes wide. Ritsuka clicked his tongue, when he saw how the spell dispersed around her as she slapped it away. But it was good enough. She was visible and momentarily open.
Amako took advantage of that. Exhaling, she raised her leg as she dashed forward. The old woman looked disappointed. Floating, she seemed faster than normal inside her own territory. It was then that Amako changed. One step, her speed picked up. Not only that, she switched directions, following Hisoka perfectly. Her eyes widened as she threw sharp shapes of water at Amako. Yet she merely spun her body, stepping aside. Instead of a straight arrow, she seemed more like a flame dancing now, spinning like a staff on fire. Yet with each step, she picked up more and more speed, force increasing, reminiscent of her initial, straight dashes. At the pace Amako was going, she was like a wild fire. With her leg high, it descended down like a meteor. Hisoka braced herself, intending to dodge it... when a big figure crashed into her from the side, causing her to gasp.
The Vermillion Bird roared as it rammed its talons into the old lady. Then, the heel of Amako exploded into her face. It was like seeing a dragon and a bird tearing the shell of the turtle open. Her defenses crumbled and she crashed down to the ground. Amako fell down on her knees, breathing heavily. Ritsuka could only gape at the sight.
When did she summon that Shikigami? Right after she finished her fire breakdance? It nuzzled against Amako, who smiled weakly. Then they heard a groan. The three looked at Hisoka in shock. She was still conscious after that? Struggling to get up, she leaned back against the wall, working her jaw. Her skin smoked from the burns, but she didn't mind, as she held the shattered bone and slowly repaired it, at least enough to speak again. Then, with a pained mile, she looked at Amako.
"You've grown a lot... "
"Well, a stupid snake told me I was a one trick pony." Amako's face turned somber. "And guess what... fire can be unpredictable."
A memory seemed to be shared between them. The two of the laughed lightly.
"Sounds like something he would say... Good. You always were a bit too straightforward. But there's more than footwork. Learn to work with the enemy sometime, alright?" Hisoka reached for her pipe, frowned when she saw that it was broken, before resting her head against the wall in resignation. "I'm glad I got to see you one more time."
Amako paled. Ritsuka did not like where this was going. Then he saw it. Her skin was turning black. Amako didn't seem to notice, or at least pretended not to, as she rushed to her side.
"G-granny? Don't act like you will di-"
"Failure won't be tolerated." She removed something from her clothes, a black medal which she pressed into Amako's hands. "Neither will betrayal."
Amako stepped back, staring at the artifact in question, the turtle looking right back at her. Ritsuka turned back to the old lady, only to be shocked at the hostility she had when looking at him specifically, while Amako was distracted.
"Be careful."
Then, closing her eyes, she accepted her fate, her body crumbling away to ash. Amako stared blankly at where Hisoka leaned against. Then slowly, she turned her head to him.
"Let's go... "
It hurt to see her life seeming to seep out of her. What even hurt more was the ignorance of what Hisoka's words really meant.
/
"...Why are you all so wet?"
"Kiss my ass, master."