"Speech"
'Thoughts'
[Names of Equipments or Imperial Arms or Weapons/Title]
Flashback/Dreams
Volume 2: Chapter 7: Hunter or Hunted VII
A landscape filled with snow.
Somehow it seems familiar. Like I've seen it somewhere, yet I couldn't recall where.
I tried to move, but find that I was immobilized. Studying closer, I find myself buried deep in the snow.
Move! I have to move or I might freeze to death. Using every bit of strength that my body could muster, I tried to move. Several attempts were made, but none of them seem to bear any fruit. I kept trying, desperately hoping that my next attempt would succeed. The fear of death seems to have made me more motivated.
I could feel the snow that binds my limbs slowly loosening its grip. Giving one last push, I pushed myself out of the snow.
It was freezing. My body was curled up, trying to garner as much heat as possible to stay alive. I looked around the place where I was.
White covered everything in my peripheral vision. Snow was slowly falling down on me, causing me to shiver every time a snowflake landed on my skin. Dressed in only rags that covers only my body and some parts of my limbs.
Questions were forming in my head.
Where am I?
How did I get here?
For now, I pushed these questions into the back of my head. Finding warmth takes precedence over these questions. Survive, or these questions would hold no meaning to me.
I stood up unsteadily, trying my best to stop trembling. I looked around me. Everywhere, the land was covered in white. I guess there's really no point contemplating. Turning towards a vague outline of what seems to be a mountain, I began walking.
Or at least that was what I planned to do. I had took one step before falling forwards onto the snow. It was just too cold, and I hardly have any energy left to walk, since keeping myself standing and my previous struggle had already depleted most of my energy. At least the snow was soft, or I would have been hurt.
White, the only color in my vision. As the seconds passes, this color seem to fade away, replacing it with black.
I guess I have tried my best.
The last thing that I could perceive before passing out was the neighing of some animal and some squeaking.
…
{Tatsumi's Perspective}
Someone was shaking me and it was enough to bring me out of my sleep. I looked at whoever had been responsible for doing such a deed.
Light blue hair coupled with blue eyes that displays indifference. Rubbing away the sleepiness from my eyes, I lifted myself off of the bed. I glanced at the clock, only for me to realise that I had only fallen asleep for about an hour plus.
"Our shift is starting soon" he remarked, before he made his way out of our room with his equipments.
Rubbing the sleepiness from my eyes, I got up from my bed and checked my equipments. Ensuring that everything that I might need was prepared, I walked out of my room as well. I proceeded towards the meeting room, which was behind the secret 'door' in the cellar.
Pressing the brick, the wall opened up and allowed me to pass through.
Most of the patrol teams were already outside patrolling. Since the previous shift is about to end, the next team would be deployed soon to cover up for it. I arrived in the meeting room, to see everyone who are involved already present. I moved towards the large table in the center of the room. Seeing my arrival, the speaker began to give out duties. Oda was still nowhere to be seen within the room even though he is the leader.
In fact, he hasn't been seen for the past few days.
We were given the areas we are to patrol and sent off on our merry way. I have to hand it to them, they intentionally sent us to areas which they have not been to before, posing us as tourists. Any kind of suspicious behaviour would be dismissed since most would assume that we were sightseeing.
Coincidentally, the area which Blade and I were tasked to patrol had an entrance to the labyrinth below. I don't think anyone would mind us being underground right now.
Once again, Blade and I began another day of fighting Danger Beasts in the labyrinth.
…
{Third Person's Perspective}
The assignment was fairly simple.
Ensure the successful delivery of a certain shipment of items into the city. They were not given much information of what the items are, only what they are tasked to do. Failure equals death, or so the higher-ups had claimed. Success, however, would greatly improve the chances of winning the war against the Empire.
The Revolutionary Army had sent some of their most elite assassins and spies that are available ahead of time.
Everything seems to be progressing well, until a few of their spies started going missing. Initially, everyone assumed they were caught by the local police guards, some skilled adventurer had fatally wounded them in a fight or simply being overpowered by a horde of Danger Beasts in the Labyrinth below the city during a careless moment. However, as time goes on, such cases became more frequent and showed no signs of ceasing. Their manpower had been reduced by a significant amount and with the date of their grand plan drawing near, everyone became anxious.
Several times they had tried to investigate, but every trace or evidence that they had gathered only lead to a dead end. Frustrated and fearful, they halted all their activities and had send word to the higher-ups to delay their plans. However, it would only hamper the plan for a moment and eventually they have no other choice other than to proceed with the plan.
"Let me recap the mission we were given. We were tasked to ensure the safe delivery of some stuff that the higher-ups would be sending to this city. What the items are isn't known. All that is required of us is to ensure it gets into the city without it being found by the guards. Some of our fellow Revolutionary Soldiers, who will be posing as merchants would be arriving tomorrow at around noon." The man who called the meeting said. He possesses a slim build, and was the most experienced assassin within the group of people gathered in the room they are currently in. Brown hair and cold black eyes that seem to lack any sort of emotion in them.
