(4 years ago)
(Malik)
A month after I embraced Soth as my Teigu, I found a better method of travel throughout the Capital: moving through shadows. As long as I remain in a shadowy area, I can travel to another shadowy corner in any other location I think of. It proved to be a efficient way of getting around and vanishing without a trace, should any trouble arise.
After three months of wandering the streets alone, I found myself wondering how Aneki has been holding up these past months.
Wandering the streets of Downtown, I kept my heavy gray cloak on, hiding from the prying public eye. I checked to see if I had enough money to buy something actually decent to eat. Luckily, I did in fact have enough money from the last mercenary job I did a few days back. To be honest, it wasn't a particularly honest job, but it paid well and that's what mattered. Nodding to myself, I entered the nearest restaurant with a sigh.
"Watch out!" Startled, I took a step back as a hot plate of soup flew across the room and onto an unfortunate customer. A young girl, a little than a year younger than myself, vehemently apologized to the assaulted victim who shouting obscenities and curses at the young purple haired girl in a long exotic purple dress.
"Damn it, Sheele! You got a screw loose or something?! That clumsiness is going to chase away all the customers!" The owner yelled at the poor girl, who shrunk down from the constant verbal assault.
Activating Soth, I deliberately and loudly tapped my clawed fingers rhymically on the metal railing that led into the restaurant in attempt to get their attention. It wasn't that I wanted to be a hero and distract the two from berating the purple girl, I just wanted some damn food.
Once Sheele gratefully helped me to my seat and took my order, I sighed and relaxed and Soth returned to being a ring from under my cloak, waiting for my food. I guess I should tip the poor girl while I'm at it.
-xXx-
(4 years later)
(Tatsumi)
(The next afternoon after the Haddock contract)
"Corporal Ayagami, Corporal Neru, parade rest!" At the sharp command of a voice outside the barracks, the rest of us perked up in anticipation of a superior officer. With a clear and heavy knock, the door was answered.
Lieutenant Seryu grinned widely at the visitor, her amber eyes lighting up brightly. "Little Brother! It's been too long." She exclaimed as she rushed to the individual in her excitement, her little companion, Koro plopping after her just as eagerly.
"Seryu, what did I say about addressing me so casually while you're on duty. I may be your brother, but I'm still your commanding officer." At that, a young man, only two years older than me, stepped into the barracks, accompanied by Corporal Ayagami and Corporal Neru. "Honestly, show a little self-restraint in front of your unit, Lieutenant."
In response, Seryu quickly snapped to a salute, her face becoming serious suddenly. "Colonal in the building! Company, attention!" Wait...WHAT?! The lieutenant announced and right on command, the entire room, including myself, all snap into attention.
"What reason do you grace us with your presence, Lieutenant Colonel Malik?" The lieutenant asked, remaining completely still, even little Koro stood in attention before the Colonel.
Wait, this guy's Lieutenant Colonel Malik 'Black Hand' Dekras?! He's so young!
The colonel saluted Seryu and dropped his hand, and we all went to attention immediately afterwards. "Ayagami, Neru, go on and join your garrison." He said to the two behind him, who silently walked past him and joined us at attention.
"Carry on, everyone. I just need your lieutenant for a while." He said with a chuckle. At that, we all dropped our stiff formation and continued with our duties.
To think, someone this close to my age can become a colonel. It really blows my mind. Maybe, just maybe, if I try hard enough, then I can become as good as Colonel Malik...
-xXx-
(Malik)
I sighed as Seryu and I stepped outside to talk. The moment that we were alone, she threw herself at me in an affectionate hug. It really has been awhile since I last saw Aneki.
"So I heard you went toe-to-toe with those Night Raid villains, Little Brother." Seryu grinned at me with great approval. Koro perked up at the word 'villains' with a soft 'kuu?'.
I chuckled and rubbed the back of my head, waving my hand dismissively. "Of course, I didn't take them all on at once. Even with Soth, that'd be impossible alone." I said, gazing up at the afternoon sky.
"Yet you survived an encounter with the entire group. As a Warrior of Justice, that's a feat in of itself." Seryu let out a humorless chuckle and laid her head on my shoulder. "If only Koro and I were there with you last night when it happened. Could you imagine how glorious of a fight that would be? The three of us, Warriors of Justice who fight for the innocent and the righteous, against the entirety of the evil Night Raid."
I smirked at the mental image that Seryu painted. "That's right, you mentioned in your previous letter that you acquired new weapons to fight against Evil, didn't you?" I said suddenly, glancing at my older sister.
