Chapter 23 – Imperial Flush
Syura: I have a proposition for you Wild Hunt newbies. Whichever one of you kills Run and [Name] gets to be an official member of the Wild Hunt.
The group then jumped up and hollered in a triumphant scream into the night.
Syura: So that means all my guys stay back and let these guys have at it.
He said while gesturing back with his hand for them to move back. Cosmina then moved up and with a saddened face she stated
Cosmina: But Syura I really wan-
Syura: Bitch?! Did I ask for your opinion?!
He turned back snapped at the woman.
Syura: Now let me at least introduce them.
He pointed at Genma the man to [Name]'s front. A very thin man with a mal nourished appearance, stringy hair and scarred face. And [Name] noticed that his Katana's blade was noticeably long as Syura spoke of his talents, he's known as the fastest swordsman alive. He's so fast that from even from meters away he can bisect his victim before they even finish pronouncing his name.
Then there was Lawry. He was a small and gaunt man with pale skin. He even had somewhat of a snake like appearance. He'd devoured some imperial arms known as The Royal Egg. It allows it's user to morph parts of the body to that of a snake. He and Genma are a nigh unstoppable pair when working together.
Syura then pointed to Rita a seemingly well mannered, silver haired, tall, and well-dressed male holding a large broadsword. He held the Water-Dragon Sword Shingu. His only goal was to even serve as the Prime Minister once Syura successfully usurps the Emperor. Him joining this group is only a means to an end. The ability of his Shingu allows him to tap into a massive well of power but only for three minutes.
The last one is named Maku. Syura made note of how he's half dog danger beast and human. His red hair, eyes, and sharp nails and teeth were his distinguishing features. This man will do any means necessary to feed his insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Rita while leaning on his sword, stayed back and spoke.
Rita: I'll wait. Becoming a full-fledged member of the wild hunt isn't all that important to me right now.
Maku: Suit yourself, I call dibs on the bodies. I'm freaking starving.
The three men had begun to encircle Run and [Name]. The two men had shuffled their feet to cover one another's back, having their feet planted firmly into the hard dirt ground; Run had spoken to [Name].
Run: Any Idea's on how to deal with them?
[Name]: Give me sec.
[Name] then closed his eyes and let the cold energy of the etheric plane flow through his muscles and out of all of the orifices of his body. [Name] had used the Teigu Form. A technique taught to him by his teacher, who has an incredibly vast knowledge of the inner workings of the magics that the imperial arms hold. His appearance has not changed; however, a few things had.
He'd tapped into the etheric plane and accessed a few things to benefit him. His speed, strength, perception, and durability had been increased to a considerable extent. These few things laid out the groundwork for something truly remarkable which [Name] still has yet to unveil. [Name] then held his blade ready.
[Name]: I'll focus on Genma and Maku, you take that snake guy.
Run: Lawry?
[Name]: Yeah, whatever.
Genma then blitzed [Name] and left a large trail of flying dust in his path. [Name] parried, and then strong blocked an upwards of twenty slashes, and lunges. Giving [Name] no reprieve, Maku then ran to [Name] while screaming and clawed at him. Attacks which [Name] still managed to block.
As for Run had then seen Lawry slithering to him with extreme quickness. Run then flew into the air and used the Shooting feathers technique and all of the shining sharp feathers missed as the Lawry slithered around them all.
Lawry then quickly reverted into a human and launched himself in the air, Run dodged but was sent smashing down from the air into a bolder by Maku who'd jumped up behind him with a double kick.
[Name] then watched as Genma continued to seemingly warp from location to location to throw [Name] off. [Name] surly would've died had he'd not activated the Teigu form, it was almost humanly impossible for him to keep up with his speed in his base form. This left [Name] unable to help Run who was being double teamed by Maku and Lawry. Soon he'll have to use something that Zanku the executioner specialized in as his ace in the hole.
Run had remerged from the shattered rocks and sent a flurry of thousands of sharpened feathers towards the pair. Maku and Lawry both dodged but Run himself zoomed out and clobbered Maku with a dashing elbow that sent him flying.
Gemna had dashed is multiple directions, but now came an issue for Gemna. [Name] could now see the patterns in which he'd moved in. While he was fast, he was extremely predictable. All [Name] had to do was to intercept one of the points and cut him down before he got there. He'd dashed double the speed of Gemna within seconds!
However, [Name] stopped nearly instantly. He clutched his chest, feeling his heart in extreme pain, as if it had been grabbed and squeezed on. The seal on the back of his neck had also stung him greatly. Genma noticed this and slashed at [Name], who'd barely been able to dodge it. [Name] took a mental note of what had just happened.
