After a few hours’ rest, we headed back towards the capital at full speed, pushing our horses while they flew above the shimmering world. We arrived back in town well before noon. I was sitting in CiCi’s office, helping her with some final paperwork, including my reports from the previous day.

“Why do we keep so many reports?” I asked her, still cranky and sore, while filling out a report, which was the last thing I wanted to be doing. There were more important matters. Like sending the army to wipe out my father and his horde of soul-eating parasites.

“How else is someone going to write our autobiographies when we cross over?” CiCi answered in her usual good-natured fashion. I groaned and rolled my eyes and she laughed at my irritation. “No. It’s important to keep a detailed report of things that have occurred. That way in the future when we are long crossed over, our words of experience are still here for our predecessors. What if this happens again someday? All this will help them be better prepared.” She explained, and I nodded. That was fair enough. And a much better answer than her corny joke.

Claus and Leon entered the office and I stood up and went to Leon, who wrapped his arms around me eagerly. I hadn’t realized at that moment just how much I’d missed him the previous day. CiCi cleared her throat and I turned and sat down again.

“I’ve already filled them in yesterday on what we found out together. Did anything else happen while your team was there?” CiCi asked, looking at me.

“Nothing. Except for more towards the evening, we saw movement. We couldn’t tell how many or how big, but by the glow of Estrakulius, it was most certainly a Tisin. I have a feeling my father isn’t going to be bringing this battle to Warrior City. If he has any knowledge of the Gateway, to achieve actual dominion over this world, the best way to do that would be to cripple the Gateway.” I told them, and everyone was quiet for a moment, soaking in my words.

“So, you believe your father would do such a thing?” Claus asked. “Even if that meant potentially cutting off his own supply of growth?”

“He doesn’t need to grow anymore if hes already morphed into a Tisin that doesn’t struggle to survive anymore, and if he cuts off the flow of souls, it guarantees no other Tisin can become as strong as him. The balance affects the Keeper and the Gateway. Which in turn will affect us. No more new warriors coming into limbo because souls cannot get in. No souls able to escape either, free to be feasted on until there are no more. That will take a very long time, there are a lot of people here.” I answered seriously. “I think we need to mobilize as soon as possible. Get as many of our warriors to the Gateway as fast as we can.”

Leon was the first to speak after a long minute.

“She’s right. Yuzuki knows her father best; he trained her after all. I feel as if we should take her advice.”

“But on the off chance the lass is wrong? We would be leaving hundreds of citizens unprotected.” Claus countered.

“We have precautions against that,” CiCi advised. “All of our defenses have been doubled and tripled. I do believe we could hold the city in case of an invasion if we mobilize to the Gateway.” She said, sighing. “It’s still a big gamble. It may not be enough.”

“My father would not risk losing one or both battles to split his army up. As of right now, he believes the Gateway is vulnerable. Since we have a few warriors there, he will send a horde that will easily overpower them. To cripple the gate, he will most likely be there himself. He’s always had a certain fetish for seeing things destroyed at his command. It’s our chance to take him down.” I answered. Still, everyone, including myself, seemed to feel hesitant to mobilize to the Gateway. It left our city unprotected, which meant the thousands of souls who could not fight back could be wiped out.

“Unless we only take our Warriors. The warriors that have come to aid us from other cities across Limbo can stay here.” CiCi suggested, and I nodded.

“There may be enough of them stationed here to make the Tisin think twice about an attack,” I added.

Cici’s office window was open, and suddenly a raven flew in and perched on the window. There was a message tied to its leg and CiCi went to it and untied the small scroll. I raised my eyebrows and watched as she unrolled the paper and read it.

“Either way, Yuzuki is right. This is from Vivian. Tisin are amassing around the clearing of the Gateway. Which means it’s time to go. Get your field teams ready. We have a Gateway to defend.” Leon gave me a quick kiss before hurrying out.

“I’ll get my people moving now.” He said over his shoulder and CiCi nodded.

“I will stay here,” Claus announced, and I looked over concerned. “Worry not, lass. It’s not out of anything other than I cannot leave my wee students here undefended. Not without a Chief. If they are attacked, the Warriors here are going to need someone to take responsibility for what happens. I will send most of my sector to battle with you, but the rest will stay here to defend the city.” He explained and CiCi nodded.

“Better be safe than sorry.” CiCi answered, and I nodded, before standing. Knowing Claus would be here to take the lead if an attack did occur made me feel much better. “Yuzuki, best get going. I am off to make my own preparations.” Cici ordered, and I stood, hurrying to my new office which was almost identical to Cici’s.

