"Your Royal Majesties! Forgive the intrusion, but we're ready to move out."
Both monarchs looked up to see a guard standing at attention just off to their right. The Emperor sighed, feeling a bit frustrated that he wouldn't be able to address the matter of their swords until after the battle was concluded.
"I'm sorry King Nikiforov, but it appears that this matter will have to wait until later. As much as I would love to give this sudden development my undivided attention, we have a battle to fight and that takes precedence over anything else."
The King sighed, but nodded.
"I agree wholeheartedly. As intrigued and…morbidly curious…as I am at the moment, we do have other pressing matters to attend to."
The Emperor bowed to the King and the foreign ruler returned the gesture.
"In Iaponica speech we have an expression we say before battle: jaku niku kyō shoku. It means: the weak are meat, the strong eat."
The King laughed.
"I like the sound of that! Your language is certainly very interesting! We'll need to exchange some proverbs after battle."
The Emperor smiled, a gesture the King felt he could never get enough of, even if given an eternity.
"I'd like that very much, King Nikiforov. Till we meet after battle!"
"Till we meet after battle!"
…
All five teams set off from the camp at once and then split up and took different routes to their assigned point of attack. Team Alpha (α) was led by General Altin and Yuuko, team Beta (β) was led by Takeshi and Lancer Nekola, and team Gamma (γ) was led by Fujimoto San and the other three Royal Guards. Team Dragon was of course led by the King and Team Phoenix was spearheaded by the Emperor. Team Alpha and Team Beta were charged with attacking head on and killing off the grunts, archers and foot soldiers. They would draw all the attention to themselves while Team Dragon would sneak in from the left flank and Team Phoenix would attack from the right flank. Team Gamma would attack from behind the stronghold and kill off any demons that tried to retreat.
Getting transportation for everyone was a bit of a challenge as there weren't quite enough horses to go around. With some creative rearranging, all those who weren't soldiers were able to able to have their passage to the battleground covered. General Altin rode on his magnificent horse; страж*, with Yuuko as his passenger. Takeshi and Lancer Nekola rode together on Hakaku*, who was a healthy and strong Taishō uma, and would be able to handle them both. Minako and Sara rode together on the Shinobi's horse; Shi no Kage*, another fine Taishō uma, black like the shadows of its namesake. Minami took Mila with him on his horse Nariko*, a wild Dosanko uma he had captured and tamed on his own. She was a sturdy, calm and gentle horse, the complete polar opposite of what Minami's temperament was. Perhaps that is why they'd bonded so strongly from the very start. King Nikiforov rode on his silver Akhal-Teke stallion; Вила*, and Emperor Katsuki rode on his Ferghana mare; Shirayuki.
Intelligence that had been previously gathered on the demon stronghold had estimated that there were approximately a hundred or so demons defending it. And, even though the demons clearly outnumbered their mishmash coalition of fighters, their side was definitely packing more firepower, especially with the new additions to their ranks. Once Team Alpha and Team Beta arrived at their designated point of battle, General Altin launched a sachet of colored powder high into the air and Yuuko burst it with one of her arrows. A purple colored powder exploded into the air, filling the space with color before dissipating quickly. The signal was spotted clearly by the other three teams and the battle officially began. As Team Alpha and Team Beta marched forward, a warning alarm was heard being sounded from the demon stronghold. The decision to attack them in the early morning hours had been the best one strategically. Demons were notoriously inactive and sluggish in the early morning hours, as it was usually their time to rest. Demons usually became more active around dusk and their strength and powers tended to peak around the middle of the night. The demons who had consumed the most human souls tended to have better control over this aspect of their lives, but the lower-ranked ones did not. And the front line of the demon's defense was all made up of these kinds of demons.
The Phoenix Clan had done extensive research on the stronghold prior to the Emperor's arrival, and had compiled endless reports on all the intelligence they had collected. They knew their enemy inside and out, while the enemy had not even been aware of their presence. Having a Shinobi who could literally melt in with the shadows and a fox familiar that could blend in with nature had definitely furthered their cause. They were fully prepared for the battle ahead while their enemy was not. Team Dragon and Team Phoenix powered forward along the ridges that framed the shallow valley. If the demons had hoped that the valley's topography would assist in their defense, they had been sorely mistaken. They had not yet set up any lookouts along any ridge, either due to sheer arrogance or the misconception of being alone on the island, leaving them wide open to attack.
