A Demon's Tale

From day till evening, the braveheart’s training regimen, along with that of the legendary hero’s own, was practiced throughout the day. As the sparring had slowly come to a close, meals were prepared for those who were now drained of their energy. Whilst many of the participants focused on enjoying their meals, the two teachers were not present at the table. Instead, the beautiful woman of blue and red sat on a couch within the house of not Airi Fuloreen, but her daughter, Shiro. The mother of this powerful goddess was also present, however she had only just entered through the door after leaving her own home. Making her way to the couch, she placed a hand along the cushion to check if anything was there before seating herself.

Releasing a deep sigh, Airi crossed one leg over the other and rested her arms along the back of the couch. Noticing her entrance, Devi gave a polite smile as she spoke.

Devi: [How did the training go?]

Airi: [Not terrible. Those three are well taught, but at the moment, they’re still green. With some more work, they might do better.]

Devi: [I see. I suppose they were by their lonesome for quite some time, so perhaps they need to adapt to the new scenario further. As for Shiro, I must say, she is making excellent progress!]

Airi: [I’ve heard. It seems like her sensing is getting better, even without the presence that matoki provides.]

Though Airi had said this, an odd look of dissatisfaction was lingering on her face. Puzzled by it, Devi raised a questioning eyebrow.

Devi: [Is something the matter, Airi? I think Shiro is doing quite well, personally, but it seems that you do not believe so.]

Airi: [... Would you like me to be formal or brutally honest?]

Tracing her chin, Devi pondered for a few seconds.

Devi: [If you had to be formal, what would you say?]

Airi: [The training regimen, at the moment, won’t lead to much of a satisfactory result.]

Devi: [And the honest answer?]

Airi: [... I feel like this is gonna barrel my daughter towards her own grave. It’s not nearly enough. Not to mention that it can’t be fixed in the span of a week.]

Thus, the chilling response was given. Silent, Devi looked down to the floor.

Devi: [... I see.]

Airi: [I don’t plan on getting involved with this matter either. I can train those three, and even Shiro if I must, but past that, I won’t do anything unless the situation becomes dire. I’m a retired soldier turned grandmother at this point. There’s no reason for me to take center stage again when I’m not sure how much I’ve slowed down. Going from sixteen to seventy five is a big leap, even for a demon. I’m not sure that I could handle someone as strong as that young man when there’s a massive gap between us in youth.]

Devi: [Rest assured, Airi. I don’t believe neither Shiro nor I could force such a thing onto you. It would be far too cruel for the both of us.]

Again, a pure, cold silence took place within the living room. Only to be broken by the brave fire.

Devi: [What would you do in this situation, Airi?]

Airi: [There’s not much you could do. Like I said, a week is almost nothing for training. You’d need to go through a non stop, no rest type of regimen if you wanted to overcome that. But as it stands, I don’t think that’s an option, especially when this process involves you as well.]

Devi: [That’s certainly true, but you were in a situation like this before, correct? Back when you fought alongside my mother and Ginsa Tensetsu?]

Airi: [That time was different. I didn’t have much of a choice. Besides, it was exactly what I mentioned. A non stop day to night training session. It was hell, but it’s the type of thing that makes you stronger in a short period of time. I don’t think it’s something that either of you would like to go through.]

Devi: [But if you had any advice for our situation, anything at all, what would it be?]

Closing her sightless eyes, Airi let out another sigh. She did not speak for several seconds, causing Devi to question if she had asked the wrong thing or if she had offended her. However, it was at that moment that Airi’s eyes became visible to Devi again.

Airi: [... There’s two things you can do if you want to improve your training with her. The first is simple. It’s something you should already know well enough, given that you’ve taught your children as well. Allow Shiro to not only be taught, but to teach as well. Whether it’s teaching you something, or teaching her own men, it will greatly strengthen her skills. It may not seem like it, but that alone will assist in making her stronger. She’ll have more confidence behind her actions, there will be a stronger fire within her heart, and finally, there is a chance to learn things in turn.]

Devi: [Hm. I suppose that is a strong idea. What is the other?]

