“This is my master's castle and I will not allow anyone to enter without being summoned."

  Robin's arms transform into bck bdes and immediately both females charge towards each other. When their weapons csh blue electricity forms around them. A white orb of light appears between their weapons forcing them apart. Seconds ter they charge back towards each other with their bdes cshing once more.

  “Why don't you just give up, the odds are inevitably stacked against you."

  Katsumi asserts more force and begins overpowering Robin. Robin morphs her right hand into a cannon and sps Katsumi. She then uses her left hand and palms Katsumi in her stomach and sends her flying. She then fires several shots at Katsumi while she flies through the forest trees.

  "Good riddance."

  Seconds ter light purple lighting appears in the forest. Moments ter Katsumi appears from the trees and goes to the opposite side of the bridge. At the tip of her bde is a rge light purple orb. She points her sword at Robin and sends the orb directly towards Robin. Robin transforms her right hand back into a cannon and fires a bst. The orb nearly disintegrates Robin who morphs into her avian form. When the smoke clears Robin is sitting on the castle top while Katsumi is out of sight.

  Rei is looking in the mirror smiling proudly with his left cheek resting on his knuckles.

  “I knew Robin would take care of Katsumi even if it cost her her life."

  Totsu enters the castle courtyard where she sees Mizu standing in the center.

  Mizu has pale skin with light blue neck-length hair that's styled in a right side-parted asymmetrical bob cut. She is wearing a light blue sleeveless halter top dress with white polka dots and light blue wedges. Her eyes are dark blue with bck eyeliner.

  “What the hell are you doing here Totsu Joo?" Mizu asks annoyed as water appears behind her.

  “Our benevolent creator sent me to retrieve you."

  “I'm not going back!"

  Totsu smiles shaking her head.

  “You will submit to your destiny."

  Totsu then opens her eyes.

  “How the hell did you get past my castle guardian?"

  “We’ve been partners for thirty-one years, you know how powerful I am."

  Totsu sprouts tree branches from her back.

  “Regardless he shouldn't have been bested,"

  “You chose him to defend your castle and you chose poorly,"

  Mizu growls grinding her teeth.

  “I'm not going back!"

  Mizu sends a tidal wave toward Totsu.

  Totsu erects a barrier and thwarts Mizu’s water. Mizu then turns her water into fists. Totsu jumps in the air cuts through Mizu's fists and comes down and pins Mizu down with her branches.

  “Of all our master's creations, you are by far the weakest. It's perfectly okay to accept that you are nothing more than a failed attempt at excellence,”

  Water then appears behind Totsu.

  “Burn in hell."

  “Aneurysm."

  Instantly the water rescinds and Totsu absorbs Mizu's body into hers via her chest cavity and leaves the castle.

  Rika and Suto return to Rei's castle and head to the throne room. Upon entering they see Rei sitting on the throne with Lolita at his side.

  “If isn’t the Halberd Temptress and the Melee King. What good news do you bring me?"

  “Dr. Beaudreaux was useless so I had Suto dispose of him and his boratory. However, all is not lost."

  “How so?"Rika takes out the beakers from her inner coat pocket and hands them to Rei.

  “What are these?"

  “Those are cures for demons, half-demons, super-humans, and artificial humans."

  Rei smirks while handing Lolita the beakers.“Take these beakers to boratory and secure them."

  Lolita morphs into a violet orb surrounded by bck electricity and ascends into the air. Once Lolita is gone Rei gives Rika his attention.

  “You made a sound decision by killing him. There's no way I was going to let a human withhold information or derail my pn."

  Suto bows his head.

  “What would you like us to do now Master?"

  “I want you and Suto to go to Chelsea, New Natalie. There's an old friend of yours that I know will do my bidding."

  "Understood."

  “Yes, Master."

  After Rika and Suto are gone Rei leaves the throne room for his bedroom. Lolita leaves and heads to the conference room.

  Deltonia Academy is in its seventh and final period. Kiseki and company are in the gymnasium. Kiseki, Lotus, Chishiki, and Yukanna are on the basketball court standing in a circle. Ai and Jodan meanwhile are sitting on the mahogany bleachers watching them. Their gym uniform consists of a burgundy t-shirt and bck shorts. Their shirt dispys the coat of arms of the institution. It consists of two wolves standing on their hind legs and facing each other.

