Ben 10 and MGE belong to their rightful owners.
XXX
The Journey to the Palace
The sun above was high; its light giving warmth to the living beings below, and brightly glisten the world with its beautiful blazing flame that reached through even from a great distance. It was the source of life and energy of the surface dwellers and other living beings that relied on it. A source of sight for most creatures, a source of energy for plants and an enormous spotlight that seemly hung above to show the beauty of what the world could give.
Kohana felt its warm touch as she absorbed the sensation that was reaching through her skin and soul, an unparalleled light that no one can imitate, a beauty that was unmatchable by any other. Without this, she would not able to see the beauty of the world, its surroundings, its landscape, everything. It gave her peace and clear of mind. She even let her sweat rolled down her cheeks while looking at the clear blue sky above.
She also took note of the surroundings, further indulging herself from the scenery and its tranquil sensation it gave off by mere gazing at it. The trees' leaves were lively fluttering as the wind touched them, rustling and whistling through their ears, along with the chorus of the birds and insects that were chirping and buzzing. Flowers were widely blooming, their petals unveiled, letting those who depends on them feed. The green scenery combined with the clear sky was perfect for someone who sought serenity through Mother Nature's gift like her. The view in front of her would be perfect if not thanks to the suffocating atmosphere she had been feeling just right behind her.
The Kunoichi swore as she slightly turned her head to look over her shoulder to see if the others were doing fine. But as she expected, yet still disappointed, even though she knew this would likely to happen, the people behind her had other… plan than her. She could sense the lingering tension through the air around them and it was heavy that she could have slumped and cowered at any moment in fear if not thanks to the fortitude that she had built over the past few years. The negative sensation was very familiar to her, the hostility they were exuding to one another.
The Nekomata on her left slightly whimpered as she whispered prayers to the gods of which she never knew what and for exactly, but at the same she knew somehow. While the Red Oni on her right, whose body was twice, maybe thrice as tougher than hers, grunting in dismay, trying to avoid and forget the same negative atmosphere that Kohana had been feeling too. The red brute, just like Kohana, wanted to slump over and be done with the ugly feeling she was having right now no thanks to her colleagues.
Looking to her left, Akko noted that Kohana was observing silently, as if waiting for something bad to happen anytime soon. Akko walked closer to her, in whom the Kunoichi took regard as Kohana turned her head towards the Red Oni, raising a brow; she let the Red Oni spoke words that assured only both of them could hear.
"Damn, they are like volcanoes waiting to explode though." Akko said to Kohana. "I feel like shits about to get loose anytime soon.
"Then be vigilant, Akko. We do not know when it will happen, but the possibility that it will happen is assured." Kohana commented as if the future was already certain. "If this hostility of theirs would not subside, I want you to ready your mind and body to hold either one of the group."
Truth to be told, the intensity of the glare that their other colleagues were giving to the other group, the group of the Ushi-Oni and the mollusk creature, must be taken seriously as a warning else their trip would have gone in disarray, further slowing their pace in the process as it already been while also worsening the relationship she had been trying to build with them starting with the mollusk creature, attempting to learn what they were scheming, just to be sure that if they were trust-worthy or not. Though, the last part was foolish enough for reasons that she will keep only to herself.
On the other hand, the mollusk creature somehow had sensed the murderous intent her colleagues were giving to them, or more specifically, to the Ushi-Oni. The creature slowed its pace to get behind of the Ushi-Oni to block and defend her by itself in case her colleagues would attempt to attack the horned-spider mamono.
Kohana doesn't know which the creature was as it blocked the mamono with its own body just to protect the horned-spider mamono, either it was simply confident or a fool. But the latter of which she had assumed was far from what she was seeing right now. The creature was not a fool for doing such reckless action; perhaps it was true confidence that made the creature do what it did, guarding the back of the mamono by its own body. Though Kohana wasn't sure if it was purely confidence or just cockiness, but the former suggested otherwise while observing the creature further.
