The ship flies towards the social space where the guardians have set up camp. Because of the lack of transmat zones, ships can only activate in Vance territory so the next time there won't be a ship. It lands on the landing pad and opens to reveal Risty, Brie, and Leina. Risty was pretty awe struck at the sight of the land from above alongside Leina which made Brie chuckle. She one day promises them to bring them to her world and maybe have a few drinks while learning about the place. For now, she has to report into Vera. Vera spots them and makes a mechanical smile and stops leaning against the house's wall.
"Looks like you've brought a few guests along the way." Vera said. Leina observes Vera, a human made of metal is alien to her and its interesting too. Sure she's heard of elves but this takes the cake. Vera walks towards them with her purple optics glowing and hood up but shows her face that is painted dark purple.
"Ms. Vance, I heard about the brawl in the castle. Pretty...Interesting tactic of yours. Love the mix of SRL and that armor." She complemented Leina's appearance. Vera turns to Risty.
"Well if it isn't it the Benevolent Bandit of the Wild? I have something for you after what you did. Don't you worry." The Exo then looks at Brie with disappointment in her eyes and its obvious why. Brie scratches the back of her head and whistles.
"So I guess the mission took a bit of a side turn from what I've heard. The huge party incident." Vera observed. Brie makes a smile basically saying sorry and please don't tell the Vanguard. Vera sighs then rolls her optics.
"It wasn't your fault. It was acid tit's. Still, I keep my promise. Here ya go." The hunter gives Brie her reward: A legendary engram and twenty five legendary marks. Luckily, the cryptarch known as Tyra Karn has set up shop in the town. Risty and Leina follow Brie as she goes to the tavern Tyra is in front of.
"My, my, you've grown up so fast." Tyra observed. When Brie was kid, Tyra would encrypt old golden age toys for her when she found one. Last time was a painting by accident. She still looks the same as last time much to Brie's surprise. Brie hands her the legendary engram as Tyra decrypts it. The weapon turns out to be none other than an exotic, the Zhalo Supercell. Brie is about to cry at the sight of the gun which is described to be the Gjllarhorn in gun form.
"Lets not hope its loaded." Tyra commented. Brie switches from Unbent Tree to the exotic rifle as she checks it out while awing at the sight of the weapon. Risty looks at the guardians around the place and how they seem very alien to her. Weird armor, weird weaponry, weird everything. She can't even tell due to there helmet if they're looking at her breasts also because of the visors.
Lady Efrideet arrives much to Brie's delight alongside her legion of Redjacks, Crucible frames that are used to gain territory for future Crucible matches. Brie runs up to Efrideet who is observing the place and hugs her tight. Efrideet always knew Brie when she was a little girl and looked out for her. Hearing of Efrideet's death devastated Brie and lady Bretomart had to watch her in return. But after hearing the return of the Iron Lord, Brie became delighted.
"Efrideet!" Brie smiled and shook Efrideet around. Efrideet hugs back in return having a smile underneath her helmet upon seeing Brie who she had missed dearly. She lets go of Brie and looks at her friends causing Efrideet to blush at the sight of Risty and Leina.
"Brie! I'm so sorry I forgot to meet you and all, its been so long." Efrideet chuckled and avoids eye contact with Risty and Leina due to her lesbian senses to look at there breasts rather than the eyes. Brie makes a brief laugh at Efrideet.
"Its okay, you should've stopped by to visit me though." Brie replied while rubbing the back of her head.
"So are these your friends or fire-team?" Efrideet asks.
"My friends of course!...Do mind there sense of...eh...fashion." Brie coughed and looks away. Efrideet turns to Leina and Risty.
"Hello, I am Lady Efrideet and as you can see, I'm an Iron Lord like Brie's mother before her right?" Efrideet asks the two.
"Yes, legendary warriors and Brie's mother was one of them." Leina answered.
"Indeed, her mother was the strongest of the Iron Lords topped by Radegast. This world seems very backwater though." Efrideet observes the surroundings of the village with her hands on her hips as she admires the simplicity and beauty.
"This place is so breathtaking! I would love to see the place more!" She awed then turns to Brie, Risty, and Leina.
"Anyway, I have to set up shop for the Iron Banner. Catch you three later!" Efrideet leaves them. Brie nods and signals Risty and Leina to come with her. The guardians open the gates. Brie summons her ship as they enter it. Iza appears besides Brie.
