Standing before the ruins of Yokai Academy four figures were seen under the night sky. Rin looked around at the school that she had destroyed, remembering all too well how she annihilated the building along with the dorms and the surrounding forests with her storm. She whimpered and looked down while holding her hands to her face, with Jovian and Jacqueline then holding and comforting her while Talon surveyed the area with a careful eye. There was no sign of anyone else around the piles of debris and rubble, with those who had survived likely having left since there was nothing left now.
"I didn't want to do this… I didn't…" Rin whimpered.
"You are not to blame Rin, you were used by another, one who is truly at fault with this school's destruction," Jovian sympathized.
"The blood of the fallen here today lies on Falla's hands, she is the true monster responsible for this disaster," Jacqueline assured. Rin nodded then looked down while holding her clenched fists to her sides, feeling her rage building towards the chronofly that brainwashed her into becoming a weapon again.
"When I find her… I'm going to rip her throat out," she cursed with malice. Jovian smiled gently and wiped a tear from the siren's cheek.
"A suitable fate for the one who wronged you," she agreed.
"Come, let's see if she's still here, perhaps you have already taken care of her with the very chaos she caused you to do," Jacqueline suggested. The girls then started walking through the debris field while looking around for any sign of the chronofly. A few students and teachers were found dead under the rubble, however after an hour of searching there was no sign of Falla's body.
"Perhaps she's buried deeper, how about we blast the area and make sure nothing under us is alive?" Jacqueline said with a cold smile while her arm had her trademark colors swirling around towards her palm. Jovian shook her head while looking around carefully.
"No no, then it may forever be a mystery whether or not Falla had died during the school's destruction. Rin must have her revenge realized and to do that we need to know for a fact where Falla is and if she is truly dead or not," she reasoned.
"But there's so much rubble here, it'll take us forever to dig through it all," Jacqueline whined.
Talon walked over towards the girls, with Rin looking to him with frustration and teary eyes.
"We can't find her, what if she's not here? What if she got away?" she said shaking her head.
"Again, we can still hold out hope that she was torn to shreds by the storm," Jacqueline reasoned with a weak smile and shrug. Jovian rolled her eyes then looked to Talon.
"Master, we searched around the area, but we can't find any trace of the girl Rin described. She could potentially be buried under more of the debris, or may have even left the grounds altogether," she speculated.
"I need to find her and strangle the life out of her myself; she's not getting away with what she did!" Rin yelled out while stomping her foot down. Talon glanced around then back to the girls with a blank expression.
"I don't believe she's still here, she is a chronofly after all. I don't think it would have been this easy or lucky to strike her down," he reasoned. Rin looked around at the rubble while grunting with frustration.
"But what if she's here right now, just barely alive and under our feet? I need to find her and be the one that ends her accursed life once and for all!" she said with anger. Talon held her chin and brought her gaze back to his, the girl looking at him with frustrated eyes while Jovian and Jacqueline watched them curiously.
"You need to calm yourself Rin, you must think clearly when hunting your prey otherwise your anger will blind you and cost you dearly," he warned. Rin looked at him with worried eyes as the boy glanced around at the destroyed rubble.
"There were others here, though not the girl you're searching for. I saw them before I myself fled this place. If Falla was still alive and found to be wounded they likely would have taken her away along with any other survivors they may have found. There's no camp setup around here for a rescue, no signs of supplies left behind, nothing but a destroyed academy and the corpses that it still houses. Either she died in the chaos, or would be long gone from this place by now," he pointed out. He then looked back to Rin as she was showing a saddened expression.
"Ask yourself Rin, is the one you seek really so weak as to die here like this?" he asked. Rin sniffled then shook her head as he let her chin go.
"No, she's a powerful monster with her magic; she was even one of the fighters that stood up to a big destroyer that was running loose in the human world. She wouldn't go down so easily," she said softly.
"You said she would have to come after that key you have, right?" Jovian asked. Rin nodded as she felt the key in her pocket.
"Yes, she needs it for something important, she and her friends. They'll come looking for it when they can," she said looking to the witch. Jovian smiled and nodded.
"Then if she is still alive, she will come to you. And if she isn't still alive we can find out her fate from her friends that also come looking for that key," she reasoned.
"Yeah, you don't have to look for her, she's going to come to you, one way or another," Jacqueline agreed. She blinked then looked to Jovian with disbelief.
"Wait, if that's true then why did we spend all this time looking around this dump for her body?" she whined.
"Because this was on our way to our next location, and we owed Rin the chance to at least search for Falla should she have still remained here," Talon mentioned. Jacqueline looked to him with a nervous smile and nodded.
"Oh yeah, that's right," she said quickly. Rin sighed and looked down with a dull gaze.
"She won't get away from me, not after what she did," she said bitterly.
"She will not escape her fate Rin, we and our master shall help you find the one who made you into a weapon," Jovian said assuredly.
"Again, I'm not your master, I'm merely another who was used by Fairy Tale like you were. I summoned you two to assist me with their destruction, not to serve me like slaves," Talon said dryly.
"But we are your slaves master; it is our purpose in life. Please, don't concern yourself about us or our position, we are made to serve," Jovian insisted graciously.
"Yeah, your will and command are our reasons to live, it's our job to carry them out," Jacqueline said with an eager nod. Talon glanced between them with a raised eyebrow.
"I didn't summon you both to be used by me; I summoned you to merely fight alongside me against our true enemies. If it's merely a matter of your spell that's binding me to you then I'll simply order you two to be free from me," he said calmly.
"NO!" the witch sisters cried out. Rin watched them with surprise as the two girls dropped to their knees and held their hands together in a begging position.
"Please don't do such a thing to us master! I beg of you!" Jovian pleaded.
"Please, we'll do anything you want, anything! We'll never say no to anything you ask of us, so please don't be rid of us!" Jacqueline cried out. Talon looked at them confusedly then shook his head.
"Why is it you two wish to be enslaved by another? I don't want you to be my slaves," he said simply.
"We need you master, without you we'll die!" Jovian cried out.
"No need to be so dramatic about it, just answer my question," Talon said flatly.
"No, we mean without you we will actually die!" Jacqueline said fearfully. Talon looked at them carefully as the two girls looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"What do you mean without him you'll die?" Rin asked.
"We're witch sisters, our spell ties us both to a master; we must serve his will directly within three meters and follow his command to the best of our abilities while further apart, it's part of our design," Jovian explained.
