To Senator Sazansho,
I bring forth good news - the offensive on the fields of Purgatory was successful. The Dawn Kingdom's forces were taken by surprise when my troops began invading the border. As of now they've initiated a counteroffensive, but I scarcely worry that they will be able to push us back once more.
Make sure to inform Queen Koushishi that the war has officially begun anew. And I swear upon my eternity that this time I will see it through till the end, nay, I will not rest until our queen crashes open the very gates of Heaven!
May victory be on our side,
General Rufu
The weight of his eyelids was lifted as his vision once more became clear. He was back there again: the same cabin in the woods, the same armchair, the same fireplace, the same desk. The Writer was sitting on the other side, arms folded and with a smile so smug that Shishima wished he could rip his face off. He initiated the conversation:
"How did I lose consciousness this time, old man?"
"You haven't slept in over four months. Even with your powers, you can't be awake forever, you know," The Writer calmly explained.
"When Nekohana fell pregnant, I swore I would always be there for her, no matter the time of day. And now after everything that happened with her, with Hanashishi, with the Twilight Kingdom, I... I can't close my eyes anymore," Shishima regretfully admitted, openly exposing his weakness, "I just keep seeing her face every time I do. I can't bear the guilt, it'll drive me insane."
"This reminds me of the time you murdered her in cold blood."
Shishima did not respond, for he knew The Writer was right: back then he had failed Nekohana by choosing his pride over her love, and now he failed her again by falling into Tenshiyoku's trap and leaving her and Borof alone to fend for themselves.
"I told you that one day you would beg for my help. It seems that day has finally come," The Writer mocked him, a satisfied smirk on his wrinkled face. Shishima remained silent, his sorrow replaced with the anger of a cornered predator who would lash out at any moment. "You may be too proud to admit it, but deep down you know it's true. With all your power, you can only protect your loved ones and kill your enemies. But there's nothing you can do to bring her back."
"You..." Shishima growled through his clenched fangs. "It's your fault everything happened!" The Writer frowned and opened his mouth, only to be interrupted, "Don't try to deflect it and throw the blame on fate! You claim you created everything, then you keep taunting and pushing me around every time we meet. Whatever plan you got in store, know that I'm fed up with your cheap tricks! Why won't you come clean already, you geezer?!"
"Have you forgotten so easily what your true goal is, Shishima?" The Writer raised his voice back as he got up, striking an intimidating pose. "You wish to become God, not settle down! What will you do once Hajime ages and dies? Serve his daughter and the rest of his lineage like a demon lackey? The only reason I pushed you on the path of self-discovery was because you were unbalanced. And yet again you disappoint me by choosing happiness over ambition. You had the perfect opportunity to start over once you returned to Earth, but you threw it all away just to better understand Hajime and make peace with him. Why give up on everything for happiness? That's the same weakness for which you derided mortals! For someone who hates hypocrisy, you sure indulge in it a lot!"
It was Shishima's turn to stand up, unfurl his leather wings and strike a menacing pose. "That part of me is long gone! I won't become a monster like my mother, the mirror image of her selfishness. The only reason I sought godhood was to beat her at her own game, nothing more!" Then he shoved the desk aside and closed the distance between them with slow steps. "I have no more need for your 'guidance', if you can even call it that. I'll never beg you to bring back Nekohana when you're among those responsible for her current state!"
The traces of anger vanished off The Writer's face, being replaced by calm acceptance. "What will it take for you to yield and accept your true lot in life?"
Shishima grabbed him by the neck and squeezed tightly, his claws slowly piercing the old man's throat. With a terrifying screech, he responded:
"This Shishima will yield to nobody! You stay out of my life, else our next meeting will be the last!"
Much to his surprise, The Writer phased through his grip and eyed him coldly. Shishima's sight began to blur as the old man's voice echoed in his mind:
"I will do as you wish. Just know this: I am the Creator of whom Fukurokuju spoke."
And then there was darkness...
