"What the hell?!" said Ryuji.
Morgana and Ryuji finally caught up to the source of the racket they were hearing in the castle. They came to find Princess Ann who laid dead on the ground, with a twisted neck. That was surprise #1. Surprise #2 were the Jack-O-Knights trying to defend Kamoshida – who were being set on fire and tossed to the ceiling with a grabbing whip. Some ricocheted of the ceiling. The (relatively) unlucky ones were thrown a little too hard and stuck onto the ceiling, by the design of their weapons - twisting on them in the violent flings, nailing through themselves and embedding into the ceiling. Surprise #3 had them shook. It was Ann Takamaki who was tossing these knights, while sporting a red leather suit with a tail.
Morgana gave an appreciative whistle.
"Man if I was into bestiality, I'd tap that human girl," said Morgana.
"Uhh. . .I think it works the other way around, Mona," said Ryuji.
Ren kicked off a wall and landed on the shoulders of a Jack-O-Knight, burying his dagger through an eyehole. Ren leapt off the shoulders and landed in front of Ryuji and Morgana.
"Hey-" said Ren, his voice slightly short of breath, "-where were you guys?"
Blades clanged, bodies got electrocuted or combusted while the girls fought behind Ren.
"We. . .were busy with Incubus. Don't worry though, he's dead," Ryuji said proudly.
"Hahahahaha. You rats! You thought ye had bested me? ME?! INCUBUS?!" screeched a demonic voice from the dark hallway behind Ryuji and Morgana, who rounded in alarm.
From the pitch-black shadow, came the sounds of clinking. Suits of armour? Wondered Ren. Were there more Jack-O-Knights on the way?
Something finally emerged. Ren's eyes widened. No. Not Jack-O-Knights. Not quite. The empty suits of armour Ren and Shiori passed earlier were crawling on all sides of the hallway, leaking some dark miasma from joints and orifices. In the centre of the hallway, Incubus emerged. Ren barely recognised him. His face was charred on one side, and gruesome wounds covered Incubus's body. Flesh and outer bones dripped off Incubus, like a melting wax, revealing another person underneath. A red skinned, weedy demon trudged. Incubus's true form had a tail and some weird horn, jutting out where its dick was supposed to be. Thin metal wires tugged from Incubus's mouth and fingers. Ren realised these wires were connected to the animated suits of armour. Puppets.
Incubus stuck out his tongue and wagged. Two armours threw themselves in-front, moving like things needing exorcism. The armours raised their mace while the others crawled like insects.
Ryuji swallowed.
"Didn't you say you killed that guy?" asked Ryuji.
". . .technically I didn't say that," replied Morgana, although the cat was just as surprised as Ryuji.
Someone shoved past the boys. It was King Kamoshida, he ran towards Incubus and looked back, sweat forming down his temples. They gave the king a good scare today.
"Get to safety, my king," said Incubus.
King Kamoshida did not even need to be told once. The boxers clad king ran like Road Runner.
Shiori joined Ren and the others.
"Crud. Just missed him," cursed Shiori.
One of the empty armours lunged at the gang. Ryuji stepped forward and smacked the armour's visor off, but the thing still moved, compelled by Incubus's puppet strings. The armour slashed at Ryuji, renting a thin line on his thigh.
"Shit!" said Ryuji.
Ren blocked the second strike from the armour. Shiori dropped low, swinging her tachi as hard as she could to the armour's knee-joints. The armour collapsed, losing its legs. It tried to crawl with its arms, but Morgana kicked it back into the hallway, to Incubus.
"We can't let him in with those things, into this open space. Morgana, I'll need your wind to create a fire tunnel," said Ren.
Twin flames conjured in Ren's hands. The blue fires turned Ren's face into an etheric glow. Ann Takamaki joined by Ren's side. Ann spun her whip, creating whirling concentric circles of fire.
"You're going to make a flamethrower here? I can help," said Ann.
". . .thank you," said Ren.
Ann side-glanced at Ren, her expression partially covered by the cat-mask.
"You and I are going to have a talk after this," Ann said quietly.
Whew. Hate to be you, Joker, thought Shiori, remembering what Ann did to the siren.
Ren glanced back at Ann. So many emotions passed between them in that moment; because of what happened earlier today. Even Ryuji and Morgana, who did not know what Ren said to Ann, shifted uncomfortably with the vibes, getting the message that something serious had happened between the two.
There was a roar. Beast-like. Everyone, even Incubus, paused at that.
Then from behind Incubus, Ren saw a small orange glow, emerging from the other end of the long dark corridor. The glow became larger until Ren could make out it was a torrent of. . .fire.
"Everyone dive!" ordered Ren.
