A/N: Hi there!

Been busy with life and with work. Plus I've been traveling so time and creativity has been limited. That said, I do plan on cross-posting on AO3 in the future so stay tuned.

Tragically, we have lost Kevin Conroy and Jason David Frank, the true Batman and the original MM Green Ranger respectively. The unexpected passing of both men hit a lot of fans deeply, including myself. Both Mr. Conroy and Mr. Frank played a great role in shaping my childhood. I will always cherish the memories of what they were able to offer and give to the legions of fans and followers. My heart and prayers go out to their friends and family.

Moving on to some lighter matters…

This is a one-shot/premise to a larger series currently in the works. I am also doing one for Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk Edgerunner. And to top it off, I'm considering doing one for RWBY as well. After a while, I get kind of tired of seeing canon stay the same for the most part in some fics. Other times authors get creative and add that little chaotic element to it.

Disclaimer: Kuroinu was developed by Liquid. It was also published by Liquid, AiCherry and MangaGamer. All characters, places and topics belong to their respective owners.

Any special guest characters belong to their respective owners once you recognize them.

Warning: While this story does not show explicit content this still goes without saying, viewer discretion is advised.

Serenus (Eostia)

Fortress City of Ken

The White Citadel

Gardens

Celestine was very much at peace in the confines of these gardens. Taking a seat on the stone surrounding the fountain, Celestine smiled as she dragged a fingertip across the water. Humming softly, Celestine looked up. Part of the fountain's design featured a bird bath setup, so it warmed the high elf's heart to see a few Bluebirds and Finches playing together. It would honestly eased her troubled thoughts these last couple of weeks.

Sighing, Celestine finally took the time to sort out her thoughts.

Eostia, Serenus in general was an absolute mess. While being the Goddess Reborn and High Queen had a lot of sway, she still felt as powerless as she did centuries ago. In the time she had been able to lead and guide humanity, time had only proved Olga Discordia was right about a lot of things. And that thought alone scared her.

It started with the citizens of the Seven Cities. All varying in age, background and even class. It was one of Celestine's dreams to see that wealth didn't change a person but that was all it would be for Celestine. She had always suspected that with each passing generation, men would seize power for themselves to great extremes and that they would find some way to hide these extremes from her. One of said extremes was slavery, something of which Celestine outlawed since the war began against her closest friend turned enemy Olga Discordia.

From the outset, Celestine knew that hatred would be passed down the line of entire families along with prejudices. Elves, High (or Light) and Dark were mostly seen in a less than favorable light due to the numerous factors and topics surrounding them. One of those topics was how almost all Elves had a naturally higher magic affinity than humans. This led to jealousy and envy, which allowed for hate to fester with some members of the human populace.

Grimacing, Celestine could name one person in particular that had this jealousy in them despite his hard work and talents in the art of magic.

A Bluebird landed on Celestine's shoulder, making her relax as she could idly feel the little avian sending a bit of comfort to her. Something of which she could appreciate.

Celestine, then started tracing random shapes in the water with her finger.

Slavery, rape, the topic of magic… it was rather too much for Celestine to handle so she did what she could. Years of forging alliances with families, heroes, mages and mercenaries alike had culminated to this point. It was in that same thought Celestine was thankful for her good friends, the Princess Knights. But she was also rather troubled and saddened at what they had each become.

Alicia was headstrong, stubborn to a fault and very much devoted to her people. Her people being knights, nobles, Celestine herself and her own family. But that was it. While she was kind to an extent, Alicia wasn't trying to be the best version of herself and Celestine knew this. Upon seeing this occur, Celestine urged Alicia's mentor Claudia to correct this behavior as it would be detrimental in the long run. Claudia of course did her best but she was no miracle worker.

Which brings Celestine's thoughts to the woman herself. Claudia was the best warrior out of the entire Seven Shield Alliance, with Maia and Luu-Luu following right behind her. She was ever so loyal and vigilant, loving to her comrades and deadly to her enemies. But Celestine knew the woman had a few issues concerning matters of magic and religion. She had caught glimpses of it during the earliest days of Claudia's service and had hope to have a conversation together. Unfortunately, matters of the church and of the Seven Fortress Cities took precedence over many personal matters.

("There's also the matters of Grave and Klaus…") the blonde elf thought with furrowed brows.

