⁂~(Updated 2022-07-05-)~⁂

*Ready for professional edits*

(This is the free version.)

Word Count: 3900

"Entrusting companions' abilities to boost one's strife conducts its own law of power." - Sage Kenji.

The intense glazing flurries of frost struck two heroes as they trekked through the open barrens. Snow squalls whirled the crevices of faraway alpines and froze moonlight. Cold, blue wind voyaged the apertures as the mountain's dense clouds charged with silver sleet and showered their icicle spears onto the black snow-blotched stone.

Guiding Kazuki through the frozen barrens, Angelo intersected his furry fingers into the sign of the dragon. He ignited his paws with blue-orange flames and lifted his bulky legs to press the sizzling enchantment into the base of his pads.

"Banes," He snarled as the blue-orange mana swirled around his clawed toes and travelled up the cuffs of his black trousers.

Kazuki stepped into Angelo's fire-aura and imprints of thawed snow. Chattering his teeth, he shouted. "We're going to freeze to death!"

"Lower your voice," said Angelo as he pushed his back against the rough edges of the canyons toward cover. "If we invoke an avalanche, it will bury us underneath frozen ash. This endless blizzard will be our end if we do not get out of it before nightfall."

Kazuki scanned the barrens with his bright red eyes. The white-grey shards further saturated the welkin and expanded the massive whiteout with each step he took into nothingness. "Do you know where you're going?"

Angelo growled as he discharged more fire magic from his legs and paws.

"Yes. However, I must navigate by following the Sun-Titan's position," he said. "In a few hours, it will descend below the black alpines, and without my full power, little one, it will leave us both shivering under the moonlight. We must reach Ashinburn quickly. Try and keep up!"

Kazuki's vision blurred versus the pounding blizzard as he followed Angelo for hours. With each crunchy step, the ash-mixed snow soaked into his gold-lined obsidian robe and his dark-violet hair.

"Stay close, little one," said Angelo as he blasted his body with flames. "The storm is evolving."

Sweeping off the thick layers of snow from his robes, Kazuki thought about Agatha and frowned. "What about Agatha and Diaxis?"

"I am uncertain what has come to pass," said Angelo. "Although Agatha must have succeeded in her promise, or I would not be here with you."

"The first time you taught me a lesson, you tried to feed me to a pair of mythological monsters! I need to find someone. He's an old scholar. My yokai never told me a name, though."

Angelo shimmied across the cliffs against the intense snowstorm. Pressing his claws into the black snow-blotched stone, he fortified his burly muscles and swung himself to the other side of the jagged canyons like a monkey. He pushed his fire magic towards Kazuki as Kazuki crossed the ridges behind, covering him with a spherical safeguard of blue flame.

"Are you angry? I wanted to force your mana to the surface, like boiling a pot of water. And I saved you with my muscles, remember? Again, I did not know the Crystal Tiger would be present as well as Benzaiten. You should be thankful. I doubt a mortal has ever seen both in the same place at the same time."

"Yeah, yeah. Just keep those flames going, will you? I'm still frozen back here!"

"I said keep your voice down."

"Yes, dad," said Kazuki sarcastically.

Angelo snarled as Kazuki swung himself to the other side of the snow-battered cliffs.

"Calm down. I was only joking," said Kazuki as he jumped and pushed off the black stone, landing in front of Angelo.

"We must hurry," said Angelo.

Master Kenji Memory Quote: "A desolate land of beaming whites, gleaming like a pearly quilt in the bitter light. The crunch of ice after a squall expunges footprints and forms the world—restarting the cycle of time. A frozen plenum is only ever temporary, Kazuki. On the most dreary days, the earth and the sky seem to thaw into one with no horizon."

"I think I know how to form the celestites' mana now, but it needs time," said Kazuki. "And I don't have time to tap into all of them. I have to find a way to speak to Izanami."

"Once you find the mother, I am certain she will show you how to remove the cores; if that is what you wish to do with the power," said Angelo as he swatted his paws at the blurring white tempest.

"I guess," said Kazuki. "At least the Heart of Mana didn't do anything to me like Diaxis told me. I hope he is ok."

"The Faye prince can handle himself. Focus on your own strifes, little one."

"Why did the Heart of Mana bring us here anyway? Is it trying to kill us?"

