Chapter Text
A violent dance of steel against steel. They ignored the chaos around them, refusing to retreat. While most warriors would throw heated curses, gathering their anger as a fuel to crush their enemy, all that Tendo Maya could do was smile. Her opponent, Captain Saijo Claudine, most wanted pirate of the Kingdom, did not look amused at all, simply glaring at her with contempt.
The reports about Saijo Claudine couldn't capture the impact of her presence. Ruby eyes that commanded strength, eyes that spoke an unyielding determination. Golden hair untamed, waving with the blowing wind. Even though her robes looked plain, her shoulder protected by a simple piece of armor that looked sturdy enough to resist bullets, not even the deadly foes she had met on past battles could cast such unique radiance.
A fire had started at the bow of the ship. It was about to engulf everything around them. A dissonant symphony of explosions, heat, smoke, screams of people dying and others struggling to survive. If only the ship would have been strong enough to resist a bit longer...
Unfortunately, all that Maya could do now was wait for a chance to meet her once again.
Three months ago.
January 17. 20Th Year of the Seisho Era.
The tea tasted anything but good. And he had brought a strawberry cake instead of Baumkuchen. Maya wasn’t especially picky but was complicated to follow a simple request? Tea and Baumkuchen from her favorite bakery but the new guard on her squadron, although competent and committed with weapons, was terrible at remembering that kind of instructions.
The day had started in a disappointing way. It was about to become more unpleasant when another guard brought a letter from her mother. Sending letters when they could send a telegram was quite unpractical, but Maya never complained at them.
As she predicted, the usual greetings from her mother, the concern about her well-being, the pride they felt for her important position on the Royal Guard and then, the thing Maya dreaded the most.
“...Your father has spoken with Lord Ryuuzaki. His son, Aoi, is eager to meet you at the upcoming festival. He’s a very handsome and respected man. He’s a lieutenant at the 102nd Regiment. We hope that your duties would allow you to visit us this summer…”
The yearly reminder that she had only two years left before her military service would have to enter on a hiatus. As a member of the Tendo Clan, it was her duty to keep the line, which involved, find a worthy husband and procreate enough children. Because the task of raising a family was too demanding, especially for a woman, that would mean the end of their career. Her mother had done it, now working as an advisor.
It seemed her destiny was already traced, she only had to follow the path. After all, she was the heir of the "Noble and Brave House of Tendo".
Maya folded the letter and carefully put it on the envelope, throwing it in the fireplace of her office room. As the letter burns, she takes the black jacket that hangs on her chair. Maya stands in front of the large mirror, the only luxury she could have in her office, filled with books, reports and a telcom (a communications terminal that was always turned on and whose beeping sound was monotonous and annoying).
She remembers how her mother had cried when she came back home as a Royal Guard, how her father looked at her as if she was his most valuable treasure, how they had praised her for the first time in years. Unlike the regular army members whose uniform was red, the guards had the same black uniform, adorned with gold, the leaders having distinctive golden marks embroided on their sleeves.
Maya had been promoted recently as a Major. The former Major had been killed (she knew because Nana told her) and so far not even the Lord Commander had disclosed that information or why the Queen wanted to see them today.
The security protocols had tightened since their last meeting. Some officers were visibly offended at the treatment given but the guards would be more than happy to treat them just like every other visitor to the throne room. Even the Queen’s sons were searched with weapons detectors and guardian dogs that would sniff for any possible threats.
Maya smiled at the dogs, petting them as they wave their tails, despite the guards’ attempts to prevent them from any friendly approach. Daiba Nana and Hoshimi Junna, former classmates at the academy, were there. Nana was also petting the dogs, Junna glaring at them for their lack of proper manners.
They approached the large gates, walking behind the Lord Commander, a tall man with a deep voice and emerald eyes, his pale skin tarnished with brown birth spots. The soldiers had nicknamed him as “The giraffe”.
After crossing the doors, they entered into the Throne Room. A chamber, illuminated by the sun that enters from the large windows. There were water channels with lotus flowers floating, flanking the hallway. Next, to each pillar, there were a special group of royal guards, the Black Chorus, whose only task was to protect the Queen, their faces are hidden behind a black mask. Even if they belonged to the same division, the Black Chorus would never speak or take orders from anyone else except the Queen herself. Most guards disliked them but Maya could feel only but pity for them.
At the end of the hallway, there were stairs that ended up in a throne made of silver and gold. Maya keeps her stare down but she can sense the piercing gaze of the ruler of the Kingdom. The woman who had executed the former warlords and the Emperor, twenty years ago, ending the war and bringing a new era for the new Kingdom of Japan.
