Chapter 12:Stand Or Fall
Hunter stood at the edge of a cliff.One wrong move and he would fall thousands of meters down into the abyss of a canyon. He had his hands behind his back,straight posture,staring at the sky.Hunter was waiting for something to happen. He was patient.
Revenge wasn't complete yet.Hunter wanted to find Red,the man that killed his sister back in the bloodmoon. He still had her daggers that she used to fight with before she died.Hunter didn't know where to look.But the thing he was waiting for final came.
A flock of dragons soared above him in the dark skies of the sorrowful night.They scattered the skies like crumbs of a slice of bread on a wooden plate. He gave a nod to the dragons. He was going to catch up.The last sign of the ILO's arrival was that serpents,both fire and water,would not be able to shift into the forms of humans to disguise themselves anymore.The same thing applied to the navajo. No monster would hide themselves.
This was the chance of redemption of sins.Hunter faced down to his slowly mutating hand,claws spiking out of his finger nails and scales developing all over his skin. He grew a tale and after a few grunts and struggles,Hunter was a true draconian.A true dragon to his clan.But was he right?Galvin seemed more moral than him.Galvin stuck to morality but Hunter stuck to dragon code.
"Anyone that harms one of us shall be harmed right back."Hunter muttered under the scorching breath.The dragon took off and flew into the skies with the rest of the group. He was behind for a few moments but the wind levels died down and he surpassed all the other dragons in speed.They would sore over Japan and try to look for Red.
Hunter already sent other groups of dragons around Japan to look as well. It was take a while but…it would be worth it.For Emma.A sister by heart not by blood.Red needed to be put to an end.Hunter has a reason to hunt this tyrant down.But Red had no business to start a blood moon. He had no reason to slaughter Emma like that.
It was immoral and psychotic.Killing in cold blood without reason.From Hunter's perspective,what he was doing was….right.Reasonable to be fair but what good is it to continue a blood feud just to make yourself feel better?It's a tight knot to tangle,sure.
But once you do it,there's no going back.You can't change the past.Well maybe you can with time manipulation but even then that has limits.And everything in the universe that has been created has a limit.But nobody should fight. We should all live in peace,Irai's ideology. To be free,with suffering sure but…with happiness.Only necessary suffering would be allowing like suffering to make you grow.Not a whole war.For what?Revenge over the past?To be stimulated?Or is it something more that Japan is fighting for?
These Korean fools were manipulated by Red and Kraven so easily. If only Japan was the untouched paradise.Only Japanese people would live there.You could only be born there.Lush grass that expands across the meadows further than the eye could see.All types of fruits,plants and animals.A mixture of love and hate.Edo.Irai's wish when he turned 18 years old.Basically two years ago now. He wished for Edo,the land of freedom.
Speaking of Irai. He was at the Genshi palace with Kimiko,Maku and Kraven.Chief Lenny was arresting South Koreans in Shibuya and Maku sent a few hundred Genshi around all directions of the Genshi palace,just a few miles from it.Irai fed Jasper some leftover miso soup,it still felt fresh and tasted fresh.
Maku didn't trust Kraven that much. He had him and his men locked up in cursed chains,nothing more.Just so that they wouldn't resort to attacking the Genshi by surprise.
"You're lucky you aren't dead right now.But I know white feathers are a good sign."
"This world confuses me on what's moral or not.One minute im seen as cursed,the next i'm seen as a better creature than I was before. Is it racism or what?"Kraven itches his wrists on the cursed chains.His men strangely twitch certain body parts yet he hums in a soothing tone,crow language to back down.
"My ancestors saw you with filth and disgrace to Earth. It might been racism or becoming a dove is finding your true self.Not listening to others in a negative way.And I'm sorry when your parents-"Kraven slammed the cup of wine onto the table.With a firm voice,he commanded not to speak of his parents in any sort of way.They moved onto another topic.
"This is your fault Kraven,all these South Koreans moving in when I've been emperor for short time!"
"Partially my fault,partially Red's fault.I'm not like him though.I fought for my people and for my culture. He fights for money or fame or for fun.Illogical things that bring man to greed or pride and even envy.I saw who he truly was in that cave back in Terrence Oblivion. He slaughtered some of my men and Isura and I tried to attack but… it wasn't successful clearly. My men and I fled the island with his brother Kibo.Isura parted separate ways and I haven't seen her since.She probably went to rebuild the serpent kingdom.But we can't act as sitting ducks here.Those South Koreans will penetrate our defences if we don't oppose them with offence."
"You're…making up some good points Kraven."
"I know.Send me and my men up front.I need to put an end to this mess that I foolishly started."
"I can't trust you enough to go on your own Kraven. I'm coming with you.Irai,Kimiko,yanagi.You all stay here,I'll be gone for a while."
"What?Not even I can come?I'm your right hand man Maku."
"You're in charge of the palace now.Make sure these Genshi are strong and ready for battle alright?"
"Alright Maku.Safe travels."He nodded and walked to the stables,mounting up on their horses.Kimiko rested against a wall,staring outside the window.
"Who knew that Kraven and Maku would be riding side to side together!"Yanagi chuckled.She let a sigh shortly after,sitting down by the fire place.
"I know,it was unexpected.But how could someone change so much in such short time?I just don't get it.What did Red do in that cave?What is he truly?A human?A demon?A…not a God but he's still powerful."
"What about the other ILO members?"Kimiko said in a sleepy voice.
"Stay awake!And about the other two.Lunar.She's a sea serpent,probably related to Isura if you go far back enough. As for the angel…I-Iris. We don't know much about her but we'll find out soon enough."The three were in silence for a while till they heard other Genshi training outside.
"Y'know Yanagi,I could teach you some things. On how to fight.Would you like that?"
"I'm not really a fighter Irai,or a leader if that's what you're pointing to.I'm more of a sheep who follows the herd."
"I know what you mean.You think you aren't important but look at you.Making clothes for us Genshi.Making food for us.Must be tiring.Aside from that,just in case,practice your physical strength,alright?"
"Irai I'm not sure.."
"Kimiko will be there."
"I'm coming?"
"Yes.All three of us.I want us to train together and bond while Maku's gone,ok?"
"Ok."All of them said in sync.They entered a training room.Kimiko was stretching,Irai placed himself in the centre of the room and Yanagi lingered in the shadows,or at the back of the room.
"Now the two of you come forward."Irai took a few deep breaths and placed his hands together.
"Ability manipulation?"Yanagi questioned.
"That's for outside.This is just purely physical strength."Yanagi nodded and continued to copy Irai.After a few minutes of stretching,some kicks and punches,things felt off.Irai felt a sudden wave of emptiness.
"I need a moment outside."He said to the girls.Just a moment of fresh breeze blowing across his face.Leaning against the wooden balcony,staring at the sun's eternal horizon.Irai took a few deep breaths and looked down at the plants.Yanagi went outside too after some time.And eventually,Kimiko joined them.
"Why don't you want to fight anymore Irai?"
"I needed some time to think.What are we going to do after all this blood shed…Edo?"
"We are working to the perfect world,so yeah.The land of Edo.You wished for it,didn't you?"
"I did.But I'm not sure if the moonstone took in my wish.That was two years ago now when I turned 18.I just…don't see any point in this."
"In what?"
"All of this.I don't know anymore. We're fighting for something.But I wanna fight for more."
"Have you told anybody else about how you've been feeling?"
"No…I'm too stressed about these South Koreans coming in."
"Irai listen."
"Yeah Kimiko?"
"It all feels strange right now but it will all work out sooner or later.Just remember that for me ok?I know I'm young and all,you have more experience than me but…do it for our parents sake.Keep fighting,I'm right with you alright?"
"Alright Kimiko.And you're alongside us too Yanagi even if you aren't much of a fighter."
"I never wanted to be much of a fighter Irai,you and I both know that. I'm a girl,you think society could accept me?"
"That's just false!Don't listen to the stereotypes,sexist people are slaves to control.They have no freedom.Look at Kimiko,she's a girl and she's strong.Isura…she's-"
"A traitor."Dead silence.Irai gulped slowly,staring at the ground as sweat slowly rolled down his face.
"All those memories…"
"They belong in the ground Irai."
"Even…even…even Emma was a…good fighter.And she was a girl.A strong fighter,that girl was..she was something…something special. So courageous and resilient."
"Irai you're too attached to the past.Those girls are memories now. No turning back to what's been done,only moving forward,just like you told me,right?"
"R-right…right yes I did say that but I guess…"
"What?You guess what?"
"Well…I miss Emma.I miss the bond we used to share.I remember all those times she saved my life and all those times that I saved hers.And Isura…it was nice being allies with water serpents.Even the fire serpents with…Hunter."
