Chapter 20: A Look At The Past - Otakemaru Side Part - 1
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"Hmm... Where am I?" Manaka wondered, her hand resting thoughtfully on her chin as her gaze scanned the unfamiliar landscape before her. The last memory she had was drifting off to sleep in her comfortable bed, bidding farewell to her beloved servant.
[Picture --> Manaka Sajou]
Yet now, she found herself in this peculiar place. She stood above crystal-clear waters that stretched to infinity. She could feel the cold, bare sensation of her feet as she stepped slowly across this serene, otherworldly landscape, something utterly out of place in the modern world.
It was daytime, and the sky overhead was adorned with fluffy clouds. The sun's gentle rays kissed the vast sea, creating a picturesque scene that would be unforgettable. All in all, it seemed like a beautiful, peaceful day.
However, Manaka's attention was captivated by something in the distance. She fixed her gaze upon a ship that lay in ruins. A group of fishermen, recognizable by their attire, was scattered around. What truly seized her interest, though, were the gruesome wounds that marred the fishermen's bodies and the sheer terror etched across their faces as they gazed upon a creature before them—a creature they knew they could never hope to defeat.
Atop the wreckage of the ship perched a small Oni, adorned with two delicate white horns and short black hair that partially concealed pointed ears, reminiscent of an elf's. Most strikingly, its eyes gleamed a familiar shade of gold.
"Otakemaru?" Manaka couldn't help but mutter, her eyes widening as a rosy blush painted her cheeks. While this reaction might terrify most people, she was certainly not your typical individual.
In fact, she rather enjoyed the sight before her—a cute Otakemaru with several humans quaking in terror. He paid them no mind, as though they were insignificant insects he could crush at any moment. Instead, he casually finished his meal of raw fish in his hands.
[Picture --> little-Otakemaru]
"It's a Yokai!"
"Run for your lives!"
"We're going to be devoured!"
Manaka watched with evident disdain as the humans scattered, fleeing for their lives like animals driven by primal instincts.
However, the situation took a turn when an exceptionally beautiful woman arrived on the scene. She bore clear Japanese lineage, with long, obsidian-black hair that flowed like a waterfall down her back, as dark as the midnight sky. It framed a porcelain-white face that appeared untouched by the passage of time.
But it was her eyes that truly captivated attention. They held a deep, enchanting shade of purple, akin to a moonlit night. These mesmerizing eyes conveyed a sense of wisdom and determination that bordered on the terrifying.
Her gaze possessed the power to both captivate and intimidate, a combination that was nothing short of spellbinding.
The woman had a slender, voluptuous figure that could not be concealed by the battle attire she wore at the moment. Her presence exuded a fatal attraction that could captivate any man who dared to gaze at her for too long.
Manaka couldn't help but admit that this woman was the most beautiful she had ever encountered in her entire life, a sentiment that stirred a hint of jealousy within her. It was the first time she had ever felt envious of someone.
"What's going on?" Suzuka mumbled, her tone tinged with confusion as she regarded the little Oni before her.
"It's Master Suzuka Gozen! She's here to save us!"
Manaka observed how the surrounding people's negative emotions seemed to shift as if they had found their savior, granting them another day of existence in their miserable lives.
"Please save us!"
Otakemaru, still enjoying a large mouthful of fish in his hands, regarded the approaching woman with a curious expression. "Who are you?"
The woman didn't immediately respond. Instead, she approached him with slow, confident strides, her lips parting with unwavering resolve. "I am Suzuka Gozen... The one who vanquished the Yokai of the sea and the protector of this harbor."
"I'm afraid I'll have to kill you," she declared with unwavering determination.
[Picture --> Suzuka Gozen]
"Heh!" Otakemaru replied with a broad smile as the woman unsheathed her sword, ready for battle. "You can try!" she taunted him, launching into the attack with a ferocity that seemed to want to burn the whole world around him.
The battle had officially commenced, and Otakemaru wasted no time. He descended from his elevated position above, creating a massive earthen thorn aimed at Suzuka as he landed on the ground.
