Enemy Mine

Cyclops story: http://pastebin.com/kqN2N2mF
Across the pond: http://pastebin.com/cpqwwKKM
Away from Chaos: http://pastebin.com/wsz6N0VB
Gnome is where the heart is: http://pastebin.com/T012TSin
Max and Emilia: http://pastebin.com/DwBVZrLb
Centurion: http://pastebin.com/4y3CwTmT
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On a cold winters night, with winds that would chill you to the bone. The inhabitants of a vibrant town watched in horror as the forest which stood undisturbed for one thousand years burned before them. The sky was a sickly orange, reflecting the flames against the clouds which peppered the land below gently with large flakes of snow.

A warrior, who did his best to hold his ground, was finally launched form his feet, the armour that guarded his chest shattered from one final blow and sent him crashing into the ground below. He was surrounded by corpses of monsters, their ugly, vicious maws made silent by the warriors blade. In between the ghastly stench of the dead ratlings lied the warriors comrades, each of them had given their lives to slay their enemies ten folds. But strength is not everything on the battlefield when your enemy can overcome you with sheer numbers.

The warrior tried to stand, but he couldn't. Sharp chunks of metal and bone had punctured his organs, he bled furiously, tainting the snow a sickly crimson. His enemy marched before him, the ogres fat, bloated green belly jiggled as it laughed boisterously at its fallen enemy, slamming its club against its hand over and over again.

“Do your worst, monster...” The warrior hissed, doing his best to stop the bleeding with the one arm that still obeyed his commands.

The ogre lifted its giant club into the air, drool pouring from its large jagged teeth, dropping his tool of war downwards against the injured warrior, ready to take his life and feast on his corpse.

But it was stopped as ten metallic fingers, gleaming brilliantly gold, smashed defiantly into its club. The stone-like material began to crack at each point it had met the fingers, until finally the club was pulled violently from the ogres hands and tossed aside like it weighed no more than a child's toy.

Before the ogre stood a new warrior, his onyx tinted armour ended at his shoulders to make room for his own brand of weapons. His arms were clad in gold from the shoulder to the fist, he needed as much free range of movement as he could for his style of  combat.
He had the eyes of a beast, gazing into his opponents with the fury of a thousand vengeful spirits.

This warrior is me, I am Argustus Cain, first brother of the Vanguard, the first and last line of defence for humanity against the brutal monster menace.

“You have taken your last life this day, monster.” I growled, cracking my fists tightly into balls. My words angered the beast, its beady eyes glaring back at me. It let out a roar, even from here I could smell it repugnant breath.

It charged, arms outstretched, ready to tear me limb from limb. Only I met its charge with one of my own, the weapons clad to my arms hissed steam from the elbows as I launched my right fist forward, twisting my body between its arms and catching the ogre at the jaw.

The impact shattered the air with a sickening crack, the flesh and skin at the ogres neck began to tear until the spinal cord finally gave way, tearing the beasts head from its body as its eyes left its skull and its jaw caved into its brain.
I was splattered with the abominations black blood, shielding my face as it stained my weapons and armour.

“Br...Brother Argustus!” I heard the cry from behind me. I turned around to see the only still breathing member of the advance team alive, though barely.

I moved to his side, crouching down to my knee.

“F...Forgive me, brother...” He managed to gasp in between his desperate breaths. “They...They were never...Attacking Edelweiss...It was a tra...Tra...A trap for us... And I walked right into.... it.”

“Be still, Brother Geoffrey!” I ordered, placing my hand against his shoulder. “Save your strength.”

Brother Geoffrey gulped down the blood in his throat, his mouth quivering and his teeth chattering together as he tried again to speak through his blood stained teeth.

“The Va...Vanguard has been whittled down too much over the years... Too many...Too many monsters, and...and...and not enough of us... Y-y..y..You are the last...now...Brother Argustus...”

The Vanguard, the order of warrior priests genetically mutated and trained since they could walk. I am a member of this order, bred to protect our great nation and its pious people from the rampaging scourge of the monsters, each and every one of them created by the demon lord to kill and consume humans.

“Please...Brother...” Brother Geoffrey's words were becoming harsher, he was using his last ounce of strength to stay awake. He raised his hand into the air and opened his palm to me.
“You have to ...Survive...Keep the order alive... For the Patriarch and his people...”

I took his hand in both of mine, clenching it tightly, I hid the look of sorrow in my eyes, I had to remain strong, for Geoffrey and the rest of my fallen comrades.

“I promise you, brother... I will slay the master of this damnable force and end the nine-tails army once and for all!”

Geoffrey's eyes were closed, he had died with a smile on his face, as all warriors should. If his words were true than the advanced party was wiped out as well. I was ordered to remain at the village, my prowess for battle made me key to defending the town that was never attacked... If I were here, would the outcome have been different? Or would I have joined my brothers in the embrace of god?

I gazed upon the forest as it burned around me, the bodies stretched for what felt like miles, with my brothers lifeless shells sparsely in between. Their ambush was a success but they had paid dearly, and in blood. Only one obstacle remains...That damn she-beast “Akane”.
A kitsune from the far east has marched her armies from the lands of Zipangu to try her odds against the kingdom of Ecclesia and her holy warriors. Little did she expect the Vanguard to be her opponents. And now I will have her head...

I ran through the forest with haste, removing the heads or hearts of any stragglers my brothers had missed. The Nine tails army was crushed utterly, and only Akane remained. I must end her here or she may rise again!

I spotted it in the distance, its unholy form sickened me to the core. The giant fox like demon roamed through the burning woods, her tails swishing behind her, the flames from them melting the snow below almost instantly.

“Akane!” I bellowed, my boots digging into the dirt as I halted my advance. The Kitsune turned around the instant she heard my voice, its giant fangs bared and the fires from its tail burning the trees around them to ash.

“I remember you...Argustus Cain! You dare show your face to me!?” She roared, her voice echoing in my ears and mind.

“You killed my brothers!” I yelled out, throwing my fist into the air. “Now with these mighty hands I will bring  your head back with me as a trophy!”

“Humans...” Akane growled, her maw opening with her words. “Filthy, disgusting humans... You dare stand opposed to the great Akane? The slayer of men!?”


 Her tails moved from her behind to each side, as if pointing at me. Her mouth opened as she began to roar an earth shattering roar. Little by little the air in front of her began to crackle and soon a black orb spiralling with black magic swirled before him.

