Chapter 30: Unity and Nationalism

Kou Empire

"So that's how it went," Amihiha said with a smile.

Ramses told her about his story at the Hinode Kingdom, as long as Amihiha told him her journey throughout Heliohapt.

"Yeah, my stay there was quite nice," Ramses said with a smile.

The Imuchakkan noticed the man's hair change throughout that year of training as well as his new wardrobe. Amihiha just can't help but feel warm from the new charms that Ramses has gained.

"You look cuter now~"

Ramses blushed crazily from her compliment and looked away, embarrassed.

"Hinode?" a voice called out.

Behind the two was the Kou Empire Princess, Kougyoku. She stayed her usual self. Amihiha and Ramses looked at her, wondering about her sudden appearance.

"I heard that it was once a prison island that one of my brothers were sent to," she commented.

"Brothers? I though you guys only had..." Amihiha counted her fingers while uttering their names.

"Seven brothers or something,"

"Actually, in secret, we had a brother that was a few years younger than Mei-nii,"

Ramses knew it would be Kousei. Being friends, they've exchanged their stories throughout the times when they didn't train. Kousei was actually the third prince. He was a powerful war general at the young age of 15, but in the aftermath of his final battle when he was 18, he was disgraced due to him not following the order of "cleansing" a village that was against the Kou Empire. Kouen showed no mercy in restraining him onto a boat that would lead to what they believed was a cursed island.

"So, Kousei is your missing brother?" Amihiha said.

"Kousei? That's his name?" Kougyoku said.

Reim Empire

"Hello, Muu Alexius, I'm Shen'Rey, Commander of a squad of AZRAEL troops, as well as Governor-General of AZRAEL," said the armour clad gunner.

AZRAEL, though an immediate terrorist, requested an audience with the Reim Empire Politics. After hearing this, Muu suspected something and devised an ambush on them, otherwise, they'd just use hidden spies for reconnaissance.

"You're probably wondering why we're here, right?" Shen said.

"Yes, why?"

"We plan on making an alliance with you; this is why we kept this meeting hidden from the public," Shen said with a friendly smile.

"Alliance?! I'm not handing the Reim Empire to another nation!" Muu was obviously choked from hearing the word "alliance". He angrily pointed his sword at Shen, earning no flinch or response.

"Look, this alliance will be simple: We're going to just be allies in arms. No political change or whatever junk. Go ahead and be nationalistic if you want, but in this alliance, you're independent," Shen said.

"Why do you think we took over Sasan, a Seven Sea Alliance nation?"

Muu squinted his eyes, eyeing this suspicious man close.

"So? Now you have the whole world against you. Why would we want to forge an alliance with you?"

The Commander sighed and scratched his head as he looked up.

"I haven't told you about AZRAEL's motives yet. Our goal right now is to revive a nation's true tradition. Sasan was following the codes of the Seven Seas Alliance, basically making them their slaves. Sinbad, as we both know, is a sly and dangerous king, using any dirty method to get what he wants. Do you want to work for Sinbad?"

"Of course not! But it doesn't-"

"Look, Mu. I'm not trying to humiliate you by bowing to my feet, nor am I trying to look down upon you. We just want to know if you need our help. No bowing, no kissing feet, no butt kissing. Just say yes or no, and I'll make sure you're truly independent from the Seven Seas Alliance, just like how you wish," Shen did a bow, "We shall serve you, if you accept our alliance."

Emiline's View

"Get ready!" I shouted, "Zorf!"

Utilizing Strength Magic to propel me to him, I already got close to him in little more than a second. Judar's red eyes show surprise from my immediate presence as I threw down my staff at his Borg. Due to his strength, a little dent was the result of my attack. Judar has been training since birth according to Holly. His magic may be strong, but are his reflexes better? I quickly reeled in my staff and lunged at his shield. His reflexes are quite good, only in the face of danger. He's too focused on defending himself.