Suzuka, displaying her experience in combat, gracefully evaded the attack, swiftly preparing for a counterstrike with her katana in hand. However, Otakemaru wasn't done. He exhibited what seemed like telekinesis, manipulating several earthen rocks to maintain his advantage and keep her at bay.
As a magus, Manaka understood the mechanics behind this ability, recognizing it as a manipulation of one of the Five Great Elements: Earth.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Suzuka refused to retreat. Her willpower burned with a relentless determination, pushing her to continue the fight, even in the face of such a formidable opponent.
"What's wrong?" Otakemaru taunted, observing Suzuka's defensive stance. "Bring out all your power...!"
"You can do better than that!"
Manaka couldn't help but notice that something was bothering Suzuka. The warrior kept glancing behind her as if she were frightened by something that remained just out of Manaka's view, leaving her perplexed.
"Don't look away! Are you underestimating me?!" Kid Otakemaru chided, his youthful voice laced with arrogance. "You sure talk big for being so weak."
Manaka, losing interest in the unfolding spectacle, felt confident that her beloved King would emerge victorious in any battle, regardless of the opponent.
However, the drama was far from over. An elderly man clad in traditional samurai armor approached the battlefield, engaging in a conversation with Suzuka.
Manaka couldn't hear their words from her vantage point; her access to their conversation had been cut off. Nevertheless, she observed their expressions, noting a blend of sadness and melancholy that even her monstrous nature could perceive. At one point, Suzuka's expression shifted to one of acceptance as she gazed determinedly ahead.
Slowly, Suzuka Gozen's form began to change right before the eyes of all present. As she unleashed her formidable abilities, the environment around her trembled in response, foreboding that something significant was about to happen.
Suzuka Gozen's transformation left Manaka in awe. The human woman had become a formidable entity that reminded her of the jiaolong, a famous creature in Chinese mythology—a hornless female dragon.
Suzuka Gozen's Yokai form was a breathtaking spectacle of supernatural power and ethereal beauty. While she retained her graceful and supple physique, she radiated an otherworldly aura.
The most striking change was her hair, which had turned a stunning shade of silver. It shimmered like moonlight in the night sky, cascading down her back with a mystical glow that added to her heavenly allure.
Her eyes had undergone a profound transformation, becoming mesmerizing golden slits that exuded an aura of predatory intensity. They possessed an extraordinary ability to both fascinate and intimidate, drawing attention to her enigmatic charm.
A long, sinuous dragon tail extended from her, swaying in the air with eerie, otherworldly energy. It was a clear symbol of her Yokai lineage, adding an element of mysticism and danger to her already captivating form.
[Picture --> Suzuka Gozen - Yokai Form]
Suzuka Gozen wasted no time and launched into an attack with unstoppable speed and force. The ground beneath her shattered as she closed the gap, reaching Otakemaru, who was clearly bewildered by her incredible power. "T-This power?!"
His words of surprise were cut short as Suzuka Gozen's fist collided with his stomach, creating a massive crater that stretched for hundreds of kilometers, a testament to her extraordinary strength.
Otakemaru found himself defeated and immobilized, unable to defend himself. From his defeated position, he could only mutter in disbelief, "You... a Yokai of the sea?"
It was an unequivocal victory for Suzuka Gozen, and Manaka watched the spectacle with cold, unfeeling eyes. However, it became apparent that the true nature of humans was about to reveal itself in all its glory.
Despite Suzuka's valiant efforts to defeat the malevolent Yokai and protect the lives of many, her true identity was now exposed. The onlookers regarded her with unmistakable fear and terror, and it was clear that dire consequences were imminent.
Manaka witnessed an old samurai stepping forward, determined to protect Suzuka Gozen from the enraged mob of humans who sought her demise.
In a scene reminiscent of a fairy tale's climax, Manaka observed as Suzuka took Otakemaru's hand, and they fled together. As they disappeared into the distance, Suzuka cast one last sorrowful glance over her shoulder.
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A/N: I hope you are enjoying the story!
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