The first rays of sunlight graced the Dawn Kingdom's skies. Angels left their apartment buildings and rushed to their posts. The garrisons changed their shift twice a day: at sunrise and sunset. Safety and stability were greatly valued during the old war against the Twilight Kingdom, and the queen ensured that the general populace kept that attitude even through peace. A wise policy, Carlisle reflected as he admired the scenery from the comfort of his home. He was not a morning person, far from it, but that day was special, as Queen Oureria had called for an urgent council meeting. Unlike the other members, he had been present when she opened and read the letter penned by none other than Koushishi. It was a terrible message which threatened them with the possibility of a new war. Such a prospect burdened Oureria with great worries, and yet she always remained stoic in her resolve. Truly she had a strong character, perhaps the strongest in the Dawn Kingdom, that was why Carlisle had fallen in love with her thousands of years ago.
A love not reciprocated. A love she denied in order to marry the former king. A love she sacrificed for the sake of their kingdom. But that love still burned in his heart, it persisted through all those years of hardship, and he always was by her side, both as a royal advisor and old friend. Even after he married and had three daughters, the only one Carlisle's heart truly desired was Oureria. For her bravery and strength were only matched by her radiant beauty, and in his eyes she was the perfect angel.
But deep down, his heart had another desire: a son. Someone to truly carry on his legacy. Although his wife did not bear him one, Oureria did have a son. One neglected by both parents due to the toils of war. One whom Carlisle raised and spoiled. After the former king's demise, Carlisle prayed that Oureria would grow closer to him and Tenshiyoku, so they could finally be the family his heart always longed for. Instead what followed was yet another tragedy... This time around he would right the wrongs of that fateful day and reunite both mother and son, no matter the cost! Tenshiyoku belonged in the Dawn Kingdom, serving the people by his mother's side.
Queen Oureria was no fool. Once double-crossed, the chances of her forgiving the traitor were close to none. The same rule applied to her own family, as Carlisle had witnessed beforehand. Sweet talking her into absolving the prince of his past misdeeds seemed like a fool's errand. He needed to convince her that Tenshiyoku had changed and was willing to repent.
As the morning sky grew fully bright, Carlisle flew out of his apartment, heading toward the royal palace. On his way, he noticed that the street populace seemed rather agitated. Even more concerning, there were army platoons gathering in formation. Were the Twilight Kingdom's forces attacking already?
He found Oureria all alone in the council room, her delicate hands tracing invisible lines across a map of the Dawn Kingdom. Carlisle could not fathom the cornucopia of matters going through her mind. How he longed to hold those hands and assure her that everything would work out in the end. How he longed to see the innocent maiden from his childhood. So many words were left unsaid ever since she took the crown.
"Good morning, Carlisle," Oureria said, finally noticing him.
"Good morning, Your Highness," he politely replied, taking a seat at the table. "The others must be running late?"
"No, we're early, the meeting takes place in half an hour from now. But I'm glad you came, Carlisle, for there is so much work to do."
"I know that very well, my queen. May I ask what is the reason for today's meeting?"
The queen set aside her map to look him in the eye. She flatly replied, "Why ask when you already know the answer?" She picked Koushishi's letter and flashed it with a burdened scowl. "Our kingdom is on the verge of a new war. We need to mobilize all of our forces and form a line of defense at our border before nightfall. I've received news from our lieutenants that hordes of youkai are already assaulting Purgatory's fields. To make matters worse, General Rufu is the one leading said assault."
Carlisle gasped, taken aback by the news. "What about that young daiyoukai, Hyouma? And Fukurokuju?"
"Our spies confirmed that Koushishi took Fukurokuju's life. Hyouma, however, managed to escape to another dimension. And just when our affairs were finally going smoothly!" Oureria bitterly remarked. "Tell me, Carlisle, why is it that our victories are always short-lived? Why must evil always return and never be fully driven away?"
"It's part of the great conflict which began once the Great Fall happened. As soon as the fallen angels turned into demons, as soon as darkness entered the world, both sides struggled to take control. There was a time when I believed our ancestors made a mistake when they split from Heaven and founded the Dawn Kingdom as a last line of defense. But now I know better. Unlike the Creator's angels, we have independence, and our free will allows us to do more good."
