"If that's how you think it is, then bear this in mind you have to be more than open-minded about giving me even the smallest details. Even if they may not sound too relevant, but the smallest things develop into the biggest things," Black stated, still trying to teach Crystal how to speak her mind about her surrondings. "That's one of my wisdoms of being the ringleader. I need small information as well as big information in order to help others stay ahead of the pack."
The Aruba apprentice begun to understand the intentions of what she needed to do. It may have been her first mistake to not tell Black what theories she had. The biggest mistake she would make is trying to kill him in tempts of going her own path into destroying the Intoxian Army with her might
"Black, is there a theory that you have on the Aruba Beast?" Crystal asked, desperate to find out. It nearly drove her into depression by wanting to excite herself with Black's answers and opinions.
Black forbid himself from answering a question he's been lacking to figure out Kuronina's secret and ability. He was thoughtless, spoiling everything for himself and not the team.
"Black?" Crystal asked.
"Crystal," Black stopped at the entrance of the Balcony. He placed his hand on the doorknob with his head turnt down. "The one answer that I will only tell you and Emerald is that there was a woman of the Aruba family named Platinum Aruba. Nicknamed 'The Blooming Bird.' A.K.A your Great-Grandmother."
***
Chapter 37 - Second Leserado War
***
Shiver stood before Charlie and Emerald with her crystal, white blade in hand. She's been expecting for them to make a move and not expect anything different from her comrades of Paulana, Saua, Dai, Rouge and she and Lola's sister Sophia Mizuka, whose recently returned from a three-month hiatus.
Charlie didn't seem as stubborn as to why he's determined to disobey Black's orders. Having no fear of the monster, he's pushed himself to the point where he's his own damn comrade.
The Mizuka Assassin, as he addressed himself, sheathed claws back into his armored gloves that's been burning out. He laughed, but not as diabolically as the others thought. He swallowed his pride and reconsidered his options by allowing Emerald to do all the work while he took care of Shiver and the other five warriors.
"If you still wish to harm a fellow being of this world, you're in for a world of hurt, Charlie. Now do as I say and surrender peacefully," Shiver showed determination in her voice, fearless of her abilities and qualities as a head-administrator.
Charlie continued laughing, but then stopped to add something else, "Shiver, you may think that there's time for relaxation, but the war has just begun. So don't get your hopes up so quickly woman. I will be having my eyes on you by the time you get to Leserado. As for you Emerald, you go ahead and keep wearing pampers by taking orders from Black like you've always had these seventeen years, it's not going to get help you with anything."
Emerald thought of provoking Black's arch rival to make a move. To a certain degree, it made Shiver think that he's going to come back to his senses after the catalyst between the Globe Government and Bloodlust Revelation. Even in the last three years, it's all been about trying to engage the infamous entity, thus secretly assisting the Intoxian Army.
Shiver then applied as she approached the three slowly. Fortunately, she stopped her warriors from tailing behind her and told them she'd do whatever to end the carnage.
If these fools think that I have the same ambitious motives as Emerald does, then perhaps I should expose the truest colors of my personality and how I get shit done, Charlie thought with his armored gloves going from anti-flash white to auburn brown. His white hair altered into the ash grey. It felt as if he was transforming in everyone else's eyes, but he was far more concerned about accomplishing his mission, one way or another. His voice soon developed into atomic, demon-red like, sending chills into the spines of Rouge and Paulana. The two could barely move their feet, but couldn't provoke themselves to showing it.
"Now that you've made this complicating for yourself, Emerald, I'm going to give you and Black a reason as to why I can't rely on you sons of bitches," Charlie ambitions were vividly clear in his choice of words. "If killing isn't a law that occurs in your family, Emerald, then it must be stubborn to give orders to a little witch like Crystal to kill the woman that I have become the grandparent of."
