Chapter 26 One Day of Peace
"I knew it! He is a traitor!", Thomas said, pointing.
Flynn had soon fallen unconscious after he was set against the wall. The unconscious Flynn was currently in the infirmary. Issachar had taken over the duel while Flynn was unconscious after changing his gauntlet's setting to stun.
However in his way stood the official and the crown Samurai who effectively created a wall with people. Issachar felt concerned at just how fast they responded and why they were protecting Flynn.
"I have observed the footage we saw from Steve's gauntlet. Lord Flynn was on the verge of passing out before his monsters attacked and couldn't say a word. His monsters seem to have acted on their own. This is not the first report of his monsters acting autonomously to protect their master. As such this slight will not be counted against Lord Flynn.", the official said.
"S-slight?! He killed a man!", Thomas growled angrily.
"His monster did.", the official corrected in a matter of fact tone.
"It's still his monster! I can't believe even the crown is defending him! What makes that bastard so special?! I can't believe this!", Thomas questioned angrily.
Thomas ended up storming off growling angrily.
Later…
Issachar was relieved when he saw Flynn start to rouse. Unfortunately, the others couldn't be there, likely being run ragged by the crown Samurai as well. Flynn's eyes crept open and he slowly sat up. He looked around bewildered.
"Why am I in the infirmary? Where's Steve? What about the duel?", Flynn murmured.
Issachar grimaced knowing Flynn wouldn't like what he had to say.
"Steve is dead.", Issachar answered and Flynn's eyes widened.
"What?! H-how?", Flynn questioned.
"He was hurting you badly and your monsters didn't like that. So, they lashed out at him, Blue Sirius specifically. It's honestly his fault…", Issachar explained, before snickering.
"What do you mean? I know he was…harsh, but he didn't deserve to die.", Flynn replied.
"He was a psycho, Flynn! He was going to kill you for not doing what he wants!", Issachar replied, passionately.
Flynn lowered his head wincing in pain and tugged at his scarf. When he pulled his scarf down light bruises were visible on his neck. This made Issachar more enraged, practically shaking. Flynn was surprised to see he really was being choked that hard.
"Oh my Lord…I knew it felt like he was killing me. But, I didn't think it was…", Flynn murmured.
He looked over to Issachar who he noticed was growling and had his fist shaking. He was about to storm out blinded by rage before Flynn got in front of the door holding his arms out.
"You can't get out of range of me, remember?", Flynn reminded him.
"Then, come with me as I tell those assholes from the crown up!", Issachar replied.
"Issachar, you know we can't do that. Acting against the king is considered treason.", Flynn replied.
"Then, should we just do nothing then?! As his lackey's constantly patrol us and the others?! As they are being assaulted by the king's psychos?!", Issachar questioned.
"We'll find them and make sure they're alright, but we can't just rush in and make demands. There has to be another way. A way we can make it so the Samurai don't have to be patrolled.", Flynn replied.
"And what's that?!", Issachar questioned.
"We'll find the traitor. If we know who it is there won't be a reason for the crown Samurai to watch us anymore.", Flynn replied and Issachar paused, having not considered that.
Issachar looked into Flynn's eyes seeing he had that determined look in his eyes. He backed away from the door feeling the sheer intensity.
"I know your mad Steve hurt us, but we can't act rashly. I will admit I lost my cool when he attacked you.", Flynn replied.
"Yeah…I've never seen you about to seriously punch someone.", Issachar replied.
"Hopefully the others are faring better.", Flynn said as he tugged at his scarf moving it back up to cover the bruise on his neck.
Flynn opened the door and was surprised to see the official and crown Samurai standing outside. The official looked over to see him.
"It seems you've awakened, Lord Flynn.", the official said.
"I assume I am in trouble, sir.", Flynn said.
"No. The passing of Steve is certainly unfortunate though I have seen the footage. Your monster seemed to act on its own to protect you.", the official replied.
Flynn was surprised to hear he wasn't in any trouble. Issachar looked at the official with suspicion.
"Then…why are you here, sir? To assign another crown Samurai?", Flynn asked.
"Well…others had found out about the situation and were rather agitated. I simply came to defuse it. We are still working on finding a suitable crown Samurai as a replacement. It seems yours was much too forceful making your monsters believe he was an enemy.", the official replied.
