Boss Rush
Note: Chapter XXIV has been edited as of 7 December 2012. Please check it out.
XXV: Bamboo Scrap
"So, these two sides have been fighting for god knows how long already," Adrian was learning a condensed version of history from the Sorciere de Fleur in the alcove of the Shine Palace. Ryuusei was decked out in black and red this time, and Adrian wore green with a dash of black. "And they've only just got around to an armistice?"
"There have been several previous attempts at peace," Marguerite primly answered, Vennominaga having disappeared. "One time, a meteor hit the earth. Another time, the ice age began. Needless to say, the continuation of the war was then seen as paramount to the cycle of seasons of the mortal world."
"...wow, that sucks," Adrian frowned as the doors opened. "I can't imagine being responsible for stopping a millennial-long war. Even the Venom Snakes only had centuries of fighting."
The double doors creaked open. "Their Imperial Majesties-"
"Please stop," Ryuusei interrupted Aussa. "We have an extra person. I'm sorry for not calling ahead, but could there be an extra place at the table? We have, erm, a friend here."
"Of course," Kuraz waved amidst the murmurs of others. More than one spoke of the serpent goddess's name. "Have a seat, child of the Poison Snake Goddess."
"They can read spiritual auras, apparently," Ryuusei informed a starstruck Adrian.
"We'll begin on the first item of extradition," Kuraz began to all the twenty-six leaders present.
Each side were demanding the extradition of several of the other. None were careless enough to mention the rulers outright, but several dark looks sideways were implied.
Finally, Delg stood, and Ryuusei had to physically intervene to stop Adrian from giving an undignified stare at the Dark Monarch. "Since we're obviously going nowhere with extradition, we shall move to the most important item on the agenda. Will the rulers please give word regarding the most important debate: the official end of the war between Summer and Winter."
There was a tense silence that descended as Judai shuffled through scrolls.
"Regarding the constant war between both the Courts," Judai read out. "To the parties assembled here, and the numerous territories by which are represented by the presence of the crowned heads of the Courts, a solution must be sought. Intermittent skirmishes between the Courts are well and good, but the cycle of pain must come to an end."
"The war determines the balance of the mortal world," Voltanis spoke up for the first time. "Since the beginning, Pandemonium has been waging war upon the Higher Planes. Similarly, the battle of Summer and Winter has continued, though not until recently with the Queen Maeve and Titania has the fighting been so intense. It is the match of power that had existed since the dawn of life, and would until its end. We are all pawns of that kind of strength the rulers hold. Insects beside giants, blades of grass before towering trees. Each wields vast power, power to rival the archangels and lesser gods of the three thousand worlds."
"The Stone Table of the Grasslands is a testament to the importance of this war," the Medium murmured in a faraway tone. "For half of the year, the Table lies within Winter. For half, within Summer. They exist in opposition. It changes hands, Midsummer and Midwinter. It is the constant change that drives us to do battle, titanic powers clashing to decide the they cancel one another flawlessly. And in the end, the board will be evenly divided. The lesser pieces will emerge and do battle to decide the balance."
"That's insane," Adrian whispered. The attention of both were immediately drawn to him.
"Blood is power," Voltanis looked understanding. "Blood spilled upon that stone forever becomes a part of who holds it. Blood spilled upon its surface takes more than merely life with it."
"The Table is not merely a repository for energy," the Medium of the Ice Barrier added. "It is a conduit. Great power would come of it, drawn into the hands of whichever sovereign ruled the Table."
"But you're all risking your lives for this!" Adrian protested. "That's insane, killing each other just because it's always been so!"
"We're willing to take that risk." Tytannial. Of course she'd say that.
"But I'm not prepared to risk the lives of Summer," Ryuusei swallowed as every eye turned on him, the young man standing. "Look, you can't tell me that none of you ever had a friend on the other side. You can't tell me that no one has friends and family in the other side."
A few people nodded, almost unwillingly.