"I'd like to inform you that since the guardians only have a bit of a minor presence here, this might be the last time we'll use a ship. We'll have to travel on foot by the time we reach whatever destination we reach." Iza informed. Suddenly, Vera runs out of the gate with a large bag as Brie opens the hatch from behind with Risty heading out.
"This bag contains a butt load of treasure from our world, it worth over a fortune." Vera told Risty who grins at the sight.
"Thanks, I needed that!" Risty replied before going back into the ship. Brie sits on her seat while waiting for Risty as she gets back inside.
"So where do we head to now? We've got a long way to go." The titan asks.
"Well, there's an old church I bring the treasure to also a good rest stop too." Risty informed.
"Alrighty then! First stop, the church!" The ship rises then flies away while Brie checks all ship diagnostics to see that its good.
"So what does the church look like?" Iza asks Risty.
"Its a very small and old-looking one also has a shattered dome opening." Risty informed. The ship flies over a couple of guardian patrols with the guardians planting beacons on the ground for upcoming missions while helping some villagers with their chores. Brie looks around for any church that has the description Risty told while Leina is curious of their world and how advanced it is.
"Say, what were those red knights?" Leina asks.
"Knights? Well there not knights, they are called redjacks. Crucible robots, beings made of machinery, who's main purpose is to secure crucible spot." Brie explained causing Leina and Risty to raise their eyebrow in confusion.
"Crucible? Like a test?" The bandit asks.
"Yeah, they're arena-like training matches for guardians like us to participate in and test our skills in combat sort of like the Queens Blade except no one gets killed." Brie described. Iza appears besides Brie yet again.
"Is that the church over there?" The ghost asks before Brie stops and hovers over it. Risty looks at the window then nods.
"Yep! That's the church!" Brie sets the ship into landing mode causing all of the children to head of the church and watch in awe at the spacecraft. Leina is the first to come out then Risty and finally Brie. The children gather around Brie as they have heard of these mysterious knights called guardians who travel around the continent helping people and how they have special powers. Their ship vanishes into blue dust since there is no longer a link.
"She's so cool!"
"Look at her!"
"Hey lady can you do the power thing?" Risty crosses her arms since the children always wanted to see a guardian up close and personal.
"Settle down kids...Um, Iza, can you entertain them? I don't want to use my powers for entertainment purposes." Brie asks her ghost as it appears. Iza rolls her eyes and activates a hologram to show the Star Wars opening crawl causing the kids to awe then sit down on the ground. Good thing Brie saved up most of the trilogy and anthology movies in Iza. She sighs then leans against the wall watching alongside them.
"Lets stay here for the time being."
Midnight.
Brie watches the children gather wood alongside Leina. It astonishes Brie on how corrupt the Vance family are and how they subjugate even children to the point of being orphans. Iza looks at them in pity too as she looks at Brie then nods. Brie walks up to the children and helps them lift the tools and wood. They soon set the table up while Brie sits and observes the church. With the food done cooking, they sit on the chairs with the food being soup and bread causing Brie to look in worry realizing that these kids are basically starving.
"Thanks for the food!" The children said in unison before they chow down. Brie does the same. Sure it isn't a five star meal but at the state these kids are in, anything can be food. A child offers Brie some bread and smiles causing Brie to turn before smiling back then nodding her head. Leina and Brie spot the door to the head nun open causing her to raise her eyebrow.
Risty presents the treasures she got from the guardians with glee because this is worth a fortune. Double that up with the treasure stolen from the Vance family.
"This is enough for us to fix the holes on the wall." Risty smiled. Leina and Brie look through the door as Leina spots treasure from the castle. The head nun sighs.
"Did you break into the count's castle?" She asks.
"I did but the guardians gave me these for my services in participating. We thieves have a code of honor and you know that! Unlike the Vances, the guardians care about people unlike the Vances who are the biggest thieves of them all! I'm glad that weird metal woman gave me these otherwise we would be screwed! Imagine what we can do with all of this! This isn't about me, you should know that by now." Risty replied. The door slams shut causing Risty to turn around to an angry Leina and Brie.
"You goddamn thief!" Leina yelled before Risty grabs her throat and slams her against the door as Brie tries to stop her. She is tempted to draw her gun on her in case things get ugly.
