Chapter Text
“Deep in the heart of the Red Kingdom lives a King that is said to be the embodiment of destruction, he is a man that goes by the name of Suoh Mikoto. He inherited the throne after his father slayed the Blue King in cold blood, severing ties between the two kingdoms. As soon as the Blue King was murdered he was slain by an unknown man, leaving Mikoto the next in line to rule. The Red King is a powerful man with unprecedented power, not only can he control fire but he can also control the wildlife that lives in his land. They say the people under his care share a bond with him that runs thicker than blood. Loyalty is everything to him and his people so when his father killed his only outside friend it was a great shock around the region.
As the story goes, Mikoto vowed to never become like that man.
The Red King's castle is surrounded by a moat of burning magma, and according to what people say there's a large sword hanging above the castle, they call it a Sword of Damocles. Not only that but there's also a dragon that sleeps above the King's chambers, he's the only person on this planet that can control dragons.”
“Stop filling their heads with such lies, Yata.” Saruhiko grumbled as he sat down next to said man, scowling when Yata's siblings only frowned at his intrusion.
“They're not lies, Saru! Everyone that's been there says the same thing and it's even like that in the new book about the Kingdoms,” Misaki exclaimed with a frown as he faced Megumi and Minoru, “don't listen to him, I promise one day we'll take a trip there.”
“How do you plan on getting permission to do that? When the previous Red King killed the old Blue King they restricted incoming travelers, you'd have to spend weeks filling out forms.” Fushimi sighed as he pushed up his glasses, eyes surveying the small cabin he and Yata both called home, “anyway, when are your parents coming to pick them up?”
“They should be back here by nightfall,” the brunette smiled as he stood up from the floor, dusting off his dark brown work pants in the process. “Megumi, Minoru, why don't Saru and I take you two to the city center for a bit?”
“Really?” His younger siblings answered in unison, eyes sparkling in excitement at the thought of going into town.
“Yeah, but just for an hour or two, we have to make sure we're back here before mom and dad come to get you, okay?”
They both nodded their heads vigorously before running across the cabin to retrieve their shoes, something Misaki could only lightly shake his head at. He helped Saruhiko to his feet before checking himself over in a mirror, continuing to dust off his pants before he adjusted his long sleeve white tee shirt and dark brown leather vest that was laid atop of it.
“Are you gonna wear your work clothes?” Saruhiko laughed lightly as he pulled at his dark blue long sleeve shirt, “they're hardly appropriate.”
“They're not that bad,” Misaki chuckled as he ran a comb through his hair, “are you all ready to go?”
“Yeah!”
“Let's go then,” the brunette giggled as he allowed his best friend to grab the door for them. The walk into town wasn't far off, only twenty minutes or so, he and Saruhiko had found a quaint house on the edge of the woods in their village and managed to get it for a fairly cheap price due to the distance between the structure and town but neither of them minded it. They lived in one of twenty two villages that were neutral territory, meaning people from all kingdoms could come there and stay and not face problems, nor have to receive special permission.
There were six Kingdoms in total, or so Yata had heard, but in their region there was only two, the Red and Blue. In their region they were only one of five neutral lands and there's was the smallest with a grand total of four thousand residents. There once was a grand neutral city sprawling with people but that city was no more, having fallen victim to a mysterious disease that had spread like wildfire despite the offered assistance of the Blue Kingdom.
There was a grizzly rumor surrounding that place and honestly it was something that didn't seem too unbelievable. Misaki shivered at the thought.
He didn't mind living in neutral territory and because of their position they were surrounded on either side by the Red and Blue lands, leaving them practically untouchable from harms way. The former hadn't been so lucky, they were an island territory and cut off from the mainland, because of that there had been no real escape from fate. As for his own village, it was quite prosperous. They paid no taxes, nor did they receive assistance from a King, they, like every neutral territory, were self sufficient.
A part of Yata did long for him to escape the boundaries of the forest because the things he heard about the faraway lands to the north and south enthralled him but he also liked his quiet life with Saruhiko. They were hunters who provided meat for the butcher shop in town, per their agreement they'd make a kill, flag it, and the butcher would retrieve it and give them their pay next time they were in town. Hence why he had set out in the first place.
“Saruhiko, what do you think about the new book about the Kingdoms? I saw you reading it,” Misaki smiled as he fell into step next to his best friend, who was watching the young brother and sister fight with each other.
“It's interesting but half of it sounds like nothing more than a fairy tale,” he answered as he spared a glance up at the sky to monitor the time. “Have you read the legend of the Blue King yet?”
“No, I was so caught up on the Red King's that I didn't get to it yet,” Misaki laughed awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head, “I wish I could be someone like him.”
“A destructive king that has a small kingdom and even smaller army?” Saruhiko raised an eyebrow, “seriously?”
“His army isn't small, apparently he's been allowing refugees in from neutral villages north of his border.” The brunette explained as he watched his siblings happily skip down the trail, “apparently he let over twenty thousand people in when Niflheim fell to ruin.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, I heard that old hag at the laundry say that anyway,” Misaki recalled as he stretched out his arms, “did you hear the rumor going around about that place anyway?”
“The laundry?” Saruhiko asked in a confused tone before making a face of realization, “oh you mean Niflheim.”
“Yeah, apparently it wasn't a sickness that caused almost everyone to die but people are saying a King did it.” Yata frowned as he caught his best friends eye, “apparently it's another unknown King, one who claimed to be the King of death.”
“I don't see how these Kings are popping out of the wood work, you know there's a Green King now too, right? Apparently he was born to normal parents and lived in a neutral village but one day he woke up and displayed extraordinary power, it sent his village into a permanent state of night and since then it's grown into a large Kingdom. That was only two years ago, why would another King pop up all of the sudden?” Fushimi seriously pondered the question as they approached the outskirts of town.
“Who knows, the legend says that Kings emerge when they are needed the most. Perhaps the land the Green King is from needed something and he provided it. If there is any truth to the rumor about what happened to Niflheim then it's a bit concerning.” Yata laughed awkwardly as they passed through the village's gate, a metal sign hung above the entrance and read Welcome to Avalon, a Neutral Land.
