The Gathering of the Seven: The Lone Warrioress.
Chapter Ten: Reunion.
12 Years Ago.
Rin had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't sleep last night, tossing and turning as this feeling took hold of her, and would not let go even as the morning sun shined its first rays into her and Aiko's shared bedroom. Her father was to meet with the Hazuki Clan on this day, bringing a squadron of soldiers to discuss adding additional security to their village, something that scared her. She was very much aware of the war, as were most other children around her age in Pangea, and with these talks she often overheard, it made her think that the Imperial Alliance would invade any day now. She had heard stories from the soldiers about various battles before her time, and how both sides were locked in an almost eternal stalemate, with neither quite ever winning over the other, especially as invasions in the past had been successfully driven off from both sides. The last time she had spoken with Akira, Rin could remember him looking distressed, although about what she could not tell. It was like he sensed something bad that would happen in the future, a feeling that Rin had now as she stood up, and got dressed quickly. She slid open the door, walking down the hallways of the massive estate as the sense of dread grew within her, and she could hear the sounds of someone yelling.
"Sir! Smoke in the distance! There's been an attack!"
Rin felt heart stop as the world grew quiet, and she ran down the stairs, right down to the front courtyard of the estate. It was full of soldiers running around, arming themselves, and prepping wagons and mounts, worried looks on their faces as Rin noticed how the light of the sun seemed to be a deep orange. Twice in her life she had seen it that color, and each time, the acrid smell of smoke assaulted her nostrils, as it was doing now. Rin looked closer at the plume of smoke, noticing how distant it was, and tracked it to where it was coming from. "…...No…"
The smoke was coming from the Hazuki Clan's village, Rin feeling her stomach drop as her heart started to beat rapidly. As soldiers ran around her, she felt a shadow cover her, and turned around, tears coming to her eyes as she looked up at the kaiju in front of her. "Oh Rin…. Honey…." Her father was wearing armor, a distressed look in his eyes as he knelt down in front of Rin. "I have to go Rin….. The Hazuki Clan needs our help….."
"Papa….. do you think Akira is okay?" Rin could feel tears coming to her eyes as she saw her farther breathe in gently, preparing for the worst.
"I don't know Rin….. but I will tell you if he is okay when I get back….." Her father stood up, and gently guided Rin over to a door leading to the inside of the estate, before he returned to his soldiers, getting on his Raptor, Kenchi. Rin stood in the doorway, her heart beating continually as she stared at the plume of smoke in the sky, clutching her little fists in anger. She was only 11 years old and still learning the basics of combat, something she was aware of as she continued to look at the plume.
"…. I can't stay here…." Rin glanced around as she noticed a wagon hitched to a stegosaurus, one filled with weapons, and saw her chance. The dinosaur's master was busy helping another soldier, and just as quickly, Rin made her way over to the wagon, leaping in at the back, and hiding herself under the tarp covering the weapons. Rin hid in between two crates, making sure they wouldn't trap her, and lay down on her side, feeling the jolt as the wagon started to move, and leave the state. The motions of the wagon eventually lulled the young Gojirasaur into falling asleep, and as she did so, her heart still beating in her chest.
She did not know what to expect.
Castle Augustus: Imperial Territory.
The throne room seemed quite small to Lord Hedorah in spite of all of its splendor. The kaiju listened as he heard the sounds of angry footsteps coming down the halls, barely flinching as the grand doors were flung open, and King Gaius entered, a furious look on his faces. "I take it your meeting with Phobos went well?" Lord Hedorah's comment only served to make the king even angrier, the latter grabbing a pitcher of wine off a nearby table, and throwing it at Lord Hedorah, the kaiju in black barely moving to one side as it hit the wall, and shattered into pieces, spilling the liquid everywhere. Several guards came into the room, looking around with their swords drawn, only for them to notice the angry glares coming from Gaius, and fell into formation, as several servants came into the room.
"Went well? Went well?! If by well you mean that gillbreather Iza sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, then yes it went very well!" Gaius stomped up to his throne, and looked at it for a brief moment, before his right head turned its attention to Hedorah. "What good is this throne if I am not ruling over all Pangea?! Answer me Hedorah!" As Gaius shouted this, Nostradamus entered the room, watching as the Ghidorah approached the kaiju in black, his left head turning to look at the Rodan. "And you soothsayer, have you had any visions of me as ruler of Pangea? Of my victory?! Tell me!"
"My king…. As of late I had not had any visions," Nos said, bowing his head down as he closed his eyes. "You cannot force these things to happen, and bellowing at me like a petulant child will not help either." Gaius scoffed, and pulled his head back, keeping his glare on Hedorah. "I pray that I do not have a vision of you ruling over Pangea."
