by R Gualtieri
And with that realization came another. If she hadn’t been here to stop him, Ichitiro almost surely would not have confined his destruction to this one small town. Many more would have felt his wrath. And, judging by the attitudes of the other daimao, his siblings would have done little to curb his efforts.
But that had all changed. As odd as she found them, thanks to Beth and the other reporters who had descended upon this town, word of the existence of youkai, mazoku, and daimao would spread and humanity would once more be made aware of them. That was only half of it, though. The people of this world would also know that they were not helpless in the face of such threats.
Kisaki smiled as she realized she’d become what she’d always admired. She was now a warrior, here to help those in need. These people needed her and, glancing at Tamiko and Stephen, she realized she needed them, too.
She faced Reiden and pointed the quill at him, causing him to take a measured step back. “My life is not yours to judge, daimao. Nor are theirs. You may think yourself superior to me in every way, but know that this day, a hanyou laid low a daimao on the field of battle. Word of this will spread. If you wish to punish me for that or for the transgression of being born of a human warrior, then realize his blood, too, flows in my veins. I do not pretend to think that I can defeat even one of you, much less all, but if you choose this path, then know that I stand before you until my dying breath.”
There was a tense moment in which Kisaki became certain she’d soon be fighting not one, but three daimao, including her mother, but no attack came. Neither of the two who had come with Midnite seemed to have the spark of battle among them that Ichitiro did. As for her mother, Kisaki noted she had raised one eyebrow but was otherwise still unreadable.
She had a sinking feeling she’d just consigned herself to an eternity of study, but realized perhaps it didn’t need to be that way. She’d started something and now she needed to finish it.
Kisaki lowered the quill and said, “Go. Return to the celestial palace. Put your edict back in place. Do as you must, but leave this planet alone. The people here are no longer your playthings. They have grown strong and are capable of defending themselves. And now they have me standing by their side. Tell the others that the Earth is now under the protection of Midnight Girl.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Kisaki felt a flush rise to her cheeks even as she said it. She hadn’t meant to call herself that. It had just slipped out and, once it had, she realized how ridiculous it sounded. No laughter followed, though. Reiden and Hinode continued to glare at her. Stephen and Tamiko, however, both wore big grins on their faces as they moved to stand next to her.
After several more tense moments, Reiden turned to the others. “So be it. We shall tend to our brother and then,” he glared at Midnite, “we shall discuss these matters at length.”
“As you wish, brother,” Midnite replied.
The two other daimao moved to stand together, but Midnite remained where she was.
“Are you coming, sister?” Reiden asked.
“In a moment.”
“Very well, but only a moment, no more. The edict for this planet and its inhabitants still remains.” He said that last with a sidelong glance, and not a friendly one either, at Kisaki.
Then, in a flash of brilliant red light, the two daimao disappeared, leaving Kisaki, her friends, and her mother. The crowd around them let out a loud cheer and began chanting “Midnight Girl!” over and over again.
Midnite turned to Kisaki’s two human friends, her voice audible despite the cheers of the crowd. “Would you mind giving me a moment with my daughter?”
“Go right ahead,” Stephen said.
Tamiko nodded, too, and they both stepped back.
All at once, the cheering abruptly ceased. In fact, Kisaki noted, it seemed all sound had. She looked around and found her friends, as well as all the humans present, unmoving as if they’d been frozen in place. Only she, her mother, and Shitoro appeared unaffected.
“Did you...?”
“Of course,” Midnite replied. “But I can only do so for a few moments, at least before my siblings realize what is happening and no doubt return to investigate.”
“You can freeze time?”
“All of the daimao are powerful, but each has unique gifts as well,” Shitoro said proudly. “This is your mother’s.”
Kisaki laughed as the realization hit. Time seemed to slow for her whenever a vision struck. She’d thought it a trick of her mind but now had to wonder whether it was yet another gift she’d inherited.
“What is so humorous, child?”
“Nothing, Mother. My apologies.” After a beat, she added, “For a great many things. I regret my actions and that they have brought dishonor to you.”
Her mother stepped forward, her face a mask of neutrality. For a moment, Kisaki wondered if she meant to strike her. If so, she deserved it. But instead, her mother pulled her into a hug.
“You are safe. That is all that matters to me. As for your so-called transgressions, I believe it is fair that we share the blame. Had I not been so overzealous in my need to protect you, perhaps you would not have sought to leave in the manner you did.”
“But I stole...”
Midnite held up a finger to her daughter’s lips. “You forged your own path, as is your right.” The corners of her mouth raised in a smile. “And you did it spectacularly.”
“You’re not mad?”
“I was never angry. I was merely worried for your safety.”
“But the daimao, Ichitiro...”
“My brother will recover in time.” Midnite looked away for a moment. “I will not lie. He is not one to let such a defeat go unchallenged. However, he will also have to answer to the divine court for his actions. I do not think he will find it so easy to convince us to dismiss what he has done. Attempting to take the Taiyosori by force, knowing that it was here without telling the rest of us, defying the edict. All of these must be answered to the satisfaction of the council.”
