~Flashback~
~Forest surrounding Akashiya estate~
Akasha peered out of at the estate before her. It was on nights such as these where it made her anxious and jumpy. "This would be a perfect night for an assassination attempt on Issa" concluded Akasha. However, it wasn't Issa that she was most worried about, it was the children. Kahlua, Moka and Kokoa were always on her mind. Moka was the worst with her curious and adventurous personality. Tonight was the winter solstice, a night where even the strongest of youkai have trouble sensing an enemy.
A specter leaps through the forest gracefully from branch to branch. It was a dark night for the youkai; however, he was born from the dark. With what seemed to be years of cautious planning and experience, he dashes past the guards into the Akashiya estate. He pauses for a moment as he passes into the vampire territory. Looking back at unsuspecting guards his thirst for blood soared. "There need not be any more deaths tonight" decided the specter and continued towards the mansion that the shinsoo was last seen. Most youkai believed Issa was the shinsoo that many years ago stopped Alucard's reign of terror. His siblings Leviathan and Ziz could not hope to compete with his next prize. Mother had always loved them more. Leviathan was the master of the oceans and brought riches from the darkest abyss in the sea and Ziz was the most beautiful creature of the air; however, none of them have ever brought the blood of shinsoo.
~Bedroom of Issa and Akasha~
Issa bracing himself as he entered the bedroom he shared with Akasha.
"Issa, you should really seal your youki a bit better," offered Akasha.
"You are the only one who can sense me," breathed Issa as he wrapped his arms around Akasha.
"Nature always creates two of everything. If I can sense you, there may be someone else in this world that can," pointed out Akasha blushing.
"Yes… I can sense myself so there is no need to worry," joked Issa. "Or maybe I let you see my youki".
Akasha holds Issa's hands around her waist and together they stare out into the eerie night. Suddenly a flash of white light appears amongst the forest near the guards. The strength of the light was powerful but well hidden. It had momentarily paused beside the guard before disappearing again.
"Issa, do you see that light?" Akasha asked.
"What light?" he responded quickly as he seemed quite preoccupied with the laces on Akasha's dress.
~Outside the Akashiya mansion~
The rain had begun to pour. He hated water. It reminded him of his brother Leviathan. He changes form into one of those pitiful rodents that scurry across the ground. He was ugly, a shape shifter of all things. He liked his cat form though. It gave him a sense of elegance and grace that even his brother Ziz could not hope to match. Racing past the entrance hall, he heads upstairs towards Akasha's bedroom. "Blood shall be shed tonight. It is a pity that such a wonderful woman must die," he thought darkly.
Issa pulls at Akasha's arm. "Come my love, join me," Issa beckons.
Akasha glances at Issa with a worried frown and stares at the door. Issa races out of their bed and rushes to support the woman he loved. Akasha points to the doorway and the two of them walk out into the hall.
"Come out and state your business!" ordered Issa.
"Oh, I was hoping to do this quietly but I guess I underestimated your abilities Issa," the specter said calmly.
He changes to his feline form. "Good evening Akasha. My name is Begemot and I have come for your blood so it would be best if Issa did not interfere," he spoke with a seductive voice.
"I'll give you the fight you want; however, can this wait until tomorrow? My children are asleep and I don't wish to show them such a gruesome scene," suggested Akasha.
"Akasha your wisdom is only surpassed by your kindness. We will fight tomorrow," Begemot answered.
"Do you have a place to stay? We have many vacant rooms," offered Akasha.
"Thank you but why are you being so kind to me? I plan to kill you tomorrow and I won't even let you beg for mercy," threatened Begemot.
"We all need help finding our paths Begemot. I am just doing what I can to support you in your cause," Akasha answered.
~Next morning~
Akasha is walking down the hallway into the breakfast hall while Issa tries to catch up.
"Akasha please don't do this… think of the children," begged Issa.
"You always let the ones who try for your life to come. This is no different," said Akasha indifferently.
"He's in a league of his own though. I couldn't sense his youki last night and he pranced around the guards unnoticed," reasoned Issa.
"Issa, don't worry about me. I promise by tonight, we will all still have a nice family dinner together," reassured Akasha.
~Begemot in his cat form being pet by Kokoa, Moka and Kahlua~
"Good morning Begemot. I trust that you have slept well and our servants have treated you well," said Akasha warmly.
