Doing Tasks for the Juggernaut

"Alright gals, we're here." Aaron stopped the truck and turned off the engine.

"Dad, you're back." Aaron's son said and walked towards the truck.

Aaron's son had dark blue hair that covered his left eye. His right eye was the color gold. You could see the strap of the eye patch he wore on his left eye. He didn't have a shirt on as he was working on a vehicle in the garage of the Juggernaut.

"Yep, the old man's got the equipment we need to upgrade resources for the shop." Aaron smiled and got out of the truck.

"Pretty big place." Mikoko said, hopping out of the trunk.

"Who are the girls?" The son pointed out.

"Ahh right. Tatsuya, meet uhm.."

"Yufumi." I smiled.

"Right right, this is Yufumi with her friends, uh..Mikoko...Shizaki...uhm...Li Mailin...and Kufka." Aaron said.

"Your memory is on the challenged side huh?" I teased.

"I ain't as young as I used to be, remembering things ain't as easy." Aaron said.

We got the car unhooked from the truck and Aaron drove the truck to the side of the garage. Tatsuya looked at the car and trailed his finger along the hood.

"An Essence Type-0. Pretty rare, something happen to it?" Tatsuya asked.

"We just ran out of gas. We were planning to get to Calaem before nightfall, but I guess we have to wait a bit longer." I said.

"Hm...seems like more than gas outage." Tatsuya opened the hood and saw a bit of smoke coming from the engine. "Hm...Engine shortage. We would need to get it replaced, might take a few hours to do so."

"Car broken?" Li Mailin asked.

"Not necessary, just need to upgrade your car from a Type-0 to the newest model Type-Z. I'll have it upgraded within a couple of hours. While I do that, could you all do some tasks for me?" Tatsuya looked at us.

"Sure, why not." I looked at him and crossed my arms awaiting the task he wants us to do.

"There have been sightings of Froststeps around the area. Since Dad can't fight anymore and my hands are always occupied, I can't find the time to handle them. I was hoping you could help me? I'll pay you. This task will cover the cost for me to fix up your car and other future tasks you wish for me to handle for you." Tatsuya said.

"Oh so like a personal mechanic? I don't see why I wouldn't accept this offer. Alright." I nodded.

"Thanks. Here's 1000 Cedi. This should be enough to get you a place to stay at the Juggernaut including items you'll want to get." Tatsuya said and handed me some cash.

"Alright. Thanks." I took the cash from his hands and he took Mikoko's map and marked the place we could find the Froststeps. "We'll be off now."

We left the Juggernaut to pursue the Froststeps on foot. We lightly jogged towards the location and I looked around. It was just a bunch of mountains and cliffs.

"The Froststeps are Ice Demons who normally roam rocky areas, preferably around areas with water as well. They are very agile and powerful, but they lack defense." Kufka said.

"Ahh. Okay." I said.

We heard growling and looked around. It was getting louder and louder then Mikoko grabbed my shoulder.

"To your right!" Mikoko said.

"Stand your ground team." Kufka said and summoned her pole arm and her dark aura appeared around her.

"Let's get the show on the road." I said and held my hand out and summoned my sword.

We ran towards the Froststeps. The Froststeps dashed towards us. I slashed and the Froststep dodged my attack and went to attack me, but I evaded the attack. Kufka yelled and slashed downward, but the Froststep blocked the strike with its blade like arms. Kufka applied more force and red lightning crackled.

"Forget it! Watch your 9 o'clock!" Mikoko pushed Kufka out the way and parried the Froststep that went to attack Kufka.

Li Mailin's purple eyes shined as she head her hand out towards one of the Froststeps and began draining their life force then the Froststep disappeared into thin air. Mikoko and I went back to back.

"How're you feeling?" I asked.

"Perfect." Mikoko said.

"Nice." I smiled and we dashed off into different directions then I spun and slashed.

"Hey! I'm one of the good guys here!" Kufka dodged my attack.

"Didn't..mean to do that." I said.

The battle ended with Mikoko dealing the final blow to the last Froststep. Shizaki healed us with potions. My sword vanished and I dusted my hands off.

"That went smoothly." I said.

"I would've liked to get that over and done with a bit quicker, but that will suffice." Kufka said.

"Now what? We report to Tatsuya?" Mikoko asked.

"Hold on. I'm getting a call." I said and answered my phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, sorry to other you, but I just got a report that a new beast was sighted. Would you mind taking care of it for us? I'll pay extra for it." Tatsuya said.

"On it." I said.

"It should be near an old distroyed red wall." Tatsuya said.

"Destroyed red wall.." I looked around then spotted it. "Ah, I see it. I'm on it now."

"Alright, thank you once again. If you get tired there should be a camp nearby." He said.

