On the twelfth of September, over two months ago, Jurai Ayeka's spirit was initially elated at what her eyes beheld. She saw her beloved Masaki Tenchi adorned in a white gi and hakama, much like the knightly garb of Azaka and Kamidake. Upon his forehead were three kites, glowing a brilliant emerald, so much like the two triangles on Sasami's forehead. In his right hand, he held a mighty silver broadsword never before seen, its leafy hilt obviously of Juraian make. Seeing him alive after being devoured by the NVO distortion, the older princess ignored that Ryua Ryoko was embraced in his left arm. Even the taunting voice in her mind was silenced when he ruptured the distortion and annihilated it, saving Earth once again.
Then, the victorious prince stumbled to one knee, clutching his head. Concerned, the former pirate spun to face him, only to watch him collapse. She screamed as he dropped the sword, letting it unravel and condense once more into the Tenchiken sword key. His grand attire faded away to reveal his usual clothing, tattered, torn, scorched, just like his skin beneath it. Tears streamed down Ryoko's face while the knights restrained her, allowing Terran medics to swarm Tenchi. Soon enough, Dr. Hakubi Washu joined the medics, taking readings of her own with her phantom laptop while the young prince was wheeled away.
Speechless and horrified, Ayeka slipped to her knees, tears raining down her cheeks. She could feel the dread clutching and clawing at her heart as her beloved knight paladin was taken from her sight. She buried her visage in her hands, weeping before she too collapsed, her strength stolen by her affections.
And, the taunting voice returned, laughing at her loss, at her weakness.
Ayeka's memories of what followed blurred together, though Ryu-Oh remembered quite clearly. While Ryoko was sedated and carried inside behind Tenchi, Makibi Kiyone and Kuramitsu Mihoshi lifted the princess to her feet and guided her into the infirmary. There, she was monitored periodically by the medics, though Tenchi's recovery firmly kept their attention. She did not speak or eat after witnessing his fall, which everyone blamed on her love for him.
They were only half-right.
While in her solitude, the violet-tressed woman's consciousness shrank into the rear of her mind, by both the shock of Tenchi's fall and the second identity consuming her. Within a day, Ayeka rose back to her feet, her bloodshot eyes a slate gray and a vile grin across her lips. She could hear the voice in her mind speaking with a celestial choir, "Lady Tokimi", who requested the presence of both Ryoko and her half-sister, Jurai Nagi.
Dressed in her pinkish combat uniform from the battle with Kain, the manipulated royal summoned her mini-guardians, but rather than chiming small aspen-like cylinders into existence, each appeared with a deep gong, composed of a black oak. Extending her senses through the devices, she quickly located both daughters of Ryua. With a motion, these manifestations plowed through an adjacent wall, and then another, soon clearing a way to her destination. Sirens blared as she walked with a singular purpose through the caustic dust.
However, Ryoko and Nagi were hardly alone, attended by Azaka, their cabbit familiars, and two Terran agents. The princess ordered her mini-guardians to restrain all parties involved, hoping to simplify her task. The wooden constructs obeyed, gathering around the wrists and ankles of Ryoko, Ryo-Ohki, Ken-Ohki, and the two Terrans before slamming them back and pinning them to the opposing wall. Unfortunately for the dark entity inhabiting the regal-tressed woman, Azaka's shield protected both him and Nagi. The cylinders pressed and ground against his translucent barrier, but the Juraian warrior held firm, refusing to yield.
Then, the knight saw the regal lady emerge from the dust and confusion, and she could see the horror and denial in his eyes.
"No…" he whispered to himself, "Princess…"
Her lips twisted arrogantly as her eyes met his, her voice blending with a booming male overtone.
"Stand down, Juraiko Azaka."
"Ayeka?!" Ryoko cried incredulously.
Still with her attention on Azaka, the Juraian woman motioned to both sisters in turn.
"I have come for her… and her."
"For the Matron?" the azure knight asked coolly.
The tainted princess nodded slightly, her blackened minions pressing deeper into the warrior's barrier, bowing and contorting it. Holding his ground, the legendary soldier gripped his staff tightly, his attentions remaining on the young woman before him. Behind her, more agents arrived, though maintaining a distance from her, given her hostages.
"This is an order," she calmly stated. "Stand down, knight."
"I will not," he answered, shaking his head.
"She is a mongrel," Ayeka scoffed, prideful eyes falling upon Nagi, "a half-breed with Ryoan blood."
Behind Azaka, Nagi stood firmly, her sword and whip drawn. At this point in her life, the huntress seemed contradictory, bearing both Juraian and Ryoan traits. Her purple hair was cut short and spiked behind her, held in place by her Juraian hairband key. Her crimson eyes were feline in shape, reflecting the elfin shape of her ears. Since birth, a Juraian Mark of Rage had crossed her right cheek, clawing up from her chin. Her cape seemed of Juraian make while her flaming purple bodysuit was likely Ryoan make.
"She is of the Jurai royal family," the knight answered, "the same as you or I."
Surprised, his charge glanced at him briefly while the grin faded from Ayeka's face.
"You, who fought a war with Ryua, now protect someone descended from that world?"
Ayeka could see the sweat beading on Azaka's forehead as he resisted her mini-guardians.
"It was war," he replied stoically. "I did my duty, as did they. I hold them no ill will, nor their descendants."
Her hand raised toward him, a wave of black rushing through the rosy costume. Deep within, Ayeka's true consciousness could feel her power welling in her core, readying to make real the coming threat. Her spirit wept hearing herself say these horrible words.
"I will go through you, knight."
The Terrans and cabbits wrestled against their bonds, the feline creatures even attempting to transform into their crystalline aspect. However, Ayeka's constructs denied them with bolts of corrupted power arcing over their bodies.
"If he falls," Nagi threatened coldly, "I will see you fall too."
"You barely even control Jurai's power," the manipulated woman criticized.
"You're not Ayeka!" Ryoko yelled, pulling at her restraints.
When the princess's grayed eyes slid up to meet the amber of her rival's, a glimmer of hope arose in her heart. Someone realized the truth before them.
"You're that damned thing they tried to put inside me!" the former pirate continued.
The regal woman's mind raced, remembering the first incident in Manhattan, the chimera Illirg, the NVO energy consuming her, the voice's origin. This other entity had invaded her body and mind, corrupting and taunting her. As she assembled the reality around and within her, Ayeka's lips smirked, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"… You're… half-right…"
Ryoko struggled harder against the mini-guardians, anger and frustration curling her lip as she spit back, "'Half' my ass! Ayeka would never speak to either of the knights like you do! She wouldn't threaten them, and she most certainly would never be some bitch's lapdog!"
Silently, Ayeka's mind screamed and pounded on her consciousness, wanting to be heard, to acknowledge all of what Ryoko said. She cried for help, to be saved from this hellish prison inside.
Yet, as another dark pulse rolled through her clothing, Ayeka glared back at Ryoko, raising her hand to the former pirate.
"… If only you knew how jealous she…" the royal woman began as a tear broke through the control and rolled down her cheek. "… I was of you…!"
Despite her resistance, Ayeka felt the power flow to her hand and coalesce as an orb of black energy. While the ethereal sphere was aimed at Ryoko, she showed no fear.
"She's not a killer," she defiantly stated. "You're not her."
Pleading within, Ayeka screamed at herself to stop, to put her hand down, to vaporize the orb. However, her body did not respond, save to hold her position, ready to attack and perhaps kill Ryoko.
Then, the male overtone spoke alone, "… What do you know of her, Ryoan…?"
Yes, Ayeka's true self could pierce through the entity controlling her, but the effort needed to do so continued to grow. Her will, already significantly crushed by Tenchi's fall, became weary warring with this invader in her soul.
Like Ryoko, Azaka had realized that Ayeka was being manipulated. Having experience in the mental arts, he raised his staff key before him and closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts and will through the device. As the rings around the crest rotated slowly, he extended his power to Ayeka's tiara, synchronizing with it and her thoughts.
In touching her mind, the dark entity roared, "Stop, knight! Stop now!" Staggered, the black orb vanished from her hand, instead clutching at the key on her brow.
Ayeka cried out in her true voice while Azaka patiently spoke directly to her mind, Princess, listen to my voice. Focus your thoughts here, in this room.
Please, Ayeka replied through the keys, help me, Azaka!
Focus on your surroundings, he advised. Stay aware. Do not let the entity cloud your mind again.
The princess fell to her knees, her corrupted mini-guardians fading away as she cried out again.
"I am part of you, Jurai Ayeka!" the dark entity declared. "I am you!"
Freed, her hostages fell to the floor and regathered themselves while a shadowy humanoid form emerged around the regal woman. The being's hands grasped tightly to her shoulders, holding close to her, connected to her presence. Feeling herself ripped between the physical and mental, she curled herself inward, clutching to reality while the entity clawed at her, roared at her.
"All the jealousy! All the frustration! All the solitude! Everything you hold inside!"
All these emotions welled within Ayeka's heart. Memories filled her thoughts: Ryoko's confession to Tenchi, his choice to leave Jurai, the princess's hours of sobbing alone. With all her might, the lady thrust these images and feelings away, wishing them gone.
"Please…" she begged aloud, "stop this… Let me go…!"
Then, Ryu-Oh interfered, enveloping her mistress in an emerald sphere and teleporting her to the tree-ship's bridge. Beneath Ryu-Oh's leaves, Ayeka knelt, raking her fingers through her hair while the dark being continued to cling to her, twisting her heart.
"Please… stop…!"
"Accept it, Jurai Ayeka," it answered. The entity's hand rested on her shoulder and manifested a white porcelain glove, taloned at its fingertips. A wave of nausea hit the princess as the scent of burnt flesh and soil overwhelmed her. "Over the past fourteen months, I have studied you from within. I know your secrets, your strengths, and your weaknesses."
She covered her mouth as she folded in half, hearing the creature mimic her voice again, "How I loved Masaki Tenchi… how jealous I was of Ryua Ryoko… how afraid I am of Jurai's power…"
Reverting to its booming male timbre, the being added, "Power to surpass a god… and you repeatedly refuse to use it… You would rather rely on those little blocks than unfurl your true glory, and take what you actually want."
Its head neared her ear and whispered in her voice, "Don't worry. I will show them… for you."
Ayeka's eyes opened wide, shifting between the foreign gray and her natural ruby, Azaka's interference wearing thin. The Mark of Rage on her cheeks began to grow slowly, extending another claw along each cheek and another above both her eyes. Feeling her grasp on reality waning, tears rolled from her eyes as she cried out once more.
"No! Stop tormenting me!"
Answering her plea, the tiara key shimmered a brilliant emerald, issuing a wave of green over the black creature. Though its claw shuddered in pain for a moment, the entity shook away the key's attempted purge, grasping Ayeka's shoulder tighter.
"That worked on Jurai," it hissed, "but I have grown since then. That mere key will not contain me a second time."
Porcelain grew around its head, gradually manifesting lips and a mouth, with the same twisted grin. Visibly, the monstrous being became more whole, draining the princess's will with each addition.
Ryu-Oh would have struck him down if she could, but she realized he was far too strong for her now. Even then, the Lady had already chosen to handle this matter herself. The Lady's voice spoke firmly and gravely as she stepped around the central tree.
"Leave my sister alone," Sasami ordered.
Both Ayeka and the entity turned to see the ten-year-old princess step out. In the shadows of the tree, the younger princess's pinkish eyes seemed almost blood crimson, reflecting the threat in her voice as she glared at the creature. Her azure hair was tied in two great pigtails on either side of her head, easily reaching her feet. Dressed in an artistically embroidered kimono, much like those of her sister, the preteen Juraian hardly seemed imposing in her command.
A chill rushed through Ayeka when the monster shifted its attention to the preteen.
"Ah, the other princess," it hissed from its smirking lips. "You watched as your sister killed Seia on Jurai."
Silently, Sasami nodded, shame welling within her elder sister. When the azure-haired girl approached, her violet-tressed sibling waved her away, pleading, "Run, Sasami!"
Yet, she watched helplessly as the Juraian child confronted this black monster, its porcelain mask now growing an onyx right eye.
"I will not tell you again," the younger princess stated, sororal vengeance burning in her words.
"Brave words, little princess," the beast commented, clacking its claws together. "Of all your sister taught you, she never did teach you to know your limits."
In that moment, the two triangles upon Sasami's forehead shone brightly, causing the creature to recoil away from her light, Tsunami's might. Still clinging to Ayeka, it cried out, slithering into the elder princess's shadow and shielding itself with its incomplete arms.
"I know my limits," the azure-haired girl stated coldly. "You do not."
As the girl knelt with her sister, the elder of the two also cringed from the brilliant aura, unable to look directly at her. Consolingly, Sasami reached for Ayeka's hand, but an emerald spark shot between their skin, spurring the elder to pull away. Confusion rattled through the regal-tressed woman's already frazzled mind.
How can Sasami do this? she asked herself. When did she become so… powerful?
Sadly, the younger sister hung her head and whispered, "I'm… I'm so sorry, sister…"
"… Why?" Ayeka wondered incredulously, her own shame filling her thoughts. "… This is my fault… my weakness…"
Waves of hot and cold washed over the elder sibling in rapid succession as the war between Light and Darkness waged within her. She could feel those porcelain claws scraping at her consciousness again, threatening to drag her into herself. Her hands slid up along her arms, holding them close, willing herself to remain aware.
" … I saw," Sasami whispered, watching her sister suffer, "and didn't act…" Tears appeared at the corners of her eyes and rolled down her freckled cheeks, remorse raging in her heart. "I… should have…"
Regardless of these visible changes in her little sister, Ayeka loved her and forced a smile to console her. "There's nothing… that could be done…"
Defiantly, Sasami stood and barked back, "No! There is something that can be done!"
Once more, the triangles on her forehead flared. Ryu-Oh responded by chiming rays of light from her leaves to the pool around her, enveloping the daughters of Jurai and the shadowy entity screeching at the power around it. In unison, the tiara key glowed upon Ayeka's brow while the elder princess watched the twin triangles vanish, replaced by a pair of jade discs.
In a bright flash of white, the four other keys appeared between the sisters: Tenchiken, Nagi's hairband, and the two staves of the knights. Pulsing in unison with Sasami's markings and Ayeka's tiara, the keys drifted to the elder princess: the hairband to her right shoulder, the staves to her back, and Tenchiken to her hands.
Watching awestruck, Ayeka heard her sister speak in a more mature voice, Tsunami's true voice, singing off the heavens, much like Tokimi had in her thoughts.
"Rise, Princess Jurai Ayeka."
Carefully, the violet-tressed woman rose to her feet, the beast clawing at her back, restraining her.
"I will not be silenced!" it roared.
Her ruby eyes met those of her sister, seeing her firm support. Steeling herself with deep breath, she stood and reached for Tenchiken, sensing the sparks arcing from the hilt to her skin.
"This prison will not hold me indefinitely!"
Grasping the sword, Ayeka winced, the purity of Jurai's power rushing through her and the monster clutching her. Together, the keys shone brightly, dissipating the being in her shadow with one last cry.
"I will have you, Jurai Ayeka!"
The keys enveloped the former crown princess. Nagi's hairband snaked around her right shoulder, mimicking the loop around her left. The knights' staves crossed themselves behind her and adhered to the rings, Kamidake's staff to Nagi's key and Azaka's to the existing circle. Warmth filled the young woman, invigorating her, cleansing her. The Mark of Rage on her cheeks reverted to the single claw over each cheek, just as her eyes completely returned to their natural color. Her breath calmed her gazing upon Tenchi's sword in her hands.
"Accept your fate," the heavenly chorus spoke with Sasami, "daughter of Jurai."
At this, Tenchiken reconfigured itself, stretching into the naginata form wielded by Masaki Achika in her brief awakening. Ayeka's mind was clear, completely clear for the first time in fourteen months. Bonded with all five keys, she could sense the spirit from each device, from their wielders. She was supported by Nagi's fierce determination, Azaka's dedication to duty, Kamidake's burning passion, and Tenchi's steadfast courage. In a way, she held every aspect of Jurai within her.
However, Sasami stumbled, and Ayeka swiftly caught her sister and steadied her. As the powerful aura vanished, so too did the two discs regress to the twin triangles. Exhaustion consumed the younger princess, her breath deepening and her strength fading.
"This is… temporary…" she whispered somberly. "He is growing… The keys focus and amplify your power… but he will eventually surpass it…" Weakly, she raised her hand, which Ayeka took in hers. "We don't have much time…"
Questions filled the freed mind of the violet-tressed princess, and she began to ask, "How…? How did you get so…?"
Warmly, her sibling smiled and interrupted, "I love you, Ayeka…"
Ayeka's heart melted, and her questions regarding Sasami's newfound power vanished holding her little sister close. The younger had saved the elder, or last given her a reprieve for the moment. A smile of her own crossed her lips as she kissed Sasami's forehead lightly.
"I love you too, Sasami… Thank you…"
After a moment, Ryu-Oh opened a display for her mistress, showing several of her allies in the hangar outside. The sororal joy soon vacated Ayeka's expression as she considered her situation. The beast within her would eventually rip through this cage of keys and take her body again. Seeing Ryoko and Nagi below arguing with Katsuhito and the knights, the princess knew the Enemy was far from finished with them, any of them. However, these five keys boosted her native powers far beyond her usual capacity.
Her nobility made the choice for her.
Gently, she laid Sasami on the deck and stood, waving aside the display as she turned to the central tree. Through her tiara, she quietly gave Ryu-Oh an order, a quite sobering one. With her mistress connected to five keys and the sheer amount of ambient Juraian energy, Ryu-Oh could sense Ayeka's intent and guess at her scheme.
Mistress, the tree pleaded, please do not choose this path.
Ryu-Oh, she answered, if I can, I will not allow myself to become a weapon against my people, let alone my friends. This must be done while I still am myself.
Conflicted, the tree hesitated. She knew well now what her mistress planned, but with all her processing power, she could not determine a better course of action. As Sasami began to push herself upright, Ryu-Oh enveloped her in an emerald orb. The younger princess called to her sister, confused while the regal-haired woman sadly watched her fade away.
"I'm sorry, sister. I'm so sorry."
While the azure-tressed girl appeared outside with Ryoko and Nagi, the tree-ship Ryu-Oh lifted from her moorings, ripping herself free of them. Across her upper hull, the vessel revealed batteries of cannons that promptly targeted the bolts on the hangar's doors. Blasting through these, the ship then rose up and burst through the exit, tossing the heavy doors to either side on the surface.
Ayeka watched the display of the hangar for a moment longer, seeing Sasami crying out to her, screaming her name. Guilt twisted inside her as she closed the window, needing to settle her mind on her chosen path. Flying beneath the moonlit sky of Manhattan, Ryu-Oh turned toward the city and progressed toward the city, the direction from which the princess had felt Tokimi's commands.
In the flight, the young woman took pause for her loyal confidant one last time.
"Thank you, Ryu-Oh, for being with me all these years," she said somberly. "I loved our time together and would not have replaced it."
So did I, mistress, the tree answered through the keys. I wish I could dissuade you.
"As do I. Will you stand with me one more time, for Jurai's sake?"
Of course.
"Very well. Then, before we face our fate, I ask one last task of you."
Silently, Ryu-Oh acknowledged her by opening a window before the princess, reflecting her image with the Juraiji for "Recording" in a corner.
With a calming breath, she began, "To whomever is watching this recording, I hope that this message finds you and Jurai safe from harm. As you likely know, a horrible shadow has fallen upon Earth and threatens not only the Empire, but also I fear, the universe at large. I have instructed Ryu-Oh to release her logs of these events to someone I trust in the event that I am defeated…"
She stopped herself, closing her eyes, fighting through her pride to accept the reality.
"… or consumed by the Enemy."
Steeling her resolve, she opened her eyes and added, "These records will hold not only data on what has and will become of me, but the goddess willing, a record of the Enemy's strength and tactics."
She lowered her eyes to Tenchiken, raising it and distantly gazing over its intricate design, remembering its current master, her beloved Masaki Tenchi.
"Please," she pleaded, "make good use of this knowledge and finish the work started here."
Tears appeared and rolled down her cheeks as her brow and lips tightened, regret and anger both pushing through her. This may well be her last testament, never again to see Jurai's fields or Earth's leaves change color. Worse yet, she might become an instrument of their destruction.
"Know that I fought this vile corruption until my last breath."
Her eyes closed tightly, her hands clutching the key closer to her chest. She wanted and needed to declare her identity one last time before it was stripped from her again by the monster within her.
"Know that I was Jurai Ayeka, daughter of the Jurai royal family."
The window closed as she wiped the saline from her face, smiling sadly.
"Thank you so much, Ryu-Oh."
While the royal tree could not embrace her mistress for support, she could send her warmth through the keys to the princess's mind directly. In a way, this was far more intimate, and Ayeka welcomed those feelings in this time of need.
Soon enough, Ryu-Oh passed over the great city of Manhattan, her shadow looming over the citizens below. From her exterior hull, searchlights illuminated the streets, hunting for Ayeka's quarry and perhaps salvation for herself. On the bridge of the vessel, the princess scanned several displays, mostly filled with confused and befuddled Terrans. Nowhere did she see the spiked fallow hair she wanted to confront.
However, a tone halted her search, and Ryu-Oh chimed the details of the message's origin. She knew they would come for her in time.
"Let her speak," she sighed reluctantly.
The scanning windows slid aside while a communication window opened to Ken-Ohki, showing the two daughters of Ryua. With Ryo-Ohki atop her shoulder, Ryoko barked at her rival, "What the hell are you doing, Ayeka?"
Despite the concern in her old friend's words, Ayeka disconnected herself, using all her regal training to distance herself for what she must do.
"Penance, Ryoko, and hopefully redemption."
"That wasn't you!" the Ryoan woman argued back. "We all know that! This is stupid!"
Shame tainted Ayeka's eyes as she replied, "… Some of it was me, Ryoko… more than I'd like to admit."
"So what?" the former pirate retorted. "I've thought a lot of bad things about you too over the years! And, I still think you're a stuck up princess half the time!"
Sighing, the princess closed her eyes while the rogue added honestly and soberly, "But, you're not all the time. Most of the time, you follow the rules… even when they don't let you have what you really want. Right?"
The two rivals met gazes. They had known one another for years, lived together for three of those years. They could read one another, and each knew the other's mind fairly well. Here, Ayeka could see the understanding in Ryoko's face, even a hint of regret she would likely deny later.
"You always did speak your mind, Ryoko," the regal-tressed lady commented with a soft smile. "I always did admire it, even when it infuriated me." Sadly, her eyes lowered as she added, "Maybe that's why he chose you."
"This isn't about that!" the Ryoan snapped remorsefully.
"I know it isn't," came the cool answer. "This creature within me is only temporarily imprisoned by the keys. They augment my power to resist its influence. As such, I intend to use that power to combat this 'Tokimi'. It is possible that I might overcome her."
Ryoko thought about this for a moment, but Ayeka already had made her choice.
"Even if I don't, at least this creature should die with me."
"You stupid bitch!" Ryoko yelled back, startling the princess. "Listen to yourself! You think you're alone in this?! That thing out there is passing itself off as my mother for God's sake! You think I'm not pissed?!"
Ayeka knew the connection in retrospect. Tokimi ordered the beast within her to retrieve both Ryoko and Nagi. In those commands was the palpable concern of a maternal figure, and after seeing Sasami, the lady was no longer surprised at the relationships between their fates. No doubt, both sisters felt as betrayed by Fate as she did.
The Juraian glanced aside somberly, nodding. "I know you are."
While Ryoko readied to argue more, Nagi stepped forward, icily asking, "What about your sister?"
Those words froze Ayeka, cutting her deeply, particularly having just left her younger sibling in tears.
"Would you leave her without family?"
With a sharp breath, the regal lady pushed the pain in her heart aside and softly said, "… Don't."
"I've lived that life, princess," the huntress continued unabated. "Would you leave her…?"
"Don't bring Sasami into this," Ayeka demanded.
"She's right," Ryoko seconded her sister. "She's with Tenchi's grandpa and the knights, but she needs you, her sister."
Before the argument could proceed, a notice appeared before the violet-tressed woman. Glancing to her main display, she could see two more vessels flanking Ken-Ohki, Will Pii's Pentinian fighter and the Terran's retrofitted saucer. Alongside the image of Ryoko and Nagi, portraits of the other two pilots appeared.
Pii's visor was alight with the HUD for his craft, his brown hair hidden beneath his headgear. The dull illumination of his console shadowed many of his features and those of his cockpit, though the princess could see his armor once more whole. The agent piloting the saucer had dark skin, his hair cut short and practical. If memory served, he was once a police detective before becoming entangled with extraterrestrial affairs.
"What are you doing here?" Nagi demanded of the intruders.
"Ryoan and Juraian ships might be matched," Pii explained, "but we want to take her without trouble."
The agent agreed, "Yeah, you two have caused enough ruckus already just flying over."
Frustrated, Ayeka shook her head and denied them all, "I will not return yet. I…"
Alarms sounded on Ryu-Oh, drawing the lady's attention away from her allies and to one of her search displays. Highlighted in the brightest scarlet, all her spotlights centered on a singular individual, a mature Ryoan woman roughly twice the age of Ryoko or Nagi. Dressed in a crimson evening gown, the woman turns her blue eyes skyward, seeming to gaze through the display back at Ayeka. Sheathed in matching elbow-length gloves, her arms folded in thought, already analyzing those above her.
The princess saw clearly the heritage between this woman and the two aboard Ken-Ohki. Her figure was voluptuous, very much like Ryoko's. Her demeanor and bearing was cool and calculating, much like Nagi's. Her tan hair spiked behind her, but was tied to fall behind her back nearly to her ankles. If the huntress did not cut her hair short, their styles would be far more similar. This was Ryua Ryoshu, mother to both Ryoko and Nagi.
