AnonymousDBZFan, you always make my day. I was so delighted over your reaction to Marenna's behavior in the last chapter. She has an agenda, all right. ;D And oh yes, the Vegeta that was captured by the Kagemazoku shares a connection with Touketsu Vegeta. They are essentially the same person, only Touketsu Vegeta saved Vegeta from his demonic fate and sent him back home to his family.
I want to admit that I've been feeling down again lately, because I think it affects the quality of my work; I haven't felt like writing. I'm not happy with this chapter, but I figured I better just put it up and move on. Now with this news about Russia and Ukraine, I'm just even more depressed and anxious.
I'm a little reluctant to post the chapter after this one, as there are references to warfare and civilian casualties. Those are the last things I want to dwell on right now. But, like the rest of the story, the chapter's already essentially written, and like most things it was based on horrible crap that has already happened. I'll just finish it and post it and keep moving the story forward.
Thank you for reading.
Round Two
Touketsu walked down the palace halls from the armory, now clad in a set of lamellar scale armor of blued steel. It was similar in profile to his old Saiyan set, though the cuirass more closely resembled the one Bulma had designed. A pair of scaled shoulder guards hung like short sleeves from the reinforced straps, and three lamellar tassets, two protecting his thighs and one his front, hung from a thick belt around his waist.
Normally one to wear fitted battle suits, he'd had to make accommodations for his demonic body. A draping indigo loincloth resembling a Roman subligaculum was worn beneath the tassets, the garment worn between the legs and folds of the cloth falling over his front, back, and thighs. Metal gauntlets covered his furry forearms and knuckles, and a pair of articulated shin guards were fitted over the shaggy fur on his legs, his digitigrade feet bare.
Touketsu's nose picked up on the distinct scent of acrid smoke and reptile stink. The corner of his mouth twitching in amusement, he proceeded to track down his prey.
Zeygorn frowned at the sight of the beastly little twerp rounding the corner. He had apparently decided to extend his stay, and judging by the armor he was planning on entering the Volkfangr Arena again. Excellent. He wouldn't be staying in Nav much longer.
"You're still here," Zeygorn remarked as he walked up to him. "Any reason?"
Touketsu chuckled. "Hoping it's you? Dare to dream." This obsequious lapdog revealed just how defensive he was of the queen's honor. It was a weakness that was proving very entertaining to exploit. The sucker probably had the hots for her. Touketsu was no stranger to psychological warfare, having learned from the most ruthless expert on such stratagems. He'd hit his contender where it hurt most, and he'd have him in sloppy, emotional shambles before they squared in the arena. "Marenna was just so accommodating it was hard to turn her down. That little woman tries so hard please," he smirked.
Zeygorn's nostrils flared at the lurid insinuation. "You think she favors you, wastrel? The queen is not an emotional being. She is detached, fair, and unbiased. She is the ruler and judge of Nav, and it is her duty to receive those that are lost and directionless, villains and victims alike. Therefore, when she sees a wandering cur in need, she'll of course offer it shelter."
Touketsu's smirk never wavered. This guy considered her detached? Six eyes and he hardly seemed to be the observant type. Marenna did come off as reserved initially but then who wasn't upon first introductions? "You seem to know little about your beloved queen. She warmed up to me quite quickly. Perhaps I am simply privy to a side of her that you are not."
"Only divinity can truly see another god."
"I could see her quite well in my bedchamber last night."
Zeygorn's three heads practically choked. "Wha…?" He clenched his fists at his side, his hellish body temperature skyrocketing as the flesh glowed red beneath the black scales covering his heads. The queen would not have…lain with this barbarian, would she? "And just what do you mean by that?" All three heads rumbled.
"You have three brains, don't you?" His smirk broadened into a raunchy grin. "Use your imagination." Touketsu walked past him, leaving Zeygorn borderline erupting in fiery outrage.
That animal was unworthy of walking the palace halls, much less garnering any attention from the queen. "You disgusting, vile dog," Zeygorn seethed. "I will tear you limb from limb before I separate your head from your body."
Touketsu took to the streets of Nav, intent on a little exploration. The winds had picked up, the snow coming down heavier at a slant. He looked up at the darkened clouds overhead with a contemplative expression and took to the air. He'd get a view of this strange world from a higher vantage point, specifically a view of the palace. According to Marenna, that "Kalyna Bridge" lead to another planet. How the hell did that work, and just how long was that bridge?
He ascended to the sky and took in the sight below. The palace looked like something between a pagoda and a stave church, its sparkling gypsum walls like compacted snow crowned with gabled roofs of shining black scales. Dragon-headed gargoyles of cast silver and gold graced its corners and spires, the immovable sentries fearsomely vigilant. He circled the towering structure and found those distinctive doors of black and white. A frown formed over his face.
