It was midnight in Phantom's opera-house as the sealed coffin of the Warlock leader seeped black fumes from its seams, the engravings and runes on its surface glowing faintly with dormant energy. Raised up above the stage by ebony chains as the spotlights flickered weakly on the royal throne, the sounds of a violin echoed through the opera-house as floating musical instruments hovered through the air while played by an unknown source. The music flowed undeterred by any noise, but it was interrupted when the double-doors to the place opened with a loud metallic groan.
Clyde the Warlock, fully healed from the wounds he had received from Hideki, walked through the guarded doors with a satchel over his shoulder and a hand on his waist. Fixing his fedora, Clyde stepped down the decayed flight of stairs, snickering to himself as the steps creaked under his weight, "So, the Puerum Magi did manage to beat Zed. For a guy that could see the future, he was really blinded by that ego of his."
Phantom's voice blared through the black coffin, booming throughout the opera-house and echoing into the hallway that lead here. His tone sounded indifferent and lacked any sort of care nor worry, "His failure doesn't matter to me in the slightest. Zed was strong, but that pride of his was bound to kill him someday. He was careless, and he underestimated his enemy. But, even in death, has of use for me. Have you retrieved it, Clyde?"
"Picked it up from an alley. Wasn't easy finding it, but here it is," Clyde said, taking out Zed's hannya mask from the satchel and dusting the dirt off its surface, "His mask is still fresh with Obscurum energy. Here you go, Lord Phantom," throwing the mask high into the air, the black mist flowing out of Phantom's coffin then swirled together into the shape of clawed hand and caught the mask tossed at the coffin.
The sharp digits of the smoking hand held the mask high before crushing it and breaking into pieces, bits of Obscurum energy released from the mask as it was broken down like food being digested in a stomach. The manifested claw was dragged back into the black coffin with bits of the mask in its grip and Phantom let out a dark chuckle. The seams of his coffin glowed a light purple as Clyde tossed away the satchel into a corner and sat down on one of the empty chairs in the crowd, putting his feet on another one in front of him. He caressed the scar that now ran down his mask's surface.
"It will take more Warlock masks to fully restore my power. But time is on our side. With the barrier my coffin emits, the Puerum Magi will never find us until it is too late. More Warlocks will come, they will fight the Magi, and whether they win or lose, it serves me anyway. They will think they are winning when they begin to feel good about killing my servants, and that will make sending them into an abyss of despair all the more satisfying once my power comes back."
"When do Ares and I get a piece of the action?" Clyde groaned, the glowing eye slits and mouthpiece of his cracked mask forming a bored expression, "I still want to repay that brat for scarring my face. Goddamn punk. I heard he was the one that beat Zed, too. "
"Patience, Clyde," Phantom reassured him, "You and Ares are not expendable. I will only send you two if the circumstances demand that I do. In the meantime, let the other Warlocks do our job, observe their efforts and retrieve the masks of the dead like always."
Clyde tipped his fedora, a glowing smile appearing on the face that was his mask as he sighed and leaned back, "Alright. Fine. At least this will be fun to watch."
Then, Phantom's 2nd trustworthy subordinate, Ares, appeared at the entrance doorway. The metal suit of armor, possessed by the Warlock as blue and purple smoke billowed from its joints and visor slit, bowed down in respect after he entered. He spoke up in his usual disciplined and echoic voice as two cloaked figures followed him from behind and did the same respectful action, "My Lord, you have visitors."
The sun began to rise on a warm Sunday morning as the boys slept in the household of Tezuka Mamoru. The house was twice the size of most of the other houses in the neighborhood and servants inside began preparing breakfast and swept the falling leaves outside while the 4 boys continued sleeping. In Mamoru's room, the servants had given them futons on the night before to cover the wide floor and use it as one big bed. Lingering underneath scattered pillows and strewn blankets, Takuya muttered in his sleep, Mamoru was snoring, drool leaked from the corner of Hideki's mouth and Tateyama slept beside the memoir of his mother which had put him to sleep with its soft music.