The creature was covered in thick hide or shell of the sort that was similar yet and different to the other creature they had encountered who had the same exact same thing with the mollusk creature, a natural body armor. But the longer she observed the creature's appearance, the more it appeared to be a shell rather than a black natural armor like Eatle had in her perspective. That might suggest that the creature originated from the depths of the ocean. And because it probably came from the depths of the ocean, its shell may be as hard as Eatle's, a logical assumption if one would consider the crushing pressure under the ocean. That would also mean that the creature should be dependent in water as seeing the ocean was far from the surface and travelling under through the seafloors would take time, but the sole reason why might such creature do such thing cannot be answered. Although some mamonos from the ocean do come up from the depths to seek several things, mostly seeking a husband for themselves, but that was a whole other story for them. Moreover, the creature was walking fine even under the direct sun which suggested different else too.
It pained her to think even further. Perhaps the ghost was right all along. Instead of thinking about those kind of stuffs, why not think about convenient things that can be helpful not only to her but to their colleagues, right? Kohana examined the creature's appearance further and took note of it.
The creature had red hardened shell first and foremost. It had a hood that was protecting that creature's head, four green slit eyes and black thin flexible shell-like cover in joint areas. It also had numerous portholes covered in green materials of which she could not determine what and spikes on its body, mostly in the arms and legs and possessed a set of sharp jagged claws that could probably easily tear through any armored opponent effortlessly. There were also portholes on its palms. The difference of these portholes in its palms and other once that can be seen in the body, it was not covered compared to the other portholes in its body. This meant that it had a purpose of which she could not know of and only assumptions yet again may prove useful in this kind of scenario. She suspected that those portholes can shoot something like energy projectiles or spikes, but whether which was which she would not know. In the near future, maybe, should someone will force the creature to do so that was. Strength wise, the creature might be weaker than the bug monster and it was less bulky, sleeker, but that was not the reason one should not consider it as a serious threat as the vampire creature had proven to them that mere appearance can be deceptive.
"Hey, why am I carrying all of this?" Kohana suddenly heard the Ushi-Oni whined. "Can you not carry any on your own?"
"Why? The other half of your body is perfect for the job though." The mollusk creature reasoned. "It's big enough to carry so many stuffs."
"Are you telling me that I'm a fat!?" The Ushi-Oni took the word differently.
"Seriously? I didn't mean that way though, sheesh. Never knew that kind of issue transcends beyond time and space…" The mollusk creature mumbled the last part silently and sighed. "Plus, it's better.
"Okay, just why do I need to carry all of these stuffs? And you also made a saddle for me. What makes it better?"
"Just trust me, it is better."
Kohana then saw the creature slightly turned its head behind, emphasizing what the creature meant through those words it sputtered to the horned-spider mamono. The Ushi-Oni got what the creature meant through those words after that.
Out of all of them, except for the red brute, the Ushi-Oni was the only mamono who was carrying a bunch of things ranging from small pouches to big sacks and bags, all packed in her back, placed and tied in her pseudo-saddle that, according to her, was the mollusk creature's idea. If Kohana would be frank, the state of the Ushi-Oni right now actually did remind her of that of horse carrying different merchandise.
"Is this alright, Kohana?" The Nekomata beside her asked.
"Like I said, it will be fine, Suzako." She assured to her.
"Onashi still did not like what you did back before, why are you betting so much on this Kohana?"
"Because, I must."
"No deeper reasons at all?"
"There are, but I am not sure what those reasons were. All I know is that I need to help them. After all-" Kohana pulled the flower from before from her left ear that was resting in between all alone. "I do believe they are the change."
"That was the flower from the boy's house." Suzako realized what it was. "But, why is it still on you?"
"I have my own… premonition, Suzako, one that I could not discern really well." Kohana said cryptically.
"We all do as it was ingrained to every one of us. But seriously, Kohana, have it not to your words and… this price you placed to yourself, Onashi would never be swayed." Suzako pointed out.
"That just means Onashi really do care in your well-being Kohana." Akko suddenly joined. "After all, Onashi thought of you as a sister, she really likes you. Well honestly, you two look like twins really. Though not in appearance, but in other…err… aspect."
It was true, what Suzako and Kohana said was true. Had it not for her reasons and convincing, Onashi would never let this trip of theirs to happen and she would be forced to do it alone herself. But there was one part of that she knew was really the cause of Onashi's sudden change of heart, it was her promise, a warrior's promise. Promise to offer her life if things will go upside-down. They were all surprised at this, even the mollusk creature that first came up with the idea.
