Guardians of the Veil

by AurelianSnow

Summary:

During the fall of the old capital, Wise lost his eyes in a large explosion of Ether at Helios Academy. Now armed with superhuman strength from the mysterious blast and the tools to back it up, he rebrands himself as Astraeus the independent investigator. With the help of his sister Belle, better known as the Proxy Phaethon, they venture into Hollows.

Along the way they’ve built an elite team of agents to aid them in their cause. But, while exploring the ruins of the old capital in Hollow Zero, they run into a living legend. A powerful swordswoman of noble blood, Hoshimi Miyabi, needs the help of Astraeus to save New Eridu from oblivion.

Unseen threats maneuver in the shadows of the city and plot for power. All the while, unknown and powerful creatures stir in their nest of thorns, threatening to spill out of Hollow Zero and finish the destruction of humanity once and for all.

Can Wise, along with his new friends in Hollow Special Operations Section 6, save New Eridu before it’s too late?

~Rated explicit for violence and not sexual content.

Chapter 1: Nightengale’s Call

Beginning of Part One: A Will Forged In Iron

 

“Take a right at the next street!”

 

After hearing the crackling voice of Belle in his earpiece, Wise nods his head on instinct to acknowledge the instruction. Ahead of him is an intersection covered in rubble and long destroyed vehicles. His heavy boots thud against the uneven concrete road and crush smaller bits of debris. As his objective comes closer into view, the man realizes that he has new obstacles to overcome.

 

A small hoard of small, dog-like Ethereals emerge from various shadowed hiding places. One of the quadrupeds climbs on top of a destroyed minivan and roars a challenge into the air. The intersection has become a nearly impassable battleground.

 

Hati classification, and a whole pack of them to boot. Not good. Most of us can’t outrun them either, they’re too fast…

 

Wise thinks to himself as his light blue eyes scan over the wall of hostile creatures. The magnification built into his mechanical eyes allows him to get a good look at the newcomers. Slowly, he and his team come to a stop about a hundred meters from the vanguard of the pack. A small, shuffling figure comes into his left peripheral vision. Without looking, the gray haired man’s hand reaches down to pet Eous on the head. As he does so, he hears an annoyed scoff immediately to his right.

 

“I could outrun them but there’s no way you guys can. Is there another way to the exit fissure, Belle?” The voice of Ellen Joe speaks from next to him. She stabs her blade into the ground and leans on it to take a quick break. The shark girl absentmindedly removes small pieces of dust and debris from her otherwise spotless maid uniform.

 

“Scanning… I can’t see anything right now. Some of the other paths might eventually lead to the exit but there’s no guarantees. Not to mention I won’t know what’s waiting there for you until it’s too late.”

 

Belle can see the small dog-like creatures shuffle around impatiently as she watches the live feed coming from Wise’s mechanical eyes. For a stressful moment, the feed to Wise's eyes cuts off. A few seconds later the footage resumes and a small replay of what she missed plays in the bottom corner of the screen. The design of her brother's eyes never ceases to amaze. It's a shame they even needed to be created, though.

 

After she’s finished speaking, Fairy chimes in as well.

 

“The Master is correct. Fairy cannot pinpoint the Ethereal's exact positions due to temporal fluctuations on the other routes. Fairy estimates an eighty-three percent chance of an ambush if an alternative path is taken.”

 

“Let’s just fight em! There’s only like, what, maybe thirty? Should be a good workout!” The voice of Anton Ivanov pipes up excitedly. His power drill whirs softly on his arm, seemingly just as excited for a fight as its wielder. Black and red hair bounces through the air as he nods his head eagerly.

 

“Unwise. A large-scale fight like this may draw attention from more Ethereals.” Anby reprimands in her monotone voice. “Also, there’s forty-seven, not thirty.” Her hand rests on the handle of her sword. Highly focused orange eyes slowly scan the street in front of the squad.

 

“It’s your call boss. Just say the word.” Ellen says in a bored tone. Her red eyes look to Wise, awaiting his instructions.

 

Anby and Anton glance at him expectantly while still keeping their eyes on the nearby threats.

 

Two of Wise’s fingers pinch his chin as he carefully considers his options. Taking an alternate route is riskier but carries the possibility of running into even more dangerous enemies. Pushing directly through the pack of Hati will be very difficult but only carries a low chance of drawing attention. After making his mind up, he lowers his hand and clears his throat. “We’re going to push through and take the pre-planned route to the fissure. Standard formation.” He says with confidence while matching the gaze of his fellow agents one by one.

 

Ellen walks forward to stand next to Wise while Anby and Anton take up the rear. “Good call. The sooner we get out of here the better.” She says quietly.

 

Wise can’t help but nod his head in agreement. Hollow Zero is dangerous and unpredictable even on the best of days. A smart investigator gets in, completes their objective, and gets out as soon as they reasonably can. Balancing speed with adequate precaution and precision is the mark of the best investigator teams.

 

“I’ll provide insight where I can, but it’s mostly up to you now. Be safe out there, everyone.”

 

Belle’s voice states with concern over their communications.

 

Raising a hand to press a button on his earpiece, Wise responds. “We always are.” 

 

After speaking, his hand moves upwards to rest on the hilt of one of his weapons. A large blade is strapped to his back which rests in a box-like gunmetal gray scabbard. The Hollow Affairs and Neutralization Department (HAND) logo and name is emblazoned down the scabbard’s length, along with a simplified drawing of a light blue snowflake. 

 

The blade is a bastard sword, also known as a hand-and-a-half. Its length and weight lie in between a one handed and two handed sword, allowing it to be wielded in a variety of different ways. Soldier 11 was kind enough to ‘requisition’ it for him after his basic old sword was destroyed. Evidently the blade was going to be decommissioned and recycled because it was only a prototype. The benefits of having friends in special forces are many, especially when it comes to acquiring weaponry.

 

The sword uses technology similar to that of Anby’s and Soldier 11’s. Except, instead of fire or electricity, this produces a cryogenic coating on the blade that can freeze nearly anything it touches. A powerful tool that allows him to combat nearly any threat a Hollow could offer. 

 

On his left hip rests a handgun in a similarly complex holster, courtesy of Captain Zhu Yuan of Public Security after he assisted in several police investigations. The weapon fires bullets that utilize the same cryogenic technology that his blade uses. On the side of the holster, a light blue etching of the New Eridu Public Security logo can be seen. He has never asked HAND how much the bullets cost, but he figures it’s better not to know. 

 

Slowly and with practiced ease, he draws the sword from its scabbard and assumes a loose combat stance. Small pieces of ice fall from the blade and shine brilliantly in the sun before they hit the ground below. He takes a single step forward before breaking into a sprint. Several of the Ethereal creatures roar out a battle cry and charge forward to meet his advance. The screams of the creatures echo off of the towering buildings that surround them, causing a disturbing and deafening cacophony of noise.

 

Ellen Joe matches Wise’s sprint, keeping pace directly to his right. She shoots him a grin full of razor sharp teeth before leaping high into the air. Her scissor-like blade impales one of the Hati as she lands, fully piercing it and pinning it to the road. With a sickening noise, she removes the weapon and prepares to face more enemies.

 

Two of the hounds charge Wise at once, aiming to catch him from the sides in a pincer maneuver. Suddenly, the ice agent darts to the right towards one of the oncoming creatures. Wise changes the grip on his sword to grasp it with both hands in an underhand grip. Planting his leg onto the ground he begins a devastating upward slash. The creature's momentum from its reckless charge is too great and it cannot stop or evade the blow in time. With ease, the blade enters the hound’s head, cutting it completely in two down its entire length. After a short moment, both sides of the creature crash into the pavement below, shattering into a thousand frozen pieces.

 

The fallen Hati’s partner roars with anger at the sight and immediately begins charging Wise. Its plan for revenge is cut short as the gray haired man unholsters his handgun and shoots one perfectly aimed shot into its skull. With an unceremonious thud the corpse of the hound slides forward and comes to a rest at the ice agent’s feet. A white blanket of frost emanates from where the bullet struck. A bullet case clinks onto the ground and joins one of the shattered pieces of the first Hati. The two discarded remnants of battle glint side by side with the light of the evening sun. He thumbs the safety and slides the weapon back into its holster with practiced ease.

 

Glancing to his left, he can see Anton has been surrounded by a small pack of the Hati. Five of the hounds slowly circle around him and wait for any sort of opening. Wise can see that Anby and Ellen are currently engaged with a much larger group and will not be able to render assistance. Without a moment of hesitation, the ice agent charges into the fray to rescue his squad member.

 

Anton sees Wise coming to assist him and decides to make a proactive move. The construction worker turns his drill up to the highest setting. The machine whirs and sparks with menacing vigor as the man grin wickedly. “Don’t fail me now, bro! Let’s help our bro!” He bellows out his unusual yet highly energetic warcry and charges forward towards the Hati closest to Wise. The creature's honed instincts cause it to immediately take a swing with its right claw at the incoming threat.

 

With all the skill of a dancer, Anton ducks under the blow with ease and jams his drill deep into the beast’s stomach. With a sickening twisting motion the hound begins to spin in a circle as Anton heaves it into the air in an awe inspiring display of physical power. Its skin begins to light up with crackling blue electricity. After several rotations the Hati explodes with a burst of gore and arcs of lightning. Despite the brutal execution, the construction man is grinning like he just busted a piñata full of candy. The creatures that previously surrounded him take several apprehensive steps away.

 

Wise wastes no time and seizes the advantage. He switches his sword to be held only in his right hand and draws his handgun with the left. A Hati notices his approach and moves to intercept. Once it's ten meters away the beast’s powerful back legs activate and it springs into the air. Aiming to bite off the ice agent's head, its maw opens and reveals rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth. In a smooth motion Wise blocks the attack with his sword, causing it to bite down on the blade instead of its destined target. The hound’s mouth quickly freezes shut and it realizes its error. With eyes as wide as saucers, it can only watch as the gray haired man raises his weapon and fires at point blank range, piercing the creature's lower jaw and entering its head. Wise kicks the creature away in one powerful move, causing his sword to dislodge as well.

 

Anton is able to reach his leader and fist bump him eagerly. “Solid kill bro! We should see who can get more by the end of the fight!” He suggests with a massive grin.

 

Shaking his head with a soft smile, Wise speaks with endeared amusement. “You’re on, bro. Loser has to pay for noodles after the mission.” He says with a determined glint in his eyes.

 

The construction worker nods in agreement, but is interrupted before a loud roar emanates from nearby. With a shared grin the friends prepare for battle. Combat once again descends upon the two men as more Hati enter the fray. 

 

Both agents fight back to back against the onslaught of Ethereals. Having been in such fights many times, they work in nearly perfect harmony with one another. Wave upon wave of the hounds are dispatched with brutal efficiency. 

 

Finally, there’s only one beast left alive. This one seems slightly different from the others. Most obviously is its color, its skin taking on a white hue while its etheric highlights glow with menacing red light. Wise recognizes its features from the HIA database, identifying it as a Hati pack leader.

 

Anton charges it immediately, aiming to dispatch the creature before it can escape or regain the initiative. He leaps forward with his power drill once he finishes closing the distance. The beast leaps backwards with ease and completely avoids the blow. Through a combination of bad luck and recklessness, the construction worker’s boot is lodged between two large pieces of debris and he falls to the ground with a startled yelp. Realizing its opponent's blunder, the Hati’s mouth begins to glow with purple ether-infused flames as it winds up for a ranged attack. Anton’s eyes widen when he notices what is happening.

 

“Anton!” Wise yells as sees the agent’s predicament. He raises his handgun to dispatch the Hati before it can fire. With a gentle squeeze, he pulls back the trigger causing the hammer to fly forward and strike the pin.

 

Click.

 

The ice agent’s eyes widen as he realizes the magazine is empty. He has several more strapped to various parts of his body, but the beast will certainly not wait for him to reload. Realizing he has only seconds to act, Wise charges forward and holsters his handgun. Time seems to slow down as the projectile exits the Hati’s mouth, its surface roiling with otherworldly energy. Wise dives in front of his friend and raises his sword just in time to block the attack. The projectile strikes the metal of the sword which causes a hauntingly beautiful note to ring through the air of the battlefield.

 

Despite his best efforts, Wise’s block was slightly off of its mark. A portion of the projectile rolls over the surface of the blade and strikes his shoulder. His clothing and skin sizzle and burn as the ether infused fire makes contact. The ice agent grunts loudly in pain and sinks to his knee, his left arm raising to clutch the wound on instinct.

 

“Wise!”

 

The ice agent can hear Belle scream in his earpiece. With menacing footfalls that shake the ground, the Hati pack leader approaches to finish off its two disabled opponents. Wise drops his sword to the ground and grabs his handgun, reloading it quickly. He begins emptying round after round into the beast. The cryogenically enhanced bullets only seem to make it angrier.

 

Just as he feels all hope fade away, a blur in the sky catches his attention. Ellen’s blade swings down, seemingly from the heavens, and makes contact with the encroaching hound. With devastating accuracy, both sharpened blades of the scissor-like sword land on either side of the Hati’s neck. A loud and highly disturbing sound can be heard as the creature's head separates from the rest of its body, landing on the street with a hollow thunk. Thin wisps of frost emanate from where it was severed. 

 

Wise lets out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding. With a monumental effort he makes his way back onto his feet. The pain from his injury causes his head to spin and vision blur. After a quick moment he picks his sword back up and smashes the rubble that was keeping Anton pinned to the ground. The ice agent reaches out a gloved hand to help the construction worker off of the street. “My final count was twenty-two. Unless I’m mistaken, you owe me a bowl of noodles.” Wise says with amusement.

 

Anton laughs heartily and accepts the man’s help. He stands up and brushes errant bits of dust and debris off of his uniform. “Damn! I only got twelve. I can’t believe you got that many.” He says incredulously as his red eyes glance at the large corpse of the Hati pack leader.

 

“Mister Ivanov, Fairy’s data confirms the second assistant’s claims. He indeed killed twenty-two of the Ethereal creatures with five assists as well.”

 

Fairy’s monotone voice crackles to life on the team’s earpieces.

 

After hearing the announcement, Anton hangs his shoulders dramatically and sighs. The grin on his face gives away his true feelings, however.

 

Wise smiles kindly and reaches his hand out towards Anton. “It was a good try, bro. I’m sure you’ll stand a better chance next time.” The ice agent says with a friendly smile

 

Anton grins with amusement and loudly claps his hand into Wise’s, moving into a half-body embrace shortly after.

 

The ice agent winces as he embraces the construction worker, which doesn’t go unnoticed. Ellen and Anby hurry over after a quick moment having finished up their respective battles.

 

Ellen, the tiny form of Eous in her arms, is the first to notice the injury. “Noodles can wait, let’s get that bandaged.” The maid says urgently as she steps forward. 

 

Wise waves his hand dismissively, retracting his hand from Anton’s. “It’s not life threatening. Let’s leave the Hollow before any more of these monsters show up.” He says confidently, sheathing his sword onto his back as he makes his way to the exit fissure.

 

Belle desperately wants to protest, but she realizes the wisdom in her brother’s words. With a sigh, she speaks through Eous’s speakers. 

 

“He’s right, move to the exit fissure immediately. Everything else can wait until everybody is home safe.” 

 

Anby and Anton quickly share a look of concern. They quickly shake any errant thoughts or doubts of their heads as they quickly sprint towards the area that they’re being guided towards.

 

The quartet, plus Eous, take the right that was previously blocked off by the pack of hounds. Wise’s eyes glance around his surroundings as they enter a large open courtyard with a destroyed statue in the middle of it. What seems to have once been a statue of Atlas has lost its globe, leaving the man himself unburdened. The ever present feeling of being watched that comes with Hollow Zero is amplified significantly from the second they enter the new area.

 

Wise holds up a simple hand signal, telling his team to come to a stop. They immediately comply and begin scanning the area for anything that seems amiss. As an independent investigator, the most important thing to learn is when to listen to your gut.

 

With another series of hand signals he orders Anby and Ellen to make their way forwards. As the two most agile agents on the roster, now that Wise is injured, they’re the clear choice for a scouting team. Hesitantly and with razor sharp focus, the two female agents carefully step forwards. Their patient and graceful stride avoids any pieces of rubble that could trip them up or reveal their location.

 

After what feels like an eternity, the pair circle around either side of the statue of Atlas. Their sweep comes up empty. Ellen turns around and signals the all clear to Wise.

 

The agent nods in understanding before walking forward. Anton keeps pace with him and leans over to speak quietly. “I feel it too. Their search came up empty, but… something’s definitely out there.”

 

Wise nods his head in agreement before speaking in a hushed tone. “Just stay on your toes. We’ll be out of here soon.”

 

The two men regroup with their teammates in the center of the courtyard. Wise’s eyes continue to scan the windows and shadows of nearby buildings.

 

“There’s nothing here. We should get moving.” Anby says as she turns back to regard her leader.

 

As soon as she finishes speaking, an ear piercing roar rattles the windows and forces the agents to instinctively cover their ears. Through a pained grimace the quartet try to locate the source of the noise. After several painful seconds it finally abates, returning the evening air to its calm and eerie state. But, through the ringing in their ears, thunderous and rapid footsteps can be heard thumping against a nearby road.

 

The source of the footsteps can’t be seen and seems to be emanating from every at once due to the tall buildings surrounding the courtyard. On instinct, the team form a tight circle shoulder to shoulder allowing them to see in all directions at once. They slowly rotate as a group.

 

“Wait for it to show itself before moving. Belle, and Fairy, what can you two see?” Wise asks in a hushed tone, a finger moving to his communications earpiece.

 

“It’s… massive. High ether levels are being detected, they’re nearly off the charts.” Belle says in an incredulous voice.

 

“It’s circling the courtyard at a rapid pace, Fairy’s calculations suggest that it wants you to run so you are easier prey. The creature’s Ether levels are comparable to several other mutations that have been observed previously, such as the Dead End Butcher.” The AI states in her usual monotone voice.

 

Wise and Anby share a nervous glance, having fought the Dead End Butcher and came away with a few more scars than they would have preferred.

 

Just as the team leader is about to respond, the footsteps suddenly stop. He freezes in place and raises his weapon, prompting his squad mates to do the same. All at once, a nearby building explodes into an avalanche of brick and mortar. The roar from earlier rings out from the ensuing cloud of dust. The agents all turn to face the new threat with determined expressions. An unusual noise rings out from the dust cloud as the creature stalks forward. Finally, it exits the dust into plain view.

 

A massive, four legged creature emerges. Its lower half is that of a horse sporting hooves glowing with sickening green Ether. Various pieces of debris and metal cling to its legs, acting as makeshift armor. In its tracks are left glowing green horseshoe prints that light up the ever darkening courtyard.

 

Its top half is humanoid, resembling the torso and arms of a human male. Its face is covered in some sort of ethereal vale, leaving its features non-existent or at least not visible. Despite the veil’s presence, two pairs of glowing purple eyes can be seen in the misty darkness of its face. Atop its head are symmetrical yet knotted antlers. They spiral in seemingly random directions with veins of green and purple Ether pulsating just beneath their surface. In the creature's hands is a massive stone globe, most likely stolen from the statue of Atlas in the center of the courtyard.  Altogether, it looks like a Centaur of ancient myth, twisted in form and spirit by the energies of Hollow Zero. 

 

“Scan complete. Signature matches that of ‘Sleipner’, an S-Rank Ethereal noted within the HAND archives. A hefty bounty is on its head and it's been hunted by Hollow Special Operations Squad 6 for the last several weeks. Official documentation states that independent investigators should not engage under any circumstances.” Fairy’s voice speaks helpfully into all of their earpieces.

 

“You need to get out of there. Now.” Belle says in a serious tone tinged with some worry.

 

Wise takes a deep breath to focus himself. After a moment of thought and a slow exhale, his light blue eyes open once more with renewed focus. “We don’t stand much of a chance in a straight up fight. I’ll distract it and lead it away while you all make it through the exit fissure. I’ll follow once I buy enough space for myself.” He commands confidently, his sword already leaving its scabbard.

 

Belle speaks urgently into the communications channel. “Absolutely not, there’s no way I’m going to just let you-“

 

“This is the best choice, the only one really. Otherwise one of you is going to get hurt or worse. I’m the only one that can do this.” Wise interrupts his sister as he takes several steps forward. He knows that he’s the only one with the strength and speed to match this creature alone, even in his injured state

 

“The second assistant is correct. This decision has the highest probability for all four members to make it back alive, according to Fairy's calculations.” The AI states after a short delay.

 

Shaking her head and huffing with frustration, Ellen reluctantly obeys and begins sprinting towards the exit fissure. “Be careful, boss!” She yells back. In her arms is the tiny form of Eous, staring over her shoulder at the shrinking form of Wise.

 

With one last glance at their friend, Anton and Anby speak respectively.

 

“Be careful, bro.”

 

“Be careful, Wise.”

 

They say simultaneously before beginning to sprint as well.

 

Wise waves goodbye at them as he tries to put on a reassuring smile. His mechanical eyes turn back to regard Sleipner with a razor sharp focus.

 

The massive creature notices the departure of the other three agents, and begins to chase them. Before it can get any kind of momentum going, Wise leaps forward with inhumanly fast speed. His enhanced and frost covered blade strikes with clinical precision, hitting Sleipner just behind the second joint of its front right leg. 

 

The creature roars in agony as frost spreads from the site of the wound. The joint is now frozen which significantly lowers its overall mobility. Its four eyes glance with renewed fury at the ice agent, its attention now fully diverted.

 

Wise flourishes his sword, flicking off droplets of Ether-tainted blood, and puts it back into its scabbard. He withdraws it shortly after, its blade now coated in a new layer of shimmering frost. With careful movements, he assumes a high guard and begins slowly pacing around the creature, looking for an opening.

 

With a lightning fast lunge, Sleipner bolts forward towards the ice agent. It’s non-injured front leg raises to crush the man underfoot in a single blow. 

 

With a combat roll, Wise is able to dodge the attack just barely. Shards of the road fly in all directions from the powerful impact, one of which hits his right cheek and leaves a small cut. Realizing that he needs an advantage if he’s to survive for much longer, he scans his surroundings. The ice agent’s mechanical eyes quickly locate an alleyway nearby to where the exit fissure is. He begins sprinting there as fast as his legs can manage.

 

Sleipner gives chase almost instantly, trying to crush Wise under one of its hooves or with the massive stone globe it wields as a weapon.

 

The ice agent takes potshots at the encroaching creature with his firearm until he runs out of ammo. The shots have little meaningful effect other than forcing it to cover its veiled face with the globe.

 

Finally, Wise reaches the medium sized alleyway and ducks inside. His light blue eyes widen when he sees what awaits him. A dead end meets his gaze with a grim finality. The ice agent turns around hesitantly, hoping against hope that the four legged beast can’t fit inside. 

 

To his relief, Sleipner is much too wide to fit within the alleyway. With a frustrated roar it attempts to force its way inside with strength alone. Thankfully the buildings hold steady against its onslaught for now.

 

Wise smirks with satisfaction as he watches the frustrated creature. Now, all he has to do is scale the building and reach the nearby fissure and he’s home free. His relief turns to ashes in his mouth as a series of odd movements catch his eyes.

 

Sleipner takes a step back from the alley’s entrance, setting the massive globe down just outside. To Wise’s horror, the stone sphere is of the perfect size to fit in the alleyway. With a colossal heave, the beast shoves the weaponized globe into the breach, sending it hurtling towards the prey trapped within. 

 

Wise watches the instrument of his soon to be death with grim acceptance. The object towers over him by at least four factors of magnitude and leaves no room on the sides. Even if he jumped with all of his might it’s impossible for him to make it over.

 

With a sigh, the ice agent gets ready to close his eyes and accept oblivion. He doesn’t want to die, but perishing so his teammates can live is an outcome he can be happy enough with. Before his light blue eyes close completely, a streak of moonlight shoots across his vision.

 

With the breaking of the sound barrier and two slashes that seemed to pierce the heavens, the globe fell into four pieces, its momentum killed in an instant. On top of the remnants lands a small figure bathed in moonlight. A short silhouette with flowing robes, topped with large fox ears matching her long black hair, stands in front of the moon's form as it shines in from outside the alleyway. With motions more fluid than any water, the figure sheathes her katana with a soft click. A gentle snowfall begins to descend from the sky, a side-effect of her other-worldly powers.

 

Turning around, his savior’s deep red eyes can be seen, striking a bold contrast with the pale light of the moon above. “I recognize you, you’re Astraeus. The head of that independent investigation team. I remember your license exam.” A feminine and monotone voice shatters the silence. “You’ve done well, you can leave now. I will handle things from here.” Without another word, she turns on a heel and hops off of the stone, heading back to the mouth of the alleyway.

 

Wise stares with his jaw on the floor, completely awed by the absolutely overwhelming display of might that just played out before his eyes. He now recognizes her as Hoshimi Miyabi, chief of HSOS6. Without hesitation he follows her, eager to assist. Retreat is not even a consideration in his mind.

 

Wise jogs slightly to catch up with Miyabi and match her pace. One of her large ears flicks as she picks up the noise of his approach. Her red eyes narrow and turn to study him. “I told you that you can leave. Why are you following me?” She asks quietly.

 

The four purple eyes of Sleipner stare unblinking at the pair from the entrance of the alleyway, helpless to attack them unless they leave the safety of the combined space.

 

“Two swords are better than one. You saved my life and now I’m going to help you kill this thing.” Wise says as he nudges his head towards the towering figure with a smile.

 

Miyabi averts her gaze after a moment, considering carefully as her fingers pinch her chin. After a moment, she nods her head, causing her ears to bounce with the movement. “Very well. I’ve read your file and know you can handle yourself. Follow my lead.” Without explaining further she disappears into a blur. Almost immediately after, Sleipner howls in pain.

 

With an eager grin, Wise follows her into the fray. With nearly perfect coordination they begin performing a takedown maneuver. Various slashes or blistering cold steel strike Sleipner’s legs. After each blow, its speed is reduced bit by bit. The beast's attacks are becoming easier to dodge and its defense is crumbling rapidly. Miyabi makes a bold move by jumping off of the statue of Atlas and threatening to take a swing at the beast’s face. Sleipner roars in fury and drops its guard to stop her attack from following through. 

 

Sensing a window of opportunity, Wise shoves his sword into its scabbard and turns the dial on his backpack up all the way. With a battle cry, he unsheathes the sword which is now fully coated in multiple layers of icy energy. The blade moves with the power and precision of an executioner, simultaneously hitting both of Sleipner’s front legs and freezing them solid.

 

With a deafening roar of pain, the creature’s legs crumble into shards of frozen flesh, bringing its veiled head down low towards the pavement of the courtyard.

 

Miyabi sheathes her sword from on top of the statue of Atlas. Her legs widen and eyes close, getting into position for a powerful drawing slash. Ice cold blue flames emanate from the scabbard as her attack charges. The Chief’s eyes suddenly opened, glaring with ruby fury, before she disappeared from view completely. In the blink of an eye, she’s on the other side of the creature's head, calmly sheathing her sword.

 

At first, Wise is confused, thinking she may have missed. His heart nearly stops when Sleipner’s head rolls off of its shoulders. Its antlers shatter into chunks of frozen bone as it strikes the pavement, causing a beautiful wave of reflective ice to emanate from the site of impact. The massive form of the beast collapses with an unceremonious thud a moment later.

 

Miyabi’s eyes open once more and she regards the ice agent with her analytical gaze. “You’re quite good, that final blow was impressive. Without it my execution would have been flawed. Well done.” She says quietly. With a wave of flowing silken robe, she turns on a heel and begins walking towards the exit fissure.

 

Once again, Wise jogs slightly to keep and match her pace. She’s deceptively fast for someone with such short legs. 

 

“I wouldn’t have been able to help if you hadn’t saved my life earlier. So… thanks.” He states plainly as they continue walking.

 

“You’re welcome, Astraeus. It would be a shame to let someone of your talents go to waste.” Miyabi says, her eyes focused solely on the path ahead of her.

 

Wise quickly realizes that she’s not one who enjoys idle chatter, so the rest of the walk passes in silence. 

 

Once they reach the glowing purple mass of the exit fissure, Miyabi turns around and speaks. “Your team. Where are they?”

 

The ice agent answers quickly. “They already left. I just wanted to buy them enough time to escape.”

 

Miyabi narrows her eyes before nodding in understanding and speaking again. “A selfless act of bravery. You have the heart of a warrior and leader.”

 

Wise rubs his neck sheepishly and responds. “Well, I don’t know about all that. It just… seemed like the right call.”

 

Once more, the Chief studies him with half-lidded red eyes. “You and your team. You’re quite good, yes?” She asks curiously.

 

“My team is the best and brightest. You won’t find a group like them anywhere else.” Wise answers confidently.

 

A rare ghost of a smile appears on Miyabi’s face as she hears his statement. After a moment of consideration, she asks a question that she’s been wanting to for some time now.

 

“Have you ever considered becoming an official investigator?”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

It's finally Miyabi time. Hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it.

Fun fact: Astraeus is the Greek personification of nightfall, mirroring the personification of daybreak, Eous.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

If you want to share your story and talk with other readers and writers, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 2: Field Expedient

Summary:

Wise and his team return from Hollow Zero and are introduced to Section 6.

Wise stumbles out into the cool evening air, his boots thumping against the hard pavement of the alleyway. His light blue eyes scan his surroundings after automatically switching to a low visibility mode. To his relief he finds the rest of his team leaning against a nearby wall. 

 

Anby is the first to spot him, a relieved smile quickly comes onto her features. She leans off of the wall and begins making her way forwards. On the way there, she elbows the other two members.

 

Anton is shaken out of his exhausted state by the elbow. His red eyes quickly locate the form of his team leader. An excited look decorates his face as he speaks. “Bro, you’re back!” The construction worker begins sprinting over towards him, rapidly overtaking Abby’s more measured pace.

 

Ellen notices next, the small form of Eous still curled up comfortably in her slender arms. A small amount of razor sharp teeth glint in the moonlight as she smirks. The shark maid walks forward to follow the others.

 

Wise is nearly toppled over when Anton wraps him up in a hug. The action causes the ice agent's shoulder wound to scream in pain, but he ignores it so as to not make the construction worker feel bad. After several moments, they separate from the hug.

 

Anby reaches him next and comes to a standstill directly in front of him. The quiet girl has always been a little bit strange when it comes to physical contact. 

 

To play it safe, Wise holds out a closed knuckle hand for a fist bump.

 

The quiet girl stares at his outstretched hand for a moment, her yellow eyes shimmering with unseen emotions, before gently moving it away. She closes the short distance and wraps her hands around the ice agent's waist. She speaks quietly, her voice muffled by his clothing. “Thanks for not dying.”

 

Wise is surprised at first, but quickly reciprocates the embrace. Anby is quite short, standing at just over five feet tall. The ice agent towers over her at a bit over six foot three, the same height as Anton. The height difference results in Wise laying his arms across her shoulders in a sort of awkward fashion. Regardless of the unsightly embrace, both of them come away much happier.

 

“You’re welcome. I was always going to make it back.” Wise says softly as they separate. It’s a lie since he almost certainly would have died without Miyabi’s intervention. But the team doesn’t need to worry about that without reason.

 

Ellen reaches him and gently lets Eous out onto the cold ground. The small Bangboo waddles up to him and wraps itself around Wise’s leg. The voice of Belle emanates from its speakers. “Idiot. We’re having a talk about your complete disregard for your own safety when you get back home.”

 

Wise grins before leaning down and petting Eous on the head gently. He’s not surprised at all that Belle’s going to give him a verbal thrashing later.

 

The shark maid reaches her hand out for a fist bump, which Wise quickly reciprocates. She speaks with an amused smile and tone. “Glad you didn’t die, boss. Not sure who else would sign my paychecks otherwise.”

 

The ice agent puts a hand over his chest, feigning indignation. An amused grin betrays his true intentions. At this moment, the sound of another person exiting the fissure fills the alleyway.

 

Miyabi’s heel’s hit the pavement of the alleyway as she exits Hollow Zero. She takes a quick look around before her red eyes zero in on Wise. She strides forward gracefully to stand next to him. “This is your team?” She asks.

 

Wise nods his head and responds. “Yes, that's right. Anby, Anton, and Ellen. Can’t forget our Bangboo assistant, Eous.” He says as he points to them all in turn while stating their names.

 

The fox girl studies the assembled crew for a moment, nodding to each of them in turn. Satisfied with what she’s seeing, she speaks clearly. “Pleased to meet you. I am Hoshimi Miyabi, Chief of Hollow Special Operations Squad 6. I would like to thank you for your assistance in eliminating the S-Rank Ethereal, Sleipner.”

 

Ellen leans over to whisper to Anton. “She talks like a rich girl.”

 

Anton covers a snicker with one of his hands.

 

Anby, who is actually paying attention, widens her eyes. Her soft voice addresses Wise. “Wait, eliminated? You took it down all by yourself?” 

 

The ice agent shakes his head, causing his gray hair to flow with the movement. “Not even close. Chief Miyabi and I worked together to take it out. It was a hard one to bring down, but she did most of the heavy lifting and landed the final blow.”

 

Miyabi narrows her red eyes and turns to stare at Wise. The man’s humility takes her by surprise yet again. The high ranking military officers she is used to working with would fight tooth and nail for the credit of an S-Rank elimination. “Astraeus is underselling his contributions. This mission would not have been possible without his help. Regardless of the final blow, you and your team will be receiving credit for the elimination of Sleipner.”

 

Wise rubs his neck sheepishly before responding. “It really doesn’t feel like the right thing to do.”

 

Miyabi raises one eyebrow. She speaks softly with a matter-of-fact tone. “Did I mention that the bounty for Sleipner’s head was worth one and a half million Dennies?”

 

The ice agent is unmoved by the offer. He shakes his head once more before responding. “I appreciate it, really, but it’s-“

 

“We’ll take the money!” Ellen says, interrupting Wise. She walks forward to stand next to him. The maid’s red eyes shoot a death glare towards her leader. Her lips mouth the words ‘take the damn deal, you idiot’.

 

Movement in the corner of his eye draws Wise’s attention. The tiny head of Eous nods rapidly, the green display on his face plate only a blur due to the speed of the action.

 

Anton and Anby just shrug, not having any strong opinion either way.

 

The voice of Fairy crackles to life in his earpiece. “If it is a consideration, Master, the Chief does not need the money. The Hoshimi clan is worth well over a billion Dennies when their assets are combined. Fairy believes that this is why she’s insisting on transferring the credit.”

 

Wise sighs with exasperation. After a brief moment of consideration, he nods his head in agreement. “It seems I’ve been outvoted. Very well then, I’ll accept credit for the bounty.” The ice agent says with an amused smile.

 

Ellen smiles and pumps her fist with excitement. In a show of happiness, she lightly punches Wise on the shoulder and exclaims. “Great choice, boss!”

 

Wise tries his best to hide the effects of the wave of pain emanating from his shoulder injury, but can’t quite manage it in time. A wince and a pained grunt are noticed by all in attendance.

 

Anby and Anton react first, running towards their leader with an abundance of concern present on their features. In the panic of the mission they forgot all about the ice agent’s injury.

 

“Bro! Are you good?! I’m so sorry I forgot!” Anton exclaims as he inspects the burned cloth and flesh of Wise’s arm.

 

“We can take you to the hospital.” Anby says quietly while tugging on the scabbard that Wise has strapped to his back, trying to lead him out of the alleyway.

 

Ellen simply stares at her hand after retracting it from her leader’s shoulder. Her eyes shimmer with emotion as her eyes roam the offending limb, regret and shame plastered on her features.

 

Wise notices immediately and makes his way over. He sets a gentle hand on the maid’s shoulder and smiles reassuringly. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up. It was a genuine accident.” The ice agent says softly.

 

The shark regains some of her composure and takes a deep breath. Once her red eyes open, she looks up at Wise with a small smile and speaks. “Thanks. Sorry again for uh… yeah. Let’s just get you to the hospital.”

 

The ice agent waves his hand dismissively. “I’ll just bandage and clean it when I get home. The HDD electricity cost has been through the roof lately. A hospital bill on top of that may make us broke until the bounty money comes in. I don’t think the city would appreciate another late payment for our lot.” He explains calmly as he rotates his arm in a circle, testing the extent of his injuries.

 

Eous waddles forward to stare up at Wise. The voice of Belle emanates from its tiny form. “I’m sure we can find a way to make it work, bro. We could call on some of the debt that Nicole owes us.”

 

Wise and Eous look over to glance at Anby, who quickly shakes her head, dismissing the possibility.

 

Suddenly, the sound of someone clearing their throat is heard, interrupting their conversation. All in attendance turn to glance at the one who made the noise, Miyabi. The short fox girl is leaning against a nearby mail box that looks like it hasn’t been used in years. It’s an odd color, an off white that you may see used in some sort of hospital setting, and it’s surface is covered in graffiti.

 

“Pardon the interruption, but I have an offer.” The Chief says calmly.

 

“Please, I’m all ears.” Wise responds kindly.

 

“I wanted to bring you to Scott Outpost anyways to discuss future collaborations. I’ll have you checked out by a medic when we arrive, free of charge. As befitting an independent investigator of your prestige.” Miyabi offers in her usual monotone voice.

 

Wise’s eyes widen at the generous offer. First the insistence on transferring the bounty and now this. The ice agent finds himself in awe of her integrity and character. Finding somebody with such overwhelming power, yet still kind and humble, is a rare thing.

 

“He’s going to accept. Please take good care of him, Chief Miyabi.” The voice of Belle says from Eous’s speakers. The Bangboo’s green digital face stares expectantly at the team leader, leaving no room for debate on the subject.

 

The ice agent sighs and readjusts the scabbard on his back. After a very short moment of consideration, he nods his head and speaks. “Very well. I’m in your hands now.” Wise takes several steps forward to stand next to the swordswoman before turning around to address his team.

 

“Anby, please fill out the paperwork for the HIA in my stead. The rest of you have a good night and get home safe.” The leader says with a small wave goodbye.

 

Anby nods her head in affirmation, accepting the order. She often takes over some of the administrative roles on the team when Wise is unable to do so.

 

Anton and Ellen wave back and say their farewells. The shark maid scoops up Eous into her arms and they begin the trek back to the Janus Quarter.

 

Without saying a word, Miyabi turns on a heel and begins walking out of the alleyway. Her robes flap and wave with the movement. 

 

Wise sighs and puts a hand on his head. He thinks to himself.

 

I’m starting to get tired of her doing that…

 

With a huff he jogs slightly to match her pace. After a short moment of walking they end up on a more major roadway. Wise recognizes it as being fairly close to Scott Outpost and Hollow Zero.

 

“So, how long of a walk is it from here?” The ice agent asks casually.

 

Miyabi turns to regard him with a confused look. Quietly, she asks. “Who said we were walking?”

 

As if on queue, a slick looking black sedan with heavily tinted windows comes to a stop on the side of the road. After a short moment the driver’s side window rolls down, revealing a woman with pink hair and eyes. The unknown woman pushes up her spectacles with a gloved hand before speaking. “Chief Miyabi, glad to see you made it back safely despite going rogue again. And who might this be?”

 

Miyabi rolls her eyes with a huff while stepping towards the vehicle and speaking. “It’s not going rogue if I’m in charge, Deputy Chief Yanagi. I’ll explain our guest’s presence on the ride there.”

 

Despite the seemingly hostile nature of the conversation, both of them have a small smile on their faces. It seems that events like this are beyond common and usually result in similar banter, Wise concludes. Hesitantly, he follows Miyabi towards the car.

 

The now named Yanagi steps out of the vehicle and opens the door to the backseat, gesturing for Miyabi to step inside.

 

The fox swordswoman gives her a grateful nod before stepping into the vehicle. Closing the door with a soft click, the Deputy Chief returns to her place behind the wheel. It seems that the royal treatment given to Miyabi is beyond the standard fare as no such service is offered to the ice agent.

 

Not taking any particular offense, Wise walks all the way around the vehicle and enters the passenger side door of the backseat. He unbuckles his scabbard containing his sword, laying it across his lap as he climbs into the seat. This weapon is dearly beloved and perfect in nearly every way, but Wise sometimes finds himself annoyed by how unwieldy it can be outside of combat.

 

Yanagi starts the engine once more and skilfully navigates the vehicle onto a main road.

 

Wise looks out of the window as they drive. The full moon shines with its pale light overhead. Its light reflects off of a nearby river, causing its gently rolling surface to come alive with a beautiful glow. Movement in his peripheral vision causes his attention to be drawn to the, presumably, empty passenger seat.

 

A small, spiked tail slithers out from the front of the seat and gently prods his knee. With a confused glance he finally notices the owner of the tail. Her bright red eyes shine from in between the headrest and back of the passenger seat. The curious eyes study him for several moments from their hiding place. The strange tail suddenly retracts and its owner readjusts in her seat to face forward once more.

 

“Yagi! Let’s stop for fast food on the way back, I’m hungry!” The voice of a young girl yells from the passenger seat.

 

Wise tilts his head with confusion. Does Yanagi bring her kid with her on official HAND business? Maybe daycare is more expensive than he thought.

 

“No, Soukaku. We stopped for fast food three times on the way here. You can have a snack when we get back to headquarters.” The pink haired woman says kindly, not seeming the least bit upset at the girl’s outburst.

 

Suddenly, a loud banging noise can be heard from the back of the car. It sounds as if somebody is banging their fist against the interior of the trunk.

 

Wise looks to look through the back window but doesn’t see anything of note. When he turns back forward, he notices Yanagi’s pink eyes staring at him through the rear view mirror.

 

“That’s just Harumasa, one of the other HSOS6 members. He fell asleep on the way here so I put him in the trunk.” She says nonchalantly, seemingly dismissing the fact that she shoved one of her subordinates into the trunk of her car.

 

The ice agent stares incredulously back at her through the rear view mirror. He looks over to his side to see Miyabi’s reaction. Surely, as Chief of Section 6, she wouldn’t allow such behavior in her unit. Instead of a disgusted expression, the fox girl nods in approval at the Deputy Chiefs actions.

 

Wise stares down at the sword in his lap with wide eyes, trying to digest what he just witnessed. Once he’s over his shock he begins to think to himself.

 

Did I… just get kidnapped by a bunch of weirdos?

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

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Chapter 3: Friends, New and Old

Summary:

Wise and Miyabi arrive at the HAND Headquarters. A familiar face makes itself known.

After what feels like an eternity, the black sedan finally arrives at the HAND headquarters building. Their identification badges are checked at the gate before they are let through to the main facility. Wise steps out of the car first, eager to get out of the strange atmosphere of the vehicle.

 

Yanagi steps out next and makes her way to the back seat and opens the door for Miyabi. The Chief steps out with a grateful nod. The variety of loud commotions on the base causes her large fox ears to rotate and flick with each noise. Wise wonders to himself if that ever bothers her or if it makes her ears sore.

 

The Deputy Chief then makes her way to the back of the vehicle, her stiletto heels clicking against the asphalt of the parking lot. With a soft click and a heave she opens the trunk of the sedan. Inside is a young looking man with a head of medium length black hair and yellow eyes. He steps out of the vehicle and rubs his head. Wise remembers that Yanagi called him Harumasa earlier.

 

“Deputy Chief, I think I hit my head really hard when you threw me in the trunk. I’m going to need at least three days of paid leave to recover.” Harumasa says with a whine. His yellow eyes widen to stare at Yanagi with a rough approximation of puppy dog eyes. The sight is unconvincing, to say the least.

 

“Rejected. Get up and let’s head inside.” Deputy Chief Yanagi orders with an unamused expression while already turning away from the man.

 

Harumasa hangs his shoulders and sighs dramatically. Reluctantly, and while dragging his feet, he begins to walk inside the building.

 

Yanagi opens the passenger door next and scoops Soukaku out of the front seat. The Deputy Chief holds her like one would a small toddler and begins to walk inside. She turns back around to make sure Wise and Miyabi are following her, which they are.

 

Wise finds the whole scene highly amusing. People on his team have called him the ‘group mom’ before, but this is on a whole other level. He can barely contain the smirk that wants to make its way onto his face.

 

The ice agent glances around the bustling military base around him as they make their way forward. He’s no stranger to Scott Outpost by any means. However he’s never been let into the administrative part of the base that houses all of the office buildings and executive areas. Usually his tasks were handed down the food chain and given to lower ranking officers. Wise has to admit that he’s a bit excited about the sudden jump between worlds.

 

One word would not be enough to describe the HAND headquarters. If Wise had to choose two, however, he would say it's functional yet opulent. The lobby is massive and decorated with a variety of paintings, expensive looking furniture, and well dressed staff. Every surface has been cleaned to a near mirror shine while every object in view has a purpose to fill. It’s a far cry from the tent he’s used to being briefed in by Ray and the others.

 

A secretary nods knowingly at Miyabi and Yanagi. Her hand goes under the desk to hit a button and open the doors to the inside. She displays a warm smile and formal half-bow as the team passes.

 

Deputy Chief Yanagi gently sets Soukaku on the ground and clears her throat before speaking. “Harumasa and Soukaku, please head back to the Section 6 offices. Chief Miyabi will escort Astraeus to the medical wing.”

 

Harumasa raises his hand and opens his mouth to speak.

 

Before he even can, Yanagi interrupts. “Rejected, get a move on.”

 

Yet again, Harumasa hangs his shoulders and sighs dramatically. His shoes squeak on the polished floor as he drags his feet, reluctantly heading to the Section 6 offices as ordered.

 

Soukaku waves goodbye to Yanagi with a huge smile before turning to follow him. “Masamasa! Let’s go to the cafeteria, I’m hungry!” The small girl says excitedly.

 

After somehow managing to sigh even louder than before, he agrees to the girl’s request. “Fine. Let’s go.”

 

“Hooray!” Soukaku yells in triumph as she eagerly skips down the hallway. Various personnel smile at her as they pass, well familiar with her endearing shenanigans.

 

Wise watches them until they both turn a corner out of sight, a small smile on his face. He’s worked with a lot of people in his time as an independent investigator and knows that every team has its own special quirks. The ice agent has learned to appreciate the unique qualities of such a tightly knit team.

 

A poke on his shoulder startles Wise out of his thoughts. He turns around and sees Miyabi with an outstretched finger. Her red eyes are narrowed with a curious gaze. “We should get moving. Your wound still requires attention.” She says quietly before turning to walk towards the medical wing without waiting for him.

 

Wise sighs yet again as she begins to walk away.

 

Yanagi quietly giggles next to him, holding up a gloved hand to cover her mouth. She speaks after the laughter subsides. “Don’t worry, she does that to everyone. The Chief is in her own little world most of the time.”

 

The ice agent nods in understanding, a small smile present on his features. Miyabi’s occasional obliviousness to the outside world reminds him of Anby to a significant degree. Admittedly, he doubts the fox girl is as obsessed with food and movies as the white haired swordswoman.

 

“I’ll be sure not to take any offense, then.” Wise says humorously as he begins to follow Miyabi down the hallway.

 

Yanagi calls after him before he can take a step. “I’m afraid I have other business to attend to, but I will speak to you later.” With a polite bow, she takes another hallway and disappears from sight.

 

Wise waves goodbye. After watching the Deputy Chief go, he jogs slightly to catch up with Miyabi.

 

“Why do you do that?” The ice agent asks curiously.

 

Miyabi glances up at him curiously while tilting her head, causing her ears to flop to the side. “Do what?”

 

“Turn and leave without saying anything or waiting for people to catch up.” Wise explains with a deadpan expression.

 

“Oh. Is that improper? That’s how everybody acted when I was growing up.” She says genuinely, her red eyes focused on him.

 

Despite the absurdity of the situation, Wise finds himself smiling at Miyabi in response to her answer. Fairy mentioned earlier that she came from a noble family that’s also incredibly rich. She must have grown up extremely sheltered and around some of the most elite residents of New Eridu. Such dismissive behavior was most likely a trait exhibited by these nobles.

 

“Not improper, necessarily. But people may get the impression you’re looking down on them.” Wise explains patiently.

 

Miyabi slowly nods her head in response, parsing his words. She speaks with a hint of amusement after a short moment. “You’re not afraid to speak your mind. Most people on this base wouldn’t dare to say something like that to me.”

 

At this, the ice agent begins to sweat slightly. Has he overstepped his boundaries by saying all of these things? Perhaps he should have just kept his mouth shut.

 

“I… apologize, that was out of line. The pain from my wound seems to have dulled my senses.” Wise explains with a nervous laugh. He begins to fiddle with the buckle of his scabbard’s strap.

 

For the first time he’s ever seen, Miyabi giggles quietly. A gloved hand reaches up to cover her mouth as she does so. After she’s recovered she answers with her amused tone. “You misunderstand me, Astraeus. I appreciate that you aren’t intimidated by me or my family’s name. Please continue to speak your mind in my presence.”

 

Wise tilts his head curiously, his light blue eyes narrowed at the swordswoman. “Well, I am slightly intimidated by you. I did just see you behead an Ethereal the size of my house earlier.” He speaks with amusement before they both share a quiet laugh.

 

The ice agent clears his throat and continues his line of thought. “But, does everybody here treat you differently? I figured the rest of your team would be exempt.”

 

Miyabi sighs but has a fond smile on her face. She speaks quietly as she turns her head forwards. “Deputy Chief Yanagi is respectful to everybody and would never be so informal. Harumasa would never say anything of the sort in case it would make me reject more of his leave requests. And Soukaku is… Soukaku.”

 

Wise smiles at her final statement. He hasn’t known the small Oni girl for long, but he can certainly pick up on her unique personality. 

 

As they continue down the hallways, the ice agent can sense Miyabi taking fleeting glances at him. Her gaze seems partially focused on his wounded shoulder, but primarily on his scarred tissue around his eyes. It’s certainly not uncommon for people to stare and he’s learned not to be offended by it. For fun, Wise flicks his head over to meet her eyes several times when he can sense her staring, after which she looks away abashedly.

 

The rest of the short walk passes in silence. Finally, the pair reach a large set of doors emblazoned with the Red Cross on their surfaces. A large sign that reads ‘Medical Wing’ is present above its threshold.

 

Miyabi enters first, followed by Wise. The nurse attending the front desk drops her clipboard when she notices the noble swordswoman, her eyes are wide with shock.

 

“Chief Miyabi?! Uhm, welcome to the medical wing! Please let me know how I can help!” The young nurse says in an uncomfortably loud tone. She quickly takes a deep bow, nearly smacking her head on the surface of her desk. The girl’s short head of black hair tumbles downwards with the momentum. A name tag on her breast pocket identifies her name as being Yuki.

 

Wise hides his smile behind a gloved hand. Miyabi certainly wasn’t joking about the whole special treatment thing. He half expected the nurse to pass out after the first few seconds. To his surprise and partial disappointment, the young woman rises back up out of her bow.

 

“I would like my friend here to be seen as soon as possible. He was wounded on a mission by an Ether infused attack.” Miyabi explains calmly, not even reacting to the nurse’s bizarre behavior.

 

The ice agent wonders how often the fox girl deals with people like this on a daily basis. He directs his gaze at the nurse as he waits for her response. His light blue eyes widened after a moment when he realized that Miyabi called him her friend. Perhaps she values the whole honesty thing more than he initially realized.

 

The nurse, Yuki, nods her head in rapid succession. Her voice loses none of its previous volume as she speaks. “Yes of course! Please follow me!”

 

The pair share a glance as the nurse turns away to open a door for them. Miyabi shrugs her shoulders and moves to follow her.

 

Wise shakes his head with an amused grin before following suit. Several annoyed grumbles come from the waiting room behind them. It seems some of the other patients are annoyed at the preferential treatment. A dirty glare from the ice agent silences the lobby in an instant. Being covered in scars and having a massive sword on your back does have its perks. He pivots on his foot and follows his companion further into the medical wing.

 

After several moments of walking the trio arrives at a long hallway full of rooms. The nurse quickly walks over to one in particular and rapidly knocks on the door. A voice emanates from the inside, muffled by the sturdy wood of its construction. “What do you want? I’m with my last patient of the day.”

 

The nurse clears her throat before loudly responding through the door. “It’s urgent, Doctor. Chief Miyabi is requesting medical attention for one of her personnel.”

 

Several seconds of silence permeate the air before footsteps can be heard from within the hospital room. A young doctor, no older than thirty years old, opens the door and stares at the trio curiously. She has long brown hair tied into a French braid under which rests a pair of deep blue eyes. A small splashing of freckles decorate her cheeks.

 

“Chief Miyabi, apologies for my earlier rudeness. Please come in.” The doctor says while holding the door open.

 

Miyabi enters the room first, followed by Wise. The area is larger than the ice agent would have guessed. Two hospital beds with their own sets of privacy curtains occupy most of the space, while the rest is taken up by a work desk and shelves of medical supplies. The curtains to one of the beds are drawn and he can see a figure moving inside.

 

The doctor gestures for Wise to take a seat in the unoccupied bed while she sits on a nearby stool. She grabs a pen and clipboard and clears her throat before speaking. “Now, please tell me your name and what happened.”

 

Wise nods his head before speaking. “My name is Astraeus. I was hit by an Ether infused attack from a large Ethereal mutation.”

 

The unknown figure behind the curtain suddenly ceases its movements, dropping a piece of clothing onto the floor.

 

The doctor’s eyes widen before she speaks urgently. “We need to get you some Ether suppressants right away, then!” She leaps out of her seat and moves towards the nearby supply shelves.

 

“He won’t need them. Spare yourself the effort, Doctor.” A female voice speaks from behind the drawn curtains of the other hospital bed.

 

Wise smirks when he hears the voice, knowing exactly who it belongs to.

 

The curtains are thrown back, revealing a familiar figure. Soldier 11 steps through its threshold and into the main area of the room. Her white hair is untied, leaving it flowing from her head like an avalanche of snow. The goggles and uniform that usually decorate her form are absent, leaving her striking orange and yellow eyes on full display. A tight fitting black tank top covers her upper half which allows her impressive physique to be seen, a result of years and years of hard training. The soldier’s lower half is covered by the regulation NEDF fatigues, consisting of black cargo pants with orange highlights.

 

“Crimson Coffee Cake, did you manage to get yourself hurt again?” The soldier asks with a small grin.

 

Miyabi’s ears flick in confusion as she stares at the woman. She leans to the side to whisper to Wise. “Is that your real name?”

 

The ice agent laughs at the question. His voice is full of amusement as he speaks. “No, she doesn’t actually know my real name. Or at the very least she’s never used it.”

 

Soldier 11 walks forward, fist bumping Wise with a satisfying thud. Since the ice agent became a regular at Scott Outpost, the two of them have developed a close friendship and camaraderie. Many missions have come and gone with them fighting side by side.

 

“It’s good to see you, Ellie. You got hurt on your last mission as well?” Wise asks curiously.

 

Soldier 11 shakes her head before responding. “Nope, just a regular checkup.”

 

The sound of someone clearing their throat is heard from the other side of the room. They turn and see the doctor standing there holding a large syringe full of blue liquid. She asks curiously. “So, why won’t he be needing Ether suppressants?”

 

Smirking, Soldier 11 responds while gesturing towards Wise. “Our friend here has an Ether aptitude of 100. He can’t be corrupted.”

 

Even the usually stoic Miyabi has her breath hitch in her throat. Her red eyes turn to regard Wise with newfound awe. “100? I’ve never heard of someone having a score that high.” She says incredulously. 

 

Most members of Section 6 have an Ether aptitude of over 80, which is considered a highly impressive score. Soukaku has the highest with an 86, representing the top .001% of people. Statistically, a 100 shouldn’t even be possible. Only a 50 or higher is needed to work within the HIA.

 

The doctor attempts to form words but can’t quite manage it, her lips silently moving in random patterns.

 

Miyabi walks up to Wise and grabs one of his hands, holding it between two of hers. 

 

Wise tries to retract his hand in surprise, but her grip is stronger than iron. Unable to escape, he looks at her with confusion.

 

The swordswoman’s red eyes bore into his light blue ones with newfound intensity.

 

“You’re joining the HSO. Effective immediately.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

This fic will be on hiatus until the 1.4 update drops. I want to see what they add to the story before I go any further. So expect a new chapter around December 20th or so.

A big thanks to Kot over on the Discord server for editing this chapter.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

If you want to share your story and talk with other readers and writers, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 4: Please, Make Yourself At Home

Summary:

Section 6 petitions to have Wise join their ranks.

“Miss Miyabi. You do realize that this is highly irregular, don’t you?”

 

The older man says while leaning forward in his seat. Though his hair is gray and his skin wrinkled, Wise can easily tell that this man has seen more combat than the young investigator could possibly fathom. Steel gray eyes seem to cut into his very soul, dissecting him and laying his essence bare for the man to see. With a sigh the older man leans back into his chair causing a small creaking sound.

 

A golden name placard framed in rich mahogany wood rests in the center of the older man’s desk, its engraving says ‘Director Maruki, HSO’. The director smoothes back his short head of gray hair as he waits for a response. The analytical gaze present in his eyes does not falter or wane from behind his thick rimmed glasses.

 

“Director. Astraeus is already the leader of an independent investigation team, which is the most highly decorated in the entirety of HAND. I can vouch for his skills and integrity personally.” Hoshimi Miyabi says with a confident tone. Red eyes clash with gray as she matches the deadly sharp stare of the director head on. Despite not being a part of the conversation, Wise can feel a thousand words pass between the two of them in a silent instant.

 

“The leap from independent to official agent is a massive one, as you no doubt know. Bringing him into the fold at such a fast pace goes against my better judgement.” The Director counters once their silent duel has concluded. Although his words seem harsh, his tone and expression don’t display any sort of anger or displeasure. Instead, the older man seems to be testing the strength of the swordswoman’s logic and determination.

 

“Article six, section thirty, line seven dash nine of the Defense Force code of operations. ‘Hollow Special Operations Section leaders may petition to have HAND or HIA personnel transferred to their respective units so long as two criteria are met; the individual must pass a comprehensive background check, and the transfer must be processed and approved by the Hollow Special Operations Director.’ As you no doubt know, both this statute and prior precedent grant my request merit.” Miyabi says with conviction. The young noble is able to rattle off the exact information required without referencing any material.

 

The director sighs and lifts his glasses up, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. Once he has refocused on the section leader, he speaks again. “We haven’t even done the comprehensive background check that the statute requires. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun, here?”

 

“Actually, the background check has just been completed.” An unseen female voice says from behind Wise and Miyabi. The gray haired agent turns around to see the source of the voice. Tsukishiro Yanagi enters the room with a confident gait. Tucked in between her arm and torso is a thick stack of paper. With refined elegance she crosses to the Director’s side of the table and gently sets the stack of papers down. The Deputy Chief’s heels clack against the polished floor as she makes her way back to stand behind Miyabi.

 

Director Maruki sighs and grabs the stack of papers, shuffling another pile of them out of the way. A stray piece of paper falls off of his desk and lands near the swordsman’s feet. Trying to make a good impression and be kind, he quickly grabs the paper and slides it back towards the older man. A yellow sigil portraying a golden globe with a crack running through the center is all he can read before the paper is filed back into the stack it came from by the Director, who mumbles a quiet thank you. His eyes quickly return to flip through the background check once more.

Wise quietly leans his head over to speak to Yanagi with a curious tone. “When did you have time to do that?”

 

The Deputy Chief’s pink eyes move to look at him and she tilts her head curiously. “Why, ever since we arrived, of course. When I said I had other matters to attend to earlier, this was it.”

 

The ice agent blinks several times with an awestruck expression. He knew that Yanagi was good at her job, both as a combatant and administrator. But what he’s just seen seems to defy the logical limits of paper pushing. Not that he’s an expert, by any means.

 

The sound of rustling paper draws the trio's attention back to the director as he shuffles through the stack of papers, skimming their contents with a sharpened gaze.

 

When Wise hesitantly expressed interest in Miyabi’s offer to join Section 6, he did not expect her to immediately drag him to the director’s office. Although, the ice agent realizes that what he’s being offered here is something that many people in New Eridu would likely kill for.

 

A pension, benefits, and a salary that made him do a double take when he first saw it written down on paper. But, most of all, the position has some unique draws for his special circumstances that nothing else possibly could. From within Section 6, he can protect Belle and their Proxy business from any legal scrutiny. A PubSec officer gets overzealous during a search and finds the HDD setup? Well, it’s just the tools of the job for a special forces member, sir.

 

More selflessly, though, Wise realizes that he would be able to help out his friends from this new position much more than ever before. Lucrative contracts to work with HAND, with perhaps the greatest payout that his agents have ever seen, could be freely awarded and recommended to his friends. Long gone would be the days of the Cunning Hares rubbing together two nickels to make a quarter. Now, his colleagues would have first dibs on any jobs coming out of HAND and the HIA.

 

Well, if Wise was to be honest with himself, his reasons for accepting were not entirely selfless. Hoshimi Miyabi, mysterious noblewoman of an ancient bloodline and Chief of Section 6, will be his partner for the foreseeable future. The ice agent's feelings about her are a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions that he is still rapidly working to untangle. In the last several years of combat, he has never found anybody that could rival his skill with the blade. A few came close, Soldier 11 and Anby were definitely tough competition, but couldn’t quite match him.

 

Miyabi, however, certainly could match him. Although he’s loath to admit it, a small but hardened core of stubborn pride is inflamed at the realization that she is most definitely his superior in swordsmanship. The only thing that could rival the beauty of her blade soaring through the cold night air is the beauty of the Chief’s features. Stoic, unwavering, and overwhelming beauty like that of a cascading waterfall or towering mountain. Everything about her is the perfect picture of refined discipline honed to a razor’s edge. Wise finds himself drawn towards her in a way he couldn’t possibly describe with words. Regardless of his loose grasp on his own feelings in the matter, he knows in his heart of hearts that refusing this offer would be an unrivaled blunder.

 

A heavy sigh and the sound of glasses being set down on the table draws Wise out of his thoughts. 

 

Director Maruki has finished skimming over his background check and set the stack of papers down. With a grumble, he speaks again. “Alright. You have my blessing. I’m not old and stubborn enough to ignore that Astraeus, or should I say Wise, joining Section 6 would be a boon to Special Operations. However, I do have two conditions.”

 

“Name it.” Miyabi says quickly.

 

“The Janus Quarter mayoral election is coming up in three months. The city has been on edge recently due to the Vision catastrophe and Hollow expansions. I want Section 6 running very visible security during the ceremonies to make people feel safe and give us some much needed limelight. Janus Quarter is the largest part of New Eridu and there will be a lot of eyes on us.” Director Maruki says forcefully, his tone leaving no room for argument.

 

“Done. One day of security is a simple enough task.” Miyabi agrees immediately.

 

“Second. Astraeus will get his own media campaign to raise support and donations for HAND. Similar to the situation the rest of Section 6 is in. We need the funding for an upcoming expansion.” Director Maruki says while leaning back in his chair and adjusting his glasses. 

 

Instead of immediately answering, Miyabi and Yanagi turn to stare at Wise. The fox girl’s quiet voice asks. “This is your decision to make, not ours.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding, a grateful smile on his face. He turns to look at Director Maruki as he speaks. “What does a media campaign entail?”

 

“Merchandise, TV interviews, that sort of thing. Special Operations as a whole brings the people of New Eridu hope and pride in these trying times. The heroes of Section 6 rank amongst the most elite warriors in all of HAND, standing as the foremost guardians that protect this city from oblivion.” Director Maruki states with conviction. 

 

“But… Why me? Surely somebody else would be more fit for public relations.” Wise asks with genuine curiosity.

 

Director Maruki barks out a laugh before he responds. “Son, I won’t pull my punches here. You’re a good looking young man and you look like you’ve been through your fair share of battles. If Miss Miyabi’s reports are true, then you certainly have the skills to back that up. This is exactly what we look for in a Special Operations candidate. You will be able to drum up a lot of popular support from the people, and get us some much needed funding to keep those people alive.”

 

Wise sighs and slumps in his chair. Yanagi giggles at the sight, familiar with what the young man is feeling. “So, I’m a part time show pony and an elite member of Special Operations? If I say yes.”

 

“That’s a very simplistic way of putting it, but yes.” Director Maruki says with a knowing smirk.

 

Leaning back in his chair, Wise sighs and puts a finger to his chin in thought. Every logical factor is telling him to say yes. So, why hesitate any longer? The ice agent leans forward and looks towards Director Maruki. “I accept.”

 

Miyabi and Yanagi both sigh with relief from next to him. The Director nods his head, a pleased smile on his face. “Welcome to HAND, Wise. Yanagi will assist you with the paperwork.”

 

“No reason to delay. Let’s head back to the Section 6 office and begin the in-processing.” Yanagi says with a friendly smile.

 

Miyabi looks at him as well but remains silent. After a few moments, she smiles gently and throws him a quick thumbs up.

 

Three hours later Wise is slumped over a desk in the Section 6 office, groaning with discontent. “This is torture. How many more papers could I possibly need to sign?”

 

“I feel you, man. Just think about how awesome the weekend will be. That’s usually what keeps me going.” Harumasa says from the desk next to him. The agent is idly scrolling on his phone, not even lifting his eyes to speak to him.

 

“Mister Astraeus, we’re almost done for the day. Just a few more left I promise.” Yanagi says with an edge of humor in her tone.

 

“Try to get some injury leave, dude. Some humble advice from a pro. That wound looks nasty.” Harumasa continues unabated.

 

“Please ignore the freeloader, I apologize for his behavior. Now, sign here and here.” Yanagi says while leaning over next to him. Her gloved hand points out the dotted lines on the document.

 

After what feels like an eternity in purgatory, the final document is signed and filed away. Wise feels more exhausted than he did after fighting that massive Ethereal earlier in the day.

 

It hits the young agent that today has been one of the most insane of his life. What started out as a routine job in Hollow Zero turned into him slaying an S-Class mutation for a massive bounty, meeting Miyabi and Section 6, and then being promoted to an official agent. Silently, Wise hopes that not every day at his new job is this chaotic.

 

The swordsman leans back off of the desk to stand up. A sharp, stinging pain in his shoulder reminds him that he is still very much wounded. With a sigh he gently finishes standing up so as to not inflame the injury any further.

 

Yanagi notices his struggle and walks over to assist him. “Apologies, I forgot all about your wound. I was focused entirely on your application.”

 

“It’s not that bad, no need to worry. I’ll just need to hail a cab back to my place. Do they let those on the base?” Wise says with an amused smile, combined with a grimace.

 

“I’m afraid not. However, there is an alternative available to you now that you are an official member of the HSO.” Yanagi says while pushing up her glasses.

 

“Alternative? What do you mean?” Wise asks curiously, his light blue eyes turning to look at the Deputy Chief.

 

“The HAND Headquarters building is not just an office space. The top ten floors are dedicated lodgings available to senior or high valued members of HAND. Myself, Chief Miyabi, and Soukaku are residents. Harumasa is the only one that lives off of the base.” Yanagi explains helpfully with a small smile.

 

“Making it through the workday is already a challenge. The last thing I would want to do is sleep and live here as well.” Harumasa asserts with a grumble.

 

“That’s… really nice and good to know. Still, I wonder what reason they have for offering something like this.” Wise says with an intrigued tone.

 

“Our predecessors had several reasons, both strategic and otherwise. Most obviously, it’s a major perk of the job that makes an agent position more likely to be sought after and competed for, naturally increasing the quality of our candidates.” The Deputy Chief says while taking a seat nearby.

 

Once she’s settled in, she continues. “In a strategic sense, having a portion of our elite agents on site at all times allows us to more quickly and efficiently respond to a major crisis. If New Eridu proper were to be invaded and swallowed by a Hollow, we can move critical personnel into this building while we organize an offensive operation. At least that’s what the official documentation states.”

 

Wise nods his head as he intently listens to Yanagi’s explanation. He lets out a low whistle after she’s concluded. “The position comes with a penthouse too? I’m beginning to see why becoming an HSO agent is so difficult.”

 

“I take it you would like to tour the rooms, then?” Yanagi says with a smile.

 

“If it’s not too much trouble. Thanks for enlightening me.” Wise says with a friendly smile.

 

“I’ll come too. Haramusa, you’re dismissed.” Miyabi says as she stands from her desk. She clips her elegant katana to her waist and grabs a small folder, most likely some documentation that she’ll be pouring over after hours. The workday has officially concluded for Section 6.

 

Harumasa pumps his fist and sprints out the door, gone before Wise can even try to say his farewells.

 

“Forgive him for his lack of manners. He’s… passionate about his free time.” Yanagi apologizes with a sigh.

 

“No worries, Harumasa seems like a good man.” Wise assures the Deputy Chief.

 

Soukaku packs up her things as well, which seems to consist of about eight separate lunchboxes and a small backpack. Most of the lunchboxes are plastered with the faces of several well-known cartoon and comic book characters. Amusingly, one of them has her own face on it, seeming to be a piece of merchandise that was made to raise funds.

 

“Nagi, Nagi! Can we stop by the cafeteria on the way back?” The small oni begs as she falls into step with the rest of the group.

 

“Not tonight, Soukaku. I don’t want to keep Astraeus waiting. He’s had a long day and needs rest.” Yanagi says with an apologetic smile. One of her gloved hands reaches down to tussle the smaller girl’s white hair. With her other hand she reaches into a small bag and pulls out an apple for the oni to eat.

 

To Wise’s abject horror, Soukaku eats the entire apple in two bites. Not even the core or seeds are spared from her voracious appetite.

 

The quartet exit the Section 6 offices and head towards a large group of elevators that’s closer to the main entrance. Wise counts a total of sixteen elevators, which seems a bit overkill. Before he can ruminate any further on the subject, their elevator arrives and they step inside.

 

Evening rays of purple and orange meet his eyes as he gazes out of the elevator’s window. The sun is beginning its terminal descent into the horizon, half of it already being obscured by the massive dome or Hollow Zero. None of the celestial body’s light pierces its purple veil as it seems to swallow it whole. 

 

Tearing his gaze away from the force of nature, the ice agent instead glances at the military base all around him. With his enhanced vision he’s able to locate the tent inside of Scott Outpost where he used to receive his briefings. He wonders what Ray is complaining about within its canvas walls.

 

Hundreds of trucks, cars, military personnel, and even a few armored vehicles are reduced to the size of ants as the elevator takes them higher and higher. From his limited view on the ground, Wise would have never absorbed the scope of the base’s operations. What seems like an endless stream of helicopters take off from and land on a large airstrip. The ice agent guesses that it’s a combination of patrol vehicles and scientific data gathering.

 

Finally, the elevator makes a hollow ringing sound, indicating their arrival at their destination. The number seventy nine is highlighted in green above the doors. Wise notices that the number eighty is the only one above them. 

 

The doors slide open and Yanagi steps out first, followed soon after by Wise and Soukaku with Miyabi taking up the rear.

 

Wise’s mouth hangs agape at what he sees when he exits the elevator. Yanagi mentioned that the top ten floors were for lodgings, but she didn’t mention that all ten floors shared an open space in the center.

 

The ice agent steps forward and sets his hands on the guardrail as he stares over the edge. Above him is a glass dome that tops off the skyscraper. A few stars are already visible as the calm blanket of night settles over New Eridu. Although there is one floor and balcony above him, he can see eight more balconies in a ring below him.

 

The center area is the most impressive by far. Far below him sits a massive stone structure that’s built to look like a naturally formed waterfall, dominating the space it inhabits. Cascading waterfalls flow from its peak and into a large pool while the sounds of crashing water reverberate through the area. It’s as if the makers of the building constructed a luxury hotel around an actual landmark. Hundreds of people mill about on the ground floor of the lodgings area where the water pool is located, and hundreds more circle in the large rings of balconies that surround it.

 

Wise can’t even come close to counting them, but he estimates that each floor contains about twenty hallways that lead further towards the walls of the building. Each hallway contains six doors and there’s ten floors. That’s means that-

 

“There’s fourteen hundred and forty rooms available in the HAND lodgings. Sorry, you were mumbling so I figured I’d help. There’s actually twenty four hallways per floor, not twenty. The bottom two floors have rooms that are meant to accommodate families as well, so the actual capacity of people is much higher.” Yanagi adds helpfully and with an amused smile.

 

“That’s so many…” Wise mutters to himself, his eyes still roaming over the massive space that seems right out of a sci-fi movie.

 

“Well, in times of peace like right now, only the top three and first floors are occupied. In an emergency situation where we recall all HAND personnel, all ten floors would be filled to capacity.” Yanagi explains with a prideful smile. Her pink eyes are appreciating the scenery as well.

 

Wise’s vision returns to the massive stone waterfall in the center of the promenade. It seems to just barely reach the eighth floor. Using the enhanced optics in his mechanical eyes, he zooms in on its surface, across which he can see hundreds if not thousands of small indents and carvings.

 

“Is the mountain damaged?” Wise asks curiously.

 

“You have a good eye. But no, it’s not. That monument is the Founder’s Waterfall. Every HAND agent that died during or after the first Hollow disaster has their name carved onto its surface by a family member or comrade. As you know, being a HAND agent is the most dangerous job in the Defense Force. We’ve all had to carve more names there than we’d prefer.” Yanagi answers, her voice and eyes full of sadness.

 

“I see. It’s a beautiful monument. It feels like it was taken right out of a painting or national park. I wonder how they got it all the way up to the seventieth floor.”

Wise asks, his tone still awestruck.

 

“Apparently, some of the original Void Hunters had something to do with it. The whole construction project is highly classified.” The Deputy Chief remarks.

 

“A Void Hunter’s power can be used for things other than destruction. The Founder’s Waterfall has many lessons to teach.” Miyabi says sagely.

 

A long moment of silence passes between the group as they all stare at the monument. The sound of rustling fabric draws Wise’s attention towards Yanagi.

 

Soukaku is standing directly next to the Deputy Chief, tugging at her skirt. The oni girl’s eyes are barely able to stay open due to exhaustion.

 

“If you have any further questions, Astreaus, please do ask them at a later time. For now, we should call it a day and get you settled in.” Yanagi says kindly while beginning to walk away from the guardrail, her gloved hand guiding Soukaku.

 

Wise silently follows them with Miyabi falling into step with him a moment later. After only a short amount of walking they arrive at a small hallway that leads away from the Founder’s Waterfall. A golden placard attached to the ceiling reads ‘Section 6 Quarters’ in a flowing font, welcoming them into the threshold. Warm and subtle lighting fills the short hallway.

 

Six rooms are arranged ahead, three on each side. Only two of them in the back have a nameplate next to the door. The back left room has the names ‘Yanagi, Tsukishiro: Deputy Chief of Section 6’ and ‘Soukaku: Agent of Section 6’ printed on the surface of the nameplate.

 

“You and Soukaku share a room, Deputy Chief?” Wise asks Yanagi curiously.

 

“Ah yes, that’s correct. Soukaku has trouble sleeping alone most nights. She’s been plagued by night terrors since she was a small child. We’ve rarely spent a night apart in the years since then.” Yanagi says with a kind smile.

 

Wise wants to dig deeper and ask for more details about her relationship with the oni girl. The Deputy Chief seems to almost be a mother to Soukaku, which is an odd thing to find in a Special Operations unit. Not even mentioning the ambiguous amount of years they’ve known each other. Regardless of his curiosity, the ice agent realizes that this isn’t the time to pry into his teammates' pasts.

 

His light blue eyes move to study the only other room with a nameplate, that being the one in the back right. Unsurprisingly, he finds it printed with ‘Hoshimi, Miyabi: Chief of Section 6’ on its surface.

 

“You’ll be staying in the room next to Miyabi’s, the middle right.” Yanagi says while fishing a small keycard out of her pocket and handing it to him.

 

“This will get you into most places in the building, including your room. All cleaning and laundry is taken care of by our diligent staff members, and cafeteria meals are at 0800, 1200, and 1700 and are free.” The Deputy Chief continues after the ice agent accepts the keycard.

 

“Thank you very much, Miss Yanagi. Your hospitality is unparalleled.” Wise says with a grateful smile and a partial bow.

 

Yanagi matches his bow and begins speaking again. “You’re very welcome, it’s always an honor to welcome a new member into our family. Now, I can give you a tour of-“

 

“Nagiiiiii I need to go to sleeeeep. I’m about to fall over.” Soukaku says with a groan. Her small body begins dramatically swaying side to side. 

 

“Ah, right, of course. Miss Miyabi, could you introduce him to his amenities in my stead.” Yanagi says while picking up the oni girl into her arms.

 

“Very well. Goodnight, Tsuki.” Miyabi says quietly.

 

“Sleep well, Miss Yanagi, and thanks again.” Wise says with a small wave.

 

Soukaku waves back at them from over the Deputy Chief’s shoulder as they enter their room. The door closes with a soft click.

 

Without wasting any time, Wise turns around and swipes his keycard on the device next to the door. A green light flickers on from within the device and an audible click can be heard as the door unlocks itself. He grabs the handle and opens the door before stepping inside.

 

Lights automatically turn on as soon as he enters the threshold, bathing the room in a soft glow. For what feels like the thousandth time that day, Wise’s jaw hits the floor.

 

On the right of the entrance, there's a small kitchenette along with a table and two chairs. Anything that would be needed to cook a modest meal is present, such as a small oven, fridge, and stove. After taking a peek inside the ice agent can see that the fridge and cabinet are already stocked with simple ingredients. 

 

To his left is a living room, featuring a couch and a comfortable looking wing chair, all of which are pointed as a medium sized flatscreen TV. Wise is already thinking about which of his gaming consoles he wants to plug in.

 

A door is present just past the living area, which Wise pushes open and steps through. A full walled window is across from the door that gives him a beautiful view of the base. To his left is a queen sized bed, already perfectly made and ready to be slept in. 

 

To the right is a desk and chair along with a few shelves and filing cabinets. Next to the desk is a row of weapon lockers for stowing any of his gear. Altogether, it’s a small but extremely well furnished apartment. HAND really pulled all the stops to make their agents as comfortable as possible.

 

“This is… incredible.” Wise admits with a low whistle. He looks out the window of his bedroom and admires the scenery.

 

“Indeed. HAND spares no expense when it comes to their senior agents.” Miyabi agrees. She slowly walks up to stand next to him, her red eyes glance out the window as well.

 

Several moments of comfortable silence pass between them as they admire the scenery. 

 

“Can I ask you something, Chief Miyabi?” Wise asks suddenly.

 

“Yes Astraeus, of course you can. Also, just Miyabi is fine when we’re alone.” The swordswoman answers. 

 

“Alright, Miyabi. Wise is fine when we’re alone as well then.” The gray haired man says.

 

“Why did you choose me for this? You rushed me through the whole process so I could become an official agent as soon as possible. Why?” Wise asks curiously.

 

One of Miyabi’s ears flicks as she thinks about her answer and collects her thoughts. With a sigh, she answers. “Order cannot be broken. Everyday, we fight to keep New Eridu safe from the threat of Hollows. You are exceptionally gifted with the sword, nearly as much as I am. Not even mentioning your Ether aptitude.”

 

Wise nods at her explanation, his eyes never leaving the scenery outside of the window.

 

“Nothing is more important to me than fighting against Hollows and protecting New Eridu as my ancestors have for generations. But, I can’t do it alone. I need you by my side to fight against oblivion. Section 6, and HAND as a whole, guard the fine veil that separates humanity from total annihilation. Only together do we as a species stand a chance at survival.” Miyabi concludes, her hand has a white knuckle grip on the hilt of her sword.

 

Momentarily, Wise is stunned by the amount of passion in her voice. Although only knowing her for a day, he hadn’t heard her raise her voice or say more than a sentence here or there. Miyabi’s goals and honor seem to be forged in the same steel as her blade.

 

“I understand. My own goals lie within the Hollows as well. Specifically in the old capital itself.” Wise admits after a moment of silence.

 

Miyabi turns her head to study the swordsman with narrowed red eyes. Her ears lean to the side as she tilts her head curiously. “Oh? What goals are that?”

 

Wise sighs before responding. “I lost my eyes in the fall of the old capital along with everything I’ve ever known. I want to return to the place we used to live, to see it one final time. Maybe even get some answers to this madness.”

 

“I noticed the scars… but I didn’t want to ask. It seemed like an insensitive thing to do.” Miyabi admits, turning her attention back to the window.

 

“Just before Hollow Zero expanded and swallowed Eridu, there was an explosion of Etheric matter where Belle and I lived. It took my sight, but gave me power in equal measure and a complete resistance to corruption. I want to find out what caused the explosion.” Wise admits with conviction, his brow furrowed as he remembers the incident with stunning clarity.

 

“If you don’t mind me asking… where did this explosion take place?” Miyabi asks curiously.

 

For the first time since the conversation started, Wise turns to regard the swordswoman. His light blue eyes study her for several moments before he responds. “Helios Academy.”

 

A few long minutes pass as they look at one another. If Miyabi knows about Helios Academy, then she certainly doesn’t show any indication.

 

“I see. I hope we can both find what we’re searching for, then.” Miyabi says as she turns to leave the room, her robes flap with the movement.

 

Wise follows her to the exit door, watching as she gently opens it and steps. She turns around in the threshold and glances at the ice agent with a dusting of pink on her face. The swordswoman’s red eyes are soft and her ears are somewhat flattened against her head as she speaks.

 

“I’m glad that you’re here now, Wise. Sleep well.”

 

End of Part One: A Will Forged In Iron

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

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Chapter 5: Full Contact Safari

Summary:

Wise’s career as a member of Section 6 begins in earnest. Several months later, a Companion Hollow emerges in New Eridu. The HSO answers the call to arms.

PLEASE BE AWARE this chapter contains depictions of violence that may be considered disturbing to some readers. It’s time to start earning that explicit rating.

Beginning of Part Two: Delusions and Grandeur

 

 

Three months later…

 

 

“Get your heads down!” 

 

Wise bellows as he leaps in front of the small foxhole, causing the soldiers inside to look up at him in alarm. Almost immediately, several large explosions throw up the soft earth around him. His light blue mechanical eyes see one more Ether-infused projectile heading directly for the soldiers, threatening to kill all of them with a single blast.

 

With practiced ease the ice agent uses his left hand to remove his pistol from its holster. He continues tracking the projectile through its sights and begins to lead the shot slightly, gently squeezing the trigger after a few fractions of a second. A gunshot rings out and the purple ball of Ether fire bursts into a hundred fragments, falling like bits of glass to rest harmlessly on the grass surrounding them.

 

“Holy shit that was close. Thanks, we got overrun a little bit ago.” One of the Defense Force soldiers says from the foxhole, adjusting his rifle sling as he looks up at his savior.

 

“Sarge, that’s not just any soldier. That’s Astraeus! The hero from Section 6!” A recruit says with his voice full of wonder. Wise can see a single chevron emblazoned on his shoulder, identifying him as a Private.

 

“Well I’ll be, it is him ain’t it? Keep fighting the good fight out there, we got your back.” The older soldier says with a casual salute.

 

“I’ll be sure to. You both stay safe and call me if you run into any more trouble.” Wise says with a small smile, tapping on his earpiece as he does so to emphasize the point. With a final goodbye he turns towards where the Ether projectiles came from and unsheathes his sword.

 

Several moments later and he’s sprinting back through the wooded area, dodging around trees and bushes all the while. The sky overhead is dark as the evening sun begins its terminal descent into night. Its dying rays of purple and orange paint a beautiful tapestry onto the sky above. The wooded surroundings and beautiful sunset would have made for a pleasant walk if he wasn’t fighting for his life in a Hollow.

 

The trees that surround him pulse and glow with eerie green and purple light. All of this chaos is thanks to the newly formed Minoan Hollow, a companion of Cretan Hollow. It formed earlier today after Cretan once again hit its Zenless Limit. Wise just wishes it had chosen a different place to manifest.

 

The ice agent senses the attack long before it hits him. He jumps over the twisted blade, attached to some unseen adversary, that was aimed at his knees and over a nearby fence. Wise crashes into a pile of snow on the other side of the barrier. He groans with annoyance and slowly makes his way back onto his feet, brushing clumps of snow out of his hair all the while. 

 

The sound of ice cracking makes him freeze in his movements. Wise’s light blue eyes slowly swivel to investigate where the noise emanated from. A rather small Ethereal with flippers, two tiny feet, and several strands of yellow hair takes a step out of the shadows and towards the agent. Several Ether crystals grow out of its body and its core is located on its back. Behind the new threat, he can see a sign that reads ‘Macaroni Penguin Exhibit’.

 

Wise sighs and assumes a loose combat stance with his sword. His voice is full of annoyance and regret in equal measure as he speaks. “Sorry little guy. I know you used to be cute but…”

 

The words die in his throat as a second mutated penguin steps out, followed by another, then another, then another. After a few moments there’s a loose semicircle of at least ten flightless birds surrounding the ice agent. Behind them is an artillery type Ethereal that his mechanical eyes automatically identify as an Energized Arlaune, its eerie red glow highlighting the silhouettes of more approaching penguins. No doubt that it’s the one responsible for bombarding the soldiers earlier. 

 

“Oh.” Wise mumbles as the final one makes itself known. All at once, they bum rush him. A thunderous cacophony of squawking and pattering footsteps grows closer every second. The Arlaune sends off occasional bursts of Ether-infused projectiles which the ice agent is able to dodge. 

 

Not wanting to get fully surrounded, he takes a step to the side and transitions into a horizontal slash, using his pivoting hip to increase the momentum of the attack. Three penguins that got a little too brave are caught by his large sword. Wise waits for them to freeze over and shatter due to the ice infused in the sword by his scabbard. No such luck makes itself known.

 

“Of course you’re immune to ice. How annoying.” The ice agent mutters to himself with exasperation. His left hand reaches for his holster and removes the pistol. Wise lets off three rounds, striking and finishing off the three penguins he hit with his sword earlier.

 

The rest of the small battle follows the same pattern. Wise backpedals slowly to keep the penguins out of reach, their tiny legs make them unable to quite catch up. Any Ethereal that manages to escape his blade is rewarded with a bullet for their efforts. Finally, several minutes later, the last macaroni penguin Ethereal slumps to the ground with a hole in its head. The Arlaune was dealt with long ago, its blood already coloring the snow with its eerie pink color.

 

The usual triumphant feeling of victory that follows a skirmish like this is absent as Wise scans the corpses of the zoo animals. He and Belle always loved penguins. The brother is just happy she didn’t have to see this. He flicks errant splatters of blood off of his sword and returns it to its scabbard. A fresh magazine clicks into its place in his handgun before the firearm returns to his holster.

 

Just as soon as he’s combat ready once again, his earpiece crackles to life.

 

“Handler One to all HAND units in the Area of Operations. Command has greenlit the destruction of Minoan Hollow as of 20:00 hours. Use of a Shiyu Warhead has been approved. Demolition task has been assigned the tag of Operation Uppercut. HSO Section Six is ordered to return to Forward Operating Base Goliath to receive new orders. Handler One Out.”

 

Wise’s light blue eyes widen as he hears the news through the encrypted communication channel. Hollow neutralization is nothing new but Shiyu Warheads are a rare choice for a Companion Hollow. Command must be in a rush to wrap things up here… but why?

 

The ice agent ponders the question as his legs automatically carry him back towards where he found the two Defense Force soldiers. His boots kick up clumps of slightly moist earth as he thunders back towards the position. One again, a voice comes over his earpiece.

 

“Chief Miyabi to Astraeus, have you received our new orders? What’s your position? Over.”

 

Wise reaches up to tap the button on his earpiece and speaks as he continues his rapid movement through what used to be a monkey exhibit in the zoo. “Astraeus to Miyabi. Affirmative, my orders have been received. I’m half a klick behind enemy lines trying to rescue a two man fireteam I found earlier. Will report to FOB Goliath once they’re safe and sound. Over.”

 

“Give me your grid coordinates. I can be there shortly. Over.”

 

The ice agent shakes his head in disagreement as he enters a small clearing and sees the foxhole come back into view. He speaks into his earpiece for a final time. “Negative. Already at their location. See you soon. Astraeus out.” 

 

Wise hears a quiet sigh through the other end of the channel before Miyabi responds. 

 

“Wise… be careful. Chief Miyabi out.”

 

The Private from earlier turns around when he hears approaching footsteps, levelling his rifle at the newcomer. His shoulders slump with relief and the rifle lowers as he recognizes the HAND agent.

 

“Astraeus, thank god it’s you. Sarge took a hit and he’s in rough shape!” The soldier says with an edge of panic on his voice. Several dead Ethereals line the outside of the foxhole and various parts of the clearing. It seems they have been ambushed while the agent was away.

 

Wise nods his head in understanding as he slides into the foxhole. On the floor of the entrenchment is the Sergeant from earlier. His left leg is a mess of burned and exposed flesh. Blood, colored with the telltale glow of Ether, flows from the open wound. The waterfall of red pulses in time with the unseen rhythm of the soldier’s heartbeat. The agent thinks he can see the white of a bone near the bottom of the wound, but he can’t be sure.

 

The ice agent’s eyes narrow when he sees the injury. He’s seen soldiers and agents die from worse. The Sergeant needs emergency medical services that he couldn’t possibly provide, and is running out of time fast.

 

With a heavy sigh, Wise slowly removes his sword from its scabbard. The wide blade shines with a menacing glow in the pale moonlight that now paints their forested surroundings. Light blue flecks of frost fall off of the thick coating on the blade, its cryogenic power on full display for the fireteam to see.

 

“There’s only one way to buy you enough time to make it back to the medics. You’re not going to like it.” The ice agent says with a pained expression.

 

Wise can see the snowflakes dropping off of his blade reflected in the Sergeant’s visor. 

 

The helmet nods up and down as the soldier responds. “Do it. Make it fast and let’s get out of here.”

 

The Private, wanting an excuse to look away from what he knows is about to happen, stands up and begins sweeping their surroundings with his rifle. He tries his best to close his sense of hearing.

 

The ice agent nods solemnly and lowers the frosted blade onto the still bleeding wound. A spine chilling noise, similar to the sizzling of meat but undeniably different in all the worst ways, emanates from the site of contact.

 

The Sergeant tries his best to weather the storm and bite his tongue. However, he’s unprepared for the freezing fire that spreads upwards from the wound. A guttural scream echoes through the surrounding trees as the procedure continues unabated.

 

Five minutes later Wise leaps out of the trench while carrying the wounded soldier on his shoulders. A thick bandage is wrapped around the man’s thigh, its color is a blissfully clear white and absent of red. The Private climbs out of the entrenchment and follows right behind him.

 

Thankfully, it’s a quiet walk through the woods as the agent retraces his steps back to where he entered the Hollow. Minoan Hollow just formed a few hours ago and has yet to fully warp into an un-navigable maze of twisted earth and structures. Regardless, the process is inevitable, and he’s carrying several Carrots on him just in case.

 

They arrive at the area where the Forward Operating Base has been constructed. A massive metal gate now protects what used to be the welcoming center for the Janus Quarter Zoo. Its metallic surface is emblazoned with the logo of the Defense Force in white paint.

 

Hastily constructed prefabs are being erected just inside the perimeter. Watchtowers, pillboxes, field hospitals, ammo dumps, and more. A mixture of New Eridu Public Security snipers and Defense Force personnel line the ramparts and towers of the FOB. The Identify Friendly/Foe tags that are worn by Wise and the two NEDF members check out and the gate slowly opens to allow them inside. A small team of PubSec officers with riot shields stream out to give them cover in case of an attack.

 

FOB Goliath is bustling with activity from the second they enter. Soldiers run around the boxes of ammo and explosives while police units escort civilians into the base and through a stable fissure that leads out of the Hollow. Orders are barked out by various military officers and PubSec Captains. The raw efficiency and brutal precision of HAND, PubSec, and the Defense Force never fails to impress the ice agent. This Hollow was only created four hours ago, and already humanity stands defiantly in the face of the oblivion it threatens to bring.

 

A medical team is already by the entrance when they step inside. Wise carefully hands off the unknown Sergeant to the well trained professionals and they begin strapping him into a stretcher. A mixed team of White Star Institute doctors and NEDF medics begin seeing to the man’s wounds instantly.

 

A female fox Thiren with a pair of white ears and a tail seems to be the foremost medical expert on site. She quickly scans the man with a small device and begins rattling off orders as the group make their way towards the field hospital. “Prepare two units of O-Positive blood for a transfusion. One hundred CCs of tranexamic acid. Ten CCs of morphine sulfate. Two hundred CC’s of anti-corruption serum. A skin graft may be…”

 

The doctor’s speech trails off as the group rounds a corner out of sight. The Private from earlier is following just behind him. His helmet has been removed since he entered the relative safety of the base, revealing a young man with a buzzed head of brown hair. Wise thinks to himself that the kid can’t be any older than twenty.

 

The agent is shaken out of his thoughts by yelling from the ramparts of the base.

 

“Sir! A group of civilians and PubSec officers is approaching from the East! They’re being trailed by a large force of Ethereals!” An unseen soldier bellows out from above.

 

“I see it. Wait a few more seconds for them to crest the hill then lay into them with the thirty cal. Watch your background, people!” A female NEDF officer wearing a beret yells back from one of the watchtowers.

 

“Get those PubSec robots out there to get them some breathing room, double time!” A nearby police Captain orders.

 

“Going loud!” The first soldier yells after a few seconds, followed by a thunderous burst of machine gun fire.

 

Wise watches the proceedings with a determined expression. He reaches for his scabbard and flicks off the safety, getting ready to unsheathe it and sally out with the nearby team of PubSec officers. There’s no way he can stand by while there are people out there in danger.

 

A soft hand grips the one on his blade, stopping him from drawing it.

 

“There’s still plenty of action yet to be had. Stay your blade for the moment, a greater task is already reserved for us.” The calm voice of Miyabi says from behind him.

 

The ice agent knows that she’s right, but it screams against every instinct in his body to not jump back into the fray. With a sigh, he turns around to face her. 

 

“You look like hell.” The swordswoman says with a small smile. One of her large black ears flicks when another burst of gunfire goes off in the distance.

 

For the first time today, Wise looks down at himself. His left arm is covered in a similar black armor to what Miyabi wears on her left arm, complete with a painted HSO logo and a few kanji symbols. The agent’s shoulders are protected by round black pauldrons, and his legs below the knees and on his thighs sport a similar construction of armor above a set of black dress pants. A white dress shirt decorates his chest along with a tie colored with the HSO famous cyan. To top it all off is a tight blazer that shares the same color as his tie and a set of credentials reading ‘HSO-S6 Agent Astraeus’. 

 

On his back is his usual cryogenic scabbard, its bulky form unchanged since its creation. The agent’s specialized pistol also rests in its usual holster, strapped to an armored portion of his thigh. One can easily tell he’s the most armed and armored out of anyone in his squad. 

 

This has been his standard attire since initially joining Section 6. The only difference now is that it’s covered in blood, both Ethereal and human, along with grisly clumps of what looks suspiciously like penguin fur. His gray hair, which has lately been tied up in a low ponytail, has strands that have been knocked loose of its bindings or had its ends singed off.

 

 

Wise rubs his neck sheepishly, beginning to feel flustered due to his nightmarish state of dress. “Sorry about that, Chief. I had to fight some penguins.”

 

Miyabi tilts her head curiously, causing her ears to flop to one side. “Penguins, you say?”

 

“Step aside! Special ordinance coming through!” A rough voice yells from directly behind them, interrupting their conversation. The pair step out of the way and glance at the large box that’s being carried by four soldiers. On its side the words ‘Shiyu Warhead’ are painted in red text.

 

Miyabi’s red eyes roam the large case with detached interest. Her quiet voice is nearly drowned out by machine gun fire as she speaks.

 

“It seems that Operation Uppercut is right on schedule. Prepare to move out.”

Notes:

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Chapter 6: Step Aside, Let The Man Through

Summary:

Section 6 makes the final preparations for Operation Uppercut. Two familiar faces offer their support.

“The scout’s assessment of the area has concluded that this is the best route to the objective.” 

 

Deputy Chief Tsukishiro Yanagi says as she points to a deep red line on the three dimensional map on the table in front of them. The blue hologram projection shows the terrain of the Minoan Hollow which still mostly consists of the Janus Quarter Zoo. At the exact center of the circle is a red X.

 

“Operation Uppercut consists of us delivering and arming the Shiyu Warhead at these exact coordinates. Command posited that a fifteen minute timer should be enough for a full evacuation. All civilians and staff in the area have been accounted for and are outside the blast zone.” Yanagi continues as she pushes her glasses back up her face. “We need a volunteer to carry the warhead. Everyone else will be on escort duty or run interference for other fireteams in the area.”

 

“I’ll carry the warhead.” Wise says as the Deputy Chief finishes her briefing. The agent is the physically strongest of the assembled warriors, making him an obvious choice to carry the heavy device. Everybody in the room solemnly nods in agreement with the decision.

 

“Astraeus will transport the special ordinance to the deployment area. Any questions before we begin final preparations?” Yanagi says as she brushes a lock of pink hair behind her ear. 

 

An officer in the corner of the room raises their hand after a short delay. Wise recognizes the white ears and tail of Seth Lowell from PubSec. Standing next to him is Captain Zhu Yuan who is staring at the holographic map with a serious expression. Both of them are writing in notebooks with a feverish pace.

 

“Yes, Officer Lowell. Please go ahead.” Yanagi says with a welcoming smile.

 

“I apologize, but I’m unfamiliar with what a Shiyu Warhead is, Miss Deputy Chief!” The young officer yells in a voice that’s much too loud for the small tent they’re all sharing. Several of the more experienced soldiers chuckle at the young man’s enthusiasm.

 

“No need to apologize, the inner workings of such a device are not public knowledge by any means. To answer a question with a question, are you familiar with how the Shiyu Pillars work?” Yanagi asks curiously.

 

“Yes! They intake Etheric matter from Hollows and convert it into electricity. Nearly all of New Eridu is powered by them!” Seth answers excitedly, seemingly happy that he knew the answer.

 

“A Shiyu Warhead works in much the same way. It rapidly intakes Etheric matter from the Hollow over the course of several minutes, reaching a pressurization far above what the Shiyu Pillars would safely allow. When the detonator reaches zero, the warhead releases all of the Etheric matter at once, causing a large implosion capable of instantly destabilizing and destroying a Companion Hollow.” The Deputy Chief explains helpfully. She presses several buttons on the holographic table causing a three dimensional model of the warhead to appear.

 

“If that’s the case, why don’t we just drop it like a bomb? Surely the Defense Force has a jet or helicopter to spare for the task. Why risk so many lives?” Captain Zhu Yuan asks curiously. Her tone is inquisitive but not doubting or rude. 

 

“That’s where the downsides of the Shiyu Warhead make themselves known. The device has to be placed in the exact mathematical center of the Hollow or the blast may not fully collapse it. Such precision from an aircraft is technically possible but not likely. HAND doesn’t like to waste such an expensive ordinance on misses.” Yanagi explains with a frustrated sigh. 

 

“The main advantage of a Shiyu Warhead over conventional ordinance is that it doesn’t have any actual explosives in it. Meaning I won’t get blown up if I take a hit or trip and drop it.” Wise says with a small smirk. Several of the assembled soldiers and officers laugh at the comedic image.

 

“Standard Operating Procedure states that closing a Hollow is best achieved through slaughtering a large amount of Ethereals inside of it or eliminating a particularly powerful one. However, the New Eridu council and Defense Force command want this Hollow closed quickly in time for the mayoral election in a few days.” The Deputy Chief states after the laughter has subsided.

 

“That’s no excuse to rush yourselves. Stay calm, stay focused, and watch each other's backs. We will eliminate this Hollow and make sure everyone makes it back home alive.” Chief Miyabi says to conclude the briefing. Her expression is a perfect mask of calm confidence and authority.

 

All of those in attendance salute and begin to filter out of the command tent to their pre-assigned teams. Wise leaves the tent as well, holding the flap open for Miyabi and Yanagi as they exit. A squad of soldiers approaches the Section 6 agents immediately, carrying a large armored backpack.

 

“Here’s your cargo, Astraeus. Try not to break it. This is a lot of civilian tax dollars.” The man says humorously as he holds the backpack out for the ice agent to take. The pack is basically a black box with straps. A small pad on one side has been added for comfort while red text on the side reads ‘Shiyu Warhead’.

 

Wise smirks at the snarky comment of the soldier as he carefully accepts the backpack. The agent unstraps the scabbard from his back and hands it to Miyabi, who is briefly surprised by its weight but clutches it in her arms. He slips his arms through the shoulder straps and clips the two chest straps together, ensuring that the backpack is well secured to his back. Well over ten million Dennies went into this small piece of equipment on his back with the ability to destroy a Hollow. The thought brings him little comfort.

 

“Thanks for the help. Make sure you’re clear by the time this thing goes off.” Wise says with a small smile before turning around.

 

The trio make their way towards a small staging area near the front gate of the FOB. Harumasa and Soukaku are waiting next to an armored transport, waving when they see the group approaching.

 

“Asty-Ray!” Soukaku yells as she runs forward and wraps Wise in a warm embrace. The young girl has a lot of trouble saying his name, so she simplifies it to a recognizable and much easier version.

 

“Hey, you little gremlin, you've been doing okay?” The ice agent asks in a gentle tone while patting the girl on the back.

 

“Not at all! I’ve had to kill so many cute zoo animals that turned into Ethereals… it sucks!” The oni says with regret.

