Now that they had found the second key in Facade, they were done there. The group traversed through the wolf free desert and made it back to the meadow. Along the way though, Hajime noticed something was off about Natsumi. Every now and then she held her left shoulder.
"Hey Natsumi, are you okay?" Hajime asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Natsumi said.
"What about your shoulder?" Hajime asked.
"It's fine," Natsumi lied.
"Then let me see it," Hajime said before trying to touch it.
Instantly Natsumi used her shadow claws to smack him down.
"What the fuck!?" Hajime asked, surprised she actually used her claws on him.
"I said it was fine, so leave me alone," Natsumi said.
"But Natsumi, Hajime is just trying to help," Makoto said. "If you got bitten by one of the wolves it could get infected."
"So, I can fight it off," Natsumi huffed.
"Maybe if you were on your own, but we're a team," Hajime said. "So you have to take care of yourself for the sake of the team."
"Well what do you want me to do?" Natsumi growled.
"I'll get some disinfectant from the village," Hajime said.
"And while we're at it, we should get some new bandages," Cain said. "They reek of decay."
"Good idea," Hajime said.
"Whatever," Natsumi scoffed.
"We'll meet you at the campsite," Makoto said. "Good luck."
…
When Hajime returned to the village, even though it had just been a few days, he felt out of place. Despite the celebration they had thrown not too long ago, the village felt more like a ghost town with barely anybody outside. It worked in Hajime's favor since he wanted to get in and out as fast as he could without making a big deal about it. He walked through the village with Cain in his left eye. When he made it to the inn, he found Akane passed out drunk by the door cradling a bottle. Carefully he tipped toed around her.
"Mmeugh…," Akane mumbled as she turned in her sleep. "Fukin… dirt… shave…,"
The two just ignored her and entered. Inside Hiyoko was wiping down some tables. She took one look at him and placed the wet cloth down.
"You look like shit!" Hiyoko said.
"Yeah," Hajime said. "Is Mikan here?"
"Yeah, what do you want?" Hiyoko asked.
"I just need some disinfectant and bandages," Hajime said.
"You don't look that beat up to me," Hiyoko said.
"It's for Cain," Hajime lied.
"Fine, but he better not waste it," Hiyoko said. "Mikan, you got a patient!"
A few seconds later Mikan rushed down the stairs, almost tripping in the process.
"Hajime?! Are you okay?!" Mikan asked.
"I'm fine," Hajime reassured her. "I just need disinfectant and bandages for Cain."
"Oh, okay," Mikan said. "I'll go get those."
Mikan rushed up the stairs before coming back down with the supplies he requested. It was surprising how fast she could become when someone needed help.
"Here you go," Mikan said as she handed the supplies to him. "Just clean the area, smear some of the disinfectant on, let it dry for a minute, and then you can use the bandages."
"Thanks," Hajime said.
"Oh and Hajime," Mikan said before getting closer to Hajime and whispering. "Natsumi should rest for a bit afterwards."
"How did you-?" Hajime asked, to which Mikan pressed a finger to her lips.
"What are you two talking about?" Hiyoko asked.
"Just some of the more gorey details, honey," Mikan lied.
"Alright," Hiyoko said.
"So, if you don't mind me asking…," Mikan said, "are you any closer to finding Kana?"
"Yes actually," Hajime said. "I just need one last key and then I can open this door in the forsaken shrine."
"That's wonderful to hear," Mikan smiled. "I hope you find it soon."
"Yeah, good luck with that," Hiyoko said, surprisingly unsarcastic.
"Thanks," Hajime nodded.
From this conversation, he wouldn't have suspected the two were malicious enough to shun Natsumi and Makoto based on their appearance. But what if they did? Afterall it was a majority decision. He wanted to ask and confirm it for sure. Yet considering they were kind enough to give him what he needed, he decided to drop it.
"See you around," Hajime waved goodbye.
"Bye," Mikan waved back.
