Falling Leaves 37 ??

  MOMENTS BEFORE ARIS TRANSPORTATION

  In the deep green skies of Refuge-des-Esprits, the lime auroras stretch across the heavens.

  L'abeille's wings buzz weakly, her body damaged, her exoskeleton stained with dry purple blood. The light from the auroral glow glistens off her carapace as she pants, holding Peter aloft.

  "I- I need to make it—-" she mutters.

  Peter's eyes remain shut, blood dripping from his arms, his entire wardrobe stained crimson.

  L'abeille stumbles, her wings giving out. She starts to fall towards the refuge. Her and Peter begin to accelerate towards the ground.

  "No!" She shouts, the wind blowing her hair upwards.

  She tries to flap her wings once more. They buzz once more, then droop.

  Peter opens his eyes, the wind blowing droplets of his blood into the sky. He sees the auroras flowing. Her hair and robe flutter. He remains calm, his mind empty.

  A feeling of acceptance washes over him. "So this is really when I die again huh—-"

  He watches his blood fly over him, the light from the auroras making his brown eyes shine.

  L'abeille grits her teeth, looking down at the refuge. She sees a pool of water below by a mountainside. She uses her remaining strength to force her body weight in that direction. She grabs Peter's robe, pulling him closer to her, as they both plummet.

  They pass the giant glowing mushrooms that dot the landscape, blue light radiating from them. Below, other spirits stand around the pond, gathered on the stones surrounding it.

  They both fall into the pond, causing water to erupt. The surrounding spirits scatter and cover themselves.

  L'abeille and Peter float on the surface, droplets falling on them from the sky.

  Peter continues to stare into the sky. "Survived—-yet again—-"

  L'abeille emerges from the water, droplets dripping off her, her hair sticking to her exoskeleton as the purple blood washes off.

  "Get up! I know you can walk by now!" She yells.

  Peter blinks slowly, pain still coursing through his body.

  "H-how are you moving?" He asks.

  "What?!" L'abeille rasps.

  "We were both badly damaged from that battle, the fact you can move like this—-"

  "It's insane—-"

  L'abeille grabs Peter's collar and hauls him out of the pond.

  Peter hisses in pain.

  She crawls out. "Don't ask me such questions—-"

  "I need to take you to Ma Grandeurs—-"

  Peter opens his eyes, his voice low and faint. "You're still on about this—-"

  "Why still follow them?—- you've seen the blue skies—- you experienced the warmth right?"

  "That's what you wanted. So why just act like a dog for those two—-"

  L'abeille remains silent, walking ahead of him.

  She turns her head back to him, looking down at the ground. "It was never about them—-"

  "It's about Malika. I only follow them because of her—- without them there would be no Malika—-"

  She then looks up at the auroras. "I guess in a way, I owe them for everything—-"

  "But-" Peter stutters.

  "Enough! I don't want to discuss this anymore!" L'abeille interrupts.

  She grabs Peter's robe once more and picks him up.

  "Just remain silent!"

  Peter grunts as L'abeille tosses him over her shoulder.

  She starts to walk towards the refuge, reaching a wooden bridge. A river flows below it, stones floating on the surface, glowing green fish with fins reminiscent of ribbons swim in it.

  She reaches the other side. The wooden planks end, and her feet meet soft grass instead of stone.

  The giant mushrooms' blue light shines over her. The surrounding spirits stare at her.

  "C'est l'une des—-" (That's one of the—-)

  "C'est l'une des Belles ? Mais qu'est-ce qui s'est passé ?!" (That's one of the Belles? What happened to her?!)

  L'abeille ignores them all, continuing to press forward. She closes her eyes.

  "Positive—- positive thoughts—-" She thinks to herself.

  She clears her mind, as thoughts of the blue skies she had experienced fill her mind. The warmth she felt, the utter bliss that washed over her. The deep azure skies.

