"Alright, alright, I get it. Lizards are cuter than snails, sure, but only if you admit lions are cooler than tigers," Kai sneered, leaping over a small crevice.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Nya flung back at him, kicking a pebble out of her path, stirring up a cloud as it tumbled off a dusty cliff. "Tigers are the supreme felines! Lions may as well be kittens with mullets in comparison."
"It's called a mane! And it's majestic, so… shut up! A lion could beat one of those zebra-striped pajama hairballs any day of the week!"
"Oh, like it could do anything without its pack! A tiger is a lone hunter!"
"Yeah? That's just 'cause they're too ugly to stand looking at each other!"
"You take that back!"
"Never!" the Red Ninja screamed, rushing off over the next hill, sister hot on his tail.
He stopped abruptly at the crest, met by the rancid odour of ash and sulphur. His eyes narrowed, hand instinctively reaching towards the blade at his back. The next moment, Nya's foot was planted firmly in his rear end, sending him flying down the slope.
"Ow! Read the mood, sis!"
"All I read was that you dropped your guard. Now we're even."
Kai grumbled, dusting off his garb.
"We're here. Let's hope this Saru guy knew what he was talking about."
Desolate. There was no other word to describe it. The ashen fields were hardly known for their hospitality. Smoldering craters littered the ground like boils of plague, spewing brimstone and steam from their bowels. The earth was a sickly yellow hue; barren, spare only a few meagre trees twisted like fringed rope around themselves as they cried in agony.
The siblings nodded to each other, donning their hoods as they ventured forward. The smog pricked their noses and stung their eyes, obscuring the path ahead, creating a wasteland without borders. They continued wordlessly for what seemed like hours.
"Silence is boring," Nya finally remarked. "It makes me feel alone."
Kai didn't answer and kept trodding. Nya pouted under the mask and cracked a knuckle against her leg.
"How's it going between you and Skylor? Keeping in touch?"
Still no answer. Two more knuckles cracked. Silence.
…
"Spears are better than swords."
Somewhere in the distance, a geyser erupted with a dull roar. The Red Ninja stopped dead in his tracks.
"That's it, sis, you're officially asking for it," he ground out with a raspy voice in tune with the unsheathing of his blade.
"What? Did I touch a nerve?" Nya said, grappling her spear. "Honestly, getting under your skin has never been so easy. Are you finally gonna spit out why, or are you looking for another beating?"
"Swords are superior."
"A beating it is."
Kai made the first move, going for a wide swing at eye level. Nya slipped backwards, the tip of the blade missing her by a hair's breadth. The brother kept his momentum, guiding the sword back again and again, raining from above, cutting from below, slashing from the sides. Nya danced fluidly between the strikes, looking for an opening. A jab spouted from nowhere, catching Kai off guard. He swerved to the side, just as Nya's spear pierced the air where his head had been.
"What's wrong?" the Water Ninja asked casually. "You gonna teach me a lesson or what?"
A sweatdrop ran down the brother's face as he regained his stance. Don't lose your cool again. Keep calm. Keep control. His grip tightened.
"Stop standing around!" Nya screamed, spear whistling about her. "Incoming!"
It was a low sweep. He had no choice but to jump, but when he did, Nya's fist connected with his abdomen, sending him sprawling backwards, gasping for air. The sister spun her lance and lodged it in the ground like a gravemarker.
"You expect to take on the shogunate like this?! Enough with the self-pity, Kai! Tell me what's wrong."
The Red Ninja pushed himself upright, coughing. He sheathed his sword silently. Looking up, he was met by his sister's piercing glare.
"I'm worried about you. Please just talk to me."
Kai's eyes wavered. He focused on her feet.
"Is this about Achlys?" she kept prodding.
He twitched. Nya contemplated silently for a second before backing away with a sigh, retrieving her weapon.
"Look, she gives me the creeps too, but focus on what's in front of you, not behind."
"I know that, sis; I know. That's not it..."
"Then what?"
Kai pulled his knee closer to his chest and hugged it tightly.
"Nya… do you have someone you hate?"
The Master of Water remained silent. She fixated on a nearby crater.
"Not really," she said. "Acronix and Crux, maybe? Where's this coming from?"
"Remember when we were kids? When I tried to tell you mom and dad weren't coming back? You said I was a liar. You said you hated me and that you'd never forgive me."
"You're still upset about that? Look; I didn't mean what I said. I don't hate you and I'm sorry. Isn't that obvious?"
"No. It's hard to forgive sometimes; but Achlys…" he trailed off. Something heavy weighed down on him. "If she doesn't learn how to control her power, she'll end up destroying herself and everyone she loves."
Nya tilted her head.
"I don't know if she loves anything at all. I've never even seen her smile."
"I have. Only once." Kai pressed his forehead against his knee. "When she was attacking Cole."
Nya grimaced slightly and hummed in understanding. Kai looked her in the eye.
"If she had landed that hit… if she had hurt him badly. Would you forgive her?"
"Would you?" Nya deflected.
Both remained silent for a long while. Nya shook her head and offered him her hand.
"Did I really hit that hard? Isn't Cole strong?"
Kai frowned and took the hand firmly.
"Are you kidding me? He's nearly as strong as I am!"
