Encounter Number 16: Enemy Nobushi
Emora heart nearly stopped when she heard Daigo's words. She let out a short cry of distress as her body slumped back, Kiyoshi struggling to hold the Warden up.
"N-NO! YOU CAN'T MAKE HER FIGHT US! SHE WON'T LET YOU TELL HER WHAT TO DO!" She cried out at the Emperor.
Daigo didn't bother to respond and only gave Emora a slight grin as he turned around and began to walk towards one of the backdoors of the Manor.
"Huh!? G-Get back here! Daigo! DAIGO!" Emora yelled as she tried to lunge forward at the Orochi, but was yanked back by her holder. Kiyoshi grunted as he shoved Emora towards the backdoor, holding her hands tightly behind her back with his chains.
"Keep moving."
The Shinobi's deep voice sent a strong shiver down the Warden's spine. She let out a small gasp as she hushed herself up, pressing her lips together tightly. She slowly opened her mouth as she neared the backdoor.
"Kiyoshi...Please don't do this. I-I'm begging you...Please!" Emora whimpered as she walked through the backdoor and out onto the rear garden. She looked over her shoulder and spotted Kiyoshi's narrowed eyes, both of them looking straight forward, not showing any sign of looking at her.
"Just keep moving, Warden," Kiyoshi said sternly.
Emora shook her head and dropped her eyes. She stared at her feet as she walked on a dirty stone path, sometimes on the wet grass. She stumbled over as she came upon a few steps that the Shinobi pushed her down. The Warden stopped herself from falling forward with a few clumsy staggers. She steadied herself out as she looked up and observed her surroundings. Her steps were heavy, her body feeling worn and sore.
"What is this place?" She asked.
Emora was standing in the open, on a circular stone platform that was embedded into the ground. A small path was behind it with a small flight of stairs that she had just nearly tripped over. In front of her, the path continued and split in three different ways. To the left lay the tall watch tower, a small glow radiating from the top of it. To the right lay a beautifully decorated building, Emora could only guess that was the shrine. Right in front of her, a little farther down the path, was a large water fountain. The pure water shined with the sun's orange light and gently splashed down onto the fountains lower bank.
Daigo stood in the center of the circle, Kiyoshi, and Emora at the far end, near the Manor. The Warden gasped when she spotted seven strangers behind the Emperor, all on their knees and with bags over their heads. They were being guarded by Zhao, who was standing with his arms crossed, his two swords crossed on his back.
Emora thrashed in her chain binds, causing Kiyoshi to struggle a bit trying to hold the Knight down.
"Daigo! Those people behind you! Who are they?! Are those my friends?! Tell me you bastard! TELL ME!" She yelled.
Daigo only grinned as he scratched his cheekbone. The people behind him shifted, they began to move their heads around and listen closer. Zhao turned to them, his mask covering his mouth, the shadow of his hat casting a dark shadow over his black eyes.
Emora slammed her jaw shut and began to tremble, her face getting red, her muscles bulging as she strained her entire body with rage. Her thin white shirt was torn and dirty, her pants stained with blood and cut open at certain places, pieces of cloth dangling from her legs. Her fists were clenched together tightly, one of them protected by a metallic gauntlet, the other bare and bruised, but both tied behind her back by Kiyoshi's Kusarigama chain.
The Shinobi planted his feet on the ground as he sensed the Warden grow tense and unstable. Daigo glared at Emora, his gaze direct and hateful.
"Well, this is it, Emora-san. I hope you know that you're not going to be getting out of this place alive, not at all. Neither will any of your friends, unfortunately. I've already said this, but they're all going to be dead by the end of this...And so will you." Kaneko said calmly, his left fist clenched with pride.
Emora's eyes grew bright as she opened them up wide.
"NO! JUST LET THEM GO! YOU WANTED ME RIGHT?! THEY CAME WITH ME BECAUSE I TOLD THEM TO! IT WASN'T THEIR CHOICE, JUST LET THEM LEAVE, AND TAKE ME INSTEAD!" The Warden roared, spit flailing from her mouth.
The people kneeling caught ahold of the voice and began to shout and yell out, their voices muffled behind the bags.
"Emora!?"
"Emora, you're alive!"
"She's lying! She's lying to you!"
The voices were clearly those of her friends. Emora fell silent and listened to their cries, all of them protesting what she had just said.
"She's lying! We came on our own accounts! She didn't force us to!"
"We wanted to come! What you're doing isn't right! And we're here to stop you!"
"All of us wanted to help! We're going to free Airi from you! We owe it to Emora!"
Zhao was looking at Daigo for direction, wondering if he should do something to silence the masked Heroes.
The Emperor let out a small laugh and turned back to the Warden, his hand pointed at the Heroes.
"Hm...That doesn't sound right. They came on their own; they wanted to come with you. You didn't force them at all, by the looks of it. Tsk...Now you're lying to me, Emora? Come on now."
The Warden flinched with hurt. "Tch—I don't care if I'm lying! I'm not lying when I say I'm going to fucking murder you!"
Daigo's eyes widened as he leaned back, his hand on his heart.
"Oh, murder me? Wow...That's the most malicious thing I've ever heard you say, Emora. Honestly...I'm impressed you could even muster up the amount of hate in that golden heart of yours to even whisper that." Daigo smiled.
Emora paused and looked at the Emperor. She opened her mouth to speak, her eyes filled with pain.
"N-No! Who...Who told you anything about me?!" She cried, her voice filled with shame.
Daigo's face scrunched up with disgust. He put his hand over his mouth and gagged into it, shaking his head with disbelief.
"Ugh...That pure side of you makes me want to vomit. What the hell is wrong with you? After all you've been through, after the fight you and I just had, you take back what you said about me?" He asked.
Emora's eyes darted around, her breathing short and quick. She swallowed as she nodded her head, her eyes fixed on the Emperor.
Daigo scoffed. He looked around at Zhao and Kiyoshi, slowly starting to laugh. "What the fuck? Who in hell does that?! Goddamn! You're far too naïve, Emora. Your guileless nature can be quite troublesome sometimes, you know that? I envy your purity, trust me, I do. But at the same time..."
Daigo spat on the ground.
"It infuriates me."
Emora stayed silent, her heart racing. Kiyoshi held onto his Kusarigama chains tightly, making sure that the Warden's hands couldn't move at all. He was looking at the blonde Knight, pondering her persona. She was fully concentrated on Daigo, no longer looking at him with anger or hate, but with hope and innocence. The Shinobi exhaled quietly underneath his mask, wondering just who he was holding hostage.
"Please...I'm begging you Daigo, just let them go...You can do anything you want to me, but please...Just don't hurt them!" Emora pleaded.
Daigo shrugged and turned to the prisoners. "I'm not going to be hurting them at all! Hell, I haven't even done as little as touch them, Emora-san. The one who's going to be hurting them is coming in a little bit."
Emora froze up for a few seconds, a cold wave of shivers running through her entire body. "Airi isn't going to do what you tell her to! She won't kill them! I swear Daigo...If you force her to...I'll...I'll..."
"What? You'll kill me? Murder me? Fucking murder me?" Daigo mocked.
"N-No...I...Daigo just don't...Don't...I'm begging you! Please! Please don't! Kill me! Just kill me! I'm the one you hate, not them!" Emora cried.
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!" Daigo bellowed.
"DAIGO, JUST SPARE THEM FOR MY LIFE! I'M FUCKING BEGGING YOU!"
"Kneel before me then! I know a Knight's pride is too big to do that! A Warden's pride and reputation is the most important thing to them! A mighty warrior like you has to have some honor! And if you don't, you're nothing but a pitiful vigilante!" Daigo yelled, he pointed at Kiyoshi, who hesitated before unwrapping his chains from Emora's wrists and pushing her forward.
The Warden stumbled forward, stopping a few feet before Daigo. She looked at him, her eyes filled with tears. Her heart hurt with all the pressure. She was not a Warden of excessive pride, but she was a Warden that wanted to uphold her duties and protect those who needed her help. She inched forward, getting closer and closer to Daigo.
The Emperor uneasily started to take steps back, Zhao and Kiyoshi watching closely. The atmosphere was tense and tight, the air heavy and filled with suspense.
Emora stood in front of Daigo, her gaze honest and sincere. She grabbed onto her gauntlet, causing Daigo to jump back, his arms up in defense.
"N-No!" Emora cried, her bare hand out in front of her, reaching out for Daigo. The Emperor's body shook with disbelief as he watched the Warden throw her gauntlet aside, walk forward, grab his hands, and fall onto her knees, her head down, her eyes closed, her fingers wrapped around his palms.
