A Demon's Tale

???: [Her! That's the one I'll fight]

Standing atop a massive warship was a girl clad in wild clothing with jet black, long hair. The katana within her hands was now unsheathed and in full view for the two other black-haired individuals nearby. Using the katana as a means for extending her hand, she pointed the tip towards a woman by the ground. A woman who was colored in a snow-like white.

The girl provided a ferociously smug grin as she looked towards the woman, her demonic fangs shining with the harsh sun against them.

Ryuka: [I've decided! I'm fighting her]

Ryuusei: [You sure you wanna decide something this quickly, Ryuka? It was only a few minutes ago that the red figure decided to appear in front of us, and now you're ready to fight someone who might be way above your level?]

Beside Ryuka was a man of similar wild clothing. The elder brother of the two, Ryuusei Ryoma.

A quick change of Ryuka's expression was lashed out at her brother following his words.

Ryuka: [Can it, bro! I don’t need to worry about the silly shit for now! All I wanna do is fight someone strong, and I've found my opponent! Look! She hasn't even taken her horns out yet!]

Nero: [Your mind is like that of a lamb to the slaughter. You would do well to cut your stomach open rather than fighting Shiro Fuloreen.]

With a chilling voice providing their input, the two faced the sitting god behind them. A man dressed in all black, with sharp dark gray eyes and a horrifying presence. The god who declared war against all mortals, Nero Virtuoso.

Growing curious due to his words, Ryuka lifted an eyebrow while her smile returned to her face.

Ryuka: [Oh? And why's that?]

Nero: [Horns are not the only aspect that you should be concerned about. Shiro Fuloreen has yet to even use her ability within this battle. On top of this, even I am unaware of how skilled she has become within the last eight years. If those two were to fight the same Shiro who I had met a decade ago, they would likely stand little to no chance.]

Ryuka: [So what you're saying is…she's even more crazy than I thought?! Oh damn! I think I'll jump down there right now!]

As Ryuka pressed her free hand against her knee in order to push herself up, a hand was firmly placed onto her shoulder by the man in the fur coat.

Ryuusei: [Hold it, Ryuka. Let's not move without thinking here.]

Again, a fierce gaze was returned back

Ryuka: [Cut this shit out, Ryuusei! I don't wanna hear your complaints about Ryuji or anything like that! I'm strong enough to be here in the first place! Besides, I came here to fight, not sit around!]

Nero: [And fight, you shall. The two of you would best prepare yourselves. Your time to attack is now. Prove yourselves worthy, and perhaps I may allow for a much greater challenge.]

A dissatisfied look was given by Ryuusei, while in comparison, a both annoyed but also relieved glare existed on Ryuka's own eyes.

Ryuka: [Finally, it's about damn time.]

Ryuusei: [...Does Ryuji not matter that much to you?]

While Ryuka attempted to move, she was stopped by the aggravating question that her brother had asked.

Ryuka: [...What the fuck did you just ask me?!]

Ryuusei: [You heard what I said, and you've heard my every word about her when we've spoken about the issue. She would have been better off with someone to take care of her!]

Ryuka: [I joined this fight to help her! To help us! Why do you have such a problem with that?!]

Ryuusei: [How?! In what way are you helping her?!]

Ryuka: [I'm building up our names! Nobody will touch her if they hear that her family is strong!]

Ryuusei: [That's all this is to you?! A challenge of building our names?! You think that'll help her in the slightest?!]

Ryuka: [FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, COULD YOU CONSIDER THAT I'M HELPING?!]

Ryuusei: [FOR EVEN A SECOND OF YOURS, COULD YOU CONSIDER THAT SHE'S A FOUR YEAR OLD WITHOUT ANY PARENTS?!]

Through their fierce screams, a final devastating blow from Ryuusei's mouth had landed. Struggling to keep her composure, Ryuka's lips trembled as her wavering eyes looked up at him.

Ryuka: [I…No, I did…b-but…I…]

Ryuusei: [That girl, our sister, has no one! Nobody taught her how to defend herself! Nobody taught her how to cook or do housework! Nothing! It could have been something she'd learn with time, but we didn't have that option either now, did we?! It should have been you, Ryuka! You should have stayed with her, but you didn't!]

Ryuka: [I…I love Ryuji! I love her way more than you do–]

Before her trembling voice could finish, another explosion of words was unleashed upon her.