  A tear runs down her eye, but the rush of emotion is a trigger. She focuses on the memory of the deep azure skies, the sheer warmth that had washed over her. Her emotions calm, and with a gasp, she feels her core energy surge back. She takes a deep breath, focusing it all to tap the red gem around her neck.

  A red ripple radiates from it, making all the other spirits jump back.

  The ripple spreads across the refuge. All the other spirits in small mushroom houses jolt as their bodies are hit by electricity.

  It continues to spread across the area, by the giant pink flower where Sachi and Ikigai and the Belles stand watching spirits who kneel in prayer before it.

  The ripple hits them. L'automne, Soleli, and Mothpéra stumble back from the jolt. Sachi and Ikigai remain steady, unfazed.

  Ikigai turns to the three. Sachi's focus remains upon the flower, its pink light reflecting from her golden eyes.

  "What's wrong you three?" She asks.

  "That was—-" L'automne mutters.

  "L'abeille! She's returned!" Soleli yells.

  Ikigai's eyes widen. "Oh about time."

  She taps Sachi on the shoulder. "Sister, the bee has returned, let's go."

  Sachi lowers her head, remaining silent.

  Ikigai stares at her, letting out a sharp sigh.

  She turns to the Belles. "You three go ahead, we'll meet you in the throne room."

  The Belles bow. "Oui Ma Grandeur!" they say in unison, as they all fly in the direction of L'abeille.

  "Sister—- fix your mood at once!" Ikigai tells her.

  "We've done it. We got what we came for, we can clear our names in heaven now."

  Sachi still doesn't say a word. She stares at the ground, holding her right arm.

  Ikigai places her hand on Sachi's cheek, cupping it.

  "Forget about Akuji. He did nothing but hold you back. Think about what's important here."

  Ikigai smiles. "Once he's executed, you won't have to worry about finding your happiness any longer. New doors will open, new possibilities for you to find it."

  "The little 'love' as you two called it. Will be nothing but the past."

  "Sis-" Sachi tries to speak before Ikigai places her finger on her mouth.

  "No. No need for words, I want no explanation. You're not in the right frame of mind." Ikigai says.

  She pulls Sachi in, hugging her. She whispers in her ear. "You know I know best when it comes to your happiness. It is my purpose to help you find it. Remember that."

  Sachi's lips quiver. Ikigai places her hand on the back of Sachi's head, making her sink into her chest.

  Silver light surrounds them as Ikigai smirks.

  They both transport away from the flower.

  Back at L'abeille, she falls forward, dropping on the ground with Peter.

  "T-that should have—- got their attention."

  The three Belles approach her, descending from the air.

  Soleli lands in front of her. "L'abeille!" She shouts, running to her.

  She crouches down, placing L'abeille's head in her lap.

  L'automne and Mothpéra stand and watch.

  "No way—-" L'automne whispers.

  "What happened to you?!" Soleli says.

  "L-Le Démon écarlate—-" L'abeille says, her voice ragged.

  "Le Démon écarlate?" Soleli says.

  "Where is she?! You were supposed to capture her!"

  "I-" L'abeille stutters.

  Soleli grits her teeth. "You're telling me you failed your mission?! How!? It was simple, she was unconscious was she not?!"

  L'abeille remains quiet, closing her eyes.

  "Soleli, don't you think you're going a little too hard on her?" L'automne cuts in.

  Soleli whirls her head to face L'automne. "Shut up! She failed a mission and now who knows where the demon is!?"

  "This is our only chance to get rid of her for Malika!"

  "For Malika—-" L'automne whispers to herself.

  "I'm sorry—- I-I'm sorry—-" L'abeille starts to whimper.

  "She was too much—- she was too strong—- I-"

  "You failed! Don't give me any excuses! You cry now but when Ma Grandeurs find out about this, it'll be a steeper punishment." Soleli says, her voice cold.

  "Stop!" L'automne yells, running to L'abeille and pushing Soleli off her.

  Soleli rolls back. She starts to stand, her pupils dilating. "You—- I have enough of your backtalk!"

