"Th...The vice commander of the Revolution?" Tamamo said with wide eyes.
"Yup." Kenshin said crossing his arms with a grin. "Alice gave me the title after I came back from successfully running a pincer assault on the Gold Region."
"Don't be so modest Kenshin, you're the one who came up with the plan." Granberia said jabbing him in the arm.
"Yeah Yeah." Kenshin shrugged. "Anyway, I volunteered to come here, because I obviously knew the area and knew people in the area."
"Huh." Azazel shrugged. "You've matured as a leader."
"I suppose." Kenshin said. "So, do you need the clearance of the Grigori to go anywhere?"
"Well they appreciate it if I let them know ahead of time." Azazel said.
"Wanna help me topple a tyrannical ruler who has the Sword of God?" Kenshin grinned. "It could be awesome research material."
"Ah man don't twist my arm so much. I'm in I'm in." Azazel chuckled.
"Hahaha." Kenshin laughed. "By the way Irina, I'll cover for you knowing about it."
"Aaaah, thanks..." Irina sighed in relief.
"Ok, so that's the rest of your peerage, and a former governor, no disrespect Azazel-San." Erubetie said.
"None taken." Azazel waved her off.
"Wow, Kenshin totally played Azazel-Sensei." Issei said.
"He didn't. I was planning on asking after his meeting." Azazel said.
"Probably to score points with my mother, but whatever." Kenshin shrugged. A coin pelted him in the head. He turned to Hikari who had a pain promising smirk on her face. "S-Sorry."
"Better be." Hikari said.
"If you're going, then so are we." Rias said.
"That depends on the meeting." Kenshin said. "Speaking of which."
(knock knock)
"Come in!" Kenshin and Rias said.
The door opened and Sona and Sairaorg both walked in. "Kenshin, it's time." Sona said.
"Ah, well lead the way." Kenshin said.
Sairaorg jabbed him in the arm as they walked. "When you get your power back in order, let's have another match."
"I'll need to train more with my touki, but sure, absolutely." Kenshin said. "Oh! By the way Sairaorg. This is my Knight Granberia. She's a battle fanatic too."
"I...don't know if I like the way you put that." Granberia said.
"Relax Granby, it just means you like a good fight, which is true." Alma said hanging off her shoulder.
"Oh, well then. It's nice to meet you." Granberia said extending her hand. "Kenshin has mentioned his duel with you to me before. He said you were powerful. He owes me a fight when he gets his power in order as well."
Sairaorg chuckled. "I see I see. Sairaorg Bael. When you wish to duel against me come to the Bael territory." He said.
"I'll keep that in mind." Granberia said as they shook hands.
Alma noticed Issei sparing glances at her chest and walked toward him. "Something on your mind?"
"A-Aah...uhm..." Issei started to sweat as he knew he was caught.
Alma leaned over. "I don't mind if you stare..." She whispered. "I've even gotten Kenshin-Chan to stare a few times."
"E-Eeh?" Issei said. "I knew it! Kenshin finally added someone just for their sex appeal!" Issei thought.
A hand chopped down on her head. Alma turned to see Kenshin staring at her with an irritated glare. "Not right now Alma."
"Ara, I'm just trying to make a good first impression." Alma Elma said.
"There are other ways." Kenshin groaned. "Oh what the hell am I even trying to talk you down for, just save it for later dammit. I swear I have enough problems with you trying to come on to me when I'm trying to plan things out."
"Ufufufu, come on Kenshin-Chan you need to relax a little after this." Alma Elma giggled.
"Ugh..." Kenshin groaned.
"I do concur, not in her particular regard, but you've been running yourself ragged keeping morale up." Erubetie said.
"?" Tamamo glanced at Kenshin. "She's right, even now he looks exhausted, even if he's trying to hide it."
"That's why I'm here, if we get help, that should be a great boost to morale." Kenshin said.
"Why doesn't this Alice help keep morale up?" Xenovia asked.
"Because hers is down too." Kenshin said. "It's coming up though. She's been trying to keep everyone in line since Tamamo came here, but when Luka disappeared and...when Granberia, Erubetie and Alma all bit it. I think she was on the verge of giving up, when I came along. In any case I'll show you all the memories after we're done here.."
"Was this Luka important to her?" Rias asked.
"..." Kenshin let out a sigh. "Rias, think about it like this...how would you feel if I betrayed you?"
"...Oh..." Rias said. "She loved him, didn't she?"
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "She was devastated when I told her who the masked man was...and Granberia, Alma, Erubetie, I'm sorry that I never got around to telling you."
"It's OK." Alma said letting out a sigh.
"Yes..." Erubetie said with her eyes closed.
"It doesn't matter...he betrayed us...he will pay..." Granberia growled.
"Were you all close?" Asia asked.
"I was the first person Luka met and I was his first friend. Granby and Betie here are also close friends of his." Alma answered.
Sona turned to Kenshin. "I hope you have your thoughts in order. The council chambers are just beyond that door." She said.
"I do, thanks Sona." Kenshin said with a smile.
Sona's face flushed slightly and she cleared her throat. "My peerage and I will be watching."
"Same with me." Sairaorg said as he and Sona left.
"Rias, you and your peerage should stay back too." Kenshin said. "The council could see you as being biased. The only ones that should go in with me are Azazel and Tamamo."
"Alright." Rias nodded with a short sigh, knowing he was right. "Come on."
Rias and her peerage left with Yukari and most of Kenshin's own. Kenshin took a breath, exhaled and hung his head. "Whelp...Showtime!"
He pushed the doors open and walked in with Azazel and Tamamo following him in. Sirzechs had just finished speaking. "Ah, Kenshin glad you could join us. You're just in time."
"Yes Lord Sirzechs Lucifer." Kenshin said bowing his head.
"What is Lord Kuroshi doing here? He only just recently appeared to help with the crisis here in Lilith. His presence isn't really required here." Lord Sitri asked.
"Yes, we were expecting the Vice Commander of the Youkai Revolution.." Lord Phenex said.
"Not that it isn't good to see that you are well Kenshin." Lord Gremory said.
"Thank you Lord Gremory, and to answer your question Lord Sitri. I may have only just recently appeared, but I am a member of this council am I not?" Kenshin asked.
"Well, yes I suppose." Lord Sitri said.
"What he implies is that you wouldn't have much to add to the assessment." Lady Agares said.
"I understand Lady Agares." Kenshin nodded. "Now, as for your next order of business, we can begin now. The Vice Commander is here."
"?" Sirzechs and most of the council looked at him oddly. "Is it your queen?"
"Oh, right. I forgot. Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi, Vice Commander of the Youkai Revolution at your service." Kenshin said bowing forward.
A shocked murmur went through the council as they started whispering amongst themselves. "..." Sirzechs stared at Kenshin. "Kenshin are you serious or are you just messing with the council again?"
"Nope." Kenshin said. "I'm one hundred percent serious."
"Wow, Kenshin-Chan's been busy." Serafall said.
"So is this what you've been doing then?" Falbium said.
"Yep. By the way, catch." Kenshin said tossing him a pack of smokes. "On the house."
"Sweet..." Falbium said with a grin as he pocketed them.
"You couldn't have informed us that you were in Makai?" Lord Glaysa Labolas said.
"My apologies, I got swept up in everything. The main part of the Youkai Faction needed help." Kenshin said. "My original plan was to come straight back, but I felt if I ignored the cry for help. There wouldn't be another one."
"Well we can ignore that, I mean you did help our allies." Lord Astaroth said. Most of the council nodded.
"I'm glad to hear that. Truth be told I was nervous you all were gonna grill me for being a deserter or something." Kenshin chuckled warily.
"You had good reason, but I am curious about something Lord Kuroshi." Lord Phenex said.