Airi: [Focus on her strongest area and strengthen that as well.]

Airi’s words did not click within Devi’s mind, and instead rattled her brain with confusion.

Devi: [Her strongest area? Would it not be correct to focus on the weaker aspects?]

Airi: [As I mentioned earlier, a week wouldn’t give you nearly enough time. Under normal circumstances, I’d agree that targeting her weak spots would be the ideal. However, your time is finite and learning to counteract these things will take far too long. It is also unknown how many foes you shall face once you arrive at your destination. Instead, you’ll attempt a blitz strategy against your opponents. This is where her strongest area shall come in. Rather than allowing for a prolonged battle and tiring out your foe, you will have her focus on finishing the job right from the beginning. Overwhelming them before anything further can be done, essentially.]

Devi: [I see. If I were to go off of this logic then, it would be her speed along with her matōki ability, Tempest.]

Airi: [Then that’s what you will target for the coming days. Focus on building a greater connection for her with those two aspects and create this blitz strategy.]

Pushing herself off the couch, Airi stood up tall and turned to walk away.

Airi: [With that finished, I believe I will join them for dinner.]

Making her way to the dining room, Airi confidently exited her conversation with Devi. However, just before she could truly leave, her steps were halted.

Airi: [... Actually, there’s one last thing I’d like to recommend, Devi.]

Devi: [Yes?]

Airi: [Shiro is a troublesome child. Even since she was small, to the same height as me, and even now where she stands a foot above me, she always manages to cause problems. However, there is one aspect to her that I know best. When she has an idea, whether it be for tackling chores or exiting the house without my knowing, or even her training, her ideas are often that of brilliance. She never fails to prove how smart she can be once she clings on to a thought within her head.]

Though she could not see Devi, Airi turned to her direction and smiled softly.

Airi: [I recommend hearing the idea she had for this regimen out. There’s a good chance you could both grow much stronger from it, along with the idea that you might learn something new from it. No matter what it may be, I’m sure her plan will work.]

Devi: [As long as she makes excellent progress in my eyes, I am more than willing to listen.]

Airi: [Hm.]

With their conversation ended, Airi left the room and made her way towards supper.

Devi looked at the clipboard in her hands and wrote down a few notes before placing it onto a nearby table and joining Airi.

The notes were as follows: “Have Shiro teach her troops along with myself” “Focus on training Shiro’s speed and her affinity with Tempest”

“Hear Shiro’s request out”

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A full twenty four hours had passed. Another training session had begun within the group. Much like the previous day, while the three among Shiro’s crew were trained by Airi, the pair of mighty succubi sparred with each other. The instructions for this session were made clear. In order to raise Shiro’s capabilities in a short amount of time, as well as focusing on the best option for the battle ahead, Devi would train Shiro’s compatibility with her speed and her matōki ability, Tempest.

For several hours, the two had trained. An immense amount of progress could be seen from Shiro’s swordplay. It was not just from her training earlier in the day, but even that of the day before were made clear in her results.

At the rallying cry of her own daughter, Shiro’s strength was pulled forward. A vast difference between now and the greenhorn goddess she had brutally tested a week prior. It was outstanding, was what Devi had wanted to say.

However, she was frustrated. There was still something she had yet to understand herself.

Throughout her training with Shiro on this very day, Devi experienced a problem like no other.

“Shiro’s abilities are truly incredible” rang loudly within her head. Her speed could barely be matched, only allowing Devi to block the attacks as they grew close. Her flexibility could barely be considered normal, spinning the flat side of Tempest along her back without a single burn or spark latching onto her body, and grabbing it again in a hand positioned much lower. She had even managed to twist and turn around Devi, creating attacks that made her guard shift in place.

Tempest itself was hardly a joke. A powerful ability that transformed a katana into something far greater. From there would there be not one, but two strikes applied against whatever it had made contact with. Furthermore, the second strike would have a much heavier impact than the previous one. Devi had not experienced a battle against this weapon until now, but she was well aware of its achievements. It was the very same tool used to strike down Daroma the Dark. Additionally, Shiro had informed her during their practice that she hesitated to use it against Yoro of the Sands, stating that Yoro was simply “not worth using Tempest against”. A fearsome claim when bringing up such a powerful lord of the past.

