Chapter 13 Part 2: Dishonored
"Where is everybody?"
"Aside from the 2nd upperclassmen who had a class this morning, only Sparda-san, Lady-sensei and the two of us who are authorized for clearance. There's a lot of vacant terminals, which one we are going to use?"
I scan the horizon. My eyes set into one at the far end of the room with the computer is still activated. Answering my curiousity, I approach that one casually.
"Ichika, that terminal is already taken." Houki reminds me.
"I know, and I believe this one belongs to Dante-san's. Say Houki, remember what we debated back in Bradley-san's infirmary about Dante-san's I.S? While we are here and he isn't, doesn't it make you to wonder what type of his I.S and how it is actually work from shifting range into close type?"
"No and I don't think we should be checking at his stuffs without permission."
But too late. My hands are already guided by my eyes into the Working Zone where sets of identical pistols are being laid on top of the stainless steel table. I always thought Dante-san's pistols are cool so I gently wrap my fingers around one of those guns and OOF!
Just how heavy is this thing?
I estimate the weight in my hand suddenly increased by 3 kilograms and I have to use my other hand to support the weight.
This gun is empty, right?
Turning over the gun slowly, I notice there is a gaping rectangular space at the bottom of the gun. Jesus. I cannot imagine how this gun actually weights with when it's loaded. Recalling my memory, only to find myself struck with bizarre amazement that he actually wielded these guns each on his hand and shooting with such amazing precision and speed are enough for me to give up on this gun.
As I carefully return the empty firearm, I notice an engravings carved on it's body. Upon closer inspection, I begin to make out those words written in foreign language which I am starting to be familiar wtth thanks to Cecilia's teachings. It says:
Ebony & Evory, for Tony Redgrave…by .45 Art Warks.
Tony Redgrave?
Huh? That name sounds familiar. Wait a second…where did I learn that name before?
"Ichika, check this out."
"Coming!"
From where Houki is standing, a mammoth sized double edged broadsword gleaming weakly as a reflection from the light cast by the lamp above. It's reflection, black as death, sending an uncomfortable chills into my bones. The two horned skull resembles a human serving as a border between the grip and diamond black lethal edge seems to have more purpose than a mere sick decoration. As It is silently saying in its twisted form:
'To everyone standing before this blade, your death is certain.'
The wicked message churns my stomach. My head spins from the eerie atmosphere emitted by the blade. Huh? Wait a second. Is it because of the nausea, that my eyes are playing a trick on me that I just saw a faint reddish glint within the skull's hollow sockets?
"This blade gives me the creeps." I say.
"Me too." Houki extends her arm right above the wicked sword. Then, she closes her eyes. "This blade was once wielded by a demon in the West and have become a loyal-silent witness during it's journey as well as another wicked bloodshed tool it's master wielded. And…What? What's going on?! I…I don't understand!"
"Houki? Are you…alright?"
"I'm fine." She suddenly brushed off my hand. "Don't touch me else you are breaking my concentration. By the way, I'm using my clairvoyance ability to read the history of this blade."
"Clairvoyance?"
"I developed that ability from my shrine maiden training. Well, it's just I have to keep my family shrine up and running after all."
"Ahhh. Now that you mention it. I guess you are right. So what you see in that blade?"
"Things those I cannot understand. The wielder of this blade raised this sword and rebelled against it's own kin. Many had fallen under this blade in that demon's bloody retaliation, but for what purpose? I don't sense any bloody rage in his questionable yet somewhat a noble crusade at the same time. Wait! I think I see something. A woman…in red…she's a mortal priestes…she…they…are in…love?"
"What?!" I am schocked. "That's impossible! Wait a minute, did she get 'charmed' just like you said?"
"No, I don't think so. But such gentle and affectionate look coming from each of them as though their love are mutual…and pure. The demon later disguished himself as a noble knight to blend with the mankind. They later got married and gave birth to twins. Then…Oh no!"
"What happened?"
