"Hakumen, sir…?" Tsubaki came to a halt. If she wasn't taken back by the cold tone of his voice, she'd be amused to see her childhood hero once more. After gathering her wits, she spoke, "By orders from the Imperator, I'm… um… chasing after Ragna the Bloodedge." I was until I found him.
"Is that so?" Without a word, Hakumen drew his Nox Nyctores. He pointed it toward Tsubaki, startling her. As he stood in a firm stance, he held the edge level with his chest, behind him.
Tsubaki could not believe it. Is he protecting Ragna's sake? "What are you planning? Could you be… defending Ragna the Bloodedge?"
The warrior only shook his head. "This isn't for the sake of Ragna the Bloodedge…" I won't allow myself to make the same mistake. He took a step forward. "But I cannot allow you to go any further."
The NOL soldier suddenly clutched her head in pain. A spell enters in her mind, hoping to subjugate Tsubaki to the Imperator's will. The soldier breathes heavily, slowly losing her will to resist.
Taking note of this, Hakumen asked, concerned, "Are you alright?"
Tsubaki stops and stands straight, looking up. As she spoke, menace seeps out, carrying weight in her words. "To point your sword against the current me… It means that you'll also be pointing that sword against the NOL and the Imperator."
Although dazed at her swift change of emphasis in her voice, Hakumen kept his calm demeanor. The Imperator has gotten to her again. That is the Mind Eater spell, is it not? Phantom. "I am well aware of that. From the very beginning, I haven't entrusted scabbard for the NOL… especially for the likes of the Imperator."
Drawing her weapon in hand, Tsubaki looked at her once childhood hero with a brave glare. Speaking with the desires of the Imperator, she said, "You might be one of the Six Heroes, but… defying the Imperator cannot be forgiven!"
…It seems that she has succumbed to the spell. I would hope it would not come to this. Hakumen could only shake his head in disbelief. "Poor girl… You had your mind seized, your heart blinded… You can see the light, but your eyes will not see the truth. I pray that you will overcome these chains by yourself." There's no helping it.
"I will cast judgment upon those who choose to stand in my way. You may be one of the Six Heroes, but you cannot win. Prepare yourself." Tsubaki, under control of Phantom, charged towards her hero.
Back in the dense forest, with trees looping around in sight at every corner, Ragna sighed in frustration as he continues his trek. "After all that, I still don't have a damn clue where the hell I'm going or where anything is. Pft. Really need a sense of direction, self."
Instead of self-abusing himself any longer, his thoughts ran through the last events, namely, with a certain soldier. He couldn't stop thinking about Tsubaki and their little time together. She's the enemy… But, she doesn't struck me as bad. Least she's not a total bitch. Probably one of the few decent people I might ever come across.
His thoughts of her trailed along to her words and touches. She says I'm nice and hugs me. I didn't do that much for her, though… And that hug… honestly, it felt weird, but nice. To be honest, she seems like she'd be a good friend. Whoa… where the hell did that come from? When has anyone ever seen me as soft?
Without warning, the fabric of space rippled, revealing an open hole, a distortion in the air. A figure stepped out, clad in a gothic-style dress. She held an umbrella, her transmogrifying cat's head on the top. Her long, blonde hair tied into two high pigtails. As she stepped out the portal, she opened her eyes, red as blood, and smirked. "Oh my. Lost again, aren't we?"
"Rabbit." Ragna snarled. Seeing the vampire always seemed to send him over the edge. "Spare me all your cryptic bullshit. I don't have the time to waste on you."
"Nor would I ever imagine spending my quality time on yourself, you petulant beast. However, it always seems as though you need someone to hold your hand."
"You tell him, princess!" Nago, the black cat, and Gii, the flying bat decided to barb at the criminal as well. They spoke in unison.
"Silence!" Rachel's demand came out loud and clear. She smacked the bat with the morphed umbrella for extra emphasis.
"Ouch! Princess…"
Ignoring the short pained cries of the servants, Ragna snorted as began to walk away. "What the hell do you want this time?"
