“What’s going on?” Hayato-san asked, worried. “It sounded serious. What’s this about Sects and bat? Akio-kun, are you mixed up in something dangerht now? And I heard Kyoto…” he gnced over at Eri in her wheelchair. The girls over there were looking at me too, troubled.

  “Yeah. Unfortunately it’s a bit of an offshoot of that. I don’t really have time to expin, but as soon as the helicets here, I have to go.” Time is of the essence, I learhat in Kyoto, but also, rushing in unprepared ore thahis time, we have id the groundwork as best we , but we ’t pn for everything…

  “I’m going too.” Shiro said, standing, and as we exged looks she shrugged. “Shit, Aki. I may not be the stro, but Tan here is, if I use Divine Possession, I be of use. Besides…” her hair and eye fred red, sparks flying and casg.

  “I believe I shall be able to satisfy my huhere, while defeating your enemies. I believe you call this a… win-win.” She licked Shiro’s lips seductively. “You promised me pensation, did you not? What better time for my thirst to be quenched, and your debts to be paid?”

  With that her hair began streaking back to white, a mix of crimson and silver, stunningly fetg yet coldly terrible. “Aki, you ’t do this alone.” Shiro said early, and I found myself uue.

  “He shall not-not be alone. I will go, of course. Hyath as well.” Shaeu decred, after transting for Daiyu.

  “If they wish tooo harm those Akio chooses to proootect, Hyath shall show them no mercy!” she stood, silver-violet eyes fshing angrily. “Besides, I feel rather sad for the poor woooman. Her life has been lonely. Hyath knooows lonely and does not care for it.”

  “Me too bro. I’m raring to go!” my sis decred, a moment before Eri stoutly decred she would e as well, but I shook my head.

  “No way. Eri, you’re not on top form after Kyoto. I’m not letting you push yourself again, this time you might not be so lucky.” As she started to protest, my stern gaze quietened her down, and she nodded, her expression upset but uanding. “As for you sis, you’re not ready for this.”

  “But I’ve been pushing myself to get stronger, just so I stand alongside you all…”

  “I thought you said you were taking things sensibly?” I questioned her, and she had the grace to look away, flushed and embarrassed.

  “Well, I was. But you know, bro, my golden sister army could be helpful, and…”

  “Ai, Eri…” Shiro spoke up then, her voice kind. “I don’t think it’s ehat you’re not strong enough. Aki… he doesn’t want you to face this. Not yet. It’s not mohis time. It’s people. Other living people. Aki… he doesn’t want you to have to kill or be killed. He cherishes your innoce.”

  She’s right. That’s the heart of it. Though I definitely do believe they are still too weak for this. But… Kondou Kazuo, Yamato-san, the US operatives… killing, it’s not something easy to bear. Even with my Resiliehink about it often… I don’t want that for my sister, for Eri. Not yet. Not until they are fully prepared for the sequences. If I could, I’d shield them forever, but the world isn’t that kind…

  “But Eri’s killed other se creatures, like that Kijo who hurt her, right?” my sis protested, unwilling to back down. “I think you’re being a hypocrite here bro.”

  “Maybe so. but trust me… I’m one who knows.” I said, everyone focused on me and my fession. “I’ve killed.” There were gasps from Hina-, Aimi- and even the guys at that. “Food reasons, to save others, and… well, for a reason perhaps not so good, but necessary. And yes, I’ve also killed other non-humans, with hopes and dreams, snuffing them out. But trust me, it hits different. I don’t want you both to face that yet. It might be selfish of me, but I’ve always wao protect you both. I ’t shield you from this forever… but now isn’t the time.”

  “Aww, bro…” my sis gave in, looking down.

  “When you say it like that, I ’t refuse.” Eri sighed. “I admit the idea scares me, taking my axe to another person. But… they chose to e and kill others. Live by the sword, die by it, right?”

  “Eri, you’re certainly a cold one.” Shiro ughed. “But… I’ve killed as well.” Her single eye glittered darkly, still a dull sooty red. She turo Hayato-san and the others, who were looking at her with even more shock than they had at me. “Well, you could argue that Tan did it for me, if you want to split hairs. But really, there’s no difference. I have blood on my hands too, and probably for less reason than Aki. And yeah, it’s not a good feeling. I… I try not to think about it. But I accepted it when I made a deal with the devil, you know? To be ho, I repared to sacrifice a lot more, just to get what I wanted, until Aki showed me I didn’t have to.” she sighed. “Poor Daizen. I didn’t like him all that much, but… hey, that reminds me… the situation is going to be bad, right? And you need all the hands you get?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, more thay didates, and who knows how ma warriors. It’s going to be a bloodbath if things g.”