“Perhaps but Yata it's a bit far fetched,” Saruhiko added as he tilted his head to glance at his companion, noting how nervousness shifted back and forth between his eyes. “There's nothing to be afraid of, we probably live in the safest land in the region.”
“You're right, we're lucky we are between two great Kingdoms with whom we have good relations, if it wasn't the case I would be losing sleep over this,” he admitted as he stared down at his feet. “Do you think it's true?”
“I don't think it's true but I don't buy the official story either, if you know what I mean.”
He nodded his head, “yeah, I do.”
“Yata! Saruhiko! What a pleasant surprise, oh and you've brought Minoru and Megumi with you, wonderful!” The butcher named Rikio Kamamoto exclaimed as he laid a blood soaked apron on the side of his shop as he greeted the two younger persons in the vicinity.
“Hey Kamamoto, did our kills fill your case this week?” Misaki asked as he approached the slightly gluttonous man, he'd never understand how anyone could go from rail thin in the summer to fatter than a pig in the winter but he had to admit it was likely a good tactic at keeping warm as the temperature fell. Not like he'd ever be inclined to try it.
“That and then some, you two never let me down,” Rikio laughed as he roughly patted the two siblings on the top of their heads, “I suppose you're here to collect your money.”
“If now is a good time it would be appreciated,” Saruhiko exclaimed as he stood beside his house mate, grunting a little when Minoru ran to him and flung himself against his leg.
“Of course, please come inside,” Rikio exclaimed as he held open the shop door, following the group once they were inside. “I have packaged some of the meats for you as well, we had an overflow so I didn't want them to go to waste. I have smoked them for you so they will be good for awhile, but I hear the goods shop down the street has received ice from the Blue Kingdom.”
“If they're smoked then that's plenty fine, thank you for the generosity,” Misaki commented as he took the extended bag of coins that was offered to him and Saruhiko grabbed hold of the basket that housed the meat.
“Anytime boys, thank you for all the hard work,” Kamamoto laughed as he got back to butchering a few of the meats that laid on a wooden counter. “I don't want to startle you, especially because your siblings are here, but I'd like to offer you two a warning.”
“Oh?” Saruhiko asked with a raised eyebrow, eying the man behind the counter warily.
“I have an old friend who lives in the Red Kingdom and knows the King personally,” at this both of the other men gawked, “he passed some rather startling information on to me and seeing as you two are my friends I would like for you to know.”
“This comes straight from the Red King?” Yata questioned with a hint of excitement. To the people who had never left the village, like himself and Saruhiko, hearing proof of existence about the Kings and their lands was captivating news. Fushimi hadn't been wrong in saying it sounded like the stuff fairy tales were made of, to them it was unfathomable, but to others it was a way of life. Two separate worlds stuck on the same plane of existence, he couldn't help but see that as exciting.
“Yes, these words come from that man,” Rikio paused what he was doing. “The stories going around about Niflheim are not far from the truth.”
“You mean the official story or the rumor?” Saruhiko inquired as he tilted his head to the side, completely overlooking the way Megumi and Minoru pulled at the basket in his hands, trying to get a peak at what was inside.
“The rumor I'm afraid,” the butcher answered as he chopped a piece of meat into two pieces, “there is a King with no land of his own and he doesn't walk amongst our kind. He attacked that city and decimated it, plagued them with illness and turned their drinking water into poison. As if that weren't enough he somehow turned the creatures living there into malicious beasts, apparently those creatures are all that is left of that city.”
“That's even worse than the rumor,” Yata mumbled as he locked eyes with the slightly older man, “is that even possible?”
“Kings are strong beings, Yata. They ain't like us humans who can't do anything without weapons, they don't even need words to do some of the things they do. The Blue King, for example, can control water in all of it's forms, he's relied upon in the fishing industry because he can even control the flow of water in the ocean. A man that strong ain't human like us, what this unknown King did isn't farfetched if we think of it.” Rikio paused as if he was remembering something, “the Red King can tame beasts so apparently the Red Kingdom's gonna try to reclaim that land and get to the bottom of what's going on.”
“I think I need to see these people before I believe all of that,” Fushimi grunted as he finally swatted away the hands of the children who were much like his own siblings. “I just don't buy all of that talk.”
“I understand, it's a lot to grasp,” Kamamoto exclaimed as looked up from his handiwork, “be careful out there, and do not forget what I have told you when you wander into the forest.”
“We can take care of ourselves,” Yata promised with a nervous look, “thank you for telling us that, we will not speak of this to anyone.”
“I know you won't, that's why I felt comfortable telling ya' boys,” the larger man laughed heftily, “how are your folks?”
“They're doing just fine, they should be back before nightfall, they took a trip to the hot springs in the forest.” The brunette explained as he shook off the anxiety he felt rise at the warning he received, “we should probably head back. Kamamoto, please take care of yourself and be safe as well.”
“Don't worry about me, you two just keep each other safe and sound. If you ever need anything then please don't hesitate to let me know,” Rikio waved as the group exited the shop. If Megumi or Minoru understood any of their conversation they didn't show it.
“Saruhiko we probably shouldn't stray too far from the house after sunset from now on,” Yata suggested as he dropped the bag of coins he held into his vest pocket, beside him the younger man scoffed.
“We don't need to live our lives in fear, either. We're hunters, we know what's normal in these parts and what's not, we don't need to worry so long as we keep our guard up, which we usually do.”
“You're right,” the brunette proclaimed as they passed the gate that also served as the town's exit, they made their way back to their cabin in silence but even then Yata couldn't help but feel like something was incredibly wrong with the whole situation. As his eyes flitted into the tree line he saw a faint yellow glow in the bushes before it disappeared, the unease he felt magnified. “Saruhiko, let's hurry up and get back, okay?”
“You're getting scared?” The dark haired man groaned as he barked at the younger siblings to stop squalling with one another, which they reluctantly did.
“I think I saw something,” the older man confessed as he walked a bit closer to his friend, their shoulders brushing as the sun dipped over the horizon, “that's funny, I thought it was only four o'clock when we left.”