The room fell into dead silence, the wind in the air was gone and it became as if it were a town that recently died. No words could be uttered. Beyond a point to where Rouge's unfortunate perspective to believing that she and Charlie both share a bloodline with one another snowball.
All eyes were highly focused on Rouge, mainly the one who glared at her first was Charlie, henced the contempt for his daughter's lies and careless behavior for them, Charlie walked slowly toward Rouge with his claws unsheathed, ready to strike and decapitate her.
In a heartbeat, Shiver noticed the speed of Charlie, going in for Rouge. Quickly thinking ahead of the battle, she swung her sword upward in diagonal position. A burst of blue aura blitz in between the both of them.
Charlie bounced backwards with his eyes gawking in the direction of the blast. He noticed Shiver in a sexy sword stance, preparing for a another attack for when push came to shove. The amount of training she's been putting herself through, she's been more than prepared to take on a warrior from one of the most vile organizations in the world.
"Don't make this hard for youself, Charlie. I will klll you and Emerald if you continue your pursuit," Shiver threatened, standing in front of Rouge in terms of protecting her. "Killing a Mizuka is one of the major laws you shall never break, especially when you're the one who developed them from many years ago."
"Only a fool from outside our family would think of something that notorious. If I have to break my own laws in hopes of getting what I want, then I will do what must be completed," Charlie depended more on his actions than the task he's given by Black.
Disloyal to the immense capabilities of his comrade, Emerald elected to try a different method to halt Charlie from doing something harebrained. "If this is how you must feel due to your dissatisfaction against Black, then I too, will oppose your character, Charlie."
Surrounded by the Amili Beast of the Avarians, Shiver, Paulana, Dai, Saua and now Emerald, The Mizuka Assassin felt that he highly wasn't fully prepared to the point assigning himself to a mission where he feared Black double-crossed him by having Emerald turn on him.
Or so it seemed he's outnumbered.
"It was foolish of you to come up against your fellow warriors, Emerald. I thought that Black has taught you a whole lot better than that," came another voice from behind Renasakuya.
Shiver sensed the frustration within her and the others supporting her to the core. The atmosphere had grew even darker and more gritty. The scene that all ten entities standing at the bottom levels of the Widow's Forest. The final two images to arrive at the battleground were none other than the ringleader of the Cyrius Organization - Flute V. Mizuka and her co-leader Taiya Z. Hinura.
Glancing over in horror at what she's witnessing. To Shiver's fear, she gawked over at the two members of the group that have had their fair share with her and the Globe Government. The haunting memories of the Head-Administrator had slithered back into her as if it was eating her from inside.
***
Lola and the Western Army had been trailing on the snake way path to Tomb of Leserado. Some of the soldiers felt as if their confidence is disintegrating due to the fact that they'll have to fight against the nasty and diabolical Bloodlust Revelation.
"General Mizuka," Makayla said while sitting down in her seat as the General went past her and her comrade.
"What is it?" General Mizuka answered with her eyes staring down with a serious vibe. At first it kind of fazed Makayla for a split second, but then she knew what she wanted to ask and how to get it out the way quickly, "Is there anything you need Venusa and I to do."
"Regarding?" Lola ask
ed, backing Makayla's questioning into a corner.
"Infiltrating Leserado. I know this may sound rhetorical, but you think that he's going to have like an army of his own guarding the entrance to the inside of the city?"
Lola hadn't been giving out all the detailed information to everyone, including Makayla. Shockingly, the Core General was ill-considered that any of her comrades couldn't be trusted to the extend.
"I don't think that was a question that needed to be asked, Makayla. An army of the Western Coast, use your head and stop with the stupid questions, OK?" Lola uttered harshly, unaware of the surrounding.
"Yes, ma'am," Makayla replied sadly, catching Tornado's attention.
The canine General remained in his seat, looking out the window. To his suspense, he too had suggested of asking the same question, but going into detail, since Lola's more interested in detailed information.
