Chapter 14: City's Fate

            “Run!” A woman called out. “She is gaining on us!” She grabbed the arm of another woman she was with as they ran away from a demon chasing after them. They ran into an alley, unfortunately the path was blocked by a rock wall that wasn’t supposed to be there.

As one of the women turned to see the demon, a gush of wind enveloped the alley. Kanako kneeled one meter in front of the demon, her back to her as the demon’s head came sliding off. One of the women had used her elemental powers to make a hole for in the wall for them to escape through, they were gone when Kanako opened her eyes. She stood up and flicked her blade clean. “Rude.” She muttered to herself. She headed back to the street where Shingo was waiting for her. “Did anyone talk to you, or even acknowledge you?” She asked him as the headed over to the others who were battling some demons.

“Nah. Just people acting the same as those ladies acted towards you.” He answered her. Both began to pick up speed, they each put up one hand, Kanako’s right and Shingo’s left, their hands were only a few centimetres away from each other. They then used their elements together, creating a mist that rode across the battlefield. The demons began to subtly burn when the mist touched their skin, making it easier for Shingo’s and Kanako’s comrades to kill them.

The mist cleared, everyone put their swords away and regrouped. “That was cool.” Kosuke complimented his friends. He then sat down on the ground and let his thoughts wander. “What is it like to fly?” He asked the group.

“I’m not sure. Fire elementals can’t fly without fire resistant clothing. What is it like?” Asahi looked to Hisakawa.

Hisakawa scratched her head. “How do I explain it? What if we showed you, I may not be able to make you all float, but Kanako-kun and Kotone-chan should be able to.”

“Would you two mind? Please?” Kosuke begged.

“Uh, me too please, I can only fly if I get wet, I want to know what a dry flight feels like!” Shingo began to beg as well, both boys making puppy-dog eyes.

“I suppose, but it won’t be the same as making yourselves fly, since you can’t control where you go. Still, it should be fun. Let’s do it!” Kotone agreed with a smile.

“I’ll take Shingo-kun and Yuzuru-senpai. You can do Asahi-san and Kosuke-kun.” Kanako instructed.

“No, I’m staying on the ground.” Yuzuru grumbled. “I need solid ground under my feet. That time Shingo-kun lifted me up was enough.”

“Huh? When did he do that?” Asahi asked. “Why would he do that?”

“Uh, no reason, was just messing with big brother Yuzuru-san.” Shingo laughed in nervousness.

“Don’t call me that.” Yuzuru growled.

Hisakawa then got in Yuzuru’s face. “Well, we can’t leave you here on the ground all by yourself. Would you rather me carry you?” She offered, half teasing.

“It’s okay if you’re afraid.” Asahi said as she came over and touched his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Yuzuru’s face turned red. “No, no, it’s not that. Uh, ugh fine!” He created some boots and bracelets out of dirt. “I’ll go flying, but I’m not putting control of my body in Kanako-chan’s hands.”

“Oh, this is going to be so much fun!” Asahi exclaimed as she clapped her hands together.

Kanako and Kotone made a gentle breeze around their friends’ legs and lifted them up. Shingo and Kanako flew together, while Yuzuru and Asahi flew side by side, with Kotone and Kosuke taking the lead and Hisakawa taking the rear. They flew over the city, taking in the sights from a whole new angle. All of them had fun, even Yuzuru. The group landed atop one of the largest buildings in the city, letting Kanako and Kotone rest. “That was amazing.” Kosuke told Kotone. “Almost as amazing as you.”

Kotone blushed. “Aww, thanks.”

“Holy crap!” Yuzuru shouted. He pointed into the sky at a massive portal that just appeared.

“Is, is that a blimp?” Kotone stammered. Everyone watched helplessly in horror as a blimp floated out of the portal. The moment it was clear of the portal, said portal disappeared as if never existing.

A demon woman’s face appeared on the screen on the side of the blimp. “That looks like…” Asahi began.

“Reganam.” Hisakawa finished.

“Rejoice! For the saints’ doom is nigh!” The demon on the screen triumphantly hollered. “For I, Rosivrepus, have been granted this city by our generous lord, Barminius-sama. As my first decree, all humans are to gather at Minohara Base and surrender in three days. If any human refuses to follow these orders, they will be killed onsite or tortured upon capture. All demons are to report to the roof of Minohara Base by sunrise for further instructions. Any imps or partial demons may be granted level four citizenship in Hell if they bring me the head and blade of a saint. Friendly reminder, level four citizenship is the highest level of citizenship a lowborn hybrid can receive. I wouldn’t let this opportunity pass me up!” She made an evil smile only a demon could make. “That is all, have a pleasant day!” She snarled before ending the transmission.

