In the incredibly large minka house was a kitsune dressed like that of a miko. Her white bob cut hair and sharp yellow eyes almost provided a scary appearance to those who did not know her. However, her intimidating look only created a mask that was the opposite of how she truly was. She was kind, unbelievably so. Kagami Zennami, one of many daughters of the Kōkatsu family, loved to take care of her younger siblings while also helping those who were older than her.
At Kōkatsu’s own request, she stayed home and guarded the house in case any intruders were to take advantage of Kōkatsu’s leave. She was not alone, as several children had stayed with her. However, out of all who were currently there, Kagami was the most skilled in combat.
Holding a basket of folded laundry, she walked down the hall and looked towards a nearby clock.
Kagami: [I’d best hurry. I said I would spend some time with them after 5:30 and there’s eight minutes until then. I don’t want to create a bad image as a big sister.]
Moving to a large room that they had referred to as the Closet Room, Kagami took each piece of folded laundry and placed them into their respective drawers. Each had a name placed above it that belonged to each specific member of the family. Luckily, Kagami was incredibly quick on her feet. She was referred to as Stealth Foot not only for her silent movements but also how swiftly she could move. With the laundry now finished, she picked up the basket, moved it back into the laundry room and made her way to the living room.
As she exited the laundry room however, a sudden change occurred.
Kagami: [Hk! What is this… presence …?!]
Kagami had suddenly tripped to the floor and attempted to get her bearings by placing a hand against the wall. An immense aura of matōki like no other was let loose.
It was not located where Kōkatsu and the others were fighting. It was within the house.
Upon feeling the presence out some more, Kagami immediately recognized who it belonged to.
Kagami: [Oh no! What happened?!]
She struggled to stand over the immense pressure that pushed her down, but ultimately powered through it as best as she could. Using a hand to support herself, she rushed down the halls with occasional trips that were made in her steps.
Her seals were prepared in hand in case an enemy had appeared. That was the most likely scenario that could have occurred.
Kagami had finally reached the shoji that led to the living room. With a swift move of her hand, she opened up the door and prepared herself for any attack that may come. Instead, what she saw–
Kagami: [Ah!–]
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The thunder had finally dispersed. All that remained was a large cloud of smoke. After her grand attack, Shiro Fuloreen felt as though her energy was completely spent. She was not ready to give in yet, but should this be the end, she was willing to let her body get the needed rest it deserved. Before she could even decide anything on her own, she lost all control of her wings and rapidly descended towards the ground. As her body drew close, the woman with a mauve ponytail and a dazzling white dress, Tequi Tensetsu, jumped up and caught her. The two landed safely along the ground as Shiro was supported further.
Tequi: [You all good, Roro?]
Shiro: [Yeah… Just a little tired… is all… Thanks, by the way…]
Tequi: [Aw! Don’t mention it! I’m just helping my friend like usual!]
As the two exchanged smiles, another woman walked towards them.
Devi: [That was certainly quite the powerful attack, Shiro. I must say, the damage provided a good shock to my own brain.]
Shiro: [Speaking of which… How was it?]
Tequi’s somber eyes were casted to the smoke.
Tequi: [Unfortunately…]
From behind the smoke was the silhouette of a man with a spiked mullet. The clouds attempted to latch onto his body as he exited, but were ripped from their grasp shortly after he continued moving. There stood Nero Virtuoso, who dusted off his cape and looked towards Shiro.
Nero: [I must give credit where it is due, an attack as powerful as that was something I had hoped to see from you, Shiro. Unlike the insect that I swatted earlier, your technique required me to dodge.]
Similar to what Devi had mentioned, another shock was given to both her and Shiro.
Shiro: [He dodged it?!]
Tequi: [Yeah. It looks like we’ve gotta try harder than that to hurt him.]
Devi: [No, that is not the only issue here. His statement just now… Is he implying that Sol’s attack was not dodged?! He somehow negated the damage she attempted to apply?!]
Before Devi could question him further, Shiro moved her arm from under Tequi’s shoulder and placed both hands on her blade. She continued to walk towards Nero though her steps were pained and sluggish.
Tequi: [Shiro! Fall back for now! We’ll handle things for a bit!]
Shiro: [No… I’ve made you two stall for too long… It’s time for me to fight.]
Devi: [This is an unwise decision, Shiro!]
Shiro: [Maybe it is… Maybe it isn’t… Either way, I know him best… I’ll fight him for now, and you two can move in if the situation looks dire.]
Devi and Tequi wanted to provide a different option, but knew Shiro would not accept anything else. With a release of the pink bow and a sheathing of the radiant sword, the two conserved their energy and awaited what would come next.
Electricity surrounded Shiro’s body as her gaze grew more determined. Nero looked towards her and provided a blue aura of his own.