Seryu's grin only grew wider as she vigorously nodded. "Yeah! I did! From Dr. Stylish! He modified my body in order to effectively combat Evil!" She exclaimed proudly.
I rose a brow at this. Modified...how?
I sighed and got up, lending a hand to Seryu. "Well, I'm off duty and the Prime Minister isn't expecting me to report until later this week. I guess today's one of my very rare free days. You wanna patrol around the Capital with me?" I offered with a smile.
Seryu's eyes brightened up at this offer, taking my hand, and she once again vigorously nodded. "Of course! There's no way I could an offer to patrol against Evil with a fellow Warrior of Justice!" She exclaimed with the utmost enthusiasm. "Let's go! C'mon Koro, Malik!" Without warning, Seryu grinned and ran off, dragging me and Koro off with her.
-xXx-
(3 Days later)
(At the Palace)
There was a knock at the door to my office, drawing me away from my studies.
"Enter." I replied flatly to the knock. Today was the day that I've been dreading all week. Ever since news of my encounter with Night Raid got out, Prime Minister Honest requested for a personal briefing among the Imperial Court. Not only will I be in the presence of the very man who ordered the purging of my home, but I'll be in the same room with the young Emperor and Great General Budo, along with a multitude of prominent figures of government.
I hate playing politics with bureaucrats, especially the openly corrupt.
The double door to my office finally opened, revealing a sharply dressed man with a arrogant scowl, escorted by two Imperial Guardsmen. Oh, here we go again...
"Colonel Dekras, you have been requested in the Imperial Court by order of the great Prime Minister Honest. Please come with me." He had sneer in his voice and a suppressed look of disdain. It was obvious that this official disapproved of my position in government, of a westerner inside the Palace.
I glared at the disrespectful bigot, but held my tongue. In the art of politics, anything you say or do will be used against you without mercy. The Palace was a pool of sharks and the last thing I wanted to do was to let these scavengers smell blood.
"Understood. If it is the Prime Minister's request, then it shall be done. Lead the way." I said stiffly through gritted teeth, rising from my desk and joining the government official.
-xXx-
Making my way towards the Imperial Throne room, I was met by Great General Budo. Knowing military protocol, I went to attention and saluted to the enormous tower of a man. "Great General Budo!" I stiffly acknowledged him.
The huge man dismissively saluted, allowing me to drop my salute. "Lieutenant Colonel Malik." He simply said with a nod. The Great General was possibly the only man in the Palace who I actually respected and looked up to. As Seryu would have put it, Budo was a man of great justice.
The giant dismissed the official and joined me on my way to the courtroom.
-xXx-
Entering the two large doors leading to the Emperor's throne room, Budo and I immediately dropped to a kneel upon seeing the child emperor atop of the huge golden throne.
To be in the very presence of the Emperor himself...so this his how far I've come...
"Lieutenant Colonel Malik Dekros, reporting, my Emperor." I announced, keeping my head lowered. Of the three years I've been in office, this is the first time meeting the monarch in person.
"Ah, so this is the famous 'Black Hand' that I've been hearing about. Hey Minister, why is his skin a different shade then everyone else in the room?" Emperor Makoto asked Honest with childish curiosity. Obviously the Emperor has never seen someone from outside the Palace walls, much less a westerner.
Prime Minister Honest let out a booming chuckle and I heard the tearing of flesh in front of me. No doubt the fat bastard is gorging himself on meat. "Colonel Malik here is actually from the western border. In fact, he's a survivor from the western tribes." I could hear the hidden disdain in his tone as the young emperor gasped in wonder.
Hmm, so he wasn't manipulated into thinking that those outside the Capital walls were lowly creatures, or as Aria put it, country hicks. Interesting.
"Rise, General, Colonel. I'm very interested in hearing about the Colonel's encounter with the villainous group, Night Raid." Emperor Makoto said in curious wonder.
Stiffly rising to face the two, I offered a generous bow to the ruler and cleared my throat. I should watch what I say at this point. The last poor bastard before us got dragged away by two guards kicking and screaming.
"It was about four days ago when I met them. I was given an anonymous tip that Night Raid would target a wealthy family, the Haddocks, so I gathered an escort of trusted guards before offering my protection to the family." I began, my brow twitching in annoyance as the Prime Minister tears off another chunk of meat, chewing obnoxiously.
I had to be careful to not reveal too much about Night Raid also. We were on opposing sides, but we did fight for the same thing. Besides, I didn't want to put Mine in danger...