Man... I know their relationship hasn't even started yet, but I love these little moments between Flynn and Isabeau! -Lucian Naruto
Yeah, it's been a really slow burn.
Chapter 23 Banshee Cry
Walter was sneaking through the halls of the building. He noticed there weren't that many people guarding.
"Many of them scurried off somewhere an hour ago. Maybe it was the others…hmm…I have to find her first though.", Walter thought.
Earlier…
When Walter came back to his village he didn't find Gina anywhere.
"Oh, she left with the other volunteers to fight the Unclean One's.", one of the villagers said as Walter paled.
"So, she should be at the capital city. Yes?", Walter asked.
"I suppose.", the villager replied as Walter was already running.
He looked all over the capital city before going to the cells where the crown Samurai were kept. He looked into each one, not finding Gina anywhere.
"Is something wrong, esteemed Samurai?", a monk asked.
"Do you know of any Samurai named Gina?", Walter asked.
The monk looked through the long list he had on the table.
"From the records it seems she was in Tokyo and hasn't returned.", the monk replied as Walter only got more worried.
He remembered how whole swaffs of crown Samurai were killed in Tokyo.
"Hopefully it's just a mistake.", Walter thought.
He teleported to Tokyo and quickly exited Shinjuku underground.
"There must be something…", Walter thought as he started looking around Tokyo.
He went past a few areas that looked familiar. Eventually he came across another underground district which seemed to be filled with refugees from other districts. He jumped when he felt someone walk behind him, seeming to appear from nowhere. It was a young woman with sickly pale skin and short black hair. Her eyes were an unnatural golden. She had a black tank top and a white furry coat with black jeans.
Walter wondered if he was hallucinating since she looked like she could be Gina's twin sister. He unconsciously reached out for her.
"H-hoy, what's your name? I'm Walter.", Walter replied.
"Why aren't you forward? I'm Hiruko.", the Gina lookalike replied.
"I'm looking for a Samurai she looks weirdly like you though she's blonde.", Walter replied.
For a millisecond Hiruko scowled.
"You don't say? A Samurai who looks like me? I'm afraid I haven't seen her. Though I heard the Asura Kai has captured some Samurai after defeating them. You should probably look in Shibuya.", Hiruko replied.
"They have Samurai captive?! I had no idea. Thank you!", Walter replied.
Walter quickly rushed off without even knowing where Shibuya is. Hiruko watched him as he left.
"Could he really be referring to her? I feel 'that card' is in his possession…it's one of a kind so there's no mistake. He could lead me to her after all these years.", Hiruko thought as she smirked.
Present day…
Walter grumbled in annoyance as he covered his ringing gauntlet which gave up his location.
"Damn you, Navarre!", Walter cursed, before raising his gauntlet to duel.
In Ginza…
The Ring was being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of attackers. They were closed off with many of them out elsewhere in Tokyo. Their escape routes were all blocked off. It was far too crowded for them to throw attacks while transformed. Especially considering they were underground and serious attacks could easily cause the ceiling to cave in.
"This is not good…the group is completely locked in. I might have to start from scratch. No matter how skilled with enough forces one will be overwhelmed.", Matrieya thought as the Ring members gradually became overwhelmed by numbers.
He walked behind one Ring member before seemingly vanishing. Kaga growled wondering where he went as she was left with the dwindling forces.
"The Ring cannot fall like this! To such cowardly weaklings!", Kaga thought.
She flinched when she felt something suddenly pulling her away before completely vanishing. She found herself outside completely confused and annoyed.
"Who are you?! Why did you take me out of the battle?!", Kaga questioned.
The one who pulled her away was a small girl in all black robes. The robes had golden markings and she had a black oni mask with two horns with purple bits which looked like hair coming from it. The only part of her face that was visible was her unnerving red eyes. By her side was a spirit in a black shinobi getting up with pieces of silver armor. The spirit wore a purple scarf and had yellow eyes.
"I was ordered to.", the girl replied simply.
The panicked Ring member from before ran up to Kaga.
"Lady Mii and Kei believe the battle right now is hopeless. It's too stacked in the favor of the Asura Kai and Hunters. Our best bet is to let our enemies believe the Ring is dead.", the panicked Ring member explained.
"Only cowards run from a fight!", Kaga replied angrily.
