Sorry for the long update readers, been busy lately.
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Not much to learn from Lady Dermes" Akeno sighs sited on a bench outside of a small village "Though there was something interesting she brought up" 'My husband before the day he passes away, in his sleep he would mutter "beautiful woman… I must see her" I thought that was weird and was planning on questioning him, but sadly I was too late for that'.
Akeno eyes narrow "The nightwalker can't have a human like appearance, can it?" she mutters before shaking her head "Unlikely, but I shouldn't rule out the possibility". Akeno stands up and begin making way back to Lilios "Help, help, anyone!" a sudden cry for help cause the raven haired to turn and see a middle age woman running toward the village "A giant kidnap my son! Please anyone help me get him back!" she informs the guards that are stationed there.
"Where did the giant go madam!" one of the guard ask getting on his horse "It ran into the abandon windmill there!" she points at the distance showing a tall hill where the old windmill placed. Akeno sees the guards speeding toward the destination on their horses "Might as well follow, just in case".
Time Skip: WindMill
"Ah ahhh help me please!" a nine year old boy scream at the top of his lungs while being swang around in the giant right hand. "Let him go monster!" one of the two guards speed toward the giant and slash its large muscular leg causing the monster to roar in fury.
"Fredis look out!" the other yell seeing the giant send its left hand down on the guard who just cut it "Shit!" Fredis jumps out of his horse as the giant's fist slam inches from behind them causing him and the horse to fly away. "Oh boy" Akeno stop a few meters away from the battle, examining the tall muscular monster, it has rusty red eyes, long wild green hair with a messy beard, cold blue color skin, long strong arms and legs "That's a full mature giant judging by its height which is probably around ten foot tall.
"Help mister!" the boy screams finally noticing the knights after wiping the tears from his eyes "Don't worry lad, we will get you back home" the other guards promise jumping out of his horse and dash toward the giant making it slam its right leg down intending to squish the man. "Hah!" the guard jumps up dodging the stump and grabs the clothe that's wrap around the giant's waist.
"Take this!" the man yell stabbing his sword into the giant leg making it roar in pain "Kahh ahh!" the guard is send down when the monster lifts it's leg up and slams it back down. "Bran!" Fradis yell seeing the giant lifting its feet up again ready to step his friend "Take this!" Fradis lift his right hand up thrusting it forward, firing a simple fire ball that hits right on the giant face making it stumble back.
"Wah ahhhh!" the giant release the boy from its grasp to rub its face "No!" Fradis scream running toward the boy, but he stops when a lighting current speed toward the boy then to his shock the lighting morph into a beautiful raven haired girl.
"You're safe now" the boy opens his eyes hearing a gentle soothing voice "A-are you an angle?" he asks seeing the beautiful woman smiling down at him which got a bit wider hearing his compliment "Sort of". Akeno lands on the ground gently and place the boy down "Now" she kneels down to the boy's height "Do me a favor, close your eyes and start counting to 10 slowly" "W-what about the giant!" he asks scared, but is calm down when Akeno place her hand on top of his head giving a soft smile "Don't worry I won't let it hurt you, now close your eyes" she said which the boy does by having his hands covering his eyes.
Akeno stands up hearing the giant stumping towards them, she turns facing the large monster with her kind expression turned harden and serious. The giant stop in front of Akeno glaring down at her with its red eyes "Madam watch out!" Fradis warn rushing toward the two seeing the giant pulling its right hand back ready to smash it down.
The giant gives out a mighty roar and send its fists down, what happens next shock the guards when Akeno lift her right hand up stopping the giants hand with ease "Uha!" the giant eyes widen itself in confusion while Akeno eyes flash yellow "Ufufuf… it's unfortunate for you that I'm your enemy" she states with a sadistic smirk spreading around her face as she lifts her other hand up, aiming it at the giant's chest "Say goodnight beast" Akeno utters then fires a wide range lighting blast to the giant's chest completely obliterating it, leaving a large size gap where it's chest and heart used to be.
The giant stumbles backwards before collapsing to the ground dead. Akeno lower her arms and turn around to see the boy opening his eyes and look at the fallen giant in shock before turning back to her "Ouf!" Akeno is send back a bit when the boy slams into her hugging her tightly around the waist "Thank you Miss!" he cries out in gratitude making the raven haired smile and softly ruffles the boy's dark hair "It's ok, I'm just glad I was at the right place in the right time to save you".
