Opening Song: Hunter by Jesper Kyd
The carriage is still rolling, and the amount of time that has passed is unknown. It's tempting to tell the driver to just head back to Cainhurst, but if I do that, then who's going to save Asuka? I've never been more conflicted in life than with what's going on right now.
If I'm nothing, then everything I do is nothing. Yet being nothing and choosing to do nothing about it is nothing. What if Asuka finds out? Is it possible for someone to love something that is actually nothing? The entire thought process is beyond confusing, and the only person that has any kind of answer to what I am is dead.
Did Miyabi's mother do it to spare me from asking a question that should have an obvious answer but is impossible to answer from a certain standpoint? I keep telling myself that I hate Miyabi, and that I have always hated her. That I hate Miyabi's mom for those lies, but no matter what, there's no way I can bring myself to believe it.
That night the both of us faced off in Ursania and Miyabi was hell bent on killing me comes to mind. Even if there was a chance to kill Miyabi or she gave me a reason to, there's no way my heart would ever be at peace. Just the thought of our weapons clashing makes me sick. Yet, when given the opportunity to kill me, Miyabi dropped the sword and turned into the big sister I knew and loved with all my heart.
I want answers, but I keep running into the same dead end. How can nothing have purpose? Miyabi had a birth from blood. Asuka had a blood birth. They were destined to be shinobi the moment they came into this world. Octavian? He is next in line to inherit his father's will. Lawrence? He had something to begin with, and even though that was taken away from him, he found purpose in protecting shinobi and hunters from people like Homura's parents.
Me? Like something out of the Necronomicon, I was plucked out of a flaming caldron filled with boiling blood and ornamental organs. The battle within my soul goes back and forth. It would be easy to just abandon everything, but the thought of just handing Asuka over without a fight causes an intense self-hatred.
Deep down, I love her so much that the current situation isn't what concerns me. It's the thought that she may not love me once she learns the truth. It doesn't make the future any less stressful, but as long as the horsemen are still out there, then there is no choice but to carry on the fight.
I put on the school girl uniform and adjust the wig. The glasses don't alter vision, but if they fall off or someone gets too close, then people might be able to see through the disguise. I mount a reanimation molar into my gums and pop the suppression pill.
The powdery dust within the capsule releases into the bloodstream and quickly saps the power given off from coursing yoma blood. I feel my strength dwindling to the point that it's a struggle to move that wagon wheel around. My presence should be completely concealed from any Gallowglass or shinobi wondering around the city now.
"Hey driver, I'm ready. I just needed some time to think."
The driver snaps his reins, and the light in the cabin vanishes. The horses come to a stop, and the door opens up. I strap the revolver to my thigh and cover it with the skirt. Just like before, there is nobody other than me around.
"Just take my things back to Cainhurst please." I state as I slip the broken chain sickle blade, and Annalise's syringe into the waistband of the skirt.
The driver tips his hat and rides off. I hold up my arm and check the tattoo. It's about halfway between the second and third marking. Two, and a half hours left. The sounds of the world return, and the peak of the sun is barely leaning over the distant horizon. Morning is quickly approaching. I keep an eye out for any patrols and carefully approach the entrance to Hanzo's shop. There isn't anyone inside, but it's safe to assume that it could be bugged or under surveillance. I sit down at the bar and channel some of the suppressant into my vocal cords.
"Excuse me, I heard you were hiring." I say in a feminine voice.
"Just a minute!" Old Man Hanzo replies.
I pick up a menu and act like there's something to order. The door to the shop opens up. I slowly reach underneath my skirt and take hold of the revolver.
"What do you want to eat?" A familiar voice says.
I kill the emotion inside and continue looking over the menu. The girls from Hanzo academy all sit down at the bar a couple seats away and converse back and forth over what's been going on. They don't seem too interested in me, and nobody looks like they've seen through the disguise.
"What's going to happen to Asuka?" Katsu asks.
"I don't know, but something that worries me is Alan. I know for a fact he didn't just abandon Asuka. That's not like him." Yagyu adds.
"You don't think he's dead? Do you?" Hibari says.
