Walking into a room with a large window was a tall man, well built yet a soft kind face could be seen on his figure. Short, black hair rested on his head, giving the impression that the man was very focused and calm in many situations. Alongside him was a shorter woman with a similar soft face, but dazzling eyelashes, presenting a pure image of beauty from her look alone. This was not the only thing contributing to this appearance, as her red twintails and red eyes with a dark circle around the pupils gave the essence of beauty from her image alone. Both had worn clothes of black, with the man wearing an outfit his loving red-headed wife had made for him while the other wore a beautiful black day dress.
Entering before the man had done, the woman walked through and sat on a chair facing the window. Following behind her, the man spoke of their plans for the coming day.
Nero: [I believe at this point, we’ve invited just about everyone for the party tomorrow. We both spoke to Shiro earlier this afternoon, so her invitation is taken care of. Now all that remains is to prepare the castle and I believe we should be ready! Even if we were cutting it close, I think we successfully managed to pull off this idea you had, Yoyo.]
Yoro: [...]
She remained silent. The loving husband, of course, took notice of this and tried to reassure her.
Nero: [It will be alright, Yoyo. I’m sure everything will go as you had planned.]
Yoro: [...]
Sitting down on a chair behind her to fix his boots, the man continued smiling.
Nero: [Varius will be fine as well. I’m sure she’ll be very excited to see Shiro, should the two meet. She’ll most likely want her over again, perhaps for a fun playdate with Varius.]
Yoro: [...]
Placing his boot back down, Nero looked back up at his wife. Her back was still turned while sitting in the chair, staring out the window.
Nero: [Is everything alright, Yoyo? I assumed this was what you wanted to do.]
Yoro: [...]
Casting his eyes down, the oni continued speaking.
Nero: [... I’m not very good with speaking to others, I often don’t know what to say or what to do when someone is hurt. But even so, I always strive to find a way to make things better for them. You are the woman who I wish to spend an eternity with, Yoro. Please, if there is something wrong, I would like to discuss it with you. Please, just speak to me so I can understand at the very least.]
The world around him… turned black and white. Nothing was in color. Not the nature beyond the window nor the room around them. Instead, only Nero and Yoro remained in full color. The man had found this sight peculiar, but he continued to press on, wanting to question what had happened to his wife.
He rose from his chair, gently walking over closer to her back and spoke quietly.
Nero: [Please… Yoro… I need to know.]
Finally… she spoke.
Yoro: [... What are you doing?]
Puzzled by her statement, Nero took a step back and tried to rack his brain for what she could have meant.
Nero: [I’m not sure I understand, Yoro. I’m just trying to speak to you, like any other moment I’ve spoken to you. I’d like to know what’s wrong.]
Yoro: [... Do you believe any of this is right?]
Nero: [I do! I’d like to make sure you’re okay, at all times! Whether you’re smiling with every ounce of your being or sickened to a horrible depression, I would always like to be there for you to help!]
Yoro: [... So, in your eyes, all of this is justified, right?]
Nervous, the man looked back down at his red-headed wife.
Nero: [I don’t understand, Yoro… Did something happen with Varius? If so, I can check up on her right now! I’ll do the best I can to help our daughter, no matter the cost!]
Yoro: [... Varius is missing.]
His expression became all the more horrified.
Nero: [W-what?! When did this happen?! If that’s the case, I’ll look for her immediately! I’ll see if anyone in town has seen her, and then–]
Yoro: [Of course she ran away. She’s terrified of her papa. The girl wouldn’t have wanted to stay here if she lost everything, so she ran away.]
Slapping his chest with a hand, Nero’s worried eyes continued to quiver as he stared at Yoro’s beautiful red hair.
Nero: [What are you saying, Yoro?! I wasn’t aware that she was scared of me! Did I do something wrong to cause such a thing?!]
Yoro: [... She has every reason to be scared. Her papa isn’t her papa anymore. The man known as Nero Virtuoso is no longer here. All that remains is a husk of his former self.]
Sweat dripped down his face rapidly.
Nero: [Yoro… Are you asking for us to be separated…? I’m not sure what I’ve done to cause this, but I had thought I was doing my best at all times… You said so yourself to me… Do you not love me anymore?]
Yoro: [... I do love you. I love you as much as anyone in the world could love someone. If I was trapped on an island without anything to keep me alive, I’d be satisfied with going as long as you’re by my side. My love has not faded since we were young and it never will.]
