Walking Disasters and Me

The assorted Elders and Branch Leaders stumbled back to upright, and then to their seats. All the while I sheepishly give them an awkward smile before Elder Julian begins speaking. "A-Amelia, are you truly only at a 3rd Rank? That power... It was enough to even give me caution."

The rest of the room nods in agreement, apparently already seeing Julian as the next strongest to Akiko. And, not without merit. He truly is the only person here that I would be hesitant to fight aside from Akiko. Both of them someone I would have to go all out against at my current strength and still might lose.

I nod, releasing the tail in full as my hands come back up sturdier and more still than ever. "I am. I... I think I made a mistake revealing that, but not in the sense that I shouldn't. Just that I chose the wrong timing, if that makes sense. My spiritual path is middling along the 3rd Rank." Thank the Heavens I had another deflection, phew!

"H-how..." Is all Julain can mutter before a fire ignites in his eyes. "No matter. I see your strength and am humbled by it. I shall strive to bridge the gap between us and remain a core of my home's protection and values."

I audibly gulp, realizing I just unleashed a calamity upon the world, but Akiko just nods her head and agrees in assertive tone. "As all of you should. Let this be a reminder of my words previously. I shall not guide your hand and force you to cultivate, but those that are weak will be left behind. Safely, and in good spirits, but no longer an apparatus of the forces that govern."

Fei and X'Cos gain extreme expressions as they nod their heads, while the other assembled leaders again pale. Well, except for Soong Li, as once she recovered, she looked at me like a piece of meat. And I'm not entirely sure if it was martial or sexual desire that caused the change.

Either way, I humbly back out of conversation for the most part and the event comes to a close with nearly everyone having a determined glint in their eyes. All except Elder Ming who is the last to leave. Trying to make up for my mistake, and also just because I downright pity her, I move out of the chair and make my way towards her. Akiko and the other's eyes upon every step I make.

The poor girl is still slightly shaking and staring at the half-eaten plate in front of her by the time I softly place my hand on her shoulder. She jolts and then nearly faints upon seeing who disturbed her, but I swing my other hand to her shoulder to steady that flailing form.

"Hey. Sorry, I honestly didn't mean to spook you like that. I'm still new to the sensing stuff and had a lot of other... problems to contend with keeping it contained for now. I truly didn't mean to scare you." I say softly and gently, stroking a bit of her hair on reflex. Which, I think, is kind of... intimate.... Oh well~.

By some grace, Ios stays quiet and I stop my encroaching and confusing actions, simply placing both hands on her shoulders once more as she shakily replies, "N-no. It is well.... Junior?"

I chuckle slightly before shrugging my shoulders and giving her a warm gaze. "Technically, yes~. But I would be fine if you just called me Amelia. So long as that doesn't break customs or something."

Ming looks over my shoulders to the assembled true leadership of the Village same as I do, both of us only finding a nod of a head and approving gaze from Akiko. A bit of the tension leaves the still startled kitsune's shoulders before I gently give them a squeeze and then release her.

"Again, sorry I scared you. And... well... sorry for everything you had to deal with up to this point. Xu was a bastard on multiple fronts. He was starving you?"

She nods without looking at me, her voice coming timid and low as her ears find her scalp again. "He made it a command to never eat on missions but always put me on long range reconnaissance where I would be out for weeks at a time. Not usually an issue given my Rank, but... it stacked up over time and eventually I lost muscle and er... filling." Her eyes look down to her petite chest before fixing on the table once more.

I barely control my rage and hatred, just enough so that I don't traumatize her again before sighing loudly and putting my hand on top of her head. "I am glad he is dead. That was cruel and malicious. If you need anything after the probation ends, then come ask for me and I will try to help you."

She raises her head as well as my attached hand, dew wet eyes sparkling to meet mine before she quietly asks, "W-why?"

So much in a question, but I think I know the subject. My eyes squint softly as a warm smile comes to my face and I deliver some additional head pats, "Because I think you are in a tight situation that isn't your fault. You are doing your best, and are not only making up for lost time, but helping your Branch recover. After seeing you begin to be healthy again, I kind of knew what had happened and I hated it for you. No one should be treated like that, especially not by people they trust."