The land beneath the palace entrance dropped abruptly into a churning mote of incoming sea water, whitecaps cresting from waves of deep merlot. The burning bridge, much less the river of lava that flowed beneath it, was nowhere in sight. Was the official entrance to the palace on an entirely different plane? A pocket dimension? Well…he was in Other World. It was a strange place indeed. He flew back to the innermost part of the city, descending down to what appeared to be another vast garden within the kingdom walls. He touched down, his talons sinking into the snow.
It was an expansive necropolis, comprised of gently rolling hills and as beautifully kept as any of the gardens. Weirdly, it was darker here - almost night. Japanese maple trees and trimmed hedges of flowers in various shades of blues, pinks, and violets graced the grounds, the flora bending under the weight of the steadily accumulating snow. A wide pond hosted a tiny armada of paper lantern boats illuminated by the warm glow of the candles they housed. The grave markers, apparently conceived by every race and religion imaginable throughout the universe, pulsed in and out of existence across the grounds. A ghostly gray-green in color, the flickering headstones appeared as delicate and tenuous as the small flames in the little paper boats drifting about on the water.
"Fancy seeing you here."
Son of a bitch…
He hadn't sensed them at all. Just like their mother. He ignored them, but the three girls turned to dancing snow flurries and sped towards him before re-materializing. They took in his new armor and traded excited glances.
"So you're doing the tournament again, huh?"
Touketsu rolled his eyes. "Yes, from now onward. Your quaint little kingdom has little else to offer in the ways of excitement."
Likha and Kuma frowned at his arrogance, but Zeema didn't seem to pick up on it. "Well, we're going to step out! Do you want to join us?"
"Zee-ma!" Kuma admonished.
"What? He has a body. We can meet with him later-"
"That's besides the point-"
"Desperate for my company, are you?" Touketsu interjected.
"Well..." Likha smirked, "We do have a bit of a thing for bad boys."
He frowned in annoyance as she and Zeema giggled over their apparent in-joke. "Where do you three go anyway?" He asked Kuma.
Kuma hesitated, then shrugged. "Onto the physical plane," she said matter-of-factly.
He stiffened. "I have no interest in traveling to the physical plane."
Zeema blinked. "What? Why?"
"Not your concern. My answer is no." He turned and began to walk off.
"Does this have something to do with that Bulma person?" Likha called after him.
He stopped immediately and turned to them, his stoney expression in exact opposition to the rage welling within. "You are not to mention that name again in my presence, do you understand?" He told them dangerously.
The girls grinned maddeningly at him. They had been gossiping endlessly over just who this Bulma was. Excited at the prospect of both courting danger and getting a rise out of their would-be adopted brother, the three began to prod.
"Did you love her?" Bubbled Zeema
"Did she die?" Asked Kuma with morbid fascination. A low growl reverberated through Touketsu's throat, his hair and fur bristling as his tail began to lash.
"Ooooh! Was it you that killed her?" Likha asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Touketsu's body immediately darkened and the light raced throughout his body. Her smiled broadened; this was getting a real rise out of him. "Oh you did! Wow, a crime of passion."
"What, were you mad at her? Did she cheat on you or something?" Kuma needled from behind her older sister.
Almost as soon as it began, the light pulsing through the markings and the stone beneath his armor stopped. His body faded back to white as he wrestled his emotions back under control, but he stood shaking with the bottled up rage after the onslaught of accusations, his tightly clenched fists trembling at his sides. To hell with those three; he knew what they were doing, and he wasn't going to give them what they were looking for this time.
"I don't answer to you," he growled, and he turned and walked on. The three girls pouted, disappointed that he didn't go for the bait. Likha, Zeema, and Kuma followed in pursuit, each pestering him in turn.
"She is dead, isn't she? You killed her, huh?"
"If she's dead, then what's the problem with going to the physical plane?"
"You afraid you'll stumble over her bones or something?"
He could race away from them in the blink of an eye, but he was not going to let them think for an instant that he was running from them. He instead kept a steady pace and looked straight ahead, ignoring them as they flanked him.
"It's not like she'll actually be there." Kuma said with a roll of her eyes.
"She's probably in Hell," Likha said snottily.
With a roar he swung at her, his body instantly bursting with dripping flames. His burning fist traveled harmlessly through the snows that the vampiress had dissipated into, her sisters following suit. The flurries whirled about him, camouflaged within the falling snow as their disembodied laughter echoed throughout the still air of the necropolis.