Kiyoshi and Zhao's eyes widened.
Seeing a warrior's pride taken away so easily was a devastating sight. A proud Warden, a strong warrior, a powerful fighter, a loving friend, a caring soul, a golden heart, all fused together into one pure body. The two Samurai watched with shocked stances, their breathing turning uneven at the sight.
Daigo himself was twitching with horror. He felt Emora's soft hands on his own, his entire body tingling with shock. He looked down at the Warden, his mouth arched open, his eyes wide, his arms and legs shaking.
"W-What...The...?" He stammered.
Emora was in tears; she pulled Daigo's hands closer and pressed her forehead against them.
"Daigo...P-Please...Please have mercy..." She implored.
The Emperor slowly started to shake his head.
"Whatever you plan to do...J-Just do it to me..." Emora choked, struggling to stop herself from crying. The Heroes behind Daigo could hear the Warden's begging through the dead silence of the area. They twisted their bodies and moved their legs with effort.
"Emora is that you?!"
"What's happening!? Are you okay?"
"Emora, talk to us!"
The blonde Knight stayed silent. She slowly looked up at Daigo and met his terrified gaze.
"Daigo...I surrender...I'm at your mercy...You've won...You've overpowered me..."
The Emperor couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"You have everything I love...Everything I care about. You've taken it all...It's all under your control. You have my world in the palm of your hands. I'm bowing down to you...I'm kneeling before you! I don't care about my pride...My honor...I just want to save them...My friends...The Myre...Airi...Please..." Emora sobbed quietly.
Daigo shook his head. He pulled his hands back and staggered away from the Warden. Emora gasped as she lost balance and fell onto all fours. She looked up at Kaneko, still not standing up.
"Do you not care about your own life? Is it worthless to you?! Why put others in front of yourself!?" The Emperor yelled.
"I love them, that's why! I want them to be able to live their lives fully! To fulfill all their hopes and dreams...To be able to have a family and live out their lives until the very last day that they can! If you can guarantee me that...Then my own life is the last thing I care about." Emora replied in between fits of short sobs.
Daigo curled his fists up and clutched them tightly. The turned to Zhao and pointed at the shrine.
"Go check on the priest and bathers! Bring her over here. I'm not gonna hear any more of this stupid shit! I didn't go through all of this trouble just to let them go because I'm a nice person. You all tried to jeopardize the future of the Myre; I won't let that go unforgiven!" The Orochi yelled.
Emora got up onto her knees and yelled. "We're trying to save the Myre! Daigo, you're not fit to be the Emperor! Hell, to your parents even know what truly happened to Airi's parents?! Do the people know!? Are you already lying to them?!"
"SHUT UP!" Daigo yelled back.
A few seconds later, Zhao came down the steps of the Shrine dragging someone along. Emora's heart stopped when she spotted the Nobushi skidding and sliding across the circular platform, coming from the right side of the circle.
"A-Airi!" She cried out instinctively.
Hakushi stopped struggling as her strength seemed to multiply. She forced Zhao to a complete stop as she looked around desperately before her eyes landed on the Warden. She immediately began to cry with joy.
"Oh...G-God! Emora! What happened to you?!"
The Warden couldn't respond. Before she could, Zhao pushed Airi forward, allowing Daigo to forcefully grab her by the arm and pull her in front of himself. She was wearing a red and white ceremonial duelist uniform, the type that would be used for a classic Trial-By-Combat.
"Emora-san. If you want to beg anyone for mercy...It's her, not me."
Emora's throat tightened around her thin airflow. Her chest became devoid of all air as the Warden coughed out, struggling to breathe.
"N-No! NO! You can't make her! You can't!"
Daigo laughed maniacally.
"You're going to give me quite the show! Oh...Oh, this will be something to remember!"
"Huh?! W-What's going on!? What's happening?!" Airi cried.
Daigo walked over near the Heroes and observed the stack of weapons that lay near them. He smiled as he picked up a small, crude looking dagger that likely belonged to Elea. He observed it and nodded. He walked back over next to Airi and handed it to her.
"Zhao, bring them all forward. Kiyoshi, help your brother."
Zhao and Kiyoshi both nodded silently. They kicked and pulled the Heroes forward, roughly lining them up a few feet behind Daigo and Airi, and in front of Emora.
Hakushi turned around to look at the seven Heroes, she was still unaware of who they were. Emora watched in horror as Zhao and Kiyoshi began to take the bags off of their heads.
One by one, each Hero gasped for breath as they opened their eyes wide and whipped their heads around, trying to regain their bearings.
"Emora! Airi!" Alban yelled.
"You two are okay! Thank the lord!" Cindra exhaled.
"Hey, we're fine okay? Just focus on the fight!" Apollo said sternly.
"Don't worry about us, we've never felt better!" Elea grinned.
Emora and Airi broke into tears as they looked at the faces of their friends. All of them were bruised and bloody, cuts and gashes all over their faces. One of Apollo's eyes was sealed shut; Cyrus' lip was busted and bleeding. Alban had streaks of blood lining the right side of his face, while Cinder's ears and cheeks were bleeding with deep cuts. Elea's forehead and jaw were purple with bruises, Cindra's elegant smile and beautiful face battered and bloody.
Finally, the worst sight of them all was Katsue. The Shinobi was as pale as a piece of paper, her eyes had lost their vibrant purple color, and they looked faded and dull. Her breathing was slow and raspy. She knelt down, more hunched over than any of the other Heroes. Her long black hair draped over the sides of her head and covered her face entirely. Her long eyelashes and dry lips could barely be seen behind her hair, her foggy eyes were only half open, and her lips parted ever so slightly, lines of thin air flowing in and out of her mouth. She wasn't tied up at all, for she was too weak to even stand on her own.
"K-Katsue!" Emora cried.
"What happened to her?!" Airi yelled out.
Daigo laughed as he crossed his arms.
"Ah yes, the poor Shinobi. We recognized what had happened to her as soon as we saw her. She must've breathed in some of the poison gas...What a shame. She should've just stayed within that purple cloud because she's suffering as she is. Well...We can fix that by putting her out of her misery."
Airi and Emora both turned to Daigo, their eyes filled with shock.
"It's a shame too. I have the antidote right here." Daigo frowned as he raised up a small glass bottle with a tiny wooden cork stuck in its opening. "I was going to fix her up; just so she could watch some of her other friends die, and potentially watch the fight. But I guess I just forgot. How about this? I'll be nice, and make her go first."
Daigo grabbed ahold of Airi and got up behind her. He seized her wrists and forced her hand to Katsue's throat.
"Hold her head up!"
Airi was shaking. She was completely paralyzed as she held the knife in her numb hands.
"Zhao, give me one of those swords!"
The Aramusha did as told. Daigo waved the sword around before lightly jabbing it into Airi's spine. The Nobushi cried out with a small whimper as she felt the tip of the sword press against her back.
"Put your knife to her throat, and lift her head up."
Airi slowly did as told, her eyes fixed on Katsue. As soon as she lifted up the Shinobi's head, they met eyes, causing Airi to cry out in horror.
"KATSUE! I'M SO SORRY!"
"D-Damn it! Daigo, stop this!" Emora yelled, more and more of her anger beginning to seep out.
"This can be very easy or very hard, girls."
Daigo dug Zhao's sword a little deeper into Airi's back as he spoke.
"You two are going to fight, to the death. Your friends are going to watch you fight, and if any of you refuse...I'll force Airi to kill one of these fine Heroes, one by one until they're all dead. As I said, it's very simple. The more you resist, the more of your friends will die. If they all die...Then I'll force you to fight to the death anyway, knowing that you've just wasted seven human lives to your own foolishness." Daigo explained, his voice deep and sinister.
Emora and Airi stared at one another, both of their minds drowning in visions and memories of that fateful day at Jacques' Martial Arts Tournament. Both girls were crying, their sobs desperate and passionate.
"No...No! Please, Daigo...You can't make me fight her!" Emora cried out, Airi shaking her head, her eyes shut tightly, tears seeping out from underneath her eyelids.
"As I figured! Airi and all of your friends have told me that you two simply cannot be forced to harm one another. That's why this is the perfect plan! If you two don't fight, your friends will all die!"
"W-What if we do fight!? Will they live?! Will you let them all live!?" Emora cried out, her voice cracking.
Daigo closed one of his eyes and smirked.
"Of course not. Emora-san, I know you can't bring yourself to harm Airi. She'll be the one to kill you, I know it."
The Warden shivered as her heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it once nothing came out. She was completely cornered, Daigo staring at her knowingly.
