Chapter Ten
Well, they were here.
Washu pressed her hands up against the glass of Tsunami-fune's drive room, a sense of nostalgia overwhelming her as she gazed across the darkness towards the round, reddish brown rock that she had once called her home. It had not changed much since the last time she had visited it, more than seven centuries earlier, but she knew only too well that, quiet and dead as it seemed, her sister lurked somewhere in it's depths.
"Kihaku."
Tsunami's voice made her turn and she nodded, spreading her hands.
"Not much, but that's it." She agreed, injecting a note of flippancy into her tones. "I guess I'd better get my cannon armed and ready to go - after all, we don't want to be hanging around here too long."
"Tenchi is here." Tsunami looked thoughtful, glancing at her hands as she did so. "I can sense his life force very strongly, beating within the heart of that planet. I think you were right, Washu. Tokimi is inside the world - deep in the core while the tempests rage on the surface above."
"Priests and Priestesses of Kihaku are powerful, but not immortal." Washu said gravely. "The climate of the planet is notoriously savage. Why do you think Ryoko and I can both take such a battering? It's the Kii in us that makes us physically resistant to many different forces. Tokimi probably realises that bonding with the world doesn't mean she's not vulnerable to a violent volcanic eruption, or some other kind of natural disaster. Priests of Kihaku never died of old age, after all. They died of misadventure."
"Including your father, only at Juraian hands." Tsunami frowned. "So much death and destruction has occured from that one violent act. Your father might not have approved of your choices, Washu, but if Juraians had not slain him, Tokimi could not have assumed his crown."
"My father hated Juraians and probably antagonised them into it." Washu said ruefully. "The tensions were already high, Tsunami-sama. I think it would have ended in violence either way."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Tenchi's definitely there and not at Galaxy Police HQ any more?"
"No, he's here all right." Tsunami agreed. "And I don't think he's alone. I sense other life forces within the core of this planet. Both are familiar to me, but for different reasons."
"Both?" Washu eyed her companion sharply. "Seiryo Tennan?"
"No." Tsunami shook her head. "Tokimi is there - her power is unmistakeable. And also another that is known to me - and to Sasami. Detective Mihoshi Kuramitsu."
"Mihoshi?" Washu's heart sank. "Oh, I knew if she got involved...Tsunami, what are we going to do? Can you get them out without conflict between you and Tokimi? I don't want to shoot this thing into a world and kill friends - whatever happens to me, Ryoko would be livid if Tenchi was returned in a box and now Mihoshi, too? I already have Kiyone on my conscience. I won't have another Galaxy Police officer felled because of my ideas!"
"I believe I can protect Tenchi and Mihoshi from harm." Tsunami said slowly. "But I will need to approach Kihaku and enter the core myself in order to do so. Tokimi is very strong, and I can't risk the possibility that she could block my magic from this far out. I don't want to fight her - that would be unwise on all levels - so I must be cautious. Going out there is the only solution."
She bit her lip, casting a hesitant glance across the drive room to where Azaka and Kamidake kept an uneasy guard on the doors. "Sasami is afraid to go, and I don't blame her. Her fear infects me, too - but it's something we both have to do, whatever the circumstances."
"Well, you can tell her I'm joining the scaredy cat club, but as you say, we have to do what we have to do." Washu shrugged her shoulders. She paused, glancing from Tsunami to Kamidake as a thought occured to her. "Say, are you taking him with you?"
"Who?" Tsunami looked startled. "It's not safe for anyone to venture out into space with me, Washu-san - what do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing." Washu smiled despite herself. "I just...well, call me mad, but it occured to me that there's a certain electricity in this room between two people, and I wondered how far it carried, that's all."
"Electricity?" Tsunami stared. Washu nodded.
"The Kii are notorious for seeing people's true nature." She said softly. "It's just one of the many powers we have that got us labelled as demons so long ago. It unnerves people, when they know you can read their soul and see their true selves. I can still see Sasami, through Tsunami, and I know that what you said is true - you are two parts of the same spirit. But since you became Tsunami, it's been impossible to ignore the signals both you and your noble knight are sending out. Does Tsunami have bigger plans for Lord Kamidake than Sasami's bodyguard, by any chance?"
"He was always very dashing and handsome." Tsunami admitted, a faint blush touching her cheeks as she eyed Washu sheepishly. "I admit that I chose him because...well, he held a certain appeal for a Goddess trapped inside her world. I hoped he'd be there, you see, to help my Sasami grow into the young woman I knew she'd be. But it gets boring, when you have to wait for the time to be reborn. And he was so diligent and brave."
She sighed.
