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"Terror Cruise!", my newest adventure starring 's Kyoko and Misa Asagi, is hitting it's home stretch!

Unfortunately, things will get REALLY bad before there's any hope they'll get better! We rejoin the story as the monstrous Mizuki Oe is torturing Kyoko Asagi and her sweet sister Misa is forced to watch, helpless! However, the incandescent love the Warrior Worth a Thousand feels for her imoute will inspire Kyoko to resist the agony -- and perhaps do quite a bit more for both their sakes!

Unfortunately, even if they overcome this hideous trial, the beautiful Slayers will be in even MORE danger than they were before...read on and you'll see!

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"TERROR CRUISE!" -- Part Four of Five!

--1--

It was far, far from simple for someone to master oneself. But that was integral to what it meant to be a demon slayer who swore themselves to the Gods of the Heavens, and it was something Kyoko Asagi understood early in her life. It was far from simple, but she already knew how important her heritage and birthright were -- she was descended from a long lineage not simply of samurai blood, but she was given Heavenly blessings like her ancestors. Kyoko was always a serious girl and it was her driving need to make her parents proud of her; it was just as much of a priority, perhaps even moreso, to be a warrior strong enough to always stand in defense of her cherished imoute, Misa. And so it wasn't difficult to begin to earn the inner strength and discipline that became part of who Kyoko Asagi was, heart and soul.

But as time marched on, the challenges had to intensify. As Kyoko's training progressed at the Temple of Vanquishers, she experienced her introduction to the physical and mystical conditioning all Initiates had to go through to truly unlock the blessings they inherited, to endure attacks and punishment that would kill anyone who wasn't so blessed. Kyoko was only eight years old on that first day, and she thought she was ready for that in the same way she was for the tests she faced again and again in the dojo and the classroom. She thought that. At the end of that horrid day, Kyoko managed to return to her parents' quarters -- the little girl hurt so badly everywhere, she was barely able to walk and couldn't stop crying. Her parents gave the girl solace as they both held her, knowing exactly how their daughter felt because they remembered the pain of their own training...Misa felt so much more agony inside seeing her older sister suffering so much.

Kyoko always felt closer to her quiet, stoic father, but it was her mother who told her something that night she never, ever forgot. Her mother said with tender, soothing words: "I wish you weren't in such pain, dear daughter, but you must learn eventually. Your father and I also learned this is what it means to be a Vanquisher. We are not simply warriors. We do not simply protect and defend others, it's also our duty to endure, to suffer so that those we protect and defend will not.

"You are strong, dear Kyoko, and as you grow you will become even stronger. Yet your physical and mystic strength will mean nothing unless you are prepared to withstand the worst from your enemies. Pain is a part of mortal life, for each and every one of us. To withstand pain when it comes is like...like bearing a rainstorm as you're walking home. The rain will make your skin wet and your clothes damp. There is nothing you can do to change that and there is no escape from it...

"...not until you reach your home. Inside, away from the rain, you and your clothes will dry.

"Pain is no different from a rainstorm, dear girl. It comes when least expected and it can't be avoided. It's something that we Vanquishers must be prepared to face at every moment. But remember that any suffering you feel is as temporary as becoming wet. Just as you will become dry again in the warmth of your home, your pain will also ease given time. Can you already feel it, Kyoko?"

"Yes," Kyoko answered. Yet...she reached out to her little imoute so needfully, desperately. The parents could barely hold Misa back anyway, and the younger girl eagerly joined them to give her sibling an embrace, as well. Kyoko immediately felt so, so much better feeling Misa's love.

The parents sensed that...the mother smiled through her tears and said to them both: "It's almost time for you to become an Initiate as well, Misa. We need you both to remember this, our daughters. You can bear the pain just like you can any storm. Like the rain, your suffering will only become an obstacle if you allow it. If you must endure the worst from the Demonkind, simply hold true in your hearts why you are Vanquishers. If you are always true to why you would suffer and strive...whether for the Heavens, for family, for what is right, or for the one you love the most...then you will always have the strength to endure!"

Kyoko Asagi took those words to heart...her mother's counsel was what cemented her seriousness and focus, inspired her in so many ways. And she knew without a doubt, so early in her life, why she would fight. Kyoko always held dear in her heart and soul why she wanted to be a Vanquisher...why she would fight and endure the worst enemies imaginable in the name of the Heavens...

...and the rest was honestly easy.

--2--

It was no different here in the rusted cargo hold of a cruise ship, its destination unknown. Kyoko Asagi was chained to one of the hold's steel walls as she was whipped repeatedly, relentlessly by a demonic enemy. Mizuki Oe had been at this for over an hour, lashing the girl with a deadly segmented whip. The demon-witch was putting her all into it, too. Her whip long ago cut into Kyoko's skin, and she was bleeding copiously as each lash cut deeper and deeper, tearing into muscle and even threatening to reach her spine.

All of this time, Kyoko never made a sound. She never gasped, much less cried out. The girl never even flinched as she simply stood there and took it with a fortitude equal to solid marble.

Sweet Misa Asagi, regrettably, was another story. Kyoko's imoute was a complete emotional wreck as her eyes were red from crying so hard, her throat raw and burning from screaming ever since Mizuki started torturing her guardian angel. Misa couldn't have cared less about keeping her composure or any level of dignity. The girl's reason for living was being hurt so terribly before her eyes...

...and worse, she wasn't able to do anything about it! Misa's wrists were bound to the frame of the gurney she laid on by chains the same as Kyoko's, made of steel forged from the Netherregions. There were many precedents established in the history of Slayers across the world that when captured by the enemy, their divine power wasn't enough to break such infernal restraints. During the past hour, Misa felt her strength slowly coming back after waking up from the strong sedatives they were both given...but that didn't make much difference.

Again, Misa couldn't have cared about that. Kyoko was being subjected to literally inhuman punishment, and there was nothing she could do as she laid there and she whimpered with each exhale, her eyes and cheeks wet with tears that couldn't stop. Misa Asagi knew in her soul even damnation wouldn't have been as painful as seeing the angel she loved more than any other for her entire life suffer.

Mizuki Oe, meanwhile, was beginning to show signs of fatigue. Even though her hellish strength could have rivaled Kyoko's at the Vanquisher's best, she had been at this for over a solid hour. Even she had her limitations, especially since she didn't belong in the mortal world. She was clearly getting more and more frustrated...

...until Mizuki finally paused -- shit, her arm ached a little from working so hard! -- and she finally screamed, "THIS IS FUCKING BORING!" She stalked forward until she was a couple of yards from Kyoko, a relatively safe distance, she thought. She roared, "What's WRONG with you?!? HUH!?! You LIKE pain, bitch!?" Her eyes narrowed as she had another thought and yelled, "Or maybe you're trying to be everybody's hero just like you were at Okinawa, 'Bitch Worth a Thousand'! That would be as STUPID as one of those imaginary Hollywood action heroes, you think you've gotta be SO damned tough! 'Pain don't hurt!' IS THAT IT?!?"

Mizuki Oe began stomping around and yelling like a child being denied. "I WANTED THIS TO BE FUN, BUT YOU'RE RUINING IT! I WANT YOU TO CRY AND BEG AND SCREAM, BUT -- !" Impatient and full of rage, Mizuki added, "FUCK!"

Kyoko simply looked over her shoulder and listened to Mizuki. The girl's expression was stoic, her blue eyes like ice. Kyoko didn't give any indication how amusing Mizuki was. The girl never even thought of telling the demoness why she could bear such pain. The Vanquisher would never give that bitch the satisfaction of knowing.

Besides, compared to the worst day of Kyoko's life and the agony she felt when she heard her parents were dead, this was really nothing.

