"Misaki… this feeling… it's a retainer of hell," Kitsune whispered, her voice shaky with fear.
"He's alone," I replied, trying to sound calm even though my heart was racing. "We can take him."
A cold, mocking laugh filled the air. "Alone? You ," the voice said. "You really think I'd face two ancient spirits without a plan?"
Then, the voice changed, its tone sharp and menacing. "Why don't you check on your dear daughters, Kitsune?"
Kitsune's eyes widened in panic. "Touch my daughters, and I'll kill you!" she screamed.
"Oh? Should I be scared?" A new voice cut through the air, a voice I knew all too well.
It was Himeko's voice.
From the shadows, she stepped forward, dragging the broken, beaten bodies of Nishi and her sisters behind her.
"H-Himeko?" I stammered, my chest tightening. "What are you doing? What's going on?"
The girl I thought I knew smiled—a cruel, mocking smile. "Himeko? That girl never existed." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "The one you saved from the demon that day… was me. Laplace, the All-Seeing Demon."
"You… You tricked me…" My voice trembled.
"Misaki!" Kitsune shouted. "I'll kill her!"
She tried to rush forward, but I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Kitsune, stop!" I yelled. "Think for a second! There's someone else here, and he can kill you in an instant!"
Kitsune froze, her body trembling with rage. I could feel her fury, but I couldn't let her act recklessly.
"Kill instantly?" A deep, rumbling voice echoed around us, heavy with power. "You flatter me, Arcana. I'm not that strong."
A massive figure stepped into the dim light. He towered over us, his body rippling with muscle. Nine arms held nine cursed blades, each one radiating an aura of death.
"Ashura," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
The demon smirked. "So you remember me, even with your memories tampered. How impressive."
"You… Are you the one who altered my memories?" I demanded, my fists clenched.
"No," Ashura said, his tone almost mocking. "But I know who did."
Laplace interrupted, her grin widening. "It wasn't us, Misaki. The one who lied to you, the one who rewrote the scriptures of Lunaria, the one who told you killing humans would turn you into a demon… was your queen. Amakura Tsukihime."
"Shut up!" Kitsune screamed, her voice breaking. "Our queen would never—"
Before Kitsune could finish, Laplace collapsed to the ground. Her body hit the dirt with a lifeless thud.
"What just happened?" I gasped.
Ashura sighed. "Laplace… you really have the guts to abuse my powers on worthless things." He walked to her body, his movements calm but full of power. With one of his swords, he stabbed her chest and began to chant.
"Muramasa: Inochiruyoku no Gekitai."
Energy poured from the blade into Laplace's body, her wounds closing as life returned to her. Slowly, she stood again, while looking at me with a malicious smile.
"See, Misaki?" Laplace said, brushing herself off. "I told you something about your past, and I died for it. You've seen this before, haven't you? With Kitsune?"
My head spun. My heart felt heavy, like it was sinking into my chest. Why would our queen do this? Why would she lie?
"Don't listen to them!" Kitsune yelled, her voice cracking with desperation. "They're trying to break you!... I'm sure they did something... "
"Kitsune," I said, my voice trembling. "Take your daughters and leave. Now."
"What are you saying! I'm not leaving you here! You'll die" she shouted, pissed but I noticed that tears welling in her eyes. "We can defeat them.. let me take Laplace"
"Our energy is almost depleted... more than this and I won't be able to maintain my Fate alter..."
"Kitsune, please," I begged. "I'll hold them off. You have to go."
I expanded my Pocket Timeline, the shimmering dome growing to cover the entire mountain. The strain was unbearable, to think that . My legs felt weak, my head spinning, but I held on.
"Laplace," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "give Kitsune her daughters."
Laplace clicked her tongue. "This technique of yours is annoying, Misaki." She walked toward Kitsune, dragging Nishi and her sisters behind her.
Ashura smirked. "Kitsune, lay a hand on her, and I'll make sure Misaki dies by the hands of the God of Death."
This demon... he knew the consequence of this power pretty well,
The warning froze Kitsune in place. She hesitated, her hands trembling as she took her daughters into her arms.
"Misaki, don't do this, after trying hard to survive? Are you sure you really want to die here??" she whispered, her tears starting to pour.
"Don't be stupid Kitsune... If I don't do this, both of us will die!!" I said, forcing myself to stay strong. "Once you leave the mountain, they won't be able to follow."
Kitsune's body shook as she stepped back uncontrollably, her daughters clinging to her. "You better survive this," she said, her voice breaking. Then she turned and ran.
"You think I'll let here escape?"
Ashura growled, his blades gleaming as he started to move, attempting to chase Kitsune
"Pocket Timeline rule: All demons won't be able to move,"
I commanded, blood dripping from my nose.
The dome shimmered, freezing both Ashura and Laplace in place.
But then, I realized something horrifying.....
I couldn't move either.
Ashura chuckled darkly. "Laplace... your plan.. its really working, as expected to the all seeing demon!!"
Laplace's smirk deepened. "Misaki, do you still think you can fight us?" she asked. Her voice was soft, almost kind, but it cut deeper than any blade.
"You already know the truth, don't you?" she said, her eyes piercing into mine.
"You're one of us."