Hey everyone! Kamen Rider Duelist here for another chapter of Silent Magi's Apprentice! We're here for this second half of this Amazoness arc! The lines are drawn and we're gonna see who wins this bout! So let's not waste any more time and get into this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! All creative rights belong to Kazuki Takahashi.
The next day had arrived too soon as the first rays of sun peeked through the window of the guest hut Kuromu was staying at. He opened his eyes when the light hit them, staring at the straw roofing above him. He looked to his right, seeing Nia and Ruby curled up against each other, sleeping right next to him on the other pillow. He smiled softly seeing them sleep soundly. Despite the two fighting each other over the pettiest of things, they still look after each other, even if it is for Kuromu's sake. They would put aside their differences for him.
Sitting upwards, and with a stretch to loosen up, he walked over to a nearby jug that was in his room, taking a cup as he scooped up water that was within it and drank it down to quench his thirst and have something in his stomach for now until breakfast would be ready.
Stepping out of his hut, he noticed the village was quiet. Even though it was first light, it was still early. Only a few Amazoness women were out and about, doing early morning chores. Some took notice and gave a gentle wave to him before continuing on with their tasks.
"I wonder what everyone else is doing…" He said to himself, before he decided to walk around. He eventually came across one of the guest hut… particularly Chocolate Magician Girl's hut. It was quiet. He wondered if he should look in and see if they're awake, but another part of him said he shouldn't, due to… last night.
But he got his wish as the blinds to the hut were pushed open as Tiria yawned and stretched, wearing nothing but a robe around her body, even said robe revealing a good amount of cleavage. She then took notice of the young mage.
"Oh, you're one of Chocolate's friends? Good morning." Tiria smiled sweetly.
"Ah, morning." Kuromu greeted back. "Tiria… right?"
"Yes, that would be me." She nodded with confirmation.
"Is… Chocolate still…"
"Yes, she is." Tiria said, though she was blushing with a smile, looking embarrassed.
"Must've been one eventful night…" He muttered, before clearing his throat.
"We were apart for about almost two years at this point. We needed the contact." Tiria noted.
"Yes, understandable." Kuromu said, before his nose tickled from the scent coming from their hut. "Quite understandable that you needed each other… given, well… I shouldn't say any more."
The Amazoness Spiritualist giggled softly, "True indeed… I hope you have someone like that in your life. Because they just make you feel so alive…" She sighed happily, gently looking behind her for a moment.
"So I've heard." Kuromu nodded, looking in and seeing Chocolate fast asleep, the blanket draped over her natural form.
"Truly… I can't thank you enough not only for bringing me my beaming moon back to me, but helping us as well… We'll truly be in your debt." Tiria bowed to him with respect.
"Please, there's no need for thanks." Kuromu reassured her. "If anything, I should be thanking you and your tribe. I felt responsible for these events, placing the burden on you and your fellow sisters for Darkbishop's actions. Yet your Empress was kind and gracious enough to look the other way, finding no fault within me."
"Hm? Correct me if I'm wrong, but… How are you responsible? You're not a child of the monster or anything. So why apologize?" She questioned, confused by his words.
"It's… rather complicated." Kuromu said.
"Hmm… Well, if that's the case." She said before walking back into the hut, only to walk out after a few moments and handed him what looked to be some kind of gem with vines and flowers around it.
"What's this?" Kuromu asked curiously.
"A good luck charm I made. One that was crafted from a falling star. It'll bring you good luck, peace of mind, and calm dreams." Tiria smiled softly, handing it to him, placing it into his hands with her own. "Whatever trials you may face, know that the ancestors of our tribe will be your guide. Myself included."
"Tiria…" Kuromu said, before closing his eyes. "Thank you, I…"
He then felt something soft pressed against his forehead. As it seemed the Amazoness Spiritualist pulled him in and kissed his forehead, after holding his face. "Just do your best and focus on the present and future… never the confusion of the past that you have no connection with."
Kuromu couldn't help but smile, "I can see why Chocolate loves you so much…"
"Indeed, so don't get any ideas, Kuromu." Chocolate said, now walking up to them as she hugged her girlfriend from behind with a sly smirk. "She's mine, you already have Shizuka and Lemon to contend with."
"Heh, yeah, I know." Kuromu chuckled.
"Kuromu?"
The Eclipse Alchemist turned around to see the Silent Magician approaching them.
"Sensei, good morning." Kuromu greeted his teacher.
"I heard you were put through the alchemist ring with Galia… I worried you would not get enough sleep."
"I'm alright. I… managed to expel the potion she forced me to drink before hand." Kuromu smiled sheepishly.
"Hehe, then I hope you will have enough to eat soon." Shizuka giggled softly. "Amazonian cuisine is quite different compared to the food you are used to eating."
"There's nothing I can't handle." Kuromu said, before his stomach started growling, "I think that's the sign for us to head over to the Great Hall." He then turned to Chocolate and Tiria. "Care to join us?"
"We'll meet you two there. We do need to dress up." Chocolate pointed out to their almost nude bodies.
"R-Right. We'll see you there."
Shizuka smiled, taking her apprentice's hand and lead him towards the Great Hall. "You were looking rather happy meeting Tiria."
"Just… getting to know her." Kuromu stated, keeping the good luck charm in his pocket.
"I am happy you are wanting to mingle with the country and its culture. Much more exciting than behind potion fumes, no?" Shizuka giggled softly, teasing the boy.
"Hahahaha… yeah, I guess that's true." Kuromu laughed, before smiling fondly. "Still… at least I know there's still good people in this world. Knowing that gives me peace of mind." He then leaned on Shizuka, his head being on her shoulder. "Especially if that good person is someone whom I cherish dearly."
Shizuka smiled before, she too laid her head against him. "As do I, my apprentice…" After a bit of relaxing like this, they were ready for a nice breakfast to get everyone energized and full for the coming day.
Chapter 19: Battle For Survival
Meanwhile, within the deeper parts of Amzonia's jungle, the other faction was preparing for war. If one were to peer into the lives of the Amazons in this village, in contrast to Hiltritea, the old Amazonia capital of Tuhrutavare, was not welcoming. While its walls were fortified by the logs much like its sister city, this one was much more intimidating, as the face of the walls had more spikes than ever. The doors that led inside were made of refined magical ore. If one were to look inside, the old capital had seen better days.
On the throne of this one was a much more vicious leader, one that was biting down on a freshly cooked boar leg, angered and annoyed. She had deep blue hair with an eyepatch covering her right eye with a slight visible scar still peaking out from it. Tattoos laying on her left side of her body as she wore a tribalistic outfit with as her breastplate had teeth laying on top of it as it would be bad to get bodied by her while he animal pelt loincloth showed markings depicting her kill count as she carried a more jagged sword in hand as wrappings around her forearms and shin showed her ferocity in combat.
She had recently been informed from the Amazoness Scouts that the Amazoness Empress had gained new allies, just as her… associate had predicted with their magic.
"Damn it… Just when will that bastard give me his army as he promised?!" The Amazon Queen sneered, throwing the boar leg at a slave girl nearby in frustration.
When she first met them, she was skeptical and her stubborn nature refused the outsiders' help. However, when her associate demonstrated their power and offered their services, she begrudgingly accepted. If it meant keeping their traditions, they would have to use any means necessary.
Yet since then, there hasn't been any word on such forces to help end the rebellion that started nor bring her people back together. If things doesn't go as planned, she'll have no choice but to just march over and fight the Empress and take her head.
Coming into the tent was another Amazoness. This one was tall with wild spiky black hair that was somehow managed in a ponytail. Her body was really ripped, wearing a baby blue sleeveless bra cloth over her chest, with leather and studs segmenting her abs, while also wearing a skimpy baby blue skirt around her waist, wearing bandages over her legs and knees. This was the Amazoness Fighter.
"Speak." The Amazoness Queen grunted.
"Our spies have come back… It seems these outsiders were brought here by that old wizard, Endymion." Fighter had informed. "And they're also accompanied by none other than The Royal Flush Knights."
