It had been one day since Ryuma attacked Zaakumaikyuu and kidnapped
Mitsuki. After nearly four hours of fighting against it, the people in
Zaakumaikyuu had managed to overwhelm the fire. Nearly two-thirds of
the city had been destroyed in that attack, and the Kiryu elders
released an estimated number of twelve thousand mortalities.
Most of the survivors were too shocked to believe that Ryuma had
committed this atrocity, and assumed that one of the six devils were
still alive.
It was equally hard for the Heaven Slayers. Most of them had a
difficult time in believing what Ryuma had done. But although Ryuma
looked and acted differently then before, it was definitely him.
They were currently in the Kiryu training grounds. Even though the
place had been damaged, most of the grounds were intact.
Akira was in the back gardens of the training hall. Exactly where she
was just a few hours before she started her journey, and before that
animal, Ryuma handed her the Dragon-edge.
All though she hated Ryuma for this, Akira mostly blamed herself for
this situation. She felt as though she had allowed Mitsuki to be
captured the way she was.
Akira was slicing at the wooden training dummy she had practiced on
since she was a child. It seemed that Akira went back to training
whenever she had any frustrations that needed resolving.
But strangely so, it would not work. The only thing Akira could think
about was how she let Mitsuki down, and put her in danger in the
process.
{I put Mitsuki in danger...I did...}
Akira scowled and yelled brutally at herself, severing the 15’ inch
thick wooden dummy into two pieces, with Dragon-edge. As the dummy’s
remains clattered to the ground, Akira sheathed her sword and turned
around, only to see Miki standing behind her.
Miki had a sympathetic expression on her face. She could tell that
Akira was holding herself responsible for Mitsuki’s kidnapping.
“Are you okay, Akira?” Miki asked.
“I’m...okay...nothing’s wrong with me.”
Miki stepped closer to Akira, but was cautious. She seemed to be mad
at everyone including herself. “You cannot be blamed for what happened
to Mitsuki. It is nobody’s fault but Ryuma’s.”
Akira closed her eyes tightly, and turned away. “It is my fault.”
“No it’s-“
“Yes, it is!” Akira yelled. “If I had been stronger then I wouldn’t
have lost her! I could have protected her...”
“We haven’t lost her yet, Akira...” Miki said.
Akira’s eyes took on a darker note when she heard that. Miki was right
it was not over. Ryuma had Mitsuki in his possession, but this didn’t
mean that she was gone. Akira had one chance, and that one chance
would be all she needed.
“You’re right. When I get to Tundrana, I’ll rescue Mitsuki and then
I’ll find that psychopath and cut his head off.” Akira said
vengefully.
“Assuming you have a clear head when you get there.”
Akira quickly turned around and walked past Miki. “My head is clear.”
Miki sighed. “I don’t think it is. And if you do not calm down before
you face Ryuma, you will just get killed.”
Akira tensed up in dissatisfaction, tightening her fist. She was tired
of people constantly interfering in her troubles.
“Yeah, well that’s my problem. Now will you do me a favour and mind
your own damn business?” Akira hissed.
The young knight walked away. Miki was taken aback by Akira’s sudden
temper, but she could understand why, even if Akira didn’t...
**********
The next day, Akira, Genzo, Miki and Anju made there way north. They
decided not to use the airship even though it had been repaired, only
because they assumed it would give them away to Ryuma, and that would
make them lose the element of surprise. So the team went to the Hikika
mountain trail, and followed along for a few hours until they reached
Tundrana.
Tundrana is actually quite famous more being the site at which Ryuma
destroyed Tensatsu, the most evil angel in the history of Juukumei.
The whole of Tundrana was covered in snow and ice, and there was one
big mountain even further north in Tundrana.
Akira suspected that this was where Mitsuki and Ryuma were. Akira and
the others were currently making their way across the snowfields.
Anju rubbed his hands over his arms repeatedly in an effort to keep
warm as he walked.
“Why is it so frickin’ cold here?” Anju asked irritated.
“Nobody knows why. Probably because this is the most northerly part of
Juukumei.” Miki stated.
Genzo stopped walking and the others turned to look at him.
“Genzo, what’s wrong?” Anju asked.
The ageing master looked around him, and stared up at the mountain
about a half-mile away from the gang.