"Go ahead, say that again!" Risty yelled.
"I'd be happy to say that again! Those children look like they haven't eaten in months, do you think those poultry scraps are enough!?" The blonde yelled.
"No I don't but that's hardly my fault!" The bandit replied before Brie pulls her away from Leina in the process and restrains the two.
"What happened to the royal charity?" She asks.
"The what?"
"Don't play dumb with me, everyone knows count Vance gives the less fortunate money!"
"Oh yeah right, explain to me why the hell would a person like count Vance do something like that?" Risty asks her. Brie has a point from what she's seen so far in this world and sides with Risty. This place is basically dark age earth.
"Because its his duty. He's honor bound to protect his people!" Leina replied. Risty falls silent then lets go of Leina.
"Yeah, that's his duty. You're right about that. I know you want to believe he's done different but listen-On our way here you saw how bad things were under his domain-Was the first time seeing a back alley? I guess count Vance isn't worse than the other nobles, they're pretty much the same more or else. To the strongest goes the spoils, that's the law of this land. That's the truth of it." Risty said as Brie helps Leina up who refuses her help then leaves. Brie glares at Risty then goes with her.
The children go to sleep with Brie watching over them. She notices Leina comforting a child as she remembers what Brie said to them. To the strongest goes the spoils. That is what a warlord believes in. But Brie can see potential in Risty becoming a guardian for some reason. She remembers that night they almost had together though...it makes her feel hot causing Brie to sigh in heat before going outside to relieve some stress. Brie removes her armor with the only thing left is her black under suit but she removes it too as she closes her eyes while thinking about Risty.
The three leave the church, rejuvenated and recharged for their adventure into the Queens Blade tournament as the children wave goodbye to them. Brie has a smile underneath her helmet as she waves back to them also. Iza has checked that Brie still has every kind of ammo in stock so that means whomever or whatever tries to challenge them, will be filled to the brim with lead and making a home for all those bullets.
"See ya!" Risty waved before turning and walking with the two. She makes a smile and licks her lips at Brie who continues to walking with Leina. Risty saw everything last night, maybe its because Brie was a little loud or she heard her name in the dark.
"So I guess you're still on about last night?" The bandit flirted with the guardian causing Brie to yelp in fear knowing she's been exposed.
"About what?" Brie asks in worry.
"Don't play stupid with me, you're still thinking about me bathing aren't you?" She teased causing Brie to roll her eyes while blushing. Of all the guardians, she was the blunt one and honest also.
"Yes but I don't think its a smart idea doing in broad daylight." Brie replied knowing what Risty wants from her. She always into women like Risty of course, no doubt about it but being surrounded by spunky women straight out of a fantasy world? Its hard to choose for her.
"Oh come on! Leina will watch out for any peeping toms, right?" Risty asks a blushing Leina.
"I would never cover a pervert like you!" Leina countered.
"You can watch but not touch~" The redhead teased only for Brie to turn around and bonk her in the head. Risty covers the burning swollen bump on her head as Iza appears and places a band aid on it. The three walk in the path before tiring themselves out and have some rest as Brie loads her exotic rifle. Risty yawns in exhaustion.
"Hey Leina? I know I promised you that I would bring you to the border but I got a better idea so hear me out: Why don't you inherit your father's position? Then you can bring prosperity back to this domain. That wouldn't be a bad life, in fact it would be a much better one. Assuming you would be satisfied with that." Risty suggested. Leina hangs her head.
"I'm not sure what I should do..." Leina replied.
"You're caught between yourself and your position. I know that's so deeeep." Risty mocked.
"Well whatever you decide, just leave me the money you owe me. After that you and knight in shining armor will be all on your own." Brie turns to her as Leina snaps.
"Don't you dare patronize me! You're one to judge my own life! What makes you better than a common thief?!" Leina yelled causing Risty's face to turn serious.
"The Queens Blade tournament...If you win the Queens Blade, you get money. What's better? You get power...I lost my family in a fire started by nobles. I was just a kid. The pain...The grief...It was enough to drive me crazy. Nobody should have to live through that...I will win the Queens Blade and I'll save the children of this land. They say to the strongest goes the spoils, that's the ultimate goal of the land. So I will become stronger than anyone else!...I still know what I'm doing with my life." Risty replied angrily. Leina has a look of sadness on her face.