"Alright." I said and hung up.

"Who was it?" Kufka asked.

"Tatsuya, he said there was a new beast sighted. Over there." I pointed at the destroyed red wall. "We gotta take care of it."

"Ahh okay. Then let's get to it." Mikoko smacked her fist into the palm of her other hand.

We lightly jogged towards the red wall. As we travelled there I spotted the camp Tatsuya mentioned and ran towards it and the others followed.

"We can rest here." I said.

"It is getting pretty dark." Shizaki said.

"You all stay up for dinner." Li Mailin said and summoned cooking supplies, a tent, and a campfire with chairs.

Shizaki and Kufka sat in the chair and talked with one another, getting to know each other better. Mikoko sat in the furthest right chair and got on her phone. Li Mailin thought about what to make then snapped her fingers as she figured out what she wanted to make then began cooking. I helped Li Mailin make dinner. It took about 30 minutes to make what she was making.

"Ta-da! Nether Realm Special! Stewed Basil and Cinnamon Turkey!" Li Mailin smiled and set a plate on the table.

"Yum! My favorite!" Kufka got up in excitement.

We all grabbed a plate and sat around the campfire, talking and eating together. For the first time in forever I felt like I had a real family. Shizaki and Kufka teased me about how I almost hit Kufka in battle and I blushed and turned my head.

"Our right camping session together. Feels nice to relax and reflect on the day." Mikoko smiled. "I can't remember the last time I had this much fun fighting."

"Yeah that was freaking fun and so fast paced!" Kufka said.

"I couldn't even keep up with you all when I was trying to heal you." Shizaki laughed.

"You gotta be on your toes at all times." I laughed softly.

"Oh! Oh! Let's play that new game that came out! Bullet Crusade! It's a game we can play locally together." Kufka said.

"Alright." I nodded and smiled.

"I go make coffee. Who wants some?" Li Mailin asked.

"I'll take some." I smiled.

"Coffee before bed? Y'all strange." Mikoko said.

Li Mailin smiled and got up to make some coffee. While Kufka, Shizaki, and I downloaded and played Bullet Crusade. We ended up staying up all night playing the game then retreated in the tent after the last game. The next morning I was the last one awake and I crawled out the tent and yawned, rubbing my eyes. I saw Li Mailin making breakfast and I stood up.

"Good morning." I greeted to everyone.

"Sup." Mikoko said looking up at me from her chair.

"'Morning." Shizaki smiled.

"Hey." Kufka greeted.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. Breakfast almost ready." Li Mailin smiled.

I looked at every and sat down then sighed. Shizaki and Kufka were like younger sisters and Mikoko was the elder sister. Li Mailin you can guess was the mom of the group. She basically is a Guardian to Kufka so it's not too far off. Li Mailin placed a plate down and clapped her hands together, happy with the breakfast she made from the top of her head.

"Strawberry and Cinnamon Mooncakes!" Li Mailin smiled.

"You must live Cinnamon." I asked.

"It's my specialty! I love Cinnamon!" Li Mailin said as her eyes glowed.

I smiled and noticed her English was getting better the most she spoke it and listened to us speak it. We all took a plate and ate out light breakfast to get us started in the morning. After eating our breakfast, we got fully prepared to head out and Li Mailin placed a tiny portal on at the camp.

"Fast travel, very important." Li Mailin stood up and smiled at me.

"Mmm." I nodded and smiled back.

We continued our way to the red wall then Li Mailin stopped and pat Shizaki's shoulder. We stopped and Shizaki looked at Li Mailin and was handed a pistol. Shizaki took the pistol and looked at Li Mailin.

"Twilight Mark-2. A Dark Element weapon. Use to fight enemies and protect yourself in case we in danger." Li Mailin nodded.

"Thank you." Shizaki smiled.

We continued to the red wall and stopped as we approached the wall. We looked around and saw nothing. I was about to call Tatsuya.

"Hey look out!" Mikoko pulled me out of the way then dodged a slash.

"What is that thing..?" Kufka asked.

"A Spirit Ronin...a powerful samurai of the dead..." Mikoko said.

The Ronin had red aura surging from his body and wore a ripped kimono and a straw hat. He pointed his sword at us and it got in a stance.

"Look out, it's using Avatamsa!" Mikoko saw the purple aura dragon spiral around the Ronin.

The Ronin slashed and we dodged by rolling away from the Ronin. We stood up and looked at the Ronin. The Ronin turned around and let out a beastly growl.

"Alright team, get ready for a tough fight." I said.

"Yeah." Mikoko cracked her knuckles.

"Let's go!" I dashed towards the Ronin and summoned my sword.