“It was,” Saruhiko answered with a troubled look, shooting his friend a glance as they both picked up their walking pace, pushing the younger duo in the process as they told them to hurry up. By the time they reached their cabin it was dark, an eery fog hung over the woods and the light of the moon was next to absent. Somehow they managed to get into the door and light a fire, warming the chilled room and engulfing it in light as they sat in the small living room area around the flames. “Think they'll be back soon?”
“I hope so,” Yata answered with a frown as he excused himself and went to the room he and Saruhiko slept in. It wasn't a huge room but big enough for two twin sized mattresses and a dresser, plenty enough for the two of them. He took a lantern with him and set it down on the wooden surface as he fished out a pair of dark black pants and a white ¾th sleeve tee shirt. After changing out of the days clothes and stashing them away in the hamper he rejoined his siblings on the couch they were sitting on, facing Saruhiko who sat on the other one across from them.
“Are mom and dad going to be here soon?” Megumi pouted as she crossed her arms, something that made a frown start to pull on Yata's lips but he quickly smiled as if to reasure her.
“They'll be here soon,” he confirmed though he had no idea if that statement was true or not. “Do you think Kamamoto knew this would happen tonight?”
“Perhaps, it does seem odd that he would bring it up then something this strange would happen,” Saruhiko grimaced. “We are so far out of town that whatever it is might just miss our home entirely.”
“Saru, I want to go look for my parents.”
“Do what?” The man with glasses gawked as he crossed his arms, “no, out of the question. If it's dangerous the-”
“If it's dangerous then they need me to help them, I'm a hunter, remember? I'm strong, I can protect them.” Yata stood, a look of sheer determination surfaced in his eyes. “Take care of them, I’ll be back with our parents soon.”
“I wanna go!” Came the instant cry from his younger siblings but a firm look sent them both back into a quiet state, Fushimi, however, would not be so easily detoured.
“Nonsense, I’m going with you. Megumi, Minoru, listen to me,” Saruhiko exclaimed as he too stood from the couch. “Yata and I are going out for a bit to look for your parents, you two are not to leave this house, no matter what. If you hear something and it's not us go into our room and hide under the bed, do you hear me?”
“That's scary,” Minoru cried as he jumped down and hugged Misaki's leg, “I want mom and dad.”
Megumi didn't look to be in much better shape after hearing that news but then again, what Saruhiko expected of a five and six year old was a bit beyond their level of understanding.
“Listen to Saru, okay?” Yata asked as he scooped up both of his siblings in his arms, “this is really important. You have to listen to him, can you do that?”
They both nodded their heads, tears still pouring down their cheeks.
“Good, Minoru you gotta take care of your sister, okay? If you get scared just remember mom and dad and us will be on our way back here to get you.” The smile on Yata's face was terribly forced, the one Saruhiko offered was no better.
“O-okay,” Minoru mumbled as their older brother placed them both back down on the couch.
“Let's load up and head out,” Saruhiko suggested as they made their way to their bedroom, automatically going to the dresser so they couch retrieve their weapons. They looped the guns around their waists before sliding knives into the other pockets, when finished Fushimi slid a large saber onto the left side of the holder and Yata grabbed his bow and arrows from the side of the large piece of furniture. They slipped their work boots on before trudging back into the living room, sparing one last glance at the young pair who sat on the couch before they rushed into the woods in the direction of the Hot Springs.
Despite the weather being inclement they knew the woods around their home better than anyone. The hot springs was right between where they lived now and where they had grown up, which was another small house on the opposite side of a small stream. Fushimi's parents had left him in town when they were passing through when he was only five years old, it was Yata's parents who found him and brought him into the household. Raising the brunette and their new son as if they were brothers, a bond they still shared.
They worked together well, almost as if they were two pieces to the same machine. Even as they dashed through the woods under the complete cover of night and fog they knew the others whereabouts and how they were likely moving. It was a notion that was a result of their years spent hunting alongside one another. After a solid ten minutes of jogging through the thick brush they came to a halt in a large clearing, knowing that was where the water was.
“Mom! Dad!” Yata called as he walked alongside his companion, both of their chests heaved at the exertion but he felt too anxious to rest for a moment. When he got no response he heard Saruhiko click his tongue, with a labored breath he tried again.
Silence.
“Dammit, why aren't they answering me?” He cursed as he walked a bit ahead of his companion, stopping only when he heard a loud crunch beneath his feet. “What the...” he reached downward blindly, hands coming back as a warm liquid spilled through his fingers. Whatever it was beneath him let out a pained groan before going silent, fear struck him like a raging bull. As if on cue the clouds and fog in the sky parted slightly, the moon came out of hiding enough for him to get a glimpse of his surroundings and more importantly, what lied at his feet.
“Mom!” The scream was nothing short of horrified, he scrambled off of her, kneeling down beside the bleeding woman as he searched the remaining area for his father, his eyes widened when he spotted Saruhiko, who sat in a similar position over the frame of his dad, he offered him a somber look. The woman in his arms was limp, and when he clutched her into his chest and cried out for her he felt no beat from her heart, only warm blood spilled onto him, the last sign of life she had left in her.
“Why...?” He croaked out, tears spilling past his eyes as Saruhiko sat down beside him, placing a warm and reassuring hand on his back.
“Misaki, we need to leave,” he whispered as he reached down and shut the woman's eyes. Yata hated the way the moon shone down on them so proudly, as if it too was in league in the destruction that was right before his eyes. “It's not safe here, we need to get back to them.”
“Shit,” he cursed as he reluctantly laid his mother back down on the ground, “I'm sorry mom...dad...I promise I will take care of Megumi and Minoru.”
“Yata...” Saruhiko called out as he reached out for his friend's hand but the older man stalked past him.
“We need to go, so let's go, we can come for them in the morning. What we need to do now is more important.”
Fushimi solemnly nodded his head, knowing he was right, though he too was deeply saddened by the fact his best friend's parents, who served as his own, had perished. They moved through the woods much faster this time around, having nothing to hold them back and no fog to cloud their vision. Saruhiko kept an eye on Yata's back as they trudged through the now dangerous territory, the feeling of impending doom fell over them but their pain masked it well.