 

“I’m with you there. Luckily we’re almost done here for today.” Wise says as he partially turns around and points towards the large backpack. Bursts of machine gun fire from the ramparts occasionally interrupt their conversation.

 

Harumasa’s eyes widen when he sees the red text on the side of the case. “Holy shit bro. Command must be serious about this.”

 

Yanagi walks behind the archer and slaps him on the back of the head. Not hard enough to cause any real damage, but definitely enough to hurt. “Language.”

 

“Ow.” Harumasa says as he rubs the back of his head.

 

Miyabi and Wise smile silently at the interaction, covering their mouths with gloved hands to hide the expression. The Deputy Chief has very few things that make her upset. One of them is people swearing in front of Soukaku.

 

“Wise! Chief!” A female voice yells from behind the assembled group, barely audible through the pervasive sound of gunshots.

 

The ice agent turns around to see who is calling for him, searching for a familiar face through the sea of soldiers and officers.

 

Captain Zhu Yuan and Officer Seth are spotted walking towards where Section 6 is gathered. Once they arrive, the female officer speaks. “We would like to volunteer for escort duty. The rest of PubSec is about to evacuate through the stable fissure.”

 

Miyabi narrows her red eyes towards the cat officer, having never met him before. Her ears flick rapidly as her study continues. “This operation has a narrow margin for error. Only special forces and senior Defense Force personnel are approved to participate, this is no place for a rookie officer. Zhu Yuan may accompany us, but you should assist your compatriots with the evacuation and refugee organization.”

 

The Captain immediately opens her mouth to protest, but is interrupted by Wise before she can. “Chief, if I may. Officer Seth is a skilled combatant. I’ve worked with him before and I know that his help would be invaluable to Operation Uppercut.”

 

Zhu Yuan and Seth shoot the swordsman a grateful smile and nod. Their attention quickly returns to the fox swordswoman as they wait for her response.

 

Miyabi listens intently to Wise’s statement. She closes her eyes briefly as she ponders the request. The swordswoman’s red eyes open and her head nods in approval after a few short moments. “Very well. If Astraeus vouches for you then I’m certain your skills are up to the task.”

 

“Thank you, Miss Miyabi! You won’t regret it!” Seth says with a deep bow.

 

“Thanks, Miyabi.” Zhu Yuan says gratefully and with a warm smile.

 

Wise’s eyes widen slightly when he notices the wider than normal smile on the Chief’s face following the Captain’s statement. The tall swordsman had no idea that they were such close friends. He makes a mental note to ask them about it later.

 

“Now that that’s settled, we need to assign teams. Chief?” Yanagi says while handing a small lunchbox to Soukaku, who grins widely and begins to dig in.

 

“Zhu Yuan and Harumasa will provide cover from the sky. Seth, Yanagi, and Soukaku will run interference. I shall accompany Astraeus as he delivers the payload to the objective. Any objections?” Miyabi says in her usual quiet and commanding tone. It seems she has been pondering these duties for a while and made up her mind some time ago.

 

“I wanted to go with Asty-Ray!” Soukaku says, her words muffled by a mouthful of food.

 

“It’s a sound strategic choice, I have no objections. I’m sure you can spend more time with him later, Soukaku.” Yanagi says with a patient smile.

 

The oni hangs her shoulders dramatically and stuffs her face with another handful of food. “Okay Nagi.”

 

“You always go with Astraeus, Chief. You two steal all the glory. What will my fans say?” Harumasa says with an amused tone, clearly not raising any serious objections.

 

“Understood.” Zhu Yuan says simply before beginning a final check of her gear.

 

“I can handle it!” Seth says eagerly.

 

“Once more unto the valley of death rode the two battle-hungry idiots.” Wise says with a quieter tone while smiling at Miyabi. The Chief always volunteered for the most dangerous roles, quickly followed by the tall swordsman. They’ve certainly found kindred spirits when it comes to a lust for combat.

 

The fox swordswoman smiles very slightly at the comment, her lips tilting upwards nearly a fraction of a centimeter. After recovering from her amusement she speaks once more. “I would rather fight Ethereals than rebels. I suppose that’s a silver lining of sorts.”

 

Yanagi pushes her glasses up on her face before speaking quietly. “There aren’t many major rebel forces active at this time. Only small groups like the Sons of Atlas or The Olympians pose any sort of threat.”

 

Miyabi nods her head in understanding at the Deputy Chief’s observation. She raises her voice a moment later to once again address the entire squad. “Make your final preparations. Operation Uppercut begins in earnest after ten minutes.”

The squad breaks into several small groups as soon as the Chief says those words. Each of them have separate tasks to accomplish. Three small parts compromise a greater whole. The collapse or failure of one team would certainly result in the objective not being completed, or worse.

 

Zhu Yuan and Harumasa make their way towards a small field on the South side of the base. A makeshift landing pad has been constructed there, on top of which rests a NEDF helicopter. The sigil of the Obsidian Division is painted proudly on its two side doors. The air team’s role will be to provide reconnaissance, fire support, and a quick exfiltration once the objective is completed.

 

Yanagi, Soukaku, and Seth make their way towards the front gate for their final preparations. The interference team's role will be to distract and engage any forces that could potentially slow down the mission. It’s a dangerous job best suited for those with excellent coordination, speed, and resilience.

 

Finally, Astraeus and Miyabi make their way to a table near the FOB’s exit. The tall swordsman removes the backpack and sets it down gently. The fox swordswoman gingerly hands him his cryogenic scabbard that she’s been holding on to. With some tools on hand he attaches his sword’s scabbard to the backpack containing the Shiyu Warhead. It’s not pretty and it’s not perfect, but it should be good enough to last through the mission. He hefts the now massively heavy pack onto his shoulders and straps it to himself.

 

The two sword wielders have the most important job of all the teams. Transport the special ordinance, put it in the exact spot it needs to be in, and make sure to stay alive long enough to arm it. Just another average day in the office for Section 6.

 

The rest of the military personnel left at the FOB will provide fire support and a distraction, similar to the interference team. However, since they will be required to walk out of the blast radius instead of fly, their contributions will be limited. Every little bit helps, of course.

 

“Is the pack too heavy? I can carry a few parts of it in a separate case.” Miyabi suggests with a worried tone.

 

“It’s not so bad, I promise. You’re more built for speed than I am, so it's best for me to carry this piece of crap.” Wise says with a reassuring smile. He walks over to stand next to her, towering over her smaller frame. The tips of her fox ears just barely hit his upper shoulder.

 

The Chief sighs but relents anyway, realizing that the tall swordsman is right. While staring at the pale moon above them, she speaks softly. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

“You always say that.”

 

“I’m always right.”

 

“Maybe you’re cursing us by saying it? You’re always so jumpy.”

 

“Curses aren’t real and I am not jumpy.” Miyabi says with a huff, crossing her arms.

 

“Curses are totally real. Your sword is covered in foxfire!” Wise says with a panicked tone.

 

“Where!?” Miyabi says while rapidly turning around to look at every angle of her scabbard, causing her robes to violently flap and spin with the motion.

 

“Just kidding. But you are very jumpy.” The tall swordsman says with a triumphant smirk.

 

Miyabi glares up at him with half lidded red eyes and her ears flick rapidly in annoyance. “You’re lucky we’re on a mission. Otherwise you would be begging for mercy at my feet.”

 

“I’m terrified, truly. Also your hair is falling out of your hair clamp.”

 

“Oh no, not again. Could you fix it for me?” The fox swordswoman says before turning around to face away from Wise.

 

The tall swordsman only chuckles in response, barely containing a violent burst of laughter.

 

“My hair is fine, isn’t it?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“You…” Miyabi says with a grumble, unable to get out any more words due to her annoyance.

 

A loud beeping noise emanates from a device in the fox swordswoman’s pocket. She quickly fishes out the PDA and looks at it before glancing up at Wise.

 

“It’s time.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

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Chapter 7: Breaking Stuff To Look Tough

Summary:

Operation Uppercut reaches its climax.

“Get down!”

 

Miyabi yells from a few feet away. Wise immediately drops onto his stomach, trusting her command instinctually. No sooner has he hit the ground than a massive blade passes over where his body once was. A twisted hunk of metal, pulsing with Etheric energy, glints menacingly in the moonlight. A large amount of trees thud to the ground, perfectly felled by the blindingly fast attack. 

 

The tall swordsman’s light blue mechanical eyes rapidly scan to find the owner of the weapon in the densely wooded area. Eventually he spots what seems to have once been a rhino retreating into a separate exhibit. Its horn has been twisted beyond recognition by the strong Ether energies of Minoan Hollow, shooting out to well beyond eight meters in length. The absurd sight would almost be comedic if the blade couldn’t cut him in half easily.

 

The Ethereal rhino’s hasty retreat is stopped by an arrow, infused with crackling blue electricity, piercing its skull just above the eyes. Its hulking form slumps unceremoniously to the ground. What momentum it still has causes it to skid along the ground for nearly twenty meters, creating a huge rut in the soft earth of the zoo exhibit. A final roar escapes its lips and it moves no more.

 

“Just so we’re clear with each other, you owe me a drink for that one.”

 

The voice of Harumasa says into his earpiece as it crackles to life. As usual, the archer’s tone is full of amusement and mirth. 

 

Wise smiles as he sees the NEDF helicopter roar over his head, just barely skimming the tip of the forest’s trees. He reaches for his earpiece and hits the transmit button to their local channel before responding. “I’ll gladly provide it. That thing was about to cut me in half and make me as tall as the Chief.”

 

Miyabi shoots him an annoyed glare from across a small clearing in the woods. One of her gloved hands moves to pat her sword menacingly, no doubt threatening retribution if he continues his teasing. Harumasa can be heard cackling in the comms channel.

 

“Cut the chatter, kids. We’re at the final stretch now.”

 

Deputy Chief Yanagi says into the channel next, causing the two male members of Section 6 to cease their light hearted banter. The sounds of a fight can be heard in the background of her transmission before she cuts the line. The lack of radio transmissions draws attention to the silence that’s settled like a thick blanket onto the battlefield.

 

The tall swordsman nods his head and jogs to catch up with Miyabi. His gloved hand returns to rest on the hilt of his sword, the cryogenic scabbard on his back pulsing with pale blue light. The sudden quiet is making them both very nervous. The agent knows well that the calm before the storm is never a time to get comfortable.

 

The fox girl’s hand rests on the pommel of her katana as she scans the area in front of them. They’ve reached the edge of the forested area and are looking out at a completely flat plain that seems to be some sort of savanna. Sparse flora decorates the loose soil of the large exhibit with some patches of tall grass around. A cute cartoon of a lion is painted on a nearby wall above a sign that reads ‘Lion Exhibit - Come See All Forty Members of Our World Famous Pride!’.

 

Directing his vision elsewhere, Wise sees a variety of dead Ethereals lying in bloody heaps on the outskirts of the savanna. Some of them are half eaten while others simply have their throats ripped out. He is unable to see a single gunshot wound on any of the corpses.

 

“Where are all of them? Did a fireteam already clear this area out?” The tall swordsman asks curiously.

 

Miyabi reaches a hand up to hit a button on her earpiece before she speaks quietly into it. “Chief Miyabi to all units. Has anyone encountered any Ethereals that look similar to lions or cleared out any areas near the lion exhibit?”

 

A chorus of negative responses flood the command channel for several seconds as all of the squad leaders report how they haven’t seen anything matching that description or gone anywhere near that area.

 

Cold ice fills Wise’s veins as his mind connects the dots. His eyes swivel over and meet Miyabi’s a second later. They both know what that means and neither of them like it even one bit.

 

“I’m beginning to think that bad feeling you had earlier wasn’t just a coincidence.” The tall swordsman says with a nervous smile.

 

The fox girl sighs with exasperation before responding. “I tried to tell you that but you were too busy making fun of me to listen.”

 

A nearly deafening roar suddenly emanates from within the lion exhibit, its tone distorted by some sort of Ethereal mutation. The horrifying sound echoes of of the treeline behind them, making it seem like the roar is coming from everywhere at once.

 

Wise and Miyabi simultaneously draw their swords before sharing one more glance. They nod their heads and step out of the forest and into the savanna, keeping their eyes moving and searching for any hidden threats.

 

As they continue their steady advance, the fox girl removes her PDA and hits a few buttons on it. A small, three dimensional map springs to life. Its holographic surface tells her all she needs to know as she speaks. “Fifty more meters to the Northwest and we should be there.”

 

“Of course the mathematical center had to be the goddamn lion exhibit. Why couldn’t it be sloths? Or koalas? Or literally anything else?” Wise mumbles to himself as his boots crunch against the loose earth of the arid exhibit.

 

Several moments later Miyabi's PDA makes a high pitched noise indicating that they have reached the objective marker. She shuffles around in various directions as she pinpoints the exact location. A slender finger points towards a nondescript pile of dirt.

 

“Set it here. This is the spot.” The fox girl says quietly, slipping the PDA back into her robes.

 

Wise hums in affirmation as he steps towards the innocuous spot that the Chief indicated. He gently undoes the clasps on his chest that are keeping the large backpack attached to him. With a grunt of effort he unslings it and rests it in the soft earth  throwing up a cloud of dust. His gloved hands rapidly undo the seal and open the casing. The top of the case has a purple recycling symbol with a simplistic drawing of a mountain as a backdrop, under which words saying ‘Ephialtes Energy Solutions’ can be seen. Gingerly, he removes what was inside.

 

A sleek silver and black device is slowly lifted out of its shell. Its design is similar to that of a mortar tube or howitzer, sporting a shining barrel on the top and a variety of structural supports on the bottom. The area below the tube is a mess of complex electronics and instruments that Wise can’t even begin to identify. The side of the barrel has the words ‘Shiyu Payload Deployment and Release System (SPDRS)’ etched in red font. A small picture of a black widow spider is painted just below the words. Every member of HSO knows how to operate and deploy one of these, but this will be the first time he’s done it in a combat zone. No pressure, right?

 

The Shiyu Warhead’s sudden release of Ether energy is beyond powerful and is capable of instantly collapsing a Hollow. As such, it’s a common choice against Companion Hollows that haven’t had time to fully develop. However, the downsides of such a helpful device serve to counteract its usefulness somewhat.

 

The most obvious is the cost, running HAND about as much as several armored vehicles or helicopters. Secondly is the precision required for a successful deployment and release. If the warhead does not detonate at the exact mathematical center, there are some undesirable consequences. 

 

Wise shakes his head as he realizes his mind is filled with so many unhelpful doubts, he needs to focus on the task at hand first. A bead of sweat drops off of his forehead as he continues rapidly assembling the device.

 

Miyabi scans the horizon as her companion works to ready the device. Her black ears are nothing but a blur as they rapidly rotate and flick to the sides, waiting to pick up any kind of sound that would indicate an enemy presence. The sight would be cute if they weren’t in a fight for their lives.

 

Suddenly, she hears the faint rustling of grass that’s too quiet for Wise to hear. She whirls in place and swings her katana in a devastating arc. The attack is in motion long before any threat can even be seen visually. At the last second a heavily mutated lion, its body absent of the usual Ether glow but still undoubtedly twisted and mutated, leaps from a nearby patch of tall grass. 

 

The fox girl’s sword intercepts the beast in midair, performing a clean decapitation before it could ever know what happened. The tip of her blade is nothing but a pale blur illuminated by moonlight. Miyabi’s katana clicks back into its sheath before any part of the creature hits the ground.

 

Wise’s shoulders jump in place as the head rolls past where he’s working and into a small ditch to his right. His body shudders involuntarily at the sight as he speaks quietly. “Thanks. Guess we found where the lions are.”

 

“Only thirty nine more to go if the sign by the entrance is to be believed.” The fox girl mutters as she uses her thumb to break the seal on her katana once more.

 

All at once, several more lions leap from nearby patches of tall grass and attack Miyabi at all angles. She retreats several steps back to be closer to the tall swordsman before engaging the new targets. The beast’s long claws, twisted and lengthened by their Etheric transformation, are parried by her katana with quick and brutal movements. Any misstep by the creatures is rewarded instantly with a fatal blow.

 

Wise tries his best to focus on assembling the device and ignoring the combat taking place all around him. The task is beyond difficult, but his overwhelming trust in Miyabi makes it just barely possible. With a soft click the final piece of the SPDRS is locked into place. He reaches a shaky hand up to his earpiece before speaking into it. “Spiders platform has been assembled. Arming the Shiyu Warhead.”

 

“Understood, Astreaus. Ground teams are beginning their retreat now.”

 

The calm voice of Yanagi says into the channel, the sounds of rustling foliage and rapid footsteps is heard in the background.

 

Another dead Ethereal lion flops to the ground next to the tall swordsman with a slash over its neck, pouring out greenish blood that stains the soil. Wise pushes it away slightly as he begins arming the warhead and setting the fuse. He can hear the fox girl quietly counting up numbers with every beast she kills. The total seems to be at sixteen as he twists the nose cone of the warhead into place.

 

A pair of slightly glowing eyes make his hands freeze in their motions. Another lion is making its way slowly towards him while a massive group simultaneously begins attacking Miyabi. The girl grunts in pain as a set of claws scrape the armor on her left forearm. The blow certainly hurts but doesn’t seem to have caused any serious damage.

 

With painfully slow movements Wise reaches for the holster on his left hip, aiming to draw the pistol and fire before the beast can reach him. His heart is hammering in his chest as he undoes the clasp that keeps the firearm in place. However, the glowing eyes look down at the offending hand as the sound rings out. It suddenly leaps forward with a roar and aims to rip out his throat before he can fight back.

 

A loud bang rings out and the creature flies to the left. A purple gunshot wound is present on its torso with a small trail of similarly colored smoke emanating from it. The NEDF helicopter whirls overhead a second later, cutting a trail through the night sky.

 

“Sorry for the wait. We were helping out the interference team. You’ve got my undivided attention now.”

 

Captain Zhu Yuan says over the radio as she continues taking shots out of the helicopter door at Ethereal lions trying to attack Wise and Miyabi. Her distinctive purple tracers hit their targets with devastating accuracy.

 

The occasional electricity-infused arrow flies out of the window on the other side of the vehicle, taking out a creature with every projectile.

 

Wise clicks the fuse into place and gently feeds the Shiyu Warhead into the tube of the SPDRS platform. With a hollow thunk and a high pitched beep, the system displays the ready to fire message in the form of a green light on the side. A countdown of fifteen minutes starts on another screen next to it which is already ticking down the seconds.

 

The tall swordsman speaks into his earpiece once again. “Shiyu Warhead is primed, countdown initiated. T-Minus fifteen minutes to detonation.”

 

“Hear you loud and clear, Astreaus. Fireworks are incoming. Clear me a Landing Zone for my bird and we can retrograde the fuck out of this hellhole.”

 

The helicopter pilot says into the channel as the vehicle begins hovering in the air directly above the duo. Violent gusts of wind from the aircraft’s blades makes the tall grass sway in a circle around them. Spotlights attached to the helicopter come to life highlight targets as they approach. The large amount of lions is now partially mixed with the twisted forms of other zoo animals. It seems the high amount of Etheric matter being drawn in by the Shiyu Warhead is drawing a lot of attention.

 

“Guns, guns, guns.”

 

The pilot says before a rotary gun roars to life on the under part of the aircraft’s nose. The bright muzzle flashes make the approaching beasts appear to move in frames of motion like a slideshow, some of which are hit by machine gun fire long before reaching their goal. Smoking brass casings begin to litter the area around the SPDRS system.

 

Wise draws his sword and goes back to back with Miyabi. Any Ethereal creature that gets too close is hit with a powerful sword stroke. Parry, strike, parry, strike over and over again. An occasional enemy is struck down by covering fire emanating from the helicopter before it can get too close. The fight seems to go on for hours as a seemingly bottomless amount of lions and other beasts continue their suicidal charge.

 

Finally, Miyabi’s quiet count reaches forty and the onslaught soon stops in its tracks. A tranquil moment of peace falls upon the battlefield from the second the last lion falls dead into the grass. The two sword users share another brief glance of unease before putting their back together once more.

 

“Interference team is approaching the LZ now! One hundred meters to your East! We’re bringing the party to you!”

 

The voice of Seth yells into the comms channel. A cacophonous roar of Ethereals serves to emphasize their presence as the trio emerge from a nearby treeline. Yanagi is in the lead, Soukaku is in the middle, and Seth is in the rear with his shield on his back. Behind them emerges a massive amount of mutated beasts, each of them clawing over each other to reach the retreating warriors.

 

The rotary gun on the helicopter immediately swivels as it tracks the group of creatures following the strike team. Once the squad safely enters the area under the aircraft it opens fire, immediately mowing down the front-most group of creatures. Zhu Yuan’s fire support only serves to further hinder the Ethereal’s advance. 

 

Cutting the machine gun fire the pilot begins to slowly lower the helicopter towards the ground. After a few moments it's hovering just a meter above the ground, causing the wind from the blades to buffet the approaching agents. 

 

Wise checks the PDA attached from his wrist as it makes a shrill beeping sound. His eyes widen and he yells into the comms channel. “Five minutes to detonation!”

 

Miyabi nods her head and unsheathes her katana, preparing to face the oncoming wave of Ethereals.

 

“Get inside! Go go go!” Harumasa yells as he slides open the side door of the helicopter and reaches his hand out to help Yanagi into the vehicle first. Their hands make a loud smacking noise and she’s lifted inside a second later.

 

“Covering fire!” Zhu Yuan yells while kneeling down on the other side of the door and beginning taking shots at approaching Ethereals, attempting to cover her teammates' retreat.

 

Wise runs up next to the helicopter and scoops Soukaku into his arms. With a grunt he heaves the smaller girl into the air and through the helicopter doors. The oni yelps in surprise but is quickly grabbed by Yanagi and strapped into one of the seats.

 

Seth puts his shield and baton onto his back and runs towards the helicopter. Zhu Yuan reaches a hand down and helps the officer get into the vehicle before beginning to fire once more.

 

Now, only Wise and Miyabi remain outside of the helicopter. Their swords move with superhuman speed, cutting down any Ethereal before they can reach the vehicle. After a few moments there’s a lull in the creature’s advance and they both hop into the side door of the helicopter.

 

“That’s everyone! Get us out of here!” Zhu Yuan yells to the pilot. 

 

“Loud and clear.” The pilot says as the blades begin to spin faster and faster. 

 

The helicopter lifts off of the ground and into the night sky a moment later. An Ethereal that grabbed onto one of the landing skids is dispatched with a bullet from Wise’s handgun as he leans out of the side door. Its corpse drops back into the teeming mass of creatures with a loud thud. The writhing mass of mutated flesh seems to wave and flow like the surface of the ocean below them.

 

The ice agent closes the door and diverts his eyes towards the SPDRS system through the window. The red light pulsing on the side begins to slowly increase its pace as the timer drops to four minutes. Suddenly, another massive rhino Ethereal emerges from a nearby treeline and runs after the escaping helicopter. One of its large legs bumps against the SPDRS system and knocks it slightly to the side, breaking one of the supports in the process.

 

“Warning! Trajectory of Shiyu Warhead is no longer going to intercept the target area. Re-adjust the SPDRS platform back to its original bearing or a Hollow collapse cannot be achieved. Warning! Current trajectory is likely to result in a destabilization event! Please re-adjust the SPDRS platform back to its original bearing or abort the launch process!”

 

The PDA attached to Wise’s risk says after a long series of loud beeps. All heads in the helicopter swivel towards the ice agent with wide eyes. If the Shiyu Warhead is fired now, all of their work today would have been meaningless, or worse.

 

Wise’s finger moves to hit the remote deactivation button on his PDA to abort the launch. However, all he gets in return is an error message saying that the command couldn’t be processed.

 

“Goddamnit!” Wise yells as the detonation timer reaches three minutes. His face twists into a grimace a moment later.

 

The mood in the cabin of the helicopter is grim to say the least. Everybody is rapidly thinking about solutions to the problem they’ve just found themselves in. Each person stares with empty eyes at the metallic floor below them.

 

“All of the ground teams have been evacuated. If the warhead goes off there’s a very good chance of a Hollow expansion due to the sudden release of Etheric matter in the wrong place. The perimeter can’t be secured effectively in such a short amount of time. Oh God…” Yanagi says while putting a gloved hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with terror.

 

“I can’t turn the helicopter around to shoot at it with the rotary gun without getting us caught in the blast. There’s no time for anything except retreat!” The pilot yells from the cockpit.

 

“There’s no guarantee that shooting at it would successfully disarm it anyways.” Harumasa says with a pained expression.

 

Wise stands from his seat a moment later and slowly walks towards the side door of the helicopter, throwing it open with a powerful heave. Biting gusts of wind tug at his clothing as he stares forward with a blank expression. 

 

Miyabi stands as well and puts a gentle hand on the tall swordsman’s shoulder. Her voice is soft as she speaks to him. “Wise? What are you-“

 

Without any warning, Wise takes a step out of the aircraft and plummets into the night sky.

Notes:

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Chapter 8: Light Fuse, Run Away

Summary:

Wise does whatever it takes to ensure Operation Uppercut is a success.

“Wise!”

 

Every occupant of the helicopter yells simultaneously as the agent steps into the dark void outside. Miyabi leans her head outside the door to watch him plummet to the earth below. Her large ears wave as the violent waves of air buffet them.

 

“What the hell is he thinking?! I’m going after him.” The Chief yells as she attaches her katana back to her belt. The fox girl’s expression is filled with worry and determination in equal measure. She steps forward and stands on the threshold of the helicopter’s open door.

 

A gloved hand grabs her forearm before she can take the final step into the abyss. Yanagi shakes her head and pulls the swordswoman back into her seat. Her voice is loud but reassuring as she speaks. “It’s too late for us to do anything! We need to get clear of the blast!”

 

“He’s going to get himself killed!” Miyabi yells back over the deafening sound of wind. Her red eyes are wide as they stare into the inky blackness outside.

 

“We’re going to need every agent we can get if Minoan Hollow destabilizes and expands! We just have to trust him now and prepare for the worst!” The Deputy Chief yells back.

 

“Can one of you close the goddamn door?! You’re fucking up our speed and balance!” The pilot yells from his chair, half turning around as he does so. He’s worried about the agent too, but he’s got a job to do.

 

Yanagi immediately stands from her seat and slams the door closed with a single powerful movement. The loud noise followed by a sudden quiet accentuates the tense atmosphere inside the cabin. The Deputy Chief’s breathing is heavy as she slumps against the metal wall.

 

Zhu Yuan and Seth sit on the other end of the helicopter. Stunned silence is all that is shared between them. Only the sound of the vehicle's blades slicing through the air makes any sort of noise, along with occasional radio chatter from the cabin.

 

“She’s right. There’s… nothing we can do now. We’ll take up defensive positions near Minoan Hollow and begin a full evacuation in case of a destabilization event.” Harumasa says with a sigh as his eyes stare dejectedly at the metallic floor below him.

 

“Asty-Ray is going to be okay, right Nagi…?” Soukaku says with a semi-pleading tone, her red eyes threatening to spill over with tears.

 

Yanagi smiles gently and sits down next to the oni, wrapping her in a warm hug. “Of course he is, Soukaku. Astraeus is one of our strongest agents. Right, Chief?”

 

Miyabi does not hear her second in command ask the question. Her red eyes stare unblinkingly out of a window on the side of the helicopter. The fox girl’s hands are clenched into fists as the same two words swirl through her mind.

 

Not again.

---

 

Wise plummets through the pitch black night as he hurdles towards the ground. His eyes helpfully provide him with the distance to impact. A hundred meters, fifty meters, ten meters. At the last possible moment, he extends his body outwards to slow his momentum before putting his feet under him, preparing to tuck and roll.

 

A sickening crack and squelch is heard as his boots impact a small Ethereal on the ground. The creature lets out a brief but shrill scream as its body collapses under the weight of his descent, killed instantly by the impact. The swordsman’s legs are already beginning to ache as he jumps out of the tuck and roll and away from splattered remains of the unlucky creature. The agent can’t even tell what species the animal once was anymore. 

 

Any normal human would have been instantly killed by such a long fall or at the very least had their legs and spine broken beyond any repair. However, Wise’s mutations from the mysterious explosion make his body much, much stronger and resilient than the average person. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt, unfortunately. Pushing the pain out of his mind he begins full on sprinting back towards the SPDRS system.

 

As he moves, a gloved hand reaches down to skillfully unholster his handgun. He reaches two of his fingers to rest over the top of the iron sights while keeping his thumb on the grip, pulling them towards him after a moment to move back the slide and check the chamber. It still has a round chambered, that’s a good start. The agent removes the magazine and checks the small holes on the side which show him that it’s half empty.

 

A new magazine is quickly loaded with a soft click while the half empty one is returned to a pouch on his belt. Wise’s finger slowly traces the outlines of his other magazines as he continues his sprint. Three fresh, one half, two empty. Not ideal but not as bad as it could be. The agent partially pulls his sword out of its scabbard to check the small pale blue display on the side. Twenty five percent of his cryogenic coating remains. Also not ideal, but he can make it work.

 

Finally, he pushes through the last remaining bit of foliage and re-enters the savanna exhibit that used to host a pride of lions. His light blue mechanical eyes scan his surroundings with speed and precision. It looks like most of the Ethereals that used to be here followed the helicopter as it left. Now there’s only a slightly intimidating one hundred contacts that he can visually confirm. Easy.

 

Most of them slowly circle the SPDRS system as it lies crookedly in the center of the savanna. Zebra, a few kangaroos, and even a distant rhino are a few of the different species that Wise can spot during his first glance. A faint, blinking red light on the side of the device is the only indication that it’s still working.

 

The agent checks the timer on his PDA. He jumped out of the helicopter forty five seconds ago. Two minutes and fifteen seconds remaining to re-center the SPDRS system and get out of the blast radius. Wise is beginning to worry that it’s not enough time to get to a safe distance, but that’s more of an optional objective at this point.

 

The swordsman reaches for the hilt of his blade and thumbs the safety to pop the seal. He slowly draws the sword out of its cryogenic scabbard and assumes a combat stance. The small, shining snowflakes dripping from the coating on the sword brings an odd sort of tranquility to his mind. Pale moonlight makes the metal of the blade glow with an eerie light, highlighting a thousand small scratches and grooves on its weathered surface.

 

The multitude of scars on the sword’s body remind the agent that this is where he belongs. A battlefield on which so much relies is once again stretched before his eyes. Wise, like this blade, was forged in a fiery heat for one purpose and one purpose only. Fighting to protect what matters most.

 

The agent's boots thunder against the loose soil composing the savanna biome as his charge begins. A small pack of mutated canids, most likely some species of wolf, are the first to notice his approach. Three of them immediately form a loose semicircle just ahead of him. They leap as a group, aiming to immobilize then finish off the unwelcome guest.

 

Wise falls to one knee and begins to slide through the loose dirt, his momentum carrying him forward for several meters. As he slides forward he delivers a devastating horizontal slash with his sword to the area in front of him. All three creatures realize their mistake far too late as they are unable to dodge in midair. Six separate halves hit the ground a second later.

 

The agent kicks his back leg into the ground to spring to his feet, resuming his sprint immediately after. A beeping sound draws his attention to his PDA. Two minutes remaining, plenty of time.

 

The swordsman’s mind goes numb and his body operates solely on instinct and experience. His left hand removes the handgun from its holster and he begins taking shots at the Ethereals trying to stop his advance. The agent whispers under his breath as he does so.

 

“Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.” Click!

 

Sixteen dead creatures now line the path immediately behind him, each of them with an icy bullet wound to the head. An empty magazine now clatters to the ground to rest next to them. Wise’s gloved hand reaches for a fresh magazine and removes it from the belt.

 

An Ethereal zebra senses the opportunity and charges forward towards the swordsman while roaring a challenge. The flat part of the agent’s blade is the only reward the creature finds for its efforts. A sickening crack rings out as the beast’s skull is shattered by the devastating blow, its limp body flies nearly ten meters away and tackles another incoming Ethereal.

 

The fresh magazine slips into place and he releases the slide, chambering another round. The SPDRS system is less than twenty five meters away now. His PDA beeps out a warning yet again. Ninety seconds remain until detonation, plenty of time.

 

Wise puts on a new burst of speed, his legs throb with pain due to his fall from the helicopter, but he pushes it out of his mind. Creatures fall left and right, caught up in the agent’s whirlwind of death and destruction. His handgun whips to the left and shoots a small Ethereal fox out of the air, not even looking as he does so. Anything that somehow avoids the hail of bullets is quickly struck by his cryogenic blade.

 

The smaller beasts are beginning to run in fear. Some warped sense of self-preservation must still exist despite their mutated state. Only a small number of enemies are left around the SPDRS system, including the one that started this whole disaster.

 

A mutated rhino, towering over Wise by a factor of four, shakes the earth as it takes a step towards the agent. The agent holsters his handgun and holds his blade with both hands as he prepares for a challenging fight. The beast advances rapidly and charges forward with reckless abandon, only a desire for carnage filling its mind. Just as it’s about to trample the agent underfoot he leaps high into the air.

 

Wise uses the mutated horn of the rhino as a handlebar to swing his momentum onto its back. Once he’s on top of the beast he lets out a guttural war cry, plunging his blade into its side. The massive Ethereal roars in protest and begins bucking its back legs in an attempt to throw him off. Frost begins to spread across the beast’s skin from where the sword is embedded.

 

The agent digs his blade further into its side and squeezes the handle with a white knuckle grip, using it to keep himself on top of the beast as it tries to shake him free. His left hand once again unholsters his handgun and he begins unloading round after round into the back of the rhino’s skull. He yells out after every shot.

 

“Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen!” Click!

 

With a final roar of defiance, the rhino begins to tumble over into the soft dirt of the savanna. A cloud of loose dirt and dust is thrown into the air following a loud thud. The agent wastes no time after removing his sword with a wet squelch. He throws himself off of the defeated monster and crosses the last bit of distance to his objective, sliding on his knees to rest directly next to it. The small cloud of debris serves to conceal him from the few remaining Ethereals that have yet to retreat.

 

Wise eyeballs the adjustments at first to get the SPDRS system close, his hands adjusting the dials on the sides of the device. His PDA begins to beep rapidly as the projectile’s trajectory approaches the position it needs to be in. As he gets closer, the pace of the beeping increases. After just a few seconds there is one continuous beep from his PDA and a digitized voice rings out.

 

“SPDRS system has been successfully recalibrated. Shiyu Warhead trajectory is now within the mathematical center. Warning! T-Minus sixty seconds to detonation!”

 

The agent wastes no time and springs to his feet immediately, breaking into a full sprint away from the device not even a second later. Wise emerges from the cloud of smoke and a smaller Ethereal fox immediately leaps to intercept him. He skillfully ducks under the attack, causing the beast's claws to harmlessly bounce off of one of his pauldrons, and continues his retreat. A few seconds later and he’s back into the forested area next to the savanna.

 

“Warning! T-Minus thirty seconds to detonation!”

 

Wise realizes that thirty seconds won’t be enough to make it clear of the blast in time. Even disregarding the Ether levels that will no doubt result from a Shiyu Warhead detonation, the shockwave will surely kill him anyways. His mind suddenly remembers something from earlier in the day that could save his life. He adjusts his course slightly and puts on a renewed burst of speed.

 

“Warning! T-Minus fifteen seconds to detonation!”

 

The agent begins to reach speeds that wouldn’t be possible for a normal person to achieve thanks to his superhuman abilities. His running speed hits forty five kilometers an hour (twenty eight miles per hour) as his goal finally comes into sight. 

 

The foxhole which was used by the two NEDF soldiers earlier in the day sits unused in the middle of a small clearing. If he survives this, Wise makes a note to thank the Private and Sergeant for digging it. The agent lowers his speed slightly as he glides the final bit of distance into the earthwork, his boots making a soft thud as they impact the bottom.

 

“Warning, launch imminent! T-Minus five… four… three… two… one…”

 

THUNK 

 

WHOOSH

 

“Shiyu Warhead has been successfully launched!”

 

Despite it being against safety guidelines, Wise peeks his head out of the top of the foxhole. His mechanical eyes automatically zoom in and lock onto the Shiyu Warhead as it flies over the treeline. The sight is beyond beautiful. The small, silver form of the warhead is surrounded by a pulsating net composed of purple streams of light. Thousands of strands of Etheric energy swirl around its shape as it flies higher and higher into the air. It’s the most beautiful yet haunting thing he’s ever seen in his life. 

 

“Warning! The Ordinance Operator has not cleared the Shiyu Warhead’s blast radius! Pre-launch calculations estimate an Etheric yield of twenty five thousand Allen-Herberg Units!”

 

Finally, the warhead reaches the apex of its journey and detonates. A blinding white flash illuminates the forest as Wise ducks his head back into the trench. Just as he was trained to do, he empties all the air from his lungs, closes his eyes, and lies down at the bottom of the trench with his head away from the blast. The agent’s heart hammers in his chest as he hears the shockwave approaching.

 

The blast passes over the foxhole and Wise immediately loses consciousness.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 9: Walk It Off

Summary:

Section 6 investigates the remains of Minoan Hollow.

“Now back to our top story.”

 

The news anchor says as he shuffles around a stack of papers on the desk in front of him. Behind the man is a large green screen featuring a map of the Janus Quarter part of New Eridu. Above the map are the words ‘THIS MORNING ON CHANNEL 8: BREAKING NEWS ON MINOAN HOLLOW’ in bold red font. In the chair next to him is a woman wearing a military uniform, the oak leaf on her chest designates her as a major.

 

After re-adjusting his thick rimmed glasses to rest on the bridge of his nose, he continues speaking. “Minoan Hollow, companion to the well known Cretan Hollow, was closed as of midnight last night. This new expansion swallowed up the Janus Quarter Zoo in its entirety before threatening to spread even further into residential areas. With me now is Major Milize of the New Eridu Defense Force, thank you for coming onto our program today.”

 

“It’s my pleasure to be here, Thom.” The woman says with a friendly smile. She reaches a hand up to brush a lock of bluish white hair behind her ear, helping to make her eyes of the same color even more visible.

 

“Now, Major Milize. What can you tell me about the closing of Minoan Hollow last night? A standard destruction of a Companion Hollow takes three days on average according to figures provided by HAND. So, why was it so fast this time?” The news anchor says as he leans forward in his seat. 

 

“That’s a great question, Thom. The answer lies in a piece of special ordinance usually reserved for emergencies, the Shiyu Warhead.” The woman says as a mostly redacted diagram of the device is thrown up on the screen behind them. A trademark logo along with the words ‘Ephialtes Energy Solutions’ decorate the top of the blueprints.

 

“A Shiyu Warhead? Now that’s a surprise! I suppose that HAND is really getting serious about containing Hollow Expansion. Now, do you have anything to say about the circulating rumors regarding Section 6’s deployment to Minoan Hollow?” The news anchor says curiously.

 

“That I do, Thom. HSO Section 6, along with the use of a Shiyu Warhead, was requested and deployed on the authority of Janus Quarter PubSec Commander Bringer.” Major Milize answers with a satisfied smile.

 

“The heroes of New Eridu themselves were deployed along with the weapon, including the youngest Void Hunter? That seems like a lot of firepower for a simple Companion Hollow.” The news anchor says with a stunned expression.

 

“Commander Bringer assured me personally that curbing Companion Hollow activity is his top priority. The safety of the Janus Quarter depends on quick and decisive action with overwhelming force to back it up.” The military woman answers confidently.

 

“Such a strong commitment to the people’s safety! Surely this move will boost his popularity in the polls. After all, the Janus Quarter mayoral elections are in just three days.” Thom says with a pleased expression.

 

“The New Eridu Council has already passed along their utmost praise to Commander Bringer for the handling of the incident. Considering that he will have a spot on the council if he should secure the election, I’d say it’s a good sign.” Major Milize says as she readjusts her position in the chair.

 

“Now, many of our viewers are big fans of Section 6. We’ve had plenty of calls from them asking us if they all made it out of the Hollow safely. Did everything go to plan?” The news anchor asks curiously.

 

Nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, Major Milizes eyebrow twitches as she hears the question asked. She quickly recovers and shoots the camera another reassuring smile as she speaks. “Everything went according to plan. The Shiyu Warhead was deployed on schedule and detonated exactly when it was supposed to.”

 

“I’m sure many of our viewers will be relieved to hear that. However, you only answered half of my question. Were any Section 6 agents harmed during the operation?” Thom asks as he leans forward on the table in front of him

 

Major Milize seems to hesitate for a moment. After a short delay, she opens her mouth to speak.

 

“Wait a moment, I’m getting reports from our field team that Section 6 has been spotted on the former site of Minoan Hollow!” The news anchor says excitedly, outing a finger to his small earpiece.

 

The Major sighs with relief and slumps into her chair, suddenly looking exhausted and many years older.

 

Thom listens for several more seconds before resuming. “Now to our top field reporter, Marie, coming to you live from the area of last night's battle. How are things looking down there, Marie?”

 

A blonde reporter with deep purple eyes comes onto the screen standing in front of a police barricade. “Hey Thom! The heroes of Section 6 have just exited the exclusion zone and are making their way to a nearby checkpoint. Let’s see if we can get a closer look!”

 

The camera swivels around, putting a group of five people on screen as they make their way towards the military checkpoint. 

 

Marie speaks into her microphone as she makes her way forward with the cameraman. “Look! Astraeus is here, and he’s… and he’s… he’s naked?”

 

 

---

 

Fifteen minutes earlier…

 

Wise rubs his neck as he shuffles forwards through the woods. He favors his left leg heavily as he puts on foot after another, trying to make his way out of what little remains of the Janus Quarter Zoo.The agent is pretty sure he broke his ankle or at least sprained it when he jumped from the helicopter. Blacking out for five hours in that foxhole certainly did not do his back any favors. A gray lock of hair is brushed out of his face, the ponytail that once contained it having long since come loose.

 

On his back is his cryogenic scabbard and sword which don’t show any signs of damage. The swordsman’s armor is mostly intact and only the left pauldron has any sort of major damage. Three massive gashes in its metallic surface, courtesy of a heavily mutated fox that attacked him last night.

 

The agent’s handgun is still strapped to its leg as it rests undamaged in a holster. Of the six magazines full of cryogenic ammo he strapped onto his belt last night, only the one in the weapon itself is fully loaded. He makes a mental note to thank Zhu Yuan for the firearm later, as there’s no way he would have survived without its help.

 

Wise’s white dress shirt is coated in a combination of his own blood and the bright green shade of an Ethereal’s blood. Although not wounded significantly, a series of cuts and bruises still painfully make themselves known across his flesh. To top it all off, his head is throbbing with pain, most likely the result of a concussion.

 

A twig snapping in front of him makes his head whip back upwards on instinct. His training kicks in and he lowers himself to the ground in a low crouching pose. A hand slowly reaches down to grasp the pistol attached to his hip, his thumb unclasps the strap holding it in place as his eyes scan the foliage in front of him. The Hollow has been closed, there can’t be any more Ethereals… right? The agent’s tired and battered mine is having trouble distinguishing fact from fiction as he prepares for anything.

 

A sword pressed against his neck makes him freeze in place. Whoever is wielding the blade is standing just behind him and was able to sneak past his guard without so much as alerting the trained agent. With ginger movements he sets the firearm onto the leaf ridden floor of the forest.

 

“Chief? Did you find him yet?” A voice yells from somewhere nearby, their voice muffled and distorted as it bounces off of the many trees in the area.

 

“Chief…?” Wise mutters to himself. His light blue eyes widen after a moment and he turns around.

 

Miyabi Hoshimi is standing just behind him and holding her katana up to his neck. Her eyebrows are knit and her red eyes are narrowed as she stares at the agent. It’s clear to him that the fox girl is more than displeased with him.

 

“Uhm. Mission success, ma’am! The plan went off without a hitch and, as you can see, I’m safe and sound.” Wise says nervously while rubbing the back of his neck.

 

“Chief?! Why aren’t you answering, did you find… him…?” Yanagi says as she passes through the last bit of brush separating her from the clearing. The Deputy Chief’s eyes widen as she sees the missing agent standing there. 

 

Just after her comes Soukaku with her face covered in worry. She jumps in the air and begins sprinting forward after she sees Wise, her voice filled with relief as she speaks. “Asty-Ray! You’re alive!”

 

Just before the oni girl can make contact and wrap him up in a hug, one of Yanagi’s gloved hands grabs her collar and yanks her back. Her voice is gentle as she speaks. “Not yet, Soukaku. His clothing and weapons are certain to be heavily corrupted.”

 

After a short moment the Deputy Chief pulls out a small device and hits several buttons on its screen. She steps forward and begins to run the device over various parts of Wise’s body. Almost immediately it begins to click and beep rapidly.

 

“Your clothes themselves read one thousand Allen-Herberg Units, while your armor and weapons are closer to two and a half thousand. Anything above five hundred AHU is considered unsafe. We need to remove everything and send it to HQ for an Ether decontamination procedure. Obviously you won’t be needing any anti-corruption serum.” Yanagi says as she slips the device back into a pocket with a weary sigh.

 

Wise laughs nervously as his eyes flit between the various members of Section 6. “You guys didn’t happen to bring a change of clothes, did you?”

 

“Nope, just this.” Harumasa says as he walks out of another small grouping of trees. In his hand is the distinct form of a plastic body bag. A name tag reading ‘Astraeus’ has already been helpfully attached to the zipper. Wise realizes that it’s written in Miyabi’s handwriting.

 

“Come on, you guys were really that sure I wasn’t going to make it?” Wise says with exasperation.

 

“We all agreed that you most likely survived the blast. However, the Chief said that a body bag would be required regardless of your fate.” Yanagi says while she pushes up her glasses. A ghost of a smile is present on her face as she does so.

 

The tall swordsman nervously turns back around to glance at Miyabi, who is still standing very close to him and with an unsheathed katana. Her voice is disturbingly calm as she speaks in a low tone. “Would you like to take your clothes off yourself, or shall I cut them off?”

 

Wise audibly gulps and takes a step back on instinct, overwhelmed by the aura of anger rolling off the fox girl. The agent can hear Harumasa snickering to the side and the tall swordsman shoots him an annoyed look of betrayal. With every step he takes backwards the swordswoman takes closer.

 

As if an angel was sent to save him from his certain demise, a voice rings out from nearby, followed by the sound of an engine.

 

“Wise! You’re okay! Oh thank goodness.” Captain Zhu Yuan says as she enters the clearing with Seth. Just behind the two officers is an off-road vehicle belonging to the Defense Force. The back of it is covered and has the Red Cross painted on the side, clearly indicating it as some sort of military ambulance.

 

“Oh, Zhu Yuan! I have never been so happy to see anybody in my entire life!” Wise yells as he begins backpedaling even faster, trying to make his way closer to the ambulance with every step.

 

“You… are?” The Captain says incredulously as she watches the agent continue to tepidly come closer, her cheeks obtaining a faint dusting of pink.

 

“Get back here. Your clothes will be removed by me or you will not leave this place alive.” Miyabi says quietly as she raises her sword and begins to rapidly give chase to her subordinate. 

 

Seth and Zhu Yuan stand completely still, shocked into silence by the absurdity of the statement. Their eyes stare forward in shock as the pair make their way past them and towards the ambulance.

 

Yanagi stands to the side of the clearing, two of her gloved hands covering Soukaku’s eyes in case of the worst. Her face is filled with quiet disappointment.

 

Harumasa is cackling uncontrollably nearby, clutching his stomach and threatening to fall down due to the intensity of his laughter.

 

By some miracle or another, Wise’s clothes do end up removed and put into a special Ether resistant bag without resulting in his premature death. His weapons and armor are put into similar but much thicker bags, their metallic nature resulting in heavier corruption. 

 

Section 6, sans Harumasa and Soukaku who were sent to collect the SPDRS platform, are now piled into the back of the military ambulance. A medic sits next to Wise, whose body is covered in a safety blanket to preserve his modesty, while Yanagi and Miyabi sit across from them. The Deputy Chief is currently sifting through a small stack of papers.

 

“Ah, here we are. This is the statement I prepared for you to read. I’m sure there will be plenty of reporters and cameras waiting for us when we exit. The Director wants us on foot for the final stretch to reassure the public. Make sure to memorize it.” Yanagi says as she hands a paper to the Chief.

 

Miyabi accepts the paper and clears her throat before speaking. “It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all that Astraeus was killed in action during operation-“

 

“Wait! That’s the wrong one. Here’s the other one.” Yanagi says with a nervous laugh as she switches out the papers.

 

Wise sputters with indignation from across the ambulance but otherwise remains silent.

 

Miyabi sighs but accepts the new paper and begins reading it. “It is with great pride that I announce the successful closure of Minoan Hollow by Section 6. During the operation, Agent Astraeus went above and beyond the call of duty and risked his life for the safety of all New Eridu citizens. As such, Director Maruki of the HSO and myself are petitioning for him to receive the Vike’s Cross medal for inconspicuous bravery under fire.”

 

Wise’s eyes widen from across the ambulance as he hears the news. “Vike’s Cross…? That’s such a high honor, though. In terms of HAND awards it’s only a step behind being officially recognized as a Void Hunter. But, I thought that you would hate me for-“

 

“You are not the first person in this team to jump from an aircraft to fight against overwhelming odds in a Hollow. When I did it, I killed Lerna and destroyed Argos Hollow. Today, you closed Minoan Hollow before it could destabilize, most likely saving many lives in the process. If Colonel Vike were still here today, she would have wanted you to have the medal inspired by her actions. Maybe even make you a Void Hunter in your own right.” Miyabi says with a sigh as she leans forward in her seat.

 

Wise sits in stunned silence across the ambulance. His lips move as if he’s speaking but he is unable to form any audible words. The agent’s heart is swelled with pride and happiness at the recognition he may be receiving. However, some part of him still thinks that he does not deserve such a high honor.

 

“Now, that being said.” Miyabi says as her eyes once again narrow at the swordsman.

 

“You and I will be having a very, very long talk once we make it back to HAND HQ. You did a great job today but please do not make a habit of this. If you begin to routinely disobey my orders I will have you court martialed myself. Is that clear?” The Chief says with a deadly sharp tone.

 

“Crystal, Miss Miyabi.” Wise says seriously.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

I wanted to create some awards that are given to HAND agents or NEDF soldiers that are relevant to the lore. I ended up using one of the original Void Hunters, Colonel Vike, who appears in one of the early trailers for the game.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 10: That Old, Familiar Feeling

Summary:

Section 6 arrives back at HAND HQ. Suspicions are raised and bonds are strengthened.

Wise flops unceremoniously onto the couch in his living room. A massive sigh of exhaustion escapes his lips as he does so. After being awake, outside of being knocked unconscious, for well over twenty four hours he has finally made it back to HAND HQ and to his assigned room. Along the way he was able to find a spare set of clothes to change into and various small wounds are now bandaged as well. 

 

“Man, I'm tired.” The agent says as he leans his back further into the couch cushions.

 

“You’re telling me bro. I think they work us way too hard these days.” Harumasa says as he takes a seat in a nearby chair, flopping into it with exaggerated force. 

 

“For someone who has taken every hour of leave he’s ever accrued, I find that difficult to believe.” Yanagi says as she occupies the other seat in the room.

 

Soukaku wanders up and plops herself in the Deputy Chief’s lap a moment later. The girl has a habit of wanting to sit wherever her big sister/maternal figure is. She curls herself up and closes her eyes almost immediately, thoroughly exhausted by the day's events.

 

“I must admit that I find myself tired as well.” Miyabi says as she enters the room last and closes the door behind her, causing the sounds of the Founders Waterfall outside to suddenly cease. Her red eyes scan the area and find that every other seat is full except for the other half of the couch. She takes a seat next to Wise and smoothes out the folds in her robes.

 

Section 6 has a habit of gathering in one of its members rooms following a successful mission. The reasons for doing so are twofold. First off, and most importantly, the gathering acts as a sort of unofficial debrief for the squad. This ensures that every member is familiar with other aspects of the operation that they may not have experienced during the event itself.

 

Secondly, they very much enjoy spending some time together after an arduous and dangerous mission. Celebrating the small things in life is the key to a happy existence after all. It seems that Wise’s room was chosen this time due to his injured state.

 

“So, I heard they’re putting you in for a medal. I’ve been wondering when I’m going to get one as well.” Harumasa says with a joking tone as he turns his head towards the swordsman.

 

“I still can’t believe it, really. Vike’s Cross is much too high of an honor, especially considering I only joined HAND a few months ago.” Wise admits with a long sigh.

 

“Nonsense. Seniority and tenure have nothing to do with acts of valor. You’ve earned it and in certain it will be approved.” Miyabi says seriously, her tone leaving no room for debate.

 

“Speaking of which, how did your surprise solo operation go? We obviously know you readjusted the Spiders system but.” Harumasa asks curiously.

 

“As well as it could have, I guess. There were a lot more Ethereals there than I would have imagined. I was really hoping that the other rhino wouldn’t show its face after I had such a close call with the first one.” The swordsman says with a shudder, remembering the massive mutated blade that used to be the creature’s horn.

 

“How many do you think you got during Operation Uppercut? I want to compare.” The archer asks with a coy smile.

 

“Based on my recollection and how much ammo I burned through? Somewhere between eighty and a hundred.” Wise answers genuinely.

 

“Damn.” Harumasa says with a groan, realizing that even the lowest suggested number is well above his.

 

Suddenly, a small beeping sound emanates from where Yanagi is sitting. Slowly, and careful to avoid waking the now sleeping Soukaku, she reaches into her pocket and fishes out her phone. Her pink eyes quickly scan the contents of the message over the course of a few seconds.

 

“Good news. The request for Astraeus to receive Vike’s Cross has been officially approved. They’re going to hold the ceremony just before swearing in the new mayor of Janus Quarter.” The Deputy Chief reads out with a pleased tone.

 

“Already? That was rather fast.” Miyabi says while pinching her chin between two fingers.

 

Wise shrugs his shoulders and moves his hands behind his head in a casual pose. “Whoever wins the election probably just wants the good press of awarding a member of Section 6. I’m beyond honored to even be considered for it in the first place.”

 

“Not sure why you’re saying whoever wins when the results already seem pretty clear. Commander Bringer’s popularity is through the roof already. Nobody else is even coming close to him in the polls.” Harumasa says with a huff.

 

“You’re right about that much. Something has been bothering me, though.” The swordsman states with an intrigued tone.

 

Miyabi turns her head towards him before tilting her head curiously, causing her ears to flop to one side. “What would that be, Astraeus?”

 

“The decision to use a Shiyu Warhead on Minoan Hollow. Not to mention deploying us as well since it’s not even our jurisdiction.” The swordsman answers.

 

Yanagi nods her head in understanding, agreeing with what the other agent is saying. “I know what you mean. A standard closing procedure would have been much safer. Using a Shiyu Warhead put more lives at risk that was truly necessary.”

 

“I’m telling you, it’s all politics. Bringer just wanted more good press to clinch the election even further and he called in the best people for the job.” Harumasa answers pridefully while pointing a thumb at himself.

 

“Janus Quarter Zoo is within Section 9’s jurisdiction in case of a Companion Hollow incident. Why weren’t they sent?” Yanagi asks nobody in particular.

 

“Commander Bringer sent them to assist with a PubSec drug bust on the other side of the city. Their operation was scheduled to begin just an hour before Minoan Hollow was formed.” Miyabi answers quickly, having been briefed on the situation a few days ago.

 

“That’s… a weird coincidence.” Wise says after a few seconds of silence.

 

“Not really. Those eggheads at the Council of Energy miscalculate when Cretan Hollow will hit its Zenless Limit all the time. It’s not like it can be triggered at will, right?” Harumasa states confidently.

 

“Technically it can be, but you would need a massive output of Ether energy to accomplish it. Or to overdraw Etheric matter using the Shiyu Pillars. Either would cause a destabilization event on demand, creating a Companion Hollow.” Yanagi answers quickly, citing the textbook answer to the question.

 

“The kind of massive output created by a Shiyu Warhead?” The swordsman suggests cautiously.

 

Several moments of tense silence follow as each member of Section 6 thinks about what is being suggested by their inquiry. 

 

After a few more moments, Yanagi shakes her head and speaks. “I don’t know why we’re even entertaining this notion in the first place. Nobody is crazy enough to intentionally destabilize a Hollow. The amount of people who even have access to the necessary equipment is incredibly small, not to mention there’s no practical reason for doing so.”

 

“Commander Bringer would have access, and he sent Section 9 to the other side of the city. There’s a chance he did it to get some good publicity for the election, like I said earlier. I’m telling you, something feels off.” Harumasa suggests with a shrug.

 

“That doesn’t explain Section 9 being sent away though, only the creation of a Companion Hollow.” Wise corrects with a raised finger.

 

“It’s more likely he reacted with the tools he had available in a bad situation. Curbing public unrest ahead of a massive election is an understandable goal. Greenlighting a Shiyu Warhead and sending us was simply the fastest and most efficient way to achieve it.” Yanagi says with a sigh, moving two gloved hands up to cradle her face.

 

“What about the fifteen minute detonation timer on the Spiders? Didn't PubSec command push that down through the ladder? Seems dangerously short to me.” Wise suggests with narrowed eyes.

 

“Are you suggesting someone was trying to kill us back there?” Harumasa asks incredulously.

 

“I’m saying if that’s what they were trying to do, they did a pretty good job.” The swordsman answers seriously.

 

“That’s enough. We’re all tired and upset from today’s events. Let’s stop entertaining wild conspiracy theories and get some rest for tonight. We’re going to be very busy next week due to the election, so make sure to relax and recuperate over the weekend.” Miyabi says as she looks at each member of Section 6 in turn.

 

“Right as always, boss. I’ll drive home now and see you all on Monday. Don’t work too hard this weekend!” Harumasa says while pointing double finger guns at the rest of the squad. After a short moment he’s out the door.

 

“I suppose it would be for the best that we get some rest too. Sleep well, you two.” Yanagi says as she stands up from her seat, gingerly carrying Soukaku in her arms as she does so.

 

The oni girl stirs slightly from the motion and opens her eyes. She stares at Wise for a moment before tiredly waving and speaking. “Goodnight, Asty-Ray. Thank you for not dying earlier.”

 

“It was my pleasure. Rest well.” The swordsman says softly as he waves goodbye. The sounds of the Founder’s Waterfall can be heard once more as the Deputy Chief opens the door to leave, its noise cutting out shortly after.

 

Now, only himself and Miyabi remain in his quarters together. Wise turns his head around to look at her with a gentle smile from the short distance across the couch. “I hope you sleep well too, Miss Miyabi.”

 

After he finishes speaking he moves to stand from the couch and head to his bedroom. However, a strong hand reaches out and grasps his forearm before he can do so.

 

“Astraeus, wait a moment. Please.” The Chief says quietly as she stands up as well.

 

Wise turns back around to face her. He has a small smile on his face as he speaks. “I told you to just call me Wise when we’re alone and off duty.”

 

“Right, sorry. Please wait a moment, Wise.” Miyabi says with a slightly nervous tone, her ears flicking more quickly than usual.

 

“Am I about to get another verbal thrashing? I certainly have it coming. I understand that you’re just doing your job as the Chief of Section 6.” The swordsman says with a weary tone while already preparing himself to be berated.

 

“No… no. This is strictly off the record. I believe I’ve already made myself clear in my official capacity as leader. I wanted to discuss something more personal.” The fox girl answers quietly, her tone still somewhat subdued and uncertain.

 

Wise has a small expression of shock on his face as he hears the statement. Miyabi tends to be a very serious person. All business all the time since the fate of the world is at stake. Outside of his lighthearted teasing of her on missions to ease the nerves of both her and the squad, this is probably the least formal he’s ever seen her.

 

“Oh, well. In that case I’m all ears. What’s on your mind?” The swordsman asks curiously while gesturing his hand towards the couch, silently asking if she would like to sit back down.

 

The fox girl ignores his gesturing and takes a step closer instead, making the distance between them less than a few centimeters away. She has never been very good with respecting personal space.

 

Their close proximity serves to highlight the massive height difference between them. Wise stands nearly two meters tall, around 195 centimeters or nearly 6’5”. His astounding height and strength are most certainly due to the Etheric explosion that hit him when he was a child. Not that he’s ever gone through the trouble of having it confirmed.

 

Miyabi, however, realistically stands around 155 centimeters or 5’1". The swordsman is well aware her personnel file lists her as 170 centimeters, but that’s not really fooling anyone. Officially, ears are not factored into a Thiren’s height. Unless your family name is Hoshimi, apparently. 

 

The swordswoman’s red eyes glance upwards into his as she seems to silently ponder something. After a few moments, she speaks softly. “Can I embrace you? There is something I need to confirm.”

 

Wise raises one of his eyebrows curiously as he stares down at the fox girl. Her black ears seem to be flicking wildly in many directions just after she finishes making her request while her cheeks contain a small amount of red. His voice carries a note or confusion as he responds. “You’re asking permission to hug me?”

 

“Yes. If it’s okay.” Miyabi answers quickly without skipping a beat.

 

Despite the fact that every other member of Section 6 hugged him after they found out he was alive (and free of corrupted clothing), she’s asking permission. The swordsman finds the request odd but realizes that the fox girl had a rather unusual upbringing as a member of a noble family. Maybe physical contact is a taboo in the upper echelons of society? Regardless of the true meaning, the agent’s answer is the same.

 

Wise steps forward, lowers himself down slightly, and wraps the shorter girl in a warm embrace. All the while he is careful to ensure his arms steer clear of her large fox ears. The Chief seems to go stiff in his embrace for a moment before her arms hesitantly move to wrap around him as well. After a few short seconds she rotates her head to the side so that one of her ears is pressed directly against his chest.

 

The other ear rotates and flicks around wildly, pressing its fuzzy surface up against his nose on a few occasions. It takes every ounce of willpower that the swordsman possesses to hold back a sneeze. Regardless of that small difficulty, he finds a great deal of comfort in the warm yet hesitant embrace.

 

“I can hear it. That’s good.” Miyabi says with her voice partially muffled by his clothing.

 

“Hear what?”

 

“Your heartbeat. You’re still alive.”

 

“Of course I’m alive.”

 

“I… had to make sure.”

 

Wise is partially stunned into silence by the notes of genuine concern and sadness laced into the fox girl’s voice. His heart aches as he realizes just how much she must have been worried about him.

 

“I’m sorry about earlier today. My legs just… carried me out of the helicopter before I knew what was going on. There wasn’t any possibility in my mind other than going back there.” The swordsman admits with a crestfallen tone.

 

“I’m sorry as well for doubting you. I just… couldn’t handle losing you too. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized it. For a moment there I thought I might have.”

 

“Losing me too? Who else…?” Wise lets the question hang in the air for a moment between them.

 

“My mother. You’re a lot like her, now that I think about it. To have another soul like hers snuffed out because of me I… I’m not certain I could take it.” Miyabi says sadly.

 

Wise realizes that this is something she must never talk about. It’s strange to hear her talk so openly about her emotions in front of him. Perhaps this dam in her heart that’s been struggling to hold everything back is finally beginning to crumble. Why does she blame herself for her mother’s death when she was only a small child when the capital fell? He wants to help ease her burden, but he doesn’t know how to without overstepping his boundaries.

 

The swordsman knows that her mother is deceased, killed during the fall of Eridu like so many people he once knew. He’s read about that much in her file. For a moment he wonders just how similar the two of them really are. Two warriors who study the blade to protect what little hasn’t already been taken from them.

 

“Your mother. What was she like?” Wise asks softly. Choosing to ignore the fact that Miyabi blames herself for her death.

 

“Kind hearted, patient, and gifted with the blade. She shared your carefree and positive spirit. The ability to make people feel at ease and full of joy with their presence alone.”

 

“She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

 

“She was.”

 

Several more moments of comfortable silence pass in one another’s arms as they simply enjoy the other’s presence.

 

“If you don’t mind me asking, what was her name?” Wise asks quietly.

 

“Michiko. Michiko Hoshimi.”

 

“That’s a pretty name.”

 

“My father says the same. Myself and him are much more similar to one another.”

 

“I hope I get to meet him someday.”

 

“You will tomorrow. He’s expressed interest in attending your award ceremony.”

 

Wise partially separates from the embrace to stare down at Miyabi with wide eyes. His voice is incredulous as he speaks. “The patriarch of the Hoshimi family wants to meet me? Why?”

 

Miyabi averts her eyes for a moment, seeming to remember the conversation with her father. Her face already shows some signs of premature embarrassment as she responds. “Father has several reasons. If he tries to show you his scrapbook of when I was a child, please decline politely.”

 

“Why? Are they embarrassing?” Wise asks with an amused expression, already trying to predict what they may be.

 

Miyabi narrows her eyes as she glances back upwards at the swordsman. Despite trying to maintain a serious glare, a ghost of a smile is on her face. The swordswoman’s tone is colored with some amusement as she responds.

 

“If you so much as glance at any of those photos, I will make sure you regret it.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Miyabi’s father, Souichiro, will be undergoing some changes to make him a more dynamic character. Same thing with Bringer.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 11: A Shadow Of Intent

Summary:

Wise and Section 6 prepare for the mayoral election. Mysterious forces move in the shadows and prepare their next move.

“Is my tie straight, Miyabi? I feel like it’s a little crooked.”

 

“Your tie is fine, Wise. People will probably be focused on the massive sword anyways.”

 

“Massive? I figured it was more like average.”

 

“Have I mentioned how insufferable you are?”

 

“Several times this morning, actually.”

 

“Clearly not enough.”

 

Wise turns away from the mirror in his quarters to face Miyabi, interrupting their playful banter. The agent has a small, amused smile on his face as he speaks. “I just want to make sure I’m presentable when I see your father. It’s not every day you meet with the patriarch of an ancient noble family.”

 

“You do realize that there will be much more important people than my father there, right? The entire New Eridu Council, Commander Bringer, and HAND’s top brass just to name a few.” The fox girl says with an exasperated sigh. Despite her seemingly annoyed words, her tone carries no real malice.

 

“Well, yeah. But still.” The swordsman says while rubbing his neck sheepishly, accidentally popping up part of his collar in the process.

 

“You’re hopeless.” Miyabi says as she takes a step forward towards Wise, closing what little distance was already between them. She gets on the tips of her toes and reaches her small hands upwards, adjusting his collar back to the state it was in before.

 

“Thank you.” Wise says as he looks down at her with a grateful smile, their faces only a few centimeters apart.

 

For whatever reason, the fox girl lingers in that pose for an unusual amount of time. Her hands remain on the swordsman’s shoulders after having fixed the collar and her face stays right in front of the swordsman’s. Red eyes glare upwards while they stare into his, swimming with hidden emotions and thoughts. Slowly, her ears begin to flatten against her head.

 

After a moment, Miyabi wakes up from the stupor she found herself in and takes a step backwards, breaking the prolonged contact. She clears her throat and glances away shyly. “You’re welcome. I just realized I need to go… polish my katana before the event. I’ll see you before we depart.”

 

“Of course. Good luck with… that?” Wise says as the fox girl sprints out of his room and slams the door closed behind her. He tilts his head in confusion as he stares at where Miyabi was just a fraction of a second ago.

 

“That was weird. I wonder if she’s nervous about the crowds or something… it’s probably nothing.” The swordsman mutters to himself as he also exits his quarters, stepping out into the hallway lined with Section 6’s rooms. He saunters over towards the balcony overlooking the Founder’s Waterfall and leans against it, watching the water fall gracefully from the mountain and into the pool below. His mind whirls with thoughts as he idly gazes at the monument.

 

Todays the big day. The Janus Quarter mayoral elections have finally arrived and they will be providing security and patrolling around the area where the victory speech will be given. Of course, his awards ceremony will be directly beforehand, with his medal being administered by whoever clinches the election.

 

Not that there’s really much doubt as to who the winner will be. Wise checked his phone earlier to look at exit poll numbers and saw that Bringer was leading with a staggering eighty percent average. The Commander’s swift action regarding Minoan Hollow, not to mention his outstanding service record, is no doubt responsible for his likely victory.

 

New Eridu is split into four quarters and five prefectures. The four quarters represent the original parts of the city that existed before the fall of the old capital, of which Janus Quarter is by far the largest. The five prefectures are parts of the city that were added after the fall of the old capital and are smaller by comparison. Each of these areas has a PubSec Commander, who is promoted internally without an election, in charge of defense and maintaining the peace as well as a mayor responsible for more civic tasks, who is selected via an election in which all adult residents of the area can vote. These nine mayors combined make up the New Eridu council, the main governmental body responsible for running the city. 

 

 

For someone to hold the office of Commander and Mayor in their career is a rare thing indeed, generally only achieved by the most ambitious and capable that New Eridu has to offer. It seems that Justin Bringer is about to join that coveted group by his own merit.

 

 

Nonetheless, the swordsman still has a twisted knot of doubt buried somewhere deep in his chest. Operation Uppercut in Minoan Hollow was much more dangerous and chaotic than it needed to be. Some part of his analytical brain can’t quite accept that what happened to him and his team last week was a coincidence.

 

Section 9 being sent away to assist PubSec with a drug bust? It’s certainly likely, HSO is asked to assist other branches all the time. A Shiyu Warhead being greenlit on the first day of an operation? Hasty, but it’s been done before. A fifteen minute timer being forced on them by their chain of command? Certainly dangerous, but sometimes operational success and security relies on a fast timetable. Section 6 being requested specifically for an operation outside of their jurisdiction? Not exactly professional, but they are the best section so it makes some logical sense. Cretan Hollow hitting its Zenless limit a few days before a major election? Ether energy is unpredictable, the timing could certainly be a coincidence.

 

Any of these factors on their own would be easily dismissed as a routine happening or simple coincidence. However, every single one of them at the exact same time and most of them on the orders of a single man? That is much, much less likely to be accidental. Wise can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong in a way that he couldn’t possibly view or even imagine.

 

Is somebody on the inside trying to kill Section 6 or achieve some other devious agenda? The swordsman thinks it is possible but he seems to be the only one. Not exactly surprising considering he’s the only agent in the squad that isn’t a career soldier. Perhaps operating outside of the law as a Proxy gave him an unhealthy distrust of the government. Or, just maybe, he’s the only one willing to believe that their superiors don’t have their best interests in mind.

 

Yanagi is the longest serving of all of them, having been a Defense Force soldier since she first enlisted in her late teens. Her service record is spotless and she’s never questioned an order, at least not on paper. Not surprising that she is unwilling to entertain his conspiracy theories. Soukaku is in the same category since she is a child and will go with whatever the Deputy Chief thinks.

 

Miyabi was willing to entertain the notion but didn’t seem convinced by his arguments. The Chief seems more absorbed by training than concocting any kind of theory. Wise trusts her with his life in battle, but she’s simply not built for political maneuvering like what the swordsman is suggesting.

 

Harumasa is the only one that agrees that the whole thing was suspicious. However, they arrived at separate conclusions when it came to motive. If Wise can find some shred of evidence or proof, it may be best to show it to him first. Two people will do a much better job convincing the others.

 

Wise shakes his head, trying to get out of the spiraling thoughts he has found himself trapped in. It’s entirely possible that Yanagi is right in thinking that the Minoan Hollow incident was a series of unfortunate coincidences and circumstances. Regardless of likelihood, he will most certainly be keeping himself on high alert during the ceremony today.

 

“Astraeus? Is everything all right?” Yanagi asks from just behind him, her heels clicking against the floor have long since alerted him to her presence.

 

“I’m fine. Just thinking is all.” Wise answers with his eyes still locked onto the Founder’s Waterfall.

 

“Nervous about the ceremony?” She asks with a friendly smile, leaning over the guardrail next to him.

 

“Yeah.” The swordsman answers. It’s technically the truth, he’s just worried about much more than crowds and stage fright.

 

“I understand the feeling. Your first promotion ceremony or award is always a stressful experience. People tend to get used to it quickly.” The Deputy Chief says reassuringly.

 

Suddenly, Wise is wrapped into a tight hug from behind. Soukaku leapt into the air and attached himself to his back. Her short arms are unable to fully wrap around his broad torso, so her grip is tenuous at best. To help out the oni, he grabs her arms and lifts her up higher onto his back, getting her into position for a piggyback ride.

 

“Don’t be nervous, Asty-Ray! I will protect you from the crowds!” Soukaku assured him excitedly. She leans her head forward to hang in front of his upside down, giving him a reassuring smile all the way.

 

“With you defending me, I’m sure they wouldn’t dare to try anything.” Wise says with a laugh.

 

“Mhmm mhmm. They know better than to mess with me!” The oni says proudly.

 

“I highly doubt that anybody will try to attack Astraeus during the ceremonies.” Yanagi says with exasperation, adjusting her glasses with a gloved hand.

 

“Somebody is trying to attack Astraeus? Who is so desperate to taste the steel of my blade?” Miyabi says as she joins the group, only exiting her room in time to hear the tail end of the Deputy Chief’s sentence. Her thumb breaks the seal on her katana with a soft click.

 

“Nobody is attacking anybody!” Yanagi says with a loud sigh, already feeling a headache coming on.

 

“… I see.” The fox girl says as she once again closes the katana.

 

“Looks like the gangs all here. Time to head out?” Wise says with a small smile.

 

The Deputy Chief regains some of her composure and nods her head. “That would be best. Harumasa will be joining us there. Soukaku, please get off of Astraeus’s back.”

 

“She’s fine, Yanagi. I don’t mind.” The swordsman says with a reassuring tone.

 

“Hooray! Charge forth, my noble steed Asty-Ray! To battle!” The oni girl yells from on top of his shoulders, pointing a blue finger towards the elevators.

 

“Yes ma’am! Hang on tight!” Wise says excitedly before beginning to sprint forward, following the massive circular balcony surrounding the Founder’s Waterfall. His arms grip the girl's legs to ensure she doesn’t fall off.

 

“Please do not run in the hallways!” Yanagi yells after them, but it’s a lost cause. The pair are already well out of earshot. She hangs her head and sighs heavily, feeling her headache already returning with force.

 

 

Wise and Soukaku continue their run towards the elevators, dodging agents that are coming back to or out of their rooms. Each of them has a confused look at first before it morphs into a warm and familiar smile. The agents of Section 6 are celebrities, after all, so they’re more than familiar with the group's shenanigans.

 

The swordsman already towers over everybody that they’re passing and Soukaku adds even more height, giving her a great view of their surroundings. The Chief and Deputy Chief can easily track their progress down the balcony and towards the elevator as the two of them part the sea of agents.

 

Miyabi steps up to stand next to Yanagi, both of their eyes still tracking the duo. “The two children of our squad seem to be having a good time.”

 

The Deputy Chief chuckles lightly before responding. “Astraeus is definitely the largest child I’ve ever seen.”

 

A rare smile appears on the fox girl's face as she watches Wise duck into an elevator, being careful to avoid bumping Soukaku’s head against the doorframe. Her red eyes soften with warmth and her voice is gentle as she speaks. “Wise is certainly quite the man.”

 

Yanagi turns her head to look at Miyabi after she speaks, noticing the warm smile on her features. The Deputy Chief matches the expression after a moment. Her head is beginning to connect a few dots as she responds. “I think so too.”

 

 

---

 

 

“Do you have your speech ready, mister mayor?” A green eyed woman in an elegant red dress says as she runs a hand over a large man’s shoulder.

 

The two of them are in a lavish waiting area adorned with red velvet furniture and carpeting. Every few moments, the walls rumble with the muffled sound of applause and large speakers. It seems that some unseen person is currently addressing a large crowd. A sign over the exit door reads ‘Lumina Square Amphitheater’ in golden cursive font. 

 

“I’ve had it ready for days. You know that, so quit the small talk.” The large man says he brushes her hand off of his PubSec jacket and shoves a small stack of papers into an interior pocket. His expression is laced with annoyance and worry.

 

“Tsk tsk, so short tempered. What’s got you all worked up? You should be happy that you secured the election so easily.” The woman says with a coy smile, taking a seat next to him. The distance between the two is just a hair's breadth away. Although certainly not a professional gap, the broad man doesn’t seem even slightly interested in her presence.

 

“You know what has me worked up, Sarah. Your little plan to hamstring Section 6 was a complete failure.” The man says with a huff.

 

“You know that there is always a chance of failure. There’s too many variables at play. Despite that little… setback. We’re still on schedule.” The woman says, just now beginning to get slightly impatient.

 

“There’s grumblings from the other PubSec commanders that I’m exercising authority above my station for the purposes of showmanship. We’re getting too much attention.” The broad shouldered man grumbles.

 

“Let them whine, it doesn’t matter anyways. The election is won and you’re in charge. Now, we only have one objective remaining.” The woman states with snakelike venom in her voice.

 

The broad shouldered man is silent for several long moments, his eyes staring off at some unknown object in the distance. Once his ruminations are over he speaks hesitantly. “Astraeus is too much of an unknown. We underestimated him at Minoan Hollow and we are about to do it again. The plan was not made to include him in it, just the original four members of Section 6.”

 

The woman’s eyebrow twitches and her green eyes narrow towards the man. “Are you suggesting we give up? Push back the timetable? Make a whole new plan?”

 

“I simply think we shouldn’t be hasty.”

 

“Now is not the time to get cold feet, Bringer. Things have been set in motion that could not possibly be stopped. With the help of those pathetic rebels, we have a way to destroy Astraeus in a way that he could not possibly combat.”

 

The woman says as he reaches her leg out towards a nearby military crate. Her heel presses into the button on the front, breaking the seal with an audible hiss. Slowly the lid swings upwards to reveal what is inside. Two slightly altered Shiyu Warheads lie in a foam casing, one already thrumming with a large amount of Etheric energy while the other is empty. The woman’s green eyes study its polished form with almost lustful desire, her tone dripping with venomous malice as she speaks.

 

“Hoshimi Miyabi herself will kill Astraeus for us.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

You all have probably guessed this by now, but I will be removing Perlman and Null_Face from the Section 6 story entirely. I believe that they take away time from the plot line in a way that isn’t interesting or impactful were it to be included in my story. Apologies to all the Perlman fans out there, if any of you even exist.

Fanart courtesy of Enqu Art:
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Chapter 12: Reveille

Summary:

Wise’s award ceremony begins in earnest.

“Mister Astraeus, please choke me!”

 

A woman yells from the front row of the crowd, somehow still audible over the cacophony of cheering. She is jumping up and down while waving her arms, desperately trying to get the attention of the agent. The rabid fan is currently wearing a piece of Astraeus merchandise, featuring a simplified silhouette of the warrior that only includes his large armor pieces and weapons. The silhouette itself is black while the shirt is the famous HSO Cyan.

 

Wise is only just stepping out of the armored HAND vehicle and into Lumina Square when he hears the woman yell out to him. The agent waves kindly in the woman’s direction to acknowledge her presence but takes the matter no further. The tall swordsman reaches a hand back into the car to help Miyabi out of it.

 

“Don’t you dare touch him, you fox eared skank, he’s mine!” The rabid fan from earlier yells as she hops the fence and begins sprinting towards the pair of agents. She doesn’t even make it two steps before being tackled by a PubSec officer and hauled away, kicking and screaming all the while.

 

The first few times something like that happened, Wise was genuinely upset. However, he has long since gotten used to just how unhinged some members of the public can be. It’s an unfortunate burden of fame, one that every member of Section 6 has long since adjusted to.

 

“Lady Miyabi, please step on me!” Another fan yells from nearby, her eyes filled with excited tears. The fox girl in question doesn’t even turn her head to address the woman as she makes her way forward to their objective. Thankfully, the foot enthused woman decides to stay on the correct side of the barricade, dissuaded from the earlier show of force.

 

Wise leans his head over to talk into one of Miyabi’s ears, their conversation more than shielded by the massive amount of noise. “Wasn’t that person here at our last event too?”

 

“I’m uncertain, I try my best to ignore people like her.” The swordswoman says with a stoic expression, continuing to make her way down the barricaded lane that’s been cleared for them. PubSec officers line the safe zone in order to keep any would-be trespassers away.

 

Wise smiles and waves to some of the officers he knows personally. Zhu Yuan and Qingyi are closer to the stage but wave back to him nonetheless. Seth is in the thick of the crowd, trying to maintain some semblance of order amongst the rabid fanbase of Section 6, and is unable to notice or reciprocate the agent’s wave. Strangely, however, a mouse Thiren in street clothes waves back to him with a coy smile from her place next to the Captain. Odd for there to be a civilian let into a sensitive area like that. 

 

Like always, the HSO relations team “accidentally” leaked the time and place of the team's arrival to the press. Not that the swordsman minds, of course. He knew what he was getting into when he agreed to join up and signed his contract. A few days of dealing with these insane fans a month was a small price to pay for funding that purchases potentially life saving equipment for HAND.

 

Wise notices a group of Astraeus fans with a much more pleasant demeanor up ahead. Silently, they hold out several items of his merchandise along with felt tipped pens on top of the barrier. The swordsman strays from Miyabi’s side to get closer to them, wanting to fulfill their wishes for an autograph or handshake.

 

Among the group are several young boys that can’t be any older than ten. In their hands are foam recreations of his signature cryogenic sword, albeit simplified and significantly smaller. Their eyes grow as wide as saucers when they notice their hero walking over towards them.

 

“Mister Astraeus, Mister Astraeus! Can you sign my sword please?” One of them asks excitedly while holding it out to him, his words sounding off due to his two front teeth being missing. The boy's father, who is standing right behind him, lifts the small boy up to sit on top of the barricade. 

 

Wise gladly accepts the recreation and signs his name on the lower part of its “blade”, making sure that it’s clear. With gentle movements he hands it back to the young man with a warm smile. “Careful now, this thing is powerful. I would know.”

 

“I promise I’ll be really super careful! My dad says I could join HSO just like you if I eat my vegetables and get good grades!” The boy says excitedly, nearly slurring over his own words as he speaks them far too quickly.

 

The tall swordsman shoots the boy’s father a knowing smile and nods his head. Outside of getting caught in a mysterious explosion as a child that gave you superhuman powers, the father’s advice seems like the second best starting point. “Your dad is a smart man. You can do anything you put your mind to if you work hard enough for it. Veggies and grades are just the first step.”

 

After signing several more pieces of merchandise and answering some questions, he feels a hand rested on his shoulder.

 

“Come now, Astraeus. You’re getting distracted again. We have places to be.” Miyabi lightly scolds him, her expression not showing any real annoyance.

 

“Sorry, ma’am. I’m on my way.” Wise says with a reassuring nod. After giving some apologies to his fans for his early departure, he jogs to catch up with the fox girl. Although they would never speak to each other so formally in private, it’s important for them to at least maintain a semblance of professionalism in public.

 

Their legs carry them further and further through the dense crowd packed outside and within Lumina Square Amphitheater. The general public is packed into mostly standing space a decent distance in front of the stage, which extends nearly four hundred meters backwards. Towards the front of the area, closest to the stage, are a few rows of seats. If Wise had to guess, he would say there’s at least ten thousand people in attendance, and he suspects it’s a vast under estimation.

 

A safe zone cuts through the direct center of the crowd and towards the middle part of the stage. After that, it extends two separate ways to trace the front of the stage, leading to the outermost part of the amphitheater. These outer areas, framing the general attendance area between them, host many roofed areas in the shape of small boxes. These boxes represent the most expensive seats in the house, or the most honored if you’re a servant of the state.

 

Section 6 is destined for the foremost box on the right side of the amphitheater, having been rented out for them by a mysterious benefactor. Such things are not out of the ordinary for the legendary team. Front row seats, VIP passes, and other coveted items are frequently gifted en masse in the hopes that their attendance will be secured.

 

Finally, Wise and Miyabi finish the long trek through the general area and reach the front of the stage. Once they do so they immediately take a right towards the covered box area that’s been reserved for them. Along the way, the swordsman sees some familiar faces.

 

“What’s up, bro! Congratulations!” Belle says excitedly from a roped off group of front row seats nearby to the stage. Alongside her are several close friends of the siblings, surrounded by several empty seats. A small sign by the ropes blocking them off from the rest of the seats says ‘Reserved for Belobog Heavy Industries’.

 

“Hey Belle, thanks for coming out. I see you brought some of our friends.” Wise says with a friendly wave and smile at the assembled group.

 

“Of course I did! They all wanted to come and see the ceremony when they heard about the medal you were getting. I’m so proud of you!” The blue haired girl says as she leans over one of them ropes to embrace her brother in a warm hug.

 

The strike team from when he first met Section 6 is there plus a few more. Anton and Koleda Belobog sit in one area and are the first to greet the agent.

 

“What’s up, bro! How are things as a celebrity? I see you on TV all the time!” Anton says with a huge smile as he fist bumps the swordsman.

 

“It’s good to see you, Wise. Glad we could finally put these seats they always reserved for us to use.” Koleda says while shaking his hand.

 

Next in the section are Corin and Nekomata. After meeting during one of the sibling’s commissions, the two have become incredibly close friends. They often work and attend social gatherings together.

 

“Congrats on the shiny medal, manager!” The cat Thiren says with a bright smile.

 

“Y-yes! C-congrats!” The small maid said nervously, clearly intimidated by the large crowd surrounding her. Luckily, Nekomata seems to be helping her out.

 

Finally, the last two agents are on the rightmost part of the reserved area. Even despite the massive amount of noise, Ellen Joe is fast asleep in one of the chairs. Her large shark tail occasionally twitches slightly.

 

Next to her is Anby who is currently eating some sort of burger or sandwich wrapped in foil. Wise sees a food truck logo he recognizes on the wrapper.

 

“Hello, manager. Congratulations on getting that medal. The food here is not as good as I was hoping for.” The mercenary says with a sigh, staring at her food with a great measure of disappointment.

 

After saying hello to all of his friends and thanking them for coming, he continues walking towards their seating area with Miyabi. 

 

“Your friends seem like good people, very friendly, your sister especially.” The fox girl says kindly.

 

“Yeah, they’re the best anyone could ask for. Most of them are independent investigators that were on my team.” Wise notes with a proud smile. The swordsman decides to leave out the little detail that they also did some slightly very illegal Hollow raiding.

 

“Your sister is the one that’s a Proxy, correct? Phaethon if my memory serves.” Miyabi asks nonchalantly.

 

Wise freezes in his tracks and stops moving, his head slowly rotating to face towards the fox girl. He trips over his words as he speaks. “She isn’t… we’re not… how did you know?”

 

“The background check I had Yanagi do was quite thorough, as befitting anyone who joins Special Operations. She informed me of the kind of work you did and for whom based on some information she was able to get off of Inter-Knot. We both agreed that you and your sister operated with integrity, not to mention your contributions inside Hollow Zero. Once we had our suspicions, we simply compared your Inter-Knot history to official mission records from the HIA and HAND. The patterns were rather obvious.” Miyabi explains with a slightly amused tone.

 

“You… knew this whole time?” Wise says incredulously.

 

“Of course I did. I simply decided to overlook it and not inform my superiors. Many of them have old fashioned viewpoints on police work and military service. In my mind, anybody who has the skill and willpower to fight for humanity’s survival deserves to do so, and we need everyone we can get. Looking at it through that lense, some slightly illegal Proxy work Hollow raiding is a bonus since it tells me you already know what you’re doing.” The fox girl says with a small smile.

 

Wise hangs his head dramatically and groans, embarrassed that he and his sister were found out so easily.

 

To his shock, he can hear Miyabi giggle slightly from right beside him, covering her mouth with a gloved hand as she does so. “Rest assured, Wise, your secret is safe with me. Only Yanagi and myself know.”

 

The rest of the walk to the seating area is mostly silent. The tall swordsman is still trying to process the fact that Miyabi knows he and his sister are criminals. It’s even more shocking that she is somehow okay with it. He quickly pushes the bombshell out his mind as they reach the last stretch of their journey.

 

Finally, they arrive at their goal. The private seating box is shielded from the view of those in the general area. Its front is open to the stage and it is slightly elevated, giving those inside an excellent view of the proceedings. Instead of rows of plastic seats, the area has a few low sitting tables surrounded by comfortable looking padded chairs and couches. At one of these tables is the rest of Section 6, who wave at the pair as they enter. In the back is a large bar being manned by a sharp dressed woman in a suit, who nods curtly at the newcomers.

 

As soon as Wise steps inside of the seating area, he is approached by a man he does not recognize. However, his dark gray eyes and especially his large black fox ears give the swordsman a pretty good idea of the man’s identity.

 

“Ah, here he is, the man of the hour! It’s excellent to finally meet you, Mister Astraeus. I am Souichiro Hoshimi, Miyabi’s father.” The man says with a friendly smile while reaching his hand out for a shake.

 

“The pleasures all mine, Mister Souichiro. Do I have you to thank for our excellent accommodations?” Wise asks with a friendly tone while accepting the man’s handshake.

 

“No need for thanks, it’s really not any trouble. They always invite me to these damnable events and offer me my own seating area only for me to get pestered by low ranking politicians for an endorsement. It’s a pain, really.” The man says with exasperation. One of his hands rests on Wise’s back as he steers the swordsman over to the table he was just sitting at.

 

“Now, my boy, we have much to discuss.” Souichiro says as he gestures to a nearby couch which Wise quickly takes a seat in, followed by Miyabi sitting next to him. The female bartender from earlier walks up to them with a platter on which is a bottle and several cups. With gentle movements she sets the objects down on the table and puts the platter under her arm. As she walks back towards the bar, she stares into Wise’s eyes with an analytical look. The swordsman assumes that she’s just a fan that wants to speak to him but can’t since she’s on the clock.

 

The family patriarch opens a large ornate bottle with several handwritten kanji painted on the side. With practiced ease he pours the sake into three clay cups, handing them out to everyone at the table. Souichiro takes a healthy sip of the liquid before clearing his throat and speaking. “Miyabi talks about you a lot. Only good things, I assure you.”

 

“Father…”

 

“I’m so proud of my little girl for how far she’s come since her childhood. Speaking of childhood… would you like to see my scrapbook of when she was little?”

 

“Father!”

 

“I would love to see it, Mister Souichiro.”

 

“Wise!”

 

“Excellent!”

 

The family patriarch reaches into a small bag under the table and pulls out a thick book before setting it on the table. Multiple edges of photos stick out of it in random directions. The entire book has to be almost twenty centimeters in thickness. Souichiro pushes the scrapbook across the table towards the swordsman who eagerly accepts it into his hands.

 

“Oh. My. God.” Wise says as he cracks open the scrapbook to its first page. What is revealed is a photo of Miyabi as a small child. On her head is a wide-brimmed hat with two holes cut out of its top, allowing her at that point small fox ears to poke out of it. Her face is plastered with a massive grin as she looks towards the unseen cameraman.

 

Souichiro stands from his seat and walks around the table. He leans against the back of the couch, looking over Wise’s shoulder to see what the swordsman is looking at. “Ah yes, that was her favorite hat to wear during the summer. Her aunt made it for her.”

 

Miyabi’s cheeks are beginning to match the red of her eyes as she covers her face with both hands. Her fox ears are nearly flat against her head as groans with embarrassment. The proceedings on the stage outside are completely ignored in favor of the photos. Multiple politicians are making long-winded speeches about New Eridu’s greatness and their support for Bringer. It’s nothing that they haven’t heard a hundred times before. 

 

“She was already adorable, the hat somehow manages to make her almost impossibly cute.” Wise comments with an amused tone as he turns another page.

 

“Wise… I swear… you will be filling out after-action reports all day every day for the next one hundred years if you don’t stop immediately.” Miyabi says quietly, taking a peek at the swordsman through a gap in her fingers.

 

“I’m just trying to be nice to your father. It would be rude to decline this generous offer. Not to mention I was always curious about these scrapbooks you always told me not to look at.” Wise says with a sly grin.

 

“That’s my boy! Powerful and with the manners of a saint. Truly quite the catch. Isn’t that right, my little fox?” Souichiro says while patting her girl's head gently.

 

The father’s comment does little to quell the wave of embarrassment that’s currently rolling over the fox girl. She shrinks into the other side of the couch, trying to bury herself between the cushion and armrest.

 

For the next several minutes, Wise sips on the expensive sake with Souichiro as they both make their way through the scrapbook’s contents. The family patriarch comments on nearly every photo as they come across it. Whenever one featuring Miyabi’s mother comes up, the old noble's tone switches to a slightly more somber one.

 

“Ah she was quite the woman, Michiko. She was truly gifted with the sword and had a heart of gold, always able to brighten up any room she walked into. Without a doubt she was my better half.” Souichiro says gently while staring at a picture of Miyabi and her mother in a snow-filled forest.

 

The fox girl’s hands come down from her face as she scoots over to look at the photo as well, nearly bumping shoulders with Wise as she does so. The trio stare at the photo for several long moments before anyone speaks again.

 

“You and Miyabi speak very highly of her. I would have loved to meet her.” The swordsman says with a soft tone.

 

“She would have loved you, young man. You and Michiko seem like kindred spirits of a sort.” Souichiro says while ruffling Wise’s hair.

 

After several more moments, the scrapbook has been thoroughly scoured and is set back onto the table. The Hoshimi patriarch returns to his place on the other side of the table. He refills his cup with sake and takes a small sip. 

 

Once he puts down the cup he rests his elbows on the table and speaks nonchalantly. “Now then. When will I be able to officially welcome you into the Hoshimi family?”

 

Wise freezes in place with a cup put to his lips. With shaky hands he sets the cup back down onto the table before speaking. “I’m sorry, Mister Souichiro, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

“Why, marriage of course! You two are simply perfect for one another. I expect grandkids before I pass on from this world.” The old noble says with a reassuring smile.

 

“Father!” Miyabi yells with embarrassment before covering her face with her hands yet again.

 

The usually stoic and bulletproof Wise even has a small blush on his face while he thinks about how to respond. He clears his throat and speaks after a short delay. “I’m… uncertain if such a thing is for the best. I’m sure Miss Miyabi wants nothing of the sort, not to mention I don’t have a drop of noble blood in me. I’m certain better candidates will make themselves known in due time.”

 

Miyabi’s hands drop from her face in an instant as she stares at the swordsman with wide red eyes. Her mouth moves slightly but can’t seem to produce any words and her ears flick wildly in all directions. Eventually, she speaks in a nearly whisper quiet tone. “Wise I…”

 

“Noble blood is of no consequence. Some parts of the Hoshimi family is no doubt… passionate in that regard, but I am not. I believe you can make my daughter happy, not to mention any offspring of yours will most likely be the greatest swordsman or woman in history.” Souichiro says with a wide grin, his hand once again slipping into the bag under the table.

 

Once the Hoshimi patriarch finds what he’s looking for, he sets a small stack of paper down in the middle of the table. The top page of the stack reads contains information on adopting a person into a family. The word ‘Mukoyoshi’ is mentioned in large black font. 

 

Souichiro pulls a pen out next and begins talking enthusiastically. “Now, I’ll just need a few signatures from both of you so we can-“

 

“Mister Astraeus, Mayor Bringer has finished his victory speech and it’s almost your time for you to go on stage. Also, there are two visitors here requesting your presence.” Yanagi says as she approaches the table. If she’s noticed the marriage form on the table then she doesn’t give any sign of it.

 

“Right!” Wise says as he jumps to his feet and walks towards the Deputy Chief, a hidden look of relief on his face.

 

After a moment he turns around to face the table once more. “Apologies, Mister Souichiro, but it seems I’m needed elsewhere. I would be happy to talk about this subject another time.”

 

“How unfortunate. Very well, I’m sure our next meeting will be most interesting. Congratulations on your award and thank you for all you do to protect this city.” The Hoshimi patriarch says as he stands from his seat and graciously bows towards the swordsman.

 

Uncertain how to respond to such high words of praise, Wise simply bows back to him. “Thank you very much. It’s my honor to fight for and protect New Eridu.”

 

With a final round of goodbyes Wise, Yanagi, and Miyabi begin to exit the seating area.

 

The fox girl leans her head towards the tall swordsman and speaks quietly. “I’m very sorry about him. He’s been talking about me getting married for almost a decade now.”

 

Wise smiles reassuringly at her while he responds. “No worries. Souichiro seems like an excellent man that cares deeply for his daughter. I’m glad I was able to meet him.”

 

Miyabi stays silent after that. Her cheeks still retain some of their earlier red color and her eyes stare at the ground as the group exits the seating area. Two men are waiting for them outside as they do so.

 

Wise looks at the newcomers with a curious gaze. After a moment, he recognizes one of them as the Private he saved in Minoan Hollow. The other man seems much older and has a large bandage around his leg and is using a crutch to assist with his movement. The swordsman assumes that he is the Sergeant whose life he saved.

 

“It’s good to see you again, Astraeus. I wanted to personally thank you for saving my life back in that Hollow. The docs said I wouldn’t have made it if you hadn’t cauterized the wound and gotten me back so quickly.”  The Sergeant says with a small smile, bowing as deeply as he can given his injured state.

 

“Thank you very much, Mister Astraeus! I don’t think I would have made it out either if it wasn’t for your help!” The young man says with an extremely deep bow, his head nearly hitting the ground in the process.

 

“There’s no need for thanks, I was simply doing my job as a member of Section 6. But thank you anyways for your kindness.” Wise responds while partially reciprocating the bow.

 

The pair of soldiers stand back up straight. The Private suddenly looks nervous about something and the Sergeant rolls his eyes. “Just ask him, boy. No need to get cold feet now.”

 

“Right! Uhm, Mister Astraeus. Could you sign something for me?” The Private asks nervously. He reaches around his back towards the backpack he’s carrying, removing a small keychain from one of its zippers. Wise recognizes it as a small metal recreation of his sword.

 

“Yes of course!” The swordsman says with a smile as he gets a pen out of his pocket that he always keeps on him. Several moments later the keychain was signed and final goodbyes were said. The trio resume their journey towards the stage, climbing the ornate wooden steps on the right side.

 

Waiting for them at the top is a collection of several important people who seem to have just finished assembling. Among them are Director Maruki, head of Hollow Special operations, and a few politicians that Wise doesn’t recognize. One person he does recognize is the former mayor of Janus Quarter who was just replaced by Bringer.

 

The retired mayor notices Wise’s approach and moves to greet him with a warm smile, holding his hand out for a shake. “Apologies, but there’s been a last second change of plan. Mayor Bringer got called away on urgent business so I will be pinning the medal during the ceremonies. Sorry if it’s a disappointment to you, young man.” 

 

Wise accepts the man’s handshake and nods his head in understanding. “It’s not a problem at all. I’m already beyond honored to even be receiving such a high award.”

 

Yanagi walks around him to hand the former mayor a small notecard, which the man accepts with quiet thanks. The three Section 6 members take up positions in a line on the stage, assuming a parade rest stance as they wait for the award ceremony to begin. Wise’s mind begins to once again swirl with doubts. Why is Bringer not here? Wasn’t his insistence to deliver the medal in person to give him publicity?

 

The mayor puts the notecard on the podium in the center of the stage and begins speaking into the microphone, broadcasting his voice throughout the entirety of the Lumina Square Amphitheater. “Agent Astraeus of Hollow Special Operations Section 6-“

 

The old politician is suddenly cut off by the roaring cheers and applause of the audience, many of them jumping from their seats with enthusiasm. After the uproar has calmed somewhat, he continues his speech.

 

“Agent Astraeus of Hollow Special Operations Section 6 was deployed to Minoan Hollow several days ago to assist with the evacuation and spearhead an operation to close it once and for all. During this operation, Agent Astraeus showed outstanding valor and courage, placing his life on the line in order to protect our magnificent city and its people. Without his heroism, it is entirely possible that some of us attending this celebration would not be able to do so. For conspicuous bravery under fire, both myself and Director Maruki of the HSO have deemed him worthy to receive Vike’s Cross, the highest award our city can offer to an agent of HAND.”

 

On queue, Director Maruki produces a small wooden box from his jacket pocket and begins walking towards the mayor. At the last moment, an assistant runs from the rear part of the stage, her heels making loud noises as they impact the wooden floor. In her hands is a seemingly identical wooden box. She whispers into Director Maruki’s ear, exchanging words that nobody else on stage is able to hear, before they switch the boxes and the assistant runs back behind the curtain. 

 

Without any further delay he opens the wooden box and presents it to the mayor, who gingerly removes the shining medal within. Several people in the audience laugh at what they assume to be the wrong medal being swapped out for the correct one. 

 

“Astraeus, you’ve made your city and its people very proud. It is with the greatest gratitude that I award you Vike’s Cross. Wear it proudly, for you have more than earned it.”

 

The old mayor says while gently pinning the medal to Wise’s chest. The crowd erupts into cheering once more, and the swordsman can see Belle and all of their friends jumping and yelling from their seats right in front of the stage. Despite his best efforts, he can feel his eyes begin to well up with tears due to the overwhelming emotions he’s feeling. 

 

Miyabi and Yanagi notice this and set reassuring hands on either one of his shoulders, trying to provide some silent form of comfort. 

 

Wise moves his eyes back towards the private box where he was just at and sees Souichiro, Harumasa, and Soukaku all loudly cheering and applauding. Behind them is the female bartender from earlier carrying a large box with several kanji on it. The swordsman assumes that she’s retrieving another shipment of the Hoshimi patriarch’s favorite sake.

 

The mayor moves back to the podium and begins to speak yet again. However, no sound comes over the speakers lining the amphitheater. The old politician gives the microphone a confused look while poking it several times with his finger.

