"Niko, how do you know about that?" Myrlin furrowed his brow, "Who told you about that day?"
"I'm tired of repeating myself," Iniko exclaimed, "there is no Iniko, my name is Lord Garyūshi Adetulo, patron deity of the Adetulwari clan!" Niko stomped his foot on the ground as Chaos Matter erupted like molten magma, "The son inherits the sins of the father; Myrlin, you are but a mere step in my revenge. I'll make that bastard you call Father pay for killing my mother; I'll undo this bullshit world he and the others spent time to maintain! And I'll start by taking away his precious son."
"Is this really what you want, Niko?" I asked with a worried tone, "I'm sure we can work this out, as a family—."
Iniko began to laugh maniacally; he covered half of his face with his hand before saying, "FAMILY?! Does your idea of family mean taking the life of one of your siblings? Or is it the type of family that loves to hide secrets and cover up their wrongdoings? When I'm done, there will be only one Garyūshi, and I'll shape this realm to its original madden state!"
I looked over at Myrlin, who was fuming with anger, "Mini, how many shojis can you open at a time?" His tone was low, but loud enough for me to hear.
"About two hundred forty-four," I replied, "every three nanoseconds."
He directed his attention back to Niko, "Good, the song I'm gonna use for this battle is in halftime; it's called Range Brothers. We'll only have about six minutes to stop him; Minerva, are you with me?" My brother stuck his left fist out to me, to which I promptly pounded it.
Wait, did he say Range Brothers? Like, the song by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar? Could it be that Myrlin was getting his memories of his past life back? I didn't have time to wonder what my brother's recall status was; we were currently being confronted by the brother we'd grown so close to.
"Say less," I said, closing my eyes and focusing on my LGIN interface. A window appeared asking if I wanted to integrate Myrlin's battle music with the system. It explained that I would be able to view the song's duration and tag my party members to keep track of them while in my spatial corridor.
(scan me to listen!)
"Conspiring a way to win!?" Niko called out, "It won't help you! I've got the upper hand. Angra Mainyu Sub-Signature: Chaotic Roulette!" In that instance, our brother punched the air around him, causing the Threads of Reality to quake with each blow. Embara gathered before him, forming a spinning roulette wheel that eventually stopped. "Warp-Step!"
Iniko was fast, but Myrlin moved with more haste, dodging the incoming attack with a dense wall of sand, "Mini, let's do this!" I nodded my head and clapped my hands, summoning three shojis. After that, Myrlin leaped through the nearest door; I tossed a beaded charm into my brother's shadow, and from that, his location appeared as a flashing dot on my interface map.
The instrumental of the song started to reverberate in my mind, unlike the times when he'd play music in a battle; this time, it was projected there. Hearing the song really took me back to my time on Earth and to when my mother was still alive; I felt a sense of nostalgia in the melody, and it further motivated me to be there, not only for Myrlin but for both of my brothers.
I was playing the role of support in this fight, primarily due to the fact that Niko, as a mage, is something of a wild card. His abilities don't follow the rules established in the Signature System; it's almost as if he's cheating the laws of the realm and the reality as a whole.
With each beat of the instrumental and lyrical accompaniment, I expertly and strategically opened gates for my brother to try to get the upper hand on Niko. To give his attack more of an edge, every time Myrlin exits the corridor, the shoji launches him out as if he were a bullet, but Niko was keeping up with him.
I was lucky to have my LGIN system active during this battle; otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue what was happening. The tempo of the song is supposed to be in half-time, but they're moving like it's in double-time, I pondered. I couldn't help but think Myrlin tampered with our processing speed, but this five-minute fight feels like it'll last twenty.
"Mini," Myrlin's voice echoed in the background of the music. "Niko's a lot tougher than I anticipated. I may need you to provide more utility support—anything that'll give us the higher ground."
He was right; Niko's ability was so random and complex to predict that the only way we even stood a chance against him was if I took the fight just as seriously. "Charybdis Sub-Signature: Limbo Vectors!" I stretched my left hand out to remotely control my shadows, while my right hand handled the opening and closing of my gates.
From the outside, I probably looked like a person frozen in fear, motionless, while everyone around me felt the weight of tragedy. However, the embara surrounding me was so dense that it made it almost impossible to interact with me. When in this state of mind, I split my consciousness and use the shadowy realm that haunted me as a child as a kind of 'control center' to monitor the battle.
