As she flies through the depths of the Death Mist Forest, slaughtering through every demon in her way with no effort, Chiyo finally reaches Tsukigakure.
She stops in her tracks and gets to look at the modern dark castle standing tall in front of her.
The constant raining, the darkness and the path leading to the castle were tripping her over, but she manages to walk through the gates to hell itself.
When she reaches castle, Kowamaru was standing there right in front of the entrance towards the castle, seeming to be waiting for her. He holds a strong front, with an arrogant malicious smirk in his face.
– Well... well... well... I have been waiting for you, old pal... friend.
Only the way Kowamaru introduced himself, with that disgusting crown on his head, the dress, and his superior acting, like he wasn't the same coward he used to be a few years ago... it infuriated Chiyo.
For the first time ever, Chiyo looked at someone with hatred and emptiness, she felt like her heart was clenching simply by his presence, and that was Kowamaru... the person she used to care so much about.
– You... Chiyo simply let out, with an angry disgusted tone.
That made Kowamaru laugh maniacally, slapping himself in the forehead. He slowly walks towards her and says with a manipulating voice:
– What a welcoming comeback indeed, Chiyo... Seriously, you don't understand how grateful I am to see someone I really missed for so many years return...
Chiyo steps back, growling, she felt chills on her spine just by hearing him with such arrogance she never knew he had it in him.
Kowamaru sees that slight nervousness in her, and chuckles silently even more.
– You know... back when we were kids, I had a crush on you... I loved you so much but I never had the chance to say it. I love you. Kowamaru continues with his evil tone, admitting for the first time ever.
– Bullshit! You never loved me, Kowamaru! You don't love me, I can see that in those heartless eyes of yours! Chiyo yells with anger.
– I do. Kowamaru says, now trying a softer tone, slowly convincing her... Your modesty and bravery is what inspired me, you are a great warrior, and I can see how much you have grown, my dear Chiyo..
The Demon King has finally reached her, and his hand slowly slides to her cheek gently, caressing her. Chiyo lets out a gulp, feeling uncomfortable and... something else she couldn't put her finger on. He then gently wipes strands of her hair and slowly... he kisses her.
He holds her tighter, kissing her with passion, and Chiyo melts into it while he gently places a hand over her waist, squeezing. Chiyo let's out a moan as they continue this intimate act together... he then rips her upper clothes and nips her neck, and the goddess's breath hitches at the feeling. Then his tongue slowly trails to one of her breasts and sucks them deliberately, she could feel herself getting aroused.
And then... Chiyo's heating mood shifts when she finally feels the pain, she almost ate entirely her shoulder, so she quickly uses magic and knocks him away, and starts retreating while half naked in the rain.
Kowamaru groans as he gets up, holding himself by the stomach.
– Stupid bitch. I will have your body soon enough.. he mutters as he sends his demons towards her.
As Chiyo kept running, she trips over and falls next to a cliff in the mud. She was trembling as she pushes and raises herself on her knees. Before she could do anything, magical leashes appear around her out of nowhere and grip her tight, capturing her and making her fall back on the ground, only one of her hands being barely able to move.
The girl was going through a sense of dread and desperation as she starts wobbling and trying to escape, screaming for help, but... nobody came.
Somehow... she manages to lean her hand up in the air as the demons were running from afar towards her.
A mana comes out of her hands, and 7 Mythical Crystals appear in the sky, the light surfacing through the darkness.
Each crystal represented an element:
• The Blue one represented the water element, a meaning for patience and gentleness.
• The Red one represented the fire element, a meaning for bravery and self-confidence
• The Green one represented the nature element, a meaning for greatfulness and joy
• The Golden one represented the light element, a meaning for hope and justice
• The Purple one represented the shadow element, that one was for... Rika, a meaning for perseverance and kindness
• The Rose one represented the life element, a meaning for love.
And lastly... The Rainbow one, representing everything that is positive, granting grand power.
She names them... the Phyraprisms... she absorbs her own powers through these gems and she chuckles roughly, accepting her fate as the demons appear and stab her in the back everywhere, brutally killing her...
In the meantime while Etsuko and Horie were close to reach Tsukigakure, they see the crystals up in the air, spreading through the world. They were stunned and didn't knew the cause, but at least now they had an idea where Tsukigakure was located at, so they rush faster towards the castle.
Finally reaching the demon empire, Etsuko and Horie don't hesitate on rushing through the gates. But when they thought they were finally going to enter inside the castle, hundreds of demons surround the duo, but that didn't intimidate Etsuko nor Horie, both of them standing there side by side determined.