"If we don't have a master, because he chose to be rid of us or he is slain, we will become cursed. Our spell was made so we knew specifically about this, so we would never even question our master for a moment," Jacqueline whimpered.
"Cursed?" Rin asked. Jovian looked to her with fright and nodded.
"Our spell is crafted so that we serve our master's command; it is our only purpose for living. Should our purpose be taken away we become cursed," she said fearfully.
"Cursed to do what?" Talon asked.
"Die," Jacqueline said shakily. Rin looked at them with wonder as the two sisters stood up and looked at Talon with pleading eyes.
"We will become cursed with death itself, it will come to relieve us of life for failing our purpose," Jovian explained.
"It can't be avoided, it will come for us again and again, and the more we should try to escape it will grow more malevolent and brutal. The longer we exist without a master the more death will come for us, until the day comes when it finally catches us and we are slain," Jacqueline said nervously. Talon looked at them curiously while the girls whimpered and rushed up to him, holding onto his chest while looking at him with watery eyes.
"Please, we'll do whatever you ask, we want to be your slaves, it's our purpose in life," Jovian pleaded.
"You're not using us against our will with your quest, we want to take down those that made us into weapons in the first place, we are how we are because of them," Jacqueline whimpered.
"We're already cursed, allow us to help you bring Fairy Tale down into hell for what they did to us," Jovian said softly.
"Please, we need you master, we'll die without you controlling us," Jacqueline pleaded softly. Talon looked at them for a moment before the girls lowered their heads.
"We beg of you," they both said quietly. Rin looked at them with wonder then to Talon as the hybrid breathed out then nodded.
"Very well, you two may assist me with my quest as you are," he said simply. The witches looked to him with bright smiles as they wiped their tears away.
"Really? Thank you master!" Jovian said as she hugged him.
"We won't let you down!" Jacqueline cheered as she hugged him too. Talon looked up with a dull expression while the witches held onto him, with Rin watching them curiously. Both witch sisters held onto the boy tightly while he waited for the embrace to end with a quiet sigh. After a while the boy glanced to each other with a raised eyebrow.
"Jovian. Jacqueline," he said simply.
"Yes master?" they asked while still hugging him.
"Get off me," he said flatly. The witches blinked then quickly jumped back while smiling nervously.
"Sorry master," they said in unison. Talon shook his head then looked to Rin, the siren watching him curiously still. She blinked then showed a timid expression.
"I owe you as well, for all that you've done for me," she said softly.
"You owe me nothing Rin," Talon said, with Jovian and Jacqueline looking at the siren curiously.
"But I do. You kept me safe when I was a wandering idiot, you had your witches cure my mind when nobody else ever could, and you're helping me find the one responsible for my horrible life. I owe you so much Talon," Rin reasoned honestly.
"I kept you safe when you had no senses of your own because that was the proper thing to do, couldn't have you wandering around the monster world in your clueless state. As for helping cure your mind, I did that so you could think for yourself and have a chance at survival in this world, I never planned on you following me after that," Talon said shaking his head. Rin glanced to Jovian and Jacqueline then to Talon while walking up to him.
"I'm just like them, a weapon that was used by evil against my will, one that you rescued and gave a chance to exact revenge on the one who ruined my life," she said softly. She looked down for a moment then to Talon with a small smile.
"You picked me up after I was broken and lost, made me whole again. I'm going to help you too Talon, I won't let you down with your mission," she said gently. Jovian and Jacqueline looked to each other then to Talon as the boy just watched the siren with a blank expression.
"What do we have here?" the headmaster said from nearby. The group looked over to seeing the man with white robes standing amidst the debris while watching them with his glowing eyes.
"Rin Otonashi, I see you have returned, and with a few others as well," he said looking over the group, with his gaze stopping on Jovian.
"Jovian Kikion? I was under the impression that you were dead, this is a most unpleasant surprise to see you again," he said with a tone of annoyance. The witch raised an eyebrow at the man then smirked slightly.
"Kikion? Is that the last name my predecessor used?" she quipped. The headmaster looked at her carefully before Rin turned to face him.
"Headmaster, is Falla alive? Where is she?" she asked sharply. The man looked to her then shrugged.
"I'm not sure where she is now my dear, her sister and friends came by and took her and her human friend away, though where they left to and how I myself am not certain," he explained. Rin looked at him for a moment then down.
"Her sister? The one who was trapped in the dark world? How did she return, I thought Falla needed Pandora's Box to go find her," she questioned looking back to the man.
"I'm not sure how her sister was saved; only that she was indeed back and in one piece. However I believe I have more prominent questions regarding you and your friends here, with one of them being somebody who shouldn't even be alive," the headmaster said cautiously. Rin looked at him for a moment then showed a dull glare.
"If you see her again, tell her I have the key to Pandora's Box, and that I'm looking for her," she said with a slight tone of anger. She walked over to Jacqueline as her wings extended out before the headmaster held up his hand.
"Hold it Ms. Otonashi, we have more to discuss with one another, you are not permitted to leave yet," he ordered. Rin stopped then glanced back to him.
"Is Ren still ok?" she asked. The man looked at her carefully then nodded.
"Yes, she and Mr. Aono are still in Paradise, they have not been informed about anything that has transpired here yet," he explained. Rin nodded then looked away.
"Good. When you see her and Ran again, tell them… goodbye for me," she said before she held Jacqueline and flew them up into the air. The headmaster watched them fly off then looked to Talon as he extended his wings with Jovian walking up and holding onto him, the witch eyeing the headmaster with a dull expression.
"What have you done to Ms. Otonashi?" the headmaster asked cautiously.
"We only freed her mind, that girl is nobody's weapon anymore," Talon said before taking off into the air, with the headmaster watching them flying off into the sky. His hand flinched as several casting circles and spheres in the air appeared briefly with neon white and blue lights before crackling and fading away.
"The sisters Kikion, I suppose they would be powerful enough to deflect my containment circles around them like that. I do wonder what this means, with their return and Ms. Otonashi joining them," he questioned carefully to himself.
Up in the sky Talon held Jovian while flying through the air, the witch watching him with adoring eyes as she was ready to serve his command without question. Next to them Rin was carrying Jacqueline in her arms, the siren focused on her new purpose in life. To find and kill Falla for what she did to her, and to help Talon with his quest of slaying all those who ever served in Fairy Tale. She knew that meant Dark, Akua, and Kahlua, however she felt there was no going back for her. She couldn't face her sisters or friends knowing what she had done, she didn't have a home to run off to, she had nowhere to go or anyone else to turn to. Except for a hybrid and his witches, who had cured her mental condition and accepted her regardless of what she had done in the past.
