segaman4

The force field holding Ayeka flickered and disappeared. The Princess fell sprightly to the floor where she ran to Jerren and threw herself into his arms. Jerren held her awkwardly, not sure what to make of it, or how he should react to the sudden intimacy.

“Oh thank you Jerren…thank you, thank you!” Ayeka exclaimed, tears welling at the corner of her eyes, a grateful smile beaming up at the face of her rescuer. “I cannot thank you enough for rescuing me!”

“Um…that’s alright Miss Ayeka, but I don’t deserve all the credit, my friend Ami helped…” Jerren indicated Ami who stood off to the side blushing at the emotional display of the Princess. Ayeka turned to Ami her demeanor turning cold.

“Oh…of course…” Ayeka presented a stiff formal bow to Ami. “On behalf of myself and the people of Jurai I thank you for your service to the Empire.” Ayeka sounded detacched, speaking by rote rather than with any emotional sincerity.

“It’s an honor to meet you Princess Ayeka!” Ami said politely, bowing to Ayeka.

Ayeka looked at her with a frown.

“Yes, yes…” waved Ayeka dismissively, “I…”

The ground heaved unsteadily under their feet and the room started to shake sending everyone stumbling to hold their balance.

“What’s going on?” Jerren shouted as he fell to his knees. The others had not fared any better and had lost their footing, sprawling on the ground.

“The ship is starting to collapse in on itself!” Ami’s voice cracked in fear, “We need to escape!”

“But how, the ship we came here in was destroyed!” Jerren pointed out.

“We can take my ship,” answered Washu, “Ryo-Ohki is a loyal ship, all I need to do is call and she will come.”

“RYO-OHKI! I SUMMON YOU!” Washu shouted.

An explosion threw everyone to the floor again.

“That wasn’t the ship…someone is firing at us…” Ami forced herself to her feet.

Outside, the Royal Imperial Navy of the Jurian fleet surrounded the crippled Soja.

“Kagato, you poor distracted fool…” Azuza laughed, “You…are…MINE! All ships: Fire on the Soja, NOW!”

A barrage of laser fire engulfed the mammoth ship.

A vessel on par with Soja suddenly appeared between the fleet and the damaged ship. The mysterious new ship had sharp diamond like edges protruding from a red cylindrical sphere in the center. The ships stopped their deadly cavalcade.

“Who is that?” Misaki cried in surprise.

“It doesn’t matter…KEEP FIRING!”

The new participant in the unfolding space drama took the brief respite of fire to fly close to the Soja. But as the lasers burst the space around the ship, it spun wildly before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

A few seconds later the Soja exploded.

Azuza laughed in triumph at the demise of his old enemies’ flagship.

“And what of Ayeka?” Misaki asked her husband.

Azuza’s victory dance froze mid celebration at his wife’s words.

“Oh…!” He croaked.

“Why did Soja blow up like that?” Jerren asked curiously, “It was blowing up even before those other ships started shooting.”

“Kagato died,” replied Washu, “So the ship went with him since they were bound together. I told you about that before, you really should pay attention, you know…”

“Oh, I see! Well at least we’re safe now. Ryo-Ohki teleported us off the Soja in the nick of time.” Jerren patted the ships wall. A sound like a proud meow reverberated throughout the corridors of the ship.

“What was that?” Ayeka shivered.

“Oh, just Ryo-Ohki saying you’re welcome.” Washu grinned at the Princess, who flinched.

“So little Washu, um, where are we going?” Ami asked the diminutive scientist.

“Well, I thought I’d drop you three back on Jurai…” Washu looked at some monitors. “Unfortunately we have to take the long way around because of that fleet, but don’t worry; I’ll get you home safe and sound.” Washu grinned. Turning away, she strode over to Ryoko who was suspended in a clear tube of fluid. Gingerly she reached up and placed her hand on the glass, before turning her attention back to the ships monitors.

Jerren found a seat and slumped into it. Ami walked up and sat beside him placing her head on his shoulder in weariness and Jerren covered her hand with his own.

Ayeka watched the comrades with eyes slit in anger, before huffing and leaving the room, head held high.

An hour later Ryo-Ohki landed on Jurai, her cloaking system hiding their approach from the sensors set around the Planet, Azuza and Misaki’s castle a mere stone’s throw from their location with no-one the wiser. Slowly they disembarked the ship with the exception of Washu who waited on the gang plank.

