Neo-China ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Dragon's Breath Forest, outside Neo-China Three days. That's how long it took for Setsuya to reach Neo-China. It was quite the little journey. After the funeral of the old master at the Yuuga school, both Setsuya and Aarin left once more to take care of their futures. To prepare themselves for whatever might be coming their way. While Aarin left for Thailand to seek out a decent challenge, Setsuya decided that he would go to Neo-China. For training and... more or less, to see Lin-Lin. Even as the Neo-Japanese swordsman strode through the forests of China towards the village that Lin-Lin resided in; Setsuya couldn't help but grin from thinking of her. Lin-Lin was the kind of girl that you did not meet everyday. Friendly, polite, charming, sweet, and most of all (in Setsuya's opinion) she was gorgeous. Most of the women that Setsuya had 'corrupted' with his love were just flirty or dull. For Lin-Lin; she was neither. And that made Setsuya quite proud really. A girl like that could have anyone she wanted, but Lin-Lin had eyes only for Setsuya. "Hmmm. Kinda nice out today," Setsuya looked around the skies of this place. It was quite a sunny day. Which was unusual, because he was outside of the Safe Zone. The sky was usually quite dark and foreboding in this part of the world, even during the day. No-one knew exactly why this was, but the bulk of Asia often had elongated nights. Sometimes night could last for over 4 days. You really didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know that it had something to do with the Genesis Comet. After all, even though the comet landed over thirty years ago, it was still quite active. Though the comet itself had plunged into the ice and water of the Northern Arctic, it radiated waves of radiation that somehow seeped over the planet. For some reason this did not effect human beings, at least not on a short term scale, but it greatly effected the remains of the planet. It wasn't just the weather that was effected. The forests of China were a good example. The vegetation had been altered over the years. Much larger were the trees that surrounded Setsuya. Much larger were the animals and insects that scuttled through and around those trees. Whether it was the changing of colour or growth in size, or increased attributes, much of the flora and fauna of this world had been changed. Setsuya took one last look at the clear skies before continuing his journey toward Lin-Lin's village, which was nestled to the east in this vast forest. He kept going for over an hour until he reached a hill, which overlooked the village itself. Setsuya remembered this, and eagerly ran up that hill to see the village itself. The Japanese youth barged through the bushes and plants in his way, then leapt up onto the hill. He ran all the way up it, hung over the horizon of the Forest of Dragon's Breath. But as he cast his eyes downwards to the village itself, the picture he received was less than comforting. More like troubling. The village was in flames. "Damn!" Setsuya cursed under his breath, "What the hell is going on?" It was impossible for Setsuya to know what was happening. From his position, all he could see were wooden houses burning in hot flame, people screaming and babies crying. Smoke was beginning to rise up into the air from the fires. And as a wind blew into the forest, it carried with it embers. Embers which passed the fire on to more houses and huts. This fire ultimately would pass into the forest itself if something was not done to stop it. But what bothered Setsuya more was that people were screaming in places that were not afflicted with flames. The Japanese youth cast his eyes toward those areas a bit harder. He could hardly see anything through all the smoke that was still rising up, but people were running around the huts and wells, being chased and killed by what looked like soldiers. Those soldiers were all dressed in the combat gear of the late 20th Century, colours of green, brown and black working as a sort of camouflage. Setsuya was even more alarmed when he saw something else at the edge of the forest. "Is that a...?" Setsuya squinted to look at it, "... A helicopter?" He had heard of such technology from his master, but had never actually seen one before. Transportation of that sort was apparently common for military use in the 21st Century. But what would something like that be doing here? During the landing of the Genesis Comet, a wave of force swept across the earth and damaged almost all electrical technology with an almost paralysing effect. It was considered that no one in the world had the man power or the resources to rebuild that which was lost. So how on earth could someone use a helicopter? What people would have that kind of money and influence? Setsuya could waste no time. He had to put a stop to this before anyone else got hurt. It had not escaped his mind that Lin-Lin was in the middle of all that mayhem. The young man gathered momentum into himself, then ran up the remaining distance of the hill. He then vaulted upwards and landed downwards, into a running stride. Setsuya galloped down the hill as fast as his nimble legs would allow. He was not too far from Lin-Lin's village now. He kept pacing towards his destination and soon Setsuya reached ground level, at the front section of the village. The Yuuga-student gripped the hilt of his sword, the sleek katana called Tetsuzanko, and then drew it from the sheath at his waist. