Sora and Keiji rose early the next, sunny morning; neither one of them could wait to reach Toyotomi's

fortress. They ate their breakfast quickly, and then gathered their gear to leave the forest.

The journey was pleasant despite its gloomy destination. Keiji told Sora his tales of his wonderings, and

actually made her laugh at his jokes. She was amazed by the things he seen and done.

Their pleasantries ended when they finally arrived at the massive city. Sora and Keiji passed the gates

along with the other noisy travelers.

As they walked down the streets bustling with people, Sora noticed red and black armored soldiers

marching in groups past the shops. Sora lifted her collar against her neck to hide her Crufix mark from

the soldiers' eyes. Although she was an invited guest by Toyotomi himself, his men, on the other hand,

could behave differently when facing the Crufix itself. Sora couldn't afford any difficult situations at the

moment.

Keiji lead Sora to a kimono tailor shop, planning to buy her a kimono to wear at the castle but it took

a lot of persuasion to get Sora's agreement. She finally gave in when Keiji mentioned that Toyotomi

would be displeased if she came improperly to his court.

As Sora impatiently inspected the colorful kimonos that Keiji happily pointed out, they heard cries of

alarm from outside. They went outside with caution when they spotted three riders charging down the

street , almost trampling anyone in the way. The riders were holding Toyotomi's red and black

standard, and they were heading straight for Sora and Keiji.

" Get behind me, Sora." Keiji warned as he drew her behind him. "I'll deal with this."

Sora had no objections, hoping Keiji's smooth talk can get them out of trouble.

The riders slowed their horses to a stop before Keiji and Sora, and leaped off their saddles to suddenly

bow at their waists.

"By order of Toyotomi-sama…!"One of them cried, "We humbly welcome the respected Lady Crufix to

his city!"

Keiji and Sora exchanged glances at each other; they figured they were being watched since entering

the city. They didn't let their guard down as the messengers straightened to meet their stares.

Keiji asked with a smile, "So, what are you fine boys going to do with us?"

" We have come to escort you to the castle," said the same messenger, " We are to protect Lady Crufix

and Sir Maeda Keiji until we reach the castle's walls. We also have a gift for the Lady Crufix."

"A gift?" questioned Keiji as one of the riders came forward to Sora with a wrapped bundle. Sora

watched the messenger unwrap the paper to reveal the light blue fabric of a kimono.

"Lord Hanbei selected this attire himself for the Lady Sora to wear." The messenger said, "He said he is

confident that she will look stunning. "

Keiji took the parcel from the messenger and searched through the fabric for any suspicious objects

before handing it to Sora.

She took the kimono back into the shop, feeling the stares of those around her as she went to the

change rooms. She was helped into the kimono by the shopkeepers, and when she was ready; the shop

keepers offered her a mirror for her inspection. Sora had to admit that the sky blue kimono with

embroidery of sakura trees and birds looked good on her. The kimono brought out the golden color of

her braided hair.

Sora quickly shuffled her zori back outside to see Keiji mounted on a black horse. When he noticed Sora

in her new attire, his eyes widened at her and almost gapped at her.

" You look so different, but you do look beautiful." He said with a small smile. " Are you going to bring

your bag?"

Sora nodded, clutching the bag to her chest. Keiji then offered his hand to her from the saddle and

said, " When you're ready, we can be off."

She took his hand and was pulled up the horse to sit sideways in front of Keiji on the saddle. When

they were settled in the saddle, Keiji kicked his horse to gallop after the messengers. Sora held on to the

saddle horn as Toyotomi's riders lead them to the gates of the castle; its high, thick wall casting a

shadow over the horses. The dominating castle, both beautiful and stark, awed Sora.

The messengers declared their mission to the sentries guarding the gates, and the wall slowly opened

to them while it droned in protest. They encouraged their horses to walk in, finding themselves in a

courtyard filled with soldiers practicing their deadly techniques.

