Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Faded Divinity
Chapter 10: Gathering Forces
As Kaguya used the portal to head back to the actual Minato Ward, she noticed that there was a wrecked bus nearby, as Kaguya noticed that there was a strong presence emanating from it, and the sounds of a female demon lamenting within.
"...Richard?" Kaguya asked Omoikane, who immediately began to scan the bus itself.
"...Hm, it seems that we managed to find the former head of the Egyptian branch, the one before Bethel." Omoikane stated. "Cleopatra, the queen of the Ptolemaic."
"Woah, now that's something." Kaguya responded back. "But wait, former head of the branch?"
"Even with the knowledge installed, the specific reason why she was ousted from her position escapes me. All I know of her situation is that she could not control the members of her own branch, whether it be due to a conflict of position or a personal feud, and that has resulted in her own branch exiling her, but not without her swearing several curses upon the heads of every demon in Bethel."
"So… think she'll be able to come along with us? We hate Bethel for different reasons, but the thought counts, right?" Kaguya asked back.
"Likely, but it'll come down to a fight. She is very impulsive in what records I have of her. She will automatically assume that you are an assassin from Bethel." Omoikane answered back. "...And unlike Khonsu, you have no-one who can act as leverage to persuade her to stop. Only by defeating her, will she see reason."
"Tch. So be it. If I can't beat her and win her over, then I have no right picking a fight against the other branch heads." Kaguya remarked.
"So you're saying that she's a warm-up for you, eh?" Sahori asked, as Kaguya nodded. "Fair. Don't worry, I'll make sure that I don't kill her. Been doing enough of doing that to the wrong people lately."
Kaguya then approached the bus, before she heard the figure inside shift within the bus's frame.
"Who's there?" The same female voice declared, before the front doors swung open, as a demon revealed herself, being similar in figure compared to the historical queen herself, but having a much different appearance. She had golden leg bands that curved around the length of both legs, a long open fluttering white skirt, tied to a sash with green triangles and yellow diamonds, a striped bra that was covered only on the front and outer sides, leaving her cleavage to be shown, with the bottom tied with a tri-color band of red,blue,and green, with the rest of the band's length hanging off and fluttering to the wing, and a green and red segmented necklace. She had one human arm, that had a golden gauntlet with a slotted sapphire gem, while the other was only human down to the waist, as it was connected to a spreading mass of living cobras, with dark green scales, and on her head was a head-dress with a cobra's head. As for the demon herself, she had light skin, and her eyes were yellow. "Who are you? …Wait, I've heard rumors of you. You're from Bethel Japan!"
"Funny thing about that…" Kaguya remarked, rubbing the back of her head.
"After everything I've done in service of Bethel, this is the treatment I get!?" The demon growled in anger. "Can't even leave a disgraced queen to lament in peace, I see! If it weren't for me, everyone would have been condemned, just like the rabble of Babylonia! And yet, not only I have been cast out, but Bethel sends an assassin after me, merely because I have cursed at their very names for their actions towards me!"
"Look, we understand your anger, Cleopatra, but-" Tao tried to persuade her.
"DO NOT MAKE A FOOL OF ME!" Cleopatra yelled, as her eyes glowed brightly with a rage that she stored for a long time. "I should have expected as much! All that effort I spent sucking up to them when they're impossible to please, and they don't even acknowledge me! I've had ENOUGH of this degradation! I'll kill anyone who tries to get near me! That's right. I'm done running and hiding! And now I'm going to kill every last demon of Bethel who has crossed me."
Cleopatra then locked eyes with Kaguya. "And since you're a princess, I wonder how Bethel will react… when I throw their severed head right in front of them!" Cleopatra spoke with a coldness that unnerved most of the demons. "Be fortunate, you will die a much less painful death than what I have in store for Bethel!"
Formidable Foe Detected
Cleopatra
Spurned Queen of Egypt
"Sorry, but I'm not dying today!" Kaguya retorted back, as she immediately nailed Cleopatra with a powerful vertical slash filled with dark red energy, which managed to hit Cleopatra and deal considerable damage to her, and weaken her considerably.
"Let me weaken her for you, Kaguya!" Artemis shouted, as she immediately kicked Cleopatra into the air, before then somersaulting into the air, and meteor-kicking the Egyptian queen turned the demon into the ground, as it shattered her guard, and even was forceful enough to stun the queen for a moment.
"I do not believe that there is much I can do for this battle." Tao remarked. "But there is still one thing that I can do, and that is to grant you all strength!"
Tao then immediately rose into the air, before she then slowly moved her arms in a circular motion, as a white mandala formed behind her, as it then glowed, as the entire group felt their strength increasing rapidly, as well as any impurities disappearing from them.
"I won't let you hurt my princess." Alice stated, before she then used her magic to summon the dark spears, as they managed to hit Cleopatra, and deal considerable damage to her.
"I know that this is going to be a long fight… so partake in this!" Kaguya exclaimed, as she immediately tapped her spear on the ground, as the glint of a full moon appeared behind her, as blue circles began to form underneath the group's feet, bestowing them a sense of swelling power, as their own magical strength was being continually replenished.
"I'll gather my strength!" Artemis remarked, as she began to charge up her strength to boost her power, before Tao then recast her spell to bolster the group even more, and Alice began to creating more spears, which managed to hit Cleopatra fairly hard due to the disparity between the active strength of the two parties.
"Here!" Sahori remarked, before she then cast a Mamudoon spell, as the dark curse managed to weaken Cleopatra fairly well.
"Allow me to repay you for your kindness." Cleopatra sneered, before she then prepared a Mabufudyne spell, as Alice noticed the attack early, as she danced away from the icicles aimed at her, as Tao was hit hard, while Kaguya weathered the attack, and Artemis shrugged the attack off, causing the Egyptian queen to click her tongue.
"Sorry, but a little ice can't hurt us much." Kaguya remarked, as she then used her naginata to cleave Cleopatra again with darkness itself, weakening the queen further, as her own body felt weak and sluggish from the damage she had taken.
"Taste my justice!" Artemis roared, before she then used Astral Saintstrike, as the attack hit Cleopatra several times over, as her weak state and Artemis's empowered state managed to wreak a lot of havoc on the queen, as she was beginning to flag from the damage she had taken.
Tao then immediately raised her hand, before she then launched a Megidola spell right at Cleopatra, as the almighty-powered spell managed to hit Cleopatra hard, giving Alice the opportunity to hit her with more dark spears.
As soon as the onslaught was over, Kaguya immediately hit Cleopatra with a powerful slash, weakening her to the barest of her power, as Artemis gave the group a Matarukaja to increase their attack even more, as Tao merely guarded.
"Take some of this!" Sahori remarked, as she threw another Mamudoon spell to hurt Cleopatra, forcing her to take a knee.
"Ugh, for assassins, you are quite formidable when it comes to fighting directly." Cleopatra coughed. "So the rumors about you are not hearsay, princess."
"Then you know that I'm not trying to kill you. I just want to-" Kaguya remarked.
"I don't intend to let you have your way with me!" Cleopatra remarked, as she stood back on her feet. "You wish to have me so? Then feast your eyes upon me!"
Cleopatra then surrounded herself with pink energy, as she slid her hands over her body, as she leaned back. "And gaze upon my unparalleled beauty!" She declared, before flexing her body to the side, as a barrage of hearts began to hit the group, as they felt her charms weakening them.
Out of the entire group, only Tao was afflicted, as her eyes glowed pink and were unfocused.
"Queen Cleopatra…" Tao remarked with a dulcet voice, as befitting of someone being controlled. "I shall heal you."
"Oh no you don't!" Kaguya remarked, before she then crushed a bottle of sparkling blue liquid, before then using a wind spell to spray the blue fluid onto Tao's face, as it quickly awakened her like a cold-water bath.
"What!? What was I…" Tao remarked, as she quickly snapped her attention back to the battle.