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he charged forwards into the panic. The first thing he saw was one of those attacking soldiers about hack down an old woman. Setsuya focussed himself and ran for those two. The soldier looked over his shoulder in a daze as he saw Setsuya charging him, screaming zealously, "Graaaaaah!" Setsuya instantly ran past the soldier and slashed, cutting the blade he was holding in half. The soldier blinked at his hacked weapon, then looked over at the Seisuji-boy, who was more than willing to do some damage to *him* as well. But Setsuya was not about to give this guy a chance to get away. The Japanese swordsman ran up to him once more, then struck the soldier across the head with butt of Tetsuzanko. The soldier gasped and instantly lost consciousness, collapsing into a heap on the floor. But Setsuya ignored him and kneeled down to the trembling old woman whom he had just saved. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he said, "What the hell is going on here? Who on earth are these guys?" "I... mm... I...! S-Sword! ... I..." Nothing but babble. This woman was too frightened to say anything of any worth. Setsuya stood up and looked over into the village. A group of soldiers had gathered together, which seemed to fill the bulk of their attack forces. After speaking loudly to themselves, then all ran back to the helicopter from which they had obviously originated from. Setsuya would have gone after them, but he wasn't stupid. There were at least 25 of those soldiers. Him on his own would not have stood a chance on his own. A few stragglers from their group ran into the helicopter just as the others did, aside from the one Setsuya had knocked out. The young man noted just how bloodstained their swords were. He just hoped to God that none of that blood belonged to Lin-Lin. Dust was scattered across the ground as the blades of the helicopter began to spin around and around, until it slowly began to rise from the ground. Setsuya watched as some of the villagers gathered together around it and began throwing stones at the 'iron bird'. He couldn't imagine why people with such technology would want to harm an innocent village like this. These folks spent most of their time farming and living off the land. What possible threat could they pose? Nonetheless, this atrocity had been committed and Setsuya had to do something to make sure that Lin-Lin was okay. The Japanese boy sheathed Tetsuzanko then ran through the burning village. Past all the charred huts and injured men, towards the north. As soon as the helicopter was out of sight, people started to emerge. Setsuya barged past all of them and headed for the Elder's house. The village elder was Lin-Lin's grandfather. If anywhere, she had to be with him. The Elder's place was one of the few locales that had not been burned. Setsuya ran up to it and brutally kicked the door open. "Lin-Lin!?" No answer. But Setsuya was not alone in that room. Inside was the village elder. He was laid out across the straw mat at the centre of the large wooden manor, blood seeping down his forehead and his clothes ripped in bits. Setsuya ran to him and kneeled down, checking his condition. The 19-year-old placed two fingers at the older man's neck. He was alive. "Elder!" Setsuya yelled loudly, "Elder! Wake up! Where is Lin-Lin?" The village elder managed to open his eyes a bit... "Hmmm... S-Setsuya...?" "Yes, it's me!" The youth nodded in conformation. And although Setsuya was pleased that the elder had remembered him from five months ago, he was more focussed on the current panic. "Where is Lin-Lin? Is she with you?" Tears began to roll from the older man's eyes at the thought. "Oh... my poor sweet grandchild..." "What happened to her?!" Setsuya shot back loudly. "...They took her..." The Elder said tragically, "...T-They've taken my dear child from us..." Though he did not realize it, Setsuya's fists were gripping together tightly. Lin-Lin had been caught in all that panic after all. But why? Why Lin-Lin? What would a sweet girl like her have to do with those cowardly soldiers? Setsuya tried not to get too angry or depressed about Lin-Lin's capture. The Master had always told him to keep a tight grip on the reins of that impulsiveness of his. Setsuya did just that, taking a deep breath and calming down. If nothing more, he had to get to the bottom of this. Then maybe he would understand the situation a little better. "Why did they take her?" That was said in calm anger, but Setsuya managed to keep cool about this situation. It was all he could do at this point. "What is she to them?" The Elder coughed. "N-Nothing... she means nothing to them... but... she is important to me. T-That is why... they kidnapped her... as a bargaining chip... for the sword..." "...A sword?" Setsuya blinked frantically, "All this for a stupid sword?" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Kuki & Mari's, Izabura Shopping Arcade, District Nine, Nagoya, Neo-Japan The Dark Katana let out an anxious breath. After becoming a near-enough mercenary, she had grown a little tough streak to her. Despite her feminine looks, she had a particularly masculine temperament. Which was one of the main reasons she was having such a hard time coping with this. Shopping with Julia. It had been decided between the two of them that she needed a new set of clothes, something other than that ratty science experiment frock she had been wearing for the past few hours. Even though it meant dipping into the initial payment Ayame had received from Simon, what choice did she have? She had to take proper care of her charge, especially if she wanted the rest of that cash. So Ayame had taken Julia with her to one of the main high streets of Nagoya. They ended up in a place called Izabura. A shopping plaza with a healthy number of fellow shoppers around. Ayame and Julia had been touring around the place for about five hours now. Buzzing all through the shops and stalls, the malls, stopping every now and again to refresh themselves with a drink. It was a nice climate around here, considering the suffering that the Genesis Comet caused. There were hardly any beggars, most people were well dressed, there was little litter and most of all, there were no troubles caused by fights. It was one of the safer areas of Nagoya. And Nagoya was a safe city in general, if you compared it to something like Tokyo. Arguably the harshest city of the Neo-Japanese Safe Zone to live in. By now Ayame and Julia had come to a particular clothes shop, called Kuki & Mari's. It was a Japanese shop that sold western-inspired clothing at the most. Just what Julia had been looking for. Not that she had a problem with Japanese clothing overall... but she felt more comfortable in something knew about. But, in any case, she was just happy to get out of that bland frock she was forced to wear in the Bio-Technological Research Department. The sooner she got rid of it, the sooner she could put that whole ordeal behind her. Ayame stood at the back of the shop beside three small compartments, meant for changing. With her eyes shut and her arms crossed, she waited impatiently for Julia to come out, as if she hadn't been in there long enough. Her left foot tapped repeatedly in irritation. "...Julia! How the hell long are you gonna take?! What are you doing in there?!" "...I'm just changing," Julia replied with delay, "please be a little patient, Ayame. And I really appreciate what you've done for me today. I know my Father will thank you for this too." Ayame opened her eyes. "Well he can show his appreciation by just handing me the cash I'm owed. Then I can finally get back to the better pursuits. By the way, we need to stop at a market before we get back to the Hikoukuji Inn." "What for?" Julia asked simply. "I need to pick up some rubbing acid," Ayame replied, running a hand through her raven black bangs, "It's the most effective way to sharpen my sword, strangely enough. And I could do with a bite to eat as well. I'm starving right now..." No reply came to that particular comment. Instead, the small, slightly battered cloth that covered the opening parted to one side along the thin metal pipe it had been attached to over the dressing room. Julia revealed herself in that instant, brandishing one of the four dresses she had picked out from this particular shop. It was a lengthy one-piece, the colour of pearl white, one that dangled around the lower half of her knees with a charming allure. The light creamy tone of the dress mixed brilliantly with Julia's rainfall of chestnut hair, giving her a rich quality that even Ayame took notice of. The Dark Katana blinked in surprise, eying Julia up and down, sparing no glance to conjecture. Ayame had known that Julia was pretty from when they first met up with each other. But this was the first time that Julia went beyond that. She was beautiful. Back in the lab, she looked so worn out, so strained, regardless of her Ashidah vitality. Now that she was out and about, she looked gorgeous. Natural. Maybe more than Ayame even realized at that point alone. "Well?" Julia prodded, now smiling, "Don't just stand there staring at me. How do I look?" Ayame blushed a little. Julia's hotness was now dawning on her. "...Um... you look... amazing. Really. So... are you gonna buy that or what?" Julia took another look at the dress she wore. "I assume so. If you're willing to buy this for me then I'd love it. But I won't wear it out though. I think I should wear something else." "...Sure." Said Ayame. Julia nodded to her with a smile, and strode back into the changing room with all her stuff in it. The Scottish woman slid the cloth back across the gap and began humming a little folk ballad to herself. Ayame tightened up inside and hazarded a gaze down at the carpeted floor of the shop. Or more closely to the lower half of Julia's changing room. The cloth that kept Julia's actions wasn't so lengthy, concealing her body from view only from the head to the knees. Therefore everything below the knees was in full view of whoever happened to be outside the room. Which at this point, was Ayame. The blush over her cheeks grew in hue as the lower half of Julia's thin legs and dainty feet were exposed. The cream white dress that she had been wearing fell to a little pile around her ankles, causing Ayame to realize that she was near enough naked in there. Ayame held a hand over her face and heaved a groan. This situation was becoming complicated. Through the brief planning that the Dark Katana had made for this mission, she had not expected to be attracted to the girl she was being paid to rescue. But she was just so gorgeous... especially now that she had begun to loosen up a bit. And that delightfully quaint accent did nothing to help matters either. Ayame shook her head, whispering to herself. "No. I gotta keep this thing in check. Simon's paying to take care of his daughter... and I'm just in it for the money. The money. I just have to keep that in mind..." The cloth slid open again, revealing Julia, dressed now in a denim shorts (sheared at the leg holes), a sunflower yellow chest top (exposing her midriff) and a pair of white/black mix trainers, giving her a sort of on the go, casual look. It took away the romantic aspect of Julia's beauty, that was for sure. But did nothing to ease the outright sexiness of her. Ayame looked away briefly and hoped that her cheeks wouldn't give her away. "As soon as we buy that gear," She began, "...we're heading to the market to pick up my rubbing acid, alright?" Julia nodded brightly. "Yes, Ayame." Which now added an air of cuteness to her. Great. Just great. Ayame sighed to herself, un-crossed her arms and began walking to the front checkout desk of the shop. If nothing else, this mission certainly wasn't uneventful. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Mazda Family Training Camp, Fuzhou, Neo-China "Greetings, my child." Ming Lo Mazda let her head rise, but stayed in her kneeling position; so that she might be able to get a better look at her grandfather. He was the same as she remembered him from long ago. Still haughty, still quiet. But the look in his eyes was far less than quiet. His were eyes that screamed their agonies. Ahura Mazda was neck-deep in the troubles that were now bringing his family to its knees. Ming Lo finally found the voice to speak. "Grandfather... I have finally returned from my years of training in Neo-Japan. But now that I return I see that the climate of this place has gone into disarray. Please tell me. What is it that troubles you?" "Have you not heard...?" Ahura questioned, his voice slow with age. "Heard of what, Grandfather?" "It has finally happened," Ahura said with a sad smile, "After two and a half millennia of being undefeated... the Mazda Family has finally failed mission." Ming Lo gasped. "I... it cannot be! We are invincible! What force could hope to stand against the might of the illustrious Mazda Family! Nothing can contest us!" "Nothing is invincible, Ming Lo," Ahura lowered his gaze to the red carpet that led up to his rather large throne. "And the Mazda Family has finally become aware of this. I myself would have never imagined that we could defeated. But this crisis has opened my eyes to the truth. The world is changing. The citizens of this world grow in power because they fear for their safety. The Mazda Family seems to falling behind in this growth. Our first ever failure in an assassination proves that." "...Then who failed us?" Ming Lo hated to ask the question, but... Ahura breathed a sigh of great weight. "Your older brother, Ahura Li. His mission was to kill a politician of the Neo World Federation. He did not accomplish it, and was caught out. He managed to escape from the clutches of the authorities... but Ahura Li has not returned to the Mazda Training Camp. I assume he is on the run from the Neo World Federation... but those who fail the Mazda Family are eternally banished from its order. We have never had to banish one of our own before because we have never to assassinate a target failed before. But this time, well... I suppose it shows that Ahura Li was well versed in my teachings. It is just thankful that he was not using Airget-Lam at the time. That would have tarnished this family beyond that which it might recover from. Fortunately, that was not the case." "Ahura Li..." Ming Lo said silently. She would have never believed that he could fail a mission. Amongst all members of the Mazda Family, Ahura Mazda, (Ahura) Ho, (Ahura) Chun and Ming Lo, Ahura Li was the most capable now. Though he was not as skilled as their grandfather, Ahura Li had great vitality and strength. How could he have failed a mission? "I do no believe this..." Ahura shook his head. "It is true. This is why the state of affairs have gotten so desperate at the Training Camp. Others have lost faith in the power of the Mazda Family. So they do not wish to train at this academy any longer." Ming Lo looked up to her grandfather. "You are right, Grandfather. The only reason we have failed is because we are falling behind in the times. We need to change ourselves! If you would just allow me to-" "Stop right there!" Ahura said, halting her. "I know that which you wish to say. And I have already told you. The answer is no." Ming Lo lowered her eyes at her grandfather's anger. "But why...?" "It is the law of the Mazda Family. Our 2500-year custom. No woman will ever take her place as a member of the first assassin line. Only men may assassinate in the name of the Mazda Family. You and all other female members of the Mazda before you, were only taught the powers to kill as a form of self-defence. Women must know their place. As nurturers and as wombs from which the fruits of the new foundation are born. Beyond those needs, women will not participate in the way of the Mazda." She could not believe her grandfather's misogyny. "Please, Grandfather? I know that the inclusion of women into the first assassin line would benefit the Family. My skills surpass all those who were in my class at the Japanese training camp. I know that if I am given a chance, I could prove myself as equal to any one of my three brothers." Ahura shook his head. "This is not a matter of discussion, Ming Lo. I will repeat myself. Your duty as a woman of the Mazda Family is to continue our bloodline and raise strong offspring from your womb. A woman must know her place in the Mazda Family. Though I take no pleasure in denying your wishes, I must enforce our laws. I must make you aware of the ways of our Family. No matter how much you wish it, females will never lead this family, carry our sacred Airget-Lam, or be apart of the assassin lines. It is the way we have existed for thousands of years." "I... understand, grandfather." Though Ming Lo did not like this, she had no choice but to accept it. Ahura Long Mazda was one of the most respected assassins worldwide. Even if his family had suffered their first failure, it would not affect his popularity. For Ming Lo, challenging his authority was an impossible battle. And at the same time, this man was her grandfather. What could she do but grudgingly accept his wishes? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Shougatsu Financial Group HQ, Munich, Neo-Germany A frown was cast from Zephaniah's face as he looked out at flourishing city of Munich from the window of his top floor office. Below him were roads that had been rebuilt from the previous destruction it had suffered at the hands of the Genesis Comet. People had adjusted well here. Mainly because Neo-Germany was one of the first Safe-Zone ever built. Thusly it received more work on it than most of the others. It was strange for Zephaniah to see all those people living their lives so normally. Like it was just another day. To him, life was a constant struggle. One had to stay on their toes to keep a clear head. If you let your guard down for even an instant, you were assisting your own suicide. "This is why they do not belong," Zephaniah whispered to himself, "They who lack the wits to see that this world is falling apart. A strong hand is needed to bring this planet from the brink of obliteration." Zephaniah looked down to his gloved hand, saying, "My iron fist will cleave the world toward that which we desired most, Diana... I swear this to you. Once you are at my side again... my hands will mould the future of the world towards an new Eden. Even if I must do so by staining my hands with blood." At that point, a young secretary walked through the door into his office. The door was open for some reason. The woman walked up to the desk of her leader, clipboard in hand. She was actually quite fearful of Zephaniah, mostly for his quick temper and mystic gaze. "Master," She said respectfully, "I am sorry to disturb you at this point in time. But I have a report to make on the issues of the Second Origin Project and the Four Sword retrieval." Zephaniah did not look back. "Speak. What news do you bring me?" "Well," The woman looked down at her notes, attached to the clipboard, "The scientists working on the Second Origin Project have made significant progress in the last four days. Though the previous four test subjects, Aurora Rose, Oshizu Yabame, Hendolf Dauchen Ziegfried and Gaeladria have all been announced as failures; the project team believe that they have perfected their technology enough to being the first official body for the Deities." To that, Zephaniah turned around. "...H-Have they started work on Diana?" "No sir," The secretary replied. "For two reasons. One, they wanted your approval first, and two, they believed that the labs on the floating city of Nazareth would have provided a better location for the first serious run of Second Origin Project." "They have my consent," The large Neo-Englishman said, "But they will need the four sacred swords to complete the project, will they not? How goes the search for the swords?" "Our forces are having scattered success and failure. We have succeeded finding the Shadow Edge under the ice of the Arctic, within the Genesis Comet. But the agents stationed there are having much difficulty in retrieving it. We lost track of the Lightning Tooth yesterday, we believe that Ingrid Highland has left the Neo-English city, Manchester, for reasons unknown. The Wind Soul still has yet to be located, and our Neo-Chinese troops failed in procuring the Fire Cutter sword a short time ago. It is expected that all four of the swords will be in our possession in three weeks if we expend as much effort as possible." There was a irritated growl after that. "...I'm not pleased with the lack the swords. Especially after the chaos of the last board meeting. But I will reframe. Finding four small needles in a haystack the size of a planet is not an easy task. It seems I have no choice but use the back up plan." "Really, sir?" The female secretary asked. Zephaniah nodded to her. "Yes. I don't believe we have any other options. I will not allow the Second Origin Project to be delayed any further. And I must crush the doubters that exist amongst the board members. We will have to hasten the Ten Sekai Sentou Kyousou. I want you to issue out the tournament invitations now. As quickly as you can. My other secretaries will brief you on the details of location and date." The woman nodded, then turned and walked away. She really had not expected to hear that. As the door closed behind her when she left, a figure appeared from the shadows of the office. That figure was of Nagare Utsume. "Well done," He said to Zephaniah, "It was a wise decision to bring your tournament closer. This way, instead of seeking out the wielders of the swords, the wielders of the swords will come to you." Zephaniah looked away from him. "This also means work on the Second Origin Project will not be complete until the tournament begins. And I have waited so long already..." "Patience," Nagare replied, "Happiness makes itself known to those who prepare for it. But also to those who have the courage to wait for it. It is your destiny to host that tournament and to see the Second Origin to its conclusion. Or its failure. All you need to do is wait..."
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