“So is she going to, you know…be ok?” Ami asked concerned, her last sight of Ryoko still unconscious with her missing left hand a stark reminder of the harrowing battle mere hours before.

“She’ll be fine,” replied washu “She just needs rest.”

“But, what about her hand…?” Jerren held up his hand and wiggled his fingers.

“It’s healing right now.” Washu brought up a screen showing Ryoko in her tank.

“Oh my, it IS healing!” Ami watched the limb regenerate in front of her eyes. The stump grew digits that formed her left hand and in moments was completely restored to its original state. Jerren, Ami, and Ayeka gasped at the sudden restoration.

“So this creature has the ability to regenerate; that is new,” said Ayeka shrewdly, “But where are you taking her? You do know there is a 300 million credit bounty on her head?”

“Yes, I know, but she is my…daughter.” Washu rolled the unfamiliar word around her mouth. “We’ll go somewhere she can heal in peace. I’ll see you guys again when the time is right, till then, take care.” The ship then shut its doors and blurred and was gone.

Meanwhile inside the castle, Azuza and Misaki were drinking saki out of blue crystal cups and making fun of Jerren and Ami, their sorrow at their daughter’s apparent demise had gotten them started on a truly legendary bender.

“Hey M…Misaki, who…who am I…?” Azuza said unevenly as he stumbled out from his chair: “Riches and power, now that’s some motivation right there…!” Azuza gave a semblance of being excited, waving his hands in the air before doubling over in laughter and falling to his knees.

Misaki laughed so hard that she fell from her chair, pulling herself back into her seat with difficulty.

“That is the boy…9631!” Misaki giggled as she got up as unsteadily as her husband had and did an impression of Ami.

“Don’t underestimate us, for we make a lethal combination!” Misaki struggled to keep a straight face.

“You are 0254!” laughed Azuza.

“Got it in one,” replied Misaki her grin fading, “I wonder if they suffered much.”

“Maybe…” Azuza thought before solemnly declaring, “Well they did provide an excellent, if brief diversion…”

Just then Ayeka burst through the door and ran into her parents arms.

“Mommy…Daddy! I am home, Jerren saved me from Kagato!”

“I helped…” Ami grumbled at the Princesses continued slights.

Azuza and Misaki spat out there saki in disbelief as those they believed dead walked boldly into the room.

“T…they made it,” Misaki spluttered in shock, “But…but how?”

Azuza stared at his cup blearily in suspicion and set it aside.

A woman with a pale complexion, long black hair and emerald eyes, strode purposefully into the room. Her robe was an elegant Japanese design in pale rose and lily shades. A cape adorned her shoulders framing a regal figure. Her name was Funaho Misaki Jurai.

“My goodness what a meeting,” said Funaho, “I never thought I would be so happy to see the back of the Tenju estate…”

“Aunt Funaho…!” Ayeka ran to the woman and hugged her tightly, eyes wet with tears.

“What is wrong my niece?” Funaho held Ayeka tenderly, “Did something happen while I was away?”

“Yes,” replied Ayeka, “I was at the mercy of S-class criminal Kagato for six days!”

“Kagato you say?” Funaho expressed her concern, “Did he hurt you in any way?”

“No…but he did manage to get some information regarding Tsunami. It is alright though because my bodyguard Jerren rescued me and killed him.”

“I helped beat him too!” Ami snapped shortly. Ayeka stared icily at Ami but nodded curtly.

“You mean these two…humans? My goodness, they ARE human…they defeated Kagato? How interesting…” Funaho addressed the pair, “Who are you?”

Ami walked over to Funaho and introduced herself.

“Hello, my name is Ami Mizuno Anderson from Earth; please may I learn your name?”

“I am Lady Funaho Misaki Jurai and I am first lady to the misaki house.You said you were from Earth?”

Ami nodded.

“Along with that young man over there…?” Funaho looked at Jerren.

Jerren then introduced himself.

“Lady Funaho,” Jerren bowed, “My name is Jerren brandon Gregory. It is an honour to meet you.”

“Pray tell, how did the two of you end up here on Jurai?” Lady Funaho walked gracefully to the throne dais, unclasping her cape and laying it over the throne before seating herself next to her husband who suddenly tried to sit taller. Misaki self-consciously attempted the same. Ayeka demurely sat herself at her aunt’s feet.