"What is it?" Kenshin asked.
"There's no devil mana coming from you, care to explain?" Lord Phenex asked.
"There is a seal on my person that is draining the devil mana out of my body. Without it, the Evil Pieces do not recognize me." Kenshin said. "So I returned to what I was before I became a Devil. A demon, or Youkai if you will."
"I see...also my daughter Ravel tells me that my son Raiser's Queen Yubelluna was with you previously. Is she with you now?" Lord Phenex said.
"Yubelluna is fine, she's at Makai with her highness, Demon Queen Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth." Kenshin said. "She's been quite a help to us. I will gladly reimburse you and Raiser for her services."
"Very well. Thank you." Lord Phenex said.
"So then, why have you come here?" Ajuka asked. "I can imagine why, but explain."
"I've come asking for help on behalf of the Youkai Revolution, or as you know them. The Youkai Faction." Kenshin said.
"..." Murmurs went through the council "Ahem. Kuroshi-Dono. We've just come out of a crisis and are still fighting the Khaos Brigade. You yourself should be acutely aware of this, having been involved in several confrontations with the Brigade." Lord Belial said.
"I understand that, but the Demon King, who we are rebelling against has had dealings with the Khaos Brigade, just like Hottan did." Kenshin said. "You'd be taking out another ally of theirs if you help us claim victory."
"Why not call the Kyoto Youkai back and have them help?" Lord Phenex suggested.
"We already have." Kenshin said. "They said they would join the effort after helping you with your crisis, but they alone won't be enough. The Demon King's armies are vast and our morale is only being kept up by my actions."
"We just don't have the armed forces to spare." Lord Sitri asked.
"I'm not asking for your armies. We've got an army and the Kyoto sector of our faction will add to that, but that's about all we've got. The Heavenly Knights, the Grand Cardinals, and a few Taiyoukai. We need more heavy hitting fighters to even the scales." Kenshin said.
"I see..." Lord Gremory said. "You have a lot of substance, but no flair."
"Yes." Kenshin nodded.
Sirzechs stood up. "Well then, you've given us something to think about. The Youkai Faction was willing to spare some of their best fighters to help us, maybe it's time we returned the favor."
"I will say this, regardless of your answer, my peerage and I are headed out, and Azazel here has already agreed to come with me." Kenshin said. "We leave tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?" Lord Sitri asked.
"Because the flow of time is also skewed between here and Makai. A day here for a week there." Kenshin said. "I simply can't spare anymore time than that."
"Hmn..." Sirzechs rubbed his chin in thought. "What's the verdict then everyone? Shall we help out our allies?"
The council murmured amongst themselves before Lord Belial stood up. "We shall assist you, but like we said, we cannot spare an army."
"Like I said. I'm not asking for an army." Kenshin said. "A couple of peerages would be nice though."
"Very well."Sirzechs said with a nod. "The peerages of Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri will be sent along to help you, the experience should do them some good, you may ask anyone else you like individually and if anyone volunteers themselves. They may come with you. Also, Satan Leviathan will be accompanying you to meet with Lady Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth."
"I will go as well." Sirzechs turned to find Grayfia approaching them.
"Grayfia?" Kenshin and Sirzechs said.
"Serafall will require a retainer will she not?" Grayfia asked. "Not to mention they'll need another war experienced mind."
"I don't mind." Serafall shrugged.
"If she want's to come with I won't argue." Kenshin said.
"Very well, Grayfia Lucifuge will assist as well." Sirzechs said. "This meeting is adjou-"
"Wait." Lord Bael appeared on the floor with them.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes at him. "What is it?"
"My son Rasai Bael will also accompany you." Lord Bael said as a circle flared to life near him and out popped a young man with short brown hair, teal shaded eyes wearing the clothes of the Bael clan. (1 )
"..." Kenshin went silent.
"What? Don't tell me you'll let our bad blood get in between my fulfilling my part of the obligations to the Alliance." Lord Bael said. "After all, why have one destruction magic user when you can have two?"
From his vantage point Sairaorg narrowed his eyes. "What is he planning?"
"What is his deal?" Tamamo thought with a sidelong glare.
"I will do all I can to assist you." Rasai said bowing forward.
"...Very well." Kenshin said. "I believe Lord Sirzechs was about to adjourn the meeting, so I'll be leaving. Lords Gremory and Sitri. You have my word that I will keep your daughters and their servants safe."
"Thank you." Lord Sitri said.
"I know you will." Lord Gremory said.
"Meet me at Kyoto at Eight AM sharp. If you're late I'm leaving you behind." Kenshin said to Rasai and Azazel.
"Got it." Azazel said.
"As you wish." Rasai said.
(break)
Later.
Kenshin was sitting in his room at the Gremory Castle when a astral projection appeared. It was Michael. "Michael." Kenshin said. "I was wondering when you'd contact me."
"I've been busy." Michael said. "I'll cut right to the chase. Did you face my father's weapon in battle?"
"Yes." Kenshin nodded. "Irina knew about it, but I asked her not to tell you. How did you know?"
"I felt it." Michael said. "...And you were right to keep this information from me for the time being. If I had confirmed it...I probably would have dropped everything and went after it."
"I'm sorry Michael. I just didn't think putting Heaven in a vulnerable position was the right thing to do." Kenshin said. "I mean it is a literal piece of your father we're talking about here."
"It's fine." Michael said. "So, I hear your gathering forces here to take back to Makai."
"Yes. Would you like to volunteer anyone?" Kenshin asked.
"All I can spare is Irina." Michael said. "That you know and would be easy to strategize with."
"Well at least she won't be too far from Issei." Kenshin said. "I'll take her."
"Ok, and Kenshin...recover the Tsurugi no Kami for me." Michael said.
"Count on it." Kenshin said. "I don't like that bastard running around with it anymore than you do."
Michael nodded and left the room. Kenshin got up and left the room. He was met by Issei. "What's up?"
"Oh! Uhm, Chief wanted me to tell you that everyone's ready." Issei said.
"Ah." Kenshin nodded. "Lead the way then."
Issei led Kenshin to the main room of the Gremory Castle where Rias, her peerage, his peerage, minus Granberia, Erubetie and Alma who decided to return to Makai for the time being. Sona and her peerage. Irina, Grayfia, Serafall, Sairaorg, Ravel and surprising to him at least, Raiser. "Huh, is this everyone?" Kenshin asked.
"Yeah, but your Knight, Rook and Pawn said they were leaving to go back to Makai." Sona said.
"They told me already." Kenshin said. He was approached by Raiser.
"I heard you've got my Queen Yubelluna." Raiser said. "I'm coming with you to check on her."
"Onii-Sama, we're both going with, Mom and Dad are even sending the instructions on how to make Phoenix Tears with us." Ravel said with a huff.
"Really? Awesome. Anyway Raiser, Yubelluna is fine and she chose to go with me, as you will see." Kenshin said. "Like I said to your father, I will pay you for her services."
Raiser nodded and walked back to where he came from. Kenshin approached Yukari and handed her an orb. "Alright everyone sit down I guess." Yukari said as she cast the spell.
Everyone appeared in the usual white space. "What the hell? ! Why am I naked? !" Raiser shouts.
"Think of your clothes." Kenshin called out.
"Oh...wait!" Raiser looked over at Rias. "...Aww..." He bemoaned his luck as Rias was already dressed.
"Nice try." Rias huffed. "This is my third go around with this spell."
"Alright, Yukari hand me control of the spell." Kenshin said. Yukari nodded and did as he asked. "Alright everyone. Please try not to interrupt. This is a lengthy memory to get through, case in point by the time we're done, an hour or more will have passed outside."
