During the celebration, Yasaka happily welcomed everyone to this feast while giving an important announcement.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate Kurai's return... But it also comes to say that the relationship between our faction and the hero faction is worsening with every passing day. Please watch over your children and yourselves as they may be other abduction..." Yasaka announced. This took the public by shock, they couldn't imagine the horrible scenario where they'd be in Kyuumi's place.
It was true that the Yookai and Hero Faction didn't share the 'best' relationship, this could end very badly if countermeasures weren't taken.
"Also, Kurai's well being is all thanks to the hero who jumped to her rescue" Yasaka said, seeing people tense and confuse after hearing that a 'hero' saved Kurai.
"Ahaha sorry, when I say hero I don't mean a member of the hero faction, but a legendary figure who came out as friendly for all of us... Please welcome cheerfully the Lord Akira" Yasaka added.
All the gazes were now focused on Akira who was standing among the crowd while holding Kurai on his shoulders. The adults who knew about Akira shivered in fear after hearing that name, but they couldn't help being amazed by his deed. Everyone bowed their heads in respect then applauded him.
Kurai laughed and waved her hands after seeing all the attention. Thus, this night was remembered as a unique celebration.
[[ Morning ]]
It was a great feast to celebrate Kurai's return. So Akira ended up spending the night there, in one of Yasaka's private appartements.
In the morning, Akira went to the bathroom as always then proceeded to the dining room.
Arriving there, Akira saw that two people were already having breakfast. They appeared to be two nine-tailed foxes, both were at old age. The two old foxes noticed Akira then immediately recognized him.
"M-My if it isn't the hero who saved the little Kurai! Lord Akira!" The old man said.
The woman beside him appeared to be his wife, it could be guessed just by analyzing their ressembles. "My name is Shino, and this lady is Kyuu. We are the humble parents of Yasaka and Kyuumi" Shino announced with a smile on his face.
Akira took a sit around the table of this room, he was immediately served by maids, bringing him the finest food.
"Thank you" Akira thanked the maids who served him immediately.
From a different perceptive, Shino knew that he had to watch what he says, and so does Kyuu. Because apart from Kurai's savior and secret crush, he still remained a primordial god of death that brought up the extinction of the Greeks and three factions.
Akira ate his breakfast pleasurably, enjoying the food while looking at the two parents in a warm manner.
"Y-Yes... We are honored by the presence of Lord Akira in our domain— I-I can safely say, as a representative of the Yookais, that we're beyond grateful for your presence here" He says.
Shino stumbled in between words. It's because he thought of every single word leaving his mouth before actually pronouncing it, making sure nothing questionable might trigger Akira.
Akira gave them in nod in response. Shino sighed in relief.
While the tense atmosphere seemed to be at its maximum, the doors of the dining room opened once again to reveal a newcomer. Due to the seriousness around, everyone's gaze focused on who interrupted this unbearable silence ; A little kitsune with blonde hair and a happy expression.
"Akiraaaa~!!" Kurai cheered, as she ran towards Akira then hugging him tightly.
"!!!" Akira was surprised to see Kurai bonding with him so quickly, he didn't expect that kind of reaction from her.
The two parents were alerted by Kurai's familiarity with Akira. "K-Kurai! Stop annoying Lord Akira!" Kyuu spoke.
"Oh?" Kurai looked at Kyuu who just told her to get off. But Akira wasn't annoyed, "It's fine, she's a cute girl" Akira said.
The parents seemed to be still tense, they hoped Kurai wouldn't do something funny to him.
Kurai stopped hugging him then pointed her cheek with her index, a pink blushing cheek with a smile filled with anticipation drawn on her face.
This wholesome moment warmed Akira's heart. Giving her a smile in return, he lifted her then made her rest of his lap, finishing with a kiss on her cheek which she had cutely asked for. This made Kurai blush instantly while her grandparents' jaws fell in shock.
"Good Morning Akira~!" Kurai sang.
"Good morning to you too Kurai" He responded. Gently poking her nose, "Did you sleep well?"
Kurai nodded in affirmation, waving her tails in happiness. Since Akira didn't eat alot of the food, Kurai thought it was her treat. While still being on his lap, she started eating the food on the table. Akira laughed for a few seconds then waited until she was done.
"This ish sho goood~" She exclaimed.
"I agree, it's very good" Akira responded.
"No! It'sh better because, I'm eating it while being with you!" She added.
"That's very sweet of you" Akira exclaimed.
That was very sweet, it saddened Akira that he has to leave soon. Lifting her once again with his hands around her waist, he rested her on his seat before directing towards the portal, it was best to leave now while Kurai was distracted.