"Alright, that just tears it. I'm not taking any more chances with this!" Kaguya remarked, before she then unleashed the group's Magatsuhi, before Kaguya and Artemis beat her down with a powerful dual-strike, which caused her to hit the bus back-first, as she fell forward, trying to stand, only for her to collapse on the ground, beaten.
"Kgh… No… How did I…" Cleopatra coughed. "If I'm going to suffer even further shame, I'd rather die…!"
Cleopatra then ripped off a jagged shard of metal from the bus wreck, before aiming it at her throat in an attempt to commit suicide, only for Kaguya to grab her hands.
"What are you doing!? Do you intend to steal my freedom to the very end?" Cleopatra exclaimed, as she tried to wrest her hands free of Kaguya.
"Cleopatra, just listen to me and take a deep breath." Kaguya answered back. "I'm not going to enslave you or put you under some crap. I just want to ask if you would help me, because I'm going to the Empyrean Throne in order to deal with the situation at hand."
"You… You intend to take the Empyrean Throne!?" Cleopatra exclaimed.
"That's right. But I can't do it alone, and all of Bethel is against me." Kaguya declared. "That's why when I noticed you, and Omoikane explained what went on with you, I thought that you might have been a great ally to the cause."
"You… You fought this entire battle, just to recruit me…?" Cleopatra remarked, torn with disbelief.
"At the start it was, but honestly, after the crap you went through, I think that I might be doing you a favor in trying to help you make a new start in life." Kaguya responded back. "Look, I know that you must have gone mad because the angels of Bethel kept on shitting on you. And I feel the same way. In fact, I literally mauled the archangel to prove my point that I was done with their shit. So if you feel like you're an ass, then look upon the princess of assholery herself."
Cleopatra looked at Kaguya for a moment, before she then began to laugh, lasting for a moment, before the queen wiped the tears from her eyes.
"How pathetic can I be… spitting everyone out of blind rage." Cleopatra answered back. "Especially when you would treat me with such kindness after so long… Abiding the will of the victor is the way of this world, and so, I, Cleopatra, shall follow under you."
Tao then immediately healed Cleopatra, which helped recover her lost strength, as she followed along with the party.
"Wow, you really are something! I thought that she was gonna do something bad!" Amanozako exclaimed.
"Well, all's well ends well." Kaguya smiled back, looking back at Cleopatra, who seemed to be comfortable with the company she had. "Let's move to the Fairy Village. We should have a talk with Miyazu."
The group then immediately began to use the nearest leyline fount, which transported them to the Fairy Village, as Kaguya saw Miyazu, who was sitting alone in the village, with no-one beside her.
"Wait here for a moment, all of you, alright?" Kaguya told her demons, as they accepted her command without any second thought. "Tao, Sahori, hang back a little bit, and only join the conversation when you think it's right. I think I should try to loosen her up a little bit before you come to her."
"No problems. I'm fine with that." Sahori nodded back, as Tao did the same.
Kaguya then approached Miyazu, dispelling her Nahobino form, as Omoikane hanged behind her.
"Hey, Miyazu. What are you doing here?" Kaguya remarked, as Miyazu raised her head to notice her.
"Oh, Kaguya. I'm glad that you're still out there, and fighting." Miyazu answered back. "...I'm just doing what I can to help the people in the village. It seems that humans are still being sent here, and being saved by Fionn. So I decided to stay here for the time being."
Kaguya looked at Miyazu for a moment, as she noticed that Miyazu's expression was uncertain.
"Really? While I know that what you're doing is genuine, I think that you've got another reason for being here." Kaguya answered back. "Did your brother put you up for it?"
Miyazu fell silent for a few moments, before she then nodded. "...He said that it would be safer here than in Tokyo, and I still don't understand why." Miyazu answered back. "And ever since then, he's never contacted me once."
"Yikes." Kaguya blurted out, as she understood what Yuzuru was doing, but didn't like how he went about it. "Well, that doesn't seem good, does it? But I'm sure that he can handle it. I'm sure that he's got a lot of help for what's coming for him."
"Yeah…" Miyazu stated, as her voice trailed off.
"Hey, Miyazu, you know about that foreign prince who saved you?" Kaguya said, as Miyazu turned to her with intrigue burning in her eyes. "I think I have managed to find some clues for it."
"You… You can help me find him?" Miyazu answered back.
"Well, I don't think that he wants to be found for the moment. But I think that he's going to be coming before you very soon." Kaguya responded back. "Say… you said that you had a very bad illness right?"
"Yeah. Sometimes, I would be bedridden by it." Miyazu answered back. "But strangely enough, ever since the start of all of this, when the students first started disappearing, I began to gradually feel a lot better. I can still feel it within me, but it doesn't hurt and ache as much anymore…"
There was a moment of silence, before Kaguya took a deep breath.
"Miyazu, can you tell me what that foreign prince who saved you looked like?" Kaguya responded back.
"He looked quite like he came from Egypt, from ancient times even, with how he was dressed like a pharoah." Miyazu described. "In fact, I felt like he was either a demon or a god, because his skin was a jade-green, and wielding a khopesh at hand, you know, the swords that ancient Egypt used to fight, being shaped like a sickle."
'Glad to know that my suspicions were on track.' Kaguya thought to herself, before she then spoke. "Then yeah, I think I have met him. We actually started on bad terms, because of a little incident he witnessed. But we managed to make up, and went our separate ways."
"What did he say about me?" Miyazu asked.
"Nothing. But from what I heard from what is equivalent to a colleague to him…" Kaguya answered back. "I think that I managed to piece together an answer to why your illness doesn't hurt as much anymore, and why he cares for you specifically."
"And what's that?" Miyazu remarked, as she leaned closer.
"The foreign prince is actually Khonsu, the Egyptian god of the moon." Kaguya answered back. "While you're not aware, he's been feeding you something to help soothe your illness. I'm sure that it must be Magatsuhi, since you don't look like you've been drinking anything bloody lately, and he's got a connection with you."
Miyazu was shocked silent for a moment, before she finally processed her feelings, as she let out a simple 'Oh.'
"That's all?" Kaguya stated.
"...I don't know what to do with all of this." Miyazu answered back. "...But I'm thankful for his actions. I just want to know what he has done to allow him to make such sacrifices for me… and I still want to know more about why."
"I'm sure I'll shed some light on that." Kaguya stated. "...But enough about that green-skinned god. Tell me a little about yourself?"
"Really? Are you sure that you would be interested in it?" Miyazu questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I honestly think that you should have a say on the matter. After all, you've been through quite a lot. What with Sahori going missing, and possibly…" Kaguya trailed off. "...It's not healthy to let your emotions fester within. Talk to me. I promise that I'll listen and help."
Miyazu then sighed. "...Honestly, sometimes, I wish my brother would spend more time with me." She declared.
"That's fair. How much has he been missing out on, and what does that make you feel?" Kaguya nodded.
"...I wish I could be angry." Miyazu answered back, as she clenched her fists tightly. "...But considering that he is running himself down for the nation itself… I don't have the will to curse him out."
Miyazu then placed a hand on her cheek, as she slumped. "I just don't like how indifferent he sounds to everything. I know he cares deep down, but how will the others know if he acts this way…" She continued. "...I miss the old Kaguya. I missed the days when he would swing me around with a big bright smile on his face. I miss the days when he would usually come over, and help adjust my bed covers over me, and give me a sweet 'good night'. And I especially missed the days where we laughed together, without the worries of the world burdening us."
"What changed?" Kaguya answered back.
"...Two things. And both are related to the same illness that I have." Miyazu said. "First was when our mother died. When we were young, she was hospitalized because of this illness reaching its final stages. The doctors tried everything in order to save her… but she slipped away. We cried as a family at her passing, and the funeral was something that I couldn't get out of my memory. And it must have hurt Yuzuru deep down."
Miyazu then took her glasses off, as she looked up. "...And the second thing was learning that I was afflicted by the same illness. That must be what broke him. And I understood why." She admitted. "After all, when you learn that your sister is going the same way as your dead mother, and there was nothing to stop it, it hurts someone deeply. And forces them to treasure every moment… But Yuzuru was twisted into doing it the wrong way."