As the demons began pouring out of the stronghold, they were immediately cut down. General Altin, Lancer Nekola and Takeshi led the charge, supported by the soldiers on their own teams. The General's ice sword sliced cleanly through its enemies, freezing their remains on the spot before they exploded in a shower of ice crystals. Lancer Nekola was a metallum magi, and the garnet-colored orb embedded in his lance served to magnify his powers. As soon as his lance pierced the body of a demon, the metal contained within it could be made to expand and shoot out in smaller miniature projectiles within the body. They severed any major arteries and veins in their path, effectively mangling the demon from within before retracting. Takeshi's holy staff was used expertly to pummel and bludgeon demons into submission. Once downed, he would pierce them with the sharp tip of his staff, causing their bodies to erupt into blue flames and disintegrate. Soldiers were given Phoenix fire-infused ofuda that they would attach to the demon's bodies once they'd downed them. The ofuda would purify the demon corpses before reducing them to harmless ash.
Yuuko had four other archers with her, and they easily picked off the meager handful of demon archers that had dared to show their faces. Phoenix fire-infused ofuda had been pasted to each archer's arrow, imbuing them with the power to purify as well. Once the demon archers had been eliminated, the group assisted the other soldiers with taking down demons. While the demon foot soldiers were being systematically picked off, the main target cowardly remained inside with the higher-raked fighters and commanded that the stronghold be put on lock down. They fortified the door and barricaded themselves in. Team Phoenix and Team Dragon arrived at the stronghold around the same time, converging at the barricaded door.
The King pulled up next to the Emperor on his horse.
"It appears that we're not going to receive a very hospitable welcome."
The Emperor patted Shirayuki's neck and scratched behind her ears before addressing the King.
"I guess we'll just have to let ourselves in."
"Please, allow me to take care of this first obstacle."
The Emperor nodded and the King dismounted his magnificent silver horse, handing his reins to a nearby soldier. He walked right up to the heavy wooden door, removed his gloves and placed his palms flat against it. At first it didn't appear as if anything was happening, but then it became quite clear that the door was slowly freezing over. Once the door had frozen solid, the King stepped back and clapped his hands together. A thunderous crack filled the air and a large crack formed right down the middle. Smaller cracks radiated out from it, weakening the structure until it finally crumbled into a pile of frozen wood. The King bowed, making a sweeping gesture with his right hand.
"After you, Your Majesty."
"Impressive, King Nikiforov. Well done!"
The Emperor dismounted Shirayuki and handed the reins to one of the soldiers in is team. He drew his normal katana and turned to Minami.
'You and the Princess check the eastern wing of the first floor and make sure it's clear."
He placed a hand on Minami's shoulder and leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Her safety and well-being takes precedence above anything else. She is not defenseless and brings her own set of skills to battle, but she is still considered in recovery and should not be placed in a situation in which she will be required to overexert herself once more. Understood?"
The young man nodded firmly and solemnly before bowing toward the Emperor.
"You have my word, Emperor Katsuki Sama!"
"Good. I knew I could always count on you, Kenjiro."
The Emperor left one soldier behind to look after the horses and sent the others in with Minami and Mila. He would head straight to the second floor with the King. Team Alpha and Team Beta would rendezvous with the others at the stronghold and take care of any stragglers. The King had also left one of his soldiers behind to watch the horses and had sent the two assassins in with the remaining soldiers to check the western wing. Team Gamma was well on its way to the back of the stronghold and everything was falling into place. All that was left to do was to track down the demon Lieutenant and kill him. The Emperor stepped up to the King and readjusted his armor.
"Shall we?"
"We shall."
Swords drawn, the two monarchs entered the building.
...
Demons are unscrupulous and cowardly, facts that have long been known to mankind. They will cheat, use every tool of foul play to their advantage, smile as they stabbed you in the back and always run to save their own hides. So no one in Team Gamma was surprised when they ambushed a small group of demons who had abandoned the comrades in favor of saving themselves. They had frozen in fear as they had come upon the Royal Guardsmen. In battle, surprise is the best element any given side can use to their advantage. And those demons had certainly been surprised, and had not expected them to be there at all. The guards made quick work of them, killing them off before they'd even had the chance to mount a defense. They spread out behind the stronghold, taking up strategic points as they kept watch for any more escapees.
Once the last fighter in the demonic resistance effort had been killed, Team Alpha and Team Beta moved forward to meet the others at the stronghold. Any demon corpse that had not been fully purified was slapped with an ofuda, which quickly took care of the situation. Over in the east wing, a handful of demons had holed themselves up in the weapons room. The door was quite thick and they were having difficulties breaking it down. The Team Dragon members had completed their sweep of the west wing and had not found any demons. When they rounded the corner, they came up on Team Phoenix and immediately saw why. They had all shut themselves in that one room.
Minami was the first to spot them.
