The Power Array Saga - Season Four - Part XXV

Part XXV – The Void and the Compromise

Outside the stone walls of High Garden Clearing, an organized chaos was taking place. The mayor stood huddled in a tight group of high ranking officials that had exited the city once the threat from the Ura was over. Takeshi Hakizimana and Mayor Warren were doing most of the talking.

                Several dozen meters away from the group of officials stood Momotaru, surrounded by some of the deadliest females on the planet.

                “So does this mean that we’ll get to visit the capital of this country?” asked Arif Zahur whose personality was bubbly compared to when she had first met Momotaru.

                “I can see that traveling with The Butterfly Samurai has changed you a great deal,” said Momotaru. “Your aura is almost completely different. It seems like you’re more comfortable with yourself now.”

                “And yes,” said Iris with a beaming smile. “I take full credit for helping our young friend here embrace who she really is. She has great power inside of her, if only she’s willing to accept it.”

                “Who exactly are these people my liege,” asked Kya who looked at the other two females with narrowed eyes and her arms folded across her chest.

                “They’re… friends,” Momotaru replied hesitantly. “From my home country.”

                “Do we have to take them with us when you show me around your home country?” asked Monel with a sly smile as she seductively rubbed her fingers along Momotaru’s neck.

                Momotaru bristled slightly at the gesture but remained standing stiffly. “Let’s hurry up and get this nonsense with my father out of the way so I can be done with him,” said Momotaru. He ignored his companions and strolled towards the officials. “Are you and your flunkies ready to travel to the capital?”

                Takeshi and the other officials turned to look at Momotaru while wearing frowns and furrowed brows. Each of the officials wore shocked expressions. Wearing a smile, Takeshi stepped forward.

                “I’m just glad to see you show some enthusiasm for once,” said Takeshi. “But to answer your question, yes, we have an impromptu meeting with the emperor so just stick close to me and keep your mouth shut. If you follow my lead then all of this should be over quickly. Then we’ll be able to discuss the terms of you going back to Aver.”

                “Keep my mouth shut--” said Momotaru heatedly.

                Takeshi held up a hand. “Oh, just relax. You remind me so much of myself that it’s like looking into a mirror. Trust me my son; this meeting will go much better for everyone involved if you just follow my lead… like I said. You must understand that you still have much to learn when it comes to politics. Besides, you’ve spent your entire life dwelling amongst the elves so you have no idea how we humans handle things. Believe me when I tell you this, I only have your best interests in mind.”

                “Why the hell should I believe you,” said Momotaru.

                “I can understand why you would not believe my words,” said Takeshi. “So instead just give me the chance to let my actions speak for themselves.”

                Momotaru responded with a frown. He crossed his arms over his chest.

                In a matter of moments, Momotaru and his group of deadly ladies were sitting down inside of a large hover shuttle while his father and several high ranking officials were inside of another hover shuttle. After an hour ride through the sparse air traffic, the hover shuttles touched down in the city of Ardile, which was not the capital, but instead considered the political capital of Eioda. The city was located along the eastern shore of the country and was home to the building known as “the pyramid”, located near the black sand beaches of the cities shore. It was where the emperor and all of the other politicians and military officials were located.

                As soon as the shuttles landed and everyone exited to stand on solid ground again, several platoons of troops stormed forward to stand in formation.

                “We stand ready and waiting for your orders, sir!” said the lead soldier.

                Momotaru stood watching with a furrowed brow and gingerly rubbed at his chin.

                “Excellent,” said Takeshi while wringing his hands together.

                Before Momotaru or his team of killers knew what was happening, Takeshi Hakizimana casually threw on an exosuit helmet and suit of body armor. They watched in horror as if things were unfolding in slow motion. His father gave the order.

“To those of you who have put your trust in me,” said Takeshi. “Your patience is now being rewarded. Storm the pyramid and take no prisoners… that is, until you get to the emperor. Save him for me.” 