"Che… of course that coward of an Empress would rely on outsiders to help them win their battles." The Amazoness Queen snarled. "They've forsaken their pride as true warriors and made themselves weak. It's disgusting."
"What should we do, Your Highness?"
"Before I answer that, answer me this. What do we know of these outsiders?" Amazoness Queen inquired.
"Most of them are mages, with two able to do alchemy. As well as a pixie and some kind of cat companion with a gem stone on its tail."
The Amazoness Queen's eyes widened, "A Crystal Beast? Impossible. They were sealed!"
"That is what the spies told me, Your Highness."
"Who is the owner of that Crystal Beast?"
"A male, one that seems to be an apprentice to The Silent Magician." The Amazoness Fighter revealed.
Now this piqued the Queen's interest. "So… it's him that our associate seeks."
"Yes, and from what we've heard, his power allows him to use the sun and moon at his beckoning in tandem with his alchemy."
"Really now? Has there been any showing of such power?" The Amazoness Queen questioned, with her curiosity peaked.
"Not as of yet. But I'm sure he will reveal his secret eventually."
"Then he shall be one we must capture alive. The rest can perish with that traitor and my foolish daughter." The Queen ordered, showing she has no longer any quarrels of having her own flesh dying.
"Understood." Amazoness Fighter bowed. "How are we to capture this male alchemist?"
"Have Chain Master subdue him."
"And when we capture him, what then?"
"We will see if the spies were telling the truth… and if he can control the sun and moon? Then we'll have a special ritual to use… One that can bring forth one of the sealed Phantom Demons…"
Amazoness Fighter looked surprised, "My Queen, surely you-"
"There is no need to worry. I'm not expecting him to draw out all three. One will be sufficient enough. And besides…" The Amazoness Queen licked her lips. "While this goes against our traditions, I can make an exception with this one. The only male allowed here as my pet. And one I certainly intend to bed before the ritual takes place."
"A-As you order…" Amazoness Fighter bowed before leaving the hut to give the orders.
Back in Hiltritea, a grand feast of breakfast was taking place. Everyone in the village had gathered in the Great Hall for their daily meal. After the hunters had returned, and eviscerated the insides of their hunt, they cooked with vigor and passion. Once it was done, they called all of their sisters to join in on their bounty.
Kuromu certainly had the appetite as he was quite impressed with Amazonian cuisine. There was a lot of meat to go around and he couldn't help but grab seconds. It was just that delicious.
"I never knew pork could be cooked this way!" Kuromu said, as he kept eating. "The flavors are so savory and the sauces and fruit complement it so well!"
"Hehe, why thank you Kuromu. Glad to see you have an appetite after what you hurled up from what I've heard." The Empress cackled out.
"I'll take this over frog warts, tadpole jelly, spider eyes, and a dash of cat vomit, any day!"
"But it gave you your energy! It worked!" Galia said, offended.
"Yeah, but you could've told me that what you put in there was a secret." Kuromu pointed out. "If you didn't tell me, I probably would've been more inclined to help you, so that's your fault."
"Mmmmmmm…" Galia pouted, before going back to eating her food.
"Regardless, we should go over our strategy against the Amazoness Queen." Queen's Knight informed. "After this, of course."
"Right. Talking strategy over breakfast isn't good table conversation and it would make me lose my appetite." Kuromu suggested.
"If you insist." The Empress shrugged but agreed to wait until after their meal.
When the feast was done, the villagers made way with cleaning up while the Amazoness Empress started the meeting. Kuromu, Shizuka, Chocolate, Lemon, Mana, Galia, Nia, Ruby, and the Three Royal Flush Knights, along with Tiria were present in this meeting. They were to discuss how to battle the Amazoness Queen and her faction.
"Now that we have filled our bellies, it's time that we officially begin this war council." The Amazoness Empress declared. "To inform you all, the Queen is very ruthless and cruel. She holds no regard for others and will use them as fit or take out the opponent by any means…"
"Many of our sisters on both sides have lost her lives due to her cruelty… So do what you can to win… even if that could mean striking down our sisters." Tiria informed the group, even if it seemed they would rather not kill their own kind. "All of this started because her daughter decided to mingle with a man from the outside world."
"Master Endymion mentioned something about that." Kuromu mused. "Is she… here?"
"Yes, but currently in a hidden location that we'd rather not talk about… You never know what ears could be listening in." The Empress nodded, "It was to protect her, her husband… and their child."
"They have already eloped and are expecting?" Shizuka asked, surprised, not expecting this development.
"Correct. But because of The Queen and her ways, she doesn't recognize their union as something to be worth protecting… even going as far as to say that she'll fall if she joins us." The Empress informed them.
"That's so cruel." Chocolate Magician Girl said horrified. "No one should be restricted from who they love. Especially with a child!"
"Indeed, especially with her ideology of 'the strong must only survive'. If she can't see the princess's husband as one? She'd rather kill him instead… and now with a child on the way? She'd rather start over with her heir." The Empress stated.
"Despicable…" The Jack's Knight spat out. "It's all the more reason that this conflict reaches its end with our victory."
"Agreed. And with whatever agreement she now has with the monster, I'd rather ask for help to ensure the survival of our people." The Empress noted.
"How shall we proceed then?" Sirius asked.
"Silent Magician, if you would?" The Empress gestured.
Shizuka nodded and waved her staff towards the ground. Magical motes of light gathered around their circle before forming an astral projection of a map between Hiltritea and another village a mile apart. "The Amazoness Queen and her faction are here in the old capital, Tuhrutavare. As you can see, it is very well fortified."
"Yeesh, talk about being armed to the teeth." Galia commented.
"Kyuu, kyuu…" Ruby Carbuncle nodded in agreement.
"The buildings have seen better days…" Lemon muttered. "It's like a hurricane ran through it. Everything's all over the place."
"Just shows how much she only cares for her beliefs in the strong over anything else." The Empress noted.
"So where can we infiltrate this village?" Mana asked, walking around the map, from every angle. "I mean there should be some sort of weak point."
"Sadly, the only entrance other than the sky is the main entrance… We have to ensure there are no weak points so intruders or attackers won't charge into a blind spot and take us by surprise." The Empress revealed.
"What if we distract them with bait?" Nia suggested. "Get them something to chase after while another group infiltrates the place?"
"The only 'bait' that they'd accept is the Princess. And there's no way I will let her be involved in this war until its over." The Empress shook her head, denying such a thought.
"…What if it's me, that's the bait?" Kuromu asked, much to their shock.
"Kuromu, you-"
"I know, it's risky. But the Darkbishop wants me. He only cares about himself and will use people as a means to an end of getting me. So if I become a distraction for them to chase after, a separate group can enter the old capital, and you can take the Queen by surprise."
"But Kuro! We can't just have you be some sacrificial idol!" Mana frowned, not liking this idea either.
"Did you forget who's contracted to me?" Kuromu asked.
"Kyuu, kyuu!" Ruby Carbuncle affirmed, hoping on his shoulder and holding up a paw.
"Hmm… that is true… with this Crystal Beast and its power to summon the others of its kind? That could give us a proper distraction to break in." The Empress pondered, "But if we do this… you should know one other thing that we have in our possession…"
"What would that be?" Seria inquired.
The Empress remained silent for a little bit before sighing, "We have… the scrolls and stone tablets of the Three Phantom Demons…"
"What?" Shizuka gasped.
"Oh no…" Mana groaned in dismay.
"Phantom Demons?" Kuromu frowned.
"They're monsters… creatures made long ago by none other than the horror that was Tragoedia. You could say he was the reason Darkbishop came to be." The Empress sighed, "During his evil reign, he created three monsters, to counter the Egyptian Gods. But thanks to the one who wields their power, he destroyed Tragoedia and sealed them away. Our tribe has been the sole protector of their scrolls and stone prisons so that they may never see the light of day."
