CHAPTER 10 - ZEPHRA -
Zephra is now 16 years old however she looks a mature age of 20. Her silky dark brown hair falls long below her waist as her fathers ; she wears it in a long ponytail with a bang that falls attractively just above her eyes. She has brown slanted eyes and a beautiful smile which, like her father, she rearly shows off. Zephra wanting to remain on gaurd at all times, prefers to wear her battle gear most times and she wears it well as she is perfectly shaped, drawing the attention of many male demons in her father's empire. Though most of the male demons in Sesshomaru's empire find her to be very attractive, they feel that she has an awful mean streak and fear the very thought of approaching her. There are other demons in the empire that loathe Zephra feeling that she is a cocky half demon that behaves above her station. Zephra is aware of enemies in her own father's empire but she is a proud half demon very much like her uncle Inuyasha, therefore she continues to hold her head high and remain confident in her abilities. On the nights she turns into a full human, Zephra continues to roam about as if it were a normal night with the only change in her routine being that she retires her demon sword and swaps it for her human weapons on that night only, her sister Nephra does the same. Demons of the empire do not find it too surprising that the daughters of the Great Lord Sesshomaru are daring and powerful enough to go out in the open being seen by their enemies in human state but they do find it very impressive. Zephra does not look much different in her human state than she does in her half demon form, losing her dog ears and sharp demonic claws on her fingers is the only change that occurs for her on those nights. Zephra, so much like her father has a goal of her own...to become one of the most powerful female demons in the world.
Sango's twin daughters are often seen traveling around with Zephra, they shadow her every move and follow her lead. She looks out for them and confides in them about her troubles. One day during her travels, Sango's daughter Myora asks Zephra, "Why do you want to prove yourself as the most powerful female demon? How will that help you?" Zephra explains to them, "There will come a time when my father will retire from ruling the Western lands and will pass the empire on to his successor. Unfortunately for me his successor will most likely be my older Half Brother Heroshya. He is the first born, a male and a full demon so my father has already promised the empire to him. More than likely, my brother will create and rule over his own empire keeping with the tradition of all the male dog demons in our family; adding my father's empire to his own will double his dominion. My father has given Heroshya the option to pass the empire down to my sister Nephra, who is next in line to inherit it however, she has no interest in power and position and she will surely pass it down to me but Heroshya's greed will stop that from ever happening, I can't say I blame him...If I were in his position, I would not pass it down either. Anyway, If I can prove myself to be one of the strongest and most powerful female demon's of Japan, I will be able to create and rule an empire of my own or possibly battle my brother for possession of our father's empire." Sango's daughters want to do what ever they can to help Zephra gain an empire and when she does they ask that she give them both important postions with in the castle; Zephra agrees to do that. Zephra tells the girls, "First thing I need to do is to make my name known throughout the lands but I don't believe in going around starting trouble, that's not what i'm about but I'll need to shake things up a bit." Zephra knows that there are full demons that despise half demons and demons that hate her in particular, she decides that she will use these demons to help her achieve her goal by letting them approach her and in defeating them, she will become known. She accepts the help of Sango's daughters to take care of small business or to fight unworthy demons that get in her way. Several months going by and In their travels they do come across many demons that want to test Zephra assuming that her half demon powers will be no match for them and she is always more than willing to defeat them if they are powerful and worthy of her. After winning the battle, Zephra always takes a souvenier such as a claw, a fang, locket of hair or trinket of some sort as a momento of her victories. Sango's daugters always nearby watching but they know that they must not interfere when Zephra decides to battle a demon because she must slay her enemies without any assistance, her reputation must remain in tact. In no time at all Zephra does become known in the Western and Eastern lands as an excellent fighter and powerful half demon, daughter of Sesshomaru but she wants more than that. Zephra wants to do something amazing that will get the attention of demons all over Japan and get them talking about her so that her name will spread. She