– Ah, what a drag.. more low-life demons? The blonde girl complains as usual, with her expression still and hardened.
– Seems like it, Horie replies, ready to fight.
– Horie, you try going through that door and confront Kowamaru and I will fight these... goddamn forbid them creatures...
– Are you sure you can handle them? Horie asks, his worry about her evident.
– What do I look like to you? A fucking weakling? I can handle this.. she says, groaning.
Horie sighs and teleports through the demons towards the door, and barges in while Etsuko was there killing the demons swiftly.
As soon as he walks in, he sees Kowamaru standing on his throne arrogantly, but Horie's expression stays the same, concentrated.
– Haha... if it isn't the big samurai, Horie Kohaku. I heard things about you..
Horie's eyes narrow just by hearing him talk.
– Where is Chiyo? He asks calmly, with a hint of anger.
– The girl?... Kowamaru then slowly laughs loudly like a psychopath, Horie just stands there patiently, waiting for his response, and then Kowamaru stops laughing, I killed her. She is dead now. The poor girl sacrificed herself thinking that anybody would back her up.
That hits Horie deep, then looks down with guilt and shock. Gradually, his anger increases, his fists clenching and shaking.
– What's wrong? Did the loss of the girl's pathetic life affect you?..
– S-She... She cared about you! And you betrayed her! Betrayed us!
Kowamaru then gets up of his throne, smirking like a maniac. Horie's eyes then bleed, his Shinjitsugan activating.
– Oh... so that is the pinnacle of the Kohakus!
Kowamaru shouts.
Horie remains silent and then mutters:
– Shut the fuck up.
And without warning, Horie grips his sword and lunges towards Kowamaru, he tries to slice his shoulder but the demon king dodges and attempts to counter the samurai's attack to no avail, Horie's shinjitsugan saw through his attacks and catches his fist, but before he could try breaking the Velkarin's arm off, Kowamaru paralyzes with lightning mana and then punches Horie straight in the face, sending him flying, but he falls gracefully.
– Damn it, you are strong... Horie says, brushing the blood out of his lips.
Kowamaru chuckles and raises his arm, launching a wave of magical blood arrows, breaking walls of the dark castle, but Horie quickly predicts his attack and creates an avatar shield, blocking the arrows.
Then, surprising the demon, Horie rushes towards him, makes 3 clones beside himself and kicks Kowamaru right in the jaw with each clones, sending him flying.
Horie sighs, but then he realizes that the Kowamaru that he kicked was an illusion when he grabs Horie by the neck and lifts him, ripping one of his eyes open.
Horie screams in pain, but before Kowamaru could do anything, Etsuko lunges from across the room and punches him so hard that she rips his jaw out and launches him through the castle outside.
– Hands. Out. Of. My. Boyfriend. Etsuko says with rage and disgust.
Horie falls to the ground, holding his empty left eyelid, bleeding. Etsuko then walks outside to confront Kowamaru by herself. He could barely stand up from the blow.
Etsuko reaches Kowamaru, and gets on top of him. She then starts punching him again... and again... and again... using him like a training dummy.
But then Kowamaru has had it enough, slowly raises himself and headbutts Etsuko but... the girl remains unfazed, with the bruise on her forehead.
– You killed my sister, you almost killed my boyfriend too, and you dare to STRIKE ME?!!
She gets off of him, lifts him up and slugs him, sending him back inside the castle.
Horie slowly puts his missing eye back on and then gets up gently. He walks towards Kowamaru which looked completely mutilated, and then he stabs Kowamaru right in the heart, making him cough up blood.
Kowamaru starts seeing Rika and Chiyo around, laughing at him, humiliating him, and he felt... hated.
He blinks again, and then suddenly coughs up blood, spilling on Horie's face, but the samurai stood still.
He slowly forces himself to say his final words:
– I-I... I... I..... I a-am..... s-so... sorry...
– Go.. fuck yourself. Horie says with a sharp tone, and then stomps on his head and obliterates it.
Etsuko returns, and sees Kowamaru's dead body. She smiles softly at Horie and says:
– Good job!
– You did great too! Horie says fondly.
Afterwards they search in the castle everywhere for Chiyo, but there was no trace, and then Horie mutters with a hint of pain and regret:
– We... lost her.
Etsuko's expression darkens as he hears his words, her heart skipping a beat, and then falls on her knees, staring coldly at the ground.