Sanbey was peacefully curled up on a stray pillow, the black stripes on his body glowing and dimming down in rhythm with his breathing. On one side of the room, there was a large curtain that was closed, light peeking through the gaps of its blinds. Tateyama's cakes and Takuya's groceries was next to Mamoru's work table and the room's television was turned off.
A servant gently knocked on the door, "Young Master, breakfast is ready."
The first to raise his head from the soft futon and warm blankets was Takuya, medical wraps still on from yesterday's battle and his long hair all messed up. The brunette yawned and rubbed his eyes as his stomach grumbled at the mentioning of food. Beside him, Tateyama also slowly rose up from his sleep, his sharp ears somehow hearing the talk of food through the pillow he had buried his face under. The two looked back at their still-sleeping friends and a devious grin crossed Takuya's face.
Without saying anything at all, the two got up and stood at both ends of the large curtains in the room. Hands on the blinds, Takuya held back his laughter while Tateyama just yawned.
"Now!"
They pulled the curtain open and sunlight flowed into the room, bathing the two sleeping boys on the floor with light and abruptly waking them up. They were like Warlocks being exposed to their dreaded weakness as they squirmed on the floor.
"Oh, bloody Hell!"
"Shut the goddamn curtain!"
"Rise and shine!" Takuya exclaimed as he broke into laughter.
"Maybe waking them up with loud music would have been better," Tateyama pondered, looking thoughtful as the two down there continued to squirm.
Minutes later, after a lot of squirming and attempts to close the curtains again, Hideki rinsed his face with water as he stood in front of the bathroom sink in his shorts. Takuya was beside him, sharing the bathroom mirror to take off all the medical wraps around his body and dispose of them in the trash. Drying his face with a towel, Hideki looked aside and saw the brunette beside him looking fully recovered and smiling brightly.
"Whew! Good as new!" he stretched an arm and rubbed the places where he had been previously burnt by Zed's grenade. Their Puerum Magi's healing factor didn't even leave a scar.
Hideki clapped him on the shoulder and chuckled before they both picked up the combs on the sink to tidy their messy hair, "Feels good not having to wake up for school again. No way do I feel like studying after something like yesterday," he placed down the comb and opened up a bottle of hair gel to fix and style his dark blue hair into its usual position.
They headed back to the bedroom after brushing their teeth and the servants had already left their breakfast on a tray placed on top of a table beside the door. Tateyama was eating his breakfast as he checked up on the footage given by the surveillance bugs flying through the city, wiping the corners of his mouth with a golden handkerchief. At his work table where he did his woodcraft, Mamoru looked like he was drawing some sort of design concept while sharing his breakfast with Sanbey who sat on his shoulder and commented on his work.
Takuya's phone rang from underneath the blanket and the brunette picked it up to flip it open, "Mirai? Oh, yeah. I'm fine! You? That's great!," he went outside the room to continue the call in private while Hideki picked up his plate of breakfast and went up to Mamoru to see what he was doing.
"What're you working on there?" Hideki asked, leaning on the chair. He looked on the desktop and saw crude drawings and designs for a sort of weapon. A humanoid-shaped weapon. But since Mamoru was absolutely terrible at drawings, he could barely make them out and wondered if Tateyama should have done it instead, "That's not a Gundam, is it? Mazinger Z? Macross?" Hideki commented dryly, taking a bite out of his pancakes.
"It's a weapon, or rather, a puppet," Mamoru ignored his sarcastic comment, putting down his pencil to take spoon of food for himself and Sanbey, "During training, I noticed I could control more than just little wood-crafts and hypnotize people. I could manipulate things to work as puppets, like suit of armors or anything like a mannequin. I've been doing extensive research on the flexibility of my Control magic since they don't have much to give in direct combat."
"It's always best to see the full potential of one's powers," Sanbey added before eating a bite of pancake and swinging his tail back and forth in delight.
Hideki saw all sorts of designs on the work table that had bits of shaved wood on it. A few of them were crumbled up and thrown into a dust bin below the table, while some were stacked neatly on one side for some reason, "Good luck with that. Looks like its gonna be a pain in the ass to build," he picked up the TV remote on the floor and turned on the television in the corner to watch some shows. But on there was a news report on yesterday's battle, catching the attention of all the boys in the room.