"That's more like it!" Nya pulled him off the ground. "Instead of sulking in the dirt, have a little trust in him. Cole will be fine, but I need you here right now. Let's mop the floor with some samurai!"
Kai chuckled and dusted himself off like a large weight had dropped from his shoulders
"Always with the big brother act…" Nya mumbled as she passed him by. "If you're worried, why not train her yourself? You're both hotheads, after all."
Kai stared off towards the distant clouds.
"Yeah… we are, aren't we?" he mumbled. "That's exactly why I can't."
Nya threw him a curious glance, but just shrugged in response.
"At least your hand is steady now. Let's move out!"
"Not that direction..." Kai answered, mesmerised.
"Excuse me?"
"Higher… We need to get up higher," he yelled, setting off towards the nearest hill. Nya paused for a moment, then rolled her eyes and followed suit.
The Master of Fire perched himself on top of a large boulder, peering out over the ashen fields.
"There!" he said triumphantly, pointing towards a distant, dim, unremarkable plateau with steep, rocky sides.
"Uh, bro, you sure the fumes haven't gotten to you? I don't see anything."
"Not on the plateau, you dunce, look at the smoke."
"I am looking! So? There's smoke everywhere around here."
"Are you for real? Look at the colour! The texture! You were basically born in the stuff!"
A gasp.
"It's not volcanic. That fuel… The steam… It- It's from a forge!"
Kai smiled intently.
"Bingo."
The contrast between the surrounding wastelands and the valley that spread out before them was like heaven and earth, teeming with greenery, dyeing the mountain a deep emerald hue. Oak and birch. Flowering cherry and towering bamboo. Terraces ran along the hillside, housing bountiful harvests of wheat and soy. A river ran at the bottom, bubbling happily at every turn with clean water, surrounded by pools of hot springs and geysers. The most striking display, however, was the castle. Built into the mountain, the structure loomed over the valley; an impenetrable, indestructible stronghold of rock and steel and wood. A hundred flues billowed gray smoke from the belly of a hundred hungry forges. Peering into this cauldron was the ninja, awestruck at its contents.
"Okay. First of all: that is not your average blacksmith shop. Second of all: Ho-lee cow, that's a lot of soldiers," Kai exhaled. The fields were swarming with workers, overseen by swordsmen in wide bamboo hats and archers patrolling the fringes of the valley; like ants far, far below.
"Forge? It's more like a fortress," Nya said, shaking her head. "Not just the castle, either. Look at this place! There's no way you could ever get an army over these cliffs, and good luck starving them out! With those plantations, they could hold out for months. Even years! Plenty of ore, clean water, volcanic heat..."
"-And a natural camouflage to boot," Kai added. "With all this steam, it's impossible to spot from the skies. It's the ideal bunker!"
"True..." Nya said, putting a finger over her mouth. "But then, how do they get resources in and out?"
"Here." Kai rummaged around his satchel, pulling out two pairs of binoculars. "Use this."
They slowly scanned the fringes of the valley, noting anything of even the slightest importance.
"Aha," Kai burst out. "Over there! Left side! Looks like a mine doesn't it?"
"Sure does. Old school railroad tracks and mining carts. Can't teach an old dog new tricks."
"Yeah, but that's not all. Look at- Oh! There's even something coming up now! See? The largest opening."
"A horse-drawn carriage? It's not on the rails, though. You don't think…?"
"This is a volcanic area." Kai scratched his head. "I'll bet you anything they've got a whole network of tunnels down there, leading to who knows where? Dangit! Even their smuggling is perfect! How are we supposed to intercept something like that?!"
"The carriage looks pretty fancy," Nya said, leaning forward to get a better look. "Someone's getting out. I wonder who-"
Her head perked up in disbelief. Kai flinched at the movement, almost dropping his binoculars.
"Who? What? Where? What is it? "
"Those clothes are… and that's… it can't be!"
"What clothes?! " Kai pleaded, fumbling with his lenses, now hopelessly out of focus.
"It's… I can't believe it."
"Aw, just gimme those," Kai snarled, snatching the gadget from his sister's clutches. Looking through them, his eyebrows shot up so far that it was a wonder they weren't spotted from below.
"Those clothes, there's no mistaking it! That man is a Daimyo! And that sword!"
Far, far below, the figure in the flowing orange robes brandished the Sword of Fire. The legion before him kneeled at his command, dogs before their master. As if answering his call, the gates of the castle opened, admitting a grand entourage of kabuki girls, heavily armoured warriors, shieldbearers and banner-holders. A group of colourful acrobats shot forward with a dynamic performance at breakneck speed. The display continued down the hill, forming a crescent around the carriage. Then, the crowd parted, swinging open to reveal a woman in a brilliant blue kimono. The entire valley seemed to pause as she descended upon it. Five hundred knees struck the ground, roaring like thunder around these two Daimyo. The woman drew her own blade, one that shimmered with an otherworldly glow. The two swords sparked fiercely as they met above their heads. A few seconds passed before a resounding clang shook the very rock the ninja lay on. The Daimyo sheathed their blades, bowed briefly and made their way up towards the castle, followed only by a vassal on each side. As the iron gates closed, movement slowly returned to the valley. The river bubbled once more, the geysers spouted as if nothing at all had transpired. Kai realised he had been holding his breath and let out a shrill, voiceless laugh.