As soon as they could see their home they moved even faster, all but breaking down the door to their home as they rushed inside, screaming for the two siblings to come out and that everything was going to be fine, but the room too was silent. Yata rushed to the bedroom, grabbing a spare lantern once again as he sat it down on their shared dresser, Saruhiko was right beside him when he noticed a large hole in the mattress. Blood seeped out from under the bed frame.
“No no no no no!” Yata cried as he tried to go down to his knees, Fushimi hooked his arms around him, refusing to let him go.
“Stop Yata! You don't need to see that!” He whisper yelled as the sobbing man in his arms flailed to try and break out of his hold. Misaki gave up after a moment of fighting, the strength in his bones left him and he flung himself into Saruhiko's arms, hiding his face in the crook of his neck as he bawled his eyes out, remorse hitting him harder than the pain of losing everyone.
“I shouldn't have left them,” he groaned in between cries, “this is all my fault.”
“We need to go, Yata...if we stay here we're done for,” Saruhiko sighed as tears finally slipped down his cheeks, “can you walk?”
“Yeah,” the brunette choked out as he weakly pried himself off of his friend, glancing back to his bed frame with an agonized look before he forced himself out of the room. Fear kept him moving forward from that point onward, he longed to fall to his knees and scream, to mourn the people he had lost to such evil in a short span of time, time he hadn't even had to process the butcher's warning, but terror made him do otherwise. He watched Saruhiko grab a rucksack and toss several canteens of water in it before he stuffed it with food, a few picture frames, and oddly enough, the book about the Kingdoms.
“We might need this, Yata I think we need to pick a land and go there. We can't stay in a neutral zone anymore,” Fushimi explained as he approached his best friend, concern rose on his face when the other man didn't even make any indication that he understood him. “North or South? Blue or Red? Where do we go for now?”
“North, I wanna go north,” Misaki whispered sadly as his hands clinched into fists, “I wanna fight whatever evil this is, that's all I can think about right now. I can't be sad when I’m this scared but I can be angry...I want revenge, Saruhiko. I can't let their deaths be for nothing....”
“Don't think like that, okay?” Saruhiko announced as he reached out and took the older man's hand, “we have to go now, are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yeah, I wanna go north.”
“To the Red Kingdom it is then, let's just hope we make it there in time.”
-*-*-*-*-
Suoh Mikoto awoke from his slumber to find himself sitting on his velvet clad throne. He had sensed a disturbance earlier in the day but had ignored it in favor of taking a nap, a decision he was now beginning to regret. He sighed as he glanced over his shoulder, staring at the crown that hung idly from the side of the chair before his eyes flitted upwards so he could peer up at the small scale Sword of Damocles that had been crafted by his adoptive daughter, Anna. His power kept it floating, mimicking the real one that hung above his homeland, his power kept the lights on in his Kingdom and castle, even when it was the dead of night and he was asleep.
Candles were constantly burning in the building as if to bask it in light, they didn't bother with electricity, seeing as he was able to keep the lights on without it. For a brief moment as he looked around the room he felt sorry for the person he had hired to constantly replace the candles he relied on but he quickly rid himself of that thought. Focusing on the swelling in his chest, the way his power screamed at him, begging to be used though he was under no provocation. As if on cue, the throne room doors swung open and in walked Anna Kushina, the Kingdom's very own princess though her messy bed head and sleep attire would make one believe otherwise.
“Mikoto?” The girl called out as she approached him, not stopping to bow or anything of the sort like most people chose to do, she didn't stop walking until she stood directly in front of him. “Something's wrong,” she noted as she climbed into his lap without an invitation. At one point in time he would've been furious with her but over the years she had grown into someone he couldn't bring himself to be cold too. As ironic as it sounded, even to him.
“Ah, so it is.” He replied with a bored tone of voice, eyes widening for a moment as he gazed down at the white haired girl that sat on his legs.
“It's not Izumo or Tatara,” Anna promised with a small sigh of relief, one the Red King silently shared. Anna was clairvoyant, and had been since birth according to her aunt who had once taken care of her. Mikoto took the young girl in after that woman fell terribly ill and shortly after passed away, it wasn't until he was in close quarters with the young girl that he truly formed an appreciation for what she was able to do. He was not fond of children but Anna was vastly different, he doubted the word child would even be a fitting thing to call her.
She was wise beyond her years, hardened by the things she had endured, it was because of that Suoh found himself unable to not care about her well being. Anna had originally came from a distant Kingdom, the Gold Kingdom to be precise, and it was there that because of her empathic powers she was jailed and treated like a criminal. Honami, the aunt she had that became her legal guardian, had ventured all the way to the constantly summer soaked land to claim her; to rescue her.
Mikoto didn't understand how he had developed such a strong bond with the young girl but because of her ability to see how he was feeling, something no one else seemed able to do, he grew fond of her. She too had powers that could cause wide spread pain and suffering, though that saddened him to a degree it made him feel less alone in the world. Now, if any harm came to the small girl he would be out for blood, luckily, everyone in his land and the others seemed to understand that and feared him enough to leave her alone.
“Mikoto, that King is going to attack the neutral lands, all of them.” Anna mumbled as she turned and looked at the tired face of her King, “he wants to put a border between each Kingdom, he doesn't want this world to have a peaceful existence.” He let out a labored breath as he scanned the room, eyes locking on one of his guards that went by the name of Dewa.
“Fetch Amaterasu,” he called out to the man, who politely bowed before exiting the room. In his lap, Anna squirmed.
“You will send him to protect Izumo and Tatara?” She questioned as she finally settled and laid her head back on his chest. The Red King lightly shook his head.
“No, Izumo can handle whatever they may face.”
“So you are sending him to where you sense the disturbance?” Anna asked with a tilt of her head as the throne room doors opened again. Dewa walked in with a large lion in tow, the beasts eyes glowed yellow as it sauntered down the walkway, coming short of the staircase that led to the King's throne. The clairvoyant knowingly hopped off of his lap then, taking a seat in a small chair that sat alongside Suoh's as he approached the beast, crouching down on one knee as he pressed his forehead to the creatures.
I'm sure you know what to do, he conveyed to the lion as he ran a hand through it's flowing mane. The creature he connected with lightly nodded it's head.
Anything to be of service to you, Red King. I will find out the truth behind this matter.
