In Refuge-des-Esprits

  L'automne drags Akuji's and Kiyoko's unconscious bodies into the throne room as they float in swirls of brown leaves. She walks past Mothpéra and Soleli as the wooden structure creaks.

  "It took you long enough. What took you so long?"

  L'automne smiles. "Oh, I just got sidetracked, that's all."

  "L'automne, dear, your orders were to find the Death Spirit and bring him instantly—not take your sweet time."

  L'automne tilts her head as the tornado of leaves carrying Akuji raises him.

  "Well, the Death Spirit is right here. I don't see the issue."

  Soleli pinches the bridge of her nose. "The issue is that you should have brought him sooner! Are you not understanding?"

  "I don't see the difference—he's here now. Honestly, you're fussing over nothing."

  "Over nothing?! Ma Grandeurs have plans! How dare you say over nothing?!"

  Mothpéra turns her head, looking down at Soleli, remaining quiet.

  "Ma Grandeur this—- Ma Grandeur that. Last time I checked, I don't serve Sachi and Ikigai. I do what I do for Malika—not because I'm a servant, but because I love her."

  "What was that? Foolish! Pure foolishness! Without Sachi and Ikigai, there would be no Malika for you to serve and love!"

  L'automne turns away from Soleli. "Just because they saved her has nothing to do with me. She's the one who saved me, not them."

  "Disobedient foo—"

  Before she can finish, Ikigai's voice cuts in. "Soleli, it's fine. Calm down."

  Soleli, L'automne, and Mothpéra all turn to the throne, seeing Ikigai stand next to Sachi as she sits on the throne with her head in Ikigai's lap.

  "But Ma Grandeur—-"

  "It doesn't matter who she serves—she did her mission bringing Akuji." She turns her attention to Kiyoko, the blood staining her entire outfit, her back slashed open, her wings dyed red from the blood. Blood drips on the wooden floor, making a puddle.

  "And what happened to her? Killed in action, I see." Ikigai taps Sachi on the back. "Sister, wake up. Look who was brought in."

  Sachi grunts, picking her head up from Ikigai's lap. Dark bags sit under her eyes as her golden gaze locks onto Akuji.

  "Akuji!" She stands up instantly. She runs up to him, grabbing him from the swirling leaves. She kneels next to L'automne, cupping his face. "Finally—- you're back—-"

  Ikigai stares, her hand trembling. She grabs it quickly as she sits on the throne.

  "Sister—- don't get trapped in this love again—-" "You know what we must do."

  Sachi's focus remains on Akuji as his eyes are half open, his face blank. She holds him in her lap. "I—"

  "Sister, don't mess up the plan! Forget about him for just a moment! Think of the bigger picture! His execution is needed for our names in heaven to be cleared—do you understand that!"

  The Belles all focus their attention on Sachi. L'automne's swirling leaves disperse, dropping Kiyoko on the ground.

  Sachi remains quiet, rubbing Akuji's cheek.

  "K—-i—-yoko—-" he mutters.

  Sachi's eyes widen. "Kiyoko?" She turns to the bleeding angel. "What the hell happened?"

  "Soleli!"

  "Y-yes, Ma Grandeur?!"

  "Heal them both! And hurry up!"

  Soleli's green eyes deepen in color as they begin to glow a rich emerald. She holds her palm out as a green butterfly of pure energy forms in it. She holds her other palm out as another butterfly is created. They both fly to Akuji and Kiyoko, landing on their foreheads.

  Sachi watches, gripping Akuji's hand as the butterfly dissolves into particles seeping into Akuji's skin. His body starts to radiate a green light; the blood he's covered in dries and turns to dust. His hair returns to pure white as the hole in his shoulder closes. His ears shake; his burst eardrums start to heal.

  "Huh—-" His vision clears, his eyes opening further.

  "Sachi?"

  Sachi grips his hand tighter. "Oh, to finally see you awake—-"

  Akuji grits his teeth, pushing Sachi off him. "What the hell?! Damn it all—I was captured!"