"And only idiots fight when they can't win.", the masked girl replied.
"I'm not scared of those weaklings who cower before the spirits!", Kaga replied.
"You must think about this, Kaga! There's far too many of those rats! You are a strong duelist, but you're bound to lose eventually. Think of this as a chance to avoid falling here and to get stronger to avenge our comrades.", the panicked Ring member replied.
"So we're just going to leave them there?", Kaga replied, not sounding happy.
The panicked Ring member looked down in shame as sweat fell from his brow.
"Unfortunately...yes…", the panicked Ring member replied as his fists shook.
Kaga looked over, hearing countless voices in the distance. It was clear the number of attackers was massive and growing. She took a solemn sigh.
"I don't like this at all. Sometimes no matter how strong you think you are, the harsh reality kicks in…", Kaga thought.
"Those damn Samurai…", Kaga cursed.
In Mikado…
The prentices stood before Gabriel.
"I would like to inform you while you're here that things have changed in Mikado since you were gone. The former king is dead and the caste system has been demolished.", Gabriel informed, making their eyes widened.
"Really?!", Flynn questioned, genuinely shocked.
It sounded too good to be true. He wished Issachar and Walter were here to hear the great news. It had been what they wanted for a long time. For everyone in Mikado to have an equal opportunity for greatness. Isabeau was surprised though wasn't as joyous as Flynn. She honestly didn't care about being a Luxuror. There was definitely the relief that hopefully her Casualry fellows will no longer be mistreated. Jonathan was stunned at such a radical change to Mikado's foundation, but it seemed like a positive change so he was fine with it. Navarre felt a bit worried wondering how exactly the classes were destroyed.
"Yes. The caste system was never a part of the Lord's plan for Mikado. It was established by power hungry people. Mikado is taking steps to go back to its initial design as a true millennium kingdom.", Gabriel replied.
"With no inequality from birth that would help solve the ritual heretic crisis.", Isabeau said.
"How does it exactly?", Jonathan asked.
"The reason the ritual users wanted that evil power was because they lacked power due to the station they were born in. But, if there's no such system restricting people from rising up in society there's no need for all of that. Well, if that was their reason.", Flynn explained, thinking about Nathan during the last sentence.
"Indeed. 99.9% of the ritual heretics have been dealt with. There is only one heretic still at large.", Michael said which instantly caught Flynn's attention.
"Who is it?!", Flynn asked, hastily confusing the others.
"Keith Mallory. He has somehow been able to avoid detection till now.", Michael replied as Gabriel looked at him.
"Wait, Mallory?! Doesn't that mean he's related to you, Flynn?!", Jonathan questioned as Flynn looked down.
"Of all the chances…", Navarre murmured as he sweat dropped.
"Are you okay, Flynn? Do you know him?", Isabeau asked.
"I know of him from the information I received from the Highlander.", Flynn explained, shocking the other prentices.
"Why is everything involving Flynn's family so messed up?!", Navarre thought.
"That means he…I…", Jonathan was saying as he put his hand on Flynn's shoulder completely tongue tied.
"It's a really messed up situation I know. It's worse if you know the full details.", Flynn replied.
"What will you do?", Isabeau asked.
"While we're searching for Walter we can try to track down sir Keith. I have questions for him…but most importantly the number of ritual heretics in Mikado must be zero.", Flynn said as he raised his head and tightened his fist which he raised.
"This could be very important for Flynn. Hopefully during this time I can get him to open up more. He bottles his problems far too much for his own good.", Isabeau thought.
In Shinjuku…
Jonathan and Navarre returned to the terminal. They went to the Hunters Association running into the others.
"Speak of the devil! Dad, it's the Samurai!", Asahi said as she pointed at Jonathan and Navarre.
Jonathan and Navarre nearly flinched at the Boss' scrutinizing gaze.
"Hoy, there! My name is Jonathan and this is Navarre.", Jonathan introduced.
"…Nice to meet you.", Navarre said awkwardly as the Boss' intense gaze bore into him.
"I'm glad you are okay, kind sir. Asahi is lucky to have you.", Jonathan said.
"So, you're the Samurai who helped the Hunters? Where's that Flynn guy I keep hearing about?", Boss questioned.