I clenched my fists, the steam blowing from every gear protruding from it.
“I am Brother Argustus Cain of the Vanguard, wielder of the Ever flame, slayer of demons and monsters alike! I will not be stopped by magic or monster or demon or devil!”

I charged forward, challenging her magic with my mighty fists. She howled as the orb fired.
Dark magic vs the holy light, man vs monster, enemy vs enemy, it was kill or be killed, and I had no intention of forsaking Geoffrey's final wish.

I roared a bloody battle cry, throwing my fist against the orb. The air around me shattered as magic fought with magic, the ground erupting as the greatest treasure given to me by the Patriarch himself clashed with ancient magics that not even the greatest of wizards could conjure. My teeth gnashed together, pushing against my gums until they drew blood, I refused to die, I refused to be defeated.

With one final push, my fist broke through the orb, surrounding me in a blinding light as the dark magic was crushed under my fist. The light evaporated before my feet once again touched the ground. I tripped and stumbled, falling on to my stomach and sliding across the ground.

It was quiet, eerily quiet, I  didn't feel the heat of the fires nor the cold of the snow against my face. I opened my eyes to the sight of grass, brown and dying but grass all the same. I pushed myself from the ground, darting my sight around to try and get a grip on my surroundings.

The area felt familiar, though the trees were a sickly grey and the grass was anything but alive. What had happened? Had I fallen unconscious? And if so, why wasn't I dead? I continued to investigate, both the bodies of my brothers and my enemies were gone, no slicks of blood, no smell of burned or open flesh, it was just me, alone.

I gulped the insecurities down my throat, turning both left and right before deciding that the best course of action was to head back into town. Though the scenery was changed, the paths were all the same.

I marched my way through the disturbingly empty woods, not a single creature was scurrying around, neither animal nor monster. Finally I could see Edelweiss in the clearing, standing as quaintly as ever...At least that is what I believed until I came closer.
When it was more than a blur in my vision, my heart sank and my jaw dropped. It was unbelievable, how could this be Edelweiss?

I approached the town, closer and closer as the sickening reality shattered my mind. The once expertly bricked road was now a shanty mud trail not fit for even the lowest of beggars. What was once houses made of brick and decorations were now houses made of rotting wood and straw roofs. The town was much smaller, no market square, no manor at the end of town for the mayor and his family. The once beautiful fountain, decorated with a statue of the kind and loving Patriarch himself, his arms held open as if to embrace his subjects with a very authentic warm smile, was replaced with a well barely held together by bricks with a broken bucket resting beside it. Had the monsters come through here? No, it can't be, there are still humans wandering about.

I could hear the chantings of a priest in the distance, at first believing that it was a father encouraging the villagers to band together in their love for their fellow man to make this town great again. Instead he shrieked of hate, to mistrust your fellow man for he may be a heretic, to hunt down the monster and their conspirators to the last, to hang those who lay with them and to burn those who conceive with them. I did not understand...Monsters and humans cannot breed, we are but a food source to them.

I was left speechless at the state of Edelweiss. Where were the clockworks that once decorated the towns? Where were the merchants selling their wares and the bards singing of heroism and happy days ahead? Where was my god? Has he abandoned me? Even the villagers no longer dressed in cloths made prime and proper for the day ahead. They were drab, their heads covered in leather caps as they always looked down towards the ground. No one smiled, no one said hello, they just went among their day, constantly shivering from either the cold or fear or both.

“You!” I heard cry from behind me, I turned to the source of the voice, seeing the same priest who was ranting madly now standing before me.

“How dare you!?” He roared.

“Excuse me?” I asked, turning my body fully to him.

“You dare wear the markings of the old blasphemers!?” He accused, pointing at my chest plate. It was adorned by the mark of the Ever-flame.  “God will not tolerate a heretic in his domain!”

I stood back, offended by the mans accusation. In no point in history had any of the Vanguards ever strayed from our path. He dared, truly dared, to spit rancid insults at the Ever-flame!? The mark that had led armies of the pious against the rampaging hordes of the demon king?

“Watch your tongue.” I growled, clenching my fists.

“I will not suffer the heretic in my town!” He cried out into the air, loud enough to garner the attention of the twenty or so men and women that made out the inhabitants of this mess they call a town.

The mad priest reached into his robes, drawing a mace with a strange symbol adorned on it. He let out a battle cry, waving a mace in one hand and a book in the other. He didn't even have the time to waste both our times swinging his weapon before my fist explode against his chest, tearing away the flesh,bones, and organs that made up his upper torso.

His legs stumbled in place for a few moments before toppling over. His mace and book falling from the air and into the mud. I glared at the blood and gore stained mud, walking past what was left of the mans corpse and picked his book out of the dirt.

I opened the book, not bothering to clean off the dirt and began to read from page to page.
I was horrified, the book had the title of the ones my brothers and I were read to constantly growing up, but all the scriptures differed greatly.
From page to page I was assaulted by the same theme and stories. Hate, mistrust, death, hate, mistrust, death, hate, mistrust, death. It glorified the death of my fellow man, spoke of how each and everyone you meet could be colluding with the monsters. It spoke of how you should hate the monsters with all your heart and hate anyone who as much as speaks of them.

“This...Cannot be...” I muttered to myself. This goes against all the teachings of god, yet bares his name in full. The Ever-flame was no where to be seen, instead of that other damnable symbol.
I was lost in both shock and despair to even hear the sound of marching feet behind me coming from outside of town.

“You there...” A voice commanded. I turned around to see a cohort of at least two hundred men standing behind a younger man adorned in scriptures and armour. He glared a accusing, hateful glare at me, if I were a lesser man I would feel intimidated. Each of his warriors were dressed in brown leather laminar armour with dainty iron weapons and kettle hats atop their skulls.  Though the captain was different, he reeked of nobility and his sword gleamed with a red glow.

“Did you kill this man?” he asked me without hesitation.
“Yes.” I answered right away, I felt no need to lie to him, even with his numbers.

“You would admit fully to murdering a priest of the high church?” He asked, the tone in his voice growing louder.

“This man is no priest.” I told him, tossing him the book I had picked from the ground. “His scriptures go against everything the Patriarch has taught us!”

“The Patriarch...?” The captain looked through the book, unfazed by its text before looking back at me. He glared at my chest piece before speaking again.

“I see...So you are a mad man. So whats your shtick, funny man? Time traveller? Reincarnation?”

“What?” I asked, my eyes once again widening in horrible realization.