  He turns to L'automne. "You—-" He gets in a fighting stance. "How about you fight me now, huh?! I feel exactly back at full strength!"

  "Nice to see you too! So glad you're awake." "After finding you half dead in the swamp, I was so-so worried you wouldn't make it by the time I got here."

  "Heh, oh don't worry about that. I'll gladly put you in the same state I was in."

  "You wouldn't hurt such a beautiful woman, would you? Aww, I thought that was against your code." L'automne mocks, bouncing her cleavage. She then turns around, showing her ass and bouncing it as well. "Knowing the type of man you are, I expect more from you."

  Akuji charges at L'automne, cocking his fist back. "Sorry, but I've seen better!"

  Before his punch lands, Mothpéra jumps in front of them, blocking the attack. The sound of the clash echoes through the room.

  Sachi watches, gritting her teeth. "Why do you always make a scene!"

  Ikigai, sitting on the throne, chuckles. "Same guy, no matter what."

  Akuji's fist locks with Mothpéra's elbow.

  "Well, look at you playing white knight, big guy." "It's about time I finally see a dude I can beat down without remorse."

  Mothpéra grunts as she uses her other arm to try to slap Akuji away. Akuji ducks, instantly leaping into the air. Twirling, he lands a direct kick to her skull, sending her stumbling back.

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  "Come on! Let's keep going! I'm not stopping until you're dead! Take that cloak off and let's fight like men! Show yourself!"

  Mothpéra regains her balance, remaining silent.

  L'automne laughs once more, poking her head from behind Mothpéra. "Oh, how rough you are—-" "A shame—if you didn't belong to Ma Grandeur, I would love to have you to myself."

  "Sorry, I'm not here for love interests. All I see are three heads I'll have to collect."

  "Enough of this!" Soleli's eyes glow emerald once more. Vines burst through the wooden floor, causing splinters to erupt. They chase Akuji as he slides under them, rushing for Mothpéra.

  The vines follow him. Mothpéra raises her fist as it starts to vibrate, emitting a screeching sound wave. As she's about to slam her fist against Akuji, he dashes to the side.

  Mothpéra slams her fist on the wood, causing the ground to burst around her. Debris and splinters fly across the room. The vines curve before hitting Mothpéra, heat-seeking Akuji.

  L'automne covers herself with her cloak. "Ugh—-"

  Akuji then uses his feet to propel himself backwards, landing in front of Soleli.

  "Wha—?!" Akuji bares his fangs.

  He knees her in the gut. "AUGH!" Blue blood erupts from her mouth. He then grabs her neck, head-butting her. The sound of her bones cracking fills the room.

  "Heh!" He throws Soleli toward the vines.

  Soleli flies toward the vines; they all curve around her, continuing to chase Akuji.

  Mothpéra appears behind Akuji, her fist vibrating once more. She throws her punch; Akuji ducks out of the way once more. She connects with the wall, blowing it into pieces.

  Sachi walks toward Ikigai, who's watching the battle.

  "Should we stop this?"

  "No, no, this is quite entertaining. Let's see what happens."

  "Fine—-"

  Back at the battle, Akuji grabs Mothpéra's arm. He slides under it, aiming his fist for her gut. He connects a blow straight to her gut. Mothpéra's entire body shakes. "Gugh!"

  She drops to her knees as silver liquid erupts from the hood of her cloak.

  The vines spread apart from behind Mothpéra, aiming for Akuji.

  "Tch—-!" He's about to jump out the hole in the wall.

  Mothpéra uses this chance to grab him, holding him tight.

  "Idiot! You'll get trapped too!"

  She remains quiet. The vines approach.

  "Mothpéra, move out of the way!"

  Akuji repeatedly rams his knees into Mothpéra, loosening her grip. Before the vines wrap around him, he jumps out the hole.

