As we passed the corner a loud and austere voice called out to us, one that I recognised almost instantly.
"Halt! Who walks before me? Two more prisoners of fate?" A familiar lance blocked our path as the figure moved forward, illuminating his silhouette. A grand silver breastplate emblazoned with a proud lion etched into the metal, in his right hand the familiar lance was held almost relaxed. But I had no doubt he was poised to strike at the nearest opportunity. In his other he held the reins to the steed he sat atop. Golden mane with a white spotless coat, it was the picture of a fairytale prince or some other caricature. I looked at the rider more closely.
It was no wonder I had recognised his voice, despite the archaic language he used.
For it was my own face reflected back at me.
Skull did a few drastic about turns. Looking once at the horse and man atop it and back at me. Scrutinising each and every possible feature of our faces, as if he were playing a spot the difference in his own head.
"Hey, what the hell's going on? He looks just like-!"
"We're here to take down Kamoshida. And you?" I hadn't expected to come across him so soon.
His horse whinnied and rose up on its hind legs, whilst he brandished the lance in his arm.
"I am the great White Knight of the round table. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka! I shall free those under the terrible rule of the despot Kamoshida. None other than me is capable of such a heroic feat." He flipped his hair as he rested atop the steed.
This is how Kamoshida sees me? It was like a watered-down version of Kouenji...
"I have no words..."
"Hahaha!" That laugh erupted from my side.
"He's more you than you are! Might as well make him the real one." Sakamoto began clutching his stomach in mock pain.
I was left with a cringing feeling. It was like watching yourself in the third person as an embarrassing moment played in your head. The only thing I could liken it to was my first introduction at ANHS.
"..." Besides that... why is he on a horse? Clearly, he was materialised with that in mind, but he didn't come here with a weapon already assorted, he had procured the lance I had left in the same place as the sword.
"Hahaha! What, what is it? Think you'll try acting like him now?" Sakamoto said overjoyed with himself.
"No. It's just..." I regarded the regal steed which he sat atop. Regal, huh? Neither of us match very well. At least if I'm right. "Doesn't this horse look familiar?"
"Yeah, sure buddy, just try and take away attention from your ridiculousness." If it worked, I imagined he would've pulled his phone out to immortalise this moment. Contrastingly, I was more concerned with the horse, something about it seemed off...
"A full golden mane. I've seen that shade before, but where..." I gazed at my companion's head.
"Don't. That ain't even funny..."
"His face looks similar as well." I said whilst holding my chin, looking between the two.
"I do not look like a horse!"
"Are you both enamoured by the visage of my steed? Truly there exists no greater in all the land." I just hoped this person was easier to work with than the old classmate he reminded me of.
"You could say that. Out of curiosity, what's his name?"
"Ryu. The golden dragon. His hoofbeats make even dragons tremor in fear." An animal specialised for running, known for its speed. I almost wanted to test the legs on the right side to see how accurate it was.
"You've gotta be shittin' me..." Those dismayed words came from beside me.
"What's wrong? You're looking a bit hoarse there, Skull."
"Fuck you, sincerely. I can't believe this... a fucking horse..." Skull held his head in dismay.
"Now, now gentlemen. No need for the harsh language. I don't suppose I can trouble you for directions?"
"What's your destination?"
Skull abruptly raised his head. Massaging his temples as he looked me directly in the eye. "No, hold on! Don't start having a normal conversation now. Why the hell has he appeared all of a sudden?"
"Who do you think defeated the guards?"
"This guy- wait that lance!"
"Ah yes, a most opportune find. I trust you two are responsible for that?"
"You could say that. It's a good thing you didn't take the sword as well, or I'd be left unarmed." Brushing my coat aside, I shown the sheath and sword affixed to my waist. A gesture of goodwill.
"Unarmed but not defenceless, I trust?" Even as a mere phantom of a real person he was probing my intentions. Looks like I'd have to keep my guard up for the time being.
"Who's to say? Have you split from the rest of your group?" I had expected him to have already freed the prisoners in some capacity.
"I have. There's no need for company with the battle ahead." Looks like my guess was correct. I'd have to find them later. For now, something else came first. The greatest threat in the castle.
"The guard captain."
"Indeed. It seems we don't just share a face, my fellow." He grinned before raising the lance, the tip pointed at the ceiling assuring us of an armistice.
"We'll join you. Chances are; he has what we're looking for."
"...It is against my custom to rely on the strength of others. However, in light of the circumstances I shall welcome you both with open arms. Let us take down that scoundrel Kamoshida with our combined forces."
"Do you have any idea of his whereabouts?" Skull asked.
"I'd guess somewhere open, good verticality to make use of his wings. Somewhere easy to defend the book we're searching for. I'd wager one of the winged towers along the outskirts, it also takes us further from the king's quarters."