"Madam" Akeno look up seeing the two guards waiting patiently "We thanks for your help, but I think it's time for the boy to head back to his mother" Fradis said making the boy turn to him "Mama?" he asks making the man smile "Yes young lad, your mother is waiting for your return desperately".
The boy turns back to Akeno seeing her smile down at him "It's time for you to return back to your mother young one" she kneel down and ruffles his hair "O-ok" he said with slight hesitation and pouts making the three chuckle. Bran picks the boy up and make way to his house while Fradis stop in front of Akeno and place the right hand on his chest "I wanted to say thank you again, if it wasn't for your timely aid, I would be afraid to think what would happened".
Akeno shake her head "It's fine, I couldn't stand around seeing what was happening… it would be terrible to the mother if she lost her son" she said with slight coldness. Fradis nod "Mind if I ask who you are?" he question not being able to keep the question down, Akeno chuckles "Sorry, but I prefer keeping my identity a secret for now… just think I'm some girl passing by" "A very powerful and mysterious girl" Fradis add with a smile before turning around and make way to the two "Safe travel's" he said one last time before leaving.
Akeno sees the boy waving at her before the horse whisk them away, she lifts her hands and waves farewell as they ride down the hill. "Huh" Akeno sighs glancing back at the dead giant and quickly notice something strange "Is that a wound?" she looks at its left leg to see at the back of it, there's a big portion of a skin and muscle had been chewed off "Hmm" she glances at the other leg to see the slash wound the knight made.
"It looks like this leg was bitten off by another creature" Akeno examines the gruesome wound "The giant must have been in a lot of pain… now that I think about it, it did move very wobbly and was barely able to stand straight". "The creature that attacked it much have a large mouth and sharp teeth to ripped a giant thick skin off like that" the Himejima stands up and dust her tight black jeans.
Akeno reach down the pocket in her jeans to pull out a smartphone "Might as well take a picture of it" she snaps a few pictures of the giant's half bitten leg "This could prove useful, if it's the nightwalker doings".
Warehouse
"Harh… harh… s-satan's" Rias hurls before quickly retreating away from the barrel and falls to the ground holding her mouth trying to stop herself from vomiting. After a few minutes Rias takes a deep breath and stands up "I'm going to find you Kaz… and when I do, I will kill you slowly" she mutters with venom filling her tone as she walks back to the barrels and looks inside it while holding her breath.
The barrel holds gallons of blood with severed heads and other body parts floating in the surface "Oh no…" Rias eyes tears up a bit seeing a young-looking arm floating in there "That bastard" she silently curse wiping the tears away from her eyes.
Rias picks up the crowbar and stump toward the next barrel, with anger fueling inside her she opens the barrel in full strength causing the top to fly off "Garh!" she clenches her teeth and hands causing the crowbar to snap as she looks inside the barrel to see even more blood and decompose body parts, this time a young ladies head float up staring at Rias with her dead misty white eyes.
Rias eyes glow crimson showing clear rage "You" she calls out quietly aiming at one of the henchman who was trying to slip out "Gah!" he screams when Rias in a blink of an eye appear in front of him, grabbing him by the neck and slams him through the warehouse wall and into the outside concrete wall probably breaking his back.
"I'll say this one's and you will answer truthfully… I'm in no mood of bullshits" Rias state darkly as the man looks down at her with absolute fear "Where is Kaz" she asks with each word being said slowly and clearly. "H-he was planning on delivering the order" the man answers quickly to only gag when Rias tighten her grip on his neck "Fool! You don't think I know that, TELL ME THE DELIVERY LOCATION!"
"AHHH, OK, ok! It's at the Leycon hill! Around there are some ancient looking buildings, that's where they will meet at around midnight!" he screams in terror making Rias loosen her grip "The meeting isn't happening now?!" "N-no and I don't know where he is now since Kaz has hideout all over Shigemi since he has good connection with the underworld gangs!".
Rias lower the man to his feet though keep a tight hold on his neck "P-please d-don't kill me!" he starts begging with tears falling freely down his eyes "Tell me… do you know what was inside those barrels from the beginning… don't lie, it will only make things worse" Rias state still glaring at the man with her crimson eyes.