Then, there were the two that caught her attention recently. Shiro’s battle against the younger sibling of the Ryoma warriors, Ryuka Ryoma. The young girl could barely keep up with her after Tempest was unleashed, despite how powerful the same girl’s ability was in turn.

The other was that of Nero Virtuoso, who may not have been affected by Tempest’s additional strikes, but also could not pierce through the blade himself. Devi had pondered the theory that if his sword was capable of cutting through whatever it touched, perhaps it had done the same for the second attack and thus both swords had canceled each other out. This was merely a theory however and could not be proven as of yet.

But now, Devi experienced Tempest in full. The incredible speed that both it and Shiro shared with each other, the power behind it, the perfect blend between Shiro’s agile body and the thin build of Tempest. It was simply a combo that could not be beaten.

And thus, it frustrated Devi. For whatever reason, her attacks did not align with what she wanted. The two would meet in the middle, clashing their blades together after a quick spin from both.

Devi: [Wrong.]

It was a word Devi had spoken coldly, yet she did not speak it aloud. After all, the person who needed to hear it was not the woman in front of her, but herself.

Devi was immensely frustrated. The clash should not have occurred had she treated this as a proper fight. What should have happened was a turn from Devi, spinning past the oncoming attack and preparing a counter of her own. She had done this same thing many times during her battle with Nero Virtuoso, which is why she was now upset at herself.

She was rusty. Somehow, between what felt like the distant past and the point that she had arrived at the kitsune village, somehow her skills had fizzled into a much lower level. She was not inexperienced, and yet to her own mind she felt like an infant picking up a sword. There was nothing behind her strike. It was simply just an attack.

Again, both prepared their own attacks. As Shiro approached from the air, Devi spun out of the way. Her ability, Extreme Infierno Ardiente, had been used for long enough that she could keep up with Shiro’s speed. Her spin was perfect and was exactly what she needed to land a strike. Of course, she would stop it short. However, this was the perfect opportunity to attack from below and aim towards the air. A fearsome uppercut of ferocious flames.

Devi held the hilt as tight as she could… and struck down towards Shiro.

Devi: [Another misstep.]

Once again, she fell into a cycle of performing the wrong move. Was this why the group had lost before? Why Sol had been killed? Why so many that stood behind her were now gone? Could this have been the very same reason Tequi Tensetsu was brutally murdered before her very eyes?

Was she at fault?

Reckless, Devi's thoughts overwhelmed her and caused her to sluggishly dash forward towards Shiro. The goddess in white had already seen through the attack and quickly used the spikes of Tempest to clutch Infierno Ardiente and push it back.

Stumbling backward, Devi blocked the incoming attack and was pushed to the ground. Shiro stood tall, moving her blade away from the front of her body. Devi however continued to remain planted on the ground, questioning herself.

Devi: [Am I the one who required training? I had assumed I was strong for so long, though I was not interested in the idea of arrogantly praising myself. Yet I’ve now received my own comeuppance in a sense. I’ve experienced many battles, but only now am I noticing how foolish I was. Perhaps the sword was not something I was ready to wield.]

Lifting herself off the ground, Devi slapped her legs to remove the grass that stuck onto her before looking at the peculiar face in front of her. A version of Shiro that had no joy to be seen. Confused by this, Devi gave a puzzled look as she spoke to the goddess.

Devi: [Is something the matter, Shiro?]

Scratching her cheek, Shiro looked towards the grass below her while muttering her response.

Shiro: [... I don’t really feel like I should have any of these thoughts towards you, especially since you’re my grandmother-in-law.]

Devi: [What is it? Please, regardless of what it may be, I would like to know.]

Shiro: [... I’m a bit upset. Don’t hate me for saying this, but you’re acting really stupid right now.]