"Myrlin, I'm going to try something. I hope you're ready." I concentrated on my brother's location within the corridor and summoned about seven shojis around him. I opened the door directly facing him, and it sucked him through the gate's portal as if he were in the vacuum of space, and then spat him out in one of Iniko's blind spots.
Immediately after our sneak attack, another shoji manifested behind my brother and, with the same force that had pulled him through the gate, sucked him back into my corridor. This was the only way we could get the jump on Niko and his random-ass Signature.
"Ahhhhhhh!! Let go of me!" A frightened resident screamed; it took me out of my concentration, and when I focused on my surroundings, I saw a gruesome sight. Perhaps it was my own hubris, thinking Myrlin and I had the advantage in this fight, clouding our discernment, but it was Iniko, holding a young man by the throat. How is this even possible? Niko and Myrlin are literally trading blows, I wondered.
I looked back at the battlefield, and sure enough, sparks from both my brother's blades clashed at unimaginable speeds. However, when I looked back at the screaming pedestrian, there was no mistaking it; it was Niko; can he—?
"Myrlin, I think Niko can clone himself!" I alerted my brother, "This isn't good—, hello? Myrlin?! What the hell is going on?!?" I looked down at my interface's map, and both he and Niko vanished. It was like the two no longer existed in the realm, but I couldn't worry myself with my brother's absence; I knew he was more than capable of taking care of himself.
I directed my attention to the Iniko clone, who was in the midst of forcing the young man into a grotesque abomination. Watching the life flee from that poor boy's eyes, he couldn't have been any older than Boudicca; he was likely invited to the Jubilee by one of his siblings. The horror that fell on this day; this would forever remain as an everlasting scar in this realm.
Once he was done mutilating the innocent bystander, Iniko turned his gaze to me, "Just so you know, my Chaos Copies are about twenty percent weaker than the main body. Think you can keep up with me?!" He lunged forward, and as if he had an affinity for the shadow element, the copy used the Shadow Glide sub-signature.
He was going to have to work harder than that to surprise me; with my mastery of spatial magic, I'd be damned if I was going to let a cheap sneak attack like that catch me off guard. I pulled myself into my shadow to evade his onslaught, and in return, I set a little trap using my shadow; "CharybdisSub-Signature: Pit Fall!!" I screamed, and as soon as the copy stepped on my shadow, it plummeted, impaling it with thick spikes made from the abyss.
"I was expecting you to be a lot stronger than that," I scoffed. "Still, even if it wasn't really him, I don't think I could ever bring myself to kill my own brother. Adopted or not, Niko, Myrlin, and I had a bond that I never thought would suffer such strain.
I resumed focus on my brothers' whereabouts; they couldn't have gone too far, I thought. Lemme try reaching Ayo to see if she's seen or heard them.
BUUUUZZZZZ—!
"Your Highness!" Ayo screamed in thought communication, "I can't concentrate, this fiend is demanding my focus. I'll be in touch once I have a chance—!" The line went silent after that.
Niko, why—, why are you doing this? Is this really what you want? Our beautiful home is in ruins because of Chaos; this can't be what you desire—.
—BUUUUZZZZZ—!
It was an alert from Sir Robfynn in Mirini, "Your Highness, I have troubling news; the country is currently under attack by unknown invaders!" There was panic in his voice, and I couldn't blame him for feeling that way; none of us would've ever expected Iniko would conspire with the opposition.
"There too, huh?" I asked while aiding the frightened denizens. "How are you all handling things while we're here? Is Uncle Aether there?"
There was some faint static in the background of the Thought Communication, followed by a slash of a sword. "But of course, Your Highness, the Imperial Regent is making light work of some of these barbarians; however, I fear this attack isn't contained within the continent." There were more slashes, "According to Lord Shangomaru, every continent in hTraé is currently under siege; The Six Great Demon Lords order all knights, adventurers, mages, and witches to protect this realm."
I felt the gravity of the situation plummet as if it were two planets colliding with each other, "Sir Robfynn, promise me—please, promise me—you and all the knights in my uncle's court will come back alive." I've become more than accustomed to the life I now live—the people I've met, the food I've eaten, the culture I've learned. This realm feels more like home than Earth ever did, and now she's being raped by those from a world not only I forsaken, but the same one Myrlin, Nata, Stella, Gonzalo, and Autumn have cursed. Typical of that realm, defiling everything you touch and corrupting it with your greed. I swear, whoever is behind this will have their head mounted on a pike.