"Why?" Kaguya asked.
"He handled me like I was fragile china." Miyazu responded back. "The only reason I was allowed to socialize in school was because Yuzuru trusted the school more than himself to take care of me. And they did. No-one tried to bully me, but it was pitiful, being looked upon like I was some sort of dying creature. And it hurts me. Even more so when I have to go back to my home, where Yuzuru would do anything to make me feel safe. But safety doesn't help me live. I just survive, not live. Living means enjoying things, but Yuzuru wants me to hold out. And that means that I couldn't risk my fragile body…"
"Miyazu…" Kaguya said with a sympathetic tone.
"...I hate being sick like this." Miyazu remarked, raising her hands in front of her. "...I hate this sick body… but what can I do? It's what I have been dealt with. And I don't want to hurt my brother further by doing something that'll kill myself. He already sat through mother's death with such great pain. I shudder to imagine what he would do if I were to die."
"...Then if there is a way for you to help yourself, would you take it?" Kaguya asked back.
"What would that be then?" Miyazu asked back.
"Please answer me. I need to know if you are willing to change for the better." Kaguya firmly stated. "...Please, Miyazu. Give me your honest feelings. Do you think there is a way to change?"
Miyazu closed her eyes, and went silent for a moment, before opening her eyes again, after thinking for so long.
"...Yes. Yes, if there is a way to put an end to this, I'll do it." Miyazu answered back.
"Tao, bring Sahori here." Kaguya said, as Miyazu was shocked.
"Sahori!? But you never said that you found her!" Miyazu exclaimed, before Sahori and Tao approached the two.
"Yeah, I was almost about to glomp you in a tight hug and comfort you." Sahori admitted. "...But I trusted Kaguya would have handled that situation better than I would."
"Miyazu… I didn't know that you had to go through all of that…" Tao remarked gently, with a sad look in her eyes.
"What… "What happened to you, Sahori?" Miyazu remarked, noticing the differences in Sahori's appearances.
"It's a long story." Sahori answered back. "But what I can tell you is that there is a way to remain human… well, in the definition of being human at least."
"And that is to become a Nahobino." Tao responded back. "...Normally, I wouldn't condone such a method towards other people… but you deserve some happiness in your life, and a Nahobino's body will at the very least overpower the illness well enough that you can live your life normally."
"Naho…bino?" Miyazu answered back.
'That's right." Kaguya responded back, transforming back to her Nahobino state. "I have a nagging feeling that Khonsu might just very well be your other half. And if we can convince him of that… then the both of you can get what you want. Khonsu will be by your side, protecting you, and with that protection, you will be able to stand up on your two feet in this world, and fulfill a happy life."
"...And you are still human enough?" Miyazu responded back, as hesitation crossed her eyes.
"You don't want to give up your humanity, because it's precious to you." Sahori stated, as Miyazu turned to her. "I know. It's scary knowing that you become less of a human. But I assure you, nothing about my own self has changed. I am still Sahori Itsukishima, the one you have taken good care of. And trust me, you'll fare better than me, because the asshole god who fused with me wanted to do some messed-up stuff, before Kaguya bashed him down, and I shoved him to somewhere he'll never crawl out of. In fact, I could become human, just by doing this."
Sahori then deactivated her Nahobino form, revealing that she was completely human, with her hands out, and a smile on her face. "See, still human flesh and mind, all accounted for." She remarked.
"And if you ever feel that you don't feel like yourself… Know that I will always be there to help remind you of who you are." Tao stated. "That, I promise at the very least for everything that you have done for Sahori, and for me in proxy."
Miyazu turned to Kaguya, fairly surprised at all of this.
"...May I have a moment to myself?" Miyazu stated. "I… I have a lot to think about."
"Sure. And don't feel like we're forcing an answer out of you. You can take all the time to make the choice." Kaguya answered back. "No-one's going to force it upon you."
"...Thank you." Miyazu stated, before she then walked away.
"So… Do you think that she'll do it?" Sahori asked with concern.
"Only time will tell." Kaguya responded back. "Now come on, let's scout out the Empyrean Throne. Who knows what we might find on the way."
"Hold." Oberon's voice remarked, as he and Titania appeared before the group. "...I believe that there is something that I must do for you, Kaguya Houraisen, for the kindness of what you have done for this village and its inhabitants."
"Oh? What's that?" Kaguya asked back.
"Ever since I encountered that High Pixie of yours… was she originally a Pixie?" Titania asked Kaguya.
"Yeah, but why do you ask? She's a demon that's a dime a dozen." Kaguya responded back, as she summoned High Pixie. "And High Pixies like her are still fairly common."
"Hey, who are you calling common? I'll have you know that my humor at the very least is unique!" High Pixie pouted.
"Then you are mistaken. Maybe you are both unaware of this… but this Pixie of yours… she is special in a sense." Oberon answered back. "...I believe that she is a descendant of an extremely powerful demon related to her lineage. And it has remained dormant, simply because neither of you were aware of it."
"Then how did you know about it?" Kaguya asked the fairy royals.
"Because we have studied our own legends fairly well." Titania explained. "There is a legend regarding such Pixies, that should a Pixie find a companion who they feel like is a true partner to them, and have fought by their side through countless battles and trials… they will have the potential to ascend beyond even the form of a High Pixie."
"And how do we achieve that?" Kaguya asked back.
"The actual method that the legend speaks of is unknown to us…" Oberon stated. "...But there is an alternative way to test if the legend is true."
Oberon then conjured an essence in his hand, as Titania did the same for herself, as the two Essences were gathered before Kaguya.
"Take these Essences. I believe that you would know of a way to use them." Titania answered back. "Whatever method is used, we have reason to believe that our own Essences are the key to giving your Pixie the power needed to ascend to a higher form."
"Wait, you don't have to-" High Pixie exclaimed with concern.
"Do not fret, little Pixie. This is merely a light donation. We will not be diminished in the slightest in our gift to you." Oberon smiled back. "And this is the very least we can do in order to help make you stronger, so that you can stand side-to-side with your summoner."
"We wish you well, and once again, thank you deeply for all you have done for this village." Titania answered back.
"It's not like I have anything else. A little kindness goes far for what you have done when Tao and I were trapped in this ward." Kaguya smiled back. "...Take care, both of you. I promise that the world will get better from all of this misery."
The group then used the leyline fount in order to transport themselves back to the Ueno Ward, as they began to search the area, before Kaguya noticed that Nuwa was nearby, as Amanozako picked it up as well.
"Is that… the freaky demon lady you fought a while back!?" Amanozako exclaimed, before she then paled. "Listen, Kaguya! What do you say we get out of here? Like, right-"
Amanozako screamed in fear, as Kaguya trudged over towards her, as the rest of the group raised their guards expecting a fight.
"...Well now, I didn't think that you and Yakumo would be seeking keys as well." Kaguya remarked. "...How is that going, Nuwa?"
"Unfortunately, Yakumo has yet to penetrate the Hindu branch's defenses." Nuwa remarked. "Perhaps you could indulge me in a short chat? You need not worry, Yakumo will not return for a long while."
"Fine, but any funny business, and I'll smash you down like I did with Arioch and Sahori." Kaguya remarked, as her eyes narrowed. "And believe me, I have absolute confidence that we can crush you, even at your fullest."
"Now now, there is no need to be hostile." Nuwa answered back. "You are human just like Yakumo, but you are tainted by something else, which turns you into more of a mystic. So I ask you, do you share his beliefs? Do you agree with his aims?"
"After all of the crap he's done? And with no explanation? No." Kaguya bluntly stated.
"A shame. Then you, too, cannot see beyond his surface." Nuwa shook her head.
"Then do enlighten us, goddess of creation, what's so special about this bigot that you would put your faith in him." Kaguya bit back, before she then separated into two, due to Omoikane's interference.