“Thank you,” he said aloud as he backed away from his most trusted animal companion. “Go, Amaterasu.” The beast in question roared, a sound that shook the surrounding area as it's eyes took on a red hue, synchronizing with the King so they could stay in contact throughout it's venture. Dewa hurriedly escorted it out of the room then, leaving Anna and Mikoto alone once again.
“It's not often you involve him,” the Princess mumbled as she relaxed on her own mini-throne, “but now this threat cannot be ignored.”
“Ah,” he answered as he stalked back over to his chair, lacing his fingers together as he gazed up at the small Sword of Damocles that hung above his head.
“You are not worried, though.” She noted as she spared him a glance, “I am glad you're remaining calm, this will help the people not worry as much.”
“Ah,” he repeated as he pulled a rolled piece of tobacco out of his pocket, lighting it with only a snap of his fingers. “No one is foolish enough to challenge me.”
“You sound disappointed by that,” Anna chuckled lightly when a glare was sent her way, “Reisi is surely a lot more concerned than you.”
“Mhm,” he hummed in agreement as he inhaled the burning tobacco, “he always is.”
“Do you ever intend to make amends with him?” She questioned as she brought her knees to her chest, pulling a small marble out from the chair she relaxed onto.
“My father killed his, that is hard to overlook,” Mikoto announced with a hint of disgust as that vulgar man passed through his thoughts.
“That was four years ago,” Anna countered as she brought the marble to her left eye, “you know he doesn't blame you.”
“Why are we talking about this?” He grunted as he removed the cigarette from his lips, pointing it accusingly in her direction.
“Because I had a vision about the Blue Kingdom, he will need your help in time.” The clairvoyant expressed as she tossed the marble at him with no warning, he reached out just in time to grab it. “See for yourself.”
What he saw in the red stained glass was a kingdom surrounded by water and ice, something that hardly made any sense but due to the nature of the Blue King was possible. He saw a blue barrier of light surrounding Reisi's castle, but he saw something that looked like dark matter latch itself to the surface as if trying to break through. It seemed futile but the vision was apparent.
“This is a battle of Kings,” he noted as he watched the way Reisi's Sword of Damocles glowed a royal blue color.
“He will win that one with ease because it was only a test, or so I heard,” Anna answered as she reached out for the marble Suoh offered back to her.
“I see,” Mikoto smirked as he brought the rolled tobacco back to his lips, “should I send Susanoo out?”
“I would,” she confirmed as she stood from her chair, dusting off her dress in the process. Mikoto merely sighed as he tossed the tobacco in the air, disintegrating it without a second thought. He followed after the girl to a stairwell that resided behind two closed doors behind his throne. As they made their way to the top of the tower he caught a glimpse of the creature in question, a black dragon with eyes the color of lava. It had been the guardian of the Red Kingdom for more than a century, being tamed by Mikoto's ancestors after a grueling effort, now it was part of his everyday life. Once a king mastered a skill it was inherited to the next generation. If the next in line isn't a member of the blood line but someone chosen by the Red King it is still a power that is granted to them.
So when he finally stepped down and offered his throne to Anna she would be the one to tame and bond with the beasts they heavily relied on.
Mikoto's army was not small in any sense, but inside of that was a clan of people who were close knit with him and did a majority of the work. He had granted those people special powers after they had either gained his trust or showed a true intent to fight in his name, the majority of the military were normal humans but the clansmen he chose were no longer mere mortals. Because of that he felt comfortable sending people in his stead a lot of the time, whenever a call to action was decreed he'd always send the beasts out first to survey the area before he made a move. It was a structure that worked for him and allowed him to remain in his own Kingdom a lot of the time.
This time he had a feeling that would not be the case.
Susanoo's eyes snapped open the moment he reached the highest peak of the castle, the beast stared at him and Anna quizzically before relaxing back into it's original sleep position. He approached him without worry and slipped a hand on it's nose, running his fingers over the somewhat soft scales that resided there before he stroked the rough and ragged ones that were littered over the beast's body, it only watched him as he did this.
“Susanoo,” he called out as he wrapped his arms around the dragon's neck, bringing his torso flush to the creature's head, I need you to run an errand.
The beast only scoffed.
Go to the Blue Kingdom and survey the area, if you see something I need to know about it immediately, he conveyed as he continued to stroke the beast's scales.
Protecting this castle is my duty, Red King, Susanoo's “voice” called back to him though it was only in his head.
Yes but I can do that while you are away, he explained as he looked the beast in the eye, I appreciate your sense of duty but this is important.
You intend to work? Susanoo snorted, smoke pouring out of it's nostrils in the process. It must be grave if even the lazy Red King has the will to fight. Mikoto rolled his eyes.
Will you do it?
Serving you is my purpose, you needn't ask.
The Red King released the beast as it roared to life, wings flapping in the sky as it stretched out it's body. Flames shot out of it's mouth as the dragon poised his head towards the Sword of Damocles, the fire wrapped around the manifestation of power and amplified, exploding in the sky as the flames met and forged into one, connecting their minds to each others.
Go, he commanded as he focused his energy on opening a hole in the barrier he constantly shrouded the kingdom in, without further coaxing the beast took off into the night sky, wings creating hurricane like winds as it darted through the opening and out of sight. Anna tugged at the end of his leather coat, gaining his attention.
“Don't worry,” he assured her as he spared a glance up at the sky, watching the barrier close and reform before growing transparent once again. He offered her a reassuring nod of his head as they descended the stairs, but even he wondered if things would truly be all right. Somehow...he doubted it.
-*-*-*-*-
“Saru!” Yata screeched as he pulled the bow that was strapped to his body off of him, grabbing an arrow in the process. He watched his companion dodge the wild swing of the bipedal beast's ax, Saruhiko rolled to get out of the way of the follow up, pulling a gun from his holster in the process. “Fire!”
The arrow and bullet worked in tandem, both pegging the creature that resembled an Anubis from folklore in the head, but the beast didn't so much as stumble. They spared a glance at each other before taking off in the opposite direction, both of them bounding down the somewhat overgrown trail with the monster in tow.