"Of course, Your Highness," Sir Robfynn replied, "besides, we still have to attend your coronation! The day Miryudōra is finally crowned an empress!" I could practically hear him smiling from ear to ear. I could rest easy knowing my uncle is there for protection; yet, I can't shake the feeling that this conversation was an omen of sorts.
"I'm counting on you, Fynn," I disconnected the line to continue aiding the citizens. While being filled in by Fynn, I'd been assisting with the refugees and escorting them using my shadows to haul them. I'd honestly have an easier time just using a Shoji, but with the invasion being realm-wide.
I looked at my interface; It's only been sixty seconds since Myrlin started the song. If I had to guess, he's likely moving so fast that my LGIN can't keep up with him. I just hope that he makes it out of this alive.
I looked up at the sky, which was blanketed with black smoke from the ongoing fires and explosions in the city. Despite the rampant chaos that filled the streets, the night sky was remarkably peaceful; it was the only thing that gave me even a shred of hope.
As I continued to aid the injured, I tracked Ayo's location using my interface. Looks like Ayo's fight is heating up; I thought, and it would appear that Ogy and Koya made it out of the city's limits. The only thing I can do is keep opening Shojis for Myrlin while the song keeps playing. At this point in my Signature's mastery, I've managed to learn how to open and close my gates without even thinking about it, almost as if the ability were automatic or passive. I don't have to spend time preparing to summon them; they just appear whenever I need them, and the same can be said for this situation.
"This fucking sucks, NIKO!" I screamed at the atmosphere. I knew what I had to do; the solution was simple: protect my home against any threat, which includes family.
Meliodas Tristan Wyllt-Garyūshi
Elsewhere in the Coastal Federation of Avalon; Four Minutes and Seventeen Seconds Remaining
Autumn and I raced through the frantic crowd—FWOOSH! A wall of snow blanketed the ground, making it hard to maneuver. "We're close; this is my sister's Snow Signature," Lady Autumn directed.
When we arrived at the blizzard's focal point, we were greeted with a most horrendous sight. The former Deputy Commander of the Academy Police was being held by the throat like she was some helpless doll. And the one holding her, I couldn't believe it, he was a ghost to me, one that I'd reckon was gone forever; Trident Goldkoi.
"FRANNY!!" Lady Autumn cried, "Iceberg Armor!" The embara in the atmosphere began to freeze as it encapsulated her, "Melt! Dragon's Vein!" The ice started to melt, emitting scalding steam. When the vapors cleared, Autumn was wearing frosted blue dragon scales and held an enormous Claymore.
"Trident, is that you?" I asked, but I couldn't believe that I was even speaking to him again. "Speed and I thought you had died. What are you doing here? That fungus sure did a number on you. Why are you acting like this?" My words were shaky, and honestly, I was doing my absolute best not to break down.
Trident's gaze was one of pity. "You're so gullible. What made you think I was actually your friend? The only reason I even got close to you was so that I could make contact with Adetulo, but you'll know him better as Iniko."
—CRAAAASH!
In that moment, Lady Autumn pounced toward my dear friend, slamming her sword into the cobblestone road, to which he evaded. It was as if she had no thoughts forming in her head; that may have been an understatement. It was more like the only thought that was clear to her was "demolish."
"Oh boy, I knew you were strong, but damn girl!" Trident laughed, and perhaps it was because of the carnage that surrounded us, but the longer I saw him like this, the angrier I got.
"Goldkoi, have you no shame in what you're doing?" I yelled, trying to reason with and understand him.
"Pfffft—…" Trident blew raspberries, "I hate that I came up with such a stupid alias. I ain't no bumpkin from the Kelpie Isles. Hell, I ain't even from this realm."
Nothing he was saying was making any sense to me. "What did you say?" It wasn't like I didn't think there was a world outside of the realm, but the thought of someone from that outside world coming in and wrecking my home was an anomaly to me.
"Oh yeah, I'm from a Supercontinent called Rodinia," Trident said as he squeezed the remaining life out of Francesca. "But Uncle Zeus said that the land would likely reform by the time I made it back, and to call it Pangea."
—CRAAAASH!!
Once again, Lady Autumn attacked Trident, and in order to quicken his haste, he flung Francesca's lifeless body towards me. Using my saber to gather embara, I scribed my name in the air, "Aspect of Gales: Tornado Sub-Signature: Cradle Winds!" I was barely able to catch her in time, and after seeing her mutilated corpse, it had completely hardened my resolve.