"Such a merciless fate befall into the demon's family! The mother was murdered by demons who sought revenge for the father. She was killed right in front one of her children's eyes who hid himself in the shadow whilst the other had already escaped in the middle of the murder!"
"That's…outrageous! What happened to their father? Did it drive back the invading demons?"
"No! He…It's gone! Disappeared without traces leaving the remaining survivors of the dreadful night alone in their separate path. This blade seems to favor the child who witnessed his mother's death and…he…oh my God! That child…is none other than…than…Dante Sparda-san?"
The bizrre tale binds my tongue as I am remain speechless listening to the cruel tragedy.
"The hell you kids are doing?"
I jump back when a cold rude voice entering the atmoshphere. I turn around to see the owner of his blade has returned. Sure enough, Dante-san is displeased as his voice depicted.
"Tsk! Weren't you taught not to touch other people's stuff?"
He walks agitatedly toward his blade right where Houki is standing.
"Alright! Show's over! Scram!"
Putting his palm over on top of the blade, Dante-san swipes all the way down onto the hilt. The parts which crossed his hand dispersed into thin air as the sign that the blade is stored back into his I.S. Halfway through, he accidentally brushed against Houki's palm. It would be normal and I did expect Houki to yelp back.
Instead, there comes a horrific shriek from her mouth tearing the entire room off from it's silence as she rcoils back to the floor.
I make haste to her.
"Houki! Answer me! HOUKI!" I glare at Dante-san. "What did you do to her?!"
"She brought it to herself." I carelessly shrugs. "Moral lesson: Don't butt into other people's business."
"You!"
"Or what? You want to have a go, kid?" He extends his arms widely in a mockery challenge.
I was about to accept his challenge until Lady-sensei suddenly appears behind him.
"Hold your horses! Both of you, that's enough!"
Lady-sensei's stern voice immediatey turn into a gentle comforting tone as she approaches Houki and checking her.
"You are cold sweating and shaking here, love. I'll take you to doctor Bradley to patch you up, alright?"
"No! No! I…I'm fine…"
"Oh hell no, love. You are not. Upsy-daisy here we go!" Lady-sensei shouldering Houki up with ease. "If you are worrying about Ichika, fret not 'cuz Dante won't bite…ne? Onmyouji-chan?"
To my surprise, Houki becomes docile by the heartwarming smile Lady-sensei put on her face like an elder sister comforting her beloved little one. But something's seemingly off.
"Lady-sensei?"
"What is it, Ichika-kun?"
"How did you know that Houki is an Onmyouji?"
She takes off her eyewear. To my amazement, she does not since her first day of teching and they appear to be in contrast color.
The eyewear also unravels a slightly disturbing small horizontal scar that streaks across her nose.
"Let's say that I used to work in the same line of job like her. Ciao Ichika-kun." She says and her tone changes. "By the way Dante, be a good boy and do me a favor, okay?"
"Tsk! Whatever. Just get her out of here."
With that being said, Lady-sensei quits the room with Houki. I am left alone together with Dante-san, who is now sitting in front of his computer terminal.
"So, Lady told me that you are my partner, huh?"
How rude. You should address it as sensei, Dante-san.
"H…haik! I'll be in your care then. Should we start with…"
"Piss off!"
"Eh?"
"You heard me. I don't need a partner especially when my partner is a snotty brat who bullshit about honor and getting his sword snapped. Oh? Is that teeth gnashing sound I am hearing?"
"…"
"You are angry? Ooooh…scaaaaarryyy! So what are you going to do now? Oh? Turning your back and walk away? Come on kid! Where're the guts and honor you ranted?"
I was expecting for curses to jump out from his mouth just like how the Gaijin do when they are insulting someone. At least, that was what I learnt from movies and other TV dramas. Instead, Dante-san's choice of insults are low tier and not insulting as they seem, yet somehow he plays it around to rouse my discomfort to high level in such short time. I walk away and finally found myself a terminal to work on my broken blade after a while of enduring hid dreadful rantings that seems like eternity. Just where did he learn such disgraceful words anyway?