"Go ahead. I'm interested in seeing what it is you've been doing since your quote unquote death." Sairaorg said.
"Alright. Seeing as most of you have seen my revival, I just start from where you left off." Kenshin said. "And the Flashback begins...Now!"
(flashback)
Five Days ago in the Underworld. Five weeks ago in Makai.
Kenshin helped Yubelluna to her feet. "Will you be OK?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes." Yubelluna said with a nod. "Thank you.
"Of course." Kenshin said with a smile. He turned his head and saw Issei's Scale Mail. "Oi, Issei are you OK in there?"
"Partner is asleep." Ddraig said. "Or at the very least unconscious."
Kenshin nodded. "He will live though right?"
"Yes, that's his new body over there." Ddraig said lifting the Scale Mail's left arm and pointing at the cocoon just ahead.
"I see..." Kenshin said.
"We prioritized you." Ophis said. "I knew your body better."
"Huh?" Kenshin said.
"Your new body is made of Great Red's flesh with my power running through you." Ophis said. "It should have made you stronger."
"Huh, neat." Kenshin said. "Thanks Ophis, and thanks Great Red!"
"Yup." Great Red said.
"Of course." Ophis said.
"The Leader of the terrorists is this little girl?" Yubelluna asked.
"Was." Kenshin corrected. "They've more or less fired her."
"I see." Yubelluna said. "Um..it's an honor to meet you, Infinity Dragon...Goddess?" She said.
"Whatever works." Ophis shrugged.
Kenshin walked forward, past Yubelluna. "..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?" Yubelluna asked.
"Shh." Kenshin said. "I hear someone."
"Someone...anyone...please help...! !"
"Nngh..." Kenshin grunted holding his head.
"Tamamo...if you're still alive out there, please come back...! We need your help...!"
"This voice..." Kenshin said. "I...I remember it!"
"What voice? I...I don't hear anything." Yubelluna said.
"I don't either." Ophis said.
"Ditto." Great Red said.
"?" Kenshin turned to Yubelluna and Ophis. "Seriously? They don't hear it? Not even Ophis or Great Red?"
"What is it?" Yubelluna asked.
"Someone calling for help. Specifically from my Queen, Tamamo." Kenshin said. "...Great Red is it possible for me to get to Makai?"
"Makai? Sure, hell if you're in a hurry take some of my scales. Crush one in your hand and think of where you're going and a portal will open." Great Red said.
"Thanks...wait won't it hurt if I rip your scales off?" Kenshin asked.
"Nah, it will tickle." Great Red said.
Kenshin nodded and took several of Great Red's scales. "Thanks again." Kenshin said.
"Kenshin, what about your family, and Lady Rias and your friends and loved ones?" Yubelluna said.
"..." Kenshin stopped for a moment and looked down.
"They think you're dead." Yubelluna said.
"..." Kenshin let out a sigh. "...I...I know, but...I feel like if I don't answer this call for help, there isn't going to be another one. I'll take my punishment for taking so long to come back to them later." He passed Yubelluna a scale. "Here, use this to get back to the Underworld."
"..." Yubelluna grabbed his wrist and pushed his hand down. "I owe you a debt. I would have died if you hadn't caught me. I'll assist you."
"You're sure?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes. Raiser-Sama will probably be upset sure, but I'll accept punishment if he sees fit to give it to me." Yubelluna said.
"...I wonder, would that really even be punishment for you?" Kenshin asked with a coy grin.
"...Contrary to what you might be thinking...all he's ever done was grope me and initiate a few makeout sessions." Yubelluna said. "Though I'm not a virgin, he hasn't touched me in that regard."
"Oh, well my apologies." Kenshin said. "So, do you need a moment or..."
"Actually no. I feel energized actually." Yubelluna said.
"You're welcome." Great Red said. "By the way Kenshin, those scales will only work here in the Dimensional Gap."
"OK. Well, let's get a move on." Kenshin said crushing the scale in his hand. "Makai!" He announced. A portal opened up. He extended his hand to Yubelluna. "Better hang on, just in case."
"Yes." Yubelluna said taking his hand.
"Ophis, I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Issei." Kenshin said.
"...Fine." Ophis grumbled.
Kenshin and Yubelluna walked through the portal and they found themselves in a field. "...?" They looked around. "Where are we?" Yubelluna asked.
"I don't know." Kenshin said. "I probably should have mentioned that I haven't explored very much of Makai."
"Please help...!"
"!" Kenshin's head snapped toward the northwest. "..." He sniffed the air. "The smell of battle." Kenshin said. "Come on!"
Yubelluna brought out her wings and followed after Kenshin. "So what can we expect?" She asked.
"In a short answer. A battlefield. Makai is embroiled in a civil war according to Tamamo." Kenshin said. "I was originally planning to come and assist the Youkai Revolution after the Middle Class Devil exams." Kenshin said.
"I see. You really don't cut any corners when you do something insane." Yebelluna said. "Well, in for a penny, in for a pound I guess."
"Thank you again." Kenshin said. "This way." He said shifting north northwest, Yubelluna followed after him. They came upon a battle in progress, the northward forces were pushing back the the southern forces. "..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Homunculi."
"Which ones?" Yubelluna asked.
"The northward forces." Kenshin said. "Hm?" He heard the voice calling out for help again and turned, seeing a figure standing on a hill overlooking the battlefield. She was blasting away homunculi. "There! The ones attacking that person are all homunculi."
"Got it!" Yubelluna said extending her hand forward, her magic circle appearing in front. All the homunculi attacking the figure exploded.
"Nice!" Kenshin said as they landed near the figure.
The figure was of a woman. She had long flowing silver hair with red eye emblem on her bangs. She had golden, serpentine eyes, blue violet colored skin. She wore a black sleeveless top that stopped under her chest and a skirt with light purple trimming. The skirt was fastened with decorative gold that lined the top of it. Her top barely covered her rather large chest. She also wore a pair of skin tight black gloves with red/yellow eyes on the sides of the arms she also had a similar eye adorning her chest, Kenshin assumed it was a necklace or something. She had a tribal marking on the left side of her torso. Her lower body was that of a snake. A large tail, dark red in color that got lighter as it got to the tip. She reacted immediately and wrapped her tail around Kenshin. "Who are you? !" She asked with wide, glaring eyes, panting heavily.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! Relax! Relax! I'm here to help!" Kenshin said waving his hands which were pinned against him with a slightly panicked expression.
"!" She released him. "...I've never seen you before."
"I've never lived in Makai." Kenshin said adjusting his clothes. "But I heard someone calling for help."
"? !" Her eyes went wide. "Di...Did this man hear me?"
"Well, just by your expression I can tell it was you." Kenshin said. "Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi at your service." He said with a polite bow as he extended his hand and slashed a homunculus' head off.
"Oh! Er...Alice or Alipheese Fateburn the Sixteenth. I am the...uh Queen of Demons." She introduced, unsure of how to process this.
"Pleased to meet you. I'll just stick to Alice." Kenshin said. "So you're the Queen that Tamamo won't quit worrying about."
"Tamamo's alive? !" Alice asked.
"Yes." Kenshin said. "I'll explain myself later. My friend here is Yubelluna."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance your highness." Yubelluna said bowing politely as Kenshin turned toward the battlefield.
"So what's going on here?" Kenshin asked.
"We were attacked suddenly by my...former husband..." Alice growled. "He apparently had enough of the ceasefire."
"I see." Kenshin said. "...Hm..." He rubbed his chin in thought.
"What are you thinking about Kenshin-Sama?" Yubelluna asked.
"Just Kenshin, and...I have an idea." Kenshin said turning his head to Alice. "Pull all of your soldiers back."