Nero: [Then what is it?! Please, I need to know! What did I do to cause this?!]
Though her back had been turned to him for so long, the woman finally turned. A single red eye could be seen staring back at Nero, without any joy or anything of the like behind it.
Yoro: [... You’re ignoring what you’ve done, Nero. Now that I’m confronting you about it, despite your motive, you’re trying to pretend nothing happened. You know I’m smarter than this.]
The truth had arrived.
Yoro: [... You’re not yourself anymore.]
Nero’s mouth was left open as he struggled to find a way to respond. His fingers twitched, unsure if they should remain calm or be clenched. Sweat continued to fall down his face profusely. His eyes winced as if he was in pain, though the scene playing out before him was far more painful than anything he had experienced in the past. His arms felt heavy, like they were being pushed down no matter how much he tried to keep them up.
He looked down at his hands and realized he could no longer recognise them. The kind hands he had once used to hold Yoro and Varius were morphed into disgusting abominations that reeked of blood and war.
Casting both his head and arms down, he gave his answer.
Nero: [... It’s for your sake. All of it is.]
Yoro: [... It’s for my sake. That’s the reason you’re going with?]
Nero: [... Everything. Every last action I’ve taken is for you. I won’t let a single one of them rest knowing that they took you away.]
Moving her eyes back to the window, Yoro recalled a decade old tale.
Yoro: [... Far off in the lower regions of Mazokuni lives a demon lord of the sands. She’s merciless and kills anyone who dares enter her castle. The lonely lord of the sands will never change, no matter who they are, no matter what she experiences. She will simply continue to kill, as if taking pleasure in it.]
Placing a foot forward, Nero tried to counter her words.
Nero: [It’s different than that! They’ve taken your life, haven’t they?! They deserve to suffer for what they’ve done!]
Yoro: [... If that’s the case, why did you save me on the night of our reunion?]
Nero: [I… I needed to, otherwise you would have–]
Yoro: [But I took the lives of their families, correct? Would it not be the same as what you’ve done?]
Nero: [N-no… because–]
Yoro: [Because I’m special? Because I’m the woman you love? Is that all it takes to change what is right and what is wrong? Is that what you’re saying, Nero? Perhaps that’s why you took the lives of those who stole your adoptive mother from you.]
Nero: [Moms… Moms is different… She–]
Yoro: [She was involved with the Oni Genocide Incident, regardless of if she wanted to be or not. You don’t think it’s fair for them to take her life in an act of revenge?]
Nero: [Varius… I’m still focused on saving Varius, no matter what…]
Yoro: [Really? Where is she then? If you’re focused on saving our daughter, where has she been for the past two weeks?]
Nero: [I could have found her quickly had it not been for…]
The dark gray eyes of the oni widened as soon as he realized. Just as he did, his wife called him out.
Yoro: [What stopped you, Nero? Who tried to protect our daughter? Who did you kill?]
Nero: [It… it was for the sake of our family…]
Yoro: [Killing him was for the sake of our family?]
Nero: [He tried to take Varius from us… Just like those pitiful Bloodfires tried to take you away from me…]
Yoro: [Everyone you’ve killed, all of it was because of the Bloodfire family, right?]
Nero: [That’s right! If it wasn’t for those vile insects, you would still be here! I did it for your sake, Yoro! Though it may be vile in nature, I killed them for you!]
The chair Yoro had sat on toppled to the ground as she turned to Nero. A fury like no other was on her face, which was made clear as she spoke.
Yoro: [IS THAT WHAT YOU TOLD YOURSELF WHEN YOU BURNED DOWN THAT KITSUNE VILLAGE?!]
She had never yelled at him. Not once in their long, ten years of being together had Yoro ever raised her voice at the man. There was only one occasion, one where the two were connected by love. When Yoro Kobi was still Yoro of the Sands, a woman who viewed Nero Virtuoso as her enemy. His step forward from moments before was reduced to nothing as he took two steps back.