"'Too forceful'?! That's how you describe it? He was physically-", Issachar said, angrily before Flynn put his arm in front of him.
"I'm sorry about what happened, sir. I had no idea that would happen.", Flynn replied, before giving the official a light bow further infuriating Issachar.
"Where are you off to now?", the official questioned.
"To check on my fellows to make sure they're not having problems as well. I want to avoid another situation like what happened with Steve. Then, once we found all of them we're going to find the traitor.", Flynn replied and the official nodded.
Flynn and Issachar headed into Naraku in search of their fellows. The official watched Flynn closely as the two left. Issachar looked back glaring intensely at the official.
In Naraku…
Walter growled angrily as he grappled with his Steve. He had his arms around Walter's neck before Walter flipped him over, throwing him against the wall harshly.
"Shut up, you bastard! You're not my commander! You can't tell me what to do!", Walter barked angrily.
-
Isabeau was extremely perplexed at her crown Samurai's demand. Her's was the female one.
"I thought you were just watching me. Not ordering me around.", Isabeau said.
"A Samurai should never hesitate on the battlefield. This is a part of the re-education.", Steve replied.
Isabeau's eyes widened in surprise when the crown Samurai was about to lunge at her. However, something stopped her. Isabeau looked over to see Flynn was yanking the female Steve by the collar.
"Flynn?!", Isabeau questioned.
Flynn glared intensely at Steve.
"If you keep trying to beat all the Samurai into submission you won't have many Samurai left. They won't take such violence well.", Flynn said.
"Resistance will not be tolerated, Samurai.", Steve replied.
"We're going to find the traitor. After that watching us will no longer be required.", Flynn replied.
-
Jonathan struggled as he felt Steve squeeze his neck tightly. He pushed back trying to pry his arms off. The spirit felt awkward as the two Samurai rolled around on the floor.
"I simply…cannot do that! Taking one's soul…even from an evil spirit…is immoral!", Jonathan replied.
He heard a growl before he found Steve's arms were being pried off him easier. He opened his eyes to see Flynn was helping him. They got his arms off Jonathan together.
"Resistance will not be tolerated, Samurai.", Steve replied.
"Soon your presence won't be needed either.", Flynn replied, before pulling Jonathan up.
"Resistance will not be tolerated, Samurai.", Steve parroted, before getting up.
"We're going to find the traitor.", Flynn replied and Jonathan's eyes widened.
"I have a theory though I haven't gotten to investigate it since I was forced to quest.", Jonathan replied as he rubbed his neck.
With the official…
"From what I've observed through the crown Samurai, the other Samurai haven't taken too kindly to them. There is a few that have submitted or simply been beaten but that is a small amount. Many Samurai have fought back despite the risk of defying the crown.", the official told the king through one of the crown Samurai's gauntlet's.
Back in Naraku…
"Navarre!", Jonathan called out and the others picked up their speed.
Navarre laid face down on the ground with a crown Samurai over him. His fellows became enraged seeing this. Jonathan checked his condition first to see if he was alright. He seemed to have passed out cold.
"What is all of this violence supposed to accomplish? We're supposed to be allies and you're trying to rangle us like criminals.", Isabeau said.
"Do not get involved, Samurai.", the crown Samurai said, about to grab Jonathan before Flynn pulled him back.
"Navarre is a man of far more integrity than you, Steve. You would lower yourself to taking souls like the enemy. But, that's not how a Samurai is supposed to act. He knows that well.", Jonathan replied, facing the crown Samurai as he got Navarre up.
"Resistance will not be tolerated, Samurai.", Steve replied, blandly as he was yanked back before he could do anything to Jonathan.
-
They sweat dropped when they found a beaten up crowned Samurai and a pissed off Walter.
"The nerve of that guy…", Walter grumbled.
He looked over to see the others and upset crown Samurai behind them.
"Walter…?!", Flynn said as he sweat dropped.
Later…
The crown Samurai were typing down everything including every act of resistance against them whether physical or verbal. The prentices and Issachar sat in a circle within the barracks. They had set Navarre his bed.
"I am not completely sure, but I believe Ys could be the traitor. I asked the commander if he turned in the ritual books like he told us he would. However, apparently he told the commander that we burned the books there.", Jonathan explained.
