Mikoto Misaka walked across the wooded floor, silent and graceful enough to make a cat jealous. Vita stopped, slid open a door, stepped inside, and turned around. "going up?" she said, wiggling her brow with a smug grin. Mikoto groaned. "what have we gotten ourselves into?" little misaka asked. Mikoto sighed and looked at Vita again." Am I going to regret this..." she told herself quietly. " I am pretty sure." she stepped into a small wooded compartment.
The depths of the wall's details brought the carvings to life. Trees, waterfalls, and more images of a young Mikoto misaka. With a tilt of her head, she rolled her eyes and stared.
Vita had a mischievous yet serious look on her face. She slid the door closed and pulled a lever. It lurched and began to accelerate. In a steady clicking and rocking motion, it rose. Mikoto quickly realized it was a crude version of an elevator. "did you...?" she asked. Vita nodded. "I was at the unveiling of the first elevator in New York. Of course, this one operates using weights and counterweights and water.. but..." she shrugged, "it's safe and a little quicker than climbing." Vita took a deep breath. "in time, the tech should improve."
As it rose, the higher The jungle came into view. Revealing all that had been accomplished since Mikoto had been asleep.
The jungle's greenery rolled out like a carpet, the jagged structures of the buildings growing farther out, and the gardens' walls became busy and distant. "She really has outdone herself?" Mikoto whispered.
She put her hands on the edge, taking the wind across her face, the smell of the jungle and town rising in its currents. She thought she was back at the castle in the four kingdoms. Looking out from her bedroom balcony.
(her castle, which she shared with Anastasi Von Alucard, was carved into the mountains, with long balconies hanging across the exposed rock face of the cliff. She'd spend hours watching the sun rise and set. A hint of missing and guilt balled in her belly, seeing the similarities between the two. The higher they went, the farther the town built on top of the trees extended outward.
"give a woman a fish and feed her for a day," Vita spoke. "teach her to make the rod, line, net, and necessary cooking skills and add spices. You feed her for life.." she grinned, "oh yeah, and the males," she shrugged. "they too serve a purpose."
Mikoto barely heard her, looking down at the floor of the gardens. She thought of home in the four kingdoms with each click and clatter. The brightly colored cottages and buildings. The small boats drift along the river. She could see the crowds walking along the riverfront, through the small, bricked paved streets beneath the trees.
Vita had built a civilization from the destruction she'd created. As if to say they were sorry. Two of the three had been used to create the stone steps rising against the rocky stone walls. The waterfalls used to drive the water wheels and allow the ships and trade to flourish. "you've been very busy." she said.
Vita slipped her hands along the wood railing and leaned over, feeling the wind and gentle spray from the waterfall. Mikoto slipped by her side, taking deep breaths. The air smelled clean and fresh, memories rising to the surface of her mind.
She thought of The Cathedral in the forest. A place deep in the woods where only wolves would play. A large waterfall is said to have been created by the despair of Tessa. The first queen of the vampires. She'd witnessed her human lover killed in battle. And in her rage slammed her fist into the ground, turning flat land into deep valleys and jagged mountains. Her tears fell as water gushed out from underground streams, filling the bottom with clear, turbulent waters following the curves of the land. She and Anastasia would spend hours sitting, watching the falls, the wolves swimming, wading, and sleeping near the water's edge.
She wiped a tear from her eye, feeling something squeezing her heart. Putting her hand to her chest, she sighed and looked around.
"you lied to her?" Mikoto said, "there is no way you can make her a vampire." Vita took a deep breath. "I know... but what can I say.."
"she knows,"
"they all do," her smile getting bigger, "but what can be cooler than hot girls with fangs?" she opened her mouth and clicked her teeth.
Mikoto chuckled, "depends on what they put in their mouth?!" she blushed.
"MISTRESS!" Vita yelled. "I can't believe..." shaking her head, "I will be telling the wolves what you said... pervert." Mikoto grinned, leaned over the wooded railing, and yelled," that's right, I said it! Did you hear me, Anastasia? I said it!" a sad smile across her face.
Anna had always said she was too bashful for a queen. Close to being prudish. She was still the little girl lost in the body of a succubus.
They reached the top level and stopped, looking over the edge. "you're not scared of falling?!" Vita teased. Mikoto grunted and hmph.
(besides being a queen vampire, she was a level five electro master. She could fly, utilizing large amounts of atomized water vapor. She'd manipulated the water vapor into wings, using static electricity from interactions between particles. Using her electric power to induce electrolysis on a large body of water. And get enough hydrogen and oxygen to use as fuel.) And, of course, she had wings that extended from her back when needed. So being afraid of heights is just Vita teasing her. She laughed lightly as she opened the door, and they stepped out into a busy riverport.