"N-no! I don't know what's inside those barrels, I was simply to deliver the barrels that's it!" the henchmen reply in all honesty. Rias listen to the man words carefully trying to spot a hint of lie "I see… You're telling the truth" "Y-yes… I never wanted to work for Kaz, but my family needed money!".
Rias click her teeth and closes her eyes to only see those horrible images of what's inside those barrels, "N-no, no, please!" the man scream in fear seeing the Gremory eyes reopen showing it glowing bloody crimson. Rias lift her right hand up making the man close his eyes accepting his end "Clak!".
"….. Harh!" the man open his eyes and quickly glance at the right side to see a large hole shown on the concrete wall "You're lucky it was me who discovered this… if it was someone else from my group, you would be killed on the spot before getting the chance to say anything" Rias let go of the man making him fall on his behinds as he looks up at her in shock.
Rias rub her eyes and reopen them showing it turning back to the shiny greenish blue color "Get out of my sight… don't make me see you doing these kinds of things again, get a real job to support your family and not this because if I see you in this kind of act again, I'll end you" "Y-yes, I will take your word to heart and do the right way to support my family" the man stands up and bow to the Gremory "Thank you for your kind forgiving heart madam" with that said the man runs out of the alley to probably return home.
After seeing the man disappear, Rias looks down at her shaken hands and clench them 'I almost killed him' she clenches her teeth 'When was I ever this menacing?... have I change that much over the past months?'. Rias leans on the wall and looks up the sky 'I need to stay strong for my team and be the one to help guide them through this tough and ominous time'.
Rias stand back up and look inside the warehouse or more specifically the dozens of barrels "… I need Emyr's help for this".
Sami's Barber
Elise and Issei enter the quiet barber store with only few customers taken sit to get their hairs cuts "Oh Elise, what can I do for you" "Ah, Yen you mind fetching your father for me?" Elise turn to the young brown haired girl who is seated behind the counter "Sure, just give me a moment" she walks to the backdoor where only employees can enter.
"That girl is Sami's daughter?" Issei ask taking a seat on the waiting bench while Elise remain standing "Yep, she would help her father around the place from time to time" "I see". "How often do you come here?" Issei ask deciding to start a conversation "Hmm, twice a week or so, sometime I come here just to chat with Sami's family since I'm very close to them… they are one of the few people I can freely talk with" she said with a slight sad tone which the Hyoudou catch and was about to ask when a loud clearly joyful voice interrupts them.
"Elise my girl! How have you been?!" a handsome middle age man walks toward them and hug the princess who grins returning it "Good to see you again Sami". Issei look at the black haired individual and smile "Nice to meet you sir Sami" he greets making the barber turn to him after releasing Elise "Pleasure is mine boy, so you are Elise new friend I see" he said with a giant smile "Y-yeah" Issei reply without thinking though his answer made the princess smile a bit.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure of you two visiting us?" he asks making Issei turn serious "If you don't mind can we speak to you in a more private area?" Sami raise an eyebrow at the request before shrugging it off "Sure, we can talk in the back, follow me please" he turns and enter the private room which leads to the kitchen where Yen is currently preparing tea for them.
"You here about Ben, right?" Sami ask turning serious while taking a seat down at the kitchen table with Issei and Elise sited on the other side "Yes" Issei reply with a nod. "Sorry to bring this up Sami, I know it must be hard knowing how close you two are, but the information you give us could help find the nightwalker" Elise said already being filled in by Issei on the way here.
Sami looks down at his hand and clench it "Father" Yen place the cups of tea down on the table then place her right hand on his shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze. Sami takes a deep breath and turn to the two "What do you want to know?" he asks looking directly at Issei "Did you notice anything weird about him when he last visited here?" the Hyoudou question.
Sami close his eyes remember back "No, he was acting as his normal self… happy, free spirit, down to earth guy" he responds with a slight smile. "Did Ben told you where he was off to before leaving here Sami?" Elise picks up "Yeah, he told me he was going to go get his new shoes polished, don't know what he would do afterwards though".