Ryuusei: [Do you?! Because if you did, you would have been right there with her at this very moment! We have no idea if she's alright! Did you even consider that?!]

Ryuka's blade continued to clank while in its sheath as her body trembled.

Ryuka: [...I…I…Tch!]

Ryuusei: [Oi, Ryuka!]

Ending their conversation, Ryuka ran towards the edge of the deck before jumping straight down. Ryuusei followed close behind, but turned to Nero before he took his jump.

Ryuusei: [We'll be starting our battle now.]

Nero: [Hurry it up.]

Ryuusei: [Hm. Prick.]

The top of Ryuusei's nose began to wrinkle as he snarled at Nero, before finally jumping down behind his sister.

Descending closer and closer towards the ground, messages of a child rang out within Ryuka's head.

Wow! Sis is gonna help Big Bro out?

Ryuka: [...I'm sorry, Ryuji…]

You're so cool, Sis! I bet you'll be the strongest there!

Ryuka: [...I'm so sorry…I promise…I promise I'll become the strongest, just for you…Nobody will ever hurt you if I do…]

Sadness, anger and pride. A terrible mixture was now stirring within the girl's mind. The emotions that swelled up within would now take their place beneath her blade.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼

A lethal dance of bullets and slashes had begun against the single katana that faced the oncoming attacks. The white goddess who was as quick as thunder, Shiro Fuloreen continued to battle the two girls who had approached close behind. The shorter one, with pinkish-red hair and eyes along with two sai within her tightly gripped hands. Another with a dazzling purple to her own hair and eyes, and two flintlock pistols that shot at nearly rapid rates.

The time in which Shiro could battle the two was finite. Not only for her own sake, but for those around her. A war had now started, with the greatest importance being to assist her allies in battle. However, the terrifying duo of succubi who now had their true appearances out did not make this task any easier.

Allowing her body to bend around the two, as well as slicing and deflecting the attacks that drew close, Shiro continued to pace her body backwards in order to gain distance.

It was almost futile, no matter how hard she tried. With every step that she had taken back, the two had done more than double of that.

The succubus of purple, Sena, continued to circle around Shiro and fire her guns from different directions and angles. Her bullets were often deflected or cut in half, with the rare occasion of just barely grazing and ripping Shiro's fine white clothing.

In front of Shiro was the pinkish-red succubus, Tari, who endlessly swung her sai in an attempt to cut Shiro down. She worked best when providing a quick, stealthy kill. Yet, there was no opportunity for such a thing within her new scenario.

Neither of their abilities had worked on the woman, therefore only brute force was left as the final option.

However, even that was beginning to fail. They refused to admit it, but they could tell from even a mile away that this road they were headed down would soon end.

The woman they had fought had yet to use her own ability, if she had one. She had yet to even reveal her true appearance, and thus, yet to fight at her maximum output in all areas.

It was as if she was treating the two as a joke, is what Tari had thought.

However, within Sena's own thoughts, her words that she wished to say did not escape her mouth.

Sena: [...Attack us.]

Sweat started to move down her face as she watched her little sister continue to struggle.

Two sai drew close to Shiro’s neck, only for her to sway her head back and turn the blades with her very own.

Two more delayed bullets were fired, however they were dodged effortlessly with the woman bending her body in mid air. One bullet aim below her chest that could not even graze her clothes with another multiple inches away from her back.

Sena: [...Please, just attack us.]

Her once joyful face had long since disappeared. The skin around her eyes, nose and mouth started to wrinkle with irritation as she could not handle the situation the two were in.

Tari attempted to repeatedly strike at every limb on Shiro’s body, but Storm prevented any advances she had tried to make.

A single bullet was fired. Dodging was not even required to avoid it as it passed through the air.

Sena: [...Give me a reason…Give me a reason to protect Tari, and shoot you…Please.]

Her swift jumps produced against the ground had now ceased, with a single pistol being pointed towards Shiro. The aim of which changed constantly as her hand could not stop shaking.

Holding the trigger of her gun, Sena hesitated to even shoot again. Unlike her hesitation however, Tari did not let up on her ruthless attacks, and continued to strike Storm from every angle. Occasional kicks were provided in order to move the mighty blade, but even that had very little effect.

Sena: [...Please.]

Following the end of the bullet rain, Tari gave a shout towards the sister behind her while keeping the constant strikes up.

Tari: [Oi, Sena! Hurry up and fire some more shots!]