He should wash his mouth with a bar of soap sometimes!
Taking off my bracelet, I plug the socket from my wrist wear that also acts as my I.S into the supercomputer. The screen later pops out Byakushiki's specifications and status in not time with an alarming exclamation mark on the weapon tab. I navigate into the problematic area and my heart sorrowing upon my broken blade by my partner from the previous match. The image is so painful to me and without doubt, I shed little tears.
Who wouldn't?
Yukihira Niigata was given to me by Chifuyu-nee. This blade is also my precious treasure from the most important person to me in this world. My sorrow is ceased as I found a solution to my problem. Upon careful inspection in the problematic area, I found a 'repair all damaged weapons' option on the bottom right of the screen. Without further delay, I click on that option and beginning the automatic process of repairing my blade.
To live in such advanced century is truly a bliss. Everything is done quick and satisfyingly with automatic robotic assistance. I collect my blade after an hour later. Lifting it up to the ceiling, I am inspecting the area where the blade was snapped carefully with my eyes. The broken mark has been lifted off from the repair and my lips bend upward in a satisfying smile.
"That looks neat."
"Ummm…Thanks?"
"Can I take a look?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Hmmm…Not bad, pretty good." He examines carefully. "Yeah, this appears as a genuine work I see."
I am flushed by his compliments. Who knows that he can say such nice words once in a while?
"Ehehe…You are flattering me, Dante-san."
SNAP!
That sound…I recognize that sound. It's dreadful noise replaying the exact antagonizing moment when Dante-san once again breaking my blade with ease in one singular swift execution. What suppose to be layers of reinforced powerful metals in my blade are bent powerless and shattered like thin glass against his rock-hard knee.
That does it!
POW!
For some reasons, Dante-san recoils backward but not falling. I don't understand how, but I managed to connect my fist to the side of his cheek and drew little amount of reddish fluids right at where my fist left a mark on his face. Going for another one, I send my other fist. It was about to struck at his other cheek but it was stopped when I completely lose my strength as I feel something with a huge stopping force buried at my stomach.
BLARGH!
I could taste the sickening bile from the half processed lunch as they pumped out of my mouth. Every single of my muscle around my stomach is contracting tightly in response to the blunt force trauma at my flesh. A violent force crashes the side of my face. I am thrown to the ground. My eyes are crackling with white flashes, my vision blurs for a moment when the back of my head connects to the ground first, then my body.
Gnashing my teeth resisting the pain, I do whatever I can to mitigate the pain and desperately making my recover to pour my rage at Dante-san.
The moment never came.
I feel a huge weight on my torso. Must be Dante-san is getting on top of it. An iron hand grabbing my face and I am dashed to the ground with the back of my head once again received the damage. That brutality chased off my strenght away and I lay powerless, almost like a dead body.
It was a brief moment that I see a faint glint.
STAB!
The coldness of Yukihira Niigata, although broken, it managed to jam deeply on the floor an inch before my face.
I gasp fearfully like a fish out of water.
"Look at her, you shitty brat! That's right! Don't you ever-ever try to close your eyes or look sideway else I swear by the name of Yukihira Niigata to bash your brain out, you hear me?!"
"…"
"You call that thing a sword? A sword reflects it's wielder's soul! I requires the owner's care by his own hand to fill it with his will. Even a century rusty blade can sever a ten inches deep metal for she is brimming with her master's will to cut! But this, look at her Ichika! She is empty! A hollow vessel not even to withstand a small blow like I did! Now, what bullshit are you going to lecture me, you little shit?! Hey! Don't yo…d…are…to…cl…ose….our…ye…s!"
Fade.
Everything fades black.
"Ka…Ka…Ichika kun?"
A voice. I hear a gentle voice calling me out of darkness. Slowly, I opening my eyes and I make a silhouette of a man with a pair of sparkling emerald eyes radiating a warm and kindful look to me from above of whom later I recognize as Dr. Bradley-san. If….If Bradley-san is here, then…ahhh yes. I am inside the infirmary.