“I can sense Ryuma’s spirit. He’s there. In the mountain.” Genzo said,
trying to focus his mind’s eye on Ryuma.
Akira clenched her fist, looked at the mountain holding her best
friend and her enemy.
“Then that is where we are going.”
**********
The Heaven Slayers made their way to and climbed up the mountain that
Genzo had pointed out to them. It was a difficult climb for them, but
eventually they made it up to the summit. Unlike the rest of the
mountain, the snow and the ground at this point was levelled out and
even, and over in the distance was cave, carved into the very face of
the mountain.
Miki said that it might lead to wherever Ryuma and Mitsuki were, so
they decided to go through it. The team went into the narrow cave and
it led them down a long spiralling crystal-like staircase made of ice.
After walking down them, the Heaven Slayers entered a large chamber of
ice, echoing, icicles hanging off the ceiling.
And off across the large chamber was the God of Destruction himself,
Ryuma.
The man was standing across from the others, his arms crossed and his
eyes revealing a perverted desire for death and battle...
Akira’s eyes flashed with fury and she barged Genzo out of her way, to
face the demon.
“Ryuma! Where is Mitsuki? Where is she, you bastard!?” Akira yelled.
“Heh, heh, heh, heh...all in due time, my little assassin...”
Genzo stepped forwards next to Akira and placed a staying hand in
front of her.
“Hold on. Before we start, I want to know why you have done all of
this. Destroying Zaakumaikyuu, killing people, kidnapping my
granddaughter. I want to know why!”
Ryuma uncrossed his arms and placed his left hand open. A dark energy
manifested into the form of a sword, and the black spirit dissolved,
leaving behind an elongated sword, with a striking similarity to
Akira’s Dragon-edge...
Miki gasped. “The Mist-edge...”
Ryuma laughed again. “Well, you want to know some of my secrets, huh?
I don’t even care about what you want. What *I* want, is right
here...”
Ryuma looked at Akira. “And now I will crush her!”
Ryuma raised Mist-edge into the air, brought it down swiftly, whipping
up a slash of energy. Akira, Anju, Miki and Genzo all jumped out of
the way as the slash zinged towards them and blew up the entrance (and
exit) to the chamber.
Genzo pulled out an ofudu, Anju took a fighting stance, and Miki and
Akira both drew Kotetsuseiken and Dragon-edge.
The four stood defiantly before Ryuma, and the God of Destruction
smirked at them, snorting briefly.
“So,” Ryuma looked back and forth between them. “The brave gang come
to stop the maniac killer before he can slaughter the world...do you
little gnats think that somehow YOU can end my life? If the greatest
of all the angels could not stop me, what makes you think that your
ragtag bunch is enough?”
Akira steadied her sword. “I couldn’t care less about the odds! Where
is Mitsuki?!”
Ryuma looked curious for a second. “Why...do you wish to save her?”
Akira started to gather her Mana-Ki, as did the others. “She is my
best friend, and nothing will stand in between us. Not even you.”
“So...I see that your eyes are not the only thing that is blind...
despite your lineage you still protect humanity? I do not understand
you...but no matter. You’ll soon join me...in the darkness...”
Ryuma pointed the dark Mist-edge sword directly forwards, and a dark
beam of energy cut out from it. The others scrambled away from it as
it neared them, and Akira took that time to charge at Ryuma.
The young knight slashed at him crudely, and Ryuma dodged the attack
with a cruel smirk. Akira slashed at him again; this time Ryuma
blocked it with his own sword. Akira struggled in vain to overpower
Ryuma, both of her hands applying pressure to the Dragon-edge whereas
Ryuma held the Mist-edge one handed.
With a grunt of anger, Ryuma shoved Akira out of the sword lock with
the Mist-edge, and smiled at her as she fell to the ground.
“Is this all you have, Kusagana?” Ryuma said smoothly.
Genzo sneered, and pulled the ofudu into the air.
“Heavenly thunder, smite my enemies with the fury of a thousand
lightning bolts!”
A giant wave of static electricity roared down on top of Ryuma, and
enshrouded him in a destructive stream of fire and wind. An explosion
boomed in the chamber, and Miki, Anju and Akira all crowded around the
cloud of dust that remained. A cry of joy echoed around the room, and
a gust of wind blew fiercely out of the dust cloud, dissipating the
smoke and knocking the others off their feet.