"She's not dead! She was brought back!" Touketsu blurted out at the eddying snow. He bit his tongue, growling furiously at himself. It was almost as though he was asserting that fact to himself. He had to keep reminding himself that they were now alive. He didn't get to see her face after she was brought back. He didn't get to see Trunks. The last time he saw their faces they were dead, their still, blue, lifeless eyes burned indelibly into his mind.
The girls' faces intermittently reappeared from the small blizzard spinning around him. "She's the undead then," said Kuma.
"A zombie?"
"A vampire?"
"SHUT UP! She's not the undead, she's all right!" He screamed at the giggling snows whirling about him. His body wound tight as a spring, he registered the alarming feeling of a lump forming in his throat. "They're all right," he choked out as he angrily turned and stalked off out of the blizzard. The giggling quickly tapered off into silence.
"You don't sound so sure of that," Likha's voice called out half-heartedly.
"Oh enough teasing now," Zeema admonished.
The whirling snow trailed after him, and Likha materialized at his right. "Ok, Touketsu. You obviously don't want to see her, but so what? It's not like you have to. What are the chances you'll run into her in the entire universe?" She said with an emphatic roll of her eyes.
"Stop pestering me," he ground out. "I don't want to go anywhere with you three imbeciles. Enjoy your little 'outing', girls."
He walked on, and thankfully they didn't follow this time. He was doing just fine freeing his mind of Bulma and Trunks until those three showed up. He felt his spirit quickly grow heavy. Time to train. He needed to prepare for the tournament, after all.
Touketsu was going through a pre-training kata on a snowy plateau, the snowfall having calmed. Delicate flakes pulled into the gravity of his every powerful motion as he was likewise pulled into the gravity of his thoughts. I will exercise this ki mindfully. Zhernobog will gain some strength, but it won't be much. That trade off is worth learning more about this power. This power is mine, and I will bend it to my will.
"You didn't answer my question, Touketsu."
He didn't falter in his movements. He was unfortunately getting used to her sneaky pop-ins. "Come to nag me some more?" He chuckled dryly. "You're quite a slippery one, Marenna. You think you can tell me whatever it is you believe I'd like to hear."
"How do you mean?"
"Oh don't play stupid!" He snapped, dropping his kata to face her. "Let's cut to the chase, woman. I know what you were trying to do. Plying me with drink and honeyed words, exploiting knowledge of my history and promising me kingship? All to keep me out of the arena. Very desperate. It speaks of your character to try to sell me on something when you believed I was drunk."
"I was merely offering you an option." She raised an eyebrow, her voice lightening with amusement. "You consider Ambrosia a strong drink?"
Touketsu felt heat blossom in his cheeks. "Huh. I've had stronger. You're obviously not apprised of a Saiyan's constitution, what with the way you were pressing your 'option'." He narrowed his eyes. "You don't think I can use this power responsibly, do you? You don't think I can keep Zhernobog where he is."
"Have you given me a reason to believe otherwise? You are committed to fighting when there is no need, and it's obvious you intend to use the power he bestowed upon you-"
"IT'S MINE!"
She sighed. "Let us return to my earlier question. What will you do when you face Zeygorn? Use this power? Resort to that dark ki blade after agreeing you'd keep it sheathed?" She asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
He chuckled. "Do you not recall what I said about giving my word?"
"Yes, I do. You said it is 'the last thing you'd give'…thereby suggesting you're not trustworthy."
He wasn't pleased how his words were deflected back at him. "Enough joking. I'm strategizing," he stated, confidently crossing his arms. "Zeygorn revealed a lot of his moves last night. I'll exploit my knowledge of them to the fullest extent, whether he's fused or not." He chuckled. "They're really attached to each other, aren't they? Staying in a fusion when they're not even engaged in battle."
"Zeygorn is a fire daemon, a lesser god," she answered, ignoring Touketsu's snickering upon hearing that title again. "As a fusion, the three of them share their strength, power, and abilities. This isn't limited to battle. As long as they remain conjoined their energy is that of hellfire, their power level constantly stoked and in a perpetual state of growth."
Demon or not, Touketsu was still a Saiyan at his core. He smiled in anticipation of the challenge. "Thanks for the tip, woman."
"Touketsu, none of the Shin wish to unleash Zhernobog again," she warned. "If you keep resorting to the dark ki, you could be courting disaster in your efforts to maintain even footing against a regenerative being like Zeygorn."
"He's not the only one that grows stronger with every battle," he sneered. "Listen, Marenna. Refining the dark ki to the fullest extent is the best way to combat Zeygorn and your bastard husband. Yes, it feeds him, but I've used this very power to send his ass packing. His only loophole is-" he broke off, a thunderous scowl quickly overtaking his features.