"And for every good deed there are at least five more casualties and ten more insidious plots! I'm starting to feel like it was all for nothing: my battles, my laws, my reign, my legacy..."
Carlisle got up and walked over to Oureria, placing a comforting hand on her pauldron. "These are hard times, we both know it. But for our people's sake, we have to be strong and lead them into battle. Who else will bear the burden of this responsibility?"
She sighed and turned away, clenching her fists. "You're right. We must never falter and always keep our guard up. It's the only way we can keep our world's balance. If Koushishi and her cohorts gain entrance into Heaven, I shudder to think what fate will befall us all. If our generation must be sacrificed on the altar of our kingdom's future, then so be it!"
Carlisle nodded in approval, though deep down he wished to embrace Oureria and whisper tender words of reassurance in her ear. That was a boundary he could not cross if he wished to keep his titles and freedom, so his formal words of encouragement had to suffice.
Shishima awoke in his office. His papers lay scattered on the desk. It had all been a daydream. That's what The Writer wanted him to believe. But no, he knew their meetings were real. The revelation of that geezer's supposed godhood would have put Shishima off under normal circumstances. But he had other matters to worry about, so there was no more need to indulge The Writer's games.
One such matter was a new presence he sensed from afar. A strong demonic aura was looming over Sagakin, one he was very familiar with. There was no mistake, Hyouma had come to Earth seeking refuge. The ominous threat from Fukurokuju's letter came to pass. Before he could linger more on the matter, a black smoke seeped through the window and floated towards his desk. It then took the form of a woman in her late twenties with Asian features. Her body was slim, akin to that of a model. She wore black high heels which matched with her tight jeans, and a plain white shirt.
"Is this what mortal bodies are like?" she asked with a hint of disappointment while running her nails through her long black hair. "It feels so... fragile. How could you stand living like this?"
"A thousand years of reincarnation made me accustomed to the many flaws of the human body," Shishima placidly said. "Have you thought of a name for your human alias?"
"Shion will do."
"Welcome to Earth then, Shion! May I presume your journey here was safe?"
"It was anything but!" she raised her voice, taking him aback. Shishima had always known Hyouma as a composed schemer, never once did he expect to see her lose her temper. "Those angels cast a spell or did something that made everyone in the palace go insane. Then they freed Koushishi and reunited her with Sazansho and Rufu. Fukurokuju said we were no match for them, so I gave up the crown and ran away with the Oni King and Akamaru. We lost his son in the desert, at Sazansho's mercy. By the time I found that portal you spoke of, Rufu cornered us and the Oni King stalled him enough for my escape. I'm not sure if either of them survived."
Shishima's face went grim. Frowning, he asked, "And Fukurokuju?"
"The Oni King said he would make a final stand against your mother. Judging by the fact that her cohorts chased us, with the sealing corps and the army by their side, he most likely failed. I have no reason to believe those two oni fared any better. Neither did I. We all failed, Shishima! Everything we achieved, it all went down the drain just like that!" Shion cried, bitter tears filling her eyes as she stared at him. "If only you returned when I asked you to, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Shishima replied, standing his ground. "I only deal in illusions and nightmares, do you think I would've fared any better against that spell you spoke of?"
"No, but you could've dealt with Koushishi! Fukurokuju foresaw certain doom if I or the oni faced her forces, but I don't believe for one second that the same would've applied to you!"
"As flattering as that sounds, what do you think would've happened once I defeated them? The spell would've faded away? The angels would've been captured? Oh no, I've met both angels, they're as slippery as they are conniving."
"Stop trying to deflect the blame, Shishima! Your inaction has led the Twilight Kingdom to disaster!"
"I don't care about the Twilight Kingdom!" he shrieked back, finally losing his composure. "If anything, my inaction has led to my family's destruction. If there's anything I truly regret, that's falling for Tenshiyoku's trap!"