  "As D'occasion Guarde Royale you dare put your hands on me!"

  L'automne summons her staff as autumn leaves start to appear from thin air. They surround her and L'abeille.

  One of the red leaves starts to glow with red light, landing on L'abeille. Red ripples course through her body, healing her.

  L'automne stares down Soleli. "D'occasion or not, I won't allow you to treat her like this."

  "Your obsession with Sachi and Ikigai is making you forget what being D'occasion is even about!"

  "Us Belles are like sisters under Malika, not slaves, not subordinates. This is not Malika's will."

  Soleli brushes dust off her cloak. "Malika's will? You have the audacity to try to scold me about her will?"

  "She served the Ma Grandeurs just as I am. Don't lecture me about her, when I KNOW HER BETTER THAN ANYONE!"

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Her hair starts to glow green as her ginger hair sways.

  "We were never equal, there was always rank. I've always been above you all!"

  L'automne points her staff at Soleli. "If that's what you believe, who am I to change that?"

  "But for me, I believe in something different and I won't let you keep barking orders at us, treating us like servants."

  Leaves start to swarm her, as if she's the center of a tornado.

  L'abeille stands. "You two please-"

  Green energy surrounds Soleli. "I'll show you what happens when you go against me!"

  L'automne scoffs. "Oh please—- You think you're threatening?"

  They both prepare to attack. In that moment Mothpéra jumps in the middle of them, her cloak fluttering from the pressure.

  "Stop this bickering. This is no time for fighting. We must meet Ma Grandeurs at the throne room." She says, her voice calm.

  The pressure dies down. L'automne lowers her staff as Soleli's energy dissolves into particles.

  "Tch—-" Soleli sucks her teeth, sprouting her butterfly wings.

  She flaps them, flying towards the giant tree in the distance.

  Mothpéra spreads her wings, joining suit.

  L'abeille is left with L'automne as they look at the two fly away.

  "Merci L'automne—-" L'abeille mutters, turning to Peter who's lying on the ground.

  L'automne lets out a sharp sigh. "No need to thank me. I just seriously can't stand her!"

  "D'occasion this, D'occasion that—- I wish Malika would awaken just to put her in her place."

  L'abeille chuckles softly, picking up Peter. "Well, there's not much we can really do, is there?"

  "Malika made her D'occasion for a reason, so we do have to accept that."

  L'automne shrugs. "Yeah, but I feel she could have made a better decision. But that's my opinion."

  L'abeille buzzes her wings, lifting from the ground. "As much of a pain Soleli is sometimes, she is a loyal devotee. I'll give her the credit."

  "I'll meet you at the throne room." She says, flying away.

  L'automne nods. "Right—- loyal devotee, more of a Grandeur ass kisser—-"

  She summons swirls of leaves around her. Three spin around her as she begins to float in the air, following behind L'abeille.

  Seconds pass as they all make it to the throne room.

  L'automne is the last to arrive, flying through the giant hole on the side.

  Peter lays on the ground next to the imprisoned Akuji who's still wrapped in vines.

  Sachi sits on the throne as Ikigai stands next to her.

  Soleli and Mothpéra stand behind L'abeille as she walks up to confront the twins.

  "So do you mind explaining where Danya is, Bee?" Ikigai says coldly.

  "I—-"

  "I have failed to capture Le Démon écarlate—-" She drops to her knees, bowing.

  "Please forgive me! I couldn't handle her in battle—-"

  Akuji snorts. "Ha! Oh this is a treat! You thought you could beat Danya? That's my girl y'know—-"

  "Thankfully she didn't lose to some little wasp."

  Sachi clenches her fist, standing up. She huffs, gritting her teeth.

  Ikigai grabs her. "No sister, no need to beat him again. Let him talk."

  Akuji chuckles. "Ikigai, who are you holding there? You talk to ghosts now?"

  "Y-you—-" Sachi scowls.

