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Chapter 14 - Chapter 12: An Unlikely Alliance

Talking

[I apologize for the delay! I was trying to broaden the music I use for my stories and I've found a TON that fit, so look forward to music just as epic as the up-and-coming fight with Shalltear—or is it going to be her? Stay tuned and find out!]

A Few Miles from the Re-Estize Kingdom: Inside Sesshōmaru's Royal Carriage

Sesshōmaru's POV

My gaze remained fixed on the passing trees outside the carriage window, the rhythmic thud of the yōkai steeds' hooves a consistent beat against the road. Beyond, a legion of my elite warriors marched, their black and gold armor, adorned with subtle demonic motifs, glinting under the afternoon sun. They were my personal guard, formidable and disciplined, escorting Ragyō and me to the Re-Estize Kingdom. This conveyance, a sleek design from a realm far beyond this one, glided with an unnatural smoothness, barely disturbing the stillness within.

I had always found the juxtaposition of black and gold to be... efficient, precise. It seemed Ragyō shared this appreciation. I shifted my attention to her, observing her relaxed posture in the seat, the intricate dress I had fashioned for her flowing around her, hinting at the dangerous curves beneath.

Ragyō: "My Lord, where did you acquire this vehicle? I have never encountered a carriage of such refined make, even in the most advanced sectors. I find myself quite... desirous of one."

I regarded the one who stood beside me, Ragyō Kiryūin—a being whose very essence was interwoven with the Life Fibers I had encountered in her former domain, a woman whose will was as unyielding as her beauty.

"If it is to your liking, it can be arranged."

Ragyō's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile. She leaned her head against my shoulder, a deliberate, almost possessive gesture, her soft hair brushing my cheek.

Ragyō: "What could I possibly have done to merit such... attention?"

My head turned slightly, my lips brushing her forehead, a cool touch against her warm skin. "You revealed the depths of human folly when confronted with the unknown, and the means to impose order upon it."

I felt Ragyō lift her head, her eyes, usually so calculating, now holding a faint, almost hungry glint. My thoughts drifted to her past, to the raw, untamed power of the Life Fibers that had once consumed her, twisting her ambition into a grotesque obsession. I had witnessed the unraveling of her grand design, the self-destructive path she had carved by sacrificing everything, even her own kin, to fuse with a cosmic entity. My intervention was not one of 'saving' in the human sense, but of redirecting a potent force, of bringing a semblance of calculated purpose to her boundless, chaotic energy. She had been a magnificent, terrifying weapon, destined to self-destruct. I merely offered a different path, a more... disciplined form of control.

(She is one of the very few who comprehends the true nature of my existence, and the realms from which I hail. I laid bare the absolute truth of her origins, the intricate dance of Life Fibers that defined her, the cosmic hunger that drove her. Even as I revealed the raw, unadulterated memories of her past, the sheer, unyielding ambition that had driven her to the brink of self-annihilation, I observed her reaction. She had been a tool, yes, but one that had sought to wield its own destiny, only to be consumed by it. I merely offered a different path, a more... disciplined form of control.)

My right hand, with a deliberate motion, encircled her waist, drawing her closer until the faint warmth of her Life Fiber-infused essence permeated my robe. Her own right hand settled on my chest, a palpable current of energy flowing from her palm, making the very air around us hum with suppressed power.

"There is no need for such trivial gratitude. I merely corrected a significant imbalance. I could not allow—"

My words were cut short as Ragyō's lips descended upon mine, a slow, sensual French kiss that bespoke both calculated intent and raw desire. I felt the soft, almost probing brush of her tongue against my teeth, exploring, asserting. Her lips, thin and precise, molded against mine, drawing me into a deepening vacuum of sensation.

"Mmmph... (She seeks to assert her will. A predictable, yet effective, tactic.)"

Ragyō: (Indeed. Do you intend to resist?) Her voice, a silken whisper in my mind, seemed to slide over every nerve ending.

"Hmph. (A flicker of something akin to annoyance, quickly suppressed. No. More.)"

