Opening Song: Dangerous A by Mladen Franko
About Thirty minutes ago…
"How are you holding up Asuka?"
"Right as rain." She replies as Oktitohbi barrels through the snow.
The temperature is rapidly dropping the deeper we travel into the woods. So far, so good though. Hopefully we won't run into any shinobi or hunters on the way to Frambosta. At this rate, we'll be there in an hour or so.
Up ahead is a solid wall of raging snow. Whiteout. I pull on the reins and urge Oktitohbi to stop. He slows his pace and comes to a halt several feet from the swirling torrential wind. The outside of my armor frosts over and forms a series of icicles. Asuka shivers and squeezes closer to try and conserve heat.
"What are you thinking?" Oktitohbi asks.
"I don't want a repeat of last time. Asuka? You lead. I'm going to summon us a ball of fire and hope it keeps us warm."
"Alright." She slides off the horse and I scoot back.
Fire sparks out my index finger and rolls into the palm. The little flame grows in strength and forms a perfectly sized orb. It does little to combat the frigid wind, but it will be enough for now. If worst comes to worst, I'll sprout my wings and fly us out. It's tempting to try since we're a safe distance away from Gessen, but there's a possibility someone could have followed us. Not to mention shinobi and hunters don't have anything better to do than hide out in the woods and harass people passing by.
Asuka grabs the reins as I hold the flame close to us. She spurs Oktitohbi, and he takes us on in. Asuka pulls her bandana over her face while I shield the snow from my eyes.
"It's so cold…" Asuka gasps.
"Nice easy breaths. Panic, and you'll overexert yourself."
I pull the flame in and hold it in front of Asuka so she can take in most of the heat that is radiating off the spell. The faint glow of the flicking fire barely lights up the path, but it is just enough to take out the chill that was plaguing Asuka's body. I lay my head on her shoulder and try to come up with some kind of plan.
Kagura is missing, the talilbasha is still out there, Asuka is a wanted criminal, Lawrence and Yuyaki pissed off the North, Gallowglass wants to see me dead, Hanzo and Gessen academy are now our enemies, and the only one that could fix all of this is so distraught over Kagura's disappearance that she's in a depressed state. Just how am I going to fix all this? The only person that's really helped me keep my sanity is Asuka.
It's a slippery slope with her though. If she would have never come to the north, then she wouldn't have been a wanted criminal. Yet, Hikage would have died back there in the fight against Gekko and Senko. The one thing that gives me real solace is that if Asuka would not have come, she would now be working with Gallowglass. I've killed a lot of people in the past, and I will probably hurt a lot more before this is over, but I can rest easy knowing Asuka isn't going to be one of them.
My yoma sense perk up, and the inside of my nose swells with the scent of something. There is also someone else out there as well. It smells like Fubuki's scent, but it's mixing with something I've encountered before.
"What is it Alan?"
"Keep calm and stay low." I reply as I pull my revolver out of its holster.
A silhouette of a horse slowly makes its way towards us. Red eyes with black irises pierce through the whiteout like a lighthouse surrounded by fog. Sitting on top of it is someone in a gigantic set of medieval era armor. Beside the horse is a human sized shadow flipping a huge pistol around.
"Don't stop moving. No matter what." I whisper in Asuka's ear.
"The horse picks up the pace and assimilates into a mild trot. The rider approaches us from the side, but the veil from the whiteout keeps their appearances obscured. "How you doing? Terrible night for a stroll, isn't it?" The rider's voice is heavily muffled by a metal visor.
"What brings you out then?" I angle the revolver at him from under the cusp of my free arm.
"We're looking for a particular person, and I thought you could help us out." The man sitting behind the horseman states. He straightens his green mask and pulls out a post it note. "Someone named Morabis?"
"Morabis? The horseman that's a lady killer when it comes to big tittied goddesses like Kagura?"
"That would be the one we're looking for."