"Once you're dead...Airi likely won't be able to move. But...She will get to watch all of her friends get slaughtered anyway."
Emora's pupils grew small as they dilated with her sudden surge of emotion.
"What? You thought I'd let them live? Of course not! I already promised you this, Emora. Neither you...Or your allies...Will be getting out of this Province alive." Daigo said sternly.
The Warden fell forward onto all fours, panting like a dog. She was shaking her head, mumbling under her breath.
"So, you two either refuse to fight, Airi kills all of your friends, then she kills you, and she's left broken and scarred for the rest of her life...OR...You two DO fight, she kills you, I personally kill all of your friends, and she's left broken and scarred for the rest of her life." Daigo smiled cheerfully.
"I...Would...Rather...Die..." Airi whispered.
Emora looked up, her eyes full of fury. She got up onto one knee, and then pulled herself up to her full height.
"Daigo...Y-You monster..."
The Emperor laughed proudly. "My first night as Supreme Emperor is turning out to be a splendid one! Ha! This is great!"
Emora and Airi both stood in silence as Daigo cackled loudly. Kiyoshi and Zhao watched side by side, both dead silent. Elea, Alban, Cyrus, Apollo, Cinder, and Cindra all remained silent, all of them scared for their lives, but overflowing with confidence.
Airi suddenly turned around and knocked Daigo's arm away from her back, her knife mere inches away from his throat.
"NO! I WON'T DO IT!"
She lunged forward, stabbing at Daigo's throat savagely. The Orochi grunted as he jumped back, dodging the fast slashes. He quickly grabbed onto Airi's wrist right as she was about to cut his neck open. His grip was so intense that the Nobushi dropped the knife, screaming out in pain.
"AIRI!" Emora yelled, taking a step forward. Zhao and Kiyoshi watched closely, keeping their eyes on the Warden.
"You stupid bitch," Daigo growled, glaring at Airi. He raised his hand into the air, his eyes filled with anger.
"NO! DAIGO STOP! DON'T HURT HER!"
Airi closed her eyes, tears streaming down her red face.
"DON'T HURT HER!"
Daigo swung his hand forward, his palm open.
"DON'T...HURT HER!"
A loud slap echoed through the area as Daigo struck Airi in the face. The Nobushi's head snapped to the side, a bit of spit flying from her mouth. She stumbled sideways and fell to the floor, crying with stinging pain.
Emora's cheek began to twitch wildly. Her eyes and mouth were wide open, her heart frozen, and her body tense and paralyzed. She stared at Airi and glared up at Daigo, her vision growing blurry from tears of pure rage.
"Y-You..."
Zhao and Kiyoshi put their arms at their sides.
"H-How...Dare...You..."
Daigo held Zhao's sword tightly, taking a few steps back.
"How dare you...H-Hurt..."
Emora shut her eyes tightly; she sucked in air through her gritted teeth, her head shaking from the tension of her slammed jaw. She grabbed onto her bangs with her trembling hands and began to pull on them, her face growing red, her veins clearly visible on her face and neck.
"You've done it now." Cyrus sighed.
"Have fun boys." Cindra winked.
"You're all fucked." Apollo chuckled.
Zhao and Kiyoshi got into battle stances, Daigo stood in front of Emora, Zhao's sword out in front of him.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT AIRI!?" Emora thundered, her voice could be heard throughout the entire Province and beyond its walls, echoing through the forests of the Myre.
The Warden rushed forward, her footsteps heavy and rapid.
In a split second and in a cloud of smoke, Kiyoshi appeared right in front Emora, his kusarigama ready to gut the Warden's stomach open.
"HAH!" Kiyoshi yelled out.
The Shinobi gasped out with surprise as his strike was effortlessly blocked by Emora. He stared at his arm, caught within the blonde Knight's powerful grasp. He watched as she raised her fist, and brought it down upon his temple.
"GAUHH!"
Kiyoshi crashed into the ground and slid to a stop. Blood gushed out from his temple as the Shinobi lay on the ground motionless.
Zhao yelled out as he rushed forward, zipping to the left, and then rushing forward with a blinding amount of speed. He lashed out with his sword, heading straight for Emora's underbelly.
"Huh?!"
Zhao felt himself launch forward, missing his strike completely. He tried to stop himself but found himself unable to do so. He looked to his right to see Emora straightening out after dodging his attack with almost no effort.
"KUUAHHH!"
With a powerful kick to the side of the head, Zhao flew to the side and smashed into the ground. He rolled to a stop and lay on the ground, absolutely limp.
Emora turned to Daigo, her golden hair flowing in the wind, her golden eyes shimmering as they stared at him, tearing through his composure and stabbing into his soul. She ran forward, stomping with every step.
"DAIGO!"
"AHHH!"
With his eyes closed, he thrust Zhao's sword outwards. He suddenly felt as Emora fell silent, her scream and movement completely ceasing.
"NO!"
"NOO!"
"Emora!"
"OH FUCK!"
"NO!"
"Emora, NO!"
Airi's head surged with pain as she gasped out every ounce of air in her lungs.
"EMORA!"
The Nobushi's cry fell short as her eyes rolled up into her head and she fell to the side, landing right into Katsue's weak arms.
"Airi..." The weak Shinobi uttered.
Hakushi's eyelids flickered as she regained consciousness. She looked up at the Shinobi, her expression pained and dreadful.
"K-Katsue..." Airi moaned quietly, her head aching. She winced with discomfort as she tried to recover from the drain of fainting.
The Shinobi slowly smiled.
"Just trust me...Okay?"
Airi looked at her friend with confusion. "Wha...?"
"Just trust me...Do what he wants you to do. Stall...For time. Just...A little...L-Longer..."
"Huh? What're you talking about Katsue?!" Airi cried as she sat up, trying to keep Katsue conscious.
"J-Just...Trust...Me..." The Shinobi managed to whisper as she spat up a bit of blood.
Airi looked up, her eyes wide. She gently placed Katsue down on the ground and got up onto her feet, tears streaming down her face.
"Emora!"
The Warden grit her teeth as she staggered back, a large red stain on her abdomen. She coughed and gargled on her own blood as she pressed both of her hands on her stomach, trying to cover up her fresh stab wound.
Daigo chuckled as he drew his sword back, the tip of it dripping with Emora's blood. He watched as Airi rushed forward and held onto Emora tightly.
"Emora! Oh my god, Emora! You'll be okay...Y-You'll be okay, please just hang on, Emora! Please!" Airi cried, she wrapped her arms around the Warden and kissed her cheeks.
A small smile came over the Warden's face as she closed her eyes, letting Airi smother her with care. She panted lightly, trying to forget about the jabbing pain in her stomach.
Zhao and Kiyoshi both slowly began to get back up on their feet. They growled and groaned as they stood back up, holding their heads in pain. They shook their heads and focused on Emora, their eyes filled with intent. Daigo raised his hand, signaling for both of them to stay put.
"Emora...Rip your shirt...You have to stop that bleeding!" Airi suggested, her voice filled with panic.
The Warden slowly nodded. Hakushi watched as Emora ripped off the entire bottom half of her shirt, revealing her midriff, which was lined with fresh blood. She wrapped the rag around her body tightly, making sure to suppress the stab wound. Emora breathed in and out of her mouth, feeling the tension in her stomach area.
"Airi...You're okay..."
Emora rushed into Airi's arms, the two girls hugged tightly, digging their faces in each other's necks.
The other Heroes smiled, Zhao and Kiyoshi watching in silence. Alban's expression turned to one of alertness as Daigo began to angrily pace forward.
"Emora! Airi! Look out!" The Highlander yelled out.
The two separated and turned to Daigo, both releasing short shrieks. His katana barely missed the two Heroes as he fiercely swung it forward.
"Tgh!" Kaneko grunted out as he stumbled forward, he looked towards Emora as she raised her fist, ready to deck him in the face. He dodged the strike and seized the Warden's forearm, pulling back with all of his strength. He sensed Airi coming in, and delivered a quick kick to her stomach before she could even attack.
"AH!" Airi squealed as she stumbled backward, holding her stomach. She panted as she looked at Daigo, who was holding Emora by the neck, Zhao's sword to her throat.
"You two...Fight for me...Now!" He said in a raspy voice.
"NO! Never!" Airi cried.
Emora grunted meekly, holding onto Daigo's arm with both of her hands. She looked at Airi with teary eyes. She struggled to swallow her own spit as she began to speak.
"Don't do it Airi...J-Just let me die. You know I can't fight you...Do your best to get the others out of here..." Emora croaked.
