Queens Knight Chronicles
ESKK: Time to begin chapter 2 so let's get started.
(Start Orphanage)
After taking their leave of the Guild Hall Aster and the two new members of HOLY had journeyed to a broken-down Orphanage and watched as kids in rags were carrying around tools and wood as Leina saw this with a sad expression. Aster had his reasons for coming to this place with Risty when he had more important things to do. Good deeds means good reputations which means he had to see this place. Once the meal was ready the children were gathered with candles lighting the dark.
"Thanks for the food!" They all called out as Aster saw this. Aster looked upon the meager meal and inspected it before placing it down. HE then passed it off to the other children who were confused.
"Sorry I'm not hungry." Aster said as he gave them his food. He then stood up and walked around a bit as he rubbed his armored hand over the table as he looked upon this and knew with the damages done to the counts castle taxes will be meeting a huge increase. Aster began walking over to the nun's office. He patted Leina on the shoulder telling her he would handle this.
(Meanwhile With Risty)
Risty place down all the stolen good and gold coins she gather in front of the nun that sat in the chair before her as she said, "It might be just enough to fix the holes in the walls and maybe some parts of the ceiling, but I know it's not much."
Risty didn't look happy to the amount she gotten as she lost most of it at Vance Estate but at least she got the loot this time. "Hopefully, it will cover the cost of repairing the roof and walls with some left over for other things." Risty said presenting the loot.
"Did you break into the counts castle?" The nun asked as she looked to Risty who was surprised by this. "Risty.": The nun urged but then Risty glared.
"Yes, your right this is his family's treasure but they're the biggest thieves of all. I had to ditch half of it when Thunder Cloud General Claudette came after me and that knight duked it out with a monster." Risty defended as Aster then walked in still in full armor as he saw this.
"Hello sister pardon my intrusion, but we need to talk if you have the time." Aster said as he did not like the state these kids were in. "I'll wait a bit." Aster said as he began to walk away only to see Leina there instead.
(Later)
Leina was slammed to the wall as Risty had her by the collar. "Go ahead say that again!" Risty yelled as Aster stayed out of this for now.
"I'll be happy to. Those children look like they haven't eaten a proper meal in months. Do you really think those poultry scraps are enough." Leina accused as she glared at Risty.
"No, I do not but that's hardly my fault." Risty said as Leina glared on.
"What happened to the Royal Charity?" Leina asked to which Aster heard.
'Charity?' Aster asked as he did hear rumors about such a thing.
"The, what?" Risty asked as she was confused on this.
"Don't play dumb with me. Everyone knows count Vance gives the less fortunate money." Leina said as Risty scoffed to this bullshit.
"Oh, year right." Risty scoffed before speaking again. "Explain to me why someone like Count Vance would do something like this." Risty said as Aster began to notice holes in the story from both sides.
"Because it's his duty. He's honor bound to protect his people." Leina said as Aster then stood up and spoke.
"Then he does a lousy job at it." Aster said surprising Leina to no end. "I haven't been here for long but on the way here we saw how bad things were for the people." Aster said as he remembered seeing the slums in his world... but not the slums here. It wasn't his first back alley, but it was his first time seeing one of that magnitude. Aster of course had acted pick up the crying infant whose mother was already dead and a rotting corpse. The Infant was actually in the other room when the nuns saw Aster bring it in.
"But then again most nobles tend to be this way... one moment they are the best thing that happened and the next moment either the power goes to their head, and they lose their way, or they had a really bad day." Aster said as he wondered what cause Lord Vance to do something like this.
"To the victor goes the spoils that's the law of this land that's the truth of it." Risty said as Aster hated to admit it, but he agreed with her.
"I'll let the two of you sort things out." Aster said as he took his leave of Leina and Risty. He then headed to the head nuns office to speak with her about something important.
(In the Office)
"Sister, pardon my abruptness but I feel this needs to be said." Aster said as the nun sat across from Aster. "This church, this orphanage is in disrepair the children are forced to wear rags and dress in scraps." Aster said as he hated to be blunt about this. "At this rate they might not even make it through winter." Aster said which the Nun looked guilty about this.
"I know we're trying our best, but we just can't make ends meet." The Nun said as Aster knew that she was trying.
"Perhaps I can help." Aster said and thus the nun looked to Aster. "I can keep fixing this place but without a steady income it will just keep coming back to this state." Aster said as he began to make his offer.
"What are you offering?" The Nun asked as she wanted to hear what Aster had to say.
"Maybe... its time to consider moving the kids to a location where they can have a roof over their heads, full bellies, and no longer must suffer in dire straits." Aster offered as he looked to the nun.
"Without any resources of funding where would I even begin to place them." The Nun snapped but then Aster sighed to this.
"Risty and Leina can vouch I have a village that can house them where we can get a new orphanage built for them." Aster said making it clear that he wanted to help them.
"Why would you do that?" The Nun asked as she almost sounded hopeful.
"Because... I just can't sit by and watch this happen." Aster said as the scene these kids were in would haunt him if he doesn't do something about it. Besides, he recalled a time long ago when he was just like those kids weak with nothing of his own but hope.
"You were like them once... weren't you." The Nun said as she could read it from Aster.
"Yeah, a long time ago." Aster said not even denying this truth.
The Nun then took Aster's hands into her own and looked to him with admiration. "Bless your heart." She said and thus Aster nodded to this.
(Scene Break the next Morning)
With the morning sun rising, trio spend the night in the church with all the children, Aster made an impression with them, telling them strange and Bizarre stories of many things. Just as Marianne said every church would have these stones and using his necklace Aster accessed it. Risty and Leina were not happy to make the trip at first but when Aster had made his intentions clear they were all for it.
Aster alerted Allicia upon their arrival and the crews got to work on the spot in constructing a new orphanage for the children with a chapel connected. Alicia was surprised but not at all bothered as she helped Aster as best, she could in ensuring the orphanage was built. This gave Alicia something to do as the workers broke ground that same say. Until the orphanage was built the kids would stay in one of the workers houses with the nun.
So, with their task done they waved the children goodbye to continue their journey. At the moment they were stopping by the side of the road as Risty let out a yawn. "So, what is the plan once we get to the boarder?" Aster said as he was the muscle for now.
"As long as Claudette isn't there we can hopefully pass through without problem." Risty said as Leina looked.
"And if she is there?" She asked as Risty shrugged.
"We either hide or have Aster here handle her." Risty said as Aster looked and ignored for now.
As they rested no doubt, they were all tired Risty then turned to Leina. "Hey, Leina, I know I promised to bring you to the border, but I have a better idea so hear me out." Risty said as Aster looked to this. "Why don't you inherit your father's position then you can bring prosperity back to this domain. That wouldn't be a bad life in fact it would be a much better one assuming you would be satisfied with that." Risty suggested as Leon was surprised as Leina looked conflicted no doubt from seeing the back alley.
"I'm not sure what I should do." Leina admitted to her inner conflict as she had seen the real world and the truth that her father never even pushed for the Vance Charity.
Aster took a moment to think as he thought of politics back home, and a movie he had to watch in school called, 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'. As one man wanted to do something good or right, there were other people who are willingly to bring him down by name and reputation as Leon said, "I could be best if she didn't."