[Name]: I overestimated how much power I can use. The beast was right, this state punishes the hell out of me. Plus, I haven't used any one of my trump cards. My heart alone felt like exploding. No telling what would've happened to my body if he didn't put this seal on me. So I can't out race him.
Run had just ran by and nicked Maku with one of his sharp feathers. Maku then smashed Run over and over with a vicious barrage of brutal knee strikes, and sent him tumbling to the ground. The man had felt slight tickles throughout various places in his body but thought nothing of it.
Maku: So? What are you going to do now?
He taunted. Run while now extremely battered, had slowly stood up and prepared for another assault. The assault was twice as bad as the first with him being pummeled even worse. While Run was an extremely capable combatant hand to hand, that was all this Maku fellow had done is fight. Lawry had shifted his focus from Run to [Name].
Lawry, had then quickly wrapped himself around [Name] and created a vice like lock. [Name] in order to save his lungs by bracing himself with his arms. The Wild hunt initiate was crushing [Name] in his snake grip.
[Name]: Dammit!
Cosmina: Remember guys, which ever one of you kills them first. Might get in Wild Hunt first!
She stated with the utmost enthusiasm. She then looked over to her left as she saw the one named Rita just stand there and watch. This was interesting to her as she'd never would've thought that someone could pass up an opportunity like this one. Killing, with such a great benefit being passed up. This prompted her to ease up to Syura and asked while whispering.
Cosmina: Hey Syura, why's he not fighting with them?
Syura: He knows that while he's attacking [Name] and that other guy, he'll kill the others too. Not only that, but he knows I'll make him a member anyway. With a guy like that, there's no replacing him. If it weren't for his ambitions to use me to become the new prime minister once I become emperor, he'd probably solo all of us twice over.
Cosmina: What?! No way!
Syura: Maybe not me, because I'm me but you know what I mean.
Night - Imperial Dining Café
Marshal Faide was a very handsome man. He's even heard from some people that he's so that beautiful that his beauty rivaled that of a woman of the imperial class. He'd just returned from a small skirmish south of the capital. He'd might as well enjoy the remaining time within the empire while he is still here. Sitting with a few of his personal female guards whom he associated himself with, he sipped on a expensive drink as he'd seen Esdeath and Colonel Normandy walking by.
He'd waved them over to his table and the women complied while exchanging pleasantries. After joining him at the table, Faide had begun to question Esdeath to create conversation. While he did plan on having a friendly chat; However, he also wanted to make something known.
Faide: General Esdeath how are things?
Esdeath: They could be better, but I'll survive.
Faide then waved a hand to dismiss a potential reason for her displeasure.
Faide: Oh, don't tell me those rebels are giving you a hard time.
Esdeath: They aren't, what is troubling me is a the absence of a particular subordinate. He's my lover.
The air of the large and heavily populated room had changed. At least for Faide's tiny portion.
Faide: A lover? Why haven't I heard of this? Do tell? What's he like?
He said while placing his chin on both of his wrists in wonder.
Esdeath: Well, he's certainly a very different sort of person if I could say so.
Faide: Well?
He inquired, still curious.
Faide: What's his appeal? Is he rich? Is he handsome? Is he both?
Esdeath: To me it's not truly about any of those things. He's a complex person, but he's caring and will do almost anything to protect the ones he loves. It's his drive and the mystique around him. And don't get any idea's Faide I highly doubt he'd give you the time of day.
Faide: Oh?
He'd laughed a little as did the rest of the females at the table. Normandy herself didn't find what was really funny. She was far more uneasy around Faide than she was around Esdeath. She's used to Esdeath, that could very well be the reason. But Faide himself even rivals the power of both Esdeath and Budo; that unsettled her most. Just recently as in a few hours ago, she was reading combat reports and as more had come in she'd seen the Marshal had just returned from a mission. The reports had stated that the marshal had "reduced the enemies to a paste like substance within minutes."
Faide: Well, What drew him to you?
Esdeath pondered and closed her eyes.
Esdeath: To be truthful I feel he hasn't come around to me yet.
Faide: So is he just a crush?
Esdeath: No.
She immediately retorted.
Faide: So then how are you going to make him return your feelings?
Esdeath: Simple, I'll just make him. Next time I see him, I'll make sure that he knows his place and that he belongs to me.
Faide had leaned and had begun to whisper.
Faide: When I topple, and remodel this empire. I'll keep him alive for a time. And just maybe I'll do to him, what you did to the hero of the north.
She then chuckled a slight bit but then instantly stopped.