Airi shook her head wildly, tears falling from her eyes like rain. She choked on sobs and sniffled loudly as she tried to speak, her throat tight and constricted.
"No...No, I won't fight you!" She sobbed, completely forgetting what Katsue had told her. The only thing the Nobushi wanted was to feel loved by Emora again. The overwhelming amount of emotions that ran through her blinded her sanity. Seeing the love of her life again, torn, bloody, and battle-scarred, it broke her heart. She just wanted to help her, but she couldn't. She felt scared of losing her, of being left alone in a cold, unforgiving world with no true friends, with no people she could trust. The lives of her friends and lover were all in danger, and it was all too much—far too much.
"Airi! Just fight her! You have to!" Elea yelled.
"Come on! Airi, please!" Cyrus hollered.
"Please Airi...Please just fight!" Cindra sobbed.
Airi couldn't move. Her eyes darted from place to place, Daigo's furious face, Emora's debilitated and weak expression, her friends' yelling, Zhao and Kiyoshi standing in guard. The shrine, the watchtower, the water fountain, peacefully spilling water into its banks...
The Nobushi couldn't do it. She failed to pull through.
"Ggh—Ah...I can't...I don't want to..."
She fell to her knees, sobbing loudly. Her tears spilled onto the stone, leaving tiny little puddles that seeped into the cracks and created little rivers.
Daigo closed his eyes and shook his head, easing the blade of the knife closer to Emora's throat.
The Warden looked to her friends, Alban and Katsue both staring at her.
"Emora. You're the only one who can save us." The Highlander muttered.
Her gaze turned to Katsue, her eyes nearly white with lifelessness. Her mouth was barely open, her body barely moving. Like a reanimated corpse, her eyes slowly shifted to look at Emora, her faded purple irises flashing brightly in the coming moonlight.
"Do it..."
Emora let out a small gasp, she realized that all of her friends had stopped yelling, and were now eyeing her, making signals towards the sky. They were nodding.
The Warden thought of Katsue, and how Daigo had her antidote. She thought of the lives of her friends, how she could potentially save them if she just trusted them. She thought of the people of the Myre, how their lives are going to change for the worse if she let Daigo rule. She thought of Airi, how her life would be destroyed if she had to spend the rest of her days living with Kaneko, knowing that she was the reason all of her friends were dead.
A Knight of the Azure Legion couldn't let that happen.
"I'll fight her! I'll do it, Daigo! I'll do it!" Emora said firmly.
Airi's eyes widened. Her face was petrified as she looked up at Emora, her jaw shaking uncontrollably. Her entire body quivering with disbelief.
Daigo's eyes widened. "Oh? You've changed your mind, Emora-san?"
The Warden slowly nodded her head.
"I might as well just get it over with..."
"Alright then. Go on!"
Daigo shoved Emora forward, the Warden skipping on her feet before stopping herself. She stood in front of Airi, her eyes shining.
"Airi...Fight me."
The Nobushi shook her head.
"NO! WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU?! I CAN'T FIGHT YOU! YOU KNOW I WON'T! I WON'T, EMORA!" Airi yelled angrily.
Emora curled her fists up and lowered her stance. She arched her legs and put her guard up, one of her arms covering her stomach, the other right below her chin. She looked at Airi intently, tears welling in them as she tried to calm her shaky breathing.
"No weapons...This is perfect! You'll have to beat each other to a pulp in order to kill! I'll enjoy every second of this!" Daigo laughed.
Airi slowly stood back up, her legs crumbling beneath her weight. She stared at Emora, her face full of hurt, her eyes with a look of pain so strong; Emora could barely stand to look at her.
"Emora..." She moaned. "I love you..."
The Warden's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed heavily, closing her eyes. She took a short deep breath, exhaling strongly through her nose. She looked up at Airi, tears trickling down her cheeks.
"I love you too."
Emora shuffled forward, her guard steady. Airi panicked as she skipped back, still crying. The two circled one another, the other Heroes watching in terror.
"No fucking way...Jesus Christ!" Cinder muttered under his breath.
"I don't believe this...Goddamn it!" Apollo growled.
"They just need to hang on...Come on..." Alban prayed.
Cindra had her head down, unable to speak at all. Her sobs were quiet but powerful.
Elea was quietly grunting as she shifted in her kneeling stance. Her eyes were filled with concentration, her movements subtle and sharp. Her breathing was calm and collected, she slowly began to grin as she looked up, turning to Cyrus.
"What're you smiling about? This is serious, Elea!" The golden Warden urged.
"I know. But down in that cellar...Katsue managed to whisper something to me while I sat next to her. We have a plan." The Berserker winked.
Cyrus' eyes widened. He looked over at Katsue, whose eyes were fixed on the sky. The golden Warden looked up at the sky, his eyes landing on the still setting sun.
"Okay...Talk, Elea."
Daigo clapped and cheered as he watched the show before him. He playfully called Zhao and Kiyoshi over, leaning on their shoulders as they watched in silence.
"Ah! Emora, no!" Airi waved her hands out in front of her, hesitating with every single move she took.
"Just fight with me, damn it!" Emora yelled.
The Warden's footwork was precise and quick. She lined her legs up with her punches, giving them extra force. Airi cried out and shrieked every time she blocked a strike.
Emora threw three blows, all of which were dodged by the Nobushi. She began to speed up and pick up her pace. Airi's arms began to sting as she continued to block her face and body.
"Ah! Emora, just stop! AH! GH!"
"We have to do this! I won't let anyone else die!" The Warden cried.
Emora's fist collided with Airi's forearm; the raw power in the hit broke her guard and allowed her to follow up with a second attack. Airi moved her head to the side, squealing as she did so. Instinctively, she took advantage, cracking her fist out at Emora's head.
"OH!" Daigo whooped.
Emora stumbled back, the side of her head aching with pain. She put her hand on her ear, moaning quietly.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! Emora I'm sorry! Please, please Emora...Forgive me—Please! I'm so...So sorry...!" Airi cried, her hands shaking as she dropped her guard.
"You're wide open!"
Emora rushed forward, slid forward on one foot, and then launched her other leg outwards. Airi cried out with effort as she crossed her arms in front of her torso, barely blocking the Warden's kick. The Nobushi slid back on the stone platform, her boots powdered up from beneath.
Her arms felt numb as she looked at her own trembling hands in horror.
"I hit you...I hit you, Emora..." She sobbed.
Airi barely had any time at all to react. She threw her arm out, countering one of Emora's hits. She turned to block another, then another, and another. Her eyes were fixed on Emora's knuckles, her fists moving with towards her body in rhythm.
"HAH!"
The Nobushi let Emora's fist sink into her palm, she quickly jabbed her in the heart with her wrist, knocking the wind clean out of Emora's lungs. Airi thrust her fist out, punching Emora square in the face.
"AHH!"
"OAH!"
The Warden stumbled back, her head flung backward. She lowered her stance as she shut her teary eyes tightly, covering her nose and mouth with both of her hands.
"Oh no...Emora!"
Airi rushed forward, trying to help the Warden.
"NO! Fuck..." Emora cried, holding her hand out. Airi came to a sharp stop, her heart racing.
The Warden was completely disoriented. Her eyes were filled with tears as she blinked rapidly, trying to recover from her stunned state. She slowly took her hands off of her face, when she did so, Airi let out a short gasp as she slapped her hands over her mouth.
"N-NO!" The Nobushi cried aloud.
"Heh...Now that's what I'm talkin' about..." Emora mumbled quietly, wiping a bit of blood from her nose.
"You drew blood...I made you draw blood! Emora, I can't do this! I can't! STOP!" Airi waved her hands out in front of her.
Emora shook her head. "Of course you can. Airi..."
The Warden took a few steps forward, Airi standing with her arms at her sides, sobbing with her eyes shut tight. She grew serious as she looked at the Samurai, crying and weeping like a small child. She remembered Jacques' Martial Arts Tournament, she remembered exactly what had happened. She didn't want to fight Airi; she couldn't bring herself to fight her. But now, it was the complete opposite. She needed to fight Airi, only this time; it was the Nobushi that didn't want to fight back.
Emora stood right in front of Airi, her voice soft as she spoke.
"This is going to hurt..."
"Wha—AHH!"
Blood splattered onto the ground as Airi released a strained cry of utter pain. Her mouth dripped with blood as her body folded over Emora's fist, which was dug into the Nobushi's gut.
Emora gently put her other hand on Airi's back; she leaned forward a bit and whispered into her ear.
"Just fight me...Katsue needs that antidote... You need to try to convince Daigo. I can't let them die...Just kill me...It's what he wants the most." Emora sobbed.