“What are we gonna do?” The archer asked as he turned on his heel and let another arrow loose, the beast snapped it in half with a swing of it's heavy looking ax, if it slowed the monster down any Yata wasn't sure he wanted to know how fast it could run without it.
“Run and hope it gives up,” Saruhiko hissed after the words left his lips and it took all the strength in Yata's body to push his best friend and himself into the tree line to avoid the next attack that came there way. “Fuck...I twisted my ankle.”
“I'll carry you, it's okay,” Misaki answered as he slipped his bow over his head, grabbing for his friend before the monster found out their position again.
“Go,” Fushimi commanded as he swatted his hands away, “leave me. You'll only die too if you try to carry me, it's useless.”
“I'm not leaving you!” Yata yelped as he managed to grab his friend and hoist him into his arms, “I can't lose someone else and continue living.”
“Yata....”
The creature honed in on their location after that, crashing through the bushes and trees with wild swings of it's mighty ax as it cleared the way. Misaki cursed before sprinting into the trees, slowed down by Saruhiko, who rested in his arms with a look that said just leave me and save yourself written on his face. Still, the brunette refused. The forest gave way to another path, but by the time he reached it the Anubis was on his heels, swinging it's weapon with ease. He barely managed to dodge it before it collided with his skull, a few steps after that and it grazed his legs, forcing him down to his knees before he collapsed half on top of his best friend.
As the beast closed in on them Yata scrambled over top of Saruhiko, shielding him from any harm despite the younger man's pleas for him to leave him behind. He heard the beast grunt before the sound of air swooshing met his ears, he braced himself for pain but instead he could only hear a ravenous roar. There was no pain but the area around them grew hot, as he opened his eyes he saw flames lick the surrounding area, instead of the Anubis he had seen a lion stood firmly in it's place, roaring into the night sky before it pounced on the creature, biting it with ease. To Yata's shock the creature that attacked them disintegrated into ash before disappearing entirely, it's weapon dissolved moments later.
The lion turned to them, a fierce red glow in it's eyes before it opened it's mouth.
“Are you all right?”
Both of the hunters gawked.
“You can talk?” Saruhiko asked with an overwhelmed expression as he lightly pushed his best friend off of him, both groaning in slight pain as their wounds caught up to them.
“This is only a medium of mine, Amaterasu does not speak on his own.” The lion, Amaterasu, proclaimed as the fire around them ceased.
“We're fine...” Yata finally answered as he pushed himself off the ground so he was in a seated position.
“I have two of mine coming to retrieve you. What village are you from?”
“Avalon,” Saruhiko grimaced as he too sat up, “it's been destroyed, I’m sure.”
“Ah, so it has. When you arrive we will hold a discussion for this information, though you will not be dealing with me but my adviser.”
“Who are you?” Misaki asked as he rubbed the sore spots on his legs, eyes narrowing as they met the fiery one's of the lion in front of him.
“I am the Red King, Suoh Mikoto.”
Their eyes grew wide.
“Sir, it's an honor,” Yata exclaimed with a hint of excitement, the pain and fears he felt melted away in the overwhelming presence of the mythical man he had always been so desperate to meet.
“Yes, it's an honor,” Fushimi repeated as they both politely bowed their heads.
“My people are approaching your location, I will have Amaterasu go to them and relay my message. They will ensure your safety,” there was a brief pause, “until we meet again.”
In the blink of an eye the beast was gone, bounding up the trail in search of whomever was coming to their aide, leaving the two injured friends sitting in the dirt.
“So that man really does exist...” Fushimi mumbled as he reached down and rubbed his swollen foot, suddenly he scowled. “Why didn't you leave me? If he hadn't have intervened you would have been killed!”
“Saru you can be mad at me all you want,” Yata began as he watched blood seep onto the dirt from the gashes on his calves, “but I wasn't going to leave you. I'd rather die than lose you, too. I'll never leave you behind, you're all...you're all I have now.”
The younger man's eyes widened in realization before falling to the ground beneath them, “we've got to stick together, right?”
“Yeah, we do.”
“You still want to go to his Kingdom?”
“We owe him for saving our lives and his borders will offer us protection, since I cannot go back to anything in Avalon I want to fight...for that man and for revenge.” Misaki's hands balled into fists, “I know revenge is petty in the grand scheme of things but this guilt will eat me alive if I don't do something. I let my brother and sister die, I cannot forgive myself until the man who caused this is dead.”
“I see,” Saruhiko grunted as he laid back in the dirt, eyes focusing on the brilliant night sky above them where several other planets could be seen. “I will fight as well, I can't let you act alone.”
“We have to protect each other, just like we always have.” Yata said sadly as he stared down the path they were on, vaguely he made out the sound of horses trotting. Eventually a dark black carriage came into view, being pulled by two brilliant black horses, a small lantern hung on the side of it as if to illuminate the area around it. Beside him Saruhiko sat up, both of them eying the carriage warily for a moment before Amaterasu appeared alongside it, something that made them sigh in relief.
“Yata! Fushimi!”
As the carriage came to a halt out hopped none other than Rikio Kamamoto, who rushed to their side almost instantly. “Are you two all right?”
“Kamamoto, you're alive!” Misaki sighed out of relief as he vigorously nodded his head, “we're both a little beat up but nothing too serious.”
“Thank god for that,” the bigger man exclaimed as two other people stepped down from the coach. Both were fairly pale men with blond colored hair, one wore a rather nice suit that gave off the appearance of someone who had quite a bit of money, the other was dressed less formerly. Wearing nothing but a deep red long sleeve thermal shirt and black slacks, they hastily came to stand before the butcher. “This is Totsuka Tatara and Kusanagi Izumo, two of the Red King's most trusted friends and clansmen. Tatara, Izumo, this is Yata Misaki and Fushimi Saruhiko, they're dear friends of mine as well.”
“Nice to meet ya'” the man named Izumo exclaimed as he glanced at the man named Tatara, “Totsuka, help 'em out will ya'?”
“Amaterasu, may I speak to King for a moment?” Tatara exclaimed as he turned and glanced at the lion who had watched on silently for a moment. The beast nodded once before opening it's mouth yet again.
