On the outside the forest appears to be luscious and prosperous but the moment they enter the forest the scenery dramatically changes. They are surrounded by dry rot trees with no sign of leaves and are surrounded by a gloomy lighting. Six walks in front, Hibanika in the middle and Kenshin is close behind. Hibanika glances back at Kenshin and is a little surprised by how calm he is.
"You are not surprised?" Hibanika
"Nah. I've done many things and have seen a lot of random stuff. Experiencing all of that has somewhat whelmed me so to speak." Sigma
"Oh? You really are an interesting one aren't you?" Six
"Eyes front." Hibanika
"Ara~ So protective. I must say that I am quite pleased to see that you finally found interest in someone! That must mean that you know what he looks like~. My curiosity is running wild." Six says while peaking behind of her locking her eyes on Kenshin.
"That's funny. I know that I said eyes front but you can't seem to do that. Perhaps I should gauge them out to fix this problem?" Hibanika
"Ooh~ scary!" Six
"Anyone else notice the welcome commitee?" Kenshin says directing everyone's attention ahead.
Hibanika and Six look ahead to see a couple of silhouettes appear in an upcoming dense fog.
"Stay close Mi.. Ahem. Sigma. They will only attack depending on our intent." Hibanika
"Witch means nothing but happy thoughts kids." Six
They enter the fog and calmy steady their pace. The best way to describe the two silhouettes that comes directly into view are zombified walking corpses. They stand on either side sniffing as Six, Hibanika and Sigma walk on. Though the moment that the zombies began to sniff Kenshin they immediately start to roar and leap backwards creating distance. Without warning a massive horde appears through the fog and surrounds the group but are directed toward Kenshin. Six and Hibanika turn and stare at Kenshin in startled confusion.
"What were you thinking?!" Six
"Sunny beaches in the Virgin Islands!" Kenshin
"Where?!" Six
"It is not his intentions that they are reacting to! Look at their sporadic movements!" Hibanika
Six observes the zombies movements and quickly realizes what Hibanika is talking about.
"They are... Afraid?!... But, they've only ever showed fear to Mal'ach!" Six
This act goes on for a little while and Kenshin who was calm the entire time began to get annoyed.
"This is getting redundant." Kenshin
"Enough!" A sudden thunderous voice echoes from behind of Hibanika and Six.
What follows from that command is absolute silence. Every single one of the zombies in the hoard becomes silent and remains still. The next and only thing that is heard are footstep that get closer to them. Another silhouette appears through the fog and it grows in size upon approach. A man twice the size of Omadu wields a large spiked hammer and wears a tribal like mask stops near Six and Hibanika.
"This him?" Kenshin
"No. This is his general. He has no name and is just a soulless husk that follows orders without question." Hibanika
"A puppet with strings attached." Six
The general uses his free hand, points at Hibanika then Six and would point with his thumb behind of him. The fog behind of the general slowly clears to show a castle that stands right behind of him.
"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