At the young age of eighteen, Tequi Tensetsu was married, with a child already on the way.
She would often speak to her husband about how she believed her child would end up.
Tequi: [I just know it! Our child will be just as kind as her mom and dad! I guarantee it!]
Her husband, Luther Tensetsu, who took her last name upon joining the family, would usually provide the same response.
Luther: [Well… We’ll just have to see, honey. We won’t know until it happens.]
Finally, after fighting a battle she had never experienced before, Tequi gave birth to her daughter, Albeera Tensetsu.
What then followed was a reality she had not expected.
Tequi: [Albeera! Do you think you could help me with the laundry?]
Albeera: [I’ll help when I feel like helping.]
A far more stubborn child than she anticipated. Kindness was rarely seen out of the girl.
Eventually, it came time for Albeera herself to bear a child.
When that time came, Tequi provided the same statement to her husband and daughter.
Tequi: [Your child will definitely take after their father, along with their grandparents! I’m sure of it!]
Albeera: [Dad said that you’ve always said this kind of thing, Mom. We don’t know that yet.]
Luther: [Well, I certainly think it’s possible… But just as Albeera said, I think it’s best if we wait and see.]
From there, Brandyear Tensetsu was born.
The result…
Tequi: [Brandyear! Come over here so Granny can give you a kiss!]
Brandyear: [No. You’re weird.]
… was the same result as his mother.
Many years later, the next generation would soon be born.
When it was almost time for the child to be born…
Tequi: [This time! This time for sure! I can already tell that this child will be the one to take after their mother, their grandfather, and their great grandparents!]
Brandyear: [You’ve said this a lot, Grandma Tequi. Just wait for them to grow and then we’ll know how they act.]
Albeera: [She did the same thing before you were born. If anything, this just means that the child will be the opposite of what she says.]
The husband of Albeera, Leonard Tensetsu had looked to his father-in-law as he questioned Tequi’s behavior.
Leonard: [Does she always act like this when people in her family are having children? I remember hearing about this last time, but I was unsure if the whole thing was true…]
Luther: [I don’t know what to say, really… I suppose it’s just tradition for her.]
The only person who agreed with Tequi… was the wife of Brandyear, Noirami Tensetsu.
Noirami: [Yes! You’re absolutely right, Grandmother Tequi! I believe the child will be the nicest among all!]
For a third time, another generation was born into the Tensetsu family.
For a third time…
Tequi: [Arumy! What do you want for Christmas?]
Arumy: [Hmm. A book.]
Tequi: [Just a book? Nothing exciting or fun?]
Arumy: [No. Just a book. Thank you.]
… the same as always. Only this one was polite.
For three whole generations, a Tensetsu was born into the family with the same cold, stubborn personality.
However, it had not ended just yet.
Rather, there was another born not long after Arumy.
Tequi held the baby in her arms and spoke to her husband behind her.
Tequi: [This one. I know it.]
Her husband could not help but scratch his head at the same statement as always.
Luther: [Tequi… I don’t doubt your beliefs, but you’ve said this a lot. How do you know that it’ll be correct this time?]
Tequi turned to face him. A genuine, soft smile was presented. One that her husband had never seen.
Tequi: [I’m sure of it. This is the one. Heiwa Tensetsu will be the girl to break the chain! But for now, we’ll just have to wait and see!]
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Shiro looked down at her friend.
Their lungs ceased to draw breath.
Their wounds continued to pour blood along the grass,
The light in their eyes had faded.
Tequi Tensetsu, the woman who once competed for the throne, as well as the head of the Tensetsu family, was dead.
She no longer remained in this world.
She had already passed over to the next.
This kind soul that greeted Shiro and provided her with a friendly, gentle experience alongside Devi was now gone.
She was dead.
Shiro’s eyes trembled at the mere sight of her.
She felt sick. She felt sad.
Her body ached from both fatigue and pain.
Her mind rushed through several thoughts, causing her worry to grow with each one.