"Oh no… nonononononono… Master Endymion is not going to like this… oh gods no…" Mana murmured in horror, face pale.
"If the Queen finds a way to unleash them… Our world could be more at risk than just letting Darkbishop Archfiend do as he wishes… And while we have no idea on how the seals could be broken… there is a legend of one with a type of blood that could break the seal…" The Empress revealed.
"My blood…" Kuromu realized.
"The blood he siphoned with the Byser Shock…" Shizuka gasped.
"Correct… which means she'll try to use you to unleash the Phantom Demons… because if it was as simple as just using what was taken? We would've seen them unleashed already… which means there's more to it than simply using his blood."
"It would require a ritual of sorts," Tiria pondered in thought.
"Whatever that ritual is? You must do your best to not go along with it, boy." King's Knight stated as he looked at him, "Otherwise… I will have to do what is required of me to prevent them from fully being unleashed…"
"Brother, surely you-" Seria began.
"We were given an oath, sister. If these monsters are unsealed, we must do what it takes to prevent them from gaining more power… So yes. If that means killing this young mage? I shall do so, for the greater good of the world."
"…" The Queen's Knight remained silent. As much as it pained her, he was telling the truth. They took an oath to protect the world for the greater good. Even if it means doing something they don't like.
"Can't we just dig our way?" Lemon Magician Girl suddenly asked.
…
…
…
"What?" Lemon Magician Girl looked at everyone.
"Digging… that is something else." The Empress noted, "Even if there are roots, underground creatures and material underneath, that is one way they can't predict our movements."
"Wow Lemon, I guess you could come up with a good plan once in a while." Chocolate Magician Girl stated, almost mockingly.
"Hey~!"
"The question is now… where to dig and how far can we make it?" Seria questioned.
"The distance between our village and the old capital is five miles apart." The Amazoness Empress said. "There is something of a halfway checkpoint where most of our battles took place. So far no one hasn't broken through the others' defenses."
"So we split into two groups." Soren said. "One group distracts the Amazoness Queen's faction at the checkpoint, while another digs underground and makes the rest of the way over to the old capital. Whoever is digging these tunnels, however, needs to ensure that the surface above is not disturbed as you dig."
"We'll focus on who goes where and make sure we have enough fighters to spare to defend the village." The Empress offered.
"Sounds good to me." Kuromu nodded.
"In the meantime, make preparations. We'll reconvene in three hours. This war council is adjourned." the Amazoness Empress said. And with this, the group dispersed to make preparations.
"Kuromu…" Shizuka trailed off as they walked away from the Great Hall.
Kuromu sighed, "I know, it was reckless of me to suggest that kind of plan…"
"I know you want to be of help… but if it ever involves Darkbishop, we cannot allow anything to happen to you… We may never know if he is already here waiting for you…" Shizuka frowned softly.
"I'm sorry…" He apologized. "I should've thought more into this."
The Silent Magician smiled softly, pulling her apprentice into a side hug, "It is alright… I am only worried about you… I know you have become stronger, but you are still my apprentice. Focus on the future you want,"
"I thought I was a Sage." Kuromu chuckled.
"True, but you will always be my adorable apprentice."
"Heh, yeah, I guess so." Kuromu chuckled again.
The Amazoness Queen strode across her capital, observing her Amazonians going about their preparations for war. Everything seemed to be in order. One way or another, she was going to end this civil war with her victory. And to ensure that victory, she made it a point to visit the Amazoness Spellcaster and have her look into the future.
Going into a hut, there was an Amazoness sitting at the fire, meditating. She was a somewhat older woman but is wise beyond her years, despite the grey hairs and wrinkles on her face. She wore a purple robe with a pointy hood, the hood itself adorned with teeth and bones and had natural jewelry on her person, a red jewel with a spider-frame made of bone embedded on her forehead.
"Spellcaster… how goes preparations?" The Queen asked the magic user.
"It is nearly complete." The Amazoness Spellcaster said.
"Good… just keep the chant going when the fighting starts. This needs to be completed once I get him here."
"Yes Your Highness."
"Were you also able to commune with the Phantom Demons?"
"Yes. The Lord of Searing Flames is willing to assist us in this endeavor."
"Excellent… with his fire, he'll wipe out the rebels." The Queen grinned, knowing that they'll have a trump card.
"Be forewarned however, the Eclipse Alchemist is more powerful than you estimate him to be. Your discretion is key to your success."
"Hmph, he is just a boy. He'll submit and then our race will be secured." The Queen huffed with arrogance before walking away.
The Amazoness Spellcaster merely shook her head. "Queen you may be, you are a foolish one at that. Your arrogance and pride will be your downfall if you do not take caution."
The Amazoness Spellcaster simply continued the ritual, even if her doubts about doing this were affecting her heart.
At last preparations were done.
With the order of the Amazoness Empress, the small army marched their way towards the old capital. It consisted of two groups. The first group, which will lead the underground assault, had Kuromu, Shizuka, Nia, Ruby, Mana, Chocolate, Lemon, Tiria, and Galia.
The second group will be the decoy group consisting of Amazoness Golden Whip Master, Amazoness Silver Sword Master, Amazoness Paladin, Amazoness Sage, Amazoness Swords Woman, and Amazoness War Chief, alongside their Pet Liger and Tiger among others of their army. Including the Royal Flush Knights, and the Amazoness Empress herself.
"Kuro… are you sure you're okay with this?" Mana questioned.
"I'll be fine." Kuromu nodded, smiling softly. "I have all of you protecting me. We just gotta stick with the plan."
"Just be careful…" Shizuka said with worry.
"Kyuu, kyuu~!" Ruby Carbuncle cooed, raising her paw.
"She's right, you still have her and me to count on!" Nia smiled.
"We're almost there." The Amazoness Empress said. "The checkpoint is just beyond these trees."
But as the group moved forward, the Royal flush Knights reacted soon jumping in as they deflected what looked to be darts.
"We have company!"
Everyone was on guard as the decoy team immediately dashed on ahead of the underground team, to meet the traitorous sisters.
"Galia, smokescreen potion!" Kuromu called out.
"On it!" Galia said before smashing a vial on the ground as a purple smoke cloud covered the area.
"As Source of Thy Power, I Order Thee! Decipher the Laws of Creation! Burrow into the earth and disturb not the laws of the earth! Earth Cultivator!"
His magic gathered rock and dirt towards him before producing a stone drill of sorts which then spun rapidly, and dug into the ground, deep enough so that the surface wasn't disturbed. "Get in!" He said before jumping into the hole.
The task force for this mission soon jumped in after him, only for then the young mage to seal up the entrance to continue on with their plan with the others up top being a distraction.
As the stone drill continued to dig, Shizuka used her magic to turn their tunnel into bricks of concrete to line the walls, ceiling, and floor of their tunnel.
"That's nifty." Lemon commented.
"Just know its still going to be a long trip before we reach the old capital." Mana reminded them. "So for now, we have to keep going as the Flush Knights and The Empress hold off the Queen's forces."
"Don't worry, I got stamina potions if you ever get tired or if your legs feel like jelly!" Galia said, holding up several bottles.
"Those better not be the same ones you fed me!" Kuromu snapped.
"But it worked~!"
"Enough chatter, you two. Stay focused on the mission." Shizuka said, as she continued building the tunnel that the stone drill is carving through.
Back on topside, the fighting had already started the moment the smoke cloud faded. Clashes of swords, spear, war cries and bodies began appearing on the battlefield. The Empress stood tall as a beacon to earn the attention of the Queen's forces.
"The Queen demands your death!" The Amazoness Fighter declared as she rushed towards the Empress to deal a devastating punch, only to be blocked by the flat side of the Empress's blade.
"Fighter… Such a shame one as prideful as you can't see that the Queen is going to cause our extinction." The Empress frowned.
"The Queen has no need for new tradition! We have survived for centuries with the blood and sweat of our ancestors' ways, so why change it now?!"
"The Princess saw the inevitability that we'll fade within time. We will be doomed by our own hands if we do not expand our hand to the outside world!" The Empress frowned at Fighter's denial.