"And I have questions for you, Nuwa. Who do you stand for, the demons or the humans?" Omoikane firmly questioned.
"I suppose I side with the humans. But surely a goddess can be partial to her own creations? Even if demoted to demonhood." Nuwa answered back with a tilt of her head.
"And you aim to seize the Throne with Yakumo for that sake?" Omoikane declared.
"Well, as a means to the end, certainly. To take it simply for power's sake would be a touch petty, don't you think?" Nuwa said. "Yakumo and I share a vision. It's why I lend him my power, and why I strive to see his world come to fruition. Poor Yakumo's zealotry does tend to leave a bad impression. But what nobility in his souls, in his aims…"
"I don't see that nobility, when he condemns fellow men." Omoikane coldly interrupted.
"A most shallow appraisal, my dear. Yakumo loves his fellow man, perhaps more than any other." Nuwa argued. "He rejects humans who have given up, precisely because he believes in humanity's potential for strength. Do you understand, child?"
"Why should I understand him? Omoikane made it clear enough on our behalf." Kaguya scoffed. "His world rejects the very concept of weakness. If you're not strong enough to fight on, you deserve to die. That kind of world will never be accepted by me."
"I suppose that's only to be expected. Few truly do understand." Nuwa answered back. "Those of the Yakumo family have always been officers of the law. Would-be agents of justice, living to protect the meek. His mother was a medium. She helped those tormented by dark spirits. However, one such sufferer was seduced by a demon's promises… and slaughtered Yakumo's entire family. 'Hate the crime, not the criminal' as they say. But the platitude rings quite hollow when the criminal has no desire, no capacity for redemption. If violence and evil are all they know, all they will ever be, then what can a man of justice do but strike them down? Pretty words have never been enough to save the world."
"And so that's an excuse for him to turn his back on people?" Kaguya retorted back. "Just because his life was ruined by some random schmuck seduced by the demons, he decides that all demons and their sympathizers should all die? That rings hollow to me more than that statement you quoted."
Omoikane's fists were tightly clenched, as he held his lips tight.
"Pretty words mean little without action, I get it." Kaguya continued.. "But he's just projecting his pain on others, plain and simple. He hates me on principle just because I'm doing his job the right way instead of his way. If he really wanted to do something good, he would have done his best to help the others, regardless of their status and their wills, as his duty commands him to. And maybe stop to think 'Hey, this demon might actually not be a total a-hole like the rest' a few times in the rest of his life. He turned his back on his duty, and so I have no sympathy for him. I understand him much better now, but I won't change my standing towards him. So don't bother trying to convince otherwise. It won't work."
"...Then I suppose that you made your standing clear." Nuwa frowned.
"Crystal." Kaguya spat out, as Yakumo walked over.
"What are you doing, Nuwa?" Yakumo demanded.
"Ah, here he is. So ends this chat between us, then. Farewell." Nuwa stated, before she then disappeared with Yakumo.
"...Omoikane, you okay?" Kaguya asked Omoikane, noticing Omoikane's restrained expression.
"...I hate Yakumo." Omoikane declared. "...I think that I truly hate him, with all of my heart within. And I finally understand why… Because like what I was… He was a self-righteous bastard who hurt countless people for a cause that has no clear reason. Maybe this hate is double-edged, meant to be pointed at myself and him. But I can't stop it. After hearing that… asinine explanation for his actions, I detest him even more because of it."
"...I'm sure that we won't be seeing him much from now on. We'll be lucky to never see them again in the Empyrean Throne." Kaguya answered back. "So for now, don't let that hate consume you… Richard."
"...I won't. I won't let it come to that." Omoikane declared with determination.
"Whew! That could've been bad, huh!? Totally!" Amanozako exclaimed, flying to the duo. "But you know what? That demon woman… I think she might be in love with that human. No, wait. Maybe she loves all of humanity, and that man is supposed to be a symbol of it or something. I dunno. Hmm, either way, it's kinda complicated! But that was love, for sure!"
"Word to that." Kaguya nodded firmly.
The group then explored the rest of the area, as Kaguya managed to find another Omoikane essence, as Omoikane himself examined it, noticing that it too was tainted with dark emotions. However, the rush of emotions and memories that came with it, enticed the artificial god greatly, as he inserted it within himself.
As the group of Kaguya, Gus, Reimu, Marisa, Sanae, Youmu and Reisen flew through the fleshy tunnel that laid before them, they could hear the rumbling roars of a true monstrous being outside, being accompanied by the sound of a massive fire-fight outside, with the sounds so meshed together that it sounded like pure chaos.
The only light before them was Gus creating a large orb of fire which was bright enough to illuminate the surroundings, as the dead bodies of countless malformed clones of Richard, all with their own unique mutations, forged from the suffering that each of them went through in their own lifetimes.
"Are… Are we there yet?" Kaguya asked, as her voice was trembling out of fear.
"I can sense his power from here… Not far." Reimu remarked, before gritting her teeth. "...Damn it, you stupid bastard… Why did you have to go and end up like this."
"Well, regardless of what it is… it's up to us to deal the final blow." Marisa remarked. "...Kaguya, do you have the Vorpal Dagger with you?"
Kaguya pulled an ornate dagger from her dress, as it glowed with malicious purple energy that swirled on the crystalline blade of the weapon.
"It's still working fully, if you're asking me." Kaguya answered back. "...Do we… Do we really have to-"
"It's what Richard would want… if he knew what he became." Sanae said with a solemn tone.
"We can't let him continue this. This is not what he is." Youmu shook her head. "...I want to believe that there is still a way to save him, but you know what Lady Yukari said-"
"I know! I KNOW!" Kaguya screamed, as her voice became raw. "Only I can be able to kill him when the opportunity presents itself, because… because he loves me deep inside."
"...And he'll hesitate to cover his own weak-spots because of that." Reisen answered back. "...But having to kill your own lover to save the realm that he cherished… that is a cruel deed to be forced upon you. If you cannot do it, then we'll-"
"No… No, I'm tired of running away from my problems. I'll do it. Because I love him. Because I want to see him off as himself, not the monster he became." Kaguya said, as tears fell down her cheeks.
"...You're stronger than all of us for doing this, Kaguya. Just know that." Marisa comforted Kaguya.
Eventually, the fleshy tunnel came to an end, as they found themselves in a massive circular chamber, as the ground underneath was made of fleshy roots, and there was the thundering sound of a massive heart beating within the very chamber.
"Yep, heart-beat, check. Massive room, double-check." Sanae remarked. "This has to be the core of Extinction-Type, or at least its analogue for it. And that means…"
The entire room began to light up, as if something illuminated the area, as they could see the room in its entirety.
And when they looked up, they saw Richard… or what he had become. A large aberration of flesh, as everything up to his torso was fused together with a massive mass of flesh shaped like a human skull, as various parts budded from it, from the head of a insect monster, to the crooked arms of a monstrous oni, to a large fan that was adorned with black butterflies of death fluttering near it, and so many more parts from the monsters that gave birth to this very monster.
"Oh gods… this thing is true…" Sanae paled. "This is literally as horrifying as all of the amalgamation bosses in all of video-game history combined…"
"Get ready… he's starting to wake!" Reimu exclaimed, noticing Richard slowly fluttering awake.
"Richard… you have to stop this!" Gus shouted. "I know you're in there! This is not what you want! Your friends are all here, they're here to save-"
"no... no mOre..."
The group were silenced, when they heard the distorted voice of Richard come from his body, as his eyes were open, as they were completely void black.
"NO More... No moRe... nO mOrE…"
"Richard, it's alright. You're with us!" Kaguya shouted. "Just come down, and let me embrace you. You can stop now… You can-"
"No! i Will eNd tHIS rOtTEN woRld!"
Richard then began to power up, as his various limbs began to charge attacks.
"Kaguya!" Reisen shouted, before she then began to fire at the limbs, causing them to flinch, as the first barrage of attacks came, and hit the ground underneath, causing the room to rumble.