"Isura and Hunter went down the wrong paths."
"At least Kraven turned the right way."Yanagi pointed out.
"Even then,we can't have everyone on our side.Some fall for others to stand,some run while others stand and some fly while others run."
"That's a smart saying Kimiko,learning a lot of ideology from me."
"You're ideas are justified that's why. It's not clear to me,how-no why is Kraven…all of the sudden so different. It doesn't make sense for something to change so quickly in such short time.Things take time to develop and shape but he…it…suddenly on our side?"
"I don't trust him either.Maku almost killed him in the first few minutes of seeing him."
"Few seconds."Yanagi,again pointed another thing out.
"Yeah.But he's a dove now. He's redempted."
"What does it even mean for a crow to redempt itself?"
"To turn from bad actions."
"Or to be good in a human's perspective?They've been rotten for centuries and humans treated them horribly.But…maybe it was because the crows were corrupted in the first place?Causing plague and havoc everywhere they stepped foot on?
"We don't fully trust them so it can't be a human's perspective.Maybe it's just…they find out who they truly are."
"That's another way of seeing it,right now we need to be cautious.Kraven might be an attack in plain sight from the South Koreans!"
"He said-"
"I don't care what he said!"
"Kimiko,calm down,let Irai speak."She took and deep breath,shortly nodding after to carry on.
"He said…Red turned against him.Even Kibo looked worried.Isura abandoned everybody and she seemed like a coward to her people.Can we call her a true queen?"Irai wheezed out loud. He cried so hard that he forgot what he was saying.Kimiko patted him on the back to make sure he was calm and not somewhat insane.
"It's not the right time to laugh Irai,c'mon."
"Sorry I…I lost myself!I lost…where I was at…or who I am…"
"Are you ok?"
"This sun…it's giving me a headache-can we go inside?"
"Sure."His skin cooled down when they entered the palace again,away from the warm thick air full of moisture.A perfect paradise for bugs.
And peasants.Irai sat down on a wooden structure he could barely describe.But it was coated in a warm blanket of grey wool.A slight headache still lingered through his head.
"Kimiko,can you get me a cup of water?"
"Alright."While she filled the cup with water from the well,Yanagi stood outside of the palace to the graveyard.
"Where'd she go?"Kimiko handed to cup to Irai.
"Outside,to you know where."
"I'm going to check on her,don't do anything stupid alright?"
"I won't,I just need a bit of rest…and some time to think."Yanagi wiped her tears rapidly as soon as Kimiko crept into the graveyard.
There were some other Genshi there as well,mourning the lost ones,specifically Kurisu,Maikeru and Aizakku.However the other bodies of the previous Genshi members were unfortunately lost,forever.Yanagi stared at Aizaaku's grave,empty.
She began to cough as her skin grew pale.Kimiko was frozen in place,like a statue,like something was stopping her from moving completely.
"We're both orphans..and so is Irai."
"I know.But our parents knew we could survive on our own."
"We have Maku though?"
"He won't be emperor forever Yanagi.Someday,we'll all perish…some sooner than others.I can't change major events in history…emotional events.I can only move time forward or move it back at certain times."
"Why?"
"It's just the way it is I suppose."Yanagi picked off a few leaves off a nearby branch.
"Those leaves are brown."
"I have to put them to a use somehow even if it's expired."Yanagi entered the palace,pacing around the kitchen.She crushed up the leaves with her palm and spread them on a wooden plate.
"Can you perhaps…bring it back to life?"
"I don't have plant manipulation Yanagi-"
"No,I mean with your…technique.About two years ago when you came up with it.Using time manipulation on one object,trapping it's physical and mental state completely different to everything around it,so that the object would be the only one that could change differently compared to everything else. Do it,I know you can now.Come on,you can do it can't you?"
"Sure I'll try."She closed her eyes,carefully concentrating on the torn apart leaves.Total and full concentration. No other thoughts to distract her.Fix the leaf.Heal the leaf.Control the leaf.After holding her hands tightly for a while,she was thinking about giving up but Yanagi whispered that there were sparks of a blue light coming out of the leaf.
Kimiko had control of it,she just needed to reverse time back to when it was healthy and rich in nutrients.The leaf slowly emerged from a brown colour to a light green where there was no mold on it anymore,or the pieces to be more specific.A crow outside screeched and screeched it's claws onto the front door of the palace.Kimiko shouted at it to go away,shooing at it.The bird got more aggressive and scratched her in the eye.Blood poured from Kimiko's eye.
"OUCH..DAMN IT."She held her eye in the palm of her hand and rushed to the medical room for some bandages and wrapped them all around her eye.She was now half blind.Irai rushed down the stairs from his sleep to check up on Kimiko and figured out what all the noise and commotion was.While Yanagi reduced the pain with one of her homemade medicines,the bird stayed at the foot of the door. It cawed constantly and Yanagi was getting more annoyed by each minute.
She told the crow to get lost but it stayed.A pint of water sprouted out of it's eye like a fountain.Did it feel…sadness?Yanagi picked up the bird,throwing it across the stairs into the air. It flew off,looking back in a way that Yanagi had never seen.A look of…empathy in some sort.She couldn't fully describe it.
"These crows,you think they work for Kraven?"
"Only one that are in the shape of a human work for Kraven,these ones are just related to him.I still don't trust him though.Maku brought cursed chains with the other Genshi in case the crows…or doves tried something suspicious.
"They're half crow,half dove.From the looks of it,Kraven's still trying to sort himself and his men throughout this whole mess.Wait are you even listening to me Irai?"
Kimiko stared at him and nudged him.But he just pointed at the steps of the Genshi Palace.Each one said something important.And it was covered in blood which the crow left a trail of.
"Chief Lenny.
Touhi Village.
2 hours.
Bring Kraven."
Irai sighed as he covered his eyes in disappointment.
"They have Chief Lenny hostage…the dragons.."
"Hunter?"
"Yes Yanagi,Hunter has Chief Lenny hostage.Maybe Galvin too."
"Galvin wouldn't side with Hunter after all of this mess he's caused and is going to cause!Think about it-"
"No time for yapping Yanagi. We need to move quickly."Irai trotted up the stairs of exhaustion.When he reached the top,there was a big bell to ring to get people's attention from miles away. He rung it three times,the whole of Tokyo could hear it and he had to cover his ears as well as the other Genshi.
"What's going on Irai?"One of them asked.
"We need Maku and Kraven at Touhi village within two hours because they have Chief Lenny hostage."
"Why?Who said?"
"A crow left some blood behind shaped into a letter,on the stairs at the front of the Palace."
"Well…you need me to come?Or any more Genshi?"
"No.Just me,Maku and Kraven."
"Alright then.Stay safe out there."He waved at the Genshi before going back down the stairs again.Irai whistled for Jasper to come. He mounted up just to see Maku and Kraven in the distance.
"MAKU!COME,COME QUICKLY!"
"I know Irai!I'm coming."The two came face to face,or the three.
"We scouted the area and found some South Koreans,had to kill them."Kraven muttered.
"Cleaning up your mess,good."
"I am…is there a problem with that?"
"No,you've done good Kraven-"
"Why the hell did you ring the bell?What's going on?"Maku looked at the steps covered in blood. He finally understood the situation.
"ALL OF YOU,ALL MY MEN,STAY HERE AT THIS PALACE.DON'T CAUSE ANY FIGHTS WITH THE GENSHI.MAKU,IRAI AND I HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO!"Kraven demanded in a loud tone.His men chanted in agreement.Some questioned Kraven and gained a few white feathers but they all had to comply.Had to?Maybe not…it wasn't the fact Kraven was a bad person it was the fact they needed more freedom.
"YANAGI!COME ALONG!"Irai shouted,waving at her window.She scoffed,running down the stairs outside the palace.
"What for?"
"Putting your power to use."
"If you're going to bring her,you might as well bring me."
"Kimiko…it would be five of us,too much."
"Please Irai!"
"Kimiko I said no!"
"I'm 16 years old,you were doing stuff like this five years ago weren't you?"Irai rolled his eyes.
"Fine,mount your horse."
"We need to be careful with bringing Yanagi along,what will she do anyways?"
"You'll see Maku,you'll see soon enough.trust me on this."The five rode out into the distance,into all the fog. On the way,Maku had to come up with a plan.
"The dragons want you Kraven,in exchange for Chief Lenny."
"Hunter wants revenge…after what happened two years ago,he couldn't have confronted me then?."
"I'd be mad too if my sister's killer's associate walked free as a bird in the open sky.But what do you think Irai?"
"We can't walk in empty handed."
"And we aren't going to."