"...I don't...I feel so ashamed." Leina apologetically replied.
"And well you should!...Well, its enough sitting around here. Lets go." Risty gets up with her gear.
"I owe both of you my thanks." The blonde said.
"Why?"
"Because...I was ignorant and lost. I only knew what I didn't want from my life...And now, thanks to you I realized that it isn't it enough." Leina bows her head in respect causing Risty to blush.
"W-What? You're a noble, you're not supposed to be bowing to me! Besides I only agreed to take you over the pass. That's all. Nothing else! If you're expecting more then you can't decide that on your own!" She turns avoiding Leina.
"Jeez, we're wasting time. We gotta go!" Risty hurries as Leina smiles.
"Oh now you get flustered when someone likes you in return." Brie observed.
"Oh shut up!"
Hinamoto.
Nanael zips in the dark skies after realizing she has made a mistake of some kind. With all of these guardians running around and the fact worlds are converging, its very confusing on the new amount of guardians as they are in there world now. Also the ships are so annoying to her too. She stops knowing she is confused.
"Oh no! Where are the fighters!? WHEEEERRRREEEE?! And for that matter, what am I? Oh no, now I've gotten myself lost!" Nanael screams in frustration but is almost hit by an incoming ship. She dodges from its path and looks at it. Cayde told her that ships can only fly via transmat link which is in Vance territory but somehow this one is flying like its normal.
The ship lands a distance away from the shrine maiden temple as the hatch opens to reveal a female hunter wearing neurogast armor also armed with a handcannon and sniper rifle holstered on her back. Inside the ship appears to be a transmat device inside it. She walks towards the shrine maiden temple as the guards block her path.
"Halt! Why do you come here?" The shrine maiden warrior asks her. The guardian unveils her cloaked and takes off her mask revealing that she has short pink hair.
"I am Ayane Takanome, a hunter and member of the Takanome rangers who led survivors of the collapse to our city. I am here to talk to whoever is in charge as it is of urgent-" They hear meowing causing them to look down to see a cat. Little do they know, someone is looking down at them. A white haired ninja...
"A guardian huh...I wonder what's she doing her alongside the Shrine Maidens..." She muttered before heading off to some kind of bathhouse nearby but not before Ayane gets a quick glance at her.
Inside the bathhouse is a woman with long black hair and is nude. She has a look of doubt on her face as she thinks about the Queens Blade...Her name is Tomoe. One of the Shrine Maidens and a priestess at the same time. She has heard about the guardian known as Brie Jolder, how her weapons are enough to put down the strongest of monsters and enemies also the guardians too. Tomoe wonders though, how will she defeat this guardian? As she is lost in her thoughts, she doesn't notice someone sneaking up on her.
"Hello?" A voice called causing her to turn around to see the same white haired ninja. Tomoe throws her out thus sending her flying towards the wall of the bath and crashing. Tomoe pulls out her knife but the ninja gets up.
"Hey! Hey! Wait!" Shizuka pleaded as Tomoe rushes towards her with the knife. The maiden aims the knife against her neck. Tomoe covers her breasts while looking down on her. Her eyes widen.
"Is that you Shizuka?"
"Lady Tomoe..." She winced. Shizuka then feels something in the back of her head causing her to turn around and Tomoe looking up. Ayane aims her hawkmoon handcannon at the ninja as the moonlight reveals her face.
Ayane and Shizuka sit with the shrine maidens as her handcannon and sniper rifle is holstered on her hip while the rifle is on her back. Shizuka knows how guardians fight, battles with them end in a mere second or minute so she has to be careful. Ayane on the other hand is busy preparing for her explanation in being here since everyone in Hinamoto dislikes guardians seeing them as powerful imperialists.
"Priestesses, warrior priestess aaaannnd...Guardian." Shizuka sighed looking at Ayane who looks already tense. She is known to be the strict one in the Takanome rangers and her strictness saved many guardians in the battlefield.
"Booorrrinnng!" Ayane's ghost appears before Shizuka.
"This meeting is of utmost importance." The ghost notified. Shizuka looks at the maidens who are busy meditating while Ayane looks at them and tries to mimic the maidens but she is easily bored so she does her best in waiting. The white-haired ninja rolls her eyes then gets up but the priestesses all aim there weapons at her and Ayane.