Elise bite her lips a bit worried "There's lots of local shoe polish here… please tell me you know which one he goes to" Sami chuckle "Calm down Elise, I know which one he goes to… it's the one where we usually meet up and chat while getting our shoes polish" he adds making the princess sighs in relief "Glad to hear that… huh last thing I need is walking around the lower city to find the right shoe polish store".
Sami smile and hand over a small note to the two "This will give you the location of the shoe polish, the one we go to is different from others and it's run by a young charming boy" he informs as Issei picks up the paper seeing a small pencil written map "Thank you" the Hyoudou reply with gratitude, giving the older man a smile "I promise you like I did to Ben's wife, that I will find the nightwalker and stop it!" he said with full determination surprising Sami, Yen, and Elise who turns to the side looking at him with interest 'Hmm'.
"Mother will be very happy to hear that" Yen comment with a smile "I'm glad to hear that boy, though do be careful it would sadden me to hear a nice young man like yourself falling in the same way as my friend" Sami said making Issei nod "Don't worry I'm with people who are no push over… I believe all of us together along with Elise will be able to take down the nightwalker!" he exclaims.
Elise smile at Issei before turning to the shop owner "Well old man, we should start moving before it gets dark, thanks for cooperating" "Gah, girl you know I would do anything for you" Sami ruffles the brown haired head making her groan while he grins "Now go out there with the boy and find this nightwalker" "Please be careful you two, we will pray for your safety" Yen said holding her hands together.
Shigemi: Urlom Village
"Crak!" a window glass shatters from a tavern "Arg!" a man scream being send to the ground as dozens of sharp glasses falls around him. The middle-aged man gets up quickly and start bolting to the village gates "Where do you think you're going?" "AHHH" the man scream in surprise seeing the Makasha leaning beside the wooden fence "We aren't done yet" he comments not pleased at the man's action.
"H-how!" the gray haired mutter in fear while slowly backing away "Y-you were just in the tavern!" "Hehe, my master is very fast" a giggling voice reply from behind making the man turn to see Hana standing right behind him grinning playfully. "Hana" Nawin said making the green haired nod "Ah!" the man scream in panic being pick up by the collar "Stay still, we aren't going to hurt you unless you cooperate" Hana respond holding the man with her right hand.
Nawin uncross his hands and stand up to turn his attention fully at the man hanging in front of him "Now tell me did the nightwalker came by this village?" he asks "N-no" the man answer hesitantly. "Huh" Nawin sighs while Hana quickly turn annoyed "Don't lie to me" the Makasha comment reopening his eyes showing it flashing red causing the man to shiver sensing dark power running in them.
Nawin lift his right hand up showing the moonstone ring "You know what this ring is right?" he questions causing the man to nod "Then tell me… why aren't you cooperating with us?" he ask "We are trying to solve your nightwalker problem here, so a bit of help would be nice!" Hana adds.
"T-they would kill me!" the man exclaims catching the two attention "They?" Nawin repeats causing the man to nod clearly terrified. Hana looks around to see people start staring at the scene with curious and caution "What do you mean they? Answer him!" Hana orders shaking the man lightly.
"N-no I will die!" the man respond back making Nawin even more determine to get the information out of him "I need you to tell me about the nightwalker" the Makasha state with order in his tone "You saw it didn't you! The guards here said you witness the beast a few nights ago, but you refused to tell them the details" Nawin cross his arms sending a dark glare at the frighten man "I'm not so soft hearted as them, so I'll say it once more… tell me what did you see or I will be force to used more drastic measure".
"O-ok… Ok!" the man yell giving in "I'll tell you" Hana lower the man to his feet though keeps a firm hold around his collar shirt. Nawin nods "Good, now speak" "I-it was late at night… almost midnight when I left the bar and ready to head home" the man takes a deep breath trying to calm his nerve "Then when half way to my house I heard loud footsteps, the ground shock a bit at each step and it was coming closer to me. I-I turned and saw a he-".
"Poush!" "Ugh!" Nawin and Hana eyes widen when the man's head suddenly explode in a shower of blood "Urg!" Hana toss the body away and wipe the blood from her eyes while Nawin just stare at the corpse in utter shock. The civilian scream at the sudden death causing the guards to run toward the two "What happened here!" one of them ask the Makasha.