Remember that he was trained by Al-Thamen's members, he may also have knowledge of magic-based CQC

Judar quickly formed a sword of ice using his wand and attempted to swing at me in a wide horizontal arc. He hit the left side of my Borg, instantly freezing the surface. I grunted in pain from the freezing feeling of my Borg getting hit by the ice sword. He reeled in his ice blade, preparing to shatter it with a lunge. I took a quick breath as I closed my eyes, then quickly opened them, using my Magi Sense to witness his Magoi Flow. Of course, his whole body is full of Magoi, him being a Magi and all, but I can see the Magoi flow toward his arm and into his wand. Knowing that his Magoi is fully focused in that attack, I have a chance to attack him. I threw my staff at his chest as he stabbed the frozen hull on my Borg.

"Gwoh!"

He was knocked down a few meters, but managed to regain composure and hover. I didn't flinch like how I did before because I managed to distort my Borg to make the rest of the Borg's defences increased at the cost of exposing that part of my Borg.

"Damn 'Magi', how are you not flinching from me destroying your Borg?"

"Why would I tell you? I'm not some sort of supervillain that tells his whole plot. Why don't you figure out yourself?"

I'm a person who grew up with that kind of media, and yes, I've seen a lot of villains explaining their plot.

"I don't have to, I just want to see your face when I take you OUT!"

Judar quickly summoned a hail of lightning at me. Erde rose from the ground and absorbed the electricity. For some reason, I saw Judar with some sort of face that showed a bad memory about to be re-experienced.

"I don't know, you're going to have to speak with my guardian," I said with a smirk, "Erde, smash 'im!"

Erde extended his hands outward, attempting to squish him with both hands. Judar's face of fear instantly shifted into a face of malicious glee from his upcoming attack.

"Heh, you really think I will be squished by that again?!" Judar said cockily.

I was already behind him. I love using Light Magic to bend the light of his eyes. Deception is fun when it's on a villain who uses malice and destruction, mostly because it's quite easy and fun. Anima taught me a bit of Magoi usage with her unique Bo staff style. Using Magi Vision again, I envisioned his Magoi Flow and tracked down his spinal valve. I charged my spell at the tip of my staff. Green sound waves rippled around the tip.

"Hadika Mawja!"

I lunged my staff into his back as soon as Erde disintegrated back into the ground. Erde's true form isn't his rock form, it's actually a gigantic Rukh glowing a vivid purple. This little disappearing act could leave Judar confused and off-guard. It's because I was behind Erde, but he never knew how I got behind him quickly. I was already behind him after my little talk about supervillains. The "Oracle" screamed in pain as he felt his spine go numb as he fell down. I'm no killer, so I formed a barrier of light to soften his fall. I floated down to the ground and saw a paralysed Judar. Great, his fading image means that I got played by my own game.

"I know Light Magic too, dumbass," Judar said behind me.

With a sigh, I spun my staff in a circle and pointed the other end behind me.

"Zorlf!" a purple orb of energy shot out toward Judar, hearing one of his ice break from the impact of my orb.

I looked around and realized there were many Judars and many Ice daggers surrounding me. Titus taught me Destruction, but all of my attempts at it failed, mostly because I had little knowledge of Heat and Water Magic. Instead, I decided to use a different formula.

"Flash!" A ball of light formed in front of me.

"Hadeka!" Green sound waves gathered around the light orb.

"Hal Hal!" fire engulfed the light.

"Sharrar!" Water formed from the aether and engulfed the concoction.

"Zorlf," black energy engulfed the amalgamation of elements and crushed it, forming a tight orb.

I raised the ball into the air. I smiled at a Judar copy; a smug smile.

"Great Flashbang Destruction,"

I covered my ears and eyes as I detonated the magical bomb. The explosion cleared out the ice lances and the great flash and sound will disorient the real Judar among the illusions. After the explosion, I looked around me and saw scraps of ice blades scattered among the field. A disoriented Judar, who looks like he's seen that banned Pokemon episode with Porygon, lay down on the field.

I pondered at the disoriented Magi and wondered, why? Why fight right here? Guess it just shows how bloodthirsty this "oracle" is. Geez, I know magicians are supposed to have healthy and fit bodies, but I'm guessing he's been doing situps just to grab the attention of Kou Hos.