The one and only worry Kyoko had was for her sweet Misa...gods, her beloved was suffering so much, but she had no opportunity to change things for the better at the moment...!

After another minute or so of fuming to herself, Mizuki glanced at Misa before she stared hatefully at Kyoko again. She snapped, "At least I'm hearing plenty of screaming from your useless fuckin' sister! But YOU'RE the one I want broken, honey! I want you to suffer and MEAN IT!" Mizuki frowned and looked at Misa again...her brow furrowed as she really thought about it. "But you know what? At least I like the sound of little Misa's screams! I haven't heard a lot from her for a while, though...I ought to fix that!"

Whimpering, sniffling as she wept, Misa Asagi's wet eyes fixed on Mizuki in response...Kyoko frowned as she looked at the demoness, too.

"Yeah!" Mizuki smiled as she looked at the captive younger sister. "You'll scream a lot more when I start on you, I'm sure. I've got to wonder if your Ice Queen of a sister will get as bent out of shape watching...? Let's find out!"

Mizuki began to approach Misa...there was about twenty yards of distance to cross. It would take a moment before the demoness reached the girl. Kyoko felt a rising tide of fear in her heart and soul -- her entire body tensed. She called out, "Mizuki? Mizuki! Are you really going to give up that easily?"

Mizuki didn't answer as she fixed on Misa...she was already halfway to the girl.

Misa felt so much fear of her own, and it took a conscious effort to slow her breathing. The demon-witch was going to torture her now. The idea terrified her, yet she thought of how her adored guardian angel suffered so much, yet she endured. She thought, No, it will be all right. Be strong. No matter what happens, I'll deny this fiend. I'll be brave for you, my beloved. Oh, I love you...!

Kyoko was becoming more and more distressed...she pulled on the chains that held her wrists securely over her head. She yelled louder, "I am right here, damn you! Are you really so pathetic to have no patience with a strong opponent?! Mizuki! If you have any respect for yourself, you'll finish what you started! Do you hear me?!?"

Mizuki Oe did stop then...she turned, looked at Kyoko and purred, "Oh, don't worry. I'll get back to you, but not right away. I'm just in the mood to hear some screaming, and since you can't accomodate me, little Misa's an acceptable alternative. Just take the time to get your strength back, bitch, 'cause you're gonna need it!"

The demoness turned back to Misa, and the bitch's hands tightened their hold on her vile segmented whip...she was almost right there next to Kyoko's treasure...!

Kyoko felt elemental desperation then...she swore long ago on her very soul she would never let anything happen to her cherished Misa. SHE WOULDN'T. The Warrior Worth a Thousand demanded with all her heart, "I'm right here, Mizuki! I AM RIGHT HERE AND YOU'RE NOT DONE WITH ME YET! You said yourself that you wanted to see ME break! You only show how weak you are by -- ! Mizuki! MIZUKI!"

Mizuki Oe was there then, standing next to the gurney, looking down at Misa Asagi...the demoness looked at the girl thoughtfully with a smile on her face, wondering how to start...!

Kyoko Asagi...began weeping then as pure terror took hold. She would rather have died than just stood there and allowed her imoute to be subjected to Mizuki's tortures. Kyoko was the one to lose her composure then as her very being trembled...she understood there was only one chance Misa had now. It meant losing her own dignity, but that was all right. She prayed to the Heavens with all her heart as she managed to cry, "PLEASE STOP! STOP!!! I AM BEGGING YOU, MIZUKI, PLEASE DON'T HURT HER! PLEASE!!!"

That got Mizuki's attention...she and Misa were both surprised beyond words...the demoness turned to look at Kyoko, and she really wasn't sure if she heard right. The savior of Okinawa, the Warrior Worth a Thousand, the demon slayer who gave even the Eternal Emperor, Yin Lau Wong, reason to fear. This was what Mizuki desired in the worst of ways, but it was still a surprise.

Misa gazed at her angel with such pure worry and adoration...oh, Kyoko looked so weary as she wept, she seemed to shrink into herself as she leaned on the rusted steel bulkhead. Misa could feel the pure despair from her elder sister as she moaned softly, "Please don't hurt my imoute, please don't, I'll do anything you want, I'll scream and beg and...oh gods, I'll eat your shit and do any other profane thing you can imagine, I'll submit to you in every way you want..."

Kyoko Asagi gazed into Mizuki's eyes and said with quiet agony, "Spare Misa and I will be yours...I swear on my honor."

--3--

In response, Mizuki might as well have been a little girl...she damn near squealed with joy and quickly rushed back to Kyoko. Oh yes, that was ABSOLUTELY what the demoness wanted, to completely humiliate this beautiful bitch, and better yet she was begging for it! Mizuki reached Kyoko and stopped only a yard away on Kyoko's right...she beamed at the demon slayer with a huge smile --

-- but then the demoness' smile fell hard. Mizuki's eyes narrowed with dark suspicion and she suddenly snarled, "Wait, if you're lying your fuckin' ass off just to spare your sister -- !"

"No!" Kyoko said passionately, "I meant every word I said. I would give anything to defend my sweet Misa..." Above her head, her right hand took hold of the chain connected to the shackle that bound that wrist. "...even my soul if necessary." Her hand gripped the chain tightly as the muscles in her slender arm began to coil.

Kyoko hoped like she never had before. It was written that no Slayer could break bounds that were forged in the Hells. The girl had never cared for the esteem she was given, that she was a living legend, a Vanquisher perhaps greater than any in history. What most counted was that she had the focus of pure will and belief in herself that she could do amazing things. Perhaps Okinawa was proof that she could...perhaps the drug she had been given had worn off by now just enough, her inner energy renewed enough so she had the strength to do what she needed to...perhaps...!

Kyoko absolutely had the will and belief...and as her cold blue eyes hardened, she suddenly smiled. The Warrior Worth a Thousand purred, "But now that you're standing so close, I have something else to give you...!"

In the same moment Mizuki Oe realized her mistake, that she let herself be as overconfident and foolish as a villain in a comic book, she let herself be conned, Kyoko Asagi PULLED with all of her divine strength and BROKE the chain connected to her shackle. With nightmare speed, the Vanquisher's right elbow arced outward and crashed into Mizuki's face right between her eyes! The bitch pitched backward and fell like a sack of bricks, unconscious!

But Kyoko seemed to suffer even more...her beautiful body sagged to lean against the wall, her face expressed so much pain and she on the verge of virtually hanging by her left wrist, which was still shackled to its chain above her...the girl's sword arm hung limply as her face was twisted with weariness and pain...!

Misa cried, "KYOKO!"

Kyoko managed to speak, but at first her voice was weak... "B-be calm, my sweet..." She felt like her right arm was ripped from her body, the pain was that great...she'd dislocated her shoulder. Her lips a thin line of determination, Kyoko didn't care. She needed to be free for her sweet imoute's sake!

With great effort, Kyoko straightened to stand again, and her left hand took hold of the remaining chain. She lifted one of her legs to plant her foot on the wall and looked up. She thought, This will be much more difficult...but that doesn't matter! All she had to do was think of Misa and making her safe again...

...and she refocused, she began to pull on the remaining chain, putting her body into it. Her gorgeous visage hardened as her teeth clenched, her eyes squeezed shut and she strained with all of her will and her remaining holy might. Seconds turned to moments...the warrior reached into herself again...Misa could only watch, she also prayed and hoped with all her soul...

...and with a metal chink! the other chain broke and Kyoko fell to the floor! "Oh...!" For a moment, the girl could only lie there in a heap, virtually spent from the tremendous effort...and she didn't care that she had accomplished something no demon slayer ever had before...!