Nawin glance at the two guard "Nightwalker…" he mutter simply before turning around and leaves the village. "Wait!" the guard was about to give chase, but Hana stop them by raising her hand "The man was cursed… it seems like someone placed it on him to stop him from talking about the nightwalker" she explains then turns around to follow up with her master "I suggest you get rid of the body, somewhere far away from the village" she advise then leaves the shocked guards and villagers.
"Master wait!" Hana call out seeing Nawin speeding through tree branches "W-where are we heading?" she asks when able to catch up with him "To a witch" he replies shocking her "W-what! Are you sure Master?!" Hana ask worrying for their safety.
Nawin didn't glance back and continue forward "How are we even going to find one in Shigemi?" Hana ask "We are going to the outer borders of Shigemi… look for a large swamp and there's sure to be one resting there" "Master, a retired witch means a very powerful and knowledgeable witch… it will be risky for even you to meet them" Hana respond.
Nawin sighs and glance back at the hydra "Then you tell me what else can we do?" he asks causing Hana to be silent for a minute "Exactly… that patch of fur we picked up is the only key and the magic from a witch can help us locate or at least get us a lead to the nightwalker location".
"What about a Sorcerer or even Sorceresses!" Hana suggest only to be shot down when the Makasha shake his head "I don't know how to find the mages…. They are rare and very well hidden, so enough complaining Hana. We are going to need witches help" Nawin state as final making the hydra sigh and nod 'I guess the only thing I can do now is protecting him, in case the witch we meet is not willing to help'.
Lilios: Lower city
"So this place is just called the lower city?" Issei ask walking beside Elise who nod "A little harsh don't you think?" he said "Huh, believe me the lower city is a better name since one of the royal family once suggested naming it the city of peasant" she inform making Issei turn to her shock "Whao, that's just evil!" "No kidding, my mother also thought the same thing and suggested the name lower city to satisfied everyone" "I see… your mother is very kind" "Mhm".
"He should be right here on the right" Elise inform looking at the map "Oh there it is, near the straits" Issei points at the two shoeshines stand that is placed underneath a blanket roof. "It's near an Inn, huh smart place to build a shoe polish place" Elise said taking a seat on the chair.
Issei look around the small spacious area "Not a bad spot either and at the end there's a stair leading to a small stream from the looks of it" he said leaning on the wooden fence staring at the crystal-clear water stream "This place beauty still amazes me" he mutters though Elise still hear it and chuckle in amusement.
"A customer!" an exciting voice shouts making the two turn to see a boy jumping down from the Inn's roof and lands on the ground safely holding a big grin on his face "Whao he's young" Issei blurt out in shock looking at the boy's small appearance 'he has to be between ten or twelve years old!'.
"I may be young, but I'm more than capable of taking care of meself!" the boy retorts in a weird accent "It's not unusual to have a young fellow like him doing these kind of work Issei, some of them have to support their family somehow" Elise inform making the brown-haired nod "I see".
"Well then, stop standing there and take a seat sir!" the boy said pushing Issei toward the chair next to Elise "Um, ok" the Hyoudou takes a seat and place his feet down at the bottom stall. "Oh, miss your shoe is spotless!" the boy said looking down at Elise shiny leg plate armor that reaches all the way to her feet "Hehe, my maid polish them every morning, so please move on to my companion" she said making the boy nod.
"Wow, your shoe is dirty sir!" the boy exclaims seeing the Hyoudou boots is covered in some sand and dirt "Hehehe" Elise giggle making Issei blush "H-hey I walked through wet sand and some dirty alleyway earlier" he quickly interjects.
The boy begins scrubbing the Hyoudou shoes "While you are cleaning his shoes, you mind answering some question from us?" Elise ask making the boy stop for a few second before resuming his work "Depends on the question miss". "I see… well then let me begin with asking you this, do you know a person name Ben Vaminos?".
"Ben? Did something happened to him" the boy asks turning to Elise with curious running through his brown eyes "He would usually come here at least once a day to get his shoe polish… he's been absent for two days now" "Sadly he passed away" Elise respond shocking the boy "I-I see… bless him, he was a kind gentleman… we always have good conversations when he's here" the boy said with slight sadness in his tone.