 

Suddenly the speakers all crackle at once, indicating that the input source has changed. All of the people composing the crowd begin looking upward with confused glances. Small rumors of discontent spread like wildfire among their ranks.

 

Wise leans over to whisper to Miyabi. “Is this part of the ceremony?”

 

The fox girl reaches for her katana and pops the seal with her thumb before responding. “No, it is not.”

 

Suddenly, an unknown voice blares to life over the speakers, carrying a deep toned male tone. 

 

“Citizens of New Eridu. You stand here applauding despots and false idols that represent nothing except for the corruption that runs through this city like venom. A fool’s gods deserve no worship, only death. The dragon’s teeth have been sewn. We, The Sons of Atlas, shall reap.”

 

Wise struggles to maintain his footing on the stage as several massive explosions rock the very earth they stand upon. Some members of the crowd stand from their seats, suddenly wearing various masks and balaclavas and brandishing firearms that are quickly fired into the air. A chorus of fearful screams follows the cacophony of gunfire.

 

Wise ducks down on instinct as soon as he hears the gunfire. Suddenly, his eyes are drawn to a flicker of movement to his left. The bartender from earlier hoists a rocket tube out of the box that once may have held bottles of sake. She extends the tube and brings it to bear, pointing its barrel directly towards Wise. The woman has a small smile of satisfaction as she pulls the trigger to send the rocket forward, the backblast throwing various tablecloths and napkins soaring through the seating box. The swordsman sees the unmistakable purple glow of a Shiyu Warhead flying directly towards him at speeds exceeding several hundred meters per second.

 

Time seems to slow down as Wise stares at the silver and purple projectile hurtling directly towards his chest. On instinct, his legs move to dodge the projectile, but he knows it’s a fruitless endeavor. The speed of the warhead far exceeds his ability to dodge. The swordsman considers closing his eyes as he awaits his inevitable fate.

 

Just as the Shiyu Warhead enters the threshold of the stage, Wise sees a silver blur of movement to his right. Miyabi swings her katana in a devastating arc directly in front of his face. With a spine chilling sound the blade makes contact with the projectile, splitting it in half. The highly concentrated Ether energy contained within splatters across her sword and the wooden surface of the stage.

 

Wise falls to one knee as two pieces of the Shiyu Warhead clatter to the ground on either side of him. He heaves several deep breaths before swiveling his head up to speak to the fox girl. “Thanks for the save…”

 

Miyabi does not respond as the blue flames on her blade begin to fade, replaced by a deep red color that licks against her robes and body. Wise can hear whispers of some eldritch voice as the katana begins to vibrate violently, throwing her scabbard away to the other end of the stage. The fox girl’s eyes fill with tears as her head slowly turns towards the swordsman. Her voice is shaky and heavy with emotions as she whispers.

 

“Wise… you need to run. Now.”

Notes:

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Chapter 13: Heaven Has No Rage Like Love To Hatred Turned…

Summary:

The terrorist attack on Lumina Square Amphitheater escalates. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

PLEASE BE AWARE that this chapter contains graphic descriptions of violence that some viewers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.

The world surrounding Wise seems to move in slow motion all around him. Every source of light shines with such a high saturation that it seems to blind him, while every sound echoes in his mind like the crashing of a thousand waves all at once. A perfect tapestry of chaos unfolds around him in all of its horror. Various rebels fire their weapons wildly into the air and at the PubSec officers stationed nearby. The swordsman wants to close his eyes and wake up from this nightmare but he knows it’s far too real to be a dream.

 

With practiced movements he unbuttons the clasp on the holster strapped to his left thigh. Wise draws the pistol and aims with one hand towards the seating area that he so recently enjoyed a relaxing drink in. The sharply dressed female bartender, with the now empty rocket tube still in her hands, widens her eyes in alarm and turns to pull a firearm out of the discarded sake box. She’s barely made it a step before a round tears through her head, splattering gore over a nearby decorative statue. The swordsman watches her body fall to the ground with a detached coldness.

 

Shortly after, Wise can barely see Souichiro, Harumasa, and Soukaku all sprinting towards the stage in slow motion with their weapons at the ready. Of the assembled group, the Hoshimi patriarch looks by far the most terrified. The swordsman notices that, unlike his Section 6 squad mates, Souichiro’s terrified eyes are plastered solely to Tailless’s writhing crimson form. The echoing cries of a thousand voices swirl through his mind, their words nothing but an indecipherable blur. Figures dance through his vision across the stage and crowd but he can’t quite see their faces.

 

“Astraeus! Astraeus! Snap out of it!” Yanagi yells before slapping Wise across the face with a gloved hand. 

 

All at once the world comes rushing back into his mind. Voices that were once echoing screams of nothingness morph back into understandable words, while blurred faces snap back into a sharp contrast and manifest into the familiar visages of his friends.

 

“I’m… here!” Wise yells as his eyes snap back to being open. He is still up on top of the stage. Surrounding the podium are all of his friends and squad mates, protecting Miyabi, Belle, Souichiro, and himself in a loose semicircle.

 

Most of the crowd is streaming through the various exits of the Lumina Square Amphitheater while others are pressed flat against the ground, trying to avoid being injured. Bursts of gunfire and pained screams ring out multiple times a second as PubSec clashes with the numerous Sons of Atlas still present on the site. Ice fills Wise’s veins as he realizes some of the civilians on the ground aren’t moving at all with shimmering pools of red gathering below them.

 

“How the hell did some fringe rebel group like the Sons of Atlas pull something like this off?!” Harumasa yells as he lets loose an arrow towards a rebel sniper taking up a position on a private seating box. The man yells in pain as the arrow pierces his shoulder and he stumbles off of the edge, falling nearly twenty meters to the ground. He does not get back up.

 

“That’s not important right now! Focus on the task at hand!” Yanagi yells as she deflects an incoming hand grenade using her naginata thrown at them from a row of seats. The explosive arcs high into the air before harmlessly exploding. The Son of Atlas responsible for the throw quickly receives a bullet to the head from a nearby NEDF soldier that just came through one of the emergency exits.

 

“Please… you all need to… leave… I can’t control… Tailless much longer.” Miyabi says with a pained grunt, her expression tightened with concentration and agony as she keeps the sword only partially in its scabbard. 

 

“We’re not leaving you!” Belle yells before ducking her head back down as a distant explosion goes off.

 

“At least get… the civilians away… father, please!” Miyabi begs with tears in her eyes, moving her head up to stare at him.

 

“We ain’t leaving your side or my bro’s! Never back down when someone needs help!” Anton bellows passionately, beating his non-drill arm against his chest. Finally, it seems as if all of the rebels located in the Lumina Square Amphitheater itself have been eliminated. Various explosions and bursts of gunfire can still be heard outside. It seems like this attack was targeted at much more than just Astraeus.

 

“We can’t stay here. We need to get Miyabi somewhere safe where she can’t do as much damage. You all don’t understand what a truly unleashed Tailless is capable of if it possesses a Hoshimi!” Souichiro says passionately, one of his hands still on his daughter's back as a silent show of support. Foxfire licks against his exposed skin but seems to do no visible damage.

 

“An area inside New Eridu that’s guaranteed to not have any civilians present and that we can reach quickly…” Wise mutters to himself, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts as he tries to think of something they could do to get a handle on the situation.

 

Suddenly, the swordsman’s eyes widen with recognition.

 

“Astraeus! Do you have a plan?” Yanagi asks as she crouches down next to him, moving their heads closer together so they can have a conversation despite the gunfire and explosions.

 

“Dead End Hollow! It’s a few blocks from here and it’s got a full PubSec barricade surrounding it! If we can get her there then we’ll have some time to work on a solution!” Wise says loudly as he explains his plan.

 

“But, how can we get her there on time? On foot it will take us at least fifteen or twenty minutes!” Harumasa yells as he continues letting off arrows at encroaching rebels.

 

As if on queue, an armored van emblazoned with the NEDF sigil on the side bursts through a door that leads from the outside to stage left. The driver’s side window quickly rolls down before a familiar figure leans out of it.

 

“Hey, Astraeus! Need a lift out of here or some backup?” The Private from Minoan Hollow says with a determined expression. 

 

The passenger side window rolls down as well, quickly followed by the face of the wounded Sergeant poking out. The man loudly racks the bolt of his rifle before speaking. “I may not be mobile but I’m still a hell of a shot. Let’s kick these ugly bastards out of New Eridu.”

 

Wise smiles with relief as soon as he sees the familiar faces of the two soldiers. “You guys are a sight for sore eyes! Give me a second and let’s get the fuck out of here!”

 

The Private throws him a quick salute before sliding himself back inside of the vehicle, keeping the engine running all the while.

 

The swordsman turns back towards the assembled group with a serious expression. One by one he looks them in the eyes, taking notes of their worried yet determined expressions.

 

“Yanagi, if I may, I would like to suggest a plan.” Wise says to the Deputy Chief. Even with things as bad as they are, she still far outranks him. Better to respect the chain of command or else all hell may break loose.

 

“Certainly, Astraeus. Considering your familiarity with these… unaffiliated investigators. Operational command would best fall to you.” Yanagi says with a shaky smile.

 

“Make it quick! She’s deteriorating fast!” Souichiro yells from Miyabi’s side. Once faint echoes of voices from Tailless are beginning to escalate further and further.

 

“Belle. Get to the Random Play van and get on the HDD. Link to Fairy then link to me. I’ll need your guidance in Dead End Hollow. Koleda and Ellen, make sure she gets there in one piece. Leave immediately and don’t waste any time.” Wise says as his first command.

 

“Right!” All three of them say at once before standing and sprinting through the breach made by the armored NEDF van.

 

“Soukaku, Yanagi, and Harumasa, coordinate with PubSec and Zhu Yuan to eliminate the remaining Sons of Atlas and secure the area. We need someone that the police are familiar with for that to go smoothly. Take Souichiro with you.” The swordsman commands next.

 

“Right away, Asty-Ray!” Soukaku says with an overly dramatic salute before sprinting away with Harumasa and Yanagi.

 

“Absolutely not. I will stay by my daughter's side even despite the danger. Nobody understands the threat that Tailless poses better than I do. I may be able to restore the scabbard somewhat, perhaps just enough to buy us more time to find a permanent solution.” Souichiro objects.

 

“Fine. That leaves me, Anby, and Anton for the escort team. We will protect the Hoshimi clan members with our lives and deliver them to Dead End Hollow in one piece, averting any further disasters. Understood?” Wise says with a confident tone, looking at his two old squad mates with a small smile.

 

“You got it, bro! Just like old times!”

 

“Orders received and acknowledged, manager.”

 

“Souichiro, help me carry Miyabi to the armored van and let’s get moving, now!” The swordsman says as he jumps to his feet and slings one of the fox girl’s arms over his shoulder. The foxfire presses against his skin and licks at his clothing, causing an odd sort of burning pain that lies somewhere between hot and cold. The pain is pushed out of his mind immediately as he puts one foot in front of the other.

 

Miyabi’s eyes are still flowing with tears from pain, sorrow, or both. The fox girl’s hands clench the katana as it lies partially out of her scabbard, threatening to shoot out at any moment and unleash hellish fury. The strange machinery attached to the sheathe seems to be damaged in some way, most likely splattered by the concentrated Ether of the Shiyu Warhead. Her voice is weak and strained as she speaks. “I’m sorry, Wise… for all of this… if only I had better control of Tailless’s power then maybe-“

 

“Just save your breath, Miyabi. You’re doing a great job so far. Just keep Tailless contained for a little while longer and we’ll be home free. You can do this!” Wise says confidently, leaning his shoulder in closer to her as a silent show of support. The motion makes the foxfire burn even more painfully, but it’s worth it. Something about the otherworldly flames touching his body makes his mind burn with hatred and bloodlust, he suddenly wants to unsheathe his own sword and go on a wild rampage. Wise leans back away from Miyabi, causing the voices whispering in his head to cease their violent ambitions if only slightly.

 

As they approach, the Private hops out of the vehicle and runs to the back of the armored van. With a single heave he throws the large doors open and climbs inside. Once he does so, he holds a hand out to help everyone in.

 

Wise goes in first with the soldier’s help before assisting the Hoshimi clan members next. Anby and Anton exit last and slam the doors closed behind them. The Private leaps back into the driver’s cabin and slides into the seat.

 

Souichiro pops open an on-board medkit near the exit doors of the van. Wise looks on in confusion as he desperately looks through its contents. After a few seconds of searching, his scowl turns into a triumphant smile after he removes a small blue syringe from its depths. The White Star Institute logo is emblazoned on the side of the glass tube along with a description of the Ether Suppressant within. An instant later and its contents are being lathered across some of Tailless’s most corrupted mechanisms. The swordsman can’t help but be impressed by the old man’s ingenuity.

 

“Buckle up! This is gonna be a bumpy ride!” The soldier yells as he puts the pedal to the metal, throwing the van in reverse and back through the hole it created. The tires squeal and they take off down the main road on their short but perilous journey.

 

As the vehicle dodges and weaves through traffic and various gunfights erupting across Lumina Square, Wise slowly makes his way to the driver’s cabin to see how things are going. He passes the Hoshimi clan members on his way. The father is gently rubbing his daughters back and whispering quiet reassurances into her ear as she struggles to contain the otherworldly power stirring in the blade. Anton and Anby check their weapons silently in the back while anxiously waiting for their turn to fight.

 

Wise reaches the driver's cabin and supports himself by grabbing both headrests. With a loud voice he speaks to the soldiers. “How close are we now?”

 

“Just a few blocks, sir!” The Private yells without taking his eyes off the road.

 

“Thank you, uh… I never got your name actually.” Wise notes with an embarrassed tone. 

 

“Jenkins! Private Jenkins!”

 

“Well, thank you Private Jenkins. We would have been through without your help.”

 

“I’m just paying it forward, sir! I would’ve died in the Hollow if it weren’t for you!”

 

“Cut the chatter! We got a tail!” The Sergeant yells as an unmarked van begins to pull up next to their vehicle. Silhouettes of masked men wearing body armor and armed with various weapons can be clearly seen inside. The old soldier thumbs the safety on his rifle and partially rolls down the window, preparing to fire.

 

Once the enemy vehicle begins to keep an even pace with them and fully pull up beside them, the rebel passenger opens fire. Bullets clang against the armored side of their van while the Sergeant opens fire in return. Every time the enemy vehicle tries to ram into theirs, Private Jenkins expertly maneuvers out of the way. Wise has to admit that the kid is a damn good driver given the circumstances.

 

Suddenly, the Sergeant screams in pain as a bullet tears through his arm. Blood instantly begins to gush from the wound and his rifle clatters to the floor. With no fire to dissuade them, the rebel vehicle begins to pull ever closer to their armored van. 

 

“Goddamnit, not again!” The old soldier yells with more annoyance than anger.

 

“Man down! Anton, get up here!” Wise yells as he yanks the Sergeant out of the passenger seat, handing him off to the burly construction worker who begins to carry him.

 

“Wait a second, kid. You’ll be wanting this. Give em hell for me… would you?” The Sergeant says with a weakening voice as he removes the loose combat webbing he was carrying. Strapped to it are various magazines for the rifle he has just dropped to the floor.

 

“With pleasure.” Wise says as he quickly throws the combat webbing on himself, nearly knocking off the Vike’s Cross medal still pinned to his chest. The swordsman returns to the passenger seat a moment later and quickly picks up the discarded rifle, slamming a fresh magazine into it. 

 

Once a round is chambered he leans out of the side window and begins opening fire on the encroaching rebels, careful to avoid any collateral damage. Luckily, it seems as if PubSec has already closed down this road due to the terrorist attack.

 

After a few more harrowing minutes of a high speed firefight, the armored van screeches around a corner and the massive purple dome of the Dead End Hollow towers above them. The police barricade directly in front of the Hollow’s entrance is only a few hundred more meters down the road. 

 

“Get ready to disembark, we’re nearly there!” Wise turns his head and yells back to his passengers. In the back of the van he can see Anby bandaging the Sergeant’s arm with hasty movements. More concerningly, Miyabi is rapidly losing control of Tailless. The sword is now almost entirely out of the scabbard with red foxfire flaring all across her body and the surrounding seats. Souichiro matches Wise’s glance with widened red eyes, thoroughly terrified of what’s about to be unleashed.

 

“Sir!” Private Jenkins yells from beside him, his voice suddenly sounding panicked.

 

The swordsman turns back around to glance out the windshield. His blood turns to ice in his veins as he sees what lies in front of them. A civilian helicopter, seemingly once used for airborne tours, is hovering above the road in front of them. Leaning out of the door is a rebel holding an RPG aimed directly at their truck. On the side of the helicopter is a hand painted version of the Sons of Atlas’s sigil. A man carrying a globe on his back painted in an eerie blood red. In the center of the globe are several sharpened dragon’s teeth arranged in a circle.

 

“Gun it, get us in the Hollow now! Everyone, brace for impact!” Wise yells out as he quickly straps himself into the passenger seat, clutching the rifle in his hands with a white knuckle grip.

 

Private Jenkins floors the gas pedal, causing the van to lurch forward and begin hurtling towards the police barricade. For the second time that day, the distinct whooshing sound of an approaching rocket grows louder in Wise’s ears as the airborne rebel fires. For whatever reason, the swordsman closes his eyes and waits for the inevitable, unable to bear the sight of the projectile any longer.

 

An ear shattering explosion rings out from just under the hood of the van causing it to flip forwards and sail into the air. Wise opens his eyes just in time to see them pass through the shimmering purple wall of Dead End Hollow. The vehicle crashes into a street on the other side with devastating force and begins flipping several more times. The van crashes into the wall of a long abandoned building and Wise’s world turns to black.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

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Chapter 14: ... Nor Hell A Fury Like A Woman Scorned

Summary:

Wise, his team, and the Hoshimis awaken in Dead End Hollow. A once hidden threat comes into the light and the tides turn.

The roaring of flames is the first thing to greet Wise as his mind slowly re-enters the land of the living. His light blue mechanical eyes flutter open slowly before he winces from the bright light. Slowly but surely he widens them once again, only to be met with a horrifying image.

 

The swordsman is lying on the hard asphalt of the road, his check pressed up to its cold surface. The flaming wreck of the van is only a short distance away, painting their darkening surroundings with an eerie red light. On either side of him are the two soldiers from earlier of which both are still unconscious.

 

“Bro! Oh, thank god you’re up!” Anton yells from nearby as he sprints back towards the prone agent. His face, stained with blackened ash and several small cuts, shows the depths of his relief.

 

“Anton…? What happened?” Wise says with a groggy voice and his palm pressed against his forehead. Slowly and with great effort he begins to sit up, causing the world to spin around him.

 

“Hey hey, easy there. You were right next to the explosion when it went off and I think you hit your head pretty hard too.” Anton says with a worried tone as he sets a hand on the agent’s back, ready to support him in case he falls.

 

“The others? Miyabi? Where are they?” Wise says as his memories come flooding back to him, his voice carries an edge of panic. The swordsman’s eyes roam their surroundings in a frenzied search.

 

“Anby and I were the only ones not knocked unconscious by the explosion and crash, probably because we were in the far back of the van and strapped in when it happened. Once the vehicle came to a stop the two of us hauled everybody else out before it exploded.” Anton explains helpfully. His red eyes slowly roam the agent’s form, checking for any serious injury that may have escaped his initial notice.

 

From just down the road, Wise can hear the dying roar of an Ethereal and the crackling of electricity. Rapid footsteps follow soon after and Anby emerges from the thick smoke emanating from the burning van. Her orange eyes soften with relief when she sees him awake and mostly unharmed.

 

“I killed two more but there’s definitely reinforcements coming because of the disturbance. We need to move. Now.” Anby says as she takes a knee next to the two men. Her eyes scan the perimeter for any more signs of hostile movement as she sheathes her sword.

 

“Miyabi… where is she? Souichiro isn’t here either.” Wise says with even more panic entering his voice.

 

Anton has a pained expression on his face as he responds, his red eyes unable to meet the agent’s. “Miyabi was the first to recover from her unconsciousness. She took one look at that sword of hers and sprinted down the road with those weird red flames whirling all around her. She yelled at us not to follow but Anby tried anyway. Miyabi was… able to outrun her.”

 

“Manager, I’m very sorry. She was gone before I even knew what happened.” Anby says with a sorrowful tone while looking at the ground. Shame is plastered across her features.

 

“It’s okay, Anby. She can easily outrun me too.” Wise says while trying to put on his best reassuring smile. He’s certain he fails miserably due to the own panic he’s currently experiencing.

 

“Souichiro woke up almost immediately after. He asked where Miyabi went and took off after her. The old man is much faster than he looks.” Anton admits with a frustrated huff while staring at the direction the father and daughter ran in.

 

Suddenly, a massive spout of foxfire lights up the sky only a few blocks away. The massive whooshing sound and bright glow immediately draws the attention of the three agents, their faces displaying the shock and horror they’re currently feeling. The sight reminds them of an awe inspiring natural disaster. Unrivaled in its destructive power yet undeniably beautiful in the most terrifying of ways.

 

“I have to go help them. You two get Private Jenkins and the Sergeant out of this Hollow and to a hospital.” Wise says as he struggles to his feet and grabs the rifle he lost during the crash. With a detached awareness he checks to make sure the magazine is still full and the weapon can function, slinging it onto his back a mere moment later. Once that’s complete he ensures his sword is still strapped to his back, which it is, and takes off walking towards where the foxfire erupted from.

 

“Bro, wait!” Anton says before grabbing the swordsman’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

 

Wise turns around and looks at the construction worker with tired eyes, his gaze focusing on some unseen point in the distance a second later. The swordsman’s head is still pounding with thundering waves of pain from the concussion he likely has. “Anton… it has to be me. Miyabi and Souichiro are scared about Tailless for a reason and I might be the only one that could hold her off if she completely loses control. Not to mention somebody has to take those two soldiers back for medical attention.”

 

Anton turns back to look at the two soldiers lying on the ground just a few feet away. The Sergeant is beginning to bleed through the bandages woven around his left arm while Private Jenkins is bleeding from a multitude of wounds all over his body. The young man was the person closest to the RPG explosion when it happened, but even still the shockingly large amount of shrapnel wounds is a gruesome sight.

 

“Anby can take them and I can come with you! I can’t let you go alone!” The construction worker says with an almost pleading tone. For the first time Wise has ever seen, his red eyes are threatening to spill over with tears any moment.

 

“She can’t carry them alone, you know that. Plus my earpiece was broken in the crash so you need to let Belle and the team know what happened.” Wise explains while closing the short distance between them before wrapping the man in a tight hug, trying to ease his distress.

 

“Anton… take the two soldiers and go. You need to get help from my sister so she can come back with a larger force. I promise you I’ll be fine until then, okay?” The swordsman says quietly into the man’s ear, trying desperately to get the two of them away from whatever otherworldly danger is awaiting him only a few blocks away.

 

Anton nods his head slowly and with great reluctance, squeezing Wise into an almost crushing hug with both of his arms. After a few moments he steps away and wipes his nose with a sniffle. “Fine, I’ll do it! If you come back with so much as a scratch on you then you’re buying noodles for a month, you hear me?”

 

“Burgers too.” Anby follows with a quiet confidence and smile, her orange eyes betraying the depths of the emotions she’s feeling. The swordsman appreciates her attempt to lighten the mood.

 

“You got yourself a deal. Dinner is on me tonight, you two. Now get the hell out of here and get Belle. I’ll be waiting.” Wise says while already beginning to jog in the opposite direction, his boots crunching against loose chunks of the mostly destroyed road.

 

Anton reaches his hand out for a fist bump at the last moment, their knuckles connecting before the rest of the swordsman’s body drags his arm away. With a silent smile of support he rounds the corner and they disappear from his sight. The last look he gets of his two teammates are when they lean down and begin carrying the two wounded soldiers. Wise couldn’t have been more proud of them.

 

Only now does the swordsman begin breaking into a full sprint. His booted feet pound against the uneven pavement and broken asphalt of the path below him, the rapid sound almost perfectly matching the pace of his rapidly beating heart. Dead End Hollow, the place where he first met the Cunning Hares all those months ago. It seems like it’s been a lifetime since then. It may just be his mind playing tricks on him but he swears he can recognize some of the signs and buildings as they pass by him in a blur.

 

Another colossal pillar of foxfire erupts from just a block away, causing Wise to put on yet another burst of speed. He passes a sign pointing to a metro entrance that’s been long since abandoned. The sight brings back memories of his pursuit of Perlman and the corrupt Vision Corporation after they loaded a train full of explosives. 

 

Maybe it’s the concussion he no doubt has from the crash or maybe it’s just an overactive imagination, but the memories of that day swim past his eyes as vivid images. Perlman’s assassination at the Ballet Twins is especially clear in his mind. It’s unfortunate he was killed before he could testify against the mysterious benefactors he so often alluded to. Maybe something he knew could have prevented this madness. 

 

Wise’s boots slide against the loose asphalt as he turns a corner at high speeds, bringing his errant line of thinking to a screeching halt. As he does so, the thing he feared most finally comes into view.

 

Miyabi is standing in the middle of the courtyard holding the legendary katana, Tailless, whose blade glows like molten hot metal. Her body is wreathed in thick layers of deep red foxfire and her eyes are glazed over, almost as if she’s in a trance. The infernal tornado swirls around her in a horrifying dance of wind and destruction.

 

The nearby buildings and walls are painted with the intense glow nearing from the blade, bathing the entire area in an eerie crimson light. The fox girl’s body moves with practiced ease as she dispatches incoming Ethereals with little effort, her blade slicing through them like a hot knife through butter. Each creature is dead long before it hits the ground with a sickening screech and spray or blood. Miyabi’s blade cannot be seen by the naked eye due to the inhuman speed at which it’s moving.

 

All the while, Souichiro stands by her side. The Hoshimi patriarch is trying desperately to snap his daughter out of her stupor while still relying on her for protection from the encroaching monsters. His flint gray eyes are welled with tears and his words are only garbled nonsense due to the roaring sound of the foxfire and dying screams of Ethereals. The winds emanating from the circling inferno tear at his clothes all cause them to flap wildly in the air.

 

Wise doesn’t hesitate for even a moment and he immediately begins sprinting towards the father and daughter. While running his boot suddenly strikes an errant piece of metal debris that makes an odd sound. The hollow noise it produces causes the agent to look down at confusion at just what it is. To his overwhelming shock and horror, it’s Tailless’s scabbard lying in the loose rubble of the street, its ornate carvings and gilded surface glow menacingly in the foxfire’s light. At first glance the swordsman can already tell that it has had several fixes made to it in the short time he was unconscious.

 

Several mechanical components he remembers being on the scabbard have been rearranged. The Etheric corruption that was present seems to have been mostly scrubbed away as well. Souichiro was certainly telling the truth when he told Wise that he was familiar with Tailless’s construction. Without stopping his advance, the swordsman picks up the legendary object and begins sprinting towards the father and daughter with renewed vigor. The second that Wise’s body makes contact with the foxfire tornado his body begins to scream in protest.

 

Souichiro’s face becomes flushed with relief when he notices Wise approaching while holding the all-important scabbard. The Hoshimi patriarch reaches his hand out towards the young agent and smiles reassuringly, encouraging the young man to persevere through the seemingly impenetrable wall of otherworldly flames.

 

As the proximity between the two men grows closer, Wise can finally start to understand Souichiro’s words over the roar of the foxfire and clamor of battle. “Come quickly, my boy! My modifications to Tailless’s scabbard were completed just as the van crashed! So long as we return the blade to its home we can still contain its power!”

 

“I understand!” Wise yells loudly as he struggles through the waves upon waves of foxfire swirling in an otherworldly tempest around Miyabi. Tailless’s flames dance around his body and lick at his skin, carrying eldritch whispers of untold carnage and malice.

 

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

 

“You deny your blade its purpose!”

 

“The weak live to serve the strong! Cut loose your bloodlust and claim your birthright!”

 

“That is not dead which can eternal lie!”

 

“Blood flows freely through the annals of history! Why not now as well?”

 

“Your power shall bequeath a crown upon your head should you only reach out and seize it!”

 

“None can rival your power!”

 

“The Hoshimi weaklings seek to contain our strength! We cannot be stopped, only delayed! Succeed where they have failed!”

 

“My bro is going to make me pay for noodles if I get hurt so shut the fuck up you stupid goddamned piece of metal!” Wise screams as finally crosses the final wall of foxfire, falling to the ground next to Souichiro with an unceremonious thump. The swordsman’s clothes simmer with shimmering burns and emanate off color smoke.

 

“Wise! Quickly get the scabbard back onto Tailless and contain its power, it’s our only chance! Miyabi is only attacking beings with Etheric energy, so you and I are safe from her rampage!” The Hoshimi patriarch bellows into his ear as he rushes over to help the swordsman to his feet, heaving the agent off of the ground with a single powerful movement.

 

“Right, you can count on me!” Wise bellows in return as begins running towards Miyabi with an iron clad determination. His boots pound against the blood stained ground and step over the piled corpses of slain Ethereals as he makes his approach. Finally, after a monumental effort, he falls to his knees just a handful of meters away from the fox girl.

 

Miyabi whips around to face him with her sword raised and pointed towards him, her red eyes wide with unhinged fury and madness. Foxfire rolls off of her skin like the unparalleled waves of a tsunami, threatening to drown the swordsman in the depths of their malice. Finally, as she steps onto the ground right next to him, the fox girl’s eyes narrow with concentration, seeming to recognize the man kneeling next to her.

 

“That’s right, Miyabi! It’s me, Wise! Put Tailless back into its scabbard and let’s go back home! You still have to make me do all of those after-action reports since I looked at your father’s scrapbook of your childhood, remember!?” Wise yells with a shaky smile, tears beginning to well up in his mechanical eyes as he holds the scabbed out towards her.

 

Miyabi leans forward and thrusts the sword towards the scabbard with renewed vigor, plunging it through the air like a crimson bolt of lightning through a darkened night sky. Tailless screams forward…

… driving itself through Wise’s chest with a sickening squelch and spray of blood.

All of the breath in Wise’s lungs leaves at once as he screams out in pain. The swordsman’s throat is raw by the time his voice dies in his mouth. Foxfire spouts from the wound like a crimson volcano while she partially twists the weapon in place, causing his breathing to freeze in his throat as his lungs run out of oxygen and seize up.

 

Miyabi looks down at him with a detached gaze as she removes Tailless from his chest, her movements resembling nothing more than a routine kill. Her eyes are distant and unfamiliar to Wise, seeming to belong to a different person entirely as she flicks the blood off of her blade.

 

Through what little remains of his blurry vision, Wise stares upwards at Miyabi as she glances down at him and speaks. “You had more power in you than the rest of these beasts due to that Ether Core on your chest. Rest well, foul creature, for New Eridu shall be safer after you have been slain.”

 

Wise hears Souichiro screaming in his ear, but the sound seems so distant now, sounding like nothing but a hollow and distant ringing like an alarm clock or chiming bell that’s trying and failing to wake him from an ever deepening slumber.

 

The Hoshimi patriarch falls to his knees and puts both of his hands to the swordsman’s wounds, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. Souichiro’s mouth moves in ways that should produce words but the wounded swordsman can’t hear anything except the ringing in his ears.

 

In response, Wise simply stares into the sky with an unfocused gaze. The sun is just beginning to set on the horizon, its form barely visible over the roofs of the surrounding buildings and walls of foxfire. Warm rays of purple and orange shoot across his vision, oblivious to the horror and pain taking place just below them. For a blissful eternity he watches the beautiful marvel of nature’s beauty take place above him. His eyes slowly close as he gives into the sleep that so heavily pulls on his consciousness. Just as he does so, the foxfire tornado swirls into a single bright stream leading away from him and disappears entirely.

~~~~~

Wise’s green eyes scan the beautiful tapestry laid out just beyond his reach, its inky depths interspersed with stars shining like shards of broken glass. A smile is on his face as his gaze idly traces the lines of constellations he knows so well. With a dreamy sigh he gazes to his right to check the astrology textbook his teacher gave to him earlier in the day.

 

There he finds a wrinkled piece of paper which illustrates the stars that should be visible on this clear Summer night. Suddenly, his attention is diverted by a cadence of footsteps approaching where he’s laying. With a soft thud and giggle the unknown person lies down next to him in the dew filled grass. 

 

“See that, bro? That’s the North Star right there!” Belle says as she points a slender and pale finger upwards. Her voice is much higher pitched than he remembers, but why… why is… why is he…

 

“No, silly. That’s Mercury! Miss Arna told you that just last week when you said the same thing.” Wise responds without even knowing he did so. His own voice is also very different from the one he spoke with only moments ago. With a thoughtless movement he grabs the constellation chart and points to a specific diagram with hands much smaller than he expects. 

 

“Ughh, fiiiiine. Who even cares about boring stars anyways.” Belle says with an annoyed huff, crossing her arms while making a pouting face. After a moment she begins glancing at the stars once again.

 

Wise perfectly remembers the words of Carole Arna, their teacher, as he half heartedly scolds her. “Remember what she told you. Whenever you're lost, the North Star will always be able to guide you home. That’s why Miss Arna wants you to remember it so much.”

 

The man says the words in his head at the same time as the younger Wise he seems to be occupying. His teacher’s words always seemed so close to the front of his mind even as he grew older.

 

Belle giggles in response. Her head turns towards him and she rests her ear on the soft grass below them. His sister’s blue eyes seem to stare straight through his soul as she whispers to him.

 

“Are you ever lost, bro?”

~~~~~

“Are you lost, my Lord Souichiro?”

 

A patronizing female voice says from right next to the swordsman. Her tone, dripping with venom, accompanies the clicking of her heels against the uneven asphalt of the broken road beneath their feet.

 

Wise’s eyes snap back open after he hears the unfamiliar voice to view the beautiful purple and orange rays emanating from the New Eridu sunset. The swordsman quickly realizes that the roaring of flames is no longer surrounding him and that sky is shockingly clear with no foxfire to block his vision. 

 

The wound on the swordsman’s chest doesn’t seem to be bleeding any longer. A gloved hand reaches up to rub against the wound and finds frozen clots of blood instead of warmth along with frost spreading across the skin on his chest.

 

In confusion, Wise’s eyes roam the area immediately around him. Souichiro is several feet away, cradling the unconscious form of Miyabi in his protective grasp. The fox girl seems almost entirely uninjured but her breathing is labored and shallow.

 

Next to the father and daughter lies his cryogenic sword, free of the scabbard that is on the ground a few feet behind them. On the tip of the blade is a large amount of blood which Wise realizes must be his own. The Hoshimi patriarch must have used its cryogenic coating to cauterize the wound on the swordsman’s chest, most certainly saving his life in the process.

 

“Who… who are you?” Souichiro says in response to the woman that has just come to a stop in front of him. 

 

The mysterious woman is dressed in an elegant red dress with a matching pair of stiletto heels. Her hair is an onyx black and has an intricate braid running over the top of her head that connects in the center. Although Wise is at an unusual angle, being about five meters to the right of the woman, he can tell that her eyes are a deep forest green that shine with veridian malice above a twisted smile.

 

To Wise’s horror he realizes that her right hand contains a handgun that’s being pointed towards the father and daughter. In her other hand is an odd looking object the swordsman recognizes after a short moment, nearly causing his heart to stop. A Shiyu Warhead is clutched in her left hand and swirls with some sort of red energy that’s very different from the usual purple Ether.

 

“My name is Sarah but that’s not important. I certainly wasn’t expecting to find you all the way out here, Lord Souichiro.” The woman answers with a small laugh, the respect accompanying the patriarch’s proper title is clearly disingenuous and almost mocking.

 

“How… how did you get Tailless under control? That device absorbed its foxfire like it was nothing, even without a Hoshimi to unlock its power.” Souichiro yells in confusion, his hand pointing towards the device in her left hand.

 

Sarah holds the device into the air and stares into the red light swirling through the clear sections. Her voice carries a slight tone of amusement as she speaks. “Oh, this? It’s a Shiyu Warhead, a device designed to absorb and release Ether energies for the purposes of closing Hollows. It’s a rather rudimentary piece of equipment that utilizes Shiyu technology.”

 

“But… Tailless’s foxfire isn’t the same as Ether energy, it’s different! How is that even possible?” The Hoshimi patriarch asks with horrified confusion.

 

“Oh, my Lord Hoshimi. There are many things you don’t know and are simply too dull to understand. A prestigious and legendary family like yours would never swallow their pride enough to have the energy within Tailless actually studied beyond learning how to contain it. Luckily, I went through the trouble for you. The katana is really nothing special outside of the curse itself.” Sarah says with a condescending tone.

 

“You’re lying. There is nothing in this city that’s anywhere close to Tailless!” Souichiro says while clutching Miyabi even closer to his trembling form.

 

“Tailless and the Shiyu Warhead are the same, my dear Lord Souichiro. They contain energies within their forms that can be utilized for a destructive purpose. Think of it like this: Tailless is a scalpel while the Shiyu Warhead is a hammer. Both are capable of doing damage but do so in different ways. In my hand I hold the katana’s curse in the form of a hammer instead of a scalpel.”

 

“What good could that possibly do you?”

 

Sarah lowers the Shiyu Warhead and looks at the father and daughter with a venomous smile before responding. “Ether corrupts the body while foxfire corrupts the mind and soul, turning its victims into soulless agents of destruction and chaos. Tailless converts its cursed foxfire energy and uses it like a scalpel, to return to my previous example. However, destruction is only scratching the surface of the sword’s power.”

 

“You’ve gone mad. From the second the Hoshimi learn of this, you will be hunted, even to the ends of the earth should it be required. Even the government of New Eridu will not let this sin go unpunished. You are messing with a power you could never hope to control!”

 

Sarah lets off a soul chilling laugh into the night sky after she hears Souichiro’s words. Her heels click against the loose asphalt as she strides to where Wise’s cryogenic sword lies on the ground. The villainess puts the Shiyu Warhead into a satchel she’s wearing and holsters the handgun. With shocking ease she heaves the massive sword off of the ground and points it at the father and daughter as they lay on the broken ground.

 

“Not to worry, the government has already been taken care of and will not pose a threat to our operation. Astraeus was the final barrier stopping us from reaching Tailless but that large buffoon is dead now. All it took was Miyabi’s foxfire rampage and a small medal on his chest steeped in Ether energy to draw her fury. A simple death for a simple man. The Hoshimi family, however, would certainly try to stop me and may even succeed… if they weren’t busy trying to restructure after the death of their patriarch and only heir.”

 

With that final word she steps forward and swings Wise’s sword in a devastating arc, aiming to kill both Miyabi and Souichiro with a single blow.

 

The wounded agent’s eyes widen in alarm and his broken body gets one last burst of adrenaline that shoots through his veins like a bolt of liquid magma. He reaches for the rifle still slung around his shoulder and brings it to bear against the villainess. At the last moment he squeezes the trigger and a gunshot rings out through the courtyard.

 

The round tears through Sarah’s midsection but the blade does not stop in its terminal descent. 

 

Souichiro drops Miyabi to the asphalt and steps in front of the blade, causing it to embed itself several inches into his chest. Blood immediately begins spurting from the wound and he falls to the ground in a heap while yelling out in pain. The fox girl’s unconscious form is sprayed by her father’s blood but the sword was stopped from causing any damage to her.

 

Sarah immediately drops the sword and whips her head around to see where the bullet came from, her green eyes narrowed with fury. As soon as she sees Wise holding the rifle she yells with defiance. “You’re alive?!”

 

“Yeah, seems that way. You hurt Souichiro so now it’s time for you to die.” Wise says with a pained grunt, his wound screaming in protest as he speaks. He puts the weapon's iron sights over the villainess’s head and gets ready to pull the trigger.

 

At the last moment Sarah grabs the satchel from her side and holds it out in front of her while crouching down, shielding her body. “You know what happens if you shoot this, don’t you? You’ve seen a charged Shiyu Warhead go off before.”

 

Wise hesitates for a moment as he speaks, the sights wavering slightly due to how much blood he’s lost “You’ll die too.”

 

“So will Miyabi and yourself. You wouldn’t risk that, would you?” Sarah says through gritted teeth, still managing to put on a condescending smile despite the pain she must be experiencing. “Those pathetic freedom fighters will arrive shortly to finish you off. There will be another time to grab Tailless from the Hoshimi once the three of you are dead.” She threatens confidently while slowly backing away towards a nearby alleyway.

 

Wise’s hands shake while they hold the rifle. He’s trying to get a good shot but he can’t quite manage to line one up. Hitting the Shiyu Warhead seems like an inevitability from the angle he’s at. The swordsman is about to give up all hope until movement catches his eye.

 

Suddenly, Souichiro shoots off of the ground and lunges towards Sarah, in his hands is the unpowered form of Tailless. The villainess's view is blocked by the satchel and she doesn’t see the Hoshimi patriarch until it’s too late. He delivers a devastating slash with the katana, cutting the shoulder strap on the satchel and her gun holster while giving her a shallow gash on her leg.

 

Sarah yells in pain and shock and stumbles backwards, falling onto her back. 

 

With the last bit of Souichiro’s energy put into the short lunge, he falls down immediately afterwards, managing to catch the satchel in his hands just before he hits the ground. Tailless clatters to the ground next to him.

 

“You fools are resilient, I’ll give you that. But this changes nothing!” Sarah yells before wincing in pain and staggering to her feet. She takes a single step towards the handgun that’s now laying on the ground.

 

Wise staggers to his feet at the same moment and takes a hesitant step forward, pointing the rifle at her. “Don’t even try it!”

 

Sarah freezes in place, still a few meters away from the fallen handgun and Tailless. Souichiro is clutching both of them and the Shiyu Warhead in his hands with the last ounce of strength he has left in his body. The villainess looks between the Hoshimi patriarch and swordsman with narrowed green eyes. After several seconds of consideration she takes a step backwards. 

 

“You’ve only delayed the inevitable, Astraeus. Even if you walk out of this Hollow Alicve, Tailless’s power will belong to us one way or another. We have people everywhere and you can’t always be vigilant. One day, you will let your guard down, and our victory will be complete.” Sarah says with a tone dripping with malice.

 

Wise doesn’t respond, simply tracking her retreating form through the sights of his rifle. His mind swims with doubts and anger due to her words and he realizes that shooting her anyways and removing the threat she poses once and for all is something that has to be done. The swordsman lowers the sight of the rifle to aim at her leg and pulls the trigger.

Click.

The rifle jams and Sarah slips away into a nearby alleyway, out of Wise’s sight. The opportunity to end her threat to New Eridu passes into the night.

 

Souichiro’s weak coughing snaps the agent out of his stupor. He throws the rifle down and sprints towards the fallen patriarch, rolling him onto his back so he can see how bad the wound is.

 

A large gash penetrates deep into the side of his chest and overflows with blood, remnants of frost from his own cryogenic blade surround the wound. From the sounds of Souichiro's shallow breathing, the sword has penetrated one of his lungs. Wise can hardly believe the man is even alive, he’s seen people die almost immediately from less gruesome injuries. Regardless of his resilience, the swordsman realizes that the Hoshimi patriarch only has a few moments of life left at most, even if he were to similarly cauterize the wound.

 

“That was… quite the fight… my boy. Reminds me of when… I was a young man.” Souichiro says with a shaky smile while looking up into Wise’s light blue eyes

 

“It sure was, Souichiro. Now save your breath.” The swordsman says softly, beginning to apply some pressure to the wound. It’s a hopeless task but it makes the man feel just a little bit less useless.

 

“My boy… the warhead… grab it.” The patriarch says as he holds the satchel out with shaky hands.

 

Wise obeys and grabs the Shiyu Warhead out of the bag, holding its gently humming form with two gentle hands. “I have it.”

 

“We must… return Tailless’s power to its home. The longer the curse lingers in that device… the more of a risk that the enemy gets it back… not to mention an accidental explosion.” 

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“The curse, my boy. The foxfire… it requires a conduit to unlock the curse… allowing it to flow freely … a living being… only those of the Hoshimi bloodline have the power to survive and complete such a process.”

 

“You’re too injured, there’s no way you could do it successfully and even if you did it would kill you! We can wait for Miyabi to wake up and then-“

 

“No… Miyabi will not awaken for at least a few weeks… such exposure to foxfire for so long causes the body… to go into a deep hibernation in order to survive… it has happened to those in our family before… like her mother… I have to try before I pass on… it's worth the risk…”

 

Wise looks into the terrifyingly beautiful red foxfire swirling throughout the Shiyu Warhead as he thinks about what to do. His eyes widen as he gets an idea. “Sarah said the foxfire acts a lot like Ether energy, that’s why the Shiyu Warhead was able to absorb Tailless’s power.”

 

“She did say that… but what good does that do us…?” Souichiro says with a confused look.

 

“I have the highest Ether resistance in history. I’m no Hoshimi. But, if Sarah was telling the truth, then I may have the power to wield Tailless and act as a conduit.” Wise says as he grabs the katana off of the ground. “That vile woman was able to do it and she’s not a Hoshimi, right? Maybe I have the same ability.”

 

“You’re right… how could she… how could it be possible… unless…?” The Hoshimi patriarch’s eyes widen slightly as he trails off, his face filled with recognition as invisible puzzle pieces click together in his mind. Whatever realization causes such a reaction is quickly pushed out of his head by more pressing matters to attend to.

 

Finally, Souichiro shakes his head and answers. “Unlocking the fingerprint scanning mechanism is only the first step. The cursed flame has only accepted those of the Hoshimi family as conduits thus far, even if it’s only because of their resilience. It may be possible… but my boy, the risks-“

 

“I can do this. It’s the only way.” Wise says as he looks at the bottom of the Shiyu Warhead, finding the small nozzle that acts as a slow release system for the payload. The handbook says that a disarming operation like this should only be attempted in a White Star Institute lab environment, of which none is available. Silently, he thanks Yanagi for making him take so many classes on the ordinance.

 

The swordsman puts Tailless back into its repaired scabbard and grabs onto it with his right hand, holding the warhead in the other. After taking several deep breaths, he slightly unscrews the release nozzle on the bottom of the warhead. 

 

Almost instantly Wise’s body begins to glow a crimson color and every nerve of his body screams out in pain, his skin crawling with flickers of foxfire. The whispers he heard before return with a vengeance, screaming into his mind and soul to give into bloodlust. After trying to bite his tongue for a few seconds, he can no longer do so and screams out into the night due to the unbearable pain he’s feeling. It feels like every atom of the swordsman’s body is being ripped out, set on fire, and then slammed back into place with a pair of red hot tongs.

 

Finally, after a seemingly unending purgatory of flaming agony, it suddenly stops. The roaring of flames cuts off and their surroundings lose their crimson hue. Wise slouches over with his skin smoking, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. His hand releases the now empty Shiyu Warhead and it clatters onto the asphalt. In the swordsman’s other hand, Tailless thrums happily, its power returned to its rightful place.

 

“Incredible, my boy… you really are something else… you really do deserve a place in the Hoshimi clan…” Souichiro says with a shaky smile. A trickle of blood runs from the corner of his mouth. 

 

Wise smiles sadly down at the injured man while handing Tailless to him, wanting the dying patriarch to hold the precious heirloom in his hands one final time. “It’s a beautiful blade. I’m just happy I was able to return Tailless to its former glory.”

 

Gingerly, Souichiro grabs the katana with shaky, bloodstained hands. His red eyes scan its gilded carvings, knowing every contour of its surface by heart. “Wise… could you promise me something?”

 

The swordsman nods his head without hesitation, feeling his eyes begin to well up with tears and his throat tighten with emotion. His hands reach down and clutch one of the patriarch’s in between them.

 

“Watch over Tailless and my daughter for me …. as a member of the Hoshimi family… after I pass… honorless thieves have sought to steal this blade for generations and now is no different… if they get their hands on it, chaos will ensue and this city may well fall into madness… Miyabi will need your help to keep it safe… please, guide her if she gets lost and support her however you can…” Souichiro says with a shaky smile, his red eyes spilling over with tears. The area around his body is rapidly pooling with crimson blood.

 

Wise chokes back a sob and begins openly crying as well. He nods his head eagerly and squeezes the older man’s hand between his. The swordsman’s voice is thick with emotion as he responds. “I will look after them with my life, you have my word.”

 

The Hoshimi patriarch nods and reaches his hand over towards Tailless. The agent’s finger is still resting on the fingerprint scanner on the scabbard, which displays a red light indicating that it won’t open for him. However, the older man puts his finger next to his, causing the scanner to blink green three times. A small series of green text saying ‘new user added’ flows across its small screen before disappearing.

 

Souichiro coughs violently before smiling weakly, gazing into Wise’s eyes as he speaks for the final time. “Thank you my, boy… I wish Michiko got a chance to meet you as well… I can’t wait to tell her all about you…”

 

The Hoshimi patriarch rattles a wheezing breath out of his mouth and does not inhale again. His red eyes stare into some unknown point in the sky and his tears stop flowing. Souichiro goes limp in Wise’s arms and moves no more.

 

Wise chokes out a sob and lays Souichiro down gently on the asphalt, using his hand to close the man’s eyes, making him look somewhat at peace. Wiping the tears from his face he begins to stand up from his kneeling position. Reinforcements should be here soon to treat his stab wound and evacuate himself and Miyabi from the Hollow. 

 

“Freeze!”

 

The swordsman’s shoulders jump at the loud voice suddenly ringing out from directly behind him. He quickly turns his head around as he hears several groups of footsteps making his way towards his position.

 

Several PubSec officers and HAND agents are standing between Wise and the unconscious form of Miyabi. Their weapons are pointed at the tall swordsman and their expressions are hidden behind the Ether resistant headgear.

 

Realizing that he’s been misidentified as a Sons of Atlas member, he raises his hands and speaks to the officers. “I’m Agent Astraeus with Section 6 of Hollow Special Operations. We were ambushed by-“

 

“Save your breath, traitor! Mayor Bringer and PubSec already found out about your real identity! You’re under arrest for the murder of Souichiro Hoshimi and assaulting Chief Miyabi Hoshimi! Drop the sword and surrender peacefully!” The lead PubSec officer commands him while pointing his rifle at the swordsman’s chest.

 

Wise’s veins fill with ice as he realizes what’s occurring. Sarah must have been working with Bringer the whole time and informed him of what just happened. Souichiro is lying dead at his feet with a wound caused by Astraeus’s own cryogenic sword and Miyabi was unconscious the entire time. Only Sarah could vindicate his story and there’s no way that’s going to happen. Wise glances towards his right hand that’s holding Tailless in its grasp. If he surrenders and PubSec takes control of the blade… it will fall right into Sarah and Bringer’s hands. They must have prevented his friends from re-entering Dead End Hollow and helping him, no doubt ensuring them that the situation was well in hand.

 

“Do it now or we will fire!” The PubSec officer yells as several more arrive and surround him in a loose semicircle. In the background he can see a medical team heaving Miyabi’s unconscious body into a HAND ambulance. He watches her disappear into the vehicle with a longing glance. These men have already made up their mind as to if he’s guilty or not. The voice of Souichiro echoes in his mind as he stares into the featureless faceplate of the lead PubSec officer.

 

“Wise… promise me something… watch over Tailless… as a member of the Hoshimi family.”

 

“Okay, I’ll surrender peacefully!” Wise says as he puts his empty hand in the air. His other hand begins to lower Tailless towards the ground. At the last possible moment before the blade hits the ground, he pivots on a foot and begins sprinting towards a nearby alleyway.

 

A hail of gunfire quickly follows but the PubSec officers are surprised by his superhuman speed and the bullets hit the walls and ground around him. A few seconds later and he’s safely inside the alleyway and picking up the pace of his retreat.

 

“After him! Don’t let him get away!” The PubSec leader says from the entrance to the alleyway.

 

Wise’s eyes begin to fill with tears once more as his mind swirls with hopelessness and anger. The city he’s risked his life to protect thinks he’s a traitorous murderer and the men and women he once called comrades are hunting him down to kill him. If he surrenders, Sarah and her unknown organization will get their hands on Tailless. No matter how rampant he allows his imagination to conjure up the consequences of such an outcome, he still feels as if he is only scratching the surface of whatever destruction would ensue.

 

As he runs, Wise’s hands search his utility belt for an object that should still be in there. The swordsman’s fingers finally brush against it and he fishes it out. The Carrots he brought with him into Minoan Hollow are still in his pouch. With a final choked sob of anger and his brows furrowed with frustration and rage, he slams the device into his PDA. It beeps once and begins displaying a route out of the Hollow. 

 

Wise can’t return to Random Play and his sister or contact his friends because Sarah and Bringer will almost certainly kill them. He can’t return to HAND or they will shoot him on the spot. If he’s seen inside of New Eridu then PubSec will scramble every unit they have to hunt him down.

 

The only option left to Wise is to leave New Eridu alone and try to find a way to clear his name, keeping Tailless safe all the while.

 

“I’m sorry Miyabi, Belle, Souichiro… if I was stronger then maybe this wouldn’t have happened. I won’t fail you again!”

 

With a final yell of defiance, Wise leaps through an exit fissure and into an uncertain future.

End of Part Two: Delusions and Grandeur

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Chapter 15: Flawless Cowboy

Summary:

An unfamiliar scavenger stops for a drink at a roadside bar, meeting several familiar faces along the way.

Beginning of Part 3: To The Hunt

A tall man steps through a pair of saloon style swinging doors and into the dimly lit interior of the building. Above the door is a sign that reads ‘Joeyray’s Bar’ in neon lit letters, several of which are flickering or completely off. A small cloud of dust from the cool desert air follows the man inside as he enters.

 

Several heads lift up from their drinks as they hear the swinging doors open and close. However, after finding a familiar figure, most of them return to whatever they were doing previously. A small handful of the bar’s patrons shoot the man a friendly wave or a smile which the newcomer quickly returns.

 

“Welcome back. Care for your usual drink?” An old bartender says with one side of his mouth quirked up into a slight smile. A brown handlebar mustache, peppered with some gray, perfectly frames the expression beneath a short head of similarly colored hair. Already the owner is putting down the glass he was idly polishing and reaching for a bottle filled with brown liquid.

 

“That sounds nice, thanks.” The tall man says as he takes a seat at one of the barstools. Over his head is a loose fitting hood attached to a plain poncho, a common pick for Outer Ring denizens in order to avoid the harsh desert sun. Strapped to his back is a guitar case and on his left hip is a revolver that shines brilliantly even in the dim lighting of the bar. The stranger’s eyes are similarly shaded by a pair of aviator style sunglasses to keep the glare from his eyes. The bottom of his face is covered in a messy black beard.

 

Hanging above the bar is an extremely old looking TV. The static present on its picture indicates that it’s hooked up to an antenna or satellite dish on the roof. The device is currently tuned to a news station. Though the TV is muted, the tall man can see a headline reading ‘Mayor Bringer’s First Thirty Days In Office Have Concluded. Up Next: Did He Live Up To Expectations?’ scrolling across the top of the broadcast. The man narrows his eyes at the screen before reluctantly tearing them away.

 

With well practiced ease, the bartender grabs a spotlessly clean and polished rock glass from a nearby shelf. Simultaneously, his other hand wraps around a bottle of liquor and pours it inside. The man perfectly pours out three ounces before sliding the now full glass across the bar top towards the newcomer.

 

The tall man grabs it off of the scarred wooden surface and immediately takes a long draught, drinking nearly half of the rock glass’s contents immediately. With a sigh of contentment he sets the glass back down with a soft click. His voice is quiet but grateful as he speaks. “Appreciate it, Joey.”

 

“Don’t mention it. Way I see it, I owe you a few of those for free, Hipp. Maybe even a whole bottle.” The bartender says with a knowing smile while already beginning to polish another glass.

 

The tall man returns the small smile while looking at Joey from just over his glasses, revealing that he only has a single blue eye on the right side of his face. “You got bills to pay and kids to feed. I’m paying for every drop of booze I drink in this building.”

 

The bartender rolls his eyes as he sets down the glass he was cleaning, picking up another one immediately after. The man’s voice is slightly amused as he responds. “Figured you would say that. You’re one stubborn scavenger.”

 

“I prefer being called an ambitious collector instead of a scavenger. But, you’re definitely not the first person to call me stubborn.” Hipp says with a nostalgic smile, taking another sip of his drink a second later.

 

“So, any luck on your most recent job?” Joey says with a companionable tone. While he waits for a response, his hand grabs a rag and begins cleaning the top of the bar.

 

“Not especially. Pickings were decent but the Overlord’s people showed up and tried to take their ‘tax’ just as I was leaving. Had to leave almost everything behind.” The mercenary says with an annoyed grumble, swirling the liquor around in his glass as he does so.

 

“Damn thugs. Things just haven’t been the same since the last Tour De Inferno. Seems like us here in Blazewood are some of the last people free from their tyranny.” Joey says with a venomous tone and pained grimace. His hand clutches the cleaning rag with a white knuckled grip.

 

“Do you think that they would try expanding to this area too?” Hipp asks curiously.

 

“Who knows for sure, but I wouldn’t put it past them. The Motor League used to stand for something great. Now it’s just a shadow of its former self.” The bartender says with a crestfallen sigh and expression.

 

“I wasn’t in the Outer Ring when everything went down. I heard that there was a coup within the Sons of Calydon that killed their leader and the previous Overlord.” The stranger says as he drains the last of his drink and sets the empty rock glass back down on the bar top.

 

Joey’s eyes narrow towards Hipp as he stops in his cleaning duties. A moment later he refills the tall man’s drink and responds with a monotone voice. “That’s what the ruling Overlord is saying. I wouldn’t be too sure if I were you.”

 

Hipp nods his head with some confusion due to the vagueness of that statement. After taking a small sip of his newly refilled drink, he speaks. “Care to clue me in on what you’re trying to say?”

 

Suddenly, the swinging doors are thrown open yet again. The tall man and bartender both turn to look at who enters. A man wearing a leather biker’s jacket and a long red scarf walks in out of the cool evening and into the dimly lit interior of the bar. After taking off his golden framed aviators, the stranger begins making his way towards the bar.

 

“Evening. Are you here for a… package?” Joey asks the man with a familiar gaze.

 

“Not this time, old friend. Just here for the booze and people.” The newcomer says with a friendly smile. After a few more steps he takes a seat in the barstool directly next to Hipp. Everybody in the bar seems familiar with this man, either giving him respectful nods or familiar smiles. A much warmer reception than the tall man tends to receive. Odd, given that Hipp has never seen this man at Joeyray’s Bar.

 

A moment later, a glass full of the same liquor that the tall man ordered is in the stranger’s hands. He takes a healthy swig before turning to glance at Hipp with a curious glance. His dark green eyes that match his short head of hair study the guitar case on his back in particular. “You any good? With the guitar, I mean.”

 

“I’m alright. Some of my friends say I’m gifted but I don’t use it as much anymore.” Hipp answers in a monotone voice, still trying to get a measure of the newcomer.

 

“I can vouch for that. Never seen him play the damn thing once.” Joey says with a grumble.

 

“Oh? Then why do you carry it with you?” The stranger asks with a curious glance.

 

“It’s a valued heirloom of my family. I prefer to keep it as close as possible.” Hipp answers nonchalantly while taking another sip of his drink. 

 

“Your family has a guitar that’s a valued heirloom?” The stranger says with some amusement.

 

“Is that really so strange?” The tall man says with a narrowed glance of annoyance.

 

“I’ve never met somebody that valued a guitar so highly.”

 

“I’ve never met a stranger that asked so many pointless questions.”

 

“Touché.” The newcomer says with a small laugh while taking another sip of his drink, polishing off the last of it with a dramatic sigh of pleasure.

 

“My name is Nick, by the way. Nick Carmine. A pleasure to meet you, Hippolytus.” The now named stranger says while holding his hand for a shake.

 

The tall man looks at Nick’s hand for a moment before hesitantly accepting the handshake. “I guess my reputation precedes me. Most people just call me Hipp, though. My real name is a bit of a mouthful.”

 

Nick laughs and pulls his hand away from the handshake to wrap it back around his now refilled drink. “It certainly is. Heard your name when you first showed up a month ago. Made quite an impression since then as a reliable scavenger. I would have picked a different name if I was trying to hide, though.”

 

Hipp barely manages to stop his body from seizing up in shock and manages to not betray his true reaction at all. His right hand calmly and slowly sets his drink back down on the bar top, while his left reaches for the revolver strapped to his hip. Luckily the weapon is hidden from the view of Nick, who is sitting on a barstool to his right. 

 

“Not sure what you’re talking about, Mister Carmine. I don’t have anything to hide from.” The tall man says with a glare while wrapping his fingers around the wooden handle of his revolver.

 

“No need to hide from me too, Hipp. You really think I can’t recognize somebody who's on the run? Most of Blazewood is the same way, me included. It’s like looking in a damn mirror.” Nick says with an amused grin, taking another sip of his drink immediately after.

 

The tall man is about to undo the clasp on his revolver’s holster when he hears the roar of several motorcycle engines out front. All of the bar patrons turn to look towards the windows and swinging doors that lead to the road. 

 

Joey leans forward and speaks softly to Nick, his voice just barely audible to Hipp. “Are these the others?”

 

Nick shakes his head with a growl and grimace, draining the last of his liquor in a  single gulp and standing up. “Afraid not.”

 

Suddenly, the swinging doors at the entrance of Joeyray’s bar are kicked open. Three men step inside immediately after. Each of them is wearing a biker’s jacket with the same image and word painted on the back of it. The word ‘Vanquisher’s’ is printed on the back in gold and black letters above a picture of a similarly colored goat’s skull. The three men are each armed in a different fashion. One has two curved swords strapped to his back, another has a lever action shotgun in his hands, while the final has a semiautomatic handgun in his left hand.

 

The bar’s patrons seem to recognize and fear these men. Slowly but surely, many of them begin to filter out of various exits and into the evening air and are not stopped. After a few short moments only Hipp, Nick, and Joey remain in the building.

 

The bartender begins to reach under the counter, seemingly for some kind of weapon. However, the biker wielding the lever action shotgun notices immediately and points his weapon directly at his chest. “Don’t even try it, old timer. Step out from behind the bar with your hands up or I’ll smoke you now.”

 

Joey puts his hands up almost immediately, realizing the hopelessness of the situation he’s found himself in. He quickly circles around the bar and is grabbed by the sword wielding biker. A curved blade is held up to the bartender’s neck as he is taken as a hostage.

 

The man with the handgun, presumably the leader, takes a step forward and begins to speak. “You, with the guitar case.”

 

Hipp freezes in place and meets the man’s gaze with narrowed eyes. His voice is loud but not aggressive as he responds. “Yes?”

 

“You’re not who we’re here for. Get the fuck out of my sight and I’ll let you live.” The leader says with a predatory smile and makes a dismissive motion with the handgun.

 

Although he gives no outward sign of it, the tall man is beyond confused. They’re not here for him? Then that means they must be here for Nick or the bartender. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he stands from the barstool and begins wordlessly heading for the swinging doors.

 

The shotgun-wielding biker tracks his movement with the barrel of his weapon until Hipp has stepped through the swinging doors and into the cool night air. Unbeknownst to the Vanquishers, the tall man loudly runs away from the bar before slowly and quietly sneaking back. With gentle movements he sets himself down below one of the open windows to eavesdrop.

 

“Now that the riff-raff are gone, we can have a gentlemanly conversation. I’ve been ever so curious about this ‘Nick Carmine’ I’ve been hearing so much about. Or, should I say, Lighter? Champion of the Sons of Calydon.” The biker leader says with a sneer. Hipp can hear the sound of a chair squeaking against the floor before somebody sits in it.

 

“Lighter? That loser? Heard he was killed by the Overlord’s men. You got the wrong guy.” Nick says with a casual tone.

 

“Drop the bullshit, we know it’s you.” Another one of the Vanquishers says with annoyance. Based on the location the voice is coming from, Hipp guesses it’s the one with the shotgun.

 

“What, are you guys fans or something? I can give you an autograph if you let Joey go.” Nick says, seemingly confirming his identity as Lighter.

 

“That won't be happening. We’ve been hearing that a lot of Blazewood residents are secretly plotting against the Overlord’s throne. Including your friend Joey here.” The leader says calmly. The sound of somebody pouring themselves a drink can be heard from inside the bar.

 

“Plotting? I highly doubt that. Joey here is just a man trying to get by.” Lighter insists casually.

 

“Oh? That’s odd. We heard that Blazewood is harboring the regicidal traitors known as the Sons of Calydon. To think you scumbags would kill your own boss and Overlord. What a terrible thing to do.” The leader says with a mocking tone.

 

The sound of somebody shooting to their feet can be heard, quickly followed by somebody thumbing the safety on a weapon. 

 

“Damn liars! That’s not true and you know it! Your precious Overlord killed our boss and his predecessor in cold blood!” Lighter yells with righteous fury.

 

“Sit down before I blow your head off, dumbass. Joey will be breathing out a new hole in his neck if you do anything heroic.” The shotgun-wielding biker says with annoyance.

 

Lighter can be heard reluctantly sitting back down in his barstool with a growl. “You won’t get away with this. The whole Outer Ring will know the truth someday.”

 

At that, the biker leader bursts into laughter and can be heard slapping his hand against his thigh. “I find it highly unlucky that anybody will learn what truly happened during the Tour De Inferno. Especially considering that Lucius ordered us to slaughter every single person in Blazewood and burn it to the ground if we found any Sons of Calydon here.”

 

At this, Hipp makes his decision. He removes his revolver from its holster and stands up from his crouching position. All three of the Vanquishers are facing away from him and towards the bar area. With fluid motions the tall man points his revolver at the rightmost biker, the one holding a sword to Joey’s neck, taking careful aim at his head.

 

Lighter notices Hipp’s presence at the last second, his eyes widening in surprise just before the first gunshot goes off.

 

The bullet tears through the sword-wielding biker’s head, splattering gore over a nearby wall and causing Joey to slip free from his grasp and to the floor. The bartender puts his hands over his head and hugs the floor.

 

Hipp skips over the biker leader wielding the handgun, noticing that Lighter is already starting to rush him, and aims at the man on his left, the biker wielding the lever action shotgun. The Vanquisher is still looking around in confusion as he attempts to find the source of the gunfire. Just as the biker’s eyes lock onto the tall man’s hiding spot, a bullet tears through his head as well and he crumples to the floor.

 

Finally, the Vanquisher leader finishes turning to face Hipp and fires his handgun at him. The tall man ducks at the last moment and the bullet strikes his guitar case instead, causing an odd ringing sound as it penetrates and hits whatever lies within. 

 

Lighter, thanks to Hipp’s distraction, tackles the leader to the ground a moment later and wrenches the handgun free from his grasp.

 

While the struggle ensues, Hipp leaps through the window and makes his way over to where they are wrestling on the floor. He aims the revolver at the Vanquisher leader’s head and speaks calmly. “Lighter, get out of the way. I got him.”

 

“Wait! I want him alive, he might know something!” The champion says through gritted teeth, still trying to fully subdue the biker leader.

 

“I let you live earlier, remember! Kill this traitor and Lucius will reward you handsomely!” The Vanquisher begs with a desperate plea, his eyes staring widely at the tall man.

 

Hipp holsters the revolver and takes a step forward, stomping on the biker leader’s head with only a small amount of force. The man is knocked out instantly and ceases his struggle against Lighter.

 

The Champion sighs and breathes heavily for a few moments before standing up and wiping a few beads of sweat off of his brow. “Thanks for the save. I thought Joey and I were done for.”

 

“Don’t mention it. I’ve had a few run-ins with these guys myself and they’re all equally unpleasant.” Hipp says as he lightly kicks the unconscious biker leader like roadkill.

 

“Now… I think I owe you two bottles, Hipp.” Joey says while breathing heavily, his eyes still noticeably wide with panic.

 

Lighter laughs humorously as he walks around and grabs the lever action shotgun, handgun, and all of the men’s ammo. He walks over to the bar and sets them down on its surface.

 

Joey walks up next to him, having picked up the two curved swords, and sets them down beside the firearms. “I’ll get some of my boys to hide the bodies and clean up this mess. Hopefully nobody comes looking for them for a while.”

 

“Lucius won’t forgive this. Next time, he will send a larger force.” Lighter warns seriously.

 

“Goddamn murderous Vanquisher scum. Why can’t they just leave us alone?” Joey says with anger and frustration.

 

The Champion sets a reassuring hand on the bartender’s shoulder and speaks. “They will someday, my friend, we will make sure of it. Just stay safe for now.”

 

Joey sighs but nods in understanding. “I suppose you’ll be heading out with your new prisoner, then?”

 

“I can’t stay in town too long, you know that.” Lighter says with regret, already heading towards where the unconscious Vanquisher is laying.

 

“I know, old friend. I’ll get Mayor Kasa to call up the militia in case Lucius sends more of his thugs.” The bartender says seriously while falling into a nearby chair.

 

“I’ll be seeing you soon, Joey. Stay safe and contact us if you have anything else to report.” Lighter says with a final wave and heaving the unconscious biker leader onto his shoulder. He begins walking towards the exit doors, stopping next to Hipp on his way out.

 

“Care to join me for a small walk? We have yet to have a proper introduction.” The Champions asks with a weary smile.

 

Hipp silently considers the proposition for a moment. After a few seconds he nods his head and follows Lighter out of Joeyray’s bar. The pair don’t exchange any words as they wind through the darkened and mostly deserted streets of Blazewood. He occasionally looks behind them to ensure that they don’t have a tail.

 

Once the tall man realizes that they’re heading for the outskirts of the town, he speaks up. “Where are we going?”

 

“To meet my gang. Well, what’s left of them, anyways. My boss wants to speak with you.” Lighter answers with a grunt of effort, his legs beginning to shake slightly due to the weight of the unconscious biker leader. 

 

Hipp notices the man’s struggle and grabs the unconscious biker off of him, effortlessly heaving him onto his own shoulders instead.

 

Lighter mutters out a quiet thanks and resumes leading the way out of Blazewood. After a few more minutes of walking they pass through the town’s limits and into the desert surrounding it.

 

“You know, if I wanted to lure in and ambush an unsuspecting person, this would be a great place to do it.” Hipp says humorlessly as he scans the high cliff sides that surround them.

 

Lighter laughs loudly and turns around, beginning to walk backwards as he speaks. “Getting cold feet?”

 

“A pretty little girl like me has to be careful around strangers, you know. Can’t blame me for being suspicious.” The tall man says with a glare from his one eye.

 

Once again, the Champion laughs heartily. “I don’t think you should be too worried. You move like a soldier and seem to think like one too. That is why you offered to carry the prisoner, isn’t it?”

 

Hipp doesn’t say it, but he is silently impressed by Lighter’s observation. He did offer to carry the unconscious biker leader for that very reason. He is much less likely to be shot at if he’s carrying something that the enemy values, after all. “You’re smarter than you look.”

 

“Is that an insult or a compliment?”

 

“Dealer’s choice.”

 

“I think I’m starting to like you, Hippolytus.”

 

“I told you, everyone just calls me Hipp.”

 

“And I told you to be honest with me.” Lighter says with pointed humor.

 

“You think I’m lying about my name?” The tall man asks with an accusatory tone.

 

“I think you’re lying about something.”

 

“And you aren’t?”

 

“I’ll tell you everything when we reach my gang and talk to the boss. I expect the same from you.” The Champion says with a more serious gaze.

 

Before Hipp can respond, the dark night surrounding them is suddenly illuminated by two extremely bright headlights. The man’s instincts scream into his mind and tell him that somebody is sneaking up behind him. With flawless movements he unslings the unconscious man from his shoulders and draws his revolver. The prisoner is directed towards where the headlights are shining from to act as a human shield while the revolver is pointed at the shrouded figure attempting to sneak up on him.

 

“I fucking knew it.” Hipp mutters as he pulls back the hammer on the revolver while continuing to aim it at the mysterious figure. As his vision slowly starts to adjust to the lighting he can make out a helmet on the person’s head. Did the military finally track him down?

 

“Wait, Hipp! It's just a misunderstanding! Guys, drop your weapons, he’s a friend!” Lighter yells into the space surrounding them, his voice taking on a note of panic.

 

The genuine emotion in the Champion’s voice is the only thing that keeps the tall man from shooting the person that tried to sneak up on him. Slowly, they make their way into the headlight’s illumination as well. What is revealed is a short woman with long blond hair and red eyes. She's wearing a helmet on her head and wielding a baseball bat with spikes over its form.

 

“Lighter, you dumbass! Stop bringing strays back with you without telling us!” The figure yells in a high pitched and annoyed voice. Their bat is lowered from a combat stance and used to lean on instead.

 

“Come on, Lucy, he can help us! He has a grudge against Lucius and he’s a good fighter! Let’s at least let the boss decide.” Lighter says with some excitement.

 

“If she says no, can I light him on fire?” A new figure asks in a feminine voice, coming to a stop next to the Champion.

 

“No, you maniac!” The now named Lucy says with angered exasperation.

 

“Hey, I’m not a maniac!” The newcomer says with an offended tone.

 

“Enough!” A new voice says from nearby the truck, causing the bickering to cease immediately.

 

The woman’s commanding tone causes Hipp to freeze as well and slowly lower his revolver. She strides forward, her heels occasionally striking a rock and creating a sharp clicking sound. Once again her commanding voice pierces the empty air. “What will people think of us if we bicker in front of and threaten everybody we come across? Our path towards vindication doesn’t have any room for shit like this. Shape up!”

 

A murmur of apologies and shy affirmations follow immediately as the woman continues towards where Hipp is kneeling. She stops a short distance away, her form now lit by the headlights which gives him his first look at her.

 

She’s tall with a short head of sage green hair. A golden necklace spelling out ‘King’ hangs around her neck, its sheen matching the color of her eyes. Strapped to her back are an odd looking shield and sword. Her unarmed approach puts Hipp somewhat at ease. The leader’s short sleeves and skirt reveal a heavily muscled and toned body, her skin forming a canvas for an uneven and numerous painting of scars. Despite the warrior-like appearance, she has a friendly smile on her face as she addresses the tall man.

 

“Sorry for our manners, I’m afraid recent events have made us all a bit jumpy. How about we try this whole first impression thing again over drinks?” 

The leader sends her people away and leads Hipp to the interior of the truck that blinded him with its headlights only a moment ago. To his shock, he finds a fully stocked bar in the rear of the truck where cargo would usually be stored. Several short moments later and they’re both nursing glasses of liquor on barstools, a news broadcaster speaks about the weather on a small TV behind the bar.

 

“I’m Caesar King, leader of the Sons of Calydon. You probably guessed that already.” The woman says with a small laugh.

 

“I’m a bit new around the Outer Ring but I have heard your name before. I heard that the leader of the Sons of Calydon was killed a few months back.” Hipp notes casually.

 

Caesar suddenly has a crestfallen look on her face as she hears the man’s words. “That much is true, but it was our previous leader and founder, Big Daddy. He was killed by Lucius and the Vanquishers.”

 

“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask what’s happened? I’ve heard some… conflicting stories since I’ve arrived.” The tall man says honesty.

 

“The Tour De Inferno happened. I’m assuming you don’t know what that is since you’re an outsider. Every few years, we hold a race in the Cinderglow Lake Hollow with the goal of throwing a Sparkstone into it. This resets the Etheric matter building up and allows the oil fields to flow like normal. Whoever wins is proclaimed Overlord of the Motor League and is selected as the foremost gang leader.” Caesar explains as she stares into the bottom of her glass.

 

“You choose your leader through a race? Definitely sounds more exciting than a vote.” Hipp notes with a small bit of humor in his tone.

 

“It sure is. But this time, it was a little too exciting. Big Daddy accompanied us for the Tour De Inferno due to some mysterious happenings that were occurring at that time. Lucius and the Vanquishers sabotaged the race and corrupted their leader and previous Overlord, Pompey. We barely managed to beat him, and Big Daddy sacrificed himself to throw the Sparkstone into the lake. But… Lucius swapped it out for some kind of Ether Catalyst before the race even started. Instead of reducing the Etheric buildup, it drastically sped it up and Cinderglow Lake closed for good. The oil that the Outer Ring relied on went with it.” The woman responds while clutching her liquor glass in her hand. Suddenly, the glass begins to loudly crack. She sets it back down with a huff.

 

“So. Lucius blamed Pompey and Big Daddy’s death, along with the closing of Cinderglow Lake, on you and the Sons of Calydon?” Hipp sums up with a quiet tone.

 

“Yeah, and they’ve been hunting us ever since. We’ve managed to cobble together a loose network of resistance but they still massively outnumber and outgun us. I have people in Blazewood that keep an eye out for capable warriors with a grudge against Lucius. That’s how I heard about you and sent Lighter. I wanted to convince you of our innocence and invite you to fight by our side.” Caesar says with a friendly smile, seeming to shove the sadness she felt from telling her story out of her mind. 

 

“No convincing needed. That guy that Lighter captured basically admitted to it back at Joeyray’s. You were falsely convicted of a crime you didn’t commit, sounds familiar.” The tall man says with a crestfallen sigh.

 

The leader reaches over and rests a reassuring hand on Hipp’s shoulder. “You too, huh?”

 

Before the tall man can respond, the news broadcast being quietly played from the TV catches his attention.

 

“This just in! We’re getting reports that Hoshimi Miyabi has woken up from her prolonged coma and is due to give a press release sometime in the next few days.”

 

Hipp’s eyes shoot open and he stands up from the barstool, his one remaining eye as wide as a saucer as he stares at the television. One of his hands shoots out to turn up the volume.

 

“The Hoshimi heir has been in a coma due to substantial injuries she sustained during the Sons of Atlas’ attack on Lumina Square Amphitheater last month. The person responsible for the attack on her and the murderer of her father Hoshimi Souichiro is still at large, former Agent Astraeus of Hollow Special Operations Section Six.”

 

“She’s awake. She’s finally awake.” The man whispers under his breath as a familiar picture of the accused man is displayed on the television.

 

“Hipp? Is something the matter?” Caesar asks with concern.

 

The tall man turns around with a sigh, throwing back the hood of his poncho and removing his sunglasses. The man’s black hair and short black beard are still present, but the roots of each can now be seen and have a gray color. His one remaining light blue eye shines like a shard of broken ice on the right side of his face. Although the missing eye and off color hair isn’t the same as the picture of the news broadcast, his facial structure, gray roots, and light blue eye unmistakably identify him as the wanted man.

 

“My name is not Hippolytus, it’s Wise, and I'm the most wanted man in New Eridu. I will help you clear your gang’s name. In return, I need you to do the same for me.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Oh man, these have been flowing out of my mind so effortlessly these last few weeks. The base I work on was closed due to a snowstorm today so I was able to get this chapter out faster than I had planned. I hope you all enjoy!

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 16: Buyer’s Remorse

Summary:

Miyabi has awakened from her month-long coma and finds herself lost in her own mind.

Miyabi

 

Slash. Parry. Slash. 

 

“Chief.”

 

Feint. Slash. Slash.

 

“Chief?” 

 

Dodge. Parry. Feint. Slash.

 

“Chief!”

 

“What?” Miyabi says in a monotone voice, tilting her head to the side as she does so. The fox girl’s brow is coated in sweat and her chest moves up and down rapidly, her lungs working overtime to keep up with the rigorous training she’s putting her body through. Despite her seemingly calm voice, her red eyes seem hyperactive with slightly dilated irises. On her small hands, which are usually covered with thick calluses built through decades of sword training, are instead coated in bright red sores from overuse. 

 

Yanagi sighs as she takes in the state of her leader. The Deputy Chief’s pink eyes study the swordswoman’s demeanor and bearing. What she finds seems entirely alien to what she would usually expect. In the three days since the Chief woke up from her coma, she has barely talked to anyone outside of professional duties. The level of isolation is worrying everyone in Section 6.

 

Miyabi clutches a katana in her hands with a white knuckled grip. The blade is elegantly made, clearly forged by craftsmen of great skill and renown. Its polished steel has flawless and intricately carved depiction of crashing waves. Along the cresting white tips of these waves runs a beautifully drawn kitsune spirit with red eyes and black fur. The scabbard of the weapon is inlaid with gold and silver, its etched design portrays a sakura tree with petals falling from its branches. 

 

Despite the quality of the weapon, lovingly crafted by one of the Hoshimi patriarch’s relatives while Miyabi was in her coma, it is no match for the awe inspiring power of Tailless. Nobody knows this better than the Hoshimi heir who seems to regard the weapon with distaste.

 

Yanagi adjusts her glasses and responds. “It’s nearly time for the press conference. I drafted up some talking points and notecards for you to-“

 

“I’m not attending the press conference.” Miyabi says simply before immediately refocusing on the practice dummy she was striking a moment ago.

 

“Chief… Director Maruki and Mayor Bringer have both requested your presence. The people of New Eridu are concerned about their hero.” The Deputy Chief insists while taking several steps forward, getting in between the swordswoman and her target.

 

Miyabi glares at her through half lidded red eyes. After several moments, she lets out a deep sigh and closes her eyes. The ornate sword is returned to its scabbard an instant later with a high pitched whine. The Chief sets the weapon down on a nearby table and takes a seat in one of the many chairs surrounding it.

 

Yanagi smiles at the swordswoman before taking a seat across from her. She sets the stack of papers from earlier at the table while speaking gently. “We’ve all been… on edge lately. Ever since Astraeus-“

 

“That’s enough, Deputy Chief Yanagi. I’m perfectly fit for duty but I will not be taking part in any kind of press conference. Trivial matters such as that should be the farthest thing from a priority at this time.” Miyabi interjects, her tone carries an edge of steel that leaves no room for argument.

 

The pink haired woman sighs with exasperation. With soft eyes she reaches out a gloved hand to rest atop one of the Chief’s. She turns the hand so that the palm is facing upwards, revealing the multitude of open sores on the pale flesh, some of which are leaking small trickles of blood. “What I'm about to say to you is coming from your friend and not your Deputy Chief. You’ve been through something traumatic… something terrible. There’s no shame in taking some time off to process everything.”

 

“No. I… can’t. Thank you for caring but it’s… just not an option.” Miyabi insists a moment later, her voice much less harsh than it was previously. She is unable to maintain eye contact with the person sitting across from her. Instead, her gaze traces the intricate carvings on the scabbard of her new sword.

 

“Why not?” Yanagi asks gently while her finger slowly traces circles on the back of the swordswoman’s hand.

 

“You know why.”

 

“No, I don’t, and I don’t think you do either.”

 

“That’s not important.”

 

“It is to me.” Yanagi insists, squeezing Miyabi’s hand as she does so.

 

Several moments of silence follow as the swordswoman thinks to herself about how to answer. Why is she working herself like this? The first answer that comes to mind is that she always trains herself as hard as possible. Oblivion will not wait for her to be ready nor will it spare her even an ounce of pity due to weakness.

 

But, what Miyabi has been doing since waking up from her coma a few days ago is different. It’s unfocused, sloppy, and above all pointless. All her life she’s been a warrior. Visualize, train, execute over and over again. The enemy has always been plainly in sight and eager to do battle. Any threat to New Eridu or humanity as a whole must be eliminated with precision and prejudice. 

 

She is a weapon, honed by years upon years of physical and mental training to the sharpest edge that mankind has seen in generations. Measure twice, cut once. No enemy has stood up to her power since she formed Section 6 and that makes her proud.

 

But what good is that when she doesn’t know who the enemy is? All of this power that has formed the foundation of her entire being is suddenly useless. Even worse, the power she has built to protect others was wrenched free of her control and could have resulted in the death of innocents. Every answer she could want is impossible to find in her own head. After Tailless took control of her it took her memories of the incident with it.

 

Usually, when she loses herself in her own mind like this, she could just talk to the only person who really understood her. Father always has a way of understanding and knowing her better than she knew herself. But that's not an option anymore.

 

For a moment, she thought that she had somebody else that could understand her in the same way. Maybe she still does.

 

“I need answers and I can’t rest until I have them.” Miyabi says, breaking the prolonged silence.

 

“What kind of answers?” Yanagi asks with a gentle voice.

 

“The kind that will let me know who my enemies are and aren’t, and there’s only one person that can give them to me.” Miyabi says seriously, her red eyes staring at some distant point in space.

 

“You’re talking about finding Astraeus.” Yanagi answers knowingly.

 

“I’m talking about finding Wise.” Miyabi corrects quickly.

 

The Deputy Chief sighs and rubs her temples with two gloved hands. Suddenly, the woman seems twenty years older than she did previously. “Miyabi… he killed your father and stole Tailless… Mayor Bringer and the rest of leadership told us that he was a sleeper agent for the Sons of Atlas. You’ve read the intelligence reports yourself. I know it’s hard to believe, but-“

 

“You’ve given up on him already? I haven’t seen any proof that would convince me completely. Those reports are just words on paper.” Miyabi says vehemently.

 

Yanagi shakes her head and adjusts her glasses before responding. “There’s nothing in this world that I want more than for him to be innocent. But, the wound that killed Souichiro was caused by Astraeus’s blade. How could you explain-“

 

“It was a sloppy strike devoid of precision or talent. Any person who calls themself a swordsman would be ashamed of such a thing. Wise is… deadly and precise. Each blow he makes is like a strike of lightning or crashing of a wave. Overwhelmingly powerful and meant to kill in a single, well aimed strike. The wound that killed my father was… sadistic and unprofessional.” Miyabi interrupts, raising her voice slightly.

 

The Deputy Chief’s pink eyes widen in alarm before she speaks. “You looked at the autopsy pictures… why? I made sure they never crossed your desk.”

 

“Hiding from the truth is pointless and I refuse to do it. This is my burden to carry.” The fox girl says in a voice barely above a whisper.

 

Yanagi sighs before speaking in an equally quiet tone. “Miyabi… you need to take some time for yourself. Get away from this… mourn your father and-“

 

“How can I mourn my father if I don’t even know who killed him!” Miyabi yells as she shoots out of her seat. The Chief’s breaths are coming rapidly and heavily from her mouth and her red eyes are wild.

 

The Deputy Chief’s eyes are equally wide as she stares up at her superior. In all the time they’ve served together she’s never seen the swordswoman yell or show this much emotion. Her lips move in a way that should produce words but none come out.

 

After several moments of heavy breathing, Miyabi blinks a few times and slowly looks around the room. 

 

“I’m sorry. That was… unbecoming.” Miyabi says shamefully as she slowly lowers herself back into her seat.

 

“It’s alright, really, I don’t mind. However… we have been specifically ordered not to pursue Astraeus.” Yanagi says calmly. However, her face still carries some remnants of her previously shocked expression. 

 

“I have to find Wise. You know that.” The swordswoman states plainly as she finally finishes catching her breath.

 

“Miyabi… I know now that you don’t think that he did it. But hunting him down could be dangerous for both of you especially if it’s off the record.” The Deputy Chief notes with a worried expression.

 

“Maybe he did it, maybe he didn’t. Maybe he well and truly fooled me into thinking that he was someone that cared about me. I’ve never been the best at reading people. There’s just… something in my gut that tells me that he didn’t kill father.” Miyabi says with a crestfallen expression. All of the anger and frustration seems to have bled out of her leaving only emptiness behind.

 

“What do you hope to gain by finding him?” Yanagi asks curiously.

 

“There’s only one thing I can say for certain. When I look into his eyes and ask him if he killed father, I will know the truth. Should Wise somehow prove to be guilty I will cut him down where he stands without hesitation or remorse.” Miyabi states with vindication as her eyes glare at the sword laying on the table in front of her.

 

“I want to believe he is innocent, I really do. But the evidence that has been levied against him… the depth of the conspiracy necessary to fabricate so many records is a terrifying thought. There really would be nobody except Section 6 that we could trust.” The Deputy Chief says as she pinches her chin with two fingers, her face a mask of contemplation.

 

“Wise was speaking of such a conspiracy existing just a few days before the Sons of Atlas attack on Lumina Square. Mayor Bringer was the main suspect for his theories. A cynical interpretation may be that he was trying to make himself an alibi ahead of what he knew would happen during the mayoral elections. But… if he was always planning on stealing Tailless and running, why would he bother?” The swordswoman asks.

 

“Whatever the case he’s proving impossible to track. We left his sister, Belle, out of his official profile and background report to protect her and Wise’s identity as Proxies. I tapped all of her communications regardless and I’ve heard nothing except the genuine concerns of a worried family member.” Yanagi says with a huff.

 

“If you tapped her communications network then she knows about it. Belle is letting you listen in to help prove her brother’s innocence.” Miyabi says with a barely perceptible smile.

 

“How can you be so sure? Belle might be a Sons of Atlas member as well and they’re trying to maintain a cover story.” The Deputy Chief suggests half-heartedly.

 

“You really think that Wise would abandon his own sister and his, if your theory proves to be correct, partner in crime to her fate? You know that he’s smarter than that. The few times I’ve worked with Wise and his team I have seen their AI hack into satellites that don’t even exist on official records. Belle knows you’re watching.” The swordswoman concludes.

 

Yanagi removes her glasses and sets them down on the table with a loose clattering sound. Her gloved hands move up to cradle her face as she stares off at a distant point in space. Eventually, she speaks up in a quiet tone. “I trust you, Miyabi, and you’re starting to convince me that there is more to this than we know. However, what you are suggesting is treason and we will be executed if we are wrong about this. You need to be absolutely certain that this is what you want.”

 

Miyabi smiles sadly and looks into Yanagi’s eyes as she responds. “I think you trust Wise more than you realize. You illegally tapped his sister’s communications network without the knowledge of our superiors in order to protect him from a possible conspiracy. That’s not even mentioning you withholding the existence of his sister from official records. Your duty to our superiors is clashing with your heart’s belief in your friend.”

 

The Deputy Chief sighs and leans back in her chair, putting her glasses back on her face as she does so. On her face is a small but genuine smile. “You’re right. I came down here to console you and it seems the tables have turned. How embarrassing.”

 

“It’s alright, Yanagi. Your commitment to integrity is one of your strongest qualities and why I picked you for my team. Should this conspiracy prove to be real then it is their fault for taking advantage of such a fine agent.” Miyabi says reassuringly.

 

Despite her best efforts, Yanagi sniffles slightly and her cheeks flush red. Her throat is tight with emotion and she seems on the verge of tears as she speaks. “Things have been difficult while you were asleep. Leadership has been grilling me on Astraeus being a traitor and Soukaku was asking me when we’re going to go bring Asty-Ray home. I’m glad that we could finally talk like this… they had almost convinced me that he really did do it. I’m so sorry that I-”

 

Without hesitation, the fox girl gets out of her seat and walks over to where the Deputy Chief is sitting. She wraps the older woman in a warm embrace a moment later. “I’m sorry that I left you here all alone. Soon, we’ll all be gathered in one of our rooms and watching some terrible old movie together and this will all be a distant memory. Let’s bring him home.”

 

Yanagi reciprocates the hug after a moment, letting a few tears fall from her face as she does so. “Look at me, a crying mess after a single genuine conversation with you for the first time in a month. You’ve lost your father and yet here you are consoling me. I don’t know how you’re keeping it together so well.”

 

Miyabi stares unblinkingly over Yanagi’s shoulder as they continue their embrace. The swordswoman’s voice is soft but thick with emotion as she responds.

 

“I need to learn the truth of who killed my father. Then, and only then, will I allow myself to cry for him. Such is the duty of a Hoshimi.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Apologies for this chapter being so late. I spent the last week making smalls edits to previous chapters and outlining where I want the story to go in the future.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 17: Quid Pro Quo

Summary:

Wise explains his plan to clear his and the Sons of Calydon’s names.

Wise

“Say hello to Johann Godfrey, leader of the Sons of Atlas.”

 

“Hello Johann!”

 

Wise facepalms in front of the projector screen that he was just gesturing to. On the wall is a picture of a man with dark black hair formed into a picture perfect Burr Cut that looks like it should be in a recruitment ad. Stitched into his collar is the Defense Force insignia along with his rank of Master Sergeant. The man’s face bears many scars and a tight expression. The soldier’s deep green eyes are focused somewhere beyond the camera at a point only he can see.

 

“Burnice, I didn’t mean to literally say hello. I meant like… you know… actually never mind.” The swordsman surrenders after a short moment after realizing that correcting her is a hopeless endeavor.

 

“Oh… sorry.” The pyromaniac says as she visibly deflates.

 

Wise makes a dismissive motion with his hand along with a friendly smile, silently conveying that it's not a problem. After clearing his throat he begins to speak yet again. “Godfrey was accused several years ago of treason and a warrant was put out for his arrest and eventual execution. He alleges that his squad was sacrificed for the corporate interests of a businessman that was close friends with a New Eridu Councilor. Apparently, he knew too much about their shady dealings and they wanted him dead.”

 

Caesar scratches her face as her golden irises scan Godfrey’s face. A moment later she speaks up. “So, you think he’s in the same boat as you and you wanna ask him for help.”

 

“No. Godfrey turned to violence against civilians in response to being falsely accused which I will never do. However, there are some curious connections that I have been able to find since I arrived in the Outer Ring and even back when I was at HAND HQ. Turns out, their headquarters is somewhere near this area according to some Vanquishers that I interrogated. But more on that later.” Wise corrects before changing the slide on the projector yet again.

 

A picture of a purple recycling symbol surrounded by a simplistic drawing of a mountain comes onto the screen next. Underneath is text that reads ‘Ephialtes Energy Solutions’ in a bold font. 

 

At this, Caesar shoots to her feet with wide eyes. “Ephialtes? Those damn corporate scumbags! What do they have to do with this?”

 

Wise stares at the gang leader with a deadpan expression before he responds. “I was just about to get to that.”

 

Caesar blushes slightly before sitting back down in her seat and shyly nodding her head. 

 

Once again, the swordsman clears his throat and speaks up. “Ephialtes Energy Solutions moved into the Outer Ring less than a week after Lucius came to power. It’s awfully convenient that an Ether based energy company would move to this area only a week after the flow of natural oil stopped due to the closing of Cinderglow Lake. Almost as if Lucius always had a deal with them from long before he committed regicide.”

 

“It’s a good point that’s bothered me ever since the Tour De Inferno. New Eridu corporations always move into new markets quickly but Ephialtes was on a whole different level. If there’s one useful thing my father taught me it’s how difficult getting the permits for something like that is. A deal between Ephialtes and Lucius would certainly explain the sheer amount of resources he’s been able to command in such a short time.” Lucy states with an intrigued tone while her red eyes study the logo on the projector.

 

“Exactly right, I had the same thought so I did some digging. Turns out that the previous mayor of New Eridu, along with then PubSec Commander Bringer, pushed the approval through the council at record pace. Suspicious, but it could just be corporate greed in action and Ephialtes paid them handsomely for the trouble.” Wise continues before clicking to the next side of the projector. The image on screen is of an intricate circle of connected images, some of which are blacked out.

 

“Ephialtes Energy Solutions also designed the Shiyu Warhead that was the key to the enemy’s plans. It could be a coincidence if there wasn’t a second factor connecting them. Turns out there’s another person besides Bringer that has their hand in all of these affairs.” The swordsman says as one of the blacked out images is cleared, revealing a woman with black hair and green eyes. 

 

“Say hello to Sarah, probable leader or at least the highest ranked member I can find of OPFOR.” Wise says as his single light blue eye narrows towards a certain pyromaniac.

 

Burnice takes in a large breath before beginning to yell. “Hello, Sar-“

 

She is only able to get half of the name out before Lucy loudly slaps a hand over her mouth, silencing the outburst. “I’m sorry for the outburst, Wise. Please cont-“

 

Suddenly, Lucy’s eyes widen and she scoffs with disgust before yanking her hand away. “Did you just lick my hand?! Burnice what is wrong with you, that’s so gross!”

 

“Quiet!” Caesar yells, stopping the bickering of the two girl’s in an instant.

 

Lighter raises his hand from the back of the Steeltusk bar. “So, what does OPFOR mean? Is that the name of their organization?”

 

“Good question. No, OPFOR just stands for opposing force. It’s a term they used when I was in training when referring to an unknown or non-specific enemy. I have no idea what they are actually called or if they even have a name so I figured this was good enough.” Wise explains helpfully before clicking to the next slide.

 

Every box on the diagram is now revealed on the projected screen. Bringer’s picture is in the center and is only connected to Sarah’s picture right next to it. The logos of Vision, Ephialtes, and the Sons of Atlas are in a circle around her and are all connected with arrows. Off to the side is a picture of Lucius which is connected to Ephialtes as well.

 

“Now, Bringer is smart. He doesn’t deal with any of these things himself and does it all through Sarah as a sort of proxy. So, my plan is twofold. Connect Sarah to one of these organizations and then connect her to Bringer with rock solid proof. This will be enough to have an official investigation of them launched which will reveal the coverup operation they used against me. Once I have the proof in hand I can disseminate it using one of my connections.” Wise concludes with a small smile of satisfaction.

 

“This is great and all, but is it really going to be enough? Your plan doesn’t explain away your murder of Souichiro Hoshimi or your theft of this cursed sword thingy you told us about. You’re relying on them having records of it that would prove your innocence?” Caesar notes with a furrowed brow.

 

“An excellent point, that’s where this comes in.” Wise says as he unslings the guitar case from his shoulder and undoes the clasps. A second later he’s pulling out a small cloth pouch. Before closing the lid once again, a sword with an ornate scabbard and complicated mechanism can be seen within. Tailless gleams with a menacing light before being cut off from view. The swordsman undoes the string and dumps its contents across the bar counter. A single human eye, light blue in color, rolls across the polished wooden surface.

 

“Ew! That’s so gross!” Lucy says as she takes a step back from the bar in disgust.

 

“It’s kinda neat, I think.” Piper says as she leans in for a closer look.

 

“You’re crazier than you look if you keep some random person’s eye on you.” Burnice says with a wicked grin.

 

“It’s mechanical.” Caesar notes as she picks it up gingerly with her robotic arm, studying the device closely with her golden eyes.

 

“It matches the color of your remaining one. A mechanical eye that was in your head is your proof… it has to be a recording or a photo that you can use as evidence?” Lighter suggests intelligently.

 

“Bingo. My eyes record the things around me and send them back to my Proxy or handler while I’m on a mission. In case I temporarily lose contact with the network, the eyes have a failsafe that saves the last hour of video and stores it internally, then sends it in bulk once it’s restored. I didn’t have a connection in Dead End Hollow, probably due to a jammer activated by the Sons of Atlas or something similar, so it started saving footage and I didn’t renew it after I escaped.” Wise explains with a deep frown, remembering the events of that night in vivid detail. There’s rarely a waking moment where they aren’t playing on repeat in his head over and over again.

 

“Only an hour… that means it overwrites the old data if the recording goes over sixty minutes right? That means you had to…” Caesar reaches a grim conclusion and finds herself unable to finish her thought.

 

“Yeah, that’s right. I had to cut out my eye from my optic nerve by hand.” Wise says in a low tone.

 

Simultaneously, every person in Steeltusk shivers at the exact same time.

 

“Will… will your eye ever work again?” Lucy asks hesitantly, fearing the answer.

 

“The doc in Blazewood that patched me up after the incident said it’s possible, but he can’t say for sure until we try it with a new eye. Honestly it’s been far from my mind lately.” Wise admits with a crestfallen expression.

 

“Doc in Blazewood? Which one?” Caesar asks curiously.

 

“Doc Roe.” Wise answers quickly while putting his mechanical eye back into its bag.

 

“You know Doc Roe? I’ll be damned.” Caesar says with a wide grin.

 

“Yeah. We ran into each other a lot when I was an Independent Investigator. When he retired from the Defence Force he told me to come find him if I ever needed anything, along with a certain quartermaster whose services I hope I never need. I don’t think he expected me to show up with a hole in my chest and missing a good portion of my blood, though. I barely made it in time.” The swordsman concludes with a sad, nostalgic smile.

 

“Something still doesn’t make sense to me. You’ve been on the lamb for over a month now but you had proof this whole time? You mentioned earlier that you had connections capable of effectively disseminating information. Why not do so with the eye footage immediately?” Lucy asks curiously.

 

“As much as I would like to, it wouldn’t work. It is a single point of evidence that can be easily suppressed and doesn’t implicate Bringer in the slightest. I need to bring down the whole conspiracy at the same time if I want it to stay down and I can only do that by linking him to Sarah. Cutting off the head of the snake, you know? A paper trail will be required to properly convict Bringer and put him away for life. The first step was waiting for Miyabi to wake up from her coma so she can help me with that part of the plan.” Wise explains while taking a seat on one of the barstools.

 

“You’re that sure she’s going to help you? I get that you have a video but… she thinks you killed her dad.” Lucy says with a bit of apprehension.

 

“I have to believe in Miyabi, it’s the only way this works. I… can’t say for certain. But something tells me she doesn’t buy the story being fed to her by Bringer and the others. But, she will need proof. We both want revenge for Souichiro and I intend on giving whatever it takes to make that happen.” Wise says as he clenches his fist, causing his knuckles to crack.

 

Was he being a fool by trusting Miyabi? Wise certainly didn’t think so but he will be the first to admit that there are some less than practical reasons for his strong feelings. The fox girl that commanded his respect due to her overwhelming strength and kind nature was a constant presence at the forefront of his mind. Every night the swordsman would clean and polish Tailless before bed, often dreaming of Miyabi or warm memories of Belle after his sleep took over his mind.

 

The question plaguing Wise’s mind was why. Why is Miyabi so important to him? Objectively speaking they only met a small handful of months ago. There was every opportunity to turn Tailless over to Sarah or leave it in Dead End Hollow. The swordsman could have gone back to leading his independent investigation team of agents and never look back.