"The Heart of Mana is a powerful Faye relic created by the Four Titans. It will gift whatever you desire, although at a great cost. We desired to be back in Azmoria. Had you been alone, you would have surely died without me here."

"I can't argue with you there. I guess it did try to kill me," said Kazuki as he slid down some flat black stone slopes with Angelo.

"The Heart of Mana teleported us into the northern regions of Azmoria. Nevertheless, I did not imagine we would be five miles from Ashinburn's front gates."

"Five more miles? Are you kidding me? We are going to die out here, Angelo!"

"I will protect us with my powers until we reach our destination," said Angelo, tossing Kazuki to another slope.

"What will we find in Ashinburn? The scholar?"

"Perhaps. There is a woman here that has authority within The Carnation Empire. We will go to her royal seat in Ashinburn. The town resides on the other side of the volcanic Mountain of Kagutsuchi," said Angelo, pointing to the gigantic grey mountain peak puffing with thick ash and red embers in the distance.

"That mountain shielding us from the volcano is known as the Fist of Kaito. It shields Ashinburn from the overflow of magma on the other side, hence the ashfall. You can't see the volcano from here, but it is there. A great battle took place here, little one. One of the strongest sages' died protecting this kingdom on this very spot."

"Another Iron Rose member? Who was it?" asked Kazuki, following closely behind and rubbing his hands together.

"Kaito Kishimoto—the fifth to bear the core Celestite of Alteration," answered Angelo. "He created the Fist of Kaito mountain barrier seventy years ago during the Lions Head War to shield Ashinburn. The village turned into a defence fortress used for last stands."

"I am very proud of that mountain," said Daidarabotchi within Kazuki's mind.

"I remember that Kassius guy saying something about the Lions Head War being named after you. Why?"

"I have lived many lifetimes, little one. However, none were harder than the war against the Black Lotus Clan... It was a different time. It all started when Agatha received my powers almost seventy years ago..."

Angelo's piercing yellow-orange eyes phased beyond the snowsqualls and sent his thoughts to the past. "It still feels like it happened yesterday."

⁂~(Angelo Flashback: The Death of Jasmine Fox)~⁂

"No, Jasmine, you cannot die yet. I will have no host, and Ashinburn will fall! I can still save you!" yelled Angelo while he was on his strong knees, caressing a red-haired woman covered in blood, cuts and severe lacerations. 

"Not this time," choked the woman.

"I told you I should have stayed with you during the invasion!" growled Angelo.

The red-haired woman clutched a young child's blood-soaked hand, who cried next to her and Angelo. "A—Agatha... my darling... take him... take Anjelico... he is yours now," said Jasmine as blood trickled from her lips.

"Please... protect my daughter. Lilith. She is the only heiress left for the throne of ashes. If she is alive, Ashinburn cannot fall to the masked man and his clan."

Young Agatha cried and squeezed Jasmine's blood-soaked hand.

"I promise, Jasmine! I will take care of Angelo and Lilith. Just like you took care of us!"

"Just a kid... I am sorry you had to see this. War is no place for children," said the dying woman. "But now you know that we must defend our home... even if it costs us our lives."

Jasmine smiled and resisted the urge to pass out as she turned her bloodshot green eyes to Angelo. "I am sorry that I was not the one to free you, Anjelico," she coughed. "But, your special powers are needed now more than ever. Go with the girl... and show her what you showed me."

Jasmine grasped the blue trapezoid-shaped celestite crystal in her palm and cried as she ripped it out. She handed the gleaming crystal to little Agatha with a trembling hand and smiled.

"I know you wanted to change the future like your father, Agatha... now... you can," said Jasmine as she slapped the glowing azure crystal into little Agatha's palm.

Young Agatha looked at the sparkling crystal that fused into her blood-soaked hand. A ghostly burst of blue-green magic spewed from the spirit gem. For several moments, the glowing orbs encircled little Agatha and Angelo. "What's happening to me?"

Looking down, Angelo witnessed Jasmine's life finally fade as her pale elvish skin shifted to blue.

"She's gone... what do we do now? What does this mean?" asked young Agatha as she stared through her blur of tears at the flickering Angelite Celestite within her palm.

"It means you are my third host," said Angelo as he closed Jasmine's eyes with a gentle swipe of his muddied paw.