remembers the demon tournaments that she collected bones and fangs of demons from when she was younger. She thinks to herself: Heroshya loves going to those tournaments every year, this time I will participate. No female demon, let alone a female half demon has ever fought in one before since it's only for male demons. I will be the first female to fight in one, no doubt I will get the acknowledgment I seek. Heroshya will more than likely not allow me to join his team and I don't know of any male demons that will allow a female to join either. I will have to figure that out later. a few weeks later, It is evening when Rin serves up a huge dinner of fish, rice, fresh baked bread and pie she prepared especially for Heroshya's return from weeks of training with his sword far from the Western lands. Sesshomaru eats no human food and prefers to have only a cup of tea while Rin, Nephra, Jaken and Heroshya eats the meal that Rin prepared. Heroshya has become quite accustomed to the taste of human food especially Rin's cooking due to Nephra, from the time she was little, insisting that he try it. Zephra enjoys human food as well but also enjoys demon food. She requests one of the servants to prepare her favorite soup which is a broth demons eat. The family all sit at the huge table in the dining quarters, Sesshomaru and Heroshya, the two men of the castle are at the head of either end of the long rectangular table. Everyone is enjoying the meal that Rin made while Sesshomaru sips his tea and Zephra waits for her soup to be served to her. Heroshya is talking to his father about his sword which eventually escalates into a conversation about the annual demon tournament. Heroshya boasts, " I suppose I should practice with the sword a bit before the battle, I'm not feeling to worried though...these battles get easier every year." Sesshomaru replies, "Do not be overly confident, practice is wise." Rin inquires, " I don't understand the reasoning behind these demon tournaments, demons killing each other and for what?" Sesshomaru explains, "It is an enjoyable sport and a means of establishing power, Rin. Most demons will participate in a tournament at least once in their life." Heroshya also explains to Rin , "Not all demons die at these tournaments, they have the option to yield and their life will be spared but they lose the tournament." Zephra sees her chance to get into the action of the tournament and feels it's now or never, she announces, "I think I will participate in the tournament this year." Everyone stops eating and looks up not saying anything, Heroshya breaks the silence by chuckling as he says, " Zephra, I don't know where you got such a crazy idea but you must be out of your mind, they'll destroy a half demon like you." Jaken speaks up, "Zephra, you foolish girl...don't you know how many demons get killed at those tournaments each year?!" The demon servant brings Zephra's soup and sets it in front of her as she continues, "Do I seem worried, I wouldn't be trying to get into the tournament if I wasn't sure I was good enough." Heroshya responds again, "It doesn't matter anyway, you have to be on a team of 4 to even get into the tournament and no one is going to want you if they are not sure how you fight." Zephra asks Heroshya, "Why can't I be on your team?" Jaken trying to assist Zephra asks, "Heroshya, How many demons do you have on your team so far?" Heroshya responds, " Two, but Forget it, No way." Zephra tells Heroshya, "You're just afraid I'll out shine you Heroshya, that's the only reason why you don't want me there." Heroshya responds, "What??" Rin then asks, "Do females participate in these demon tournaments?" Heroshya informs her, "No, never...there has never been a female demon in the tournament." Zephra responds, "Well I am going to be the first and when I...." Sesshomaru interjects at this point, "No, a demon tournament is no place for a woman, it is unsafe." Zephra asks, "Is that your final word on the subject father?" Sesshomaru answers her, "It is. I do not intend to speak on it again, You will not fight in any demon tournaments." Rin agrees, "He's right Zephra, It's too dangerous...you'd better just forget about it." Heroshya teases Zephra speaking to her as if she were a child, "Yesss, forget it." Zephra feels anger at Heroshya's patronizing her, she strikes him a small blow with her lightening bracelet but he blocks it with a small blast of demonic energy shield. Getting her back for striking him, he uses his finger whip to knock her piece of bread off the table and almost hit her as she dodges just in time, it flies past her, Heroshya, chuckles at that sight. Zephra's blood boils as she goes to strike at him again Sesshomaru interrupts their small fight at the table by scolding them both, slightly raising his voice "ENOUGH!!". At that moment Nephra asks Sesshomaru, "Father, why don't they have tournaments for female demons? Why are they only for males?" Sesshomaru replies, "It is in a male's very nature to fight, it is uncommon for a female to seek power