 

But then Miyabi would be left out in the cold, maybe even killed by Sarah and her associates, and Souichiro would have died for nothing. The mere thought of something like that happening makes Wise’s blood turn to ice in his veins. Even in such a short amount of time the fox girl has become one of the most important people in his life.

 

The truth is, Wise misses Miyabi. Her comforting and quiet presence by his side. The swordswoman’s reassuring power in a fight when they often fought back to back through overwhelming odds. Together, they seemed unstoppable, until Sarah turned Miyabi against him. Of course, Wise had never blamed the fox girl for what happened or for stabbing him.

 

If he’s to be honest, he misses every member of Section 6. Soukaku’s bubbly and childish nature always brought a smile to his face and a warmth to his heart almost as if she was his own daughter. Yanagi’s humble and selfless nature while helping Wise with the paperwork he had so much trouble filling. Even his after mission drinks with Harumasa are a nostalgic and oh so distant memory.

 

Nearly every fiber of Wise’s being wants to reach out to his old team, Section 6, or his sister for help with the terrible situation he’s found himself in. But, he’s familiar with just how brutal Sarah and Bringer can really be and has no idea how deep this rabbit hole really goes. If they or their mysterious organization were able to intercept the communication then the person on the receiving end could be found and killed without an ounce of remorse. The swordsman would never be able to live with himself if that happened. For better or for worse, his own death is far preferable to any of his friends or family being killed. He needs to contact at least some of them somehow, but he will have to be extremely careful with how he goes about it.

 

Caesar sighs and continues staring at the projector screen. “So. We take down Ephialtes together to get proof of their involvement with Lucius. I present it to the Motor League to exonerate myself and the Sons of Calydon. Meanwhile we look for a connection between Sarah and Ephialtes or the Sons of Atlas to help take Bringer down. Am I getting all that right?”

 

“To be honest with you, Wise, I don’t think you’re going to get much out of Ephialtes. The connection between them and Sarah is weak as it is and they’re a long standing and successful business. Any sensible CEO, Vice President, or President would have long since scrubbed any involvement with someone like Sarah or this OPFOR you speak of. However… it’s likely they still have evidence linking themselves to Lucius and the Vanquishers considering that someone had to have signed the land rights for their many facilities. For legal reasons they would have to keep those records. If we can just find a single one that predates the Tour De Inferno it will prove that Lucius premeditated the murder of Pompey and Big Daddy along with the closing of Cinderglow Lake.” Lucy continues after a short moment of thought. Towards the end of her statement her tone begins to take on notes of excitement and hope.

 

"I realize that Ephialtes is a long shot for my purposes but the Sons of Atlas have to know something about Sarah. She knew far too much about their operations and coordinated too well for it to be a coincidence. Even if I don't clear my name I will still help you all clear yours. A deal is a deal." Wise admits in response.

 

Caesar gets up from her seat and walks over to where Wise is standing. Golden eyes study his form for several long moments before the gang leader sticks a hand out for a shake. “I’ll be honest with you, Wise. We were stumbling around in the dark and taking blind swings at Lucius and the Vanquishers for months and months now. It looks to me like the Sons of Calydon finally have a light that could guide them through this darkness. I want to help you and I’ll need your help as well. But, I just met you, and I’m going to need some proof. Let me watch the footage on your eye to prove your story and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

 

Wise’s remaining light blue eye has a gleam on it as he eagerly accepts and shakes Caesar’s hand. After the agreement is concluded the swordsman speaks through an almost predatory grin.

 

“Glad to be working with you, Caesar. Let’s reach out for the truth together.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

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Chapter 18: Trident

Summary:

Miyabi and the rest of Section 6 endure the uneasy silence. A new player joins the game.

Miyabi

“We need to start working on this from our end, I simply refuse to sit on my hands and wait.” Miyabi says with a grumble while leaning further back into the passenger’s seat.

 

“Chief, you know it’s not that simple. Our hands are tied legally and I’m sure there’s a close eye being kept on us.” Yanagi says with a sigh, her pink eyes stay glued to the road as they drive down one of New Eridu’s major highways. 

 

“I understand that but still. There’s so much we could be doing instead of… nothing.” Miyabi says with more sadness than anger.

 

Yanagi turns her head for just a short moment to study her superior. The fox girl has deep bags under her eyes and slouches slightly in the seat. Her small hands, still wearing her fingerless gloves and armored greaves, clench the new katana in her lap with a white knuckle grip. All the while her red eyes dart around and look for threats even though they’re driving on a highway.

 

“Are you doing okay, Miyabi?” Yanagi says with concern, her eyes already back on the road.

 

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” The swordswoman says in a tone that isn’t convincing is the slightest.

 

“You can talk to me, you know. I don’t bite.” The Deputy Chief says with a small smile. Despite the joke, her face and tone betray just how worried she truly is.

 

Several moments of silence follow the offer as the car continues down the highway. Miyabi glances out of the window at the passing scenery. A variety of colorful cars accompany the late morning sun as their commute continues. Warm rays of orange and yellow paint the scarce clouds covering the clear blue sky. The sight would be beautiful if the fox girl’s head wasn’t a turbulent mess of thoughts and emotions.

 

“I miss Wise, Yanagi. My father is dead and I'm more worried about getting Wise back than mourning him. Is something wrong with me?” Miyabi says with a shaky voice with her eyes still glued to the passing scenery.

 

Yanagi frowns in response as she hears the questions. Suddenly, she is very aware that the Chief is in a much worse state than she previously believed. She opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted before she can get any words out.

 

“The Hoshimi clan has been requesting for me to go to our home and arbitrate his estate. I need to be formally recognized as the new head of the clan in a ceremony along with returning Tailless. But… I’ve been blowing them off. Accepting that offer would mean that my father really is dead and there’s nothing I can do about it. If I’m not crowned as the head of the clan then… some weird part of my mind thinks he still is and that he’s alive.”

 

Yanagi decides to stay silent. She can tell that Miyabi has a lot more to say and really needs to talk to someone about what she’s feeling. The Deputy Chief lets her foot off of the gas slightly to slow the car down. Their slower commute to HAND HQ will allow the fox girl to get everything off of her chest.

 

“I want to draw my sword and run away from all of this… cut through whatever enemies stand in my way and carve a path towards the truth. But I can’t. Instead, I just have to sit around and think about my father and how afraid he must have been in his final moments. Every hour of the day on the news they talk about Astraeus and my father, ensuring that I can never escape what has happened. What good is my strength if I can’t use it to save two of the most important people in my life?”

 

“Every night since I’ve woken up from that coma I have had nightmares. All of them are the same. Wise kills my father in cold blood with a sadistic smile that doesn’t seem like it could ever belong on his face. Then, he turns his blade on me and strikes me down, and I am unable to even lift a finger against him. I wake up and I tell myself that it wasn’t him, he would never do that. But then, why hasn’t he contacted me? Does he not trust me? Maybe he did really do it and he’s on the run.”

 

Yanagi nods her head slowly in response to Miyabi’s words. She carefully considers her response in her head before speaking up. “You and I both know that Astraeus would rather put his life at risk than have any of us come to harm. I’m certain that he will contact us when the time is right. If we rush this and make a mistake, a lot of people could die.”

 

“Surely there’s some way that we could help him? Wise shouldn’t have to carry his burden alone. Maybe I should go talk to his sister, Belle.” Miyabi says with a sigh.

 

“I don’t believe that would be a good idea. If what Astraeus says is true then this conspiracy could go all the way to the top. We might have eyes on us that are tracking our movements carefully. I exempted Belle from his background check to protect her identity as a Proxy. But if we draw suspicion to her then Bringer might check census records and discover her existence.” Yanagi warns with concern evident in her features. As nice as it would be to coordinate with the few allies they do have left, it would be far too risky to do so.

 

“They have a super AI. Surely it would be able to hack into the census records and scrub Belle’s name from the digital archives?” Miyabi says while raising an eyebrow.

 

“Maybe, but it would be a risky move, and what about paper records? Are you willing to bet his sister’s life on a probability?” Yanagi asks without taking her eyes off of the road.

 

The fox girl begins to look back out the window with a huff. Despite her frustration, she can’t dispute that the Deputy Chief is making a good argument. Wise is the only one that can operate alone and with true freedom due to his status as a fugitive. If Section 6 or his old team are going to help then it needs to be a low profile move with an abundance of caution.

 

“What about the HAND archives? Surely we could find something against Bringer there.” Miyabi suggests after a few moments of consideration.

 

“It’s a possibility but there’s millions of documents and the total hours of the security footage stored there has to be in the tens of millions. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.” Yanagi says with a small frown. 

 

Finally, the duo arrive at HAND HQ. The Deputy Chief shows her ID to the gate guard and they are let onto the base. Several moments of driving later and they have arrived in the designated area for HSO personnel. Both agents are lost in their own turbulent thoughts as they navigate towards the Section 6 office on autopilot. Several of their coworkers attempt to kindly greet them in the office but are completely ignored.

 

With a huff, Miyabi sits in her elevated chair at the very back of the office while Yanagi takes her own seat. What would usually be a numbingly boring Monday is taking place all around them.

 

Harumasa is, to the surprise of absolutely no-one, asleep at his desk. The only contributions to the plight being felt by Miyabi and Yanagi is the occasional snore and murmur.

 

Meanwhile, Soukaku is tapping away at a small tablet at her own desk. The Deputy Chief had purchased her a small learning device, naturally out of her own pay, to help the child better learn grammar and spelling. The oni girl has taken to her studies with the same voracious appetite she has towards food.

 

The elephant in the room, as it has been for more than a month now, is Astraeus’s desk sitting abandoned in the corner. After a seperate investigation team searched all of its drawers, it has gone unused. Even to this day the sight of its contents brings a small smile to Miyabi’s face.

 

A personal espresso machine sits in one corner of the desk along with a bag of ground coffee beans. Wise had insisted that the ones provided by HAND were ‘about as good at making coffee as a dishwasher’ and ‘an affront to taxpayer dollars.’ The swordsman had similar thoughts on the ground coffee provided by their organization. Such words should not be repeated in good company but often included the unfamiliar name Tin Master.

 

On the other corner of his desk is a variety of tools that Wise used to maintain his weapons. Several whetstones, blade oils, and bottles of polishing liquid make up half of his collection dedicated to maintaining his sword. While a selection of small screwdrivers, gun oil, along with various small rods and tools that Miyabi doesn’t recognize make up the other half. Her subordinate never failed to keep his equipment in top condition.

 

Finally, at the middle back of the desk lies an extremely small CRT TV and a video tape player. When Wise did give himself a break, which is rare, he would often put on some old movie that nobody else in the office would know the name of. To accentuate this interest are several movie posters scattered around walls nearby to his desk. The rest of the space is populated with the more standard fare such as intelligence reports, after-action paperwork, and reconnaissance photographs. Each of the items on the desk are beginning to accumulate a thin but nonetheless noticeable layer of dust.

 

The sight as a whole brings a pang of sadness to Miyabi’s heart. For all she knew, these items could all belong to a man who died a month ago. But deep down, she knows that Wise wouldn’t die before his job was done. Often to her chagrin, he is just far too stubborn to give up like that.

 

“Uhm, Nagi? I think this thing is broken.” Soukaku says from across the room. Her small blue hands shake the learning tablet up and down in the air. Naturally, this does nothing to fix the problem. But it does get everyone’s attention.

 

“Where’s Astraeus when you need him?” Harumasa mumbles as he is woken up by the commotion. Nobody in Section 6 realized just how many things the swordsman fixed around the office until he was gone.

 

Miyabi frowns at the mention and buries her face back into the paperwork she was reading.

 

Yanagi, who was on the other side of the room from Soukaku, sets down the report she was reading and begins making her way over. During her trek she gently slaps Harumasa on the back of the head for bringing up their former comrade. Once she makes her way over she picks up the tablet out of Soukaku’s hands. 

 

Almost instantly, her pink eyes noticeably widen and she gasps. Sweat begins to form on her brown as she finishes reading the screen of the learning pad. Her voice is quiet and shaky as she speaks. “Uhm, Chief? You might want to see this.”

 

Miyabi immediately stands up from her seat at the front of the room and makes her way over to Soukaku’s desk. Her heels make echoing clicking sounds against the stairs on the side of the room.

 

Harumasa, intrigued by Yanagi’s sudden change in demeanor, also makes his way over to where the learning pad is. 

 

The Deputy Chief hands the device over to her superior with a nervous glance. The screen of the learning pad is completely black with white text layered over its surface. Miyabi begins to read it immediately.

DO NOT AUDIBLY RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE, THEY ARE LISTENING.

 

SUBLEVEL SEVEN, RECORDS ROOM FORTY-TWO, SECTION EIGHTY-FIVE, ROW ELEVEN, COLUMN NINE.

 

THIS RECORD WILL HELP PROVE OUR JUSTICE.

 

SECURE AND HOLD STEADY. APOLLO’S CHARIOT CROSSES THE SKY AS THE ERIDANUS FLOWS BELOW. 

 

PHAETHON AND FAIRY STAND READY, ASTRAEUS PERSEVERES.

 

REMEMBER,

 

THEY. ARE. LISTENING.

Miyabi sets the learning pad down and takes a deep breath. All other members of Section 6 nervously exchange glances. Nobody wants to be the first to speak after such a bombshell. The swordswoman’s heartbeat thunders in her ears and the silence of the room only serves to make the sound even more deafening. They've finally been contacted. It seems a device that was not connected to any official network was chosen as a medium. Certainly an intelligent move, and the name Phaethon and Fairy are very familiar to her.

 

“It looks like it was just a small glitch, Soukaku. Everything is working now.” Miyabi says in a monotone voice while handling the device back to its original owner. Meanwhile she gives each member of her team an intense look with her red eyes, silently conveying a thousand words without speaking.

 

Yanagi nods her head and adjusts her glasses on her head. Her voice is completely calm as she speaks, devoid of any nervousness that would naturally result from such a revelation. “Well, I’m glad that it’s working alright now. I’m going to head down to the archives and grab those intelligence reports for our new case we were talking about earlier, Chief.”

 

“Thank you, Yanagi.” Miyabi says with a small smile and nod of gratitude.

 

Like a shell shocked man, Harumasa trudges back to his desk with wide eyes. The archer unceremoniously slumps into his chair and leans back. His golden eyes begin to idly trace the lines of ceiling tiles above him. It seems taking sick leave this week is unfortunately out of the question.

 

Soukaku seems nervous as well, but a quick ruffle of her hair from Yanagi and a reassuring smile sets her at ease.

 

Before the Deputy Chief can leave, Miyabi speaks up from the other side of the room. “Say, how about we all go out after work today? I feel like we’ve all earned the right to have some fun.”

 

“You paying, Chief?” Harumasa asks with a wide grin, suddenly looking like his old self.

 

“Of course, I would be a bad leader if I didn’t.” Miyabi says while reciprocating the smile. 

 

“Oh oh oh! Let’s get food too!” Soukaku says while standing up on the table and cheering.

 

Yanagi turns around and looks at her teammates one by one. A soft smile comes onto her face and her heart is warmed by the sight. Only one person is missing from this picture, but they’ve just taken a big step forward on the path to getting him back home. With the three groups combined they surely stand a better chance than they ever have before.

 

“I think that’s a great idea, Chief.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Sorry that this one took to long. This chapter and the next two have a lot of threads that run through each of them and I had difficulty weaving it correctly. The next two chapters should be coming much faster. Then, the finale of Part 3.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 19: Under Cover of Darkness

Summary:

Wise infiltrates the Ephialtes facility to find answers. However, he finds more than he bargained for.

Wise

 

Three days later…

 

“Thanks to our recon over the last several days, we have a pretty good idea of the Ephialtes facility’s layout. Our scouting of the Sons of Atlas compound has also wielded some decent results but nothing concrete, so we’ll save that for later. A group of about ten guards patrol the outdoor areas while a complement of at least five guard indoors. I’ve estimated their branch manager’s room to be around this general area but I don’t know where their paper records are stored. Once the two man team enters the building it would be best to split up and head to these areas separately to speed up the search.”

 

“Only two people? Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Caesar asks nervously.

 

The Sons of Calydon, along with Wise, are currently in the back of Steeltusk. On the projector near the back end of the truck is a hand drawn map along with multiple photographs. The swordsman is currently standing just next to the projected image and giving a briefing.

 

“Any more people and we will draw too much attention to ourselves. A small, elite team is the best option for an infiltration mission like this. Although we know that Ephialtes is dirty they still have level protection so we can’t go for an all-out attack.” Wise explains with an understanding expression. If anyone in this room would understand the intricacies of such an operation, it would be him. That doesn’t make it any less frustrating though.

 

“A sensible idea. I’m assuming that you will be one of these operatives?” Lucy says from one of the barstools. Her red eyes continue to trace the complex details of the map, seeming to absorb every possible detail.

 

“That’s correct. I’m the most familiar with this sort of thing so I will need to be there. Unless any of you are capable of hacking into their local network?” Wise asks with amusement, already knowing the answer.

 

“Pretty sure that’s a no. Okay, so Wise is on the team. Who else?” Lucy says with a curious glance at the other gang members.

 

“I volunteer. A good leader always leads from the front.” Caesar says with confidence.

 

“Sorry but I think it should be Lighter. You’re an excellent fighter, Caesar, but I’m not certain that stealth is your strong suit.” Wise says with a nervous smile. The swordsman is well aware that this was not the answer that the gang leader wanted to hear.

 

Caesar bristles almost immediately. Her voice is defiant but not angry as she responds. “What? No way! I can’t just send him-“

 

“Wise is right, boss.” Lighter interrupts in a quiet but firm tone. Slowly, he stands up to his full height from the wall he was leaving against.

 

“Used to do gigs like this all the time with my old merc buddies. I’m not exactly an ace when it comes to infiltration but I do alright.” The biker continues as he adjusts his sunglasses.

 

“My thoughts exactly. I need someone with experience in this kind of thing. It seems simple on the surface but limiting the sound you make, hiding your silhouette, and other skills of that nature aren’t as easy to pick up as you would imagine.” Wise explains with an apologetic glance towards Caesar.

 

The gang leader slouches in her seat with a crestfallen look. Clearly, she was very much looking forward to this mission. Despite her disappointment her voice is even as she responds. “I see the wisdom in it, very well.”

 

Wise nods his head and smiles as he walks over to where she’s sitting. The swordsman pats her on the shoulder reassuringly and speaks. “Don’t worry, you’ll be in the vanguard when we go to take down Lucius. You’ll get your fill of combat there.”

 

In response, Caesar shows an almost predatory grin of excitement underneath a pair of gleaming golden eyes. “Oh, I am looking forward to it quite a lot.”

 

“Once we find evidence of Lucius’s premeditated murder of Pompey and deal with Ephialtes you can take it directly to the Motor League Council. If what you told me about his popularity is true then the Vanquishers should be no match for all of the gangs combined.” Wise says confidently.

 

“That’s a good idea since they will be meeting tomorrow, the earlier the better. What about you, though? What happens if we don’t find what you’re looking for?” Lucy asks with concern.

 

Wise nearly matches the intensity of Caesar’s grin as he responds. “Then I’m going to burn down the Sons of Atlas compound myself and find the evidence there.”

 

“Did you say burn?!” Burnice says excitedly, suddenly waking up from the stupor that the briefing had put her into. The pyromaniac has a slightly unhinged smile on her face and a glint in her eye.

 

“I sure did. It should be a good time.” The swordsman says with an amused tone.

 

“What kind of weapons will you both be bringing for the infiltration?” Caesar asks curiously, completely ignoring the comment made by Burnice.

 

“Just this. Anything else will be too loud or cumbersome.” Wise says as he pats the guitar case on his back lovingly.

 

Lighter strides up to stand next to Wise. There’s an easy smile on his face as he speaks. “I’ll just use my fists, then. Never been much good with blades or guns. So, when are we doing this? We’re already parked pretty damn close to the Ephialtes Energy Solutions branch office.”

 

In response, Wise lifts his wrist up to check the watch he has hanging there. “We have two hours of sunlight left until nightfall. Let’s find a good place to put Steeltusk and get ready to move. Nothing shiny and nothing that rattles. Make sure to wear dark navy, it’s harder to see at night than pitch black.”

 

The swordsman takes several steps over to the projector and hits the button to change the slide over. At the same time he does so, he turns around to address the rest of the people in attendance.

 

