The battle went considerably faster with Serena in her warpath. The crew also gained a considerable moral boost with her appearance and the amount of damage she dealt. When they were finished, the deck was littered with dead bleeding bodies. Serena looked out towards the land only to see that the men who took Mimi were long gone. Serena and Issie then searched through them to find one that was still alive. Picking up the only survivor, they took him inside the navigation room and tied him to a wooden armchair. Serena far too angry to let the man wake up on his own took a knife and stuck it through his hand. Fiona winced though the blood-curdling scream released from his lips proved it to be effective.
"Where is my kitty?"
Serena asked sweetly with a smile though venom laced every word. The man spit on her face in response. In one swift motion Issie backhanded him, blood spewed from his mouth onto the floor, the chair teetering slightly.
"I'll ask you again. If you value your life you will tell me where my cat is"
Serena demanded ripping the knife from the man's hand and lowering it dangerously close to his manhood. The man screamed and thrashed around in his restraints. Breathing heavily her words and actions seemed to register in his head, but not quick enough.
"I do not have time for this"
Serena barked before raising the knife
"Wait! Wait! I'll tell you!"
Serena smiled again and lowered the knife, still keeping it in close proximity to his groin.
"That's all I want. Also, remember what will happen if you lie~…"
Lowering her eyes looking down to the knife. The man gulped and took a deep breath. He told them how they were sent by a lord behind the gates of Wano, who had heard of their tiger and wanted the prized animal for himself. Serena nodded
"What is this lords name?"
The man hesitated, but Serena responded with sharp pressure to his crotch and he quickly spoke up
"Lord Takeshi…His name is Lord Takeshi"Serena moved the knife and smiled
Serena moved the knife and smiled
"See was that so hard~?"
Blood splashed across the wall to her side, the man gurgled as it bubbled down from the almost surgical slice in his neck. Fiona looked away, and Issie just sighed
"You killed him before we could ask him how to get to this lords place"
Serena sweat dropped
"Oh… Well, we'll just have to find our own way!"
"I heard the gates of Wano are heavily guarded and impenetrable from the outside"
Issie stated as she began to untie the man. She carried him out to the rest of the bodies, before throwing him on top of the heap.
"What are we going to do with these?"
"Wrap them up and throw them in the sea I guess. Can't leave them sitting here."
Issie nodded and began to get some tarp. She turned to Fiona who looked sick.
"I'd tell you it gets better but it doesn't. Might as well get used to it now, you're a pirate after all."
She told the girl flatly though concern showed through her eyes
"This isn't right! Killing all these men…"
The air thickened and Fiona found it difficult to breathe, Issie turned away from the girl frowning. Serena appeared before her, eyes deadly
"You also killed some of these men did you not?"
Fiona sputtered, lost for words. She had killed some of these men, in the heat of the moment. She looked at her hands, disgust washed over her. She had been a shop owner until a few months ago; killing was never something she did. Never thought it was something she'd do. Her artifacts may have killed, but never once had she taken a life with her own hands.
"Would you rather let them kill you? Kill me? Kill Issie? Cause that's what they would have done. They would have killed you without a second thought, and if that was all they did then they would have been merciful."
She hissed, eyes flickering with ominous light before leaning up into the other girl breathing in her ear
"I've seen men do terrible things to a corpse, even worse if they took you alive…"
Fiona shuddered and looked away, she didn't like this side of her captain, she didn't know this side of her captain. The idiotic, loud cheery Serena is what she's come to know, who this was she couldn't say but the death in her eyes bid Fiona not to question her commands. This girl had helped her in ways no one else had, yet Fiona began to wonder if the reward was worth doing the things she's done and will most likely continue to do. The words of Issie echoed in her head, When she came back, she was never the same. Fiona wondered what in all hells could the Marine's have done to turn a happy little girl into what she just saw. Serena's eyes shone with so much hurt and so many promises of death, it made Fiona think of a relic that came into a shop when she first opened. A treasured mirror that once belonged to a woman who's husband would kill every son they brought into the world and rape their daughters. One day she snapped brutally killing everyone, her husband, her daughters and herself. She was found with her wrists sliced at her vanity, laying her head on the wood clutching the mirror as she stared into it with hollow eyes. The mirror that meant so much to her came to hold her tortured soul, merely a glance into it would cause the owners to take their own life. Such was the pain of the woman who it originally belonged; such was her hatred of this world. Serena leaned back and began to help Issie with the wrapping.