“This talk is over!” The captain suddenly roared, drawing his blade, which now came to life with fire. “Pay for your crimes in blood!”

I brought my arms up in a cross, his blade smashing down in between them. I could feel my fist weapons vibrate with magic, I never had a chance to repair them from Akane's attack, not with no smith in sight who knows how to work with runes.

I continued to deflect his strikes, each blow vibrating through my bones more and more violently. I watched his men look at one another, not sure if they should interfere or give their captain a chance at glory.

I had enough, with one final deflect I pushed my arm to the right, throwing the captain off balance. He fell towards me, tripping over his own feet as I grabbed on to the plate of his shoulder. With all my strength I threw him in front of me, pulling my right arm back and lunging forward with a loud, furious growl.

My fist struck true, his skull only enduring for a split second before it caved in. The captains eyes fell out first before it finally smashed into itself. With the force of my punch, the captains body smashed into the front ranks of his regiment, throwing the soldiers in the first two rows off their feet.

I stood to attention, clenching my fists in triumph. That is until I heard the crack.
“No...” I whispered to myself, looking at my golden gleaming arms as the cracks appeared and spread until they connected to one another. My gauntlets expunged steam in vain before crumbling apart around my arms, leaving them naked. I looked at my callused hands, the weapons that had been given to me by the great Patriarch himself had been destroyed. The strain of magic blow after magic blow was far too much, followed by a true strike such as that, I had brought this dishonour upon myself.

“He killed the Captain!” One of the soldiers cried.
“Slay him! Do not let him get away!”

I took a step back before the soldiers charged, forcing me to flee the seen. I was much faster than them, that was my only saving grace. Though I did not deserve to survive the encounter, I should have stayed and fought with my bare hands until they had brought me down. Relics of the Ever-flame had been held in high regards for generations, and I had destroyed one in my own folly. There is no higher shame.


I continued to run, ignoring the world around me. I saw no life, even if it stood in front of me, I didn't want to stop, I didn't want to think, I just wanted to run. I felt branches brush against me, I felt hands try to stop me, I felt claws of strange creatures touch my flesh, I never stopped, nothing could stop me, not the gods, no one.

My brothers died for nothing, my Patriarchs teachings went to waste, humanity was no longer united in unity but by fear. The Vanguard was no longer honoured, we killed and died just to be scraped away like excrement from a boot.

I ran for days, my mutations allowed me to do son, I stopped for no one and only changed course to avoid civilization or dodge trees or walls or rivers. This continued until I couldn't any more, the very human pains of exhaustion catching up with me.

I fell to my knees near a river, cupping the water in my hands and taking a long drink. I recognized this area, it was one of the many places we were taken as children. The edge of Ecclesia, or whatever this hell hole was called now.

I looked down at my chest piece, running my fingers down the engraved flames before sighing, it meant nothing to me anymore. I tore away the bindings and pulled it from my shoulders, dropping it to the ground. Sorrow had overtaken me, how did my world change so much in a single night? My brothers were gone, the Ever-flame was defamed, the Patriarch was gone. God has abandoned me...I am alone. I looked to the skies above and find them empty. Was taking my own life truly so cowardly? Would Geoffrey not understand my blight and allow me to join them? Are they still even waiting for me?

The very weight and thought of it all brought me to tears, howling and crying like a mewling infant. I sat against a tree stump, rubbing my eyes against my palm in some desperate attempt to make the tears stop. Never in my life had I felt so lost, so grief stricken.

Somehow, someway I had found the strength to continue. Either out of cowardice or out of defiance I rose to my feet after wiping my face clean with water. With one final look at the kingdom I had defended for so long, the one I had called home for the twenty eight years I had fought and lived here. I turned my back on it, it was no longer my own. I headed east, and never stopped.



Months had passed, and still I continued my trek forward, with no path to obey and no doctrine to follow I simply walked forward and ignored all roads and signs. In my travels I had found ways to survive. I hunted food, I stole cloths, and I scavenged weapons from adventures, bandits, and soldiers who's journey had been cut short.

In my travels I had also discovered monsters. They...have changed to be frank. The first one I had mistaken for a young girl who I thought was lost in the woods. I approached her and offered help, only for her turn to around to reveal the horns resting on her head and pointed ears. She whistled and soon I was surrounded by similar little girls. They were strong, much much stronger than I. I was pulled off my feet in seconds, yet somehow I managed to scurry away like a rat. I was at least quicker than they were, and the idea of slaying a little girl sat sickly with me, even with the knowledge of their true identity.

Time after time I found and was assaulted by different monsters, each and every one of them was a woman. They had human faces and sometimes even had nigh human forms. They always pined for me, trying to drag me away or ravage me on the spot.

For one reason or another I had resisted, probably out of pride. What had happened after that night against the nine tails army that changed monster so...drastically? I had to admit that I was finding many of them rather attractive. I overheard passing travellers about a band of “Large mice” prowling in the north. When I discovered another group to myself I had realized that this was some sort of successor the scowling Ratlings that once infested every monster army. Though seeing them up close, they were small, slender, but had the looks of a young woman. I would be lying if I said I didn't find them attractive. But still I pressed on.

My journey continued until I had finally reached the ocean, catching a ride as a fisherman with a few others aboard a vessel heading even further east. I spent weeks on this ship, catching fish and pushing prying sea monsters back into the water. Every man here seemed to carry the same sentiment, having a wave of passive aggression rather than outright violence.

The man above us yelled out on our fifth week, pointing out towards the horizon to a large land mass in the distance. We had finally reached the end of the world, Zipangu.

I said my goodbyes to the rest of the crew the best I could, very few spoke my language, and then pressed on.

I was told that Man and Monsters lived together peacefully now in Zipangu, a strange symbiosis having formed rather than preaches of hate or the kidnapping of men that was prevalent in the west. The notion oddly lifted my spirits.

I remembered once, while walking through a newly constructed cathedral with the Patriarch. He spoke of wishing for peace. A peace where the gods would no longer clash and humans and monsters could share the world side by side rather than murdering one another. The notion would have been considered heresy if it didn't come from the man closest to god.

I spent the night in the harbour town, spending what little money I had acquired on a single room. It was jarring to say the least. Monsters walked down the roads alongside humans and no one batted an eye. Some even clung to the arms of men, telling about their days and asking the man about his.

It was the first time I had slept in an actual bed in months, even prior to the sudden change of setting. It was comforting to not have to sleep with one eye open. I slept the night and most of the morning away before I could pry myself from the blanket.