XXX
(Before the Departure…)
Kohana had settled the matter first regarding Fuyu and the boy's parents, a small matter that would possibly lead into a great disaster in the near future if left not properly addressed. Through the use of a cloak to conceal itself, the mollusk creature had been able to blend well with the humans and mamono in the town. Once they reached the Yoshimura family's abode, the mollusk creature revealed itself, much to her surprise, but not to the Yoshimura family whose stares did not sway from the sight of the monster. They were instead intrigued and confused. They then began their small introductions before proceeding to the real problem. The parents welcomed the mollusk creature with a warm smile after that introduction. They really did trust and were thankful to the creatures, or more specifically to one of the creature's said 'buddy', the strange automaton. So, that part of acceptance should be expected to them, but not to her as she was still a bit surprised about them.
She waited along with Akko as their conversation goes on. Thankfully, the mollusk creature had found a way to convince the parents to give the little girl, the Yuki-Warashi a chance to let herself be with their son again. Kohana actually complimented Fuyu's deep conviction and repentance for what she did by prostrating in front them in dogeza style as a sign of sincere apology. The mollusk creature kneeled beside her and told her that it was not necessary, and calmed the crying mamono. She shook her head as she saw the scene transpiring before her. She swore that an afterimage of a mother took the creature's form much to her confusion. But the creature did actually look like a mother for a moment there.
After the not-so-long talk, the parents had been successfully convinced by the creature and gave Fuyu a chance much to the little mamono's delight, the creature even joked about to two children looking like a couple much to the little girl's delight again; even Akko agreed much to her dismay this time. When all was settled, they bade their farewell after that.
(In The Warrior's Temporary Quarter…)
As the Kunoichi expected to the reaction of her colleagues, especially Onashi, they did not liked it, and the mere presence of the monster behind her did stir their instinct a bit to the point that they were about to draw their weapons, glares deepened even more, boring into the creature.
"Why did you bring this… new monster here, Kohana?" Suzako asked, her demeanor was different, in contrast with their colleagues.
"Indeed, why did you bring that monster here?" Onashi asked, more like demanded then pointed at the creature. "And you, you know you are not welcome, right?
"Yeah, and nice to meet you." The creature shrugged, then it averted its attention to her to look at the other Kunoichi, Akui. "And I believe this yours."
The creatures tossed a piece clothe to the said Kunoichi who caught it with her hands, eyes widening in surprise after unfolding the piece of cloth that Kohana had remembered after the Ushi-Oni gave it to the creature, revealing to be the blade of Akui that had been last seen during the night of the incident between Kohana's colleagues and the Ushi-Oni. Supposedly, she would just let this pass a minor thing, but what caught her eyes was the pristine condition of the blade had, like it was newly forged and bought out from a smith.
Akui examined the blade in her hands, still in doubt if it was really her sword as the condition was far from what she remembered, it looked like it was in its early days. Which was impossible because she used this blade of hers a lot. She looked at blade near the hilt and saw the word that she personally placed, and it was there.
"Is this really mine?" The voice was filled with uncertainty.
"Well, I saw you stabbed the spider woman's shoulder with it." The creature said nonchalantly, not fully realizing how the sword meant to the Kunoichi as if it was an extension of her body.
"Let us head straight to the point." Onashi announced, gaze still on the monster. "What do you want?"
"A pass to the palace that only you guys can provide me."
"You sound like you are asking of our approval instead."
"That's the whole point."
"Then why?" Onashi asked. "With the ghost ally or the bug monster of yours, you can either simply infiltrate it or barge in your way to the palace. I highly doubt any one of us can stop you, and the only kind of mamono that can is rare even in our homeland."
"Meh, that would leave a bad impression to the people and a bad taste in our mouths." The Ochimusha slightly furrowed her brow because of this. "'Sides, we are not really working as a group since we cannot do so because of our lack in numbers. There are like a few of us here."
"I see then… There are only a few of you here…" Onashi swallowed that information before moving to the primary subject. "So you seek the masses' acknowledgement, is it not right?"
"Yes..."
