It was all unfolding far too quickly.
The plan that they had methodically created, the powerful collaboration between several different forces, the power to push back against the one who had declared war against the world.
All of it had perfectly molded into an incredible series of events…and yet, they watched as the same series of events shattered into small pieces of glass within their mind.
Ten large warships. Ten of them now stood in front of the many gathered factions.
Shiro Fuloreen and her crew of three, the Kōkatsu family, Silvia Hemobi’s army, Helig Gammal’s holy troops, and finally, the combined forces of the Bloodfire and Tensetsu families, with Devi Bloodfire and Tequi Tensetsu leading the charge.
There were enough of them to rank higher than twenty thousand.
But despite that, Tequi Tensetsu, who’s ability to detect presences was second to none, continued to look on in horror.
Growing concerned over the situation at hand, Devi quickly tugged at Tequi’s white dress in order to gain her attention.
Devi: [Tequi! How many soldiers does he have?]
With her mouth quivering, and her eyes wavering, Tequi met Devi’s scarlet eyes.
Tequi: [Thirty…thousand…]
The horror behind her appearance was now understood.
Unsure of how to digest such words, or if such an action was even possible, Devi’s own complexion started to crack.
Devi: [W-What?!]
Tequi: [Thirty thousand…There’s more than thirty thousand on his side…It’s possible for us to still handle such an amount…but it’s rather overwhelming to begin with…]
Gritting her teeth, Devi looked towards the ships above, only to see several beams of light crash into the surface below. From within the beams came several soldiers who now rushed towards the many factions on the opposite side of the land.
Devi: [Damn…All troops, prepare for battle! Our enemies are already beginning their charge!]
Snapping back to reality, Tequi slapped her cheeks before providing a rallying cry of her own.
Tequi: [You heard the lady, men! There’s no backing down now, so give them everything you’ve got!]
A horde of soldiers charged towards the opposing forces of black and white. Within the same moment, Devi gripped at the hilt of her blade while Tequi produced a pink bow of matoki from the air and fired several shots towards her enemies.
Rushing past the troops was a large kitsune and a purple snake woman who followed close behind. With their backs against each other, the two made quick work of those who stood before them using their blades. Shortly after, a golden ax was thrown past them and quickly picked up by a golden angel.
Kōkatsu: [Might not be the right time for it, but ‘s jus’ like old times! Ain’t it, Sisi?]
Silvia: [Indeed. Though I would have hoped that one of ussss wassss sssstill on the ssssame sssside…]
With a gloomy look now taking over the slight ounce of excitement within her voice, Kōkatsu looked up towards the main warship residing in the middle of the rest. Her attention was set towards a single man clad in black with hints of white, who she along with many others were familiar with.
Kōkatsu: [Damn it, Yoro…Why’d ya have to go and die like that? If I knew that was gonna happen, I would have stayed the night…]
Silvia did not respond, yet she had shared the same thought within her own mind.
Another old friend of the terrifying man, however, had also kept their eyes locked onto him.
A succubus in white, who had not moved from her position in the slightest.
Shiro: [Nero…]
Her words could not reach him. They were not nearly loud enough to do so.
However, the man’s bloodthirsty gaze that was placed upon the head of the Bloodfire family was then transferred to Shiro.
It was not as though his gaze had softened entirely, but the emotion his eyes once displayed towards Devi had faded as he looked at the crimson eyes beside her.
The eyes of crimson however could not recognise the man, and yet they could at the very same time.
It was the same friend Shiro remembered. The same friend she had met ten long years ago. The same who she had spoken to not long ago.
But much like what was described to her by Kōkatsu, only a few hours after the two had spoken, his appearance had oddly changed. A long, spiky mullet now presented itself atop his head. Though his eyes had softened upon seeing Shiro, they were far more narrow than before.
This was not the Nero she knew.
Standing close by to Nero, a girl in a patchy hood provided an annoyed look of her own to him.
Tari: [Hey, so, are we free to start now? They’ve already got some big shots of their own going at it.]
With a glare provided back, not a single word escaped the man’s mouth. Instead, a single hand was raised, before being lowered again in the same manner. With a signal given, two sai dropped out of the girl’s hood, and were caught in mid air by her own hands. Looking towards the smiling woman beside her, she provided the same annoyed expression and voice again.
Tari: [Come on, Sena. We’ve got work to do.]
Pressing a hand against her cheek, the woman nervously shifted her body in place while averting her eyes.
Sena: [I don’t know, Tari…They have some scary people down there…]
Tari: [We’re not going after them just yet. We remove the small fry first, then try to catch a bigger fish while their guard is down. We’ve practiced this, remember?]
