"How much longer?" was all Metsuhai could ask, suppressing his tears. "Just don't move," ordered doctor Kin. Metsuhai was lying on his stomach on a hospital bed, wearing only short pants. Metsuhai tried looking through the window but it was too high and it was evening after all. He was much more muscular than before, like a true athlete rather than a bodybuilder. Doctor Kin forced him to straighten his back as much as possible and it hurt like hell. Metsuhai's body was covered with bruises from head to toe. His palms were bandaged already with new white bandages. His two arms covered up as always, to keep his dark secret hidden. I always end up here.
Doctor Kin lifted his right arm high, his index and middle fingers pointing down. His entire palm was covered with white aura with appearing and disappearing light blue stars. The energy was still gathering "Usually this kind of procedure requires surgical intervention. You're lucky I'm here, and Mr. Arisu sama ordered me to treat you personally." While I pointlessly lie here and endure infernal pain, Chizue is on her first date with this Shun.
Metsuhai didn't really want to think about Chizue's date (which kept surfacing from his sub-consciousness) but he needed to distract himself from the radical discomfort he was at, so he desperately tried thinking of anything else. He recalled the humiliation Magnus put him through (luckily a highschooler passing by lent him a towel to cover himself relatively soon), the incredible powers this old man unleashed. He wanted to try using sorcery in a similar manner. And above all these fluctuating thought was a strong desire to pay Magnus back. First my father, now me. I'll make him regret not killing me when he could.
Of course this was an unrealistic dream. Metsuhai was dying so meeting the hidden sorcerer, who surely moved elsewhere was practically impossible. Besides, Magnus was overwhelmingly more powerful than anything Metsuhai encountered, perhaps except baron Phaulin. Suddenly Metsuhai's face took on a smile. He thought about his friend Nao, who apparently rose in rank again. He was now a Lesser Sergeant, a rank he received for keeping Chizue safe, so in essence, for running away. It was funny how these things worked out in the order sometimes. Metsuhai thought his actions were far more heroic, but Ando didn't say anything to him, as if his decision to stay behind and die for his friends… there was nothing to it.
Finally doctor Kin let out a deep breath "here we go!"
Doctor Kin landed his palm sharply, as if attacking deep into Metsuhais back. This was the most painful thing Metsuhai ever experienced. It was far worse than baron Phaulin's venom. It felt like Kin's hand was soon to come out of the other side. Metsuhai screamed in agony. It felt like a thousand years of torture condensed in one moment. Then the pain subsided completely. As if it never existed. Thin smoke was rising from the doctor's hand. "As good as new…" said the doctor smiling, "you can now go playing with your sword again. Just do me a favor, be more careful next time. I have enough work as it is."
…
Chizue wanted to hate him. But she couldn't. Shun wasn't noble just by title. He had a good soft heart and a kind honest soul, soon noticed by all who came across him. He wasn't just polite, he smiled to the waiters, kindly spoke to guards on duty and got along with everyone. He was nice to those beneath him in a way that couldn't be faked. Shun was the kind of guy who gave a chance to everyone. Even if she was nitpicking, all she could think up was the infatuated common girls seemingly everywhere and his square nerdy glasses.
Even the restaurant he picked was to Chizues liking. Sure, it wasn't one of the cheap common pubs she liked visiting with Metsuhai so much, but for a fancy place this was really the best.
The dim lighting and the few visitor groups sitting rather far from one another gave a sense of privacy and intimacy. The candles and the fragrant flower vases created a romantic atmosphere. A skilled violin player generated soothing soft music. 'Fate' was the most romantic and cozy restaurant from any city in Japan. In its center was a beautiful marble work of art, depicting Zeus and Aphrodite in an embrace, in the middle of a real fountain.
Chizue wore a long white silk dress with occasional blue flowers sewed into it. It was one of her favorite designs, simple, yet complimenting her natural looks. Her hair tied in a long braid behind her back. Shun sat across the table, conveying confidence only partially. He wore a grey suit with a black tie which fit well with his short black soft hair. Their conversation was flowing well, the formalities far behind. They just finished discussing the dislike for modern art they both shared. Suddenly shun asked Chizue a more serious question.
