607by oblivon2991
proofread by the usual drunken band of misfits
Thank you for reading my fanfic!
My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.
I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.
I don't own High School DxD anime, manga, and novel series created by Ichiei Ishibumi
Please review it. I know I will make mistakes that I intend to correct and will try to learn from them and improve myself.
Thank you!
Chapter 19: Tower Game (Part 1):
"Thanks for the loot! See ya!"
The feed ended just like that before the signal was cut, and the one who watched the recording moved her many eyes towards her underling. Her tapping finger on her forearm was the clear sign she wordlessly awaited an answer.
Just who and how did that? Who was to blame for the lax security? Who dared to steal her whole vault's worth of artefacts and wealth? Who had such a gal? Who dared to go against the mighty and influential?!
"Ku-Kumo-sama, it is…"
The noise of the suddenly closing fan made the surrounding people wince at once, and the many eyes of the spider gazed through the Yokai inhabiting this luxurious, but still traditional suite. Her elegant, yet sudden movement made people feel the sheer pressure around her.
One might wonder why the lady on her throne said nothing at the moment, but let her subordinates ponder what was really behind her calm, cold expression - which perfectly hid her true emotions.
"So?" Raising one of her arms, she tilted the small cup, consuming some of her nightly drink.
The sleeves of her loose kimono hung freely, adorned with spider lilies, and connected with a seemingly chaotic web on the surface. An exquisite and shiny black dress, which screamed of elegance, and class. A piece of fabric that seemed otherworldly. Something that befits her classy face, which mirrored charm that fit her standing.
"We…"
"Tell us, since how long has this been going on?"
"I-It…"
"We received the first report a few hours ago. But… it may have happened earlier."
"A few hours? Earlier?" She snapped open her fan, her glare intensified on the bird yokai taking a dogeza pose near her. Not taking her eyes away, she held out her feminine pipe, which was hastily stuffed with tobacco and lit proficiently by the nearby servants. It was evident they did this action countless times - No wasteful movement displayed in their service.
"And how many of our vaults were robbed? One? Two?"
"A-At least a dozen!"
"A dozen?" It was like the air rippled with power, her eyes glinting dangerously for a moment, before regaining their calm, cold light.
"Or more…"
A shudder ran through the whole room, while the lady glanced at the child yokai on her side, who just sighed, lowering his fox ears.
"Oh dear…"
A melodic, humming Noh or nōgak music played in the background, while several actors gave their best to entertain their audience. They were either not disturbed by the tension already felt in the air, or their professionalism reached such a level they could go on undisturbed, suffocating their emotions in their play.
Yet, despite their effort, their performance was momentarily ignored, for the lady of the house had more pressing matters in mind!
"Ah! How unfortunate…" She sighed at the end, breathing out some smoke, while shaking her head. "You see, now you even made poor Yasuke disgruntled. Poor boy…" Like a caring mother, she caressed the black locks of the fox on her side, flattening the hearty ears tipped with golden fur.
Of course, the boy who looked no older than his early teens brushed the caring hand away, adjusting the unruly, shaggy locks on his head.
"Ufufu! So defiant."
"Kumo-sama, we…"
"Hmm… Ah! Yes! We wonder. Do you have anything to do with this?"
Not far from the esteemed group of yokai, a man was strapped into a yoke. His body was bruised, bloody and beaten. The signs of intense torture were visible on him. A man, or rather a creature, who was covered with shaggy grey fur, having both the characteristics of a human and a rat.
"Hime-sama asked you, worm!" One of the burly Oni slapped the rat man with his tonfa, making several of his sharp teeth fly far.
"Guah…!"
"Oh my! You may have gone too hard on him." The woman chuckled sultry, waving her fan before her face, and the invisible strings got loose. It only took a simple look and the beaten yokai dragged forth before her.
"Anything to add, Zukaze?" In her blood-red eyes, a golden web pattern glinted. Meanwhile, her thin wrist wiped away a nasty strand that escaped the clutches of the pins holding together her white hair.
A true beauty, hardly comparable to anyone. Not amongst the mortals, and rarely amongst the supernatural such enchanting vision may appear. Yet, with her ghastly porcelain skin, and face like a doll, paired with the two lines running from the sides of her mouth, she looked almost predatory.
"I…I…" The man gasped, half-conscious, barely able to speak. "They…"
"By the Kami! You really do a good work on him." She chuckled behind her fan, almost entertained by the scene.
"I-I am sorry, Hime-sama." It was hard to believe, but one of the burly Oni in a suit - which was on to rip open if he just flexed his muscles a little more - bowed his head. He visibly trembled, while perspiration suddenly started to drench from his face.
"It doesn't matter…" Sighed the spidery woman. "Patch him up a little, then start the interrogation, again. This time, we want to know if he has any connection with our mysterious burglar. Use whatever means necessary."
"We… We already tried that."
"Hmm?"
"We tried to interrogate him to get the information the moment we received the intel, Hime-sama. Multiple times in fact. We tried everything."
"Oh, really?"
"Ye-Yes…" Hissed the yokai who slid closer. "At this point. If we try to pry it further today, he may die. His body and mind on the breaking point. He will be no use to us once that happens." Spoke to one of the yokai nearby, an uwabami to be exact. The snake yokai slid closer, bowing her head in respect.
Seeing her long body that wore a traditional yukata without limbs made her quite an odd sight.
"And? Did you find anything?"
"Nothing, Hime-sama. Nothing we can extract. Not with traditional methods, nor with Youjutsu. It is like some spell, or some odd technique cutting down all our attempts. It seems, that even if he is willing, he is unable to reveal anything of importance to us. Of course, we tried to forcefully extract the information. But…" The snake hesitated but was as honest as she could be. She knew well, that her lady had peerless talent to separate lies from truth.
"But?"
"The specialist's brain melted."
"Melted?" Even Kumo blinked at hearing such an odd thing. "Melted? How so?
"Yes…" Gulped the snake, shuddering suddenly, remembering the scene. "Please forgive me, it was rather gruesome, and disturbing."
"Odd…" The woman muttered, on her usual peerless, collected face, a moment of surprise flashed.