"This is News Anchor Reiji Ayasaki and here is the daily news: Yesterday, a supposed gas leak caused an explosion in the one of the buildings in downtown Mitakihara. The explosion had thankfully resulted in no deaths nor injuries, but the entire security force stationed in the building were found brutally murdered by an unknown assailant. Their bodies were found mutilated in the famous Club Hierophant and authorities are looking for those responsible. On similar news, three more teenage girls have been reported murdered in neighboring city, Kazamino, increasing the death toll count that has been rising over the past few weeks. Caution in the streets has been advised as the police continue their investigation."
Hideki switched off the TV and folded his arms as Takuya came back into the room. There was silence between them as Takuya pocketed his phone, "What'd I miss?"
"Yesterday's incident was on the news," Mamoru stated, folding his legs and nibbling on his thumb, "The public saw the explosion as nothing more than an accident, but the possessed guards' deaths were seen as murders, as I expected. At least they have not found out anything about us or the Warlocks' existence," he looked over his shoulder to Tateyama, "Do the bugs have anything to report?"
"No. Nothing," Tatayama said, playing back footage given by the bugs, "Kaname is doing fine. Nothing strange has happened, yet."
"What's the plan for today, then?" Hideki asked, sitting down on the futon.
Mamoru put away his designs in a desk drawer and got up from his chair with Sanbey hopping off his shoulder. Opening his wardrobe, he went through his clothing and said, "Why don't we take a stroll through town? We could patrol the area at the same time and try to relax. Seems like a good day to go outside. Anyone in disagreement?" he heard none of his friends object, "Let's go take a walk, then."
After the boys had all put on different sorts of clothing, took their showers and finished their breakfast, Mamoru had one of his servants drive them to the nearby block outside the neighborhood district. It felt like it had been a while since they have been here for some relaxation; a small area with a square park surrounded by shops and restaurants, within walking distance was Tomura's school and the boys' which was just a bit farther. They drove pass the Mitakihara cemetery and the abandoned opera-house on the way here.
Mamoru's servant dropped them off on the sidewalk at the park and it was a cloudy, warm day when they arrived. Being a Sunday morning, plenty of people were in the park doing activities such as exercising, picnics and games while teens and adults hung out at the nearby cafes and restaurants. People walked through here to get to the nearby train station for a ride to the city and the smell of fresh air was invigorating.
Since it was already 12 PM, the boys headed to their usual place to eat and walked through the wooden doors as a bell above the doorway rang to signal a customer's arrival. The sounds of a radio playing an acoustic guitar and woodland pipe greeted them, the melody occasionally accompanied by the keys of a piano as the music filled the small, cozy restaurant. Sitting on the wooden chairs, the ceiling fan spun above them slowly as Tateyama's foster mother, Tsukuyo, came towards them with a bright smile and a notepad to take their orders. Sanbey hopped on the table and scratched his ears.
"Hello, boys! It's so good to see you!" Tsukuyo happily greeted them and raised a hand to ruffle Tateyama's hair. He did not object to it, but he started to slightly fluster as Takuya giggled beside him from his reaction, "I haven't seen you boys come her in a while. What'll it be?" she took out a pen.
"The usual, Miss Ikezawa," Mamoru politely requested and looked at Sanbey sitting on the table, "Oh, and I would like one more bowl of katsudon, please. A small one."
"Right away!" Tsukuyo chirped, noting down the usual list of orders and the one for Sanbey before heading to the kitchen. Tateyama fixed his hair once she was gone and took out his laptop from his bag, plugging the adapter in the wall socket next to his feet.
A waitress came and placed a few cans of soda and some tea on the table as Takuya passed them around. Hideki was listening to his music player with his headsets and Tateyama typed away on his laptop. The white-haired boy was quietly playing some Project Diva on his laptop, when he looked aside to the restaurant windows and spotted a familiar sight passing by. It was Tomoe.
He got up from his seat, lips pursed, and he turned to the others who were looking strangely at him, "Uhhh... I'll be back," he uncharacteristically muttered before storming out of the restaurant in a hurry.