"He spent so much time at my statues and shrines, praying or meditating or even just talking to me about his world and the worries he had for it." She added. "He didn't know how much I listened, or how much I looked forward to hearing his voice. I couldn't bear the idea of him aging and dying before my time came. I had already selected Azaka - a man who reminded me so much of my own good, brave, and kind father. I watched and I waited, observing Kamidake for his skill and his dedication to his King. What I saw was good, Washu-san - he was the noble knight I'd always hoped I'd find him to be. In the end I chose to bless him too and bind him in my magic, until the time Jurai would need him to rise again."
"Jurai's Goddess has a weakness for handsome knights in shining armour, just like the rest of us, in fact." Washu observed astutely. Tsunami laughed ruefully.
"Well, I was flesh and blood once, Washu-san. And I am so again, now." She said lightly. "Just because I never took a husband in my lifetime, it doesn't mean that I'm immune to all worldly things."
"Good to know." Washu eyed Kamidake critically. "That even Goddesses are subject to falling in love."
"Well, it may not come to anything. Sasami will decide what it is she wants, when she's ready." Tsunami said with a contemplative shrug. "And so will Kamidake. He may feel his duty overrides anything else."
"I doubt that." Washu looked amused. "I've never seen Kamidake so flustered around a Princess of Jurai before, and he's always been very attentive to Sasami, you know."
"Perhaps." Tsunami cast the knight another look, and Washu was aware of the soft affection in her gaze. "But time will tell. And right now, Tenchi needs my attention more."
"Mine too." The humour died from Washu's eyes at this, and Tsunami offered her a smile.
"Don't look so grave. Science can't predict everything, especially where magic is involved." She said gently. "Give me a few moments, Washu, and then aim your cannon. Trust in me to reach Tenchi and Mihoshi in time - but either way, you know what you must do and you know when Tsunami-fune will be in the best position for a decent aim. Whether you know where I am or not, don't miss that moment. Tokimi must be stopped - let me worry about anything else."
"All right." Washu agreed reluctantly. "Though between you and me, Tsunami, I'd rather be able to predict everything. I'd feel safer. Magic is still an unknown territory to me in a lot of ways - and I don't like not knowing what the outcome's going to be."
"Then trust in me and try not to worry." Tsunami suggested softly.
Before Washu could respond, the goddess had faded out from the drive room, and Washu sighed, turning her attention to the two knights.
"Azaka, Kamidake, can you give me a hand getting this into position?" She asked. "We don't have much time."
"What will happen when you blast Kihaku, Washu-san?" Azaka asked, as they hurried to help her adjust her equipment, bringing it carefully into line with her meticulously mapped out calculation points.
"And what of Sasami-hime?" Kamidake asked. "Will she be all right, if she and Tsunami are caught in the blast?"
"Tsunami told me to leave that side of it to her, so we must." Washu said with a shrug. "We have a window of opportunity where Kihaku comes into range and we just need to hit the button when it's time, that's all. And pray very hard then that Tsunami has found Lord Tenchi and Mihoshi and nobody gets hurt!"
-------
As the motley group of Earth's would be defenders stepped out into the early morning gloom, it was soon clear to all concerned that Yume had been correct in her assertion. The gleaming hull of the Unko hovered menacingly over the mountains, barely concealed by cloud as an array of armed figures flickered into visibility on the ground below.
At their head was Seiryo himself, dressed not in the smart, functional attire of an elite galaxy police officer, but clad from head to foot in the dress of a nobleman of Jurai, the emblem of the Tennan family carved into the wood of his belt buckle and the fineness of his fabric making his accompanying officers appear dowdy in comparison. At the sight of him, Takeru's brows knitted together, his hand closing automatically around the hilt of his sword as they approached the gathered aggressors.
As they stepped more clearly into view, Seiryo cast them a smile, his gaze flitting idly from one to the other as he did so.
"I thought I might get your attention that way." he said softly, and Takeru saw a flicker of something dark and sinister in his rival's malachite eyes. "Although I have to say I didn't expect to see you here, Princess."
He paused, then swept a mocking bow in Ayeka's direction. "Please excuse my lack of manners this morning, Ayeka-hime. But I have an important errand to carry out, and even you can't challenge a Goddess's will."
"What is it about people telling me that lately?" Ayeka glowered at her renegade noble, drawing herself up to her full height. "Explain yourself, Seiryo Tennan. You are a noble son of a Juraian Holy Council family. You are sworn to serve the Emperor Azusa and his heirs. This act is treason against your own people! Step back and surrender now, if you have any sense in you at all!"