"Why?"
"For reasons I cannot reveal yet." Onashi snorted at this.
"What you can you even promise in return?"
"I can only promise-"
"Words are not enough." Onashi cut the creature's sentence, much to the surprise of the creature.
"Oh. Then, how about my life?" Everyone in the room gasped even Kohana, but Onashi scoffed.
"Your life is not even that enough for we will not earn anything worthy over your death." The creature only remained silent at this.
"Then how about mine?" Every stares were then directed to the voice who said that, it was Kohana. Most of them were unable to find the word.
"Okay, I think we are going overboard here, but seriously, Kohana, are you out of your mind?!" Akko asked her.
"You don't need to do this for us!" The creature said to Kohana which she simply ignored.
"Do you even know how heavy that kind of burden you are trying to carry, Kohana?" Onashi questioned her, voice was slightly alarmed due in shock and concern.
"I know and I will take the chance, Onashi." Kohana said straightly, eyes matching the level of stares the Ochimusha giving to her which lasted for a full minute in silence before Onashi had broken up and sighed as she rubbed her forehead.
"Fine!" Onashi gave up and accepted the creature's request. "But, we will join the trip to the palace."
"Alright." The creature agreed.
"Tomorrow at dawn, we will depart." The Ochimusha told the creature.
"Got it." The creature then turned to face the Kunoichi who helped her. "I really owe you this one."
The Kunoichi closed her eyes for a moment before nodding.
"Since all businesses are done here, I will see you tomorrow." The creature then turned to leave, heading straight to the forest.
XXX
(Present…)
The two groups were currently finding a small open field where they could set their camp before they proceed on their next task as the sun was beginning to set. However, that simple task of finding a small open field had been proven if not hard at least a little difficult than they anticipated. The forest was dense, with trees gapping only in few meters away from each other, the bushes and wild plants had also made the situation worse, but none of them seemed to mind this minor hindrance anyway.
While finding an open field, Onashi began speaking.
"We have just started our journey and the path we had taken would be difficult to traverse, but this is the only short path I know we could take on. However, we could also make it shorter if you want it." Onashi said to the mollusk creature who nodded in return before continuing. "There is a river ahead this dense forest that would take two to three days to reach, depending on our pace, where a village can be located. Following the river would at least take us more than a week or two; however, if we choose to the traverse the mountainous valley, it would take us less or more than a week or so. Below the mountainous valley, there is a defile which a village can be located in there. Since the weather seems fine, we can easily traverse the defile without worrying of it turning into quagmire. Your choice."
"Whatever makes our trip shorter since I don't really mind them." The creature shrugged and turned its head toward to Seijun. "Would that bother you?"
"No, I am used to travelling such rough terrains. Things like these would be a simple walk for me." Seijun answered.
"Guess that we are continuing this hard path then." The creature muttered.
"This forest is so dense, Onashi. How about you all take a rest here and let us, me and Hino, find a spot for our camp." Kohana suggested.
"Then do so." Onashi answered, agreeing with Kohana who nodded and told the Kamaitachi to look for a place before leaping through the trees in search for a camping spot.
The group then dislodged their belongings down the grass temporarily and sat on it as they let their body rest for a moment with the Ushi-Oni sticking close to the mollusk creature while the warriors were sticking to one another, except for Akko who decided to sit in crossed legs at the middle between the two groups. Suzako then suddenly decided to sit beside the Red Oni.
"Don't like gloomy atmosphere?" Akko asked with a small smirk.
"Yes." Suzako answered, eyes closed, arms folded.
"Heh, gotta say it was kind of intense." She then took a glance at the other group, specifically to the mollusk creature. "Though I was wondering, what kind of power this monster have, what do you think?"
"One that would probably defy the law of this world again like the ghost and the vampire." She then opened her eyes. "Especially that vampire. You know what scares me the most to that vampire other than its manaless existence?"
"Uhmm…" Akko tilted her head to the side. "Don't have any…"
"Its ability to consume both demonic and spiritual energy without any repercussion seemingly. It was the first case, in my entire life, which I had experienced right before my eyes. I see how it consumed both demonic and spiritual energies of the boy." She explained, eyes filled with fear recalling the event.