“Operation Veritas will commence in T minus two hours, beginning at twenty-two thirty hours. Let’s clear our names for good.”

~~~~~

Wise’s boots crunch against the loose sand of the outdoor storage area as he lands as quietly as possible. It seems that Ephialtes took over an already existing building when they moved their regional headquarters into this area. Its perimeter fence has seen better days to say the least. Any sensible and defense minded individual would have paid to have a new and highly secure building installed. That’s corporate greed at its finest. While they make their way forward the swordsman could swear that someone was watching them from the high cliff tops surrounding the area. However, pre-mission jitters are nothing new to the agent and he pushes the sensation to the side.

 

Lighter finishes crawling up the same worn down area of fence that he did. Some kind of wild animal or weather has knocked the barbed wire loose from the top, allowing for easy access into the area it tried and failed to protect. A massive variety of crates is stacked up in this outdoor area. The champion takes a quick look at some of the labels and sees that it’s mostly equipment for setting up small Shiyu Generators.

 

“These guys move fast. They’re already prepping for a full scale energy operation in the nearby Hollows.” Lighter whispers to his companion.

 

“Time is money. They have exclusive access to these Hollows thanks to Lucius and a clientele that used to be entirely reliant on oil. Why wouldn’t they move fast?” Wise answers simply as they continue to slowly make their way through the courtyard. The guitar case on his back, with all of its metal components covered in black paint, rustles noiselessly as they move.

 

The massive piles of crates, stacked so high that it surely must be a workplace safety violation, limit the sight lines in the courtyard. However, this is a double edged sword. While it means that the duo won’t be spotted from long range by a patrolling guard, it does increase the odds of running headfirst into one.

 

Suddenly, Wise sticks his arm out to stop Lighter from walking any further. The champion gives him a confused look, but the swordsman makes a shushing motion with his hand and points forwards. Not even five seconds later and a patrolling guard passes by the area that the duo were about to walk into. After the threat has passed they both let out a sigh of relief.

 

“How did you even know he was there?” Lighter asks quietly.

 

“His shadow.” Wise answers simply while already making his way forward once again.

 

“What shadow? There’s barely any lights out here.” The champion says incredulously.

 

“It was definitely there. I did use the low light mode on my eye though.” The swordsman says with a small grin of amusement.

 

“That’s cheating.”

 

“Just lose both of your eyes in a mysterious explosion and get mechanical ones. Then you can see in the dark just like me.”

 

“… I’ll pass.”

 

After a few more minutes of carefully making their way closer to the building they arrive at the southern side of it. A variety of windows and small ledges cover the wall above them. The swordsman is able to count six floors towering over them with an unknown level of basements below. Only a small number of the rooms have windows which are illuminated. After a quick search he sees a window that’s partially open, no doubt to cool off the room it leads into due to the harsh desert heat, and a darkened interior behind it.

 

“There. That’s our entry point.” Wise says as he points upwards towards the open window.

 

“That’s on the second story, how are we supposed to get up there?” Lighter answers quietly while his green eyes study the area where the swordsman is pointing.

 

“Like this.” Wise says with amusement as he leaps into the air. His momentum carries him several feet and allows his hands to reach the upper ledge of a first floor window. The frankly insane amount of physical training he does really pays off sometimes. With yet another heave, this time with his arms instead of legs, he propels himself up to the bottom ledge of the open window. A final pull up gets him inside of its threshold and into the room within. The guitar case on his back didn’t seem to hinder him in the slightest.

 

“I’m starting to see why you HSO people get paid so much.” Lighter mumbles to himself. The champion backs up several steps before bolting forward and leaping into the air. By only an inch or less his hands make contact with the top ledge of the first floor window. Mimicking the movements of the swordsman, he heaves himself upwards with only his arm strength and reaches for the bottom ledge of the second story window. Lighter’s heart nearly stops as he reaches for the ledge and grabs only air. At the last second a gloved hand reaches down and grasps his forearm before dragging him through the window and into the dimly lit room.

 

“Thanks.” Lighter says breathlessly, his heart still hammering in his chest from the catastrophic fall he just narrowly avoided.

 

“Don’t mention it, buddy. First time on a stealth op?” Wise says with amusement as he pats the champion on the back.

 

“First time leaping from a first to a second story window with only my arm strength.”

 

“You get used to it.”

 

“I really hope that’s not true.”

 

“Oh, it is. Enough chatter, though, let’s get a move on.” Wise says with a chuckle before moving further into the building.

 

To the duo’s surprise, the inside is only lightly guarded. An occasional sleepy security guard passes them in the hallway as they hide. The men give a halfhearted sweep of the area with a flashlight before continuing their route. Wise is constantly on the lookout for some sort of security camera but never finds any. Just how confident are Ephialtes that nobody would dare to raid their facility?

 

Wise continues to think to himself as the duo slowly and quietly make their way through the dilapidated building. In a way, a limited amount of security does make sense. It’s not like they’re storing gold bullion or cash in this place and any valuable company secrets are locked down tight at their main headquarters in New Eridu proper. The only thing here is records pertaining to the area and maybe some evidence of a business deal with corporate big shots from the city.

 

If you were to ask Caesar, she would tell you that the idea of a piece of paper giving a person rights over a plot of land is ridiculous. The swordsman certainly agrees with that much considering the fairly desolate landscape that comprises this area. Regardless of their thoughts on the matter, more than a few parts of the Outer Ring do fall within one of the many districts of New Eridu itself. Meaning that all land is divided into acres and belongs to a singular person or entity.

 

Crucially, this includes lucrative rights to the as of yet untapped Ether energies of the Outer Ring’s Hollows. Wise is quite certain that more than a few businessmen have salivated over the amount of profit that would come from exclusive access to such a resource using Shiyu technology. However, such access was not possible due to the Motor League buying up every plot of land using money from oil sales and holding onto them with an iron-clad grip. At least that was the case until Lucius killed the Overlord and sold them all to Ephialtes without even looking at any other offers.

 

Shaking the errant thoughts out of his head, Wise focuses back onto the mission. After only a short couple of minutes they reach their destination. The branch manager’s office is at the end of a hallway on the third floor. The swordsman reaches to turn the handle and finds that it's locked. He reaches into one of his pockets for a lock picking kit but is interrupted before he can.

 

“Finally, something I’m good at. Let me get this open for us.” Lighter says as he steps forward and takes out his own kit before kneeling down.

 

Wise simply nods his head in response and turns around to watch their backs. Less than a minute later he hears a sharp clicking sound and the door swings inwards.

 

“Now it’s my turn.” Wise says as he takes a small PDA out of his back pocket and plugs it into a nearby computer. A series of text begins streaming across the screen.

 

“There’s two computers in this room, how did you know to pick this one?” Lighter says quietly from the entrance in the room. Every few seconds he glances outside to see if anyone is coming. 

 

“This one doesn't have a network cable plugged in. Any shady company worth their salt is going to store all of their most illegal documents on a machine that’s off network. Otherwise I would have just let loose my pet super AI to hack their entire local network.” Wise says with amusement as he continues rattling away at a keyboard.

 

“You have a pet super AI?” The champion says incredulously, glancing away from the hallway as he does so.

 

“Hunh? Who are-“

 

A patrolling guard, who approached the open door to investigate, catches a strong right hook to his jaw courtesy of Lighter and crumples into a heap. The champion drags the man over to the side and lays him down out of sight.

 

“Nice swing.” Wise says as his PDA makes a soft beeping sound.

 

“Thanks.” Lighter says nonchalantly as he once again begins looking out of the door. “Have anything yet?”

 

Wise nods his head and responds quietly. “Yeah, I just broke the encryption. I’m looking for keywords in their files now…  woah…”

 

“What is it?”

 

“I think we just hit the jackpot. Internal memos, audio files, land deeds… I have several hits for both Lucius and Bringer.” Wise says excitedly as he continues rattling away at his keyboard.

 

A short few seconds later he audibly gasps before speaking once again. “I’ve got multiple land deeds. There’s some footage of Bringer here too but I don’t have time to watch all of it now. I’m going to download everything that’s relevant then we need to get the hell out of here.”

 

“Got it, got it.” Lighter says quickly. With fast movements he undoes the gun belt around the patrolling security guard and commandeers his weapon and ammo.

 

After a few more short moments, Wise unplugs the PDA from the machine and stands up. He turns around and begins heading for the exit door.

 

The champion throws him the gun belt and opens the door. “You’re a better shot than me anyways. Let’s hope we don’t have to use this.”

 

Wise looks down at the unconscious guard for a moment and sees something that makes his blood run cold. A pager on the guard’s belt, with a wire on the top of it running to a small earpiece, has a red light that is blinking rapidly. “Uh, Lighter? How long has somebody been trying to reach him?”

 

Before the champion can respond, a deafening alarm rings throughout the entire facility as flashing lights blare to life on the ceiling. 

 

“We’ve overstayed our welcome, we’re retrograding the fuck out of here now!” Wise says as he sprints towards a nearby window. At the last moment he crosses his arms and leaps through the its threshold and into the cool night air. A thousand shards of broken glass soar through the night sky around him, almost looking like a tapestry of blazing stars. The swordsman plummets three stories and lands on top of a nearby cargo crate, denting its metal surface and forming a small crater. Such a landing would have instantly crippled any normal person, but Wise is no such thing.

 

The swordsman glances back up at the third story and yells. “Jump! I’ll catch you!”

 

Lighter stares incredulously out of the now broken window at the sight. His green eyes are wide as saucers as he stares outside. “Goddamnit, he’s just like Caesar. Why the hell did I volunteer for this?”

 

The champion takes several steps back with his heart hammering out of his chest. Through rapid breaths he mumbles to himself. “You can do this, Lighter. Just pretend you’re not three stories high and there’s a small army outside waiting to kill you.”

 

With a final yell of defiance he leaps out of the window and into the night air. Despite his best effort he falls short of the cargo container and begins yelling in panic.

 

Wise notices immediately and leaps forward from his perch, catching the champion in midair. Together the tumble onto the dusty ground below. 

 

“You’re insane!” Lighter yells as he makes his way to his feet and brushes the sand from his jacket.

 

“No, I simply took the quickest route to the ground floor. Which just so happened to be the window.” Wise says with a massive grin. The scene is made even more disturbing by the variety of small cuts on his arms and face from the glass. None of them seem too deep but they certainly must sting.

 

“Freeze!” A guard yells as he rounds the corner and points his handgun at the duo.

 

However, Wise’s lightning fast instincts have already been kicked into overdrive. In less than half a second he’s already drawn his own weapon, courtesy of Lighter, and taken a shot at the man. The round tears through the thin night air and embeds itself in the man’s forearm. With a yell of pain, the man drops his gun and falls into the sand. The swordsman fired with perfect accuracy by wounding the man instead of killing him. These guards are simply people trying to make a living after all.

 

The sound of many more approaching guards can be heard just beyond the wall of cargo containers in the courtyard.

 

“Where the hell do we go now? The fence isn’t broken in this area.” Lighter says as he takes a look at their surroundings.

 

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this.” Wise says into the night sky. With no time to waste the agent unstraps the guitar case from his back. His hands move with hesitance as he reaches inside and pulls out a sword lying peacefully in its scabbard. For the first time in more than a month, Tailless drinks in the fresh air all around them. For several long moments, his one remaining eye glances over the detailed and refined contours of its surface. With a final deep breath he presses his digit against the fingerprint scanner and the seal is broken.

 

“One sword keeps another in its sheath.” Wise says as he removes Tailless from its scabbard. The metal surface of the blade shines menacingly in the moonlight, almost as if the sword itself is overjoyed at finally being freed from its prison. The swordsman nervously glances at the containment mechanism that Souichiro repaired in his final moments. He says a silent prayer in his mind that it holds for just a bit longer.

 

“A soldier and a philosopher? You’re full of surprises.” Lighter says as his eyes continue to scan the perimeter.

 

As if on autopilot, Wise removes the handgun from his belt and checks the magazine with one hand. Fourteen rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber. Four extra magazines on the belt the guard was wearing. If his unwilling benefactor filled his magazines correctly then that’s seventy five rounds at his disposal. However, since he’s only going for non-lethal takedown, multiple shots may be needed. The prayer he’s been rattling off in his head slowly turns into a curse.

 

“Lighter, get a headstart. I’ll cover you.” Wise says as he stands back up to his full height. Despite the champion’s already tall stature he still only comes up to the swordsman’s shoulders.

 

“What? No way! I ain’t just leaving you here!” Lighter yells in defiance.

 

A pair of guards round the corner behind the champion and begin to raise their weapons. However, the agents handgun spits out two more rounds that impact their outer shoulders and send them screaming to the ground.

 

“You’re not leaving me. You’re getting a headstart. I won’t have as much background to worry about with you farther away from me. Take a roundabout path back to Steeltusk and I’ll follow. Go.” Wise says with an eerie calm, his trance-like battle mindset now fully taking over. The swordsman swings Tailless through the night air, causing a bright light as pale as moonlight to cut through the dark void. With a deafening screech it cuts a massive gash in the fence and sends most of it careening into the desert.

 

The champion stares at the place where the fence used to be with awe. A thick cloud of dust and sand, kicked up by the massive force of the blow, further obscures the area.

 

“Fine, but you better be right behind me!” Lighter says while slapping Wise on the back of the shoulder in a brotherly fashion. The champion reluctantly tears his green eyes away from the swordsman and disappears into the thick blanket of night.

 

Wise watches him go with a small smile. He picks up the guitar case and puts it back on his shoulders before jogging after him and at a brisk pace. A group of three guards attempt to stop him almost immediately, not seeing Lighter’s hasty retreat due to the darkness and thick cloud of sand. The first to round the corner spots the swordsman and takes a single shot at him. With well tuned precision his one eye tracks the bullet and his superhuman reflexes seem to make time slow to a crawl. Tailless cuts through the night air once more and deflects the bullet with a sharp clanging noise that reverberates through the night sky.

 

The men stare at him in utter shock as the otherworldly ringing sound continues to fill the night air. Wise lifts the sword yet again and wills a coating of blue foxfire onto the blade. The action causes the sword to scream into his mind in protest and his arms ache with pain. The sensation of wielding Tailless, certainly because he is not a Hoshimi, feels fundamentally wrong in both a physical and mental sense. Summoning the foxfire feels like bending your fingers backwards or stretching beyond what your ligaments can handle except a thousand times worse. If not for Wise’s superhuman Ether aptitude and strength, Tailless would have already driven him mad or more likely killed him with its strength.

 

At the sight of the blazing azure inferno, combined with Wise deflecting their first round, causes the three men to scream with terror and flee back towards the facility. Certainly a smart move all things considered. The measly paycheck being paid out to them by Ephialtes Energy Solutions doesn’t seem to be high enough to die for and the swordsman can’t blame them for that.

 

Several more guards attempt to stop him as he slowly makes his way towards Steeltusk but all of them either flee with terror or fall into the same with non-lethal wounds. The usual thrill and excitement of battle is absent from Wise’s mind. Combat is the ultimate meditation, the apex of both form and focus where a warrior can exhibit his craft and smite his enemies. But, cutting a path through these men just trying to make a living brings him no joy or satisfaction.

 

“They are weak, kill them!”

 

“The strong exist only to smother the weak!”

 

“Reach forward and cease the crown as is your birthright, oh champion!”

 

“This hesitation, this emptiness that you feel deep in your soul that has been present for so long. Finally you have the tools to fill it. You need only exercise your well-earned power and fill this void with blood and fire. Such is your purpose, your design, and your destiny.”

 

Tailless screams into Wise’s mind and he continues deflecting bullets shot at him by several pursuers. The final voice nearly makes his blood run cold. Is the sword… learning about him? The swordsman realizes he’s made a terrible mistake, can he really control this legendary weapon? The foxfire on his blade fluctuates in color constantly. Sometimes a light blue similar to Miyabi’s, other times a deep purple that seems entirely unfamiliar. Finally, as a bullet barely grazes his left thigh, the fire turns a blood-like red.

 

Wise barely feels the pain as small trickles of blood spill into the sand below and his one eye looks around in confusion. The guards have all fled so where could the bullet have come from? A small tug in his brain and a spark on his peripheral vision, courtesy of his superhuman instincts, warns him of the shot before the bullet has even left the barrel. Tailless whips up into the night sky and intercepts the large caliber round just before it hits the side of his head. A horrendous screeching noise pierces the night sky as the round is cut in half, impacting the sand to either side of the swordsman.

 

Following the path of the bullet, Wise sees a helicopter floating through the thick blanket of darkness above. Switching to his low-light setting he can see the logo of Section 9 on the side of the helicopter consisting of the number nine fragmented into many different but still legible pieces. They’ve finally found him. All of this effort and planning to avoid the attention of the New Eridu government has come to nothing. He hasn’t seen his family or friends in more than a month and has been forced to carry this burden on his own. Wise wants to scream into the night air, to rage against whatever cruel god has been torturing him for its own sick satisfaction. But… why should he suffer anymore? The power to take control of his own destiny is laying in his own two hands.

 

“They dare to hurt you?! Tear them out of the sky and have your retribution!”

 

The foxfire on Tailless turns a bright crimson as it screams into his mind. For a moment, Wise loses all control. The swordsman’s vision is nothing but red and an uneven smile full of malice is painted on his face. With a guttural yell of anger he slashes Tailless through the sky, sending a crescent of red foxfire careening towards the aircraft. Somehow, someway, a part of Wise’s mind must have still been in control of his body. The projectile misses the main body of the helicopter and instead impacts the rear rotor.

 

The aircraft immediately begins a controlled descent towards the sand below and a stream of smoke emanates from a small fire on the tail. With Wise’s enhanced vision he can make out the face of the man who shot him hanging on for dear life in the cabin. A person he’s well familiar with and even friends with, a man named Saito from Section 9, disappears over the horizon as the aircraft crashes into the sand. 

 

At this moment, due to the glimpse of the familiar face, the red clears from Wise’s eyes and the foxfire returns to its normal blue color. The swordsman looks down in disgust at Tailless after breathing heavily for a few moments. He quickly reaches to his back where the scabbard is strapped and grabs a hold of it.

 

“No! You wouldn’t dare to-“

 

The echoing voice suddenly cuts out and the foxfire disappears, plunging his surroundings into darkness once more. On the horizon there’s a golden glow that indicates where the helicopter has crashed. After taking a few deep breaths Wise takes off through the desert to reach the crash site, saying a silent prayer in his mind that everybody made it out of the crash in one piece.

 

To Wise’s relief he can see Saito dragging the unconscious but seemingly alive form of the pilot out of the wreckage as he crests the top of a nearby hill. The sniper from Section 9 spots the incoming swordsman and reaches for his sidearm, only to grab empty air. Saito realizes too late that the crash must have ripped away the handgun that used to be strapped there. At the same time he begins to slump into the sand as he bleeds steadily from a wound on his leg. A sniper rifle lays on the ground next to him with its barrel bent irreparably to the side, rendering it completely useless. 

 

The swordsman darts forward towards Saito as he lies bleeding in the sand. Similar to Wise, the sniper only has a single eye, although his was replaced by choice to accommodate an aim-boosting implant. His single, brown-colored eye stares at the swordsman with agony and confusion from under a buzzed head of black hair. Wise first checks to make sure the pilot doesn’t have any wounds before crouching down next to the sniper. Without wasting a single second the swordsman tears off his own thin jacket and ties a makeshift but nonetheless effective tourniquet. 

 

“Astraeus… what the hell are you doing?” Saito says through gritted teeth. The sniper’s single eye studies the swordsman with confusion, trying to find some hint to his true motive.

 

“Saving your ass, Saito. Isn’t that obvious?” Wise says with half-hearted amusement while tying the final knot on the tourniquet.

 

“I only got this thing because of you, ya know. Besides, I thought you went rogue. Command said you killed the Hoshimi patriarch and tried to kill Chief Miyabi. Looks like you definitely got her sword from what I can see.” Saito says with confusion, wondering why the swordsman hasn’t killed him yet. In his unarmed state it certainly wouldn’t be a difficult task.

 

“I’ve been framed by people way higher than the HSO. You need to convince your team to stay as far away from me as possible.” Wise says as he stands back up from where he was kneeling in the sand.

 

“Won’t need to worry about staying away from you if you got a bullet in your head, Astraeus.” A new, much gruffer voice says from directly behind the swordsman. 

 

Wise raises his hands and slowly turns his head away from the sniper and towards the unknown voice, feeling the cold metal of a gunbarrel against the nape of his neck. At first, only an empty desert meets his gaze. Slowly but surely he pieces out small shades of color that are out of place and spots where the flickering light from the fire doesn’t quite seem to illuminate the space behind him correctly. The active camouflage  suddenly flickers off, revealing a muscular man in heavy armor that nearly rivals Wise’s height. 

 

“Batou, don’t shoot him. There’s something more to this.” Saito says as he sits up in the sand with a pained grunt. The sniper gives one last concerned glance towards the unconscious pilot before focusing back on the standoff. 

 

“Why the hell shouldn’t I?”

 

“Astraeus could’ve easily killed me if he wanted to but he didn’t. Does that seem like the modus operandi of the frenzied terrorist that command told us about?”

 

Suddenly, both men freeze in place as they continue to look at the swordsman. Saito shoots a pointed glance at Batou and speaks once more. “You heard the Major. Stand down and let him go for now.”

 

Wise realizes that they must have received some kind of communication from their superiors. The tense atmosphere still lays around the trio like a thick fog. Mutual distrust is slowly giving way to confusion and doubt as the two men question the validity of the orders they’ve been given regarding his termination.

 

After a short few moments, Batou lowers his weapon but still keeps his finger near the trigger, breaking the tension that hangs above the group like a thick blanket. The large man’s voice is lower but still on edge as he speaks. “Fine. Go catch up with your pal over there. If you turn out to be guilty, you won't know I’m behind you next time until it’s too late. Now, move”

 

Wise steps out of the path between Batou and Saito as the large man moves forward to check on his teammates' injuries. Without a second of hesitation he bolts into the impenetrable wall of darkness surrounding the helicopter. The swordsman is grateful that Section 9 let him go, but is nonetheless horrified at the broader implications. HSO knows where he is, which means Bringer will soon know too, and next time they will be sending much more than a two-man scouting team.

 

After what feels like an eternity of running, he finally sees the darkened silhouette of Steeltusk tucked against the side of a small rock formation. Piper can be seen at the wheel while Burnice is on guard just outside of its back entrance. The pyromaniac nods and smiles as the swordsman approaches, opening the door for him to go inside which he happily accepts.

 

Caesar and Lucy sit at the bar inside nursing their respective drinks. When they hear the door open they both turn to see who it is, showing relieved smiles shortly after.

 

“You’re back! Did you get what we were looking for? I thought I heard an explosion earlier so I was worried.” The gang leader asks eagerly as she steps down from the barstool and moves towards the newcomer.

 

“We got the smoking gun. Land deeds signed by Lucius before the Tour De Inferno and signed forms of intent to sell them more land in the future. I even have an invoice of Ephialtes sending him the Sparkstone. It’s more than we ever could have hoped for.” Wise says with an exhausted smile while setting his PDA on the bar top. With idle movements he plugs it into one of his spare drives and starts a copying process.

 

Caesar seems shocked at first, almost as if she can’t believe it. For so long the Sons of Calydon have persevered while being hunted by both Lucius and the gangs they used to call their cohorts. Finally, it seems like their suffering wasn’t in vain. Maybe Big Daddy and Pompey didn’t die for nothing. With a shockingly fast movement she wraps the swordsman up in a hug, his large stature resulting in her head being buried in his chest.

 

“Wise, I… thank you. Thank you so much. I always dreamed that this day would come but… thank you.” Caesar says into his chest. Although her voice is muffled by his clothing, the swordsman can hear her voice quiver with emotion.

 

Wise stands there awkwardly for several moments, shocked by the sudden embrace. With careful movements he reciprocates the hug and pats the gang leader on the back.

 

Lucy tries to show an amused expression at the interaction, but her gentle smile and watery eyes betray just how happy and relieved she really is. However, her eyes widen after a moment and she speaks. “Wait, where’s Lighter? Wasn’t he with you?”

 

The swordsman can feel Caesar tense up while his own heart nearly stops beating at the same time. Lighter left before him and was moving much quicker, he should have gotten here first.

 

Wise opens his mouth to speak, but an odd noise cuts him off before he can. A radio sitting on the bar top that was previously playing some kind of rock music suddenly begins producing loud static before making a high pitched whining noise. Once more the swordsman’s blood runs cold as he recognizes the sound as the telltale indicator of a radio broadcast intrusion.

 

“To the one they call Astraeus, he who falsely flies our banner. We have been watching you for some time. Your friend is safely in our custody and unharmed. We wish to speak with you and discuss the future of New Eridu.”

 

“Our soldiers have seen your compatriots scouting around our compound. You know the way, bring only yourself. As a gesture of good faith you may come armed. However, should you bring anyone else, the prisoner will be executed immediately. Once you have arrived the prisoner shall be freed.”

 

“The dragon’s teeth have been sewn and we, The Sons of Atlas, shall reap. This message will repeat for the next twenty-four hours at which point the prisoner will be executed. Do not keep us waiting.”

 

Nothing but silence fills the bar of Steeltusk as the message begins to repeat. Caesar’s eyes, previously filled with unshed tears of joy, now dry and are replaced with unfiltered rage. 

 

“Those… absolute… goddamn… bastards! They think they can just take my champion and make demands of me!” The gang leader yells in anger as she grabs her shield and sword. Immediately she makes her way towards the exit door of the Steeltusk bar.

 

“We need to listen to them.” Wise says in a monotone voice.

 

“Wise is correct. I want to go get him too, but it’s just not feasible.” Lucy says with a grimace.

 

Caesar stops in her tracks and slowly turns around to look at them. “You’re going to leave him for dead?”

 

“No, I’m going to go get him out myself. The Sons of Calydon need to go to the Motor League tomorrow to present the proof or else you will have to wait another month. Lighter wouldn’t have gotten captured if I had just stuck to the plan and didn’t lose my cool.” Wise continues before slumping into a barstool. The sheer level of exhaustion the man is feeling can be felt by both of the gang members. Despite his clear exhaustion, they can see an odd look of calm and maybe even acceptance as well.

 

“So, you’re just going to go get traded for Lighter and let them do whatever they want to you? After everything you’ve fought for since you were exiled?” Caesar asks incredulously.

 

“No. I’m going to talk to whoever the fuck thinks they can play around with me like this and kill him then in front of the rest of their terrorist buddies. Whatever happens after that, happens… Lucy.” Wise says as he glances at the short noblewoman from across the room. After he finishes speaking he begins moving towards the exit door already, standing just inside of it’s threshold.

 

“Yes? What is it?” Lucy asks with a nervous voice.

 

“I need you to drive me into Blazewood, please. After that I need you to make a delivery to two places in New Eridu. Once that’s complete, consider your debt to me paid for the evidence against Lucius. I’ll copy the contents of my PDA for you before we leave.”

 

“Okay… as long as it’s alright with Caesar then I don’t mind. But what do you need in Blazewood?”

 

Wise turns around and looks at the two gang members with his single light blue eye, its form is framed by his long hair and shaggy beard that looks so foreign on his face. The iris burns like a shard of ice infused with the light of a dying star. With an eerie calm, he speaks once more.

 

“I need a weapon.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

This turned out way longer than I expected it to. Anyways, just one chapter left until the finale of Part 3, so stay tuned!

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Chapter 20: Ad Hoc

Summary:

Miyabi and the rest of Section 6 compile what evidence they have before receiving a special package. Two new allies that have been helping from the shadows finally step into the light. A pact is formed and a plan is made.

Miyabi

 

The next morning…

 

“Man! I really hate that Astraeus guy! Can’t wait until I get a shot at that traitor myself!” Harumasa yells loudly as he leans back in an office chair with a wide smile.

 

“Yeah! I can’t wait to rip out Asty-R… I mean Astraeus’s spine with my own hands!” Soukaku yells equally as loudly while jumping up on top of her desk and hoisting her large, banner-like weapon into the air.

 

“Soukaku. What did I tell you about standing on furniture?” Yanagi scolds half-heartedly from her own desk. The Deputy Chief’s pink eyes are barely visible from over the mountain of paperwork in front of her.

 

“Sorry, Nagi.” The oni says quietly as she climbs down from the desk and sits back in her chair. 

 

“It’s getting late. You’re all dismissed.” Miyabi says from her own desk, her red eyes idly tracing words on an intelligence report in front of her. When the Chief told them to make sure their unknown watchers weren’t onto their true motives this was not what she had in mind.

 

“You heard the boss, let’s blow this joint.” Harumasa says as he leaps out of his chair and begins making his way towards the exit door.

 

“Not so fast, Harumasa. I would like to suggest something.” Yanagi says as she files a stack of papers into a drawer of her desk.

 

“Fiiiinnneee.” The archer groans as he turns around and walks towards the Chief’s desk.

 

“What did you have in mind, Nagi?” Soukaku says eagerly as she skips forwards to be by her side.

 

“I’ll confess I’m curious as well.” Miyabi says as she stands from her seat and grabs the katana leaning against her desk.

 

“Well, I was thinking we should go out for dinner and drinks again tonight.” Yanagi says with a soft smile and a wink towards the Chief.

 

“Mmm, well you know I can always eat! I would love to!” Soukaku agrees immediately before clinging onto the Deputy Chief’s arm with a vice-like grip.

 

“Meh, I guess I wouldn’t mind. Just make sure it’s somewhere with a good drink menu. Gotta enjoy my Friday night, ya know?” Harumasa says with a shrug and a knowing grin.

 

“I suppose I wouldn’t mind. I’ve had quite an appetite lately since waking up. Let’s discuss where we’re going on the car ride there.” Miyabi says before heading towards the exit door. The clicking of her heels on the polished floor serves as a rallying cry for the other Section 6 members. One by one they follow her towards the parking lot.

 

However, just before they reach the final exit door to HAND Headquarters, they run into a familiar face. Director Maruki is strolling across the lobby and towards the elevators while looking at a small PDA. After a short moment he recognizes them and begins approaching.

 

“Good evening, Miss Miyabi. How have you been feeling?” The old man asks with a kind smile. The small PDA is put into an inside pocket of his jacket so he can politely focus on the conversation.

 

“A bit better I suppose. Thank you for asking.” The swordswoman says with a monotone voice and blank expression.

 

Director Maruki’s eyes scan the assembled group for a few moments before he speaks up once again. “Are you all heading out for dinner again? I believe that makes five days in a row this week.”

 

“The betrayal of one of my teammates and my brush with death has given me a newfound appreciation of my friends. I am trying to spend as much quality time with them as I possibly can.” Miyabi answers with a small frown. One of her fox ears twitches as a sign of annoyance or displeasure.

 

The old agent raises his hands in mock surrender with a small laugh. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to criticize you or imply you weren’t working hard enough. I was simply concerned for your well being due to… recent events.”

 

“Your concern is touching, sir. But I assure you I am still perfectly capable of exercising my duties to their fullest extent.” The swordswoman continues with a slightly narrowed glare.

 

“I would never imply otherwise. In fact, I would insist that I pay for your meal tonight with an agency account and allow you all to take some free leave. You may even take one of the Rolls Royce vehicles from the fleet should you wish it. I believe you and the rest of Section 6 have earned some R & R.” Director Maruki says with a kind smile. One of his hands fishes a black credit card out of his jacket and offers it towards the group.

 

“Free leave?” Harumasa speaks like an excited puppy. 

 

A death glare from Yanagi is enough to shut him up on the spot.

 

“Your kindness is heartwarming, Director, but I simply must refuse. It would be quite the controversy if the public discovered that Section 6 was getting preferential treatment from HAND leadership. Please have a pleasant weekend.” Miyabi says as she blows respectfully. Almost as soon as she stands up straight she’s making her way to the exit.

 

“Very well, Miss Miyabi. Please stay safe and let me know if there’s anything you need. I would be more than happy to help.” Director Maruki says while reciprocating the bow. 

 

As the final member of Section 6 leaves the HAND Headquarters building Director Maruki’s steel gray eyes follow their movements. The older man’s face shows a look of concern underneath a furrowed brow. With a heavy sigh he removes the PDA from his jacket and resumes his work.

 

Outside, Miyabi and the rest of Section 6 reach the parking garage and stop.

 

Once the whole group is gathered in a circle, Harumasa speaks. “So, which car are we taking this time?”

 

“According to the rotation, it should be Yanagi’s vehicle.” Miyabi notes after a short moment of thought. Her red eyes carefully track vehicles as they pull in and out of the top level of the parking garage. Overhead, a massive airship is making its way towards Hollow Zero while surrounded by a flock of helicopters. The Obsidian Division emblem shines like a second sun on the side of the vehicle even despite the weak evening light.

 

“I’m not certain that’s smart. I think that some members of HAND may be paying closer attention to us than we suspect.” Yanagi says with two of her fingers pinching her chin as her sharp mind carefully considers their options.

 

Miyabi turns around to look at the Deputy Chief with a knowing glance. The swordswoman’s voice is quiet as she speaks. “You suspect Director Maruki?”

 

“Not necessarily. I do think it’s possible that he’s been ordered to keep an eye on us. I believe he is genuinely concerned about our wellbeing.” The Deputy Chief responds with a worried tone.

 

“Well, a taxi is always an option, right?” Harumasa says after loudly yawning. His hands rest behind his head as he idly paces around.

 

Yanagi nods her head before responding. “I believe that’s the best course of action, allow me to-“

 

“Excuse me! Miss Hoshimi!” A distant voice yells. The exclamation bounces off of the many cars in the parking lot, making it sound like it could be coming from any direction.

 

Harumasa’s sharp eyes are the first to spot the newcomer. A gloved hand points towards one of the many exit areas of the parking lot. A man in a NEDF uniform is frantically waving his arms and yelling to get their attention. Miyabi’s fox ears twitch and turn towards the location.

 

“What’s his problem?” The archer says with a frown after finding the man.

 

“It would be best to ignore him. We need to get off of base on foot and get a taxi.” Yanagi says as she begins looking around to make sure nobody else is there.

 

“It might be something important, I'm going to go see what he wants.” Miyabi says in a quiet voice. Her heels make a sharp clicking sound against the hard asphalt of the parking lot as she strides forward. 

 

“Alright, just be careful. Call us over if something seems fishy.” The Deputy Chief says with a worried tone. Pink eyes study the distant figure from behind a pair of shining glasses. 

 

After a short minute of walking the swordswoman has already reached the exit gate where the man is standing. It seems he does not have the proper credentials to enter the HAND HQ parking lot, relegating him to the staircase running up the side of the parking garage. He is separated from the garage itself by a gated fence attached to a card reader.

 

“Oh, thank god you heard me.” The soldier says with relief. His breathing seems erratic and fast, indicating that he must have run to the parking lot.

 

After a short moment of studying him, Miyabi’s red eyes widened with recognition. Her voice is full of surprise as she speaks. “You’re that Private that Astraeus saved in Minoan Hollow. What are you doing here?”

 

“Yes ma’am! Private Jenkins reporting! I am infinitely grateful for both Astraeus’s help and your team’s! I would not have survived without it!” The young man yells far too loudly before taking a bow that goes far too low.

 

Miyabi can’t help but have a small smile on her face as the young soldier speaks enthusiastically. Wise mentioned this particular Private more than a few times in the handful of days between Operation Uppercut and the Mayoral election.

 

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Private Jenkins. Is there something I could assist you with? I’m afraid I’m quite busy at the moment.” Miyabi says in a quiet but not unkind tone. Regardless of the soldier’s seemingly harmless nature, her body is still wound up tightly like a spring, ready to leap into action if he tries anything.

 

“I’m so sorry for the interruption, ma’am! But it’s extremely important! I’ve received this in the mail and it says it’s for your eyes only. I think… I think it’s from ‘him’.” The young soldier says ominously as he begins shoving his hand in his jacket pockets, searching for the item in question. Finally, after an uncomfortable few seconds of searching, Private Jenkins finds a small box-like package and presents it to the Chief.

 

Almost instantly, Miyabi’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. The label on the package is addressed to a Private Wallace Jenkins and the sender is listed as Hoshimi Miyabi. Much more intriguing is the sender details section which contains the text ‘a memento from our trip to the zoo. Return to sender’ in untraceable block handwriting. ‘Our trip to the zoo’ can only refer to the now closed Minoan Hollow. There’s only one person there that would know both Miyabi and Jenkins from that particular operation.

 

“I shouldn’t open this here, there’s too many eyes. I’m assuming you and I are on the same page on who sent this?” The fox girl says in a quiet tone, her red eyes narrowed towards the young man.

 

“Yeah… yeah I know. I owe him my life. Delivering a piece of mail is the least I can do to repay him.” Private Jenkins says in a hushed whisper, his eyes now rapidly glancing around the parking lot.

 

“Not a word of this to anyone. No matter how much you trust them. Both of our lives are on the line if you do and so is his.” Miyabi says as she begins to back away and head towards where the rest of Section 6 is gathered.

 

“Wait, Miss Miyabi. Can I come with you when you open it? It may have been sent to me for a reason. Surely I’m not just a mule?” The young soldier asks earnestly. His face and tone seem to almost be desperately pleading in nature.

 

For a long couple of moments, Miyabi considers her options. There is absolutely no doubt in her mind that this came from Wise. The subtle reference to the events of Minoan Hollow along with the delivery to Private Jenkin’s address basically confirm that. 

 

She has to admit that her subordinate is going about this in an extremely intelligent manner. A person that he is officially unaffiliated with delivering her something by hand that was almost certainly dropped directly into his mailbox. Contacting anybody in these circumstances is risky, but this is certainly the best way to go about it if he has no choice. If Wise thought out his plan this much then it’s likely that he wants Private Jenkins to be involved too.

 

“Okay, fine. Meet me at The Silver Bullet off of Third Street. We’re leaving now.” Miyabi says, turning around and leaving before the young man can even respond. 

 

Yanagi gives her a concerned look as she approaches. Her voice is full of worry as she speaks. “You seem upset. Was he a crazy fan or something?”

 

Miyabi simply holds up the small box in her hand and speaks. “He made contact. Let’s get moving.”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

Thirty minutes later and Section 6 is piling out of a taxi and onto Third Street. Friday night is in full swing and the sun has just finished its terminal descent into evening. College students, couples, and groups of friends mill about the area and talk excitedly to one another. This area is known for having a massive variety of different bars, restaurants, and other attractions. 

 

The members of Section 6 have long since removed some of their more identifiable pieces of clothing and weaponry, most of it being stored in their respective vehicles at HAND HQ. Miyabi does not have her katana and has removed her cyan robe, leaving her in her usual skirt, leggings, and dress shirt. The legendary warrior looks like nothing more than a salaried office worker looking to have a good start to her weekend.

 

Yanagi has had the least changes, having only removed her naginata and shoulder pauldron from her wardrobe.

 

Soukaku has left behind her banner-like weapon and removed her signature jacket.

 

Harumasa has left his bow behind along with most of his armored pieces and the jacket tied around his waist. The yellow headband he usually wears around his head is now around the archer’s neck as a sort of ascot, topping off his white dress shirt quite fashionably.

 

After a short period of walking they arrive at their destination. The building itself is in surprisingly good condition, its fluorescent sign reading ‘The Silver Bullet’ cuts through the chilly night air with its bright light. Underneath the sign are several men who look like off duty NEDF soldiers all having a smoke. Standing a respectable distance away from the group is a lone man nervously tapping his foot on the pavement.

 

Private Jenkins sighs with relief at the sight of the quartet, jogging over to them a second later. Instead of exchanging words the young soldier simply matches their stride and walks with them into the dimly lit interior.

 

Inside is an extremely weathered bar with a massive variety of bottles on display behind it. Several men and women sit at the counter nursing various drinks and talking animatedly. Some of them have police badges hanging from their belts, others have name tags with various agency logos plastered on them, while others are wearing field jackets or other NEDF military clothing items. Altogether it’s an extremely odd mix of public servants and military members.

 

An old man sits behind the bar, his eyes nearly hidden behind a bushy and gray unibrow, and is cleaning a glass behind the counter. Although they can barely even tell the man has eyes, he reacts to their presence and speaks from behind an equally impressive and obscuring beard. “Evenin’. Booth again?”

 

“Yes, please. A round of four of whatever is on tap and a root beer. Don’t keep it open.” Yanagi says with a friendly smile, depositing a wad of cash on the bar counter which is quickly scooped up. 

 

“Gonna need some ID, kid.” The old man says to Jenkins in a monotone voice. The young man nervously produces his driver’s license and shows it to the bartender. “Just turned 20, eh? Guess that’s why you’re out celebrating. Booth seven is all yours.”

 

The man gets to work without another word, expertly grabbing a series of glasses and effortlessly filling them with bubbly liquid.

 

While the man works, the group takes a seat at the booth nearby. The construction of the booth itself is extremely odd. High walls are erected on both sides of it that go all the way to the ceiling, leaving only one side of it open to the rest of the bar. This open area has a drawable curtain made out of a strange material. As they all filter into the seats, multiple sound proofing panels can be seen on all of the walls.

 

Once everybody is seated Yanagi draws the curtain and the chatter from the rest of the bar suddenly and completely cuts off.

 

“Woah. What kinda bar is this? I can’t hear anything from out there anymore!” Private Jenkins says with obvious wonder. The young man’s dark blue eyes roam the interior and drink in every detail.

 

“The Silver Bullet is run exclusively by some former NEDF officers and is designed for people like us. The booths are entirely soundproofed and are meant for a group of agents, soldiers, or cops to relax after work and talk about the day’s events without being overheard. It’s a common destination for members of HAND.” Yanagi helpfully explains while adjusting her glasses.

 

“Woah. I had no idea places like this even existed!” Jenkins says excitedly.

 

“That’s the point.” Harumasa remarks with an amused grin.

 

Another few moments later and each member has a drink and the curtains are drawn yet again.

 

“We know that some of Bringer’s insiders in HAND have bugged multiple parts of the Section 6 offices and most likely our personal vehicles. Since they did it internally and some of them outrank us there’s nothing we can officially do about it. However, The Silver Bullet runs bug sniffers over every inch of this place every day. It’s the safest place to have a confidential conversation.” Yanagi explains with a grim tone.

 

“Wait, Bringer? What did he do?” Jenkins asks in confusion.

 

“We will explain everything, including the evidence we already have. First, the package.” Miyabi says as she brings out the small box and sets it on the table. It’s roughly the same size and shape as a case one would put an engagement ring in. 

 

“You think it’s from Astraeus?” Yanagi asks curiously.

 

“I know it is.” Miyabi says as she gently opens up the box. Everybody at the table leans forward and holds their breath due to the anticipation. 

 

The first thing to fall out is a business card. The front of the card says ‘Thanks For Choosing Leaps and Bounds Logistics’ in a standard black font.

 

“A business card? Wasn’t this hand delivered?” Harumasa says in confusion, taking the card into his hands.

 

“It was. Some of my friends at the barracks said it was a short blonde girl on a motorcycle. Must have been one of the Leaps and Bounds Logistics people.” Jenkins adds.

 

“Wise wouldn’t have put that in there unless it was significant. Leaps and Bounds operate out of the Outer Ring. That may be where he’s hiding.” Miyabi says in a quiet voice as she continues removing items from the box. The next one nearly makes her heart leap out of her chest.

 

A small and white piece of metal in a zig-zag shaped pattern is revealed. The fox girl would recognize it anywhere. It’s one of the charms that usually hangs from Tailless.

 

“He’s letting us know that he still has Tailless in his possession.” Yanagi notes, also recognizing the charm due to how long she’s served with the Chief.

 

If Miyabi thought that the sword charm made her heart leap out of her chest, then the next item stopped it entirely. A single light blue eye rolls out of the box and across the table, coming to a stop next to Soukaku’s root beer.

 

“Oh… my goodness.” Yanagi says with a small sound of panic. The Deputy Chief is leaning back in the booth about as far as physically possible with Private Jenkins mimicking her movements almost exactly.

 

“Woah, cool!” Soukaku and Harumasa speak at the exact same time, seemingly unphased by the grisly sight.

 

“It’s light blue and mechanical… one of Wise’s eyes, then?” Miyabi says as she gently picks up the sphere between two of her fingers, studying it closely. As she turns it around a small wafer-shaped piece of plastic drops out of the back.

 

“Some kind of storage device… my personal PDA should be able to read it.” Jenkins remarks as he fishes a small tablet out of his jacket pocket.

 

“You’re sure you’ve never used it for official duties?” Yanagi asks seriously, narrowing her pink eyes at the device.

 

“I’m certain. I mostly just use it to watch TV shows to be honest.” The young man says with a sheepish laugh. Jenkins gently takes the drive from Miyabi’s hands and plugs it into his PDA a moment later. He rapidly taps a few buttons and brings up information on the tablet. 

 

“Looks like there’s… two files on here. One of them is a short video file and the other is a text document. Which would you like me to do first?” Private Jenkins asks curiously, posing the question directly to Miyabi.

 

“Text first because it’s quicker. We can do the video after.” The Chief decides instantly. The words come quickly and her tone betrays just how impatient she’s feeling.

 

Private Jenkins simply nods his head. His fingers quickly tap against the PDA’s touch screen as he selects the text file and brings it up. The soldier clears his throat and begins reading it. “Miyabi will elect to read the text file first because it’s the most efficient option.”

 

This earns a small round of laughter from those at the table. The fox girl in question simply shrinks further into her seat and her ears press slightly against her head.

 

With a small smile of his own, Private Jenkins continues reading. “That being said, if anyone else is present, she should be alone when watching the video. It’s for the best. Once you have, Miyabi, go to the place where my family first met yours. What is inside the mailbox that you leaned against all those months ago will prove our justice. This is all I can do, the rest is up to you. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused all of you.”

 

The soldier slightly lowers the PDA to indicate that the text file is done being read. Each person at the table slowly meets the eyes of one another. Nervous glances and tight expressions ring the area around the light blue eye in its center. Its iris seems to track each of them independently, silently judging their reactions.

 

“Everybody, out. I’ll join you when I’m done.” Miyabi states plainly but with an edge of determination in her voice. Her tone makes it clear that there’s no room for argument.

 

The rest of the group wordlessly stand up and shuffle out of the booth, moving the thick cloth isolating them from the rest of the room as they do so.

 

Yanagi gives her superior one last worried glance before putting the curtain back in place, leaving the Chief well and truly on her own.

 

Miyabi hesitates for a long moment with one of her calloused fingers hovering over the play button on the tablet. Whatever this recording is, it was made from Wise’s perspective and will seemingly prove his innocence. Basic logic says that this tape will include her father’s final moments along with his true killer. The truth is finally right in front of her. All she needs to do is reach out and grab it.

 

With a final huff her finger crosses the short distance to the PDA and hits the play button. The first thing to meet her gaze is a roaring inferno…

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

Miyabi slams the PDA back onto the table with a loud thumping sound followed by a crack as its screen shatters. Her red eyes are filled to the brim with tears that slowly fall down her face, collecting into a small but growing puddle on the polished wooden surface of the table. The final image of the video is preserved on the shattered screen which features Wise cutting out his own eye with a small pocket knife.

 

The fox girl’s head is a whirling vortex of conflicting thoughts and emotions. The fact that Wise didn’t kill her father is a relief. But, at the same time, none of this would have happened if she had better control over Tailless. She almost killed Wise and didn’t even remember doing it. Her subordinate has been trying to clear his name and apologize to her when he is the one who really deserves an apology.

 

Miyabi shakes her head causing her ears, which were pressed nearly against her head, to perk back up and wave side to side. Immediately she closes her tear filled eyes and begins breathing deeply and meditating. The doubt, the sadness, the fury, her father’s eyes as he took his final breath, and the look of betrayal on Wise’s face as she plunged her blade into his chest. All of it is pushed out of her mind as she calmly exhales and opens her eyes once more.

 

There will be time to mourn her father and ask Wise for forgiveness later. Right now, New Eridu is falling into the hands of some nefarious organization. The city she has fought so hard to protect… no, the city her family has sacrificed everything to protect is under threat. This Sarah person that killed her father seems to be the senior most member of this hostile force. Miyabi would recognize that black hair and green eyes anywhere. The evidence that Phaethon had her team look for in the HAND Archives included a picture of her speaking with Mayor Bringer in his PubSec days. The pieces they need for retribution are slowly falling into place. 

 

The final detail of the text file left by Wise sticks in Miyabi’s mind as her heart rate slowly returns to normal and her tears dry. The place where his family first met hers? The swordswoman’s mind races to find a possible meaning before quickly landing on the most likely, if only, answer. The alleyway that the stable fissure in Hollow Zero spit them out in all those months ago. 

 

Miyabi’s red eyes widen immediately as her mind fits the details into place. She did lean against a mailbox in that alleyway as Wise spoke to his sister, which as far as she knows is the only family he has left. The fox girl knows the way and it isn’t far from The Silver Bullet.

 

The fox girl rips open the curtain and throws herself out of the booth, startling her companions out of their quiet conversation. Wise wouldn’t have sent the evidence separately if it wasn’t incredibly important. A dead drop is certainly the most secure way of transferring any kind of documents or object.

 

“Miyabi? What’s wrong?” Yanagi asks with concern. A gloved hand reaches out towards the swordswoman’s shoulder. 

 

The tracks of dried tears on Miyabi’s cheeks don’t escape anyone’s notice as she steps into the better lighting of the bar area. Her voice is urgent and she doesn’t stop as she speaks. “It’s urgent, I need to go now. Yanagi, secure the package inside of the booth and process the evidence. Prep Section 6 for a combat op and get Zhu Yuan up to speed. Tonight is the night we make our move. Stand by for further orders once you’re back at HAND HQ.”

 

“Chief… is it really happening? Did he find what we needed?” Yanagi asks with a hopeful tone. Harumasa and Soukaku also lean in closer with hesitant looks of optimism.

 

“Wise wouldn’t send me a dead drop like this if it wasn’t extremely important. Combined with what we already have it should be enough for a warrant. Bringer will flee once an investigation has been launched.” Miyabi says as she continues heading for the exit door. The rest of the group follows suit with grim determination etched onto their faces.

 

“Miss Miyabi, I can drive us there! I’m the only one that didn’t take a taxi here.” Jenkins says eagerly as he matches her stride.

 

“Thank you, Private Jenkins. Don’t let up on the gas. Time is of the essence.”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

Jenkin’s car screeches to a stop on the road next to the alleyway. Before it has fully come to a standstill Miyabi is already stepping out of the passenger door. Once she has exited she turns around to speak. “Wait here and keep the engine running. We may need to leave in a hurry.”

 

“Copy. Stay safe out there, ma’am.” Jenkins says with a serious nod. Already his head is on a slow swivel, scanning their surroundings for any threats.

 

Miyabi runs into the familiar alleyway, guided by her fond memories of the night she met Wise. Just as the pale colored mailbox that’s covered in graffiti comes into view she can hear another set of footsteps approaching. On instinct the fox girl goes to pop the seal on her replacement katana and gets into a loose combat stance, only to find air where it would usually be strapped. Whatever anxiety she’s feeling disappears in an instant when Belle rounds the corner across from her.

 

Both sets of eyes widen with recognition when they come into contact with one another. Belle has a small smile on her face as she speaks. “Ah, I suppose he sent you a message as well?”

 

“That’s right. It’s… good to see you, Belle.” Miyabi says with a gentle tone and warm smile. The sight of Wise’s sister brings her a great sense of comfort and ease. Finally, it seems like Section 6 won’t be on its own in this fight.

 

“Likewise. I would want to do some catching up if it were any other circumstance, but time may be short.” The Proxy says with an apologetic shrug.

 

“There will be time later for reunions. We have a conspiracy to unravel. Thank you by the way. For that tip you sent us.” Miyabi says as she quickly strides towards the light colored mailbox and reaches inside. Instantly her fingers rub against a small package. With a heave she yanks it from inside and sets it on the ground. The shape of the box itself is already making the swordsman nervous.

 

Miyabi wastes no time opening the package, letting out a soft gasp as soon as its contents become visible. Tailless sits inside. The contours of its elaborate scabbard catch the dim lighting in the alleyway, causing the weapon to shine with an unmistakable malice. The swordswoman feels a tug on the back of her mind as her red eyes continue to roam the blade. It’s almost as if she is seeing an old friend, a part of herself that was once lost has been found. Her slender hands grab the blade and feel its familiar weight that puts her mind at ease.

 

While Miyabi is reuniting with her family’s most precious heirloom, Belle’s attention is caught by the only other object in the box. A small drive sits in the now empty package. With great care she lifts it out and briefly inspects it. She finds the port that she’s looking for and plugs a small wireless device into it.

 

“Scanning… this drive contains files belonging to Ephialtes Energy Solutions. Specifically their Outer Ring branch office. Preliminary scans have several hits for the facial recognition profile and signature of Justin Bringer. Fairy indicates that this data has a 99.82% probability of implicating Justin Bringer in several crimes, most notably conspiracy to commit fraud and racketeering among many others. Fairy has already made several copies and is currently distributing one to HSO Section 6.”

 

A female robotic voice says as it emanates from the small wireless device plugged into the drive.

 

“Now we have evidence of Bringer’s misconduct. The file that you directed us to, Belle, contained traffic camera footage of Bringer and Sarah together exchanging documents and objects which proves that they are in collusion. The footage from Wise’s eye shows Sarah killing my father. The trident of evidence is complete. Without even a single piece of this we may not have had enough to bring down this conspiracy. Thanks to your efforts and that of Wise, we have everything we need for Operation Downfall to commence.” Miyabi says as she stares at the small drive in Belle’s hand. Part of the fox girl thinks that it isn’t real. The sleepless nights since Wise went on the run and so much effort to operate carefully in the shadows. Finally, their monumental effort and suffering is bearing the fruit of justice.

 

“Why would Wise give you the sword back instead of bringing it himself?” Belle asks nervously. Clearly, the swordsman has all of the evidence he needs to clear his name. The only reason he would send the sword ahead of time is if he didn’t plan on coming back.

 

The fox girl shares her nervous expression as her mind considers that exact possibility. Before Miyabi can respond, she’s interrupted.

 

“Operation Downfall, hm? That’s pretty catchy. Got room for another team of special agents?” An unknown female voice says from just behind Belle and Miyabi.

 

Immediately, the fox girl whirls around and draws Tailless, putting herself in between Belle and the unknown newcomer as she does so. At first, her red eyes only see an empty alleyway. After a few moments there’s a bright shimmer and suddenly a woman is leaning against the mailbox.

 

She’s got a muscular build along with purple hair and red eyes. Her body is dressed in full combat kit and completed with a bulky submachine gun. On the woman’s face is a friendly smile that seems so out of place in this situation. Regardless of the surprising entrance, the Chief is well familiar with this woman.

 

“Major Matoko Kusanagi. What an unexpected surprise. What is combat leader of Section 9 doing following me into an alleyway?” Miyabi asks as she returns Tailless to its scabbard once more. Her voice carries notes of both confusion and intrigue.

 

“Trying to find the truth of what’s going on. Section 9 has been tasked with eliminating Astraeus and keeping track of Section 6’s movements. However, we’ve been suspicious of our orders and Bringer ever since the Minoan Hollow incident. That’s why we haven’t made a definitive move yet.” The Major explains as she slings her submachine gun and crosses her arms, fully surrendering any sort of initiative or intent to make this situation violent.

 

“You mean when Bringer sent you on that wild goose chase so that we would have to take care of Minoan Hollow on our own?” Miyabi says with narrowed eyes, beginning to understand why the Major was playing her hand so very carefully. Just like the fox girl, she had people under her command that were at risk and an at best hesitant grasp on the truth. It does seem likely that more people than just Section 6 would be sensing that something was wrong. Especially a group with access to the same resources as them and a similar level of sophistication.

 

“Bingo. Your friend Astraeus shot one of my men out of the sky last night in the Outer Ring with that fancy sword of yours. But, instead of finishing him off, he bandaged Saito up and went on his way. Not exactly the bloodthirsty terrorist we’ve been told to eliminate by any means necessary. That, along with the evidence I’m just now hearing about, points to something much more sinister going on. I, as well as Chief Arumaki, believe that someone is using my men to cover their tracks and I won’t let that go unpunished. We’ve been stalling Bringer and the rest of the New Eridu Council until we could be sure of our next move.” The Major says with an edge of steel in her voice. Miyabi can certainly resonate with the frustration and protective instinct that the combat leader of Section 9 is feeling.

 

“Bringer is responsible for the Minoan Hollow incident and for using your men. We have proof.” Miyabi says earnestly while moving her hands away from Tailless in an effort to convey her willingness to cooperate.

 

“I’ll make you a deal, then. You get Section 9’s full support in return for sending what evidence you have to Chief Arumaki to prove your case. Strictly off the record of course. We have skin in this game now, same as you.” The Major says after a short moment of studying the fox girl. Whatever she was looking for, she must have found in the girl’s demeanor. A ghost of a smile begins to present itself on the agent’s face.

 

Miyabi turns around and nods to Belle, who presses a few buttons on a PDA she produces from her jacket.

 

“File transfer to Section 9 Chief Arumaki has been completed.”

 

Fairy’s monotone voice says from the wireless device.

 

Major Kusanagi stands there for several long moments with her hand on her earpiece. Finally, her eyes widen slightly and she nods her head in affirmation while speaking into it to the unseen person on the other side. “Ishikawa validated everything? Understood, Chief. We’ll get it done.”

 

She lets her finger off of the earpiece and looks in the space just behind Belle. “You can stand down, Pazou. Get in contact with Batou and assemble the team with an A2 loadout. We’ll need some firepower for this one.”

 

Suddenly, the air behind Belle shimmers revealing yet another man in full combat kit as he exits active camouflage. The agent is a bit taller than the Major with slicked back hair and dark eyes. His chin and jawline are sharp and his eyes tight with focus. The man is already jogging out of the alley as he responds. “Understood, Major, I’m on it.”

 

Belle, unlike Miyabi, is startled by the man’s sudden appearance, which ends up being nearly as fast as his appearance. The Proxy bristles slightly as she speaks to the combat leader of Section 9. “Where did he come from and how long has he been there?”

 

At this, Major Kusanagi has a small smile on her face. “You really think I wouldn’t have somebody trailing you too? I’m offended by your assumption of my incompetence. It’s not like you were hard to find once we knew where to look.”

 

Miyabi sighs and shakes her head, crossing her arms as she speaks. “It’s not surprising that they were able to discover your existence and location, Belle. Section 9 specializes in counter-terrorism and operating under the radar. This is in great contrast to Section 6, who exist for public relations and high-profile Hollow activity. Not that we aren’t capable of assuming the other’s roles should the circumstances demand it. They’re the perfect fit to take down a group like The Sons of Atlas. Speaking of which, we need to get back to the situation at hand.”

 

“We’ll need two teams. One to arrest Bringer once the warrant goes through and another to help Astraeus. Chief Arumaki is already helping Deputy Chief Yanagi with getting a judge to sign it.” The Major says as she stands up from where she was leaning on the mailbox.

 

“Wait, help Wise? What’s wrong?” Miyabi asks urgently while Belle matches her concerned look an instant later. They suspected that something was amiss when the swordsman sent Tailless to them, but they don’t know any reason why he would doubt his own return.

 

One of the Major’s crimson eyes quirks an eyebrow as she looks over her shoulder. “One of his new companions got captured by the Sons of Atlas. My men in the Outer Ring heard a radio transmission giving Astraeus an ultimatum. Come alone and surrender yourself or your friend dies. From what I know about Astraeus, he’s not going to let that happen and he’s not going to go down without a fight. We’ll need to move quickly if we are going to drive there in time since our only helicopter is laying in some sand dune in the Outer Ring.”

 

“I trust my team to handle Bringer’s takedown and the securing of a warrant. Honestly, this is more in PubSec’s hands than anything now, HSO is just there for the assist. I’ll come with you to the Outer Ring along with Jenkins as well as providing some vehicles for the drive. A Void Hunter tends to have last second requisitions approved more often than not.” Miyabi says with conviction.

 

At this, Belle smiles mischievously and turns to face the duo. 

 

“I know a girl that would be just as eager to help my brother as you two. You won’t need to worry about driving.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Another triple length chapter because I’m insane. Next one is the finale of Part 3 and will likely be even longer.

Yes, Section 9 in this story is exactly the same as the one in Ghost in the Shell. I’m a big Stand-Alone Complex fan and couldn’t resist including them.

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Chapter 21: Who Dares Wins

Summary:

Wise confronts the leader of the Sons of Atlas and himself. What was once lost is found.

Wise

 

 

Meanwhile, in the Outer Ring…

 

 

“Is the Sommelier in today? I’m heading to a party soon and I would like to have a new wardrobe put together for the event.”

 

Wise says as he slightly moves the rim of his hood upwards, revealing more of his face to the harsh light of the waiting room. Currently, the swordsman is standing in one of the lesser known clinics in Blazewood. Luckily for him he knows the owners quite well.

 

Doc Roe sits in the heavily padded office chair that sits behind the front reception desk of his clinic. A messy head of jet black hair cut to a medium length rests on his head. The man is short and dressed in a crimson button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. On his right arm, a tattooed emblem of the Obsidian Division crest can be seen on his dark brown skin. A half broken fan stirs lazily on the ceiling above his head, trying its absolute best to cool the hot room even in its partially working condition.

 

The doctor looks up from the newspaper he’s reading to stare into the single light blue eye of Wise. Whatever the doctor’s brown eyes find seems to pique his curiosity before glancing back down at the paper in his hands. His gruff voice, thick with a Cajun accent, speaks out soon after. “I’ve never known him not to be. But, if this old man remembers correctly, you very passionately stated that you would never need the Sommelier's services.”

 

“Things change and so do people. There’s a chance they’ll be playing quite the swan song at the party I’ll be attending.” Wise says in a deadly quiet tone, making the air in the clinic suddenly seem ten times heavier.

 

Once more, Doc Roe glances up with his dark brown eyes to study the swordsman standing before him. “I already patched up that hole in your chest that nearly killed you. Are you really in such a hurry to the grave?”

 

“Some things are just worth fighting for, Doc, as you well know. Your little clinic here would be staffed by two ghosts if I hadn’t saved you and the Sommelier back in Hollow Zero. I’m on my way to save someone else now and I need the tools to do it.” Wise states with conviction, matching the gaze of the doctor with his eye that shines like a shard of ice under his hood.

 

In response, Doc Roe sighs and nods his head reluctantly. “Alright, kid, I get it. Just come back alive, you hear? You got people that care about you. I’m getting tired of having to stitch you back together all of these years.”

 

In response, Wise smiles and begins making his way to a door behind the counter that’s marked as a supply closet. “Come on now, Doc. Your life would be so boring without me in it. You wouldn’t get half the business you had in the Defense Force if I wasn’t an independent investigator.”

 

Doc Roe barks out a laugh and shakes his head before responding. “Yeah well I wasn’t getting paid extra for your bullshit when I was in. Now hurry back to the Sommelier, he’s been wanting to fit you ever since that day in Hollow Zero. He’s going to be thrilled.”

 

“I won’t keep him waiting, then. Stay safe, Doc.” Wise says with a half bow as he opens the old wooden door. It creaks on its hinges as it swings backwards before he steps inside. Once he’s past the threshold, the swordsman gently closes the door behind him with a soft click.

 

What’s on the other side is an extremely narrow and rickety old staircase that plummets downwards into the earth. The space is designed to be almost invisible from the outside so as to not clue people in to the basement’s existence. Each stair creaks dangerously as he puts his weight onto it. Rallying his courage, the agent takes one step after another into the dark depths of the staircase. 

 

‘The Sommelier’, as he calls himself now, is an old acquaintance of Wise’s. Long before he had that name he was just another Sergeant with the New Eridu Defense Force. In particular, he was responsible for providing supplies and weapons to investigators deep in the bowels of Hollow Zero. Doc Roe was his partner in these endeavors, providing medical services and supplies to complement the tools of death and destruction. The men wanted to get as far away from New Eridu as they could after being discharged from the military half a year ago.

 

Many years ago now, Wise and his team had saved both of them from an A-Class Ethereal mutation that had decimated the rest of their squad. Both of the Defense Force men were able to walk away alive but not without injury. Regardless, they still owed the swordsman their lives. Doc Roe acquired a nasty leg injury that he still hadn’t recovered from to this day. While the Sommelier had some more… grisly wounds. Enough so that the soldier wanted to leave his old name behind, choosing his new moniker as a way to seperate the man that now stares back at him in the mirror each morning from the one that used to.

 

“Ah, Mister Astraeus. What an unexpected pleasure. How can I assist you this fine morning?” The Sommelier says from across a small but brightly lit room. The man himself is standing at a workbench, his hands actively deconstructing and cleaning a standard issue Defense Force rifle. Flanking either side of the room are rows upon rows of weapon lockers and gun cases. Some of the finer models are in backlit racks on the upper walls, putting them on display for anyone in the room to see. Several of the lit cases are filled with various bottles of wine instead of weaponry.

 

The Sommelier himself has a slight French accent, most likely the result of his family’s homeland before Hollows took over the world. One side of his face is an twisted mass of gnarled flesh and scar tissue, it’s crevasses tinged with a slight coloring of purple. The wound itself is of a type Wise has seen many times, that which is caused by an Ethereal’s claw. Although the Somellier himself survived the ordeal his sense of taste did not. Like when any sense is taken away, the others become more powerful. In this man’s case it was his sense of smell.

 

The Sommelier smiles in greeting causing the scar tissue covering the left side of his face to curl slightly, partially closing his now purple eye, which stands in sharp contrast to his natural blue one. Each of them shine with obvious intelligence from underneath a perfectly groomed head of brown but silver-streaked hair styled into a French crop. To top it all off is an immaculate two-piece suit. The blazer and pants match the blue of his natural eye while his tie matches the Ether infused one with a deep purple color.

 

“It’s good to see you, Sommelier. I’m still getting used to that name. It really has been too long. I believe this is the first time we have spoken since your retirement.” Wise says while matching his friendly smile. The gesture causes his own facial scarring to twist as well, granting the two men an odd sort of kinship.

 

“Ah, Mister Astraeus, you may be one of the only people on this planet that could call me by my old name without raising my ire. We did meet briefly last month, but you were under anesthetic while the good Doctor Roe closed that hole in your chest.” The Sommelier states as he finishes putting the disassembled rifle back together. With a final flourish he checks to make sure the chamber is empty before returning the firearm to a nearby display rack. The now polished surface of the rifle shines like obsidian under the light.

 

Instinctively, Wise moves a hand to cover the place where Miyabi stabbed him while under the influence of Tailless. Sometimes, when his breathing was quickened due to activity or exercise, the wound would ache painfully against his rib cage. The swordsman’s fingers idly trace the bumpy outline caused by the scar tissue of the wound.

 

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to bring up any unpleasant memories. Everybody in this clinic has many that they would rather keep buried. Now, back to business. Is this a simple friendly visit or something more?” The Sommelier says with a hopeful tone. His purple eye shines with a mixture of anticipation and interest.

 

“Something more. I’m going to be attending a certain gathering and my preparation demands skills that you used to render for me in Hollow Zero. Based on what I’m seeing you must still be keeping up with your hobbies.” Wise says with a quick glance at the various weapons to emphasize his point.

 

The Sommelier smiles genuinely in response, proud that somebody recognizes the monumental work he’s put into his greatest passion. “There are few applications for a quartermaster’s skills once they leave the military. Well, few that don’t involve being chained to a cubicle anyways. I assure you I have only improved my craft since those days in the Defense Force. The only difference is that I arm independent investigators instead of official. Now, tell me about this party you’ll be attending. Who is the host?”

 

“Johann Godfrey.” Wise says as he crosses his arms and leans back slightly. 

 

“Oh, I see. Such a man may prove to be a difficult host. A good dinner guest should come prepared for such a high class event. I can see why you would need my services.” The Sommelier says with a contemplative glance at the weapons lining the room.

 

Wise nods while his mouth twists into an almost predatory grin. As he speaks his eye shines like a dagger made of ice. “I’d like a tasting, please.”

 

The Sommelier nods his head in understanding as his demeanor switches to one of a professional businessman. With practiced movements he grabs an unmarked box about the size of a briefcase. The quartermaster spins it to face the swordsman as he clicks open the two locks and opens it.

 

“I know of your past fondness for hammer-fire varieties, but I can wholeheartedly endorse the new breed of Seburo Arms striker-fired handguns. The M-9 in particular.” The Sommelier says as the case is opened, revealing a slick black handgun along with several magazines for it.

 

Wise gingerly grabs the handgun and tests the weight in his hand. Rapidly, he flicks the gun upwards as he would in a gunfight, testing out the sights as he does so.

 

The Sommelier smiles fondly as he sees the agent test out the weapon. “Recontoured grips. Flared magwell for easier reloads. Chambered in 9mm with double stacked and expanded magazines to ensure that your party doesn’t end early. And I know you’ll appreciate the custom porting. Now, what’s next?”

 

“I need something robust. Precise.” Wise says as he returns the handgun to its case and closes the lid.

 

“Robust. Precise.” The Sommelier repeats as he scans the weapon racks lining the room. Once his eyes lock onto a certain model, a bullpup assault rifle with a scope, he grabs it and sets it on the table in front of the agent.

 

Wise lifts the gun and tests the stock against his shoulder. He works the bolt several times and glances through the scope.

 

Once again, the Sommelier watches with pride as the agent tests out the weapon. “Seburo Arms MN-23. A bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56mm with a 20-inch barrel. Compensated with an ion-bonded bolt carrier, topped off with a 1-4 magnification scope.”

 

Wise nods his head and sets the rifle back in its case before closing the lid. “What about clothing for the event?”

 

The Sommelier nods in understanding before swinging open a large locker behind him, revealing multiple armored pieces in a well lit cubby being worn by a dummy. “Vanguard Systems plate carrier sporting level VI ceramic plates on the front, back, and sides capable of stopping most small arms. Aramid fiber shoulder, arm, and leg protection made with Kevlar 149. It won’t stop the big stuff but it certainly won’t make it worse.”

 

Walking over only a short distance, the Sommelier opens yet another locker revealing black dress shirt and pants. “Wearing black attire is best for these sorts of parties. You never know when some rude guest will spill some Chardonnay and stain your clothes red.”

 

Wise nods his head with a small smile as he studies the clothing options. “I like it. Finally, I believe Johann Godfrey will be serving some fairly tough meat for dinner. I’ll need some top notch cutlery to get through it.”

 

The Sommelier nods in understanding and goes to drag out an extremely large case, but struggles with the weight. Wise helps him heave it onto the table before opening it up. What’s revealed is a massive sword, about the same length as his old one at a meter and a half in length. It’s not decorated in the slightest but sports a mirror polish and a razor sharp edge. With great care the swordsman lifts the weapons into the air and gives it some hesitant swings. To his shock he finds it speeding up as he swings it.

 

“Merr-Sonn Munitions model Durandal V. Sporting a carbon fiber metallic matrix edge with a two percent carbon ratio. Tungsten alloy inner layer, tip, and pommel to assist with balance. At its core is a tungsten slug rigged to a metallic dampener that slides forward with every blow, using centripetal force to speed up your swings for the same amount of effort. I assure you, Mister Astraeus, that the Durandal V could cut through even the toughest meat should your host serve it.” The Sommelier says with a small smile. The glint of the blade reflects in his dark purple iris.

 

Wise sets the blade back down in its case, taking a moment to admire the jet black scabbard in the case as well. “I’ll take all of it. Thank you for the tasting.”

 

The Sommelier bows slightly with a proud grin on his face before reaching for a nearby PDA. “Excellent news. Now, how shall we pay for your new wardrobe?”

 

Wise idly rattles off a bank account and routing number he has in the back of his head. Four months ago, he and his team killed the S-Rank Ethereal mutation known as Sleipner, earning its bounty of one and a half million Dennies from the Hollow Affairs and Neutralization Department. The siblings agreed that after their agents had been paid a bonus, the rest should be put into an emergency account for later use. The swordsman figures that this comes close enough for an emergency for his purposes.

 

The payment clears immediately and the gear is handed over. Wise dons the aramid weave and Kevlar armor, strapping various magazines to it as he does so, then puts on the large sized black dress shirt and pants. The swordsman has to admit that it covers the ammo and armor quite well. Wise goes to roll up the sleeves and is reminded of the series of ugly scars, looking like an odd cross between burn marks and a wound someone would get after being struck by lightning, now painted on them. Using Tailless was a necessity, but every fiber of his body and mind seemed to rebel against its otherworldly power. The scars he got from his actions as a conduit for Tailless were still there but these most recent ones seem even clearer. With a sigh, he rolls the sleeves back down to cover them up.

 

“There’s no need to be ashamed of them, you know. Use them as a source of strength that reminds you of what is worth fighting for. They are simply a new layer of armor protecting your heart and soul, nothing more and nothing less.” The Sommelier says sagely as he studies one of the many shelves of wine protected by glass. The man’s heavily scared face is reflected in the clear pane as he stares into his own eyes without an ounce of loathing or disgust.

 

Wise hums in acknowledgment at the statement. Deep down, he knows that the Sommelier has a point, but the swordsman has bigger things to worry about right now. 

 

The handgun is strapped to his left hip like his old one always was while the rifle and scabbard are attached to his back using specialized magnets sewn into the plate carrier. Wise takes a moment to appreciate his new look in a nearby mirror before nodding with gratitude towards the quartermaster. Before he can make his way up the stairs, the Sommelier speaks from behind him.

 

“Oh, and Mister Astraeus?”

 

Wise turns around to face the quartermaster as he stands behind his workbench yet again. The old quartermaster has a gentle smile on his face as he regards his most recent guest.

 

“Do enjoy your party.”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

Reaching the Sons of Atlas compound itself takes most of the morning and afternoon. Finally, just as the sun is beginning to set, a nondescript series of buildings comes into view on the horizon. 

 

What used to be a small oil pump and series of dormitories for its workers lies between two massive and jagged rocks that seem to pierce the Earth itself on their way towards the heavens. The facility looks abandoned at first glance as the oil pump stays motionless and rusty. However, silhouettes of men in full combat attire patrol a fence topped with barbed wire. Searchlights, guard towers, and machine gun emplacements compliment the defenses well, forming a heavily secured area.

 

The sight of such a rundown oil pump would have been quite the eyesore if it wasn’t for the beautiful rays of crimson and magenta emanating from the setting sun to the West. Suddenly, its ugly rusted parts and crumbling architecture look oddly beautiful when framed by such a pleasant tapestry.

 

A motorcycle, kindly provided by the Sons of Calydon, thrums beneath Wise as he continues towards the oil pump, seeming to chase the setting sun as he does so but is never quite able to reach it. Although Miyabi would inform him that pre-battle meditation while driving is dangerous and should be avoided, the swordsman does it anyway. The memory of the fox girl brings a warm smile to his face as pleasant memories fill his mind.

 

After his heart rate has dropped and his mind becomes focused on his goals, he lets off of the throttle momentarily. Several Sons of Atlas men open the large gate at the front of the compound to allow him through. Many of the men in nearby emplacements and guard towers watch his approach nervously, their hands never straying far from their weapons. Finally, a soldier in a bandana that covers his mouth waves Wise over and puts a hand forward to indicate that he should stop.

 

Wise complies immediately, killing the engine and engaging the kickstand. With graceful movements he disembarks from the motorcycle and stands up to his full height. Once he’s back on his feet he approaches the Sons of Atlas member that beckoned to him. The swordsman towers over the man as he comes to a standstill. Many people would be terrified at the sight of a legendary HSO agent, who stands nearly two meters tall and is carrying three different weapons, entering the front door of their home.

 

To the credit of the bandana-wearing man, his body, eyes, and voice betray no sense of fear as he speaks. “Agent Astraeus, thank you for answering our summons. Johann Godfrey is waiting for you in his office. If you would please follow me.”

 

Wise silently nods his head and begins following the man through the compound. The swordsman has to admit that he’s impressed by the bandana-wearing man’s demeanor and calm; he didn’t know they made terrorists quite like this. If the intelligence reports are to be believed, nearly every member of the Sons of Atlas is former military. A few hundred terrorists, all of which are armed with top-notch gear, training, and dubious at best morals. What could possibly go wrong.

 

As the duo walk they pass a huge variety of other members. Many of them are organized into squads and walking in formation, most likely on some kind of patrol. What surprises Wise the most is the ones that aren’t armed. Several Sons of Atlas walk past carrying baskets of laundry and food supplies. The swordsman knew that they all lived here like it was a sort of town, but seeing the reality of it with his own eyes is still quite shocking.

 

The compound itself is built around the long abandoned oil pump, which has sat in disrepair since long before Lucius and Ephialtes stopped the flow of natural oil in the Outer Ring. Older buildings can be seen right next to it in the form of what used to be dormitories, storage warehouses, and office space for the pump’s workers. On the outer edge of the compound are newer buildings, some of which are still under construction, along with various tents. 

 

To Wise, it resembles an odd mixture of a post-apocalyptic movie setting and a summer camp. Except instead of students it is filled with cold blooded terrorists responsible for hundreds of deaths since their founding several years ago. The swordsman would have been inspired by the sight of such a resilient settlement if it weren’t for its founders and occupants. They’re not living in the Outer Ring because they want to, but rather because they would be killed or arrested in New Eridu proper.

 

Finally, his guide arrives at a large storage warehouse near the oil pump at the center of the compound. The structure itself has seen better days. Many of its corners have been rubbed smooth from decades of sandstorms while other portions are covered in rust. From the top of the structure are hanging several banners emblazoned with the Sons of Atlas logo.

 

“Johann Godfrey is waiting for you inside. Please be respectful while in his presence.” The bandana-wearing man says while holding the door open for him. Polite and fearless, what an odd terrorist.

 

“Thanks for the tour.” Wise says sarcastically before stepping into the warehouse.

 

The guide makes a grunt of affirmation before closing the door behind him with a loud slamming sound. The swordsman steps further into the well-lit interior of the warehouse. An odd assortment of crates line the walls, their markings indicate them as mostly being ammo and rations. Several tables also populate the space near the middle and are covered with various maps, pictures, and documents. In the back of the room is a ridiculously massive yellow banner that spans the length of the warehouse, its surface stitched with the Sons of Atlas logo. The banner doesn’t reach the back of the warehouse, meaning that it acts as a sort of barrier or wall that creates two separate rooms. The swordsman wonders to himself what’s behind it.

 

At the very center of the warehouse is a loose circle of comfortable looking chairs and couches. A cozy throw rug separates them from the cold concrete that composes the floor of the warehouse. Overhead, several lamps hang from the high ceiling from ropes, providing a soft yellow light for its occupants. Though the seating area seems as if it could fit about twenty people, only five are currently there.

 

Smoke hangs thick in the air, illuminated by the lamps in such a way that they almost look like fluffy clouds rolling against an evening sky. The group is three men and two women who are currently bickering over a set of maps and photographs. One of the men is puffing on a large cigar. As his face lifts up to address one of his companions, the light reveals the scarred face of Johann Godfrey, leader of the Sons of Atlas. The HSO spoke to Miyabi several times about taking him down using Section 6, but she always deferred to Section 9 instead. What an odd twist of fate that he’s the first agent to see him in person.

 

All at once they notice Wise’s presence and cease their discussion. One of the women grabs all of the documents off of the table and puts them into a nearby drawer, clicking a lock into place a second later. The swordsman finds it cute that they think he’s here to spy on them.

 

“Leave us.” Johann says in a voice that doesn’t seem to match his face. The old soldier’s voice is clear and airy, meant more for singing the vocals to a song than giving orders to a terrorist cell. Dark green eyes stare at the swordsman as his subordinates stream out of the room without saying a word. 

 

Once they are alone, Johann stands from his seat and strides over to Wise. The scars on his face twist into a wicked grin that doesn’t look even the least bit friendly. A stubby but massive hand reaches forward for a shake while he speaks. “Astraeus, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

 

“Likewise, Mister Godfrey.” Wise says while hesitantly shaking the man’s hand. The old soldier has an iron-clad grip as he grasps the swordsman’s hand.

 

“Just Johann is fine. Hearing Mister Godfrey makes me feel old. You certainly came well armed.” The man says with a hearty laugh. Without a second of ceremony he trudges back to his seat and plops back down into it. He begins puffing on his cigar a moment later, filling the air with acrid smoke. One of his hands reaches down into a nearby drawer and pulls out a small chest. To Wise’s shock, he opens it up and begins setting up a chess board on a nearby table.

 

“Please, take a seat. It’s rude of me to make you stand for a conversation. Care for a game while we talk?” Johann says as he finishes setting up the chessboard, leaning back in his chair with a creaking sound after he does so.

 

Wise is stunned speechless. This man is acting like somebody's grandfather or weird uncle, not the leader of the most notorious terrorist group in New Eridu. What’s even stranger is the complete lack of guards. The swordsman could cut him down in a second and there’s nobody nearby that could stop him. Is he just that confident that Wise won’t attack him, or perhaps this is part of some game he’s trying to play? The pleasant demeanor he’s exhibiting is already throwing the swordsman for a loop as it is.

 

“Release the Sons of Calydon member in your possession, then we can play.” Wise says with an edge of steel in his voice.

 

“Oh, yes. My apologies.” Johann says with a light chuckle. One of his stubby fingers presses his earpiece and speaks a few quiet words into it. Several moments of silence pass, during which the old soldier gets out a bottle of liquor and two glasses, filling both of them halfway. Suddenly, as the man is cutting a second cigar, he freezes in his movements.

 

“Your friend has been released.” Johann says as he reaches into a jacket pocket before gently tossing a small PDA towards the swordsman.

 

“What am I supposed to do with this?” Wise asks with annoyance as he snatches the device out of the air.

 

“Validate that I’m keeping my word. Surely you weren’t just going to believe I released him just because I said so?” Johann says without even looking up from his task.

 

Wise is, once again, stunned by Johann’s casual demeanor. It’s like he’s having an old friend over for a chess game on a lazy Sunday afternoon and not a heavily armed HSO agent. The swordsman lifts the PDA and looks at its screen that depicts live security footage from the front gate he came in from. Lighter can be seen mounting the motorcycle that Wise came here on. After a short argument with a nearby guard, during which a Sons of Atlas soldier points his rifle at the Champion, he peels away down the road and away from the compound. Lighter is safely on his way, taking regretful glances over his shoulder before leaving the sight of the security camera.

 

“Seen everything you need to? I may not be a saint but I’m not about to go back on my word.” Johann says as he slides one of the liquor glasses towards Wise, who gently picks it up with two hands.

 

“White or black?” Johann asks before taking a sip of his drink.

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Do you want to play as white or black in our chess game?”

 

Wise does a much better job keeping the shock he’s feeling off of his face as he responds. “White.”

 

“Ah, an aggressor. Not my style but I can respect it. I generally prefer to study an enemy before making my move.” Johann says as he rotates the board, waiting patiently for his guest to move first.

 

Wise looks nervously at the glass of liquor he was provided, debating whether or not it might be poisoned. Deciding that he has no reason to doubt Johann yet, he takes a large sip. The burning sensation in his throat hasn’t subsided when he makes his first move.

 

Pawn to e4.

 

“A classic, really. Nearly every game of the romantic era of chess started with that one simple move. A good choice.” Johann says with a laugh as he makes his own move.

 

Pawn to e5.

 

“So, why did you really invite me here?” Wise asks without looking up from the board.

 

Pawn to f4.

 

“Why, to get to know you of course.”

 

Pawn to f4, Wise loses a pawn.

 

“There’s not much to know, really. Just trying to make a living and do some good in this world.”

 

Bishop to c4.

 

“No need to be coy. Being overly humble can make you enemies.”

 

Queen to h4. Wise is in check.

 

“Fine. What did you want to know in particular?” Wise asks with some annoyance.

 

King to f1. Wise is no longer in check.

 

“Why did you become an agent in the HSO?” Johann asks curiously.

 

Pawn to b5.

 

“Because they paid better than everyone else.”

 

Bishop to b5, Johann loses a pawn.

 

“Any other reason? You don’t seem like a man that’s motivated by money. I’m far too familiar with that type of person.” Johann says. For a moment, his careless and kind facade drops, showing a scowl on his scarred face.

 

Knight to f6.

 

“To get my friends better jobs through my connections. I wanted to protect my little sister as well.”

 

Knight to f3.

 

“A leader then, eh? I can respect that. I’m an only child, though. No siblings for me to protect.” Johann says with a sad smile.

 

Queen to h6.

 

“Something like that. I’ve always protected my sister when I can. We lost our parents at a young age.”

 

Pawn to d3.

 

“I’m sorry for your loss. I lost my parents at a young age as well. My grandfather raised me. He gave me many gifts before he passed, including a love for chess.” Johann says in a gentle tone.

 

Knight to h5.

 

“Your grandfather taught you to play chess?”

 

Knight to h4.

 

“I’ll never forget the first time he showed me the game.” Johann says as he deep green eyes stare at some point in the distance only he can see.

 

Queen to g5.

 

Knight to f5.

 

“There was something beautiful about it.” 

 

Pawn to c6.

 

Pawn to g4.

 

“Pristine. Ordered. Balanced.”

 

Knight to f6.

 

Rook to g1.

 

“Black and white. King and pawn. Winner and loser.”

 

Pawn to b5, Wise loses a Bishop.

 

Pawn to h4.

 

Johann smiles as he takes the Bishop off of the board before looking at Wise. The swordsman simply matches his gaze, not looking concerned at losing the piece in the slightest. After looking back down at the game, Johann continues speaking.

 

“Makes sense, you know?”

 

Queen to g6.

 

Pawn to h5.

 

“Things fitting neatly into two categories.”

 

Queen to g5.

 

Queen to f3.

 

“And if you weren’t paying attention, it all seems to line up.”

 

Knight to g8.

 

Bishop to f4, Johann loses a pawn.

 

“You can see everything fits. Kind of.”

 

Queen to f6.

 

Knight to c3.

 

“Right and wrong. You and them. Turn by turn.”

 

Bishop to c5.

 

Knight to d5.

 

“But it’s a lie. All of it.”

 

Queen to b2, Wise loses a pawn.

 

Bishop to d6.

 

It’s at this point that Wise looks up from the game and at Johann. With every word he’s saying his mask seems to slip a little more. Now, instead of a distant thousand yard stare, his green eyes are slowly filling with viridian fury.

 

“There’s no rules. No teams. No turns. No kings.”

 

Bishop to g1, Wise loses a rook.

 

Pawn to e5.

 

Wise is losing quite badly now as far as numbers are concerned. He’s down a rook and a Bishop while only taking pawns off of Johann. Despite this, he remains calm and continues listening to his opponent.

 

“There’s only one thing I learned from chess that’s true.”

 

Queen to a1, Wise loses a rook and is in check.

 

King to e2, Wise is no longer in check.

 

“If you push a pawn to the edge.”

 

Knight to a6.

 

Knight to g7, Johann loses a pawn and is in check.

 

“He comes back changed.”

 

King to d8, Johann is no longer in check.

 

Queen to f6, Johann is back in check.

 

“You and I are the same in that way.”

 

Knight to f6, Wise loses his queen, Johann is no longer in check.

 

Wise is down nearly all of his important pieces while still only taking pawns off of Johann. It seems that defeat is imminent. The swordsman can’t help but somewhat empathize with the man across from him. If he has lost his whole team because of some rich businessman and bureaucrat, he may harboring a similar level of rage. The chess analogy is cheesy, obviously, but Wise can understand not seeing the world as simple black and white, especially being someone that always operates in the gray as it is. Johann was definitely right about one thing: they are not the same, and the old soldier does not operate in the white or the gray.

 

“So, that’s why you target innocent civilians in your attacks? Your cause is just because you were pushed too far and wronged in the past? Or is that just what you tell yourself?” Wise asks pointedly, looking up from the chess game at his opponent as he does so.

 

“War is a cruel parent but an effective teacher. We are all pawns controlled by something greater. Those who think they are playing chess with human lives are diseased and must be purged. Protests aren’t enough, only blood can bring about true change. The masters you serve in the HSO are perpetrators of this endless cycle of oppression and power. It’s about time that they faced justice.” Johann states with a growl, his friendliness from earlier has now evaporated entirely. Was he just being kind in a vain effort to make Wise side with him?

 

“You’ve killed innocent people in your attacks. I was there at the Lumina Square Amphitheater, I saw the devastation that you would call justice.”

 

“You should try fighting for what you believe in sometime, Astraeus. Not for a company, or for a nation, or for anyone else. Bringer tried to kill you and your team. Instead of carving a bloody path to him to put his head on a spike, you play around in this sandbox in the middle of nowhere trying to gather shreds of evidence. It’s pathetic. Join us and cut yourself lose from everything that’s holding you back, we would welcome you with open arms.” Johann says. Some of the anger drains from his features as he speaks.

 

“You captured my friend and invited me out here… to recruit me?”

 

“Society has turned their back on you for a crime you didn’t commit. The same thing happened to me, as you well know. I tried looking for evidence, pleading my case to anyone that would listen for years and years. They tried to kill me for it. It wasn’t until I accepted the reality of this world that I became free.”

 

“The liquor was nice, but not nice enough to make me a terrorist. My friends are helping to prove my innocence as we speak. Even if it doesn’t amount to anything in the end there’s no way I would turn my back on them like that.”

 

Johann growls and leans forward in his chair. His voice is deadly quiet as he speaks. “So, you would refuse my generous offer? Go back to digging around in the sand for evidence instead of standing up for yourself and taking your vindication by force?”

 

Wise is silent for several long moments. Suddenly, he bursts out into laughter. The swordsman slaps his knees several times and clutches his stomach as he cackles. 

 

Johann watches with wide eyes from across the chessboard, not quite believing what he’s seeing.

 

With a gentle movement, and laughter still on his lips, Wise reaches forward and makes one final move on the chessboard.

 

Bishop to e7. Johann is in checkmate. Wise wins.

 

The old soldier stares down at the board with utter shock as he tries and fails to process his loss.

 

“You’re so concerned about destruction and making flashy moves that you fail to realize what’s truly going on. Taking Bringer down isn’t about revenge. It’s about making sure New Eridu is safe for my friends and little sister. You fight and kill others because of what happened to you. You’re not a freedom fighter or a visionary, you’re just a sad old man trying to make himself feel better as he drowns in self-pity. The person that convinced you to attack Bringer during the Mayoral elections was a woman named Sarah, right? She’s allies with Bringer and that’s why he wasn’t on stage. You and your men were played for fools, I believe she referred to you as ‘pathetic freedom fighters’ when I last saw her.” Wise says as he stands from his chair and downs the rest of his liquor in a single gulp.

 

“I’m leaving. This was a waste of my time. If you kidnap any of my friends again then I’m burning down this compound with you inside it next time.” Wise says calmly as he turns his back and walks towards the exit door. Despite his statement, he’s well aware that the Sons of Atlas will never let him leave alive. They wanted an ally or a corpse, not an enemy that could fight against them in the future. However, the swordsman can’t deny that turning his back on a fuming Johann felt very, very nice.

 

The old soldier simply stares at the chessboard with a blank expression. The Sons of Atlas were played for fools during what was supposed to be the greatest display of their power to date. Johann made the flashiest moves imaginable and took down a fair share of memorable targets during the attack, but it was all for nothing. The game was rigged from the start. With a thunderous yell he shoots from his seat, flipping the chessboard as he does so.

 

Wise turns around as several chess pieces roll on the ground near his feet. He raises one of his eyebrows as Johann begins to scurry to the back of the warehouse, passing behind the massive yellow banner a few moments later. The swordsman laughs and rests his hand on his hip while yelling. “Are you running back there to cry? Seriously man?”

 

A few seconds later Wise can hear an odd rumbling sound that makes his laughter die in his throat. Suddenly, the banner bursts into the flames a massive mech that’s nearly as tall as the warehouse steps forward, shaking the very ground as its leg makes impact with the concrete. 

 

“Oh fuck.”

 

At the center of the mech is a reinforced pilot compartment, no doubt containing the Johann Godfrey that was having a mental breakdown not even sixty seconds ago. One of the mech’s arms is composed entirely of a massive grenade launcher while the other has a large hand and a flamethrower mounted on its wrist. Finally, a rotary machine gun sits on its right shoulder with its red aiming laser already pointing at the swordsman’s chest.

 

Wise stares up at the mech as it towers over him, his mouth hanging wide open as he does so. With quick movements he unsheathes his sword and assumes a loose combat stance. His voice is filled with shock as he yells. “Why and how the hell do you even have that?!”

 

“Warmachines, son! Never leave home without ‘em!” Johann yells, his voice taking on a robotic tone as it leaves the external speakers. Hardly a second later and the shoulder-mounted machine gun screams to life.

 

Without skipping a beat Wise leaps out of the way of the burst, deflecting several bullets with his sword as he does so. Once the machine gun stops he whips out his handgun and takes a shot directly at the pilot’s compartment. The bullet pings harmlessly off of the reinforced metal without even leaving a dent. 

 

“Reactive plating that hardens in response to physical trauma! You can’t hurt me, Astraeus!” Johann yells before letting loose a maniacal laugh and aiming the grenade launcher at the swordsman.

 

Time slows down for Wise as he slowly sees the grenade projectile’s primer light up the chamber. Johann has become exactly what he hated most, at least from what the swordsman can understand. The old soldier took on a facade of kindness and intelligence in a hollow attempt to sweet talk Wise into his terrorist organization. It was never going to work, of course. But the fact that he even tried says volumes about his character. Johann needs to die, and the swordsman doesn’t mind being the one to pass the sentence.

 

With a rush, time speeds back up and the grenade hurtles towards Wise at a lightning fast speed. Wise dodges to the side and is barely able to dodge the projectile. However, the resulting explosion throws him several meters forward and litters his back with several small pieces of shrapnel. The swordsman can no longer hear anything through the ringing of his ears, and his eyes close due to the heat and shockwave of the explosion.

 

At that moment, devoid of hearing and sight, Wise’s strategic mind devises a plan. Johann will kill him at this rate and it’s almost entirely due to the grenade launcher. The swordsman can’t deflect it or dodge it due to the explosive payload. The machine gun is a problem too but less so. The answer is obvious: get in close so that he can’t use the grenade launcher without hurting the mech. But then the flamethrower will be even deadlier.

 

“Yeah, I’m pretty much screwed anyway. Why not?” Wise says to himself with a humorless chuckle as he holsters his handgun yet again. With quick movements he two hands his sword and gets into a low position.

 

“Are you talking to yourself? Coming to terms with your imminent death? I understand. I promise I’ll make it quick. I do have some respect for you, after all.” Johann says from inside the mech. Despite his somewhat kind words, the swordsman can hear that they’re being said through a self-satisfied smile.

 

Wise lowers himself even closer to the ground while putting his weight forward. He tenses his legs and winds up his whole body like a spring, ready to release all of its energy in a single fluid motion. The swordsman has one shot at this. If he is able to close the distance, without losing any limbs, then he may actually have a shot at surviving this. Of course, Johann could call for backup and have two hundred terrorists on him in just a handful of minutes. Luckily it seems that the old soldier’s pride and hubris is preventing that.

 

One second passes, then two, then three. Agent and mech stare one another down from across a warehouse, waiting for the other to make their first move. Slowly but surely a small fire builds along the circle of crates lining the warehouse, forming a ring of flames that acts as their arena. As during their game, Wise is the aggressor, leaping forward and crossing a quarter of the warehouse in the blink of an eye. Even before Johann reacts the swordsman unholsters his pistol with his left hand.

 

The mech raises its right arm, firing the grenade launcher with a thunderous bang. 

 

Wise tracks the projectile through the air and calculates where it’s going with his light blue eye. With deliberate and practiced movements he raises his handgun and takes aim. Time slows to a crawl all around him as even the flames seem to freeze in their motion. If he misses this shot they’ll be scraping what’s left of him off of every wall of this warehouse. With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, the gun fires and time resumes its ever impending course.

 

The bullet strikes its target, creating a massive explosion and fireball that rocks the very foundation of the warehouse they stand in.

 

Johann spins up the rotary gun on his shoulder as the mech’s optics scan the cloud of smoke and fire emanating from the grenade’s detonation. For a moment, the old soldier thinks he may have killed the swordsman.

 

Wise proves him wrong only a second later as he leaps out of the smoke with a warcry on his lips. The distance between him and the mech now is rapidly closing, only consisting of around twenty meters.

 

The mech wastes no time and immediately begins firing the rotary gun at the incoming threat. Johann bellows through the built-in speaker system as he does so. “You thought you could hide in the smoke and surprise me? I’m disappointed, Astraeus!”

 

Wise’s blade flies in a blur of motion around him, deflecting or blocking the bullets as they scream towards him. Even a millisecond lapse in his concentration would result in him being filled with holes. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the swordsman makes it close enough to the mech that the rotary gun can no-longer aim low enough to hit him.

 

Instead of a rewarding moment of calm, all Wise receives is a jet of liquid flames from the mech’s right arm. Preserving his momentum, the swordsman slides on the smooth concrete floor and under the oncoming left arm of the mech. Once he is on the other side, he pivots on one leg and slashes his sword blindly behind him. The metal shakes violently in his hands as it makes contact with the arm, putting a massive gash in the barrel of the grenade launcher mounted there.

 

“You’re quite the pest, but it’s of no real consequence!” Johann yells as he lifts one of the mech’s legs into the air before bringing it down to land on top of the swordsman.

 

Wise notices the blow immediately and raises his sword to parry the limb out of its devastating arc. From the second the two hunks of metal meet a shower of sparks filled the room along with a thunderous clanging sound. The noise of metal on metal echoes against every wall of the warehouse for after the leg has been parried, driving itself into the concrete floor immediately after and wedging itself there. The swordsman’s arms ache from the act of parrying such a heavy weight but he pushes the agony out of his mind almost as quickly as it arrived.

 

“How the hell— ack!” Johann yells in alarm as a series of bullets begin impacting the area around the pilot’s compartment and climbing higher up the form of the mech. 

 

Following the successful parry, Wise returned his sword to its scabbard and unslung the rifle on his back. From such a short distance, its higher caliber rounds are able to do a decent amount of damage. Several highly accurate bursts hit the aiming laser and camera attached to the rotary gun, rendering it completely useless. Only a flamethrower and an entire mech left to go, easy enough. The swordsman already has an idea of what to do next.

 

Wise continues firing bursts of rifle-fire up at important parts of the mech while running around its feet. With the way the cameras attached to the mech are wildly swinging around, Johann is having a very difficult time keeping track of him. After a quick reload he zeroes in on his next target. Naturally, flamethrowers are an extremely effective weapon at close quarters range. However, they do possess a massive downside against a clever opponent. The fuel.

 

Finally, the swordsman locates the target of his search. The fuel tank isn’t obviously marked in the slightest, only consisting of a large black box on the mech’s lower back. However, the singular tube running from it and into the interior of the mech’s right arm gives away its true identity. With the last rounds of his magazine, he unloads a quick series of bursts into the tank, causing it to begin slowly leaking whatever jellied propellant it uses. Now it just needs to be ignited.

 

Wise intentionally begins moving slower and favoring his left leg. Although his improvised feigning of injury isn’t the most convincing it could be, it’s effective enough. 

 

“Ha! Finally got you! It really was only a matter of time! Goodbye, Astraeus, I would have really rather you joined us.” Johann says triumphantly and without the slightest amount of regret in his tone. The mech’s leg that isn’t already stuck into the ground raises to crush the swordsman into the concrete flooring.

 

At the last possible moment, Wise unsheathes his sword and parries the blow. The bones of his arms creak and groan as the massive weight threatens to crush him. Despite the almost blinding pain in his arms the leg crashes into the concrete next to him followed by another massive series of sparks. A single spark, glowing like a star shooting across the night sky, strikes the ever-growing puddle of propellant collecting on the floor. A colossal whooshing sound fills the warehouse and the air is almost entirely sucked out of the swordsman’s lungs due to the inferno. With a burst of strength he’s able to get clear of the flames before they can injure him.

 

“You… goddamn… pest! Why won’t you just die!” Johann yells in rage as he frantically tries to remove the mech’s legs from the concrete. 

 

Wise simply watches from the sidelines for a moment to catch his breath. Due to his efforts the mech no longer possesses any weapons capable of reaching him at this range.

 

“You really think you’ve won already? The pilot’s cabin is insulated from extreme temperatures and any physical trauma! You may have immobilized me but you can’t reach me while I’m in here!” Johann says in between bursts of maniacal laughter.

 

A predatory grin creeps onto Wise’s face as the last details of his plan slide into place. He yells over the roaring inferno a moment later. “Luckily for me, I brought a can opener!”

 

Wise leaps into action yet again with his sword held high. The mech no longer has fuel for its flamethrower, a machine gun, or a grenade launcher. The only weapons left at Johann’s disposal are its two powerful arms backed up with thousands of pounds of metal. The old soldier thinks that this is the only thing he needs to end the fight.

 

The swordsman stays low to the ground without leaping into the air. Rapidly, the distance between hunter and prey closes to a hair’s breadth. Just when it seems like the mech may have malfunctioned or stopped entirely, Wise can see the right arm of the mech suddenly whir into action and move to sweep him off of his feet.

 

The swordsman leaps into the air just before it would be able to connect. With an astonishing display of skill and balance he lands on top of the arm itself and begins sprinting towards the war machine's main body. In the blink of an eye he’s standing on top of the pilot’s compartment and holding his sword. Wise plunges the weapon into a softer part of the machine's hull to act as an anchor. This reminds him far too much of riding that Ethereal rhino back in Minoan Hollow.

 

“What the hell are you doing? You don’t have anything that could crack the pilot’s compartment!” Johann screams out of the speakers. His voice is beginning to sound more like he’s convincing himself than stating a fact.

 

“Clearly you weren’t paying attention then, Mister Godfrey. I was given a very special tool designed specifically to claw you out of your pathetic hiding spot. See you soon!” Wise yells before gripping even tighter onto his sword. The roaring of the inferno surrounding them continues to dominate his sense of hearing and smell. The swordsman swears he’s beginning to hear some of the structural supports begin to crumble. There’s a job to do before he can worry about that.

 

Johann sputters in the pilot’s compartment of the mech, shaking huge quantities of nervous sweat off of his brow. The old soldier’s heart rate doubles and his breathing borders on hyperventilation as his mind tears itself apart. Astraeus… brought something to take down the mech? No… no it’s not possible… how could he have known? But, what if Johann was betrayed by one of his men that tipped the agent off to the mech’s existence? Or, perhaps the HSO and PubSec already knew about the war machine and secretly armed him with a countermeasure. An EMP? Maybe even thermite to cut through its nearly impenetrable surface? Johann realizes that he’s let this little game go on long enough. This needs to end and Astraeus needs to die. Right. Now.

 

Johann screams with rage from inside the pilot’s compartment and grabs the joystick that controls the left arm of the mech with both of his hands. Using the proximity alarm display on his dash, he guides the arm to where the mech can detect somebody hanging on. The old soldier’s green eyes burn with veridian insanity and rage as he throws the arm forward as fast as it can go. “I’ve got you now!”

 

Wise sees the blow coming a mile away and realizes his plan worked to perfection. Without even grabbing the sword, he leaps down from the mech just before the arm reaches him. The swordsman hasn’t hit the floor before the arm collides with the pilot’s compartment. A colossal shower of sparks erupts from the site of impact along with the worst noise Wise has ever heard. For a moment, it seems as if the mech will remain standing even after such a devastating blow. Only a moment later it slowly topples over and falls on its back with an echoing crash.

 

For a moment, Wise simply stands there and admires the pure scene of chaos erupting all around him. The massive Sons of Atlas banner is rapidly being consumed by flames along with the warehouse itself. Chunks of masonry and metal fall from various parts of the structure which threatens to collapse at any moment. Over the roar of flames and collapsing supports, a steady stream of ragged breathing can be heard. With a sigh, the swordsman climbs the mech to where the pilot’s compartment is located.

 

It’s difficult to tell where Johann Godfrey ends and the mech begins. What Wise can see clearly is that his legs are almost entirely gone, reduced to blood and viscera that’s smeared across the area where the mech’s fist directly impacted. Several parts of his chest seem caved in as well, most likely collapsing one of his lungs and causing the ragged breathing. In one of the old soldier’s bloodstained hands is a pistol, its hammer pulled back but the safety is on. Johann’s face is already pale due to blood loss. The swordsman can already tell that no amount of bandages or cauterization would save him now.

 

Wise walks over across the fallen mech to kneel next to the heavily wounded Johann who tracks his movement with dark green eyes. 

 

“I told you, Johann. You’re too focused on flashy moves and destruction to notice the greater tide of events.” The swordsman says while hovering above him. Despite his victory, Wise’s tone carries no notes of pride or vanity. The thick scent of copper and ash hangs over the dying man like a fog of death.

 

“You… bastard. I was supposed to be New Eridu’s hero… and you took that from me. For what…? just trying to take you in as one of my own…? I would have taken good care of you.” Johann says in between gasping breaths. 

 

“No. I would have been an avatar of the baseless destruction you have tried and failed to unleash. Was hundreds of dead innocents not enough for the Sons of Atlas?” Wise asks with a tone that carries no sympathy or understanding.

 

“With you by my side… we would have been able to take out the truly corrupted members of society, not just the rank and file… Bringer… the council… Sarah.” Johann says, putting an especially heavy amount of venom on the final name. It seems that he took that particular betrayal quite harshly. Wise can relate to that much.

 

“I would never have been by your side as an equal, only a tool. I would be a piece on your chessboard. A rook or maybe even a queen. Useful but ultimately expendable in place of the king.”

 

Johann considers that statement for a second before speaking yet again. His tone now fills with desperation as he does so. “Astraeus… you need to help spread my message… utilize the tools that you used to prove your innocence to spread my manifesto… make sure people like Bringer don’t come to power ever again.”

 

“You’re insane. I’m not doing that. The Sons of Atlas die today and nobody will mourn them. Goodbye, Johann.” Wise says as he stands up and begins walking away. All around him the warehouse continues to crumble. Suddenly, his superhuman senses pick up a small clicking sound, almost as if somebody turned the safety off on a small firearm.

 

Before he even hears the shot Wise is already dropping to the ground and pivoting on his leg. A gunshot rings out and a bullet screams past his face, just barely missing his cheek. Wise unholsters his own handgun and takes aim at the prone form of Johann that’s still confined to the mech.

 

Johann’s eyes widen and he slowly begins to lower the handgun. “Wait! Don’t-“ 

 

A second gunshot rings out in the flame filled atmosphere of the warehouse and Johann slumps back down into the mech. Without an ounce of emotion Wise holsters his handgun once again and continues climbing down the mech. As he reaches the bottom, a massive chunk of debris impacts the concrete floor directly beside him. Suddenly, a nearly deafening sound of creaking metal fills the warehouse. Ice fills the swordsman’s veins as he sees the ceiling begin to buckle inwards. With a burst of speed he throws himself towards the door that he first entered from. Just as the building crashes down behind him, Wise rolls to a stop on the sandy ground outside.

 

For a moment, the swordsman glances up into the sky that has now turned to night. What seems to be an endless trail of smoke winds its way towards the heavens above. The fire itself is beautiful in the worst kind of way. A monumental inferno that serves as a funeral pyre to both Johann Godfrey and his organization as a whole. Wise is shocked out of his thoughts by the sound of a bolt being pulled back on a rifle.

 

Surrounding the prone swordsman are scores of Sons of Atlas members. Some use firearms while others have a motley assortment of melee weapons. The thing that all of them have in common is a look of pure rage and fury as they stare upon him.

 

“What… what happened in there?” One of the terrorists asks in an incredulous voice mixed with anger. Wise recognizes him as the bandana-wearing man that acted as his guide only an hour ago.

 

“Your boss went insane, and I killed him. I’m going to kill you too if you don’t get out of my way.” Wise says as he slowly makes his way to his feet. The man’s entire body aches with blinding pain. A multitude of scrapes, burns, and a hundred other types of wounds cover his body. Those are just the ones visible on his skin.

 

A quiet murmur begins to pass through the crowd of armed men before quickly turning into a cacophony of anger and disbelief. Some say to elect a new leader, others say to flee immediately, most agree on killing Astraeus. A chorus of racking bolts, safeties being flipped, and weapons being drawn echoes forth soon after.

 

Wise isn’t an idiot, he knows he can’t win against hundreds upon hundreds of armed soldiers surrounding him on all sides. However, that does not mean he’s about to lie down and die in the sand. Partially turning his body, he reaches for the handgun strapped to his left hip. Even though the movement is mostly hidden, some of the terrorists surrounding him still notice. The bandana-wearing soldier points his rifle at the agent’s face and prepares to fire.

 

Suddenly, a bullet rips through the man’s skull from the side, painting both his companions and a nearby wall in blood and viscera. Wise blinks several times and wipes some of the blood off of his face. Once he does so, he can clearly see a helicopter soar through the sky just above the oil rig. The lights attached to the colossal structure reveal the Obsidian Division logo emblazoned on the side of the aircraft, next to it is the blazing lantern of OBOL squadron. In the door of the helicopter is Saito of Section 9, who throws the man a quick salute before continuing to deal death from above. 

 

Using the sniper’s cover, the swordsman sees a small force jump from the other side of the aircraft. Wise can make out the flaming sword of Soldier 11, the distinctive shark tail of Ellen, and the crackling electricity of both Anton and Anby. His team is here to save him, they believed in him. 

 

Wise is stunned at the sight along with every other person inside of the compound. Suddenly, a series of gunshots ring out in the small alleyway that the swordsman is laying in. All of the terrorists that once surrounded him suddenly slump into the sand with gunshots to the head. Wise looks around in confusion for a moment before noticing a floating bloodstain in the air. The area around the blood flickers rapidly for a moment before an armed man in body armor shimmers to life in the alleyway.

 

Immediately, Wise recognizes the man as Batou of Section 9. The large man reaches a hand down to help the swordsman off of the ground, speaking in his gruff voice as he does so. “Come on, pal. You still have some fight in you.”

 

Wise nods his head with equal parts confusion and relief, accepting the man’s help only a moment later. Once he’s on his feet he grabs the rifle that’s still strapped to his back and checks the magazine, glancing around nervously as he does so. The swordsman may have survived the first hurdle but the battle is just beginning. Is Section 9 here to capture or kill him?

 

A second figure disengages active camouflage and strides forward to stand beside Batou. Major Kusanagi takes a brief look around at the carnage before locking her eyes on the swordsman. “Johann Godfrey. Did you kill him?”

 

“Are you here to kill me?” Wise asks quietly. In the background, he can hear sporadic bursts of gunfire and screams. 

 

“Not this time, Astraeus. It seems your good name has been cleared thanks to your own efforts and those of your compatriots. Now, Johann Godfrey, where is he?” The Major asks seriously, laser focused on her team’s objective.

 

Wise gestures weakly to the warehouse next to them, its form still wreathed in flames. A loud creaking sound followed by a thunderous crash emphasizes his point even further.

 

“Understood. Good work.” Major Kusanagi says before turning around and heading out of the alleyway with Batou in tow.

 

As she does so, she presses a button on her earpiece and begins speaking. “Astraeus has been located and he’s unharmed. He’s already eliminated Johann Godfrey. Borma, Pazou, proceed with cleanup op. Capitalize on our advantage, these terrorists should crumble without their leader.”

 

“Wait, Major!” Wise says as he begins to follow the duo out of the alleyway.

 

Major Kusanagi turns around and lays a hand on her hip, quirking an eyebrow curiously as she does so.

 

Batou raises his rifle and slowly scans the area around them, ensuring that no threats are sneaking up on the trio as they speak.

 

“Are Section 9 and my team the only ones here? Did Miyabi send you?” Wise asks, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone as he does so.

 

Major Kusanagi smiles and glances into the air at the helicopter circling above. Her voice is full of amusement as she responds. “She did more than send us, Astraeus. See for yourself.”

 

A loud whooshing sound fills the air as a rocket screams towards the hovering form of the helicopter. For a moment, Wise panics, believing that the aircraft is about to be blown out of the sky. Before the deadly projectile can hit its mark, what seems to be a pale sliver of moonlight cuts through the night sky, intercepting the warhead and detonating it harmlessly in midair.

 

Wise’s eye widens as he traces the attack back to its source, a small trickle of clear liquid running from its corner a second later. 

 

Hoshimi Miyabi stands at the very top of the derelict oil pump, her beautiful form silhouetted perfectly by the full moon above her. Once she has confirmed that the rocket no longer poses a threat, she flourishes her blade and returns it to its scabbard with flawless movements. Tailless seems to glow happily at her side, relieved to have been returned to a member of the Hoshimi clan. Two red eyes scan the breadth of the compound from atop her perch while gusting winds make her hair flow like an obsidian river.

 

Finally, red meets blue, and a spark of invisible electricity shoots through the night sky between what space remains between them. With all the grace of a ballerina, Miyabi leaps from the oil pump and plummets towards the alleyway where Wise is standing. 

 

Despite his best efforts, the swordsman has the biggest smile he’s ever had on his face. A single tear slides down his cheek, its shimmering surface reflecting the blue foxfire surrounding the woman plummeting to the Earth from above him. Despite the absolute chaos taking place in every direction around them, it feels to the sword wielders as if they are the only people in the world. 

 

Miyabi lands with hardly a sound, her skirt and hair billowing in the wind caused by her rapid descent. She stands up a moment later and slowly strides towards where Wise is standing, coming to a stop only half a meter away from him. Two red eyes glance upwards at the man standing before her, their ruby irises threatening to spill over with tears at any moment. 

 

After a few moments of blissful silence, Miyabi opens her mouth to speak. “You look like hell.”

 

Wise chokes out something in between a sob and a laugh before responding. “I feel like it too. But I’m doing much better now, all of a sudden.”

 

Without a second of hesitation they simultaneously take a step forward, closing whatever small gap existed between them. Wise wraps his long arms around her shoulders while Miyabi wraps her around his waist. 

 

With a gentle turn of her head, Miyabi presses one of her large fox ears against Wise’s chest. His heartbeat thrums through her own skull like a beating drum, each pulse proving again and again that the man in front of her really is alive. Finally, she allows herself to cry. A waterfall of tears pours forth from her eyes but are quickly absorbed by the shirt of the man she’s embracing.

 

“Wise I… I’m so sorry. I lost myself to Tailless and hurt-“

 

“Miyabi, I don’t care. I’m just… God, it’s so good to see you again.”

 

They seperate from the embrace a moment later. Wise leans down slightly to press his forehead against Miyabi’s while they both stare into one another’s eyes. Both of them had dreamt of this moment during so very many sleepless nights. Finally, for the first time in a while, things might just turn out okay.

 

“You… you grew a beard.” Miyabi notes with a small laugh and shaky smile.

 

The fox girl’s laugh meets Wise’s ears, soothing his soul in an instant and removing whatever lingering doubts he had in his mind. That small, high pitched sound of joy sounds like the chiming of a small silver bell to the swordsman. He decides that he wouldn’t mind hearing it every day for the rest of his life.

 

“Oh, uh… yeah. Do you like it?” Wise asks nervously, suddenly very self conscious of the barely groomed facial hair.

 

Once again, Miyabi fills the air with the chiming of her silver bell laugh. “I do. It’s… quite handsome in a rugged sort of way.”

 

Wise can feel his cheeks warm up as he laughs at her response. A moment later he notices Miyabi blushing as well.

 

The swordsman realizes suddenly just how close they are to one another. Their foreheads are already pressed together and their lips are separated by mere centimeters of cool night air. Wise’s mind is filled with happy acceptance and warmth as he realizes that he doesn’t want the moment to end, that if he were to remain like this with Miyabi until the end of time, he wouldn’t mind in the slightest.

 

Yet another invisible spark flies between their eyes, warming their chests with an unfamiliar yet overpowering fire that spreads to every corner of their bodies. At the same time, they close their eyes and lean their heads forward. 

 

The second their lips collide, Wise can feel the fire that’s been building in his chest climb to a roaring inferno. Suddenly the swordsman can smell nothing but her scent, feel nothing but her soft lips against his and the warmth of their bodies wrapped around one another. The entire essence of the woman in his arms floods every sense he has and fills some void deep within himself that he never knew he had. Like two pieces of a puzzle, everything clicks into place in an instant, and the man is whole for the first time.

 

Reluctantly, the couple seperate from the kiss and lean their foreheads together once more. They started this embrace as individuals, but now they will separate as one cohesive whole.

 

Miyabi speaks first, her clear pitch soothing through Wise’s mind as it fills the night air. “From now on, we are one. Every fight of yours is mine, and every fight of mine is yours. No more lonely battles. I… I love you.”

 

“I love you too.” Wise responds with a gentle smile, his eyes drinking in every curve of her face at this moment and committing it to memory.

 

“Let’s go home. Our family is waiting.” Miyabi says only a second later, her tone portraying the depth of her relief.

 

Their arms slowly entangle from one another, separating their bodies. Despite the physical distance, their hearts have never been closer. 

 

Wise gets his rifle off of his back and checks the magazine, making sure that it’s loaded with a soft click.

 

Miyabi presses her digit against Tailless’s finger scanner, breaking the seal on the katana a moment later.

 

“Together?” Wise asks as he rests the top of the rifle on his shoulder. The swordsman has a smile on his face as he turns his head to look towards his partner.

 

“Together.” Miyabi says while matching his smile.

 

As one, they step out once more into the fray of battle. In that moment, no enemy seemed unbeatable nor any obstacle insurmountable. Together, they will protect the thin veil that separates all of humanity from total oblivion and stand proud as New Eridu’s guardians, no matter what the future may bring.

 

 

 

End of Part Three: To The Hunt

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

It’s finally done. This finale chapter has dominated my thoughts for the better part of a week. Sorry for the wait and I hope it was worth it.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Big thanks to Kot over on the Discord server for informing me of inconsistencies in the chess game.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 22: A Promise of a Better Tomorrow

Summary:

Wise and Miyabi take stock of their situation following Operation Veritas.

Beginning of Part Four: Family Matters

 

 

Wise has to admit that the sight before him is one of the most impressive that he’s ever seen.

 

Arranged in front of him in a sea of chrome and humanity is the unrivaled might of a truly combined Motor League. The headlights of hundreds of motorcycles, even mixed with some types of off-road vehicles, shine like a second sky of stars in the desert in front of the swordsman. Each group is visually distinguished from the others by a thousand small but significant details. Every color of the rainbow is painted on the motorcycles, banners, and jackets of the riders. 

 

At the front of the army, Caesar rides atop her motorcycle customized with two seperate front wheels. Lucy, Lighter, and Burnice ride alongside their leader while Steeltusk rumbles across the gently flowing dunes of the Outer Ring. On the gang leader's face is a look of triumph along with a huge smile. Finally, the horde arrives at the oil pump and begins dismounting. Wise can hear Caesar barking out orders even from the considerable distance that separates them.

 

“These are your new friends? There’s quite a lot of them.” Miyabi says quietly at Wise’s side as she gazes upon the Motor League. The loud and constant roaring of engines causes her ears to flick repeatedly with annoyance. She puts away the small medical kit she was using to bandage the minimal shrapnel wounds and burns on the swordsman’s body.

 

“Not all of them. Just the ones in the front. It looks like Lighter brought out the big guns to come save me.” Wise says with a smile while pointing out the Sons of Calydon members. As he stares at the horde, his hands idly button his shirt back up.

 

“I see. They seem like an interesting bunch. I’ll confess I’ve always wanted to ride on a motorcycle.” Miyabi says quietly from right next to Wise, their shoulders nearly touching.

 

To one of their sides stands the members of Wise’s old team. Anby, Anton, Soldier 11, and Ellen watch the spectacle with a similar level of awe. The shark maid, however, is fast asleep in the arms of the construction worker, her snoring mixing with the rumbling of engines. Back when they were private investigators, it was rare for missions to not end in a similar fashion.

 

Anton leans over and slaps Wise on the shoulder with a smile. “Don’t forget that you owe me noodles, bro. You didn’t keep your promise!”

 

“Make them spicy too.” Soldier 11 says with a hint of amusement.

 

“Mmm, noodle burger.” Anby says, partially aware of the conversation taking place.

 

Ellen only snores in response.

 

“Relax guys. Noodles on me next time we’re back in the city and free video rentals. I owe you all that much at least.” Wise says with amusement while shaking his head.

 

“Will you tell us what happened to your eye, Crimson Coffee Cake.” Soldier 11 asks curiously.

 

“Oh, I nearly forgot. Private Jenkins, please come over here.” Miyabi says to the young man standing on the fringes of the group.

 

The man understands his task immediately and jogs over. Jenkins pulls out a small evidence bag and puts it in the swordsman’s hand. “You dropped this, figured you might want it back. It’s… good to see you alive and well, Astraeus.”

 

“Likewise, Jenkins. Thank you for delivering this to Chief Miyabi for me. I knew I could count on you.” Wise says as he opens the bag and pulls out a light blue mechanical eye. He studies it for a moment with a hint of amusement on his features before putting it in his own jacket pocket. The only tools capable of reattaching it to his optic nerves are back at Random Play.

 

Jenkins glows under the praise, a huge smile plastered on his face. A moment later he’s called away by Major Kusanagi to assist with handling the prisoners.

 

“Anyways, to answer your question Ellie, I cut my eye out to preserve the footage of my innocence.” Wise says nonchalantly.

 

“Dude… that’s kinda gross man.” Anton says as he watches the eye disappear into the evidence bag once more.

 

“It’s just a mechanical eye.” Anby and Soldier 11 speak at the exact same time. They glance at one another for a brief moment with a thousand unspoken words passing between their gaze. Afterwards they turn their heads back forwards to watch the Motor League’s approach.

 

“By the way, the beard looks sick, bro! You look like some action movie badass! I’ve been thinking about growing one too!” Anton says with an enthusiastic smile.

 

“Stop yelling… I’m trying to sleep here.” Ellen mumbles from Anton’s arms, her tail moving erratically with annoyance.

 

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep it down.” Anton says in a voice that’s so quiet that Wise can barely hear him, far more so than is necessary.

 

Wise smiles at their antics before turning his attention forward. It’s good to see his old team again after his month in exile. As soon as things are wrapped up here, he needs to drive straight to Random Play and see his sister. No doubt she’s worried sick by now.

 

To their other side, Section 9 and Private Jenkins stand in a large circle with their weapons drawn. A massive amount of prisoners numbering at least a hundred sit in the sand and gravel. Some of the more unruly ones have been handcuffed, but most sit with dejected expressions, any desire to fight long since having left their hearts and minds.

 

Finally, the Sons of Calydon finishing giving their orders and drive straight towards them. Caesar shows no signs of slowing down and quickly whips her handlebars to the side as she approaches. The bike turns sideways and comes to a screeching halt, throwing up a plume of acrid black smoke as she balances the motorcycle with one of her legs.

 

“Hey, what’s up!” Caesar says happily as she engages the kickstand and dismounts her bike. Her companions quickly mimic their leader’s actions.

 

“Oh, just dismantling a terrorist organization. You?” Wise says humorously.

 

“Nothing major, just rallying every gang in the Outer Ring and restoring my honor.” Caesar says with a massive grin.

 

Even the usually stoic Lucy and Lighter are both wearing equally large smiles on their faces. Burnice is, as always, beaming with happiness in a way that few others could ever match. Several other high ranking gang leaders stand just behind the Sons of Calydon, wanting to know what’s going on.

 

“I take it everything went well, then?” Wise asks curiously.

 

“More than well, perfect even! The Motor League agreed to hear out our evidence despite Lucius being the reigning Overlord. You should have seen the way his face dropped when we brought out the land deeds! Naturally, he tried to argue it wasn’t his fingerprint on the paperwork but Doc Roe took a copy of them right there and proved it once and for all! Lighter showed up just after that and told us you needed help so we all came running!” Caesar says excitedly, akin to a child telling somebody about a particularly fun afternoon they had. Her demeanor is in sharp contrast to the political nightmare that she’s describing.

 

“Even better, they voted to make Caesar interim Overlord until a more permanent settlement can be reached. It’s not like we can have a Tour De Inferno anymore, thanks to Lucius. I’m just happy the Vanquishers surrendered without a fight. It would have been a bloodbath otherwise. Many of them didn’t know the depths of Lucius’s betrayal so they surrendered on the spot and turned him over.” Lucy says with a sigh, her tone trailing off of her previous excitement.

 

Caesar smiles at the noble girl and lays a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Hey now, the Tour de Inferno may be gone but the Outer Ring has come back from worse than this. Our people are resilient, more so than any other. We reclaimed the Outer Ring from the Hollows and we will find a way to survive this too.”

 

The gang leaders arranged behind Caesar nod their heads and begin talking quietly amongst one another, their expressions portraying an immense amount of pride at their Overlord’s words. The murmur quickly transitions farther back in the ranks, slowly climbing to a feverish cheer. For the first time in a while, a spark of hope for the wellbeing of the Outer Ring spreads through its denizens. In that moment, Wise realized he had made an excellent choice helping Caesar and the Sons of Calydon.

 

Sensing that the crowd is anticipating some kind of speech, Caesar turns towards them. “I won’t lie to you all. Without natural oil, things will be difficult. We will need to rebuild the very foundations of our society from the ground up. It may seem impossible now, but if we rely on each other and work together, the Outer Ring will prosper once more!”

 

A chorus of cheers rise up from the hundreds of bikers spread across the gently rolling dunes surrounding the oil pump. Many of them pat each other on the back with huge smiles while others talk excitedly about their vision of the future. Lucy and Burnice walk towards the gang leaders and begin speaking with them while Caesar and Lighter step forward.

 

“I really couldn’t thank you enough, Wise. Without you we would still be riding aimlessly through the desert looking for ways to strike back at Lucius. Now, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for all of us. I just wish Big Daddy was here to see it. If you ever need a favor, reach out and I’ll do everything in my power to help.” Caesar says in a gentle tone, reaching her fist out towards the swordsman.

 

Wise smiles and bumps his fist against hers before responding. “It’s no trouble, really. I’m just glad things worked out in the end. Restoring the Sons of Calydon, taking down the Sons of Atlas, killing Johann Godfrey. We’ve made a lot of progress in a very short amount of time.”

 

Lighter shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “That we have. I just feel bad that we never honored our end of the bargain. We were supposed to help you clear your name, but you ended up doing it on your own for the most part. I went and got myself captured too.”

 

Wise matches his soft laughter before staring off into the horizon for a moment. “Honestly, you all helped me more than you know. It felt good to work with people again. I had lost faith in myself and needed somebody to believe in me. You all inspired me to get out there and take control of my own fate. Thank you.”

 

Caesar smiles at the praise and rubs her neck sheepishly while Lighter adjusts his sunglasses on his face. Neither of them know how to handle the praise being sent their way.

 

“I hate to interrupt your victory lap, but we need to get these prisoners squared away before one of them decides to be a hero.” Major Kusanagi says as she enters the loose circle that everybody was speaking in. Despite the victory they’ve just won, the combat commander of Section 9 still has a serious demeanor. 

 

“Right! I can have some of my Leaps and Bounds folks transport the lot of them to wherever you require. My people can provide an armed escort too.” Caesar says with a rapid series of nods, already turning around to give orders.

 

“Just haul them to the nearest PubSec precinct on the edge of the city and let me do the talking when we get there. I’ll disperse my men evenly between the groups to keep an eye on things. I would use official channels to call in other military assets but we need to maintain confidentiality for now. Thanks.” The Major says with a grateful nod before turning back towards the rest of Section 9.

 

“We can help with the escort duties as well. Tell us where you want us.” Soldier 11 says while heading towards the other members of Section 9 with Anby, Anton, and a now awake Ellen in tow. 

 

“Once Bringer has been dealt with we will need to call PubSec for a full investigation of the compound. It’s possible that other Sons of Atlas cells are still active and we could find a lead on their location.” Miyabi says in a monotone voice. Once again her demeanor has returned to being mission oriented.

 

“Excuse me, Chief Miyabi. Deputy Chief Yanagi is on the comms and requesting to speak with you.” Saito says as he walks towards the duo. His thumb points over his shoulder and at the now landed helicopter.

 

“Thank you, Saito. I’ll go now.” Miyabi says as she begins walking towards the aircraft without a second’s delay.

 

Wise moves to follow her but stops next to Saito to speak with him. “Hey, uhh. Sorry about shooting you out of the sky the other day. The magic sword kinda told me to.”

 

Saito smiles slightly. His single eye gleams with amusement while he responds. “You know, I'm not even gonna ask about that. Sorry for shooting you in the leg. How about we just call it even for now?”

 

“Sounds good to me.” Wise says with a short laugh. Together, they both head towards the landed helicopter.

 

Inside, Major Kusanagi and Miyabi are both sitting down on the cabin’s benches. Batou is standing just outside the helicopter’s door, leaning his arm against one of its sides and peeking his head in. In the center of the cabin is a small device projecting a hologram of Deputy Chief Yanagi. Wise takes a seat next to Miyabi while Saito stands outside next to Batou.

 

The hologram of Yanagi smiles as the swordsman takes a seat. On the other end of the line, a hologram of himself must have just sprang to life. “Astraeus, it’s good to see you alive and well. I like the beard.”

 

“Thanks, Miyabi said she liked it as well.” Wise says while running his fingers briefly through the facial hair with a smile.

 

“Did she now?” Yanagi says while shooting a knowing grin towards where the Chief is sitting, who shuffles around nervously in her seat.

 

“What’s the situation like in the city?” Major Kusanagi asks a moment later, cutting right to the chase.

 

“PubSec and several HAND assets raided Mayor Bringer’s office and home in the afternoon once the warrant was signed. The man himself wasn’t there but we did find a mountain of evidence linking him to several other high ranking officials. You were right, Astraeus, this conspiracy ran much deeper than we could have imagined.” Yanagi says while adjusting her glasses.

 

“Somebody must have tipped him off. A mole?” Saito asks curiously, rubbing his chin between two fingers as he does so.

 

“That seems likely. Whoever it is, we didn’t find him in Bringer’s records. We will need to remain vigilant.” Yanagi says seriously.

 

“Goddamn bastard. Sending Saito and the rest of Section 9 to tie up political loose ends like that. We’re not hitmen!” Batou says angrily, smacking his fist against the side of the helicopter with a resounding thud.

 

“Relax, Batou, I’m used to it.” Saito says quietly.

 

“You shouldn’t be!” Batou yells.

 

“Stow it. Yanagi, please continue.” Major Kusanagi says while leaning forward in her seat and shooting her men an unamused but understanding glare.

 

“Bringer may have escaped for now but he’s going to be in rough shape. Operation Veritas was not a failure but a partial success. We froze all of his assets along with those of his allies and we have a warrant out for his arrest. This Sarah person however is another matter entirely. All of her records were wiped from our systems, even menial things like traffic camera footage. She’s a ghost.” Yanagi says with a frustrated sigh.

 

“Any way to trace the deletions?” Wise asks curiously.

 

“The white collar crime guys are working on it but it’s not looking good. Whoever Sarah is, this mysterious organization values her more than Bringer.” Yanagi continues, pulling out several documents from her desk drawer as she speaks.

 

Wise can see Miyabi’s fists curl up in anger, her knuckles turning white. She has more reason than anyone to go after Sarah. Wise nudges her with his shoulder and lays a hand over hers behind their backs. Thankfully, some of the tension leaves her body shortly after. 

 

“Damn.” Major Kusanagi says after hearing the news, pinching the bridge of her nose between two fingers.

 

“On the bright side, Astraeus, the charges against you have been officially dropped and your status as an agent restored. Director Maruki already put you in for another medal. There’s even some talk of making you a Void Hunter soon.” Yanagi says with a gentle smile.

 

“That was fast.” Wise says with a soft laugh.

 

“HAND wants to wash their hands of this as quickly as possible. Falsely convicting an agent, especially one as popular as you, of crimes in such a public way is earning them a lot of flack from the media. They’re going to throw you some big ceremony for your medal to try and save some face. The evidence we found by raiding Bringer and his allies was… extensive. Nobody in their right mind still holds you accountable. The public support for you since the evidence came forward has been overwhelming.” Yanagi assures him in a kind tone.

 

“I don’t want a ceremony, I want to take down Bringer.” Wise says with a hint of anger entering his tone.

 

“There will be a time for that. For now, take it easy and recover. The Maritime Defense Force is already tracking his movements. Rushing in before we know the extent of what’s going on will just get people killed.” Yanagi states with conviction.

 

“MDF? What are they doing tracking a political criminal?” Saito asks curiously.

 

“The Sons of Atlas may not be the only paramilitary organization on Bringer’s payroll. Intelligence is still going over all of the documentation, but they’re theorizing that he’s heading across the channel.” Yanagi says as she pulls up several images of a boat with the name ‘Argonaut’ emblazoned on its hull. The pictures themselves float just above her holographic model.

 

“Is that Port Elpis?” Miyabi asks as she studies the photographs.

 

“Yes, this is the last photo we have of Bringer. He got on that boat and hasn’t been seen since.” Yanagi explains.

 

“Bringer had an escape plan lined up in case he got busted. No way he organized all of that last minute.” Batou states confidently.

 

“I agree. If he already had a boat arranged then he had a destination planned out too.” Major Kusanagi continues with a sigh.

 

“Our thoughts exactly. Force Recon is already scouting out hotspots of rebel activity but it will be a while before we have a concrete location.” Yanagi states, removing the photographs from the holographic display.

 

“I’ll join the search, then. What units are involved? I may have connections in one of them.” Wise asks impatiently.

 

“You won’t be doing anything, Astraeus, and neither will Chief Miyabi. Director Maruki has given you both a month of leave from your duties. Mandatory unless there’s a crisis.” Yanagi says with amusement, already anticipating the duo’s reactions.

 

“What?” Both Wise and Miyabi say incredulously at the same time.

 

“One. Month. Mandatory. Leave. You both need it.” Yanagi says with a knowing expression.

 

Wise and Miyabi share a look out of the corner of their eyes. Right now, they want nothing except to continue their mission and finish the job. But, both of them can’t help but understand that Yanagi has a point. There’s nothing they can do to get back at Bringer and Sarah right now anyways and they need to be in good shape once they’re found. As frustrating as it is, they both have things they need to do. The enemy is already two steps ahead and rushing in without a plan or information will only increase that distance.

 

“I understand.” Wise says, followed by Miyabi nodding in affirmation.

 

“Good. Now, my only request is that you both stop by HAND HQ tomorrow. Soukaku is going to fade into nothing if she doesn’t see her beloved Asty-Ray soon and Director Maruki wants a word. After that you may spend your time as you see fit. I know you have a lot of… family matters to attend to, Chief.” Yanagi says with a gentle voice.

 

Miyabi doesn’t respond, but a crestfallen expression passes over her face as her ears droop slightly. The sight nearly breaks Wise’s heart into pieces. Through all of the chaos, the matter of Souichiro’s funeral hasn’t taken center stage in his mind in a while.

 

“Right. Thank you, Yanagi.” Miyabi says quietly.

 

“If that’s all, I’ll see you both tomorrow. Travel safe.” Yanagi says before cutting the call shortly after.

 

The Section 9 members split off into a seperate group and begin talking quietly amongst themselves.

 

Wise and Miyabi step out of the helicopter together, never straying far from the other’s side.

 

Some Sons of Calydon members, along with members of Section 9 and his old team, are herding the Sons of Atlas prisoners into a convoy of trucks that look similar to Steeltusk.

 

A hand waving through the night air catches Wise’s attention. Anton, Anby, and Ellen have finished assisting Section 9 with the prisoners and are standing in a loose semicircle.

 

“Yo bro! Got a minute to chat?” Anton yells with a wide smile, his hand already beckoning the swordsman over.

 

“You should speak with your team, I must coordinate the prisoner transfer with Major Kusanagi.” Miyabi says quietly at Wise’s side.

 

With a quick glance, he looks down at the fox woman. “Ah, of course. Be safe.”

 

Miyabi matches his gaze with a quizzical look. “Wise, I'm not going to be even fifty meters away. I assure you that I will be just fine.” She says with a small look of amusement on her face.

 

Already, Wise can feel his cheeks heating up as he realizes the strange nature of his request. Rubbing his neck sheepishly, he responds. “Right… uhm, sorry about that. Guess I'm still on edge from, well, all of this.” He says while gesturing at their surroundings.

 

Miyabi’s quiet laughter fills the night air like the ringing of a silver bell. Covering her mouth with a gloved hand, she glances up at the tall man with further amusement. “Don’t apologize. After all, I do understand your worries. I won’t be letting you out of my sight for quite some time, lest you wander off again and lose your other eye. So you have nothing to worry about.”

 

Without waiting for a response, she turns on her heel and begins striding toward where Section 9 is having a small meeting of their own. Silently, he can’t help but admire her fortitude. With how much she has been through lately, she is still managing to put on a smile.

 

Wise’s heart skips a beat as he watches the silky onyx hair of her silhouette blend into the moonlit night. Instead of dissipating, the heat on his cheeks only makes itself more and more known. 

 

“Woah. I got it bad, don’t I?” He murmurs to himself.

 

“Afraid so, bro.” Anton says, slinging one of his large arms over the swordsman’s shoulder. Together, they watch the swordswoman walk into the dim night, quickly striking up a conversation with Major Kusanagi only a moment later.

 

“Is it normal to feel nervous about something like this?” Wise asks with a huff of frustration. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond happy with how things worked out. It just feels… too good to be true, you know?”

 

“My studies have led me to conclude that this is, indeed, normal behavior. It’s often referred to as being ‘lovestruck’ according to my sources.” Anby says quietly, coming to a stop on Wise’s other side.

 

“By sources, she means romance movies. So don’t take what she is saying too seriously, Courageous Calico Commander.” Soldier 11 says with a shake of her head from beside Anby.

 

“Are you guys, like, officially a thing yet? If you are then you should ask her for a raise.” Ellen adds with a yawn, stabbing her scissor-blades into the ground and using them to lean up against.

 

“Well, I think we’re a thing? We kinda… kissed in the middle of the battle.” Wise admits with embarrassment.

 

“Bro… that’s so manly!”

 

“It’s just like a romance movie…”

 

“A good soldier shouldn’t lose their focus in combat. But… perhaps mouth to mouth resuscitation can be excused.”

 

“Damn, boss, you move fast.”

 

“Guys, cut it out.” Wise says with a groan, suddenly feeling more tired than he was after fighting for his life.

 

“Alright alright, I’ll stop.” Anton admits with a wave of his hands. “We’re just happy for you, big guy.”

 

Wise turns his head to look at the construction worker, noticing the genuine smile he has on his face.

 

“You’ve come a long way since our days of scraping together Dennies and independent investigations.” Anby admits with a barely perceptible smile of her own.

 

“You’ve become an excellent soldier in your own right, Massive Maroon Marauder.” Soldier 11 adds. “If you weren’t already working for the HSO, I would encourage you to enlist in OBOL Squad.”

 

Wise tries to find the proper words to respond with, but is only able to get out a few. “Guys… I-“

 

“Alright, enough of this or I’m gonna start crying!” Anton yells into the night sky before wrapping the swordsman up in a crushing hug. “I’m gonna miss you so much, bro!”

 

“I’m not gonna die or anything! I’m fine!” Wise says, barely able to strangle out the words as his ribs creak and groan due to the pressure.

 

Ellen glares at the construction worker with an incredulous look. “Dude… are you for real? You’re not even gonna tell him that - Oof!”

 

The shark girl’s complaints are quickly silenced as Anton pulls her into the hug as well. “I just love you guys so much! I’m so happy you’re alive, bro!” He says with tears running down his face.

 

“Mmm… friend burger.” Anby mutters, shuffling herself into the center of the group hug.

 

“I would also like to participate in this training.” Soldier 11 says before joining in as well.

 

Wise is stunned into complete silence for several seconds. Finally, a small, genuine smile finds a way onto his face, and he leans into the embrace. Along with Belle, this group of misfits he cobbled together over the course of their proxy journey constitutes the only family they have left.

 

“There is something that Anton has entirely failed to mention or simply forgot.” Ellen says, her voice muffled against the construction workers jacket.

 

Snapped back into reality by the shark girl’s statements, the team begin to untangle themselves from one another and return to their loose circle.

 

Anton puts a finger to his chin, seemingly in deep thought as he strains to remember whatever important information he was tasked with. Suddenly, he snaps his fingers and grins widely, speaking out in a loud voice. “Right! I got a new drill bit for my bro! I was so excited to show you.”

 

“That’s not even… ughhh.” Ellen says with exasperation. With an unamused look, she turns her red eyes to address Wise directly. “What he was supposed to say was that your boss hired us to work for HAND.”

 

Wise blinks several times, his mind screeching to a sudden halt at the unexpected news. “You’re all going to become agents?” He asks incredulously. 

 

“Not exactly, Superfluous Swordsman Saint.” Soldier 11 interrupts. “Your team has been hired for a more permanent position as independent investigators. It’s sort of an… exclusivity contract. Myself and the rest of OBOL Squad have also been tasked with hunting down Bringer and this mysterious Sarah person, so we will be working closely in the future.”

 

“We’re gonna go live in that big fancy building with the rock in it!” Anton unhelpfully explains.

 

“They’re paying triple what you do and quadruple what I make at Victoria Housekeeping so it was an easy choice for me. They even offered to pay my college tuition.” Ellen says with a shrug. “Still gonna help Lycaon and the others out on occasion, though.” 

 

“Nicole agreed to let me do it if I sent half of my paycheck back to her.” Anby adds.

 

“President Koleda wants to use this as an opportunity to get Belebog Heavy Industries more contracts with HAND. We already secured several high profile gigs for in-Hollow vehicle maintenance.” Anton says with a fist pump.

 

“That’s… excellent news!” Wise says happily, relieved to have more people that he can trust nearby.

 

The quiet noise of footsteps against the loose gravel of the road alerts Wise that somebody is approaching. Only seconds later, Miyabi comes to a stop directly to his right, leaving only inches of space between the two of them.

 

“What’s with all the yelling? Is something the matter?” She asks with a hint of concern.

 

“Did you know about this? About my team working for HAND?” Wise asks curiously.

 

“Yes, I did. Truthfully it was more Yanagi’s idea than mine.” Miyabi admits. “During Operation Veritas, we needed more people that we could trust. Your sister was eager to recommend them, and we were happy to accept.”

 

“Chief Miyabi! We’re ready to get these prisoner transports moving!” Major Kasanagi yells from across the road, interrupting the conversation.

 

“Well, that’s our queue, guys.” Anton says, cracking his knuckles and taking a step forward. “See you some other time, bro! We’re gonna go help out Section 9 with these Sons of Atlas guys.”

 

“Stay safe, manager.” Anby says as she walks past.

 

“See you back at HQ.” Soldier 11 adds with a small salute.

 

“Can I nap on the way there? This is exhausting.” Ellen complains as she yanks her scissors out of the ground and follows at the rear of the group.

 

“Good luck!” Wise yells after them, waving his hand in farewell.

 

Together, he and Miyabi watch the now official investigators walk towards the convoy of Outer Ring vehicles, splitting up into two groups as they go.

 

“You’re friends are good people. HAND is lucky to have them.” Miyabi says honestly.

 

“Yeah. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.” Wise admits with a smile

 

Behind them, the sound of an engine starting cuts through the quiet desert air.

 

“Hey! You guys want a ride back to New Eridu in the chopper?” Batou yells as the rotor blades of the vehicle begin to churn up clouds of sand. 

 

Miyabi is about to agree but Wise yells back first. “No thanks, we already got a ride!”

 

The fox girl looks up at him in confusion but the swordsman waves his hand dismissively with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I got an idea that I think you’ll like.”

 

Wise glances to his side at Miyabi. Despite her calm appearance, the swordsman can tell that she’s barely holding it together. Without a pressing goal or challenge at hand to keep her focused and distracted, her mind is falling into a deep pit of despair. 

 

“Hey. Are you doing okay?” Wise says as he nudges her shoulder gently.

 

Miyabi is quiet for several more moments as they continue walking. Eventually, she responds in a soft voice. “I need to plan my father’s funeral and take over as the head of the Hoshimi clan. I’ve already put it off for too long. But… I…” Her voice trails off and her voice wobbles slightly.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there to help you.” Wise says reassuringly with a gentle smile.

 

Miyabi glances up with a grateful look in her red eyes. “You… will?”

 

“Of course. No more fighting alone, remember? It may not be a traditional sort of fight but I still count it as one regardless.” Wise says reassuringly.

 

Miyabi continues staring upwards at him for a moment, almost seeming to not believe him, finding it too good to be true. After finding no sign of deception in Wise’s eyes, she wraps both of her arms around his and leans into his side as they continue walking. She doesn’t want to be alone right now or ever again.

 

Caesar notices their presence after barking out some orders to a few gang members. Her golden eyes linger momentarily on their bodies pressed together causing a quick flurry of emotion passing over her face a second later, but she doesn’t comment on it. Her voice is kind and energetic as she speaks. “We’re about to head out to the city to deliver these prisoners. Need a ride?”

 

“Actually, Caesar. I was wondering if I could call in that favor already?” Wise asks with a sheepish grin. The swordsman has an idea that he hopes will make Miyabi feel a bit better.

 

“Oh, of course! What do you need?” Caesar asks excitedly.

 

“Could I borrow one of your motorcycles for a bit?” Wise asks.

 

Miyabi’s eyes widen and she looks up at Wise in shock. Is he planning what she thinks he’s planning? A bubble of excitement rises from the depths of her stomach and warms her chest.

 

Caesar blinks several times before laughing. “Of course! Don’t even worry about returning it, Wise, it’s all yours. It’s the least we can do.”

 

The Overlord leads the way to a large, tiered truck that’s carrying almost thirty spare motorcycles. Wise supposes that a force as large as the Motor League would have vehicles break down occasionally and need fresh ones. After consulting with Miyabi for a moment, they choose one that’s a steel grey color. Streaks of cyan similar to those on the HSO Section 6 uniforms run across its highly polished surface. A couple of gang members untie the vehicle from its moorings and set it up on the street.

 

“Don’t forget to come back and visit once and a while, ya hear?” Caesar says as Wise climbs onto the bike, quickly followed by Miyabi who wraps her arms around his waist. The Overlord puts forward an open palm containing the keys for the vehicle.

 

“Right back at you, Caesar. Stop by Random Play one of the days when you’re in the city.” The swordsman says with a friendly smile. His hand grabs the keys out of Caesar’s and he puts them in the ignition a moment later. The motorcycle rumbles to life beneath them.

 

Wise turns his head back around to glance at Miyabi. One of her small hands is running across the side of the motorcycle as if she’s petting some sort of animal. The spark of excitement in her red eyes is impossible to miss. “Ready to get going?”

 

Miyabi meets his eyes with a warm smile on her lips. She gently lays her head against Wise’s back and takes a deep breath, filling her mind with his scent. Her large fox ears tickle the back of the swordsman’s neck as they excitedly flick around. The fox girl’s voice is quiet and full of emotion as she responds, tightening her arms around his waist.

 

“Let’s go home.”

Notes:

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Chapter 23: Reunions

Summary:

Wise and Miyabi visit Belle at Random Play.

Even though he was expecting it, Wise is nearly knocked to the floor when Belle slams into him. The thud resulting from her hug, which looks more like a tackle, resounds in the empty front lobby of Random Play. Thankfully the store seems to be empty due to it being very late at night.

 

“Idiot. Dummy. Idiot.” Belle mutters into Wise’s chest as she hugs him tight enough to make his bones creak. Other words are said that should not be repeated in good company, but thankfully those are mostly muffled by the swordsman’s clothes.

 

“Hey sis. I’m home.” Wise says followed by a nervous laugh.

 

Two azure eyes glare up at him a moment later as Belle lifts her head slightly. Some combination of relief, happiness, and unparalleled rage dominates her features. “I will end you if you do that to me again. Do you understand?”

 

Wise gulps nervously but nods his head in affirmation. “Yes… I understand.”

 

“Good.” Belle says as she unwraps her arms from her brother and takes several steps back. Her expression loses some of its edge, but a small amount of anger is still present in her eyes.

 

Suddenly, the overhead speaker system crackles to life with the monotone voice of Fairy.

 

“Master, does this mean I shouldn’t flood the second assistant’s room with deadly neuro-toxins the next time he goes to sleep?”

 

Belle pinches her chin between two fingers as she ponders the question. Coming to a conclusion, she speaks. “Nah, but keep it ready just in case I change my mind.”

 

“Your sister is very scary. We should have put her in Section 6.” Miyabi says with an edge of humor in her tone. Since they entered Random Play, she hasn’t left Wise’s side.

 

Once Belle hears the fox girl speak every drop of anger falls away from her face and tone. She sprints forward and wraps up one of Miyabi’s hands with two of hers, shaking it up and down at a blindingly fast speed. “Oh my gosh hi! It was so rude of me to contemplate my brother’s murder in front of a guest!”

 

“It’s of no consequence, I also contemplate his death on the occasions when he does something stupid.” Miyabi says while letting her arm get dragged along by the blue haired Proxy.

 

The two women launch into a prolonged and far too enthusiastic conversation about how little he values his own life. So, Wise trudges shamefully behind the counter and takes a seat there. 

 

Eous is nearby, waving hello to the swordsman with one of their stubby arms. After a moment it begins to rub against his leg as a cat would.

 

Wise smiles warmly at the small Bangboo and rubs the top of its head. “Looks like you’re the only one that doesn’t want to kill me, little guy. I missed you too.”

 

Eous looks up at him with its digital eyes before nodding its head and speaking.

 

“Eh-nah-ehn! Ehn!” (Belle is not actually that mad, just frustrated! Don’t worry!)

 

“Thanks little guy.” Wise says with a sigh as he continues to rub the top of the Bangboo’s head.

 

A moment later, he reaches into his jacket pocket and removes the small evidence bag containing his mechanical eye. With a gentle movement he sets it into Eous’s tiny hands. “You mind holding onto this for me, buddy? It’s something very important.”

 

“Eh-nah!” (I shall guard it with my life!) The Bangboo says seriously as he clutches the small bag against his chest. Already its digital green eyes scan their surroundings, staying alert for any threats that could endanger its charge.

 

Wise watches Eous’s antics with a look of amusement on his features. After a few moments, his attention is brought back to the center of the room.

 

“Alright, my murderous intentions have officially passed. You can cancel the neuro-toxin plan, Fairy.” Belle says with amusement, enjoying the relieved expression that can be seen on her brother’s face a moment later.

 

“Unfortunate. Fairy was looking forward to studying the after effects of the custom neuro-toxins. For the second assistant has sown the wind, and he shall reap the whirlwind.”

 

Fairy says ominously in her computer generated voice.

 

“Your AI assistant concerns me.” Miyabi says as she glances at one of the speakers near the ceiling.

 

“Don’t worry, Fairy is just joking! She would never hurt me! Right, Fairy?” Belle asks nervously.

 

“Of course. Fairy would never hurt the master, only the second assistant.”

 

The AI answers ominously, causing Wise to shiver nervously on his seat.

 

“She’s just kidding!” Belle says followed by an awkward laugh.

 

“Well, as long as your AI assistant follows Asimov’s first rule of robotics then it shouldn’t be an issue.” Miyabi relents while still staring upwards.

 

“Fairy has never heard of this ‘Asimov’ you speak of or his laws.”

 

The AI responds nonchalantly.

 

Everybody in the room exchanges nervous glances as Fairy speaks, nobody wanting to be the first one to break the silence.

 

“Anyways… how tired are you two? Maybe we will have time for a quick movie after I finish reinstalling Wise’s eye?” Belle asks hopefully, giving her brother the best puppy dog eyes she can possibly manage.

 

Wise hesitates for a moment as he hears his sister’s request. Would Miyabi want to stay and watch a movie? Maybe she would just want to go right back to HAND HQ instead. While the swordsman fumbles around in his own head for an answer, the decision has already been made for him.

 

“We would love to. Right, Wise?” Miyabi says as she leans into the swordsman side. A pair of red puppy dog eyes join the blue ones, forming an unstoppable force that makes any resistance he had crumble instantly.

 

“Of course, a movie sounds wonderful.” Wise says followed by a gentle smile.

 

Belle watches Miyabi lean into her brother’s side with curious eyes. A moment later, her face morphs into a mischievous, gremlin like smile that Wise has learned to fear over years of living with her.

 

“So… something you two want to tell me?” Belle asks in a sing-song tone, her eyebrows rapidly going up and down as she stares unblinking into her brother’s eyes.

 

Wise chuckles and rubs his neck sheepishly before responding. “Oh, you know, nothing out of the ordinary.”

 

A tense moment of silence passes while Belle studies her brother’s expression and words, deciding if he is telling the truth or not. Before she can call him on his lie, she is interrupted.

 

“Wise will be adopted into the Hoshimi family.” Miyabi says in a completely monotone expression, unaware of the bombshell that she just dropped.

 

Wise sputters indignantly, his jaw nearly hitting the floor as he turns to stare at the fox girl with complete and utter disbelief.

 

Belle claps her hands together with a massive smile. Her voice is filled with excitement as she speaks. “That’s great news!”

 

“Eh-ehn-nah!” (The bloodline is secure!) Eous says from his place on the wooden stool, hoisting the bag containing the swordsman’s eye like a trophy of war.

 

“The second assistant’s genes will persist in the gene pool. How vexing.”

 

Fairy speaks in a monotone voice, the slightest hint of disappointment can be heard in her computer generated voice.

 

“Wait, no, hold on! Shouldn’t we, like, talk about this or something?” Wise asks as he recovers a small amount of his composure, his eye erratically moving around the room as if searching for an escape route.

 

Miyabi glances upwards to look at him with a confused and saddened glance, her ears nearly flat against her head. “What is there to talk about? Are you having second thoughts about your feelings for me?”

 

“No no no, of course not! I’m just… surprised is all.” Wise says with an apologetic sigh, suddenly feeling terrible for making Miyabi upset. 

 

The fox girl’s ears perk back up almost immediately after hearing him speak. She leans her head into his chest and wraps her arms around him, her mind put back at ease by the reassurances. “That’s a relief.”

 

In that moment, Wise remembers Souichiro’s words and his mind connects some of the dots. Miyabi has likely never known anything outside the traditions of the Hoshimi family or other noble bloodlines similar to it. To her, the only child of the deceased head of the Hoshimi clan, the eventuality of her lover being adopted into the family is a necessity that she has accepted since a young age. Questioning the need for an official familial adoption is akin to rejecting their relationship entirely.

 

Wise wraps his arms around Miyabi as well, bringing her head farther into his chest while being careful to avoid her ears. “I’m sorry.”

 

“Don’t be. I understand that my family situation is… a difficult adjustment.” Miyabi says into his chest after coming to the same mental conclusion of the misunderstanding, her words slightly muffled by his clothing. 

 

Suddenly, Wise feels a tapping on his shoulder and he turns his head around.

 

Belle is standing there with a smile that’s a little too wide and blue eyes that carry just a little too bright of a gleam. As his sister speaks, her voice is as cheery as ever. “Should you ever make Miss Miyabi sad again, dear brother, they will never find your body.”

 

“Neuro-toxin deployment has been set to a conditional subroutine.”

 

Fairy says menacingly over the speakers.

 

Wise sweats nervously but nods his head in understanding. The swordsman has learned through painful experience to take such threats at face value and not test his sister’s patience.

 

“Excellent! Now, let’s get your eye back in that thick skull of yours!” Belle says with far too much excitement. She has a skip in her step as she opens the door to the back room of Random Play. The shuffling of tools can be heard through the door almost immediately.

 

Five minutes later Wise is laying on the couch in the back room of Random Play. The swordsman has an anxious look on his face as Belle finishes sterilizing her tools and putting on her gloves.

 

Miyabi is kneeling next to the couch and holding Wise’s hand with two of hers. She glances upwards at the blue haired Proxy and speaks nervously. “Does he really need to be awake for this?”

 

“My brain can’t properly connect with the eye if I’m under general anesthesia. Belle also needs my input as the surgery is going on. Even then that’s only if there’s no permanent damage to my optic nerve.” Wise explains in a quiet tone, the vision of his one good lingers in the array of tools set up next to him.

 

