Entering Tower City, there were a lot of changes, including a new Pagoda Tower. It had been constructed using modern methods and seemed more like a thick glass building from the outside.
Vira marveled over its construction, "This is a nice place you've made here."
"Yes, it took almost a year to work out some problems but now its exactly how I like it. So, You say you came to visit. Well then, lets catch up.. I'd like you to meet my wife." He kept walking toward an open elevator.
"Wife?" Vira froze.
"Well, We were to be married before the Demon Region High Council at the end of the last month. Plans have been changed because of complications." Prince Tero was a little bitter while he spoke, "Ying Qingchi is fighting for her life and that of her Child."
"Qingchi is with Child?" Vira caught up with Tero and stopped in front of him. "What is going on? Has she been poisoned or something?"
"Nothing like that, there seems to be some complication with her pregnancy, Ho, the Truthers and half of my subjects are out ferociously looking for what's required. Grandmaster Harris knows of the cure but the related materials are unavailable to us. Even the Kinky Farmer's healing products provide little help, the effects work for no longer than a few hours." He looked stressed out, it was not the persona that Vira had hoped he would portray on their next meeting. "Our supply of potions do us no good, they have less effect than the Cannabis. Honey is here, she's been staying by the Matriarch's side."
"Grief." Vira shook her head. "I know I was unexpected, but is there anything I can do to help?"
"For now, No. Where is Father?" Prince Tero had realized it upon her arrival but didn't question it until just then.
Vira sighed a little. "He's with Kuzunoha visiting her homeland."
"He went to Earth?" Prince Tero seemed bothered, his father never went there without making a problem or mess of things. The frequency of the complaints from Earth's Senate about their isolation from Shiyan, despite the Emperor's absence, had gotten to him.
The Prince wanted resolve but wanted to do it with his own hands.
"Japan is a safe zone. Your Father would never dream of harming them, besides, once I tell him of this he won't be sitting still. No, he'll probably come back.." She told him about Kuzunoha's one plea to the Emperor about their return to Earth.
"Is that why?" After hearing her reasoning, Tero calmed down. "If you contact Father, things will be complicated. You won't always be here, its best we resolve these issues ourselves."
"Nonsense" Vira wanted to chew him out but stopped herself short, "We are family. This sort of thing concerns us all. Ho is technically older than I am, his tempered heart is all that keeps him from devolving into what I once was. I will not allow it. Where is Qingchi.. take me to her." She got a bit snappy and pulled at the Prince's robe.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
Engineers were working on the plans for Misozi's reconfiguration, replacing her body would have been easier. Still, it was a request from the Dragon King that she be fixed instead of replaced. The space inside the ship was far too small, none of them were able to exercise and the doors didn't have automatic noise cancellation.
Misozi was wandering the inside of the ship, pointing out problem areas. "Oh, and here the Empress.."
Her incessant talking had led the engineering team to put on airs none of them were comfortable with.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
The Emperor had left a few details about the time difference on a note that the Dragon King had hand delivered to Munju. Receiving the note, Mr. Munju was surprised at the figures.
"A Month is longer than a Year?" He was aware that the difference existed but he wasn't sure of the rate. His arrival on Earth had been through a set of circumstances that he was unable to reveal, or replicate. Though he was a child of Ultinia, he had never returned after arriving on Earth, the difference in time had never been measured in such a way.
The plant on his window sill had been keeping his attention. When he snapped back, the Dragon King was knocking on his door yet again. "Come in."
Vector walked in and sat down. "I need a favor."
"Another one?" Munju crossed his fingers and leaned in to listen.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
Demon King Ooran was sitting beside the White Matriarch, they were monitoring Qingchi's situation closely. Honey had been coming to check her vitals every few hours but remained in the pocket dimension until it was time. The energies that sustained her also helped to produce the medicines that Qingchi required, the blue gold ointment was all that kept the pain levels down.
Vira was led by Prince Tero, when she saw the Demon King she bowed graciously and then gave everyone a hug. "I wish there was something I could do." She held out her hand and wiped the sweat from Qingchi's brow. "What's the complication?"
"Qingchi's losing strength, its happening very quickly and more rapidly as the days progress. The child seems to be feeding off her energies and body at the same time. Harris says that its part of her bloodline, in his library he even found reference to the Cure for the problem but it requires extremely rare herbs and a Demon Tree's Heart." The White Matriarch, Zao Calistown, passed a copy of the alchemy recipe over. "This is what's required."
"I've heard of this one but the rest.." Vira's face paled. Qingchi was very important to the Emperor.
"Where's Wu Hai?" Calistown asked.
"I haven't called him yet. You know how he can be, right now he's getting some alone time with Kuzunoha. We should at least allow them the day, the Wandering Demon Tree on this list won't be easy to find." Vira gave good reason but Calistown shook her head.
"We don't have time, you might not have been expected but you can certainly make this happen and every moment is a risk to Qingchi's health. You should call the Emperor back immediately." She was not angry but she was serious, so was the situation.
Play time could wait.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
Wu Hai could hear a voice that wasn't coming from himself or the Empress. He wrapped the sheet around his waist and vanished from sight.
When he found the source, it was his communication device that was attached to his shoulder pads.
"Hello?" He was stopped in the middle of the Main Hall and held a glowing crystal.
It was Vira on the other side.
"You need to come back. Qingchi needs help." Vira knew crystals had a problem with breaking, she stayed as brief as possible.