"Hey, hey, at least everything went right at the end so come on, cheer up!" Akko tried to lighten up things after seeing the expression of the Nekomata.
"Are you guys talking about Whampire? Well, it was, indeed, kind a dangerous gamble we know, but it was the only option that he had in mind and we are really sorry for that. Things were happening so fast that time. So I am really sorry." The mollusk creature suddenly joined and apologizing solemnly in its behalf.
Unbeknownst to the creature, its words came and heard by the other group who had a rather… different reaction after hearing those words, one that would easily scare a little child.
"So, it was indeed dangerous…" Aisa spoke, rage spurring out of her. "Then why did you do it? Do you know what happened after the abomination did that to the child? It nearly killed him! You are lucky that he only went into coma after that, but what would happen if fate did not favour you?! What will you do if that child died?! You, you, just what are you?! You monsters of the old!"
"Aisa, come on, calm down." Akko tried to cool the Jorougumo's head.
"Indeed, please calm down." Suzako added.
"Those things would not happen if not thanks to the dog who is always in heat, who let herself indulge in her own lust, a horny bitch, not caring who she will indulge her lust with. What a selfish mamono you are." Akui decided to join in too by inserting her own opinion or more like a provocation.
"What did you say? You want me to shred you in half right now?" The Ushi-Oni asked as she stood, flexing her claws as a sign of challenge.
"Hoho… Are you challenging me, whore?!" Akui glared at the horned-spider mamono.
"Enough!" The mollusk creature shouted and stood up, left holding hand the right arm of the Ushi-Oni while the other was facing the other group who were slowly unsheathing their weapons. "Don't continue even further than this."
"Uhmm, come on guys, we should consider the creature's words." Akko spoke nervously, trying to ease the tension while the Nekomata beside her whimpered a bit.
"Aisa, Akui, stand down…" Onashi told them as she saw the hand of the creature pointing at them. Not wanting to risk herself or the lives of her colleagues, she decided to calm the two, herself. The Kunoichi and Jorougumo listened and obeyed her.
Hino and Kohana had returned from the forest. The Kunoichi then noticed how distant the two groups were before landing her gaze towards the Red Oni, who gave a nervous chuckle, and the Nekomata who was fiddling with her stuffs. She didn't need to ask to know what had transpired. Mere looking at their expression was enough. She let out a tired sighed before starting to speak.
"We found a spot, follow us." Kohana told them.
They then did what they had been told.
XXX
(Later…)
The group had started setting their camp, and yet again their group was divided into two separate groups as they always did, a better choice of action. The group of warriors and group of… misfits. While others were divided the task, from setting the tents, finding woods for their fire and preparing their meals, Onashi was intently staring at the other group, observing them from a good distance.
"Studying them from this distant I see…" A voice suddenly rang on her side.
"Indeed, Kohana…" Onashi didn't deny. "I am curious and wary at the same, as always, of what that creature can do. The holes in its palms, I do know that it did truly have a function even without seeing it yet. After all, certain features like that would not exist without its own purpose, although there were always exceptions. For me, it appears that the creature was similar to Eatle in some way or another, however, I do feel strange about the creature… it feels so… mystical in nature."
"I concur." Kohana said, agreeing to Onashi's sensation.
"I do feel it, but it was so… blur, fuzzy as I cannot truly discern it. Perhaps Suzako would give us some light with this kind of subject." Kohana then turned her gaze towards the Nekomata who was currently sitting near their tent, preparing their food.
"I do not know what is it, but I do feel its mystical nature coursing through its body, a possibility that the creature possesses certain magical properties that we do not know of the kind so far. That is all there is I could say about it." Suzako briefly explained, confirming their suspicion about the creature.
"Just what in the world are those creatures?!" Akui exasperated. "And what can this one even do?"
"Well, I don't know about you, but I can confirm that it has a ridiculous amount of strength that is for sure." Akko commented as they all watched the creature carried a tree then dropping it near their camp with a loud thud on the ground, reverberating through from the impact.