"Okay? I'm pretty sure you can still find your friends again. I'm sure, that if we can resolve this war, future generations will not know the sadness of losing those that we love." He breathed in deeply. "Not that we must let go of the past, but... this cycle of hatred will perpetuate itself if we continue. Even if we fight this war, we'll end up destroying each other if this continues, and even if one side wins... the cycle continues. For the sake of the future, for the lives of the clans we hold dear, for the memory of those who have died... we have to begin this, so that their blood was not spilled in vain for a perpetual cycle."
Ryuusei took a deep breath as a sudden silence took over. "Okay, continue. The floor is all yours."
The Knight Joker and the Chevalier de Fleur nodded as he sat.
"I want a break," Ryuusei admitted.
"You're doing fine," Marguerite assured, even as Judai and the two Charmers on Summer's side gave him appraising and looks of admiration. "Not much longer now."
"As my counterpart has admirably summed up, this war avails us of nothing," Setsuka stood. "Summer and Winter, constantly chasing each other, wounding what the other heals and healing what the other wounds. Our senseless contest, waged for no reason other than that it has always been so, mortals and spirits alike trapped between us, crushed by the struggle. Accepting this waltz of war and hate is one of the options allowed in this world. The war will continue, and righteously justified sacrifices will continue... it won't end."
From the uneasy atmosphere, it looked like the rest, even the silent Dewloren, had already realised that.
"Even if Summer or Winter... either side wins and takes all of the opponent's territories... then another fight will erupt between those remaining few, and even more blood is spilt," Setsuka continued. "Various worlds have perished in this manner... can you not see it? An end to this war that does not result in mutually assured destruction... that has yet to be seen. If, just maybe, we can reach the different conclusion at the end, then won't it be not only mine, but one of this world's things not yet seen?"
More silence as she sat back down, and it looked like the talks were growing stronger.
"I like blood as much as the next Fiend," Dark Necrofear spoke, slow and measured in her cadence. "However, I too, wish to see that thing not yet seen. At least, for a while."
"I too, wish to see that which is yet to be seen," Queen Tiaramisu spoke gently. "As a parent, I cannot bear to think of the loss of my daughter. If this war will not end, then at least, a détente should be imposed."
"Absurd!" Uruquizas bellowed. "That the war would end..."
"Unthinkable!" Zeman agreed. "Occupying territory while making such baseless promises!"
"Is there no room for negotiation?" Calypso asked. "One should always aim for the future, no matter the situation."
"I do not intend on making territorial possession the theme of this armistice, since the land is not mine to give," Setsuka spoke up. "That will simply result into an extension from this side to some other war. I won't make some petty half-deals. I do not want to force a deal, for this is the most important conversation in the world. Things earned from lies are lost in a night."
"At the very least, Queen Winter is passionate about righteousness," Gottoms agreed.
"This has nothing to do with right or wrong, but rather an economic case study proven by game theory," Setsuka raised a finger. "In other words, to accomplish individual dilemma, mutual trust is very important as it leads to stable trade relations and trust-based relationships on personal and professional fronts. I would still prefer the most expedient solution, but fighting a war to debellation is not that solution."
"Why is it not?" Reign-Beaux demanded. "That is the way of war, to fight until one gains victory."
"But it shall be a Pyrrhic victory," Setsuka countered. "There are lines that we should not cross, overlord."
"You are Queen of Air and Darkness, why ever not?" the roar of Reign-Beaux was loud and demanding. "Allow me to marshal the forces of Dark World in your glorious name, Your Highness, and your victory shall be so."
"I have made my name on being unfairly just, that is, that everyone is equal before me," Setsuka answered as cold laced her voice. "The Queen of Fiends and the Queen of Air and Darkness stand before you."
"Hate to say it, but Colourful might have a point," Valkyrus interjected. "I mean, we've been winning battle after battle since you took the helm, where previously we're just getting by. All of Summer fears you, and all of the Imaginary World knows your name, Cold Queen. Or do you lack that ambition that Lia Fáil demands?"