Tari's words failed to provide Sena with the confidence she needed, but a new pair of eyes now looked on towards her. With a calm voice that provided the opposite expression of her scenario, Shiro spoke out to the girl.

Shiro: [I won't harm either of you, but that does not mean you should not do the same. Fire as you please.]

Sena shut her eyes in frustration while grinding her teeth together, she fired a single shot into the unknown.

Seeing the performance that her sister had put on as she no longer focused on Shiro, Tari's anger only grew stronger.

Tari: [Oi! Get serious with this fight, Sena! This isn't the time to be playing around!]

Sena: [I’m sorry, Tari. I just…–!]

Sena covered her lips in horror as she looked straight ahead. Her knees grew weak, causing them to cross as she fell to the floor. Though Tari did not follow at first, she moved to glance at what Sena had seen, only to find.

Tari: [W-What?!]

…Shiro, who held her right shoulder in pain. From under her hand came small spurts of blood that were created by an unknown wound.

Tari: [You…Don’t tell me that you–]

Grabbing a hold of Shiro's arm, Tari moved it out of the way, only to find exactly what she expected to see.

A bullet wound, lodged right into the shoulder.

Her teeth began to gnash as she held her head low. Low enough that her eyes could no longer be seen past her hood.

Tari: [That bullet wasn't going in your direction, it wasn't even aimed at you. Yet for some damn reason, you ran into it.]

A tight grip of a hand was placed against Shiro's dark gray turtleneck. Tari's furious eyes were now visible once more.

Tari: [What the hell is wrong with you, you stupid bitch?!]

For a few moments, she sat in silence. Not a word was given, until a provoking statement was delivered.

Tari: [Answer me, damn it!]

Shiro: [The two of you must harm me in order to survive, correct? If you were to do well enough, Nero would likely let the two of you survive. However, I cannot die here. I will provide the two of you with as much as you require, and our battle will end there.]

A second hand of Tari's was now against Shiro's turtleneck. Her grip being tight enough to almost choke Shiro.

Tari: [Is this a fucking game to you, you disgusting piece of shit?! Is that all this is?! Do you have any idea what you've done to us?! To our families?! Me and Tari don't even have a home anymore! Our people were attacked by humans, and before anyone could have a talk with each other about what was happening or some sort of peace treaty, that fucking bastard up there came in and killed them all! The humans, the succubi and incubi, everyone! AND IT'S ALL YOUR FUCKING FAULT! You did this! If it wasn't for that shitty broadcast, we would have been fine! But no! You had to come in and have your fun, huh?!]

Shiro: [...If you believe it was me, and the same belief existed prior to this, then I must ask. Why did you mention the swift death that you would have provided?]

Tari: [Hk!]

A sharp noise rose out from Tari's mouth as Shiro spoke out to her. Her grip still remained solid and unmoving.

From behind the girl came the voice of another.

Sena: [...Tari, let's stop.]

Tari: [Shut up, Sena…]

Drawing closer to her sister, Sena continued to walk with somber in her steps.

Sena: [This isn't the same person, Tari–]

Tari: [Shut the fuck up, Sena! This isn't the time for your airheaded behavior!]

Sena, who was once so joyful. Sena, who could not stop smiling often.

The same Sena…now erupted.

Sena: [I'm not stupid, and you know that! We both also know that it's not her! It can't be! She's far too nice! She sounds like the same woman. She looks like her, and even has the same name. But we both know it! It's not her!]

Tari: [I know you're not stupid, Sena!...I know…I know that better than anyone else in the world. You're smarter than even I am. You just don't always notice stuff when things are calm. But this is the one time where I'm right! She's playing up her kindness! This woman will do anything to get her way, and we saw that!]

Sena: [Tari, please!]

An air of silence surrounded the field around them.

After several seconds, Tari lifted her head to the air.

Tari: [...Fine then.]

A smile had finally started to return to Sena's face after hearing those two words.

Sena: [Tari…]

…Only for a much tighter grip, one that could choke Shiro to be given as Tari released a sai from her hand.

Tari: [I'll finish the job.]

Sena: [NO!]

Sena rushed towards her sister in a panic with her arms outstretched, but it was far too late.

With a hand pressed against Shiro's chest, Tari looked at her with a cold, lifeless glare.

Tari: [Past Story. This is all I need to use to know that your happiness comes from the downfall of others. Don't worry, this time, it'll only affect you.]