"A fine deduction. Pray tell, what is this book you seek?"
"A key. It should provide something useful in defeating Kamoshida, that's all I know at the moment."
"It would prove foolish to divert troops to protect something inconsequential." He nodded once, satisfied with my answer. "Agreed."
"Oi." Sakamoto slung his arm over my shoulder and turned from the riding knight. "You gonna explain what the hell's going on now? This guy's weirdly... like, not you. He's like actually good and stuff."
"Kamoshida's mind, remember?" The shadows that appeared were like the reflection of a murky pond that just had several stones skimmed into it. Warped and crass reincarnations of the people they supposedly imitated.
Sakamoto peered once more at the knight riding gently through the corridor. "...That's all it took to think of you as this knight character? F'real?"
"..." In reality it was as simple as Mishima's words being reported to Kamoshida that caused this event. He knows I'm unafraid of removing scholarship opportunities, he knows I can't be controlled by those means and that I've been keeping an eye on him, whether he personally noticed or not. Those ideas would generate fear, fear for his act being caught. As such he'll have no choice but to try and bring me under his heel one way or the other...
"Can you handle that guard captain for a small time?" I asked the mirror version of myself.
"I had the intention of beating him for mine own."
"Then I have a plan to defeat him."
"...Actually going to tell the rest of us this plan for once?" Sakamoto pitched in, looking at me with obvious distrust.
"Yeah, you'll be the linchpin. Skull."
Even with the skull masking his face I could see his eyebrow raising questioningly.
"We can't afford to play around with this guy." The wings, flight in general, good motor skills, sword fighting technique and who knows what else he was capable of. He was complacent before, that changed. His environment would take the absolute advantages granted to him to drive us into a corner and pick us off one by one.
"Here's how we'll do it..."
It was a simple enough plan, but that was how we'd remain effective. There was no need to overcomplicate things, that became more apparent when the number of moving parts increased.
"Fufu. Most agreeable, however don't hold it against me if I defeat him before your machinations are put into action."
"That would be convenient, however, can I assume you won't impede this strategy going forward?"
"...My pride matters little compared to the freedom of the prisoners in this castle. If this is the best way to ensure that occurs, then so be it."
I thought so. But... we aren't alike at all.
"I trust you can make it, Skull?"
"...Yeah. Leave it to me. I'll bring the thunder, just make sure you do your part properly." A new look of determination etched on his features.
Everything was in place to collapse the naked emperor's house of cards. All I had to do was knock these last two notches, then the structure would give out all on its own.
[Phantom Opera]
"Fufu. You truly are an exemplary knight among the order. I shall fell you with this lance taken by rightful conquest. En Garde!" It was my rightful conquest, but whatever.
"Shut it, knave."
"How precocious, did your king teach you such manners? Surely you can have some etiquette when participating in a gentleman's duel?"
"The only etiquette I'm concerned with is serving your head on a platter!"
I heard the distant clangs of metal as the winged commander descended upon the knight, his sword glancing sparks off of the lance as they continued to manoeuvre around the stairs, step by step as they moved up the tower's spiral staircase, the commander making use of his wings to take advantage of the open space in the middle of the spire.
They attacked in bouts, several clashes had passed by the time I could hear their voices crystal clear through the door.
"Where's the other? Still biding your time? Still hiding in an attempt to ambush me? How laughable." The familiar sound of metal screeching against metal sounded out, along with the rush of air from his powerful wings.
"You shouldn't be focusing your attentions anywhere else, or I'll separate that head from your body in due time." The White Knight replied.
"Hmph." The guard captain refocused his gaze on the opponent before him, but it was clear he wouldn't let his guard down from any surprise attacks.
I suppose that was a given.
Judging that the time was as opportune as I might get, I prepared to involve myself in the conflict.
Almost as if he could sense it in the air, the lance thrust towards the flying captain's position, forcing him to duck and weave out of the way.
My hands thrust forward as the door burst open, pulling the triggers and raining down bullets as the guard captain tried to escape further upwards. The chamber rolled as each bullet passed through the rifling, barely clipping the wings as he took evasive manoeuvres. The gunfire was strangely loud, amplified more than one might've imagined, three shots rang out as the guard captain continued to escape further upwards, hoping to use his advantage of the high ground against us, and gradually wean down my limited ammunition.
Each of the shots gradually got closer until one bullet pinged off of his shoulder pauldron and another embedded into his left thigh. I needed to work on accuracy, the differential between their recoil was also noticeable. However, I got the damage I was looking for, this should slow him down considerably.