…
Hajime was about to leave the village when he heard a loud crash over in Kazuichi's shop. When he ran over he found the pink haired blacksmith about to be crushed by a box of his own weapons. Hajime swiftly intervened and lifted the box back onto the shelf with ease.
"Gagh…," Kazuichi sighed with relief. "I thought I was a goner. Thanks man."
"Anytime," Hajime said, "Shouldn't Peko be helping you move this stuff?"
"Yeah…," Kazuichi was still breathing heavily. "She would but she wanted to go ahead and hook up the horses to the wagon."
"Are you going somewhere?" Hajime asked.
"Yeah, me and Peko were gonna head over to the Aerie to sell some stuff," Kazuichi explained.
"Isn't that going to be dangerous?" Hajime asked.
"Yeah, but desperate times call for desperate measures," Kazuichi said. "I mean Facade is fully stocked thanks to me, but nobody knows about the Aerie."
"I guess," Hajime said. "Why don't I come with you."
"Really?!" Kazuichi asked.
"Yeah, me, Cain, Natsumi, and Makoto can keep you safe," Hajime said.
"Oh… you're bringing those two?" Kazuichi asked. "I mean you and Cain are pretty strong so we'd just need the two of you."
"You take all of us or none of us," Hajime said very seriously.
"Okay, okay," Kazuichi fearfully nodded. "That's totally cool with me."
'What a spineless coward,' Cain echoed in Hajime's mind.
"Here, Peko should be out back with the wagon," Kazuichi said as he led the way.
Behind the store, Peko was silently stroking one of the brown horse's mane. As soon as she heard Hajime approach, she turned and glared at him with her red eyes. They were almost as piercing crimson as a shade's eyes, almost. Hajime didn't bother to say anything to her and helped Kazuichi load the last of the goods.
…
Once the wagon was prepared, the three took their seats and Peko motioned the horses to move. Outside the village, Natsumi and Makoto walked over, making Kazuichi scream.
"Whoops, sorry," Kazuichi said, not completely genuine. "I thought you two were shades."
"It's okay," Makoto said.
"Here," Hajime walked over to Natsumi and gave her the disinfectant and bandages. "Mikan says you have to let it dry before you put your bandages on, also you should rest a bit."
"Fine, I'll do it at camp," Natsumi said. "Have fun with the girl and the mute."
"Hey I'm not a-," Kazuichi complained only to hold his tongue as soon as Natsumi glared at him and gave off some of her shade aura
"That's what I thought, pussy," Natsumi growled before lurking off.
"He doesn't act like a cat to me," Makoto said.
"I suppose you could say he is a scaredy cat," Cain said after leaping out of Hajime's eye.
"Hey," Kazuichi whined. "If I was scared I wouldn't be risking my life to go sell stuff to the Aerie."
"I didn't know the Aerie bought stuff from outsiders," Makoto said.
"Usually they don't," Hajime said.
"Like I said, desperate times call for desperate measures," Kazuichi said. "Those shut ins must be down to the last bit of their supplies thanks to all these shades, so they'll be more than happy to buy from me."
"I guess," Makoto said.
"Enough chattering then," Hajime said. "The sooner we get there the sooner I can find the last key and rescue Kana."
"That's the spirit," Cain grinned, tail wagging with excitement to kill shades.
Peko then handed the reins to Kazuichi and hopped down to the grass.
"Oh, Peko is going to join you," Kazuichi said after Peko took out a pair of dual blades.
"The more the merrier," Hajime said only to get another heated glare from Peko.
Kazuichi flicked the reigns and they were off. Despite Kazuichi's fears, the group managed to easily pass through the meadow even with the many hybrid shades running around. The horses had surprisingly strong wills not to panic in the face of the hybrid shade, unlike Kazuichi who fearfully hid under his seat. Hajime and Cain were just too used to fighting shades; it had become as easy as cutting grass for the two. Peko also appeared very versatile with her duel blades, more so than Makoto who was still getting used to his powers. With two swipes she was able to behead a hyena leopard shade. Hajime would have complimented her, but that would only get him another glare.
