Sol of Luna: Near and Far
Author: Gakusangi
Author's Notes and Acknowledgements:
This is a Death Note fan fiction. Many of the characters presented here are not mine, but the legal property of writer Tsugumi Ohba, and artist Takeshi Obata.
Chapter 26: Men of Action
This is where we all desire to be.
Our only hope is to leave our mark on this world and avoid being forgotten entirely.
So, come on! Kill me if you can!
(XXX)
"It never ends." Naomi said in astonishment, shaking her head.
The line of soldiers coming around the curve of the canyon continued as far as any of them could see, a great black mass, like a shadowy asp slithering towards the fort, ready to devour the men and women lining the parapets. Naomi turned to L, and was shocked to see the phantom traces of a smile crossing his features. He turned to her, dark eyes somehow beaming in their depthless gaze.
"Let's show them that the good guys always win." L said, and though his tone had been emotionless, his grin showed the confidence of his words.
Naomi regarded the guildsman for a moment, once again, as on many previous occasions, she found herself questioning his sanity. But it was easier just to get caught up in the mood and share in his confidence, so Naomi just set herself and nodded. Somewhere, beyond the lip of the canyon, as the sun fell behind the endless dunes of the Barrens, and moon rose full in the empty skies of he desert, the hounds began to howl with the night hunt. It was a chilling sound that rose into the dry air, taken up by packs scattered all over the infinite, golden sands.
There was a new sound then, one that caused Naomi, and even L, to lookup to one of the balconies in frowning confusion. There they spotted a certain, goggle wearing redhead, howling at the moon like one of the scavengers of the wastes. It didn't take long before Ukita, standing next to him, started up as well. At first it was scattered about the parapets, but soon everyone was howling, not at the moon, but at their foes lined at the gates. Naomi and looked at L, both sharing the same bewildered expression. But then they too began howling out into the darkness, letting their enemies no that they were there, that they no intention of leaving, not without a fight.
(XXX)
Deus stood silent, his lieutenant standing beside him in shock as the chorus of howls continued to rise from the walls of the fort. Deus smiled that evil, chilling smile of his, so cold, so lifeless. His eyes were glowing with anticipation, his hand gently caressing the ivory handle of the revolver tucked in his belt. The browned flecks of dried blood seemed to gleam on his white armor, and S pattern serpent in the center almost appear to slither.
"I don't think they intend to let us in." Deus remarked. "Sound the horns."
The men at the back of the lines raised the horns to their lips and bellowed a mighty war sound into the open air, meeting the howls with matching intensity. The battle was ready to begin.
(XXX)
"What the hell is this?" Mello snapped as he watched all of the idiots lining the walls howl into the night, trying to drown out the sounds of their foes. "Have they all lost their minds?"
(XXX)
The battle began then. Deus' forces rushed forward, making for the collapsed wall, the only visible opening into the fort. Archers posted on the walls felled a good number of the frontline, but while they needed time to notch more arrows, the shadow of the Daimyo's army passed through the opening and rushed into the main avenue towards the keep. L and Naomi watched anxiously as Ukita, from a balcony above, raised his hand in the air, signaling the men he had stationed near the walls. Once a good portion of the enemy force had entered, Ukita dropped his hand, the signal was given, and his men sparked the powder barrels concealed among the rubble. A thunderous explosion filled the canyon, and wall of blazing fire reached up towards the sky, the wreckage of the fort wall having been oiled down earlier that day.
The result, their stunned opponents looked around in surprise as their line was severed at the middle, the main group left on one side of the fiery wall, and a much smaller one now trapped inside the fort. While they were still in shock, riflemen lining the parapets on either side of the main path began to make quick work of the Daimyo soldiers who had managed to get inside the outer wall. Archers let loose another volley, and more enemy soldiers dropped outside. Deus' lieutenant turned desperately to his Commander. What he was met with was the blood chilling sounds of Deus' amused laughter, even as their opponents mowed down his men.
"Come." Deus said, grinning broadly. "We have wall to scale."
His lieutenant looked on in disbelief.
"But we'll be taken by their archers!" The man protested.
"If we're unlucky." Deus replied over his shoulder as he made for the fort.
The lieutenant looked on for a moment before shaking his head and following his Commander.
(XXX)
As soon as the battle began, Mikami and his Command team were lowering ropes from the lip of the canyon, down to the fort below. They hesitated only a moment, as massive explosion rocked the canyon, and a wall of fire cut the Daimyo forces in half. Light had grinned, and then they resumed their descent to the fort's outer wall. They touched down as Daimyo soldiers were being gunned down below, but Light could see that a few had escaped inside the keep. However, his attention was deterred as a guildsman lining the parapet suddenly turned to them. Mikami was fast to react, quickly dispatching of the man, and throwing his corpse from the wall. Light set him with bewildered and fiery glare. Mikami only shrugged.
"I didn't have time to explain." Mikami said coldly.
Halle and Rester were next on the wall, and were quickly followed by Gevanni and – regretfully – the High Summoner. More men came down behind them, but the Command team – what remained of them – was already on the move. Takada drifted off on her own, no one bothering to follower her. Rester, Halle, and Gevanni all ran off together, leaping to one of the nearby balconies. That left Light with Mikami, and in all honestly, the young swordsman would have had it no other way.
(XXX)
"That worked better than I had hoped." Naomi commented as the gunmen on the walls laid down a hail of gunfire on their foes trapped inside the fort.
"Yes," L replied casually, "But a few have managed to find cover in the keep. I'll take care of them."
He turned to leave, but Naomi's voice caused him to pause.
"We'll take care of them." The Guild Master corrected, joining him without waiting for any response.
L didn't argue, knowing that it would only serve to waist valuable time. Together the two rushed inside the keep. L pointed towards a narrow stair to one side. Naomi nodded, and broke away from him, making for the stairs, her sword, not the town-sword she had carried as a constable, but a well crafted infantry saber, drawn and ready. No sooner had she started down the steps did she encounter three armored men, the crests resting in the center of their breastplates identifying them as Daimyo. She kicked off the wall, and planted both feet in the upper torso of the center man, who tumbled backwards. She rode him all the way down the steps. Once they hit the lower floor, she leapt off the unconscious man, rolling back to her feet, saber in one hand and her pistol now in the other.
