Chapter 11
Hero Signal
Neo Domino City
Kyo was regretting the fact that he had just rushed with full speed. The leg is not intended for overly strenuous activity, such as midnight hikes and running away from assassins. How close are we to the location you sensed earlier? He kept on walking although the recent fall had unfixed his prosthetic, which was now hitting the ground awkwardly with each step he took. Master, couple more minutes to the location, but I sense multiple spirits of Despair also approaching the point. Prepare for combat.
Despite the warning from Hisao, combat was not required. A big van moved to sight, driving very fast. There's our contact, Master. Now, we should find a way to... The conversation was cut short by car approaching them. The driver stopped a close to them, and stepped out, keeping a safe distance from them. Which one of you is the Chosen? The female voice was commanding, and Kyo instinctively answered: That's me. And you?
Introductions can wait. My partner-in-crime will attract the others, while you will summon your Guardian. Kyo was not sure about the other person, seeking more information: And why would I summon my Guardian? But it was Hisao that answered to the question. So that her guardian can identify me, Master. A ghostly outline appeared in front of Kyo, and a black-clothed spirit hopped in front of the spirit.
The black-robed man eyed the Guardian for some time, before nodding. It is Hisao, but I have no idea about the other one. She is strong in spirit, but not affiliated with Hope or Despair. The boy is acceptable, but the girl... Kyo stopped the words short. Are you suggesting that we abandon her! No way! Azoth just turned towards the boy, looking into his eyes with his metallic eyes shining with anger. Chivlary will not save you, boy. If you want to be left here, be my guest. Otherwise, keep those outbursts to yourself!
Azoth, we are not leaving anyone behind. Hurry up, boy! Kyo and Ren moved towards the car, both sitting on the back seats. Put the seat-belts on, I might need to use evasive maneuvers against the Despair. Unwilling to argue, Kyo helped Ren with the seat-belt before putting his on. This proved to be a wise decision as the driver pressed the gas.
?
Fate, you have disappointed me. Your plans to capture the chosen and... Ren have failed, forcing me to change my plans. Even with the nullifier that you specifically requested, you could not complete your task. The General was busy telling Fate all the faults he had caused. He was not raging, which would have been the normal reaction. Instead, he appeared tranquil, calmly going through Fate's reactions and analyzing them. Master, how can I show my repentance?
You will leave this city. Find more victims, spread the word. But be careful, and do not let Hope catch your tracks. Trust only the Chosen of Despair. And cease contact with Quake, for I think her loyalties lie outside our cause. The kneeling man gathered his courage, asking the General: So you do not trust him? Do you think he has allied with Hope?
The voice that was projected into the room now turned a step more threatening: What I think is my concern. But a fool you would be if you had complete faith in a person who flayed her earlier master. Her loyalty lies not with Hope, for she only looks after her own interests.
I will now release the Enforcers to this city. You will leave before they arrive to your doorstep. Otherwise... Fate looked around his house: Master, how much time until you release them? I have things to pack. Now, the voice returned with horrid volume. Listen to my words, idiot! I already said that I would send them now, meaning at the very moment. But now, that is no longer true, since I released them 5 seconds ago. I suggest you run.
Morning
Kagami-nee, your guest is waking up. A female voice sounded from a room next to where Kyo had been sleeping. The spirit...(Azoth, that's what she called her Guardian) was looking at him. My guest? You dragged him and the girl here in the middle of the night. With no warning! The Master of Azoth did not answer, but the other voice (of her sister?) quieted down. Is those two the Chosen? This time, Chiyo answered: The boy is, but the girl is an anomaly. She has a human body, but the powers of a spirit. It is like someone merged a human with a duel spirit. Then, someone knocked on the door. If you are ready, come out. I think we have much to discuss.
Soon, Kyo walked into the living room, where he was introduced to Chiyo, who had saved him earlier and Kagami, the older sister. Hisao took one look at the girl and emerged to interrupt her. I sense a taint of Despair, although weak. The explanation that followed was interesting. 10 years ago, Chiyo had been one of three Chosen, who had fought against forces of Despair. The enemy leader, Thanatos, had used Kagami as a pawn in the plans, driving her to duel against another of the Chosen, Sato Takumi.
Wait a second. You fought a duel to the death with the boy who later became your husband? and the opponent used Dimension Fusion to connect our world with the spirit world? It sounds like you have been through a lot. And I thought that I had experienced strange things. After this, he begun to explain what he had gone thorough. The news about Ren seemed to surprise the duo, and the story about Amane's disappearance.
Wait a second! Now I know who you are. Tanaka Kyo. After Kagami said the name out loud, Chiyo reacted by spitting out her drink. Azoth moved closer to the boy, spinning his spiked fist. How do you know my name? I don't know you? Chiyo looked at the boy, then turning at Azoth. He doesn't know. This is going to take some explaining. The confused boy asked the girl: Explaining, what explaining?
There is no good way to say this this thing, so I won't bother trying. When I told you about the General, I didn't tell her name, right. It was Tanaka Yasu. Your adoptive mother was the body jacker I told you about. You and Amane were just spare bodies for her plans. The boy wanted to say something, to deny the words he heard. But he could not. There was concern in Chiyo's voice, she was afraid of him reacting badly to the words. Why would she lie, then. Why?
The room fell silent. Master, we need to hurry. Despair will find us soon, and every second we waste pondering is a second they win. We need to act. Hisao talked through the link, supporting Kyo in his own way. He gave Kyo a reason to fight for, focusing his thoughts on the future and not allowing him to dwell in the past. So, what is your plan? What will we do?
Kagami did not see the reason for the quick change in demeanor, but Chiyo seemed to get it. She knows my Guardian helps me. She knows. Then, the planning begun. We have some idea about the plans of Despair, and I have detected many signatures in the Dark World. If you got a message from there, it might pay to investigate. The boy found a problem in that plan: Wouldn't that require me to fall asleep? I just woke up, so..
That is not a problem. I can make you fall asleep with a single spell, if you like. Azoth moved next to Kyo, with Ren walking to his side. A ring appeared below the duo, and Kyo felt the usual lure of the other side catch his spirit away from the room.
As Kyo fell asleeep, the body of Ren disappeared with him. It looks like she switches to a spirit form when she enters the other side, Azoth noted, but I think that we can't keep him in the middle of the room. Before he could do anything, the door was torn open by a tree growing through it. Did you miss me?, asked a cheerful voice from behind the door. Quake. What are you doing here? And why do you smash my door in every single time you visit! Kagami screamed at the intruder, who took a step backwards. Angry, aren't you? But I have a good reason to be here, don't I? Chiyo is here, and so is Kyo. Now, do I have to duel you or will you kindly step aside. As Quake stepped forward, both sisters moved to circle her. Or I could take you both at the same time, if you so want. Tsubaki, help me a little.
A girl stepped from behind Quake, handing a duel disk to Quake and attaching her own. At the same time, vines circled around the door, pulling in back to the normal place. Normal Tag Duel rules, right? Let's go then!
?
The Enforcers. They had been brilliant in their test runs, killing each other, but now they would be used for the first time in a real operation. The General had an estimte about the power they held, but could not be sure. After all, their power came from a spell far more ancient, back from the ancient days of humanity. A power of a shadow who had killed and absorbed those of his own kind. It sounded beautiful, so he opened a gate in the air, ready to see what the pack could do.
It would be beautiful.
On the next step of the Journey:
Enforcers?
Chaos in the Dark World
Chapter 12- Dark World Dealings