Yoro: [The kitsune village, the broadcast you framed Shiro with, the people in the facility that assisted you with the disease you were making, even the disease itself! All of that! All of it was for my sake?! Don’t make me laugh! You know that it wasn’t but you’re trying to hide behind that reasoning like a coward! All you’ve done is ruin the lives of others without thinking about their families! But oh, it’s alright as long as my sweet, sweet Yoro is avenged, right?! As long as I say it’s for Varius’ sake or for the sake of my dead wife, everything will be okay! No matter who they are, I’ll make them all pay for what they’ve done, isn’t that right, Nero?!]
Nero: [I… No, I didn’t ever mean to…]
Her fury was calmed into a chilling glare she sent back at him.
Yoro: [Look at you. You’re beginning to realize what you’ve done yourself.]
Looking down at his hands, Nero noticed the horrific sight of the black clothes Yoro had made for him, now drenched in blood. In the corner of his eyes, his short hair had extended down and moved onto his shoulders. He turned to a nearby mirror and saw how he looked.
Who was this? He did not recognise them at all. He was aware of the transformation he had undergone, even proving that he was well versed with it when Shiro had experienced a similar phenomenon. But this was what he looked like? A terrible version of himself that did not look like the Nero Virtuoso of the past? His narrow cold eyes did not match, his long mullet was not there before, he had been well built but not at this level. The Nero Virtuoso trapped in the past questioned the appearance of the Nero Virtuoso in the present.
Beside him, Yoro spoke one last message as she turned away.
Yoro: [... You’re not the hero I remember.]
Nero looked over at his wife, extending his blood drenched hand to grasp her. The cold look from before was completely gone, leaving only worry and sadness.
Nero: [Yoro–]
The entire world around him faded to black. Yet, he was still here.
In a void of darkness, with no one but himself, Nero desperately looked around, calling out to his wife.
Nero: [Yoro!]
She was not here.
Nero: [Yoro!]
She would never return, so long as he looked like this.
Nero: [Yoro! Please, come back!]
She never answered his calls.
Falling to his knees, Nero felt utterly powerless in this hellish void. It was only in his weakened state that he had realized something. The small tug he often felt on the right side of his chest was gone. Searching inside desperately to make sure what was there remained, Nero shuffled through the inner pocket of his coat… and pulled out a small slip of paper. One he had never seen before.
Looking at the paper, a message was written with familiar handwriting in red.
Even if you’ve changed, I’ll wait however long it takes for the real you to return, my love. I’ll be waiting for you. Goodbye, Nene.
Clutching the note in his hand, Nero casted his head down.
Nero: [Yoro…]
Now, and only now… did the world around him truly fade to black.
△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼
Taking a heavy punch to the side of her face, Shiro could feel the sharp pain by her jaw as a crunching sound from inside was let loose.
Struck to the ground, the tired goddess struggled to move, damaged and winded from the long fight she had experienced. Just when she had thought it was over, it still continued. Just when she thought her opponent would no longer show his face ever again, he stood back up and struck her down. A taste of her own medicine, perhaps.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Standing above Shiro, heaving deep breaths and showing clear signs of pain all across his body, the towering oni in black looked down upon Shiro.
Nero: [It’s just as we had spoken about, Shiro… Not until one of us can’t move anymore is our fight over… It does not matter how much we use, from abilities to our martial arts… This fight will continue so long as one of us can stand… We shall push through our pain, battling down to our flesh and bone, until there is nothing left of ourselves…]
Seeing a hand move towards her, Shiro assumed that the end had arrived. Closing her eyes, she awaited the pain that would soon follow. Only for time to pass… and pass… without anything in return. Opening her eyes back up, she looked towards Nero. A hand was extended, just as she had thought, but instead of harming Shiro, it reached out to her. Nero was trying to pick her up off the ground.
Raising her own hand slowly, Shiro took Nero’s hand and was moved back up by him.
Nero: [I do not wish to end this as a coward… We’ll finish this just as we started it… both of us standing on even playing fields…]
With both bruised and battered rivals staring at each other, their blood dyed gazes were left without malice or joy. The two were hunched over, but slowly started to rise, standing tall as they looked on while continuing to pant.
Their throats were sore and could hardly be raised any louder. But these demons were not normal in the slightest. These two were different to everyone who previously met them.
Thus, while the divine demons reeled their fists back, a painful scream was let out from their mouths.
Shiro and Nero: [HaaaaaAAAAAAAA!]
Smashing into each other’s cheeks with fists on opposite sides, the two spat out blood as their faces were curved to the side.
As they released their punches, Shiro slugged back at Nero, leading to a hook of his own right back to her face.