"Beloved!" Misa was weeping from pure worry, in spite of her amazement at what her guardian angel had done. "Please tell me you're all right?!"

Kyoko sighed heavily. "I wish I could, my treasure...but I will be..." She managed to sit up, favoring her right arm. "G-give me just a moment...!" Kyoko absolutely didn't look forward to this as put her right hand on the floor, her palm flush on the dirty surface and she leaned on that arm...she took a deep breath and she put all of her lithe body into forcing her right shoulder back into place. Kyoko felt another white-hot blast of pain that made her cry out and she almost collapsed again. Yet the Warrior Worth a Thousand managed to sit up, and she tested her shoulder and arm. Gods, it hurt, but at least the girl could move her sword arm again. It would take a day for it to fully heal and regain all of its mobility, though...! Kyoko whispered painfully, "Shit...!"

"K-Kyoko...?"

Kyoko frowned. "Forgive me for such crude language, my sweet girl..." In another moment, the elder sister stood...she moved to the unconscious body of Mizuki Oe but disregarded the villain to pick up the segmented whip that laid there, as well. Kyoko said, "Let me take this off your hands, demoness...and put it to good use!" The girl had to hurry, she had no idea how long the bitch would remain out cold! She took the sharp and ugly end of the whip...it was tapered to a narrow enough point...and Kyoko used it to pick the lock of her left shackle, which opened and dropped from her wrist. The girl quickly did the same with the other shackle, and she was free! Kyoko moved fast to her sweet sister as she said, "Your turn now, girl! Hold on...!"

"Oh, my nee-chan..." Misa was overwhelmed with joy and great anticipation. Her guardian angel was right there for her and she was on the verge of weeping again with pure happiness and gratitude.

Kyoko's voice was complete devotion: "Shhhh. It'll be all right...be as strong as I know you are..." Kyoko released first the right shackle that bound Misa, then quickly moved to the other side of the gurney to repeat the process with the left. "There!"

Freed from her own bounds, Misa Asagi quickly sat up on the gurney and instantly embraced her older sister...yet she was so careful not to touch any of the bloody cuts that marred Kyoko's back. Misa's face relaxed upon her guardian angel's bosom, and she suddenly knew perfect peace, such elemental traquility as she felt loving arms wrap around her, as well. Kyoko Asagi held her treasure in turn with total devotion as she heard Misa softly moan, "Oh! Oh, it feels so good to hold you..."

Kyoko assured her lovely little sister, "It's all right, my sweet...I have you. I have you." For the Warrior Worth a Thousand, it was all she could have wanted at that moment, it felt just as wondrous to hold her sweet Misa. To feel her perfect body, to smell her scent. Yet at that moment for Kyoko, and not for the first time...

...simply holding her imoute didn't feel like enough...!

Misa said gently, "I'm so sorry I couldn't help you." The sweet girl could have stayed like this with her beloved forever.

Kyoko reassured with tenderness, "Oh, you helped me more than you know. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have found my strength. Thank you, my treasure. Thank you." Misa, the one she loved more than any other, was her reason for being a warrior...her imoute was the reason the Warrior Worth a Thousand would endure and struggle against anything the Hells could throw at her.

For a long and soothing moment, in spite of their circumstances, the girls held one another...

--4--

"Kgh!" Kyoko and Misa looked to the sound with a start, to Mizuki Oe! "Uugghhhh...!" The bitch was still out like a light, but it became clear that wouldn't last for much longer!

Kyoko said, "Misa, it's best if we leave before Mizuki wakes up."

Misa frowned and offered, "We should vanquish that monster before she does, beloved!"

Kyoko shook her head and said reluctantly, "If we were both in a better state and we had our swords, I'd agree. But right now, we're definitely not. Trying to kill Mizuki might wake her that much faster, and she is very strong. My blow should rightfully have been fatal and sent her soul back to the Nethers!" Kyoko gently broke their embrace and took Misa's hands. She urged, "Best not to take any chances and retreat while we can, my sweet. Let's go!" Besides, getting her imoute off that damn ship and to safety was Kyoko's one and only priority!

"A-all right!" Misa didn't disagree (a rare occasion!) with her elder sister's judgment, and she set her bare feet on the floor. Kyoko kept hold of one of her hands and began to lead her to the hatchway where Mizuki entered. Misa looked back at Mizuki, though, just in case...and then the sweet girl's heart almost stopped! She slowed to a stop and Kyoko stopped with her...the elder sister looked at her questioningly until Misa pointed at their enemy and exclaimed, "Oh Kyoko, look! Look!"

Kyoko did...their mutual vantage had changed considerably from when they were at the gurney, and the position they were in, they saw Mizuki's body lying on her back, her head mostly pointed away from them. And Kyoko couldn't help but notice something she hadn't before, but she did then to her sudden, unpleasant surprise as she looked between Mizuki's legs and up her skirt and saw...

...well, not one but two things she didn't expect! Kyoko frowned at the sight and commented, "Hmph. Now we know what Mizuki meant about her punishment...and no longer being female."

Misa was fascinated in the same way a person would be seeing the aftermath of a huge auto wreck on the freeway. The girl said, "She...sh-she has two of...!" The sweet Slayer hesitated to finish. She felt awkward enough!

Kyoko quickly said, "Yes, but we can talk about that on our way out of here! Hurry!" She quickly led Misa out of the cargo hold...

...and then into the narrow corridors outside. On their bare feet, they moved as quietly as possible. A good thing they did because they heard a cough from around the right corner of an intersection. They slowed to move even quieter, and then they both smelled the body odor of two mortal men, the leather they wore, the trace scent of gunpowder and oil from their well-used machine guns.

Kyoko and Misa crept carefully to the corner...Kyoko whispered, "Sentries. Two of them. They are only men. In spite of how I feel, I'm confident we can take them down. What do you say?"

Misa nodded...it had been a while since they woke up, and the sweet girl's inner energy had mostly renewed, the effects of the drug she was given had reduced dramatically. Like Kyoko, Misa wasn't at her best, but she felt more than strong enough to take on mortal enemies, too. "Just say when, beloved!"

Kyoko said, "Now!" They both rushed around the corner into the interecting corridor. The sentries were too damn slow, pathetic really, as the sisters reached them with phenomenal speed. Kyoko wasn't in the mood to be kind and she punched her hand into the chest of one; meanwhile, Misa was much more merciful to her target when she swiftly took the other man's head in her hands and twisted it around a full 180-degrees -- he died literally between heartbeats when his neck was broken.

After Kyoko wiped most of the blood on her right hand using a neckerchief her enemy had worn, the girls looked down at the dead bodies with quiet expressions for a couple of beats. Neither of them liked what they just did at all. Kyoko and Misa Asagi were agents of the Heavens, they swore their lives to protect their fellow mortals from demons. Still, this wasn't the first time they acted in self-defense to kill mortal minions of the forces of darkness...they remembered one of their greatest enemies, the Black Monk Fei, was a mortal, too. As regrettable as killing was, there was brutal necessity to it, just as there always was when a warrior had to defend all they held dear.

Misa considered the dead men and mused, "Since we're not armed, maybe we could take their weapons and ammunition, just in case -- !"

"Iie!" Kyoko looked at her little sister with sudden disdain. "Guns are beneath us, my imoute."

"I know how you feel about guns, but -- !"

"'But' nothing." Kyoko put her hands on her hips as she and Misa stood over the cooling bodies of the evil minions they just killed. "I will never use a weapon that makes killing so easy. I don't say this to disrespect our friends who do use guns, but any complete idiot can point a gun and squeeze the trigger."

Misa crossed her arms as she looked back at her angel. "You sound like a snob."

"Guns are also too damn loud."

