Chapter 3
Ayu sighed as she read the report her scouts gave her about the Blackstone fortress. The fortress was large and well-defended. Not as good as the Imperial Palace but it will still be difficult to attack nonetheless. It would take several weeks of constant barrages from their catapults before they can manage to breach through the walls. Even with the help from the reformed Iron legion, they would still have a difficult time performing a siege against the Blackstone legion and she was skeptical at receiving help from the Iron legion. Even more so when she was told that their leader, along with several others, used to be in the Blackstone legion. However, the Orochi told her that the Warden was trustworthy and that they both faced a common enemy. So, she set up a meeting with the Warden, and while they both agreed to set aside their differences in order to defeat a common enemy, she was still distrustful. Still, she would cast aside her distrust so that she can concentrate on defeating the Blackstone legion and deliver Apollyon to justice. She had just finished the report when the Orochi arrived with Seijuro in tow.
"You both have something to report?" Asked Ayu when she saw the two enter her tent.
"Yes." Said Seijuro. "The siege is going well. If nothing impedes us for a few more hours, we should be able to get our troops within the walls."
"But when we do so, we need to destroy any catapults or any other defenses the Blackstones have to give us a better chance at getting troops within the fortress." Said the Orochi. Ayu nodded in agreement.
"What about the Iron legion? How are they faring?" Asked Ayu.
"They're having a difficult time. Much more than us." Said Seijuro. "It seems the Blackstone legion is focusing on them. It appears Apollyon doesn't take treason very well." Though Seijuro was grateful for the help, he still doesn't like receiving help from traitors. Still, if it meant that it would lead to less casualties on his men and more on the knights, he would take the help.
"Do they require any assistance?' Asked Ayu.
"No. Despite the massive opposition they have, the Iron Legion is holding out." Said the Orochi, impressed with the tenacity of the Knights.
"Good. Be prepared you two. I need you both for what is coming soon. Seijuro, I need you to stay behind and coordinate our forces as I'll lead a force to take the fortress." Said Ayu. The Orochi and Seijuro looked at her in surprise. They were about to protest when Ayu raised her hand. "I vowed to make Apollyon regret leaving me alive and even if I can't be the one to deliver her to justice, I will be satisfied in helping to bring her down. Plus, we need as many soldiers as we can muster to take that fortress." Explained Ayu. The two men sighed, knowing that it was pointless in convincing Ayu to reconsiders.
"Very well, empress. May the you fare well in the coming battle." Said Seijuro before bowing and leaving the tent, leaving the Orochi and Ayu alone. The two looked at each other before the Orochi coughed.
"So…how is it being empress?" Asked the Orochi, wanting to end the awkward silence between them.
"So far so good. No one has tried to kill me and no one is complaining about my rule." Said Ayu as she looked over reports and a map of the Blackstone fortress. "It has only been a few weeks of my rule, after all."
"True." Agreed the Orochi. "But still. Can't be too careful." Ayu simply grunted as she finished a report and read another one. "What will happen after this battle, Ayu? What will we do with the Iron Legion?" Ayu hesitated on answering because she didn't know what to do either. She paused for a few moments before answering.
"If they don't do anything against us after the battle, I'll let them go their separate way. We've all had enough bloodshed to last several life times." Said Ayu. The Orochi nodded in agreement. It was silent again for a few moments until the Orochi broke it again.
"I wish to speak about my behavior in the past several months." Said the Orochi. Seeing that Ayu was listening, he continued. "Forgive me for my stupidity and foolishness, Ayu. I had not been thinking clearly once I confessed to you and, as a result, impaired my skills in combat." Ayu looked at her friend before walking over to him and touching his mempo-covered cheek.
"It is alright. In fact, I should be asking you to forgive me. If I hadn't rejected your feelings, you wouldn't have been injured as much in your fight with Seijuro. I forced you to fight with a broken heart. For that, I am sorry." Said Ayu, looking him in the eyes. After the Orochi was tended for his wounds he'd gotten from Seijuro and after Ayu talked with Seijuro about the Orochi's feelings, the two conversed again about the subject. After a long talk between each other, the two agreed to wait until the whole crisis with the Blackstone legion is over before they can deal with the Orochi's feelings.
