Contents
Chapter 12: The Ranganese
Overview
The Ranganese unleash a controlled tornado that obliterates Takayubi’s western village, shattering the defenders’ numbers and resolve. Misaki guides strategy; Takashi organizes the stand; Chul-hee runs for reinforcements.
Takeru collapses the funnel by killing its core fonyakalu, but a massive Ranganese force advances, setting the stage for a desperate battle.
Summary
A foreign, rust-dark storm slams into Takayubi as a Ranganese-forged tornado forms offshore and races toward the mountain. Misaki rushes the children inside while Takashi arms Takeru and Mamoru and orders Chul-hee to reach the info-com towers for reinforcements. Setsuko breaks with grief as the funnel annihilates the coastal village.
Misaki urgently briefs the men on tornado mechanics, warning that the core updraft team inside the funnel must be targeted. Despite her pleas, Mamoru joins the defense. Takashi deploys the remaining fighters between the passes; most of Takayubi’s strength has been wiped out with the western village.
At the southern pass, twelve men hold a long defensive line against the oncoming vortex. Yukino Sensei pairs with Mamoru to fuse precision and power, sending ice spears into hidden fonyakalu. The wind does not weaken, confirming rapid replacements within the storm.
Takeru kneels to meditate, reaching perfect focus amid the gale. As the funnel crests over their line, Takeru pinpoints and lances the three core fonyakalu inside the updraft. The tornado collapses, dropping black-clad bodies into the snow and revealing the enemy’s human center.
With the clouds parted, the defenders see a wall of yellow-uniformed Ranganese infantry and banners advancing up the mountain. Outnumbered twenty to one, the survivors reform as the Ranganese unleash a war cry and charge.
Who Appears
- Misaki MatsudaProtects the children, counsels tactics against the tornado, and tries to safeguard Mamoru.
- Takeru MatsudaMeditates amid the gale and pierces the core fonyakalu, collapsing the tornado.
- Takashi MatsudaRallies command, arms fighters, sets defensive lines, and sends Chul-hee for reinforcements.
- Mamoru MatsudaJoins the line; pairs with Yukino to launch precise, powerful ice spears into the vortex.
- Setsuko MatsudaShattered by the village’s destruction; urges Takashi to avenge their family.
- Kwang Chul-heeTakes a wakizashi and runs uphill to reach info-com towers and call for aid.
- Yukino SenseiProvides precision targeting through the storm; steadies Mamoru; helps coordinate defense.
- Mizumaki HyousukeHelps form the southern pass defense; questions, then follows Matsuda leadership.
- Mizumaki TokiSenior Mizumaki fighter at the southern pass; presses for a way to pierce the core.
- Ranganese fonyakalu and soldiersEngineer the tornado; core fonyakalu slain; massed yellow-clad infantry advance.