Chapter 3: Blood on the Deck
The salt and ocean air doing Musosai much good, for he was grateful that he was able to sleep in without any pain that night. Normally, he was up with the sun, but he slept in that next morning, feeling more refreshed than he had been feeling for a long time.
He greeted Momozigo late that morning as they shared a small breakfast at a local restaurant. It was good, but he had to confess that he would have given anything for a simple rice ball from his homeland.
"Who are the fellows dressed in yellow that I see all over the city?" he asked curiously as he watched a pair of these armed people talking to each other in the corner of the balcony that they were on as they ate at the restaurant.
"Them? Why they are the peacekeepers here in Limsa Lominsa," Momozigo said as he enjoyed his drink. "They are the Yellow Jackets. And they need to be strong to be able to keep a town full of pirates and cutthroats under control. Ever since the Admiral took over this city, it's almost a respectable nation now. But you do want to watch your step. It's a rough place."
"I shall endeavor to do so," Musosai said, though his eyes were narrowed as he watched the pair of Mellow Packets still discussing something in the corner. It wasn't just his imagination, they were looking over at him far too often for his liking.
He was right for no sooner did they finish eating, the pair got up from their table and walked over to them. Momozigo didn't notice until they were towering right over him and he squeaked in surprise at the sight.
"Excuse us sirs," one of them said, eyeing the katana at Musosai's side with suspicion. "But might you be willing to come along with us for some questioning?"
Musosai's eyes narrowed even more, fearing that these men may have been corrupted as those peacekeepers back in the desert had been.
"May I ask what this is about?" he asked, keeping his voice calm and steady.
"Listen," the other said, waving his hands down calmly to prevent any unnecessary scenes. "We have no reason to suspect ye since you're clearly newcomers, but in all honestly, there has been a series of killin's going on in the town for the last few days. We've found three bodies so far and we're trying to catch the bastard 'efore any other poor sod gets knocked off. We just want to question ye."
Musosai's eyes widen in surprise at this, not expecting that.
"Murders?" he repeated. "A serial killer in this town?"
"Now sirs," Momozigo said quickly as he went running up to stand between them all. "I don't know what this is about, but me and Musosai traveled here from Ul'dah just yesterday! I don't see how we could have possibly be the one you're after!"
"You have any proof of this?" one of them asked him sharply.
"If you doubt us sirs, I can contact the Brass Blade officer that we were with the day we left," Momozigo reassured him. "I promise, we only got here last night. Besides, I know this man, he would never go around killing innocent people like how you are suggesting!"
Those words meant so much to him, but he knew that he didn't truly deserve it. Yet, Musosai didn't counter him as the Mellow Packets glanced at each other.
"Still, it can't be a coincidence that a suspicious looking fellow like yeself appears with that particular weapon while a series of murders is taking place," one of them offered. "If ye are truly innocent of the crime, then ye will have nothin' to fear if ye simply answer a few questions for us?"
"Of course," Musosai agreed reasonably. "I shall be happy to tell you anything if you feel that it will help. Yet, I must ask. Forgive me, but what makes you believe that I was responsible for these murders?"
"Well, right now, we're desperate for any kind of information," one of them said grimly. "As far as we can tell, there doesn't seem to be any kind of connection between the three victims. None of them have known each other, nor were they all even citizens of Limsa. All we know for sure is that they were all killed with an unusually sharp blade. The wounds have been done with a blade that we have not seen before?"
"I see," he said slowly as his hand brushed against his katana, understanding what this was about. "You believe that the unusual weapon that I wield could be the same type responsible. Well, I certainly understand your concern. And you are right in that katana are rare in these lands. If you need an opinion, may I take a look at these wounds of the victims? I can say with certainty or not if they were done with a katana?"
The Mellow Packets both looked at each other with frowns.
"Could help?" one of them offered slowly.
"I… I don't know?" the other offered.
"Come on, sirs," Momozigo offered. "Surely it couldn't hurt for him to have a look? He is a samurai from the Far East. You won't find a better expert in figuring out if the weapon was a katana. Maybe he can even give you a clue as to who might be doing it?"
The Mellow Packets were understandably hesitant. But after Musosai agreed to answer any questions that they may have for him, they decided to let him get a look at the wounds just to confirm if they truly the work of a katana. Momozigo, who had no desire to look at dead bodies, returned to the tavern they were staying at as he went with the Mellow Packets to their Headquarters, where the bodies were being kept, examined, and prepared for burial.
The latest victim was of a young man, barely past his twenties. And when they pulled the blanket back for him to look at him, Musosai saw the vicious slash across the man's chest and knew that they spoke the truth. The work was definitely that of a katana and he grimly told them so. When they looked at the blade at his side, he merely calmly reminded them that if this man hadn't been killed since the day before yesterday, then he couldn't possibly have done anything. Still, they had no storage of questions for him and he answered them as best as he could before they let him return to the tavern.
"So… there is no doubting that it was a katana as a killing weapon?" Momozigo asked with wide eyes when he returned to tell him everything that happened.
"I saw the wound myself," he sighed, "There is no mistaking the mark of a katana. All blades leave their own unique marks. The man had been slashed with a remarkably sharp and thin blade. This, I know to be true."
"B-But how can that be?" Momozigo asked, "As far as I know, you and Claire are the only ones who have katana. And I can't see either of you becoming killers. Does this mean that another samurai has come here to Eorzea?"