Ryuma stood silently in the few remaining shreds of smoke, completely
unharmed. “Not bad, old man. Well, not bad for an old man, I guess.”
Anju glowered at Ryuma, and gathered Mana-Ki from the depths of his
spirit, charging up his main attack...
“Mikazuki Gun!”
A crescent shaped wave of pure energy fired from Anju’s clutched palms
and was directed at Ryuma. The God of Destruction raised the Mist-edge
into air. The instant the crescent wave reached him, Ryuma sliced into
the wave of energy, warping it and eventually bursting it. Anju looked
away as his attack was crushed in a bang of light.
Miki took her chance and ran up to Ryuma, swiftly hacking at him with
Kotetsuseiken. Ryuma blocked that with the Mist-edge, the friction
from the two clashing swords resulting in sparks passing along them.
Closing eyes, Ryuma grinned to himself. “Is this it? I was expecting
something so much more climactic.”
Akira’s eyes narrowed, and she struggled to keep her anger in check.
{That arrogant little...}
The young knight stumbled to her feet, and stood silently. A shining
blue light surrounded her sword, and Akira pushed her foot back to
steady herself.
“Kyoretsuzan!”
An intense wave of cobalt flaming energy tore from the Dragon-edge,
and flung itself towards Ryuma. The God of destruction only splayed
his arms out and welcomed the blast.
It hit him square in the chest, but instead of cutting through him or
blowing him up, the Kyoretsuzan, Akira’s strongest attack, dissolved
into a meek nothingness.
Genzo, Akira, Miki and Anju gasped in shock, and Ryuma laughed out
loud seeing that the attack did absolutely nothing.
“Heh, heh, heh, heh! Is that your best shot? Is this the power that
crushed the devils? Hah, pathetic...” Ryuma scolded.
The dark haired man brought Mist-edge above him again, his face
turning darker, his eyes beaming a blood thirst. “Let me show you what
real power is capable of in the right hands...”
With hawk like grace and speed, Ryuma leapt into the air, and the evil
Mist-edge began to gather a mysterious black energy. The sword then
started vibrating violently, so much so that Ryuma, with all his
god-like power, had to hold it with both hands to maintain control.
Then when he could no longer restrain the carnivorous spirits in the
sword, he swung it down at the four below him.
“Shun Gyakusatsu Zan!”
An ENORMOUS wave dark wave of power collided with the ground and a
gigantic explosion rock the chambers, and shook the very mountain
itself.
Smoke and dust were the only things Akira could see as she stood up
weakly, taking note of the fact that the Dragon-edge felt lighter.
Akira waved the smoke out of her way, and coughed a bit, but she still
looked for the others.
After a few minutes of searching, the smoke settled down. Miki was on
her knees, Anju was next to her trying to get up, and Genzo was face
down on the floor. He was alive, but he wasn’t moving.
She looked across to Ryuma. He landed on the ground with a satiated
smile.
Akira felt blood trickle down the side of her mouth. After she wiped
it from her face with her fist, Akira started to seriously believe
that they really *didn’t* stand a chance. Ryuma did just wipe out the
team with a single attack...
Ryuma laughed again. “Aha, ha, ha, ha! Not as gung-ho now are you?”
Akira was not prepared to give up though, and quickly held Dragon-edge
up to her shoulder. Then she gasped as she saw *why* her sword was so
much lighter then before...
It was broken.
The legendary, invincible Dragon-edge sword had been broken.
Ryuma laughed out loud again, but Akira had no time to act however,
because the icy ground beneath her began to crumble and shatter. The
young knight fell screaming into the icy depths below.
**********
Akira groggily opened her eyes, meekly pushing herself up onto her
feet. She slowly studied her surroundings. Judging by the hole in the
ceiling, she had fallen quite a ways. The place she was in was much
smaller than the upper chambers, and Akira looked around the cavern
for an alternate way out.
But what caught Akira’s attention was the thing that was in the middle
of the room. Akira walked over to it, and studied it. It was a long
stone alter. On top of it was a skeleton, its hands placed on its
chest. It was obviously a woman. But the most peculiar thing about it
was the pair of what appeared to be wings on its back.