"You can't rush her with things like this Serena, she hasn't lived this life for long"
Issie whispered. Serena breathed heavily out from her nose
"I wouldn't, but right now there's no choice. We need to save Mimi, I will not allow someone to come and take a member of my crew, my family, without dire repercussions."
They were done in less than 5 minutes. Each girl showed the skill of having done that before. They left the ship and went to the gates of Wano.
Once there, they saw guards lined up in front. There were also guards positioned on the top of the walls surrounding the titanic gate. This isn't going to be easy, Issie thought. Glancing to her captain and to Fiona who hadn't said a word since her little spat with Serena.
"We need to find another way"
She stated
"We can't we have to save Mimi"
"We can't get through this gate, there's no way to open it from out here. We have to find another way."
Serena mulled over what Issie said, before nodding in acceptance.
Just then she felt a familiar presence. A smile threatened to grace her lips when she spoke
"So you've come back?"
Issie looked confused, looking around she saw no one but the three of them. Then jumping down from the trees a figure approached them hidden in the shadows.
"I thought I hid my presence perfectly"
"We all have our talents"
Serena replied coolly.
"So what brings you to us, yet again?"
"I hear you need passage into Wano."
"I do. We do, will you help us Matchi?"
Issie's eyes widened along with Fiona's who had snapped out of her gloom with the appearance of the girl from the pub. Matchi met Serena's eyes as she stepped into the light of the street lamps
"I can. But if I do, you must also help me."
Matchi could swear she saw a smile flash across Serena's face, but as quickly as she saw it, it was gone.
"What do you mean?"
"My friend is being held by the same man who holds your beast. Aid me in rescuing her and I shall show you the way."
Issie stepped in
"You're a skilled warrior yourself, why can't you rescue your friend"
Serena let her eyes wonder back to Matchi who clenched her hands into fists, eyes looking with anger and shame at the ground.
"They have too many men, I may be able to get into there but I don't believe I would be able to get her back out."
Issie eyed her
"And how is it that you know we need to get into Wano?"
Matchi looked at her intently
"I have many friends in and outside of the gate. Word travels fast, especially when Lords are involved. There is to be a party to celebrate Takeshi's newest pet, a monstrous tiger. It was not hard to connect it to your crew."
Issie nodded slowly seemingly content with her answer before turning towards her captain
"Let's go."
Serena rang, and off they went into the night. Matchi took them around the wall to a pipe. Stopping she took off the grate and began to walk through it. Fiona stopped and held her nose
"Oh, my gods! It smells like shit!"
Matchi scoffed in response. Issie smiled slightly, happy the girl had seemingly recovered so fast.
"It's a sewer"
Fiona recoiled
"A sewer!? We're walking through other people's shit and piss?!"
"Would you rather be walking through your own?"
Matchi replied dryly. Fiona didn't know what to say, shutting her nose with her hands she accepted defeat as they traveled through the sewers.
After what Fiona would swear was forever they reached the end. Matchi kicked open the grate leading to the exit, Fiona smelling a gentle breeze pushed all of the girls out
"Ahhh thank gods! I thought for sure my nose was going to fall off"
"It's still there"
"I'll have nasal trauma for the rest of my life"
"Get off!"
Issie pushed her way out of the dog pile and reached down to lift Serena up. Matchi stood looking around before turning to the girls
"Good, we're five minutes to the lords castle. When we get there we'll have to scale the walls, the front will be heavily guarded. The walls are not as grand as the gate, so it shouldn't take us long as long as we stay out of sight. They should be keeping my friend in his quarters and your beast will most likely be there as well. Takeshi has a formidable guard yet he does not trust the other nobles. The party is most likely to rub his feat and wealth in their faces. He will probably be in the room with them, his guards stationed just outside his quarters. We'll keep low until we are in proximity, using the space in the ceiling to hide our movements."
Issie nodded, suspicious as to how Matchi seemed to know so much about this lord and his forces. While Serena tried to keep focus, but Fiona rolling around on the ground thanking the gods for the beauty of fresh air couldn't be ignored. Fresh air, after all, was a gift. The girls snuck through the streets of Wano, guards were concentrated around the walls, leaving the city scarce. Matchi explained that since the lords had their own guards, city guards were really only necessary in the lower class neighborhoods and public spaces. As they approached Lord Takeshi's estate they were able to sense a greater number of presences. Matchi held up her hand, gesturing for them to stop. They looked around seeing the front gate heavily guarded, Serena stepped forward. Matchi's eyes widened, she hissed
The girls snuck through the streets of Wano, guards were concentrated around the walls, leaving the city scarce. Matchi explained that since the lords had their own guards, city guards were really only necessary in the lower class neighborhoods and public spaces. As they approached Lord Takeshi's estate they were able to sense a greater number of presences. Matchi held up her hand, gesturing for them to stop. They looked around seeing the front gate heavily guarded, Serena stepped forward. Matchi's eyes widened, she hissed
"What are you doing? We have a plan!"