"He's not. If Alan was able to descend into the coldest reaches of an abandoned world to fight an unholy creature to save me, then this is nothing. In fact, he's probably coming up with a plan to save Asuka as we speak."
"Ikaruga's right! That time Alan and I infiltrated Gessen Academy and everything went sideways, he still got me out alive!" Ayame states.
"Well his favorite saying is 'I've survived worse than this.'" Yagyu adds.
The Hanzo girls go back and forth and share stories about all the good times we had in the past. It takes everything to keep from smiling. Stories of all the times I'd go out of my way to annoy Mr. K, and all those times he'd come up with some kind of comeback that would usually result in me having to shut up.
"And then there was the boat trip." Hibari says.
"You mean that time squid girl didn't pretend to be the good kid?" Katsu states.
"If it wasn't for him, I'd still be a good kid." Yagyu states. "Alan always had that carefree nature that made me want to misbehave. That night he stole Mr. K's liquor and all of us got drunk was one of the best times I ever had. Well, because Alan was the only one that got in trouble, but that night was one of the first times it felt like everyone was happy. I felt happy."
Old man Hanzo brings a platter of food to the girls. I've never been the one for raw fish and seaweed, but what he's presenting to the girls does look appetizing. The thought of a yoma heart that's still beating and dripping with corruption causes saliva to vigorously pool in my sealed mouth. Hopefully there's something that can be hunted within the land of Cainhurst.
"Are you the job interview I was told about?" Old Man Hanzo approaches me.
"Yes."
"And whom do I owe the pleasure to?"
"Yuno."
"Right this way."
I follow Hanzo through the kitchen and into his office. He sits down and extends his generosity. I take a seat and carefully scan the room for bugs. It's unlikely Hanzo has any in his personal quarters, but Gallowglass and shinobi are crafty bastards. There is for sure one skulking around here, and even with suppressed senses, it's just common practice to assume someone is out there.
"So tell me a little about yourself?"
"I am Yuno Palencia of the Double Chikage clan. My bloodline is from the west, and I am seeking employment because I will be attending a nearby university."
"I see. Give me a second."
Old Man Hanzo shuts the door to his office and locks it. He looks around and examines every crevice of the room. I flip the chair over and make sure there isn't some kind of microphone. He gives the signal that everything is okay.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. Any word on your granddaughter?"
Old Man Hanzo shakes his head, "Jonathan left about three hours ago to make sure she's okay. I'm about to leave with Asuka's parents and head up north."
"Why's Jonathan going?"
"Personal reasons, and he's always been a good friend to my family."
"Yeah. I'm sorry about all this. It's all my fault."
"What happened?"
"Asuka and I were headed to Frambosta, but we got ambushed. I got hit with Korin Fuma, but the woman within the seal was generous enough to let me come back on a timer."
"Who attacked you?"
"Four Horsemen, some prick named Shokudo and everyone's favorite emo goon, Fubuki."
"Damn."
"It's my fault that Asuka's in Caligula right now. We couldn't take them two on six, but that's no excuse for my failure in protecting your granddaughter."
"You were dealing with something far beyond your control."
"No. If I wasn't weak, then none of this would have ever happened."
"Quit talking like that Alan. Focusing on something as trivial as that isn't getting my granddaughter out of the North's hands."
"Forgive me for my stupidity Hanzo."
"Who are you and what have you done with Alan?" Hanzo asks.
"What are you talking about?"
"Normally you would be jumping at any opportunity to call Asuka your bride. You would also be coming up with over the top, bizarre and outrageous ways of saving her. You sound defeated, and that isn't very reassuring."
"I'm only allowed into this world for a limited amount of time, Asuka has been captured because of my failure, Miyabi blames me for her mom's death, the fake family that raised me always hated me in secret, Gallowglass wants me dead, Asuka is going to leave the moment she learns I crawled out of a conjuring caldron, and my sole purpose was to be a disposable drone for the hunters, or a sacrificial tool for a higher cause. It's safe to assume that I'd be better off dead."
"Better off dead? Yet you're standing right here. Why?" Old Man Hanzo stands up and walks towards me, "Why? Tell me. Why are you standing here?"