and position..your sister is an exception." Zephra says nothing as she stirs her soup slowly.... feeling disappointment of not being allowed to fight in the tournament, Jaken looks over at her seeing she is unhappy and wishes there is some way he can help but lacks any authority to speak on her behalf, he silently agree's that she is ruthless enough to be in a tournament and win. Heroshya and Nephra begin a new conversation about something else but Zephra is consumed with her thoughts as she continues to stir her soup, letting it cool before she tastes it, then something catches her attention. She calls out to the male demon servant standing near by, "You there, come here." The demon servant comes over asking, "Yes, Mistress." Zephra calmly asks the servant, "Who prepared this soup?" The servant responds hesitantly, "Well...I did." Zephra still calm says, "I would like you to drink half" the servant responds, "Oh no, I couldn't." Zephra responds, " Actually, that was not a request." The servant remains standing there for a moment then finally replies, "I do not wish to have any soup." Zephra stands and instantly grabs the knife from the table that was used to slice the bread her mother baked and holds it to the servant's throat as she says with anger in her voice, "Drink that soup!" Rin and Nephra look bewildered, Heroshya, chewing his food while watching the situation unfold is not at all confused by Zephra's actions... thinking to himself: Zephra is such a hot head...What ? did the servant not prepare the soup to her liking? Sesshomaru continues sipping his tea as if nothing is happening, knowing his daughter must have a good reason for her behavior but Nephra asks, "What's happening Zephra?" The servant asks Zephra, "You aim to kill me, I am one that serves you?" Zephra responds, "Drink the soup and I will not harm you however if you refuse my order again, I will slash your deceitful throat." Sesshomaru hearing the word deceitful looks up from drinking his tea, now curious of what this could be about. Jaken yells, "Wait Zephra....If there's something wrong with the soup, I'll make it again for you!." Zephra stops him and answers, "NO, I don't want it made over." The demon decides to drink the soup as ordered and at that very moment, the demon screams in intense pain ; falls to the ground and dies almost instantly. Everyone is shocked to see what just happened as Zephra speaks to the dead demon, "Fool, did you think I wouldn't notice the smell of poison in my favorite soup." Rin is upset and confused, "Poison, but why?" Sesshomaru rises, "This betrayal is unforgivable, I will find out what other demons are behind this!" Zephra informs, "Father, I have many enemies...did you know that half your demon empire hates me?!! ... but that doesn't matter to me because I can take care of myself. I am not as weak as you all think I am! I can take on any demons and I will not be defeated easily!!" Zephra walks swiftly away from the table as Nephra says, "It's not because someone just tried to kill her, She's still upset about not being allowed to fight in the tournament." Sesshomaru also walks away as Heroshya thinks to himself: Zephra may actually be strong enough to fight in the tournament but I don't want to get involved, father will blame me if I get her in and she gets hurt. The next morning Heroshya is on his way out to visit his mother and begins walking from the castle. Zephra catches up with him to talk to him as she yells out, "Heroshya!" Heroshya turns around to look at her and stops walking so she can get to him, she continues to speak, "I want to go to that tournament with you." Heroshya asks her, "We on that again? Father told you No, that should be the end of it." Zephra tells him, "He doesn't understand, He thinks of me as weak and fragile only for the simple fact that I am a woman. I want to prove everyone wrong...I am as strong as any male demon. Heroshya I need you to get me into that tournament." Heroshya tells Zephra, "Listen, Honestly Zephra If it were up to me I would get you into that tournament. Understand that I couldn't care less if you get your head lopped off or you get that pretty face of yours destroyed by one of the demons there, that's not my concern but you see father, He will take his fury out on me if something like that were to happen to you." Zephra feels anger at Heroshya again for assuming she would be weak enough to let something like that happen so she tells him, "Stop assuming that I would be so easily conquered." Heroshya gives her a choice, "Okay, fine...prove to me that you are strong enough. My demon team and I have won the tournaments first place statues every year for the past 3 years in row. So far, I will be one of the toughest demons there, If you can bring me to my knees then I will let you join our team and I will not tell father of you being in the tournament." Zephra agrees to this so they walk a bit deeper into the woods to see if she has what it takes to join the team. During the fight they agree not to use their sword but their