"Now my lord, I can understand your frustration," Hedorah said, placing his hand on Gaius's shoulder, "But the soothsayer is right, you cannot force your way into ruling all of Pangea just yet." Gaius seemed to calm down, his middle and left heads keeping his attention on Lord Hedorah, and his right head peering over hungrily at a Rodan servant, the latter looking nervous as he attempted to clean up the spilled wine. "I do believe that your continued assaults at the border will eventually wear down Iza enough for a full invasion…. Something I may be able to help with." Gaius's right head licked his chops, as his middle head and left head kept their attention on Hedorah, staring at him. "I may be reaching a breakthrough with my… experiments…."
"Yes? Go on… tell me Hedorah…." Gaius's voice was low, malice combining with eagerness as he formed fists with his hands.
"I am very close to creating a new breed of soldiers… ones who never get tired…. ones who can take a lot of punishment…. And ones that I think would serve you well." Lord Hedorah studied Gaius's faces, watching as a grin broke over the two heads staring at him. "So eager, aren't you king of nothing?"
"Now that….. I must see them in action….. how soon will they be ready?! Tell me!" Hedorah grabbed Hedorah's shoulders, his right head turning his attention to him alongside his two other heads.
"As I said, I am very close to making them….. but I may have three of them ready in time for your… game so to speak, so I figure….. what better way to demonstrate them to you?" At this, Gaius laughed, firing Gravity Beams up into the air in glee, scorch marks burning into the celling of his throne room as his guards and servants stared at him.
"Yes… YES! Oh, this is glorious! Pangea will be mine at last!" Gaius stopped firing his beams, and continued to laugh, grabbing a goblet of wine from nearby table, his left head drinking it as walked towards his balcony. "Perhaps it was fate that Phobos did not see the light I had offered him. I will make him and the rest of that pathetic alliance ever regret crossing me…" Throwing the goblet away, Gaius walked over to the Rodan servant who had been cleaning up the pitcher, and grabbed him, throwing him against the wall. Rubbing the other kaiju's face with one hand, and staring at him with all three of his heads, Gaius placed both of his hands on the Rodan's neck, and started to squeeze. The Rodan gasped for air as Gaius's grip tightened, the guards standing by as they watched the horrific scene, unable to do anything in fear of their families being punished in retaliation. Nostradamus cried out, but he went unnoticed by the king. Gaius watched as the Rodan's eyes bulged out of his head, grinning as continued to tighten his grip, listening to the sounds of choking. "This is what I will do to you Iza… while your whore wife watches…. and then I will kill her, and your vile spawn… I swear, your breed will be gone from the face of Pangea!" The Rodan gurgled as a loud crack came from his neck, and Gaius threw his body away from him, starring at it as he wiped his hands on his robe. "Guards, dispose of that, and bring me a new winebearer. I eagerly await your results Hedorah, do not disappoint me." Several guards walked forward, and silently removed the body from the room, while Nostradamus left in disgust, Gaius not even noticing that he had left. Closing the door behind him, Nostradamus sighed, and walked down the hallway, leaving the throne room behind as he turned down another hallway, and put his head down.
"How much longer do I have to watch my people suffer at his hands? How much longer do I have to watch Pangea suffer at his hands? Ignis….. I need your guidance…. Please….." The Rodan turned around, looking at a tapestry on the wall, and touched it. on the tapestry were three Ghidorah, a stern looking warrior in a set of fierce looking silver armor, a regal looking Ghidorah clad in vibrant red robes and the crown of the queen, and between them, a sickly-looking child Ghidorah, who was wearing white robes. Nos sighed, remembering the first time he had seen Gaius kill a fellow Rodan. He had nearly run at the king, only for a few guards to restrain him, making him watching as the Rodan bled out from a stab in the chest. Throughout the years, he protested, did anything he could, and yet, he continued to watch his kind die at the hands of the king. "I am sorry Marcus… I wish you could be free of this nightmare…" As Nos became lost in his thoughts, he suddenly felt a gentle tug at the hem of his cloak, and turned his head around to see who had been pulling it.
"Papa?" Standing next to Nos was a Rodan, one who seemed to be no older than two years old, staring up at him with bright yellow eyes. The younger bird was dark red in color, with three horns on her head, and was wearing simple green and silver clothes, her tiny wings not being quite big enough to fly yet. "Not papa…"
"Well hello there, little one," Nos said, smiling as he gently picked up the child and held her in his arms. "You seem to be lost. Are you looking for your papa?" The child looked at Nos, and craned her head, as if she was trying to examine him. "Ah. Well then, let us search for him together then."
"Kay," the child replied, looking around at the various decorations and tapestries as Nos took her down the hallway. She seemed almost scared of the various depictions of Gaius, and yet fascinated by the depictions of other kaiju, especially at the Rodans. "Papa…. Mim…. Lotta Papa and Mim….." As she continued to look around, the sound of footsteps caught both of their attentions, and Nos stopped walking, turning around slowly as he held the child close to him.