"Guess Plan A has failed." Reimu growled. "...We have to win!"
"Richard…" Kaguya remarked, seeing how Richard was suffering, as his own attacks were frantic.
*̶z̴z̴t̵*̷
The entire group could watch in horror, as the core began to reform before them, their efforts in the entire fight, having gone to waste.
"Damn it, that was our trump card!" Marisa cursed. "What does it even take to truly defeat him!?"
"Not even with the Spell Card Rules unchained…" Reimu despaired. "...Fantasy Heaven and Final Spark… they merely destroyed him temporarily."
"HahAhahAha... aHAHaHAhAhAHA!"
Kaguya could only look up, as Richard began to hover towards the defeated group, as Gus, Reisen and Youmu were critically wounded and out of the fight, and Sanae was protecting the three of them with her sacred barriers, although it would mean little in the face of Richard's onslaught.
"FUtilE... aLL OF iT!"
"DO yoU SEe nOw!? watcH... watcH as Your WORlD burNS!"
Kaguya watched as the crazed face of the one who she once loved, loomed ever closer to her, as she began to close her eyes, and accept her fate, while Reimu and Marisa rose to their feet.
"finALLY... fiNalLY, thIs PAiN WiLl ALL eNd!"
"EveRythinG wILl End!"
"DeclARE Spell CarD: DEsPAIr SIgN-"
Before the twisted reflection of Richard could finish, Reimu and Marisa were shocked at the sight of an unblemished Richard coming out of the core, and choking out the dark-eyed copy of him with a determined expression, while Kaguya's eyes snapped open to see what was going on.
"What the…" Reimu remarked.
"Did he just…" Marisa blurted out.
"...Thanks. Thanks for fighting me." Richard remarked, as his copy tried to claw himself out of his hold. "Now that I'm back in business, it's time I fix this mess."
"YoU... yOU WorThlEss garBAGe!"
"yOu CAnnOT Change AnyTHing!"
"Says you. I can change how this goes. You're not going to end my realm, as long as I have a say." Richard growled back. "So, shut the fuck up, and take your lump, you maligant bastard!"
"Richard! I'm so glad that you're-" Kaguya remarked.
"Kaguya… you must have something to end this, right?" Richard asked.
Kaguya was shocked, before she then pulled out the vorpal dagger, as Richard smiled.
"...I knew you would find a way, Yukari… I'm glad that you managed to do this." Richard answered back. "...Kaguya."
"Please… Don't say it. For the sake of my own sanity… don't say it!" Kaguya shouted, as she was trembling.
"...You have to, Kaguya." Richard answered back, lowering his head. "...This is the only way that this can end…. I can't hold this bastard forever… Sooner or later, I'll disappear from the mind… and you've lost your last opportunity."
"But I… I…" Kaguya remarked, as her grip on the dagger began to shake. "...I… I promised… and yet I can't…"
"Kaguya…" Richard said, as his copy thrashed in his grip. "...There are many things that I regret doing over there… but you aren't one of them. Taking care of you, and searching for you in all of those thousand loops… it kept me going. It gave me hope. And that's why it hurt me so badly when you were raped before me… how that Yorihime left me an undying hatred that slowly and surely corrupted me down to the core. I… I knew that this would happen… and yet I was blind, because I wanted to save everyone… and the desire itself tainted me."
Kaguya began to cry, as she tried to keep herself steady.
"I… I truly wanted to be a hero. But reality is a cruel place. No matter how many times I tried… the world would not change. And what change I did, paved the way for more cruelties, each worse than the last." Richard continued "...And when I watched Heiwa die a cruel death alone… I broke, and I decided that the entire world should disappear for everything it had hurt me with… no matter who was responsible. And now… it threatens to do the same to all of you. So please… don't let that happen… I can't live with the death of those who I care about in my conscience."
"Richard… I…" Kaguya sniffed. "...I… I love you. I love you…. Truly."
"...I love you too." Richard answered back, as tears ran down his face. "...And that's why… I want you to send me off with love in your heart. Hit me with everything you have, and don't hold back. I want you to stop me once and for all, and give everyone the happy ending that I couldn't find."
Kaguya then screamed in utter agony, as she teleported above Richard with her powers, with her dagger poised to plunge through the chest of both Richard and his copy, while Richard closed his eyes.
"NOOoOOOooOoooooOoOOOoOOooOOooooOOoO!"
As the monster that was Richard let out a final cry of despair, ironic for what it was, the vorpal dagger plunged into both of them, through their very hearts, as the entire room became consumed by a purple vortex of energy that engulfed the entire room.
Omoikane fell to the ground, as tears began to fall down his eyes, while Kaguya walked over.
"...Kaguya, may I have permission to weep… the memory, it brings me such sadness." Omoikane stated.
"...Go ahead, I won't stop you." Kaguya answered back.
Omoikane then began to openly weep, as he silently opened his mouth, as if countless grievances left him from that very orifice, until he was done, and rose back into the air.
"...I saw the last moments of who you cared about…" Omoikane confessed. "...I'm sorry for what happened."
"...Don't be. It's fortunate that we are able to bring him back." Kaguya responded back. "...But I still feel sad thinking about it… because he lost something great when he was brought back."
"And that was…?" Omoikane asked.
"...His innocence for people." Kaguya admitted. "...And that has left a deep scar within him."
"...I understand." Omoikane solemnly answered back, patting his own chest where his heart would be.
As Kaguya started to scout out the rest of the nearby fortresses, the group managed to bump into Yuzuru, who was fairly surprised at seeing the group present.
"Tao…? Sahori…?" Yuzuru exclaimed with shock on his face. "Am… am I actually seeing things, or is this truly…?"
"It's true. For good and for worse." Tao nodded. "I have managed to awaken my powers, and I have decided that I will stand by the side of Kaguya and ensure that we managed to acquire the Empyrean Throne."
"As for me… well, cat's out of the bag now." Sahori shrugged. "Kaguya managed to find me, beat the crazy out of me, and helped me find the will to continue living. And I've decided too to help Kaguya for all of the help that she has done."
"So how goes everything?" Kaguya asked Yuzuru. "Anything serious happened?"
"Not yet." Yuzuru shook his head, before then pausing for a moment. "...Kaguya, may I be forthright with you?"
"Sure." Kaguya nodded.
"As a Nahobino, you're closer to the recreation of the world than anyone else." Yuzuru answered back. "But, just like you, I now know that I'm worthy of that duty as well."
"Oh? And you intend to challenge me?" Kaguya remarked with an even tone.
"To be frank… yes. Yes, I could." Yuzuru answered back. "In fact, Koshimizu has his reservations about you. He believes that you might not know the best course of action for Tokyo, being a foreigner and all. And I trust in his word."
"Then why tell me this?" Kaguya answered back, as there was a frown on her face.
"...I just wanted to be honest with you, simply because you have good intentions in mind." Yuzuru answered back. "Which is why I must say this. I don't intend to compete with you, but… if you aren't clearly dedicated to our cause, then I ask that you don't get involved, for Tokyo means everything to me, and I want you to know that."
"I respect your devotion." Kaguya nodded back. "...But I have no intention of stopping. I hope that our goals align enough that there is no need. But if there is… then I expect nothing held back from you. If I'm willing to fight for my rights… then you should fight for your own."
"I see." Yuzuru answered back before Hayataro trudged before Yuzuru.
"Sire Yuzuru, we must be off. We cannot allow the other gods to get ahead of us." Hayataro answered back.
"Right. Perhaps we'll meet again… and I hope it won't be on bad terms." Yuzuru remarked, before mounting Hayataro, as the two of them sped away.
"Tch, even our own people are our enemies." Sahori bit her lip in frustration. "...I really don't want to have to end up killing more people, unless it is an absolute necessity."
"I hope not as well." Kaguya answered back. "Yuzuru… I respect what he has done, but after hearing about him from Miyazu just now… I don't think that he should be the one to sit the Throne, with his blind dedication to Tokyo."