Once again I continued my journey, this time with no real direction to go. Zipangu was an island, and much sooner than later I would have to choose a new direction. For the first time in awhile, I followed the roads.

I continued down the path in general peace. The trees above were blooming scarlet blossoms and the smell of nature was in the air. I did not look out for monster attacks for, from my understandings, I would see the ones that would try to have their way with me on the spot from a mile away.


My first real day in Zipangu went smoothly until night fall, I was unfamiliar with the lands and did not wish to anger any spirit or farmer by sleeping on some patch of earth. Instead I walked down the dusk coloured roads until I spotted a house atop a hill in the distance. I climbed its stone steps and passed the decorated stone lanterns that rested on each side. I understood a few mannerisms of Zipangu, taking off my worn out shoes before stepping onto the wooden rise just in front of the house. I found the front sliding door, knocking on the wood that held it together.

“Hello?” I called out. “I'm looking for a place to spend the night.”.
I don't know why I even bothered talking, it was not like the Zipangu people speak my tongue...At least I thought until I heard a voice.

“My My...” I heard from inside. “That is a language I have not heard in a very long time.”

The door slid open, standing in front of me was a women in a blue traditional Zipangu kimono. I noticed her monstrous features right away, something I had grown very good at. She had two fox like ears protruding from the top of her hair, the same colour as the orange hair that waved down to her back. From behind her, nine tails, sharing the orange of her hair and ears, swayed gently in the air. Was this...A Kitsune?

“Welcome to my home.” She announced with closed eyes and a warm smile. “I would be more than happy to accommodate you for the ni-”

The Kitsune stopped her speech when she opened her eyes. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at my face in the light of her lantern, reaching out as if she wished to touch me.

“Its...You?” She whispered in disbelief. “But how?”

I raised a brow at the monster, tilting my head at her sudden shock.
“I'm sorry...But you have me at a disadvantage...”

“It has been so long...How are you still alive?” She asked, stepping away from me and holding her sleeve up to her mouth. “I pray to whoever can hear my prayers that you do not remember me...”

She gulped, closing her eyes and nodding her head as if to reassure herself that what she is about to say is the right choice.

“Life is full of many surprises, isn't it?...Argustus Cain...”

“Who-...” My mind began to work its gears, the sudden realization hitting me like a meteorite. Her ears and tail, as well as her tails were orange, her eyes red. She knew who I was by name and was a species I was all too familiar with. How could it be? What had happened to change her form from that horrific monster to that of a beautiful woman?

“Akane of the Nine Tails.” I growled, stepping into her home.  “I've been looking for you...”

Akane stepped away, bringing more distance between her and myself. “After all this time you still wish to take my life?”

“All this time?” I repeated her words. “It hasn't even been six months!”

Akane narrowed her eyes, she looked perplexed at my words. “Six months? Argustus, it's been over seven hundred years!”

I froze, my eyes widening in both horror and sudden realization. How did my simple mind not grasp the concept? The prosperous cities, the teachings we had lived by, the armies of strong men, all torn away and tossed into the winds without a trace.

“Seven hundred years...? But how?” I asked in a mutter, looking at the women that was once a creature hellbent on my destruction.

“I had thought you dead. After you disappeared during our battle, I was left injured and alone.” She began to explain. “With no army, I made my escape back to Zipangu... In that time, the Demon lord was overthrown by a clan of succubi and they took reign of his throne. In time, our men began to die off, killed in battle or of age. And slowly but surely, we all began to change...

“Many of us became shorter or taller, soon we began to stand up right. Before we knew it, many of us became less and less...as you would say...monstrous in appearance. Soon men began to find us beautiful and we became fond of them in return.”
“This changes nothing.” I spoke up, dismissing her tale with a wave of my hand. “It doesn't change the fact that my brothers died by your hands!”

“And what I my kin, Argustus!?” She countered, raising her voice. “All of my brothers are dead by your hands! My sisters were banished by your Patriarch!”

“They attacked our boarders and we defended ourselves. And my brothers all paid dearly for their duties for your petty revenge!”

“We were different!” Akane yelled. “You weren't 'people' to us! You were nothing more than food to us! I see differently now, I haven't laid my hands on anyone or used magic in over five hundred years...”

“And what of the Vanguard?” I asked her, stepping forward. “Surely they found new recruits and reformed the order! Or did you destroy the sacred grounds!?”

Akane's ears lowered, pressing against her head. She shook her head and looked towards the ground.
“When the Patriarch died, his successor brought forth new teachings, and enforced them until they became they ones you know today. He claimed the Vanguards mutations as blasphemy and had the elders of the order slain, the labs were destroyed and the files burned...The Vanguards never rose again, you are the last one...The last Vanguard.”

I remained quiet, raising my hand to chest height and staring down at it.
“Blasphemy...” I said those words that tore into my soul. “Just another nail in the coffin...”

“We are both orphans now.” Akane spoke up, closing the distance between herself and I. Her hand touched the side of my face, catching me off guard.
“In a strange way, all we have is each other...”

I swatted her hand away and stepped back. Turning towards the sliding door that was still opened since our encounter. It seemed pointless to kill her, for some strange reason.

“You always have a home here, Argustus.” Akane spoke up. “I forgave you long ago. I hope that one day you can do the same for me.”

I stopped at the door, looking behind my shoulder once before stepping off the deck and strapping my boots back to my feet.

The full moon above illuminated my trail as I continued down the road, not knowing my way in this new country I had lost the clear path and found myself moving through the country side, the sound of night birds and insects were my only companions.

When I turned around, I saw the hill in the distance, the home where my enemy turned pacifist resides. The hill sat in the open plains like a sore thumb, the large home itself only slightly obscured by the trees around it. Even from this distance and in this light I could make out some of the details.

I didn't know what to feel, anger? Pity? Deep down, all I had left, all that kept me going was to find the damn Kitsune that brought havoc upon my order and put an end to her. But when I found her I couldn't do it. I didn't want to anymore.

Somehow I was at peace with all of this, sorrow no longer clouded my heart and mind. My march with no destination continued, unhindered by the world around me. I gazed off into the night covered lands, seeing a clearing away from the rice fields and meadows. Curious, I approached the clearing, seeing stones lined in rows of ten by four. A graveyard? I was no familiar with all of Zipangu's cultural standards, but one thing I was sure of was that they didn't bury their dead in such a manner, they had their own traditions of doing it.  But these were very familiar, like the graveyards I had been to back home. Or what was home...