"Oh, there you are! Tan travieso." To Nostradamus's complete shock, Queen Izel stood before him, a look of relief on her face. "Thank you so much, I've been looking everywhere for her."
"Oh, this is your child?" Nostradamus said, watching as the child started reaching for the queen with outstretched arms. "Forgive me my queen, I had no idea." The elder Rodan handed the child over to the queen, who took her in her arms.
"Tayana is not my child, but I am taking care of her for her father," Izel explained, smiling as she held the child. "She seems to really like you."
"Well, I think it means she's being raised right, even if her father cannot be with her during this time." Nos sighed, and looked at the child, who was cuddling happily against Izel's neck. "…. I assume you heard what happened in the throne room…." At this, Izel's smile faded, and she silently looked down, hanging her head in sorrow.
"I know you tried to stop him…... but we lost another sibling….. You've been trying for so long Tlanexitc….. But I am afraid he will turn his attention to you next." It had been a long time since Nos had heard his birth name, a name that he only really told to his kind or other kaiju he trusted, such as the Queen.
"I don't think he will, my queen… I am still useful to him." At this, Izel sighed sadly, looking at him with sympathy. "Besides…. I do not want to abandon Marcus with him. He is an intelligent young kaiju, with a potentially bright future ahead of him…. but if it is snuffed out…. then I believe we will never know peace."
"… You care for him that much, don't you Tlanexitc? I understand…." Izel said sadly, "Just…. Please be careful okay? I do not want to lose any more of our people."
"I will be my queen," he responded, a small smile breaking out on his face as he said it. "Till my very last breath…. For the sake of Pangea's future." With that, Izel smiled, and walked away with Tayana in her arms, the little Rodan staring at Tlanexitc one more time. The elder Rodan turned around, and walked down the hallway to a simple wooden down, opening it up and walking down the simple stone stairs, the flickering light of torches on the wall being his only source of illumination. It was silent almost, the sounds of something breathing echoing throughout the corridor as Tlanexitc continued his journey, deeper and deeper into the depths of the castle. Eventually, he came to another door, and opened it up, walking into the long-abandoned dungeons of the castle, the ancient stones and nearly rusted bars lit by more flickering torches. The dungeon went quiet all of a sudden, and then a low growling filled the air, a growling Tlanexitc had become all too familiar with.
"Calm down girl, it's only Nostradamus." The elder Rodan turned around, and saw a particularly big cell with three pairs of red glowing eyes staring at him, the growling turning into a serene purr as the prisoner within recognized him. Standing in front of the cell was Marcus, the young Ghidorah clad in purple royal clothes, albeit far more modest than what Gaius usually wore, turning around as he finished feeding a piece of meat to the prisoner. "She was hungry again… and I heard one of the guards mocking her. I just can't stand the way they treat her…"
"I understand my boy," Tlanexitc replied, smiling at Marcus as he walked over to him. "I see I've taught you well, especially with how well you've been taking of her…"
"If I am to be ruler of this kingdom one day, I want to keep learning all I can," Marcus said, sighing as he stood up and looked up at the celling. "I really want to go out and visit some of our other territories… but… father would…" At this Marcus stopped, rubbing his shoulder and coughed just a bit. "Do you think I would make a good leader Nostradamus? Be honest with me…"
"… I think you will Marcus… but you seem to be distressed…." Tlanexitc sat next to Marcus, the prisoner in the cell stepping back cautiously. "What is it that troubles you so?"
"…. I don't want to turn out like him…. Was he like me when he was my age? Be honest Nos…" Marcus started to shake, shuddering as Tlanexitc putting his hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort the young Ghidorah.
"Gaius was not like you…. and you are not like him… no matter what he says," the older kaiju said. "I promise you that you will be okay… and that I will continue to be here for you if you need someone to talk to." Marcus calmed down, and stood up, helping Tlanexitc up as the young Ghidorah smiled once again.
"Thank you, Nos… I'll keep educating myself… and if I have any issues, I'll keep coming to you… because I think this war has gone on long enough… and if my father won't end it… then I will when it's my time." Tlanexitc smiled as he saw his student's wings flare out, past scars of wounds inflicted on them still being quite visible, and the low purr of the prisoner from the cell, seemingly content with how determined Marcus was. For the first time in a few months, Tlanexitc felt hope for the future of Pangea, and yet, a strange sense of dread still permeated his mind, not having to do with Marcus, but rather with everything else having to do with what was going on in their kingdom.
It was something he had to get to the bottom of, sooner than later.
Aoi Estate: Grand Alliance Territory.