Yet, a shiver of fear crawled up Ayeka's spine. She could hear the mocking voice echoing deep in her mind, knowing its "Matron" was nearby. Furrowing her brows, the princess directed all their attention to the Enemy.
"There she is!"
While the others reacted to Ryoshu's presence, the regal-tressed lady gave her order.
"Open fire with all weapons!"
The gun ports along Ryu-Oh's hull slid open and immediately rained down bolts of Jurai's fury upon the Ryoan woman below. Likewise, the saucer unleashed its own barrage of mimicked Jurai energy on the same target. However, before any shots impacted, Ryoshu vanished, letting the blasts riddle the asphalt and concrete below.
Alarms rang out on all ships, pulling their attention to the sky before them, where Ryoshu reappeared. Floating unaided, the woman extended her hands before her as her eyes shifted color, her sclera becoming blue and her irises red. A green, leaf-like Mark of Rage grew along her chest, neck, and cheeks. Deep inside, Ayeka felt the darkness rising within the Ryoan, but before could warn anyone, Ryoshu flicked her wrists at both Ryu-Oh and the saucer.
Unseen walls of force thrust both vessels backward toward the World Trade Center towers. Alerts and sirens screamed aboard the tree-ship as Ayeka steadied herself, speaking to her confidant through her tiara key.
Can you correct? she asked.
Trying… Ryu-Oh answered.
The princess channeled her emerald power through her key, accessing Ryu-Oh's sensors only to see glass and steel rush at her. With a heavy crunch of stone and wood, Ayeka's yacht crashed into one tower, sending concrete, steel, and glass falling down toward the ground. The Juraian woman stumbled at the impact, falling to one knee, but she soon pushed herself back to her feet. The display ahead of her flickered and sputtered, still maintaining an image of Ryua Ryoshu.
Status, she asked of her companion.
Before the tree could respond, the entire ship lurched sickeningly, pitching forward, yawing to port. Ayeka could hear the cracking of wood and stone through the hull, wracking her with an unanticipated fear.
We are about to fall, mistress, Ryu-Oh announced worriedly. Protect yourself.
The lady surrounded herself with a defensive barrier when the deck suddenly shifted and fell from beneath her. She screamed in fright as the vessel fell with the collapsing tower. She heard the stone smashing into her confidant's exterior, shattering it, compacting it, jagged rock marring the beautiful aspen-like craft. The princess was thrown about the bridge, her protective shell saving her from injury.
Soon, Ryu-Oh's fall halted with little warning, following by more crunching wood and stone as she was buried by the tower's continued collapse. Ayeka dissipated her barrier and set her feet once more upon the deck, seeing the rubble blocking most of her displays. Those that could see beyond the mound of debris had visible cracks where the exterior lenses had been smashed. Status windows opened around her, each with a diagram of the ship and details of particular damage to the craft.
The princess's hand gently rested on one of the panels, a sorrow rippling through her expression. Crippled and buried like this, Ryu-Oh could no longer continue combat. Thankfully, her regeneration systems still functioned, and she could be flight-ready again in a few days.
However, the violet-tressed Juraian heard Ryu-Oh's groans through the keys. She walked to the central tree and gently touched her trunk. Through the tactile contact, Ayeka felt the pressure and weight bearing down on the hull, the broken and dislodged lateral ribs, Ryu-Oh's pain. The princess leaned against her confidant pressing her forehead and key to the bark of the tree.
"I am so sorry, Ryu-Oh," she whispered somberly. "I shouldn't have…"
I… the sentient flora answered, I could not let you be alone, mistress.
Tears rolled down Ayeka's cheeks as a flicker of light caught her eye. Glancing to the side, she saw an image manifest, translucent and barely visible. Gazing at the figure, the detail slowly began to become more apparent, though she did not notice the five keys subtly glowing.
A female humanoid rested on her hands and knees, struggling to hold herself upright. Naked, this woman's skin resembled the fine grain of a elegant softwood, smooth and varnished. Cascading down from her head and along her form was a dense mane of spade-shaped leaves, held together by very thin and delicate branches, all green and new, almost reborn. Heavily, she raised her face, hidden behind her locks of branches.
Her breath taken, Ayeka knelt with this being and carefully pushed aside her strands of leaves, revealing her visage. She seemed like a artisan's masterpiece sculpture, beautiful and refined, without a rough scuff or chip. Each line and curve was carved with the utmost care, impossibly so. However, above her brow, this humanoid plant had a relief of Ayeka's tiara carved into her wooden flesh, branding her.
The princess had never seen this woman before, but knew her very well.
"Ryu-Oh?"
With a nod, this physical appearance of the tree answered through the keys, Yes, mistress.
The image flickered and faded as the glow of the keys likewise dimmed. Ayeka shook her head and rested her hands on the humanoid's shoulders, trying to steady her.
"Please rest. Don't try to maintain this image."
I am not projecting an image, mistress, Ryu-Oh replied plainly.
Taken aback, the regal-tressed lady paused, attempting to understand what she had observed when another shudder shifted the bridge's deck. The image of Ryu-Oh's humanoid form faded completely while the young woman steadied herself again.
I will rest, mistress, while I continue to record these events.
"Thank you," Ayeka responded pushing her questions aside. "Where is the Enemy?"
A window opened, showing a cracked and distorted image of Ken-Ohki floating in the sky above them.
She is aboard with Ms. Ryoko and Lady Nagi.
With another breath, Ayeka settled her nerves and gave her last order to her confidant.
"Send me there."
Good luck, mistress.
In a moment, the princess emerged from an emerald sphere outside Ken-Ohki's crystalline hull. She summoned a few of her aspen-colored mini-guardians to help her levitate. With little warning, a violet orb from the Ryoan ship deposited a distracted Ryoshu in front of Ayeka before the white vessel shot off into the distance.
The Ryoan woman now garbed herself in a low-cut gown of primarily red and black, its sleeves a deep regal purple, terminating in sharp talons. A medallion rested just above her brows, extending four golden, feather-like steamers over her spiked hair. Her attention stayed centered on the sparkle on the horizon, where Ken-Ohki vanished.
Ayeka centered herself with a gentle breath, taking Tenchiken in both hands, letting its blue blade extend from its violet guard. Her eyes set on her foe, the other four keys glowing brighter as she readied them for her battle.
Coldly, the dark goddess spoke over her shoulder, her voice ringing much like Tsunami's, "You served your purpose, Jurai Ayeka."
Indeed, she had. As Tokimi had instructed, Ayeka had lured both daughters of Ryua to where their mother's image could find and confront them. Used and manipulated, fury burned in the princess as she glared at her opponent.
"Not until I see you fall, 'Tokimi'."
The goddess's brow raised as she turned her dual-tone eyes to her would-be attacker, a mortal who would dare challenge a deity. The eternal woman hardly seemed impressed, but rather intrigued.
"Interesting. Not only do you cage him with those keys, but you challenge me as well?"
Ayeka lowered Tenchiken's blade and drew the hilt back at her side, directing the weapon at her foe's chest. Facing the Juraian royal, the Ryoan matriarch extended her violet claws to her side, her eyes noting the keys and the power brimming through them.
"Sister has been busy."
"I ask this once," the young woman said. "Will you remove this creature from me and leave us in peace, all of us?"
The Matron of Ryua scanned over Ayeka, commenting, "Unlike Jurai Kagato, you were a mistake, young princess. The entity within you was meant to guide my elder daughter, not corrupt you."
For a moment, the Juraian hoped the other woman would humor her request. Sadly, the goddess replied, "However, I see potential in this marriage of Darkness and Light."
With that last hope dashed, the princess tightened her grip on her beloved's weapon and strengthened her resolve.
"Then, defend yourself, Matron of Ryua."
Ayeka darted at Tokimi, her blue blade leading the way before she thrust the naginata-like weapon forward. The Ryoan deity simply turned aside, letting the weapon pass her without any damage. Again and again, the Juraian stabbed at the matriarch, but the latter effortlessly avoided each strike.
"Child," the eternal woman spoke, "I can see into you. You know little about your own power, let alone its use for war."
The princess's teeth gnashed as she spun at the goddess, forcing more of her power into the sword. The blade emitted a wave of energy that flew at Tokimi, though she simply dove into the dust cloud below them. Ayeka followed, the power radiating from the keys wafting and dissipating the caustic mist.
With her feet on the ground, the princess glanced around her surroundings, searching for a sight or sound of her opponent. However, wisps of wind spoke to her with the matriarch's voice.
"You do not have Takeru's heroic courage."
The princess swiped at the vapor when the voice drifted past her ear again.
"You do not have Ryuji's stubborn determination."
She spun and cut into the air once more, frustration growing in her eyes.
"You do not have the knights' duty or passion."
The smoke then coalesced into an image of Ryoshu, gazing down arrogantly at the young princess.
"You do, however, have the taint of the Kamiki family on you."
When the Juraian cut through the face of the false avatar, the mist cleared to show Tokimi standing with her right hand outstretched. In a flash of crimson light, an object appeared in her grasp, a broadsword's hilt, Kagato's dark key. Wrapping her talons around the grip, the guard willingly opened and produced a vibrant obsidian blade edged in scarlet.
Ayeka immediately recognized the weapon and raised hers to protect herself, but the slash from the Ryoan deity struck hard. The impact against Tenchiken rocked her backward and upward. The princess attempted to balance herself with her mini-guardians, but already Tokimi was upon her again with another strike. Barely blocking, the Juraian's cylinders were shattered, and she was embedded in a nearby wall.
She fell from the imprint to the ground below, catching herself on her feet and Tenchiken's elongated hilt. Patiently, the Matron of Ryua floated downward, watching her foe slowly recover.
"Submission would be far easier."
The regal-tressed woman ground her teeth as she thrust forward again, only to have the goddess knock it away with Kagato's sword.
Hit her! Ayeka chided herself.
In that instant, Azaka's staff charged and fired a pulse at Ayeka's unspoken command. Tokimi took pause to summon a crimson barrier, but the blue shot tore through the deity's defense, forcing her to slide aside. Even then, the Juraian power scorched her right cheek.
Stepping back, the Ryoan matriarch raised her talons to the light injury. Hate bled into the Matron's eyes, watching the princess turn the sword at her again. Tokimi sliced at Ayeka again, sending forth a crescent wave of her dark power.
Block! Ayeka demanded.
In response, her tiara and Nagi's hairband shone a deep violet, creating an azure barrier around her. The black pulse merely washed over its surface and dissolved without an ill effect.
Impatience became clear in Tokimi's gaze, seeing Ayeka's emerging talent with the keys. Teleporting, the eternal woman reappeared at the princess's side and ripped through her barrier, as well as the ring and protective costume around her left arm. The regal-tressed Juraian spun away, screaming as her blood rolled down her arm. Quickly, she flowed through the spin and thrust the blue blade at her foe.
Again, Tokimi vanished and reappeared behind the Juraian, yet she caught a glimpse of the approaching bloody blade.
Strike her quickly! The princess ordered, spurring crimson light to gather in Kamidake's staff.
As the shot was loosed, the Matron instantly relocated herself above Ayeka, dropping downward with her dark blade leading the way. Hearing the air displacement, the young woman summoned her mini-guardians to surround her enemy and ignite a Juraian barrier. The Ryoan hissed as she swiped through the log units and barrier, sending another crescent pulse at her opponent. With a gasp, the princess recalled her servants to help her levitate and dart away from the coming strike.
While the black wave cut into the asphalt, Tokimi drifted slowly to the ground, her irritated gaze set on her adversary. Ayeka swung back to face the Enemy, holding her wounded arm close, but far from surrender.
Yet, a shot of blackness arced over her body, momentarily shifting her eyes to gray. She heard the mocking laugh ring in her mind's recesses.
"Each strike weakens the cage around him, child," the deity spoke plainly. "Your fate is inevitable."
Ayeka felt the talons sinking into her thoughts. While she was becoming more adept, her time was quickly fleeing her grasp. The blood running in her fingers reminded her of her contingency plan.
"Not if I fall," she retorted, "or you in my stead."
"You overestimate your weapons," Tokimi criticized, "and yourself."
Hopelessness began to seep into Ayeka's thoughts. She did not want to die, nor did she want to succumb to this vile corruption. A tear rolled down her cheek as she shook her head slowly, refusing to accept this reality.
"… I will not be Kagato reborn…"
The goddess met her gaze, peered through it. Ayeka sensed her sight piercing through her, seeing past her present existence.
"You will not be a conquerer, girl," the goddess stated icily. "You will be a destroyer."
Closing her eyes, the Juraian princess's final hope evaporated. Her throat dry, she saw now the fate that awaited her. Her heart twisted, her life cut short by this inevitable happenstance. She thought of Sasami and all the moments they would never share. She remembered Ryoko and all the arguments they would never have. She dreamt of Tenchi and all they could never exchange. Here ended the life of Jurai Ayeka.
Solemnly, her eyes met those of the goddess. "So be it…"
Her fingers curled around Tenchiken, grasping it tightly that her knuckles grew white, that her nails cut into her palms. Her spirit dove deep into the well of Jurai's power within her and drank heavily, unfurling her might. Around her, mini-guardians chimed into existence one after another, ten, then twenty, then forty. The five keys ignited with a beautiful jade light, brighter with each cylindrical servant that appeared. Tenchiken's blade swirled with azure brilliance, becoming a torrent of the princess's will, sparks arcing down its hilt.
Despite what the goddess had said, she felt the touch of her friends and allies in each key. In this last moment, she knew they were with her, holding her aloft, pushing her forward. Tears rained down her cheeks as her thoughts drifted to her little sister one last time, seeing her face in her mind.
"Forgive me, Sasami…" Ayeka whispered before leaning forward and darting at Tokimi.
The dark matriarch scowled, raising her free hand at her side. The princess thrust with her love's sword, and the goddess parried with the blade of her figurehead. The matron swiped, and a barrier from the regal tiara and the incomplete hairband shattered it. The crimson-clad murderess raked at the barrier with her claws, but the young knight's staff glowed bright, allowing its current mistress the speed to swoop out of range.
Then, Tokimi teleported behind Ayeka, slashing her claws at the young woman's back, rending her barrier asunder, as well as cutting into her flesh. The princess screamed before swinging the swirling blade at her foe. The goddess dodged the blade, but not the burst from the loyal azure knight's staff. Tokimi disappeared again while Ayeka winced at her newest wound. However, she left herself open as those claws raked across her abdomen. The broken blade of Kagato's sword then bit into her cheek before she could fully escape.
Sliding away, Ayeka looked to the Ryoan matriarch to watch a blast of black energy fly at her, splashing across her chest, scorching her costume, concussing her fiercely. The keys broke free from the princess scattering along the ground before she too fell among them. Ayeka's eyes wearily gazed at the night sky above her, her breathing slow and labored, pain shooting through her wounds. Also, without the keys' protection, the beast burst free into her mind again, cackling at her defeat.
And, Tokimi stood over her, Kagato's sword regenerating to its full, burning length. The burn on her cheek flaked away like harmless dust, leaving her immaculate once more. Around her, the Juraian keys lost their emerald glow, but before she could consider them further, all of them pulsed white and vanished.
"Welcome, Sister," she whispered as she knelt next to the defeated princess. Resting her palm over her victim's eyes, she whispered, "Arise, my dark princess."
Ayeka voicelessly screamed as the Matron of Ryua reached deep into her core and corrupted Jurai's power with shadowy flames. The princess's spirit was ripped from her conscious mind and buried into her subconscious mind, while the invading monster was installed in her place. The princess could still feel and see, but no longer control herself. She merely watched what followed, her aching body pleading for relief.
Recording the entire event, Ryu-Oh wept as her mistress's palms ignited with dark light. "Dark Ayeka" now pushed herself to her feet, her lips curling into a vicious smirk. Standing with her new minion, Tokimi extended her hand as a Light Hawk Wing cracked open reality. Grasping the ethereal construct, she molded a new tiara, the ashen tiara of thorns for her dark princess. Gently, she set this upon the regal-tressed brow with a single order.
"Occupy them while I handle my daughters."
With a respectful bow, Dark Ayeka darted off into the night, heading straight for the Terran base, straight for her little sister.
X X X
Jurai Sagami could not turn his eyes away. His brown gaze watched the screen before him, horrified as Tokimi's talons wrapped around Ayeka's face and temples. He witnessed her body stolen from her, made into a mockery of all the noble tenets she had striven to uphold.
When the recording ended, the young captain sat in his seat in shock, dumbfounded. His gaze slid slowly from the screen to the floor under his desk, his forearms resting on his thighs. He drew breath shallowly, wanting to give his mind time to process what he had just observed.
When Ryu-Oh had relinquished this recording, Sagami had expected to see a battle against some Kain-like monster. He had predicted witnessing the princess at war, fighting against visible foes that far outmatched her. He had thought her spirit would have been broken by sheer might of her enemy.
His fingers ran through his hair, his mouth dry as he realized how mistaken he had been.
The captain had helplessly seen the princess systematically torn apart, both inside and out. He had witnessed the black creature emerge from her, claw at her, torment her. He had beheld young Sasami's might suppress the monster, encasing it within the keys. He had watched the violet-tressed woman desperately push away her friends, to protect them, to face her fate alone, before it consumed her.
Sagami stood and went to the window of his study, gazing out at the moonlit landscape surrounding the palace. Leaning on his arm against the window's frame, his thoughts raced, piecing together what he had seen and what he already knew. He had heard gossip and rumors about Ayeka being injured on Earth in July 1997, about 17 months ago. During the Jurai family reunion, he had asked Tenchi about the incident, and according to the prince, a creature had attacked the lady with NVO-type energy and nearly killed her.
Pouring a cup of sake, Sagami connected Ryoko's claim from the recording. The attack on Earth had left Ayeka as host for that creature tormenting and controlling her. From what he saw of her during the reunion, she seemed normal, though under duress due to Liaens's assault. She never talked to him about it after the ceremony honoring all who battled the enemy. When she returned to Jurai seeking aid against the NVO distortion, her determination appeared insurmountable each of the five times she approached the emperor.
And yet, he thought as he downed the shot, the monster was there too, beneath the surface.
Then, he heard Ayeka's sobbing pleas to the monster in his memory of the recording, begging for the torment to stop. He recalled Sasami's tearful cries of her sister's name, Ryoko's crude but heartfelt arguments to the elder princess, and Nagi's sharp and deep inquiry to the regal-tressed lady. A tear rolled down his cheek as he poured another two shots and drank them in quick succession. His emotions surged reviewing those images again in his mind, angry at seeing a proud woman ripped asunder, saddened by her seemingly futile struggle, worried about her current state.
Questions also flooded into his head. Was she purged of this cruel corruption? Is her isolation to heal, or to hide her continued suffering? What effect has her torment had upon her?
While his heart certainly went out to Ayeka, he thought too about the others in the recording. What has become of Sasami? Who was that Ryoan woman? Why were both so immensely powerful?
Though he could not immediately ascertain the source of Sasami's power, the young captain did start compiling what was said about the Ryoan woman. Ryoko stated the enemy was impersonating her mother. Ayeka, however, addressed the woman as "Tokimi" and "Matron of Ryua". The woman herself spoke of "seeing into" Ayeka, comparing her to the knights, the usurper Kagato, as well as two others he could not immediately place.
Perhaps, he reasoned, tracking down those names will lead to answers about "Tokimi" and Sasami.
That would take time to research, and he currently had the immediate concern of his report on Ryu-Oh's status. A couple hours would be enough to segregate Ayeka's plight from the facts needed for his superiors. After all, the space-worthiness of the vessel did not depend on knowing the details of the princess's fate.
Sagami returned to his seat at his desk, where the recording had paused in the final frame, showing Dark Ayeka darting away from Tokimi. Below the translucent display sat the data cell given to him by Ryu-Oh, wired to a simple projector unit. Given the tree's insistence for discretion, he dared not access the cell with his network terminal, which was connected to the palace intranet.
He placed a finger on the display and dragged it to the left, reversing the video feed until it gave a clear image of Ayeka. Bearing all five keys, she was clutching Tenchiken to her chest as he let the feed play for one line of dialogue.
"Know that I was Jurai Ayeka, daughter of the Jurai royal family."
Maybe the alcohol was affecting his perception, but the sobering desperation in her voice cut his heart. He extended his fingers to the princess's face on the display and traced the outline of her cheek. Within, the captain could feel a heavy weight on his chest as he curled his fingers back from the image. A wave of his hand dissipated the image as he downed another shot of liquor.
Keep your mind on the facts, Sagami, he scolded himself.
Realistically, Ryu-Oh was correct that this recording could be detrimental to the princess, but it also seemed to hold important information regarding the recent battle on Earth. This "Tokimi" wielded the NVO energy naturally, and masterfully, as well as Kagato's sword. He had little doubt that Ramia would be very interested in how "Tokimi" related to the distortion. Moreover, Ramia had long been Ayeka's friend and, despite her aloofness on the matter, was likely worried about her as well.
But, he thought, how to broach the subject to her?
This entire affair would require tact and thought, both to solve the puzzle of the distortion and to preserve Ayeka's image. As competent and cunning as Sagami was, he knew this task would necessitate an ally. Ramia's tenacious dedication clearly ensured her thoroughness in her search, though her temper needed some restraint.
Then, he considered with a heavy sigh, there is the matter of Ayeka herself.
Ultimately, someone would have to address the princess, to know for certain her current condition at least. All social etiquette aside, much of what this recording has shown delved deeply into her personal psychology. At present, he was at a loss on the subject. Perhaps his coming ally would have more insight into the matter.
X X X
Many have said that the woman known simply as "Nagi" was a magnificent warrior, the lone wolf who relentlessly stalked her prey. Few saw more than her crimson eyes and the flutter of her cape before her blade would strike them down for the reward. She was regarded as the best at her grim occupation, having apprehended or ended numerous fugitives from the law.
The knight Juraiko Kamidake first met her after he and his partner were resurrected, after their first encounter with the usurper in spring 1995. Masaki Katsuhito, or rather Prince Jurai Yosho, had faced his old foe and lost, sustaining grave injuries in the process. The fierce pirate Ryua Ryoko had challenged him and suffered a similar fate. Both knights had been blown aside by their foe's superior power, and Princess Ayeka had been kidnapped. Emotions ran high as the villain escaped and let loose his escort ships on the single patrol-ship Yagami while the coward escaped back to the throne-world.
In this darkest hour, the white vessel Ken-Ohki flew into the fray and cleared their way, saving them all from capture or death. During their reprieve from the conflict, Nagi and her cabbit partner boarded Yagami and partook of the Masaki household's hospitality. Seeing her then, Kamidake never truly spoke with her as he and Azaka were primarily concerned with protecting the newly discovered Prince Masaki Tenchi. Aloofly, she listened to their plans to distract and cripple the Juraian fleet, giving the knights an opportunity to deliver Tenchi to face his grandfather's nemesis.
As one might imagine, Kamidake did take note of her. She was quite obviously Ryoan due to her telepathic connection to Ken-Ohki, much like the connection between Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki. The purple costume she wore beneath her cloak was also a similar make to the fiery battle attire Ryoko donned to storm the planetary defenses. Though combed back and held in place by a violet hairband, Nagi's hair did naturally spike behind her head. Moreover, her elfin ears and feline eyes spoke to her heritage.
However, her cloak and its clasp were more reminiscent of Juraian designs, to say nothing of her hair or eye color, or the mark clawing across her left cheek. At the time, he thought these only curiosities and paid them little mind.
While the young knight had far more important matters on his mind, he did consider her a handsome woman, strong and proud. Having seen the war between Jurai and Ryua, he knew well the battle-hardened gaze she carried and the efficiency of her motion. She had a beauty about her, one he did not have time to appreciate in that dire moment.
The nobleman caught one last glimpse of her as he and his mentor were leaving with Tenchi and Ryoko. She stood there in silence while the prince said his farewells to his family and friends. He would discover later that Nagi chose to involve herself in the battle by playing decoy for Ryo-Ohki and assisting Yagami in distracting the fleet. Her reasons seemed unclear at the time, but became quite apparent when Liaens sacked Jurai in March 1998, over two years later.
At that time, Kamidake saw the huntress unconscious on a stretcher, rolled into the Jurai palace with Ken-Ohki loyally near his mistress's hand, and Ryo-Ohki supportively at his side. Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka had rescued Nagi, as well as Will Pii and Nerti Ro, from the enemy's grasp, but each of the three remained imprisoned within his or her own mind. Having escorted Jurai Sagami with Azaka to meet them, the young knight beheld a quite conflicted former pirate. Her amber eyes filled with concern, confusion, and anger as they fell upon Nagi's motionless body. Her hands gripped tight at her sides, much like her voice while she asked the arriving medics about her old foe.
In the time since his resurrection, Kamidake had researched a great deal on the modern society, particularly current events. In doing so, he had learned of Ryoko's criminal record and Nagi's hunter service, to say nothing of their fierce animosity: the latter relentlessly hunting the former for six years. As such, the worries of the cyan-maned woman seemed very out of character when considering their antagonistic relationship.
Still, everyone realized the emperor needed a report regarding the events unfolding at this time, so the crimson knight stepped forward with a simple suggestion.
"It is not necessary for all of you to report to the emperor."
Ryoko turned to him, and he smiled consolingly to her, as did his azure partner. While she did not say a word to him, she nodded back with a thankful relief to her eyes. She spun and followed the stretchers toward the palace infirmary, leaving the others to meet with the emperor.
However, Tenchi paused, his eyes lingering on where he lost sight of Ryoko, concern written on his face. Both knights had stood with her when she made her valkyrie-like assault on Jurai's defenses, despite how she hid her grave wounds. Kamidake remembered noting her blood seeping through her fiery garb, as well as how Azaka held him back from speaking. Her courage, and love, for the young prince was insurmountable. In this moment standing within Jurai's palace, those feelings were not lost on the young man.
Likewise, Ayeka could sense the emotions pulling on Tenchi's heart when she called back to him.