"It is possible, but I have a foreboding feeling that may not be the case," Musosai said as he thought back to the wound that he saw. While the work was undoubtedly done by a katana, he could tell that whoever used it knew not how to truly use it. The wound was jagged and sloppy… the marks of a terrible swordsman.
He was left thinking it over for most of the morning and well into the afternoon before he got a surprise in the form of his pupil, having returned from another long training practice. The rate that she was becoming a full-fledge samurai was nothing short of astonishing… it was as if she had grown up practicing with the blade rather than learning it only recently.
"Claire, your katana has come to sit well at your hip," he said as he looked at her. "'Tis plain your experience excising evil has matured you as a samurai. I have had an eventful time in this salt-kissed city."
"That's putting it lightly," Momozigo spoke up and Claire looked down at him in surprise at his choice of wording. Still so silent, yet like with everything else, her silence spoke volumes and he knew that she wanted to know what he meant.
"In the course of seeking evil, I came under the suspicion of the local peacekeepers, the Mellow Packets," he explained, not understanding the faint smile that played on her mouth as he spoke. It didn't last long when he told her, "A serial killer has been terrorizing these parts, 'twould seem, who's weapon of choice is an uncommonly sharp blade—one not unlike ours."
"Meaning…?" she asked, and he could tell that she knew where this was going.
"And so I found myself confronted and questioned. Thanks to Momozigo's testimony, however, the pall of suspicion was quickly lifted," Musosai said with a grateful glance down at Momozigo, who gave him a thumbs up. Musosai then added, "Not only that, but we were even permitted to examine the victim's wounds. They're can be no doubt: they were inflicted by a katana."
Musosai reached for the hilt of his own blade, his blood boiling at the thought of how a noble weapon could ever be used to kill the lives of innocent people. Just like how…?
He screwed up his eyes, trying his best not to think about the past. He had to stay focused on what was happening now. He had to put a stop to this depraved killer before any other innocent lives were lost.
"The killer may well be a samurai, yet a true samurai does not take life without just cause," he said, forcing himself to stay claim. "Murder is heinous in its own right; committing it with our noble weapon compounds the crime. Such evil cannot be suffered!"
Claire nodded grimly in understanding.
"So there you have it, we're going after a serial killer," Momozigo said at once, already up for this new challenge. "I must say, I'm morbidly excited. Right, let's begin by talking to people in Hawker's Alley."
They left the tavern together before heading down to the lower decks. Like how they did back in the desert, they spilt up and began questioning everyone they could find on the state of these murders. The Mellow Packets said before that they couldn't find any kind of connection between the victims except for the fact that they were all killed with the same weapon: a katana.
But surely there had to be something in common with the victims? These just couldn't possibly be some random killings, could it? If that was the case, then their foe may be even more evil than he first thought.
"What do the victims have in common?" he asked himself quietly as he tried to think. He knew that there were at least three people dead, one of them happening to be a beastman in the form of a large rat. A Quick Earn he believed it to be called?
"Can't say I blame the Yellow Jackets for marking us out. I mean, every ilm of Musosai screams 'Look at meeeeeee!'" he heard Momozigo whisper to Claire behind his back and he looked up—surprised to see that Claire had already returned to tell them what she knew.
She certainly seemed to have a gift for getting people to talk, and she had a little more information regarding the victims. Aside from the Quick Earn, one of them was a traveler who had only recently come to the city, and the third was known to be a regular patron at the markets here. He frowned as he went over all this information in his mind. Yet, try as he might, there didn't seem to be any real connection between the victims but for the fact that they were all killed at the same place with the same weapon.
"A patron, a traveler, and a Quick Earn…" he whispered to himself, "The victims do not seem to have anything in common. However, the circumstances of their deaths are strikingly similar."
"What do you mean?" Momozigo asked in confusion.
"They all vanished in the vicinity of the docks before later turning up as corpses," Musosai answered grimly, "The killer, it seems to me targets those who happen to pass along the landing."
It seemed to him, that the killer did not care who he struck, so long as he had some sort of prey… it was the only thing that made sense.
"It's completely random, then?" Momozigo gasped, "What a frightening thought… but now that we know this, what do we do next?"
"We set a trap—lure the killer out by walking around the area in question in the black of night," Musosai answered firmly, "When he emerges from the shadows, we apprehend him."
"Ah, a sloid pan! So, who's the lucky one who gets to be the bait?" Momozigo asked. Both he and Claire looked down at him, and when he looked between the two of them, it quickly dawned on him what they were thinking and he gasped in horror.
"Wait! What? Wh-Why me?" he demanded.
Musosai did his best to calm their friend down as he informed him, "Though the victims have naught in common, it must be noted that none of them were armed. In other words, the killer preyed on the defenseless. With our katana at our hips, Claire and I shan't make enticing bait. Conversely, were we to forgo out weapons, we would be ill equipped to subdue the villain. And so it falls to you."
Momozigo glanced at Claire for encouragement, but when she only shrugged, he sighed. He clearly wanted to help, but the idea of being set up as bait was, understandably, a lot to ask.
"Take heart, my friend!" he vowed, "Both of us shall be close on hand, ready to pounce ere you come to harm. Now then, let us go to the docks."
Momozigo was darkly muttering what he really thought of this plan under his breath as they headed towards the docks. Luckily for them, they had spent most of the afternoon asking around about the murders and it was already dusk. It would be dark soon, so they didn't have to wait for too long for the sun to set and for them to be cloaked in its shade.