"That… I must regretfully agree with you on." Tao stated with a sad expression.
The group then began to climb the nearby mountain, as they found that Fionn mac Cumhaill was waiting at the top of it, with his back turned to the group.
"Fionn?" Tao remarked, as the celtic hero turned around.
"Hey, it's been a while. How'd everything go last time?" Fionn asked.
"Not exactly good, as you can see." Kaguya frowned.
"Hm. Recently, it seems like a lot of parties are competing to rule the world. Does everyone really want to be king so badly?" Fionn grunted. "And I hear you're in the race too."
"Won't deny it. It's the only way forward." Kaguya stated confidently. "And I know definitely that you have no interest in ruling anything but your own judgment in protecting others."
"Quite so." Fionn smiled. "In fact, I'm actually searching for a lord to serve at present. A king or queen, if you will."
"Oh?" Kaguya asked, intrigued and raising an eyebrow.
"And I don't just mean someone strong, or with authority. It has to be a noble ruler, one who will strive to make the world a better place." Fionn declared. "Though, in truth, you would almost never expect to meet a ruler like that. But of the many I have met in this world, there was one from whom I felt this potential."
"And that would be me." Kaguya answered back. "...No offense in trying to proclaim it, since I believe I'm right."
"In a world where the strong devour the weak at every turn, you selflessly aid those in need. You helped everyone at the fairy village too, and so many more." Fionn responded back. "To help the weak and steer the world towards peace… your actions are truly befitting of a queen. All that's left to test… is whether your strength surpasses my own. It's been a while since we last faced each other. I'm sure you've grown much stronger in that time… So can you overcome me at my full power? What say we find out?"
"I couldn't be more glad to take your challenge." Kaguya smirked. "So, if you want to test me, do you want my demons to sit this one out, or do you think that you can handle us."
"I thank you for the choice of mercy. But I will accept you at your best." Fionn remarked. "For I will take you and your party seriously, and hold nothing back."
As Kaguya moved her party into action, Fionn brought the coloured thumb to his mouth, as he swiped it across his lips, as his eyes glinted blue.
"Ah, it seems that my ability has decided that your magical prowess is stronger than that of your physical, but even that is not something to be overlooked, considering how powerful demons have been wounded and fallen to your very blade." Fionn remarked. "I imagine you know well of the Knowledge the gods so desire. A lick of my thumb, and I can briefly gain the same power as a Nahobino. Well then, let's begin, Kaguya!"
Formidable Target Detected
Fionn Mac Cumhaill
A Legend Reborn
"Alright, let's see you handle this!" Kaguya remarked, as she crippled Fionn with a powerful dark slash that weakened him.
"A fellow legend to fight against, my blood is pumping!" Artemis remarked, as she immediately somersault-kicked Fionn, which managed to do considerable damage to his guard, and left him open to attack.
"An apple for everyone!" Idun remarked, as she quickly buffed the party with her golden apples.
"Interesting, to challenge a hero like this…" Ishtar remarked, before her eyes glinted. "But can you handle a goddess, hunter of legends!?"
Ishtar then called down her divine thunder, as the attack managed to do considerable damage to Fionn, as he felt his own strength being sealed away, much to Fionn's dismay.
"Well, you did ask for my best, so can't blame me for that." Kaguya answered back, as she then slid behind Fionn, before going for a back-slash of dark energy that managed to whittle down Fionn's strength even more.
"And another for you!" Artemis remarked, as she grabbed Fionn's head with her legs mid-air, and landed a head-crush onto Fionn that he was able to keep steady on, only to be hit by Ishtar throwing a Ziodyne to weaken the Celtic Hero even more, while Idun distributed her golden apples to help the party out.
"You truly have proven your wit here, Kaguya." Fionn remarked, before he then managed to strike at Kaguya, as his attacks, weakened they may be, still managed to hit Kaguya for some damage, even staggering her, as he followed up by slashing at Idun. "But I shall not go that easily."
Fionn then began to gather Magatsuhi, as Kaguya noticed the immense amount that he was gathering.
"Oh crap, that doesn't look good at all!" Kaguya exclaimed, as she immediately raised her guard for the incoming attack.
"I have a feeling that since Fionn has inherited Kaguya's magic… this might not end well." Artemis stated, as she raised her guard, with Idun doing the same.
"Letting the enemy take advantage of your guard? Tsk tsk, let me show you how to punish the enemy." Ishtar remarked, before she then threw her Ziodyne, as the magic spell managed to knock Fionn's concentration off, and then guarding. "But I suppose that you have nothing that could exploit his weakness, do you?"
"A wise move. But will your guard hold!?" Fionn remarked, before he then summoned a massive meteor of fire at the group, as it exploded, dealing considerable damage to the group, before he then threw the attack once more, as the twin barrage of fire did considerable damage to the group.
"...Crap, that really almost got us…!" Kaguya cursed, as she quickly used a Ziodyne to keep Fionn off his balance.
"I must agree. This is a sign that I must end this quickly!" Artemis exclaimed, before she then charged herself up.
"At least let me heal you with this!" Idun shouted, as she healed the group with her golden apples, allowing them to recover from the attack.
"Kaguya, I do believe that now is the time to add some more… power to this assault." Ishtar advised Kaguya.
"Well, if you say it like that…" Kaguya stated, before she then used the group's Magatsuhi to empower them. "Do or die, everyone, let's end this!"
Ishtar then threw a Ziodyne, which managed to weaken Fionn and stun him momentarily, as Kaguya and Artemis dashed to the sides, before they then prepared to attack from two separate fronts, as Kaguya raised her naginata high, as a beam of blue energy began to descend upon her blade, imbuing it with crackling energy, as Artemis readied her weaponised gauntlets.
Fionn merely had a chance to look at both attacks coming towards him, as Kaguya swung the naginata down, firing a massive beam of blue energy, while Artemis unleashed her signature move, as the attack came down on Fionn, who merely smiled in approval, before both attacks collided with each other, creating a massive explosion of energy that lit the entire area up.
As soon as the energy dissipated, Fionn was knelt down, as his expression was marred with soot and dust, and his own armor was tattered from the damage. Despite his sorry state, Fionn merely laughed.
"I knew it! You're everything I thought you would be, and more!" Fionn declared with joy. "Ah, it's rude for me to speak to you like that. From now on, you're my queen. As of this moment, my lengthy search for a lord is at an end. Kaguya, my queen. I, Fionn mac Cumhaill, swear undying loyalty to you. I shall be your sword!"
"Welcome then, to my kingdom." Kaguya chuckled. "And just so you know, the only rule I have for now, is be yourself. You don't need to put me on an ascended pedestal. Be whatever you like, I don't mind a few jabs here and then. It's natural for you to be a bit excited at the prospect."
"You do me too much, Kaguya." Fionn stated.
Before the group could leave, the same Jack-O'-Lantern that escorted Kaguya to Idun appeared, as it looked like it was frantic.
"B-B-Bad news! Someone has kidnapped Miyazu from the fairy village!" The small demon stuttered out of horror. "And there's someone who has been begging for Kaguya to help!"
"What!?" Fionn exclaimed with shock. "This… Kaguya, we have to find out what has gone on!"
"You don't need to tell me twice!" Kaguya shouted, as she marched the group towards the nearest leyline fount, as the group began to warp there.
"Miyazu… please be safe." Tao prayed, as they were being transported from area to area.
It did not take them long to arrive at the fairy village, as Kaguya noticed Isis, who was likely the one asking for her aid.
"Isis." Kaguya stated. "The one who took Miyazu… It has to be Khonsu, right?"
"Yes. And I am confident that you would help, so I came here, in the hopes of contacting you for it." Isis stated, as her expression was filled with sorrow. "Please, stop Khonsu. He has taken the head of Horus, and managed to take back the Winged Sun Crest after fighting two powerful demons. He is severely wounded, but he was still powerful enough to take Miyazu away from here."