"What made you ask though? No offense but you strike me as the gullible type.", Walter questioned.
Jonathan sweat dropped at the comment.
"It's going to sound weird, but…it's because one of his monsters reminded me of something. That's where it all started.", Jonathan admitted confusing the others.
"Doesn't he play a deck full of angels though?", Flynn questioned.
"It was one card in particular. Warrior of Zera. At first I couldn't put my finger on why it seemed familiar, then I remembered something…when I was a child an evil spirit escaped from Naraku. It attacked me and my fellow. Its name was Mazera DeVille. It was a demonfied version of the Warrior of Zera.", Jonathan explained.
"Don't tell me…Is this another story like Flynn's? How many of you interacted with spirits when you were kids?!", Walter questioned.
"Anyway after Walter told us about how he summoned Dark Gaia using his inner desires. I wonder if that was also how Mazera was able to escape Naraku. The only times we've seen spirits in Mikado is when they're summoned by someone rather than escaping Naraku like the Samurai assumed.", Jonathan explained, after coughing awkwardly.
"Maybe he doesn't know he summoned Mazera like Walter. Assuming he did.", Isabeau replied.
"I was thinking that too, but I wanted to make sure so I told what I was thinking to the commander. Then he told me about the traitor and what I mentioned earlier. Why would he keep the books to himself? Not to mention, I didn't see Ys at the emergency meeting.", Jonathan explained.
"It's certainly plausible…we should look for Ys to question him.", Flynn replied.
He looked over, noticing there was something else on Jonathan's mind as he looked at him.
"Is something wrong?", Flynn asked.
"It's just…that incident was also on my mind because you remind me of the Samurai that saved me.", Jonathan admitted.
"For real?", Issachar questioned as Flynn raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"He had the exact same hairstyle as you and you both wore your scarf's the exact same way. However I couldn't see his face and he seemed to be made of light.", Jonathan explained.
"That's strange…", Flynn replied as he thought of the dreams where he first saw Jonathan and Walter.
Similarly their faces had been obscured in those dreams.
"Right, I know it's silly. We were both children back then. It couldn't have been you. But…in these weird dreams I have been seeing recently I saw that Samurai again and he claimed his name was Flynn. That was before I even met you.", Jonathan replied.
Flynn's eyes widened at this.
"I have seen you and Walter in my dreams too. I was wondering if it was because we're signers, but I haven't seen Isabeau in those dreams.", Flynn admitted, shocking the others.
"How long has this been happening?", Issachar questioned.
"I had the first dream before the Gauntlet Rite. That was also before I had ever met either of you.", Flynn replied.
"This is definitely peculiar…I have had no such dreams.", Isabeau said.
"…I had them too, but I only saw Flynn.", Walter admitted.
"It was the same for me I only saw Flynn not you.", Jonathan added.
"So, I see you two and you see me. I wonder why that is. I knew nothing of Mazera till today…", Flynn replied.
"This is all very strange…", Isabeau said.
"Yeah…why do we only see Flynn while he sees the both of us? Why's Flynn all covered in light in yours?! That's not how he appears in mine.", Walter questioned.
"How do I appear in your dreams?", Flynn asked.
Walter sweat dropped with a funny look on his face.
"I honestly thought you were an evil spirit or something when I saw you in my dreams. You are a lot more…eerie in them. Rather than light your enveloped in shadow.", Walter replied, surprising Flynn.
Flynn cupped his chin, finding this all bizarre.
"Perhaps we have some sort of connection beyond being signers?", Flynn suggested.
"Maybe…but should we be saying all this in front of these creeps?", Walter questioned.
"The crown should already know about the signers so I don't think there is an issue.", Jonathan replied.
They soon left looking around Aquila Plaza for Ys. Unfortunately they couldn't find them anywhere. The crown Samurai observed them closely.
"Do not act now. Just observe.", the official had ordered the crown Samurai quietly through their gauntlets.
"He could be on a mission.", Isabeau suggested.
"Right. It's too soon to come to a definitive conclusion yet. We should wait to see if he comes back.", Flynn said.
They returned to the barracks looking over Navarre as the sun was setting.
The next day…
"This is not good…I'll need to wear some sort of scarf during the ball…", Navarre said as he looked in the mirror.