“Well, you see,” Jerren began, “We came to this planet as slaves and exiles along with the other people from Mercury. I’m Princess Ayeka’s slave, although, um, I got a promotion to bodyguard, I guess, and Ami is a seamstress for the royal family.”

“Ah I see!” Funaho clapped in understanding, “Captured on Mercury you were outside the protection of Earths slave restriction zone. Hmm, But defeating an S-rank criminal like Kagato? That is something I would very much like to hear about.”

“Well…I did have this…” Jerren pulled out the master key sword.

Silence hung in the room thick and heavy.

“Y…You can wield the Light Hawk sword?” Funaho’s composure broke for a second in shock. The three nobles shot looks to each other that could not be misread. Azuza and Misaki sobered up measurably. Ayeka nodded, smiling at Jerren.

“But this boy is not even Jurain let alone a member of the royal family!” Azuza stated.

“It is impossible!” said Misaki, deep in thought. “How can the sword respond to him if he is not a part of our lineage? Did we miss something?”

“Hey I’m as stumped as you are,” Jerren offered, “but like I keep saying I’m just glad it works. It impaled Kagato a second before he would have snapped our necks. We owe this sword our lives several times over.”

Ami thought better of revealing her powers to the Emperor and Empresses. Her powers might grant her a secret advantage that might come in handy at an opportune moment.

“Oh, that reminds me, since we have returned Princess Ayeka safe and sound and Kagato is dead, we can now get the rewards you promised us, right?”

“Rewards…what rewards?” Funaho now concerned, turned to her husband, “What is the girl talking about?”

Azuza and Misaki slumped into their seats and drank more saki.

“I have no idea,” replied Misaki into her cup, “She must be imagining things…”

“Oh stop playing around,” Ami chuckled, thinking that Misaki was being coy. “You know what you promised us. Making us wealthy nobles in your kingdom…”

“With vast political power and influence AND control over your royal guards and military,” Jerren chimed in to Misaki’s dismay, “Don’t forget that!”

Funaho turned her head to regard Azuza and Misaki with an icy expression making the two nobles shrink even further into their seats.

“Did you actually promise all of this and while I was away at an important meeting?” Azuza and Misaki turned their faces away for a second and took another sip of their saki.

“I assure you we have no idea what they are talking about,” Azuza blustered. “I would guess that the battle with Kagato must have damaged their minds or something.”

“Stop playing dumb,” snapped Ami, getting serious, “You gave us your word that you would reward us if, and only if, we stopped Kagato from attacking Jurai; if we returned the Princess safely. So why are you denying it now?”

Funaho turned her attention back to Azuza and Misaki with an even colder look.

“Well…answer her question!” Funaho ordered crisply, “Did you promise…or not?”

Misaki unable to look at her sisters’ face any longer threw her cup away and admitted the truth.

“Alright, it was a flat out lie! We thought they were so over their heads that we said we would give them whatever they wanted. We never expected them to come back, well, ALIVE!”

“Well they ARE back,” said Funaho gesturing at the indignant humans, “Kagato is dead and both they, along with Ayeka are alive! So the Misaki household is honour bound to make good on what you promised them.” Funaho slapped her face into her palm in disbelief.

“I am so disgusted at you two! You know that since I rule the Misaki house, decisions and promises must be run by me before they are even uttered. What will the other houses think when we make these humans nobles of the Misaki house. You know their bias towards the human race, or have you conveniently forgotten MY heritage?”

“We are sorry sister,” Misaki wailed in guilt and shame, “We were just having fun that is all. Please forgive us?”

“I am not the one you need to beg forgiveness from sister,” Funaho rose from her seat and walked over to her sister putting her hand on Misaki’s cheek, “because I am taking this matter to Lady Seto!”

“L…LADY SETO!” Azuza and Misaki said in unison, “NOT HER!”

Azuza and Misaki’s faces turned pale and sweat started to pour down their faces.

Ayeka rose to her feet and walked over to Jerren’s side.

“That is definitely a bad idea!” said Azuza holding his head in worry, “Seto is the last person we want to go to about something as controversial as this. The last time someone got on her bad side she sent that person out an airlock without a spacesuit!

“The last time I got into trouble, I was grounded for a year by my mother…in her royal prison!” Misaki chewed her finger nails.

“Who is Lady Seto?” Jerren whispered to Ayeka curiously.

“I’ve heard that person’s name before,” said Ami, “but only once…from Princess Sasami.”

