This set of stairs seemed to last forever and at last with a faint transition from darkness to grey they burst into the final level of the tower. Though the most richly decorated room in the tower, the walls were rung by another more delicate like prison than the one that had held the men below. Yet just as they approached the first door of the cells, the crunch of wood greeted their arrival, and a glint of a blade appeared from the other side of the cells.
Surprised, Risako found she had drawn the twins and was going on the defensive, when silver lined black hair and all to familiar face emerged from the remains of the door.
"Maya?" Risako asked, shocked at the arrival of the older woman as she sheathed the twins.
"Don't stand there, open mouthed, help me get them out of here. The guard has gone away for the moment, but if we don't escape now, we never will. Given that you and the others are here now, I gather the men of Dansha are free and Juzo is among them. Where are they?" Maya answered as she helped another older woman from the depths of her prision who in turn grinned toothlessly at Masao as she passed him.
The room was crowded now but as Risako examined the new arrivals she was uncertain for a moment and for a fleeing second, she felt disoriented.
"So, how did you and Juzo get here and what's this guard Maya?" Risako asked once she was certain that was everyone was free from their cells.
"Simple, we decided that even though Keiji and you would most likely be in battle with Kazuo, somewhere, somehow, the two of you would need to capture Dansha back after Kauo's defeat, so we formed our own plans and traveled here. Of course we never planned on being captured or being seperated for that matter. Yet I now know Kazuo's plan and we need to move them out of here before the demon, the 'guard' returns. Its bound to this tower, but something drew it out and it has been gone for sometime, but it always returns. If we can, we need to avoid a battle with it." Maya answered, "They need to be on the move, not milling about like this."
"Who is this, Risako?" Izo asked as he step up beside her.
"Maya, she's Keiji's mother, former samurai and wife to Masake. Once a samurai, always a samurai. Alright Izo, your the one whose free at the moment, lead them out and down, and if you can, get them out of the third and second levels as quickly as possible. They do not need to see those horrors, especially the young ones." Risako answered.
The room began to clear when a loud screach and the sound of stone and wood being torn apart reached their ears. Collectively, Risako, Maya, and Masao turned in time to see the face of the demon as it shattered the roof of the tower and plunged in after them.
The vile being that landed before them opened its long maw and hissed mencaingly upon the three remaining in the room.
Maya's old naginata reappeared as Risako and Masao drew their katanas in grim anticipation. Briefly Risako's eyes darted to Maya in speculation. It was obvious that Maya was old, how could she fare in such a battle as this, even with her training?
Risako was able to get a better view of the creature as it fanned its stubby wings to their fullest dwarfed width and its grey-tan body gleamed in the weak light that poured into the tower, along with the rain that slid over every fold in the disgusting beast.
"Alright Maya, you know what this is, right?" Risako asked.
"Only that it is a demon and that it was resurrected by the black dragon, Tamafune, for Kazuo." Maya answered.
"That is really useful Maya," Masao grumbled as he sprang forward, katana aimed at the beast's belly.
A large paw intercepted and pitched him aside before the katana could make contact. Risako heard the resulting crash as he collided with the wall behind them.
The stupid creature turned it dull and dim witted gaze upon Risako and Maya where they stood.
Risako could see the older woman brace herself as the demon took a powerful stumbling step towards her, its hideous fangs bared, and the paw and three long claws drawn back to attack her. Maya side stepped, never taking her eyes off the creature as he closed the distance between herself and Risako. Only for a second did Maya turn one eye to Risako, inclined her head once, to signify something, though what, Risako could only guess, and then rushed the demon the old naginata gleaming fiercly in the weak light.
She ducked under the clawed fist that threatened to smash her and as she passed scored a long wound from the demon's shoulder to its back. She ended up sliding into one of the cells to prevent it from pursuing her. Only when it swung around did she step from the cell and edge forward, keeping to the shadows and moving towards Masao, just in case. Frustrated, it reared back to howl in pain and turn to confront the only human visable to its eyes. Risako swung in, the twins scoring a deep wound across the demon's chest and one arm dropped to ground where the blade met the arm.
It staggered now and keep its eyes on where Risako was, but from where she stood, she could see Masao rise from where he had landed groaning. The demon's back was open to his attack, she just prayed he could see. For a moment Masao stumbled and then he looked up and his keen eyes focused. He saw and stepped quietly from the shadows, as the demon's gaze remained intent on Risako where she stood.
Swift as a shadow he raced forward, and leapt high, and he came down the katana slashed the demon fatally from head to torso. It toppled to the ground with a almighty crash as Masao landed lightly before them.
"Good attack." Risako commented as Masao straightened, "Let's get out of here."
Risako took a step forward when the world seemed to become a burning blaze and she found herself bent over the floor, pain burning through every limb. When she pulled her hand away from her side, she saw blood running through her fingers. Her blood.
"How," her mind demanded.
"Risako?" Maya and Masao demanded as one as they realized something was horribly wrong turning to a stricken Risako.
Next Chapter