In a few hours at the most, we had mobilized. I used Nakita, Ivan, Rachel, Kora, and Elliot to lead smaller groups of armed and prepared Warriors to the tree while CiCi and I led our own groups. We staggered the group departure time, and setting a new group out every ten minutes. Altogether, we had nearly two hundred Warriors mobilized to leave for the Gateway. My group was the last to leave and Leon rode with me.

Everyone had strict orders. Get to the Gateway, position themselves around the tree in groups, stay clear of the barrier, and hold the line should the Tisin attack until the rest of the army arrives. Leon was to my right as we flew. My hair was braided with spikes poking through the hair. He had war paint on his face; black, red, and white covering it entirely. His hair was braided tight and feathers stuck straight up, fastened securely to his hair.

“We may be outnumbered,” Leon said to me as we flew, and I nodded.

“If what the Keeper says is true, then there is no doubt. However, one Warrior is worth at least 20 lower-class Tisin. We will prevail. And if we do not, we will die fighting. If I must use my power, then I will use it all.” I answered, and Leon nodded.

“The Gateway must be kept safe at all costs.” He said though I could hear the worry in his voice. I turned to him and smiled reassuringly before turning my eyes back towards our destination.

“And we will do so. We have an advantage over the Tisin.”

“How does an outnumbered army have an advantage over a horde of beasts, all with different weapons equipped on them naturally?”

“They are enslaved to my father and therefore do not have as much will to fight. I am hoping most of them are intelligent enough to know that even if they win the battle, their suffering will not end. We have something worth fighting for. We are all fighting of our own free will.”

“I like you.” He said simply, and I looked over at him, my eyebrows raised.

“You’ve taken shelter in my bed for several months now, I should hope you like me,” I answered, and I could feel Estrakulius’ laugh reverberate through my soul. Leon echoed my Soulmate’s laugh and shook his head.

“I just meant, you’ve come a long way. You resisted this place becoming your home for a long time. Now you take pride in what you do, what we stand for. I like seeing this side of you. The sharpest of swords need a purpose and direction.” He said softly, and a smile crept along my face.

“I just needed something to stand for. And people to show me how to do it. I had good teachers. One, more so than the others.” I looked at him, and he nodded.

“And you’ve made a lot of us proud. It’s a big adjustment, transcending here. There’s a lot to learn. And we live longer lives than the regular residents here. We do not appear to die of old age like the spirits that are born here to be recycled and rejuvenated. It’s a lot of responsibility, suddenly coming into a world you know nothing about and being expected to protect it.” Leon said. “And you’ve only been here about a year. You did better than Claus and I did.” He laughed. “I refused to do anything for years. Dennahayy didn’t even awaken until I was here for three or four years.” He gestured to his Soulmate and laughed. I was surprised by this, Leon hadn’t spoken much of his early years here to me before, so I knew very little.

“I was angry. And volatile. I abused Dennahayy’s powers. My perspective changed when CiCi sent me out to a small village to check-in. She likes it when Limbo’s people get to see us Warriors. It makes them feel safe. And its also our way of keeping up with current events. A little girl with long dark hair ran up to me. She was so excited to see me. She told me she dreamed of being a warrior, just like me, one day. She said that she wanted to protect her momma, papa, and little brother. She couldn’t have been more than seven years old. 

She had brought me homemade treats. When I asked her what they were for, she answered that they were a thank you. ‘Why are you thanking me?’ I asked. She answered, ‘Because you’re keeping Momma, Papa, and my little brother safe for me until I’m strong enough to do it.’ Later that week, she and her mom were going for a walk outside of the village. I just happened to be patrolling the area when I saw the Tisin attack. Luckily, I managed to save them. That little girl looked at me like I was the strongest man alive. Her mom had gotten hurt a little bit protecting her. After that, I finally got it. I never even knew that little girl's name, but she changed my life. That’s when I finally got with the program and started taking things seriously.” I let this sink in for a while, and I nodded.

“Well. I’m glad I am not the only difficult jerk. I never pictured you to be anyone but the you that I know today.”

“Oh, my dear. I was not liked very much by anyone in the beginning. It wasn’t a pleasure to be around me, unlike I am now.” 

“Maybe it’s this place. Maybe it just opens our hearts to the possibilities that lie beyond our own perspectives. Isn’t that what Limbo is about? Renewal and second chances?” I asked, and he smiled.