Hakuryuu's View. Inside a Stealth Carrier.

"Well, it's time for your first mission, Hakuryuu," Zalam said through his intercom.

Hakuryuu now donned a different outfit. He now dons a heavy white jacket that he wears as a cape. A black sleeveless shirt tightly wraps his upper torso, revealing his strengthened physique. His pants go over the lower region of his shirt, revealing his white skinny jeans in their full glory with black boots reaching up to his middle shins. Zagan still resides in the Guan Dao, resting on his left hand. Belial, residing in a one edged axe.

"What is it?!" Hakuryuu said impatiently.

"Subdue Ren Kouha,"

"Kouha? Why?"

"Don't you dislike Koutoku's children? Don't you dislike how Kouen, Koumei, Kouha, and Kougyoku aren't helping you in your cause?"

"I don't care about them helping my cause, I just want to kill anyone who's in my way!" Hakuryuu said with an angry frown.

"Well, even if they're not, your goal is to revive the old Kou Empire, right?"

Silence. Hakuryuu just wanted more power, and his new leader, Zalam would give him a "dummy" to test his Sin Engine. During his last few years when he reunited with the Kou Empire Princes, he was colder than usual. He barely talked with the others, even to her sister, Hakuei. He only continued to train and was mostly seen around Judar. This isolation built up resentment and hatred toward the world. He has even forgot his promise to his love, Morgiana. Sometimes, he might ponder if his cynicism and rage will help him get back her love. But the only thing in his way is Gyokuen, the Witch of Al-Thamen.

"We have spotted Kouha, alone on a hill in a coastal area far north of Magnostadt."

"I'll make this quick, 'brother'," Hakuryuu said silently.

The hatch on the helicopter opened up. The chopper's optimal camouflage and sound nullifier made Kouha not realize Hakuryuu's flashy entrance. As soon as the White Dragon entered the stage, Kouha's ears perked up from the sound and he looked at the person who landed.

"Hakuryuu? Where have you been?" Kouha said with a concerned voice, "Your sis is looking for you, and En-nii needs you right now."

Hakuryuu silently shook his head. He grabbed Belial and raised to the sky. Eyes dilated and a brow raised, Kouha expressed surprise not only at his stone cold attitude, but his second Djinn.

"A second Djinn?! Where did you get that from?!"

"Shut up and fight," he closed his eyes and chanted.

"Spirit of Tyranny and Fury, lend me the power of the warmonger's axe, executing those weak and unworthy of your absolute power," a black aura surrounded him, assisted by the gathering of both white and black Rukh, surprising the androgynous prince, "Dwell in my body, Belial!"

Kouha really had no choice. If Hakuryuu really did turn bat shit, then he had to at least try to pull some sense into him. This power of using both White and Black Rukh was something that he just couldn't cakewalk. He immediately let Leraje's energy bond with his body and entered full Djinn Equip. The dark Strength Aura subsided and revealed the now transformed Hakuryuu. Kouha didn't care how he looked, he just wanted to stop his madness before it could potentially haywire into widespread chaos.

Author's Note

Consider this a bit of an early gift. I'll try and get the next chapter next week. The reason why I decided to write this chapter was because I was bored during Spring Break. I've already finished Dark Souls 2 twice (the mechanics are a bit harder, but it's easy for me to adapt to the boss fights) and I'm already at the final boss, again.

It's a bit short; a break from my usual 3k word chapters. Also, I think more people are starting to read this now, considering that the anime is now coming to an end, preparing for the Alma Torran Arc and possibly another Arc that doesn't involve flashbacks within flashbacks (seriously, they should have got Xzibit to show them Alma Torran lol).

Regarding Frank's romance, I'm not planning to make him asexual. He WILL end up with someone. Ramses may too, Amihiha might, but it's not likely considering her age. Amelia will find that special person.

Next chapter will have 0 Main character involvement and more Main Magi character involvement, so expect Hakuryuu and Alibaba point of views.

Also, the new image resembles two negative forces. Can you guess the symbolism of the different colored star halves?

Peace and love from your Forlornfreund.