The display of strength of the creature was already been expected by the warriors, though; they were still surprised witnessing it firsthand. From their experiences and encounters with them, one thing was certain that all these creatures commonly had, the ridiculous amount of strength which every single one of them seemed to have. Furthermore, despite the lack of number these creatures had, they do compensate in some way by having different kind of abilities, which they admitted, quite you unique in their own way. Not to mention the durability each had. Quantity over quality. - The quantity being them, the mamonos and the quality being them, the monsters, a certain scenario that all could agree upon. Though it was not like they were underestimating their own kind, it was just that they were better than them, the monsters.
XXX
The mollusk creature continued its task and started shaving the tree with its branch for creating a camp fire, segregating it from the main body of the tree by simply breaking them. The creature then began cutting the tree into smaller pieces, cutting and reducing the tree into several parts. Seeing that the woods still had tidbits that would be annoying to sit over, the creature started trimming the surface with its own claws to further smoothen them and make them suitable and confortable for the person who will sit on them. It was a chair of the sort that the creature had made. When it was done, it placed them around the supposed campfire. The creature then looked at the Ushi-Oni who was now walking towards the creature after setting the tent.
"So, are you done?" The Ushi-Oni asked.
"Yep, how about you give this a try, Seijun." Referring to the seat that the creature created that looked like a simple circular slab of wood.
Seijun raised a brow, then shrugged as she sat on the said on the object, arms folded.
"So when are you starting to cook?"
"After this…" The creature answered.
It then went back to its original plan. After it was done breaking every single branches from the trunk, the mollusk creature began compiling them on a grassless soil and it then placed several stones around it. It was all done now and time to light the woods ablaze.
"Need some help?" A voice rang which belonged to the Red Oni, who was carrying a piece of wood that was on fire.
"Sure…" Akko then tossed the flaming wood into the compiled trunks, setting them on fire. "Thanks anyway."
"Welcome." Akko was about to sit on the grass, but the creature stopped her.
"Wait, here catch." The creature rolled another wooden slab towards the Red Oni who caught it with her hands and placed it down, sitting across the two.
"Oh, how kind~ Thanks for this!"
"No problem." Akko replied as she stared at the two for a moment before talking again. "So, what is she to you?"
"A prisoner." The mollusk creature replied nonchalantly.
"That is so rude for addressing me like that! Though it was kind of true." The Ushi-Oni whined and mumbled.
"Then care educate me and share any term you could think of?" She simply looked away, feeling offended, much to the delight of the Red Oni who was laughing at the scene.
"Hahaha, damn that is kind of funny though." Akko commented.
"She is like that. Gotta leave you two for a while. Need to cook for a big eater here." The mollusk creature pointed a finger to the Ushi-Oni.
"Oi!" The mollusk creature then turned around and towards their belongings to rummage on their supply.
While the mollusk was rummaging through their belongings to prepare the dinner for the Ushi-Oni, Akko meanwhile, was staring at the fire emptily, causing an awkward silence between her and the horned-spider mamono. Deciding to talk first and break the silence, she let out a grunt and spoke.
"Ehem, so… How's your day?" Akko asked the Ushi-Oni who raised a brow towards her.
"It is fine." The Ushi-Oni answered.
"Really huh… you seem bothered in some way. Care to share it?" The said mamono then furrowed.
"It was nothing anyway, so do not think about it much."
"Uh, huh… so how long have you been together with the creature?"
"Well, not that long, we have just been together for two days. Big Chill was supposed to be my caretaker, but he suddenly… switched with that mollusk creature since it said that it was more suitable in this kind situation, at least that was according to the creature itself." The Ushi-Oni replied.
'Big Chill... So it was the name of another monster I presume. And by following a certain pattern here, I also presume that this mollusk creature is also a male just like this Big Chill person.' Akko though for a second.
"I see, but seriously, you seemed really bothered. What is it?" Akko can't help but noticed.
"Why do you want to know? Also, why are you even here? Your colleagues seem to not like me at all though." The Ushi-Oni said, looking at the other camp and found most of the mamonos there were watching her.
"Oh them? Well, I don't really hold grudges on people unlike them." Akko scratched her chin.
"Is that really all?"
"Yup!"
"You are weird."
"Heh, so I've been told." Akko simply snickered. "Really, is there any problem? You can share it with me though. What is it that bothers you?"