"You two must be close" Issei said to the boy "Not really… he's just a good customer and was easy to chat with, that's all" "Well, we need your help to find the creature that killed him" Elise continues making the boy turn to her "A creature?" "Nightwalker" "Oh, I see". "So will you help us kid?" Issei ask as the boy move to his next shoes "I'll have to charge you for information's" the boy reply.
Elise sighs expecting this "I guess people don't only come here to get their shoes polished huh?" "Ahaha, most do though some can get valuable information for a certain price" the boy respond with a grin 'Sneaky kid'. "Huh, I thought you would be helping us willingly… how much are you thinking?" Issei ask "Four hundred gold" "What!".
"That's way too much!" the Hyoudou exclaims "You won't have to pay for the shoe polish" the kid adds in with a grin. Elise raise an eyebrow "How about three hundred, four hundred is a bit much" she tries to negotiate "Hmm… ok, three hundred it's a deal" the boy brings his free hand up and shakes it with Elise.
Elise pulls out a pouch of gold and throws it to the ground next to the boy "Three hundred gold coins in there, it's your lucky day kid" she said knowing that kind of money is worth immensely for the peasants compare to the higher-class nobles 'After all… I was once a peasant'.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" the boy said happily taking the pouch and stuff it in his trousers pocket "Ready to answer our questions?" Issei ask receiving a confirm nod from the kid "Ask away!".
"When Ben was last here, did you notice anything different from him?" Elise ask making the boy think for a minute "No, not really… he was his usual self, always the happy and high spirit mood chap" "Anything interesting he bring up while talking with you?" Issei joins in "Well, he was rambling on about an anniversary he was planning for his wife, that was pretty much our whole conversation".
Issei clench the chair tightly with his hands when hearing that 'I promise you Ben that I will stop this beast for you and your family'. Elise eyes sadden for the man, but knows the best thing they can do for him now is to find the nightwalker and slay it "I see, please tell me you know where he was planning to go after finishing up here?" she asks praying for the boy to know something that will help them.
"Oh, he said he was heading to the Bargoed river to catch some fish for his family" the boy answers catching the twos attention immediately "Elise" Issei said making her nod "Yeah… it's possible for his body to float all the way down to the fish town, it's connected by a long stream reaching all the way to the skard ocean that surrounds the front of Shigemi".
Issei nod and turns to the boy seeing him done with his shoes which is now shining clean "Thanks for the lead kid and the shoe!" he said with a grin before getting up "We should move immediately Elise" "Yeah, it's almost dusk so we should get moving and thanks little guy" she smile and ruffles the boy making him grin with a small blush spreading on his cheeks "Take care of yourselves" he waves farewell as the two jump up the roof of the inn and turn to the boy giving him a nod then speeds off.
Abandoned Swarm
"Do not enter" Hana reads out the old sign that's stump to the ground "We are at the right place" Nawin state looking at the dirty ponds and disgusting, dirt mud ground, green mist surrounds some part of the area and it seems to be pouring out from the holes on the ground. "Master, the sun is going to fall soon… are you sure it's wise to go hunt for a witch now?" Hana ask looking at the orange light shining through the silver leaf trees that surrounds the swarm.
"Perfect, when it's night my power truly awakens, so if the witch causes trouble I won't have any problem dealing with it" Nawin respond simply then kick's the wooden gate down that was preventing them from entering the murky swarm.
"Uh, wondering around the swarm when I'm wearing my beautiful kimono" Hana groans making Nawin turn to her "You won't have to worry about wondering around" he states causing the hydra to look at him with skeptical which slowly turn to intrigue when the Makasha kneel his right knee down and slams his hand to the ground.
"There's one magic signature right at the center of the swarm… at least three hundred meters forward from here" Nawin snap his eyes open and stands back up while Hana look at him surprise "How did you do that!?" "Luckily for us these tall old trees create lots of shadows around this swarm and where there's shadow I can use it to my advantages in numerous ways and one of them include tracking a magic signature or life form that are surrounded in shadows".
Hana whistles in impress after hearing the black haired explanation "You are just full of surprises Master" "Mhm" Nawin suddenly picks up Hana in bridal style making her squeak "Ah, what are you doing?!" Nawin begin entering the swarm and slowly levitate up from the muddy ground by a few meters "Oh" he looks down at the slight blush hydra with amusement "You want me to put you down then?" he ask making Hana look down at the murky pond making her quickly shake her head "Nope! I'm good here" she replies quick and cross her arms getting comfortable making the Makasha shake his head and smile.