"Uh...I um..." Shizuka tries to come up with words to say for her excuse while Ayane is putting her hand on the revolver.
"Lady Tomoe is in an important discussion right now! You are not allowed to disturb her!" The maiden said.
"An important discussion? Oh...You mean the Queen's Blade yeah." Shizuka replied. The maiden tightens her weapon at her.
"That tournament that takes place in the land where one of your warrior priestesses go and become the new queen right?" She asks her.
"How do you know that?"
"You're not the only ones who know about these things." The maiden stands down while Ayane lets go of her gun and sits down.
"So tell me, is lady Tomoe the one? And I'm guessing you're all going along with her like one big happy family..." Shizuka asks before placing her fingers on her chin.
"But if you're not, I'll go along with her. I heard there's this cold sweet treat called ice cream over there. Come on! Aren't you going to say anything?"
"I'm not. I'm not going to say anything to a kouma ninja."
"Come on!" Shizuka pleaded before landing on the ground then rolls over.
"I'm not with kouma anymore..." Ayane looks at her for a moment. This mission could need a person like Shizuka, perhaps even Tomoe...
"Say, how about you join me in my mission then you can have all the ice cream in the world." She negotiated getting Shizuka's attention.
Tomoe sits in front of the head maiden knowing what she must do.
"We warrior priestesses will not be offering you any aid whatsoever on your journey. You must participate in the Queen's blade tournament by yourself...That is what the tradition demands." The head maiden said.
"Our country's government has become corrupt. The consuls are now controlling the mihado. We warrior priestess are the only ones who can protect the mihado from their evil. I would be honored to be privileged in using my skills to achieve that end. But only if you feel I am worthy." Tomoe bows her head down.
"We must win in the tournament of the Queen's Blade. Then we will have the power. With it, we will be able to eradicate the traitors who threaten to bring our country to ruin."
"Yes my lady." Tomoe agreed.
"Your task won't be easy. There will be those who will accuse you for treason against her majesty-" The door suddenly slides open to reveal Ayane who decloaks causing Tomoe to get up to defend her.
"That's the thing, the consuls have gained a new ally and its the enemies of our world and yours." Ayane spoke.
"Spy! You were listening in on us!" Tomoe accused.
"My apologies milady...But I was sent here by commander Zevala to warn you all. Our enemies are enhanced with a plague that gives them unnatural abilities, they will use them on all of you. Although I have another mission, I'm supposed to accompany your maiden and join with her in the Queen's Blade so I can regroup with another guardian named Brie Jolder. You see...W're making a team. A fireteam and since I proposed this mission, I believe through our alliance that we can win the Queens Blade and bring order to this world." Ayane explained. The head maiden has a look of doubt...
"I heard about your kind. Powerful, mysterious and almost malevolent...But if what you're saying is true, what shall we do against your enemies?" She asks.
"Get out of here then and transfer your resources somewhere far cause our enemy is advanced... They are called Fallen, a race of space pirates who will loot and pillage anything. But these Fallen are different, they are called the Devil Splicers. They modifying themselves with some kind of nano-plague called SIVA, it gives them powers." She continued. Tomoe and the head maiden look at each other.
"Mam, we all do respect, this is our grounds! We can't just leave!"
"Milady, your magic will not be enough for these monsters. The splicers will end up destroying you all...Please..." Ayane pleaded. The head maiden pauses then comes to a decision.
"It is settled then. We shall leave by dawn."
Shizuka is busy eating some bread alongside the shrine maidens before pausing.
"What's wrong?"
"Something's not right...Oh no."
"What do you mean?"
Suddenly, a swarm of Fallen skiffs decloak alongside a barrage of flaming arrows. Inside the skiffs are Devil Splicers armed with there SIVA infused weapons and other gadgets, joined by them are the kouma ninjas with some of their weapons infused with SIVA also. Ayane, the head maiden, and Tomoe head out of the temple with Ayane loading her gun while looking at the ships.
"I should've seen this coming..." Ayane muttered as a flaming arrow hits her in the shoulder but since she is armored, the arrow does nothing so she removes it and breaks the projectile before activating the shields on her ship nearby.