"I'm really sorry, Ayeka," he apologized, shaking his head, "but I'm really worried about Ryoko and Nagi. Would it be okay if I went to the infirmary too?"
Sagami and the knights halted with them, listening to their exchange. Kamidake watched the princess lower her eyes, likely both thinking and hiding some dejection. Her desires for Tenchi have long been known to everyone gathered here, as well as her rivalry with Ryoko over him. In this time of danger, few would doubt that she wanted him close to her.
However, in their time together on Earth, Ryoko and Ayeka had come to coexist, even cooperate seemingly as friends. A few hours ago, Kamidake had seen the former pirate arrive on Jurai, crazed with jealousy and confusion by the telepath Jezibel Kimitan. The cyan-maned woman had lashed out at Ayeka, until Tenchi's actions had broken the madness enveloping her mind. Once freed, Ryoko had explained her capture, her partial programming by the telepath, and her need to rescue Nagi, her sister. This revelation had stunned Ayeka as much as it did Tenchi, and beneath her facades, the violet-tressed noblewoman was likely worried as well.
"I know it would kinda put you in a bad spot", the prince explained, "but I don't think she should be alone now."
Despite her reservations, Ayeka did agree, "You're right, Tenchi. She should not be."
"Do you know the way?" Sagami asked.
"No," Tenchi admitted, "I don't."
Kamidake glanced to Azaka. Both knew that the next few hours would be crucial, and those within the infirmary may well hold the answers the emperor would need. Who would accompany which party was arbitrary, though having the elder knight report to the emperor appeared more politically sound. Thus, after a nod from his former mentor, the crimson warrior stepped forward.
"I do," he said with a slight bow, "and it would be my honor to escort you there, Lord Tenchi."
Tenchi smiled and reciprocated. "Thanks, Kamidake." Again, the young man met Ayeka's gaze and apologized, "I'm really sorry, Ayeka. I'll try to get over there as soon as I can."
"It's alright, Tenchi," she replied.
While Azaka lead Ayeka and Sagami to the throne room, Tenchi and Kamidake followed Ryoko's path through the palace. However, as they proceeded, the young knight felt uneasy, anxious. A presence was nearby, skulking in the shadows close behind the pair, watching them. The soldier stopped, swinging his staff key into his hands.
"Something wrong?" Tenchi asked.
"Someone is following us." Turning back toward the corridor behind them, he demanded, "Come out! Show yourself!"
From the darkness, a middle-aged man arose, dressed in the brown formal uniform of a Juraian officer. His long black hair was streaked with gray, falling alongside the captain's bars on his shoulder. Though he did stand proud, his head was slightly tilted downward shamefully as his tan eyes rose to meet those of Tenchi and Kamidake. The warrior had seen him during the reunion ball before Ryoko's sudden, crazed entrance. This man had watched Tenchi distantly, empathizing with his discomfort in the social climate of the royal houses. Like the other attendees, he had witnessed the drama played between Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka, before disappearing back into the crowd.
"You were at the ball," Kamidake stated plainly. "Why are you following us?"
The man lowered his eyes as he answered, "I realize I no longer have a right to see either of them…" he paused, sighing heavily, the worry and concern weighing in his gaze. "But, I must see them and know they are alright."
Confused and suspicious, Tenchi advanced a pace and inquired, "You know them? Then, you're…"
With a shameful nod, the captain answered, "Jurai Tensho… Jurai Nagi is… was… my daughter…"
Kamidake's curiosities renewed themselves while Tenchi's own questions started to percolate in regard to this man. Although the knight's own suspicions hinted at her lineage, he remembered the war with Ryua millennia ago and knew the taboos between the two worlds.
"You're her father?" Tenchi asked.
"You have proof of this claim?" Kamidake seconded.
"I do," Tensho replied.
Carefully, he opened his dress uniform's jacket and produced an old photograph from an internal pocket. After he passed this to Tenchi and Kamidake, the two young men scanned over the still image thoroughly.
A family portrait, the picture depicted a man and woman sitting with two quite young children, both female. The man was clearly a younger version of Tensho, fewer lines in his face and no gray in his hair, as well as a purple headband resting on his brow. The woman at his side was evidently Ryoan by her feline blue eyes and elfin ears. However, her voluptuous figure reminded Kamidake of Ryoko very quickly. Her tan-colored hair spiked to either side, but was tied behind her and held in place. Even though Nagi's hair was cut short, Kamidake could see the similarity in their faces, particular the calculating gaze of each.
Of the two children, the eldest was at most 12 months old, held in the woman's arms. Her cyan hair was teased into a mane around her bright face. Her wide, innocent amber eyes were fixated on the camera in wonder. The other child could be no more than a month old, held in the man's arms. Her purple hair framed her sleeping face in a short layer, though the black mark clawing down her left cheek and side of her neck identified her.
Tenchi's surprise could be read from his eyes as they blinked wide, gazing at this image. Likewise, Kamidake was taken aback as his gaze returned to the officer before him.
"I had scarcely earned my first command when I first met Ryoshu and her daughter Ryoko," the elder gentleman explained. "I will submit to whatever tests you deem necessary, but I want to see them again."
Tenchi glanced to Kamidake, who considered the request. Having read the man's demeanor during the ball as well as now, the knight did not find him insincere. His concern for the two women seemed genuine. Besides, both Kamidake and Tenchi would both be present if his claims were false.
"I believe that can be arranged," the warrior offered. "Please follow me."
Tensho bowed deeply to the knight thanking him and the prince, who both reciprocated in kind. The three turned down the corridor and proceeded together, the legendary combatant leading the way. As they approached the infirmary, Tenchi scratched the back of his head, breaking the awkward silence with a question.
"So, you knew Ryoko when she was a baby?"
"I did," Tensho admitted nostalgically, "for about a year. I had wanted to be her father."
Hesitantly, the prince asked, "What happened?" He then immediately retracted, "I'm sorry to pry! I meant…"
The captain shook his head with a distant smile. "It's fine, Lord Tenchi. I saw how you helped Ryoko back to herself on the veranda. I will tell the story, but I'd like to tell it to her as well. She was very young then and likely wasn't even aware of what was happening."
"I understand," the teenage nobleman answered.
Soon, the three men arrived at the palace infirmary, marked by a red cross embossed in silvery wood near the main entrance. Most personnel here wore some variation of a medic's uniform as they tended to their respective duties. Some were wrapped in the white cloak of a medical doctor as they ambled, reading the charts of their respective patients.
The nurses at the entrance directed the trio to Nagi's room. Naturally, questions were kept to a minimum by the ranks of all three men. Outside her door, Ryoko sat with Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki curled in her lap. Impatiently and worriedly, she sighed, her gaze distant, her mind no doubt racing with the recent revelations.
Then, her ears perked when Tenchi called her name. Her face brightened immediately upon seeing his warm grin as he approached. The two cabbits mewed happily and jumped onto her shoulders before she stood and wrapped her arms around her beloved prince. A wry smile and blush crossed his face, embarrassed by her overt appreciation of his presence.
While Kamidake did note their interaction, a slice of his attention remained on their guest, who looked upon the pair with a nostalgic grin.
After a moment, and Tenchi's urgings, Ryoko released him as he inquired about the bounty hunter. Her elation dissolved into a distant concern when she glanced to the door.
"The doctor just went in so I don't know."
The captain's nostalgia melted to worry as he began to speak, but stopped himself. Kamidake raised a brow, noticing this self-censorship. The knight wondered at this, particularly considering the man's claim that he "no longer have a right to see either". Needless to say, his curiosity grew.
"She'll be fine, Ryoko," Tenchi consoled the young woman, resting his hand on her arm. "You'll see."
Her gaze met his, but she shook her head and scoffed, "Tenchi, I'm not worried about that stubborn bounty hunter. She'll probably bust through that door in a second and demand a duel."
"Yeah," he conceded hopefully, "she probably will."
The two cabbits mewed their agreement while she punched her fist into her opposing palm.
"And, I'll be ready to give her one."
Tensho lowered his eyes melancholically, sighing heavily listening to her bravado. Admittedly, Kamidake estimated that Ryoko actually was concerned about Nagi, despite her boasts. However, the knight figured the captain did not appreciate hearing the daughter he never had ready to duel the daughter he lost. Nevertheless, the officer's silence did not help their plight. Kamidake rested his hand on Tensho's shoulder, drawing the older man's attention.
"I do not believe this is the time to be silent, Lord Tensho."
Tenchi and Ryoko turned to them, the former pirate focusing directly on the unfamiliar face.
"And, who are you?"
"Well," Tenchi began, "we met him on the way here…"
"It's alright, Lord Tenchi," the captain interrupted, stepping forward. With a calming breath, Tensho raised his eyes to Ryoko's and introduced himself. "I am Jurai Tensho, though I doubt you would remember my name, let alone who I am." Producing the photograph, he handed it to her with the words, "However, this might be more recognizable."
Kamidake watched the Ryoan woman's reaction to the image, her fingers grazing over its surface apprehensively, the confusion overt in her face. Then came the confirmations.
"That's Mom… and me… and that's you and…" Her eyes widened as they fell upon the purple-haired babe. "Nagi…!" The confusion shifted to anger as she threw her words at the only viable target. "… How?! I mean…! When did…?!"
Shame colored Tensho's face while he nodded. "It's a long story, and one I'm not proud to tell. Yet, I owe you…" he paused, willing the words to come, "you and Ryoshu both… I owe you both at least this much."
Before he could speak, the door slid open as a physician exited. He adjusted his glasses briefly before addressing Ryoko specifically with his news.
"Ms. Ryoko, Ms. Nagi is in sound physical health, though she does show some signs of recent results of extreme stress. Her body should recover without complication."
"Then, what's wrong with her?" the former pirate asked, frustration evident in her voice.
"We have yet to ascertain the cause," the doctor stated academically, "but for now, she is in a coma. We have started a nutritional IV and will keep her monitored."
"That's it?!" she demanded, grabbing his cloak and pulling his face towards her scowl. "That's all you know?!"
Tenchi grabbed her arm and called her down. Reluctantly, she released the medical professional, visibly forcing her usual brashness aside. While Kamidake did not know her as well as Tenchi, the knight knew that her passions ruled her and that action was her first recourse. Her impotence and ignorance in this position were infuriating her. Thankfully for the doctor, Tenchi's voice could break through her emotions.
"Yes," the physician answered gruffly, straightening his clothing, "that is all we know. We have arranged some cranial scans for her, as well as the other two to see if they have any commonalities."
Tensho stepped forward. "May we see her?"
"Yes, you can. A nurse will visit later to check on her. Now, if you will excuse me."
Ryoko's breath hissed through her teeth as she stepped aside, letting the man pass. Her glare followed the man until she felt Tenchi's hand take hers. She looked to him, and he smiled supportively for her.
"She's a stubborn bounty hunter, Ryoko."
With a sigh and a weak smile, Ryoko said, "That damn bitch…"
Together, the four entered the room, where Nagi rested on a soft futon on the floor. Wired into standard monitoring equipment, she laid motionless before them, peaceful despite the battle waging inside her mind. Ken-Ohki promptly took his place at his mistress's hand, with Ryo-Ohki supportively beside him. Tensho sat at her left, whispering her name softly as his fingers lightly traced the black mark on her cheek.
"Even now, this crosses your face…"
Tears encroached on his eyes gazing down upon his daughter, now a strong and independent woman. However, his words failed him, seeing her locked within herself, beyond his help. His own frustration and anger arose in his face as Tenchi and Ryoko watched, Ryoko particularly focused on him. Kamidake took a seat beside the captain, resting a hand on his shoulder and guiding his attention back to the other daughter of his beloved.
"Perhaps you should explain now, Lord Tensho."
"You're right," he agreed.
Tenchi and Ryoko seated themselves across from Kamidake and Tensho while the officer told his tale. All listened to how in the Juraian city of Aiko, the commanding officer of the tree-ship Hi-Ryu first met a Ryoan waitress, Ryua Ryoshu. He told of her strong spirit and fiery words, an educated and witty woman, too much so to be a simple laborer. He also spoke of falling in love with her, becoming attached to both her and her firstborn child.
Yet, she had dark secrets. Ryua Ryoshu was the widow of the dread pirate Ten Akuno of the Ten Pirate Guild. He had died in a GP raid, leaving her alone and pregnant with his daughter, Ryoko. Devastated, she had fled her native planet for the center of the Jurai Empire to ensure her daughter would not suffer his fate, to give her a future.
And, Tensho had been willing to give them both a future. When Ryoshu had become pregnant with his daughter Nagi, he had offered to wed the widow, to make their relationship official. However, the Jurai royal family would not tolerate such a union. They had denied the marriage and had demanded that the burgeoning family be torn apart before it had even been formed, threatening his career and estate. He had fought hard to keep them all together, offering whatever he could to appease the nobility to no avail.
Then, Ryoshu had made the choice for him, one the royal family could accept. She and Ryoko would leave for Ryuten, while Nagi would stay with her father. Ryoko, then just over one year in age, never remembered the man who could have been her stepfather. Hate grew within Tensho, for himself, for the royal family, for everything but his daughter and heir.
Alone, the captain raised his child. For nine years, he guided her in her education, trained her in Jurai's ways, and consoled her when teased by her peers. He nurtured the intellect and fire she inherited from her mother, emphasizing that Nagi was born special, unique. She became his life, and in time, he bestowed his family's headband heirloom upon her, modifying itself into her trademark violet hairband.
Unfortunately, politics intervened again. Emperor Jurai Azusa I had died under dubious circumstances, leaving his daughter Ayeka too young to marry or to assume the throne. Thus, the Holy Council had taken proxy for her. As Tensho was a lineal descendant of King Jurai Sho I also, a possibility existed that he or Nagi could ascend the throne. While the late emperor had been supportive of their family, the Council would not accept a "half-breed bastard" so close to succession. Hence, she was taken from Tensho and placed into an orphanage, while her father and his ship were transferred to Ryua as a "fitting" punishment.
The officer had heard that Nagi had fled the orphanage, and despite his attempts, he could not locate or contact her. Years later, Ryoshu had died and had been interred on Ryua, and shortly afterward, Nagi reemerged as a bounty hunter, targeting her half-sister, now a space pirate herself. Falling into depression, Tensho became a shell of himself, watching as daughters of his beloved war with one another in the headlines.
Kamidake's lavender eyes lowered to Nagi's face, considering her hardships, many not of her making. Silently, he empathized with her, knowing well the pain of loss himself. Not only had he seen comrades fall in the war with Ryua, but also he had lost his family and friends when he and Azaka were sealed within the Sacred Place. While he had known peace between those two events, the huntress had not had that luxury.
"What about when Kagato took the throne?" Tenchi inquired. "Why didn't he try to go after you or Nagi?"
Tensho scoffed and sarcastically answered, "You really think he was worried about some disgraced officer on the edge of the empire, or his half-breed daughter? No, we were too low a priority." However, pride etched a grin into his lips. "Though, I am proud she played a part in his defeat."
"As you should be," Kamidake commented. "She has a strong spirit and pride about her. No doubt, she is still warring for herself even now."
"Yeah," Tenchi added, "she helped us a lot then, and she's always been honorable." A wry expression crossed his face as he concluded, "In her own way…"
A warm smile extended across the captain's face hearing the compliments from both young men. Gazing upon the huntress, the knight's determination set itself to a new task. She was a daughter of Jurai and deserved their assistance if possible. Pondering her condition, he recalled Ryoko's own scrambled thoughts from the veranda and how Tenchi freed her.
He turned toward the former pirate, who was understandably quiet, reflecting on the tale of her sibling. Compassion had not been one of her most overtly shown emotions, but she wore it well alongside her concern.
"Ms. Ryoko," he began, "could you explain more about what was done to you by the enemy? It could shed some light on her condition."
Her golden eyes met his, and her desire to act had not diminished in the least. With a nod, she began, "That woman, 'Kimitan' they called her… She got into my head and replayed the incident in the bar with Nagi." A scowl twisted her eyes angrily. "Then, she changed it, making Nagi look like Mom." Her hand held Tenchi's tightly, wanting his support. "She threw a lot of the stuff about Mom and Nagi in my face, trying to tear me down."
Worriedly, Tensho asked, "Do you think this Kimitan did the same to Nagi?"
The cyan-maned woman glanced to him and replied hatefully, "I think that sick bitch gets off on it."
Tenchi's own frustration showed as he turned his attention to the huntress. "Too bad we can't help her like she helped us."
Kamidake's finger tapped lightly on his staff as he pondered the situation: a telepathic villainess, minds scrambled and sealed away. While the Kimitan woman herself could possibly rectify the problem, capturing and coercing her may not be easy. However, he remembered rumors and whispers he had heard millennia ago about Ryua and its people.
"During the war with Ryua," he recalled aloud, "many talked about Ryoans trying to extricate information from Juraian captives via telepathic methods. Is there a way to try and enter her mind ourselves?"
"I do remember Ryoshu mentioning something Akuno would do with his captives," Tensho admitted, glancing to Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki. "It had something to do with the cabbits, I think."
While Tenchi and Kamidake looked down at the two cabbits mewing back at them, Ryoko nodded, "I've heard of it."
"You have?" Tenchi asked.
"Yeah, it's called 'networking'." The former pirate glanced to her companion, who blushed and shied away. Confused, Ken-Ohki mewed to his brown counterpart. Surprised, the former pirate pondered, "He doesn't know about it?"
"What is it exactly, Ryoko?" the prince inquired.
"It's like when they become ships and send messages to each other, except they share all information." She grinned slyly to her flustered furry partner. "That's why she's blushing." Ryo-Ohki meowed impertinently while her mistress added, "I've heard Dad used it to get information out of his rivals. Since Nagi's linked with Ken-Ohki and me with Ryo-Ohki, I could see into Nagi's head and maybe break whatever's going on in there."
Kamidake thought this plan seemed sound, exploiting the two telepathic connections to enter Nagi's thoughts and aid in her struggle. However, Ryoko dubiously added, "But, it only worked on other Ryoans. If she's only half…"
Considering the taboos regarding Ryua, a woman of mixed-blood like Nagi was unthinkable in the knight's original era. As such, the genetics of inheriting abilities, telepathic or otherwise, had likely not been studied. While Nagi was psychically bonded to Ken-Ohki, the connection might not be as strong as the one between Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki. It might not support the cyan-maned woman's intervention. Doubt filtered through all present, but the hope remained.
"But, couldn't it be worth a try?" Tenchi asked.
"I know I shouldn't ask this of you, Ryoko," Tensho pleaded, "but could it be possible to try?"
Ryoko briefly pondered the situation but then smiled and answered, "I guess I owe her after not being the 'big sister' for so long."
While the mood did brighten a bit, worry clung to everyone while the former pirate turned to her furry partner. Ryo-Ohki glared back at her mistress, a reddish glow burning under her fuzzy cheeks. Ryoko simply scoffed, "What? It's not like you weren't going to eventually anyway."
Struck deep, the cabbit's eyes widened as the blush brightened. Ken-Ohki, however, meowed solemnly, no doubt giving her an option out. Nevertheless, after a moment of thought, Ryo-Ohki nodded, smiling warmly for her male counterpart. Kamidake thought the white cabbit's gesture was quite genteel, despite the obvious relationship existing between the two furry creatures.
Facing one another, the cabbits levitated into the air and assumed their crystalline aspects: two rhomboid gems, one white and one black. Between them, scarlet light began to exchange, seemingly random at first but soon forming a noticeable pattern. The two were communicating through the beams of light, not unlike the chiming filaments from the leaves of a Juraian tree.
With a sigh, Ryoko settled herself. "Alright. It's my turn."
"What happens now?" Tenchi asked.
"I'll link with Ryo-Ohki," she explained, "and, hopefully, see through her and Ken-Ohki into Nagi's mind."
"Good luck," he added, squeezing her hand one last time.
"I'll be back, Tenchi," she replied with a wink. "Don't worry."
Taking another calming breath, she closed her eyes, sinking deeply into herself. Unexpectedly, her consciousness left her, causing her to collapse, to be caught by her prince. Startled, Tenchi called out to her while Kamidake and Tensho both rushed to his side. Immediately, the knight checked her pulse and breathing, both stable, though very low.
"She is in a deep trance, it seems," the legendary combatant assessed. "She does not seem to be in immediate danger."
"I hope not," Tensho worried. "Ryoshu never really talked about what happened when this was done."
"Ryoko's not the type to lose," Tenchi said honestly, though his voice was tainted with worry as well.
"I doubt either of them are," Kamidake commented, his eyes drifting between the two women.
Minutes passed while the bolts of red shot between the two gemstones, growing more intense and fervent. Tensho folded his arms, overtly worrying without any indication of the sisters' condition in their confrontation. Tenchi held Ryoko's hand supportively, keeping his confidence with her stubbornly iron will. The crimson knight had not trained as intensely in the mental disciplines as his partner had, but he surmised that the former pirate had certainly made contact with her sibling's thoughts by the activity of the gems. Only time remained to their loved ones, and the faith held in each.
Yet, Tensho's worries grew exponentially, unable to act for his child. After 30 minutes, he stood and turned toward the door.
"This is taking too long," he fretted. "I'm getting a doctor."
Kamidake rose and grabbed the captain's shoulder, stopping him. "Lord Tensho, considering the physicians could not ascertain the cause of Lady Nagi's condition, I have my reservations about their understanding of what Ms. Ryoko is attempting."
Tensho lowered his eyes and considered the knight's words, conflicted and frustrated. "I haven't seen my daughter in nine years, Sir Kamidake. I don't want to lose her again."
Kamidake appealed to him, "Have faith in your daughters. They will succeed."
"Give them 10 more minutes," Tenchi interjected, turning the other men's attention to the young prince. The knight could see the worry clawing into his expression, despite his confidence in the cyan-maned Ryoan. "Kamidake is right that the doctors probably can't do much, so calling one in to monitor them wouldn't change anything." His eyes glance down to Ryoko's quiet face. "But, Captain Tensho is right that we should get a professional in here if something went wrong." He motioned to the gemstones with a wry grin on his face. "They're probably arguing, so let's give them a few minutes more to finish it."
A moment passed before Tensho reluctantly acquiesced to Tenchi's argument. He took his seat at Nagi's side, barely holding his fears in check. Kamidake sat at his side, nodding appreciatively to the prince for his words. Thankfully, after five minutes, the light between the gems ceased, and the two crystals reverted to the cabbits. The pair exchanged a quiet glance while the men's attention returned to the sisters.
"Is it over?" Tensho inquired.
First, Ryoko stirred in Tenchi's arms, awaking as if from sleep. Her eyes met Tenchi's, and the two exchanged relief in their gazes.
"Hey, you're back," he whispered.
"Miss me?" she chimed back as he blushed, helping her back to a seated posture.
"How're you feeling?" the captain asked.
She shook her head and blinked the dreamscape from her eyes. "A bit heady, but I'll be fine."
"What about Nagi?"
"See for yourself," she answered, motioning to the huntress.
Nagi's head rolled to the side as her eyes lethargically opened and blinked, adjusting to the light of the infirmary. Joy and relief replaced the worry in Tensho's face as he took her hand into both of his. Her crimson eyes panned up to his, where confusion filled her already scrambled thoughts.
"Father?" she whispered.
"Yes, dear," he confirmed.
Her fingers clasped his as she started to rise, filial affection clear in her face. However, she immediately became dizzy and laid back down, clutching her brow with her fingertips. He rested a hand on her shoulder, his paternal concern in his words.
"You need to rest now. You've been through an ordeal."
Tenchi and Ryoko watched silently while the two cabbits mewed happily at her restored consciousness. Kamidake smiled warmly, simply admiring the moment with a respectful distance. Settling his eyes on Nagi and her father, his heart was warmed, knowing they were reunited after their years of hardship and separation.
"Where am I?" the purple-haired woman asked.
"The infirmary at the Jurai palace," Tensho responded. "You're safe."
Her eyes wandered amongst the faces around her, until they fell upon Ryoko. Naturally, Nagi's gaze hardened while the elder sibling simply acknowledged her with a somber nod.
"What are you doing here?" the huntress demanded.
Ryoko remained silent, her golden eyes on her sister, while Tensho answered for her, "She helped you back to yourself, her and your two cabbits."
Nagi's eyes closed with a sigh. "So, that was you in my head?"
"Yeah," the former pirate answered, "it was, Sis."
With a scowl, Nagi hissed low, "Don't call me 'Sis', Ryoko."
"You're welcome," Ryoko replied coldly, adding emphasis to her final word, "Sis."
The huntress's glare smoldered, her irritation and spite more than evident. On the other hand, the cyan-maned rogue had the cooler head between the two sisters, reversing their usual roles. Kamidake wondered at what exchange had occurred when their minds touched, what each saw and what each remembered. Whatever Ryoko witnessed, her perspective had noticeably changed.
Before their spat could continue, Tensho interjected his plea, "That's enough, you two! Can you set your feud aside for this one moment?"
Nagi glanced to her father for a moment before her eyes slid back to her half-sister, the venom for her rival so fresh in her thoughts.
"You need to rest, Nagi," he pleaded again. "Let it go, just for now."
Reluctantly, she heeded his word and kept her silence while Tensho thanked Ryoko once more for rescuing his daughter. Kamidake could see the heartbreak in the captain's face, his biological daughter spew her distaste for her sibling, particularly so openly. Unfortunately, the knight also knew he had a purpose in being here, information.
Leaning forward, he softly and respectfully addressed the huntress, "Lady Nagi, I know that you need your rest to recuperate, but I must ask. Is there any information you could give regarding your attackers?"
With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and answered, "There isn't much I can tell, knight."
"I realize, but anything would be useful."
"Yes," she acknowledged. "The woman in my mind, the one with the flaring hair and green eyes…"
"Kimitan," Ryoko added.
"Yes, we know of her," the warrior confirmed. "Were there any others?"
"Yes," Nagi answered, "the tall man from the bar… He called himself 'Liaens'."
