Back at Hanzo Academy…
Opening Song: "Almost Easy" by: Avenged Sevenfold
The soft touch of Asuka's lips grazes my forehead as I put my arms around her. Ever since Asuka, and the others brought me back home, I haven't been able to truly sleep. Nor have I been allowed to leave the room because Asuka claims I am "still recovering." I guess Gehrman telling Asuka I was poisoned right around the time I needed a shot only added to her never-ending worry. Which there isn't much complaint out of me.
I'm back to sleeping in the same bed as Asuka, and it only took two broken wings, getting shot multiple times, poisoned, backstabbed, having my arm split in two up to the elbow, and Kagura getting pissed off at me. A small price to pay. However, I am greatly troubled.
It's only been two days, but the fact I don't know where Octavian is brings unrest to my soul. I keep telling myself he's with Jonathan, but there's no way to convince myself that is the case. If Octavian was with Jonathan, he would have been back by now.
The sound of porcelain wrapping on the outside of our door echoes into the room. "Alan, I request Asuka for her training."
"Hold on, she'll be out in a minute." I reply as we let go of one another.
"Also, my hunter needs to speak with you."
Asuka gets into the bathroom and shuts the door where she can have some privacy, "Alright, Asuka's in the bathroom."
The door slides open, and Maria and M walk in. Maria has something wrapped in red cloth. I don't know what it is, but it has to be something special. Over the last couple days, Asuka has been training with Maria while Gehrman has been helping Mr. K, Astoreth and Daigon train the others.
The mirror queen pulls up a chair and sits down, "How are you doing Alan?"
"Fine, I suppose. How about you?"
"Better."
The bathroom door opens up, and Asuka walks out in her training outfit. Maria hands her the item wrapped in red cloth. A part of it exposes itself, but Maria quickly covers it back up before I can make out what it is. Asuka leans over and kisses the top of my head, "I'll see you after training."
"Okay. Just be careful." I reply as they leave the room.
Before our conversation even starts, I can already tell it's going to be over the fight with Kagura. Ever since she has arrived, M has been a total bitch, and for a while, I believed it. All the good she did, like saving me and the girls from Hebijo, or allowing me a way to save Ikaruga seemed like a display to gain some kind of false heroism.
But when M was fighting with Kagura, something in my mind clicked. That maybe the queen was just desperately looking to fill some kind of void within her soul, but because of her misunderstanding, her anger got the better of her, and she lashed out.
M takes a deep breath and stops tugging at her black cloak. She looks up at me with her gold eyes and silently forms the words she is rehearsing within her head.
"I… am Makaria. Daughter of the Tetartos Lord, and a descendant of lord Shen."
"Wait… Does that mean…"
"Yes. Hades is my father. The youngest brother to Shen."
Right now, there are no words that can describe what I am hearing. It's like my mind has hit a low-lying wall, but it's not able to step over. Shen has been the eternal enemy of everyone as far as we can remember, and this woman, the very woman who conquered the cursed city of Yharnam is related to him?
"Shen had a bride. A woman which he forcefully took and married against her will. Although she tried to be an honest wife, she was unhappy. Hades was the only one out of Shen's family that was kind to her."
Makaria pulls out her red necklace of mahogany and rubs her calloused fingers over the polished glaze, "And my father, being the fool he is, fell in love with Shen's bride, and they started seeing each other in secret."
The muscles in her throat tense up as she places her head into the necklace, "Several days after my birth, Mother and father tried to escape the fracture, but mom was fatally injured… Dad and I… somehow escaped."
Makaria clears her throat, "For the longest time, it was just us. Having to stay on the run because humanity, and the yoma were constantly after us. And then I met her, my best friend. Do you know how we met? Dad tried stealing food from her back in… 137 A.D or that whereabouts. I told him that if we just asked, she would probably give us some, but he wouldn't listen."
"I'm guessing it didn't end to well for Hades?" I state.