Misa smiled playfully at her sister as she insisted, "Snob!"

Kyoko smiled a little right back. "Perhaps I am. Come, we need to keep moving." And they did, they held hands as they tried to find their way through these dank corridors of the ship. Kyoko gave Misa a curious look. "Besides, you've never used a gun in your life. You might hurt yourself."

Misa said, "I know, it was just a thought. Say, maybe after this is over, I can ask Suzune-chan for help with some lessons -- !"

Kyoko stopped cold. "Misa!"

Misa giggled, "I'm only kidding!" The girl's smile became much softer. "I couldn't imagine using anything but mother's sword, anyway."

Kyoko said conversationally, "I need to find my Sephiroth. I can't help but wonder where it is."

Misa told her, "Suzune-chan is keeping it safe with my Muramasa, beloved."

Relieved, Kyoko said, "Good. This ship is so big! Where can we find a stairway to go up...?"

"I'm sure we'll find one soon enough...!"

Kyoko's brow furrowed a bit with anger. "I'd love to revisit those mercenary bastards who betrayed me."

Misa said, "As far as I know, they're dead."

"That's too bad. Ah! Here!" They found a stairway to the deck above...they ascended it.

The moment they reached the next deck, Misa's face expressed disquiet. "Mizuki must be fully awake by now."

"And undoubtedly pissed," Kyoko said.

"I couldn't believe Mizuki had two of them. Two...um...!" It was still too strange for the sweet girl to say!

Kyoko said flatly, "She did say it takes conscious control for her to hide those...things." Misa saw that her angel's face held a level of disgust. The sweet girl could imagine why.

Years ago, when Kyoko had just turned 16, Misa asked her elder sister if she ever had an interest in boys. Kyoko said very simply she would never have an interest in men. The more serious girl had no interest in most people in general, perhaps men most of all. It wasn't from any negative feelings. Mostly, it was part of who Kyoko Asagi was...and she was a lesbian. Early in her teens, Kyoko understood and embraced that she was attracted to other girls, but she was so focused on her training she never even thought of pursuing another. She didn't know any other girls well enough, anyway. That hadn't seemed to change much even in the present day. Kyoko seemed interested solely in her duty as a Vanquisher and her school work at the college she and her sister attended.

Kyoko asked why Misa wanted to know, and the sweet girl only said she was curious. As many friends as she had even then, Misa was also so devoted to her training she hadn't developed an interest in another, either. That also hadn't changed over time for Misa; in fact, her duty as a demon slayer and going to college didn't give her much time for anything else these days! But then, one thing Misa Asagi didn't share with her guardian angel was that she was a lesbian, as well. When she knew that was also true for Kyoko, Misa didn't understand why, but she felt a warm, quiet...relief.

Misa wasn't sure ever since if it was because of knowing she had that in common with her beloved Kyoko, or perhaps for another reason...?

Misa refocused on the present and couldn't help but say, "I almost feel sorry for Mizuki."

Kyoko looked at her imoute. "Misa, sometimes you're too sweet for your own good."

"I know she's a monster, that's why she was damned and punished so terribly..."

"But you want to feel pity for Mizuki."

"You don't feel sorry for her at all?"

Kyoko stopped, so did Misa, and the guardian angel gazed at her sweet sister gently. "As they say in the West, Mizuki Oe made her own bed. She was unrepentant in her evil before she was even damned. You must have felt it from her. Mizuki wouldn't know how to be anything but the evil creature she is and she wouldn't want to know. If only she did want to change and be better, like so many of the Demonkind in our world, then she might earn a level of my sympathy."

Misa completely understood, and she couldn't help but agree as she nodded deeply. "Of course, beloved."

Kyoko's face hardened a bit when she said coolly, "Besides. I could never forgive that bitch for wanting to torture and kill you, my treasure." She squeezed Misa's hand in hers gently for loving emphasis.

Misa felt a burst of warmth in her heart, not just for her beloved's sentiment, but because it really didn't matter to Kyoko what Mizuki had done to her in comparison. She breathed, "Oh...!"

Then, all of a sudden, a squawk sounded from all around them...the girls realized it was coming from the ship's public address system. In the next moment, they heard the voice of Mizuki Oe. The demoness was definitely awake and her voice was full of desperate, uncontained fury:

"All hands alert, the Slayers are loose! I REPEAT, THOSE FUCKING BITCHES ARE LOOSE! We're going to 'Plan B' RIGHT NOW! Set this ship's course on autopilot and then get your asses to the helicopters on the main deck! If you don't, you WILL be left here and you don't want that! NOW MOVE!"

For a tense moment the sisters stood there, waiting as they heard nothing but Mizuki's angry breathing over the PA. A few heartbeats later, Mizuki spoke to them: "As for you two...you miserable, infuriating CUNTS! You got the best of me, and I'll admit, I've got nobody to blame but myself. Now I've got to cut my losses and run, but if you think that's GOOD news, DON'T! IT JUST MEANS YOU'RE IN EVEN DEEPER SHIT NOW! You heard what I just told my men, right? You've got to be wondering where I want this ship to go?

"You're on a direct course for the waters of Imperial China." Mizuki was silent for a moment, letting that sink in for the sisters. And Kyoko and Misa absolutely didn't like the sound of that for a legion of reasons. "Yeah, that's right. This ship will enter Dynasty territory in about 16 minutes from...now! The Han are brutal as fuck with their own people, and they're not friendly to ANYBODY. They definitely don't care for uninvited guests! After you cross into their waters, you might have maybe a MINUTE before their military blows this boat out of the water and YOU along with it!

"But I've got to wonder if you sluts will even live THAT long...ha-ha-ha!" Mizuki's laugh was chilling, and what she said next was far worse:

"I'm getting on a chopper right now and I'll be out of here in moments, but you won't be alone after me and my boys leave! I had a Hellgate built on this ship not long after I got ahold of it, and I brought something here from the Nethers. I've been keeping it in a cage of infernal steel in another part of the ship, just in case you whores did give me trouble! You might have heard of its kind...it's a Fectord!"

The sisters looked at one another with sudden dread. Yes, they knew of those damned things. Their parents had fought Fectords more than once, and even with their holy weapons and all of their power, they BARELY defeated and survived the monsters each time. Other Slayers in history were far, far less fortunate dealing with perhaps the most savage of all the Demonkind.

Mizuki continued with inhuman glee: "Fectords are Feral demons. Pure predators where they're from. Think of Fectords like honey badgers or wolverines, girls, only tall, dark and a THOUSAND times more ferocious. The fuckers feed on the horror and suffering they create, and this one's a MALE. It's got a BIG package, if you know what I'm saying, so big it'll tear you bitches open and make you into CANOES before it decides to eat you! I gave it a sniff of the clothes I took from you both hours ago, so it's marked your scent and essence...

"Whoops! Oh dear, I have a remote for the cage, and I just opened it! Too bad for you, cause that Fectord will be ON you both in a few minutes, maybe less! I heard your dead mommy and daddy had run-ins with these monsters, yet managed to win. But since you both don't have your holy swords and you can't be anywhere near your best at the moment, I'm pretty sure this isn't going to end well for you! Sayonara, bitches!"

Somewhere else on a ship traveling toward certain doom, a dark, nightmarish form was unleashed...with literally inhuman speed, the Fectord began to hunt for its prey: the Asagi sisters!

　
TO BE CONCLUDED!

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The last part and the exciting conclusion, coming soon!

Giving credit where it's due!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek
XPS created by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:
Kyoko and Misa Asagi, Mizuki Oe and the Fectord by
Chains by
Damage FX by

Sceneries:
Arena by
Queen Zenobia Interior by

Description

"Terror Cruise!", my newest adventure starring 's Kyoko and Misa Asagi, is hitting it's home stretch!