  "?ADIOS, LOSERS! HAHAHAH!" His voice echoes through the throne room as Mothpéra falls over, spilling more silver liquid.

  Akuji falls from the giant tree, the light of the blue mushrooms glowing on him.

  "Shit! I need a soft landing!" He closes his eyes, trying to think.

  He suddenly feels his head on something soft. "Huh?!" He opens his eyes to see—-

  "Did you think escape would be that easy, imbécile?" L'automne, as Akuji lays on her breast as they both fall.

  She summons her staff. A swirl of leaves propels them back up to the top of the tree, where the hole is.

  She kicks Akuji back inside. "GWAH!"

  He skids across the floor, crashing into the far wall.

  "Ughhh—-" Dust surrounds him.

  L'automne floats back into the room, landing next to Mothpéra, who's on the ground.

  "Mothpéra, I know you're better than this. Get up."

  Soleli swipes her arms once more as the vines continue to chase Akuji.

  "Oh great! Can you piss off with these!" Akuji rolls out of the way.

  Kiyoko opens her eyes, lying on the ground, hearing the chaos.

  "Where—-"

  Akuji does a backflip as the vines are inches away from him. He lands in front of Kiyoko.

  Kiyoko looks up. "Akuji—- you're okay!"

  Akuji's eyes widen, his focus turning downward, looking at her. "Kiyo—"

  Before he could finish, the vines wrap around him.

  "Shit!" He squirms as they tighten around him.

  "AKUJI!" Kiyoko panics as she struggles to stand.

  Ikigai claps from the throne, Sachi standing next to her, her face blank.

  "Subarashī, subarashī." "Quite the spectacle, don't you agree, sister?"

  Sachi remains quiet for a moment, watching Akuji struggle in the vines.

  "Yeah—-"

  Soleli drops to her knees, panting. Blue blood leaks from her mouth as her eyes dim.

  Kiyoko grabs one of the vines wrapped around Akuji, using it to support herself as she stands. She starts to pull on it, trying to break them. "Why! Why can't we ever just have peace!"

  Tears start to run down her face. "I can't stand to see you in these situations anymore!"

  Sachi walks up to Akuji and Kiyoko. Her face remains unchanged; bags sit under her eyes as her face remains blank.

  "Ma Grandeur, I almost forgot to tell you how L'ange here betrayed your orders of capturing this Death Spirit.

  “L'automne smirks. "Running from me, helping him escape—quite the traitor, don't you think?"

  Sachi stays quiet, glaring at Kiyoko, her golden pupils dilating.

  Chills run down Kiyoko's spine. "M-mistress—-"

  "Move." Sachi says coldly

  "Y-ye—-" Before Kiyoko could finish, Sachi pushes her out of the way, sending her rolling on the ground.

  "Kiyoko!" Akuji screams.

  Sachi grabs Akuji's chin, squeezing his cheeks and leaning close to him.

  "So what's going on between you and this angel here? You never care about anyone—now you're calling her name?"

  Akuji closes his eyes, refusing to look Sachi in hers. He remains silent.

  "Akuji—- don't play games with me—-" She squeezes harder, her nails digging into his skin.

  Akuji hisses in pain as Sachi slaps him on the head. "Go on, let it out—let me hear it. You never listen! If I have to treat you like a child, then I'll do what I must."

  She slaps him again. "Now answer my question!"

  Akuji remains silent, gritting his teeth as the three Belles watch, appalled.

  She slaps him once more. "DON'T IGNORE ME! I SAID ANSWER ME! HOW DO YOU THINK DANYA WOULD REACT, HUH?"

  She slaps him in the face; the sound echoes through the room. Blood leaks from his nose and mouth.

  "SPEAK!"

  Akuji opens his eyes as he looks at Ikigai.

  "Ikigai, why? I thought we were allies? We fought together."

  Ikigai scoffs "Just because we fought together one time doesn't mean I'd ever choose you over my sister. We needed to get rid of the demon—that's it and that's all. We were never allies."