  Ikigai sits Sachi down and turns to Akuji.

  "Reaper, you didn't learn anything from the last beating she's given you, have you?"

  "It seems you enjoy abuse. Are you a masochist by any chance?"

  Akuji smiles. "Sorry, don't know what you're talking about. I don't remember seeing anyone beat me."

  "I felt a few slaps and punches, but I just blamed it on the wind."

  Ikigai chuckles. "Have an answer for everything, don't you?"

  "Oh how I'll savor this execution."

  Sachi stands back up, rushing past Ikigai.

  All the Belles turn their heads to follow her.

  "Sister didn't I say-" Ikigai is about to shout before she notices.

  Sachi grabs Kiyoko who's still wrapped in vines, her mouth covered.

  "Mmmmmmmhm!" She yells through the vine.

  Sachi tosses Kiyoko—still bound, still muffled—at Ikigai's feet.

  "Kill her," Sachi hisses, her voice low and venomous. "Since he wants to play stupid games, let's give him a prize."

  Akuji's eyes widen. "Aye! Hold on! Don't take it there. It's me and Danya you want! Not her!"

  Ikigai smirks. "Oh I thought you couldn't see her?"

  "Funny how the eyes work huh?" She says, giggling.

  She claps, the sound of them echoing across the room.

  "Mothpéra, do us the honors and squash this sweet angel here."

  Mothpéra nods as her fist starts to radiate with sound waves.

  "Stop! Sachi, stop this! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Akuji shouts.

  Sachi looks him in the eyes, walking closer to him. "What's wrong with me?" She snickers as her eye twitches.

  "What's wrong with me you ask?"

  She pauses for a moment, gritting her teeth.

  "YOU'RE WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!"

  "THEN TAKE IT OUT ON ME! LEAVE KIYOKO OUT OF IT!" Akuji shouts back.

  Sachi slaps Akuji. Blood flies out his mouth.

  "Shut up!" She turns to Mothpéra.

  "Do it!"

  Ikigai kicks Kiyoko in front of Mothpéra.

  "Bon Voyage L'ange." Mothpéra whispers.

  Tears stream from Kiyoko's face. "Mmmm!"

  "NO! STOP!" Akuji shouts.

  "Wait!" Peter calls out. Everyone's attention locks on him.

  "Keep her—- we'll need her to find the Reaper—-"

  Ikigai tilts her head. "Need her to find the Reaper? Elaborate, mortal."

  A tiny bubble then emerges from his skin, floating in the air.

  Sachi lifts her head, staring at it as it floats in the air. "A bubble?"

  "Heal me first—- I'll explain, just spare her." Peter says.

  Ikigai sighs. "Why not? Entertain us. Let's hear your plan to capture Danya."

  "Wait—- did you call him mortal?!" Akuji calls out.

  Ikigai smiles. "Why yes I did. He's a product of your fellow reaper Azazel. A runaway slave he told us he was."

  "What?!" Akuji shouts.

  "But never mind that, hush your mouth." Ikigai says, aiming her palm for Peter.

  L'abeille stands quickly, jumping backwards out the way.

  Ikigai's palm lights up. Silver energy surrounds her, her icy blue eyes glow.

  The energy engulfs Peter. His wounds start to close, his robe stitches itself back together.

  "There we go. Now hurry up with the information."

  Peter stands, his body shaking a bit, trying to find balance.

  "Screw that! Explain what you mean by he's Azazel's slave!?"

  "Didn't I say hush?" Ikigai says.

  She points to Soleli. "Do me a favor and cover his mouth like you did the Angel."

  "Oui!" Soleli bows, her eyes glowing green. She raises her palm, more vines sprouting out the wooden floor.

  "No! I need to know-" before Akuji could finish, the vines wrap around his eyes and mouth.

  "MMMM!" He grunts.

  "Now then, mortal, get on with it." Ikigai says, crossing her arm.

  Sachi smacks her lips, walking back to the throne.