Both ladies look to Leon as Risty asked, "Why's that?"
Aster looked to her and said, "She could be the Duchess of Vance, but that would not mean she would have the power to do so."
Risty was confused at this and Leina just listen as she seem to be interested by this as Leon went on saying, "Who to say that she would be leading the family fortune, let alone the name itself, as her father wanted her to be marry soon, maybe by people he knew already, people who shares his ideals of things of what happening in these lands, all she would be is a trophy wife, someone to stand still and look pretty and not do a thing or say a thing.
Leina thought long and hard and she does remember her father talk to other people, laughing together, drinking expensive wine, even smoking the fines tobacco, with the cost of such things… that should be going into the Vance Charity for the people so Leon theory could be correct, and she would be in a worst kind of position than she was before with no more freedom.
Aster wasn't even done as he said, "And if she were to lead, there are still people that govern different parts of the land itself, correct?"
Risty thought for a bit and said, "Yea, that right Vance castle stand in the middle of the land but cannot go everywhere at once."
Aster nods as he said, "Great, now let see it like this, if Count Vance were also friend with these people that share his ideals, and Leina were to do something good for the people, they may do something else like the opposite or nothing at all and said that they did. If the people were promise something and didn't get it all the blame would be on Leina and ruin her name and reputation as a person itself."
Risty scratch her head as it seem confusing but the theories, he made are sounded as Leina spoken up saying, "He right, even if I am the Duchess, I would not be the one helping them, even if I wanted too."
"But somehow." Aster began as he had one last thing. "I have a feeling there's more to the story." Aster said as he knew somehow someway that money did exist, but it was being put somewhere else. "A tale for another time." Aster said as he then looked to Risty.
Risty sighed as right the Queen's Blade was their last best option to fix everything. "It seem the Queen's blade is truly the answer to everything at this point," Risty said but now Risty looked at Aster who saw this. "So, what will you do if your Guild has a member as Queen?" She asked as Aster looked.
"Nothing." Aster said as that surprised her. "Business will go as normal only difference is that we can now work more efficiently." Aster said as he could see how this could help them in the long run.
"Well, that's enough of sitting around let's go we have to get you two across the border after all." Risty said as she sat up and grabbed her pack.
"Yeah, after all we got a long way between here and the Queens capital which means plenty of people to help out along the way." Aster said while getting back up as Leina smiled at the two as she was grateful to both of them.
"I owe you two my thanks." Leina said as Aster looked with a confused looked shared with Risty.
"Why?" Risty asked as Leina looked at the two.
"Because I was ignorant and lost. I only knew what I didn't want in my life and now thanks to you I realize that isn't enough and I also learned thanks to Leon you can't wait for things to change if you want them to change don't stick to the status queue instead Seize the reigns of your fate and guide it torts what you want." Leina said as Aster then just kept walking.
"It was nothing just because someone stumbles and falls doesn't mean there lost forever, plus all you needed was a little help from a friend and someone to guide you was all." Aster said as Leina smiled and bowed before the two causing the two to feel embarrassed.
"Okay… ah, Leina you don't have to bow to us, we are friends," Aster said as Leina stood straight again and said, "I know, but your doing so much for me already, and I didn't do a thing for you."
"Now that not true. You have great strength inside you, all I did was show you the path and you took it." Aster sad as Risty just smile to the site as she think it worth stick by these two and given time, they could be something or Aster could be a ladies man which she wouldn't mind herself.
"Alright you guys, let's not wait a moment longer, let's get to the border and cross it so we can get to Gainos," Risty said as the two looked at her and nodded as they pick up their stuff and headed out.
For Aster he gave a smile and said, 'Gainos, here we come.' With the journey ahead, it's going to be a long walk."
(Scene Break Dilan's Hometown)
Dilan was currently laying down against one of the many crystal and rock formations in his village. His village was set up in the mountains as the cave was the way in and out. Already he had work being done to get airships working but it was a process. "Day ten since being sucked into this world... within a short amount of time I find myself in a world where the lewd and ecchi reign supreme." Dilan voiced as he looked at the sky. "I have since lost all feeling in my crotch due to how blue they have become." Dilan said as he laid there.
Just then his monologue was cut short when something started sniffing at his face, a demon dog. Following it up a woman with a red hood approached and glared down on Dilan. "Get up." The woman said as she forced Dilan on his feet. Dilan of course got a nice look at her panties when she stood over him.
"Hello Zara." Dilan said as he rose up to a sitting position.
"You have things that need your attention, if your so bored start doing them." Zara said as she forced Dilan to get back up.
"But I hate paperwork!" Dilan said as he began rolling on the ground acting like a petalite child. Dilan had been stuck in this world for several days and unlike Aster he spent the first three days panicking. But when he found out his friends might be here, he got to work but short attention span had gotten in the way.
"How did I end up having to deal with someone like you?" Zara sighed as she held her hand to her face. Clearly, she was unhappy about it but was dealing with it as best she can. "Look we've done all the scouting we could and have a healthy community and work ethic here the least you can do is handle a few things to make sure we keep running." Zara said as she forced Dilan to his feet.
"But I don't want to." Dilan bemoaned as Zara reminded herself to keep her cool.
"Dear Marianne, where are you when I need you the most right now and you're not there, but I don't need, you are there?" Zara said as she really need Marianne now to get Dilan to somehow work as Marianne suddenly appear behind her as she said, "Well all you have to do is ask."
"Angel Marianne," Zara said while pissed off as the angel finally showed up as Dilan stood up and said, "Hey Angel lady, good to see you. What's up?"
"Hey Dilan just checking up one of my charges and see your throwing a fit about something?" Marianne said as Dilan nodded and said, "Yeah, Zara want me to do paperwork, but I'm not into that stuff, if I was, I would have gone back to school for that."
"Maintaining the village is just as important as any work with no trade, we cannot get food, and without food we cannot work, and if we cannot work, we cannot trade anything at all regardless," Zara try to explain as Dilan just nodded and said, "Yeah I got it, but I've been working for 7 days straight without a break, and the only time I could rest is during meal times or sleep, I manage to get my sync progress completed and unlocked the dragon knight Ark, but even I want to relax just a little bit."
"As long you within this village, any duty of a Mayor will fall upon you, but you have left the village only once and been gone for the first 3 days and I've keep this village running during those 3 says," Zara said as Dilan lay back with a piece of whet in his mouth as he said, "The village would do well without anyone pushing papers, as I had it set up for any sort of ores or gem stones that found within the mine are process by black smith turning the ores into armor and weapons, and jewelers turning gems into jewelry, and any traveling merchant or adventures would see our wear and buy out with reasonable prices that we made profits which we can get food with."
"Did you forgot that your also giving 40 percent of profit of all blacksmithing to the dwarfs which will cut into funding, as I can't believe you got tempted by that brat," Zara said as she remember a small dwarf girl that came to the village complaining about losing customers and Dilan was entice by her that he made a deal of giving away 40 percent of profit to the dwarf to make up for their loss of their customers, as Dilan stood up and said, "She was very persuasive and I was just trying to make nice with other and become allies with the Dwarfs."