I placed Francesca's body close by and met back up with Lady Autumn to try to give her some support; however, the way I'm feeling, I want nothing more than to snuff him out myself. But, right now, she's had more taken from her than I did; I'd be a fool to rob her of that satisfaction.
"Lady Autumn, I can use my winds to increase your speed in this fight," I remarked as I began to scribe another spell. "Tornado Sub-Signature: Gale Force!" My Gale Force Sub-Signature allows me to boost my speed to extreme speeds, and it was only recently that I discovered that I could use this signature on someone else.
Wind and embara began to swirl and fuse, becoming a source of energy for my ally to use in this battle. The energy engulfed her and permeated through her armor, "Much obliged, Your Highness," Lady Autumn cracked her neck, right before pouncing, yet again at Trident. "Dragon's Vain: Bite of the Frost Dragon!"
Lady Autumn stretched her left arm up toward the sky as ice started to form another claymore of equal size. Using both swords, she formed what looked like either a mouth or, more accurately, a pair of scissors, and charged at Trident, who seemed eerily confident for some reason.
"Ocean's Blessing: Abrasion Jets!" Shooting two of his fingers up, a massive spire of pressurized water sprouted from the ground, catching Lady Autumn completely off guard.
"Lady Autumn!" I leaped to her aid and was able to catch her in the nick of time. The attack was so powerful that it knocked her out and forced her out of her transformation. Setting her down, I equipped Gale Force at its maximum potency, "Trident, mark my words, I'll be sure to be the reason you draw your last breath."
Trident gave me a heinous smile, "Let me see you try, brat!" He held his hand out and crafted a trident out of water.
I unsheathed my saber and channeled embara into its edge before pouncing toward my foe. Our blades clashed, causing the earth to rumble with each strike. Under normal circumstances, I'd be more mindful of my surroundings and conscious of those nearby, but in this moment, my only priority was ending this traitorous and conniving bastard.
As our fight continued, I felt as though the arrogance Trident had earlier come back. We weren't speaking to each other during our bout, but his actions were suspicious. With every strike of mine he dodged, he sported the cockiest of smiles, until something in his pocket began to glow.
He pulled back and licked his lips, "This was fun, Mel—."
"—That's Prince Meliodas to you, you scum!" I yelled.
"Whatever," Trident chuckled, "I'll be sure to kill you and Autumn the next time we meet, Buh-bye…"
VRRRMMMM—!
He reached into his pocket and put whatever was glowing on his forehead, and instantly vanished.
Monspeed Akin Wyllt-Garyūshi
Elsewhere in the Coastal Federation of Avalon; Two Minutes and Seventeen Seconds Remaining
"Virtue of Order: Mountain's Blessing: Mineral Shield!" Heracles screamed as stones began to stick to him like he was a magnet, forming an armor of sorts. However, my sister's speed and agility were nothing to scoff at, especially after she equipped her scythe, Gisella.
There wasn't a shortage of underhanded tactics, the meathead whom Bo found herself fighting. It was as though he had information regarding our abilities and was relishing in the thought of exploiting them. However, Bo was just recognized and was recruited to become a Blood Witch, one of hTraé's most elite task forces, so if anyone could hold their own in a fight to the death, it was her.
"Prince Monspeed!" I heard a voice call out. It was Princess Nona, along with her two brothers, "Atlas, Nicoli, and I can take it from here. Please, stay safe, and keep Bo out of harm's way."
Both Atlas and Nicholi approached us carrying about a dozen of the injured. "Yeah, we got this covered. You need to go and help your sister." Atlas remarked, "The guy she's fighting is insanely tough, and I do fear she's met her match."
They were right, honestly, out of all my siblings, I'm the one who seems to have fallen short. I'm not nearly as strong as Myrlin and Minerva, and both Mel and Bo have already surpassed me in talent and technique; however, I do my best not to think about it constantly. I have my own set of quirks that they'll never know about; I've known since I was a child. That day when that woman broke into our home, she picked me up, and I was completely unfazed.
Her embrace was warm and gentle, a touch similar to my mother's. It felt as though she transcended time itself, and from what I could recall, the few moments that she held me felt like an eternity. I knew there was a reason why she chose me; there had to be a reason, why else would she single me out?
And ever since then, I felt like there was some hidden power dwelling within me, yet to make itself known to me. I fought tooth and nail to reach my current level of strength, and I wanted the opportunity to put this clown in his place. "Understood," I responded, "Nona, Atlas, Nicholi, I'd recommend you guard the infirmary tent. Things are about to heat up tenfold."