…
Eventually the group and wagon arrived at the entrance of the Aerie. Peko settled the horses and lifted up a crate.
"Alright," Kazuichi rubbed his hands together. "Let's hope this works."
Peko nodded and the two entered.
"The last time we came here we fought that offaly large tiger shade," Cain said.
"So you think another strong shade might have moved in?" Hajime asked.
"Certainly," Cain said.
"Should I wait outside?" Makoto asked.
"No, you're coming along," Hajime said, "and if anyone has a problem with that I'll punch them in the face."
"Oh… okay," Makoto said.
Hajime and Cain entered the Aerie expecting all the villagers to be shut in their metal houses. Yet it was the exact opposite. Both man and fox spirit's eyes widened as they saw the once extremely introverted villagers walking all around. The Aerie almost appeared normal just like Hajime's village yet with way more people somehow.
"I'm not imagining this am I?" Hajime asked.
"Well I suppose a lot can change in five years," Cain said.
"Wait, is it not usually like this?" Makoto asked.
"No, usually everyone's inside and shouting at any foreigners to leave," Hajime said.
"Oh…," Makoto said.
"Perhaps a talk with the village leader could explain this dramatic change," Cain said.
"Yeah, let's check it out," Hajime said.
The trio stayed close together as they moved across the suspended platforms. There a few teenagers were running around happily playing until they saw the strange trio approach. On the other side, Hajime saw Kazuichi and Peko selling some of their wares to a man in a blacksmith apron. A few adults stood and talked joyously with one another, but as soon as the trio walked past them they went silent. Concerned, Cain and Makoto looked at the silent adults. Hajime didn't seem to notice as he was too occupied on getting to the leader's house. Then they walked into one house that still had a person in it.
"Our village is doomed," a man inside said, catching Hajime's attention.
"Is there a shade around here?" Hajime asked.
"NO, no shade, no shade," the man screamed. "Please go away!"
"Now that's what I remember," Cain said.
"Figures not everyone would be onboard with opening up their borders to outsiders," Hajime said. "Let's keep moving."
Hajime climbed up several more ladders and crossed a few more platforms with his companion. The further he went the more he felt he was being watched. Now that he noticed it, the smiles of the villagers seemed to be strained like they were forced.
"Oh, hello sir," one woman with a frighteningly large smile spoke to him. "What brings you to our lovely village?"
"I just happened to come here with a friend," Hajime said. "We're actually shade hunters and we're looking for the leader. Has there been any shade activity to your knowledge?"
"No, no, no," the woman furiously shook her head while still smiling. "There are no shades at all in our village."
"I'll just check with the leader," Hajime tried to walk past her.
"She's busy!" The smiling woman bolted in front of him. "Why don't you visit another day."
"She?" Cain asked. "Your leader changed in the last five years?"
"Yes, she's very very busy running our village, so you shouldn't disturb her," the smiling woman said.
"Maybe, but I can't waste time," Hajime gently pushed her aside.
The smiling woman didn't protest any further and let the group pass. Up ahead they reached the village leader's house at the top of the Aerie. Without hesitation, Hajime knocked.
"Hello?" Hajime called.
Surprisingly, the door opened revealing a pale skinned woman with long blonde hair and shining blue eyes. She was dressed in a long blue robe. Upon seeing her Hajime's heart skipped a bit.
"Hello," the woman gave him a calm little smile.
"Sonia?" Hajime asked.
"Yes," the woman giggled. "It's certainly been a while."
"We all thought you… you…," Hajime didn't want to say it.
"Died?" Sonia finished his sentence.
"Yeah!" Hajime said.
"You were last seen going to the meadow four years ago," Cain recalled. "We found your ribbon by some blood splatters and feared the worst had happened."
"It almost did, until one of the people of the Aerie saved me," Sonia explained. "They were the ones that brought me here to heal."
"Why didn't you write a letter or come back when you were healed?" Hajime asked.