Dilan turn away and started talking to himself while in a low tone, "Not to mention she was a cute, so I don't know what I did wrong, as she maybe a Loli but she is an a legal loli."
"Wow, looks like I brought a rare one," Marianne said as she couldn't believe she brought a Loli lover from the other world, which would be interesting as there are some cute small girl within the world of Gainos, and Dilan fell for the one with an attitude, with Zara said, "Well regardless. You need to look over the paperwork and see what is need to be done for the pricing of goods, not to mention you need to sign off on building some new bath houses, people are complaining about the smell, and also help bring in more income as well to travelers that would come here."
"Can't you, do it? I just want to relax just a little bit, heck maybe a trip to a bath house would be nice," Dilan said as Marianne smile and thought of something as she said, "Well if you want to take a trip somewhere I got just the thing."
"What is it?" Dilan said as he stood up with Marianne pull out from her bag a blue stone similar to the stones, she given to the players to teleport around the world, as Dilan said, "Another teleport stone?"
"Yep, but this one is a transport stone, it can take you anywhere in the world, within reason as all you have to do is infuse a bit of mana into the stone, wish of where you want to go and it will take you," Marianne said as Dilan soon take the stone as he said, "Deal!"
"Wait I wasn't done explaining!" Marianne said as Dilan started to infuse the stone with his mana as it started to glow brighter and think of a place he wish to go to, as he thought of a nice Japanese bath place with a beautiful Japanese girl in it that would give him a soap massage as he pray to the stone wishing to go to a place like that, as it soon grants it and teleports him away in a flash of light as Marianne said, "Oh boy."
"Where did he go and what did you do?" Zara said as she heard what Marianne said as if it weren't good as Marianne said, "Well he was supposed to be put a little bit of mana into it, which would make the stone take you to a place that near the area and only bring you to the closes place that the travelers wishes to go to, but sense he infuse the stone with what I can assume is half of his magic…"
"And what?" Zara question as Marianne turn to her with a Awkard smile and said to her, "Well he could be on the other side of the world and also that stone was a onetime use."
Zara could only sigh in annoyance and soon ask Marianne a question as she said, "Please tell is Dilan going to be alright?"
"Well, I don't sense anything too dangerous of where he is at, plus he has his knight Ark so he shouldn't be in too much trouble… I think."
(Unknown location)
A woman with long dark hair with smooth pale skin was within a bathhouse as she was washing herself as she pour a bucket of warm water on herself as she stand on her knees in front of a bath as she seem to be in deep thought as she said, "I… this country."
She was snap out of her thought as there was a strange pop sound follow but a cry that started to get louder as if they were falling down. From it the screams reached its apex followed by a crash through the roof and a splash into the bath water below.
The woman gasp to this as she turn around as something just crash through the roof and slash in the baths as she look towards the bath as she saw the water disturbed and didn't see who or what came in before Dilan suddenly pop up from the water with a gasp and cough out as he looked around a bit and said, "Did I fall into a bath?"
He turn and to her shock and surprise to see a beautiful and naked Japanese looking woman before him as she was shocked to see a man in the bath who just fell from the sky as he blushes a bit with a smile while he said, "Ah hi, nice weather we're having?"
Suddenly the woman throw a bucket at him with a spin as it came at him and nail him in the face as he cry out in pain with some blood coming out from his nose while he fell back into the water before another voice rang out saying, "That was weird?"
Suddenly the wall into the bath house was broken as a woman with white hair and Alabaster skin, dressed up like a ninja came flying out as she called out, "H-hey wait!"
The woman in the bath came out with a dagger in hand as she pulls it out of its sheath and points it at the ninja gal before getting a good look at her as to her surprise as she said, "Is that Shizuka?"
"Lady Tomoe," Shizuka said while crying a bit before there was a painful moan heard from back in the baths as Dilan was recovering from getting a bucket thrown at his face and said, "Ow, that hurt, but then again she was naked."
Suddenly Dilan found himself surrounded by women who held up swords and spears while pointing them at him as he held up his hands and said, "I come in peace?"
(Later)
Dilan was tired up as he had swords pointed at him. Looking around he noted all the girls around him and had to admit this brought back memories. One of which was when he was thirteen and in the deep end for puberty. "Man, the last time I was in this situation I was 13 having a dream." Dilan said as the Priestesses all glared at him. 'Only in that dream I wasn't in danger.' Dilan mentally added as he saw all of the Warrior Priestesses glaring at him with weapons drawn. Meanwhile the ninja girl standing nearby looked just about ready for anything. But Dilan was stripped of his armor and weapons save for the Knight Arc but that was beside the point.
Just then Tomoe walked in as she glared down at Dilan no doubt not at all pleased that her bath was interrupted. "Well, hello there gorgeous." Dilan greeted with a smile on his face. But no sooner did Dilan say that that he was slapped in the face as the Priestess who did so glare down on him. "Ok shutting up now!" Dilan said as he saw he was in a pickle.
"Now talk who are you and why did you try to sneak into the bathhouse?" A warrior priestess began to interrogate Dilan as he sat there tied up.
"Hey wow easy I'm not an enemy here." Dilan said as he didn't want trouble. "I'm not from around here, I'm from Gainos." Dilan said and thus the Priestesses all looked to each other.
"Gainos?" They all asked one by one seeing Dilan was a westerner. "He's from the west." Another said before Dilan continued his explanation.
"I'm not sure how it happened one moment I'm in my village and the next I'm crashing into a hot bath." Dilan said trying to get them to listen and trust him. "I'm guessing I'm not in Gainos am I?" Dilan asked being calm about this.
"No, you're in Hinomoto and frankly your tale sound farfetched how does one come from Gainos all the way to Hinomoto in mere moments." The leading priestess said glaring down at Dilan.
"Hey, your guess is as good as mine." Dilan said with a shrug showing he didn't know how it was possible.
"What shall we do with this one?" A Priestess asked as the one who spoken before said, "I don't know, he didn't have a weapon on him. I suppose we should ask the High Priestess for Guidance."
"But she talking with Lady Tomoe," the first priestess said as Dilan listen to what they are saying and spoken out loud as his curious got the better of him said, "Who's Tomoe?"
The priestesses looks at him as the leading Priestess said to him, "She is the one who you attacked in the baths."
"Ah I think there a misunderstanding, I crash through the top of the building, you can see the imprint of me from the ceiling to tell I wasn't attacking it was an accident, and If there was an attack didn't do it first, it was this lady Tomoe who thrown a bucket at my face," Dilan said as the priestesses still didn't believe his story as the leading Priestess said, "Keep him tied up until we can talk with the head priestess."
"Ah come on," Dilan said as he a little later he is seen with ropes tied around his wrists while he was place nearby where the priestesses were currently seen meditating. Dilan was just looking at them and odd thing is he also saw a cute yet cool looking ninja girl sitting with them as he hear saying, "Priestess… Warrior priestess… and Priestess. Hu, how Boring!"
Shizuka look to the priestesses but saw no reaction as Dilan said from his spot, "Hey if you're trying to make them react, try farting, that usually live up things in quite places."