“But if he does...”
“Reiden loves his ceremony, so I have little doubt these matters will keep us busy for some time to come. But I urge caution nevertheless. Do not think the others will forget about you or what has been said here today.”
Kisaki nodded her head solemnly.
“Before this day, my brethren considered Earth to be a threat to us. Now they will fear it more than ever. I wish I could tell you there was no danger, but I cannot. You have disrupted the celestial cycle.” She put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Mind you, perhaps it was in need of disruption. Alas, I cannot promise I’ll be able to convince my siblings of that. Fortunately for the people here, the Earth now has a mighty protector, well-armed for the task.”
That reminded Kisaki of what she’d meant to do. She held out the quill to her mother. “It’s yours. I took it without permission and beg forgiveness.”
To her surprise, though, Midnite laughed and waved her off. “The Taiyosori belongs to you now. Much to the amazement of all, including myself, it has chosen you as its new master. And, judging from the outcome of the battle, it chose well.”
“But ... I stole it.”
“Inherited it,” her mother corrected. “You are my heir, something you have proven time and again this day. The Taiyosori knew this. Otherwise, it would have rejected you. But if it makes you feel better, then I gift it willingly to you before the ever-seeing eyes of the elder gods.”
Kisaki wasn’t sure what to say for a moment, but after several seconds, she simply smiled and stuffed the quill into her belt.
“An interesting disguise for it,” Midnite remarked. “Your doing?”
Kisaki shrugged. “It was the first thing I thought of when I took it.”
Now it was Midnite’s turn to nod. “It’s funny.”
“What is, Mother?”
“For a long time, I wondered why it was bequeathed to me by its former ma
ster, but now I think I understand.”
“Oh?”
“He told me the fate of the sword would depend upon the strength of my blood. I cannot be certain, but I think perhaps it was always meant for you. Use it wisely, my child. Protect this world and your friends.” She stepped in and hugged her daughter again. “I dare say, they will need it.”
Midnite backed up a step and Shitoro moved to her side before addressing Kisaki. “It has been an honor, my lady.”
“And it will continue to be,” Midnite said with a grin.
The tiger demon looked up at her. “Excuse me, mistress?”
“You are staying here, Shitoro.”
“What?!”
“You are my daughter’s guardian, are you not?”
“Well, yes, my lady. But...”
“And I do not recall excusing you from that duty. Do you?”
“No, my lady.”
Midnite placed a hand upon his head. “There you have it, then. My daughter needs to protect this world, but I need someone to protect her. I can think of no one better suited for the task.”
Shitoro let out a sigh but said, “I will do my best.”
“I know you will. Take these.” She bent down and handed a few black crystals to the youkai. “Use them wisely ... and sparingly.”
“I will endeavor to keep them safe.”
Midnite nodded, then turned away from them both. Light began to gather around her. Right before disappearing, she glanced over her shoulder toward her daughter.
“Midnight Girl. I think I like that. Quite fitting.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Time resumed its normal flow just as quickly as it had stopped, leaving Kisaki’s friends a little dumbfounded.
“Um, where did your mom go?” Stephen asked.
“Home,” she replied before turning to Tamiko. “Speaking of which, I sent you to yours. Why are you not there?”
“You mean you tricked us there,” Tamiko said. “That wasn’t nice.”
“I’m sorry, but, as I said, I wanted you to be safe.”
“Well, you ended up sending us right to the middle of the lobby. Let’s just say I had a bit of explaining to do with Dad about where I’d been and why I appeared out of thin air with a strange boy.”
“He didn’t seem all that pleased to meet me,” Stephen added.
“What happened then?”
“What happened?” Tamiko echoed. “Your mom and her friends zapped in a short while after that. Dad had his hands full trying to explain to the guests that it was all part of an improvised show.”
“I think they bought it,” Stephen said.
“He isn’t the resort manager for nothing.” Tamiko turned back to Kisaki. “Once we realized who they were, there was no way I was letting them leave without bringing us.”
Stephen nodded. “I’m pretty sure the scary one in red wanted to blast us, but your mom was cool, especially after we told her we were friends of yours.”
“Yes, I think she is cool, too,” Kisaki replied with a smile. “But what of your father, Tamiko?”
“I think he understood that we kind of needed to get back to your side. Although he did mention that he was going to add international minutes to my phone plan, which means he’s going to bug me nonstop about staying safe. But for now, here I am.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me too,” Tamiko replied. “But you’d better not try that again. I mean it.”
“Yeah,” Stephen added. “That was total BS.”
Kisaki held up her hands in a placating manner, glad to have made such fierce friends. “I was wrong to send you away. I beg your forgiveness.”
After a moment, Tamiko glanced at Stephen and they both smiled. “Well, maybe this one time.”
“This is all fine and well,” Shitoro said with a sniff. “But what now?”