Tequi… Please get up…. Please…
Why… Why did Nero have to…
What is happening… Why did this war need to start in the first place…
Why couldn’t we just talk… That would have solved everything…
If we had all just talked to each other, then…
Tequi wouldn’t be dead…
Her eyes darted across the battlefield as she looked at the corpses of others.
There’s so many…
I feel like I’m gonna puke…
Why do all of these people have to die?! What did they do?! Not just on our side, but theirs as well!
Nobody deserves this!
Each of them has a family back home!
Why should those families have to suffer?!
There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many… There’s so many…
Please… Just stop fighting!
I don’t want anyone else to die!
Please!
Her eyes moved to the struggling Bloodfire across from her.
Devi…
Please, Nero! Stop!
I don’t want Devi to die!
Please!
… I know no matter what I say, he won’t listen…
But if I don’t do anything, Devi will…
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The image of Nero holding Devi’s hair from her decapitated head had formed in her brain.
And then, after she dies… Each and every one of her family members will be sad…
Not just her…
Tears fell across her face. Blood started to fall past her mouth as she bit down on her lip.
Kō.. Silvia… Kaoru… Kiyomi… Poi… Hidari… Migi… Bachi… Helig… All of them…
The people in the village…
Every last one of them will die…
And then…
Nero’s primary target floated into her head, Devi Bloodfire.
And then…
The Bloodfire family crest was then shown to her.
And then…!
The place she called home… was now aflame within her mind.
Her thoughts were silenced and so was her trembling.
Without warning, Nero did not provide another attack to Devi and instead turned to Shiro. His eyes filled with shock.
Devi looked over to her ally and called out to her.
Devi: [Shi–]
Shiro: [ꞤꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊꝊ!]
With a hellish screech, Shiro cried out into empty silence.
An immense pillar of black and white matōki was launched into the air. The clouds above were parted in an instant. The force behind it caused many on the battlefield, including Nero, to raise an arm as ferocious gusts of wind ran wild in the air.
Each and every person on the battlefield struggled to even stand as the pillar was unleashed.
Nearby the tents of Helig’s unit, the angelic watched the birth of a terrifying being with her own eyes while her forces were forced to the ground.
Helig: [What… What is that?!]
Just like before, another screech was let loose by the horrific black and white creature.
Black and White Creature: [ɆĪɎȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺ!]
Nero looked on at the beast in front of him.
Nero: [That aura… That’s the same as…]
Devi could not understand what happened. For just a moment, she saw Shiro. Following that, this monster had shown its face. However, deep down inside, she knew who this was.
Devi: [Shiro…]
Several of Shiro’s allies shared the same reaction as her. An intense concern for their comrade, who had suddenly erupted into a different person entirely.
However, among them was a different reaction altogether. An orange kitsune who watched as the pillar continued to burn through the grass. In the mind of the powerful kitsune, a single memory played out to her.
It’s hard to think of many, but there is something that my mom told me about before that seems to fit that scenario.
The eyes of the kitsune widened as she realized what was happening.
Kōkatsu: [Shiro… Don’t tell me…]
Black and White Creature: [ꞦȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺĦҞ!]
One final scream was let loose, before an immense explosion of matōki formed a cloud of smoke around it.
Their scream echoed through the fields and pierced the ears of many.
Finally, a deafening silence followed.
Not a soul moved. Not a word was said.
Pure silence remained on the battlefield.
As the smoke dissipated… it appeared.
A creature made of black ooze-like matōki appeared. From head to toe, they were covered in this viscous energy. There were hardly any identifiable traits other than two things. The first being the hair of the creature, which extended down to the ends of their feet. The other was their face. A horrifying white smile coupled with two white dot eyes, all of which were illuminated by the matōki around it.
There were few who understood why this creature was here to begin with.
The only two that did understand were…
Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu? Are you alright?]
Kōkatsu: [That form… That’s exactly what she described…]
The other individual was…
Nero: [As I thought.]
Looking towards the creature, Nero pushed Devi aside with a kick. His focus was now set on a new opponent.
Without a word, a massive lightning bolt struck the creature. What followed soon after… was a rough blade of multiple edges, now placed in the creature’s right hand.