As they flew off with Talon leading the way Rin glanced to the hybrid with gentle eyes, watching him flying with a focused expression on his face and his wings flapping steadily.
'I'm at your command Talon. Just name it, and it shall be done.'
Deep underground within the HDA HQ compound outside of the city limits Hothorne was seated at a sleek gray conference table along with other HDA officers and officials. On the other end of the rectangular table Moka and Akasha were seated, with Moka sipping her tea while Akasha was glancing to her sword which was leaning against the wall near the doorway along with two armed guards who were standing at attention on either side.
"Thank you for bringing me my blade Mr. Tamaka, it's nice to see that you do have some trust with us after all," she said looking back to the director. He smirked slightly while the other HDA members watched the vampires carefully.
"I thought you would appreciate knowing that your weapon would be returned to you. Besides, even if you wanted to use it against us I don't think you would get too far," he said with a slight chuckle at the end. Akasha smirked and shrugged.
"That could be debatable, but your generosity is appreciated nonetheless," she said casually. Hothorne looked at her with a careful eye for a moment then leaned back in his chair while turning his attention to a laptop he had opened in front of him.
"Anyway, we've gone over all the details and evidence videos to accept your story of this 'dark king' that has been the cause of all of this, however we do have other matters to settle before we commit to dealing with this culprit. The first of which is this," he said, then typed a few keys on his laptop before the monitors on the side of the room switched to different feeds. Moka and Akasha looked to seeing reports and videos of monsters attacking human buildings and streets, with HDA personal attempting to kill or take them down. There were winged demons that were terrorizing taller buildings, larger brutes that were trampling through the streets and alleys, and magical casters spreading fire and electricity where they ran while HDA personal were firing at them from cover. Moka and Akasha stood up and walked over to the videos as they saw monsters of various forms causing havoc in a human city.
"What is this?" Moka asked looking back to Hothorne. The director leaned back in his chair and waved to the videos.
"That Moka, is the result of your friends breaking into our holding center, which inaction released many other monsters who aren't so keen on being peaceful with us humans," he said with annoyance at the end. He stood up then walked over to the girls while looking at the reports.
"We've detained some, killed others, however many more still run free now because of your friends after they broke into that holding center. Not only that, but others who were hiding in our world have now joined them, creating a rebellion of sorts. The HDA is working to keep these outbreaks contained however it's proving to be difficult, they keep sprouting up without warning. For now, all news networks are being silenced, the reports you are seeing here are only seen here with us, but it will only be a matter of time before word spreads of this uprising; that monsters are turning against humans," he said shaking his head.
"What are they doing? Have they lost it, they're making us out to be even more horrible than before," Moka said with disbelief while looking at the reports.
"Humanity has witnessed three large-scale monster attacks in such a short time; your tale of what really transpired would not be met with understanding or sympathy but rather criticism and demands for your execution. If these new attacks become public as well, then the idea of forming peace will be pushed even further out of the world's eyes," Hothorne said solemnly.
"I don't believe they appreciated being treated so unfairly by your men Mr. Tamaka, they are acting somewhat expectedly with this little revolt of theirs," Akasha commented with crossing her arms.
"We know we acted rashly after we were attacked, however we had every reason to do so. Our children and homes were under attack, it was the HDA's job to stop the outbreak and deal with the monsters that were causing the problem. If you would take a moment to consider how this played out from our viewpoint we acted just as we should have, by doing what was best for our race in self-defense," Hothorne reasoned. Akasha nodded then held a hand to her chin.
"Seems we've been pitted against each other by horrible circumstance, and both sides are being targeted for annihilation by the dark king above," she said carefully.
"We must put an end to the fighting and regain order before this war begins, we cannot be occupied with matters such as these when a greater threat is approaching us all," Hothorne said while watching the videos. Moka looked to him with concern.
"Then what do we do now?" she asked.
"We need to address the public and calm them down. Although these other instances are being kept in the dark, the world still knows that monsters attacked us and caused so much havoc, we need to assure them that this is being taken care of," Hothorne said walking back over to his seat.
"And just what do you propose be done about that?" Akasha asked.
"If we inform the world that this 'dark king' and his army are poised to attack at any time it could cause more panic with the world, for now we'll just tell the public that there is a third player in this conflict," Hothorne reasoned.
"If we're the second player in this that means you're admitting to working with monsters in this fight, how do you intend to smooth that over with humanity?" Moka asked with a raised eyebrow at him. Hothorne smirked and motioned for the girls to sit, which they then did while watching the man carefully.
"We're going to kill two birds with one stone, that's how," he said knowingly. He clicked some more keys on his laptop to cycle through footage of the current monster breakouts that were being hidden from the public.
"You both claim that we can trust and depend on you in this upcoming war, that monsters do still wish for peace, and even declared that on live television. Well, after everything that's happened I'm quite sure humanity isn't ready to believe that," he stated. He then looked to the two girls with a smirk.
"So I believe the world needs to see firsthand that what you said was true, that you are on our side," he reasoned.
"To see firsthand?" Akasha asked. Hothorne nodded and waved to the videos.
"If the HDA is seen taking care of all of these instances and stopping rampaging monsters, then that will help the world rest easier knowing we're here but also solidify their beliefs that you're all our enemies. However, should you and your friends who support this idea of coexistence stop them publically, then mankind might see that not all monsters are evil," he explained. The vampires blinked then looked at him curiously.
"Wait, you want my friends and us to deal with these monster attacks?" Moka asked.
"In front of everybody?" Akasha questioned.
"Correct. Tomorrow we will address the world and announce that there is a conflict taking place with monsters attacking our world, which is true and what the world needs to know, but we will also let you speak and make yourselves known to both the world and those of your kind that are running amok, to declare your allegiance to mankind and your wishes for peace. You and your friends will be tasked with stopping the monsters that you set free into our world, however you will be doing so in support of the HDA, both proving to the world that monsters can be good and also cleaning up the mess you yourselves have made," Hothorne said with a slight smirk on his face.
"You want us to assist the HDA, after they tried to kill us the other day?" Moka asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not to mention after one of your drivers ran over one of our friends today?" Akasha added.
"Yes," the man said with a simple nod. The vampires looked to each other then to the videos of monsters going wild in the city.
"This will be your chance to prove to the world that you are on our side, that even if rogue monster do cause problems there are those who wish to help us," Hothorne reasoned.