"You're my yokai now?"

Angelo lifted the young teenage Agatha and placed her on his shoulders.

"The bridge between our souls has been united, little one. Come with me now. I must show you how to become strong."

⁂

"So Agatha was a child soldier, just like she told me in the cavern," said Kazuki, still following Angelo through the blurring snow tempests.

"Agatha Haru was the youngest mortal in the war to receive a Celestite Spirit," said Angelo as he ignited his fiery red-blue aura.

"I barely got to spend time with her. The more I hear about her... She was amazing."

"You have no idea how amazing she truly was. She didn't even need my help half the time," sniffed Angelo. "Hmm. Do not breathe too deeply, little one. These mountain ash storms manifest from the northern side of the Fist of Kaito. The storms are not toxic here; nevertheless, they can be, snowing like this. We better get moving. "

"Will we be safe in Ashinburn from the storm?" asked Kazuki.

"Ashinburn is shielded from the immense ashfall by a magical barrier. We will be unharmed there until we obtain answers," said Angelo.

"That volcano on the other side is called the Mountain of Kagutsuchi, right? That's where Agatha said she forged her legendary sword. I wouldn't mind seeing that. Especially now. Achoo!" sneezed Kazuki.

"We must reach shelter before my mana pollens fade, or we will freeze in time," said Angelo, widening his flaming spheres once again.

"They better have food and blankets. I'm frozen and hungry," sniffled Kazuki.

Angelo turned to shove one of his giant claws in Kazuki's snow-blotched face. "Do not be such a wimp. Grow some backbone! I have been in battles that lasted for a week. I have held comrades while they died in my arms, and I did not shed a tear. Look at these muscles! You think I got them by just moping around?"

"You're telling me you've never cried?"

Angelo growled and turned away.

"Calm down. I was just kidding. It's easy for you to say, you know. You're a walking carpet."

⁂The Palace of Foxes | Present Day⁂

The red-haired and crimson-gowned Lilith Fox sat on her ebony stone throne within her great hall. She watched as hissing cascades sprayed hot water from the walls into the ochre-hued ponds beneath. Inside the steaming aqua, the scales of red-orange fish shimmered like sun-struck gems. The firefish carelessly bobbed along with their enflamed fins and sought to absorb the most valued pockets of heat.

As they lingered near the hottest spots for warmth, the schools of firefish glowed and cast a soundless animated song below the distorted water.

Large pottery overflowing with lavender and daffodils carried an ambrosial fragrance that eased Lilith's mind as she examined the exotic fire-immune fishes. The paintings of white-tiger mercenaries besieged by snow and war hung on the cold stone walls. Oak columns with elven children engraved into the design reached the ceiling and gazed over handcrafted statues of Ashinburn's lost heroes.

"You're a shiny one, aren't you?" asked Lilith, smiling at the firefish that swam in front of her in circles.

The great wooden doors to Lilith's throne chamber suddenly creaked open. A woman, armoured in full-platinum-chainmail, yielding a steeled mask of the same colour, strolled the ecstatic maroon carpet. The female warrior's replica white-tiger fur swayed as she marched down to greet Lilith.

Lowering herself to one knee, the armoured messenger swung her white-tiger cloak. A raven sat and squawked on her fingers as it dropped a scroll strapped with black roses.

"My lady. Kassius has sent us this," said the white-tiger warrior as she set the vociferous raven down on the granite arm of Lilith's throne chair.

The militant gave a traditional shoulder salute and departed as

Lilith held out her hand and let the raven hop within her pale palm. "What do you have for me today, girl?" asked Lilith.

She unclipped the black roses sealing the scroll and unravelled the message.

The boy with all eight cores has escaped with the aid of an S-Rank yokai named Anjelico. We are still pursuing them to the best of our capabilities. We believe they are headed in your direction towards the Archives of Cloud. You must capture these two, imprison them on sight, and immediately contact the empire.

- Commandant Kassius

Lilith smiled. "Anjelico, the Demon of Faith. For all these long years, the great Agatha Haru is still alive. Not bad for a human. She must be almost a hundred years old. Without a doubt, I already regret my judgment at the palace assembly."