  “I see, well then… not how I wahis to go down, but…” Shiro muttered.

  “Shiro…” Aimi- said suddenly. “You’ve… you’ve really killed someone? You? it seems impossible…”

  “There’s more to this, I think.” Hayato-san said. “We don’t know what’s been happening. We’re out of the loop. At least, we were…”

  “Yeah man.” Yasu-san agreed. “In stories, this always happens. Bad guys get power and the heroes have to step up. But… this isn’t a story.” He looked shaken, and I couldn’t say I bmed him.

  “No, it isn’t.” I patted him on the shoulder, surprising him. “And good and evil are retive. Maybe they have a good reason for ing to kill Tsukiko-san, maybe they have no choice. But I promised Tsukiko-san I’d protect her, and I don’t want any more i people to die in Kyoto.” I looked at everyohen. “Suys, the party got interrupted. But the night isn’t over. Eri, Aiko…” I used my sister’s name, showing how serious I was. “Stay here and keep everyone calm, protect everyone, all right? Just because I believe the threat is heading for Kyoto, I don’t want to be careless.” My ears could pick up the thrumming of a distant helicopter ing closer.

  “Well, we’ve paid for this, we might as well finish up.” Hinata said, expression worried, before she smoothed it out, putting on a fident smile. “At times like these, your fiancées should say good luck, and e back safely, I guess?”

  “Indeed. Fortunes of war.” Motoko agreed. “I wish I could go with you. I dreamed of going to battle alongside my husband ever since I was a child, but in this world, us rules, I believed it impossible. But… despite my arts, I am too weak, just a flower to be protected. For now.” She looked at my sis. “Perhaps we should talk. Just how did you gain the power to create that Golden Warrior?”

  Natsumi agreed. “Akio, Shiro, Shaeu, Hyath. Promise us you’ll e back safely. And promise us… one day we won’t have to sit here alone and afraid, w about your return. I too took up the sword, spear and bow, because I wao be strong!”

  “I thought this before, but… they really like yht Akio-san?” Hina- managed, surprising me, as I would have expected the shy girl to be the most worried.

  “Well, we shall miss out on our heartfelt and most-most toug parting words, will we not-not?” Shaeu looked at Shiro and Hyath with amusement. “But Eri, you still have your ce.”

  Eri nodded. “I won’t ask you to e back safely. To me you’re my hero, I know you will e bae, like always. Just look after the others, and… don’t let Matsumuro-san suffer anymore. Knowing you are destio die, it must be awful.”

  “Right. Hayato-san, we’ve booked rooms and it’s all on us, so… you stay here? If you want to know more about what’s going on, the girls tell you. I’d feel better with some adults about to keep things nid calm. Tonight… the world might ge forever.”

  “Hey, are you sure…” Yasu-san began, before I poio Takagi-san, who ale and trembling, perhaps remembering the fate of her fellow trainees in Kyoto.

  “Time to step up. You’re an older cousin, right? That’s not far off being a big brother. So calm Takagi-san down, and the others too. Who knows, you might even impress some of them?”

  “He’s right.” Shugo-san agreed. “Man, I hate this. It seems so unreal, but to think Shiro and Akio-kun are off to fight…”

  “Akio, please be well, stay safe. When you get back… I want to learn how to use my vision properly, and master Chirurgery. That way I free up more time for you to do the things you o do!” Kana cried out suddenly, eyes looking down at the floor, cheeks flushed.

  “Way to go Kana-!” Mio- cheered, and Asami- agreed with her.

  “Yes, stake your ow, get in ooug farewells whehers are doing it!”

  “Aimi, don’t look so scared.” Shiro assured her. “Aki’s many things, but when it es to his girls, to me… there’s no way he’ll let me die. So… I’ll see you on my return. We’ll talk, go shopping… that dress is ni you, but it isn’t your usual style. Your boyfriend will miss your assets on show.” She smirked crudely.

  “Well, you are dressed differently too!” she shot back. “But… yeah, if yoing to keep Akio-kun hot and heavy for you, you o refresh your wardrobe!” she had rexed at the banter, so I said my final words to Hayato-sun. The helicopter is here, up above.

  “Hayato-san, you’ve always been a bit of a leader for the group. Well, in matters of emergency, please defer to Eri and my sis, but other than that… keep everyone calm, okay? Get to know everyone. After all, if you pn to work with me, these are all your colleagues. Anyway, we have to go.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got this. Just like always.” Hayato-san promised, as reliable as ever. “Go do what you o.”

