Intoxia Warriors - Mizuka Blood (Book One)

by De'Karhi Philpot

  I can't let Black trick me into trying to his own abilities against him, that's one of the things that Lola's taught me when we played a few rounds of this game, Crystal didn't want to over-estimate Black's intentions. If I can just move my knight after five moves, Black will be forced to alter his plans.

  ***

  Outside the cell room, Marscilla felt her blood fumed with hatred and resentment. She couldn't stomach the fact that the Aruba Bloodline lives on, even after all the catastrophe and battles they've had around the time Diamond was the General.

  Such a ridiculous move on your end, Black. Hmph, as if you could ever keep your fucking word about teaching that little bitch the vital information about the Avarian Beasts and what the Diary Symbols are for, Marscilla thought violently. It made her want to drill her fist to the gray-like colored wall with full force. I know that Diamond wouldn't have wanted the Government to get a hold of such tremendous powers.

  "Marscilla, you seem a bit trouble-minded," Lisa seemed concerned, for the first time in a year.

  The expression of Marscilla's face had shocked her to the core, "Yes. I'm fine. I don't need you to be worry about me. I already told you that I don't like the fact that Crystal is still alive. Why do we have to waste so much potential into wanting that damn cow here?"

  Lisa pushed herself away after blocking out her thought process on what to say or how to say what needed to be said. The others weren't surprised, knowing why Marscilla's hatred for Crystal sky-rockets every time she's hearing the word 'Aruba'.

  Charlie placed his right arm on the succubus' right shoulder to consult her. Lisa turned around down in the direction of her comrade's palm. She listened as Charlie spoke his mind, "You may not realize this, Lisa. But you weren't aware of why Marscilla's character changed dramatically when it came to Diamond doing something very foolish and unforgivable. So it's only best to not bother asking what's bothering her unless she's comfortable in discussing it. Besides, Black is the only one she'll cater to after all."

  Lisa sighed and gave into temptation by accepting Marscilla's emotional predicament. The sound of Marscilla's heavy breathing had bewildered her mind; nearly on the verge of shattering.

  ***

  Only twelve minutes into the first game, Crystal had been put in a sensitve situation. Six of her pawns had been eliminated while neither of Black's have been removed.

  "Crystal. I know you're more intelligent than to try and foolishly make your opponent make the first move here. It's not that complicating. I have given you the first two methods about combat and you still insist on trying to predict my movements instead of focusing on your own planning," Black calmly retorted with his eyes paying attention to the child's side of the board. "You're down to two pawns, then you'll be forced into using your trump cards. I don't understand why you haven't been able to use your knights, bishops, Queen or King, yet. That's not so wise of you."

  Crystal gawked up in frustration in her eyes. She felt a single bead of sweat drooling down to the left side of her cheek. She shivered for a bit, but was too late to not show lack of courage in front of the monstrous Black Hinura.

  "You see, I had successfully executed a strategy that prevents you from using my own strategy against me, my dear. Now watch as before you make the next move, I'm going to go a lot harder on you from when this game began. Remember, it is you who'll never get to learn the truth and only the techniques I'm telling you based off my actions of this game," Black bragged before he laughed hauntingly.

  Crystal couldn't stomach anymore of his mind-games as she narrowed her eyes to not back down. She went for high stakes as she finally worked up the courage against her adversary to move her knight from B8 to the front of her bishop on 7D.

  "Since I've decided to move the Queen in already, there's a chance that you're not going to win as easily as you had expected. You make things too easy for yourself, Crystal; as in life," Black lectured while moving his Queen after the first move and decided to moved up all the way from D2 to in front of the King. Crystal's stellar mask grew into absolute shock. She felt that he's been deciphering her hopes of defeating him easily.

  If I don't start making the right moves this time, I'll never get the truth out. But at the same time, I'm afraid of the harsh truths that could haunt me. What should I do? Crystal asked herself ruthlessly. She remained confused about the situation she's been put into. Hence that if she loses this particular round, she may have one last chance to do so in order to even the odds.