Nawin looks up and his eyes sharpen sensing lots of different life form slithering around the swarm and under the ponds 'Hmm… lots of creatures loom around here' "Hana be on guard and use your fire when I say so" he command making the hydra nod. "Ga… ga… gah" Nawin eyes snap to the far right to see a disgusting dwarf size creature with green skin, white dead eyes, sharp rotten teeth, and a long tongue peaking its long black haired head out from the trees looking at them.
"An old godun is looming around here" Nawin state making Hana sniff the air "Urg" her expression turn into disgust "Yeah, that vile stench gives it away" "Hmm, well they are afraid of fire, so we won't have to worry much except for its poisonous spit".
'Not such a wise idea entering this swarm so mindlessly kid… these creatures can still give you challenge' Tairex speak up clearly sounding bored 'I like to get this over before night arrives, so there's no time for being discreet' 'A wise decision, the night will be the most likely time the nightwalker will show up… from what we seen so far this creature doesn't like the light so it's possible for us to presume at the day it's likely resting in its hideout' Sairex comment 'Always having to be a smartass don't you Sairex' 'I have to since you're the reckless one here brother' 'Grr'.
Nawin takes a right turn to walk past a large tree "Master!" Hana shouts when a human size creature with cold blue skin, eyes like a fish, fin's like a hand, and sharp teeth's, jumps up from the muddy water with its mouth wide open intending to bite the Makasha legs "Calm down Hana" a sparking shadow form beneath Nawin creating a sword which shoot down piercing right through the creature mouth going all the way down through its rectum killing it instantly.
Hana watches as the creature splash back down into the muddy water making black blood spread on the surface "Drowners" she mutters with distaste "There's sure to be more of them" Nawin state continuing onwards.
Division Five's Barracks: Emyr's Office
"I see… I'll send my men to the warehouse and get rid of those barrels and take in the men's that were involve" Emyr said after hearing the Gremory explained what she saw at the warehouse. Rias who's sited in front of his desk resting her forehead on her hands before looking up at the captain "I need your help to find this Leycon hill, the meeting is happening around midnight…I'm going to find Kaz and bring him into custody" she said turning serious.
Emyr rest his chin on the top of his hand looking at the Gremory with a calm expression "You do know he will be sentence to torture if you bring him alive, right?" "Good… that kind of man doesn't deserve a quick painless death, let him suffer" Rias respond with venom.
"Honestly I'm surprise to hear that from you" Emyr reply honestly making Rias look down at her clenching hands "… If you saw what I saw inside those barrels, then you would feel the same way" she looks up staring at Emyr pale blue eyes "I'm not going to stop, until I find the bastard and make him pay… also the person he's delivering to is connected to the nightwalker in some way".
Rias shake her head and takes a deep breath returning to her soft, calm behavior "The night is coming soon, so please tell me where's this Leycon hill, so I can be on my way and plan an ambush ahead" she said making Emyr leans back to open a drawer from his desk "I'm afraid to say that it may be harder than you would think of getting there" he states pulling out an old looking map and throws it to the Gremory who catches it.
Rias slid the map open and examines it "It's at the upper north… what it can't be that far!" her eyes widen in shock and grips the map tightly "It's quite the distances, but you should be able to make it in time if you go full gallop on a horse" Emyr respond while taking a sip of a hot cup of tea. Rias bite her lower lips "If Nawin was here… he would be able to get me there at half a time then in a horse" she said catching Emyr's attention.
"Can he now?" the captain asks in curious, but also intrigue making Rias nod as she close the scroll and turn to the pale blue haired "Yes, he has a technique that allows him to teleport to places in an instantaneous speed, with that I should be able to get there in minutes" she explains "But, he's currently out of Shigemi borders, so I can't reach him in time or even know where to begin to look".
Emyr clearly seeing the frustration building up on the Gremory decided to voice his opinion "There's not much we can do at this point, but to ride our horses there" Rias perk up "Us?... you coming too Sir Emyr" "Yes, I will accompany you there… I think it's best since we don't know much about this person Kaz is delivering to, so I don't think it's wise on you going alone".
