Chapter 4: A Meal and A Show
While Takenaga, Ranmaru and Yuki had already run off to the Dark Princess's castle by midmorning, Kyohei alone stayed behind. Currently, he is in the tavern, enjoying lunch. There's no way he's missing a perfectly good meal just because of some brawl that may or may not be going down at the Castle. It's not free, or even all that cheap, but food is food. Kyohei never passes up food. He complains about the taste, and the pricing, but still eats. Everyone in the tavern openly ignores his grumbling.
The other three had not been pleased, arguing that he should join them, but to hell with their whacked out moral compasses. Why should Kyohei risk his life for the Dark Princess? She was annoying and mean and scary. She always yelled and beat him for doing practically nothing wrong. The one who will need help in this battle is that monk and his stupid buddies. The woman could curdle dairy with her stare alone.
There's no reason to rush to help someone who doesn't need to be saved.
Kyohei finishes another serving of what he assumes to be meat and potatoes. The potatoes are a bit chunky, and a little dry. The meat is tough to cut, not because it is thick, but because of how under-tenderized it is. He doesn't know where the meat came from, and is a little afraid to ask. Somethings are better left to the unknown. Instead, he demands another serving from the barkeep.
"You gonna pay fer tha' food?" The barkeep grumbles, eyebrow raised. "Tha' is yer third helpin, and I ain' seen no gold yet." He clips the last letter hard on his tongue, lazy façade dropping to shoot Kyohei a displeased look.
The rogue flinches back, hand dropping to hid with the other under the bar. "Of course; I'm going to pay," Kyohei insists, but he's not meeting the other's eyes. Instead he's looking just the left, over the barkeep's shoulder. It's easy to do with his hood up over most of his face. His eyes train on the cheap whisky and rum bottles. "It's just, that." He stops because the barkeep has moved closer into his personal space.
"Just. What," the barkeep enunciates back. The slur of his accented tongue is long gone.
Kyohei leans back. "Just that my friends have the money."
There is silence, not just from the barkeep, but from the entire tavern. There are not that many patrons there for lunch, but the handful that are there are all watching Kyohei. He can feel the eyes on him. The barkeep leans away from the bar, and that grabs the rogue's attention far too easily.
"No money," the barkeep surmises. It's not a question. It doesn't need to be.
There is scrapping from behind Kyohei, and he risks a glance. The other patrons are standing up and coming to circle around the end of the bar he is at. They are all rather big, all adventurers of their own right, and all do not look pleased.
"Hey now," Kyohei starts. He shifts to face more of the coming crowd, but his eyes stray to the barkeep. "This is hardly something for all of you to get upset about. What's the deal—Hey," Kyohei is forced to stand up from the stool as the others crowd closer. "Okay, seriously. Back off," he threatens, eyes scanning the others. "I'm gonna pay, so back off before you do something I won't like."
"There's a way thin's are done around here, pre'ey boy," the barkeep starts up. Kyohei shoots the other his harshest glare, but the older man keeps going. "You pay, one way 'er nother. May'e thin's are diffren' in yer ci'ey, bu' round here, we own up."
The rogue scoffs. "Like I'm afraid of your threats. And don't act like I don't know the rules." He raises a fist. "I said I'd pay you when they get back." His other hand comes up to crack the knuckle of the first. "But, whatever beef you guys have, bring it."
Those surrounding Kyohei take the invitation, hands raising to grab at the penniless rouge. However, he's too fast; in the small space Kyohei still manages to dodge out of the way and up onto the worn wood counter. He shuffles back down the long counter to the opposite end of the bar. The angry patrons follow, some with their hands out to try at grabbing him and others trying to throw bottles and knives at him. It's easy for Kyohei to dodge them, even as he's making his getaway. He gets all the way to bar's exit, turns, and grins at his pursuers.
"See if I ever come to your bar again," Kyohei taunts. He sticks his tongue out for one final measure before darting out of the tavern. He can still hear heavy boots slamming hard wood floors behind him, so the rogue barrels his way through the attached hotel and escapes out into the small town. Kyohei doesn't stop, feet following their own path without him thinking. He doesn't stop until he sees the familiar stone walls.
He hadn't meant to come to the Dark Princess's castle; it must be out of habit. Kyohei slows his gait as he nears, eyes drawn to the burning doors. He stops to the side of them, not risking being seen by whatever made that mess. The rogue kneels, inches his way just enough to try and perceive beyond the open and smoking doorway. He see's nothing, but can hear the sounds of metal clashing and feet hitting the ground. He doesn't see the point in trying to further this approach. No, he'll take a secret entrance. As a rogue, he can't help but prefer those. Plus, only a fool would jump into the middle of whatever was happening over there.