The amethyst color of his irises collide with the emerald pigment within my eyes. There is a sudden heartbeat spike in both of us as we realize that we're both half-bloods.
"Never heard of him."
"Oh really? Well tell me, you wouldn't happen to know anything about some guy named Alan being his harbinger? Would you?" The horseman asks.
"Actually, I do know something about that. He left for some place called Oklahoma, and we must be going. Toodaloo." Asuka states as she spurs Oktithobi.
"What's the hurry there, sweetie?" Another deep, metallic voice from the left comes from the left. Asuka jumps from fright at the sudden delivery of his voice. On the other side of us is another horseman. This one has some kind of crest on his helmet. Another horseman in front of us attempts to block our path while another one slips behind us.
"GO!" I yell.
The hammer of the revolver slams into the hellshot's primer and strikes the rider to the left in the side of the head. I swivel around and crank off another round that hits the commander. His horse bucks back and throws him off. The cylinder spins, and the third hellshot round strikes the rider in front of us in horse's thigh. The horse rears back and tosses his rider off. I spin the revolver around, rest it on my shoulder and crank off the reminder of the ammo in the cylinder.
The sound of the last horseman hitting the snow echoes out. Everyone of them other than the one trying to talk to us have been thrown off. The rider rubs the side of his head and his passenger stands up on the back of the horse, "I love it when they run!"
The armor plating tings, and a burst of energy hits me in the shoulder and lower back. Bullets rocket by as I eject the revolver's cylinder and reload. Another burst of energy hits me in the back of the neck and throws me into Asuka.
"Alan! Are you alright!?"
I turn around and fire back. Rounds slam into the man's chest and head. One round bounces off the horsemen's visor, but he continues to pursue us like nothing happened. Asuka glances over her shoulder to check on me. I reach into the wound in the back of my throat and yank the bullet out.
"Yeah…got shot in the voice box. Nothing to worry about." The weak sound squeezes in between my bloody, cracked lips. "You focus on getting us out of here."
Asuka nods and takes us through a graveyard of trees that have been completely stripped of bark. Bullets fly back and forth as we trade quicksilver and hellshot. Rounds pepper me all over the body and mists blood on the back of Asuka's jacket.
"You may have a bigger gun, but I shoot a bigger bullet!" The guy laughs as we shoot each other's bullets down.
He ducks down behind the horseman to reload and pull all the rounds out of his spattered body. I eject the spent bullets out of the cylinder, load and grab my lever action pistol. He pokes his hand out from behind his mobile cover and attempts to blind fire. I line up the sights on the lever action and fire. The bullet wedges itself into the barrel of his gun. Orange flames flow out of the ejection port.
"Why you squib loading asshole!" The guy laughs as he attempts to clear the malfunction. "Ah well, to hell with it." He reaches into a saddlebag and pulls something out. "Hey Alan! This one's on the house!"
I blast the flaming bottle projectile, but a small orb shaped vial hides behind it.
"Fuck!" I wrap myself around Asuka and sprout my wings.
Oktithobi whinnies in pain and rears up. A wave of silverish blue liquid seeps through my wings and armor. Asuka loses her balance and falls into me. The both of us land into an endless wall of white while Oktitohbi sprints out of sight.
"Hey! Don't you leave us!" I yell in the direction of the hoof marks.
The mana within my body shuts off, and the ability to keep the wings deployed is getting very difficult to do on brute strength alone. Yoma blood boils within my veins to the point it enrages me. Savage demon instinct combines with the dying humanity within my soul. I pop up and carry Asuka behind a nearby tree.
"You okay?" Asuka asks.
"Really pissed off right now. How about you?" I say as I grab my chain sickle.
"I'm fine."
Asuka reaches into a hip pouch and pours some regeneration elixir on her hands. I turn around and keep an eye on our pursuers. Her cold fingers dig into the hole in my back and pulls out glass fragments from that vial bomb.
"Running scared!?" The man yells as him, and the horseman dismount.