They kneeled, waiting for the orders. The Lord Commander stepped forward, next to the right hand of the Queen, a tall, long-haired woman who often dictates the commands of the Queen.
The Lord Commander was the only who never kneeled to the Queen. Not even the right hand or The Grand Admiral. For some reason, it was allowed and yet the Lord Commander never boasted about his status or privilege, always concerned and focused on his work.
The right hand of the Queen thanked them for their loyalty and their hard work. She started to deliver the orders to them, assigning missions that had to deal with the rebels and possible conspirators.
However, no missions had been given to Daiba Nana, Hoshimi Junna, nor Tendo Maya. Maya wonders if her mission would simply involve the usual, stay at the palace as a protection, as a mere watchdog.
After that, the Lord Commander dismissed them, ordering Daiba, Hoshimi and Tendo to stay.
“Stand up, guards.” The Lord Commander ordered and the three of them obeyed, staring at the commander.
The right hand turned back and calmly started to climb the stairs and kneels next to the throne.
“There’s a threat, coming from the north.” The Lord Commander started to explain. “Two days ago, a group of pirates, captured and sank “The Nautilus”.”
The Nautilus was the flagship of the Royal Navy. The most advanced and powerful ship said to be invincible.
“The Grand Admiral has been executed.” The Lord Commander continued. “His head has been hanged at the entrance of the Castle Hanabara at the city of Akisaki.”
An openly act of defiance, a declaration of war.
“What happened to the crew?! And the rest of the ships?!” Junna asked. The Nautilus couldn't possibly sail alone, unprotected.
“The rest of the ships sunk as well, most of the officers killed. No prisoners, those who could escape were badly injured. The details will be given to you later. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir!” They replied in unison.
“The Navy will deal with them but you are here for a more important objective.”
Maya guessed the Commander wanted them to infiltrate on the pirate ship and kill the leader. The commander’s mouth curved just a bit.
“I want you to locate and stop their Captain, Saijo Claudine. Is that understood?”
They replied in unison, once again and the commander nods. “Major Tendo, you are in charge. Feel free to take anything or anyone else with you if you want.”
The Commander turns to look at the Queen. “Your Highness, anything else you wish to add?”
Maya keeps her stare down, just like Nana and Junna.
“Kill or Capture that pirate. Either way is acceptable.” The Queen said with a calm voice. “However, I would like to meet that child if possible… Such defiance must be properly rewarded, don’t you think, Lord Commander?”
“Of course. I understand” He replied.
Maya imagined how they would torture and exhibit the corpse of that pirate as a warning. She had ordered them to do the same after the Battle of Hanasaki with those who were captured.
She gave her a fancy medal, praising her loyalty and dedication, her bravery when other faltered, but at what cost?
January 18. Royal Navy’s military base. Tokyo.
Maya was simply eager to get out of the Castle. She had been feeling stuck, restless with rumors about imminent war and dreading another summer at home. Nana and Junna helped her with the preparations, together analyzing the reports and finally meeting Yukishiro Akira, from the Navy, at the Port.
Captain Yukishiro Akira was a young and respected Captain from the south. From her voice and her stance, she could tell, that woman was quite strong, always on guard and probably with zero tolerance for jokes.
With her ship, The Arcadia, Yukishiro had captured and killed an important number of pirates at the South. Yukishiro was openly against having army officers in her ship but Maya with a smile, politely reassured her she wouldn’t interfere with her work. Yukishiro’s reluctance was probably because she wanted to capture that pirate by herself, maybe was the wounded pride of the Navy officers, eager to have their revenge for the death of their Admiral and their comrades.
Yukishiro disclosed the details of the incident. The pirates had stolen lots of weapons and supplies. The whole operation had been executed with precision, taking advantage of explosions inside the ship, disrupting the communications and the engines. A tactical masterpiece, she had commented and Yukishiro glared at her with rage when Maya praised the enemy.
January 21. Port of Akisaki
Four hundred casualties, including the Grand Admiral during a battle that lasted one hour. That poor bastard had been executed by the Pirate Captain, whom according to the reports of the few survivors, had personally decapitated him with her sword.
"The pirates took orders from a young, blonde woman on her twenties..." Daiba Nana reads the reports.
They were in a meeting with another twenty officers at the Navy’s headquarters at the City of Akisaki.
"...wielding a longsword and a golden pistol. Her eyes were red as blood! She was the devil! The devil himself who took shape of a gorgeous woman! Oh Dear God, have mercy on us!" Nana recited the report as if it were the lines of a stage play, the rest of the officers laughing at Nana’s delivery of these words.