"Each member would be posted at different locations in pairs. The teams posted to the gates would operate in teams of three instead. The 'merchants' are expected to arrive sometime before noon, when the new shift starts. Teams stationed to be within the City Guards and would be doing the morning shift are to ensure the smooth entry of the 'merchants' and their goods. Teams stationed within the city itself would have to ensure the 'merchants' would reach their destination. Please exercise caution, as we do have enemies within this city itself.
If there are no questions, everyone is dismissed. Please report to me one last time tomorrow morning before moving off to your assigned location."
Studying the map of the city laid on the table before him, he proceeded to shift some chips from one place to another. His mind was actively thinking up of different scenario that could possibly happen and was coming up with countermeasures. Call it paranoid, but lately his thumb has been twitching lately. Last time this happened, the majority of the members in the team under his care was wiped out. Even if it is simply superstition, he isn't going to take any chances.
"You're being too tensed" His eyes darted towards the source of the feminine voice, only to gaze upon a lady with deep blue eyes and blonde hair. He was acquainted with this person, having seen her on many occasions. The General's Tent in the Revolutionary Headquarters was a place he frequently visited, having received almost every mission from said place. She was one of the Generals of the Revolutionary Army. However, she was much too busy and important to be seen in the place where he currently was.
"Please drop the disguise." he commented humorlessly. Every word was oozing with bloodlust, so much that she had to take a couple of steps back in fear, before she composed herself.
"I get that this mission happens tomorrow, but you're too uptight."
A cloud of smoke burst out from the lady, and in the place where she once stood was the figure of a different person. Pale skin, auburn hair with her usual playful red eyes dyed with fear. She wore a long-sleeved shirt underneath a black vest, with a red ribbon tied around her collars. Completing her outfit would be a red checkered mini-skirt and black leather boots. On her head was a butterfly headphones accessory with a red ribbon tied on it to resemble a butterfly.
Upon noticing the actual identity of the person, he lowered his knifes that were tightly clenched in his hands.
"Do you happen to have some sort of crush on her?" she teased.
His response came in the form of a glare that promised only death.
"I guess not, huh?" She awkwardly added, before starting to chuckle awkwardly. In that time, she unwrapped a lollipop which she had fished out from one of her pockets on her skirt.
"I need you to provide support to the units posted within the city. Your Imperial Arm allow you to provide immediate support to the various units without risking detection."
"Why the sudden change? If I'm not wrong, aren't I supposed to be with the 'merchants' when they arrive?" she enquired.
"I decided to change some plans. I intend to have you cover the other teams who are vulnerable to sabotage or any ambushes while performing their duties. Hopefully by doing so, I would be able to drag them out into the light and reveal their identities. It's not the best plan given our situation, but it would work out if everything goes as planned."
She stayed silent for a few moments, as though giving the offer some thought, before exiting the room, leaving him alone.
"Roger that"
…
{Tatsumi's Perspective}
Blade and I had been exploring the Upper Floors of the Labyrinth. Since most of the Danger Beasts here had become easier to slay, I suggested to try challenging the Middle Floors. Blade didn't show any sign of reluctance, so I assumed he was okay with the suggestion. We trekked even lower into the Labyrinth, and eventually arrived at the entrance of the Middle Floors.
We were welcomed by a large horde of new Danger Beasts that we have never fought before, but experienced no problems when fighting against them. Everything was going smoothly as we continued our journey deeper into the Labyrinth. Maybe it was my imagination, but the air gets warmer and warmer as we travelled deeper into the Labyrinth. Of course, we dismissed it since it was at a level where it could bring about no discomfort.
Our fights later on were against a group of Kobolds, one of the Kobolds had tossed his weapon towards the ceiling, causing the ceiling to collapse between me and Blade. We were separated. It was at this moment that I realise how these Danger Beasts seem to be smarter than they look, and also how screwed I am.
Maybe it was their plan all along to separate me from Blade and take us out individually with numbers. More and more of these Kobolds came rushing at me. I tried my best to fight but their numbers were endless, so I did the only thing that would increase my chances of survival. Running away. It was cowardly, but I did convince myself that it was only a temporary retreat so as to buy myself time to formulate a plan that would lead me to my desired outcome of slaying them.
I had hoped that their pursuit would be slow. Sadly, this wasn't going to happen. These Kobolds would fight while they are standing on their hind legs, but when it comes to pursuing potential prey, they would go on all fours. While in pursuit their speed would increase significantly, and thus not many people can outrun them. It seems my luck has run out, as I could only watch as they inch closer and closer throughout the course of the chase.
One of the Kobolds who had managed to catch up to me had wildly swung his rusty sword down onto me. I tried my best to dodge but was unable to prevent myself from getting hurt. There was now a cut on my back that extends from my right shoulder to my left waist. Even though it wasn't very deep, blood was still flowing out of it at a constant rate. My clothes was getting heavier and heavier, possibly due to the blood soaking into it.
Despite the searing pain on my back, I kept running. Stopping would result in my death.
Another Kobold managed to get close to me. It raised its right hand, hoping to slam the sword in his hand down onto me.