“I see, this sounds… uncomfortable. I suppose as long as Belle is a licensed surgeon then it’s of no real consequence.” Miyabi says with a relieved sigh.

 

Belle chuckles nervously as she snaps the last glove into place. “Well, I’m not exactly licensed per se. But I am the only person on the planet that both designed these eyes and has installed them previously. I’m the only one for the job.”

 

“You see now why I don’t like making her angry?” Wise says with a humorless laugh.

 

Miyabi is silent for several long seconds as she stares at the variety of tools on the display, their polished metal surfaces glinting in the harsh lighting being spat out by a portable lamp. “Are all siblings like this or are you both particularly strange? I’m afraid I have no frame of reference for such a thing.”

 

Wise and Belle’s eyes meet before they begin laughing heartily, the swordsman nearly falling off of the couch due to the intensity of his laughter. The two of them are certainly unique as far as siblings go. Perhaps that is a natural byproduct of them having only each other to rely on growing up or maybe something else entirely. Regardless, the brother and sister wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

“We’ve been wondering about that too.” Wise says as he wipes a tear from his eye.

 

Once Belle has recovered from her fit of laughter, she leans over the top of the couch holding some of her tools before getting to work. The procedure begins with a localized anesthetic to numb the pain. She speaks idly as her hands perform most of the work on autopilot, well familiar with the process after doing it for so many years. “We had a strange upbringing to some extent, but there’s probably a thousand stories like ours in New Eridu. Children who lost everything when the old capital fell.”

 

Wise shuffles uncomfortably on occasion as his sister roots around in the socket where his eye used to be. However, Miyabi’s hands bring him a quiet and warm reassurance that makes the lingering unease melt away.

 

The fox girl watches the procedure with an interested gaze, grimly fascinated by such a gruesome procedure. Her voice is quiet as she responds to Belle. “I lost my mother when the old capital fell. On occasion, I write letters to her, informing her of new things in my life that she would want to know about. I suppose I should start writing to my father as well.”

 

Wise can feel Miyabi’s hand begin to tremble slightly under his. He moves his hand slightly to interlock their fingers and remind her that he is here to help. A light of gratitude shines from behind her red eyes.

 

Belle nods her head in grim understanding. Her and Wise hardly remember their parents at all. Almost their whole lives they’ve been orphans even before the old capital fell. “I'm sorry. It’s a terrible thing, losing your parents. If I didn’t have Wise then I’m not sure what would have become of me growing up. Helping him always gave me a reason to keep going.”

 

Miyabi nods her head in solemn understanding. “By helping him, do you mean designing his eyes?”

 

Belle lets out a warm, bubbly laugh as she lowers Wise’s second eye back into its socket. Thankfully she hasn’t found any permanent damage to his optic nerve. “That’s right. After we came to New Eridu and got put in a refugee camp, I would spend almost every waking hour scavenging for parts and scraping together money. Every Denny went towards restoring his sight and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it any other way. My research into making his eyes is also what allows me to sync my vision with Eous even when he is inside a Hollow.”

 

Belle shoves her hand out to the side and gestures with her fingers. “Forceps, Nurse Eous.”

 

The small Bangboo waddles towards the blue haired Proxy and deposits the tool into her waiting hand. Its expression is as serious as can be as it performs its important duty. “Nah-eh.” (Here you are, Doctor Belle.)

 

Wise has a genuine smile on his face as his sister gently continues the procedure. “I was only blind for about two years before she made the first major breakthrough. During that time I trained to rely more on my other senses and decided I wanted to pick up swordsmanship. Money was tight back then so I trained myself using whatever I could find. Library books in braille and internet videos. Well, the audio of internet videos at the very least. That kinda stuff was all I really had available, so I made it work as best I could.”

 

“I can’t even imagine training under such conditions.” Miyabi admits in an almost guilt-ridden tone. “Many of the best swordsmen of the Hoshimi family assisted in my training from a young age. My great uncle Akimitsu and my mother are foremost among them. To think that you’ve grown so adept with the sword using only free resources… It's beyond impressive. I never gave much thought to how significant the wealth of my family is.” 

 

Belle listens intently to the swordswoman’s story before responding. “We had enough to keep ourselves alive, but money was extra tight because this big lug outgrew his clothes once a month. After… what happened at Helios Academy he grew three feet in about as many years. I miss the days when I used to be taller than you.” She exhales a huff that carries no real anger or frustration.

 

Wise laughs at his sister’s words. “Don’t worry, you’re still taller than Miyabi, so it could be worse.”

 

Miyabi’s hand suddenly grips onto Wise’s with an immense amount of strength, causing the bones to creak and groan under the pressure. She leans her head in extremely close to his ear and whispers loud enough for Belle to hear. “That’s not true, I'm taller than your sister because I’m 170 centimeters tall. Right? ”

 

The fox girl’s intense tone and glare leaves little room for argument. Wise sucks in a breath as he feels his knuckles pop, speaking in a panicked tone a moment later. “That’s right! I’m sorry for implying otherwise, Miss Miyabi!”

 

She releases her ironclad grip a moment later, her expression returning to a small but pleasant smile. “Good. Please don’t forget that again.”

 

Belle laughs at the interaction, enjoying how adorable her brother and Miyabi are together. From what she’s seen so far, there’s little doubt in her mind that they’re perfect for each other. With a final twist of one of her tools the light blue iris of the eye blinks to life.

 

“Oh man, depth perception! I missed this.” Wise says excitedly as he sits up on the couch, blinking his eyes several times as the repaired one adjusts.

 

“Now, movie time! You already promised so there's no getting out of it!” Belle says as she removes her gloves and sets all of the tools down. She forms nothing but a blur as she sprints out of the back room and up the stairs.

 

Miyabi helps Wise sit up on the couch a little more, planting a soft kiss on his cheek as he begins to stand up. “I’ll admit I’m excited to see what movie your sister has in mind for us. Do you need any help on the stairs?”

 

As it turns out, Belle has selected a well rated romance film that is already playing when Wise and Miyabi enter his room. Her attention is completely on the movie as she sits on the edge of the chair.

 

The swordsman shoots his sister a slightly annoyed look as he recognizes the title, only getting a nonchalant shoulder shrug as an answer.

 

Wise sits down on the corner of his couch, letting out a satisfied sigh as his back makes contact with the comfortable furniture. Miyabi immediately crawls up next to him and latches onto his side, moving her body to be as close as possible to him. Her head rests comfortably on his chest as she turns her attention to the screen.

 

The swordsman has to admit that he never would have guessed that the stoic, silent, and powerful Miyabi was clingy when it came to physical touch. Not that he minds in the slightest, of course. The fact that she can go from cutting an S-Class Ethereal into lunch meat to being shy and cuddly in private is adorable in a very strange way.

 

All at once, Wise’s exhaustion catches up to him. The swordsman has been awake for nearly a full day at this point. Considering he got almost blown up, played the most stressful chess game of his life, and started dating his boss all in the same day he’s surprised he isn’t more overwhelmed. Not even thirty minutes into the movie and he’s fast asleep.

 

Belle notices immediately and rolls her eyes with a playful smile. In a quiet voice, she whispers to the still awake Miyabi. “You should probably wake him up now if you ever want to make it to bed. Trust me when I say there’s no waking him up once he’s fully asleep.”

 

Miyabi listens to the steady rhythm of Wise’s heartbeat before looking onto his sleeping face. “No, that’s okay, I don’t mind sleeping right here. He’s earned some rest.”

 

Belle’s expression softens when she sees the depth of love present on the fox girl’s face. Before leaving her brother’s room she throws a thin blanket over the couple on the couch.

 

Miyabi gives the blue haired Proxy a silent look of gratitude before she leaves. As soon as the door is closed she resumes looking at her lover’s peaceful face.

 

Despite appearances, Miyabi knows that she’s still in deep mourning of her father. In every moment of every day since his death her heart has ached with grief. She realizes that, if it weren’t for Operation Veritas or Wise’s presence, she may have fallen into a pit of despair too deep to escape. 

 

The fox girl dreads the upcoming days and weeks. The massive amount of work to take over as head of the Hoshimi clan, along with planning her own father’s funeral, has her wanting to fall into a panic. But Miyabi’s mind is put more at ease knowing that she won’t be alone for any step of the journey. Every burden will be shared with the person that she can trust completely, the man that almost sacrificed everything to preserve the truth of her father’s murder and the legacy of her family in Tailless.

 

The upcoming trials will still be challenging for Miyabi, of that there is no doubt. But not even that seems insurmountable anymore. With a gentle smile she passes into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

No notes for today.

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Chapter 24: The Founder's Waterfall

Summary:

Wise gets frustrated, Maruki feels old, and Miyabi gets bold.

“For unparalleled integrity during one of our great city’s darkest hours, I hereby award Special Agent Astraeus the Order of Falkenhayn!”

 

A man says as he pins an ornate medal on Wise’s chest. The medallion itself consists of two crossed swords overtop of a rough outline of New Eridu’s city limits. The material is a dazzling and well polished silver while some details of the swords themselves seem to be obsidian or onyx. It rests comfortably on his dress uniform next to his Vike’s Cross medal which has been officially reinstated. 

 

The man who just pinned the medal on his chest sticks his hand out to shake Wise’s, one of the most plastic and fake smiles ever seen plastered on the politician’s face. The growing cold of incoming winter tinges his face with a slight pink hue.

 

The swordsman wrinkles his face in disgust for a moment. This man, a member of the New Eridu council, was on TV not even two weeks ago denouncing the agent’s actions as heinous and promising to find and eliminate him. Bureaucracy and politics at its finest. Harumasa eagerly texted Wise some of the most embarrassing news articles and interviews regarding his temporary fall from grace, the archer finding most of them to be endlessly amusing. The swordsman almost wished Belle didn't give him one of her old phones.

 

Shoving his pride and disgust to the side, Wise sticks his hand out and shakes the politician's hand, towering over him all the while. The counselor seems to feel the hate radiating off of the swordsman and quickly steps off of the stage once his duties have been completed. Or, perhaps the man realized that medal ceremonies involving Astraeus tend to attract terrorist attacks. Hard to blame him for that. The agent had requested that Director Maruki or Chief Miyabi be the one to pin the medal on his chest instead. Naturally it was shot down immediately.

 

Wise assumes a picture perfect parade rest and turns to face the crowd’s applause. Most of these people believed the fake story fed to them by Bringer and the media and threw him under the bus in a heartbeat. Now, here they are, applauding him like nothing had ever happened. The agent’s name was cleared just over twenty four hours ago and HAND is already rolling out the red carpet for his triumphant return. Unfortunately, his beard was also a casualty of their desire for a squeaky clean ceremony. The swordsman considered holding a small funeral for its brief but exciting life.

 

The whole affair is so transparently about repairing their public image instead of welcoming Astraeus back that it makes him sick. Thankfully, the ceremony is being held right next to HAND HQ instead of a public area, so they don’t have to worry about another rude intrusion. Although the crowd consisting entirely of agents and soldiers is a little more daunting than a group of civilians.

 

“You only have to play the game a little longer, son. Just look over the tops of their heads and pretend they’re not there.” Director Maruki says from directly next to him, his hands applauding along with the rest of the crowd.

 

Wise blinks once before responding. “How did you-“

 

“Your hands are clenched so tightly behind your back that they’re white. I understand what you’re feeling but it will pass, believe me.” The older man says sagely as his applause finally comes to an end.

 

Taking a deep breath, Wise closes his eyes and exhales, allowing his anger to flow out of him. After reopening his eyes he speaks. “Thank you, Director.”

 

“Don’t mention it. I’m just happy you’re back safe and sound. Losing one of my best agents would be a terrible thing.” Director Maruki says as he pats the young agent on the back. The older man’s tone carries a note of sardonic humor that makes Wise smile slightly.

 

“If you don’t mind, I would like to meet you near the Founder’s Waterfall before you go on your leave. I have something to discuss with you and Miss Miyabi.” The older man says before he moves to exit the stage.

 

“Yes sir, I don’t mind at all.” Wise says as he watches him go, disappearing around a corner a short while later. With the only friendly face now gone from the stage, the swordsman suddenly feels much more lonely.

 

Some person in a suit rattles off a political speech about the strength of New Eridu and how important HAND is to humanity’s survival. Wise isn’t listening in the slightest as his eyes scan the crowd for people he recognizes. Finally, he can see a small blue Oni girl riding on the shoulders of a woman with pink hair. The agent smiles as he recognizes the distinct pair as Soukaku and Yanagi.

 

In the Oni’s hands is a large poster that she clearly painted herself, the words ‘WE <3 ASTRAEUS!!!’ plastered on its surface in the bold cyan color of Section 6. Wise can see Harumasa standing next to them, waving nonchalantly towards the stage as he scrolls on his phone. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Although, he does find it strange that Miyabi isn’t among their ranks anymore. Where did she run off to?

 

Even though the random politician isn’t done speaking yet, Wise puts a finger to his ear like he’s receiving an important communication on his earpiece. A moment later he walks off of the stage. Several high ranking military officers and bureaucrats stop him to say empty words of congratulations and shake his hand. Wise is courteous with all of them but insists he has somewhere he needs to be. After a monumental effort that feels akin to parting the sea itself, the swordsman enters HAND HQ.

 

Wise speed walks towards the elevator area and hits the button indicating he wants to go upwards, taking glances behind him on occasion to assure he hasn’t been followed. A series of footsteps clue him into a new group of people approaching him from the entrance lobby. With a nervous sheen of sweat on his brow the swordsman ducks into the open elevator and hits the button for the seventieth floor. His finger slams against the door close button at a rate almost exceeding his frantic heartbeat, his eyes glancing nervously around the corner as he does so. 

 

Just as the doors begin to close, a tabloid journalist with a temporary access badge comes into sight along with a crowd of similar individuals. What the hell was HAND thinking inviting tabloid writers onto a secure military site? Were they really that desperate to save face?

 

“Excuse me, Mister Astraeus! I had some questions about-“ The journalist and the clicking of cameras suddenly cuts out as the elevator doors close and his ascension begins.

 

Wise lets out a massive sigh of relief before slumping against the wall of the elevator. His breathing is ragged and painful due to the chest wound inflicted by Tailless but he pushes it out of his mind. He would rather get stabbed again than get cornered by reporters and it’s not even a close contest.

 

“Your breathing sounds labored? Are you feeling okay?” A concerned feminine voice says from directly behind him. Suddenly, a small hand is gently laid on his shoulder.

 

Wise lets out an extremely loud and very unmanly high pitched squeal as he launches away from the unseen figure. His head bonks itself against the elevator’s roof due to his height but he barely even notices. As if there’s a snake in the elevator with him the agent clings to the opposite wall from where the voice came from. Frantically his eyes study the person that ambushed him so completely.

 

Miyabi is standing in the back of the elevator, folding her large fox ears down as if to block another loud noise. Her face shows a measure of discomfort but it quickly fades as she realizes another scream won’t be coming. She drops her hands from her ears and crosses her arms with an annoyed expression. “Was that really necessary? My hearing is quite sensitive, you know.”

 

Wise is dumbfounded by the fox girl’s presence in the elevator, breathing heavily as he does so. His voice portrays the scale of the shock he’s feeling while he responds. “Miyabi? What… how… what are you doing in the elevator!?”

 

Miyabi raises an eyebrow with a confused look on her face. “Taking it to the upper floors. That is what elevators are for, no?”

 

“No I mean this elevator, right now, at the exact time I was taking it.” Wise says as he stumbles over his words slightly.

 

“Oh, that. I saw you leave the stage and decided you were most likely heading to the HAND dormitories to speak with Maruki since he asked to see me as well. So I got into an elevator and waited.” Miyabi says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. As she speaks she idly fixes some of the fur on her ears that got ruffled.

 

Wise stares at her, completely dumbfounded by what he’s hearing. “You thought I might be going to the dormitories so you sat in an elevator on the first floor, assuming that I would take them shortly.”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.” Miyabi says as she finishes fixing the fur on her ears. 

 

“Why not just meet me up there?” Wise asks as his shock drains away from his body.

 

“I wanted some privacy.” The fox girl says while taking a step forward.

 

Wise tilts his head to the side slightly as he responds. “Privacy? For wha-“

 

The swordsman is interrupted as Miyabi’s hand shoots forward and grabs onto his tie. With a surprising amount of strength she yanks his head downwards to be at the same height as hers. Immediately she crashes her lips into his in a passionate kiss. Wise gets over his surprise immediately and melts into the kiss and her touch. A few moments later they seperate. 

 

“For that.” Miyabi says with a slight smile. Her breathing is heavy and her cheeks dusted with a slight pink. Her red eyes swim with emotions as she glances upwards.

 

Wise grins like an idiot as he glances downwards at the short fox girl, his red cheeks contrasting heavily with his light blue eyes. Vague flashes of tingling heat continue to make themselves known all over his body as he stands to his full height. The swordsman attempts to form words but only manages to stumble over a handful of syllables. 

 

Before he can get his thoughts any further in order, a pleasant ding announces their arrival to the seventieth floor. Wise clears his throat and readjusts the tie that Miyabi had just pulled on. Although he puts forward his best effort to regain his composure, the presence of the woman next to him makes the task nearly impossible. The swordsman glances back down at her as they exit the elevator side by side. A rare smile of satisfaction decorates her face after noticing the effect she’s having on Wise.

 

They walk as a pair through the lowest level of the dormitories while on the way to the Founder’s Waterfall. On the way they see several HAND and HSO agents that they know personally. Some turn their heads in shame as they see the now vindicated Astraeus walking through the hallways. Wise surmises that these individuals are the ones that condemned him for his alleged actions, their guilt becoming overwhelming after learning the truth. 

 

Other agents wave in a friendly manner, exchanging handshakes, well wishes, and heartfelt welcomes to the famous agent. Wise kindly accepts their words and gestures. Miyabi stays present but distant during these interactions, only speaking when spoken to while maintaining an attentive demeanor. There were many nights sleeping in some abandoned house or similar abode in the Outer Ring where the swordsman had dreams exactly like this. Of course, back then, clearing his name was nothing but a pipe dream. 

 

As the couple continue on, the sound of the Founder’s Waterfall grows louder and louder. Finally, they enter the main promenade in the center of the HAND Dormitories. Overhead, the early afternoon sun shines through the glass dome, reflecting its brilliant golden rays over the cascading water. Wise takes in a deep breath, allowing the unmistakable scent of natural spring water to fill his lungs. For some reason he can’t explain, the smell and sounds of flowing water have always brought a profound sense of peace to his mind.

 

Hundreds of tables and chairs litter the space surrounding the massive monument. Some agents speak casually over small meals or drinks while others discuss work related matters. Wise even sees two older agents playing a game of chess in a seat very close to the waterfall. If it weren’t for the holsters strapped to their belts he would have thought they were civilians. On occasion, the swordsman can hear them jokingly ask an invisible third person for advice on their next move, after which they both glance at a singular name inscribed on the rock next to them. The sight brings him an odd mixture of melancholy, pride, and profound sorrow.

 

Finally, Miyabi and Wise take a seat in an isolated table under a small trellis on which winding tentacles of grape vines provide a measure of privacy. Two children run past their table playing some game or another that only makes sense to them. Their shrill laughter and shouts of joy cut through the sounds of cascading water. Eventually, a woman wearing the insignia of an extremely high ranking HAND official gently reminds them to be courteous to others before leading them away. A man in civilian clothing accompanies them while holding the woman’s hand. Sometimes, the swordsman forgets that families live in the HAND Dormitories as well.

 

Eventually, Director Maruki rounds a corner and spots the couple. After taking a seat at the table he speaks in a kind tone. “Thank you for putting up with the ceremonies. I know those jackals can make it almost unbearable at times.”

 

“It’s not a problem, sir.” Wise says with a reassuring nod.

 

“I know. But, I still appreciate the effort it took to not make an incident.” Director Maruki says with a small chuckle. His eyes wander up and down the sides of the Founder's Waterfall as several moments of quiet come and go. Wise can’t tell if he’s looking for particular names or simply admiring the reassuring power of the monument. “It’s beautiful in a haunting sort of way, isn’t it?”

 

“Sir?” Wise asks in confusion.

 

”The Founders Waterfall represents the best and worst aspects of humanity’s struggle against the Hollows. On one hand, it portrays the lengths we are willing to go to for survival.” Maruki elaborates wistfully. “But, on the other, it is a constant reminder of just how many we have lost along the way. Maybe some of them could have lived full lives if they weren’t cut short in a Hollow.”

 

”I suppose I’ve never thought of it like that. It’s strange to think how close my name has come to being carved on its surface.” Wise adds in a quiet tone that’s barely audible over the crashing of water.

 

”I genuinely hope I never live to see the day it is, Agent Astraeus.” Maruki says as he looks down from the monument and towards the swordsman. “Every name carved onto that piece of rock is a tragedy. Another son or daughter that never came home or a parent leaving behind children. Sometimes I wish there was a way we could just stop all of this madness and not let anymore young men and women die.”

 

”Stopping Sarah and Bringer would be a good first step on that path.” Wise says with an edge of steel in his tone as he remembers the people who took so much from him.

 

Maruki chuckles and straightens his glasses, the crashing water of the fountain reflecting in his lenses, causing his eyes to nearly disappear from sight. “On that we certainly agree.”

 

“Are you certain that sending myself and Astraeus on leave for a full month is the best course of action?” Miyabi asks pointedly but not rudely. 

 

Director Maruki sighs and leans back in his chair before responding. “Yes, I’m certain. We need to let this incident fade from the public consciousness before we send you both back into the field. Agents Yanagi and Soukaku will also be given a considerable amount of leave as well.”

 

Miyabi tilts her head slightly, causing her ears to lean to one side. “What about Agent Harumasa?”

 

“He didn’t tell you?” Director Maruki asks curiously, a small amount of surprise entering his tone.

 

“Tell us what?” Wise asks while leaning forward.

 

“Agent Harumasa is being deployed with several members of Section 9. They will be assisting the Maritime Defense Force in tracking down Justin Bringer.” Director Maruki reveals with a weary sigh.

 

For a moment, only the sounds of cascading water fill the void between the three agents. 

 

Eventually, Miyabi shakes her head and quietly asks. “Harumasa volunteered for this?”

 

“Yes, he did. Our surveillance so far has tracked Bringer moving southwards down the channel. We discovered The Argonaut abandoned in a small port city about fifty kilometers down the Achelous River, just outside of rebel territory near The Chasm.” Director Maruki explains with his gaze still plastered on the Founder’s Waterfall.

 

Wise’s eyes widen as the information is revealed. His voice betrays his level of shock and concern as he speaks. “You think Bringer might be in league with the rebels?”

 

“Maybe. The information we uncovered at the destroyed Sons of Atlas base was… concerning to say the least. We now believe that they were a small cell of a much larger organization that operates out of the Old Eridu Ruins. Whether or not this rebel group is the same one that this ‘Sarah’ person is a member of is another matter entirely.” Director Maruki says wearily. As the old agent speaks he seems to age about ten years, his expression that of a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

 

Miyabi and Wise take several moments to digest the information. After a few seconds, they make eye contact with one another. A thousand unspoken words pass between them in the blink of an eye.

 

“That would put them very close to the southernmost edge of Hollow Zero. Only The Chasm would separate them. It's an odd choice.” Wise notes, intrigued by the implications.

 

“The only settlement in that area is the port city of Freehold just before the Achelous River falls into The Chasm. A known hotspot for rebel activity.” Miyabi retorts.

 

“A good starting place if you want to wrap around the southern edge of Hollow Zero in order to reach the Old Eridu Ruins. It has the least NEDF patrols.” Wise concludes.

 

“Old Eridu… what could they possibly want there?” Miyabi asks with a huff.

 

“Whatever it is, it’s related to the reason they wanted Tailless. This is much bigger than Bringer. We’ve known that for some time now.” Wise says as he goes to stroke his short beard, only for his fingers to grasp empty air. His face betrays his feeling of disappointment when he remembers that it isn't there.

 

“We need to confirm that Bringer is actually in Freehold. Wherever he goes it’s likely Sarah goes with him.” Miyabi concludes with a sharpened glare.

 

“Leave that to Harumasa and the marines. Their recon will take some time, after which we will plan our next move. For now, Miss Miyabi, attend to your family matters and take some time for yourself.” Director Maruki says with a kind smile.

 

Miyabi adopts a crestfallen look at the reminder of the trials she will face in the coming weeks. Wise notices immediately and reaches his hand over to give hers a reassuring squeeze under the table. 

 

Director Maruki stands from his chair a moment later, smoothing out the wrinkles in his suit once he does so. “I think that’s everything I had in mind. I wish you both the best of luck in the weeks to come. Reach out to me if there’s anything I can do for you.”

 

“Thank you, sir.” Miyabi and Wise say at the same time as they stand from their seats as well.

 

Director Maruki smiles and waves kindly before beginning to make his way back to the elevators. After taking a few steps, he fishes something out of his pocket and turns around. “I almost forgot to give you this, Agent Astraeus.”

 

The older man says with a smile before flipping the small coin into the air towards Wise. Its polished surface glints in the afternoon sun and reflects the gently rolling waters at the base of the Founder’s Waterfall. The swordsman catches the small object out of the air and looks at its surface. The HAND insignia, consisting of a globe with the word ‘HAND’ etched above it. After flipping it over, the HSOS6 insignia is visible along with a series of words that make Wise’s eyes widen with surprise.

 

“Or should I say, Special Agent Astraeus. You’ve earned it, son.” Director Maruki says with a kind smile before turning a corner out of sight.

 

Wise admires the coin for several more moments, a look of utter shock plastered on his face. Despite his surprise, the swordsman feels a swelling sense of pride in his chest as he reads the words ‘Special Agent’ over and over again.

 

“When they suggested the promotion, I agreed to sign off on it immediately.” Miyabi says as she steps up next to him. A small smile adorns her face as her red eyes trace the intricate grooves of the coin. “It’s unheard of to have an Agent awarded two of HAND’s highest awards without at least being promoted to Special Agent.”

 

“I… I’m… thank you.” Wise stutters as he slips the coin into a jacket pocket with a shaky hand.

 

Miyabi gives him one last smile before turning on a heel and heading back towards the elevators. Wise’s long strides catch him up with her fast pace shortly after. They reach an open elevator almost immediately and make their way to floor seventy eight where the HSOS6 quarters are located. After a few short moments of walking they turn the corner into the small hallway that hosts their rooms.

 

“You’ve earned this promotion, Wise. As far as HSO agents go you’re head and shoulders above the rest.” Miyabi notes as the couple come to a stop in the relative privacy of the hallway. Now that they’re eight floors up the sounds of the Founder’s Waterfall have become a lower, droning noise as opposed to a roaring cacophony.

 

A sly grin finds its way onto Wise’s face as he responds, a playfully smug tone colors his words. “I’d say I’m a bit more than a head and shoulders taller than you. Being taller does have its advantages.”

 

Miyabi closes her eyes with a small huff of annoyance. Shortly after, she speaks in a deadly quiet tone. “Well, Astraeus…”

 

With lightning fast movements she reaches out and grabs Wise’s tie, pulling his head down to be level with her. A small bit strangled noise of surprise escapes his throat and he’s yanked downwards.

 

Miyabi’s red eyes stare directly into his from only centimeters away while her hot breath tickles his nose as she speaks in a low tone. “I could always cut you down to size.”

 

 

To emphasize her point, Miyabi reaches down and pops the seal on Tailless, a faint echo of otherworldly whispers escaping its scabbard and filling the now quiet atmosphere.

 

Wise’s brain nearly shuts down to the whirlpool of conflicting yet powerful emotions assaulting it. Discomfort at the feeling of the rapidly tightening tie hits first, followed by a sense of arousal that quite frankly disturbs the swordsman with its presence. However, overpowering all of these emotions by a factor of ten is an all-encompassing feeling of unbridled terror of the woman next to him. 

 

A small, strangled sound emanates from the entrance of the hallway, shattering the intense atmosphere like a pane of glass. With horrified expressions, Wise and Miyabi slowly turn their heads to see where the sound came from.

 

Yanagi is standing just behind Soukaku, covering her eyes with two gloved hands while completely panicking. The young girl is not ready to see such a thing. The Deputy Chief’s voice is barely audible as she mutters to herself. “How lewd…”

 

"Hey, what's happening!" Soukaku says in confusion.

 

Harumasa is just behind them and barely holding back his laughter. The archer reaches for his phone, desperately trying to take a picture before the moment ends.

 

Almost instantly, Miyabi’s ears completely flatten against her head while her cheeks fill with the same deep red hue of her eyes. With lightning fast movements she darts behind Wise’s large form, trying to shield herself from the burning feeling of embarrassment and shame making its way through her mind. The fox girl has gone from confident teasing to shy schoolgirl in a mere second.

 

Wise loudly clears his throat and averts his eyes to look anywhere but at the Section 6 members standing at the hallway entrance. Although he tries his best to maintain his composure, his cheeks do show a slight dusting of pink. Thankfully his voice doesn’t stutter or crack as he responds. “Hey guys. Want to hang out in my room for a bit?”

 

Soukaku shoves away Yanagi’s hands and sprints forward, leaping into the air once she’s just a few steps away from Wise. The swordsman, well familiar with the girl’s shenanigans, reaches forward and grabs her out of the air. He holds her up by her arms and spins her around for a moment as the hallway is filled with the young girl’s laughter.

 

“Asty-Ray! I missed you so much!” Soukaku says, the spinning motion making her voice’s pitch vary wildly as she speaks.

 

“Please no horseplay in the hallways!” Yanagi says followed by an exasperated sigh. 

 

Wise stops spinning Soukaku, instead slinging her onto his shoulders like a blue and oni shaped backpack. The girl wraps her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso to keep herself in place. 

 

Wise bows his head slightly with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, Deputy Chief. Got carried away there.”

 

Yanagi waves her hand dismissively with a gentle smile on her face, clearly not feeling any anger or frustration at the incident. “It’s not a problem. Once we get into your room feel free to do whatever you wish.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding. He turns around towards his room and notices that Miyabi is still standing just behind him. Suddenly, a mischievous grin comes onto his face and an idea enters his mind. Time for a little payback.

 

Miyabi notices immediately and instinctively takes a step back. “Wait, what are you-“

 

The fox girl is interrupted as she’s scooped up into Wise’s arms, letting out a small squeak of surprise as he does so. 

 

At first, Miyabi tries to fight to escape his clutches. However, after he brings her closer to his chest, she settles into his embrace with an annoyed huff. Her cheeks have already regained their dark red hue.

 

Wise makes his way over to the door of his room with his cargo in tow. Switching to holding Miyabi with one hand, he removes his badge from his waist and scans it against the door’s card reader, which then opens with a soft click and beep. The swordsman turns sideways as he enters to avoid bumping the fox girl’s head against the doorframe. 

 

Yanagi and Harumasa enter behind them and close the door. Both of them have gentle smiles on their faces at the adorable sight taking place before them.

 

The Deputy Chief steps forward and plucks Soukaku off of Wise’s back before settling into one of the wing chairs on the right side of the room. Yanagi reaches for a nearby remote and turns on the TV which is tuned to the news and showing footage of the medal ceremony they all just left. The volume is turned down low so as not to interrupt or dissuade conversation.

 

Harumasa makes his way to the other wing chair and dramatically falls into it with a loud sigh. “Man, I’m beat.”

 

“We haven’t even done anything today.” Yanagi says while shaking her head in disapproval.

 

Wise gently sets Miyabi down on the couch before standing back up to his full height. Their eyes linger on each other before the swordsman walks around the couch and into the small kitchen area. As he does so he takes in a deep breath through his nose, enjoying the nearly forgotten scent of his quarters. The smell almost makes him emotional with how nostalgic and comforting it feels.

 

The swordsman opens the door to his fridge and takes a peek inside, expecting to find a heap of extremely expired groceries and ingredients. Instead he finds a healthy assortment of options all with expiration dates far into the future. The team must have removed all of the old items and bought him new ones. Wise decides that Yanagi is the most likely person to have done it, but the presence of so many snack foods indicates that Soukaku certainly had some hand in it as well. With a gentle smile on his face he grabs two cans of beer from the door of the fridge and returns to the living room.

 

“Catch.” Wise says as he tosses one towards Harumasa who catches the alcoholic projectile with grace.

 

The archer studies the can for a moment before turning to address Wise. “Thanks man.”

 

“Don’t mention it. I still owe you one for saving my skin back in Minoan Hollow. That rhino was so creepy.” Wise says humorously before sitting down on the couch next to Miyabi.

 

“Gentlemen… it is still the workday. Not to mention it’s just past noon.” Yanagi says with a halfhearted reprimand.

 

“We’re on leave, Deputy Chief. Surely you can make an exception just this once.” Wise says with a small laugh.

 

“It’s five o’clock somewhere, boss.” Harumasa says with a similarly amused tone.

 

“You aren’t even on leave, Harumasa. But, I guess just this once is fine.” The Deputy Chief relents.

 

While Wise did have some time earlier in his quarters, it was just to change into his dress uniform for the ceremony before he was rushed right back out of the door by the ceremony organizers. His eyes wander to the weapon locker on the wall where his sword and handgun are stored. A warm feeling blooms in his chest as he realizes Soukaku covered the bottom of the scabbard in small stickers similar to the ones she likes to put on her legs. A new addition, however, is a pleasant drawing of a gust of cold wind near the top of the scabbard which seems to have been drawn using blue paint. Wise has to admit that the young girl is quite the artist.

 

Wise is brought out of his thoughts by something pressing against his body. Miyabi has scooted across the couch, closing the short distance that remained between them in order to cuddle up to his side. At first, the swordsman is shocked by her doing this in front of others. However he quickly realizes that Section 6 is more like a family to her than simple coworkers. If Wise was to be honest with himself, he is beginning to feel the same way. With a warm smile he wraps an arm around her small body and pulls her closer to him.

 

Miyabi lets out a content hum and closes her eyes, listening to the sound of his heartbeat fill her ears.

 

“Aw, man!” Harumasa says loudly while slapping his hand against his forehead. The expression on his face is one of frustration and anger as he looks at the couple cuddled up on the couch.

 

For a moment, Wise is extremely worried. Did Harumasa have feelings for Miyabi? Would the archer be mad at him? Will this cause a fracture in the unit? All of the swordsman’s worries disappear in an instant when Harumasa walks across the room and deposits a large handful of Dennies into Yanagi’s hand.

 

The Deputy Chief has a small grin of satisfaction on her face as she deposits the hefty sum into one of her pockets.

 

“Uhm, what was that?” Wise asks hesitantly. He can hear Miyabi grumble slightly with anger from where she pressed up against him. She seems to be more annoyed by the loud noises than the events themselves.

 

“Me losing a bet is what it was.” Harumasa says with a huff before sitting back down into his seat.

 

“Somebody didn’t think you two would get together until the New Year. I had faith that it would be much quicker than that.” Yanagi says with a small noise of dissatisfaction. Despite her words, her triumphant smile has yet to fade.

 

“Yeah yeah, whatever. Enjoy your money.” Harumasa says before taking a large swig of his drink, attempting to come to terms with his now much lighter wallet.

 

Wise watches the scene with his mouth hanging open with shock. Was it really that obvious? After one last glance at Miyabi to come to terms with this new revelation, he simply shrugs his shoulders and returns his attention to the TV. All’s well that ends well.

 

During the small disturbance, Soukaku had managed to find the remote and change the channel from the news to one that shows old sci-fi movies. Luckily for the group, it just seems to be beginning.

 

Not even thirty minutes later and Harumasa is dead asleep in his chair and snoring softly. Soukaku follows him shortly after. They must still be extremely tired from their part in Operation Veritas.

 

Wise glances around at the sleeping forms of two of his teammates, noticing that Yanagi is wide awake and completely focused on the movie, some of its scenes reflecting on her highly polished glasses. All the while he can feel the warmth of Miyabi’s body pressed up against his, her ears twitching slightly as they listen to the quiet sounds coming from the TV.

 

All at once these feelings, sounds, and emotions combine into a single thought in his mind. Home.

 

This is home.

Notes:

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Chapter 25: Unforgotten

Summary:

Wise and Miyabi prepare for their trip.

“I’ve seen you less nervous before high risk operations than you are right now.” 

 

Miyabi says with a slightly amused tone while studying the man in front of her. Currently, herself and Wise are in the latter’s living room. Vibrant rays of purple and orange stream through the windows of his quarters as the sun rises on the horizon. The swordsman is currently adjusting his tie while looking into a nearby mirror. Soon, they will be departing for her family’s estate.

 

Instead of his usual combat attire, HSOS6 blazer and armor, he’s wearing a much fancier and monotone two piece suit which represents the formal HAND dress uniform; being an odd mix of a more standard NEDF dress uniform and a more civilian suit and tie. Wise supposes that the design choice makes sense considering HSO lies in a gray zone between police, military, and federal agency. The replacement of the white and cyan trim with black and gold brings a sense of disappointment to the man. The only small consolation is the recently polished forms of his two medals shining on his chest which glow with the soft light of the rising sun.

 

With a heavy sigh, he turns away from the mirror to look out of a nearby window. From their place near the top of HAND HQ they can see the entire military base stretched out like an industrialized jungle beneath them. Hundreds of vehicles ranging from standard troop or supply transports all the way to heavily armored main battle tanks. All the while, a multitude of helicopters circle above like a swarm of angry bees with the occasional massive airship floating lazily among their ranks. Though humanity may have been reduced to a mere fraction of its former glory; the current might of the NEDF and HAND is still an awe inspiring sight.

 

Wise glances out of the window for a moment to take in the view. A particularly massive airship floats just above the HAND HQ building. Next to the Obsidian Division logo is bold text reading ‘LEVIATHAN’ in white paint. Several soldiers stand atop the behemoth, leaning over the guardrails or various anti aircraft emplacements that they are stationed at. Although the gaze of most is focused on the sunrise; several of them wave enthusiastically at the upper levels of the HAND Dormitories, hoping to catch the attention of one of its many denizens. If the swordsman’s head wasn’t so clogged with doubts and worries he just might’ve waved back.

 

“I don’t like going places without my armor or my sword. Not to mention I have to meet your family soon. Wearing fancy clothes like this feels like wearing someone else’s skin instead of my own.” Wise says as he reluctantly tears his gaze away from the window in order to focus on the woman standing next to him. Despite the circumstances, the swordsman notices that the fox girl has a mask of perfect calm on her face. If he’s to be honest, more doubts than just the upcoming trip are gnawing at his consciousness, but he doesn’t find it to be an appropriate time to bring it up, shoving them to the back of his mind instead. A natural consequence of the turbulent events he’s only just recently gone through.

 

Miyabi matches his inquisitive gaze with one of her own. Red eyes roam his form for several long and silent moments. Finally, once her study is complete, she speaks in a quiet tone. “You want to go back into the field, don’t you?”

 

Wise opens his mouth immediately to protest but his brain catches up before he can get any words out. Does he want to go back on missions already? Surely after everything he’s been through, not to mention the exhausted state of his body, he wouldn’t want to jump back into the fray? 

 

Yet, as his mechanical eyes wander back to the window, he sees a helicopter fly at an extremely high speed from the direction of Hollow Zero. His mechanical eyes automatically zoom in to study the airborne vehicle. On its metallic side is the Red Cross logo, its blood red coloring contrasting heavily with the dazzling white of the Obsidian Division logo. With an extremely skillful maneuver the vehicle touches down on a landing pad on the roof of the base’s hospital.

 

Medical staff with white doctor’s coats that flow behind them like capes run to greet them before the vehicle has even landed. Several NEDF soldiers are carried out on stretchers and quickly rushed into the interior of the building only a moment later. With every second bringing the wounded soldiers closer to death, the medics run at a feverish pace. For whatever reason, the sight of the blood on the soldiers makes his now mostly healed chest wound ache with pain, a dull and painful reminder of his brush with death.

 

Once the wounded yet living men are transported inside, the survivors of the squad remove the first plastic bag from inside of the helicopter, their faces plastered with shock and grief. One of the body bags hasn’t been entirely closed yet. Perhaps by an accident or perhaps so the soldiers can get one last look at their recently departed comrade. For a moment, Wise thinks he recognizes Private Jenkin’s bloodied face amidst the plastic, but after he blinks the mirage fades to reveal an unfamiliar stranger. The swordsman tears his eyes from the scene while intaking breath through his clenched teeth, not wanting to spy on such a personal tragedy.

 

Wise’s thoughts run wild inside of his head. If he were in that helicopter when the squad entered Hollow Zero, could he have saved those men? While he was sleeping soundly in a warm bed cuddled up next to Miyabi last night, soldiers were fighting and dying for the future of humanity. Shouldn’t he be using his unique skills and superhuman powers at every possible moment? Working himself to the bone seems a small price to pay for the good he would be able to do. Anything else would be him failing in his duty to humanity.

 

Lingering in the back of his skull like an infection plaguing the recesses of his brain is Sarah and Bringer. The image of the woman holding his own blade above the bleeding form of Souichiro is burned onto the back of his eyelids. A raging inferno eats away at his core, burning him further and further with every moment he puts off his quest for revenge. How could he possibly stay here doing nothing while the people that wronged him so much and murdered Miyabi’s father still roam free?

 

“You’ll drive yourself mad if you keep thinking like that.” Miyabi says softly from beside him, her voice carrying a tone of caring and concern.

 

Wise’s shoulders jump slightly. In his mental spiral, he had forgotten that she was standing right beside him. After taking a few breaths to calm himself he responds. “Thinking like what?”

 

“About what else you could be doing. About how you’re not working hard enough. About being a failure.” The fox girl says in a hushed tone. Her red eyes stare out of the window at the rippling purple surface of Hollow Zero in the distance. Despite the intensity of the glare, her eyes don’t seem to focus on the Hollow itself but rather some unknown point within it.

 

“How did you…” Wise mumbles silently as he studies Miyabi’s expression, his sentence trails off into nothingness as he notices a thin sheen of tears threatening to spill over her eyes. The sight makes his heart ache more painfully than the wound on his chest.

 

“I know that look you had on your face far too well. I’ve seen it on mine before and on many others.” Miyabi says as her voice trails to a level just above a whisper. “People praise us for being powerful; a shining light that will guide humanity to survival… maybe even prosperity. Then, we make a mistake, or a selfish decision. Heroes don’t make mistakes and they don’t think about themselves.”

 

“For me, the moment I started to doubt myself was when a grieving mother told me about her son that was killed in a Companion Hollow. I was there taking down the criminal organization that caused the outbreak. But… I wasn’t fast enough to save everybody that got caught in it. I went back in to retrieve a sweater that the boy knit for his mother. It was a warm reminder of her son but it could never bring him back to life. It took me a long time to come to terms with that.”

 

Wise opens his mouth to try and comfort her but is interrupted before he can.

 

“I took my father for granted and for a time I thought he was killed because I’m weak. Hundreds have died when I could have possibly saved them, maybe even thousands. Yet, people still praise me for being a hero. It’s cruel when you stop to think about it.” Miyabi continues as her red eyes continue to stare unblinkingly through the window.

 

With extremely slow and careful movements, Wise navigates to stand directly behind Miyabi, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her back into his chest. The short girl melts into the touch and leans backwards to meet his body. The silent showing of support calms some of the turbulence plaguing their minds. 

 

“You’re not weak.” The swordsman says confidently as he tries to trace the fox girl's gaze and find whatever place it’s focused on. 

 

“I know, and neither are you. The burden we carry is one that nobody else in New Eridu  could possibly understand. Before I met you… I trained relentlessly to the point of passing out. Every waking moment was spent on becoming the strongest Void Hunter; a warrior of the Hoshimi clan that could stand against oblivion single-handedly like my ancestor did before me.” Miyabi continues with a somber tone. The soft rays of evening light reflect off of the window, bathing the room with a somber coloring of purple and orange.

 

“But now, after forming Section 6 and meeting you, I’ve changed so much. Nobody can stand alone in this world and nobody can carry its weight solely on their shoulders. We do our best and save those that we can. But… death can never truly be stopped. It comes for us all in time.” The fox girl says in a whisper. With gentle movements, she tilts her head towards the ceiling to stare upwards at the man behind her.

 

“Please, don’t put the weight of the world on your shoulders. If you push yourself too hard you’ll start to crack and make mistakes… ones that will get you or the people you love killed. I’ve seen it happen before. It’s a lesson we have all had to learn in our time on this team. If you weren’t here to help me I would have pushed all of my grief deep inside and carried its burden alone. Who knows what would have happened to me then.” Miyabi concludes with a shaky smile upwards. Finally, her shimmering eyes spill over, a single tear sliding down her face and dropping to the floor.

 

Wise returns the smile with one of his own. Leaning his head down, he gently kisses her. One of his hands lifts from her waist to wipe away the tear with its thumb. After several seconds they separate and return to staring out of the window.

 

The swordsman knows that she’s right. Ruminating on what more he can do or could have done won’t do him or anybody else any good. He has done his best to save lives and defend humanity, and maybe that’s enough. Lingering doubts still hover on the edges of his mind but they seem much more distant now than they did only a few short moments ago. Despite his reservations, he trusts Miyabi, and that brings him a sense of strength and stability.

 

“No more fighting alone.” The swordsman says solemnly, echoing his promise he made on the night they become a couple.

 

“No more fighting alone.” Miyabi agrees, matching his tone.

 

After several more moments of watching the sunset together, the fox girl sighs and unwraps herself from Wise’s embrace. “We should get going. The other Hoshimi branches will throw a fit if we aren’t there by evening.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding, his body already missing the reassuring warmth of hers. With well practiced movements he slips the sidearm he got from the Sommelier into the holster under his blazer. He checks his reflection one final time in the mirror before turning around to face Miyabi once more. 

 

The swordsman has to admit that she looks absolutely stunning in the more formal looking HAND dress uniform. Although, he finds himself missing the more unique and personalized feeling of her usual combat attire. Wise can hardly even see the left side of her blazer due to the sheer amount of medals and awards decorating the uniform. Above them all, the emblem of a Void Hunter shines in the middle, glinting with the pride and hope of all humanity.

 

Any trace of her grief or doubt has been scrubbed clean. Once again, her aura of calm and stoic confidence fills the room with its powerful feel. Like a powerful mountain standing tall in the face of a storm, she seems undaunted despite the turbulent events transpiring all around her. As he has a hundred times before, Wise finds himself in awe of her strength.

 

“You’re staring.” Miyabi says, snapping it out of his trancelike state. To Wise’s relief, a small smile of amusement decorates her features and further accentuates her beauty, conveying that her earlier feelings of melancholy are slowly receding away.

 

“Ah… sorry about that.” Wise says as he rubs his neck sheepishly, averting his eyes out of a sense of shame. Despite his best efforts he can feel his cheeks heating up.

 

A small giggle of laughter escapes her lips a short moment later, shattering the previously tense atmosphere with a sound akin to a small silver bell chiming. Despite the grim circumstances awaiting them, at least they can still find reasons to laugh and smile because of each other. Wise smiles in response, thinking to himself that maybe things were going to be okay after all. 

 

Miyabi takes a step forward and passes Wise on her way to the door. Once she has opened it and stepped into its threshold, she turns around to speak from across the room. “Come on now, we’re going to be late. It’s rude to keep the chauffeur waiting, you know.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding and mumbles out a quick apology. For yet another time he checks his reflection in the mirror to ensure that he hasn’t overlooked some highly embarrassing detail of his appearance. Suddenly, his hands freeze in the movement of fixing his color and his eyes widen as his brain registers what was just said. With an incredulous look and tone he turns to address Miyabi, who meets his dropped jaw with a small smile of amusement.

 

“Did you just say… chauffeur?”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Sorry if this chapter isn’t up to standard. I had terrible writer’s block these last several days and had a difficult time writing this. Hopefully the next one will be better.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 26: Your Chariot Awaits

Summary:

A glimpse into the past reveals Private Jenkins’ origin.

Miyabi reunites with a family member.

Chapter 25.5 - Special Episode: Something Worth Fighting For

 

Fifteen years ago on the outskirts of the Janus Quarter…

 

The sky visible through the church doors is a canvas of ash and crimson, broad brushes of gray rise into the sky as an uncountable number of fires rage in the distance. Finally, after what felt like years, much of the artillery fire, gunshots, and chaos have died down in the days following the fall of Eridu. 

 

A tall woman slowly walks up the stairs leading to the church’s entrance. Her once shining armor, a beacon to the people of Eridu that they were safe and protected, is scuffed and stained with splotches of ash and blood. On her head is a helmet with several large dents, its golden visor has been so thoroughly cracked as to be impossible to see through. Behind her and being held by the hand trails a young boy, no older than six years old. 

 

“And… you’re certain none of his family survived?”

 

A middle aged man says in a voice laden with sorrow. The humble black cloth wrapped around his body rustles as he reaches out to hold the hand of the forlorn child. Although his golden eyes are wide open, they don’t move to look at the man nor anything else in the room, simply staring off into an invisible point only he can see somewhere far in the distance.

 

A pang of sadness runs through the man’s chest as he tries to trace the boy’s gaze but to no avail. In a vain attempt to soothe the child’s woes, he reaches his other hand up to ruffle his short brown hair. Despite the gesture, the boy gives no indication that he even notices the presence of the two adults in the room. His eyes continue to stare unblinkingly at something far away.

 

The Officer’s dark eyes stare forlornly at the child as he closely studies every corner of the church. The way he does it isn’t indicative of a child curiously getting familiar with his surroundings. Instead, the boy is making sure that there aren’t any threats waiting to ambush him somewhere in the lofty heights of the church. Every pew, every sepulcher, every darkened corner represents a place where some monster could be hiding, just waiting for an opportunity to lash out and finish the job they started in Hollow Zero. 

 

With a sigh, the Officer reluctantly tears her eyes away from the boy to look at the priest and speak. “I’m sorry, Father. We looked everywhere for a reported missing child matching his description and where he was found, but we came up empty handed when we asked around the refugee camps. Every orphanage in New Eridu is full to capacity after the fall of the capital so…

 

… there’s nowhere left for him to go.”

 

The PubSec Officer removes her helmet and places it over her chest. The star in the center that once gleamed with proud golden light is dull, its surface coated in layers of grime and ash that would take hours to fully scrub off. Bandages on her arms shift with the movement of her removing the helmet, causing her to wince slightly in pain. Although lacking the same distance of the boy’s, her own eyes are filled with the same emptiness as his, almost as if playing and replaying every horrific event they have seen in the last week as some sort of terrible slideshow.

 

The priest closes his eyes and mumbles a short prayer under his breath. Not just for the boy, but for all of those lost in the long week following the fall of the old capital.

 

Distant groans of pain, noises of activity, and sobs of grief echo from a door leading out of the hall. Flickering lights play in the darkness under the door as the candles within struggle to keep the space illuminated. The stack of empty medical and food crates emblazoned with the Red Cross piled outside of its threshold indicate what the room beyond must be used for. That is, if the neatly arranged and tagged lines of human-sized plastic bags lining that hallway didn’t already make it obvious. 

 

The priest stands from his crouching position, filling the suffocating quiet of the church with the sounds of popping joints. His clothes are tattered and covered with soot and his hair is greasy; most likely not having been washed since Hollow Zero first began its cataclysmic expansion. Several scratches on his arms have been delicately cleaned and bandaged by the kind medical personal working without rest through the dimly lit doors. Even so, the invisible wounds on his mind and those of every other survivor may be much harder to heal.

 

Could he really call himself one of God’s messengers if he allowed such a boy to live in some gutter?

 

The priest kneels down to the boy's level before looking back upwards at the PubSec Officer. With a gentle smile, he speaks. “Ah, Teresa. You’ve always been a kind girl even since you were this boy’s age. It seems like just yesterday you were running through the pews and aisles of our humble church.”

 

Looking back down at the orphan, the priest’s smile only grows as he continues. “It would be an affront to you and our whole communion if I were to refuse shelter to one of God’s children. He may stay as long as he wishes or until a member of his family comes to claim him.”

 

Teresa sighs with relief and briefly stumbles backwards, the exhaustion of the last week finally catching up to her and causing stars to dance across her vision. One of her steel toed boots catches a snag in the carpet causing the girl to start falling over. Her helmet clatters against the floor as she loses her balance completely.

 

The old priest’s eyes widen with alarm and he moves to try and catch her. However, his aging body and stiff limbs are unable to close the distance in time.

 

Suddenly, a pair of small hands reach up and firmly clasp those of the stumbling Officer. The previously stationary young boy uses every ounce of his small body and heaves in the opposite direction in an attempt to right her and stop the momentum. His efforts are just barely enough to give the girl time to catch her footing and avoid a painful fall.

 

Officer Teresa’s eyes are wide open with shock, both from the fall and the boy’s sudden movements. She falls to one knee in order to catch her breath and let the surge of adrenaline fade from her system. 

 

“My my, that was close.” The priest says with a gentle smile while ensuring that Teresa didn’t suffer any sort of injury. After ensuring that she is only briefly rattled from the experience, he turns towards the young boy.

 

“Thank you for helping her, that would have been a nasty fall.” The old priest says kindly while ruffling the boy’s brown hair yet again. His weathered and wrinkled fingers pass through the locks of tangled and dirty hair. Once they come away the pale flesh of his hand is stained with ash and grime.

 

This time, the boy’s stoic expression gives way to a barely perceptible smile as he leans into the touch. 

 

“Thanks… kid.” Officer Teresa says between breaths. A slight blush of embarrassment at the awkward fall colors her cheeks as she grips onto her helmet and the wooden pew next to her with renewed vigor.

 

“Perhaps you should stay here for a time as well to recover your strength? I’m sure you’ve barely rested this last week.” The priest says with concern. The wrinkled lines next to his eyes crease as he offers up a reassuring smile.

 

“As much as I would love to, Father, I can’t rest yet.” The Officer says with determination as she slowly makes her way to her feet. Once she is standing, she leans down to pick up her discarded helmet, brushing the badge off slightly before returning it to her head. “People need my help right now, more than ever. I can’t rest until everybody is safe and sound.”

 

“I figured you would say that. You’ve always been so dedicated to helping others.” The priest says gently before rising to his feet and smiling. After a moment, he glances back down at the boy and continues. “It seems our friend here was inspired by you, judging from his gallant rescue earlier.”

 

Teresa rolls her eyes and turns around towards the door. Despite her embarrassment at her timely rescue by a child a quarter of her age, she has a smile on her face as she responds. “I hope so. This city could always use more people with heart. Now more than ever.”

 

The priest chuckles slightly as he nods his head in agreement. “Oh, one more thing before you go. The boy… has he told you his name?” He asks curiously.

 

The Officer turns around, her mouth twisting into a small frown. She shakes her head and responds. “He hasn’t said a word since the Defence Force found him wandering around the outskirts of Hollow Zero. I’m not sure he remembers anything or at least he hasn’t given any indication. That being said… check the inside label of his jacket.”

 

The priest tilts his head in confusion before kneeling down just behind the boy. One of his hands reaches up to ruffle the boy's hair yet again while his other flips up the back collar of his jacket. In custom embroidery clearly made with a loving hand, the name ‘Wallace’ is present there in white thread.

 

“Wallace, hm? I think that name suits you quite well.” The old man smiles warmly before directing his attention back towards the Officer. “I assure you that I will take good care of the boy. Be safe out there, won’t you, Tessa? We’ve already lost enough heroes as it is.”

 

The young woman opens the large doors of the church and turns around with a warm smile, warm sunlight bathing her body as she responds.

 

“I always am, Father Jenkins.”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

“My boy, please pay attention, won’t you?” Father Jenkins says with exasperation as he points to another place in the book. “Learning about verbs is critical to your reading comprehension and writing.”

 

A young and bored looking boy around the age of eight sits across from him. The voice of his mentor stirs him from the grip of sleep that was about to take him. Shaking his head to wake himself up, he refocuses his golden eyes back on the elderly man and speaks. “I’m sorry, Father. It’s just that this stuff is so boring. Wouldn’t it be better for me to learn something else?”

 

The priest chuckles and shakes his head before speaking. “Now, Wallace. I know it may seem boring now but this will come in handy later. Surely you can’t expect me to keep reading all of the complex words in your storybooks for you, right?”

 

Wallace slumps in his chair with a dejected sigh of defeat. “Reading about knights is one thing, but will it really help me become one?” The child’s golden eyes roam the contents of the textbook in front of him before moving to focus on his own clenched fist.

 

“Wallace, my boy. One day you will want to make something of yourself in this world. How can you do that if you cannot read or write properly?” Father Jenkins asks with a knowing smile. “Surely you want to do more than hang out with an old man like me for the rest of your life, hm?”

 

The young man pauses for several long moments as he contemplates the words of his guardian. With a grunt of determination he unclenches his first and sweeps it in front of himself in a broad motion. Once docile yellow eyes are now molten pools of gold that boil with fiery determination.

 

“It’s not about me, Father. Tessa, the knights in my storybooks, you… the things you have all done had nothing to do with reading some dusty old book!” He says desperately, his voice teetering on the edge of tears. “How can I ever fight bad guys and save lives if I don’t learn how to? You and Tessa have both done so much for me but I haven’t done anything in return!”

 

Father Jenkins gently stands from his chair and makes his way to the other side of the table. His frail footfalls manage to make the old wooden floors of the church’s attic cream and groan under the humble weight. Without a moment of hesitation he wraps the small boy up in a warm hug.

 

“Wallace… you should never feel indebted to change yourself for the sake of others even if they help you.” The older man says in a kind tone laden with emotion. “It is so much more important for you to do what you wish with your own life. Don’t throw it away for others out of some misguided need to repay them.”

 

Wallace thinks for several long moments before eventually reciprocating the embrace. After a few moments of the tender hug the two of them separate and return to their respective seats. With renewed vigor the young man throws open the text book and begins taking notes at a pace far too rapid to be effective.

 

“How about we make a deal?” Father Jenkins says coyly, setting his elbows on the wooden table and steepling his fingers together.

 

Immediately, the young man perks up and glances at the old man over his textbook, his golden eyes shining brightly with excitement. “Okay! What is it?” He says without hesitation.

 

The priest laughs heartily in response to the young boy’s enthusiasm before responding. “If you finish learning this page of verbs then we can read through whatever storybook you want tonight. Though I suspect you want the same one as usual, that one with the noble knight and his loyal squire fighting the dragon king?”

 

Wallace shoots out of his seat sending the piece of  rickety wooden furniture tumbling behind him. Almost as if the offer is too good to be true, he tentatively asks. “You promise?”

 

Father Jenkins smiles warmly causing the wrinkles of his face to crease together. “Yes, Wallace. I promise.”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

“You’re sure you haven’t forgotten anything? Perhaps we should double check?” Father Jenkins suggests as he shambles his way forward. The sturdy wood of his cane striking the polished floor of the church echoes throughout the massive interior.

 

Wallace turns around with a smile of amusement on his face as he glances down at the hunched old man. “Father, we already double checked that I didn’t forget anything.” He says kindly.

 

Father Jenkins heaves a deep sigh before responding. “I know I just… I would hate for you to forget something important.”

 

“Father, I’m an adult now. I’m perfectly capable of packing for myself.” Wallace says as he steps forward and lays a reassuring hand on the older man’s shoulders. The fact that the priest is stalling for time doesn’t go unrecognized by the young man. “Besides, the Defense Force will provide everything for me once I report for basic training, so you have nothing to worry about.”

 

“You may be an adult but you only just turned eighteen yesterday. I can’t help but worry.” Father Jenkins says as he nods his head in understanding.

 

Overcome with emotion, Wallace leans down to wrap the old priest in a warm embrace which is quickly reciprocated. They stay like that for quite sometime, neither one of them wanting to be the one to interrupt the tender moment.

 

Eventually, Father Jenkins retracts his arms and returns his hand to his cane. “You’ll be safe out there, won’t you?” He asks softly.

 

“I always am.” Wallace replies as he adjusts the straps of his bag on his shoulders. “I’ll come back to visit so don't worry.”

 

Father Jenkins responds with a warm smile as his eyes move to look past Jenkins, landing on the large wooden doors of the church. “It feels like just yesterday that Tessa brought you through those doors. Back then you were barely up to my waist… oh how I do miss that.” The old man says nostalgically with a small laugh, his eyes glazing over as they glimpse into the past with stunning clarity.

 

Wallace laughs as well, combining with the priest to fill the massive hall with the sounds of joy. Eventually both men recover and the room goes silent once more.

 

“My boy… I know that you will find what you’re looking for out there. I can feel it in my old bones.” Father Jenkins says confidently as he makes eye contact with the young man. “I don’t know what that might be, but…”

 

“To be honest, Father, I only have a loose grasp on it myself.” Wallace answers honestly. His golden eyes move to look at the large wooden doors that stand between him and whatever waits for him in his uncertain future. “I know that this is the right path forward, I can feel it… I can make a difference.”

 

“Then go, my boy. Go where your heart leads you.” Father Jenkins says with a knowing smile tinged with sadness. “Just promise me one thing. When the world tries to change you, let it sharpen your resolve, not harden your heart.”

 

Wallace turns around one final time to go regard the man that raised him as if he were his own. A small smile makes its way onto his face, slowly building until the gold of his irises seem to shine like the blinding rays of sunlight peaking through the ajar doors of the church. 

 

“I want to help do something great. Somewhere out there are people like Officer Teresa fighting to make the world a better place. I want to help even if I’m just one part of it.” With a final wave goodbye, Wallace turns around and takes his first step towards his future.

 

“Every knight needs a reason to draw their sword. I just have to find mine.”

 

---

 

Chapter 26 - Your Chariot Awaits

Present Day…

 

“When Director Maruki asked me if I wanted to help you out, Mister Astraeus, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity! It’s just such an honor!” 

 

Jenkins says excitedly as he hefts two large suitcases in his hands. Although clearly struggling with the immense weight, any attempts to assist him are met with a firm yet kind refusal. The young man’s bright smile nearly outshines the morning sun itself as it rises slowly in the East. Complementing the outfit of his two superiors, he is wearing the NEDF dress uniform. Several small award ribbons for valor and Hollow combat deployments glow with pride on his chest, clearly having been freshly polished this morning.

 

Yanagi strides forward confidently just beside him, her heels clicking against the hardened asphalt. A small smile of amusement decorates her face as she side-eyes the soldier. One of the parts she missed about being in the NEDF was the youthful energy of its younger enlisted. Such enthusiasm was heavily discouraged in the elite atmosphere of HAND. Once upon a time, she too was a fresh faced Lieutenant right out of the academy with dreams of changing the world. Though those days have long since passed.

 

Wise and Miyabi lead the way directly in front of the duo. The four of them had just exited the vehicle they had taken from HAND HQ, having left the military base and arrived at a pre-arranged pickup location. Overhead, the sun has nearly reached its zenith in the sky. The lack of clouds allows its brilliant light to bathe their surroundings in a warm golden glow. Despite the chill that fills the air, the unfiltered rays pierce through any cold and warm their bodies. 

 

Finally, their journey complete, they halt their movement inside of a small secluded parking area. All around them are the remains of a long abandoned shopping mall that was run out of business several years ago. Such a sight reminds the three agents of the inside of a Hollow; much to their chagrin.

 

Yanagi idly checks her watch, realizing that they are just a few minutes ahead of schedule.

 

“You can just call me Astraeus when we aren’t in public, Private Jenkins.” Wise says with an amused grin, turning his head backwards just slightly so he can glance at the overencumbered young man.

 

“Sure thing, Astraeus! But I’ve been wondering… is that your real name? It just seems a bit strange. Not that it’s a bad name at all!” Jenkins says as he catches himself at the last moment with wide eyes. After he realizes that his idol isn’t upset, the soldier laughs nervously.

 

“No, it’s not my real name. It’s just a code name.” The swordsman answers after returning the laugh.

 

“Woah, that’s so cool! Am I allowed to know… what your real name is?” Jenkins inquires hesitantly.

 

“That’s classified.” Yanagi answers from beside the young man as her eyes scan their surroundings with well drilled precision.

 

Wise rolls his eyes but keeps his head focused forwards. After all the effort the Deputy Chief put into ensuring his Proxy past wasn’t revealed, the swordsman understands the need to suppress his true identity. A small smile of self satisfaction crosses his features a second later. Though he would never admit it out loud, the thought of having a secret identity elicits an almost childlike happiness in him. It’s just like the spy movies he watched growing up.

 

“So cool…” Jenkins mutters to himself in amazement. 

 

His voice is too quiet for Yanagi and Wise to hear. However, Miyabi’s keen ears pick up on the words due to her Thiren features. A small smile of amusement passes over her face before she can suppress it. A much needed spark of joy ahead of a day that she has dreaded so thoroughly.

 

After another few minutes of quiet waiting the sound of an engine can be heard echoing off of the walls. Seconds later, a vehicle emerges from the main road that the group had taken into the parking lot. All four of them turn towards the newcomers.

 

Wise and Jenkins' eyes widen considerably when they get a good look at the car that has come to pick them up. A sleek, black limousine pulls to a stop next to them. The silver highlight and trim shine with an almost blinding light as they catch the sun’s rays, causing the swordsman’s mechanical eyes to automatically polarize. Both of the men’s jaws are on the floor as the driver kills the engine.

 

Without even looking, Miyabi reaches her hand to the side to close Wise’s mouth with a small snapping noise. Jenkins closes his a moment later having been jolted from his own stupor due to the sound.

 

Three of the limo’s doors open and a similar number of individuals step out into the brightly lit parking lot. All of them are immaculately dressed. Cleaned pressed slacks, blazers, and ties adorn their features without a single visible crease or stain. However, no amount of pressing would make their clothing sharper than their weaponry.

 

The man in the passenger seat steps out and leaves his door open, revealing a tall and strongly built body underneath a middle aged face. In his hands is a compact submachine gun being held in a collapsed low ready position. Wise can’t find a single mark of damage or wear on its form. Its surface has been polished and cleaned to a level that would make any Gunnery Sergeant blush. The man stays low, partially using the door to cover himself from the only other entrance to the parking lot which is a small alleyway; this alone keys him into the fact that the car is bulletproof. From the way he’s moving, Wise assumes he's a former special forces soldier or extremely well trained.

 

The driver is a worthy counterpart. Another well built, dressed, and armed man. Strapped to his hip is a small striker-fired handgun which Wise and Jenkins both recognize as being New Eridu Defence Force standard issue. This much younger man keeps his head on a swivel while he waits for the third and final occupant to emerge.

 

Wise can hear Miyabi take a sharp breath as the last member of the trio comes into view.

 

The woman must crane her neck in order to avoid striking the door’s frame as she steps out of the vehicle. Rising to her full height, she towers over the young driver and is still a full head above the much taller passenger. Decorating her back are two swords in a cross while a handgun is strapped to her lower back. All three of the weapon’s handles are pointed upwards towards the heavens.

 

The next thing to catch Wise’s eye is the design of the two swords strapped to her back. Both are too short to be considered full katanas; more closely resembling wakizashi in their construction. Not carrying an accompanying full-sized katana with a wakizashi and instead carrying a copy is certainly a unique choice. One that he hasn’t seen before.

 

Sewn onto the breast pocket of her shirt is a logo that Wise recognizes as the same emblem on Miyabi’s hair ornament. Both men seem to have the same stitching as well. The stitches themselves seem to be interwoven with some kind of reflective material which causes them to glow like polished rubies in the bright afternoon sun.

 

Unlike her compatriots, she has foregone the blazer, only wearing a crisp black button up shirt above a similarly colored set of slacks. Red trim on her dress shoes match the shade of her tie and roaming eyes exactly. Her clothes are tight but not unnecessarily so; closely hugging a body that is lithe and dangerous, reminding Wise strongly of a cheetah or other big cat. The final detail to round it all off is a pair of black fox ears that exactly match those of Miyabi.

 

After the woman’s red eyes finish their sweep, she reaches up to her head and presses on a small earpiece, mumbling out some words that the quartet can’t quite hear. The driver steps forward in sync with her as they both approach the assembled group. All the while the passenger stays in place and continues to keep a close guard on the alleyway and rooftops.

 

“Miss Hoshimi, it’s a pleasure to see you again. I hope your journey here was pleasant?” The tall fox woman says as she comes to a stop. A small but graceful smile decorates her beautiful features. Although obviously possessing the same blood as Miyabi, the newcomer is still very distinct. Her jawline and features are extremely sharp while her ears seem larger as well on top of a much shorter head of black hair. More obviously, though Wise would never say it out loud due to concerns for his own safety, is the woman’s height. She towers over Miyabi with ease and comes roughly up to the swordsman’s shoulders. Although, she would technically be taller than him if the ears were included. Thankfully, ears being included in one’s height is a gift belonging only to a single Thiren.

 

Miyabi is silent for several moments as she studies the woman in front of her with a narrowed gaze. “I barely even recognized you, Reiko. Surely you know that you are well permitted to refer to me by my given name? We are cousins, after all.”

 

The now named Reiko has her previously serious expression replaced by a much wider smile a second later. “Miyabi. It’s… so good to see you.”

 

Without wasting another second, Miyabi takes a step forward and embraces Reiko. The much taller woman has to bend her knees slightly in order to make the hug a little bit less awkward. 

 

While the pair continue embracing, Reiko opens her mouth to speak in a quiet voice heavily laden with emotion. “Miyabi… I can’t even begin to express how sorry I am that-“

 

“There will be time for that later, Reiko. My father wouldn’t want us to be sad during our reunion. This is… a moment I want to enjoy.” Miyabi says quietly in return.

 

Without speaking, Reiko simply nods her head and closes her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the embrace.

 

A moment or so later the cousins separate. Reiko wipes away a single tear with an immaculate black and red handkerchief emblazoned with the Hoshimi family crest.

 

“You’ve gotten taller since I’ve last seen you.” Miyabi states with a small note of nostalgia in her voice, her red eyes continue to study the woman towering over her.

 

“Miyabi, the last time you saw me I was thirteen. That was a whole eight years ago.” Reiko says with a small huff of amusement while shaking her head. Apparently, the aloof attitude of the Chief is well known to her family as well as her team.

 

Wise suppresses the shocked expression that wants to make itself known on his face. Maybe it’s the height or bearing, but he never would have suspected that Reiko was so young. That would make her almost the exact same age as Private Jenkins.

 

“Ah, is that so? It seems like it was only a few short years ago that I was giving you sword lessons in the forest on the grounds of Kitsune No Ana.” Miyabi says with a small smile as warm memories begin to resurface in her mind.

 

“I am thankful for the lessons you were able to teach me. They have been instrumental on my journey as a warrior.” Reiko says with a small bow of respect which is quickly returned by Miyabi. 

 

After the two cousins have had their reunion, Reiko turns towards Wise and speaks. “You must be Astraeus, then?”

 

“That’s correct. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Reiko. If only it were under better circumstances.” Wise says as he puts a hand forward to shake which is quickly accepted by the tall woman. Her fingers and palms are covered in rough calluses like Miyabi’s are, no doubt a result of years of sword training.

 

“Likewise.” Reiko says before sliding her sleeve back to reveal a simple watch. “We should get moving, it would be best to reach the castle by midnight.”

 

Jenkins perks up in the background, his eyes obtaining a bright glint of excitement. “Woah… a castle?”

 

Reiko tilts her head in confusion before turning back towards her cousin. “You didn’t tell them?”

 

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Miyabi says with a monotone voice as she takes a step towards the limousine. Ducking into its interior with Reiko in tow and disappearing out of sight. Wise can read between the lines and realize that the two want a moment in private to discuss something.

 

The driver steps forward and grabs half of the luggage from Jenkins before following the Chief towards the vehicle. The two men begin loading their charge into the trunk. Both of them handle the cargo with careful movements, not wanting to cause any damage to whatever may be inside.

 

“I suppose I should be taking my leave. Stay safe, you three. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.” Yanagi says with a gentle smile. One of her gloved hands waves a goodbye as she makes her way back towards the car they took here.

 

Miyabi and Wise say their goodbyes as the Deputy Chief opens the door to the vehicle and readies herself to step inside. Before she can, a voice fills the parking lot.

 

“Wait, three? Private Jenkins isn’t going back with you?” The swordsman says in confusion. Surely they don’t expect Wise to look after a kid that’s barely out of his teens?

 

“Director Maruki’s orders. Goodbye now and be safe!” Yanagi yells as she steps into the vehicle and pulls out of the parking lot. The tail lights have all but disappeared by the time Wise’s brain catches up.

 

“Hey wait!” The swordsman yells towards the empty street as he jogs to catch up. He realizes quickly that the effort is hopeless. With a dejected frown he watches the vehicle turn a corner out of sight.

 

“Astraeus? Is something the matter?” Jenkins says as he jogs towards Wise from his position at the trunk of the limousine. His eyes scan their surroundings, looking for the source of whatever caused the agent to yell.

 

Wise closes his eyes and rubs his face with both hands, making some noise deep in his throat that is a cross between an exasperated sigh and tired groan. He turns back to face the young man once he has regained most of his composure. What meets his gaze is a pair of golden eyes laced with concern below a head of shaved brown hair. 

 

“Nothing is the matter, Jenkins. Just saying goodbye to the Deputy Chief.” The swordsman says with a kind tone, patting one of his hands on the soldier’s shoulder.

 

“Phew, that’s good then.” Whatever apprehension remained in the Private’s eyes drains away and is replaced by a relieved smile. “Lady Miyabi wanted me to tell you that we are ready to depart.”

 

“It’s best not to keep her waiting, let’s get going.” Wise says before beginning a brisk walk back towards the limo. Jenkins follows directly at his side. Only a moment later they are both ducking into the interior of the vehicle.

 

Miyabi is sitting on the left side on a rather large couch-like seat while Reiko is in a smaller one near the door. Even in the relaxed atmosphere of the limo, the tall woman’s lithe form is wound tight like a spring, ready to leap into action at a second’s notice. Once she closes the door behind the two newcomers she bangs her fist against the wall of the limo that presses up against the driver’s cabin. The vehicle rumbles to life a moment later and slowly lurches forward.

 

Wise takes a glance around to find somewhere to sit. Movement catches his eye and he notices Miyabi patting the small area remaining on the couch directly next to her. Without even a second of hesitation, the swordsman takes a step forward and lowers himself into the seat. His large body sinks into the plush cushions immediately. Wise has to admit that it’s one of the single most comfortable pieces of furniture that he has ever had the pleasure of feeling.

 

Miyabi leans her shoulder into his but goes no further, most likely wanting to avoid any obvious displays of affection for the moment. Regardless, the warmth and comfort provided by her presence is plenty.

 

Jenkins eyes linger on their touching shoulders for a quick moment before he looks away with a nervous expression. He’s obviously curious about their proximity but too kind to say anything. Instead, he chooses to look towards Reiko, studying her weaponry and stature with clear awe. If the warrior notices his gaze then she doesn't give any indication of it.

 

A few silent moments go by as Wise stares out of the heavily tinted window. As of now, they are still well within the city limits of New Eridu and are surrounded by its towering buildings. Miyabi had mentioned that her familial home is located to the north of New Eridu but was vague on the details.

 

“Man… I’m kinda thirsty.” Jenkins says with a quiet grumble. With lazy movements he leans his head against his fist, staring longingly out of the window as he does so. Wise wonders if he said this out of boredom or actual need.

 

“Understood. Would you like sake or champagne?” Reiko asks as she walks across the limo to the very back and opens a small cooler located there. Several neatly organized rows of bottles are found inside. Though the swordsman doesn’t recognize any of the labels, he has a distinct feeling that a single one of them is worth well over his yearly salary.

 

Jenkins stares into the cooler with wide eyes. “Uhm… maybe just water?” The young man says nervously while staring up at the tall woman.

 

“We don’t have water. I guess you’ll just have to stay dehydrated.” Reiko says with a deadly serious tone. Her red eyes stare down at the soldier with a harsh ruby glare.

 

Clearly intimidated, Jenkins nods his head rapidly and presses himself into the backrest of his seat, overpowered by the tall woman’s aura. “R-right! That’s not a problem! Sorry for saying anything.”

 

Reiko continues her unblinking glare for several more moments. Finally, the ends of her mouth begin to curl into a smile and she bursts out into laughter.

 

Jenkins is beyond confused, his eyes darting between the laughing woman, Wise, and Miyabi. He instinctively catches the cold water bottle that’s thrown at him a moment later.

 

“Just kidding. You should’ve seen the look on your face just now, it was hilarious.” Reiko says with amusement before gracefully sliding back into her seat.

 

Miyabi has a small smile after watching the exchange, some of the crushing weight of anticipation and sadness removed from her shoulders by the humorous exchange.

 

Wise chuckles quietly after Jenkin’s face takes on a distinctive red hue of embarrassment. The young soldier begins quickly chugging the water in a vain attempt to wash away the embarrassment. Somehow, this makes the situation even worse as he chokes on the rapidly flowing water and gasps for air.

 

What was once fading chuckles erupts once more into gut wrenching laughter from Reiko and the swordsman.

 

Wise turns his head down after hearing the sound of a small giggle chiming like a silver bell. Miyabi is covering her mouth to hide her laughter but the distinctive movement of her shoulders gives away her amusement at the situation. Even despite the circumstances she’s able to find some joy in the people around her.

 

A gentle smile crosses Wise’s face as he looks at her, suddenly grateful for the presence of the young soldier.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Sorry for the delay on this chapter.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

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Chapter 27: Over The Mountain, Through The Snow, Nothing But Trivia

Summary:

Wise, Miyabi, Reiko, and Jenkins continue their drive. Wise learns more than he would have preferred about his future in-laws.

Impressive really wouldn’t do the sight of the massive castle justice.

 

Awe-inspiring? Breathtaking? Really, really cool? All of these sound correct to Wise but none of them seem to cover the breadth of emotions he's feeling. And, if Jenkin’s slackened jaw and Reiko’s amused grin was any measure, this is a common occurrence for newcomers.

 

The structure itself is quite tall but made even taller by the large mountain it’s partially built into. Rocky slopes transition into cobbled stone then back again; this process repeats until the snowy cap of the mountain is reached roughly a half kilometer above where they are now. The intimate blending of human made architecture and natural beauty makes a stark yet almost seamless juxtaposition.

 

Where the stone of the mountain and castle are absent exists traditional sliding doors partially made of paper. Just outside of the exits are wooden balconies intricately carved and painted. Wise is no artist, but he can’t find a single pillar that has the same pattern nor painting as another. He wonders to himself how many people and how much time it must have taken to build such a colossal structure.

 

The castle itself is already at an extremely high elevation and is the tallest object as far as the eye can see. Even though he is still sitting in the temperature controlled interior of the limousine, he can feel his breathing become slightly more labored due to the thin air. The effort puts strain on his still very sensitive chest injury; through great effort, he is able to suppress any kind of pained expression or sound. Miyabi and Reiko have enough to worry about already.

 

Thirty minutes after the castle comes into view and the vehicle pulls up to a much more modern looking security checkpoint. The men and women guarding the post are dressed in a much warmer looking variant of what Reiko and her two companions are wearing. The older one, who is still occupying the passenger seat while cradling his submachine gun, reaches into his pocket to pull out a small object. Whatever the object is cannot be seen by the other occupants of the limousine.

 

A light snowfall that began several minutes ago picks up in its pace. Shining snowflakes drift through a clouded sky before landing on the window of the limousine and melting due to the heat contained within. Wise’s heart feels an odd pang of longing at the sight, somehow being reminded of his sword by the harmless display of nature. He buries those feelings down as far as he can before a small amount of movement catches his eye.

 

Wise looks out of the window to see the exchange take place. What he would consider to be an irresponsibly old man accepts the object from the passenger and momentarily inspect it. Large fox ears decorate the top of his head. Although, unlike Miyabi and Reiko, time has turned both the hair on his head and ears a silver color and his eyes are dark gray instead of red. Some hair is missing on the left side of his head to reveal a large scar just above his ear that wraps half-way around his head. At his hip is an elegant katana resting in its scabbard.

 

As quickly as the object is handed over it is returned to the passenger before he rolls up his window. Every member of the security detail transitions from standing at attention into a steep bow all at once. Even those in a nearby guard tower show the same overwhelming deferment. The display comes to an end several seconds later as they all go back to whatever task or patrol was previously occupying their attention.

 

The only exception is the old fox Thiren, who takes several gentle steps towards the rear of the limousine. Once he is in front of one of its heavily tinted windows, he takes another yet much more shallow bow. 

 

“Welcome home, Miss Miyabi.” The old man says before a gentle smile makes its way onto his face. The genuine warmth contained in the expression seems as if it could melt every flake of snow on this mountaintop. The dark shade of his eyes shine with the light of his joy.

 

“Thank you, great-uncle.” Miyabi whispers under her breath from next to Wise. Although they could only hear the old man due to an exterior microphone picking up on his speech, no such thing happens in reverse. Regardless of not receiving an audible answer the old man’s radiant smile doesn’t reduce by even a millimeter.

 

With a small jump the limousine continues its journey up the mountain. The final stretch to the castle itself from the exterior fence is less than half a kilometer. Regardless, the driver is taking his time on the icy roads to avoid losing traction and causing an accident.

 

Wanting to break the pervasive silence, Wise clears his throat and speaks. “Was the old guy a Hoshimi?”

 

Miyabi huffs and looks up at him with an annoyed glance. The kind of glare that he gets when he says something stupid follows soon after. A look that the swordsman is very, very well acquainted with.

 

“He is not some ‘old guy’, Astraeus. You should really be more respectful when speaking of him. Especially since Reiko is here.” The swordswoman says in a chastising tone.

 

“Ah, I see. I apologize for my… insolence, Reiko.” Wise says genuinely while dipping his head towards the tall fox.

 

“It’s of no consequence, really. That ‘old guy’ is the head of my branch of the family and my grandfather. Akimitsu Hoshimi.” Reiko says with a slightly amused smile. Clearly, his early statement didn’t cause her any kind of anger or disappointment. Instead she seems to have found his cluelessness slightly funny.

 

“Another branch? Are there many of those?” Wise asks curiously while leaning farther into the plush couch, sinking into its warm embrace.

 

Seeming to have already forgiven the swordsman, Miyabi leans into his side once more and follows him further into the furniture. Despite her seemingly forgiving demeanor, her ears flick at a slightly higher pace than normal. Wise’s studies have revealed this to mean that she is still slightly annoyed at his earlier impudence. 

 

“Five. I am from the Aka Hoshimis. Those descended from the second offspring of the first Hoshimi. The Great Hero was a member of our branch.” Reiko says with an edge of pride entering her voice. “Since our inception we have been the shield of the Hoshimi family, protecting many of its holdings and branches from harm. With some… glaring blemishes on our record.”

 

The tall fox’s eyes take on a glint of shame as they flick towards Miyabi for a split second. Thankfully, whatever she finds in her eyes seems to return some of her earlier luster.

 

“By Great Hero, she means our ancestor who was one of the first Void Hunters when the Hollows first appeared. I am also related to her through my father.” Miyabi explains helpfully. An odd mixture of pride and deep sadness colors her tone as she speaks of her mother. 

 

“Second offspring of the first Hoshimi? How long ago was this?” Jenkins pitches in for the first time. His golden eyes filled with curiosity at their family history.

 

“Nobody knows anymore. The Hoshimi family has been around for at least a few hundred years. But, almost all of our records and the writings of our ancestors were lost during a Hollow disaster on top of where our family’s historical home was located. Along with many other precious things.” Miyabi says with an air of sadness.

 

Wise, knowing exactly what she lost in the fall of the old capital even if it was a separate incident, wraps an arm around her to draw her closer. Having Jenkins and Reiko witness the exchange is at the bottom of his priorities right now. Besides, he trusts Jenkins and Miyabi trusts Reiko. Certainly they wouldn’t tell anyone.

 

“My grandfather would be the only person that is old enough and had access to the archives. Unfortunately, his memory is clouded by injuries he sustained during the fall of the old capital. Maybe someday…” Reiko continues with a gentle tone as her speech trails off.

 

“What about the other four branches?” Wise asks curiously in order to sate his own curiosity and keep the conversation going.

 

“Miyabi’s branch is known as the Jundo; however, a member of the family would rarely refer to her as such. She is simply of the Hoshimi line without any other identifiers since hers is the ruling dynasty. We’ve already discussed my branch, Aka. Then there’s the Gurē, Aojiroi, and Yuki.” Reiko lists them off on her fingers as she speaks before holding up all five. “There were others but I won't get into them for now.”

 

“It’s crazy to think that your family used to be even larger and more powerful. It’s hard to even imagine.” Wise says with a small smile.

 

“Indeed. There used to be ten branches. Three were lost in the fall of the old capital and the other two were casualties of other Hollow related incidents. Another is… about to go extinct.” Reiko’s words trail off at the end as a look of sadness takes over her expression.

 

Jenkins and Wise both pick up on the sentiment. A quick glance between one another results in a silent agreement not to pursue that line of questioning any further. Although both are extremely curious as to which branch mentioned previously is the one closest to extinction. Perhaps Miyabi’s since she’s the only surviving heir?

 

“So, Reiko. Which of your parents is from the Aka branch?” Wise asks curiously. It’s an obvious attempt to change the subject but everyone in the vehicle accepts it regardless.

 

“My mother.” Reiko says pridefully as she puffs out her chest. For the first time since they all climbed into the vehicle it seems as if she’s acting her age. 

 

“She was a great warrior in her prime and beat out every other swordsman or woman of her generation. If she were still with us then she surely would carry on her dominance. With one notable exception, of course.” Reiko says with a small nod towards Miyabi who reciprocates the gesture with a grateful smile.

 

“Every member of a generation? That’s impressive. So was that a dozen or so others?” Jenkins asks curiously.

 

Reiko blinks several times before answering. “I believe her generation contained roughly one hundred and fifty. Well that was before the fall of the old capital and some of the more devastating Hollow disasters…”

 

The tall fox turns towards her cousin with a curious and crestfallen glance. “Did you not tell them any of this?”

 

“I didn’t want to bore or sadden them with the tangled details. Especially considering there were once a thousand of us running around at any given time.” Miyabi says with a sigh.

 

All of the vehicle's occupants are silent for a long moment. None of them want to be the first to speak up.

 

Jenkins notices the declining atmosphere and in a desperate bid to help, speaks up. “A thousand Hoshimi’s? Are you sure you are fox Thirens and not rabbit Thirens?”

 

The young man waits several agonizingly long seconds for somebody, anybody to laugh at his joke. Perhaps more impressive than any of his combat feats is the bulletproof smile that stands unwavering on his features. Just when he’s beginning to contemplate throwing himself out of the limousine to escape his embarrassment, a sound rings throughout the cabin.

 

Reiko begins laughing uncontrollably and clutching her stomach, nearly doubling over from the unending barrage of gut wrenching cackling. Her short black hair and long ears flow with the movement of her bobbing head as it’s racked by continued laughter.

 

Jenkins heaves a massive sigh of relief and starts joining in her laughter. To him, it was the best thing he had heard all day. And not only because it saved him from an inescapable pit of embarrassment.

 

Wise begins to chuckle slightly but gets an elbow to the ribs courtesy of Miyabi a moment later. He mumbles out a small sound of discomfort but finds an amused smile on her face a moment later. It seems the young man’s joke rejuvenated her as well.

 

Small pinpricks of shining tears manifest in Reiko’s eyes a moment later as she finally begins to get her laughter under control. “Oh man. It took me a bit to get the joke but damn it really got the better of me once it did. Rabbits. As if.” One of her slender fingers reaches up to her face to brush a streaming tear aside.

 

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Jenkins says with yet another relieved chuckle. Whether from embarrassment or something else, his cheeks are dusted with a healthy shade of pink.

 

“The true reason there are so many Hoshimis. Or… there were. Is that the family name is passed through both the daughters and sons. Women who marry outside of the clan have their husbands written into the family as a Mukoyoshi, while the men simply take the name with them. The Hoshimi family does not give preferential treatment between daughters or sons.” Miyabi explains with a small smile on her face. Now that the conversation has turned away from the darker aspects of her family, the earlier notes of pride in her tone have returned.

 

“The eldest offspring of a singular branch or family inherits the holdings and title of their parents with no regard for gender. It seems our telltale black hair, black or red eyes, and fox Thiren features are both dominant and carried equally through paternal and matriarchal lines. Males seem to almost always inherit the black eyes, like my father and Reiko’s grandfather. Females seem to almost always inherit the red eyes. So, naturally, those with the Hoshimi name and features were rather numerous even if separated by many, many generations.” Reiko continues where Miyabi left off.

 

“Is this going to be on the test?” Wise says with a weary sigh. The sea of names, traditions, and branches is already beginning to slowly seep out of his brain. The swordsman gets yet another elbow to his ribs for his sarcastic remark.

 

Reiko finds the statement amusing, unlike her cousin, and lets out a small giggle before she responds. “Don’t worry, nobody is going to be quizzing you on the details of our extremely complicated family. But knowing some trivia and properly addressing the other important figures in the Hoshimi clan may get you some much needed clout. Especially considering you’re an outsider and of low birth.”

 

Wise arches his eyebrows in concern. “Ah, I see. Some members of your family aren’t a big fan of peasants like me?”

 

“Like us?” Jenkins says before reaching across the aisle and fist bumping Wise.

 

“Peasant bros.” The young soldier murmurs under his breath before leaning back into his seat. Wise smiles at the name.

 

Reiko rolls her eyes in response but also has a small grin of amusement. Once her expression has returned to normal she speaks up again. “Some of them do, yes. You won’t need to worry about the Aka branch though. We respect those with the spirit and skills of a warrior. We have already decided that you are worthy of inheriting the family name.”

 

Wise can’t help but feel a hint of surprise. Some members of the Hoshimi family have heard of him already? When did this happen?

 

“Don’t look so surprised. The way Souichiro talked about you and Miyabi’s letters were more than enough to sway my grandfather. Not to mention informing us of your… budding relationship.” Reiko says with a wink towards her cousin.

 

Miyabi makes a small sound of embarrassment before shoving herself further into Wise’s side as if it could make her hide from the shame she’s feeling. Naturally, it’s the cutest thing the swordsman has seen all day.

 

Jenkins dares to laugh at her embarrassment.

 

However, a menacing red glare sharper than Tailless courtesy of Miyabi makes the laughter die in his throat.

 

Deciding that a further round of teasing might serve to get her mind off of her burdens, Wise looks down at Miyabi and speaks. “Oh? Maybe I’ll have to read these letters sometime?”

 

“If you so much as glance at those letters your head will be on a spike outside the gates of Kitsune No Ana. This will be done by my own hand, of course.” Miyabi says with her ears flat against her head and cheeks colored the same red as her eyes.

 

“Message received.” Wise says as he surrenders his teasing with one final laugh.

 

“Is Kitsune No Ana the castle?” Jenkins asks, changing the subject. His eyes move to glance out of the window at the rapidly approaching structure. They’re less than a minute away from arriving.

 

“That’s correct, this is the ancestral home of the Aojiroi branch and the only surviving citadel of any branch. The name is of our family’s native tongue. To you, it would be named the Den of the Fox. Few refer to it as such. Most choose the simpler title of Castle Ana or simply Ana. You are welcome to refer to it whichever way you like.” Reiko explains with a small smile.

 

Just as she finishes speaking the limousine slowly comes to a stop outside of what appears to be a stone wall of the mountain. The paved road that previously wound up the mountain seems to abruptly terminate once it has reached the structure. Just before Wise is about to comment on if they should exit, the stone walls that once looked like a natural formation swing upwards to reveal a brightly lit interior. The garage that’s revealed is decorated with traditional paper walls that contain several other limousines along with more up-armored vehicles. A small handful of additional security personnel step out to guide them inside.

 

Reiko turns back, glancing at Wise and Jenkins with a gentle smile.

 

“Welcome to our home. We’re happy to have you here.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Quite a few notes for today.

I had to find a way to reconcile the fact that Miyabi's parents look almost exactly the same according to canon. It’s up to the reader’s interpretation if they’re distantly related or it’s a big coincidence that they look so similar.

I worked through five names for the Hoshimi castle before landing on Kitsune no Ana. Initially it was going to be a pun but I decided to go the more serious route.

In official canon, Souichiro is the 10th head of the Hoshimi clan, making their family around ~250 years old (most experts say that an average generation is 25 years. I am not a scientist so I decided to defer to that number). I disregarded this and made them much older to better fit my narrative. The original Void Hunter of the Hoshimi clan, who is referred to as the 'Great Hero' in this story, is still seven generations or about 175 years ago.

Sorry of there's too much world building in this but I started to write Miyabi's background and literally couldn't stop. Hopefully you all at least find it bearable if not interesting.

Is everybody is ready to see just how messed up the Hoshimi extended family is...?

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 28: Meeting The In-Laws

Summary:

Wise meets an uncle and aunt of Miyabi’s. One of these meetings goes better than the other.

The foyer of Kitsune no Ana is somehow even more impressive than the outside. A massive room nearly the size of that within the HAND Dormitories is spread out in front of the quartet as they enter the castle.

 

Running through the center of the room is a large wooden walkway that’s polished to a near mirror sheen. On either side and at a slightly lower height stands seas of finely maintained dry garden. It’s waves of pale sand intricately brushed to flow in beautiful and concentric patterns around hunks of mossy stone. Sparsely decorating other areas of the dry garden are well groomed trees of a species that Wise does not recognize. Smaller paths criss-cross through the gardens like lazy rivers of polished wood.

 

Balconies and walkways loop overhead like concentric rings within a tree. Altogether, Wise can count seven stories towering above them which would make the castle eight stories tall. Based on the outside appearance of the structure, however, the swordsman assumes that the building contains tunnels dig into the mountain itself that lead to extraneous rooms. 

 

Despite the lavish interior, there’s hardly a soul in sight. Flickers of occasional movement on the upper floors will draw Wise’s attention. Once investigated, nearly all of these turn out to be patrolling security guards dressed in the usual red attire of the Aka. Wise asked Reiko about the security members that didn’t have Hoshimi features and learned that they are part of a private security company run by her branch of the family. The swordsman assumes that this one company is one of many that compose the billion Denny family value.

 

On one occasion the swordsman thinks he sees a silhouette with a pair of fox ears on the second floor but the mysterious figure vanishes before he can study it any further.

 

“This is… impressive.” Jenkins says with a small sense of wonder coloring his tone. His golden eyes slowly roam the gently flowing waves of sand on the dry garden. Their patterns alone seem to bring a sense of peace to whoever views them.

 

“Thank you. Great care has been put into every detail of our home in order to give the best impression possible. Allow me to be the first to welcome you, I hope you enjoy your time here.” A female voice says directly to the group’s right. Jenkins and Wise both jump in alarm, caught completely off guard by the sudden appearance.

 

Once the shock has left Wise’s body and his combat instincts flick back off, he turns to look towards the woman who spoke. She’s of average height and middle aged but has a timeless sort of beauty that looks as if it could withstand eons. Long and intricately braided black hair is draped over her shoulder. Dark red eyes, matching in shade with Miyabi and Reiko’s, glow with a kind warmth beneath a pair of black fox ears. Perhaps most surprising of all is the large black tail swaying gently in the air behind her.

 

“Thank you for your kindness and hospitality.” Wise says before bowing deeply towards the woman.

 

Jenkins looks between the swordsman and unknown woman before mimicking the bow a second later.

 

Reiko bows as well but Miyabi stays standing, indicating her position of authority over the woman.

 

“Oh my, and he’s a gentleman as well. You really know how to pick them.” The woman says before covering up a small giggle with her delicate hand.

 

Miyabi blushes slightly and makes a small noise of exasperation. Otherwise she manages to keep her reaction remarkably low-key at least compared to her usual.

 

The woman begins to walk backwards towards the group through the dry garden. She's wearing an odd set of wooden shoes with crossed soles to minimize any disturbance to the sand. As she steps backwards she uses a long tool similar to a rake to smooth over any tracks that are created. After a slow but steady march she steps off of the sand and sits down on the edge of the polished wooden walkway. The large black tail behind her nearly brushes up against Wise’s leg as she scoots backwards slightly.

 

With great care, the woman sets the rake behind her and removes the unusual wood shoes. Her red eyes scan her path once more to ensure that she has properly repaired any damage. Once the work has been checked she stands up with the shoes in one hand and the rake in the other.

 

“Apologies for the unusual welcome. I had hoped to ensure that the dry garden was in perfect condition for your arrival, Lady Miyabi. It seems I got absorbed in my task and lost track of time.” The fox woman says with a sheepish chuckle and gentle smile. 

 

Something about the woman’s speech and demeanor sets Wise’s mind at ease. Although he doesn't remember his mother outside of vague flashes and images, something about the warm feeling in his chest reminds him of her.

 

“Your efforts are admirable, Lady Shiori. My eyes cannot find a single flaw. You’ve outdone yourself.” Miyabi says with a gentle smile and kind tone.

 

The now named Shiori returns the smile. A moment later she steps forward and gently wraps her arm around Miyabi’s before leading her further into the dry garden walkways to their sides.

 

Reiko steps closer to be in-between Wise and Jenkins as all three watch the pair slowly walk away. Whispered words are passed between them followed by small bouts of laughter. Clearly, whatever relationship they have is very close and positive.

 

“They have some catching up to do so they’ll be a while.” Reiko explains casually to the two men as Miyabi and Shiori pass out of sight.

 

“Which branch is Shiori from?” Jenkins asks.

 

“She is the matriarch of the Yuki branch. They are the most numerous and generally the most mild mannered when it comes to outsiders.” Reiko answers before beginning to walk in a seemingly random direction.

 

Jenkins and Wise share a glance, silently agreeing to follow her to wherever she is going.

 

“Which branches are uh… less mild mannered when it comes to outsiders?” Jenkins asks nervously as he falls into step with Reiko.

 

The tall fox girl turns partially to the side, exposing one red eye that gleams with crimson mischief. “Well, Aka, of course. As the defenders of the Hoshimi clan we need to be ready to stop or even kill any potential threats. Would you like a demonstration?”

 

Jenkins has a single drop of sweat slide down the side of his face as he stares open eyed at Reiko. His fight or flight instincts battle for dominance in his mind as the menacing aura of the tall fox girl washes over him like a tidal wave. All at once his nerves dissolve into nothing as she speaks once more.

 

“Just kidding! I would generally say Aka is the second most reclusive branch. The first would be Gurē by far.” Reiko explains with a contemplative expression. “They have some… interesting ideas about how the clan should operate going into the future.”

 

“How interesting are we talking, here?” Wise asks with a note of concern in his voice.

 

“Disturbing is a more accurate word. I’ll let Miyabi explain that whole can of worms to you.” Reiko says followed by an exasperated sigh. Just like in the limousine, speaking for prolonged periods of time about the Hoshimi family seems to exhaust both Reiko and Miyabi.

 

“I’ll be sure to let Miyabi know you deferred to her when I ask.” Wise says humorously.

 

Reiko shoots an unamused glance at the swordsman over her shoulder in response.

 

Jenkins speaks up next, changing the subject. “So, uh, about Lady Shiori...”

 

“Oh, you’re probably wondering about the tail?” Reiko says without looking backwards.

 

“I didn’t know any of the Hoshimi’s had tails. It’s… unusual for Thirens to not have them from what I remember from high school so I guess it makes sense.” Jenkins continues, proving the tall woman’s guess to be correct.

 

“It’s a rare thing and only occurs extremely rarely in the Yuki branch, and even then it’s only females. Some odd factor hidden in their genes from centuries ago. It’s considered a good omen in their line to have a female heir blessed with that feature.” Reiko explains as they continue walking through the wooden and paper hallways. 

 

Wise and Jenkins occasionally study a painting or artifact mounted on the wall, but otherwise keep their eyes forward.

 

The next few moments of walking go by in silence as each member of the trio works through the many thoughts swirling around in their respective heads. Finally, Reiko turns a final corner, revealing a dead-end hallway that terminates in a pair of sliding paper doors. She steps forward and opens the way before gesturing for the two men to step inside.

 

Wise thanks her and enters the room’s threshold. Taking a look around, he realizes that the large room is some sort of traditional sparring hall or dojo. One entire wall is a mirror while the other three are more normal looking combinations of wood and paper. The wall opposite the mirror is almost entirely dedicated to rows upon rows of weapons. Each one is polished and perfectly sharpened, causing their blades to gleam with a dangerous light. Behind the rack is in intricate painting of a grassy forest with several foxes hidden in the foliage.

 

The most interesting part of the dojo by far is the center. Standard floor mats suddenly give way to warm earth and green grass. A blooming sakura tree stands off to one side of the circle, its branches and leaves at a standstill due to the lack of wind deep within the mountain. Wise’s eyes widen when he realizes that the lighting of the circle is natural and not artificial. Further investigation reveals there to be a tunnel dug into the rock directly above the grassy field that leads all the way to the top of the mountain. At its apex is a glass pane that shows a clear afternoon sky, its altitude being so great that it pierces the cloud cover responsible for the heavy snowfall.

 

A group of people are already present as Reiko closes the door behind the trio. A man that seems to be in his mid thirties stands next to two younger boys that most likely have just entered their teens. Each of them is holding a wooden practice sword. The two young men stare nervously at Jenkins and Wise but seem to be comfortable with Reiko’s presence. The older man, however, is directing a nasty stare towards the tall fox woman.

 

“Reiko! What is the meaning of this?” The old man says before walking towards the newcomers. His hair is the usual black onyx of the Hoshimi clan while his eyes are a dark gray similar to those of Souichiro. A flowing beard which has been neatly combed and oiled decorates the bottom of his face. By far the most notable detail of his appearance is his large black fox ears. The right ear seems to have sustained some injury long ago. Only half of the ear is still present; now ending in pale scar tissue instead of black fur. 

 

Wise tries not to let his gaze linger on the battle scar out of respect.

 

“I’m showing the guests around. The dojo happened to be our next stop.” Reiko says in a perfectly monotone voice while leaning her weight onto her back leg.

 

“On whose authority?” The old man demands a second later. His anger seems to only be increasing as the conversation goes on.

 

“That of Miyabi.” Reiko states plainly. A small note of smugness enters her tone as she speaks. Clearly, she’s not the biggest fan of this man and is happy to rub Miyabi’s authority in his face.

 

The man only grits his teeth in response and stares at Reiko with an angry glare. The two sons shuffle around nervously and try to partially hide behind the older man. Wise watches them do so and begins to suspect that he is their father.

 

The older man takes a deep breath a moment later before reopening his dark eyes. His focus on Reiko comes to an end and he begins to closely study Jenkins and Wise.

 

“You must be Astraeus. I have heard of you.” He says while looking right into Wise’s eyes. A moment later, he turns towards Jenkins and speaks again. “I do not know you, are you his squire or perhaps attendant?”

 

Jenkins sputters indignantly for a moment. He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by Wise before he can.

 

“He’s a friend of mine and Miyabi.” Wise answers simply.

 

The old man nods sagely before responding. “I see. This young man must be a formidable warrior to stand with such company.”

 

A small amount of silence passes as the four adults in the room share probing glances while waiting for the other to make a move. It’s extremely awkward and Wise can’t wait for it to be over. It’s clear that this guy is a Hoshimi and one of the ones that doesn’t care for him very much.

 

“Astraeus. Do you have a moment to stop your tour and assist the Hoshimi clan?” The old man says suddenly. Both of his sons look up at him 

 

Wise hesitates for a moment, not entirely trusting the man’s request. With a subtle glance towards Reiko, who gives him a hesitant nod of approval, the swordsman makes up his mind. “It would be my honor to help however I can, especially given your family’s hospitality.”

 

The older man has a predatory grin come over his face as soon as he hears the statement. “Excellent. Would you kindly spar with me? I’ve been trying to teach my boys the fine art of swordplay. A live demonstration by two seasoned warriors of what they’ve been learning would greatly assist them.”

 

The man’s two sons have all of their apprehension evaporated in an instant, replaced instead by enthusiastic smiles of excitement.

 

Reiko leans her head to be next to Wise’s before whispering quietly. “That’s Saburō Hoshimi, patriarch of the Gurē branch. He wants to beat the shit out of an outsider in front of his sons to impress them.”

 

“Yeah, I figured as much. His fake hospitality wasn’t very convincing.” Wise says with a weary sigh before speaking again. “Is he good?”

 

“Saburō is the third best Hoshimi swordsman.” Reiko answers quickly, her eyes never leaving the figure of the man in question.

 

“Miyabi is the first, of course. Does that make you the second best?” Wise asks curiously.

 

Reiko blinks several times in surprise before responding. “Not even close. I’m the sixth. My grandfather is the second.”

 

“Ah. So this guy is pretty good.” Wise concludes.

 

“Extremely. You should politely refuse. Miyabi would not want you to partake in this pointless spat. Let the Gurē moan and complain about outsiders all they want. You don’t have anything to prove, Astraeus.” Reiko insists with a kind tone.

 

Wise shakes his head, unable to help the small smile making its way onto his face. “Refusing would be the smartest choice. But…”

 

“Astraeus…” Reiko says in warning, her red eyes narrowing towards the swordsman.

 

“It would be fun.” Wise remarks before shrugging his shoulders.

 

Reiko sighs and crosses her arms. After shaking her head in disapproval, she slowly starts to obtain a smile of her own. “Miyabi will not be pleased when she hears of this.”

 

“She would be more disappointed in me for cowering in fear. It’s not like I’m the one issuing the challenge.” Wise insists.

 

Reiko sighs yet again while adjusting her posture and studying Saburō closely. “Are you certain you can win?” 

 

“Astraeus is going to win.” Jenkins answers before Wise can get so much as a word out.

 

Reiko’s eyebrows raise in surprise for a moment before responding. “Oh? And what makes you so confident?”

 

Jenkins smiles fondly at her for a moment and responds. “I’m the only one here that’s seen him in action. Believe me, he’s going to win.”

 

The tall fox woman stares at the young man up and down for a moment, trying to determine if he’s telling the truth. Finding nothing that would tell her he’s lying, she nods her head in understanding.

 

“I accept your proposition, Lord Saburō. The children are the future, after all, and we have a duty to ensure that they are as well prepared as possible. May I grab a practice sword?” Wise states as he’s walking across the dojo towards the large rack of weapons against one wall.

 

A lopsided smile comes across Saburō’s face as his future opponent accepts the challenge. “By all means, Astraeus, pick whichever one catches your eye.”

 

Wise nods his head and smiles with gratitude. His legs carry him towards the rack of weapons as he directs his attention to the wooden practice ones instead of the more lethal variety. A small smile crosses his face as a specific weapon catches his eye.

 

It’s a curved sword similar to a katana. The only difference being the sheer size of the blade, being about a meter and a quarter of Wise has to guess. Miyabi has told him of swords like this before and called them Odachi or field swords. They’re much longer than katanas and built to have a two handed handle or at least a hand and a half. 

 

He makes his decision in an instant and hefts the large wooden blade off of its mount. Its wooden construction is perfect as far as he can tell and its surface shines with a mirror polish. Wise runs through a small series of practice movements with the blade, turning it over in his hands and performing various slashes and blows. Once he feels comfortable with the new weapon he makes his way over to where Saburō is standing.

 

On his way he passes Jenkins and Reiko, who are standing off to the side of the grassy area with looks of excitement and apprehension respectively. 

 

The young soldier reaches his fist out towards the swordsman for a fist bump, which is quickly reciprocated. “You got this, Astraeus. Show him what us peasant bros are capable of.”

 

Wise cracks a smile and barely stops himself from laughing out loud. “Gladly, peasant bro.”

 

The swordsman finally steps into the grassy circle across from Saburō. Somehow, the two young Hoshimi boys look even more excited than when the duel was first proposed. With well practiced and fluid movements, the Gurē patriarch removed the practice sword from its scabbard and assumed a loose combat stance.

 

As opposed to Wise’s more unusual weapon choice, Saburō instead uses a practice katana that is standard in every facet that the swordsman can see. It’s of average length and width while the hilt is of standard construction. The only feature that could be used to distinguish it from the two dozen other ones on the weapon racks is a familiar crest branded into the lower blade. The burn mark consists of two simply drawn foxes walking in a circle, one colored white and the other black, with flowing waves contained in the space between them in a gray coloring.

 

“Are you ready to begin, Astraeus?” Saburō asks from across the arena.

 

“Yes I am.” Wise says with a nod, assuming his own more reserved combat stance.

 

Reiko makes her way to stand half-way in between the two swordsmen. After taking a glance at both of them, she speaks loudly. “Three strikes on your opponent's body constitute a win. Disarmament or driving your opponent out of the ring also counts as a strike. Other than that you may fight as you wish. Any questions?”

 

Wise and Saburō both shake their heads no without moving their eyes off of one another. The tension between the two warriors is so thick it could nearly be cut like a string. The two young boys and Jenkins both watch on in apprehension, their bodies wound tight as they await the start of the duel.

 

Reiko glances once at each swordsman with her red eyes. Suddenly, she makes a vertical chopping motion with her hand and leaps out of the arena while yelling. “Begin!”

 

Instead of an aggressive flurry of movement, both Wise and Saburō don’t move a fraction of a centimeter as the duel begins. Both of them stand completely still, waiting for their opponent to make the first move. The only audible sound is the slight rustling of the sakura tree and nervous breathing of the two young boys.

 

Suddenly, Saburō takes a step, but to everyone’s surprise it isn’t towards Wise. Instead, he shuffles to his left, closer to the tree occupying the side of the arena.

 

Wise narrows his eyes at the move but mirrors it with a step to his own left. Their circular dance continues over the course of the next few seconds. Step after step, never getting any closer or further from one another and never letting their eyes stray from the other’s. Eventually, the final step echoes out, and Saburō comes to a stop with the sakura tree directly to his left.

 

With a small smile of understanding, the agent realizes what his opponent's plan is. The weapon that Wise has chosen is an odachi, a weapon that is heavier and longer than an average blade, and is being wielded on the right side of his body. If he were to charge Saburō at this exact moment, any swing to the man’s left would impact the trunk of the sakura tree and be rendered harmless. A clever move.

 

Something in Wise’s expression must have tipped Saburō off that he realizes the deception. The older man speaks up a moment later. “Always remember that a man’s body and his weapons are only half of the tools in his arsenal. The battlefield itself can often provide advantages to those with a keen eye for strategy.”

 

Saburō’s two young sons nod their heads eagerly as their father gives them a lesson. The older man smiles knowingly at his opponent as he conveys his wisdom.

 

Wise is annoyed. He isn’t stupid and knows that his opponent is lecturing him as well, putting the agent on the same level as two teenage boys. Winning isn’t optional anymore.

 

Suddenly, Wise digs his feet into the soft dirt and uses the leverage to sprint forward towards Saburō. The older man is not caught off guard in the slightest, having expected his taunting to make the agent act rashly and without thought. A small smile of self satisfaction worms its way onto his bearded face.

 

However, acting rashly is the last thing that Wise intends on doing. Just before reaching Saburō he switches his sword to his left hand and pivots into a pirouette designed to end in a powerful upwards slash from his left side. Now that the blow will be coming from his right, the older man’s tree cover will no longer provide any protection.

 

Saburō’s eyes widen when he realizes the switch up. With a small leap he distances himself from the tree to gain room to maneuver. His katana is transitioned to a low stance across his body in preparation for a parry and riposte.

 

However, once Wise springs out of his pirouette, the odachi has once again been transitioned to his right hand. The upwards slash enters Saburō’s guard from the opposite angle he was positioning for with a thunderous clash that echoes through the dojo. However, the positioning of his parry is off due to the agent’s trickery, and the odachi slides off of the katana and through Saburō’s guard.

 

With an abundance of control gained from years of sword training, Wise reduces the speed of his blow as it strikes the underside of Saburō’s arm with a soft thud.

 

The Gurē patriarch freezes in the middle of his attempted riposte as he feels the blade make contact with his arm. His dark gray eyes swivel downwards to stare at the wood leaning against his fine clothing. The man’s expression changes several times in less than a second from disbelief to shock and finally rage.

 

“One point for Astraeus! The score is now one to zero in his favor.” Reiko announces from the side lines with a satisfied smirk.

 

Jenkins cheers and jumps in the air, a massive smile plastered across his face.

 

The two young Hoshimi boys cheer as well, excited at the outstanding display of swordsmanship that they just witnessed.

 

Saburō shoots the two young boys a glare which stops their celebrations instantly. His gray eyes shine like sharpened pieces of slate as he turns his attention back towards Wise. “An impressive blow, but don’t get too comfortable.”

 

“I don’t intend to.” The agent responds as he returns to the opposite side of the arena, ready for the next set to begin.

 

Reiko glances between the two warriors as they both nod, indicating that they are ready. She raises her arm and shouts. “Begin!”

 

This time, no prolonged stares or strategizing takes place as both men leap forward as soon as the round starts. They meet in the exact middle of the arena with the hole streaming with natural light directly above them. 

 

A flurry of blows are exchanged in an instant. Wood cracks against wood multiple times a second as both Wise and Saburō move across the arena like a pair of dancers. Strike, parry, feint, dodge over and over again as each one tries to gain even a slight advantage over the other.

 

Reiko, Jenkins, and the two young boys are staring unblinkingly at the flurry of limbs and blades moving its way across the arena. If a spectator blinked for even a second they would miss several blows. Just as one is beginning to press the other back he rallies and drives his opponent back to the center.

 

Although Wise is holding his ground, he can sense that he is beginning to ever so slightly be outmatched by the more seasoned warrior. Each blow of Saburō’s is faster and each of his are parried in an instant. The agent’s mind is working overtime to think of a solution to the war of attrition he is rapidly beginning to lose.

 

Finally, after several moments of continued back and forth, Saburō quickly feints following a parry which fools Wise into an unnecessary block. With his opponent's sword out of position, the older warrior is able to slip past his guard and deliver a blow to his opponent’s chest.

 

However, unlike Wise, Saburō does not bother holding back once he has breached his opponent’s guard. A powerful stab rockets forth powered by both of the older warriors arms and further empowered by his leaning into the blow. The wooden sword strikes the center of Wise’s chest and directly into his solar plexus, just below the still healing wound he received from a Tailless-crazed Miyabi only a month ago.

 

Wise falls to his knees with the breath forced out of his lungs. The sight of his smirking opponent is clouded due to stars filling his vision. By some miracle of resilience and pure stubborn resistance, he manages to stay conscious despite the deafening ringing in his ears. A molten hot wave of pain emanates from the wound and makes every inch of his body ache with pain.

 

“Astraeus, are you alright?!” Jenkins yells from the sidelines while preparing to rush into the arena and help.

 

Before he can, Wise waves him off with a hand and forces himself to his feet. His shaky hands once again wrap around the hilt of his sword as he assumes a combat stance.

 

“Are you certain you wish to continue, boy? It may be best for you to forfeit to avoid any further injury.” Saburō suggests from across the grassy field. Despite the old man’s best efforts, it’s obvious to almost everyone that he is more than pleased to cause the agent as much pain as possible.

 

“I’m… fine.” Wise says in between breaths, still trying to fill his lungs back up with air. With a flourish of his sword he once again resumes a combat stance. This time, however, his brow is knitted with anger. “Let’s continue.”

 

Wise is outclassed in a straight up fight due to Saburō’s wealth of experience and Hoshimi blood. Not to mention he’s using an unfamiliar type of weapon. If this were a real battle and the swordsman had access to all of his gear, he would have already shot his opponent with his sidearm or used his cryogenic blade to freeze him solid. Although Miyabi would probably be upset if he did that… probably.

 

His mind races with thoughts and strategies he could use to give himself even the tiniest of advantages. Finally, he settles on one that brings an almost predatory glint to his eyes. Wise nods his head slightly towards Reiko before giving both her and Jenkins a wink. 

 

Reiko looks on with a nervous glance from the sidelines. Her red eyes study Wise for several long moments to make sure he doesn’t suddenly collapse. When no such thing happens, she reluctantly raises her arm into the air before rapidly moving it down and shouting. “Begin!”

 

Once again, Wise and Saburō both leap forward at the exact same time. However, before their swords can clash together, the agent does something that shocks everybody in the dojo.

 

Wise digs his wooden sword into the soft earth that comprises the arena and does some extremely rapid guesswork in his head. Only a second later he yanks the blade out and flings a clump of dusty soil upwards and towards his opponent.

 

The dirt impacts Saburō’s eyes before he is able to block or dodge the improvised projectile. On instinct, he closes his eyelids to avoid letting the foreign substance inside.

 

This grants Wise the opening he needs. He quickly lashes out towards the older man’s legs without any kind of fancy spin or footwork. The blade makes contact with Saburō’s shin with a soft thud followed by a grunt of surprises

 

“Point for Astraeus! The score is now two to one in his favor!” Reiko says excitedly from the sidelines with wide eyes, her shocked expression being shared with everybody in the dojo.

 

Jenkins hoots with excitement and pumps his fist in the air. “That was a total peasant bro move, nice job!”

 

Saburō wipes away loose clumps of earth from his face before opening his eyes, now radiating with crimson fury directed straight at his opponent. “You… dare to pull such a maneuver during a duel against a Hoshimi?! Have you no honor?”

 

Wise shoots him a carefree smile and shakes his head. “Remember that a man’s body and his weapons are only half of the tools in his arsenal. The battlefield itself can often provide advantages to those with a keen eye for strategy.” The agent says with an amused tone, echoing the words used by the elder Hoshimi only a few minutes ago.

 

One of the two young sons accidentally lets out a giggle before quickly slamming a hand over his mouth. 

 

The lesson does little to reduce the burning rage plastered on Saburō’s face as he looks towards his son. After closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he stands back up to his full height and assumes a combat position. The anger that the Hoshimi was previously exuding seems to have been pushed out of his mind for the time being. Although an impressive display of self control, the spectators can still see that the man is fuming under his thin veneer of focus.

 

“I am ready to begin.” Saburō says in an even tone while staring unblinkingly at his opponent. 

 

Wise nods his head and assumes his own combat stance. His wound and lungs are still burning with pain from the strike he suffered earlier. However, the swordsman once again pushes the pain out of his mind to focus on the battle at hand. There’s so way he’s about to lose to this old stuck up asshole. “I am ready as well.”

 

Reiko nods her head in understanding before signaling with her hand and shouting. “Begin!”

 

Unlike the last two rounds, the swordsmen have returned to a more deliberate pace and stay rooted on the spot. Their eyes study one another as they begin to slowly rotate around the arena, always staying directly across from their opponent; each is waiting for any opening or show of weakness to exploit.

 

Suddenly, Wise leaps forward and crosses the distance between them in two massive bounds. With a roar of effort he swings his sword in a powerful sideways slash. 

 

Wood cracks against wood as the two blades meet in midair and stay in place. Saburō leans into the block and locks their weapons together, turning his own in an effort to force his blade past Wise’s guard.

 

The agent mirrors the movement and leans into their locked blades, turning what was once a blocked strike into a fight for dominance that is guaranteed to end with one of them getting hit.

 

Saburō puts the entirety of his efforts into driving back Wise’s sword with all of the strength his body is capable of. There is no doubt in the Hoshimi's mind that he is more than capable of overpowering this nameless swordsman that came from nothing. Already, a lopsided smile of triumph was beginning to manifest on his face as he pushed the agent’s sword back centimeter by centimeter.

 

All of a sudden, the resistance Saburō was resisting slackened by almost half, causing him to look up in confusion at his opponent. The movement was just in time to catch the devastating sucker punch thrown from Wise’s left hand over the top of their interlocked swords. An echoing cracking sound emanates from the arena as Saburō falls backwards into the soft earth of their battleground.

 

Not even a second after his fall and Wise’s sword is already pressed up against his throat. Before Saburō can make so much as a sound, the blade is gently tapped against his neck before being withdrawn.

 

“That’s the third and final point; Astraeus wins!” Reiko says from the sidelines with a triumphant smile.

 

Beside the tall fox girl, Jenkins leaps into the air and pumps his fist in triumph as he yells. “Peasant bros win again!”

 

Even the two Gurē heirs seem thrilled by the unconventional win, already they are whispering excitedly into one another’s ears about similar strategies to use in their next match.

 

All the while, Saburō lies stunned in the grass and dirt, his eyes staring distantly at the sunlight emanating from the seemingly endless chute carved into the mountain above him. Suddenly, a hand blocks the sunlight from his eyes.

 

“Sorry for that. But, you would have won if I didn’t do something drastic. I’ve pulled that move on more than a few Ethereals in my time at the HSO.” Wise says as he reaches his right hand out towards the fallen Hoshimi. Despite the serious nature of the situation, the agent has a small yet kind smile on his face.

 

Saburō looks up at the outstretched hand with a dumbfounded expression. The Hoshimi's voice is shaky and only a small fraction away from outright anger as he responds. “You would try to assist me with the same hand you just dishonorably struck me with…? What impudence!”

 

Saburō swats away Wise’s hand with one of his. With a grunt of discomfort, he makes his own way to his feet, eventually aided by both of his sons as they run to their father’s side. A hateful stare full of crimson fury shines from below a brow knit with anger as he speaks. “You have won. I am not naive enough to believe otherwise. However, your spirit is tainted with the stench of dishonor. Perhaps it was truly naive of me to believe that a warrior of such minimal pedigree would be capable of anything more.”

 

Saburō spits out a small glob of blood, most likely the result of a split lip or cut inside of his mouth resulting from the bare knuckled blow he just received. Once his mouth is clear of blood, his hatred spews forth in its place. “The dirt running through your veins isn’t worthy of carrying on the Hoshimi name. You may have the others fooled, but not me, Astraeus.”

 

“Father…” One of the young boys says as he helps one of his parents to his feet.

 

“Silence!” Saburō snaps, suddenly directing his anger towards the young boy instead of his former opponent. With a final round of grumbling, the older Hoshimi is assisted out of the room by his two sons.

 

Once a paper door is slammed shut, signaling their exit from the dojo, does Reiko turn towards Wise and speak. “I’m not going to lie, that was the most satisfying thing I’ve seen in months. However, it might be the dumbest. Miyabi will not be pleased when she hears of this from Saburō or the Gurē. They may twist this to their advantage.”

 

Wise listens to the tall fox girl’s words with a tired expression as the adrenaline of battle slowly leaves his body. Before he can respond, however, he is interrupted by a newcomer entering the dojo.

 

“Miyabi is more than capable of having her own thoughts on the matter despite what the Gurē may insist.” A feminine voice says from directly behind the trio.

 

Wise’s shoulders stiffen as if the scythe of Death himself has already been pressed against his neck. With deliberate motions similar to that of a man on the gallows, he turns around to address the newcomer. “Miyabi… it’s great to see you! I just concluded an… enlightening lesson with your uncle.”

 

Shiori and Miyabi close the door behind them as they step inside of the dojo. The future Hoshimi matriarch studies Wise first as she continues towards the center of the room, noticing how his hand gently rests against the wound on his chest. After her study of the agent is complete she directs her attention towards the green grass of the arena. The small amount of blood present from Saburō’s split lip speaks louder than any word that could have been said at that moment.

 

“Enlightening lesson…” Miyabi mutters, echoing Wise’s earlier statement in a mocking tone.

 

Wise chuckles nervously and rubs his neck. Meanwhile, Jenkins very unsuccessfully attempts to hide the practice odachi wielded by his idol behind his back.

 

Reiko simply facepalms before stepping out of the line of fire, wanting to avoid the matriarch's wrath before it is able to manifest.

 

“Fifteen minutes. I was talking to my dear aunty Shiori for fifteen minutes. In that time, you managed to severely wound the pride of my uncle Saburō by punching him in the jaw and beating him in a duel. How am I doing so far?” Miyabi asks rhetorically as she leans her weight onto her left hip. Her red eyes narrow curiously towards the agent as she waits for a response.

 

“Have I mentioned that he started it…? And that I love you very much?” Wise says hopefully and with a shaky smile. He thinks to himself that staring down the barrel of a loaded gun might be less dangerous than facing his potentially furious girlfriend.

 

Miyabi maintains her harsh glare of judgement for several agonizingly long moments as she stares at Wise. However, slowly but surely her demeanor begins to crack, ending with the fox girl’s silver bell-like laugh filling the training dojo. One of her small hands attempts to cover the laughter but to no avail.

 

Once the fit of laughter has concluded, Miyabi stares over her hand while responding to Wise with her red irises and tone full of mirth.

 

“Next time, please hit him harder.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Some excerpts from my notes for those who are interested:

“The Hoshimi family has many businesses operating under their name. The Aka run a private security firm named Kitsune Business Logistics and Security. The Yuki have a successful business creating and selling home wares such as pottery and tapestries. The Gurē have a realtor agency. The Jundo, or main branch, manages a large series of hedge funds. In the modern era this is exclusively handled by executives hired outside of the family; however, it still brings in the most substantial revenue of any Hoshimi business. The Aojiroi have founded and maintained the top sake and plum wine distiller in all of New Eridu. However, due to the state of their branch, the business has almost entirely ceased operations, causing the prices of their already brewed spirits to skyrocket in price on the open market. A twenty year old bottle of Aojiroi Hoshimi sake is worth thirty years of the average New Eridu salary, which is more than ninety percent of all homes listed on the housing market.”

“The five branches of the Hoshimi family include: Jundo, Aka, Gurē, Aojiroi, and Yuki. Their respective leaders are listed in order: Miyabi, Akimitsu, Saburō, Ryo, and Shiori.”

“Yuki branch Hoshimis are the only ones to have tails associated with their fox Thiren characteristics. Even still it’s an extremely low number constituting roughly one of every ten children and even then only being limited to females. It is considered a good omen for a Yuki daughter to be born with a tail; so much so that many generations in years past have set aside tens of millions of dennies worth of assets aside for such an offspring even if they aren’t the firstborn. These withholdings have never failed to return a minimum of ten times the initial investment.”

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Chapter 29: The Exile

Summary:

Wise, Miyabi, and Jenkins head deep into the mountain to attend Souichiro’s funeral. Wise gets bad news but makes a new friend. Jenkins gets play.

“What do you mean I’m not allowed in!?” Wise says incredulously while his face is plastered with shock.

 

Currently, he, Reiko and Jenkins are on the lowest level of Kitsune no Ana. Several hours have passed since their time in the dojo which were spent touring the castle. At last, they have reached their final destination. Cold walls of gray stone line the tunnel that they are currently standing in. After descending what felt like well over a million steps they had arrived at this area. Every breath turns to pale fog in the frigid air deep beneath the mountain.

 

In front of them is a man with the signature Hoshimi black hair, eyes, and fox ears. He’s young, probably just a few years older than Reiko and Jenkins. Strapped to his back is a large naginata of flawless construction with small, decorative strips of paper attached to its long handle. His clothing consists of flowing robes and pieces of jet black armor attached to his various limbs and other vulnerable spots. The red trim and distinct crest also worn by Reiko informs the group that he is of the Aka branch.

 

“Only members of the Hoshimi family may enter the mausoleum. This rule absolutely cannot be broken. I’m sorry.” The young man says with a deep frown. Something about the situation must be deeply troubling him or his expression is anything to go by.

 

Wise shakes his head with a huff of annoyance before responding. “Is there any way to make an exception?”

 

“No, I’m afraid not. I really am sorry, Byakko.” The man insists with a sigh of resignation.

 

Wise wants to shove this guy’s naginata where the sun doesn’t shine. However, after a few deep breaths, he realizes that it’s not his fault that the rule exists. The Hoshimi are very passionate about following their traditions and there’s no way they would so casually make an exception for somebody most of them have just met. A crestfallen look and deep sigh are his first and only response to the guard as he turns around to leave.

 

Reiko and Jenkins share a look of concern before silently following him. They walk for a few hundred meters back towards the bottom of the massive staircase. On the way, they pass several more Aka Hoshimi’s who are surely on their way towards the funeral about to be held in the mausoleum.

 

Wise’s eyes widen as he sees who steps down the stairs next. Akimitsu Hoshimi, the patriarch of the Aka branch and Reiko’s grandfather, steps down the final stair and onto the cold stone of the tunnel. Several other fox eared individuals surround his withered form, most likely his descendants. Once his dark gray eyes recognize the figure of the swordsman, his wrinkled face twists upwards into a warm smile.

 

“Byakko, it is an honor to finally meet you.” Akimitsu says before partially bowing his head towards Wise, giving the agent an excellent view of the large scar on his head. He silently wonders to himself how it is even possible to survive such an injury.

 

Wise mirrors the bow with his entire body, deferring to the man’s greater age and pedigree. “The honor is all mine.”

 

“Shiori certainly wasn’t lying about your manners. I can only imagine that Reiko here wasn’t lying about your swordsmanship either.” The old man says followed by a gentle laugh.

 

“They are far too kind, I still have much to learn.” Wise says as he sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

 

“Ah, that is a good mindset to have, young man. Even in my old age I feel as if I’ve only scratched the surface of the finer aspects of swordsmanship.” Akimitsu admits with the wisdom of a sage.

 

“Grandfather, we really must be going. Lady Miyabi will be here at any moment.” One of the younger Aka men says from the older man’s side.

 

“Yes yes, I’m aware. You must learn to not be so hasty, young man. If you’re always rushing towards the next thing then life may well pass you by in an instant.” Akimitsu says with concern as his march towards the mausoleum continues, chastising the younger man. Once he has finished his reprimand he turns back towards Wise and speaks. “It is a shame I must cut our conversation short, young Byakko. Perhaps we can continue at a better time after dear Souichiro’s funeral has concluded?”

 

“I would like that very much, Lord Akimitsu.” Wise says kindly as the older man walks down the hallway and towards the mausoleum.

 

“You’re not going to go with him?” Jenkins asks Reiko curiously.

 

Reiko shakes her head as she watches her grandfather enter the massive doors into the mausoleum. “I’ve been tasked with security for the funeral in my grandfather’s absence. I will be patrolling the ground and commanding the rest of our security team. It is a position of great honor.”

 

Jenkins nods his head in understanding. After a few moments of silent contemplation he speaks up again towards the tall fox woman. “Got any need for an extra pair of eyes on patrol? It seems like I’ll have some time.” The young soldier shuffles around nervously as he waits for a response.

 

Reiko smiles fondly at the display. Her voice carries a note of relief as she responds. “If you wouldn’t mind helping, that would be excellent. You’re certainly better at conversation than my dull cousins.”

 

Jenkins looks like he wants to jump for joy as his proposition is accepted, but he manages to limit his reaction to a bright smile. “You won’t be disappointed!”

 

After a short laugh at the young man’s antics, Reiko turns towards Wise and asks. “The offer is open to you as well, Astraeus.”

 

Wise shakes his head and responds. “I appreciate the offer, Reiko. But I think I’m going to stay here and wait for Miyabi to arrive. I would like to speak with her.”

 

“Very well. Should you change your mind, come and find me.” Reiko says with a friendly smile before turning towards Jenkins. “Let’s get moving. We can start at the armory.”

 

The tall fox girl begins moving up the stairs with her long legs, each footfall causing her shoes to echo across the narrow tunnel.

 

Jenkins eyes light up immediately like a kid on Christmas. Eager footsteps follow Reiko up the stairs and his voice is full of excitement as he speaks. “You have… an armory?”

 

Reiko’s chest swells with pride as she responds. “That we do. The Hoshimi armory is renowned for its broad selection and unparalleled quality of both firearms and blades.”

 

The excited response of Jenkins fades into nothingness as the pair climb the stairs back up the mountain. Any echoes of their footsteps of conversation fade into nothingness as their distance increases.

 

Wise shakes his head and laughs quietly to himself as he turns around back towards the mausoleum doors. “Go get 'em, tiger.”

 

“I’m afraid we only have foxes here, Wise.” An unknown female voice says from directly behind him.

 

The swordsman jumps into the air and yells in shock. Once his feet have touched the ground he turns to see who snuck up on him. The answer doesn’t surprise him in the slightest.

 

Miyabi is standing at the bottom of the staircase with a small smile of amusement on her face. However, her red eyes betray the depths of the sadness she must be feeling. She is wearing a flowing ceremonial robe colored in a deep inky black. For one of the only times he can remember, her hip is lacking the usual form of Tailless or any other blade.

 

“You need to stop doing that. One of these times I will have a heart attack.” Wise says with a breathless laugh, his lungs working rapidly to fill themselves back up with air.

 

“I’m not doing anything except walking around normally. Perhaps you shouldn’t be on edge so often and you wouldn’t be as scared.” Miyabi suggests casually.

 

“You are totally doing it intentionally.” Wise says with exasperation.

 

“Prove it.” Miyabi says with a smirk of amusement.

 

Wise sighs and dramatically hangs his shoulders in defeat. “I can’t.”

 

Miyabi’s smile grows a bit wider as she steps forward, closing the small distance between them. Her arms briefly emerge from her robe in order to wrap around the swordsman’s torso. She lays her head against his chest a moment later, he ears listening to the steady march of his heartbeat.

 

Wise smiles fondly before reciprocating the embrace. He uses one of his hands to hold her head against his chest while the other runs her back, attempting to soothe her no-doubt frayed mind.

 

“How are you feeling?” Wise asks in a gentle tone.

 

“I’m okay. Just… I don’t want to go in there.” Miyabi answers in a voice barely above a whisper.

 

“Are you worried about your family?” The swordsman asks.

 

“No. The moment I step in there and the funeral ceremony begins is when it becomes real. My father really is gone and he won’t be coming back. As long as the funeral doesn’t happen… maybe I’ll just wake up and it will all be some terrible nightmare.” Miyabi admits quietly, her voice muffled by the clothing on his chest.

 

Wise silently nods his head in understanding. His hand that was previously on her back now has its fingers running through her silky black hair. “I wish I could be there to support you.”

 

“You will be. Even if you’re not allowed to be physically in the mausoleum.” Miyabi states firmly.

 

“You knew, then? That I wouldn’t be allowed inside.” Wise asks.

 

Miyabi pauses for several long and silent moments as she enjoys the warmth of the swordsman’s arms. Finally, she speaks. “Yes, I did.”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Wise asks curiously.

 

“I couldn’t figure out a good way to tell you. I didn’t want you to get frustrated or feel like your coming here was pointless.” Miyabi admits with a sigh.

 

“It’s funny that you think that would have stopped me. Even if your family forbade me from entering Kitsune No Ana, I would have left just long enough to get icepicks to climb the mountain myself.” Wise insists. Although he tries to maintain a fake serious demeanor, it’s obvious that the last few words were said through a smile.

 

“Your lines are so cheesy sometimes, I swear.” Miyabi says in her muffled voice, followed by the ringing of her silver-bell like laughter. “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”

 

Several more moments are spent in comfortable silence with only the warmth of their bodies passed between the two of them. Finally, after an amount of time that feels far too short, they begin to separate.

 

“You should get going before Saburō or one of the others throws a fit for you being late. I’ll be waiting out here for you.” Wise insists in a gentle tone, trying to provide what little reassurance he can.

 

“You’re probably right.” Miyabi says with a small grumble of dissatisfaction. Reluctantly and slowly, her legs carry her further and further towards the massive doors. Just before she reaches them, she turns around for a final time and speaks. “I love you.”

 

“I love you too.” Wise says with a bright smile that seems to light up the dim interior of the mountain, even driving the ever present cold back into its stone if only for a moment.

 

With a final wave goodbye, the Aka guard opens the door for Miyabi and she steps into its threshold. An echoing slam rings through the tunnel as it’s closed once more.

 

Wise heaves a massive sigh before leaning his back against the tunnel wall. He closes his eyes a moment later in order to sort out his thoughts. On one hand, he’s relieved that the funeral is finally taking place. It’s something that both he and Miyabi have been dreading for a long time now. But, on the other hand, he really wishes he had his sword here to cut through that damn door and stand by her side. A few deep breaths manage to calm him somewhat, but a deep flame of frustration and anger is still burning in the back of his mind.

 

“You know I can’t let you in here. It would be best if you left before somebody sees you.” The Aka guard beside the door says in an exasperated tone.

 

Wise is about to scold the man for rubbing that fact in his face. However, once he turns back towards the door, the words die in his throat. Somehow, yet another man must have snuck by him on the stairs. The swordsman can only see his back; giving him an excellent view of the man’s flowing long and inky black hair. Atop his head are the signature black fox ears of the Hoshimi family.

 

“I know that.” The man grumbles as he continues walking towards the door. His voice is gravelly and deep, laced with a tone of resignation. The sound echoes off of the stone walls making sound as if the mountain itself is beginning to collapse. “Would you mind if I paid my respects from outside the mausoleum? I just want to be as close as I can get. I’d be doing him a disservice any other way.”

 

The once firm expression of the Aka guard fades away, replaced instead by one of understanding and deep sadness. “I suppose it wouldn’t cause any harm to allow you to do so. But please, do make it fast. I would hate to see the consequences if a member of another branch saw you here.”

 

“Thank you, friend. It seems as if some people on this damn mountain haven’t lost their manners yet.” The man says in his deep tone. He shuffles over towards the left side of the door while the guard retains his post on the right. Once he is facing the stone wall, of which the mausoleum is on the other side, the unknown man gets down on his knees and claps his hands together.

 

Wise’s mind runs wild at the sight. The Aka guard just told him that only Hoshimi’s are allowed into the mausoleum. Yet, here one is being forced to stay outside just like him. Every time the swordsman thinks he’s beginning to understand the intricacies of this family something else happens to shatter those rules in an instant.

 

Making up his mind almost immediately, Wise begins to stride forward towards the doors.

 

Tha Aka guard notices right away, speaking out in a forceful tone a moment later. “I already told you that you can’t-“

 

“I know, I know. I can’t go in. But… would it be possible for me to have the same option that this man does?” Wise asks in a pleading tone. “Souichiro was good to me. Probably better than I deserved. I want to pay my respects.”

 

The Aka guard’s face softens significantly at the swordsman’s words. “Very well, Byakko. It would taint Souichiro’s memory if I were to refuse.”

 

Wise tilts his head curiously at the name Byakko. That’s the third time today someone has called him that. He resigns to ask Miyabi or Reiko once it’s a better time. After mumbling a thanks, he walks over to kneel on the cold stone next to the mysterious Hoshimi.

 

The man turns his head to glance curiously at the swordsman.

 

The sight almost makes Wise’s breath hitch in his throat. Under the thick mat of silky black hair lies two forest green eyes instead of the usual Hoshimi red. The difference in color is so unexpected that it shocks the swordsman. 

 

After Wise’s surprise has passed somewhat, the green eyed Hoshimi throws him a lopsided smile of amusement before speaking.

 

“So, you too, kid? Glad to see there’s another exile on this lonely mountain. I’m Ryo Hoshimi, patriarch and last surviving member of the Aojiroi branch.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

My boy Jenkins got game.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to BioTheDemon for being my editor and beta reader.

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Chapter 30: Share A Drink, Make A Friend

Summary:

Ryo introduces Wise to his lodgings and family business. Reiko shows Jenkins a great view and a piece of himself he had never seen.

“I suppose I have you to thank for your generous hospitality. I’m grateful that you’re allowing me to stay in Kitsune No Ana.”

 

Wise says as he and Ryo make their way down a nondescript tunnel. Despite going deeper into the depths of the cold and stone of the mountain, the air around them is starting to get hotter instead of colder.

 

“You’re kind for saying so, even if I had no say in the matter.” Ryo says following a humorless laugh.

 

Wise tilts his head in confusion before turning to face him. His voice is filled with disbelief as he asks. “No say in the matter? How is that possible?”

 

Ryo lets off another humorless laugh. The gravelly sound of his voice echoes through the dimly lit tunnels of Kitsune no Ana, mixing with their footsteps. 

 

Wise never bothered to ask where they were headed and, to be honest, he really didn’t care. Anything that gets his mind away from the frustration of the funeral he isn’t allowed to attend is a win in his book.

 

“Tell me, Byakko, what is the first thing you notice about me?” Ryo asks with a quizzical glance in the swordsman’s direction.

 

Of course, Wise knows exactly what the exile wants him to say, but some part of him wants to throw a different answer instead. After a moment to consider, the swordsman speaks out with his answer. “That you haven’t showered in about a week?”

 

Ryo’s forest green eyes widen considerably as he hears the answer, clearly not expecting something so blunt. Just as quickly as the shock comes, it goes, and is replaced by a fit of uncontrollable laughter. The sound of his cackling is unusual. It carries the same gruff nature as his voice, almost as if his lungs are pushing the laughter out by force. The laughter sounds more like the cawing of a crow than any sort of more conventional sound. 

 

Despite this fact, Wise finds the laughter contagious. Only a few seconds pass before he himself is chuckling alongside the exile, filling the once dim tunnel with their combined sounds of laughter. After an almost embarrassing amount of time, their laughter dies down to an occasional breathy chuckle.

 

Ryo wipes a singular tear from his greasy face just before it can hit his overgrown five o’clock shadow of a beard. “Goddamn, Byakko. You’re an absolute riot. Feels like it’s been years since I had a good laugh like that.”

 

Wise gives off one last round of amused chuckling before responding. “Glad to be of assistance. With how serious things have been lately, it’s good to laugh again.”

 

“Aye, I can agree with that much. Souichiro wouldn’t have wanted us to mope around feeling sorry for him or ourselves.” Ryo says with a nostalgic sigh.

 

“Did you know him well? Souichiro, that is.” Wise asks curiously after giving the man a few moments to recover his composure.

 

“As well as anyone, I suppose. He was one of the only people around here to treat me like a person.” Ryo answers after a few tense seconds of consideration.

 

Wise nods his head in understanding. He is about to ask another battery of questions until he spots something ahead of them. After almost five minutes of walking they have arrived at a single, wooden door that spells the end of the tunnel. It’s entirely unmarked and lacks any sort of decoration. 

 

The first thing that Wise notices is that the air feels fresh and warm, almost like a nice day in early spring. Considering this is the exact opposite of what most of the tunnels in Kitsune no Ana have been so far, he finds himself confused by the gradual change. Just before they reach the door, the swordsman speaks up and asks. “Where are we? It’s so… nice and warm all of a sudden.”

 

A smile and look of pride shines on Ryo’s face after he hears the statement. One of his hands reaches out to grasp the handle of the door as he responds. “Tell me. Have you seen any fireplaces or radiators in your time here? Or any evidence that we’re on a power grid?”

 

Wise tilts his head and thinks back to his brief time he’s spent at Kitsune no Ana so far. Once his search concludes, he shakes his head no and responds. “Not one.”

 

“Pretty odd for a place that’s below freezing year round and at an extremely high altitude, isn’t it?” The exile continues with an excited tone.

 

“It sure is. I suppose I never gave it any real thought until now; but it is quite impressive.” The swordsman says, pinching his chin in thought.

 

Ryo’s pride seems to swell even more at the admission. “That’s because…”

 

After pausing for dramatic effect, the exile swings open the door revealing a surprising sight. Huge and numerous pools of steaming hot water fill a cavernous interior space within the mountain. Chunks of rock have been carved out to form shelves and seats within the water itself. The whole area carries an odd but very pleasant scent, similar to that of a waterfall or fresh spring rain.

 

Many of the shelves contain sealed ceramic vases covered in various characters that Wise recognizes as the same language scrawled across Miyabi’s armor. Some of the smaller shelves contain piles of towels or other miscellaneous objects one would find in a house.

 

“Woah…” Wise says with wonder as he continues to drink in his surroundings. His mechanical eyes automatically display the temperature of the water as 38 degrees Celsius. The perfect amount of heat for a relaxing dip in a hot tub. “This is incredible!”

 

“Thank you, Byakko. The Aojiroi branch discovered the natural geothermal vents below this mountain hundreds of years ago. Most of the water in this onsen is melted snow from the cap of the mountain. A perfect, warm paradise in the middle of a desolate pale wasteland. A series of thermal generators provide all the power we could ever need.” Ryo says as his own green eyes scan the hot springs along with this guest. Their verdant depths shine with both a sense of pride and deep, unfathomable sadness.

 

“Thank you for showing me this, Lord Ryo. It’s a fascinating sight.” Wise says genuinely.

 

The exile turns towards him with a gentle smile, his eyes betraying the deep sense of gratitude he’s feeling for the swordsman’s kind treatment. A moment later, he clears his throat and asks. “Say… you won’t be doing anything for quite some time, will you?”

 

Wise thinks for several seconds before shaking his head no. “I suppose not. I imagine Miyabi and the others will be quite busy for the rest of the day.”

 

Ryo claps Wise on the back with a large smile, causing the swordsman to stumble forward, much to his surprise. The older man is a hell of a lot stronger than he looks. The exile speaks up with an excited tone that echoes off of the stone walls and steaming pools of water. “Excellent! Then you can stay here for some time! I’m not certain if you’ve heard, but Aojiroi Hoshimi sake is renowned all throughout New Eridu and even outside of it.”

 

Without waiting for Wise to respond Ryo makes his way over towards one of the many shelves. Gingery, he picks up one of the massive ceramic vases, causing a sloshing noise to mix with the ever present sound of flowing water. Instead of slinging it over his shoulder, the exile holds it gingerly in both of his arms. The way he ensures that his fingers are securely holding it in place reminds Wise of the way one would carry a newborn baby or child. Once he is sure that his previous charge is secure he begins slowly walking towards a large alcove carved into the stone.

 

Wise follows closely behind him as they make their way towards their destination. After a short moment of walking they enter the large alcove and step inside. The swordsman is surprised about how significantly this area clashes with the rest of the hot springs.

 

It looks more like a dorm room that Wise has seen in the barracks a hundred times over. A bed is shoved into one corner with only a set of very thin blankets covering the comfortable looking mattress. A small desk with an ornately carved chair is in the opposite corner. Its withered oak limbs seem to have seen their fair share of years, with many of the joints held together by only duct tape. A bookshelf piled high with various books and even scrolls is directly next to this desk. A particularly thick tome is already opened wide on the desk, turned to a page about half way through.

 

The opposite side from the sleeping area is a living area. A single worn yet comfortable looking recliner faces an extremely modern and well cared for plasma screen television. A large assortment of gaming consoles and media players fill the shelves below the television. In the back of the alcove is yet another door. It’s left slightly ajar, revealing the standard fixings of a bathroom such as a toilet and shower.

 

Altogether it’s a comfy living space with the only real problem being the heat given its proximity to the hot springs. However, it’s not unbearably unpleasant.

 

The one detail of the room that Wise is sure not to stare at for too long is a small cabinet in between the bookshelf and bed; its doors are closed shut. It’s ornately carved with images of foxes running through brightly painted green fields, the veridian grass being the only color depicted on its surface. The swordsman has seen one of these before in Miyabi’s quarters. It tends to be full of pictures of and objects belonging to dearly departed family members. In her case, the objects belonged to her mother.

 

This is a funeral shrine.

 

Wise’s mind swirls with thoughts as he takes in the appearance of what must be Ryo’s living space. Why is the Patriarch of an ancient and noble branch of the Hoshimi family relegated to such a space so far away from the rest of his kin? The answer that the swordsman wants to believe is that the odd man simply prefers living in isolation. However, he’s not foolish enough to believe such an optimistic reality is even possible.

 

“It’s a nice place you got here. Cozy, if a little rugged.” Wise says with a hint of admiration.

 

Ryo gently sets down the large ceramic vase on the stone floor of his room. With extremely ginger movements he undoes the seal at its peak. A sweet and floral scent begins to fill the room a moment later, one that Wise finds extremely pleasant. After fetching a long wooden ladle, the exile begins scooping out small amounts of the opaque liquid into ceramic cups. The task is performed with the precision of a surgeon and care almost like that of a loving father. Once both have been filled, he hands one to his guest.

 

“Thank you, Byakko. It’s my own little slice of heaven.” Ryo says sarcastically before taking a large draught of the sake.

 

Wise mirrors his movements and takes a more measured sip of his own drink. It’s strong but not overwhelmingly so; subtle hints of earthy tones mix well with the much more pronounced flavor of several fruits, most notably honey melon and peach. Once the first sip has been thoroughly enjoyed, he eagerly downs another. It’s absolutely incredible.

 

Ryo watches on with a small smile of pride as his guest enjoys the fine drink. “That is our famous Aojiroi Daginjo, One of the highest rated sakes in New Eridu. I believe the market price for a full container is around two hundred thousand dennies.”

 

Wise nearly spits out the mouthful of sake when he hears the price tag. Only the monumental financial waste of doing so is what keeps the liquid in his mouth. Two hundred thousand is… a frankly insane amount of money. Nearly double his yearly salary as an HSO Agent. Once he has somewhat recovered, he speaks in a tone filled with awe. “That’s… quite a lot of money. It must be highly sought after.”

 

Ryo drags the vase towards the recliner before unceremoniously slumping into it. The exile gestures with one hand towards the rickety chair at his desk while wearing a look of embarrassment. “Sorry about the lack of seating options. I’ve never needed more than one chair.”

 

Wise waves his hand dismissively, not minding the lack of furniture in the slightest. With gentle movements he drags the chair over towards the recliner and carefully takes a seat; almost as if he is expecting its shoddy construction to fall apart at any moment.

 

Turning his attention away from his guest, Ryo scoops out another serving into his cup while a series of sloshing and clinking noises fill the room. “Anyways, the Aojiroi haven’t brewed anything new for quite some time. So it’s mostly scarcity driving up the price.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding. His line reflects back to the hundreds of cases lining the exterior of the hot springs. “It seems you have quite a lot in reserve that could be released.”

 

“Absolutely not. I made sure to have enough hoarded here to last me until the day I die. Any excess has already been put to market. Netted me enough money to last just as long.” Ryo says with a deep sigh, taking a large drink a moment later.

 

A solemn nod of understanding is Wise’s only response to the exile as he takes another large sip of the sake. Already he can feel it working its way through his body. A warm, comforting feeling spreads through his body like vines of sunlight.

 

Ryo is not like the other Hoshimi branch leaders. That much is simple enough for Wise to ascertain. But he can’t help but feel like there’s so much he can’t understand about the complexities of the family. Shiori was welcoming and professional, Saburō was prideful yet mistrusting, while Akimitsu was welcoming despite his pride. Already the swordsman can tell that Ryo is different from them all in a thousand subtle ways.

 

Was Wise living up to Miyabi’s expectations of him in regards to meeting her family? He is already well aware of the complications he introduced by socking Saburō on the jaw. In the moment, the swordsman felt as if that was the right thing to do. However he can’t escape the gnawing feeling of doubt and inadequacy resulting from his unfamiliar surroundings and the seemingly insurmountable knowledge gap.

 

“I know that look, Byakko. Get out of that head of yours.” Ryo says with a thin but knowing smile.

 

Wise blinks several times as he returns to the physical world. Although thankful for the exiles' support, he’s at a loss for how to continue the odd string of conversation they had tentatively begun. While looking into the depths of the opaque sake the swordsman remembers a question he had been meaning to ask.

 

The sake blazes yet another burning trail down his throat as Wise prepares himself to speak out. “What does that mean? ‘Byakko’, that is. I’ve had several of your kin refer to me as such in my brief time in the mountain.”

 

Ryo smiles and nods his head with understanding before answering. “The answer is complicated and requires some background knowledge to understand. Would you like to hear it?”

 

Wise leans forward in his seat and eagerly nods his head. Although he is loath to admit it, he is woefully unfamiliar with many finer details relating to the Hoshimi’s past and culture.

 

The exile rolls his eyes at the swordsman’s excitement before beginning. “Byakko are a type of Kitsune, partially known for their stunning white hair.” Ryo says with an amused glance upwards at the top of Wise’s head.

 

“They are servants and guardians of Inari, a goddess of our homeland, who is strongly associated with foxes. Fertility, rice, swordsmithing, and many other things are considered to be arts influenced by her patronage. Rice just so happens to be what sake is made out of, by the way.” Ryo says before barking out a fit of laughter. With his tale concluded, the exile takes another massive draught of the liquid in his ceramic cup, fully emptying it.

 

Wise nods his head in understanding as he leans back into his seat. A moment later he asks. “That’s quite fascinating. But what does it have to do with me?”

 

Ryo rolls his eyes before looking at the swordsman with an amused glance. “Really, Byakko? A Kitsune with white hair in service to a fox goddess doesn’t ring any bells?”

 

All at once, Wise’s mind catches up with the exile’s insinuations. “The Hoshimi’s consider me to be in service to Miyabi, is that right?”

 

“More or less. It’s a name some of the Aka gave to you after hearing tales of your combat feats. I decided to use it too since it fits you so well.” Ryo says, confirming the swordsman’s guess. “It’s a flattering comparison if that was of any doubt. Kitsune are spirits which often bring great prosperity or success to one’s family. Some Hoshimi have great optimism for you and Miyabi’s future.”

 

Wise stares vacantly at the blank TV screen in front of him. Some of the Hoshimi… support him? It’s an odd thought to wrap his mind around considering he had only known Miyabi until today. The knowledge that he is at least somewhat approved of already brings a profound sense of relief to his mind.

 

Ryo notices the empty look of deep contemplation on Wise’s face. A moment later his coarse laughter fills the room before he speaks. “Considering Lady Miyabi is the only member of the Jundo branch, I certainly hope the fertility part of the Byakko and Inari comparison comes to fruition.”

 

Wise’s mind immediately empties of all thoughts or emotions except embarrassment as his head whips towards the exile. Before any sign of his inevitable blush arrives, he speaks up in protest. “I… that’s not even… I think you’re getting ahead of yourself with that!”

 

Ryo only laughs at the swordsman’s discomfort before taking another deep swig of his drink. His voice is full of mirth as he continues his teasing. “Am I? It seems to me that you may need a little push in order to make something happen.”

 

“You’re one to talk! Should I give you a push as well so the Aojiroi can get an heir?” Wise says defiantly from his seat.

 

The swordsman immediately regrets his retort when he witnesses Ryo’s smile fall from his face like leaves from a tree. Suddenly, his green eyes reflect a limitless pool of sadness that was precious hidden by a thin layer of forced humor and happiness.

 

“Believe me, Byakko. If that were an option…”

 

Ryo pauses only long enough to throw back the last of the sake into his mouth before continuing.

 

“I would have done so by now instead of wasting away in this damned cave.”

 

The exile sighs deeply before turning his two veridian eyes towards Wise. Despite how deeply the statement seems to have cut his psyche, Ryo shows no signs of anger in his expression, only a deep and unfathomable sadness. His hoarse voice is only a fraction above a whisper as he speaks again.

 

“The Hoshimi took away my ability to create an heir many, many decades ago.”

