Chapter 10 - Internal Problems
Yagami is seen being treated on the infirmary room by Athena.
"That should stop the bleeding, Iori-San." - Says Athena with a smile having managed to close the wound made by Mizuki's pet Maju on Yagami's hand as well as close the wounds on his torso
"How are you feeling?" - Athena
"..." - Iori
"Fine." - Said Yagami in a dry tone staring at the strange looking window from the room as he gets up
*Slamm* - Kyo enters in the room shortly after
Both rivals look at each other
"So that happened?" - Kyo sits on one of the strange looking chairs
"Can't wait to tell this to my psychologist. That time a witch using the body of a friend of mine turned me into a snail..." - Says Kyo in a sarcastic tone
"..." - Iori
"*Sigh*" - Kyo
"As if it wasn't enough to have one of us being captured by Krizalid, now we have loss another member of our group..." - Says Kyo looking down as he thinks about both Chizuru and Nakoruru
"I can't belive Chizuru was taken by that woman Mizuki..." - Athena feels nothing but guilt realizing that trip to the cave wasn't worth it only to have Kagura being taken by Mizuki
"Don't blame yourself too hard, it was neither you or Leona's fault. This three ambushed each of you and is clear Chizuru got the worst part." - Kyo
"But that power she displayed to have tricked us all, to almost have killed us with this plan... This isn't good, I wasn't even aware Chizuru could do something like that terrible curse with the mirror." - Athena
"That's because this damn demon is exploding more of the mirror's powers than anything Kagura tends to do." - Iori
"I don't know if you two didn't realized by being surprised to see those worms alive again, but Kagura was acting nervous the entire time she was with the group before being taken by that demon." - Iori
"What are you saying?" - Kyo
"She didn't wanted to be here." - Iori
"Kagura is the head of the Yata clan, that's true. But she wasn't mean to be that, that was the place of her sister that she had to take without being able to have an opinion on it after her death, and while anyone that knows her will assume she is a woman married with her work, they couldn't be more wrong." - Iori
"..." - Kyo and Athena become silent as Iori says this
"Kagura deep down, behind this appearence of a woman who tries to keep control of the situation always trying to be one step beyond her opponents is in reality a woman full of doubts and insegurities." - Iori
"Remove her out of her used live style, city and she will be full of doubts. Especially when those doubts are represented by ghosts of the pasts." - Iori
"(What an easy target you are, Kagura! I made you my slave once and I'll make it again!)" - The words of Botan come to Athena's head as Iori says that
"This big fear and insegurity were what lead her to become nothing but an easy prey for this demon." - Iori
"Alright, I get it now. She was obviously not comfortable in this place away from home and especially with that woman and that strange clone of mine calling her mom." - Says Kyo thinking about Botan and Kusanagi
"And while we don't know how to remove that demon from her body yet, we will not give up until she is free." - Kyo
"Yes, this is something that shouldn't had happened but not matter what it takes we are going to save her from Mizuki." - Athena
"Hmph! Please, don't make me laugh!" - Iori
"You two really think is going to be so easy?" - Iori remembers what Mizuki did before escaping extracting the chi and vital force of Chizuru out of the mirror to avoid commiting the same mistake the next time they see
"Heheheheh.. You two really think there's any hope for her anymore?" - Iori
"Listen we aren't going to let that woman get away with this having stolen her body." - Kyo
"We will find a way to make her leave her body one way or another. We will seal her if is needed." - Kyo
"You think this will be as easy? Are you stupid?" - Iori
"This woman, this damn demon has the mirror of Yata. And she already showed how dangerous she is having learned to master it so easily. You think she is going to let herself be stopped so easily?" - Iori remembers how not even cutting her body into 17 parts was enough to kill Mizuki
"You're so delusional, Kusanagi!" - Iori
"Delusional? For trying to save our friend?" - Kyo and Athena look at Iori with a serious face
"Our friend? Tch! That woman is not my friend, don't assume stuff." - Iori
"What are you suggesting that we should do then, Iori? This can't stay like this, Mizuki has to be stopped one way or another alongside the rest of her group." - Athena