"What? !" Alice said. "I'm trying to win this war, if I pull back now we've got next to no where to run you idiot!" She said shaking him by the shoulders.
"Re-la-aaa-aaaxxx!" Kenshin said. "I just need to know who not to attack! When I go down there and dive into the fray send everyone back in!"
"...Oh." Alice said letting him go. "It's true that homunculi give off a unique signature."
"It's not really that it's a unique signature. It's that you can sense their mana and youki coming from their core." Kenshin said.
Alice closed her eyes. "Everyone, fall back! Fall back! Don't argue with me, fall back!"
Kenshin looked out and noticed the armies closest to them running back toward them. "Alright...Yubelluna stay here and protect Alice from any stragglers. If too many swarm Alice and she gets taken out then the battle is lost."
Yubelluna nodded. "Very well."
Kenshin nodded back and took off. "So...I wonder what powers I can still use."
"Well, there's the Serene Conqueror and Serene Mind skills are still there, it's just that they won't work as well without Undine." Yuurei said. "Then there's me."
"You're still here?" Kenshin thought as he closed in on the homunculi forces.
"My life is tied to yours Partner, if you die I die, if you're revived I'm revived." Yuurei said. "How cruel though! You really thought I was dead? !"
"I could have only hoped." Kenshin thought.
"You really are like Raggy." Yuurei said with a laugh.
"I'm his reincarnation but I'm not exactly like him." Kenshin said with a sweatdrop.
Kenshin landed in between the two armies. "Ok Kenshin, show me what you're made of." He heard Alice say.
"...Very well!" Kenshin said letting out a full burst of Serene Conqueror as he faced the homunculi army.
"!" The homunculi army focused on him.
Kenshin unsheathed his sword. "Alright Yuurei, I don't think I'll need you here. Do you care?"
"Sure." Yuurei shrugged. "Go ahead, test the limits of your body."
Kenshin held Kuroi Jigoku in one hand and his naginata in the other. He calmly walked toward the homunculus army. "..." He notice a few of them step back hesitantly. Kenshin started jogging at them.
"Relax! He's just one man! What can he do? !" One of the leaders shouted.
"..." Kenshin started full on sprinting at them.
"SLAUGHTER HIM! !" The leaders shouted.
The homunculi let out a battle cry and started running at Kenshin. When they met, bodies started flying with fatal wounds. Kenshin ducked under a sword swipe and punched a homunculus dead in the face.
Alice watched as Kenshin jumped off of one and leaped further into the fray, grabbing one of the homunculi and throwing them hard into their allies. Kenshin received a few slashes, but dealt out more fatal ones as his wounds regenerated. His eyes darted all over the battlefield before taking off, crashing further into the homunculus army.
"Lady Alice, I think now would be a good time to order your troops back in." Yubelluna said as she blew away another homunculus.
"Right." Alice said. "Everyone, push forward! Yes push forward! The last command was to lure them in!"
"Hm?" Kenshin said as he caught a flaming arrow rigged to explode. He stabbed it into a random homunculus' chest and kicked him back. He blew up taking tens of the force with him.
"Ninefold Rakshasa!" Kenshin said charging forward, slashing wildly. He caught the arm of an attacking female homunculus forcing him to drop his sword, twisted her arm until it popped and slammed her into the ground. The momentum springing him up. He saw two others coming in and kicked them both in the face with enough force to snap their necks. He landed, stabbing his naginata into the one he slammed into the ground, killing her and sprinted forward, he threw his naginata. "Touki!" He said gaining a burst of speed as he sheathed Kuroi Jigoku. Moving ahead of his blade. He caught it after it had killed twenty or so.
He leaped across the battlefield with it still spinning and killed a few flying homunculi before spinning it overhead and slamming it into the ground, ruining everyone's footing. He flew forward and grabbed one more homunculus and blocked the arrows from another. Kenshin tossed that one to the side and blasted the homunculus that shot at him with Serene Conqueror.
"? !" She froze in fright and was cut down. Her quiver of arrows slipping out and one of them going into the air. Kenshin caught it and threw it into the chest of an oncoming one, killing him.
"Jeez these things are weak. These must be the lowest caliber of homunculus, easy to pump out, but having to rely on their numbers to win." Kenshin thought.
Suddenly a rush of wind blasted Kenshin backward. He caught his bearings and looked over to see a harpy holding a sphere of wind. She shot it forward, sending it right at him. However a figure cut in between them and blocked it. It was a male harpy with tan skin, a bald head wearing tribal pants. "Hey I remember you, you helped the Hero Faction in Kyoto!" Kenshin said.
"You must be referring to my homunculus, that has no doubt been remade. I am Jordan, Co-Chieftain of the Harpy tribes." Jordan said.
"Yeah, thanks for lookin' out." Kenshin said.
"Don't worry about the flying ones. My men and women will handle them." Jordan said as multiple harpys and crow demons amongst others charged forward meeting the flying homunculi.
"Right. I'll leave you to it. You know how to sense out their cores right?" Kenshin asked.
"We have a few who can, but it's not that hard to predict." Jordan said. "It's good to see you back Luka."
"I'm not Luka, where is he anyway?" Kenshin asked.
"He vanished sometime ago." Jordan said. "Hmn...if you're not Luka, then whatever. Thanks for your assistance."
"Yup, name's Kenshin by the way." Kenshin said landing on the ground.
"Hmph." Jordan said before turning to a crowd of homunculi and flapping his wings. "Storm Quills!" He shouts firing off razor sharp quills at them, killing them all. "Everyone! They're in disarray, finish them!"
Kenshin landed on the ground and was about to go back into the fray when a figure cut by him and started beheading homunculi left and right with hand scythes. Kenshin notice he wore a white light jacket and baggy white pants and had long black hair. Kenshin turned a slashed a homunculus across the chest and took the man's back. "You're pretty good with those things." Kenshin said.
"Heh, trained all my life with 'em. Inutora by the way." Inutora said.
"Kenshin." Kenshin said. "Now, let's go!"
"Now you're speakin' my language!" Inutora smirked and the two dove into the fray slicing away at the homunculus army.
The two put space between each other and Kenshin ran into a tan skinned man wearing a black vest and shorts, an odd shaped tail and pink hair tied into a short tail. He was flinging flames of his arms and legs. Kenshin stabbed a homunculus that was about to stab the man through the heart. "Oh? Thank you dear." He said with a demure grin. "Maybe after this we could have a little fun."
"Sorry buddy I'm not into men. Though I'm sure you could tie up one later." Kenshin said.
"Aw, you don't know that, don't be so restrictive." The man pouted.
"I'm pretty sure I do." Kenshin said. "What's your name?"
"Bureijin, and suit yourself. I was gonna invite a few women too." Bureijin said. "Don't just assume I only like men because I invited you."
"Sorry, but I've got a few ladies waiting on me back home." Kenshin said. "Also, my bad."
"Ooh a harem, lucky!" Bureijin said. "It's alright by the way we just met."
"Yeah Yeah, let's just focus." Kenshin said.
"Right Right, still in the middle of battle. Hey, Akatama managed to get himself in a bit of a pickle, could you go bail him out?" Bureijin asked.
"Sure." Kenshin said. Bureijin points out where Akatama was. "Hey, what's going on here? I clearly saw an army on the south side."
"Most are exhausted. This battle has been going on for a couple of days now." Bureijin said. "They will be joining in shortly. Jordan and his people are just eager to have this end."
"I see." Kenshin said. He leaped over the battlefield and saw a red haired elf wearing a blue gi wielding a bladed polearm surrounded by homunculi. The group behind him charged him. "Katensho!" Kenshin shouts sending his father's signature attack at them, burning them away. Kenshin landed next to him and helped him up. "Ready for another bout?" Kenshin asked.
