Fujioka, Hideo's Story

Rapsodía - a vast magical kingdom existed in a foreign world, is known by no inhabitant of our own world. For thousands of years, the kingdom has thrived and prospered under the sovereignty of its' many wise and just generations of rulers. It had gained the utmost of harmony and tranquility between humans and nature. Truly a utopia where anyone could dream to live in. It may very well remain like that for eternity to come, if not for the existence of its' bloodthirsty destructors...

They are called as the Thoryvós. No citizen of Rapsodía know where they originated from, or how they have existed. All that were known about them are that they are vicious creatures that came from all shapes and sizes, they cannot be harmed by normal means of weapons, their behaviors are unpredictable, their population is immeasurable. These monsters have claimed precious lands from humans and created their own territories. They have maimed and killed countless of lives, leaving humanity hopeless against them. Is there any hope for humankind, or will they have to accept their demise?

It was here that a mysterious black flower came into this world. It had guided the rulers of Rapsodía to search and find the artifacts - relics holding magnificent power that had existed even before existence itself and taught humans how to wield them in combat through means of songs and intonation. And thanks for its' help, human had effectively warded themselves against the sinister Thoryvós, slowly advancing against them, and reclaimed what they have lost. The battle between the two races would went on like that for centuries. The black flower was nowhere to be seen again, but Rapsodíans will not let its' contribution to be forgotten, and made the black flower the proud emblem of their kingdom.

After the Divas and Divos accepted the offer of the black flower, they were transported into random places throughout the kingdom. Of course, it would be natural for them to feel shocked and surprised in this new world. They wandered from whence they stood, gaining questioning and strange looks from the people. But eventually, they were found by the soldiers of the ruler of this world - Queen Ardelia. They took them to her palace, situated right in the center of the kingdom, where she welcomed them with open arms, explained them of their new duties and granted them sanctuary right in her castle.

It has been a year since then. They have spent their times mastering their artifacts, getting accustomed to the world of Rapsodía and its' people and fighting against the Thoryvós, though apparently, many questions still troubling them. They have successfully defended the people from any prominent threat caused by those monstrosities. Even though the citizens look at them with disdain at first because of their differences, they are now revered as heroes, being respected by almost everyone, both nobles and peasants alike. But some had grow envious of what they have achieved. Which is why, they have to be cautious with those around them as well.

And so we begin our story. As of now, the Divas and Divos are staying as residents of the Queen's palace. Life was much different in comparison with their old world, but it was comfortable, to say the least. In a way, they also seemed to get on well with each other and stayed ever loyal to Queen Ardelia. Some news about an outbreak of Thoryvós had just reached them, and before they could pose much of a threat for the people, the Queen is about to send them on another mission of their lives again.

Kohaku stood and waited quietly, with his arms crossed. It is obvious that this is going to be another mission to stop a prominent threat caused by an army of Thoryvós or two before they could do much harm to the people living in the surrounding. But where would we be sent to this time? He secretly wondered. Rapsodía is so vast that it has all sorts of terrains and areas one could possibly think of. They have climbed mountain, walked through freezing snow fields, tried to stand still against raging sandstorms in deserts, and much more. What seemed to be intriguing is the fact that different types of lands will have different kinds of Thoryvós. It's pretty much like those role-playing games Kohaku used to play back in the old world, if he was to make a comparison.

More often than not, some maids or servants would be passing by, giving him curtsy or bowing, as he just nodded to them. He had never been in such a well-respected position like this before, as everyone he once knew before looked at him with nothing but scornful eyes. He doesn't really know whether he should feel privileged or uncomfortable. But after all, it's not something that they don't deserve. They have gone through great perils for the sake of this world and its' people, despite their being at odds with them at first due to their differences.

His colleagues soon arrive one by one afterward. First were Ren and Hideo, two people who are his countrymen back on Earth. When Ren greeted him, he smiled lightly and nodded to the boy in return. But as for Hideo, the guy just turned his face away the moment they lock their gaze. Perhaps he just doesn't like him, for reasons he couldn't think of. But they didn't have any conflict with each other and would work well together when the situation calls for it, so Kohaku thinks it's best to just leave things like that, for now.