Devi: [Tempest… Even after running out of matōki… she called Tempest…]
Sliding a single foot to the side, the creature presented its claws to itself as it screamed to the air above it.
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ɆĪĪĪĪĪĪĪĪĪĪȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺҞҞ!]
Nero did not have time to even register the charge of the creature. As soon as it closed the distance, his eyes could only grow in surprise as he watched a fist slam into his face.
Nero: [AHACK!... GHN!... GHK!...]
His body was ruthlessly tossed across the field, hitting the ground and being launched back up again from the pressure. But it did not end for him just yet, as the creature had already caught up and provided a devastating kick to his back.
Nero: [GHNNNKK!... ACK!]
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ꞦĪȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺ!]
While he remained in air from the kick, the creature caught up again only to slam him into the ground with a fist. Placing a foot on his back and roaring, the creature kicked down at his back repeatedly.
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ᛗꞦȺȺȺ! ꞦȺĦ! ꞦȺĦ! ꞦȺĦ! ꞦĦȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺꞤ!]
Nero: [Hk! Ghk! Urk! Kaha! Keh! Enough of you!]
After turning himself over and creating a heavy blast of matōki from his hand, Nero shot at the creature's face and quickly stood back up. He charged to cut it in two, but the creature sought competition in their battle and made a lunge at him. The dynamic of power was now turned over. What was once the battle of power vs speed when he had fought Shiro was a battle of both against this creature. Though he could not outspeed the monster, he was still strong enough to duel it. However, the same force he applied to his push was thrown back at him. What unfolded was two warriors attempting to push each other with each slow step they took.
Realizing that this would only lead to an unfavorable result, Nero created a wall of ice with his next step to distance himself from the beast. Before he could take a breath for even a second—
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ᛗꞦȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺꞦꞤ!]
From the other side of the wall came the monstrosity again, back for round two. Nero’s instincts started to kick in as he formed another blast to throw the creature off. Just as he went to fire, however, a blast of a greater speed and far more powerful was sent back his way. He narrowly shifted his arm away from it, feeling the burning pain on his clothes as it passed. Behind him, one of the remaining ships was blown up on contact with the attack.
Gnashing his teeth together, he looked towards the beast.
Nero: [Fighting this freak of nature is something I was not prepared for. Even if I were to continue, the others would likely take advantage of my position in this situation. There is certainly a possibility that it would strike the others. It is a primitive beast after all. However, even something such as that is still just a chance.]
???: [Lord Nero!]
From above him, Nero could hear the call of his name. With an annoyed glare, he looked to the owner of this voice to see a succubus maid. Her hands were then shown to him.
Five fingers were raised on the left, three on the right. She then quickly put down the three and formed a circle with two fingers.
Adjusting his clothes, he changed his view from the maid, to the beast, and finally, to Devi.
Nero: [Time is finite. I suppose there’s no choice other than trying.]
With a quick chuck from his arm, Nero threw his sword towards Devi. Responding without thinking, Devi threw a wave of fire from her sword at the incoming attack. However, before it could reach the blade, the large greatsword had suddenly stopped moving and flew back to Nero. The wave of fire was then dispersed… by the creature that stood nearby. With a wide grin, it turned to face Devi.
Devi: [Hk! Damn! That wasn’t what I intended to do!]
Nero took notice of the change and flew up to the ship he had arrived on. The maid was told to return to her post and Nero continued to watch the fight below.
???: [Oi! Devi! I’m helpin’ ya from here on out!]
Suddenly, a kitsune had jumped across the battlefield and landed beside Devi.
Kōkatsu: [This fight involves me too. Not jus’ for the village or that asshole up there, but also her. ‘Sides, I think I know what’s goin’ on with her.]
Devi: [I thank you for your help, Kōkatsu.]
With a wave of Nero’s hand, each and every soldier suddenly moved towards the ships.
Hidari: [Hey! Our fight isn’t over yet!]
Knife: [Sorry, big guy. Boss man’s orders.]
Chima: [The next time we meet will be the last moments you two draw breath. Enjoy your peace while it lasts.]