Iza and his group pulled up at the front gate of the estate, the guards in front of the gates opening them up, and letting the group in. It was fairly early in the morning, and as he dismounted Kenchi, Iza turned around to look at the party. Phobos, Belvera, and his four generals were looking up at the estate, the young Battra especially being taken with it, and Phobos waved her on, letting her and the generals walk up to it, before he approached Iza to talk to him. "We haven't left our territory much in a long time… I can see a lot has changed in the world."
"It has," Iza replied, walking with Phobos to the front door of the estate after making sure Kenchi was put into his stable. "I've strived to be as good as a leader as I can, although sometimes I still think it's not enough." As Iza opened the door for Phobos, he watched the dark moth stop for a moment, his horns glowing brightly. After a few seconds, the glow faded away, and Phobos walked inside with Iza. "You called your men?"
"Yes. They should be heading to your garrisons right now. In the meantime, I wish to speak with the other leaders of your alliance. At least, any who are here." Iza led Phobos further into the estate, eventually coming to a meeting room to which he saw Nami and Ishiro talking with Prince Li and General Diana, alongside Ieyasu. The five of them turned around, and Nami ran up to Iza, hugging him as Phobos walked past him, greeting Diana and Li.
"You made it back…. I was worried about you…." Iza returned the hug with his good arm, closing his eyes as he nuzzled his wife's forehead.
"And I worried about you…" Iza and Nami moved away from each other, the former sighing as he looked down at his good hand. "I couldn't find her…. I'm sorry…"
"I know you are…. but we will find her… no matter how long it takes…" Nami then moved aside as Ishiro walked forward, placing his hand on Iza's shoulders. "I'll go help Phobos get settled and inform him of what is going on, and you two can have your privacy." Nami smiled at her husband, and then at Ishiro, watching the two of them go into a nearby hallway, closing the door behind them. The two Gojirasaur then walked into another room, shutting the door behind them as Iza sat down on a mat, Ishiro sitting down in front of him.
"It's been a while since we've been able to talk like this…... hasn't it?" Ishiro's question made Iza put his head down, the realization of how long it had been since their last talk. "I understand why…. We've been busy raising our children to grow up to become fine young kaiju, haven't we?"
"We have Ishiro…. We have…." Iza smiled, and looked at a couple of small paintings on his desk, ones he had carried with him most of his life. There was a portrait of him and Nami with Rin and Aiko, the latter two smiling widely as he and Nami were nuzzling each other. Then there was a painting of him and Ishiro, the latter holding him up and smiling at him, while Iza looked up at the bigger Gojirasaur, smiling as well. Yet, right in the middle of it all was a painting of an older Gojirasaur reaching his arms out to a younger Gojirsaur, the latter walking towards him, the both of them smiling. "Yet sometimes, I feel like I let them down…. I was… I was too overprotective… I'm not the half the father that my own was…"
"… We are rarely the same as our parents Iza, and even they made mistakes," Ishiro said, directing the other Gojirasaur to look at him. "Rin still loves you… as does Aiko… and they know you love them…" Iza sighed, and moved over closer to Ishiro, the latter now draping his arm over him. "But that is not all that troubles you, is it Iza?"
"I saw that bastard…. Gaius…" Ishiro felt Iza tense up, almost shaking as he spat out another sentence. "He tried to attack Phobos. I swear…. He's the one thing keeping this war from ending!" Iza was breathing rapidly now, clenching his good hand as Ishiro stayed close to him, holding him closer. "… I am scared Ishiro… scared that I won't be able to find a way to make peace in this lifetime… I feel like it will never end…" Iza's breathing slowed down, and he put his head close to Ishiro's chest listening to the heartbeat of the bigger Gojirasaur.
"You are doing your best Iza," Ishiro said, holding up the other Gojirasaur's head to his, "You will make mistakes, yes, as have I, but you are one of the most dedicated kaiju I have ever met… and that is what I love about you." Iza smiled, and brought his lips against Ishiro's, the two of them kissing silently within the dark room. "I believe you will find a solution, no matter how long it takes."
"Thank you… my husband… I needed that." Iza hugged Ishiro with his good arm, and put his forehead against his. "When this is over… Our children will finally live in a peaceful world… like my father dreamed of."
"I and Nami will be there to help you… for Momoko and Satoshi's sake…" Iza could see a tear running down Ishiro's face as he said this, but paid it no heed, keeping his head against the bigger Gojirasaur's forehead. The two of them drew away, and smiled at each other, kissing once more, before they heard someone walking in the hallway, stopping right at the door. Iza and Ishiro stood up, Iza walking over to the door, and opening it slightly.
"Iza… I got a message… Rin's been spotted…." Nami was smiling, her face stained with tears as she hugged Iza, who was shocked, his heart beating fast as he felt both Nami and Ishiro hug him. "She was part of Kurosawa's garrison at Mifune Pass…. I don't know if she's still there and I know you just got back… but if you hurry… please… see if our little girl is there… Oh Iza…"
"I will my beloved…. I'll come back as soon as I can…" Iza kissed Nami on the lips, hope finally surging once again in his heart, and then turned to kiss Ishiro, stepping out from between them.