"Now that's what I call a greeting. The hairs on my back probably won't settle 'til next week."
"They're weapon worshippers, what do you expect?" Nya exhaled. "Authority and military might are two sides of the same coin. Having one gives rise to the othe- where are you going?"
"What does it look like? I'm heading after them."
"You what?!"
Kai jumped down a few steps and started running parallel to the ravine edge.
"I'll circle around and get above the main building," he muttered to no one in particular, bounding nimbly across the jagged cliffside. "...but all entrances are sure to be guarded. Maybe a disguise?"
"Kai, wait," Nya said, tailing him anxiously. "Think about it! Security is through the roof right now because that Daimyo's come here. We should stay back and-"
"No, sis, don't you realise? It's because he's here that we have to do this!" He smirked over his shoulder as he ran.
"Kai, please. I know how much that sword means to you but-"
"That's not it, Nya. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid. Think about it; two Daimyo who, as far as we know, will go to any length to avoid direct contact, just landed right at our feet. We're dealing with something huge here and I'm not about to let this chance go!"
"It's still not worth the risk!"
"Secondly, if we crash this party, these guys will start blaming each other for the lackluster security. They'll begin questioning whether we knew of the meeting, how much Saru has let slip… Their whole house of cards will come crashing down." He paused for a second. "And third… I do want that sword."
"See? I knew it." Nya rolled her eyes to heaven. "Fine. I can see that you're completely set on this, but you're forgetting one tiny detail,"
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"How are you going to get in?"
"I'm… working on it."
The two ninja screeched to a halt. They were now straight above the castle which, despite its towering height, lay frighteningly far below. The gray smoke of burning coal stung their nostrils.
"Seems like they've sealed the place shut. No one's getting in or out at the moment," Kai mumbled, biting his nail.
"Oh, what a relief. You know what that means?"
"No reinforcements. Sweet."
Nya burrowed her face in her hands as if she was about to cry.
"You take our motto way too literally. This can't get any worse," she wheezed, only for Kai to snap his fingers.
"Alright, sis, I've got it. Ever heard of Santa Claus?"
And so, Nya's world crumbled.
"... Don't. You. Dare." The words crawled out of her mouth like spiders, weaving a web to catch him. To make him stay. "You'll fall right into the fire."
"I am fire."
With those words, Kai took the leap. Drawing his final breath of fresh air, he dove into the pillar of smoke, down into the black iron maws.
Rubel the blacksmith had always found delight in the sound of striking iron: seeing the sparks fly with every hammering blow… savouring every sharp jingle… feeling each blow reverberate and fade into the weapon as he forged it. To him, no music could ever compare. At the moment, however, some rather unsavoury tunes were thundering towards him at a frightening pace, originating from his furnace. A symphony of clanks rushed down the chute, ending in a magnificent crescendo as the chimney cap fell among the blazing embers, quickly followed by an explosive coda as a large body struck down beside it. Rubel remained frozen for a moment, but quickly found the courage to approach. Gripping his hammer tight with both hands, he peered into the settling dust.
A sudden movement. A man! A person had fallen through the chimney! The sooty shape moved slightly, oddly calm for someone half submerged in burning coal. Rubel was just about to call for help when the stranger let out a weak moan.
"Muh- muh-"
It spoke! After plummeting down a hundred meter shaft! Rubel's bulky frame swiveled hesitantly between the door and the furnace.
"Did you say… muh?" he stammered, shuffling closer. Money? Mulch?"
"Muh- Meh-" the heap whimpered.
"Melt? Meditate? No… medicine! You need medicine?!"
A hand shot out of the flames, grabbing the blacksmith by the collar. He was torn forward, coming eye to eye with a face, pitch-black from soot, eyes burning red.
"Merry Christmas."
That was the last thing Rubel knew before everything went dark.
The room was dim and cramped and cluttered. Pulsating fiery light streamed in from a large, doorless opening, accompanied by an unrelenting sound of clashing metal. Huddled in the corner, Kai made sure the blacksmith was properly tied and gagged. The man had already started to move groggily, but he wouldn't get far for a while. "Alright, I actually made it inside," Kai mumbled, stretching his back. "Ow! Dangit. Would it hurt to use some softer fuel?" As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he could make out several odd shapes. Anvils, bellows, grindstones… even a tatara forge! All manner of tools were mounted on the walls: tongs, pliers, hammers, brushes, pikes… even some that Kai himself did not recognise. The scent of iron and tar stuck to the top of his mouth. Without so much as a rustle, he edged up to the opening and peered out.
An enormous atrium opened up before him, emitting the song of a hundred hammers. Workers swarmed about, arms filled with fuel or metal or water, carving, shaping, crafting. Tall iron flues stretched from the forges and up into the roof. Soldiers marched along the upper level, armoured from head to toe, helmets adorned with monstrous masks; fanged grins looming over the bowels of the pit like Cerberus over the underworld. Kai scowled grimly. Only a dozen paces from him, a man stood swinging a hammer over his head. Again and again and again he struck down, until the piece was finished and thrown into a heap of hundreds of identical ones. Not a second passed before a new ingot was out of the fire and onto the anvil.