Incubus turned around and saw the inferno that came up, behind him and his armours. A contortion on Incubus's face as he began to whisper:
"Kamoshida, you backstabbing motherfu-"
Incubus got incinerated. Ren and the others dived out of the way. A slipstream of fire spewed into the room and concentrated on the wall on the other side. When the fire stopped, Ren saw the stone wall was badly charred and glowed molten red, at the edges. What the hell did that?
The roaring came again. Shiori's eyes widened. Of course. Why had she not realised sooner?!
"SHIT! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!" screamed Shiori.
"Why? What is it?" asked Ryuji.
Shiori fumbled out her phone, tapping to open the metaverse navigator app.
"Wait, you want to leave now? What about securing a route to the treasure room?" asked Morgana.
"Forget that! The heat is too strong right now. What does every castle have, if it has a treasure room? What's the cliché? What do the fantasy stories tell us, from Lord of the Rings, to all those children's cartoons?!" asked Shiori.
"A dragon that guards the treasure," said Ann.
Oh. Shit¸ thought Ren.
Shiori nodded.
"And who's that one powerful guy from Shujin we haven't seen here yet, despite being a major part of Kamoshida's cognition of the school?" asked Shiori.
"The principal," said Ren; he facepalmed. A freaking dragon. Wow.
"Wait, the principal is here too? Really, what the fuck is going on here?" asked Ann.
The tower shook. Ren could feel the temperature rising. Was the dragon burning this whole place down, to take them down with it? Looked like Kamoshida did not want to take any chances this time.
Again, the tower quaked. Before Shiori confirmed to leave for the real world, Ren looked to the window in the cabaret. A large yellow eye blinked back at him, its iris slit-like. The yellow was a similar shade of the principal's suit. This was the last thing Ren saw in the castle before the world around them warped.
". . .and so after that, we decided it was imperative to go after Kamoshida's treasure. He had done too much damage. Stealing his heart is worth the risk," explained Shiori.
Commuters walked past, eyes glued to their phones. Overhead, Shibuya Station's P.A system announced train schedule changes, due to the recent mental shutdowns.
Ren was silent for the most part, while Shiori explained everything they knew to Ann. Ren wanted to take off now and dodge the impending 'talk' he was supposed to have with Ann. Urgh. . .maybe he should have stayed back to fight the dragon.
Ryuji re-joined them, holding bottles of drinks in his hand.
"I got us drinks. Which one ya want?" asked Ryuji.
Ren shook his head.
"Which one is non-carbonated?" asked Ann.
"Umm. . .neither," said Ryuji.
Ann sighed and took the cola. Shiori took the lemonade.
"So what do you plan to do now? Are you going to help us out?" asked Ryuji.
"We could do with an extra hand," said Morgana.
Ann was still not used to the talking cat.
"You can actually talk, but others can't hear?' clarified Ann.
"Seems to be that way," said Shiori, rubbing Morgana behind the ear. The cat purred.
"Are you okay with me joining, Shiori?" asked Ann.
Shiori shrugged.
"As long as you understand the risks. . .I don't mind. I think all of us here agree you deserve taking a shot in bringing down Kamoshida. Especially after what happened," said Shiori.
Ren was quiet. He was leaning against the wall, arms folded, pretending to stare into space. Ann knew he was still aware and listening, looking for the first chance to leave. Did Ren want her to be a part of this crew? Ann wondered.
Shiori noted Ann glaring at Ren, while Ren pretended to chill, like there was no nuclear bomb ticking in the form of a beautiful blonde girl. Shiori cleared her throat.
"Ryuji, Morgana and I will leave you two to sort out this…thing, you two are stressing about right now. I don't think we can move forward until it is resolved," said Shiori.
Ren's eyes bored into Shiori. Had to go all Judas on me, huh? They said to Shiori. Shiori rolled her eyes; Suck it up, that communicated back.
They left Ren and Ann alone. Ren sighed.
"C'mon, let's take a walk," said Ren.
Arcade and music rhythm machines beeped and thrummed, flashing lights in the flashily lit game arcade. Ann and Ren sat by a corner game machine. At its top, read Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena. Ren plopped a 100 yen into the machine.
"Do you know how to play?" asked Ren.
Ann nodded.
"It was my fault, huh?" said Ann.
They came to the character selection screen. Ren chose 'Yu Narukami'. Ann chose 'Yukari Takeba'. The fight began. Ann proceeded to devastate Ren's character with a two-string multi-hit combo, leaving Yu with half health. Ann was speaking in two languages today.
"That's for you to decide," said Ren. On the screen, Yu retaliated, chipping away some of Yukari's health.
"You think forgiveness is that simple, Ren?"
Yukari did an aerial recovery.