A chill ran through Kamidake hearing that name, one he knew well from before his interment in the Sacred Place. However, he had thought that name lost to time as it failed to appear in any history or legend from the first court of Jurai. Nevertheless, Nagi's lips had uttered the old enemy's name.
She couldn't mean him, the knight thought, shaking the memory away. He should be long dead.
"You know him, Kamidake?" Tenchi asked.
"Again, I am sorry, Lady Nagi," Kamidake continued, "but can you describe this man?"
She glanced briefly to her furry companion, who nodded to answer her unspoken question.
"I can do better," she replied. "Show him, Ken-Ohki."
The white cabbit rose his head, the yellow gem shining brightly, projecting a holographic image of the assailant. Seated a table in a nondescript bar, a man clapped slowly, dressed in fine regal robes, crimson and azure in color. Metallic lines were woven through his clothing and flesh, pulsing periodically a dull copper or silver hue, hidden slightly by the black cape draped over his shoulders. His dense brown hair extended down the sides of his face into a great beard. His eyes shone a steely gray, their pupil shaped like a targeting cross, a rather unique feature in this galaxy.
He lives! Kamidake's mind screamed, recognizing the man immediately.
"That's the bastard from the bar, alright," Ryoko corroborated.
Behind his lavender eyes, the legendary soldier's thoughts raced. He remembered seeing Liaens on the ground, gravely wounded, defeated millennia ago. The image that Ken-Ohki projected, that both sisters acknowledged as their attacker, depicted the same man, made whole again by technology and quite alive. How could this villain still live? What purpose could he have with these two women? What was his connection to this Kimitan witch?
Regardless, he decided, the emperor must know about this turn of events.
The knight rose and bowed deeply to the attendees. "I apologize, everyone, but I must take my leave. This information must be reported to the emperor immediately."
Surprised at the suddenness of his decision, Tenchi stood with him. "What's wrong, Kamidake?"
Likewise, Ryoko joined them, her own desire to know ignited. "Yeah, who is this jackass supposed to be?"
The warrior glanced between the pair before he replied. "A foe I had thought vanquished long ago. It might be best for the two of you to join me since the emperor may need to hear of your encounters as well. I can explain further once we meet with him."
"Okay," Tenchi accepted, turning to the Ryoan woman. "Are you coming, Ryoko?"
For a moment, her eyes shifted to Nagi and Tensho, distant and thoughtful. However, the glare back from her half-sister made the decision for her.
"Yeah, I'm coming with," she said coldly.
Tensho began to speak, but Ryoko was already in the hall before he could utter a word. Kamidake bowed to the father and daughter, adding, "Take care, both of you." Tenchi did similar as they rushed into the hallway, joining with the former pirate. Together, the trio hurried directly for the emperor's conference room, where Azaka had already escorted Ayeka and Sagami. Upon arrival, the crimson knight gained them all entry to join the briefing already in progress.
Within, Ayeka and Sagami sat together across a finely carved table from Emperor Jurai Azusa II, as well as Kamiki Seto at his side. Azaka stood stoically and loyally at his liege's side, listening to the discussion in silence. Tenchi and Ryoko quickly seated themselves at Ayeka's side and apologized for their absence while Kamidake bowed and address his master.
"My emperor, we bring news of great importance."
"Very well," Azusa said, waving for the door to be closed. "Speak your mind, sir knight."
"My lord, Lady Nagi has identified the enemy without question, a familiar one thought vanquished some time ago."
"Whom do you mean, knight?"
With a quick glance to Azaka, Kamidake answered, "The Great Liaens has returned from the dead."
While the emperor, princess, and young captain all were oblivious of the name, the azure knight met his partner's gaze and silently demanded answers. Notably, the council chairwoman seemed unmoved by the news, merely hiding her face behind her fan while her persimmon eyes set themselves on the younger knight.
"Who is this 'Liaens'?" the ruler inquired. "I am not familiar with that name in the least."
"He is an old foe," Azaka stated as he stepped forward, "one we had defeated and thought dead in the days of the first court."
"He lives," Kamidake reiterated, "evidently part of this cabal now threatening us."
"How do you know this?"
"Lady Nagi and her small companion showed him to us. Moreover, Ms. Ryoko corroborated that he was their assailant. He was older and carried technological support, but he was the same man we once fought."
Silently, Ryoko nodded to the azure knight, who folded his arms in thought. The crimson knight could see the same questions racing through the mind of his former mentor. Stroking his beard, Azaka shook his head, displeased with this news.
"No doubt, given his previous intent, he is the leader of this syndicate."
"Pardon my ignorance, Azaka," Ayeka began, "but who is this Liaens? I do not recall him from any of the legends or histories of Jurai."
With a silent exchange to his partner, Azaka nodded and joined his partner at the head of the meeting table.
"Princess, had Fate been different, you would have never heard his name."
Kamidake continued, "He was an enemy who threatened your ancestor, King Jurai Sho I, the first king of Jurai."
"It is a legend you all know well, though the generations have left it without names or deeds."
Together, the two knights told their tale, the Legend of the Two Knights, but from a firsthand perspective. They told of the rise of Jurai Sho during the war with Ryua, how his victory crowned the first king of Jurai millennia ago. They lamented the loss of his wife, Hayashi Aki, in the battle that gave birth to Sargasso, the starship graveyard. By their deeds during the war with Ryua, Azaka and Kamidake had been dubbed by King Sho the first knights of Jurai, protectors of royal family.
Also, Sho and Aki had had a daughter, Achi, the very first crown princess of the Jurai royal family. In the years following the war, she had become a fine woman and scholar of Jurai's ancient writings, and in time, her writings too became legend. Despite the peace after the war, she had been kidnapped from her chambers in the palace.
Ransom demands had come shortly afterward: the unconditional surrender of the Juraian crown to the hands of the world Prora, to this so-called "Great Liaens". An empire-wide search had began for this man and his home-world, but neither had been known to Jurai or any of her allies. Ultimately, the king had gone with his two knights to meet Liaens under the pretense to yield to his demands. However, this had been a ruse to lure the enemy out while another party located and rescued the princess.
No fool, Liaens had brought his own troupe of soldiers, as well as two blade-masters, all of his Proran people. The battle waged between the three Juraians and this enemy force had left Liaens's men all dead, and the man himself crippled and likely dying. Unfortunately, the coward had managed to escape the king's blade by a hidden teleportation device.
Sadly, Azaka and Kamidake had been gravely wounded, unable to return home to the throne-world. Thus, they had been sealed away to be healed, to be reborn in a later time when King Sho's descendants would need them again. The battleground had become their tomb, the Sacred Place of Jurai, where the great warriors of each generation would be buried. Princess Achi had returned home and eventually had married as queen, the generations of her lineage producing Tenchi, Ayeka, and Nagi.
In recounting this story, Kamidake thought back to all those he left behind in his original era. He had respected and admired King Sho, a noble and just man. The knight had been sparring partners with Azaka's son, Mashiro, and the two young men had become fast friends. Likewise, both had served as escort to Princess Achi, coming to know her not only as their charge, but also as a friend. While Katsuhito and Tenchi certainly had similar traits to King Sho, they were not he. Similarly, Ayeka reminded him strongly of Achi, but the violet-tressed princess had far more years of aristocracy holding her persona back. Moreover, much of Azaka's family has been torn apart by Tetta's treachery, leaving Mashiro's legacy in ruins. The buildings and traditions of Jurai might have been preserved through the years, but the people were gone. A part of the young knight's heart still burned with anger that Liaens caused him to lose that path, to lose all those friends and family. He still wondered at what could have been, had Fate chosen differently.
"Okay," Ryoko began, "so if this Liaens guy was some old enemy of Jurai, what's it got to do with me, or Nagi?"
"Yes," Ayeka agreed, "and what is his purpose for his return?"
"I am not certain, princess," Azaka admitted. "This could be another attempt at conquering Jurai, or perhaps simple revenge."
"And, there's a Ryoan interest in this," Sagami commented, stroking his chin.
"What about the other two," Tenchi asked, folding his arms, "Kimitan and the shape-shifter?"
"We have too little information to really grasp their purpose, Tenchi," Ayeka admitted. "There is far too much we don't know about this situation."
While most everyone debated on the information known about Liaens and his compatriots, Kamidake noticed that Seto browsed information on a translucent panel before her. From his vantage point, he could read the name "Nerti Ro" next to an image of the blond woman admitted with Nagi earlier. In another screen, she skimmed Nagi's medical records from her recent admission to the infirmary. The knight's brows furrowed, confused as to why she would be reviewing that information in particular.
"Considering that Liaens and Oniko are both known to be enemies of Jurai," Sagami stated, "it is likely that Jurai would be their primary target."
"So, the other two might be mercs?" Ryoko considered.
Finally, Seto closed her fan and set it aside as she interrupted their conversation.
"This is all simply speculation based on what little facts you have."
Ryoko scowled at the mature Juraian woman. "And, who are you? You've just been sitting there this whole time."
"She is Lady Kamiki Seto," Azusa sternly answered, "chairwoman of the Holy Council, and my top adviser. You should give her respect."
"Lady Ayeka is correct in that we need more information about the enemy," Seto acknowledged, "before we can truly understand their motives." Her eyes settled on Ryoko again as she added, "Which is what you should uncover, Ryua Ryoko."
Confusion rippled through the room at her suggestion, though she immediately clarified, "As I understand from Nagi's charts, you were instrumental in reviving her via your telepathic connection to your bonded companion, Ryo-Ohki, as well as her connection to Ken-Ohki."
The hairs on the back of Kamidake's neck stood on end. While he did not immediately grasp the chairwoman's implication, the silky tone of her voice on those words unnerved him, like a serpent coiling around its kill. Considering the personal nature of the exchange in the infirmary, the line of thought here already seemed unpleasant and inappropriate. The former pirate herself likewise sensed vile intent in the other woman's words.
"What of it?" Ryoko hissed back.
"It seems that Nerti Ro is a native of the world Pentinon," Seto stated, "whose people share many racial characteristics to Ryua's people. In particular, the medical databases state that the nervous structure of both races is nearly identical."
The cyan-maned woman became notably uncomfortable listening to this before the Juraian concluded, "I believe you could rout the agenda of Liaens and his people from her mind, just as you did your half-sister."
"I don't think so," Ryoko replied, her lip curling in disgust. "What I did for Nagi was between me and her. I've had enough of screwing around with that green-eyed bitch's work. Besides, don't you have ways to do that yourself?"
"We do, but not with a very high success rate. At present, it is more likely that you would have more success."
"Well, sorry," the Ryoan woman adamantly declared, folding her arms. "I'm not diving into anyone else's head."
Seto quietly rolled her closed fan between her fingers while she coldly stated, "This is not a request."
Shock hit Tenchi, Ayeka, and Sagami immediately. Even Azaka and Kamidake were taken aback by the chairwoman's words, particularly in the presence of the emperor. Still, the woman's words continued to flow unabated, "You are a citizen of the Jurai Empire, Ryua Ryoko, born on member-world Ryua. You are subject to the edicts of the Holy Council and the emperor, just like any other."
Hate boiled beneath the Ryoan's scowl, wanting to explode on this Juraian, to put her in her place. However, the cool and calm gaze of Seto followed the tip of her fan in her hand as she warned, "You have been free with your speech much of your life, but you should choose your next few words very carefully. Because of your help against Kagato and Kain, we allowed the acquittal of your crimes by the Galaxy Police, as well as your breaking of the ancient edicts against Ryua."
Ayeka and Sagami exchanged a worried look while Tenchi's brows furrowed and turned to Ryoko. Her fingers clawed at her dress, wadding a portion of it into her palm, her fingernails scraping the fabric. Her amber eyes remained trained on the woman across from her, no doubt stopping numerous curses from slipping from her lips.
Distantly amused, Seto's gaze slid to Tenchi and noted his confusion and ignorance. "I see the young prince is not familiar with this."
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"No doubt," she explained, "you have noticed that only Ryoko seems to carry some unique abilities: flight, crimson light, teleportation, and the like. Since Ryua's defeat during the first court of Jurai, King Sho issued the edict that all Ryoans be stripped of those powers, that they may never again pose a threat to Jurai."
The prince turned to the two knights, who quietly acknowledged this fact. Kamidake's heart sank to admit the truth, considering Ryoko's valiant use of her abilities. When the edict had been issued, Jurai had recently won the war against Ryua and had feared their broken enemy regathering to rise again. Debates in the Holy Council, both pro and con, had weighed heavily on King Sho's mind in this regard. Should Jurai take away a part of Ryua's very nature to secure peace? Ultimately, the king had chosen in favor of security.
But, Kamidake thought to himself, times have changed. Ms. Ryoko is not our enemy.
"Then, Washu…?" Tenchi asked.
"She is a special case," Seto said. "Their planetary priesthood were allowed their abilities for cultural purposes, and select scientific personnel were as well, to study the energy type." Her eyes focused on Ryoko as she added, "However, she was once a pirate, and like them, has ignored the laws requiring them to comply. That is why they hide, striking in the night, lest we capture them and take away those gifts."
Kamidake could hear a twisted glee in her words, that she enjoyed threatening the Ryoan woman's quality of life. In the time since Ayeka relinquished the throne, the crimson knight has seen the chairwoman regularly when he and Azaka escort the emperor to meet with her. The redheaded warrior had simply regarded her as a politician, playing her role to maintain order in the council. However, in the past eight months, she and the emperor have been attending more private meetings, excluding even the two knights. Hearing her now, Kamidake grew his own distaste, and suspicions, for this vicious woman.
"We have been kind enough to let you enjoy your powers, Ryoko," Seto continued, "so you should not be so ungrateful as to refuse this… small request."
The crimson knight turned to his liege, noting his complacent silence during this entire exchange. The man's utter lack of reaction disturbed the legendary combatant.
How can the emperor simply sit and listen, Kamidake wondered, while this vile woman seems to speak for him?
Ryoko hatefully fumed, biting her lip, willing herself not to rebuke the Juraian woman with all the spite brewing in her mouth. Likewise, Azaka did not agree with Seto's approach or tone, and he stepped forward as the voice of reason.
"What you say may be true, Lady Seto, but such a command to a citizen can only be given by the emperor himself."
Opening her fan just over her nose and mouth, the chairwoman blinked idly before glancing slyly to the emperor. In that moment, Kamidake noticed that Ayeka's eyes widened, uneasy, surprised. Before he could question what happened, his liege drew everyone's attention.
"I am afraid I must agree with Lady Seto. This is needed. It is your civic duty, Ryua Ryoko, to aid us against these enemies of Jurai."
Both knights turned to their emperor, stunned. Tenchi and Sagami both stood from their seats, aghast at the ruler's words.
"My emperor!" Sagami exclaimed.
"You can't be serious!" Tenchi seconded.
Massaging his temple, Azusa nodded. "I am."
"But, she's a civilian, sire," the young captain argued. "She's not qualified for a military intelligence operation like this."
While Seto just fanned herself, Azusa rubbed his brow, his forehead seeming to ache, before he countered them both by saying, "If not her, then Nagi could do this in her place. She has similar telepathy and is of Juraian blood."
Kamidake could not believe what he had just heard. His emperor, his sworn liege, has just offered to spare Ryoko mingling her mind with an unknown, if her half-sister did so in her place. Not only was Nagi still recovering from her own ordeal, but she was a lady of the royal family, regardless of the Ryoan blood in her veins. Azusa has gone from an unjust order to a citizen to an unreasonable demand of a royal lady, who was still recovering from an ordeal.
When Kamidake had been named a knight alongside Azaka, they both took an oath, sacred before not only the first king of Jurai, but also the Matron of Jurai herself. They swore to uphold the high ideals of nobility: righteousness, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. They promised to follow their duties: hold faith in the goddess, defend the Jurai royal family, be honest and true in word and deed, show generosity to all, be righteous and good against injustice and evil. Hearing this vile exchange, he could not remain silent.
"My emperor!" the crimson knight interjected. "Lady Nagi is…!"
"Fine!" Ryoko interrupted through her clenched teeth. She rose from her seat and turned away from everyone. "I'll do it."
Tenchi and Ayeka came to her side, worried for her, supporting her while the Ryoan woman clutched her arms close. Her eyes closed, she held back her feelings, her anger and pain. Her voice firm, she added, "Just let Nagi rest, alright?"
"You have my word," the emperor declared.
Wordlessly, Ryoko phased through the door and exited. A scowl etched into Tenchi's face as he spun to the emperor and councilwoman, barking at them both, "She just got her sister back, and you…!"
Similarly upset, Sagami joined Tenchi as he too questioned his superiors, "Sire, I don't understand this move. It's…!"
The stern gaze of Azusa shifted to the brown-haired officer. "You, captain, have no place to question my authority. You are hereby ordered back to your ship and to prepare it for battle, along with the rest of the fleet."
Again, Kamidake was amazed at what he beheld. Sagami might be a young officer, but he stated what everyone else likely was asking themselves. To dismiss him so quickly and outright made no sense. As the captain bowed stiffly and acknowledged the direct order, the knight sympathized.
This is wrong, he thought, so wrong.
Sagami turned to leave, and Tenchi followed him until the emperor called to him in particular.
"And, what of you, Masaki Tenchi?"
Without facing the Juraian monarch, Tenchi coldly replied, "I'm going to make sure Ryoko's alright."
Ayeka rested her hand on his shoulder, agreeing. "I will join you."
With a subtle smile, Tenchi thanked her, though the emperor shook his head. "We should plan for Liaens's possible incursion of Jurai. Both of you should be involved."
"Ryoko's involved too," Tenchi retorted, "and important as well."
While the prince was headstrong, the princess was more tactful in her answer. "My emperor, Oniko stated she was important to this event. It would be prudent for us to be certain of her condition."
Stroking his beard, the emperor considered her words and eventually sighed heavily. "Very well, Lady Ayeka."
As they left, Kamidake noticed Ayeka's lingering, anxious gaze on Seto, as well as her cold and calculating reply. The knight's suspicions only grew as the door sealed, leaving him and his partner alone with the emperor and chairwoman.
Likewise, Azaka had exception with the situation and approached his master, asking, "My emperor, might I speak freely?"
"If you must," the monarch answered.
"While I agree that searching Nerti Ro's mind for information is warranted," the azure warrior admitted, "I do not see the benefit in forcing Ms. Ryoko to do it personally."
"Indeed," Kamidake added, "as well as threatening to substitute her with Lady Nagi. She is in no condition to attempt such a feat after her ordeal."
Seto closed her fan and answered, "Frankly, pirates rarely respond to reason. Force was the simplest and most efficient route." She then glanced to Kamidake and added, "As to the bounty hunter, her lineage has yet to be corroborated. I find it premature for you to address her as 'lady', sir knight."
The crimson knight ground his teeth behind his lips. To threaten someone unable to defend herself, he fumed to himself, Lady Nagi is far more noble than you.
Azaka retorted sternly, "Lady Seto, with all due respect to your position, you are not the emperor. You should not answer for him."
"Sir Azaka," Azusa spoke as he rose from his seat, "she is correct. Pirates do not often respond to words."
"Sire," the azure knight replied, "Ms. Ryoko is no longer a pirate. She has been absolved of her crimes as reward for her service to the empire and has not reverted to her criminal ways."
"And yet, she still ignores the Ryoan edicts, just like a pirate."
"But," Kamidake argued, "she used those very powers she is to relinquish in order to serve the empire. She is far closer to being a friend of the empire than a foe." His eyes slid to Seto briefly as he continued, "The same can be said for her half-sister, who helped overthrow the usurper."
"Indeed," Azaka concurred. "They are owed our respect, not our demands and certainly not our threats."
Seto's brows furrowed as she said, "Gratitude only extends so far, sir knight. You do realize it would take days to have a trained Ryoan interrogator brought to the palace?"
Irritated, Azaka took a settling breath, his eyes closing. "Again, Lady Seto, you are not the emperor."
"But," the emperor replied, "I do agree with her."
The knights again stood aghast at their liege's words. The chairwoman rose from her seat, her eyes coldly meeting those of the azure knight.
"I'm sorry to say, Sir Azaka," Seto spoke, not hiding any of the condescension in her voice, "that your mind is still set in the past. You should wake up to the reality." She stepped back and scanned over him with her eyes, unimpressed. "Your way is over. We don't have conflict anymore. We don't have to fight and scrape for allies." Her hand slid idly over the back of her chair while she stated, "Our empire is the strongest in the galaxy. No one opposes us. Without fail, our foes come to our table, on our terms. We need only enjoy how they bend the knee to us."
Kamidake advanced and retorted, "Such an approach twists the noble heart of Jurai! Our allies should be with us because we believe in the same goal, not because they fear us. It is the coward's way, and unjust to our people."
"Moreover," Azaka added, "such fear breeds resentment, which slowly becomes animosity. Doing this to your allies will spur unrest amongst them."
Azusa rubbed his temple with a heavy sigh, his left brow twitching. "There will be no conflict. We are in the right, and our allies will fall in line, as will this Liaens."
Both knights began to speak again when their master ordered, "And, this is all I will hear on the matter. Lady Seto and I have a meeting to attend. In our absence, contact the admiralty to be ready in case they are needed."
Azaka and Kamidake glanced to one another, disappointed and disheartened at this exchange. The crimson knight himself felt the battle waged in his heart. He had given his all to fight Ryua in the war of empires. He had nearly given his life to save the royal family from Liaens. He had protected the true prince of Jurai on his way to the usurper, to save the rightful princess. However, neither the courageous Prince Tenchi nor the noble Princess Ayeka had taken the throne. Both had stepped aside, making the way for this bearded man, and the vile woman whispering in his ear. Now, Jurai seemed to be losing its way.
Perhaps if Tenchi or Ayeka had taken the throne, Kamidake's oath of fealty would not be in conflict with the knight's ethos.
Both warriors bowed to their liege, accepting his edict as he and the chairwoman left the conference room. Kamidake held back the curl of his lip when he saw Seto glance at them both, contempt plain in her face. After they had left, the red-haired knight turned to his partner. Azaka had been Kamidake's mentor, instilling in the young man the chivalry for which they both stood now. Thus, the crimson combatant still leaned on his partner for advice.
"Azaka, he has changed from the good man who took the throne."
"I know," the azure knight acknowledged, "but I do not believe him fallen yet."
"We both know her counsel is tainting his decisions, even outright directing them. We shouldn't stay idle."
"And, we won't. However, this matter of Liaens takes priority for the moment. We can address the emperor and his apparent muse afterward."
Kamidake reluctantly agreed, knowing the needs of the immediate situation. For the next hour, the two knights gathered the admiralty of the Juraian fleet, as well as the garrison commanders stationed at Heaven's Tree. All were told to ready their men for action, in case this lingering threat was made real. Both knights relayed their knowledge of the enemy: his appearance, his earthen-colored energy, and his basic tactics. While much of their intelligence on Liaens was millennia old, Ryoko and Nagi's accounts helped reinforce the warriors' impressions and convince the military leaders to prepare.
Once their plans were laid, the two legendary men met with their liege and the chairwoman deep in the corridors of Heaven's Tree. Kneeling before the emperor, Azaka and Kamidake reported their preparations, though the ruler listened distantly, seemingly distracted. Seto fanned herself just a few paces behind Azusa, listening intently, her gaze calculating on the two men. The crimson knight's eyes remained on her, observing carefully, searching for how she manipulated the emperor.
"Good," Azusa answered once they finished. "Accompany us. The Ryoan should have some information soon from the Pentinian girl."
Both knights hid their displeasure at the situation as they rose back to their feet. While they escorted Azusa and Seto through the corridor, alarms began to sound throughout the palace. Each warrior swung his staff into his hands and took a defensive position on either side of the emperor. Their liege produced a communicator from his tunic, calling the commander of the Palace Guard.
"What's happened, commander?"
"A ship has appeared in orbit, sire," the commander replied. "The description matches that of Liaens's vessel. The fleet has been mobilized."
"Very well. Order the ship to surrender. If it does not, disable it. Capture if possible."
"Yes, my emperor."
Putting the communicator away, the ruler turned to his two knights and nodded. "Done and sorted."
While Kamidake did hope Azusa was correct, doubt lingered in his mind. Liaens was a powerful man, and somehow the planet Ryua was involved as well. This may not be as simple as eliminating one rogue vessel.
As the leader of Jurai resumed his path through the corridor, the knights' staves flashed a bright white, pulsing brilliantly. Confused, Azusa and Seto both spun to the fighting men, who exchanged knowing, but worried, glances. Kamidake could feel the power flowing through his key, the power of the Matron of Jurai, Tsunami. If the goddess herself was now involved, the event in orbit of the throne-world would not be simple in the least.
"What is this?" Seto asked as she approached them both.
Before she could be given an answer, a Light Hawk Wing cracked reality on a line parallel to each staff, widening into a radiant shield for each knight. After a moment, each became transparent and swirled around each key-bearer, encasing each man in a protective shell.
Even though Kamidake had strong mettle, the two wings of the goddess unnerved him. The last time he saw these appear was when the five keys were first created, when Liaens first threatened them all. She was aiding them against him once again, enfolding select individuals in her embrace.
What is coming? Kamidake worried. What could warrant her direct intervention?
Azusa advanced, demanding, "What is this construct, knight?"
Sadly, Azaka answered, "The Lady's providence."
The emperor began to retort when a red wave of light swept over the corridor, washing over everything and everyone in the corridor, except for the two knights. However, the wake of the energy shrouded both Azusa and Seto in pain and torment. The powerful politicians stumbled and fell to their knees, grasping their arms close, instinctively attempting to guard against the scarlet lightning burning into their flesh. Their muscles seized, causing their balance to fail and their bodies to collapse on the floor. Their teeth chattered as they meagerly tried to form words, and failed to utter more than contorted moans.
The knights rushed to their liege's side, unable to help him despite their apparent immunity. Despite not agreeing with Azusa's recent methods, Kamidake still felt failure in his soul. He had failed to protect the most central member of the Jurai royal family, failed to uphold one of his sworn duties. Even though he might not have been able to prevent this event, the emotion lingered, hanging onto his waking mind like a blade in his side.