The next one was Aria, the cheerful and energetic girl. He nodded and smiled to her as she greeted him, "Good morning, Zwei." Out of everyone else, it seems she was the one to be fond of him the most. Of course, Kohaku could never hope to be as optimistic like her, but at least, treated her the same way. Weiss and Emma arrived soon afterward and they, well, just like usual. Weiss was calm and collected and kept to herself, while Emma and Ren got along well. It seemed that they made up quite an unique team, but the sad fact seems to be that aside from whenever engaging in combat, they aren't that close when it comes to anything else.

When Emma asked them if they know why were they called so early in the morning, Kohaku calmly replied, "I believe it would just like usual, so just get your artifact ready." Then, he straightened himself up and walked up to the huge door, "Everyone is here now, let's see what our Queen got to intrigue us." He knocked on the door, and when the person inside had allowed them to walk in, he opened the door wide as he walked in first.

Standing with her back turned as she watched the scenery outside of the huge window behind her working desk, Queen Ardelia still seems to exude an elegant and mysterious, yet powerful aura, as usual. Bowed respectfully to her, Kohaku spoke up, "We Divas and Divos have all arrived. You have called for us, Your Majesty?"

"As a matter of fact, yes." The Queen turned her back and faced them with a smile, "It has been a year since you all came to this world, I believe you all have a lot to say?"

"It was... shocking at first, if I had to be honest. But I think I've pretty much gotten used to how this world work. It is an honor to be under your service, Your Majesty." Kohaku respectfully said. She nodded and listened to everyone else when they talked about their experience.

"You all have very interesting points of view, I believe. And I can say that it is also a blessing for me to have wonderful lieutenants like you under my command." Ardelia expressed her opinion before sat down at her desk, "Now, let us back to the main point of this meeting. One of my messengers from a city to the West of the kingdom, called Iremía, had reported of an ancient cave situated within a forest in the outskirt of the city. The strange part about it is that the entrance to the cave, which had been sealed for a very long time, had been opened for some unknown reasons. People said that they saw unearthly creatures roaming in that cave."

The Queen paused for a moment to let her information sink in, before continuing, "There is a high chance this cave is a potential Thoryvós' hideout. If this is the case, then the lives of the people are in danger. That is why, I want you to travel to Iremía to investigate this cave, eliminate any monsters in sight, and reported back to me of what you have found. I have told Adelheid to go and select some of my most elite soldiers to aid you on your journey. Please go and prepare anything you may need and be ready to leave by midday. As always, I place my trust in the six of you. I wish you the best of luck and may you all return in one piece."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Kohaku bowed to the Queen.

After the meeting with the Queen, everyone retreated back to their rooms in order to get everything they needed prepared for the upcoming journey to Iremía, a city lying to the West of the kingdom. Iremía, huh? That's going to be quite a long trip from here. Kohaku thought as he pondered over their designated place where their mission will take place. He had taken a look at a couple of maps showing the whole kingdoms before. On a whole, Rapsodía might be as big as the Europe continent back on Earth, and Iremía situates near the West polar. It's going to take at least 3 days to get there if they travel by horse.

When Kohaku is back to his room, he took the map he kept on the bookshelf of his room and studied the route there carefully. After being skimming through what they have to passed to get there, he then proceeded to prepare this things. It's a habit of him to be meticulous in everything that he does, after all. Just like any other mission in the past year, Kohaku is always the one to prepare everything and be readied for any problem that could possibly turn up. There's no guarantee if they could run into a group of bandits, or an army of Thoryvós on their way. Things would have been a lot easier if there is something like airship in this world or something. He sheepishly thought

Most of the clothes he had were specifically made by the tailors working in the castle. He's not comfortable wearing tradition clothes in Rapsodía for nobles, because they're simply too flashy for his taste. So, he had the them making his clothes strictly based on the style of the uniform he wears when he comes to this world. That's also what Kohaku wears whenever they engaged in combat. Of course, they have no defensive means to them whatsoever, but it's a lot easier to move and to dodge than being slowed down by some heavy armors that the soldiers wear.

After finishing with the clothes, he proceeded with other things, like some special remedies he learned to make from the herbalists in the castle, and maps. Everything else they needed probably had been sorted by the convoy who accompany them to the specific city. "Okay, everything's ready." He said to himself after all the packing up is done. Then, he held Yasakani no Magatama in his hand. The artifact has been his closest companion ever since he become a Divo. Putting it on his wrist, Kohaku begins to sing.

