Guardian Alliance Book #2: A Hero's Anthem

16. Mal'ach Ha'Mavett

"Was that always there?" Jiyu

".... Let us continue." Hibanika says as both her and Six walk around the general.

The moment Kenshin got close enough, the general slams his hammer in front of his path.

"OI. Move it or lose it." Kenshin

"You.... Stay." General

"Did he just dog talk me?" Kenshin

"Out of the w-" Hibanika would begin to say but is interrupted by a hand pressing on her shoulder.

"Hibanika. This is not our region. We came here for answers." Six

"We are only here because Mal'ach started this!" Hibanika

"It's alright princess. I'm sure general brain dead here will keep me company." Kenshin

"But!" Hibanika

"I won't be far Ani.. Go on." Kenshin

Hibanika stares for a short moment before she decides to move on with Six. They walk across a field and make it to the large front doors.

"Ogre... What is he?" Six

"Huh? Who?" Hibanika

"Who else? Sigma." Six

"Will you give it a rest and stay focused!" Hibanika

"That is not why!... From the moment I saw him I felt this overwhelming presence. It put me on constant guard always keeping him in my sight. At first I thought it was just my imagination but.... Mal'ach's mindless monions had enough sense to be aware and keep their distance.... Who is he?" Six

"...... If he himself did not tell you then it is not my place.... Just know that we have history." Hibanika

Six ponders in her thoughts for a moment before the doors in front them steadily start to swing open inward. They glance at each other and walk inside in unison. There are two sets of stairs on either side of the massive room that twist and twine all around, paintings of bloody battles being had and ornaments hung along the walls of demons, animals and human like beings heads.

"How classy." Six

Another large pair of doors open the moment they get near and they enter a luminescent room. At the other end of the room a ominous looking man  covered in a black hood sits in his throne high up on a platform of stairs. Hibanika and Six walk further in until they are standing at the bottom of the stairs to the throne.

"Well. Well. Well. If it isn't the two princesses of each respected regions. I've been waiting for your arrival." Mal'ach

"You will have to excuse me but, cut the crap!" Hibanika

"Hooo? That's quite the mouth you have there. Have you no respect for your superiors?" Mal'ach

"As much as it pains me to say it. Princess Hibanika has every right to her foul mouth. You turn one of my subjects into one of your mindless puppets, grant him immense power and use him to attack the Kijins. That may be amusing but I did not approve of this heinous act." Six

"Hmmm. I was merely sending a cryptic invitation that you both deduced quite nicely. I am quite pleased that you were able to come here so quickly even. But as you say, let us get down to the reason behind my intentions. As you know both of your predecessors are the reasons that I am trapped here behind this barrier. I have attempted to cope with this fact for many cycles now but I have grown tired of this blatant area." Mal'ach

"And you want us to help you bring down the barrier." Six

"Did you truly expect us to come here, listen to your plea and actually do as you asked?" Hibanika

"No Kijin princess.... I expect you, to die." Mal'ach says then snaps his fingers.

In the blink of an eye a massive horde of Mal'ach's minions appear out of the shadows surrounding Hibanika and Six.

"I beg your pardon?" Six

"It is quite simple. As long as the royal blood lives they are served as the power source to this bothersome barrier. So with your death... My freedom will follow." Mal'ach

The horde suddenly springs into action and rushes both Hibanika and Six. They both stand side by side each other unfazed by the oncoming threat. Hibanika sticks out her right hand and Six sticks her left.

"Serpent Chain: Web Of Shadows!" Hibanika

"Malediction: Gravity!" Six

On the right side, Hibanika's magic circles appears all around the vicinity, her steel chains shoot out, they all pierce the zombie minions that leaped for her and keep them suspended in the air. On the left side, Six's curse ability activates and it affects the weight of each zombie minion dramatically by causing it to multiply to a great degree and slams each one into the ground. They remain on the ground unable to move an inch.

"And what was the point of that useless attempt?" Six

"Useless?... I wonder..." Mal'ach

The large pulse of energy that Six feels from Hibanika suddenly began to weaken and it catches her attention. Six glances over and is shocked to see Hibanika panting from exhaustion while her aura fluxuates poorly.

"Ogre?! What's going on?! You can't be tired already!" Six

"Do not blame the Kijin princess. She used up all of her energy protecting her kingdom before hand after all." Mal'ach

Realising that her magical power is nearly gone Six quickly pulls out a necklace with a stone at the end of it and places it around Hibanika's neck. The stone activates and protects Hibanika from the effect of Mal'ach's region.

"No! Sigma will turn if I-" Hibanika says just as her aura is completely gone and she drops to one knee.

"There is nothing that I can do! I also highly doubt that after coming this far Mal'ach would let us simply go to him." Six

"Him?... Oh that's right. You both brought a straggler along with you. That was quite unwise. I will find out who-" Mal'ach

A loud noise followed by the ground shaking briefly interrupts Mal'ach. It happens again except this time it was louder than the previous one. Seconds later, something bursts through the doors that Hibanika and Six came through. It flies through the room until it crash lands in the center of the room. All eyes are locked to the center of the room to see that the object that flew in was non other than Mal'ach's general who is unconscious and is also covered in large gashes and cuts. A heat wave is suddenly felt and Kenshin who is coated in his black flames casually walks in the room with his black blade Moeru Joo placed over his right shoulder. All eyes are on Kenshin who examines the room and locks eyes with Mal'ach.

"There are no strings on me." Kenshin