"Because Asuka is in trouble."
"And?"
"Because I have to right a wrong."
Old Man Hanzo crosses his arms and stares at me with a menacing scowl, "So that's the best you can come up with? You know, I'm disappointed in you. Asuka would be in tears right now if she heard you talking like that, and I know for a fact Sayuri would beat your ass if you talked to her like this. No. I know why you're here. You do to, but you're too scared to admit it."
"I'm not scared…"
"Then tell me, if things would be better if you were dead, then what would have happened to Asuka that day those girls beat up on her and tried to corrupt her outlook on life? Ask yourself, where would she be if you wouldn't have shown up for her?"
Fingernails dig through the squishy palms and nearly touches the bones of my hand, "Stop it Hanzo…"
"You know why I didn't intervene and help that day? It's because I knew you were man enough to be trusted with making sure Asuka would end up an honest woman one day. The man that would protect my granddaughter from ideals people intentionally corrupt for their benefit. Are you still that same man, or was what I believed misplaced faith?"
"I don't know how to answer that."
"And why is that?"
"Because I'm nothing."
Old Man Hanzo walks over and puts his hands on my shoulders, "Look at me Alan. I know what people use conjuring caldrons for. The reason it's a forbidden practice is because it causes more problems than it solves. The few that don't transform into yoma or are sacrificed have to live with the trauma of knowing what their origin is. Nearly all the ones that are given a chance to live end up taking their own lives, and I refuse to let that happen to you."
"Right now, you're sad, lost, and angry. Almost hopeless because everything feels like it is in vain, but I know you better than that. You're the one that protected those girls sitting out there, and you're the one I can trust to protect Asuka and my family even when my bones are ash and dust. That is who you are."
"I'm sorry Hanzo, but the thought of someone loving nothing…"
"Alan." Hanzo interrupts. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave after this, but I want you to go out there and say hi to the girls."
"But Hanzo…"
"If it's to prove I'm right and you're wrong, I will happily face the consequences." He smiles.
"Before I do, when are you springing Asuka?"
"I'm going to make sure my daughter didn't leave without me, but tomorrow for sure. I'll try to be reasonable, but I would like for you to be there since my negotiating skills aren't what they used to be."
"Well, it's hard to reason with idiots." I joke.
"Exactly." Old Man Hanzo states. "Now go."
I take a deep breath and leave the office. The moment it felt like there was a purpose, it was quickly taken away by doubt. Yet, Hanzo's words have restored some faith. It never occurred to me how much depended upon my actions. That isn't the point though.
Asuka and her mom are shinobi, but they're still bound by humanity, and Asuka's dad is just a business man. Old Man Hanzo and Sayuri's skill and wisdom easily allows them to outclass anyone they fight. Even if it's a G rank yoma four times their size, but his comment about ash and dust forces me to look forward. Not just for me, but everyone. The day will come that Hanzo's, Mr. K's and Sayuri's battles will fall upon us. The problems they faced will eventually become ours, and we will be forced with overcoming them.
I exit the kitchen and make my way into the dining room. The Hanzo girls are still eating and talking about if there is anything they could possibly do to save Asuka. Old Man Hanzo puts his coat on and heads for the exit.
"Girls, I'm stepping out for a bit. Until then, I want to introduce you to a student that will be attending Hanzo Academy next semester!"
The Hanzo girls welcome me over to sit with them. Katsu slowly eases out of sight while the others make room for me to sit down.
"So where are you from?" Ikagura asks.
"Well actually…"
A pair of hands vigorously rubs my chest from behind. Fingertips sharpened by nails pinch and prod at my nipples. The groping subsides, and a head full of yellow pulls my uniform away from my body. "You've certainly seen your fair share of battles. What are you? Double A for abysmally absent? Because I can make them bigger if you let me help."
"Katsu! Stop harassing the new girl!" Ikaruga snaps.
"NO! Every new student of Hanzo Academy must receive their initiation!" Katsu continues to grope me.
A smile takes over, "To answer your question Katsu, I'm A for…" I say in a masculine voice and pull the wig off.