Asuka sits me back down and shakes her head no. I take a deep breath and remain behind the tree as she presses a syringe into me and extracts the fluid. The flow of mana slowly returns. Asuka touches my cheek and smiles. "Human or yoma, you're still as handsome as can be." She whispers.
It makes me feel better that she is trying to lighten the mood, but the both of us are going to be in for a hell of a fight. I really wish the both of us could run, but that isn't going to be an option. Gehrman? If you can hear me, now would really be the time I could really use some help. Makaria? Your new recruits are in somewhat of a jam, and I'd appreciate some help. There is no answer. Fine. I'll do it myself.
"Oh Alan! Come out and play!" The man yells over the howling wind.
"Asuka?"
"Yes Alan?"
"Let's win this."
Asuka unsheathes her katana and wakizashi. The both of us step out from behind the tree. The horseman stands at attention as his passenger claps at our arrival. "Excellent! I was beginning to think the stories of the Spartan weren't true! And between me and you, I was starting to think all those stories Fubuki told me were lies as well!"
"And who would you be?" I ask.
"Don't you remember? We were the ones that had coffee with Hades!"
The memory of when I nearly died that night in the wasteland recreates itself, "Akanari."
"We can do without the formalities! You can call me Shokudo!"
"Damn you shinobi, and your ability to make your first name sound like the last."
"Ah Alan, that's harsh! Don't you think Cataphract?"
"To think the little Hanzo Kitten actually has what it takes to put up with him is an accomplishment in itself." The horseman states.
"Thank you." Asuka spits back.
Shokudo looks at this wrist, "Well I reckon the time has come. Do you want the honor, or can I?"
Cataphract pulls out a gold halberd, "It's been over a century since our last engagement, so yes. I do."
"Then I guess that leaves the Hanzo Kitten to me." Shokudo says.
Cataphract's armor is forged out of pure azothian silver, and the green trim covers the small gaps from where the armor isn't able to overlap. He leaps back and charges forward. Asuka and I scatter as he slams the axe head where we were standing. Shokudo's boot connects with the edge of Asuka's katana. She slashes with the wakizashi and forces him to back off. She leaps towards him, and they engage.
Cataphract rushes in and swings. I leap over the attack and slash down. He blocks the blow with the pommel of the halberd and reaches out. I wrap the chain around his wrist and jump back. Cataphract overpowers me and launches me up in the air. I pull out my revolver and rain down hellshot. Cataphract dodges the bullets and untangles the chain wrapped around his arm. I catch the weight he throws, and the both of us back off.
Even with all that armor and polearm, he moves incredibly fast. Cataphract spins the halberd upside down and rests it across his shoulders. I wrap the chain around my wrist and let the sickle dangle a couple feet down. Cataphract twists his body and charges up with strength. I grab my kopis and flip it upside down in my free hand. Cataphract spins off and throws a tidal wave of snow at me. I step to the right and swing. The neck of the sickle bounces off the halberd's tip as Cataphract charges. I swat his counter attack down and slash back with the kopis. He catches the blade with his hand and shoves back. I roll backward and avoid the incoming thrust.
"Alan! Look out!" Asuka yells.
Something strikes me in the back of the head and causes my eyes to glaze over. The side of my ribcage yields to an incoming blow. Cataphract strikes me again and uses the recoil to spin his halberd around. The blur fades from my vision. The point of Cataphract's halberd slices me across the cheek as he windmills it around his body.
"Alan! Look out!" Shokudo teases Asuka in a mocking voice.
"WHY YOU!" Asuka bellows with rage.
Each hit forces me to stagger to the point that I can barely remain on my feet. Anger fuels me as the tip bursts through the palm of my hand. He shoves me back, and we reengage.
"That all you got!?" Cataphract yells.
"You haven't even scratched the service!" I yell back.
The ferocious yoma side spills over and I attempt to draw out more power. Cataphract backs off and takes up a strange stance. I jump back and catch my breath. He's not backing off for the sake of backing off. He's got something planned, and it feels like the moment the darkness takes over, he'll have some kind of trump card that will give him a bigger advantage.