Unfortunately, things will get REALLY bad before there's any hope they'll get better! We rejoin the story as the monstrous Mizuki Oe is torturing Kyoko Asagi and her sweet sister Misa is forced to watch, helpless! However, the incandescent love the Warrior Worth a Thousand feels for her imoute will inspire Kyoko to resist the agony -- and perhaps do quite a bit more for both their sakes!

Unfortunately, even if they overcome this hideous trial, the beautiful Slayers will be in even MORE danger than they were before...read on and you'll see!

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"TERROR CRUISE!" -- Part Four of Five!

--1--

It was far, far from simple for someone to master oneself. But that was integral to what it meant to be a demon slayer who swore themselves to the Gods of the Heavens, and it was something Kyoko Asagi understood early in her life. It was far from simple, but she already knew how important her heritage and birthright were -- she was descended from a long lineage not simply of samurai blood, but she was given Heavenly blessings like her ancestors. Kyoko was always a serious girl and it was her driving need to make her parents proud of her; it was just as much of a priority, perhaps even moreso, to be a warrior strong enough to always stand in defense of her cherished imoute, Misa. And so it wasn't difficult to begin to earn the inner strength and discipline that became part of who Kyoko Asagi was, heart and soul.

But as time marched on, the challenges had to intensify. As Kyoko's training progressed at the Temple of Vanquishers, she experienced her introduction to the physical and mystical conditioning all Initiates had to go through to truly unlock the blessings they inherited, to endure attacks and punishment that would kill anyone who wasn't so blessed. Kyoko was only eight years old on that first day, and she thought she was ready for that in the same way she was for the tests she faced again and again in the dojo and the classroom. She thought that. At the end of that horrid day, Kyoko managed to return to her parents' quarters -- the little girl hurt so badly everywhere, she was barely able to walk and couldn't stop crying. Her parents gave the girl solace as they both held her, knowing exactly how their daughter felt because they remembered the pain of their own training...Misa felt so much more agony inside seeing her older sister suffering so much.

Kyoko always felt closer to her quiet, stoic father, but it was her mother who told her something that night she never, ever forgot. Her mother said with tender, soothing words: "I wish you weren't in such pain, dear daughter, but you must learn eventually. Your father and I also learned this is what it means to be a Vanquisher. We are not simply warriors. We do not simply protect and defend others, it's also our duty to endure, to suffer so that those we protect and defend will not.

"You are strong, dear Kyoko, and as you grow you will become even stronger. Yet your physical and mystic strength will mean nothing unless you are prepared to withstand the worst from your enemies. Pain is a part of mortal life, for each and every one of us. To withstand pain when it comes is like...like bearing a rainstorm as you're walking home. The rain will make your skin wet and your clothes damp. There is nothing you can do to change that and there is no escape from it...

"...not until you reach your home. Inside, away from the rain, you and your clothes will dry.

"Pain is no different from a rainstorm, dear girl. It comes when least expected and it can't be avoided. It's something that we Vanquishers must be prepared to face at every moment. But remember that any suffering you feel is as temporary as becoming wet. Just as you will become dry again in the warmth of your home, your pain will also ease given time. Can you already feel it, Kyoko?"

"Yes," Kyoko answered. Yet...she reached out to her little imoute so needfully, desperately. The parents could barely hold Misa back anyway, and the younger girl eagerly joined them to give her sibling an embrace, as well. Kyoko immediately felt so, so much better feeling Misa's love.

The parents sensed that...the mother smiled through her tears and said to them both: "It's almost time for you to become an Initiate as well, Misa. We need you both to remember this, our daughters. You can bear the pain just like you can any storm. Like the rain, your suffering will only become an obstacle if you allow it. If you must endure the worst from the Demonkind, simply hold true in your hearts why you are Vanquishers. If you are always true to why you would suffer and strive...whether for the Heavens, for family, for what is right, or for the one you love the most...then you will always have the strength to endure!"

Kyoko Asagi took those words to heart...her mother's counsel was what cemented her seriousness and focus, inspired her in so many ways. And she knew without a doubt, so early in her life, why she would fight. Kyoko always held dear in her heart and soul why she wanted to be a Vanquisher...why she would fight and endure the worst enemies imaginable in the name of the Heavens...

...and the rest was honestly easy.

--2--

It was no different here in the rusted cargo hold of a cruise ship, its destination unknown. Kyoko Asagi was chained to one of the hold's steel walls as she was whipped repeatedly, relentlessly by a demonic enemy. Mizuki Oe had been at this for over an hour, lashing the girl with a deadly segmented whip. The demon-witch was putting her all into it, too. Her whip long ago cut into Kyoko's skin, and she was bleeding copiously as each lash cut deeper and deeper, tearing into muscle and even threatening to reach her spine.

All of this time, Kyoko never made a sound. She never gasped, much less cried out. The girl never even flinched as she simply stood there and took it with a fortitude equal to solid marble.

Sweet Misa Asagi, regrettably, was another story. Kyoko's imoute was a complete emotional wreck as her eyes were red from crying so hard, her throat raw and burning from screaming ever since Mizuki started torturing her guardian angel. Misa couldn't have cared less about keeping her composure or any level of dignity. The girl's reason for living was being hurt so terribly before her eyes...

...and worse, she wasn't able to do anything about it! Misa's wrists were bound to the frame of the gurney she laid on by chains the same as Kyoko's, made of steel forged from the Netherregions. There were many precedents established in the history of Slayers across the world that when captured by the enemy, their divine power wasn't enough to break such infernal restraints. During the past hour, Misa felt her strength slowly coming back after waking up from the strong sedatives they were both given...but that didn't make much difference.

Again, Misa couldn't have cared about that. Kyoko was being subjected to literally inhuman punishment, and there was nothing she could do as she laid there and she whimpered with each exhale, her eyes and cheeks wet with tears that couldn't stop. Misa Asagi knew in her soul even damnation wouldn't have been as painful as seeing the angel she loved more than any other for her entire life suffer.

Mizuki Oe, meanwhile, was beginning to show signs of fatigue. Even though her hellish strength could have rivaled Kyoko's at the Vanquisher's best, she had been at this for over a solid hour. Even she had her limitations, especially since she didn't belong in the mortal world. She was clearly getting more and more frustrated...

...until Mizuki finally paused -- shit, her arm ached a little from working so hard! -- and she finally screamed, "THIS IS FUCKING BORING!" She stalked forward until she was a couple of yards from Kyoko, a relatively safe distance, she thought. She roared, "What's WRONG with you?!? HUH!?! You LIKE pain, bitch!?" Her eyes narrowed as she had another thought and yelled, "Or maybe you're trying to be everybody's hero just like you were at Okinawa, 'Bitch Worth a Thousand'! That would be as STUPID as one of those imaginary Hollywood action heroes, you think you've gotta be SO damned tough! 'Pain don't hurt!' IS THAT IT?!?"

Mizuki Oe began stomping around and yelling like a child being denied. "I WANTED THIS TO BE FUN, BUT YOU'RE RUINING IT! I WANT YOU TO CRY AND BEG AND SCREAM, BUT -- !" Impatient and full of rage, Mizuki added, "FUCK!"

Kyoko simply looked over her shoulder and listened to Mizuki. The girl's expression was stoic, her blue eyes like ice. Kyoko didn't give any indication how amusing Mizuki was. The girl never even thought of telling the demoness why she could bear such pain. The Vanquisher would never give that bitch the satisfaction of knowing.

Besides, compared to the worst day of Kyoko's life and the agony she felt when she heard her parents were dead, this was really nothing.

