Chapter 10
Illusionist's Will
Vacuo City
"You failed before Archer, what makes me think I would rehire you?" Cinder asked me looking down from a rooftop onto the city of Vacuo. I removed my mask and let down my short silver hair, adjusting my eye patch over my right eye.
"Why else would I be here Cinder? The only reason I failed is because of an unexpected complication. It won't happen again, I can promise you that." I stated as the tall woman in the crimson turned around with a seductive smile.
"You also failed others, tell me how they would feel about that?" She asked.
"Disappointed Cinder, but no need to remind me. Are you going to rehire me or not?" I asked as she snapped her fingers. A pair of footsteps came from behind me as I turned around to a short young girl with a white jacket, black pants and a mix match of pink and brown hair carrying an umbrella.
"I have to work with her?" I scoffed as Cinder laughed.
"You two could use some girl time or per say, catching up." She said as I felt a pair of arms wrap around me before I shrugged them off.
"Don't touch me Neo, the last time you gave me scars in places I'd rather not mention." I said as I heard a frustrated sigh from the silent illusionist.
"Still angry about before Archer?" Cinder asked.
"Quite a bit." I said.
"You know what to do then, get to it." She said as I put the mask on and the bow across my chest.
"As you command, so it shall be." I said.
Train station
"Where the hell are you Kyran?" I said aloud looking around the crowded station trying to identify him. However, I could only tell that everyone decided that today was the best day to come to Vacuo. Even if it was for the tournament, this is just ridiculous.
"You seem lost." Someone said as I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Murasaki who looked as if he just woke up from a nap.
"Just trying to find my student in this mess." I sighed with frustration as he chuckled. "What in the hell is so funny?" I asked the purple haired swordsman.
"Oh no reason, I am just surprised you are still "Student and Teacher". I would think you decided to move on towards a more...intimate relationship." He joked as I slapped him across the face.
"You asshole, it isn't like that." I growled.
"You say that now, just watch. It'll happen." He said.
"Edana told you didn't she?" I asked.
"Oh yea totally, it was too irresistible not to." Edana said stepping up next to me.
"I hate you two so much." I sighed as they both laughed.
"By the way, I found him." Murasaki said pointing the long black haired man standing next to the Heiress.
"Thank you Murasaki, you two can proceed to the hotel now." I said walking off towards him.
"There you are! Spent the last couple minutes looking for you." I said as he looked at me.
"Had to make sure that the Heiress was safe. You can head to the convoy now Weiss, the police will be sure to escort you to the hotel. Me and Flyresa will be sure to come along with. Edana and Murasaki will switch out with us after we arrive. Is that understood?" I asked the young woman.
"Crystal clear. See you there." Weiss acknowledged as she left the station before turning towards me picking the black case opening it up to the Steel Gunblade.
"Sorry about that, you were saying?" He said as I sighed.
"Actually, I should be apologizing. It was rude of me earlier to ask the kind of questions I did." I stated as he chuckled.
"No harm no foul. It's fine Flyresa." He said buckling the Gunblade to his back.
"Heavy enough for you?" I asked.
"Quite the contrary. Actually quite light. Let's go to the convoy though, its going to a decent ride to the hotel." He said picking up the case and walking towards the line of vehicles with officers in body armor and rifles. One had a beret with a silver bar on it. Kyran gave a salute to the man before speaking.
"Lieutenant, is everything ready?" He asked.
"Yes, the Heiress is secured are ready for transport." The man reassured.
"And the route?"
"Cordoned off and secure on your go."
"Then let's go" He finished walking towards the line vehicles as he opened the door to an empty car and offered me to go first.
"Ladies first." He joked.
"If you insist." I said entering the vehicle.
"Go, go, go." Kyran said as the convoy before he jumped in at the last second closing the door behind him. Taking a deep breath to relax.
"You alright?" I asked concernedly.
"I'll be alright when we manage to secure the Heiress in the hotel. All I can do right now is worry." He said.
"About what exactly? You said yourself the route is secured. So what is making you so anxious?" I asked him as he looked out the window.
"I'm not sure exactly, but that is what is throwing me off. Something is though." He said cautiously. However, before I could inquisition further. The vehicles came to a complete halt, nearly throwing me out of seat.
"What the hell happened?" I demanded to know as we both exited the vehicle running towards the front. Screams erupted from the front of the convoy as we quickly sprinted the towards the main vehicle. We both stopped upon seeing the horror that was presented to us. A dozen police officers covered in blood scattered around two people. One of them carrying an umbrella and the other...the Masked Archer.
"God no...he's back." Kyran said drawing his Gunblade. "Go, make sure Weiss is safe, I'll take care of these two." He said with complete confidence.
"Kyran wait..." I said grabbing his arm.
"Go, I'll be fine Flyresa." He said before I tugged at it again. He gave me a look as I kissed him lightly on the lips blushing immensely.
"Flyresa...care to explain?" He asked with a total look of shock.
"Don't die on me." I said running back towards the convoy still a state of embarrassment. "Don't you dare die."
"If you insist Flyresa." I said looking back at the two. "Well, shall we dance?" I asked the two as the Archer stepped up drawing his bow.
"Are you sure you want this to play out like such swordsman?" He asked as I chuckled.
"I want to live. And if I have to fight you, that's fine. I found something to fight for now Archer." I responded taking up a stance.
And I won't fail her now.