demonic powers only, Heroshya does not show mercy to Zephra because he knows that the demon tournament will be dangerous and the demons there will fight with all their strength however if he gets her in a position where he can kill her or brings her to her knees, He will not get her into the tournament with him. To his amazement Zephra is extemely skilled, fierce and swift, Zeprha actually gives Heroshya a challenge but unable to bring him to his knees as agreed. After several minutes of fighting they are both tired and out of breath when Heroshya asks, "Do you give up...You didn't bring me to my knees as agreed so it's over." Zephra out of breath but refusing to be defeated says, "Oh, it's not over yet" She gives Heroshya a swift kick between the legs as a last minute effort to win the deal, Heroshya holds himself from pain and slowly falls to his knees as he moans, "Zephra, that was dirty!" Zephra is excited that her clever trick worked as she chuckles a bit and says, "I hated to do that but I need to get into this tournament, I'll be ready tomorrow morning, we can meet here." Heroshya can't speak as he lies on the ground waiting for the pain to his family jewels to subside. Zephra heads back to the castle to prepare herself for the battle. Zephra practices with her sword all night and gets a well needed rest to be fresh for the tournament the next morning. She meets Heroshya in the place where they fought it out and he is there with 2 other demons. As Zephra approaches he tells the other 2 demons, "Alright guys, she is going to be our 4th team member." One of the demons says, "Wow, I won't be able to concentrate with a beautiful woman fighting beside me." Zephra does not blush or say anything regarding his comment but the other demon hates the idea, "Heroshya, what the hell is this? A woman and a Half demon too.. are we trying to lose this one?" Zephra lashes at the demon and says, "You had better watch you mouth!!" she throws a swift blade, that he dodges but it barely misses him. He yells out "Hey, are you crazy!!" Heroshya tells the demon, "Don't make comments like that, she has a bad temper." he then turns to Zephra and says, "Zephra, if you kill him...we won't have a team." He continues talking to his team mates, "Look, she can fight...I need you both to trust me on this besides we are down one demon without her." Heroshya turns to Zephra again and asks, "You know the tournament is two days long, what reason did you give father for why you won't be home?" Zephra informs, "I told him that I was going to spend a night in the human village to visit lady Sango's daughters." Heroshya says, "Okay that should work, If he finds out you lied to him that will turn out to be bad for both of us but we won't worry about that now." Zephra can't help but be grateful to Heroshya for taking a chance on her like this but her pride won't let her thank him, she just knows she won't dissappoint him or herself. Zephra and the demon that doesn't want her on the team flash each other a bad look as she walks away, they all head to the battle field, while the other demon that is smitten with her tries to talk to her asking, "So your name is Zephra huh? You and Heroshya have the same dad? That's cool...You must be a really good fighter." Zephra answers his questions with one word answers, she wants to remain focused so she avoids any prolonged talk. The battle field is colossal and round with hundreds of demon spectators all around the outside but far from the danger. The tournament will last for two days the first day consisting of the one on one battles, each team member will fight a demon from another team one on one to the death or until that demon surrenders. The second day will consist of a each team of four fighting against another team of four and lastly the finale consisting of all the remaining demons fighting any demon that is not on their team until all are eliminated...the team with the most surviving team members will win the tournament. In this tournament there are four teams of four. The names of all the team members have been given to the announcer and the names will be called out when it is there time to fight against another demon. As Zephra sits with the rest of her team, people are already beginning to talk. They whisper and point at Zephra, some of the male demons fighting in the tournament laugh thinking that she will be an easy victory but Zephra does not let any of this upset her, she is getting what she desperately wanted and she is confident that she will triumph. Heroshya being the leader of the team is called first up to fight a one on one battle with a very fearsome demon that is also leader of his team. Heroshya has in his possession the sword that his father gave him but only uses it when he feels he is being roughly challenged and needs it, otherwise he rely's on his demonic powers. The demon he is fighting continuously throws out a sharp, round blade that is fast to speed out when he creates it. Heroshya dodges it but the blade's movements are being guided by