There was no passion in the strikes. No care or joy. The man would probably keep hammering until his arm fell off. And for what? What were they making?
Wherever he looked, there were crates upon crates of steel scales, pipes, rivets and gears. He threw a glance back towards the blacksmith. The large oblong tatara was still smoldering, and plenty of steel rods still lay in the furnace. The rooms lining the side of the atrium was home to the master blacksmiths. Swords… armour… it was their inner sanctum. Meanwhile, the center section mass produced parts.
"Parts..." he mouthed voicelessly. Not weapons or tools. Parts for what?
A sudden flash of bright blue drew his attention. Kai froze, exhaling slowly through his nose to quell his excitement. The two Daimyo had appeared behind the balustrade of the upper level. At this distance, Kai could make out their features. The woman was strikingly tall, her bulk enhanced further by large, airy gowns that seemed to hover just short of the ground. Her face was covered in scars lined by pale brown locks of black-singed hair. She radiated stoicism that seemed to permeate the castle itself. A dragon in her lair.
The man was shorter and seemed younger than his host. His countenance was steady, but his eyes gleamed mischievously, darting from side to side behind long and silky red bangs. A weasel rested lazily around his neck like a collar. A clash of their blades hushed the room. All eyes were turned towards the balcony.
The dragon lady moved. It was a small gesture -barely a flick of the wrist. The next moment, soldiers and smiths alike knelt in unison. The foxy man let out a short whistle in amusement. Another wave. The crowd shot up, fast enough to see the soot puff off their clothes. Kai drew back behind the tatara as the droves marched by. The tied-up craftsman threw him a frantic look below him, which he answered with a cold glare, shaking his head slightly. Don't get any ideas now, blacksmith.
"Rubel! C'mon you hammerhead, we've been dismissed."
Kai stiffened. A broad shadow appeared across the wall. The ninja noticed how the man beneath him -Rubel, he presumed- let out a sharp puff through his nose. Kai grabbed his collar and pressed down, but received a grim reminder of a craftsman's strength.
The voice called out again. Another shadow swept up against the wall. The first grew larger as its caster stepped inside the room. A bead of sweat rolled down Kai's face as his captive started to let out small whimpers and grunts.
"Did he leave already?" the voice rumbled.
"That firebug? Normally you'd'afta to tear him from tha forge! You sure he ain't there?"
"I'm not blind, you know! He's gone like a gust."
Heavy footsteps. They were inside. Kai leaned closer to Rubel's ear.
"Final warning," the ninja whispered through his teeth. His hands began to glow a faint red. Rubel felt the heat and stopped squirming. His fists loosened and his head sunk to the ground. Then he lurched.
Kai nearly lost his grip, but quickly pressed back. A quick chop to the back of the head was enough to stun the burly man, who went limp.
"What was that?" one of the voices rang out.
"Whuzzat? Probably jus'da forge."
"Didn't sound like any fire I've heard."
Kai's mind was racing. One. He could handle one, but two of them? A single scream would be enough to give him away. Heck, there might even be more outside, waiting for their companions to come out. The scraping of soles got closer. Four metres… Three metres…
Kai placed his hand on the smooth clay wall of the forge. He could feel the fire, its heat pulsating within, like a maelstrom of energy. He reached out to it, tapped into the vortex, visualised the flow.
One metre.
The flames erupted, bathing the room in a dazzling red light; sparking, crackling, hissing.
"What in the name of Sarepta?!" The man stumbled, shielding his eyes. The next moment, the shadows flowed back, deeper than before. Kai held his breath.
The man was right in front of him. Close enough to touch, had he just stretched out his arm.
"What the blazes was that?" the other voice called out.
"No idea," the man said, eyeing the forge warily. He squinted, trying to pierce the shadows. Kai's eyes locked with the man's as they swept past. "A gas pocket, maybe?"
"See? Told'ya 'twas the forge. Now if he ain't 'ere he ain't 'ere. Let's git."
The man blinked hard a few times. He kept staring at the last fading embers for what seemed like an eternity. Kai's lungs were at their limit. Then, the man turned, walked out the doorway and joined the last row of workers on their way out of the atrium.
Some time passed before Kai dared to breathe normally again.
"Close one." He wiped his brow, sending a cascade of sweat rippling down his sleeve.
He propped Rubel up against the forge, limp like a rolled up rug. Kai grimaced, hoping he hadn't hit too hard.
"Sorry, but you're on the naughty list," he said, dropping a piece of coal in his lap.
Now, onto the real task. Kai stole along the edge of the room and glanced out. The workers were gone, down to the last lackey. Even the guards along the upper floor had vanished. Only they remained. The two Daimyo and… their vassals: one was a short, freckled young man, no older than himself, sporting bronze-coloured hair with golden stripes; the other was an elderly lady with wiry white hair tied up in a neat bun and enough wrinkles to rival Cole's pine root pudding. He hadn't really noticed them before. Servants, maybe?
Sliding out the door, Kai matched his movements with the flickering shadows. He ducked behind a crate of metal plates, then scurried behind a barrel of water, a heap of coal and finally came to a halt behind a massive steel anvil. Carefully poking his head out, he could see their every move.
"Was that the last of them?" the dragon lady asked. Her voice was chilling, like a claw was being drawn down Kai's spine.
