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Part XXII – The Void and
the Teamwork
The soldiers of High
Garden Clearing poured from the watch towers of the city. The city’s stone
walls seemed to swell. Support soldiers took their post on the ramparts, their
lasguns converted into assault rifles and sniper rifles. Shoulder mounted
grenade launchers were hoisted into position. Squads of troops lined up outside
with shields and lasgun assault rifles at the ready.
An eerie and grating voice boomed from the dimly lit
Ura Forest. Hundreds of red eyes glowed from its deep shadows.
“Bring forth the humans that trespassed into our
domain,” said the voice of the Ura leader. “If you deliver these humans to us
then we will spare this city.”
Everyone inside of the hotel suite ran outside. They
pushed their way past the civilians that were running for cover. Once outside
the high stone walls of the city they skidded to a halt.
Kya turned to Momotaru and asked, “What would you
have us do my liege?”
“Don’t call me that,” said Momotaru. “Just because
we’re facing a crisis right now doesn’t mean that I’ve forgiven all of you for
betraying me.”
“I promise you that we did not betray you my liege,”
said Kya with a bow. “Yes, at first we were hired by your father to keep an eye
on you, but after traveling the country with you we each decided to forsake our
previous bonds and follow you truly. I promise you, my liege, that we are yours
to command and that we stand ready at your disposal.”
“Enough talk,” said Monel pushing past her sister. “Let’s
just destroy these wretched demons once and for all.”
The voice of the Ura leader erupted again. “You have
five minutes to decide or my demons will storm through and drink the blood of
every man, woman, and child in this pathetic city.”
Momotaru stepped forward. His father, Takeshi, tried
to hold him back with a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. Momotaru shrugged it
off and turned to glare at his father. He casually strolled past the troops who
looked back to the mayor for a clue on what they should do. After a nod from
Mayor Warren, the troops stood aside. Momotaru stood several dozen meters away from
the Ura leader who had long black hair, red glowing eyes and was shirtless,
showing his pale grey skin.
“And who might you be human?” asked the Ura leader.
“I’m the man that you’re looking for,” said Momotaru.
“Leave the rest of these people out of this. Battle me one on one.”
The Ura threw his head back with raucous laughter.
“And why would I do that? I could just have my demons tear you limb from limb
right now.”
“Either you face me one on one or else I will destroy
every last demon here,” said Momotaru.
“You’re a delusional little human aren’t you,” said
the Ura leader with a laugh. The demon raised his hand above his head and
ordered his demons to attack with a wave.
A snarl came from the seething red eyes and the
creatures rushed forward.
Momotaru unsheathed his pitch black straight blade
sword and dashed towards the Ura leader. But before he could get close, several
Ura sprang in front of their leader, who fell back with a devious smile on his
face. Momotaru let out a growl as two Ura slashed at him with their long nails,
slob flying from their snarling, sharp teeth. He easily blocked the attacks. With
several swings of his sword he struck down the demons yet more took their
place.
In an instant, his team of assassin sisters were by
his side. The battle raged all around the wide plains of High Garden Clearing.
Everywhere, blue and green lasers seared through the undead flesh of the
demons.
“Coward!” screamed Momotaru as he struck down more of
the demon fodder. “I’ll have your head as a trophy on my wall!”
Iris Longwing, known as the Butterfly Samurai,
strolled through the chaos of battle as if she were the prom queen gliding
through a crowded dance floor. In the blink of an eye, she was beside Momotaru.
She did not bother to unsheathe the sword that was strapped across her back.
Her Acro eyes were flaring. Any Ura that got close, locked eyes with her,
instantly dropped to the ground where they would writhe in agony and foam at
the mouth until death took them.
“If you really want that creature’s head,” said Iris
seductively into Momotaru’s ear. “Then I can get it for you… but you’ll owe me,
obviously.” She let out a slight giggle and jumped back as an Ura charged
forward.
Before the blood sucking demon could get close, Monel
sprang away from the diamond formation that her sisters specialized in. The
other three assassin sisters formed a triangle and continued fighting.
Monel stepped between Iris and Momotaru.
“I’ll be the one to claim that demon’s head my
liege,” said Monel with a brief bow. Without waiting for a response, she spun
around and dove towards the Ura leader.
Iris let out a low growl and sprinted after her new
rival.
