Chapter 10

The Kaiseki was laid out on the table exquisitely, a Takiawase course of steamed meat and vegetables with assisted Tohru's breath, Yakimono of freshly grilled swordfish using only her flames, Hussan of sushi made to upmost perfection using expensive ingredients from the butchers and finally Mukōzuke sliced thinly with Tohru's claws. Kobayashi did constantly remind her to wash her hands and fretted about wrecking the kitchen. But in the end, she did it. A pescatarian paradise.

Fafnir and Takiya are hanging out in the living room with Kobayashi, watching a spooky British tv show about a nuclear cover up by the government. It intrigued the trio seeing the level of deception going on by people in high places and businesses, Kobayashi wondered if the one who hired the subcontractors were working on a secret project. She didn't know what the company demanded of her, the orders were to follow the instructions not ask questions.

Takiya focused his gaze on Fafnir for a moment, heavily invested on the show. The slender posture and silky noir hair fixed with the blank expression tuned the man on for some odd reason. They lived together for a while yet neither of them has shown their feelings to one another in private, maybe it's Fafnir's aloofness but Takiya felt slightly hurt inside. As roommates, he thought, they should be bonding together as close friends (not necessarily lovers) but instead Fafnir spends all his time glued to the computer screen playing his RPG, barely any interaction whatsoever. It was like he didn't need him, just left alone forever…

"Ok you sloths, dinner's almost ready so I want you all to come to the table and stop whatever you're watching." Tohru called, with a cheeky touch.

The three snapped out of their train of thought, looking confused. "Kaiseki's a buffet style dinner Tohru. We can watch and eat at the same time" Kobayashi said.

Tohru folded her arms disappointed, "Alright, but I expect you to eat it up not just nibbling in the slowest time possible, spent two hours preparing it"

"I know, we could hear you…" Kobayashi chortled.

They all came to the table, Elma zoomed in from another room, she was having sweets in secret. She had a speck of cream on her cheek which Kobayashi noticed and rolled her eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing, Elma"

Tohru served up the first course, a small huff emerged seeing her rival still here. Tohru felt urged to mention the Saikei Meko incident to put her off but decided against it knowing full well to be too mean spirited, the bad feeling since lunch remained and struggled to hide it with false smiles.

"So, what's the next stage of the plan Hugo?" Cremene asked, following into the war room.

"For now, we remain observant." Hugo said, taking a shot of whisky. "With the Emperor held captive the Chaos faction will inevitably set course for Egglund, assulting the area constantly under the guise it is they who have trapped him."

"Uh huh… go on."

"The tension will then grow unbearable for the council, pressed with rising terrorist incidents and loss of life, soon they will have no alternative but to accept the Harmony faction's pact of support. Completing the transition into total war."

"I see, and I step in and gather the party, right?"

"Correct Cremene, they need a charismatic leader, somebody with courage, strength and intent…" He studied Cremene like a trophy than an actual person. "When I first laid my eyes on you I knew exactly what I was looking for."

The dragon had a self-assured demeanour. To him, Hugo understood what he wanted. Previously nobody took his worldview, the rants and desires brushed aside as rhetoric. The laughing and pelting riddled his mind, images of bloodied people lying on the grass and a lone boy crying, shaking them to wake up. It cut like a knife through butter.

"Yes, I will make them pay…" Cremene said lost in thought, busy trying to get it out.

"Is there anything the matter?" Hugo inquired.

Cremene swiftly looked back up, retaining his composure. "It's nothing sir, just a bad thought"

"Ahh, so I gather…" it was eerie how Hugo treated Cremene as the student, obeying the wishes with little to no question. The latter didn't mind, as long he felt respected Cremene would do anything you asked him to. The level of trust between them was sturdy enough to not argue. Besides Cremene couldn't dispute what he said. He wouldn't want to upset his master, Hugo had the strings.

The old man walked to the door, "Anyway, I must go and see our new guest below, you're at ease for the time being, gather your allies together for the anticipating battle."

"Yes sir, thank you… oh and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"While I was waiting outside the human's house I overheard the emperor talk about sending someone to fetch his daughter, I have a possibility that the human I bumped into was possibly assigned by that task."

Hugo's eyebrow raised and smirked. "Perfect, that should make things very interesting for our friend."

Cremene nodded and accompanied Hugo down the staircase, wearing his robes again. "I'll see you when I have everything ready." He then left the cathedral, blending back in the crowd.

Hugo headed deep down to the dingy cells lit by sporadic torches, it's listless atmosphere made gave the impression nobody was to come here. A guard had a chain of keys to his belt, leading Hugo to a cell further afield. He unlocked the cell door open, unveiling a red dragon tied firmly down on hard iron chains across its back, arms and legs, and one wrapped around its neck, so the head remained in one direction.

The beast awoke, focusing its shining red pupils on its captor. The eyes squinted, and a deep growl can be heard from its razor white teeth.

"What is the meaning behind this?!" it called telepathically, trying hard not to lash out.

"Oh, nothing really, we thought it'd be best to get a minor inconvenience out of the way…" Hugo replied smugly, his unfeeling eyes piercing the dragon's "Let's face it, the war has reached a stalemate, and I'm doing all I can to accelerate it, which regrettably I have to make concessions."

"Do not mince words with me, you treacherous cretin!" the dragon snorted, the steam visible and nearly blew the cell door off the hinges. "We've seen each other numerous times to know you're more corrupt and bloodthirsty than any life form I ever met, even a human wouldn't go to such warped lengths. I suppose Cremene got dragged into your sick scheme as well?"

"It is most true that I have brought the young fellow on board, we have a mutual understanding of our goals." Hugo walked around "The decimation of your people will be of great benefit, once they are swept away we plan to form a new kingdom on the foundation of peace and justice"

"Peace and justice… ha! You will never say those words sincerely Hugo, not when in reality you want to grab all the power you can get."

"Indeed…" The human slowly approached to him "Once Egglund joins the campaign, with my followers I shall wage my own war on you and the Harmony faction, and the Spectation, and the humans, and the Gods. Total war reaching all corners of the globe, then there'll be peace. I promise no one will be left out... including your daughter"

Suddenly the dragon fired up in rage roaring, lunging at Hugo's face inches from contact, restrained only by the chains.

"I SWEAR BY MY ANCESTORS HIGH ABOVE IF YOU LAY ONE FINGER ON HER."

Hugo wryly laughed "Yes, I've heard about your little conversation back at the house, it couldn't have been a more fortunate time, so you've sent a human to the other world to fetch your daughter. Well, perhaps it's a family reunion after all."

He then exited the cell, locking the door back again. He peaked through the bars.

"Been nice talking to you, old friend."

SWOOOOSH!

Hugo dodged the incoming flames, singeing the tip of his hair. He turned to the dungeoneer

"If he does something like that again, you're allowed to give out as much punishment needed to tame him"

The hooded figure nodded and stood besides, watching carefully.

The dragon, now hopeless, closed its eyes and sent a telepathic message as a last-ditch attempt for aid.

"Tohru… help…. me…."

Tohru let out a wide gasp, frozen still with a look of horror and shock.

"Tohru, are you feeling good?" Kobayashi placed an arm on her shoulder.

"That sounded like my father..."

The room went quiet and all eyes glared at her, "What did he say?"

"He said... he needs help."

A/N The TV show in Kobayashi's living room is a reference to Edge of Darkness, a BBC miniseries from the mid-80s, one of my all time favourite shows.