Thankfully, they were not the only two spared the fate of their master. Tenchi, Ayeka, Nagi, Sasami, and Katsuhito had all likewise been protected by one of the goddess's wings, though none knew of their protector, save perhaps Katsuhito. However, Ayeka and Sasami both had collapsed before the enemy's weapon discharged, which was worrisome. Though the elder princess did awake after some rest, the azure-haired girl remained in a quiet, dreamless sleep, seemingly exhausted. Moreover, Nagi's father had fallen before his daughter's eyes, unprotected by the goddess. The huntress seethed with fury, silently brooding, her fingers tracing the hilt of her sword.
Ryoko, Will Pii, and Nerti Ro had also been spared since they had no connection to Jurai's power. The former pirate had been successful in awakening the latter two from the hold of the twisted telepath. So freed, Nerti could finally tell her tale, how she had been violently kidnapped by Liaens and forced into designing this "Aelins Reactor" and an army of androids. She was merely a pawn in the villain's new plan for conquest, torn from her life, and the young man at her side.
Seeing the women in such disarray only fueled the retribution boiling in Kamidake's heart. He would see Liaens fall again for his crimes against these ladies, as well as the whole of Jurai itself. All gathered in the infirmary as Katsuhito and the knights planned a retaliatory strike against the enemy, using Nerti's knowledge of the vessel and its weaponry. Three teams would confront the enemy: one on Jurai to distract the main attack force, one to confront Liaens on his vessel, and one to locate and disable the Aelins Reactor.
However, Tenchi asked the hardest question of all, "Then, who's in each group?"
Without hesitation, Pii stood and declared, "I want a shot at Liaens. I've chased him and studied him for the past few months. I know his current strategies and abilities."
Kamidake had only known Edward William Pii for the hours since the crimson wake crossed Jurai. From the admission of Tenchi and his friends, as well as Nagi, Will Pii was a bounty hunter with strange origins on Earth, though he specialized in search-and-rescue. Hearing Nerti's story and watching how she and the young man acted and spoke to one another, the knight could guess at their history. The Terran hunter loved the blond girl and became what he must to find her again. Indeed, he had a valid claim to confront the enemy on behalf of his beloved, and had knowledge necessary for the mission. However, that very tenacity could easily blind him and make him a liability.
Nagi also held this opinion and coldly quipped to the other hunter, "And, you have a fresh vendetta."
Cut to his core, Pii faced her, his lip curled in his quick anger, and retorted, "You're one to talk after chasing your own half-sister because of your 'mommy issues'."
The huntress glared back at the black visor on his face, her own fury consuming her. Kamidake too was surprised at his response to her, that he would attack the lady's familial issues. Considering that her father was struck the same as the other royal family members, the knight found the topic highly sensitive, and most inappropriate to be used in this manner. The legendary soldier began to speak on Nagi's behalf when Nerti's own aghast call to her would-be rescuer silenced the argument. Pii lowered his head and sighed heavily, no doubt realizing his mistake. An awkward silence lingered for a moment before Katsuhito made his own ruling on the issue.
"I agree that your knowledge of the man will be helpful," he admitted to Pii, "but your hotheadedness is a detriment."
Nagi began to grin, until the great prince scolded her as well, "As is your pride."
The humor faded quickly from her face, her eyes icily meeting his. Kamidake knew Katsuhito was correct in his assessment. Each for his or her own reasons, the coming battle would be riding the emotions of both bounty hunters, and having one or both lose focus may be lethal to the efforts of all.
"That is why," the grandfather continued wisely, "you need someone more centered to balance you both."
He motioned to Tenchi, and the rationale became obvious. Unanimously, all of his allies vouched for the young prince's character and capability, particularly Ryoko and Ayeka. Even Pii accepted this stipulation readily. When asked herself, Nagi drew her cape close and spun away.
"I'll handle my part in this," she said as she left the infirmary.
Disappointedly, Kamidake shook his head. He had seen her carrying her father into the infirmary, and the loss in her eyes had already converted to anger and hate. She had been given a glimpse of joy and had it stolen from her grasp. The knight could understand her distant reaction, especially to the Terran's callous remark. The words lingered in his mind throughout the remainder of the planning before Katsuhito dismissed them all to rest what they could.
After some thought, the red-haired Juraian approached Will Pii, man to man, in regard to his words.
"Mr. Pii, might I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sure," Pii replied nonchalantly. The two young men stepped away from the others before the Terran asked, "What's wrong?"
"In regard to your exchange with Lady Nagi," Kamidake began, respectfully, "I found it in rather poor taste that you addressed her familial situation, considering the current situation."
With a heavy sigh, the Terran hunter nodded. "I know. I realize that I snapped at her." He flipped the black visor from his eyes and hotly met the knight's gaze. "However, I didn't appreciate her comment either. Lady or not, she's no better than me in terms of her vendetta."
"You are correct," Kamidake admitted, "but it is less the content and more the expression which was offensive. Your words lacked tact and respect for the lady."
Pii's eyes narrowed. "She's not exactly a weak woman who needs to be sheltered."
The knight folded his arms. "That is hardly the point. It is the principle of the matter. I doubt you would have allowed someone to speak in such a way to Ms. Nerti."
The hunter glanced to the side, no doubt considering that particular scenario. His teeth gnashed beneath his lips as he nodded, accepting the other man's argument.
"You're right."
"Perhaps you should apologize to her after she has calmed herself."
Pii lowered the visor back over his eyes. "If we live through this."
"I'll hold you to it," Kamidake replied with a slight grin.
Pii smirked. "I wouldn't expect any less of a Juraian knight."
While the Terran might not be the most genteel, he was not a brute. The warrior considered the hunter unrefined, but his heart and motives were true. The two young men parted ways, Pii back to his beloved and Kamidake to the corridors of the palace. The Juraian mulled over the details of the coming battle, particularly his own role. He was to escort Ryoko and Nerti to the Aelins Reactor, aiming to disable the device before it can fire again. Truthfully, he suspected his role would be to keep watch over Nerti, in case her mind once again succumbed to the Kimitan witch. He knew little of the Pentinian woman, nor did anyone save her beau. How would she fight? Could he incapacitate her without leaving lasting injury?
In his wandering, Kamidake came to the grand ballroom. Earlier, this room had been elegantly draped with masterwork tapestries and ornately carved furniture for the reunion. When the red light cascaded upon the planet, the noblemen and ladies collapsed, toppling the furniture and tearing down many of those tapestries. Between the unconscious nobility, wine glasses laid shattered, food platters scattered along the floor. Stillness held the room, broken only by the babbling water in the veins of Heaven's Tree.
Past the disarray of the fallen Jurai royal family, the knight beheld a stunning sight on the terrace adjoining the ballroom. A single woman stood in the silvery moonlight, her silhouette caressed by the pale luminance, an apparition floating among the defeated. Her short cape billowed around her shoulders as she clutched her arms close, simply gazing out into the fields, longingly.
Kamidake doubted many ever saw Nagi this way, brokenhearted, vulnerable, feminine. In this moment, she appeared less the ruthless and vicious huntress, but rather a thoughtful and sensitive woman. In her occupation, she likely had to withhold such facets of herself for her own protection, to maintain her persona of insurmountable strength. The legendary soldier's heart wanted to help her, to give her some consolation in this dark hour. Staff in hand, he approached her quietly and slowly, hoping not to startle her.
However, Nagi's senses were quite keen, evidenced by her crimson eyes glancing over her shoulder at him. The vulnerabilities she had shown quickly retracted as her gaze grew icy and distant once more. He could see a storm of passions raging in her eyes, how her helplessness infuriated her, how she despised their enemy, how she lamented her loss.
"Are you well, Lady Nagi?" he asked genteelly, not disguising his concern.
Her eyes scanned him, leaving an awkward silence for a few moments. Naturally, she did not know him, and like any warrior, she was assessing him, his poise, his weapon, estimating the threat he posed. Since they had not interacted with each other at length, he could respect her apprehension.
"Should I be?" she retorted.
Carefully, he advanced a step closer, his attention solely on her. "You seemed upset leaving the briefing with Lord Yosho. I realize the Terran hunter's words were insulting to you…"
Her brows twisted into a scowl before she barked back at him, "What would you know of it, knight?" Her eyes closed with a heavy breath, turning back to face the open air of Jurai. "You who were raised by nobility, honored and revered… what would you know?"
Kamidake could hear the pain in her voice, the anger, the frustration. He had felt these emotions too when he and Azaka were reintroduced to the waking world. While the two knights had attended some counseling to acclimate to the modern Jurai, the loss of their loved ones and friends in their era hurt far more deeply than the changes in technology or customs. Azaka had had a wife and son when the two men went to face Liaens the first time, both of whom lived their lives and died before the knight returned. Kamidake, likewise, had become friends with Azaka's son Mashiro and Princess Achi, as well as other members of the younger generation. He had thought about courting a lady to be his wife before Liaens appeared. However, just like his partner's family, the crimson knight's peers were now long dead. The two men only knew each other in this new era, and became fast allies with the Masaki household through the battle with the usurper Kagato. Each leaned on the other in support while they came to terms with the cataclysmic changes in their lives.
While Kamidake has adjusted to the new era rather well, he still felt alone. He has tried to make friends among the new generation of Jurai, much like he did in his time. However, in sparring with those of his age, he easily defeated every opponent without fail, within three steps. He had held back in later engagements, but the result was inevitably the same. Few young men would challenge him, or accept a challenge from him. Even then, many saw him as an icon, a pillar of the past, a living legend, a celebrity. Most have not spoken with him, but rather yielded the way for him to pass. Those who do seem rabid in their incessant questions about his time period and the people of the past, but not the knight himself.
Quietly, he stood behind Nagi and gently rested a hand on her shoulder, feeling her tremble with rage and fury.
Soothingly and understandingly, he spoke, "I know what it is to be a stranger in one's own home, to come back after everything has changed. Skill and reverence, as well as time, can isolate as much as shame and prejudice, Lady Nagi."
Her head turned back to face him, her scarlet eyes meeting the lavender of his for a silent moment beneath the moonlight of Jurai. He laid his heart open to her, lowering his guard to show his true weariness to another warrior soul.
Then, the remaining warmth in her eyes became ice as she slapped away his hand.
"Get your hand off of me!" she barked. "I am not some wilting flower like these regal ladies on the floor! I don't need your sympathy, let alone want it!"
Taken aback, Kamidake glanced at his hand before he closed his fingers and lowered his eyes. He had thought his gesture would be kind and helpful, to give her aid in her moment of weakness. However, the action was unwanted, and a shame crept into his heart, having imposed his comfort upon this woman. Respectfully, he stepped back and bowed deeply, apologetically, to her.
"Very well, Lady Nagi… My most sincere apologies for making such an assumption…"
Quietly, he rose and turned to leave her in peace. As he left the ballroom, he heard a swift displacement of air halfway between him and Nagi, the telltale sound of Ryoko's teleportation ability. He worried for a moment that the two would engage in their age-old battle, but after their mental encounter, he doubted they would grow too violent. He did linger nearby, in case he was mistaken.
Alone, Kamidake wandered the darkened halls of the Jurai palace near the ballroom, reflecting on his exchange with Nagi. The knight wondered what he had said or done to offend her: touching her shoulder, his choice of words, perhaps even speaking to her at all. Sadly, as he considered her, he had too little experience with her to know what caused her to strike out at him. The ladies of the court could not compare to her more worldly life. Admittedly, Nagi seemed more like a man in her sensibilities: little to no pretense, guarding her emotions closely, living by her works and her sword.
Perhaps, he mused to himself, I should have approached her like I would Lord Tenchi or Lord Yosho. Then, he sighed and shook his head. Or, perhaps she just needed to be alone.
Before he considered the issue further, the sounds of battle arose from the ballroom. Immediately, the crimson knight launched into a sprint toward the conflict, hearing metal cutting metal, the dull thud of an explosion, yelling from both daughters of Ryua. Clutching his staff key close, the Juraian warrior readied himself to interrupt the conflict.
When he arrived, Kamidake found the sisters not fighting one another, but rather two gynoids, each wielding black flames on their clawed fingertips. Back to back, Ryoko and Nagi stood together, weapons drawn at their enemies. A vile woman's cackle arose from the vocal system of each robot, the skin of each blue steel, sharp and corrugated, unrefined, hurried into production. The red eyes of each glowed a fiery red, focused only on the two women, targeting them.
"Stand down, machines!" Kamidake called out, swinging his staff into his hands.
The two women glanced toward him, Nagi blinking in surprise to see him again. The cackling voice irritatedly hissed, "… Another unexpected interruption…" The enemy opposing Ryoko turned its hand toward the Juraian man, the plating of its palm opening and shifting, the black fire burning higher, stronger.
"Kamidake!" the huntress yelled while he raised his staff at his new opponent. The headpiece of his staff began to spin, gathering his scarlet energies.
As the machine unleashed its dark power, Kamidake thrust his flaming light forward, the two meeting in a blast of ruby and onyx. His strength easily forced back the machine's shadowy presence, but the device teleported away, letting his wave of red to smash into the veranda's door beyond.
However, while he was distracted, the other gynoid has attacked Nagi and pinned her against a nearby wall. Though her sword was firmly embedded in the machine's side, it held her fast as she struggled against the machine's grasp.
Ryoko and Kamidake both advance on the remaining enemy, the knight ordering, "Release her!"
Then, the robot and its victim began to vanish from sight. As the former pirate vanished, the knight dashed forward, lunging his staff at the machine. Sadly, while Ryoko reappeared at her sister's side, before Kamidake's attack could connect, the gynoid teleported away with Nagi in tow. Frustrated, Ryoko punched the wall and cursed while the knight inwardly berated himself, his grip twisting tightly around his weapon.
Damn! he cursed at himself. If I had stayed closer… or…
The commotion brought the other survivors of the attack into the ballroom, too late to save Nagi from her captor.
"What happened here?" Katsuhito inquired.
While Ryoko remained silent, her furious glare cutting into the floor, Kamidake knelt before the grandfather. Regulating his breaths, the knight fought his own frustration into the depths of his heart as he answered the lord's question.
"My apologies, Lord Yosho. The enemy came for Lady Nagi… and took her."
He could hear gasps from both Ayeka and Nerti, as well as the concerned mew from Ken-Ohki.
"There were two foes," he continued, "mechanical and quick."
While Pii examined the damage firsthand, Tenchi approached Ryoko and rested a hand gently on her shoulder, worried for her. She faced away, hiding her emotions poorly, much like Nagi had from Kamidake. However, when the pirate glanced back to the prince, her eyes dancing with vengeance, she did not slap his hand away.
"It was her," she hotly explained, "Jezibel. She sent those things after Nagi and me." Spinning to Katsuhito, she declared, "I'm going after her. Right now."
Cautious, Nerti stepped forward and said, "This might be what Jezibel wants, Ryoko."
Shaking her head, the cyan-maned woman replied, "I don't care. You of all people know what she'll do."
The blond knew all too well and lowered her eyes silently, though the hunter at her side retorted, "What about the existing plan?"
Azaka agreed, "These two saw Kamidake. They know that at least one Juraian survived. We have lost surprise."
As Katsuhito acknowledged this fact and began to deliberate on what to be done, the crimson knight reviewed the encounter again, how he had entered and distracted Nagi from her opponent. Putting the blame on himself, he swore to himself that he would bring her back without fail.
"Sire," Kamidake spoke, "if you would allow me." Determined, his eyes rose to meet the Shinto priest's. "I will accompany Ms. Ryoko and ensure they return safely."
While the legendary warrior reevaluated the situation, Tenchi's hand gently squeezed Ryoko's shoulder, hers resting lightly atop his. Their eyes met for a moment while the two exchanged whispered words, no doubt their concerns for one another.
Finally, Katsuhito conceded, "Very well. Kamidake, you and Ryoko will locate Nagi and deal with this Jezibel Kimitan."
Bowing his head thankfully, the crimson knight accepted his orders without question. As he stood, the cabbits rushed to Ryoko, Ken-Ohki mewing his own demands to rescue his mistress. Naturally, she ruffled the fur on his head and agreed. However, now the plan needed changing, and immediate implementation.
"Everyone," the grandfather announced, "since we have lost the element of surprise, we must strike now." Motioning to Ryoko and Kamidake, he said, "You two know your parts." To Tenchi and Pii, he stated, "With Nagi captured, the two of you will have to handle Liaens alone."
Yet, the Terran hunter inquired, "What about Nerti? If the red knight and Ryoko go after Nagi, who goes with her now?"
Katsuhito nodded and turned to Azaka. "Sir Azaka, I would ask that you accompany her to the Aelins Reactor."
Concerned, the azure knight argued, "But, my lord, that would leave just you here to protect the palace."
Then, Ayeka stepped forward, her ruby eyes calm and set. "He will not be alone."
Like the others, Kamidake was surprised to hear the princess volunteer herself. While she had been involved in combat against Kagato and Kain, as well as the two creatures on Earth, she did not seem predisposed to war. She was an educated woman, thoughtful and reserved. She seemed her strongest in the political arena, using her words to fight her battles, rather than her fists. Worse yet, she had recently collapsed for unknown reasons before the crimson wake passed over Jurai.
"You, Ayeka?" Tenchi worried.
"This is my world, Tenchi," Ayeka retorted steadfastly, "and I will fight for her."
"Are you sure, Ayeka?" Katsuhito seconded his grandson. "You were bedridden not long ago."
She nodded, but then extended her arm. Around her hand, five of her mini-guardians appeared and generated a small force shield. Her gaze met his, the determination written plainly in her eyes.
"We are already short-handed," she stated, "and we need everyone we can muster. I will fight, Grandfather."
Kamidake was impressed by her answer, though he still worried. While she had set aside her right to the throne, he still saw her as the crown princess of Jurai. Having her in danger did not sit well in his mind, and chivalry demanded that she be protected. Katsuhito, of course, was one of the most powerful men in the galaxy, but that did not assuage the distaste in his thoughts.
Nevertheless, the legendary warrior accepted her offer. "Very well. It will be you and me, Ayeka." To everyone, he announced, "Everyone, the operation begins now."
With that, the group prepared for combat. Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka shifted their attire to the colored attire from their battle with Kain while Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki bounded to the veranda and into the skies of Jurai. The two cabbits crystallized into their ship forms and hovered, waiting for their passengers. Tenchi, Ryoko, Azaka, Kamidake, Pii, and Nerti gathered on the veranda as Ayeka and Katsuhito remained in the ballroom. Goodbyes were short as the parties were teleported to the Ryoan vessels and whisked away toward the stars.
Aboard Ryo-Ohki, Kamidake stood in silence with Tenchi, focusing his thoughts on his task, while Ryoko piloted her partner, keeping a link open to Ken-Ohki. As they passed the defense satellites, the knight saw the disabled fleet, hanging immobile in the void. Beyond them rested Liaens's pyramidal vessel, its dull gray hull reflecting little of the starlight around it. The Juraian gripped his key tighter, now sighting his target.
Yet, in transit, a display popped open to Ryoko's left, signaling an incoming communication request. Her golden eyes narrowed at the display, confused.
"Who the hell?" she wondered.
"What is the signal's source?" Kamidake asked.
Ryo-Ohki mewed, and Ryoko translated, "One of the Juraian ships, but they're all disabled, right?"
"If they're not," Tenchi suggested, "they could help us, don't you think?"
"Well, it sure can't make it any worse," Ryoko sarcastically added.
With a slide of her hand along one of the control orbs, Ryoko opened the channel, linking the Juraian ship to both Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki. Alongside the display to Ken-Ohki showing his passengers, images of Sagami and Ramia appeared from their respective vessels.
Pleasantly surprised, Tenchi stepped forward. "Sagami! You're alright!"
"That I am, Tenchi," the captain replied confidently, "as is my crew."
"Young captain," Azaka interjected, "is your ship operational?"
"That it is, sir knight. What can we do for you?"
"We're in a hurry here," Ryoko coldly reminded them.
"We have little time to explain," Kamidake added. "Could you help escort us to the enemy?"
"Yes," Sagami answered, "we most certainly can." Turning to his crew, the young officer issued his orders to his crew. "Bring all systems online! Time we got back in this fight!" To Ramia, he added, "Looks like we have our backup. Is Saya ready?"
"As she will ever be," the redheaded woman retorted. Extending her arm to her crew, she ordered, "Bring Saya to battle readiness! We retake our skies!"
Kamidake could not stop the grin on his face hearing both Juraian crews cheer their captains and revitalize their ships. The warrior's spirit still lived in the Juraian heart, and these two officers had nurtured it well in their subordinates. Within moments, both Juraian vessels were alight with power again and flanking the two Ryoan crafts. From Ken-Ohki, Nerti explained the weaknesses of the enemy's targeting system, allowing the four ships to distract the enemy long enough for an incursion.
Kamidake watched earthen-colored energy fired from the opponent's vessel, but the Juraian ships maintained course, weathering the storm stoically. The Ryoan ships broke away and dodged, flying arcing paths to avoid damage and reach their goal, nearby a docking bay. The knight could see the Juraian vessels strafing the huge craft with all their broadside gun-ports firing heavy barrages. He whispered a prayer to the goddess before he settled his attention back to the task at hand.
Once at the docking bay, the Ohkis teleported their passengers inside before shifting back to their cabbit forms atop Ryoko's shoulders. Nerti stepped forward and motioned toward a set of doors inset in the wall.
"Here we are," she announced.
"Then, let's do this," Ryoko stated with a heated determination as she floated to her designated entrance.
As Kamidake took his position at her side, Tenchi called back to her. Her eyes met the quiet concern in his when he said, "Be careful, and good luck."
For a moment, she glanced at the floor before she grinned and replied with a chuckle, "You too, Tenchi. See you when it's over."
"Definitely," the prince agreed with a subtle smile.
Likewise, Pii approached Azaka with an outstretched hand, requesting, "Take good care of her."
Taking his hand, the azure knight answered surely, "I will."
The Terran hunter and his beloved exchanged an unspoken gaze, simply nodding to one another, reluctantly accepting their respective roles. In that instant, Kamidake saw the union between the six people assembled in this assault. Here, two Juraian knights stood with a Ryoan pirate, a Terran hunter with a Pentinian student, lead by the rightful heir to Jurai's throne. Despite his grave attitude towards his current mission, the crimson knight's spirit swelled, seeing these individuals standing shoulder-to-shoulder, united for a single cause.
"Let's go," Pii said before the unit split to their respective objectives.
Kamidake raced through the corridor, staff ready in his hands, while Ryoko darted just ahead of him, the cabbits clinging to her shoulders. Shortly, sirens began to blare throughout the corridor, red lights flashing an alert to all aboard. The hallway shuddered, reverberating with an impact outside the ship. Without breaking stride, the crimson knight compensated, stepping just to the side to keep his footing, while the lady pirate ahead of him continued ever forward, unaffected.
However, bulkheads slammed shut behind and head of the pair, sealing the corridor. Panels opened to reveal three small turrets, each turning to aim at one of the two intruders. Kamidake halted and began to ask Ryoko to stand aside, but the fiery woman just bared her teeth and drew her scarlet power to her hands. To two of the turrets, she threw a pulse of red energy, exploding each on contact, scorching the walls and bulkheads black.
The third gun began to charge with a brownish light, but the Juraian knight did not hesitate to rush the device, the headpiece of his staff glowing deep crimson. In a single thrust, his weapon shattered the turret, its power backfiring against the ceiling.
With a scoff, Ryoko set her feet to the ground as she formed her ethereal sword. After a wide swing, her weapon cut shallowly into the bulkhead, ricocheting off the thick, hardened armor. A scowl crossed her face as she swiped twice more before stabbing her blade into the door.
"Dammit!" she cursed at the inanimate impediment.
Kamidake planted his feet and lowered his stance, gathering his power into his staff. The headpiece of his key rotated faster as it glowed brighter. The former pirate glanced back as he motioned to the side.
"You're not alone here, Ms. Ryoko," he reminded her.
Ryoko nodded as she stood at his side, her arms outstretched, her Ryoan energies igniting between her fingertips. The two cabbits meowed as they leapt from her shoulders and transformed into their crystalline aspects. Ryo-Ohki's black gemstone burned scarlet while Ken-Ohki's white crystal resonated in violet, both readying to fire on the door.
As a unit, all four unleashed their might on the impediment, the sheer force vaporizing the door and punching a hole through the one behind. The bolt crashed into the opposing wall, rattling the environs, as well as the two already locked in combat there. As smoke billowed ahead of them, Ryoko and Kamidake rushed into the room, finding Nagi facing the vile telepath.
Jarred by the sudden explosion, Jezibel Kimitan spun her attention away from the huntress and two the newcomers. Her emerald eyes glimmered with sparks of jade, the power imbued to her kind to dominate and control. The dim light of the room caressed her seductively sleek gown, split along her right leg and cut low around her bosom. Her red hair was teased upward and partially dyed orange, eliciting a fiery motif, likely more useful in temptation than in combat.
While Kamidake had only just met Jezibel, he already despised her for the torment she had visited upon not only Nagi, but also Ryoko, Pii, and Nerti. The sneer on her lips spoke volumes of her arrogance and spite, and her immodest, flashy attire only repulsed him further. The only description he could give to her was simply "evil", an evil he would see put down this day.
However, the huntress had already drawn first blood in this battle. Jezibel's cloak held a bloody gash where the lady's blade had found its mark. Likewise, one of the two gynoids who kidnapped the purple-haired valkyrie laid sputtering with a chest wound, black flames licking from a damaged power cell. The other machine stood at the ready against a nearby wall, waiting for its mistress's order.
Ryoko and Kamidake took flanking positions on either side of Nagi while the two cabbits hopped forward and hissed menacingly at the vile telepath. With whip and rapier drawn, Nagi grinned to herself.