Shizuka just laugh at that thought as she turn to Dilan and said, "Yeah like that would work. So, I been over hearing that you came from Gainos, is that true?"
"Yeah, It is I mean, have you seen anyone else that is dressed up like me here in… Hinomoto, was it? Yeah, ever seen someone with my type of clothing here in Hinomoto, I mean honestly?" Dilan question as Shizuka shrugs a bit as she said, "Not really, but then again there are all sort of weird outfit people dress up in, from Bandits, sailors, to even Ninjas."
"Wait there "Are" ninjas here?" Dilan question as he sounded a bit excided to hear that as Shizuka smile and said, "Yep, and you're looking at one right now, the best ninja in all of Hinomoto."
"That awesome, and now that I look at you closely, you do look like a badass sexy ninja girl," Dilan said as Shizuka laugh while blushing a bit as she said, "Oh now that's a new word I never heard before, but I like it. Badass, what does it mean?"
"It has a lot of meaning but I do know a few words that could describe it as," Dilan said as Shizuka said, "Really, what are they?"
"Super, awesome, excellent, and my personal favorite, explosions going off behind you as you walk away like nothing is happening while smiling like a boss," Dilan said as Shizuka had stars in her eyes when she heard that as she said, "That sound so perfect. And with what you're saying, it's definitely sound like you came from Gainos."
"That's what I've been saying, thank god someone believes me, unlike some rude ladies," Dilans said as say that last part towards the priestesses with attitude, while also got a reaction out of them as a tic appeared on their heads as Shizuka said, "Ah don't worry about they, they been dedicating their life to a life of being a warrior priestess, they never had time to be with a man, if you know what I mean?"
"So, they all virgin?" Dilan said as suddenly a spear came at him as he dodge it at the last moment as he look to the priestess who throw the spear looking pretty angry at what they are saying as Dilan said, "Alright, no talking about the V- card."
Shizuka laugh at this as she at this as she calm down a bit as she said, "Well, it was nice talking with you but-
She was standing up as all the warrior priestess all stood up at the same time and points their weapons at Shizuka as she went, "Eh, I ahhh."
"Lady Tomoe is in the middle of an important discussion right now. You're not allow to disturb her," the leading Priestess said as Shizuka said, "An important discussion? Oh, you mean the Queen's blade yeah."
"Wait, you're talking about that women only tournament thing that being held in Gainos?" Dilan said as Shizuka nodded and said, "Yep and one of these priestess is supposed to go and try to become the new Queen."
"How do you know that?" The lead priestess said as Shizuka said to her, "You're not the only one that knows about these kinds of things, even the new guy over there knows it."
After that, all the priestesses relax and went back to sitting down as Shizuka lean over to the lead priestess and ask, "So tell me, is Lady Tomoe the one? And I'm guessing your all going along with her like one big happy family, but if you're not, I'll go along with her, I heard there this cold sweet treat called ice cream over there."
"Oh, you're not wrong on that, and I know at least hundreds kind of ice cream flavors," Dilan said as he remember the time he went to a Baskin-Robbins store as he tried a scoop of ever ice cream they had in the store, as Shizuka turn to him and said, "Really, what kind of flavors are there?"
"Well, there vanilla, chocolate, strawberries, Cookie dough, Green mint, Cherries Jubilee, dragon fruit," Dilan said as he trail off listing all the flavors until the lead priestess said, "Be silent! Why must you two talk this much?"
"Well, I guess I am a bit of a talker, my friend said it becoming a bad habit of mine," Dilan said as Shizuka also spoken up saying, "And you guys won't talk with me all that much, I mean what did I do to you guys to deserve the silent treatment?"
We have nothing to say to a Koma Ninja," the leading priestess said as Shizuka sighed to this as she lay down and said, "Come one, I'm not with Koma anymore."
"Koma? What is that a guild or clan of sort?" Dilan asked with Shizuka said, "Something like that, they are mostly just a group of ninja for hire if paid in a 100 pounds of gold."
"Ah assassin for hire, got it, and I guessing of what you said, you used to be a part of them?" Dilan said as Shizuka said, "Yep!"
(Tomoe)
Within another building as Tomoe was talking with the head Priestess as the head priestess said, "We Warrior priestesses will not be offer you any aid whatsoever on your journey. You must participate in the Queens' blade tournament all by yourself, that is what the tradition demands."
"Our country's government has become corrupt, the councils are control the Mikado. we warrior priestesses are the only one who can protect the Mikado from their evil, I will be honor to be given the privilege to be using my to achieve that end, but only if you feel like I am worthy," Tomoe said as he bow her head to the head priestess as she said to Tomoe, "We must win the tournament of the Queen's blade, then we will have the power, and with it we will eradicate the traitor who threaten to bring our country to ruin."
"Yes Milady," Tomoe said as she understand what the head priestess is saying as the head went on saying, "Your task will not be easy. There will be those who will accuse you of treason against her majesty."
"I am prepared for that," Tomoe said as the head priestess said, "WE do not know about the land or the strength of western warriors. There's no guarantee that you will survive of returning to Hinomoto."
"I will be the sword that will protect Hinomoto, if that what destiny requires me as a warrior priestess," Tomoe said before she stood up and said, "I have finish purifying myself. When the sun rises, I will depart."
"I will bequest you a new sword to aid you in your journey, the Mikado herself request it," The head Priestess said as Tomoe was surprise as she said, "The Mikado?"
Tomoe give a bow to the head priestess and said to her, "Thank you Milady."
The head priestess stood up as well and said, "Good luck on your travels then."
"Wait a minute," Tomoe suddenly said as she was sensing something wrong, something was coming as did someone else.
(with Dilan)
Dilan had a serious look on his face as Shizuka was eating some food when she saw the look on his face, seeing this as she soon said, "Hey, something wrong there Dilan?"
"Trouble is heading our way, I feel it in my guts... or maybe I'm just hungry?" Dilan said as his stomach growls a bit as Shizuka giggle a bit as she said, "Maybe I can get you something to eat in a little bit."
"Thanks, but seriously, be on guard, I think we're about to have some surprise guest coming our way," Dilan said as unknown to the priestesses and Shizuka, Dilan had a mini map that showing red pots approaching the area, and he know red dot in most games means enemies are coming.
Shizuka soon sense it too and was surprised that Dilan was about to sense it first as the priestess who was serving her food said, "What's wrong."
"He's right. You better get ready, here they come," Shizuka said as the priestess said, "What do you mean?"
"The Koma ninjas," Shizuka said as suddenly form outside flaming arrow rain down from above setting parts of the temple aflame.
It didn't take long for the castle to go up in flames as Dilan was the first to get up. "Ok we got shit to deal with!" Dilan called out as he then grabbed a nearby spear and spun it in his hand.
(Meanwhile outside)
The Shinobi Clan of Koma saw the burning base of the Priestesses and knew that the battle was off to a good start. A messenger appeared next to him and whispered something of importance into his ear before vanishing again. "Good, the traitor Shizuka doesn't stand a chance." The man said as he smirked at the scene before him. "Koma let them taste our wrath." The man said and thus the Ninjas around him responded with a grunt and then vanished from sight with their leader.