  "Heh—-" "What else did I expect? You are equally psychotic as your twin here."

  Sachi slaps Akuji again. Tears start to fall from her eyes.

  "Stop! Stop! Stop ignoring me!" She screams as she relentlessly slaps him.

  Kiyoko looks at her. "STOP! SACHI, PLEASE STOP!"

  Sachi's gaze darts to Kiyoko. "You—-" "Shut your mouth! Before I have you executed next!"

  Akuji stares at the ground with a smirk on his face. "Kiyoko—-"

  "Y-yes!" Kiyoko stutters

  Sachi turns back to him. Blood drips down his chin as he lifts his eyes back to Sachi, locking onto her.

  "Stay back. This has nothing to do with you anymore. You've done enough—- gracias." He pauses for a second as his smirk widens. "Truly—- thank you."

  Sachi shakes as she balls her fist, digging her nails into her palms. Blood starts to leak out.

  "But I can't just let you—" Before she finishes, Sachi punches Akuji as her blood sprays his face.

  "THE EXECUTION IS IN PLACE! IKIGAI, DO YOU HEAR ME! I MADE UP MY MIND!"

  Ikigai folds her hands, leaning in and smirking. "Good call."

  She whirls to Soleli. "YOU! CONFINE THE ANGEL!"

  She then turns to Mothpéra. "TAKE DOWN THIS TREE! I CAN'T BE HERE RIGHT NOW!"

  "Oui, Ma Grandeur!" they both say in unison.

  Soleli's eyes glow emerald green once more. She swipes her hands as more vines sprout. They rush to Kiyoko, wrapping around her. "NO, WAIT!"

  They cover her mouth and body. She falls over as they take the form of a cocoon, shaping around her.

  Ikigai stands from the throne, walking toward Akuji. She places her finger over his chin, lifting it up. Her icy blue eyes lock with his violet pupils.

  "A joyous moment indeed. Now all we need is Danya, and we're done here." She removes her finger, dropping his head. "Dear sister, wait for me, can you? I am tired of sitting in here."

  She runs next to Mothpéra, holding onto her arm. Mothpéra sprouts large brown wings, flapping them.

  Sachi takes a final look at Akuji, one last tear falling.

  Mothpéra flies out the hole in the wall with the twins.

  Soleli lets out a sharp sigh. "L'automne, I'll be joining them—- I need a break after that."

  "Yeah—- I'll be joining you shortly—-"

  Soleli sprouts her wings—they glow orange and blue, black butterfly patterns surrounding them.

  "Oui, on se voit là-bas." (Yes, I'll see you there.)

  She flies out the hole, following Mothpéra.

  L'automne is left in the throne room alone with Akuji and Kiyoko. She stares at Akuji as he stares at the ground, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. Her face shows pity.

  "Death Spirit—-" "I—" She catches herself before she says anything.

  She walks toward the hole. The blue light from the mushrooms shines inside. She takes one last look at Akuji. The light shines on him, highlighting his skin and hair. L'automne's cloak flutters with the wind blowing inside.

  She closes her eyes, remaining silent as she jumps out of the hole, floating and following the rest of the Belles.

  Akuji continues to look down at the ground.

  "Danya—- I need to find you—- please be safe, please—-"

  In the Fox Village.

  Danya lies on a bed made of straw. The room is lit by a faint blue candle; blue wisps surround her as her body glows with a giant blue light. She has bandages around her forehead and chest.

  She stares at the ceiling, her only thoughts of Akuji. Her chest tightens as a feeling of dread looms over her.

  "I—" "I need to go—- I need to find him—-"

  A sharp pain hits her chest as she tries to sit up.

  The wisps circle around her. "No, no! You can't move until you're fully healed, okay!"

  "But—" "Fine—-"

  The wisps continue to circle her as she turns to the bed next to her. Ari lies there asleep with her own pair of wisps circulating her.

  "I'll find you soon—- I promise—-"

  END.