Chapter 73: Sister's Chain Part 2

Akagi and Kaga each threw three shikigami papers at the fleet.

"Get behind me!" (RA Zuikaku)

Zuikaku stood in front of everyone and threw six shikigami papers of her own, intercept the enemy projectiles in midair and creating a lot of smoke.

"Agano, move Shoukaku's body somewhere safe. She is in the way."

It's the least we can do...

"Go-got it!" (Agano)

Agano grabbed Shoukaku's lifeless body. It fell limp as soon as Agano put her arms under its armpit.

"Woah! Sorry." (Agano)

As Agano carefully dragged Shoukaku's body to a safe location, Zuihou fired off an arrow while Ooyodo launched a volley of shells at the two vixiens. Akagi blocked Ooyodo's shots with more Shikigami paper while Kaga caught Zuihou's arrow midair. She looked at the arrow before snapping it into two,

"Such medieval tactics." (RA Kaga) 

"What do you expect from world with such backward technologies?" (RA Akagi)

"I got this from your armoury!" (Zuihou)

"Haaaaa!!!" (RA Zuikaku)

With a loud warcry, Zuikaku brought her sword down onto Akagi's head, only for the latter to layer a bunch of shikigami paper together and block her strike.

"Ahahaha~ Are you that eager to offer your soul to us?" (RA Akagi)

"You bitch! Gargh!" (RA Zuikaku)

Kaga kicked Zuikaku's side, sending her crashing into a stack of wooden crates.

"Zuikaku-san!" (Zuihou)

"She will be fine. Focus and keep moving!"

Ooyodo fired off another salvo at the pair as she circled around them. The shots were once again blocked by that piece of paper.

"It's useless. Unfortunately, we don't have any use for you people. So just roll over and die." (RA Akagi)

Akagi launched the same pieces of paper used to block her shots at Ooyodo. Ooyodo leapt over a stack of crates and rolled forward as the shikigami paper exploded behind her.

"That was close." (Ooyodo)

"Zuihou, get to higher ground."

"Got it!" (Zuihou)

"I'm coming back now." (Agano)

"Took your sweet time." (Ooyodo)

"Sorry. She was heavy." (Agano)

Zuihou ran up the stairs to the catwalk and started raining arrows down on the pair. Agano, who finished moving Shoukaku's body away, came back and joined in the fight. Just like Ooyodo, she begin firing shells at Akagi and Kaga while on the move. The two foxes blocked the Cruisers attacks and evaded Zuihou's arrows, sometimes catching them. 

"Don't you dare forget about me!" (RA Zuikaku)

Zuikaku threw another set of Shikigami paper and charged towards Kaga. Kaga used her sleeve to block the ensuing explosions and side step Zuikaku as she swung her katana. While she is focused on the white one,

"Agano, Ooyodo, Keep Akagi busy. Zuihou, back Zuikaku up."

"Understood!" (All)

The Cruisers concentrated on Akagi while Zuihou fired her arrows at Kaga. Shikigami paper floated around Akagi, blocking every shot from the two cruisers as she dished out attacks of her own.

"Ufufufu~ You are going to try harder than that~" (RA Akagi)

"Geez! That's cheating!" (Agano)

"Give me back my sister!" (RA Zuikaku)

In her rage, Zuikaku slammed her katana down on Kaga, missing entirely as the latter simply hopped backwards. Zuikaku immediately followed up with a thrust, only for her target to spin her body to the left and punch Zuikaku with the back of her fist. Zuikaku hobbled to the side but quickly recovered.

"Kh!" (RA Zuikaku)

"Just giv- Tch!" (RA Kaga)

Kaga barely avoided the arrow that was flying straight at her face. She glared at Zuihou who was perched on the catwalk. Oh shit!

"Zuihou, move! Now!" 

"Impudent brat." (RA Kaga)

Kaga threw a shikigami at the catwalk, destroying the foothold with Zuihou on it.

"Kyaaaa!! (Zuihou)

Zuihou gripped the handrail as she hung precariously in the air.

"Zuihou!" 

"Zuihou! Gargh!" (Ooyodo) 

Akagi did an axe kick onto Ooyodo's head, knocking her out.

"Ooyodo! You-!" (Agano)

Agano fired a volley at the red fox. Akagi bent forward and charged towards Agano. In a blink of a eye, she was within melee range.

"Wha-?!" (Agano)

Akagi elbowed Agano in the stomach and qucikly striked her in the jaw. The impact sent Agano flying upwards for a bit before crashing back down onto the ground.

I looked at their vitals. The two of them aren't in critical condition but they are both unconcious. Shit! Zuihou is hanging for her life. Zuikaku is busy with Kaga. And now Akagi is impeded. Damn it! If only I can...

"Kaga, play time is over. Hurry up and finish it." (RA Akagi) 

"Alright, Nee-sama." (RA Kaga)

Kaga evaded Zuikaku's diagonal slash and slammed her foot onto the former's stomach. 

"Gah!" (RA Zuikaku)

Zuikaku stumbled backwards as her face twisted in pain.

"It's over. Come here!" (RA Kaga)

Kaga raised her palm at Zuikaku, before closing it. Portals appeared on the ground and chains sprouted from them. The chains wrapped themselves around Zuikaku's arms, legs and neck.

"Gh!" (RA Zuikaku)

No. No no no! Is this how it's going to end?? If only Zuihou-

Wait...

Where is she?