The Light Fiend then froze, before he collapsed to the ground, writhing as Setsuka rounded on him in all her cold fury. "It seems that not all of the Gensokyo does fear me if you talk back to your Queen as such. Question me again, and I will finish freezing you so that your fate will be apparent at the parapets of Lia Fáil."
"M- Mercy..." the Fiend whimpered as he struggled back up.
Ryuusei frowned, trying not to condemn Setsuka even as Adrian clenched his fists. "Do we really have to fight? I mean, is a contest possible?"
"As long as there is a conflict of some form, the balance will most likely be satisfied," Voltanis mused. "We Fairies have also lost brethren within the wars."
"What shall be contested, then?" Brigid demanded. "I am all for ending the war, yet what shall we contest? Summer and Winter each have their own specialities that they excel in. One is the Court of the Land and Light, the other is the Court of Air and Darkness. Each excels where the other is lacking, and each combined are opposing forces."
"Luck," Shien proposed. "The wheel of fortune is one thing that favours no one."
"An admirable contest," the Archfiend Empress interjected. "If our rulers are to fight, the balance shall be equally divided, but it place our rulers at risk. Of course, if our rulers are to employ champions as that answer..."
"Midsummer approaches," Tytannial's voice was grating. "I hear of some mortal battle royale in the human world, one that happens only once a generation. As the Great Shogun suggests, we shall gamble on the mettle of these mortal warriors."
Ryuusei stiffened. Surely not...
"Let our rulers choose mortal champions for each," Tytannial continued. "Those mortals shall do battle to decide the balance. It is, after all, their fate that the outcome of our war rests upon. Let them decide it, then."
"That last one doesn't sound too bad," Adrian confessed.
Ryuusei fixed a look at him. "Do you really think giving the average person unrestrained power to essentially destroy whoever crosses them in a Duel is a good idea?"
"Oh. Bad then."
"I am all for this contest for the lord," Shien volunteered.
"Mortals should never be involved in these affairs," Regulus volunteered. "I find that often, they have no concept of what is at stake."
"I am all for battle, especially honourable single combat," the Arcana Knight agreed.
"I too, believe that humans can decide wisely, if granted that power," the Chevalier inclined her head.
"It will end the war," Hiita chipped in.
"So it will," Aussa agreed.
"Foolishness," Uruquizas dismissed. "Yet, to let the mortals decide their own where our conflict has lasted for so long, it should not be done."
"Humans have no concept of what is important, as Regulus-dono has volunteered," Blazeus spoke up. "To grant them power, tempered by their free will, is more dangerous than beneficial."
"I... I do not know," Brigid confessed. "I have never met a human for long, and the only human I know of is our King Summer and Queen Winter. I do not think granting any save for the most trusted and reliable power is wise, yet the Madolche clan and I do not wish to fight for a race we shall never see, hear or speak of. Perhaps, if we had some connection, we may, but for now, I shall abstain."
"Let the humans Duel for their fate, then," Voltanis echoed. "They will learn soon enough."
"I too, will abstain," the Infernal Flame Emperor spoke up.
"I am tired of fighting and losing my own," Dark Necrofear spoke in her chilling voice. "Let the humans fight, and spill mortal blood on the Table. They will feed our power."
"I'll stand with the Fiend Queen," Valkyrus cackled. "Less work for us."
"It is ridiculous, granting mortals without concept of what is at stake this chance," Archfiend Empress scoffed. "It was mortals who opened the doors between worlds in the first place. Even with the Nameless Pharaoh's sacrifice, they will not learn."
"Unthinkable," Reign-Beaux agreed. "Perhaps, only select humans, but how does one craft such a criteria? No, best to settle this amongst Duel Monsters."
"Let the mortals decide," Zeman cackled. "Let them die for their arrogance."
"I have known only a few mortals, and not all are good, in fact, most of them are misguided," Aria shook her head.
"Less blood of the Ice Barrier shall be shed this way," the Medium spoke up.
"I shall absent myself," Dewloren murmured.