A spirit then gradually materialized from the bones of the long dead
corpse. Akira stepped back as the spirit smiled gently at her.
It was transparent, that was the first noticeable thing, but the sprit
was of a woman. She had long white hair, her skin...pale, her eyes
were a light blue and she was wearing a long, ashen dress.
Unsurprisingly, she had a pair of beautiful white-feathered wings
jutting out from her shoulder blades.
“Don’t be afraid...” The spirit said.
Akira recognized that voice. “Who are you...you’re the voice from my
dreams...aren’t you...?”
The spirit nodded. “Yes. My name is Yakuma. But I am known to you as
Tensatsu, the darkest of all angels.”
Akira was surprised. “*You* are Tensatsu?”
“Yes. Akira, there are things I should explain. Many, many years ago,
there existed two races on Juukumei. The Humans and the Angels. Each
lived in perfect harmony with each other, and shared the natural
duties of the planet. However, a comet crash-landed into the earth. No
one knows how or why, but soon after the crash, the humans became
suspicious of the power of the angels. They became less concerned with
the protection of the planet, and more concerned about their own
personal desires. The humans grew to believe that the earth belonged
to them, so they started a genocide war to conquer the angels. Ryuma
Kakounji led this war. Although our power was greater, their numbers
were far superior to our own, and eventually, we were overwhelmed.
After decades of war, my race dwindled to a tiny handful. I realized
however that Ryuma was not only a danger to the angels, but also to
humanity. You see; he is neither human nor angel. He is the last
descendant of an evil group that originated from that comet. He and
his dark bride, known only as Ai, set about to fill the world with
more of his kind, and kill off the creatures that inhabited the earth
currently. He would have stopped the world, but we managed to kill Ai
before Ryuma had the chance. He was consumed with anger when this
happened, and he managed to convince the world that the angels were
evil. Anyway, towards the end of the war, I knew that I had to stop
Ryuma so that his power couldn’t destroy humanity. I travelled all the
way to Tundrana, and eventually I faced him. I did not have the power
to truly stop him, so I did something different. I sealed all of his
power into my soul. That way, if I died, he still couldn’t use his
power for darkness. For this act, Ryuma murdered me. When I died,
Ryuma carved my soul into six pieces, causing a massive earthquake to
rumble across Juukumei. Each part of my soul separated from the other
pieces. The parts of my soul were not under the influence of my power
anymore, and because of this, they were infected by his evil, and
transformed into-“
“The six devils...” Akira filled in.
“Correct. They were scattered across the world, and attacked people
indiscriminately. Ryuma knew that his plan would not come to fruition
unless he had his full power, and that the only way to do that was to
re-forge my soul and absorb his powers back into his body.”
Akira’s eyes widened. “That was why Ryuma funded the Heaven Slayers
and that was why he gave me the Dragon-edge...”
“Right. Soon after this, Ryuma had told the world about the death of
the dark ‘Tensatsu’ and he became a legend. The lies were spread that
the angels were an evil race, and were so attached to society, nobody
bothered to question them. My race was forever tarnished and now
almost completely gone.”
Akira looked confused. “You’re the last of the angels? That can’t be
right...”
“No, it’s not. I gave birth to a child three years before my death,
and I entrusted that child to my husband, to protect her from Ryuma.”
“Your...husband?” Akira asked.
Yakuma nodded. “Yes...Hyudo Kusagana...your father.”
Akira gasped breathlessly. “Wait...that means that...you’re my...”
The warm smile on Yakuma’s face grew. “Yes. I am your mother, Akira.”
The cogs started to turn in Akira’s head. Things finally started to
make sense. Her mother disappeared thirteen years ago. Ryuma killed
Yakuma thirteen years ago...Yakuma was her mother...She had inherited
her angel’s wings from Yakuma. It all seemed so strange, but at all
fit into place.
“...Mom...?” Akira said nervously.
Yakuma’s spirit smiled and hugged Akira warmly, kissing her on the
forehead. Akira couldn’t feel anything, but could sense it. And it
felt so safe and warm to be with her mother at last.
“Akira...my child.”
Akira thought out loud for a second. “Wait, did my father know that
you are an angel, Mom?”