Just then a chain with a bladed tip was sent towards the Empress, only for the latter to dodge out of the way. The perpetrator for this attack was an Amazoness Trainee. "You even roped the Chain Master's daughter into the Queen's schemes?" The Empress asked.
"Glory to the Queen! We will make sure you traitors know their place!" Trainee grinned as she twirled her chain weapon and threw it again, wrapping it around the Empress's blade and attempting to pull it away from its owner.
"You naive child, don't you see you've been poisoned with the Queen's honeyed words of deceit?!"
"We haven't been poisoned one bit! We just know she's right! After all, without her even you wouldn't have gotten as strong as you are now!" The Trainee stated.
"Strength is only needed when appropriate. I found the appropriate strength to break away from the Queen the moment she decided to ally herself with the Dark One!"
"You're just scared! Scared of the power and might we'll have once this war is over with!"
The Empress frowned with disgust and disappointment, "You are such a child… to be easily swayed by such words without even knowing the outcome it could bring…"
"Raaaaaaagh!" Amazoness Fighter lunged forward about to punch, only to be stopped by the Amazoness Paladin. "Stay out of my way!"
"You will be facing me… The only one the Empress shall fight is the traitorous Queen!" Amazoness Paladin proclaimed, "Go Empress! We'll handle these ones!"
"Very well!" The Amazoness Empress said before unwrapping the chains coiled around her blade and running off.
"Get over here!" The Trainee said, throwing her chain again, only for it be deflected by the Amazoness Paladin.
"As I've said, you'll be facing me…" Paladin reminded.
"I'll join in this fight, sister." Amazoness Golden Whip Master said, as she arrived.
"Teacher!" The Amazoness Trainee gasped.
"Trainee… its a shame you chose the wrong side." Whip Master frowned.
Meanwhile…
"HYAH!" King's Knight bashed an Amazonian with his shield before knocking out another with the pommel of his sword.
"Cowards! Have you no shame in hitting a woman?!" An Amazonian snapped.
"A warrior is a warrior, why should it matter what you are?" Sirius questioned the Amazonian. "My blade will strike down any foe I deem to face."
"Hyah! Hah! Raaagh!" Queen's Knight slashed at the Amazonians with her blade, breaking their shields before bashing their heads with her helmet.
"Fellow warrior! Why fight against us? The Queen will gladly welcome someone as strong as you to our rankings!" One Amazonian questioned.
"Apologies, but my allegiance is with the True King. And you shall not sway me otherwise!" Seria said.
"Him? That old relic? HAH! Once the Phantom Beasts are ours, he'll be the first one we destroy! Then all will fear the Amazons!"
*WHAM!*
The Amazonian was knocked out by the Jack's Knight.
"Don't these women ever keep their mouths shut?" Soren asked.
"We Amazons are very vocal after all." One of the allied Amazonians spoke up.
"So I've noticed."
"Is everyone well?" the Amazoness Silver Sword Master asked, approaching them.
"Yes, we are." Seria nodded.
"Good, we need to keep this up. If we even show any falter, they could pick up on our plans and counter us. So give it everything you got." Silver Sword Master ordered.
"Yes…" Sirius nodded, though he looked concerned.
"What ails you, brother?" Soren asked.
"Don't you find it strange? The Amazoness Queen is nowhere to be found." Sirius noticed.
"Most likely she's at the old capital… Our Empress is heading there as we speak to distract her." Silver Sword Master informed. "But how is it strange?"
"Doesn't the Queen usually accompany her army?" Sirius questioned.
"Only when she knows she can win it…" The Silver Sword Master frowns. "It is why I gave up following her over our Empress. She is a true leader… the queen is just an animal."
"That I can agree with." The Golden Whip Master said, as she approached with Paladin, carrying an unconscious Trainee over her shoulders.
"Ah, I see you have bested your student. Good, the less bodies the better." The Silver Sword Master smiled, knowing some are being beaten and captured instead of killed in battle.
"Indeed, she is in need of much instruction." The Golden Whip Master nodded.
"Those who have captured our foes, take them back to base and lock them up! Those injured will follow suit! Everyone else, keep fighting!" The Silver Sword Master ordered the allied Amazonians.
"For our Empress!" The allied Amazonians roared.
"How much longer?" Lemon whined as they kept going and running, thanks to the stamina potions that Galia kept giving them.
"Quit your whining, it shouldn't be that far now!" Chocolate groaned.
"But I'm getting even more dirty!" Lemon pouted.
"You have magic to clean yourself…" Mana said dryly.
"But its not the same as a shower…" Lemon whimpered. "Ku~ro? Can you help me out when we get to one?"
"No…" Kuromu deadpanned. "I'm not that desperate."
"Even if I let you scrub me~?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Kyuuu~" Ruby Carbuncle muttered dryly.
"She just never gives up…" Nia sighed, shrugging helplessly.
"That's how she's always been when she falls for someone…" Mana sighed, shaking her head.
Shizuka meanwhile kept focused on building the tunnel with concrete bricks using her magic until the stone drill stopped in place, prompting them to stop. "It seems that we are here." She said, as the stone drill crumbled into pieces.
"Are we?" Kuromu turned to Tiria.
The Amazoness Spiritualist closed her eyes and used her magic senses briefly, before opening them up. "Yes. We're just above the old capital."
"Good, now we just need to be careful here."
Kuromu looked around before closing his eyes to sense the magic around him, until he noticed something. "I sense groundwater. It leads to an old well. We could probably get out from there."
"Proceed carefully, who knows if we will be spotted or not."
Using his magic, Kuromu carefully dug towards the side of the wall, slowly but surely, before they hit water, which came out and wet the concrete ground. They then looked through the hole and lo and behold there was a cave. He went through the well and noticed that the cave was big enough for a well of water. He looked up and saw their exit, seeing the open sky. "I found it. We can get out through here."
"Good, now we just gently fly up." Mana nodded.
With a nod, Kuromu used his Wind Magic to float up to the top of the well. Looking left and right, he saw the ruined village, but there was no one in sight. "All clear." He whispered, before jumping out of the well. Soon the others followed suite as each one quietly exited the well before they started moving from place to place in the old capital to avoid detection.
"This place gives me the creeps…" Nia muttered.
"It feels so dead…" Mana frowned softly.
"The Amazoness Queen is a ruthless woman…" Tiria said. "She doesn't care who lives or who dies so long as she rules as she pleases…"
"Kyuu…" Ruby Carbuncle murmured.
"Well now that we're here, we can end this feud." Lemon said boastfully.
"Don't get too cocky, Lemon. We're not even at their palace yet." Chocolate pointed out.
"Please, we could just storm there right now and end this." Lemon puffed her cheeks out.
"Is she always this simple?" Galia deadpanned.
"Yup." Kuromu answered with half-lidded eyes.
"Say… isn't it a bit… too quiet?" Nia pointed out to them.
"You are right. It is rather strange." Shizuka frowned.
The group kept on running from place to place, hiding amongst the buildings until they were close to the old capital's palace. Once they looked to see that there was no one in sight, the group made their way towards the large building. However…
"Looks like you fell into my trap, intruders…" A booming voice called out as several thorns and vines shot out of the ground, wrapping around the group and holding them down.
"Urk! What the-" Kuromu gritted his teeth.
"Hey let us go! It hurts!" Nia cried out.
Several Amazons soon came out, brandishing weapons at them while one took out a whip and lashed it out, wrapping some kind of collar around Kuromu as it glowed purple and intensely shocked him.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Kuromu!" Shizuka gasped.
"Seems you fools thought we would be too busy to notice someone entering from the ground…" the voice called out as walking out from the shadows was of course the Amazoness Queen, smirking boastfully. "Well done, Chain Master. You've served me well."
"Thank you, my queen."
"I'll be sure to reward you tonight in my bed." She smirked.
"I-I would be most honored!" Amazoness Chain Master smiled almost manically, a blush being on her face.
