Kisei no Shinryaku

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Orokan’zao nimbly jumped out of the way before jabbing it in the side. Azuma and Dai also tried to punch it as well, but to no avail. Their hands kept bouncing off of the side. The threesome regrouped and jumped back onto the stairs, through the open doorway. Azumaa quickly shut it. All but Orokan’zao were panting heavily as the doors slid shut, closing with a loud THUD. There was a large red button on it that said REOPEN in glowing red ink.

“How do we take that thing down?!” Azuma said between breaths.

“I do not know of any certain way. However, there may yet be a weakness. Azuma, is your steel bolas also exploding?” Orokan’zao quickly asked.

“Yes, there is a button on the ball that will enable it to explode. But, if we miss, our opportunity will be wasted,” Azuma replied.

“Very well, then let us proceed with this new plan. Dai and I will distract the creature into one corner. Azuma, since you have the most skill with the bolas, you will be the one to throw it on my signal. By throwing it into the creature, it will explode on contact, making the creature evaporate. Another possibility is that the bolas will sink into the beast, and explode within, still killing it” Orokan'zao finished.

“Sounds good,” Dai pitched in.

With that, the small group pushed the button and stepped out. The water monster attacked as soon as it saw them. Dai and Orokan’zao jumped into the corner, trying to draw the creature towards them. They started provoking it, while Azuma prepped the bolas. As soon as the monster bore down on the pair in the corner, Azuma threw the bolas, which sunk into the creature and exploded on contact, splattering everyone with water.

“Ugh, I’m all wet,” Azuma said.

“Aren’t we all,” Dai replied drily.

“I see you have made it past the demon, the first to do so in centuries,” a new voice said.

The threesome turned to see a tall man in a flowing blue robe edged with a white fur trim.

“That water demon served as our guardian for millennia. It is an arduous process to create it, but it serves us well, when it is stationed. It is capable of basic speech, but is nothing more than a durable robot, really. I am surprised that it took only three people and a bolas to take it down. Clans used to send many warriors to try and take the creature. That aside, you must have come here for a very important reason if you were so determined to destroy the creature. I am Mitaehl, and I will serve as your guide and escorter. Welcome to the Mizu clan.”

Azuma boldly stepped forward. “I am Azuma of the Faia clan, this is Dai, and Orokan’zao,” he said pointing in turn to each one. “We have come to warn your leaders of an oncoming threat.”

The man-Mitaehl-seemed mildly amused. “A threat you say? There are few threats that the Mizu clan can’t deal with.”

“In this case, it will require the combined efforts of all five clans to eradicate this threat. We will explain as you escort us,” Azuma said curtly.

Mitaehl laughed, a deep bass. “Little man, I am not sure you understand. We do not make alliances, especially not with the Faia. We deal with all threats ourselves, and we seldom fail. The last time that happened was because of an uprising. That was the only time we have ever failed.”

“Please, sir, at least take us to your leader,” Azuma said pleadingly.

“Very well, but do not expect any agreements. Once your audience with the head is over, I will send you home. Do not worry, the way down is much faster than the way up,” Mitaehl finished with a humorless grin.

“Thank you, sir,” Azuma said gratefully.

“Well, come on then,” Mitaehl said.

The party headed through the door that wasn't there before. Mitaehl opened it by pressing his hand on a brick. A long hallway awaited them. The small group began the long journey with hope in their hearts. They wanted a good negotiation. Little did they know about what had happened to the Mizu clan. When they reached the end of the hallway, there was a  magnificent sight to behold.