"What, Touketsu?"
He glared at the queen. "You know goddamn well, what. The Demon Oozaru. Did you know what you could be courting, or was it just a blatant power play!?"
Her cool smile was maddening. "You indeed needed a lesson in humility, but I also wished to conduct a test. I sensed Zhernobog's energy within you the moment you stepped into my throne room, confirming he was bound to you. However, I knew little of your transformation before I broached the subject over tea with Madam Baba."
"Who?"
"A mortal from planet Earth, but a trusted medium that many gods know well. Through her crystal ball she shared recorded images of you and the Kagemazoku's assault on planet Earth, and I learned that Zhernobog had been using you while you were in your transformed state. Your…strong reaction suggested it is still problematic."
He grew sullen."I discovered that the Demon Oozaru leaves me vulnerable to his influence," he explained reluctantly. "The last time I transformed he emerged from my shadow and almost took control of me again."
"I see."
"But it's a non-issue," he quickly said with a wave of his hand. "The Demon Oozaru is an inferior form that I won't ever be using again. This planet has a moon?" he asked, expertly hiding his concern.
She nodded. "It is currently waning."
"I've routinely tracked the phases of planets' moons," he said confidently. "I'll simply avoid its blutz waves".
"While the moon may not be an immediate problem, Touketsu, your continued use of the dark ki could create one."
"You think I'm one to live in fear of that bastard's return? I will no longer avoid my power on account of that creature. I told you, I have a strategy."
"Your every thought could well be giving him power, Touketsu, not just your actions. You don't think he could be strategizing as well?"
A chill went down his spine. He hated to acknowledge it, but the queen was right; Zhernobog was almost certainly strategizing while hoarding every scrap of power he threw his way. He didn't want to give this witch gloating fuel, but after their first bout he conceded that he may be able to learn from her. Perhaps she really could show him some tactics to combat her bastard ex.
"It was…your power that exiled him?" He asked slowly. She nodded. He raised his chin proudly. "You had plenty of critiques for me during our spar the other night. Do you have any more pearls of wisdom to share?"
"Are you requesting another lesson?"
His eye twitched in annoyance. "Only if your 'lesson' has value."
"Very well."
Several minutes later Touketsu was sitting cross-legged on the ground, hands on his knees and back straight. His eyes were closed, his tapered tail on the ground and loosely coiled around him. "This is stupid."
Standing across from him, Marenna smiled patiently. "Remember your shared observation with the North Kai? You need this. Meditation will help you center your mind and develop greater self-awareness."
"Yeah well I've done this long enough now, and I can't say it's helped much in the past. I'm a man of ac- what the hell are you doing?" He had opened one eye when he sensed Marenna move closer, and he was now tilting his head up to her in bewilderment. She was standing over him, one palm stretched out to hover just over his head.
"Your energy signature feels very distant." He blinked, his brow wrinkling a little in confusion. Distant? How could he have a low energy signature when he could wield such incredible power? She lowered her hand. "Hm. It felt like this upon your arrival, and it hasn't improved. The ki of the very sick and the dying feels the same." Touketsu grappled with the shock of that implication. "You said that you regained your ability to channel the Life Force after you recalled your memories? Your memories up to your death on the planet Namek?"
"I…yes," he answered distractedly.
"This is your normal power level then?"
"Wha!? NO! My power level isn't that of a dying man!" He spluttered in embarrassment as he got to his feet. "It never was! On Namek, the power I attained from the Zenkai boost after I had some midget blast me sent it into new heights! I channeled that very same power when I faced Frieza again before destroying him with the dark ki!"
"Yet your energy signature contradicts this. It feels trapped, suffocated, stagnant. Are you aware of this?"
He gaped at her. "I'm aware that I can channel the Life Force at the same capacity as I could on Namek. That hasn't changed." Right? He certainly could when he faced Frieza the second time. It was instinctive and familiar, far easier to use than the dark ki at the time. By the same token, it was a bit of a struggle to generate that blast when he first set foot in the palace…
"You need to meditate more." He threw an exasperated hand up in the air and turned away. "If you had, you would have been aware of the state of your body and spirit. You remember what I told you, about your two energies contesting with each other?"
"I remember some inane drivel about that, yes. Just what did you mean?"