Rias nod in agreement hearing the captain explanation "Yeah, better safe than sorry and I don't mind having a backup" Emyr smile and gets up "Shall we make haste?" Rias stands up and nod "Yes, if we move now, we should be able to get there in time".
Bargoed Riverbank
"It's almost turning night" Issei said with slight nervous seeing the half-lit sun slowly descending from the far distant hills. Elise pets the Hyoudou by his shoulder for comfort "Don't worry Issei, let's just search around here for a bit then we can return to Lilios" she said with a soothing tone calming down the booster gear user a bit.
Elise walks around the grass field while Issei jumps down to the bank of the river "Oh fantastic when I just gotten my shoes polished… Hey don't want to get your shinny boots dirty huh?" the Hyoudou make a joke causing the princess giggle softly while looking around "You can say that, it's a hassle getting sand out of these".
Issei smile before turning serious and start scanning the area "Hmm nothing so far" he mutters and keep searching forward, until something stop him on his track "Woaw…. Uhhh Elise I may have stumble upon something" he calls out "Yeah… I also found something interesting".
Issei stare at the large footprint in shock while Elise eyes narrow at the giant claw marks made from one of the large tree trunk "This nightwalker must be huge" she mutters placing her hand on the claw marks and it just barely fit "Goodness…. Its claw alone is almost the size of my hand" Elise whisper in shock.
Issei place his foot at the center of the nightwalker's footprint "Oh we're so doomed" he mutters with a hint of fear seeing footprint is probably seven times the size of his feet. "The nightwalker size may match around the giants!" Elise inform out loud "You think it will be as tall as a giant?!" Issei shouts back "I don't think so, the nightwalker is a very fast beast from what the reports said. Hmm no let's not say giants they're a bad example, it's more close to a griffin size and length!".
Elise close her eyes and think for a minute before turning to the Hyoudou "Issei how many footprints those the nightwalker make with each step?" "Umm, two" "I see, so it can walk on two legs". Issei scratch his head "Wait… where's the blood? There should be a sign showing that the nightwalker killed Ben here" he points out making Elise nod in agreement "Yeah, we should keep looking".
After a few minutes of searching Elise pause when a stench of blood hits her sense "Of course it would be here" she looks at the small dock build beside the bank of the river. "Issei I found it" Elise calls out making the Hyoudou run towards her "Oh god" Issei use his hand to block his noise from the awful smell as he stops beside the princess to see dry blood sprayed around the dock's wooden floor.
"The nightwalker must have gotten him from behind when he was about to enter the boat" Elise concludes seeing the boat still floating on the water with a rope keeping it at bay "Huh… Ben was just at the wrong place at the wrong time" Issei respond with a sighs making the princess nod "Yeah, from what I saw of the body, the nightwalker didn't feast on it instead just killed and mutilate him" Elise rub her forehead and stare at the river "After doing that, the nightwalker must have tossed the body parts down the river causing the current to carries it all the way down to the fish town".
Elise looks up seeing the sun is about to set "We should head back Issei" she said with slight anxious in her tone making the Hyoudou turn to her "Something wrong?" "… Just getting the feeling that tonight is going to be… dangerous". Elise walks out of the dock where Sable is waiting "Gotta get home fast girl" she pats the horse making it purr before she gets up on the saddle.
Issei walk back "Hmm" he looks at the dark forest and keeps starting at it feeling something ion there "Ahh!" Elise looks seeing Issei fallen to the ground with shock and fear shown in his face "What's wrong?" "E-elise behind you!" the brown haired turn and immediately her expression change into full alert when she is met with dozen of glowing red eyes staring back at her.
Elise turn quickly turn to Issei "MOVE IT!" the Hyoudou gets up and rush toward the horse then jumps on the saddle "Sable gets us out of here now!" Elise command making the horse immediately sprint away.
Issei looks back and his heart froze seeing a group of rotten corpses walking out of the shadows with some of them even crawling from the absent of their legs "W-what is that!" he shouts. Elise didn't look back as cold sweat roll down her forehead "Shigemi may be beautiful in the day… But at night it turns into something else".
Next Chapter: Nightwalker Strikes