I could barely make out the names on the tombstones against the lunar lights, though slowly I began to make them out.

“Varus...Just Varus.” I said to myself, my heart sinking in my chest when I recognized the name.
Brother Varus, one of the few that carried a war hammer into battle. Beside him was the name Michael, and beside him was Conner. I continued from row to row, these were the names of the men that had died near Edelweiss so many years ago. I walked from stone to stone, reading the names and recognizing them instantly until finally I reached the end.
Brother Geoffrey. My dear Brother Geoffrey, to this day I curse myself that I could not reach your side in time to rescue you. If you and I charged Akane together, what have been the outcome.
Would we have won, only to be hunted down like animals by the churches new order? Or would you be standing beside me right now, bitterly reading the names of these graves with me?

I closed my eyes, placing both my hands against the cold stone before pressing my forehead against the flat surface.


I knocked against Akane's door once more, it slid open seconds later.
“You made those graves.” I stated bluntly, our eyes locked, neither willing to blink.

She nodded slowly, looking away from my gaze and towards the floor.
“When I discovered that the names of the Vanguards were stricken from records and the bodies were burned. I couldn't sleep at night until I made some memory to them...”

“Why?” I asked her. “They were your enemies.”

“'Were' is the key word, isn't it?” Akane blinked, looking back up at me. “It wasn't until one hundred and fifty years later that I discovered this.”

“You remembered all their names?”
“I remembered all of your names. The rivalry between the Vanguard and the Nine-tails army was legendary in that period.”

My eyes peeled away from hers, a wave of guilt had gripped hold of my heart. “I...I feel that somehow, I should apologize.”

Akane smiled the first sincere smile I've seen in a very long time, tilting her head to the side as she stepped back.
“My offer is still open, Argustus. It would be a start.”

I paused, thinking it over in my mind, but somehow I didn't care anymore. I nodded in agreement and stepped inside, sliding the door closed behind us.

“Let me show you to your room.” Akane offered, beckoning me to follow along. The hallway was lit dimly with candles, the portraits on the wall were hard to make out in the dark, though they all seemed to be ink paintings of some form of landscape.

I followed her through her home until we reached the end with two sliding doors sitting opposite from each other.
“This is the guest room.” She proclaimed, sliding the door open. From what I could make out it was a very quaint room, with a western styled twin bed sitting in the corner. The shelves sat mostly empty save for a little box and a mirror rest atop the cupboard at the other end of the room.

“Its very late.” Said Akane as she turned to me, her face visible only through a mixture of candle and moon light. “We can talk in the morning, but its probably best that we get some sleep.”

“Of...Of course.” I stuttered my words, watching as the Kitsune moved past me and out the room.
“Good night, Argustus.”

She closed the door, leaving me alone in the room. With a heavy sigh, I dropped my bag on to the ground. What was I thinking? New form or not, this was still Nine-tails Akane, the one who butchered my kin. Though, it was true that we butchered hers as well, and all things considered she wished to make amends.

I sat on the bed with moonlight being my only company. I thought about a great many things, my situation...Akane's situation. Neither of us had any ties left in this world, her family was gone as was mine, lost in a war that no one remembers fought by soldiers no one has heard of. It has been seven hundred years of regression and stagnation, the once proud church now replaced by cowards who hide behind the cloth. To continue our battle would be to appease gods that neither cared nor knew we existed.

Has it really been seven hundred years? How have we not progressed in this time? I haven't even seen a working clock since I left Edelweiss before my battle with Akane. In my time, scholars worked day and night, tirelessly to create new and wondrous inventions, some were even meddling with steam to create some new form of transportation. Now in these damnable lands I was lucky to see as much as a water wheel.

Though, even with all this, Akane is what surprised me the most. A monsters life span has always been long, but I could not believe that any amount of time could calm the raging fire within her eyes. She was once a beast of unspeakable terror, standing taller than any man. Like a fox that was born and conditioned by the fires of hell themselves. Her fangs were always bared, the flames of her tails set fire to anything she crossed.

How could this woman be Nine-tails Akane? She was shorter than I, standing to my chin at most. Her figure was slender and her tails gave off no heat. There was a calmness in her eyes, almost comforting in a way. And her once frightening snarl was turned to the one of a human woman.
Dare I say even beautiful? There was no blemish or imperfection on her skin, her hair was combed and groomed expertly and the kimono she wore complimented her figure well.

I shook my head, there was no way I was finding my once sworn enemy attractive. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind, dragging my hand down my face and giving my beard a quick tug before throwing myself back into the bed. I placed my hands behind my head, looking outside into the night sky. With one final deep breath, I closed my eyes, allowing the comfort of sleep to wash over me.

I awoke several hours later with the sun glaring against my face, the warm heat gently nodding me away from my slumber.  I sat up in my bed, rubbing the sand from my eyes and letting out a uncharacteristically loud yawn, I must be getting sloppy when I'm not sleeping out in the woods.

I stood up, popping my back in several places with a long stretch. The smell of food suddenly filled my nose and my stomach responded violently, growling a mean growl and demanding for sustenance. I can't even remember the last time I had a meal that wasn't picked and foraged.

I did my best to look presentable with what little I had, following my nose towards its source. In better light, Akane's home resembled the home of a very humble noble. The art and antiques were of a rather refined taste, out of reach of any peasant, but still not something you would see in the homes of the more lavished men and women of the upper class.

The sound of humming filled my ears, a rather sweet song, gentle and relaxed like a minstrel who has made their claim in a popular meadow. I turned the corner to see Akane, setting down plates and utensils on a low standing table.

She spotted me right away and smiled. “Good morning.” She greeted me like it was any other day, placing down a large tray of foods in the centre of the table before kneeling down.

“Have a seat, breakfast is ready.” Said Akane as she began to pick various foods in between two sticks and placing them on her plate.

I looked at her, then at the floor before sitting down and crossing my legs. I took the two sticks in my hands and examined them closely, people in Zipangu used these to eat?

“Like this.” Akane spoke up, presenting the sticks in her hands. She held one in place with her thumb and middle finger, holding it in place while pinching the second between the tip of her thumb and index finger. With a motion, she clipped the two sticks together before picking up a piece of food and placing it in her mouth.

I blinked and looked back at the two sticks, using my other hand to place them correctly in my right. Slowly I began to mimic her movements, clumsily lifting a round pastry from the dish and struggling to hold it in between the sticks before it slipped and bounced off  the table into my lap.

