Gloria found herself trying to catch her breath as a standoff now began with the two kitsune. Despite recognizing Claudia and Mika as the caretakers of Kari, they still remained in a defensive position.
"Isao," Aiyo said. "Perhaps we should take a moment."
Isao frowned, despite his lack of sight Gloria could almost feel is gaze burning into her. "They are wizards Aiyo," he snarled. "Perhaps you are too young to remember but wizards can not be trusted. They are the ones that took my sight, the eyes of a kitsune they said are quite potent in their magic."
"We're not those kind of wizards," Felicia countered. "We wouldn't hurt anyone like that."
"Dont believe them Aiyo," Isao bellowed. "They are tricksters. Attack them!" Aiyo looked torn as she looked between the seated Isao and Gloria, sighing she shook her head leveling her rifle at the group once more.
As Gloria and the others tried to duck for cover they could hear the rifle fire. Turning Gloria could almost see the bullet speeding at her. The moment though was interrupted as a wave of fire now sprang forth between the group and the kitsune.
"Damn it," Claudia yelled as she watched the bullet melt under the intense heat of her spell. "We dont want to fight!"
Aiyo paused, slightly alarmed at the fact Claudia's spell had melted her enchanted bullet. Claudia for her part seemed winded, having out an incredible amount of energy into that spell. "Alright time to finish this," Sasha grunted as she lept forward. Gloria watched stunned as the raven haired teen darted forward.
Aiyo appeared alarmed as Isao simply smiled from his seated position. As Aiyo stepped forward Gloria watched as Sashas body began to change. The teens skin appeared to darken, taking on a rock like texture. As Aiyo sprang forth, swinging her glove, Sasha countered summoning a wave of rock from the ground. Sashas wave blocked the strike before knocking Aiyo back. Although stunned, Aiyobwas mostly unharmed by Sashas strike.
"Sorry pal but we got a kid to rescue," Sasha said as her wave of rock now sped towards Isao. "Pitiful," the kitsune smiled. Isao waved his hand, seven flaming swords cutting Sashas wave to ribbons. "It appears I will be taking one of you to the underworld," he grinned as his blades now all pointed at Sasha.
Sashas eyes went wide as she watched Isaos flaming swords speed towards her. For a moment it appeared Sasha was done for, until a flash of light enveloped Sasha. Sasha now blinked as she found herself standing next to Felicia as the swords embedded themselves in the ground.
"What happened," Sasha whispered as she looked at Felicia.
"If your going to get yourself killed do it another time," Felicia yelled as she grabbed Sasha by the shirt.
"How did you do that," Sasha whispered. "Teleportation spell," Felicia grunted. "Now dont you ever do that again!"
Isao smiled as the swords once more returned to him. Aiyo stood behind him, stunned by the power these wizards possessed. "Impressive," Isao smiled. "I have not had a fight such as this in years. Still, you can not win, accept death." Gloria and the others eyes went wide as once again Isao sent a flaming sword hurtling in direction, causing Gloria to wince.
"That is ENOUGH!!!"
Gloria opened her eyes, gawking as she beheld a golden nine tails kitsune standing in front of them. Tatsu had caught the blade with one hand, holding it now as he glared at the members of his clan.
"Lord Tatsu," Aiyo whispered, bowing before him.
Tatsu furrowed his brow as he gazed at Isao and Aiyo. "This madness ends now," he snarled, sticking the sword into the ground. Isao now stood, his mouth curling into a snarl as he stood before the unquestioned ruler of the kitsune. "You have betrayed us Lord," he growled. "Making peace with our enemies. Enemies that robbed me of my sight!"
"Fool," Tatsu growled. "Do you know what my son wishes to bring to this world?"
"A chance to rule," Isao countered. "To reclaim our rightful place in the world. Kings of all we behold, not cowards that bend to the whims of mortals."
Tatsu angrily stomped forward, grasping Isao by the throat and lifting him off the ground. "And what world will you rule," he growled. "A world populated by the dead? My son offers a future that will lead to oblivion!"
"Better to die on my feet than on my knees," Isao snarled. With a motion of his hands, Isao now sent a sword hurtling towards Tatsu's back. Releasing the seven tails Tatsu unsheathed his masmune, shattering the sword into pieces. Isao now took the moment to vanish, leaving Aiyo alone to face Tatsu.
Aiyo was speechless after witnessing Lord Tatsus power. The divine kitsune had brushed Isao aside as if he was nothing. Falling to her knees she realized she had no choice but to ask for forgiveness.
"Lord Tatsu," she pleaded. "I was only fulfilling my oath to Fukushu. I never knew of his plan."
Tatsu narrowed his eyes, gripping the blade of his sword. Fukushu and his followers were helping to usher in a world of death and destruction. As much as he wished, he could not deliver death to those that followed his son. It was finally his wife Shizen who calmed him, placing a hand upon her husband's shoulder.
"Our son as manipulated the most vulnerable amongst our clan," she said softly. "Fukushu preys upon those that have felt left out. Not all of them deserve your wrath." Tatsu sighed, removing his hand from his blade as he turned towards Gloria and the others.
"If we are to stop my son and this madness you will need my help," he stated. "Time is of the utmost importance, we must hurry." Gloria and the others could only nod, following Tatsu as he quickly made his way up the mountain. Hopefully they could stop whatever plan Fukushu.