"Let us go!" Mana growled, struggling.
"I don't listen to outsiders… Now, bring the boy to the Alter of Phantoms… The chant has just finished." The Queen ordered, "As for the rest? Do what you wish…"
"Kyuuuuuuuuuuuu~!" Ruby Carbuncle cried out as she glowed red, sending a signal. On cue, an orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet beam of light came crashing down, surrounding the group and the Crystal Beasts appeared.
"So… it is true… you do have the Crystal Beasts at your beck and call." The Queen noted, amused by the presence of the legendary gem monsters.
"Get your filthy hands off of our Master!" Amethyst Cat growled, before pouncing on the Chain Master, prompting the woman to let go and loosen the chains, causing Kuromu to cough.
"Ergh… I got this…!" Galia gritted as she pulled out a bottle of acid and poured it on the vine, prompting it to melt and disintegrate the vines holding them down.
"Take them down, sisters! Kill all but the boy!" the Queen growled.
"Then you'll face me!" The Amazoness Empress shouted, as she leaped off of her tiger, landing next to the others.
"Your Excellency!" Kuromu gasped.
"Are you alright, boy?" She asked.
"Yeah… I'll be fine." Kuromu got out, before getting into a fighting stance. "Let's deal with these harlots and be done with it!"
"Actually, I need you to do something else, Kuromu…" the Empress said, looking to him but with a slight grimaced face, "You need to head into that Alter… and destroy the tablets of the Phantom Beasts with your strongest spell… With the chant finished, they simply need to take your blood to summon them. But… at this state, they're vulnerable too… If you strike first, this war can end."
"But isn't that already putting him in danger?" Nia questioned.
"It is… but if we don't do this now? We'll lose the fight…"
"I…"
"Kuromu, go!" Shizuka called out, fighting off an Amazoness.
"Shizuka-sensei?" Kuromu gasped.
"We can hold them off, but you have to do it! Please… the fate of our world rests in your hands… We cannot allow a single instance of the Phantom Demons to reawaken."
Kuromu stared at her for a while, before nodding, "Understood!"
"Tiria… go with him…!" Chocolate gritted, using her magic to produce a barrier to block another Amazoness's attack. "He doesn't know the way… so be his guide!"
"But, Choco-"
"Not buts! Please, be his Northern Star for him! For me!"
Tiria whimpered but nodded as she soon was leading Kuromu to the Alter. The Queen attempted to stop them, but the Empress got in her way, frustrating her.
"Sorry sister… but this is your end." Empress said with a smirk.
"Tch…"
"Amber Mammoth, with me!" Sapphire Pegasus said. "We will ensure a clear path for our Master!"
"As you wish!" Amber Mammoth bellowed before trumpeting and charging ahead, stomping and charging through many of the Amazonesses who dare tried to stop them. Sapphire Pegasus then flapped his wings and flew after Kuromu and Tiria. He then flew beside them.
"Get on!" Sapphire Pegasus said.
"Right! Tiria!" Kuromu held out his hand to the Amazoness Spiritualist. With a nod, she took his hand and the two sat on Pegasus. The two then flew off with her directions to the altar to stop the Phantom Demons' revival.
"We'll handle the back row so they won't follow!" Topaz Tiger said as the other Crystal Beasts made sure that Kuromu and others weren't being followed.
"I hope those youngsters will make it in time." The Emerald Tortoise said worried.
"They'll be fine!" Cobalt Eagle said, raining down feathers on a group of Amazonesses. "We just gotta wait and hope!"
"Kyuu!" Ruby Carbuncle quickly dodged a few slashes before hopping onto Shizuka's shoulder for safety, as the youngest of the Crystal Beasts was very weak from summoning the others from so far away.
"Get stomped on!" Nia shouted, as she glowed to make herself grow in size, being a giant then started stomping on them or swiping them away with her arms.
"Black Burning!" Mana shouted as she used her signature technique to strike at the Amazonesses.
"See how you like this!" Galia shouted as she opened up a potion bottle and opened it up, throwing the liquid on the ground in front of a group of Amazonesses. The tribeswomen smelled the fumes, and all of sudden, their vision started deceiving them, being hallucinated with multiples of Gallia appearing before them.
"H-How did she multiply?!"
"Shoot down the alchemist!"
The Amazonesses soon began to fight and attack at their own, showing the results of Galia's potions as they were taking each other out easily.
"Hehehehehehehe… never underestimate the power of potions." Galia smiled triumphantly.
Amber Mammoth continued charging through the capital, taking out any Amazoness in his way as Sapphire Pegasus flew behind him, carrying Kuromu and Tiria in tow. While they could fly over, they can't risk archers taking them out with their arrows.
"How much farther, Tiria?" Kuromu asked.
"Not too much farther." Tiria noted, "The Altar's entrance is right at the base of the mountain."
"You mean that one up ahead?" Kuromu pointed at what's in front of them.
"Yes, right down there."
After trekking through the ruined city and trees for a moment longer, the two Crystal Beasts, Kuromu, and Tiria arrived. The two humans got off of the winged-horse as they stood in front of a cave with two torches flanking the entrance.
"We'll stay here and guard the entrance, while you make your way into the mountain." Amber Mammoth said.
"Stay safe, Master. Who knows what they have ready in that place… just don't let a drop of your blood touch the tablets." Sapphire Pegasus reminded.
"Got it." Kuromu nodded, before looking to the Amazoness Spiritualist who nodded back, and the two went inside.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Amazoness Empress swung her blade down on Amazoness Queen who dodged by jumping back. "You always were a coward even back then!"
"I am the Queen! I know what's best for our race!" The Queen argued, striking back with full force before clashing blades against the Empress, "But both you and my daughter are nothing but traitors who refuse to see what we can become!"
"You colluded with the Darkbishop! You think that what he offers is better than what your daughter and I are promoting now?!"
"Does it matter? What I do know is that once the Phantom Demons become mine to control, nobody will dare intrude on our lands and people!"
"Those Phantom Demons are nothing but trouble, they are corrupt counterparts of the Egyptian Gods! And if what is said to be true, their powers are beyond your comprehension!"
"Then I'll show that my might is stronger than the gods! The Amazons will become the strongest race in the world, and I won't let this chance slip by me!"
"Foolish sister… you're only delaying the inevitable…" Amazoness Empress shook her head, before their bout continued.
*CLANG! BANG! CLANG! CLANG! BANG! CLANG!*
"The only thing you should worry about, sister… where I plan to mount your heads at." The Queen threatened coldly. She then swung her sword hard enough that the Amazoness Empress's sword was sent flying out of her hand.
"Ah!"
"Your head is mine!" The Amazoness Queen shouted, her blade ready to cut her head off, but then-
*SHING!*
A magical barrier was produced.
The Amazoness Empress was shocked for a moment. Where did this barrier come from? Shizuka and the other Magician Girls were fighting on the other side of the capital, so then…
"I made it just in time."
The Empresses's eyes widened with surprise. It couldn't be! Slowly, she turned her head around and sure enough… standing behind her was the Master of the Magical Citadel himself.
"You…" The Queen hissed with disgust.
"Endymion!" The Empress gasped.
"Master! W-What are you doing here?" Shizuka gasped.
"Mana told me of the situation before you departed for your mission." Endymion answered. "When I heard about the Phantom Demons, I knew I had to be here."
"It'll be too late! The boy is already walking into my trap!"
"Oh, I would not be so sure." Endymion smirked.
"What do you mean by that?" The Queen questioned with a glare.
Meanwhile…
Kuromu and Tiria continued walking inside the depths of the mountain where they were met by dangerous traps meant to kill, but using his magic, Kuromu was able to disarm them and move on safely without incident. It was going to be a long way, before they reach the top of the mountain where the Phantom Demon Tablets. So they had to pass the time somehow.
"So Tiria, how did you and Chocolate meet?" Kuromu asked, as he helped her up a ledge.