Serena just turned her head back to them and smiled
"I'll take care of these guys. Fiona, Issie make sure our new comrade gets her friend back and when you free Mimi allow her to have the pleasure of ripping the lord's face off."
With that, she was gone, appearing in front of the gate waving to the guards. Issie sucked in a breath, they needed to be as far away as possible for Serena to fight fully
"She'll be fine we need to move"
Matchi nodded apprehensively and the girls continued on with their plan.
Serena's eyes danced around over every soldier in view, smiling merrily at them though her eyes burned with pent up anger. There were 20 on the ground at the entrance, and about 30 standing on top of the wall to the sides of the gate. She could sense more just beyond the gates entrance. A soldier standing by the gate noticed her and stepped forward, placing a hand on his sword. He began to shout at her in the language of the land, she cocked her head to the side and stepped closer. Another soldier shouted he seemed to be more experienced by the way he moved and yelled at her in English seemingly taking notice that she was foreign to the land.
"Leave these grounds now or die in the name of our honorable lord!"
Serena smiled wider. A Cheshire-like grin filled with the bloodlust that began to ooze off of her in waves. The soldiers tensed and drew their weapons. The one who first spoke to her raised his sword and gave the command to attack, with a mighty battle cry. Men rushed towards her, flanking her from all sides though Serena didn't move. She stood still with the same smile on her face, her heart sped up and excitement filled her veins. Surrounded by nineteen of the men who guarded the gate, the leader standing back, no emotion showing on his face as he waited for the girl to fall. The first strike came from her left, dodging she used the man's weight against him and flung him into the man on her right. The soldier's sword stabbed the other man in the gut, he fell coughing up his own blood. The one who stabbed him had the other man's sword lodged in his throat, he gurgled falling on top of the other corpse. The men around her were surprised, but quickly shook that feeling off and replaced it with anger. They attacked Serena simultaneously; she dodged each attack as if it were a planned dance, all the while never losing her smile. One of the men who watched on the wall gulped, thinking how the movements reminded him of an old local tale from his village, the dance of demons. Serena believing enough time had passed for her crewmates to be entering the castle thought it time to end this. She lifted her leg high up into the air, brought it down onto a man's shoulder instantly snapping through armor and bone before drawing her dagger. Time for the offensive strike. Whipping her dagger into position she continued her dance of dodging, though with every dodge came a strike. The first was a man's throat, then the side of one's groin, the muscles on the forearm of another, just behind the knee of the next. As the fight drew on so did it become apparent that Serena was toying with them. The wounds she inflicted caused less instantaneous death, allowing the men to die slowly. The spurting of blood became the oozing of blood; the ability to stand or hold swords left them, allowing them to be slashed without defense. The leader's breath caught in his chest, realizing that his men were already dead he raised his arm signaling for the archers on the wall to begin. While they released their fury of arrows, he pulled out a den-den mushi and called the lord about the situation.
peda peda peda peda peda peda peda peda cacha
"This better be important…"A gruff voice answered the den-den mushi frowned
A gruff voice answered the den-den mushi frowned it's eyes turning into slits as it glared at the man, festive music playing the background. Trying to calm himself the leader took a breath before relaying the situation
"There's an intruder at the front gates. Twenty men have already fallen, I believe we are going to need back up."
The den-den mushi was silent as it glared at the man
"You're all worthless. I should've replaced you all with White Fang long ago. Kill the intruder, I'll notify Hisoka of your disgrace. His forces will arrive shortly, use the men behind the gate until they arrive. Today is a special day, I will not allow some stray rounin to spoil Lord Takeshi's celebration."
With that the call ended, breathing out, the leader released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. As he placed his focus back to where the girl was standing he felt warm steel on his neck before everything went dark.
Serena flicked the blood off her dagger, now that backup was coming she could hopefully let loose. She felt a drop hit her head looking up to where the archers were she smiled. Their bodies riddled with holes from the small rocks she soundlessly pelted them within seconds, not giving any of them the chance to alert their oh so diligent commander. Turning to the gates she pondered waiting for them to open with reinforcements but quickly shot that idea down, her bloodlust triggered something deep inside her. Her eyes had been flickering throughout the battle and her control over her power was waning. It was time she let loose, she just hoped that Matchi's plan was going well.