"So, anything to add, Zuka-Zuka-Zukaze-chan? Would you kindly share with us what happened?" By flicking upwards one of her fingers - adorned with long manicured nails - the ratman raised from the ground, seemingly held up by invisible strings.
"I… I… The boss…"
"The boss? Oh! Is it the same one we see in the recording?"
"I…" Before he could say more, his jaw snapped close. Locking away on his throat anything he might be willing to share.
"So it is… our mysterious raider. We see." The woman took a deep breath and lowered her gaze, almost sad. "Such a pity. To think we had done so much for you, my dear Zukaze-chan. We still remember finding you on the street, scurrying and on the verge of starvation, surrounded by those thugs. To think we had given you so much, and you have given so little. We are truly crushed."
The rat's mouth trembled, tears starting to flow from his bloodshot eyes. Yet, he was unable to retort, his beaten face remained blank, almost like something forbidding him to answer or express any emotion.
"Shh! Our poor boy." Waving her hand, the rat floated closer in her embrace. "To think you suffered so much. Don't worry, we are not mad."
"Hime-sama…" his face raised by two of the four hands, holding it cupped, like a mother staring at her son, then pushed his tear-drenched face against her bulging chest.
"We will solve the issue. Don't worry." she cooed at him, with all the care she could spare. Before she raised his chin again, only his gaze stared at her crimson orbs. Her cold eyes mirrored sorrow, but some lingering disappointment too.
"That's why it is so unfortunate. It is so hard. Because whether it was your fault or not, whether you were manipulated by someone or not, your betrayal still caused harm - Our dear Zukaze. Now then, please, imagine yourself in our place. How would that look if we ignored something like this? What others would say, or do?"
"Bu-But…"
"You were a loved child. We gave our heart to you, only to betray our trust." A drop of tear ran down the doll-like face, but the woman's expression remained as cold as ever. "Tell us, how much funds have you diverted? How much have you stolen since we adopted you? But we guess, back then, it did not matter. You were a curious child. A smart boy and we even enjoyed your courage, your dare. At first, even your small games were entertaining, just because they caused no real harm. You were useful, you brought more than took, and because of your worth, we kept you around. But now?" Her eyes slid away pondering, then back to the man a moment later. "You know, if a mother doesn't punish a greedy child who continuously steals from the cookie jar. Taking more and more… what will our world turn into?"
"I…"
"We know. We know! You want to say: that you were manipulated. You were deceived. Yet, how long have you kept pillaging our pantry? Lying in our eyes? Years? Months? Or decades? You wouldn't think we don't recognize your constant theft? The little cuts you made from our business - Growing fat over the years? Poor, poor Zukaze-chan, always staring at the morsels on the ground, his head deep in the rice bag, while a spider is hanging above him, watching him eat what's not his. Alas, this time, the rodent became too bold.."
The rat's expression suddenly strained! His eyes widened in shock - almost as he realized something horrible was about to happen!
"Our pitiful boy… Can't even confess his sins. Yet, his heart screams in agony! It is truly unfortunate, but the mother has to do what she must. In order to protect her nest and survive."
"Hime-sama…! Please…!" The rat gritted his teeth in strain. His intense tears already drenched the fur on his face.
"Our little, deceived Zukaze…. Your ambitions were always petty. Unable to even take an example of the men around to grow some spine. Ah! Where do we go wrong? Our disappointment is immeasurable." Like a mother who was let down by her child, her cold eyes mirrored her true feelings.
"But maybe… Maybe you can still serve." A predatory smile sneaked on the woman's face slowly, while saliva started to drip from the side of her elegant mouth.
The caring mother vanished, replaced by a hungering predator! "Don't fret, dear Zukaze-kun, you will be with us, forever. You will nurture our growth, and educate the children around with your example!"
The rat Yokai's face froze! His body trembling in fear, but can't move, held in place by impossibly tight strings!
Methodically, the lower jaw of the doll's face parted apart, revealing a pair of chelicerae! A muscled organ, meant to grab on the prey, and hold it firm while the hunter injects her venom in the helpless victim - A poison meant to numb, and liquify the internal workings!
Those fangs, which dripped with mythical venom, were so close, that Zukaze could feel them reach his creeping fur at any moment!
"Hime-sama!" Yet, before the numbing death would come for the underling, a panicked yokai burst through the room! A bakeneko, taking the form of a bipedal cat with orange fur! "W-We have an intruder!"
"Ah! To disturb our meal…" Her mouth closed all of a sudden, giving a glance at the rat, then the cat.
"How dare you disturb…!?" One of the nearby creatures wanted to chide the intruding cat, but a gentle wave stopped his sudden burst of anger.
"Is something wrong?" She blinked with her seductive eyes, her face returning to its adoring doll-like state, awaiting the answer. Then suddenly, she felt a throb! Akin the many strings around her domain were cut at once and unforeseen!
"How…"
She muttered barely audible, before her eyes continued to move. Her gaze changed from calm to confused, or was it fright? A sense of alarm? One look from those lenses was enough to urge the cat to not waste her time, as the owner had more pressing matters in mind!
"A-A stranger… they just came into the building, beat up our security! They couldn't even…!"
"Calm down, dear…" Suffocating her distress, her soothing, and calm presence returned. The woman regained her charm. "Where is this intruder? Have they reached the elevator?"
"They…"
"Hime-sama!" The second time tonight, another sudden visitor appeared in her suite.
A towering being stampeded inside the room in the next moment, pushing the cat yokai away, and knelt right afterwards. His body was lean but muscled, covered in form-fitting armour of samurai design.
It was obvious he was not human. Indeed, his face was furry like a beast. His fiery mane vast, deer-like antlers sprouted from his head, and his chimerical build covered in scales. All of this made him an odd-looking creature, definitely sticking out even amongst the many strange beings around.
"As we speak, the intruder reaches ever closer! To make sure no harm comes to you, we need to evacuate you! At once, my lady!"
"Oh my!" the lady raised her chin, calculating her next step. Behind her, through the illusion of the tempered glass, Tokyo was visible. A city of light stretched almost endless, busy as ever, not even bothered by the chaos this place had experienced!
"In that case…"
"Move! Move!"
"On your palace! Form a defensive perimeter!"
"Quickly! We can't let that monster through!"