  In between them is a gold shield. On the gold shield is a bck heart with the school's name written cursive. Surrounding the heart is a gold chain. Behind the shield are two swords that are facing down dispying the grip and guard.

  “So how about a game of two against two? You and Chishiki against Lotus and me? The first team to score fifteen points wins."

  Everyone nods their heads.

  “This is the perfect opportunity to see how we work as a team. I like this idea very much."

  “It's your funeral." Yukanna beams punching her right hand.

  “I hope I'm valuable to you during this game Kiseki."

  Kiseki looks at her pcing his hand on her shoulder.

  “Don't doubt yourself Lotus, you'll be fine. All you have to do is work in sync with me."

  The quartet spread out and Yukanna threw the basketball into the air. Everyone jumped into the air. Kiseki manages to sp the ball away and spin and run and catch it. He then starts running down the court to his goal when Yukanna enters his view and crouches down.

  “Why don't you just give up? Chishiki and I have this game in the bag."

  Yukanna says lifting her arms.

  Kiseki crouches down not breaking eye contact while maintaining his smirk.

  “Not happening. Fortunately for me, I'm in my element. I may not be book smart but I am blessed athletically."

  Kiseki bites his lip before jumping into the air and releasing the ball.

  Ai watches Kiseki with her left index finger and thumb resting under her chin.

  'Wow, even though the gym uniform masks everything, Kiseki appears to have a nice body.' Ai thinks as a blush stains her cheeks.

  “I wish Kara was here with me right now."

  Ai looks at him curiously.

  “Are you talking about that girl we saw you with this morning?"

  “That's her,"

  Ai scoffs before giving her attention back to the game.

  Yukanna takes hold of the ball and Kiseki and Lotus are running down the court on both sides of her.“Well you know the heart grows fonder the more their companion is gone,"

  “I didn't take you as the philosophical type. I expected to hear this from science boy down there on the court." Jodan half-jokes making Ai ugh.

  “When I want to be I can be mentally stimuting," Ai says arrogantly crossing her right leg while flipping her hair.

  Down on the opposite end of the basketball court, Chishiki is blocking Kiseki while Lotus attempts to block Yukanna but is knocked on her bottom. Yukanna makes the basket. Kiseki rushes over and helps Lotus to her feet.

  “Are you alright Lo?"

  “I'm fine, thank you for asking," Lotus says as Yukanna approaches her.

  “I'm sorry about that. I get a little rough when I py basketball, it's my favorite sport." Yukanna apologizes extending her hand.

  “Apology accepted."

  “So what's the current score?" Chishiki asks.

  “One-to-one," Kiseki says.

  Yukanna nods her head while pursing her lips.

  “Alright let's get back to this inevitable ass whooping!"

  The foursome resumes their game.

  Chishiki crouches down and starts dribbling the ball. Kiseki is in front of

  Chishiki while Lotus is running down the court beside him. Yukanna is attempting to block Kiseki. Thirty minutes ter Kiseki jumps into the air as Yukanna jumps into the air releasing the ball. When the ball enters the net Yukanna nds on her feet and lifts her hands in the air smiling.

  “Now that's game!"

  Kiseki approaches her and bumps his right fist with hers.

  “You pyed really well! But now I think this has seeded a friendly rivalry between us."

  Yukanna smiles.

  “I think so too and I welcome it!"

  Chishiki and Lotus approach them.

  “You know Kiseki, outside of the cssroom you seem like a nice person," Chishiki says coolly with a smile.

  Kiseki looks over at the white-haired teen.

  “Thank you Chishiki. I wasn't expecting to hear that from you, and I must say you're really good at basketball. Don't take this the wrong way but there's more to you than your book smarts."

  Chishiki's smile grows.

  “No offense taken,"

  The quartet heads over to the bleachers for their water bottles.

  “Come on guys, let's go shower and get ready to go home."

  The group heads to their respective locker rooms.

  Misaki-Owens Academy dismisses at two fifteen and the students are walking through the school doors. Kiseki and company are walking down the path leading to the entry gate.

  “Today was so much fun!" Kiseki says pumping his fists in the air.

  “It most certainly was and I can't wait for our next match," Yukanna says excitedly.

  “Maybe we can do a one-on-one next time."

  Yukanna nods her head.

  As they reach the gate Ai is looking down at the ground piquing Jodan's curiosity.

  “Hey Ai, are you okay?"