"Your family's destruction?" Shion repeated, dumbfounded. "Why? What happened?"
Shishima sighed, sorrow easily read on his face. "Nekohana... she..."
Hajime shut down his computer and relaxed in his office chair. Deathlike silence filled the Shirayama mansion. He checked the clock, it was 11:40 PM. Again he ended up working late. Again he neglected the children. At least the maids were there to babysit them. He considered offering them a raise as a sign of gratitude.
Those thoughts were cut short when a portal suddenly opened in the middle of his office. As expected, Shishima was the first to walk in. But he was followed by a stranger - a black panther youkai with feminine features.
"We need to talk," Shishima broke the awkward silence after the portal closed. "It's urgent."
"Good evening to you too," Hajime sighed as he got up from his desk. "And just who might your new friend be?"
"Hyouma, my cousin, I left her in charge of the Twilight Kingdom when I returned to Earth."
"Your c-cousin...?" He took a better look at her, there was barely any resemblance between them besides the feline features and eyes with black sclera and red pupils. "Nice to meet you, I guess."
"Likewise," Hyouma politely replied.
"Wait, if you left her in charge of the Twilight Kingdom, then what is she doing here, unless-" Hajime paused, recalling the worries his guardian demon had shared over the past few days. "Oh no, your mother's back on the throne?!" They both nodded. "So those angels were successful. What does it mean for Earth?"
"You mortals have nothing to worry about, unless you somehow believe you'll make it into Heaven. Then you may be concerned if Koushishi manages to someday break in," Shishima explained.
"If this isn't a threat to mankind, then why bother me at this late an hour?"
"Because, Hajime, I've struggled over the past few days to come up with a plan that would somehow guarantee Earth's safety from any unwanted visitors, defeat my mother once and for all, and, most importantly, free Nekohana from Tenshiyoku's grasp. But I've got nothing. At least nothing within the confines of our agreement. Which is why I must... break our blood oath."
Hajime stared at him with wide eyes. The mere prospect of Shishima returning to his old ways and damning humanity to suffer at the whim of his nightmares once more was too much to handle. Five years ago, a part of him wanted their truce to end so he could hate Shishima without any qualms. But the stakes had changed. Now they were fathers, and they both agreed to pour their efforts into making the world a better place for their children. With a decided tone, he said, "No, that won't happen!"
"Hajime, please try to understand, I need to grow stronger! It's the only way I can deal with this!"
"No, you're just taking the easy way out, Shishima, and I won't allow it! Remember what you told me last summer when we went on our trip to Greece? That even if All Over The World's power weren't lost, you wouldn't attempt to summon it once more because you were afraid?"
"You, afraid?" Hyouma repeated, confused. Shishima nodded.
"Yes, he attained godhood by absorbing All Over The World's power. In Shishima's own words: 'It felt as if I lost myself in the vast cosmos. I was one with all and at the same time I no longer had an identity.' I never expected to see you thanking me for defeating you and foiling your scheme. Why would you do that unless you truly changed for the better? And now you wish to throw it all away?"
"Listen, it's not an easy decision-"
"Oh yes it is, it's also a coward's decision!" Hajime interrupted Shishima. "You have the power to break the blood oath you bound us both to. Why don't you just do it behind my back? Why must you come crawling to me for approval?" Silence followed. "We both know the answer. It's not just respect. You're keeping me around to serve as your moral conscience. Because deep down in that little black heart of yours, you see me as the man you should've been!"
Hyouma was taken aback by those revelations. She had never expected Shishima to grow this attached to a mortal. Then again, he always defied demonic social norms. If Hajime's words were true, that meant he was a very special human and a potential ally. For her to retake the throne, she needed all the help she could get.
"It seems there's no other way of convincing you," Shishima said while taking out his deck.
"Right back at you," Hajime replied while fetching his own deck from a drawer.
They went to a corner in the office where two small dueling tables had been installed. Hyouma stood back and watched them set their cards. Five rectangular shields materialized above each, thus beginning their duel. Their surroundings changed to those of a vast dark cosmos, red ritual circles glowed beneath them and a floating white egg hung above them, the shadow of a dragon surrounding it.