Moving her eyes to the sky as she tried to recall such a memory, Sena focused all of her energy on the single thought.
Sena: [Did we?...Hmmmmmm…I don’t remember that…]
Tari: [I don’t have time to deal with your airheadedness! Come on!]
Sena: [Ah! Tari, wait! I’m on my way!]
Spreading their demonic wings, the two quickly raced towards the ground along with several others behind them. Many who had stood on the same warship as Nero Virtuoso had now moved in to engage the battle. Only two however continued to reside on the deck.
A girl with smooth, long black hair. Her uniform was no longer the same as many of the lower class troops, as she was provided with the right of wearing what she chose after both she and her older brother proved their worth. Now, a black coat hung over her shoulders, with only a sarashi covering her chest beneath that. Her black pants rang with the two wallet chains hooked across both pockets, and the geta on her feet clapped against the floor as she moved around the deck, observing those below her. Within her hands, repeatedly being smacked against her back was a sheathed katana, a sleek black color that matched with her outfit.
On the opposite side stood a man with slicked back, long hair that moved down his back. He had worn a long fur coat, with nothing beneath other than a pendant. Three hannya masks took form on this necklace, each being connected and looking in unique directions of their own. With the exception of his fingerless gloves and ripped jeans, many of the traits involving his lower body were the same as the girl’s, like the wallet chains and the geta attached to his feet. In both hands sat an incredibly large, cleaver-like blade, which he gently pressed against the deck as he looked on at the war that was now unfolding.
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The man who stood in-between the two continued to stare at Shiro, before turning his back to her and moving to the throne that was prepared by several of the maids. Adjusting his cape, the man presented an image of power as his arms clenched against the rests that the throne provided.
Though Shiro did not move nor cast her eyes away from where Nero had once stood, her body was pulled by Devi who had grabbed onto both of her shoulders.
Devi: [Shiro, can you fight?]
Noticing Devi in front of her, and shaking her head around to refresh her mind, Shiro provided a confident smile.
Shiro: [Yeah. Sorry about that. I’m good to start now!]
Devi: [I’m glad to hear that. We need as much assistance as we can get from the very beginning. This was unexpected, but we’ll work with the situation at hand.]
Jumping back towards the two was Tequi, who had nailed several enemy soldiers with her arrows in quick succession.
Tequi: [Let’s split up, but not too far. Ideally if we’re not all together, then there’s a good chance we won’t be cornered as easily. With that said, we can’t spread out too much, or they’ll take advantage of that.]
With the two giving a firm nod, Devi pointed towards two different directions with her hands.
Devi: [Tequi, I’ll ask for you to handle the right side. Shiro, you handle those that are in front of us. I will handle the forces arriving from the left. Now move!]
Shiro and Tequi: [Right!]
Turning to face the three behind her, Shiro provided dignified orders to her own forces as well.
Shiro: [I'm sorry to ask this of the three of you after you've pledged to aid me in battle, but I need you to help the others around the area. Are we clear?]
Hidari: [As you wish, Lady Shiro!]
Migi: [My toys could use a warm up anyways, so that works for me!]
Bachi: [Jus’ so we're clear, I ain't takin’ this as an order. I'm jus’ doin’ it cause I feel like it.]
Providing a kind look in response, Shiro shouted to them with every ounce of enthusiasm she could muster.
Shiro: [Alright! Move out, team!]
With their strategy set in motion, the three succubi split up into their own small spaces to deal with the oncoming forces alongside their very own. Moving in the opposite direction were those of Shiro's officers, who provided assistance to those around the area. Countless arrows flew across the battlefield, bending and turning as they pierced through several troops on the opposing side.
Tequi: [If this is all it takes to deal with these thirty thousand, maybe it isn’t so bad after all!]
Providing her own confident words, Tequi continued to fire more arrows as the formerly active ones were destroyed. Though they could try to stop her attack, it was not as simple as just removing the projectile that flew at them. The woman they were dealing with was Tequi Tensetsu after all. While there were many reasons that she stood above all, her skills in battle were one of those same many.
However, opposing the same force she provided was a pair who also had no issues in dealing with the soldiers around them. With two sai in her hands, the patchy hooded girl placed an open hand against the soldiers around her. What soon followed was a horrified expression among their faces, and a quick slice to their throats was then given.
Soldier: [Plech!]
Under her expressionless voice, the girl spoke to the falling corpses.
Tari: [Seems like it was your time to die. Sucks to be you, I guess.]