– How many of them... need to die, man...
Horie looked at her with a softer expression and walked to her, placing his hands on her shoulder gently. He seems to try and understand her, though he struggles to express his feelings due to his past traumas he had:
– I am sorry, Etsuko, I really am... I am sorry that we were this late... but now there is no coming back to that... just... let's hurry up before any other beloved friend dies...
Etsuko bit her trembling lip, trying not to cry. But then slowly gets up and walks back towards the base with the samurai.
After they arrive back to the Varyashim base, there were two female assistants in the front of the entrance of the building, Etsuko scoffs and Horie remains silent.
– Why are you two here in front of the entrance? Who fucking died now? Etsuko asks, with a hint of irritation and exhaustion, her heartbeat raising slowly.
The women's shoulders tensed and lifted instinctively, both of them still sad and nervous about what their reactions are going to be at the next news.
– W-We... we.....
– What happened? Horie asks gently, just enough for them to give the news without feeling uncomfortable.
Etsuko waited impatiently, walking forth and back in desperation and anger. And finally, one of the girls finally gathered the courage to speak:
– When we went to check on Kobe Saburo we found... Him dead in his room, hanged by the roof... He has commited suicide I am afraid...
Horie gasps, showing emotions for the first time ever, while Etsuko remains at a loss for words, her breathe pace increasing. She slowly took a step back reluctantly, a tear rolling her left eye:
– H-He... he... he w-what?..
The girls remained silent out of guilt, and Etsuko walked away swiftly, starting to cry loudly and screaming. Horie sees that, feeling something in his throat, even he struggled to maintain his emotions, but he couldn't let her go as well, so he went after her.
They reach an empty field, and Horie finally catches up to her and grabs her arm firmly.
– Hey! Etsuko, don't leave.. just— listen to m—
Horie cut himself off, looking at her, while Etsuko slowly turns around, her face covered in tears, her heart aches for every single loss that she had to go through in only one night. She sobs and then breaks down, yelling:
– AND WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?! I LOST TWO FUCKING IMPORTANT PEOPLE THAT I LOVED WITH ALL MY HEART, AND THEN I HEAR ABOUT THE PERSON THAT CARED ABOUT MY FUCKING SISTER THE MOST, THAT HE KILLED HIMSELF?!! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, HORIE?! I HAVE MY LIMITS TOO, I CAN'T HANDLE ALL OF THIS AT ONCE!!! I CAN'T— I–I.. I... I can't do this anymore..
But then, Etsuko's eyes widen, a soft tight embrace that Horie gives her... with all his heart. A tear rolls down the Samurai's cheek, and with a shaky voice, he states:
– L-Let it out... E-Etsuko... I am so sorry...
Etsuko clings to him like her life depends on it, and mourns the people she cared about the most along with Horie, crying.
...
3 weeks later, when the war finally ended...
Etsuko and Horie stood along a cliff, their expressions soft and relieved, close to the campfire where fellow survivors were celebrating their victory.
Etsuko turns to Horie and gently speaks:
– Remember when I called you my boyfriend when we were in the midst of the war?..
Horie freezes, his face reddens a bit and then slowly faced Etsuko:
– ..Y- Yeah.. about that—..
– I actually.. meant it, Horie... I was afraid to admit it because we were in the middle of that god-forsaken war.. but now I can say that... I love you, Horie... she said, the look on her face even softer than before.
A beat passes.
Horie blinks adorably, being nervous and speechless, Etsuko notices that and laughs tenderly.
– Y-You d-do?.. he asks, not knowing what to say next.
– Yes, you adorable dumbass.. and then Etsuko pulled him into a sweet hug.
Horie's hands gently lift, and returns the hug, an unusual joyful smile crossing by his face.
– T-Then I guess... I love you too, Etsuko...
Etsuko rapidly pulled away to look at him in the eyes, her own face flushing.
– Y-You do..?
They stared at each other quietly without realizing they were slowly getting closer and closer... and before they knew it, they kissed. A warm passionate kiss worth years of fighting together, through everything hard they have went through.
They slowly pulled back to look at each other. Etsuko humms and hugs him again.
When their teammates see that, they get even happier and hug each other, revelling and drinking their beers.
Months later and they get married, end up the higher-ups of Shainihebun and get to live a happy life, a nice ending to the origins of the phyraprisms. Although this is not the end, because more will attend us in the next hundreds of years!
The end..?