Kyohei backs away, following the stones beside him until there is a small notch in between two blocks. He then takes out one of his small blades and shoves it into the dent. He wiggles the handle a bit, and the blocks shake. He puts more effort into the motions of his hand. The blocks respond with their own vibrations. Kyohei keeps it up until the dent is now a large opening from the two blocks wedging apart. Their positions make it easier for Kyohei to just grab each and pull them out of the wall. With the blocks gone, the rogue can actually squeeze himself right through. It takes some weapon adjusting— he throws a couple through the space first just for simplicity— but Kyohei makes his way to the other side of the wall in less than a minute.
After weeks of this, it's no problem. Practice made perfect, after all.
The rogue moves low and cautious of his surroundings. He's in the back corner of the front courtyard, by some wilting bushes. The noises are even louder than before, and there are more sounds that seem like grunts and yelling. Kyohei moves closer, taking a path hidden by dying vegetation and the broken statues. At this point, everything is on fire or blown up or smashed. Not that the courtyard was ever a beautiful setting before today.
As he approaches the battlefield, Kyohei begins to recognize a few of the battle figures. First is the monk from the tavern. And now there's two others, though he doesn't know who the hell they are. One is obviously a knight, but he can't tell if the other is also a rogue or a mage or a mummy. Seriously, what is with that outfit?
He also notices the Dark Princess. She's not dressed normally. Except for the helmet. Always with the helmet. The difference for today's attire is that she's wearing a bigger, bulkier armor set. The battle axe in her hands is huge and awesome.
Kyohei finds a nice perch for watching the fight; it's a safe enough distance away that he won't be noticed, but close enough to still see most of the destroyed courtyard. He gets comfortable, because he's here and might as well enjoy the show. Plus, he wouldn't mind seeing that monk get his ass handed to him.
He watches the Dark Princess jump around the burning courtyard; her figure is nimble and her feet are sure. She's wearing such bulky armor, yet she's not hindered by it. Her body dances around her attackers with an ease he can't help but find frightening. She clearly strong, clearly capable, and Kyohei cannot look away as she shatters the biggest shield he has ever seen with a few swings of her battle axe.
The knight staggers for only a moment, but the Dark Princess doesn't hesitate to take it. She jumps forward, axe already in mid-swing. The knight can't block or defend himself, Kyohei knows. He's not sure why it's there, but he can't help the excited feeling of knowing the knight is about to lose.
Except, there is a flash of smoke between her and her opponent; the monk uses it to attack the Dark Princess's blind state. He kicks her out of the air, and she rolls a few feet away from the two teammates. The Dark Princess ends the roll back on her feet, axe still in hand. From this angle and distance, Kyohei cannot see her lips, or hear her words, but he doesn't need to with the amount of dark magic swirling around her form. The magic builds and focuses in form, pushing itself around her body.
Kyohei, himself, has never been one for magic. It always seemed too annoying to memorize the words and practice the incantations until perfect. Besides, why waste time and energy trying to ensure an uninterrupted spell, when a punch to the face was so much easier? Not to mention, it is a thousand times more satisfying.
That being said, he still knew enough of the basics to recognize magic at work. He had seen Takenaga, in both practice and performance, cast simple spells all the way to complex incantations. Kyohei knows the signs of magic in the air: the crisp taste of each breath, the tingle in every bone of his fingers, and the weight compressing down his spine. Kyohei knows what it all means. He even knows what the magic will look like, in most cases.
What he is seeing now seems beyond real magic. Magic, on its own, never takes a visible form. It can be used to form an element, or enhance a physical object, but nothing like this. The way the black mass moves and flows around the Dark Princess, the way it dances across her arms and down to the blade…
"Magic is like its own life," Takenaga had once lectured long ago. But, only now does Kyohei even begin to comprehend. He cannot look away.
The question, at this point, is what causes it. Is this the power of the Chosen Hero? Or is this the strength of the Dark Princess?
Kyohei snorts, eyes still drawn to the dark, menacing, feminine figure. It didn't really matter what she was called, he decided. Either was just a title. This power and skill and talent belongs to her alone. Kyohei didn't need to be a full-studied sorcerer of the high courts to tell that much. This battle is only going to end one way.