I drew my weapon and stopped myself abruptly. The Kobold, still in motion was about to slam into me with his hands still above his head. Without turning around, I placed my weapon just beside my right waist and watched as the weapon gradually sink itself into the soft flesh of the Kobold. In the next instant, the Kobold slammed into me. I bit my tongue, hoping to not scream out in pain. Using the force that the Kobold that slammed into me possessed, I started running again with somewhat of a head start.
Looking back at the corner of my eyes, I could see the injured form of the Kobold stumbling, slowly decreasing in speed.
Although I was saved by my quick thinking, I don't think I could be able to try this kind of stunt again given how much pain it would bring about for me.
I didn't have any particular destination in mind. I simply ran, towards where ever I feel would lead me out of this mess. Such a pathetic strategy could only last for so long.
For some reason, I wasn't even surprised that there was a dead end awaiting me when I had took a wrong turn. Only simple despair. The Kobolds has already caught up to me, and with my back against the wall, there was no longer any way for me to escape. The Kobolds seems to have understood the predicament that I find myself in and began to mock me with a series of barks and laughs. They seem to be enjoying themselves, watching me struggle.
For some reason, I don't feel afraid. It was like as though I was in such situations before, or that I wasn't afraid of dying. I wasn't trembling and my mind wasn't in panic. There also seem to be the fact that the voices in my head are no longer there, or at least died down every since I left the Capital, but that isn't important at this moment.
All of the Kobolds that had been chasing me had gathered, effectively trapping me and further preventing me from escaping.
I raised my sword in front of me. The wound on my back seems to have been opened further with all my running, given how my shirt feels heavier than usual. Since there had been no opportunity for me to dress my wound, blood flowed out of it freely like prisoners who had been set free from their confinements. I was very certain that my shirt is now red given the amount of time blood was flowing out of my wound. I feel light-headed and could hardly register the pain caused by the wound.
The Kobolds began to run towards me, each one hoping to tear me to shreds. The closest one pounced towards me. I jumped to my left, and moments later the Kobold slammed into the wall that was behind me moments ago. Two more Kobolds came towards me, one with its pickaxe above its head ready swing down while the other has one of its hands outstretched, hoping to slice me apart with its razor sharp claws.
I held my weapon at my side and ran towards the Kobold with the pickaxe, reaching it before it could swing the somewhat odd choice of a weapon down. I did have to avoid the other Kobold's claws during my run. Once I was close enough, I stabbed my weapon into the stomach of the Kobold. It howled in pain. Not wasting any time, I pull out the short sword and slashed at the throat of the Kobold. Blood gushed out of the wound on its stomach and throat. In its attempt to survive the Kobold had abandoned its pickaxe and covered the wound on its throat with both it's hands, hoping to stop the blood from flowing out by exerting pressure on the wound and leaving the wound on its stomach alone, probably judging it to be of lesser importance. I was panting at this point, and this allowed the other Kobolds to rush towards me. Three more Kobolds, with 2 more following closely behind them were upon me.
I threw one of the throwing knifes I had in the pouch strapped to my waist. It flew towards the Kobold on my left, and hit the Kobold on its left shoulder. Since it was on all fours, it stumbled before collapsing head-first onto the ground. It wasn't dead, simply losing its balance. By the time I readied my sword before my eyes, one of the Kobolds at the front which carried a rusty broken sword has already swung it down on me. I lifted my short sword and lifted my right hand which gripping the handle higher than my left which was supporting the blade. The blade of the broken sword landed on the blade of my weapon, before it slid down toward the ground on my left. The Kobold was caught off guard and I slashed at the side of its abdomen. However, this meant that I lack ample time needed to block against the strike by third Kobold, the one on my right. Its claws were already on its course headed towards me and I was powerless to stop it. The only action I did, perhaps on instinct, was to close my eyes and braced myself for the inevitable pain that would follow.
In the next moment, sharp claws dug into my flesh on my right shoulder. I was knocked back into the wall behind me. Something hard hit against the back of my head. I couldn't help but shout in pain. Blood was now flowing out of my wounds and I could feel warmth slowly leaving my body, greedily taken away by the surroundings. The other Kobolds in the surroundings were howling, celebrating their victory. Now that I took a closer look at them, their fur are white as snow, though it was stained with dirt and blood here and there. Each one of them were about 3 metres in height. There were about 20 of them, and maybe even more.
Well, I guess I was unlucky having to die here. Black spots are already appearing in my vision. I guess this is fate's way of showing mercy. Better I be asleep as I die than be awake and having to endure the pain and suffering that awaits me.
Maybe because I had given up, I let myself be succumbed by the black void. Slowly, my consciousness faded. Just before doing so, I saw some sparks in the background before passing out completely.
…
When I regain consciousness, I found myself staring at a familiar ceiling. I started at it blankly, before realization hit me that I am still in the land of the living. I got up from where I am currently resting and looked around. There was no one around me. It was literally just an empty space. No sounds, and the only source of light came from the lamp placed above where my head should be if I was lying down, and also from the cracks in the ceiling. This is no doubt the Upper Floors of the Labyrinth.