"I mean that you wield two different energies, each with different sources. The first is channeled through the Life Force, the energy that pervades throughout all dimensions and circulates through all living things. This is what gives you your energy signature, your true ki. The second is this dark energy. Dark ki originates from true ki. It results when the Life Force becomes trapped within a vessel. Trapped energy is akin to death; immobile and festering, it does not circulate throughout the body and between its environment as it should. It stagnates and grows, poisoning the body and mind through inertia. This effects the host which in turn strengthens this darkening energy. The energy becomes corrupted…changed into dark ki. Dark ki draws its power from deep within your mind - an inner world. Yours however goes far deeper now, after Zhernobog cultivated it. The gravity of your power punched through your mind to connect with a universe infinite in its darkness. The Life Force and Dark Energy are polar opposites, essentially pulling in two different directions. They are at odds with each other, and right now, your dark ki is far stronger than your true ki."
That certainly made sense, given the tug of war he experienced when attempting to generate a blast. But so? The dark ki boasted a strength that cleaned Kakarot's Super Saiyan 3 clock. "…And your point is? Power is power."
"A powerful body shouldn't feel so sickly." He growled. "This isn't natural, Touketsu. It's a symptom of Zhernobog's tampering."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you say that dark ki is too 'heavy' or whatever for flight? I sure as shit don't have a problem flying. Why is that?"
"I believe I know the reason. Dark ki is powerful, but the energy is conducive to destruction only. Perhaps you, on an unconscious level, are choosing to use the dark ki in battle instead of the Life Force."
Shit. She was making a lot of sense, but he was still skeptical. "You're telling me I'm picking and choosing what energy flows through me…without even being aware."
"Yes." Silence hung between them for a moment. "Meditate more."
"Oh, gods above!"
"Self awareness, Touketsu. This is important. You need to make yourself receptive to the Life Force again - on an autonomic level. The Life Force is not flowing through you as it should."
"So?!"
"Life Force is named as such for a reason: It gives and sustains life. Without ample flow of this energy through the body, over time you will begin to experience side effects: Slowed thinking. Sleepiness. Weakness. Your body will not heal as quickly and will be more prone to illness and infection. Your ki signature is already extremely low. It could get worse." He frowned and looked away; he really didn't like the sound of that. "If you wish to learn anything Touketsu, you must be willing to listen to instruction. You need to reopen the channels to the Life Force. Now, I want you to channel your true ki."
He glanced over at her and grumbled, tightening his crossed arms self-consciously as he shifted on his feet. This was pointless. The dark ki was infinitely superior, capable of inflicting injury on Zhernobog when even Super Saiyan energy could barely scratch him. The power of his ordinary ki was no greater than it had been after that little cue ball blasted him. More than anything though, he didn't want her to witness his struggle. It felt so foreign last time…
"Touketsu-"
"Fine!" He snapped. He uncrossed his arms and stood off to the side. Holding his right arm out to the sky with two fingers extended, he channeled the energy for a Gallic Blast. It wasn't second nature as it had been during his fight with Frieza. He could feel that conflict between the two energies. A bead of sweat formed on his temple. It took a full five seconds before the attack even began to charge, but he felt his confidence return when it finally did. He flicked his gaze over at the queen and with a contemptuous sneer he shot the blast straight at her.
In an instant her staff intercepted it, the headpiece waxing into a silvery disc. It was deflected right back at him. His eyes widened and on instinct his body darkened to suck his own attack into him. The energy strumming within, he engaged her. Locked in hand to hand combat, they traded blows.
"Release it, Touketsu!"
He growled. Don't tell me what to do! He wasn't about to just lob an attack that she could easily dodge. He was going to break through her defenses and strike her point blank when she couldn't evade. He saw his opening and released the energy through a powerful punch. He grinned in triumph when she was sent hurtling back, encased in crushing darkness.
The ball of blackness froze over and shattered like so much smoky glass. He gaped for a millisecond before recovering and launching into a follow-up attack while her guard was still down.
He never got the chance; a current of icy power lanced through his center mass that sent him sprawling on his back into the snow.
"You held on too long."
He scowled and bit back a groan as he propped himself on his elbows. "What?" He huffed.
"You held onto the deflected energy too long. I felt the unique signature of the true ki you reabsorbed begin to disappear almost as soon as you took it in. That is why I told you to release it."
He stood. "Bullshit. I've absorbed the energy of enemies many times. All it's ever done is lend my attacks more power."
"You were able to hold onto the stolen ki of others longer because their ki was stronger."
He gaped in mortification. "Wha?! What do you-"
"Your ki, your true ki, is currently too weak to maintain its identity against your dark ki. Your energies are imbalanced, Touketsu. Hence the delay in generating enough power for that blast." He scowled. "Practice channeling the Life Force more, that is my advice to you. I'll leave you to your training."
