Chapter 3: The Nina Files
It was dark, and everyone seemed to be asleep. Well, everyone except Nina and Shisuta.
Shisuta had been accompanying Nina, or rather, Luna, for some time now. It started as a means to obtain more information on Nina's condition, but had evolved into a true partnership.
She had been travelling with Luna for eight years now, and had learned much about their cause. It was a cause she was willing to fight for, and one that the others weren't aware of.
"How are you holding up?" Asked Luna? "I know you never get much sleep as it is, but you look exhausted."
Shisuta nodded. "I am... Kahn came back today, and he brought news of some horrible creatures coming to take our home. On top of the usual work, it has been quite exhausting..."
"He's alive then?" She asked.
"Yes, he is." Shisuta replied. "And what's more, those creatures he described sounded a lot like the ones we saw looming around the last maze."
Luna's eyes widened. "Those creatures guarding the gates... If they are attacking this place soon, do you think the Kurayami is in on it?"
"I don't know..." Said Shisuta gravely. "But I know there's some connection there."
Luna looked at her. "Well, we're going to check in at camp, and we can talk to our spies. Remember, you will address me as Luna when we're there."
She nodded. "Understood."
Nina was not aware of her activities after dark. She did not know this camp, and they did not know her. Nina went into mazes and was able to infiltrate them. When she started messing up on missions, Luna started running the program. All of the children she had saved and trained only knew Luna.
They left through the front door, trying to make as little noise as possible. They hadn't been caught once in the course of eight years, what could go wrong now?
...
Karo had a hard time sleeping tonight. His nerves were worked to their edge with work, training, and the stress about 100 Leviathans coming to feast on their corpses.
There was no way he was sleeping tonight.
...No way.
He saw Shisuta and Nina walk into the lobby.
He his behind a pillar, hoping his wings wouldn't give him away. Wings were horrible for hiding, curse these poor genetics! He wasn't even good at flying...
He heard her walk outside the front door.
What were they up to...?
(Karo, where are you going?)
I'm following Shisuta. She left the building with Nina, and I think they're up to something...
(Hold on, I'll go with you. It's not safe to be wandering alone right now...)
I'm already outside, so you might want to hurry.
(Got it, I'll make sure I catch up with you.)
Alright... Just be careful.
There was no point in hiding anything when it came to Karo and Haruka.
Well, at least not from each other.
The mental connection they shared had strengthened over time. Most times, even if one was up to something, the other understood their reasoning perfectly. Whenever one was in on it, the other was too.
Karo kept a safe distance from them, but stayed close enough to pick up on any conversation.
"So how has their training been progressing?" Shisuta asked.
"Well enough." Nina replied. "Though the nocturnal schedule is a lot to adjust to for some..."
"It is what you have to work with Luna." Shisuta said. "Besides, some have been in the maze so long, this shouldn't phase them."
A maze...? They weren't talking about one of those mazes, were they?
"Yes, that's true." Said Luna solemnly. "But our cause is to prevent that from happening. No one should be forced to suffer in that torture chamber longer than they have to. Especially not a child."
It was one of those mazes... What was Shisuta doing getting involved in this!?
Haruka slipped in beside Karo.
(I'm here, and about the maze... They're definitely up to something.)
I know, but why wouldn't Shisuta tell me about it? Especially now! It's not safe to be walking around at night, even with all of us here... What could she be thinking!?
(I don't know, but we have company.)
He looked to his right, and saw two men following Shisuta and Nina. They hadn't noticed them yet.
(good thing I brought these along.)
Haruka pulled out two black bladed daggers.
She slipped in behind the two men, and stabbed one after the other in the spinal joint at the back of the neck. They were dead before they had even sensed the danger.
Haruka was what you would call a close combat assassin.
She silently moved back to Karo.
(Who do you think they were?)
I don't know... But why were they closing in on Shisuta?
(Let's keep following them and find out.)
They followed them for another ten minutes, and came across a dimly lit camp.
There were many children there, some younger, and some older. They were talking amongst themselves, smiling and laughing. A lot of them were training in a spear wielding style. You could tell which ones had just recently left the maze. You could see it in their eyes...
...a deadness. Cold and lifeless.
But there were so many others with smiling determination... and those who were gaining this same hope.
They were all together, like a family.
Karo felt himself tearing up. He didn't know why he was thinking about this now, but this is something he wished he could have had...
(Karo... I know it hurts, and I'm sorry... but look at them. They look so happy, all encouraging each other. If this is what Shisuta was up to, then I think it's wonderful.)
Yeah... It sure is. She's so amazing...
(Still that into her, huh? Well, I get it... but don't get your hopes up. You'll get hurt.)
I know but... I can't help it. She's just so...
A twig snapped under his foot.
"Who's there!?" Luna yelled readying her spear.
The children grabbed large round shields and spears.
"Spartan circle formation!" Yelled an older boy.
They were quickly surrounded in a shield wall, spears pointed at them in all directions. They put their hands up.
"State your purpose." Said a young man who looked about fifteen.
"We weren't trying to cause any trouble!" Karo exclaimed.
"Right!" Haruka agreed. "If anything we were helping you. We were following our friends here to make sure they were safe... They were being closed in on by two men, and we disposed of them... Please stop pointing spears at us... Please?"
"You might want to listen to her." Said a booming voice.
They looked up, and saw Boh standing above them.
"B-Boh!? How did you?... Oh you turned into a mouse and followed us that way..."
Haruka sighed. "That was cool and all, but they're the ones with the spears. You might want to calm down..."
"Hold your weapons..." Said a voice. It was Shisuta.
"I know these people, they are not our enemies."
They put down their spears and stepped aside, letting Shisuta through.
She walked up to Karo, she looked angry.
"What are you doing here!? It's not safe outside, and this is none of your concern!"
"Really!?" He snapped. "Well I could say the same thing to you! I like what you're doing here, and I don't judge that. It's the keeping secrets part that really pisses me off! I was trapped in that maze for a whole MONTH STRAIGHT! I had to avoid the sweepers, because for a while? I didn't stand a chance, my only option was survival! Apparently this is none of my business at ALL!"
Haruka grabbed him by the shoulders and turned to face him.
"Calm down Karo... I know. Just calm down..."
She turned to face Shisuta. She was glaring.
"We have just as much right to be here as you do. Don't act like you're so superior, when you've never even been in the maze."
Shisuta snapped. "Yes, and you'd know anything about it!? You were just a child! No, an infant! You probably don't even remem-!"
Haruka swung her fist at Shisuta, landing a blow at her nose.
"How DARE YOU!?" She yelled, tears streaming down her face.
"YOU-!"
"THAT, is ENOUGH!" Luna barked.
She walked up to Haruka. "You, young lady... You shouldn't be here..."
She turned toward Shisuta.
"And you. Don't EVER talk to Haruka like that! She has seen some of the worst those mazes have to offer. This is an insult Shisuta."
Looking at Shisuta now, Karo felt horrible. Blood running from her nose, and tears streaming down her face.
He never wanted this... Not any of it.
Luna walked up to him.
"Karo... I'm truly sorry."
That's all she said.
She walked away, and the others followed suit. Shisuta shot them all a final glare, but teared up again when she looked at Karo.
She ran off, and into a tent.
"Let's just go home." Boh said. "You three obviously have a lot you need to sleep on."
They all walked home, and a heavy feeling fell over all of them.
Karo felt the weight of the world on his chest, remembering Shisuta's eyes. The violet eyes he wished he could gaze into for an eternity, filled with pain.
He held in his tears, and retired to his room.
His sleep was numb, and there were no dreams.