"終わらない雨の中で抱きしめて

貴方が答えを隠しているのなら

変わらない声でどうか囁いて

壊れた心をせめて包んで."

As soon as his song began, silver linings appeared and wrapped around his arm, slowly materializing a long, broad sword. With it, hundreds of Thoryvós had fallen before him. It had also saved his and the others' lives countless of times. Please, lend me your strength once again. He prayed quietly.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the floor. When he stops singing, the sword also disappeared. "You may come in." He said to whoever was standing outside. And it turned out to be another familiar face. "Your singing voice is as beautiful as always, Lord Vier." Walked in was a young, red-haired man wearing the uniform of the Imperial Army.

"I appreciate your compliment, Sir Wilbert." Kohaku picked up the suitcase which he had put all of his stuffs in, then turned to look at the Head Commander, "But please, refrain from telling another man like me that he's 'beautiful'. I don't want to make an enemy out of every lady of this kingdom."

"Oh, how you jest. That just makes you more charismatic." Wilbert said almost in a flirtatious manner. Kohaku let out a sigh. Aside from the Queen, Wilbert is another person from this world whom he can place his trust in. It was thanks to him that he had gotten to know about this world a lot easier. In a way, he can considered him a friend. But he really wish that he would seize with all the flirting whenever Kohaku is around.

"So, you are one of those 'elites' that Her Majesty ordered to accompany us?" Kohaku asked.

"It's my pleasure, Lord Vier." Wilbert replied with a dramatic bow, "Now, I think it's time we set off. It's going to be a long journey to get to Iremía. Shall we go and see if everyone is ready?"

And so, Kohaku carried his luggage as both him and Wilbert made their way to Weiss' room first, since her room was the closest to his. Knocking on the door, he asked politely, "Sechs-san, it's me. Have you finished packing?"

While Kohaku is waiting for Weiss to collect her belongings and walk out from her room, he just stood idly with his back leaned against the wall and his arms crossed, and chatting with Wilbert about some trivial matters that are going on around Rapsodia. It's always a good thing to kept yourself informed of what is going on in the world. Two of the suitcases that he brought along are full of stuffs and Wilbert had asked to carry them for him, though Kohaku just kindly declined, as he wasn't that weak to not capable of handling his own things. Though he must admit, the Head Commander really lives up to his reputation as a gentleman, if it wasn't for his flirtatious antics, that is.

"So, the artifact simulation project has been making good progress under the supervision of Her Majesty, huh? When do you think it will be put under experimentation?" Kohaku asked.

"We still have a long way to go. Of course, even if we are success, our results can never match a real artifact or fully capable of what an artifact can do, but it will surely bring forward a great advantage for us humankind in the endless war." Wilbert replied with a smile while brushed his hand through Kohaku's hair, "I too, am looking forward to fighting alongside you one day, Lord Vier."

"And I you, Sir Wilbert. At least it's good to hear that we are actually getting somewhere in all of this bloodshed. After all, what matters most is the peace for the people." Kohaku calmly said.

A couple of months ago, after the Divas and Divos accomplished a Thoryvós exterminating mission in an ancient temple to the South, they found out that it was also a storage full of texts and tools which had never be found before. The Queen had sent archaeologists to excavate the site and had retrieved precious materials, which unveiled to them many answers to the mysteries of the artifacts. One of them is the technique to replicate their capability of destroying the monsters.

Queen Ardelia has started a project named Antigrafís where she is currently in the process of deciphering the texts along with her scholars. But everything is still in theoretic phase. They are making progress, but it will still be a long way before it can become reality. This project still remains as a secret for the rest of the kingdom, saves the six of them and some other high-ranked members of the Royal Council, which included Wilbert. But as of now, Kohaku didn't think that his colleagues are interested in it much.

While they are chatting, Hideo walked past them. As usual, Kohaku just pretended that the guy wasn't there, especially now, since he doesn't want to weigh his mind with his personal matters. When Hideo threw the insults at Wilbert, the Head Commander, however, didn't flinch and just smiled while bowing slightly, "It would be unforgivable of me if I were to get in the way of you Divas and Divos, Lord Drei. So you can rest assure. I'm simply following what Her Majesty's ordered, and she will have my head if you didn't come back in one piece. You don't think there's only Thoryvós in this kingdom, right?"