Memories between the two started flooding back.
My name is Nero! And this is my little sister, Mena! It’s a pleasure to meet you!
Shiro charged back with another fist, followed by a second to the right cheek.
I see. Well it’s nice to meet you, Nero. My name is–
Struck below the jaw by a sluggish fist, Shiro stumbled back several feet before bracing herself again. Nero sent another poor fist towards the succubus, but she ducked under it, punching him square in the face.
That was incredible, Shiro! It was truly like watching a work of art in the making.
Hooking her back from left to right, Nero performed a devastating two hit combo onto the goddess.
Heh. Come to think of it, we’re more and more similar now that I think about it. We have martial artists taking care of us, our dreams are similar…
The two threw an uppercut at each other, crushing into the bottom of their jaws.
Even our names are rather similar.
Both fell to the ground from the attack, only to slowly stand back up again. Once they were face to face again, they performed a stare down, and repeatedly struck each other’s faces with sluggish punches like a contest of endurance.
Heh. All it took was one good understanding, and now the two of you are real close!
Shiro’s fist pushed Nero’s face back with a visceral sound, leaving one of his eyes more open than the other as he was hit. He did not move from his position.
Ah! You’re alright! Thank goodness! Are you injured by any chance?
A vicious haymaker was unleashed across Shiro’s face to counter. The goddess took the punch across her cheek, curving her neck, but she did not move from her position.
I….I’m fine….Hey, Nero…
Swinging her head back towards him, Shiro sent a powerful headbutt towards Nero, crushing into his face.
Hm? Yes?
To match her, Nero sent his own headbutt back, smashing into Shiro’s face.
We’re…We’re friends…right?
Shiro and Nero: [HAAAAAAAAAAA!]
A rush of punches far faster than the poor sluggish ones from before were traded between them. Each curving their cheeks to the side, yet they continued to strike as they pushed through the pain.
Of course! I suppose I cannot speak of Yoro’s status as she is a separate matter entirely, but I would argue that you are the closest friend I have!
Why…
Why?
Why…I’m…I’m not that good at doing stuff…I usually just get in the way…
Nonsense! You’re incredible, Shiro! I often worry that I was given far too much in terms of what I am capable of, and this leads me to believe that I cannot improve from where I am at. But every feat I have seen you perform has only made me realize just how high the limit is! Your skills have inspired me!
I’m…I’m not that nice…I usually act in ways that might make others not enjoy my company…
That is untrue as well! You’re very kind! Along with that, you’re often very funny. Of course not in a laughing at sense, but laughing with. It’s odd to say, but you and Kōkatsu often feel like a comedic duo. You were even nice enough to allow us to stay at your home for a week, after only knowing us for a month’s worth of time.
Following their rush of punches, the two fell to their knees. Their breaths were rough, giving a clear description on how hurt they were from the sound alone. As they continued to heave, they looked towards each other and stood back up slowly.
What…What if we become…enemies…
Shiro. That will never occur. I can promise you this.
Throwing the hardest fist he could at Shiro’s cheek, Nero shouted out to her.
Nero: [SHIRO!]
But…what if…what if we really do…
Nero’s eyes widened as the punch made contact. The sound was brutal as it hit the mark, but Shiro’s gaze did not change. Her cheek did not curve nor was her neck turned. She took the punch in her weakened state without flinching. Raising her own fist back at him, Shiro screamed while keeping his fist on her face. A final memory came flooding back to them.
...In that scenario, regardless of what may happen to you or me…I will still view you as my friend. Nothing will change this.
But–
Shiro. I truly mean that.
Shiro: [NERO!]
Nero: [KAHACK!]
Slamming her fist into the side of Nero’s cheek, the oni was sent flying back.
His body slid along the grass, stopping right before the burnt down house.
The battle… was finally over.
△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼
Helig: [Seraphim Ouroboros.]
From below Nero, wraps with angelic feathers patterned along them started to curl around his body slowly alongside gold chains that strapped to his body. While he was being sealed away during Helig’s incantation, Nero started to let loose a pained laugh.
Nero: [Ha… haha… ha… Just what I’d expect from you, Shiro… Hesitating to the very end…]
While releasing heavy breaths after her long battle, Shiro looked up at the collapsed body in front of her.
Shiro: [Wh-what…?]