The triplets simultaneously nodded their heads and did as instructed; I turned my attention back to the battlefield, which was about twenty feet away. Our foe was a hulking brute of a man, and had I been ignorant, I'd assume he was a dwarven giant just like the Aldorfs. But he was anything but that; he was around the same height as your average dragonman, but he was built more like an ogre.
Thankfully, my time spent as an adventurer with Mel proved itself to be rather useful in this current situation. The last few job requests we took on had us going toe-to-toe with a King Class Ursadrake, which was way bigger than this clown, and with that last job, I managed to improve my signature and even learned a new ability. "Flame Dance Signature: Kusarigama no Ryūshi!" I shouted while scratching my name in the air. The embara in the atmosphere began to spark, and flames began to form into a pair of chained scythes.
This should give us an advantage, I pondered; I'm certain that we can close the gap between us and end this with a decisive slash! I swung my flaming weapon until it started to spin rapidly, and using the weighted side of my kusarigama, I flung it toward him, ensnaring him in its blaze.
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Bo readjusted her grip on Gisella and began her charge at the brute. She gave me a subtle nod of her head as she started her pursuit, and I understood fully what she wanted to do: a pincer maneuver. It only made sense, considering that both of us use sickles and close-ranged combat, and with him trapped in my flaming chains, there was no way of escaping.
"Blood Signature: Maw of the Blood Dragon!" Bo chanted as the blade of her scythe began to extend and sharpen. She bolted toward him and, using my chains like a pulley, I followed suit. There was no way he could escape from a head-on assault like this, or so I thought.
Unbeknownst to Bo and me, there was something off about our enemy. He had this extremely arrogant smile, and if I had known any better, I'd say that he was hiding something. The closer my sister and I got to this strange man, the eerier I felt, and that feeling proved to be justified. The man reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a metal knot; he then placed the object on top of his head, and in an instant, a tower of light was erected where he was standing.
VRRRMMMM—!
The grip I had on him had immediately loosened after that tower appeared, and as if it were instinct, Bo and I pulled back our attacks and gained a safe enough distance. "Speed, what do you think that was?" Bo asked, catching her breath.
"Honestly, Bo," I began, "I couldn't even begin to hypothesize; furthermore, who was he, and where did he come from?" I'd never fought anyone who was as battle-hungry as that before. Something about this encounter didn't quite sit right with me. Like, it was some sort of prelude for the worst possible scenario; I just hope Mini and MyrMyr are able to get to the bottom of this.
Minerva Cosmina Wyllt-Miryūshi
Elsewhere in the Coastal Federation of Avalon; One Minute and Forty-five Seconds Remaining
Amongst all the terror and chaos, there were thankfully several mages who possessed more utility and support-based Signatures who all got together and organized field clinics for those who were wounded in the attack. While Myrlin was busy fighting our brother, Ariyuki, Stella, and I did our part by assisting with transporting the injured. It was also where Ogy and Koya brought Tohka's body.
"Mini, Ariyuki!" Stella called out from outside the tent, "We've got another one!" Nata and I rushed out to meet her, and to my surprise, it was Renata. "I found her clinging to consciousness; she said she was in a brawl with an invader who called himself Achilles and that when the battle was getting to its climax, he'd disappeared in a tower of light."
I raised a brow, "A tower of light, you say? Now that you mention it, there have been several pillars of light that have mysteriously appeared in the past few minutes."
Stella and Ariyuki shared a look of concern. "What are your thoughts, Your Highness?" Ariyuki gave me a slight bow.
"No need for that," I quickly tried to correct, "you're my brother's subordinate, there's no need to be so formal with me, Ari. As for my thoughts regarding the matter, call it a hunch, but considering they got the jump on us and they're vanishing before our eyes, I can deduce that this seems like a strategic retreat."
Stellaphoña's eyes widened at the notion, "If that's the case, who's to say that they won't come back and strike a second time?"
"My thoughts, exactly, Stella," I gave her a worried, yet determined expression. "If it comes to that, you can be assured, if I can't protect you, Myrlin most certainly can get the job done."
Myrlin Samael Wyllt-Garyūshi
Elsewhere in the Coastal Federation of Avalon; One Minute and Twenty-two Seconds Remaining
I got about a minute left of this song; I thought, I need to wrap this up sooner rather than later.
Even though I'm considered to be the strongest student at the academy, I'd be a fool not to take Vice Captain Iniko seriously in a fight. He's my brother, and one-third of the Wyllt Siblings Trio; fighting him like this crushes me like no other.