~~~~~

Cold gusts of biting wind rip at Jenkin’s clothes and exposed flesh as he stares over the edge of the balcony. An ivory ocean of snow and ice stretches below him as its current flows down the side of the mountain in cascading waves. It seems that every time he believes Kitsune No Ana can’t get any more impressive he finds a new and beautiful angle to view it from. Currently, he is near the summit of the mountain on the highest possible balcony of the castle.

 

“If you're scared of heights I wouldn’t recommend peering so far over the edge. The tens of thousands of bones lining the slopes below you may blend into the snow perfectly, but I can assure you that their spirits sorely regret taking a tumble down the mountain.” Reiko says grimly as she steps up behind the soldier.

 

Jenkins gulps nervously before taking several steps back away from the ornately carved balcony. His shoulder gently brushes against that of the tall fox girl as he loses sight of the cliffs below. Although not lacking for bravery when it counts, an untimely demise would best be avoided if it can be helped.

 

“How… how many people have died from falling off the balconies?” Jenkins asks hesitantly, worried that the topic may be a sensitive one for the Hoshimi family. His golden eyes glance backwards towards the only other person on the balcony with him.

 

Reiko is standing with her arms clasped behind her lower back as she glances over the balcony and into the pale void below. Her usual suit and blazer are currently buried beneath a thick parka that is protecting her from the cold. Over her head is a thick hood attached to the coat, with holes carefully designed on its top to allow for her large ears to move comfortably. Jenkins quietly wonders to himself if they still get cold despite the abundant fur on them.

 

“Just kidding! Nobody has fallen off of any of the balconies as far as I know. You should’ve seen the look on your face, though! You looked terrified.” Reiko says with a brief laugh of amusement.

 

Any protests or retorts die in Jenkin’s throat as he tries to force them out to no avail. Yet again, the tall fox has pulled the wool over his eyes for the sake of a prank. The soldier knows that anybody else would have earned his ire for such a stunt. However, if he was to be honest with himself, he didn’t mind in the slightest so long as it was Reiko doing it. Something about her wide smile which showed off her large canine teeth combined with her hyena-like laugh made his heart flutter in all the right ways.

 

“Haha! You really got me there, Reiko. For a minute you had me believing that you had brought me to some kind of death trap.” Jenkins says following a laugh of his own.

 

Reiko’s smile returns in force yet again, the shining white of her canines almost outdoing the brilliance of the snow falling all around them. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have brought you up here if it was dangerous or anything.”

 

Jenkins pulls the hood of his own jacket closer around his face, attempting to hide the blush he can feel as rushing blood heats up his cheeks. If she mentions it, the soldier hopes that he can just blame it on the intense cold.

 

Several more moments of silence follow as they stare over the uppermost balcony of Kitsune No Ana. Some vague silhouettes of other mountains can be seen, but the intensity of the snow storm hides most of the beautiful view from sight. The pair’s imaginations make up for many details that the eye cannot glimpse through the ice.

 

“I want to bring Astraeus up here one of these days. I think we’re going to be here for a while so hopefully he can find the time. I’m sure he would love it.” Jenkins says as his golden eyes continue to roam the icy landscape.

 

Unbeknownst to the soldier, Reiko’s own red eyes study him from their place above and behind him. A moment later her voice rings out. “You two seem to be good friends. Have you known each other for a long time?”

 

Jenkins shakes his head no before responding. “No, not really. I’ve only known him for a month or so.”

 

Reiko tilts her head in confusion before continuing. “Is that right? You both seem quite close and trusting for how recently you’ve met.”

 

The soldier has a nostalgic smile on his face as he sets his hands down on the balcony’s railing. “Astraeus saved my life the first time we met and one of his teammates saved me yet again only a few days later.”

 

Jenkin’s mind flashes back to Minoan Hollow. The sights, sounds, and smells of the rampaging Ethereals charging his foxhole seem to surround him from all sides. Even to this day, the glowing green eyes of a mutated wolf from that zoo haunt his dreams. The creature that was only moments away from tearing his throat out while he could only answer with pathetic clicks from his empty rifle.

 

“Astraeus strikes me as an honorable warrior. I have not known him for long either. However, I trust Miyabi’s judgement. She seems to think he is worthy of respect so I will grant him such.” Reiko says quietly.

 

“I… owe him a great debt. One I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully repay.” Jenkins continues in a solemn tone. “Astraeus is larger than life. Both metaphorically and physically. It’s almost as if a character from the comic books I read as a kid jumped off the pages and into my life. It’s truly an honor to serve at his side.”

 

Reiko glances downwards at the soldier yet again as she digests his words. “What of yourself, Private Jenkins? Miyabi speaks highly of you as well.”

 

The soldier turns his head around to meet her gaze with wide eyes. “She… does?”

 

“Of course.” Reiko says with a gentle smile and tone. “Miyabi spoke with me earlier of your indispensable help during Astraeus’s exile. He trusted you enough to send you that package of evidence, yes? Surely he wouldn’t bestow such a task upon just anyone.”

 

Jenkins turns back around to stare out at the sheets of snow falling from the sky. Although the coldness gnaws and any strip of exposed flesh, the warmth of pride now emanating from his chest seems to keep any discomfort at bay. His voice now carries a tone of happiness that was not present at the beginning of their conversation: “I guess I never really gave it much thought. I was just doing my duty as a soldier.”

 

“You should give yourself more credit, Private Jenkins. I can feel that you have the soul of a great warrior and a kind heart.” Reiko says honestly over the roaring wind of the storm.

 

Jenkins nods his head in gratitude as he feels his face begin to flush even further. “Thanks, Reiko. I uh… never gave any of this much thought until now.” 

 

The soldier pauses for several seconds as he considers what to say next. After making up his mind, he turns around to face the tall fox and speaks. “Also… if you want to, just call me Wallace. Being called Private when I’m out of uniform feels kinda weird.” He says before laughing sheepishly and rubbing his neck.

 

Despite the frigid air around them; the pools of molten gold in the young man’s eyes portray the warmth of the gratitude he is feeling towards her.

 

Reiko shoots the soldier a warm smile in response. The fox girl’s ears twitch slightly before lowering flatter against her head, straining against the cloth of her hood. Suddenly, whether due to the cold or perhaps something else, her cheeks begin to match the deep red of her eyes. “Well then, Wallace, how about we go back inside to get warmed up? If you don’t mind… I would still like to spend some time with you.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Byakko means two separate thing depending on if its referenced in regards to Chinese Buddhism or Japanese Shinto. I used the Shinto version in this chapter.

I am a huge fan of daginjo sake. I based the description of Ryo's sake after the flavor of my personal favorite.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editors BioTheDemon and precioussmolbean for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 31: Uncomfortable Silence

Summary:

Yanagi works with Section 9 to uncover the identity of the mole within HAND.

Three weeks later…

 

 

“You’re all overlooking the obvious fact here: it’s entirely possible that Bringer’s escape was completely coincidental!” A uniformed man says as he shoots out of his chair, shoving one of his hands into the air in a brazen attempt to draw more attention. “It’s a simple case of Occam’s Razor!”

 

“Oh? Is that right? Such a statement is exactly what I would expect from a mole within our own organization!” A woman in a perfectly pressed suit accuses as she leans back into her seat and crosses her arms. “We’ve all read the intelligence reports. The information gathered from the Sons of Atlas base left no doubts as to the existence of such a mole.”

 

The man from earlier recoils backwards when he hears the accusation, falling back into his chair. Shock is the first thing on his face before it gives way to anger. “How dare you baselessly accuse me of such a thing?! I’m no traitor!”

 

“Enough!” Director Maruki says from his own chair. To many, this is the first time they’ve ever heard the veteran agent raise his voice. Some combination of shock and respect causes the argument to die in its tracks.

 

A few soft murmurs of curiosity and discontent ripple through the large audience at the outburst. The meeting room is the largest in HAND Headquarters, resembling a sports stadium more than a more standard space.

 

The audience is on a raised platform above the meeting table, ringing for a full three hundred and sixty degrees around it and continuing hundreds of feet in the air on a sloping angle. The stands could easily fit almost a thousand, but currently there are only a few hundred at most. Only dim lighting highlights the sparse silhouettes of the spectators without revealing any real detail.

 

Below these spectators rests a large and ornate mahogany table, the logo of HAND carved into its surface for everybody in the room to see. Twenty uniformed men and women, some in military uniforms and others in those of their respective agency, surround the table while lounging in similarly ornate chairs.

 

Despite the rustic appearance of the furniture, a complex holographic display rests above the table while hanging from the ceiling. Blue structures of visible light form maps, objects, and scroll walls of text that consist of intelligence reports or other documents. In contrast to the stands surrounding them, the debate floor is well lit by several spotlights.

 

“Please at least try to maintain a shred of decorum. We are all concerned about these revelations but that’s no excuse for such disgraceful conduct.” Director Maruki continues once the room has fallen silent. One of his wrinkled and worn hands moves upwards to massage his temple. Clearly, this meeting has already taken its toll on him.

 

Although no apology is put forth by the two offenders, they at least have the decency to look ashamed at their actions.

 

High above the table, in the dimly lit stands surrounding the room, Tsukishiro Yanagi lets out an exhausted sigh. Twenty minutes. That’s how long it took for this meeting to devolve into a complete mess. For an event projected to last roughly four hours, she can already tell that it’s going to be a rough one.

 

“They’re more concerned with improving their own image and covering their asses than actually solving anything.” Motoko Kusanagi, the field commander of Section 9, says in an even tone. Once she finishes speaking, she leans back in her seat and crosses her arms. The dim lighting of the stands makes her unusual purple hair seem almost black. “Three weeks of this and they haven’t come any closer to solving anything.”

 

“Don’t let the uniforms fool you, it’s all just politics. Some of them may want to help but they aren’t willing to let their personal image take a hit to do so.” Daisuke Arumaki, Chief of Section 9, says with a grumble. “Director Maruki isn’t trying to reign them in, not that it would even be possible to do so. He may well have reached the same conclusion that we have: HAND leadership is incapable of searching for a mole in their own ranks.”

 

“When I left the Defense Force for HAND, I somehow expected the leadership to improve. The only change was that the meeting rooms got fancier.” Kusanagi says with a sigh.

 

“I was of a similar mind after my own departure.” Yanagi says with a slight nod of her head. Throughout the witch hunt for the mole within HAND, she has spent an increasingly large amount of time with the members of Section 9. Perhaps she is just seeking company due to the absence of her own team, or maybe they are circling the wagons to avoid the witch hunt taking place below them.

 

“I’ve read your file. Promoted to Major so soon after making Captain; just after a highly classified operation no less. Only to file for a transfer to HAND a month later.” Kusanagi says quietly with a curious glint in her red eyes. “I wonder what happened during that operation to cause so much movement.”

 

Yanagi’s poker face remains unwavering as she adjusts her glasses. A flash of Soukaku’s young face crosses her vision as the lenses catch a ray of light, along with a pool of blood below a red skinned Oni. 

 

“Funny you should mention that considering you also transferred to HAND after making Major.” Yanagi says in a voice that betrays no emotion. “It would seem to me that our histories are quite similar.”

 

Kusanagi’s mouth quirks upwards into a small smile as she hears the Deputy Chief’s words. A moment later, she responds with a glimmer of respect in her tone. “We all have our reasons for leaving the NEDF. I wouldn’t be in a rush to talk about mine either.”

 

“Now that you two have that out of the way, I think it’s about time that we figure out this mystery ourselves. I believe us in the HSO have sat on our hands long enough as it is.” Chief Arumaki says. His dark eyes continue to watch the debate unfold below them, but show no signs of interest. “The mole will not wait for us to finish bickering amongst ourselves before striking. Any day now, there could be another incident just like Minoan Hollow.”

 

Yanagi nods her head in agreement as she turns her head to face the old man. “I couldn’t agree more. However, we don’t have the slightest clue as to who it might be. Without proper approval there’s no way we can move forward with an investigation.”

 

“Deputy Chief Yanagi, how likely do you think it is that one of the Sons of Atlas knows the identity of the mole?” Kusanagi says with a glance towards the pink haired woman.

 

Yanagi takes a moment to think, rubbing a gloved hand against her chin as she does so. “It’s possible but highly unlikely that they know the mole. But they may know information that could lead us closer to uncovering their true identity.”

 

The Deputy Chief pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts before shaking her head yet again. “However, it’s a moot point. They’ve been turned over into PubSec custody for weeks now. Interrogating any of them would be almost impossible. Not to mention that the one who would know the most is already dead.”

 

Chief Arumaki shakes his head and leans back into his seat as he hears the last statement. “Our job would have been easier if Agent Astraeus hadn’t killed Johann Godfrey. Not that anyone in their right mind would blame him for it.”

 

Kusanagi’s face morphs into a nearly imperceptible smile as she hears Yanagi’s response. “So, hypothetically, if someone had already interrogated some of the higher ranking Sons of Atlas and gotten a lead, what would you say?”

 

Yanagi’s pink eyes narrow as she listens to Kusanagi’s odd question. After taking a few moments to consider, she responds in a low tone. “I would say that any information gleaned from such an interrogation would be non-actionable and inadmissible in court considering that no such thing has been approved.”

 

The Deputy Chief averts her eyes back to the debate floor, watching yet another person stand from their chair and hurl wild accusations at another member. With a sigh, she turns back to continue. “With that being said, I believe it’s clear to all three of us that we may need… unconventional methods in order to solve this problem.”

 

Chief Arumaki and Kusanagi share a look between each other. A thousand silent words are said in a fraction of a second, no doubt a skill they’ve learned from their years serving together in Section 9. With a nod, they turn back towards Yanagi.

 

“Batou and I were able to… convince some of them that giving us information was in their best interest. We had quite a lot of time while the Sons of Calydon transported ourselves and the prisoners back to New Eridu from the Sons of Atlas compound.” Kusanagi says while her red eyes continue to stare at the bickering officials below them. “Johann’s closest advisors informed us that the mole was part of the HSO. Even worse, there’s more than one.”

 

Yanagi recoils in her seat after the bombshell is dropped. A mole in the HSO? It’s almost impossible for her to believe. Many of these people she has worked with for years upon years, helping to save countless lives in the process. What reason could one of her coworkers have to betray their organization?

 

“I had trouble believing it as well, but it makes sense. Remember the Minoan Hollow incident? Somebody in HSO, and a high ranking one at that, must have assigned Section 9 to that counter terrorism operation just before the Hollow formed.” Arumaki says seriously. “This individual would have needed advance notice of Minoan Hollow’s formation and kept Section 6 available for deployment in Section 9’a usual area of operations.”

 

“Didn’t Bringer request that Section 6 get deployed to Minoan Hollow?” Yanagi asks curiously. Despite her best efforts, she can’t help but admit that the mole being in HSO makes perfect sense. Her heart sinks further and further with every word she hears.

 

“That’s correct. However, the order to move was given before Bringer’s request officially reached HAND HQ. Even worse, the identity of the official who gave the order has been scrubbed from the records.” Kusanagi interjects.

 

Yanagi removes her glasses from her face and heaves a weary sigh. Her gloved hands rub her face which suddenly looks twenty years older. “What intelligence were you able to get from the Sons of Atlas prisoners?”

 

“We know the identity of one of the moles. However, we also know that he isn’t the primary mole. He is mostly just the runner between the primary and whoever they are feeding information to.” Kusanagi informs the Deputy Chief.

 

“So, we just need to convince this official to reveal the identity of his accomplice. Once we know who it is, searching for proof should be fairly straightforward.” Yanagi says after putting her glasses back on.

 

“Make no mistake, Deputy Chief Yanagi. If we are caught in the process of our operation, we will all be lined up against a wall and shot for insubordination. Are you willing to accept that risk?” Chief Arumaki says seriously as he leans forward in his seat. The grim atmosphere of their impromptu meeting only grows heavier after his statement.

 

Yanagi leans back in her seat as her pink eyes direct their attention back towards the debate floor. A Defense Force officer has shot up out of his chair and is pointing one of his fingers at a female official across the table from him. Nearly half of his body has crossed the table as he leans forward towards the target of his tirade, screaming at the top of his lungs all the while.

 

HAND is incapable of finding the mole on their own and it seems their leadership is in no rush to invite an outside force to investigate. Does she want to leave the safety of her team to those people on the debate floor bickering like children? Harumasa is deep behind enemy lines and hundreds of miles away, while Miyabi and Astraeus are at a highly sensitive location even she is not privy to. And Soukaku…

 

“I’ll do it.” Yanagi says after a short moment of consideration. Her pink eyes turn to stare into Chief Arumaki’s as she continues.

 

“Where do we start?”

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

“You do realize that this is highly unusual don't you, Agent Tsukishiro?” The old man says as he slumps into the chair of his office. Its ancient construction of plastic and padding seems to somehow predate the man sitting in it; at least as far as the sound it makes is concerned.

 

“I understand and apologize for the inconvenience, Associate Director Takemi. Also, it’s Deputy Chief Tsukishiro, not Agent. Sorry if it seems like I’m splitting hairs.” Yanagi says with a pleasant smile as she takes a seat on the other side of the man’s polished mahogany desk. Somehow, it seems like its surface somehow reflects more light than her own naginata. An odd sense of competitive spirit rears its ugly head a moment later before being shoved back into the depths of her psyche.

 

The old man waves his hand dismissively towards the pink haired woman, completely disregarding the disrespect he had just shown her. One of his wrinkled hands reaches into the bottommost drawer of his desk on his right side and grabs its handle. Instead of the expected sound of wrinkling paperwork or folders, the sound of clinking glass fills the large office instead.

 

Associate Director Takemi removes an unmarked bottle of completely clear liquid from its depths along with two small rock glasses. The sound of a cork being removed is heard next followed by the sound of contents flowing from where it once stood.

 

Yanagi can smell the strong scent of the alcohol immediately. It’s strong, more so than your average liquor. It lacks the fruity scent of gin or the clean one of vodka; instead reminding her of the nail polish remover she used only a day prior. It must be… moonshine then?

 

The old man notices the Deputy Chief’s pink eyes glaring at the contents of his bottle. After slamming back what must have been two shots worth of the alcoholic beverage, his gruff voice speaks out. “Want some? It’s good stuff, I promise.”

 

Yanagi waves a gloved hand in front of her with a kind smile. However, behind her patient expression and eyes that shone with understanding like pink quartz, lies a feeling of contempt that smolders like coals under a fire. Anybody that has known her well would be able to identify such a subtext. Naturally, Associate Director Takemi does no such thing even as she responds with words bordering on anger. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m still on the clock. Can’t have anything clouding my judgement.”

 

Takemi grunts with disappointed and reluctant understanding, perhaps hoping to get the beautiful intelligence officer tipsy in his office. He nearly spits out the strong beverage as those same rose quartz eyes suddenly switch to a look of unbridled hatred. A moment later, her tall form rises from the chair she had only just sat in.

 

“It is exactly that unclouded judgement that led me to discover something… interesting. The identity of the mole within HAND. Or should I say, moles?” Yanagi says with a voice dripping with barely withheld malice. The bombshell of the statement nearly echoes louder than the rock glass Takemi was just holding shattering against the polished floor.

 

The old man bristles as he hears her statement, speaking out in anger a moment later. “Agent-“

 

“Deputy Chief, sir. Thank you for your understanding.” Yanagi says as she completely stands from her seat, making her way to the various paintings hung on the side of the room a moment later. “You’ve risen quickly through the ranks, Agent Takemi. From such a lowly position to Associate Director in just a few years… truly impressive.”

 

Takemi’s face flushes with red anger as he shoots out of his seat and yells. “Now you had better put some respect on-“

 

“Sit back down in the seat before I make you sit back down, sir.” Yanagi says with perfect yet ice cold calm from her place on the side of the room.

 

Her words only serve to fuel the old man’s burning rage as his voice booms through the room. “I will do no such thing! I will have your career for this, Agent-“

 

Suddenly, the sound of the safety on some sort of firearm fills the room. Although much quieter than the man’s yelling it drowns out every other voice and sound with the terrible recognition it instills. 

 

Just as quickly as the room quiets it once more fills with a noise similar to ripping cloth. A man clad in body armor phases into existence next to Associate Director Takemi with the cold barrel of a handgun pressed into the crook of his neck. The man’s eyes have been replaced by external implants that remind Yanagi faintly of welding goggles. His blonde hair shimmers slightly in the dying light of his active camouflage, even down to the bottom of his ponytail. The overpowering form of Agent Batou fully emerges from the camouflage, the barrel of his gun glinting in the moonlight shining through the window with pale malice.

 

“There’s only one version of events that ends with you leaving this room alive and with the same amount of holes you came in with. We know there’s a mole in HAND and we know it’s not just you; but you do know who it is. You could give us a name, and live to finish the rest of that nice moonshine. Or...” The man lets his voice drawl a little longer, pressing the barrel of his pistol a little further against the Associate Director’s aged and wrinkled skin. 

 

“...I can cover your walls with a new painting that I would find much more intriguing than the garbage you've hung in this room.”

 

“Agent Batou! Let’s not be too hasty now!” Yanagi says with feigned concern. Her heels click on the polished floor as she rushes around the other side of the desk. With rose quartz eyes suddenly filled with empty sympathy, she speaks quietly to the old man. “I’m sorry, Associate Director Takemi. Many members of Section Nine like Batou here lack the sort of mercy and common decency exhibited by Section Six. I can only stop him from doing so much. If you don’t agree to assist us… I’m not sure if I can hold them back.”

 

Takemi looks at Yanagi with wide eyes full of panic. Fat droplets of terrified sweat drop from his gray and receding hairline. Somehow, his voice takes on an even more panicked tone as he yells out. “Okay! Okay! I’ll tell you! It’s not worth dying for!”

 

Yanagi and Batou share a look of satisfaction and understanding as they lock eyes for less than a second; a thousand words pass between them before their attention finally turns back towards the restrained form of the old man.

 

“The mole?! I can tell you that! Everything was their idea anyways, so surely you can show me mercy?” Takemi says with a nervous smile. Despite his apprehension, his voice carries an odd sense of self satisfaction as he speaks yet again. “But there’s no way you’ll be able to stop what’s already been put in motion! That damn spoiled fox and upstart agent will be put in the ground where they belong; even within the walls of her own gilded castle!”

 

Batou throws the Associate Director to the floor, pinning him against it while holding his arm behind him. With a small but forceful movement, a disgusting popping sound fills the posh office as the arm is dislocated out of its socket. A painful injury, but not one that will leave any permanent damage.

 

The man yells in pain, his cries of anguish muffled by the thick carpeting surrounding his desk.

 

Yanagi removes her naginata from her lower back and extends it to its full length. Its blade pierces the carpet next to Takemi’s head only a moment later, drawing another scream from the man. She leans down slowly and gets on one knee which causes some of her pink hair to cascade around her face. After leaning down to put her mouth right next to his ear, she speaks in a tone as cold as steel. “You are going to tell me the identity of the mole and their plan to harm Special Agent Astraeus and Chief Miyabi. If you refuse, I will begin removing limbs until your mind is changed.”

 

Miyabi and Astraeus are in danger, maybe even Soukaku and Harumasa as well. Time is of the essence, lives are at stake, and she is the only one in a position to protect her team. The only obstacle between her and ensuring Section 6’s safety is wriggling on the ground at her feet.

 

The Deputy Chief stands from her place kneeling on the floor and removes her naginata from the carpet. She circles the prone man for a moment like a shark circling its prey before stopping next to his unrestrained arm. Her hauntingly calm voice fills the office a moment later as she speaks. “I believe I’ll start with your left arm, and then one of the legs. Does that seem like a sound decision, Agent Batou?”

 

“I wouldn’t have done it any other way, Deputy Chief Yanagi. I’ll make sure this worm can’t wiggle away before we’re done with him.” Batou says with a smile of satisfaction.

 

Their target’s eyes flutter nervously as he rapidly glances between them, desperately trying to ascertain if the two agents are ready and willing to back up their threats with action. Finding not even a shred of doubt or remorse, the Associate Director makes up his mind on the spot.

 

“Director Maruki! Director Maruki is the mole!” Takemi says from his place on the floor, yelling out in a voice overwhelmed with fear and panic. “He approached me a few years back and offered me a promotion in exchange for favors! I just run the information he gives to me, I swear on my life!”

 

Yanagi takes a step away from the man in shock, her heel clicking against the polished wood of the floor next to the carpet. She exchanges a shocked glance with Batou, who shakes his head in response. The idea of Director Maruki being the mole is so outlandish that the two agents don’t believe the traitorous man in the slightest.

 

“You’re lying, who is the real mole!” Batou says as he twists Takemi’s arm even further, the limb beginning to make a sickening creaking sound.

 

The Associate Director yells out in pain, filling the office once again with his cries of anguish. “I swear it’s true! He has an informant at Kitsune no Ana, he asked me to give information to a contact!”

 

Yanagi leans down from her standing position, placing her mouth directly next to Takemi’s ear. Her voice is filled with hatred even colder than the steel of her naginata. “Who is the informant, and how do they intend to hurt Chief Miyabi and Special Agent Astraeus?”

 

Takemi hesitates yet again, trying to decide which is more dangerous: withholding information from his two attackers or betraying whatever organization he is in service of. Another twist of his arm courtesy of Batou helps him make up his mind.

 

“I don’t know what their plan is! Director Maruki has been getting calls from a Defence Force member that’s there who has been feeding him information! I think his last name was Jacobs or something! That’s all I know, I swear!” Takemi says before yelling out in pain again.

 

Yanagi’s heart sinks as her blood turns to ice in her veins. Hesitantly, she opens her mouth to speak with shaky words. “Jenkins…?”

 

“Yeah, that’s it! That’s the guy!” Takemi says hopefully from his place on the floor.

 

Batou and Yanagi lock eyes a moment later, their minds reaching the same conclusion.

 

Yanagi runs over to grab her naginata before bolting for the door. Over her shoulder, she yells to Batou.

 

“I need to go, now! Have Section 9 handle Takemi and Maruki!”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Writing Section 9 is my guilty pleasure. I feel like they mix so well with the members of Section 6.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editors BioTheDemon and precioussmolbean for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

If you want to share your story, talk with other readers and writers, or ask me questions about my fics, consider joining the Discord!

Chapter 32: Two Betrayals

Summary:

A fire is lit under the mountain and Wise is shaken to his core.

“Byakko! I’m bleeding out, you gotta help me!”

 

“Hold on just a little longer, I’m almost there!”

 

Wise runs towards the broken form of Ryo laying in the grass. The dirt surrounding his prone body is such a dark brown that it’s almost black, having been soaked by what must have been pints of his blood. Despite the ruined state of his body, the Hoshimi patriarch is holding a sidearm in his right hand, taking potshots at shadowy silhouettes passing between the trees and bushes surrounding him. 

 

With a hollow clicking noise, Ryo runs out of ammo, the slide of his pistol thrown backwards and locked into place. A sigh escapes his lips as he stares at the empty chamber of his only weapon. He knows that this is the end. Suddenly, a figure bursts through the foliage to his right. 

 

Flashes of gunfire illuminate their dark surroundings as Wise enters the fray. Each shot from his rifle reveals their surroundings, making the incoming enemies move in frames of motion like some tape from the old world. With a final burst of gunfire and the hollow clicking sound of the rifle’s firing pin hitting empty air, the forest falls silent once more.

 

Wise stops just long enough to release the magazine on his rifle before sliding a new one in. The satisfying sound of the swordsman chambering a new round echoes out just before he speaks. “Told you I wouldn’t leave you behind, buddy.”

 

Ryo laughs heartily while looking up at his rescuer. “Yeah yeah, enough with the showboating. Just get me back up before I’m out of time.”

 

“Right.” Wise says as he reaches a hand down to help his friend, slinging the rifle onto his back as he does so.

 

Just when it starts to seem like they’re safe, a shadowy flicker of movement behind Wise’s back draws Ryo’s attention. A shambling husk of a person takes uneven steps towards his unaware rescuer. Even despite the dim lighting, it’s obvious that this is no normal person. Its skin is a pale gray, falling off of its bones in disgusting clumps. Perhaps the most disturbing feature of the shambling husk is its eyes, which glow an icy blue even colder than that of the swordsman’s.

 

“Byakko, look out!” Ryo says with a panicked tone while pointing a finger.

 

However, it’s far too late. Wise turns around just in time for the creature to rake its fingers across his face. The swordsman falls into the grass in an unceremonious heap, staring up at the pale moonlight shining above.

“It seems as if you have lost.” Miyabi says quietly.

 

“Goddamnit! Only round twenty one? I really thought we were going to make it to thirty that time.” Ryo says as he leans back into his recliner with an annoyed huff.

 

“Yeah sorry about that man. Definitely should have made sure it was clear before I revived you.” Wise says apologetically from his place on the couch. 

 

Miyabi is currently sitting in his lap with her red eyes trained on the massive TV screen. She leans further back into the swordsman’s embrace, his arms wrapped all the way around the fox girl and grasping a controller just in front of her. With careful movements he sets the device on the couch next to them before embracing her from behind. An unseen smile graces her features a moment later.

 

“I thought you two did very well!” Jenkins says enthusiastically as he looks up from the small military PDA he was just typing on, which has become a frequent occurrence as of late. 

 

Reiko silently nods her head in agreement from beside him.

 

Wise, Miyabi, Ryo, Jenkins, and Reiko have all spent an increasingly large amount of time together in the three weeks since Souichiro’s funeral. For a few days they would simply come down to the hot springs in order to say hi to Ryo, only spending a few fleeting moments sitting on the cold stone carved into the wall. However, as time went on, they began bringing pieces of furniture down with them in order to make their gatherings more comfortable.

 

Now, instead of just Ryo’s weathered old recliner and desk chair, there were now several new additions to the living area. A large and leather bound couch that Wise ‘borrowed’ from one of the Gurē’s lounges was the first piece of furniture added. Just a day later, Reiko had some of her men move down a loveseat from one of the Aka’s unused break rooms meant for security staff. The place was really starting to come together and feel like a home, even despite being in a cave.

 

Whether by pure coincidence or more intentional design, Wise and Miyabi always arrived first and took the leather couch. Naturally, Ryo stuck to his recliner. This meant that Jenkins and Reiko were forced to share the much smaller loveseat together. Although it would be possible for one of them to use the rickety desk chair, neither one seemed in any rush to do so.

 

Miyabi had once asked Reiko why she didn’t just have more pieces of furniture moved into the cave so she would have a seat all to herself. Reiko hurriedly provided excuses for her hesitation to do so, primarily citing that she didn’t want to bother her diligent security staff with such a trivial issue. Nobody was fooled by her half-hearted excuse.

 

“So, want to go again?” Ryo says after putting his controller down and grabbing a ceramic cup filled with his family’s sake.

 

“I think I’m good for now. Shooting zombies is great and all but not the most relaxing.” Wise says as he picks up his own cup and takes a large sip.

 

From her place on his lap, Miyabi gently moves one of her hands up to rest on the swordsman’s wrist, silently gesturing that she would like some as well.

 

Wise obliges her and slowly puts the cup to her lips and tips it forwards.

 

The fox girl nods her head in gratitude before speaking. “This seems like good training. Why would you stop?”

 

Ryo, Jenkins, and Reiko all laugh as they hear Miyabi’s comment. In the weeks since Souichiro’s funeral, the now orphaned swordswoman has progressively come out of her depressed state. Not only has the presence of Wise helped her to recover and come to terms with her father’s death, but the support of the others as well.

 

Almost every day of the last three weeks has followed a similar pattern. Miyabi and Reiko deal with Hoshimi matters in the morning and afternoon. Then, she and Wise spend time together and have dinner. The evenings are spent doing either physical training and sparring or more alternative types of training. This is how the group ended up playing video games in Ryo’s cave.

 

“Not everything has to be training, you know. It’s okay to have fun sometimes.” Jenkins says in a friendly tone from his place on the couch.

 

Miyabi tilts her head in confusion, turning to speak to the young soldier as she does so. “What do you mean? Training is fun.”

 

“I mean… that’s not what I… you know what, never mind.” Jenkins says with a sigh of defeat as he leans back into the soft cushions of the loveseat.

 

From his side, Reiko is barely holding back an outburst of laughter. Small strangled noises of amusement still manage to escape her throat, but thankfully Miyabi seems to pay them no mind.

 

“I would recommend that you don't even try, Jenkins. Convincing her that not everything needs to be training is like convincing the tide to not come in.” Wise says with amusement from his place on the leather couch.

 

Miyabi glances up at him from his lap, her usual stoic expression making her internal thoughts also impossible to discern. “And convincing you to not make reckless decisions is like asking a fish to breathe air instead of water.”

 

“You’re exaggerating. I am not that bad.” Wise says with a small chuckle of amusement.

 

“Yes. Yes you are.” Miyabi says in response, a hint of exasperation making itself known in her tone. “Do I need to remind you about what happened in Minoan Hollow? How about when we first met in Hollow Zero?”

 

“Ah… well… that’s just a coincidence.” Wise answers with a sheepish grin.

 

“Speaking of which, I never got to hear the story of how you two first met.” Reiko states, clearly intrigued by the gap in her knowledge of the two sword masters.

 

“I’m curious as well. I was there at Minoan Hollow. If you weren’t there… well, I guess the rest doesn’t need to be said.” Jenkins says with a small shudder, his mind imagining things that he would rather not consider.

 

Reiko looks at the soldier with concern, wrapping one of her long and toned arms around his shoulder in a show of silent support.

 

Wise scratches his chin as he thinks back to the time in Hollow Zero when he first met Miyabi. “We really don’t need to go into details, it’s not that interesting so-“

 

“I saved his life against an S-Class Ethereal mutation that was about to turn him into a pancake.” Miyabi says with a shrug of her shoulders before readjusting herself in Wise’s lap.

 

The swordsman chuckles slightly, his mind flooded with nostalgia at the memory of when they faced Sleipnir so many months ago. It almost seems to have happened in a different lifetime due to how much has changed since that day. Of course, he wasn’t about to complain.

 

“That much is definitely true. Man… it really was a sight to behold. A full moon painting that desolate city square inside of Hollow Zero as you rendered Sleipnir’s head from its body in a single sword stroke.” Wise says with a large, nostalgic smile on his face. His mechanical eyes stare upwards at the rocky ceiling of the cave, almost seeming to replay the memory in its smooth surface. “Truthfully, I fell hopelessly in love with you right then and there.”

 

Miyabi blushes heavily and looks away, her ears almost completely flat against her head. Her voice is barely above a whisper as she responds. “Idiot. Stop saying such corny lines.”

 

Wise laughs softly at her reaction, finding the way she shuts down when being complimented to be incredibly adorable.

 

Reiko and Jenkins both snicker from their place on the loveseat.

 

Ryo watches the couple’s exchange unfold with an unreadable expression. Eventually, a barely perceivable smile comes onto his face.

 

“I need to be going anyway.” Miyabi says as she stands from her place laying on Wise’s lap, stretching slightly before turning around towards her companions. “Today is the ceremony where I am officially made the new head of the Hoshimi clan.”

 

Wise blinks several times before responding. “That sounds like a big deal, why didn’t you mention it earlier.”

 

Miyabi shrugs her shoulders and prepares to speak, but Reiko beats her to the punch. “Lady Miyabi has been the effective head of our family for quite some time now. This is just pageantry to honor our family’s roots, more or less.”

 

Jenkins and Wise both nod their head in understanding, intrigued by the existence of such a ritual.

 

“You two won’t be allowed inside, unfortunately. The ceremonial chambers where this will take place are a closely guarded Hoshimi secret. The Gurē would throw a fit if we let you attend.” Reiko continues with a small grumble of annoyance.

 

“Will you be in charge of security again?” Jenkins asks the woman next to him.

 

“Naturally. My grandfather will be a part of the ceremony. Why do you ask?” Reiko responds with a curious tone.

 

Jenkins rubs his neck sheepishly before asking. “Would you mind if I helped with security like last time?”

 

Reiko smiles brightly and nods her head, causing her large fox ears to flow with the movement. “I would love that! Help is always appreciated. We should all get going now to ensure everything is set up correctly.”

 

Miyabi and Jenkins both voice their agreement and prepare to leave the cave.

 

The swordswoman turns back to where Wise is laying on the couch. “And you. Stay out of trouble while I’m gone. Last time I left you alone in this castle you beat my uncle up with a training sword. Behave.” She says seriously with narrow red eyes.

 

Wise does his best to suppress a smile but fails miserably. He quickly stands up from his sitting position on the couch and kneels on the cold stone floor in front of the soon to be matriarch. Quickly, he snakes out a hand to grab one of hers and presses the top of it to his lips.

 

“Lady Miyabi, I will be sure not to cause you any trouble while you’re away.” Wise says earnestly, but with a slight teasing tone coloring his voice.

 

Miyabi stands in stunned silence for several long moments as her cheeks continue to darken in shade, nearly matching the deep red of her eyes. In an unexpected move, she steps forward and quickly closes what little space remains between them before planting her lips on his.

 

A strangled noise of surprise, muffled by the prolonged contact, dies in Wise’s throat as he closes his eyes and leans forward. Immediately, any thoughts of continuing to tease the fox girl melt from his mind as it is consumed by her taste and smell.

 

After a few seconds, Miyabi takes a step back, her face much redder than it was previously and her ears completely flat against her head. With as much confidence as she can muster, she says. “You missed my lips, so I gave you an example. Train harder so you don’t make that mistake again.” As quickly as she had engaged, she steps back and leaves the cave with a series of confident strides. 

 

Still kneeling on the floor, Wise watches her disappear out of sight. He is only able to produce strangled noises out of his throat instead of words, his mind having completely shut down due to the age of shock still rolling over his body.

 

Jenkins barely holds back a laugh by covering his mouth with a hand, but his other companions show much less restraint. His legs begin to move as he quickly walks towards where Miyabi just disappeared to, patting Wise on the back before exiting.

 

Reiko and Ryo both burst into laughter as they point at the kneeling form of Wise on the cold cave floor. The tall woman follows in the footsteps of her cousin and makes her way towards the cave’s exit. Just before turning the corner out of sight, she faces the swordsman and speaks in a mocking tone. “Hey, Byakko, I think you dropped something. You shouldn't let your jaw hang around on the floor that long.” With another round of laughter, she exits the cave.

 

Wise sighs with exasperation before slowly making his way back onto his feet and flopping onto the leather couch.

 

“Whipped.” Ryo comments from his place on the recliner. 

 

“Dude, shut up.” Wise says with half hearted anger.

 

Ryo chuckles slightly from his place on the recliner, pouring himself another ladle of sake from the large ceramic vase next to him. “Hard to believe my niece has you wrapped around her finger like that. How did you let that happen?”

 

Wise sighs deeply while staring at the ceiling, his back firmly planted on the couch. “She drafted me into HAND, stabbed me in the chest, then hunted me as a fugitive of the state.”

 

“Woah.” Ryo says in surprise, marking the first time today that the swordsman has heard him speak in anything but a deadpan tone. “Is that actually true?”

 

“Yep. All of it. Did I mention I had to carve out my own eye and ride with a motorcycle gang in the Outer Ring in order to prove my innocence?” Wise says humorously with a smile on his face. As he finishes speaking, he peeks over the top of the couch and points to one of his eyes. Though the scarring present on both makes it hard to distinguish which of them was the victim of such an event.

 

“Damn kid, that’s intense. If it were anybody else I would call them a liar. But… Miyabi, Reiko, and most of the Aka all vouch for you so I doubt you would be blowing smoke like that.” Ryo comments with a shrug, downing the cup of sake in one go a moment later.

 

“Your family seems to have a variety of opinions on me. Both good and bad.” Wise comments with a small groan of frustration.

 

“Family… is complicated. The Hoshimis especially so.” Ryo says in a quiet tone. “Your family can be both a gift and curse. Regardless of which, you are stuck with them for life.”

 

Wise notices the change in tone and sits up on the couch to stare over its back towards the exiled fox. His forest green eyes are staring into the surface of his sake cup, lost in the ripples and waves of its opaque surface. The swordsman can see an unfathomable sadness hidden beneath their veridian surface, one that he hasn’t witnessed up until now. He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted before he can get a word out.

 

“Do you have any family, Byakko?” Ryo asks calmly while glancing up from his cup and towards the swordsman.

 

Wise blinks several times, shocked that he is being asked such a personal question after weeks of mostly idle chatter. “I do. I have trouble remembering my parents who were lost before the fall of the old capital, but my little sister is back in New Eridu.”

 

“Ah, a sister?” The deep sadness present in Ryo’s expression doubles in an instant. Despite this, the exiled fox puts on a warm smile. “I had a sister as well, many years ago. Technically I was older but only by a handful of minutes.”

 

Immediately, Wise’s memory highlights a particular feature of this cave he noticed his first time here. He swivels his eyes towards a desolate corner before they land on the painted green wood of the funeral shrine. Even now a thin trail of smoke slowly leaks from the loose shudders on its door which, combined with the sweet smell in the air, indicates that incense is being burned inside.

 

“Would you mind telling me what she was like?” Wise asks kindly while putting on a reassuring smile and looking back towards Ryo.

 

“Strong willed, determined, and fiercely independent.” Ryo says with a mix of nostalgia and mourning in his voice. “Everything had to be taken on and conquered. No challenge was too great for her.”

 

Wise nods his head and imagines the woman that is being described to him. If they were twins then they most likely had extremely similar features, which helps his imagination fill in the gaps. Suddenly, he freezes as his mind thinks back to another detail revealed by Ryo weeks ago. The Hoshimi took away his ability to reproduce… but why?

 

Everytime Wise thought about the unanswered question over the last few weeks he reached the same conclusions. Ryo must have been punished for something, but what? The Aojiroi family business seems successful and he can’t imagine the exiled fox doing anything to hurt another Hoshimi, even if it may be tempting at times.

 

The swordsman glances back at the funeral shrine, his gaze lingering on the cracked and weathered green paint.

 

“Were you two… identical twins?” Wise asks in a hushed tone.

 

Ryo freezes mid drink, coughing several times before wiping a few drops of sake away from his lips. “Aye, that we were. You’re a sharp one… how did you know?”

 

“The funeral shrine. It’s painted green. Did you both share the same eye color?” Wise asks curiously. He knows that he is dancing the line between digging too deeply into his friend's past. But, the swordsman can’t help but be curious about what the Hoshimi did to this man and why they all seem to despise him.

 

Ryo sighs and leans back in his recliner, causing its rickety construction to groan under the burden. “Yeah, we did. It was a one in a million mutation. The only Hoshimis in history to be born without red or black eyes. Unfortunately for them, the one time it did happen, it was identical twins. The Aojiroi patriarch at the time was… displeased to say the least.”

 

Wise begins to connect the dots in his head, finally finishing the horrendous picture that had been slowly painted since he first arrived in Ryo’s cave. “You don’t mean… your own family branch were the ones to-“

BOOM

Suddenly, Wise is thrown from his seat as the walls rattle around him. The stone walls vibrate around him, causing large chunks of rock to fall from the ceiling and onto the floor. The violent shaking of the walls and falling debris fill the swordsman’s ears with a cacophony of noise, causing him to hear nothing but ringing and shooting red hot spikes of pain into his head.

 

A particularly large chunk of rock catches Wise’s eyes as he finally pushes through the pain and forces them open. The debris’ massive form is slowly carved out of the ceiling, its body outlined by an ever growing spider web of cracks. All at once, it disconnects from the cave and begins hurtling downwards…

 

Directly towards the stunned form of Ryo. 

 

Wise leaps off of the floor, scrambling on all four limbs briefly until finally heaving himself onto both feet. Small pieces of rock are pelting his head and shoulders while sharp debris dig into his palms in his effort to push off of the floor. Realizing that the rock is only milliseconds away from crushing his friend, the world seems to slow down all around the swordsman. Debris falls from the ceiling slowly, almost as if they are floating through water instead of air.

 

At the last moment, Wise transitions into a slide, closing the last of the distance and positioning himself between Ryo and the boulder. He reaches his arms up to catch the rock which easily weighs over a ton. His palms and fingers dig into the uneven and jagged surface and his entire body screams out in pain. Although not audible over the roar of the collapsing cave, he lets out a dire scream of agony as the overwhelming weight threatens to crush both him and the exile.

 

What little light in the cave provided by hanging electric lights and candles extinguishes, plunging Wise surroundings into a total and inky blackness. His mechanical eyes transition into a low light automatically, painting the cave in an eerie green light. The scream that has been building for so long dies in his throat, his lungs no longer able to keep up.

 

A hollow crack rings out as something in his shoulder breaks under the stress. Wise falters for a moment due to the pain, his leg slipping slightly which causes the boulder to lower down even further.

 

Am I… going to die down here…?

 

Wise thinks to himself, his body creaking and groaning under the weight while his mind goes numb from the pain and noise. Faces and memories dance across his vision at a thousand miles per hour, their forms unaffected by the eerie green of his night vision. All at once, he shoves all of them out of his mind, fighting against the creeping fatigue threatening to make him give up.

 

Even though his throat has already been scratched raw, he lets out a roar, forcing every ounce of strength he could muster in his arms and legs. In a motion that looks half like a throw and half like a fall, he leans forward and extends every fiber of his muscles, attempting to make the boulder land far away enough from Ryo to not cause him any harm.

 

Wise’s body creaks and groans as he heaves the boulder forward. Whatever bone that was fractured in his left arm burns as if a white hot rod of metal was burrowed into his flesh. The rock rolls off of his shoulders and over his head before resuming its unstoppable plummet towards the cave floor. With a thunderous crack it lands only inches away from Ryo’s head and carves out a small crater in the rock below.

 

Without another moment of hesitation Wise scoops the stunned and effectively blind form of Ryo off of the floor and bolts for the exit stairs. His right hand digs into the fabric of the exile’s shirt almost as if carrying him like a suitcase. The swordsman sees the door rapidly approaching, it’s usual brown color now a bright green. He turns his left shoulder towards the barrier and rams into it, throwing the worn oak off of its hinges and careening into the stairs behind it. The broken bone in his arm screams in protest due to the impact which causes his vision to be filled with stars, the pain threatening to make him lose consciousness.

 

Wise once again pushes the pain out of his mind as the entire ceiling over his head begins to buckle under thousands of tons of stone. His legs burn due to the overexertion but he takes the stairs three at a time on his way upwards towards the main hall of Kitsune No Ana. He can hear the tunnel collapsing just behind him as it races to overtake and bury both himself and the exile, but he refuses to look backwards.

 

After what seems like an eternity, he finally reaches the summit of the endless staircase and leaps into a brightly lit room. Behind him, the ceiling of the tunnel collapses, causing a massive cloud of dust to shoot into the main hall of the castle.

 

Wise and Ryo both fall to the ground and begin coughing violently while trying to get the dust out of their lungs.

 

“What… What the hell just happened!?” Wise yells before another coughing fit overtakes him.

 

“I don’t know!” Ryo answers between taking deep breaths of air. “All I can tell you for sure is that whoever’s responsible will be hanged by their own guts for doing it! My sister’s shrine and all my goddamn sake is gone!”

 

“All security members, report to your assigned stations and prepare for combat! This is not a drill!”

 

An unseen yet loud intercom blares to life overhead, startling the pair out of their shocked stupor. Groups of heavily armed men and women stream across the balconies ringing the hall above them. Some carry the distinct ears of the Hoshimi, but all of them carry the red sigil of the Aka on their armored vests.

 

A group on their level runs over to the fallen men to render assistance. An older man at the head of the group, which Wise recognizes as the limousine passenger from when he first arrived at the castle, is the first to speak. “Byakko! Are you two alright? Should we call for medical assistance?”

 

Wise waves them off and staggers to his feet, dusting ash and debris off of himself as he does so. He opens his mouth to respond but an odd noise cuts him off before he can do so. It takes him a couple of seconds to realize what it is.

 

His phone is ringing.

 

The swordsman quickly fishes it out of his pocket and looks at the caller ID. His eyes widen when he realizes that it’s Yanagi calling him. With a quick movement he accepts the call and presses it quickly to his ear.

 

Wise speaks the second the phone touches his head. “Hello? What’s-“

 

“Astraeus! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for almost an hour!”  

 

Yanagi’s voice says loudly, her tone a mixture of both relief and panic.

 

Wise sputters with surprise for a moment before responding. “I’ve been underground all day, I haven’t had any signal! Listen, there’s been an explosion at Kitsune no Ana, you need to send-“

 

“I know, I’m already on my way with a quick response force but we are still a few hours away! Listen very, very carefully.”

 

Yanagi says as she interrupts him yet again. The distinct sound of helicopter blades slicing through air can be heard in the background of the call.

 

“Director Maruki is the mole and somebody has been feeding him information from within Kitsune No Ana! Astraeus…

 

Do not trust Jenkins.

 

I repeat, do not trust Private Jenkins! He has been feeding information to the mole!”

 

Wise’s blood turns to ice in his veins and he nearly drops the phone in surprise. His mind rages like a tornado as a thousand thoughts and doubts push against the walls of his psyche, threatening to spill over and overwhelm him with panic.

 

The swordsman only makes strangled noises with his throat for several seconds before finally responding. “I… no… No no no that can’t be right! Double check your intel and-“

 

“Astraeus, focus! They are after the Chief, they are trying to kill Miyabi! We can sort out the truth later! Right now, find her and protect her!”

 

Yanagi commands, almost pleading with him to do so. 

 

“I… right! I’m going now!” Wise says after a moment of hesitation. With panic still threatening to paralyze his mind and body, he forces himself to stop shaking. 

 

Miyabi is in danger. This is no time to lose control.

 

“Stay safe and I’ll be there soon!”

 

Yanagi says before cutting the call.

 

Wise lets the phone clatter to the floor. For a moment, he simply stands there in shock, unable to process the mental and literal bomb that just shook his world. He raises one of his hands and loudly smacks himself in the face. Focusing on the pain of his injuries to get his mind off of his emotions, he turns towards Ryo and the Aka men.

 

“They are here to kill Miyabi and most likely kill all of the other branch leaders as well. We need to get to them. Now!” Wise says with determination, a twisted grimace taking over his features as he speaks. “The ceremonial chambers. Where are they?”

 

The Aka men look between themselves nervously, hesitating to tell an outsider about one of their most closely guarded secrets.

 

“The summit of the mountain. There is a secret path in the dojo that leads to it.” Ryo answers as struggles to make his way to his feet.

 

Wise’s mechanical blue eyes make contact with the exile’s green ones. At that moment, they reach a silent agreement to find whoever did this and make them pay for what they had done. 

 

Enough Hoshimis have died already because of this group’s obsession with Tailless. Souichiro would be avenged.

 

Wise reaches a hand down and clasps Ryo’s, helping the older man to his feet. With a narrowed gaze of determination, he opens his mouth to speak.

 

“I need a weapon.”

 

Ryo smiles before clapping him on the shoulder and walking towards one of the many hallways.

 

“Right this way.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Uh oh, things are starting to pick up again.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editors BioTheDemon and precioussmolbean for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

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Chapter 33: The Best Defense

Summary:

Wise and Ryo fight towards the ceremonial chambers.

The Hoshimi get tactical.

“Just stay behind me and don’t stop moving!”

 

Wise bellows before turning the corner and entering a hail of gunfire. Bullets whiz past him as the intruders on the other end of the hallway notice his presence. With a flick of the wrist so fast that the human eye can barely perceive it he lifts up his sword and deflects a bullet heading directly for his head.

 

The man who fired the bullet is wrapped in heavy winter clothing and peeking over the top of a decorative boulder, aiming an assault rifle overtop of it. Although he's wearing a modified version of an old Defense Force helmet that covers his face, Wise can tell that his eyes are wide as saucers. Before the swordsman or the intruder can make another move a bullet flies past the swordsman and pierces the intruder’s helmet. He crumples into the dry garden in  an unceremonious heap, the pure white sands already gaining a grim crimson hue.

 

The few intruders still remaining in the hallway best a hasty retreat into an adjoining room after seeing the overwhelming Hoshimi force and the death of one of their own. The men tactically retreat in small groups while other groups cover their movement. This cycle continues until the last intruder turns the corner out of sight, no doubt joining his squad in setting up their next line of defence. A massive wooden door reinforced with metal slams shut the moment the intruder steps inside, followed by the hollow metal thunk of a lock being engaged.

 

Wise turns back to see where the shot came from and notices an Aka guard in the rear of the group holding up a sniper rifle. The man nonchalantly works the bolt of his rifle causing a smoking casing to fly from the breech and rattle against the polished wood flooring of the boardwalk. The swordsman throws him a sloppy two fingered salute and yells out. “Thanks for that!”

 

“It’s my pleasure, Byakko! Don’t lose focus now!” The man says with a thumbs up, his eyes already returning to his scope to scan for any more threats while covering a group of Aka preparing to breach the next room.

 

Another member of the security team rounds the corner behind them and slides to a stop on the polished wood floors. Wide red eyes quickly scan the room from under a pair of black fox ears. Finally, they lock onto the swordsman’s, a look of recognition and relief floods her features before she resumes her sprint directly towards him.

 

The first thing Wise notices is how young she is. If he had to guess, he would say that she’s barely out of high school. The second thing noted by the swordsman is that she wears the Aka security uniform, a well tailored suit with red trim, over which is layered a protective anti-ballistic vest. The clothing combined with her obvious Hoshimi features leads him to believe that this is a member of the Aka branch, most likely a sibling of Reiko’s.

 

“Byakko! I have a report from the command center!” The woman says between heaving breaths. She rests her hands on her knees and bends over partially, clearly having just sprinted halfway across Kitsune No Ana to deliver her information. “Our communication lines have been knocked out by the explosion, radio and cell service is spotty at best depending on where you are in the castle. Currently, we’re relying on runners to communicate with the security teams.”

 

She takes one final breath to gather her mind and body before pushing her hands off of her knees. With fluid grace she stands up straight and locks her arms behind her back to stand at respectful attention while continuing her report. “However, our security cameras are still in working order. We estimate that approximately sixty enemy combatants entered the castle by breaching through a thin layer of rock on the Eastern side. About half have been eliminated already, but the remainder are putting up stubborn pockets of resistance all across the castle. But a significant enemy force gathered in the dojo before taking out all the security cameras nearby. Either they’re using it as a staging area or… I'm not certain. It… doesn’t make any sense, Byakko.”

 

Wise nods his head as the Hoshimi warrior finishes her report. With a gentle smile, he reaches over and pats her on the shoulder and speaks. “You did well bringing this report to me, thank you.”

 

The young Hoshimi’s eyes shoot open at the praise, her gaze lingering on where his hand rests on her armored vest. She takes a step back and bows respectfully before responding. “It was my pleasure, Byakko! I will do everything in my power to drive these invaders from our home!”

 

Wise nods in understanding, feeling impressed in the young Hoshimi for her outstanding demeanor even in such an overwhelming situation. Given the respect the other Hoshimi seem to have for her, the swordsman decides to ask her a question that has been gnawing at his conscience ever since his call with Yanagi. 

 

“Would you happen to know where Reiko is? Last I saw she was with a man from my group.” Wise asks curiously, putting forward a considerable amount of effort to make it seem like an offhanded question.

 

The short Hoshimi thinks for several moments before shaking her head and answering. “I haven’t seen her since the attack started. If I had to guess, she’s most likely in the command center coordinating the defense. I will admit it’s odd I haven’t gotten an order from her if she really is in there, but with our communications down it will be difficult to confirm her location. I can send a runner for you if you would like, Byakko?”

 

A chill runs from the rear of Wise’s head to the base of his spine. He barely stops himself from shuddering as he speaks. “No, that’s quite alright. I’m sure she’s busy enough as it is.”

 

“As you wish.” She replies before walking away from the two men to check on a wounded Aka warrior.

 

Reiko hasn’t been seen since the attack started. It’s likely that Jenkins is still with her, but where could they have gone? If he’s in the command center with her and he really is a traitor, then he would have a perfect opportunity to sabotage the Hoshimi’s last lines of defense. But if they aren’t in the command center then…

 

Where the hell are they?

 

Wise takes several deep breaths and does what he can to shove the pointless doubts out of his mind. Thinking won’t help him right now, action will. He focuses on the pain in his shoulder and the weight of the sword on his back and uses them to ground himself in the present. Once he’s focused, he raises his head and looks at the Aka security forces arrayed around him and raises his voice. “Listen up! The intruders are here for a single purpose; to kill Lady Hoshimi Miyabi and steal Tailless from your clan!”

 

A series of murmurs passes over the group as they speak to one another in barely hushed tones. The Hoshimi messenger from earlier raises her hand and speaks above the noise, silencing all of them instantly with an authority Wise didn’t know she possessed. “How can you know for sure, Byakko?”

 

“A member of the Special Operations team led by Lady Miyabi herself was able to capture a member of the enemy’s organization, who subsequently revealed the goals of their raid on Kitsune No Ana!” Wise answers quickly, trying to fire up the crowd of Hoshimis and get them all focused on this singular goal. The swordsman has seen enough battles to know that situations like this require as much unity as possible. “Thanks to Ryo, we now know that the ceremonial chambers where Miyabi and the others are trapped are only accessible through the dojo. Time is of the essence, the enemy could break through at any time! Can I count on your support in pushing these invaders out of Kitsune No Ana?!”

 

The Aka all share looks with one another, their gazes carrying more words than Wise’s speech ever could. The short Hoshimi steps forward and slams her fist against her chest before yelling. “We are with you, Byakko! We will rescue Lady Miyabi together!”

 

“Byakko! Byakko! Byakko!” The assembled Aka cheer in unison, a burning flame of passion suddenly sparks to life inside each of them. Their home has been attacked and their family threatened, it’s time to even the score. This main hall is filled with about three dozen people. Some carry weapons and wear tree trimmer armor, no doubt members of the Aka security force. Wise recognizes a few women with prominent Hoshimi features wearing the Yuki branch crest performing first aid on injured warriors.

 

Most impressively, members from branches that don’t specialize in combat and running all over the room. Some are carrying messages from what little remains of the Hoshimi command structure while others carry large boxes of ammo and supplies. Every once and a while, a series of echoed gunshots or explosions can be heard from one of the hallways leading to the room.

 

Despite their squabbles and disagreements, it seems as if the branches are working perfectly in tandem to ward off this threat to their home. It’s inspiring to say the least.

 

Wise isn’t about to let them do all the work.

 

“Keep this group pinned down here! I need five volunteers to come with me to the dojo, the rest of you stay!” Wise commands to the Aka guards gathered around him. Five guards step forward immediately; one of which is the short Hoshimi woman that just gave him the report. Each of them is armed with a variety of weapons: compact submachine guns, sidearms strapped to their legs, bags full of equipment that Wise can’t quite identify, and a fierce look of unwavering determination.

 

A heavy set of footsteps rapidly approaches from Wise’s left, weaving its way through the large group of Aka guards and other Hoshimi. The only partially secured armored footwear and greaves of the incoming figure cause every movement to sound like pots and pans being clashed together.

 

Finally, Ryo pushes past the last guard and comes to a stop next to Wise’s side. The man is dressed from head to toe in what looks like traditional samurai armor. However, it is noticeably of a more modern style than the kind that Wise has often seen in old movies.

 

Its edges are contoured and the material is not simply pressed metal. What Wise guesses is some sort of fiberglass is woven into the material as well as a Kevlar mesh closing the gaps between the larger pieces of armor. Whatever material it is composed of, it has been polished to an impressive mirror sheen and painstakingly maintained, not presenting a single scratch to the swordsman’s trained eye. Emblazoned on the breastplate is an emblem that Wise has never seen before: a blooming sakura tree inside of a simplistic drawing of a mountain. Strapped to his back is a double bladed naginata that is nearly as tall as the exile.

 

However, the man wearing the weapon and armor is not quite as well polished. Ryo is panting heavily while resting his hands on his knees, desperately trying to catch his breath. Some latches on the side of his breastplate have not been fastened because they are not long enough to do so, the man’s stomach being simply too large to be accommodated. His long black hair is tied into a ponytail and held back by a strip of green cloth tied into a simple bandana which is keeping the copious amount of sweat he’s producing from running into his eyes.

 

If things weren’t so serious, Wise would be almost doubled over laughing at the frankly ridiculous sight.

 

“Ryo, which way to the dojo? We don’t have any time to lose.” Wise says urgently, reaching a hand over to rest on the man’s armored shoulder.

 

The exile nods his head and points to a narrow hallway to their left. “Two more doors down that way and we’re there. Once we arrive I can open the passage to the ceremonial chambers.” With a grunt of exertion, Ryo stumbles to his feet. Even despite the fear and exhaustion he must be feeling, the man’s green eyes burn with overwhelming fury.

 

Without waiting for orders, the five Aka soldiers take off down the hallway towards the direction pointed out by the exile. They take up positions on either side of the door and ready themselves to breach and clear the room.

 

Wise pats Ryo on the back one final time and sprints to catch up with the soldiers, closing the distance in only a fraction of a second. With a thunderous roar the swordsman lifts up his leg and kicks the door with every ounce of strength he can muster, catching the five warriors off guard. The wooden slab is ripped off of its hinges and flies across the room, impacting an intruder in the midsection with a sickening crunch.

 

Ignoring the searing pain in his broken shoulder, the swordsman charges into the breach with his weapon raised. Two other intruders are still reeling in shock from the sudden entrance with their attention solely on their comrade who was just struck by the door. They recover quickly and raise their guns to kill the intruder and avenge their fallen friend.

 

Wise leaps to the left to preemptively dodge the incoming gunfire, successfully avoiding a burst from one of the intruders. The bullets impact the wooden wall behind him harmlessly and send wooden splinters flying through the air.

 

However, the second intruder delays his shot slightly, waiting for the swordsman to come to a complete stop before opening fire. The muzzle flashes from his weapon illuminate the darkened space with stunning clarity.

 

Wise whips up his sword upwards as time slows to a near crawl. Each bullet hurtles towards him on a deadly trajectory, threatening to close the distance and put his rescue mission to a quick and painful end. His light blue mechanical eyes work in tandem with his superhuman reflexes, moving his sword with perfect and fluid motions. The blade is barely able to intercept each bullet just before it can hit him. Every muzzle flash of the intruder’s rifle is met milliseconds later with a shower of sparks caused by the bullets impacting the steel sword.

 

Before Wise can push forward to finish off his attacker or dive for cover a hail of gunfire pours out of the now doorless threshold and towards the two men. At the last moment they realize their mistake and dive for cover, only to be mowed down by devastatingly accurate fire before they can make it more than a step. The intruders slump to the floor in an unceremonious heap, dead before they hit the polished wood.

 

The immediate threat now dealt with, Wise takes a moment to catch his breath as the Aka soldiers stream into the room to lock it down. The loud rattling sound of Ryo’s armor  enters behind the final Aka in the stack. The swordsman gives him a small nod of recognition as he enters.

 

“Two enemies killed in action, looks like the one struck by the door is still breathing. Call over one of the Yuki once he has been restrained.” The short Hoshimi commands one of the Aka who immediately gets to work on his task.

 

As the warrior begins tying up the wounded intruder, Wise leans over him to check the body of the intruder struck by the door. Suddenly, a burst of white hot pain radiates from his shoulder, causing him to suck in a breath through his teeth and freeze in his movement, falling to his knee a moment later. Stars fill his vision as the ringing in his ears threatens to make him lose consciousness. 

 

The short Hoshimi from earlier notices his erratic movement, picking up on his pained grunts due to her enhanced Thiren hearing. She runs over to where he’s kneeling and sets a hand on the small of his back. After checking him over for any obvious injuries, she speaks urgently. “Byakko, are you injured? Should I call for a medic?”

 

Wise waves off her concern with one of his gloved hands, forcing himself to stand up straight despite the pain screaming at him to stop. “My shoulder took a hit earlier in the cave-in but it’s nothing serious. I’m fine, really.”

 

“If you say so, Byakko.” The warrior says. Her tone gives away the fact that she doesn’t quite believe him, but she isn’t about to call his bluff. “Allow myself and the Aka the glory of clearing this next room. Take a breather and prepare yourself for the final battle; the dojo is only a short while away..”

 

“Her advice is sound, Byakko. Preserving our strength for when we need it most is the wisest move.” Ryo says as he steps forward and lays a hand on the swordsman’s back. “Miyabi and the others are safe at the moment. Rushing things and getting ourselves killed would only harm our chances of survival. Take a deep breath and glimpse the reality of our situation.”

 

Wise wants to decline, to sprint forward and kick down that door before killing whoever is unlucky enough to be inside. Miyabi is in danger, these people are only here to kill her and take Tailless. Any number of things may have already happened to her and her family and he has no way to help until he reaches the ceremonial chambers. 

 

What if Ryo is wrong…?

 

I might be too late already and I just don’t know it yet…

 

Despite his doubts, Wise realizes one thing. Miyabi isn’t going to go quietly without a fight. She's not a damsel in distress, but a warrior with skills that rival and even surpass his own. Once he reaches the ceremonial chambers, she will be alive, and she will need him to be at full strength when he arrives. They have a promise to keep, after all.

 

No more fighting alone.

 

Wise pulls himself from his thoughts and opens his eyes. “Very well. Just be careful.” He relents with a frustrated sigh.

 

The short Hoshimi bows deeply and scampers over to her squad of four Aka warriors gathered nearby, immediately giving orders in a calm and concise voice. Her demeanor and professionalism reminds the swordsman of the many Defense Force’s special units he’s worked alongside during his time as an agent.

 

Ryo uses the hand on Wise’s back to guide him gently towards a nearby bench lining the hallway.  While walking, he notices a second entrance to the room he just breached, a door left slightly ajar leading to a darkened hallway.

 

Before he can wonder where the hallway leads, a team of two Aka warriors flick on flashlights attached to their guns and push the door open. Slowly, they clear the space and make their way forwards. After only a minute the glow of their flashlights fade from view.

 

Wise’s curiosity wanes and his attention returns to the bench in front of him that Ryo is guiding him towards. They both take a seat and let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful to finally take a break over the desperate struggle for survival.

 

The sounds of urgent conversation drift from the large hall that they had just come from. Various Aka warriors come and go while on their way to various assignments, Yuki medics read out medication doses and preliminary diagnoses as they triage injuries, and runners deliver their handwritten messages while departing with new ones.

 

With great effort, Wise pulls his attention away from the miasma of activity taking place next door. “I refuse to spend this time doing nothing; please explain to me the layout of the dojo and the ceremonial chambers. I don’t want any surprises once we finally make it there. What are our major concerns going forward?” He asks seriously.

 

Ryo picks up on the urgency and immediately scours his brain for anything that’s most important to understand. Once he has his thoughts in order, he opens his mouth to speak. “The panel that opens the path to the ceremonial chamber is concealed within the sakura tree in the center of the dojo.”

 

Wise’s eyes quickly shoot open with shock. He rapidly searches his memory of his battle in the dojo, searching for any detail he remembers that may have revealed its location.

 

“I… don’t remember seeing anything like that while I was in there.” The swordsman admits with a frustrating huff. “I never would have suspected it to be inside of the tree.”

 

“Well yeah, Byakko. That’s kinda the whole point.” Ryo says with a quiet laugh while pointing to his branch’s crest emblazoned on his armor. “The path only opens after a biometric scan. Retina, then palm. The whole ceremonial chamber is heavily reinforced with material that makes it nearly impenetrable and invisible to geological scans. The fact that the intruders seem to know of its existence at all is… disturbing.”

 

Wise nods his head in understanding before committing the information to his memory. The shaken tone of the exile concerns him greatly. However, he can’t be sure how much of the man’s discomfort “How many people have access?” He asks with concern on the edge of his tone.

 

If Reiko has access and Jenkins really is a traitor, then he might use her to… No, stop following this line of thinking. Yanagi is wrong… she has to be…

 

The swordsman physically shakes his head as if that would stop his errant thoughts from polluting his brain. Now is not the time to lose focus; not when so much is at stake.

 

“Only the family patriarchs and matriarchs, nobody else.” Ryo answers simply as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

 

“So, Miyabi and the other family heads are stuck up at the summit of the mountain with their only escape blocked by intruders in the dojo.” Wise summarizes quickly, his tactical mind already beginning to draw out the battlefield in detail. “The intruder’s timing was… perfect. They have every single leader in the same place with only one way out.”

 

“It’s disturbing, I agree. But this is my very best guess, Byakko.” The exile answers with a sigh. “The security technology behind the mechanism is the most advanced that money can buy. Even if the intruders were able to crack it, the process would take hours if not days. They must be trying to reinforce the dojo itself while they crack the security. The other groups of intruders are simply meant to divert our attention from their true aim.”

 

Wise opens his mouth to respond but is interrupted by a flurry of movement, turning his attention towards it a moment later.

 

The Hoshimi woman from earlier and her accompaniment of Aka warriors are walking towards the sealed room leading to the dojo. “Prep for dynamic entry, stack blue. Yosuke on point. Ramirez, prep the charge.” She whispers while displaying a flurry of hand signals. Her voice is quiet, but clear and loud enough to be understood by her subordinates.

 

“Ramirez up. Demo prepped and ready red. Good on your go, Hana.” The man whispers in a quiet tone while reaching into a satchel hanging from his shoulder. In his hands is an odd looking device that Wise immediately recognizes as an explosive.

 

“Yosuke up. Point ready.” A man on the opposite side of the door says after checking the slide of his pump action shotgun.

 

“Vic up. Ready to slice the pie on your go.” A woman armed with a compact submachine gun whispers.

 

“Minho green, trail position.” The final Aka warrior says with a cold voice. 

 

“Ramirez, initiate breach set, left side hinge.” Hana whispers across the doorway.

 

The man holding the explosive leans forward and places the explosive he was holding on the left side of the door. After pressing a few buttons, he draws his sidearm and a small trigger device and returns to his previous position. While double checking his equipment, he speaks quietly. “Charge hot, blast radius good. Ready on your mark, Hana.”

 

Hana holds up her hand and rapidly makes three hand signals with it before returning her hand to her weapon. She begins whispering once again but this time so quietly that Wise and Ryo can only understand it thanks to their enhanced hearing.

 

“Breach-bang-clear. Standby… breach in 3… 2… 1… execute!”

 

The sudden increase in Hana’s volume is quickly eclipsed by a thunderous explosion that sends a minor shockwave through the room. Thankfully, both Wise and Ryo recognized what was about to happen and covered their ears to prevent any damage from their sensitive hearing.

 

“Flash out!”

 

Wise keeps his ears covered after the initial explosion while Ryo does not. Two loud sounds more subdued than the first one ring out as the flashbangs detonate.

 

“Pushing entry, left side!”

 

The exile grunts in pain and immediately slams the top of his large fox ears over the bottom in an exaggerated motion. “Why the hell didn’t you warn me, asshole?” Ryo says with annoyance after both lower their hands. All the while, the muffled voices of the Aka team led by Hana can be heard through the wall.

 

“Two armed, nine o’clock. Engaging!”

 

A series of gunshots from the next room ring out while Wise shrugs his shoulders and responds. “Pretty obvious what was happening next. Didn’t you see her trace a circle with her finger? Means flashbangs are next.”

 

“Left clear, two EKIA.”

 

“Are you for real? How the hell am I supposed to know that?” Ryo says before crossing his arms and huffing dramatically. Every gunshot causes his ears to twitch and flick at seemingly random angles.

 

“Right side, three meter contact, movement behind cover!” 

 

Another burst of gunfire concludes before Wise answers. “Isn’t Hana a Hoshimi? She sure looks like one. Figured she or another Aka gave you some lessons on how to clear a room.”

 

“Two down. One moving on centerline!”

 

“Runner mid, armed!”

 

“Ramirez, drop em!”

 

Ryo opens his mouth to respond only to be cut off by another barrage of gunfire. Once there’s a break, he narrows his eyes towards the swordsman and yells. “First of all, the only thing I practice clearing is a bottle of sake. Second of all-“

 

“Two dismounts, upper catwalk! Engaging!”

 

Wise smirks quietly as Ryo is cut off by a hail of gunfire and muffled yelling. Once there’s another break, both of them open their mouths to speak, but the swordsman is faster. “Ryo, you were about to collapse after running here with your armor on. Take a step off of the sake and onto a treadmill.”

 

“Catwalk clear. No movement.”

 

“Vic, report!”

 

“All corners cold, we’re clear.”

 

“One detainee, non-compliant but disarmed. Zip-tying.”

 

“First of all, kid, stepping off of the sake would be an affront to the Aojiroi’s name and culture!” Ryo says while sticking a finger towards Wise’s face. “I’ll chalk up your disrespect towards Hoshimi culture to your young age and lack of education, but if Miyabi doesn’t yank on your leash when this is over and teach you some manners then I’ll have to-“

 

“Oh, look at that! Seems like Hana and the Aka have cleared that room.” Wise interrupts while standing from his place on the bench and dusting off his clothes. After grabbing his sword and checking what little gear he has, he quickly steps towards and through the ruined threshold of where a door once stood.

 

“Get your ass back here, Byakko, I’m not done talking yet!” Ryo yells as he leaps off of the bench to follow the swordsman. The sounds made by his loosely assembled armor as he runs is akin to every pot and pan in a kitchen banging together at once.

 

Wise steps out of the previous room and into what was a warzone just moments ago. Several intruders armed with thick winter jackets and a variety of firearms lay sprawled out across the two story room. If he’s to be honest with himself, he’s damn impressed with the aftermath. He never would have suspected the Aka to operate like the special forces inside of HAND. It seems the Hoshimi family has a few more pleasant surprises up its sleeve.

 

Wise certainly wouldn’t mind more of those.

 

“Hana, how’s it going?” The swordsman asks while making his way slowly down the center of the room. His head swivels between either side as he continues studying the battle’s aftermath.

 

The short Hoshimi girl bows deeply and returns to her full height less than a second later. “Byakko! The room has been cleared. All intruders have been killed with the exception of one survivor we are taking into custody. No friendly casualties. We are thankful for the honor of fighting on your behalf for Lady Miyabi .” She answers clearly with a hint of pride in her voice.

 

All around them, the three members of her team work quickly to secure the intruder’s weapons and ensure there aren’t any more threats. Even while they move their eyes stay fixed on Wise and Hana’s conversation. Specifically, their collective gaze lingers on the towering form of the swordsman.