"Protect our lady at all costs!"
The sounds of numerous armoured troops moving and massive creatures herded in their place came from the long corridor leading to the room. The voices of intense preparation echoed from outside. All of which intended to hold back, route, or at least stall whatever was on approach!
[Co-Commander! Th-This thing! This thing broke out from our encirclement and decimated our defensive lines on floor sixty-one! By the Kami! It is already here!]
[Where is your boss? I want your boss.] A distorted voice came from the communicator - A voice which echoed the owner's dead, stoic insides.
[Aggghhh!]
[You people are so rude…]
"How is that monster already there?! Answer dammit!? Who the Yomi you are?!" The creature roared in the earpiece, but only static noise came after intense gunshots, and the sound of splatter echoed.
"Dammit! Our best units are being butchered!" The chimerical yokai pressed his dentals so hard it gushed blood, before turning towards his lady, prostrating himself almost begging.
"Hime-sama! Please! We need to leave, at once! For your own safety! Once you are safe, I will come back and deal with this wretch myself!"
"We are afraid, it is already too late for that."
"What?!" The creature's eyes widened in disbelief and confusion.
"Indeed." The lady tilted her head. "Didn't you feel how the air changed, our dear Raigetsu? As of now, the strings of fate have been cut around us. We are blind. It is likely our means of escape has already been closed."
"Bu-But the teleportation circle…! The secret escape pathways…!" Raigetsu glanced at the nearby Miko stress, who along with several sorcerers checked the validity of the case.
"I-Impossible!" One of them muttered.
"The dimensional connection is completely cut! The tower… is isolated!?"
"Which means…" Another gulped, coming to the sudden, and horrible realization of what was about to come for them.
"Nonetheless, if you would just try it, mistress. We will provide the necessary distraction until…."
"And where should we flee, our dear general? To the street? Scurry like rats in the sewers? Are you proposing to abandon our seat of power? Our people? Our very heart? Lower ourselves to a mere beggar in the jungle?" Her gaze intensified on the towering being, so much he started to gasp for air for a moment.
"I… of course not." The general hesitated, even turning his head away in shame. "I would never dare."
"Ah! So troublesome." Hime sighed, looking almost distressed. Pondering for a few moments for the right step. Until she eventually gave space to the idea brewing in her mind. "Very well. Do as you please, general. We entrust you with the defence."
"Thank you, my lady. We will protect you until our last breath." Raigetsu bowed submissively, before turning to his men lined behind him. "Seal the doors! Prepare the release of the beast!"
"Bu-But Raigetsu-sama, if we release that being we might not be able to leave!"
"That's why we wait until the last moment! Now go! Everyone else, prepare for battle! We will make our last stand here if all things fall. For the lady!"
"For the Silk Empress!"
The people roared all around, and a massive detachment of armoured guards and different yokai in robes flooded the room - taking defensive positions.
The most impressive figure amongst them typed a code on the console nearby, and a massive golden gate was enacted. Sealing symbols are engraved on its surface. A multi-layered Rashōmon door formed. An impressive barrier, meant to seal the entrance and let none inside or outside!
Nearby, the present robed force, Shinto Priests, and Youjutsu sorcerers from the Yokai faction started their chant - in joint work weaving together their seemingly contradicting magic, and reinforcing the barrier!
Several Torii gates materialized, strengthening the effect, filled with tags and charms with mysterious writing.
"Just who are you… dear visitor."
In the meantime, Hime raised her drawn brow subtly, using a spell which allowed her to review the recording of the building's security system.
It all started when a lone figure arrived. Exiting from a speeding car - so abruptly that the potential force from the deceleration could have squashed a mere human to paste!
At first sight, a non-noteworthy being. Simple looking, with a biker helmet covering their head, and wearing a suit with a vest - which somehow accented their curves, yet hid them well.
It was a woman, she was sure of it. But the presence she glimpsed from those movements implied something else. Almost like that flesh contained a beast, only held back by sheer will!
Even she shuddered while watching this "visitor", who if you ask her tried to disguise a boy in that suit - that rather befit to a butler than a proper lady. It was a familiar figure, similar to what she had seen in the recordings before.
"Could it be…?" She looked at the cowering rat, who in silence tried to scurry away, only to be pulled back with a flinch of her finger.
"Do you recognize this woman?"
"I… I…" His eyes widened, and his body started to tremble! The rat's reaction made everything obvious! "This is… this is…" Zukaze almost hyperventilated, his heart bursting. Was it excitement, or fear? Even Kumo could hardly perceive the reason. "Th-The Supr…!? The Supr…!? No! No! The boss forbid! The boss forbids it!"
"Oh! I see… it was her then." She hummed, glancing back at the recording. Thought, one of her eyes still lingered on her servant who continued to mumble incoherently.
"Poor little Zukaze-chan. So adored, yet so broken. Wonder what these people had done to you, my dear boy." Waving him closer, she kissed his forehead, before a move of her finger sewn his mouth close and bound him tighter.
"But now, we request your silence, dear. Maybe, you will have some use… later."
"Hime-sama… I can't stress enough, that we may still have enough time. If we go right away through the secret tunnel, we can still..."
"Shhh… it is okay." Her soft gaze stopped on the armoured man, nodding her head with a calm demeanour.
"But…"
"As said, it is probably already too late. The strings of fate are silent. Now, we can only rely on our instinct."
An ancient feeling, which whispered resistance was futile. For now, stalling for a time was her only means to gather more information. Her only means for survival in this chaotic event.
"Don't worry, everything happens, as it is supposed to." She whispered while continuing to watch the recording further.
The visitor entered the building and was seemingly stopped by the security who tried to apprehend her - probably due to her intrusion on her property.
Yet, trying to use force against her after a short chatter, she smacked the first guard to the ground - a practised move, which even her eyes could barely follow.
The towering yokai disguised as a human had no chance! In the small crater, only his drolling and twitching body remained.
Afterwards, chaos! The rest of the security protecting the lower floor jumped into action without any hesitation!
A fight broke out which ended disturbingly quickly, leaving no opposition for the guest to proceed to the elevator.
A keycard was used, which provided access to the next floor. A card with suspiciously high authorization. All this implied someone from her inner circles betrayed her - for reason unknown.