(Later back inside the temple)
A priestess took down a pair of Koma Ninja as the monastery burned around her. Just as she began to calm herself and prepare to escape another appeared behind her ready to end her life. She gasped in shock when she sensed him only for him to be skewered by a spear through the head.
"Hey, watch you back, Shinobi assassins will always go for a knife to the back." Dilan said as he helped the girl up.
"Thank you." She said only to go wide eyed when she saw another appear behind Dilan. But before she could warn him Dilan lifted his fist behind him and hit the ninja in the face without even looking.
"Like I said knife to the back." Dilan said with a sigh. "Jeez back him Ninja were supposed to be super spies first and assassins second." Dilan said with a sigh of disappointment.
"Where is Shizuka?" The Priestess asked once she calmed down a bit.
"Looking for her friend Tomoe while we stay here to kick out these uninvited guests." Dilan said as he grabbed another spear from the ground and held it at the ready. Dilan saw the spear was just as weak as the other one he tossed and cursed his luck. Back at the town Dilan had noted that some of his equipment had gone missing which served to annoy him but there was nothing he can do about it.
All he can do was keep fighting as he roared out in fury taking out Ninja after Ninja. Dilan was also making sure that none of the Priestesses get left behind as he also knew one fact. With the battle going as its going it was clear this location was lost to the priestesses. He had every intention to make sure they got out in one piece.
"At this rate." Dilan cursed only for an explosion to be heard outside causing the fighters to go wide eyed. "Don't tell me." Dilan gasped and thus he growled and began moving outside leading the priestesses to the doors. When they arrived outside the group was shocked as Dilan was wide eyed to see a billow of smoke from the spot where one of the buildings used to be.
"Lady Kome!" One of the Priestesses cried out and thus Dilan growled to this.
"We need more fire power!" Dilan cursed knowing that without some added juice they were screwed. "I'll slaughter these bastards with my bare hands if I have too!" Dilan snarled as he was reminded of a certain event from his old world. "Hey lady you got a stronger weapon then this basic spear?" Dilan asked as he looked to the Priestess.
"W-what?!" The Priestess asked surprised by the foreigners questions.
"Is there a weapon I can use that can do more damage a spear preferably but I'm not picky." Dilan said and thus the Priestesses looked to each other for a moment with concern. But when they shared a nod, they knew that they had a chance.
"There are two weapons but one of them is for Lady Tomoe." The Priestess said and thus Dilan nodded to this.
"Alright and the other?" He asked which the Priestess looked in shock to the scene. But when all he got was silence Dilan growled to this. "If this thing can save your lives, then I need to know!" Dilan yelled and thus the Priestess knew that they had no other option.
"This way." One of the Priestesses said and thus they got moving. Dilan followed and was soon followed by two other priestesses.
(Later)
The group was found in another area of the temple as they ran through the wooden halls. "The weapon we're seeking belongs to the Primordial Goddess of Hinomoto, Izanami." The Priestess said as she lead Dilan to its location. "We locked it away because anyone who has tried to wield it died from its power or from its madness." She said causing Dilan to look.
"Why haven't you destroyed it?" Dilan asked while they kept moving.
"We've tried the only way we can destroy it is by the same power that had created it in the first place." She said as Dilan was a bit nervous.
"If it's that powerful why trust me with it?" Dilan asked as he followed the Priestesses.
"We don't but we don't have a choice ensuring it remains from the wrong hands is part of our duties." The second one said which meant Dilan would either die from it or live.
"Well get ready to eat your words!" Dilan smirked as he followed after them.
They soon arrived in a shrine room that was giving off an ominous aura. When they got there Dilan saw inside the shrine was a spear that was surrounded by Sutra Talismans. "If you die here that's the end of it." The Priestess said refusing to go any further less they face Dilan in a maddening state.
"Right, no pressure." Dilan said and thus he began to make his way inside. When he got close though Dilan was wide eyed at what he saw as he recognized the weapon. "Wait that's Izanami's Naginata." Dilan voiced to himself recognizing the weapon from White Knight Chronicles. "But how did it get here?" Dilan asked before turning his head. "Questions for later." Dilan added as he made his way to the spear.
His hand hovered over the handle for a moment but then he sighed before taking it into his hand. When he did Dilan was wide eyed as he felt a surge of power flowing through him. The spear itself began to unleash an aura that took the form of a woman the Primordial Goddess Izanami Goddess of Creation and Death. Dilan cried out as the pain his body felt from her power was excruciating.
Then as if in response to a challenge his own body began to release and aura. It took the form of a crimson dragon that roared at Izanami. The two conflicting auras surged at each other clearly trying to establish dominance over the other. Dilan growled out and gritted his teeth as he tried to get the spear to listen to him.
"Come on! Come on! COME ON!" Dilan roared out and thus he slammed the spears blade down causing the auras to vanish around him in a burst. Catching his breath Dilan now held Izanami's Naginata which now accepted him as its wielder. "Well, it looks like someone here is willing to cooperate." Dilan said with a smirk on his face. "Now time to save some lives." Dilans aid and thus went back to the door he came through to assist the Warrior Priestesses outside.
(At the same time Tomoe)
Tomoe and the head priestess Kome were fighting off the Koma Ninja's in the room. The two stood back-to-back with their swords drawn for combat. The two were cutting down Koma Ninja's left and right as they held their ground against this invasion.
"Have you survived unharmed Temoe?" Kome asked with concern for Tomoe.
"I'm fine." Tomoe confirmed just before more Koma Ninja showed up. The two Priestesses were holding the line well by taking out the Koma Ninja until one with a barrel spoke up.
"You asked for it." The Ninja with the barrel said and thus he unleashed the explosive power he held. Seeing what was about to happen Kome acted fast and shielded Tomoe with her body. The blast destroyed the building but thanks to using herself as a human shield Kome managed to protect Tomoe but at a great cost to herself.
After the blast with everything still on fire as Tomoe held the head priestess and said, "Lady Kome. Lady Kome. Lady Kome!"
Tomoe shake her a bit more before the head priestess opened her eyes before offing to Tomoe a key. "Take this." Kome said as she held the key for Tomoe. "You have to... succeed." Kome said before she closed her eyes for the last time.
Tomoe looked at her leader and mentor in shock as she saw the woman pass away in her very arms. Tomoe wanted to cry out in anguish but now as not the time for that. Sealing her emotions, the Priestess stood up and ran through the flames to where the sacred sword was stored away.
As she ran Tomoe was soon joined by the other priestesses as they joined her. "I'm going to the sanctuary!" Tomoe said as she ran with them.
"Yes Lady Tomoe." The priestess to Tomoe's right said confirming the order.
"Lady Tomoe, the intruder from before he's taken the Izanami Naginata and is out assisting the others." The Priestess to her left said which surprised Tomoe.
"Izanami's Naginata is free?!" Tomoe asked as she was grateful that the weapon was being used to aid them, she had concerns about those who would wield it. But she had little time to contemplate it further when more Koma Ninja appeared and started to attack. The Priestesses took defensive stances and fought back forcing the ninja's to back off.