The poor girl hiccups before tears begin streaming down her eyes, my unconscious reflex bringing her to my chest as I swivel my head around and glare at Akiko. She at least has the decency to look away with a shameful expression, but I sense it is more from my accusing eyes than genuine remorse. *Sigh* I guess I'll take it, at least she knows of my feelings on how she treats this girl.

Ming takes a few minutes to recover, blushing fiercely all the while as she dips her head in respect and rather quickly exits the Sect Hall like the others before her. I watch her go as a knot sits in my stomach and begins tightening, turning back to Akiko, Ios, and the others as they make their way to me.

Akiko's steps falter slightly as I coldly question, "You are not seriously going to go on a genocide, are you? Because I willstop you if you are planning that."

A complicated look from the snowy kitsune follows a complicated tone. Those once mirthful eyes now settling in stoic reluctance. "Let us speak of this back at the estate, my love. All though the Sect Hall is 'safe' I would not discuss things of... personal import here."

Personal import?! Sure, let's slaughter woman and children and call it a friendly debate! I grit my teeth before letting loose a breath. "Fine. Take us home." I say out in a chilly voice that brings all members of the group to worry, though obviously Ios is less affected than the others.

A quick flight over empty streets sees us back to the Torii arch and then just inside the front gates of the estate. I drop off of Akiko's arms and grasp her hand in mine before marching in, silently leading us to where we need to go to have this conversation. To the training grounds.

Once there, I turn around and level my glare at my love. "Turn the barrier up to the maximum strength. Please."

She gives me a complicated look before doing as I asked, hundreds of inscriptions coming to life as she darts her fingers this way and that. All the while my eyes flick and twitch as they memorize the action. After a few seconds, the door alights to life and she opens it for all of us to enter, the purple square barrier now audibly humming with abundant power.

I grip Akiko's hand before turning to the others, my voice firm and resolve set. "I know I have different views than this world has. And I love all of you, obviously including Akiko. But this needs to be a conversation between me and her alone. So please, could yo-"

"Sure, little bird. Go for it~. We'll be here keeping the barrier up~." Gerra cuts me off with a smirk and delighted look to her eyes. I send her a pout and look to Sam and Jun Li to see them equally having the same expression. Jerks. I was trying to have a cool moment!

Ios giggles softly before cupping her hand in mine and fixing me with an intense look. "I know what you are about to do. Just remember that she loves you, and you love her. This is a different world with different values, sweetheart. Don't let this become a wedge."

I can't help but to look away and shake her hand from my cheeks, though I do respond in a whisper and flush face, "I know."

Having confirmation, Ios gives me a small peck on heated skin before she draws back with the others. All of them pushing their hands out and feeding Qi into the barrier.

A firm voice from the person I'm holding hands with echoes into the chamber, six tails swishing around her, "Seems like things are prepared, my love. Let us discuss matters as you have wished."

I nod and then step towards the barrier, the static cling of its energy passing over me until I am standing in an open, derelict flat field of ankle high grass. The greenery stretching to the horizon. A warble of energy sees Akiko in the same place before she calmly walks past me and then halts after 100 feet or so. All the righteousness and anger coming back to bubble their red into my mind as I shift into the battle dress and my silver bands.

"You can't honestly stand there and tell me you're going to wipe an entire culture of people off the face of Mara, Akiko." I say as my energy flares around me, whipping the wind in unseen currents and waves. A scowl on my face as I level my eyes towards Akiko.

However, the soulmate before me only gives me a... pitying face before a katana appears in her hand and the temperature drops instantly. "I am. If they push me to."

I snarl as I grip a newly made scythe with overflowing enchantments etched onto every surface. "The innocent?! The mother's with newborns?! Children who don't know what is going on and can't tell right from wrong?! The sick and infirm that are just trying to live for another day?! You're going to slaughter ALLof those people along with the ones who are causing this?!"

A fox mask drops onto her face as her pressure skyrockets, making me take a step back with trembling hands. Her voice echoing off the wooden mask as ice begins to claim spots of the prairie uncaring of my plight, "Yes."