"So tell me, Chizue-san, why did you decide to fight on the battlefield personally?"
Chizue looked into shuns eyes. There was no ulterior motive behind his words. Such an honest guy. "I have always looked up to the brave men risking their lives for the sake of us all. Especially I admired, and still do, my big brother Yamato. I wanted to be just like him, so brave and selfless. So I do what I can to resemble him as much as I can, even if it doesn't please my father." This was only partially true. The second reason Chizue went to battle was to delay her father's matchmaking ambitions but obviously she couldn't say it to Shun.
"I understand completely. I was also trained by the best, but barely got out on the field. I was told again and again that I am too important to endanger. It was very frustrating… the most frustrating thing about this is they are right. My duty is the responsibility for thousands of lives. My management will be making all the difference. In such hard times, with the order half way on the ropes, I have to put my selfish desires aside. Since my words are the difference between life and death, I shouldn't choose them lightly."
"Looks like I am much more selfish, going to fight despite my responsibilities."
"I don't find you selfish at all. You unlike me aren't the oldest heir, so as confining as your position may feel at times, you are probably freer than me. I shouldn't speak ill of your family, but your brother Kagehiroto is the one doing as he pleases. Even his dress code is against protocol."
"He really is something else."
…(later that night)
"…mister graveyard worker is on the job. Bravely sending himself to battle, surrounded by forty fully manned choppers," Shun declared with passion, "Now this guy is fearless! It's not like the order soldiers who are losing the war have anything else to do..." Chizue haven't had such a good laugh for a long time now. "…I heard about demons drinking human blood, but in this case it's the other way around. I wonder if it's tasty." Chizue couldn't stop laughing. "…now this is what I call the highest level of noble responsibility. Except of course gambling the orders money. Hide your wives, hide your daughters, nobleman Kagehiroto passing through."
The date ended deep in the night and the two parted ways with a smile.
…
It was a rainy night. It was cold. Dark clouds covering the skies. Thunder in the distance. A poor teenage girl, Hayami, was standing out in the street. She was a beautiful natural redhead with gorgeous figure and despite her sad expression her company would appeal to anyone. She looked devastated as she recalled what happened to her the day before.
She was headed home from the library alone in the street. And then he came out of a dark alley. A two metered old man with white long hair, with two bent horns, red like his entire body, coming out of the sides of his head and a squid-like face grabbed her arm and dragged her into the darkness. She screamed, yet her voice wasn't heard. It was so dark the attacker was barely seen. Yet she noticed: spikes, tail and hoofs. There were also tentacles growing out of the joints near the palms. It was out of this world. His hand held her so strong, threatening to break her. He spoke with deep, manly, hoarse voice. "I am Uragiri sama. I am the devil. I am invincible!"
His three red eyes, they looked insane.
"Please let me go" she answered in tears.
"I was following you for quite a while. You don't know who I am, but I know who you are. Now you are gonna do something for me. If you refuse I will kill all your family in front of your eyes and then do to you horrible things beyond your imagination. And there is no one in the world that could protect you."
"No, no… I haven't done anything wrong!"
"You do love your mother and father, and that four year old kid brother of yours."
"No please, I'll do anything."
"You just do something for me, a prank I may say, and I will leave you alone."
The tears of poor Hayami mixed with the rain drops.
…
It was late at night. Shun opened the door to his room in the palace hotel room. He closed the door behind him and detached his tie. "Man I'm so tired, and tomorrow is another day of politics, training, and studying of course. Well, Chizue really is sweat at least." A light in his personal office caught his attention.
"Did someone left the light on in the office?"
The lights turned on, and shun found Hayami lying on his bed on her side, wearing nothing but a thin robe. Her cheeks were somewhat red.
"Who are you?" inquired shun, "What are you doing in my room?"
Hayami got up and spoke with a trembling voice "I was waiting for you."
Hayami's robe fell exposing her beautiful under-aged body. Shuns heart began beating hard in his chest as he approached the perfect beauty against his common sense. Hayami caressed his manly chest "you are really manly," looking at him with sad compliant eyes.
