"MOM. DAD." KINO mumbled in her sleep from the couch, where Kiyo and Dante had carried her.
Rien, Lilly, and Dawn, had left for the dojo at Kiyo's request. Dante and Yukino are on the loveseat, and Kiyo is in a chair.
"So, mom, what happened after Kino and I left that day?"
"It doesn't work that way, Kiyo. Your father and I are made up of your memories up to that point in time when you guys left. Anything beyond that we can't answer."
"Are you really my… I mean our parents?" Kino asked, sitting up. A confused look on her face.
"Of course it's us Kino." Replied Yukino.
"Prove it. Tell me something only my mother would know about me. Something not even dad knows."
"When you were thirteen, Gary confessed his love to you in front of the entire class. Troy, who was also smitten with you got pissed because Gary who is Troy's his best friend confessed his love to you knowing full well that Troy was gonna do the same thing.
So Troy and Gary started fighting each other. Then you stepped in, beat the hell out of both of them, and got yourself suspended from school for a week for fighting.
When you did return to school you told both of them to go to hell.
"But that's something dad knows about."
"True. But what he didn't know is you got your period while fighting both of them. I had to bring her a change of clothes. Which is why I went alone."
"Mom's right, I did not know about that little detail."
"You never did tell me why you fought them to begin with, sis."
"They asked me in front of the entire, class and… I was embarrassed."
"So you do have a girly side."
Kino throws a pillow at her brother. He catches it and puts it on his lap.
"Your turn dad. Tell me something only you and I know."
"When you were six or seven years old we stopped at a fast food joint to grab a bite to eat.
You were playing in the ball-pit when an older boy started throwing the balls at you. I heard you yell at him to stop it, and when he told you to make him stop you hauled off and slapped him in the face so hard it echoed throughout the play-room.
It was at that moment I didn't have to worry too much about boys trying anything funny with you."
"You also wouldn't stop laughing at the boy's parents when they wanted you to punish me and you refused."
"Of course I refused. You did nothing wrong. I even told the cops that when that boy's parents called them. It was even funnier when they reviewed the security camera and learned their child instigated the whole thing."
"Dad, you do realize that the boy's name was Troy? The same one that asked me out."
"Actually it was Gary not Troy."
"Satisfied? Do you believe now that we are your parents?" Yukino asked.
"It didn't matter what answers you gave me, after all this is a dreamworld. So it's a moot point."
"Then why test us?" Asked Dante.
"I was curious as to what you guys would say."
"So now what?" Asked Kiyo.
"Look mom, dad I am happy to see you guys again I really am, but you guys are dead. Nothing can change that. But you guys will always live on in here." Kino places a hand on her heart. "As for you," Kino turns to me, "l believe some of what you say is true."
"What changed your mind?"
"You knew personal things about me that no one should know about, and I've had very vivid nightmares — you were in some of them."
"Which ones?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I was in a cave, surrounded by death, standing in front of a big ugly ass monster that snapped me in half like a twig."
"That was a Goblin King, who had kidnapped a bunch of people. You even saved a child from being brutally gang raped by the Goblin King's minions. Then went on a killing sphere killing even more of his minions and eventually the Goblin King himself."
"Then it didn't kill me?"
"He couldn't even touch you."
"I see. Tell me more."
"I'll tell you everything you need to know. About our friends, the world we live in now, the adventures we've been on."
****
(Dojo)
"How do you think it's going?" Dawn asked.
"Hard to say." Answered Lilly.
Dawn and Lilly are seated against the wall, holding each other, while Rien is checking out the samurai armor that's on display.
"Who are you?" Asked Cory.
"Wow! You got funny looking hair." Said Lulu, walking up to Rien.
"You two are holding hands. Are you sister's?" Alicia innocently asked. Her young mind not comprehending what she's seeing.
Cory, Lulu, and Alicia, had come into the dojo via the backdoor.
"We are friends of Kiyo's." Replied Rien.
"And where is our brother?" Asked Cory.
"Inside talking with your parents. Kino is with them."
"How'd you get your hair like that?" Lulu had been staring up at Rien the whole time.
"It's magic."
"Really!" Lulu now has stars in her eyes. "I know magic too."
"Oh, can you show me a trick?" Asked Rien, squatting down to be eye level with Lulu.
"Uh-huh, watch closely now." Lulu holds her right hand up, index finger and thumb pointing like a gun, "Earth Magic: Rock Arrow!"
(Earlier behind the dojo.)
𝑇ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑐𝑘! "Ooo!" 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝘱 – 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑝 – 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑝! Lulu claps enthusiastically.
"Again again." Cheers Alicia from Leon's lap.
Cory nocks another arrow and draws it back. His body is a picture of concentration — spine arched — right arm drawn back into a V.
Left arm holding the bow as straight as the arrow he's about to fire.
Cory holds the bow string back to his jawline touching the corner of his mouth with the tip of his forefinger. Then in a fluid motion he releases.
The arrow launches forward, cutting an arc, through the air as it travels, striking the target dead center.
𝑇ℎ𝑤𝑎𝑐𝑘!
"Was that the humans skill or yours, Corym?"
"The humans, Abby. I took over right after he took the shot. Until now I never knew you humans could shoot so beautifully." Corym looks at the asymmetrically shaped longbow in his hand.
"You don't take over humans in a dreamworld, Corym. You just become one with them," explained Lilith, "everything they know you now know."
"Is that how it works.. Interesting."