"It was, milady. We are alone," the old crone replied.
The Daimyo didn't bat an eye in return, only sparing a slight wave of her hand. The crone forced herself to bow deeply before shuffling away towards the exit.
The sound of a large door closing reverberated through the atrium. In that instant, the dragon was no more. Instead, her eyes shone up like the sun and her calm, knowing countenance swelled into the broadest smile he'd ever seen. She stepped forward, almost shoving the orange Daimyo aside, instead embracing the bronze-haired vassal.
"There are no words to proclaim how proud I am, Ausabi. How many years has it been since you were here last? You've grown so much, I hardly recognised you!"
The man went stiff as a board at the hug, letting a small grunt of discomfort slip.
"Lady Mogura! This is improper conduct for someone of your stature-"
The Daimyo paused for a second, then stepped back, hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"No, Ausabi, not this time. For once in your life, you have nothing to prove. There is no one to bow down to. You are our equal! All your efforts have come to fruition, so please..." her hands shivered. "Just this once..."
Ausabi opened his mouth. He threw a glance at the orange-clad Daimyo. The man just smirked and nodded. A mix of resignation and relief dawned on the man's face as he slowly returned the hug, burying his face deep in her sleeve. Even standing on his toes, she was two heads taller.
"I missed you, sis."
"I missed you too, brother."
Kai didn't know what to do. He felt like a blotch in the corner of a picture, ruining the entire piece with his presence. Nya's warnings echoed in his mind. Maybe he should have listened...
After a long while, the siblings parted. As they did, the dragon slithered back into the woman's face, letting no trace of affection linger.
"Lord Kitsune," she said, bowing slightly. "I pray you excuse my sudden outburst. Allow me to issue a formal welcome to the Sacred Forge."
The man smirked, closed his eyes and returned the bow fluidly.
"I am honoured to be here, Lady Mogura. May your blade never grow dull."
The foxy man straightened up, face twitching before bursting into a laughing fit.
"All right. Enough of that. Holy coal on a campfire, I can't believe it! The Iron Fist of the forge is a doting sister!" Another salve of laughter. Mogura sighed and shook her head as the man steadied himself against an anvil, gasping for air. Ausabi's face shone bright red.
"Perhaps I got ahead of myself," the dragon lady ground through her teeth. "It would be for the best if you simply forgot what just transpired. I have a reputation to uphold."
"Ohmy- ohmy-" Kitsune let out between tears. "It's just too good. You'd have to kill me to keep my mouth shut."
"That can be arranged." Her hand moved towards her weapon.
In a flash of movement, Ausabi placed himself between the two Daimyo, sword half drawn. Kai's jaw dropped at the motion. The brother's mellow expression was replaced by a murderous glare towards the very same person he had hugged fondly ten seconds ago.
"Let go of your sword, Mogura," his voice remained calm. "Or your head will roll."
The dragon snorted, not out of fear, but amusement. Her canines showed in a twisted smirk of pride.
"It's alright," Kitsune said, tapping the youngster's shoulder. "Just a joke. Slicing our host would be bad manners wouldn't it?"
Ausabi retreated. As he did, Kai noticed his weapon. Tarnished was an understatement; the entire blade was rusted to the core, blotched by coarse, reddish brown spots and crusty flakes. When he resumed his stance, straight back and hands up front, the weapon was concealed inside his robe. No wonder I didn't notice, Kai thought, noting that the old granny had kept the same stance. Guess these sidekicks aren't just for show.
Mogura's arms crossed, scoffing at the brother as he pulled back.
"That sword makes me sick. Keep it out of my sight."
"I shall keep that in mind, Milady."
Kitsune's gaze flipped back and forth between the two, eyes like slits behind his bright bangs.
"Fine, fine; I'll keep this little moment to myself," he said, chuckling. "Getting to see Subby loosen up was well worth the trip. Unlike you, Mogura, he still has a heart." He paused for a moment, nodding for himself. "Really, though, I've got to ask. Did you call me out here to the middle of nowhere just so you could see your dear ol' brother?"
Mogura smiled. A bad smile, this time.
"That was merely a coincidence. A pleasant surprise, yes, but I had no hand in it. This task was bestowed upon me by the Shogun." All of the men's ears perked up, especially Kai's.
"Aha? Could it be that we're ending the alliance so that your men" -he picked up a metal plate from a nearby crate- "can stop working on this garbage?"
"Having doubts? I think these will change your tune."
She reached within her sleeve and pulled out a bundle, tightly bound in gray silk. As she unfurled the fabric, a faint glow began to leak out.
Oh no, Kai thought. No, no, no! Not those!
Two time blades. Red and green. Kitsune's jaw dropped. Mogura carefully fitted the gauntlet-like weapons and brandished them before her. The next moment, she was gone. Kai blinked twice before realising he was staring at a wall.
"Magnificent, isn't it?"
The voice came from above. A floaty piece of silk wrapping drooped down in front of Kai's face. She was standing on the anvil!
"The power to leap ahead the flow of time..." he heard her say, followed by the jingle of coins. A small fortune was tossed towards Kitsune, but it did not reach the ground. Instead, the gold froze in midair, as if riveted by an unseen force.
"...and the power to stop it..."
Mogura gracefully descended the cascade, letting the coins drop in her wake. The fox leaned back, eyes glistening in the light.