“Yeah. Maybe it’s the magical influence of the purpose of this world. Or maybe it’s just us growing as beings.” He answered, and I nodded.

“I am four times the being now than I was when I was in the living realm.” I agreed amiably.

“Or perhaps you are just more of who you’ve always been. I love you, Starlight. Be safe in the upcoming battle for me.” He said softly. My heart began to ache in the most pleasant way, and I nodded.

“As long as you do the same for me. I love you, too.” I responded. I was still working on expressing my feelings of affection, so my response could have been warmer, but Leon looked happy. He was perfect in that he did not expect too much of me. We flew in silence the rest of the way to the Gateway, lost in our own thoughts.

When we arrived at the Gateway I was glad to see everyone in position. I landed by CiCi and dismounted, giving my horse to one of the stable boys who had come with us to tend to them. Leon handed his horse over too and we approached.

“Good. The whole gang is here.” CiCi said pleased.

“Yes. Any more movement?” I could hear the humming of Soulmates all around us, and I felt the presence of many Tisin not within sight. 

CiCi nodded. “They have yet to make a move.”

“Should we provoke a battle before they are done?” Leon asked and CiCi smiled at him.

“You read my mind. I don’t know how many more are planning to arrive, but they are already thick. No sign of your father. Does he have a name by the way?” CiCi asked and I glared at her, my blood boiling at the mere mention of him.

“The purpose of a name is for empowerment. A creature like that does not deserve a name, CiCi.” I answered, and she smiled, reaching over and patting my cheek.

“No wiser answer to a question have I ever heard.” She spoke to me softly. “Now. How are we going to provoke an attack?” She asked, looking towards the edge of the field. “It’s too risky to send our warriors into the forest.”

“Too many obstacles. They would be limited in motion and sight.” Leon agreed, and I nodded.

“Why don’t we use our long-range soldiers to do so? We can launch an offense from the center of the field. Send in projectiles, whatever we have. Light the forest on fire. Smoke them out.” The scenery had not changed, and I thought it odd. “Why hasn’t the scenery changed since yesterday?”

“The Gateway prevents it. Its own magical energy keeps the environment around it stable so that it may maintain its presence.” CiCi answered.

“We can organize a march forward. Long range at the front. Once a small segment of the trees are on fire, they can run to the back, and join the fray once they are a safe distance away. Each long-range warrior gets a close combat guard in case Tisin breaks through the defense. Once the confusion has set in, the Tisin will surely charge out. Once the Tisin break formation and command, the rest will surely follow.” I finished explaining my idea. CiCi nodded, thinking heavily on the notion for a moment.

“I like it. Let’s get these trees lit up.” She clapped and turned. “Set it in motion.”

Leon and I darted in opposite directions, CiCi turning to her own group. We went to each group, told them the plan, and mobilized them. We looked specifically for fire-based long-range Warriors and we ended up with five of them. Forty minutes later, the sun was low in the sky, still several hours away from sunset. I was stationed to the east, and I looked to the west where CiCi had the archers.

“Hold your positions until my signal!” I bellowed. Kora was near me, my personal healer, and my partner. In the past few weeks, I had taken the time to practice manipulating her Soulmate’s powers with mine. We were attuned to each other and were well-rehearsed.

I could hear the faint sound of CiCi’s voice readying the archers in the distance and I kept my hand on Estrakulius’ hilt.

“Ready! Aim!” CiCi called out and my heart began to pound. This was it. Either my worst enemy would come forward, or he wouldn’t. Right now, we needed to get enough of these Tisin cleansed as soon as possible so that the Gateway would move again. Before any of us could move, we heard the rumbling sound of a roar from within the trees, far into the distance.

“Yoozoo? Is that your…?” Kora asked, and I held up my hand, frowning.

“I think so. The plan remains the same.” I reached up and touched the speaker on my uniform and focused on Cici. “We are ready. Continue on.” I said, and no sooner had I said it, than her voice cried through the distance.

“FIRE! BURN IT DOWN!” She screamed. All at once the five ranged warriors fired flaming arrows, balls of fire, and even a burning white bolt from a crossbow launched into the air, shooting into the trees. “Do not stop until you see smoke rising from the canopy!”

It didn’t take long. Foliage and undergrowth caught quickly and it wasn’t long until the section the rangers had been aiming at glowed an angry ember red. The sound flames and the popping of insects began roar as Tisin began to break from the tree line, coughing angrily. The Rangers moved then, running to the back. Tisin began to pour from the tree line, like a wave. All around the Gateway, masses of confused animal parts began to pour. The confusion was setting in and another angry scream from the distance sounded.