"But who might it be? Ah! So it was your card, dear Inose. An unexpected turn…"
The way up was stopped midway to the next floor. An action dictated by the security doctrine - all in order to isolate the invader if they get through the ground forces.
Yet, this step had little effect, because the "butler" just found her way out, and invaded the next floor - continuing to take out whatever resistance she met!
Armed with only a disturbingly high calibre handgun in her hand, and a telescopic baton, she took out more and more of her guards - suspiciously leaving the staff alone. Simply passing all who dropped their weapons, or had no intention to fight.
Her people started falling one after another, falling victim to the monstrous gun the intruder recovered, all the while dodging and disabling all the force that attacked with her bludgeoning tool.
Ranged weapons, magic or even melee? It's worth a notch! Like she had a sixth sense, she unnaturally avoided them all! Or like a brute, forced her way through!
Against this opponent, it seems overwhelming numerical opposition, but even firepower is worth nothing!
"Why were we not notified about this sooner?" Her gaze swept through the room, stopping on her head of security. "Raigetsu!"
"I… We thought it was a simple human. We thought she would tire out, then…"
"You were wrong it seems." She clicked her tongue almost annoyed, continuing to watch the feed.
The tower might looked brand new, but ancient magic weaved into its creation. A potent font of power, brought forth by the gods and the yokai of old! A place, a fortress in its own right that would justly serve as the bastion against a supernatural invasion!
This was her home, an ancient spire she conquered with wits, tricks and luck from its previous owner, and ever since serves as her main seat of power! This was a place moved here, the heart of Tokyo by magic and disguised as a tall skyscraper.
"This place is designed so by no means intruders can reach the highest floor so easily…" Unless invited of course. Otherwise, they had to fight through the numerous trap-filled floors - find the right stair or elevator to proceed higher.
An always-changing maze, where potent illusions and hidden pathways hid the way to the next floor. Filled with dead ends, those hid numerous horrors.
Alas, despite all the precautions. Against all the odds and force this place housed, the invader swept through the floors like some locust! Baffling even the host of the place!
"Wha-What?!" A reaction, an emotion her subordinates rarely, or never had seen on her royal, collected face swept through her visage - leaving her gaping for a few seconds.
Even for her, it took a few long seconds before she managed to collect her will.
This stranger who so adamantly climbed her tower! Even annoyingly persistent despite all the odds did not seem to tire. No! On the contrary, she looked more and more energetic, and annoyingly entertained!
[Wow! More loot!]
She heard this, and similar quotes when their guest stopped. Picking up the items her soldiers left behind, or she found in the long corridors - even busting open a few walls which hid secret storage rooms.
"How did she find those?" Asked herself the host sometimes.
Oddly, this was the only real thing that slowed her - To stop and pick up things her people dropped.
"How… crass." She mumbled. But her subordinates around could hear something strange in her voice. Was it, excitement? How odd! They surely heard it wrong. Why would their lady feel excitement seeing the demise of her people? Witnessing the closing dread that swept through her home?
"It is possible… it is like back then. I see…"
The lady mumbled while she watched the recording further. Witnessing as this person ignoring whatever force she was thrown at! Cutting through the meticulously prepared traps and force!
Poisonous and acidic air filling the place? Ignored! Sealing techniques, traps, rituals or magic? Avoided or overpowered! Ancient horrors and numberless fully armed Yokai soldiers? Played around and decimated!
Illusions dotted the place and hid the true way forth. Useless! Whatever senses this invader possessed, she seemingly was not affected by the mirages weaved by her strongest Youjutsu sorcerers, Miko or even by the magicians she paid such a hefty price!
Beasts released? After taking out a few, they fled - like the cur they are! It was almost as if they tried to avoid the wrath of the grander apex on to approach!
Monsters captured, tamed meticulously and brought for a great price? Nearly not enough! They were systematically decimated by a simple gun, and pummeled to mincemeat!
She had no idea what was more embarrassing.
Paying so much for beasts that now proven to be useless, or watching how all her planned surprise earned no reaction from the invader. Seemingly, everything thrown on her served as mere annoyance or entertainment on her way forth.
"All that preparation turning to dust…" It was honestly frustrating. Yet, why she can't help but chuckle? What was this feeling?
Her elite force defended the floors with all their courage! Using every means and tool she provided! Even going beyond their capabilities! Yet their numbers dwindled with each floor passed!
"Haah! Which floor is our invader currently on?" Grabbing the reins of her emotions she finally asked.
"Seventy-one…"
"And how much time they reach this floor?"
"If their pace continues to accelerate at such a rate, around fifteen minutes - or less." Answered the boy on her side, who until now mostly remained silent.
"Please, my lady. I beg you, there is still time…!"
The lady did not even answer, but remained silent, balancing her options. Her time is ticking, and her path of escape is cut.
What other options are left other than waiting and resisting to the end?
Should she try her luck to slip through one of the many escape tunnels dotting the place and bear with the shame? Or, should she listen to her instinct and remain put - all in hopes of fair treatment? Hoping for mercy from someone who simply cut her men down without mercy and consideration?
"I see… you are adamant, Hime-sama." The beastly man sighed, raising his finger, then pressing the communicator near his ear. "Prepare to release the beast…"
"Raigetsu? Are you sure?" She questioned her chief of security. All in the room knew well what kind of beast the man was on to release.
"There is no other way, Hime-sama. That thing outside cutting down our men mercilessly. Do you really think it will stop and spare you once it finishes its work? No…if it somehow manages to overcome that monster and come through that gate, we, who are gathered in this room will be the last ones to stand in their way. I urge you once more to flee! We will try to distract them long enough so you and your detachment can slip through in the chaos."
"Such a shame…" She opened her fan, starting to wave it before herself.
As the leader of her organization, she had many souls who depended on her decisions daily. Should she abandon them? Should she show weakness? Flee like a coward cur with her spinnerets amidst her legs? Leave behind her seat and become a mere commoner?
"Ah! So vexing…" She hummed, facing the hard decision. "Yasuke-chan, what do you think? What path we should choose?"