"Don't make me laugh." Seiryo eyed the princess in contempt, slowly shaking his head. "I've sworn no such oath to either Azusa or his pampered heiress. My father, he pledged his allegiance before he attended the Council for the first time. He wrote his loyalty in blood and sweat for the crown of Jurai. I've done no such thing. I've been with the Galaxy Police - and unless you're not aware, I've gotten quite good at subterfuge and combat. There's a bigger world out there than pandering to the whims of spoiled young girls, and I've no mind to grovel in your shadow if I can help it."
"How dare you speak so to your Crown Princess, Tennan!" This was too much for Takeru, who sprang forward at this point, pulling his sword from it's scabbard as Ayeka flinched at the derision in Seiryo's tones. "You must be insane!"
"Takeru Imada." Seiryo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, and he grasped his own flaring sword, a soft blueish white glow enveloping his body as he regarded his old enemy. "Well, Tokimi didn't specify what she wanted me to do with you. I'm guessing that means I can kill you - and believe me, nothing would give me more pleasure!"
"I'd like to see you try." Takeru growled. "You were never man enough to do it when we were youths, and you're still as arrogant as you were then!"
"When you boys have finished sniping, I want to know where Tenchi is." Ryoko launched herself into the air, electricity flickering from her fingers as she glared down at the massing police officers. "I always knew the Galaxy Police couldn't be trusted. I told you once that I wasn't scared of you, Seiryo Tennan, and I meant it. You owe me the conclusion to a fight, and I'm going to hold you to it. Unless you're too much of a coward, of course."
She flexed her fingers.
"Sooner I dispatch with you, sooner I can get my Tenchi back from wherever your mad bitch has him held." She added.
"You won't be going anywhere." Seiryo shook his head. "Tokimi gave me very special instruction to destroy you, and I've taken the necessary steps to oblige her."
He raised his hand, and four of his officers converged on the pirate, identically glazed and focused expressions on their faces as they pulled high-powered weaponry from their belts, training them on their target as she flared life into her sabre, preparing to defend herself against multiple attacks. "This is top of the range Galaxy Police equipment. More than adequate for dealing with so called space pirates. Tenchi Masaki will be dead soon, anyway. You might as well hold up your hands and join him."
"You won't hurt Tenchi!" A blaze of white light seared across the ground at this, and Yume, eyes flaring with anger, put herself neatly between Ryoko and the advancing officers.
"Zero?" Seiryo stared at her in surprise, then he chuckled. "Well, so Tokimi was right. Washu did reshuffle your sensors. Allow me to shuffle them back for you."
And he spread his fingers, sending a hot bolt of bluish energy in the droid's direction.
"Yume!" Ryoko exclaimed, as the droid clattered back against the wall of the shrine, slumping in a heap as her white aura of energy flickered and died.
Seiryo smiled, glancing back at his companions.
"Surround them." He said softly, as the magic-lured officers began to advance. "And remember what Tokimi wants from us. Kill all - all but the scientist, Washu. If you find her, take her alive...the rest are forfeit to Tokimi's will and must be eliminated."
"They're possessed! Ryoko, look at their eyes!" Takeru heard Ayeka's exclamation and, as an officer bore down on him, he realised the truth in his wife's words. The man who stood before him, blaster in hand had no sense of life in his dark eyes; just a flicker of eerie flame which was reflected also in the eyes of the man in command. He muttered a curse as he parried the bolts of fire aimed in his direction, standing his ground as he did his best to overpower the officer without causing any real harm.
"After all, you know not what you are doing." He muttered. "This is devil magic indeed...Sasami was right. If this Tokimi can control even those as distant from her as Galaxy Police agents through her link with Seiryo, she poses an even greater threat to Jurai than I imagined."
He ducked out of the way of another barrage of fire, watching out of the corner of his eye as Ryoko flung a forcefield up around herself, knocking one officer senseless and ducking and weaving out of the way of another. Behind her, Ayeka had drawn on her Jurai power, her aura glistening with white light as she sought to neutralise the officers' attacks. Yume still lay motionless up against the wall of the shrine, and Takeru wondered absently how badly she had been damaged. Ryo Ohki stood beside her, fur ruffled and back arched as she hissed a warning at any oncoming officers to leave the fallen droid alone.
In the midst of all the chaos, Seiryo stood apart, his arms folded across his chest as he surveyed the battle that was growing in intensity on all sides. As Takeru laid his man out unconscious on the ground, he eyed his childhood foe with bitter dislike, remembering all too well the many combats they had had in the past.