“That’s right, old man. Get pissed off. I’m waiting for you.” I snarled. “Hold your positions! Hold it! The goal is to cleanse as many as possible. In order for the balance to stay we must free as many souls as possible!” I didn’t want my people getting pushed into the Gateway, nor did I want them being forced into tree lines if the Tisin began to retreat. As the Tisin poured forth, I waited until they were further from the treeline.

“Now?” Kora asked nervously as they ran for us.

“NOW?” A few seconds had passed, and I could feel her body tense beside me, her hands gripping Shion.

“Damn it Kora, wait!” I snapped, my own body tense, waiting and watching as Tisin stumbled from the smoking treeline. Already the archers were working on the segment behind us on the other side of the clearing.

“Yoozooki?” Kora yelled again a few seconds later, and I nodded. 

“CHARGE!” I screamed into the speaker as the Tisin reached the center of the field and all at once our army began to move. I ran with them, drawing Estrakulius as I did so, my wings erupting from my back. Kora waved Shion and I felt warm air flow beneath me. I used the thermal winds she created for me to rise up into the air. Smoke was pouring up from the spreading fire in the forest shrouding me as I flew up to fight air born Tisin. 		

Estrakulius caught the wing of a large bird-like Tisin, causing it to careen screaming into the fray below as Warriors and Tisin met in the middle. There was screaming, from both sides, powers and Soulmates lit the area up with individual colors and effects. Souls were already rising up and flying to the Gateway. It was beautiful and horrifying. I dove down onto a large Tisin with a lion's mane and a praying mantis body that was pinning down one of the Warriors. The heart was exposed on the upper side of its neck. Estrakulius buried himself eagerly into the heart, absorbing the energy greedily. As I jumped down, I yanked the Warrior out of the dying Tisin’s grip and he looked up a little shaken.

“Any time. Back at it.” I ordered, and he stood up. “Be safe though,” I told him, and he grinned before scampering off, targeting a smaller Tisin now. I looked across the field to see Leon summoning giant boulders from the ground, as they launched into the air and began to roll toward a group of Tisin clumped together, Leon holding out the tomahawks that were his Soulmate Dennahayy.

“Yuzuki…” a voice called out and I turned, my mouth dropping in shock. It was disembodied, but it had a focal point. Goosebumps rose on my skin as my hair stood on the edge, my eyes turning toward the sound, gripping Estrakulius, my heart pounding in my ears. Emerging from the trees my father, or what was left of him. No longer was he a giant arachnid, no longer was he barely recognizable.

His long jet-black hair was pulled back into a tight tie at the base of his neck. He was human-shaped, with the exception of the giant spider legs attached to his back. Six of them, twitching and moving as he walked. His skin was a sickly gray-blue with black veins etched across his skin as if tar ran through them. His eyes were red and spider pincers protruded from his mouth. He laughed, raising his hands, leaning his head back, and roaring.

His scream seemed to send the surrounding Tisin into a tizzy, they fought harder and screamed louder. I quickly dispatched a few low-level Tisin as I began to run towards him.

“This time when I kill you, you better stay dead you bastard!” I snarled as I approached. The monster before me laughed, his hand holding what looked like the spine of a large Tisin, sharpened to a point.

“You barely killed me last time. This time you will not succeed. This time, my daughter, you will watch all of your allies die, as you bleed out at my feet. You do not get to hide in a closet and wait to stab me in the dark like a coward this time.” He taunted, and I grit my teeth.

“We do not fight with anger. We know our enemies before we strike and we always kill our target.” I muttered softly as I readied myself. Those were his words, his teachings. They weren’t wrong, but I also knew so much more now than I had before. I was stronger, not just of body, but of spirit and mind. My heart had stopped beating at his hands, but my soul only glowed hotter and brighter since. I looked at him, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. I felt Estraklius hum in my hands and his blade glowed purple and shimmered.

“Come on, Yuzuki-chan! Come at Papa. Show me what you’ve got! Show me how strong you are!” He laughed and lunged at me. I met him with my own lunge, sweeping Estrakulius up to deflect his downward swing.

The force of his swing knocked me backward and I gasped as I regained my balance. He was strong, much stronger than I was. I grit my teeth. If he was stronger, then I had to be faster. I had always been small and weak compared to his physical form. But with the power of thousands of souls powering him, I didn’t have a chance if I chose to engage like we were evenly matched.