Next, I realised how my body seemed to be heavier than usual. I looked down and notice layers and layers of bandage wrapped around torso. Bandages covered the wound on my right shoulder and extends all the way to my elbow. The bandages were wrapped nicely, with the skills of someone who had done the action before countless times such that it becomes firmly ingrained in their minds and essentially became second nature to them. On first glance in this place of insufficient luminosity , I would have mistook it as clothes instead of what they were.
Speaking of clothes, I noticed how they seem to not be covering my body. I had doubts that they would be trapped underneath the layers of bandages. No, it is absurd to even think that anyone would fail to take off my clothes before wrapping my wounds. I looked around, and sure enough, I found it folded nicely and next to where my other worldly possessions are placed, next to the lamp which is providing me with light.
It was through the searching of my clothes that I once again happen upon another fact. Separating my body from the ground was a thin blanket. Maybe it would be better to call it a cloth since the edges are quite tattered. It did little to hide the discomfort of sleeping on the cold hard floor, but I am really thankful for my rescuer for doing such a deed even if it was somewhat… redundant.
Speaking of which, I wonder who resc-
"Hoooo…. you're awake already! How are you feeling right now?" a voice from behind me remarked.
Instinctively, I ignored the pain caused by my wounds and jumped out of my makeshift bed, get onto a kneeling position with my right knee on the ground. Facing the direction where the source of the voice came from, my hands my hands reached for my left waist where my weapon was supposed to be strapped at, before realising that it was not there. Perhaps because of the chill down my spine I felt when the words came, my body reacted before I could even comprehend why I am doing something like this.
In the direction which I was facing, there was… no one. I could clearly see the walls of the Labyrinth, but there was nothing there that could be capable of human speech. My mind ran a few possibilities. Though it was somewhat impossible due to the fact that already have sufficient rest, I could be hallucinating. I think I would believe that this was what is going on only if all other possibilities becomes impossibilities.
"Kid, you shouldn't move so much. Your injuries might worsen if you do something like this."
These words were kind of louder than usual, probably because the source was just behind me, and that his (I assumed judging from the pitch of his voice) mouth was right next to my ears. My reaction was to punch the person behind me in the face… or at least try to. In my peripheral vision, the person moved back before my fists could land a hit on him.
I took a good look at the person who had revealed himself. He wore a black trench coat that isn't even buttoned. His right hand, from what I could see was bandaged. There was also bandages tied around his forehead, and some extending lower to cover his eye. He still wears that playful smile, like as if he was satisfied that I was successfully played by him.
If it wasn't for his display of what he was capable of, which I was still unable to gather anything concrete since he wasn't in my sight until the last moment, I would have wiped that grin off of his face using pure brute force. I could only resort to staring at him. I had wanted to glare, but the thought of doing so didn't register in my mind. It was that subtle yet unknown feeling that I felt when I met him for the first time. My mind subconsciously commanded my body to not show any hostility to him, yet at the same time not to let down my guard against him.
"Hey, there is no need to be so tensed. I don't mean to frighten you back there. It was just something I do out of habit. Forgive me if it rubbed you the wrong way, okay?" He said.
Eh? Habit? Wait what? How can that be something a person do out of habit.
"Then again, you showed pretty impressive reactions there. That was perhaps one of the few moments someone reacted to one of my pranks like that. Say, what's your name?"
"Oh, err m-my name's T-Tatsumi..."
Was I this frightened? Get it together, me! You can simply be scared by just that right?
"Now that I think about it, those movements you made earlier must have come together with some damage to your body, right? How does you feel right now?"
"Like I should be dead." My reply seem to have brought him to laughter. It was the exaggerated laughter, one which makes the receiver think that he was only messing around. It was loud and because we are in an enclosed area with only some paths leading everywhere, his voice echoed off the walls, making it louder than what I would call acceptable, turning my fear into annoyance. How I wish I could have the satisfaction of hitting his face. I'm sure it would do wonders to my current emotions.
"Hahahaha. Then you should be fine. Kid, you should count yourself lucky. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn't have been able to move at all so fluently." he remarked once his laughter had died down to snickers.
Although I really wish to cave his face in, I do have to thank him for his help and handiwork.
"Thank you." I said. Never did I realise that I would come to regret being polite.
"Mmm. I guess it is only natural that you would thank me. After all, for someone as great and benevolent as me, having me offer help is something even the gods up above wishes for. Being thankful is something that I already expect to receive." With hands akimbo and chest puffed outwards in pride, he answered my thanks. There is this air of superiority surrounding him.
Scratch that, I am so going to punch him in the face the first chance I get. Not now, but one of these days when his guard is down.
I walked over to where my clothes and belongings lie and proceeded to dress myself. The cuts caused by the Kobolds could still be seen on the shirt and jacket, exposing some of the bandages underneath. Normally I would have disposed of it, but since this is the only clothes I have at the moment, I could only make do with whatever I have and change it once I get back.
"Say, how long was I out?" I asked him.
"About 6 hours." he answered.
I went over to my bag and proceeded to check my current inventory. It doesn't hurt to know what you have to work with should anything happen. I still have about three more throwing knifes. Two of it are coated in venom. One coated in the remaining [Basilisk's Venom], gifted by my mentor back when I had left the Capital, while the other was coated with the [Lesser Hydra's Poison] I had previously bought. The last throwing knife was coated with a fluid which causes paralysis to its target should said fluid enter their bloodstream. Paralysis of the target, once cut, would take effect after 5 minutes, and would last for at most 30 minutes. It's effective should I wish to capture someone, or simply escape from an unfavorable situation.