  "Crystal, it won't be that long. The power to releasing the Avarian Beast lies within you and I can assure you that it's it's all about paying the price for something you're dying to want," Black muttered, throwing his hooded cloak over his head. "So instead of me telling you what you need to learn about fighting, I figured I change my own mind and show you how it's done."

  ***

  In the meeting room of the Intoxian Army Facility, Lola had placed her broken arm atop of the desk with her right hand. She rose a mug of coffee to her lips with the meeting room in a pitch black. She heard the door opening, and she heard Hitachi, Alex and Sonya coming into the room with worried expressions and concerns for Crystal's current behalf.

  Lola didn't even consider into hearing the sound of their voices. It struck her nerves to if they try and asking her questions about something they're desperate to know. It was a few hours earlier before they worked up the courage to confront the Core General for a sense of encouragement.

  "Mom," Hitachi was the one to start the conversation off. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

  "No... I don't think that you guys will be needed for this operation," Lola answered after panting from emotional destruction. "I showed how mentally helpless I was, guys. I've completely jacked up, guys."

  "Mom, that isn't true--"

  "Hitachi, please listen to me when I'm trying to tell you something important. I don't even deserve to call myself a General!" Lola screamed, but was sucked right into her eighteen year-old son's arms. He was strong and resistent to releasing her, but was going to be he felt her eyes flicking on and off. She felt her son's strong right palm rubbing her back. "Hitachi. Let me go. Let go of me right now."

  Lola commanded even louder, but was still opposed by the grip that she's trapped in. She wanted to try and attack Hitachi for the hell of getting him away from her, but she erased that thought from her mind and wanted no part of those dark images.

  "Mom. We want to help get Crystal back and it's not fair if you try and push everyone else away. I'm sure that girl wouldn't want you acting like this toward the rest of us if we're determined to get her back," Hitachi lectured, placing his chin on the top of her head. "You were too busy trying to protect Crystal and that was the right thing you did."

  "What?" Sonya and Alex said in unison. Alex added beforehand, "Hitachi. What... In the hell are you talking about?"

  "Shut up," Hitachi bellowed a bit. "I know what I said out loud. I said that my Mother, Lola Mizuka, was ambitious enough to show that she was doing more than what we weren't brave enough to do. A selfless act for others is what makes her a leader."

  Lola lowered her eyes and her right hand, returning the embrace, shedding tears from her sore eyes and whimpered frustratingly.

  ***

  "Think about it, Shizuka. We all knew that there was no chance that we could've easily defeated Black like that," Brook said, scratching her head and then washing her hands before she could grab a packet of a long burrito stuffed with beef, melted cheese and added with a mild flavor.

  "I've already thought of it and I knew that if weren't brave enough to try and kill that son of a bitch, this wouldn't have happened in the first place," Shizuka yelled, rubbing her temple, that was still sore from last night's deadly battle. "Now that Black has what he wants, he'll do whatever it takes to release Kuronina and once that happens, we're going to need to have backup plan after backup plan."

  "Well, according to the logical facts that we need from the Core General, who�
��s in the middle of moping right now instead of trying to come up with a plan--"

  "I wouldn't go that far now," Shizuka defended Lola. "I know that Black was after Crystal. It's bad enough that Crystal was snatched right from under our noses before we even had a chance to disicpline her in martial arts and sword combats."

  "Well as far as I'm concerned, Black wasn't going to be waiting any longer for us to come and rescue Crystal. He's a master manipulator and there's no chance in hell that he's going to do everything that he can to drag down to the dark side," Brook replied, biting her thumb while trying to keep the conversation afloat.

  "We'll make sure that Lola is doing fine before we can go on and have a meeting. But as of right now, we'll need to be sure that we have our best warriors come and be summoned to this building within the next two weeks. But I want the meeting to take place at the Western Coast, since it's closest to Leserado and it'll take only two weeks to get there from that location," Shizuka suggested, even though it's only appropriate for the team to have meetings about sensitive situations at the Northern Coast.