"Hope gramps trained you for five on one Hanzo kitten!" Shokudo teases as he dodges an incoming swipe. He drives his elbow into Asuka's stomach. The leather in her armor crinkles under the brute force as she collapses to the ground. Fear overrides the ability to be reasonable, and the impulse from Asuka being in danger forces me to take my eyes off my fight…
"That was the moment I screwed everything up. The reason Paladin threw me in a deep dark hole. If Oktitohbi wouldn't have abandoned us, then there's a possibility we wouldn't even be in this situation. As big of an asshole dad was, he always told me and Miyabi that 'in the real world, cowardice and hesitance are the virtues that get people killed.' Oktitohbi was the horse that helped me save Asuka from Ursania. The horse that chased down a train full of fugitives. The horse that helped me save Ikaruga from turning into a beast. We've been through worse in the past, and he didn't even attempt to come back …"
Tiny puffs of white float down from the blackened sky. A water source bubbles nearby and breaks apart the frozen sheets that are attempting to grow over it. The distortion fades away from my eyes, and a blanket of rubble and snow rest on top of me. Clay roof shingles and rotting wooden beams press down and keep my movements restrained.
My left arm feels numb but hot. I shove all the debris off me and roll the sleeve of my black duster up. A fleshy bone protrudes out of my forearm. I press the bone back under the skin and hold it in place. Yoma blood seals the open wound shut and some movement comes back. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
Criiiimp…
"Hmm…Asuka has such a nice rack…" I grimace.
The numbness washes away, and the arm cools back down to normal temperature. I flex my fingers and give a couple practice swings to make sure it reset in the right position. There's no resistance or anything that unnaturally pulls. Other than some cuts and bruises from the fall, everything is okay. I press in where the chain sickle blade impaled me and feel around. The area is sore, but there isn't anything wedged inside. Strange. When the blade came out, it looked like a part of it snapped off inside the wound.
I jump up and grab hold of the hole in the roof of the shed and peek out. Straight ahead lies a massive stone bridge. Eighteenth century lanterns light a way on the paved path. Beyond the bridge rests a massive castle that is nestled right in the middle of a mountain. A dreary fog surrounding the walls and watch towers glisten from the lights flickering from the murder holes. Somebody is home. I jump down onto the road and head for the bridge.
So this is where the monsters and undesirables sealed by the Korin Fuma are sent? Whoever came up with this concept sure picked a deceptive place for a purgatory. I was expecting some place straight off a Slayer album's cover art. Not a location that belongs in a Van Gogh painting. Hopefully whoever is here can help me get back to the real world. If it's even possible.
The bridge triples in size, and the road grows in both length and width. There is a particular smell permeating the cold air the further I get across the bridge. It reeks of decaying yoma, corrupted hunters, possessed shinobi and just unfortunate souls being tossed into this place of tribulation, but there is a sweet scent that pops occasionally. Whatever it is, it's not human or beast.
"Who goes there!?" A demanding voice yells.
"Bram Stoker!" I shout back. Yoma blood rushes into my eyes and forces the sclera to turn black. Wicked crimson devours the emerald color of my irises and allows me to see through the foggy haze.
The figure of a human walks in my direction unarmed. Pointy ears that resemble those of a vampire are the first characteristic I notice. Red flesh tattooed with the obsidian blood of her fallen father forms the elegant crest that decorates her body. Crystalized spikes that wrap around the nape of her neck and shoulders seal away her hellish wings. A slit below the horn on her forehead hides the eye she inherited through a particular bloodline.
"Such a rare sight to see such a fine specimen. What's even more rare is you haven't been forged into some kind of weapon." I say.
"And it's not everyday I get to lay eyes on such a wonderful experiment. You even have the scent of my old master on you." The yoma woman sniffs a couple times, "Half blood… Real? No… artificial."