"He might be pumped full of dark magic, but he still seems like a Tennan to me." He muttered. "Spells don't seem to have improved his disposition any, and I won't have him speak to or about my wife like that. I'll show him where he belongs before the day is out...how dare he slight Ayeka and Lord Azusa, and do so in front of me!"
So intent on his thoughts was he that he did not notice the officer approaching him from behind and as cold, clammy hands grabbed at him he tensed, wheeling round as he struggled to free himself from her grip. For a moment, it seemed like the vice-like claws would hold on, as the gleaming-eyed officer pulled him to his knees, fighting to apply strong electrical stun charges to his skin. And then, with a surprised gasp she released her grip, dropping back onto the ground unconscious with little more than a sigh.
Takeru raised his eyes in surprise, meeting the calm gaze of the old shrine priest as he did so, sword Tenchi glowing in one hand as he held out his other to the young prince consort. Gratefully Takeru took it, allowing Katsuhito to haul him to his feet with a rueful smile on his face.
"You make so much noise, an old man can't be expected to get any sleep." The priest said thoughtfully. "I thought I'd come and see what all the fuss was about."
"I'm glad that you did. Thank you, Yosho-dono." Takeru bowed his head in gratitude. "I think we need your help - only none of us had a chance to come and raise you."
"I see." Katsuhito turned his gaze across the landscape. "I suppose this is the diversion, to prevent any of us from trying to help Tenchi."
"Washu-san and Sasami-sama are long gone, Lord Yosho...if that's the intention then it's failed." Takeru dusted himself down, flaring light into his sword as he turned his attention back towards the watching Seiryo. "But whatever the reason, I have issue to take with Lord Tennan about his attitude and his ego. He's always been a bad seed - and I've waited a long time to face him sword on sword again, to teach him a proper lesson for his behaviour and his manners!"
"Lord Tennan, huh?" Yosho's dark red eyes hovered over Seiryo for a moment, then he shook his head. "Perhaps you are right. But dark magic lives in that one, Takeru-dono. It simmers and settles, taking over his heart in the same way that evil took Kagato down to the Darkness. Take care."
"I know how Seiryo fights. Even with a devil's magic, I know his weaknesses." Takeru said firmly. "Besides, an insult to my wife is an insult to me. We came a long way to help rescue Lord Tenchi and he's not going to prevent us."
For a moment, Takeru thought his companion was going to argue with him. Then, he bowed his head in acknowledgement, raising sword Tenchi once more as a fresh bunch of officers began to swarm in their direction. As the old man engaged them in battle, Takeru tightened his grip around the hilt of his carved sword, charging at Seiryo with a yell that took the nobleman off guard, causing him to take a step backwards.
"You think you can fight me, Takeru?" He spat out, eyes glinting dangerously. "That you are even remotely a match for me, as I am now? Many years have passed since we were sixteen years old and fighting for Amane's hand, you know. I'm not sixteen any more."
"Neither am I." Takeru said blackly. "I'm the Prince Consort of Jurai, husband to the future Empress of our world and I won't have her dishonoured by a nobleman of dubious lineage, no matter how many demons he's raised to help him in his cause. I'm not fooled by you now, Seiryo, any more than I was when we were fighting that battle over Amane so long ago."
"And I've never been fooled by you either, nor your pretence of good manners and breeding." Seiryo snapped, light flaring in his eyes as the strange aura surrounding his body grew and shimmered with his rising temper. "I didn't know you were here on the Earth, but I'm glad that you were, if you want the truth. This is a chance I've waited for - the chance to put an end to you once and for all! You might convince everyone in the Council that you're a quiet, unassuming, gentle Lord of Jurai, with no ambitions or desires for the crown's power, but I know you and I know different. You're just the same as me, you've just never stepped out of your pretentious palace walls and seen the universe. With or without Tokimi's help, I'm twice the soldier you are now, Takeru. Surrender to me now...or it will be the worse for you."
"I don't surrender to cowards or traitors." Takeru said grimly, holding his sword aloft. "Fight me or leave."
"With all the pleasure in the world." Seiryo's eyes became little more than slits, and his sword flickered with a new and eerie light. "But don't tell me you weren't warned. This isn't a friendly battle with sticks, Prince Consort. This is a fight to the death - nobleman against nobleman, Tennan against Imada. And once and for all, I'm going to show you how Tennan honour will always prevail against the weak blood of your own power-grasping family ties!"
Takeru smiled coldly.
"Jealousy is never pretty." He said softly. "Especially when those ties were ones you once had in your grasp...but let slip away. You would never have made Ayeka a good husband, Seiryo. No amount of breeding in the world can make a woman fall in love with you."