Bachi: [Ha?! Get back here, dickhead!]
Migi: [Woah! Bachi! Chill out for a bit! We don’t wanna engage with that guy right now!... Especially due to what’s going on with Lady Shiro…]
As each and every soldier returned to their ships, Nero spoke to someone on board.
Nero: [Shimba.]
A small, dark pool was created on the deck of the ship. From within it rose a man dressed in black with his dark brown hair tied into a bun, the whites of his eyes being completely drowned in a pitch black color.
Shimba: [Yes, Lord Nero?]
Nero: [Send the signal to prepare the cannons.]
Shimba: [As you wish, Lord Nero.]
An odd stick that gave off a small light was put into Shimba’s hand via another black hole. Raising it in the air, he clicked the button on the side to activate the light.
The cannons on the main ship, along with those around it, were all activated at once.
Nero raised his right hand…
Helig: [What is he doing?]
…and then lowered it with his index finger stuck out, pointing at the village nearby. The cannons followed in the same direction
Kōkatsu: [Wait—NO!]
Sounds of beams being charged up filled the air, only for those beams to then be fired directly at the kitsune village Nero had pointed to. In an instant, the peaceful looking homes were demolished and set ablaze. A hellish, dark smoke started to overpower the clouds in the sky.
Terror filled the battlefield as many watched what they sought to protect burning down to the ground. Kōkatsu provided a heavy kick to the ground as she moved past several, and continued to sprint towards it. However, before she could, a figure zipped in front of her.
image [https://i.imgur.com/WTmzsQY.jpeg]
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ꞦȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺ!]
Devi: [She's reacting to any sudden movements or aggressive actions… My attack earlier provoked her, but so did Kōkatsu's dash just now. It's possible that it's also due to Kōkatsu’s confrontation with her when she assisted me for a brief moment.]
Kōkatsu: [Please! Shiro! I need you to move!]
It was a nightmare they were forced to watch. Not a single person attempted to challenge the beast. As a result, they could not help but watch as the village continued to burn.
Looking down at the hell that was now unfolding, Nero provided a hand against his cape to adjust its position as he turned his back to them. Each of the ships had then started to ascend higher into the air and turned around slowly. On the ground, a single voice shouted to them.
Kōkatsu: [GET THE FUCK BACK HERE, YOU COWARDS!]
In response to Kōkatsu’s war cry–
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ᛗꞦȺĦȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺ!]
The beast charged towards Kōkatsu, which caught her off guard. As it drew close, Devi jumped over and clashed blades with it.
Devi: [Hk! She’s… strong! Ehkk!]
A sharp pain rose from her foot. The wound from earlier had yet to recover, and thus, her movement was limited. Her jump to assist Kōkatsu had harmed her. The push from the monster had caused even more pain. Devi did not want to cause any harm to Shiro, but if Devi valued her own life, it was the only choice left.
Devi: [Ghnk!... Khhh! Not yet… I won’t perish… yet!]
The power of the beast overwhelmed her, forcing Devi down to a single knee. Closer and closer, Tempest drew near to her neck. Should the strength in Devi’s arms expire, should her sword be taken from her, her head would be cleaved. She tried with all her might to push back Shiro, but not a single piece of her efforts were enough.
This creature was strong. Possibly stronger than Nero had been given its absurd speed. No matter what Devi tried, there was likely nothing she could do to stop it.
She no longer had enough to use her advanced ability. Her fire was beginning to run low. Even her stamina had started to fade rapidly.
It was only a matter of time before she would perish.
That was until another struck the beast’s blade.
Kōkatsu: [Eyah!]
Overhead of Devi, Kōkatsu slammed her two katanas against the jagged blade. The beast was pushed back a few steps, before charging back to meet Kōkatsu. A new struggle of power was formed between two of equal strength.
Despite what was happening to the village, despite facing a monster that no longer resembled a being with emotion, Kōkatsu started to cry as she spoke to the beast.
Kōkatsu: [Shiro! Snap out of it!]
Her swords started to shake from the power presented by the creature.