“Give me that!” Junna took the paper away from her hands, annoyed with her attitude and skimmed through the paper. “Did they really write this?! What kind of joke is this?!” Junna complained.
“Yukishiro is not the type to tolerate jokes, so it must be the exact words of the witness” Maya commented.
“She was throwing curses in a language ... I think it was French..." Junna continued.
Nana laughed "This poor guy was terrified and... I dare to say he was turned on by that pirate!"
More laughs and jokes with innuendos. Maya simply drinks her tea while Junna frowns at her before resuming the reading.
"...the pirate Captain stared at me and I thought I was going to die but then she smiled and told me that she wanted me to deliver a message: Tell your Queen and her lackeys that Captain Saijo Claudine and her pirates will crush her Navy." After that, I was thrown out of the ship by one of her subordinates..."
Maya remained silent, her stare fixated on the sea. That woman, Saijo Claudine, inspired admiration and fear with her actions. She could say she was imprudent or powerful enough to send a direct challenge to the Queen and her navy. Maybe a bit of both. For the first time in a long time, Maya felt something that she had thought she had forgotten, the excitement of an upcoming battle.
But before any assault, they would need to carefully study the target. Although known by actions, there weren’t any clear pictures, only descriptions of Saijo Claudine.
Maya and her subordinates started to gather information as well. The rumors about Saijo Claudine varied on the details of her accomplishments.
According to some people, she had killed one hundred sailors during a raid, only with her sword (the weapon even had a name, Etiencelle du Fierte, which was quite a lovely name, Maya had to admit.)
Saijo and her crew also had found some rare and legendary treasures who belonged to the old Emperor (probably true because having an entire fleet of apparently a hundred ships would demand lots of money and resources).
February 20th. At the sea.
The Navy had managed to capture one ship, named Kazamori and its crew. They weren’t the usual sailors, or criminals, they weren’t like the rebels from the south, simply wanted to keep their territory.
They wear a simple uniform, boots, black pants with a simple white shirt, except for the Captain who had a simple dark blue jacket with silver buttons. Yukishiro interrogated the man for a while. There was no need for any violent methods as the man accepted his destiny and tells them that Captain Saijo is expecting this, much to Yukishiro’s indignation.
The captain of the Kazamori had a detailed log of their travels asking them to read it. But the records in the telcom couldn’t be extracted. Junna told them these were encrypted and they were working with the headquarters to decipher the messages.
Still, that pirate tells them that her ship, The Amethyst, could easily beat any of the Navy's fleet. According to him, the Amethyst’s cannons tore the Nautilus in two with one shot easily. Destroying the flagship had been only the beginning.
Saijo Claudine was preparing an assault against the Capital City in order to teach the Queen a lesson.
“You can kill me but you can’t stop us. We are united by blood! Our souls won’t rest until we are free! Tell that to your Queen! We are going to destroy her castle!” That man was probably insane.
Maya didn’t care about the Castle or the Queen. Too often she had resented her decisions but an attack against the capital would affect the lives of hundreds of innocent people. The last thing this kingdom needed was another tragedy.
They began to travel to the towns where the pirates frequently were seen.
The people who lived there adored her. A guy from a bar told her that she would divide her earnings generously with her subordinates and not everyone was allowed to be part of her crew. The details of the initiation were probably exaggerated but she was sure it would require to have some decent skills. They would alert the pirates if they see any soldiers or ships through the public channels. It was thanks to them they had food and were protected against thieves.
Many kids had openly spoken of how awesome and kind she was, not even caring that they were talking with army officers. A teenager said she had given her a book called The Starlight Gatherer and told Maya how the local school was built thanks to her help.
"I can't believe these people actually support her". Junna said concerned.
"They have helped these towns to improve their lives, you would be thankful as well..." Nana replied.
“These are pirates, Nana-chan! They have killed a lot of our comrades!"
Maya stays silent, leading the way as Junna and Nana argue about it. Junna's indignation was justified but these people, forgotten by the government had been rescued by those pirates.
Junna, just like Nana and Maya were from wealthy families. They hadn't faced hardships like these people. Maya can’t help but feel but a strange sympathy for their leader. Saijo Claudine could be seen as a savior or a threat depending on the person.
But those were the facts that others had said. Maya wanted to know about her, in order to understand her enemy better.