The boy glanced at the lady, then the now live feed. His eyes squinted while his fox ears moved slightly - before taking out some candy and starting to gnaw on it.
"Useless…"
"Ufufufu! My! My! Expressive as ever. Then, we proceed that way."
"Mistress…" Raigetsu shuddered, watching how his master threw away the last chance to flee - just because a boy said so. "In that case…"
"Proceed as you see fit, my dear General. We are ready to face the consequences." She told him so, returning her attention to the feed and the boy at her side.
…
"Retreat! Retreat!"
"Mo-Monster!"
"We can't hold it back!"
"Aghhh!"
A presence approached in the dark corridor, walking in a steady, but unnerving pace.
Its appearance is of a girl, in a suit, wearing a biker helmet with cat ears. But its existence terrified the defenders no end!
Those glowing eyes behind the dark plexy said it all! Flee or die!
Magical attacks? Gunfire? Divine miracles called forth by the servants of the Kami? All exploded on her, and from the smoke, she walked forth unscratched!
The foolish who got too close, or tried to attack behind all fell! Their body and face came in direct contact with the terrible black gun - leaving a grand gory hole through the armour and the body!
"Clo-Close the door!"
"Keep firing! Keep firing!"
This monster was almost at the end of the floor! The only thing that stood in her way was the slowly closing multi-layered metallic gate! A last means to isolate the being before it reaches the uppermost level of the grand spire!
"I-It stopped?"
The defenders questioned, but their relief only lasted for a moment, because the structure started to shake in the next second! Out of a sudden, the gate exploded outward violently after just a few powerful strikes!
"It got through!?"
"Retreat to the next floor! Retreat to the next floor!"
"Quickly! Close the elevator!"
The door of the escalator closed agonizingly slowly, but the enemy was still at least fifty meters away. In the end, the yokai in riot gear sighed in relief when it finally sealed.
"We are saved."
"Thank the Kami!"
Alas, their comfort came too early, because only a moment later the door started to open again.
"Wha-What!?"
"I-Idiot! What are you doing!?"
One of their survivor comrades started to giggle and droll, their eyes empty, filled with madness! Pushing the door opener button again and again - until its closed state changed, starting to spread out!
"Mo-Moron!"
"Stop already!" His comrades tried to pull him back, but the creature had no intention to release the button! No! Like their finger would be glued on that place, or their life depended on it, they kept pushing it! Their craze gave them power several times of a normal person, making even their past companions unable to pull them away!
"Dammit!" In the end, one of the yokai had enough! Pulling out her modified assault gun, she gunned the crazed man down. Right after the rest pushed out the suffering being - Not even considering saving them in their panic!
They did not even hesitate to throw their betrayed comrade before the wolf, just to save their hide and win a second more for themselves!
"Close it! Close it!" Many screamed foaming, seeing the door closing just before the monster approached again. The being who in the last glimpse pointed her gun at their still alive but suffering comrade, executing him mercilessly!
This is it! After this, they will seal the place!
It will probably win them little time - like before, it barely hindered this invader. But anything is better than facing this monster again! They will just use the remaining time to flee! Use the many tunnels dotting the place to avoid the creature - as it seemingly followed an almost straight path, heading towards the next level.
"Aii!" Alas, their troubles did not end! Their plan couldn't even start, because, at the last moment, the throat of the gun found its way into the tiny little gap that remained - just before the door closed!
"Open sesame…" The sliding entrance of the elevator, which could have squeezed to death even a young dragon forced open by a simple motion, following the "magic word" which heralded their death sentence for sure!
"Good work soldiers. You did well. Now… Good night." That horrible guttural voice that left the helmet… If it was not enough, combined with the wide eldritch mouth that formed on the surface made the survivors tremble in chill and dread!
"Pl-Please don't…!" Many tried to plead for mercy! Yet, their plea found deaf ears!
In the gap of the closing door, one could hear the sounds of splatter, distorted screams, and the song of the high-calibre gun sentencing everyone in that cabin to their final fate!
All along, the preparations for the last desperate line of defence were being made one floor above!
The commanders did as they were instructed! Did not notify their men what was to come! What is the situation on the lower floors? They knew well. If they were to tell them, most of these people would flee, or lay down arms in the hope they survive! Even if they were loyal, they most probably rather valued their life more, than their job and oath.
"What!? But General? Sir! If we do that…!? I… Understood!" A massive hairy creature with a grotesque face and two tusks protruding from its mouth muttered, adjusting himself on top of the torii gate.
"New command! When the invader arrives, don't confront them! Get out of their way and take cover! The beast will handle them…"
All the elite units donning pompous robes or modernized bulky armours stopped, watching their commander flabbergasted, even scared.
"Bu-But…!?"
"Raigetsu-sama's order, idiot! Oi! How much time until the beast is prepared!?"
"I-It is almost done…" One of the sorcerers muttered in fear, turning back to the massive body hung and fixed with chains to the gigantic ceiling of this deceivingly wide and high hall!
The sorcerers and Miko priests worked non stop, chanting their magic, and injecting some kind of substance into the massive, frozen body.
The creature already started to rouse, its massive heads wriggling, on to wake up!
"Kami forgive us for releasing this being…" The Otoroshi muttered, jumping down from his perch and trying to find a safe place before all hell will break loose!
"No resistance? Could it be… final boss scenario?" Leaving the elevator, the invader muttered, walking through the lesser army of yokai. One by one, they dropped their weapons, and when she passed them, they started to race towards the elevator, or some hidden pathway almost panicked.
"Grrr!"
"Oh!" Alas, she right away realized why they gave up so easily. Because the moment she entered the grand hall, the being was already roused, ready for its feast!
A huge rotten dark green serpentine body, stitched together unevenly! A being with two hairy heads of a scarred dragon, having two long and thick tails that coiled around the massive beams that were fused to a mangled body - a carcass seemingly not whole anymore!
The creature's sizable teeth's barred and glinted, dripping with deadly venom - a substance that was said to be able to kill even an immortal!
The stitched dragon's length easily reached more than a hundred and fifty meters! Whatever force controlled or kept the being alive, it was definitely not natural! But maybe because of this, it made the invader's eldritch mouth pull even wider, displaying her many needle-like teeth on the plexy.