Musosai kept his eyes on the darkening skies as Claire spoke with Momozigo, seemingly trying to distract him from the idea of being their bait. She was actually giving him some details about her own journeys, such as running through the many dungeons that lay scattered about the land, to some of the far-off places she had seen.
It certainly worked, for Momozigo was captivated by her stories.
In truth, he wasn't the only one, for Musosai was soon swept up in her tails of palaces floating in the sky, lands filled with dragons, and ruined cities filled with creatures of darkness. In fact, it was already passed midnight by the time that he remembered that they had a job to do and knocked himself back to earth as he whispered, "It is time. Let us set the trap…"
Momozigo paled at the thought and gulped before whispering, "Twelve above, please keep me safe! Please keep me safe."
They nodded, promising him that they would never let him come to harm. They would be right here, ready to rush in should he need them. With a brave breath, Momozigo went marching off, walking along the docks.
Waiting was the most painful part. But they didn't have to suffer for long, for no sooner had Momozigo began to walk along the deck did a figure appear. This person was hardly any larger than Momozigo, and was robed entirely in black. The only part of him that could be seen were his cold, merciless eyes… and the beautifully crafted katana that he carried with him.
Momozigo stopped dead at the sight of him as the figure pulled out his blade. Musosai crouched low, ready to go charging out when…?
"AIEEEEEEE! IT'S HIM!"
Momozigo let out a piercing shriek that could probably be heard all the way back in Hingashi. The killer panicked at that, sheathing his blade and turned to run straight off into the night. Doubtless, he desired to leave before the cry caught any attention and that was probably what spared Momozigo his blade.
His blade…?
"That blade…" he whispered as Momozigo went running straight back up to them. "By the kami, Momozigo, that scream was loud enough to wake the dead. Small wonder the villain fled with such haste."
"It wasn't intentional…" Momozigo panted, and was now shaking as Claire tried to comfort him, reminding him that he was safe and that was all that mattered.
"What's done is done," Musosai said, showing that he wasn't upset. "Besides, our mission was not entirely without fruit. The Killer's blade—it is known to me."
Both of them looked at him in surprise as he explained, "Some while ago, a wealthy merchant of this land came to Kugane, a port of Hingashi. The man had a fetish for blades, and proceeded to buy up the finest he could fine. I changed to inspect the wares at one of the many swordsmiths this merchant visited, and noted a unique katana marked for delivery to his ship—the selfsame katana the killer wields. Furthermore, according to the shopkeeper, the merchant as a Laugh a Bell."
"A wealthy Lalafellin merchant, you say?" Momozigo thought that all over, "Well, in this area there's Gegeruju, whom I once entertained with a dance troupe. But for all of his vices, he didn't strike me as a serial killing sort."
"I agree," Claire said with a nod. "I know him myself and I cannot picture him as a killer."
"Be that as it may, this is our sole lead for now," Musosai said, not wishing to place the blame on anyone without knowing more information. "Where do we find this man?"
"At his resort in Costa del Sol, most like," Momozigo informed him. "But I'm doubtful he's the one we're after."
They decided to leave right away, heading back to the docks, where Momozigo was twitching slightly as he asked a ship to take them across to a place called Bloodshore. They gathered in the boat as they went sailing off, not arriving until the sun had already begun to rise. He was glad for it, for he was able to get a view of beautiful white sands and palm trees. He looked about, feeling a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he remembered the Ruby Sea, and how similar everything seemed.
It seemed like this would be a perfect place to rest and relax… not that they could do that at the moment. They had a job to do.
They arrived at a long dock, climbing aboard as new scents filled his nostrils and the sounds of music also being played as waves washed up on the shore.
"He owns all of this?" he asked impressed at the many buildings and decks that were built up so that there was a village over the ocean.
"Yes," Momozigo confirmed. "He built up a fortune in trade, and soon bought this beach where he has his resort. But I must tell you again that I have strong doubts that he has anything to do with this. Gegeruju's hardly a paragon of righteousness, but if he's guilty of anything, it's of being a lecher not a murderer."
"No need to mince words. Let us pierce right to the heart of the matter," he said, remembering what the Mellow Packets had said before. "If he is truly innocent, then he will have nothing to fear from us at least questioning him."
"Alright," Momozigo said, though he still looked highly doubtful about this as he led them along the wooden walkways. He led them to a hut on the tallest platform and walked around a beautiful hut to see another Laugh a Bell, sitting there dozing in a chair as several servants attended to him—one of which was fanning him with a large palm tree branch.
The servants looked surprised to see them as Claire politely began to speak up. With a grunt, Gegeruju came too and blinked up at them wearily.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?" he asked in annoyance before recognizing Claire, "…Oho! If it isn't the resourceful and… supremely forgiving adventurer!"
Forgiving? Just what was that about? But Gegeruju looked past her to see him and Momozigo there and therefore adding, "I see you've brought company today, and of the Far Eastern persuasion besides. How very exotic. But come, what is it you wish of me?"
Claire calmly told him about the recent murders taking place in Limsa as of late, and that the blade that the killer was spotted using was a katana which was identified as having been recently bought by a very wealthy Lalafell. Though there wasn't any true accusations being said against him, he understood what she was saying and he actually chuckled good-naturedly at that.
"… truly now! Yours truly, a suspect in the serial killings!" he asked lightly before telling them, "But of course it is a mistake, and no mistake about it. However, I do have an inkling as to who the culprit might be."