"What does he want to do?" Kaguya asked.
"I suppose that you are in the dark of what Khonsu wants for her." Isis stated. "Khonsu intends to gain the power of the sun god and become 'Ra'. But his aim is not the throne, nor is he doing this for himself. He is doing this to save Miyazu Atsuta, to cure that unbearable illness of hers."
"Figures…" Kaguya muttered.
"I'm puzzled why he didn't simply wait for her soul to reincarnate. Instead, he extended her life by giving her some of his own Magatsuhi." Iss continued. "But even that has reached its limit. If she can't receive any more Magatsuhi, all she can do is wait for death. Khonsu had been searching for a way to prevent such a cruel fate."
"And how does he intend to rectify that?" Kaguya asked.
"The answer he found was to grant her eternal life, by transforming her into a goddess." Isis stated.
"She can't do that!" Sahori argued, barging into the conversation. "Does that god not care for her feelings? She should at least be given a choice on this matter! What if she's not happy about becoming a goddess!"
"Exactly my thoughts." Isis nodded.
"Then… I have a question to ask." Kaguya said. "...Is Miyazu Khonsu's Knowledge?"
"Yes. But that won't matter. Her body has been so filled with Magatsuhi, she is barely human anymore. If they join and become a Nahobino, she will be absorbed by Khonsu… unless her will is strong enough to survive the process. Otherwise, the individual known as Miyazu will be forever lost."
"No…" Tao lamented.
"For those who love Miyazu, it will be difficult for them to accept this." Isis answered back, as she then sighed. "For that reason, Khonsu has given up on becoming a Nahobino and withdrawn from the fight for the throne. This is something that only I know, even among the other gods. At first, I assisted Khonsu, despite his perplexing obsession with humans. But after seeing the earnestness of the girl at his side, I began to understand what he saw in her. That's why I don't want an ending where she will be unhappy. Call it my selfishness."
"No, it's not selfish." Kaguya shook her head. "I promise you, Isis, you too, Sahori and Tao. We will find a way to resolve this without any tears."
"Then he went west." Isis stated, as he pointed where Khonsu went.
As Kaguya followed Isis's directions, they found Khonsu and Miyazu, as the two of them were in the middle of arguing.
"I now see that you've been giving me your power." Miyazu stated. "...Like Kaguya said. Thank you, but that's enough."
"How can you say that, Miyazu? You are only 17 years old! Your life has only just begun!" Khonsu shouted, as his body was scarred with countless wounds. "God has dealt you a cruel fate, one you must overcome! You can keep on living, together with me! Please, let me help you!"
"But I can't… I know you're…" Miyazu answered back, before Kaguya got between them. "Kaguya…!? Everyone…!?"
"Khonsu, I can't allow you to do this." Kaguya firmly declared.
"Kaguya, move aside. You don't understand the reasons why I do this!" Khonsu shouted.
"Then tell me now." Kaguya stated. "Perhaps if you explain it well enough, maybe I'll stop trying to stop you."
"Lately, I have been trying to ascertain a way for Miyazu to continue living as she is." Khonsu explained. "The answer came quite simply. If Miyazu were to become a god like us, then she would no longer suffer. There is a condition, however. In order for a human to become a god, the faith of their followers must convert them into a divine being upon death. Naturally, there is no time for that. Knowing this, I found an alternate solution through the use of an ancient technique. The power of the sun god had made this a possibility. Miyazu, you shall become a god like me!"
"You can't just force her to cast her humanity away, you quack!" Sahori angrily shouted.
"Sahori is right. You need to stop this." Kaguya answered back. "This is not what she wants."
"No, I understand quite clearly. Miyazu is just afraid of casting away her humanity. But as we have seen, humanity offers only an unreasonable fate upon her. Any fate of His be damned!" Khonsu retorted back. "Once you become a god, you will be free from your fate, and your humanity! "
Khonsu then held up the two items, a severed head of a golden falcon, and a large winged sun crest in his two hands.
"This crest goes by another name: The Eye of Horus! Now, I shall return it to its rightful owner." Khonsu declared. "In the name of Ra-Harakhte, grant me the divine power of the king!"
A green light shone, engulfing Khonsu, as Khonsu himself had transformed greatly, as his skin turned into a dark brown, much like the ancient race he was worshiped by, and his head was transformed into the same eagle-like head from Ra himself, and a staff in his hand.
"At last, I have become Ra!" Khonsu declared. "But my work has only just begun, and this time, no one is going to stop me, much less you, Kaguya!"
Formidable Target Detected
Khonsu Ra
Sun God Reborn
"Then we'll have to beat you out of your godhood then!" Kaguya shouted back.
"We'll see. Servants, to me!" Khonsu Ra declared, tapping his staff, as a pair of demons appeared, one being a jackal-headed man sitting cross-legged with a scale in one hand, and floating cross-legged, while the other was a living white baboon holding a large stone tablet in its hands.
"Alright, always take care of the servants…" Kaguya remarked, as she immediately fired a moon-beam from her naginata right towards the baboon demon, Thoth, annihilating it in a single hit.
"Allow me!" Artemis declared, as she immediately landed a somersault kick that managed to hit the jackal demon, Anubis, and bring its guard down.
"And I have it taken care of!" Idun remarked, as she immediately destroyed Anubis, with a Zandyne, which managed to create a cyclone that tore the demon apart.
"I understand your actions, Khonsu… But you cannot be allowed to continue on with them!" Fionn roared, as he immediately hit Khonsu Ra with a powerful Bufubarion, as the creeping ice pillar managed to do considerable damage to the sun god.
"Let me weaken you some, Khonsu!" Kaguya remarked, as she managed to hit Khonsu Ra with one of her weakening slashes, as the sun god felt himself weaken.
"Allow me to give you some strength!" Artemis remarked, casting Matarukaja for the group.
"Is that all?" Khonsu Ra remarked, before he then fired a fire spell right towards Kaguya, as she managed to endure it, before he then began to gather magic to his staff, launching a ball of almighty energy that hit the center of the group, and expanded into a explosion of blue energy, hitting them all for considerable damage.
"Not yet! We're just getting started!" Kaguya remarked, as she managed to charge down Khonsu Ra, surprising the sun god, as she then cut down on him with another powerful slash that further weakened his strength.
"My gift to you!" Artemis exclaimed, as she launched a Bufubarion of her own, which managed to do considerable damage to Khonsu Ra.
"Take my apples! This battle is far from over!" Idun remarked, as she handed the group her apples, which helped to recover from the beating that Khonsu Ra just gave them, and strengthen them as well.
"It seems that I will need more force to stop you." Fionn remarked, before he then traced his thumb across his blade, lighting it up. "Mac an Luin!"
He then immediately thrust at Khonsu, as the attack managed to do considerable damage to the sun-god causing him to stagger.
"Sorry, but it's far from over yet!" Kaguya shouted, as she fired several silver-light beams of energy which managed to weaken Khonsu Ra even further, as the ice attacks pelted his entire body, before Artemis immediately followed up using Bufubarion to freeze Khonsu's Ra body in combination with Kaguya's attack, as Idun topped the group up with another use of her golden apples.
"It seems that you favor attacking." Khonsu Ra remarked, before he then twirled his staff around, as a shadowy barrier formed around him. "Then I dare you, attack me as much as you wish."
Khonsu Ra then fired a massive beam of energy right at Kaguya, which managed to severely injure her.
"Kaguya!" Idun exclaimed.
"I'm fine! Damn, he really doesn't want to lose here, huh?" Kaguya remarked, as she slowly got up. "Well then, neither do I!"
Kaguya then proceeded to smash Khonsu Ra with another salvo of silver light beams. However, in doing so, Khonsu Ra's eye glinted, before a dark blast hit Kaguya, knocking her down, as she was being infested with shadows that sapped at her magic reserves.
"I see what you're doing here… but it won't stop us!" Kaguya declared.