Her words became distorted and distant as the world around Shiro faded into water. The only thing that could be seen was a raised hand with a sai, while a figure attempted to hold the hand back.

Everything around her, everyone that was with her all faded to black.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼

Light.

Everything was light to her.

There was a buzzing sound, without anything to accompany it.

It was all merely light.

However, a voice could faintly be heard within this light.

???: [Shiroooooo!]

Her name.

Her name was being called.

By whom?

???: [Hey! Shin to Shiro! Heeeey!]

An endless sea of light, yet the end could finally be seen.

As it faded around the girl, a new display came into view.

A simple living room that was decorated nicely.

One that neither the girl, nor anyone else she had met had owned.

Looking around the room, it was clear what it was.

An inn.

She was now at an inn.

Rubbing her eyes, the girl gained full attention of her surroundings.

All but one thing.

???: [Ah, good! You're okay now! Are you alright, Shiro?]

With a kind smile, Shiro turned her eyes down to face–

Shiro: [Yeah, I'm alright. I don't think everything was a dream, but was it? I mean, sometimes dreams are that big, right–...N-No…]

???: [Hm? What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost or something.]

–A girl who she recognized.

A girl she was fond of.

A girl who had fought alongside her.

A girl who had known her for ten years, only for all of that to come to an end…or so she had thought.

Standing in front of was a girl in a black dress, with two long pigtails at the top of her hair. The sight of her leaving Shiro trembling.

Yoro: [Did you not get enough sleep, Shiro?]

Shiro: [...You're…]

Yoro: [Hm? It's me, Yoro! Your closest pal! Well, I guess you're my closest, but I don’t think the big kitsune gorilla would like hearing that. Still, it's your good pal, Yoro!]

Shiro: [You're…not real…]

Yoro: [Huh?! That's kinda mean, Shiro!...Unless this is a game that you and the others thought of. In which case, let me in on it! I wanna learn how to play!]

Shiro: [You…You died nearly a week ago…I remember that…It was engraved into my memory…]

Yoro: [Oh! Is this that thing people call roleplay? Silvia told me about some books she read on it! So my backstory is that I died a week ago, and now I'm a ghost, right?]

Shiro: [You shouldn't be here…I…I shouldn't be here…My friends…My friends are waiting for me…]

Yoro: [Oh! We're doing the hero styled roleplay?! This is super cool! Lemme get into my role, sorry! Ahem! Bleeeeh! I'm a spooooooky ghost, and I've come to haunt you! Ooooooooo! Prepare yourself, hero!]

Shiro: [Nero…Nero is…I couldn't…I…Yoro…]

Yoro: [Huh? Shiro? Are you–Shiro?!]

Shiro's face began to break down as everything struck her at once. Falling to her knees, she tightly hugged Yoro's body as her tears and snot stained the girl's dress.

Yoro: [Shiro, you're holding me kinda tight. Do you mind letting go a little bit?]

Shiro: [I'm sorry, Yoro…It's my fault…It's all my fault…]

The thoughts Shiro had held back, the things she wished she could say to Yoro, all of it flowed out of her mouth without a single hint of hesitation.

Yoro: [Shiro…]

Shiro: [I…I couldn't protect you…I couldn't save anyone…You…Nero…Varius…It's all because of me…If I just didn't do anything…If I let Devi speak to you…it all would have turned out okay…You would still be here…and then…nobody…nobody would…I'm weak…I'm so pathetically weak…I can't do anything right…There are countless people dying…and it's all my fault…I'm…I'm so sorry, Yoro…If you didn't meet me…None of this would have happened…I should have just stayed at home for my whole life…That's what a pathetic nothing like me deserves…I'm a good for nothing, pitiful succubus just like Helig said! All I can ever do is think about my husband…and…Hk!...Ghkhk!...It's all my fault…and now I can’t even bring myself to…to fight Nero…I can't do it…I don't want to hurt my friend…I can't…I'm too weak to do a single thing right…I don't wanna die because of my family, but I don’t wanna hurt the people that I also care about…If I just stayed over…If I just felt like spending the night with you two after not seeing you both in so long…then everything would have been fine…If I did that, then my husband…He could have talked to the–]

A putrid, sickening feeling started to fill Shiro’s body. Her endless tears had caused a reaction in which her body desired to vomit over the never ending suffering her mental state had endured.