"She was even younger than me, but I was starving, so she gave us the food and offered to travel with us. Since Kagura was a divine being, humanity and the yoma would be discouraged from coming after us. Those moments I spent with Kagura were the happiest of my life. The way Kagura and I played in fields of flowers and made bouquets and wreaths. I cherish that."
"What happened?" I ask.
"One day, dad was building a house for us to live in while Kagura and I were playing in the field over by the lake. For some reason, the sun was setting faster than it usually did, but Kagura and I were kids. We just knew to be back before dark. Kagura had just made this necklace for me and promised that nothing would ever come between us. Even if I was a descendant of Shen's bloodline."
"Suddenly, this moon blotted with dried bloodspots blocked out the sun, and these hideous pale creatures holding lanterns immerged from the red moonlight. We tried using our powers to fight them off, but the moment we struck one down, it would just get back up. Kagura managed to decapitate one, but it picked its head up, stuck it back on and continued to pursue us."
"As we were running, one of those creatures grabbed a hold of my ankle. In just a split second, those things were all over me. Dad and Kagura tried to save me, but they were overwhelmed with these immortal beings. All I can truly remember is screaming in agony and begging for it to stop as they tore my clothes off and carved sigils into my body with their filthy hands. Shortly after I blacked out, I woke up in some kind of old clinic."
Makaria pulls up her sleeves on her black cloak and points to all the markings on the bottom of her arms. Huge gashes that were cut into her arms extend from the top of her shoulders all the way down to her hands. At the palm, the scar breaks off into six different branches that slither in between her fingers.
She turns around, pulls her cloak down and sweeps her blue hair off to the side. On top of the multitude of fading wounds is a huge cross with upright arms and multiple dots, "After I killed Yharnam's current god, and became the new god, Maria carved this into my back. A way to use my new, impure abilities."
"I'm really sorry for you Makaria. That's a hell of a thing to experience something like that at such a young age."
"I never meant to come off as a terrible person." Makaria replies as she puts her cloak back on, "It's just when I was in Yharnam, there are things I saw… things I did…"
"I understand. For someone to go through all that, only to find out you've been sealed away by someone you love must have been difficult."
"What Kagura did was for my own protection. I see that now, but at the time, it didn't look like that. Those eight hundred years? They granted me the ability to perfect the yoma powers I was born with on top of the impure powers bestowed upon me. Even though Gehrman was freed from the hunter's dream, he willingly came back to help me refine my fighting skills. All this time, my mind was set on fighting Kagura rather than killing Shen."
Something in my mind flashes when she mentions killing Shen. I remember Gehrman saying something back at Gessen about Makaria knowing the secret to Shen's supposed immortality. With Makaria's one-sided view of Kagura, it appeared to Gehrman that Makaria and Kagura were just having a pointless spat like gods tend to do.
"Gehrman mentioned something about you knowing the secret to Shen's immortality."
"Yes. His immortality does exist."
"Fuck!"
"However, I know the secret to killing him. Shen's immortality only exists because he can possess anyone outside of his descendants. This even includes divine beings like Kagura. Which is why she relied on keeping him at bay with seals rather than killing him."
"Many people have tried and succeeding in killing Shen, but his ability to curse and possess anyone has plagued humanity ever since. As a failsafe, Shen performed a hex using Astoreth's defiled blood to prevent anyone under his reign or within his family from ever rising up against him." Makaria explains.
"Let me get this straight, the reason Hades hasn't killed Shen is because of some spell?"
"Yes."
But you're implying that you have the ability to kill him and not get possessed." I state.
"Yes. I am of Shen's bloodline, but when I was in Yharnam, I met this woman named Analise, and she asked if she could taste my blood. When she did, Analise stated that I was cursed, but that she had the cure. She then said if I partook in her blood, the curse would broken, and that whoever put it on me would face the wrath of a liberated descendant."
"So that's why Kagura kept you within the hunter's dream."