My eyes, usually impassive, held a faint glint as I met her peach-colored gaze. A subtle shift occurred within me, a yielding not of weakness, but of a calculated allowance for the immense power she invoked. My hand moved, tracing the intricate curves of her hip, acknowledging the raw power that pulsed beneath her skin, the life fibers subtly shifting with her intent. I felt her soft hands, infused with Life Fibers, glide beneath my robe, seeking bare skin. The sudden, cool contact of her fingers against my abdomen elicited a subtle tremor, a purely physical reaction, and I heard a low, throaty chuckle rumble from her throat.

(This female... she understands the nature of power, and how to wield it. She uses her own against me. A curious development.)

Ragyō: (You are susceptible to potent displays of power. How... amusing.) Her mental voice, laced with a predatory purr, was almost as stimulating as her physical touch.

I felt her hands descend further, tearing the sturdy fabric of my hakama with a decisive rip that echoed faintly in the enclosed space, the brass button clattering against the carriage wall. My expression remained impassive, though a faint, almost imperceptible tightening around my eyes betrayed a hint of anticipation. She slid her hand into my loincloth, her fingers, cool and smooth, closing around the rigid length of me, now fully aroused and thrumming with blood. She chuckled again, a low, throaty sound that resonated in my chest, then pulled back from the kiss just enough to murmur, her breath warm against my lips:

Ragyō: "Now. Prove your worth."

Her eyes, now glowing with a faint, crimson hue, fixed on mine as she knelt before me. With an elegant, almost theatrical motion, she pulled down the top of her dress, exposing her full, pale breasts, their tips already firm. Then, with a swift, almost violent jerk, she pulled my hakama down further, my hardness springing free to lightly brush her cheek.

Ragyō: "Hehehe. Let us begin."

She took hold of her breasts, their soft weight molding around my shaft, sandwiching my dick between them. I looked down, seeing the base of me still uncovered by her flesh, only by shadow. A low, guttural growl rumbled in my chest as she began, her lips descending to the exposed tip.

Ragyō: "Ahhhhhmmmm~ slurp, slurp, slurp"

She began to draw on the exposed tip, her lips forming a perfect seal, creating a powerful suction that pulled me further into her cleavage. Strands of her essence, shimmering faintly with Life Fiber energy, seemed to connect her lips to her breasts, creating a liquid, dynamic display. Her movements were precise, deliberate, a masterful titillation that sent a jolt of raw pleasure, like a cold current, through every nerve ending in my body. I felt my hips involuntarily twitch, my control fraying at the edges. I neared the precipice, a low, desperate sound escaping my throat, a sound I rarely uttered. She pulled away, the sudden loss of suction a jolt, but before I could react, she shifted, pulling her dress higher. I looked down, my gaze falling upon her, utterly exposed. Her inner thighs were bare, glistening faintly. A faint, almost imperceptible tightening in my jaw was the only outward sign of my profound reaction to the sight. Ragyō's lips curved into a slow, predatory smile, her eyes never leaving mine.

(A bold display. She seeks to dominate. Very well.)

Ragyō: (You are intrigued. Good. Now, experience true submission.) Her mental voice, a silken promise, wrapped around my thoughts.

I watched as Ragyō's tongue flicked across her lips, a gesture of eager anticipation. With the effortless grace of a true predator, she moved onto the seat beside me, her hands resting on my shoulders for support. Slowly, deliberately, she lowered herself onto my hardened length, a shimmering wetness preceding her. I felt her moist essence engulf me, a tight, almost suffocating embrace that began at the tip and slowly, excruciatingly, worked its way down. The wetness, the tightness, the friction, the squelching sound of our bodies meeting filled the carriage. She finally settled halfway, and I felt a tender spot on my tip, eliciting a sharp, breathless gasp from her.

