(Meanwhile)
(Mine)
It's been four days since I last saw Malik and I already find myself starting to miss him. The was a rumor spreading around the Capital that the 'Black Hand' went toe-to-toe with Night Raid and survived. As much as it sucks, we ended up boosting his fame within the Empire.
"Oi Lubb, can't you pick up the pace? You're the one carrying my stuff after all." I called out to the greened haired pervert as he struggled with the tower of boxes containing purchased items from my shopping spree in the Commercial District. Spotting a little cafe to the side, I decided to rest my feet and allow poor Lubbock to take a break.
"You're a demon, you know that?" The information broker wheezed as the collapsed into in front of me. I responded with a mischievous smirk as I ordered a parfait, Lubbock ordering a glass of water.
I leaned back, finding my eyes drift over to the Palace, where he is. I absently frowned and sighed, resting my head on my hand. Honestly, how can he be so close to me, yet be so far away.
"Seriously, is that guy on your mind 24/7? You think about him non-stop." Lubbock questioned with a grunt of annoyance, following my gaze to the Palace.
I felt my face heat up and my heartbeat increase, sharply turning away from the Palace and found a sudden interest in my parfait. "I-I d-dunno what you mean, Lubb. S-sure, you can say M-Malik is somewhat of an i-inspiration to me, but it's not l-like I have a-a c-crush on him or anything!" I internally groaned when I saw Lubbock develop a very teasing, very Leone-like smirk at my stammering response.
"Hm? I don't recall mentioning anything about a crush though. So why are you bringing something like that up?" He teased, making my blush even darker.
Aw crap...
"S-shut up!" I squeaked, realizing my slip-up, blushing furiously.
"Still," He continued with a thoughtful sigh. "the guy seems pretty shady to me, not to mention he took the Boss' eye after siding with the Empire. So how come seem to almost idolize the guy after all the crap he's done?" Lubbock seemed to be only thinking out loud, but I'm not going to let anyone slander my close friend, so I went to Malik's defense.
"It's not that I idolize him, but I wasn't lying when I said that Malik is an inspiration to me." I replied, eyes downcast and softening at the memory of our very first encounter, a small smile forming on my face. "Malik's the one who encouraged me to join the Revolutionary Army four years ago. Before I met Malik, dreams, hope, and kindness were all just words to me and I was always alone, knowing only the cruelty of humans. When I found out that Malik was also a westerner, I realized that he's gone through the same kind of hell that I went through. He talked of changing the way things were and creating a new Empire, one where the four tribes were united with the Capital." I felt my cheeks blush lightly as I thought of our dream.
Of him...
Maybe, the others did have a point. Perhaps I have fallen for the 'Black Hand'...
Before continuing, I noticed a figure dressed in a heavy beige cloak in one of the tables close by, as if eavesdropping. On the seat besides the figure, a black cat lounged on the chair, gleaming eyes peering at us. Taking no chances, I got up from the table, keeping my eye on the hooded figure as I leaned in towards Lubbock. "I think we should continue this talk on the way back. We've wasted enough time here." Taking my hint, Lubbock nodded and got up and the two of us walked away from the cloaked figure, who made no motion to follow, but still cocked their head to us.
I gotta stay alive, for Malik and for everyone else.
And once all the fighting is over, then I'll tell him how I feel...and we'll unite the Empire together.
-xXx-
(Malik)
Once I finished the briefing in the throne room, I promptly returned to my office with an relieved sigh. I was exhausted and just glad that the briefing was over. I couldn't stand to be in the same room with that fat bastard for another second.
Before I could relax, I saw a shadow shift across the dark room. Taking no chances, I activated Soth and faced the shadow. "Whose there?" I called out, before shutting the door to my room.
There, a figure dressed in a heavy beige cloak sat on the open window sill, a black cat resting on their lap. The cat's reddish-purple orbs gleamed in the moonlight and their tail waved around lazily.
"Always ready to act on a moment's notice as usual, I see. Surely you haven't forgotten us already, Boss." A female's voice came from the cloaked shadow with a false hurt tone.
Shaking my head with a sigh, I took a seat in the chair behind my desk and faced the cloaked female. "Of course not, Kiseki. I just had a rough day, that's all." I said dismissively before turning to the cat, who now is rubbing against my leg with a purr. "I see she dragged you along too, Chelsea." I said with a chuckle, petting the cat's head.