"Very observant."
"Wait wait…You even have a divine smell, yet it's got some occultic undertone. You confound me. Just what exactly are you?" The female calmly approaches me, but she remains on high alert. I face my palms out towards her to show that there's nothing to worry about. Although the feeling is probably not going to be mutual.
"Just a guy who's a shinobi for fun."
"Shinobi? What linage?"
"My bride descends from the Hanzo bloodline."
"Master?"
I take off my gauntlets and show the fresh brand that rests on top of Kagura's old mark, "The death angel at one time, but now I serve the mirror queen Makaria."
The female yoma inspects Makaria's crest, "So renouncing Kagura is what got you sealed. Typical of her."
"Any ideas on how to get back?" I ask.
"It would be best if you met the Queen. She has been expecting you."
"Expecting me?"
"She always knows when something is being sealed away. Most of the time it's just someone sealing away a monster. Which is why there's blood all over the place."
"You got a name?"
"Raesetsu. I believe you said you were Bram?"
"You can call me Alan."
A metal gate on the other side of the moat raises up and drops the drawbridge across the water. A terrible feeling causes me to stop at the very threshold of the castle. My gut tells me that something absolutely horrific has happened here. Raesetsu continues onward without stopping. Maybe it would be a better idea to just turn around and look for a way out. The drawbridge lifts up by itself and traps me at the very entrance of the castle. Other than Raesetsu, there is nobody around. No one is anywhere near the drawbridge cranks, and I can only sense one other individual, and she's somewhere in the castle. Curiosity is trying to push me in, but there is something preventing me from just barging in. Almost like I shouldn't just let myself in.
"Hey Daemogina! We have a visitor!" Raesetsu yells.
"Alright! I'll let the Queen know!"
A feeling of relief comes over me, and I cross over. The feeling in here is much more ominous but more relaxed compared to the outside. Shattered pottery, broken gargoyle and human statues and ashes from a fire that's long burned-out litter the courtyard. The white wind pushes noosed ropes dangling from tree branches back and forth.
The front entrance to the castle opens up by itself and reveals a grand staircase that leads to the second floor and another flight of stairs that ascend even higher. Decrypted pictures of kings, queens and children spotted with dried bloodstains dangle from the stone walls. Candelabras and chandeliers forged from pure gold and dust rest on every table top and roof in every room. Bookshelves that take up entire walls and are as tall as the ceiling are crammed with all kinds of literature ranging from scrolls to fully published books.
Raesetsu leads me across the castle top and to a throne that is sitting in the middle of the roof. Behind it is another massive chamber that looks like it could be a house all on its own. Whoever had this place built really was full of themselves. That or the architect didn't have anything better to do with his life.
"You got to be fucking kidding." I sigh at the sight of another giant set of stairs.
On both sides of the room are slabs of rusty metal that have been hammered and pressed to bear resemblance of knights and cavalry men. The doors at the very top open all on their own. Red carpet with golden trim cuts through the middle of the massive room. Two thrones sit on an elevated platform. One of which is occupied by someone I can't even sense. At the base stands another full-blooded female yoma dressed in a red and white shine maiden outfit. Raesetsu takes her place on the other side of the carpet and faces the door in a very defensive manner.
"Visitor, I claim no subjects, but here lieth Our throne. Kneel afore us or get thee gone." The woman sitting in the throne says in a very stern voice.
It's not my home, and I don't feel like sleeping out in the snow for the night. In front of her throne are a series of candles that form a crude circle. Almost like they were intentionally arranged this way to form some kind of hidden insignia. I make my way into middle of the candles and crouch.
"Visitor, empty vessel that contains many scents, I am Annalise, Queen of Castle Cainhurst. Ruler of the vilebloods, and enemy of the church. What is it thou'rt in search of?"
"A way home."
"My my. An unexpected answer. Pray tell, was it not thy home that cast you here? The land for which the old ones have determined to be damned?"
"Those seeking to destroy my land sent me here to prevent me from saving it."