"Tch. I'd recognise those eyes anywhere... So you finally decided to show yourself? I suppose praise is deserved for your solidarity, however, if you think I'll fall for such simple bait again, then you are sorely mistaken."
"..."
"No words for me?"
"..."
"That self-assured look... I'll wipe it off your face before I show it to the King!"
He swiped forward with aggression, his sword aiming to reap my head from above, I parried the blow to swipe overhead and riposted with a thrust of my own, but the height difference and his wings made the only contact the open air.
"Hah!" The knight thrust once with his lance towards the captain who had left his back open, in but a moment he was in the air and the lance was a few inches from my face.
"Tch. Worthless fools... So be it. I am the archangel, Sariel. I'll prostrate your heads before my king, repent before then." Sariel. How strange. One of the archangels had somehow found its way into this castle of depravity.
"I would've much preferred a duel between just the two of us. Alas, the bell tolls for freedom. And freedom cares for no man's flights or fancies." The white knight readjusted his lance as the steed whinnied, rising onto its hind legs. A gruff neigh directed at the floating captain.
"There shall be no more words, I shall bathe you in holy light until the last shreds of sin tear themselves from your body. Mahamaon!" Great shining holes appeared in the air, brilliant beams of light escaping from their insides and projecting straight towards us. The castle floor became seared upon the slightest contact with the powerful light, the faint smell of the stone melting wafting through the air.
New light appeared every few second with the trajectory of their burning beams changing constantly. As we focused on the burning gazes the captain jetted towards us, a single slash thrown my way. All of his strength and the momentum from flying put behind the slash, more akin to a sledgehammer than any sharp weapon I've experienced.
Ridiculous strength brushed against my own sword, flinging me from the staircase towards the other end of the spire. What a monster.
"Lance!" I shouted to the knight throwing my revolver to him in kind.
A single bullet crying out as he gained some distance from Sariel before launching his arm back and chucking the lance like a javelin along my flight path.
FWIP! CRASH!
The lance embedded into the stone wall acted as a ledge for me to hang on. I pulled myself up, my feet steadying on the thin pole.
Blinding lights continued to appear around my shadow self, him and the horse he stood stop making acrobatic moves to escape their damage, at one point jumping off the wall to escape burns.
The captain quickly flew after me crashing his sword into mine as I stood unsteady atop the lance, the unsure footing making me lose the power I needed to combat his threat. By a hair I deflected one blow and dodged the next before reaching into my own pocket and pointing the firearm at him without removing it. Recognition lit up the flying captain's face as he immediately retreated, the mere threat enough to remove him. With the necessary space I sheathed the sword and bounced once on the lance in a single smooth motion before grasping it and bounding off the wall, dislodging the weapon and travelling towards the staircase. He followed me in the air, his wings flapping powerfully as he moved about unrestricted, constantly trying to remove himself from the path of the weapon in my pocket, a single shot clipping his wing from above, forcing him aside for a moment. An annoyed grunt escaped from below his helmet.
I responded to the space by barely catching the edge of the banister and pulling myself up. Looking up briefly to see the faint smoke trail from the revolver in the knight's hand.
"Lance!" I shouted again before taking a short step and throwing it towards the wall beside him. He responded by catching it mid-flight, clutching the reins slightly more tightly. A look of smug self-assurance on his face.
What is he-?
"Ryu." He petted his horse once on the head, before uttering a command that shocked me. "Fly."
It isn't really a dragon, is it?
Even with the half-baked expectation that wings might suddenly sprout from the horse like a Pegasus mid-flight, my expectations were immediately dashed to the bottom of the tower.
The horse galloped towards the edge of the staircase, leaping over the battlement and steering directly for Sariel between us, his lance plunging towards the archangel. As the weapon was mid-motion I readjusted and placed a single shot of my own. He deflected the lance in mid-air gliding past him, however the bullet impacted against the back of his breast plate, gold shattering and tearing leaving a small trail of stardust as he floated above.
The White Knight and his steed arrived nearby with a crash, recuperating from the fall fairly quickly. I noticed my familiar revolver tossed towards me in my periphery. Not much use with a single bullet left...
"Quick thinking." He said, amusement obvious from his tone.
"You responded well." Although I think the leap was unnecessary... I silently felt dismay for the horse's legs, that fall must've hurt.
"Hmph. You know, it isn't often I find someone that can fight alongside me."
"And?"
"I'd like to see if you can continue to keep up."
"Who knows?"
A sly smile covered his features as he looked back at Sariel.
"Hear that? I hope that wasn't all you were capable of Sariel." The White Knight uttered whilst shouldering his lance.
"I'll kill the two intruders, then I'll massacre the rest of those traitorous prisoners. Before long I'll have forgotten all about your little revolution. Then and only then will I forgive my failures! Holy embers!" His sword ignited with a golden flame and the blazing lights that appeared nearly doubled, scorching the stone around us.