"I'm sorry to be leaving again… please take care of Nami for us Ishiro…" Ishiro nodded, beckoning Iza to go as he ran out into the hallway, leaving out the front doors as he saw a carriage waiting for him. Before he got in, he walked over to the stable where Kenchi was, stroking the raptor as the latter barked at him. "Rest well old friend. I'll be back before you know it." Iza then left, walking up to the carriage and got in next to the driver, who much to his surprise was Ieyasu.
"I figured that you would want to go down to the garrison as soon as you heard the news, so I've decided to accompany you Iza. Don't worry, I'll watch your back while we're there." The Anguirus motioned to the back, revealing that there were a small squad of soldiers riding in the carriage each of the saluting Iza.
"Thank you Ieyasu. If there is any way I can repay you, let me know." With that Ieyasu called out, Iza watching the stegosaurus hitched to it start to move, leaving the estate once again, looking up as he saw Mifune Pass in the distance.
After five long years, Iza prayed to learn what became of his daughter.
Road to the Border.
"Ya already had several apples, ya daft beast! If I feed ya anymore, you'll be sick to yer stomach and ya won't be able to walk in the morning!" Akira was observing his companions silently, leaning against the back of a tree as he felt the warmth from the campfire. It had been a few days since they set out from Takarada Town, and while they had enough food for their journey to the border, William still insisted that they rest at night, if only to help preserve their energy. William, true to his exclamation, was holding a bag of apples that he was keeping away from Gar, the Triceratops growling just a bit as he tried to eat more of them. Ryu was busy cleaning his axe, while at the same time looking around at the trees surrounding them, in case he saw any movement. Leo was staring up in the trees, Rami perched in the one he was looking up, the Rodan staring at the moon. Akira kept silent, still reflecting on everything he had learned in the town.
"What are you thinking about Rami?" Like Akira, Leo was still reflecting about what had happened in Takarada Town, especially in regards to what he had encountered in Eli's own mind. Even then, the moth still resolved to keep an eye on Rami, making sure the Rodan kept true to his word of aiding them, although he had been oddly quiet the past few days. Unfurling his wings, Leo flew upwards slowly, right until he landed behind Rami, standing on a particularly thick tree branch.
"You got something to ask palomillo? Or do you think I'm telepathically transmitting a message to the Imperials, kuauokuillin?" Rami chuckled a bit, turning around to look at Leo, his yellow eyes almost glowing in the night. "Why else would you be up here?"
"You've been quiet Rami, I think I have reasons to be concerned," Leo said, watching as the bird turned his body around. "Is something bothering you?"
"No," the Rodan replied, "Just needed some air." At this, Rami turned around, and looked up at the moon again. "Sometimes… I think I've spent too much time away from home… and from my people… but it was for my queen… I owe her a lot you know."
"This must be the her he was talking about, or is it someone else?" Leo watched Rami beckon the moth forward with a gesture, and Leo flew to where he was sitting, landing next to the Rodan. "Never seen another kaiju who was so loyal to their leader, especially when it comes to the Imperial Alliance Kaiju."
"Well, I didn't exactly have a choice on where I was born," Rami snorted, craning his head around to look at Leo, "But you'll find that Imperial kaiju are more often loyal to their leaders than Gaius. They actually give a shit about us, which is more than I can say for Gaius…" Rami hung his head down, sighing. "My people are suffering under his hand… and my queen has tried to help us… but we're running out of time. It won't be long before he takes over my people's homeland." Rami looked up at the moon once more, Leo noticing a small tear coming from the Rodan's eye. "And now… there's this other power lurking around… youalyotl mo…" Leo looked at Rami, before slowly reaching his hand out, almost touching the Rodan's shoulder, stopping as he saw Rami tense up.
"I understand how you're feeling Rami…" The Rodan breathed in, and his body relaxed, Leo finally touching his shoulder, and moving in closer. "We're all in this together now… if you want your homeland to be free… you should stay with us." Leo was now sitting closer to Rami, keeping his hand on the Rodan's shoulder, staring at the moon with him.
"I mean what I said back at the town, I will do my best to help you all," Rami said, his voice still low. "I know most of you don't trust me… Just know that… I broke my last promise in Takarada Town…" Leo saw a sad smile form on Rami's face, the Rodan chuckling a bit again. "Sometimes… you do anything for the ones you care about." It was right then that Rami grabbed Leo's hand, and moved it up to his forehead, the Moth entering his mind. Leo sat on the tree, and drew his hand away, shocked at what he saw.
"I…. I'm sorry Rami…" Leo watched Rami breathe in again, trying to find what to say to him, the orange glow of his inner magma getting just a bit brighter.