Though she could not bear her own sins, Yoro called out to her.

Yoro: [Shiro.]

Shiro: [Ghk!...Hkghk!]

Unable to hear the call given, Shiro tugged at Yoro's dress while continuing to relentlessly sob.

Yoro: [Shiro, raise your head.]

Raising her distressed face to meet Yoro's own, she was met with a kind face of not a teenage girl, but an adult mother.

Yoro: [You can’t always stick to the past. Your new friend taught you that, right? You need to keep that in mind, Shiro.]

Shiro: [B-but…if it weren't for me…then Varius would still be here…and Nero…Nero wouldn't be…You'd still be…alive…]

Yoro’s smile only became softer.

Yoro: [Shiro. You're the closest friend I ever had. I want you to always remember that. I will never fault you for the future that you couldn't see. It's all about living in the present, after all! Every day that I spent with all of you only made my life better, and I want to thank you for that! What you could have done, what you failed to do, none of that matters to me! I was just happy to even have you, and everyone else in my life! If it’s little old me that you’re worried about, then let me assure you now that you should continue to walk the same path you always have, regardless of what I or others may think! That’s the Shiro I like best!]

Shiro's head was once again placed against Yoro's soft black dress. Her tears did not let up.

Shiro: [I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…]

Yoro: [Tare care of my Nene for me, ok? Thank you for everything, Shiro. It’s sad to think about, but I’m sure if they met, it would have been fantastic…]

With a kind smile, Yoro spoke her last words to Shiro.

The scene around her began to fade, but she continued to tightly hold onto the small figure before her.

Shiro: [I’m…I’m so…sorry…]

As the war ground from moments before returned, a new short figure replaced the one that no longer existed.

With trembling eyes, Tari Erozena dropped her sai to the ground as she was tightly hugged by Shiro.

Shiro: [...I'm so sorry…I’m truly…sorry…I've only caused problems for you and your family…as well as countless families in the world…all because I couldn't save my friend…I'm sorry…It's my fault…It's all my fault…]

Sena could not help but cry over the scene playing out before her. Her pistols now holstered against her boots.

Tari attempted to resist, but it was ultimately futile. The sai she once held in her tightly wrapped arms had fallen to the ground.

Shiro: [You two…deserve to live more than I do…]

That statement alone felt like a shockwave passing through Tari's and Sena’s mind.

It was a statement that the two were all too familiar with.

A single person had said it to the two girls, before vanishing into ash.

With streams of tears falling across her face, Tari allowed the single word within her mind to escape.

Tari: [...Mama…]

Both parties had been forced to remind themselves of a far greater sadness within their lives.

Despite how different they were from each other, Shiro and the sisters could not help but share each other’s pain.

A scene of pure sadness now existed within the three.

A question clawed at Sena’s mind, and the very same existed within Tari’s as well.

Tari was far more stubborn than her sister. Though she was not as airheaded, she could not accept things as they were if she did not enjoy the thought of it. Yet, at this very moment, a pointless stubbornness existed within her.

She had no reason to hesitate, no reason to resist the urge to ask the question. It was something rather easy to do, yet she was worried.

Not about her very own opinion, nor her sister’s, but the opinion of the woman who continued to sob into her clothes. It was not a cruel question, nor something that would aggravate her, but would she truly accept the words that Tari had wanted to convey?

The ability to ask this question would sadly be cut short, as the girl quickly felt a new presence approaching.

Tari: [This is…Gouki…That's Gouki! Damn!]

Shiro: [Ah!]

Releasing her arms from Shiro's depressed hug, Tari gave a powerful shove that knocked the goddess to the floor.

Tari: [Sena! Heal her, now! We don't have much time!]

Tari: [R-Right!]

Moving over to Shiro, Sena provided a means to pull out the bullet with her matōki along with healing the wound created. As she did this, Tari quickly picked up her sai and turned to Shiro.

Tari: [Run! Now!]

With a disheveled face, Shiro wiped off her tears and stared at the girl in confusion.

Shiro: [What…What do you mean–]

Tari: [I'm not in the mood for questions, lady! Run!]

Without thinking, Shiro made a quick bolt away from the two. Her departure causing the two to focus on the approaching threat in front of them.

An immensely muscular man crashed into the ground before them. Within a singular arm was a massive claymore colored with blood and guts of those he had decimated.