The Power Array Saga - Season Four - Part XXIII

Part XXIII – The Void and the Rivalry

Before Monel could get close to the Ura leader, several lower level demons formed a wall in front of her. Without missing a beat, Monel smoothly pulled a pair of kunai from her belt and twirled them in a brief flourish before tightly gripping their handles. She gritted her teeth in frustration. She knew that there were too many. As the first demon drew close, Monel activated her ocular powers. Her bright blue eyes flared with a brilliant light as the first Ura made eye contact with her. The demon froze in his tracks, paralyzed. The other demons flowed around their stiff brethren and continued to charge forward, pushing Monel backwards as she used her kunai to fend off their elongated nails.

                Before Monel could take the offensive, she sensed a presence by her side. She did not have time to react although she sensed that the person was not her enemy. From the corner of her eye, Monel witnessed a thick, longsword with a unique design cleaving an Ura in two. The other demons paused.

                “Don’t tell me that this garbage is giving you trouble after all that big talk,” said Iris playfully.

                Monel responded with a growl.

                The Ura standing between the two females and the Ura leader charged with renewed vigor. Before the demons could get close, Monel threw her two kunai. Two of the charging demons were struck in the forehead and they fell to the floor in a heap. She quickly pulled two more kunai from her belt and braced herself in a defensive stance. Before the group of demons could bear down on her, Iris stepped in front of her, spinning while her broadsword twirled as if it were a cane in her hands. Any demon that got too close to her deadly dance was struck down.

                Monel watched closely as Iris used her Acro eyes and her uniquely shaped broadsword in unison to take down several demons. Monel bristled at the sight but would not let herself be outdone. She charged forward, leaping and spinning past her rival before sliding on her knees between the legs of an unsuspecting Ura who was caught off guard. As Monel slid along the dirt, she used her kunai to slice the tendons on the back of the demon’s ankles. Several Ura hit the floor screaming in agony, their ankle muscles no longer able to support their weight. Monel and Iris stood so that they were back to back. Then, throwing her last two remaining kunai, Monel struck two of the demons dead. She drew her last two weapons, two rare daggers that she only used as a last resort during battle.

                Only a few Ura now remained. They were dispatched with ease. From the edge of the forest the Ura leader watched with growing anger. He surveyed the battlefield. He realized his forces were being pushed back. The majority of the Ura forces were being engaged by human soldiers with shields and lasguns on the ground, laser bolts firing into the masses whilst the snipers and grenade launchers stationed atop the ramparts provided cover.

                On the ground, in the heat of the hand to hand combat that raged around him, Momotaru stood unscathed with his straight blade sword at his side, dripping blood. His three assassin sisters formed a triangle around him. None of the Ura wanted to get close. In a brazen act, Momotaru lifted his blade and pointed it at the Ura leader. Just as Momotaru began to take a few steps forward, the undead creature let out a low growl of frustration as a frown appeared on his face.

                The leader brought two fingers to his mouth and whistled. His howl filled with regret and anger, he gave the signal to retreat back into the Ura Forest.

                Before the leader disappeared into the darkness, Momotaru charged forward and screamed, “You’ve not seen the last of me, coward!”

The Power Array Saga - Season Four - Part XXII

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.

               

The Power Array Saga - Season Three - Part XIX

Part XIX – Insert Rescue Mission

As they saw their youngest sibling carried away by a small group of blood sucking Ura, the three remaining sisters let out a wail filled with agony. They lashed out with renewed vigor striking down the surrounding Ura.

                Momotaru let out a roar. He was surrounded by the undead demons. While slashing furiously at the creatures that sought to rip him to shreds and drink his blood, Momotaru drew in more energy. His pitch-black eyes seemed to grow darker. They drew in latent energy that swirled like the light of a sun trying to escape the gravity well of a black hole. Momotaru gathered energy until he felt as if his individual cells would burst. So he let his body do what it was on the verge of doing, releasing the stored energy in a massive burst of radiation that shot outward. Several small tornadoes of bluish, white, and black wind swirled him. Dark clouds formed underneath the canopy of the forest from which lightning struck. Several fires started. Somehow, Momotaru had summoned a weather disturbance that fit within less than a kilometer and devastated the area as if it were a natural disaster.