"Come on, lets go-" A batch of Fallen land and surround the group as Ayane growls at them while the head maiden and Tomoe ready there weapons. A Fallen dreg roars and runs towards Tomoe as she cuts his head while head maiden slices one half. The captain runs up to Ayane and swings his fist at her but she shoots him in the side of the stomach then trips him on the ground right before shooting him in the back of the head. Two more Fallen leap towards them but Tomoe and the head maiden kill them in the process. A kouma ninja with an explosive barrel sees them and runs towards the three while avoiding the shots from Ayane.
"You asked for it!" He sets off the explosion with the head maiden covering Tomoe but Ayane is caught in it.
Shizuka turns around while looking at the fire as she runs to the palace.
"Shit..." She muttered. Suddenly, a horde of Devil Splicers stop her alongside infected ninja.
"Death to the fugitive!" A ninja yelled with a demonic echo.
"Lady Kone...Lady Kone!" The ghost revives Ayane as she lands on the ground seeing the temple in flames. Ayane runs towards Tomoe and kneels with her. Kone awakens and shakes her head.
"Take this...You have...To succeed." She hands her a talisman. Tomoe sucks her tears up as Ayane helps her up and nods at her. The two run in the flaming temple alongside the shrine maidens.
"Get everyone out of here!" Ayane ordered before being attacked by a ninja whom Tomoe blocks his attacks. He backflips and lands in front of his men.
"You fight well but I swear I'll send you all to oblivion!" The shrine maidens gather while Ayane loads her gun and aims it at the ninja knowing this will be an easy fight. Suddenly, the ninja's all fall to the ground and disappear into nothingness but only one ninja remains. Soon he begins to form something alongside his brothers...A SIVA infected toad. The toad grows into the size of a large building thus destroying the ceiling.
"What?" Shizuka gasped at the giant SIVA infected toad.
"Did they use some sort of black magic?" She asks herself. Shizuka steps forward.
"No! That means...They'll never be human again!" Shizuka yelled.
"Kouma is a demon of war. We don't fear losing our humanity..." A demonic voice spoke causing her to turn around to see the SIVA infected Kouma ninja leader. His skin is black with red veins and his eyes too are black with red pupils.
"Yeesh, you don't look so good. So you're the new leader huh?"
"That's right traitor I am. Since you abandoned Kouma, I had no choice but to rebuild it." The leader replied.
"And its disgusting..."
The maidens tag the infected toad with there tags as they fly towards it body while leaving a purple trail. Ayane switches to her heavy machine gun, The Swarm, as she suppresses fire on the monster. The tags combine into a giant symbol above it as it unleashes bolts of lightning that stuns the toad. The toad sprays acidic goo on the maidens, melting their clothes away and giving Ayane a nosebleed underneath her helmet. The toad slams its tongue on a group next, killing them, much to her horror.
"Lady Tomoe, you might need to use the nadeshto!" A maiden pleaded.
"Yes you must!" Ayane agreed. She activates her super which is the void bow thus paralyzing the toad and starts shooting since it makes it vulnerable. Although the rounds do the trick but not that much.
"Lady Tomoe please!"
The toad begins to spit more acidic goo on the shrine maidens while Ayane switches to her hawkmoon and tries to see any weakness on it but there is none. She activates her ammo synthesis as it refills her ammo though her gun isn't enough. Tomoe builds up her courage.
"Nadeshto!" The maidens all gather causing Ayane to stop shooting.
"Ready...Attack!" All of them run towards the toad with Tomoe activating the tags as she leads them. They all combine with Tomoe. Tomoe runs towards the road before closing her eyes. The toad is soon caught in flames. Tomoe runs out with Ayane.
"What are you doing?! Cut this out!" Shizuka yelled as the leader moves left and right as their blade clash against each other. He keeps disintegrating into SIVA swarms which makes it difficult for them to keep fighting.
"Do you have any idea what's in stake!? If the consuls get their way, Hinamoto is done for!" She continued. The chains of the ninja wrap her against the tree thus tying her to it. The leader reforms again.
"The only thing we ninja want is the opportunity to refine the art of killing to perfection. If Hinamoto does fall, we'll simply move on to another country." He tightens the chain's hold on Shizuka.
"How well you have mastered our techniques. How much more will you be able to improve them? The path of the ninja is one of bloodshed...And because you ran away, you won't be able to defeat me!" He taunted. Shizuka laughs a little.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Its funny...Cause you are so much like me." Shizuka quickly disappears then appears behind him.