Nero: [You know damn well what I mean, Shiro… This entire time… you’ve been hesitating while fighting me… You’re nervous, aren’t you…? You avoided killing me as best as you could… all because you couldn’t kill your old friend…]
The goddess slowly started to rise back up, her pained face growing more angered than before.
Nero: [The heads of the Bloodfire and Tensetsu family are dead… along with countless others… All because you continued to hesitate while fighting me… You knew that my head would reattach itself during our previous battle, correct…? That’s why you had no qualms with decapitating me… You already knew I’d be fine… Every attack from that battle, along with the one before and even now, none of your bouts against me focused on ending my life… Just what I’d expect from you, Shiro…]
Shiro: [YOU’RE ONE TO TALK!]
Blood was spat out from Shiro’s mouth as she screamed as loudly as she could muster. Lifting his head up, Nero looked at Shiro with widened eyes.
Shiro: [Do you think I didn’t notice either?! Every single time… every single time you had the opportunity to kill me, you didn’t! You know where I would be if you didn’t hesitate?! Dead, near the kitsune village! You had me in your grasp, ready to cleave me in half! But you didn’t, did you?! Because you’re the same! You can’t kill your friend, no matter how much you try! You kept trying to offer me a place in your new world all because you knew in your own damn heart that you didn’t have the guts to kill me! Isn’t that right?! Tell me, you fucking bastard!]
Nero: [... I… I did no such thing–]
Tears started to stream down Shiro’s bruised and bloody face.
Shiro: [Don’t try and act like you didn’t! I know damn well that you did! Because Yoro wouldn’t be able to forgive you as well, right?! What would Varius think if she knew her father could kill his friend without a problem?! But most of all, what would you think of yourself if you took my life?! Answer me! Prove I’m wrong! Kill me, right here and now!]
Spreading her arms out, Shiro watched as Nero did not lift a finger but instead bit down on his lip.
Shiro: [But you’re right! You’re right that I didn’t want to kill you! None of us did! Not me, nor Kō or Sil, none of us wanted to! Because we cared about you! We knew what you’ve suffered through, and we knew what it most likely felt like to have Yoro and Varius taken away from you! We understood that! That’s why we’re here! That’s why we’re your friends! We would have been there for you, to understand your pain and help you deal with it! Even if you felt horrible after Yoro was gone, we would have done everything we could to help! But after Yoro was gone, after everything that happened, I was still willing to talk to you! Because even if it meant you had to come quietly with us, I still believed you were the same Nero as before! It didn’t matter how different you looked, you were still the same Nero that I knew!]
Nero was left speechless. He continued to look at Shiro, now covered in blood, tears and snot.
Shiro: [You’re my friend, you dumbass! Why can’t you get that through your thick headed skull?! Just like Kō and Sil, you mean the world to me!]
Unsure of what to say, Nero slowly opened his mouth.
Nero: [... Shi–]
Without warning, the wraps quickly curled around the rest of Nero’s body, sealing him away in a cross. Her friend now gone after her shouting at him, Shiro fell down to her knees, crying as she looked at her own legs.
Flying over to Shiro’s side, Helig crossed her arms and looked over at the sealed oni.
Helig: [Stand, succubus. It is times like these that you must be your strongest.]
Shiro: [I just… I don’t know what to say to him, Helig… I…]
Helig: [Even if you do not enjoy the thought of how he has changed, you need to stand, succubus. There are many waiting for our return.]
Picking herself up off the ground, Shiro slowly started to stand.
Helig: [I assume you will not be happy to hear this, but I ask that you carry the cross back.]
Shiro: [If it’s alright to ask… Why…?]
Helig: [Firstly, I do not wish to carry it. But secondly, those waiting for us deserve to know that you have finished what you set out to do.]
Shiro: [I see… Alright, I’ll take it from here…]
Picking up the cross that contained Nero, Shiro placed it over her shoulder and ascended to the air with Helig.
The two focused their attention on returning to the roaring battlefield from before.
△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼
While the goddess of angelic nature and the goddess of demonic nature returned to the land from whence they came, the succubus in white spoke to the stern angel beside her.
Shiro: [Helig… I had a question about my battle earlier…]
Helig: [If you are asking about why either of you decided to perform an entire show to end your fight, then no. I do not understand that.]