"Kill her!" - Iori
"What?!" - Kyo
"Are you out of your mind?!" - Athena
"..." - Iori
"No. Kill her before she represents a bigger problem, an even bigger problem than Rugal or any of those clowns..." - Iori
"No way. We aren't going to do that! There has to be a way to save her!" - Athena
"Athena is right, Yagami. We can't kill Chizuru only for becoming the hostess of this demon. This idea of yours is sick and twisted, but of course, what could I expect from a miserable being like yourself!" - Kyo
"Listen, you stupid worms!" - Iori turns to look at Kyo and Athena with a serious face
"There's no salvation for Kagura anymore, get that in your heads already! She is gone! Erased! If you all decide to spare her, she will take advantage of it to destroy you all like she almost did some hours ago." - Iori
"We aren't going to kill Chizuru and you know it." - Kyo
"If you have been the one who had been taken by Mizuki, she wouldn't had rest until she had found a way to free you from that demon! I can't believe you're willing to kill her." - Athena
"You think I don't know that she would try to search a way to free me from this demon if things were different?" - Iori
"I know her, I know her better than any of you! I know how she likes to play the heroine like you two!" - Iori
"But this isn't a matter of trying to solve things, the more chances you give to her, the more powerful she will become. Sparing her isn't an option!" - Iori
"Just listen to what you're saying, despite what Athena already said, you're still on the same page! How can you be decided to kill her knowing well what you mean to her, knowing well what she would do if the roles were reversed!" - Kyo
"Because unlike you two, I don't care about her dumb feelings or her. This isn't about Orochi anymore. Is either her or us. And if you two really want to win this so called war, you will realize that I'm right. Kagura made the mistake of allowing this demon to best her, she only has her weakness to blame. And if you two don't have the courage to do what is needed to survive, then I'll do it!" - Iori
"You damn bastard, don't think we will allow you to kill her!" - Kyo
Yagami turns his flames as he clashes stares with Kyo and Athena
"If you get in the way!" - Iori approaches Kyo but Athena creates a barrier in front of them
"Enough, Iori! We have heard enough." - Despite feeling as angry as Kyo, Athena reactions stopping this fight before it started
"Yes, she is right. I should had know you were going to be a liability, Yagami. But get this, we aren't going to stop searching for a way to free her and we aren't going to let you kill her." - Kyo
"Why do you two care about a loss cause? She isn't your sister or anything close. You should do what she did when you were kidnapped by NESTS... Nothing!" - Says Iori getting a reaction out of Kyo
"..." - Kyo and Athena become silent
"If you want to still see her as your so called friend as the two sentimentalist fools you are, that's your decision but for me. She is nothing more than a corpse being used by that demon who now I have to put out her misery." - Says Iori walking out of the room leaving Kyo and Athena there
Kyo sits back on the chair again
"Damn Yagami!" - Kyo reflects of what Iori had said
Athena puts her hand on Kyo's shoulder
"Thanks for stopping it, Athena. If a fight had started it would only had caused a mess in this place and we don't need anymore fights between ourselves." - Kyo
"I was as angry as you were Kyo. Chizuru is a friend, I feel guilty that I never tried to read her mind while she was here, perhaps that way we could had stop Mizuki and now she would be here with us." - Athena
"None of us knew, Mizuki really played with us as her toys." - Kyo
"Even with Yagami." - Athena
"You know I really wonder what she saw in him. Iori is such a cold man, Chizuru really has some deep feelings for him but she would be sad to hear what Iori thinks about her." - Athena
"I too wonder that, Yagami is the type of person who thinks stuff like friendship and bonds are meaningless. A selfish bastard who doesn't care about anyone other than himself. He wouldn't have a problem killing us only to satisfy his ego and pride." - Kyo
"But Chizuru always thought he was redeemable." - Athena
"And now he wants to kill her too..." - Kyo
"Listen, we know her for quite sometime. Chizuru is in a way almost like a sister to me, sometimes I tend to look at her and think, you know if my life was different. I wish I had got a sister like Chizuru, she is wise, brave and even if she is full of doubts she always tries to find an answer for everything." - Athena