The two remaining soldiers came rushing down the steps. One was immediately met with the pistol, a shot ringing out, and bullet wedging itself firmly in one of his lungs. He crumbled sputtering and gagging to the ground, blood foaming at his mouth, which he drowned in very quickly afterward. Naomi tucked her pistol away – its one round spent – and met the other man with her sword. Shaken from suddenness of her attack, Naomi made quick work of him, parrying his blade away and thrusting hers deep into his abdomen. He slid off the saber – quite dead – and she moved on. There were more soldiers to meet.
(XXX)
L rounded a corner, coming to a section of the passage, which widened making it almost like room without any doors. There was another passage in one corner of the room, from which maybe a half a dozen armored foes came rushing in. L heard fast approaching footsteps behind him, and soon found himself surround by a dozen or so soldiers, all bearing the marks of the Daimyo Lords. The looked at him questioningly, this gangly man without armor or weapon, looking pale and exhausted. L's unblinking eyes passed over all of them, and they each in turn fought the urge to shudder under his dark gaze.
"Let's value our lives." L said suddenly.
The men all exchange a confused look.
"If you surrender," L continued, "I can promise that you will return home unharmed."
The men removed their cloaks, and set down anything else that might weigh them down, or get in their way. Then they all brought their weapons before them, and began to close the circle. L only grinned, and it caused them to hesitate for a moment.
"I hate to…rain on your parade," L said, still calmly smiling, "But when I was still just a boy, I wouldn't have considered this a threat to my life."
The men all stared in disbelief. L's grin broadened. He figured he might as well have some fun. The guildsman tilted his head to the side, as though trying to hear something.
"The bells are very loud today." L said quietly, almost repeating the same words Danueve had spoken to him in the fields outside the guildhalls, all those years ago.
The men all shared another bewildered look, having not the slightest idea what the hell he was talking about. They all shook it off, and then rushed him. Two men lounged forward, their swords leading. L quickly grabbed their wrists moving the tips of the blades aside, and allowing them to pass him by harmlessly on either side of his torso. They buried themselves into two men that were rushing him from behind. L released his two attackers' wrists, and grabbed both their head, smashing them together with a loud, hollow sound that reminded him of cracking coconuts open on a rock wedge. The two men crumbled – very much unconscious – to the ground.
Four down, and maybe eight to go, L placed his hands on the ground and kicked his legs out in a long, sweeping arc that would have looked like some kind of exotic dance maneuver, had he been performing it in an open street. His feet caught the ankles and knees of his remaining foes, who all fell to the ground as he quickly popped himself upright. L stomped hard on one man's chest, feeling his ribs give beneath his foot, and push all the air from his lungs. He kicked out with his other leg, catching another foe in his temple, knocking him out of consciousness as he was trying to regain his feet. Six left.
L smashed his elbow into one attacker's face, hearing and feeling his nose snap in two, right at the bridge. The man went cross-eyed for a moment, and staggered back, blood rushing from his nostrils, and his nose already beginning to swell. L dropped, setting both hands on the ground, and kicked out with his leg, in a maneuver that bared an uncanny resemblance to the one Naomi had caught him with at the Guild. The full force of his kick landed in the center of the man's chest, and sent him crashing back against a wall. L sensed the others rushing him from behind. He pivoted on his heel, and sent his shin hard into the side of one assailant's head, sending him head over heels to one side of the room. He set his foot back down, and brought the other leg around, following through with his spin, this time catching the next opponent in the jaw with his heel. The second man spun and then toppled over face down – and motionless – on the ground.
There were only three now, and they all looked quite hesitant to approach the – still grinning – guildsman. They formed a triangle pattern around him, two at his back and one in front. L knew that the single soldier before him was most likely there to distract, giving the other two an opportunity to catch him from behind. It was a basic, and almost childish strategy, and he found himself close to offended by it. But still, he grinned. Sure enough the other man feinted, making to move forward, but stopping short. L moved in response, trying to fake out the men behind him so that they would come forward into his attack range. They did. He dropped, placing his hands on the floor again, and kicking out with both legs, like a horse. His feet planted firmly into the two men, sending them crashing back. L popped back onto his feet…and came face to face with the barrel of the pistol, the man holding it looking at him fearfully from behind the sight.
Who was this man? He had taken almost all of them out without the use of any weapons! He was playing with them? These were the thoughts that rushed through the soldier's mind as he leveled the pistol with the legendary guildsman. L looked surprised and confused for a moment, but then that grin of his returned, causing his opponent to shudder. His movements were blindingly fast, as he leveled his hand – his forefinger extended, and his thumb up in a way a child may pretend to be holding a make believe gun – and set it between the man's eyes. The man went cross-eyed and blinked. L snapped his thumb down – the pretend hammer falling as he pulled the trigger.
"Bang!" L said.
The man blinked again. Then the palm of L's hand quickly caught the man's wrist, forcing the pistol aside, and knocking it from his grip as the nerves were jarred. L pivoted on his heel, dropping a little, and drove his foot hard under the man's chin, sending him crashing back into the wall behind him. The man slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor, blood running from the corners of his mouth. He looked up and spotted the guildsman, now holding his pistol level with his head. L's expression was no longer playful grinning, but serious as a discompassioned undertaker. The man's eyes went wide with horror.
"Who are you?" The soldier breathed.
"Death," L replied grimly, "On swift and mighty wings."
BANG!
The shot rang out, filling every corner of the passage. For a moment, the man was convinced that he was dead. Then the scent of sulfur filled his nostrils, and he looked to side, seeing the still smoking hole the bullet had left in the wall, only inches from his head. He heard the pistol – formerly his pistol – clatter the ground, and looked back at the guildsman.
"But thankfully, not any more." L said quietly.
Then the guildsman turned and left, leaving the man to stare at him in shocked silence, and only vaguely aware of the warm dampness in the crotch of his trousers.
(XXX)
Linda was rushing down the halls of the keep, her bandoleers, laden with kunai and other throwing daggers, wrapped tightly in a crisscross pattern over her torso. She came to long stretch and stopped suddenly. At the far end, she spotted the shadows of advancing soldiers, just around the corner. She ran forward, drawing one of her kunai. As she neared the wall, Linda hurled the kunai, letting pass through the air with only the slightest whistle. It ricocheted off the wall and drove itself deep into the first enemy soldier, causing the others to halt as they watched him collapse. The Kris Knives were out, and Linda leapt forward, kicking off the wall and launching herself around the corner, landing on the next man, bringing him down to the ground with her. She drove both blades into the man's collar before jumping off, and rolling quickly back to her feet to meet the last two.