". . .I am sorry for saying those things to you, Ann" said Ren.
Yukari finished off Yu for Round 1.
Ann waited for Ren to follow-up with excuses on the apology. Like why he did it. Justifications. But he did not say anything such.
"And there is nothing I can do or say, that will undo the severity of my harsh words," said Ren.
On the fighting game, Yu was blocking and blocking Yukari's attacks, but hardly countering. As if he did not want to fight. Ann stepped up the tempo and broke through Yu's guard.
". . ."
". . ."
Slowly Yu's health was being depleted.
"I never said this back there, but I glad you made it out of King Kamoshida's capture, okay," Ren said quietly.
Yu finally shot back, hitting Yukari with a charge of lightning. Yukari briefly faltered, shocked into a standstill.
"Are you going to push me away again. . .ever in the future?" asked Ann.
"No."
Yukari dashed to Yu. Yu did a retaliating attack, knocking Yukari back, away from Yu. Ann turned her head to Ren. His face was unreadable. The reflection of the game screen on his glasses, blocked Ann from seeing Ren's eyes. Ann held out her phone to him.
"Let's exchange contacts. I'm going to help, Ren. You can't stop me like last time," said Ann.
"Did I really stop you?" teased Ren; but he complied, exchanging emails with Ann.
Ann stood from the arcade machine, picking up her school-bag.
"Not going to finish the match?" asked Ren.
Ann looked to the screen.
"We will finish the match. Just not today," said Ann.
". . ."
Ann hesitated.
"What?" asked Ren.
Ann scowled at him then lunged both hands at Ren. She roughly ruffled Ren's hair.
"Wha – hey! Cut that out – What are you. . .Ann! Gimme back my glasses!" said Ren.
"You want them back, you can ask for it tomorrow morning, with the magic word!" Ann shot back. She left the arcade.
Jeez. Her anger was not going to subside anytime soon.
_ANN TAKAMAKI added to group chat_
_Ryuji: Yooo. Welcome. _
_Ann: Hey_
_Ann: I'm guessing half the plotting happens here? _
_Ryuji: Yup. Ren added you, right? So it's all good between you two? _
_Ren: Good enough for thieves _
_Ann: Don't mind him ( ̄▽ ̄)ノ _
_Ryuji: Hmm…Shiori is not saying anything for some reason_
_Ren: Don't mind me? (゚д゚) Really? (゚д゚) O' Rly?! (゚д゚) _
_Ann: Later, Ren. 😉 _
Ren's eyelid twitched. That word again.
_Ryuji: Shiori? Heeello _
_Ren: She's probably busy_
_Ren: I'm booking it in for the night. Goodnight _
_Ryuji: Night, bro _
_Ryuji: Wonder what Shiori could be busy with. Must be tired I guess. _
Shiori giggled as Kuro lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around Kuro's waist, wearing only her underwear and a black tank top. Kuro paused.
"You sure your grandparents will be away?" he asked, gently laying Shiori down on her bed.
Shiori arched on the pillows and blanket, freezing Kuro's breath. The contours of her breasts pressed more prominently against the dark fabric. When Kuro tried to lean forward to her, she held out her foot to his face, stopping him. Shiori laughed.
"If they were here and not on their anniversary visit to Hakone, would you stop?" taunted Shiori.
Kuro took off his shirt.
"No," he growled.
Better, she thought.
Kuro grabbed her foot and suckled on a toe. Shiori's playful expression changed. Her breathing grew heavier. Kuro began to kiss from her ankle, and slowly worked his way up her leg. Shiori whimpered when his lips brushed into her inner thigh. Her hands clenched the bed sheets. Kuro kissed closer to where her sex was, then switched legs.
"You fucking tease," gasped Shiori.
The torture began again. He went slow, kissing. Working closer and closer to there. As he did, Kuro unbuckled and slipped off his jeans, until he was wearing just his boxers.
Kuro nuzzled against Shiori's red undies. It was wet. She was wet.
He got to work down there. At the same time, Kuro's hands slipped under Shiori's top, and slowly palmed her hips and belly. His fingers were slow and elaborate, occasionally stopping to run circles around her naval, before tracing the contours of her abs. Then under Shiori's breasts. Using his teeth, Kuro tugged down the hem of her underwear. He relieved one hand from Shiori's nipple and tugged the undergarment down, below her knees. Her mound was shaved. Kuro stuck his tongue inside her pussy, purposely doing slow arcs inside her.
Kuro's multi-tasking on Shiori made her breath even heavier, raspier. Her eyes were closed. She occasionally bit her lips when Kuro drove up the tempo then brought it down.