My eyes flash crimson as a golden crown weaves into existence, my skin going pitch black before it settles onto flowing white hair. "That is wrong!! They don't deserve to die because the powerful people around them fucked up! They had no stake in this, no option! They are just trying to live, and you are going to snuff them out simply because they exist there?! It is a malicious and wanton reaping of death, and I cannot stand by and let that happen!"

Unbeknownst to me, a massive figure of the same void skin, weaving white hair, and golden crown erupts from my words briefly. Both of our eyes raging with the same white bonfires before the illusion fades. Nevertheless, Akiko simply stands there as her tails become tipped in ice.

"That is the way of this world, my love. While I do abhor killing innocents, I will not shy from it when needed. Death and life are freely given and quickly exchanged in the hands of power, and unfortunately those that have crossed my bottom line shield themselves with people and persons not at fault. However, I will not stop my justified crusade just because they use those poor folk as bulwarks. I would prefer if we could solve this with words, but I know that is not an option."

"You're goddamned right it isn't an option." I growl out as the white bonfires become bathed in crimson. "I am fine with killing the people in charge. Hell, with anyone that might oppose us! But I am not going to idly sit by while whole countries get destroyed! This is wrong, Akiko." An ethereal mixing of voices comes to twine between mine as I snarl again, "[Death should not be so carefree]."

Akiko lowers her stance with somber grace before admitting at least that in a sorrowful tone. "No. It should not."

Arctic wind whips between us before as all words lose their meaning. A second. A breath. The crackling fire of bonfire eyes staring down an opponent. A scythe turned into a bow as an arrow of pure glowing silver shoots from my hands. The crack of the sound barrier surrounding the space as it flies true and straight toward Akiko. Wind whistling to a higher pitch than can be perceived as it streaks toward the now shifting katana Akiko holds, the moment of contact resounding in an ear shattering *BOOM!!!* of an explosion.

I made it as powerful as I could, inscribed every glyph and symbol possible to add to its destructive, terrain reconfiguring punch hoping for a quick knock out. Instead, as the mushroom cloud of smoke begins to evaporate, all that is left is Akiko in her fox mask with glowing red eyes and a suit of armor made of ice. Her blade still in the same position as it was when it made contact with the arrow.

Without words, the armored Akiko vanishes from sight making my eyes widen, only to switch the bow to sword as I pivot and block an attack that would have cleaved my neck. An explosion of icy wind shredding the ground beneath our feet from her arrival and the meeting of blades as I fall to one knee.

I slip a hand off the hilt of my sword, tilting my head so her blade merely knicks my shoulder instead of my neck as I shout out, "[Aegis of the Void]!"

The free hand alights with the power of black holes, rupturing space between us as I thrust it towards her dominating posture. However, Akiko merely retreats with feather light steps as I gasp for breath, still recovering from the sudden onslaught with the crackling, night dark shield in tow as I rise.

The distortion and crack of air from the reality bending technique is all that is spoken between us for a few moments. Moments where even the beast inside of me hesitates. Because... I know she is partially correct. Any weeds left in that garden are going to be a problem in a hundred years' time. We don't have the forces to hold the land and make sure new problems don't erupt. But.... I can't do it. I can't condone such needless death and slaughter. No words or actions could ever convince me that murdering a random farmers child would be justified.

So either I beat Akiko now and make her relent, or she beats me and does the same.

Power blossoms out of me as my resolve settles, the void black shield dissipating in equally obsidian mist. Both of my hands falling onto a remade scythe with runes scribbled onto every inch of silver metal. Lowering my head, sound breaks around me as I dash and swing the curved blade toward Akiko.

Samantha grunts as another wave of pressure erupts inside the shaking barrier. Jun Li and Gerra seem nearly spent as well. Ugh. Why couldn't Aims have her freak out in a different way?! I know the poor girl isn't used to this kind of... well. Slaughter. But still! Use your words, damn it! Especially when she's so good at doing just that!!

Though it is hot when she is so fired up~. Even if it results in what I can only assume to be cataclysmic clashes. Damn, now I want to pop into the soul space and see what's going on...