"I don't know about you, Kyo. But I don't believe what Iori said about her being a lost cause. I promise her and the spirits of her clan's ancestors that I won't allow her to die." - Athena offers her hand to Kyo
"Whatever it takes!" - Kyo
"We will rescue her and Nakoruru, end this war and return home!" - Athena
The two fighters shake hands promising to rescue their missing comrades
"Can I ask?" - Kyo
"Yes?" - Athena
"How you do it to be so calm, doesn't your career worries you?" - Kyo
"No, no no. I'm really not worried about that." - Athena
"But you're missing like the rest of us? Your disappearence must be a huge news in japan." - Kyo
"About that... Eh... Well how do I say this..." - Athena
"My manager and the agency... They have a protocol." - Athena
"A protocol?" - Kyo
"Yes, in the hypothetical case something were to happen to me. They have a replacement double to cover me up, someone who looks remotely close to me, give her a purple wig and a voice synthesizer. And boom... Athena Asamiya 2.0." - Said Athena in a not so happy tone
"A-A double?" - Kyo reacts surprised
"Yes, you see Kyo. Not matter what happens, the show must go on... One way or another!" - Says Athena looking down in a sad tone
"And you were alright with all of this?" - Kyo
"No. But there wasn't much I could say. Is part of the contract to have your own double." - Athena
"I see it, I'm sorry for asking that. I didn't know that you-" - Kyo
"That I'm so expendable?" - Athena
"No, that wasn't what I meant to say." - Kyo
"Look is alright, Kyo. You have an entire family waiting for you back on earth. They can't replace you. Because you're unique to me... For them! And they will have you back soon enough." - Athena gives Kyo a hug as Kyo can't help but understanding this feeling coming from Athena, it was a strange feeling that he had never seen in her.
"And you will get to see Yuki again too. Don't worry, things will be fine!" - Athena gives Kyo the best smile she can give before the two decide to reunite with the rest
Meanwhile
A vehicle is seen flying in across the desertic lands of the planet
"So are you sure there's more people living in here?" - Asks Seirah as we see her, Maxima, K', Kula, Nakoruru and Krizalid in this vehicle
"Yes, it appears they came with a chunk of the planet that this being Urbe used to make this artificial planet. But we aren't interested in them but this technology they could have. I detect a strong signal from there, so I have not doubt they must be a very advanced civilization." - Krizalid
"Don't tell me you plan to kill them to steal their tech?" - Maxima
"When did I said that? If the first option doesn't work, that is still an alternative... All in order to win." - Krizalid
Nakoruru who is sitting next to Krizalid stares at him worried about what he might do once they arrive here
"You know he is right, isn't it?" - Said a mysterious voice that Nakoruru managed to recognize surprising her coming from behind her
"(What?)" - Nakoruru feels shivers as she slowly turn around to see a shadow sitting in the other side of vehicle looking at her with this narrowed eyes being the only visible thing about the shadow
"(You-)" - Nakoruru
"What's wrong? You thought because your connection to Kamui had been ruined that you would get rid of me?" - Says the shadow
"(You're-)" - Nakoruru starts sweating seeing this shadow smile
"(RERA!)" - Says Nakoruru
"So I take it that you didn't wanted to see me again? But your incompetence lately has done nothing but making me angry, Nakoruru. You think this can be resolved the pacifist way but you also have doubts in that, because you already know how dangerous a being like Mizuki is." - Rera
"(No, this conflict was created by Urbe, there must be a way to stop it.)" - Nakoruru
"Foolish girl! You can't keep holding back, especially now that Kamui's blessing won't save us anymore in the case you died. Is kill or be killed!" - Rera
"(What do you want?)" - Nakoruru
"Let me out! I can do the thing you don't want to do, I can help this group to deal with Rugal's group and win this fight." - Rera
"..." - Nakoruru stays silent looking at the ground, this calls Krizalid's attention who turns to look at the frozen Nakoruru curious
"(What is this aura coming from her? It feels different than before, this murderous instinct...)" - Even Krizalid is confused seeing Nakoruru grabing her chest becoming frozen
"In this plane of existance, the results and only the results matter!" - Rera