I slashed and the Ronin parried the attack and I slashed again then the Ronin parried again and countered with a shoulder bumped, pushing me back and followed with a body flicker then kicked me away. Mikoko caught me and set me down then ran forward.

"This thing is fast.." Mikoko said. "We have to end this monster before he gets the chance to kill us."

Mikoko went for a barrage of punched, but the Ronin dodged and his after images vanished then his body flickered again and he punched Mikoko away. He followed it up with a quick slash, but Kufka blocked the slash.

"Shizaki!" I said.

"I guess that's my cue. Let the bullets fly. Gotcha!" Shizaki smirked and fired a bullet at the Ronin and landed a direct hit and he let out a pained growl and stumbled back.

I appeared in front of the Ronin and kicked him away and my eyes shined red. He crashed into the destroyed wall. The Ronin appeared in front of me and I was caught by surprise.

"Li Mailin!" I yelled.

"On it!" Li Mailin said and summoned a black magic circle and placed her hand on it and a huge destructive force of energy blew the Ronin away.

"What the hell..? He's not falling to even an attack like that?" I glared and my Demon Code shined.

The Ronin dashed towards us and red aura emerged from his eyes. He vanished. He appeared in front of Li Mailin and kicked her away then blocked Kufka's attack and kicked her away.

"Mikoko!" I yelled.

"Hmph!" Mikoko bellowed and dashed to the Ronin and punched his stomach and blew him away.

The Ronin rebounded back up and landed on his feet. Shizaki twirled her pistol and shot a bullet at the Ronin, but he deflected it back to Shizaki and it hit her leg. She cried out and fell on one knee.

"Shizaki!" Kufka yelled and went to her aid and checked up on her. "You bastard!"

Kufka got in a stance and gripped her wrist and wind blew powerfully. Red lightning was beginning to be generated and her eyes shined as she bellowed.

"This power.." Mikoko looked at Kufka.

"I'll destroy you, Demon!" Kufka dashed towards the Ronin at high speeds and bellowed and her eyes became more demon like. "Demon Technique: Dark Phantom Strike!"

She yelled and struck the Ronin and red lightning surged everywhere. She looked shocked when the Ronin gripped her wrist and threw her back towards us and appeared in front of her then went for a stab at her chest. I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of harms way then my hair covered my eyes as I grunted and my Demon Code shined brighter. I couldn't hold back my power any longer. I yelled and my yellow aura surged wildly grunted and canine teeth was sharper than usual. I growled and looked up as the sclera of my left eye was black.

"Master!" Mikoko looked worried.

"Don't...worry about me..." I panted and my Guardi formed out of my aura and I looked at the Ronin. "This Demon Code hurts my body, but I will push through and protect you all!"

"This Demon is very different.." Li Mailin said. "She using up life force to save us."

"It looks like a last resort." Mikoko said and picked up Shizaki.

"N-No I can still fight.." Shizaki said then hissed in pain because of her leg.

"M-Me too.." Kufka stood up and grunted holding her arm.

"Take them back to camp. Li Mailin I will need some assistance...knock me out..if I lose control." I said.

"A-Alright." Li Mailin nodded.

Mikoko picked Kufka up as well then ran back to camp. I looked at the Ronin and dashed to him and yelled. We clashed, but I was more powerful and I ended up pushing the Ronin back. Li Mailin summoned shadow daggers and threw them at the Ronin. The Ronin blocked the daggers then Li Mailin appeared in front of him and grabbed the dagger from the air, stabbing the dagger in his eye. I pointed and the Guardi slashed down and hit the Ronin.

"Li Mailin!" I yelled.

"My cue!" Li Mailin bellowed and transformed into her dark lord form.

Her skin was a bluish grey color and horns grew from her head. She was wearing a succubus attire that showed mostly skin and demon wings emerged from her back along with a demon tail coming from her lower back. Her eyes turned red and the scleras turned black in both of her eyes.

"What the f--"

"With the voice of the shadows, I envoke my true power!" Li Mailin held out both her hands and a black magic circle appeared and dark aura surged from it. "Ultimate Arts: Maleficium!"

Li Mailin bellowed and fired a huge beam of darkness at the Ronin and the Ronin roared in pain then faded into ashes slowly. The magic circle shattered and the beam vanished. Li Mailin landed on the ground and turned normal then her trenchcoat appeared on her person again.

"Whoa..that was uh...interesting." I said and turned normal as well.

"Fufu...you saw my real powers...You be honored!" Li Mailin giggled.

Yep and back to the old Li Mailin. I smiled nervously and sighed I called Tatsuya to tell him that the task was done. He thanked me in advance once more then I hung up. We made our way back to camp to rest then go back to the Juggernaut. Li Mailin lightly pushed me and I smiled and rolled my eyes. Through those battles we began to get more in sync with one another and our bonds have deepened.