Wu Hai's face twisted, he knew something would come up but Qingchi rarely asked anything. "I need a minute but I understand." He flashed away, leaving the sheet where he stood.
Kuzunoha thought he was coming back in for more, she laid there seductively and greeted his return with a smile.
His face was still warped. "We have to go. There's something wrong, Qingchi needs our help." He got dressed quickly.
"What's wrong?" Kuzunoha saw the seriousness in his actions, she grabbed her clothes, got dressed and squirreled away the bedding.
"Vira just said to come, she didn't explain." He looked over to see Kuzunoha still slipping her shoes on.
"I'm ready. I'm ready." Kuzunoha kicked her shoes against the flooring, grabbed his waist and watched the space around them collapse.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
Ooran shared some of the details concerning the political theater between Earth, Shiyan, the Demon Region and Hell. "Hanahaksu's bid for control over the region versus Igenzo have come to a stop. There's even talk of resolve and Igenzo's retreat. Just that, I'm sure the Emperor will not agree."
"Why so?" Vira had been only been waiting for half a minute for the Emperor but the statement from Ooran was just too juicy.
"I think we should wait for the Emperor." He shook his head.
Several moments passed, they were like a tick in Vira's eye, she waited..
A black dot appeared and she began to sigh, when Wu Hai came through Vira was first to talk.
"Okay.. you're killin me with suspense, what is it?"
"First, lets discuss Qingchi." Ooran pacified Vira for a moment and the details about Ying Ho's expedition were revealed.
"What Can I do to help?" Zao Wu Hai wasn't about to leave his niece's future uncertain, it was a strange pairing but they shared no relation besides their love.
"You should join Ho and search for the Wandering Demon Tree." Ooran and Calistown agreed on that point, they both nodded in unison.
"Okay, now that we have a plan, tell me about Hana." Vira cut in, unwilling to wait.
"She's getting married." Calistown shook her head in disapproval. "To a Devil."
"WHAT!" Wu Hai slammed his foot down and spread his wings, he was about to leave when Kuzunoha grabbed his arm.
"Wait, calm down." She held on tightly and spoke to the Demon King, "Ooran, explain." Her face was patient but her voice was not. A swirl of red light covered her body.
"Hanahaksu has fallen for a Devil. He and her are to be married after the birth of their Child." Calistown didn't wait for Ooran, she could see the concern on both of them. "She's in love, we've had Qingchi look at her to make sure there was no tampering. We shared our words of disapproval but she wouldn't have any of it. She is, after all, 'Your' Daughter."
"What is his name. The Devil, What is his name?" Wu Hai's anger flared. He had not given any such event an iota of thought, it even then, in that moment, seemed impossible.
"It is Igenzo himself." Ooran stood up, space around him distorted slightly and a black fog rolled out of his eyes.
"Father, when is this suppose to happen?" Wu Hai asked Ooran but he didn't expect an answer that he would like.
"Hanahaksu is more than a few months pregnant, I don't expect her to be far from birth, maybe even this week. If you're looking for her, you should do it soon. Qingchi still needs help but Hana is fine for now, Go help Ho and I'll find her exact location. You can always go there when you're done." Ooran grabbed his sons shoulders. "Go help your brother."
Vira and Kuzunoha looked at Wu Hai. "We can take care of things here. Go."
'Igenzo' Wu Hai memorized the name, channeled and vanished.
֍ꟷꟷꟷꟷ֍
There was an incoming communication, before Ho could say anything, Wu Hai had already transported himself through the stone, breaking it and appearing in front of Ying Ho.
There was a battle.
A blade cut into Emperor Zao's shoulder but it didn't go deep, it couldn't even penetrate his skin. His armor cracked and fell away.
"Out of the way!" Ho batted the Emperor out of his path and charged forward, blocking the incoming sweep of sword energy. 'What the hell is going on? Why is he here?'
The sword which had cut into the Emperor's armor blocked Ho's attack once again. "You're not worthy!" His opponent, a green figure without wings flew above him. Vines swirled around him and a phantom image of a carnivorous flower bloomed behind him.
Wu Hai flashed next to Ho, "How can I help?"
"Pincer." Ho slashed to the left with the Darkflame Blade.
The Emperor went to the Right and slashed out. It was the first time he had attacked anything in some time.
The strike was overpowered, it cut across the vines, cleaving them from the Green man's grasp. "Nature. Belongs. to. no. ONE!" the Green man yelled and his power levels soared.
Spores scattered.
"I've seen this trick before." Wu Hai laughed and spread his fire.
Ho saw the spreading particles and followed his Brother's example.
The Fire burned away all the spores but it was doing little to the Nature Spirit.
"Use White Fire!" Ho yelled to the Emperor.
'Whitefire?' He inverted his power, it shifted his fire from black to white. The White Fire was affecting the Nature Spirit differently than Blackfire, a scream that turned the leaves yellow bellowed from the rampaging spirit.
"WHAT MANNER OF FIRE IS THIS!" It reeled and flopped, shedding its tissues and regenerating as fast as it could. The whitefire was clinging to its body but what was shed was no longer a part of it, so long as it could keep up the regeneration then the fire would be ineffective.
The Howling continued but the Spirit was shedding anything it touched as fast as it could. Wu Hai spread his fire to the other side, forcing Ho to move. The heat and white fire did not distinguish between its targets, it burned with great intensity, hot enough to burn Ying Ho from a distance.