"It was during her personal trip to our lands… She did her best to stay away from most of the territories so she wouldn't be a threat. I ended up encountering her on an herbal gathering and we somehow clicked." Tiria blushed softly at the memories.
"I bet that encounter didn't go so well." Kuromu chuckled.
"At first it was surprising and I worried she would be like other intruders. But when she saved me from an Headless Knight that was wandering around, I knew I could trust her."
"Lemme guess, she fell on top of you or vice-versa."
"O-Only when we were getting water! I swore to her it was an accident!"
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Kuromu laughed as they continued navigating through the tunnel. "But… that's when you two really connected, right?"
"Y-Yes… and since then we have been in contact and with her visiting me frequently…" Tiria blushed but smiled.
"O-Oh, you connected in that sense." Kuromu blushed, clearing his throat, trying not to imagine their… intimacy. But then shook his head rapidly, "S-Sorry, I should not be having these thoughts."
"It's quite alright. You are a boy after all." Tiria smiled easily. "The imagination does tend to get best of men."
"Was I that obvious?" Kuromu blushed.
"Not unless you want to drink a potion to change genders and experience it for yourself?" Tiria teased with a smile.
"No thank you!" Kuromu shook his head vehemently. "I like where my inheritance is!"
"Hehe, of course. But at the same time, wouldn't you like the idea of one day being in our shoes, just to see us ladies without restraint?" Tiria teased.
"I uh…" Kuromu gulped.
The Amazoness Spiritualist giggled, enjoying the teasing before she sighed softly. "Let me ask you this then. Do you have someone like that? Someone that makes your heart soar and enjoy every ounce of life you possess?"
Kuromu remained silent for a while, but nodded, "Honestly, I do. Though, given the situation, let's just say the universe wants me to hold off on that for now."
"Mmm, I see…" Tiria noted with a nod, then giggled, "Well… I can only give some advice. It would be best not to wait too long, can never know when the worst outcome can happen…"
"The Empress told me the same thing…" Kuromu sighed.
"She is wise to see what love can be and what happens if you don't take your opportunity." Tiria noted, "Especially since being a leader of a tribe can make things difficult for wanting to pursue it."
"I see." Kuromu nodded, before noticing something up ahead. "Look over there, a light at the end of the tunnel."
The two progressed through the tunnel before they arrive at their destination. The Altar Of Phantoms. Of course, it was over a literally volcano as the heat of the lava below made it feel almost unbearable. Several monuments, stone scriptures and more were visible as in the center were three ancient stone tablets, depicting the images of the Phantom Demons. But also there was a stone altar, one for sacrificial rituals, but surprisingly the Amazoness that were there was standing next to a black fire, throwing what looked to be the written ritual to bring forth the Phantom Demons.
"This is…" Kuromu felt the air being thin, almost coughing, but Tiria managed to cover his mouth and the two hid.
"Strange… just what is that one doing?" Tiria questioned, not recognizing the black flame as she knew that the ritual was different from this.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"From what the Empress told me, the ritual to summon them requires not only your blood but a sacrifice too… Yet thats not what's happening here…" Tiria noted.
"Does it have to do with that black flame?"
"No… it doesn't." Tiria shook her head. "This is something different."
"You can come out now… I know you are there." The Amazoness Spellcaster said, showing that she knew about her guests.
"Tch… so much for stealth…" Kuromu got out, before the two came out of hiding.
"So… you've finally arrived." The Amazoness Spellcaster said.
"We're here to stop you from completing the ritual." Kuromu said. "So move aside, and let us destroy the tablets."
"I believe as you outsiders would say, 'I'm already ahead of you', no?" The Spellcaster revealed. "I'm destroying every evidence to summon them already… Only thing left to do other than have your blood be used to destroy these tablets, is to get the final sacrifice ready… my body and the Queen."
"Wait! A-Are you saying that-" Tiria gasped.
"I'm using this ancient magic to destroy all evidence on how to revive the Phantom Demons… Which means myself and the Queen will be used as the catalyst to make sure nobody can revive these monsters."
"You're-"
Before Kuromu could say anything else, the Spellcaster used her magic to propel the black flames towards the Phantom Demon Tablets. At first nothing happened, but then the stones began to crack, turning into a web of cracks, until eventually, they crumbled.
The Spellcaster turned before walking over to Kuromu, her eyes showing a pleading look to use his blood to finish this. Kuromu was stunned yet her eyes didn't show malice or hate, only the desire to end this war.
"Why are you doing this?" Kuromu asked.
"Because… our Queen truly has been nothing but corrupted by the false lies of the Darkbishop. If she succeeds and brings one of these demons out? Then our race and lands will be destroyed by their might… While I may have served her for a long time, its obvious she is unfit to keep our lands and people alive." The Spellcaster revealed.
"You…" Tiria got out.
"Please… end this madness… for the sake of our tribes' future…"
Kuromu looked at the pleading eyes of the Spellcaster, only to nod. She reached into her robes to procure a small vial as she withdrew some blood. Once in her hands she bowed to him before she began to chant the final part of the spell.
"Oh we can't have that now…"
*SHLICK!*
The Amazoness Spellcaster was shocked, as were Kuromu and Tiria as they saw none other than…
"KRONA!" Kuromu snarled.
From the shadow of the Spellcaster, Krona stepped out, his blade also appearing as it was pierced through the Amazoness's body only for him to withdraw his blade. The Amazoness Spellcaster fell to the ground, clutching her wound.
"Who is that?"
"Krona… formerly known as the Doomstar Magician…" Kuromu growled.
"It has been awhile, you scum." Krona spat out with disgust.
"Well, screw you too, pal!" Kuromu snarled.
"My master, Darkbishop, foresaw that this witch would try to destroy the tablets that he desires… So I cannot allow this to happen."
"Well, it's too late, the tablets are already destroyed! You can't revive them now!"
"Ah, true… Well, that would be the case but its only that their sealed bodies are ruined… Their spirits remain strong." Krona revealed.
"What?" Tiria gasped. "That can't be…!"
"The spell she used simply was to destroy their bodies, if she was able to use this final part of the spell then yes, they would be erased from existence… But I made sure to stop that." He said, looking at the vial before kicking it off into the lava pit below.
"No!" Kuromu cried out. Moments later, the mountain began to shake.
"And now… let the Phantom Demons run amok! Let the souls of the weak become fuel for their revival! Howl! Roar! Screech into the heavens as you are now revived once more!" Krona said, countering the spell before he slammed his staff into the altar ring they were on.
The altar ring then glowed an eerie light as the ground continued to shake.
"Tiria, get out of here!" Kuromu shouted, pushing her away and out of the altar ring.
In moments the ring responded to the blood of Kuromu, siphoning the power he held within and absorbed it as the magical leylines within the mountain raced throughout it, reaching the tablets as they were soaking in the magical might of his bloodline.
"GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Kuromu!" Tiria shouted.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! Yes! That's it! Absorb his magic! Make this scum pay with his life!" Krona laughed.
The lava underneath began to shake and shiver as what looked like a red gem core was emerging from beneath as the tablet of the Lord of Searing Flames, faded. Black mist soon escaped from it as it seeped into the core as it began to intake the lava around it and grow in size. Soon the lava encased the core as it grew more into a lava like egg, growing in size with ever passing second.
"Now emerge once more! Uria! Lord of Searing Flames!" Krona ordered.
The lava egg suddenly glowed, hatching as beams of red ominous light emerged from the cracks. Moments later, it finally shattered, revealing a monstrous red-serpentine dragon. It looked truly like a corrupted version of its counterpart, roaring loudly as what looked to be spiritual energy began to fly into it, it was absorbing any weak soul in the entire land of Amazonia.
"Yes! That's it! Take in everything! Burn everyone to ashes and tear them down asunder!" Krona rejoiced.
Outside of the mountain, souls of the weakened or defeated Amazons and more began to fly towards it. Several of the Amazons on both sides collapsed as their souls were being absorbed by the revival of one of the Phantom Demons.
"This is…" Soren gasped.
