Written by BHart
December 13, 2007

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Act LXXV
The Council's Cult of Misandry

 

The sailor senshi struggled to get free while the yagudo approached. Potter played his Foe Requiem V song, dealing severe sonic damage to the yagudo and giant worms. The worms couldn't withstand the loud sound and retreated back into the ground.

The loud sound waves caused the unstable ground around them to shake and crumble. A large pile of dirt fell in between the yagudo and sailor senshi, preventing them from being pursued.

"The exit is this way," said Feral Heart.

They entered a hidden, narrow tunnel, leading the way out of Giddeus. They found themselves near the stone monument in West Sarutabaruta.

They traveled southwest, taking them to the Outer Horutoto Ruins. "Is this their other hiding spot?" asked Mia.

"Yes. We'll have to split up in order to access their location," explained Feral Heart.

They walked down a narrow hallway, leading to a larger room. Mia tripped over something.

"Are you alright?" asked Potter.

"Just some minor scrapes. Looks like I tripped over a stone sign."

The sign read, "Wolfram & Hart."

"That name sounds so familiar," said Kousagi.

"They were an evil establishment that set up one of their bases of operations here. The shadow lord brought their influence to this world; but after he was defeated a few years ago, the establishment fell apart," explained Nami.

"That was back when we were little kids," remembered Kousagi.

Inside the center of the room was a giant, stone vagina raised up high on a pedestal. There were many people in robes, kneeling down around it and babbling gibberish. The stone vagina was painted gold.

"Who would make something like that?" asked Kousagi.

"It is the symbol of evil power, the symbol of the council of princesses," answered Ashlynn.

"Who are these people bowing down before it?" asked Kousagi.

"They are followers and worshippers of the golden camel toe; they are called putas, they are the religious sect of the council," answered Ashlynn.

"When did this happen?" asked Kousagi.

"Not long after you left," answered Mia.

"What are their beliefs?" asked Kousagi.

"They are misandrists; they spread misandry to all ends of this planet," replied Ashlynn.

They walked to another hallway which forked out in three different directions. "This is where we split up," explained Feral Heart.

"What are we supposed to do?" asked Potter.

"There are magical gizmos and strange apparatuses at the end of these hallways. They have to be activated within just moments of each other so we can access the secret passage. Meet at the fork in the road when you're done," explained Feral Heart.

The apparatuses were tiny and shaped like different kinds of flowers; a dahlia, a lilac, and a marguerite.

After activating them, a giant, stone amaryllis levitating just a few inches off the ground appeared in the fork in the road. It took them to a secret passage through a hole in the ceiling.

There was a closed metal gate, keeping many automaton cardians at bay. "Don't worry about them; we only use them as a precautionary measure in case anyone stumbles upon this hiding place," assured Feral Heart.

In a small area to the side, there were three symbols on the stone floor. They were a red, white and black hat.

"It's another 3 mage gate; you know the drill," said Feral Heart. She, Ashlynn and Potter each stood on one of the colored hats. Everyone was teleported.

They appeared in a large, furnished room. There was a sailor senshi inside kissing an elvan male. The two turned around, startled. "Oh, I didn't know we had company," said Sailor Ares.

"Glad to see you safe," said Potter.

"Kousagi? Is that you?" asked Armin.

"Yes. I see you two are an item," commented Kousagi.

"It's good to see you; it's been far too long. The taru tarus in Heavens Tower have been keeping us updated on what's been going on. I'm already prepared to go," said Rie (Sailor Ares).

"The council found your hiding place in Giddeus. We should stay clear of that place from now on," warned Nami.

They left the hidden room, seeing a bunch of putas standing 40 feet in front of them.

"Oh crap, looks like we've been discovered," said Feral Heart.

"Must've followed us here," said Kousagi.

"The council will bestow upon us rich blessings if we deliver you to them," said the leader of the putas.

"We're not going to surrender to a bunch of flunkies; even if there are more of you," replied Feral Heart.

"Then I, La Puta Morena, leader of the putas of this district, have no other choice. My fellow putas and I can bring you to them either dead or alive; your choice."

"We don't have time for this crap," said Rie. She ran over to a lever mounted on a wall and pulled it.

