Chapter 16: War On Humanity, Part 2

It had been eight hours since King Frost's and Boogeyman's Tempest of Darkness had en-cloaked the world. The seven seas were a turbulent mess of enormous waves, destroyed ships, and downed commercial planes that had been struck from the sky during the first hours of the storm. Cities, neighborhoods, and villages alike were under siege by the hordes of Dracula, Boogeyman, the Witch of the Woods, and the Big Bad Wolf. Scores of evil creatures such as giant bats, goblins, ghouls, and werewolves ravaged all seven continents under the command of the Guardians of Darkness.

But there was still hope.

For by now, the United Nations had issued a global call to arms. Every humanitarian and military agency with willing personnel had mobilized quickly in the face of this monumental crisis. From Mi6 to the CEA, to the Ghurka soldiers in Nepal and even the Philippine Marine Corps, every man, woman, and child around the world were united in one fight.

The fight to survive.

The Guardians of Light had already forged a strong alliance with the armies of humanity. Beowulf and his armies, for example, had received a hearty welcome from the Norwegian military upon reinforcing their defenses against the Witch of the Woods.

As for Santa, he currently led a joint force of his Elves in Japan, along with a company of Fairies that the Tooth Fairy had been willing to lend him for the fight. Their current position? Kagawa Beach, located right on the western coastline of the humble town of Tonosho. They had evacuated a good number of civilians to the large beach, and were currently awaiting the arrival of military ships to help get the people off of the mainland. As usual, Santa had generated a large magical force-field to shield them from the rain. And even better, Santa and his forces did not stand alone. Their human allies were with them.

"Good to see you survived, Nishikata," Kimura greeted his friend as he handed him an extra assault rifle. "Though I do wish it was under different circumstances."

"Likewise, Agent Kimura," Nishikata nodded. "I'm just glad you and Takao didn't have to take the hit with me."

"Hey, no worries man," Takao said, clapping Nishikata on the back. "Maybe not all of your motivations were in good order, sure. But you saved all those people. Including Takagi."

"And now the world pays the price for my bitterness," Nishikata said.

"Ay now, chin up mate!" Agent Oliver said, walking up to the group from behind. "Ya can't blame yourself for everything. That's why your face was always so downcast back at the Academy!"

"Agent Oliver?" Nishikata said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, right," Oliver replied. "All those people you and I freed from Krampus's lair? One of them was Director Lauren's grandson, who'd disappeared many years ago. I'd been sent here to take you in originally, but midflight I received word from her that she wanted me to thank you. Grudgingly of course. This lousy storm hit right after I landed, and Kimura and Takao can confirm all our satellite connections have been lost. So now I'm here to back all of you lot up!"

Kimura, Takao, and Nishikata were all impressed by Oliver's news.

"I see. Thank you for being willing to help us in the fight, Oliver. Let's be clear though, you would not have even come close to taking me in."

"Oh piss off, you blithering dimwit," Oliver snorted, and the squad of warriors laughed.

"So, who's the lass?" Oliver teased, pointing over his shoulder to where Takagi sat with Yukari, Mina, and Sinai.

"A girl who teased Nishikata all the time when we were in middle school," Takao grinned. "And this idiot over here didn't realize she teased him because she liked him until after he'd written his wish in Krampus's book."

Nishikata glared at Takao. "Gee, thanks Takao."

"Oh you—you—blimey Nishikata you blundering fool!" Oliver guffawed, clutching his side as he rolled around in the sand. Kimura and Takao joined in as well.

"How was I supposed to know!" Nishikata yelled as his friends shared a good chortle t his expense.

"Nishikata!" Santa yelled. "Please come over here."

Nishikata had little choice but to respond, and ran over to where Santa was standing.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"I've just sent out several platoons of fairies and elves from this location to help counter King Frost's offensive in other parts of Japan," Santa explained. "That said, I still have two hundred elves and one hundred fairies here at this location. Their skill is great and my magic is strong, but when King Frost comes in force we will need help."

"Say no more," Nishikata cut him off. "I will help lead your warriors from the front if it comes to that. My fellow agents and the civilians are getting off the beach first. Only then will I even think about backing down."