A shadow is seeing approaching the base of Rugal and the rest
"Kusanagi, be a good kid and bring me some water!" - Botan
"Yes, mother!" - Says Kusanagi
"Hmph! Is my imagination or he is starting to act different?" - Shion
"I've been teaching him some stuff, you could say that for a shadow spawned by the mirror he does learn fast." - Botan
"I don't understand, you told us it was you and Kagura who created this clone of Kusanagi, how and why?" - Shermie
"Yes, as you Hakkesshu must know. The mirror has an ability that allows to recreate an entire person based of the memories of the user and how the user sees that person. After convincing Kagura to create a shadow of her deceased sister, Mukai thought we could use another hand, an enforcer and the idea of creating a shadow of Kusanagi came to me... Me and Kagura were almost like mothers for him. Hence why he still feels confidence with me." - Says Botan taking the glass of water from Kusanagi's hand
Botan gives her hand to Kusanagi, who grabs Botan's hand in a kind soft way
"Those were good times!" - Says Botan with a sadist smile as the memory of her slaping Chizuru everytime Kagura tried to regain some of her free will comes to her mind
"Hmph! As I understand, this technique of the mirror works with the user's mind, so for Kagura, she sees Kusanagi as-" - Ron
"An annoying violent brat who only wants to fight... Yeah, not the best friendship honestly." - Says Botan with a sly smirk
"I hope you all are ready to move, soon we will leave the base." - Says Rugal approaching the group
"So soon?" - Shion
"Yes, I detected something in the radar, a vehicle flying towards the north. And I think I know who this people could be." - Rugal
"So about to go on a mission without me?" - Says a voice as the entire group turns to see a shadow having entered in the base through the main door
"Impossible, it is true!" - Botan
"Hmph!" - Rugal
"So what they say was truth." - Chris
"You look different." - Says Krauser with a sarcastic tone
The shadow steps in revealing to be not other than Mizuki Rashoujin possessing the body of Chizuru Kagura
"Intruder! KILL! DESTROY!" - Says Neo Dio appearing running towards Mizuki who stands there not having a reaction towards the killing machine
"Stop!" - Rugal's words make Neo Dio stop
"That's not Chizuru Kagura but Mizuki... Let her pass." - Rugal
"What a nice welcome, is almost like you guys had missed me. Rakikiki!" - Mizuki
"So you got yourself with Kagura's body, I must admit, I'm jealous. I wanted to get ahold of her weak mind again but it seems you decided to get it first." - Says Botan getting up
"How did you got yourself with the body of that priestess of the Yata?" - Ron
"During my fight with Chizuru, she dared to make a big mistake, she killed my old hostess as the cave was about to collapse. I was so angry that I almost killed her with my own claws. But then I thought that killing a weakling like Kagura would be making a huge favour to her." - Mizuki
"And I thought she could be useful to replace my dear Bizuki. I must admit I'm so glad I took that decision because this body is great! This power, I felt unstoppable! And the best thing is that none of those idiots were able to realize their dear friend had been erased." - Mizuki
"So how it went things back there? By the look of your face, I can safely assume something went wrong. Or I'm wrong?" - Rugal
"I had it! I almost had it... If only it wasn't for that damn Yagami and those two bastards!" - Mizuki
"So it was the red hair, always being nothing but an annoyance." - Yashiro
"Yes, that damn bastard managed to stop the curse I had inflicted on Kusanagi and the rest, my plan was perfect." - Mizuki
"So much for bringing the head of Kusanagi." - Freeman
"..." - Mizuki
"Well, you will have another chance to kill them soon. We are about to go out in a couple of hours." - Botan
"The drone I sended to spy on this ship traveling towards the north will inform us of what is going on. You can take a rest meanwhile." - Rugal leaves to go to the main lab again
Mizuki looks at Shiki and Asura standing around close to a window
"Hmph!" - Mizuki
"Yeah, those two were the sources of this chi we felt in that cave. They are now under our control." - Botan
"..." - Mizuki stares at them for some more time before deciding to walk out to take a small drink
"I must admit I like your new self Mizuki." - Says Shion approaching the Herald of Ambrosia
"You look so gorgeous!" - Says Shion making a smile draw on Mizuki's face as she ends drinking her water