"Spirit Ios, I do not think the barrier will hold for much longer, even with our aid. Please, help us." Samantha groans out as she funnels even more of that golden sun Qi into the aforementioned purple construct whose form is now... debatable and trembling.

Well, not like Aims isn't going to go directly to another orgy right after this.

You have purchased [Heavenly Reinforcement Talisman (Peak Heaven Rank)] x 5 for 15,000 Host Points!

Yeah, yeah. I dart around and slap four of the talismans onto the cardinal directions, then keep one in reserve. All of the girls falling on their rears in gasping breaths as the barrier stabilizes.

While the others are sucking air, Sammy girl looks at the solidified purple cube in a weird mix of astonishment and confusion. "I never thought Amelia would be this strong. When we fought in the command room, it was completely different. Raw power and rage mixed with her absurd skill set but still understandable. But now it feels like... like she is actually matching the Mistress in strength and skill alone. I knew her past life was peaceful, but it seems her extreme reaction to reality makes that notion even more apparent..."

"Hey." I chide down to the gawking warrior woman. "She is fighting for her ideals and beliefs, even if she sees the logic in Akiko's stance. It's not about her strength or power, its about who she is as a person." My eyes pierce against the barrier as it shakes once more, a frown flitting to my lips.

"It's about what she considers right. Whether it's logical or not, regardless of her previous life. And she knows she has to prove that logic to Akiko to avert what is, to her eyes, a tragedy. At no point did she ever want this to happen, but she knows enough of this world to realize that strength means truth. So, she is fighting for hers."

The adorable blacksmith nods in assent as the others gather close, now having regained their strength since the talismans are putting in the effort. Samantha clambers back to her feet as she looks towards me with a complicated expression.

"I am sorry for her. What is going to occur is not... comfortable for most. Do you think she will relent if she is defeated?"

I sigh as cross my arms under my chest, still relived to actually be physical these days. Being in the void fucking sucks. "I don't know. I think she will, but I doubt she will be okay with it. She is putting her heart and soul into this fight to stop it from happening, even if she knows its a lost cause. After it's over, we all need to help her through this. It was always going to be her biggest hurdle, death on this scale, but it just... happened so fast. Like everything else in this poor woman's life now."

The rest of them nod their assent with varying yet similar looks upon their faces. Samantha with concern, Jun Li with absolute worry, and Gerra with a weird stoicism that also hides concern. Well, can't blame them. This is the first big test of Aims integrating into the harem. They all love her to bits, and she obviously loves them back the same way. But... this cultural clash was a long time coming. I can only do my best to ease the fractures afterwards...

My fist slams down again, cratering the space Akiko once held. Arms already shifting to the spot I sense her in as a singular arrow gets loosed and transforms into a maelstrom of shafts. Thousands of splintered bolts impact the spot she appears in, making her eyes widen behind the fox mask. Her blade flashes out in fluid yet indescribable movements, knocking away all the incoming projectiles that then explode around her.

That chaos just enough time for me to do this.

"[Meteoric Lunar Impact]!"

My voice brings her face upwards to my position, just in time for the cosmic white streak to impact against her waiting palm as the landscape forever changes into a basin. Cuboid earth, plumes of dust, and whirlwind currents erupting from the shattered earth around us. Our meeting clash bringing her to one knee as she grunts and spits blood from her mouth, her wooden fox mask fracturing with a crack from the powerful exchange.

Damage dealt 105,783! Luck Activates! Damage dealt increased to 66,114,375!

I take my bloodied arm already repaired by [Combat Recovery] and snake it forward with a silver pole arm lance. The runes on it sparking to life and seem to dissipate space to further its journey. As the air crackles around the spear tip, Akiko shifts slightly and smacks the wrist holding the weapon causing it to miss her by a hair's breadth.

As soon as the now misdirected tip of the lance makes contact with the dirt and stone below, it shatters further in another ear-splitting eruption.

*CRACK-BOOM!!*

Akiko takes hold of my wrist as the weapon begins to reform, her other hand holding my still clenched fist from the technique activation while her tails deflect my errant kicks to her stomach. Once she grasps her target, she shifts her weight and flexes her muscles, causing me to twirl in the air and arrive on the shattered stone crater with a gasp of breath from the impact.