"Niko, Bruh, what the hell are you on right now?" I asked as the two of us stood off in the middle of the city's havoc. "You finna let some randoms fill your head with half-truths and fallacies?!"
It was like my words were going in one ear and out the other. "For fuck's sake, I keep telling your ignorant ass that my name is not Iniko!" He screamed, lunging at me with an embara-charged fist that connected with my left jaw. "I'm Adetulo now! Get that shit through that dense ass skull of yours!"
All I could do was laugh, laugh maniacally at the ridiculous tantrum my brother was throwing. "If I call you that, Niko, you will no longer be my brother and will become my enemy; are you prepared for that?"
The look in Niko's eyes was crazed, and he wore a smile that assured me that he was too far gone to reason with. "Bring it, Myrlin!"
I leaped several meters back to put some distance between us and pointed my katana toward him. "Alright then, Adetulo, allow me to personally congratulate you on becoming my first official nemesis." In all my years, I'd never expected to raise my blade to one of my siblings, let alone Iniko at that. But he's made his bed, and now he'll have to lie in that motherfucker.
I channeled embara in my cache to prepare for any attack that he might have up his sleeve. From our previous bouts, I'd come to learn that he has an affinity for the Chaos Aspect, which isn't widely known in the realm as a whole; however, somehow, some way, Niko found the secret to harnessing its power.
"Angra Mainyu Sub-Signature: Multiplicity!" Iniko screamed, punching the air in front of him. The walls of Reality began to shatter like glass as three copies of my brother emerged from the gap in Reality.
—CLAP!
The hairs on the back of my neck began to rise as one of Mini's shojis manifested behind me, "Keep up, Bruh-Bruh!" I flashed a cheeky smile before getting sucked into my sister's portal.
Considering this battle has a time limit, I have to move quickly through these halls. The inside of this portal is something of an abstract painting. Stairs that defy gravity and a plethora of different doors that I would assume led to the different places Minerva has been.
"Hold on," I sang, "let's get this shit, let's get his shit, let's get this shit, let's, Hmmmmm!" Surprisingly, the song I have playing for this fight could be heard all throughout the halls of this place, and I couldn't deny, I was itching to throw a massive party in it. However, chills and thrills aside, it didn't change the fact that I only had about sixty seconds left before the effects of the song wore off.
My sound sand has some pretty interesting properties, for instance, any one of my allies who finds themselves near me whilst in combat, they will gain a Signature boost of forty-five percent. This status upgrade is temporary; however, it allows for that ally to gain a level of mastery that they wouldn't normally be able to attain. So, the fact that Mini's shojis are manifesting as quickly as they are isn't a coincidence.
I quickly rushed to a glowing red door, indicating that it was getting ready to send me to my next destination. I crouched down and held my katana's blade close to my face, prepared for any incoming strike. And when the door flashed green, a vacuum pulled me in and spat me right back out in the battlefield, where Niko was causing mayhem.
Minerva Cosmina Wyllt-Miryūshi
Thirty Seconds Remaining
Myrlin should be making it back to the battlefield by now, I thought. I looked around at the once prosperous city of Avalon, and my heart began to ache profusely. There's still thirty seconds remaining in the song; in that moment, a shoji appeared, spitting out Myrlin performing a full on assault of spells and physical attacks at Iniko. It was a ghastly sight, and to make it even worse, I could see the pain in my brother's eyes; he fought tooth and nail to keep his promise to keep not only me safe, but all of his siblings. This tantrum Niko was throwing didn't make sense to either of us. Each attack of Myrlin's was met with nullification from Niko, or at this point, I should refer to him as Adetulo, seeing as this is man that has killed my brother Iniko.
As the battle continued until I noticed Adetulo acting weird; all throughout the fight, Myrlin's attacks seemed to be causing damage, but at the very end of the impact, the attack would get nullified. It doesn't take a genius to figure out just how annoying something like that can pose in a fight; however, the past few seconds, Adetulo seemed to be off-kilter in his fighting approach, almost as if he were running out of time. His attacks and movements were being rushed and he was making stupid mistakes. One moment he's effortlessly dodging and nullifying my brother's attacks and the next, he's falling for feints and getting perried left and right. "What the hell is happening?" I questioned.
Myrlin met me at my side and the two of us stared down Adetulo; it was clear that both her and Myrlin weren't in any condition to continue.