Yakuma pulled back. “I’m not sure. I never told Hyudo. I do regret
that but deep in my heart, I felt that he always knew.”
“This is just so weird. I always thought that you abandoned me Mom,
but it was Ryuma wasn’t it...*he* did this! He killed you...”
“Yes he did. But you must understand the cunning of Ryuma, Akira.
After my death, Ryuma realized that he couldn’t kill the devils on his
own. He needed someone as powerful as I was, and you, being mine and
Hyudo’s daughter, were the perfect choice for him.”
Akira’s fist clenched. “So that man was only using me...he was
orchestrating my every move...predicting each step...all so he could
get his dark power back.”
Yakuma nodded. “Yes Akira. Now you have to get back up there and
destroy Ryuma once and for all.”
“But how? I can’t even lay a scratch on him, and besides, the
Dragon-edge was broken. I wont be of much use now...”
“My child, in our race, there exists a legend. That the most powerful
angel of all will be born out of the first ever union of a human and
an angel. This is called, the Prophecy of the Krishinda. You Akira,
are of human and angel ancestry. Within you lies the power of both our
races fused into one. Have you ever noticed that you are never
satisfied with your current power?”
“Yes...”
“That’s because an instinct inside you that knows that there is
something more worthwhile.” Yakuma said deeply.
Then, the spirit of Yakuma summoned a streak of lightning from her
hand. It transformed into a lengthy broadsword, tiny traces of
lightning flickering around it every few seconds. Akira recognized as
her father’s blade, the Lightning-edge.
“The Lightning-edge...” Akira said in awe.
Yakuma presented it to Akira, and the young knight clasped it, still
shocked over seeing this very blade.
“It was your father’s sword, now it is yours. Go Akira. Go and finish
Ryuma so my soul can rest in peace.”
Akira’s resolved hardened. She would do this. Ryuma had to be stopped
once and for all.
“I’ll do it Mom. I’ll kill Ryuma, avenge you and the others, and then
I’ll free Mitsuki...” Akira said.
Yakuma smiled. “That’s your best friend, is it?”
Akira blushed a rosy red. “Yeah...”
“Just promise me one thing Akira, Be honest with yourself. You’ll lose
something important to you if you don’t.”
Akira didn’t know what Yakuma meant by that at first, but a wave of
awareness descended on her. Her eyes shot open when she finally
understood what Anju had said to her before Mitsuki’s wedding.
Yakuma smiled sweetly. It took a while, but Akira finally understood.
“Now Akira, it is time to awaken your ultimate power...”
**********
Miki slashed at Ryuma again and again, but could not hit him. Each
blow was either block or dodged. After a wave of slashes, Miki lowered
Kotetsuseiken, and panted heavily.
Ryuma just frowned scornfully at the Soujumah priestess, and raised
his free palm forwards, shooting a blast at Miki.
She felt like a mule had kicked her when she was blasted across the
icy cavern, past Genzo who was still not moving.
Ryuma walked over to her again, and raised his palm forwards again.
Miki gasped in terror as the blast was fired at her. Suddenly, Anju
dived in front of her and screamed out in agony as the dark energy
drilled into him. The Second of the Twelve Dragons toppled over onto
the floor, just in front of Miki.
The hazelnut haired girl gently turned him over onto his back and ran
her long fingers through his hair.
“Anju...you stupid idiot, why did you do that?” Miki asked caringly.
Even though he was really in no position to do anything, Anju laughed
quietly to his former love.
“Couldn’t...let you die...now could I? I had to protect you, even if
you’re not...my girlfriend anymore...”
“Anju...” Miki chided.
“It doesn’t matter...anymore. That...sick little freak is gonna kill
us...all. Already...taken out...Akira...just promise me, that you’ll
get outta here...please...”
Tears started to reach her eyes. “But Anju...I can’t leave you.”
“Before you go, I have something to tell you...in Daitoshi, the
day...I told you...I was cheating on you...” Anju smirked cruelly to
himself. “I lied. I never...cheated on you...”
Miki caught her breath. “What?”
“You...heard me. I didn’t cheat on you, Miki...”