Rewind about 20 minutes
Matchi lead the girls towards where the guards thinned out above the wall. Gesturing them to keep low and quiet she looked up and saw the guards getting ready for a shift change. Right on time she thought, she knew that a shift change would give them about two minutes to get over the wall before they risked the chance of being found out. Taking out gloves that had blades on the end making them resemble claws, she handed them over to her companions. Issie looked at them confused, Matchi clawed the air and pointed at the wall. Issie just shook her head and took out two daggers and smirked. Fiona on the other hand quickly took the clawed gloves from Issie putting them on. Nodding Matchi pointed her finger up she and the other girls began to scale the wall. Fiona and Issie tried to match their pace with hers though Fiona was having a bit of trouble. She wasn't used to the clawed gloves or scaling walls for that matter. Matchi could sense the guards start walking for the enclosed space where she knew the stairs were, their shift change was starting. Speeding up her climb using her arms strong from training with a sword, her callused fingers gripped the uneven bricks with ease. She reached the top of the wall with Issie a few climbs behind her and Fiona a few climbs behind her. Looking around Matchi cursed under her breath 120 seconds, looking over the wall she waved the girls up. Issie stretched out her hand and Matchi pulled her up, Fiona grabbed onto Issie's leg making Matchi grunt quietly and Issie grimaced at the metal claws lightly piercing into her flesh. As they were being pulled over Matchi continued counting down in her head, 60 seconds left. Quickly looking over the other side of the wall she saw many different nobles and their wives, musicians, acrobats and a variety of different entertainers. The inside of the castle was lit with life and celebration. Looking up at the curved roof, she spotted a ledge with a dragon statue that was out far enough that they might be able to reach if they jumped across. She grabbed Issie and threw her over, Issie's eyes went wide as she tried to hold back a scream at the unexpected flying session. Seeing the roof come into her reach she released some wind from her feet, giving her enough push to land on the roof in a roll, stopping herself before she rolled back down and off of the roof. Fiona watched Issie sail across the sky and her stomach dropped, quickly turning her attention to Matchi who was starting to reach for her as well. Shaking her head and arms feverously from side to side, though Matchi grabbed her all the same. Tucking Fiona under her arm Matchi kept her grip firm as she jumped onto the brick railing of the wall. Tensing her strong legs she crouched down, clamped a hand over Fiona's mouth and leaped over to the roof. As she was about to reach the roof she threw Fiona to Issie before landing crouched on one knee, the force of her land causing wind to circle out from under her. If it wasn't for the music and festivities, they would have been noticed. Just then the new guards came and began to patrol the wall, keeping diligent watch to the ongoings outside of the wall.
Issie caught Fiona who clung to her. Arms around neck, legs around waist and face buried into her neck all the while refusing to open her eyes. Issie just patted her back, trying to not think about how her larger chest pushed her own almost flat.
Matchi looked around the roof crouching low.
"This way"
She whispered to the others. Issie nodded and looked down at Fiona, raising an eyebrow expectantly. Lowering her eyes Fiona reluctantly got off of Issie, they both crouched down and quickly followed behind Matchi.
Matchi crept along the curved roof looking around for guards or anyone who could spot them. Thankfully, the party was large enough to keep those inside occupied. She stopped abruptly holding her hand up to alert the girls behind her. Unfortunately, the message was received too late. Fiona bumped into Matchi, losing her balance on the roof began to fall off. Issie bumped into Fiona as she bumped into Matchi, Fiona grabbed Matchi as Issie grabbed Fiona. Though it was Fiona who almost fell off the roof, if it wasn't for her companions who quickly pulled her back up and steady.
"What the hell, Matchi!"
Fiona hissed, Matchi and Issie just looked at her before shaking their heads. Matchi looked over the roof and pointed down at three servants.
"We should steal their clothes, it'll make getting inside easier."
"I thought we were taking the vents?"
"We are, but we are on the opposite side and seeing as someone-"
Matchi shot a look at Fiona, who flipped her off
"Doesn't have the ability of stealth, this will be safer."
Issie nodded in understanding
"So we just have to knock them out yea?"
"Correct"
"Alright on three then"
Issie smiled
"1 – "
Matchi jumped down, revealing two swords mid-air using the blunt side of the blades she placed blows on the back of each girls necks, knocking them out before they even registered her being there.