"Ah! Okukwawa San, you're here! Perhaps you can help us get this door down."
Minako stepped up to the door and examined it carefully before turning to Sara.
"Do you carry any explosives with you?"
Sara reached into her a pouch attached to her belt and pulled out a pair of sticks with what appeared to be a wick sticking out of it.
"Yes, I have two charges with me."
"Excellent. I also have two with me. We'll set two up at each door hinge and I'll light them up."
Sara nodded as she handed the two sticks to the Shinobi. Minako studied the door hinges carefully before she strategically placed a pair of charges at each one.
"Everyone step back and take cover. Be ready to charge in and take down any of those that rush out. They're in the weapons room, so they have en entire arsenal at their fingertips. Keep an eye out for flying arrows, daggers and the such. You know these guys love to fight dirty, don't get caught flatfooted."
Everyone in attendance retreated and found something to hide behind as Minako summoned flames and lit each fuse. She joined Sara behind a wall and they all waited as the wicks got shorter and shorter. A short while later, a deafening explosion was heard and the hall filled with acrid smoke and splintered pieces of wood. Minami took out his spear and started whirling it around in a circle in front of him. As it picked up speed, it became like a huge fan and helped dissipate the smoke. Once the coast was clear, the two teams came out of hiding and got ready to take on the leftover demons. As it turned out, about three of them had been taken out by the explosion, the concussive blast instantly turning their brains to mush. Minako threw in a purifying herbal bomb into the room and the rest came quickly scurrying out. The herbs used in the packet were extremely irritating to demons and caused their eyes to blister and burn.
Five demons were eliminated as soon as they ran, half blind, out of the room. All was finally silent on the ground floor and everyone was going about purifying the corpses. No one had expected any survivors, and so everyone was caught off-guard when a bubbling pile of demon with oozing and melting skin stumbled out from the dark depths of the smoking weapon room. It came out shrieking, its ear-piercing cry briefly disorienting the group and forcing them to cover their ears.
"Human filth! I'll kill you all!"
It launched a dagger blindly at them and it flew directly at Mila at the back of the group. She stood frozen, paralyzed by fear. Her brain couldn't process what was happening and she knew there wasn't enough time to use her power. She closed her eyes and braced for the pain.
Upstairs, the King and the Emperor stalked the corridors quietly and on high alert. They heard the sounds of more fighting going on outside and surmised that Team Gamma had managed to find some demons trying to escape. Not long after that, an explosion was heard and the floor shook beneath their feet. The King seemed worried and turned to go check on the situation but was stopped by the Emperor's hand to his chest.
"They're fine. They have numbers and experience on their side. That was most likely just a door they'd needed to blast down to get to the last of the demons. I need you up here with me."
The King nodded, trying not to blush at the Emperor's words. He needs me, huh? Well, I couldn't possibly leave someone who needs me.
"I would like for you to take the demon Lieutenant on directly and engage him in battle. I will mask my presence and wait for the best opportunity to strike. Do you agree with this plan?"
"I do. Sounds like a solid plan."
They two monarchs carried on forward and the Emperor motioned to a room just ahead. The King readied his sword and kicked down the door. He quickly checked to make sure the coast was clear before striding into the room. There, on a rather distasteful throne-like chair adorned with human skulls, sat the demon Lieutenant. It spat at the ground as it spotted the King, a snarl immediately forming on its gnarled lips.
"So YOU are the human filth who ruined my chance at promotion. Tell me, mortal scum, what is your name?"
"I am King Viktor Nikiforov, ruler of Occidentis. Your presence is not welcome on this island, and so I have come for your rotting head."
The demon's eyes widened and it did a double take.
"King Nikiforov? The Ice Dragon magic user?"
The King snorted disdainfully.
"Are there any other King Nikiforovs of Occidentis I am unaware of?"
The demon spat at the ground once more before getting up from his throne.
"You will pay for daring to talk back to me, lowly human. Your kind fights and fights us but never wins. You should just accept your inferiority and submit to your future masters."
"A lion may feel irritated by a biting flea, but he would never submit to that insignificant pest."
The demon opened his mouth in a guttural scream as he charged at the king. The monarch quickly sidestepped the attack, parrying the demon's sword easily with his own.
"I will certainly be promoted to General if I bring your head back to the Demon King! This situation is salvageable after all!"
The King stayed focused on the battle, even as he was nearly overwhelmed by the urge to roll his eyes at the demon before him. Their fight continued, the demon being unaware of how the King was purposely directing the fight back toward the entrance. He knew that the Emperor was in the room with them already, he just didn't know where in the room he was. He decided to create an opening and hoped that the Emperor would seize the chance and attack. He pretended to stumble and lose his footing, and the demon predictably took the bait, his beady eyes gleaming hungrily as he lunged forward for what he perceived was the final blow. His delight immediately turned to horror as a sword pierced him from behind, skewering him through the heart. Even the King was a bit surprised by the Emperor's sudden appearance.