"But you're not good enough to beat her!" She continued before the leader turns around.
"You bitch!"
Ayane and Tomoe head towards the sanctuary as Tomoe opens it with Ayane helping her. In front of them is a muramasa sword that is glowing blue.
"Kuchinawa..." She kneels and takes the sword right before meditating.
"All I need is strong techniques...The strongest techniques and the most excellent skills...I used to be the Kouma leader but it never bothered me in walking down the path of bloodshed. And yet..."
The toad stands over the wreckage as a maiden gets up...
"Lady Tomoe..." A ship then flies over her. Piloting it is Ayane and on the roof is Tomoe with her tags. She launches the tags as they explode on impact on the beast distracting it. The toad uses its tongue to reach out towards the ship as Tomoe jumps off of it then runs on the tongue. Tomoe leads in the air and raises the sword...The sword breaks on impact.
"Oh no!" The tongue grabs her as Ayane makes another run and starts firing at the tongue but misses it since its too quick as it slams Tomoe on the ground. Its tongue soon curls on on her breasts.
"Lady Tomoe!" A maiden yelled and stabs the tongue letting her go in the process. The maiden is flung into the air as Ayane's ship soon flies towards her to pick her up which it does. The hunter lands the ship in front of Tomoe with the maiden on it. More maidens arrive. Tomoe leaps and holds the maiden in her arms.
"Talk to me! Come on!" The maiden opens her eyes.
"Lady Tomoe...You will go to the Queens Blade tournament...And be victorious...For the sake of Hinamoto...You'll win?" She asks her as tears appear on Tomoe's eyes.
"...I'll promise I'll win."
"My...Only regret...Is to see...You win...And then...I'll land will be saved..." The remaining maidens gather around the dead one as Ayane hangs her head. The sword on Tomoe's back begins to glow.
"Grant me...The power...TO DEFEND MY COUNTRY!" She draws her sword as it glows bright.
"Now's our chance, get in!" Ayane ordered before Tomoe nods. The ship rises with the maidens cheering the two on as it flies towards the beast. It rises above it as the hatch opens with Tomoe getting out of the ship.
"This will be the blade...THAT WILL BRING YOUR EVIL TO AN END!" Tomoe swings the sword at the toad and slices it in half.
The leader and Shizuka clash and swing there blades as they stop behind each other.
"You should be careful now...Those lofty words will fail you...It will only be a matter of time now." The leader dies as blood and dead SIVA cells spills from his body.
"I don't think so, she's fighting for something greater than lofty words." Shizuka looks up at the moon.
Tomoe lands in front of the maidens as they all cheer at her with Ayane landing in the distance. She gets out of her ship...Suddenly, another ship, a guardian one lands. Heading out of it is a female titan in ancient looking armor that looks like Brie's. Her eyes widen...It can't be. The titan walks towards the maidens as she loads her rifle.
"Everyone run!" Ayane ordered. The female titan starts shooting at them as the maidens run towards her. She activate her hammer of Sol and hits the maiden in front of her thus disintegrating her into flames. She grabs another by the throat right before pulling out a solar sword and slicing her in half with it. She impales on the chest next and shoots another.
"Lady Tomoe go! Leave us!" A maiden pleaded before being shot. Tomoe looks at the bodies of the maidens before running towards Ayane as Shizuka runs out of the woods. They both enter the ship as it takes off as the female titan looks up as it takes. She removes her helmet...
Lady Jolder looks at her helmet wonder what she has become. Meanwhile, the ship cloaks to avoid being spotted by the Fallen with Tomoe looking in complete rage and sadness.
"You all must rest in peace now...All will be well...I'm not going to cry...Not until I see...Hinamoto...I won't cry...! Until I see...Until I see..." Tomoe breaks down crying as Shizuka places her hand on her shoulder. Ayane hangs her eyes in sorrow.
Jolder walks with the splicers after having her reward from the consul.
"Leave the room." She ordered. Jolder kneels while pulling out a hologram disk.
"It is done my mistress. Ayane, Tomoe, and Shizuka are now part of the Queen's Blade." The hologram appears revealing herself to be Menace. Another hologram appears too, it is lady Perun.
"Good, good...It's all coming together."