Chapter 8: The Puppet Show starts
Sunday has finally come, Jūtarō couldn't sleep the night before because of nervousness, thinking about his appointment with Hephaestus, he was getting dressed while Salomon was putting the dolls at their bags to take them to the Crafters' Workshop, the summoner fixes his hair and outfit for the reunion, he was wearing a short-sleeve black hoodie and a white t-shirt, denim pants and white sneakers, then he looks at his ring, remembering that lady he met in a dream, asking him for find his son, and the last voice he heard at his reunion with the Exiles' souls, he at some way could swear their voices were the same, he takes the amulets he bought and keeps them in his hoodie's pocket.
Meanwhile, Hephaestus was doing the same, he was in his room trimming his beard to look presentable at least to his appointment, when he wasn't in college, he wears his usual working jumpsuit, but today he changed the one he uses mostly to a new jumpsuit, he checks his artificial legs and puts on his tool belt at waist, makes a last revision before come down to the workshop after breakfast, he was nervous, but excited at the same time to see his "Mama" that day, he couldn't be helped with calling Jūtarō "Mama", but he was starting to calling him by his name.
Talos was practicing the same techniques he learnt from Hephaestus in the underground lab, he had just one thing in his mind, protect the guild and his creator from the entity that was menacing him all this time, and that would be a hard battle for the robot.
Kamata Crafters' Workshop, Ota Ward
The summoner comes to the entrance of Kamata Tech College, aside the main entrance there was the workshop and home of the Crafters, it seemed like a peaceful day, but he knew about the problem with Talos lately, he was still wondering if he could do something about, he was carrying a pair of bags in one hand, Salomon was carrying the other half of the bags, the butler sees his master's nervous grimace.
-Master, are you Ok? – the little satyr asked to his master a little concerned.
-Yeah, I'm fine…just preparing myself mentally…- Jūtarō answered a little overwhelmed, while his left hand was in his pocket clenching his amulets to give him some confidence before enter to the workshop.
-hey, Jūtarō! – a young voice yelled at him, he turns his head and gazes upon the owner of that voice, it was a young boy dressed in hakama pants and a white kimono with tucked sleeves, carrying five swords in waist and back.
-Oh, hey Musashi…- the summoner answered the greeting with some discouragement.
-that's how you'll greet us? Geez, we received better greetings from past enemies before- the little samurai said while he picks his nose.
-sorry for that…it's just…nothing- Jūtarō said while he was still a little nervous.
-you look some anxious, you wanna have a little sparring to clear your mind? – Musashi suggests to the dragonborn, but he could see that would be better in another time.
-sorry but not today, I have an appointment with Hephaestus…and…- the summoner says but he couldn't continue with his comment.
-Oh! I see, sorry if I'm wasting your time…uh? Who's your little friend? - the samurai boy commented while he notices the little imp who accompanied Jūtarō hiding behind his back.
-He's Salomon…my first friend when I came to Tokyo- the summoner says while he takes out the imp from his hiding spot to present him to Musashi.
-Hi…-the little butler greets.
-Hi, little fella- the samurai boy greets back.
-well, it will be better if I accompany you two to the workshop- Musashi offers himself to take them to the workshop's entrance.
-Did you know about Talos's issue? I just received the news yesterday because I had some businesses in another ward- the samurai boy asked to the summoner.
-Hephaestus told me this week, but I don't know more details, just that he was having some abnormal reactions…I came today because I wanted Hephaestus checks something for me and…- Jūtarō said in a simple way but his face turns red before finishing his sentence.
-well, let me announce you to them now- the samurai says when they reached out the entrance to the workshop, Amatsumara was in the lobby desk having a video call from his another adopted grandson, a stout-looking guy with reddish-tan skin , shaven hairstyle and a zero number in his forehead, that crafter was surrounded by a modified dragon.
-Hey, geezer! You have some visits here! - the samurai said to the old man aloud.
-who do you call geezer, you little f…oh! Hey there, Jūtarō! - the old crafter yelled but his voice lows the volume of his voice when he sees the summoner.
-Hi, Mr. Amatsumara, sorry for disturb you but…- Jūtarō greeted to the old man, but another voice sound from Amatsumara's cellphone.
-wait, Jūtarō? Hi there! – Amatsumara turns his phone to put the screen showing the man in the videocall.
-Hi, Tvastar! And Vritra too! Where are you? -the young dragonborn greets them through the cellphone
- Vritra boy and I are in Little Deva Loka now, I was going to come back to the workshop today, but a last-minute errand came to me, and it seems I'm gonna be here for some days more, and besides, I was planning to find some things could help Heph with Talos' issue…- the crafter commented about his plans in that place.
-I see, well, I hope see you soon, but now I have an appointment now…- Jūtarō says but he's interrupted by Tvastar.
-Heph, right? Heh, heh- the crafter said and chuckles, making the summoner blush again.
-Tvastar! that was not nice...it seems you must watch THE EYE to correct your behavior- the older crafter says making emphasis in The Eye thing, what makes the deva-lokan transient to quiver a little.
- S-sorry for that, Jūtarō, it wasn't my i-intention…- Tvastar says still quivering for The Eye's issue.