The first man came forward, and Linda easily batted his blade aside, sinking her own deep into his abdomen, and feeling the hot, sticky blood rush over the hilt and onto her hand. She pushed him off to catch her next opponent as he moved in. She parried his attack, and withdrew her killing blade from the first man, bring it across the second attackers throat, the edge biting in so deep that it nearly decapitated him. A light mist of warm crimson spotted the left side of Linda's face, and amber hair. The second man went down without a sound, save for the hard, wet smack his body made as he hit the dusty floor. Linda moved on.
Since she the battle had begun, only one thing was on her mind. The image of the little, white haired boy, Near, dominated every thought. He was all alone, and completely defenseless. She had to get to him, no matter what. If she had to cleave her way through the entirety of the Daimyo force, she would, if it meant getting to him. She had sworn an oath, and she meant to uphold it. By any means necessary.
(XXX)
Dues and his lieutenant came before a section of wall that was not engulfed in flames.
"Hooks!" Deus ordered.
A few men drug up three large devices, which resembled crossbows, but lacked the sheer scale of ballista. They required two men to operate effectively, and a large pulley was used to draw back the string. Set in each device was a long iron shaft, tipped with three vicious looking hooks with barbed heads. The ends of the shafts were set with long chains, which the men could climb, once the hook was secure. The launchers took aim, and waited for Deus' order.
"Fire!" Deus shouted.
The hooks were let loose, sailing through the darkened, smoke filled skies with a whooshing sound that called up images of the angel of death, passing over the battlefield to collect the fallen, a hollow and cold sound. The hooks landed, surprising the men set atop the walls, and almost immediately, Daimyo soldiers began to climb up. Deus was among the first to start scaling the wall, followed closely by his timid lieutenant. Archers picked off a few of the soldiers as they climbed, but it was painfully obvious that they wouldn't be able to stop all of them from reaching the parapets. Dues didn't even blink as an arrow whizzed only inches from his head, and struck his lieutenant, causing the man to loose his grip and fall screaming into the darkness below. Unlucky.
The guildsmen atop the walls tried desperately to pry the hooks from the parapets, but they held firm. Suddenly, while one such guildsman was busy trying to loosen a hook, a blonde blur streaked by him. Before he knew it, Mello was leaning over the side of the wall, and bringing his sword down on the chain attached to the end. The links severed beneath Muramasa's bite, clean and easy, and the line of soldiers clinging to it fell screaming back to the canyon floor. Deus didn't watch the line beside him give, or his men falling to their doom. He had eyes only for the blonde boy who had severed the chain. Deus quickly began to scramble up his line. This was not an opportunity that he was willing to pass up.
(XXX)
Matt sent another soldier tumbling over the side of the balcony, and readied himself for the next attacker. The redhead and Ukita stood back to back, fighting off Daimyo soldiers as they came. Matt was grinning that devilish grin of his, his goggles pulled over his eyes, concealing the manic energy behind them. Ukita looked a bit more composed, but maybe a little worried as well. A wound on his forehead gave way to a stream of crimson blood that rushed down the side of his nose, around the corner of his mouth, and dripped off the young guildsman's chin. Apparently, Ukita wasn't as fast as he thought he was. But Matt stood behind him unscathed and untiring, lending him that youthful energy that Ukita was steadily beginning to lose with the passing of time.
"This is intolerable!" Ukita called to the coppery haired boy from over his shoulder, quickly dropping another opponent as he rushed forward.
"Yeah," Matt replied casually, "I'm not much of an outdoorsy guy myself. Maybe we should go inside."
Then Ukita was aware that he was standing alone, Matt having rushed away, and disappeared inside the keep. Ukita rolled his eyes, a mistake as it caused the throbbing pain in his head to intensify for a moment, blurring his vision, and then he quickly followed. As he passed under the archway, as most of the doors to the structure had fallen out of their hinges, Ukita passed Linda, the blades of her knives dripping with fresh blood.
"Matt went that way!" Linda said quickly, indicating the passage she had just come from with one, snaking blade.
"Where are you going?" Ukita asked as he rushed by.
"I'm going to get Near!" Linda replied over her shoulder.
(XXX)
L was walking almost casually down one of the corridors, his hands resting in his pockets, his bare feet making patting noises against the dusty floor. He glanced down the hall in time to see a very beautiful woman with dark hair, and flowing garments, blackest of black in color, appear from one of the off passages. She fixed him with cold, menacing eyes, but he met them with an intense stare, and a blank expression.
"Where is the Prince?" Takada demanded.
L brought his thumb up to his lips.
"I don't know what you're talking about." L said flatly.
"No games, knave!" Takada shouted angrily. "I know he's here! Now tell me where he is!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that." L sighed.
Takada stood and blinked. L felt compelled to explain.
"You see," L began, "He is in my protective custody."
Takada, to the guildsman's great surprise, smile then, and gave a light, but chilling laugh. She reached into the folds of her robes, shaking her head, still smiling. She withdrew a slip of red paper, with archaic markings scribbled upon its surface.
"Remember," Takada said grinning, "You were the one who chose to be unreasonable."
She crumpled the paper in a tightly held fist, and then brought her closed hand to her mouth. She opened it and exhaled. Rather than air, or even a wrinkled piece of paper, flames shot from her hand, and raced towards L. He turned and ran, feeling the intensity of the fire licking at his exposed heels. As soon as he spotted a side passage, he dove into it, covering his head, and waited for the sounds of the rushing flames, and their oppressive heat to subside. Once they had, he uncovered his head and looked up.
"This could be bad." L said calmly to himself.
He rolled over, and looked back. Takada was grinning down at him in the doorway, another slip of paper in her hand.
(XXX)
Near thought it was little odd how the blonde girl, Kari, tugged him roughly through the passages, stopping only briefly to check that they were clear. He didn't know how she intended to handle a situation, should they actually encounter someone in the halls, for she didn't appear to be armed. He also couldn't explain why an odd feeling was falling over him. It was an overwhelming sense of foreboding and even…familiarity? Then a thought suddenly occurred to the white haired boy. He had been exhausted and half conscious when they arrived at the fort, and looked around. That's why it took so long for him to realize this one vital fact.
"You're taking me to the rookery?" Near asked, though it wasn't really question.
"Yeah, that's where they wanted us to go." Kari replied without looking back at him.
Near stopped suddenly, forcing Kari to stop as well. A tense air rose between them.