Musosai blinked in surprise at those words as Gegeruju informed them, "Gurumi Borlumi—he is your man. He made his fortune in trade, and indulges in extreme excesses—which coming formed me, is saying something. But most relevant to your investigation is the fact that he is obsessed with all things Far eastern and owns an extensive collection of katana. Why, just the other day at a social gathering, he was bragging on about one such weapon as thought it was his firstborn. When he said that he wanted to feel what it's like to cut a man down, we all had a good chuckle, assume he was speaking in jest. The man did always strike me as touched, but to think that he would actually go and do the deed…?"
Musosai's eyes narrowed angrily at the thought. So, there truly was no connection to the victims who had been cut down other than the fact that they were unharmed. This Gurumi Borlumi didn't care who he killed just so that he had victims?
"To kill simply to satisfy his own twisted urges… this is no man, but a fiend in a man's skin," he said in suppressed anger. Instead of focusing on his rage, he turned back to Gegeruju and said humbly, "Master Gegeruju, we were wrong to suspect you, and humbly beg your forgiveness. Will you tell us where to find this depraved creature?"
"On his ship, where he lives," the man answered casually. "It's at anchor nearby for now, but I should warn you that he recently mentioned wanting a change of scenery."
"He already killed several people," Claire offered, "Of course, he would wish to leave before risk being caught."
"Ack, a ship?" Momozigo added in worry, "It's going to be tough to sneak aboard that, but if we miss this chance, who knows when there'll be another?
Indeed, if they don't get him now, then he will get away free. Possibly to kill more people in the future. They couldn't let that happen now.
Gegeruju laughed suddenly as he declared, "Thank your lucky stars, for it just so happens I've received an invitation from Gurumi Borlumi to attend a banquet aboard his—and I quite—'vessel of myriad pleasures'."
He turned to one of his servants, and nodded to her as she retreated into the hut for but a brief moment, She returned with the sealed invitation, and a neatly folded stack of clothes.
"You may have it—a small token of my remorse to you, my dear adventurer," Gegeruju said to Claire, as his servant handed her the invitation. "Show it to the man's retainer at the pier, and you will be shown to his ship. And you, showmaster—I will lend you my garb." The servant then handed Momozigo the clothes, which he took with confusion.
"Disguised as yours truly, none shall raise an eyebrow were you to have 'bodyguards' in your company," Gegeruju informed him, "And with that, I bid you success. Gurumi Borlumi is a troublesome business rival and I shan't shed a tear at his demise."
Well, apart from the dubious reasoning, Musosai bowed to him as he said, "We are grateful. Without further ado, then, let us assume our roles and head to the pier."
"Why do I have a terrible feeling about this?" Momozigo asked as they left the estate and headed down to the beach. The time for the invitation would be later tonight, so they would have to wait until dark fell to be able to follow through with any kind of plan.
Musosai spent the day walking along the beach as Momozigo was trying to get more information out of Claire to how she knew Gegeruju. Apparently, she had been forced to undertake a series of difficult tasks by Gegeruju's servants—whom were once part of a group known as the Company of Heroes. After travelling to every corner of Heir's Ear, she had been required to bring back ingredients for a feast that were to be held in her honor before she was told the secret to battling with a god made of earth itself. He believed that the creature's name was Tidus?
Momozigo was very persistent in trying to get more details as he slipped on the disguise and kept trying to use his silver tongue to get her to delve deeper information, which she only smiled at his questions, sometime even changing the subject completely as she drew their attention to the cloud formations or the shells in the sand—which resulted in Momozigo crying out in frustration.
Musosai was unable to stop himself from enjoying himself as the two of them talked. It had been a long time since he was able to do such a thing, and he remembered just how much he missed travelling around with others that could make him laugh.
But as the day went on, and the more he enjoyed their presence near him, he had to wonder to himself… did he have the right to feel so happy and at peace after all that he had done?
He was spared the agony of having to answer that question as the sun steadily went down and the time drew near for them to catch a killer. Momozigo had already dressed and looked just like Gegeruju, complete with a mustache adorning his lip—he seemed to be much more at ease with this plan than walking along and pretending to be bait. Still, he was still anxious as they headed back to the docks to greet the servant to take them to ship.
"Are we sure that this is a good idea?" he asked in worry.
"Fear not, Momozigo," Musosai reassured him, "We shall be glad to act the part of your bodyguards. We will be by your side the whole time. Leave any fighting to us."
That was when he spotted a small ship docked at the end of a long dock, and a servant dressed in clothing from the Far East. This had to be the vessel they were told to expect.
At the sight of the boat, Momozigo laughed in a very good imitation of Gegeruju and declared, "'Tis a fine day for a banquet about a ship! A fine day indeed!" He then added in a whisper to Claire, "…well? Was that convincing?"
"Indeed," she reassured him. "Just maybe a little quieter?"
But as they talked, Musosai couldn't help but cast his gaze back out over the ocean, almost able to convince himself that this was the Ruby Sea…? That he was close to home…?
"You alright, Musosai?" Momozigo asked him, breaking the spell that had him captured.
"Hmm?" Musosai asked as he was jostled out of his thoughts. "Yes, forgive me. A breathtaking view. It reminds me of the Ruby Sea. Of home."
He rubbed his old, tired eyes as they approached the servant, who bowed at the sight of them.
"Master Gegeruju and company, you do us great honor," the servant said to Momozigo, "The invitation, if I may?"
Claire, who had been holding onto it, held it up for him to clearly see it.
"All appears in order," the servant said without any questions and a bow. "Thank you kindly if you would care to step aboard, we shall cast off presently."