"You fight well but it's nothing we can't defeat." Tomoe announced with great resolve in her strength and the strength of her fellow priestesses. "Go ahead and try to break through our defenses to reach the shrine! I promise we'll send you all to oblivion first!" Tomoe challenged as her fellow Priestesses joined up and were ready to fight to their last breath.
But then the Ninja's did something else. Their bodies broke down into black slime that formed up on each other taking a new form. The Priestesses were all shocked at the use of such dark magic. "What is this!?" Tomoe asked shocked at what she was seeing. The slime soon formed into one massive black frog creature that opened its yellow eyes upon them. It then proceeded to grow to titanic proportions until it touched the ceiling where it broke through.
(Meanwhile over with Shizuka)
Shizuka stood on the stone steps where she saw the massive frog creature tower over the flames. "What?" Shizuka asked shocked over what she was seeing. "Did they use some sort of black magic?" Shizuka asked but then it hit her on what they did. "No! That means they can never be human again!" Shizuka announced knowing full well that this transformation was a permanent one.
"Koma is now a Demon of War." A new voice spoke and from the shadows the leading Ninja stepped out. "We don't fear losing our humanity." The Shinobi said as he smirked down on Shizuka.
"Well, well so you're in charge now." Shizuka said to the ninja before her.
"That's right traitor I am." He said as he got down to it. "Since you abandoned Koma I had no choice but to rebuild it." He said and thus a new voice cut in.
"Gotta say pal." Came the voice of Dilan as he soon stepped onto the scene. "It's really an ugly ass vision." Dilan said as he then shrugged with an annoyed sigh. "And you guys call yourselves Ninja the giant toad isn't exactly subtle." Dilan said which caused the head ninja to glare at Dilan.
"What did you say?" He asked glaring at Dilan.
"You heard you guys are poor excuses for ninja." Dilan said pointing the Izanami's Naginata at the leading ninja.
"Watch your tongue cur or I shall remove it for you!" He said as Dilan had one useful gift, which was pissing people off with his smart aleck comments.
"Dude don't get your thong on a twist, I'm just spitting facts." Dilan said as he smirked at his foe. "Yeah, Shinobi are experts in the silent kill, but their chief and primary skill is espionage information gathering in service to their lords." Dilan said as he read up on Japanese History on the Shinobi master of Ninjitsu. "Work in the shadows to serve the lord that is a true Shinobi." Dilan went on as he recounted at least one bit of information that stuck to him.
Shizuka was surprised by Dilan words, as she knew what he was meaning. She had learned these things in her early ninja training from her old master before she defected after her master's death. However, many Koma ninjas thought that these ideas were simply outdated but she knew they held meaning as the ninja said, "Such thing are no good anymore, no one rely on the ninja anymore for such services anymore. If we follow such things, the Kumo ninja clan would have died down like a whisper in the wind, and we refuse to die as such!"
"Well, it seem you may just die anyways." Dilan said which served to annoy the leading Ninja. "I mean if your calling your old teaching outdated, then clearly your move set are as well" He went on continuing with his taunts. "I mean come on dude just I took down 30 of your guys without even trying before coming here, I mean seriously they always try to stab me in the back, and some did, thankfully I had a dragon scale armor on," Dilan said as he show off his back showing the damage some ninja has done which was only made scratches on it as the Shizuka was surprise by this as the ninja was getting angry at this as he said, "You dare mock the Kumo ninjas?!"
"Mocking them, oh no-no-no. I am just mocking you, and your stupidity," Dilan said before sticking his tongue out a bit before the ninja got angry as he calls out, "Come forth ninja warriors!"
In a blink of an eye, Dilan was surrounded by ninjas as he looked at this and said, "Oh hey an ambush party for me? You shouldn't have."
"Kill him!" the ninja leader said as all the ninjas came at Dilan as Shizuka was shocked by this and about to intervene until Dilan twirl his new weapon before swinging it around knocking back all the ninja with just the force of his swing alone as he said, "Come on, this is just a warmup for me."
"Wait that weapon, the forbidden spear the warrior priestesses held within their temple," the ninja leader said as he got a good look at the weapon itself before getting furiously angry and said, "How do you even have that weapon, someone like you shouldn't even be holding it!"
"Well for one thing, this spear was made from where I came from, so it was easy to understand why no one else can use it," Dilan said which shocks both the ninja and Shizuka, but what as he was meaning, the spear was from the white knight chronicles games but no one would understand what he meant so he was meaning where his avatar character came from which is who he is now, meaning he wasn't lying as he went on saying, "As for how I can use it, well for those who don't understand the properties of said weapon and try to use it are pretty much dumb asses, as one can only be chosen by the weapon by testing you're might, and I passed."
"I see then it will give me great pleasure taking that spear from your cold dead hand!" He called out and charged at Dilan. Dilan seeing this got ready as he knew the battle was about to start. Dilan dodged the initial strikes from his foe as he saw the guy was quick. But then Dilan dodged a blade strike with his spears shaft and then slid under his foe to trip his feet. He then swung the spear down only for the Koma Ninja to vanish causing Dilan to spin and punch the guy in the face.
"Like I said predictable." Dilan said with a smirk as his foe was sent tumbling to the ground but quickly righted himself. "Dude with the level of corruption in this country the Empress needed you guys now more than ever to not only gather the information but also deal with the corrupt nobles where the Warrior Priestesses couldn't." Dilan said as he pointed his spear at his foe. "But no, you guys just had to be a group of dicks with your heads stuck up each other's asses." Dilan went on as he smirked and pointed an accusing finger at the Koma Ninja.
The Koma Ninja snarled and went on the attack as Dilan clearly had a mouth and didn't know how to shut it up. "You guys have made yourselves into brainless mercenaries instead of the honor bound shadows who protect the land." Dilan said as he then blocked another attack. "The Warrior Priestesses are in the light protecting Hinomoto, but the Koma Ninja could have done the same from the shadows." Dilan said before pushing his foe back. "As they are now the Koma Ninja's are no better than common highway men." Dilan taunted as this Koma Ninja had enough of Dilan's cheek.
"You mock us yet she's the one who betrayed us!" The Koma Ninja accused as he glared at Dilan.
"Her? Nah she's more of a Koma Ninja then you can ever hope to be." Dilan said pointing his thumb over to Shizuka who was surprised by this. "If anyone here is a traitor it's your greedy little ass." Dilan said making it clear this guy was the problem and Shizuka might just be the solution.
"I'll make you regret your words!" He called out and went for the attack. Dilan saw how it was going to happen and in turn spun his spear about just as the guy vanish. Dilan smirked and then stepped to the side to avoid the attack from the trees. He then spun the spear and slammed it into the back of the Koma Ninja. This caused him to vanish and be replaced by a log before Dilan blocked an attack from behind.
"Stop spamming the move already." Dilan said as he glared at his foe before knocking him down. "Especially if it's not working." Dilan added as he made sure the Koma Ninja knew this attack wasn't going to work. Dilan began to walk away as he left the Koma Ninja on the ground and saw the fire burning afar with the frog at the center of it.
"It's getting bad." Shizuka said as she saw this.