"Could it be? What an appetizer!"
The red eyes glinted on the two heads with malicious, violent intent, before they vomited their soul-searing flames without any heed or warning!
Their work was completely synchronized, covering everything down below in molten death mercilessly!
No escape from this attack was possible for the onlookers, for it covered everything from the ground to the massive ceiling!
The sheer heat already started to boil and melt the enchanted metal all around, destroying everything in its way!
Any yokai, but even all creatures without proper resistance would have turned to ash. Even coming into contact with the superheated air around was a death sentence! Doubling on this, the draconic being used its massive tails attached to the gappy body to pummel the ant below - making the whole structure tremble from the force released!
Even from the safe room, the survivors feared their tower might fall apart from the tantrum of this beast!
Finishing their lenghty attack, the creature's heads puffed smoke from their wide nostrils almost contently. Their long scaly moustaches billowing with power and authority!
"I-It is over?"
Alas, many thought this was it! The invader was stopped, yet, in a flash of motion probably only sensed by the dragon - judging from their heads' reaction - it all became clear, the battle just started!
"Guuuu!?"
The creature roared in stunning pain, when a grand section of the tails was cut down, and minced into tiny pieces. All happened too fast, even before the tails could be pulled back in time! The invader rose in blinding speed above the heads! The dragon's bloody eyes widened in shock and surprise, but it was already too late!
"Above you!" The monster was already above the mangled creature, who in surprise could barely turn its mossy head!
'Clang!'
The dragon felt a terrible force pressed against one of its nobs, breaking both of its chipped horns with one powerful strike! A hit that sent one of its heads spiralling to the depths! Like a speeding bullet, unable to pull back from the crashing force!
The floor already melted through from the sheer heat! Like pure, glowing acid opening a grand crevice through the massive magical tower!
A place forged by the great builders of old, and designed by the most splendorous architect of ancient times, now gained a grave injury!
A hole in its stomach gaped as the clash between two monstrous beings truly began! Shaking the very place, a rumble that can be felt even the roots of this place.
From the momentum and the shock, the massive body of the dragon lost its grip around the thick beams, and the other head reflexively tried to swallow their attacker before it fell to the depths!
Yet, at the last moment a tool, a heap of iron called forth by the invader from the abyss! A weapon, which was too big to be called a sword. Massive, thick, heavy, and far too rough! An odd item, which slammed against the dragon's gaping snout with a terrible force, knocking out many poison-infused teeth from its rotting maw!
"Guuuh!"
The serpentine creature roared in rage and pain like a crazed beast! Vomiting its flames all around uncontrolled. From the shockwave, and the heat that followed, even the surveillance system started to malfunction - until it finally stopped working. All of this left the ones in the room blind to what was happening outside!
"This…impossible!" Raigetsu gritted his teeth terrified, looking around almost panicking.
"E-Even the heads of Yamata no Orochi…"
"No! This is some joke! It must be some trick!"
The people around started to whisper, and tremble in fear of what was to come!
Before, even despite all the carnage, they were confident the beast could take care of whatever force was to come. But seeing as it was pummeled like a toy in the last scene? The result was not so clear anymore.
"What a shame…" Kumo sighed, while her gaze turned towards the ground. Filled with a pondering remembrance.
"In times of old, after the great Susanoo cut the creature apart, its remains were separated. Its soul is torn out from the husk. The gods and Budha of that time sealed them away, so they may not cause further harm. They entrusted their servants to guard these fragments from others." Recalled the story Kumo, billowing her fan. "Even if it is just two heads and a mangled body stitched together. Reanimated by rituals and forbidden magic - the husk of its former glory - such accomplishment is truly spectacular. We are more and more interested, Zukaze-chan. Your new master is intriguing."
While the whole structure trembled around them, the rat shuddered, before turning his head away, a subtle, proud smile curling on his face.
Judging from the intensity of the shaking coming from outside, the battle must have ended quite fast. A few minutes at most, or less passed. It was hard to tell. Usually, in intense moments of strain, time passes slower - alas, people might feel like that.
"Prepare! On your ground! We will hold the line - no matter what comes through that door!"
The victor was still undecided in their head, but alas, seeing the fluctuating seals on the door, it was obvious there was a victor - Which also meant they had to take out the triumphant side, to gain their freedom.
Their only hope was a weakened opponent, which they had a chance after the arduous fight.
"Yusuke, dear, what's wrong?"
"I should…" The black-haired boy grumbled, squeezing the ninjatō on his side. He visibly looked stressed.
"Don't be hasty, dear. There is place for fighting and time for negotiations." It seems, the lady already suspected who was the victor, and the boy nodded, easing his grip around his strange shortsword that rested on his side.
The seals around the door started to break and pop one by one. The torii gates vibrated until the cracks made them crumble apart! In the end, a lone figure started to emerge and phased through the special alloy gate. It was a scene, which flabbergasted and forced a yelp out from all who watched the impossible scene!
"This is our chance…!" Although, unlike his people, Raigetsu hesitated not! By pulling out his sword which released mystical green lighting and which seemed to grow longer the more he pulled it from its sheath, he concentrated all his power in one final strike!
The moment of truth! The slash connected, just in the moment the invader materialized outside of the door!
Or, that is what should have happened. Because, in the next moment, the sword slipped through the physical form like it would be not even there!
"!"
The mighty man started to vomit blood before he could even perceive what really happened! A shockwave travelled through his body in an instant - leaving no place for proper reaction!
He can't breathe! He felt his body, and armour shattered to pieces! All his bones are broken! His muscles were torn! Soul trembling from the shock! The world started to dim, his might leaving him. Something was not right! This is not supposed to happen!
He was the enforcer, the right hand of Kumo-hime, the Silk Empress of the underworld! The warlord Raigetsu! For many centuries he trained! He fought and triumphed countless times! Walking his path alone, or serving mighty beings, even gods! There is no way his blade was overcome so easily!
"Umm… is he hurt?" At the next moment, the stranger stopped, scratching the nob of her helmet - Watching the towering yokai embedded in the wall nearby.
That muscled body of his was broken. His sturdy armour exploded off from his body in many pieces! His mighty chest caved inward! It was obvious he was hurt badly, which means, this stranger was just sarcastic, or genuinely clueless - watching the once mighty general in such a state.