  With that, I started for the stairs to the roof, only for Daiyu fall in behind us. At my puzzled look, she shrugged, a barest movement of her shoulders. “Is it not obvious I must be there? I o find out if any from the Incorruptible Jade are with this misguided invasion. Even if they are not, I may perhaps be able to turn aside those from allied Sects. Besides, I too am blessed by the Heavens, the power of g’e courses within me. I am not easy to kill.” She sighed, remembering her near-death experien the sea. “I will follow your orders, as I vowed. And perhaps afterwards, we discuss Teiques. I am still very ied in the Spiritually Pure Physique. In exge…” she whispered. “... the ws of the Sect lie now with me. I will share my own knowledge, despite that being forbidden for outsiders.”

  “Fihen.” Taking a girl youhao battle doesn’t please me, but she’s right. She o be there. And she has the aura of a warrior, and one unafraid to do what o be done.

  With o wave to everyone, I threw open the doors to the roof access, rag up the stairs, Daiyu, Hyath, Shiro and Shaeu behind me. Pulling out my phone, I tried to call Tsukiko-san, as I had made sure she had a phone before I left Kyoto, but it was just ringing out. Leaping across the rooftop into the waiting helicopter, that was drawing curious gnces from passers-by below, I looked at the pilot. Once everyone else was in, we headed for the destination, towards Shirohebizumi shrine.

  “Orders from above.” The pilot shouted over the din of the bdes. “The Fleet has engaged aroyed the ese warships. There were some casualties, a Coastguard vessel destroyed, but all in all, a fair result. But we found their tanker-ship beached north of Kyoto, with no signs of life anywhere.”

  “I see. Well, we had a lot of JSDF units stationed around Kyoto, and the Major and Lieutenant are there. They should hopefully be able to handle any didates that go towards Kyoto here ierial.” The phone was still ringing out, so I switched numbers, calling Kudou-san. After a few rings, he answered.

  “Kudou-san, thank the gods.” I muttered. “ you tell me what’s going on there? Where’s Tsukiko-san? She’s not answering!”

  “She’s at her shrine. As a woman of faith, where else would she be in such times, Akio-kun? Don’t worry, she has Chosen with her. That rascal Gin and I are coordinating the defence, along with old Bahe Chosen we have are w with those from the JSDF, though we don’t know whether they’ll be needed in the spiritual Kyoto yet.”

  “Well, I’m on route with my allies, I’ll be there shortly.” I promised. “But if we sent Tsukiko-san away, that might end this… no, I guess it isn’t that easy.” Thinking about it, my Fht, which was a bit more sensitive si increased and I gaisukuyomi’s blessing, told me that would barely lessen the danger. “Damn. Has fighting started yet?”

  “Apparently the JSDF are engaging oskirts of Kyoto. It’s a real mess, Akio-kun.” He half-ughed, half-sighed, a sound of despair. “And as for the spiritual world, Gin says one of his returned with tidings the battle had started. Out here… well, the J-Alert Emergency Warning System was triggered, so everybody is staying in their homes, but…” he sighed audibly. “Kyoto is full of tourists, even this time of year, and at this time of night. The JSDF is clearing them off the streets to hotels, ryokans and even our shrines and temples, as well as civilian homes, and we have our shrine maidens and priests helping, but… there’s no c this up, and we are bound to miss one or two. If a Japanese civilian dies, well, that is tragiough, Akio-kun, but fn visitors ed up in this…”

  “Yeah, it’ll be a shitstorm.” I cursed. Below us, we were passing rapidly over tral Tokyo, the distant Shirohebizumi drawing ever closer. “If only the Bck Wolf pany was fully traihey could help us deal with this. I should e to Kyoto myself…”

  “You ’t.” Shiro shook your head. “Well, yes, you could take a helicopter to Kyoto, and when you return to the Material, you’d be on site, but if you get attacked while helplessly asleep… no way, Aki. It’s too risky!”

  “She is quite-quite right.” Shaeu agreed. “I know you know it too, do you not-not?”

  “Yes.” I ched my fist. “I do think we’ll be needed more in the Boundary, which we reach far quicker from the Ring Gate. But… if the situation turns for the worst in Material Kyoto, that’s why we have the helicopter on standby at the shrine, right?”

  As Shaeu shrugged, I returo my versation. “We’ll make our stand at Haru-san’s erritory. Reinforts from mine should be arriving as we speak. We’ll try and defend Tsukuyomi-jinja, but if they have other objectives, we’ll o push out. But sider that our tre of operations, and a pce for entry. That st thing we want is didates entering in the middle of a warzone…” I had learhat lessory points to the Boundary had to be chosen carefully, otherwise it could be very dangerous.