-it's ok, don't worry- the summoner says a little more relaxed.
-Let me call Hephaestus for you, right now must be at his lab- Amatsumara says and press a button in an intercom at the desk, making a noise and a voice answers the signal.
-yes? – the voice answers plainly.
-Hephaestus, your 1:00pm appointment is here…-Amatsumara says through the intercom, suddenly a sound of tools and other things falling resonates through the speaker, a buzz sounds later signaling to a door, the door opens and a dark-tan redhead bearded muscular big guy with scars over his skin and a flaming eye comes from the entrance to receive him.
- h-hello Mama…nice to see you again…- Hephaestus greets him nervously and takes him to his underground lab along with Salomon.
- good to see you too, Hephaestus… - Jūtarō says him equally nervous while they come down to the lab, Talos was cleaning the mess his creator made because of shock he received by the announcement of their appointment.
-Hello Mama – the robot greets gladly when he sees the summoner come to the lab.
-Hi Talos- the summoner greets him back, then Hephaestus notices the summoner didn't come alone.
- M-Mama, who is him? – the Olympian transient asks and points to the imp at Jūtarō's side, Salomon sees Hephaestus and hides behind his master a little intimidated by Hephaestus' image.
- He's Salomon, a friend of mine, and I brought him with me to present him to you and your guildmates- the summoner says and presents Salomon to Hephaestus and Talos.
- H-Hi, I'm Salomon…nice to meet you both – the imp presents himself shyly.
- N-nice too meet you to little one, I'm Hephaestus…and he's my android, Talos- the crafter says while he shakes hands with the little butler's hand.
-I hope we can be good friends, Salomon- the android says with pleasure to Salomon while he shakes his little hand, the little butler is surprised by the nice and calm behavior of the hosts.
-Talos, make some tea and snacks to us while I attend Mama…-the crafter commands him while Hephaestus guides Jūtarō to the work table.
-Right away, Creator- the robot answers and prepares the tea in a stove installed at the other side of the lab.
-Umm…M-Mama? What can I do for you? – the transient technician asks to the summoner, wondering about the reason of his appointment.
-I was wondering if you could check my sword…and another thing I brought- Jūtarō responds to the Olympian shyly.
- O-ok, as you wish, Mama- Hephaestus says nervously and a little excited at the same time, he takes the sword and checks it at first through a digital scanner installed at the roof.
The summoner and his imp friend are amazed by the technology created by the Olympian, Talos serves them freshly brewed green tea and rice crackers while they observed the crafter working, it looked almost futuristic, after the scanner finishes to digitalize the sacred artifact, an hologram of Boundless Tail is shown signaling the main features of the sword, then Hephaestus makes some movements with his hands to emphasize more data through the hologram, later he proceeds to use his flaming eye to investigate the sword even more looking for updates and possible errors, the crafter creates screens full of more info, after study the sword for some minutes more, he directs to the summoner to tell him his results.
-S-Seems like after the quick repair I made before, nothing alarming has happening, the data shows that its rule's containment capability has been upgraded short later the repair, but what is bugging me is that the rule is being shared to another thing with the same vibration, like a division of a river before coming to the ocean, some kind of p-power bifurcation…- the transient crafter concludes.
-well, do you remember I said about another thing I wanted you to check it? is this thing…- the summoner says and shows the ring in his left hand, Hephaestus takes Jūtarō's hand nervously and checks the ring, he tries to don't make any harsh movement.
- It's a strange ring M-Mama, where did you get it? – the transient asks for the ring's previous whereabout.
-I found it in an old building at my school…looking for something I needed…-the summoner says with some pain in his voice, the crafter notices this and sees how his "Mama" tries to avoid to cry, but a teardrop falls from the cheek.
- I-I'm sorry Mama! I didn't want to make you cry! I'm a b-bad son, punish me if you want, Mama! – Hephaestus says ashamed while his face blushes intensely and his eyes start to leak teardrops.
-No, no, it's OK! I don't want to punish you…and I know…you…are…a very sweet boy…- Jūtarō replies to don't make Hephaestus feel bad for himself in a nervous way too, both look at each other to the eyes for some minutes until both notice why the summoner came to the workshop.
- S-sorry, but can you take off the ring please? – Hephaestus asks to the summoner timidly.
-I tried before, but I cannot take it off from my hand, is there any problem with it? – Jūtarō answers.
-No…there's no problem, I can scan it with another g-gadget I made- the crafter responds and takes from the scanner in the roof another gadget, a long-distance lector connected to the scanner, the crafter takes the summoner's hand again and proceeds with scan the ring.
The same procedure starts, and now a holographic version of the ring is displayed, but there's no data showing with the holograph, that gives him some discomfort and does the same procedure again, but the scan throws the same result, then Hephaestus uses his smoldering eye in the ring directly, but after did that action, he suddenly has a vision for some seconds, a familiar silhouette singing a long-forgotten song flashes through his mind, leaving him lightheaded.
-Creator, are you ok?!- Talos sees him alarmed and grabs his creator's body before fall.