"You and your friends have faced greater odds in the past based on previous records, surely you can handle these smaller threats properly, can't you?" an officer questioned.
"It's not a matter if we can handle these monsters, it's if my friends are willing to work with the HDA after all they've put us through," Moka said looking to him with discontent.
"You don't have a choice Moka Akashiya; this is how your kind can show the world that not all monsters are bad, with a public demonstration backed by the HDA. Our men will assist your friends keeping these threats contained, however it's up to you to make an example of good monsters and deal with them accordingly," Hothorne stated. Moka and Akasha glanced to each other then back to the videos.
"I suppose these monsters are our responsibility, we did cause quite a big mess with breaking our friends out," Moka reluctantly agreed.
"And once we take care of all these troublemakers, will that be enough to convince your world that we're on your side?" Akasha questioned.
"It will make a noticeable impact with the people to see all of you aiding our kind with the HDA; however that alone may not quell all the waves that have been made. For now though, it's our best and only start," Hothorne reasoned. Moka nodded then looked to him with a solemn expression.
"Alright, we'll take care of them, however it will be our say whether we need to use lethal force or not. If we can convince them to lay down their arms peacefully you need to give them a proper chance to correct themselves," she stated.
"Very well, if they give up peacefully we'll take them in peacefully, but if they don't then you need to stop them however you can," Hothorne said.
"Ok, we'll talk to our friends tomorrow about dealing with them as quickly as we can," Moka agreed. Hothorne nodded then looked to his laptop again.
"Good. Now then, the next question we have is if we are able to smooth over the public's opinion of monsters in our world, we still need to talk to your own leaders regarding what's going on. How exactly are we to get in contact with the 'dark lords' of the monster world?" he asked glancing back to the vampires.
"You can't, with the barriers closed off the monster realm is sealed away in its own protective space, you can't go there or communicate with them at all," Moka said shaking her head.
"Do you believe the dark lords will wish to communicate with us? Or perhaps issue a counterattack?" an officer questioned.
"They won't send anyone to attack you, you outnumber and overpower us, remember? I'm not sure if they'll try to make contact with you again, or if they'll just keep the monster world sealed off forever," Moka said with concern.
"But aren't you the daughter of a dark lord? Won't they come looking for you?" another officer asked.
"I hope they do, I have no way of returning to my father like this, but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and those in the monster world are few enough as it is. As important as I am to him, he may not open the barriers to come after me if it would place the monster world at risk. Just like you said before, you acted in self-defense, so will our kind as well," Moka reasoned.
"So you're trapped here, away from your family with no means of contacting or seeing them at all. For that, I will say I'm sorry for you," Hothorne said solemnly.
"I'm sure your father will come for you Moka, he won't leave you or Kokoa here in this world," Akasha reassured her daughter gently. Moka nodded slowly as she looked down with concern.
"I hope he and my other sisters are doing ok, I'm still worried about them as well. Knowing them though, I'm sure they're working to get this sorted out from the other side as we speak," she said softly.
"Hahahaha! That dumb cat!" Kahlua laughed while sitting on a couch, her eyes watching the cartoon she had playing inside the parlor within the Shuzen family castle. Akua was sitting at the bar holding her head while her sister was laughing and watching her favorite human cartoons again. Outside the night sky stretched over the estate as all had fallen quiet around the dark lord's home.
"That cat never learns, he's so stupid," Kahlua laughed while leaning back on the couch with an amused smile. Akua gripped her hair out of frustration and growled quietly.
"Oh, he's going to… hahahaha! He fell for that again, what a dumb cat!" Kahlua laughed while pointing at the TV.
"Would you turn off your stupid cartoons and focus here, we have a serious problem in case you've once again forgotten!" Akua yelled out as she turned to glare at her sister. Kahlua jumped with surprise then fumbled the remote around in her hands before quickly turning off the TV. Akua growled as she stood up and walked over to her.
"We still haven't found the Fairy Tale killer, father is counting on us to deal with this before it causes more problems for all of us, remember?" she shouted out. Kahlua looked at her nervously and nodded.
"Well, yeah, I know. But we couldn't find him or any trace of where he ran off to, and he never came back here for us. What are we supposed to do now?" she asked worriedly.
"Not sit here and watch your human cartoons. We need to find Talon and put a stop to him before he causes any more problems or else father's going to be very upset with us. Do you know what that means?" Akua snapped accusingly. Kahlua yelped and quickly held both hands behind at her rear.
"We'll be punished," she whimpered fearfully.
"It'll be worse than a normal spanking if one of our loose ends from Fairy Tale causes any problems for father at a time like this, we won't be able to sit for weeks after he gets through with us," Akua said while holding her hands behind at her rear with nervous eyes. Kahlua cried out as she jumped to her feet and bounced around while holding her rear.
"No no no! I'm a good girl now, I'm a good girl now!" she whined. Akua grabbed her and shook her by the shoulders, the blonde haired vampire crying out of sorrow and despair now.
"Get a hold of yourself, now is not the time to be panicking!" she yelled out.
"I don't wanna get a spanking! I don't wanna!" Kahlua cried out.
"Then think of a way of finding Talon and quickly, we need to do something!" Akua yelled out while still shaking her sister.
"But where do we look? The monster world isn't that small, he could be hiding anywhere," Kahlua whimpered while looking to her sister with watery eyes. Akua let her go and looked down with frustration.
"I have no idea, there's no telling where he may have gone," she said shaking her head.
The two girls blinked then looked towards the doorway as a voice was heard faintly echoing in the hallway. The vampires walked over to the door and listened as they heard a girl singing deeper inside the castle, her melodious voice seeming very soothing and gentle.
"What is that?" Kahlua asked.
"Who is that?" Akua asked carefully. The two girls made their way down the hall, following the voice as it traveled through the castle. Akua and Kahlua made their way down the hallway, both keeping on guard as they closed in on the source of the singing. They walked up to a large pair of double doors that led into their father's throne room, stopping at the entryway which was opened slightly with the singing coming from within. The two sisters glanced to each other then opened the doors, the quiet creaking echoing slightly as the vampires walked into the room. Several torches were lit along the walls and pillars while the crimson moon in the sky cast the large stein glass windows with a soft red bloom. And standing before the dark lord's throne was a girl who was facing away from the vampires, her white feathered wings retracted behind her as she was looking up at the red windows above while singing her melody. After a moment she stopped and glanced back to the vampires with a dull glare, with Akua and Kahlua then slowly walking towards the throne while watching her carefully.