Ragyō: "AAhhhn!!~💘"

A deep, crimson flush spread across her face, her eyes half-lidded, a raw, unbridled pleasure emanating from her very being. The very air around us shimmered, a profound distortion of reality as Ragyō's Life Fiber manipulation intensified, responding directly to her escalating desire. Black, sinuous constructs, woven from pure, writhing Life Fibers, erupted from her lower back, grasping her thighs with surprising force, and began to pound her down onto me with rough, insistent rhythm. With each visceral thrust, her eyes slowly rolled back, lost in the sensation, a guttural groan escaping her throat.

Ragyō: "A-a-ahhhh phap ahhhhh! whap YES!!! Fuck wap ME! gasp YES!!! Right THERE!! plap Yes... plap yes! smack YESHHH!!!!"

I observed Ragyō's face, now a mask of pure ecstasy, her lips slightly parted, a faint sheen of perspiration on her brow, a thin line of drool tracing her jaw. As she believed the pleasure could not intensify further, I began to move, my own rhythm asserting itself, a relentless pounding that met her every thrust, driving her deeper onto my shaft. All I heard was her low, delighted giggles, interspersed with desperate moans, as she fully surrendered to her desires, her body convulsing around me. I continued the mindless rhythm, my hands reaching for her breasts, my fingers closing around their fullness, pinching and pulling at her nipples until they hardened into exquisite points, transforming her into nothing more than a drooling, quivering mess beneath me. I felt her inner walls clench, a powerful spasm around my shaft, and a deep growl rumbled from my chest.

"Ragyō! I-I am reaching my limit!!!~❤️"

Ragyō: "INSIDE!! Fill me! FILL ME COMPLETELY, MY LORD!~🖤🖤🖤🖤" Her voice was a ragged plea, commanding and desperate.

A deep, primal groan tore from my throat as I released my substantial essence within Ragyō, a hot, pulsing torrent that filled her to the brim. She twitched, spasmed, her body convulsing with the sheer force of her climax, before collapsing onto me, breathless and sated. I withdrew, my body thrumming with spent energy, then pulled her into a tight embrace. She responded with a sloppy, uninhibited French kiss, her tongue darting, tasting, as if obsessed with the very essence of me.

"Hmph. A potent experience. I have no regrets."

Ragyō whispered in my ear, her voice still laced with a sensual huskiness, the lingering tremor of her orgasm.

Ragyō: "giggles as I readjust my dress, using my Life Fiber manipulation to draw the still-dripping essence from my crotch We wouldn't want to waste any of your precious essence. She consumes the remaining essence with a delicate slurp, her lips parting slightly after."

I regarded her actions, an almost imperceptible tightening in my jaw, a subtle clenching of my fist.

"Ragyō. Cease this display."

She merely laughed, a cold, amused sound, pushing herself up slightly to look at me, her eyes shining with triumph.

Ragyō: "Oh, but you are quite... fascinating when overcome."

My gaze remained fixed, a silent dismissal, a warning etched into my features.

"Continue this, and you will regret it."

She began to stir, a predatory glint in her eyes, like a lioness preparing to pounce once more. But just as the encounter threatened to resume, the carriage halted. I heard a female warrior's voice from outside the door, crisp and formal.

Royal Guard: "My apologies for the interruption, My Lord, but you instructed us to inform you upon our arrival outside the kingdom."

Ragyō: "Such a pity. It was just becoming... enlightening."

I produced an item from my spatial storage. It read:

(Amulet of Serenity: Dispels lingering effects of spiritual or biological manipulation, restoring clarity and composure.)

I crushed it in my hand, its subtle energy flowing through me, dispelling the last vestiges of the intense pleasure, returning my usual unwavering composure. I offered one to Ragyō; she, too, crushed it. Her form, still damp with our recent passion, was instantly cleansed, her attire settling perfectly into place, leaving no trace of the exquisite chaos.

"Are you prepared?"

Ragyō gave a subtle nod, her regal posture and formidable aura returning in full force. I prepared to meet King Ramposa III.