Shiro: [Well… It’s about that fight… Both when me and Nero were using our fighting styles, and when we were punching each other at the end… Why didn’t you step in…? You could have easily beat him by that point… so why didn’t you?]
Closing her eyes, Helig’s annoyed voice mellowed down to a neutral tone.
Helig: [Your fight was not one for me to interfere with. The bonds that we as mortals share transcend above even the mightiest of beings. It is not my place in the slightest to step into a quarrel between friends.]
Smiling back to Helig, Shiro joyfully spoke to her.
Shiro: [You’re a nice person… Helig…]
Her comment marked the return of Helig’s annoyance.
Helig: [I don’t need your pointless compliments, succubus.]
The golden eyes of the angel looked over to the cross that Shiro held.
Helig: [To be clear, I’m disgusted by that oni and his actions. He’s caused nothing but tragedy onto the innocent lives in the land below us, and if I could, I’d execute the fool without a second thought. I’m also not fond of you as well, succubus. You’ve caused a great deal of trouble in your own right during our first battle. However, I understand the bond that you two shared. It does not matter what my opinion is, it is just like I stated, I had no place to interfere. It is also thanks to that bond that I can understand where your suffering is coming from. I will not console you, but I’m sure there are others who will do so as best as they can, just as you wanted to do for that oni.]
Shiro: [Heh… I was right…]
Helig: [About what exactly?]
Shiro: [... You really are a nice person, Helig.]
Helig: [Haaaaah. The sooner we land so I can cease my chatter with you, the better.]
Soaring back down towards the ground, the two arrived at the rocky field of the Onigashima District they were familiar with. Looking on at the countless troops in front of them, Shiro’s eyes widened as she saw each of those who were on their side cheering for her. Fists and hands in the air, jumping and shouting, hugging each other and celebrating what Shiro had done. Beside Shiro, Helig crossed her arms and shared Shiro’s incredible sight.
Helig: [For the soldiers down there, along with countless others across the world, you most likely have the image of a hero now. There is something to be said for all of us, from myself, to Silvia Bloodfire or Kōkatsu Kurami. However, among our group, you stand the highest of all in their eyes. The succubus who defeated the oni that terrorized the land.]
Shiro’s eyes shortened back down to their normal state, only now with a somber touch.
Shiro: [If I’m being honest, I don’t really feel like a hero after everything that I’ve had to do… I took down an old friend of mine and hated every minute that I was forced to fight him… With that said, I’ll take comfort in knowing that I’ve given hope to everyone in the world, allowing them to live the same peaceful lives they had before this all started.]
Helig looked over at Shiro, before turning her eyes back to the soldiers on the ground.
Helig: [Even with this, your public image likely will not change completely. There will still be many who do not look up to you, there will some that still view you as an enemy. Regardless of what you’ve accomplished, there will still be countless others that believe you are in the wrong. Perhaps your image will only worsen in their eyes, leading to a greater spread of your bastardized image.]
Smiling back at Helig, Shiro looked towards the cheering soldiers as well.
Shiro: [Nobody in the world can be truly perfect. No matter who they are, everyone will view each other with their own opinions. It’s up to us, ourselves, to stay true to our hearts. It’s by staying true to ourselves that the next generation will know that the people they look up to will always remain strong for them. On top of that, staying true to ourselves will be our very own way to empower our beings, otherwise, what are we?]
Running a hand through her hair, Helig sighed and looked over to Shiro.
Helig: [I hate that I must agree with you, but you’ve given rather sound logic to that thought.]
From behind the two, Helig’s team ran over and took the cross from Shiro. Moving away from her, the angel turned and spoke to the succubus.
Helig: [We’ll work with the Bloodfire and Tensetsu families to place Nero Virtuoso into a secured facility. Your job in handling him is hereby relieved.]
Shiro smiled back at her.
Shiro: [Thanks, Helig.]
Helig: [... Hm.]
Walking away with her hum back to Shiro, Helig exited the battlefield with her team. Now by her lonesome, Shiro stood at the top of the hill, only to be assaulted by–
Bachi: [Lady Shiro!]
Crashing into her and causing Shiro to fall, the goddess smiled as she saw the crying face of the familiar yellow cat girl covered in snot.
Bachi: [I wab so worggied! I thoub n’ya were gonna die!]
Patting the girl’s head, Shiro gave a soft smile back, like that of a mother.