"Wait, isn't that…" Kahlua said curiously as she recognized the girl.
"Rin? What are you doing here? How did you get in here?" Akua asked.
Rin turned to face them while remaining silent, with the two vampires looking at her curiously as they walked across the court. After a few more steps they stopped suddenly, both noticing something out of the corner of their eyes on either side of the hall. They quickly looked to each side, seeing two figures leaning back against the stone pillars with their arms crossed casually.
"I do so adore her singing, it really is beautiful," Jovian said glancing to Akua with a smirk.
"Yes, it's a shame it had to stop so soon," Jacqueline said glancing to Kahlua.
"Jovian!" Akua yelled out.
"Jacqueline? But… how? They're dead!" Kahlua cried out.
Jovian and Jacqueline stood upright and faced the Akua and Kahlua, each holding a hand to their hip and watching the vampires with bitter smiles.
"So, you do know of us. Let me guess, you had us used before in the past didn't you? You used us like weapons to spill blood for you, isn't that right?" Jovian accused sharply.
"You and all of Fairy Tale made us into your puppets, just to be killers without a choice in life. It makes me sick to know we once served such despicable masters such as you," Jacqueline snapped. Akua and Kahlua looked between them with careful eyes while going back to back, all while Rin watched them with crossed arms and a dull glare.
"This isn't possible, how are you two alive again?" Akua asked cautiously.
"You're dead, and then you died again while being dead, you can't be here now," Kahlua said shaking her head.
"What is she talking about?" Jacqueline asked flatly.
"What's wrong vampire, surprised that your summoned beings are back? Aren't you happy to see your creations again?" Jovian snapped with narrowed eyes. Akua glanced from one witch sister to the other then slowly showed a look of wonder.
"You… you're not the same witch sisters, are you?" she asked.
"They're not the same? But then who are they?" Kahlua asked confusedly. Akua eyed over Jovian then glanced to Jacqueline.
"The Jovian and Jacqueline that we know are dead and erased from existence Kahlua, their souls were destroyed. These two can't be them, they're new versions, they were resummoned," she reasoned.
"But… how can there be new versions of them, who summoned these two then?" Kahlua asked worriedly.
The girls looked towards the throne as Talon walked out from behind it, the hybrid having his wings and wraith blades extended out while his eyes watched the two vampires with a cold glare. He walked over and stood next to Rin as the siren glanced to him, the girl then looking back to the vampires with discontent.
"You thought you could bury your past and your sins, well now the very weapons that Fairy Tale created will be their end," Talon said coldly.
"Talon!" Akua and Kahlua yelled out. They then looked to each witch sisters as the summoned beings were watching them with their multicolored eyes.
"Our new master gave us a chance for revenge against you," Jovian said with anger.
"You and all those who ever served Fairy Tale will be put to death for your crimes," Jacqueline said sternly.
"You've got to be kidding me, how the hell did he even summon you two anyway?" Akua demanded.
"He found our spell that was hidden away in the world, buried and intended to be forgotten after Fairy Tale was done with us," Jovian said with discontent.
"He brought us into this world, and we shall serve him and his noble cause with the highest of honors. Now Fairy Tale and all those who belonged to it will get what's coming to them!" Jacqueline yelled out.
"His cause isn't noble, he's killing those who had nothing to do with Fairy Tale's true motives," Akua argued.
"Fairy Tale is defeated and gone, but he's not stopping in his killing spree, he's murdering those that never knew what Fairy Tale was even doing!" Kahlua shouted out.
"You're all guilty," Jovian hissed.
"You're all to blame," Jacqueline snapped. Akua growled then glanced to Rin.
"Rin, what are you doing here with them? Why aren't you back at Yokai Academy with Falla?" she demanded.
"With Falla? With FALLA?" Rin shouted out, her voice causing distorted waves that caused the fires from the troches nearby to flicker and wave about. Rin marched towards the vampires with clenched fists, her eyes filled with rage.
"That bitch was the one who turned me into a horrible weapon, she's taken everything from me!" she yelled out. Akua and Kahlua looked at her with confusion while Rin trembled with anger.
"I remember everything now, everything I did in the past, everything that happened to my home, everything that I lost because of her. She turned me into a weapon, had me destroy my village and murder my own parents, it's all her fault!" she yelled out.
"What are you talking about?" Akua said shaking her head.
"What do you mean she turned you into a weapon?" Kahlua asked worriedly. Rin let out a loud scream as she grabbed her head, the two vampires then being thrown back into a tumble down the hall as the siren's voice cracked the ground below her while the stein glass windows above shattered and fell to pieces behind the throne. Akua and Kahlua stumbled to their feet while Rin glared at them with teary eyes. Jovian and Jacqueline walked out towards her sides while the siren trembled with anger.
"I'm just like them, I was turned into a killer against my will, I was forced to level my home to the ground and kill my parents. I'm just a weapon who was used to kill. And not just my home either, Yokai Academy is no more now thanks to Falla!" she yelled out.
"What?" Akua said with a jump.
"Yokai Academy?" Kahlua asked with surprise.
"I didn't want to destroy it, I never wanted to destroy that place, but Falla made me! She turned me into her weapon and pulled the trigger, it's all gone now because of her!" Rin cried out. She broke down crying, with Jovian and Jacqueline holding her and watching the girl with concern.
"What do you mean you destroyed Yokai Academy? How?" Akua asked with disbelief.
"The school's gone? Really?" Kahlua asked nervously.
"Everything there was reduced to rubble and ashes, all because this one was used like puppet, just like how we were used before," Jovian hissed at them while holding Rin, the siren crying and holding her hands to her face.
"We stopped by there to find this Falla so Rin could claim her revenge, however it appears the lowly rat escaped the destruction her weapon had caused. We didn't find her corpse amongst the ruins," Jacqueline added with discontent.
"No, that can't be true," Akua said shaking her head.
"How could it all be gone? That's not possible," Kahlua said looking to her sister with disbelief. Talon walked down the steps towards them while watching the vampires with a cold glare.
"I was there; I saw this siren used to destroy everything around her. Rin will find the one that brought her such pain and misery, and will make her wielder regret ever having toyed with her mind. You two however are going to pay your dues right now," he said coldly. Rin let go of Jovian then clung to Talon while crying, the hybrid holding her with one arm while Jovian and Jacqueline turned to face the two vampires.
"Jovian. Jacqueline. Execute them," Talon ordered.
