BACK AS PROMISED: Last week was stressful and long and I had no time to work on this story. Some of that was due to the fact that I went to a music festival that happened to be in the town I visited to see some of my favorite bands perform so I ended up using up my reserve to bring you this chapter. Usually I have another chapter finished before I post but I just finished this one up and am only one paragraph into chapter 9. But, you have all been so awesome and supportive, it's totally worth it. I hope you enjoy!
"Why did I have to be the girl?!"
The man beside her chuckled lightly at her frustration remembering when they were given their travel documents. The first segment of their trip entailed them traveling in a private cabin as a young Educator accompanying his fiancee's runaway sister back home to the town of Harkton. Once they arrived, they would disembark, change appearances and re-board in the general seating to continue on to the border. However, the Head Scribe had an unconventional idea as to who would play which role.
"You mean you want me to be the male?" Kyoko nearly yelled incredulously.
"Well, seeing as how neither of you are well versed in assuming a new identity," Yukihito paused briefly as Ren coughed a few times. "I figured it would be best to keep you in drastically different appearances so that you're constantly reminded that you are not yourselves rather than accidentally falling back into your usual habits."
Her mouth formed a perfect circle as she acknowledged the thought that went into this, "I understand now."
"Besides, you'll get to go back to being a girl for the second part of your trip," he added.
Kyoko nodded, remembering her second disguise. They would be traveling as two Displaced—the common term used for individuals who consciously choose to never join a Guild upon reaching the age of majority—and attempting to leave the country for a new life in Altria. As she had met a few Displaced over the years, she did not think it would be too difficult to emulate their carefree delinquency. However, her experience with being a sibling was non-existent. She would just have to do her best approximation of being a little sister and hope it was enough.
Once they had their new identities, they both returned to the laboratory to craft their disguises based on the photographs included in their documents. Ren gave full artistic license to Kyoko to create the outfits to match and only added a few details he thought necessary. The first pair were dressed to appear distinguished with an obviously wealthy background. While the second pair were to be garish and stand out easily so that their intentionally obvious forged documents raise the suspicions of the Defenders at the border. She was still amazed at how much consideration went in to this subterfuge.
They sat across from one another in the dining partition of the train as it wound its way through the quiet nighttime. Kyoko had somehow managed to convince Ren to eat dinner with her, despite the current circumstances. While they did have lodging in a private car hidden away from most passengers, it seemed like a good idea to keep up appearances and show their faces periodically so as not to raise suspicion. It also forced Kyoko to adjust to the reality of being someone else as she would need to be mindful of her altered appearance for the second part of their journey.
Ren apparently needed no such adjustment period. While he initially appeared uncomfortable with the role, he fell into it easily and carried himself like a dour young lady of a wealthy family. It gave her pause to wonder if he had done this sort of thing before but she immediately dismissed it reasoning that, if it was something in his past, she had no place asking about it. She looked across the small table at her dinner companion as they begrudgingly picked at the plate of food before them.
"I know it is not what you are accustomed to, but you would do well to eat at least some of it," it still unnerved her slightly when she spoke with an altered voice.
"It is bad enough that I am being unceremoniously herded back home like livestock by a man who is not even a part of my family but now you are trying to tell me how to eat?" the girl across the table glowered with barely contained rage.
"I am only your escort because I had business in the city."
"Exactly my point," the girl sneered as she abruptly pushed away the plate. "When they found out where I was, they could not even send a designated person. They just asked you to pick me up on your way as if I were a carton of milk. And yet, they wonder why I left home."
In a huff, the girl rose gracefully from her seat and walked quickly back to their quarters. Kyoko stared blankly at the empty space before her from behind the calm expression of her disguise. Finishing the meal before her in a steady, unhurried pace, she also headed back to their small cabin. Surely, that was enough of an exhibition for the people around them of the relationship between these two passengers. Closing the door behind her, she found Ren still disguised and sitting on the cushioned bench and leaning against the window.
"Quite the scene you caused out there. I'm pretty sure everyone on this train is convinced that you hate me."
"Little do they know that I was just too tired and keyed up to eat," Ren smiled wanly.
"Nervous?" she sat down beside him with her hands clasped and her forearms bracing against her knees.
"You said it yourself, we are not formally trained to do this sort of thing and yet, the danger of the situation is very real," he looked at her thoughtfully. "I'm honestly not sure if I should be worried or impressed that you're not as anxious as I am."
"Oh the anxiety is there," she assured. "I just convinced myself it was more important to focus on other things."
"A wise decision," he affirmed with a nod. "How many more hours until we reach Harkton?"
"About six, I believe. Should we try to get some rest?" she looked dubiously at the tiny sleeping compartments in the room along the far wall. "I have no idea how I'm to fit in there with this body. I think I'll just sit here and nap."