The stories about her background seemed to contradict in one way or another. Someone had said she was the daughter of an exiled noble that went to France and married a duchess. Others had said that her father was just a pirate that escaped and by chance ended up in France so Saijo Claudine wanted to make her father proud by becoming a feared pirate. It was suspicious that no records on the Imperial archives matched with her name, nor the rest of people who had similar surnames matched the descriptions about her.
Maya had kept a small journal detailing her findings, in case she would forget something. She liked to read it often, especially during tedious afternoons when they were at one of the Navy's ships. Nana had joked that she had enough info to write a biography of Saijo Claudine but Maya merely smiled at the comment. It would be inappropriate to say it loud but she was fascinated with the idea of someone of her age, a woman able to command a large fleet. The Navy wasn’t particularly fond of letting a woman on high ranks (Yukishiro was one the few exceptions). With her lead, they had destroyed the most powerful ship of the army.
She had earned her title, chosen her path in her life, not handed to her by some birthright.
After being around a few weeks visiting those villages, and knowing that those pirates wouldn't appear, Maya and her crew boarded one of the Navy's ships. After chasing her without having seen the infamous pirate was starting to annoy her. Some people had guessed that she was dead or sick. But Maya refused to believe such rumors. She knew she was waiting, patiently reorganizing her fleet in order to launch another attack.
March 22th.
It was nearly dawn when she heard the alerts. The Arcadia had found The Amethyst and was now about to engage them. It began with twenty minutes of an intense exchange of fire. Just like she had expected, the enemy intended to assault the ship, with a hundred boats coming, most of them avoiding the gunshots using some kind of shields and soon they latched to the ship.
The pirates crawled and began their assault, the sailors quickly started to retaliate. Maya instructed her subordinates to attack as she unleashed her sword, ready to defend the ship. A group of these pirates soon were dead and she passed through the chaotic battlefield as if she was being guided by her instinct.
Then she stops on her way, finally finding the one she was looking for.
A long sword, wielded with raw strength pierced the body of an unfortunate sailor and quickly it was drawn back. She now realized that what she had read in that report wasn’t an exaggeration. She stared in awe at how she instilled fear against her enemies, before engaging in an attack. How easily she could predict the attacks of her enemies even if she was outnumbered.
However, that moment of contemplation was soon broken because her eyes, blazing with fire were now glaring at her.
"Tendo Maya!”
She shouted her name pointing her sword at her direction. Maya could only wonder for a brief moment why she knew her name. But that question did not last for more than a few seconds. This was an invitation to a duel and she tightened the grip on her own blade. She knew her name and that had made her heart beat with an illogical joy.
Their blades met, each stroke countered by the other, each movement could be foreseen, a dangerous dance. Everything else didn't matter, the whole ship could be collapsing and they would just keep on this until one of them would fall.
But then something hits on Saijo Claudine's shoulder, a piece of debris that made her fall, losing the grip on her sword. One of the sailors was about to take advantage of her fall and tried to attack her. Angered at this intrusion, Maya stops him, standing in his way.
"Don't interfere!" She takes Claudine's sword, marveled at the design of the weapon. Etiencelle du Fierte was a long sword, slightly heavy, with a black onyx stone encrusted on the blade.
Half of the ship was on fire, there were pirates telling her that they should retreat. Saijo Claudine stared in disbelief at that Royal Guard, Tendo Maya who was holding her sword, looking at it as if nothing was happening around them.
“What the fuck you think you’re doing?!” Saijo yelled at her.
"It’s a nice sword." Maya looked back at her, even though Claudine was trying to pierce her with her stare. So intimidating and yet absolutely beautiful.
“Oh, I apologize. Here…”
Tendo Maya hands her weapon and Saijo Claudine grabs it quickly, her hands brushing Maya's for a moment, their eyes locked. Maya was quite sure she could keep on fighting but the ship was now trembling.
"You should leave, Captain Saijo. I hope to have the chance to continue our duel soon. ” Maya was practically beaming.
Claudine gritted her teeth. "What an annoying woman! Next time I'll take away that stupid smile from your face!"
She ran away, covered by her pirates as they retreated. She just hoped that nothing would harm her on her way back to her ship.
Maya felt something on her right hand, and she noticed a cut in her uniform. Blood had slowly fallen through her arm, her hand and her weapon were now tainted with her own blood. Saijo Claudine had managed to break her nearly perfect guard. She hadn't even felt a thing.
Instead of feeling any sort of rage or frustration, Maya smiled, looking at the direction of the pirate ship that was now fading away on the horizon as her subordinates approached her.
“Prends soins de-vous, Saijo Claudine...”