                In a matter of minutes, all of the Ura that had assaulted the humans had been destroyed. Kya ran up to Momotaru with a scowl plastered on her face.

                “Now do you see why we should never have come here?” said Kya. “Hurry, we have to go after her.”

                “I still have enough energy,” said Momotaru. A small twister of dark wind circled his feet and lifted him into the air. “While within The Void, I can conjure up enough energy in order to burn this entire forest to the ground.” He stretched out his hand.

                The eldest twin, Cynia ran forward to block his path. She reached upwards, standing on the tips of her toes and clasped Momotaru’s calloused caramel hand within hers. Their eyes connected, Momotaru slowly descended back to the ground and let the power from The Void leave his body. He breathed deep, chest heaving up and down.

                “Please don’t do that,” said Cynia. “Right now Chyntel is unhurt. I can still feel her presence. She’s afraid but safe. If you destroy this forest you might hurt my sister or prompt the demons into killing her.”

                “If we have any hope of finding her,” said Monel. “We had better hurry before the trail disappears.”

                With a nod of his head, Momotaru and his team of assassin sisters set out. Kya and Monel took the lead. They followed the trail of broken tree limbs and crushed underbrush. Quietly creeping through decomposing leaves and dry pine needles, they crept up behind the small group of Ura. They stood concealed in the underbrush, huddled several meters away, observing their adversaries. Soon they had located their sister. For some unknown reason, the Ura had chosen to stop their mad dash through the forest. The humans had to be very careful as they crept closer since the senses of the undead creatures were far better than theirs.

                The assassin sisters used unique hand symbols to communicate with one another. They formulated a plan to save their sister. Momotaru looked at the group in confusion. The sisters used basic, universal hand gestures to inform him that he should just wait here. After the eldest sister, Kya gave out orders, each of them moved silently into position. They crept through the forest and positioned themselves into a wide triangular formation around the group of Ura in order to make sure the demons could not escape.

                With everyone in position, they sprung their trap. Monel was the first to act. She threw a smoke bomb down in front of the Ura. Monel leapt from behind a bush. She used the fog to her advantage and crept through it with silent footsteps. Once the Ura locked eyes with her, they were unable to look away. Monel’s special ability allowed her to alter someone’s reality once they fell under the control of her ocular power. The ancient saying from her home of High Garden Clearing was that, “the eyes are the gateway to one’s inner temple” was one that Monel exploited at every opportunity. With her unique ability she was able to gain access to that temple and once inside, kick her shoes off and make herself comfortable. For the individual under the ocular spell, time was a strange notion, it extended forever, seconds felt like years.

                As Momotaru watched from a distance, he marveled at the sight in front of him. The Ura that had locked eyes with Monel now stood in a stunned trance, slightly swaying back and forth.

                Cynia was the next sister to spring into action. She dashed forward like a squirrel skittering underneath the feet of giants. Once she was amongst the Ura, she picked her sister up and carried her to safety, eventually making her way to where Momotaru watched in amazement.

                The last of the sisters to jump into the fray was Kya. Just as the ocular power of Monel was fading, Kya crept up behind the Ura. The Ura shook their heads as they came back to reality, looking around, stunned and confused. Before they could gather their bearings Kya struck. She sliced the throats of the demons. She watched as they clawed at their ruined necks to try and stem the blood that gushed. The demons fell to the ground. She stood over them with a frown on her face, looking down on them as the life drained from their bodies and the creatures turned to ash.

                Momotaru knew that he had chosen his bodyguards well. Together they would make a powerful team. In short order they found their way out of the Ura Forest and back to the outskirts of the High Garden Clearing town walls. In the distance, the glow of the rising sun transformed the cloudless horizon from a blackish blue to a rich navy. As the front gate of the city slowly opened, the group was surprised to see the mayor of High Garden Clearing standing in the entrance and smiling at them warmly.