"I can't believe I'm in this tiny body."
"You may be tiny, but you look cute, Alice."
"Thanks, Luna. You look cute too."
"Hey guys, three girls just entered the dojo." Said Leo, having snuck a peek through the window of the dojo. "I think I recognize one of them."
"Are you sure about that?" Abby asked.
"Kiyo and I met her back at the Adventurers Guild in Weeping Willow Village. Her name is Rebecca, a guild employee.
"Are you sure that's her?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Let's go question her." Suggests Corym.
"Agreed. Lilith can we use magic here?"
"You can."
"What are you plotting, Abby?" Asked Corym.
"You'll see. Luna, do you know any concealment skills?"
"Just Shadow Camouflage."
"Cast that on Leo. He'll be the one to subdue Rebecca."
"Why not cast it on me? I am skilled at sneaking up on others."
"But in your current body you're not strong enough, Corym. Leo is."
"Fair enough."
"I can cast a strength boosting spell on you." Offers Alice.
"I appreciate the offer, Alice, but cast that on Leo to ensure this plan succeeds."
"Okay."
"Luna, you'll be the one to attack first. Get in as close as you can. Attack with whatever spell you want."
"Got it."
"Corym, you will be inside with the girls, providing support, while covering the other door and keeping the other two in check. I'll wait by this door in case she manages to escape. Questions?"
"Would you like my help?"
"No. Can't risk something random happening to you again."
Lilith nods in understanding.
"Um," everyone looks at Alice," "before we go I want to also cast an agility boost on Corym, in case she runs for it, and a defense boost on Luna, in case she gets attacked."
"That's fine. Alright everyone let's do this."
(Present time)
Rien smacks Luna's hand away, but still gets grazed by the rock arrow, she punches Luna in the chest knocking her backwards, gaining some distance only to be grabbed in a bear-hug from behind by Leo, her arms pinned to her side. He picks her up, making it harder for her to fight back.
"Let go of me!" Rien thrashes about to no avail.
"Ugh! Damn it that hurt." Moans Luna sitting up. "Who the hell punches a child?"
"My entire childhood was a lesson from the school of hard knocks." Answered Rien.
"Want me to heal you?"
"Nah, don't worry about it Alice. Your defense boosting skill did its job."
"Good thing you're in a child's body. Had it been your normal body she'd have broken her hand on your flat as a board chest."
"Go fuck yourself Abby."
"Touch a nerve did I? Don't tell me you're still upset with me for tricking you into massaging your breasts night after night to make them bigger."
"At least mine can't be used as a speed bag."
"What's a speed bag?"
"I'm not telling."
"That means you don't know."
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Abby, Luna, can you two argue about whatever it is you're arguing about another time?"
""Sorry Lilith.""
"Leo, could you let Rien go?" Asked Lilith. "She's on our side."
Leo complies.
"If she's with us you could've said so sooner," Complains Luna, "it would have saved me the pain of getting hit in the chest."
Abby goes to say something but Luna's icy glare silences her.
"I didn't say anything because I wanted to see for myself what my little sister's friends are capable of."
"What the hell happened to you Lilith?"
"It's a long story, Rien. I'll explain it to you over drinks once we're out of here."
"From your personal stock? And the hard stuff."
"Of course. Now let's go get the twins."
"What about these two?" Asked Corym.
"Lilly is with us and Dawn is…"
"I'm dead and gone. So don't fret over it."
"I'll tell you guys about it another time." Said Lilly.
(Living room)
"Sounds like you guys are having a gay old time in here."
"Who are you?" Asked Kiyo.
"I'm Lilith, a succubus and Abaddon's older sister. It's a pleasure to finally meet you two." Lilith gives a slight bow. "I'll be taking you guys out of here."
"So you're our ride out of here."
"Do I look like an automobile to you, Kino?"
"You do look like you could be a fun ride." Comments Lilly.
"Sorry but I don't swing that way."
"What if I joined in?" Teases Abby.
"…."
Abby gives her sister the sweetest smile. Further tormenting her.
"S-Stop t-t-ease me like that, Abaddon."
"You're here too, Abby."
"Yes Kiyo, we all are. With help from my big sister, Lilith."
"Then that means…Alice, you survived."
"I did."
Kiyo goes and hugs Alice. "I'm so glad you're alive."
"Alright that's enough, please let me go."
"These guys are who we partied up with?" Kino asked.
"Yes. With the exception of Lilith, Lilly, Dawn, and Rien. Kiyo explained. "From left to right it's: Leo, Corym, Abby, Alice, and Luna."
"Does Kino not remember us?"
"It's not that she doesn't remember us, it's more like she's having trouble remembering. So for now we just need to give her some space to figure things out."
Everyone nods in understanding.
"It's time for us all to be on your way."
Lilly gives Dawn a long passionate kiss goodbye.
The twins in turn give their parents one last hug.
Lilith snaps her fingers and the world goes white.
****
"Welcome Kiyomaro and Kino Kurosaki to Shangri-La. I am Odin…"
"Oh come on! Not this shit again!" Kino turns to Kiyo. "Why'd I say that?"
"Insulate child, you do not speak unless you are granted permission to do so."
"Or what?" Challenges Kino. "Wow, talk about déjà vu."
"Knock it off sis."
"Silence! I did not grant you…"
"Go fuck yourself, Zeus!" Wait?! How do I know that's Zeus?"
As fast as lightning Zeus has Kino by her throat, lifting her up.