"It's as I feared…" Sirius grimaced. "Brother, sister, you know what must be done."
"B-But we could have time!" Seria frowned, worried as she didn't want to kill Kuromu.
"It must be done! We cannot question it!"
"Wait, I have an idea. What if we-"
"Absolutely out of the question, Soren!" Sirius said. "If we do that…"
"But listen! If it truly was their revival, everyone but us would've been taken down! But look!" Soren pointed to other Amazons still fighting or even resisting the urge to collapse, "So many are still alive! Which means only one was revived! If we just use it, we can take care of the one who revived and save everyone without needing to kill the kid!"
"It's too risky!"
"We have no other choice, brother!" Seria pleaded. "Please… think of what our King would do. We sacrificed our lives many times to summon them forth, this is no different! Please brother!"
Sirius growled, knowing that while they speak the truth, he regrets having to do this. He soon pulled out from underneath his armor what looked to be some kind of item, one that was red ankh with ancient letters and writing around the rims of it and a gold and red jewel in the center. "Very well… but steel yourselves."
The King's Knight then raised the red jeweled ankh in the air. "On behalf of the True King, we the Royal Flush Knights, offer ourselves to the Celestial Dragon of the Heavens! We vow that our sacrifice will be used for the greater good!"
"Let the skies shake, the heavens glow and lightning strike down those that are evil incarnate! Our vow shows to the world what is needed to bring balance! Henceforth, let this be our bells!" Soren added onto the chant.
"Come forth! Celestial Dragon of the Heavens! Slifer the Sky Dragon! Thunderspeed Summon!" Seria shouted.
The three knights then glowed red, as their bodies vanished into the red ankh as it soon flew up into the high heavens. In moments the sky shined brightly as the clouds turned gold and a powerful roar accompanied by the sounds of thunder and lightning was heard, causing everyone to stop fighting and look to the sky to see the creature now ascending.
From the golden clouds as lightning sparked off, traces of a red serpentine body was visible with each echo of thunder. Soon the golden clouds part as flying down to the earth below was a large, serpentine red-skinned, black-bellied dragon with spikes running down its body. Its wings are bat-like in form, with two thumb claws, and its head having two mouths; the bottom jaw of the smaller top set being part of the top jaw of the larger set. The last tooth on each cheek is larger than the others. Its head was crested with four spikes protruding horizontally, and two larger ones from the back of the head curving vertically; the sapphire common to the Egyptian Gods is nestled at the front of the crest. Its tail crest is shaped similarly but with a single flattened spike at the tip rather than two spikes. Finishing off its look were short limbs with three-toed feet.
This was the Celestial Dragon of the Heavens, Slifer The Sky Dragon.
"Master, look!" Shizuka gasped. The Master of the Citadel looked at the direction the Silent Magician pointed at and frowned.
"So… they had to use The Red King's Ankh…" Endymion frowned, knowing what it costed to use that item. "We'll have to hold off and let Slifer handle this now."
"Sirius, Seria, and Soren… are they…" Shizuka said worried.
"They sacrificed their bodies in order to summon him. But fret not, since they were granted the highest honor a knight can receive, their spirits are immortal. But it will take time for them to come back to the land of the living." Endymion revealed.
"WHAT?!" Krona snapped, looking at the direction of where the thunderclouds were. "It can't be… Slifer is among us?!" He shouted, before he noticed the Egyptian God approaching the mountain and fast.
"L-Looks like… you won't succeed…" The Amazoness Spellcaster chuckled, clutching onto her fleeting life.
Upon arriving at the mountain, the Egyptian God looked at the scene before them. When it saw Kuromu's life energy being siphoned, and looked at Uria who roared in defiance, the red serpentine god opened up its bottom jaw and unleashed a thunderous beam of lightning, destroying the altar ring. The Eclipse Alchemist fell to the ground, but Tiria managed to catch him.
"Kuromu!" Tiria gasped. "Are you alright?! Speak to me!"
"Ungh…" Kuromu groaned, before slowly opening his eyes. "Tiria… what happened…? I…"
"It seems… we no longer are needed here…"
"W-Wait! What about-" Kuromu looked to find the Amazoness Spellcaster, but Tiria shook her head, her eyes barely glancing at where the Amazon had fell, not wanting Kuromu to see her remains being destroyed by the lava below.
"We must go now, this place is too dangerous." Tiria said, helping him up to his feet so they can leave.
"Don't forget this day, you scum! This day I may have been beaten… but the next time we face, you will grovel at me!" Krona shouted, his voice echoing to let Kuromu hear his threat.
"Gh…" Kuromu gritted, before they heard a neigh, coming from Sapphire Pegasus, who dived down towards Kuromu and Tiria.
"We must get off the mountain!" Sapphire Pegasus shouted. "Hurry now!"
The two got on as Sapphire Pegasus flew off, nearly dodging a flame shot from Uria as the Phantom Demon attempted to attack them, if not being saved by Slifer himself.
"Hold on, is that-" Kuromu got out.
"Slifer the Sky Dragon. An Egyptian God." Sapphire Pegasus answered. "This also means the Royal Flush Knights used their bodies to summon him…"
"What? Sirius, Soren, and… Seria? No…" Kuromu said in horror.
"It is the only way they could've summoned a god, but fret not, their spirits are safe within their king's realm." The Crystal Beast informed.
"I… see…" Kuromu muttered, before he felt a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind. "Tiria…"
"It is not your fault… Nobody would've expected the Darkbishop to send his assassin in…"
Kuromu remained silent, as they continued flying away and two dragons fought each other.
The two serpentine dragons bashed and wrapped around one another, with Uria trying to use its own heat power to harm the Sky God, but Slifer responded as its second mouth opened, sending powerful shots to weaken the Phantom Demon. When those bullets of thunder struck the Phantom Demon's head, Slifer took the chance to wrap itself around its evil counterpart and bite down its neck, thrashing around violently. Eventually, it ripped Uria's head off clean.
The Phantom Demon's body shivered and shook as fire and lava below began to fly up towards its head, attempting to repair its body. But Slifer, flew up high, carrying both the head and body of the fire dragon into the sky. Once high enough it let go of both, only for the heavens to respond and empower the Sky Dragon as it let loose a powerful blast of thunder and lightning not only on its body and head, but the volcano it was housed in. This caused a powerful blast to erupt and reduce the entire place to ashes, leaving no trace of either the Phantom Demon or the Tablets left.
The souls that Uria absorbed then flew out, returning to the bodies from whence they came or flew off into the heavens if their bodies were too damaged to be restored.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Amazoness Queen roared in despair. "THIS CANNOT BE!"
"It's over." Amazoness Empress said as she stood over the Queen. "Your reign of terror is over…"
"Grr… No! I will not let this end!" The Amazoness Queen glared, her sword ready, "I will have your head! I will use that boy's power! And I will-"
But before the Queen could say anything, the tail of Slifer himself wrapped around the Queen, lifting her off of the ground as it growled and glared at her.
"You were saying?" The Amazoness Empress retorted.
"Queen Vestria… Your crimes have insulted the gods… You will be charged and forever imprisoned henceforth…" Slifer himself had spoken, its booming voice shaking the Queen down to her very soul itself.
"No… No! NO! I will not! Unhand me this instant!" The Amazoness Queen demanded, struggling to free herself.
Slifer gave no mercy as it unleashed the power of Raigeki itself onto the body of the Queen, turning her into ash and imprisoning her soul with the might of deity itself. It then roared pridefully before it took off into the heavens with the Amazoness Queen's soul into its realm to stand trial for her crimes.
"It is done…" Endymion sighed.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!" A familiar voice shouted, as they all looked to see Sapphire Pegasus with Kuromu and Tiria in tow.
"Kuro!" Mana gasped before sighing with relief. Once Sapphire Pegasus landed, the two occupants got off of his back.
"Kuromu!" Shizuka gasped, running towards Kuromu, before tackling him with a hug.
"Oof! S-Sensei!" Kuromu said surprised, taken aback.