"Yes master," the witches said as they raised their hands towards the vampires, the swirling multicolored glows of their magic flowing along their arms to their palms as they took aim. They fired their shots, with Akua dodging to the side behind a pillar while Kahlua screamed and leapt off to the side behind another. The two multicolored shots flew down the hall and struck into the wall and doors, blasting them into colorful flames while smoke and debris flew about. Akua and Kahlua pressed back against the pillars while keeping on guard, with Kahlua's arm shifting into her bladed weapon while Akua formed her chest plate under her shirt.
"This is such bullshit, now we have to deal with these two again?" Akua cursed while keeping her back pressed to the pillar.
"I can't believe Talon found their spell, I thought that damned thing was destroyed," Kahlua said as she held her bladed arm up at her side.
"You think you can hide? There's nowhere you can run, this is the end for you," Jovian's voice echoed out through the hall.
"You can beg for mercy if you like, it won't do you any good," Jacqueline called out as well. Akua and Kahlua kept on guard while waiting to hear where their enemies would be coming from, hearing only the gentle wind blowing through the large opening at the top of the hall from the broken window.
"So now you're using them as your own pawns Talon? You're such a hypocrite, you're just like their previous master, having them attack those you wrongfully deem to be evil," Akua called out.
"Yeah, you're just as bad as those you wish to kill, the real monsters who already paid for all the bad things they did," Kahlua added.
"I'm not using them like pawns to kill senselessly, I'm having them assist me with the annihilation of our own common enemies, those that turned us into and used us as weapons themselves. I didn't want them to serve me, it is they who wanted me to be their master, to be the one who guided them towards their own revenge against Fairy Tale and yourselves," Talon called out.
SLASH!
A searing swipe of yellow, pink, purple, and black colors slashed through the stone pillar behind Kahlua, the sickle shaped energy carving through the stone and clashing against the vampire's bladed arm. Kahlua screamed as the attack seared against her arm, causing a deep scorch mark against the shimmering metal, before she was thrown to the side by the forceful swing of energy. The pillar behind her toppled down and collapsed with a loud crash, with Kahlua rolling back to avoid the debris while whimpering in pain. Akua saw her sister struggling to stand while holding a hand to where her bladed arm took a powerful blow as dust billowed from the destroyed pillar.
"Kahlua!" she cried out as she tried to run towards her.
SLASH!
A blade of blue, red, green, and white light streaked around in front of her and struck against her chest, clashing against her armor plating while her shirt was sheared off in the front. Akua was thrown back as the blade followed through and sliced through the nearby pillar, searing through it like it was made of butter. The vampire tumbled back onto the ground while holding a hand to her chest, feeling the burning pain seeping through her plating as there was a black scorch mark across her armor while her arms had burn marks where the blade came close to hitting.
"Akua!" Kahlua cried out as she saw her sister struggling to get up. She looked over then gasped as the dust cleared in front of her, showing Jacqueline standing there glaring at her. The witch held a magical energy weapon in her hands, a large scythe that had her four trademark colors swirling around through the handle and large blade. The razor edge crackled slightly with energy while the weapon was held by the witch. Akua saw the witch holding her magical weapon then watched as Jovian walked around in front of the pillar that she had cut through, holding a long sword with forked handle guards, the weapon pulsating with her trademark colors while the witch held it with one hand.
"Huh, you were supposed to be sliced into two, that's disappointing," Jacqueline said with discontent.
"Yes, it seems they are stronger than we gave them credit for," Jovian commented while eyeing Akua's armor. Jacqueline held her large scythe at the ready while glaring at Kahlua, seeing the large burn mark on the vampire's bladed arm.
"What the hell, how are they doing that?" Kahlua grunted as she brought her own bladed weapon up at the ready.
"They can manifest weapons with their magical energy, just like Apoch does with her sword," Akua said as she got back up, watching Jovian carefully as the witch held her sword down at her side while a glow of her colors trailed down her other arm.
Rin whimpered then looked back to seeing Jovian and Jacqueline with their magical weapons, the witches staring down the vampire sisters with cold glares. Each witch was readying to attack their targets while the dust slowly settled in the hall. Rin then looked back to Talon as he was watching his witches advance on the vampires.
"Will you guide me as well?" she asked softly. The boy looked to her as she watched him with pleading eyes.
"I don't want to lose my way, I don't want to lose my focus, I don't want to fail in my quest; will you please help me like are with them?" she asked. He looked at her with a solemn expression as she slowly moved her hands down his shoulders to his chest.
"I'm a weapon, that's all I am now. So I need somebody to control me, to make sure I'm attacking the right target, to make sure I'm doing what's right," she said softly.
"You are not my slave Rin, I do not own you nor have any right to control you," Talon said shaking his head. Rin smiled softly and nodded.
"You helped me see clearly, you helped me think clearly, you're the reason I'm still here today. You are my controller, my master. Please, put this weapon to good use," she begged softly. Talon looked at her for a moment then to the witches as they prepared to attack.
Jovian aimed her hand at Akua and fired a multicolored blast of magical energy, the vampire dodging to the side as the shot raced past and struck into a wall. As the bolt exploded into bright colorful flames Akua raced towards Jovian and struck at her with a swift kick, the attack colliding against a multicolored barrier in front of the witch. Jovian swung at the vampire with her multicolored blade, the vampire dodging back before the witch fired another shot at her. The colored blast of energy raced by the vampire and struck into another pillar, with Akua then dashing towards the witch again only to strike against the girl's magical barrier. Jovian swung her blade around again and again, pushing the vampire back while using her shield to keep her opponent's attacks at bay. Akua dodged and weaved as she tried to get a strike in, her attacks always stopping against the powerful barrier while the witch's blade kept swinging and stabbing towards her.
"I see you're just as persistent and difficult as your predecessor," Akua grunted as she kicked against the witch's shield before dodging back as the multicolored blade whipped by and missed her head. Jovian laughed as she fired another bolt of magical energy at the vampire, missing her by a hair as the girl rolled to the side to swipe at the witch. Akua's fist struck the barrier again, not causing it to flicker or waver in the least, before she jumped back as Jovian swung around with her blade again.