  “Very well. I’ll update the boy Gin and Bahey spread the word. Oh, and Akio-kun…”

  “Yes?”

  “Good luck. May Tsukuyomi keep you safe. And … may you keep the Diviner, no, Tsukiko safe as well. And even if not… don’t let her be alone, not at the end.”

  Feeling a heavy pang of worry, I hough he couldn’t see it, being oher side of the call. “I know. I’ll do my best to overturn her fate. As for now… I have to go.” Hanging up, I dialled Tsukiko-san once more, before tossing down the unanswered phone. “Right. In a few minutes we’ll be in Kyoto. Are you all ready?”

  The girls nodded. Good. Everyone’s prepared. I’m gd I kept my sis and Eri out of this. This isn’t going to be pleasant. This will be the first true war between us and other didates, making the battle against Kondou Kazuo, or the prick from Las Vegas, look like a child’s argument…

  ********

  “Well, it looks like it’s started.” Suzuki Haru observed sadly, watg the explosions in the distance, fireballs s up into the heavens, a natural red and e, rather than the vivid citrine yellow of fme element. She g her own forces, the degraded Orcs led by her far cuter Hunting Cats. The sounds of gunfire were eg in the distant streets, and Haru realised her own forces would do little more than buy a few seds of time. Although, that might be all I o do.

  “Fasating.” The ratkin, Ixitt, was jumping with joy beside her, tail shing frantically like a whip. He had pulled down several of the lenses on his weird goggle-like traption he wore over his forehead, and was looking at an impossible sight, that of an attack helicopter, s through the distant skies. Even as we watched, the sleek, grey helicopter opened fire on some distant target, air-to-surface missiles streaking down aonating explosively, silver sparks scattering, followed by vivid fmes. “I never believed I would see such a sight here, my research will be advanced by leaps and bounds. If only I cold recover it. Well, I suppose the wreckage will have to do.”

  A little bit put off by his eagerness, Haru sighed. “Well, setting aside how it got here, how does it even fun? I mean, there’s no air here, is there? Not really. How does it stay aloft? I was more a humanities girl than sces, but unlike me, who doesn’t need air anymore, being as I’m a ghost, the rotors won’t be able to gee lift without it, right? It shouldn’t be able to get off the ground.” She paused. “Well, I suppose Akio-san and the others do tend to still breathe here, out of habit. Maybe it works because it thinks it works? No, that ’t be right, maes don’t think.”

  “Ihat is the issue she was struggling with, until I… well, never mind that.” He coughed, ging the subject, behind him, weaselkin and ratkin were streaming through the Ring Gate, directed by the intimidating badger, Ulfuric. I get that he seems a nice… man? But he’s still rather intimidating.

  “Set the le ons up there and over there…” the elf, Moira was also direg them. “We built these fortifications for a reason. As for those fmethrowers, and the other ones…” I feel rather useless. My only purpose here is to hold Territory as a bridgehead… shaking her head, she almost missed the answer from Ixitt.

  “I see lingeriher around the craft. It seems however it got here, it is being sustained and enhanced by some art.” He tapped one of his lenses pensively. “The value of this tio surprise me.” He turo some of his ratkin, who were carrying the long-barreled firearm imitations he had made. “It seems almost a shame to destroy it, but… well, Akio will be rather unhappy if those he has chosen to protect die while we marvel at the delights of your human sces. This way…” he led the ratkin up onto one of the structed tiving them greater elevation.

  “Grul is here.” The troll rumbled, having also arrived with his own forces. His massive, misshapen mace was clutched in oy hand, and he was wearing armour that looked so thid heavy that Haru felt tired just looking at him. Thankfully, I don’t need armour. I’m a ghost, so physical attacks pass right through me…

  “Great, it’s reassuring to have to have you with us.” Haru smiled professionally, drawing on her expertise from her days as a bureaucrat. Well, I believe I still am ohough it’s rather amazing my work sists of this sort of thing as well as pushing paperwork now… “Have you checked your role with Ulfurid Moira?” she asked, expeg he would just be ready to rampage, but he surprised her.

  “Grulgor has.” He nodded his massive head. “Scouting in force, unlucky elf said.” He chuckled, the sound like rocks g against each rul good at that. Find enemy, report back, then Grul gets his pick of strong eo crush.” His ughter tinued. “Grulgor has never had so much fun, so many battles, until he lost to Akio. This is just more of the same.”

  “All right then…” Ixitt was calling. “Firing angles look goe… three kilometres, as the mortals measure it. Pushing the limits a bit, but…” he grinned. “Time for my two-step bination.”