"Well…They crossed villages of all sorts.The journey felt like an eternity for them.Different cultures and civilisations everywhere you looked.And when there wasn't a town or a village or people,there was nature.Jasper had been loyal to Irai for a long time now and they created an eternal bond as it seems.All those times Jasper had run off and still came back to Irai,true loyalty.
A horse never abandons it's owner if they have a good bond.Jasper had gotten faster and stronger over the years,practically growing with Irai. He used to be so slow and now he's so quick.Maku used to be so soft and now…now he's a leader.
A…strong but hard person. He's not bad he just developed a lot because of all these political things that were going on.Kimiko,a lost wandering girl.Lived in a dump in Shibuya two years ago.
Now look where she's at.16 years old,confident and a good amount of time manipulation learnt.Yanagi hasn't changed much except for the fact she has basic clone manipulation now,being able to clone almost anything by one.
Kraven,who used to be a cold blooded no mercy killer,has redempted over some time.How could someone so evil change in such short time?Who knows?Maybe he realised Red was wrong.Maybe he seeked freedom more than destruction.Maybe he…realised his parents wouldn't have wanted him to be like this.
They were kind people.The only true reason that crows were nicknamed as cursed were because they were slaves to control.Always following what dragons or humans did…never really inspired to be something of themselves.
Something original.Something new.But all this thought now…a lot has changed since 1665.A lot of people have changed in some way.Things are constantly evolving.The new century is in 30 years.
Technology is developing.And soon,people will be more civilised.Humanity will continue to become stronger and stronger until they fall someday.But their demise will be their fault.
And it won't be pretty.The group reached Touhi village,leaving their horses hitched at some stables near the main gate.Maku took the lead on this one.Irai and Kraven were beside him while Kimiko and Yanagi were behind him.
"Yanagi wait."
"Yeah Irai?"
"I need you,to make a clone of Kraven."
"Why?"
"Trust me on this."
"A clone of me?What for samurai?"
"You'll…you'll see,just quickly.Those dragons saw us."Yanagi placed her hand onto Kraven's shoulder,closing her eyes.A grey shimmer crackled into the air next to Kraven,an exact clone of him.Same memories,same purpose,just not original.
"Kraven wait here,you,come with me."Maku demanded.
Kraven tied up the horses again the stables and blended into the dark.The clone was told by Irai and Maku that their plan was to trick to dragons into trading Chief Lenny for a fake Kraven. It had to work.
Everything about them were the same.
"Follow my lead."Maku whispered,raising his hands in the air,empty handed.Four dragons guarded the front gate.
"Emperor Maku?The Genshi leader?!What's your purpose here?"One dragon slammed his staff into the ground.
"No need for that.A fine dragon like you should be less stressed about a fine person like me."
"I won't ask you again,what do you want from us?"
"You see that bird over there?"Maku pointed to the clone.
"Kraven?"
"Yes."
"The other three Genshi don't need to enter Touhi Village."
"They won't cause you any harm-"
"I said,they don't need to enter.And that's settled.You wanna argue with us?Take it to our leaders."
"More than one leader?Sure."
"You two stay right here."The dragon escorted the clone and Maku into Touhi village.A lot has changed since he's been here.Dragons look tougher.Building look reinforced.There's torches and skull masks everywhere.Serpent eyes lock onto Maku but he's smart enough to lower his presence,for now.When the two enter the leader's throne,he meets two old friends.
"Isura,Hunter. I'm glad to see you two."
"And we aren't glad to see you.Maku,you're not a very good emperor.Can't keep the South Koreans back,can't keep unwanted attention out of this country.You had potential but wasted it.Hunter and I are in charge now,not you!"
"You've grown stubborn Isura."
"No,Lunar says I need to be confident and strong for myself so that others will follow me."
"That's a pretty dumb ideology for a Queen."
"You brought Kraven though."Hunter stood up from his demonised throne that Galvin used to sit in. He walked down the steps of ember and stared Maku in the eye,face to face.
"Two years ago,my sister,Emma died in the blood moon.I couldn't save her.She was a brave soul,had a lot of spark that girl.The only human I ever loved.And now,you ride with Kraven,a friend of my sister's killer.But now you have him right where I wanted him."
"I'm turning into a dove,Hunter."
"I can see that.Even if you think you can erase your sins through redemption,it doesn't change what you did to others."
"I was in a jail cell when your sister died!I don't work with Red anymore.I've changed,I'm still changing!Can't you see?"
"I CANT FORGIVE YOU KRAVEN,CAN'T YOU SEE THAT?"
The room instantly went silent.Hunter tied up the clone with cursed chains and threw him on the floor.
"Where's Chief Lenny then?I did what you asked Hunter…and Isura.I did what you asked!Give me what I deserve."
"And you will get him,just give me a few moments."Just as Hunter finished his sentence,the clone vanished into thin air.Maku growled,clenching his jaw.
His cortisol levels spiked massively. An eerie wave of anxiety filled his gut and he looked at the floor with nothing to say,nothing at all.
"That wasn't the real Kraven…"Isura muttered,widening her eyes.She stood up from her throne and trotted down the steps,blinking multiple times to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
"It was a clone."Yanagi's ability manipulation only lasted a few minutes before it wore off. It was a dumb idea trying to trick the serpent race as a whole.
"What are going to say now Maku?Should I hang you?Burn you?"
"Do what you please."
"You'll die with dishonor."
"I don't care about honor,what do you know about honor yourself?"
"I'm just saying,that was a dumb decision."
"I KNOW THAT NOW."He shouted miserably.Hunter grabbed him by the back of his neck.
"STAND UP!"Hunter and Isura tied Maku up with cursed chains,bringing him in front of the execution platform.Not on it,but in front of it.Hunter demanded for the kids to enter their homes,it was no place for a child to in a man's execution zone.
Chief Lenny was brought out,blindfolded and tied up. He kept twitching his head,huffing and puffing for air.The dragons forced him up the steps onto the execution platform,a whole crowd stood below him.They were chanting for his death,for his downfall.
But Lenny didn't deserve this. He was a man of honor,chief of the police force of Japan.His whole life,he fought crime.And now he's being slaughtered by dragons and serpents aswell as a partner of his being forced to watch.The blindfold was removed.Chief Lenny scanned the crowd and saw Maku up front,he had cursed chains tied around him.
"LENNY!STAY STRONG FOR ME ALRIGHT!"He didn't reply. He nodded,face trembling like an earthquake.Lenny didn't except for his life to come to an end like this.And Maku didn't expect for him plan to go wrong.Although he should've known better that Yanagi wasn't that skilled as a clone manipulator.
Hunter and Isura stepped on the platform,calming the crowd down.The village's wind whistled,brushing against nearby trees.Dragons saluted and stood still.
They closed their eyes,it was a tradition for serpents to be silent and as stable as possible when an execution was going to take place.They put their hands together,shaping them into fists and raising their elbows to shoulder level.
The air grew more moist and increased in warmth.Torches were lit from each corner of the platform by Hunter.A flute was being played,as well as drums in a rhythmic repeating melody.Maku actively twisted and turned his wrists in every way that he could in order to somewhat loosen the chains.
Isura watched him struggle,she had no concern as she was confident he wouldn't escape.Isura took a deep breath,nodding to Hunter and in response,Hunter drew out a dagger,previously belonging to Emma.
It had luxurious gold symbols coated on the base of it.The metal part shone against the reflection of the torches.Hunter raised the dagger up high in the air,slowly lowering it onto Chief Lenny's neck.Hunter removed the bandana covering his mouth and Italian like thick mustache.The dagger leaned in closer and closer towards Chief Lenny's neck.Sweat dripped onto the knife's edge.Just before Hunter sliced his neck,he gave one final statement to Chief Lenny.
"On this…eventful day,we bring you,the Chief of the police force of Japan,Chief Lenny. He has heavy ties with the Genshi and his people have hated the dragons for centuries.After the bloodmoon,I lost my sister to an evil monster as we know as Red.Chief Lenny did nothing to stop this. He chose to not help,he was too busy on…other matters that he claims to be more important than murder."
"FALSE!"
"Be quiet for once!Back to what I was saying,whatever the police and the Genshi were doing,it wasn't enough.They fail to protect this nation.I hope you people can see that.When this man dies and when Maku dies at the front here,I will lead this country away from these greedy,narcissistic humans.I thought I could make peace with them,but it turns out all they care about….is themselves. So,Chief Lenny.After all these years,it came to this.Being threatened by a dragon with a dagger in a village full of dragons.And your so called friend in law is directly in front of you. He will watch you die.Then I will kill him on this exact spot you shall die.Chief Lenny,do you have any last words?Any secrets you want to unleash out of your small body?"