Her comment bit harshly into Devi’s soul. Had her forces still been around, it would have likely been a statement that would not go without punishment. Devi herself had even wanted to complain, stating that Shiro should not speak in a childish and rude way such as that. Yet despite all of these things, Devi found it hard to disagree.

She was right. For some reason, Devi could not spar with Shiro correctly. Thus, she truly was “acting stupid”. Nothing she did made sense to her, but now it was made clear that it was the same for Shiro.

Shiro: [Xander always told me that you’re a first class swordswoman. The best of the best. He mentioned that there’s not a single person on earth that can compare to your skills. But if I’m being honest, you and Kō don’t seem very far off at all. Kō usually tells me from time to time that your skills are probably a hundred times better than hers, since she has a whole bunch of stuff that requires her focus in battle rather than just her swords, but I don’t really see it. That’s why I’m upset. I was expecting a lot more from you.]

I was expecting a lot more from you.

A horrible thought that Devi had wanted to say to Shiro when they first met. One that she heavily ridiculed herself for even thinking. She was indebted to the Fuloreen family and felt disgraced to begin with. To have such a thought about the generation that followed the one she had known was something that sickened her.

What sickened her to a much greater level was hearing those words again, thrown directly back at her. Shiro had not known. She couldn’t have known. Yet the statement haunted Devi’s mind again.

Devi’s arms felt tired. Her legs felt shaky, but they did not appear that way from the outside. Her stomach churned, her mind was entangled with a terrible gloom hanging over it, her heart raced. Nothing was right within her body anymore.

Due to this, the next thing she spoke–

Devi: [You’re correct, Shiro. I’m acting in a rather foolish manner. But I’m not sure how to fix it.]

Though Devi did not have her answer, Shiro did. At least, she believed she did. The slight anger that was sprawled across Shiro’s face slowly dissipated, allowing for only a firm look back to her azure friend.

Shiro: [Devi, I’d like to know why you choose to fight.]

Devi: [Why I choose to fight? That’s a question I wasn’t expecting. Where did this come from, Shiro?]

Shiro: [That doesn’t matter. I wanna know why.]

Shaking her head, Shiro allowed for no other answers to be given. With a deep breath, Devi prepared her answer.

Devi: [That’s simple. It is my duty to continue fighting in order to protect others around the world.]

With that, her answer that she believed would suffice Shiro’s curiosity–

Shiro: [That’s not what I asked.]

Devi: [Pardon?]

Shiro: [I asked you why you choose to fight. Not the reason behind it, not the reason why you’re holding your sword, just the reason why you choose to fight. Nothing more, nothing less.]

She still did not understand, so the only logical option presented to Devi was to answer the question with the same given back.

Devi: [If I were to ask you about your reason, what would you say?]

Shiro: [Xander and my children. That’s the reason that I’m choosing to fight.]

Devi’s crimson eyes lit up. The answer was now clear. Shiro’s question was not something simple like a dream or that of duty, but what she wanted to fight for. Her family was the reason she continued to move forward. Devi had seen it the day prior, yet failed to fully realize it now.

However, it still did not help her own case.

Devi: [I suppose that is an excellent reason. However, I’m not sure that my children would be proud that their mother who had barely spent time with them would suddenly choose to start fighting for them now. Even my late husband, Damon. What reason is there to fight for him when he has already disappeared from my life?]

Shiro: [Devi.]

The call of her name was odd. There wasn’t a trace of sympathy within it despite how harsh Devi’s situation was.

Shiro’s eyes were odd. Devi had expected to look up towards her to see a gentle look of a friend, but was met with a piercing gaze similar to that of an enemy.

Shiro was incredibly odd at this moment. Nothing about her made sense.

To add onto this–

Shiro: [You’re absurdly shallow.]

For the first time in more than a decade, Devi had experienced a truly upsetting comment. Her anger had risen and her face displayed it, yet she did not burst forth with rude comments or anything of the like. She was always taught to stay polite and formal, thus these things could not occur. However, though this was the case time and time again, Devi’s “pardon?” had faded. Instead in its place was a brand new question that she believed was rude to present.

Devi: [What?]