"The rookery is in the other direction." Near said calmly. "That's not where we are going."
He felt the girl's grip on his hand tighten, almost painfully, over his pale hand. Then her shoulders began to shake, and a low laugh rose from her.
"Well there's no pulling one over on you, is there?" Kari said, and her voice seemed oddly different.
It was more than just her tone, which sent chills through the ivory haired boy, but its sound was somehow off. Kari turned to him then, and Near was staring into what would have appeared to be empty eye sockets, if it weren't for the slight gleam they held from the torchlight in the passage. Kari grinned, a grin that Near recognized all to well.
"Well, sweetie," The daemon snickered, "I guess it's round three."
She clamped down on Near's hand, preventing him from fleeing. She laughed a little, grabbing his shoulder with her freehand, and pulled him close to her. She was far too strong for him to resist. Their faces were close, her blacker than black eyes gazing deep into his. He could feel her cold breath against his face and neck. His expression belied the intense fear that shot through him, causing his body to quake lightly beneath her touch. Her smile broadened, almost cutting her face in two, a crescent of gleaming, white teeth. She leaned in slowly, their lips so close that he could sense the warmth from hers.
An explosion, the very one that split the Daimyo forces in two, shook the passage, and in her surprise, Kari's grip loosened. Near broke away and ran down the passage. He could hear her giving chase behind him, the initial shock having worn off the moment he had taken flight. She ran him down quite easily, he was still groggy with sleep, and her new body was very athletic. She grabbed him roughly by his shoulders, and turned around the face her again.
"Now where were we?" Kari said cruelly.
She leaned into him again. Near tried to turn away from her, but for some reason his body wasn't responding. It was as though he wanted to kiss her, to allow their lips to meet. What was this power she had over him? Kari's hand brushed the wolf fang dangling about Near's neck. Her eyes went wide with horror, she screamed and shoved him away from her. He hit the ground and skid a short distance before rolling over and beginning to crawl away. Soon he was back on his feet and running again, he could hear her shake off whatever had repelled her and begin to run after him.
"Near!" The voice belonged to Linda.
Near stopped and turned. Linda was rushing to him from a side passage. He may have smiled in his great relief then, if it weren't for the vise-like grip that suddenly clamped down on his arm. It was purely instinctive when Near turned and lashed out, striking Kari across the face, turning her head to the side, and causing her to stumble back a little, still painfully clutching Near's arm. Her head came back around slowly, and she smiled. Near felt his blood run cold.
"Rough, huh?" Kari snickered.
She grabbed Near by his other arm and lifted him effortlessly into the air.
"I like it rough!" She growled.
(XXX)
Deus was on the wall, his soldiers coming up behind him. Not far from where he stood, the blonde haired boy was cutting down the men who had already scaled the wall. His form was brilliant, flawless, his exotic blade gleaming in the moonlight, the skies not yet eclipsed beneath the cloud of rising black smoke. The flames cast red light over the seen, intensifying the battle, fueling the battle rage, that blood lust that filled everyone. But the boy was 'his', and Deus intended to meet him, as they were meant to. He cut through guildsmen, not really knowing who they were, and not caring all the same. His sights were set on the blonde boy, the one who had eluded him, with the Prince in tow.
Mello turned then, and spotted the pale, dark haired man, his ivory breastplate still flecked with Roger's blood, making his way towards him. Mello caught the glimpse of moonlight reflecting off the silvery surface of Roger's revolver, tucked in the man's belt. He was immediately overtaken with the sense of destiny, and an intense thirst for vengeance. He began cleaving through his opponents with newfound vigor, closing the distance between them. In the end, there is no greater motivation than revenge.
(XXX)
Mikami and Light descended some steps and entered another long corridor. It seemed that this place was vast, as it had several layers beneath the surface. So far they had met no resistance, save the one guildsman Mikami had slain on the wall when they touched down. Light's blood boiled every time his thoughts returned to that moment. Mikami wasn't fit to be a leader. He had none of the right qualities. He was a great warrior, if not a little blood thirsty, but he relied only on the fear behind his name in order to lead. Light didn't fear him, he never had.
They rounded a corner, and happened upon a small group of Daimyo soldiers.
"Finally." Ryuk sighed. "I was getting bored."
Light cut in front of Mikami as the Kagebannin Commander drew his blade. Light's own sword flashed out, dispatching of the first soldier in one swipe. Mikami was crossing over behind him, taking the man on the opposite side. It's amazing really how well bitter rivals tend to work together. It was like a dance between the two swordsmen, a dance of death to their enemies, two angels gracefully boring their souls to the other side. They made quick work of their opponents. Mikami was ahead of Light, breathing hard with the excitement, and grinning that cold, merciless grin.
"Well that was a good warm up." Mikami remarked. "Come on. They're bound to keep the Prince somewhere deep in the structure."
Mikami began to walk on, but Light did not follow.
"Tell me," Light's voice drifted to Mikami, cold with fiery hatred, "Did you smile like that when you heard of my capture, Commander?"
Mikami stopped. The air became electric, heavy. Light took a few steps forward.
"Or maybe when my father was killed?" Light asked.
Mikami whirled around, his blade sweeping. Iron clashed as Light caught Mikami's attack with his sword. The battle had, at long last, begun. Light's revenge was at hand.
(XXX)
L came half running, half stumbling out of the keep and into the courtyard. There was a small explosion, and thick cloud of dust exited the building behind him. He rushed over to one of the columns and began to quickly climb up it. Once he was at the top, he began to leap from column to column, making for a nearby balcony. He had to put as much distance between him and sorcerer woman as he could. He was far from prepared to face off against the likes of her, and needed time to strategize. For the first time in several years, L was desperate.
Takada entered the courtyard, and spotted the guildsman making his way across the top of the columns.
"No you don't." Takada said quietly, reaching into the folds of her robes and producing another slip of paper.
She set it face down on the dusty ground. She stood up and formed an odd sign with her hands.
"By the powers that be, I summon thee." Takada chanted with her eyes closed. "Chi'Suneku, the Great Serpent, come to me!"
L was nearly shaken from one of the columns as a quake rocked through the courtyard. Bricks, from the walls of the keep, and stones from the ground lifted into the air, twisting themselves into shape. L looked on in amazement and horror, as they took from. A serpentine body, the worn-smooth, ivory bricks holding it together like white scales, mounted with a large, reptilian head. Empty eye sockets set themselves on the guildsman, and a gaping mouth, set with two vicious looking fangs, lounged in his direction.