The one and only worry Kyoko had was for her sweet Misa...gods, her beloved was suffering so much, but she had no opportunity to change things for the better at the moment...!

After another minute or so of fuming to herself, Mizuki glanced at Misa before she stared hatefully at Kyoko again. She snapped, "At least I'm hearing plenty of screaming from your useless fuckin' sister! But YOU'RE the one I want broken, honey! I want you to suffer and MEAN IT!" Mizuki frowned and looked at Misa again...her brow furrowed as she really thought about it. "But you know what? At least I like the sound of little Misa's screams! I haven't heard a lot from her for a while, though...I ought to fix that!"

Whimpering, sniffling as she wept, Misa Asagi's wet eyes fixed on Mizuki in response...Kyoko frowned as she looked at the demoness, too.

"Yeah!" Mizuki smiled as she looked at the captive younger sister. "You'll scream a lot more when I start on you, I'm sure. I've got to wonder if your Ice Queen of a sister will get as bent out of shape watching...? Let's find out!"

Mizuki began to approach Misa...there was about twenty yards of distance to cross. It would take a moment before the demoness reached the girl. Kyoko felt a rising tide of fear in her heart and soul -- her entire body tensed. She called out, "Mizuki? Mizuki! Are you really going to give up that easily?"

Mizuki didn't answer as she fixed on Misa...she was already halfway to the girl.

Misa felt so much fear of her own, and it took a conscious effort to slow her breathing. The demon-witch was going to torture her now. The idea terrified her, yet she thought of how her adored guardian angel suffered so much, yet she endured. She thought, No, it will be all right. Be strong. No matter what happens, I'll deny this fiend. I'll be brave for you, my beloved. Oh, I love you...!

Kyoko was becoming more and more distressed...she pulled on the chains that held her wrists securely over her head. She yelled louder, "I am right here, damn you! Are you really so pathetic to have no patience with a strong opponent?! Mizuki! If you have any respect for yourself, you'll finish what you started! Do you hear me?!?"

Mizuki Oe did stop then...she turned, looked at Kyoko and purred, "Oh, don't worry. I'll get back to you, but not right away. I'm just in the mood to hear some screaming, and since you can't accomodate me, little Misa's an acceptable alternative. Just take the time to get your strength back, bitch, 'cause you're gonna need it!"

The demoness turned back to Misa, and the bitch's hands tightened their hold on her vile segmented whip...she was almost right there next to Kyoko's treasure...!

Kyoko felt elemental desperation then...she swore long ago on her very soul she would never let anything happen to her cherished Misa. SHE WOULDN'T. The Warrior Worth a Thousand demanded with all her heart, "I'm right here, Mizuki! I AM RIGHT HERE AND YOU'RE NOT DONE WITH ME YET! You said yourself that you wanted to see ME break! You only show how weak you are by -- ! Mizuki! MIZUKI!"

Mizuki Oe was there then, standing next to the gurney, looking down at Misa Asagi...the demoness looked at the girl thoughtfully with a smile on her face, wondering how to start...!

Kyoko Asagi...began weeping then as pure terror took hold. She would rather have died than just stood there and allowed her imoute to be subjected to Mizuki's tortures. Kyoko was the one to lose her composure then as her very being trembled...she understood there was only one chance Misa had now. It meant losing her own dignity, but that was all right. She prayed to the Heavens with all her heart as she managed to cry, "PLEASE STOP! STOP!!! I AM BEGGING YOU, MIZUKI, PLEASE DON'T HURT HER! PLEASE!!!"

That got Mizuki's attention...she and Misa were both surprised beyond words...the demoness turned to look at Kyoko, and she really wasn't sure if she heard right. The savior of Okinawa, the Warrior Worth a Thousand, the demon slayer who gave even the Eternal Emperor, Yin Lau Wong, reason to fear. This was what Mizuki desired in the worst of ways, but it was still a surprise.

Misa gazed at her angel with such pure worry and adoration...oh, Kyoko looked so weary as she wept, she seemed to shrink into herself as she leaned on the rusted steel bulkhead. Misa could feel the pure despair from her elder sister as she moaned softly, "Please don't hurt my imoute, please don't, I'll do anything you want, I'll scream and beg and...oh gods, I'll eat your shit and do any other profane thing you can imagine, I'll submit to you in every way you want..."

Kyoko Asagi gazed into Mizuki's eyes and said with quiet agony, "Spare Misa and I will be yours...I swear on my honor."

--3--

In response, Mizuki might as well have been a little girl...she damn near squealed with joy and quickly rushed back to Kyoko. Oh yes, that was ABSOLUTELY what the demoness wanted, to completely humiliate this beautiful bitch, and better yet she was begging for it! Mizuki reached Kyoko and stopped only a yard away on Kyoko's right...she beamed at the demon slayer with a huge smile --

-- but then the demoness' smile fell hard. Mizuki's eyes narrowed with dark suspicion and she suddenly snarled, "Wait, if you're lying your fuckin' ass off just to spare your sister -- !"

"No!" Kyoko said passionately, "I meant every word I said. I would give anything to defend my sweet Misa..." Above her head, her right hand took hold of the chain connected to the shackle that bound that wrist. "...even my soul if necessary." Her hand gripped the chain tightly as the muscles in her slender arm began to coil.

Kyoko hoped like she never had before. It was written that no Slayer could break bounds that were forged in the Hells. The girl had never cared for the esteem she was given, that she was a living legend, a Vanquisher perhaps greater than any in history. What most counted was that she had the focus of pure will and belief in herself that she could do amazing things. Perhaps Okinawa was proof that she could...perhaps the drug she had been given had worn off by now just enough, her inner energy renewed enough so she had the strength to do what she needed to...perhaps...!

Kyoko absolutely had the will and belief...and as her cold blue eyes hardened, she suddenly smiled. The Warrior Worth a Thousand purred, "But now that you're standing so close, I have something else to give you...!"

In the same moment Mizuki Oe realized her mistake, that she let herself be as overconfident and foolish as a villain in a comic book, she let herself be conned, Kyoko Asagi PULLED with all of her divine strength and BROKE the chain connected to her shackle. With nightmare speed, the Vanquisher's right elbow arced outward and crashed into Mizuki's face right between her eyes! The bitch pitched backward and fell like a sack of bricks, unconscious!

But Kyoko seemed to suffer even more...her beautiful body sagged to lean against the wall, her face expressed so much pain and she on the verge of virtually hanging by her left wrist, which was still shackled to its chain above her...the girl's sword arm hung limply as her face was twisted with weariness and pain...!

Misa cried, "KYOKO!"

Kyoko managed to speak, but at first her voice was weak... "B-be calm, my sweet..." She felt like her right arm was ripped from her body, the pain was that great...she'd dislocated her shoulder. Her lips a thin line of determination, Kyoko didn't care. She needed to be free for her sweet imoute's sake!

With great effort, Kyoko straightened to stand again, and her left hand took hold of the remaining chain. She lifted one of her legs to plant her foot on the wall and looked up. She thought, This will be much more difficult...but that doesn't matter! All she had to do was think of Misa and making her safe again...

...and she refocused, she began to pull on the remaining chain, putting her body into it. Her gorgeous visage hardened as her teeth clenched, her eyes squeezed shut and she strained with all of her will and her remaining holy might. Seconds turned to moments...the warrior reached into herself again...Misa could only watch, she also prayed and hoped with all her soul...

...and with a metal chink! the other chain broke and Kyoko fell to the floor! "Oh...!" For a moment, the girl could only lie there in a heap, virtually spent from the tremendous effort...and she didn't care that she had accomplished something no demon slayer ever had before...!