“What do you want??” The Red King growled, sounding thoroughly annoyed though that didn't seem to detour the man that wished to speak with him.
“King when we return may I have permission to bring them inside the castle?”
The suit clad man nearly gawked at the question, something that made both Yata and Saruhiko grow a bit uneasy.
“Why?” Came the bored reply.
“I'd like to speak with them and find out what happened, Rikio fled before anything serious could occur so I would like to hear their side of the story. They have honest faces, I will even vouch for them.” Tatara laughed lightly as he chose to overlook the way Izumo said ”you haven't even said hello to them yet and you're vouching for them?
“Do what you want.” The Red King sighed before disappearing again, leaving only Amaterasu in the lion's body.
“Misaki, Saruhiko, we're going to get you into the carriage and head back to the Red Kingdom, okay?” Tatara smiled as he knelt down beside them, “first off, where are your wounds? Perhaps Izumo and I could help.”
“We ain't healers Totsuka, destroyers maybe but not healers,” Kusanagi grumbled though he did head back to the coach, coming back moments later with a set of bandages. “I'll wrap 'em up, just give me some light.”
“Of course,” Tatara replied with another smile as he backed away but extended his hands, flames were born on his palms, providing enough light to engulf the area.
Yata and Saruhiko stared at him with wide eyes, ignoring the way the other man tediously worked to bandage up their injuries. As if sensing this, the fire wielder laughed awkwardly.
“King gave me these powers, Izumo and Kamamoto have them as well.”
“Kamamoto, do you belong to the fire Kingdom?” Fushimi asked with a tilt of his head, eyes landing on the butcher who nodded his head slowly.
“A year ago I made a contract with the Red King and agreed to do recon from our hometown because of it's status as a neutral land, I’m sorry I had to lie to ya'.”
“Well you're here now, that's all that matters.” Yata said reassuringly as the blond man that tended to his wounds patted him lightly on the leg in a silent way of saying there you go.
“Is it just the two of you?” Rikio asked as he leaned down and helped Fushimi to his feet, slinging his left arm over his shoulder as he helped the man to the carriage. Yata, reluctantly, let himself be carried by Izumo.
“Yeah,” Fushimi answered with a frown as he took a seat on the red satin bench inside the coach, Yata was placed down beside him, on the other side the three remaining men took a seat before shutting the door. The lion remained outside with the horses. To the two hunter's surprise the carriage took off on it's own.
“King can control animals so he's given these horses strict guidance, we don't have to steer.” Tatara explained with what Yata presumed was his usual smile, “if you don't want to tell us what happened you don't have too, but if you do...well we can talk now or later.”
“Saruhiko, can you tell them?” Misaki said in a melancholy tone as he gazed down at his hands before remembering his bow and arrow were still wrapped around his back, making him uncomfortable. He quickly pulled the wooden weapon off of his back and sat it at his feet, to his surprise his best friend made no move to remove his sword or the rucksack he still somehow had on his back.
“The sun began to set at five, something completely impossible. We were heading back from town when it happened, when we reached our home we lit a fire and told Megumi and Minoru to stay put while we looked for Yata's parents. We...we found them in the field where the hot springs were...dead.” At this both of the hunters sighed, each struggling to keep their composure. “We rushed back to the cabin and when we got there we found the siblings...had also been killed. We left, got attacked by that beast then saved by that lion. That's all that has happened thus far.”
“I see,” Tatara exclaimed as he offered them a frown, “I'm sorry to hear this news.”
“As am I,” Kamamoto expressed as he stared at the two across from him, “they were good people, I really loved those kids too.”
“We won't push you anymore for tonight,” Izumo announced when he noticed the atmosphere in the coach grow thick, “Tatara will take good care of ya' when we get to the castle. Just trust him.”
“You can trust him, you two.” Rikio commented as if his words would automatically make them believe his words, it didn't but it did quell a majority of their worries.
“Yata, are you all right?” Saruhiko asked after a moments silence, eyes half lidded from exhaustion as he watched the archer's eyes close.
“Am I supposed to be?” He answered in a condescending tone as he moved a small curtain on the side of the carriage, eyes focusing on the forest that flew past them in an abnormally fast blur. He assumed the horses were under some sort of spell that allowed them to move much faster than what was usual but didn't ask for confirmation.
“You two seem close,” Izumo acknowledged as he managed to drawl both of the hunter's attention.
“We're like brothers,” Misaki explained as he glanced at the Red Clansmen, “we were raised together since we were both five, we've been inseparable for nearly 15 years.”
“Well allow me to express my remorse at hearing about what happened to your family, I’m sure you're both very upset.” The suit clad man expressed as he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with just a snap of his fingers.
“Not upset, oddly enough...” the archer remarked with a sad smile, “just angry.”
“You sound a lot like our boys,” Izumo laughed though it was muffled by the object that hung from his lips, “Tatara, you think they'd be candidates?”
“For what exactly?” Fushimi countered with a raised eyebrow as he leaned closer to his best friend, almost defensively.
“Well you two have quite an arsenal on your person, are you hunters?” Kusanagi dodged the question in favor of asking one of his own.
“We are,” Misaki confirmed with a nod of his head.
“Perfect, I think these boys would fit in quite well. Kamamoto, you know these two personally...what do you think?” The suit clad man took a final inhale of his cigarette before carelessly tossing it in the air, the paper evaporated in a small display of sparks.
“I trust them, they're skilled hunters and both have an eagerness to learn,” Rikio smiled as he caught his friend's attention. “Saruhiko is a genius and a great swordsman, not a bad shot either. Yata is skilled with a bow and arrow and guns and is good in hand to hand combat too, we've sparred before in the past. They're hard workers too, I think Mikoto would take a liking to them.”
“Talking about a King so casually...” Fushimi rolled his eyes as he stared at the men in front of him, brushing off their inquiring looks. “So you're trying to recruit us into your army, right? Is that the payment for saving our lives?”
“Saru...” Yata whisper yelled as he slapped said man on his arm, earning a tongue click in response.
“No, it's fine.” Tatara happily exclaimed as he clasped his hands in front of him, “we all do our part in the Kingdom, that much is true, but if you don't wish to fight there are other things to do.”