So they all climbed into the small boat before they left land behind them. The waves were calm this evening, they left land behind just as the stars came out. Musosai wondered if they would be forced to go far out to reach this ship, but it soon came into view. He was glad of this… at least until they got close.
He shook his head at how gaudy everything was. There were blossoming cherry blossoms planted on the deck, with countless decorations such as banners and lanterns that were hung in every which way. There was no balance, not beauty… true Far Eastern attire is to be humble and simple. Not flaunted about in such an open way. This just infuriated him to no end.
They sailed right up to the ship and were able to climb up to the deck before being shown inside. He could smell traditional foods from his homeland, though that was the only thing that reminded him of home in any way. He looked to a large stage where there were several dancing girls to the soft music that was being played. He shook his head, wondering just who would put together this circus? There were traces of his homeland that were all stuffed into a room with no thought or care. As if he needed another reason to hate the man responsible for so much sin.
Speaking of which, he worried that they would have a hard time trying to find him, for there were so many people around the ship, all talking and enjoying themselves. But that was when he saw a man sitting on a large couch like it was a throne, dressed in the finest of silks as he enjoyed his drink.
"Is that…?" Claire asked when she spotted him as well.
"Has to be," Momozigo whispered back.
"Very well then," Musosai said as they waked down the steps to speak with him.
"Your dedication to your passion is beyond impressive, my lord," he heard one of the other guests said to the man he could only assume to be Gurumi Borlumi. "Would that we all had your fine taste!"
Fine taste? This was just tacky. Clearly none of them had ever been to the Far East.
"Come now, we've scarcely scratched the surface," Gurumi Borlumi said smugly, "Save some wonderment for my prized katana."
The three of them stepped up, with Momozigo standing between them as Gurumi Borlumi glanced up in a pleasant surprise.
"Ah, master Gegeruju, always a pleasure," he said, their disguise fooling him completely before his eyes flitted to him and Claire in interest. "I say, are those samurai I see beside you? A commendable first effort, my lord. But they pale in comparison to my katana collection."
Musosai's eyes narrowed as he asked with ice in his voice, "You would flaunt the blades you used to cut down innocents? Twisted fiend, your reign of terror ends here."
He was calling him out, he knew that, but he couldn't help it. To see him sitting here and making mockery of his homeland while also having the blood of innocents on his hands was too much for him. Thankfully, with all the noise from the gathering still going on, no one paid any attention to them but for the serving girl that sat next to her employer. Though she was looking at them and back to her master with confusion written on her face.
Gurumi Borlumi raised his eyebrows at him before getting a closer look at Momozigo. He then hopped down from his seat before stating, "You are not Gegeruju, are you? And yet I would swear we've meet?"
Momozigo looked angry as he took a step forward, snarling out, "Damn right we've met! I'm the would-be prey who screamed his lungs out!"
A rather evil smirk appeared on Gurumi Borlumi's face as he came out and confessed, "Ah, yes, from the other night… heh, heh, heh… you see, 'tis well and good to admire a blade upon a stand, but its true place is in one's hand. This I discovered to my sheerest ecstasy."
Musosai hadn't expected him to confess so easily. But this made things easier for them in a long run. He put his hand on his blade, ready to draw.
"The law is too good for the likes of you," he hissed, "You shall face the selfsame end you visited upon innocents."
The serving girl looked scared as he folded his arms, not looking the least bit concerned.
"Not only do you sneak uninvited into a private gathering: you make violent threats against an upstanding citizen?" he demanded coldly, as if he was still the one in control of everything happening here. "It seems I have no choice but to summon the guards. Now, let us step above, and pray put on a good show—I have a reputation as a host to uphold."
Musosai was about to say what he really thought, but seeing the frightened look in the girl's face gave him pause. His eyes then glanced at all the other people here and knew that they best do what he said, they don't want a fight breaking out here and risk an innocent bystander getting in harm's way.
"Very well," Musosai agreed as the other people who have yet to notice that something was wrong. It was better that they go up to deck where there was room to move around anyway. "Momozigo, you stay down here."
Momozigo was startled by this and tried to find an excuse to go with them, but Musosai shook his head, not wishing to put him in more harm's way. Thankfully, Momozigo seemed to understand that that this was going to be dangerous and agreed, promising that he would stay down here until the fighting was over, but made them promise that they would be alright and handle things quickly.
And so, Musosai and his pupil followed Gurumi Borlumi upwards and outside onto the deck, which was just as tacky as the inside of his ship. That was where he spotted a large cage he didn't see before, and as he drew closer, he saw what was inside, a horrible, lumbering beast…?
"What is that?" Claire asked in surprise. "Some sort of Voidsent?"
He had no idea what a Voidsent was, but he shook his head as he quietly informed her, "A Vanara. It seemed his fetish for anything Far Eastern includes even creatures. You can see such creatures in Yaxnia. They can be dangerous, but they are still wild beasts. Do not forget that."
She nodded as she followed him to the front of the ship where they turned around to face Gurumi Borlumi, who was looking confident. Musosai didn't know why he would be, for he had seen the wounds on the poor victims himself and he could tell that the slashes that they suffered were from no true swordsman. Why else would he go after someone who was defenseless? He didn't want to risk his life against a true warrior.
Gurumi Borlumi stopped there next to the mast before he folded his arms and called smugly, "Ostyrgrein, koi! Time to work for your keep!"