But those were matters of family. Matters that Claudia was blind to and Celestine wasn't. If Claudia could not heal the growing divide in her own family, Celestine's hands were tied. Celestine couldn't help or save a friend who cornered herself to a point where she couldn't save herself.

Celestine's thoughts drifted to the other Princess Knights.

Kaguya was a shrine maiden who was wholly dedicated to another religion. Something Celestine vocally supported despite the protests of Clergymen, Claudia and Alicia. Of course, bits of the true Goddess leaked out when Claudia and Alicia attempted to channel a bit of zeal. Guiltily, Celestine enjoyed cowing those two into submission. Moving on from that, Kaguya, despite her stoicism, was an absolute amazing friend and great confidant. Celestine's only concern with her was the enemies that would strike from the shadows in Kaguya's lands.

Maia was the Queen of the Mercenaries. A moniker earned for her respect, loyalty and generosity. It was also a moniker earned for her combat prowess, said to be on par with some of Olga's best warriors and assassins. While Claudia and Alicia were a bit more… strict in a sense, Maia was the opposite. If there was one thing Celestine could say worried her about Maia it was Maia's ties to a certain group of dogs. While that group was efficient and key to their campaign against Olga's forces, Celestine had been very suspicious from their behavior towards women, their behavior towards her and their behavior with certain men of high profile.

Prim was a sweetheart through and through. She was well gifted in magic and Celestine made sure to take time to tutor the young lady away from the overprotectiveness of Alicia. Call it as it is, Celestine saw what Prim could do as a gift and would not slow or cease her potential like Alicia did. Prim also looked for the best in people and had high admiration for her cousin. But Prim was also observant, sometimes breaking down her cousin's arguments with smooth counterpoints and winning in the end.

Luu-Luu was Luu-Luu. Celestine giggled a bit thinking of the half-ling. Luu-Luu always kept an open mind and was more than willing to back Celestine over the other knights. Her loyalty to the Goddess reborn often trumped Claudia's because like Celestine, Luu-Luu saw what society had become. Not only that Luu-Luu was both wise and strong. The only reason she wasn't considered the best of the Princess Knights in terms of overall effectiveness was due to her stature. But Celestine believed that Luu-Luu had been holding back for a time and would secretly suspect that she had been the top warrior this whole time.

Her friends and comrades were a unique group. Celestine thought of themselves as symbols and leaders for the most part. The only time any of her friends did the fighting was when defending their respective cities. All other fighting was handled by their own order of warriors and the Kuroinu.

("And there lies the problem it seems…")

Sighing, Celestine lifted her wet finger delicately stroked the head of the little Bluebird.

Though each Princess Knight had their own personal forces, the Seven Shield Alliance did not have a true standing army since their predecessors. This had forced Celestine and her Princess Knights to rely on mercenaries and militias to do the bulk of the fighting.

("And we approach the end after all this time. Yet these visions worry me more than usual…")

Celestine knew the end of the war was drawing closer and closer. In terms of a plan it was quite simple. The Kuroinu, led by Vult, would march through the Badlands and take the Black Citadel, capturing or killing Olga Discordia. Of course, Celestine would like it better if her old friend was captured alive. That and to keep anything from happening to her in Vult's custody.

Celestine stood up from her seat and made her way through a small maze of exotic flowers. The route of the maze was something Celestine memorized by heart since the gardens were constructed along with the White Citadel. As she stopped by a set of roses, Celestine felt her brows furrow yet again as she recalled the different visions…

Celestine didn't remember how she got here. All she remembered was falling into the realm of where dreams go and it had been dreamless up until a certain point. Now here she was standing in the middle of a warzone, frantically looking around amidst the dust, blood and broken bodies. Horror stricken, Celestine glanced around, seeing the dead bodies of monster and man alike. What broke her heart though was seeing the faces of dead members of the Kuroinu. Though she didn't completely trust them, seeing life leave the eyes of so many so young… it was agonizing.

Celestine walked along rows of the dead, at one point seeing that the predatory avians had descended. One vulture was seeing picking at the head of a dead orc while another was feasting on the insides of a dark elf. Celestine whimpered, hand over her mouth as she saw some of the Kuroinu having their eyes plucked out by ravens. The sheer brutality and gore of the battlefield went on for several more minutes…

Until the world stopped.

Celestine trembled in utter fear as she saw one man standing amongst the dead and the dying.