L leapt aside, catching hold of another column opposite the one he'd been hanging from, letting the serpent creature crash through the one he had just previously been clinging to, with a thunderous sound that echoed through the courtyard. He pulled himself up and looked back. Empty eyes back on him, the serpent creature coiled itself for another attack.
(XXX)
Matt and Ukita watched in horror was the bricks took on the form of some snake-like monster, which immediately began to attack L. Matt's voice broke in, shaking Ukita from his initial shock.
"We have to help him!" Matt said urgently.
"Against that thing?" Ukita balked. "We would need something like…"
Matt tapped him, causing him to look down at the red haired boy. Matt pointed to one side of the room.
"Like that?" Matt asked.
Ukita looked where Matt was indicating, and saw a rusty cannon, covered with dust and looking as old as the hills.
(XXX)
Mello and Deus stood before each other. The sounds of battle had faded into silence, the visions of war blurred out. At the moment, it was only them. Deus smiled, Mello's eyes narrowed.
"I can, with absolutely no success, deny that I have been waiting for this moment." Deus said quietly, his fingers caressing the ivory handle of Roger's revolver. "It seems that we were meant to face one another."
Mello wasn't one for words, but for action. The blonde boy offered no response, before he made his move. Deus parried Mello's strike aside, but Mello reversed his blade, and pushed forward, forcing Deus to retreat for Muramasa's tip. He came down now with his own attack, which Mello effortlessly deflected, and countered. They went back and forth for a time. Deus was impressed with Mello's swordsmanship. It was perfect, save for the minor slip-ups that the blonde boy made, driven by the fire that was alight in his heart. The boy was impassioned, and Deus knew that, used it against him, mocking him with every blow he countered, grinning all the while.
"You're doing quite well." Deus snickered.
Mello growled and pressed on, forcing the Daimyo Commander back.
"I think the old man would have given up and killed himself by now." Deus remarked with a measure of cruel amusement.
Mello brought his sword down, confusing Deus since the attack was not directed at him, but his sword. Muramasa bit into its enemy weapon, iron splitting before the might of Damascus steel, cut as cleanly as sheers cut through fine fabric. Deus watched in astonishment, not horror, as the tip of his sword plummeted into the darkness below. Mello swung at Deus' middle, and the Daimyo Commander leapt back to avoid it, his hand drifting down to the ivory handle of the revolver tucked in his belt. Mello's eyes widened with horror. There was no time. The gun would be drawn before he could counter. Deus grinned as his fingers felt the smooth surface of the pistol's grip.
An explosion rocked the fort, and Mello, along with his opponent, was shaken from the wall. They fell, both feeling the cold, empty air as they plummeted. Thankfully, they landed atop one of the keep's many ledges, the wind knock out of them, but otherwise unharmed. Others on the wall were not so lucky. A rifleman was shaken and fell to his death, along with several others. Mello was lying on his back. He witnessed, with some confusion, the cannon that Matt and he had discovered earlier that day. Its barrel was sprayed open, like the blossom of a flower. It arced overhead with a loud whistling sound, and crashed into a nearby section of the keep.
Mello blinked, but then quickly remembered that he wasn't alone. He rolled to his feet. Deus was just getting up, his hand dangerously close to Roger's pistol. Mello's own hand hovered over the grip of the old flintlock he carried. The two stared at each other. It was just like in the stories. Two men – well a man and a young boy – standing across from one another, their hands hovering over their guns, ready to draw at the first sign.
It was Roger's voice that filled Mello's ears, drowning out the sounds of iron clashing, guns firing, men screaming, and even the painful ringing in his ears.
Aim with your eyes. Your shot should be lined up even before it leaves the holster.
Mello locked on Deus, looking deep into the man's empty eyes.
You are not shooting with your weapon, you are shooting with you head.
Mello let out a slow breath, clearing his mind, and cooling the fire in his chest. He had to be ready, he had to be clear. He had to be empty.
Your weapon is not killing anyone. You are killing. You are taking the life. But you were already prepared for that.
And then that final part of Roger's lesson, the one he shared with Mello years later. The words were still so clear in the blonde boy's mind, unsoiled with the time that had passed in between.
"Look for the tell." Roger had said. "Every man, I don't care who it is, has one. A sudden twitch of the shoulder, the flick of a wrist, or even the slightest curling of the forefinger, those are all tells. But the best thing to do is to look into a man's eyes. The eyes always tell."
Mello's eyes were locked with Deus'. A tense stillness filled the air between them, a cone of silence making the scene somehow empty, regardless of the chaos that swirled around it. The corner of Deus' mouth twitched slightly. But Mello ignored it. The Daimyo Commander flexed the fingers of his dominant hand, the one that hovered over the gun. But Mello paid no mind. He knew that the man was only trying to make him nervous, make him tense up. The eyes, that's what Mello watched, Deus' eyes. They would tell all. All he had to do was wait, and watch.
It was tiny, subtle and barely noticeable. But Mello did notice. It was the slightest expansion of the pupil, a minor encroachment on the coloring of the iris. Deus' tell. Mello moved then. His aim had already been taken, and all that was left was to draw and fire. Deus was moving as well. He was fast, frighteningly fast. Two barrels rose. One shot rang out, deafening the sounds of the fray, as though all life had stopped just to witness this one moment.
One smoking barrel held tightly in the leather-clad hand of a blonde boy. Mello's eyes weren't alight, not wild like they usual were. Instead, they were cold, blank, almost lacking in any spark of life. Deus looked down, almost disbelievingly, at the smoking hole where his neck joined his chest. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but all that came out was a long line of blood, punctuated by an occasional air bubble. Deus fell back against a wall, and slid down into a sitting position, leaving a long red streak behind him. Roger's unfired revolver lay neglected on the ground. Mello didn't even look at the Daimyo Commander as he came forward to retrieve Roger's pistol.
Mello walked away then, his back to his still living, but defeated foe. Deus looked on in wonder, the dark and cold of death creeping over him. How? How could a boy have become such a warrior? Cold, cunning, deadly, he was like something out of myth. But he was all too horrifyingly real. It was this thought that lingered in Deus' mind, as he breathed his final breath…
(XXX)
The serpent creature was poised for its next attack, its jaw unhinging and fangs that seemed too large for its mouth snapping out. Empty eye sockets staring into the legendary guildsman. L tensed, ready to move. The creature came forward, and L prepared for another jump. However, another explosion shook the courtyard, and L was knocked off the column. Thankfully, he landed on a nearby balcony. He covered himself as bits of rock and other debris showered down upon him. When the dust had settled, L sat up and looked. The serpent creature was gone, the only traces of it every having been there were scattered about the otherwise empty courtyard.