"I've been used most of my life…. it's all in the past…. She is the only thing that matters to me now…That is why I fight…." Rami smiled again, a genuine smile as he looked up at the moon, standing up. "Don't lose sight of what you fight for kuauokuillin." Leo stood up too, and nodded silently, flaring out his wings as he leapt down from the tree, leaving Rami alone. On the ground, Akira looked at the two of them, before turning his attention to Ryu and William. The Gorosaurus had his sword drawn, as did Ryu with his axe, the two of them slowly circling each other.
"Well then lad, how do ya intend to strike me? Perhaps going for my legs? Or my head? I see ya watching my arms." Ryu stared intently at the older kaiju, the Gorosaurus grinning as he moved his sword to a striking position. "Ya better pick fast, cause if ya don't watch it….. YER DEAD!" The Gorosaurus swung at Ryu, who ducked under the blade and swept William's legs out from under him, knocking down the older kaiju. Ryu then quickly aimed his axe at William's neck, a smile on his face.
"I think you're the one who's dead old man," Ryu chuckled, stretching out his free hand to William. "See? I learn."
"Aye, but have ya forgot something?" Ryu turned around, and saw William's tail positioned to knock the Angurius off his feet, and stepped back as William picked himself up. "Yer lucky I'm on yer side, but keep that in mind whenever we face off against different kaiju. Make sure every one of their limbs are disabled."
"Right, right," Ryu replied, sitting down on a log as he saw William crack his bones, noticeably groaning in pain. "You okay William?"
"I'm fine lad," William said, cracking his neck next as he placed his sword down next to him, "Just not as young as I used to be, I need some rest right now. Yer learnin' fast though, and for that, I'm glad." William then picked up his sword, cleaning it off before he put it away in the sheathe on his back.
"My grandpa always said I learned fast," Ryu remarked, looking down at his axe as he did so, "I'm glad it hasn't gone away all these years later." As the fire crackled behind Ryu, he breathed in, thinking about what he would say next. "I need to tell him… why am I having so much trouble telling any of them? Rami, I barely know him, but the others… I need to tell them about who I am…"
"It's okay if ya don't have anything to say," William said, scratching his face for a moment, "Sometimes ya have other things on yer mind, and all ya can do is just dwell on them. You'll figure out what ta say when the time comes." Ryu sighed, clasping his hands together as he looked at William, the older kaiju now lost in thought as well. It was then that he saw some movement behind him within the trees, and standing up quickly, Ryu grabbed his axe.
"Everyone!" William drew out his sword as soon as Ryu shouted, Akira getting up and drawing out his tachi, while Leo and Rami leapt down from the tree they were sitting in, getting into fighting poses. Out of the trees emerged around 40 Kaiju wearing sharp looking black armor with serrated blades, their eyes almost glowing in the dark with a crimson look as they came on all sides, surrounding the group of five. From the middle of another pair of trees, a robed red and silver Gigan stepped forward, pulling a pair of dual serrated blades out of the sleeves of his robes.
"You've made quite a name for yourself Ronin," the Gigan said, his low voice, his red eyes and beak being the only facial features visible through his hood. "Marius, Scarab, and Eli, fallen by your blade, and many of our siblings as well. In another life, I would almost respect your skill with a blade, but you have continued to interfere with us. Thus, I will be the one to bring your head to our glorious leader."
"Lord Hedorah?" Akira said, his voice sounding dangerously low, catching the Gigan off guard momentarily. "Eli told me your leader's name, so don't act so surprised. You really think he sees you as anything but disposable? Why else would he send you here?" At this, the Gigan's eyes narrowed, the rest of the kaiju staring at the seven as he stepped forward, darkness almost seeping out of his eyes.
"He sent me here because I have a purpose to fulfil, something a mongrel as low as you could never comprehend. I, our lord's most honored High Priest Dracul, will not falter as our siblings did when it comes to killing you…... HAVE AT YOU!" Akira quickly blocked a blow from the High Priest's blades, the rest of the cultists going after the other members of his group as all at once, chaos broke out. Ryu cleaved a Varan in half with his axe, before he felt a serrated blade stab into his shoulder from a nearby Gorosaurus, roaring in pain as he swung around, sending the Gorosaurus flying to the path of William's blade, the elder kaiju cutting the younger member of his kind in half.