"I'm just getting started." He said. "Akatama by the way."
"Kenshin." Kenshin said.
"Thank you for your assistance, any and all is greatly appreciated." Akatama said swiping his polearm from side to side, cleaving down bunches of the homunculi at once.
"Of course." Kenshin said as he spun and stepped around, swinging naginata and nodachi fluidly. "Why do I sense dragon from you?"
"My father was a dragon youkai. He was actually a member of the banished Kuroshi clan." Akatama said.
"No shit? !" Kenshin said. "My full name is Kuroshi Tsuki Kenshin!"
"Haha! So I guess that makes us distant cousins then!" Akatama laughed. "Alright, the bulk of our forces have had enough rest. Lady Alipheese, let's push them back!"
"I agree." Alice said as she and Yubelluna picked off stragglers. "Everyone, charge forward!"
Kenshin and Akatama stopped fighting as demons, too many for Kenshin to count rushed by and took down the rest while any others ran away. Kenshin sheathed his sword and cast away his naginata. "This day belongs to you." Kenshin said.
"Yes, but the homunculi know how we all fight. Maou Forbesii programmed them that way." Akatama said. "We've lost a lot of good people." He said with a sigh.
"..." Kenshin looked around. While the dead homunculi were turning to dust, he did see bodies that were not and there were quite a lot. "I see...well that is the price of war, it's sad, but to overthrow a tyrant...it has to be done."
"You've met him?" Akatama asked.
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "Do what you have to. I'm going to speak with the Queen."
Akatama nodded. Kenshin brought out his wings and flew back to the overlooking hill. "Well, you've seen what I can do, and Yubelluna here is pretty capable herself." Kenshin said.
Yubelluna's cheeks tinted red a bit at the praise. Alice closed her eyes with a sigh. "Yes, but...I don't mean to slight your skills, but...we lost a lot of man power."
"I heard." Kenshin said. "But that's the decision they made. In a war like this, there's no ruler, just...who would they rather follow? They chose to follow you."
"I know..." Alice said. "Yet still I..." She lowered her head.
"..." Kenshin nodded. "I understand. Come on, let's head back to the place you call your headquarters."
"...Are you sure you want to side with us?" Alice asked as Kenshin and Yubelluna walked past her. "We are fighting this war, but we're losing badly."
"Yes..." Kenshin said. "I have a score to settle with the Demon King. If you're going against him, I'm with you."
Alice stared at his back. "...Thank you." She said closing her eyes.
Alice, Yubelluna and Kenshin made their way to a nearby port town. "This is Port Natalia. The land we're in currently is called the Natalia Region on the Sentora continent." Alice said.
"Tamamo showed me a map once of Makai. It kinda looks like something out of an RPG." Kenshin said.
"Really?" Yubelluna said.
"Yeah, she said Sentora is a massive continent kinda like Pangaea was when the dinosaurs were roaming the Earth, you know before the asteroid hit and broke all that up and killed all the dinosaurs." There's a continent to the south called the Masouen continent and one to the north called Hellgondo where the capitol Rashoumen is situated."
"That's only half the land. There's two hemispheres to every planet it's just the other side somewhat uninhabitable due to it being the battlefield for the Divine Wars." Alice said.
"Huh, Tamamo must never have gotten to that part." Kenshin shrugged.
"Then there's the Divine Realms where the Goddess of Light lives with her angels." Alice said. "It's high above Makai. Though they've been quiet for a long time. Last time there was a real incident between Makai and there was when Heinrich Hein went on a rampage up there."
"Heinrich Hein huh?" Kenshin said."What did they do to him?"
"I don't know." Alice said. "If you don't mind, there's something I have to look into so please wait for me at the inn."
"..." Kenshin saw the look on her face. "She looks...miserable." Kenshin thought.
"What?" Alice asked with narrowed eyes, changing her expression.
"Let me come with." Kenshin said.
"...Haa.." Alice sighed. "Very well."
Alice led Kenshin and Yubelluna to a nearby warehouse and entered. Kenshin saw three bodies on the floor. Well...two bodies and a puddle. "What's this...?" Yubelluna asked.
"They're dead." Kenshin said.
"They were alive until shortly before this battle began. I was going to have them buried. Alma Elma and Granberia anyway." Alice said with a distant look in her eyes. "Erubetie I would have just had put into a container, taken back to her home and Undine could lay her to rest."
"..." Kenshin walked up to them and knelt down.
"What are you doing?" Alice asked.
"Tell me, what were their strengths and weaknesses?" Kenshin asked.
"Wha?" Alice said.
"Kenshin, are you thinking of adding them to your peerage?" Yubelluna asked.
"Thinking about trying it." Kenshin said.
"Peerage?" Alice asked.
"Long story short. With these." Kenshin said holding out his second Knight piece. "I can resurrect the dead, but I can do so only so many times. What I like to do is give them the piece that corresponds to their weakness to bring it up."
"You can bring them back? !" Alice asked with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"I can't promise anything, but I can try." Kenshin said. "Now, Strengths and weaknesses."
"...Well, Granberia was a strong all around warrior, but she had a weakness in wind magic and speed overall." Alice said.
"Alright, I was thinking Pawn, but now I'm thinking Knight." Kenshin said placing the night piece on Granberia's chest. "The purplette?"
"Alma Elma is the Succubus Queen. She's pretty much the opposite of Granberia in most aspects, she counters well, knows martial arts and is a master of wind magic." Alice said.
"Rook." Kenshin said setting his Rook piece on Alma Elma's chest. "So she has better defense."
"Erubetie is the Slime Queen. As the name implies she can change her shape, she doesn't have any real weaknesses, but no real strengths either." Alice said.
"Pawn." Kenshin said. "If I deem her to be in enemy territory she can promote to Bishop which is heightened magic, Rook, which is heightened strength and defense, a Knight which is heightened speed, or a Queen which has the traits of all three."
"It sounds like you'd be making them your servants." Alice said.
"I will, but don't worry I'll roll with you on most things." Kenshin said.
"I see..." Alice nodded slowly with a narrowed eyed look.
Kenshin walked up to Granberia first. "I command thee, Granberia, on my name Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi. Become my servant and once more return thy soul to this land and become a Devil. Thou shall lead a new life of great joy as my Knight!"
Alice watched as he chanted, a magic circle appearing under Granberia as the piece sunk into her chest. The circle faded and Kenshin knelt down, placing his fingers on her neck. "Well...?"
"It worked. She's alive." Kenshin said as he walked over to Alma Elma and repeated the same chant, the same thing happening. "That worked..." He moved to Erubetie's puddle and repeated it one final time. "Annd...?" He said as the four Pawn pieces vanished into the slime.
The slime began to bubble and pulse as it started to gain a form. It grew and formed into the shape of a woman. "It worked...I guess." Kenshin said.
"Hnnn...?" Erubetie, Alma and Granberia all opened their eyes. They sat up. Alma stretched and yawned. "Fuaaahhh...that was a good nap." Alma said rolling her neck around.
"It wasn't a nap, you were dead." Kenshin said.
"?" They all turned to him. "Luka? Where have you been? !" Granberia snapped angrily.
"I'm not Luka. I just look like him." Kenshin said.
"Now that he mentions it...he does..." Alice thought.
"What did you do?" Erubetie asked. "If we were dead, how are we back?"
"I resurrected you all as my Knight." Points to Granberia. "Rook." Points to Alma. "and Pawn." Kenshin said pointing at Erubetie. "I am a devil that used to be a dragon/neko hybrid youkai. I'm Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi."
"How does that work?" Alma asked curiously.