"You…you…dragons…you will rot in hell for this…a disgrace to Japan,this great country has been ruined by evil like you.Damn you.DAMN YOU DRA-"His vocal cords were ripped apart from the dagger.Hunter slashed his whole throat,his life blurred before his eyes and he fell to the floor,thick syrupy blood pouring everywhere.Dragons rushed in to clear it up.
"Burn his body,over there."Hunter pointed to a pile of fire that was previously lit for the special occasion.Smoke rose high,Irai and the others would've seen it for sure.There were four guards by the main gate but the three of them could've gotten through,it was best to save the trouble for later.Maku took a deep sigh,staring at the dripping blood from the platform.
He turned his head to his right to see the fire.There were bones,skulls in that same pit.Hunter has done this to other people,other creatures. He had to get out of Touhi Village fast.His hands were tied behind his back and the dragons still had their eyes closed,saluting.The dragon behind him had his sword on his waist,the blade still seeable.Maku leaned back,slowly and quietly rubbing the chain onto the sword.
"What are you doing?"The dragon whispered. It heard Maku but had to keep it's eyes closed.
"Shut up."CRACK.The chains were split in half.Maku freed himself from the chains,removing them from his wrists. He turned around quickly,drawing the sword of the dragon behind him. He grabbed him by the neck and put the sword to his head,the same way Hunter did to Chief Lenny.
"Don't you say a word."Maku sliced the dragon's throat,placing the sword onto the ground. He wiped the blood off his clothes.
"Lenny…"Maku whispered.His body was burning in the fire,bone was beginning to show.Isura and Hunter stood beside the burning body.All those years of fighting crime with Chief Lenny…just for him to be executed and there was nothing to do to stop it…Maku shed a tear,quickly wiping it away.All those memories…he'd come back for the body,or what's left of it.
But right now,his main priority was to live. He needed to escape and fast or else he would be next. To create a distraction,Maku grabbed and shaped a piece of the cold wind into a shurikin,throwing it at one of the guard walls.
An instant boom exploded,leaving multiple cracks and many dragons dead.The dragons opened their eyes,looking at the explosion.Some began to scream and others alerted Hunter and Isura.They went to investigate the explosion while Maku snuck past the crowd,pushing them to get to the main gate.
The guards from the gate also went to investigate the explosion,in the process they used the lever to open the main gate.Maku snuck past them to Irai,Yanagi and Kimiko who were all chains up. He cut the chains and met up with Kraven at the stables,horses ready to go. As they mounted up,the group grew confused.
"Why isn't Lenny with you?And what was that explosion?"Irai questioned.
"He's dead.Hunter began to burn his body along with Isura."
"Dead?No-no…we need him!We…"Kimiko stammered.
"I'm…I'm-I'm afraid that…I couldn't stop it.There were too many dragons surrounding me but that distraction managed to buy me some time.I narrowly escaped the serpent's wrath."
"Isura was there…Hunter…they grew evil..you couldn't convince them?"Kraven suggested.
"Convince them?In what way?They were too lost in anger.They slaughtered him.THEY SLAUGHTERED HIM KRAVEN!"
"I KNOW!And…I suppose I'm sorry…"
"You suppose?"
"STOP FIGHTING YOU TWO!My gosh…yes,he may be dead.And we should ALL feel sorry. We'll return when we can,maybe find his ashes…or his bones if we're lucky.BUt Maku,I'm sorry it had to end that way."
"KRAVEN,THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT,YOU AND RED!"
"I KNOW IT'S MY FAULT!AND I'M TRYING TO FIX IT.I didn't say this properly before but let me address to you guys right now.To be honest with you people,I'm changing because I don't want to be like Red,I've seen what he's done. He won't change.But I will.I fought like a savage,most of my life.But this redemption,it's a sign to change. It's a sign to become better than those that continue to go down the path of darkness.That's why I chose to redempt.You wanna argue?You want me and my men to leave?Fine,we will.Just be glad we wanted to help you in the first place Maku Korinzu,just remember."
Kraven travelled up front to get out of Maku's sight. He wanted to say something back but kept his mouth shut.After returning to the Genshi palace,the Genshi and the crows slept.While they slept,Maku retrieved the bones of Chief Lenny from Touhi Village,burying him in the graveyard of the Genshi palace. If he had to remember the Chief in one way,he had to go back,he had to.For the next few weeks,South Koreans came in and out of Japan.
Maku and Kraven fought and fought.Thousands of Koreans were killed up to this point.Then came one day.Toru paid a visit to the Genshi palace. He knocked on the front door,waiting for a response nervously.Irai opened it in an exhausted manner.
"Hi Toru.What brings you the visit?You wanna come inside?"
"No time Irai,I need you and some others out here,NOW!"
"MAKU!KRAVEN!KIMIKO!"The others came to the front door,Yanagi being in the background,curious about what was going on.Some other Genshi woke up and so did some crows.
"Kraven…"
"We haven't met much."
"I don't…have time for this right now but,there's been this strange reportings of yellow,blue and red shimmers near this area in the sky."
"We've seen them,it might be the ILO."
"It's not a might,it's certain.You people need to flee from this place,fast.The ILO will be here soon,in front of the Genshi palace."
"How would you know?"
"I don't know how or why but…I feel it…"
"I'm making the call,me and Kraven,but thanks for the heads up.Where's Lily?"
"She well,at home. No more sickness of hers to cure."
"That's good to know.Glad she's better."
"Toru we aren't leaving."Kraven faced Maku's directing,signaling to nod.
"Yeah,he's right.I know what you want for us but…the last thing we do is leave.I know what you mean but I'm not leaving my home.The South Koreans are backing down,this war is nearly over after two damn years!Isn't that right Irai?We will defend the Genshi Palace."
"You are right,both of you.But Toru could help reinforce the base."
"I''ll do that."
"Alright then,come on in. We could use some extra help."For the next few hours,Toru reinforced the materials of the Genshi Palace with the help of Maku and Kraven's men.Irai was given new swords by Toru.Duel katannas. He enchanted them with light manipulation and practiced fighting with them in the training grounds.Irai used to be so slow.Such a slow runner,wasn't good at moving or decision making.Mentally and physically slow.But after he met Maku,Kurisu's childhood friend,the boy moved swiftly and looser.
Meanwhile,Kimiko was an expert at the basics of time manipulation.Toru had given her an odachi sword so she enchanted it with time manipulation.Anybody she opposed that was touched with the sword would get messed up physically.She wishes it was easier to go back in time to save all the ones who couldn't make it.The rules of the dimensions were random,they were unorganised.But in a way,that brought more freedom.Some rules were strict but some were free.Everyday,she wishes…for freedom. To fight for what's necessary.
All this wasn't even worth the trouble or the pain.But maybe it was the journey that mattered more than the destination.Yanagi cooked delicious foods to help the Genshi and crows gain nutrients and energy for fighting such as sushi,tempura,ramen,udon and miso soup.What a good cook honestly,keep everybody in line.Kept the whole palace organised as much as possible even if she wasn't much of a fighter,she still did something.And something is more than nothing.While the palace was getting reinforced,Hunter and Isura were at a festival for serpents only.They were giving charity to those who needed it.This was a free festival.Wealth and fame didn't matter here as long as you were a serpent,you could enter.
There were fire works,loads of goods and foods donated from all around the world.Isura and Hunter created the festival mainly to help those in need but also to get some fun in their lives for once.Laughing,chatting,fire works blowing up.The smell of sweet treats,flowers of different scents,smoke from bond fires.The touch of cool mist of the air.Nighttime,there were bright stars covering the dark blanket of the sky.Hunter took a sip of wine and gazed at the stars.
"You really remind me of Emma."
"Thank you.The two of us have stuck together through all of this.But…"
"But what?Is it about the Genshi?"
"Yeah…I'm starting to um…have regrets."
"About what?"
"Betraying them.They might've left us in a way but they could've been busy with other things!They saw you,holding your sister-"
"Don't."Hunter crushed the empty glass with his bare hands.
"Alright I'm sorry,but I'm having my doubts.You know Lunar said to betray the Genshi…I don't have as much faith in my mother…I feel like we should..join the Genshi again."
"After everything we did to them,you think they're going to let us join again?I don't want to be seen with those good for nothing arrogant souls."
"Hear me out,please Hunter."
"So you feel remorseful?Nice,everybody feels it.But you shouldn't act on what you know is wrong."
"I have to go back to Terrence Oblivion to get the rest of my sea serpents back."
"You mean the little island off the coast of North Japan?"
"Yeah,the one Red made…"
"He started all of this.Him and Kraven."
"Speaking of Kraven,most of his feathers are white now,he's changing into a dove,you know what that means right?He stays as a dove with the Genshi…it's the right choice Hunter."