The magic finishes its trek to the battle axe, now raised high over one of the Dark Princess's shoulders. Seconds later, she swings it down with both hands, across her chest and finishing at her opposite side hip. She's nowhere near any of her opponents, but the magic leaps from her blade and crosses the distance like a black razor. In the seconds after her swing, the black magic hits both the monk and knight. It slices through them, cutting like an axe blade into the monk's chest and the knight's armor. Both cry out in pain and collapse. Blood pools around the bodies.
Kyohei stands from his spot. His eyes are wide as he stares at the two crumbled, moaning forms. He's shocked, but unsure why. He knew she was a killer from the stories; she had threatened him more than enough times as well. But, it never really fit her character to be a murder. She wasn't supposed to actually go that far. Sure, she and Kyohei were violent to each other, but he can't understand why she would attack two strangers like this. It should be enough to defeat them in combat, but not to kill them.
"Creature of Light!" Kyohei drags his eyes away to see the Dark Princess staring at him. He assumes she is, since her head is turned to look at him. She's still wearing that giant skull helmet, so Kyohei can't see any more than her mouth. It's hanging open. "Creature," she screeches again. "What are you doing here?"
Oops, spotted. Kyohei opts for the cute route. "Nothing," he tries with an innocent head scratch and grin. Her mouth closes and her lips tilt down. Time for plan B. "I came for the three idiots on my team."
The frown deepens on her lips. "They aren't here."
That can't be right. Did they get lost or something? No, Kyohei reasons, they probably chickened out after all. Figures that they would give him a huge speech on grandeur and "doing the right thing" and then not show up. Kyohei doesn't resist the scowl forming on his face.
Before either can continue, a chain whips through the air and wraps itself around Kyohei's form. His muscles tense, and the chain tightens to uncomfortable pressure that locks his arms to his sides and legs wedge at the knee. He blinks. Then the unidentified ninja-mage of the former trio is by his side. They kick him in the side, and Kyohei has no choice but to fall to the ground with a grunt. He narrowly avoids falling right on his nose.
"Surrender yourself to death," the third warrior demands, now standing above Kyohei's trapped form. "Or I will kill this man."
Kyohei freezes at the threat, but only for a heartbeat. After the shock, though, he starts wiggling like a desperate worm. There's no way he's playing the damsel in distress for this scenario. He tries to squeeze his arm up enough to reach a blade by his hip. Before he can though, there is another kick aimed to his back, forcing his stomach to hit the ground and the air to rush out of his lungs in a groan.
"I mean it," the mage says. They apply a pressure to his back with their foot, as if it helps. "I will kill this rogue of yours if you do not accept your demise."
There is a scoff, and then a laugh. It's a bit rough, as if hardly used, and Kyohei has to twist his head to confirm that it is indeed the Dark Princess cackling in a bizarre form of merriment.
He's shocked. And so is his captor. The mage sputters, hand rattling their end of the chain trap. "What is it?"
The Dark Princess shakes her head, and Kyohei thinks he sees a wide smile across her lips. "Of all the things to be your end, you are caught be a meager battle mage and chain? Ha—" She breaks off to snicker— "You look pathetic, Creature of Light. Squirming in their trap like the worthless pest you are."
Kyohei frowns. "You sick, twisted bitch," is all he can think to hiss in this situation. It stings because she's right; he was careless. However, she's wrong if she thinks this will be his last day. "Don't get so cocky," he says, eyes trained on the Dark Princess, who is still giggling. It's a strange sound and look with her all suited up for battle.
The mage seems to find this situation off-putting, and Kyohei uses the distraction to roll away from under the mage. He can only get so far, as the chain restricts his roll. The noise of metal rattling and his own determined grunts alert his captor of his plans. The chain tightens, and again, for the third time, Kyohei meets the other's boot in the most unpleasant way. He grunts, coughs a bit too, but he catches the eyes of the mage. Most of their face is hidden, but their eyes are wide and unseeing. Kyohei can't fight the show of teeth on his face. He can still hear the Dark Princess' cackles.
The mage growls. "Enough of this. Don't take me for a fool."
They then start chanting, and Kyohei wiggles like mad in return. He doesn't know what they are planning, but he can feel the pressure drop and his spine is tingling. He's got less than seconds. He gives a grunt, but the chain doesn't give. Kyohei looks up at his captor. He sees a blade coming for him. If asked in the afterlife, Kyohei will swear he didn't tear up in that moment.
And yet, in the next second, he see's pale skin framed by black hair. There are pink lips with a thin, dainty nose. And large, lavender eyes.