"Yes, this has been delightful; however, we still have our appointment later today," Begemot responded.
"Of course, how can I forget? I did some research yesterday and I was wondering if Leviathan and Ziz would also be making a surprise visit," Akasha suggested.
"They have nothing to do with me! I will have your blood so they will never look down on me again! If this is your way of trying to escape from this fight then you have failed," exclaimed Begemot.
"Damn, I had hoped I could deter this fight. I can't activate my shinsoo blood or Alucard might rise. At least I unnerved him slightly," cursed Akasha.
~Deep in the forests of Akashiya estate~
"The lore I have read on Leviathan and Ziz have reassured me of the power of those two legendary youkai; however, I couldn't find a single note on Begemot as if he never existed," pondered Akasha.
Akasha stares down her enemy. They were formidable opponents but still no match for her. Even without the blood of shinsoo she far outstrips any vampire alive.
Begemot winks at her and in a blink of an eye, Begemot breaks both of Akasha's legs and her right arm.
"Akasha! Stop this Begemot! I'll give you anything if you spare her life," begged Issa.
Begemot stares at the dying body of Akasha. "Thank you for the battle Akasha Bloodriver," Begemot said and with a bow walked towards the broken body.
"Crack! Snap!"
Begemot stopped and stared. The broken body was regenerating before his eyes. He looked towards the growing crowd of vampires with shock and outrage.
"What kind of trick is this!" bellowed Begemot.
"Crack! Snap!"
"You are far stronger than your siblings Begemot. You should be very proud of what you just accomplished. Should we call it a draw before things begin to get serious?" asked Akasha.
"I will have your blood Akasha!" Begemot declared.
The two engage in a fury of kicks and punches. Begemot switches from the form of a chimera, drakon, boar and bear dealing punches and kicks that could snap a thick tree. Akasha swings from left to right blocking and dodging. She spots an opening where the joints on the arm and shoulder meet.
The kick strikes the air leaving a trail of dust behind it. Completely out of position, a large arm harder than titanium smashes Akasha's head into the ground.
"What are you?" Akasha exclaimed.
"I am Begemot although I was also known as Behemoth the shapeshifter," said Begemot with authority.
"I have never heard of you before. Your power matches mine and exceeds that of Alucards!" Akasha said with surprise.
Suddenly the ground underneath them collapse and a roar pierces the air. The surrounding trees shatter from the force of the roar and the ground vibrates from the horrific scream that echoed across the forest. A dragon the size of a skyscraper lands with shockwave after shockwave of wood splinters and dust.
"I thought you said they weren't coming!" shouted Akasha.
"I didn't know! He must've overheard my mother and I," swore Begemot.
"Hello brother, thank you for weakening her. I shall take this prize to mother and kill you once and for all," declared Ziz.
Akasha slowly gets up. "I suppose I will have to release my shinsoo blood to kill the two of you then," admitted Akasha.
"Stand back Akasha. This is my responsibility. He is my brother," said Begemot solemnly.
"SHOW THEM YOUR TRUE FORM YOU COWARD!" bellowed Ziz.
Ziz viciously snaps at Begemot. "SHOW YOUR TRUE FORM YOU BASTARD," shouted Ziz with outrage.
"Very well, if that is what you, I will show you my true form," whispered Begemot.
That's when the world went dark. Suddenly, a torrent of flame darker than pure black releases a blast of energy that causes the crowd to be torn from the ground.
(A/N: black is the absence of color so anything darker than black would be the absence of color as well as the absorption of color around it.)
A torrent of black flame snares Ziz and suddenly a thundercloud like object forms above him.
"It's like I stepped into a fairytale and see it turn into a nightmare," thought Akasha in utter shock.
Begemot walks cautiously up to his brother. "So? A bit excessive I suppose and now you've let them see my true form, I regrettably must kill you," Begemot said with a hidden smile.
"You wouldn't dare. Mother would never forgive you!" swore Ziz in fear.
A paw outstretches from the black flame with 12 inches of pure titanium punches a hole through Ziz's skull.
"Thank you brother," Begemot whispered.
"What are you?" Akasha said with admiration.
"I am Begemot," stated Begemot.
"Would you like a deal Begemot?" Akasha said.