Sora's battle with the Four Fiends' Marilith was reaching it's climax as nothing, not fire, not her blades, not even trying to convince Sora his loved ones moved on without him, was going to detour Sora from fighting on. And so he did, Sora fought Marilith right until she accidentally blew herself up with her own Mustard Bomb spell.
As Marilith started to disappear, Sora learned from her that her master was after the Halo above his head for her sinister plans, like using it to somehow resurrect the Four Fiends. Her mission rendered a failure, Marilith took the suicidal exit and used her "Raining Swords" spell to bring down blades from above onto the entire city of Kabukicho, forcing Sora to hide for dear life while Marilith was shredded into pieces...
Kagura Hearts
Chapter 17 ~ A Summoner's Care
Sora walked around the city of Kabukicho, shocked at the damage inflicted by Marilith's Raining Swords technique. Everywhere he walked, there were screams and cries of families and people, who lost their loved ones and their businesses. Such an outcome was never expected, especially since Sora's past victories usually ended with the world still in one piece, but now…
"THIS is the enemy's true power."
Sora was startled at the very sight of Sayuri, who said to him, "Been a while, hasn't it, my boy? Has my granddaughter been treating you well?" Sora answered, "...y-yes mam, she has. She helped me during the fight with the snake lady-." Sayuri then said, "-Ah, that was Marilith. She's always been a little 'spitfire', but who would have guessed a Keyblade Wielder had the same strength as the legendary Warriors of Light?"
"...Warriors of Light?" Sora asked. Sayuri answered, "Heroes that go a LONG way in the history books. History, sadly, that I don't have the luxury of explaining to you at the moment. Especially with the clock ticking." Sora nodded and said, "You're right, I have a feeling people around here aren't in the mood to hear my side of the story." Sayuri smiled at Sora and patted him on the shoulder while nodding, "We Ninjas take to the shadows, so we mustn't make our secrets known. You've been learning well from my Granddaughter."
As Sora followed Sayuri, she ordered, "Stay focused on the path, and follow me. People here may have witnessed your fight, and will probably be looking to blame someone." Sayuri then went into an Alleyway, and as she stepped from wall to wall, Sora followed her up to the rooftops, where the damage was even clearer from above…
Sayuri then said, "As I said, this is the enemy's true power. Marilith had the power to cleave the city in two…who would have imagined she was willing to do so when on the brink of death?" Sora answered, "She was crazy…but she rooted me out, trying to take my Halo."
"...was she really after your Halo?" Sayuri asked. Sora nodded, "Yeah, she said my Halo could resurrect her…and the others." Sayuri then said, "...if they seek your Halo, then the situation really has become desperate." Sora then asked, "Master Sayuri, you know what they're after, don't you?" Sayuri answered, "I do, but you don't need to know. Not yet. Just-...please, just keep my granddaughter safe." Sora nodded, "What kind of Summon would I be if I disappointed my Summoner? I will give my all for my friends." Sayuri happily shook Sora's hand and said, "You are a fine man, Sora. I can see why the ladies like you already. I can imagine your Kairi to have chosen her man well, considering the knight I unexpectedly summoned."
Sayuri then hopped onto the next building and said, "Come along, I have something special to show you! My Granddaughter and your Maid will be happy to see you as well." Sora followed her while she warned, "Be careful, little one, the rooftops may be a little fragile after Marilith's little rainstorm, so tread carefully while we head back to the docks."
Sora then explained, "...where the houseboat was…Master, you made that place for me, I-I was so grateful, but…but the snake woman, she-." Sayuri then said, "-Hurry now, m'boy, or this ol' lady's gonna leave you in the dust!"
Sora sighed as he followed Sayuri, worried about her reaction to the Houseboat's destruction…
…But to Sora's surprise, the houseboat was fine!
Sayuri leaned over to a stun-eyed Sora and explained, "Houseboat Mark 2. I made a few replacements just in case the enemy got a little sneaky, ISN'T THAT RIGHT, YOMI?!" Sora snapped out of his dumbstruck feeling and saw Asuka and Yomi. And while Asuka waved, Yomi nodded, shamed by her earlier use as Marilith's pawn…
Sora rushed over to the girls and said, "Asuka, Yomi! I'm glad you two are OK! And it looks like Yomi stitched that sweater up pretty well. Nice work, buddy!" Yomi blushed and said, "I-it is a maid's duty to serve her Master! I-I was happy to do it." Sora then said to Asuka, "Your granny's a miracle worker." Asuka nodded and said, "What can I say? She's never been the type to slouch or leave a wounded animal alone."