"Where the hell did you just come from? I didn't see you in here at all!"
The Emperor flicked his wrist, forcefully expelling the demon blood from his katana. He took out a cloth from his obi and used it to wipe his blade clean. He incinerated the bloody cloth with his power, turning it to ash before their eyes.
"I have been trained to blend in with the shadows, so that is what I did."
"You talk about blending in with shadows like it's the most natural thing in the world. That was amazing!"
The Emperor's face colored slightly as he reveled in the King's compliment.
"Well, ah...thank you. You did quite well when you lured the demon in with that ruse. It created the perfect opportunity for me to strike. That was a very satisfying conclusion to a perfectly executed mission. We work very well together, you and I."
The Emperor bowed before extending his hand toward the King. Completely forgetting his own self-imposed ban on direct skin contact with the Emperor, he eagerly took the offered hand in his own in a handshake. As soon as their hands touched, a sudden jolt of energy passed between them, leaving both men feeling dazed and tingly. The Emperor was the first to recover.
"What the hell was that?!"
...
Mila had been expecting the inevitable pain, but instead felt a solid mass impacting her body just before she was sent tumbling to the ground. She rolled around on the ground a few times before coming to stop with a solid mass on top of her.
"Princess, are you injured?"
Mila opened her eyes to a pair of concerned cloudy gray ones. The Shinobi's hair had formed a chocolatey curtain around their faces, and she could feel a few tendrils brushing up against her neck. It smelled clean and fresh, and slightly scented of jasmine. Then she noticed the weight of the woman's breasts pressing intimately against her body and she felt the color rushing to her cheeks. Her mouth gaped open and all she could do was stare. Minako eyed the elven princess currently trapped under her body, somewhat surprised but not at all displeased by her reaction to their contact. She smiled knowingly at the woman before extricating herself and helping her to her feet.
"It appears that you are unharmed, Princess. Forgive me for knocking you to the ground so roughly, it was all I could do in the short time I had to prevent harm coming to you."
Mila nodded numbly at the woman, still trying to sort out everything that had just happened. They were interrupted by Minami's woeful sobbing. The young man was positively inconsolable. He had let his guard down and the Princess had almost been harmed. He had disappointed Emperor Katsuki and didn't deserve to live.
"Let's get everyone together and head back to camp. There will be a large celebration tonight and I for one am looking forward to drinking sake till I pass out."
The mention of sake seemed to finally snap the princess out of her stupor.
"Is that the stuff we only got to drink a little bit of last night?"
"Yes."
"Count me in. That shit's good."
Minako laughed as she patted the princess on the back.
"You're on. Tonight we drink to victory!'
_terminology_
страж (Strazh): Sentinel
Vila (Вила): a type of supernatural being, a kind of Nymph. Their name comes from the same root as the name of Veles (God of the underworld, earth, waters, fertility, trickery, cattle, pasture, snakes, bears, wolves, medicine, music, and magic). They are described as beautiful, eternally young, dressed in white, with eyes flashing like thunders, and provided with wings. They are well-disposed towards men, and they are able to turn themselves into horses, wolves, snakes, falcons and beautiful, eternally young, dressed in white, with eyes flashing like thunders, and provided with wings. They live in the clouds, in mountain woods or in the waters. They are well-disposed towards men, and they are able to turn themselves into horses, wolves, snakes, falcons and swans.
Hakaku (ハカク): white crane.
Taishō uma (対州馬): also known as Taisu or Taishuh, originated on the Tsu Island of Japan. It is an ancient breed, believed to date back to the eighth century. In 1920, there were more than 4000 of them, but only about 65 head remain. Due to their gentle nature and strong willingness to obey, Taishō are often ridden by farmers' wives and children. Nevertheless, they are also known for endurance and ability to survive on little food and in severe weather, and may even be used for light draft.
Shi no Kage (死の影): Death's Shadow
Ferghana horse: known in China as the 'heavenly horse' and in the West as the Nisaean horse. It is actually the Akhal-Teke (like Viktor's!) horse that was imported into China during the Han Dynasty and given a new breed name.
Nariko (ナリコ): gentle child
Dosanko uma (北海道馬): descendant from the first horses brought to Hokkaido Island by Korean fisherman sometime in the 15th century, and was at some point given an injection of Mongolian blood as well. This is one of Japan's few native breeds