With a quick ascent from both of them, the two clashed blades in the middle of the air. For Shiro, she was able to do so with the succubus blood that flowed through her body. For Nero, it was merely a small ounce of matōki that allowed him to fly. Their battle would not be interrupted by others nor would their own bodies provide an interruption. The air was the perfect location for their duel.
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As they clashed, Devi raised an eyebrow as she observed them.
Devi: [That’s odd…]
Tequi: [What is?]
Devi: [When we were fighting Nero Virtuoso earlier, I was able to sense a great danger from his sword. However, Shiro has now engaged him in battle and is performing just fine.]
The confusion Devi had was now shared as the two continued to watch Shiro and Nero clash in the air repeatedly.
Across the battlefield, another individual was picking up on an oddity. However, it did not involve neither Shiro nor Nero, but something that their long orange fox ears detected as they twitched repeatedly.
Kōkatsu: [The hell…]
Kaoru: [Are you alright, Lady Kōkatsu?]
Standing behind the confused kitsune was a shorter one of similar features. Kōkatsu turned to face the girl, only to then look back towards the location her eyes were focused on before.
Kōkatsu: [Y-Yeah… Jus’ felt somethin’ odd from over there is all.]
Kaoru: [Over there? Do you mean our home?]
Kōkatsu: [Around there, yeah.]
Kaoru started to worry upon receiving confirmation of the direction.
Kaoru: [Oh no! You don’t think something bad happened, do you, Lady Kōkatsu?!]
Kōkatsu: [S’not somethin’ bad… at least from what I can tell. If anythin’, it feels more like a signature. One that I could never forget, no matter how old I’ll become. For some reason, s’gettin’ bigger.]
While the kitsune deduced what was happening, the clash in the air continued. With each strike, Nero provided a large amount of force to Shiro’s blade. Shiro attempted to combat him with her speed, but even that proved useless against his raw strength.
Her sword was much smaller than his. Her muscles were not as large or well defined. Her matōki was strong, but paled in comparison to his. Her element was something that she had the advantage in, but she had used a large amount of her electricity to fire her previous move. She was now relying on a Tempest that lacked sufficient power behind it against a man who wasn’t scratched at any point in battle.
On top of this, her wounds from her fight with Ryuka had not healed. Though many of which did not hurt, there was still an occasional sting to her side from the attack that connected far better than any other.
As the struggle in power leaned towards Nero, he spoke to Shiro who was slightly below him.
Nero: [This battle will lead to nothing, Shiro. There is no meaning or goal as to why you’re fighting.]
Shiro: [You’re wrong! It’s because you’re after that village, along with Devi, right?! Protecting those two things is our goal here!]
Nero: [But even with that, there is not a true purpose behind why you fight. I fight for the new world that has yet to come and shall soon be. A world where people like that Bloodfire woman cease to exist and only peace shall remain. It is due to people like her, people who sit upon their thrones and provide no assistance to those around them that Yoro is dead. I provided Yoro with the help she needed to move on, yet they could not do the same for my family.]
Shiro: [Shut up!]
Shiro’s fury only grew with every word that escaped Nero’s mouth. What then followed was a version of Nero who matched her in tone.
In the corner of Shiro’s mind, she could sense a large aura that only increased in pressure.
Nero: [Think about it, Shiro! The two you are working with are only assisting you for their own benefit! If they were to view you as an enemy, they would take advantage of your current state and strike you down where you stand! They have little care for people like us!]
Shiro: [I said shut up!]
Nero: [They’re struggling to stand at this very moment! If the two of us were to join forces, there wouldn’t be a single being in this world that could stop us!]
With a smile forming on his face, Nero presented his offer for a second time.
Nero: [I will ask you again! Would you like to join me, Shir—]
BOOOM
Without warning, a monstrous aura of matōki exploded from afar. The pressure was far too intense for some on the battlefield, who were either knocked out seconds after or struggled to breath as it continued to roar.
Near a side camp full of battle plans and armory tents was the angelic goddess, Helig Gammal. She watched as several of her soldiers could no longer stand and were forced to kneel along the ground. All the while, Helig herself was completely shocked by the intense wave that had just appeared. She could see it clearly. Over some hills of green was an intense red light that gave several constant flashes and covered the sky above.
Helig: [Who… Who does this ridiculous amount of matōki belong to?!]
On another side of the battlefield was a purple snake goddess who assisted her allies. Looking towards the bright light, she attempted to decipher who was the owner while suffering from a headache.
Silvia: [Thissss aura… If I recall correctly…]
An angel covered in ice and an oni carrying two knives had their fight interrupted by the very same phenomenon. Moving their eyes towards the glow, they were bewildered by the immense power behind it.
Hidari: [What a strong warrior, whoever they are!]