Akane tried to stifle her giggle. “It takes some time getting use to.” she reassured me, though I'm quite sure I saw native children eat grains of rice with these things almost expertly.

I continued my small scale war with these sticks, Akane watching on in amusement until I managed to stumble food into my mouth, almost leaping from my spot in triumph with my arms in the air.

“I don't remember you having a beard.” Akane suddenly spoke up. I looked back at her with a “hm?”.

“Your beard.” She repeated, making a motion on her own chin.
“Oh.” I said as I swallowed another piece of food. “I never really had time to...groom myself.”

“We could definitely do something about the hair. But I like the beard, it suits you.”.

I coughed into my hand and looked away. “Well...Thank you for the compliment...” I managed to mutter out, I wasn't even aware I was able to blush, my contact outside of the order was limited and the compliments we usually received were about how good we killed monsters.

“That isn't your only set of clothing, is it?” Akane continued our conversation after sipping on her tea.

“This is all I could scrounge up.” I explained to her in between throwing more food into my mouth until my plate was finally done.

“My my!” Akane mused, pressing her hand against her cheek. “I guess this means we need to go into town and get you some actual clothing, doesn't it?”

I coughed again, this time in surprise. Was she trying to change me into some sort of lap dog?
“No, no!” I tried to reject her offer, “There's no need, I can make more money and-”
She swatted away my protests with a simple “Nonsense!” before arguing her side.
“You don't even understand the language here, how could you possibly find a job? Besides, I will not have you walk around like a uncultured cave man because of something as silly as pride!”

Akane crossed her arms and nodded her head. “We're going into town and that's final!”

The nerve of this woman! It didn't seem as though refusing her offer was any longer an option. I grumbled in my spot, looking away again and spouting a simple “Fine...”

“Good.” She cheered with a warm smile. “We can leave in an hour.”

The town that Akane usually frequents wasn't far from her estate, a very quaint place with a rather humble market centre. I walked at her side, the rags that made up my clothing clashed with her elegant and clean robes. I caught the eyes of more than one passerby, the looks on their faces said much of their opinion of me.

Though many looks were of pity for either me with my vagabond appearance or for Akane who seemed to have the, as bluntly put, burden to walk at my side. Many more seemed to be of jealousy, and it had me thinking of Akane's status amongst these people.

I marched down the road at Akane's side, trying my best to ignore the ire of other men as well as her tails lightly brushing against my skin, though I couldn't move any further away without seeming rude.

“You will need every-day attire.” Akane suddenly spoke up, breaking me from my chain of thought. “We won't find much that will be familiar to you here, I hope you are comfortable with native clothing.”

“They have their charms.” I said to her as I examined the clothing of the Zipangu everyman. From the short sleeved and sleeveless wraps of the working class to the almost robe like appearance of their warrior's, their sword at their side. I didn't bother resisting against Akane's will, letting her pick out clothing for me. Her eyes lit up every time she found something she believed would look “lovely” on my body, and thankfully enough, nothing came out too tacky or tasteless even for my tastes. She seemed to be some sort of fashion connoisseur, hand picking clothing that neither clashed nor stood out with the common man, if it wasn't for my eyes and skin I would probably fit right in.

“See? Much better, isn't it?” Akane hummed with a smile, her tails wagging playfully behind her. I walked down the road alongside her, picking at the loose endings of my clothing that hung from my arms and sides.

“Is it supposed to be this...Loose?” I asked her.
“Of course.” She huffed. “You don't like it?”

“Its not that I don't like it.” I argued my case. “Its just that I'm use to my clothing being more form fitting.”

“You'll get use to it.” Akane scoffed at my critique, hand waving it like a noble who was just offered less than satisfactory cuisine.
I decided not to argue, not that I had much choice in my attire in this part of the world.

I dropped my clothing in my room, keeping them in a neat pile at the side of my bed. With my arms once again free I left the room and shut the door behind me, moving through the house in search of Akane.

My ears filled with a series of “thunks” from outside, following the noise I found Akane balancing a small log on a tree trunk and raising an axe above her head.

She split the wood down the middle, though I cringed at the thought of any splinters sticking to and ruining her dress.

“Akane.” I called out, getting her attention away from the wood splitting. Her fox ears perked up, putting the axe down and looking over to me.

“Akane...” She repeated her own name, a smile wideneing across her face. “Not Nine-tails Akane. Just Akane.”

I coughed to clear my throat, stepping forward to take the axe from her. “Let me do that.” I offered. Akane reluctantly handed me the tool, standing aside as I took her place and began to chop the wood myself.

“I'm surprised you're doing this yourself.” I stated. “Don't you have magic for something like this?”

“I do.” Said Akane. “But as I said, I haven't used magic in a very long time.”

“And why is that?” I asked as I split another log.

“I...Have no source of magic.”

I stopped cutting, looking back at her with a sceptical expression.
“Kitsune magical power is based on how many tails they have.” I recited text book words from my glory days. “You have all nine.”

“I've had them since before you and I...Met.” she said, struggling to use the proper words. “Its just I haven't been able to replenish myself.”

“For so many years?” I asked again, now leaning against the axe.

Akane blushed and looked away. “I've never really found the right person for that.”

I raised a brow looking at her, then behind myself and around. I let out a chuckle pointing at her.

“Wait, you mean to tell me you recharge now by.” I wagged my finger left and right. “You know.”

She nodded.

I blew air loudly through my mouth. “Succubi have a strange sense of humour.”

“You really don't have to do this.” Akane protested as I gathered the logs I had split into my arms.
“If I'm going to be living somewhere, then I'll be damned if I don't do my share of the work.” I said to her, carrying the wood into the house. Akane complied, lowering her head and nodding before heading off ahead of me to open the door. I followed her through the house until she pointed out the chest for the wood.

“There.” I said as I dropped the wood into the chest. I turned to her, clapping my hands together.
“What else needs to be done?”

Time passed within Akane's home, I had found myself rather comfortable in my own room, finding it more and more difficult to think of leaving. I spent my days around her, working anything from menial chores to hard labour, from fixing wobbly tables to toiling the soil, I lost myself in my work.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, in this time I began to know the Kitsune very well. Her favourite colour was blue, favourite food was a Zipangu native dish called “Sushi”. Her preferred season was autumn, she enjoyed to read and listen to minstrel music.