Shiro: [I’m alright, Bachi. Thank you for worrying about me.]
Many had started to make their way over. Shiro’s crew, Kōkatsu, Silvia, Xander, Kaoru, Kiyomi, and Poi. From behind, Kōkatsu picked Shiro up by the back of her arms and lifted her to her feet again. The group surrounded the goddess in a circle.
Shiro: [Everyone? What’s going on?]
Kōkatsu: [Ready, and…]
They jumped forward, giving one large circle of a group hug to Shiro.
Everyone: [We did it!]
Bundled up around the group’s arms, Shiro started to cry.
Shiro: [You guys…]
As the hug was loosened, they all gave their praises to Shiro.
Hidari: [I’m glad to see you’re safe, Lady Shiro.]
Migi: [Yeah! You put on a real rockin’ performance! Though you’re definitely in a whole lot worse shape than we were.]
Bachi: [K-Kaoru…]
Kaoru: [Don’t worry, Bachi. I’m on it.]
Placing her hands on Shiro, Kaoru quickly healed the injuries all across her body. Looking back at the kitsune, the goddess gave her thanks.
Shiro: [Thanks, Kaoru.]
Kaoru: [Well done out there, Miss Shiro! All of us were thoroughly impressed!]
Kōkatsu: [Yer damn right we were! That was a hell of a show, Shiro!]
Punching Shiro’s shoulder, the kitsune taller than the succubus herself locked eyes with her.
Kōkatsu: [Ya did good out there, bestie. I’m proud.]
Shiro: [Thanks, Kō. That means a lot to me.]
Silvia: [Not to underplay Kōkatssssu’ssss complimentssss, but I too am proud of you, Sssshiro.]
Slithering over to Shiro’s side, the purple snake goddess smiled back at the demon in white. Grabbing both the lamia and kitsune with her arms, Shiro performed a hug to each as she smiled with her teeth.
Shiro: [Yeah, yeah! I love both of you as well!]
Just as she did, a pair of lips touched her cheek from behind. The three looked towards the figure, before the two beside Shiro gave her some distance to speak with the individual. The color of red, red like blood, could be seen on his hair and eyes.
Shiro: [May I ask where that came from?]
Xander: [Just paying you back for earlier is all. You’re welcome, by the way.]
Shiro: [Oh, well, in that case… I suppose we should make it fair.]
Moving towards each other, the demons of red and white kissed on their lips. A scene that caused all around them to smile, except Tari, who had her eyes childishly covered by Sena, which she tried to push away.
Xander moved back as he saw a jet black oni coming close, who bowed in front of Shiro. The goddess turned her attention back and smiled.
Ryuka: [Good work out there, Lady Shiro! I’m honored to be in your service!]
Shiro: [You should raise your head, Ryuka. You’ve accomplished an incredible feat of your own today.]
Doing as Shiro instructed, Ryuka looked towards those behind her and continued talking.
Ryuka: [So? What’s next for us? I’m sure there’s a lot to do, right?]
Placing a hand under her chin, Shiro thought of the many things that required work.
Shiro: [Yes, there’s quite a lot to handle. I have a great deal laid out for me to do… I need to renovate my office and create many more buildings for our other purposes–]
Migi: [I’ve got that on lock, Rockin’ Lady Shiro!]
Shiro: [Then there’s those who need to be taught the Babylon Way style–]
Hidari: [I’ll take care of that for you, Lady Shiro.]
Shiro: [I suppose we also want to recruit more people into our group–]
Bachi: [I can hangle thab!]
Shiro: [We also need to do some scouting, for both info and people who might be working alongside Nero–]
Tari: [Leave it to me, Lady Shiro.]
Shiro: [On top of that, there’s studies that I’d like to conduct to see if we can further the science of our health care–]
Sena: [Ooo! I’m good at that, Lady Shiro!]
Closing her eyes, Shiro looked back to Ryuka and smiled.
Shiro: [... and then, there’s finding a place for you within my team, Ryuka. I still need to research the tablets of madness and find more clues regarding them, not to mention taking care of my family.]
Ryuka: [If you don’t mind, we’d have no problem helping with that! Both the part about the research, and helping you with the family!]
Her crew all joined together, confidently posing in front of her. A small laugh was let out from Shiro, who caressed her own head.