At first Musosai thought that he had called to the Vanara in the cage, but that was when a figure stepped out from the shadows of the ship. This man was dressed in similar clothing as he was, the clothing of a samurai. Musosai had known just about every other samurai in Hingashi, yet this man's face was not familiar to him. At first he thought that they were up against another samurai, and he was not yet sure if Claire was ready to face another master of the blade just yet. He worried, at least until he saw this Ostyrgrein flick out his blade and swung it about in a sad way before holding it back-handed.
That was when he knew.
"That is no way to hold a katana," he informed them, "You are no true samurai."
No true samurai would have ever hold a katana in such a way. Ostyrgrein spit out his toothpick as he said, "Bah, like there's a difference. A samurai is a swordsman what fights with a katana, an' this champion gladiator's gonna show you how it's done."
So that's the way of it? No difference is there?
"You heard that, Claire?" he asked calmly, though his eyes were narrowed. "The difference is lost on this man. We must free him from his ignorance."
She nodded in agreement as Gurumi Borlumi seemed to have an idea.
"Hold it," he said, "I've a mind to savor this. We shall save you for last. Let us warm the deck with an opening act."
How appropriate. For this entire ship was nothing but a circus. He watched as Gurumi Borlumi clapped his hands together again and this time a handful of Shinobi appeared. At least, that was what is what one may kindly call them… for they were not even dressed in appropriate Shinobi attire. Much like with Ostyrgrein, they were just pretenders who carried weapons they had no idea how to truly use.
"For now, we enjoy the spectacle," Gurumi Borlumi said confidently.
As much as Musosai would have loved to fight them all and show them what real samurai could do, his body was having difficulty in moving once again and he did not believe he would be able to handle much at this moment.
Left with no other choice, he said, "I, too, shall observe. You alone are more than enough for these false shinobi."
She nodded again, though perhaps there was a slight bit of annoyance in her face as he was leaving her to do all the work. He bowed his head apologetically to her, but didn't say anything else as Gurumi Borlumi declared, "Have at her! Kirisuteeee!"
Musosai moved back to watch as she pulled out her blade to face them.
"This is but part of your training," he called to her as she was surrounded, "Finish them swiftly, my pupil."
"Come! Let us warm the deck… with blood!" Gurumi Borlumi cried out, cheering for the false Shinobi. Musosai could see that they were highly unskilled. They knew how to use blades, yes, but Shinobi would have used Ninjitsu by now. It was clear that these fighters had never used a Mudra before in their lives.
Still, there were many of them. Not just the four that she faced, but more replacing the ones she already took down.
"When outnumbered, use Oka or Mangetsu to smite multiple foes in one fell swoop," he advised for her. And he watched as she used Tenka Goken to deal even more damage. Every other Goken she was able to use with hissatsu: Kaiten. Yes… she was able to use such techniques with ease now. This was good… very good indeed. She kept this up until she was left standing and Gurumi Borlumi looked greatly irritated at this.
"You're tough, I'll give you that!" he admitted, "But how will you fare against my pet? Feeding time, my pretty!"
And with another clap of his hands, the cage that held the Vanara opened up and the creature stomped its way out onto the deck and four more false Shinobi appeared. Musosai frowned, knowing that he had to step in now.
"Hmph, 'tis a fiend who resorts to using a fiend," he said as he walked forward. "The beast is yours, Claire. The false shinobi, you may leave to me."
He knew that she was more than a match for the false Shinobi. However, she would have great difficulty fighting them all off at once along with this beast. He would let her test herself against the Vanara while he quickly took out these other unwelcomed guests.
He already took down one in the blink of an eye, all the while keeping an eye out for Claire and making sure that she was doing well. She seemed to be having a hard time trying to get close to the beast as it swiped at her.
"That beast is a lumbering thing. You can easily anticipate and evade its attacks," he said confidently, having seen her agility and speed first hand. She just needed to stay calm and think it through. She got in close to deal a critical blow, but dodged to its flank when it raised its paw and struck, slashing nothing but air.
"Yes, that's the way!" he called approvingly.
It was harder to tell when it waged its tail and used it to hit everything around itself, which he was glad to see that she had the sense to back away when it did.
She could handle that thing now that she knew when to strike at it, which left him to finish dealing with these false Shinobi. Oh, true Shinobi back home in Hingashi would weep at the sight of these fools who dared call themselves warriors of the Far East.
"Who are you?" the last of the false Shinobi demanded as he went dashing in towards him. Musosai didn't answer as he brought him down and moved back to where he was standing before so that he could watch his pupil finish dealing with the Vanara.
"There, I have tended to my part. Hurry and tend to yours," he called. Soon enough, he watched with pride as she was able to finally kill the creature. Though he felt a twinge of regret that this simple-minding Vanara had to die so far away from its home. It had been forced to come to this part of the world against its will, and most certainly did not wish to die in such a way.
Something that he could understand completely.
"Noo! My beautiful pet!" Gurumi Borlumi cried out aghast at as the Vanara fell to the ground and moved no more. Now their foe was getting angry… not just angry, but scared. For all that stood left was this false samurai, and Musosai would have been greatly surprised if he walked away the victor.
"No more games! Time to unleash… the samurai!" Gurumi Borlumi cried out and the Adjunct Ostyrgrein stepped forward.
"Right then, let's take some heads," he grinned as he held up his blade back-handed again.
"Finally, the last act of this gaudy circus," Musosai said as Claire turned to face him with her blade held up the correct way. "This man is but a pretender how knows not how to hold a blade I should be surprised were he to offer you any trouble."