Mamoru wondered about his sudden actions. It wasn't like of him to be in such a hurry, but he shrugged it off and looked back to Takuya as he picked up his cup of Earl Grey, "So, how is Mirai? I assume she is fine after yesterday's incident?"
'Yeah, she's alright. She can't remember anything about yesterday since she was knocked out, so she thought it was a gas explosion," Takuya opened his soda with a bottle cap opener and poured it into a cup of ice, "I was really worried about her yesterday."
"Tomoe!"
The blond school senior turned around at the mention of her name and brought a hand to her cheek as she saw Tateyama running up to her, "Ikezawa?" she was wearing a simple set of clothes instead of the school uniform of course, and she seemed to have pocketed something before Tateyama got close. She put her hands behind her and smiled sweetly at the boy's presence, "What are you doing here?"
Tateyama stiffened and fingered his collar with reddish cheeks, "I-I was going to ask you that. I was just eating with my friends," he looked around and saw that Tomoe was alone. There was some sweat on her face as she looked like she had been walking around for a few hours, "Are you busy?"
"Oh, yes. Unfortunately, I'm quite busy at the moment," she said with a hint of remorse, but brightened up again, "Maybe we could meet in school again for lunch tomorrow? Or after school? My day is occupied, so I'm afraid I have no time to do anything else today. Sorry."
"S-Sure. It's fine, Tomoe. I understand," Tateyama nodded and Tomoe giggled, making his heart flutter for a second.
"Well, then. See you tomorrow," Tomoe bowed respectively and waved a quick goodbye as she went off.
Watching her as she walked away, Tateyama sighed, not knowing that Hideki was right behind him as Hideki had followed Tateyama and watched almost the entire thing without any of them noticing. He cleared his throat loudly to get his attention and Tateyama froze in place. He slowly turned around, a sweat drop on his face as he finally saw Hideki behind him with folded arms and a raised brow, "Don't say anything. At all."
"Oh, I won't. Don't worry. I'll forget what I saw," Hideki said unconvincingly, playfully slapping him on the back, "Come on, the others are waiting and the food might be there. I'd hate to have a cold lunch if the food already arrived," he wrapped his arm around Tateyama's shoulder and brought him back to the restaurant.
"Don't tell Tsukuyo."
"I won't if you pay for my lunch this time."
"Deal."
Back in the restaurant, Mamoru sipped his tea and placed the cup back on the saucer as the two got back in their seats. Hideki casually put his headsets back on and Tateyama continued typing away on his laptop. Takuya was oblivious to the latter's seemingly stressed expression, but Mamoru and Sanbey noticed it. He was about to speak up, when he caught something in the corner of his eye. He looked over to the door and a familiar person entered the restaurant in a calm stride.
Mamoru's hand shivered for a moment as he narrowed his vision on her. He felt a chill run down his spine.
The girl had snow-white hair tied up into a side ponytail and she projected this strange aura that Mamoru could physically feel. Tateyama felt it, too, and glanced up from his laptop to see the girl standing at the door with an expression of complete serenity at the doorway. The mysterious girl caught Mamoru's gaze and smiled back at him, making the green-haired boy flinch. It made his stomach churn as she approached their table. She wore this black dress with vine patterns running along her white, puffy sleeves and glass high-heels.
Takuya, Sanbey and Hideki noticed her and wondered who she was. Of course, only Mamoru and Tateyama were there the night they had seen this girl out of everyone at the table right now. It was the same night Homura had fallen ill and her companion that Mamoru remembered being called "Kirika" was thankfully nowhere to he found. Tsukuyo, who was wiping a table in the corner with a wet rag, saw her, too, and watched as she went up to the boys.
"Good afternoon, boys," she greeted them gracefully with a princess-like bow, "It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"'Again'?" Hideki raised a brow, taking off his headsets and turning to Mamoru, "What's she talking about?"
"Oh, I have yet to meet all of your acquaintances, much less tell my name. I apologize. My name is Mikuni Oriko," she said with a light giggle that made Hideki cringe on reflex for some reason. All the boys began to feel a strange presence the girl was radiating. It was the same dark pressure they felt from a Warlock's presence: oppressive and ominous, despite the girl's completely peaceful demeanor. Even Sanbey was disturbed by her.