"I do not know. I feel really guilty oddly. Like everything that was currently happening to me, the mercy, the treatment, it feels so awful, honestly." Seijun explained, feeling unworthy of her state she had right due to how kind those creatures treating her, like she had not done anything wrong. Now she does not know if she should surrender herself and face punishment or worst, death, or just do what the Big Chill had been saying to her, to self-reflect and repent for her sins. Both were heavy, but the latter was a preferable option if only she wasn't being treated so nicely. "I do not know if I truly deserve any of this. I do really wish that I had fought back and not let my lust clouded my mind because everything that is happening right now is so heavy."
"Well, that only means that you are regretting and feeling sorry for what you had done." A voice interjected. The two then turned to look at the mollusk creature that was carrying several pieces of meat bathed in a special sauce that were placed in a wooden board. It then pierced the meats with a stick and started cooking them in the fire, spinning them at a slow pace. "Hey, glad that you two looking close right now. Not that I mind though, it was honestly good since she really need some other… monster girls to talk with."
"Hmph! We are not actually getting close though." Seijun huffed her cheeks.
"Heh, acting like tsundere now, huh?" The Red Oni joked. "It really suits you though."
"I'm not a tsundere!" The mollusk creature chuckled at this.
"Alright, alright." The Red Oni raised both of her arms over her head, shrugging off the subject away.
"Okay, but what is a tsundere?" The mollusk creature asked.
"Oh, you know, like her." Akko pointed to the Ushi-Oni. "Anyway, you know what she did right? And her sin deserves a death penalty, so why keeping her alive? It is the law of this land, that all criminals, whether if you are a mamono or not, will be punished equally if it would be proven that you have committed a heinous crime like what she did."
This had caused the Ushi-Oni's eyes to narrow dangerously. She was about to talk when the mollusk creature raised a hand in front of her, prompting her to not continue whatever she had in mind. Seeing the expression of the Ushi-Oni, the Red Oni then raised her hand over her head.
"Seriously, why making such face though? It's not like I mean it in an offensive way." The Red Oni clarified. "It's just a question."
"Oh… Well, because I know it wasn't her fault, though not completely since it was her recklessness that caused her to assault a youngling, but we can't just do such deed. For it is too cruel and crude for us, especially that kind of law since it is too barbaric. And we refuse in killing because we believe in chance."
"Whoa, such moral though, and I can't help but to agree with the first part." The Red Oni complimented. "But seriously, have you ever wondered why such law exists?"
"I do." Water Hazard answered. "It exist to cause fear to the people who were thinking of doing such bad deed, isn't that right?"
"Yep, it's right." Akko affirmed.
"But that's not the complete reason at all. You know our Lord of this land is as cruel as he is kind, especially against those kinds of people. So mamonos or humans, no matter what you are, you will be punished for committing serious crime. A fair and equal treatment I might say. It meant to provoke fear, but there are still stubborn humans and mamonos like me, who still dared to refuse to follow and abide. However, like I said, it was not the sole reason why a law like that exist in the first place. It's because this place, this part of land is filled with 'that'." She said cryptically.
"And what is this 'that' you are referring to?" The mollusk creature leaned forward, curious at what she meant.
"You will see along our journey~" She teased.
"Seriously? Can't you just tell me?" The mollusk creature requested. "What is it?"
"Nope." The Red Oni said, popping the last part then laughed. "Look at who was being teased now. How does it feel to taste your own medicine? Hahahahaha!"
"Oh how it instantly backfired." The mollusk creature exasperated and grunted before looking at the Ushi-Oni and asking her. "Hey, Seijun, do you know what she mean?"
"I do not also know, sorry."
"Ugh…" The disappointment caused the Red Oni to laugh even more at the creature's failed attempt.
"Hahahaha! Anyways, Seijun, huh? I think it we forgot to introduce ourselves." The Red Oni suddenly realized.
"Yeah…" The mollusk creature agreed. "We did kind of."
"You did forget to actually introduce yourself to me though." The Ushi-Oni said to the mollusk creature who simply chuckled sheepishly.
"Well, then let us start." Akko then stood up, then pointed a thumb to herself. "The name is Akko, nice to meet you!"