"Do you think I care about that woman - or any woman?" As their blades clashed, sparks flew into the grass, embers flickering and then dying in the pale dawn light. On the horizon, the sun had begun to climb in the sky, and as more and more light fell over the impromptu battlefield, Takeru was aware of the tired, drawn complexion and creased brow of his foe as he drew on Tokimi's strength more and more. "Your sentiment is pathetic, Takeru."
"Your treason is worse." Takeru shot back, parrying a sharp blow and dropping back as he made a couple of inroads of his own.
"She'll never love you either, you know." Seiryo taunted. "Tokimi made me see the world in so much clarity. You love her, but she'll never love you. She loves the man Tokimi's about to kill - and yet you're here willing to fight and die to defend her honour. What a sad fate for such a noble lord - to be killed because he was weak enough to fall in love with a shrew!"
"Ayeka is not a shrew!" Fresh rage surged through Takeru as he charged forward, smashing his blade against Seiryo's as he sought to push his rival back. "And I don't care about your opinions on the subject! Whether Ayeka loves me or not, it doesn't make any difference to you. I will always rank above you at court now and that kills you inside, I know it does. No wonder you spend so much time hiding at the Galaxy Police. You have nothing to go back to Jurai for...no woman, no status...nothing but that ugly old house and your father's cooling corpse!"
"I am not my father." Seiryo growled, and a fresh flare of blue crackled around the edges of his sword. "And you would do well to remember it."
"You are exactly as your father was." Takeru shot back. "Greedy, shallow and blind to the consequences of your actions!"
"You understand nothing about the ambitions of Tennans." Seiryo hissed, and the flare of energy around his body seared out across the landscape as his sword doubled in size. "I am not making deals with men, Imada. I'm making deals with the divine. Tsunami is doomed. You and the ties of your family are all in vain. You just haven't seen the future yet. Tokimi's future. She will kill Tsunami - rip the Light Hawk magic out of that earth-born boy and destroy him too. Your goddess's time is over. You're the one who's too blind to see that."
"Tsunami is stronger than any heretic force will ever be!" Takeru snapped back. "And keep your treasonous tongue to yourself when talking about my wife's family! Lord Tenchi is a man of honour and courage - two elements you so clearly lack, since you can't even face me in a fair fight without the magic of your demon goddess to help you win!"
"Fair fighting is a waste of time. You taught me that lesson." Seiryo said mockingly. He stood back for a moment, then he glanced at his sword, dropping it to the ground as the blade flickered and died. Takeru, who had been preparing himself for a renewed assault faltered at this sudden and unexpected action, eying his foe uncertainly as he gauged what Seiryo was up to. The nobleman caught his look and smiled, a smile which chilled Takeru right to the bone. Seiryo's eyes were empty, he realised, devoid of all soul and reason as madness and magic fought for control of his foe's mind. He took a step back, raising his sword in a gesture of conciliation.
"Yosho was right. You're half mad and not in your right mind." He murmured. "Stop this, Seiryo. Step back and surrender. Jurai can help you - you are not acting on your own will."
"I am doing what I must do to survive, as everyone else must." Seiryo said quietly. "To protect the Tennan name and to ensure my own security. There is no going back now."
He flexed his hands, then offered Takeru another strange, chilling smile.
"I've always wanted to rid myself of you." He added, blueish energy glimmering around the edges of his fingers. "Now I have my chance, at long last."
Before Takeru could react, a bolt of blue flared out from Seiryo's palms, hitting him squarely across the chest and sending him flying a good few feet across the ground, landing with a heavy thump on the shrine path. As he struggled to pick himself up, winded and gasping for breath, he was aware of Seiryo materialising over him, sword once more in his grip as he placed his foot on Takeru's chest, pinning him back down to the ground.
"Do you still think Tsunami will protect you, Prince Consort?" He asked mockingly, hovering his sword blade inches from Takeru's throat. "I don't see her coming - do you?"
"You make things worse for yourself. Murdering me will not be forgiven so easily, when you're held to account for it on Jurai." Takeru managed, flinching back away from the hot blade as he scrabbled in the dirt for his own sword. Seiryo idly kicked it away, pressing his blade closer to the Prince's throat as he did so.
"I've already killed once in Tokimi's name." He murmured softly. "One more in my own won't matter. Noone can stop me, Takeru. It's too late to interfere. Tokimi's already won. You chose the wrong side, that's all. And now you're going to die for it - here, on this godforsaken hole, where the man your wife loves grew up. Take that thought with you to the grave, Takeru-dono. That you died trying to protect your wife's only true love - and what's more...you failed!"