She disappeared into a flurry of snow, leaving him fuming in indignation. Weak? His ki was weak? A lot of solar systems would scream the contrary if he hadn't destroyed them. His power was on par with a god's, which was precisely why he was so unnerved by this witch's power over him. His dark energy seemed to have no effect on her.
Marenna's warning about his body's diminished capacity for recovery was more concerning. It shouldn't matter, not when he could use Kuroshimo on some hapless loser and instantly heal his worst injuries. Still, he didn't like the idea of having to constantly rely on another's energy for the smallest of cuts. His body should be able to take care of a few flesh wounds or a broken rib.
He tapped into the Life Force, practicing on manipulating it for energy attacks. It was frustrating, boring, and very unrewarding. The speed at which he could generate his energy increased as he re-familiarized himself, but that was it. His power was indeed no greater than it had been upon his death. This was many steps down from what he was truly capable of.
"To hell with this," he muttered. Enough of this pussy-foot training. He felt fine. Marenna was hell-bent on keeping him out of the arena, so fearful of his use of the dark energy. She was doubtless exaggerating those side effects in an effort to deter him. Well, one thing was for certain: His ordinary ki was no match for Zeygorn.
Night had since fallen, and the Tournament was underway. Queen Marenna sat in the Imperial Box, her daughters sitting just behind her in their own seats upon the tiered floor. It was Touketsu's turn in the arena, and as before he won each match, earning the right to challenge the next contender up.
Zeygorn's expressions grew more contemptuous with every cheer from the fickle crowd. True enough they cheered whenever any Inimicus fell, but he never thought they'd cheer if he fell! Were they bored with him? They seemed to have taken a liking to the very personal way Touketsu killed his contenders. They favored him.
Zeygorn's upper lips curled over sharp teeth. That usurper didn't belong here - he wasn't dead nor a god. Was he some sort of feral demon, moving through the different levels of Otherworld without authorization? Regardless of his dubious origins, his attitude was far too much like that of the Inimicus. He was a disrespectful boor. Hellfire coursed through Zeygorn's veins, his red-orange aura growing and smoke curling from his nostrils.
"Is there something you wish to say, Zeygorn?" Marenna asked, catching Zeygorn by surprise. She turned to him, her arctic blue eyes unwavering and her face cool.
One by one Zeygorn cleared his throats, releasing puffs of black smoke as he approached the queen. He wouldn't dare question his wise queen's generosity, but there was one thing he was burning to know. "My queen. You have been most gracious to house this stranger," he said, the Ajadzo head nodding in Touketsu's direction. Marenna politely nodded in acknowledgment, and Zeygorn shifted on his massive feet, visibly hedging. "Milady, he hasn't done anything…untoward, has he?"
Behind them, Marenna's daughters raised their eyebrows.
The queen's stoic expression unchanging, her icy eyes held his gaze. She looked back to the arena, the temperature in the open air amphitheater dropping noticeably. "Mr. Touketsu has mistakenly referred to you as my bodyguard," she said, not answering his question. "I shall have to correct him next time. You are Nav's Royal Executioner. The Queen of Nav needs no bodyguard."
Zeygorn's three throats swallowed heavily. "I'm sorry my queen," they answered in unison. "I did not mean to overstep my bounds."
"Quite alright, Zeygorn," she answered softly.
Zeygorn wisely bit his tongues as he glared at the arrogant demon in the arena. In life, it was barbaric rebels such as Touketsu that he had routinely put to the sword. They were the epitome of chaos, and only with their deaths was balance and unity achieved on his planet. He would purge this irritant from Nav, he would preserve his queen's honor, and he would win back the respect of both her and the kingdom.
At last, it was the final face-off of the evening. Zeygorn stood across from Touketsu, his tri-split tail lashing behind him. The only reason he's still alive is because we didn't go for the kill. Zeygorn collectively thought. It won't happen again.
Touketsu smirked to himself. Per Marenna's suggestion, he did indeed do some meditating - on this guy's moves. After reflecting on his first battle he came to an important conclusion: Combined into the fusion Zeygorn, all three shared their unique attributes and abilities with each other. Separated, and they no longer did.
Yudoch, the naga-like one that was the center head, had given him the most trouble. As such, he learned the most about him. He could stretch his neck out at lightning speed and was capable of inflicting poisonous bites. He also appeared to be the only one capable of reattaching his head after decapitation, that is, if an ordinary weapon was used. Touketsu's dark ki blade Svaroken appeared to have a cauterizing effect that prevented Yudoch from employing the technique. The naga warrior was definitely one tough son of a bitch, because up to this point the ki blade had utterly destroyed both the bodies and souls of his enemies.