"I have news regarding Miss Tsubaki Yayoi." As soon as the name had been announced, Ragna stopped in his tracks and looked back. Taking his actions as a signal to continue, she abided, "It seems that she is in danger. The spell the Imperator had set on her has lingered, straying in her mind. She refuses to abandon the use of her weapon, Izayoi, as well. As we talk, I believe that woman is clashing weapons with Mr. Hero."
"Why are you telling me?"
" 'Why?' Simply because she is your beloved one, of course."
Those words left Ragna sputtering. "What the hell, bunny leech?! I have no frickin' clue what the hell you're talking about."
Rachel giggled, enjoying the criminal's embarrassment. "Oh, but quiet a reaction there. I only observed a portion of your brief travel time with that soldier and if anything, she looked flushed at the close touches."
"Close touches…?" Ragna took a minute to think about what Rachel meant. Memories of Tsubaki's hugs and sincere words caught up in his mind. When the realization struck him, he snorted as he looked away. "That ain't any of your damn business. Why the hell were you stalking me, anyways? Seriously, you and master act like voyeurs around me sometimes."
Rachel replied, "I was keeping you in check. I prayed that you would not forget your objective. However, I must warn you of the fate the Izayoi holds. Excessive use-"
"Yea yea, I know." He interrupted her, "Too much use of that weapon can make her blind."
"That is only partially correct, you fool. The consequences I see are far more grave should she depend on that bedeviled armament. It corrupts her soul, along with the help of Phantom's Mind Eater spell."
"Huh?"
"Ragna, you must sever the ties between Miss Yayoi and the Izayoi along with the Librarium. Never would I have imagined relying on you for such a task, though. Perhaps you will only grow up at such little time."
"Again with your usual insults, rabbit." He sighed before walking towards her. "Alright, where is she?"
"She is in the lower district of the 5th Hierarchical City of Ibukido. There, a battle takes place amidst herself and Hakumen." She paused to look at his annoyed and irritated face at the sound of that name. "Jin Kisaragi should arrive soon, as well."
"Great. Two bastards out for my ass in one location." Never the less, he started toward the lower levels. He had to get to Tsubaki fast. And with luck, before Jin would arrive at the scene.
"Do be careful, Ragna." Rachel turned around as a portal appeared. When she entered, she, Nago, and Gii vanished.
"As expected from one of the Six Heroes, you're very strong." Tsubaki struggled to remain solid on her feet. She had received little wounds, as well as her opponent. Something she could not fathom was why he was going slow, and not rushing down. Why is he holding back? Her determination and dedication to the Imperator kept her moving. She held up her weapon once more. "But… this is all for the sake of the Imperator!"
The white clad warrior ceased his movements, sensing movements not too far. Seething his sword, he said, "So he's here. Let's leave the rest from here to him..." With that, Hakumen walked away, hoping to not get caught in the cross-fire.
Tsubaki turned around and saw a figure, gradually getting bigger as he got closer. The figure came into view. He donned the NOL major uniform with a respectively noticeable jolting sapphire jacket. His hair was stylishly blonde with cold, green eyes.
Tsubaki gasped as his whole body came to view. However, her attraction towards him didn't take over. "Jin?!" Suddenly, her head experienced one of the biggest headaches she had. Clutching her head, she winced in pain. Finally, the ache subsided, the Imperator's choice of words in her voice spoke. "Major Jin Kisaragi. There is a restraining order for you. Return obediently."
Jin shook his head in disgust. "Tsubaki… you really are foolish."
"Aren't you the foolish one? The NOL's exists to govern the peace and order in the world. The rule of the Imperator is required for this world."
This truly wasn't the Tsubaki Jin had known. It as the body of his long friend who speaks of the voices of the Imperator. "No, foolish isn't the word. You really are… stupid."
The soldier stood in place, taking the insult. She said nothing in response.
Taking her still actions as a sign to continue, with a sigh, Jin said, "The NOL has nothing to do with this. I came here for two reasons." A pause. "First, I will be the one to kill Ragna the Bloodedge. Do not interfere."