Coming to his senses, he stood up for Makayla after a question that wasn't as dumb as Lola claimed it to be. Trying to maintain her character as a ruthless, yet understanding ringleader of the famous army, Tornado walked toward Makayla, who kept a frustrated glance on her face.
"Child, listen," Tornado placed his paw on the woman's right backhand. "Lola may seem as if you're asking something foolish, but don't let it get to you. It may come a time when you have to stand up to her entirely and voice out how you felt when she said all that. So just keep that in mind."
Her smile returned, realizing that it takes a huge heart to stand up to those with strong characters and personalities (rather spiritually, physically or emotionally.)
"I understand. Thanks, General Poison," Makayla retorted nervously; she hoped that Lola didn't hear the talk between those two, otherwise she'd grow angry for people saying stuff behind her back.
***
Lisa, Thorn and Marscilla had pinpointed the timing when Lola and the Western Coast army would engage the Tomb by the time Charlie and Emerald returned from Widow's Forest with Renasakuya. For all they knew, they weren't returning to the tomb empty-handed.
However, according to Marscilla, the two of them have taken a bit longer to return from their operation than the optimized timing.
"Girls, I think that we may have to begin this battle without Charlie and Emerald. This is taking way too long and I get this weird feeling that those two are in grave danger," Marscilla applied, skillfully using her intelligence to withstand the pressure.
It was getting to her, but Thorn remained confident and made bold decisions in order to help with the situation by asking Marscilla, the squad leader, to remain a leader and not lose her chances of winning the fast-paced massive battle that's going to begin in less than twenty-four hours.
"I understand what you're trying to tell me, Thorn, but--"
"Come on, girl. No 'buts,' 'ifs', 'ands' none of that shit. Black made you the squad leader, you have to act like the squad leader. We all have our own roles and we'er going to execute the plan as expected," Thorn bellowed, remaining in her spot without moving a muscle.
They would have suspected for Lisa to utter something. The Infamous Succubus, as she's well known for, hadn't spoken much ever since the Renugarasaka had taken over her body. Controlling her mentality as a more mature woman with a darker and more determined trait to her character.
Well, at least some people aren't losing faith in themselves, Marscilla remained calm, judging by the way she acted moments ago, she had to calm down with her heart hardening, but then breaking into rapid beats racing faster than a bullet train.
***
The best option for Charlie to make wasn't very bright or very foolish either. He's been placed to where he'd fuck up or he'd be lucky enough to survive and bring back the Amili Beast back from the Widow's Forest. The Mizuka Assassin had been bruised, but is still determined to reinvent his confidence.
"Now, I'm going to finish this shit right now," Charlie charged at Shiver with his blood boiling hotter than molting lava.
Shiver positioned her sword behind her and moved in at full speed. She vanished quickly into a mist of snow and thrust her sword directly to the back of Charlie's neck. Unfortunately, she didn't get him in time as he used his Burning Gate technique to shield himself .
The Burning Gate is when Charlie used the energy in his body to increase the temparature of his blood to develop the intensity of his physical and energy attacks. He typically doesn't use the Burning Blood unless it's during very critical conditions.
Soon afterwards, he drilled his elbow into Shiver's face, launching her body across the battlefield. He moved even faster to catch the Head-Administrator off guard with his fist smashing into the wall, thanks to Shiver ducking in time. During the soaring to the the other end, Shiver used her Healing Snow to treat the damaged portion of her body and prevented the impact from drifting the air out from within her.
"Why do you insist on getting in the way of stopping us from releasing the Avarian Beast of your family?" Charlie retorted with his head quickly looking down in the direction of Shiver, who moved out of harms way.
Flashes of red vines had emerged from behind the walls, nearly grasping Shiver with her arms cuffed by infamous plants - Plant Prison. She didn't think to have enough time, but Charlie proved that point.