Jozop, the red, drake-like one that was the left head, could spew fire and lava from his gullet. It stood to reason that it was his ki capable of imbuing Zeygorn's armor and weapons with that burning power. He was also capable of that powerful stomp that could cement him to the floor.
Ajadzo, the right head that resembled a black Eastern lung when separated, had lightning attacks and could charge his weapons and armor the way Jozop could. Also like Jozop he possessed wings. The generation of hurricane force gales was likely Ajadzo's ability, given his storm-like attributes.
Touketsu stood off to one side and got into his battle stance. They were far stronger fused…and he was counting on their belief in that.
"Our final battle of this evening: Royal Executioner Lord Zeygorn and Mr. Touketsu!" Marenna announced. The stands cheered, and the gong sounded.
Touketsu shot straight up into the air as Zeygorn stomped through the ground. The middle head struck upwards towards him without missing a beat, but Touketsu anticipated it. Zeygorn was a crap strategist, his predictable moves showing that he had never really been challenged. Touketsu dove beneath the striking head and towards him, his body going dark and his ki bursting forth. He swung his arm back and manifested the deadly blade of dark ki just as Zeygorn imbued his armor with fiery power.
The dragon's ki was snuffed out like a candle flame. Shocked, the center head retracted sharply and all three looked down at Touketsu. The demon prince's hand was thrust into his chest, buried to the wrist. He smirked up at him, watching in amusement as the three heads choked on the black curls of smoke drifting from their mouths as they quickly died.
"Believe me when I say this blade usually does far more damage. You should be proud," Touketsu commented affably. "I just have one critique for you: Next time, go for the kill." Zeygorn's heads spluttered before Touketsu swung him in front of the bonfire and blasted him off, sending him into the flames.
The crowd roared in excitement over Touketsu's second and decisive win against Zeygorn, and Marenna rose from her throne. "Congratulations on your win, Mr. Touketsu," her voice rang out. "This concludes this evening's Tournament! The Fallen, if you so choose, rise and join us at Susmir!"
Touketsu turned to the fire, eager to rub his second consecutive win in that blowhard's face. The previously vanquished walked out from the flames. All the defeated Famila emerged, as well as the Melee Inimcus. Very few of those defeated by Touketsu re-emerged this time. He chuckled to himself. Good. Those chickenshits could stand to train some more. He looked expectantly out for his greatest adversary as the last Inimicus filed out.
Unseen by the spectators, Mareena faltered for the briefest moment, her daughters gasping and whispering behind her. "Good People of Nav. It appears that Executioner Lord Zeygorn as declined to join us this evening."
Touketsu's jaw dropped open in surprise for but a moment as a wave of curious murmurings rippled throughout the arena. He began chuckling, the amused sound quickly blossoming into full-blown laughter as the murmurs erupted into cheers. Fevered excitement quickly tore through stands upon witnessing this unprecedented event, the spectators erupting into a deafening chant.
"TOU-KET-SU!"
"TOU-KET-SU!"
"TOU-KET-SU!"
"THAT'S RIGHT! STAY IN THERE!" He crowed, thrusting his middle finger up at the bonfire. "YOU'LL NEED TO TRAIN FOR AN ETERNITY IF YOU'LL EVER HAVE A CHANCE AT DEFEATING ME!"
He turned and caught Marenna's eye. She shook her head once, her sapphire lips pressed into a thin line at his utter lack of humility. Touketsu chuckled at her and walked off to the banquet hall, the young Familia in the arena quickly crowding around him with congratulations.
Seated in her throne at Susmir, Marenna frowned at Touketsu's blood-spattered armor when he leapt up onto the dais. "Why did you not clean up?"
"Didn't think there was a dress code," he smirked. He hadn't suffered so much as a scratch tonight, so the healing waters of the bathhouse had been unnecessary. "Is this why you asked me over? To complain about my attire?"
"No," She frowned. She gestured to the empty seat next to her. "Have a seat please."
"I'll stand, thanks, " he smiled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the chair's tall headrest.
"You made a wise choice, accepting the Ambrosia. Otherwise you could have been killed tonight." Touketsu merely scoffed. "And did I not ask you to keep your sword sheathed? Twice now you've resorted to that attack."
"So? There were enough pieces of your pompous bodyguard to feed that fire."
"He is not my bodyguard, Touketsu-"
"Now, I get why you didn't give me a head's up about his resistance to the blade the first time around. That would have been cheating, after all," he chuckled. "But his little secret's been revealed now, so you no longer need to feign surprise." Her eyes cast down and she sighed before giving him a pointed look. His brows drew together before wrinkling in amusement, the corners of his mouth turning up. "You didn't know, did you? You thought I'd completely destroy him! Ha! HA HA HA!"