“Lady Seto is my grandmother,” answered Ayeka watching her parents bicker. “Lady Seto Kamiki Jurai is head of the Kamiki house here on Jurai. She is a very powerful and influential political figure, well…behind the scenes that is, the power behind the throne if you will.”

“So you’re saying she is even more powerful than the Emperor and Empress?” Ami asked.

“Of course you silly little girl,” sniped Ayeka, “She crowned my parents and gave them their positions here. Pay attention girl, my goodness!”

“You didn’t have to say it like that.” Ami pouted at Ayeka’s tone.

“She also has a special nickname,” continued Ayeka, “and it is well known around the galaxy. She is called the devil princess of Jurai.”

“The DEVIL PRINCESS OF JURAI…!” Jerren and Ami said in unison. Azuza and Misaki both paused their pleading with Lady Funaho to look at the three whispering youngsters. After a moment they returned to groveling in front of Funaho.

“Why does your grandmother have such a demonic and cruel nickname like ‘the devil princess of jurai’?” Ami lowered her voice again.

“For two reasons,” replied Ayeka, “So pay attention. She is called the devil princess of Jurai because she loves to meddle in people’s lives, arranging marriages for political motivations… or sometimes, just for fun.

“She does sound like quite the meddler…but that hardly seems like reason enough to…” Jerren leaned forward.

“She also has a nasty temper,” Ayeka cut in, “So don’t do anything to get on her bad side or you will end up…well, you do NOT want to know how you will end up!”

“Whoa! Well, if we do meet her sometime in the future, we’ll definitely try not to get on her bad side.” Jerren promised.

Meanwhile, Misaki was holding on to Funaho’s foot as she tried to walk out of the room.

“Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase sister,” Misaki wailed as she held tight to her sister’s leg, “Please don’t tell mother, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!”

Funaho shook her sister off her foot.

“Get yourselves ready. We leave within the hour!” Funaho left the room and shut the huge doors with a slight touch. Misaki and Azuza contemplated Lady Seto’s reaction to the news Funaho planned to unveil and grew pale at the thought.

“So do we get our rewards or not?” Jerren walked towards the shivering Emperor. Azuza pulled himself together.

“Not yet! Right now you are coming with us to the Mikagami.”

“The Mikagami?” asked Ami, “Is that a ship?”

“Yes, it is Lady Seto’s ship!” answered Ayeka, “It is a very powerful ship that has the ability to freeze all enemies in their tracks using the Genocide dance, an attack of unfathomable power. I will leave it to your imagination as to its after effects.”

“Oh my!” replied Ami a bit shocked, “That sounds frightening!”

Jerren and Ami sat in silence during the flight on Azuza’s ship; the Kiroto. Staring out a viewport, Jerren and Ami were completely unprepared by the appearance of the Mikagami. The ship was ring shaped, with another ring spinning inside of it. A harsh contrast of yellow and steel blue exemplified the utilitarian harshness of the military flagship of the Jurian fleet.

“OH my goodness!” Ami blurted, “The size of it, it’s…it’s…I can’t even to begin to describe my feelings about it!

“It’s larger than Ayekas’ ship…!” Jerren commented. “And it’s even wider than the Soja!”

Ayeka scoffed in disgust, walking past the two humans as the Kiroto docked with the Mikagami.

“Again it is the size that impresses,” Ayeka muttered rolling her eyes, “Humans!”

The group disembarked and walked up floating steps that somehow positioned themselves perfectly underfoot. When they reached the uppermost platform a lady with a cloth veil covering her face and wearing the uniform of a servile functionary waited patiently for them.

“Mistress Seto has been expecting you…” the woman bowed respectfully. “Please follow me.” Without waiting for assent, the woman walked steadily up another set of floating steps. Following after the retreating servant the group was led into a large empty chamber. Once the last person entered, the room sealed itself and a flash of light enveloped the party.

Blinking smartly, Jerren and Ami looked in wonder as the insides of the Mikagami were revealed. A landscape of trees and frolicking animals dotted a landscape larger than the ship’s hull could possibly have contained. The sky was bright blue as the sun shone its warm rays over the land.

“It’s just like Ayeka’s ship!” said Jerren, “Her ship had the exact same thing inside with all the nature and stuff.”

“This is…unbelievable…and truly fascinating,” Ami gawked at the ship, running her fingers over the living wood that formed the walls, “To fit an entire systemic ecosystem inside a spaceship is…is…”

“Is what?” Ayeka snapped, “Say what you want to say without stuttering like some brain addled primate.”