"Took you long enough," she quipped sarcastically.
"You were always slow at finishing the job," Ryoko retorted with a similar grin.
However, Kamidake now had eyes on his target, his demeanor set and grave. "Are you injured, Lady Nagi?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Nagi stated before she pointed at Jezibel's wound with her sword. "She's not."
The telepath scowled, drawing her cloak around her injury. As Ryoko cracked her knuckles, Kamidake aimed his staff at the villainess. While chivalry demanded that he not fight a woman, his honor necessitated that she be ended for her crimes, particularly against these two sisters. Still, he gave her a single warning.
"Jezibel Kimitan, yield and surrender."
She simply answered, "Units, attack."
The damaged machine closest to Nagi reached for her leg, but she stepped aside and sliced through its hand before it could touch her. Kamidake next knocked the enemy across the chamber with the blunt end of his staff. From the corner of his eye, the knight saw the other gynoid rise from its slumber. Leveling his weapon before him, the Juraian warrior chose his new foe.
"I will take this one," he announced before dashing at the undamaged machine.
His fleet feet rapidly propelled him at his opponent, whose claws burned with black flames, no doubt the same dark power that silenced the planet Jurai. His crimson light highlighted his staff as it clashed against the mechanoid's claws. The two exchanged several blows before the knight scoffed and sidestepped a swipe, letting the machine lunge forward at nothing. However, he stabbed the undecorated end of his staff into the device's shoulder, adding his momentum to force the foe onto the floor.
The gynoid raked its claws at his feet, but he slid aside, avoiding the attack completely but loosing his staff from the robot's shoulder. With a thrust of its palms, the mechanical combatant restored its footing and turned to face the Juraian knight again, its shoulder mechanism slowly regenerating, reconstructing itself. The flames surrounding its right hand burned higher as it raised the arm toward him, readying to fire from a distance.
The knight grinned to himself, pleased at the ease of reading this foe. He twirled his staff at his side before he dashed at the gynoid, already knowing how he would end its destructive existence. As it unleashed the dark power, Kamidake dropped into a slide, his staff aligning with his arm. Though it did angle its shadowy beam at him, the knight's speed had him well enough ahead of the danger, and his weapon trained on the foe's head and torso.
With a fiery wave of Jurai's might, the gynoid's chest was smashed open, revealing the NVO power cell inside. In the crimson light, the dark energy vaporized while the cell's housing shattered, leaving nothing to protect its head from its ultimate fate. Unscathed, Kamidake slid between the enemy's legs and rolled to his feet, letting the gynoid's remains collapse unceremoniously behind him.
With his foe ended, he turned his attention to the sisters. While Nagi seemed to be faring quite well with Jezibel, Ryoko seemed unable to damage the remaining gynoid, despite its existing chest wound. Her scarlet sword ricocheted off the onyx glow over its arms time and again before she flew a distance back and threw her sword into its abdomen, detonating on impact. As the smoke cleared, it was already mending again, but she cursed as she summoned her power between her hands.
"Not this time!" she declared before her energy shot forth as a barrage of ruby bolts.
Again and again, the shots punctured the machine's chassis, enough to make its superstructure fail and collapse to the floor. However, while she drifted to the floor herself, the gynoid simply began to reconstruct, its damaged power cell still functional.
Jurai's might is the only effective weapon here, Kamidake noted.
He called out to the Ryoan woman, asking "Ms. Ryoko! Might I be of assistance?"
"Kill the damn thing!" she yelled back.
"Very well," he answered, quickly charging his staff and destroying the gynoid's exposed power cell.
Their enemies vanquished, Ryoko and Kamidake turn to Nagi's duel with Jezibel, where the huntress clearly had the upper hand. Several more gashes have appeared on Jezibel's arms, and she has resorted to blocking with a jade-colored energy around her hands. The frustration and infuriation written on her face demonstrate the increasing difficulty she has with facing the huntress in an even match.
Ultimately, Nagi slid back and snapped her whip around Jezibel's waist. With a pull, the villainess toppled forward, directly toward the huntress's sword. However, in her zeal to finish the fight, the lady did not see the telepath's right hand behind her back, power pooled and ready. From his vantage point, Kamidake could see the attack coming, but called out too late. He watched the twisted woman's desperate block of Nagi's sword, followed by a pulse swung at her head.
The huntress caught enough of a glimpse to dodge her head to the side when the blast came. However, the attack grazed her temple, cracking the violet hairband and knocking it from her head. Kamidake watched her roll to the side and collapse while her hairband clattered to the floor next to her, a drop or two of her blood splattering near it. The two cabbits hopped to her side, mewing worriedly while both the knight and the former pirate called to her.
However, before either could go far, Jezibel's voice echoed as she commanded, "Enough!"
At her word, Kamidake's vision warped, the floors and walls contorting unnaturally in nauseating patterns. His ears filled with a loud white noise and gibberish, further disorienting and disconnecting him from his target. He collapsed but could not feel the floor, despite knowing his body was bent, his weight on his hands and knees. The sensory distortion and overload prevented him from thinking, from understanding what had happened to him, or what might be happening to the two sisters.
Regardless, he tried valiantly to force clarity, to stand, to face this Kimitan witch. He steeled his resolve, focusing on his breath to clear his mind of this nonsense input. For a moment, he could see past the warped illusion, Jezibel breathless and her eyes burning jade, Nagi beginning to rise and reach for her hairband, before the distortion crushed his perception again.
Then, the world snapped back to normalcy again, jolting Kamidake back to his senses. His eyes and ears clear again, he could see Ryoko and the cabbits beside him, also recovering from the witch's spell. Lifting his eyes to their foe, his breath was taken from him again.
Nagi stood, a trail of blood rolling down from her temple, a second Mark of Rage etched into her right cheek to match the one on her left. Around her right hand, a key of Jurai was wrapped, its violet crest shining brightly with her vibrant power. From the crest, a regal blade jutted forward, through Jezibel Kimitan's gut.
Kamidake had not seen this fifth key since the first battle with Liaens millennia ago. Alongside Tenchi's sword and Ayeka's tiara, it was bestowed upon King Sho by the goddess herself, and now, it belonged to the huntress. The proof was undeniable, Nagi's inheritance.
A plume of emerald rose from the telepath's eyes as her life ebbed, shooting into the distance. Twisting her wrist, Nagi sliced through Jezibel's side, finishing her with a final stroke. As the corpse fell, the lady too fell to her knees. Her blade vanished, as did the second mark on her face, leaving only the original black marking on her left cheek. Her eyes weakly began to close as her own consciousness began to fade. The wound and awakening finally took their toll.
Before she collapsed completely, Kamidake dashed to her and caught her in his arms, gently holding her. Her fierce beauty faded into a calm peace, avenging her father, and herself. The crimson knight smiled to himself, admiring her strength and tenacity. Truly, she saved both him and her sister this day.
Ken-Ohki perched on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek, issuing one last smile from she slipped into a well-earned sleep. Ryoko stood over them both and scoffed with a smirk.
"You stubborn-ass bounty hunter…"
However, a gravity fell over her face as she glanced to the knight.
"Get her out of here."
He nodded. "Do not worry, Ms. Ryoko." With a glance to Ken-Ohki, the cabbit agreed with a firm mew. However, the former pirate turned toward the door, and the knight called back to her, "What about you?"
"I'm going to Tenchi," she answered, worry evident in her voice.
Ryo-Ohki mewed and hopped onto her mistress's shoulder. Ryoko's golden eyes spoke of a woman determined, no different than the huntress held in the knight's arms. She still had the same spirit and courage she had during the usurper's coup, and he likely could not convince her to remain. Her place was with her beloved, just as the crimson warrior's was to escort her sister to safety.
"Be swift, Ms. Ryoko," he advised.
She grinned back and answered, "Don't worry about that."
In an instant, she vanished, teleported closer to her prince. Kamidake nodded knowingly before he patted Ken-Ohki on his head.
"Let's get your mistress away from this."
The white cabbit meowed in agreement before hopping away toward a bulkhead and phasing through it. Within moments, Kamidake and Nagi were enveloped in Ken-Ohki's teleportation waves and brought to his bridge. Soon, Ken-Ohki docked aboard Sagami's Chizuru, and Nagi was brought to the infirmary. There, the crimson knight stayed by the huntress's side, guarding her through the remainder of this ordeal.
X X X
Juraiko Azaka stood silently, watching the two sparring before him. His fingers stroked the bristly hairs of his beard slowly while his well-trained eyes glanced between the combatants under his care. However, his attention remained primarily on the newer of his disciples, Jurai Ayeka.
Dressed in a white gi and red hakama, the violet-tressed lady stepped aside, exiting the direction of her opponent's punch. One of her arms raised and deflected his fist farther away from her, her ruby eyes squarely on him. Her breath had a distinct edge, not quite fear or anxiety, but rather loose focus and strain. Her thoughts were divided between keeping her breath regular, reacting to her partner's attacks, and not tripping herself. Azaka continually reminded her of her breathing, to relax, but seeing her opponent slide forward at her unnerved her. She was not accustomed to letting someone into her personal space, let alone with malicious intent, however false it was. The regal woman kept tensing, anticipating, wasting energy.
Opposing her, Juraiko Kamidake withdrew his hand and slid back to his ready stance, weight forward. Having been trained by Azaka in antiquity and served by his side, the crimson knight knew all the routines intimately. He would lunge and extend his punch at Ayeka, giving her impetus to block and counter. The action itself had long since become simple to him, but he worked to keep his legendary speed at the princess's level. His goal was not to outclass her or overpower her, but rather to instruct her. Nevertheless, he also had an obligation not to withhold his spirit. His arm would be solid, direct, unstoppable, despite not moving at full speed or power. She would not be able to simply take the impact, her only recourse to deflect.
Again, Ayeka took her stance, seemingly caught unaware and flatfooted, standing open to Kamidake. The knight's right hand was cocked at his side, ready to thrust forward through where she was standing. Her hands closed at her sides, her knees ever so slightly bent, her breath noticeably heightened. His breath was soft and smooth, well-rehearsed and practiced, his muscles just taut, no wasted energy.
Then, his right foot moved, sliding barely over the floor as his fist launched forward. Her eyes widened as she waited for an instant, her every natural instinct telling her to move immediately. With a gasp, she stepped aside to her left, using her left arm swinging across her body to deflect Kamidake's attack.
The two reset and repeated the exercise while the mentor analyzed the different iterations. Truly, Ayeka had progressed far in the past three weeks. As one groomed to be the ruler of Jurai, she had learned well poise and fluidity of motion. While she was very elegant in her movements, combat was not meant to be necessarily beautiful. Thus, the knights instructed her in streamlining her actions, generating efficiency, speed, power.
As the princess learned the basic forms, her mind clutched the structure of their teaching closely, and she rigorously practiced each technique both with them and alone. Azaka had little doubt that the laser-like practice relieved her mind of her introspective concerns, if only briefly. In that focus, she began to find the moving meditation, and the peace it provided.
Yet, the past week saw the azure warrior introduce her to this quite regimented sparring, breaking the comfort she had found. However, he knew she needed this type of confrontation if she hoped to face the specter in her mind. Gone was the time for passive reaction. She must learn to stand proud for herself, for who she really was.
Still, Azaka thought to himself, blocking and deflecting is not enough.
Folding his arms, the bearded knight called out, "Enough!"
At once, Ayeka and Kamidake slid apart and bowed to Azaka. He came and stood before the princess, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Your skills have improved, princess," he said supportively.
She bowed her head and thanked him, "You're too kind, sensei." The regal-tressed lady had not yet fully become accustomed to calling the knight "teacher", or his crimson partner "senior". Naturally, neither knight was completely comfortable addressing the princess as "student" yet either.
"Considering your effort, I would have to disagree," the azure warrior commented. "Yet, defense is only half of the combatant's skill set. I would like you exchange roles with Kamidake, putting you as the attacker."
A concern crawled across Ayeka's face as she regarded that scenario. Rather than repelling someone from herself, she would be purposefully invading someone else's space. That aggressive action stood in opposition to her usual sensibilities from her royal upbringing, giving others a customary distance and respect. Even in her scuffles with Ryoko over the years, the princess rarely threw the first punch herself. Ayeka almost always threatened from afar with her shields and barriers, even Ryu-Oh's cannons, rather than her fists. Those times she did were typically when she was pushed beyond her patience, when her emotions were racing far ahead of her mind.
"Are you sure I'm ready for this?" she asked apprehensively.
"I am," he responded with a glance to his younger partner.
"Do not worry, princess," Kamidake added. "If you hit me, it will be my own fault for not dodging."
"Indeed, his job is to react. Your job is to give him a strong feeling. Do not hesitate. Come as if you mean to do him harm."
While she could see the benefit of learning techniques for physical conditioning, part of her did not want to accept this need to face one another. She had no problem watching young men spar at tournaments, including Ramia's little brother Rumiya. Even in her own practice with Ramia as they learned the use of Jurai's power, the routine seemed more a trial of speed, of who would summon her energies first. Ayeka had always chosen to encase herself in a barrier, as well as seal Ramia before she could strike. Now set in the attacker's position herself, the princess felt quite unsure of herself.
"… Very well," she reluctantly answered.
Once more, Azaka stood away from the two combatants as they took their places. Kamidake relaxed his shoulders, loosening himself, clearing his mind. Ayeka slid forward, her weight on her front leg, her right arm cocked at the straps of her hakama, her mind aflutter. She did not want to do this. Everything she was taught said to step out of her position. Everything she felt demanded her to lower her fist. Her eyes lifted to Kamidake's, drinking deeply of his steely determination, his fiery passion, his immovable spirit. He was ready.
Ayeka took a breath, closing her eyes. I have to do this, she told herself. I have to face him. I have to face… her.
Her ruby eyes opened again, her own fire in them, even if tempered with her lingering worries. Her muscles tensed as her breath deepened, becoming rhythmic and steady, settling her heartbeat. She knew the technique. She would do this. She would attack him. She would not hold back.
Her foot slid over the floor as she launched forward, her fist leading the way towards the crimson knight. Unmoving, he awaited her, flatfooted, no inkling of defense. To her, instants became eternities, her fist coming closer to him, a warrior of legend, her loyal ally, her friend. She could see herself hitting him, knocking the wind from his lungs, harming him.
Her teeth clenched as her fist stopped just short of his gi, her face cringing, unable to impact him. Kamidake remained unchanged, his eyes on her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Azaka fold his arms. She had failed, and the pit of her gut twisted, frustrated, cursing herself, her weakness.
"Again," the blue knight ordered.
"Yes, sensei," she answered as she resumed her former stance.
"Give him a strong feeling," he instructed. "Make him have to move."
Once more, she breathed deep, but its pace was heightened, her feelings of disappointment and anger with herself bubbling through her mind. She pushed herself forward, knuckles flying at the crimson knight, but again, Kamidake remained stoically fixed. Apprehension dragged out those brief moments once again, her worries for the knight arising anew. Nearing him, she slowed her punch until her knuckles gently touched the warrior's abdomen. Her eyes blinked, surprised. He never moved in the least.
Azaka wished he did not have to do what he now must. The good soldier advanced to Ayeka and whispered to her firmly, plainly, "He is your opponent, student. Your job is to hit him, not tap him."
Ayeka could feel tears edging in her tear ducts. Shame threatened to twist her face into sorrow. She was trying, but it was not good enough. Doubt crept into her heart, that she could not do this, that she would never do this. She was raised to be a princess, not a soldier. Part of her wanted to argue with him, order him not to speak like this to her, that she was the crown princess of Jurai.
But, she stopped herself, a frustrated gasp passing through her lips. She held back the tears and her venomous words, her damned pride.
"Again," Azaka demanded.
Silently, she slid back into her stance again, her brows furrowed. The blue knight had seen hesitation like this in many students, particularly those with very sensitive sensibilities. They did not want to cause pain, especially to their friends, which in normal situations was an admirable trait. Unfortunately, combat was not a normal situation. It was far from normal. It was chaotic, hellish, terrifying, just like the twisted reflection in her mind.
And, Ayeka knew he meant well, despite her raging emotions of shame and self-pity. She had to fight to reclaim her dreams, the side of herself she had lost. Her fists tightened.
I must do this.
Her eyes glared into Kamidake's, at the reflection of herself found there.
I must face him.
Her breath hissed through her teeth.
I must win!
The princess thrust herself onward. Her arm drove straight at Kamidake as she slid at him. The regal training tore at her mind, ordering her to stop. The social norms scraped their nails through her psyche, demanding her to cease. Every fiber of what she had been screamed in horror at her, appalled by her action.
Her kiai, tormented and enraged, silenced them all.
Her fist touched Kamidake's gi a second time, but she did not stop. She plowed continuously through the crimson knight's space. However, in that same instant, his body finally moved. He spun to the side in a well-rehearsed action, lowering his center, dodging and steadying all in one motion. His hand raised and ever so lightly deflected her forearm farther afield, her first knuckle barely grazing his gi as she passed.
The student halted finally, her eyes wide and her breath panting, recovering from that emotional burst. She could feel Kamidake's focused gaze on her cheek, so calm and centered in what felt so traumatic to her. Her heart pounded in her chest, pumping blood through her trembling extremities. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple as she could just barely hear Kamidake's whisper over her.
"Well done, princess."
Azaka hid the grin, which threatened to stretch across his face. He was genuinely pleased with her, that she could overcome her nature. However, his praise would come later. He had to remain the teacher, and her the student.
"Again," he instructed with a nod.
Ayeka nodded and drew back, the shock of her success still lingering. Kamidake reset into his flatfooted stance, waiting for her again. She took a settling breath and glared back into the crimson knight's eyes once more. She had succeeded once. She could again.
For the next hour, Ayeka threw her fists at Kamidake and then Azaka, wearing herself out, pushing her will, breaking the lock in her mind. Both tutored her, demanded perfection from her, and she listened and applied in each routine throughout the practice. She held her sharp tongue, swallowed her immense pride.
At the end, she collapsed in Ryu-Oh's garden, totally spent, her arms and legs like leaden weights, unwilling to move again. Slumber crept into her eyes, and today, she welcomed that rest without fear. She had no more energy to lift herself, let alone fear.
The princess slept soundly for the first time in months, without drugs, beneath the flowers she had so lovingly tended.
X X X
Juraihelm Ramia had seen enough. Without a single word, she stood and marched to the small projector unit. In one motion, she pulled free the wire connecting the device to the nearby data cell. The projector's luminance suddenly faded as she steadied herself on the table supporting both items.
Her head was swimming. When Sagami had called, he had said that he had found some evidence regarding her investigation into Ryua's involvement with the distortion. While he had said they should be discreet, she had thought they were avoiding Seto's eye.
She never thought she would be watching Ayeka's utter and complete defeat.
The lady captain rubbed her fingers over her brow, massaging the throbbing vein just under her skin. She shook her head slowly, wanting to ignore what she had just seen, but her mind refused. Her reason continually attempted to explain the unreasonable events she saw on Ryu-Oh's data cell: the black creature rising from Ayeka, the undeniable power Sasami commanded, the impossibly powerful Ryoan woman. Her mind would not stop returning to those images.
Yet, the vision persisted: the princess on her knees, pleading to the creature clawing at her, its body growing increasingly more complete. Then, the mental scene changed to a violet-tressed girl, collapsed amongst a charred disc of Juraian soil. The two memories began to merge in her head, the girl's face raising up for Ramia to see clearly.
A shiver shot through her spine as Sagami's hand rested on her shoulder, shattering her reverie.
"Do you see, Ramia?" he asked.
The redhead heard the worry in his voice, no doubt having watched this entire recording in full. She had been concerned enough after viewing Ryu-Oh's brutally battered hull and hearing of Ayeka's recent solitude. However, her thoughts were still attempting to process what she had seen, and her heart continued to reject those painful images.
Her hand pushed his away. "… Give me a moment," she whispered tensely.
By the goddess, Ayeka, Ramia thought as she closed her eyes, your life refuses to have joy, doesn't it?
Even as children, the officer knew the princess would never have a normal life. True, no one in the Jurai royal family has ever had a completely normal life, but the regal-haired woman was set apart more so. She was destined to rule Jurai alongside her husband and was groomed to fill that role, despite her later abandonment of said right.
Yet, Fate refused to relinquish its hold on Ayeka. After the coup d'etat on Jurai, she had been dragged into the events in Manhattan, both times, as well as the reunion incident. If this recording served as any evidence, she was infected with this creature's presence during her first excursion to the island. Within her, it festered, feeding off of her insecurities and doubts, until it grew strong enough to overwhelm her.
"I had heard rumors that she was injured on Earth over a year ago," Ramia reflected.
Sagami nodded. "As did we all, I think."
The redhead began piecing the facts together: the "injury" on Earth, the missing memories from the reunion incident, the beast rising from the princess. Given the creature's hold on her in the recording, it could possibly have blurred her memories, manipulated her, twisted her.
Oh no, the lady captain realized, her body growing icy cold.
"Sagami," she asked softly and worriedly, "has anyone else seen this recording?"
"No," he answered, "Ryu-Oh was very careful only to give it to someone Ayeka trusts, which is why I have only spoken with you." He glanced to the data cell distantly. "Truthfully, I shouldn't decide the fate of this recording alone."
The other officer nodded, her eyes sliding to the device next to her hand. Admittedly, Sagami had been correct. This storage unit held concrete, firsthand proof that a Ryoan was involved in the distortion's appearance on Earth. At the same time, the contents also showed Ayeka in a highly questionable light. Even without viewing the entire event, the creature's rise from the violet-tressed noble was more than enough to debate its influence on her, past and present.
Ramia's heart tore in her chest. Her duty demanded that she reveal this sensitive evidence and vindicate her claims against Jurai's ancient foe. However, doing so could destroy Ayeka's reputation, if not rip open all her healing wounds. The concern she had been hiding clashed against her military pride, the two sides of her soul dueling for dominance.
Her hand passed down her face as she sighed heavily, "We can't let this out."
"That much is clear," Sagami agreed, "but what about Ayeka herself? Eventually, someone will have to address her condition."
Her frustration quickly eroding her civility, she hissed back, "I'm not exactly eager to run to her and confront her with arguably the worst incident in her life."
"I realize, Ramia," he admitted, "but we have already waited nearly three months. If she is still suffering, we should help her."
The ruby-haired woman remembered this conflicted feeling. She saw the regal-tressed girl carried away, catatonic, while the emperor's mighty hand rested on Ramia's shoulder. She was of the Juraihelm family and had a duty to uphold, for the other girl's sake. She gave her first royal oath to the crown, and she was still only a child.
Yet, a part of her childhood ended in that moment, and she still carried that secret with her.
"No," Ramia answered resolutely, "we must leave Ayeka alone."
"What do you mean?" Sagami responded.
"Exactly what I said," she stated, turning back to him. "I thank you for the information. I'll look into this 'Tokimi' woman and continue my investigation through her."
As Ramia turned to leave, the other captain grabbed her arm, stopping her. "What about Ayeka?"
She could hear the confusion in his voice, feel the urgency in his grasp. While she did empathize with him, she had her imperial oaths to uphold, in order to protect Ayeka.
"She will forget," the lady captain stated, her eyes closing solemnly. "Let her."
"Isn't she your friend, Ramia? Is this how you help your friends, by ignoring their pain?"
Her heart bled at those words. Her loyalties twisted as she recalled the emperor's words asking her so kindly to be silent, never to divulge what she has seen, for his daughter's sake.
This time is no different, she told herself. Ayeka will be fine. She was before.
"One doesn't heal by tearing off the bandage," she rationalized, her body tense. "A good friend's job is to be there for her when she needs help."
"And, to help her when she needs it, not just when she wants it," Sagami retorted.
Conflict dancing in her eyes, Ramia turned to face her colleague, her fingers gathering into fists.
"Don't judge what you don't know, captain," she barked back at him. "Release my arm."
Stillness coalesced between them until he relented, letting her go. Never breaking her gaze from his, she motioned back to the data cell, her voice furious.
"Letting that recording exist will only ruin her. I'd destroy it, and forget that you had it."
"Ignoring a problem will not eliminate it, Ramia," he warned her. "This is no different than hiding the Ryoan involvement with the distortion."
"No, it's not. This is to protect someone who is legitimately innocent, rather than someone who is certainly guilty. I will not have Ayeka's name smudged by something she could not prevent or control."
"That won't happen."
"See that it doesn't," she replied as she spun away and stormed off.
However, once she had some distance from Sagami's estate and the heavily trafficked paths through the palace, Ramia slipped into an alcove and threw herself against the wall. Her fists pounded against the stone-like oaken walls as her teeth clenched tightly. She bit her lip as she swung her forearm into the structure, venting all the anger and frustration she held from her meeting with Sagami. Tears edged at the corners of her eyes for her friend Ayeka, all her hardship, both past and present.
I'm sorry, Ayeka, she lamented.
X X X
Jurai Ayeka spun as her shin swung at her opponent's head, her red hakama flourishing around her leg. Deftly, he slid just beyond her foot's reach, her shoe missing his nose by inches as she completed her spin. With both feet on the ground, she shot forward, launching her fist at him. However, he deflected the attack, as well as the next, with a slight motion of his hand. Then, her foot rose between them and just missed his beard as he turned his head to the side.
With a nod, Juraiko Azaka praised his pupil, "Good! Don't stop!"
Over the past week, Ayeka had continued to chip through her mental barriers. Her earlier hesitation had almost left her as she exchanged blows with Azaka. In her second day of free sparring, the lady impressed her instructor with her growing aptitude. Free to move and attack at will, her natural grace smoothly flowed through her chains of techniques, changing from punches to kicks in an instant. Her practice served her well as she executed each of the few skills she had learned thus far with great precision.
Nevertheless, despite her improvements and rapacious tenacity, she was still a novice. She took a few exchanges for her hesitation to fade fully, and her combinations were mainly offensive in nature, leaving holes in her defense. Her reactions to his attacks were sluggish, not subconscious.