"They do look awfully tight, even for my current size," he agreed. "Mind if I stay here with you? I'll give you the side by the window so you can lean against the wall."
"I suppose that can work. Since you're smaller, you can probably lie down with your head on my lap," she offered.
"Would that be alright?" he hesitated for the sake of propriety. "I don't want you to do anything you're uncomfortable with."
"We're already cramped together in a tiny room in gender-swapped disguises," she rolled her eyes with a light laugh as she switched places with him on the bench. "Comfort is the least of my worries right now. Besides, you said you were tired."
"Fair point," he said before curling up on the bench and resting his head on her lap. "Sleep… well, I guess?"
"I'll try."
Kyoko marveled at the small form lying across the seat next to her. While she was mostly impressed at results of her own handiwork, the fact that her senior was currently sleeping on her lap did not escape her. She felt oddly protective over him as he appeared more vulnerable in this state. Thinking back to his outburst at dinner, she wondered what the impetus was for the things he said. He could have had a friend in a similar predicament, she supposed, but the anger felt real and palpable. Deep in thought, she did not realize her hand had started to stroke the hair of the head resting on her.
Ren felt the soft pressure of fingers on his scalp as they lulled him to sleep. It was a sensation he had not experienced in a long time and it brought back memories he was not prepared to handle. Shutting his eyes tightly, he tried his hardest to will them away. It was not as if he did not miss his family, but it was easier to focus on his goal without nostalgia getting in the way. Success always came at a high price, but he was willing to pay it twice if it helped atone for the life he failed to protect.
An eye-catching blonde, ostentatiously dressed in a form-fitting black outfit with silver accents, exited the station's restroom in Harkton and joined her dark-haired male companion to board the idling train. He graciously let her take the window seat, which she accepted with a shrug. She spent most of the trip with her boots impolitely propped up on the seat in front of her, staring impassively out the window as if the scenery bored her. The man beside her—whose shoulder she was currently nestled against—appeared to be sleeping. It was difficult, to be sure, as she had never travelled to this part of the country yet and watching the densely clustered homes and buildings change to rolling countryside through her window was actually quite fascinating.
When the two arrived at the border stop, they were unceremoniously taken aside to be interrogated about their documents. They sat side-by-side in a closed-off room as they were questioned as to their supposed occupation and purpose for traveling. While the girl tried to remain impassively silent, her counterpart tersely answered the questions with as few words as possible.
"There's no way you two are Novice Entertainers," one of the interrogators challenged.
"We're on our way to a location filming in Altria," the man repeated gruffly for the fifth time.
"Then, why are you traveling on clearly forged identification?" the other one demanded. "You know very well Displaced are forbidden from leaving the country."
"Does he even speak Grismerian?" the man said to the woman sitting next to him. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?
The girl shrugged, shook her head sadly and gave a loud, exasperated sigh.
"If you don't believe us, go ask Lieutenant Inspector Konoe," she said, mildly vexed. "I heard he's stationed here. He's our uncle."
A brief look was exchanged between two men before they left to locate the person in question. A taut silence settled over the room as the remaining pair sat. The blonde uncrossed her arms and looked over at the man sitting next to her. He returned her gaze with a reassuring one and grasped her hand in his, squeezing slightly as if to comfort her. The moment was interrupted when the door to the room re-opened and a somewhat round man with cropped hair and glasses in an olive uniform stepped inside alone. His eyes narrowed as he looked at them both carefully.
"I was told my niece and nephew were in here," he said dubiously. "Which would be a first for me as I am unmarried and an only child. So tell me, who are you really?"
The pair before him looked at each other again and with a barely perceptible nod from the man, they suddenly changed appearances. The man had become a petite black-haired girl while the woman transformed into a sophisticated man in a suit. Lt. Inspector Konoe looked at the new faces before him and shook his head. He brought a hand to his chin thoughtfully while tucking the other arm beneath the bent elbow.
"Is this supposed to be some sort of game?" he asked, clearly irritated. "I still don't know who you are."
The girl inclined her head towards the man at her side and they changed once more. He was now facing two young Spellweavers and everything clicked. A surprised laugh erupted from his throat. Ren and Kyoko stared blankly at him, unsure of how to proceed.
"I see that Grand Archweaver of yours got my follow-up message regarding delivery of our requested items," he smiled broadly and looked at the braided cords on their hoods. "Archweaver Tsuruga, I presume?"
"A pleasure to meet you," Ren replied then motioned towards the seat next to him. "This is my partner, Class 1 Weaver Kyoko Mogami."
"Sir," she chimed in with a seated bow.
"Welcome, both of you, to the Rampart. This train station is only a small part of the entire facility that I will gladly show you once we get out out of here," he shook their hands. "I suggest you re-activate your disguises so we can escort you without raising suspicion."