"It didn't seem like that at the time because anything would have been better than living in that hellhole." Makaria sighs.
"Where is Kagura now?"
"She helped me finish a new scene for my gallery and left shortly after. Kagura didn't say where she was going, but she didn't seem like she wanted to talk." Makaria lets out a heavy huff of sorrow and covers her eyes, "All this time, I wanted to tell her just how sorry I truly am. I fought armies to get that chance, but now there's nothing I can do to ever make it up to her…"
"If everything about you and Kagura is true, there's no way she's mad at you."
"What do you mean?"
"She's broken over the same exact thing you are. So much so that a stone burst from her heart because she couldn't bear living without you. Kagura will be back because neither of you can live without the other. As Mr. K would say, you and Kagura are the yin and the yang that keeps everything in balance, and one cannot exist without the other."
Makaria rolls her jaw around like she's trying to contain her voice. Her cheeks nearly touch her ears, and she lets out a series of passionate laughs mixed with emotional stress and joy. Ever since her arrival, Makaria has been nothing but doom and gloom. On top of constantly threatening to kill Asuka, and the Hanzo girls.
However, I think I've just experienced something many people never did. Makaria actually smiled for once. I don't know what she had to deal with, but I figured Makaria had to be ruthless to survive in Yharnam. Plus eight hundred years of solid isolation on top of that. A lesser person would have been crushed by such insanity.
"You know Makaria, you have a beautiful smile." I state.
"Easy on the compliments boy. Asuka just let you back in her bed. It would be a shame if you got kicked back out." Makaria states as she ruffles my hair.
"Oh, don't worry, I reckon I will be back on that couch sometime next week. Asuka will find something to get pissed off about. Getting mad at me is all she's really good at."
"And if you end up on that couch, I guarantee you, Asuka will make her way back into your arms a couple minutes later. I know for a fact Asuka loves you, and she'd go to the ends of the world for you."
"I know. I couldn't ask for a better girl." I reply as I rotate my numb shoulders around.
Maybe in a couple days, Kagura will come back, and Makaria can settle this once and for all. Then they can focus on helping me get the stone back and killing Shen. It's rumored that the talilbasha can't be destroyed, but there's got to be some way.
First thing first though. I get up out of the bed and stretch. Bones in my back return to their original position and crackle. I make a couple aerobic twists and restore some feeling to the numb muscles in my legs and feet.
"Alan?"
"Yes Makaria?"
"Thank you."
Makaria opens the door for me and lets me into the hallway. All of the girls as well as Daidouji and Yuyaki are in the living room. The only one that isn't is Asuka. She's probably in the dojo training with Maria and Gehrman. The fact Asuka isn't telling me what she's doing has me curious.
Is she trying to master the way of the hunter and shinobi at the same time? Is she just needing someone to teach her how to get back up regardless of how many times they knock you down? Or did they build something for her, and she's trying to test it? I do know that one day, Katsu came by to check on me.
She said it looked like Asuka was just training normally, but her katana looked significantly different. The blade was rust colored and sounded like it was humming when it would slam into Maria's weapon.
Yagyu and Katsu are watching tv while Hibari is teaching Ikaruga some common phrases in hunter's tongue. She'll say it then have Ikaruga repeat it.
"Semper fidelis." Hibari says.
"Semper fidelis." Ikaruga repeats.
"It means always faithful. Many fighting forces use it as a motto, but it is believed the origin dates back to the Roman Republic SPQR. I reckon Daigon had one when he was a polemarch for Sparta."
"Pistos mechri to telos (Loyal until the end)." Still the code I follow. Regardless of where or what I'm doing." Daigon states as he helps Astoreth prepare breakfast.
As they converse back and forth, I take a seat next to Murasame. Right now, he's being surprisingly quiet as he pets Mojo. The fact he didn't make some joke or comment about me getting to lay in bed with Asuka all day only adds to the concern.
"Glad you made it back in one piece." He says.
"Sure as hell didn't feel like it when I got back." I reply.
