Chapter 35: Bait
Everything prepared. In just a few moments, the last threat to the kingdom would be eliminated, and Sei-an City would be controlled by a single ruler once more. Tracing a small finger over the precious crystal ball one more time, a smile crossed the ruler's face as footsteps sounded, and two voices called out the Queen's name.
Showtime.
"Queen Himiko!" It was the girl who ran up to the queen's corpse first, falling to her knees and gently scooping it up. "Your Highness, I'm sorry…" How pathetic a sight it was, this great warrior on the verge of childish tears, cradling the cold body in blue-wrapped arms. The ruler felt a laugh rise from within –even with the ribbon, comb, and the robe adorning her body, she was nothing to the great empire that the great being commanded. The girl – Iris – looked up at the ruler, who had already begun the act.
"I-it was awful!" pretending to be Rao was easy work, and fooling humans was even easier. "A great, dark figure came in and struck her where she stood… how can we ever hope to defeat something so powerful?!" In just a few seconds, the blade would fall…
Two blades swung in unison, sending the ruler back, looking from the dual glares of the girl and golden-haired man who held their swords ahead of them in a challenge stance. What in the…
"A good effort, démoniaque étant," The man said, eyes burning…
"But not good enough," Iris finished as she took a step towards the ruler. "We already found Rao's corpse at the temple, and the sword." She took another step. "We know who you are. So how about you stop pretending and fight like a real Lord of Darkness, Ninetails?!"
Ninetails stared for a moment, before laughing. "I suppose you are wiser than I thought," the demon chuckled, "but not sharp enough. Let's see just how you compare to the Lord of Darkness!"
It was good to summon the Blade of Lightning again, and Ninetails swung down at the human girl. She blocked it. She sidestepped, and swung, and the man followed suit. Ninetails ducked, sliced into the man's stomach, smiling at the red.
"Augh!"
"Waka!" The girl was in Ninetails's face, eyes glinting. Another slash. Another. Duck. Swing. Sidestep, repeat. Blow after blow came at the demon, and the man rejoined a few swings later, in a chaotic and angry duet against Ninetails. Curse this form!
The girl was knocked down. She rolled away from another blow. Kick from underneath, stand, swing, repeat. She was focused, a focus not apparent before.
"Hold still!" The blade sunk into the shoulder, and a pained howl sounded. Ninetails grabbed the wound, and growled.
"You are good," the demon growled, "Iris. Perhaps you are a fitting opponent… we shall see. That is, if you can reach Oni Island!" Smoke swallowed the demon up, leaving the two to glare at the remaining emptiness.
"Oh my gosh, Queen Himiko!" Iris ran to the Queen, cradling her once more. "I'm so sorry, I didn't…" the ribbon glowed reassuringly, but Iris didn't notice.
"Iris," Waka said, "the crystal ball!" She looked up, and gasped as the queen smiled at her from within the glass.
"Listen, I do not have much time," Queen Himiko said, "Ninetails tried to destroy the hourglass, but I was able to use his power to find where Oni Island will appear tomorrow. It is to be just off from Ryoshima Coast. Amaterasu," she turned to the wolf as she ran in, "you have gotten Otohime's assistance, I presume!" She barked in affirmation. "Good. Tomorrow morning, Iris, you will need to go there. Find Oni Island. Kill Ninetails, and free Nippon." She was fading. "I have faith." The crystal cracked, and light poured out, shooting to the heavens above. Iris stared, immobile, and said nothing when she felt Waka's hand on her shoulder.