I concentrated, spreading my energy evenly through my body, but amassing more in my legs and feet. It helped me move faster. I darted at him, faking right and swinging Estrakulius wide to try and slide around his ribcage. He barely blocked it, and he let out a maniacal laugh again.

“You can do better! I taught you better! Don’t bore me! You know how I get when I am bored!” He swung his fist and it connected with my shoulder, knocking me back. My arm throbbed and it took a few seconds for me to be able to move it again as I climbed to my feet.

“Stop talking and fight!” I shot back at him, words he’d used against me so many times. He laughed and charged at me. This time instead of blocking the attack, I jumped back, then quickly launched myself forward, jumping up onto his blade, swinging down aiming for his head.

Almost effortlessly he lifted his sword and swung me off. I used my wings to catch myself in the air and landed softly. My arm was hurting, and Estrakulius was humming angrily.

Crazy kid. I want his heart. Make it happen. Tap into our full potential. You’re not in this battle alone, so do not act like it! He reminded me sharply. I reached up and tapped my speaker.

“Kora! To me! Time to show them what we can do as a team!” I told her quietly.

“On my way Yoozoo! Hang in there!” She responded, and I could see her moving across the battlefield, Shion dancing in her hands as she cleared a path for herself. She jumped up and sliced a Tisin in three with her wind blades, saving a Warrior who looked like he was in a losing battle. I looked back to my father and glared. He was shambling towards me, the long blade dragging across the grass. I didn’t want to back up anymore, I needed to keep him as far from the Gateway as possible. I could see the battle waging around me, and so I decided to try and lure him away.

Before I could move, a black arrow pierced the shoulder that held the long blade and he paused. Turning I could see Nakita aiming another at him, her olive eyes wide with fury. Before I could move, the monster had launched himself at Nakita so fast that his body was almost a blur. He head-butted her in the stomach and I could hear her ribs crack as she was launched backward.

“Yoozoo!” Kora called as she neared me, and I nodded. I held Estrakulius out as I began to run. Kora caught up reaching Shion out and when our Soulmates touched I could feel her energy and mine connect through them. They hummed to life and both began to glow a mixture of pink and purple. We separated, and she swung her fan. My body was surrounded by air and I began to manipulate it with my energy. I used it to add to my speed and force. She danced in the opposite direction of me and we attacked from both sides.

My father had positioned himself over Nakita, his arm raising slowly, the arrow protruding from his flesh as he lifted his weapon above her. I swung Estrakulius from a distance and wind exploded from the tip of him. Three deep slices dug themselves into the side of my father’s face and he paused, looking at me.

“It would seem you have learned a few new tricks.” He chuckled, but he hissed in pain as Kora attacked him from behind. Half of his hair fell to the ground as blood dripped from his back. Kora’s wind attacks were also amplified by my power.

“Just wait. It gets worse. I am not the only person who can get stronger with my new tricks.” I retorted, launching myself at him. Again, I faked right as he swung his weapon in defense. I skirted under it and grabbed Nakita’s hand and dragged her away from him. She cried out in pain and fury, but she clung to me as she used me to catch her balance.

“I’m gonna be a part of killing him.” She snarled, and I nodded.

“Want to add your power to the pool?” I asked though I was not certain. I’d only practiced with Kora. CiCi and Claus warned me not to work with offensive and volatile weapons, but now was not the time to have doubt, and a hail mary was needed. There were more soldiers on the ground bleeding, healers working on them, while their guards covered them. The flow of Tisin from the treeline was endless.

Nakita nodded. “No time like the present to take strategic risks.” She said holding her bow out. I touched Estrakulius to her Soulmate and felt her energy. I was gentle as I fused it with mine and Kora’s, and leaking some of both into Nakita’s Soulmate. My father had turned and now he was panting, his face contorted in anger.

“So many missed opportunities. Come to Daddy, Yuzuki. I could change you. We could be a team. We could take over this world together.” He jibed at me and I felt rage course through my veins before taking in a deep breath.

“Oh you mean, make myself vulnerable for you to kill me, the way you killed our entire family?” I asked.

Chapter 17 The Battle Never Forgotten

After a few hours’ rest, we headed back towards the capital at full speed, pushing our horses while they flew above the shimmering world. We arrived back in town well before noon. I was sitting in CiCi’s office, helping her with some final paperwork, including my reports from the previous day.



Chapter 17

The Battle Never Forgotten

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Hope Martin

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Chapter 18