(XXX)
Kari's eyes were bottomless pools, her face twisted into an expression of grinning anger.
"Now time to have some fun." She purred.
The whistling sound was faint at first, barely noticeable, especially given the intensity of the moment. But it grew until it was almost deafening in their ears. Kari and Near both looked to the side. It happened so fast. Something large crashed through the ceiling. Kari released Near, and both jumped back to avoid being hit by whatever it was. Near saw it as it crashed between him and the daemon. It looked like an old cannon, its barrel flayed, pulled back like a bellflower. It skid and crashed through the opposite wall. The passage, old as it was, now became unstable, and collapsed.
Once stillness returned to the passage, Near rose to his feet. A wall of rubble separated him from his attacker, much to his relief. But he appeared to be sealed off. Then he glanced up, and noticed that a small section of the ceiling was now open to him. He quickly began to climb the rubble, making his way for the opening, and his freedom.
(XXX)
Linda stopped and shielded herself as the passage collapsed, separating her from Near and his assailant. Had that been Kari? Once the falling debris had ceased, Linda rushed forward, desperately calling the white haired boy's name. She spotted a small opening Near the top of the rubble piled before her, and climbed up to it. It was far too small for her the get through, but it did allow her to look in. She watched as Near vanished through an opening in the ceiling, and climbed out of the keep.
"Near!" She called.
There was no response, and Near did not return. Cursing under her breath, Linda leapt away, and ran back down the hall she had come from. If she could get outside, she might be able to catch up with the white haired boy.
(XXX)
As the dust settled, Matt and Ukita both rose, their ears ringing painfully. The cannon had more or less exploded when they fired it, destroying the front wall and, to their great relief, the serpent creature, and then flew up and out the back wall to places unknown.
"I may have over packed it a little." Matt said.
"You think?" Ukita snapped, though he wasn't really angry.
(XXX)
L was moving quickly, the momentary distraction from the last explosion, whatever it had been, gave him an opportunity to get away from the witch, if even for moment. He crossed through the passages, descended a stair, and came back out to a small section just behind the main wall. There were men fighting along the parapets. Somewhere, a gunshot rang out. L didn't know that it was the very gunshot that ended the Daimyo Commander's life. The guildsman's attention was instead taken by the corpse of a rifleman lying nearby, his weapon draped across his chest. L ran over and took the rifle, checking to see if it was loaded or damaged. Satisfied, he ran on.
He needed a plan, something to finish her off before she could fry him. There was a possibility that he could find some perch, and try to snipe her, but she could have warded herself somehow. L wasn't entirely familiar with magic, and as the Azure Sage he could only called up blurred memories and half incantations that did him on good whatsoever. No, he needed something else, something she wouldn't see coming. It's funny what can suddenly spur memories. A simple gesture one makes, such as the nodding of the head, when you meet someone new, to help recall their name at a later point. The scent of wildflowers can call images of a pleasant childhood afternoon with one's family. Or even the feeling of a warm breeze, gently pushing the bangs out of your eyes can help you remember something vital when you're in dire need. The Azure Sage, in his time, would often – quite figuratively – refer to these instances as hearing the wind. L was hearing it now, more clearly than he had in years, and an image did play before his mind as a dry wind coiled through the air. The image of a pillar, held up only by rusty chains.
He then recalled something else, something that brought about a shocking realization. The creature that the woman had summoned was just spiritual energy, and desire – a desire to kill. What it lacked was form, and so it had drawn upon whatever materials were available, the bricks and stone, to give it shape. That had made the area structurally unsound, thus the ease of the columns collapse when the creature attacked him. If such a thing were to occur in a place that was already structurally weakened…
L ran. He knew what he had to do, where he had to lead her. Soon he was before the familiar site of the archway, once a portcullis, long fallen into ruin. He stood out in the open, the rifle held in his hands where anyone could see it. He heard the faint sound of footsteps, and knew without seeing that it was 'her', fast approaching. Takada came into view then, spotting him immediately. Her eyes fell on the rifle he held, and she grinned.
"A little more confident with that?" She teased, indicating the rifle in L's arms. "Such crude and impersonal little toy."
"Anymore monsters at your disposal." L cheeked. "In all honesty, you really bore me."
Takada gritted her teeth. The nerve of this man was unbelievable. She was the High Summoner, the backbone of spiritual might within the Empire. She would not stand to be mocked. She reached into he robes, and withdrew another slip of paper, seemingly identical to the last one she had used.
"Oh, I've got plenty in store for you." Takada said with malicious grin. "If it's monsters you want, then monsters I can provide!"
She through the paper face down to the ground.
"By the powers that be, I summon thee." Takada repeated the chant from earlier.
L couldn't believe it. It had been so easy to goad her. And she was conveniently standing right beside the chain wrapped pillar. Immediately the ground began to rise and take shape. It was big whatever it was, but that only meant it needed more in order to take form, which L was counting on. As it rose, Takada was blocked off from view, confident behind the creature and out of L's shooting range. But she, nor the monster she had called, was not what L intended to shoot. The pillar was dislodged, and began to fall. The chain was pulled taunt, halting the pillars tumble. L took aim then, lining the rifle's sight with the chain.
BANG!
The lead ball passed through the air, screeching loudly. It struck one of the rusty links, causing it to shatter. The pillar came down. Takada watched helplessly as the pillar crashed atop her newly formed minion, crushing it into the ground. The shock of the pillars collapse, and the creature's destruction, started a chain reaction, and soon the whole section of the fort was coming down. L leapt aside and took cover. It was like a quake passed through the fort, shaking its foundations, and causing everyone to pause briefly, and watch as part of it crumbled into ruin.
Once the collapse was over, L crawled back to his feet, and turned to the wreckage. He had to be sure. He approached, and then stopped, wincing just slightly at what he beheld. There in the rubble, protruding from between the stones and bricks, were a set of crushed human fingers pointing out at him, blood leaking out from between them and running down to the ground, where it pooled. The High Summoner was no more…
(XXX)
Sword rang loud against opposing sword as Light pressed on against Mikami. They had fought all around the passage, sparks flying from their weapons as they collided against one another, painfully jarring their palms and fingers. But neither man gave the other an inch. It was a vicious battle, worthy of legend, if only anyone else had been there to witness it. But they were all alone, and neither man would have had it any other way. This was how it was meant to be. A rivalry that had never been settled, should have been settled years prior, but was delayed. But now it was playing out, and it was better than either of them had ever imagined, because it was real.