"Umm, if there is any healer around, I think you should attend that guy. Thank you…"
Kumo nodded slowly - at first glance not even surprised.
For her subtle command, several people with the skill to recover injuries stormed their general, trying to remove him carefully from the deep depression on the wall.
"This stuff is good. It is fortunate I don't have to break it. It is a nice door." The stranger seemingly joked, knocking on the sturdy gate with her knuckles. "Anyway! Good morning." She welcomed the inhabitants with a rather lame wave at the end, which broke the awkward silence.
"I-It is still night…" Muttered one of the Miko nearby, earning a gaze from the terrible being. "Eiii!?"
"Ah! Right! Time is such a fickle thing, sometimes it is hard to keep it on track."
"Oh my! So it is you, who caused such a ruckus." Kumo peeked above her fan, forcing her collected self forth - even despite the baffling answer and entrance.
"Ruckus?" Muttered the being contemplating, proceeding deeper even without an invitation.
"Yes…" Moved the spider lady her head up and down. "Your entrance was quite… unusual. Or, should we call it explosive? Tell us, stranger. What drove you to decimate our home, and lacerate our people so aggressively? Who sent you? Was it that old man? Or someone else?"
"Old man?" Questioned again the girl. "Hardly… I am here out of my own benefit, and no one else. As for aggressivity..." The being tilted her head, and her neck even cracked. "There was no aggression, I assure you."
"Then, what did you…?"
"Self-defense…" A simple answer came - An answer which caught off guard even the most prepared mind.
"Self-defense?" Kumo blinked surprised.
"Yes. Self-defence." She repeated. "It is well known that one can hardly tolerate if someone threatens them when they just want to talk. And your people… well…" She remained silent for a moment before her gaze returned to the lady of the place - unnervingly slow. "Manners maketh the man… remember this."
"Ri-Ridicolous!" Shouted one of the present yokai, earning silent gasps from all around. "How is self-defence decimating… massacring hundreds if not more than a thousand of our kind!? Leaving nothing but bloody gore in your path!? Just because they were rude!? You mon…"
The creature's eyes widened when the monstrous invader pulled out her terrible handgun and shot him on to spot - not even sparing a glance!
The sheer voice of the tool made many cover their ears, while seemingly the calibre of the weapon managed to put a hole the size of an adult's head on the stomach of the being.
The kinetic force carried by the bullet threw the yokai far! A bloody gore was left behind, throwing the exploded insides of the creature all around!
"Eiii!" Many jumped farther, freaked out by the brutal display.
"That was unnecessary," Kumo said in a slightly trembling voice, barely containing herself. "You had killed enough. We do not wish to confront you! Stop this meaningless bloodbath!"
"Kill?" Chuckled the visitor, stepping right before the Yokai boss. That emptiness behind that helmet. It unnerved even the always-cold empress. "With the exception of a few beasts, I killed no one. Consider this… a warning. I detest rude people."
"The recording says otherwise," Yasuke muttered, eating another candy.
"Hmm, you look familiar. Have we met?"
'Mumble… mumble… mumble…'
"Please… just explain. Leave the boy alone. He suffered enough as it is." At this point, even Kumo's cool got imbalanced.
"Ah! Fine! Hmm… Indeed, it may look like I killed, murdered, and brutalized those people. Alas, your eyes often deceive you." She flipped the gun in her hand, displaying it to the spider. "To put it simply: It's a prop!"
"A prop?" What nonsense is she speaking about? Everyone watched the same recording as her! It was obvious she brutalized her people down below! "Please, don't try to deceive us, our security system clearly displayed our men falling, their life signature disappearing."
"Sensors can be deceived, madmasel. In this case, this child toy is made in mind so actors can give a believable performance. A simple stun gun, enchanted so upon hit falsifies life signatures, and casts fitting displays to make the performance more believable. A perfect tool, for actors who sought to imitate believable passing!" Many such items existed back then, mostly used for roleplay and powerleveling others. Otherwise, in high-level combat, they were quite useless. Alas, coming to this world, the injury detail when someone was hit became quite "visual".
"That…" Kumo held her breath back, trying to hide her puzzled surprise under her fan, before turning away her face slightly - almost embarrassed. "Fair enough." Whether their visitor's statement was true or not, it matters very little in their current situation.
"Otherwise, I somewhat enjoyed this little tower game - spiced with some self-limitation. The last boss was quite creative too, so, I let this blunder slip. Maybe we can do it again - sometime."
"Maybe…" Hearing this, even Kumo's eye started to subtly tick. The always collected and majestic yokai started to lose her cool.
Tower game? Is her home's violator just playing around? Tower game? Really? Don't say this wretch even expects some reward reaching this far - like people do in those human-made games where people delved into those dungeons for reward - not as she played anything similar. Really!
"Ahh…Fine then! Could we just leave the past behind, if you would be so kind? Please, take a seat, and let us discuss in peace your need. Unless you have another idea in mind…" Hime offered a seat, just below her throne, really hoping they could untie this slight "misunderstanding".
She had no delusion about the alternative. Discussing things civilized is the obvious choice in this tight situation.
"Would not have any other way…"
The invader nodded to her relief and stepped closer. To her surprise, she did not take a seat at the offered place, but rather started to sit on the air!
Alas, people expected her to fall to her bottom, yet, in the last moment a throne of abyss black marble materialized under her. A seat which raised her a height to face the impressively tall spider lady.
"Impressive." She felt not the flow of Youki, or other kind of magical energy when the throne materialized, yet, that strange buzzing made her curious.
It was something different? The effect of one of those Sacred Gears? She definitely never encountered such "magic" before.
Regardless, reacting to the wave of her fan, several servants came forth in haste, procuring some drinks and snacks for the guest.
"So, tell us, what can we help you with? Are you came for your servant perchance? Or, something else?"
"Servant?" The brows of the stranger raised under her helmet, tilting their head questioning.
"Zukaze-chan? Is she your new master?" snapping her finger, the rat fell to the ground, quickly prostrating himself before the monstrous creature.
"Ye-Ye…!" The rat wanted to speak, but once more his mouth denied his command! It was sealed shut immediately!