"ALAN!" All the girls yell collectively.
They all cuddle around me and express their joy. Katsu continues to vigorously rub my chest while all the other girls let me know that they're happy I'm not dead.
"Alan, what's going on? Why is Asuka in custody?" Hibari asks.
"It's an extremely complicated situation. Long story short, Asuka and I were ambushed." I lift up my sleeve and show the girls Annalise's continuously draining mark. "I got sealed with Korin Fuma, but the queen of that land let me come back for limited intervals of time."
"Who hit you with the Korin Fuma?" Ikaruga asks.
"To put it short, the four horsemen of the apocalypse."
"Why?"
"Because they aren't too fond of Morabis or his harbinger. But enough about that, how are you girls doing?"
"Fine. Gallowglass won't let us go anywhere, but they haven't pressed us for information. At least not yet." Yagyu answers.
Ayame is trying to keep from laughing as Katsu's over friendly gesture is wearing on my patience. Being a female in this world is rough. If it's not poorly made skimpy clothing made from exploding paper mâché, it's being sexually assaulted constantly by other girls.
"Katsu, you're my friend and all, but could you please stop?
"Ah come on! That marble smooth skin with the occasional rough granite feel of those scars only makes me want more! No wonder Asuka is always in a good mood when you two share a room!"
"Katsu sweetie. It was funny, and I'm glad to see you, but Asuka won't be happy if she found out about this."
"Oh don't worry, I'll get her too when you bust her from the brig! I can't wait to put hands on you both at the same time!"
I take hold of Katsu's index fingers and carefully twist it in a direction it shouldn't turn. She yelps and jumps back. The Hanzo girls burst out laughing as Katsu shakes feeling back into her hands.
"Forgive me Katsu, but Asuka and I are the only ones that will touch each other. One day, you'll find someone that's got everything you need, but my heart belongs to Asuka."
"No, you're right Alan. I'm sorry. I guess I'll just have to stick to what I know best!"
"Don't you dare." Ikaruga states as she covers her chest.
"You heard Alan! Him and Asuka are off limits, but he didn't say anything about the rest of you!" Katsu answers.
"You wouldn't mind teaching that little trick to me. Would you Alan?"
"Yagyu, if anyone needs love and attention, it would be you."
"You son of a bitch."
Yagyu's reply causes everyone to burst out in laughter. Moments like this rush back to memory. Those days when me, and the girls could just kick back, relax and be proud that we were family. Even if my existence was meaningless, it feels like the Hanzo girls are sisters that still love and care about me. Even though Asuka and I are apart, I can still feel her love and desire trying to push me forward.
Is this what Hanzo meant? If I were to tell these girls right now about my origin, would it actually change anything? Hundreds of good memories are met with thousands of doubts, and it keeps ending in a stalemate. His wise words ward off my foolish thoughts but Miyabi's comment about ignorance keep bringing up those doubts. Regardless, I have to push on despite my stupidity.
Annalise's marking is about halfway down. Now that the situation has been confirmed, a plan can start being implemented. If Hanzo hasn't left yet, I need to ask him where we'll meet.
I put my wig back on, "Ikaruga, Ayame, Hibari, Katsu and Yagyu?"
"Yeah?"
"It's time for me to kick some ass and get my bride back."
"Alan?"
"Yes Yagyu?"
"I could do better than you." She teases.
"Then allow me to prove you wrong." I smile.
"That's the Alan we know!" Katsu yells.
The girls cheer me out the door. The carriage could take me straight up there, but in the time it would take to kill everyone at the prison and get Asuka out of there would require more than two hours. For now, I'll head back to Cainhurst, help Annalise and then come back.
Outside of Asuka's house stands a group of people and old man Hanzo. Definitely people from the North, and some Gallowglass members as well. That one guy named Sebastian is standing in the middle of the street while a group of northern shinobi confront Hanzo. I still remember Sebastian because of his blazer and rank emblem. He was the guy that escorted Ange that one day so she could terrorize Minori and Shiro.