The aftermath had been stressful. Maya had to deal with complaints from Hoshimi and Daiba. Yukishiro had dared to question her leadership and actions. None of these words or the damage that they had caused hadn't made her regret about her decision of letting her escape.
That encounter had been only the begin of a series of inconclusive duels, each of them always interrupted by someone or something else. They had exchanged some bruises and superficial cuts, none of them deep enough to cause significant harm.
Maya always waited for Saijo Claudine when she seemed about to lose her balance or when she was tired, pointing each of her flaws. Despite her apparent annoyance at her, Saijo Claudine had never resorted to pull out her golden gun and shoot her. Always fighting with her sword, her eyes sharp as her sword, swearing she would defeat her. But how long they would be able to keep this?
Maya and the rest of the army officers managed to ambush them at the entrance of a tavern on a night with a full moon. It was during their duel that Maya noticed something that alarmed her. Claudine was slow in her responses today, exhausted but still engaging her. She had started to chase her through the neighborhood until they resumed their combat on a deserted street, dimly illuminated.
It took only a small mistake on Claudine's part that Maya used to push her against a wall.
"Your attacks are slower than usual!" Maya commented as they struggled with their swords.
"Shut up!" Claudine yelled at her, frustrated.
Maya takes a few steps back, releasing her and Claudine seems barely able to stand on her feet.
"What happened?" Maya questioned.
"What...?!" Claudine was now struggling to breathe.
Maya then realized a small stain of blood that was becoming wider on Claudine's left shoulder. She stepped closer and Claudine was about to push her away when their eyes met.
"Who did this?" Maya wasn't going to give up.
"I..." Claudine muttered, visibly confused, then her usual demeanor appeared again. "That's not of your business!"
"It is now " Maya stated trying to suppress her growing anger.
Claudine just laughs. "Ha! Worried that you won't get another shiny medal from your Queen? How disappointing it would be for a thoroughbred Tendo to not accomplish such an easy mission like this?!"
Claudine was testing her patience, trying to mock her, to wound her ego. She had insulted her before but her words had never mentioned her family or how she was just another Tendo thoroughbred. She knows this is not a strategy, Saijo Claudine is just frustrated and tired, yet she...
Was all that she cared for? A medal? The praise of her superiors? To please her family? Her parents who only showed appreciation for her when she achieved something worthy of a Tendo? Her life belonged to others, her destiny already sealed. Even if she achieves the highest honors, there's no path to choose, only to follow, only to serve.
Claudine now winces and Maya is no longer interested in fighting her, not when she's in this state. Not when she feels her guts being stabbed. Maya wished she could be angry at her.
"You need to tend your wounds". Maya knows that these wounds are dangerous.
"Why are you like this?!" Claudine demanded. "Is this a game to you or what?!"
Maya stays silent, staring at Claudine, a mess of emotions that she can't properly accept. But still, she knows it's better to warn her.
"They have captured some of your best sailors. You should hide for a while..."
She heard the sounds and voices of people coming. She had to do something but Claudine falls now on her knees, getting support on her sword.
"Dammit..." She complained.
Maya can't let them capture her, she only can imagine what kind of torture they would put her through before executing her. She kneels next to her and helps her to stand up. Claudine holds on her, divided between indignation and surprise.
"Be quiet and let me help you”. Maya whispered before Claudine could even complain. They start to walk, hiding into the shadows. Claudine had told her their boat wasn't far from there and Maya felt her grip on her getting weaker. She feared Claudine might pass out at any second, taking a pause to carry her on her back, even making sure Claudine's sword was properly secured. Claudine whispered some curses in French that Maya understood, making her smile.
Finally, they reached the beach. Two women were waiting for Claudine with a boat. They raised their guns at their sight.
“Don’t shoot! Your Captain has been wounded!” Maya shouted.
Maya recognized them, Hanayagi Kaoruko and Isurugi Futaba, former classmates at the Imperial Academy.
"What the hell?!... Tendo Maya!?" Isurugi Futaba couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"What did you do to Kuro-han?!" Hanayagi shouts. Claudine was now about to pass out and all that Maya wanted was to take her to a doctor.
"There's no time for talk!” Maya urged them. “We have to...!"
Maya was silenced by the sound of people yelling, not far from them. Hanayagi and Isurugi helped Maya to put Claudine on the boat. Someone ordered to shoot, followed by several gunshots as they pull the boat further in the water, quickly climbing on it.
"You two, row!" Maya commanded and pulled out her own gun. A brief moment of hesitation, praying that Daiba or Hoshimi weren't among the attackers. And taking aim, Maya responded to the fire.