"You speak too modestly for me, child. I just wish I trained you and not my pig-headed pervert of a husband." Sayuri commented as she and Asuka hugged each other. Asuka then asked, "Will you be gone for long, Granny? We could-." Sayuri however said, "Something's come up, my dear, and it can't wait for much longer. So, the girls and I will have to make our leave. RENKA, HANABI, KAFURU, ARE YOU ALL DONE YET?"
The Mikagura Sisters appeared before Sayuri and then Renka reported, "Sora's roof and bath is prepped and cleaned. We also took the liberty of prepping the guest rooms just in case certain chicks decided to sleep over…so no touching the merchandise, right, LADIES?!" Asuka and Yomi nodded in shock, while Renka said, "GOOD! The dude's made it clear he's taken, MULTIPLE times, and we wouldn't want any of you getting a little 'clingy'. GOT THAT?!" Asuka and Yomi nodded sadly…
…until Renka turned away, with Asuka and Yomi winking at each other…
Sayuri then walked up to Sora and said, "A moment, Sora…" As Sayuri walked, Sora followed, leaving Renka to glare at Asuka and Yomi while the other two sisters followed to keep the two protected…
Sayuri then said, "...my reason for leaving…is also the reason I could not tell you before. The enemy seeks to claim your Halo." Sora then asked, "W-wait, you're going to try and stop the Four Fiends and their master from taking it? But that's-?!" Sayuri nodded and said, "Yes, it would be a suicide mission, IF I challenged them. But you and I both know that, elderly and experienced as I am, even I, along with my apprentices, cannot defeat the Four Fiends or their master. Still, that doesn't mean I'm going to leave my family and you alone on the battlefield. You and your allies will act as the main army, while I will focus on a surgical strike." Sora then asked, "You transferred your side of our contract to Asuka so you would be able to do this." Sayuri nodded, "Correct, my boy. And if this enemy is intending what I think she is, I must use a method even SHE cannot avoid."
"Master…who is she? The master of the Four Fiends?" Sora asked. Sayuri answered, "...You will find out on your own." Sora however said, "Please master! Earlier, my contract with you said I could regain my life if I defeated the Four Fiends, but if you guys are up against the Master, alone while I'm gone, then I would regret making this contract for the rest of my life!" Sayuri then said, "We merely required you to defeat the enemy's deadliest leaders! We can handle a few Kunoichis on our own, including this master."
"THEN I'LL BREAK THE CONTRACT!"
Sora's threat sent shivers up Sayuri's spine as she turned around and ordered, "If you break our contract, you may NEVER return home!" Sora then said, "Whether I'm alive or dead, I have faith my friends will find me! And master…I just…I know the consequences of the unexpected…well enough to let even a single mistake haunt me for the rest of my life! Kairi was killed because she wasn't prepared, she wasn't as strong as me, and she…courage alone CAN'T defeat an enemy, which is why I am BEGGING you! Tell me who to prepare for! This master, she may be anyone at this point, and I won't be able to keep even Asuka safe from Kairi's fate unless you give me SOME clue to our enemy's true identity, because if she can control the Four Fiends as well as their previous master, then it's safe to say my REAL job just increased beyond the Four Fiends! To save your world, and clear my conscience, I say that I will ONLY see Kairi again if I defeat this mastermind!"
Sayuri was frozen in shock from what Sora said, and yet, despite what she felt, she knew Sora couldn't feel satisfied with his side of the deal until he knew the full story…
"...very well. The Four Fiends aren't the only ones you have to defeat. You must confront their puppet master…Sora, you MUST defeat Toki."
Sora then asked, "...who's Toki?" Sayuri answered, "You will meet her soon enough, and by the time you are ready, I will tell you more. But until that time comes, I must focus on my own mission while you protect our world…and the children here." Sora then asked, "...is that really it? That's all you're going to tell me?" Sayuri nodded and said, "I am sorry, but that's all I can tell you for the moment."