"On break as he should be after all the stuff he's had to do in the past few days alone. Honestly, that guy works so hard it's annoying.", Navarre replied, still finding it weird to think the ball was only yesterday to his fellows.
Jonathan and the others minus Boss sweat dropped at the comment.
"Oh my Lord you're right…to us that incident was only yesterday.", Jonathan replied as he thought back to Flynn's outburst.
It felt like so much time had passed even though it had only really been around 10 hours for them in Tokyo not counting when they took a breather in Mikado. So, technically it was more like almost two days ago. His fellows were definitely still grieving their family even if they were never given time to properly process it. He could only imagine how it would feel to lose so much of your family in one fell swoop. Despite it, Flynn and Isabeau still pushed on with the mission. It must take quite the inner strength.
"It must have been difficult for them to keep themselves together…but they should be able to help each other now to recover.", Jonathan thought.
"Incident?", Boss questioned as Jonathan and Navarre tensed.
"The incident that sparked the Samurai's voyage into Tokyo…", Jonathan replied, with a pained expression.
The others minus Boss and Odd-Eyes remembered the Samurai talking about how they were provoked.
"That's quite a word to use. Invasion seems more accurate.", Boss replied.
This made Navarre's eyebrow twitch with annoyance and Jonathan tried to stop him. Navarre stood in front dramatically with his hands on his hips. The others sweated nervously hoping Boss didn't piss off the Samurai.
"Do you have any idea what's been going on in Mikado because of a few books from here?!", Navarre questioned.
"Your saying countless lives were lost over a few books?!", Boss questioned, sounding angry.
"Navarre wait-", Jonathan was saying.
"As ridiculous as it sounds, yes! Ritual books to be in fact!", Navarre revealed, surprising Boss.
"I thought only the Ring of Gaea had those.", Boss replied.
"You are correct there, sir. It was the Black Samurai who distributed the books. You may know her as Yuriko.", Navarre replied, making the Tokyo residents eyes go wide.
"This shit really was all the Ring's fault!", Manabu said, angrily.
"That's why you captured her.", Nikkari said.
"Indeed. She's been wanted in Mikado since she started distributing them. The knowledge in those books have led to horrible atrocities which were once foreign to our people.", Jonathan explained.
"You'll probably be glad to know a bunch of Hunters went to destroy the Ring completely after you captured her.", Nanashi informed.
"Really?!", Jonathan questioned, shocked.
"That still doesn't explain why the Samurai nearly completely destroyed Tokyo when their beef is with the Ring of Gaea!", Boss replied.
"That was the former king's agenda. Sure, there's many in Mikado who want retribution for what happened to their loved ones, but probably not something quite as far as the destruction I saw. We were told to track down the ones specifically responsible. The former king's crown Samurai were under his control.", Navarre explained.
"Just what happened exactly?", Asahi questioned as Jonathan and Navarre shuttered.
Despite the time difference Navarre was still as freaked out about what happened then as Jonathan. They definitely picked up at how bothered the Samurai looked.
"It was an absolute massacre. Ritual users stormed into a highly populated event and-", Navarre was explaining.
The adults looked alarmed instantly putting two and two together while the teens looked confused. Odd-Eyes looked sad at hearing about such a tragedy.
"Souls of countless innocents were sacrificed on mass…including my parents, Isabeau's sister…most of Flynn's family…", Navarre explained as the Tokyo residents' faces became horrified.
Asahi gasped in shock, completely stunned. Nanashi sweated at the new context of the Samurai's presence. The adults were starting to understand the Mikado people's outrage.
"Yet even then you guys protected us?", Namashi questioned, unable to understand.
Jonathan was silent for a moment. He thought about all the heroic actions of Issachar despite being a former ritual user.
"You shouldn't hate an entire group of people for the actions of a few…When we came to Tokyo all any of us knew was what we were told since we were children. That everyone here were evil sorcerers who wanted to destroy us and our way of life.", Jonathan explained.
"That wasn't the only tragedy. There were many more. All unsightly…That one was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.", Navarre added.
"That's so sad…", Asahi said.
"I have to say though this place isn't what I expected from what I was told.", Navarre said as Jonathan seemed conflicted.
"Flynn was clearly right then and the king was clearly in the wrong so…Hmm…the people here aren't like what we were told…at least not all of them. It's been 25 years here so perhaps things simply changed for them?", Jonathan thought.