More and more I began to forget who she originally was, that beast that had haunted my nightmares since my first days of combat. Now I could barely remember what the monsters once looked like. We had visitors of all shapes and sizes, asking for shelter as they stopped their travels for a day or a few days, and every time Akane agreed to let them stay.

Many of these travellers were monsters, warrior women and wandering merchants who made camp on Akane's property. With each passing glance or friendly chat, with every awkward joke or coy flirt, I lost more and more of the hate that had embedded itself in my heart. I couldn't even remember what a ratling looked like, though I had killed many in my time. Instead all I can remember is the Large Mouse, their buck toothed grin and their bubbly attitude.

I can no longer remember the ogre and their hideous faces, their drooling lips and their large fangs that hung from their mouths. All I can think of now when I hear the name are rambunctious women that laugh loudly and try their best to make off with me at the dead of night.


But most of all, I can no longer remember Nine-tails Akane. The one who had waged her brutal war against the armies of the Patriarch. The one that had murdered my comrades to the last man, the one that hated humanity with all her might...The one I had intended to slay.

All I know now is Akane, the fox eared women whom I share a home with, the one who smiles whenever she sees me, who asks me about my day when we sit down for dinner, the one who laughs at the terrible jokes I remembered from my brothers...The one who I hear weeping under the pale of the moonlight, begging an unseen and unheard force for forgiveness.

“Hello, Koji.” I greeted the man at the counter, Koji was the middle aged owner of a local business which specializes in teas.

“Ah, it is good to see you again, Argustus.” He greeted me with a smile, his accent flowing heavily over my name. “I see your Zipangu has gotten much better.”

“That is has.” I acknowledged his words with a smile, putting the usual amount of money on to the table. Koji didn't hesitate to get the usual, a herbal green tea which I had grown quite fond of.

With a transaction and the usual pleasantries done, I left with a wave and headed back into the streets. I gave my chin a rub, having finally decided to give my beard a shave and let it regrow, the fuzz had already settled in again after two days.

“I'm home!” I called out as I entered.
“I'm in the living room!” I heard from across the house. I followed her voice to her usual lounging spot, where she would either read some book or paint a portrait of something with ink. Her painting could use some practice, though.

I slid the door open, looking up from the ground and freezing in place. Akane was standing at the mirror, her arms outstretched as she examined her clothing. A tight fitting, white, silk dress with a matching skirt that ended at the knee. It hugged her form perfectly, with an extra hole cut in the back to accommodate her tails.

She saw me in the mirror, turning around with a bright, excited smile. “Do you like it?” She asked me, giving me a quick spin.

“It...It looks good on you.” I complimented her.

“The merchant called it a “Cheongsam.” she explained to me, brushing her hands down the front of her dress.

I simply gawked like an idiot, finally gulping down the lump that had formed in my throat and shaking my head.
“Will you excuse me?” I asked her before leaving the room, making a direct path towards the room I had claimed as my own.

I sat on my bed, running my hands through my hair as thoughts coursed through my mind. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, the pounding audible in my ears. All this time I had come to know Akane as a friend, I left the past behind us as both our lives were changed forever. For months I had worked with her, laughed with her, ate with her, read with her, and learned with her as a friend, a platonic relationship.

But seeing her in that dress, how it fitted her perfect form. Her brilliant hair waved as she span for me, and those beautiful eyes looking at me with such excitement. I had long stopped thinking about Nine-tails Akane, those memories buried deep in the back of my mind. But now I didn't know know exactly what to think anymore with only one major detail being clear to me.

I was in love.

I sat through dinner in relative silence, only giving the usual pleasantries back and forth with Akane. Truth be told I was not sure quite how to act now that I've had my realization. When I was with the order, although it wasn't prohibited, we never had time to lay with a woman, let alone make a relationship with one. Sometimes we spent days without sleep fighting the same foe, and were always far too exhausted to celebrate to go into town. We simply did our job, rested, and moved on.

Once I had cleaned my own dishes I retreated back into my room, sitting on my bed and twiddling my thumbs like a school boy who had just gotten himself into trouble. When suddenly I heard a knock on my door.

“Argustus?” Akane called from the other side. “Is everything alright?”

I looked at the door, dragging my teeth over my lower lip, “I'm fine.” I tried to reassure her.
“May I come in?”

I looked at the door for a moment, finally picking myself off from the bed and stepping towards the door. I slid it open, Akane standing at the other side in one of her usual Kimonos, this one a scarlet colour that matched her eyes with flowers of a darker tint knitted into its side.

“You've been very distant today.” Akane told me, stepping into my room. “Is something bothering you?”

“No.” I responded quickly, looking off to the side towards the ground. “No, its nothing like that.”

“Then what is it?” She asked. I looked back at her face, concern in her eyes, “You know you can tell me.”

I took a deep breath, I was no good with things like this so I may as well just take it home.

I raised my vision until our eyes locked, a look of determination on my face.

“Akane.” I started, trying to find the right words to use. “When I first found you again, and I realized who you are. It was true I wanted to hurt you. I wanted to end my mission and be done with it.”

She looked at me, her ears lowering against her head.

“But when you didn't put up any resistance or hostility, when you spoke to me like I was an old friend, I felt pity, I almost felt sorry for you, like you were declawed by some outside force. But when I found the graves, and when I came back, everything changed.

“I began to see you as a friend, and more and more I forgot about our pasts together, I forgot about the blood both you and I spilled, I remembered how we intended to kill one another on that fateful day...”

I took a step closer to Akane, she was lost in my words and gasped in surprise as my hands pressed against her shoulders.

“But it wasn't just time, deep down I wanted to forget, I wanted to forget Brother Argustus of the Vanguard and Nine-tails Akane. I want it to just be Argustus Cain and Akane...”

“Argustus...” Akane whispered, tears welling in her eyes.

“We aren't those people any more.” I began again. “It has been so long for you. I can hear you at night, I can hear your cries... You've been alone for so long, guilt ridden for so long, you became a new person before I ever came back to this world.”

My hands brushed up her shoulders and neck until I cupped each of her cheeks gently in my palms. Slowly, my lips moved towards hers. She didn't resist, her warm breath now brushing against my skin.

“I love you, Akane. You don't have to be alone anymore...” I whispered before pressing my lips against hers. She leaned into me, her hands now pressed against the back of mine. Her tears rolled down both our hands, our lips remaining locked for what felt like an eternity before one of us had found the courage to pull away.

“You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear those words from you...” She said as she buried her head into my chest.