Light parried and then countered, but Mikami was already there to deflect, and then press with his own flurry of attacks. It was a test of swordsmanship alone, neither opponent utilizing any other weapon at their disposal. They didn't need to know who was trickier. They wanted to know who was better. Mikami lounged forward, and Light quickly leapt aside, letting him pass. Mikami could be an excellent swordsman, was in fact a very skillful opponent, but he was also over anxious. Anyone else may have translated this as Mikami's lust for bloodshed, but Light knew it for what it truly was. He was afraid. He was afraid of Light, and wanted to end him quickly, for every moment that Light continued to live and fight, Mikami grew less and less confident in his abilities. But Light wasn't about to give him the pleasure.
Mikami was back again with another carefully set series of strikes, that could have been from any of numerous practice drills driven into him by the Imperial Academy. That was another of his weaknesses. Mikami lacked creativity, which came with natural talent. Light was creative, and adaptable. He had talent. For every attack Mikami made, Light was there to defend. It was almost as though he were toying with the Kagebannin Commander, unwilling to let the fight end too soon, and therefore be unable to relish his victory. But Mikami knew it was more than that. Yagami was…faster, stronger, had more endurance. Somehow, his physical abilities had increased, despite his years of confinement. Though Mikami was clueless as to what may have caused this change, Light had a pretty good idea. The golden apples had augmented him, made his body stronger, more capable than before…and he loved it.
Mikami was frightened now. Something was very wrong here. He could feel his body tiring as the battle went on, but Yagami only seemed to get more and more energized with each blow he countered. He was unlike any opponent the Commander had ever previously encountered. Mikami had never been in a situation that had caused him to doubt his abilities as a warrior. But here, fighting with his longtime rival, Mikami was beginning to suspect that he was somehow lacking. And the unwavering grin the marked Yagami's face, only served to further demoralize him.
The battle raged on. Mikami was quickly becoming desperate, trying at any opportunity to put more space between him and Light, just to catch his breath a little before the next attack. But every time he leapt aside, Yagami was there to meet him. Mikami leapt back, and bounced off of a wall that had somehow snuck up behind him. He was pinned. Light rushed forward, bring his blade around. Mikami brought up his weapon to defend, but Light simply batted it aside. Then Light reversed his blade, in much the same fashion as Mello often did, and drove it into Mikami's unguarded chest. The force of his thrust caused the tip to bite through Mikami's breastplate, pierce his heart, and push through deep into the wall he had been backed against.
Mikami tried to cry out in surprise, but the blood rapidly filling his mouth drowned it out, instead producing only a muffled gargle. The color left his face, and his eyes went wide with sudden horror. He could feel his body begin to cool, starting with his insides. The world lost its color, sounds seemed to muffle and distort in his ears. And there stood Yagami, teeth flashed in a merciless and satisfied grin, spittle running down his chin. Crimson blood poured out of Mikami's opened mouth as he looked down at the blade protruding from his armor in disbelief. The darkness began to creep in at the edges of his vision.
Light relished every second of it. The feeling of his blade tearing through the armor, and the flesh beneath. The sound of iron scraping across and breaking through Mikami's ribs. The moment it puncture his fast beating heart, and the steady decrease in its pace as he held the blade in place. Mikami's expression was the best part. Had he really expected to win? Did he really think he had stood a chance? Light felt the last heartbeat vibrate through the blade and into the grip of his sword, nestled firmly between his fingers. He heard the last wheezing breath escape Mikami's bloodied lips, and felt it cold against his sweat gleaming face. Then he watched his opponent's eyes dull, the last spark of life being stolen from them.
Light let out the breath he had been holding, and stepped away, leaving Mikami's lifeless body pinned to the wall like some macabre painting. He looked around for a moment, his eyes finally falling on the corpses of the Daimyo soldiers he and Mikami had dispatched of before their battle started. Light quickly threw off his cloak, and removed his breastplate. He needed to move fast, if he was going to escape. Only death awaited him back at the Empire, so now was his one chance to get away.
(XXX)
Near pulled himself up onto the roof, and looked around. The battle was intense, black smoke drifted into the sky from a large wall of flames at the fort's front. Near wondered if Matt had anything to do with it, as it was definitely redhead's style. Then he remembered that he was standing alone and unarmed while a war was being fought. He needed to find the others, and fast. He crossed the roof and climbed down to a nearby balcony. He paused briefly as the building shook, and a large section of the fort collapsed in the distance, not knowing that it marked L's victory of the High Summoner. He blinked for moment, and then resumed his climb.
Once on the balcony, Near looked around for his next course.
"Near!" The voice was feminine.
Near turned, thinking that maybe Linda had caught up with him, or maybe even the daemon. The last thing he expected was to see the familiar face of the certain blonde woman from the Imperial Palace rushing towards him. Halle came forward and took Near into her arms, embracing him like mother reunited with her lost child. And, like a relieved mother, Halle began to kiss his face and forehead. Near blinked in confusion. What was his mother's bodyguard, Halle, doing out here. Halle set him down and began to look him over.
"Are you hurt?" She asked.
Near shook his head, still very much surprised and puzzled by her appearance. Halle looked over her shoulder.
"Rester, Gevanni!" She called to the two men in the hall behind her. "I have the Prince!"
(XXX)
Naomi was on the roof, having climbed there to avoid a large mass of soldiers she had encountered on the balcony below. They came up after her one by one, and one by one, she dispatched of them. L climbed up then, and spotted the Guild Master fighting across the roof from him. He pulled himself up and rushed to her assistance. Naomi, caught up in all the fighting, was suddenly aware of someone approaching her quickly from behind. She spun and punched out, catching L right in the nose. The guildsman's head snapped back, and he gripped his injured face with both hands. Naomi, surprised as ever, quickly moved his hands so she could see the damage. Already, twin trails of blood ran from L's nostrils, across his lips, and off his chin. But Naomi's attention was suddenly drawn to the two Daimyo soldiers rushing up behind him.