  Peter clears his throat. "Well, I'm saying the angel could be of use. It's only uh—-"

  "Danya right? It's only her we need to find, right."

  "With The Belles and I, plus the Angel, there's no way we can lose against her."

  Sachi scoffs. "Foolish. If the Bee already lost to her, what makes you think this Angel can handle her."

  "You fail to understand Danya is at a similar power as Ikigai and I. With Magic, mind you."

  "But her magic is negated right now! So is yours! If we use the angel as more firepower, we can bring her here." Peter says back to her.

  "And since Ikigai still has her magic, she can easily eliminate her right?"

  Ikigai turns to Sachi. They both lock eyes and nod.

  "Mortal, interesting plan but that'll just be a waste of time and effort. We don't need a full army to take on Danya at this moment."

  "Two of them should be enough to take on Danya at her current state."

  "False—-" Peter thinks to himself.

  "I've seen her up close—- that was a monster—-"

  He turns to L'abeille, noticing her sweating and shaking.

  "What she did to her—- it was brutal—- and Ikigai thinks only two can handle her."

  Ikigai interrupts his thoughts. "So was that all?"

  "That was your plan we stopped everything for?"

  "Yeah." Peter mutters. He starts to shake.

  "No—- I can't keep quiet any longer—-"

  "Hm?" Ikigai hums.

  Peter steps forward. "Why? What is all this for!? What is your obsession with these reapers!"

  Ikigai blinks, dumbfounded by the sudden question.

  "Obsession? I think you have it all wrong. There's no obsession, only duty."

  "A slave like you wouldn't get that, would you?"

  Peter grits his teeth. "Oh, don't talk condescending to me! I know about duty! But—- this manhunt is just insane!"

  "Do you not see how it's affecting the others?!"

  Ikigai peers her head past Peter's shoulder, looking at the Belles.

  L'abeille tries her best to look normal.

  "What about them? They seem fine?" Ikigai sneers.

  "Fine? You really think everyone is fine? Look at your own damn sister for Christ's sake!"

  "She has black rings around her eyes. She looks like she'll breakdown at any moment!"

  Ikigai turns back to Sachi who's sitting on the throne with her hands folded.

  She grins. "Mortal, why do you speak on topics you have no idea about?"

  She faces Peter once more. She starts to float to meet his height.

  "The state my sister is in is only temporary. Once everything is finished here, her happiness shall return."

  Peter scoffs. "Her happiness? And how do you know that?!"

  "Right now it just looks like she's spiraling!"

  "Simple, because I know what's best for her. It is my purpose to give her happiness after all." Ikigai says.

  Peter looks at Sachi who remains quiet. He then locks eyes with Ikigai. "What gives you any right to decide what's best for her?!"

  "She's a powerful spirit just like you? What, is she just your slave?!"

  Ikigai chuckles. "Ironic, a runaway slave calling someone a slave. The jokes really write themselves!"

  Peter clenches his fist. "Why you—-"

  "But no, my dear boy, it's not a slave relationship at all. It's simple actually."

  "I give her happiness, she gives me purpose, which in turn gives me my happiness, and gives her purpose of finding her happiness."

  "What?! What the hell does that even mean huh?!" Peter shouts.

  Ikigai sighs. "Must I really spell it out for you?"

  "So it's some weird relationship you two have, where you two depend on each other?! That's sick!"

  "Can you really call that sisterly love!" Peter shouts, stepping forward.

  Ikigai hums. "Why yes. I love my sister dearly, and my sister loves me. I'd do anything for her, as she would do anything for me."

  "We gave each other what we needed. If that's not love, what is?"

  "You're both sick! Sick!" Peter growls.

  Ikigai floats back towards Sachi. "I believe I've had enough of this conversation."

  "Mothpéra!" She yells out.

  "Oui—-"

  "Continue with killing the angel. Let's do this quick." Ikigai says with a smile on her face.

  "MMMM!" Akuji yells, squirming in the vines.