Airi swallowed her own blood and shut her jaw tightly, trying to suppress the massive amount of pain she felt. She clutched her fist tightly, looking at Emora in the eyes.
"Emora?"
"W-What...?"
"This is going to hurt."
"What're you—GUUUAH!"
Emora's eyes nearly flew out of her skull as she flopped forward, her body collapsing entirely. She felt Airi's fist sharply dig into her stomach, the Nobushi pressing forward, causing Emora to double over even farther.
"Katsue told me to trust her...To stall for time...But I can't bear hurting you!" Airi whispered back.
Emora fell forward onto the floor, holding her stomach in pain. She curled up and moaned quietly, unable to stand up at all.
"Very nice, Hakushi. Now that she's down...Go ahead and kill her."
Airi hesitated, her heartbeat once again accelerating.
"Get up, Emora...Get up..."
The Warden placed her arm out in front of her; she coughed a few times, trying to recover her strength.
"Get up...Come on...Get up!"
Emora got up on one knee; she fell back down, onto all fours, crying softly.
"GET UP!"
Finally, Emora managed to get a grip on her knee and push herself up back up. She wobbled around a bit before staring at Airi.
"That was one hell of a punch...Just keep that up...We'll be fine." The Warden moaned, holding her stomach.
Airi shook her head. "I'm sorry...Emora..."
Emora scoffed. "Just keep going!"
The Warden rushed forward, throwing and pulling back her fists at a rapid pace. She threw sharp, quick jabs with both of her hands, occasionally swinging a full-fledged hook attack when comfortable. Airi grunted and yelped with every strike, she kept her arms out in front of her face, harshly blocking the blows.
Both Heroes had tears of fear and sadness dribbling down their faces as they fought. They looked at each other in the eye, not breaking eye-contact. Daigo crossed his arms and smirked, cheering whenever one of the girls struck each other.
"Ggh!"
Airi staggered back as she blocked a strong punch with her right arm. She watched as Emora jumped up into the air, her fist raised.
"Dodge it!"
Emora's fist cracked into the ground as Airi ducked out of the way. She cried out with heartfelt pain as she flung her foot upwards, kicking the Warden right in the stomach.
"GAHH!"
Blood spewed out of Emora's mouth as her body jerked back. She coughed a few times before she got back into position, looking at the Nobushi with a light smile.
"You've gotten stronger since the last time we spared..."
Airi let out a small sob as she shook her head.
"That bastard is enjoying this! It's bullshit!" The Nobushi cried, glancing towards Daigo.
Emora exhaled and looked at Hakushi with glimmering eyes. "I don't like it either...But I swear to you Airi...I'll make sure everything is fixed to the way it's supposed to be."
"You promise...?" Airi whispered back.
"I promise." Emora nodded.
"Hey! You either fight or you die!" Daigo yelled, he angrily stormed over to the other Heroes and put a knife to Alban's throat.
"NO!" Emora cried.
Airi's heart froze as she saw the Highlander's blue eyes become filled with an unmatched fear. He grit his teeth with resistance, trying to stay composed against the Emperor.
"A-Alban..."
The Nobushi put her arm out in front of her, reaching for Daigo.
"STOP! DON'T HURT HIM!" She cried.
Emora paused. Her eyes widened as she turned to look at the Nobushi with a surprised expression. She saw the pain in Airi's eyes, the deep regret, the feeling of guilt so powerful; it could shatter a person like the faint-hearted Samurai.
Alban's eyes rested upon Airi, streaks of sweat trickling down the sides of his head. He broke into a small smile, looking at the Nobushi with genuine forgiveness.
Airi's heart shattered. She let out a desperate cry as she fell onto her knees, crying loudly.
"Daigo! Let him go! LET ALBAN GO! NOW!"
Emora rushed forward and picked up Airi from behind. She held her tightly, squeezing her arms together around the Samurai's sleek body.
"Just fight, Airi! He'll be okay!" The Warden yelled.
Daigo looked down at the Highlander, who met his angry gaze with his own. They glared at each other for a few seconds, a small tension building between them. Eventually, Kaneko looked away, turning his attention back to the fight. Alban growled as he put his head down, looking at his fellow Heroes.
"Fuck...I don't think I've ever been more scared in my entire life before this." The Highlander chuckled.
"Yeah, me neither. I certainly didn't expect everything to end like this..." Cinder sighed.
"Just relax. If what Katsue told us is true...Then we still have a chance." Elea said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at the white Shinobi. Her hair was messily spilled everywhere, she was sprawled out on the ground, a bit of dried blood next to her mouth. Her eyes were closed, dried tears lined her cheeks. Her chest and back went up and down, in synch with her shallow breaths.
"She's totally out of it..." Apollo grumbled.
"We have to trust her," Cyrus said sternly.
Cindra had stopped crying but still had her head down. She looked up to see Emora and Airi trading punches and exchanging stares of misery. She sniffled a few times, her silver eyes darting around at the sky.
"Are you okay now?" Cinder asked gently.
"I-I'm fine...I just...I don't know if I can take this for much longer..." Cindra whimpered.
"Just try and calm down. We need to be ready. Elea...Are you done?" Cinder asked.
The Berserker winked, indirectly answering the Commander's question.
"Okay...Now we just let them drag on. It must be hard on them." Cinder shook his head, frowning angrily.
The other Heroes all nodded in agreement, their expressions solemn as they watched.
"AH! Gh—UGH!"
Airi did her best to pull her punches, but she could tell that Emora's hits had no real force. She pressed on, her blows quick and chained. She grunted rhythmically, looking the Warden in the eyes as she fought.
"Emora...I won't let him live...I swear it!"
The Nobushi steadily grew angrier; she unconsciously began to hold back less and less, until finally, she broke loose a full power roundhouse kick.
"Woah!"
Airi's leg cracked into Emora's forearm, the Warden stumbled a bit to the left, staring at Airi with shocked eyes.
"EMORA! I'LL KILL HIM! I SWEAR I WILL!"
The Nobushi threw a barrage of powerful melee attacks that Emora half-blocked, half-tanked. The Warden skipped back, her heart racing.
"Airi! Calm down!"
"Yes! Her inner maliciousness is showing again! THIS IS THE SIDE OF AIRI THAT I WANTED TO SEE AGAIN!" Daigo laughed loudly.
"Oh no..." Alban murmured to himself, recognizing that vile spark in Airi's eyes. He remembered the looks she gave him during their fight, the sound of her voice, the way her pain reflected with every action she displayed. He realized that the Nobushi had been through so much.
She may be delicate and fragile, but she's strong. Being able to bottle up her emotions so effectively, so perfectly, so wickedly well that she seems happy and innocent on the outside takes an insane amount of self-control. The only reason he was alive was that she managed to suppress her raging storm of emotions. If she hadn't been able to do so, Airi would've killed him with her one-inch-punch.
Suddenly, Alban didn't blame Airi at all for what she did. He couldn't bring himself to blame Airi for occasionally venting her emotions out during her fights. The only effective way she could do so was through combat. She can't just bottle her emotions up forever, it would drive her crazy. The Highlander watched attentively as Airi began to anger more and more, Emora failing to detect the fiery flames of fury in her eyes.
"HAH! GRAH! I'LL...KILL...HIM!"
Airi drove her fist deep into Emora's stomach.
"GLUURAAAGGH!"
She then brought her knuckles down on her head with a powerful down-cut.
"AAUH!"
Afterward, she plunged her fist upwards, smashing her fist into the Warden's jaw with an uppercut, causing her head to snap back.
"KAAHH!"
Finally, Airi twirled around, seemingly coming in for a back-kick. Instead, she used her spin as a way to power up, and boost her momentum for the real attack. With a final kick to the head and a loud yell of rage, Airi had finished the fight.
"UH—"
Blood flew through the air as Emora flew back several feet, smashing into the stairs of the platform. She lay on the floor, blood leaking from her mouth, her body numb and limp.
"Oh...My goodness." Daigo exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Zhao and Kiyoshi lifted her heads up, getting a better look at Emora's body. They glanced at Hakushi with grunts that showed respect.
"No...Airi!" Alban yelled out.
"What did you do?!" Cyrus roared.
"Emora!?" Cinder yelled.
Airi snapped out of her rage-state. She looked around, panting furiously.
"W-What happened?! What...I..."
She spotted Emora lying on the floor in front of her, not moving at all, a small pool of blood near her head.
"E-Emora!? EMORA!? Oh my god—EMORA!?"