"Incredible…" was all he could muster.
"Indeed," she answered, removing the blades from her hands. "But I did not call you here to boast."
"Ha! You don't have a shred of shame, Mogura. You? Humble? I swear, you're a child showing off her brand new toys."
The dragon lady was visibly appalled.
"You still fail to see why you are here?! Your bark is worse than your bite, fox; and your brain is no better," she spat, placing the blades upon a workbench. "Tell me, wretch: what do you know about Chronosteel?"
Kitsune hummed, scratching his stubble.
"I hear it's the only metal that can absorb elemental power. A precious commodity, that. Never even seen it before."
"Indeed. What's more, it is one of the strongest metals in all the realms. Nigh impossible to temper, let alone forge. Unless of course…"
Silence. Realisation. Kitsune touched upon the hilt at his side. The Sword of Fire.
"Unless you have a flame that's strong enough," he muttered with a devious smirk. "I see."
"Your head is not as dull as it seems, then. If that were the case, beheading you would have made little difference."
Ausabi scowled at the comment. Mogura paid him no mind as she continued.
"Let us begin the preparations. The only one we're waiting for is-"
"Watch out!"
Ausabi crashed into Mogura, dragging her down onto the ground. The next moment, a violent explosion sent them crashing into a mound of ash. Mogura let out what sounded like a mix between a cough and a snarl.
"Kitsune you frothing, facetious, flea-ridden dog! How dare you attack me in my own castle?!"
"Lady Mogura," Ausabi groaned. "It… wasn't him. There's someone else..."
A short gasp.
"The blades!" the dragon roared. Kai was already past her, vaulting the workbench. The green gauntlet shimmered on the ground up ahead.
"Halt, Intruder! Identify yourself!"
Like I would, lady. He leaned down. A spark of time struck his finger as he reached for the artefact, but a hissing sound screamed at him to take cover. He twisted sideways just in time to let the projectile pass, but was thrown aside by the explosion that followed. He grumbled, watching the time blade slide out of his reach as he darted for cover.
"I missed," Kitsune sighed, lowering his burning blade. "I'm still not used to this sword."
"Excuses. We both know you've grown lazy, fox," Mogura retorted.
"I'm far better than you'd ever be, mole. Why else would I be granted the honour?"
"Because you would have cried otherwise?"
Kai peeked out at his opponents. The two Daimyo had drawn their swords, though they seemed more intent on bickering with each other than attacking him.
They're underestimating me, he thought. This could be my chance to-
Kai flinched. The dust had cleared, but Ausabi was nowhere to be seen. The ninja's gaze shot from side to side, seeing nothing but forges and flues. He sharpened his ears, but the Daimyo's voices were too obnoxious. They just went on and on and on and-
"Oh, would you please just shut it?!" Kai yelled. The squabblers went silent and slowly turned their heads towards him.
"What's that?" Kitsune said.
"Don't act dumb. Ugh. You're the type of person I hate the most. Bragging about strength when the power you're using doesn't belong to you in the first place. You don't have any right to use that sword!"
"Who do you think you are, boy?" Mogura seethed. "We have no right? Yet you come here to steal and desecrate? What right do you have?"
"Who am I? I'll tell you!" He stepped out and tore off his hood.
"I'm Kai! The time blades were forged by Maya, Master of Water and Ray, Master of Fire. My parents! So you keep your filthy hands off them!"
"Ray and…?" Mogura started, visibly stunned. The two Daimyo eyed him from head to toe.
"Well I'll be," Kitsune murmured. "A son of the saints."
"The what? You knew my parents?"
"There's not a soul in the Shogunate who doesn't know those names. Their feats in craftsmanship and warfare are nothing short of… legendary."
"Indeed," said Mogura. "Though that was before our time. Where might they be now?"
Kai swallowed.
"Like I'd tell you."
"Pity," Mogura muttered. "Either way, this changes things."
No one moved. Silence ruled as the last cinders dwindled to the ground.
"So…" Kai started. "… I can have the blades?"
"Of course not," Mogura laughed, sheathing her sword. "Now you're someone worth defeating."
A shadow appeared out of thin air. Kai didn't know how, but he narrowly parried Ausabi's blow. The rusted blade bounced off his own, sending sparks flying through the air.
Where did he come from?
"Nicely countered," the man said. "Normally, I would refrain from backstabbing, but you reap what you sow. Kai, was it? I, Auron Asho, the indomitable defender, son of Kogah; in the name of my master Kitsune, will strike you down."
"Your master Kitsune?" Kai taunted, hoping to buy time. "Last I checked you left him in the dirt while you took a dive for your sister."
A quick slash from below. Kai slid back just enough to let it pass, but as soon as he did, Ausabi grabbed the hilt with both hands and thrust forward. The ninja quickly dropped down and answered with a sweep. The instant before impact, the man's feet swiftly left the ground, letting the kick pass harmlessly.
"I see no reason to explain my actions to an intruder."
"Fair enough."
For an instant, Kai noticed a small cut running across Ausabi's cheek, but he had no memory of having made it. Was it the explosion, or…?
He glanced toward the two Daimyo. They made no move to approach. Are they really that confident …or are they testing me?