Shun kissed her on the mouth, embracing her, putting his hand on her small chest. "Please be gentle with me," she whispered.
Shun gently pushed her away "no, I can't, this is wrong."
"Thank you," she said, her eyes filled with tears as she rushed to get dressed.
Miles away, Uragiri still in the darkness smashed a wall with his fist in anger. "I can't believe he has seen through my plan to destroy the relations between the noble families. This Shun is damn smart. I should be careful with him."
…(A few days later)
Metsuhai looked at his battlephone in disbelief. He was seating in the shaking chopper. The armed men around him had dire expressions, anything between stress and outright panic. Metsuhai couldn't really blame them. Most of them were young and inexperienced fighters. And even for him this was unnerving. On his phone were the words 'Yellow Alert'. It was only the second time a mission Metsuhai went to had an alert other than white or green. White color described mission of standard level, indicating the warrior would have to face at worst several D leveled opponents. Green meant the mission was considered dangerous, with a possibility of high leveled foes. Of course these colors were just untrustworthy estimations. He met Mordon on a white colored mission… But the mission rarely was less difficult than its color suggested. And now they were heading to deal with a yellow alert- a large scale invasion. At least it's not orange or red.
Metsuhai took a deep breath. Soon it was time to parachute into the infested land. He was ready. To his surprise, all the others jumped out of the chopper before him (in teams of three) and he was left alone. The pilot announced "I am going to land with you in the heart of battle. After that it's just you and them. Good luck Mordon-slayer."
Metsuhai would have thanked the pilot but he couldn't hear him unless he screams, which seemed inappropriate. The helicopter landed in an abandoned town square, strangely peaceful for the middle of an invasion zone.
Metsuhai descended from the chopper with his blade drawn. Right in front of him he found the last person he was to expect. Koi was standing in his samurai chainmail, with a drawn blood-covered sword. There was a small smirk on his face.
As the chopper got back up to the air Koi spoke "finally. I will settle the score with you Fugughuu. Proving once and for all who is the better man."
"We are in the middle of a war zone," Metsuhai was basically shouting at him, "And our battlphones are on. Are you gonna fight me to the death now?"
"No, not like this. It's a tradition of the order really. We will compete. Whoever kills more demons wins, and the other will have to admit who really is superior. Or are you afraid Fugughuu."
"I guess it can't be helped. But you should know I improved much."
The two warriors walked side by side. A movement in a nearby alley caught Metsuhais attention. He took a stance- two familiar's heads rolled on the ground as Koi sheaves his sword. He is so fast! Metsuhai wouldn't admit this but his competitive spirit had awoken. He actually wanted to show Koi what he was made of.
Metsuhai closed his eyes, sensing all the energies around them. There was demon energy everywhere. Before Metsuhai opened his eyes one, than another of the forces faded to nothing. Metsuhai rushed to a raging crusher when a single slash of a sword cut delivered a fatal wound. The crusher collapsed near Metsuhais feet. Koi already disappeared somewhere. Metsuhai charged forward to find a firestarter's corpse. It was always like this. By the time Metsuhai got there, all enemies were already dead. Destroyed by a single death bringing slash.
Koi grinned at Metsuhai who couldn't catch up. "It seems being famous isn't everything."
Koi was in a different league. He was unstoppable. Crushers, goblins, firestarters, ratmen, beastmen all found their end by his unforgiving blade. He made sure Metsuhai didn't get to do anything.
"And 314 points for the mighty Koi… and Metsuhai is with four, you're falling behind Fugughuu. Better surrender."
"Never!"
…
A couple of familiars dancing their way to a huge, two meter tall demon, who held enormous shield and an incredibly heavy sword. The demons body was completely covered with steel. An indestructible plate armor concealing his body from head to toe. His helmet had long well forged horns.
"Captain Blood," one of the familiars spoke with a squeaky voice, "Our scouts detected two strong enemies. Our losses are heavy."
"Good," answered the walking fortress, "I will dispatch of them personally. My beloved Maria, I will vanquish them for you."