Airi rushed over to the Warden, crying passionately. She turned her over, blood was leaking from the sides of her mouth, seeping out of her nose, and dripping down the sides of her head. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted.
She wasn't breathing.
"Oh my god..."
Airi's entire body began to tremble ferociously. Her hands quaked, her eyes and cheeks twitched, her heart stopped, her breathing ceased. She slowly looked up at the sky, her mouth gradually opening.
"You've done it, Airi. You've killed her. You killed the love of your life."
Daigo stood behind the Nobushi, hands in his pockets, topless, fresh cuts and blood still glistening on his face and chest. But through all of that, he was still smiling.
All the other Heroes were in tears. Their eyes were wide, their faces wet, their mouths wide with terror.
Airi fell onto all fours; she pressed her forehead on the ground, her pupils were nothing but tiny black specks in her irises. She grabbed onto the sides of her head and pulled on her hair, slowly releasing small grunts of pain.
"Tgh...Gah...W-What..."
She got up onto her knees, still pulling on her hair, her teeth clasped together tightly, her veins throbbing out of her face and neck. Endless amounts of tears poured from her eyes, but she was barely sobbing.
"What have I...D-Done..."
"You did the right thing. Good work, Airi. Now...To finish the job."
Daigo placed his hand on Airi's shoulder. As soon as he did, the Nobushi bolted up onto her feet and grabbed the Emperor by the throat, her eyes burning.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Airi threw Daigo back, the Emperor landed on his back, grunting loudly on impact. He slowly sat up, staring at the Nobushi in shock.
"What the fuck?"
Hakushi's eyes darted around, almost like a savage animal. She turned back to Emora, her teeth chattering. She slowly began to moan, her moan turned into a shaky shout until finally, she let out a blood-curdling cry of pain.
"EMOORAAA!"
The Heroes closed their eyes and looked away, Daigo, Kiyoshi, and Zhao covered their ears with their hands, also looking away from Airi. Flocks of birds flew off into the skies from their perches in nearby trees, bushes rustled with the sound of fleeing animals.
Airi fell onto her knees, sprawling all over Emora's body, digging her face into her chest.
Daigo dusted himself off as he stood back up.
"Well...It's done. Airi, come. You must now kill your friends, as I that was part of the plan."
Alban slowly gritted his teeth, his jaw quivering. He slowly looked to Katsue.
"K-K...Katsue..."
The Shinobi was silently crying.
"A...A..."
Alban leaned in, his throat tight.
"Al...M...Mos..."
"What? Katsue...P-Please..."
The Shinobi's eyes flashed purple for a split second, life returned to her face as she rolled over, sweating profoundly.
"They're coming...Almost."
"Huh?!" Alban retorted.
The Highlander watched as Daigo grabbed Katsue by the neck and dragged her across the platform. He dropped her body behind Airi, grinning.
"She'll be the first, Airi. Whenever you're ready."
The Nobushi couldn't hear him. Her crying was far too loud. She caressed Emora's face, her tears falling onto the Warden's face.
"Emora...Please...Please come back..."
"Airi, come! The sooner we're done, the sooner we can bathe!" Daigo yelled.
"Please...You can't leave me here...You can't..."
"Airi! Hurry! This doesn't have to be that difficult!"
"Emora...I'm begging you...Please! Don't abandon me again!"
"AIRI!"
"EMORA! I NEED YOU! I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU!"
"Tgh—THAT'S IT!"
Daigo's patience shattered as he stormed forward, heading straight for Airi.
"Emora!"
Daigo was mere feet away.
"Emora!"
He reached out for the Nobushi.
"EMORA!"
Suddenly, a loud explosion could be heard from the manor. It caught the attention of everyone as they all looked up, turning with wide eyes to the large house.
Yelling and shouting could be heard everywhere, a loud united battle cry rang out through the entire Province, like the sound of an army charging into battle. The noise thundered into the ears of the Heroes, giving them their last glimpse of hope.
"YEAH!"
Elea ripped out of her rope binds; she stood up tall, her muscles flexed with tension. She had been picking and gradually cutting through the ropes with the use of pure friction and rubbing. Her wrists were swollen red and bleeding a bit, but at least she was free.
"GO, ELEA! GO!"
"NANI?!" Zhao and Kiyoshi yelled out in unison. They both launched Kunai's at the Berserker, but she dodged both of them, sprinting back to get her axes.
Once she had grabbed ahold of them, she threw them at Cyrus and Apollo, cutting perfectly between their tied hands, barely missing their wrists.
"YES!"
"NICE AIM!"
Both Heroes stood up, putting their guards up as Zhao and Kiyoshi rushed forward.
"Put em up, Zhao!" Cyrus grinned.
"Let's do this, Kiyoshi!" Apollo smirked.
"Otsugi-Gowesemai-Das!" Zhao yelled.
"Finaru...Kusarigama-dan!" Kiyoshi shouted.
Zhao sprinted forward, Kiyoshi grabbing onto him with his Kusarigama. The two both launched forward at a blinding speed. Kiyoshi landed in front of Zhao as they sprinted forward, they split, then hopped near each other. They both disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared on either side of Cyrus and Apollo, their legs up in powerful dropkicks.
"KGH!"
"NGH!"
Cyrus and Apollo stood back to back, their arms crossed in front of their bodies, blocking the combined attack perfectly. They bashed the Samurai's legs aside, then catapulted their own into their chests.
"GAH!"
"UAH!"
Zhao flew back and backflipped onto his knees, panting lightly.
Kiyoshi disappeared in a cloud of smoke, he reappeared a few feet away from Cyrus, on the ground, coughing.
"Nice one." Cyrus winked.
"Yeah, I know." Apollo grinned.
Daigo staggered back as he watched a bright light emerging from the Hakushi Manor. He let out a few quiet stutters as he realized that...It was on fire.
"NO! NO! KIYOSHI! ZHAO!"
The Emperor turned around in horror, watching as his two best fighters rushed to him, fleeing their fights with the Heroes.
Cinder, Alban, and Cindra were both standing once again, their weapons in their hands. Elea twirled her axes around, grinning wildly. Apollo swung around his gladius, Cyrus with his golden longsword over his shoulder.
Daigo, Kiyoshi, and Zhao all stood together, facing the 6 Heroes. Just then, they all turned to the rear doors of the Manor, watching as dozens upon dozens of Seinaru Guards flooded out from the burning manor. They sprinted towards the shine, yelling and shouting. Something was off though. It didn't seem like they were charging, or attacking, but instead...Running. Running from something...Or someone...Or...Lots of someones.
The guards regrouped with Daigo, all shouting and panicking in Japanese. Just then, their pursuers scattered out into the garden. Katsue's eyes brightened with happiness.
The civilians of the Hakushi Province stood together in opposition of their rulers. They all held katanas and shields, and all wore light armor padding.
Alban slammed into Daigo, grabbing something from his belt, and pushing him forward.
"What the—What did you—"
The Highlander rushed back, Cindra and Cinder standing in front of him in defense.
"Katsue...Drink this...Just stay calm, okay?"
Alban gently held the small bottle up to the Shinobi's lips. He slowly poured its liquid into her mouth, Katsue drinking it with her eyes shut tight. The bottle emptied, Alban put it down and helped the Shinobi sit up.
"Breathe..."
Katsue's chest went up and down with her breaths. She panted heavily, her eyes closed with concertation. She rested her hand on her heart, astonished she was still breathing.
Alban watched as the Shinobi's eyes flushed with life. Their vibrant purple color flooded back, their sparkling appearance shined back with a powerful flash. Katsue clutched her fists as she took a deep breath. She looked up at Alban, a small grin on her face.
"I told you."
The Highlander smiled.
"Yeah, you did."
Daigo's breathing was uneven and panicked. He and his men were stuck in between six, now seven Heroes, and dozens of angry civilians, more still to come who did not make it through the still burning Manor just yet.
"D-Damn it...My men...Fight! Fight them off! Do not surrender! Fight until your last breath!"
The Seinaru guards raised their blades and put their shields up, they yelled out with power as they turned to the Heroes and civilians. The people all charged forward, releasing their own battle cry.
Daigo turned to Zhao, his eyes full of fear and cowardice.
"Zhao! Take me to the shrine! I'm not dying to these mere civilians! And I'm definitely not dying to these fools!"
The Aramusha looked at the Emperor in silence. After a few seconds, he slowly nodded his head.
Daigo turned to Kiyoshi, his expression stern and intimidating.
"Kiyoshi. Do whatever it takes to kill Airi and her friends. But especially Airi. She has defiled my honor and pride...And completely humiliated and betrayed me! I don't even want to see her after this. Whatever it takes...Just get it done. I trust you." The Emperor said firmly.