As she is about to land on me, I transmute a sebon and flick it toward her chest, making her back up to miss it as it dissolves into void energy in the air. With scrambling feet, I use the chance to get back to upright as she looks towards the now erased sebon with an appreciative air.

"Ara~. If that had hit me, I would have been erased from existence~. You truly are a force to be reckoned with, my love." Her slightly haggard voice echoes underneath the mask before she turns to me again. "Since you are 'going for the kill' as spirit Ios calls it, then so shall I."

Power erupts from her as her now returned blade instantly gets coated in a thick layer of ice. Shit, I thought I knocked that out of her hands minutes ago! The pressure from her sudden power up alone makes my eyes go wide as I quickly cycle as much Qi into Void energy as I can while shooting off another volley of arrows.

I don't have time to enchant them heavily, trying to break her concentration first and foremost, but nevertheless she dodges and weaves between them without issue making a scowl cross my face. As I dash backwards while still firing, she twirls between the bolts and then fixes me with a crimson glare.

"[9 Tailed Ice Goddess Kitsune: Severing Slice]"

She swings her sword downward toward me, a lightning-fast thin strand of crystalline blue shooting in an arc from her sword. I pivot and begin summoning [Aegis of the Void] before I feel DEATH approaching me. On instinct, I flare the technique and roll away from the impact point trying to shield myself.

It isn't enough. My ankle gets caught in the wave of wire thin ice and instantly severs from my body. I scream out on instinct as the unbearable, frigid frostbite saps the warmth from my soul. My mind flashing between the thundering beats of pain both dull and sharp of the countless innocents I can't save. All this power and strength not enough to stop atrocities like I saw on newsfeeds in my last life. At what a disappointment Sandra will see me as...

"God, baby girl. Seems like we have this conversation every time we meet up~. I'll never think of you like that~."

I gasp and find myself in the soul space, my avatar missing a foot as the walls pulse in painful heartbeat. Eyes taking in the radiant form that makes all those worries and pain disappear like fog after sunbreak. "S-Sandra? What are yo-"

"What are you doing, Aims?" She scolds with crossed arms. A posture that sends terrified shivers down my spine.

"I-I won't let Akiko just murder an entire continent of innocent people. I love her, but this is too far. Too much."

"Then why are you holding back? You can easily beat her and not even kill her in the process. But you're denying a huge part of yourself and have been this entire fight." She returns in unamused air.

My eyes widen as the beast inside stirs to life, crimson energy softly trying to overlay onto my avatar before I shrug it back. "N-no! I don't want to hurt her like I did Sam. I-I can't control it completely yet!"

Sandra rolls her eyes and huffs before staring me down again with those honey deep pools. "Seems like Akiko hasn't lived up to that promise then. Aims, you ARE a Berserker. You fighting it is just as bad as letting it control you. You need to find balance, not domination. You love Akiko, right?"

I shout back with indignation and without hesitation, "OF COURSE I DO!"

My sister nods in approval, "Then stop fuckingaround and fight like you mean it. Let the insanity ripple through you, but never forget the love you have. Find the balance, baby girl."

Her hand glows green and waves in the direction of my missing ankle, restoring it to pre-ice slash condition. As I gawk at the newly regrown limb, Sandra comes up and plants a kiss to my temple before giggling back, "A gift~. Go kick her ass Aims. Trust in yourself and trust in your love. Then come find me, I'm tired of being here all alone."

That parting sentence is enough to make my world shatter. My pressure surging through the roof as I stand on a recovered foot, the beating heart of pain molding and shifting to rage.

Sandra needs my help, needs me.

[Berserker Intent lvl 4] has upgraded to [Berserker Intent lvl 5]!

[Berserker Intent lvl 5] has upgraded to [Berserker Intent lvl 6]!

[Berserker Intent lvl 6] has upgraded to [Berserker Intent lvl 7]!

[Berserker Intent lvl 7] has upgraded to [Berserker Intent lvl 8]!

[Berserker Intent lvl 8] has upgraded to [Berserker Intent lvl 9 (MAX)]!

[Berserker Intent lvl 9 (MAX)] has upgraded to [Rage Intent Domain]!