Santa smiled. "Your selflessness is to be commended, former agent."

"Don't mention it," Nishikata waved his hand. "It's the least I can do for you after leveling a nine-millimeter at your head."

"Oh yes, that," Santa chuckled. "Apology accepted, but if you do make it out of this alive, you're still forever on my Naughty List."

"Fair enough," Nishikata shrugged. "So, any word from the military on when they'll arrive?"

"As of now, the waters and skies are still much too turbulent for their helicopters and ships to make it to the beach. That is what the captain at the nearest base told me when I transported myself there thirty minutes ago."

Nishikata said nothing in reply at first as he scanned the surrounding terrain. Then, he pointed to a certain set of mountains off in the distance.

"There," he said.

"The mountains where we dropped off your parents? What good will those do us?" Santa asked.

"There just might be a way we can win this fight. How good is your teleportation magic?"

....................................

Kimura, Takao, and Oliver all nodded in understanding as Nishikata finished explaining the plan.

"You got it, Nishikata," Kimura said, backing up his words with a fist bump.

"We're with you friend," Takao added.

"Knock that bloke out dead when he comes," Oliver finished, pocketing the note Nishikata had handed to him.

The plan, unlike the stormy skies above, was clear cut and dry. Upon King Frost's arrival, Nishikata would spearhead the defense and help hold the enemy back from the beach. Takao, Kimura, and Oliver, all armed with their sniper rifles, would take up positions at three key chokepoints of the neighborhood. Their main objective? Kill or weaken King Frost enough to where the storm's power would ebb, giving the military a chance to swoop in and evacuate the civilians.

And if push came to shove, Nishikata would be the one to stay behind and cover their escape.

"You sure about this?" Oliver asked one more time.

"Yes, I'm sure," Nishikata said with more resolve than he'd ever had on his mission to kill Krampus.

"Alright, if that's what you want," Kimura said. "But before things get hot—,"

Nishikata looked to where Kimura was pointing, and nodded.

At a small campfire nearby, Takagi had been taking the moment of peace to catch up with Yukari, Mina, and Sinai.

"That's so great you got to run in the Olympics, Sinai," Takagi smiled. "You always were one of the best runners in our class."

"Yeah, it was pretty cool," Sinai nodded. "Lots of good competition and great food afterwards. I still don't like planes though."

"Tell me about it," Yukari agreed. "I wish I could fly first class every time. I can never take naps on a plane either."

"At least you can enjoy some movies," Mina shrugged.

"Takagi," Nishikata spoke up. The four friends turned to face him as he approached.

"Oh, hey Nishikata," she said, with at least some degree of civility in her voice.

"King Frost and his forces will be converging on this beach soon. When he gets here—,"

Nishikata paused.

"Just watch yourself, okay? Stay safe."

Takagi didn't know what to say.

"Um...sure. Thank you, Nishikata."

"You're welcome," he replied, nodding to the others as he walked away.

Nishikata bit his lip, doing everything he could to hide his irritation at himself.

Even after all this time...

He couldn't bring himself to say it.

..............................................

Nishikata did a brass check on his assault rifle for what must've been the hundredth time, and maintained his grip as he stared down the main street leading away from the beach. The extra flak vest given to him by Oliver carried a full combat loadout of thirteen magazines, three grenades, and a combat knife. Kimura, Takao, and Oliver had confirmed their positions via flashlight signals, since even radio waves had been run amok by King Frost's tempest. Two fairies and one elf guarded each of the snipers. On his left and right stood several of the elves and fairies, armed with bows, shields, spears, and swords. Like Nishikata, they were ready to give their lives in the coming battle.

Despite the absence of Santa, the magical force-field still glowed behind them with a vibrant defiance to the darkness thrown upon the world by King Frost and the Boogeyman. Santa had a different role in the plan, which would be fulfilled soon enough.

Clank. Clank. Clank.

The sound was still far off, but there was no mistaking it.

He was here.

He had come.

Nishikata refined his combat stance.

"Prepare yourselves!" he ordered the elves and fairies.