They were standing on quarried stone patio of a large stone building with arched windows, looking more like an old English train station. It looked to be the center of everything. Tall towers rose up behind high stone walls that looked to surround them. Some of the townspeople wore armor and dressed for battle. And others look more like workers and everyday people. In the middle of everything stood a warrior statue with one arm raised, holding a sword and a shield in the other. The warrior is dressed in the armor of the house of Mikoto. It was a victory pose. The enemy underneath its boot.
Mikoto whispered, "please tell me that is….." thinking it was her.
"nope." Vita quickly answered, "Nya posed for it…a decisive battle was fought here. " she said. "she's quite the war hero…."
Mikoto rolled her eyes, and sighed. Heard the rumble of the water and looked in its direction. Two large waterwheels. Each made of heavy thick timber and slowly turned and creaked. Shrouded in the mist, rising and drifting along the ground. They walked through it as if in an old black-and-white movie, faded figures in the cool mist slowly coming to life.
"Only you would…" she said, breathing as she cleared the mist. Seemingly stepping back into another era.
Stepping out of the mist, feeling the heat of the two suns on her face, Mikoto looked around at the Viking longboats moored in tight formation. There must have been twenty or more. Each just as impressive as the next. Workers loading and unloading supplies. And smaller boats in the water oars out, and the sails slowly unfold.
The air was filled with the smell of fish, sweat, and smoke, mingling together to create a unique aroma. Mikoto, being a vampire, crinkled her nose and swallowed hard. "not the freshest of smells.." she said, taking a gulp of air, hoping to hold back the stench. Vita grinned, "it's a nostalgic smell."
"and who would find it Nostalgic?" she asked.
A group of men, sweaty and dirty, walked toward the front of a longboat. "you're both looking good today," said a man as they walked, giving a nod and a wink. He was tall and muscular, with dark blended skin.
"ohhhh, by the goddess!" little misaka rolled out of her overstuffed chair. She hit the ground, coughing, smacking her hand together. Her face was flushed, eyes watering. She wiped her eyes, "yep…still got it" she stood and rolled back into her overstuffed chair. She winked at an attractive young woman, half covered and all naked, lying in the overstuffed chair. "now, where were we?" she grinned.
Mikoto felt a warm flush across her face. And rolled her eyes. "what are you doing?" she whispered. as if she hadn't heard him, she quickly looked across the river.
Trees grew along the edges and out of large round containers made of tree bark.
"what's that?" Mikoto asked, pointing.
Vita said nothing about the tall, muscular man close by, " they are replanting the trees." she said, "since the winds no longer blow that strong. It's possible to replant them if they have the soil and a little TLC."
Beyond them, trees were growing. Tall and straight. Some were new, and others old, roots pushing out. Groups of villagers were hammering large iron spikes into the ground and then prying the rocky surface. A loud crack and the cover broke. Others helped, picking up the rocks and tossing them into the river.
"provides places to hide for the "fish," Vita answered before being asked.
Then setting, the wooden dirt and seed-filled containers. More soil was added, and water was to start the process. They moved on to the following location.
"nice beginning," Mikoto said.
"it will be a lot of hard work to get all of it done." Vita replied, looking across the river. "but we've got some time."
The male waited patiently.
The others could be heard chuckling and continued loading and unloading the boats. Putting them on wagons and smaller carts. Guards wore a dark weave covering their chest, ribs, thighs, and forearms. Mimicking the dragon-scaled armor, each member of her house had been fitted in body-hugging outfits like their Queen.
(The light armor of actual dragon scales gathered when dragons shed as they became larger. The scales worked to a smaller size. Adhered to the Kevlar lining, and turned into full body armament, carrying gauss black series 9950 rifles, known as mini rail guns, approximately 12 feet in span, with headgear like fighter pilots with break-resistant tinted face shield. A must for all non-day walking vampires. All of them carry short and long swords and katanas on their backs. And a few had the small gauss railguns. )
She frowned, noticing specific details, and even recognized a few. The way they held themselves and acted. They had the features of a certain vampire standing by her side. A few even looked like her but had different colored eyes and hair.
"DNA has a lot of potential. Mistress," Vita whispered. "Of course, we had plenty of material with the death of Bahamut and others at the portal.
(Vita had organized a return to the portal site. Gathered all the weaponry and medicines Mikoto had hidden away. )
"Imagine my surprise and my smile as we gathered up the remains of Bahamut and ended up with enough scales to cover our military ten times over." she whispered. "waste not, want not," she said.
A male waited, wearing dark, weaved armor. A large rounded shield made of dark dragon scales across his back. "We welcome our goddess," he said, holding his bow. Armor tight stretched across his broad chest. Vita smirked, " yes indeed. many potentials."
Mikoto blushed and smiled warmly, "thank you."
A hungry gaze across his face, inviting dark eyes. A reminder of whose DNA he'd come from. "that is definitely Vita. "little misaka said.
