The Oni Slayers: Chapter 19

A black haired oni with aquamarine eyes woke from his slumber. His claws scratched his head and smoothed out the back of his hair. A lesser oni came running to his side. “Lord Makito, a messenger has reported that Digger has fallen,” reported the oni. “Digger? Sounds like good news. Couldn’t stand him in the first place,” complained the black haired oni. “Lord Kokusui demands an audience with the remaining lords at his hall to discuss urgent matters,” the oni added. Makito smoothed his tunic and stood up from his bed. “Ready the carriage. And fetch me my cape. Ice Country is a freezing hell. I don’t want to come home with a cold.”

The Ice King waited in his private study. The white walls were decorated with black and blue banners. A number of books were enclosed in a glass case lined against the wall by the door. Across from the door was a large table lined with an assortment of crystals and more books. On the wall behind the desk hung a banner with a sigil of a wolf. An oni dressed in black and blue robes came to address the king. “My lord, all the lords have arrived with exception of the Iron King.” “We will begin without the Iron King.”

Kokusui had hair as blue as the frosty glaciers of Ice Country. The long hairs that ran down his neck and onto his bare shoulders were adorned with an assortment of glass beads, a symbol of royalty. His long pointy ears were pierced with obsidian studs. He wore a black sleeveless drape tunic that reached his knees and cinched at the waist with an obi. The silver necklaces Kokusui wore draped over his tunic looked like a scarf of silver fibers. His slender pale hands embellished with onyx and silver rings lay folded on the black marble table of the meeting room.

The long table were seated with oni lords and heads of families. Only one seat reserved for the Iron King was empty. Sitting closest to Kokusui was Natsu from the Kingdom of the Nine Suns. His flaming orange bangs were brushed to the side and concealed half of his pointed face. His ears were also heavily pierced like Kokusui. He wore a chain and ear cuff on his left ear. The black kohl around his eyes made him look fierce, but refined. His sleeveless red and black robe embroidered with a three legged crow was tied together with a thick golden sash. Across from Natsu was Makito from the Kingdom of the Dark Forest in a bamboo green high collared vest. He too put on silver piercings in the form of ear cuffs and twiddled his thumbs as he waited for the meeting to begin.

“Today I thank all the lords and heads of the households for coming,” Kokusui began. “We have pressing matters to go over concerning the demon realm. We have been fortunate enough to stop the Tsuchigumo from coming into the west. Three days ago, I was informed that the Tsuchigumo named Digger has fallen and the rule over the eastern lands has been relinquished.” A murmur slipped among the table. “It has been brought to my concern that the Thunder Hand has also been taken down.” The room hushed and raised the volume of interest. “The Thunder Hand has been unstoppable by Digger’s side. He has cleared legions of resistance on his own,” one lord spoke up. “Who could be that strong to take these two giants down?” another wondered aloud. Kokusui brought his crossed hands to his mouth and then laid them on the marble table. The room was running with questions and unrest. He took a slow inhale and spoke. “My sources have alerted me of three humans.” The entire room went into uproar after hearing about the human existence. “What of these humans?” asked Natsu who had been silent this entire time. “Digger is confirmed to be dead and last they saw was a winged human leaving the scene. The Thunder Hand appears to be captured by the same humans for what purpose we don’t know. The Capital City for all we know now is swarming with Tsuchigumo looking to retake the throne.”

“If they can take down a tyrant with only three people, I’m not too sure what kind of humans they are. A winged human? Surely they haven’t evolved as a species to start sprouting feathers,” Natsu commented. “This immense strength they have to take down the Thunder Hand, who knows what their next target is set to be.” “Maybe they wanna start taking us out,” said Makito who was now leaning back in his chair. “After all didn’t some other human stir up something here?” “You mean Kurogami Makoto?” asked Natsu. “That is also the other human I want to discuss about,” said Kokusui. “He sought audience with some oni outside our jurisdiction. Some of our own are starting to rebel.” “They took those darn pills!” Interrupted one lord. “Lord Yami do you have something to say?” asked Kokusui. “Some oni under the Yami Family territory had gotten hold of those pills and went berserk. They attack their own and I heard that some have rumored to have entered the human world,” incited Lord Yami. “Lord Jinmu, you also appear to have something to add,” said Kokusui. “The human Kurogami Makoto, I have heard rumors that there is some kind of cult associated with that person. Something about joining our world and their world together,” said Lord Jinmu. “I don’t trust this human or the other humans.” “I agree.”

The entire room filled with serious chatter. Seeing that the uproar of concern grew, Kokusui silenced them. “Kurogami Makoto is not to be trusted. He brought what he called an evolution panacea into our lands. I’m sure you have witnessed the effects of this so called miracle. The oni that ingests the substance gains power, but loses enough sanity to lose control. All these thousands of years, there is only, but one thing that can grant a demon immense power.” The dreaded silence filled the room. Natsu spoke up. “The consuming of human flesh,” he said calmly. “We all know and as lords of our kingdoms, we have enforced this for thousands of years. We know in our blood that it renders us delusional and mad with power. The consumption of humans is forbidden,” commended Kokusui. “At the same time, we cannot let these humans roam to do as they please.” The lords all nodded their heads in unison. “I hereby declare that all trespassing humans will be captured as prisoners. Any resistance will be met with death. Is that understood?”

The meeting room cleared and was left with Kokusui, Natsu, and Makito. One of the servants closed the door and left them alone. “My messenger also mentioned one more thing,” said Kokusui. “They said they saw an oni with the three humans.” “It could be the same type of oni meeting with the same lot as this Kurogami fellow,” said Natsu. “They haven’t confirmed it, but the messenger said it was the Death Scythe,” said Kokusui. At this, Natsu’s stare hardened. “The Death Scythe ... he should have been dead for a hundred years.” “I don’t know what impact it may have on us, but I thought you would like to know,” said Kokusui. “Whether or not it was the Death Scythe,” said Natsu. “He is not my concern anymore.” “I don’t know about you guys, but these humans look like they want to start a war. I’m all up for some fun, but I can’t guarantee what they can do. I mean if even the Thunder Hand was defeated ...” Makito chimed in. “It all depends on how we act. As long as the kingdoms stick together, we will be invincible,” said Kokusui.

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