My short sword rest beside my bag. Drawing it from its sheath, I took some time to admire its design. It's pommel is round, with a small stub protruding just opposite of where the handle is located. It's handle was wrapped in cloth, which I had taken initiative to change every few days. Compared to a normal sword, the length of the handle of the sword in my hands pale in comparison. Expected, since it is only long enough to be gripped with one hand, unlike the common two hand. Its reach in battle is small, which is why wielders of such swords are required to think fast and adapt to situations. The sword does have its perks too. Due to shorter blade length, wielder of the short sword is able to react faster than others. The amount of strikes a normal sword wielder could deal, a short sword wielder can deal in just half the time the former requires.
"Hmmm? Isn't that a [Gladius]? I heard that these short swords are not made anymore. I wonder where you got it from?" Oda seemed to have his interests captured by the mini-sized sword in my hands.
I nodded to his question. "It was a gift from my mentor back when I was still in my village. It was handed to me by my mentor as a rite of passage. He did mention when I first laid eyes on it during my time I was training under him that he bought it from a travelling merchant back in the days he was still a soldier. Though he did grumble on many occasions on how it was a hassle to maintain the weapon."
I begin to study the sword in my hands, checking if any chips or cracks are present on the blade of my sword. Once I was satisfied with the condition of my main weapon, I placed it back into its resting place. It seem I didn't lose anything valuable in the fight earlier.
I took a sip of water from the canteen that I had brought along and allowed my thoughts to wander on future action that I would need to take from here on.
The whereabouts of my companion, Blade is still unknown. For all I know, he could still be in the Middle Floors of the Labyrinth searching for me. I am not too worried about his survival, since he did show that he was capable of taking on any threat this Labyrinth can throw at him. Still, I might have to find some way of finding him or at least let him know that I am alive and well, or he just might be wandering the Labyrinth pointlessly.
Also I hate to admit it, but I haven't really been doing my job properly. Maybe it's because the near-death experience with Akame had caused me to realise just how powerless I am and made me hesitant to throw myself back into this world where I would be involved with people like her, insanely powerful. Then again, now that I think of it, wasn't I practically forced into this? Like how because of the death of my friends, my emotions were in disarray and I made rash decisions? And how I accepted help from anyone was willing to provide it to me without questioning their motives. Another issue would be Hikari. Other than the fact that my mentor seem to trust him, I have no other ways of affirming whether or not he is trustworthy. If I had met him before arriving in the Capital, wouldn't he have simply been just another face in the crowd? Why was I able to trust him so easily?
Ahh, whatever. It isn't important at this moment.
Wait, it couldn't be that Oda is here to reprimand me about me not doing my job properly, right? He is in charge of this city and has a considerable responsibility he must undertake. Even if he was missing for most of the times, he is the leader after all. Does this mean that I'm going to have to face consequences now?
"Oh yeah, just a simple question though." I shuddered, not being able to withstand the bad vibes that I'm getting from where this conversation is heading. Is he going to ask me what I'm doing here in the Labyrinth? Is he going to interrogate me on why I was disregarding my job? I swallowed whatever saliva that had accumulated.
"Where is your partner? You know, the one who came along with you from the Capital?"
Eh? Oh, he must be asking about Blade. I had thought that I was going to be interrogated about my negligence of duty. I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"He must be still wandering in the Middle Floors of the Labyrinth. We were separated when a part of the path collapsed between us during a fight with a pack of Kobolds."
"And judging from the extent of your injuries you suffered, he must have been carrying you throughout most of the fights. And with him gone, you become unable to stand up against the Danger Beasts and thus was defeated. Is this correct?" He continued for me, stopping me from what I was going to say. Whatever sense of relief I experienced earlier turned into dread, followed by guilt. Even when spoke with a voice that seem only capable of poking fun and teasing, his words still carried the same sting that an wrathful man would produce in front of his foe. Even though I wish to deny what he had said, I couldn't. What he had said was the truth. Even if I were to avert my eyes from the fact, I would eventually have to face reality.
I was weak.
The only reply I could give him comes in the form of a nod of my head. I couldn't even answer him through words.
He sighed before light-heartedly making some comment about how troublesome things are, reverting back to the him from before.
"Well, for now we should have you brought back to base. Judging from how much time has passed since you separated, your comrade should have either died or already returned to base." He remarked. "Then again, wouldn't this entire incident have been avoided if you had simply decided to not go adventuring in the Labyrinth an actually did your job."
I could only stiffen, fearing for the worst. I awaited for my punishment, which never came. However, I did receive a hard pat on my back. "Can't fault you for wanting to come down here. Even I would often neglect my duty and go around town to play. This city is a very fun place after all." I sweat-dropped at his statement. Is this really what a leader should be saying? How did he even get the position of the leader in the first place?
We eventually made our way back to our base. I wouldn't make any description about my journey back to the surface since it was uninteresting and proved itself to be a waste of time for me to even describe.