…
Koi's blade went through the fleeing, terrified goblin like knife through butter. Koi grinned to himself, his blade already back in its sheave. I left Metsuhai far in the dust. His pride will be shattered for ages.
Koi noticed one more opponent. It was the armored one. He stood in the shadow of a tall building, as if waiting for something.
I don't sense any more opponents around. I think this is the last one. You lost Fugughuu. Koi approached the stranger with his hand on the hilt.
"I am the famous captain blood," the horned foe introduced himself, "Captain in the dark army. Our battle is fate. It has come to this. We will fight. You shall receive no mercy from me."
A blood fencer eh? I heard these guys are rare and strong.
"So you are bigger. This makes no difference for a skilled warrior like me!"
"You're overconfident, human" as he speaks, Captain Blood stepped out of the shadows, revealing how big and wide his body really was. That blade could easily split a horse in half. That shield was like an armored steel wall.
Metsuhai appeared at the edge of the street, his blood covered sword drawn and felt incredible power. Just trying to measure it felt like trying to pick up a mountain. "Koi be careful, this guy is very strong."
Koi turned his gaze away from Captain Blood for a moment, glaring at Metsuhai "mind your own business Fugughuu. I won the competition. I'm the superior. I am the champion…" Thou I really didn't feel anything at all. "…I am…"
Captain blood appeared in front of Koi, kicking him right in his solar plexus, "Completely exposed!"
Koi bent from pain, out of breath. Koi was shocked. I took blows before in my life, but this… as if a plane crashed into my body!
"You'll pay for that!" Koi declared as his breath stabilizes.
Koi went to the assault, moving lightning-fast. Metsuhai witnessed once more Koi's perfect fluid motion that brought death to anything in its path with a single sharp attack. The sound of colliding metal was heard. Koi stood near Captain Blood, surprised. Captain Blood looked just fine and was very close.
I can't believe he stopped my crown move. It must have been a fluke.
Koi's body disappeared in a blur of fast movement, but Metsuhai managed to follow the action. Koi repeatedly attacked, moving from side to side, striking from various directions, always using his fight-ending slash but from different angles and positions. He was doing circles around him, not giving him even a seconds rest, leaving trails of dust behind him. What a high level onslaught, thought Metsuhai, I wouldn't have been able to keep defending against that, I can barely see him! If it was me on the other side of that sword I wouldn't come out unharmed. For the untrained eye it may have looked like Koi was wining: He was on the assault, and captain blood wasn't doing anything. But Metsuhai knew better. His sharp sight had shown him the truth. Every attack, every strike always ended the same way, breaking like a wave on that shield. Koi's attacks achieved nothing, and as time passed were becoming more sluggish and less accurate.
Angry koi stopped in place. He was sweating and breathing hard. His blade shaking in his hand both from tiredness and frustration.
"Are you done?" Captain Blood spoke with a firm voice.
"Hell I'm not!" (Koi)
Koi sheaved his sword and aimed his palms at Captain Blood. "Yellow blizzard!" Koi released from his palms a series of yellow beams, emerging constantly one after the other. They stormed at captain blood with incredible speeds. Captain Blood sheaved his sword and put his palm forward. As the beams approached the big hand they simply disappeared one after another, fading into nothing as if there's nothing to it. Koi stood there paralyzed and out of breath. Sparks coming from his palm as he concentrates. He could release energy no more. Captain blood walked to Koi's direction "I will now finish this- poor unworthy creature." Captain Blood raised his massive sword all the way up so much that when koi looked at it he was blinded by the sun.
"My turn!" declared Metsuhai, standing between Koi and the armored giant. "As you wish," simply stated Captain Blood, bringing his sword down. Metsuhai blocked with the shield, perfectly executing his move by the book, but nothing prepared him for the sheer force behind that sword. The blow sent him flying backwards with a metallic sound like thunder, his leather boots dragged across the asphalt.
Metsuhai didn't have the luxury to be stunned, charging right back to battle. He powered up, his energy swirling around him. Small electric currents discharging nearby. Metsuhai sent his blade forward, attacking fiercely yet with precision. He was looking for a weakness point, trying to find a way going around that shield. Captain Blood seemed to be enjoying himself, not rushing to counterattack. He sent his blade from time to time, not allowing Metsuhai to recover strength. He clearly wasn't putting everything into the attack but each blow was deadly and frightening, sending Metsuhai about a meter back and threatening to throw him off his feet.