Kiyoshi nodded his head slowly, he watched as Daigo ran in front of Zhao, looking back at the Heroes with an expression of pure hatred.
"You've all ruined everything! EVERYTHING!"
The Heroes watched as Daigo and Zhao fled to the shrine, closing the door, and sealing it. They all shrugged and turned to Katsue, who was stretching and cracking her bones.
"How are you feeling, Kat?" Cyrus asked.
"Right as rain, Cy...Right as rain." The Shinobi replied, coughing a few times.
She turned to Alban, who was kneeling next to Airi. Her heartbeat picked up as she hurried over, kneeling next to the two Heroes.
"Oh god...W-What happened?! How...How is she...?"
Tears emerged from Katsue's eyes; they spilled down her face as the Shinobi stared at Emora's lifeless body.
Alban had his head down, his teeth grit, his tears dripping off of his face and onto the ground.
Katsue shook her head; she looked around, her face red with dejection. Suddenly, she looked up, her eyes bright.
"No...We can bring her back! We have to hurry...How long has it been since she stopped breathing?" Katsue asked.
"A few minutes...About...Two maybe? All of this happened so fast...I don't believe it. H-How do you feel—" Alban said, his voice shaky.
"I'm okay, now hurry! Take her on top of the watchtower! Come on!"
"W-What?! What for?!" Alban yelled.
Katsue grabbed onto Alban's face, she looked deep into his eyes, her face serious.
"Just trust me."
Alban froze. He shut his mouth as he nodded his head.
He carefully picked up the limp Warden, Katsue watching painfully. She knelt down next to Airi and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Airi...Come with us. There still might be a chance."
The Nobushi shook her head. She held a knife in her hands, tears streaming down her face.
"K-Katsue...I...I...Was the one who...K-Killed...Her..."
Katsue's heart skipped a beat. She turned to Alban, her eyes wide. The Highlander only closed his eyes and nodded. But he looked at the Shinobi with a look of reassurance.
"W-Was it because you were angry?" Katsue asked.
Airi looked up at the Shinobi, her eyes shining. "Y-Yes..."
The Shinobi smiled.
"That doesn't matter anymore. We need to focus on bringing her back."
"What're you going to do?" Airi asked.
Katsue pointed up at the watchtower.
"My grandmother always used to tell me that any sickness can be cured with enough moonlight and some divine water. We don't have divine water...Priests usually have it."
"The shrine!" Airi squealed.
Katsue grinned.
"We rest her body in the moonlight, and we pour that water into her mouth. Then...We pray to the gods that they give her life back to her mortal body."
"I don't get it. What's pouring some water into her body going to do?" Alban asked.
Katsue looked up at the Highlander, frowning.
"We help her drink it. We give her air, we pump her heart, and we try to wake her up. I'll get the divine water, you two take her up to the tower, okay?" Katsue asked.
"Okay," Alban said firmly.
The Highlander and Nobushi both made their way towards the tower, while Katsue sprinted towards the Shrine. She held the glass bottle that her antidote used to be in, in her hands. She closed her eyes and prayed as she ran.
"Emora...You can't leave us at a time like this. We need you."
Inside the Shrine...
Daigo and Zhao both leaned up against the walls of the shrine, panting. The priest and the bathers both looked at the two fighters in confusion.
"What is happening out there, my lord?" The Priest asked.
"You don't want to know. Zhao, do you know another way back to the manor? We have to get out of the Province...The back exit gate is sealed...I had it torn down myself in fear that Hakushi would use it to escape. I'm such a fool!"
The Aramusha nodded his head; he opened another door to the shrine and looked out back. He turned back to Daigo and signaled outside.
"There's another way around?" He asked.
Zhao nodded.
"Then take me. I have to get out of here."
Zhao nodded a single time before starting out the door. Daigo followed, but before he did, he turned to the priest.
"The marriage is off. Everything is in flames."
With those words, Daigo shut the door behind him, abandoning his entire throne.
The Priest and bathers all exchanged confused glances. They all began to clean up until someone barged through the door.
"HAH!"
Everyone in the room let out shrieks of fear as Katsue burst into the shrine room. She pointed at the Priest, her eyes narrowed in anger.
"Divine water, now! Someone is in need, and they need something to drink. Something that can get them blessed by the gods themselves." The Shinobi yelled.
The Priest nodded his head in fear. He pointed a small tub in the room, candles surrounded the rub, a sacred painting was held above the tub, displaying two dragons flying in the heavens, two Japanese gods, Susano and Amaterasu, fighting over the fate of Japan.
Katsue dipped the small bottle into the tub, waited for it to fill, and then closed it up with its small cork. She dashed out of the door and towards the watchtower, leaving the Priest confused and scared.
Atop the tower, Emora laid on a wooden table. Airi was still crying softly, Alban with his hands clenched into tight fists.
"Where is she..."
"I'm here!"
Katsue looked up at the moon, her tears welling in her eyes, glimmered in its dim light. Airi and Alban looked up at her, shaking their heads.
"This isn't possible...Katsue...She's dead." Alban said bluntly.
Airi flinched. She held both of her hands close to her heart and walked up to Emora.
Katsue touched Emora's face with her fingertips. She opened her mouth and emptied the bottle. She turned to Alban with a serious face.
"Start pumping her heart. I'll give her air. We have to try and bring her back the good old fashioned way."
"What's the moonlight for?" Alban asked.
Katsue let out a sob as she looked up at the Highlander, a single tear trickling down her cheek.
"For good luck."
Airi watched as Alban began to press down on Emora's heart with both of his hands. Katsue pinched the tip of Emora's nose and separated her lips. She sealed her mouth with her own and then blew air down her throat. Airi leaned forward, trying to detect some sign of life from the Warden.
"Keep trying!"
Alban grunted as he folded his fingers around his palm, getting a tighter grip on his pumps. Emora's body jerked as Alban pressed down on her heart forcefully. Katsue blew air into her mouth desperately, trying to supply the Warden's lungs with oxygen, and potentially get enough momentum to get her heart beating again.
Airi grabbed onto Emora's hand, she rubbed her fingertips against her smooth palm, she stroked her soft fingers and flinched at her cold fingertips.
"She's cold...She's getting cold..." Airi sobbed quietly.
"She's getting pale too. We need to hurry!" Alban urged, he grit his teeth and sped up his pace. "Come on! Come on! Emora...You have to pull through...Please..."
Katsue took in a large amount of air as she opened up Emora's mouth again and blew it all out; making sure her lips fully sealed any openings. She put her fingers in the crevice of the Warden's neck, feeling for a pulse.
"Come on...Fuck!"
The Shinobi poured a bit more water into the Warden's mouth. It disappeared down her throat, Emora making no movement at all.
Airi began to sob more loudly. She looked up at the night sky, the moon shining down on the four Heroes. It shined down on Emora's pale skin, her beautiful golden hair, her flawless face, her fit body. Her shirt was torn, rags tied around her stomach. Her pants bloody and dirty, her boots worn and battle-scarred.
Airi pushed Katsue aside and began to blow air into the Warden's mouth herself. She shoved Alban out of the way as well, rapidly pumping her chest.
"EMORA! COME BACK! PLEASE, COME BACK!"
Alban and Katsue lost hope. Tears filled their eyes as they backed away, looking out the windows of the watchtower.
"Airi...She's gone..."
"I'm sorry..."
"NO! I'M NOT GIVING UP! NOT YET!"
Airi panted desperately, trying to gather air to provide to the unconscious Warden. It was hopeless. Katsue and Alban couldn't bear to watch. They started down the stairs to the watchtower, thinking that it would be best for Airi to grieve alone.
The Nobushi's cries could be heard down below, in the battlefield. Alban and Katsue joined the fight with blurry vision and destroyed morals. Cinder and Cindra looked up at the watchtower, their hearts hurting. Cyrus, Apollo, Elea all shook their heads and held back tears. They felt their chests begin to hurt, their throats tightened with heavy pain.
Airi planted her hand on Emora's chest. She pressed her forehead against the Warden's crying quietly.
"Emora...I'm so sorry..."
The Warden didn't respond. The silence was deafening to Hakushi.
"This is all my fault...Everything...Is my fault."
Airi angered. She threw her fist at the wall, shattering straight through it. She turned back to Emora, rage destroying her heart.
"DAMN IT! FUCK! EMORA, WAKE UP! PLEASE! I'M BEGGING YOU!"