Esdeath: Say something like that again and I'll have your tongue.
Completely disregarding what she had said, he attempted to steer the conversation away from hostility.
Faide: Esdeath darling, once you find him; you'll have all the time for love you desire after the revolution has been crushed. You do realize that if we military leaders joined up and went on the offensive, we'd snuff out this "revolution" is say. . .within the month.
Esdeath: True, but I do feel my wants take priority right about now. For now, I'll only make moves unless I'm told to. Also, the colonel sitting next to me told me about your doings southward. Impressive.
Faide: Of course I'm impressive. The revolution is down another outpost, I'd estimate only half of their numbers remain. Considering that, I'd say my power easily rivals yours.
Normandy tensed and so did Faide's guards. The air shifted once again, from a lighter tone to a now aggressive and competitive one. These two talking was enough to frighten certain people who knew what they were capable of. If they spoke, the conversation could easily turn into a friendly sparring match turned to a death match. With Esdeath being a warrior who only became more excited the more blood she saw to Faide being the ultimate diva who can never lose.
Esdeath had scoffed at his idea.
Esdeath: Don't get ahead of yourself Marshal. While you do wield an imperial arm that allows you to manipulate gravity, don't think it'll give you the edge against me.
Faide: I'd disagree, Sumasshu gives me a significant edge. All it'll take is a single thought.
He said after waving a hand, dismissing the potential that Esdeath can actually kill him. This imperial arms was recovered by the imperial army around a decade ago hidden in the far east.
It's likely that since the weapon was found in the uninhabitable far east, it was hidden due to its immense power. It makes sense considering the rumors everyone in every nations on this hemisphere knows of.
Rumor has it that a not only are the lands infertile, but there also lies an immortal Zeta class danger beast of gargantuan size that has resided there since time immemorial. But that's all hear/say. Even if that was the case that means there's no possible way she could defeat him.
Esdeath had said nothing, Faide had seen this as a submission. She'd gotten up after Normandy had moved and allowed her to leave the booth. Esdeath had begun to walk away from the table and Normandy followed. Faide smiled as Esdeath had spoken once again.
Esdeath: Then.
She'd turned ever so slightly around brandish her glowing red eye, allowing only the shadow of her face to be available for view. She gave a subtle yet sadistic grin, one that Normandy could tell that Esdeath was trying very hard to not to smile and show all of her teeth to contain her excitement.
Esdeath: When we do fight, I'll just have to kill you before you can think.
She stated while striding away with Normandy close on her tail. Faide's smile instantly disappeared and he'd gulped as something the hideous creature known as fear had gotten hold of him with its icy grip.
Night – Wild Hunt Fortress Outskirts – Fake Mtn
[Name]'s lungs had grasped for air, as Lawry squeezed him. "Dammit I'm gonna die, If I don't get out of this soon" he thought. "I don't have any other choice" he continued mentally.
[Name]: Punishment of Ra: Red Sun
Lawry had felt a warmed surrounding his inner body. Then within seconds he'd felt a skin scorching burn overcome his snake like flesh. He screamed as he leapt of off [Name].
Lawry had reverted his lower body back to a human like form. He was scratching his skin as everyone had wondered what had just happened. Syura's shock was probably greatest of them all with his jaw nearly dropping to the ground.
Syura: WHAT HAPPENED?!
[Name]'s glowing orange body quickly reverted his body back from Ra's power. This was his trump card, the Teigu form allowed [Name] to tap into the etheric plane. Since this is the same plane where the imperial arms receive their power, [Name] through his teachings is now able to access the power of any imperial arms his body can handle.
[Name]: That was a little something from Lord Valron.
It should be noted the Teigu form's power to access this isn't as much of a boon as one would think. [Name] barely used much of the form and him slipping up and accidentally using too much of Teigu's base power nearly destroyed [Name]'s heart. Using at least a twenty-five percentage of one imperial arms at a time is all [Name] is capable of without annihilating his own body. [Name] still has at least one card up his sleeve but with the way things are going he may be killed before he is able to even use it.
Syura: How the hell?! Hey what kind of imperial arms do you have?!
[Name] still pounding his chest to try and nullify the pain in his chest, replied.
[Name]: I don't have one.
Gemna then rushed [Name] and unleashed a series of omni directional slashes that seemed to even cut the air in which they breathed. All [Name] could do was back up and defend as much as he possibly could before he fell back and avoided a downward stab into the ground.
[Name] rolled up backwards and threw a copious amount of dirt into Gemna's eyes who swung wildly. But Lawry was already still on [Name]'s tail and smacked [Name] down to the ground using his snake like appendages, then returned them to normal.