"Now, for me to get this out of the way. The Amili Beast is going to become an experiment for us in order to reanimate all the Akuma Beasts that have been inprisoned. Her visions had suddenly started to grow even blurrier from a few moments ago, Charlie used his Burning Blood once again to increase the temperate after one of the vines had coiled itself around her neck, dragging her deeper into the wall.
The force had grasped her neck, swiping the air from within her and trying to smother her lungs with heated elements. Within a few seconds, Rouge stepped in and stopped her leader from losing not only consciousness but also her life as well.
A swift kick to the jaw was occured to Charlie, whose Radical Burning Snake had disappeared, releasing Shiver as she gasped dramatically for air and nursing her neck.
"I would have been expecting more from you, Rouge. But it seems to me that your attacks are still ineffective to the point of having no impact," Charlie criticized. He then smirked and placed his swords away to have a fair fight, which isn't very often from him.
Rouge positioned herself, enguling her nails with steaming flames and then spinning them around until three rings had erupted from within. She then stormed at Charlie, who moved in as well with his armored gloves still in play.
They exchanced their fists into one another. For only six punches, both their fists constantly clashed, but at the last moment, Charlie used more force, almost chiseling Rouge's bones from the inside. The Apex Magician, nicknamed by Lola for Rouge's stellar performance in terms of controlling the fire elements magnificently, struggle to regain the upper hand by allow Charlie to strike her in the face.
Rouge flipped backwards and stopped by slamming her palms to the ground, but slid back a few feet away from her adversary. Sensing another attacking coming her way, Charlie thought of ending the fight between himself and his granddaughter by using his Ominous Demon attack.
"I think I've wasted my time, Rouge. Your mother would be so proud of you for standing up to me this time," Charlie complimented, but it sounded far more arrogant from Rouge's view.
"I won't forgive you for what you've done to her. Turning down your own child? Using her to take control of the Legendary Mizuka Phoenix? Where's the honor is that, Grandpa Charlie?"
Shiver had never witnessed this side of Rouge's combat skills. Normally, she'd always thought there were so many characteristic aspects to Rouge that seemed very lack-luster. However, despite all troubling scenarios the Apex Magician had been through, it made it feel even more compact from a month an a half prior to this day.
Shiver had been aided by the others. In the process Emerald and Renasakuya had continued talking about making equivelant exchange during the battle at Leserado.
"That's all he wants fro
m you. There's nothing too surprising about that," Emerald quoted, scratching his head and maintaining his courage while talking to an Avarian Beast; one of the highest ranked titles on the planet. "The Black Crystal is also, as you may remember--"
"An element that's only destined to release the Akuma Beasts that can cause a havoc worldwide. The immense struggle of that family that's been so desperate to find the inner carnage of world domination has constantly been stopped by the Avarian Beast of the Poison and Erisa families," The Amili Beast replied.
Black didn't ultimately think this through if I had to go with the plan of negotiating with a beast like this one, Emerald thought casually. His energy had begun to develop. He then realized that Charlie was still dealing with the others of the Intoxians Army and those that enabled them.
***
Tornado and Lola had the warriors, including Makayla, Venusa and their warriors in the board room that's on the bottom floor of the enlarge plane that's stretched out to nineteen feet wide and twelve stories tall.
"Perhaps I was being too aggressive with you, Makayla and didn't think about the stuff I said," Lola admitted that she was wrong for speaking harshly and in a bitchy mood.
"It's OK, General. I understand that what you're trying to do is filled with determination and hope. There's no biggie," Makayla stayed truce to her choice of words.
"Now, the plan may not be as simplistic due to the amount of obstacles we have to go through in order to invade Tomb of Leserado. There's approximately seven entrances and seven units aboarding these ships, " Lola spoke, over the intercom that's been linked to all the helicopters. "I hope you're all listening to what I need to say."
The other three Coasts, West, South and East's planes had been trailing behind her for she they could make close be in contact for up to ten miles. Going out any farther could cause a static and they could lose touch very easily.
Intoxia Warriors - Mizuka Blood (Book One) Page 33