Issie and Fiona jumped down, both more than a little impressed.
"That was fucking amazing!"
Fiona rang, Issie nodded
"It definitely was, where did you learn to acquire such skills?"
Matchi picked on two of the girls throwing them over each of her shoulders, before responding
"I never had a formal sensei. Swords came to me as if they were born with me. Now quickly we must get changed and hide the bodies before anyone sees."
Fiona took one of them from Matchi and Issie took the one still on the ground. Matchi quickly changed into the black cotton kimono noting how the edges were lined with silk. She scoffed to herself; He must show off his wealth in the most prominent ways. Issie and Fiona had a bit more difficulty with a garment. Matchi seeing this undid Issie's elaborately wrong work quickly fixing her, before doing the same to Fiona. Issie slid her daggers into her arm holster while Matchi cut a bit of the obi band tying it around and under her shoulders creating a holster. Placing her swords so they traveled down her back before releasing her full fiery hair from its high ponytail, concealing them. For the final piece, though it was more of a necessity, she loosened the upper part of her kimono allowing it to slide slightly down her shoulders. She then placed her tanto into her sleeve, checking her range of movement before satisfied. The three slipped on the black stained geta sandals and dragged the girls into a nearby bush before making their way over to the opposite side of the castle.
"Keep your heads down, and don't say anything to anyone"
Matchi warned as they made their way around the edges of the courtyard. They had to walk slowly to not attract any attention and because only Matchi was used to wearing geta. They stayed as far away from the party as possible, though not far enough.
"You there servant girl!"
Matchi stopped slowly, giving the other girls enough time to follow suit. Fiona started chewing her bottom lip while Issie remained looking downward face steadfast. Neither knew what the man was saying.
"Did you not hear me wench? Come here!"
Matchi looked up towards him, smiling demurely before making her way over. The man who called seemed to be a guest of the party. His face slightly pink from drink as he grabbed Matchi's arm with pudgy fingers. Pulling her close enough to him that she could smell his sake ridden breath, feel his protruding hardened gut on her side. It took everything in her power to not stab him where he stood, Fiona and Issie felt the same. Issie's daggers ever ready in her palm, Fiona's hands curling and uncurling. Both girls kept their heads down but their eyes focused on the scene just in case anything was to break out.
Matchi continued to hold her polite demure façade keeping her eyes down casted
"I'm so sorry, honorable sir. I would be honored to offer my services."
That seemed to please him as he loosened his grip on her, taking a step back to greedily leer at her chest bulging out of the servant's clothing. He licked his lips and Matchi pushed her shoulders back giving him a better look.
"Excuse me honorable sir, but if it pleases maybe it would be better if we were to go back there…"
Matchi mumbled lightly, pointing to a dark space between two buildings. The man's eyes overflowed with lust, it didn't take him long to decide.
"How very forward, I must ask Lord Takeshi a selling price for you. Though with such a flower as yourself he may not want to part, I know I wouldn't!"
He gave a hearty laugh leading Matchi into the dark space out of sight. A few seconds later Matchi emerged, an aggravated glint in her eye though the rest of her face betrayed no emotions. She walked past Issie and Fiona motioning them to follow her. They both just looked at each other then looked back to where she took him, the tip of a finger barely visible.
"Guess we know what happened to him…"
Fiona whispered to Issie, who just smiled
"It might have been a bit harsh to kill him for that."
"Never thought I'd hear you say that"
"I'm not a monster some people deserve to die, others don't."
The girls continued to whisper back and forth until Matchi shot them both a look.
"Not all lords are terrible, they are just men. Both good and evil exist in all."
With that, she continued walking.
Fiona looked at Issie who just shrugged her shoulders. They continued through the large estate, taking care to stick to the outskirts of the party to not get noticed again. Thankfully everyone was distracted by a flamboyant performance of fire and acrobats. Guards were becoming more common the deeper they tread, soon one or two were posted every few feet. Matchi turned her head slightly towards them giving a short nod.
"We're almost there"
She whispered as an ornate Asian styled building came into view. The curved roof laced with gold, phoenixes standing watch ready for flight. The ground leading up a runway of guards watching each other, with two on the ends watching the crowd. Sliding doors painted with beautiful watercolor dragons flying over mountains concealed the innards. Matchi stopped and surveyed the area, slowing her pace down to a steady walk she lead the girls behind the building to the side before making her way to the side of the building in question.