The rusty sword dropped towards Kai like a guillotine. With a burst of fire from his palm, Kai flung himself out of the way, sliding across the ground until his feet met a crate. Ausabi was over him fast. Too fast! Kai blocked, bracing against the crate with all his might. Ausabi relented, but the ninja kept going. As his opponent tried to back away, the master of fire released countless flickering strikes, their weapons creaking precariously with each blow.
Suddenly, Ausabi's back hit a forge, staggering him. Kai's eye gleamed furiously behind his whipping, brown hair, preparing a devastating strike, to which Ausabi clenched his teeth and gripped the spine of his weapon to meet him. A sharp clang rang through the atrium as the sword shattered, sending a shard screaming past Ausabi's head, lodging itself in the forge behind. Mogura winced and turned away.
For a moment, all Kai could do was stare dumbfounded at the sword stump that remained in his hand. A moment later, it was violently torn from his fingers by Ausabi's own blade, still very much intact. The pain roused him just in time to catch the next blow with his left armguard. The shock was excruciating and the metal buckled, sending him rolling on the ground.
"That sword," he gasped with gritted teeth. "it's-"
"Cursed," Ausabi said, calmly resuming his stance. "Its name is Chislon. Perhaps you know it better by another name: the Blade of Ruin."
The burning sensation in Kai's hand started to fade, only to be replaced by a cold, creeping pressure. He glanced at his right hand, horrified to find it completely encased in a shell of rusty metal. Ausabi reacted instantly at the opening and launched himself forward. The ninja narrowly dodged two swipes before diving for cover. A sharp pain struck his foot and quickly sprouted a shackle of rust as he hit the dust rolling.
Think, think, think, he screamed internally, scrambling clumsily between the forges. There was no way he could get the blades now, but he couldn't bring himself to just give them up either. Not to people like you.
He screeched to a halt, whipped around and let his hands flare up.
"Trying to melt the rust, eh?," Ausabi whispered. "Like I'd let you." He quickly snapped up three metal plates from a nearby crate and threw them. Kai whipped around, engulfing the projectiles in his spinjitzu tornado, launching them right back. Ausabi slipped between the projectiles and continued forward unfazed.
"Back off, or I'll burn this whole place to the ground."
"Try it."
Kai released a grand fireball straight into the ceiling. For a second the entire atrium was bathed in red. The next moment, Kai caught another blow with his rusted hand, which instantly thickened in another layer of crusty metal. He brought forth his left, only to be blinded as Ausabi tore off his own robe and threw it between them. Kai hesitated, focusing the heat in his palm.
Then, everything tilted. At first, he didn't know why, but when the pain in his side burst forth, he lost all semblance of balance and collapsed, unable to move. He looked down and saw the rust crawling over his ribs. Ausabi retracted his sword.
"And Sarepta said 'Cursed be mine trust, for thou hath betrayed it. May thine arms rust, thine shields shatter, thine armour break before it'." He placed the blade on Kai's back. The shell began to take shape across his torso.
Kai watched as Kitsune approached. He watched as the flame he shot up at the ceiling sputtered and went out.
"I hear the wood of this forge is made entirely of a wailing tree found in the wastelands. It won't burn with just that," Kitsune chirped, smiling down on him. "Surely you didn't think it would be that easy did you?"
"Heh… I guess... I did. Not gonna lie, this is looking pretty bad."
"Hold off the rust for a second, Subby. I need to ask him something." Kitsune crouched down and gently lay his hand on Kai's neck. "These ninja are like wolves, always hunting in packs. Mind telling us where the rest of your pals are, hm?"
"Oh, them?" Kai said. He chuckled. "They're right over there." The ninja raised his left hand towards a forge, gritted his teeth and burst out at full power. The forge was engulfed in bright orange, sending a stream of fire through the flue. The jet propelled Kai across the atrium, crashing straight into an anvil, shattering the rust around his upper body to pieces. He fell to the ground, gasping for air. Ausabi cursed and shot off in pursuit. Kai forced himself to his knees and pushed off with all his might, using airjitzu to reach for the upper floor. He grabbed hold of the balustrade, wood creaking from the pressure of his grip. His right hand was unusable and his back felt like it was about to break, but he managed to hang on.
That sword is bad news. I can't let him get close again but… how am I supposed to get the blades in this state?
"I was told you were relentless but this goes beyond my expectations," a voice seeped from above. Kai flinched, then sighed and glanced up. Mogura was leaning on the railing, holding both time blades in her hands. "Colour me impressed, ninja."
"We… have to be relentless. To stop you."
Mogura raised an eyebrow.
"My goodness. You still persist? Now you have truly piqued my interest."
The dragon's foot fell on Kai's fingers. He winced, but didn't make a sound.
"I have but one question before we end this farce. Why hold back? You could have easily incapacitated me with your first assault. Just now as well, you did not burn Ausabi when you had the chance."
"You're saying I... should have… blown up your brother?"
"I am merely curious."
"Forget it. I'm not… like you people. My fire… is meant to protect others… not hurt them."
For a split second, Mogura hesitated. If Kai didn't know better, he could have sworn he saw a hint of sorrow in her eyes. The pressure of her foot lessened.
"How naive." The dragon's voice rumbled as she bared her fangs. "Not everyone has the privilege of choice, ninja. We do what we must to survive."