"Besides the Asura Kai and the Ring of Gaea the majority of people in Tokyo don't seem like the scoundrels we were taught they were.", Jonathan replied.
"That must be why you guys chose our side.", Manabu said and Jonathan nodded.
"The Hunters seemed the most altruistic.", Jonathan replied.
"Altruistic…? I don't think that accurately describes any group in Tokyo…", Nanashi thought.
In Mikado…
Flynn and Isabeau had been searching all around on horseback. They heard Walter went back to Tokyo, but wondered why he didn't contact them. Flynn tried to do so, but Walter still wouldn't respond, making him worried.
"I don't like this…", Flynn thought.
He froze when he suddenly heard that melancholic tune from his dream. An unnatural fog rolled in making Isabeau wary. She noticed Flynn's expression.
"Flynn?", Isabeau questioned as Flynn seemed to be in his own word.
He wordlessly had the horse ride forward. He couldn't help, but feel drawn to the voice. It felt familiar and made his heart seize.
"Hoy, Flynn you alright?!", Isabeau asked.
"There's something up ahead.", Flynn replied.
After going through a clearing of trees they saw a group of kids in a circle around a spirit sleeping. It was a woman with skin as pale as a sheet wearing a simple dress just as pale. She had pointed ears and long flowing hair. Her eyes were silver and full of tears as she sung her somber tone. They noticed ghostly wisps around her coming from the children.
"Hoy, stop this at once!", Flynn said.
The spirit briefly looked over to him acknowledging his presence while still singing. Flynn and Isabeau activated their gauntlets. The former was the first off the horse facing the spirit.
"Stop now. Final warning.", Flynn threatened.
The spirit looked down, seeming pained. Behind the Samurai the silhouette from earlier with glowing red eyes appeared behind them.
"You….", the silhouette said, venomously drawing their attention.
"Who are you?! Are you sir Keith?!", Flynn questioned as the spirit waved his hand.
Flynn glared as the wisps flew over to him. However, the silhouette staggered when he was suddenly cut by De Fleur in a flash. The silhouette growled angrily glaring at Flynn with unbridled hatred.
"You are a Mallory…", the silhouette hissed as Flynn materialized Doomkaiser who hung behind him menacingly.
The silhouette growled, thrusting its claw forward however Doomkaiser breathed fire at it. It narrowly evaded the undead dragon's flames.
"We will meet again…", the silhouette said, seething as he disappeared alongside the female spirit.
The wisps returned to the children and they awoke. Flynn and Isabeau quickly ran over to them as they roused.
"Hoy, are you alright? Where are your homes?", Flynn asked.
The two prentices returned the kids back to their village and received thanks from the parents. Flynn hid his blush and Isabeau smiled knowingly. However, his attention quickly turned to the distance.
"Why does that spirit's melody feel eerily familiar?", Flynn thought.
He put his hand over his chest. There was this indescribable feeling of nostalgia. He could swear he's heard the tune before that dream he had. Why exactly did he hear it then? He was sure it was the same tone.
Isabeau raised her eyebrow as Flynn murmured, perfectly reciting the spirit's lyrics.
"Either you were really paying attention or you've been entranced.", Isabeau said as Flynn looked down.
"I've heard that song before…I'm sure of it. Hearing it again I'm sure if it now…", Flynn replied.
"You've heard it before? That's probably because it's a lullaby.", Isabeau replied as Flynn was silent looking pained.
"It indeed is…", Flynn replied.
"Flynn, I know there's something you're not telling me.", Isabeau replied.
"It's just like…my mother's…that spirit looked like it was suffering greatly…", Flynn replied as Isabeau's eyes widened.
"Why is the world so cruel to Flynn?", Isabeau thought.
Flynn held in the urge to cry. Fate really dealt him a cruel hand. Isabeau tugged on his arm before pulling him into a light hug. Flynn looked surprised at the action as his heart fluttered. She looked truly small right next to him. But, she didn't feel small to him. Her support felt massive to him. He did not have much left, but he had his dear fellows. It felt reassuring to not feel alone despite being separated from Issachar once more. Isabeau could see behind Flynn's mask how fragile his heart truly was right now. She had to prevent him from shattering completely.
To be continued…