"I had never seen this guy in my life." The invader pointed at the rat rather confused.
"W-We never met, of course, great one! Bu-But the boss! The boss told us about the Sup… the Sup…"
"Hmm…" An invisible hand pulled the rat closer with the subtle move of a finger, allowing the being to inspect the man. "I see… A mild compulsion skill combined with some anti-information leak measurements. I think I know who is responsible. Would you kindly come here…?"
Almost immediately, the space warped near the throne, and from the blackness, a strange man landed. His face is covered by the mask of emptiness, with a fitting hat. His cloak like the true night, swallowed his body whole, making it almost seem formless.
At that moment Kumo pondered: Is it so easy to invade her tower that everyone can come and go as they please? She really needs to apprehend and punish the designers of her security systems - especially those who put up the dimensional anchors and seals around her home.
"Yes, my Liege, I came as fast as I could."
"It was your work?" Pointing at the yokai, the servant looked at his master, then the wretch, cowering and still raised in the air.
"Ah! Mr. Cheng! I was slightly worried when you did not answer. So that's where you were gone." Hummed the servant pondering.
"M-My apology, boss. I-I was obstructed." The rat slightly glanced at Kumo, with eyes that said "sorry", but the lady's reaction was just a low scoff.
"So, it was that Mr. Cheng… Huh!"
Honestly, the being on the throne never met that guy. It was her servant who usually dealt with him. No wonder she did not recognise him. Of all things thinking it was a yokai and not a simple yakuza? A surprising turn of events.
"Indeed, my Liege. He has proven to be a useful asset, so I kept him around."
"I-I hope my services were of your liking, great one." Zukaze tried to show some respect in his own spineless ass-licker way - even in his stressed state.
"So that's the case, huh? Are you still going around and using that alias to extort others? So petty and childish…" Kumo glanced at her former subordinate, her eyes squinted slightly before puffing out some smoke.
"So you say it was some compulsion magic? Interesting." Yet, considering what she heard, she already suspected the rat's betrayal was not really his own.
"So tell us, why have you visited our humble tower? Better question, we are quite curious. It was you who robbed many of our vaults recently? If yes, why?" Not long ago she might add.
If this person proceeded with all those thefts at once, then even invaded her tower on the same night, in that case, she must be quite accomplished and powerful - not as she doubted the latter after everything that happened tonight.
She can only think of two possible ways how she could pull this off. One: She has more subordinates working for her. Two: she had some special ability that made her able to do this in a short time. Both was a possibility seeing the formless man on her side - and the destruction she wrought on her home.
"Indeed, it was me." The stranger admitted. Her distorted voice did not even carry a glimpse of guilt. "As for why? To rouse your attention, of course, my dear muse! To gain the upper hand in our trade! Or to simply… challenge myself? Depends on the view, I guess." Challenge herself? A game? And this odd being before her did not even try to hide her theft? Gutsy, or stupid? Or both? Kumo simply can't decide.
"That's it? Attention? Trade? A simple game?" She should have come to her right away!
If she had a problem with her, or her organization, or wanted to trade information and assets, reaching out would be more than enough!
There was surely a better way to contact her than robbing her wealth and destroying her base! If she wanted to play, she would have provided her with some entertainment. Anything would be better than this!
Or… Maybe no! Thinking about it, if a random no-name asked a direct audience with her, her men would have done the same - rudely confronted her and sent her to a warmer climate - Which would played out probably the same.
She seriously needs to review their policies, and set up a monitoring system for the lower-ranked members of her organization - else, something similar might happen again.
"We see… Nonetheless, may we know why you did it? Why did you want to meet us so adamantly and provide us with such unfair ground? Have we wronged you in some way to use such extreme methods to get our attention? If it's something that may offend you or one of our servants did something…?"
"Not really."
"Then, is there any concrete reason behind your actions? If it is some misunderstanding, we are confident, we can come to an agreement." She kept her voice as low and seductive as possible. As of now, she was the one who was forced to negotiate from the low ground. In that case, she had to show some humbleness, and willingness to concession.
She will find out later who gave away the intel about where to find those supposed to be hidden places - as she was sure Zukaze had no info about them. At least, not all of them. But now, she had more pressing matters to worry about.
"My reason… my reason…" Muttered the monstrous girl, patting the lip of the eldritch mouth. "Ah! Yes! You see, in fact, I came here for that exact reason!"
"May we know that reason?" Is she just messing with her?
"Tell me… have you heard of the name, Kokabiel?"
"Kokabiel?" She tilted her head, muttering the familiar name. "We may have. In fact, he is one of our benefactors." At this point, there was no reason to lie and try to cover the man.
Rousing the ire of this being seemed to be an unwise step, thus, coming into an agreement was the lesser evil. "Tell us, is he troubling you?" That's it! If it's one of the contacts that wronged her, she might have just spun this accident to her benefit!
"Troubling?" Chuckled the stranger, while on the smooth plexy of her helmet, the eldritch mouth pulled wide. Her legs were elegantly crossed, while her fingers folded. "I wouldn't call it trouble. More like, preparation to keep the pest in line."
"Ah! Now it's clear." The first time the invader appeared in her tower, the lady truly smiled in the hiding of her fan. Now she understood. Indeed, pests need to be kept in line, or they will grow on you. "In that case, we might come to an agreement. Please tell us your heart desires, and we may provide you with the necessary aid. A fair deal for a fair deal? If it's not too much to ask."
"Indeed. A fair deal for a fair deal."
The disturbing grin on the helmet widened, confirming the invader was satisfied.
A/N:
And as promised! The next chapter!
Being the chapter grew beyond 50 pages, I decided to split it in two (to separate the events and pacing better )
Thus, now you receive two chapters with the price of one!
The second part of this piece will be published roughly in a week (so some reviews can accumulate for this one :P)
I do not promise that such a long hiatus will not happen again!
As usual, life is a struggle; sometimes, one must stop to fix the mess!
But I do my best to deliver consistently.
Alas, I wish you a happy Halloween and a splendid life!
We shall meet again in the next chapter!
Good luck! Good night! Stay safe! Sail safe!
RnR!
Read and Review!
Oblivon2991 out!