The crown Samurai seemed to have backed off a bit simply observing after the Samurais' harsh reaction. The next couple of days passed with Navarre helping them get ready for the approaching ball.
On the final night before…
"Hoy…Hsst.", Walter said to the sleeping Flynn.
Flynn's eyes creeped open as he saw Walter next to his ear. Even the crown Samurai were asleep.
"You'll not want to miss this. Isabeau's up to something on the rooftop. We're going to go see. Up, damn you!", Walter whispered as Flynn sweat dropped.
He shook Issachar awake who got up groggily.
"It can't be morning already can it?", Issachar questioned.
"You disturbed our precious slumber over this…? It's dreadfully impolite to intrude on a girl's private moments, you know.", Jonathan replied, sweat dropping.
"So you say, and yet here you are…", Walter replied, with a funny look.
Flynn and Jonathan blushed as Issachar looked over to Flynn. Navarre looked over to Jonathan with a similar look.
"I never knew you fancied Isabeau so much, Jonathan.", Navarre said.
"Well that's…Um…It's…", Jonathan replied.
Issachar raised his eyebrow at Flynn.
"You woke me up for this? Whatever happened to fellows before lasses?", Issachar questioned.
Flynn looked away hiding his blush.
"I don't know what you mean. I'm just humoring Walter. He won't stop asking till we go.", Flynn replied as Issachar gave him a funny look.
"That sounds like Walter, but you look a bit excited yourself Flynn.", Navarre pointed out and Flynn flinched.
"Yes, yes. Let's go before Isabeau decides to shut herself back up in her room, shall we?", Walter said.
Issachar and Navarre sweat dropped as they followed along.
On the rooftop…
Isabeau sat criss crossed staring down at a small book.
"Ooh…", Isabeau said.
"There…it's Isabeau! Let's sneak closer and surprise her.", Walter whispered.
"I don't think she'll be very pleased if you try that…", Jonathan replied.
"That's the idea! I want to see that prim, iron mask of hers slip. To see those cold cheeks flush pink…", Walter whispered as Flynn's blush deepened.
"And who's iron mask are you speaking of?", Isabeau questioned as they stumbled.
"Gah…?!", Walter gasped in shock.
"Ahh…!?", Jonathan gasped in shock.
"Ugh…!?", Flynn gasped in shock, ducking as his blush deepened.
"You guys should have expected this.", Issachar said.
"Can't you be voyeurs in silence? The din is making it difficult to concentrate on my reading.", Isabeau replied.
"Your reading, Isabeau?", Walter questioned.
"What are you reading?", Flynn asked as Isabeau held up a strange book.
It was nothing like the ritual books. It was much smaller and the cover was paper thin. It depicted some colorful illustrations of characters on the front.
"What I'm reading is called 'manga'.", Isabeau replied, showing her fellows the strange book.
"What strange craftsmanship. I've never seen a book made like this.", Navarre commented.
"This is fascinating…I've never seen anything like it. It's a story told through both words and pictures.", Jonathan commented.
"The one I'm reading currently takes place in a fictional kingdom known as France. It's the story of a beautiful female warrior in male garb who valiantly and admirably plays an active role. B-But the warrioress falls in love with a man, her faithful companion, at one point…Oh and then, and then…!", Isabeau explained, excitedly and animatedly.
"She's so charming when she's excited…", Flynn thought as Issachar gave him a funny look.
Flynn felt his heart fluttering at seeing his normally stoic fellow so excited. He liked seeing her so passionate about something.
"Am I truly hearing Isabeau talk about love? I hope that Lake Mikado doesn't dry up tomorrow…", Walter laughed.
"I suppose Isabeau is still a woman even with how boyish she can act.", Navarre said.
"Boyish?! You sound like my sisters.", Isabeau replied.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying what makes you happy as long as it's harmless.", Flynn replied, with a light smile.
"Right! I don't think I'm boyish!", Isabeau replied.
This made the others chuckle before Isabeau started joining in.
"It's good to not have those creeps breathing down our necks for once. This is the first time in the last few days we've gotten to relax.", Isabeau replied.
"Yeah…I hope we'll get more moments like this in the future.", Flynn said, beginning he looked on into the distance.
"I think it's safe to say the traitor is Ys. If he tries to show up tomorrow we'll be waiting.". Walter said and Flynn nodded.
To be continued…