"Ragna?" With the sound of the name, her conscious awoke. Tsubaki looked at Jin with an appalled face. She couldn't let him kill Ragna. She couldn't let him strike down the man who had shown concern and care for her. "You will kill him?"
"… You know Ragna the Bloodedge, then?" If Jin was surprised by her awareness' revival, he did not show it. Her reaction came out, startled and fearful. He was lost for words if the possibility of Tsubaki knowing his brother was high. His brother he desired to kill, his destiny.
As Tsubaki was about to speak, the spell kicked in again. Her consciousness slowly leaving, replaced by the Imperator's. Kill him, he is an enemy of the Libraruim. She clutched her head, hoping to relieve the pain flowing through. "Argh!" After panting for a few seconds, Tsubaki, with the desire of the Imperator, spoke. "Surrender now, Jin Kisaragi. Now, I have acknowledged you as a rebel. I will judge your crimes and bring you to justice!"
Tsubaki, with her red short-sword and readied book lunged forward. Jin, fast as liquid, unsheathed his katana. No sooner than the blades clashed than various attacks patterned throughout. Neither would back down or hold back. She advanced once more, her shield in front of her. Jin jumped at the right time to slash downward while in the air. The shield and sword clashed, echoing through the outskirts.
The soldier sidestepped and summoned eight Izayoi-shaped blades behind her. They launched, aiming for Jin's chest. Jin crystallized a large bow and arrow and shot it, striking every one of the flying daggers. However, when the arrow hit the last one, it disintegrated, leaving no one neither frozen nor stabbed.
"Jin!" A gruff voice was heard. Both fighters momentarily ceased to look at the source. Ragna sprinted towards Jin and Tsubaki, hand clenching around the handle of his sword.
"Brother!" Jin, with control of Yukianesa , was able to keep his calm demeanor with Ragna in presence. A little. "Get out of here. This is not your fight, I will deal with you later."
Ragna ignored his brother as all of his attention focused on Tsubaki. "Tsubaki, what the hell are you doing? I told you to get rid of the Izayoi. That weapon is dangerous."
"Ragna?" Tsubaki looked at him quizzically, and… blushing. She spoke with her own desire, the spell broken temporarily. Immediately, a maelstrom of pain entered in her head. The affliction came down harder. She dropped her shield and sword and clutched her head, hoping to relieve the agony a bit. She grunted loudly, panting hard. "Ugh… ugh… Argh!"
"Is the Mind Eater going berserk?" Jin and Ragna stepped back, fearful if one got too close. Both had looks of concern and worry etched on their faces.
"Major Jin Kisaragi and Ragna the Bloodedge… I'll arrest both of you for rebellion," Tsubaki said with strain. The spell is slowly entering her mind, the Imperator's desire to eliminate them. "I'll… kill you."
Suddenly, she cried out, resisting the magic. "No! No… please! Help me, Ragna! Jin!"
"Tsubaki! Ugh!" Ragna chose to run towards the screaming soldier, but suddenly felt a rap of pain. The force was enough to drive him back, but he refused to lose his balance, to fall to his knees. "Shit, restriction ars. Is this the Imperator?" Saya...?
A blinding light shot out from the Izayoi. A new figure, donned with new armor emerged, born from the fallen wings of light. Her hair was now tied into a ponytail. The Izayoi she held stood three feet at her feet. Tsubaki, with a new desire for justice, awakening a much more sinister light.
"Evil is a sin. Sin is an evil. I hold the Blade of Judgment for evil sins."
"I see." Jin, who finally snapped out of shock said, "So that's the true form of the Izayoi?" Never before had Jin seen anything like this phenomena. He held up his weapon, ready for any unexpected attacks.
Ragna held his huge sword as well. So it's awakened now? Damn. Tsubaki…wake up.
"All who defy the Imperator shall be judged for their sins. Deaths for the rebels: Noel, Makoto, Jin… Ragna." Izayoi opened her eyes, crimson red, regarding neither men. They stared off in the distance, with traces of menace edging. "I am the judge. I shall convict all evil!"