  “Oh yeah, I'm fine."

  Unconvinced Jodan decides not to push the issue. As the sextuplet walks down the sidewalk Kiseki gnces over at Ai.

  “Ai are you okay? You seem distracted."

  “I-I'm f-fine K-Kiseki."

  Kiseki nods his head before looking away.

  “So, what do you guys want to do this weekend?"

  “There's a park called Fountain Range Park that hasn't been visited in ten years that I'd like to visit," Chishiki says looking at his city map.

  “Does it have a basketball court?" Kiseki asks excitedly.

  “I would assume it does, simply because it's a recreational park."Kiseki smiles showing his white teeth.

  “Alright!" Kiseki says doing a little foot dance.

  “So are you saying that you want a rematch already Kiseki?" Yukanna asks confidently.

  “Yes I am. We can have it this Saturday at Fountain Range Park."

  Yukanna grins.

  “Awesome, I’m looking forward to it!"

  Kiseki stops and stands in front of the group.

  “Are all of you free this Saturday?"

  “You know I am!" Yukanna says pumped punching her right hand.

  “I would like to see Fountain Range Park in all of its beauty," Lotus says warmly.

  “Jodan? Do you want to hang out with us on Saturday?"

  "Yes, but I want to bring along Kara."

  “I don't see the harm."

  “You guys are going to need a navigator and someone to supervise our surroundings." Chishiki says pushing his gsses further onto his nose.

  “Ai? Would you like to hang out with us?"

  “O-Okay."

  Yukanna shakes her head.

  “Alright, then it's settled!" Kiseki says with finality.

  The group resumes walking and after walking two blocks they approach a corner.

  “So we'll see each other tomorrow morning here at this corner?"

  “Alright."

  Jodan and Ai head north, Chishiki and Yukanna head west, and Kiseki and Lotus head east.

  Ai is gripping her backpack straps and looking down at the cemented sidewalk once again.

  “Are you okay?"

  “Well seeing as how you won't let it go I'll tell you. I think I have a crush on Kiseki."

  “You just met him today and you already like him? Have you spent some alone time with him to get to know him?"

  “No, but I do have three csses with him. First period, fourth period, and seventh period. Honestly, I want to get to know him but I have some competition."

  “And what competition is that exactly?"

  “Lotus and Yukanna."

  “How are you so sure they like him? Frankly, you don't even know them to make that assumption."

  “No I don’t but I do know when a girl likes a guy."

  Jodan chuckles as they reach the end of the sidewalk.

  “I don't know you at all to say this but I think you're pying it safe with Kiseki. He's not the only male contender in your romantic arena."

  Ai looks at him confused before heading west into the crosswalk.

  Chishiki and Yukanna are standing in front of a one-story olive-green house with white trim and a gabled roof. On the porch is a brown wooden bench. Behind the bench is a rge window.

  “So this is where you live Chishiki? I think it really suits you."

  “Thank you and I agree."

  “So what do you think of our little group so far?"

  “Honestly, I like it, although I think some of our members are still a mystery, especially Ai, Lotus, and Jodan."

  “Well I don't think it's a bad thing, we barely know each other."

  “Of course but I thought some chink in the armor would show on the first day. I guess as time goes on we'll see who they truly are."

  “The same goes for you and I. They don't know us well enough to put our names in the same sentence with the word trust or the category of friend."

  “You’re absolutely right. Well I thoroughly enjoyed your company today during our seventh period. I'll see you tomorrow." Chishiki says warmly.

  Yukanna smiles.

  “So did I, see you in the morning."

  Once he's inside Yukanna resumes her trek home.

  Kiseki and Lotus approach Kiseki's apartment complex and walk through a gate.

  “Wait a minute, did you walk me all the way here to make sure I got home safely?"

  “Yes I did but I also live here," Lotus reveals.Kiseki's eyes widen making Lotus giggle.

  “You live here?! I didn't see you when I left this morning."

  “That's because I like to take an hour for breakfast."

  Kiseki smiles foolishly.

  “Since we're discussing tutorials, would you like to study at my apartment or at yours?"

  “We can study at my apartment."

  “Sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow morning Kiseki. It was really great pying with you today."

  “Same here. Would you like me to walk you to your front door?"

  “Sure."

  They head down the sidewalk to the first apartment building. When they reach her building they go to the door on the left.