The loud shouts echoing between the high walls deafened the visitors' ears. They halted their horses

on the edge of the courtyard and dismounted. Meanwhile, Keiji took Sora's body into his arms and leapt

from the horse with ease. After he set Sora's feet down without dirtying her kimono, she quickly tied

her pack to their horse's saddle, knowing they'll come back for it. When she was done, the messengers

politely asked Keiji and Sora to follow them.

Sora walked by Keiji's side, staying close to him as the riders lead them to the other side of the court.

Soon, they saw the tall man with pewter white hair; waiting with his hands behind his back as he

watched Sora and Keiji with a small smirk. Sora didn't like it, but hid her discomfort.

When they approached the white general, the riders bowed to him and announced,

" May we introduce the Lady Crufix and Lord Maeda Keiji who have come at your Lordship's courtesy,

General Hanbei."

So this is the man who sent me this dress, thought Sora as she and Keiji bowed to Hanbei in greetings.

When they straightened to stare into Hanbei's amethyst eyes, the general spoke,

"Welcome, Lady Crufix and, strangely, Lord Keiji to my Lord's domain. You are both under the

protection of Lord Toyotomi as honored guests. You will be respected here."

The general then turned to the riders and said, "Please leave us. You have done your job."

The messengers bowed and turned from the general to stride back to their horses.

" Well," said Hanbei as he smoothly walked to Sora with a smile, " It's a great honor to finally meet

the Lady Crufix in person. As I imagined, she is stunning in that kimono. Welcome to the castle, my

Lady."

Hanbei then gently took Sora's hand to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand. Sora's spine shivered

at Hanbei's soft lips against her skin, and tried to retain the urge from swiping her hand away. She didn't

want to cause any tensions; it was tense as it is.

Once Hanbei released her hand, he turned to Keiji with a smirk.

" It's been a long time, Lord Keiji." Hanbei said, "I haven't seen you in years. How's your health?"

These two know each other as well, thought Sora when Keiji answered with a smile,

" Not too bad. Sorry to be blunt, but we really need to see Toyotomi-sama. "

Hanbei laughed, his voice like jingling bells as he said, "Impatient, I see; so unlike you. No matter,

please come with me. My Lord will be pleased to see you."

"You mean the Lady Sora," Said Keiji.

Hanbei chuckled, "We didn't expect you to come, Lord Keiji. The Lady Sora was the only one who was

invited by my Lord. He has waited for her arrival anxiously. She is the most important guest here. No

offence intended, Lord Keiji."

"None taken," Said Keiji, but Sora could sense an unpleasant tension between him and Hanbei.

Sora and Keiji followed Hanbei into the castle, walking through endless hallways of both paper and

wooden walls. Sora found the castle expensively decorated with beautiful antiques, tapestries, and

sculptures .

" Does my Lord's castle interest you, Lady Sora?" asked Hanbei when he noticed her staring at the relics.

Sora nodded to be polite when Keiji spoke up,

" By the way, my Lady is unable to speak, so please be patient with us."

Hanbei looked confused for a second before smiling,

"That is not a problem. We accept anything from the Lady Sora."

Not everything, I'm sure, thought Sora doubtfully.

Hanbei lead them up to the tallest tower, and Sora got a beautiful view of the city from a window. She

never saw anything like it, and halted to get a better look. The people below in the city were like tiny

black ants to her, busy going about their normal lives.

"Beautiful, is it not?" said Hanbei behind her as he came to the window to join Sora, "I've noticed that

people down there are always looking up here; probably wondering what it's like to look down on the

others. That is the effect of this castle which my lord wanted to impose on his people: To look up at

unreachable power."

Sora stared at Hanbei with dislike on her face, not afraid to show it this time. She had the same life as

the people down there, and she didn't consider herself weak, no matter what anybody 'imposed' on

her.

Hanbei turned his gaze from the window to Sora, "Shall we continue, my Lady? The audience room is

just around the corner."

Sora nodded to the general she deemed as an arrogant snob.

They continued down the halls to a room with polished, red walls; spotting two tatami mats laid side by

side on the floor that was also red. Hanbei slightly motioned Sora and Keiji to sit on them.