"So, he fears us that much, to send all these men? Hm. Then I'll give you all something to fear!" Leo flew upwards as he dodged a napalm bomb from a Megalon, and quickly drew a fire rune with his blade, causing the Megalon to ignite from the inside as he combusted and took out a few more cultists, burning them alive. Leo dodged several Atomic Rays fired from a few Gojirasaur as he flew in the air, before he divebombed and slammed his fist into the ground, causing vines to erupt from the Earth and blow back the cultists. However, Leo then got punched from behind by a Varan, the latter screaming as Rami tackled him to the ground, breaking his spine with a stomp, before he slammed one of his talon blades into the skull of the kaiju, crushing his head instantly. Rami helped Leo stand up, and nodded at him, his inner magma glowing as he flew at several approaching cultists, managing to decapitate a Gargantua with a swipe of his wing. Rami then spun around, and with a flap of his wings, created a gust of wind that blew back several more cultists, allowing him to quickly fly in, and with a spinning kick, disembowel all three of them at the same time. While this was going on, Gar roared, tossing several cultists who tried to attack him away with his horns, running over to William, who leapt on top of the triceratops roaring as he battled the cultists from on top of his mount. Akira continued to battle High Priest Dracul, using his father's blade in tandem with is tachi to counter the latter's swings, keeping his eyes on every part of the Gigan's body. Akira leapt out of the way of a low swing, managing to slash the High Priest on the arm while he charged up his Atomic Ray, the High Priest laughing as he then blasted Akira with his eye beams. Akira fired his Atomic Ray as he went down, the beam narrowly missing Ryu, and hitting a Frankenstein into the bonfire, setting the kaiju ablaze.
"Do you taste my power Ronin?" Akira tried to stand up, only for the High Priest to stomp his foot down on the Ronin's neck, Akira coughing as he saw the Gigan's eyes glowing fiercely as he prepared to fire his eye beams again. "Pray to whatever Beast you worship, for they won't save you for me." Akira looked up at the Gigan, only then noticing movement among the trees, the cry of a raptor being the only warning the High Priest got, before a Gojirasaur kicked the back of his head with a spinning kick, launching him into some of his men. Akira stood up, and looked at the Gojirasaur, staring at her for a few moments as she did the same to him, before they both spotted kaiju coming from behind, each rushing to defend the other. Akira watched as she used her Atomic Ray to propel herself away from a sword strike from a cultist, before blocking another blow from another cultist with her blade, barely taking it out of its sheath. She then leapt back, drawing out her blade quickly, and cut off the cultist's arm, and then leapt forward, quickly slicing their chest open and sending them to the ground as she looked around at the other cultists surrounding her. She then drew out her blade again, quickly blocking most of their attacks as she charged up her Atomic Ray, the energy traveling down her arms as it flowed into the blade, making it glow a bright orange as she ducked under a Megalon's drill, before she let out a series of quick strikes, cutting down each of her enemies.
"She fights like Iza… It couldn't be…." Akira ran over to Ryu, pushing his thoughts to the back of his mind as the fought back to back with the Anguirus, the two of them slaying several cultists, before Akira saw the High Priest standing up again, ready to plunge his blade into Rami's back. The Gojirasaur noticed him at the same time, and as she and Akira leapt at the Priest, both slashed him at the same time, her blade decapitating him, and Akira's blade gutting him, Rami turning around in shock as the Gigan fell to the ground. The rest of Akira's companions quickly finished off the last of the cultists, their campfire still burning as Leo flew downwards, folding his wings once again, and he, Rami, Leo, and William gathered next to Akira, who was staring at the other Gojirasaur. She too was staring at him, her eyes filled with a sense of familiarity.
"You know her?" Leo asked Akira, who was now walking towards the Gojirasaur. Akira stared at her, looking her over as she looked him over too. She walked forward, and placed her hand on his face, feeling it as she stared into his eyes, and then glancing down at his tachi. Akira too looked at her sword, and then into her eyes, the world going silent around the both of them, as she moved her hand down and hugged him.
"…. I've been looking for you…. Akira…" Her voice was somewhat deep, and yet, Akira still recognized it all these years later. She was still not quite as tall as him, and like him, she had seen battle, all but shattering the fragile innocence both had shared at some point.
"Rin…." Akira choked out her name, Rin stepping back at the sound of his voice, surprised by how much deeper it was. "... You've… you've been looking for me?"
"For nearly five years now…. I was worried that the worst had happened…" Ryu walked up to Akira, Rin noticing him and the others, each of them staring at Rin. "…But then… my garrison got news of what you did in Takarada Town… and then… I was able to track you down… I want to bring you back with me Akira…"
"Rin... I can't do that..." Akira said, sighing as he turned away. "… I and the others here… we are trying to end this war…" He felt himself choke, not trying to look at Rin. "I'm sorry…." Rin stood still for a moment, sighing as well.
"I… I thought you would say something like that Akira. Even all this time later… you're still the same…" Rin smiled softly. "… Then… let me join you…" Upon hearing this, Akira turned around in shock. Rin stood there, her eyes almost glowing in the light of the fire as her raptor emerged from the forest, shaking off blood from a bandit she had attacked, and then standing behind her rider. "I want to help you…" For a minute, Akira stayed silent in thought, and turned back to his companions, noticing Leo give him a silent nod, while William stroked his chin, as if he somehow recognized Rin. As for Ryu and Rami, the former was staring at Rin and Akira, a faint look of shock present in his eyes, while the latter almost seemed to stare sadly, turning his head away.