“Well now I won’t” Yuzuru growled as he shoved his hands in his pockets as his brooding began.

“This is bad.” Hisakawa whispered just barely loud enough for the others to hear.

“But we still have some leverage.” Kosuke tried his best to sound optimistic. “We have her cousin.”

“First, we should stop any demons from making it to their rendezvous. I bet you a thousand yen I can kill more then you.” Kanako challenged Kosuke.

“I’m not sure why you want money in the apocalypse, but yes, we should slay as many demons as we can. We are staying out no later then the twentieth hour, we will need our rest for tomorrow.” Hisakawa declared.

“Right! Let’s do this!” Kosuke drew his blade and pointed it up to the sky. The saints wasted no time heading to the Minohara neighborhood. Any demons that dared to get close were swiftly ended. Some humans had even come to surrender, seeing that made Kosuke’s heart drop. “What are you doing!?” He shouted at them. “This isn’t over! We can beat her! Just like we did her mother!”

“They will just send more!” A woman screamed back at him. “No matter how many demons you kill, they will just send more, stronger and more ruthless then the last. If we surrender now, they will go easy on us. If you want to die a slow and painful death, be my guest.” She then turned her back to him and starting to walk off.

Kosuke ran up to her and grabbed her shoulder. “Your heart will still beat, but you will not be living. You will be a slave, nothing but a breathing tool or piece of furniture. We will take back the city by the end of the summer, and you will feel so foolish that you ever doubted us.”

The woman pulled her shoulder away from him. “You are running out of summer.”

The next day, the saints took Minami up on the tallest building in the city. “Alright, now how do we get her attention?” Shingo asked Hisakawa.

“I’m going to assume she is in the blimp. So, I guess I’ll go knock?” Hisakawa shrugged, questioning her own judgment. The others shrugged in response, even Minami.

Hisakawa flew over to the blimp that had been circling the city all night. She banged her fist on the gondola of the blimp. She then floated back slightly when a camera shot out of the gondola. Rosivrepus’ face appeared on the screen. “You, you’re that nuisance, Hisakawa. What do you want? Come to surrender?” She snapped.

“I’ve come to negotiate.” Hisakawa shouted. Rosivrepus raised an eyebrow in response. “We captured your cousin during the battle where I killed your mother. We are willing to trade her for our city.”

“Cousin? I have a lot of those, what is she called?” Rosiverepus asked as she scratched her chin. “Dang it, who was with mom that day?” She then questioned herself.

“You would know her as Hanmusume-hachi.” Hisakawa answered.

“Oh, um, I have quite a few of those, can you give me another hint?” Rosivrepus half giggled.

“Your mother’s parents’ son’s daughter. Ugh, she is over here, come take a look.” Frustrated, Hisakawa led the blimp over to where the other saints were waiting. Hisakawa landed and motioned to Minami. “This one. We have your cousin, we will let her go in exchange for our city and it’s inhabitants.”

The camera got close to Minami’s face, before retracting a meter and looking at Hisakawa. “Ohh, that one. Can you do me a favor, can you kill her for me?” Rosivrepus genuinely requested.

“What?!” Hisakawa, Kosuke, Shingo, Kotone and Asahi screeched.

“Can that favor be for our city’s freedom?” Yuzuru called out with one hand to the side of his mouth to make his voice louder.

“No.” Rosivrepus simply replied.

“Dang it.” Yuzuru slumped his shoulder as he put is hand back in his pocket.

“We aren’t going to kill her!” Hisakawa squawked.

Rosivrepus shrugged. “Okay! I will!” The camera then sped towards Minami, it’s giant metallic cord wrapping around her throat. Kosuke sliced the cord with his katana, Asahi freed Minami’s neck and threw the camera at Hisakawa’s feet, who stomped on it, completely destroying it. “You have until the first hour of the day after tomorrow to surrender. Hurry and give up!” She cawed as the blimp headed for higher in the sky.

Hisakawa scowled. “Let’s go home.” She commanded.