Once Sora and Keiji were settled on the tatami mats, Hanbei kneeled to Sora's side.

" I there anything I can get you, my Lady?" he asked, "A refreshment perhaps?"

Keiji spoke for Sora, "Could you get Sora ink and paper? I'm sure Sora would like to speak for herself."

Hanbei bowed as his eyes were casted down. "At once."

He then snapped his fingers at a servant who was standing against the wall like a statue. The servant

came to life and quickly left the room. He came back with an ink stone, brush , and paper. The servant

laid the writing utensils before Sora, and she bowed her thanks as the servant backed away.

Hanbei said, " I will now summon my Lord. Please excuse me. "

He then exited the room, leaving Keiji and Sora to wait in the audience room. Sora scrunched at her

kimono in nervousness when she felt Keiji's hand on her shoulder. She turned to him to see him nod to

her with a calm face, assuring her that she wasn't alone.

They heard the door slide to the side, and witnessed the monstrous man, Toyotomi, enter the room.

Sora was once again intimidated by the Toyotomi; not only by his large physique, but from the

enormous suffocating power she sensed in him. Toyotomi sat across from Keiji and Sora on a tatami mat

of his own. He silently stared at Sora with those intense, red eyes ; trying to pry into her to see her soul.

Sora didn't forget her manners and bowed to Toyotomi along with Keiji, who wore a face of mixed

emotions.

When they straightened, Hanbei had seated himself between Toyotomi and Sora, and said,

" My Lord, may I present to you our expected guest, Lady Crufix and Lord Keiji of the Maeda clan. They

have both come to seek audience with you."

Toyotomi turned his gaze from Sora to Keiji, who stared back somberly. If Toyotomi felt anything about

seeing his old friend again, no one could see it in his expressionless face. Toyotomi turned his gaze back

to Sora and said to her in a voice that sounded like a mountain avalanche,

" I'm deeply pleased that the Crufix has finally come to meet me. I'm honored to have you here. Have

You come to join my just cause?"

Sora wondered why Toyotomi didn't speak to Keiji. Was there something Keiji didn't want to tell her?

Sora picked up the inked brush and painted her small characters on the parchment. When she was

done, Hanbei asked Sora, " May I read this out loud, Lady Sora?"

She nodded. Hanbei took her parchment and spoke in a clear voice as he read her words,

" Thank you for receiving me, Lord Toyotomi. I have come to talk about your quest. I wonder just how

are you going to make this country stronger?"

Toyotomi answered, " As I've said, I will have the strong rule over the weak, and allow the strong to

grow and flourish. I will put down the weak that will just get in the way of creating a new era of power."

Keiji said, "If I may speak…"

"You may." Said Toyotomi; tolerant but with a slight annoyance in his voice.

Keiji continued, "What do you mean by putting down the weak? Do mean to destroy anyone who isn't

strong enough to defend themselves?!"

Toyotomi answered, "If that what it takes, then yes. Those who cannot be strong must be eliminated.

Weakness is not allowed in my rule."

Keiji gritted his teeth. "So you plan to burn villages, cities, anybody you deem unworthy to be under

your rule. What kind of reign is that!? That won't lead to peace! It's going to lead to more conflicts!"

Toyotomi said, his voice rising "I will destroy anybody who gets in my way. I plan to make this country

proud and strong again. Crufix, you must understand as you are the symbol of power. Isn't it time that

the powerful lead the people; to reconstruct this nation and crush its enemies effortlessly? Do you

understand my future?"

Sora's eyes were glued to her paper, her lips pressed tightly together in a thin line. She took the brush

again and wrote vigorously until she was finished. Hanbei took the parchment once again and read

out loud,

" I do understand your future, and I can see it clearly before my eyes. But I do not accept it. This future

you speak of is not right. Continuous conflicts will not build anything; it will only deepen the pain. I came

here to see if you were truly working toward a strong country, but you only seek destruction and blood."