Knife: [Heh! I’ll say!]
Nearby, an incubus and cat girl experienced the same feeling while battling their own opponent.
Migi: [Woah now! That’s some serious rockin’ power! I might need a special little autograph from them!]
Bachi: [Seriously, who the hell are they?! They’re really startin’ to annoy me!]
Chima: [Wha–What?! You’re telling me there’s someone… that strong, out there?!]
In the medical room of a ship sat two oni. One who was placed onto a hospital bed while another sat close beside with a few banadages placed on their body. Their eyes widened at the intense difference in feel that had suddenly stormed into the room.
Ryuusei: [Ryuka! Support the nurses!]
Ryuka: [R-Right! But seriously though, what the hell is happening out there?!]
On the center stage of the battlefield, two women shook at the mere pressure from the aura alone.
Tequi: [This… This is exactly what I was talking about!]
Devi: [This aura…]
Tequi: [Yeah! This aura is–Wait…Devi?!]
Tequi widened in shock at Devi’s face. There was a visible shock of her own, but something was far more odd. Devi could sense the signature.
Devi: [This aura… Why is this feeling attached to it? Who does this aura belong to?]
The kitsune from before now had their confirmation.
Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu… This aura… Correct me if I’m wrong, but…]
Kōkatsu: [Yeah… It is… What the hell is goin’ on over there, Kagami?!]
One individual stood out from the rest however.
One who had turned to face the presence.
One who matched the same shocked appearance as many others.
One…who had yet to leave his guard down.
Nero Virtuoso looked towards the signature and could not help but question it.
Nero: [W-What is this level of power?! Why… Why is their matōki at this level?! What is happening–Ghk!]
There was another who stood out from the rest.
An opponent who stood in front of him took advantage of the moment and struck at Nero’s sword.
An opponent whose eyes could not be seen.
An opponent who was suddenly far more serious than ever before.
Shiro: [I have no reason to join you, Nero. Because unlike you, the man who lost a piece of what made him and gave up on life, I still have people that I love who I need to protect.]
Her ferocious eyes were now visible to him. It was a complete mirror of how the two gazed at each other before. Eyes that trembled without an understanding and a cold, determined gaze that could kill just from appearances alone.
Shiro: [It’s thanks to this very moment that I was reminded of that, and I refuse to give up here because of it.]
Nero: [Damn!]
Shiro: [WOOOOOOO!]
With a single thrust of her sword, Nero’s arms were shot up into the air and presented an open weakness across his body. Using the downward force to her advantage, Shiro immediately followed it up by slashing down at his chest.
Shiro: [WORIYAH!]
Nero’s eyes widened as he noticed where the move was headed. With a quick shift in position, he moved the right side of his chest to the side and presented his left side at a much closer range.
With a clean slice, his chest received a deep wound that sprayed blood into the air shortly after. An intense pain could be seen riddled across Nero’s face.
Nero: [GHAK!]
The power behind Shiro’s strike had then caused Nero to be flung towards the ground below, causing an eruption with the dirt as he collided with it.
With a few heavy pants, Shiro descended towards the ground calmly while the aura that surrounded that sky had also suddenly been calmed. Joining her were the same two women from before, who ran to her as she lowered herself.
Tequi: [That was crazy, Roro! You were all like “Wham!” and he flew to the ground like “Bam!” and a huge explosion of dirt and smoke happened! You did a whole lot more than we were capable of doing for the past few minutes.]
Shiro: [I was just reminded of what was important, that was all. If I didn’t remember, I bet I’d be in the same position or worse.]
An azure hand was placed on her back by the fire red woman.
Devi: [Well, regardless, it was a needed change in this fight. We’ve provided what we required, a sufficient attack against his body. From here, we turn the battle in our favor.]
Tequi: [I’m full of energy after Shiro’s big moment! Let’s kick things up a notch, shall we?]
Receiving the royal smiles of the two, Shiro reflected back to them a kind smile of her own.
Shiro: [Yeah. Let’s keep going and end this thing.]
At Shiro’s word, Devi’s ability was reactivated with her blade being drawn. Shiro provided her body with the same electricity she had prior. However, Tequi did not activate her ability and instead loaded a total of thirty arrows into her bow.
Tequi: [There’s no point in holding back anymore! I’ve destroyed all ten at once and even used Spider Silk Song for more than enough time! It’s time to bring it to the advanced level!]
With a release of her grip, the arrows were shot into the air and the bow disappeared into small bits of matōki that faded in the sky.
Tequi: [Let’s go, Tarantula Orchestra!]
With a new advantage provided to them and a heavy boost in morale, the three were ready to continue their fight once again.
The climax of their battle would soon arrive.
6 minutes until the clock strikes 5:30 PM.
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