"At the start of the game, I set up Zerom, Origin of Destruction and its four Ceremonies. You get to begin with an extra card in your hand," Shishima said.
Hajime remained stoic in his resolve. The first turns went on in silence until...
"I expand Forbidden Sunrise ~Dawn of Forbidden~ with four seals attached to it." A dark red star the size of a volley ball with four glowing X symbols floating around appeared behind Shishima. "All of my Darkness Commands, Fire Commands and creatures with 'Forbidden' in their name cost 2 mana less."
"I summon Diamond Star, Kiramekinosabato." A being whose limbs and head were made of purple crystal and tied together by a bright light appeared. "Your cost reduction effects are now ignored."
Shishima gritted his fangs - his Forbidden Sunrise was rendered useless. Still, he continued, "I cast Bone Dance Charger." The top two cards of his deck fell into his graveyard: CRYMAX Jaouga and Hellborof, Supreme Dragon Edge.
"I summon Testa Rossa, Survival Star." A white-haired cyborg dressed in a black suit arose by Hajime's side. "During your turn, whenever you put a creature in the battle zone and it's not summoned, it goes into the graveyard instead."
Shishima's reanimation spells had been countered as well. Changing his plans again, he said, "I summon Tsuruhashi Doji." A small blue oni holding a pickaxe appeared by his side, sending the top three cards of his deck into the graveyard: Oniyose's Jutsu, Jyadokumaru, Oni of "Orochi" and Borof HELL, Super Sin Dragon Edge, none being recovered.
"I summon Evo Lupia." A yellow, blue and red bird appeared by Hajime's side. "With its effect, I draw a card and evolve it into Still Justice Till The End (Kira Star)!" The bird also got engulfed into a bright light and turned into a robotic duo wielding swords and shields. "With Kira Star's effect, I draw a card and bring out Shuff, Eureka, choosing 6!" A blue robot wielding a deck of cards appeared and tossed a 6 of diamonds in Shishima's direction. "Kira Star, attack! I'll draw another card and bring out Brand MAX!" An ape robot donning red samurai armor with spinning gears appeared in a flash.
"That Star MAX Evolution creature, it's from Lori," Shishima remarked.
Hajime nodded. "A last gift from her before she cut all ties. Anyway, Kira Star, double break his shields!"
Two of Shishima's shields were sliced into pieces. He reached and picked up the cards, only to be disappointed at receiving a shield trigger in the form of Assault, Onifuda Kingdom which he couldn't use due to Shuff's effect blocking spells that costed 6.
"Brand MAX, attack and untap Kira Star, who will break an additional shield! But until then, break another shield!"
A third shield of Shishima's was incinerated. However, this time he had a response:
"Shield trigger, I summon Borof, Final Dragon Edge and take a seal off Forbidden Sunrise. Then with his effect, I'll self mill a card and recover a card from my graveyard!" Inferno Sign and Balad Vi Na Shura landed in his graveyard, the latter of which being recovered. "I'll equip Borof with Gaial, Leader Dragon Sword and force battle him with Diamond Star!"
His servant was teleported into Hajime's office, a flaming orange sword with small green horns sticking out of its blade appearing in his hands.
"Milord, what's going on here?" the confused Borof asked as he assessed the situation. "Why are we facing Hajime?"
"No time for questions, get rid of that pesky Diamond Star!" Shishima ordered and the wolf plushie complied, rushing headfirst and hacking the crystal creature into pieces.
"Kira Star attacks and I'll draw again, then bring out another Diamond Star, Kiramekinosabato," Hajime said, nullifying their efforts. "Break his final shields!" The robotic duo hacked away the remaining shields, their opponent receiving another useless Assault, Onifuda Kingdom. "Testa Rossa, todomeda!"
"I'll send Balad Vi Na Shura to the bottom of my deck to prevent the loss!" A flaming spear with three eyes painted onto its blade descended, stopping the cyborg's attack.