"Why would you switch up on me?And so fast as well?So sudden?!You didn't think you could talk to me about what you were feeling another time?"
"I had to let it out,didn't want to bottle it up inside me anymore…I act so high and mighty when I'm just following my mother's ideologies!Not what I want.And what I want is…to do right."
"And what exactly…is right for you?"
"Not this,that's for sure.I'm going,right now,if you don't support my choice,that's fine but I have to…I can't leave loose ends,if you know what I mean."
"I don't know what you mean."He towered over Isura,breathing heavily,eyes of ember illuminating onto her clothes.Isura looked back,a sapphire look reflecting into his eyes.She couldn't anymore,wiping away the tears of freshwater with her cloak.
"YOU WANNA BETRAY US?YOU DON'T HAVE THE GRIT!"Hunter shouted,stomping his foot vigorously.A flick of fire spread across the grass,quickly blowing out from the whistling misty wind.Everybody was looking in Hunter's direction.Everybody could see his face.Even the kids were frightened,hiding behind their parents due to his loud,demanding voice.
Isura didn't look back.She kept walking till she reached her horses.Some other sea serpents joined her and they rode off into the abyss of darkness.Hunter couldn't take the anxiety anymore. He stormed into a tent,screaming with rage.Everybody heard him but nobody could see him anymore.
Hunter sat down,isolating himself in the tent. No torches,he was in a dark room with only himself. He started to miss Galvin,wondering where the dragon went this whole time.
He started to think more about his family,about Emma.The night they played chess,the same night that his parents adopted Emma from an orphanage.
From that time,humans and dragons worked pretty well with each other.But then..their parents were arguing.The house burned down,leaving Hunter and his newly adopted sister,Emma.
They walked and walked until somebody with enough care put them into an orphanage in Touhi village.That's where they grew up for the rest of their lives.Thinking back to the present,he lost his family,but he didn't lose his race. He thought for a while but he didn't want to act like a dog and follow Isura. He needed more time to justify his actions. At the Genshi Palace,all hell was blooming.Three portals had opened up. An angel,a sea serpent and a demon.A whole army of navajo behind them.
"THE ILO!"A Genshi blew the horn.But they were ready.The souls became conscious.While the sea serpent stuck with the demon,the angel descended from the foggy skies,joining the ILO.
"Stay back from our home."Maku demanded with his fists ready. He drew his sword,enchanted in smoke.
"I'm on your side,those two in the distance,I'm against them.I can't say exactly why but…they're…pure evil."
"Your name?"
"Iris.You must be Maku."
"How the-"
"No time to explain now. We need to destroy these Genshi and only then will I be able to explain everything.There will-"
"SILENCE YOU FOOLS!"The overlord spoke,his voice was deep and echoed across Tokyo. He had red neon like glowing thick armour and a scythe with a fresh skull engraved in the center of it.Lunar had sky blue scales,a thick massive tail and reflective skin.She had razor sharp teeth,gnarling at the Genshi and two horns on her forehead arose.
"I have waited for this day to come,Genshi.And I see you work with crows. It will be no matter,I'll kill all of you,slaughter you all as I watch you die happily."
"GENSHI!DO NOT FALL FOR HIS TRICKS!ADVANCE!"Maku raised his sword,hundreds of Genshi charged towards the Navajo. It was genocide.Things were being torn apart,limb from limb.Orgrans spilt out onto the floor.
Blood the size of entire rivers spilled out. It was bloody. It was brutal and it was full of gore.The Navajo were infiltrating Japan.Several horns were blown to seal the boarders of Japan so any more Navajo in the seas couldn't enter.The overlord laughed.The Genshi were outnumbered.They had hundreds,the Navajo were thousands.Different monsters shape shifting into ugly forms,beasts taking over.
"PROTECT THE PALACE AND ANYTHING INSIDE IT!PROTECT THE WOMEN AND THE CHILDREN!"Maku charged into the center,forcing his men to push up.The horses neighed in fright and some tried to leave the stables.Irai calmed Jasper down and patted him,insuring her wouldn't escape.
"Come on Jasper."Just as Irai was about to mount up,Iris stopped him.
"Irai…I-"Iris stuttered.
"What do you want with me?"
"Fight…fight with me my son."
"What do you mean?"
"I…can't explain yet.Just fight with me and stay by my side!"Irai hesitated for a moment. He mounted Jasper and followed Iris who was flying through the air.She reminded him of someone.Someone important but…he forgot exactly who. As the two caught up with Maku,they had to jump over numerous Genshi bodies.
Their eyes were bawled out,punctured from pressure and impact.The Genshi fired canon balls into the air.They blew Navajo apart and separated the monsters.Irai drawed his duel katanas,they were infused with light energy at this point. He took a deep breath,patted Jasper on the neck and charged with the main group.I
ris,Irai,Maku,Kraven and Kimiko pushed up.Kraven's crows took the high ground.They soared into the skies,shooting manipulated arrows of both dark and light energy.The Navajo were getting wiped out,it was mass destruction. It was genocide.But they just kept on coming and coming constantly.The cycle didn't end.Lunar and the Overlord left the Genshi area.Kraven ordered the crows to follow Lunar and the Overlord but not to attack them as they would be killed instantly.
Kimiko's odachi touched Navajo,slicing them apart and making their bodies rot from old age.The Navajo's skin looked like dried expired fruits.Their bones were twisted and snapped.Dead Navajo were worse than dead humans.Flies and maggots appeared just as it began to rain.Maku pushed the air out of the atmosphere to get a better view at the enemy.His heart was racing. If only he had more help…if only the dragons…
"MAKU!"Irai screams echoed and bounced across the battle field.Maku turned to his side,a fire ball was flying towards him. He couldn't react fast enough.Irai threw a light manipulation slash that slightly managed to save Maku before the fire ball exploded. It rebound back to the Navajo who had created it,blowing them apart.
"Thanks a lot Irai.I was wrong about before."
"Don't mention it!Now let's kill these inbred pieces of filth!" Lunar formed one final tsunami.Water grew higher and higher from every cliff near the palace.Instantly,all of it closed in and came crashing down.Genshi were washed up.The water settled down but rocks from nearby cliffs began to fall.Rocks crashed onto the battle field,crushing some others completely flat,blood splattering everywhere.
Some Genshi that had earth manipulation stopped the rocks from falling to prevent any further damage.The palace formed small cracks in it,nothing too major to worry about,yet.Irai slashed through the mobs of Navajo with Iris,actively pushing through the swarms of monsters to get to the Overlord and Lunar.But they already fled.
The Navajo kept on coming and coming. It felt like there was an infinite number of them that just wouldn't stop.Iris caught eye of three portals that the Navajo kept coming out of. So as long as those doors were open,the Navajo would keep coming out of them.She flew into the air in attempt to glide through the battlefield,reaching Irai after the struggle.Jasper was giving up already. He coughed water out of his mouth.The same water from the tsunami Lunar created.
"Jasper…stay with me."Irai said.The horse neighed in response. It's legs were trembling heavily.Every breath it took, a cold mist could be seen.Irai looked to him side and saw Iris who finally caught up with him.
"Let me boost you up Irai!Fast!"Iris placed her hands low.Irai placed his foot onto her hands.She threw him up high into the sky. An arrow enchanted of fire struck him in his leg. AS he screamed in agony,Irai forcefully but slowly pulled out the arrow. He couldn't feel his leg anymore but had to keep on pushing.Irai landed in front of the doors,the impact alone shattered the spiritual barrier and destroyed them.
He created light manipulation chains,throwing Navajo into each other.Irai slashed and slashed,killing hundreds.Maku was creating tornados for the Navajo to get caught in.
He created poisonous gases and suffocated the Navajo.Finally,after all that blood shed.All there was to deal with were the bodies.Everybody that was alive regrouped.
"Everybody alright?"Maku asked,pausing for breath. He placed his hands on his knees and faced the floor.
"WHAT WAS ALL OF THAT?"Yanagi stormed outside just to widen her eyes as she looked at all the dead bodies.
"Chaos!Please… do me a favour."
"What is it?"
"Clean up these bodies with the rest of the Genshi.I know it's not nice but…please…the rest of you with me!"
"Where are we going Maku?"
"You know where we're going Kimiko. To find and to kill the last two of those menaces."
"It's dangerous,isn't it?"
"She's right,it is dangerous,we need backup."Kraven suggested.
"We have Genshi and we have crows."
"Maybe we need…"
"No..you don't think-"
"They want to kill Red as much as we do!"
"We all want him dead,sure…but I'm not regrouping with the serpents."
"Maku we need the help. We need the help.Think."
"We'll use them as puppets.And then we'll kill them when Red and Lunar are dead."
"No.Honest,be honest with them."