"We devils are on the brink of extinction. So one of our leaders devised a way to rebirth people we want as servants using objects called Evil Pieces. You are now devils yourselves. Don't worry you keep all the power you had previously." Kenshin said
"Servants...that would imply you're stronger than us." Granberia said with a glare. "Prove it."
"As it stands now. I'm not, but I guess my King piece, which is the boss piece of a peerage recognized my full power still."
"Did I hear that right? You're NOT at full power right now?" Alice asked.
"Nope." Kenshin said.
"Then how do you plan to take on Forbesii exactly?" Alice asked with questioning glare.
"While I'm here I'll be seeking out the Yonseirei." Kenshin said.
"The four spirits?" Alma Elma asked.
"Yup." Kenshin said. "Can't use the elements very effectively without them."
"Very well. I'll wait until you get your power back, but at that point you owe me a match." Granberia said.
"Deal." Kenshin said.
(break, Flashback End)
"So that basically covers my first day." Kenshin said. "The next battle was just about the same, except Luka gets the drop on me, slaps me with that seal and all that."
"If it's that easy, why do you need help?" Sairaorg asked.
"Because Forbesii's army has a lot of rank and file, but he's also making homunculi of other demon lords or Taiyoukai. Case in point, Tamamo. Yao your second in command at Yamatai had to fight herself."
"Seriously?" Tamamo said with a look of slight disbelief. "Is she OK?"
"Yeah, she's healing right now, but she'll pull through OK." Kenshin said. "If she hasn't by the time we get there. Then there's demons that have sided with Forbesii of their own accord. Anyway I won't be going over the second attack, just know that in this next one. I'm a demon again. By the way Raiser, are you going to punish Yubelluna?"
"...No, I'll probably just reprimand her for making us worry." Raiser said crossing his arms.
"Ok. Alright everyone get ready." Kenshin said.
Everyone nodded and Kenshin restarted the memory after finding an appropriate place.
(Flashback start...again)
A week after Kenshin arrived in Makai.
Kenshin was walking through Port Natalia. Yubelluna was at his side. "You know you don't have to follow me everywhere, take in the sights if you want. You know how to get in touch with me." Kenshin said.
"Is my presence bothering you?" Yubelluna asked.
"No, it's just I don't want you to feel like you need to follow me around." Kenshin said.
"It's alright. I don't know where I'd want to go right now anyway." Yubelluna said.
"Alright." Kenshin said.
"Heey! Kenshin-Sama, Yubel-Chan, you want something to eat?" The two turned to a mermaid at a stand selling odd food items.
"Uhm..." Yubelluna said with an unsure look.
"Sure." Kenshin said dropping a large sack of gold on the stand, taking the grilled sea amenome and slapping in a seal.
"K-Kenshin-Sama this is..." She tried to say.
"Nonsense. Now go find better wares, like catch a few fish or ask someone to get some deer meat for you." Kenshin said waving her off and walking away.
Yubelluna followed after Kenshin. "I thought you were frugal." Yubelluna said.
"I am, but she needed the money, she was basically living in poverty." Kenshin said.
"And you don't think it's offensive that you told her to go catch fish?" Yubelluna asked.
"It's not, I've spoken to a few of the mermaids and mermen around here, they actually farm the fish and let people catch a few. Where do you think I got that fish we had for dinner last night? You did great on it by the way." Kenshin said.
"Th-Thank you." Yubelluna said with a soft blush.
"Kenshin." The two of them saw Akatama standing ahead of them .
"What's up?" Kenshin asked.
"Do you happen to know what's wrong with her highness?" Akatama asked. "No one can get to her."
"..." Kenshin closed his eyes. "Come to the outskirts of town with me." Akatama nodded and followed Kenshin and Yubelluna. "So how's Shirotama?" Kenshin asked.
"My sister is fine." Akatama said.
"She's a Yuki-Onna, you're a dragon elf, did your mother adopt?" Yubelluna asked.
"You could say that." Akatama said.
The group of three arrived at the outskirts. "OK, so what's up Kenshin?" Akatama said.
"Well...first. I thought you should know that Shin Tatsu is dead." Kenshin said.
"...How?" Akatama said.
"Forbesii." Kenshin said.
"Dammit!" Akatama cursed. "So not even the JuuGodaime Maou could best him!"
"..." Kenshin said nothing to start. "Yeah, well...it gets worse."
"What?" Akatama said.
"That masked man that turned me back into a demon, and killed Granberia, Alma and Erubetie...I made him the moment I saw him." Kenshin said.
"You already know who he is?" Akatama asked.
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "But, what I am about to say, it stays between us, and the Grand Cardinals. If this gets out, it will obliterate morale."
"?" Akatama said. "Who?"
"...It was Luka." Kenshin said.
"!" Akatama grabbed Kenshin by his shirt. "Tell me...you're lying...tell me!"
"I'm not." Kenshin said. "Forbesii made contact with him, and got in his head."
"He started the Youkai Revolution! He literally struck the first blow on Forbesii! That's why he looks the way he does now! His body changed or evolved or something!" Akatama said. "You're telling me Forbesii managed to turn our Vice Commander? !"
"Yes." Kenshin said. "Let me tell you why."
"I'm listening..." Akatama said.
Kenshin told Akatama about his death at age ten, and what happened when he was revived. "The rest...is well...history."
"..." Akatama closed his eyes, his arms crossed. "So you're Luka's other half?"
"Was." Kenshin said. "When I became a devil our souls regenerated and we basically became ourselves, body and soul. I don't think Luka ever knew that."
"I see." Akatama said. "So is that the reason you're here?"
"Part of it." Kenshin nodded. "I was always going to come here eventually, bring Tamamo back with me, but things happened that made that impossible."
"I see..." Akatama said. "I see why she's holed herself up now...the loss of her father, the betrayal of the one who she loved...it must all be so devastating for her."
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "Until she comes out I suppose you and Knights are in charge, but. I had an idea for a tactical assault if you'd be willing to listen."
"An idea to go on the offensive? Hell yeah I'm in." Akatama said with a small smirk. "I'll gather everyone. Meet us at the warehouse."
"We do a lot of our army stuff in that warehouse don't we?" Kenshin asked.
"We used to do it at Yamatai until we were pushed back." Akatama shrugged.
"Right." Kenshin said with a nod. "Whelp, let's get a move on Yubelluna."
"Yes Kensh-" She was cut off by a distant yell.
"Keeeeeeennnnnnsshhhiiiinnnnn...! !" A fairy crashed into Kenshin's face.
"Huh?" Kenshin grabbed her by her green dress only to realize that it was Sylph. "Sylph?"
"Kenshin-Chan! Oh my god I can't believe it, you're alive!" Sylph said hugging her body against the ridge of his nose.
"Sylph." Kenshin said tugging her off of him again. "It's good to see you again. How have you been."
"Well other than being sad at your death. I've been fine! Tell me how are you back here again. No don't, wait yes do! A-Aaahh! I don't know anymore!" Sylph's hands went through her hair manically as she lost her words.
"Sylph..." Kenshin smiled and placed her in his palm. "It's OK. I'm really here, as for how I'm back. I'd rather explain when I've gotten you all together again." He pet her head with his finger. "So, can I reform my contract with you?"
"Uhm..." Sylph said rubbing her cheeks which were tinted red. "Kenshin-Chan..." She flew up and whispered in his ear.
"Eh?" Kenshin said. "E-Eh?...Eeeehhh? !" His eyes went wide with surprise.
"Yeah, here wouldn't be a good place, come to my forest when you got some time. Here take out your map." Sylph said.
Kenshin nodded and took out his map. Sylph touched a forested area in North Natalia. "There?"
"Yup Yup! That's my forest. Be seeing you!" Sylph said as she flew away.
"She reminds me of Ile and Nel..." Yubelluna said.