"What all happened?"
"Got poisoned, shot, almost froze to death, took an injection, and Kagura nearly liquified my insides by simply sitting on me."
"Sounds like you got run through the wringer."
"Well on the bright side, Asuka let me back in her room." I state as I reach over and scratch Mojo underneath his chin.
"It's good things finally worked out." Murasame states.
"Would you happen to know anything about Octavian?" I ask.
"He asked me if I could send him to Gessen."
"What?"
"I called this morning, but Yumi said he was still asleep."
"Okay." I say as I get up and head to Mr. K's room.
The least he could have done is waited for me to get back. Yes, he's got to be the one that kills the yoma, but it didn't mean I couldn't help him kill it. There's nothing preventing me from being a distraction and doing things to chip away at its health as Octavian deals most of the damage.
I don't have much room to talk though. Roger would get mad at me when I would go out and kill yoma generals. Which compared to nameless ones and nightmares, yoma generals are bottom of the barrel. It's probably not that big of a deal, but the fact I don't know what he could have possibly faced worries me.
I pick up the phone on Mr. K's desk and scroll through his contacts until I find Gessen's number. The phone buzzes a couple seconds before automatically punching the number in. I sit down in the chair and pivot left and right. A pop happens, and a line of communication is finally established.
"Gessen Academy, who do I have the honor of speaking with today?"
Ah yes, the good ole Gessen hospitality. It's kind of nice talking to a professional over the phone. When Mr. K answers the phone, he's got more of a "who the hell is this" and "what the fuck do you want" attitude. With all things considered though, that might only happen when I call.
"Yes ma'am. This is Alan from Hanzo academy. I am calling about a run-away student. I've been tasked with finding him, and I believe he might be at Gessen."
"Him?"
"Yes."
"Well I don't know anything about that. Is there someone here that might know about the circumstance?"
"I think Yumi would know."
"Can I put you on hold?"
"Yeah sure. I don't mind."
Elevator music begins to play as I try and remain patient. This is going to take a while because they are going to have to look at the clock and determine where she is, and what class or if she's in training. Then I'll have to wait even longer because Yumi will have to shower and make herself presentable. Even though it's just a conversation over the phone. I do admire Yumi's virtue though. There are women who don't give a damn about the way they look.
I begin to get bored of listening to the same looped music and curiosity gets the better of me. Yumi must have been in training because this is taking forever. Or that's what it feels like. I look down and notice that all of Mr. K's drawers are unlocked.
I reach down and open one up. My face starts to grow a huge grin. My small chuckle breaks out into a full laugh as I pull out a copy of a magazine with a woman in a swim suit. The urge to put it back and pretend I never seen it is strong, but the urge to explore this treasure trove is even stronger.
"Hmm… Happy Hanukkah Mr. K." I say as I pull it out and try to determine where he got this.
Son of a bitch! This is like the Victoria Secret's catalog mothers were determined to hide from their children at the checkout line! Its got everything! Holy shit… They even got a Lacey bra similar to the bandages Daidouji wears when she transforms!
"Hello?" Yumi says as the phone finally comes off hold.
"Yumi, this is Alan."
"Hello Alan."
"I was wondering if you'd seen Octavian. I heard he ran off and went back to Gessen."
"Oh yeah. He's here. In fact, he's in Shiki's room right now. They're settling some issues."
"I'm sure they are. Is there anyway… no, never mind. Could you transfer me to her room?"
"Sure thing. Goodbye Alan."
"Goodbye Yumi."
She puts me on hold, and the transfer tone begins to dial Shiki's room. Normally, I'd ask Yumi if she could go get Octavian so I could talk to him, but something tells me that Shiki and Octavian are busting broncos rather than talking, and I'd rather not scar Yumi's poor little virgin eyes.
"Hello…" A sleepy voice yawns.
"Why'd you run away boy?"
"What?"
"Why did you run away?"