"Yes…" Akira said. "I think… we could use your help Rin…" Rin could see the uncertainty present in Akira's face, as if he was still processing seeing her again. "We should talk…. Later…"
"Plus, ya got us you need to introduce yerself to lass," William said, walking up to Rin, "But right now I think we need to make camp elsewhere. Get rid of the bodies Leo… and let's just assume that we're going to need to take shifts when we rest." At this the group broke up, and quickly began packing their things, Rin leading her raptor away as Akira followed her, while Leo flew upwards, silently casting a spell that would purify the area, while at the same time working on immolating the bodies of the cultists.
Rin looked around, and only had one thought to herself. "So… the stench of darkness is everywhere…. I can't lose you Akira…"
Author's Note: It's been a while hasn't it? Apologies for not uploading in over a year, but I've been dealing with a lot in my persona life that's made it hard for me to sit down and write much anymore, and that includes this story. Thankfully, I was finally able to finish up this chapter, although it is quite shorter than my previous ones, but that is a compromise I am willing to make from here on out. With that said, starting with this chapter, there will be quite a few changes with this story, namely renaming Iza and Nami (as in they are Iza and Nami, and as of this writing, I will be going back and updating the previous chapters to reflect that), and switching voices for Ryu. With that said, I very much hope you've enjoyed this chapter in spite of my long absence, and rest assured, I will be doing my best to continue this story. Anyways, here is the voice cast:
Jonah Scott as Akira Hazuki/the Ronin (Heisei Godzilla).
Carrie Keranen as Rin (Mix of Godzilla 2000 and Vs Megagurius).
Yuri Lowenthal as Ryu (Heisei Anguirus).
Jesse Nowack as Leo (Mothra Leo).
Dante Basco as Helios (Legendary Ghidorah).
Dan Southworth as Helios (After Scarring) (Legendary Ghidorah).
Wagner Moura as Ramirez (Legendary Rodan).
John Rhys-Davies as William (Original Horned Gorosaurus).
Paul St. Peter as Lord Hedorah (Both Showa and Final Wars Hedorah).
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Grandmaster Mars (Grand-King Ghidorah).
Orson Welles as Anti-God.
Sigourney Weaver as Leo's Benefactor.
Patrick Seitz as Iza (Kiryu Saga Godzilla).
Ken Watanabe as Ishiro (Legendary Godzilla).
Vanessa Marshall as Nami (Godzilla 2000).
Laura Bailey as Momoko (Legendary Godzilla 2014), Queen Izel (Fire Rodan) and Queen Ruby (GMK Baragon).
Richard Epcar as King Gaius (Showa Ghidorah).
Corey Burton as Nostradamus/Tlanexitc (1964 Rodan).
Christopher Sabat as Jin Kurosawa (Final Wars Godzilla).
Phil LaMarr as King Baraguirus (Showa Anguirus).
Johnny Yong Bosch as Gojo (Adult Godzilla Jr) and Prince Li (Showa King Caesar).
Keith David as Phobos (Battra).
Steven Yeun as Prince Marcus (Heisei Ghidorah).
Susan Eisenberg as General Diana (Mothra Mix).
Fred Tatasciore as Vladimir (Organic Gigan) and Grant (Gorosaurus).
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kabuto (Megalon).
Dee Bradley Baker as Siegfried (Varan), High Priest Dracul (Organic Gigan) and Victor (Toho Frankenstein).
JK Simmons as Zheng (King Caesar).
Clancy Brown as Scarab (Original Megalon Design).
Gregg Berger as Eli (Original Gargantua Design).
Mark Hamill as Captain Orga (1964 Godzilla).
Grey Griffin as Aiko (Mix of 2000 and Kiryu Saga) and Miyuki (Original Anguirus Design).
Jennifer Hale as Freya (Original Gorosaurus Design).
Matthew Mercer as Lord Ieyasu (Final Wars Angurius).
Karen Neill as Belvera (Female Battra).
Lara Jay Miller as Lora (Mothra Mix).
Marc Diarson as Sachihiro Hazuki (Heisei Godzilla with some differences).
Sumalee Montano as Emiko Hazuki (Female Heisei Godzilla).
Everyone as Charade (1955 Godzilla).
Next time in War for Pangea, we dive into Rin's past as Akira's group continues their journey to the border, and Hedorah shows off his newest creations to Gaius! What will happen? You'll have to wait and see.
See you all next time and stay safe. Don't be afraid to leave feedback or recommend this fanfic to anyone seeking Godzilla fanfiction out there.
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer" comes from Dune by Frank Herbert. I do not own this property.
Keep Circulating the Links.