I try to move, only be able to bend forward on my bed. I realize that I am half naked with my body wrapped with a cloth. The pain on my stomach miraculously replaced with damp icy sensation. My head still spins, but I can feel it is clearing up slowly. Something made of a cloth lightly pressing on the left of my face and I can feel the same i
Those must be Bradley-san did his magical works while I was laying unconsciously.
"Thank God you have awoken." He hands me a glass of water. "Go hydrate yourself."
"Haik." I accept his hospitality and do his biddings.
"I wrapped you with cloth dipped with healing herb from China. Secret ingredients, better not to ask Ichika." He gives me a friendly wink.
Now come to think of it, there is a funny smell from the cloth he wrapped me with.
"How did I end up in here?" I ask
"Dante brought you to my place. Now that I mentioned it, he looks extremely annoyed. Did something happen between you two?"
"I…I was fixing my broken blade. And when it's done, he suddenly snapped it into half. That's when I lose control of myself and it happened so fast. I…I…p…punched him. Right on his cheek."
"Shit."
"Nani?"
"How did you do that? No one ever done that can walk the day without broken bones, you know."
"Uhhh…thanks?"
"Your welcome. That was a compliment. Anyway, why did he break your sword? Again?"
"I don't know. He said something about…will and soul. I…I don't understand what he meant Bradley-san."
"Will and soul? He said those things?"
"Yes."
"Oh, he must be referring to your honor, Ichika-kun. You see…" Bradley eases himself next to me. "As far as I know Dante, he is a sword wielder too, just like you, and he is a proud one of his swordmanship albeit he hides his pride. Pride is good. It gives what you call as 'honor' a place to reside in your heart…thing that makes you fight to the fullest ignoring the consequence aftermath."
His words sink deeply into my heart.
"Ichika, being a doctor myself, I know the exact moment when somebody going to die...be it from terminal illness, injuries or combat itself. As for you, the third one was welcoming you with an open arms if he had not sheathed his sword."
"But he was just playing around with me! I couldn't believe he ignored the code of bushido!"
"Fool!"
Bradley-san shouts. I jump back on my bed. I am having a goosebumps as those kind emerald eyes quickly turning into a pair of angry frowns radiating an intimidating venomous sight.
"For what does honor means if you are dead? I am talking about death, Ichika! DEATH! DYING! MORTALITY! Ahhhh…who am I talking to? You are still too young to understand this knowledge nor having any experience with it yet. Unlike me…" He lets a long sigh "Look! The point is, he held himself back, on purpose!"
He continues.
"I once became his prey in my darkest days of a scoundrel, saw exactly how swift his sword swings, each done with deadly precision that never missed it's target and his victims will be eventually brutalized by his overwhelming destructive strenght he put on his blade! I kid you not, Ichika. You also witnessed how he casually demonstrated his sword play in front of the public in response to your challenge. That's his warning between you and him, you are totally on a different level. Lower of course."
I don't know what to say anymore. Of what he said albeit surreal, they made some undeniable points. I feel weak, worthless and low just from hearing what he told me.
"If…if you said was true, does this mean of all these times, those grueling battles I fought together with my friends, all those pain and injuries, they are for nothing?"
"Hey, don't get slumped easily like that!" Bradley-san attempting to cheer me up by putting his hand on my shoulder. "You did put a good fight against him. You best him in the aspect of I.S piloting experience than Dante! You have many good friends behind you and ready to get you back to feet in no time, not to mention they are all beautiful girls. Means that you have a brighter prospect in getting a life partner, eh?"
I let out a small chuckle in welcoming his humor.
"But why am I still losing to him?"
"Oh Ichika, I'm going to be honest with you. It's your own triumphant pride that leads to your own downfall. Besides, don't you think that you are being a little cocky lately?"
He's right.