The princess needed more experience.
And, her teacher gave her just that, maintaining a difficulty only minutely above her skill level. He dodged her fist and lunged into his own punch at her, which forced her to rush out of its way. However, the hasty motion unbalanced her, causing her to stagger for a moment.
Still, Azaka came at her. "Recover!"
Her ruby eyes caught a glimpse of his knife-edged hand swinging at her, and she ducked to the side, spinning away from his advance. Safely away, she reset herself, retaking her stance, steadying her breathing.
"Princess," he stated as he relented from his combative stance, "you must maintain a balance, as with all life: offense with defense, male with female, fire with water, darkness with light."
She likewise slid from her ready posture while she considered his maxim. Throughout her studies, the lady had always heard Jurai referenced as the "Light" of the galaxy, both in poetry and in policy. They were the mightiest and most just empire in the known universe, and the royal family was beloved by all their subjects. Jurai was a paradise, a haven, a shining example for the masses.
However, she knew now that this teaching was very false. Before coming to Earth, she had known that governance would be laced with compromise of ideals, though she still had believed in the righteousness of Jurai. Then, Kagato's usurpation demonstrated how power-hungry and evil her own people could be. In all her studies, she had read of individuals turning their backs on Jurai, such as Jurai Hinase and Amaki Shuta, but to have a man corrupt and lead the empire astray had disillusioned her. She would have never believed her nation could fall so far so quickly.
When the princess had seen the usurper beat and batter her beloved, she could stand no more. She had had to act. She had neglected her responsibilities. She had led the young man to this villain. All of the coup d'etat had been her fault. How helpless she had felt when she had finally summoned Jurai's might, only to be swept aside in a single stroke.
… the pitiful Princess Jurai Ayeka… the voice had whispered to her.
Then, shame crossed her eyes as she thought about the shadow which had filled her heart and manipulated her.
How different am I from him? she asked herself, her gaze lowering to the side.
"We shouldn't have darkness within us," she whispered gravely.
Stepping to her side, Azaka shook his head. "Princess, life is not simple or pure. It is a furnace of contrasts and passions, fighting for dominance."
"And, that conflict brings us all pain and suffering," the violet-tressed woman retorted.
"However," the man of legend answered, "love brings pain as well, does it not? To miss one's beloved can hurt greatly, even if the two are apart for a good reason."
Ayeka turned her head and eyes from him, wanting to refuse his assertion. However, the princess felt that pain daily, separated from her dear sister, as well as the young man she had loved.
"Also," he continued, "one's happiness can stir envy and jealousy in those who lack said happiness."
Two blades twisted in Ayeka's heart, named "Envy" and "Jealousy". She knew them quite well, much to her shame. Her eyes shut tightly, not wanting to acknowledge his words.
Azaka could see how his statements disturbed his pupil, but she needed to hear the truth, as many did. He remembered a similar discussion with his son, explaining to him the ways of the world, its cruel and unforgiving balance.
"I am sorry, princess," the knight apologized, "but that is the balance of life. In good, you will see evil." He paused as he grinned for a moment, recalling her brilliant azure light from a month ago. "But also, in evil, you will see good."
Sadly, the lady's eyes opened distantly, clouded with her own doubts, regrets, and fears. "… I don't see the good in what happened on Earth, Azaka," she admitted, her fingers curling into her palms. "I lost Tenchi. I left Sasami alone. And, I ki…"
"You are innocent of the deaths on Earth, princess," the warrior rebutted. "That was not your free will. All of us are aware of that."
"I still can feel their blood on my hands," she whispered.
Gently, he rested a hand on her shoulder. "I know," he acknowledged. "I still hear the screams of those I have cut down in battle. Those memories do not fade quickly, but they teach us why we do not crave a life of violence. It is our last resort."
Ayeka nodded, her hand resting over his, supported by his touch. His hands were rough, calloused, having trained for innumerable hours and served valiantly in countless battles. While she knew her mentor had waged war in antiquity, she had never completely understood the gravity of such a burden. Carrying her own scars within her, she appreciated his words intrinsically, feeling the weight on her own shoulders.
Gently, she stepped away from him and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry for questioning you, sensei."
"Do not be, princess," he answered kindly. "Debating is a good way to find truth, though it too must be balanced with trust. If one is too skeptical, one will never trust. If one is blindly obedient, one will be led astray."
As she rose, the lady weighed the merits of his words while he grinned to himself. He could see the debate in her mind as she internalized what he had said. She seemed far more herself, sharper, more cerebral, as evident now. He was increasingly proud to watch her progress, though he had never said so to her face. Soon, she would be ready to face the dark memory locked inside her.
But for now, the regal-tressed woman needed more practice.
"We can discuss the deeper notions after we finish practice, student," he stated, stepping away from her. As he retook his combative posture, he added, "This time, keep your guard up."
With a calming breath, she nodded slid into her stance. "Yes, sensei."
X X X
As usual for the middle of the week, the Heaven's Tree Museum accepted numerous visitors from around the empire, as well as outside dignitaries, into its halls of history. Several tour groups were led throughout the exhibits, the guides reciting their scripts for each display on cue. The average guide was typically a young, black-haired commoner, just scraping together tuition for this semester's classes. Each was instructed to smile, stick to the script, and keep children with their parents. Of course, they knew the locations for the closest bathrooms for the little ones, and main desk in case of major problems.
As the daylight began to wane, a young woman with flowing raven hair mingled among one of the final tours. Her deep blue eyes remained seductively narrow as she listened silently to the guide's speech on the different artifacts on display. She dressed far more modernly than the average Juraian woman: a short blue dress with an exposed collar, sheer brown leggings, a golden choker with a small medallion matching her garments. For the most part, she fit well with the younger generation of visitors, particularly those from the Galactic Union.
However, she also carried three red stripes crossing each of her cheeks, not unlike the black Mark of Rage worn by the royal family in their combat attire. A couple men attempted to converse with her, no doubt to win her attentions, and asked if she was a noblewoman, especially considering her less traditional style of clothing.
"Well, that would certainly put me out of your league," she would bluntly answer, "wouldn't it?"
While she grinned and maintained the prideful persona, Matori wretched inside being compared to a Juraian woman, nobility no less. Fire flowed through her veins, the gift of the matron goddess of Ryua, Tokimi. How those flames boiled her blood, being compared to a "tree-whore".
Unity to Ryua, and death to Jurai, she swore to herself, as she did every day on this planet.
Still, as cathartic as cutting them down with her energy sword would be, Matori had more a more covert purpose. For their stealthy mission, both she and Tsugaru had submitted their bodies to be surgically altered. Their ears had been rounded from their natural elfin shape. Their irises had been widened and flattened from their original feline slits. Each had Juraian tissue embedded into the parietal lobe to mask the natural ruby-colored Ryoan energy as emerald-colored Juraian power. Doing so also blurred their astral pattern and over-dimension, effectively giving each a new identity. As a precaution, both had to keep a strict regiment of anti-rejection medication to maintain the uneasy symbiosis. The entire year's supply was also laced with a steroid to dump more Juraian material from the lump of flesh into their blood stream, covering their genetic data as well. Their camouflage was nearly perfect, and a little database hack gave birth to the "siblings" named "Orochi Tsugaru" and "Orochi Matori", two of eight children sired by a little-known duke from Kyuka V.
Sadly, there had been side effects. After the procedure was completed, Tsugaru had taken a week of being violently ill before his body grew accustomed to the alterations. On the other hand, Matori had endured nearly six weeks of searing pain and photo-sensitivity. When asked, the experts had theorized that a prior exposure to pure NVO energy, or perhaps her family's talent for their people's power, likely had predisposed her to such an "allergic reaction". While the pain and phobia to light had passed, her eyes still could not completely adjust to natural light. Likewise, the stripes on her cheek had manifested, no doubt, from the energy imbalance, not unlike the half-breed Nagi.
And now, Matori's first goal revealed itself. After wandering through rows of paintings and statues, the guide finally led the tour to the "Villains of the Empire" exhibit in the southern wing. Before her stood the figures of Kagato the usurper and his two dark knights, each holding his respective shadowy key. Shelled behind translucent panes, the three mannequins held their weapons at their sides while the guide summarized the tale of the failed coup d'etat three years ago.
Though Matori perked her eyebrows and gasped with the other women at how Kagato had masqueraded as "Jurai Yosho", she already knew the guide's script and reacted as she had rehearsed. Meanwhile, her eyes continued to examine the dark keys' resting place: no seams or hinges, the panes extending down beyond the floor, no telltale incisions in the felt of the pedestal. Naturally, cameras were pointed at the display, among others, about seven in this room alone. Glancing to the side, she saw a guard pass, the first since the guide began speaking a few minutes ago. From his garb, he was not a soldier, let alone the main palace's elite.
While the guide led the group through the chamber to view other exhibits, Matori lingered at Kagato's display, dovetailing her hands behind her back. Circling the display, she thought back to the plans for the mechanism procured by her sponsors. Much to her disappointment, no one had had opportunity to sabotage the device before it was sealed two months ago. The adamant glass would not be easily dislodged, and certainly not destroyed, by what she and Tsugaru could muster. Dismantling the mechanism would be fruitless, considering it merely levered the panes into place. Sealed, they effectively were a single construct. While it could be cut or drilled open, such thermal tools would be too heavy and loud to sneak into the building. Moreover, it would be hours to penetrate the material.
However, the floor beneath the pedestal was weaker, merely a meter-thick slab of lead-lined steel, likely housing the raising mechanism. That could be melted with her sword easily enough, rather than hauling a thermal lance into the building. Irritatingly, it sat upon the foundation of the building, Heaven's Tree itself. Cutting into the superstructure of the palace would certainly cause an alarm.
Having spent some years infiltrating the pirate guilds, Matori had seen some daring and complex heists, even participated in a few under different assumed names. Cracking elaborate security systems always seemed to rely on a flaw in the construction, something the designer failed to cover. In the worse case, a guard or manager could be tempted, or coerced, into easing the process. This case was absurdly simple: a pyramid of unbreakable glass, too heavy to lift, sitting atop a metal plate, which itself sat above part of the living structure of the building.
How to do this? she asked herself.
The would-be thief stopped to admire the mannequins just beyond her reach. As she glanced around the pedestal for pressure sensors, she noticed some motion approaching her from the corner of her eye. Turning to the side, another woman stepped from behind the display of Tessei.
Matori's eyes scanned over the female: waist-length black hair tied behind her, creamy-white skin, scarlet-colored eyes, dressed in a dark blue kimono. Her hands were clasped before her demurely as her hard gaze met the covert Ryoan's. This shadowy figure certainly was a Juraian woman by her aristocratic bearing, though far less showy than her contemporaries.
Such is a fallen family, I suppose, Matori mused to herself. Even the rejects are prideful and arrogant.
With a slight nod to her right, the dark woman beckoned the insurgent to follow. As Matori trailed behind her host, she stole a glance toward the guards and cameras leaving the exhibit. With the exception of the dark keys, the security here was not too unusual for a museum of this size: about 4 cameras per room, guards patrolling every few minutes, no doubt pressure and case alarms as well.
However, the Juraian led her to her ulterior goal. Matori chose this venue explicitly, in order to case the exhibit while meeting with these Juraians. Near a gallery of paintings by various famous artists from antiquity stood a man, his right hand sliding over a description plaque for "Conquest" by Amaki Kazuaki. In this left hand, he held a ebony cane, complementing the dark lavender color of his tunic and trousers. His white hair fell loosely to his shoulders, partially concealing his face while the two women approached him. He held himself proudly, not unlike the blue-clad female who took his side.
"You would be Orochi Matori, correct?" he asked with a smooth and calm voice, his face still turned toward the painting.
The insurgent bowed respectfully, as she was drilled constantly, and answered, "I am."
Yet, he never turned his face toward her. Rather, he continued facing the painting as he motioned for her to join him.
"I would like your opinion." As she stood by his side, he pointed the waved toward the painting and requested, "What do you see?"
Matori gazed upon the canvas. "Conquest" by Amaki Kazuaki depicted the first king of Jurai battling a Ryoan warrior. While most pieces had the monarch stand heroically on the battlefield, "Conquest" showed him partially kneeling, his great sword grinding against his adversary's ruby weapon. His cloth-like armor was cut, tattered in some places from the conflict. His hair fell over his shoulders, blown back by the impact of his strike with his enemy. Struggle and uncertainty was written on his face, rather than the pride of a victorious leader.
Most pieces would depict the Ryoan warrior as a demon: eyes blackened, canines bared, sword burning bright. However, "Conquest" gave the other man humanity. His blue eyes were feline in shape, but focused and frustrated in his battle with the opposing leader. His lips were closed, twisted into an unsure expression as his ruby sword sparked against the great sword of the king. The blade of his weapon was solid, glowing a hot red, highlighting both men in their clash. Orange hair spiked behind his head, likewise tossed as he fought the legendary monarch.
Behind the two men, tree-ships and Ohkis lit up the sky, and armies exchanged shots and strikes in a chaotic landscape of war. Both Jurai's forces and those of Ryua had men wounded on the ground, swords flickering weakly, staves broken.
The brushwork of the piece was expertly done, giving great detail of the king and his foe, as well as their clothing and weapons. The outlines of the ships in the sky could be easily seen amongst the hail of gunfire and gray clouds beyond. Several individuals could be found in the background mass of soldiers, each with emotion and pain in this horrible conflict.
Matori knew the white-haired man's game. He was testing her to see her leanings from her response to this imagery. Considering the humanity given to the Ryoan man in the painting, most Juraian nobility would likely respond negatively, disliking the favorable light on Ryua. Likewise, a noble would likely not approve of the weakened depiction of their first king, the man who forged this empire. Answering like this would probably be uninteresting to the white-haired man.
On the other hand, he could also interpret approval of a weak Jurai and favorable Ryua as traitorous to the crown. Given Matori's covert mission, she did not want any suspicion cast upon her so soon.
"Struggle," she said, "strife. In short, war."
"Very true," he accepted, "but do you see the title?"
The word "conquest" itself involved use of military might to subjugate, and the military aspect was obvious in the painting. However, with the two sides shown equally here, the subjugation aspect seemed less apparent. Both sides had casualties, downed ships, and damage. The portrayal seemed even.
The insurgent slid closer to the image to see if she missed some detail in the piece. However, the Juraian man just chuckled to himself, though his female assistant notably remained stoically quiet at his side.
Confused, Matori looked back at him. "Am I… missing a joke?"
"No, my dear," he answered, "I am just amused at your tenacity."
"How so?"
"Most would have said the title was obvious. After all, Ryua fell to Jurai, did it not?"
"Yes, it did. That's a historical fact."
"Indeed, it is," he acknowledged as he brushed his hair aside from his face. When he did so, Matori could now see his eyes: long since ruined, white with scar tissue, certainly blind. "But, is this painting telling the story of how Ryua fell?"
Taken aback by his blindness, she took a moment before she considered his question. Her eyes slid to the man's assistant who simply stared coldly in return. She yielded no outward emotion, no weakness, a hard woman. Even now, her hands remained clasped over her obi, listening.
Most aides, Matori thought, would have made some comment by now. Might she be his security as well as his secretary?
While knowing more about her hosts threatened to drag her thoughts away, the insurgent refocused on the question at hand. The painting certainly depicted a battle between Jurai and Ryua, but likely not the end of the war. The Ryoan army still seemed strong, unlike at the desperation the planet suffered near the end of the war. Matori remembered reading accounts in the Matronic Temple of the bombardments by Jurai, of the zealots consumed by the Darkness to defend their world, of the destruction of the Tower of the Twelve. Ryua's spirit was shattered like a crystal leaf under an iron hammer.
But, she thought, what does he want to hear?
She debated lying for a moment, but considering the evidence, she decided to be honest with her opinion.
"No, I don't believe it is."
With a slight grin, he asked, "What story is it telling then? What is the 'conquest' here?"
"I don't think there is. The painting shows the two sides evenly matched, not one defeating the other."
"You are correct about the painting, but there has been a conquest, my dear." Pointing to his temple, he added, "Here."
Raising an eyebrow, Matori replied, "… If you say so."
The man reached into his tunic and produced a pair of sunglasses, which he placed over his sightless eyes. Taking the hand of his aide, he said to the insurgent, "We will be in touch, Orochi Matori."
Surprised, the covert Ryoan asked, "So, the interview is over?"
"For the moment," he answered as his aide led him away. "I'm sure Lady Seto will send for you again soon."
Matori watched as the pair disappeared into a nearby corridor. Alone, she considered the encounter, turning her attention to the painting once again.
At least the conversation has opened, she accepted.
Meanwhile, the man and his assistant paused their egress at the display of Kagato and his two dark knights. While his eyes were sightless, the man soberly faced Tessei's mannequin, his hands twisting a latch on the head of his cane. His heart burned with a sickening blend of pride and shame thinking about the man displayed here.
Softly, his aide whispered, "Do you believe we can use her, Sir Mujuro?"
"It's not so much us using her, Makoto," he plained stated, "but rather Lady Seto. For now, we can only serve like good vassals."
"Of course, my lord."
His broken eyes turned toward Tessei's staff as he added, "House Juryu will rise again, regardless of my brother's sins." He clicked the latch on his cane shut before turning toward the exit. "Let's go."
X X X
Jurai Ayeka's eyes popped open as she gasped deeply and erratically, horror racing through her waking mind. Seated in zazen, she leaned back on her hands, her head rolling back to gaze up at Ryu-Oh's leafy branches. Sweat beaded on her face and rolled down her cheeks as she swallowed dryly and caught her breath. The glow of her tiara's crest slowly faded as she clenched her teeth and hissed her frustration between them.
I still can't defeat her, her thoughts fumed.
Across from her, the two knights lowered their staves along their crossed legs, the headpiece of each dimming in much the same fashion. Juraiko Azaka sighed in frustration himself. In the past month, Ayeka had grown and improved so much, breaking from the mold of "crown princess" a bit at a time. Mentally, she was far stronger than when she had been possessed in Manhattan. He had hopes of her finally defeating the monster in her dreams. Unfortunately, she had yet to do so.
Beside him, Juraiko Kamidake glanced to the side, likewise disappointed with this outcome. Each practice session, she proved herself stronger, faster, and more tenacious than either had predicted. While she was still a novice, her focus and mastery of technique had progressed greatly, forcing the two veterans to advance their curriculum to adapt. Moreover, they routinely had joined her in the mental plane via their keys, guiding her in controlling her thoughts and narrowing her focus. Still, the demon in her mind persisted.
Ryu-Oh stood silently over the three, worrying about her mistress. The tree could sense her horror rippling through Ayeka's mind, the rising frustration with each failed attempt. However, just like the knights, the sentient flora could not fight this battle for the princess. While their bond allowed the two to share thoughts and memories, she would be thrown out of the regal-tressed woman's mind just the same. Moreover, Ryu-Oh knew nothing of the memory haunting Ayeka, meaning it likely happened before their union. Helplessness ate at the tree, no longer able to protect her mistress.
The princess rolled her head forward and gradually leaned forward, settling her thoughts and breath once more. After she wiped the sweat from her brow, she began to analyze this encounter with her other self, the twisted image hiding a broken memory. However, her thoughts were muddled with her anger and frustration.
"Was the imagery the same?" Azaka asked softly.
Nodding slightly, Ayeka answered, "Yes, sensei."
The ruby-eyed woman remembered vividly what the darkened persona had showed her. It was the same as always, increasingly more real with each incarnation. They had stood in a field of royal teardrops, but a disc within the flowers had been scorched to a cinder. At the center of the disc had stood a crystalline cross, a deep violet in color not unlike the crests of Ayeka's tiara or Tenchi's sword. Along the circumference of the disc, three small bodies had lain burned to ash. The pungent scent of smoking flesh had overpowered the flowers' fragrance, sickening her.
"You did hold your ground far longer this time, princess," Kamidake commented.
"True," his partner agreed, "this is progress nevertheless."
"But, it's not a victory," Ayeka hotly replied. Her eyes raised to meet theirs, her patience crumbling. Heated tears rolled down from her eyes as she retorted, "This is another failure!"
She shot to her feet and spun away from them both, holding her arms tightly.
Kamidake rose and reached for her, whispering, "Princess…"
The lady's tormented eyes glanced over her shoulder as she hissed, "Don't touch me!"
Azaka also stood and addressed her softly, "Princess, your anger is not unwarranted. I know you suffer each time you face the vision hiding in your mind."
Ayeka's eyes closed tightly as she took a heavy breath to quiet her sobs. They had pushed her so hard to teach her their Way, to refine her to do this task, yet she still could not perform. She felt like a waste, having these two gallant men tutor and train her, but always falling short of what needed to be done.
"You have come a long way, princess," Kamidake reassured her. "Don't lose heart."
The regal-tressed lady felt like her heart cracked more each time she faced her vile doppelganger. Seeing that black reflection made her feel dirtied, tainted, disgusted with herself. She hated that feeling, worthlessness, shame, helplessness. She always needed to be saved, by the knights, by Tenchi, by Yosho, by Tsunami.
That is why Tenchi wants Ryoko over you, the voice had whispered into her thoughts.
Her teeth clenched tighter, her tears cool on her face, her eyes glaring into the distance.
"I believe we should stop for the day, princess," Azaka said. "You should rest your mind after this encounter."
"No," Ayeka whispered back.
"Princess?" Kamidake asked, unsure she had spoken.
As the noblewoman turned back to them, five of her mini-guardians chimed into existence around her, one by one. While these devices orbited her, her glare fell upon the two knights as she reiterated her statement more forcefully.
"No, I will not yield here! I refuse to live in fear of my own shadow any longer!"
Azaka shook his head and disagreed, "Princess, I don't believe that would be wise. You have made progress, but pushing yourself too fast can be dangerous."
It will not be easy, Sasami's disembodied voice had told her. It will hurt, your feelings as well as your body.
"Sensei," Ayeka pleaded, "I have to do this. I have to prove that I can stand for myself, if only to myself."
"Continuing now would be like pressing on an open wound, princess," Kamidake explained. "The mental injury may not heal correctly, or at all, if prodded too often."
The regal-tressed lady glared back at him, her frustrations curling her fingers into fists. "Whatever memory that… other woman in my mind represents, it is a festering infection, and it should be lanced."
Through her key, Ayeka could feel Ryu-Oh's concerns and hear her thoughts fretting about her partner. Mistress, your mind is not clear with all your emotions racing. Might this decision be too rushed?
Despite her tree's worries, the royal woman would not be dissuaded. Emerald sparks shot between her mini-guardians as she declared, "I have delayed far too long. I ignored the voice in my thoughts for fourteen months, and that choice caused so much damage to everyone, let alone me. I can't let that happen again."
While Azaka had not seen a case as severe as Ayeka's, her reaction did not surprise him. After the end of the ancient war, he had visited some of his former soldiers as they had reacclimated to peacetime. Having witnessed the horrors and brutality of the conflict's later days, many had returned with mental scars not unlike the princess's. Just like her, many of those men languished in helplessness and anger, prisoners of their own memories and fears.
In his era, priests of the mother goddess had counseled these lost souls, much like Azaka had guided Ayeka at first. For exceptional cases, more direct methods had been necessary, and the azure knight had learned a number of his mental techniques from those religious leaders. However, many of those skills have now been lost to the ages due to complacency in the recent centuries of peace.
And, despite his ability, Azaka had not learned all those skills before being sealed in his tomb. If her condition turned a foul direction, he might not know how to reverse the damage.
"Princess," he argued, "please understand. We are merely worried about your safety. We do not want your condition to worsen needlessly."
Ayeka closed her eyes with a heavy sigh, turning her face away from them both. Though she hated these words, she replied, "I will not be denied. This is my mind, my soul, that is in torment." Her eyes turned back to her mentor, torn between her loyalty to him and her need to be free of her personal demon. "I'm sorry, sensei. I won't comply."
Azaka too was split in how to respond. As a knight of Jurai, his duty was to protect the royal family, but what recourse did he have now?
Turning away from them, she stated sadly, "If I must, I will do this alone."
Ultimately, as she said, the attack was against her mind and spirit, and she could now access her own mental plane whenever she chose and had wisely only done so in the knights' presence. Even if he entertained the notion of physically restraining her, such action could not prevent her from doing as she pleased with her mind.
But, he thought, I can't leave her to do this alone.
"Princess, wait," he called to her. Ayeka glanced back at him as he continued, "I still wish that you would reconsider this action, but if you will not be swayed, I have one request."
Subtly, she nodded. "Very well."
He looked upward toward the core tree of her yacht and said, "Please have Ryu-Oh join you. Since you two are bonded, her mind is attuned very closely to yours. The specter may not notice her presence as it would Kamidake or myself." His eyes slid once more to the princess. "She could rouse you from the attempt before the danger becomes too great."
"Would Ryu-Oh be in any danger?"
"At worst, the image would exile Ryu-Oh's presence as it has with Kamidake or myself. She should be safe."
The regal-tressed woman mulled this request for a moment, weighing the benefit of her partner's support. Until now, her arborous companion had not been active in the mental conflict beyond moral support. She had not seen these dark visions firsthand, but rather merely in passing as their thoughts synchronized, like viewing a fast highlight reel. Part of the princess did not want to expose any more of her friends to those nightmares.
To her sentient flora, Ayeka asked, "Ryu-Oh, do you agree with his assessment?"
I do, mistress, the tree answered. I will stand by your side as I always have.
Her heart swelling, a soft smile crossed the lady's lips while she nodded. "Very well then. Let us begin."
As Azaka instructed, Ayeka seated herself upon her legs, her spine along Ryu-Oh's trunk. The tactile contact would ensure the best psychic connection, particularly with the tiara key's amplification. Already, she could feel the plant's emotions far stronger as their synchronization spiked: affection, concern, doubt, apprehension. The two knights knelt at her side and gave her a few final words before her confrontation.
