Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 17 : Two Birds, One Stone

Just as the Trident rammed through King Nebuchadnezzar's head, three snakes bit into the back of Perseus' neck. King Nebuchadnezzar's shocked face became a dripping, bloody mess as his trembling body slowly collapsed to the ground. After seeing this technique connect, Perseus' remaining strength was completely exhausted and he too fell to the ground. The snake's bite weakened his chi potency until it began to completely fade away.

"King Nebuchadnezzar!" Botaro stated as he rushed to the fallen king's side.

"It seems what they've told me is true. Somehow, I can feel this snakes pumping some form of venom into my body." Perseus thought. "It feels like my chi is being drained from my body. I know when it does, the result will be fatal. But, somehow I'm satisfied. Could this be the feeling of Nirvana my father spoke of..."

The Spartans of the past always shared one common belief. The biggest determinant of true strength comes from what you experience in your lifetime. Those who have been prone to bad experiences their entire life typically become stronger than those who weren't. However, the strongest of them all are revealed once life ends. He who rises after death is bound to reach the Nirvana Stage, the highest level of enlightenment. The state of being able to defy death itself is usually foreshadowed by a true sense of Nirvana in the time of death. This is what Perseus believed was happening with him in this moment. So, once his eyes finally closed permanently, it was matched with a smile that signaled true peace and happiness.

"I enjoyed spectating you at war. It was quite the show. But, I didn't have the same feeling as I watched you go." Gozu stated as he crouched besides Perseus' motionless body. "As much as I would like to take your gear as a souvenir, I know it belongs to those who your heart was near."

Seeing this made Nala crouch down beside Gozu. Her hands wrapped around his back and chest, as she whispered a few comforting words.

"It's okay, Gozu." Nala stated. "It may be sad to see given how you feel about him. But, there's nothing else he'd want more. Don't dishonor his resolve by feeling sad for him."

Gozu nodded his head, giving Nala a silent affirmation that he understood what she said.

"We should go." Kaji chimed in. "We have to bring his body with us, right?"

"Are we sure that they're dead?" Nala questioned as she pointed at the bodies.

Poseidon's Trident was still sticking out of King Nebuchadnezzar's body and the Mushkhushshu was still attached to Perseus' neck.

"She's right. Their chi should have disappeared by now." Kaji explained.

"There's no way they were able to survive those attacks." Botaro reckoned. "Both of their chi are very potent, so maybe it will take longer to fade than most others."

"Are you sure?" Kaji asked.

"We should report to King Nobunaga." Botaro stated as he placed his hands beneath King Nebuchadnezzar's shoulders. "Kaji, help me carry him."

Kaji and Botaro lifted Nebuchadnezzar's body together. They then looked to their side to see Nala and Gozu lifting Perseus' body together.

"You're taking him back to the Spartans?" Botaro asked.

"We have to." Nala replied.

"Should I allow them to go to the Kingdom of Spartania?" Botaro thought. "I'm sure they won't kill or capture them but it's a possibility King Nobunaga won't be pleased with that."

"Go on ahead." Botaro finally decided. "Just be careful."

"We will." Nala replied.

They group of four became two groups of two as they went their seperate ways. Just before they would become out of their sight, Nala looked back at Botaro and Kaji.

"I'm surprised Botaro allowed us to take his body to Spartania." she stated. "I wonder how King Nobunaga will feel about this."

"I do not care how he feels, to put it simply. However, I'm glad you decided to come with me." Gozu expressed. "It's going to be quite the trip before we arrive, so let's just bunker down and rest easy for the night."

*MEANWHILE*

King Nebuchadnezzar was able to defeat all of King Musa's Order at hand, take Yasuke, and ensure that Yasuke makes it to Namunda in a timely fashion. By the time Perseus'and King Nebuchadnezzar's battle concluded, the three young Spartans found themselves in the midst of the destruction left at Neserus. The main golden path leading into Neserus was filled with craters and the many guard posts that were placed on the path were destroyed.

"There's no way that woman Dom fought earlier caused all of this, not alone." Mephisto commented.

"I wouldn't put it under her." Domitia replied. "We don't know what she's capable of at her strongest."

"It's possible that she could've had help." Logias determined.

To the Spartans, the truth was hidden behind a variety of possibilities. But, they soon had one encounter that confirmed one of the possibilities over the others. As they continued up the path, they soon saw one of King Musa's soldiers. Her body was bloodied and her clothes were ripped, but they could still see that the material they were made with indicated a higher status of wealth. She gathered enough strength to look up to the young Spartans once she noticed their presence.

"What happened to you?" Mephisto asked.

"There was some King...one I never met before." She replied. "Along with a few of my fellow knights, I prepared to combat him. But, was completely blown out of the castle all the way here as soon as he released his chi."

"That must've been shockwave we felt earlier." Logias pointed out.

"What's your name?" Domitia asked.

"I'm Mona." she answered.

"Well, Mona. We won't let you stay here like this." Domitia stated just before putting Mona over his shoulders. "We'll take you back to your fellow knights at the very least."

"No, don't worry about me or them." Mona replied. "The first thing we need to do is locate the King and make sure he's safe."

"That's fine with us." Domitia replied. "Are you able to navigate us there?"

"If I can't, my chi will." Mona quickly responded. "Just start moving, it will guide you."

"Do you mind telling us about this unknown King." Logias insisted. "I think I may have a hunch about who his is."

"I'll tell you everything I know, but you'll find that it's not much at all." Mona replied. "He claimed to be of King Nobunaga's aid, from the Kingdom of Babylon."

"What was the first thing he said to you?" Mephisto asked. "Did he say anything along the lines of resist not, or speak not?"

"Yes, he spoke like that exactly." Mona realized.

"That's how all of King Nebuchadnezzar's literary works are written." Logias explained.

"King Nebuchadnezzar?" Mona asked.