Gouki: [I believe Lord Nero's orders were clear. Should the two of you fail, an immediate execution would be provided. As such, I, Gouki, shall be the one who will crush these sinners for their incompetence!]

Tari: [Tch! Kiss my ass, you oversized boot licker!]

With a click of Tari’s tongue, the two readied their weapons to fight. They had stood on guard for a few moments, only for an extra step to be taken by Sena.

A single shot was fired to Gouki's ear, along with a shove forced on Tari.

Sena: [Run, Tari!]

Visible confusion and worry now rested on the small girl’s face.

Tari: [Wha–Idiot! I'm staying here with–]

Sena: [You need to live, Tari!]

Gouki's claymore was raised, and came crashing down towards Sena. Using her pistols to block the blade along with matōki coated around it, she struggled to hold the blade back.

Tari: [Sena!]

Sena: [R-Run! Tari!]

Viewing the woman half his size beneath him, Gouki gave a light scoff as he watched her tremble.

Gouki: [I must say, your efforts are commendable. However, this is merely a futile attempt to live for a few more seconds!]

Even more strength was provided to his blade, which caused Sena's back to arch closer to the grass below her.

Sena: [Ghk!...Khhh!]

A deep pain was beginning to spread across her entire body. It would not be long until her strength would disappear. Once that would happen, her hair, blood and guts would decorate the same claymore she attempted to fight.

In the midst of her struggle, the sound of metal clashing rang out in front of her.

Moving her eyes down, she looked towards who stood in front, only to see–

Sena: [T-Tari!]

Tari: [I-I told you! I'm staying right here…with you!]

With her two sai pressed against the claymore in front of them, the sisters provided their painful resistance. Their bones began to creak under the immense weight, yet they did not give in.

Gouki: [How sweet. The two of you wish to die together. In that regard, I shall grant your wish!]

Even more force was provided, which only made the two fall to the ground. Keeping their weapons up, they provided the last pieces of their energy in order to stop the attack.

Nearby, what almost sounded like the air ripping into a ferocious screech could be heard.

Sena: [It's…It's no good!]

Tari: [Damn it! Not like this!]

Their resistance would soon fall.

The sound of the air sharpening only grew louder.

Sena: [T-Tari!]

Tari: [S-Sena!]

The sisters shouted each other's names as they accepted their fate.

Before they could welcome death, however, the terrible screech of the air drew close.

Its origin was now visible.

A single thought appeared in each of their heads as it appeared…

Tari, Sena and Gouki: [That's…]

A woman clad in white, with her katana at the ready to slice Gouki's head open.

Shiro: [I've got a way bigger problem than just dealing with you! Move it!]

Gouki: [If you think that's all it will take to defeat me, Shiro Fuloreen, then you are sadly–]

As smooth as a knife through butter, a second katana entered Gouki's skull from behind and above him, making its way down to his nose. The insides of his head now visible from two different angles.

The only reason why the blade had stopped there was simple. Shiro's own blade, Storm, met it in the middle and prevented any future attack.

Tari and Sena’s eyes widened at the sight of the new weapon. They had not sensed nor seen another presence other than Gouki’s. Yet somehow, another had now appeared and split his head open like a watermelon.

Though many would believe that the man would be unable to function, especially with the now cut brain placed within his head, Gouki continued to breathe.

Turning a loose, bloody eye to look behind him ever so slowly, Gouki cried out in agonizing, teeth gritting pain.

Gouki: [Ry-Ryuka…You traitor…!]

Giving a smug, single fanged smile, the clad-in-black girl gave her reply.

Ryuka: [Traitor? Hey now, I don't know about that, Gouki. You got in my way, and it was fair game from there. Besides, the order was to deal with those two, but whoever goes first goes first, right? Well then, I'm the one who's going first. But before I do so, I'll take on this crazy lady as a nice dessert!]

Gouki: [What…What are you sa–]

Ryuka: [Oops! Sorry! Can't hear you anymore! Bye!]

With a mighty trust of her blade, Ryuka pushed past Shiro's Storm and cleaved Gouki in half without much effort. A look of pain now rested on Shiro’s eyes as her body was forcibly moved to the ground by the sword she had clashed with.

After the two met the ground, a projectile based slash was then immediately released following their descent, only for Shiro to move between it and disperse the attack into nothing with her blade. Thus preventing the two girls behind her from being sliced and killed. Keeping her attention on Ryuka, Shiro spoke to the sisters.