"Foolishness," Eria spoke up. "If mortals are so blind as to the worlds, then why must we shed our blood? If mortals are so capable, then why are we fighting to determine the order of the nature they are in? If we live at peace, there shall be chaos only in their world, and not of ours."
"I just want the fighting to stop," Wynn murmured. "I have no idea about humans. I will never see if they will live and die for this war. I do not know, but I shall abstain lest I make a horrible mistake."
"Even if humans are to die in service to Summer and Winter, it will not affect us, and so they may decide themselves," Calypso relayed.
"Judai-san, don't let them do this," Ryuusei murmured, turning to the Herald. "If, if this happens..."
"Mortals will die, and they will not care," Judai agreed, before speaking, in a louder voice: "Okay, if you say so, but you might start off a war that could bring the Envoys down on your heads."
A chilling silence descended.
"The Envoys?" Adrian frowned. "You mean, Chaos Soldier and Chaos Emperor Dragon?"
"Envoys of the Beginning and the End," Marguerite confessed. "The reason why the war has been much slower but dragged out is attributed to the legend, that the Envoys will appear at wars destined to destroy the world, hence the fighting has not been so intense as merit their appearance."
"We will stop fighting, as you wish, Your Majesty," Tytannial turned to the king. "The cycle of hate will end. The mortals of your home world will maintain their own balance instead, no? Mortals are all the same, full of hubris and clawing for power to change their fate. Very well, now they can, and we will stop fighting. And they will die for their arrogance once one of them slips up, as mortals are wont to do, and it shall finally be over. Your workload has lessened considerably by the merit of this servitor now."
"A private audience with the newly crowned Summer King, Lord Kuraz, Lord Delg, and fellow leaders," Setsuka murmured as she glanced at the stricken expressions of them both.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Kuraz nodded to Dharc. "Let them use the side room. We resume in thirty minutes."
"What was that about?" Adrian demanded the moment Dharc retreated. "They were talking so cavalierly about... about humans! As if... as if we aren't important!"
"You're not," Setsuka simply answered. "In this worlds, humans are weak, pawns and chattel to be traded. Don't be so shocked, the leaders aren't human and they do not have the human mindset. Compared to the average human lifespan, Duel Spirits can live to hundred, maybe thousands of years. And they are so much more powerful than humans in this dimension, where Oppressed People, People Running About and Organised Resistances abound."
"What's going on, Shimotsuki, Marguerite?" Ryuusei asked.
"Summer and Winter both have lost people, shed millennia of blood for their own conflicts and implicitly to maintain the balance," Marguerite quietly answered. "Without the other to hate, both have united in their dismissal of mortals, or humans. War between the Courts have become so prevalent, and entrenched in the minds of monsters, that without the other side to hate, they will turn onto others. It is in the nature of the predator to turn onto prey, just as it is the nature of the gentry to place self before others. And it is so easy for them to dismiss mortal-kind."
"No," Adrian said. "I'm sorry. I just don't buy that. Surely there's more than pity and dismissal and outright abuse that monsters feel for humans."
"You don't need to buy it," Setsuka answered. "It's true. Think about it; as a race, humans are an enormous bunch of idiots. We're more than capable of ignoring facts if the conclusions they lead to make us too uncomfortable. Or afraid. Now imagine what monsters must think. We must be blind, deaf and our only advantage is in numbers, like herds of defenceless prey guarded only by the occasional protector and more likely to kill each other instead of even noticing the predator. Of course, the herd can stampede and kill the predator, yet anything that requires a collective effort from humans is always bound to fail. Think; how many humans can actually see spirits?"
"Uh... not a lot, publicly," Ryuusei admitted. "I mean, they aren't likely to advertise, are they?"
"And why?"
"Because... they don't want to be treated differently," Ryuusei murmured. "And... and some of them must be afraid, to see things that everyone tells them aren't there."
"And why?"
"Because... because monsters aren't real," Ryuusei quietly admitted. "And because humans don't see monsters as real, they don't believe in what they can't see. But, then... why must this war continue? Who dictated that we must fight?"