“Ever since our battle and the new demon lords coup, you were the only person I could think about...I thought it was hatred, from our battles before I always remembered your face. Even hundreds of years later you were in my thoughts even if it was for a mere second. I never forgot your name or your face...”

Akane looked up at me, her tails wagging slowly behind her as she reached up for another kiss, and another, and finally another, now pressing her entire body against mine. My hands moved to her shoulders, spreading the fabric to each side until the clothing fell from her arms, her breasts held in place with bandages wrapped around her chest for modesty's sake. Her kimono fell to the ground, her skin now bare as I laid her down on my bed, my hands caressing her stomach.

It was almost like instinct, the heat in my body would rise the closer I was to her. My hand moved up her stomach, feeling her soft abdominal muscles before pushing under her bandages, pushing them away until her breasts were bare.

With her help, I undressed myself quickly, pushing myself between her legs before locking lips with her once more, my hand caressing the soft skin of her right leg. Her gasps turned into a yelp as I began to push myself inside her, her walls hugging me as her legs squirmed against my waist until I finally pushed my way to the hilt.

I could feel her nails dig into my back, her yelps turning into panicked moans as I began to thrust into her, kissing her neck gently and caressing her body lovingly with my hands. All of my doubts washed away at that very moment, for the first time in many many years I felt at peace.
I pushed into her slowly, allowing myself to feel every inch of her body with every thrust. Akane moaned into my ear,  leaning into every one of my kisses. As I increased my pace her moans became more frantic, pushing her legs in such a position that she could wrap them around me. Her fingers stopped digging into my skin and I felt her wrap her arms around me, pulling me into an even more intimate embrace.

“I love you...” She managed to gasp in between her moans, brushing her lips against mine.

“I love you too.” I responded without hesitation, our lips locking once more into a passionate kiss as our minds and bodies became one.

We continued to make love for some time, until finally my resistance began to gave way. I could feel my legs begin to weaken, doing my best not to press all of my weight on top of her. Finally I began to groan, pouring inside her to the sound of her wailing, her legs wrapped tightly around me.

I pushed myself to the side, keeping Akane in my arms as I rested my head against the pillow, my hand stroking her fox ears lovingly and my lips pressed against her forehead. Neither of us said a word, everything that could have been said has already been. I felt the burning on my back to where Akane's nails had made their mark, though I ignored the pain. I pulled her closer into my chest, listening to the sounds of her gentle breathing and watching her many tails swishing back and forth peacefully until I also drifted off to sleep.

--

Seven years have come and gone, I had found a new role in life. Though not as majestic as a roaming warrior, the life of a simple farmer has its perk. I work hard and I am rewarded for my work, I found profit in  trading with the local businesses, giving me enough money to support the people close to me without relying the now dwindling fortune Akane had lived on for so long.

I made my way home from my usual journey into town, making friendly with the townsfolk who would buy me wares like I usually did, Zipangu wasn't a hard language to learn once you understand the basics of it.

When I made my way up the stairs to my home, I was greeted by the familiar yells of a child.

“Papa!” a little Kitsune girl yelled, charging from her spot on the porch and leaping into my stomach.

I wheezed at the sudden impact against my gut, laughing it off and picking my daughter off the ground and into my arms.

“Hello there, Himiko.” I greeted her, a name chosen by her mother on the day of her birth. I gave her a poke on the nose, causing her to giggle and wag her single tail.

“Did you have fun today?” I asked her. She nodded excitedly, drawing a portrait from the inside of her shirt.
“I drew this today!” She boasted with pride, a ink painting of a tree, rather simple, but nothing hard on the eyes. Impressive for someone her age.

“It looks good, sweetheart.” I said as I took the painting from her hands to examine it closer. “I'll put it somewhere everyone can see it.”

Himiko giggled, giving me one last hug before running off to do whatever it is children do. I turned back to my home, throwing my shoes off and stepping inside. Instantly greeted by the sounds of humming, I followed the melody into the living room where Akane seemed to be knitting something.

I tip toed into the room, doing my best not to make a sound, or at least I thought I did.
“I know you're there.” Said Akane, her ear twitching. She looked over her shoulder towards me, giving me a warm smile.

“Can't say I didn't try.” I admitted defeat, walking across the room to wrap my arms around my wife.

“I didn't know you can knit.” I said to her, looking down at...whatever that was she was making.

“I can't...” She pouted, tossing the needles aside. “But it was worth a try.”

Akane sighed, wrapping her fingers around my wrists and leaning against me as we swayed around, her tails brushing against my chest.

“I need to go check on the crops one more time.” I told Akane, reaching over and kissing her on the cheek. “Don't wait for me with dinner.”

“Be careful!” She called out as I left the room.

I cursed to myself as I tilled the soil a second time, some damn animal had dug up the dirt to get a something. I wouldn't be so angry about it if it didn't give up the search and just left me with more work to do. Finally I resettled the soil, making sure all the seeds were in place for the next growth. With a wipe of my forehead, I took in a deep breath and leaned back, catching something in the corner of my eye.

I turned to the figure quickly, freezing in place as I saw a familiar face. Had I gone mad? Geoffrey stood before me, not even an arms reach away. I simply stared off into his eyes, his expression neutral.

“You are dead...” I muttered to myself, knowing fair well that the gods do not give second chances. I pushed my hoe into the dirt, sighing before looking back at him.

“I suppose this wasn't what you had in mind when you told me to live.” I began. “Everything I...Everything we fought for is gone, there's nothing else I can do.  We're different people now, I'm no warrior as much as Akane is no warlord.”

I kept my eyes focused on the spectre, giving my final words. “I will not apologize, as selfish as this all is. We're not enemies anymore, we both have taken from each other, All that is left now is her and I and our little girl...”

Geoffrey continued to stare at me, his lips slowly forming a knowing smile. He reached forward, pushing me backwards at my shoulder before disappearing at my next blink. Was this simply a final visit allowed by a higher power? Or was it my mind simply trying to reassure myself that I am free of it all.

I walked back to my home, spotting my daughter lying on the porch with her body wrapped in a blanket. With a sigh, I shook her awake.

“What are you still doing out here?” I asked her. “Its late.”

“I'm sorry, daddy...” Himiko yawned. “I was just waiting for you to get back...”

I smiled, lifting my little girl from the ground and into my arms, looking back at the direction of the monuments to the Vanguard. I smiled, shutting the door behind me and moving on with the life we had forged for ourselves.