He watched with a critical eye as Adjunct Ostyrgrein used moves akin to those he had seen the gladiators use while he was at the Coliseum. Nothing to be concerned with yet, as far as he could tell.
"Shut your mouth, you old bastard!" Ostyrgrein shouted back, "I'll show you a samurai trick or two."
Well, he seemed to know Tenka Doken at the very least, albeit it was extremely slow that was more than easy for her to dodge and get around to his backside. When he finally did unleash the attack, Musosai shook his head at the sight.
"Such a clumsy stroke," he sighed piteously. "Seeing it far makes mine eyes bleed you would do better to try and cut down a fly."
"Try this!" Ostyrgrein yelled, and to everyone's surprise, he slung mud over at Claire, and stunned her for a moment for she was left unable to see.
"Slinging mud? You have no honor!" he called angrily as Claire tried to wipe the gunk away from her eyes.
"Shite on your honor! Winning's all that matters!" Ostyrgrein shouted back as she moved out of the way of his next attack once her sight cleared.
Ostyrgrein was quickly realizing that she was in a different league than he was and was starting to stutter as he threatened, "B-Bugger this! Time to use the secret weapon!"
He threw explosives at her, which covered the deck, and forced her to sprint to a location where she was able to avoid getting blow apart and Musosai's eyes narrowed even more in anger.
"You were no samurai, but neither are you a gladiator," he said, remembering how there were many gladiators who fought with honor back at the Coliseum. Even a handful of them he fought himself as he looked for his pupil. This former gladiator was much like Beroald in that he knew and understood nothing.
"Nay, you are naught but a craven," he said darkly as Claire spun up behind him and dealt the final blow.
"Th-This can't be right…" Ostyrgrein gasped before he fell to the deck, and was left unable to move. At last Gurumi Borlumi realized that he was finished. He was starting to panic and quake with fear as he looked around for someone, anyone, to save him.
"Noo! It's not supposed to play out like this!" he gasped before his eyes found the side of the ship and called with a tremble in his voice, "Th-The banquet is over!"
Stopping only to grab one of his prized katana, he ran and jumped ship, diving straight into the water below.
"Come, Claire! We give chase!" Musosai called and they followed him right overboard and into the water. They followed him all the way back to the docks, which he was glad to see that the ship had been moving the whole time the battle took place. Still, the swim was almost too much for him as they reached land—though it was also too much for Gurumi Borlumi, who was on his knees and gasping for air.
"This is as far as you go," Musosai said as he stood tall, refusing to let his old age stop him this time.
At the sound of his voice Gurumi Borlumi gasped and jumped back to his feet when he turned to look at him.
"Wh-Who are you?" he demanded, terror in his voice.
"I am Musosai, and beside me is my pupil, Claire," he told him proudly, "We seek out the wicked and exact justice upon them."
"M-Musosai?" Gurumi Borlumi gasped, his eyes widening. "The legendary swordsman whose tales I heard in Kugane?!"
Musosai's eyes flashed at that. So he heard of him, then? He had to stop him… not only to deal out the punishment he deserved, but also to silence him before he said anything else. He couldn't risk Claire knowing the truth… not yet, anyway.
"Small wonder my guards didn't stand a chance!" Gurumi Borlumi said, but his hands had gone to the sword as he spoke, "B-But even legends bleed, and with my transcendent katana, I am more than a match for you!"
He held it up, ready to swing, a confident smile on his face again as he declared, "Come! This blade shall drink deep of your lifeblood!"
"Unrepentant fiend," he hissed before he readied himself to strike. There was a saying back in his homeland… 'The sharpest blade in all the land is useless in untrained hands'. This fiend was putting all his faith into surviving into the sword—which may have well been a stick in this case since he knows not how to wield it. "You belong not in gaol, but in hell. Say your prayers to whatever kami you keep.
He cut him down, leaving him a bleeding mess on the deck—dead before he even fell. He sheathed his blade, feeling Claire's eyes on him.
"You needn't befoul your blade with scum such as this," he told her honestly before turning back. "We have accomplished our goal of excising evil, and for that I am glad. But this outing leaves much to be desired for your training."
She tilted her head in confusion, probably thinking that she had done something wrong, but he shook his head, explaining that the fault was not hers.
"For you see, a samurai learns best when he faces a fellow samurai of equal skill," he told her. "Alas, they are hard to come by in this land, and a pretender such as that whom you faced is no substitute."
At that moment, Momozigo came into sight, having borrowed a boat to follow them back. He climbed out of the dingy and went running to them when he saw Gurumi Borlumi's body there.
"Whew, we did it! Pats on the back for everyone, especially me!" he said proudly, "Now, what's this about you being a legend back at home?"
Ah, so he overheard him, then? He supposed it was of little wonder since Gurumi Borlumi was practically screaming at that point. Musosai frowned a little, not wishing to lie to them anymore than he had, but he had to give them some kind of answer.
"'Tis ancient history," he said at last, "Whatever I may have been in the past, now I am but as you see me: an old man long past his prime."
They both looked at him questioningly, and he feared that they were going to ask him more about it. He could only thank the Kami that a distraction appeared in the form of Gegeruju and one of his servants.
"Well done, my friends! You have rid us of a deprave monster," Gegeruju said when he glanced down at the body as if this happened often. "His was a brutal end, but it was no more than he deserved. Justice well served indeed! Rest assured this mess will be cleaned up. As they say, what happens in del Sol stays in del Sol."