Hanbei's voice strained as he read Sora's last word before looking at Toyotomi with displeasure on his

face. Toyotomi's frown deepened as he stared at Sora; his crimson eyes deepening in the color of blood.

He finally spoke, anger shaking his voice, " I was wrong about you. You are not power; you are also

garbage."

Keiji quickly stood up in alarm. "Please, both of you! We came here to talk in peaceful-"

Keiji never finished his sentence when Sora flew at the speed of light into Toyotomi, crashing him

through the wooden wall.

Keiji and Hanbei quickly ran through the hole and saw Sora and Toyotomi fighting each other outside

on the roofs. Sora's legendary wings of liquid light were on her back, and she swiped them at Toyotomi

which danced like fire.

Keiji watched intensely as Toyotomi threw his giant fists at Sora, who dodged them without being

bothered by her kimono as she attacked him with the same sharp wings that killed the last ruler. They

charged at one another on the castle's tiled roof; either one of them losing their balance.

As Sora swept her wings at Toyotomi, he dodged and then uppercut his fist into Sora's stomach. She

flew into the air with a minor look of pain, but she somersaulted over Toyotomi to crash her feet into

the wall below, creating large cracks in its rock foundation.

Arrows flew at Sora from different directions, but she dodged them with ease. Keiji looked at Hanbei

who was signaling the archers to fire. Keiji had enough.

" Stop it!" he shouted, " Everyone, this isn't right! We're not making a difference here!"

Sora didn't seem to hear him, but Toyotomi totally ignored him as he jumped from the roof to land on

the wall with Sora.

Her eyes wildly gleamed in that liquid gold; glaring at Toyotomi with rage inked on her face. Her wings

extended to their full length; her beautiful but deadly feathers straitening into a thousand blades. She

suddenly flew at Toyotomi again, her speed unseen by human eyes.

Sora was about to stab him in the heart when Toyotomi thrust his fingers into her chest. She was

stopped by his hand and hung in midair on his arm, her wings reaching for Toyotomi's head but failed to

touch him.

Sora kept her face unnaturally emotionless as Toyotomi continued to dig his large fingers into her flesh,

her golden blood dripping down his hand.

" Crufix," He growled with hate," you have chosen to go against me. So be it then. Since you are my

enemy, I will rip your fake heart out!"

Her silent face twisted into pain as Toyotomi reached his fingers deeper into Sora's chest, his hand

almost buried in her.

" Sora!" cried Keiji as he tried to run for Sora's aid, but he was blocked by Hanbei's wicked blade.

Sora choked and gasped as she clawed at Toyotomi's arm, his hand reaching for her source in her body.

Toyotomi said, "This is the end, Crufix. Now no one will have your power."

Her head began to swim in dense pain as her sight colored into different shades. She couldn't breathe,

like she was drowning in her own golden liquid. More of her blood dripped from her mouth in streams

as she gasped for breath; feeling Toyotomi's fingers enclosing around her source.

Keiji could see Sora's eyes dimming not to her original silver ones, but into black. She was staring to

lose sight.

She was starting to die. She had no other option.

Her chest suddenly burst into an explosion of light while burning Toyotomi's hand. He ripped his hand

from the painful flames as everyone watched her body burn in the fire. Tears streamed down Keiji's face

as he watched Sora's body shrivel in the liquid fire; her face disappearing from his eyes.

When her body burned into nothing, a golden disc that was the size of Toyotomi's face floated in the

air with the flames swirling around it.

The soldiers exclaimed their wonder, mesmerized by the beautiful disk that must've came from the

heavens.

The golden disk faced Toyotomi. It seemed to be staring at him with dim interest as it twisted its

rings. Toyotomi's face darkened in rage, thinking that this lowly object was mocking him. The circling

rings started to gain speed, and soon glowed in that golden light. The light brightened until it was too

blinding to look at, when it suddenly shot into the air above and flew across the city in seconds.

Keiji, Toyotomi, Hanbei, the soldiers, and the citizens below watched the comet of light fly into the

horizon, speeding for the west until it disappeared.