"You're lucky I have to end things here, Myrlin!" Adetulo coughed, "Mark my words, this isn't over, I won't rest until I snuff all of you out!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a metal knot, one that looked like it came from Ireland. The knot was glowing intensely and he gently placed it on top of his head.
VRRRMMMM—!
There was a pillar of light that manifested where he was standing and once the light settled, he was gone.
"Dammit!" Myrlin shouted in frustration. "Of all the people, it had to be you! Mini, are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
I looked around, the sun was starting to rise, "No, I'm fine, but Avalon, our home, look what's happened here—, TOHKA!" I gasped and rushed back to the infirmary tent to check on Koya and Tohka. I had hoped and prayed that what happened to her was just figment of my imagination, I needed that to be true, I couldn't handle losing someone close to me, not again. Upon arriving, there was an air of morbid melancholy and anguish surrounding the tent, I could only imagine the faces of their loved ones receiving the news. It brings me such utter sadness knowing this betrayal was so close to home.
Ogunkoya was standing outside the tent speaking with a cleric; although, the conversation appeared to be more on- sided, it didn't seem as though Koya was interested in much of anything now. Is this somehow my fault, I hadn't given it much thought, but had I not made Koya a branch family head, and encouraged him to marry Tohka, would she still be here with us?
SMACK—!
I slapped my cheeks to gain so clarity, I shouldn't be thinking like that; I did what I felt was the right thing to do, not only for the time, but for the clan as a whole. But it didn't change the fact that I was extremely hurt by this tragedy.
We met with Koya after his conversation, he'd informed us that the wound would have normally be healed by any B-Class Cleric; however, the blade that used had spatial properties that caused the blood leaking from the wound to pour in a separate dimension, making it impossible to reverse the injury. Even with my talents with the spatial aspect, not even I could fathom a solution for an attack like that; and because of the fact, I devoted the rest of my efforts into figuring out how I could prevent something like this from happening again.
"Your Highness!" Arjun and Guiseppe aletered, along with Olufemi, Kyemi and Antoinette, and coincidentally Ayo was making her way back from her battle; all the members of my guard were present and accounted for. Under normal circumstances, I'd be more than thrilled to have the eight of them in my presence, but these are far from normal circumstances. "Your Highness, we've just received a report from the capital, I'm sure your aware that Miryudora was also under seige; however, I have even more grim news."
I looked around and it was clear that most all my subordinates were thinking the same thing, "Are the people in Garyudora safe? Was my father able to protect his people?"
"Yes, but," Guiseppe interjected, "the attack wasn't limited to just ShanGriLa, the entire realm was hit, every continent was ill prepared for what the enemy had in store."
So, it would seem Sir Robfynn's information was accurate; I pondered.
"What's this I hear about the entire realm getting hit?" Myrlin barked as he exited the tent, "You mean to tell me that Niko was crafty enough to organize and entire realmwide attack? It seems extremely unlikely, I'd reckon he had help, not only from the Steadfast, but also from those Human invaders."
My brother's hunch was a shared expreince, and in truth, this attack left us all with more questions than answers. Questions like, "why did Iniko betray us?" "Why were we the target of an invasion?" "Who orchestrated this ordeal; rather, who is the puppet master pulling all the strings towards the direction of complete and utter chaos?" These were all questions that I'm sure every last one of us wanted to ask, and playing the peaceful game wasn't going to cut, not anymore.
"Nee-Chan," I spoke with determination, "I think we should hold a meeting with father and the other Demon Lords to discuss our mode of strategy for our retaliation." He looked at me, and although I doubt I'd ever get to meet the boy that promised to protect me when I first came to this world, for a breif moment, he had the same eyes as that boy.
"Agreed, although, I do think it would best to have everyone here attend the meeting as well," Shinar Jasper approached our group, along with Father, Uncle Aether, Lady Eos and Lady Hypnos.
"Myrmyr, Mini," Father ran in and the two of us a suffocating bear hug. "Your mother and I were worried that we might have lost you in the attack."
It was a struggle trying to escape his grasp; however, there was no need, Shinar Jasper made sure to give Father a swift chop on his head, "Lord Chronos, it is not befitting of a Demon Lord to behave like a sniveling child."
Daddy's getting lectured, this is awkward; I giggled.
"Anyway, yes, your father and the rest of agreed that it would be within the realm's best interest to have a unified front," Uncle Aether explained.
"We've reached out to Demon Lords Eros and Thanatos regarding the matter," Lady Hypnos covered her face with her fan. "However, due to the damage done to both continents, they won't be free for another two months."