The Kingdom of Re-Estize: The Throne Room

3rd POV

The royal family of the Re-Estize Kingdom, along with their noblemen and women, were assembled in the throne room, deliberating on the new domain Gazef had discovered—a domain of peculiar power and an unseen order.

Ramposa: "Then we are in agreement that the treaty between our kingdoms is a great opportunity for good relations between our people?"

All in attendance nodded as the prince spoke, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Prince Barbro: "Father, are you absolutely certain what this commoner says is true?"

Ramposa turned his head to his son, his eyes narrowing, his patience thin. "Do you suggest that the Chief Warrior's words, along with the men who accompanied him, are baseless?"

Barbro flinched in his seat. "N-no, Father, I just simply find it hard to believe a single man can be—"

knock, knock

Ramposa gestured. A guard approached the massive door, grasped its ornate handle, and swung it inward. As it opened, a haunting, ethereal chorus, unlike any melody known to the humans present, resonated through the throne room, seeming to vibrate in the very stones of the castle. They looked to see a figure, clad in a pristine white and gold robe, step into view, his presence cold and commanding.

As the figure advanced, many of the more base men in attendance found their eyes drawn to the two rows of twenty attendants flanking him, their unusual attire hinting at their formidable power, each wielding an implement of Life Fiber manipulation that pulsed with a faint, organic light. Behind them stood male and female yōkai warriors, formidable and unyielding, clad in black armor with gold and silver inlays, standing at rigid attention at the door. As they finally reached the throne, the attendants knelt, and a voice, resonant and clear, announced:

Sesshōmaru's Emissary: "May I humbly introduce, Lord Sesshōmaru!"

Sesshōmaru's POV

As I entered the throne room with Ragyō by my side, clad in my battle robes that seemed to shimmer with an inner light, I addressed Gazef with a subtle inclination of my head.

"Knight Gazef. You have returned."

Gazef descended from the throne, extending his hand in a gesture of respect, his expression earnest. I met it with a firm, brief grasp, my touch cool against his.

Gazef: "As have you, My Lord. And who is this formidable lady?"

I stepped back, allowing Ragyō to present herself, her posture impeccable, her very presence radiating an almost palpable aura of power. "This is Ragyō Kiryūin, the one who stands beside me."

Ragyō performed a graceful, almost condescending bow, her skirt rustling faintly, her voice a silken, regal tone that commanded attention.

Ragyō: "I thank you, Sir Gazef. You possess a certain... boldness. My Lord has spoken of your capabilities, and I confess, I find myself curious to witness them in action."

Gazef gave a respectful nod, though a faint hint of unease flickered in his eyes. "I would be honored, Your Highness."

As Gazef stepped aside, I observed Ramposa rise from his throne, his gaze steady.

Ramposa: "Welcome, Lord Sesshōmaru. I am pleased you have come."

"Indeed. I trust Gazef has conveyed my purpose here?"

Ramposa: "Yes, he recounted your tales in Carne, and I must ask, is it true?"

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched my lips, a fleeting shadow across my impassive face. "Then how about this: a demonstration of strength, between myself and Gazef?"

Ramposa looked to Gazef, who gave a confirming nod, his loyalty unwavering. Ramposa then led us to the expansive courtyard. Along the way, the prince, Barbro, interjected, his youthful arrogance barely concealed.

Prince Barbro: "Lord Sesshōmaru, if you would permit, may I join in this match?"

Ramposa began to protest, a worried frown on his face, but I spoke first, my voice level, devoid of emotion.

"Of course. Though, to be entirely forthright, the two of you may endure for mere minutes."

As I uttered this, I noted the prince's annoyance, his jaw tightening, though he held his tongue. Soon, we arrived at the massive courtyard. Three knights were already present, each holding a spare sword. The three of us approached, took hold of the blades, and moved to opposing sides of the large grassy area within their beautiful botanical gardens. I held my sword at my side, one hand behind my back, my posture one of quiet readiness, as I heard Gazef speak, his voice a plea.

Gazef: "My Lord, please, show us mercy."

But Barbro's voice, shrill with youthful arrogance, cut him off.