  Kiyoko's eyes widen as she too starts to scream under the vines.

  Mothpéra's fist starts to radiate once more.

  L'automne, L'abeille and Soleli all watch, bracing themselves for the blood that's about to splatter.

  "Traitors deserve death." Ikigai smiles, waving at Kiyoko.

  Kiyoko's tears drop on the ground, watching Ikigai wave at her.

  She closes her eyes, accepting her fate.

  Before Mothpéra slams her fist on Kiyoko, the tiny bubble pops in the air.

  Danya and Ari in that split second appear. Danya's eyes and hair glow crimson. Ari's sword is surrounded with waves of water.

  Sachi and Ikigai's eyes widen, their bodies stiffen.

  Peter looks in shock, noticing Ari. "A-Ari!?"

  Ari turns to L'abeille, spotting her. She instantly surrounds herself with water, blitzing towards her.

  In that split second, L'abeille turns her fingers into stingers once more.

  They both clash, the force from Ari pushing them towards the wall as they burst through it. "GWAH!" L'abeille grunts.

  Danya's dual blades start to glow a bright red. She infuses her Sanguine energy into them. She twirls, cutting through the floorboards, sending the debris and wind in every direction.

  Sachi and Ikigai cover themselves as Mothpéra instantly jumps in front of them, protecting them.

  L'automne uses her cloak to protect herself, hissing. "What the hell is going on!"

  Soleli is frozen in fear. "Le-Le-Le—-" she stutters.

  "DANYA!" Sachi screams, her voice screeching.

  Danya turns to Akuji wrapped in vines. She quickly sidesteps to him, cutting the vines around his body, face and eyes.

  Akuji drops on one knee, looking up. "What are you doing here!? They're after you, you know!"

  He quickly stands as Danya throws the black blade at his feet and points to it.

  He smirks. "Well, I know I can always count on you for the goods-"

  Before he finishes, she kisses him quickly, transferring the Kitsune Elixir she kept in her mouth to him.

  "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! ATTACK HER!" Sachi screams.

  Akuji's body glows blue. His wounds start to heal, sky blue particles radiating off him.

  Danya's lips unlock with his. Blue liquid drops from both of them.

  "What-" Akuji whispers.

  "You're welcome!" Danya cuts in, instantly charging for Mothpéra.

  Mothpéra surrounds her body with sound waves. Danya's blade glows crimson. "MOVE OUT MY WAY!"

  Danya twists her body. She lets out multiple consecutive slashes towards Mothpéra.

  She cuts her cloak in pieces, the slashes digging into her skin. Grey liquid leaks as Mothpéra screams.

  "AUGH!" Her hood falls, revealing her face.

  A head of a moth, with brown fur and large yellow eyes.

  She falls on the ground, twitching. Danya lands on her back, pointing her blade at Sachi and Ikigai, smiling and bearing her fangs.

  Sachi's pupils shake. "You—- YOU!"

  Ikigai sways her hand as wind surrounds the both of them.

  "This isn't the time to battle her—- you don't have your magic!"

  "Aw don't run just yet! I haven't had my fun terrorizing you two!" Danya says, grinning.

  "Tch, filthy terrorist—- trust you'll get your battle! And I promise, your head will be beneath our feet!"

  "SCUM, YOU'RE SCUM! I'LL KILL YOU I SWEAR I WILL!" Sachi screams.

  "There's the Sachi I know! Hey twin, how about you shut the hell up! This is between me and your feral sister!"

  Ikigai sucks her teeth. No—- I can't let her get to me—- she thinks to herself.

  Silver light surrounds the twins. "Death Spirit, if you survive this! Meet us at Seiwaden!"

  "That's where our battle will commence!"

  "Ouuu home field! I'll take joy in killing you both in your own biome!"

  "Fine, fine, run away like the cowards you are."

  "SHUT UP!" Sachi yells as they both disappear.

  TO BE CONTINUED