With a puff of smoke, the black cat suddenly changed into a girl, only a few months older than myself, with long coppery orange hair and the same reddish-purple eyes the cat had. Around her neck, purple headphones hung down. "Aw c'mon Boss, how could you tell it's me so quickly?!" Chelsea whined, leaning back on my legs from where she sat on the floor.
"It doesn't help if I've known you for three and a half years, now does it, Chelsea? Besides, you showed me how Gaia Foundation works sometime ago. Anyways, what brings you two here?" I asked Kiseki as she pulled down her hood. Short neck length deep blue hair was finally visible. She then hopped off the window sill and into the room.
"It seems our friends at Night Raid are on the move. Kiseki and I spotted two of their members sulking around the Commercial District earlier today. Looks like one of them knows you on a rather personal level, it seems. She even knows your vision of changing the Empire when the fighting's done." Chelsea reported, remaining at her position against my legs. There was a hint of annoyance in her words as she spoke. "Aren't the two of us the only other ones who know about your dream, Boss?" This time, there was a hint of jealousy in her voice.
Kiseki sighed and shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Chelsea, could you at least try to act professional for once. Anyways, I too am curious of why this certain Night Raid member knows about your dream. After all, you exercise extreme caution about your ambition, even towards our own agents." The blue haired girl mused, taking a seat on my desk.
Sighing, I nodded at the two curious women, placing my finger on my temples. "Alright Alright, I admit, there was a third person who I told. In fact, she's the original one that I told before she took off and joined the Revolutionary Army four years ago. Her name is Mine and she's part westerner, which hits home for me and she's been through the same crap I went through. For a single night, the two of us spilled our hearts out to each other and we both shared our hopes and dreams to each other. Mine was the first friend I made when I first stepped foot in the Capital." I explained, hoping not to trigger any conversational landmines between the two. Besides, next to Mine and Seryu, these two girls were the only people alive whom I trusted unconditionally.
Chelsea let out a loud sigh and placed her arms over her head, as if my legs were the most comfortable thing in the world. "Well, if this Mine really did beat us to the punch six months before you even met us, then I guess there's no point in getting mad about it." The copper haired girl pouted.
"Putting that all aside now, have our agents discovered anything worth mentioning, Kiseki?" I asked, getting down to business and ignoring Chelsea's whining.
Kiseki's reddish-orange eyes shifted to the window, gazing at the moon with a sigh. "We've been getting reports that an infamous executioner from the Imperial Prison escaped after going insane and running off with the Teigu the warden kept. Zanku the Executioner, I believe." The girl reported with a grim tone.
I nodded as I listened to my spymaster speak. I knew of Zanku and his demonic reputation within the Imperial Guard. If that madman is off running around in the streets, then I don't care who, but someone needs to put him down. "I want this information sent to Night Raid. The more people after this madman, the better. While I issue orders in the Guard to take Zanku down, I want information on the Teigu he stole." I ordered Kiseki, who simply bowed in response.
Turning to Chelsea, she finally rose, her playful attitude changing to a more serious one. "Chelsea, I have special orders for you." I said, handing the copper haired girl an unmarked letter. "Destroy this letter and leave no trace of the contents the moment you finish reading." Chelsea nodded as she and Kiseki both bowed to me and the three of us linked arms with each other. "We shall become the heralds of a new Empire. May you both succeed in your missions. For Spider's Web!" I began.
"For the new age!" They both replied before escaping out the open window, leaving me to my devices.
I'll show them all not to underestimate the 'Black Hand', Malik Dekras!
-xXx-
A/N: Hey guys, Kit here with a few things.
Looks like there's a lot more to Malik than meets the eye.
To clarify, (Since I'm sure you guys have plenty of questions) Spider's Web, Malik's organization, is a neutral third party and not affiliated with either the Empire or the Revolutionary Army. Basically, it's a shadow network of spymasters, information brokers, and assassins that all report directly to Malik and his right hand (wo)man, Kiseki.
I've also decided to discard the idea of the SeryuxTatsumi thing I mentioned in the prologue, but there still is good news for the TatsumixEsdeath fans. However, Tatsumi will become a fellow Warrior of Justice, so there's that.
On the topic of pairings, I'll be adding an unrequited ChelseaxOC, regarding the relationship between Malik and Chelsea, which I'll be touching up on with more detail in future chapters.
I also apologize for any OOC interactions on Chelsea and Lubbock's part.
Remember to show support by leaving reviews and favorites if you're enjoying this story.
Kit out