"Raiser's chainsaw wielding Pawns?" Kenshin said. "Yeah I can kinda see what you're talking about. She is hyperactive."
(break)
A little while later.
"So let me get this straight, you wanna launch a tactical assault on the Gold Region, where, outside of Hellgondo, Forbesii's control is strongest?" Inutora asked.
"Yeah?" Kenshin said.
"Awesome, I'm in." Inutora said with a wide grin.
"That easy?" Yubelluna asked.
"I've been itching to move on those sons of bitches for awhile now." Inutora said.
"While I share his eagerness, what is the plan?" Jordan asked.
"Alright...the plan is to run a pincer." Kenshin said interlocking his fingers.
"...And how do we do that?" Akatama asked. "The west end of the Gold Region's completely blocked off by mountains." He points at the area in question.
"We go through them." Kenshin said.
"Impossible, they're impassible." Erubetie said.
"Will you let me finish!" Kenshin snapped.
"OK...what is it you want to try and do?" A harpy woman with flowing white hair, green eyes and pink feathers wearing a green bodice asked.
"Right here Queen Harpy." Kenshin said pointing at the impassible mountains. "We can't pass through them, but what if we cut a path through them?"
"..." Everyone around him went into thought. "Hmn..."
Finally Bureijin spoke up. "It would be difficult."
"We're in a war, we don't exactly have a position to be bitchy from." Kenshin said.
"That's a lot of work though, by the way for future reference, I am the interim Harpy Queen while my sister is ill, and my name is Reina." She introduced
"Nice to meet you." Kenshin said. "And, are we afraid to put in a little elbow grease? It's gonna be awhile before it's done anyway."
"OK, but what about water, the Safina Desert isn't gonna be kind to us." Akatama said.
"I actually scouted ahead, there's an oasis right...here." Alma said placing her finger near the mountain range. "It's rather large."
"And my idea was to dig right...here." Kenshin said placing his finger close to hers and drawing two 'X's where their fingers were. "We set up camp here at the oasis and work days and nights cutting through the mountain." Kenshin said. "If you're concerned about the cold nights I have plenty of firewood in my seals and we'll be taking shifts so no one feels overworked.
"OK, so that's one end of the pincer, what's the other end gonna be doing?" Granberia asked.
"The other end's objective is a search and rescue mission." Kenshin said. "The target." He places a picture of a woman with brown insect like eyes, silver hair with pitch black limbs and a gray chest and stomach. "Ari, the Queen of the Ant Demons."
"Hmn...I think I'm starting to see the logic in your plan Kenshin." Akatama said. "But if you call the bulk of Forbesii's forces over to you, won't you be overwhelmed.
"That's why we're only cutting a small path, big enough for us. We funnel them in and suddenly those massive numbers don't count for shit." Kenshin said.
"Hmn...alright, I think we can pull this off, who goes where?" Alma asked.
"Well. I'm obviously going for the path route. I was thinking of taking Granberia, Inutora, and Jordan as well as a chunk of the army's stronger fighters." Kenshin said. "Which leaves Akatama, Erubetie, Alma and Bureijin to go for the search and rescue mission with a smaller squad."
"Please take one of them..." Akatama sighed with an exasperated expression. "One Succubus or Incubus is enough. Both are just overkill."
"Uhm...Alma." Kenshin said. "She did the scout work."
"OK so the teams are as follows. Kenshin, Inutora, Alma Elma, Jordan and Granberia will lead a battalion to dig through the mountain. While Akatama, Erubetie and Bureijin take one to rescue Ari the Ant Queen." Reina said. "I'll stay here and command the rest of the army to make sure we aren't jumped in the mean time."
"Sounds good." Kenshin and Akatama said. "Akatama, you're the leader of the Search and Rescue squad, when you're not available everyone answers to Erubetie."
"Got it." Akatama said.
"Alright. It's still early, Jordan, Inutora, Alma. Round up the stronger troops and tell them to make for the the north west outskirts." Kenshin said.
Kenshin, Yubelluna and Granberia walked out to the outskirts. "Funny..." Yubelluna said.
"What's up?" Kenshin asked.
"You always said you were a bad strategist, yet here you are getting ready to put a plan in motion of your own creation." Yubelluna said.
"I still am, but the more I looked over the map the more I thought...'wait a minute...' Kenshin said.
"So it just takes awhile for you to think of anything." Granberia said. "Nothing wrong with that, I'm no strategist either. I usually just think for myself in battle."
"Same here." Kenshin shrugged. "I usually leave the strategy to my little sister, my Rook."
"I see." Granberia said with a nod. "I've heard this one refer to you as the Dragon of the Elements a few times." She pointed at Yubelluna. "What's that about?"
"It's a long story, but basically it's another way addressing an elemental swordsman. It's what they called the First Elementalist in the Underworld." Kenshin said.
"Ah." Granberia nodded. "Ragnarok, I've heard of him. Mostly from Salamander, but I've heard of him."
"You know Salamander?" Kenshin asked.
"She raised and trained me from the time I was five." Granberia said. "She taught me just about everything I know while other things I came up with myself."
"...Huh." Kenshin said. "I guess I never pegged Salamander as the motherly type."
"Yes." Granberia said. "But she wasn't as much a mother as she was my teacher."
"I get it." Kenshin said.
"So why the Ant Queen? Couldn't we make contact with Akatama's mother and request her help?" Granberia asked. "Or maybe the Bee Queen or the Alrarune Priestess in the Noah Region?"
"I'll leave that as a judgment call for him to make." Kenshin said. "But one of the things Tamamo told me about this Civil War was that the Ant Demons were annoying to fight and that their Queen was captured and forced to send orders to her children to fight for Forbesii. What I'm thinking, is that if we pull her, we pull the Ant Demons."
"That doesn't automatically mean she'll come over to our side though." Yubelluna said.
"I know." Kenshin said with his eyes closed. "I just hope Alice is ready to help me negotiate at that point. Because Ari just being thankful for rescuing her, I think won't cut it."
"So we're betting on a chance?" Granberia asked.
"That's a good part of war in general is chance. Hell you could say that every battle is a battle of chance on who has the stronger troops." Yubelluna said. Kenshin and Granberia stared at her. "Wh..What?" She asked. "I read a lot and Raiser-Sama plays a lot of chess."
"Ah." Kenshin nodded.
"Raiser?" Granberia asked.
"Her master. I'm borrowing her from him." Kenshin said.
"Oh." Granberia said.
Alma, Jordan and Inutora walked toward them with the battalion Kenshin requested. Kenshin put his hand over his ear. "You got yours Akatama? You do? OK fill them in and we'll move out."
Kenshin turned toward them as Granberia ordered them to line up. "Thank you Granberia." Kenshin said. "Alright, for those of you who don't know who I am, I am Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi. I will be leading this battalion, when I am not around you answer to Jordan and Granberia, when they aren't around you answer to Inutora."
"Hold on, you've only been here what, a week? Why the hell are you in charge?" One of the soldiers asked.
"...You know what you're right." Kenshin said. "Come on, show me what you've got." He said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "If you beat me you can lead."
"Huurraaaahhhh!" The soldier in question charged forward only to be knocked back to where he came from, on his ass. Kenshin seemingly hadn't moved, but Granberia, Alma, Inutora, Jordan, and Yubelluna all stared at him.
"I barely saw him move..." Inutora thought.
"His fist quickly came out of his pocket..." Granberia thought.
"...then punched forward." Jordan thought.
"...then went back in." Yubelluna thought.
"Huhuhu...interesting." Alma thought.
"Coming?" Kenshin said asked with a calm smile.
"I...I'll follow you." He said rubbing his cheek.