It took some time, but eventually we got back to the city above. Throughout the journey, Oda would strike up conversations with me. The conversations we shared has only made me more determined to smash him in the face, and particularly the face so as to wipe that smirk that he always carried on it.
"Hey, just asking, but was there anything strange when we came up just now?" His tone has changed. No longer was his playful nature present. If anything, he seems to be curious.
"Not really. Was something supposed to be out of place?"
"Hmm… It's probably nothing. I must be over-reacting."
I guess he does have his moments where he takes things seriously.
Pushing open the door, I walk into the pub. Oda followed soon after.
With some parting words, the both of us each headed in different directions. For me, my first priority would be search or the current whereab-
"Hmm? Oh, Tatsumi you're back."
As I pushed opened the door to my shared room, someone greeted me. Dispassionate tone which lacks any sort of emotion. I stared into blue orbs which carries indifference for a good five seconds, before my brain rebooted.
"Please close the door. The light from outside is blinding me."
Not knowing how to react, I complied with his order. It took another few moments to confirm that he was sitting at his usual place before I started to react.
"Blade, you're still alive! When did you get back?"
"Of course I would be still alive. I'm neither dumb enough nor weak enough to be killed easily by the Danger Beasts in that Labyrinth. As for the second question, I got back once I had managed to find a way out after we were separated."
"Eh? You didn't come looking for me?"
"Hmm? Why would you assume I would be looking for you? I doubt that you are dumb enough to not know when to retreat and run away, given how you have been surviving through pretty dangerous encounters so far."
"..."
Even though what he said was heartless and cruel, I comforted by the knowledge that he trusted me enough to wait for me to come back… relatively safely. Then again, shouldn't he be more concerned about a comrade's safety? At least try to look for me or something.
Well, whatever. I probably shouldn't question how he does things, since he does have more experience than me.
Currently, resting take precedence over everything else. My wounds may have healed to a certain extent, but it doesn't mean that I could move unimpeded. It was still painful whenever I perform certain actions. Not forgetting the fact that I have bandages wrapped excessively over my wound seem to add more weight, ensuring that I would have to exert more strength just to move around. The faster my wounds heal, the better.
If I had bothered to remove the bandages to check out my wounds, I would have discovered how my wounds were slowly closing by itself at an abnormal rate, and also how the blood from my wounds were no longer crimson red.
...
{Third Person's Perspective}
Walking into his office, he took a seat at the desk.
Letting out a sigh, his eyes glanced over the endless papers stacked on his desk. Most were easy to do, simply writing reports. The harder ones, would involve a little more time and effort to complete.
He was already spent, having to quell the various shouts of anger and protest directed at him by his subordinates/followers.
Such was one of the downsides of skipping out on work. He doesn't regret his actions. Had he not done what he did, he would have died of boredom. He isn't some automaton who only does what he is made to do. He is a human capable of emotions and thoughts. It's not like he can't sit at his desk the entire day just doing paperwork, he simply needed something to entertain himself.
Of course, his followers were usually the ones who took the short end of the stick whenever he went missing. Most of the work are time-sensitive and whenever a deadline draws near, his followers would have to do his work for him whenever he isn't around. They did gripe about it sometimes… scratch that, they complains about him all the time.
Nonetheless, he would continue to skip out on work anyday. Overworking and suffering from boredom was the last thing he want to experience. His followers might grumble, but ultimately it was because he was always skipping out on work that he was able to solve most of the problems that they are required to face on a daily basis.
Taking the first set of papers on the desk, Oda began to write out his reports.
His thoughts went back to when he had extracted information from the Revolutionary Spy hiding in the city. It wasn't hard to figure out his identity. His sights constantly darted from one place to another and his pace was somewhat irregular. He would sometimes speed up or slow down when he arrive at certain places. It was no surprise that he was a spy.
He had been kept under supervision, revealing quite a bit of information to Oda through his everyday movement. Once he is deemed to no longer be of any use, Oda had swoop in to confront him. A more… unsavory method was employed. Oda had personally conducted the interrogations. It took some time, tools and mind games before the spy broke down and revealed everything. No information was withheld in order to buy him his life. By the end of the sessions, the man was a literal husk of what he once was. His eyes had lost any sort of color that was usually found in them, his face lacking any emotion, his mind was broken and his body was littered with scars, cuts, bruises and dried blood.
It was eventually decided that he would be put out of his misery, and would be buried to prevent any of his allies from recovering his body, lest they find out about his death. After all, it isn't uncommon for spies to simply vanish from the face of the earth.
Other spies working alongside the first one were also detained. Of course, it was done in moderation to prevent the Revolutionaries in the city from getting wind of their actions. All of the spies ended up in the similar state as the first one. The information extracted from the spies this time carries slightly more clues as to what they were planning in their city.
It was an absurd idea, one which was regarded as a 'Fool's Dream' should any sane person hear of it. However, there was something which stops him and his subordinates from dismissing the idea. It was something anyone could have spotted if they were observant enough.
All of the spies they captured were given similar facts regarding their mission here. Keyword here would be the 'similar'. From each of their mouth came similar facts, some carried more while others carried less. However, no two person has the same facts regarding their mission.