The blonde Knight stayed still.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY! I WANT YOU TO LIVE! I WON'T ACCEPT YOUR DEATH! I WON'T! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
She lay flat on the table, lifeless.
"EMORA! ANSWER ME!"
No response.
"EMORA!"
Nothing.
"EMORA?!"
It was no use.
"EMORA!"
Airi let out all of her emotions with a powerful yell. She brought her fist down on Emora's chest, striking her heart.
With that one blow, the hydration from the water, the air from Katsue and Airi, and a critical jumpstart pump, Emora's heart started back up and rejuvenated her core functions.
Water erupted from Emora's mouth as she awakened. Airi let out a cry of shock as she fell back against the watch tower's wall, completely unable to move as she walked.
The Warden's entire body felt numb. Her heart was beating irregularly. Her brain was telling her to breathe and only breathe. Emora rolled off the table and fell to the floor. She panted loudly and deeply, her breaths gaping and gargantuan.
"AHHH! AAAUH! GAAHH!"
Emora coughed up more water, her eyes were wide, and they hurt like hell within her skull. She had a massive headache, her chest hurt, and her throat felt constricted and small. The Warden couldn't talk; she could only breathe as she began to observe her surroundings.
Airi looked up at the moon, her eyes filled to the brim with tears.
"Thank you...Thank you so much..."
The Nobushi rushed forward, pushed the table out of the way, jumped onto the Warden, and buried her crying face into her neck.
"Emora! You're alive! You're alive! I'm so happy! I thought I had lost you! Oh my god...Please, Emora...Never let me go! Promise me...PROMISE...ME!"
The Warden couldn't process what was happening. The three to four minutes that Emora spent without oxygen had taken its toll. Her brain was still trying to readapt to the world around it, her memory was faint, her body only knowing how to move.
She leaned back, looking around aimlessly.
"Emora?"
Airi held onto the Warden's face. She looked into her eyes, her face streamed with fresh tears.
"Are you okay? D-Do you know what's happening?"
Emora's eyes darted around. She closed them tightly and held her head in pain.
"AHH! Gah...Uh—KAH! Tgha..."
The Warden rolled around, Airi scrambling to calm her.
"Emora! Emora it's me...Airi. I'm here...You're okay...Just listen to my voice."
Emora slowed down. She looked at Airi, closely observing every detail of her face, trying to recognize any of it. She felt her heartbeat slow down, become calm and smooth. Her breathing evened out, and her headache eased. The Warden's brain sparked into action, giving Emora back her emotions...And her memory.
"A...Ai...Airi?"
"YES! Y-YES EMORA! IT'S ME!" The Nobushi's heart became filled with everlasting happiness. She thanked the gods up above for giving Emora another chance at her mission, for restoring her life. The world had to continue moving forward with order and justice. If the only person strong enough to fulfill these needs was Emora, so be it, let her go on and fight down on earth once again...
And be the blessing that she is.
Airi dove into Emora's arms, crying with tears of joy. The Warden held onto Airi tightly, savoring the feeling of holding her only true love once again.
"Airi...You're here...You're here with me..." Emora said slowly.
"Yes...Yes, I'm here. Emora...I...I killed you...I..." Airi sobbed.
"What're talking about...? I'm right here...I'm alive aren't I?"
"Yes but...Emora you don't understand! You had stopped breathing! I almost had a heart attack! During our fight...I...I started to get angry again. I was angry because of Daigo and all that he's done! I...I accidentally let it out on you, Emora! How was I so stupid?! How was I dumb enough to not realize I was fighting against you!?"
Airi dug her face in her hands, refusing to look at the Warden. Emora smiled and pulled the Nobushi's hands away, forcing her to look up.
"It's okay, Airi. You...You're kind of known for being driven by your emotions." Emora smiled.
Airi rolled her eyes playfully. "You're one to talk..."
Emora let out a small chuckle before she sighed and leaned her head back on the wall of the tower. She looked up at the moon and bright stars, a small grin on her face.
"Wow. My own girlfriend killed me." She laughed.
"D-Don't say that! I...I don't want to joke about that...Emora I'm sorry...Please...Please forgive—" Airi started, her hand on Emora's cheek.
"Relax, there's nothing to worry about. All that matters right now...Is the present. We're both here...And you're alive. Airi...I wanted to ask you something." Emora said firmly.
"W-What is it?" Airi asked.
The blonde Knight grabbed onto both of the Samurai's hands. The two Heroes looked deep into each other's eyes, longing to embrace again. Emora swallowed, she stared at Airi with quivering lips.
"A-Airi...I..."
The Nobushi looked at Emora intently, a slight smile on her beautiful face. Her clear brown eyes were so encapsulating, the Warden had to blink in order to continue speaking.
"I...I...I've made a decision..." Emora blushed.
"What is it?" Airi replied, her voice soft.
"A-Airi...I...I love you...And...I...I want to spend the rest of my life with you...S-So...I'm basically asking you..."
The Nobushi's eyes widened. Her heartbeat boomed loudly within her chest, her breathing became excited and fast-paced.
"Heh...I...I want to marry you, Airi. W-Will...Will you? Will you...M-Marry me? Airi Hakushi?" Emora stuttered, unable to maintain stable eye contact through all the pressure. But she didn't need to look at her in order to get her answer. The Warden felt as Airi grabbed onto her head and shoved her tongue down her throat.
"Mmh! Mph...Mmm..."
Emora gently slid her hands down Airi's sides, past her waist, and onto her hips. She pushed her legs up and felt the firmness of her thighs, the curvature of her entire midriff. The Warden even took it a step further and grabbed onto her ass while she tongued the Nobushi back.
Their breathing was loud and intense, their lips and tongues working in unison to create passionate, deep kisses that chained together for a long make out. They felt and touched each other up, both in places where they should, and shouldn't touch.
Airi pulled back on Emora's tongue, she planted a long kiss on her lips before leaning back, fixing her hair, and then sliding her hand up Emora's shirt, clutching onto her breast. The Warden moaned quietly, looking at her partner in the eyes.
"A-Airi...We can't do this up here..."
"And why not...? Do you have any idea..." Airi paused to kiss the Warden. "...How much I missed you...?"
"I missed you too...But from what it sounds like...There's a fight going on downstairs...We need to help, Airi..." Emora said gently.
Airi's eyes dropped. She exhaled as she pulled her shirt down and tightened the belt of her pants.
"I was getting...You know...A little wet too." The Nobushi shrugged, clearly annoyed.
"H-Hey wait!"
Emora grabbed onto Airi's hand before she stood up. The Warden smiled, her golden eyes glistening in the moonlight.
"I promise we'll have time later. Because...I'm a bit wet too." Emora winked.
Airi's face brightened. She bit her lip and pouted.
"Promise?"
Emora narrowed her eyes.
"I'll give you the best sex you've ever had, trust me."
"You'd better, Ryon!" Airi snapped back.
The two girls giggled, kissed a few more times, they started on their way down the steps. But as they cleared the first flight, they spotted a light heading towards them.
"What the...Who is that?" Airi asked.
"I'm not sure..." Emora answered.
The two Heroes stopped to listen. They could hear silent footsteps inching up the steps, the light giving them away. After a few more seconds, the stranger revealed himself.
"K-Kiyoshi?!" Emora gasped. Airi yelped as she spotted the Shinobi holding a torch, standing right in front of them, on the fourth floor of the tower, which had five floors in total, the fifth being the open sky-view.
"W-What are you doing here? Please don't tell me you're here to—"
"I've been ordered to kill you, no matter what. I've watched you two fight, and two on one...I can't win. So...I've decided on how I'm going to kill you both."
Airi and Emora exchanged glances. They jumped down the steps and onto the wooden floor, pushing tables and chairs out of the way to clear a fighting area.
"And how is that?" Airi asked.
Kiyoshi looked to his torch. He huffed as he threw it down the steps, the entire tower being made of wood. Smoke soon emerged, and the tower began to burn from the bottom...Upwards.
Emora and Airi both stared at Kiyoshi, a look of terror in their wide eyes.
The Shinobi swung around both of his kusarigama's. He got into a battle stance, his eyes narrowed in dedication.
"Neither of you will live to see tomorrow."
I did my research. Humans can survive up to 5 minutes without oxygen before they start to suffer brain damage. Pretty cool.
Another thing, all that writing and reading while Emora was unconscious...Yeah, in real time, that's all four-five minutes for the characters. Remember, they're talking at a fast and panicked pace. The fighting is also fast and rapid, not slow, obviously. Everyone is also running around pretty quickly. It's only really because I'm far too detailed sometimes that it seems like a long time.
Anyways, bye.