  "What about Tornado? You think he'd be fine with it?"

  Shizuka lowered herself in the chair after grabbing a bowl of chicken-noodle soup and glass of apple juice and sitting down. She retorted after mopping the bridge of her nose. In the meantime, Brook took out a lighter, as well her cigarette and begun smoking.

  "The last thing I need is for Tornado to give me anymore problems with his nonsense. Besides, I think he'll be on the shelf for quite a while, seeming that he can't speak properly. After what Black did yesterday, I can only imagine how frustrating and annoying it must be to have a shattered jaw and according to Ross, he won't be able to speak well for a long while; maybe a year, probably less than that," Shizuka uttered before taking a sip from her soup.

  "May Diamond's strength be with us," Brook praised while gently tapping her middle finger down onto the cigar and saw a small portion of ashes drowing down into the tray. "May Diamond's strength be with us."

  ***

  After two rounds of Chess, Black had decided to call it quits, seeming that Crystal had lacked the one thing: confidence in herself and letting the sickening choice of words whispering in her ears.

  "It normally takes more than intelligence and extended spammed movements to defeat an opponent. Sometimes reusing the same technique in a battle can cost you your life before you even realize it, my dear," Black lectured, snapping his fingers for the board to disappear into a pillar of mist. "I will tell you the things that you must learn when we begin our training tomorrow. Do not mind my associates, I'm sure they're more than thrill to be around to watch you grow into a much stronger, independant entity."

  Soon, what appeared beside them were five images of two species; five Akuma Beasts; creatures that haven't been active in fifteen years. Creatures that were established by the Avarian Beast of the Amili Bloodline. Almost six centuries earlier, their people were once slaves of the Hinura family and weren't free for until warriors of the Amili Bloodline managed to buy their freedom for after the Amili Avarian Beast was held captive when it was defeated by the Grim Reaper himself.

  Another race of five images appeared as well, the Gurasa Knights, placed in ominous, dark purple. Long tails with horns sticking; warriors that represent the Poison Bloodline. They were all birthed by Skyfall Poison, feminist ringleader of her family. They were inactive for fifteen years as well. Several citizens from all four corners of the planet thought that Tornado and Diamond had eradicated them several weeks after Skyfall gave birth to them. Despite all the scientists' contempt for the viruses that the Gurasa Knights' particular incident had provoked Diamond to make a fatal mistake.

  Black had turned in the direction to where he heard more approaching steps echoing through the hallway.

  Crystal was curious, trying to view what both frames looked like.

  "I'm glad that you've all took the time to come to Leserado for an ultimate showdown that will take place next month," Black stated while standing. There's a chance that you'd get the opportunity to witness the shaking duel that will take place between two combatants and I'm more than certain that you're going to be thrilled by it as well."

  One image of the Gurasa Knight said from inside the blackness with the shady-blue eyes glowing phenomenally as it spoke, "We didn't waste a whole two months for nothing, Black. Be sure that you know what you're doing. Since you made a claim that there's a chance the Avarian Beast of the Aruba Bloodline will be reborn."

  ***

  Chapter 13 - Three Weeks Left

  ***

  (Two months after Lola birthed Hitachi)

  "How is she," Rouge's voice bloomed through an unconscious Lola's head.

  Lola's been in a serious, deep coma for eleven months.

  Ross Tishiragi, the leading medical expert, answered with sorrow, "She's still out of it. It's been nearly a year since Lola was put into a coma. Those Bloodlust scumbags have commited a horrific crime that, I myself, wouldn't even think to forgive or let slide that easily.

  "But what about Diamond. How is she handling all this?" Rouge seemed dense and worried. "She's barely been enjoying herself these past eleven months and I'm worried."

  "Well, she's working on a revenge attack and I know for a fact that it's not going to be as easy as it sounds. As of right now, as long as Lola is still breathing, that's all Diamond needs to know, meaning she's still attempting to care," Ross answered, pecking his lips onto Rouge's forehead.