"I didn't run away; I did what you expected of me!"
"I wasn't expecting you to go by yourself!"
"Oh, calm down. The beast is dead, Ryoki is free, and I have a lead on where your best friend is going to deliver the talilbasha."
"Where?"
"Tenalbrum."
"Tenalbrum? That's on the very northern tip of the country!"
"If the stories are true, you and Lawrence are fairly popular around that region."
"Popularity is our middle name in the North. Anyway, I'm heading there as soon as possible."
"I'm coming too."
"No, you're staying at Gessen."
"Why?"
"Because it's too dangerous!"
"What isn't? Besides, I have a score to settle with Senko, and you're not around to make me stay, so I'll see you at the Tenalbrum's southern outskirts."
"Octavian!"
A crisp click from him hanging up the phone, and the sudden drop of the dial causes me to fill up with worry again. Right when the weight was lifted off my shoulders, Octavian just piled it back up. He's going to get himself in serious trouble screwing around up in the north. Especially if he gets caught with someone like me.
We are all wanted up there because that's around Alcava. The place Hikage went on her rampage against the gang that killed her friends and mother while Lawrence and I held the reinforcements off. On top of stealing millions of yen from the council members who had dealings with the gangs up there.
I put Mr. K's magazine back in his desk and grab Senko and Gekko's documents. This is great news though. Now I can finally put a stop to this madness. The stone will be back in Oliveria's hands and her, the girls and that psycho Alice will finally be out of our hair for good.
I walk back into Asuka's room and gather my things. Since this is the north, there's no need to hold back. I put my chest piece on and tighten up my plate leggings and boots. My revolver, rifle and lever action pistol are fully loaded.
The plan will be hop in a train, ride said train about ten miles from Tenalbrum then ride in on Oktitohbi. The city is going to be locked up tight, but if we get in and out quick, there's no way anyone can catch us if we make it to the tree line. Most of those northern shinobi don't know the wasteland. Nor do they desire to. Once we hit the forest, we are home free.
"You're leaving. Aren't you?" I hear Mr. K ask as I pause from cinching up my gauntlets.
"Mr. K, I have to do this." I reply as I check to make sure everything is secured and ready to go. Oktitohbi's stone is in my pocket, I got speed loaders, spare magazines and tubes for my guns, vials of holy water as well as syringes, and a handful of I. .
Standing beside Mr. K is Yuyaki, and Murasame who is holding a portable cat cage with Mojo. I'm guessing one of these two overheard me talking to Octavian, and they went and informed Mr. K. I was going to try and sneak out, but it appears that's not an option anymore.
"Alan, you do know what happens if this mission ends in failure?" Mr. K asks.
"I aware."
"But it's not, because the stone is going to be there, and you're going to come back with it?"
"Correct." I reply as I throw my black duster on.
Mr. K faintly smiles to try and mask the nervous feeling of uncertainty.
"Alan, you saved my life in the wasteland, and for that, I would be honored if you would allow me to assist you." Yuyaki says.
"Are you aware of the dangers and consequences, and are you willing to face them?"
Yuyaki bows, "Yes."
As much as I don't want to do this, I don't think she's going to take no for an answer. Not only that, but this maybe her way of seeking absolution for me and Gehrman protecting her from those shinobi and hunters. Denying what she may see as redemption would be wrong.
"Then I accept your request."
"Thank you, Alan. I will go notify Lawrence and Hikage immediately. I reckon it would be smart if we traveled in pairs on the way up there. Lawrence spoke highly of how good of a team you and Hikage made."
"Who's going first?" I ask.
"My spirit animal will allow me to survey the city without raising much suspicion. I figure Lawrence and I should get a head start before you and Hikage arrive. That way we can recon the area and have a plan formed by the time you arrive."
"Alright. You get everyone together, and I'll meet you at the train station."
Yuyaki nods and leaves the room. Knowing that Lawrence and Hikage are coming actually makes me feel a little more confident. Not only that, but they know what to do if something goes horribly wrong. We're dealing with professionals, so this is going to require professionals.