"I end my turn here and Kira Star untaps Brand MAX and Testa Rossa, then grants them and Shuff blocker."
"Keh, I have to hand it to you, Hajime - you've gotten stronger in each of our showdowns. Being pushed in a corner like this... it's the reason I've cherished our rivalry all these years. Still, this Shishima won't go down without a fight! I cast Bone Dance Charger." Borof, Final Dragon Edge and Balad Vi Na Shura were milled. "Since I have eight or more cards in my graveyard, I link the Ceremony of Graveyard and give -3000 to Testa Rossa!" The cyborg disappeared in a sudden explosion. "Then I summon Jyadokumaru, Oni of "Orochi" and destroy Brand MAX!" A horned serpent slithered towards the ape robot and spat toxic fumes, melting him away. "Tsuruhashi Doji, attack Kira Star!"
"Diamond Star, block the attack!" The crystal being intercepted the oni's attack, both vanishing in a small explosion.
"Since three or more creatures were destroyed, I link the Ceremony of Destruction and recover Balad Vi Na Shura from my graveyard. I'll end here. Show me what you've got, Hajime!"
"If that's what you wish, Shishima, then I'm going all in - I summon Pandora Royals, draw two cards and discard The Clock, Ragnarok. Kira Star, attack and I'll draw one, then bring out Tekara, Inspection Guard. Todomeda!"
"I'll send another Balad Vi Na Shura to the bottom of my deck to prevent this loss as well!" Another flaming spear descended, stopping the robotic duo's attack.
"Shuff, attack and I'll block the number 6 again, todomeda!"
"Ninja Strike 4, I summon Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja to block this attack!" A white plane descended as well, intercepting the blue robot's attack.
"Pandora Royals, todomeda!"
Shishima was blown away, thus cementing Hajime's victory. The cosmic sights, creatures and shields faded away, with the exception of Borof, who immediately ran to his master's side, asking:
"Sire, are you alright?"
"How can I be? In the end it was all for nothing. What use do I have for power when I can't even right my wrongs?"
"What a pathetic sight!" Hajime scoffed, catching everyone's attention. "Is this what's become of the monster I've tried so hard to bring down? The great Shishima who sought to usurp humanity is now at the mercy of an angel? The great Shishima who pulled so many strings and caused me hell now can't take his own medicine? I thought you were tougher than this!"
Shishima sighed, a smile creeping up his face. "I know what you're trying to do, but it won't work. Believe me, I've poured my entire mind into this situation and there's literally no way out."
"You're only saying this because you're willing to give up! The Shishima I knew never gave up and was defiant till the end, even when losing! You know what? I'm starting to believe I faced a different Shishima all those years ago."
"Hey, don't you dare mock my master!" Borof shouted back. "I'll have you know that he-"
"No, he's right, it's unbecoming of me to just give up," Shishima interrupted him as he got back on his feet. "But that whole pep talk has another meaning, right?"
"Yes, what I'm saying is that I'm not going to just help you raise your son. You bound us with that blood oath, so we're in this together, until the end!" Hajime said, taking everyone by surprise. "We'll find a way to save Nekohana without you having to return to your old ways, Shishima. That's a promise!"
Silence once more filled the room. Shishima and Hajime looked each other in the eye and seemed to have come to a mutual agreement, as the former only nodded, his smile expressing gratitude. Hyouma paid close attention to their body language and grew further impressed by the bond they both shared. A daiyoukai and a mortal united by their warrior's pain and will to fight. It seemed that there were many surprises in store for her on that little planet.
To General Rufu,
The news you bring is most pleasing! I am glad to inform you that the queen has officially ordered a feast among us daiyoukai to celebrate her grand return. But behind this act of celebration lies a scheme which will help us weed out those treacherous senators who supported the pretender who dared snatch the throne from our beloved Queen Koushishi!
You will hear more details about this ploy when we meet again. Needless to say, I had a hand in concocting it and I dare say that it is brilliant as it is poetic.
I look forward to your return at the capital palace,
Senator Sazansho