In just a few short minutes, King Frost's armored form loomed just a few meters ahead, his legion of Ice Soldiers sprawled out across the neighborhood. Unlike earlier in the hospital, King Frost held his giant scepter in his right hand, the tip shining with a brilliant white glow of deadly enchantments. Lightning flashed, followed by loud peals of thunder as King Frost gazed at Nishikata with a deep, penetrating hatred straight from the depths of Hell itself.

"I will give you one last chance to offer yourself up for execution, foolish boy," King Frost snarled. "Only then will I consider sparing the rest of humanity."

"You want my head? Come and get it." Nishikata spat back.

"Fool!" King Frost roared. "Prepare to die! Soldiers, forward! Leave none alive!"

And the battle began.

Nishikata whistled loudly, and the rest of the elves who had hidden in ambush rose from behind the trees, fences, cars, and trash cans to meet the enemy. The first lines of the Ice Soldiers screamed in agony as the precise arrows met their marks. The fairies followed close behind, shooting lances of purple magic from their spears. Some Ice Soldiers brought up their shields just in time, but most were not so lucky.

The Ice Soliders continued to surge forward, howling their fanatical war cries as they clashed with the small but valiant force of elves and fairies. Three hundred against at least two thousand. But Nishikata liked those odds.

Taking aim through his iron sight, Nishikata let loose a three round burst into the chest of an Ice Solider closing in with his spear. The foe tumbled over, clutching his chest as he breathed his last. Nishikata did not move an inch as he continue to fire into the tide of enemy soldiers, silencing their insufferable screaming with each shot. A pool of icy silver blood began to form on the ground as Nishikata's position became marked by the corpses of the Ice Soldiers.

King Frost had had enough. He raised his scepter and fired a volley of energy blasts out of the end, striking down many elves and fairies. Then he turned to his true target, Nishikata.

That was when the tip of his scepter exploded.

"Great shot, Kimura!" Takao praised, following up with a shot to King Frost's chest. Oliver shot right at the King's left knee, hitting a critical chink in the armor that sent King Frost tumbling down.

"What? How!" King Frost cried. His question was answered by another barrage of shots from the three hidden snipers. In under a minute, the towering King was left on both knees, without a scepter, the armor on his left leg and right shoulder destroyed, a gaping bullet hole in his stomach, and his bright crown knocked off of his head.

That was when the rain stopped falling.

Nishikata knew the plan was working. He shot down two more Ice Soldiers encroaching on his position before pulling out his flare gun and firing it into the sky. The brilliant green flare was the signal to Santa and the Japanese military atop the nearby mountain: send in the boats and helicopters at once. Firing his last round into the head of an Ice Soldier, Nishikata conducted a speed reload and continued the fight. So far so good; they were holding this position.

But King Frost was not dead yet.

Summoning all of his magic into his right hand, King Frost shouted with a mighty

determination as he closed his wounds and stood back on his feet. Before any of Nishikata's team could react, King Frost created a shield around himself and unsheathed his enormous sword. Then, he screamed a high pitch, guttral cry that made Nishikata freeze.

A swarm of giant bats suddenly descended from the sky, bearing down on the contingent of elves and fairies. Nishikata was not scared, but rather furious with himself more than anything. Of course King Frost had brought his own backup.

"Fall back!" he shouted, shooting down one of the winged monstrosities right before it

snatched him up. He then proceeded to fire a red flare into the sky, noting it's impact into a giant bat's mouth with much satisfaction. That was the signal to Kimura, Takao, and Oliver to abandon their positions. As if King Frost's reinforcements weren't enough, the green glow of Santa's magic shield dissipated. Nishikata saw a blue flare fire up from the mountains. That was bad news. Santa had run of power to keep the shield up, and now King Frost was getting closer to the civilians.

On the beach, Takagi felt her skin begin to crawl as she saw the giant bats pour out of the black sky. The rain had stopped falling yes, but something worse had come in its place. Just then, she heard the roar of boat engines behind her, and turned to see who had come to their rescue.