the demon who is controlling it, causing it to keep coming back at Heroshya each time. Heroshya comes up with the plan to use his light speed and confuse the demon of his location, the demon sees flashes of Herosha in front of him, then on the side of him then behind him. When the demon sees Heroshya behind him he tries to strike with his claws forgetting that the blade is still flying but not being guided, when he does remember, it's already too late and his very own blade cuts him through the mid section slicing him into two pieces as Heroshya jumps out of the way of the flying blade. The crowd clap and whistle as Heroshya wins his one on one battle. It seems like forever to Zephra as she waits for her turn to battle one on one, the second demon in Heroshya's team is Akuma, He is a very skilled fighter and Heroshya always picks him to be a part of his team every year. Akuma is fighting his one on one battle against a demon that has the ability to disappear and reappear. This turns out to be challenging to Akuma and his arm is pierced badly during their battle but he being a very skilled fighter as well manages to defeat the demon using his sword. When Akuma leaves the battle field he is very worn out and in pain needing to rest. Zephra is finally third in the team to fight, she enters the ring of the battle field and the demon that she is to fight also enter but he laughs and says, "I'm not sure whether to kiss you or kill you..haha!" Zephra tells him, "Shut your mouth and let's get on with it." the demon Strikes at her as he shouts, "Okay be careful what you ask for girl.!!!" As the demons sword comes down...Zephra easily dodges it with her speed, she also flashes her location and the demon is not sure where to look from one minute to the next blindly swinging his sword in random places where he thinks he sees her. The demon turns to look behind him, she is not there he turns back frontwards and there she is, before he can blink she uses her claws to slash him hard and deep. This causes the demon pain for a moment but it heals quickly, she slashes him again but this time it causes no pain and it seems her claws have now no effect on him. She is confused by this and decides to attack him another way, she uses her mighty sword and uses much pressure to force the blade through the demons chest , puncturing a huge hole there. The demon seems temporarily bothered by this as she quickly peirces him a second time with the sword, this time in the neck but both wounds again heal, closing up before her eyes...the demon informs her "haven't you figured it out yet? You can't hurt me with same technique twice. Once I heal from the wound you give me... it can never hurt me again." The demon charges at Zephra determined to kill her but she has sonic speed dodging his strikes, she back flips and circles the air landing on her feet right behind the demon, as he turns around, she holds the sword out in front of her and strikes the demon as orange reddish fire shoots out of her blade burning his back. He yells as his back is on fire he falls to the ground and rolls in the dirt putting it out. Instantly he jumps up and says angrily, "Now feel my power...." he strikes at Zephra with his multiple huge flails that shoot at her so fast that she yelps a bit while jumping on top of a huge stone ledge and flipping to avoid them, they blow up like bombs all over barely missing her. This angers her as she confronts the demon and holds her sword out at him again. He laughs, "Gonna put me on fire again? Go ahead it will heal easily then I will destroy you ending this pitiful fight." Zehpra is able to manipulate the fire from her sword to do many things but she knows with this demon he will just heal from regular fire therefore it will be useless, so before she strikes him her final blow, the pupils of her eyes turn red as she transfers her demonic energy to the sword causing her normal fire to convert into demonic black fire. Her black fire is beyond scorching but instead disintegrates and destroys what it comes in contact with. Zephra strikes three fast blows with the black fire coming out of her sword, the last one going directly through his heart... he is confused and dumbfounded when he realizes he is unable to recover or heal from the black fire and screams in horror as he bursts into pieces. The crowd of demons goes wild when they see this female demon just destroyed one of the toughest demons of the tournament. To actually see the red fire change color to an eliminating bluish black color and emit from her sword was quite a show. The demon that did not want Zephra on their team sits stunned at what he just witnessed realizing he was wrong to insult her. After all of them fight, Heroshya's team of four prepare to eat and rest for the night in the woods. After all of the fighting, Zephra decides to bathe in a lake nearby to clean off...It's not as enjoyable as the hot spring at the castle but she is glad to be bathing after the days events. Heroshya and the other demon looks for food while Akuma