  “Thank you for walking me home Kiseki."

  “You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow."

  Lotus nods her head.

  “I'll see you tomorrow."

  Kiseki heads down to his apartment building.

  Ten minutes ter Ai approaches a residential street filled with town homes. The town homes are shaped differently. The Minami family home is two stories high and is made of white plywood with white trim. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathrooms have hardwood flooring. The living room and bedrooms have beige carpeting.

  Upon entering the town home there is a medium size foyer with a foyer closet to the right. Straight ahead to the left is the living room. It is furnished with modern furniture. The living room and love-seat are Lawson style and white. They are decorated with bck and navy blue pillows. In between the couch and love-seat is an oval-shaped Cherry wood coffee table.

  On it are magazines and clean gss square-shaped ashtrays. A few feet from the furniture are a oak wood big screen and a bck shelf filled with VHS movies. Going past the living room leads to the dining room. The dining room is furnished with a circur Maple wood dining room table with four cross-back chairs. On top of the table are gold square-shaped pce mats. The kitchen has oak wood cabinets, bck appliances, and a center-set faucet. Upstairs the four Minami family members' bedrooms.

  Ai goes to the dining room pces her backpack in the dining room chair and enters the kitchen. She goes to the pantry and grabs a package of peanut butter crackers and a bottle of water. As she does her younger brother Vergil. Vergil is thirteen years old with pale skin, short bck curly hair, chocote brown eyes, and a scrawny build. He is wearing a sleeveless gray shirt, and white shorts and is barefoot.

  “What the hell are you doing eating my snacks?!" Vergil asks angrily.

  “Well you little twerp, Father brought them for all of us!"

  Vergil walks over and snatches the crackers out of her hand.

  “Mother brought this for me and only me! All of the snacks in this pantry belong to me for that matter. Go get your own you damn mistake!" Vergil berates before storming off.

  Ai grabs another pack of crackers goes to the dining room for her backpack and heads upstairs.

  It's seven o'clock and Kiseki and his parents are at the dinner table. Cain had prepared sad, grilled fish, and homemade French bread. Kiseki is wearing gcier-blue silk pajamas and white slippers. Cain is wearing a white t-shirt, solid green, red, and white pid pajamas, and white slippers. Yoshiko is wearing a vender cotton nightgown and white slippers.

  “How was your first day sweetheart?" Yoshiko asks sipping her tea.

  “It was awesome! I think I made some new friends today, five to be exact. I pyed basketball with three of them in P.E. during seventh period."

  “That's wonderful honey I'm gd you made friends."

  “Be careful with the people you call friends son. They may start out that way but as you grow older you'll realize all you have is yourself." Cain cautions.

  Yoshiko shoots him a gre.

  "Aren't you and Mom friends inside of your marriage?"

  “Well, we were blessed by God to have what we have. Genuine friendship is hard to come by so all I'm saying is to be careful. I also ask that you steer clear of girls."

  Yoshiko nods her head.

  "Your father is right Kiseki, friends are hard to come by but girls are something you're going to have to experience. But seeing how your father treats me is a great example of how a man is supposed to treat a woman." Yoshiko says dreamily looking at Cain.

  Kiseki smiles. The remainder of dinner is eaten in ughter and vibrant conversation.

  At Agarashi Castle Totsu Joo is standing on the right side of a red carpet while Robin is standing on the left. The throne room doors swing open and Rei and Lolita enter. As Rei walks past they bow their heads. After taking his pce on his throne he crosses his right leg and rests his left cheek on his knuckles.

  “Totsu Joo, what do you have to report?"

  Totsu Joo goes and stands before Rei.

  From her chest down to her abdomen opens up and Mizu slips out onto the floor covered in slime. Rei looks down at her smiling. Afterward, Totsu Joo's colrbones and abdomen closed.

  “Totsu."

  Tree branches appear from Totsu's back and hoist Mizu into the air. Her arms and legs are stretched and bound.

  Once she's secured Rei looks up at her.

  “Awaken Mizu."

  When she recognizes her surroundings she begins her struggle for freedom.

  “There's no point in fighting Mizu. You're no longer free, well truth be told you never were. You were always under my thumb and you always will be."

  “Go to hell!"

  Rei chuckles.

  “Will you come back and rejoin me and your brethren?"

  “I will never rejoin you or your flunkies!"

  Rei nods his head.