"It does not matter how you attack us, we will press through the pain to win!" Artemis shouted, as she infused ice into her fist, which managed to do some damage to Khonsu Ra, and she endured the counter-attack on her.
"Let me heal you all!" Idun shouted, as she used her golden apples to push the group to their maximum strength, while Fionn hit Khonsu Ra with his own Bufubarion, as the counter inflicted him with sapping shadows.
Artemis and Kaguya then proceeded to charge together, as they managed to land a dual-attack, with Kaguya using Ochitsuki, while Artemis used her head-crush pin, which actually managed to daze the sun god considerably, and Idun began to guard.
"It seems that you will not stop. Very well." Khonsu Ra remarked, before he then rose into the sky. "The sun-rise beckons. Behold the flames of judgment!"
Khonsu Ra then immediately created a miniature sun behind him, and then tossed it right into the group, as it exploded in a massive conflagration of flames, as it burned the group's shadows away, although Idun, despite guarding, was hit by the full force, as she hung on by the thread of her life.
"Uurrghh…" Idun croaked, as she collapsed.
"It seems my curse protected you…" Khonsu Ra growled. "...I suppose that is the hubris of a sun god, to provide shade for my foes."
"And I'll thank you by ending this quickly." Kaguya declared, before unleashing the group's Magatsuhi, before Fionn and Kaguya hit him with Bufubarion, while Artemis charged her attack.
As soon as the three of them were aligned, Kaguya immediately prepared her naginata to charge her energy up, while Artemis and Fionn jumped into the air, with fist and blade at hand, before the two of them descended, landing a cross-blow that managed to stun Khonsu Ra, and leave him on the knee, before Kaguya's beam of energy finished him off.
"Khonsu!" Miyazu exclaimed, as Khonsu hacked up blood from his downed state.
"So, I couldn't beat you after all, Kaguya." Khonsu remarked. "No matter. Thanks to this, I will have accomplished my goal."
"The hell do you mean?" Kaguya remarked, before Isis entered the scene.
"Kaguya. You ended up fighting Khonsu, didn't you?" The goddess said. "Well, I wouldn't worry. That was his intent. Thankfully, now we can truly stop him. As with all kings of the past, the pharaoh becomes a god by joining with the god of the sun. And the catalyst for this… is the death of the previous king."
"What!? Then all of this is-" Sahori argued.
"As the king, I, Khonsu Ra, command you!" Khonsu ordered. "Grant Miyazu Atsuta the divine power of the king and the title of Ra!"
A shadow of Khonsu Ra's form appeared above Khonsu, as it took to the air, before fading into orange particles that flowed in Miyazu, as she felt tingly.
"Now, deal the final blow. Do so, and Miyazu's life will be saved!" Khonsu declared.
"You mustn't let Khonsu die! God or otherwise, the girl will be forced to lead the life of a demon… Is that what you want!?" Isis declared.
"Stay out of this, Isis!" Khonsu bellowed. "Do you not wish to save her from an unjust death!? If you won't do it, then fine. I'll take matters into my own hands! My life is already at the wane after fighting Asura and Mithras to reclaim that crest! My death is certain, regardless of your choice."
"I won't let you-" Kaguya shouted, before Miyazu stepped forth. "Miyazu…?"
"Khonsu…" Miyazu answered back. "...You don't have to do this." Miyazu answered back. "I knew that you would have tried to kill yourself to do this… but that's not what I want. I don't want you to give you my life… just so that I can live normally."
"Miyazu… how could you say that?" Khonsu said, with a betrayed voice.
"...After thinking about what Kaguya said… I have come up with my own answer." Miyazu answered back, as she approached Khonsu, and held his hand. "...Khonsu, I wish to become your Knowledge, and become a Nahobino with you."
"What!?" Isis and Khonsu exclaimed as one, shocked at the development.
"That's right. This is the only way that both of us can be able to live on." Miyazu answered back. "...I don't want to lose you, Khonsu. Despite going behind my back… I'm so happy that you have done a lot to take care of me. I don't want to live as merely a human anymore. I want to do something."
"But… if you become a Nahobino… then you'll… you'll be dragged into this unjust war!" Khonsu argued. "Bethel won't let you be if they know that you're a Nahobino!"
"I know. And I have come to terms with that. After seeing Kaguya and Tao fight so hard for the sake of everyone… I hated my own powerlessness. I did not want to be powerless and unable to save others." Miyazu said. "...But if I become a Nahobino… I will be able to gain the power to at least stand up for myself… and even if I am not as powerful as I expect… I still have friends who will support me all the way."
"That's right. We'll take care of Miyazu, human or otherwise." Sahori remarked. "...And anyone else who says otherwise can go screw off and die."
"What Sahori meant is that we can protect her." Tao answered back. "Please, Khonsu, isn't this what you want, deep inside your heart? You want her to live on, she wants you to live on. Becoming a Nahobino will help ensure both wishes come true."
"...Miyazu, do you truly wish for this?" Khonsu asked Miyazu firmly.
"...With everything I have." Miyazu nodded.
"Very well, then that power within you should be enough to create a Nahobino too." Khonsu said. "Close your eyes, and guide your power through, and channel it within me. The power shall recognise us both, and do what is necessary."
Miyazu then did so, holding Khonsu's other hand, as a green glow began to emanate around them, as they then disappeared in a flash of green light, creating a glowing green figure.
As the glow began to fade, Miyazu's appearance had changed the same way as Sahori did, as her glasses had been vaporized from the transformation, her eyes yellow like Sahori, and her hair green, with a additional pony-tail that was slung around her neck, braided with golden bands, and her body had a white dress that covered her chest and arms, shoulders bare, with a black section on the center of her chest, and golden vambraces. She also had a flowing black skirt that was open on the front, with green lines flowing down the length of the clothing item, tied together with a golden belt, and a pair of white leggings that had golden gems on her shins. And in her hands was a green-bladed khopesh.
"Miyazu?" Kaguya said, as Miyazu blinked a few times, before shifting her body, and examining herself.
"So this is what being a Nahobino feels like." Miyazu remarked. "...I don't feel any different. And I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"Definitely good. If you feel like yourself, your process went far smoother than mine." Sahori smiled. "...And I'm glad that all of it ended as well as it did. Is Khonsu in you?"
"Oddly, I can hear his voice." Miyazu admitted. "...He seems to be grateful beyond words for everything that happened. He is thankful for Kaguya for helping to resolve this, and is hoping that she would protect me."
"Definitely." Kaguya nodded back. "We just need to prepare for what is about to come."
"That's right, we need to defeat the branch heads, and obtain their key pieces, to head for the Empyrean Throne." Tao agreed.
"Isis, you won't mind if I borrow Miyazu for a while? I'm sure that Khonsu can take over for her, if she can't defend herself." Kaguya stated.
"Of course. I have trust in the Nahobino that both of them created together." Isis answered back. "Best wishes for your journey, Kaguya. It will not be an easy one."
"I know. But that's the reason why I have to do this, for the sake of everyone." Kaguya stated, before the group left the area, as they teleported to the Ueno ward, with the branch fortresses before them.
"Well, I guess it's three Nahobinos, a goddess of creation, and several high-class demons against the world." Sahori remarked, before she smirked. "I like my odds."
The group then proceeded, as they marched towards the branch heads, in order to open the path to the Empyrean Throne…
Proto Omoikane (Blue Moon) Lv. 61
Elemental Resistances: Ice, Light, Lightning, Force
Elemental Weaknesses: Fire, Dark
Notable Skills: Abyssal Mask, Murderous Glee, Resist Physical, Great Mana Spring, Moonblast
Moonblast: Severe Almighty damage, 20% crit, increased damage if critical
Nahobino Miyazu Lv. 82
Elemental Absorption: Light
Elemental Immunities: Fire
Elemental Resistances: Lightning, Force
Elemental Weaknesses: Ice
Notable Skills: Trisagion, Hamabarion, Maragibarion, Karnak Reborn
Karnak Reborn: Severe Physical Damage to all enemies, high crit chance