"Oh I'm sorry, is your little weapon of death not operating how you wished her to? Oh dear, I do hope she's not broken in your eyes!" Jovian yelled as she thrust her blade towards Akua, razing across the vampire's shoulder and searing away part of her shirt. Akua screamed as she stumbled back, holding her shoulder as it was burned and cut, before she leapt to the side on reflex, just missing Talon's wraith blade as he swung at her. The hybrid spun around, his wings angling low as Jovian ran over and jumped up off of them, the witch leaping into the air and slashing down towards Akua with her blade. The vampire dodged to the side as the powerful swipe struck into the ground, tearing apart the marble floor before Jovian blocked Akua's kick with her shield, the vampire stumbling back before Talon raced over and swung at her with his blade. Akua felt the wraith blade striking into her side, her scream echoing out as Talon pushed her back and into the wall before swinging his other blade at her. She grabbed his arm, stopping the attack from piercing her head, as she grabbed the boy's other arm to pull his blade out of her.
"Sister!" Kahlua cried out before she dodged down, avoiding Jacqueline's scythe as the glowing blade of energy swiped across and missed her head. The witch spun around then razed her large blade up, slicing through the floor at the vampire who jumped to the side quickly while scorched bits of the floor flew past her. Kahlua swiped her bladed arm towards the witch before it struck against a multicolored barrier, knocking her back before Jacqueline followed through with her swing as she spun around and swiped at the vampire again. Kahlua raised her bladed arm on reflex, taking the searing scythe's hit across it which scorched the metal and caused the girl to scream in pain. She stumbled back before Jacqueline finished her graceful twirl and fired out a bolt of multicolored energy at her, the vampire dodging to the side before the strike singed through and took off some of her hair. Kahlua screamed as she saw the frayed ends dangling to the side before she jumped back, avoiding Jacqueline's strike down at her with glowing scythe.
"My hair! You bitch!" Kahlua screamed as tears of anger formed in her eyes.
"Hahaha, don't worry, I'll be sure to cut the rest of it real good!" Jacqueline laughed as she swung her scythe at her again. Kahlua dodged to the side before smacking into a barrier, the girl then pressing against it as the glowing scythe struck down past her into the ground. Kahlua then jumped onto the handle and swung her bladed arm towards Jacqueline, the witch leaning back and dodging it before yanking her scythe up and launching the vampire into the air. Kahlua spun around then geared back to strike down at the witch before she was grabbed from behind and halted in place. She looked to see Rin holding her while flying above the hall, the siren then spinning her around and throwing her down towards Jacqueline in a tumble.
"Rin!" she cried out as she fell in a spiral. Jacqueline smirked and geared back with her blade before swinging it towards the airborne vampire, the glowing scythe being blocked by a wild swing from Kahlua's bladed arm. The vampire screamed as the energy sickle seared across her metallic arm, feeling pain seeping through as the witch's attack was piercing to her. Kahlua tumbled to the side and hit the ground with a gasp, rolling off towards a pillar while Jacqueline smiled coldly and ran towards her while holding the energy scythe back to strike again. Kahlua hit the pillar with a cry before pushing off the ground with her legs and rolling backwards to the side, just missing Jacqueline who struck down and slashed through the pillar and ground with her weapon. The vampire rolled to a stop as she hit a colorful barrier again, stumbling back onto her feet and taking a blind strike with her bladed arm before she saw the glowing scythe swinging over and slicing into her shoulder, throwing the screaming vampire back into the pillar and pinning her there as Jacqueline held her weapon firmly. Kahlua felt the weapon searing through her flesh as her dress scorched from the heat, the sickle piercing through her and into the pillar while Jacqueline held a hand out towards the vampire's head.
"End of the line!" the witch yelled as a multicolored glow swirled around her arm to her palm. Rin landed down behind her and watched the screaming vampire with a dull glare.
Akua screamed as she tried to pull Talon's wraith blade out of her side while keeping the other from striking into her skull, the hybrid pushing her against a pillar while Jovian walked up to the side and geared back with her glowing sword to stab the girl through.
"Don't bother with any final words, they won't be remembered," Jovian hissed as she readied to thrust her blade through Akua's side.
Kahlua screamed and strained herself to move, her bladed arm unable to move properly while the glowing scythe held her against the pillar. She looked to seeing Jacqueline aiming at her head, the bright multicolored glow coming from the witch's palm as the girl held her weapon in place. She growled and jerked about, her shoulder and bladed arm being held in place while Jacqueline watched her with a glare. With a few deep breaths Kahlua screamed then yanked forward with all her might. Jacqueline and Rin watched with surprise as the vampire pushed herself away from the pillar, with the scythe's blade slicing off her shoulder and bladed arm. Jacqueline fired her shot at the girl's head, with Kahlua dodging forward while gripping her bloodied stump of a shoulder, her severed limb dropping to the ground as her scream echoed out in the hall. The wounded vampire shrieked before she swung a kick around towards Jacqueline, with the witch angling her scythe's handle to block it. The hit struck the glowing weapon and knocked Jacqueline back as the blade tore through the damaged pillar, with the girl then tumbling back into Rin and taking them both to the ground. The others looked over to see Kahlua crying out in agony while holding her bloodied shoulder, with Akua screaming in horror of seeing her sister mutilated.
"Kahlua, no!" she yelled out. She growled then yanked Talon's hand past her into the wall, the hybrid lurching forward before she bashed him with her head. He stumbled back with a yell before Jovian looked to the vampire and lunged towards her with her blade. Akua pushed off of the wall, avoiding the blade which struck across the wall and seared against it, then grabbed Talon's arm which was still holding its blade in her, swinging the dazed hybrid to the side and throwing him into Jovian. The two were knocked back and tumbled to the ground as the witch quickly dissolved her blade to avoid harming him.
"Master!" she cried out as she held him close, the boy's world spinning while blood trickled down his face. Akua held her wounded side then made a dash towards her sister, the blonde haired vampire dropping to her knees screaming while Jacqueline and Rin started to get up again. Jovian screamed and aimed at Akua with fire in her eyes.
"How dare you hurt my master!" she yelled as she fired at the vampire, her multicolored shot streaking through Akua's shoulder and striking into a pillar behind Kahlua, with the raven haired vampire tumbling into a roll while Kahlua was knocked forward from the explosion. Jacqueline shook her head to regain her senses then looked to seeing the two wounded vampire sisters on the ground near each other, with Kahlua screaming and holding her bloodied shoulder while Akua was struggling to get up with her own injuries.
"You two… are so dead for that!" Jacqueline yelled as she held her scythe at the ready again. Jovian helped Talon slowly stand up, the hybrid leaning against the wall while looking towards the vampires with a weary glare.
"Master, are you ok?" Jovian asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, finish those two right now," he ordered sternly. Jovian looked to the vampires as she formed her sword again.