"Because these people needed me," Sonia explained calmly. "They were so terrified and alone because their leader passed, so I simply filled the role for all of them. It was the least I could do for them after they collectively took care of me."
"You make it sound virtuous, yet at the same time you abandoned your previous villagers," Cain growled.
"He's right, Gundham was so depressed when you disappeared," Hajime said.
"You said 'was' which is past tense, meaning he eventually moved on," Sonia said.
"Yeah, but we all still missed you just like everyone else we lost," Hajime said.
"You feel betrayed, I understand that," Sonia said. "Afterall I did abandon all of you realizing you would think I was dead. But you have to understand these people needed me. Just like Kana needed you."
Hajime's heart skipped a beat. Sonia calmly exited her house and walked towards the ladder.
"Let's walk," Sonia said. "Then you can tell me how you and Cain met this handsome little skeleton."
"Actually, I used to be a boy," Makoto said. "My name's Makoto."
"Oh, that Makoto, interesting," Sonia said.
Sonia guided the trio through the wooden platforms.
"You see, when I came here most of the villagers were shut in their houses," Sonia said. "They were scared of everything, even their neighbors."
"We remember," Hajime said.
"I don't really blame them, afterall their leader had recently died and even before then they never wanted to interact with the outside world," Sonia said. "But through my leadership they found strength."
"Apparently not enough strength to leave this canyon," Cain said.
"It takes time to overcome our fears," Sonia said. "Anyway, enough about me. How goes your search for Kana?"
"We're almost there," Hajime said. "Once I kill the shade that holds the last key, I can open a door in the forsaken shrine that will take me to her."
"Are you sure that's where it leads?" Sonia asked. "How do you know it's not blocked by a cave in or if Kana is even on the other side?"
"It has to," Hajime said. "I've looked everywhere else."
"I know this sounds very hypocritical coming from me, but what if she's already dead and that's-," Sonia spoke until Hajime suddenly pinned her to the wall by her neck.
"Hajime!" Makoto screamed.
"I know she's alive!" Hajime growled, his hand almost starting to strangle her. "Don't try to convince me otherwise!"
"My apologies," Sonia said, face still eerily calm. "I won't push the matter any further."
"Good," Hajime released her.
"Well…," Sonia dusted herself off and stood again. "I shouldn't delay you any further. Unfortunately there are no shades in the Aerie, so you'll have to look elsewhere."
"Really?" Cain grinned. "Then where did you get that key you're wearing under your robe?"
"It's just something the old leader had," Sonia said. "It goes to a music box in my house."
"I highly doubt that," Cain growled.
"But Cain, she's a human," Makoto said. "A human wouldn't have one of the keys."
"Unless that tiger shade dropped it," Hajime said.
"Sorry to disappoint you but that's just simply not the case," Sonia said.
"Why don't you show us they key first," Cain said. "Then we'll know if it's the one we're looking for."
"I can tell you it's not," Sonia said firmly.
"How?" Hajime said. "You don't even know what the keys look like."
"Like I said before, this key goes to a music box, that's the only lock it will go into," Sonia raised her voice a little.
Hajime looked at her then the surrounding villagers. All of them had their eyes focused on him.
"Listen, we need that key," Hajime said. "If you don't give it to us, we'll take it by force."
"I'm sorry, but I can't let that happen," Sonia said.
"Force it is!" Cain said as he leapt at Sonia.
He should have pinned her to the ground and ripped the key from her neck, but before he could four large shadowy wings sprouted from her back and blocked him. Hajime, Cain, and Makoto looked on in horror and surprise as Sonia's shadow wings unfolded.
"You're… half shade," Hajime said.
"Yes. Now please, leave my village," Sonia said. "We don't want to fight you, but we will if we have too."
"We can't fight her!" Makoto protested. "She's like Natsumi!"
"She's going to stop us from saving Kana!" Hajime shouted.
Their screams echoed through the Aerie, suddenly every single villager froze and stared at them.