Shiro: [You heard me. Is that it for you? Is that really it? Your husband is dead and you haven’t spoken to your children in quite some time, so now you think that you’re a solo act? Who cares about your love because he’s already gone, right? If you meet him in the afterlife you’ll be able to say “Well, sorry, my love, but I couldn’t fight for your sake while you were gone!”. You love him with all of your heart and yet you refuse to continue fighting for him in spirit? Your children, they mean nothing now because of a similar reason? You can’t fight for them all because your family is royalty and that leads to a situation where you’re busy? Would you like to know what would actually upset them? I’ll tell you. Xander and Alf will hate your guts if they find out that either I or Silvia could have lived through the battle had you stopped putting yourself down.]

Gripping at the hilt of Tempest, Shiro glare became chilling in appearance.

Shiro: [For being the Braveheart, you’re really disappointing.]

Her back was then turned to Devi, her eyes now set on the shrine-like house in front of her.

Shiro: [It’s getting late. Let’s wrap it up for today. My kids are probably hun–]

Devi: [Wait!]

A loud shout pierced through Shiro’s ears from behind. Looking back at Devi, she could not see the crimson eyes as normal yet noticed Devi’s grip growing stronger.

Devi: [I can keep going, Shiro. We need to keep training.]

Shiro: [That doesn’t matter. If you don’t know why–]

Devi: [I know why I choose to fight!]

Again, another shout cried out. It was odd. Shiro had rarely ever heard nor seen Devi in a disheveled state like this. But at the same time, the very same could be said about the life she could now see bursting forth from within Devi’s body.

Devi: [You’re right. You’re completely right, Shiro. I’m a fool of the highest degree. I understood nothing but how to swing my blade. I casted aside my reasons for so long, refused to mourn for what I had lost and refused to engage with those I left behind. But no longer. No longer will I cast these things aside. Once again, Shiro, you’re right. If I’m to choose why I fight, it must be for something as pure as love. Protecting those I love, fighting for those I love, the concept of love itself being the emotion that fills Infierno Ardiente. If I cannot do such a thing, I have no right to call myself a warrior.]

Holding her blade high, Devi presented an incredible look of bravery back onto Shiro.

At the mere sight of it, Shiro shifted back into her stance with Tempest, holding her sword at eye level to the side. It was here. The legendary pose Xander had told her about. The pose that struck fear into the hearts of many, while sending a wave of relief and peace into others. The stance of the Braveheart.

Devi: [Though you may know me already, I would like to reintroduce myself.]

With a firm smile, she spoke.

Devi: [The woman many refer to as the Braveheart. Wife of the late Damon Bloodfire, mother to that of Divinia and Yuri Bloodfire and both the grandmother and great grandmother to many others. The greatest swordswoman and former ruler of the world, Devi Bloodfire.]

A powerful smile was given back.

Shiro: [The snow-like succubus with the title of a goddess. The wife of Xander Bloodfire, and mother to three wonderful children. The reckless woman who desires to be the strongest, Shiro Fuloreen.]

Introductions exchanged, the two charged forward. A battle like no other had begun. A counter for each counter. A parry for each parry. Not a hit was landed between them, yet they did not receive one back either.

There was not a trace of inexperience or incorrect movements. Every step taken was calculated between them. Every attack was perfect. Their battle was not only comparable to that of a dance, but was just that. A dance. A dance between two friends and training partners, who now understood each other. Gone was any weakness they once had behind their capabilities. What radiated from their figures was that of complete perfection. In some ways, it was almost like a dangerously odd game of leapfrog. A battle where each would attempt to strike before the next would follow suit, leaving no time for error or to catch a breath.

This was it. What Devi had sought after for both Shiro’s training and her own mind.

The true essence of sparring and the reason for doing so.

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As Airi’s group returned, they witnessed the two succubi who were endlessly panting and laughing with their backs resting on the grass below.

Though Airi could not see their expressions, she could tell from the breaths alone that the two had enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Airi: [I take it that the two of you made some good progress?]