"Beloved!" Misa was weeping from pure worry, in spite of her amazement at what her guardian angel had done. "Please tell me you're all right?!"

Kyoko sighed heavily. "I wish I could, my treasure...but I will be..." She managed to sit up, favoring her right arm. "G-give me just a moment...!" Kyoko absolutely didn't look forward to this as put her right hand on the floor, her palm flush on the dirty surface and she leaned on that arm...she took a deep breath and she put all of her lithe body into forcing her right shoulder back into place. Kyoko felt another white-hot blast of pain that made her cry out and she almost collapsed again. Yet the Warrior Worth a Thousand managed to sit up, and she tested her shoulder and arm. Gods, it hurt, but at least the girl could move her sword arm again. It would take a day for it to fully heal and regain all of its mobility, though...! Kyoko whispered painfully, "Shit...!"

"K-Kyoko...?"

Kyoko frowned. "Forgive me for such crude language, my sweet girl..." In another moment, the elder sister stood...she moved to the unconscious body of Mizuki Oe but disregarded the villain to pick up the segmented whip that laid there, as well. Kyoko said, "Let me take this off your hands, demoness...and put it to good use!" The girl had to hurry, she had no idea how long the bitch would remain out cold! She took the sharp and ugly end of the whip...it was tapered to a narrow enough point...and Kyoko used it to pick the lock of her left shackle, which opened and dropped from her wrist. The girl quickly did the same with the other shackle, and she was free! Kyoko moved fast to her sweet sister as she said, "Your turn now, girl! Hold on...!"

"Oh, my nee-chan..." Misa was overwhelmed with joy and great anticipation. Her guardian angel was right there for her and she was on the verge of weeping again with pure happiness and gratitude.

Kyoko's voice was complete devotion: "Shhhh. It'll be all right...be as strong as I know you are..." Kyoko released first the right shackle that bound Misa, then quickly moved to the other side of the gurney to repeat the process with the left. "There!"

Freed from her own bounds, Misa Asagi quickly sat up on the gurney and instantly embraced her older sister...yet she was so careful not to touch any of the bloody cuts that marred Kyoko's back. Misa's face relaxed upon her guardian angel's bosom, and she suddenly knew perfect peace, such elemental traquility as she felt loving arms wrap around her, as well. Kyoko Asagi held her treasure in turn with total devotion as she heard Misa softly moan, "Oh! Oh, it feels so good to hold you..."

Kyoko assured her lovely little sister, "It's all right, my sweet...I have you. I have you." For the Warrior Worth a Thousand, it was all she could have wanted at that moment, it felt just as wondrous to hold her sweet Misa. To feel her perfect body, to smell her scent. Yet at that moment for Kyoko, and not for the first time...

...simply holding her imoute didn't feel like enough...!

Misa said gently, "I'm so sorry I couldn't help you." The sweet girl could have stayed like this with her beloved forever.

Kyoko reassured with tenderness, "Oh, you helped me more than you know. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have found my strength. Thank you, my treasure. Thank you." Misa, the one she loved more than any other, was her reason for being a warrior...her imoute was the reason the Warrior Worth a Thousand would endure and struggle against anything the Hells could throw at her.

For a long and soothing moment, in spite of their circumstances, the girls held one another...

--4--

"Kgh!" Kyoko and Misa looked to the sound with a start, to Mizuki Oe! "Uugghhhh...!" The bitch was still out like a light, but it became clear that wouldn't last for much longer!

Kyoko said, "Misa, it's best if we leave before Mizuki wakes up."

Misa frowned and offered, "We should vanquish that monster before she does, beloved!"

Kyoko shook her head and said reluctantly, "If we were both in a better state and we had our swords, I'd agree. But right now, we're definitely not. Trying to kill Mizuki might wake her that much faster, and she is very strong. My blow should rightfully have been fatal and sent her soul back to the Nethers!" Kyoko gently broke their embrace and took Misa's hands. She urged, "Best not to take any chances and retreat while we can, my sweet. Let's go!" Besides, getting her imoute off that damn ship and to safety was Kyoko's one and only priority!

"A-all right!" Misa didn't disagree (a rare occasion!) with her elder sister's judgment, and she set her bare feet on the floor. Kyoko kept hold of one of her hands and began to lead her to the hatchway where Mizuki entered. Misa looked back at Mizuki, though, just in case...and then the sweet girl's heart almost stopped! She slowed to a stop and Kyoko stopped with her...the elder sister looked at her questioningly until Misa pointed at their enemy and exclaimed, "Oh Kyoko, look! Look!"

Kyoko did...their mutual vantage had changed considerably from when they were at the gurney, and the position they were in, they saw Mizuki's body lying on her back, her head mostly pointed away from them. And Kyoko couldn't help but notice something she hadn't before, but she did then to her sudden, unpleasant surprise as she looked between Mizuki's legs and up her skirt and saw...

...well, not one but two things she didn't expect! Kyoko frowned at the sight and commented, "Hmph. Now we know what Mizuki meant about her punishment...and no longer being female."

Misa was fascinated in the same way a person would be seeing the aftermath of a huge auto wreck on the freeway. The girl said, "She...sh-she has two of...!" The sweet Slayer hesitated to finish. She felt awkward enough!

Kyoko quickly said, "Yes, but we can talk about that on our way out of here! Hurry!" She quickly led Misa out of the cargo hold...

...and then into the narrow corridors outside. On their bare feet, they moved as quietly as possible. A good thing they did because they heard a cough from around the right corner of an intersection. They slowed to move even quieter, and then they both smelled the body odor of two mortal men, the leather they wore, the trace scent of gunpowder and oil from their well-used machine guns.

Kyoko and Misa crept carefully to the corner...Kyoko whispered, "Sentries. Two of them. They are only men. In spite of how I feel, I'm confident we can take them down. What do you say?"

Misa nodded...it had been a while since they woke up, and the sweet girl's inner energy had mostly renewed, the effects of the drug she was given had reduced dramatically. Like Kyoko, Misa wasn't at her best, but she felt more than strong enough to take on mortal enemies, too. "Just say when, beloved!"

Kyoko said, "Now!" They both rushed around the corner into the interecting corridor. The sentries were too damn slow, pathetic really, as the sisters reached them with phenomenal speed. Kyoko wasn't in the mood to be kind and she punched her hand into the chest of one; meanwhile, Misa was much more merciful to her target when she swiftly took the other man's head in her hands and twisted it around a full 180-degrees -- he died literally between heartbeats when his neck was broken.

After Kyoko wiped most of the blood on her right hand using a neckerchief her enemy had worn, the girls looked down at the dead bodies with quiet expressions for a couple of beats. Neither of them liked what they just did at all. Kyoko and Misa Asagi were agents of the Heavens, they swore their lives to protect their fellow mortals from demons. Still, this wasn't the first time they acted in self-defense to kill mortal minions of the forces of darkness...they remembered one of their greatest enemies, the Black Monk Fei, was a mortal, too. As regrettable as killing was, there was brutal necessity to it, just as there always was when a warrior had to defend all they held dear.

Misa considered the dead men and mused, "Since we're not armed, maybe we could take their weapons and ammunition, just in case -- !"

"Iie!" Kyoko looked at her little sister with sudden disdain. "Guns are beneath us, my imoute."

"I know how you feel about guns, but -- !"

"'But' nothing." Kyoko put her hands on her hips as she and Misa stood over the cooling bodies of the evil minions they just killed. "I will never use a weapon that makes killing so easy. I don't say this to disrespect our friends who do use guns, but any complete idiot can point a gun and squeeze the trigger."

Misa crossed her arms as she looked back at her angel. "You sound like a snob."

"Guns are also too damn loud."

Misa smiled playfully at her sister as she insisted, "Snob!"