His take me expression changed to surprise. Someone tapped him on his shoulder, and the guard turned around. Nya thinned her eyes and motioned with her head. Everyone laughed and returned to work.
"got that one under control?" Vita said. " he has excellent potential as a male." Nya's approving tone hung as she watched him walk away.
She was wearing dragon-scaled armor, grabbing hold of her female form. Katana on her back, a heavy sword against her thigh, and a Gause gun strapped to her thigh. Its black color matched her dark hair, and she wore a black dye streaked over her eyes like a thin mask. She was watching him walk away with a particularly hungry look in her eyes.
"by the gods... she looks hot and dangerous!" little misaka said, " she could be a wolf."
"my goddess," Nya spoke., putting her hand over her heart. "huh! wait...my what?" Mikoto blurted out.
"I thought it would be more appropriate if I?" she gave a confused look, which quickly disappeared with a thinning of her eyes and smirk, "WOLF!" little misaka yelled. "I told you!"
"I am still the same as before my particular meltdown?" Mikoto blushed, a little childlike.
"meltdown?" Aya yelled, walking down the ramp from one of the long boats. she laughed, " for the one who slayed Bahamut and his others... nothing less than goddess could be used." She stopped, putting her hand on Nya's shoulder.
Mikoto looked a little confused as she eyed the insignia on her shoulder. Aya grinned and slowly turned. "we are of the wolves. "she said with a certain pride. "Vita has said that since we are the hunters of the pack… we should be wolves."
Nya took a deep breath, slowly turned her shoulder, and tapped the image. It outlined a howling wolf. Aya did the same, "Gallum is one too…" she said, narrowing her eyes. "and she looks good in her uniform!" she blushed. "she is a sea wolf. though." She added, "because we, she, have Drakkar boat." She pointed to the ships. "she had it built of the trees you had…..well, had fallen over with your help," she grinned. "yep…wolf," little misaka said.
It was a long wooded ship sitting low in the water. A row of dark dragon scales along its railing provided a protective barrier to the curved prow. But instead of the traditional dragon head, a howling wolf's head had taken its place.
"I don't think she should call it a Drakkar then," Little misaka spoke. Mikoto closed her eyes, nodding her head.
"Behold, she is called the goddess Misaka!" Aya shouted, slapping her chest.
" heh," face twisting in confusion. Mikoto shook her head and smacked her own face. "I need to hide."
"Rae had decreed that you be called Goddess…..Since she is a high priestess," she shrugged, " it is the law."
Mikoto sagged her shoulders, "I don't want to be the center of a new cult," she growled, "I just want to..."
"be left alone... yea, yea," Aya waved her hand, " Gallum giggled when she said it." she groaned, "the two of them argued and fought for a couple of days. but..." she shrugged, " it didn't really matter until this one intervened." she pointed to Vita.
" I just told them... the truth and that you liked your peace and quiet. And to come to me for all issues." she said flatly. " you know...like a backup queen," she winked.
"Ok, I am officially afraid," little misaka spoke, " "what the hell has been done in our name..."
"I'm thinking about everything we have seen and not seen," Mikoto answered.
"so what is going to happen now?" she asked.
Vita smiled at the girls, "we are going to take over the world!" she proclaimed cheerfully.
Mikoto sighed heavily. "and I thought my life was complicated before..." she muttered under her breath.
There was a splash from the river. "Maka! " someone yelled. Mikoto quickly turned and looked across the river. Kea was on the opposite bank. She was dripping wet and looked and sounded irate. Her hands on her hips, her ear flipped back, and her large eyes glared like a burning sun.
"what's wrong?" Aya asked curiously. " ohhhh...you know who is being herself." Kea stepped back, took a running start, and ran toward the river's edge. She soared high above the water.
A graceful ascent above the water and below her, A thin line streaked across the water's surface. Maka moved like she was made for it. Like a dolphin, her tiny body undulating from head to foot. She slowed, the bubble drifting along her body as she pushed through the surface.
She quickly blinked her large golden eyes, her long shaggy mane drenched. she giggled. Mikoto's eyes wide with shock. Seeing what she didn't think she'd see. She had gills. They had formed along her tiny neck. Maka held her hand out, webbing extending between her fingers. Mikoto took her hand, pulled her out, and hugged her tight. "Maka... I have missed you so much," her voice cracked as she squeezed. " father..." she whispered.
An angry shout. "makaaaaaa!" a familiar voice bellowed. "Keaaaaaaaa!!" Maka shrieked happily. Kea skidding along the stone, quickly turned, stomped over, and grabbed a handful of her mane. she yanked her forward. Doing her best to wiggle herself between Mikoto and her daughter. "it's good to see you too, " Kea said flatly. Mikoto released her hold. "you look happy." she remarked dryly.