Shiro: [The two of you, run. Now.]

Tari: [W-What? There's no way in hell that we're leaving you to deal with her on your–]

Shiro: [I SAID NOW!]

Finally gazing upon the two with a panicking fury, their eyes widened with concern before running into the distance.

In front of Shiro, the demonically twisted girl smacked the dull side of her blade against her bare skinned neck.

Ryuka: [Good! Good! I don't need any distractions or interferences here! It's just me versus you! If anyone gets in our way, whether they're on my side or yours, I'm cutting them down!]

Drops of rain started to viciously downpour across the battlefield.

Placing her free hand against her neck, she shifted her head and created two large echoes of cracks as she did so. Spinning her arms in circles, she continued to provide her demonically smug smile to Shiro.

Ryuka: [I don't need a warm-up or anything of the sort. The strong go after the strong, and that's all there is to it! Just like my sword, I can't get too dull now or I'll just hurt myself. So let's make sure to give ourselves a fun show, Shiro Fuloreen!]

Using her blade like that of a whip, Ryuka created a barrier of slashes as she slowly approached which not only cut the grass below her, but also the rain around her.

Ryuka: [HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!]

Her wicked laughter roared through the rain, and overpowered it in volume.

A visible barrier of dry air was circled around the ferociously quick woman. Even that of the wind had been cut by the very same blade that produced it.

Following the end of her barrier, an immense wave of water splashed down against her body, as the relentless wind she had prevented did a sufficient job in drying her off.

Shiro pulled Storm behind her, keeping the blade at her own eye level. In response, Ryuka lazily held her blade out towards her while allowing her tongue to take in the air.

Ryuka: [Haha!]

In the distance, the two succubi continued to run through the wet grass. They did not have much stamina left, and thus their breaths were heavy, but they could not afford to slow down. Though Tari focused on what was ahead, Sena looked towards the succubus who saved them.

Sena: [Tari! We can't just leave her like this!]

Tari: [We were told to run, Sena! Let's focus on running for now and we'll talk about the rest later!]

Sena: [I refuse to let something happen to her! Please, Tari! We need to go back!]

Tari: [I know, Sena!...I know. I understand how you feel, and I agree.]

A look of surprise now attached itself to Sena's desperate eyes.

Sena: [Y-You do?! In that case–]

Tari: [But for now, we can't. She's able to fight right now because we're running. If we stay here, we're targets for everyone there to kill. She'd have way too much trouble dealing with Ryuka and everyone else if we did that. Let's escape for the time being, and get stronger. When the time is right, we'll do exactly what you're thinking we should do.]

Tari, who often only acted rude to others, provided her sister with a soft smile. Seeing such a rare emotion out of her, Sena could not help but tear up as she shared the same smile.

Sena: [Right! She's far too strong to fall here! We still have time!]

With their minds set on the same idea, the lethal sisters escaped from the battlefield.

Meanwhile, across the battlefield stood a woman of royalty, who looked towards the determined Shiro. Her hand resting on the hilt of her blade with countless scorched foes scattered around the area.

Devi: [That girl might provide a problem for her. I would best help.]

Opening her mouth, Devi attempted to call out to her ally.

Devi: [Shiro! Allow me to assi–]

???: [Where do you think you're looking, Miss former ruler?]

Before Devi could even make her way towards Shiro however, a man with long jet black hair struck down at her with a cleaver-like blade. In less than a second, Devi quickly pulled out the blade strapped to her waist, and gave a quick parry to the attack. Small bursts of fire were let out, which the man destroyed with his own weapon whilst in mid air. Though it did not offer much in damage, his strike had provided enough force to move even Devi a few inches further than where she had once been.

Launching the man several feet back with just that action alone, he adjusted his body in the same manner as his sister before him.

???: [Guess that's about what I should expect for someone at such a high end of the world. It might not be impressive from one side, but it certainly is from another.]

Placing the extended hilt of the sword, that occupied the same amount of space as the blade itself, onto his shoulder, the man gazed at Devi with fury in his soul.

Ryuusei: [Now then, it's about time I got some answers, and possibly some revenge if I don’t like the answers I'm given.]

The deadly brother and sister were now in play. Power, speed, skill, every factor one could imagine would now have many paling in comparison to the two.

The strongest within Nero's oni army…were now set into motion.

△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼△▼△△▼△▼