Two months? That's a bit far out for a war council; my thoughts were starting to fire a mile a minute.
"That's perfect," Myrlin acknowledged, "it'll give us time to grieve those we've lost, as well as the needed mental preparation to participate in this war. Taking a life is nothing you can just wipe your hands clean from; it leaves a perminate stain on your psyche. Are the Majin of this realm prepared for this?" Majin, a term that was used during the Time Before; from what I researched, it was a term that unified every race that called hTraé their home.
"With that question being asked," Father dusted himself off, "I believe both Mrylin and Minernva should be the ones to host this council. Afterall, this is techincally your declaration of war, is it not?"
"You want us to WHAT?!" My mouth just acted on its own, and the words that spilled out, were certainly supposed to be my inner thoughts, but I was in complete shock and surprise.
"Hey, aren't you the Demon Lords?" Myrlin frowned, "shouldn't you be the ones to declare war on the realm's behalf?"
Uncle Aether approache me and my brother from behind, grabbing our shoulders, "Yes, but; we think this would great practice for you, who knows, you'll probably have to hold meetings like this regularly."
I looked over at Myrlin, he was clearly ticked off; however, "Fine! We'll do it!" Myrlin huffed, "everyone, this time in Samadan, in two months, we'll discuss how we're going to retailate against those Human attackers."
We had a lot of training and preparing in store for us until that time, and in betwix that, I knew I needed to prioritize Tohka's funeral. If only you could have seen me really become Empress, of Tohka; my heart was heavy, and between the attack on the realm and the loss of Tohka, I can't shake that I'm responsible for this somehow, I had a darkness loom over me, and I fear it will consume me.
Enkidu
Shortly There After the attack
The chaos started to die down after our talismans began to glow, and it wouldn't be too long before we made contact with the rest of the group. Or, at least, I thought they would be the first we'd meet with.
VRRRMMMM—!
"Enkidu!" Bilgames stuck his arm out to shield me. There was a blinding light and a loud warping sound, followed by a man emerging from the light. He looked worn out from his most recent battle, but there was an allure about him that made me want to follow his every command; if I had to guess, this man had to be Adetulo.
"No need to be on guard," Adetulo lifted his hand and gave the softest smile I'd ever seen. "You must be Enkidu and Gilgamesh, am I correct?"
I was excited, Lord Adetulo knew my name, "Yea—."
"—Shhh, Enkidu!" Bilgames cut me off.
What's gotten into him, I thought.
"Well, that answers that question," Adetulo smirked, "I won't take up anymore of your time; I'm sure we'll become well acquainted really soon." And as soon as he said that, he vanished into thin air.
"You're too trusting, Enkidu," Bilgames started to lecture. "You cannot be so willing to speak with someone who you know just committed treason on the highest level."
I rolled my eyes, "I trusted you, and from what I remember, your incompetence as a ruler is the reason your nickname is the Disgraced Tyrant." There was a stillness in the atmosphere. "Look, Bilgames, I'm sorry, it's just, I find myself attracted to him. Like a kinship of sorts."
VRRRMMMM—! VRRRMMMM—! VRRRMMMM—! VRRRMMMM—!
Four more pillars of light appeared, and the rest of Trident's group made it in one piece. "WHOA, BOY!!" Heracles shouted, "That blood witch and sun boy were something else! This was so worth the wait!"
Achilles stretched his back, "Oh yeah, there were surprisingly a lot of babes in this dump of a realm. I especially like that beast princess, Ratnada, or whatever the fuck her name was." I found it odd that Bilgames was uneasy about my trusting Adetulo, yet this is the company he chooses to be around.
"The mission is complete," Trident clapped his hands. "The only thing left to do is to make contact with The Order so that we can move forward with phase two of this operation."
"Which is?" Heracles raised a confused hand.
"The Order wants to start Realm War," Cu smiled. "And eventually, eradicate every heteromorph in existence."
Bilgames and I gave each other a worried glance; if that's true, then neither Bilgames nor I will have a place in this new world they're hoping to build.
"Everyone did their part tonight," Trident clapped once more. "Even you two, good job." His words seemed to be genuine, and for once, it felt nice to receive praise from someone who wasn't Bilgames. "Now, let's head back to the hideout so we can get the hell out of this musty ass place." We gathered around and proceeded to start the same ritual that brought us to the city, and before I knew it, we were back in Cu's house to go back to our realm.