-I'm Ok…you can let me go Talos- Hephaestus takes support in the table and commands to his robot to let him go, after this brief alarming moment, the crafter and the summoner takes seat to talk about the results.
-Sorry for that M-mama, I don't know what happened to me- the transient said while he sips some tea.
-I was scared, I believed something had attacked you…but what happened when you used your sacred artifact? - the summoner said ashamed.
-I…had a vision…of…- Hephaestus tries to continue, but suddenly, a sound of a glass falling and crackling takes Talos by surprise, it was Salomon with a scared grimace and mumbling, looking to the other side of the table, Talos sees him signaling to something, then the robot turns his head to that place and what he sees is the entity.
Talos changes his expression to a fury and concern grimace, the entity approaches to Hephaestus without nobody else can see it, the summoner and the transient are unaware of that presence, and then, the entity taunts the android to provoke him.
-Oh! look at him, chatting innocently with that boy, you want to make him happy, right? -
-leave them alone, you damn thing- the robot replies.
-you know what would make this scene better? - the entity taunts and shows a last vision to the android.
Talos finds himself in a devastated workshop, looking like a scene from a war movie, the android is shocked by this, he walks through the shambles until he notices something he stepped , it was a hand, a severed arm he recognized very well, near that arm there was Kurogane's body, he was completely burned after his arm was severed, then he saws Amatsumara's corpse lying in a wall, the old transient's eyes were ripped from his head, the android was overwhelmed by this, but more was to come, then he finds Musashi's body impaled by his own swords, the same feeling he had in the other ghastly visions was coming back but he kept walking, later he finds Takemaru's body headless, the head of the oni was ripped off and smashed, Talos wanted to run from that place, but finally, he sees the last grim scene, Hephaestus and Jūtarō were impaled with Boundless Tail through the heart, both corpses were placed in a mountain of rubbish, embracing each other.
- I promise you…I will protect you, creator; I will protect our Guild and I will protect Mama- the entity says imitating Talos when he talks in his "Hephaestus Mode" in a mocking way and laughs.
-Stop! - the robot yells, but the entity keeps laughing at him.
-STOP!- the robot yells aloud charging his cannon arm pointing to the entity, but what he sees is his creator and the summoner shocked by this.
-TALOS! WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED US!- Hephaestus berates him aloud.
-I…I…- the android says still shocked and runs to the door desperately.
-TALOS! GET BACK HERE, NOW!- Hephaestus commands him while he runs following the android.
-Master, we must help him, please! - Salomon pleads to Jūtarō.
-How, what happened exactly?!- the summoner replies with shock.
-Talos was attacked by a very powerful Shadow, that shadow is different from others! – Salomon said alarmed.
-What?! a different Shadow?! What do you mean?!- Jūtarō asks while both run toward the same direction, Amatsumara notices them and is informed about the situation, then he calls Takemaru and Kurogane to keep them informed and asking them to come back as soon as possible from their errand.
-that shadow was concealing its presence from others to mess with Talos, but I could see it, he was provoking him! – the imp said to his master.
Talos runs until reaches a wall from the college, he breathes heavily and sits on the ground, then the entity stays in front of him watching him steady.
-Oh, poor, poor Talos! Running from home and his family because he doesn't want to appear in our puppet show- the shadow taunts him
The android gets up and fights against the shadow like his creator taught him, but the shadow evades every blow easily, Hephaestus stops running when he sees Talos launching blows to the air.
-Talos, stop! tell me what's going on with you!- the crafter commands, but Talos keeps fighting with the air.
-Is the entity, it wants to damage us, Creator! It wants me to hurt you!- the robot keeps going, but suddenly, the entity takes Talos' arms from behind to immobilize him, Hephaestus cannot understand the situation until Jūtarō reaches them with Salomon and Amatsumara, later Musashi joins them, Talos tries to free himself from the shadow's grasp, now Takemaru and Kurogane just came back to saw the scene and get details about this situation.
-look, my puppet, our theater is full! We must prepare you now, because…YOU'RE THE MAIN STAR OF THIS PUPPET SHOW!- the entity laughs maniacally to then become a black fire entering into Talos through his mouth and joints, the robot yells because of the pain it causes, then there's a warning of an App Battle in Jūtarō's phone and a Battle Zone is erected around them, Talos stops yelling and his body gets limp falling at his knees, but suddenly the android's body gets up again in a unnatural way, like a marionette being manipulated, the crafters and the summoner are shocked by this twisted show, the robot's head rises a little showing Talos suffering, his artificial skin becomes light gray from feet to head, the shiny lines of his joints become black and black fire burns through them and his face shows suffering, the skin from his face is turning gray and one of his eyes becomes completely black, before its awful transformation is finished, he cries to his creator.
-CREATOR! HELP ME! I…I…- but he can't finish his sentence, he's completely transformed, now the entity got the first thing in its plans, a body to use, now that the Shadow took Talos' body.
-REJOICE NOW, HEPHAESTUS! NOW YOUR DEAR PUPPET BOY WILL COMPLETE WHAT HE LEFT BEHIND!- The shadow Talos yells and laughs in ecstasy jumping toward the Olympian transient, wanting to complete the original purpose of Talos.