And what is that weird whistling noise?

"Gah...! I can't... move...!" (RA Zuikaku)

A black cube materializes in Kaga's hand as she approached Zuikaku.

 "Your soul is mine!" (RA Kaga)

Before Kaga plunge the cube into Zuikaku's chest, a white figure stood between them and grabbed Kaga's hand.

"What...?! Sho... Shoukaku-nee?!" (RA Zuikaku)

When did she get here? Isn't she dead?

"I promised... I would always... protect you...!" (RA Shoukaku) 

"Shoukaku-nee...!" (RA Zuikaku)

"Impossible! She is supposed to be a husk! How?!" (RA Kaga)

Kaga broke out of Shoukaku's grip and leapt backwards.

"She saved her sister from danger. Interesting... !!!" (RA Akagi)

Akagi turned around and shifted her head to the right. An arrow flew past her head and etched itself into a wall.

"So this is where yo-" (RA Akagi)

"Haaaah!!!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou appeared from behind a crate and charged at Akagi with an arrow in hand. Akagi step aside and kicked the smaller girl's leg, causing her to trip and fall on her face.

"Ow..." (Zuihou)

Zuihou sat up and covered her face.

"You litt- !!!" (RA Akagi)

Zuihou glance back at Akagi as rockets flew haphazardly from her rigging and towards Akagi. They slammed themselves into Akagi's sleeves as she instinctively blocked the ensuing explosion with her clothes. Did Zuihou planned all this or is she improvising on the go?

"Hahahaha! You are a smarter than you look." (RA Akagi)

Gripping her bow with both hands, Zuihou swung her bow at Akagi's face. Akagi evaded the strike with ease, hopping backwards mockingly and rejoined Kaga's side.

"This must be an Awakening Response... Brought on by remembering something important from the depths of her mind at just the right time..." (RA Kaga)

"Kaga, let's retreat. Our priority right now is to report to the Creator that a Mold has Awakened." (RA Akagi)

"Understood." (RA Kaga)

"Hey, wait!!" (RA Zuikaku)

The two foxes flew onto the intact part of the catwalk and disappeared through a door. Shoukaku fell to her knees as soon as the pair were out of sight.

"Shoukaku-nee!" (RA Zuikaku)

"Argh... is that you... Zuikaku?" (RA Shoukaku)

"Shoukaku-nee?! Yeah, it's me! But more importantly, what did they do to you?" (RA Akagi)

"I don't know... It... it feels like I just woke up from a long dream. And don't worry, I feel fine. In fact, I should apologize. For making you worry about your fool of a big sister." (RA Shoukaku)

"Sis... I'm sorry... I haven't matured one bit... I'm still so reckless and shortsighted..." (RA Zuikaku)

Hell yes you were. Though I shouldn't ruin their moment by saying it out loud.

"As long as you're safe and well, there is still hope... You are the only one who can defeat the enemy that is upon us... I will always be by your side... always protecting you. Always look forward confidently... and stay true to our goals." (RA Shoukaku)

"Ow... My head..." (Ooyodo)

"My yaw hurwst..." (Agano)

The other two are finally conscious.

"You two alright? Can you stand?" 

Agano opened and closed her mouth, clanging her teeth together. 

"Phew. Yeah I'm alright. (Agano)

"I think there is a dent on my head." (Ooyodo)

"Ooyodo-san, you're bleeding." (RA Zuikaku)

"We are used to it. Wait. Your sister...!" (Ooyodo)

"Looks like you made some friends. That's great." (RA Shoukaku)

"Shoukaku-nee..." (RA Zuikaku)

"Now go. Chase after Akagi and Kaga. We cannot let them sully the Sakura Empire's future." (RA Shoukaku)

"But..." (RA Zuikaku)

"We will escort Shoukaku out of here. Zuihou, you want to follow Zuikaku-san, right?" (Ooyodo)

Zuihou gave a slight bob of her head, expressing her eagerness to follow the other girl.

"Fine. Go after them. You better come back safe. All of you."

"Yes!" (Zuihou, Ooyodo, Agano)

"No. I will take them on my own. I can't involve you any further." (RA Zuikaku)

"It's already too late for that." 

"That's right. We are finishing this together." (Zuihou)

"Zuihou... everyone..." (RA Zuikaku)

"Now, go. Before it's too late."

"Shoukaku-san, thank you for earlier." (Zuihou)

"Hm?" (RA Shoukaku)

"You guys go first." (RA Zuikaku)

Ooyodo supported Shoukaku over her shoulder while Agano took point. The trio left the large room though the same door they entered from. 

Zuikaku couched down in front Zuihou,

"What are you doing?" (Zuihou)

"Hop on. We are taking a shortcut.

"A shortcut?" Zuihou)

Zuihou climbed onto Zuikaku's back. Zuikaku swung her towards the ceiling. Multiple shikigami paper flew from her flight deck and into the air. They transmuted into planes covered in orange phantasmal fire and flew straight into the ceiling. I quickly turned down the volume as explosions echoed through my headset and the entire ceiling was blown wide open. Light from the outside shone into the ship.

"What the hell was that for?"

"Like I said, we are taking a shortcut. Hang on tight." (RA Zuikaku)

"What are you- Eeeek!!!" (Zuihou)

With Zuihou in tow, Zuikaku leapt towards the hole she just created. Using the damaged portions as foothold, she navigated her way to the outside of the vessel.