Shiro: [Hahaha! Well, I guess a few extra hands could really help. Plus, it might calm this headache I’ve been feeling for the past two weeks.]
As the group laughed together, two soldiers with cameras in their hands and the birthmarks of the Bloodfire and Tensetsu families respectively rushed over.
Bloodfire Cameraman: [Excuse me, Goddess Shiro?]
Tensetsu Cameraman: [If you don’t mind, we’d like to get a quick picture of you and your team for the news!]
Nodding back to them, Shiro started to move towards the rest of her team.
Shiro: [Sure! Let me just get into position with them and… there! Go right ahe–]
Tari: [Ah! Wait! Lady Shiro’s clothes are damaged! She shouldn’t be taking a picture like this if her clothes are ruined by even the slightest bit!]
Interrupting the moment with her loud shouting, Tari moved in front of the woman she served.
Migi: [To be fair, Tari, a lot of us are kinda torn up a bit, so it might be best to–]
Tari: [Shut it! We don’t matter here! Oi! Someone get Lady Shiro some clothes, right now!]
Before Tari could continue yelling at the soldiers on the ground, Xander moved over to Shiro with a folded pair in his hands.
Xander: [I had a feeling this would happen, so I came prepared ahead of time.]
Shiro: [Of course you did.]
After the lovers smiled at each other, Shiro started to change. As she had begun, Tari quickly undid her cloak and forced Hidari and Migi to grab it.
Tari: [Hold it high! We don’t want people seeing Lady Shiro changing! None of them deserve to see her body, not even us! Higher, Higher! Wait… curl it around more, they might be able to see it on the other side! Good! Good… Perfect! Stay exactly like that!]
Wrapping the cloak entirely around Shiro, the goddess was now stuck. Inside, her muffled voice pushed through.
Shiro: [Tari… I can’t move…]
Tari: [Ah! Shit! Undo it a bit, but just enough that she can change! A little more… a little moooore… Good! Is that alright, Lady Shiro?]
Shiro: [Yes. I’m alright now. Thank you, Tari.]
Tari: [Perfect! Keep it just like that!]
Once Shiro was finished changing, she moved past the cloak and over to the middle of the group. Tari swiftly grabbed her cloak from the two and made her way over.
Cameramen: [Everyone in their positions…]
With each member of Shiro’s team striking a pose of their own, they smiled at the camera.
Cameramen: [Three, two, one, and… done!]
With a click and a snap, a photo of Shiro and her team was taken. Printed across countless newspapers and magazines, the new hero of the world was made known to all. A legendary goddess, capable of taking down the mighty Nero Virtuoso that once threatened the lives of everyone within Shin.
It was during this article that Shiro’s past had also been written about, revealing to the world that the well known Airi the Hero was alive, who had gotten married and taken on the name of Airi Fuloreen. Shiro’s relation to this woman, that being Airi’s daughter, was now public information for all. Countless reactions of nodding were performed by those that read the article, not surprised that such a valiant hero would give birth to another. Airi Fuloreen herself did not mind this sudden rise in news, as her daughter’s status is just as praiseworthy as her own abandoned title.
Now with six by her side, who would help lead the way for the new era and the next generation, Shiro sought out the next goals to conquer with her team.
Shiro Fuloreen and her Dragonic Force were now names many had spoken about, from day to night, breakfast to dinner, children to the elderly.
A new powerful hero colored in white, white like snow, had risen.
△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼
Hello?
Can you hear me?
???: [Huh? I don’t know this voice… Who are you?]
Oh!
You can hear me!
I was not sure I could speak to you like this!
My name is–
What is your name?
???: [My name? That’s easy! It’s–]
… I see.
That is a very nice name!
Tell me,–
What is your dream?
???: [My dream?]
Yes. What would you like to do?
???: [I wanna… be the strongest in the whole world!]
I see.
That is a very good dream!
Would you allow me to help you achieve this?
???: [Really?! You wanna help me?!]
Of course!
I’ll help you along this road, all the way to the point where you’re the strongest!
???: [Yay! You’re really awesome, you know that?!]
No, I am not the awesome one.
You are the awesome one.
Let’s travel down this path together,–
???: [Right! I’m gonna become the strongest in the world, thanks to–]
Good!
I like your enthusiasm!
Then let our journey together begin!
△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼
END OF ACT 1
image [https://i.imgur.com/cBUiZWY.jpeg]