⁂

Battling the icy howl of the Ashfall Mountains, Kazuki and Angelo passed over a ruined bridge that crossed to a monumental steel gated door. The stronghold's massive frosted stone walls aligned within a perfect ring as a wave of orange mana blanketed the fortress from the overwhelming ashfall. Angelo approached the steel gated door while Kazuki surveyed the structure for the first time.

"Ashinburn..." murmured Angelo as he rubbed his paw across the steel door in memory. "It has been a long time since I have set foot in these walls."

"Fortress of the White Tigers?" questioned Kazuki as he read a metal sign above the massive steel entrance.

"Mind your manners. The mortals here are trained soldiers, little one. They can battle celestite bearers without possessing any magic power," said Angelo as he pounded on the door with a closed fist.

"Won't the guards try to slay you? You know you are still a yokai, right?"

"Perhaps, little one. Let us hope for the best then. Or, I will have to kill everyone, and I have grown fond of this place over the eras," said Angelo.

Kazuki dropped his mouth. "What? Don't hurt anyone!"

Angelo chuckled, grabbed Kazuki's shoulders with his big wet paws, and rubbed his head. "I am joking, little one. I would never harm this place. I am excited to be here. It is where Agatha grew up after all. It brings me back to when she was young. "

The massive steel entrance opened with a deafened haul and the screech of grinding metal. Dozens of platinum-blue soldiers wearing replicated white tiger furs rushed through the gate. Their spears, swords and silver chainmail sang as they surrounded Kazuki and Angelo.

"Is that... the Demon of Faith?" asked a soldier, his voice slightly muffled from his silvered mask.

"The Demon of Faith? But, isn't that the yokai they named the war after?" questioned another.

"It can't be. My grandfather said his weapon was taller than a man!" said another.

Angelo slowly drew his legendary katana from its snow-covered gold and purpled sheathing. "You mean this weapon?" said Angelo as he flourished the blade's midnight-black hilt and long curved edge.

"I can't believe my eyes," said the full-helmed captain. "That's the Masamune katana!"

"The Masamune katana, captain?" asked the young black-haired private.

The old man took off his steel helmet, sheathed his sword, and approached Angelo's enormous arched blade like a child.

"The greatest sword ever made. Legend says the first emperor's son, Akira Sirus, forged it almost seven hundred years ago with his own life force. This sword is the true symbol of friendship between mortals and yokai. I have not seen the blade in over seventy years. It is one of the three Legendary Shinto Swords."

"If that's true, captain, how does this yokai have the sword?" asked the young black-haired private.

"I obtained the blade as a gift during the Dark-Elf Revolution that took place seven hundred years ago, little ones. Akira Sirus was my first host, and when he passed, he reincarnated into the Masamune to enhance my muscles! I was a young and small yokai back then. I could barely lift the weapon at the time," smiled Angelo as he whipped the legendary blade back into its black-gold bracket.

"It is you. Anjelico, the Demon of Faith! My wife is going to have a heart attack," exclaimed the captain.

Angelo is more famous than I thought.

"Yeah, you better believe it's him! Now let us in. I will die if I stay out here any longer!" demanded Kazuki.

"Stand down," commanded a beautiful voice calling out from behind the mob.

A red-haired woman cloaked in a red dress emerged through the leaden ash fall that eclipsed the air. Kazuki looked at Angelo, who contorted his head in her presence.

"Princess Lilith Fox, I bring you Sage Kazuki," said Angelo. "We wish to plea a truce. He is the only hope for your mortal salvation."

Lilith's face remained emotionless, and abruptly, she rushed to Angelo. Her men-at-arms gulped. However, as she spread her arms wide open, she surprisingly caressed him.

His flame shield doesn't affect her. She must be a fire-mana user, too, observed Kazuki.

"My friend. You are most welcome here. The veterans aren't going to believe that you've returned. It has been far too long, even for a young half-elf like me. Please, come inside. There is much we have to discuss."

The woman turned and threw a flat hand into the air.

"White Tigers! Bring this boy to Master Takahashi... immediately."

Kazuki glanced at Angelo, "Whose is Master Takahashi? Does he know where I can find someone who knows about Izanami?"

Angelo smiled.

"He is a brilliant scholar and warrior. I believe he is the one you're looking for."

⁂

Angelo looked around at the curved glass windows, steam-boiled fishponds and violet herbs inside the castle. Tasting the sugary heated air, he walked down Lilith's blissful maroon carpet. He paused as the small firefishes swam in their steam ponds towards him and formulated a shimmering ruby-neon spectacle.