  “Totsu."

  Totsu Joo steps forward and looks up at Mizu. After locking onto Mizu her eyes turn a cloudy gray.

  (Inside Mizu's Mind)

  Mizu is inside a barren nd with a few withered tree branches and several gorges. Mizu is sitting in a metal chair with her hands and feet bound. A humanoid ox demon wearing samurai armor approaches her. He takes a bucket of gasoline and pours it on her. A female bat demon wearing a charcoal gray dress and goddess bck sandals appears behind her. She leans down and blows fire breath on her and Mizu's skin starts peeling off. After throwing the bucket away the ox then starts whipping Mizu and the process repeats.

  (Outside of Mizu's Mind)

  “Please make the torture stop!" Mizu screams as tears stream down her face.

  “Totsu."

  Totsu's eyes return to their normal blue-gray color.

  “Will you rejoin me now?"

  “Yes."

  “I didn't hear what you said."

  “I said yes."

  “That's more like it. Totsu, you can release her from her restraints now."

  Totsu releases the branches and Mizu falls on her hands knees prompting Rei to walk over to her.

  When Mizu meets his gaze Rei lifts his right leg and sms it down on Mizu's head forcing her face-first into the ground. This leaves a rge crevice in the ground. Everyone else gulps fearfully. Rei then kicks Mizu onto her side before kicking several feet. Mizu nds on her back near the throne room doors.

  “Redemption is so beautiful,"

  “Totsu Joo come with me. There's someone we need to pay a visit to."

  Totsu Joo walks over to Rei's left side.

  “Robin guard Lolita and the castle."

  “If Robin should be defeated, Lolita you are to annihite anyone who enters."

  "Understood sir."

  Robin takes her avian form and leaves the room.

  Totsu, let's be on our way. We don't want to keep our visitors waiting."

  Rei and Totsu head towards the door.

  When he reaches Mizu he looks down at her coldly. Mizu is holding her stomach while her right hand is covered in bck blood.

  "Know your pce, remember it, and never ever try to escape my eye again."

  Mizu coughs up more blood before looking at Rei's descending figure infuriated.

  Rika and Suto are in Love & Timber, New Natalie standing in a megachurch parking lot. Rika has her arms folded smiling calmly while Suto has his hands resting at his side. The building is white with a wooden cross on top. The sides of the church curve into a wavy triangle. The windows are tinted and the entry doors are bck metal with silver rectangur handles.

  “We've reached our destination." Rika says before they head inside.

  The Senshi residence is a two-story Greek Revival mansion. Its entabture is supported by six Corinthian columns. On the porch is two white benches occupying both sides of the porch. There are two windows behind both benches. The front door is double with six panels each. However, the right door has a golden push lever handle. The flooring is white marble and a grand swinging staircase replete with a mahogany handrail.

  Turning left leads to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Turning right leads to the music room. The living room is furnished with nineteenth-century antebellum furniture. Across from the living room set is a pearl white firepce. On top are pques and pictures of Yukanna with her parents. Yukanna is in the dining room with her father Hiro. Yukanna is sitting at the tail of the table and Hiro is sitting at the head.

  Hiro is thirty-five years old with fair skin, purple hair, and gray eyes. He is wearing tiger print silk pajamas and bck slippers. Yukanna is wearing a white t-shirt sapphire blue silk pajamas and white slippers.

  Yukanna had prepared spaghetti and meatballs, sad, and homemade French bread.

  “So how was your first day darling?" Hiro asks grabbing his gss of lemon tea.

  “It was fantastic. I made what I hope are lifelong friends and I even pyed a fierce game of basketball during the seventh period. Kiseki is a really nice guy and a great athlete, and Chishiki is a great tactician and intellectual. Lotus is very sweet and welcoming; I'm still figuring out Ai and Jodan seems like a real flirt."

  Hiro looks at her shocked with a smile.

  “What's the matter?"

  “It's just so refreshing to see you becoming acclimated back into society again, especially among your fellow peers."

  “Mother's death really put a damper on me. I really miss her."

  “I know sweetheart but God doesn't make mistakes."

  “I wonder who that could be at this hour."

  When she opens the door her face turns fish belly pale.

  It's well into dusk Rei and Totsu enter a forest clearing. They find Katsumi sleeping on a tree branch. Coiled around her is a charcoal gray and red-scaled serpentine dragon.