Eria stepped up. Her hand looked withered, the fingers tinged with blue as she raised them. "You ask a foolish question, Your Majesty. You are more clever than this."
Ryuusei folded his arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Wynn frowned at Eria, but said, "It means that who is not as important as why."
"And how," Aussa added.
"You have addressed why: because Duel Spirits do not recognise humans as friends, or equals," Eria took up. "If this war stops, both sides are free to abuse and toy with humanity. Your mortal stories tell of those times, where you had to put iron above your children's cradles to keep us from stealing them, when certain nights meant certain death, when not leaving out gifts, or speaking of them by their names, might mean your house being destroyed or your life taken."
"You scare him, Eria," Marguerite grumbled.
"Is that true, Marguerite?" Ryuusei murmured.
"...unfortunately, yes," Marguerite answered, not meeting his eye. "I, Vennominaga, many others of Summer and Winter alike... we have all been guilty one way or another. I realise that as a fellow human, you will sympathise with the mortal-kind. Yet, try to think of us spirits. Humans are treacherous beings, and some of us have also fallen victim to them."
"That's kinda racist," Adrian noted.
"It is what you will," Marguerite murmured. "The fact remains thus: the human balance of the seasons depend on Summer and Winter competing. If it continues, we of both Summer and Winter continue to die, and maybe bring the Envoys down. If Summer and Winter stop the war, both sides begin playing with humanity, and it will be like when I unleashed 'seeds' across the earth, that is, complete chaos."
"Therefore, the most ideal solution is that we must stop the war while keeping Summer and Winter distracted." Ryuusei shuddered at that memory. "How do we do that?"
"Games," Adrian spoke up. "Games were a substitute for wars in the ancient civilisations. The Olympic Games had stopped wars for people to play in them before. If we can do that-"
"The Duel Monsters version of the Olympic Games?" Ryuusei mouthed. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Setsuka giving a slight smile. It might have passed briefly, an illusory moment, but he found himself brimming with satisfaction that he has realised at last, that finally, Summer and Winter were on the same page.
Swords were clashing the moment they re-entered the great hall.
"Please stop!" Brigid was trying to separate Tytannial from a smug Zeman, while Reign-Beaux and Valkyrus crossed swords with Shien and Gottoms.
Flames were also raging as the Princess of Camellias hurled invectives at Brigid. "Unhand me, lowly baroness!"
"What is going on?" Setsuka turned to the stone-eyed Herald.
"Tytannial insinuated that she'd be a better ruler than him, there were a few disagreements, and as you can see, none of the others will intervene," Brigid murmured.
"Then, Ryuusei, you must establish yourself," Setsuka indicated to the other monarch. "Such a thing may be taken as high treason."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "There's only one punishment for high treason."
"I can't do it," Ryuusei murmured. "I can't kill anyone."
"Then be creative," Setsuka's voice was crisp. "Surely there is a brain in there." Louder, she turned cold: "What is the meaning of this?"
Reign-Beaux and Valkyrus immediately backed off to face her. "Queen Winter, Her Ladyship insults your name. We would have you demand satisfaction in the name of Winter. Her head for your appeasement, Your Majesty."
"Vicious, violent, merciless despot!" Tytannial spat at Setsuka. "The fates curse you, two-world queen! Winter collapses under your rule!"
Aussa leaned towards Ryuusei. "Do not do it. Midsummer approaches, if Tytannial's power is poured upon the Stone Table, come Midwinter she and her creatures will come and destroy us."
"Well, King Summer?" Setsuka turned to regard him, coolly amused. "What will you do? Will you exchange this one to satisfy vengeance, or curse those bound of service to Summer yet more pain to come?"
Marguerite seemed to be gripping tighter on her staff, the Winter-allied monsters seeming to glow with a shrouded aura of malice and desire to spill blood, cool and distant. Aussa and Hiita tensed, booth seemingly ready to fight.