He seems to be waiting for me to tire, provoking me with his blows, forcing me to keep on fighting with maximum power… either way, if Koi does have a weakness it's the fact he cannot maintain his speed and fighting style for very long. On the other hand, it seems Captain Blood isn't getting tired at all.
Metsuhai remembered his desperate fight against Mordon. I have beaten opponents stronger than myself before. Sure luck may have shined upon me, but is this really all it was?
Metsuhai kept trying, not giving up an inch. Pushing himself to perform at his absolute best. Completely determined to bring Captain Blood down with his own strength, skill and willpower. But his body was losing power. His muscles hurting bad, as if screaming on him to slow down.
I am getting tired, but I will not show that, maybe he'll get desperate and make a mistake.
Metsuhai kept fighting, kept hitting the shield with no progress but with no backing down. The few scratches on the shield were not promising. Metsuhai got immersed into battle, not thinking of anything except his next moves.
Finally Captain Blood had enough and went to the assault. First he drew Metsuhai's attention with a blow of the sword (which was blocked), and then he bashed him with his enormous shield right on the head.
It felt like the sky fell on him. Confused, his sight blurry, not knowing where he is or why, Metsuhai was disoriented. Captain Blood raised his mighty blade once more. But instead of the death blow Metsuhai felt just a strong push to the side.
"Out of the way Fugughuu!" his rescuer, Koi declared "I've got his."
"You again," Captain Blood spat as he spoke "don't you learn from your mistakes?"
"I will show you what power means."
Koi powered up roaring, his yellow aura burning around him, his hair waving, and declared "double energy fist of death!" Koi released from his palms two huge energy beams with fist shaped energy at the very edge. Captain Blood threw his shield aside and blocked the attack with his glove covered hands. And indeed, the power was overwhelming. Captain Blood was dragged backwards on the asphalt, putting all his muscles to work, facing off against the incredible power. For a short moment it looked like the beams were too much to handle even for Captain Blood.
Koi was trying to regain his breath. It seemed using such strong attack took a toll out of him.
Captain Blood got pushed one more meter backwards, his hands pushed closer to his chest more and more. In a final intense demonstration of power Captain Blood pushed the fists to his sides. The fists flew away, spinning out of control in peculiar circle-like movement. After going ballistic in the air they eventually exploded with incredible power on a skyscraper, causing the mighty building to collapse to the side behind the captains back.
Wow that was close even for me, thought Captain Blood, but of course the enemy must not know. I mean look at this boy. He is barely alive. With a bit more pressure he will forget everything he knows about fighting- psychology, its goona be decided by psychology. "Is this the best you can do?!"
And it seemed captain bloods strategy worked like magic. Koi was completely out of balance, his self-confidence shaken, his pride in collision with reality. Frustrated that no matter what he did, it was never strong enough. "I'll show you power! My potential is infinite! I have more power than you'll ever have!!!"
Koi raised his energy level, roaring. Blood red aura burning around him. The ground shook slightly as powerful currents of wind were unleashed to all directions.
What an incredible power, Metsuhai felt as if a pool of limitless power emerged on the battlefield. I had no idea Koi is so strong…
Wait that's not right, this red energy is not his usual aura. This clearly isn't demon magic, but it's rough and violent. Captain Blood, now holding the shield and sword, was smiling beneath his helmet. His torn gloves were the only reminder of the powerful attack he endured.
"Koi stop!" Metsuhai called out, "This is too much for you!"
Koi was continuing to power up, small rocks floating around him. "Koi your body can't take it, you will die, you will explode!"
Koi kept powering up, his veins dangerously bulging. Metsuhai slapped Koi with all the strength he could muster, getting him out of his concentration, his hand smoking up from the aura.
"You are strong, powerful anyway you look at it. You won the competition. But if you keep this up, all your strength will go to waste." Metsuhai pointed at Captain Blood. "This is the reality we face. I don't like you but now we have to put the order first and work together. Let's show him how the order fights, just like Lezner taught us."