"They won't be nice to us,we should use ability manipulation to control them temporarily!"
"NO MAKU!I have left that life and after I am done with this mess I won't be a fighter anymore."
"Good for you Kraven."
"Irai,your call."
"No let's hear Iris first.She's been quiet."Irai glanced at Iris whose expression was…hard to tell. She didn't really have a face.
"I have been quiet.But I have been thinking. We need all the help we can get. So going to the serpents would be ideal. To Hunter and Isura."
"Those two yeah we were thinking about them but they would fight us in a heart beat even if they are somewhat strong."
"What about Galvin?"Irai spoke again.
"Yes. He's a good idea.That is…something I can agree to."
A few hours later.Maku had convinced Galvin to join them and Isura came to Maku before he could come to her. He gave restrictions on their alliance but they were fine for now.Hunter rejected the offer,as ignorant as he was,he was avenging Emma as he called it.Maku had his doubts about Isura but Galvin he was alright with.Galvin explained how Hunter had gone rogue.
He became rough and insane.The dragons had to split up for the better.Toru was sending letters to Lily who was safe in Okinawa.The Navajo had only swarmed Shibuya and Tokyo.Irai and Iris spent more time together.She felt like a mother to him.
The mother he never properly had.The mother he didn't have any proper memories of.She protected him. He cared for her.Iris felt like a lost memory to Irai in some way.Kraven trained his men to be stronger while Isura…she tried to fit in I suppose I could put it.After all that conflict,Maku was only using her,not because he actually wanted to know her again.Navajo were swarming Tokyo.The more people you had on your side,the better.
Later that day,the group brought dragons and crows and Genshi with them.Sea serpents didn't like the idea of going against Lunar and fighting her so they all left Isura.She was seen as a traitor to her people.And when she was done with all of this,the Genshi would leave her too.She would end up all alone.With nothing and with the help of nobody.People used to look up to her like a Queen,a figure they could rely on.
But she relied on Lunar.Isura was fed by fame and approval of serpents and even other races.She didn't talk much with the group but cried silently.Salt began to form in her tears that used to be purely freshwater.Now she had to face her mother who she betrayed,once follow the ideologies of.They got close to the coast,leaving all the horses in a big farm after paying a farmer.
He was delighted to meet Japan's emperor face to face but questioned the other races being there.Shortly after the horses were in good care,Maku bought large boats to fit everybody in.The group were heading towards Terrence Oblivion and planned to kill Lunar and the Overlord. It was going to be tough but they had a thousand people with them.A thousand people could surely devour a fish and kill the demon erupting trouble from every corner of the earth,if it even has any.
That's what everybody thought,these cowards fled in fear of being killed in front of their enemy's home.But the Overlord created everything along with Iris and Lunar. He limited their power and limited everything else to make life more…enjoyable in his eyes. He didn't even come for the moonstone,just absolute chaos.
Toru had also come along.Lunar and the Overlord were at Terrence Oblivion,performing a strange ritual it had seemed because a purple beam from a distance shone high in the sky.They were doing something,something dark,something cruel and making the world worse than it already was.A dark feeling crossed Irai's heart.
He insisted that they came up with a proper plan to take down Lunar and the Overlord but Maku was in charge and he was ascertain about this.The boats were already organised.The horses were already at the farmer's house.They already travelled to the edge of Japan.All of that to throw it away?Several Genshi were killed outside the palace.Irai put his trust into Maku.Kraven,Kimiko,Irai,Maku,Iris,Toru and Isura all boarded the boat.They were given wine and some ramen to fill their energy up.Maku rested in one of the seats and raised his hand into the air.
"I just wanted to say something to you all. We stick together. No matter what happens. No matter how many fall in the mud,get back up and stay strong. If you sink and can't get back up,we will
"What a chase…so much energy used for this?The day of rebellion?"Maku complained. He was sweating with red skin.
"You've seen the Navajo hurting innocent people Maku. It is rebellion.The overlord is the rebellion."
"Fair point Iris but…it happened so fast.I didn't expect time to move so quickly."
"It's strange times to live in,isn't it?"
"Why were you with them if you say that you're with us?"
"They got corrupted but I didn't.I'm an angel after all,just look at me.I wouldn't deceive you like the serpent or oppose you like the demon."Maku nodded,facing in the direction they were heading.North.When they got off the boat,the island was swarming with sea serpents.Isura and Lunar began to argue.Maku interrupted and the two recognised him."
"Can't escape anymore Isura or Lunar. We're going to have to kill you.And the overlord."
"Maku wait!I was trying to convince her to-"
"Don't try to manipulate anybody anymore."
"Isura…you traitor!"
Lunar fired a water cannon out of the palm of her…hand,pushign Isura away onto one of the cave walls.BAM.Cracks began to emerge.Sea serpents raided the group.Irai sliced the serpents. He was faster than a bullet in his current state.
For Kurisu.For Aizakku.For Maikeru.For all the fallen Genshi!And for mother…even though he didn't know her.Kimiko warped the organisms,making them die of old age and rotting their bodies.
Kraven used a mix of dark and light manipulation to kill the sea serpents while Toru was mores brutal,using sharp,robust tools and weapons.Piles and piles of bodies of serpents laid on the sand.Isura and Lunar were having a fight of their own.Water against water.
Toru used one of his weapons to hook onto the neck of Lunar,pulling her down.Maku increased the wind intensity,bringing Isura closer and closer to him. He held her by the neck and slammed her into the ground.
"WAIT MAKU-PLEASE-"But he didn't listen.Eventually after cuts and bruises,she fought back.Lunar stood up against,growing larger and larger.She laughed like a maniac.The water from the shore grew bigger and bigger.
She was planning to submerge the whole island into the water.Irai ran along her tail,slicing her numerous times.She picked Irai up and threw him into the ocean.
"BROTHER!"Kimiko screamed in a high pitch voice.She dived into the shallow water.
"KIMIKO!"Maku didn't stop her but he tried to keep an eye out while suffocating sea serpents.Toru turned back,concerned for her but he got whipped by Lunar's tail,crashing into a rock.His head began to ring.Blood dripped from his forehead.His clothes were tore apart and covered in sand and dirt.Irai body was sinking,he lost consciousness.Kimiko couldn't see much in the deep blue depths of the ocean.She used chromo visualling to see Irai's spirit and in her maximum effort got to him swiftly.There wasn't much time left before he drowned to death despite how strong he was,the landing knocked him out temporarily.
Kimiko grabbed Irai's arm,placing it around her neck and swimming up towards the surface.She gasped for air,coughing water out of her lungs and narrowly escaping death.She swam to shore,almost getting stabbed by a sea serpent with a spear.Thankfully, her odachi cut the serpent's throat clean open. It made weird noises,bawling it's eyes out and clutching onto it's neck.The serpent dropped the spear and fell to it's knees.Kimiko finished it off by swinging her sword towards it's neck.She sliced the serpent's head clean off.The blood poured onto her face into her eyes,she wiped it away with water.Irai gasped for air.Kimiko squeezed his hand and questioned him,
"Can you hear me Irai?"
"I can hear you just fine-WATCH OUT!"He shot a light bullet at a serpent who was charging towards Kimiko,puncturing it's head as it fell to the ground.
"Thanks."Irai stood up again,drawing his blades now enchanted completely in light manipulation. He jumped in the air,bolting at Lunar and stabbing her in both eyes.She roared with agony,bucking him off and sending another wave of water onto the island. It was slowly sinking but Irai wasn't done yet.
Maku created a massive tornado,whirling around the island.Lunar stood in her place.She screamed and screamed,the tornado was doing some damage but not enough.
Kraven blasted dark manipulation bullets at her.Kimiko warped her age by slicing her with the odachi.Irai constantly sliced,constantly moving.Maku sent air shurikins towards her.Toru was hitting her with an enchanted bowling ball covered in spikes connected to a flexible chain.Irai screamed traitor,slicing Lunar's head off,ending her reign entirely.The serpent's large body fell to the ground.Kimiko forced it to rot.Irai flicked the blood off his blades,placing them back onto his belt.
"MOTHER!"Isura turned to the scene,rushing to her body.Her face full of regret and disgrace.She had no real side,only switching between them.
"Now we need to find the overlord.Isura I know…she was your mother but…it's for the best."Galvin walked towards Lunar.His eyes were pure black. N0 soul in them.Galvin lowered his posture and took a deep warm sigh.Isura on the other hand was shouting all sorts of nonsense.She tried all types of water manipulation techniques to bring her mother back but it wasn't helping.Lunar was dead.After all that pain,one member of the ILO was killed.According to Iris,she was a non threat to the Genshi and to humanity.Not a threat but help and she did help.She healed navajo that didn't give up,she cleared waves of evil and tracked down Lunar.