Akira then left the chamber, the grandparents were feeling something bad was gonna happen. Kurai just ate her breakfast, though the taste had exponentially decreased, looking around there was no Akira. Her eyes filled with tears before bursting like fountains of sadness.
Standing in the opposite of each other, Akira contemplated the young looking Yasaka as she desperately tried to find a way to start the conversation, her flusteration was entertaining to watch. "Before we start I'd like to thank you once again for your help, Akira" Yasaka said.
"It was nothing, really. I couldn't just let the bastards antagonize your niece... By the way I saw your parents this morning in the dining room" Akira said.
"R-Really?! Oh my gosh I hope they were not embarrassing..." She replied, flustered with blushes of embarrassment. "It-It's way too early for you to be meeting my parents!" She cried.
"What—" Akira mumbled in confusion. "S-S-SORRY I WASN'T THINKING!!" She cried, as she realized what she had said.
Akira was amused by the young Yasaka's embarrassment, he couldn't help leaving a small chuckle to which Yasaka responded with a smile.
But back on track, Akira was now in a more serious mood as he asked Yasaka, "Tell me, about the Hero Faction."
This question rang a bell in Yasaka's mind as she reflected on the hateful relationship between Shino, her father and leader of the Youkais, and the tyrant dictator that served as leader of the Heros.
Yasaka grasped her dress then focused her vision on Akira, "We have never done anything to offend the hero faction... Especially not my father who's known as a delicate leader, beloved of all Youkais" She said.
"The problem is with their leader, his name is Cao Cao... A tyrant who's main plan was conquering our territory" She added.
Cao Cao... This name was very familiar to Akira. Though he wasn't expecting the young and determined 'Cao Cao' he knew from the anime... This latter was Cao Cao The Original, nothing was known about him, apart from the templates from ancient heroic mythologies, the likes of which bring their own demise— just like what happened with Zeus.
"And— what kind of person is Cao Cao exactly?" He asked.
To which Yasaka replied immediately with a clear certainty, "Sir Cao Cao is a real tyrant and dictator. Since we, Youkais and Heros, lead our factions in Kyoto, Sir Cao Cao and his subordinates have been harassing us continuously— kidnapping children, destroying homes and even... sometimes... k-killing Youkais..." Yasaka barely pronounced at the end whole frowning.
"His ultimate goal is to conquer our faction and claim Kyoto as his own territory. It's only a matter of time before he succeeds, my father was a powerful warrior but he can no longer fight. The mood is at its lowest and even with everyone's combined forces we cannot defeat Cao Cao..."
"He's a sadist who slaughtered tens of thousands of supernatural beings, under the pretext that they're nothing but offsprings of the original race which is Human."
"As you can guess, his faction is made up only of powerful humans, chosing only the strongest and adding them to his ranks, creating a force powerful enough to eradicate all supernatural beings— with Youkais being at the top of the list."
Yasaka followed by letting out a few tears of sadness, their were powerless against the rising threat of the unstoppable tyrant.
Feeling the urge to reconfort her, Akira stood up from his position then sat beside her, "I see, it must be horrible to see your own kin suffer. I may not be in position to sympathize, but I feel your pain" Akira said, bringing hope to Yasaka.
"Y-You think?? I-I'm sorry I got a little too excited there, but would you really help us?" She said.
Akira then stared at Yasaka with an analyzing look, Yasaka was taken back as she made eye contact with him.
"Hm. Your intentions are purely pure, you're in a bad state and are willing to do anything for the ones you care about, I don't see why you don't deserve just a bit of help" Akira announced.
This brought up a shining hope to Yasaka's eyes. His words represented a brighting light that promised prosperity to the Youkais. Without even knowing it, she hugged him tightly and thanked him multiple times, Akira gently hugged her back.
It lasted for a whole minute as Yasaka couldn't believe she was so physically close to the boundless dragon god, a magnificent feeling she couldn't explain. Her heart tightened, her pulse accelerated and breathing got faster.
No, it wasn't respect or admiration. But something far bigger which she had never felt before. Perhaps it was something Kurai experienced before her, being saved by Akira opened up a new book to her.
"Please, let me give you this" Yasaka then gave Akira a picture of Cao Cao. It wasn't an actual picture but just a realistic drawing from the witnesses of the very very few who got to see him.
Guess one more faction was going to the ground.
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.
.
.
On the outskirts of the Hero Faction domain, there stood a tall woman with long black hair and very bad intentions. Invisible due to it being hidden by those tens of magic circles she was casting.
While Akira and Yasaka were chatting, this woman was already on the move.
"Let's show them Hell~" She giggled.
(A/N: I learnt from my mistakes, thanks to your 'feedbacks'. Akira won't fight losing games~ but someone else~ in a very very horrific way~)
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One of those chapters that make you love being a writer. Hope this feels refreshing and completely different from other fics!
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