I continue towards the roadblock and approach the people guarding the barriers. By the sounds of the conversation, Old Man Hanzo isn't happy in the slightest. Since this is where the in-laws live, and there are northern shinobi down here harassing everyone, it's safe to assume Asuka's parents aren't in town. The man guarding the street stops me outside the barrier.
"Sorry ma'am. But this area is off limits."
"My house is on the other side of the block. What exactly is going on?"
"Need to know basis. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to take a detour."
"I understand. Have a good night."
I turn back and round a corner. It's safe to assume that there are patrols on the roofs of the surrounding buildings. That's okay because it's a highly predictable trait shinobi like. It's also something that can be exploited as well. I head to the back door of a nearby store and stick the blade of my chain sickle into the lock. The sudden force from the twist breaks the lock and detaches the door from the foundation's frame.
I pull my revolver out and prepare to make threats towards the clerk, but the store is empty. The shinobi probably forced the owners to close early considering things could easily get out of control. Good. That saves me the trouble of having to turn bad and force the clerk and his family into the back room at gunpoint.
Parked outside the store are a couple of vehicles. They're definitely from the northern clans because there's no way anyone with common sense would spend that much on a vehicle. Excellent. That means higher property damage. I grab a lighter from behind the counter, and a pack of menthol cigarettes.
As of now, Hanzo's conversation is an exchange that's on the path of escalating into an actual fight. I pluck a cigarette from the pack and roll some flint. The chilly taste of an old-fashioned cough drop causes my gums to flare up. It's a good thing old man Hanzo is extremely dangerous. Otherwise, this would be much more difficult to execute.
I ease out the front door and hug the body of one of the cars. I take one final puff and open the latch to the gas tank. The size of the cigarette is so perfect that it still has some time for the rolling paper to burn away. I ease over to the other car parked in front and slit the fuel line. Gas pours all on the snow and slowly trails towards the car behind it.
"So now my daughter and idiot son in law are both in Caligula right now?" Old Man Hanzo states.
"It's just for questioning." One of the shinobi states.
"Questioning? Questioning for what?"
"Master Hanzo, it's believed your granddaughter bombed a building up in the North, and we just want to make sure your family didn't have any involvement."
"And what of my granddaughter?"
"She's being interrogated as we speak. Now come quietly."
"Hundreds of years and nothing has changed. Guilty until proven innocent." Old Man Hanzo states.
I sit down on a nearby bench that's out in the open and play with the lighter, "So this is what the northern shinobi have resorted to? It's bad enough you people snatch purses from old ladies on the sidewalk. Now they're harassing grandpas in the streets. What's this world come to?"
The attention shifts to me. Old Man Hanzo recognizes that it's me and what I'm doing, but he's waiting for a more opportune time.
"Who is this? I thought I ordered this part of town to be off limits for the time being?" Sebastian says.
I stand up and bow over, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am…"
A massive explosion rocks the entire block. Fire spurts out the bottom of the vehicle the cigarette fell into. The engine block blows the hood off and liquid orange shoots out and devours the precious puddles of gasoline. Everyone is in pure shock and trying to shield their ears from the boom. I pat the top of my head and notice that my long hair is gone. Old Man Hanzo sprints off and those that aren't stumbling over their own feet are pointing at me and yelling. The way their lips are moving don't look like they're saying Fallon. I scoop up the wig and stick it back on my head.
"After him!" Sebastian leads the charge.
Knives and throwing stars rain down from the rooftops. An odd shaped star wedges itself into my shoulder blade as a knife juts out of my back. More sharp objects hit me all over as I bust through the front door of someone's house. The confused and scared family of four cower in fear behind a couch.
Pardon the intrusion, but I pissed off the city!" I yell as I hop over a dining table and jump out the back window. Glass embeds itself into my face and arms as I roll back up to my feet and scale a nearby two-story house.
The suppressant is preventing the yoma blood within from dulling the pain that bleeds out of the wounds. Every movement causes the pointy objects to dig deeper into the flesh that it restricts the ability to properly move. I bite my lip and continue towards the main district of the city.