“If you’re trying to make me feel better Anj-“
“No,“ Anju cut her off. “Believe me, this...is the truth. I loved you
with every beat of my heart...but you would have eventually...become
the Soujumah clan’s first female high priest if...you married that
guy. So I told you the only thing that would keep...you away from me.
And then I go and...find out that you left the clan anyway...pretty
ironic, huh?”
A tear slipped past Miki’s eye. “Anju...”
Ryuma leered at the two of them. “Pitiful humans. I’ll exterminate you
all...and rule the world after I am free of you.“
Miki held onto Anju protectively whilst Ryuma neared them. “Don’t come
any closer, Kakounji!”
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! What is the matter my dear? Did you expect a
fairytale ending? Sorry, but this is the real world and in the real
world, only the strongest survive. And the weak get crushed
underfoot...”
Ryuma was cut off from saying anymore when a blinding white light
blasted up from the cracks of the floor. Ryuma flew up into the air as
the floor beneath him crumbled away.
From the white light, a shining figure bathed in golden energy slowly
floated up from below. It was Akira, with the Lighting-edge sword in
her hands, and a pair of angelic wings sprouting from her back.
Miki and Anju gasped while seeing her, but Ryuma only smiled.
“It seems that Yakuma’s progeny is tenacious as well as powerful...”
Ryuma commented.
Akira’s eyes opened as the golden light faded, and held
Lightening-edge steady, gathering her power.
“I can never forgive you for what you have done, Ryuma...” Akira said
in strain.
Ryuma scowled at her. “I’ve had enough of your kind, angel. I am going
to finish your miserable race once and for all!”
The God of Destruction charged at Akira, with no remorse or sense of
consequence. The great energy inside Akira passed into the blade in an
easy flow, and as Ryuma swooped down upon her, Akira flung the energy
charged sword into the demon’s chest. Lightning-edge plunged into the
chest cavity of Ryuma, and pierced his fleshy back.
Ryuma coughed up blood as he looked into Akira’s steely eyes.
“But why...why would you fight to save the ones...who killed your own
race...?” Ryuma said difficulty.
“If I were to hate humanity for killing my race, I’d only continue a
cycle of death and revenge. Eventually a new race would come and a new
hatred would be born. The cycle would spin again. A never-ending wave
of killing and hate. But all things have to end. Nothing is forever
and we all must go. Even me...and even you. Your life ends here
Ryuma...”
Ryuma screeched in terror and suffering as Akira’s golden energy
burned inside the sword and was released into his dark influenced
body. After pulling her sword out of his carcass, Ryuma continued to
shriek in pain, each part of his body burning with Akira’s power.
All at once the power was just too much for Ryuma to bear, and the God
of Destruction’s body blew up in a magnificent flash of light. The
light from the explosion was so fierce, Anju and Miki had to cover
their eyes to prevent from being blinded.
Eventually, the golden light died down, and Akira now was visible with
a sleeping Mitsuki in her arms.
The Angel of Krishinda landed on the ground next to Anju and Miki.
“Come on guys. Lets get out of here.”
**********
The Heaven Slayers escaped the mountains of Tundrana, all managing to
stay alive. They returned to Zaakumaikyuu after Ryuma’s defeat, and
had informed everyone of the situation. They had ignored all details
about Akira and the truth about the angels from fear of upsetting
them.
Akira was on the balcony of the now rebuilt Kiryu training ground. It
was hard to believe that her battles with Ryuma and the devils were
almost a whole year ago.
Mitsuki walked up behind Akira, and gently tapped on her shoulder.
“Hey. Thinking about something special?” Mitsuki said playfully.
Akira just smiled and pulled Mitsuki into her embrace. “Yeah. You.”
Mitsuki only giggled happily as Akira’s soft lips descended on her own
and drew Mitsuki into a loving, passionate kiss. Mitsuki’s arms
wrapped around her girlfriend’s and the two continued to acknowledge
their love before a beautiful crimson sunset.
Anju and Miki watched Akira and Mitsuki from the outside hallway, Miki
held warmly in Anju’s arms.
“I’m happy for those two.” Miki said.
“Yeah. In the end they finally found each other. Kinda like us.”
Miki sighed lovingly and pulled her love into a warm, equally
passionate kiss. The two couples respectively displayed their
affections for each other.
Everything was finally complete.
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