"And what desire in thy world is so great that you would be willing to return to a world that hated you so?"
"My bride."
Annalise leans back in her throne and rubs the metal mask that's been welded to her face. Almost like she is contemplating the answer. "A strange answer indeed, and why would the Queen of Cainhurst honor the request of a mere stranger?"
"Because Makaria is my master." I take off my gauntlet and hold out the hand that has her marking brazed over Kagura's.
Annalise acknowledges the statement, but something tells me she isn't entirely sold on granting the request. Makaria told me at one time that she served Annalise for the sake to gain the power to kill Shin with no repercussions. Hopefully what Annalise is dwelling on is how Makaria served her well.
"What is thy name?"
"Alan."
"Answer the question, are thou aware that you are nothing but an empty vessel? All of which that make up your existence are fraudulent lies?"
"Please explain."
"Raesetsu and Daemogina have the permanent scent of their kind. Thou resemble that of a human yet reek of everything but."
Raesetsu and Daemogina converse back and forth on the matter as I try to take in what Annalise is saying. Is this some ploy to try and trick me into staying? There's no telling how long everyone has been here. Maybe Annalise did something to both Raesetsu and Daemongina to convince them to stay.
"Queen Annalise, you keep referring to me as an empty vessel. What exactly do you mean?"
"Thine birth was not human. Nor was it beast."
"Queen Annalise, permission to share a unique power from my bloodline."
"Thou have the Queen's grant."
I stand up and deploy the wings that were inherited through Miyabi's lineage, "With all due respect Annalise. These wings belong to one family, and it's the one that I came from."
Annalise folds her hands into one another and crosses her legs, "If that is what thy wish to believe, so be it. We shall allow you to return to your world. Take heed and listen to our wisdom, that the truth of thy real origin will be too much for you to bear."
"Thank you, Queen Annalise."
"For present matters, we cannot allow departure, but do not fret. Time flow is far steadier here than in thine world."
"So time flow is a lot slower here than in my world?"
"Yes." Raesetsu says.
"Daemogina?"
"Yes Queen Annalise?"
"Show Alan the living quarters."
"Yes Queen Annalise." Daemogina politely nods.
"Raesetsu? Thou'rt excused."
"Thank you, Queen Annalise."
Daemogina escorts me out of the Queen's presence, and the doors seal themselves shut. We head back down through the castle and back to a set of double doors. The chamber inside has a bed, a small study and a room for bathing. Nothing too special but it beats sleeping out in the snow.
"Is there more than us four here?"
"No. Most of the things sent here are actual beasts. Every once in a while, we get a visitor like you, but they usually commit suicide since Annalise won't let them go back. You got lucky because your master faithfully served Annalise. It's even believed that Annalise gave some of her blood to Makaria because she was so pleased with her servanthood."
"So was Annalise telling the truth about letting me go back?"
"Queen Annalise never lies about anything. She offered me a chance to return."
"Why didn't you take it?"
"I respectfully decline to answer your question."
"Fair enough. The world is in a pretty fucked up state as it is."
I lay down on the bed and look up at the ceiling. Daemogina walks over to the study and pulls out some kind of book. "You were asking why Annalise was calling you an empty vessel. This book should clarify."
"Thank you." I reply as I open it up examine the contents.
"One more question, and I will let you be."
"Ask away."
"You wouldn't happen to know someone named Fubuki would you?"
"What's she look like?" I ask.
"Well she's got really long and curly black hair. Pale skin, black eyes just like mine and is probably about twenty years old now."
"I think I've seen her."
"Well I was just wondering when you go back to the real world, could you tell her that Daemogina said hi, and that I miss her."
"Friend?"
"She's my daughter."
"If I run into her, I'll send the message." I sheepishly smile.
"Thank you. Well, I will leave you to the privacy of the night. Goodnight."