“I want to fight,” the archer proclaimed with a look of sheer determination, “I want to be of assistance to you all and I want to take down the person responsible for what happened to my family.”
“Fushimi?” Rikio pushed with a slightly nervous look.
“I can't let this idiot fight alone, we work too well together...and even I want to avenge those people...I want to fight as well.” The swordsman declared as he crossed his legs, gently resting his injured ankle atop of his knee.
“Whoa...is that...the Red Kingdom?” Misaki gasped as his eyes returned to the scenery outside of the window, Saruhiko looked over his shoulder, making a small noise of shock as he stared at the not so far away castle.
“Welcome to your new home,” Tatara said happily.
“It's just like the stories say...except I don't see a dragon,” Yata frowned as he surveyed the building, eyes lighting up when he saw the rumored Sword of Damocles.
“Oh you mean Susanoo? He's on a mission at the moment, he will be back shortly.” Totsuka laughed while the hunter's gawked at him, “we do have a dragon that guards the tower. That is not a rumor.”
“You've got to be kidding me,” Fushimi grumbled as he stared at the blond man with an annoyed expression.
“No, he ain't lyin',” Izumo laughed, “Susanoo isn't half bad, seems to like Mikoto well enough.”
“Is that so?” Saruhiko mumbled under his breath as he locked eyes with his true companion. “Yata and I can't promise we will be much help as of now, I think we both need time to heal...emotionally and physically.”
“Yeah,” the archer nodded in agreement, “I hope that's understandable.”
“Certainly, when we arrive at the castle we will escort you two to the bath house then fetch some new clothes for you. Afterward you can join us for dinner if you'd like,” Tatara announced as they grew ever closer to their kingdom. The carriage came to a screeching halt moments later, and Izumo politely excused himself. “He's asking King to open the barrier for us.”
“Is this King of yours like the legends say?” Fushimi questioned as he rubbed his injured foot.
“He is...but if you get to know him he's actually a great guy!”
“Mikoto is a fierce man with an imposing figure and air to him but if you look past that you will find he is a man that deeply cares for the people around him. His ancestors tamed flames and beasts, and Mikoto is the first Red King that introduced a psychological power...the power of bonds.” Kamamoto explained as adjusted his white tunic, “Kings are able to do many strange things, once they master them that trait is passed down to the next in line.”
“So each Red King is stronger than the last?” Yata inquired as they were rejoined by Izumo, who gave them the all clear to continue onwards.
“Precisely, Mikoto's powers are very...destructive, though. Red Kings have a hard time containing their violent tempers and he's said to us before that his heart is the one beast he is unable to tame.” Rikio offered as he shot Tatara a glance, “but this guy right next to me seems pretty good at taming him.”
“Please, Mikoto...” Tatara began but winded up laughing instead of finishing his sentence, something Kusanagi scoffed at.
“Tatara is the only man in the world that can help Mikoto contain his urges...if you can even call 'em that. Sometimes he just explodes into a fiery rage and it's not really his fault...his powers need constant suppression and he works his ass off to remain in control but sometimes he just loses it. That's when he comes in, the passive one of our bunch, and all he has to do is place a hand on Mikoto's shoulder and say 'King' and somehow that calms him down.” Izumo informed them as they finally entered the boundaries of the Red Kingdom.
“So...is there any proper way to...act around him?” Yata asked with a heavy blush, “I've never been anywhere but home...so I've never talked with anyone outside of our town...let alone a King.”
“Let's see here,” Tatara hummed as he put his hand on his chin, “if he looks more annoyed than usual avoid him like the plague or ask me to go see him. Don't mess with his food, he takes that seriously. He sleeps at least sixteen hours a day and hates being woken up, he's a night owl also. He hates when people kneel down at his throne, a simple bow will do. Don't call him Your Highness, Sir, Mr. Suoh, or anything of the sort...King or Mikoto are fine.”
At this point both of the hunters exchanged wry glances, while the two other red clansmen simply laughed at the thirds in depth explanation.
“And most importantly, don't, under any circumstances, hurt Princess Anna, his adopted daughter. He will kill you without a second thought and if he doesn't get to you then one of us will, she's to be treated with the utmost respect.”
Yata nodded his head slowly, “is breathing around him acceptable?”
The laughter that met his ears as a result of his question was barbarically loud, even Fushimi chuckled weakly. I wasn't kidding... he thought to himself though a nervous smile pulled on his lips.
“Breathing is fine, like we said, King is a great guy...just don't expect for him to open up to you overnight.” Totsuka grinned as the carriage came to a halt, “looks like were here, boys. Welcome home.”
Home.
The words stung the fresh wounds in Misaki's heart and from the look of it, Saruhiko's as well. Still they put on brave faces as they were helped out of the coach. Both of them gasped as the temperature outside all but burned their skin.
“Allow me,” Izumo stated as he adjusted his grip on Yata, a burning red color engulfed them and Saruhiko both, cooling their body temperatures in the process. “That magma is supposed to keep people away from this place, it don't bother those of us who were granted powers by the King himself though. You two are extremely lucky, normally we don't allow outsiders behind these walls.”
“I know King will be reluctant, but I will convince him to join us for dinner so you two can get acquainted with him.” Tatara said happily as he walked in step with the other men, though they were slowed down by the injured hunters. The horse drawn carriage turned back and headed off down a cobblestone road but Amaterasu bounded past them and into an opening in the castle, disappearing behind the exterior. “First, let's get you two settled, okay?”
They nodded their heads in silent agreement before locking eyes with one another. Yata turned and spared a glance at the scenery around them, taking in the rolling river of magma in stride as he turned his gaze to the dark castle and the Sword of Damocles that floated above it. It was overwhelming but it was also everything he had envisioned it to be. Nervousness ate away at him at the thought of meeting the man of legend but that was soon replaced by another emotion as he remembered how he had promised to bring his siblings to this place one day.
His stomach churned.
Everyone...please watch after Saruhiko and I...I promise we will get justice for you.
He repeated the words in his head like a sutra though it did little to quell his worries, he tightened his grip on his bow as he focused his eyes forward once again.
I'm going to become stronger, I’m going to make you proud, I swear to it.
That much he was sure of.