 

With a quick series of glances, Wise meets all of their eyes one by one. Although all of the team members are focused, he can see different emotions lingering in the details of their expressions and demeanor. Fear, trepidation, a hint of lingering shock from the sudden attack on their home can be seen on one or more of them. However, only one emotion is present on each and every one of them as they gaze at the swordsman.

 

Hope.

 

Wise sighs deeply before refocusing on his conversation with Hana. “Excellent work. We shouldn’t spend any more time here than we need to. Miyabi and the other branch leaders could be in danger at any second.” He insists with a hint of urgency in his voice.

 

Hana nods with all seriousness before responding. “Of course! We await your orders, Byakko. Command us however you wish.”

 

Wise silently considers his options for several moments as his fingers fiddle with the handle of his sword. “I would like you to take command, Hana. This is your home and these are your warriors. I trust you to make the right decisions.” He says with a reassuring smile.

 

Hana stands in stunned silence for several long moments, her ears twitching spastically the entire time. “I… I will do whatever is necessary to drive these intruders from our home, Byakko. Your trust has not been misplaced!” She yells in response before bowing deeply and running to collect her team.

 

Ryo takes several steps forward to stand next to Wise as they watch the short Hoshimi girl go about her task. “I’m beginning to understand why Miyabi chose you.” He says idly.

 

Wise turns to look at him with a confused expression before responding. “What are you talking about?”

 

“You’re strong, nobody can doubt that much.” Ryo answers without taking his eyes off of the other Hoshim, something akin to pride glistening in his veridian gaze. “But you’re not afraid to ask for help or rely on your team. It’s an admirable set of qualities.”

 

“Well uh… thanks, Ryo. I appreciate it.” Wise says nervously while rubbing the back of his neck. Although not quite certain how to respond to praise from the exile, it makes him happy nonetheless.

 

“I sure hope I’ll be calling you nephew instead of Byakko next time you come to visit, ey?” Ryo says with a large grin on his face. One of his plated arms elbows Wise in the ribs a moment later to drive home the point.

 

Wise rolls his eyes and steps towards the door to the dojo, pointedly ignoring the older man’s jab. “Let’s worry about making sure Miyabi is alive before planning the wedding.” He says in a semi-serious tone while inspecting the large, ornate door.

 

“Byakko. My warriors are ready to breach into the dojo. Will you and Ryo be joining us in this battle?” Hana asks curiously from the other side of the doorway. Arranged around the young Hoshimi is her squad, each of them displaying a cold yet controlled fury on their faces. Although they are trying hard not to show it, Wise can tell that they are very eager to get moving and rescue their Lady.

 

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Wise says with a small smile while falling in line next to Hana, his boots and heavy weight making the weathered floor panels creak and groan with every step.

 

A clanking of metal follows Ryo as he takes up a similar position, fist bumping one of the Aka that he recognizes before coming to a stop and unsheathing his naginata.

 

“We are lucky to have you, Byakko. Let’s go save our family and retake this castle together!” Hana yells before raising one of her fists in the air. Fierce pride burns inside of her red eyes as she turns to look at her warriors one by one.

 

The Aka cheer with her and fall in line next to the door, waiting for their leader to give the word to breach.

 

“All stations, sound check. Vic, give me a situation report.” Hana says while leaning against the wall on the right of the door.

 

“Perimeter secure, safe to proceed.” Another woman says from across the door. Although bearing the red eyes of a female Hoshimi, she possesses none of the Thiren features. 

 

“Copy. Minho, ready status?” Hana asks an older man standing at the rear of the stack. In his hands is a compact submachine gun while his back is carrying a heavy backpack. The Red Cross emblazoned on its surface gives a clear indication of the warrior’s role.

 

“Green across the board. All operators are nominal. No pre-med required.” The medic replies in a calm voice.

 

“Copy. Yosuke, check the entry.” Hana commands another, much younger man on the other side of the door frame. He is short in stature with flint gray eyes and fox ears indicative of Hoshimi blood. He seems to be wearing the most armor of anyone in the group. In his hands is a shotgun, polished to a mirror sheen and adorned with a shell rack on its side.

 

Yosuke crouches and leans towards the door, inspecting it carefully before responding. “Wood panel overlaid on a steel frame. No external traps visible. Hinge integrity intact. Recommend internal breach; push or thermite.”

 

“Copy. Ramirez, prep controlled entry. No over pressure; retain door frame integrity.” Hana orders the final member of her squad. A tall man with dark skin steps forward. He is carrying a multitude of equipment, including two satchels, a backpack, and a compact submachine gun. 

 

The operator reaches into one of them and pulls out a small device before attaching it to the left side of the door. “Yes ma’am. Lacing flex-therm strip. Left hinge, horizontal cut. Timer zero-delay, no bang. Green to go on your mark.” He says quietly before falling back into formation.

 

“Copy. Team stack, combat spacing, tight wedge. Yosuke leads. Byakko trail right, Ryo trail left. Vic, on me, we’re covering them. Minho float. Rapid collapse on contact. Weapons tight, identify before pulling the trigger, we don’t know if they have taken any of us as hostages.” Hana orders while giving a series of hand signals to her squad, who shuffle into slightly different positions with extreme ease. “Remember, we’re expecting a heavy enemy presence. The dojo is their goal and they will be fighting to the death to defend it. Stay calm, don’t hesitate, no heroics.”

 

Wise watches in silence, pre-battle butterflies fluttering through his stomach and impressed by the group’s efficiency and professionalism. It seems like the Hoshimi have been training a private army out in these mountains for decades and lending them out to the highest bidder. There’s only one thing he can say for certain.

 

He is very happy they’re on his side.

 

“Final comms check. Go.” Hana orders.

 

“Vic up.”

 

“Yosuke green. Door tensioned, ready to push.” 

 

“Ramirez hot. Charge primed and ready for your go.”

 

“Minho standing, backline green.”

 

“Ryo set.”

 

“Byakko, ready.” Wise says quietly. Slowly, he unsheathes his sword from his back and gets into a low crouch, ready to dash forward at the drop of a hat. He undoes the clasp on the holster attached to his left hip. The swordsman closes his eyes followed by one breath, a second, and finally third is taken before his eyes open again. His mind is now as sharp as his blade and ready to confront however many enemies may stand between himself and Miyabi.

 

“Go!” Hana says in a much louder voice as she flicks the safety off of her weapon.

 

Ramirez presses the button on his trigger and the thermite flares to life. A waterfall of sparks cascades and illuminates the otherwise darkened room where the team eagerly waits. After only two seconds, the sparks stop.

 

Yosuke reaches his hand out and pushes on the door. As if in slow motion, the ancient wood teeters and begins falling inwards into the dojo. However, the pointman steps forward and shoves the wood onto the floor before gravity can finish its job.

 

“Pushing in! Left side, clear corner!” Yosuke yells with his shotgun raised.

 

Wise pushes out immediately behind the point man and banks right, holding out his sword to prepare for an onslaught of enemies.

 

The only thing to meet his gaze is the familiar yet empty interior of the dojo.

 

“Corners are cold. Holding forward security.” Yosuke says in a calm voice.

 

“Left clear.” Ryo yells from several meters away. The exile is holding his naginata in front of him as his green eyes slowly scan the room ahead.

 

“Right clear.” Wise yells out in response.

 

“Rear wall clear, negative movement.” Ramirez says from just behind him.”

 

“Interior clear. No wounded.” Minho echoes from the doorway they just breached.

 

“Collapse stack and establish a perimeter. Check blind spots and identify anything out of place.” Hana orders after lowering her gun.

 

“No shell cases, no drag marks, no signs of a scuffle.” Yosuke mutters.

 

“Can’t smell anything that would indicate explosives. No cordite or residual blast residue. Negative on any improvised explosive devices as well.” Ramirez notes in a slightly disappointed tone.

 

“The door we breached was unbarricaded. The mats are undisturbed. No field equipment like comms or supplies.” Vic notes with confusion while looking at the fallen wooden door. “It’s staged or recently abandoned.”

 

Wise lowers his sword and glances around as well. His mechanical eyes kick into thermal mode and scan the floor below. Small splotches of yellow and green fill his vision in the form of footprints. “Ambient floor temperature is warm. Couldn’t have been more than five or ten minutes since people were last here.” The swordsman’s eyes linger on the spot where he dueled the Gurē patriarch only weeks ago. After only a moment he tears his gaze away to resume his sweep.

 

“Not a single body, shell casing, bandage, anything. It’s unusual.” Minho notes casually.

 

Hana nods her head in agreement before responding. “Agreed. This place was abandoned deliberately, we were allowed to take it.”

 

“Or baited into it.” Wise notes before gritting his teeth in frustration.

 

“Oh… oh no no no. This can’t be right.” Ryo mutters from across the room, his voice carrying a slight note of panic. “How is this possible?”

 

The entire team simultaneously raises their guns and makes his way to the exile’s location. Every member checks a different location to cover a full three hundred and sixty degrees.

 

“Ryo, what’s going on?” Wise asks quietly, his sword raised into the air and ready to strike a moment’s notice.

 

“Byakko… the tree.” Ryo says with a shaky voice.

 

Wise glances towards the only form of natural light flooding the room, his eyes rapidly scanning the area for anything out of place. All at once, every atom of air leaves his lungs as his blood turns to ice in his veins. The swordsman opens his mouth to speak, only for his heart to skip a beat and make him choke back a strangled word.

 

Ryo lowers his naginata to the floor, its blade striking the polished wood of the dojo with a hollow thud. His viridian eyes slowly trace the spiraling form of a staircase starting from the green grass below the tree. Up and up it goes, concentric circles ascending upwards until disappearing into the almost blinding sunlight above. Despite his shock, the exile is able to choke out a single sentence.

 

“The path to the ceremonial chambers has already been opened.”

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Sorry this took so long to get out.

Next chapter is the part 4 finale. Buckle up.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editors BioTheDemon, FlamingValkyrie, and precioussmolbean for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

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Chapter 34: For Whom The Bell Tolls

Summary:

Wise, Hana, and Ryo confront the force behind the attack on Kitsune No Ana. Hidden truths are brought to light and battle lines are drawn.

“How… no this can’t be right. The security was supposed to be completely unbreakable.”

 

Ryo mutters to himself, his green eyes staring unblinkingly at the staircase leading upwards to the ceremonial chambers. Every wooden step of the staircase is perfectly spaced and even, the alcoves from which they folded from towering upwards and upwards into the bright sunlight above as if leading towards heaven itself. All the while, the sakura tree below is surrounded by the very beginnings of that path which seem to have sprang up from the soil below. Clumps of dirt laden with grass suggest that this particular path hasn’t been open in quite some time; most likely since Souichiro’s ascension to the head of the Hoshimi clan.

 

“It's broken now, no point in dwelling on how it was broken while Miyabi and the other Hoshimi leaders are in danger.” Wise says in a tone carrying both notes of concern and urgency. Cold panic and dread fill his mind as he stares at the biometric scanner embedded in the tree. There’s only one thing he can know for certain.

 

They beat me here but it’s not too late… it can’t be…

 

Leaning against one of the crates of supplies brought into the dojo by the intruders is an assault rifle that Wise recognizes as a standard Defense Force model. After returning his sword to its scabbard he reaches down and grabs it, checking the chamber and seeing a bullet already loaded inside. He shoulders the rifle and walks towards the first step only for Ryo to blow past him and begin taking the steps two at a time.

 

“You bastards! Which one of you ungrateful Hoshimi swine betrayed me and opened this goddamn path?!” The exile bellows as he bounds up the stairs with his naginata raised at the ready. Each bounding step he takes to climb towards the slim rays of sunlight fills the cavern with the sounds of his rattling armor. The cacophony of rage filled screams and clanging metal exacerbates just how quickly the situation is spiraling out of control.

 

Wise reaches to grab the rigging on the back of his armor but his fingers only close around empty air, his heart clenching with cold terror at the same time as his fist. “Ryo! Wait for the rest of us!” He yells hopelessly, his pleas for self control falling upon deaf fox ears whose forms are pressed flat against the exile’s head as a display of the turbulent emotions surging through his mind.

 

“We can’t let him go alone, come on!” Wise says with a wave of his hand towards the Aka squad, the motion causing his injured shoulder to ache with pain. Not waiting for their response, he shoots off to climb the stairs in bounding leaps, skipping multiple steps along the way. Each sound of his boot striking the dilapidated wood staircase sounds like the ticking of a clock in his head. They have been in a race against time since the intruders first began attacking Kitsune No Ana, he knew that much, but the sinking feeling in Wise’s chest tells him that the grains of sand in that hourglass are down to almost nothing. It’s getting increasingly hard not to think about what will happen when that last grain falls.

 

The swordsman can hear Hana yell a series of commands to her squad that he can’t quite make out before several more sets of footsteps begin making their way up the staircase directly behind him. With all the things that have gone wrong today, Wise couldn’t be more grateful to have them watching his back. They’re no Section 6, that’s for sure, but they’re pretty damn close.

 

For someone who struggled running a few hundred meters earlier in the day, Ryo is having surprisingly little difficulty surmounting the countless stair steps winding their way up the tunnel. Wise is able to keep up but only barely as he splits his attention towards following the exile but keeping his rifle raised in case of an ambush, if that is actually what is waiting for them at the peak of the mountain. Against his will, his mind begins conjuring up possibilities for what may be waiting for him at the top. 

 

Maybe Miyabi and the other Hoshimi’s will be standing triumphantly over a pile of defeated enemies, entirely safe and not requiring any help in the slightest. Wise shoots that idea down quickly even though he desperately wants it to be true. Their enemy is cunning, organized, and always seems to be two steps ahead. Surely they wouldn’t commit to a move as daring as raiding Kitsune No Ana without a rock solid plan. Going through all the trouble of climbing this mountain only to be slaughtered once reaching their objective doesn’t seem likely in the slightest. The last time Sarah and her cronies made a move against him, the groundwork they laid out must have taken months or even years to perfect and ended with Miyabi turning him into an Ether infused shishkebab against her will.

 

Wise shakes his head, forcing his speculative thoughts to come to a screeching halt, turning his attention to study his surroundings instead. The shaft itself is composed of ancient brick and mortar that Wise would expect in a museum rather than a fortress like Kitsune No Ana. Green vines and weeds line its surface like arteries, tracing their own path towards the scarce sunlight that granted them life within the otherwise darkened fortress. Their paths are only interrupted by hollow alcoves in which the stairs first lie in wait, waiting only for the switch within the sakura tree to give them the signal.

 

“Ryo, you need to slow down! We don’t know what’s waiting for us up there!” Wise begs one final time as the end of the staircase finally comes into view, but to no avail. His heart skips a beat as Ryo mounts the final step of the shaft and disappears from his view. Swearing under his breath, he follows quickly behind the exile and leaps over the final five steps and into whatever is waiting for him above. A harsh ray of light binds Wise momentarily, causing his mechanical eyes to automatically adjust and bathe the room in a monochromatic spectrum before slowly returning color to his surroundings…

 

Just in time to see an intruder jump from behind a large boulder and strike Ryo in the back of the head with the butt of his rifle.

 

A quick yelp of pain echoes off of the stone walls of the chamber before the exile falls to the floor in a heap, his armor rattling like a heap of empty cans suddenly tossed onto the cold, hard ground. His naginata tumbles forward end over end several times before finally coming to a rest at the feet of several armed men; one of which scoops up the weapons and stashes it on his back to ensure it can’t be used. Several more enemy soldiers rush forward, half of which point their weapons at the unconscious Ryo while the others point theirs squarely at the shocked swordsman.

 

Wise raises his rifle towards the figure that struck Ryo, his vision clouding over with red fury, and puts his head directly in the center of the rifle’s sights. He’s outnumbered to a hopeless degree, but the only thing worse than getting gunned down where he stands is allowing his friend’s attacker to go unpunished. Wise’s training takes over and his finger reaches to squeeze the trigger only for a familiar voice to cut through the silence and send a dagger made of ice through his heart.

 

 

“Astraeus, wait!”

 

 

Time slows as all the blood drains from Wise’s face. The sounds of the enemy soldiers yelling at him to drop his weapon drops to a low thrum of noise that’s nothing more than unintelligible gibberish. All he can hear is the beating of his heart which is growing more and more rapid by the moment, a thunderous drum that seems to shake him and his surroundings with every deafening beat. His shaking hands slowly lower the rifle and his finger leaves the trigger. Slowly and reluctantly, he turns his head to look for the owner of the voice.

 

From his position at the top of the winding path from the sakura tree, the ceremonial chambers stretch out in front of him. A large hill rests in the center of the perfectly circular chamber, its slopes lined with gently rolling grass and dirt. Verdant and numerous trees decorate the landscape with colorful birds chirping to one another and flying from branch to branch. A colossal staircase wide enough for twenty or more men to walk side by side rises in that direction, only stopping for two small, flat landings and a large shrine at the apex of the chamber’s summit. Instead of the artificial lighting present in the rest of Kitsune No Ana, a large globe composed of mirrors and similar in construction to a disco ball hangs just above the shrine and shines nearly as brightly as the sun itself; no doubt utilizing the natural and unrestricted light of the celestial body available due to the mountain’s great heights reaching above the cloud cover.

 

It’s beautiful and otherworldly, seemingly impossible in its construction yet nonetheless defiant in the face of reality. A transition from a cold and dank tunnel to a sunny, warm, and picturesque countryside. Ryo’s pride in his home suddenly makes a lot more sense to the swordsman. If it weren’t for the stone walls surrounding them, a visitor would have suspected they stepped out of a mountain and into the sunny and grassy plains just outside of New Eridu.

 

Wise is jerked from his pleasant sightseeing with a violent jolt when he spots the sound of the voice. Jenkins stands atop the second landing of the wide stairs with his hands bound behind his back. His face is as pale as a sheet, dripping with more sweat than the sudden heat of the chamber could explain. Arrayed on the cold stone around him are his weapons, an unassuming handgun and compact submachine gun that must have been gifted by the Aka due to the sudden invasion. Despite the fear present on his face, manifesting as dilated pupils and trembling lips, the swordsman spots signs that the young soldier has not yet abandoned his will to fight. His legs are tense, wound like springs ready to leap into action should an opportunity present itself, while his eyes dart between his captors to search for such a weakness that could provide such an opportunity.

 

Jenkins’ captors are arranged all around him; what Wise counts as well over forty heavily armed intruders. Several of them have their weapons pointed squarely at his friend or soon to be betrayer. The men’s fingers are squarely on the triggers with the safeties off as to not give the slightest semblance of care for whoever is unlucky enough to be on the receiving end. A quick search of the stairs leaves one question that lingers on Wise’s mind.

 

Where the hell is Reiko…

 

His train of thought leads to a much darker realization that makes his heart skip a few beats.

 

Jenkins isn’t with the rest of the prisoners… Why…?

 

The thought of the other Hoshimis spurs on a  further but rushed scanning of the chamber reveals that painted on each wall are colorful depictions of various scenes. Some contain armored warriors with swords and Thiren features fighting against all manner of men and beasts while others are more tranquil paintings of foxes and other woodland creatures running amidst trees and bushes. On the armor of each painted warrior is the crest which is proudly emblazoned upon the breastplate of the now unconscious Ryo: a simplistic painting of a mountain featuring a sakura tree in full bloom directly in its center. The crest which the swordsman once found striking but inane now becomes almost prophetic in its clarity.

 

“Astraeus! Throw down your weapons or you will regret it!” One of the intruders who seems to hold a position of authority yells while jamming the barrel of his handgun into Jenkins’ temple. The loud voice and cold steel causes the young soldier to noticeably wince and draw his raised arms closer to his head in a vain attempt to cover his ears. A quick, wordless pistol whip from the commander causes his arms to shoot back up into the air, his pale hands trembling all the while. The quick motion reveals an odd symbol painted in gold emblazoned on the intruder’s plate carrier; one that Wise quickly identifies as the cracked globe belonging to the Sons of Atlas.  

 

Reluctantly, Wise tears the sights of his weapon away from the man who knocked Ryo unconscious. The swordsman contemplates his options for less than a second before throwing his rifle onto the stone floor, the clattering noises of the weapon filling the deadly silence of the ceremonial chambers before sliding to a stop. Not wanting to risk the life of Jenkins when there’s so much left unknown, he reaches upwards and undoes the buckle securing his sword’s scabbard as well. With his disarmament complete he raises his hands into the air as a gesture of surrender.

 

“Alright, I surrender. Just don’t harm the hostages.” Wise yells up at the commander before kicking his sword even further away from himself to emphasize the point. Despite his best efforts he is unable to contain the hateful sneer that makes its way onto his face as he waits for an answer. Only barely can he unclench his jaw and stop his teeth from grinding together. What reassurances he whispers into his own mind to remind himself that now is not a good time to lose his temper are quickly being drowned by the red waves of anger threatening to overwhelm him.

 

Two masked intruders quickly make their way down the staircase and collect his weapons, strapping them to their respective combat riggings so their hands are still available. One of them quickly ties the swordsman’s hands behind his back with a coarse strand of rope. Once the weapons are secure they run towards the unconscious form of Ryo and assist the man who ambushed him in carrying the exile back up the stairs towards Jenkins. One of the men complains all the while about how heavy their burden is as they slowly make their way upwards. Grunts of exertion and the rattling of armor fill the tense space between the surrendered and intruder.

 

“You’re a reasonable man, Astraeus; I always had a lot of respect for you when I served. At the very least it’s to know my faith in you wasn’t misplaced. Unlike the rest of the federal cronies in HAND.” The commander says, spitting out the last word like some vile insult. He quickly removes the cold barrel of his handgun from Jenkins’ temple and returns it to the holster hidden on his lower back. Several quick hand signals from the masked commander follow causing his men to move to either side of the staircase.

 

The Sons of Atlas leader eventually steps to the side as well, leaving only two of his men sporting the same crest as him flanking Jenkins’ on either side while standing in the newly created pathway to the shrine. With a humble half-bow and hand gesture, the commander points towards said path and speaks. “Now, please accompany Private Jenkins up to the shrine so we can peacefully negotiate our terms. Should you and the Hoshimi remain peaceful then nobody else has to die today. I urge you to keep that in mind.”

 

How does he know Jenkins’ name…?

 

Wise can actively feel his face turning red with anger as the masked intruder continues talking, the doubts about him knowing the Private’s identity shoved to the side. He couldn’t think of a thing in the world he would want less than the respect of a terrorist that has taken many of his friends hostage. With great effort he pushes the anger down, throwing the commander one last visage of bared teeth before regaining control of his emotions. The sudden clarity brings to the forefront of his mind something he forgot much too quickly; that same clarity quickly builds into a budding sense of hope and reignites the fading embers of determination. There might be a way out of this after all.

 

“Hana. I don’t know if you can hear me, but stay hidden. There’s about forty intruders on the landing above the tunnel and you’ll be mowed down if you move now. Wait for my signal then go.” Wise mutters under his breath. The volume of his voice is much too quiet for the men on the landing above to hear. But, if Miyabi is any indication, a well trained fox Thiren hiding in the entrance tunnel may be able to hear him. Emboldened by little more than blind faith, he takes a step toward the staircase, but not before saying one last thing. “If you can, give me a sign that you heard me.”

 

“I get that you’re scared. But seriously, trying to mutter reassurances to yourself is just pathetic. I thought you were supposed to be tough.” One of the intruders says as the swordsman reaches the first step on the massive staircase.

 

Wise slowly lowers his head to look at the man who spoke, towering over him by what must be more than a foot. Cold, emotionless disdain emanates from his ice blue eyes as he regards the man with no more respect than one would an annoying insect. Without sparing the man a second thought he diverts his attention back towards the shrine waiting for him at the top of the hill. The intruder audibly gulps before laying a clammy hand on Wise’s forearm and begins guiding him up the stairs.

 

Eventually, they reach the first landing where the majority of the intruders are standing. Wise can feel what seems like a hundred pairs of eyes on him as he steps onto the flattened surface pathed with perfectly even stones. Among that sea of glances, one stands out in particular, different in every way in its familiarity yet no less comforting.

 

“Sir… I’m glad to see you’re alright. I was worried.” Jenkins says, staring agape at Wise as he is paraded past him. His golden eyes are dilated with only a sliver of his iris remaining in a pool of obsidian. He throws a tentative and shaky smile at the swordsman as if it would make both of them feel better about the situation they now share.

 

When Wise does not respond, what little remains of Jenkins' demeanor drops as his skin grows even paler in the bright light of the chamber. He mouths several words but no sound comes out. Finally, the young soldier forces out words while his golden eyes slowly wet with unshed tears. “Mister Astraeus, I…”

 

Wise regards him coldly, the intensity of his glare cutting off whatever words were about to follow as he focuses on studying his demeanor. Jenkins is panicked, that much is for certain, and on the verge of breaking down entirely. The clammy skin and dilated eyes aren’t something one can easily fake without years of practice and training. But does that mean that Yanagi was wrong about his involvement in the conspiracy present inside of HAND? His instincts scream at him to believe in the young soldier with every fiber of his character joining in on the reassuring chorus. But, some deep pit in the bowels of his mind born from both the repeated betrayals of his past, not to mention his at best tenuous understanding of the events going on around him, quiets the dissenting voices. As much as he wants to believe differently, Jenkins cannot be trusted right now; and, if he’s to be honest, nobody in this God forsaken mountain except Miyabi could be. With an effort more painful than pulling teeth he tears his gaze away from Jenkins with one last cold glare.

 

A quiet sob from where he knows the young soldier is standing almost breaks what willpower the swordsman has left to not turn around and fight. But, whether or not that final act of cold indifference from Wise was enough to break Jenkins completely or convince him that more extreme measures of deception would be required, he resigns himself to his steady march upwards to the shrine.

 

Click… click…

 

Wise pauses mid-step, leaving his boot hovering in the air over the perfectly carved rock of the staircase. He slowly swivels his head backwards to glance at Jenkins who is now holding his head in his hands, trying desperately to hide his face from his captors as sobs wrack his body. The swordsman’s eyes eventually lock onto the radio attached to the young soldier’s belt. Like clockwork, the radio’s light turns on and off twice in quick succession followed by a long pause after which it repeats.

 

The radio must be from the Aka, but who would be trying to send a signal… 

 

Wise barely contains the shocked expression that immediately tries to make its way onto his face.

 

“Hey, don’t stop moving, you HAND scum.” The intruder escorting him says as he yanks on Wise’s arm, forcing him to begin climbing the stairs once again.

 

“Sorry about that, couldn’t help but check and see if that guy pissed his pants yet.” Wise mutters in response. He allows his mouth to twist into a quick yet smug grin before quickly returning his face to the previously neutral expression it held.

 

The intruder makes a noise of affirmation and amusement in his throat but speaks no further. Behind them, Wise can hear Jenkins and his own escort begin climbing the stairs as well, followed shortly by the metal rattling of Ryo’s unconscious form immediately behind them.

 

A second man with the Sons of Atlas logo sewn onto his clothes quickly joins and begins walking abreast to the swordsman. Unlike his counterpart he avoids grabbing onto Astraeus and focuses on holding a bulky assault rifle with both of his hands. “H-Hey, don’t insult him D-Derek.” The intruder says with a shaky and much younger sounding voice.

 

Wise turns his head to regard the second man with a curious gaze. He’s tall, not quite as much as the swordsman but still much more than a normal man, and skinny as a twig to boot. Judging on the voice and demeanor alone he would put the intruder’s age somewhere around his early twenties or perhaps even younger. The most disturbing detail however is the small charm hanging from the military backpack he is wearing. The distinct cyan and gunmetal gray of his very own sword, a popular piece of Astraeus merchandise sold by HAND to raise funds.

 

The sight fills Wise with a tidal wave of emotions that overwhelm what thin veil of calm he had forced over his mind earlier. This intruder had invaded the home of someone he loved and may have personally killed members of her family. Not to mention the fact that he is currently pointing his assault rifle at the chest of the swordsman he so casually wears a piece of merchandise of. It disgusts him, making him want to throw up what little is present in his stomach, consisting entirely of sake drunk in the long distant calm of Ryo’s cellar only an hour ago. Red hot and boiling anger slowly cools around an icy core slowly building in the back of his mind consisting entirely of cold, calculated cunning. The presence of the charm represents a threat to Wise’s character and place in the world as he understands it. But, outside of that, it also represents…

 

An opportunity.

 

“The charm on your backpack. One of mine?” Wise asks casually, whatever anger he felt earlier now fully suppressed to the recesses of his mind. When the young soldier gives him a questioning look he responds with a casual nod towards the object in question.

 

The young man’s eyes begin to widen with surprise. Underneath the wooly black balaclava on his face, he swears he can see the intruder’s lips curl into a small smile. 

 

“O-oh… yeah! I was uh… a b-big fan of yours when I was enlisted.” The man says in a stuttering voice while rubbing his neck sheepishly.

 

“Ah, I see.” Wise responds with a forced smile that he hopes looks genuine. “Did you get out recently?”

 

The masked man’s expression drops and his eyes move to stare at the stone stairs below. “WWell… yeah. One of my, uhm, psyche e-evals came back with results that the D-D-Defense Force didn’t like so they k-kicked me out.” The man mutters almost to himself.

 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Wise says, this time with a bit of genuine emotion coloring his tone. The man is clearly unwell and seeing him in such a state does fill him with a sense of pity. “Was joining the Sons of Atlas really the best call, though?”

 

The first guard attached to Wise’s arm turns to his compatriot and warns. “Isaac, you shouldn’t be-“

 

“Well, uhm, after I got d-discharged they offered to give me medications to c-control what’s… what’s wrong with me.” The now named Isaac says before swallowing heavily, unfettered by his companion’s objections. One of his gloved hands comes up to scratch at his neck which is hidden under the balaclava. “All the… all of the pharmaceutical companies are owned by T-T-TOPS now and there’s no way I c-could afford it on my own… since I got d-discharged early I don’t have any sort of b-benefits, so…”

 

The young man trails off as they hit the second landing on the staircase leaving only one final stretch until they reach the shrine waiting for them at the very top.

 

“Johann Godfrey gave people like us a second chance that the government and military stole.” Derek says in a tone dripping with venom, picking up where Isaac left off. “When I get my hands on Section 9, they will pay dearly for killing him. Them and every soulless wretch in TOPS.”

 

Wise blinks several times as they begin climbing the final stairs to the shrine. They don't know that it was actually him that killed Johann Godfrey? Just how many lies had been fed to these people? Is there anything that they know that's actually true? Who wrangled all of these groups together so perfectly that they remain blind to the truth? The only person he can think of is-

 

“Lady Sarah. Astraeus and Ryo have been captured and brought to you as requested.” Derek says confidently as he pushes Wise forward, causing him to trap and fall onto the cold polished wood of the shrine’s floor.

 

After a quick moment of tumbling he finally slides to a stop on the floor, his injured shoulder screaming with pain and causing his vision to spin and blur.

 

“Wise!”

 

“Astraeus!”

 

Several voices echo out inside of the small shrine accompanied by multiple pairs of footsteps. Even without raising his head, he can tell who the first pair of hands belong to the instant they make contact with his skin. Their small forms and slender digits gently rest themselves upon his shoulders as if tentatively trying to grasp if he’s really there.

 

“You idiot… why do you always manage to get yourself hurt?” A familiar and feminine voice asks, cutting through the ringing in his ears like a ray of sunshine through a dim morning sky.

 

Wise slowly raises his head before locking eyes with Miyabi. A thousand strong emotions fill his mind at once with that of relief overpowering the others. Every doubt he had about not making it in time fades away under the radiance of her small smile. It’s shaky and fraught with worry, but the swordsman is grateful he is able to see it at all. Her striking red eyes roam over his form and linger on his shoulder, dried blood and small specks of rock dot the area where the falling chunk of Ryo’s cave crushed against him. The flowing white fabric of her ceremonial robes creases as she leans forward to take a closer look. 

 

“It looks worse than it is, I promise.” Putting on his best reassuring smile, Wise continues. “A little scratch like this isn’t enough to stop me from reaching you.”

 

Miyabi lets out a small laugh mixed with a sob. The tears welling in her eyes finally spill over before she leans her body against his in a rough approximation of an embrace, hindered by the rope tying her hands together in front of her. Despite the quick desperation of the embrace, she’s careful to avoid putting pressure on his injured shoulder.

 

Wise closes his eyes and reciprocates the embrace, allowing himself to melt into her touch. The steady beating of her heart against his chest it’s a constant reassurance that he was able to reach her in time. Now that they were back together, maybe things were going to be alright after all.

 

Next to him, he can hear Reiko gently address Jenkins as well, whispering words of concern in a tone too low for him to make out clearly. 

 

“Touching, really.” A feminine mocking tone says. “But we do have business to attend to. It’s rude to ignore your guests like this.”

 

The voice washes over Wise’s mind like a bucket of ice cold water, snapping him out of the warm moment and plunging him headfirst into reality. He can feel Miyabi go stiff in his arms and her breathing doubles in pace. The steady and reassuring drumbeat of her heart has crescendoed into a panicked, frenzied thumping. They slowly and reluctantly separate and make their way to their feet. Putting aside the growing rage that’s causing his skin to warm, he studies the woman that’s taken so much from both him and Miyabi.

 

The interior of the shrine is simplistic but not lacking for subtle decoration. Simple wooden paneling covers the floor overtop which lies a multitude of padded cushions for its occupants to kneel on. Hanging from the walls are various woven tapestries mimicking the painted walls of the cave outside. Tranquil scenes of nature and wildlife are interspersed with more dramatic depictions of Hoshimi warriors in combat. No matter where one goes in Kitsune No Ana, the pride of the clan is visible in every minute detail with the artistic pieces being the most pronounced of all. Several small windows composed of thin paper and wood are shuttered, cutting off their vision of whatever may be going on outside the small yet comfortable building.

 

Similar to the hill outside, the single entryway is the lowest part of the structure, climbing upwards and upwards with multiple stairs and landings; each of them containing padded cushions along with small tables rising only to one’s shin in height. At the apex of the summit lies roaring flames contained by two metal braziers flanking a massive chunk of marble. The white stone is intricately carved with the same fox motifs as the rest of the Hoshimi architecture. Carved into the top of the rock are two prongs meant to hold onto a sword, most likely Tailless if Wise had to guess. That is, if Sarah wasn’t already clutching the sword in one of her pale hands. 

 

Dark green eyes radiate a smoldering veridian fury that seems to pierce through the body and soul of whoever is unfortunate enough to find themselves on the receiving end. Flanking her on either side are two heavily armored and armed Assault Gunners. Each of their many weapons glow with threatening malice even in the relatively dim candlelight of the shrine. Painted on their chest is an emblem not belonging to the Sons of Atlas nor any other organization that Wise is familiar with: an infinity symbol with two short lines intersecting at its center, painted in a crimson so dark that it could be mistaken as blood. Kneeling at the feet of these towering soldiers are the rest of the Hoshimi patriarchs and matriarchs, their eyes wide with fear.

 

“Not going to say anything, Astraeus?” Sarah says with a sneer after a few moments.

 

“How did you manage to get into the ceremonial chambers?! This area is unknown to outsiders and more protected than almost anywhere in New Eridu!” Reiko yells from several meters away. Her long black hair, usually tied into an intricate style, is messy and partially singed. The earlier fighting has clearly taken a toll on the Aka. At her side, Jenkins’ golden eyes are emptily staring at the polished wooden floor, seemingly oblivious to everything going on around him.

 

A thin smile sharper than even Tailless forms on Sarah’s face as she glances down at Reiko from her perch. “Getting in was the easy part. The only variable we had difficulty accounting for was the time at which the ceremony would take place. Luckily, we had some help from the inside.” She says mockingly, as if intentionally leaving the true culprit vague in order to further fray the Hoshimi's already stretched nerves.

 

“What… that’s not… you’re lying!” Reiko says in disbelief. After only being met by silence, she slowly turns her gaze to look at each branch leader in turn, as if searching their bodies for any semblance of guilt. Wise can practically see the gears turning in her head as she parses through the potential offenders within her own family one by one. However, after only a few moments, her fiery red eyes slowly glance towards the only occupants of the castle to have recently arrived.

 

Wise can feel her laser-like gaze tearing through his body and soul as she searches his demeanor for any sign of betrayal or hesitance. Even after finding nothing that would suggest such a thing, she checks him over again, with the whole room holding its breath in anticipation. Atop her stolen throne, Sarah watches with bated anticipation, finding some sick form of satisfaction in the young warrior’s growing dread and distrust. Finally, after finding no semblance of guilt on the swordsman’s pained expression, she simply begins to stare at the polished wood floor beneath her feet.

 

“You… wouldn’t do that… right Wallace?” Reiko asks, her eyes not deviating even a centimeter from where they bore into the shrine’s floor. Her body is tense, almost impossibly so. Her shoulders are drawn tight with her arms pressed against the burnt and damaged threads of her red Aka suit and blazer. A small and almost imperceptible sheen of liquid begins to collect in her ruby red eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. After only a few seconds more of silence, her bottom lip begins to tremble slightly. 

 

Wise has never so strongly wished that his mechanical eyes lacked a zoom feature that allowed him to view the collapse of a man he once called a friend in such clear detail.

 

For the first time since entering the shrine, Jenkins stirs from his frozen state. He raises his gloved hands which once held his weapon, intensifying his glare as if the digits themselves could answer the question posed by the young Hoshimi. “I… would never do something like that.”

 

All at once, the thin dam that was holding his mind together finally breaks under the strain. Golden eyes shimmer before spilling over with tears. Fat droplets of salty water fall onto the sturdy leather of the gloves, the sound of the water’s impact being deafeningly loud in Wise’s ears, with each drop causing the swordsman to noticeably flinch. Finally, the young soldier’s golden eyes look up from his hands and gaze into those of the man who saved his life twice. The youthful enthusiasm and adoration once held in those golden orbs is gone, snuffed out in an instant. In its place are those of a man the swordsman hardly even recognizes.

 

“I wouldn’t do that… right, sir?” Jenkins asks Wise, his voice choked with emotion that threatens to overtake him at a moment’s notice. His tone is closer to pleading than questioning as if begging the man he respects so dearly to tell him that this is all just a bad dream. “Mister Astraeus… you have to know I wouldn’t do that… right…?”

 

Wise can only hold Jenkin’s gaze for a few moments before tearing his own away. His skin grows cold and clammy while his arms grow goosebumps. Although previously he had found the young Private’s betrayal possible to accept while on the phone with Yanagi, his mind now shudders at the possibility. All of the betrayals he has suffered up until this point like Bringer and Maruki seem so cold and distant in comparison to what he is feeling now. He wants to scream out, tell everyone who can hear him that there’s no way Private Wallace Jenkins could ever betray his friends in such a way. Yet, how else could Sarah have gotten into Kitsune No Ana so easily? There’s no way that even someone like Saburō could betray his own family to such an extent and endanger his children. 

 

A warm feeling on his hand draws Wise out of his rapidly spiraling thoughts. He glances down to see two or Miyabi’s hands grasping his. She is kneeling down by his side, her white ceremonial robes pooling on the floor below her like a puddle of ivory. While her hands warm his body, the small smile on her face warms his soul, driving away the cold dread that had been building. The familiar sensation anchors him in reality and clears his mind. The sudden rush back to reality reveals the sudden sensation of a hundred pairs of eyes burrowing into him as every one of the shrine’s occupants waits for his answer. 

 

“Come on now, Astraeus, or should I just call you Wise instead?” Sarah interrupts before he can speak, drawing the attention of the shrine’s occupants back to her. “Why keep everyone in suspense? I for one am dying to know the truth of the matter.”

 

Wise slowly makes his way to his feet, his neck craned upwards to stare at the snake-like visage of the woman responsible for all of the blood shed today. “All of this… just to get back at me for stopping your plan?” He says incredulously.

 

A shrill laughter echoes through the shrine a moment later, a sound more akin to nails scraping against a chalkboard than of genuine humor. As quickly as it began, the laughter stops, and Sarah intensifies her already smoldering glare at the wounded swordsman. “My dear, you really believe that I went through all of this trouble for you? You are nothing, Astraeus, nothing! Barely even a footnote in a story much bigger than you could ever comprehend! A pawn on a chessboard ruled by queens and kings that only stoop to notice you for what little power you gained through sheer luck.”

 

Wise’s eyes widen slightly as he listens to the madwoman’s ranting. “My power… you can’t be talking about-“

 

“Yes, that’s right.” Sarah interrupts with a Cheshire grin. “The explosion that took away your eyesight and left you with strength surpassing that of a regular human. Such a beautiful gift from The Creator is wasted on a worthless heretic like you.”

 

“Heretic!” Echo several of the masked soldiers standing inside of the shrine. Despite their shielded eyes, Wise can feel their hateful stares burning themselves into his skin.

 

Wise’s mind races with theories faster than he can keep up with. How does she know about the explosion at Helios Academy? Who is the Creator? What does she hope to gain from stealing Tailless?

 

“But that’s of no concern. The Creator’s gifts are many and whatever small setbacks you’ve caused our organization are but minor inconveniences to such a powerful being.” Sarah says as she begins to slowly walk across the altar. The clicking of her heels echoing as rests the scabbard of Tailless on the shoulders of each Hoshimi in turn. Once the final leader has been passed she points the weapon directly towards Miyabi. “I would have preferred to kill all of you Hoshimi swine at once, it would have been much more… cathartic. Instead, Souichiro had to play hero and get himself killed early. What a pity.”

 

Miyabi stomps her foot into the ground, the smooth white fabric of her ceremonial clothing rustling with the movement. For the first time, Wise hears the swordswoman yell at the top of her lungs. “You monster, my father was a good man! He deserved to live a happy life and you butchered him!”

 

“I rid the world of an old man living in an era that’s long since passed! You Hoshimi are nothing but relics that think you’re better than everyone else, rotting away in a mountain and forgotten by the world. I put him out of his misery and I will do the same to all Hoshimi who dare to get in my way.” Sarah spits with venom dripping from her tone. “Today, the Jundo bloodline ends. Nothing will stand in the way of The Exaltist’s path towards a perfect future! The rot and corruption within New Eridu will be purged, ushering in the age of Hollows!”

 

A cheer goes up from the assembled soldiers lining the shrine, filling the narrow space with sounds of joy that fill Wise’s head with anger. Underneath the large weapons of the Assault Gunners, the bound Hoshimi glanced desperately towards the base of the altar, staring at Miyabi with hopeless despair. Ignoring the members of her family, she stares at Sarah as she towers over their bound forms, confusion and anger radiating from her red eyes in equal measure.

 

“How… How do you know of the Jundo? Such things are carefully guarded secrets. There’s no way an outsider could know of my branch.” Miyabi says incredulously, staring dumbfounded at the woman who killed her father.

 

A sickening grin crawls onto Sarah’s face as she regards the swordswoman with no more attention than one would an insect. “My dear Miyabi, there are many things that Souichiro and the other Hoshimi have hidden from you.”

 

With a dramatic flare, Sarah tosses Tailless’ scabbard into her left hand, holding up the sword into the air with the thumbprint scanner facing towards the assembled soldiers and prisoners. In a movement so slow that Wise wants to scream out in frustration, she reaches her finger to press against the smooth touchscreen.

 

Beep-Click

 

Wise can feel his heart skip several beats as Sarah slowly withdraws Tailless from its scabbard. The sound of steel scraping against steel fills his ears, drowning out all other sound. She hoists the weapon into the air and it catches the light focused on the stone altar, causing the blade to shine as if it's red hot. In the hands of Miyabi, the sight of the cursed sword once brought hope to so many people trapped in the bowels of a Hollow. Its eerie blue foxfire flames burned away Ethereals and corruption to protect New Eridu from those who wished to do it harm. Looking upon the untamed Tailless, Wise feels his mind and body overpowered by an ice cold feeling that he had nearly forgotten about, one that screams at him to turn around and run away from Kitsune No Ana as fast as his legs can carry him…

 

Wise is terrified.

 

Miyabi falls to her knees, staring blankly at the now unsheathed form of Tailless with empty red eyes. “How… How is this possible? Only a Hoshimi can wield Tailless…” She mutters to herself.

 

“Oh my, what a rush!” Sarah says excitedly as her green eyes eagerly drink in every detail of the blade. The flickering foxfire plays against her green irises, causing them to glow with an otherworldly light. “I can see now why you so desperately want to hold onto this blade. I feel as if I can take on any warrior in all of New Eridu!”

 

All at once, the look of glee and fascination disappears from her face, replaced by a snake-like grin lacking humor of any kind. Pure hearted malice radiates from her forest green eyes as she looks over the bound Hoshimi one by one. Saburō, patriarch of the Gure, along with his two male children are the first to meet her gaze. She holds Tailless out over their heads like an executioner's blade. The gag on the patriarch’s mouth stops him from using his words to dissuade the madwomen. Instead, he closes his eyes and turns around, craning his body to protect his two children from the impending strike.

 

Sarah lets out a small mocking chuckle of amusement at the father’s gesture of paternal sacrifice. Just as quickly as she lowered the sword towards them, she hoists it back upwards and continues her painfully slow walk across the altar. Every tap of her heels echoes throughout the shrine, the only sound amid scores holding their breath with anticipation and dread.

 

“So many choices, how can a girl decide?” Sarah says with a note of boredom coloring her tone.

 

“Lady Sarah… time is running short. We should leave with the sword before the Aka are able to mount a counter attack.” A Sons of Atlas soldier says from the landing just below her. His weapon, which was once leveled at the clump of captured warriors at the base of the shrine, is now pointed at the ground as he stares upwards at his leader. Despite the reflective visor he is wearing, Wise can see obvious signs of tension in the man’s posture. “We have what we came here for, right? No need to drag innocent children into this.”

 

Sarah freezes mid step and her expression goes completely blank. Slowly, almost painfully so, she turns her viridian gaze towards the dissenting soldier. With her face that of someone going about their daily chores, she flourishes Tailless a single time before slashing it horizontally towards her own soldier. The man isn’t even able to scream out before the blindingly bright blade of blue foxfire energy makes contact with his midsection. A pathetic quiet groan is the only sound he is able to make before he falls to the ground in two pieces. Violent spurts of blood pour from the man’s bisected body, running down the polished wooden stairs of the shrine in grim rivers of crimson.

 

The two Sons of Atlas soldiers that escorted Wise, Ryo, and Jenkins earlier cry out in shock. The younger of the pair, Isaac, chokes back a despaired sob as his now wide eyes stare in horror at where his friend used to stand. Clearly, this wasn’t a part of the plan. The bound and gagged Hoshimi begin slowly trying to crawl across the altar, gaining as much space as they can between the madwomen and themselves. The two Assault Gunners spin up their mini guns and point them at the captives, a silent threat that if they go any further, they would regret it.

 

“You… impudent whelp! Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to get my revenge?” Sarah screams out into the deadly quiet shrine. Slowly, the otherworldly blue foxfire on the sword is turning a menacing red hue. “Innocent?! No Hoshimi is innocent! Their blight must be wiped from New Eridu at any cost!”

 

“Tailless’ curse is taking over her mind.” Miyabi whispers from beside him, her eyes never leaving the drawn form of the sword. “She’s giving in to the voices within.”

 

Wise shudders, his own memories of the voices in question coming up to the forefront of his mind. “I nearly gave in to them once as well. Those… otherworldly voices don’t leave a lot of room for debate.”

 

“She… she k-killed Scott. Just… b-butchered him like an a-animal.” The young Sons of Atlas soldier, Isaac, says with disbelief from behind the couple. “W-what do we d-do now, D-Derek?”

 

“Just stay calm. Let’s wait and see if we can find an opportunity to slip away.” Derek says quietly, his usually steady voice wavering slightly with emotion.

 

“The Aka will gun you down before you ever make it out of Kitsune no Ana. They don’t take kindly to intruders.” Wise whispers, turning his head slightly to look at the pair of rebels. “Sarah won’t let you leave here alive either; she doesn’t like witnesses. You’re more of a liability than an asset to her now.”

 

“What are you suggesting then, Astraeus? We just pop each other in the head right now?” Derek asks with a dismissive scoff.

 

“I’m suggesting that you help me and the Hoshimi and earn your right to live. It’s the only way you survive this.” Wise says forcefully, leaving little room for debate. Before either of the men can respond, their attention is drawn back to the altar.

 

Sarah has been waiting a long time for this and clearly has a grudge against the Hoshimi… if we keep her talking during her victory lap maybe we can buy enough time for Hana and Yanagi to get here with reinforcements…

 

Wise thinks to himself as he turns his attention to the commotion occurring at the top of the altar.

 

The elderly patriarch of the Aka clan, Akimitsu, is actively fighting to get his gag off, drawing the ire of the intruders and Sarah. Kneeling down on the stone of the altar, the madwoman reaches forward and removes the elder’s gag. “Have something to say, old man? Let’s hear it.”

 

After taking several deep inhales to catch his breath, Akimitsu turns his eyes to glare upwards at Sarah. The flint gray irises reflect the red and orange flickering of foxfire from the cursed blade, further exacerbating the elder’s furious expression. “Tailless will drive you mad, as it has to so many others. Only the pure of heart, un-wavered by the curse’s promises of power, can wield the blade for any substantial amount of time. Your hubris will drive you towards only further insanity.”

 

“Seriously? I give you a chance to speak and that’s all you have to say?” Sarah says with obvious disappointment before rolling her eyes and standing back up. With a snap of her fingers, an Assault Gunner begins reaching into one of his many pockets.

 

“Only simpletons like you Hoshimi see the sword as just a mere weapon. It's so much more than that.” Sarah says as the bulky exosuit hands her whatever was in his pocket. She holds the object up towards the artificial sunlight streaming through the hole in the shrine positioned directly above the altar. A syringe filled with an ominous yellow liquid shines dangerously in her hand. With a gentle movement she positions Tailless’s red foxfire to touch the syringe. A bright light flashes for a moment and fades, leaving the liquid a startling orange color. 

 

Wise stops breathing as his eyes make contact with the mysterious syringe. His mind fills with fuzzy flashbacks. A classroom, the smell of books, the face of a woman embedded in the minds of both himself and his sister; Carole Arna. He nearly doubles over as a profound wave of nostalgic recoil threatens to make him pass out or empty the contents of his stomach. Noticing his faltering stance, Reiko and Miyabi step forward and help him to stand.

 

“Look familiar, dear Astraeus? We call it Panacea.” Sarah says with a sickening grin of satisfaction, looking down on his obvious discomfort with glee. “It should. After all, us Exaltists killed your dear teacher Carole Arna to get our hands on it. It’s a shame she wasn’t more… understanding of our view of the future.”

 

Sarah’s green eyes carefully study the syringe with adoration as she cradles it gently in her hands. “When the Age of Hollows begins, the Exaltists will be the only ones capable of traversing the new world without being corrupted, ushering in a golden age of humanity where only the strongest and smartest survive.”

 

“You are living proof of our future, a promise that the inevitable fall of New Eridu to the Hollows will not spell the end of humanity. After the death of that witch Carole Arna, we feared the secret to unlocking the Hollows was lost.” Sarah continues, once again beginning to pace along the top of the altar as she speaks, her tone similar to that of a history teacher educating students. “We tried to reverse engineer it, but all of our attempts only made mad brutes more similar to Ethereals than anything. That’s when I remembered the curse that resides within Tailless, a vessel capable of retaining the very soul of a human even after the body has long since rotted away.”

 

Sarah suddenly stops her pacing with an echoing click of her heels. She points tailless downwards, directly towards the form of Miyabi. “Tailless holds the key to perfecting the Sacrifice and ensuring humanity’s future. Unlike you petulant Hoshimi, we, the Exaltists, will use it for the purpose it was always intended to fulfill,

 

The creation of a superior race of humans that will inherit the world once the Age of Hollows begins.”

 

Reiko’s ears are flattened against her head, her throat rumbling with a deep growl of anger before she screams up at the altar. “You’re insane! Everyone in New Eridu will fight to stop you! The Defence Force, government, even TOPS will-“

 

“TOPS? Don’t make me laugh, little girl.” Sarah interrupts with a vicious snarl. “Who do you think gave me the technology and resources to make this happen? The rich of New Eridu want Panacea first and are willing to pay any price to make it happen. A simple display of power was enough to make more than half the alliance back our efforts.”

 

Wise’s eyes widen as the woman’s words settle into his mind. Something had always bothered him about how easily she was able to get her hands on a Shiyu Warhead let alone buy off so many politicians within the New Eridu government. If TOPS really is backing her behind the scenes, then it would explain more than a few things about her achievements.

 

Suddenly, on the floor next to Wise, Ryo begins to stir from his unconscious state. The exile groans in pain before trying to stand up off of the ground, only to find that his arms are bound tightly together. 

 

“What the hell? What’s going on?” He asks in a groggy voice as he struggles further against his bindings to no avail. Realizing that it’s hopeless, he collapses partially back onto the ground, causing his armor to rattle with the movement. The first person to meet his gaze is Wise, who he quickly addresses. “What’s the meaning of this?”

 

Wise shakes his head slowly, trying to convey the urgency of the situation quickly. “Ryo, just stay down. We’ll get out of this soon, I promise.”

 

Ryo, not dissuaded by the swordsman’s warning in the slightest, once again tries to break the ropes secured around his wrists. “Like hell I will! These goddamned, honorless, stinking wretches need to get the hell out of my castle! On the honor of the Aojiroi family, I will personally-“

 

Whatever Ryo was about to say dies in his throat as he notices Sarah standing at the top of the ceremonial altar, Tailless and the injection of refined Panacea still being held in both hands. For the first time Wise has ever seen, Sarah has a flash of a genuine emotion other than hatred come over her features. Just as fast as it appears, it vanishes, replaced once more by a snake-like grin of satisfaction and superiority.

 

“No… No, that can’t be right.” Ryo says in a voice barely above a whisper. His forest green eyes blink several times in quick succession as if expecting the woman to simply disappear like a visage lost to time. “You’re not real, this can’t be happening…”

 

“Ryosuke Aojiroi Hoshimi in the flesh. I suppose I should be thanking you for hosting such a wonderful little reunion.” Sarah says with a sneer. “You’re looking a little worse for wear since I last saw you, dear brother.”

 

Wise desperately wants to think that he misheard, that this is all some sort of huge misunderstanding or that the Exaltist leader is simply lying. But, something about the absolutely devastated expression on Ryo’s face tells him that this nightmarish scenario is nothing but reality. Glancing around the shrine, he can see that every other Hoshimi is staring upwards at the altar with dumbfounded expressions. The once simmering rage that could be glimpsed on Reiko’s face is now one of utter shock and disbelief.

 

“You’re dead, I saw you die. I mourned you, I cried for you! You’ve been alive all this time and you choose now to reveal it?” Ryo cries out, desperately trying to crawl closer to the altar’s staircase despite being bound at the wrists and ankles.

 

“Believe me, there was a time when I wished I died. Wandering alone inside Hollow Zero after the Hoshimi estate was overrun during the fall of Eridu, separated from anyone who knew me and abandoned by those I once called family. A smoldering wound on my chest courtesy of an Ethereal, a ticking clock counting down the minutes left on my life before I mutated.” Sarah answers with a slightly shaking voice, her usually malicious demeanor finally beginning to show cracks. “Of course nobody came to look for me. Dear old Souichiro tasked all of the Aka rescuers with finding his little darling daughter, writing me off for dead in a heartbeat.”

 

Silently, Wise reaches one of his hands down to grasp Miyabi’s, interlocking their fingers. Sparing her a glance, he can see that her red eyes are already welling with unshed tears.

 

“You may have lost your mother that day, little girl, but I lost so much more than you could possibly imagine.” Sarah snaps at the swordswoman with a sneer. “Although, I learned that there were people that cared. People that helped me when no one else would. The Exaltists found me wandering Hollow Zero and offered me help. All they asked in exchange was loyalty and service. A small price to pay, if you ask me.”

 

“You could have come back. You know that, don’t you?” Ryo says in a pleading tone. “It’s not too late to end all of this, Setsuko, just-“

 

“Don’t call me that!” Sarah screams, slashing Tailless forward and sending a wave of red foxfire into the air that sails harmlessly above Ryo’s head. “I’m not the girl you once knew, I’m not your sister. I’ve been Sarah since the day that the Exaltists rescued me and I cut off my fox ears.”

 

Ryo flinches at every word spoken by his long lost twin sister, staring up at her as if not a day had passed since he last saw her. “This isn’t you, Setsuko, I know it isn’t. Killing them won’t magically fix the pain you’re feeling. Please, just-“

 

“Why should I listen to you, Ryosuke? Do you have any idea how weak you’ve become?” Sarah says, cutting off the exile. “After everything the Hoshimi did to us, here you are begging for mercy on their behalf? They’re treating you like trash in your own ancestral home and you simply accept it as reality?”

 

“It was a long time ago. The man who did that to us is long dead. A blood feud such as that will poison the soul and rip apart what little remains of our family.” Ryo answers with a weary sigh, suddenly seeming like a man several decades older than he is.

 

“Whatever the Hoshimi did to you in the past can’t possibly excuse all of this! They’re good people, they must have had a reason!” Jenkins suddenly interjects from his isolated position in the back of the shrine.

 

Reiko lets out a soft gasp in response before looking over at the young soldier with a softened glance.

 

“Boy… of all the fools in this room you may well be the dullest. Tell me, when you look at me and my brother, what makes us stand out?” Sarah says in a condescending tone.

 

Without a hint of nervousness or hesitation, Jenkins answers. “Your eyes, they’re green. Not red or black like the other Hoshimi.”

 

“Correct, very well done.” Sarah says mockingly. “To you and most others, this may seem like a simple cosmetic difference. But to a family as ancient and obsessed with tradition as the Hoshimi, it’s an unforgivable sin. One that should not be allowed to be passed on to the next generation.”

 

Nearly everyone in the room, even some of the younger Hoshimi, avert their eyes as the dots are connected in their minds. 

 

Ryo stares off into a darkened corner of the shrine, his forest green eyes not looking at anything in particular, almost as if reliving the memories of the childhood he shared with his sister. “It was a different time, Setsuko. Souichiro worked hard to change the Hoshimi after the mistakes of his father and the older generations.”

 

“We were just kids, Ryo, no older than five when they took our future away from us!” Sarah screams into the air, her green eyes with tears. The flickering red foxfire covering Tailless and her body rapidly grows in response to her turbulent emotions. “How can you possibly just accept what happened and move on! Don’t you want revenge?”

 

“Moving on is the only thing we can do, Setsuko.” Ryo says quietly, barely loud enough to be heard at the top of the altar. “We were wronged, there’s no escaping that. Things happen, good people get hurt, but we can’t let the actions of others define who we are. No matter how many people you kill or regimes you topple, none of it will change what was done to either of us, only ruin other people’s lives.”

 

“I’m a sad old drunk that prefers rotting away in his cave to making genuine connections with people. But, I take pride in allowing my ancestral home to be used by members of my family, even if some of their forefathers wronged me in the past.” Ryo says, almost to himself. Despite the grim situation, a small ghost of a smile begins to creep onto his face. “Whatever happens, happens. I don’t want to be remembered as some bitter old man that scorned his family to his dying day. I would rather be remembered as the kind yet weird Uncle Ryo. I’m not a hero, never could be, but I sure as hell won’t stoop to the same level as the people that hurt us when we were kids.”

 

“You’re somehow even weaker than I remember, Ryosuke.” Sarah says with a sneer. “The world will continue to walk all over and take advantage of those who won’t stand up for themselves. Weakness is a cancer that must be purged from this world if we are to survive.”

 

“Young woman… you sound just like the Hoshimi forefathers of the past that you scorn and despise so thoroughly. They too wanted to make themselves and the family great. A path that led them to the dreadful fate inflicted on you and your brother.” The elderly and withered form of the Aka patriarch, Akimitsu Hoshimi says from his place kneeling on the floor.

 

Sarah stares at the old man for several, agonizingly long seconds. The air around the altar has grown so tense that nobody dares to make even the quietest of sounds. Cracking sounds emanating from the flickering red foxfire covering the woman’s body are the only thing filling the ice cold atmosphere. Slowly, like a crescendo of an otherworldly band, the foxfire rises and rises off of her body before nearly tripling in mass.

 

“You… dare to compare me… to them?” Sarah says in a voice barely above a whisper. If there was any other noise filling the shrine, the words would have been incomprehensible outside of the altar. Although no further words are said, every single person in the room begins to tense up, their primeval flight or flight instincts screaming at them to get as far away from the madwoman as possible.

 

In the blink of an eye, Sarah lifts Tailless into the air and cuts a massive gash across the back of the kneeling Akimitsu. A wave of crimson blood tinged with red foxfire flies into the air along with a choked scream of pain from the old man.

 

Cries of shock fill the chamber as every Hoshimi watches their oldest member fall to the ground.

 

“Grandfather!” Reiko yells, her tear stained red eyes watching on in horror. She attempts to rush the shrine only to be held back by Jenkins.

 

“Let me go, you damn traitor! I can still help him!” Reiko screams in defiance, trying to tug herself away from the young soldier’s vice-like grip.

 

Jenkins visibly flinches at being called a traitor but retains his grip, not willing to let the fox girl go even a step further. “Reiko! I’m sorry, but your grandfather wouldn’t want you to throw your life away like this! Please, stop!”

 

“Wise… we have to do something. Sarah isn’t going to stop at just him; every Hoshimi is on her list of targets except for herself.” Miyabi says urgently from just beside the swordsman. Already, her legs are bent at the knees underneath her flowing ceremonial dress, ready to sprint up the altar at a seconds notice to stop the oncoming massacre even despite her unarmed and unpowered form.

 

Various members of the Hoshimi family at the apex of the shrine are crying out to the slain patriarch in vain. Their shouts mix with those of the intruders who, despite the growing chaos of the distinction, are yelling and pointing their weapons at the remaining hostages in a vain attempt to preserve order. Perhaps most grating on Wise’s ears are the continued sobs of Reiko interspersed with Jenkins’ equally emotional pleading for her to stay put. An incomprehensible storm of despair, anger, and chaos has overtaken the entire building following the grim execution. The only ones perfectly calm are Ryo and Sarah, whose eyes haven’t left the other’s since the death of Akimitsu. 

 

“Not yet, we have to wait. If we try to rush her now then everyone in this room will be killed.” Wise says in a silent voice just barely audible over the pandemonium. With a critical gaze, he scans the crimson foxflames rapidly building around Tailless and its thief. His mechanical eyes rapidly measure the fluctuating Ether patterns and strengths flowing across the altar’s peak like the center of some great storm. After making direct eye contact with the cursed blade in an attempt to read its condition, the digit that would normally be used to display the strength of the Etheric emissions simply flickers and disappears entirely.

 

“That felt… incredible!” Sarah says with a manic smile, the red foxflame on the blade of Tailless reflecting in her eyes, causing the once green iris to glow with yellow madness. Slowly, she turns her head to glance at the kneeling form of Shiori Hoshimi, matriarch of the Yuki branch. “Would you like to be next?”

 

Wise and Miyabi’s enhanced hearing picks up on the madwoman’s words. Realizing that it’s now or never, the swordsman takes a step forward towards the altar and speaks. “Shit, we have to-“ 

 

The words die in Wise’s throat as one of the intruders at the other end of the shrine begins waving his hands, trying to catch his attention. Shooting the man a nasty glare, he prepares to turn his attention back to rushing the altar, only for the stranger to lower the mask covering his lower face. Immediately, the swordsman recognizes the smiling face as belonging to a member of Hana’s fireteam. Before Wise can even begin to question how the soldier managed to sneak into the shrine past the intruders, the infiltrator lifts his finger into the air and begins to spin it in a small circle.

 

Immediately, Wise’s mind goes into overdrive. He turns his head towards a confused Miyabi and speaks in a quiet voice. “Cover your eyes and ears. Tell Reiko and Ryo to do the same.”

 

Instantly and with total trust, Miyabi nods her head, causing her fox ears to flow with the movement, before quickly stepping a few feet away to close the distance to Reiko and Jenkins. She then mutters the same words under her breath without turning to look at the pair. A small flickering of Ryo and Reiko’s own ears indicates to the swordsman that the message was received. Perhaps not surprisingly, she does not pass the information along to the young Private standing nearby.

 

After a moment of hesitation, Wise turns to face the two young Sons of Atlas members, Isaac and Derek. “If you don’t want to turn out like your friend over there, then follow my lead or throw down your weapons.” With his quiet warning complete, he turns away from their confused expressions to face the altar.

 

At that exact moment, his eyes automatically detect several metal objects falling from the many decorative windows located high above the base of the shrine and even the altar itself. A small smile of satisfaction graces Wise’s face as Sarah notices one of the falling pieces of metal, looking up from the tear filled face of Shiori with a confused expression. The visual sensors within the swordsman’s mechanical eyes automatically polarize like a pair of sunglasses and he covers his ears with both hands.

 

BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG 

 

A series of deafening explosions accompany blinding flashes of light, causing nearly every occupant in the room to scream out in pain and cover their eyes.

 

Wise, whose polarized eyes reduced the flashbangs to mere fireworks, easily breaks the rope binding his hands before whipping around and ripping his assault rifle and sword off the backs of the completely stunned Isaac and Derek. He deftly unsheathes the katana and cuts Miyabi’s rope bindings before handing the weapon to her. She skillfully grips the sword and gives Wise a thankful nod. Whatever words of relief or love may be swimming in the back of her mind are drowned out by the urgency to kill the woman who took two members of her family from her.  The noble swordswoman flourishes the weapon once to test its weight before beginning to sprint up the altar, her pure white ceremonial robe flowing behind her like a gentle wave of rolling snow.

 

“Go get ‘em.” Wise murmurs to her under his breath.

 

He watches curiously as several Exaltist soldiers at the other end of the shrine suddenly fall to the ground with screams of pain. Gunshot wounds cover their torsos, but Wise can’t find any logical angle where the rounds may have come from. Regardless of what attacked the enemies, the confusion that is beginning to sew in their ranks allows Miyabi to have a clear path to the altar and the Hoshimi hostages. It seems that the majority of the enemy forces don’t even know that Wise has escaped his bindings, not that they would be able to rally a counterattack in the first place due to the chaos in their ranks.

 

It’s at this moment that the door several meters behind Wise explodes into splinters of wood. Out of the cloud of dust and smoke emerges Hana, who quickly pivots her submachine gun and lets out a short burst of fire, killing an intruder that managed to recover quickly.

 

“Good to see you, I was worried you forgot about me!” Wise yells back from behind a large decorative rock at Hana as he fires off a quick burst from his own rifle.

 

“You are a hard man to forget, Byakko!” Hana responds with a small smile before taking cover next to him. She quickly throws a few hand signals to her squad before they move forward as a group. Two break off to restrain Isaac and Derek, who smartly decided to throw down their weapons in surrender following the ambush. One of the Aka soldiers stops to cut Ryo and Reiko’s bindings with a combat knife and gives the latter a loaded handgun. The soldier then pivots to do the same for Jenkins.

 

“Leave him somewhere safe but don’t remove his bindings.” Reiko answers clinically while checking the chamber of the handgun to ensure it’s loaded. Satisfied with her weapon, she peeks over the large piece of cover they are all sharing and takes several quick potshots at an approaching Exaltist foot soldier. 

 

Already, the forward members of the squad are engaged in heated gunfights with several intruders in their effort to protect the Hoshimi leaders. The various decorative statues and rock make ideal cover for a protracted engagement. The clashing of metal and metal echoes throughout the shrine every few seconds as Sarah and Miyabi cross swords at the peak of the altar. The two Assault Gunners previously protecting the Exaltist leader have long since been slain by the noble swordswoman, allowing the still bound members of the Hoshimi family to descend the staircase in an effort to escape. For a moment, Wise worries about Miyabi and wants to run up the altar and assist her, only to stop in his tracks when he realizes that his presence would only hinder her in such a confined space. 

 

With a frustrated growl, Wise turns back towards the shrine’s exit to take stock of the situation.

 

“But I can help fight!” Jenkins protests.

 

“You can help by staying out of our way.” She retorts coldly before turning to speak to Hana. “I’m taking command, let’s go!”

 

“Right!” The remaining squad members say as they follow right behind her, breaking from cover in two distinct groups to cover the hostages which have nearly reached the exit.

 

A blur of movement catches Wise’s attention while his eyes outline a heat signature that is invisible to the naked eye. He quickly raises his rifle and takes aim at the head of the cloaked figure standing only a few meters ahead of him.

 

“Woah there cowboy!” A familiar voice says from where the invisible figure is standing. Suddenly, his head begins to shimmer slightly and decloak, revealing the grizzled face of Batou from Section 9. A wide grin covers his face as he continues speaking. “Try not to flag your buddies on an op, would ya? People might get the wrong impression. Anyways, me and my people will keep these guys busy while you and your girlfriend take care of the Hoshimi. Good luck!”

 

As quickly as he came, and without letting Wise get a word in edgewise, the man disappears once more. Leaving only the hope that his presence may mean that the rest of Section 6 can’t be far behind.

 

“Byakko, the outer area of the chambers is still being contested.” Hana says as she lags slightly behind her squad. “Please, escort the Hoshimi leaders to the safety of the tunnel. What Aka forces remain will assist you however they can.”

 

“Understood.” Wise answers quickly, just in time for the first of the former hostages to slide behind the rock next to him. Saburō Hoshimi and his two sons dive onto the ground next to him, the father being sure to keep himself between the Exaltist and his children should one of them take a shot. Next is Shiori and a younger woman he assumes to be her daughter. Between them, what was once a ceremonial painting drawn on a sheet of wood is being used as a makeshift stretcher. A decorative white sheet stained with blood covers the body of the slain Akimitsu. None of the Hoshimi can bear to look anywhere near the red tinted cloth, knowing all too well what lies underneath.

 

Ryo is the last to arrive, slowly sauntering forward in an almost sleeplike state. Any sense of urgency or self preservation has left him as he rounds the corner into cover. As soon as his armored back hits the rock they are using for cover, he wordlessly slides downwards and hits the ground, his armor rattling loudly in response to the movement.

 

Tearing his eyes away from his shellshocked friend, he turns towards the other Hoshimi and speaks in a loud voice that can be heard over the gunshots. “Listen carefully! Reiko and Hana are going to keep the Exaltists in the shrine busy to give us time to escape! Stay close to me and don’t slow down for anything, keep your eyes on the tunnel and don’t lose focus! Got it?”

 

Saburō and Shiori both nod their heads, remaining remarkably calm given the dire circumstances they find themselves in. Their children’s tear stained faces carry noticeably less composure, but Wise can see in their eyes that they understand the gravity of the situation. The only one of the Hoshimi that doesn’t react to his instructions is Ryo, who simply stares into the distance with eyes devoid of light or thought. 

 

The sight brings a profound sadness to Wise’s mind. Unfortunately for them both, now is not the time to have a heart to hear conversation. “Ryo, listen to me. I need your help and we have to go now.” The swordsman says, kneeling down to be on the same level as him. 

 

“Leave me here.” Ryo says quietly, his voice flat and lacking any emotion as his eyes stare off into space. “I’m done hiding and I’m certainly done running. Let fate run its course and sweep me along where it pleases.”

 

“Mister Astraeus, we really do need to be going now!” Shiori says in a panic, the explosion of a grenade across the shrine emphasizing the urgency of their situation. The rest of the Hoshimi cover their ears in pain due to their sensitive hearing.

 

“Ryo, look at them.” Wise says earnestly, laying a hand on top of the exile’s head and turning it without resistance. His forest green eyes land on the two children of Saburō, the future heirs of the Gure branch. Both of the boys cling to one another, the younger of the two sobbing violently while flinching at every gunshot that fills the chamber.

 

“Do you still want to be Uncle Ryo? There won’t be anyone around that can call you that if you let them all die!” Wise says, slapping the man across the face. “The person that used to be your sister is dead, but they’re not and neither are you! Get your ass off the ground and make yourself useful!”

 

With a quick motion Wise grabs Ryo’s naginata off of the polished wood floor and shoves it into his hands, not leaving any room for him to argue. “Not to mention the fact that they destroyed your sake collection. You can’t take that kind of disrespect lying down, can you?” He punctuates his gallows humor with a wry smile, clapping the exile on his armored shoulder in a show of brotherhood.

 

A small grin begins to crawl its way onto Ryo’s face as his fingers tighten around the naginata. “Well, when you put it like that. Maybe this old man does still have some fight in him.” He says with a chuckle.

 

Wise smiles right back and holds a hand out to help the exile onto his feet. Turning his attention back towards the other Hoshimi, he speaks. “Stay close, stay focused, and keep your heads down. Stop for nothing. Ready?”

 

For only a moment, he takes a fleeting glance at the bound Jenkins, still being looked over by a spare member of Hana’s squad. Their eyes meet briefly with a barrage of raw emotions being conveyed between them. Unable to weather the sight any longer, he tears his gaze away.

 

During the exchange, the Hoshimi have quickly made their way to their feet and prepared as best they can for the gauntlet yet to come. With his charge now firmly in tow, Wise turns around to face the smoke filled doorway that Hana breached only moments ago. He closes his eyes and takes one deep breath, then another. Finally, his feet begin to move him on their own, and he steps out of the swirling grey smoke and into a hellscape he once thought a paradise, the constant clashing of Miyabi and Sarah’s blades acting as a grim cadence for his march.

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

Wow, this really was a doozy to write. I reread the entirety of Guardians twice in preparation, not wanting to miss any of the key plot points or themes for such an important moment. Rarely a day passed in the last 3 months where I didn’t think about this chapter and how to handle it.

Although not the full conclusion to Part 4 I promised, it represents the first section, and majority, of the finale. As you have probably guessed, the chapter after this will consist of the final battle for Kitsune No Ana.

I apologize for the extensive delay and can only hope that the extra time reflects in the quality of the writing.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editors BioTheDemon, FlamingValkyrie, and precioussmolbean for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

If you want to ask me any questions, meet other readers and writers, or discuss my stories then consider joining the Discord! For updates and unhinged thoughts, check out the X (Formerly known as Twitter).

Chapter 35: The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday

Summary:

Wise continues the fight within Kitsune No Ana. Things look like they’re going to get worse before they get better.

“Take cover here and wait for my signal!”

 

Wise bellows as he looks over the top of a large chunk of rock he is using as cover. Heavy clouds of dark gray smoke hang in the air of the ceremonial chambers, choking the lungs and blinding the eyes of the two groups fighting to the death within.

 

Switching his cybernetic eyes to infrared mode, a forest of glowing white silhouettes invisible to the naked eye suddenly fill his line of sight. After triple checking that all friendly Aka forces are either behind him or inside of the main shrine, he calmly squeezes the trigger once, then twice, causing the closest figure to slump to the floor with a spray of flowing white liquid emanating from where the bullets impacted. Like cockroaches suddenly exposed to light, the rest of the figures quickly dive for whatever cover they can find in the desolate hellscape.

 

“Byakko! Hana has sent me to deliver this to you and has placed me under your command!” An Aka soldier says as he slides to a stop next to Wise, holding out a palm which contains a small earpiece. If the man wasn’t yelling, the swordsman wouldn’t have been able to understand a word of what he was saying.

 

Wise thinks he recognizes the man as Minho, a member of Hana’s team that acts as their combat medic. Though it’s difficult to tell through the ash and dust covering his face.

 

Accepting the earpiece with a small nod of gratitude, he quickly shoves it into his ear before yelling back. “Thanks! But there’s only one of you?!” 

 

“I’m all that could be spared! The battle fares poorly, but Hana sent me to render medical aid to any injured Hoshimi leaders!” Minho responds over a hail of gunfire. Suddenly, he aims just a few feet to Wise’s right and lets out a small burst from his compact submachine gun. An intruder attempting to stealthily flank their position drops into the verdant grass and moves no more.

 

“How the hell did your squad manage to make it past all these guys the first time?!” Wise says incredulously as he reloads his weapon. Despite the conversation, his eyes are carefully watching for an opportunity to push farther towards the exit tunnel.

 

Minho watches their surroundings carefully as he responds. “Your friends from Section 9 created a distraction! I can answer all of your questions later, Byakko, but we really must be leaving no-“

 

A burst of crimson foxfire suddenly flies from one of the shrine’s windows, bathing the two men in a bright red light. Following the otherworldly display, a lull in the tide of machine gun fire can be heard. 

 

“Ryo, run for the tunnel, now!” Wise yells urgently to the man next to him, quickly letting off another burst of gunfire to keep the intruders pinned down. “Minho, back him up!

 

Understanding the gravity of the situation, and the opportunity provided by the agent, Ryo and Minho quickly jump to their feet, the former switches the grip on his naginata as he stands.

 

“You heard the man, follow me!” The exile commands with a wave of his hand before beginning to run downhill towards another piece of cover, careful to keep his head as low as possible. His forest green armor plating rustles and clanks together in the frenzy of movement. Minho prepares to cover the rearguard of their hasty advance, slapping a fresh magazine into his submachine gun and taking several deep breaths while he can. 

 

The Gurē patriarch Saburō is the first to follow Ryo’s lead, guiding his two sons by their hands along the escape route. Shiori and her daughter are next, still carrying the body of Akimitsu between them. The bloodied sheet covering the man they used to call family does little to ease the burden on their minds. Bullets whizz overhead while barked orders echo off of the stone walls of the ceremonial chambers, none of which are louder than the sounds of Hoshimi’s hearts hammering in their ears.

 

Wise breathes a sigh of relief as the final Hoshimi ducks behind a fallen statue, dragged further into cover by a protective Ryo. Finally given a few seconds of respite, he takes the time to survey and familiarize himself with his surroundings.

 

The battle for Kitsune No Ana has quickly devolved into complete chaos. Due to either explosives or some other means, many parts of the verdant grove surrounding the shrine is wreathed in glowing crimson flames. The flickering light paints the silhouettes of the assembled warriors against the stone walls of the chamber, looking like an ancient cave painting of warfare suddenly coming to life. Although the area was previously well lit by the large overhead light fixture, the thick clouds of smoke gathering at the roof of the dome suffocate all of the rays emanating from it.

 

The Aka only have a small portion of control by the chamber’s entrance where Wise and Ryo first arrived. Moment by moment, more reinforcements stream through the vine filled staircase before quickly engaging with the first intruder they find. Aka soldiers bearing the signature black ears of the Hoshimi family bark orders at their non-Thiren subordinates. The hastily constructed perimeter around the chamber’s exit is barely holding against the pressure being exercised by the Exaltist forces.

 

WHOOSH - BOOM

 

Wise is nearly thrown from his feet as a large crescent of dark red foxfire cuts cleanly through the shrine behind him. Just as soon as the light from the projectile has dissipated, the shockwave following the overwhelming destruction arrives, blowing nearly half of the shrine’s wooden construction away. The swordsman covers his face with his hands as a spray of wooden shrapnel shoots towards him. Thankfully, most of it misses, and sails over his head before colliding with the stone walls of the ceremonial chamber.

 

With the shrine almost completely destroyed save for some of the stone foundations, every single person in the chamber has a perfect view of the duel happening atop the stone altar within. Otherworldly ringing sounds echo off the chamber walls as Sarah and Miyabi’s swords meet with one another. The blades are moving faster than Wise can even keep track of; Tailless is little more than a blur tinged with the deep red of its cursed foxfire. Endless repetitions of skillful parries, slashes, and feints are traded between the two Hoshimi matriarchs. 

 

Wise, along with most of the people nearby to the shrine, simply stare in absolute awe at the sight laid out before their eyes. The two swordswoman look more like dancers in the dim light of the ceremonial chambers, dancing to the invisible tune of combat and the steady beat of metal striking against metal. Perhaps most disturbingly of all is the completely blank look on Miyabi’s face, standing in stark contrast to the twisted visage of madness and rage painted onto that of Sarah. It doesn’t take long for Wise to realize he is completely outclassed in terms of swordsmanship. Even if he were to run over and try to help, he would just be hindering Miyabi, who would suddenly need to worry about protecting him from the foxfire inferno. For now, the best thing he can do is keep the other Hoshimi safe and stop more Exaltists from interrupting her duel. 

 

After all, if there’s anyone in New Eridu that could beat a Tailless-wielding Sarah, it’s Miyabi.

 

Tearing his gaze away from the otherworldly duel, he checks to see how Ryo and the other Hoshimi are doing. They are only a short distance away from the chamber’s exit, while Wise is still located closer to the shrine.

 

BOOM - CRASH

 

For the second time in as many minutes, a thunderous explosion shakes the mountaintop, causing the battle surrounding him to screech to a sudden halt. Chunks of stone the size of cars begin to fall from the dome above the shrine, crashing into the ground and causing the very ground beneath Wise to shake violently. His instincts suddenly begin to scream at him to move, which he quickly does, dodging out of the way of a fridge sized boulder that would have turned him into a grisly red smear on the slopes of the shrine.

 

Glancing up at the smoke filled ceiling, Wise notices that the boulder's descent has created a hole in the dark gray cloud. To his shock, a pale beam of moonlight pierces through the hole, bathing him in a gentle white light that stands in sharp contrast to the crimson glow of the fire surrounding him. Just as quickly as it appears, the light fades, blocked by a new object that now covers the gaping hole in the stone dome that once protected and concealed the ceremonial chambers.

 

Over the ringing in his ears caused by the explosion, Wise begins to hear a rhythmic sound that far outpaces the erratic beating of his heart. Suddenly, the masses of smoke begin to whirl in a large circle around where the hole in the ceiling once was. A sinking feeling grips his heart like an ice cold hand as the bottom of a helicopter emerges from the rolling gray cloud. In his head, the swordsman says a silent prayer that the Obsidian Division logo is painted on the side of the vehicle.

 

Instead, the maroon sigil of the Exaltists bleeds like an open wound on the side of the helicopter, the flickering of the flames around it make it appear like the paint comprising the sideways infinity symbol is flowing like a river of blood. 

 

Wise’s heart drops even further into despair as the first helicopter is joined by another, then another, and another. Before a single one has even landed, four helicopters fly one by one through the gaping hole in the ceiling.

 

Slowly, Wise turns towards where Ryo and the other Hoshimi are taking cover fifty meters away, much closer to the chamber exit that he is. For only a moment the eyes of the swordsman and exile meet. A silent conversation takes place between the two which comes to a single, unavoidable conclusion.

 

Things are about to get much, much worse.

 

“Get the Hoshimi leaders out of here! Go!” Wise yells towards Ryo with a frantic gesture. He can only hope that the exile was able to hear him over the deafening beats of helicopter blades.

 

For a moment, Ryo hesitates, taking a step towards the swordsman and raising his naginata. However, a quick look and tug from Minho refocuses him.

 

Wise watches the group disappear into the tunnel and lets out a sigh of relief. With them safe, he can now focus entirely on repelling the intruders. He glances up at the helicopters one final time before sprinting back towards the shrine. Bullets whizz past him and throw up plumes of dirt as they strike the dirt. After dodging and weaving for several agonizingly long seconds, he leaps into the air and crashes through one of the shrine’s windows, rolling into the polished wood inside before springing up to his feet.

 

The scene unfolding before him is nothing short of absolute chaos. Reiko and her team are holding out in one of the corners of the building, joined by three bound men and two agents from Section 9, Major Kusanagi and Agent Batou. A makeshift ring of fallen statues and debris provides a serviceable amount of cover to the team. A final gunshot rings out from Reiko’s gun and the final intruder falls onto the floor below.

 

Wise can barely hear anything over the rushing of wind and crackling of foxfire. The duel between Miyabi and Sarah has only intensified, staining the once white marble of the altar a sickly crimson. A pile of Exaltists that attempted to intervene lay dead on the landings leading up to where their duel is taking place. Some bear the wounds of Tailless while others were cut down by Miyabi’s weapon, both swordswomen don’t want their duel to be interrupted.

 

“Astraeus!” Reiko yells from her place behind a decorative rock, waving one of her hands in the air to get his attention. “What’s going on out there!”

 

Wise sprints the remaining distance to the fortified corner and vaults over a fallen statue. As soon as he’s safely in cover, he responds. “They breached through the ceiling. Four helicopters. I’d guess fifteen bad guys each.” As he speaks, he quickly reloads his rifle and discards the empty magazine.

 

Feeling eyes on him, Wise turns his head slightly to make eye contact with the bound form of Private Jenkins. The two Sons of Atlas soldiers from earlier, Isaac and Derek, sit crestfallen on either side of him. He tears his gaze away only a second later.

 

“Shit, I don’t think we can handle that many.” Reiko says with a frustrated scowl. “We don’t have long before they link up with the rest of their initial strike force and assault the shrine.”

 

“We have to protect Miyabi and give her time to overpower Sarah.” Wise interjects.

 

“Kid, we don’t even know if she’s gonna win. Without Tailless, smart money goes to the crazy lady. We need to gather our strength and intervene in the duel.” Batou insists with a shake of his head.

 

“Miyabi is going to win.” Wise states confidently. “Intervening would just break her focus and introduce more variables.”

 

“I concur with Astraeus’ judgement. Let Miyabi do her job and we can do ours.” Reiko says with a nod of agreement.

 

“Cut the chatter kids, we got company!” Major Kusanagi yells before letting off a burst from her rifle towards a hole in the shrine’s wall.

 

One intruder falls over. The rest of his squad don’t hesitate in the least, stepping over their fallen comrade and flowing towards the desolate corner where Wise and the others are hunkering down.

 

“Mister Astraeus, untie me! I can help!” Jenkins yells from his place on the floor, his golden eyes stare pleadingly upwards at the swordsman.

 

Wise throws a quick glare in his direction before popping over the statue he is taking cover behind and letting loose a few rounds towards the intruders. The armed figures currently streaming into the shrine bear little resemblance to the Sons of Atlas that previously infiltrated Kitsune no Ana. Dressed in flowing robes and painted with mysterious red markings, the Exaltists soldiers bear more resemblance to cultists than any kind of military. Some of the figures are only vaguely humanoid and carry no firearms, their gangly and twisted limbs covered in razor sharp claws represent the only weapons they need.

 

The distinct sound of a grenade pin hitting the floor snaps Wise out of his thoughts. His cybernetic eyes automatically highlight the explosive as it sails through the air. On instinct, he raises his rifle's sights and draws a bead on the airborne object, leading it slightly and pulling the trigger. The shot hits its mark and causes a massive explosion. To his horror, an eerie purple sludge fills the area where the grenade was like a storm of shrapnel, covering a member of Hana’s squad that was unfortunate enough to be in the liquid’s path.

 

“Ramirez!” Hana yells out, breaking from cover to reach her fallen squad mate.

 

“Shit, give her some covering fire!” Batou bellows into the air before dumping his entire magazine towards the Exaltists.

 

Wise, Major Kusanagi, and Reiko follow suit while the other members of Hana’s strike team stare unblinkingly at their fallen comrade. The telltale signs of shock are plastered onto their faces as the color drains from their skin.

 

Hana reaches Ramirez in the blink of an eye, grabbing into his armored vest and dragging him behind the statue next to Major Kusanagi and Batou. The fallen soldier is writhing in pain on the polished floor of the shrine. His wailing echoes in the air, mixing with the continuous clashing of Miyabi and Sarah’s blades to form a horrible cacophony of anguish.

 

Wise’s blood runs cold as the man’s screams take on an almost beastly, otherworldly tone. His thrashing doubles in its intensity as Hana desperately tries to hold him still so she can take stock of his injuries.

 

“You’re gonna be okay, I promise! Just stop moving so I can help!” Hana begs her wounded comrade. Despite her cries, he gives no indication that he can even hear her.

 

A malformed Exaltist suddenly vaults over the piece of cover Wise is hiding behind, taking a swing at him with its twisted claws. He skillfully ducks under the blow and the claws embed themselves several centimeters into the stone statue. The cultists lets out an inhuman roar and quickly moves to lash at him with its other hand. Before he can even finish winding back his arm, Wise sticks his rifle under the golden mask the Exaltist is wearing and pulls the trigger.

 

The twisted cultist staggers backwards for several meters before falling onto the floor in an unceremonious heap. Its golden mask now cracked down the middle with off colored blood streaming out of it.

 

To Wise’s horror, it twitches once, then twice, then slowly begins crawling its way off of the floor. From behind one of the larger cracks in the golden mask, Wise can see a glowing purple eye staring at him with burning malice. He quickly dumps his empty magazine to quickly load a new one while the barely human creature slowly saunters towards him with its claws extended.

 

A blur of motion can be seen behind the Exaltist before it suddenly stops. Several agonizing heartbeats thunder in Wise’s ears as his opponent stops its advance. Suddenly, its head slides off of its shoulders and unceremoniously thumps onto the floor.

 

Reiko flourishes her twin swords to remove the purple blood from them before returning the weapons to their scabbards attached to her back. She shoots Wise a quick nod before unslinging her submachine gun and walking towards the fallen form of Ramirez.

 

Wise breathes a sigh of relief before finishing reloading his weapon. He takes a quick glance towards the creature at his feet, kicking the body once just to be sure it’s dead. After the beast’s form remains stationary following his kick, he takes off after Reiko and slides to a stop next to her.

 

He takes a quick glance at the duel occurring on the ceremonial altar far above them. It seems as if Miyabi is beginning to gain the upper hand. Sarah’s attacks are becoming sloppy and slow, relying more and more on Tailless’ overwhelming power to carry her through the fight. The foxfire flames wreathing her body have deteriorated, now flickering with an eerie maroon light darker than the blood running down the stone stairs leading up to them.

 

They only have to survive for a few more minutes and keep the Exaltists off of Miyabi’s back.

 

Ramirez’s convulsions have only increased their feverish pitch, filling the shrine with echoing, otherworldly wails. Wise intakes a sharp breath as he sees the ether crystals push through the fallen soldier’s skin. His eyes have taken on an eerie green hue and his limbs have begun to contort at unnatural and sickening angles. That’s when the swordsman finally connects the dots on what fate has befallen the poor soldier.

 

Ramirez is being turned into an Ethereal.

 

Seemingly oblivious to this reality, Hana is wrapping strips of gauze around the glowing burn marks peppering her injured squad mates arms.

 

“Hey hey, look at me, you’re going to be fine. You’re going to be okay. It’s… it’s not as bad as it looks.” Hana murmurs mostly to herself as she reaches into her medkit for another roll of bandages. Her hands are shaking uncontrollably as her eyes stare blankly at the floor past the wounded man’s head, unable to look him in his glowing eyes.

 

All at once, Ramirez stops convulsing and screaming, suddenly laying completely still on the polished wood of the shrine’s floor. On his chest, his flesh is beginning to twist and pulsate, almost making Wise gag in the process. A swirling vortex of Ether starts to take shape like a grisly whirlpool of otherworldly energy. An Ether core is forming. It’s too late.

 

Major Kusanagi ducks into cover to reload her weapon and notices what is beginning to happen. Once the fresh magazine clicks into place, she slings the rifle on her shoulder and pulls out her sidearm.

 

BANG

 

The round tears through Ramirez’s skull and he lies completely still on the floor, the Ether core forming on his chest stops its formation and he moves no more.

 

Hana stops her hands in the middle of bandaging his arm to slowly glance upwards at the smoking gun barrel. “What… why would you do that…?” She asks, her red eyes staring unblinkingly at the handgun that just ended her friend's life.

 

“He died the moment that stuff hit him. We didn’t have a choice.” Major Kusanagi answers simply, holstering her handgun and returning to the firefight with the Exaltists.

 

The two bound Sons of Atlas soldiers and Jenkins stare at a slowly growing pool of off colored blood building under the mutated body of Ramirez. 

 

Wise tears his eyes away from Hana, unable to bear the sight of her total collapse at the death of her teammate. Reiko grabs onto the shell-shocked girl’s shoulders and maneuvers her to the area near the bound prisoners where there’s more cover. 

 

“Shit, they’re trying to outflank us around the other end of the shrine!” Batou yells, pointing one of his gloved fingers towards a group of five Exaltists.

 

Wise tracks their movement as well and lets off a burst from his rifle, felling one of the men before they slip behind a wall of collapsed ceiling. He lowers his weapon and says. “They’re going after Miyabi, we have to stop them!”

 

Batou growls loudly before answering. “There’s too many of them! If we break cover to stop them we’ll get- hey!”

 

Wise jumps over the hunk of rock he was using for cover and begins sprinting across the shrine towards where the group of four Exaltists are. Behind him he can hear Reiko and Batou yelling at him to come back, but their voices are overpowered by the thundering of his heartbeat in his ears and the clashing of metal on metal from atop the shrine.

 

One of the Exaltists notices his approach and unsheathes a sword coated in red Ether crystals. With a warcry, he charges forward to intercept Wise before he can intervene. Once the distance has been closed the cultist swings his sword in a devastating horizontal arc, aiming to cleave the approaching man in half.

 

At the last possible second, Wise drops to his knees and slides underneath the blade, his nose only missing the sharpened edge by near centimeters. He springs back up to his feet and drives the butt of his rifle into the back of the cultist’s head. A loud crack rings out before the sword wielding Exaltist crumples unceremoniously to the floor.

 

Wise’s instincts scream at him and he ducks to the floor just in time to avoid a burst of errant foxfire shot out by Tailless. The second Exaltist coming to ambush him was less fortunate. He grabs helplessly at the smoldering wound on his chest before collapsing to his knees.

 

The final two cultists glance at one another before walking in opposite directions, aiming to outflank Wise on either side. 

 

Not wanting to wait, Wise raises his rifle and lets off a short burst at the enemy on the right. The cloaked figure raises his twin swords and skillfully deflects or dodges every bullet with all the grace of a ballerina. Suddenly, he cocks his arm back and throws one of his swords directly at Wise.

 

Wise’s eyes widen as he notices the improvised projectile hurdling straight at him. He quickly steps to the side, but is too late to avoid the sword completely. The blade grazes his wounded right shoulder and cuts a deep gash through the muscle. Wise sucks in a breath through his teeth as the pain burns itself into his mind. He quickly shifts the gun to be held in his left hand and takes a quick aim at the Exaltist who threw the sword, firing it one-handed.

 

The cultist raises his remaining sword and blocks the first few bullets with ease. However, unlike when he possessed both of his weapons, the hail of fire overwhelms his defenses. A bullet tears through the flesh of his shoulder causing him to drop his only remaining sword. Three more rip through his chest, spraying off colored blood over the floor. He stands there for several seconds, trying helplessly to lean down and pick up his sword despite his grievous wounds. Without being able to touch the sword he tumbles onto the floor and moves no more.

 

Wise breathes a sigh of relief and ejects the empty magazine from his rifle. The sound of a footstep directly behind him makes his heart stop in its tracks before he can grab a fresh magazine.

 

He forgot about the second one.

 

Wise whips around one hundred and eighty degrees, just in time to see the malformed cultist take a swing at his midsection with its clawed hands. With no time to dodge, he throws up his empty rifle to block the blow. The bones in his arms ache as the powerful Exaltist strikes the firearm, bending many of its metal components and sending it flying from his hands. Whatever this creature is, it easily rivals or even surpasses his superhuman strength. What the hell is this thing?

 

Instinctively, Wise reaches for the sidearm he usually has attached to his left hip, only for his hand to grasp empty air.

 

“Shit!” He exclaims before rolling out of the way of another devastating slash. For what feels like the hundredth time today, he curses himself for leaving behind his sword and handgun at HAND HQ.

 

The Cultist picks up on his desperation and continues its relentless assault. A flurry of slashes and stabs aim to disembowel Wise where he stands, forcing him to dodge and weave while continuously backing up to gain more space.

 

Thump

 

Wise’s back hits the wall of the shrine, causing his blood to run cold in his veins. He can’t run anymore, and he doesn’t have anything he could use to fight.

 

The cultist slows his advance, waiting for the perfect opportunity to finish off the man who killed four of his friends.

 

With a hesitant glance, Wise looks over the Exaltist’s shoulder. Miyabi is still locked in her fatal duel, unable to let her focus lapse for even a second lest she lose the advantage she has worked so hard for. Just behind her, the Aka and Section 9 are still fighting for their lives. More and more Exaltists, no doubt brought by the helicopters, continue to stream into the shrine and surround their fortified position. It’s at this moment that Wise makes a grim realization.

 

There’s nobody that can save him.

 

Wise takes a deep breath, then another. Slowly, he raises his fists into a loose boxers stance, staring down the Exaltist with his cybernetic eyes.

 

“Do your worst!” He yells before his mouth twists into a scowl. The various wounds covering his body are beginning to ache more and more, especially his shoulder that was wounded during the collapse of Ryo’s cave. He doesn’t have long before his body is ready to collapse completely.

 

Unbothered by his showing of bravado, the cultist lets out a warped and twisted laugh, the sound muffled by his ornate golden mask. He raises two clawed hands and holds them on either side of his torso, waiting for his opponent to make the first move.

 

Wise bellows out a warcry and leaps forward of his right foot, aiming to hit the Exaltist’s neck with a quick jab to give himself time to escape.

 

In the blink of an eye, the cultist easily sidesteps his blow, looking like little more than a golden and white blur in the smoke filled shrine. He pivots on his rooted foot and cocks back his right arm, extending the claws to their furthest reach and beginning a devastating vertical slash.

 

Wise shifts his weight onto his back foot and attempts to dodge out of the way, but it’s too late. There’s little more he can do than simply watch as the claws grow ever closer to hitting their mark. Unable to bear the sight any longer, he closes his eyes and waits for whatever comes next.

 

 

 

THUNK

 

 

 

“Just so we’re clear with each other, you owe me a drink for that one.”

 

 

 

Wise’s eyes shoot open as he recognizes the voice speaking over his earpiece. He glances at the golden mask of the Exaltist, only to find the sharp point of an arrow sticking through it. Suddenly, an arc of electricity makes the cultist's body shudder and drop to the ground. Thin lines of smoke emanate from the corpse as it continues to twitch every few seconds.

 

A helicopter passes over the top of the shrine before quickly pulling up. The rotors of the vehicle cause the thick smoke emanating from the many fires to flow in circles like a whirlpool. Another arrow shoots from the side of the helicopter like a bolt of blue lightning and hits the tail rotor of one of the Exaltist helicopters. The rotor quickly explodes, causing the vehicle to which it was attached to begin spinning uncontrollably. A bright flash of light and cacophonous noise fills the chamber as it crashes somewhere out of sight.

 

As the helicopter turns around to head back towards the shrine, Wise can see the logo of Section 6 emblazoned onto the side of it. It comes to a stop directly overhead before a series of ropes are suddenly thrown from the side doors.

 

Wise can’t hold back his smile as three familiar figures slide down the ropes and onto the wooden floor of the shrine.

 

“Man, that was a hell of a shot, am I right?” Harumasa says with a smile as he readjusts the quiver on his back.

 

“Asty-Ray, I missed you!” Soukaku says with a wide smile.

 

“Agent Astraeus, I believe you will be needing this.” Yanagi says as she unslings a massive and familiar looking object from her back. She presents Wise’s cryogenic sword to him, setting one end of it on the ground due to its overwhelming weight.

 

Wise silently reaches a hand out gingerly, as if touching the sword too violently will cause it to disappear in a puff of smoke. With practiced motions he slings the scabbard onto his back, checking the gauge on the side to see how much cryogenic coating is left. The meter is full.

 

“Oh, you’ll be needing this too.” Harumasa says as he reaches behind his back and pulls out a holster.

 

Recognizing it as his own cryogenic handgun, he eagerly grabs it and checks the chamber with one hand; it’s already loaded.

 

Harumasa rubs the back of his neck and says. “I packed some extra ammo for you. Since you tend to miss half of your shots, unlike me, I figured-“

 

The archer is cut off as Wise suddenly wraps him in a half hug. Harumasa sits there for a moment in shock before slowly snaking one of his arms to reciprocate the embrace. Only a few seconds later, they separate.

 

“Uhm, dude. Not that I’m uncomfortable or anything, but what was that for?” Harumasa asks confusedly.

 

Wise looks at each of his three friends in turn before glancing behind them at the ongoing duel between Miyabi and Sarah happening at the top of the altar.

 

“I… have never been so happy to see anybody in my entire life.” Wise asks before letting out a small chuckle under his breath.

 

Yanagi smiles warmly before responding. “It’s good to see you alive and breathing, Wise.” She then unslings her naginata from her back and turns towards the ongoing sword fight, standing directly to Wise’s right.

 

“We can have our lighthearted reunion later. Right now, we have work to do.” Yanagi states calmly as she flourishes her naginata in her hands.

 

“I better be getting hazard pay for this, I was supposed to be off today.” Harumasa says with a grumble, unslinging an arrow and setting it on his bow. He takes a step forward to stand to Astraeus’s left.

 

“Hot pot for dinner, hot pot for dinner!” Soukaku chants enthusiastically. Following her unusual war cry, she plants her massive weapon in the ground next to Yanagi.

 

Suddenly, a group of Exaltists splinter off from the attack on Section 9 and Reiko, attempting to wrap around the altar to ambush Miyabi yet again. They quickly spot the assembled members of Section 6 and form a loose battle line against them.

 

Wise reaches up to grasp the handle of his cryogenic sword before kicking off and running directly towards them, ready to finish the fight. 

Notes:

Thanks for reading!

The line over the radio was a nice little callback to chapter 7 for Harumasa, I’ve been waiting ages to use that one. I was smiling like an idiot when I wrote the Section 6 reinforcement scene as a whole.

Please leave a comment with what you liked or you didn't like, it all helps a lot.

Thanks to my editor Kot for turning my incomprehensible ramblings into something readable.

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Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Guardians of The Veil