is still badly injured and lies down to rest. When Zephra returns from bathing, she is in a silk kimono that she had in her nap sack. She looks stunning in it and Akuma who is in front of a fire and resting can't take his eyes off her, he tries to sit up as he compliments her, "You look so beautiful." Zephra doesn't want to be receptive to his flattery, she ignores his compliment and asks, "How are you feeling, any better?" Akuma moans as he tells her, "No not really..It's still pretty bad." Zephra kneels down and moves his shirt so that she can see the wound and she squinches her face in reaction to the deep bloody wound taking notice of how painful it looks. Heroshya and the other demon on the team return back with food and sticks to help cook it in the fire, they all look at Akuma's wound and Heroshya comments, "This really looks bad Akuma." The other demon says, "Akuma will not be able to fight in this condition, It will just be the three of us." Akuma wanting to participate in the fight and not wanting to look like a weak link in front of Zephra says, "No, I'll be fine..I just need to rest really." Zephra suddenly remembers something as she says out loud, "Father's necklace." Heroshya responds, "What?" Zephra repeats, "Father's necklace, this one...It has healing powers from the Tensiaga. I've never had to use it before now." Zephra removes the necklace from around her neck and places it close to Akuma's wound...the pearl from the necklace picks up the bloody gash as a wound and begins to glow; the glowing light shoots straight at the wounded area. After a few minutes the pearl's light goes out and the wound is practically gone. Akuma and the other demon are dumbfounded at this. Akuma tells Zephra, "It's almost like I was never hurt." He takes Zephra's hand, "Thank you" After a moment Zephra pulls her hand away and says "You're welcome. Well We'd better eat and get some rest." The four of them sit around the fire roasting their dinner on sticks and talking about the days tournament as Heroshya tells Zephra, "I didn't know your sword could do that." She responds, "It was a surprise to me too the first time I ever used it like that. Nephra and I found that when we transfer demonic energy to our swords, the power is intensified. The normal fire that emits from my sword turns into black fire, able to dismember and disintegrate my enemy. The normal water that emits from Nephra's sword turns to thick ice that can enclose her enemies and suffocate them or freeze them to death." Akuma finds this astonishing as he says, "I wouldn't believe it had I not witnessed it for myself." The other demon on the team asks, "Then you should just use your sword like that all the time, It was so powerful." Zephra continues on, "We can't transfer demonic energy too often because it drains us out, we only use it in extreme cases. I don't usually need to transfer demonic energy to my sword but that demon was really starting to tick me off with his quick healing skin." They all chuckle then the other demon says to her, "Earlier when I said you would cause us to lose the tournament,..I stand corrected." Zephra flashes a half smile and the demon teases her, "What, she actually smiles??" Zephra wants to laugh but she starts to retreat to a more quiet area as she says, "I'm going to sleep, good nite." The guys all say "Good nite." Heroshya shouts out to her, "Be dressed and ready early, right before day break." Akuma asks Heroshya, "I really like her, do you think after the tournament...she may let me see her again? She doesn't seem to be warming up to me like I want her to." Heroshya responds as he eats, "I don't know, I kind of think she likes you. I mean she used her necklace to heal you, she didn't really have to do that and it's not like her to do a kind jester like that for someone but she is really focused on the tournament right now. You'll have better luck asking after all this is over. " Zephra has rested well, she is up and dressed for battle before the guys. The crowds are gathering when the foursome heads up to the battle field for another round of fighting. The demons of the tournament are decreasing as more and more get defeated each day. Heroshya's team is well in tact with all four members still able to fight thanks to Zephra's healing necklace. The days battles starts off with a tag team event two demons from the team of four will fight and will tag in the other two demon on their team when they feel as if they are getting tired or defeated. Heroshya decides Akuma and the other demon will fight first and then he and Zephra will tag in when needed. Akuma and his partner fight two demons from another team, the fight lasts for a while and soon the two demons from the opposing team tag out and two demons that are well refreshed get into the arena. Akuma and his partner have been fighting for some time and feel that they are too fatigued to fight them and win so they tag in Zephra and Heroshya. As they approach the battle field, Heroshya speak quietly to Zephra, "Okay, so remember what I