Koi stared at Metsuhai for a long moment. Then he nodded.
Koi and Metsuhai charged at Captain Blood, splitting to two sides right in front of him. They attacked in an incredible pace from two opposite directions. The swords and shields collided repeatedly with power, speed and precision. It was like an extreme storm of steel. Captain Blood's blows were as heavy as always, his shield as thick and unbreakable as before, but he couldn't block to both directions simultaneously. He fought fiercely, cutting, slashing, bashing but to no avail. Their blades tore through his armor and his flesh. Every attempt to separate his opponents failed and cost him more suffering. They moved so fast he didn't have a chance to use his magic. He just couldn't keep up.
Captian Blood was tired, covered in deep bleeding wounds from head to toe. He was out of breath and with shattered fighting spirit. With a skilled move Metsuhai grabbed his arm, lowering that dangerous, graze-covered shield. Koi immediately used the opening to pierce through what was left from the battered armor and through the captain's heart. Captain Blood fell to his knees, coughing blood.
"I have been defeated. Allow me to share with you my story before I die"
…
Captain blood was the big man he always was, just without the horns. He was a bus driver in Canada. "I was young, light headed, and in love. You will probably wonder how a monster like me can even love."
There was a knock on the door. "Come in" said a tired woman's voice. Captain blood, wearing a suit with tie, opened the door and entered. The cozy apartment had some modest furniture and the carpet was a bit dusty. A blue eyed young woman with short stylish brown hair was lying on her bed, covered with a white blanket. She looked pale. "Daud, I didn't expect, you should have called first."
"Maria my love, I haven't heard from you for more than a week," Captain Blood spoke with worried tone, "It's not like you. I was worried about you. I know you well, Are you hiding something from me?"
"Indeed I do." Captain Blood looked with confusion. "Daud, I didn't wanted you to know, I'm dying."
"It was a deadly disease, spreading fast, there was no cure. The doctors were powerless. I was lost, and had to think fast… and then, he came."
On a dark stormy night a gray athletically built gargoyle entered Daud's apartment, barely making a sound. His facial expression was mean looking indeed.
"Who are you, what are you? and what are you doing in my apartment?!"
"I am Airborg," the stranger spoke with kind of a sharp voice, as mean as he himself had been, "And I heard you have a problem."
"You think you can help me?"
"Sure, every problem has a solution, but I don't work for free."
"Of course, I'll do anything!"
"So that night I agreed to serve the dark army to the end of my life. Long life. Since demons age very slowly. Liters of demon blood were sacrificed into my body, and after that in a complicated ritual we sacrificed into Maria combination of human and demon blood… but things didn't work out."
Maria, with red small horns on her head, stood on a verge of a precipice. Captain blood with his new horns and armor stood shocked some distance away from her. "What are you doing. I will have to serve the dark army now, but you have healed, we can be together again- for ever."
A single tear moved across Marias face.
"How could you make a deal with those monsters… Now I am a monster too. I would have rather died, look at me!"
Captain blood made a move forward.
"Stay back!"
"But you have to understand…"
"And you are the worst one of them!" Maria plunged a knife through her heart and fell off the cliff. "Nooo!!!" Captain Blood shouted in agony.
…
Koi and Metsuhai bent over the defeated captain blood.
"Now that you know what happened I ask from you to bury me with honor and make sure my story is told, so no one will ever make the same mistake."
"And we shell do that" (Koi)
"And one more thing kids… Airborg, my commander. He will be very angry. He will come after you." Captain Blood's gaze became empty.
Koi and Metsuhai stood silently near the fresh pile of dirt where Captain Blood will now forever rest. On the gravestone (a large rock they found) Metsuhai made sure to inscribe 'Here rests the mighty Captain Blood- Daud- a strong fighter and a good man.' Metsuhai and Koi (as fitting to Japanese tradition) silently prayed may your soul finally find peace.
Metsuhai and Koi made their way back to the extraction point, each putting his arm on the other's shoulder. Koi wanted to compete no more. Right now they felt like brothers.