Ah, another thing to be grateful for.
"We are in your debt, my lord," he said kindly as he bowed to him. Gegeruju was as good as his word as the body was cleaned up and moved—already things were being taken care of and they would be able to continue on their journey to rid the land of evil. They waited until Momzigo changed back into his normal clothes, giving them back to Gegeruju, glad that he was of some help to them.
"At least I wasn't in any danger this time," he said brightly when it was just the three of them on the docks now, ready to discuss where they were to go now.
Musosai nodded as he told him, "You were very brave, my friend. We couldn't have done it without your help."
What did he do to deserve such fine companions? He could only thank the merciful kami for this chance.
"Our work here is done; one fewer evil afflicts… afflicts…" Musosai began before he felt it again. A sharp pain passing through his chest so that it felt that he was on fire. He fell to his knees, hissing in terrible pain as he tried to fight it. Not now… not here…?
He felt Claire's concerned hand on his shoulder and Momozigo's gasp of panic.
"Musosai!" he asked, "Are you alright?"
No, he didn't wish for them to see this. It took a great deal of strength to force himself back up, and putting on a reassuring smile.
"Worry not, I shall be fine…" he told them, refusing to show them how much pain that he was in, "My endurance is not what it once was, is all. Come, my friends. Let us move on, to wherever the wind should blow."
He closed his eyes as he felt the wind, picking up the salty air of the ocean… yet, he also could sense something else with it. The floral scent of flowers, perhaps?
"And the wind blows, 'twould seem, to the forest," he said, remembering that Momozigo told them that there was a city that dwelt in the forest. "Momozigo, pray lead on."
But at the suggestion, he saw Momozigo noticeably pale at the suggestion.
"The forest? Y-You mean… Gridania?" he asked, as if he thought that he heard wrong. "Oh dear… er, I mean, of course! Right this way!"
He told them that the best way to get there would be to take an airship, so they would have to take the next boat back to Limsa where they could fly from there. Musosai was so enthralled at the idea of taking a flying ship that he hadn't noticed how nervous Momozigo was acting.
But there was one who did notice.
*Claire*
"You sure you are alright?" Claire asked in concern once they were safely back in Limsa Lominsa after they left the ship that brought them back. They had even made it up the lift to the airship landing, merely waiting for Momozigo to finish paying for their tickets that would take them to Gridania. But she was concerned over her Master's health. It would have been hard enough for someone to be running around 'striking evil' were they young, but Master Musosai was an old man.
She had to guess that swim back was more than he could handle, and despite his reassurances, she could not help but feel that he was hiding something from her. Though, she could not tell just what it was that he was trying to hide.
"Yes, my dear," he reassured her as he patted her arm, "I am doing as well as can be expected. That swim took much out of me. That is all. Old age can be a cruel thing. I promise to be more careful from now on."
She doubted that. What was it? What was it that was driving him forward? Something weighed heavily on his mind, though it was like it was shrouded in a fog so she could not see what it was. She wished that she knew just what it was that distracted him so.
Still, she cheered up when she saw how he stared with awe at the sight of the airship and was even looking frightened at the thought of stepping on, unable to believe that steel and wood could hold together for them to fly. She took his arm with her own as she guided him onto the ship, with Momozigo trailing a little behind them, not saying much. Which was a little unusual now that she thought of it. Was he also nervous about flying?
When they lifted off from the ground, she felt him gripping her arm extra tightly as he looked about.
"Amazing," he whispered when they were in the air once more. "Simply amazing! I never would have believed this to be possible!"
She smiled back at his childish awe that made him look almost young again. She supposed that she would let the matter go for now and let him enjoy himself while he can.
*Musosai*
To think that a man could fly through the skies here? Oh, what a marvelous place, this Heir's Ear was. He wished that he could tell his countrymen about it back home, but he also knew that was no longer possible at this point. He could honestly say that he was so thrilled to experience the joys of flight at least once in his long life.
Though, perhaps once was enough. When he saw the thick trees and wooden rooftops of the city below him, he could truthfully say when he heard that they would be landing soon. It was both exhilarating as well as terrifying… in fact, he hadn't realized how tightly he was gripping his pupil's arm until they stepped off together at the landing and loosened his death grip.
She didn't seem to mind though as she led them upstairs to the tavern and he got a good look at this beautiful new place.
"Ahhh Gridania. Always lovely to be here," Momozigo said as he dawdled behind them and he laughed awkwardly.
Musosai closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, smelling the wonderful sent of flowers, leaves, and wood all around him.
"A nation at one with the forest… simply being here is salve for the soul," he confessed peacefully. These trees and flowers were nothing like he had seen back in Hingashi, yet they were still every bit as beautiful… he could only wish that he could see the Cherry Blossom trees again. Oh, if only he see them once more?
"Yet even amidst such seemingly serenity, untold wickedness may lurk," he said to his companions. "Until such time as we find it, pray continue applying yourself to our art."
"R-Right, then! I-I'll go about making inquiries at once!" Momzigo said at once and went running off, as if he couldn't wait any longer.
"Yes," Claire said, "Master? Are you sure you are feeling alright? You've been pale since we left?"
"I am doing just well," he lied, ignoring the pain in his chest once more. "Like I said before, I am but an old man who is well past his prime. And I still feel dizzy from our trip through the skies, if truth be told."
She chuckled at that as he smiled. He let her go, though he had to wonder to himself… just how much longer would he be forced to lie to her?