"With pleasure master," she said with anger as she walked over towards them. Rin rubbed her head with discontent while watching the vampires screaming and struggling to move, both sisters looking to each other with weary eyes. Kahlua's shoulder dripped blood while she held it with a clenched hand, her tears dropping down from her face while Akua was holding her side and cringing in pain. Jovian and Jacqueline walked up towards them with their weapons drawn, while Talon slowly stood upright and started walking over to them as well.
"You harmed our master," Jovian hissed.
"You two are going straight to hell," Jacqueline said as the witches raised their weapons to strike.
Kahlua whimpered and looked to Akua with teary eyes.
"Sister…" she said softly. Akua nodded slowly then hung her head, ready to be struck down alongside her sister. Rin watched them with a dull glare then glanced to Jovian and Jacqueline as the witches held their weapons back, both ready to swing down and kill the vampires.
A few small black balls rolled along the ground and came to a stop around the girls, with the group looking to them curiously. Suddenly the balls blew apart with bright flashes while black smoke quickly billowed and flowed around. Jovian and Jacqueline looked around quickly before something wavered through the smoke in front of them, the girls then quickly swinging their weapons through the haze at whatever it was. Rin looked around as she coughed and backed up while Talon tensed up and looked around with a narrowed glance. Jovian and Jacqueline swiped through the smoke then struck down at the ground, the smoke parting to reveal that Akua and Kahlua were gone as their weapons were dug into the floor.
"What the… where did they go?" Jovian yelled out while looking around quickly.
"Who's out there?" Jacqueline yelled as she fired blindly through the haze with her multicolored blasts of energy, the attacks shooting through the large smoke screen and striking into the walls and pillars across from them. Talon looked around with a growl while keeping on guard, the blood from his face dripping down onto the ground while he felt anger towards the vampires' escape. Rin coughed and started flapping her wings, the gusts of wind blowing the smoke away to reveal nobody there in the hall. Jovian looked around as the smoke blew away, then down as she saw a grenade rolling to a stop on the ground. Jacqueline looked down to seeing another coming to a stop, both sisters then screaming and forming their shields around them before the explosives detonated. More pillars started to crack and crumble while the room began to shake and rumble. Talon looked around then ran over to the girls as they all stumbled back while coughing from the smoke flowing around, the hybrid grabbing Jacqueline while Rin grabbed hold of Jovian and started flapping her wings. The two flyers took off and flew out the large broken window as the grand hall collapsed into itself, the four watching from above as it crashed into a dust cloud along with a tower nearby that toppled over and slammed into the castle.
"What the hell just happened?" Jacqueline shouted out.
"Somebody interfered with us, they took those two vampires away," Jovian hissed as she brushed the dust out of her hair. Rin looked around at the collapsed section of the castle then to Talon.
"What do we do now?" she asked. Talon looked around at the castle with narrowed eyes as the girls looked to him. He shook his head as he wavered slightly, with Jacqueline gasping at the sudden movement before looking at him with worried eyes.
"Master, you're hurt," she said with concern. Talon looked around at the castle while Rin watched him with worried eyes.
"We should back off and take care of you first, you're injured," she implored.
"I agree," the witch sisters said together. Talon growled then glanced to Rin, the siren shaking her head with a concerned expression.
"We need to think clearly when hunting our prey otherwise our anger will blind us and cost us dearly," she said gently. Talon looked at her for a moment as she had used his very words from before then nodded and looked back down to the castle.
"I suppose our element of surprise is over, we don't want to rush into a conflict we're not ready for," he reasoned reluctantly. Rin nodded then looked down to the building.
"We'll find them again, they won't escape us," she said assuredly. Jovian and Jacqueline nodded as Talon breathed out with annoyance.
"Fine, let's find a place to sleep for the night, and then track them down again tomorrow," he said, then flew off with Rin following after him. The four headed off into the night sky away from the castle, determined to pick up their hunt again the next day.
Akua slowly opened her eyes, her senses gradually coming back to her. She flinched as her body ached, slowly looking down to seeing that her shirts had been removed and bandages were wrapped around her shoulder and upper body along with her waist where she had a stab wound on her side. She was lying on a comfortable bed, her eyes slowly tracing around to seeing that she was inside a room that had some light from the blood red moon in the sky shining through a nearby window. Looking over to the side she saw Kahlua lying in a bed next to her.
"Kahlua," Akua as she tried to sit up, still feeling weak from her injuries. Her sister was lying on the bed while her dress had been removed and bandages were wrapped around her shoulder and upper body as well as a few other patches here and there from her battle. Her severed arm was attached to her body again, having several large pulsating purplish slug creatures with several long tendrils wrapped around her shoulder and arm.
"Don't worry, I believe we reconnected her arm before it was too late, it should be fully healed by morning," a woman's voice said from the side. Akua looked over to seeing somebody standing in the doorway of the room. She was an older woman wearing a slim Chinese purple and blue dress, had raven hair which was tied up in two buns with flowery bobbles adorning them, had tassel earrings, black dress shoes, and had dark blue eyes along with a gentle smile on her face. She walked into the room holding a cup of warm tea, handing it to Akua while sitting down on the bed next to her.
"Here, this should help soothe your pain," the woman said kindly. Akua looked at her with wonder then to Kahlua as the blonde haired vampire was still unconscious.
"How… where… who…" she said looking back to the woman.
"I must say, I wasn't expecting this when I stopped by lord Shuzen's estate to speak to him. Forgive me for entering your home without permission, but I heard quite a ruckus inside and curiosity got the best of me. A good thing I suppose, seeing as how you two were entertaining some rather foul houseguests," the woman said with a slight smirk. She then walked over to Kahlua, watching the blonde haired vampire while the slugs pulsated along her arm and shoulder.
"I wasn't really prepared for a confrontation; however I usually do carry a few little things when out in the world. I was lucky to have gotten you two out of there before you would have endured worse; you were both in horrible condition after your fight. I brought you back here with me seeing as how your home didn't seem to be too safe at the moment," she said gently.
"You… saved us? By yourself?" Akua asked. The woman shook her head and glanced back to her.
"No, I'm never alone in a fight my dear," she said with a wink. Akua looked at her curiously then nodded slowly.
"I see, thank you. Um, who are you anyway?" she asked. The woman giggled softly and nodded.
"Ah yes, I suppose some introductions are an order aren't they?" she mused, and then turned to face Akua with a polite bow and calm smile.
"My name is Ten-Ten Huang, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."