"Rakikikiki! Ah, you flatter me, Shion. Thank you!" - Mizuki
"But you're not my type! Get lost!" - Mizuki
"Hmph! Damn witch!" - Shion
"Just accept it, Shion. She is way out of your league!" - Botan
"Shut up, Botan!" - Shion
Rugal is seen looking at the monitor of the lab as Geese enters
"Howard." - Rugal
"So how is your drone doing?" - Geese
"I should be able to localize the place and trace the path they are taking towards this place." - Rugal
"And what about the alien?" - Geese
"He is still there." - Rugal
*Slam* - The door opens as Mizuki enters
"Mizuki. What do you want?" - Rugal
"What's wrong, I thought you would be more happy to see me again?" - Says Mizuki
"After your last failed plan, no. I'm not. But at least your work obtaining that mirror can be recognized as something that will be useful for us." - Rugal
"See not everything is bad. I have this little treasure and I can tell you, the things you can do with this source of chi are only limited to the user's mind." - Mizuki
"In the hands of a pathetic human like Chizuru, it was just a tool that allowed her to pretend she was strong. But in my hands, I can make anyone's life a living nightmare with it." - Whispers Mizuki approaching Rugal with a seductive sadistic smile
"Hmph! You're right." - Rugal
"See? I think I deserve a reward, after all. I didn't returned with my hands empty, it might not be the head of that brat but is something much more useful." - Mizuki surrounds Rugal with her arms
"Hehehehehe... Whoever was your old hostess, this woman Bizuki." - Rugal slowly removes the hands of Mizuki from his shoulders
"I liked her better... Your new hostess only brings me disgust." - Rugal fully removes the hands of Mizuki out of his neck, making the herald of Ambrosia feel rejected
"..." - Mizuki and Rugal clash stares as Rugal decides to leave
"Damn idiot! How does he dares to reject me!" - Says Mizuki in a tone of anger and disappointment
"Hmph! Leave him, he doesn't know what he is missing." - Geese looks at Mizuki with certain interest
"Hmmm... Geese Howard, don't tell me you're into messing with my kind? Only a human as brave or as foolish would think of having a chance to handle me." - Says Mizuki walking towards Geese
"Try me, demon!" - Without any hesitation, Geese grabs Mizuki from her waist as both share a terrible smile
"Rakikikikikikiki! I might as well do that! Come on, human! Surprise me!" - Mizuki
Botan and Shermie are seen walking in the corridors
"Wait, are those two?" - Botan sees Mizuki and Geese walking together towards a room
"Mizuki." - Botan and Shermie approach the two
"Oh, hi Botan, Shermie." - Mizuki
"Where are you two going?" - Botan
"It isn't obvious? We are going to have a little chat, getting to know each other better... That type of stuff. Don't bother us!" - Mizuki
Both evil bastards enter in the room leaving Botan and Shermie there, who decide to leave the area
Meanwhile
The ship where Krizalid and co are stops as they land in a safe zone seeing some strange formations in the distance
"Seems we will have to leave the vehicle here, to not call too much attention." - Says Seirah as she, Krizalid and the rest walk out of the ship
"Argh!" - Nakoruru moans in pain grabing her chest and feeling a huge headache
"Are you alright?" - Asks Kula as she puts her hand on Nakoruru's shoulder
"No... I-I." - Nakoruru walks only to fall to her knees shaking
"Alright, alright... You can come out, Rera!" - Says Nakoruru grabing her head
"ARGH!" - Nakoruru screams as Krizalid and the rest see how her bones start cracking themselves with her body moving like crazy as her pupils disappear
*Crack* - Nakoruru's bones keep cracking as her hair becomes shorter and her facial features also change
"ARGH!" - Nakoruru suddenly falls to the ground
Krizalid approaches her surprised as he notices that the body and appearence of Nakoruru looks different now, looking like a girl of short black hair
The woman opens her eyes looking at Krizalid and getting up
"..." - Rera looks at her surroundings
She gets up looking at her hands as a smile draws on her face
"I knew you would listen to me, after all. We both knew I was right!" - Rera
"Who are you? What happened to Nakoruru?" - Seirah
"She will be fine, no need to worry about her." - Rera
"..." - Krizalid stares surprised noticing the strange aura coming out of Rera
"My name is Rera, and I'm here to do what she is not capable to do." - Rera removes her red bow tossing it away
"Now shall we continue with this? We have a war to win." - Rera
To Be Continued...