Kōkatsu: [I know you’re stronger than this! You always have been! Every time you were backed into a corner, you stood back up, stronger than ever! You can beat this too! I know you can!]
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ĪꞦɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆɆ!]
Kōkatsu: [Don’t you remember me?! It’s me! Kōkatsu! Your best friend! We’ve known each other for the past ten years, haven’t we?! We told each other that we were sworn sisters and we even made friendship bracelets, didn’t we?!]
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ȺꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦꞦĪ!]
Kōkatsu gave harsh sniffles of her nose in the few seconds of silence. Sparks started to fly as their clashing grew more rough.
Kōkatsu: [What about your husband?! Does he mean nothing to you now?! Do you not love him anymore?!]
Suddenly…
…a change occurred on the creature’s face.
Its smile disappeared into the black ooze of matōki… only to return in the shape of a frown.
The power behind its sword now weakened heavily, allowing for Kōkatsu to push back.
Kōkatsu: [Your family! Does your family not mean anything to you anymore?!]
The eyes of the creature started to move up and a stream of white fell down across its face.
What then followed–
Ꞩħīɍꝋ: [ӾȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺȺꞤ!]
… was another ear piercing scream. The monster gave a look of pure sadness as it was lifted into the air and the matōki around it dispersed in a flash. Tempest faded into a thin smoke.
What now appeared in front of Kōkatsu was a woman she knew, dressed in white and barely conscious. Her orange eyes widened as the familiar face appeared, causing her to sheathe her swords and grab ahold of the woman as she fell forward.
Shiro: [.....Xa…]
Kōkatsu: [It’s ok, Shiro! I’m here! I’m here!... KIYOMI!]
The monster… was slain.
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With every step she took, blood was soaked into her white clothing.
It was never ending. An endless sea of blood that surrounded her.
That very same color reflected in the sky with dark red clouds.
Dark buildings that were burnt to the ground.
No matter how far she trudged the vast sea, she could not find the end.
She looked to her surroundings and saw dead kitsune.
Beside those dead kitsune were their children, shaking their parents as they called their names.
When they turned to look at the woman, all she could see was the void in their eyes.
They had already perished as well.
The woman’s face contorted in horror as she looked at them.
She then turned to the figures in the distance.
Several soldiers danced around the corpses of the kitsune.
They wore the same uniforms as those she called her enemy.
Instead of attacking them, she only spoke.
Shiro: [Stop…]
They continued to dance, despite her plea.
Shiro: [Please stop!]
She knew that this was not their fault.
Shiro: [PLEASE STOP!]
The answer lied in the blood below her, that reflected the true enemy back at her.
Shiro: [NONE OF THEM DESERVE THIS! PLEASE!]
She looked towards each of her allies.
A kitsune in orange who was turned into a pincushion of swords. Her children received the same treatment.
A purple scaled snake woman who was pierced into a wall by several spears.
An angelic goddess who had her ax firmly placed into her head.
An angel with a white gi, an incubus in wild clothing and a small cat girl in yellow. Each shot to death.
A royal succubus who was missing a head. The top of the cross at the destroyed church being where it now resided.
Tears streamed down the white goddess’ face as she looked on in horror.
Shiro: [Please…Just make it stop….Ghk! Hck!]
Within the depths of the sea, a chain was thrown towards her and wrapped around her neck. As it tried to pull the woman down, she attempted to pull at the chain with her hands while continuing to move forward with her feet.
However, this only lasted for so long, as two more chains were latched onto her arms. Another pair took her legs and she was pulled under.
The woman was now being choked while also drowning in the endless sea of blood. She could not resist, even if she tried. She shook as hard as she could, but nothing would loosen.
Shiro: [Bbgrha! Bbblgrrrh… Gggh…]
Her gargled screams could not be heard. There was no longer a single person who would listen.
Further and further, she was pulled into the darkness.
Until each and every part of her faded.
Her head was the second to go, which lost sight as more of the dark clouded her vision and forced her to disappear.
All that remained was an extended arm, which slowly descended into the darkness.
Leaving her as neither a goddess, nor a succubus, but simply, nothing.
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END OF PHASE 4