"What a mess." Dilan said scratching his head a bit with a tired sigh. "Well still beats signing off on paperwork!" Dilan called out as he knew that it was time to stop playing around. "But if this fire keeps going nothing will be left." Dilan said and thus he had no choice but to use his ace in the hole.
"What do you plan to do?" Shizuka asked looking over to Dilan.
"The only thing I can do." Dilan said summoning the Dragon Knights Arch. "You may want to step back a bit, things are about to start popping." Dilan said and thus Shizuka did so and stepped back.
Dilan sighed as he then glared up at his foe before he focused his magic. "Here we go." Dilan said and in turn freed the ark allowing it to fly around him. "O Larvain, vermillion drake, leveler of ancient lands; grant me your power." Dilan invoked as the lasso belt that comprised the Dragon Knights Ark wrapped around his waist. "VERTO!" He invoked as the dragons maw bit down on the buckle causing it to flash to life.
The summoning circled appeared around Dilan as he slammed his open hand down on it. Once he did the energy burst forward as something rose behind him. Standing up tall Dilan crossed his arms over his head with his fists clenched before spreading them out. Behind him the Dragon Knight rose as Dilan hovered towards its ready for the two to become one. As Dilan's form was covered in energy, he slammed his fists together as the Dragon Knight mirrored his movement before he vanished into the vermillion armor. The Dragon Knights eyes flashed to life before Dilan drew the Knights trident and took a battle stance.
Shizuka was wide eyed at what she saw as she never thought something like this was possible. "What sort of power is this?" The head ninja asked as he had never seen something like the Dragon Knight before.
"Shizuka." Dilan said through the Dragon Knight. "You know more about this thing; your expertise might be needed." Dilan said as he then offered his free hand down to Shizuka.
Seeing what he wanted Shizuka ninja jumped onto his shoulder as she now stood next to his head. "Let's go!" She said and thus Dilan smirked to her.
"Might want to hold on!" Dilan said and soon she saw his wings spread. "These wings aren't just for show!" He added and thus to Shizuka's shock the Dragon Knight took flight. Shizuka cried out in shock and panic as this happened.
"No, you don't!" The leading Ninja called out as he threw a chain that then wrapped around the Knights foot taking him along for the ride.
(Back with the Warrior Priestesses)
The giant Frog Monster was towering over the Priestesses as they fought back hard. Throwing out sutras their power gathered and formed a sacred crest above the demon releasing purifying power down upon it. But their attack did little to stop the monster as it roared out and fired off acidic slime from its mouth.
"Look out!" One of the Priestesses cried out as they worked to block or dodge the slime. But when the slime hit some of them it began to melt through their sacred garb. Seeing the chance, the frog began its attack and let loose its tongue upon the girls. But before the tongue lash could hit its target the Dragon Knight flew down, landed, and blocked the attack with its arm causing the tongue to wrap around it. He then jumped towards his foe and proceeded to kick the toad between the eyes knocking it back.
Jumping back now freed the Dragon Knight took a battle stance ready to fight. "Ok you, wart covered slimeball pick on someone your own size!" Dilan called out glaring at the black toad before him.
"What is that thing?" one of the priestess said, as they all look up to see the giant humanoid dragon with the trident weapon as another priestess said, "Did the Kumo ninja also bring this thing here?"
"It can't be it just saved us against their creature," a third priestess said as Shizuka came down from the dragon as it suddenly spoken to them saying, "Hey, I don't know all about you priestesses, but you better stay clear, this is a battle between titans now."
The priestesses were shocked and surprise to hear Dilan voice coming from the creature, as he raise his weapon as he calls out, "Shizuka keep me cover as I take this thing down."
"No problem," Shizuka said as he look to the Kumo ninja leader who had join them on the flight it seemed that Dilan focus was on the giant toad and said, "Alright then you bootleg Gigas, show me what you got."
The toad crock a bit before it shot it tongue at the dragon knight as he deflects it before charging at the toad as he thrust his weapon only for the giant toad to leap out of the way before Dilan could land the strike as he said, "You not getting away that easily!"
He spread his wings out and flew after the giant toad as it was about to land on the priestesses only for it to get back away by the dragon knight. "Listen up ladies you need to grab what you can and book it out of here!" Dilan called out as he glared at his foe.
"We will not abandon the temple!" The Priestess said as she glared at the Dragon Knight.
"The Temple is lost and there is nothing honorable about dying a needless death!" Dilan called out as he then blocked an attack from the Demon Toad. "Escape, regroup, and live to fight another day!" Dilan called out as he then got ready. "I'll hold him off for as long as possible!" Dilan added and thus the priestess was about to argue but Tomoe jumped in.
"No, he's right, escape is our only option." Tomoe said but then put a comforting hand on the Priestesses shoulder. "We WILL reclaim this place but for now we need to leave." Tomoe said before the Priestess nodded.
"Yes Lady Tomoe." The Priestess said and thus followed Tomoe with the others as they escaped the scene.
Seeing the ladies escape Dilan smirked before swinging his spear at the toad and getting a hit in. However, to his surprise as the spear sort of bounce off its skin before the toad kicked the Dilan back as he fell back down skidding on the ground as the toad landed on the ground as well before Dilan said to it, "Oh you got some moves then? I got some too."
The dragon knight raise its weapon once before giving a battle cry before charging at it as the Toad crock again and came at the dragon knight as well.
(Shizuka)
Between Shizuka and the Kumo ninja leader as they leap at one another strike with their weapons and clash their weapons against one another as the created sparks that can be seen within a shadowy tree area as Shizuka said, "What are you doing? Cut this out. Do you know what's at stake, if the council get their way, Hinomoto is done for."
Suddenly the Koma ninja leader had wrap his chain weapon around Shizuka, pin her to the tree behind her as her breast are being pushes out with her nipples showing as the ninja leader step closer to Shizuka as he smile and said, "The only thing we ninja want is to is the opportunity to refine the art of killing to perfection. If Hinomoto does falls, we will simply move on to the next country."
He pulls on the chain to make it tighter for Shizuka as she seem to be struggling a bit as the Koma ninja leader goes on speaking as he said, "How well can they master our techniques, how much more can we improve them, the path of the ninja is one of bloodshed, and because you ran away, you will never be able to defeat me."
At that moment Shizuka went from struggling with the chain to laughing as she smile to this situation as, as if she were laughing to the irony of what she was hearing now as the ninja leader said, "What are you laughing about?"
"It's funny that you're so much liked me," Shizuka said as she meant in a past tense as then she looks at her former associate as she look at him and said, "That man, the one who turn into a dragon, he is right about something, no… more like he was right from the beginning."
"What are you talking about?" the ninja leader said as Shizuka soon explain as she said, "He is right, we were spy first, and assassins second, and instead of adapting to the changing world, we just fall back to only what we knew the only thing we could use for ourselves, is just killing… Now that I think about it, I think this is what the old master was fearing about as he once told me if we refuse to change ourselves, we will die out… maybe we would have served the royal family, we could have led a better path than bloodshed."