"-Master, she told me she and I were the same! She said that when she possessed Yomi!" Sora said. Sayuri however said, "As I said: Soon enough…I'm sorry Sora, but this is it. Please, just trust me when I say 'Soon Enough', your discoveries may reveal more than I have to explain. By that time, I hope you'll at least keep those trousers on before the next girl wants a piece of that ass."
"-Piece of my WUT?" Sora asked.
Renka suddenly grabbed Sora from the back and nudged him towards his home while saying, "-THE POINT IS KEEP YOUR VIRGINITY, STUPID!"
Sora nodded in terror as Renka followed her master while accompanied by the other two sisters…
One of them, Hanabi, winked at him, making him blush as she and Kafuru followed after…
As Sora walked back home, he wondered, "Will I even be ready by the time I need her to talk? And what-...what's a 'Virginity'?!"
Asuka stopped Sora and said, "Hey bud…you had a rough night, huh?" Sora answered, "Fighting a snake lady for the whole night and afterwards, sleeping in a building with no bed to rest in while hiding from falling swords, CAN leave a person exhausted in the morning." Asuka then said, "Well, I know when somebody needs a bit of a celebratory snack! Come on, we're making you a FEAST! Breakfast, Lunch, AND Dinner rolled into one big meal as 'thank you' for vanquishing the 1st of the Four Fiends!"
Sora was a bit interested as he asked, "You…want to make a feast…for me?" Asuka nodded and said, "Of course! And don't worry, your gut's not the only gut we'll be feeding."
"S'UP, BRO?!" Katsuragi asked as she, Ikaruga, Yagyu, and Hibari arrived.
Sora nervously waved at Ikaruga, who smiled and waved back, while Katsuragi unpleasantly hugged Asuka while saying, "ALRIGHT, another chow-down with my favorite gals AND man meat!" Sora then asked, "Excuse me, 'Man Meat'?"
(POUNCE)
Sora was horrified once more by Katsuragi's cuddling as she sniffed his hair while whispering, "Maaaaaaaaaaaan Meeeeeeeeeeeeeat…"
Yomi however pulled Katsu off while saying, "Yes, Asuka and I were talking about another get together, and we both came to an agreement. Since you are familiar with Asuka's faction, Master, I wanted to introduce you to MY faction-."
"-Ya mean 'my' Faction, right Yomi?"
Homura's appearance caused Yomi to jump into Sora's arms (while Ikaruga was growing jealous). Sora kindly placed Yomi back on her feet while shaking Homura's hand, "Hey, Homura, great to see you again! Yomi's been great…even though she is insistent on being a Maid." Homura smiled and said, "Ah, don't worry about her, Sora. She's a great person, especially since you've treated her so well she just couldn't let go of you."
"YES. COULDN'T. FUNNY STUFF THERE, YOMI." Ikaruga said angrily while Yomi smirked, "Jealous, 'Rich Girl'?
Sora then looked at Homura and asked, "I suppose it would be rude to turn your faction away. Sure Homure, the Crimson Squad is as welcome as my fellow Hanzo-nites."
"HANZO-NITES?!" raged the Hanzo Girls.
Homura giggled while she said, "Great to hear, bro! The other 3 will be here shortly, but in the meantime, howza'bout setting up the feast for us?" Sora nodded, "Sure thing, a Host aims to please!"
As Sora walked in while being followed by the Hanzo girls and Homura and Yomi, Toki watched from her throne room from a crystal ball while the 3 remaining of the Four Fiends glared at Sora, upset by the loss of Marilith…
"Hmph, Lich's old quarry gets to enjoy his time with his little Harem while we are left with an empty seat! Such blasphemy WILL NOT STAND!" Complained a 'fishy-looking' fiend while the multi-headed dragon commented, "If you are so desperate to disappear, then perhaps YOU would like to take up arms against this human next?" Lich however said, "It shall fall to our master to decide who goes next. Besides, Marilith was chosen last time."
Toki looked into the ball while considering her options, and said aloud, "...with Marilith OUT…Kraken is IN. Ready to play with the Keyblade Master, Squidward?" The Kraken answered, "Actually my liege, I was COUNTING on that…(chuckle)
End of Chapter 17
Next Chapter...
With the end of Marilith comes another night of celebration, as Asuka invites another Faction to Sora, lead by Homura herself...