"Princess," the blue warrior questioned somberly, "I would ask you one last time to reconsider this action."
Her head shook. "I'm sorry, but no. I must finish this now."
"Then," he continued, "please take great care. If your will is weakened too much, you may not be able to rouse yourself from the conflict as you have before. This would leave you at the enemy's mercy, helpless."
"Please," the crimson soldier emphasized, "if you find yourself in danger, break off your battle and escape with Ryu-Oh."
"I will," she answered. With a heavy breath, she steeled her resolve, whispering to herself, "Once more."
Like before, she used her breathing to clear her mind before she dove deep into her thoughts, her tiara key glowing a gentle violet. Around her and the knights, Ryu-Oh's leaves shot a myriad of minute beams into the annular pool surrounding them. The cascade of light enveloped them as a warmth rose along Ayeka's vertebrae, her link with her partner widening, allowing more information to flow.
Ordinarily, the royal lady could share thoughts and memories with her tree, command her from afar, even channel a degree of the flora's power through herself. When the bond dilated, the barrier separating their consciousnesses began to dissolve. Their personalities began to blend, becoming less distinct, melding much like they had when they first bonded. Their emotions mirrored each other; a thought of one was completed by the other. In this intimate moment, they formed one mind and spirit in two bodies.
Within Ayeka's thoughts, she stood upon a vast empty plain, her ruby eyes focused and watchful. As with Azaka and Kamidake before, she sensed another presence, but behind her. She glanced to her right shoulder to see a ghostly hand gently rest on her gi. The skin of this spirit appeared like a fine grain of a softwood. A shiver ran down Ayeka's spine as she turned farther to look upon this ethereal entity.
Standing with her, another young woman manifested, dressed in an elegant kimono. Said garment had intricate embroidery of the magnificent forests and the numerous rivers of Jurai. Her wooden flesh seemed without flaw or chip, impossibly refined, a master's sculpture. Her dense mane of spade-shaped leaves cascaded down her shoulders and down her back, left free to rustle around her as she moved. Beneath this canopy, her brow carried a relief of Ayeka's tiara key, carved with amazing precision, copying every nuance and curve.
As the figure smiled at the regal-tressed lady, she spoke softly and warmly like an old friend, "Hello, mistress."
Ayeka recognized her immediately, the same image she had seen aboard Ryu-Oh that dark day during the battle with the Ryoan goddess. However, unlike before, the arboreal woman appeared stronger, healthier, more complete.
The princess gasped as she whispered, "Ryu-Oh!"
Though only a translucent image, the arboreal woman clasped her hands before her, nodding in affirmation. "While I am not fully operational, I will stand by your side."
A tear appeared at Ayeka's eye as she nodded. "Thank you so much."
Ryu-Oh's soft smile then turned grim as she asked, "Are you ready, mistress?"
The Juraian lady took a heavy breath and nodded, wiping the tear away. The two exchanged a knowing gaze before the princess spun away and gathered her nerve, aware of whom she must face. Behind her, Ryu-Oh's hands carefully rested on the lady's shoulders.
"I will be here, mistress," she whispered.
Strengthened by her partner's presence, Ayeka silently acknowledged. Her eyes closed as she remembered her battlefield against her internal foe. The empty plain shimmered as it was replaced with a stretch of Juraian turf, Heaven's Tree towering into the sky in the distance. At the princess's feet, the grass curled and blackened, crackling while it died from some intense heat, forming a disc beneath her and her companion. At the center of this disc of death, a crystalline cross towered over them, beautifully faceted seemingly from an impossible boulder of amethyst. Dark clouds gathered in the sky, lightning sparking between them, thunder cracking in the distance, winds gusting around the two women.
Ayeka could feel her opponent in the distance, walking slowly along the soft grasses. Anxiety rushed through her body, her breathing heightened, her muscles tightened. She had lost once already, the shadowy reflection having beaten and shamed her once already today.
Not again, she ordered herself. I will not lose again!
Her eyes snapped open, her hardened glare set on the figure approaching in the distance. Dark Ayeka's violet tresses whipped in the violent wind, and a proud smirk stretched across her lips. Her tiara of thorns burned blood-red, highlighting the amused look in her slate-gray eyes. Her blackened combat attire contrasted highly with the white pallor of her skin, giving her a wraith-like appearance.
Ryu-Oh gazed upon the enemy as well, recognizing her mistress's fallen form, but she could see a second form simultaneously with Dark Ayeka. The relief upon the brow of the humanoid plant illuminated, emerald light filling each curve and crevice as she was taken aback by what she saw within the enemy.
"Mistress," she whispered, "she is…!"
"Back for more punishment?" the twisted princess called out, interrupting Ryu-Oh.
"You will fall this time," Ayeka retorted vehemently, focused completely on her foe. "I will see to it."
"Yeah," her reflection laughed, "you said that last time." Her smile widened as she added, "And, you left in tears just like every other time."
The noblewoman clenched her teeth as she gripped her fists tightly and dashed at her corrupted image. Dark Ayeka simply swept her hand at her counterpart, creating a wave of crimson and onyx that flew at the Juraian. Quickly, the princess slid aside, letting the attack slash upon and shatter the amethyst cross beyond.
Close to the vile mockery, Ayeka punched at the haughty expression on its face, but the opponent blocked each technique. The dark vision retaliated by thrusting her foot toward the princess's waist, but the regal-tressed lady spun to the side before sweeping her instep at the enemy's legs. However, the villainess bounded back while her own darkened mini-guardians appeared around her, allowing her to levitate just out of reach.
"Amusing," Dark Ayeka chuckled, "but futile. You still don't know who I am."
"You are part of my will," the princess rebuked, "just a broken memory that needs to be forgotten."
The corrupted woman waved her finger at her original. "Not quite, my dear. You need another lesson." Her lips spread into a sickeningly pleased smile. "But, I'm not as kind as the knights."
With a flick of her fingers, a shadowy barrier emerged from her mini-guardians and expanded around her. Ayeka raised her hand at her foe, instinctively calling on her own mini-guardians, yet they did not appear. Floating behind her, Ryu-Oh mirrored her mistress's gesture, giving the lady access to her power. A weak field enveloped them both just before the two spherical barriers came into contact, issuing sparks as they ground against one another. Dark Ayeka just chuckled to herself as the light sphere began to crack under the pressure.
In that moment, Ayeka's heart beat heavy in her chest, feeling the pressure not only on herself, but also on Ryu-Oh. As she struggled in channeling her tree's might, a flash shot across her eyes. She could see herself years ago, drawing Jurai's power into herself. She remembered Kagato the usurper standing over Tenchi, his bloody sword raised, ready to end the young man's life. All her emotions rushed through her: anger at Kagato, love for Tenchi, and shame for herself. All of it was her own fault, all Tenchi's pain her doing.
"Do you see?" Dark Ayeka whispered above her.
Finally, the weak barrier shattered and knocked Ayeka and Ryu-Oh a distance away. The princess tumbled briefly before she clutched the ground and stopped herself. Her angry eyes whipped up to her enemy as she began to rise again, refusing to stay down. Worried, Ryu-Oh's ghostly hands gripped her mistress's shoulders, but the princess shook her head.
"I'm not done," she stated, her emotions burning in her words.
Ryu-Oh loyally relented, but then gazed on Dark Ayeka as she hovered toward the ground, confident and strong. In a motion, the black mini-guardians flew over to Ayeka and encircled her, but the princess rolled to the side before they could ignite their lightning attack. The lady ran at her enemy once again, but the foe began to throw her own punches and kicks. Ayeka blocked and dodged, but one punch connected with her side, knocking the wind from her lungs. Immediately, a slap hit her cheek and forced her to the ground.
In that moment, another flash enveloped Ayeka's eyes. She could see herself months ago in a corridor of the Terran agency building. Around the corner, her beloved Tenchi embraced her rival Ryoko, having whispered those fated words, "Tenchi… I… I love you…" She had heard their entire exchange, the Ryoan woman's heartfelt confession. Again, her emotions ran rampant: her love for Tenchi, her jealousy for Ryoko, her pity for herself. All of it was her own fault, all her heartbreak her doing.
"Do you see?" Dark Ayeka whispered again.
Ryu-Oh clutched her mistress's shoulders and whispered, "Mistress, please! We should leave."
But, Ayeka wiped a drop of blood from the edge of her lips, her ruby eyes only on her enemy. "No," she hissed.
"Mistress," the tree-woman pleaded again, "you are only hurting yourself!"
"I said no!" the princess roared as she thrust her heel at her enemy's knees.
Dark Ayeka spun to the side to avoid the attack, but Ayeka quickly swung her feet under her again and rushed her corrupted reflection again. The two exchanged a few blows and blocks before one of Ayeka's punches missed, and her opponent caught and trapped her arm.
Holding her tight, the shadowy woman scoffed, in Ryoko's voice, "You stubborn bitch." Her knee rose into Ayeka's abdomen, folding the Juraian in half as she collapsed onto the ground.
In that moment, the next flash consumed Ayeka's sight. She could see herself weakly standing in the Terran infirmary, her kimono torn from combat with the dark goddess, her tiara missing from her brow. A warm glow appeared before her, an orb of light containing her tiara key. After a few seconds, the orb faded and let the key fall into her hands, and then she could feel Tsunami's recent touch in the device. She could hear the final words of the Juraian goddess, spoken through her dear sister's voice. Her emotions raged through her: hate at Tokimi, sorrow at Sasami's apparent demise, loathing for herself. All of it was her own fault, all her loss her doing.
"Do you see?" Dark Ayeka whispered once more.
Ryu-Oh knelt at her mistress's side and cupped her cheeks, pleading one last time, "Mistress! I don't want to see you hurt like this! Let us leave!"
Before Ayeka could answer, the tree-woman gagged and clutched at her neck. Looking up, the princess saw Dark Ayeka's nails clawing at the ghostly projection's neck, her fingers cracking the gentle bark of her victim's skin. Fear raced through the princess as she called out to her companion, but the villainess only leered back.
"You will never see," the corrupted Juraian stated.
Dark Ayeka stood and pulled Ryu-Oh away from the princess, each centimeter of distance raking at the connection between tree and mistress. The tree-woman's body became increasingly more solid and tactile, making her more real to this mental landscape. While the regal-tressed lady silently endured fabric of their bond aching along her spine, her companion screamed, having not experienced such a psychic trauma in her two decades of life.
"How can you…?" Ayeka asked her twisted counterpart.
"Pull her fully into this realm?" her antithesis completed. Disappointed, she added, in Seto's voice, "Give up, child. There is no help for you here."
Ayeka pushed herself back to her feet, struggling to catch her breath. She felt Ryu-Oh's pain, her confusion, her fear as Dark Ayeka spun the wooden figure to face her. Now just as material in this realm, the tree's image could be harmed as easily as the Juraian herself.
"Let her go!" the princess demanded.
With a slight glare, the vile villainess replied, "You brought her here. Her pain is your doing, just like the rest of your wretched mistakes."
Dark Ayeka's free hand gathered crimson light, aimed directly at Ryu-Oh's face. The wooden woman attempted to summon her barrier again, but the black mini-guardians immediately shattered it shortly after its manifestation. She continued to struggle, but the enemy was merely humored by her fruitless efforts.
Ayeka knew this was her mistake. All of them were. Her neglect allowed Kagato's rise to power, and she could not even fight him herself. Her inaction left her love for Tenchi to remain unrequited, and Ryoko snatched him away. Her pride prevented her from seeing her decaying condition, and Sasami suffered to save her from her fate. Now, her weakness had lead Ryu-Oh into this twisted princess's clutches.
Then, Ayeka's eyes widened as the realization came to her. Every time she was knocked down, her mind was overwhelmed with a heart-wrenching memory. She knew why her body tried to retch when she read those scratchy passages of her diary. She knew why her natural power would not respond now. "Dark Ayeka" was not simply a single broken memory.
A tear rolled down the lady's cheek as she whispered, "I'm sorry, Ryu-Oh. I'm sorry for all this."
"Mistress?" her partner choked out as she began to lose corporealness again. Through their bond, Ryu-Oh could see Ayeka's scheme, just like against the dark goddess. "Mistress, no! Don't do this!"
The Juraian woman stood against her other self once more and gave her companion one last order, "Tell the knights I appreciate their teachings. Be safe."
Ryu-Oh cried to her mistress once more before she completely faded away. With a brow raised, Dark Ayeka turned her attention to her light counterpart.
"You sent her away?"
"Yes," the regal-tressed lady answered, "I did. This is my mind."
"Hardly!" the black reflection chuckled in return. "I control this place more than you."
"You're half-right," Ayeka quoted. "I know who you are now."
Resting a hand on her hip, Dark Ayeka scoffed and asked, "Really? Then do tell, princess. Who am I?"
Another tear rolled down her cheek as she answered sadly, "You're me, the self I hide. You're everything I hate about myself, everything I've rejected about myself."
The evil vision's breath was caught in her throat as her mini-guardians vanished.
"Every time you floored me," Ayeka explained, "I saw a memory I could not accept, a memory I tried to bury: how I let Kagato rise to power, how I never expressed my love to Tenchi, how I ignored my own corruption." She laughed emptily as she continued, "I always wanted to appear the perfect princess, unflappable, yet I am anything but. I have made some dreadful mistakes."
She paused for a moment as she glanced aside. The rolling thunder above her faded away as a gentle rain began to fall on both women.
"Maybe that's why I loved Earth so much," the Juraian mused. "I didn't have to be perfect. Someone could love me as just a woman, not because I was a princess." Her eyes closed as she took an uneven breath, finally letting the realization fill her, sobs threatening to take her. "And, I wanted him to love me. Goddess above, I wanted Tenchi to love me!"
Her hands clutched her arms closely as the precipitation began to soak and flatten her hair. That one inner misery took her, finally lamenting her own failings. For a time, she just cried, just felt that loss of the only man she has ever loved, that rejection of her affections, that crushing loneliness.
However, Dark Ayeka gripped her fists tightly, her voice hissing softly, "If you think that I pity how you lost Tenchi…"
The lady's ruby eyes met the slate-gray of her foe as she shook her head. "No, I doubt you do. You know all this too well. You aren't one broken memory. You are all of them, aren't you?"
A shock rushed through the villainess while the princess turned to face her again. "I couldn't remember those diary entries because I pushed those memories into you. All the times I failed to learn Jurai's power, those lessons are in you. That is why my Jurai power is failing me here, and why yours seems so strong, isn't it?"
Dark Ayeka's lip curled, her confidence crumbling to anger. "You know nothing. You still don't know what I am."
The violet-tressed woman brushed her tears away as another roll of thunder pealed overhead. "I don't know what memory gave birth to you, but I'm sorry. I never meant to force you to carry this burden."
"You will never see," the corrupted figure declared as she stormed toward her reflection, her palms igniting with crimson fire. "I will shame you and push you out of this realm, just like every other time."
Ayeka's hands slid from her sides as she stood firm, unmoving, focusing on her foe, drawing on Azaka's teachings. When the enemy thrust her empowered fist, the princess smoothly dodged to the side and deflected the attack, just as she had practiced. Not expecting the deflection, the villainess was caught unaware and staggered when the retaliatory punch landed on her ribs.
Lightning flashed as the lady spun away from her opponent. However, on her knuckles, a spark of azure light clung and shone brightly. The warm energy seeped into her hand, and she could feel the power diffuse through her, Jurai's power, her power.
In that moment, a flash took her eyes again, showing her another memory. She could see herself as a child, yelling at an older woman in the doorway of her private room. The woman's azure hair was tied behind her head in a single tail with a Juraian styled comb. Her rosy eyes fell upon the young Ayeka with concern and worry as she knelt by the girl's side and embraced her warmly. Ayeka remembered turning into that embrace and sobbing, not wanting to ever touch the power again. She knew now how much she despised pulling from that well of energy. Despite this, the woman told her that she had to learn, as it was a part of her, of them both.
"… Mother?" Ayeka whispered.
"The mother you hated," Dark Ayeka growled in return.
Looking back to her recovering foe, the dark woman had a shining blue crack along her side where the lady had landed her attack. Hate bled into her gray eyes as the tiara of thorns flared brilliant scarlet.
"Every time she made you use the power," the wicked image hissed, "you told her that you hated her. You never wanted Jurai's power, not after what you did."
"I was a child," Ayeka accepted. "I didn't understand its importance then. Whatever I did, doesn't change that it is part of me, just like you."
"Then, see what you've wrought for yourself!"
Again, the twisted image summoned the shadowy energies to her hands before launching a blast at her counterpart. However, with a gesture, the princess's familiar barrier appeared and blocked the attack, the fiery light splashing over the protective shell.
Yet again, a memory filled Ayeka's eyes. She could see herself as a child once more, in this very field of royal teardrops. She was running from three other children, who were teasing her, calling her names. She so wanted them to leave her alone, to go away. How she hated how they made fun of her. She remembered stopping and yelling at them, and a spherical shell manifested, her first ever.
"By the…" she began.
Before Ayeka could finish her phrase, Dark Ayeka darted at her, feet coasting over the ashen grasses. The regal-tressed woman shook the memory from her eyes in time to dodge the enemy's wild kick. She slid by her opponent and grabbed the light shining from the enemy's side. As the princess pulled at that brightness, Dark Ayeka screamed, her voice distorted in a myriad of harmonies. The original lady stripped a brilliant mass of power from the twisted woman's body. This azure light wrapped around her and warmed her, comforting and familiar. The energy seeped into her skin, her tiara flaring with a blue flash, her power renewing itself.
Another memory emerged in Ayeka. She remembered this very mental plane, where the dark entity had imprisoned her upon the amethyst cross. Every moment, the creature looked more and more like Kain, even calling itself "Kain II". Tsunami, the mother goddess herself, came and seemed to surrender. She remembered straining to be free, to stop the monster from hurting her sister. She needed strength, power.
And now, as before, Ayeka was bathed in azure light.
The clasps holding her hair in place were burned away as a wave of power coasted through her, infusing her once more with her birthright. However, Jurai's might was far more intense. So much power flowed through her that it sparked down her mane of hair, shifting its natural violet color to azure, the color of the goddess herself. Her hair curled and flowed around her, a shimmering ocean as her locks fanned behind her. The princess's eyes widened as she could feel the immense force at her command, overwhelmed.
"Awaken at last, Princess Jurai Ayeka," Tsunami had said to her, "daughter of Jurai."
Holding her side, Dark Ayeka spun back to her counterpart and stood in awe at the sight she beheld, Jurai Ayeka once more empowered. The thunderheads above were parted by her transformation, shining sunlight down upon the first daughter of the last great emperor of Jurai. Her hair glistened in the bright rays, curling around her face as she hung her head, taking a deep breath to calm herself, to adjust to this new might surging through her. Her mane cascaded down her shoulders and back while she listened and her distant words from the lingering memory.
"As your powers grew," Tsunami had told the beast, "so did hers. As you tortured cruelly, she endured nobly."
"Sasami…" Ayeka whispered, "… what do you…?"
"It's a power you never wanted," Dark Ayeka declared, "that you don't deserve. You pushed it on me just like all these damned memories, another piece of psychic refuse."
"And, I'm sorry that I did," the lady answered, raising her ruby eyes to meet those of her opponent. "This is my responsibility, as are you and all you represent."
The twisted vision shook her head gravely. "No one can fully accept what they are, not even a Juraian princess. You couldn't live with what you really are."
Sliding into a defensive stance, Ayeka replied, "I aim to see for myself."
The black-clad woman raised her hands at her side, summoning her scarlet energies to her palms. Her onyx mini-guardians gonged into existence, encircling her while the thorned tiara on her brow blazed hotly and fiercely.
"I am everything you have denied yourself, Jurai Ayeka," she vehemently declared, "all your anger, passion, hate, jealousy, and power. You can't defeat me."
As Dark Ayeka began to levitate from the ground, the azure-haired princess manifested her own tan-colored mini-guardians, each topped with a simple Juraiji for "guard". A gentle blue aura enveloped her while she retorted, "We shall see, won't we?"
With a scowl, the corrupted woman gathered her hands before her while the devices orbiting her rotated their circular tops in the same direction, at the blue-haired maiden. Each probe charged an orb of violet, which burst forth alongside the pulse from the villainess's palms. As this dark rain fell, the light logs spun around their mistress, generating a barrier her before the impact came.
Dust clouded the region surrounding Dark Ayeka's target, but she flew down, her black mini-guardians sweeping outward, pushing the obscuring particles away. However, the blue-haired Ayeka leaped upward directly in front of her counterpart, the light-colored probes rising to encircle them both. The blue aura around her channeled into her fists as she punched at her reflection.
The shadowy being deflected this first fist and began to return with her own knuckles, but the cerulean lady dropped her elbow into the other woman's forearm, knocking the attack away. Stricken with pain, the black-clad figure drifted back, clutching her arm as her mini-guardians aimed at the princess, charging to fire again.
Then, azure-tressed Ayeka motioned to the side, ordering her own mini-guardians to collide with their dark counterparts. Upon impact, hers exploded destroying both sets, splintered shrapnel spraying around both women. The original princess held firm, a light barrier protecting her from the shards, while her adversary darted to the ground to avoid the fragments.
Levitating to the ground herself, the true lady shot at her foe, rushing at her with a leading back-fisted strike. Recovering, Dark Ayeka blocked and countered, the two rejoining the dance between them. Sparks of crimson and cerulean burst from their strikes as the two exchanged blows, attacking and dodging as they circled one another.
With each strike, the original princess could feel the sadness and anger she had hidden in her other self. Her deepest passions rippled through her as her long hidden memories and fantasies broke free from the dark persona. She saw all the childhood arguments with her mother over learning Jurai's power. Her fantasies of punching Ryoko's face rose to her conscious thoughts. Her desires to make love to Tenchi swept through her prudish sensibilities. She recalled once more when the NVO creature possessed her and forced her to fight Katsuhito and Nerti.
The blue light shining from the crest of Ayeka's tiara key caught the tears streaming down her face. Each memory hurt to see. Each fantasy tore at her perception of herself. Each was a part of her, hidden from the sight of everyone, even herself.
"You are not defined by them," Azaka had told her, "but rather by how you overcome them."
On the other hand, strain was written on Dark Ayeka's face. Each psychic fragment she had held within her was broken away. Piece by piece, her very existence was being eroded as her true self remembered. All the shadow persona had striven to hide and conceal came to light in this duel.
With a wild cry, the corrupted woman funneled all her black power into her fist and connected with Ayeka's diaphragm. The true princess flew back and collapsed holding her chest, her breath knocked from her lungs. She became consumed in the memory of the children screaming, the smell of charred flesh, the heat of flames surrounding her.
Visibly weakened, Dark Ayeka stalked her original self, hissing airily, "Feel that, princess. Feel what I am. Know why you will never remember that horrible day."
While the Juraian lady began to push herself from the ground, her opponent gripped her fist tightly before opening her fingers with violet claws, Tokimi's talons. Veins of emerald ran through her combat attire as she drew more from the memory of the dark goddess. Those green markings crept over her neck and cheeks, replacing her Mark of Rage with that of the Ryoan deity.
"You do not have Takeru's heroic courage," the corrupted woman stated in the celestial chorus of the fiery goddess. Crimson flames enveloped her hands as she continued to quote, "You do not have Ryuji's stubborn determination." She combed her hair away from the tiara of thorns as its bladed crest grew black with the force flowing through her. "You do not have the knights' duty or passion."
Azure-haired Ayeka rose to her feet and stumbled back to a knee, her own exhaustion finally taking hold. However, she kept her eyes on her foe, watching, waiting.
While Dark Ayeka loomed over her true self, she curled her lip and added once more in the goddess's voice, "You do, however, have the taint of the Kamiki family on you."
The villainess raised her claws to strike the princess down, but as the strike came, the original lady crossed her forearms and caught her enemy's wrist between her own. Grabbing her arm, Ayeka pulled the surprised opponent downward, slamming her to the ground, twisting her arm into a lock. Dark Ayeka cried out, losing Tokimi's voice and regaining her own as the memory of the princess's fated battle with the goddess flashed through the blue-haired woman's eyes.
"I am not them," Ayeka declared. "I am Jurai Ayeka, and no one else!"
Defeated, the tainted Juraian's appearance reverted to her original form: her combat uniform torn, her skin cut and bruised from battle, her body weak and unable to continue.
"I am sorry," Ayeka apologized. "I should not have forced all my unwanted memories onto you. That ends now. I take back the burden I forced upon you."
"Nobility," Tsunami had answered her sister deity.
In that moment, both women were surrounded by a white light as the memory reset. Ayeka sat on her legs, her azure-mane straightening and fading back to violet. Across from her, the wounded Dark Ayeka from the battle with Tokimi vanished, replaced with a Juraian child, no more than nine years of age. The girl's violet hair was tied on either side, much like Sasami's had once been. She wore a finely made dress with very detailed embroidery, depicting irises in bloom on the fields of Jurai.
Taken aback, Ayeka recognized her immediately as herself over two decades ago. Looking at the child, the young woman resurrected those feelings of isolation, teased by her peers because she was blessed with noble birth, affluence, any material desire she wanted. She remembered crying into her mother's kimono, wanting to be left alone, though she wanted a friend.
Then, the girl's clothes changed, smudged with ash, dirtied. Her eyes widened in naïve horror, shocked into silence as she fell to her small knees. Then came the screams, three of them, blood-curdling, all around the girl while she watched, petrified in terror.
The heat rose sharply, and parts of the field around them began to burn. Instinctively, Ayeka leaped forward and grabbed the girl, pulling her close and safe from the nightmare unfolding around them.
However, the violet-tressed woman awoke lying beneath the tree Ryu-Oh. She could feel her partner's relief and worries flooding through their psychic connection while the two knights knelt at her side, questioning her, checking her condition. She sighed heavily, feeling the mental toll paid in her weariness, the inability to hold her ruby eyes open.
Nevertheless, she smiled weakly, whispering, "… Silence… at last…"