Kuro broke off. It took a few seconds for Shiori to gain some degree of coherent awareness, she waited long enough to sit up and pull off her top. Shiori already undid her bra earlier, leaving her naked in the dim light.
With the sight Kuro had, he thought if his heart stopped beating in that moment, Kuro would have wondered how it was possible to die in heaven. Shiori was practically the hottest girl he ever got lucky with. Heck, she's hotter than 2-D's Ann Takamaki, thought Kuro.
Shiori caressed Kuro's face into her hands, one hand behind the back of his head, her fingers feeling through his soft black hair. The other by his jawline. They kissed hungrily, in lust. A rumble rose from Kuro's chest when one of Shiori's hands felt down to his member. Shiori laughed in the kiss, breaking off. Her hand went back to Kuro's head. This time she guided his head to her neck. He kissed there. Then she slowly moved his head, lowering it down to her breasts. As she did, Kuro left a trail of kisses on her ash-pale skin. Kuro restrained his arms back, his fists clenching the pillows hard, his entire body tense, willing to be set loose to ravage Shiori. Shiori knew this. It was a game of turns in teasing. Kuro knew this.
Oh fuck it, thought Shiori. Why bother waiting? Shiori released Kuro's head. Kuro drew back, looking into her dark eyes. They told him all he needed to know.
Kuro flipped Shiori, to her back facing him. Kuro took a second to admire the view. What an ass! Thought Kuro. Kuro pulled off his boxers and slipped on the condom that was in his shirt pocket. He reached out to Shiori's ass, feeling the smooth curvature then gave it a light slap. Shiori gasped.
"You like that?" asked Kuro.
Shiori looked back at him.
"Wuss. Is that all?" she challenged.
"I'll show you all," growled Kuro, he grabbed Shiori's hair and lightly tugged. He pushed Shiori down against the bed and lined up his cock against her pussy. Kuro slid in. She was so wet! Shiori moaned into the pillow. Kuro fucked her like a man obsessed, rocket powered by the days of texting and Snapchatting that preceded. Anticipation was the mother of all aphrodisiacs. She encased his dick so tight that Kuro had resistance when he gyrated her in the prone bone. Shiori was dizzy in ecstasy.
Minutes went by, and Kuro began to feel a kind of pressure build up in him. Kuro was experienced yes, but not that kind of experienced that he could last longer. Kuro began to pound as hard as he could, his groin slapping against Shiori's rippling ass.
Kuro came hard. It felt like an avalanche of feelings as he emptied onto her. For a few seconds, Kuro hovered behind her, panting hard like Shiori. They were both covered in heavy sweat. The sheets were drenched too. Kuro pulled out, carefully slipping off the condom and disposed it in the washroom. He washed up.
Shiori gathered her breath on the bed as Kuro washed up. Her bed had acquired a musky smell; salt from their hook-up, mixed with the perfume Shiori wore, as well and Kuro's cologne. It was. . .nice.
Ren yawned. He gazed at the attic before him, blinking blearily. Ren was kind of used to the place now. In fact, he found some charm in it. Especially in the morning light. At his feet, Morgana was stretching and yawning himself. Ren unlocked his phone and checked his notifications. There was some unread in the group chat. One from Shiori.
_Shiori: Hey! _
_Shiori: Morgana spent the night at your place, right? _
_Shiori: I forgot to check _
_Ren: Uh yeah. He did _
_Ren: You must have been tired last night for that to escape your notice? :-) _
_Shiori: Nah fam. _
_Ren: ? _
_Shiori: I had a gentleman from the basketball team over, last night. _
_Shiori: The old folks were out _
Oh, realised Ren. It was that kind of night.
_Ren: I trust he was. . .sufficient? _
_Shiori: lol _
_Shiori: He was alright. _
_Shiori: Could have lasted longer though 😐 _
_Ren: Bahahahaha _
_Shiori: But I enjoyed myself. Like he knew some things _
_Ren: XD alright alright. Looks like one of the mortals slept with a goddess :P _
_Shiori: Oh shuttup 😊 _
Ok, so first up, I'd like to clear out a misunderstanding some of yous may have possibly had in chapter 1. I had a few messages where some of the readers misunderstood that the premise of this fanfiction states that Ren was the captured Phantom Thief in chapter 1 and that he killed two of his comrades. Now I ain't saying this is true. . .however if you go back to read that passage, you will notice that no name or even gender is given away of who the captured Phantom Thief is. It's purposely kept hidden. The true premise of this fanfiction is: Someone killed two Phantom Thieves. And the killer was a member of the group. That's the draw. :)
Anyway, thank you for the R&Rs. Reading them makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. I've also set a soft target of doing 5 updates in April (without compromise to quantity and quality per chapter, naturally).