She spun L around so that he could see the men trying to flank him. He moved quickly, sticking both men in the throat with that section of his hand between the thumb and forefinger, causing them to reel back, choking and sputtering. Then jumped, turning in the air, and drove both his elbows into their faces, knocking both of them forcefully to the ground. All of this Naomi missed, since immediately after she had turned L on his two attackers, she sensed another opponent coming up behind her. She turned and planted her foot hard in the man's crotch, causing him to double over. She then brought up her knee, smashing it into his face, seeing a few white specks – his teeth – jet from between his busted lips. Then man fell face down to the ground, unconscious. Now Naomi and L stood back-to-back, ready to meet their next opponents.
Naomi got a glimpse of what was happening over the outer wall, and suddenly she gasped.
"Look!" She shouted, drawing L's attention.
They both rushed to the ledge and peered into the canyon beyond the fort. There they saw the Daimyo forces being attacked from behind by Imperial soldiers marching around the curve. They're enemies were now pinned between the wall of fire, and the Imperial troops that continued to pour in. The battle was soon to be over.
"Looks like Aizawa managed to defend the frontline." L commented.
"I can't believe we did it." Naomi breathed.
L looked at her, seeming confused.
"With you leading," L said, "Was there really any doubt in your mind?"
Naomi snorted, and then grinned appreciatively. L had paid her compliments before, but this one seemed strangely genuine when compared to the others. Naomi then removed a small handkerchief from her pocket and pinched L's nose with it, tilting his head up to try and stop the bleeding. She placed his hand there to hold it, and glanced back over the ledge. Just then, Ukita – one hand still clamped over an ear – came out onto the balcony below her, a certain redhead following behind him.
"Ah, I can hear again." Ukita said.
"You helped me pack it." Matt responded.
"We won boys." Naomi said brightly surprising the both of them.
Ukita looked at the scene over the wall.
"About time!" He snapped.
"Aw," Matt whined, "It's over already?"
"I'm not complaining." Mello said as he came out onto the balcony to join his best friend.
He looked up at Naomi, and she saw immediately that there was something different about him. It was something in his eyes. Calmness maybe?
"Are you alright?" Naomi asked like a concerned parent.
Mello unconsciously caressed the ivory handle of Roger's pistol, tucked beside his belt buckle, just opposite the old flintlock he carried, and nodded.
"Guys!" The voice was Linda's.
Everyone looked, and spotted her on a parapet across from them.
"It's Near!" Linda cried desperately, pointing.
Everyone looked up and spotted a group of figures in Imperial armor climbing ropes to the lip of the canyon above. There was a young man, an older, larger man, a blonde woman, and…Near!
"They're taking him back to the capital." L said around Naomi's handkerchief.
Naomi leaned over the ledge.
"Ukita, we need horses!" She said urgently.
"On it." Ukita replied, disappearing back into the keep.
"I'm going too." Mello said calmly.
"Yeah, me too." Matt added.
"No!" Naomi said firmly. "There's no way!"
"They have to go." L's lifeless voice surprised her.
Naomi looked to the guildsman, frowning.
"They swore to protect the Prince." L explained, removing the handkerchief and looking upon her. "They have to go."
Naomi regarded him for a moment, and then gave a reluctant nod. She looked back down at the boys on the balcony.
"Okay." She said. "But hurry up. We need to close the distance."
Both boys nodded and rushed back into the keep.
(XXX)
Gevanni was over the lip and back atop the canyon wall. He turned and watched Rester pull himself up. Together the two men help Halle and Near the rest of the way. Near hadn't said anything, it was mostly choice, but I doubted he could find any words at the moment. What were they doing here? Since all the fighting was still going on below, there were only a few scatterings of Kagebannin operatives still stationed up here, just to watch over the camp. The three soldiers escorted Near to a black carriage. Near's confusion was at its peak when the carriage was thrown open and he looked into a pair of familiar eyes, a slight red hue to the irises, gleaming back at him.
Misa immediately crossed the distance between and pulled Near into her arms.
"Near!" Misa cried, squeezing him tightly, as though he may vanish at any moment.
Halle closed the door, allowing the two some privacy, and turned to Rester.
"Now what?" It Gevanni who asked the question.
"Now, we make for the capital." Rester stated flatly, climbing atop the carriage, since the driver was nowhere to be found.
"What about the Commander, and Yagami?" Gevanni asked in alarm.
"You heard the Commander." Rester replied coldly. "The Prince is our priority."
Gevanni was hesitant at first, but then nodded, and hopped on beside the larger man. The idea of leaving Yagami without anyone to watch him was a very unsettling thought. But then again, where did he have to go? The three soldiers, with their royal charges, drove off towards the border, and the capital.
(XXX)
Shawn Dunleavy had served as constable since the earlier days of his youth. He wasn't a stranger to combat, or bloodshed. All the same, given the sounds that were rising from the canyon and flooding into the prisoner tent, he was greatly relieved to be s set on guard duty at the moment. The three captives, the bandits from earlier had finally quieted down, knowing now that Dunleavy had no intention of explaining anything to them. Why would they need to know? They were on their way to the hangman as soon as they returned to the capital.
Shawn had to admit, he was still a little puzzled by why exactly he was placed inside the tent with two capable guards standing outside at its mouth, but offered no argument when he was ordered to be here. But then something happened that caused a measure of distress. There were some odd noises outside, and everyone in the tent suddenly looked towards its closed entrance.
"Hey, is something wrong?" Shawn called.
No one replied. The bandits started looking around at each other, their faces worried. Shawn drew the small hatchet that had been resting in his belt, and began to approach the mouth of the tent cautiously.
"Hey," Shawn called, "Is anyone out there?"
Still not a sound could be heard in response. Shawn reached out, his fingers only inches from the front flap. Then he gasped, causing the prisoners to jump in alarm. Shawn dropped his weapon and clutched his chest. It was like icy fingers were clamping down on his heart, prying it from his body. Shawn dropped to his knees gasping, clawing at it chest, trying to get at whatever was harming him there. Then he fell over, and lay motionless on the ground, his dead eyes staring horrified to the front of the tent. The bandits all looked at each other in mingled terror and confusion.
"What the hell?" Shibuimaru shouted in surprise.
Otoharada, Osoreda, and Tailor offered no response. Then the front flap was thrown open and a man came in. At first they were alarmed, seeing only the armor that identified the man as Daimyo. But then Lind looked up into the man's face, and an odd combination of puzzlement and relief crossed his features.
"Commander Yagami!" He breathed.
To Be Concluded…