Barbro: "No! I demand you come at us with full strength!"

I gave a subtle nod, my eyes unblinking, settling into a poised, unyielding stance that spoke of ancient, perfected combat. Gazef and Barbro adopted their own fighting stances, more conventional, less fluid than my own. Before I lunged, I simply stated, my voice clear and absolute:

"There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent."

3rd POV

As Sesshōmaru spoke, his words hanging in the air, Barbro rushed forward with a flurry of attacks, his blade a blur, aimed at the demon lord. But the prince immediately found Sesshōmaru's movements a blur, a whisper of motion, effortlessly evading each frantic strike as if dancing through a gentle breeze.

Prince Barbro: (Wh-what?! He's dodging my attacks! How is this possible?!) His mind reeled, his confidence faltering.

As Prince Barbro attempted a wild, downward slash, leaving his midsection exposed, Sesshōmaru's blade flashed—a silver streak too fast for the eye to follow—striking his abdomen with a precise, chilling impact. The prince gasped, a sharp, choked sound, his body folding in on itself as he doubled over, clutching his stomach, his face pale with pain and disbelief. As Sesshōmaru stepped back, his posture as unyielding as before, the crowd of noblemen and women, along with the guard knights, gasped audibly. Sesshōmaru's voice, cold and clear, cut through the sudden silence.

Sesshōmaru: "Overconfidence is a warrior's worst nightmare."

Sesshōmaru stepped back further, his right hand, still holding the sword, moving behind his back with effortless grace. His blade became a silver arc, deflecting Gazef's powerful attack with casual ease, barely a tremor in his stance.

Gazef: "You haven't forgotten about me, have you? Martial Art: Whirlwind Flurry!!"

As Gazef uttered the technique, he charged at Sesshōmaru with immense speed, a whirlwind of steel, slashing in all directions with formidable power. But Sesshōmaru met each blow with unflinching precision, his own blade a counter-blur, deflecting, parrying, redirecting every strike, then unleashing a counter-flurry of his own, a series of blindingly fast, precise cuts that Gazef could only desperately deflect, his own sword clashing against Sesshōmaru's with desperate energy.

With a final, decisive strike, Sesshōmaru's blade connected with Gazef's chest guard, sending the warrior flying across the field. Gazef hit a stone wall with a heavy grunt, a trickle of blood at his lip. As he looked up, his vision swimming, he saw Sesshōmaru standing over him, his blade point resting precisely at his throat. Sesshōmaru's golden eyes remained impassive, devoid of triumph or malice, as he slowly withdrew the sword.

Sesshōmaru: "You fought adequately, Gazef. You and the prince lack true discipline. Should you prove worthy, I may consider your tutelage."

Gazef, despite his pain, managed to rise, bowing respectfully, a new glint of determination in his eyes. "I would be honored, My Lord."

Sesshōmaru gave a subtle nod, then turned his golden gaze to the prince, who was now slowly, painfully, rising.

Sesshōmaru: "Prince Barbro, are you capable of standing?"

The prince nodded, then chuckled weakly, a bitter taste in his mouth.

Prince Barbro: "You wanted me out of the fight so you wouldn't harm me, and from what I just saw, I'm definitely glad you chose to push me out of the way. A prince such as myself shouldn't be so reckless, and I apologize."

Sesshōmaru: (A flicker of self-awareness. Rare for a human.)

As everyone clapped with a wondrous round of applause, a sense of awe palpable in the courtyard, King Ramposa approached, his expression a mixture of relief and profound respect.

King Ramposa: "Now, shall we continue with the treaty, Lord Sesshōmaru?"

Sesshōmaru turned, his presence commanding as he moved toward the king, his white robe flowing around him. As they stood side by side, their silhouettes merged against the fading light, a silent testament to a nascent alliance between vastly different powers. As the scene faded to black, Sesshōmaru's voice resonated, cold and absolute, carrying the weight of his conviction:

"May this treaty bring order to a world consumed by chaos."

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