  Several Kamaitachi were there as well, two of the smaller ones, and one of the bigger newers. That one was looking rather aggrieved at having to follow orders from such a small, weak-looking ratkin, but it was obeying. Jade energies started to gust, and the barrels were lengthened by green ders. Is that aended barrel for extra range? Clever. But will it work?

  “Loading!” Ixitt decred, and heavy bullets of bluesteel, each of a fairly impressive calibre, were slotted in. Ixitt then began to glow, a brilliant yellow. On seeing Haru’s surprised gaze, he grinned.

  “Oh, e now, how long has it been since I have been Chief Mortal Engineer here? With Akio and the princess providih bluesteel batteries full of fire element when they , and the princess’ wonderful example to follow, an inquisitive Fae like me would be a fool if he could not master a new element. It is a strange feeling, being aspected, one us ratkin seldom know. As for why … fire… well, that is obvious. After all, was not all mortal sce built on the fmes?” his grin was wicked, sharp teeth showing. “Though , perhaps wind would be helpful. But theh is useful for many crafts… well… that is for ter.” His tail shed once, like a ductors baton. “is it in sight?” he called, and the gunners nodded.

  “Well then. Fire!” he roared, and several heavy projectiles were released with a deafening sound, accelerating through the swirling winds, pig up speed, propelled by tails of fming yellow energy.

  “Uh, are those bullets, or rockets?” Haru asked, bemused, as the projectiles soared into the silver skies.

  “They are whatever they o be.” He grinned. “The downside is the barrels break quite easily when using the heaviest shells. Well, these are merely advanced proto…” his words were drowned out by an explosion, followed by a sed. The helicopter had burst into fmes as the first bullet had torn through the main body before exploding within, while the sed ripped the roof off, sending rotor bdes flying. As the stri craft hammered into the ground, sedary explosions kig off, Ixitt shrugged. “A shame. Well, the wreckage may still yield insights, if we recover it.”

  “Well, you worry about that ter…” she sighed, as a sed helicopter was seen in the far distance, followed by a series of four trails from another point of Kyoto, missiles streaking from some hidden uo explode violently to the north. “There’s plenty more to go around…”

  “Yes, so there is.” He agreed, nodding. “Though perhaps we should think about defeating them first. Akio and the princess will be rather angry if they arrive to find us defeated.”

  “That he will.” Haru agreed, watg Grulgor leading his trolls out. As they headed east towards Nijo Castle at the tre of Kyoto, a group of people were suddenly pushing through the strangely lit streets of Boundary Kyoto. No, not people. Haru realised, seeing the jerky way they moved, a strange, hopping gait. Their skin was also a deathly white, and their uniforms, which looked like military clothes of some sort, were torn, dirty and stained with long-dried blood. They’re dead, like me. No, not like me… they had talismans on their faces, c the eyes, but Haru could tell that these had ience, were not thinking, only hungering to kill.

  Grulgors mace swept through several, the heavy shaft knog them aside, before he swung it down, absolutely pulverising one, fragments of bone and deg guts scattering everywhere. He ughed uproariously, only to frown in annoyance as the couple he had knocked down hopped to their feet, despite broken bones and ropey guts hanging out, still capable of fighting.

  “Ugh, Grul hates dead things. No fun!” he roared, his massive fist destroying the eorso of one. His trolls were likewise rampaging, but they were being slowed by the o pletely destroy the undead before they would cease their attacks.

  Being dead is a hardship. I… I have it better than most. Haru thought, the bustle of forces behind her ignored. I leave the pnning and defeo the experts, and Akio-san will be here soon. No, I spare a little mercy for the dead, as one of their fellows…

  Raising one hand, she jured light, a brilliant inky blue glow, suffused with whites and gold, before the light spread out, bathing Grulgor, his trolls, and the shambling, hopping corpses. For a moment Grulgor looked around, puzzled, but as the enemies began to dissolve, their talismans bursting into sticky bck fmes as they crumbled, Grulgor locked eyes with Haru and grinned, giving her a thumbs-up with one mighty hand.

  Haru returhe gesture, feeling surprisingly abashed. Just where did he learn that? Oh well. At least I’m helping. It feels good to be useful. And as their senior ih, the least I do is grant them peace…

  ShipTeaser

  up, there's going to be a lot of PoV shifts between both sides to keep the battle chaotid desperate over the number of chapters, and a LOT of amusing powers, Teiques, ons and more deployed. I'd say that the battle of the Spring was the previous biggest war, but this should eclipse it in scale, if not length of time it occoured over.