“It defies the convention of third dimensional space; your race must be extremely advanced technologically to put even the fundamentals of such a mathematical theorem into practical application.”

“…And that surprises you?” Ayeka smarmily waved, “The citizens of Jurai are an intelligent and sophisticated people…unlike you primitive humans!”

Amy bridled at the Princesses words, but held her tongue.

The woman led them up through the wooded area into an alcove that led into a vast hallway of the ships main interior where three people waited while a fourth was speaking.

Funaho stooped beside an elegant and stern woman whispering quietly in her ear. As the party entered she stood formally and moved to stand slightly behind the commanding central figure.

A woman with pale skin and purple hair stood on the left near Funaho. Immaculately dressed and presented, her name was Minaho Masaki Jurai, first daughter of Prince Yosho and Lady Seto’s most trusted intelligence officer.

The man on the right had brown hair kept tightly kempt in a pony tail. He wore a rich if casual outfit as befit a noble, comfortable of his position in the presence of the unofficial leader of the Jurain Empire. His name was Harada and not much was known of him.

The lady in the middle was sitting in an incredibly ornate red velvet chair with what looked like gold fixtures, waving a small fan at an inscrutable face framed by lime green hair. With her pale skin wrapped in an impeccable pink and white Kimono, it would have been easy to underestimate the reclining woman, until you noticed her flashing violet eyes that bespoke steel earned through uncountable trials, eyes that missed nothing. Her name was Seto Kamiki Jurai.

“My lady, your guests have arrived!” Minaho stated more for the guests benefit than Lady Seto’s, in order to let them know they now had the Lady Sovereigns full attention. Seto rose from her chair and turned her gaze on them.

“Ah good, welcome all of you, welcome to my Mikagami!” Seto gestured signifying the ship. Jerren and Ami stayed at the back of the group as the formal greetings began, but once Lady Seto locked her eyes on them her gaze never wavered as she smiled.

“And these must be the two heroes that I have heard so much about,” she said as she waved her fan slowly, “Come closer so that I may better inspect the ones who saved my granddaughter.”

Jerren and Ami suddenly found a clear line between the throne and themselves. Gulping the pair buried their nervousness and walked steadily towards the imposing dais. Walking forward, Ami took the chance to study the woman that caused so much fear in the rulers of the Empire. When Seto unflinchingly returned her gaze Ami flushed and looked down.

“Whoa,” Jerren exclaimed quietly as he looked on Lady Seto’s features, “For someone who’s supposed to be a grandmother she sure is beautiful!”

Ami sent icy daggers from her eyes, making Jerren feel an itch in the small of his back.

“Uh, not as beautiful as you, Ami,” Jerren hastily rectified, “Naturally…!”

“She is beautiful in the way a viper is hypnotic to its prey, keep that in mind. This woman has a death grip on the politics of entire planets in a vast Intergalactic Empire…” Ami then bowed her head before Seto.

“Greetings Lady Seto, I am Ami Mizuno Anderson and it is a pleasure to meet someone of your high royal station, your majesty!” Ami said in a respectful manner.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Seto replied, “You may raise your head young lady.” Ami looked up.

“I have heard that you are a seamstress for the Misaki house, and with the high praise from my granddaughter Sasami…I am led to believe a designer of most exquisite taste as well.” Lady Seto folded her fan tapping it on her palm, “I must say I would not mind trying some of your ensembles myself.”

“Your majesty I would be honored,” Ami blushed, “I would love to personally design something for you.”

Lady Seto turned to Jerren.

“And what is your name young man?”

Jerren bowed and introduced himself.

“Hello, uh, your majesty, my name is Jerren!”

“Well it is nice to meet you Jerren,” Seto smiled, “Lady Funaho has informed me that you wield the light hawk sword. Regardless of any other factor, that is indeed, a most impressive feat.”

“Um, th…thank you Lady Seto.” Jerren stammered rubbing his neck. “I have it right here if you want it…uh, no-one seemed to want to take it back.”

Jerren took out the sword and activated it, waving a few arcs before deactivating it and holding the hilt towards Lady Seto. Hesitantly she reached out and tenderly touched the contours of the hilt.

“Well, well, a demonstration before my very eyes,” Seto said astonished, “And so humble to so willingly offer up the most coveted weapon in the Empire. I heard that with the help of this sword, you and Ami vanquished Kagato; a truly formidable villain…keep it Jerren, I am sure you will need it again.”