  The impact of his catering drew a red color over her face as she blushed incredibly. He chuckled as he patted her right shoulder twice before leaving the medical room.

  ***

  Hitachi and his friends were still in the General's office, trying to get a detailed story to why Lola's always catering to Crystal in the level of sympathy that she's rarely showed everybody else.

  "I had swore to myself that I'd let nothing happen to that girl and look at the promise I broke as my nature of a Mizuka," Lola applied, moving herself from the embrace and headed into the kitchen. "Alright, everyone. I know that I said I was going to be a lot harder on you for the time being until we get ready to go," Lola said. "It may not be so simple into training all of you at the same time."

  "What do you mean by that?" Hitachi seemed slightly confused.

  "Here's the thing that I need tell you, we're going to be on the mission to bring back a comrade. Sonya and Alex, this is not the best time to be acting arrogant, simple-minded or immature. You need to understand that there's limits to what you do to others and how retailiation comes in," Lola uttered while rubbing her broken arm.

  "I understand your perspective, Mizuka," Tornado said, using another ability to communicate with others. Since his jaw prevented him from talking for a little over a month, he used his Gurasa Voice Exchange, he can use what's on his mind and speak as if he's actually having his voice heard by moving his lips. "This is the perfect time to train these youngsters and have start learning lessons in the real world."

  Lola smiled before commenting, "I'm glad you're doing fine, Tornado. Since you're here at the moment, I advise that you help me help you by coming down to Shizuka's facility."

  "I had the same mind-goals as you did, Mizuka," Tornado walked over. The three of the New Four members looked on with hope. But little do they understand, they have yet to experience the physical pain that the three General went through last night. "Shizuka's facility is the closest to Tomb of Leserado, but it'll still take about two weeks to get there."

  "Precisely," Lola agreed. She marched over toward the canine and rubbed from the center of his muzzle to the top of his skull. "I am glad that you're here for us, Tornado. You know, for an elderly canine, you sure have the energy of a youth."

  Tornado closed his eyes, but laughed inside his mind, licking Lola's palm. It tickled Lola, rarely showing a soft side for once in a while, Hitachi was relieved by his mother's current emotions.

  "Alright, guys. Let's get down to the Weste
rn Coast to train. There's really no point in being here for right now," Lola had recommeded. "Shizuka already waiting for us there, so it may take at least fourteen hours to get down there; so I'm more than certain you three will be tired by the time we get there. So you'll get some rest, wake up to have breakfast and then we'll begin our training as if you're all at the Academy. Understand?"

  "I guess in the Intoxian Army, it's always about training, training, training, huh?" Alex's smartass remarks somewhat annoyed Lola, but to a certain degree, it's what made her love his character."

  "For the next month, yes. In order to get stronger and defeat Black and his group at their own game, there's no doubt that we'd have to get tougher than we already are. But I do have one thing that you must understand from me, something that I wanted to tell you all before we go; regarding why I wasn't always being honest with you guys about things while you were all growing up," Lola retorted as the door to her General office opened automatically as everyone tailed her.

  Tornado knew what Lola was going to say, "I think this is the best time for you to get things off your chest if you try explaining your personality toward them."

  "You're right, Tornado," Lola added while leaning her back against the wall. "In life, lying is one of the things that can protect you from the truth."

  This stopped everyone dead in their tracks. Tornado wasn't as disgusted or disapproved by Lola's quote, even though it's the harsh reality for people with weak personalities to keep lying for they can protect themselves from revealing the truth.

  "You'll all understand in time if you're smart enough to realize that," Tornado commented on Lola's enhanced messsage about truth and lies. "We need to keep you three under our wing for the time being. You all may have graduated from the Ujikadaka Academy, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have the knowledge or strength to deal with real-world situations."

  Both Generals continued down the platinum-gray colored hallways before heading down the escalator that lead to the bottom floor. Soon enough, Hitachi and the others followed right behind them.