"Go away," they all said in unison, "go away, go away, go away."
They repeated those words over and over in complete unison. As they repeated it, shadows emanated from their bodies. Still they repeated those words faster and faster until their voices started to become broken and distorted.
"You hear them," Sonia said, her shadow wings folding to her sides, "this is your last chance to leave."
"Not without that key!" Hajime shouted and lunged forward, ripping it from her neck before she could defend herself.
"We have no choice then," Sonia said.
Suddenly Sonia opened her lips and made a loud distorted cry. Upon hearing it, all the shadows emanating from the villagers rapidly consumed them. Their bodies grew shadowy animal limbs like tails and ears, but retained a humanoid shape. There were all kinds of monstrous anthro shades from bears to bulls. Even the children transformed into humanoid cat shades and bared their fangs. Seeing all the piercing crimson eyes surrounding them, Makoto and Cain tucked their tails between their legs. However, Hajime refused to be intimidated and raised his spear.
"You want to fight, then fight me!" Hajime growled.
The anthro shades responded with distorted roars and began to charge towards him. Hajime cut the first wave down easily with one swing of his spear. The second wave leapt over the dying ones and met the same fate, however the third wave instantly attacked right after and managed to pin him to the wall.
"Cain! Makoto!" Hajime shouted. "Snap out of it!"
"Right!" Cain summoned a few tail spears and stabbed the anthro shades holding Hajime down.
"But… they're people," Makoto whined.
"Not anymore," Hajime said before charging ahead to cut down more of the oncoming anthro shades.
"He's right," Cain said. "If we don't kill them, they will kill us. Then Natsumi will be all alone."
"Natsumi…," Makoto said.
"If you don't care about your own life, care about the person connected to that life, the one who will suffer most if you perish," Cain said.
Makoto tightened his shaking skeletal hands and nodded.
"I have too, for Natsumi and Kana!" Makoto shouted and charged forward with a scream.
His scream manifested white arrows that he shot the anthro shade's with clean through their chests. Upon being pierced by his arrow, the anthro shades cried out and fell to the ground, some falling off the platforms and plummeting into the fog below. Together the trio continued to slay the waves of anthro shades. Upon beheading an anthro hyena shade, one of the small anthro cat shades made a distorted yowl before leaping at Hajime and trying to scratch his face. In defense, Hajime stabbed it through the chest.
"Mo… m…," the anthro cat shade struggled to speak in its distorted voice.
"These waves are endless," Makoto said.
"No doubt Sonia is controlling them like a queen bee," Cain growled.
"If we take her out that might return to normal," Makoto said.
"Lets go," Hajime said, ready to cut through the next wave of enemies.
"No time, get on my back!" Cain said after sprouting his wings. "We'll glide down."
"Good idea," Hajime jumped onto his back. "Come on Makoto!"
Makoto nodded and let Hajime grab him. Cain leapt off the high platform just as the other wave ran up. Gliding through the air, they scanned the Aerie for Sonia.
"There!" Hajime pointed to the lowest platform.
Cain shifted his wings and aimed for the landing. He landed gracefully on all fours despite the extra weight. Not missing a beat, Hajime jumped off Cain's back and pointed his spear at Sonia who just stared at him unphased while her shadow wings were still out.
"Why are you doing this?!" Hajime growled. "Did the shade completely take over."
"I am doing this for the sake of everyone that is dear to me," Sonia said. "If you use those keys and enter his kingdom, Kana will no doubt suffer immensely."
Hajime gritted his teeth and yelled as he lunged forward, spear pointed to stab Sonia clean through her chest. Then, Sonia took a few steps back and fell off the platform. As she plummeted down to the fog, her porcelain body was overtaken by the shadows. She fell into the fog only to emerge again not long after, but completely transformed. What once was Sonia now was a large swan shade with four wings and two long flowing tail feathers.
"I knew it," Hajime gritted his teeth.