"Alan?"
"Yes Mr. K?"
"Promise me this mission will be a success."
"I promise."
"Good. Now get going. You've got a job to do." Mr. K says as he places his hand on my left shoulder. Mr. K gives a firm squeeze, and a look that tells me I have his support. "Take the secret passage in my office. I'll buy as much time as I can."
"Thanks Mr. K."
"Make me proud."
Mr. K escorts me and Murasame back to his office. He moves a Hanzo academy banner on the back wall out of the way. Mr. K places his hand on a hidden switch and pushes inward. A section of the wall gives way, and a path opens up. I turn sideways and step through the opening and Murasame follows right behind me.
"Hey Alan..."
"Yeah?"
"I want to thank you for what you did. If it wasn't for you and the queen, I don't know what would have become of Ikaruga." Murasame says.
"You're welcome."
The tunnel comes to a dead end with a ladder. I climb up and gently push the sealed door open. This tunnel leads into a bush thicket right behind old man Hanzo's sushi shop. The combination of all the surrounding branches are close enough to keep me hidden, but far enough to let me see the area.
"It's clear." I say as I hold out my hand. Murasame grabs a hold of my forearm and pulls himself up. I shut the door back and it locks itself.
The train station isn't far now. We hop the back wall and drop into an alleyway. Luckily, no one notices either of us as we both walk onto the streets and disappear into the crowd. Murasame and I twist, turn and weave in between people.
The crowd finally thins out as we step onto the stairway leading up to the train platform. Murasame gets ahead of me and approaches the ticket booth. I don't see Lawrence or anyone else so they must be gathering their things for the journey.
Murasame hands the clerk a voucher and she looks it over, "One way, first class private suite to Ursania?"
"Yes, and I'd like a place for my cat here." Murasame adds as he holds up Mojo's cage.
"Why the hell are you going to Ursania?"
"I'll explain in a minute."
"You better."
I lay down the money required for private, first-class suites and look at the travel times. Since Yuyaki and Lawrence need to get there first, they will probably be taking the next train that will be departing in thirty minutes. The one I'm looking at leaves in fifteen minutes, but there are more stops in between here and Tenalbrum.
"I need two first class private suite tickets to Tenalbrum at 12:30, and two first class private suite tickets to Tenalbrum for 12:15."
"One or two ways?"
"One."
"That will be…"
"Keep the change." I interrupt as I lay down another stack of money.
"Sir, your change is going to be around 50,000 yen."
"Consider it an act of generosity. Keep it, pay it forward, or give it to the poor. Oh yeah, and if some girls ask about me, I wasn't here."
"Very good sir." She states as she prints the tickets and hands them to me.
Murasame sits Mojo on the bench and pulls out a cigarette. He holds out the pack for me as he digs around in his white jacket. I fish one of the reds out and place the filter on the edge of my lip.
"Where the… HA! There you are!" Murasame lets out a small laugh of satisfaction as he pulls the matches out. Since they are strike anywhere, Murasame can have the matchbox. I place the red tip of the match on a rough, grainy part of my duster and flick my wrist. The edge of the match head combusts and spits out a stream of white smoke.
"Well, what do I do?" Murasame asks as smoke vents from his mouth.
"What exactly are you doing?"
"When you went out to find that treatment for Ikaruga, Oliveria contacted me. As mad as I was at her, I couldn't bring myself to hate that woman, or those girls. She apologized that things got out of control. Then she gave me an elixir that would help ease Ikaruga's pain and stave off her sickness."
Murasame flicks the tip of his cigarette and takes another puff. He has this look in his eye that concerns me.