told you to do. We are gonna end this quick...I don't want to waste energy on these two." Zephra nods in agreement. Heroshya and Zephra stand beside each other waiting for the opposing demons to approach. The two demons run towards them at top speed but as they get close... Zephra jumps high and back flips. It looks like she flew as she lands behind the demons but facing Heroshya. The demons don't know what hit them when Heroshya holds his hands out straight in front of him pointing his fingers as he ejects a thick group of finger whips in Zephra's direction. She grabs hold of them wrapping them tightly around her hand for good grip and this creates two, large, neon parallel demon whip lines entrapping the two demons inside their whip box. Heroshya shouts, "NOW!!" At that very moment as fast as lightening and with much force, Zephra and Heroshya cross their arms causing the powerful whips to slice through the midsection of both demons as they fall to the ground slit in half. Heroshya's team wins again as they wait for the finale of the tournament to approach. Heroshya once again talks to the team going over their strategy to win the tournament, he then speaks to Zephra one more time telling her that if things get bad they will combine the powers of their swords. Even though he has no idea what exactly will happen he knows that the end result should be intense. It is the final fight of the tournament and every one is inside the battle field. The demon spectators cheer Zephra's name, they are so impressed by her and they're excited to see more of she and Heroshya's creative manuevers. The final battle requires every demon participating in the tournament to fight any and all demons that are not apart of their team. Heroshya's team is still four losing none of it's members. They fight the last battle hard killing a few demons but many demons still remain, everyone is becoming exhausted but they fight on, Zephra is outstanding and almost as equally skilled as her brother causing the crowd to praise her. They witness Zephra save her team mate from destruction when a demon hurls one of his invisible ultrasonic blasts that only she and Heroshya were able to hear with their keen hearing of a dog demon...Jumping in front of her team mate and shielding him with a burst of her demonic energy in time to save his life. Her team mate is astonished when he sees that he would have lost his life had she not been there to save him as he thinks about and regrets the disrespect he showed her for being a half demon woman. The fight is continuing on but not enough demons are dying off and they still have a lot of battling to do, Zephra looks at her team mates seeing that they are losing momentum and fast, she shouts to Heroshya, " It's time!! We've gotta finish this now!!" Heroshya agrees also noticing that his team mates can not take much more. Heroshya pulls out his swords as Zephra runs towards him pulling out her sword as well, When Zephra reaches him...she and Heroshya let the tip of their blades clash in the air and together bring the swords down pointing the connected tips to the group of opposing demons in it's path. When this happens Heroshya's sword creates a huge wind tornado while Zephra's sword causes the tornado to turn into a pillar of fire wildly whipping into the group of demons fighting against them. The fire tornado which is too tall to leap over and too wide to go around, sweeps swiftly from one side to the next sucking up and burning demons in its path as the demons try to run, fly and jump to escape it. Being a fighting technique of the swords, the fire tornado dies out after a few minutes and when it does there is a pile of dust from burnt, dead demons. Seeing this the crowd again goes wild, they compliment and admire the children of the Great Lord Sesshomaru ruler of the West as they say, "The son and daughter of Lord Sesshomaru are invincible, They can not be killed." The demons left that were lucky enough to survive or avoid the fire tornado decide to surrender and give up the tournament after seeing the power and skill of Heroshya and Zephra. The announcer presents Heroshya's team as the winners of the tournament providing them with the 1st place trophy for the 4th year in a row. The announcer gives out one other medal, "This medal is awarded to one of the most skilled and admired fighters in this tournament....Zephra...this medal is awared to you as the first woman to fight and win in this tournament." Zephra goes up to recieve her medal as the announcer places it around her neck and the crowd wildly applauds her ; although she does not show any emotion, this is one of Zephra's happiest moments. She has gotten what she wanted, by fighting in the tournament she has proven her abilities and her name will now spread across the lands when people continue to talk about the tournament, knowing that the spectators are demons from everywhere...East to West and North to South, from the mountains to the valleys. Before they part ways, Akuma being so attracted to Zephra asks her, "I hate the thought of us parting ways. Is it at all possible for me to see you again?" Zephra simply tells him, "If you wish to see me again, I'm sure you know where to find me." She flashes a flirtatious smiles at him as she walks off with Heroshya back to their father's castle. Akuma smiles back thinking he will most definately seek her out and spend more time with her. After the battle is done, Zephra insists that Heroshya keeps the 1st place statue that they won and she is extremely happy with the golden medal she received but she knows she has to keep it hidden from her father. Zephra is in high spirits knowing her name will be well known around all the lands and now she can not wait to tell her two human comrades of her victory. 