"Good!" Kenshin grinned. "Alright ladies and gentlemen. We are going to go on the offensive for once against Forbesii's forces."
Murmurs went through the crowd. "How?" One of them asked.
"This group here, will march to the mountain ranges separating the Sabasa region from the Gold Region. We will set up camp at the nearby oasis and begin cutting a path through the mountains." Kenshin said.
"But that will take forever!" Another said.
"Are we really in a position to complain about a little hard work?" Kenshin asked. "When I got here, your backs were against a figurative wall."
Murmurs went through the crowd again. "OK, say we get this path made, what then? You'll be opening up the the Sabasa Region to more than just flying homunculi carrying their allies."
"Let me worry about that." Kenshin said. "Now while we're doing this. Grand Cardinals Akatama and Bureijin along with Heavenly Knight Erubetie will be proceeding along through the Noah Region to the Gold Region as well from the other side. When the path is complete we will bring forth the bulk of Forbesii's army right at us. Allowing them to slip in virtually undetected."
"Won't we get slaughtered if we do that?" Another soldier asked.
"That's what the path we're cutting is for." Kenshin said. "Once it's complete and the homunculi are charging, likely dick first into our territory, We funnel them into the path."
"Aaaahh...then the numbers aren't so big..." Everyone murmured.
"Oh, and Jordan, I should have mentioned earlier. You and your men and women aren't going to be in the path. I expect them to send aerial forces at us. Those are all yours."
"Consider them taken care of." Jordan said.
"So are we all in agreement here?" Kenshin asked.
Everyone nodded. "Alright then, let's move out!" Granberia ordered.
Yubelluna and Kenshin walked together. "You've been watching movies recently haven't you?" Yubelluna asked.
Kenshin sweatdropped. "That easy huh?"
"Well your pathway idea, it's like you're creating your own version of the Hot Gates. Funnel them in, take them down." Yubelluna said.
"Well then thank the creators for the idea." Kenshin said. "Except my Hot Gates won't have an exploitable goat path." (2 )
"Ufufufufu." Yubelluna covered her mouth as she let out a few giggles.
"By the way, are you gonna be OK walking through a desert in that?" Kenshin asked gesturing to her clothes.
"This is what I always wear." Yubelluna said.
"Hmn...I suppose that jacket will provide some climate control." Kenshin nodded. "Alright."
(break)
A few days later
It had taken a couple of days to reach the continent. It would have taken longer, but the youkai knew the area well which significantly cut down travel time. They had spent the past twenty four hours digging out the path. Kenshin worked the day. He looked over as Yubelluna sat down next to him. "Everything alright?"
"Wha? Oh, yes." Yubelluna said with a nod.
"Not feeling overworked or anything? It's well into the wee hours of the night and you've been laying your spells on the path a lot." Kenshin said with a concerned look.
"I'm fine, they told me to take a breather." Yubelluna said with a smile. "Some of the men didn't want to be outdone by me."
"Hahahaha." Kenshin chuckled. "Well physically you're not very imposing, no offense."
"None taken." Yubelluna said shaking her head. "Though...I could do without your Rook's flirting."
"...I could do without my Rook's constant flirting." Kenshin drawled. "That's a Succubus for you though I guess. Someone catches their eye they won't hesitate to flirt with and try to seduce them."
"And apparently they don't discriminate genders." Yubelluna sighed. "Not that I'm not flattered, but.."
"It gets old, I hear ya loud and clear." Kenshin said.
"Yes..." Yubelluna said. "...You know it's amazing."
"What is?" Kenshin asked.
"We've only been here a week and a half and you've already become respected to them." Yubelluna said.
"I wouldn't say that, I did have to punch one of my subordinates for questioning me." Kenshin said.
"All I'm saying is that your strength commands respect and they're starting to see that." Yubelluna said. "It even got Raiser-Sama to train seriously."
"Eh?" Kenshin said. "Seriously?
"Yes, he keeps saying he must avenge his loss to you." Yubelluna said.
"Huh." Kenshin said. "Well, whenever he wants to give it a swing, I'm not a hard man to find."
"But when you first fought him, why did you say all those things to him?" Yubelluna asked.
"The goading and insults? It's just trash talk." Kenshin said. "I was trying to get in his head. It's part of...well maybe not battle, but a fight."
"I see." Yubelluna said. Kenshin glanced over at her. "What is it?" She asked.
"Oh, nothing...it's just well, I like your hair." Kenshin said.
Yubelluna blinked curiously. "My hair? What about it?"
"The color and the way it's styled and the way it's held in place by that circlet." Kenshin said.
"O-Oh..uhm...thank you, but uhm...I don't know you all that well and I..." Yubelluna stammered with a blush.
"Will you relax, it's just a compliment, I'm not asking you to dinner or anything." Kenshin drawled.
"O-Oh, right..." Yubelluna said, taking a breath to calm down.
Kenshin shook his head at her. "Hm?" He looked ahead and saw something peculiar. A miniature doll made of mud was running around the encampment. It came up to him. "?" Kenshin stared at it curiously.
"What is it?" Yubelluna asked. "That I mean."
"I think it wants me to follow it." Kenshin said.
"Well go ahead, you established a chain of command for just this reason." Yubelluna said with a small smile.
Kenshin nodded. "Alright, thanks." He got up and left. Granberia approached Yubelluna. "Where is he going? He should be resting."
"He's investigating something. Some sort of living mud figurine came up to him and wanted him to follow it." Yubelluna said.
"Ah." Granberia nodded. "It shouldn't take very long."
Meanwhile Kenshin was walking through the desert when the mud doll ran ahead and was picked up by none other than Gnome. "Gnome?"
"..." Gnome stared at him.
"How have you been?" Kenshin said.
"..." Gnome closed her eyes.
"...I'm sorry." Kenshin said.
"..." Gnome shook her head as the sand around her started to move and write things in the air. "What's done is done. It's not your fault that...man...got the drop on you."
"..." Kenshin closed his eyes and nodded. "Still. It doesn't feel right if I don't say it."
"..." Gnome nodded. "How are you back? Your soul was all that was left of you."
"I'd rather wait until all of you are together with me again before I say it." Kenshin said. "May I reforge my contract with you?"
"..." Gnome glanced away with an unseen flush adorning her cheeks. "Not right now. You're going to be busy for quite some time."
"I see." Kenshin crossed his arms and nodded. "But...in the meantime could I ask you a favor?"
"?" Gnome looked at him curiously.
"I have a bit of a story to tell you beforehand so have a seat please." Kenshin said.
Gnome nodded and Kenshin proceeded to tell his story to her. "So that's what I've been doing." Kenshin said. "Like I said, I'll tell you how I'm alive when you and your sisters are together."
"..." Gnome nodded.
"So with that in mind, my operation here. The favor I want to ask you pertains to the end of it. When we're all out of the pathway. Would it be possible for you to do something to block the homunculi's path?"
"..." Gnome raised her hands and drew a rectangle with them.
"?" Kenshin arched his brow.
"..." Gnome closed her eyes and walked up to him, placed her hand on his palm, self activated his seal and pulled out a charm.
"Oh!" Kenshin said. "Sorry."
"..." Gnome shook her head.
"What about it?" Kenshin said gesturing toward the charm.
The sand began to move again. "Your Earth element charm. Daichi Guntou. All you need to do is spread them around the path as you're making your retreat and activate them."
"OK, but...I don't know if I have the ability to create something on that scale." Kenshin said with an unsure look. "That's why I'm coming to you."
"..." Gnome let out a sigh. "We'll see, in any case, if you fall, I'll definitely seal the pathway anyway."
Kenshin nodded. "OK, I understand." He waved her off and started walking away.
He had a battle to prepare for as it was.