Soldiers: [You’re wide open! Eat this!]
Two soldiers attempted to pierce her with spears from behind, but with a swift backflip, the girl spread her legs atop the two spears before gouging out the eyes of the two.
Soldiers: [GAAAAAAAAAAAAH!]
Tari: [Here. Lemme fix things for you two.]
The two sai were then inserted into their necks, allowing for their screams to cease.
Jumping around the field, moving at an incredible pace, the girl took the lives of many under her small blades. A ruthless spree of killing, comparable to that of an assassin was shown to the many around her.
She was not alone however, as in the moments where she could not deal with a ranged opponent. A hand would be placed on their body by another. The same expression as the soldiers who had fought the girl soon followed, with a flintlock pistol now pointed directly to their heads. A loud bang would soon follow, but before that could even occur, a single word was given.
Sena: [Sorry!]
With the apology provided, the loud, ruthless death was delivered. A dance of bullets and blades were given to those who stood before the powerful duo.
A team like no other, they were lethal succubi sisters. Tari Erozena. A girl who had worn a patchy robe of multiple colors while the eyes and hair that rested underneath presented a pinkish-red color. And her older sister, Sena Erozena. A girl with long, dark purple hair formed into a braided ponytail. With a white button down that struggled to contain her large chest, the purple skirt that was soon followed by sheer leggings, and the cute purple fur boots by the end, her appearance was one that could entrance those who had desired her. However, such an appearance only made the effectiveness of her two flintlock pistols all the more lethal.
As Tari cleaned off her blades with her hands, she turned to face her older, taller yet less bright sister.
Tari: [Sena, let’s hurry up with the small fries a bit. I don’t wanna spend all day–]
Her eyes widened before she could even perceive what was headed towards her. In an instant, Sena pulled one of her guns forward and shot an inch beside Tari’s hood, breaking what was approaching ever so close.
WIth the two now turning their eyes to meet the attacker, they watched as a tan woman in white placed a hand against her mauve hair.
Tequi: [Ah! Sorry, sorry! I thought I was dealing with some more basic soldiers! I should have really changed that attack up a bit so it would have been harder to detect!]
Meeting the careless eyes in front of her, Tari provided a rude glare as she pulled her sai close to her face.
Tari: [Hey. You’re not saying that you thought we were weak, are you?]
Tequi: [Well, how do I put this in a good light…Should I even do so to begin with? Hmmm…I guess what I can say is that you two are a little bit young to be here! I didn’t exactly expect this much skill from such youthful teenagers, but I would recommend that you head back home before you get hurt!]
Though Tari grew irritated by the comments, Sena began to cheerfully smile whilst clapping her hands together.
Sena: [Do you hear that, Tari? We can go home! I was hoping that we wouldn’t have to do this for very long!]
Tequi: [See? I’m glad you get it! Run along now! The adults will handle things from here!]
Closing her eyes, Tari started to spin her sai around each of her fingers as she provided her sister with necessary information.
Tari: [Haaaaah. No, Sena. We can’t leave. She’s an enemy to begin with, so we’ve gotta kill her.]
The joy placed along Sena’s face dropped into sadness as she pouted over the loss of their freedom.
Sena: [Awwwww! I wanted to go home and relax!]
Tari: [We can do so after we deal with her, and the rest of them. Now come on and help me out.]
Watching the two sisters speak, Tequi performed an incredibly swift movement along the string of her bow before moving her focus back to speaking with the pair.
Tequi: [So I guess that’s a no to going back home then?]
Tari: [Why the hell would we, you old hag?]
Tequi’s mauve eyes widened upon hearing the insulting name given.
Tequi: [Oh my! Well, I suppose that leaves me with no choice then. I didn’t exactly want to continue, but if you insist!]
A terrifying realization struck the two as they noticed the presence that slipped under their internal radars. From behind them came five arrows that lowered to their position. Sena moved from her position to evade them, while Tari charged forward with her sai held close towards Tequi.
Pulling up her bow, Tequi aimed it towards one of Tari’s eyes.
Tequi: [All I have to do is disconnect one arrow, and I can use another!]
Tari: [Tch! Shit!]
Another look of fear was given as Tari shifted to the side, and charged again. Only this time, the palm of her hand led the charge as it was placed on Tequi’s arm.
Tequi looked on at her in surprise, only to have a pleasant feeling fill her mind, and a smile was shown. This only confused Tari further, who was once again forced to move back as the bow was moved in front of her.