Here he comes.
The sword flashed as it swung horizontally, I ducked underneath sliding to the edge of the staircase and slashing my sword upwards in response, he blocked it with his greaves, immediately slicing towards the knight, a small cut appearing on his cheek as he responded with a thrust, the captain dodged by a hair's breadth.
Hopping onto the battlements and leaping in his directing I swung my sword pre-emptively awaiting his move.
"Coming your way!" His lance still beside the flying angel, he used his strength to push him towards me with the blunt sides of the lance like a club.
"Huh?!" Before he could retaliate, I swiped down towards his chest, his sword arm coming to meet me with impossible speed. I adjusted the arc slightly in reaction aiming for his hand. Not quite severing it but making a huge dent on the golden plated bracers, his wrist bending an unnatural direction upon the impact.
"Bastard!" The blue abysses from under his mask flinched in a human expression as he retaliated with kick in my direction. I pushed forwards with all my strength and flipped over him and the sword dodging the powerful blow, landing on the stairs beside the horse, lance above my head.
"Fool." The man sat atop his steed uttered shamelessly.
"DIE!" His sword still attached in the hand of his broken wrist shot forward towards the knight's face, I deflected the trajectory from below. One of the blazing lights appearing above me in that moment. I side-stepped it, preparing to strike once more from below.
The lance wrapped under his broken arm and shifted immediately moving towards the wall, a harsh grunt escaping from his mouth as he put all his strength into pinning the guard captain. Recognising the same move, his wings began to move for a powerful contraction, before he could finish that thought I stabbed the sword through his unbroken hand and nailed it into the stone wall.
"AAARGGGHHH!"
"How dull. Finish it." The White Knight said holding the captain against the wall.
With no unnecessary movement I removed the gun from my pocket and prepared to unleash as many bullets as it might take to put him down for good. As a single bullet shot forward and impacted with his chest the surroundings got increasingly hot, blinding lights covering the area and Sariel himself.
We jumped back retreating from the light. The intensity not dropping at all, it seemed to melt the stone, the sound of something dripping and falling to the bottom of the tower.
The lights gave way after several moments, in the space left there was no gold, or light, but something increasingly darker, like looking into an abyss itself. A black carapace with blue light escaping through cracks of an obsidian body, the light the same shade as his eyes. Four rock-like wings protruding from his back, where white-feathered wings sat before. He had ditched his angel-like appearance for something darker. Something more fitting this house of depravity.
"Good. I thought this would be finished much too quickly!" My shadow-self exclaimed excitedly.
"..."
"Humans have always been so tricky, just when you think they're incompetent or weak, they strike back at their betters, their creators, their rulers. Greedy and prideful. Shameless." He looked at his black, skeletal hand, slowly clenching it without a single glance upwards.
"But if we defeat you, isn't that just the natural course? You would no longer be our betters." My other-self replied from atop his steed. The usual cocksureness escaping from every pore of his body.
"I'm done reasoning with the weak. Do it, if you can. In response, I'll hold nothing back either." The transformed captain reached to his face, plucking one of his eyes and crushing it in hand, allowing the pale blue essence to fall onto the ground, a black steam emitted from his body. What looked to be dark waves of the ocean at night rose from the bottom of the tower, slowly encroaching upon us.
A draft rushed through from above, the lit torches along its length were put out one by one.
A pale blue light appeared above us, a reflection shimmering in the water as it rose, one of a shadowy sphere. I looked up briefly as Sariel remained unmoving.
What is that...?
A shadowy orb sat at the very top of the tower, as if it was eclipsed by something else.
"New moon." He said in the silent din.
As the silence grew and the dark persisted. A very slim slice of light could be seen reflecting off the orb, as if a small percentage of the silhouette was now revealed.
"Let us begin a new cycle." The pale blue essence appearing through the cracks in his armour-like body shifted and coalesced into an instrument. An unmistakable hilt and blade appearing before our very eyes as a pale shadow. As he gripped the hilt, it was as if the blade became real and actualised, physical properties and details appearing along the weapon as he did.
"Lunar song."
What was once present had flashed from my vision, the brief sound of his wings punishing the sound barrier registered as we readied ourselves into a defensive stance.
---
Word count: 3855
Ayanokouji met his shadow self, I think his manifested personality makes sense if you are only looking at how Kamoshida would perceive him.
Obviously, the fights and abilities are pretty far removed from canon and the like. However, I got the idea due to his appearance as like an archangel figure. The lunar abilities are somewhat associated with Sariel although there is another reason for them and his transformation as well. That'll be for the next chapter though.
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Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter. Let me know in the comments below.
Until next time.