"My name is Atagi Seijun." Seijun shortly introduced.
"I am Water Hazard." The mollusk creature introduced lastly. "And nice to meet you too."
"Hmm… Your name speaks volume of your ability. Does it something to do with waters?"
"Yep." Water Hazard confirmed, nodding.
"Oh I see now! Eatle – eating power, Water Hazard – Water power. Hehehe, I see what you did there. It's really quite… punny!" Oh boy, it seemed that Water Hazard found his new match.
"So are we going to talk in puns now?" Seijun amused even though it was cringe to her.
"Speaking of puns, dinner is ready so who wants to eat?" Water Hazard asked them as he lifted the meats out of the fire placed them a wooden board that was lying close to his side which he had picked up.
"Damn, that looks so delicious!" Akko complimented, looking at the meat with wonderment and desire. "What kind of dish is that?"
"A special marinated meat!" Water Hazard said proudly. "It's made by one of my buddies."
The roasted scent quickly streamed through the air and to their nostrils, causing both of the mamono to salivate slightly. In spite of being cooked in a stick, the meats miraculously still retained its sauce that was used to make the food tasty. Akko and Seijun simultaneously looked at the meet with great desire to dive and quickly ravage the delicious food. Water Hazard then gave the food to the Ushi-Oni while also placing another portion to the other extra board he had and moved towards the Red Oni and offered it to her who stared with wide eyes in disbelief as she was not expecting Water Hazard to actually share a portion of their ration.
"I-is… is this… is this really for me?" Akko stuttered to Water Hazard who merely nodded at her.
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
"Thanks then!" Akko then immediately grabbed the wooden board and went on to eat the special marinated meat. The Red Oni can't deny that it was worthy of the being called special, from the soft texture of the meat and juice it gave out every time she took a bite of it was a perfect combination, not to mention the balance of sweet and sour. It was a food that can probably be served only to the royal ones. "Not gonna lie though, this food is worthy to be in a king's palate. It is really good! Thanks again!"
"Heh, don't mention it. A guy like me shouldn't leave a lady starving." Water Hazard joked, but the joke caused the Red Oni to arch a brow.
'So I am right…'
"Guy, huh? So are you male?" Akko asked for further confirmation.
"I am, yep." Was the mollusk creature instant reply.
"By the way, are you not going to eat? You are the one who cooked it though" She asked, slightly concerned.
"Nope, I am fine."
"Moving on then, you know there is one thing missing." Akko then pulled something behind her and dropped it in front of them which caused the two to jerk in surprise. Staring at the object, it was a plain gourd containing ale that was tied by several ropes that allowed a person to carry it either by the hands or by the shoulders.
"And where the hell did you even get that?!" The Ushi-Oni question incredulously after staring at the rather giant guard that was almost half as tall as the Red Oni.
"That's a really giant gourd." Water Hazard muttered in slight awe.
The two mamono then continued to enjoy the delicious meal served to them courtesy by Water Hazard. The tree then spent the night talking and laughing about lots of things. Akko and Water Hazard were throwing puns to each other all along, causing Seijun to twitch her eyebrow in annoyance. It's not like she hated puns, but the way this two individual throwing puns to each made her. It was so bad that she planted two of her palms over her face, but at the same time, it was honestly enjoyable.
'These guys aren't bad after all.' Akko thought as she looked up to the moon above glistening under the night sky.
XXX
(Far from the Kingdom of Fire…)
Amidst the cold, chilly air of the night, as darkness consumed the place they were living in, the light of the celestial object illuminated a woman sporting a sickly pale skin, wearing a black dress with furs and dark veil. She, along with her sisters, had been born and chosen to weep perpetually from the vision, a gift and curse that were granted to them by the Goddess of Death, Hel. Those who embraced this gift treated it as a blessing while those who did not want it treated it like a curse. Both were understandable and right as it was in their own way as none of them could find joy in watching the death of others, only agonizing sorrow and lamentation, but it was a gift to them nonetheless.
"The catalyst has begun." The woman in dark veil said solemnly that seemingly brought chills and soothe at the same time, streaks of tears still streaming down on her face as she and her sisters looked up to the moon hung above them.
XXX
To be continued…