"This is outrageous," Reign-Beaux hissed. "Her Majesty is the symbol of us all. This is an offence that can be retaliated with war."
"That's overkill!" Judai protested. "Oh come on!"
"The Overlord of Dark World is correct," Kuraz murmured. "To insult the pride of a ruler, any ruler, to their faces, is tantamount to a diplomatic crisis. It is like a declaration of war."
Ryuusei rounded on the queen. "Shimotsuki."
"Shimotsuki Setsuka can forgive this insult," Setsuka stiffly replied. "The Winter Queen cannot. Offer appeasement, King Summer, lest you face war once more."
"It has always been so," Tytannial laughed. "Come, King Summer. If I as the potentate of the Plants am taken in, where is your pride? You will tear apart your kingdom if you hand me to the Winter Queen. Yet, if you do not, you will invite war once more. Choose, your kingdom or the peace?"
Aussa stared deep, her brown eyes resigned. "The Plants will tear apart Summer."
"So close to peace," Hiita echoed, clearly trying not to cry. "So close..."
The other Summer-bound looked pensive, awaiting.
"This is ridiculous!" Adrian protested. "This is unfair! Aren't monarchs bigger people than this?"
"This is the rules of the realm," Delg answered. "To allow an insult to pass is like inviting attack upon one's person, and by extension one's kingdom. All rulers, especially the Winter Queen, must retain some measure of distance, especially where one's bitter arch-enemy is concerned."
"Judai-san?" Ryuusei asked.
"No use," Judai answered. "Once upon a time, I duelled the young Shimotsuki Setsuka... already then, she already had a heart of ice. Those eyes... those are the kind who would step on you and kill you and feel more guilt about dirtying her dress than about any death caused. She can, and she will be insulted and bring war unless appeased."
"Will you choose?" Tytannial's mocking laughter grated.
"You must do it," Marguerite murmured to the Summer monarch. "You must... give the order."
"No," Ryuusei murmured as he drew a card. "Night Rose Dragon!"
Many scattered as dark wings unfolded, the dragon giving a bellowing roar as it appeared in a storm of dark rose petals.
"Whoa," Adrian stared. "So this is the infamous Night Rose Dragon..."
"Night Rose Dragon, attack," Ryuusei spoke, his voice dead inside.
Neither monarch flinched as Tytannial was impaled upon one tentacle and her body swallowed by fire.
Ryuusei then turned to the coolly amused Winter Queen. "I cannot in good conscience offer one of my people as prisoner, yet neither will I endanger my people because one member does not conform. I hope Queen Winter will accept this and be assuaged that the insult to her has been repaid."
"Spirits are vindictive and proud, one way or another," Setsuka acknowledged. "I am the cold, cruel winter. I will do the necessary to protect those of Winter. To me, one more dead or tormented to madness or a few more makes no difference. Will you?"
"That's like being traitor to humanity," Ryuusei pointed out.
Setsuka only shook her head. "Slowly, you will forget. And then, when the last memory of humanity has been erased, you will truly be King of the Land and Light. In short, you will be a monster, and you will be a happy monster."
Marguerite laid a hand on his shoulder. "I am sorry that you had to do that."
"I feel responsible for them," Ryuusei answered. "If needed... could we arrange a memorial for her?"
"She will return," Aussa dismissed. "Perhaps this will teach her who are her betters."
"That was something admirable you did, King Summer," Shien nodded. "I am proud to align myself with a worthy one like you."
Brigid laid a gentle hand on his own.
Ryuusei looked at her. "Do you feel bad that I've..." he left off.
"You poor soul," Brigid murmured. "You will sacrifice so much for us, and most of us will never thank you. I wish that you would know peace."
Ryuusei hung his head silently before he raised it to look at all the remaining, determined Summer-bound. "Shimotsuki and I have discussed this. We will sign the agreement. The war is over."
Cheers went up as Duel Spirit and human alike clapped, the Duel Spirits ignoring that one of their kind had died before them. Ryuusei placed his hand over his face, never looking as his own began to celebrate.
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