Daemogina bows and shuts the doors on her way out. She doesn't know what's going on between us. If anything, Daemogina probably thinks we're just friends. Little does she know that we spend our times beating each other's teeth out. Should Daemogina know the truth, or would that just complicate matters?
It would probably get me out of here for good, but in the process, that might anger Annalise, and then make Makaria mad. Even if Daemogina was told the truth, she probably wouldn't believe it because she's going to vouch for her kid. The worst part is every time I run into or fight Fubuki, her mother is going to ask how she's doing.
"Fuck!" I yell in the feather pillow.
The book Daemogina fetched for me falls onto the ground. The word Artificortus is written in bold orange words on the spine of the blue book. Even in hunter's tongue, that's a term I've never heard of. Maybe this book isn't going to be so boring. I flip to the table of contents and read. The chapter about creating artificial coldblood and stones using beasts and people sounds interesting. Fubuki was used for that purpose, and that's why she hates the shinobi. Then there's the rocks I've been throwing up for the last couple days. There's another section about how to artificially create weapons, but I'll read that after the creation of artificial blood stones…
Ending Song: Yamiyo Wa Otome o Hana Ni Suru BGM version by Ruka Kawada
Meanwhile At Gessen Academy…
The bitter cold of the night flees from the fireplace in the middle of Yumi's chamber. Silent snow collects on the window seal, and the smell of fresh tea and coffee displace the stale air. Yumi briskly rubs her hands in front of the flame as she tries to remain calm. Terrible thoughts rage through her mind after the events of handing Gekko and Senko over to Alan rather than Gallowglass.
Yumi's squad all sit around and converse back and forth on what is going to happen in the morning, but not of Yumi's decision. No. The events of average school life.
"You ready for that math test tomorrow, Shiki?" Yozakura asks.
"As ready as I can be."
"How much did you study?"
"Not one bit." Shiki replies as she takes a bite of a cookie.
"That's because her boyfriend's been taking up all her time." Murakamo teases.
"Hey. You and Roger were the same way, so I don't want to hear it. Besides, Octavian had to go help Alan with a job, so he's not here right now."
Yumi tries to forget what happened nearly an hour ago, but someone within the group makes some kind of statement regarding Alan or Octavian. Both of which will be in serious trouble in the next couple days.
"Here Yumi. You look hungry." Minori says as she puts a cookie on a plate and hands it to her.
"Thank you."
Yumi takes a bite to avoid looking awkward, but her distress is not going unnoticed. The rest of the girls change the subject and secretly converse about Yumi's growing stress.
"Yumi, are you okay? What exactly were you doing out there?" Yozakura asks.
"Oh, I just needed to step out for some air. That's all."
"Or maybe she was just…trying to help Alan escape." A deep, metallic voice calmly states.
"Who said that?" Yumi snaps.
Standing at the entrance of the room are two cloaked figures. One is causally admiring the glamour of the room while the other intently stares at the girls with intense spite.
"Where are my manner? I am Paladin Victorum, and this is my friend, Knight Bellum, but you can refer to us as Paladin and Knight."
Paladin takes off the hood and removes his crested helmet while Knight scans the room. Golden orbs radiate within his cloaked helmet, and he sets them on Minori. An uncomfortable air lets itself into the room but Knight shakes his head no and continues to examine the girls one by one.
"What do you want?" Murakumo asks.
"I was just coming to tell you of the good news. Everyone at Gessen Academy will soon be under new leadership." Paladin states as he places his hand on Knight's chest piece and coaxes him back.
"Under who's authority?" Yumi says.
"Mine." Paladin states.
"Oh really?" Murakumo stands up.
Black bleeds into Knight's gold eyes and turns them a faint crimson color. Paladin lets out a deep sigh as the rest of the girls join in around Yumi and Murakumo. "You know. People should learn when they've been conquered. It certainly would have saved Alan the grief."
"What did you do to him!?" Yumi yells.
"I put him in his rightful place. Exactly where all the monsters, nobodies and rejects in life belong. I even used his bride to send him there."