Tequi: [...My wedding day. What a wonderful memory! I thank you for that! Now I not only understand how your ability works, but I’ve now relived a fantastic moment from my past!]
Tari: [Do you not have any fucked up shit in your life or something?!]
Tequi’s smile quickly became a giggle as she held up her bow.
Tequi: [Hehe! Nope! Sorry, girlie, but I’m the type of woman who only lives in happiness!]
Jumping through the air, Tari attempted to provide quick slashes to Tequi while also staying behind her in order to allow her own arrows to pierce her body. Dodging each of the slashes sent at her, Tequi waited for an opportune moment to strike with her powerful tactic. Following the several slashes, she witnessed a moment in which Tari was wide open. Her response to this–
Tari: [Ghk! The hell are you doing?!]
–was a tight hug that restricted Tari’s arms from moving.
Tequi: [I’m quite big on hugs! So if you don’t mind, I’m gonna give you a real big one before you go!]
Tari: [Before I go?! Are you crazy or some shit?! You’re gonna kill yourself in the process!]
Tequi: [Allow me to quiz you then, girlie! If the most basic essence of matoki is applied into an attack, will it harm the user’s own body?]
Tari’s fearful expression rose to even greater heights as she realized Tequi’s plan. With the arrows approaching behind Tequi, and Tari’s arms being stopped, she screamed out to her sister in a panic.
Tari: [SENA! I NEED YOU, RIGHT NOW!]
From beside Tequi came a girl she had not paid attention to for a majority of the fight. Watching the girl rush towards her, Tequi smiled as she saw the guns within her hands.
Tequi: [Be careful now! I have what you’d call a hostage, so if you try to attack me with those without thinking, you might end up kil–]
The guns…were not the weapon she chose to use.
Instead, a hand was extended, much like Tari had done before.
Touching Tequi’s hand, the ability activated.
The horror that was once on Tari’s face.
The horror Shiro had expressed only minutes before.
None of it could compare to the horror that was now resting within Tequi’s own look.
Releasing Tari from her grasp, Tequi grabbed hold of her throat tightly.
The skin around began to wrinkle as the pressure of her fingers were applied.
The arrows that raced towards her faded into nothing, and another hand was placed against her mouth.
Taking advantage of their opportunity, both Sena and Tari attempted to attack Tequi in a perfect sequence…
…Only for a swift kick to be given across Tari’s face, while a palm shifted the pistol aimed at Tequi.
All being given…by a woman in white.
Turning her eyes to the friend behind her, the white goddess continued to remain cautious of the two in front.
Shiro: [Tequi! Are you alright?!]
Struggling to speak with her hands residing in the same positions as before, Tequi’s eyes quivered with fear.
Tequi: [...I…I’m not…sure…I felt as though…]
Shiro: [I’m not sure why, but for some reason, I saw a large streak of blood in front of me for just a moment.]
Tequi’s eyes widened.
Tequi: [B-Blood…You saw…blood…?]
Shiro: [Yeah. It seems like it wasn’t just me as well. Devi had a similar reaction on her own face.]
Tequi: [Devi….Devi…as well…?]
Turning to face the sisters, Shiro provided a determined glare as she positioned herself to fight.
Shiro: [Let me take care of these two for now. Please stay back for now, Tequi. At the moment, you don’t seem to be able to continue.]
Tequi: [R-Right…I’ll take on…the smaller troops around the area then…along with providing support to those around…]
Tequi slowly walked away, still keeping a single hand against her throat, before stopping for just a moment.
Tequi: [Shiro…]
Shiro: [Yeah?]
Tequi: [...Thank you…]
Shiro: [Don’t mention it! I’ll help you and Devi in any way I can!]
Watching as Tequi slowly walked away, Shiro then set her sights again on her new opponents. As she did so, Tari raised herself from off the ground, wiping her chin as she stood.
Tari: [Well, I didn’t expect that we’d be fighting you right now. I was kinda hoping to do so later.]
Sena: [Do we really have to fight her? She seems kinda scary…]
Shiro closed her eyes, a deep pain like no other filled her heart upon seeing the sisters.
Shiro: [I do not wish to fight either of you, but I’m sure this would only continue if I did not. It’s rather unfortunate…especially with how much you two remind me of them…]
Tari: [Them?]
Sena: [Who is “them”?]
With her crimson eyes opened to the world around her, Shiro provided a somber smile.
Shiro: [The two of you…are most likely what they will be like in the future.]
An odd and uncertain end to Tequi’s battle had now occurred.
Taking her place, Shiro Fuloreen would now be the new challenger pitted against the lethal succubi sister duo.
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