“I guess we go back to my place,” Stephen said. “Hopefully, it’s still there. That guy really did a job on this town.”
Kisaki nodded ruefully and surveyed the area. The destruction was terrible indeed, but at least the battle was over. Even now, she saw people helping each other to make sense of it all. “Whatever is needed to be done, I will help. It’s the least I can do.”
“I have a feeling it’s gonna take quite a while.”
“Earth is my home now,” Kisaki said. “I believe I have quite a while. And if anything else attempts mischief here in the meantime, I’ll deal with it.”
“Spoken like a true superhero,” Stephen replied.
“Does that make us her sidekicks?” Tamiko asked with a laugh.
“I am no sidekick,” Shitoro said, crossing his arms in front of him. “I am Kisaki’s guardian, but I, too, will do what I can.”
“Awesome.” Stephen bent down and clapped him on the shoulder. “And maybe my mom will even let you stay with us ... once we get you a flea collar.”
“How many times must I say it? I am not a cat!”
Kisaki and her friends laughed. After a few moments, Shitoro joined them.
It was well deserved.
They’d survived the impossible and, in doing so, set in motion events that would potentially change the world. Within a few days at most, Kisaki suspected, word would spread and mankind would realize they weren’t alone in this vast multiverse.
It would be a time of uncertainty for this planet and its inhabitants. There was no telling what the future held – whether more monsters would emerge from the forests or whether the daimao would return seeking revenge.
But whatever happened, Kisaki vowed the brave people of this world would also know that it had a defender to protect it – Midnight Girl – and she would do everything in her power to keep her new home safe.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rick Gualtieri lives alone in central New Jersey with only his wife, three kids, and countless pets to both keep him company and constantly plot against him. When he’s not busy monkey-clicking words, he can typically be found jealously guarding his collection of vintage Transformers from all who would seek to defile them.
Defilers beware!
Rick Gualtieri is the author of:
Bill the Vampire (The Tome of Bill - 1)
Night Stalker: A Tome of Bill Series Companion
Scary Dead Things (The Tome of Bill - 2)
The Mourning Woods (The Tome of Bill - 3)
Holier Than Thou (The Tome of Bill - 4)
Sunset Strip: A Tome of Bill Series Companion
Goddamned Freaky Monsters (The Tome of Bill - 5)
Half A Prayer (The Tome of Bill - 6)
The Wicked Dead (The Tome of Bill - 7)
Shining Fury: A Tome of Bill Series Companion
The Last Coven (The Tome of Bill - 8)
The Tome of Bill Series: Volume One
Bigfoot Hunters
Lycan Moon
GLOSSARY
A compilation of notable terms with pronunciations and descriptions
Daimao (die-mou) – Demons representing the second tier of divinity. Second in power only to the elder gods, they primarily reside within the realm of the celestial palace. They are considered the custodians of the multiverse, ruling in the place of the Elder Gods. The thirteen most powerful make up a ruling body known as the celestial court.
Mazoku (mah-zoh-koo) – Demons representing the third tier of divinity. Less powerful than the daimao, but often far more powerful than youkai. Th
ey often serve as generals and field commanders to the daimao.
Oni (oh-knee) – Troll-like demons, roughly equal in power to the mazoku. They favor strength and stamina over intelligence or use of magic.
Youkai (yoh-kigh) – Demons representing the lowest acknowledged level of divinity. They are the most numerous of demonkind, appearing in all shapes and forms, but are considered the weakest.
Hanyou (han-yoh) – Hanyou can mean a mixing of demon castes, for example the offspring of a mazoku and a youkai. More commonly, it is a derogatory term for the mixed offspring of demons and mortal species such as humans.
Midnite (midnight) – One of the daimao and a member of the celestial court. Midnite stands out from her peers by having been gifted the legendary Taiyosori by the elder gods. She appears as a beautiful woman of Asian descent with long black hair and dark eyes. A delicate row of horns upon her head is the only outward indication of her demonic heritage.
Taiyosori (tie-oh-sore-ee) – The legendary blade of heaven, also known as the sword of a thousand cuts. Most of what is known about this weapon is lost to myth and legend, but it is very old and powerful. It appears as a broad sword with a gleaming white handle and a smoky translucent blade seemingly filled with miniature stars.
Ichitiro (ee-chi-tier-oh) – One of the daimao. Ichitiro most closely resembles the western concept of classic demons and devils. He is considered the closest analogy to a war god among the daimao.
Kisaki (kiss-ah-key) – The half-human offspring of the daimao Midnite. Kisaki is approximately seventy years old, but has the appearance and mannerisms of a teenaged human female of mixed descent. Her birth and existence has been kept a secret from the other daimao ... until now.
Shitoro (she-tour-oh) – A small youkai who takes the form of a bipedal albino tiger. A faithful servant to Midnite, Shitoro is over two thousand years old and skilled in a variety of subjects and magical disciplines.