A group of about thirty hovercrafts roared towards the beach, sending up giant sprays of foamy sea water as they made landfall. The Japanese flag waved proudly on their bows, and Japanese marines poured onto the beach to provide support for the beleaguered elves and fairies.

"Everyone please remain calm!" the gruff voice of a naval officer said over a loudspeaker. "Split into small groups then proceed to the hovercrafts in a quick and orderly fashion! We will depart from the beach as soon as all of you are aboard!"

Takagi hadn't even noticed that the rain had ceased and the turbulent waters had subsided. Additionally, the high winds had stopped, allowing heavily-armed helicopters to thunder onto the scene overhead. Reinforcements at last! There now was a chance for them to get out of here alive!

"Takagi, come on, let's go!" Yukari urged, grabbing her friend's hand. Mina and Sinai followed close behind. As the four friends ran to safety, Takagi stole a glance at the battle unfolding behind them. She saw Takao, Kimura, and Oliver fly over the stone stairs with their rocket boots, followed by many elves and fairies.

But Nishikata was nowhere to be seen.

Had Takagi looked just a second later, she would've seen the battle-torn Nishikata fireman-carrying a wounded elf to safety as ice arrows and acid spit from the giant bats splattered the ground all around him. Nishikata did not stop until he was a good distance from the enemy forces, and set the elf down.

"Tend to his wounds!" he told another fairy.

"Nishikata, they're getting closer!" Takao yelled as he slung his sniper rifle back on his back and unholstered his pistols. "We have some backup now yes, but I don't think your number one fan is gonna relinquish his pursuit!"

"Then we'll just have to keep fighting!" Nishikata shouted back. "You, Kimura and Oliver get on the hovercrafts. Provide more cover fire for us. I'll draw them onto the beach."

The Japanese marines and helicopters had joined the fight by now, sending a deadly spray of machine gun fire, rifle fire, and missiles into the swarms of giant bats and Ice Soliders. The elves and fairies regrouped, augmenting the modern firepower of humanity with their magical arrows and spears. The advance of King Frost's soldiers was brought to a grinding halt as they fought to break through the renewed defensive line.

King Frost raised his enchanted sword to the sky.

Without warning, a giant beam of silver light shot into the sky, summoning a barrage of lightning bolts that struck many of the helicopters square in the cockpit. The destroyed aerial combat vehicles fell to their deaths as terrified civiliand and marines ran to avoid the debris. Nishikata dropped to the ground and covered his neck. He felt a wave of sand and grit wash over his body as a helicopter impacted into the ground nearby. When the dust had settled, he found he was lucky enough to have no injuries.

A few yards behind him, however, there was someone who was not so lucky. And Nishikata's heart filled with rage upon seeing her injuries.

"Takagi!" Mina cried as she ran over to her friends battered body. Takagi struggled to stand, clutching her head and left shoulder.

"It's not that bad," she assured her friends. "I can still walk, but I must not have covered in time."

"No time to worry about that. We need to get on the hovercraft now!" Sinai reminded them. The trio of friends picked Takagi up and ran the last bit of distance over to the hovercraft, where a team of marines helped civilians up the massive ramp and into the craft. Right as the end was in sight, a giant bat spit a giant blob of acid in Mina's direction. The main blast missed, but the splatter caught Mina in the leg, sending her down to the ground and causing the group to drop Takagi.

"Go on without me!" Mina screamed.

"No! I'm not leaving you behind!" Yukari contested.

"I got you!" Nishikata yelled, shooting down the bat as he bolted over to the group. "Sinai and Yukari, get Mina!" Takagi had no time to argue as Nishikata scooped her up into his arms, dashing towards the hovercraft's ramp and getting her onboard the ship. Yukari and Sinai carried Mina onboard soon after, and Yukari screamed for a medic for Mina.

"Nishikata, I—," Takagi began.

"Stay behind me!" Nishikata yelled as he ran back into the fray.

Kimura swooped down onto the craft with his rocket boots, taking up position where Nishikata had been as he aimed his rifle.

"Get this craft ready to roll!" he shouted at the nearest marine. "All civilians are off the beach!"