Though his back was turned she could see he was strong and unwavering. His crimson-colored armor reminded Celestine of several swordsman from Kaguya's lands. Underneath the armor the man wore black clothing with the sleeves rolled up. Another distinction to note of was the man's long and spikey locks that reached his lower back.

This man's head perked up, almost as if he sensed new prey. Celestine for her part broke out in a cold sweat as she watched the man slowly turn to look in her direction. As Celestine felt herself waken from her slumber, the last thing she saw was a purple eye with rings in it. The eye itself screamed of power… and so much more.

("What sort of warrior was he?")

Turns out he would be the first of many in the visions Celestine would receive.

Celestine fell to her knees, watching on as a warrior with a sword of light, led an army of soldiers clad in white and blue. Their staves were firing with pinpoint accuracy as monsters fell to their fire. But what worried Celestine was the absence of the Kuroinu or the armies representing the Shield Alliance. Instead, this foreign force was slaughtering Olga's forces with practiced ease.

("A single warrior or a foreign army… I do not know which worries me more…")

Celestine made her way out the maze, her avian friend having left her shoulder several minutes prior. The high elf's steps slowed as she looked to the sky. She remembered the other visions she had received, all of them worrying and confusing her to no end.

A Jade behemoth roared in great rage as he ripped apart man and beast. By his side, supporting him was a woman with crimson skin. She smiled gleefully as she supported the behemoth in his rampage.

The green giant crushed a Kuroinu grunt's head with ease, tossing his corpse into an oncoming crowd before leaping… soaring high into the air. His partner, she… she decimated so many of the forces around her. The Kuroinu were ripped in half, torn limb from limb or simply hit so hard the very life left them before they hit the ground. Smiling wickedly at her handiwork, the crimson skinned woman looked to see several orcs, ogres and imps rushing her. Laughing she jumped at what she knew was easy prey.

A bloodied Vult let go of his bastard sword. The blade clattered to the ground as the mightiest mercenary of Eostia fell to his knees. Behind him was a silver haired swordsman clad in black. His most notable feature? A single black wing.

The world was aflame. Innocent people ran while monsters and the members of the Kuroinu were slaughtered with potent blasts from the sky. High above, though smoke clouded her vision, Celestine could see one figure. It was a man clad in a black and grey gi, red sash around his waist. He had spikey hair that defied gravity and what appeared to be a tail. This man smiled in a way that Celestine knew that death had come for them all.

The very earth trembled as the two clashing armies ceased fighting. Both sides watched with great trepidation as a massive shadow befell them. It had approached from behind the mountain, angered at those who would trespass in its domain. Vult, Kin and Hicks could only look on in abject horror as the gigantic beast roared, pounding his chest to show his superiority.

It seemed the sky was crying.

Rain fell in droves, mixing the battlefield with blood, mud, sweat and grime. Even in a dream, Celestine found herself dirtied.

Lightning flashed and Celestine gasped as she saw it. No…

She saw him.

Twirling a mighty hammer was a stranger in armor and a red cape. Potent magic of the gods seemed to run through his body, lightning dancing at his eyes and fingertips. His very posture while in the air spoke of a great judgement to befall his foe. With a mighty war cry, the warrior swung his hammer up before diving down into the fray.

This had been an ongoing theme. Some of the visions would repeat themselves while new ones caught her by surprise. While Celestine would still get the recommended hours of rest, she was still very much troubled. If these visions were anything to go by, Eostia was to be changed irrevocably for better and for worse.

Humming to herself, Celestine noted several knights and guards approaching her. Sighing, Celestine felt irritation and indignation rising that the tranquility of the gardens were disturbed. Face now a cool mask, Celestine strode forward and showed the knights she meant business. Picking up on her current mood, the knights paled a bit and stepped back to allow the high elf to pass them. Seconds later they all fell in step behind her.

("Make no mistake. This war shall end and we will do our utmost that it is ended swiftly and just. Regardless of these visions I must protect my people.")

Determination filled her veins as the group approached the war room. Celestine was ready to proceed with the final phase of this great war.

("And then afterwards I can sort out what these visions meant. One thing is for certain… a great change is on the horizon.")

A/N: Cut!

Brownie points for anyone who can recognize the guest stars. Any stories that follow this one will either be one-shot or small story. Chances are if you throw a somewhat OP character in a low tier world like Kuroinu, certain things are bound to happen. Like maximum violence.

Anyways, thanks for reading and make sure to leave a review!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!