Lady Seto pushed the hilt back into Jerren’s hand.

“Thank you, your majesty, we owe our gratitude to this sword, it has saved our lives many times…”

“And, I suspect, it will again…” Lady Seto said.

“If it’s not too forward I do have one question concerning you though Lady Seto.”

“A question about me…? My, how flattering,” Lady Seto nodded, “what is it you wish to know?”

“Well…If you’re Ayeka’s grandmother, then how is it you look like you’re in your late twenties?”

“Oh my age,” replied seto, “well if you must know, I am a little over 5000 years old, does that help?”

“Oh well, that’s not…wait, what…over 5000?”

“Did she just say that she was over 5000?” Ami recoiled.

“Why does that surprise you…?” Ayeka chuckled walking casually past the flabbergasted pair. “I cannot help but laugh at the expressions on your faces. But…I think I see why you are surprised; we do not age the same way you humans do, our life spans can extend for centuries, even millenniums, unlike a human who only lives for about 100 years.”

“I am sorry for interrupting my lady, but we did come here to talk about the matter at hand regarding everyone here…”

“No apologies necessary, Lady Funaho,” replied Seto waved her hand, “I was so entertained I almost forgot myself. Please proceed…”

“Yes my lady,” Funaho walked forward. “Well as I told you before, this young man and woman saved Jurai from Kagato.”

“So I heard,” Lady Seto waved her fan, “The holy council of Jurai told me five days ago about my granddaughter’s abduction at the hands of that madman. I was preparing a battle fleet strong enough to stop him but another fleet of space pirates chose that moment to wreak havoc in sector 3157-k. I could not resist…having a ‘word’ with them.”

“Of course my lady,” Funaho pulled her lips back into a cold smile, “Kagato probably planned it that way.”

“Yes I know,” Seto shrugged, “I detest pirates more than anything, a well known fact that a monster like Kagato would be a fool not to take advantage of…but please continue…” Funaho bowed her head in compliance.

“Well as I was saying, this boy and girl saved Jurai and Princess Ayeka’s life in the process. The problem lies in what Azuza and Misaki promised them if they came back victorious. They promised political power as nobles in the Misaki house, authority over the royal guards and militia as well as vast riches, all apparently meant as a cruel jest, but sanctioned as an official verbal contract by the recording made in the local surveillance archive.”

“Oh really…?” Minaho nodded in affirmation and Seto turned her attention to both Azuza and Misaki with an unpleasant look on her face.

The pair turned their faces away from Lady Seto, shying away from her piercing gaze.

“I have only one thing to say about this fiasco,” Seto raised herself from her throne, “Give these two heroes what you promised them. kiyonesmile1

Stunned silence washed over the hall after Lady Seto’s proclamation.

“Was I unclear?” Lady Seto fanned herself, “You will give these two what was promised them. They saved our people from destruction and on top of that they also saved my granddaughter, so we are indebted to them.”

“Yes Milady!” Lord Azuza sighed in defeat.

“Yes Mother!” Misaki grumbled, bowing her head.

“You mean we get our reward? AWESOME…!” Jerren leaned forward as Ami looked on wide eyed over his shoulder. Turning, Jerren swept Ami into a hug and swung her around as they both laughed happily. Lady Seto coughed and raised her hand slapping her fan to gain the enthusiastic celebrants attention.

“A moment if you please while I clarify, before you may claim your prize you must do two things to qualify.”

“What things?” Ami’s expression sobered as Jerren lowered her gently to the ground.

“Oh, nothing particularly arduous, in fact you will probably find it more…tedious than anything. After all, you are to be nobles in the Jurian court, so it only stands to reason that you learn the rules and etiquette of the game you are choosing to play. Would I be correct in assuming you know little to nothing of our culture and politics?”

Jerren and Ami looked at each other before nodding.

“If you are going to be political figures you must know how and when to act in Jurai’s interest. It would also be beneficial to learn something of our history as well…and Azuza will be more than happy to teach you the finer points of Jurian nobility.”

“WHAT…?” Azuza stiffened, “Lady Seto, you cannot be serious! I am the Emperor…!”

“I am most serious,” replied Seto, “As of this moment I strip the title of Emperor from you, temporarily, and reassign you as tutor to our newest noble assets. I want you to give this matter your full attention Lord Azuza!”