After shooting Kohaku a blank gaze which he didn't bother to care, the third Divo left. Moments later, Weiss walked out and stated that she is ready. Wilbert bowed to the two of them before leading the way to where the other three are. "Don't concern yourself too much with what Drei said. That's just how he always is." Kohaku said to Wilbert as they walked.

"I'm very privileged that you actually worry for me." Wilbert grinned brightly again, which Kohaku just sighed at as they stopped where Aria's room is, only to see that Ren and Emma are also there too. "It's great to find everyone here. Are you all ready?" Kohaku asked them.

As his fellow Divas and Divos walked out from Aria's room, Kohaku felt a little bit amusing at how they react to the upcoming mission. Well, after all, the three of them are of the brighter side of the six of them so it wasn't so surprising to see that they're always enthusiastic and be ready to raise their swords, even though they've known for sure that they're putting their lives on thin line here. Kohaku is never afraid of the Thoryvós, and he's definitely not a coward either. But, no matter how courageous he might be, the thought of dying on the battlefield feels both daunting and honorable. However, now it's not the time to concern himself too much over it.

"I'm glad you're all ready. Let's go then." Kohaku smiled lightly to them, which Wilbert playfully whistled at, earning him a glare. Seriously, what is there to like about me that riled him up that much? Kohaku thought as they began to move and sighed quietly to himself. Well, it's not like this was the first time he was being gone for, not in this world, anyway. Wilbert is a good man, but Kohaku has no intention of falling in love or something like that, or at least, not now. It's already painful enough having his heart broken for once already, so making any ties that are more intimate than friendships or companionship right now is an idiotic thing do do.

When they made it to the Royal Stable, Hideo was already there, as expected. Along with him are the other soldiers tasked to accompany them to Iremía. They've been armed for battle and are packed with any other supplies they needed on their journey. However, what Kohaku didn't expect that Adelheid was also there, apparently giving the soldiers directions and orders. Kohaku shook his head. Like many other would suspect, the Royal Advisor always seems to emit an unreliable aura, knowing how ambitious a man he is. But for now, he still managed to earn Queen Ardelia's trust, so there's no reason for Kohaku to doubt the man, yet.

Wilbert helped Kohaku to hang his stuffs on the hook over the saddle, but he doesn't need any help climbing the horse and sat firmly on its' back. It was a white horse which seemed to like Kohaku the first time he saw him, so he doesn't have much trouble choosing his trustworthy steed. Like his comrades, he also gave the horse a name - Yuki, because it is as white as snow. When everyone is ready, Adelheid accompanied them all to the main gate of the palace. "Well, this is it then. In place of Her Majesty, I hope you all will accomplish this mission." The Advisor smiled and bowed to them respectfully, before giving Weiss a gaze, "Especially you, my graceful Lady Sechs."

And with that said, they set off to the city of Iremía. Riding at the front is Wilbert, with Kohaku just close behind him. It going to take at least 3 days to make it there, and the journey definitely will not be a smooth ride. After leaving the capital, they spent half of the day riding through the field and the forest. Luckily, these areas are free of Thoryvós. Proceeding to spend the night at a town on their way, they set off once again the following morning. On their ways, as usual, they didn't interact much and Kohaku was no exception, especially with Wilbert wrapping around his finger. Though surprisingly, it wasn't unpleasant, as the man had shown him a lot of new things he never saw before.

Leaving the town, the convoy continued to set off to the mountain pass. However, little did they expect that there are companies waiting for them. As they still peacefully rode through the rocky path, Kohaku suddenly felt some sinister presences whence they stood, and called everyone to halt. Soon after, the ground shook violently as thousands of stones, pebbles and rocks around them floated and materialized into rock monsters of different shapes and sizes. There are at least 50 of them and everyone is now being surrounded by them. It goes without saying that they are the Thoryvós.

"Just as I thought, it's only a matter of time before we run into them." Kohaku commented as he jumped down from Yuki's back, "Please watch after the soldiers and yourself, Sir Wilbert. Don't get yourself killed."

Wilbert grinned again while staying back along with the other soldiers. After the other Divas and Divos have also got down from their horses, Kohaku remarked, "Everyone, let's sing."