Kyoko smiled a little right back. "Perhaps I am. Come, we need to keep moving." And they did, they held hands as they tried to find their way through these dank corridors of the ship. Kyoko gave Misa a curious look. "Besides, you've never used a gun in your life. You might hurt yourself."

Misa said, "I know, it was just a thought. Say, maybe after this is over, I can ask Suzune-chan for help with some lessons -- !"

Kyoko stopped cold. "Misa!"

Misa giggled, "I'm only kidding!" The girl's smile became much softer. "I couldn't imagine using anything but mother's sword, anyway."

Kyoko said conversationally, "I need to find my Sephiroth. I can't help but wonder where it is."

Misa told her, "Suzune-chan is keeping it safe with my Muramasa, beloved."

Relieved, Kyoko said, "Good. This ship is so big! Where can we find a stairway to go up...?"

"I'm sure we'll find one soon enough...!"

Kyoko's brow furrowed a bit with anger. "I'd love to revisit those mercenary bastards who betrayed me."

Misa said, "As far as I know, they're dead."

"That's too bad. Ah! Here!" They found a stairway to the deck above...they ascended it.

The moment they reached the next deck, Misa's face expressed disquiet. "Mizuki must be fully awake by now."

"And undoubtedly pissed," Kyoko said.

"I couldn't believe Mizuki had two of them. Two...um...!" It was still too strange for the sweet girl to say!

Kyoko said flatly, "She did say it takes conscious control for her to hide those...things." Misa saw that her angel's face held a level of disgust. The sweet girl could imagine why.

Years ago, when Kyoko had just turned 16, Misa asked her elder sister if she ever had an interest in boys. Kyoko said very simply she would never have an interest in men. The more serious girl had no interest in most people in general, perhaps men most of all. It wasn't from any negative feelings. Mostly, it was part of who Kyoko Asagi was...and she was a lesbian. Early in her teens, Kyoko understood and embraced that she was attracted to other girls, but she was so focused on her training she never even thought of pursuing another. She didn't know any other girls well enough, anyway. That hadn't seemed to change much even in the present day. Kyoko seemed interested solely in her duty as a Vanquisher and her school work at the college she and her sister attended.

Kyoko asked why Misa wanted to know, and the sweet girl only said she was curious. As many friends as she had even then, Misa was also so devoted to her training she hadn't developed an interest in another, either. That also hadn't changed over time for Misa; in fact, her duty as a demon slayer and going to college didn't give her much time for anything else these days! But then, one thing Misa Asagi didn't share with her guardian angel was that she was a lesbian, as well. When she knew that was also true for Kyoko, Misa didn't understand why, but she felt a warm, quiet...relief.

Misa wasn't sure ever since if it was because of knowing she had that in common with her beloved Kyoko, or perhaps for another reason...?

Misa refocused on the present and couldn't help but say, "I almost feel sorry for Mizuki."

Kyoko looked at her imoute. "Misa, sometimes you're too sweet for your own good."

"I know she's a monster, that's why she was damned and punished so terribly..."

"But you want to feel pity for Mizuki."

"You don't feel sorry for her at all?"

Kyoko stopped, so did Misa, and the guardian angel gazed at her sweet sister gently. "As they say in the West, Mizuki Oe made her own bed. She was unrepentant in her evil before she was even damned. You must have felt it from her. Mizuki wouldn't know how to be anything but the evil creature she is and she wouldn't want to know. If only she did want to change and be better, like so many of the Demonkind in our world, then she might earn a level of my sympathy."

Misa completely understood, and she couldn't help but agree as she nodded deeply. "Of course, beloved."

Kyoko's face hardened a bit when she said coolly, "Besides. I could never forgive that bitch for wanting to torture and kill you, my treasure." She squeezed Misa's hand in hers gently for loving emphasis.

Misa felt a burst of warmth in her heart, not just for her beloved's sentiment, but because it really didn't matter to Kyoko what Mizuki had done to her in comparison. She breathed, "Oh...!"

Then, all of a sudden, a squawk sounded from all around them...the girls realized it was coming from the ship's public address system. In the next moment, they heard the voice of Mizuki Oe. The demoness was definitely awake and her voice was full of desperate, uncontained fury:

"All hands alert, the Slayers are loose! I REPEAT, THOSE FUCKING BITCHES ARE LOOSE! We're going to 'Plan B' RIGHT NOW! Set this ship's course on autopilot and then get your asses to the helicopters on the main deck! If you don't, you WILL be left here and you don't want that! NOW MOVE!"

For a tense moment the sisters stood there, waiting as they heard nothing but Mizuki's angry breathing over the PA. A few heartbeats later, Mizuki spoke to them: "As for you two...you miserable, infuriating CUNTS! You got the best of me, and I'll admit, I've got nobody to blame but myself. Now I've got to cut my losses and run, but if you think that's GOOD news, DON'T! IT JUST MEANS YOU'RE IN EVEN DEEPER SHIT NOW! You heard what I just told my men, right? You've got to be wondering where I want this ship to go?

"You're on a direct course for the waters of Imperial China." Mizuki was silent for a moment, letting that sink in for the sisters. And Kyoko and Misa absolutely didn't like the sound of that for a legion of reasons. "Yeah, that's right. This ship will enter Dynasty territory in about 16 minutes from...now! The Han are brutal as fuck with their own people, and they're not friendly to ANYBODY. They definitely don't care for uninvited guests! After you cross into their waters, you might have maybe a MINUTE before their military blows this boat out of the water and YOU along with it!

"But I've got to wonder if you sluts will even live THAT long...ha-ha-ha!" Mizuki's laugh was chilling, and what she said next was far worse:

"I'm getting on a chopper right now and I'll be out of here in moments, but you won't be alone after me and my boys leave! I had a Hellgate built on this ship not long after I got ahold of it, and I brought something here from the Nethers. I've been keeping it in a cage of infernal steel in another part of the ship, just in case you whores did give me trouble! You might have heard of its kind...it's a Fectord!"

The sisters looked at one another with sudden dread. Yes, they knew of those damned things. Their parents had fought Fectords more than once, and even with their holy weapons and all of their power, they BARELY defeated and survived the monsters each time. Other Slayers in history were far, far less fortunate dealing with perhaps the most savage of all the Demonkind.

Mizuki continued with inhuman glee: "Fectords are Feral demons. Pure predators where they're from. Think of Fectords like honey badgers or wolverines, girls, only tall, dark and a THOUSAND times more ferocious. The fuckers feed on the horror and suffering they create, and this one's a MALE. It's got a BIG package, if you know what I'm saying, so big it'll tear you bitches open and make you into CANOES before it decides to eat you! I gave it a sniff of the clothes I took from you both hours ago, so it's marked your scent and essence...

"Whoops! Oh dear, I have a remote for the cage, and I just opened it! Too bad for you, cause that Fectord will be ON you both in a few minutes, maybe less! I heard your dead mommy and daddy had run-ins with these monsters, yet managed to win. But since you both don't have your holy swords and you can't be anywhere near your best at the moment, I'm pretty sure this isn't going to end well for you! Sayonara, bitches!"

Somewhere else on a ship traveling toward certain doom, a dark, nightmarish form was unleashed...with literally inhuman speed, the Fectord began to hunt for its prey: the Asagi sisters!

　
TO BE CONCLUDED!

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The last part and the exciting conclusion, coming soon!

Giving credit where it's due!

XNALara created by Dusan Pavlicek
XPS created by Dusan and XNAaraL

Models:
Kyoko and Misa Asagi, Mizuki Oe and the Fectord by
Chains by
Damage FX by

Sceneries:
Arena by
Queen Zenobia Interior by