"I-I was… very worried… when those souls were being extracted… I-I thought that…"
"You can thank Krona for that…" Kuromu sighed.
"Krona?" Endymion gasped. "You are sure of this?"
"Yes, I- Master Endymion?" Kuromu now noticed.
"Hehe, it surprised us too." Empress smirked softly, patting Kuromu's back.
"How did he-" Kuromu trailed off.
"I told him everything, before we set out for this mission." Mana smiled.
"Ohhhh Kuro! You're alright!" Nia said, hugging one cheek.
"Kyuu, kyuu!" Ruby Carbuncle cried out, rubbing herself on Kuromu's other cheek.
"I'm alright, you two." Kuromu smiled softly, then turned to Endymion. "Master… the Royal Flush Knights… they…"
"I know… it is saddening that they had to resort to use the King's Ankh. But without it, Uria would've become unstoppable." The Master Mage noted, knowing how Kuromu feels. "But fret not, their soul will not perish. It will be some time before they acquire their bodies again."
"I… see…"
"That's the big perk for being blessed by The Creator of Light!" Mana said with a giggle. "Bodies maybe gone, but they get to summon the big ones for help!"
"Will I… see them again?" Kuromu asked hopefully.
"Yes, it will just take some time." Endymion nodded, "I'm sure you want to thank them for their support, correct?"
"Yes… especially…" He trailed off, but cut himself off from that thought.
"Hooo? Have a crush on Seria now, Kuromu?" Lemon teased with a giggle.
"H-Hey now! Don't put words into my mouth!"
"But you're not denying it."
"Don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh? But you and I had a most interesting conversation." Tiria giggled.
"Not you too, Tiria!" Kuromu pouted.
"Ti~ri~a~" Chocolate said, eyes closed with a strained smile. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh just how Kuromu confessed he has something for someone. It must be Seria that he was talking about."
"No it was not!"
"Now, now, no need to be so shy about it!" Tiria teased with a giggle. "After all, there's no law that says you can't have a harem, especially in Amazonia."
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"
"Oh, so I do have a chance!" Lemon cheered.
"Not on your life!"
"Even if I do this?" Lemon questioned, pulling down her outfit to show him her 'goods'. But the moment she did, he immediately turned away, making her pout. "Boooooooooo!" She blew a raspberry.
"Kyuu, kyuu, kyuu, kyuu…" Ruby Carbuncle snickered.
"Lemon, just give up…" Mana sighed, facepalming.
"Never!" Lemon proclaimed, only to soon lunge and hug Kuromu despite his heavy blush of denial.
"Lemon, get your hands off of me! No! No! Bad touch! Bad touch!"
Even with the jokes and mood change to a positive one, there still was one trouble that was happening. Just what was both Krona and Darkbishop after from all of this other than the Phantom Demons powers? Whatever their plan is…. This could bring more problems if not taken care of soon.
A few days later…
After recovering and healing their injuries, the negotiations between the Amazonians and Endymion were finally underway. The Amazoness Princess came out of hiding, alongside her husband. The Amazonesses that sided with the Amazoness Queen were either sent to prison for their war crimes or sent to be rehabilitated and educated into the new lifestyle since many weren't in the war and just wanted safety.
As such, in order for this alliance to be formed, the Amazoness Empress had to form a sisterhood. However, it seems that Chocolate Magician Girl would do just that, thanks to her and Tiria being a couple. And this start was the two having a marriage to show all of the world that Amazonia will be open to all, but also show every Amazon that the outside world can be trusted for a better life.
When the ceremony was finished, it was time to celebrate, and what better way than a big feast.
"WOOHOO! One more round!" Galia called out to one of the servants, holding up her wooden mug.
"Hehe, as you wish. You must really like drinking." One Amazon snickered with delight.
"I got the tolerance!" Galia said… before her head slammed on the table immediately after.
"We have another lightweight!" The bartender announced as many laughed with enjoyment.
"Yeesh, ease up on the booze." Mana winced.
"Uwahhhhhhhhh…" Lemon whined, drinking her sorrows away. "I just want a ma~n!" She wept loudly as the young woman truly just wanted to have a good man by her side.
"Hahahahahaha! Worry not, you'll find that one man!" Empress laughed heartily.
"But Kuro is prime material!" Lemon pouted, downing another jug. "Just go for a harem already!"
"Not happening!" Kuromu called out.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Kuro, you big dummy~!"
"Kyuuuuu~" Ruby Carbuncle deadpanned.
"You said it." Nia nodded in agreement.
"Hm? But aren't you the same as me?" Lemon questioned, poking Nia with a pout.
"Nope! I know boundaries!"
"But that means you also like him!"
Nia huffed, "True, I do! But I'm not so clingy!"
"Kyuu, kyuu, kyuu!"
"Hey! I can learn to share at least!" Nia huffed from Ruby's comment.
Kuromu shook his head at the banter, as he continued eating his food. He looked over to Chocolate and Tiria, in their Amazonian wedding garbs chatting happily with one another. Admittedly, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious of them. He wondered if he and Shizuka would be happy like that one day.
"Psst!" Mana whispered as she poked the young mage. He looked to her before Mana simply moved her head, gesturing to look as he sees Shizuka simply sitting outside under the moonlight. "Go to her. She could use some company."
"Mm…" Kuromu muttered, before getting up from the table and going over to his teacher. "Sensei? Can I… join you?"
"Ah, of course my apprentice." Shizuka smiled, feeling happy about his offer. Kuromu then sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm alright…" Kuromu muttered. "It's been… very eventful to say the least."
"Indeed… A lot of unnecessary sacrifices happened this day…" Shizuka frowned sadly.
"Yeah…" Kuromu looked down. "Too much was lost…"
Shizuka looked before she pulled her young apprentice close, resting his head on her shoulder to try and comfort him. "You did your best… and I am proud of you."
"I wish I tried harder…"
"You could not have known any of that would happen…"
"But… if anything happened to you, I wouldn't forgive myself…" Kuromu muttered.
"Kuromu…"
"I don't want to lose you… you're… you're important to me…"
Shizuka was touched by how much she mattered to him. The young master soon hugged Kuromu, gently comforting him, "You will not get rid of me that easily, my apprentice. Because I will always stay at your side. No matter what."
"Really? You mean that?"
"Of course I do. You will have to fight The Reaper himself to get rid of me."
Kuromu chuckled softly, "Yeah, I guess so…"
"Now there is a smile." Shizuka smiled back, hugging her apprentice closer. "Do you feel better now?"
"Hmm… yeah." Kuromu nodded. "Thank you, sensei."
"Anything for you, my dear apprentice." Shizuka smiled, turning her head to see Chocolate dancing as she sighed, "I am getting older by the day… I do not think I will ever have that…"
"Hm? Have what?" Kuromu asked, looking at his teacher confused.
"I-It is nothing, Kuromu. Nothing to worry about."
Kuromu was confused, before looking where she looked. "Sensei… do you want to dance with me?"
"P-Pardon?" Shizuka questioned with surprise.
"Do you want to dance with me." He repeated.
The Silent Magician was silent, stunned by what he was asking only for him to help her out of her seat and to the dance floor. "W-Wait Kuromu! I-I have not done this before!"
"Sure you did. We danced at my promotion to Mage did we not?" Kuromu chuckled.
"That was different from this!"
"Well, nothing like the present. So c'mon, live life a little! No need to be stiff!" He then snickered, before saying, "If you don't dance, I'll tell Lady Minerva and Lady Doriado."
"You would not dare…"
"Would I?" He teased.
Shizuka gave a pout, one that actually hurt due to how cute it was for her to do such a thing, before gently grasping his hand, "T-Then… you better take responsibility for my poor dancing skills."
"I guess there are some things that even Lady Selene haven't taught you." Kuromu chuckled.
"Y-You shush before I make you…" Shizuka pouted cutely once more.
Kuromu merely chuckled again, before moving to the dance floor and they danced the night away.