Takagi could scarcely process what was happening. Mounted machine guns aboard the hovercraft fired into the enemy lines, and more marines were making their way back to the crafts as well, providing cover fire for one another. The corpses of elves, fairies, and Japanese military personnel alike were strewn about the beach of her hometown, either struck down by arrows, spears and magic blasts or mauled by the claws of the bats. Kimura himself took a hit from an arrow at one point, and he struggled to maintain his grip on his rifle.

"We have to more farther back!" Sinai shouted. "Come on!"

Just then, Takagi heard a shrill predatorial shriek as a giant bat flew right at her. Her life flashed before her eyes, but then the bat's head was blown up with a gunshot from behind.

Her heart stopped when she saw who had fired the shot.

Nishikata.

Kneeling down alone on the beach, an arrow already in his right calf and the magazine pouches on his flak vest empty. He carried his pistol in one hand and a shield in the other, blocking the torrent of arrows that sped towards him. He was only fifty meters away. And yet, the distance looked like fifty miles. As the hovercraft door began to raise, Takagi saw a sight that she would never forget. The once soulless look in Nishikata's eyes was gone. The usual brown color they'd always been had returned. And then, she saw an expression on his face that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

A smile.

And just like all those years ago when she teased him...he was blushing.

She saw him open his mouth to say his last words to her.

He never had the chance to speak them.

Just as the door finished going up, Takagi saw an arrow go right unto Nishikata's chest, followed by one, then two, then three, then seven more arrows as the once mighty crime fighitng agent's body became riddled with enemy fire.

"No, no!" Takagi screamed, trying to summon the strength to run forward.

But it was too late.

The hovercraft's engines spun to life, reversing into action and taking both the personnel and civilians onboard to safety. Nishikata had accomplished his last mission: ensuring the safe evacuation of his hometown.

King Frost's expression soured as he witnessed the human military crafts escaping the beach. Had he been more watchful, he might've been able to spot the snipers and prevent them from weakening him and in turn his storm's power. But no matter. He had claimed his prize.

Giant bats surrounded Nishikata's arrow-ridden body, and the loathsome creatures chittered with delight as they began their feast. King Frost chuckled. In the end, no one was able to resist him for long.

Then, he heard it.

The high pitched whistles of incoming missiles.

.......................................

Santa watched with a melancholy gaze from his vantage point on the mountain as the salvo of missiles fired from the captain's convoy turned the beach outside Tonosho into a flattened plain of rubble, bodies, and craters. Great plumes of fire erupted into the sky, and Santa felt the last of the storm's power ebbing.

The missiles had found their mark. Nishikata's plan had worked. King Frost, the leader of the Guardians, was dead.

"Thank you for your help, Captain Kashiwagi," Santa said, shaking the longtime officer's hand. "I assure you that your contribution will help save both your forces and your nation."

"Anytime, Saint Nick," Captain Kashiwagi replied, his dark eyes alight with firm resolve. "You in turn helped us save a lot of lives today."

"We're getting confirmation from some drones sent out by the hovercrafts, sir!" a soldier nearby reported. "King Frost's body has been found! He is indeed dead!"

"Very good soldier," Captain Kashiwagi nodded.

Santa walked over to the cave where Nishikata's parents were hiding.

"It's okay. You can come out now," he informed them.

"Thank you, sir," Nishikata's father said. "My son, is he alive?"

Santa directed them over to Captain Kashiwagi, where they requested to have the drones search for their son.

Santa had never heard a more pitiful, more sorrowful, more despairing wail in his life.

...............................................

Takagi paid little mind to the medic who attended her wounds. She wailed and cried as she refused to accept what she had just seen.

"Come back, Nishikata! Get up, get up! You're the strong Agent Nishikata, right? Able to single-handedly bring down entire armies right? Get up, get up, get up!"

But no. Nishikata did not miraculously climb over the hovercraft door, appear behind her, or radio in to confirm he was alive.

Takagi had teased him, loved him, scorned him, and yet had still been saved by him.

Now, he was gone.

"Nishikata!" she screamed louder then she ever had, her voice trailing out into the darkest night ever known to humanity.