Devi: [Very much so… Yes…]

Shiro: [I’ve gotten a lot more used to using Tempest now… I might have even extended how long I can use it…]

Airi: [That’s excellent to hear, Shiro. Seeing as you’re both rather tired, how about you head inside and take a shower before we get dinner started here? Whoever arrives there first can use it first. That’s the rule we’ll go with.]

Shiro: [Ha… Ha… Sure thing…]

Devi: [We’ll just need… to get up first…]

Slowly but surely, the two started to stand. As they finally reached their highest in posture, they looked towards each other with smiles on their faces.

Shiro: [You should go first, Devi.]

Devi: [Nonsense. I’m thankful for what you’ve made me realize today. I insist that you do so.]

Shiro: [I need to help my mom with the food. It would be best for you to take a shower first.]

Devi: [I can assist her with the meal. Please, I’m sure Xander would enjoy the idea of his wife smelling nice as soon as he greets her.]

As their banter continued, the incubus behind Airi, Migi, moved closer to the hero. With a smile on his face, along with the faces of the angel and cat beside him and Airi herself, he spoke.

Migi: [Was this what you were expecting, Mrs.Fuloreen?]

Airi: [It’s not the type of competition I had expected from them, no. Then again, these two are an odd pair to begin with.]

Whilst the humorous scene played out, a sound that was much louder than them swiftly ripped through from above. Catching the attention of all, they each turned to look at the sky to see a jet passing by at incredible speeds.

Shiro: [That’s odd. What was the rush there? Oh! Maybe it’s Alf and his team doing some testing, right?]

Shiro’s energetic smile slowly faded as she looked at Devi, who still looked confused.

Devi: [No. That wasn’t one of our jets, which is odd. There’s a limit to how low you can fly as well as the speed. Both of which were violated there.]

Hidari: [I guess someone was just trying to recklessly fly their plane. Lucky them for saving up that much for one but they should really watch what they’re doing.]

Migi: [Well, hopefully they’re safe and don’t end up crashing. Before they get arrested, of course.]

Bachi: [And why did they drop a bunch of pollen?]

The group quickly focused on the short yellow-haired cat girl.

Shiro: [Pollen?]

Bachi: [Yeah. A bunch of orange pollen is droppin’ down.]

Moving their eyes up, they saw exactly that. Dark orange pollen that was floating to the ground.

Migi: [Is it normally that color? I always thought it was yellow.]

Hidari: [From what I understand, that’s correct. However, even if it were to bleed into an orange-ish color, it likely wouldn’t be that dark.]

Shiro: [But I don’t get it. Why would a jet drop a bunch of polle–]

Shiro’s statement was quickly interrupted by the shout of two others. Two who had realized what was happening and had a jolt of fear that glided across their bodies.

Airi and Devi: [EVERYONE! INSIDE, NOW!]

Shiro: [Mom?! What ha–]

Airi: [BE QUIET AND GET INSIDE, SHIRO! TELL YOUR HUSBAND AND CHILDREN NOT TO STEP OUTSIDE UNTIL WE SAY SO!]

Without a word to give back, Shiro rushed inside with her crew. Moving close to the shogi with Airi, Devi continued to look up towards the pollen.

Devi: [Airi, correct me if I’m wrong–]

Airi: [Pollen from a jet. Without a doubt, it’s a bioterrorism attack. Regarding who or what sent this out, I’m not sure. However, the leading case right now…]

Devi: [... would be that of Nero Virtuoso.]

The skin around Airi’s eyes started to wrinkle as she accepted the circumstance.

Airi: [Correct. For now, let’s head inside. The village should know well enough to do so. Our shouting should have helped at least spread the message. If we try to save as many as we can, we’ll only be putting ourselves at risk as well and we don’t know if whatever it is could be contagious.]

Devi: [Right. I’ll ask my daughter to investigate it when I can. Though I worry that her energetic attitude to things might lead her to do so far too soon.]

The end to the second day of training was met with an unexpected result.

A mysterious bioterrorism attack was unleashed not only onto the Babylon District of Mazokuni, but presumably everywhere that the jet had flown past. All eyes, of course, were now focused on that of Nero Virtuoso as the culprit.

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