Crimson floods into my eyes and cuts visibility in half. I grab hold of a throwing star that's buried all the way to the bone of the left elbow and yank it out. The obstructive metal allows the arm to move freely again. I run up the side of an apartment complex and use the window seals to climb to the top.
A group of pursuers cut off the ability to press over to the next building. I change direction and bolt to the left. Sebastian and the rest of the shinobi arrive and completely surround me. I slowly back to the edge of the building and look down. There's even shinobi waiting down below.
"Seems I'm quite the gal. Being relentlessly pursued by sex-craving shinobis and hungry horny hunters." I state in a feminine voice.
"You're no woman. You're just some pervert with a dress and wig. Now the sooner you surrender, the sooner you get to see Asuka." Sebastian replies.
I wipe the dripping blood from my eyes and take out the syringe. Everyone gets defensive and prepares to attack. The needle stabs through the bloody skin, and I extract the remaining fluid from my arm. Far off in the distance is a winged shaped creature silhouetted by the orange tinted moon. It blends in with the dawning sky with only parts of its horns being slightly visible.
"It's empty. There's nothing he can do." Sebastian says.
"You're right. There is nothing I can do, but I will see Asuka out of my own volition. Not because someone grants me permission."
I pop the molar with the reanimation solution and bite down. The hollow tooth breaks and spills out a terrible tasting liquid. My body shoves the glass, knives and throwing stars out of my body and administers blood to help cull the pain.
The Hanzo girls muscle their way through the crowd and make themselves front and center. "Don't let this turn violent. Please. I don't want anyone to get hurt." Yagyu states as all the Hanzo girls reluctantly draw their weapons.
I hold out my arms in a welcoming manner and brace, "Yagyu. You, the Hanzo girls and Asuka are the closest thing to Heaven I ever got. You girls truly are blessings to this world, and wonders in my life. I will respect your request. Unfortunately, the only thing my life will ever consist of is Hell. Until next time."
A screeching howl that rattles my eardrums swoops down, and a set of talons dig into my shoulders. Something hoists me up into the air as everyone down below slowly fades out of sight. The Hanzo girls are trying to give chase, but the creature flies up above the clouds, and the lights of the city and this ephemeral world vanishes.
The creature drops me onto the roof of the castle and flies off into the surrounding forest. Blistering cold from Cainhurst's unique wind violently flips up the blood-stained skirt and slaps the cheeks of my ass with an open hand. I run into the room that leads up to the throne room. The building breaks the wind just enough that the temperature barely increases.
"I see that you have returned earlier than expected." Annalise states through her barren mask.
"Queen Annalise. You kept telling me to seek the truth. What exactly am I?"
"A boy dressed as a woman. May I ask why?"
"I'm trying to blend in with my world's society and by doing something my enemies don't expect, it's easier to sneak around unnoticed." I reply as I pull the wig off.
"Such a queer practice."
"I went and talked to the giver of my wings, and she told me that I came from a conjuring caldron. What am I, and what's my purpose?"
Annalise sits back in her throne and crosses her legs, "I cannot dictate what you see as purpose, but you are what scholars have spent countless centuries trying to create."
"Annalise. Do you know who created me, and what for?"
"I could tell you, but I find it more amusing to see if the healing church's 'self-proclaimed perfect creation' has the will to find the answer himself. But for now, Daemogina and Raesetsu have a task they need help with. It will take an entire day so by the time you finish, you will be allowed to go back."
"Yes Queen Annalise."
"My driver has delivered the belongings you left in the carriage to your room."
"Thank you."
Annalise excuses me and I head back to my room. Her marking is completely drained, and the fluid that was in the syringe has disappeared. I was hoping for a reimbursement for the time I didn't spend, but it doesn't look like that's the case. That syringe is just a quick "get out of trouble" card if things take a turn for the worst. With all this information, I can now come up with a plan to save Asuka.
However, Asuka's parents are in danger too. Damnit. It's not like things weren't already bad as it is. Asuka's parents are not going to be too happy about their daughter being in a prison simply for just being associated with me. Nor do I expect a warm reception from the in-laws when I finally do carry out the assault on the island…
Ending Song: Yamiyo wa Otome wo Hana ni Suru by Ruka Kawada