"I think they remember you," winked Lilith.

"They are the last of their kind," replied Angelo as he formed the sign of the boar with his fuzzy fingers.

"You and mother saved them from their destroyed habitats. To heat the castle, right?" asked Lilith.

Red mana enkindled Angelo's hand sign and produced glowing red pebbles on his paws. Alike smouldering coals, the manifested flame candy cooked within an orange glow. As he unclenched his grip, crimson wisps escaped his fist.

Angelo tossed the flame candy into the boiling pond. At the same time, he and Lilith observed the colony of glowing firefish snatch the food pellets in a frenzy. "Yes, little one," he said. "These pebbles will help them live longer. They like to eat hot rocks that are rich in zinc."

"You seem happier than the last time we saw each other. How long have you waited for your freedom anyways?"

"Ever since your mother promised me," said Angelo as he began to follow Lilith down the hall of waterfalls and firefish ponds.

Reaching her granite throne and sitting down, Lilith crossed her black-red plated legs and smiled. "Nearly seventy years ago now, wasn't it? How did Agatha obtain your powers after my mother? She never told me before she had to leave with you."

"We were there when your mother passed. Agatha received me as her yokai when she was twelve. She was the third individual to receive my powers."

"Mao helped kill my mother. I'll never forget that day," said Lilith.

"The Black Lotus Clan saw me as a high-level threat. In a way, it was my fault your mother died in combat," said Angelo.

"Don't blame yourself. You did everything you could during the war. Things are different now. You've been entrusted with guarding the last core bearer. Destiny has it in for you, just like last time, huh?"

"This time, destiny has chosen all of us for chaos," said Angelo as he looked out the glass ash-filled windows.

"Lilith. The Realm of Styx is now severed from me, and I can no longer go back to my abyss."

"I assume Agatha told you to protect the boy?" asked Lilith.

"By oath, I must protect the little one with my new mortal life. He may not bear my spirit, but I will do so by Agatha's wish. The boy stubborn though—wants things his way," grunted Angelo.

"You two have that in common," giggled Lilith.

"I suppose you are right," blushed Angelo as he scratched his blond mane.

"Agatha chose you for your loyalty and kindness. This boy, Kazuki. He is our only hope, isn't he? I regret my decision at the palace assembly. Had I known the truth and your part in this, I would have done as Osamu did. It seems the rumours were true," said Lilith.

Angelo crossed his burly, hairy arms. "Osamu? I heard he escaped prison."

Lilith slumped into her throne and nodded. "He was pardoned by Master Kenji and the Council of Sages until they determined the truth about his alleged crimes. But, Osamu disagreed with Kazuki's execution with an outburst, to put it lightly. He said he would kill anyone who came after him. Although they say he wishes to be forgiven for his past, nobody knows for certain. It's like there are two people inside of that man the way they talk about him," said Lilith as she closed her green eyes in thought.

"He used to be a part of the Black Lotus Clan until he defected and warned the council of the impending war. He is extremely dangerous. When did you last see him?" asked Angelo.

"The council assembly. Kassius has been looking into where he went."

"Kassius, The Cyan Dragon... He is another dangerous bearer. He is the one who attacked us with Agatha's son, Luther Haru. Had Agatha not shattered my sigil heart to set me free, the little one would be in the hands of the empire now. Though you are in control of the Carnation Empire in this region, are you not?"

"I was, but my reigns over the empire have dwindled over the years," said Lilith. "Initially, they were all about justice and peaceful immunity for Azmoria. Yet, everything has been slowly changing since the war ended. Kassius sent me a letter not long before you showed up, but it's strange."

"For a message to be delivered so far out here by raven, it should have been more detailed than it was. He told me to lock you up and await further orders. I have no idea how he would know your location."

Angelo crossed his arms in thought.

"Hmm. A very ancient woman was said to have the eyes of Izanami herself. She could see the future and stop time for anyone close to her. Rumours during the war say that the masked man recruited her to the black lotus. But, I have never seen such a person."

Lilith's apple-green eyes widened and teared up. "But, if that's true... That would mean..."

"Yes, little one. The Order of the Black Lotus, and your friend, Mao, have returned to finish what they started."