The swan shade flew over their heads and around the Aerie while making a loud distorted cry. Upon hearing this sound, the anthro shades ran towards it, leaping onto the swan shade and fusing with it. Even the humans in their houses, entranced by its cry, ran out of their houses and fused with the swan shade. It continued to grow with everything that fused with it, gaining three more wings, more tail feathers, and crimson eyes all across its body.
"Shit," Hajime said as the transformed swan shade flew towards them.
Cain summoned a large tail spear and launched it at the beast only for it to use its wings as shields.
"How are it's wings so dense?!" Hajime growled.
"No doubt all the shades it absorbed have made it stronger," Cain said. "Nevertheless, we shall slay this foul creature."
"But it absorbed people!" Makoto protested.
"People who were no doubt consumed on the inside by shades," Hajime said. "All because of this psycho."
The swan shade flew overhead again, sending down a rain of sharpened shadow feathers. Makoto screamed and summoned a force field to protect them. Once it fell, Cain summoned both tail fists and tried to grab the swan shade by its wing, but could not reach them.
"Curses," Cain growled. "It's too far away and it's wings are too dense to penetrate."
"You could use your fists to throw me at it," Hajime said. "Quick, before it attacks again!"
"No! You'll fall into the fog and die!" Makoto protested. "I'll take care of this."
Cain and Hajime nodded in agreement, before Makoto summoned another force field around them. The swan shade raised its wings and struck him with a powerful gust of wind, but the dragon boy stood tall. He began to hum a strange tune, summoning dozens and dozens of white light arrows. With one small scream he sent the arrows flying towards the swan shade. They could not pierce its dense wings, but Makoto kept summoning more and more of the arrows. Makoto kept firing the light arrows, but the swan shade kept guarding itself behind its wings. It seemed utterly impossible until, by some miracle, one light arrow in the massive barrage managed to strike past a tiny opening in the wings directly hitting one of the crimson eyes on its neck.
"Got you!" Makoto said.
Then Makoto began to sing a melancholic melody in a strange lyric. Quickly the light arrow began to sink deeper into the swan shade causing it to frantically flap its seven wings. Before the beast even had a chance to fly over the canyon, countless white spikes stabbed its entire body from the inside out. A downpour of blood showered Makoto's pale grey bones, but Hajime and Cain were spared from it by the force field. Once the spikes retracted, the swan shade plummeted into the fog. In its final moments, it produced an undistorted melody in the sound of Sonia's voice.
"You killed it," Hajime said with disbelief. "You did it Makoto."
"Makoto?" Cain asked, realizing the force field wasn't going down and the Makoto was holding his head.
"I… I can't…," Makoto struggled to speak. "I can't stop… this flood… of power."
Before Hajime or Cain could say anything else, the force field around them jolted out of the Aerie. Neither could escape and stay by the boy's side. All they could do was hear his loud and miserable song. A song so loud it made the whole world shake. Soon after a cloud of fog and dust flooded out of the Aerie entrance.
"MAKOTO!" Hajime tried to break out of the forcefield.
The earth stilled leaving nothing but silence.
Eventually the forcefield went down, allowing Hajime and Cain to run back to the Aerie for Makoto. They found him crying on the edge of the cliff, but the Aerie was completely gone.
"I… I destroyed everything," Makoto cried. "All the people… and their homes…"
Hajime knelt down and placed a reassuring hand on the boy's skull.
"You were just protecting us," Hajime said.
"But… I killed…," Makoto struggled to admit it," Peko… and Kazuichi."
There was a moment of silence.
"They would still be alive… if I hadn't let this power overtake me," Makoto covered his skull and cried even more.
"Casualties are always inevitable when we wield great power," Cain said. "But it is necessary to protect those most important to us."
"He's right," Hajime said.
Then, Natsumi ran in on her shadow legs. She stopped and stared at the pit that used to be her home in a way before looking at Makoto.
"What the hell happened here?" Natsumi asked, making Makoto cry more.
"We got the final key," Hajime said. "That's all that matters."