2 days after the tournament Nephra, Zephra and Heroshya all stand in front of their father while he sits on his throne, he instructs his children that they will need to go to a secluded area and test their weapons, combining the powers of the three swords. Their father tells them that he wants to know how the swords interact with each other also how they oppose each other and report the results back to him. Heroshya and Zephra secretly already know what happens when they combine their swords but they still need to test their swords with Nephra's so they tell their father they will test the swords and report back. Just before he dismisses them to complete the task, a demon servant so impressed with Zephra tells her right in front of Sesshomaru, "Princess, you were absolutely stunning in the tournament.... your fighting skills were flawless....you were the main attraction of the entire event. We female demons are so proud, you are the first to fight in a male demon tournament and win!! We will cherish your accomplishment always." The demon servant kisses Zephra's hand, Zephra nods her head to the demon servant as a way of saying she is glad to hear that she was a hit at the tournament. The demon servant then walks off not realizing that she revealed Zephra's secret. Heroshya, Nephra and Zephra all at the same time slowly look at their father seeing his anger as his brows lower and he groans under his breath in displeasure. Heroshya says out loud but in low voice, "Oh Crap!" Zephra responds to Heroshya in a soft tone, "Just Stay calm." Sesshomaru in a very angry voice scolds, "You both disobeyed my orders !??" Zephra tells her father, "I didn't want to disobey you but as you just heard father, I was the main attraction at the tournament." Sesshomaru responds, "I do not care, I forbade you to go!" Zephra continues, "Father, It seems that you are trying to keep me from my goals and my purpose in life. I'm old enough to make my own decisions, If I had listened to you and not gone to the tournament, I would not be getting the recognition you just witnessed." Sesshomaru responds, "Zephra, I am no fool, do not try to turn this situation to make me out to be the bad guy ...you were the one that lied and disobeyed me!" Listening to the argument Heroshya thinks to himself: That's good Zephra, keep it up...make him so angry at you that he will forget about being angry with me. Zephra is very good at getting what she wants by playing on the emotions of others. She decides to play on her father's affections for his little girl in the hopes of calming his anger down and says, "It's just that when you said that a demon tournament was no place for a woman...It was then that I realized you looked at me as nothing more than a useless, weak, half demon, female that was not worthy to fight other demons. It hurt me so bad...I always knew that being half human, I would one day experience ridicule and indignity but ...I just never thought the treatment would come from my very own father." Zephra pretends to be distraught. Sesshomaru seeing this groans again under his breath, " Hmmm. Heroshya, Nephra...leave us, I need to speak with Zephra alone." Heroshya and Nephra walk out; Heroshya is happy thinking: This is Good... hopefully I'm in the clear, now that he is focused on Zephra. Sesshomaru tells her, "Zephra, I do not see you as weak nor useless, I simply despise the very thought of any male...human or demon...raising a hand with the intent of harming one of my daughters, that is why I told you that a male demon tournament is not for women.... but you already know that don't you? Did you honestly think you would succeed in making me pity you instead of punish you?" Zephra now knows her tricks did not work on her father she thinks: Okay, I will take my punishment...what is it going to be father? Sesshomaru continues, "However, I will not punish you or Heroshya. You are old enough to make your own choices...if you really thought this was a good idea, I will not punish you for achieving your goal, also...I do find it impressive that you managed to participate in and win a fierce male demon tournament." Zephra goes to her father and hugs him around his neck like she and Nephra used to do when they were little girls, finally able to show him her special, well deserved medal. |