"You don't understand…she was..she guided me!"
"When you couldn't guide yourself?Yes."
"MAKU STAY OUT OF THIS!YOU…YOU-"
"What?Say it.I WANNA HEAR IT!"
"You two fools,an argument won't solve nothing!"Kraven interfered. He stood in between them,reassuring that they needed to find the Overlord to kill the rest of the navajo in Japan. It was the way of reincarnation. Kimiko pushed all the bodies off the shore into the ocean.A tide was slowly emerging anyways.There was no need to be in a land infested with insects feasting on dead bodies.She swirled her hand in a clock wise motion in the direct of the bodies.Their bodies illuminated in a blue coated shimmer that ascended of their bodies,like smoke from a fire.Irai watched all this go on. He walked the beach,watching Kimiko distort the bodies then get rid of them.A few sea serpents of Isura's helped. He watched his friend argue with someone he couldn't call an enemy nor an ally.And he watched Kraven try to create peace.But he had enough. At least one promise to Kurisu had to be achieved.Destroy all evil that can be destroyed.Maku and Isura continued to argue with Kraven being in the middle.Iris leaned over the group of four and looked at her dead "friend".She shed a tear of a diamond onto the sand.The diamond's delicate material reflected the sunlight onto the outer cave wall of Terrance Oblivion.Thousands of years being with Lunar just for her to be prophesied into sorrow. It happened many times before.Iris had to repeat the cycle of reincarnation or the Overlord would've promised more chaos and more destruction than there already is in the world.Lunar was like his puppet.A manipulated soul manipulating others for the sake of evil.Iris placed one of her hands onto Lunar's body and another hand on Lunar's head.She recited an ancient language for any time one of the ILO died and although they were evil,she was forced to do so.
"Are you…bringing her back to life?"Isura wiped her tears full of salt water.
"Yes but…not yet.Her soul will be placed in the void dimension along with the Overlord when we kill his physical state."
"Why would you do that?You want future generations to get slaughtered as if they're cattle?"
"Maku I understand what you mean but…a long time ago…thousands of years ago I made a deal to both Lunar and the Overlord that if they ever died then I would reincarnate their souls back to the void dimension to wait for another coming of the ILO. It's happened many times but after every time,memories of everybody were erased.That's why I feel new to this world or if Lunar or the Overlord feel new.They're not,you just don't remember."
"How will we get our memories back?"
"I'll explain after we kill the Overlord."
"Face me Iris.And all of you.Face me,RIGHT NOW!THIS WAR ISN'T OVER YET."The Overlord stomped out of the cave with a scythe in his hand.Red neon lighting all over his black robust armour. He stood tall,like Iris.A distorted face,if you could say he even had one at all.Thunder and lightning surrounded the island.The dead bodies that were throw into the water by Kimiko and the serpents came back.Maku couldn't even control the wind now. He concentrated to his fullest like he always did to perform wind manipulation but it wasn't working this time.The wind made the island become foggy,speeds picked up.Fruits and branches from palm trees were ripped off. It was like a tornado was right next to the group.Irai pulled his sword out of his holster,gripping it with two hands firmly.
"WE'LL FIGHT THEN. NO MATTER WHAT YOU THROW AT US."His sword vibrated into a light enchanted dual set of katannas.Everybody looked in Irai's direction. He had been real quiet lately.Quiet ever since Maku became Emperor.
"I remember,that day I got arrested.The day before,my brother tried to kill himself.Kibo,his name was in case you forgot.I robbed that bank for money because we were seen as outlaws,distant from humanity.Treated like filth.The world always viewed us that way.I had to become what I am now."
"LIAR!YOU DAMN LIAR.YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANY OF THIS.FREEDOM WILL BE ACHIEVED IF EVIL CAN'T BE ERASED!"
"Evil,pain and suffering is ALL good for you.You don't see it,I help,I HELP A LOT!"
"Chaos isn't the answer Red."
"He's right Overlord…"
"Iris!It's not that nice to see you again."
"Could say the same for you."Her wings pointed upwards,indicating she was ready to fly.Her hands were covered in light manipulation and a golden halo bloomed above her head.
"No matter how many times you betray me for these low lifes,I will always come back.Unless you want them to suffer more,what do you say?"
"I SAY WE FIGHT!GENSHI!SERPENTS!CROWS!GIVE HIM EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND DO NOT BACK DOWN!"Maku pointed at the laughing tyrant.Swarms of allies charged towards to Overlord.They threw all types of enchanted weapons such as katannas,Kama,Nunti and bow an arrows.Tanageshima rifles were fired at the Overlord. He just chuckled as he took in kid beatings.The sea serpents created an uprising tide,the size of a tsunami and brought it down on him.The devil was struck.Toru stepped on steps created out of water to get the upper ground. He used jumbles springs to bounce in the air,then forming a spinning mace and hooking onto Overlord's armour full of spikes. On the other hand,Toru stabbed Overlord in the back with a large axe.Blood spat onto Toru constantly.Every time he swung,he got redder and redder.More exhausted.Toru threw himself backwards,landing onto the floor as a ring of sand settled onto the ground before him. Red's scythe illuminated a vigorous power. It's energy drained the life of all the opposers against him.And at will,the island was lifted off the ocean,arising higher and higher.Trees and sand began to fall off the edge,some genshi,some serpents,some crows.Irai managed to keep his balance. He coughed up water.His sword was lodged into a rock,it was like a knife to climb with.The only thing keeping him together.Irai looked behind him.A vast sea.Waste had already fallen into the ocean. He'd be next if he didn't climb up.Maku changed the wind speeds with all his might,yet the King had lost his crown.Kimiko's time manipulation circle had lowered the atmosphere of the island. It was no longer tilting.The winds were at ease.Irai plucked his sword out of the rock and stood up. He pressed against his neck to make sure that his pulse was still beating and that adrenaline was not the only thing keeping him alive.There were cuts all around his skin,his vision grew blurry. He fell sideways,sword growing out of arm's reach.His voice was raspy,dry. No water to drink for a while.The dehydration worsened his vision.Kimiko saw Irai on the ground,bleeding to death. He let out a long sign,slowly closing his eyes.Irai truly thought this was his last moments. On the other hand.Red was beating Maku's skull against the rock.Blood kept spreading onto it.Splatter after splatter. Up North of Terrence Oblivion,the beach was like Okinawa.All the dead South Korean soliders.Toru's left arm was forged into a spinning mace.The spikes around it stuck onto Lunar's serpently scaly skin.She persuaded some of Isura's sea serpents to get Toru off her back but Isura was trying to tell all of them to stop.She was no queen.She had little,almost no control.
"You turned on me daughter.I was going to make you a prodigy!"
"You are your lies Mother.Can't even…CALL YOU THAT.AFTER WHAT YOU DID,YOU THINK YOU CAN LIVE."She positioned her arm in a straight and slow motion.A water canon gushed out of the palm of her hand.Toru was chucked into the air,landing in a pile of dead bodies. He trampled over them awkwardly,wiping all the blood off.There were flies and insects swarming the island.They got in the way of everybody's vision.Everybody except the Overlord of course.Back on Irai's part of the island.Kimiko was still hesitating.She remembered the time where Irai and some other Genshi travelled to Shibuya in search for her.She remembered the first time she felt truly treated and cared for by people.And she remembered all her memories over the years,constantly wanting the time back.There was no time to focus on time manipulation. No time to focus on full concentration. It was just blood and death.War.Worse than war.But fighting…for something.Something special.Each blow she landed,all that time wasted…could've been something better.Rather than being seen as a tool used by people.She wished she had met her parents and had spent more time with her brother Irai.Kimiko wished for a better life.A dagger was throw at her by a cunning navajo.She looked in the direction and hesitated for a split second.A wonder crossed her mind like a lost deer on a forsaken path.Kimiko thought…to end it all now.Maybe it was better to experience nothing and not something,to get rid of the constant pain. To get rid of the feeling that there was something to worry about.Millions of memories flashed through her mind.That day she was born from her mother's ashes.A mutilated corpse.5 years after Irai was born,she looked completely different compared to every other Japanese infant.And she remembered that nobody cared for her…nobody…Kurisu saw no hope and no potential.Threw her away,as if she were trash.And he never looked back.Kimiko,her whole life was seen as an outcast.Couldn't fit in.She only started to read and write when she regrouped with the Genshi.But otherwise,the streets were her home.She grew up in poverty and despair. No money,no guardians,no love.And only a kind enough orphanage took her in but even then she preferred the freedom of the streets and hated the restrictions of buildings.Her dump of what she called her true home was her resting place for years and years.And then the Genshi stumbled on 14 year old Kimiko.Just to practically kidnap her and force her to use time manipulation just so some random demon sorcerers could get home and unite as a whole last 100 of their race.All these memories.All the constant pressure and the constant guilt.Constant headaches went through and stayed in her head but Kimiko didn't tell anybody.The dagger was an inch from piercing Kimiko's throat.But another thought emerged.Maybe…she could be something in life before she died,instead of sulking and dying like a coward.What would Maku think?What would Irai think?Even Yanagi.She'd be disappointed in her cousin.Kimiko opened her eyes once again.The dagger was slowly approaching,the whole world had slowed down. At first,Kimiko thought that she had slowed down time but instead,everything was phasing through her.Anything that could pass that is.Her nocturnal vision was accompanied a dark shade of blue.All things that were glowing were a shining aura of light blue.And all things that were glowing,could be manipulated.