Oda sighed. Whoever the person had been the one in the Revolutionary Army who gave such orders, Oda could only regard him as either careless or scheming. Giving them different facts regarding what they must do, yet every of the spies would come up with the same idea of what they are expected to do. Should any one of them fall prey to people on the payroll of the Empire, none of them would divulge any sensitive or critical information, instead lowering the Empire's guard against the Revolutionary Army.
In Oda's opinion, whoever had made such plans was only slightly smarter than the rest of his peers. However, a small difference in such a case can be regarded as negligible the moment they have him as their competitor.
However, even if their plans was now revealed, it still doesn't solve anything.
'Just how are they even going to "destroy the city"?' Oda himself can think of numerous methods to do such a thing, but none of these methods can reflect what the person who devised such a plan was thinking other than being crazy or sadistic.
Oda stared at the paperwork on his table. He had already finished about a quarter of the things that he needed to do during his 'thinking sessions'. His eyes had darted around the room before his eyes landed on the words on his report.
'Was my handwriting always so bad?' The way the words he had written on the report was somehow different from his usual way of writing. No, it was written similarly but… it was just more blurry? He flipped through the previous reports that he had written prior to the one he was currently writing. True enough, all of the reports he had written for today and only today had been kind of blurry. It wasn't noticeable unless one looked closely.
'It was as if someone was shak-'
He paused. His eyes widened before a broad smile manifested itself on his face. He was already out of the door to his office before he could finish his thoughts.
Something interesting has made itself known.
...
{Tatsumi's Perspective}
I was woken up by a weird feeling. For some reason, I can't seem to stop myself from feeling nervous. Nervous about what? I have no idea. Is this suppose to be some sort of premonition?
Ignoring the feeling, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes before heading outside. Oda seem to have disappeared again, judging from the conversations among his subordinates. My shift doesn't start any time soon, so might as well spend it outside, exploring the city again. Blade was missing since this morning, probably outside to acquiring materials or something. It seems he was working on something amazing. However judging from the blueprints, there seem to be a lot of intricate components and sophisticated procedures involved in the process of constructing it. However, Blade seem to have reached a standstill. Probably because he lack certain tools to help him continue, or at least that is what I inferred from his vague answers.
I walked around the town's, hoping to find out more about the different guilds that are present in the city. It seems adventurers would form guilds, and issue quests to its members. However, it isn't uncommon for members of different guilds to party together just to complete a mission of a single guild.
However, this is only what is on the surface. According to Oda's subordinates, this town is essentially a city run by mercenaries. Everything can be solved with money. Adventurers accepting under table deals, enjoying certain privileges such as being allowed to kill others without suffering any sort of repercussions. It is kind of similar to the situation in the Capital, except for a simple fact that the City Lords here prefer to keep these things hidden for the sake of public image. Not like it would cover up anything.
My eyes darted towards the two tall towers in the centre of the city. For some reason, it seems blurry.
I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Why is the outline of the tower blurry?
What happened next took a few seconds for my mind to register. The ground beneath my feet began to shake. It began as a slight tremor, and slowly it increased in magnitude. I use the nearby wall of a building to steady myself.
I looked around, seeing many others in a similar plight.
The earth continue to shake, and I could do nothing but to steady myself and prevent myself from falling over.
Maybe it would stop eventually… was what I had thought before the ground beneath my feet gave way, and I fell into the dark abyss below. The last thing I felt was this sense of weightlessness like as if I am floating in the air, followed by a sudden and painful impact on my head and the immense pressure crushing down on me.
Soon, the world around me faded abruptly.
…
Cold. I feel cold.
My mind was screaming in pain.
With a sudden jolt caused by the cold that I'm feeling, I was awake. I took while for my mind to register that I'm awake. Probably because of the cold feeling that currently afflicts me, I didn't really seemed too surprised. Maybe it's also because of the migraine that make thinking hard for me.
My eyes begin to scrutinise my surrounding. The roof seem to be made out of logs placed at an angle that prevents anything from the outside to leak through. There also seem to be wooden beams that supports the roof and keeps the different logs that makes this house stay in place, preventing the house from collapsing. What fine architecture. Such knowledge must have been obtained through experience and refinery by previous generations and passed down to the next generation.
My head starts to throb again, making further thoughts harder. I should probably stop thinking too much. I was currently lying on a bed, wrapped in layers of thick blankets. I also realise how there seem to be a heavy weight on my forehead. It was kind of damp. A bucket filled with water was placed beside the bed.
The room in which I am in is kind of small, but gives off a cosy atmosphere. It could be due to the lighting in the room lazily hanging from the roof, doing its job of illuminating the room. I can imagine how troublesome it must have been for the people to constantly light the candles every single day.
I tried my best to piece together what could have happened. I was about to die from… something. I couldn't remember clearly what happened to me the previous time I was awake, thanks to the migraine that makes my memories fuzzy. The next thing I know, I was in a bed struggling to find warmth. My body would tremble from the cold every few seconds, until I eventually tire myself out.
The only logical explanation I could think of would be how I was rescued.