Shock erupts within all the girls. Some gasp while others refuse to believe the statement. Yumi grinds her teeth in sorrowful anger. "And what of his bride?"
"She's on a boat heading to an island up North."
"An island? Up North!? No…they can't do that! That place is death row!" Shiki states.
"There is nothing better than seeing the king imprisoned and his queen executed. That's how the game of conquest works." Paladin states.
Yumi loses her temper and springs forward. Paladin blocks the incoming kick and shoves her back. Murakumo slams her fist into his face. A small puff of air ruffles Paladin's red hair. His neck twists to the side from the impact, but the blow doesn't draw blood or cause a bruise. Paladin gives a small grin and flicks the chin of Murakumo's mask.
"NO!" Murakumo collapses to the ground in shame.
Paladin steps over her and continues towards the rest of the girls. Yozakura summons her golden gauntlets and charges. Knight slams his helmet into her incoming fists and causes the blow to recoil back. Paladin grabs Yozakura by the back of collar and hoists her.
"Put her down!" Yumi yells as she reaches in between her breasts and pulls out a scroll.
"Please. Enlighten us of your only power." Paladin teases.
Yumi crushes the scroll in her fist out of pure rage. The magic inside seeps into her skin and awakens the suppressed power trapped within the soul. Yumi's night gown shreds itself, and the white battle robe takes its place around her body. She takes hold of her bladed fan infused with ice and prepares to strike. Knight reaches around and unlatches a long wooden handle on his back.
"That won't be necessary." Paladin states.
Ice icicles bust and skid across the wooden floor. Orange cinders grate off Yumi's fan and Paladin's armor. Yumi folds the fan up and stabs directly at Paladin's face. The tip drives itself directly into the fingernail of Paladin's gauntlet.
"This isn't even fair at this point." Paladin yawns as he flicks his index finger. Yumi's shoes carve a deep scar in the wood as she realizes that Paladin is not hurt. There isn't even a mark on his armor from where the fan gouged across his blued steel chest plate.
"This is boring Paladin. What's the point of fighting if you possess a power that takes the thrill out of combat?"
"Because Knight, your enemies need to know what they're dealing with, and that what they're struggling against is futile." He throws Yozakura up into the air but swoops her up before she slams into the ground. "You see? Subjection through mercy."
"War isn't fun unless people die."
Paladin gently tosses Yozakura into a chair, "Bellum, did you forget what happened that day when you decided to pursue glory and bloodshed rather than winning the battle?"
"He got lucky."
"No. You forfeited our right to victory by taking on Morabis rather than sacking Kagura. If you would have just listened to me that day, these girls would be serving us. Not Kagura. Nor would Morabis have turned on us."
Paladin places his hand on Knight's shoulder and gives him a sturdy shake to reinforce his statements, "That girl who has parents up North? The family Gallowglass is working for? She'd would have been yours now."
"Forgive me for my behavior Paladin. Calva victora."
"Calva victora." Paladin turns around and holds out his arms, "Now, would anyone else like to try?"
Yumi helps Yozakura up to her feet as Shiki, Minori and Murakumo all form up.
"Persistent bunch, aren't we? I'll tell you what. I'll give you a second chance. That way Bellum here can get some action. In two days from now, Knight and I will return, and we'll have a little battle. If Knight and I can beat all of you, then you must surrender the academy and yourselves to us. Nobody dies and Knight gets his fight."
"NEVER!" Yumi yells.
"I'm sorry gorgeous, but it looks like you don't have much of a choice."
"It's either that or everyone on academy grounds dies tonight." Knight states.
"Any objections?" Paladin asks the silent rage boiling inside Yumi and everyone else.
"Then it's settled. Sir Bellum and I will take our leave."
The both of them exit the room. Paladin reaches into his pocket and snickers at how the talilbasha granted him such power that he became completely invincible to the shinobi's attack once they transformed. A fight Paladin knows he can win with no effort when the time comes…