Okay, the next chapter is NOT the big battle, sorry, but it is going to be satisfying, I promise. I honestly want to finish this with a clean 40 chapters, so I can promise you the end is near! Thank you so much for all of your support, and happy reading!
Chapter 37: Didn't Even get a T-Shirt
"…Holy crap." Iris stared in disbelief. Oni Island was just about half a mile away from Ryoshima Coast, emanating evil and smirking at her, collective laughs daring her to enter. The woman Queen Himiko had mentioned – Otohime – was waiting for them as Iris, Waka and Ammy ran over to the edge of the tainted black beach.
"At long last," Otohime said as they approached, "I get to see you in person, Iris. I have heard a great deal from Queen Himiko about you and your journey. Thank you for everything you have done and will do for Nippon. I am Otohime, empress of the Dragon Kingdom."
"Ammy," Iris whispered as she bowed in greeting, "What have you been doing while I was sick?" The wolf simply wagged her tail in response. Iris stood again as the empress held the elaborately-decorated sphere in her hands above.
"This," she said, "is the Dragon Orb, the source of the Water Dragon's power. With a prayer to the orb, I will transform into the Water Dragon and break the barrier surrounding Oni Island, allowing you to enter and destroy Ninetails once and for all!" She looked at the orb, and began to chant.
"No, seriously," Iris looked at the wolf, "why wasn't I present for all of this? It sounds like it was AWES-"
Iris was cut off by a great sea serpent splashing into the water, its tail slamming through the edge of the island. Iris stared for a moment.
"Let's go, ma cherie!" Waka's hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her surprise, and she nodded before jumping on the great creature's back and dashing to the entrance, squeezing her eyes shut as the darkness reached out and pulled her to the ground.
"Girly, get up!" Amaterasu licked Iris's face, and she opened her eyes before standing up, looking around at the dark palace ahead.
"This is it…" Iris didn't even notice Ammy running ahead and diving into the lava ahead, swimming through it like water. "This is Oni Island…"
"Correct, ma cherie," Iris spun to face Waka, who was gazing solemnly at the structure. "Ninetails is waiting for you at the top of the castle." The comb was glowing and radiating light around her, pushing away the taint of the giant Cursed Zone. "We wouldn't want to keep him waiting." Iris nodded, and looked at the lava, while Ammy watched them from the other side of the lake, tail wagging.
"Uh…"
"Hold on." Waka lifted her up, and jumped down, landing on the surface of the lava without breaking through, before jumping again and landing next to Amaterasu. He set Iris down, and she sighed in relief.
"Thanks." Waka smiled at her, and they all walked through the front gates.
"Halt!" Iris came to a screeching halt, and looked at the demon who'd addressed. "Nobody can pass without a fine! And in exchange, I will provide a variety of goods!" She sighed in relief. Thank goodness, just a merchant. "Or alternatively, you can pay in goods!"
"You got it! Ammy?" Issun jumped on the wolf's head, and Ammy shrugged off the bag she'd been wearing and turned it upside down, causing massive piles of stuff to fall out. "We've been meaning to get rid of some of this junk for a while!"
"How big is this thing?!" Iris looked at the inside of the bag. "Wait, this is the bag I had when I first got to Nippon!"
"We've been taking care of it, don't worry Girly," Issun said as Ammy started sorting things. "You and half-baked prophet can go ahead without us. We have some shopping to do!"
"You sure?" Waka lifted a few large exorcism slips from the pile, and exchanged a glance with the wolf, who nodded. He put them in his sleeve.
"You've got a demon lord to take care of! Go!" Iris nodded, and she turned to the path that led in. Waka was right behind her.
"So, Waka," she glanced at him, "you got a plan?"
"Oui, find the demon, kill the demon, and survive."
"….Sounds about right."