Who rescued m-
As if to answer my question, someone opened the door to the room. I could feel a waft of warm air flow into the room as the door opened fully, revealing someone who I assume was my saviour. She was dressed in a nice dress that covered her modest figure. Her brown hair was tied into a bun, and her sleeves on the dress she was wearing was folded up, perhaps to prevent it from getting dirty when she does the household chores.
Upon seeing that I was awake, she rushed over to my bedside.
"You're awake!" To her exclamation, I could only nod but remaining silent.
"That's good. You have been asleep for the past few days and even the doctors in the village had said that you won't survive. It's a miracle!"
Maybe because her voice was loud and attracted his attention, someone else came into the room where I was resting in. Blonde hair coupled with blue eyes. He had also showed an expression of relief upon confirming that I was alive and well. The woman began to cry out her worries that she had accumulated for the past few days, while the man tried his best to calm her down. I silently watched their exchanges.
My mind still hurts and I can't seem to remember anything.
"Oh, yeah. What's your name, little boy?" The woman asked me after she calmed down from her incessant worry-filled remarks.
I stared up at her, seemingly confused. Both the woman and man stared back expectantly.
I continued staring at them, and they continued staring at me. The staring contest lasted for less than a minute, before the woman ran out of patience.
"Do you understand what we are saying?" I nodded.
"Then what is your name?" she asked again. I stared at her again, not replying.
"...Are you able to speak?" The man asked, realising something was amiss. I nodded again.
"Then can you tell us your name?" He repeated her question. I stared at him again.
"Could it be that he doesn't have a name?" The man whispered to the woman.
"Nonsense. He's just shy around strangers, that's all." The woman said to the man, disregarding the man's efforts in trying to keep the conversation to themselves.
I no longer paid any attention to their conversation. I was confused. Ever since they asked me for my name, I was unable to shake off this feeling. I tried to remember, but my mind was foggy. Like I was almost there, but yet wasn't. Everything that I tried to remember was covered in heavy fog, and eventually I don't even know what I was searching for.
My head hurting every time I even try to recollect was not helping either.
They seem to have stopped arguing and I direct my eyes back to them.
"Say, do you remember what your name is?" The man asked. I thought for some moments, enduring the pain my head is giving me before replying them with a shake of my head.
"What about your family? Do you know where they are?" I shook my head. I could feel their looks of pity directed at me. There was this uneasy silence that resonated throughout the room. I observed their expressions. The woman seems to be in thought, while the man was trying his best to determine his next course of action.
The man seems to be at a loss at what to do. The woman however, has other plans.
"Then, we should give you a name." She replied. Both the man and I were taken aback by her actions. With her proclamation, she began to wrack her mind, trying to think of a suitable name to call me. I could only stare at her. Was it out of curiosity, or was it out of anticipation? The man had tried to dissuade her of such a decision, but all of his words fell on deaf ears. In the end, the man can only concede.
My eyelids were getting heavier, prompting me to sleep. I am still a child and there are still quite a bit of things, like sleep in this instance, that I am unable to resist. I could still hear the man and woman bickering in the background, but for some reason it was soothing and only made me sleepier. Their voices were warm, so warm that even the cold that I was feeling a few moments ago seem to have faded away for the time being.
"Tatsumi! Yes, Tatsumi! That shall be his name. How about it?" The woman asked. To whom I have no idea. Since at this point of time, my eyes were already closed.
Hello again!
Firstly, allow me to apologise. I have so much things happening that I no longer have enough time to write, and can only rely on my scarce free time to write this. This would also result in other stories being delayed as well.
It also doesn't help when I have a few story ideas that I am working on and is also busy crafting new plot-line. Most of my time were pretty much spent writing those stories as well. I would try my best to finish this story, which might take a while considering how much content I have to cover.
This is the last chapter of this arc. I would be bringing forward some of the plans I previously had for this story. Don't hate me nor blame me when you realise some of the characters in this fanfiction differs from the original. This is my fanfiction, I make the rules and how everything here work.
The next chapter might take some time as well so to everyone who has followed this story, please be patient. I might also consider doing more fanfictions along the way, but this one takes priority. I feel more determined to finish this fanfiction...for some reason.
Anyways, allow me to answer some pairing issues. I appreciate your votes, but give me solid reasons… like why this pairing makes sense and how it can actualise. I know, I know, sometimes a pairing doesn't have to make sense, like how I'm still voting for RakuXMarika in Nisekoi even though the official pairing is completed…(Still sad, even though I knew from the start this ship can't sail…), but even then, give me a good reason to...err...motivate(?)... I dunno the right word… so that I know how to write it out.
All the other people who have read 'Finding Her Prince' and are following it, please be patient as the next update for this story might take quite some time. I might post an article on why later on, but please know that I am using a large majority of my time to work on this fanfiction. The updates might take a while, but nonetheless I would not leave it unfinished… like some authors on this FanFiction.
Well, I've ranted enough. I'm gonna continue my work. I am not be a student now, since I have a job that pays me. I might apply for my University in a year or two, but for now I need to work. Constant studying is bad for my health…
Thank you for reading. See you in the next chapter.