The station apparently only served as a facade for the rest of the outfit as it was a clever camouflage for what lay beneath the ground. A fourteen-layer underground base was presented before them through thick glass panes as the elevator shot down into the earth. Kyoko's experience with the Defenders during her cross-training had been limited to more public safety and infantry training exercises. The intelligence side of the guild was never really seen; and for good reason.
"We don't typically allow many Spellweavers down here so you two are some of the few that get to see this," Konoe explained. "Since you worked so hard to create a really crucial element for our operation, the least I can do is show you some of the non-classified areas of this place once our meeting is concluded. You will, of course, need to be escorted by a representative at all times while you are here."
"Speaking of which," Ren was all business while Kyoko continued to stare admiringly through the elevator's glass. "How long do you think this will take? We need to be on a return train in a few hours."
"Oh, no need to worry," the Lt. Inspector assured. "We have visitor accommodations near the barracks that you can use. I assume you are both exhausted from your trip. No sense in you going back right away when you can get a good meal and some sleep."
"We appreciate the hospitality, sir," Ren thanked him.
"Nonsense," he dismissed. "As far as I'm concerned, you are honored guests!"
They were taken to a small meeting room as their first order of business since they had yet to surrender the rings. The spell lamps on the wall were tinted to simulate filtered sunlight and the furnishings were colored in pale grays and blues. Since windows were non-existent, it was obvious that they made an effort to make their rooms feel less claustrophobic. If it were not for the extensive elevator ride, one would easily forget they were underground. Handing off the rings was about as casual as their meeting with Grand Archweaver Takarada and only took a bit longer due to some additional details that needed to be explained for non-Spellweaver users. They were joined by three other high-ranked Defenders whose names Kyoko failed to remember; the whole experience was so overwhelming she focused all of her efforts towards behaving as a consummate professional.
When the meeting concluded with a round of respectful handshakes and gestures, Lt. Inspector Konoe directed them to the residential quarters to show them their lodging. He took the liberty of having the bags they seized from the train when they were taken aside for questioning to be brought to their respective rooms. Their next stop was the dining hall where they were shown the variety of cuisines that were available to the personnel stationed at Rampart were able to enjoy. Kyoko eyed Ren warily, knowing that food was the lowest priority on his list but was surprised when he kindly accepted the meal offered. When she saw how methodically he chewed each bite before swallowing, she realized he only accepted out of courtesy.
Watching the wide-eyed wonder with which Kyoko surveyed their surroundings during their walkthrough of the facility was a small comfort for Ren. While it was a very impressive base with state-of-the-art equipment, it unnerved him to be there and caused him to think of painful things he would rather ignore. He imagined he was doing a fair job of hiding it thus far but, as each step drew them closer to the combat training arena, he felt the dread in the pit of his stomach grow to a near unbearable intensity.
The doors to the arena slid open before them and they were ushered inside. The Lt. Inspector informed them that a minor routine exercise was underway, but they should be safe to observe it from the spectator balcony. Two teams of three people each were engaged in a live-round skirmish in the arena that stretched for two hectares below them; false walls, buildings and fixtures were scattered around to simulate an urban setting. Sonic Spellweavers created weapons for the Defenders over two decades prior that used sound waves instead of physical ammunition. These wave rifles were being used by the teams—though the training rifles were altered to give the waves a colored glow to make them easier to spot—along with deflectors to be deployed as a protective field. It created a stunning light show for those watching as the waves bounced twice off of the walls before dissipating.
He heard it before he saw and only noticed it a half of a heartbeat before she did. His heart sank and his adrenaline spiked; a stray wave blast deflected from one of the combatants below was headed directly for her. Throwing up her hands to cast a barrier he knew she would be too late to execute, time seemed to stand still as he heard the voices from years ago screaming through his brain. The arena disappeared from around him and all he saw was dust-covered ground and bodies. Voices still echoed around him; distorted as if he were underwater. In that instant, he made a decision, weaving a swift and powerful deflection and pushing it forward.
To the untrained eye, the speed at which he moved was nearly imperceptible and the wave appeared to curve on its own before disappearing. To an experienced eye, the amount of energy needed for a Spellweaver to move that quickly was nearly impossible within human physical limitations. Ren staggered forward and grasped the balcony railing for support before looking over to see Kyoko swaying on her feet, her eyes fluttering between open and closed. With his last bit of strength, he rushed to her side and wrapped an arm firmly around her waist. His knees buckled under him with the added strain and, as his vision began to go black, they both sank to the floor.
SUSPENSEFUL CLIFFHANGER IS SUSPENSEFUL: I hope you've all been following along carefully so far! We're starting to learn more and more so I'd hate for you to miss anything. Well, leave me a message if you can. I am always delighted to hear from each and every one of you; especially my regulars like cleocat333, MWEH and Blushweaver. Off I go to get to work on the rest of the next chapter!
AUTHOR OUT!