The metal gate opened up, releasing the cardians on the putas. A dozen eight of baton cardians ran towards the putas, beating them with their batons.

"Now's our chance; let's go," suggested Armin.

They exited the ruins where the eight of batons made a bloody mess of the putas. "Insane religious cults always come hand in hand with evil organizations, don't they?" said Kousagi.

"They congregate almost anywhere; lucky for us they're wusses," mentioned Rie.

Feral Heart hesitated for a moment.

"What's the matter, now?" asked Potter.

"The person we need to meet is across the ocean. It's too risky to go by boat, and there may be council members near the crags if we try teleporting there. Airship tickets are nearly impossible to come by, since they're so expensive. I'm afraid we're all out of options," replied Feral Heart.

"We could always travel by chocobo," mentioned Armin.

"But we don't have any licenses to ride them; and even if we did, chocobos can't cross the ocean," replied Nami.

"Some can. I am a chocobo breeder. Follow me," said Armin.

Armin took them to the ruins north of Giddeus. Just north of those ruins was a small cave entrance covered with all sorts of plant life.

Inside was a small chocobo stable. There were five chocobos there whose feathers were a brighter yellow than normal. "You can fly across the ocean on these," said Armin.

"I never heard you mention anything about this," said Rie.

"I was too busy worrying about your safety, so it was never brought up." He walked into a nearby room, bringing out a bag of fake chocobo licenses.

"I have a friend named Isaran who made these."

"There aren't enough chocobos for everyone," noticed Mia.

"Potter and I will stay behind. Go with Feral Heart and find the next sailor senshi in hiding," said Ashlynn.

"I'll miss you," said Rie, kissing Armin.

They mounted the chocobos, heading out of the cave.

Kousagi stayed behind for a moment to talk to Armin.

"What are you doing? You'll get left behind," said Armin.

"I'll catch up to them soon, I just wanted to ask you something first," said Kousagi.

"What is it?"

"I'm a little embarrassed to ask."

"Ask away."

"I was wondering if you could kiss me."

Armin was taken back a bit. "I'm sorry, but I'm with Rie now. We are a thing of the past."

"I know. It's not what you think. Ever since I've been back, I haven't been able to regain all of my memories. I know that touch can bring back many buried memories. When I saw Rie kiss you goodbye, I thought that the rest of my memories might come back if I did the same. I need the rest of my memories to come back so my true power will be restored. Will you help me?" asked Kousagi.

"Let's just keep this between us. Rie can be a jealous girl," said Armin.

"I know."

After kissing, a flood of lost memories came rushing back to her. She felt new strength and energy within her.

"Did it work?" asked Armin.

"Yeah, I think it did. Thank you." She left to catch up with the others.

Ashlynn and Potter walked into the cave. "We're going back to Durst for a bite to eat. Do you want to join us?" asked Potter.

"Yes. I'm getting tired of eating kupo nuts and pashal greens with the chocobos," replied Armin.

They reached the northwestern coast of Sarutabaruta and headed northwest towards Norvallen.

They flew just inches above the ocean so they would not be seen by any boats.

The chocobos went on foot as soon as they reached land, and continued onward until they reached Jugner Forest through La Theine Plateau.

The sun was setting, making it difficult to see.

"I'll go slowly so you won't get lost," said Feral Heart.

Feral Heart was looking through the trees of the forest, as if she was trying to find something.

"What is it? Do you see something?" asked Mia.

"No. I'm looking for my contact. She's usually hunting in this forest. She's very good at blending in with her surroundings, making it difficult to find her."

"Let's take a break, I'm getting tired," suggested Feral Heart. They relaxed at the maiden's spring.

Fog began to fill the early night air. "It's getting a little cold," said Nami.

"Snuggle up with your chocobos," suggested Feral Heart.

"I wish I could start up a fire to keep us warm, but then we'd be easy to spot," said Rie.

"Don't worry; it doesn't get any colder than it is now. It will warm up soon," replied Feral Heart.

A silvery colored light approached them in the dark. They were too busy getting warm to notice. The sharp tip of a sword was pointed at Feral Heart's neck.

"I've found you at last," said a figure, covered in the fog.

..to be continued..