"Who is this girl?" asked the Familiar in a suspicious tone.
"Tateyama and I have encountered her before," Mamoru thought, "Mikuni Oriko. That name... I've seen it somewhere before..."
"She's giving me the creeps. Something's not right about her," Hideki added.
Takuya concurred, wondering, "Is she a Puella Magi?"
"She's hiding her hands in her sleeves," Tateyama observed, "I can't see her ring."
As the boys communicated through telepathy, there was a long silence between them and Oriko brought a hand to her mouth, "Oh dear, am I intruding on something? I apologize for my sudden appearance. I'm simply here to apologize for my friend's rudeness a few days ago. Kirika can be very... unstable. But she means well and is surely sorry for what happened," she made an asking gesture if she may sit and Mamoru nodded.
"We are merely wondering about you, Miss Mikuni. Apologies for our rudeness. We're not very good with strangers who just come up and talk to us so directly," Mamoru leaned forward on the table, hands crooked and elbows on the table, "If you are here to apologize for that night, then would you care to join us for lunch?" he honestly did not want the girl to be here any longer, but manners were manners. He tried to catch a glimpse of any Puella Magi ring on her hand, but they were still covered by her shirt's long sleeves.
"Tea will be fine, thank you," Oriko said, giggling again, "I foresee many things about the 5 of you..."
Sanbey's ears perked. He did not hear that properly as she had whispered it. None of them did. But Sanbey swore that he had felt Oriko shoot a gaze at him. He felt a menacing aura on her despite her serenity and hopped off the table to sit beside Takuya for some comfort. He had a feeling that smile Oriko had was something she used to hide her true intentions behind and he didn't like her one bit.
Outside the restaurant, having finished their lunch, Mamoru stood on the sidewalk next to Oriko as a flock of birds flew overhead. The leaves on tree rustling beside him in the wind, he said nothing to the ominous girl who simply looked up at the sky with a smile on her face as if something was there. Takuya and Hideki were still inside, having headed for the bathroom, and Tateyama was busy with Tsukuyo. Sanbey on his shoulder, a breeze passed by and picked up the Familiar's three striped tails. The wind felt chilly against Mamoru's skin.
"Such a beautiful day, isn't it?" Oriko asked out of the blue.
"It is. Although, I'd rather prefer the beauty of a rainy day myself."
Idle chatter. It felt more forced than natural, despite their words sounding convincing and friendly. Taking out his chisel and a piece of wood from his pockets, Mamoru began carving it into a shape to pass the time. He had not touched his chisel as of late, except when he made the surveillance bugs for Tateyama. Bits of shredded wood fell to the pavement as he quietly did his work, wind from the cars passing by blowing away the bits of carved wood. Meanwhile, Sanbey kept an eye on her. Looking pass Mamoru's head, Sanbey looked closely on that calm facade of hers.
Then, in his back pocket, Mamoru felt one of the devices Tateyama had given them begin to vibrate. He took out the clam-shaped device that detected the residual energies of Warlocks and Witches and made sure Oriko wasn't looking when he flipped it open. On the screen, an overhead map of the city was displayed and Mamoru clicked a button to zoom in closer on his location. There, he saw a moving blip on the screen, the distance reading 20-30 meters away and growing. Mamoru remembered the colors Tateyama told them on how to differentiate targets, and from the color of the blip, he realized it. It was a Witch.
"We should leave with the others immediately," Sanbey advised, "It could be getting away as we stand here."
An ominous smile crept onto Oriko's face, "Tezuka Mamoru, it seems I have to take my leave. I'm sure you are busy with your own plans with your friends. Again, I apologize for my sudden arrival. Have a pleasant day," with another giggle, Oriko walked away as Mamoru pocketed the locator in his pants and watched the mysterious girl take her leave elsewhere. He had a feeling this would not be the last time they would meet. For sure.
His friends subsequently came out of the restaurant and Mamoru turned to them. His voice turned stern as he stated, "Everyone, we have work to do."