Ragna and Jin were left with no words to say. Izayoi advanced forward, her new blade shrouded purple. Her speed was too great, neither of her opponents were able to react fast enough. Jin was thrown back with a wicked slash at his stomach. While sliding on the ground, he found the strength to roll, using his extra momentum.
As Ragna snuck behind her to drive his sword down, she teleported. Before the criminal could realize she was out of sight, she thrusted her weapon in his direction. Ragna ducked just before the point reached his neck. However, the edge caught him in his left cheek. Blood flowed from the newly-acquitted scar. Izayoi followed up with a front flip, catching her target with a sharp heel kick, sending him to ground.
Jin sent her a flying dagger encased in ice. On instinct, Izayoi sent her share of a flying dagger, this one colored green. They were evenly matched. At contact, they both disintegrated. Izayoi turned her attention to a grunting Ragna. She teleported in his direction to send a rush down of multiple slashes. Hand over his cut, the criminal had trouble blocking every single one of her offenses. After vanishing in the midst, only to appear behind Ragna she focused all of her energy and power in her armament, she held out her sword. Her blade did not make contact, however, instead, a thick dagger of light stabbed Ragna in the back, sending him tumbling.
From where he lay, Ragna only watched the battle raging between the two long-time friends. He internally cursed himself for underestimating Tsubaki's form.
As he tried helplessly to get back on his feet, a gust of wind was heard. Not a second later had a recognizable woman appeared, looking down at his battered form. "Come now, Ragna. We must retreat from this battle, post haste."
Ragna woke up with a groan. He was in a bed of some sort. His cuts and wounds were healing at a slow pace, in fact. Shaking his fatigue away, he recounted the last few events that transpired. The encounter with Tsubaki, Izayoi's awakening, his damn injuries, and Rachel's arrival and teleporting him to her mansion. How long has he been here? He lost rack of time.
As if on cue, Rachel walked in the room. "Oh my. Have you been awake long?"
"Rabbit. What the hell do you want?" Ragna definitely did not like annoyance after waking up.
"I came here with a new task for you. Though, I must inquire, have your wounds healed yet?"
"Huh? Yeah, they're fine."
"Good. You best thank Valkenhyan. Without his help, a filthy dog like you could not have make it."
Ragna growled, "What the hell, Rabbit? The hell I'll show appreciation to that old geezer." He took a deep breath to calm him down. "Anyways, what do you want me to do? Make sure it's fast, have to get to Tsubaki soon."
"Gracious , how astounding. You seem to show more care and worry to Miss Yayoi. I have to admit, I am somewhat impressed. Never have I ever imagined this level of maturity coming from you."
The criminal looked away and blushed slightly. "After the shit she's been through, I can't leave her now. I need to talk to her about the Izayoi."
"Looking at the display of attacks she performed against you and Jin, I must disagree. It will take more than talking to possibly sway her. That woman is as loyal to the Imperator and the Library as a brainwashed drone."
"You think I don't know? Whatever. Enough of your cryptic bullshit, what do you want from me?"
As a portal materialized behind the vampire, she gestured Ragna to follow her. "Patience, you foul creature." After stepping through the portal, their surroundings changed.
Ragna held a gasp at the figure floated in front of him. He easily recognized her. The Murakumo Unit No.12. Noel. Her? What the hell, Rabbit? How is she…
Mu took note of Ragna's silence. She followed his eyes, apparently gazing at her 80% nude boy. With the passion and mind of Noel Vermillion, Mu shrieked, "Eeek! Don't stare at me like that."
"I'm not staring, goddamn it!" His fight of flight response came out too fast. He looked in Rachel's direction. "What the hell? Why am I here? To lose another arm? No thank you!"
"Cease your yelling. They say 'the weaker the dog, the more it will bark'. I simply brought you here at Miss Vermillion's request. She wishes to have a duel with you, to test her true form."
Author's Note: The chapter is finally done. To be honest, I'm on somewhat of a roadblock with what could happen in the future chapters. I would very much appreciate it if you guys could send some ideas in the reviews. Who knows? I might use them. If I'm not able to accept and use all of them, I'm certainly open to be influenced. Until next time.