A swift kick was all it took. Kai plummeted down and hit the ground hard. Ausabi struck quickly, sealing Kai's other hand as well. Kitsune smiled over him.
"Ah, you're back. Good. Now, about your teammates..."
"I already… told you."
"What's that?"
Kai gestured with his rusted hand towards the forge he had blasted before. It was currently emanating strange metallic noises, growing louder by the second.
"Looks like… my signal got through."
With a crash, the chimney cap hit the cinders, followed by an explosion of steam that billowed out into the room.
Kai let out three high-pitched whistles. Two long ones answered from the mist. Ausabi's head snapped back to Kai. The ninja smiled.
A shape burst through the mist towards Kitsune, who lazily answered with a fireball. It was instantly snuffed out by a wall of water, spouting from the basins in the atrium. The two men's eyes widened as a massive torrent roared towards them. Kitsune shrugged, kicked off his shoes and threw his hands up. Ausabi stood his ground. Both were promptly flushed away by the pressure of the wave.
"Heya sis… Thanks for… dropping by," the Red Ninja wheezed.
"You're hard to love sometimes you know that?" Nya hissed, but the next moment before her eyes widened in horror. "Kai! What happened to you?!"
"Can we… take this a bit later- look out!"
Nya instantly spun around, spear whistling through the air. The moment it made contact, however, it froze in the air, encased in a crimson light. She jolted in surprise as she looked up at the towering Mogura.
"I see, so that is how you snuck in?" The dragon growled. "To think there was not one, but two people foolhardy enough to try that." She raised the green gauntlet. "My patience runs short. Begone pests."
Nya looked bemused for an instant, before fury took her. She dodged the blow, vaulting up onto her time-locked spear like a floating trapeze, swinging her legs in a wide arch straight into Mogura's shoulder, sending her crashing through the wall. Nya quickly grabbed Kai, used airjitzu to reach the upper floor and fled the atrium.
"I'm… sorry sis. Should have… listened."
"Shut it, or I'll drop you! It's too late to apologise anyway."
Every window that whizzed past was sealed tight with thick steel chutes. Not even a fly could slip through. Right now, all she could do was run blindly.
"I couldn't… stand it. They had… the time blades."
"What did I just say? Save it for when we've actually escaped."
"Nya I… I don't think I can."
She stopped.
"What are you talking about? We're getting out of here right now!"
"I hate to say it but… it's hard to breathe. Even if we… managed to get outside-"
"We'll figure something out. There's no other option. If you can't climb, I'll carry you over the cliffs!"
"They have… Archers. I'd just… risk both our necks."
"Then we'll take the caves."
"That's… too risky. Don't know… the way."
"You're a real piece of work, bro! Soundin' mighty wise for someone beaten silly!"
"...Sorry…"
"I told you so… I told you."
She hadn't told him enough. She didn't try hard enough to stop him, and now…
"It's my fault… sis. That's why… I'll take responsibility… and stay behind."
Nya twitched.
"What did you say?"
"I'll let them… have me. They seemed… interested… in our parents. They'll keep me alive… I think."
"No way in the cursed realm! You have no idea what they'll do to you."
"It's… the only way…"
Kai did not have the strength to hold on. Nya caught him and leaned him against the wall.
"Nuh-uh. Nope. No. I won't leave you here! If I can just get one of these windows open, we can lay low in the forest until this settles down-."
A chittering sound cut her off. Down the hall, in the gloom, a weasel-like creature observed them with glowing eyes. It sniffed around a bit before letting out a terrible screech. Nya splashed an arc of water at it, sending it scurrying back into the dark.
"Looks like… it won't work. They'll… sniff us out."
"Kai? Kai, stay with me. We'll pull through this. Together. We always have."
"Nya!"
It wasn't a loud scream, but it must have hurt. Nya covered her mouth. Every word that came out of her brother's mouth required an immense amount of effort.
"Listen to me… they're building something. Something big. They mentioned… an alliance… a deal. The time blades were a trade. The Fire Sword too. Something else… is out there… lurking. You need… to tell the others. You have… to warn them. They don't… even know… this place exists. No one else… could find it." His rusty shackles started to glow. He forced himself upright. "I'll melt through… the shutters." He stumbled forward to the window, gritted his teeth and ignited. Nya didn't move. Their backs were turned to one another.
"You never listen to me, do you? We just can't get along sometimes."
Her tone stung harder than any bruise Kai had ever suffered, but he didn't have the strength to answer. The rust turned to liquid and trickled off his hands. With a hoarse cry, he pressed them against the steel and wrung out the last of his strength. The flames consumed his vision, blurred by salt from sweat and tears. The shutter creaked dully as the hot air whipped about him, but he refused to stop, burning brighter than ever before.
Then, his legs failed him. He collapsed, staring blankly at the ceiling, gasping with shallow breaths.
Kitsune appeared above him. The weasel was resting around his neck, hissing quietly.
"Well, well. Looks like your sister gave up on you. Honestly it's sad. You can't trust anyone these days."
"Did she… leave?"
"Oh, she's gone alright. Hilarious. I'll never let Mogura live this one down."
Kai smiled and closed his eyes.
"So… she… trusted… me? That's… good…"
Everything went dark.