Genma then quickly recovered and saw something strange. He saw Lawry lying on the ground where [Name] was standing over him prepared to finish him.
Genma: This is my chance!
He screamed as he quickly slammed his blade deep into the back of [Name] with a sickening squish! He realized that [Name] had a very bewildered and pained look out his face as he turned to look at Genma.
Syura: WHAT THE HELL!
He shouted whilst grabbing his hair. Everyone on the battle field wondered why Genma had done exactly what he had.
Rita: Well that's different.
Dorothea: And he did this why?
Genma: Throwing dirt in my eyes. Just who do you think you are? Well guess what? It doesn't matter because now there's going to be in two of you. He sliced his blade over and completely bisected his opponent.
Syura: YOU IDIOT!
Genma: What do you mean?! I killed him.
He pointed at the halved corpse and took a second glance. When he did, he reached a mind shattering realization. Somehow, some way. He hadn't killed [Name] at all, he instead killed Lawry accidently.
Genma: But I don't understand. I killed him, I saw him.
Before he could even wrap his mind around what happened, he was sliced in two vertically; by [Name] with his signature obsidian blade. The two halves fell with a wet thud and blood showered the area, soaking the dirt with crimson.
Maku was becoming tired after a beaten Run had begun to dodge each of his attacks. The tickling sensation became too much for him to handle. The feeling encompassed his entire body, he fiercely began to pat himself down to find the source.
Run: I bet you're wondering what that feeling is inside of you. When I managed to nick you with one of my feathers, a near undetectable mini feather had worked its way inside of your cut. That's why I hadn't been attacking you, I was maneuvering the feather more and more until it got into your blood stream. The feather broke apart and it created more, hundreds more, that grew bigger until they've reached the size of normal feathers. Until now, your entire body was filled to prepare you for my final move.
Maku: You son of bitch!
He lashed out at Run with his final intent to kill, but Run only moved aside an inch; allowing Maku to tumble to the dirt. He placed to fingers forward, extended his forearm, and place his fingers to his upper arm.
Shooting Feathers Mark II
Run: SHOOT FORTH!
Maku screamed for his life as hundreds of feathers bathed in blood shot from every part of his body. All of the bleeding feathers had all made their way to Run's and turned new blood soaked wings.
Izou: I still don't get what happened to Genma.
[Name]: Then I'll tell you. I used a little something called Spector. It helps me with my sight in every way. The primary technique I used is called illusion sight. It made Genma see using his blood lust and see what he wanted to the most. He wanted to kill me, so when he saw the snake man; his mind automatically saw me standing there instead thanks to the Spector's help. Had I not thrown the dirt in his eyes he wouldn't have fell for it.
Izou: Using a gamble and it actually working in battle like that is a chance only a fool would take. If he'd seen the real you first and not Lawry, he would've gotten you. You got him by pure luck.
[Name] had begun to whisper as Run had walked up to him.
[Name]: I'm not sure about this. I didn't think it was going to be a gauntlet like this. Plus, I don't even know how strong that dude is over there.
He said while gesturing to Rita standing in the same exact spot as before.
Run: Now that you mention it, we are outmatched.
[Name]: If they gank us were dead.
Run had then had a confused look on his face, remembering something he'd heard from [Name] before.
Run: Didn't you say you fought them before?
[Name]: They didn't come at me all at once though.
[Name] then stretched slightly, Run had taken a deep breath. The night sky was rather luminescent as the moon was full, [Name] realized that this fight may result in his death. That is unless he utilized his full power. Right now, he might have too.
[Name]: Who's next?
All of the Wild Hunt members save for Syura had said "Me".
Dorothea: [Name]'s mine. I want him kept alive, I've tasted his blood once and I must say I've been yearning to taste more of him.
She stated with a blushed face.
[Name] had face palmed as he also sighed in annoyance. Run and [Name] stood side by side, preparing for the fight that'll determine life or death. Dorothea then gasped as everyone looked to see her. She'd fallen from the bolder in which she stood into two pieces much like how two others had just done. A black-haired girl had landed from her slashing jump behind [Name].
Kurome: You two should be more careful.
Then a glowing blue energy ball had also landed and smashed the ground in front of them. Cratering the ground and sending rocks flying into the beyond, Wave rose from a crouched position. It was Grand Chariot, with Wave utilizing its awesome might.
Wave: Your tyranny ends here Wild Hunt!
He shouted whilst pointing his staff at an highly discerned Syura. His face curved into an ugly sneer. Brandishing his teeth in anger at the loss of four members, only more trouble will follow if they fought in an all-out fight.