"Hush! Keep your voice down," she admonished as he continued to laugh, dropping into the seat next to her. "Zeygorn was undefeated, so no, I did not think his soul would survive were you to use the blade on him. Certainly none of the other contestants would have."
Smirking devilishly, he leaned over the armrest and propped his chin on his fist. "Oh, did I make the unflappable Queen of Nav nervous?"
She put her nose in the air and looked back out to the bustling dining hall, but he caught the fleeting twitch of her lips. She shook her head. "You're going to be the death of me." He merely laughed in reply, and she huffed, stealing a sidelong glance at him. "The Supreme Kai spoke of that blade and what it was capable of," she sent telepathically. "I am covering for you, in spite of your crimes. PLEASE extend me the same courtesy and exercise some restraint. You could be drawing too much attention to yourself."
His maddening smirk only broadened. He had just discovered a new pastime: Making a goddess sweat. "Relax, woman. I know what I'm doing. I came up with my strategy after taking the head off of that guy Yudick."
"Yudoch."
"He's the only one capable of reattaching his head, but the others share the ability as long as they're in their fusion. I figured that if that snake's soul could survive the blade, their fusion could too."
"You knew this?"
He shrugged. "I made an educated guess."
Her expression of shock manifested for only a second before hardening. "Touketsu," she began sternly, "you take too many risks."
"And you don't take enough, milady! Let's face it, you're bored with your court." He flashed her a roguish grin. "That's why you finally took a risk with me." He almost burst into laughter again as she struggled to keep her dignified facade in place. The sense of power he felt ruffling this ice queen's feathers could be addicting. He got up from his seat and made an exaggerated bow. "Thank you for your hospitality, milady. I'll continue to take full advantage." He straightened, grinning at her subdued Mona Lisa smile. "See? I can use my manners." Chuckling, he gave her an impish wink before hopping down off the dais, eager for more food. He didn't get far before he was mobbed by excited young Familia.
Marenna watched his retreating back as he tried waving them off, betraying a soft chortle of amusement when he dropped his hands in defeat as fans trailed after him. Her blue eyes warmed, and her small smile broadened. There was giggling behind her and she quickly schooled her features.
"Mom?" Likha drawled as she walked up to her mother. "Were you and Touketsu flirting?"
Marenna looked scandalized for a fleeting moment as she turned to her second born. "Absolutely not," she said, turning to look straight ahead again, head held high. "Whatever would give you that impression?"
"Maybe 'cause you don't act like your usual robot self around him?" Zeema joked. The daughters traded looks, smiles of delight and intrigue on their faces. For as long as they'd known her she'd always been emotionally distant, cool and detached. She was currently putting up a good front for her subjects, but not a one in the kingdom knew the queen like her daughters did; however minute her expressions or change in tone, they picked up on it immediately. Ever since their mysterious guest arrived, their mother was…different.
"Don't let him break your heart, Mother," Kuma joked in a sing-song voice. All three burst into giggles at the ridiculous notion of their mother being romantically involved with anyone.
Marenna huffed. "Enough of your jokes. Mr. Touketsu is proving to be a rather ungracious guest."
"So yeah, like, you've told us nothing about this guy," Likha said. "Where did he even come from?"
"He was…lost. I merely offered him a place to stay," she said as she leaned back in her chair. "Now go enjoy yourselves, my daughters, and leave your mother in peace."
The three daughters smirked and went off to gossip amongst themselves.
"I've never seen Mother behave this way."
"Yeah, Mom normally has the personality of a dead fish."
"Oh it's not like Mama doesn't have a personality. You can feel it in the air when something's on her mind."
"Yeah, but she doesn't show it on her face." Likha laughed.
"Right," Kuma said seriously. "The way she reacted in the bathhouse…I've never seen her like that."
"Yeah, she freaked me out." Zeema mumbled, rubbing her arm as she reflected on their mother's uncharacteristically intense reaction.
Likha shrugged, dismissive. "Ok so we misunderstood and she was a little upset, no big deal. It's cool now, he's fine. Well, for tonight anyway," she laughed. "The tournaments got boring for a me a long time ago but I want to watch again tomorrow night. Zeygorn has got to be so embarrassed. Should be interesting."
Zeema and Kuma voiced their agreement before the three went off to mingle. They'd be going on their excursions earlier from here on out; no way they were going to be left out of the loop again. Nav's routine had been officially disrupted with the introduction of this strange new variable.