"Even now that fool still mocks me. Do you think you any better than us? You shed as much blood as we have before you have abandoned us, and you believe we can be better?!" the Koma ninja leader said angerly as Shizuka said, "I may spill blood in the past, but if we ninja can redeem ourselves maybe we can be better and beside…"
At that moment Shizuka vanish from the chains before appearing behind the ninja leader as she said, "You're not good enough to beat them. Dilan and lady Tomoe, as I could tell right away, he is stronger than me or any dark magic you and the Kumo ninja had used."
In the distant shows the dragon knight was battle the toad on equal footing as Dilan was hanging in there, but it was a matter if he can keep it up and make the finish blow before he get to exhausted, as Shizuka went on saying, "And for lady Tomoe, she is a lot stronger than you."
"You bitch!" the Koma ninja leader said as he turn to face Shizuka, as he held his weapon in hand tightly as it seem he was ready to end her.
(Meanwhile over with Tomoe)
Tomoe arrived at the storehouse where the sword was kept. With her was the other Priestesses Dilan had covered in their escape. "Kuchinawa." Tomoe said as she took the sword in her hands. She then tried to draw it but for some reason the sacred blade refused to leave its scabbard.
"Lady Tomoe, we need to leave now." One of the Priestesses said urgently to Tomoe.
"Wait we can't leave him behind!" Tomoe said as she then stood up tall.
"But lady Tomoe!" The Priestess began but Tomoe cut in.
"He is risking his own wellbeing for us the rest of you need to escape and I will rejoin you afterwards." Tomoe said making it clear that this was her mission. In turn Tomoe headed back out to assist Dilan in order to aid him against the demon he now faced.
(Meanwhile with the Dragon Knight)
The Dragon Knight clashed with the toad as fire was burning around them. Pointing his trident at the foe Dilan glared as he may have underestimated this opponent a bit. Just then talismans flew out and hit the Demon Toad causing explosions to rocket around its body nearly catching Dilan by surprise when they happened. "The fuck!?" Dilan asked and then looked to where they originated from.
From there Dilan saw Tomoe running into the battle gunning for the demon toad making him go wide eyed in shock. "Hey no get out of here!" Dilan called out trying to urge Tomoe to run away.
Tomoe ignored Dilan and proceeded to dodge a tongue lash from the toad. Tomoe then followed it up by running up the tongue and making her way for the eyes. But to Tomoe's shock her sword shattered against the toad causing her to gasp in shock. Left wide open Tomoe was helpless when the demon toad grabbed her with its tongue and proceeded to toss Tomoe across the area.
"Hey!" Dilan called out and thus with his Knight managed to catch Tomoe in his left hand. He then glared at her for her reckless action. "Are you out of your mind!?" Dilan yelled as he glared down upon Tomoe. "I told you to take those Priestesses and retreat!" Dilan yelled but Tomoe then glared up at him.
"I was not about to let someone else fight our battles!" Tomoe countered but Dilan had his own counter as well.
"You have another battle to fight in Gainos right?!" Dilan demanded as he reminded Tomoe of the bigger battle that needed to be fought. "Your people need you in Gainos to fight for them not dealing with small fry like this!" Dilan announced reminding Tomoe she had a bigger mission to worry about.
If Tomoe died here, then Hinomoto was doomed to ruin. Even if the Warrior Priestesses were to fall as long as Hinomoto survived then it was a worthy sacrifice. "Your right." Tomoe admitted knowing full well the Dragon was right. "But I need power... the power to defend my country." Tomoe said and in turn something happened. From within the Dragon Knight Izanami's Naginata began to awaken and in response the Kuchinawa began to awaken as well. Finally, the Dragon Knight began to give off its aura as the three powers complimented each other.
"Wow." Dilan said as he looked himself over feeling the sudden increase in power.
"Please Kuchinawa." Tomoe begged as she reached for the sword resting on her back. "Grant me the power to defend my country." She said as she began to pull the blade from its scabbard. "And defeat evil!" She announced and thus the sword Kuchinawa was freed from its scabbard.
"Oh, hell yeah!" Dilan called out as his aura began to shift to form a crimson Eastern Dragon which then roared in challenge.
"This is the blade that shall defeat evil." Tomoe called out and thus she and Dilan charged in for the attack. Tomoe charged and brought her sword down slicing the toad in two while Dilan threw his trident at the creature to skewer it. As the Trident flew towards its target it was covered by an aura making it look like a dragon as it did so. The two attacks caused a great flash of light as the Demon Toad was destroyed by both the Kuchinawa and the Dragon Knight.
(Back over with Shizuka)
Shizuka and her opponent passed by each other for a final strike of blades. When they landed the two stood there facing away from each other neither daring to glance over to the other. "You should be more careful because eventually those lofty words will fail you." The leader said as he knew how this fight had ended. "It's only a matter of time." He said before blood spewed from his body showing that he was the one who fell this day.
"I don't think so." Shizuka said as she then looked over towards the Dragon Knight and Tomoe. "She's fighting for something more than lofty words." Shizuka said as she smiled a bit. "When Hinomoto is in its most dire of states the Red Dragon will descend from the heavens and shine the light of salvation upon us." Shizuka said recalling the old nursery rhyme from her childhood.
The Dragon Knight stood there as it glared over towards where the castle was. He can't do anything for now, but it was clear to Shizuka that the Koma Ninja's were needed in this country. Shadowy deals and backdoor manipulations are in play to undermine the empress so the only way to counter that is for the Empress to acquire those who fights from and in the shadows.
(Scene Break the next day)
A boat was departing from the docks towards Gainos with Tomoe and Shizuka aboard. The Warrior Priestesses were able to escape and were in the process of regrouping so they can rebuild. They swore to retake their temple once they've had time to recover and lick their wounds. At the same time Tomoe was to begin her mission to become the Queen so she may use that power to save her people.
Shizuka was also accompanying Tomoe as the last of the Koma Ninja's. She had a job to do and that was to follow Dilan's advice and rebuild the Koma Ninja, but she needed to lay low for a while. "Well, it's just you and me for now, Lady Tomoe." Shizuka said with a smile towards Tomoe. "One incredible adventure is on the horizon." Shizuka added almost excited to see what Gainos had to offer.
"That's true." Tomoe said agreeing with her friend.
"Though we'd be better off if we knew about the land we were going to." Shizuka said and thus a new voice cut in.
"Well good thing you have me." Dilan said as he was here as their guide through Gainos. In exchange they'll escort him back to his town so he can deal with Marianne for her little prank.
"I do have a few questions, is it true that the Western people sleep by doing handstands?" Tomoe asked as Dilan was surprised by that.
"No and I don't think anyone has ever done that." Dilan said as he wondered what sort of scroll Tomoe had even read.
"Oh, what's this about the Wester Greeting, May Blessings be upon you oh Godly person." Tomoe said but Dilan cut her off.
"Ok what dust covered scroll did you read that from because people haven't used that greeting in years!" Dilan said as Tomoe had it on her.
"This is the one." Tomoe said taking the scroll as Dilan took it and sighed.
"This is going to be a long trip." Dilan said knowing that headaches may be upon him. "I'm starting to feel like a tour guide." Dilan said realizing where this was going for him.
(TBC)
ESKK: Second chapter is done I hope that you all enjoyed it. Now then we'll start working on chapter 3 but until then be sure to leave a review and until the next chapter, ja-ne.