The Mage War
This story is rated PG-13 for sexual situations
Chapter 2 - Koenma
When the Princesses first came into being, Koenma worked closely with Athara, who protected the border between his world and the Human World. When they first met, he was in the form of a two-year old. He took perverse delight in making decisions regarding the rule of Spirit World in that form. He always had a pacifier in his mouth, constantly sucking on it. His underlings hated taking orders from a mere baby, and when Yusuke became his Spirit Detective, the boy openly laughed at the toddler. He was the only one who had ever laughed at Koenma.
Spirit World was the world of the dead. Spirit essences stayed there until they were ready to reincarnate or move to a different plane of existence.
But there was also a darker side to Spirit World -- it was a prison to many evil spirits -- kept there until they were deemed fit to move on.
Naraku would have been imprisoned there but for Vash's intervention. And now the spirit being that had once been Naraku was incarnate on another planet, a great healer for the people, bringing his karmic scale into balance.
After meeting Athara, Koenma changed his form into a young man and discarded the pacifier. He liked the beautiful Princess very much, but the image of his toddler self stayed with her and she continued to treat him as a child. Decades passed and the two became friends, but nothing more.
The other Princess that guarded his borders was Arista; her protection extended between the Four Gods World and Spirit World. That World was one of the most powerful and already had powerful wards in place, so Arista had the easiest task and therefore had only five males, only one of which was a mage, roughly about the power of Suzuki. When the Four Gods World became Suzaku, her task was even easier. She grew bored.
She began to cast her eyes about for something to distract her. And she found her distraction in the young Spirit Ruler. He was handsome and although powerful, very unworldly, having spent most of his life as a toddler. Once she set her sights on him, he didn't have a chance.
Arista was considered the most beautiful of all the Princesses. Her white hair fell down her back in soft waves. Her eyes were pale gray, almost silver. Her mouth a delicious pout that begged to be kissed. Her males were the least taxed of all and lived mainly for the pleasure of their Princess.
Koenma fell hard and fast, and was soon spending most of his time in her Castle instead of doing his duties in the Spirit World. She showed him the ways of the world and he became her lover -- and fell hopelessly in love with the beautiful Princess in the process. That she didn't love him was a given -- he was merely her latest toy. She had no interest in binding any more males that the five she already had -- but, unlike her sisters, she had no qualms about taking other men to her bed. Koenma was the latest of many lovers and he too would eventually be discarded.
While Koenma was away from Spirit World and Yama, his father, was occupied with other matters, not realizing that his son was neglecting his duties, powerful forces were at work trying to find a way to freedom. The most powerful of these were the mages, and one was far and away the most powerful of all. His name was Ryoku-Ashi but he had spent many a century imprisoned in the Spirit World and knew nothing of outside events. He heard rumors of the Princesses, but nothing concrete. Until an evil mage named Jodah died and became another prisoner of Spirit World. Jodah was well versed on the happenings of Otherworld, but more than that, he knew Suzaku like the back of his hand. And he had once lived in the very lands that bordered their prison.
A plan began to hatch. Jodah had the knowledge of the lands and knew the vulnerability of the Princess that guarded the border between Suzaku and the Spirit World. He also knew the dalliance of Koenma with Arista. Ryoku-Ashi could supply the power to free them, but they would still be in spirit form. They added a third mage, Shinjou, who had the power to recreate their bodies once they were free.
Jodah told them exactly where to strike and Ryoku-Ashi's power blew a hole in the ethereal wall between the two worlds. Hundreds of demon spirits escaped, most of whom were recaptured quickly by Spirit World guardians, but the three mages had quickly transformed into their corporeal bodies and went directly to a silver palace in the Mountains, the home of Arista. They needed time to gather forces -- to keep Yama off of their trail. And killing his son would do just that. Ryoku-Ashi threw the doors of the Silver Palace down with a mere wave of his hand, killing most of the guards in seconds. Arista's bedroom was forced and her males rushed to her defense. They didn't have a chance. Koenma bravely stood in front of his lover, not realizing that he was the target.
Just as Ryoku-Ashi threw his energy blast at the young ruler, Kaltha, her mage, created a portal to send them both to Otherworld and safety. Koenma felt himself being pulled into the portal as the blast hit, tearing him open, but sending him to safety. Arista was not so lucky.
They had failed to kill Koenma, but they had killed one of the Princesses and all of her males instead. It just might be enough to throw the entire five kingdoms into chaos. Jodah created a portal, going to the only ally he had left: Mukuro, ruler of the Eastern Lands of Demon World.
Tekki picked Koenma up and carried him to a vacant room, with Kaiba and Rin following close behind.
"We need to figure out what happened. Someone must go to Spirit World and inform King Yama that we have his son. And we need to find out just who he was referring to." Tekki said.
"Arista is dead," came a small voice from the doorway. Aara stood there, holding on the doorframe, with her males standing behind her, even Aniki balancing on one foot. "That's what happened. She was killed."
"And all her males. Koenma said that everyone was dead." Tekki told her.
"We need to find out what happened. Kurama…" Aara began.
"No, I can't leave you. Don't make me leave you." The Fox begged, completely out of character.
"You are the only one that knows Spirit World. You have to go. Bakura will open a portal at their very gates."
Kurama nodded unhappily and Aara turned to her daughter. "You and Kyo must return to Suzaku immediately. Whatever attacked Arista might be in your world now. You must have Tekken bring his forces to the palace and I think you should call the Red Phoenix. We might be all at risk."
"But if I bring everyone to the capital, the rest of the country will be at risk."
"If the capital falls, there will be no Suzaku. The country can rebuild, but you and Boushin must be protected."
"Mother, I don't understand why I didn't feel anything. I should have felt Arista's death."
"You are second generation and I guess that means that you are not connected to my sisters. I'm not sure, but now is not the time to ponder."
"I will leave right away." Vara said and she went to the portal with Kyo following after her.
"Bakura, you must go to Arista's palace."
"Alone! No!" Hiei said quickly. "I will go with him."
"Bakura is not going alone." Aara told him, and then turned to Bakura. "First go to the White Tower. Ask Rye to go with you. And tell Bya and Jaal what happened. The White Tower has four portals; they must keep them safe."
Bakara nodded left with Kurama, first to create a portal for the Fox to go to Spirit World and then he went through the portal to the White Tower.
"Until they return and we know what happened, there is nothing more that we can do." The Princess said. Never before had she taken control like this and it was amazing to see the transformation. She looked at Kaiba. "Let me know the minute that Koenma comes to."
Now there was nothing to do but wait.