“W…what is the meaning of this?” Azuza paled at Lady Seto’s words, “You demote me to a simple errand boy?”

Lady Seto held Azuza’s eyes with a steely gaze. Azuza flinched, sweating profusely.

“Do you feel I am being unfair to you Lord Azuza?” Lady Seto asked smiling softly.

“Y…yes m…I mean no Milady…!” Azuza mumbled. Misaki chuckled.

“What is so amusing daughter?” Seto turned to Misaki who shot up straight as though struck by lightning, “You are also stripped of your title temporarily. Lady Funaho will rule the Empire until further notice.”

“What…But WHY?” Misaki protested.

“Your involvement in this fiasco has caused me to seriously question your judgment; do not push this matter further lest you make it a permanent demotion…daughter!”

“W…WHAT? B…But that is NOT FAIR Mother!” Misaki cried.

“Not fair? Was it “not fair” when you gave these humans false promises and sent them on a suicide mission? Do not debate to me what is and is not fair. I am being most lenient with you, child!” Misaki looked away from her mother’s demanding gaze.

“You will train them in our battle style so that they may defend the Empire; I leave their martial training in your hands!”

“Y…you want me to train them in Jurian martial arts. But those are closely guarded techniques that…”

“…You will now train our newest nobles in the use of. Do I make myself clear?”

“B…but Mother…” Misaki whined.

“Stop complaining!” Lady Seto chided, “Simply include them in your daughters training regimen. With no royal responsibilities you have plenty of time to bring their abilities up to speed…”

Ayeka smiled at the pronouncement looking at Jerren, and then frowned when she realized it also included Ami.

“Y…yes Mother!” Misaki slumped, pouting. Lady Seto turned her attention back to Jerren and Ami.

“In about a year you should be sufficiently prepared to receive your reward. Are these terms acceptable to you?” Lady Seto gestured for them to speak their minds.

“A full year of training both physical and mental,” Ami rubbed her chin, “Well I do love to learn new things so this might be an interesting experience.”

“Yeah, we get to learn Jurian martial arts. That sounds so cool!” Jerren pumped his fist as Ami shook her head.

“Then you are all dismissed,” Lady Seto waved her fan, “You may leave now.”

In a flash the group teleported away leaving only Seto and her two adjutants alone in the room. Minaho and Harada turned to Lady Seto.

“My Lady, are you sure that giving those two humans such power is really a good idea?” Minaho asked chewing her lip.

“Why do you ask?” Lady Seto rose from her throne and walked to a wall which shimmered and became transparent showing Azuza’s ship floating in the void, slowly accelerating away from her vessel. Raising her hand she closed her fingers around the ship giving the illusion of holding it in her grasp. In the span of seconds it was gone leaving only the stars.

Harada walked to Seto’s side as she lowered her hand.

“Well for one thing, they beat Kagato. He may have been a madman but you cannot deny he was powerful. A full armada might not have been enough to stop him…”

“Yes and that is why I held our position until I could determine the best place and time to attack, even if it had meant Jurai’s and my granddaughters extinction.” Seto stared into space. “A reputation can be quite useful in obscuring certain truths from those who do not need to know them…”

“…and that boy can wield the light hawk sword; the most troubling development of all…”

Minaho nodded at Harada’s assessment.

“…A human who can use Jurai’s most powerful weapon? Not to mention the girl’s ability to control and manipulate water like a Mercurian scout. Though I noticed she chose not share her little secret. She was like a closed book compared to her companion.”

“Ah, yes. She is shrewd, that one…but naive. Keep a close eye on her Minaho, she could prove dangerous if not controlled properly.” Lady Seto smiled.

“So it raises some concerns. What if they are the ones foretold in the…prophecy?” Harada almost whispered.

“I well know of the prophecy,” said Seto turning away from the view as it shimmered back into a solid wall, “How Jurai will one day be destroyed by people from the ancient kingdom, but it does not have to happen.”

“Milady, what do you mean?” Minaho placed her fingers on her lips.

“If we can successfully assimilate them into Jurain society, then in time they will see us as their benefactors rather than as their oppressors.”

“But what if that fails?” Harada asked.”In trying to out-maneuver the prophecy, what if we are fulfilling it?”

“If all else fails we have a guardian who watches over us. Tsunami will stop them if they prove to be a true threat.”

Lady Seto walked towards the door followed by her aides.

“In the meantime we have much work to do…!”

The door snapped shut behind them.

End of arc 1!