"Reverse effect."She muttered,faster than the dagger's speed. It passed through her neck and fell to the ground.But she didn't feel any pain.And there was no damage to her neck either. No blood,no scars.Not even a scratch.She took a deep breath,standing straight again.The navajo in the distance fell to it's knees,murmuring a language Kimiko couldn't understand but the good news was that the navajo struggled to breath and choked over it's own blood,yet it did not win.What a desperate soul.What a sad loss for the Overlord.Surely,everything is going accordingly to plan for the Genshi,right?Kimiko had invented OR discovered a new technique and she would use every advantage that came with it.Kimiko picked up the dagger behind her. It was in bad condition.Rusty iron for the blade and for the handle the wood was scratched off.That all changed in an instant.Kimiko's only functioning eye gloomed and sprouted.A fiery aura of sky blue illuminated out of her eye.the dagger was infused in this colour too.Kimiko pointed the dagger forward to see how good her grip was with it.A nearby navajo's head was marked with a blue dot.She looked down again and tested to see how sharp it was by scraping it against her hand.The navajo quickly clutched onto it's hand and screamed in agony.Steam was coming out of it's hand.Red marks on it's hand.
"Amazing…I just created….A NEW TECHNIQUE!"Her voice echoed through her mind in amusement.She swing the dagger left and right,marking all the navajo near her.She put the dagger to her throat,quickly slicing it it.This technique was very efficient.All the navajo fell down as their throats were sliced and burning,how awful.Kimiko continued to kill more and more until there were pools of blood,cracks in the ground and piles of bodies left.The island's tilting began to happen again. It was thousands of meters in the air.The thick clouds submerged the island in a storm where lightning and rain were present.The bodies that Kimiko slain rubbed against her body as they fell off the tilting part of Terrence Oblivion.And all that blood made her slip,clutching onto the sand as her only option.But that didn't save her.Kimiko had no time to make a hand symbol to make manipulation.She needed to survive.There was nothing to hold onto.Kimiko….fell off the surface of the island,screaming the word no constantly.She formed a hand sign and began to chant manipjulation techniques to reverse time but it didn't work.She wasn't focused enough.The stress was too high.The last thing she saw was the island above her.Then plunging into the ocean,sea pressure took over her body.She sunk and sunk but quickly regained consciousness.Nobody knows if she made it out alive.Irai sensed something shifted completely.Something was wrong.Toru had given Lunar a thousands cuts.But her salty serpent blood was all that came out of the wounds.Everything else was a smirk of confidence and an upstanding of arrogance.The sea levels changed.
"MOTHER!STOP THIS NOW.THIS INSTANT,STOP.DON'T MAKE ME-"
"Isura…QUIET.You are a traitor to BOTH SIDES!Your 'friend' Maku,he isn't with you.THE GENSHI STICK TOGETHER!THEY USED USE SERPENTS!THEY USED THE CROWS!AND I COULDN'T EVEN GET A HOLD OF YOU!"
"I trusted you…but you changed…"The sea levels rose rapidly.Massive tsunamis erupted and got closer and closer to Terrence Oblivion.They were higher than the birds could fly.Almost as tall as mountains.But the tilting of the island stopped.The island was stationary.Isura stuttered and stuttered for words.Nothing real came out.Just fear.Lunar had ripped the arm off a fellow sea serpent and swallowed it with a sinful smirk on her face.The muscle,the flesh,she gorged it all and spat out the bone.
"Sea serpents.They…they…MOTHER!LUNAR…you're a monster.YOU BROKE"TRADITION!YOU CANNIBAL!"
"I've eaten more in the past Isura,I just hid it from you.Classify what you want as evil.I was just following the Overlord's orders."
"Orders?This chaos,is this orders?Is this what you wanted?"
"It's what the Overlord would've wanted."
"WHERE IS HE?TELL ME!"
"In that cave your samurai friend went into,such a naive soul,thinking he could kill the Overlord. His body won't ever leave that cave.And may the Overlord let his soul leave just to send him to the greatest depths of whatever punishment there is after death.Maybe the void dimension,humans would go insane from a place they weren't born.And most of it is just an empty void.Most of the void dimension is no space,no air. He would suffocate.But because of superior lifeforms like me,that isn't a problem."Lunar laughed maniacally.She wiped her tears of joy as the birds below the island cawed and cawed.Crows. Of course,crows were where evil was all the time. It was a natural symbol at this point.But the main problem was how the Genshi would get off the island.Kimiko had already fell off.Irai entered the cave where the Overlord was waiting for him to come.Maku's wind was pushing herds of navajo back.And Kraven?His ability manipulation malfunctioned as it couldn't tell the difference between light and dark manipulation.Fusions could only happen when there were two people.But Irai had already entered the dark cave.Galvin on the other hand was exhausted from all the fighting and tried to lay down in the shade,covered by dozens of palm trees and other beach plants.There was…no hope in stopping Lunar.The tsunamis below only got higher.The rain got thicker and everybody was soaked.Thunder ached from the thick and grey clouds.Lightning struck several places on the island and it also struck the sea.The boats that the Genshi sailed on were submerged by the sea and probably torn apart by now.There wasn't a lot of options for returning back.They were trapped with Lunar and the Overlord.Lunar had been manipulative for Isura from the start.The first moment she met her,she wanted her own daughter to be used as a tool because she knew Isura was always weak and not a true leader.Not a true queen,just a weak sea serpent trying to be one.
"I am the true Queen Of The Serpents!I tried to train you so one day when you were strong enough,i'd kill you!Claiming your title and being an even stronger leader the sea serpents would support me and love me and you'd be forgettable by that point."Lunar spoke with confidence.She didn't grunt or squeal.The cuts that Toru slashed onto Lunar's scales were slowly but surely healing.Sure,the thousand cuts by Toru stinged.And salt water was the only thing that poured out.But the bruises healed quickly.
"You said…confidence will lead others to obey me."
"I described myself.You were so obsessed with my personality and my structure that you wanted to copy it."
"I JUST WANTED TO BE RESPECTED!YOU!YOU'RE JUST PURE EVIL.LOOK AT YOU,EATING OUR OWN KIND.I CAN'T CALL YOU MOTHER ANYMORE LUNAR!!!"Two water cannons blasted out of Isura's hands in attempt to attack Lunar.She began to cry.Tears full of salt water yet again and not freshwater.The irony of change for both these serpents. It didn't matter what side they were on,they were both in the wrong.Isura had betrayed the Genshi and regrouped with them just for more power. On the other hand,Lunar wanted to kill her own daughter for power and she consumed the dead remains of their fallen comrades.
"You don't fight water with water."
"Fire with water shall be more interesting perhaps. Do you agree,'Queen'Lunar?"Galvin had awakened from his slumber. He shook off the remaining leaves on his scales and stood up on his four legs.His long fluffy beard,his sharp and old eyes,his scaly green skin,his breath of fire.All the correct qualities of a true draconian.
"Galvin?You're still alive?"
"Just about.You don't look to well either."His voice's pitch descended as the dragon was interrupted by a sore cough in his throat.Blood splattered onto the sand.His eyes trembled,then looked straight up again.Galvin had been sick for a long time and he had been old for a long time.Maybe his life would now come to an end.But he had come so far already that…turning back would be cowardly.Especially against a member of the ILO.His skin grew pale for a moment and as Galvin closed his eyes,the dragon's skin began to become accompanied by an orange aura on top.The rain bounced off Galvin's skin.A fiery orange aura arose from his skin.Lunar's did the same but it was a sapphire water aura.The two opened their mouths at the same time,seeing who could blast their ability manipulation first.Lunar charged up a water blast.Galvin charged up a fire blast and at the same time both blasted their attacks.Galvin's offense was taking over Lunar's side. It burned through the water particles as much as possible.Meanwhile,Irai was searching for the Overlord in the cave of Terrence Oblivion.Everything went blank.