"But still. I forced my feelings on you when our people are suffering. That is unforgiveable." Said the Orochi. Ayu sighed in frustration.
"No, it isn't. You had those feelings kept locked for lord-knows-how long. It's natural for you to confess sometime soon. And I'm not offended with you. In fact, I'm flattered that you have feelings for me." Said Ayu. The Orochi laughed lightly at that. "And if you still believe that you need forgiveness for putting your feelings ahead of our people, then earn that forgiveness by slaying the one responsible for all this." The Orochi nodded at this, knowing that Apollyon had to pay for her crimes.
"I understand and I will accomplish my task." Said the Orochi. Ayu nodded in satisfaction at his words.
"Good. Now if there isn't anything left." Said Ayu as she went back to reading reports. Before she did so, the Orochi grabbed her arm and turned her around so she can look at him. Ayu was surprised at this, wondering if her friend was making another advance to her.
"Ayu, I know that we agreed to settle this after the conflict with the Blackstone's was finished but please hear me out." Said the Orochi. "When I first saw you, I felt some sort of warm feeling towards you. And it only grew as I was placed under your command. At first, I thought it was just admiration or respect. Then I realized that they were feelings of attraction. And during my impressment, while I thought of Okuma and Momiji as well as my other friends, I thought of you the most. I also felt a sort of longing. So, when I had the chance to speak with you, I decided to act on them. When you rejected them, I felt a terrible pain. Like my heart was torn in two. And then you came and told me that there was a chance for me to be with you after this whole conflict is over. I'll be honest with you, Ayu, when you said that. I felt so much joy that I would burst out with emotions. That is when I realized that I love you, Ayu. More so than anything else in this world." Said the Orochi as he held her hands.
Ayu looked at her friend in shock. She was shocked that his feelings for her went that far back. She was so shocked that it left her speechless. It took a full minute before she recomposed herself.
"Then what will you do now?" Asked Ayu as she looked at the Orochi's eyes.
"Like I said, we agreed to resolve these feelings of mine after this all over. We'll talk about this later after the battle is over." Said the Orochi.
"Then you better not die." Warned Ayu.
"I won't. Besides, it'll keep me alert and focused." Said the Orochi with a smirk. "It's time for me to go. But before I go, I want you to have this." He then brought out a single purple flower. It was a Sakurasou, a flower native to their former homeland. It's original representation and meaning were lost in the ages but it's popular among their people as a sign of love. Ayu looked at the flower and the Orochi who looked embarrassed at his offer. "I had it with me since we left for the Blackstone fortress. To be honest, I'm surprised that it's still beautiful. Regardless of how it's still in good condition, I want you to have it as a symbol of my love." Ayu looked at her friend eyes, seeing the desperation but also the love in them, before looking at the flower, wondering if she should take it. After some deliberation, she sighed and took the flower.
"You're a hopeless romantic, my friend." Said Ayu as she put the flower near her sword. The Orochi simply laughed sheepishly at that. "But it's a kind gesture. It also means that you must come back alive or else." With that, she put her hand on her sword for good measure. The Orochi got the message and bowed before leaving. As soon as he left, Ayu looked at the flower, wondering what to do with it. After some thought, she grabbed the flower and put it in a box of her personal belongings. Before she placed it in, however, she looked at the flower. She blushed at her friends loving gesture before shrugging it off and placing the flower inside, carefully so that it won't be in danger of getting crushed. After placing the box in a safe place, she began to read the reports again but in a less focused manner. As the Orochi was getting ready to take the fortress, Seijuro was looking at him with a smirk.
"Did he do it, my love?" Seijuro turned around to see a Nobushi coming up to him, one that was familiar to him. This Nobushi was his wife-to-be.
"Yes, he has, my love." Said Seijuro as the Nobushi grabbed one of his hands and squeezed it lightly with Seijuro doing the same.
"Do you think they will get together?" Asked the Nobushi. Seijuro simply shrugged.
"I don't really care, my sweet, but if they do…I suppose they will make a fine family." Said Seijuro before leaving to instruct his warriors to be ready to attack the castle.