"Is this the same Kea who put the moves on us?" little misaka spoke, " and now... what are we? chopped liver!"
"Pretty sure... we are," Mikoto whispered, feeling relieved.
"Isn't that sweet? " Rae yelled, waving her hand. she was coming through the chaos of the working docks. She was surrounded by female guards, wearing the same black armor uniform as the others.
She had aged since she slept. She was a little taller, not much… but as tall as Mikoto's chin. Her eyes shone with confidence as she approached. She swayed as she walked. She wasn't wearing dragon armor. Instead, she had a solid blue sarong wrapped around her waist and a sheer bandeau wrapped around the swells of her breast. Festive feathered headdresses and jewelry made of crafted leather and precious stones. Small metal bells hung from her ears and jingled wildly. And with each step, slender brown thighs flashed. The tips of heavy black boots. Mikoto wanted to laugh. "I bet she has shorts underneath that sarong? "little misaka said.
"no…." Mikoto answered, "she's wearing nothing…" she sighed, noticing the dark skin underneath the tight sarong wrapped around her thighs. She has gotten so mature."
Rae bowed her head respectfully, hands together touching her chin. "oh great," exhaling a long breath, her shoulders shrinking. Mikoto raised her hand to stop her, "please don't…."
"Just kidding," with a tilt of her head.
"jerk," Mikoto whispered.
"so… is everything ready?" Vita asked.
With a confused expression, Mikoto looked at Vita. She was looking behind and to the distance at the third impact of her meltdown. The cliff face was melted and glistening black.
A group of villagers working. Wooden carts and strange beasts, snorting and eating. She thinned her eyes, seeing the dark and grey armor of a few working among the wagons. They were helping, loading supplies, weapons, and gear.
"Are we going someplace?" Mikoto asked.
"First, we have a little river voyage and…. yes, Mistress," Vita said. Looking at her, she grinned.
("oh shit!" little misaka yelled, a long twisting straw falling from her mouth. she was holding a very large cup. She was leaning against a wooded bar, a stool next to her. The room looked like an old western bar. Old-time music playing in the background. Images of cowboys and dance hall girls flickered across the floor. Large-screen televisions are suspended around the top of the bar. On the screen, pictures of Rae, Kea, Maka, Aya, Nya, and in the distance, standing on the bow of the boat, Gullam. "what is she planning!" a hint of annoyance in her voice. she kept biting, teeth clicking at the straw. Behind the bar, the attractive woman dressed in a sailor outfit stood with a towel in her hand, cleaning a glass. She walked over, wiping the spill off the bar top. "problem.." she asked, leaning forward, the low-cut top opened wider, putting on a seductive face. The attractive woman reached over and pinched the straw and held it. "thanks," little misaka opened her mouth wider, fangs slipping out, "CHOMP!" and sucked on the straw. "my pleasure…" she grinned, slumped forward, putting her chin in her hand, "or yours…" she smiled.
"pervert," little misaka quickly spoke, eyeing the screens. "yes…." she whispered.)
"We are going on a long trip." She said. Mikoto looked at them, seeing goodbyes in their eyes. "someone doesn't want us to go?" little misaka spoke. Maka was squeezing her tighter, rubbing her face against her. Mikoto looked down, and Maka looked up, eyes pleading and wet." No go…" she said childlike.
She answered the only way she could. She put her hand on Maka's mane of hair and rubbed. "it seems that someone has plans…" she felt her throat tighten. A slight urge filled her belly to stay. A hint. She knew Vita. And Vita didn't like to wait.
"It's just a long business trip," Vita said, looking at Maka. "it doesn't mean we are leaving… we are just going to somewhere where we can find a way back to our friends." She said, grabbing a rough handful of Maka's mane with a playful growl, "to let them know we are safe." She said with a shrug. "who knows, someone has claimed this place, and there are lots to do…" she patted her head.
Maka thinned her eyes and glared. Her eyes, golden yellow like the blazing twin suns, growled. She turned her head, eyes opening wide in a playful, manipulative pout. "promise."
"oh… she is getting good." little misaka said, her head leaning in her palm, sipping on her straw. "chip off the ole me," she said, winking at the attractive woman across the bar.
"I promise." Mikoto said, squeezing Maka in a hug and nuzzling her head. "to the main city,"
Vita took Mikoto by the hand. And they walked along the stone pier. Gallum was standing on the stern of the longboat, looking at them. she grinned, wearing the dark dragon armor of the house of Mikoto. A wooded wolf's head underneath her black boot. And her hands on her hips, "welcome aboard, my queen!" she said.
Rae growled, "oh, and you too.." she sneered back at Rae.
Mikoto chuckled, looking at the waves splashing against the boat, and smiled. "I'm ready."
"The wolves are rowing down the river," Gallum said, eyes turning fierce.