"As stupid as it sounds, she treated me better than my own family. That day I was kidnapped, I thought my life was over, but Oliveria told me that there was no reason for me to die, and after this was over, she was going to give me the option to go to Ursania because she needs someone that knows politics and how to do business. Not only that…"
"Murasame…"
"I love her Alan. I really do. The moment she picked my hands up and placed them on her beating heart, that was the first time I ever heard someone sincerely say 'I love you.' It may go against the shinobi code, but my family never treated me like a shinobi in the first place, so their rules don't apply to me."
"Well you know what I've always said. Murasame should be allowed to live Murasame's life." I state.
The thing is I'm not against Murasame falling for Oliveria. In fact, I'm actually for it because that means he can actually make something out of himself rather than being the royal fool of the shinobi. Although it requires him to go to another part of the country.
What concerns me is what his family might think. Especially his dad. Once he finds out Oliveria is the lover of his son, will he consider that betrayal? Even though the shinobi code shouldn't apply to Murasame? However, that asshat he calls a dad might twist it and try to use it as an excuse to kill Murasame, and that's what I'm really worried about. Plus, it could drive a wedge between him and Ikaruga.
"Murasame, if this is what you truly want, then go for it. And if Oliveria loves you, then you don't have anything to fear. The only drawback is what your family might think."
"They can think whatever they want. I got Mojo here to protect me." He says as he holds up the cat cage.
We both let out a small chuckle and finish our cigarettes off. Murasame gets his ticket ready and prepares to board his train. He turns around and holds his arm out. I meet him halfway, and we grab each other's forearm, "This isn't goodbye Alan."
"Never goodbye for friends like us."
"You know, I used to joke about how I couldn't wait to get away from you. But now that it's here, I'm kind of…upset." He says.
"Me too."
For some reason, this actually causes my heart to hurt a lot. The thought of him leaving and not coming back is kind of bittersweet. Memories of how Murasame and I were enemies at one time come to mind. That night he tried to kill me and Hikage for a shinobi test. He was so under skilled that we couldn't bring ourselves to kill him. Even though he was hell bent on killing us.
A couple weeks later, Hikage and I seen some people beating up on him because he failed that test. We stepped in to protect what honor he had left. Even though he felt like he had none left. After that, we started to hang out, and he eventually learned me and Hikage were the ones he was supposed to kill. All Murasame did was shake our hands and thank us.
"I am grateful to have known you… Venator (Hunter)."
"The feeling is mutual… amico (friend)." I reply.
The wheels of the train turn and release the hissing brakes. We let go, and the train gets on its designated rail. Murasame runs to the back of the train and steps out on the balcony. Murasame places his hand over his heart and bows. I take the stance and return the gesture. "May you find your worth in this world."
About the time the train exits the city gates, Lawrence, Yuyaki and Hikage walk up the stairs. All of them are armed and ready to go. Hikage even has that old vertical arch crossbow, and she never brings that out unless something is really going down.
"Did you get the tickets?" Yuyaki asks.
"Yes." I reply as I hand everyone their ticket and grab the documents from inside my side satchel. "Also, I need you to try and locate these people. They're our special guests."
"Can do." Yuyaki says as she takes the documents.
My train leaves in five minutes so there is no time to socialize and take in account what we are packing. All I know is Lawrence is wearing a full suit of silver armor he got from killing his first yoma general, his semi-auto shotgun and cap revolvers, and a brand-new sword. Out of us all, Lawrence was always the one armed to the teeth. Thank God people with untrained eyes can't see our weapons and armor.
"Just like old times?" Lawrence states.
"Takes me back." I reply as Hikage and I hand our tickets to the conductor and make our way back to our private suite.
"How have you been?" Hikage says as she props her crossbow up against the wall of the train.
"Good I suppose. How about you?" I reply.
"Good. So how did the war go?" Hikage asks as she straightens her red wool sweater out and sits across from me.
"I made it back alive, and…we won…"
"Well good. I'll go put on a pot of coffee. How do you like yours?" Hikage asks.
"Black."
We both have a nine-hour trip, but I think that will be more than enough time to catch up…
Ending Song: "Point of No Return" by: Starset