"Just because he went all out taking 6 opponents at once with 1 shield point remaining doesn't mean he'd kick the bucket in no time. Also, I think I begin to see Dante's point in breaking your sword."
"Really? You mean it?"
He nods. "I think he's breaking your ego, Ichika. Honor is a pride in some sense. Pride and ego, they are the same in the same boat even. Every human must have something they value so much that deludes them from their insurpassable limit. Once that thing is loss, or broken in your case, they will regain their self awareness and be more cautious in order not to fall into the same hole. After all, shame on you if you fall into the same mistake twice, which you are. I may not have the right to say this but if you value your sword dearly, I don't think you should resort to machinery works than your own hands."
I hang my head shamefully.
"Don't take it too personally. He cares for you after all."
"He does?"
"In harsh way. Honestly, he wasn't like this nor even the closest to it the last time I met him. That was years ago prior to my marriage. I don't know what caused him to change but behind his ruthless, he's still the same man who saved me back then."
"H…haik. If you say so."
"It's getting late. So you better return to your room. Before that, here."
Bradley-san hands me some sort of spraying canister.
"Make sure tomorrow after every bath you spray on your torso especially where the bruises appear. The spray will turn into green blop roughly 3 seconds after you stop spraying. Gently spread the blop around so it can cover your injured areas thoroughly before it solidifies. Think of it as another extra thick layer on your skin. You will feel a cool tingling sensation throughout the day and that's normal. The solidified blop will be easily washable with warm water in your next bath so I want you to repeat it until you are completely fixed, yeah?"
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Bradley-san."
"Just doing my job." He curtly smiles. "Feel free to talk to me when you are in trouble. I'll help you work it out."
"I will."
"One more thing, Ichika?"
"Yes?"
"Don't be a spinster."
"What?"
"Nothing. You can go now. Come back tomorrow with the girls for a sweet treat. Nighty nite Ichika."
"You too Bradley-san."
I exit the infirmary. Taking my time back to my room, I finally arrive at front of my room. Sliding my keycard into the card lock above the door handle, I open then close the door.
"Ichika?"
Inside my room, Houki is already in her yukata and covering herself with the blanket on her bed. She seems restless and apparently preparing to sleep. I can't blame her for what had happened today.
"Tough day, isn't it?"
"What happened to you?"
She quickly moves from her bed and approaching me at the door. She extends her hand to my face, gently placed her palm right at the injury on my face. She sobs. The next moment she tightly embraces me and begins crying.
"Wha? Houki? W…What's wrong?"
"I am sorry! I shouldn't have left you with that monster!"
I return her embrace tightly in my effort to comfort her. Strange, I suddenly remember what Bradley-san told me at this moment. Did he predict that this would happen?
"No, it's okay. I deserved it after all."
"NO! YOU DIDN'T! it was me who suppose to take your stead!"
"Houki, Houki…" I softly comfort her. "Just between you and me, I confess my sin to you."
"What are you talking about? You did nothing wrong! It was that demon Dante's!"
"No. Listen to me. I have become too prideful with myself lately ever since that day when I challenged him during his admission test. I thought that by pitying him against 6 of us would give him a better chance in the test. That's why I took you down first, but actually, I just wanted to cross my blade with him, without knowing his true capabilities. Not after what Bradley-san had told me. That's where I fell into my downfall and deserve it by Dante-san's hands."
"Do you…mean it?"
"I do."
She finally calms down, but still refusing to let me go.
"Houki, I don't mind you are hugging me but, I am injured at my stomach so yeah, will you please?"
That being said, she slowly lets me go. I extend my fingers and gently wipe the remaining tears on her cheek.
"There you go. That's better."
I put my best smile I can make. She returns it with another small smile. I walk to my bed and sit on my resting place. She sits next to me. Well, I don't mind it though.
Today, just today.
I need a company close to my side.
The light in our room finally dimmed automatically in response to the curfew's time. Learning from my mistake, I switch on the desk lamp next to my bed to provide us further lighting. Our shoulders are touching as we huddle together. We are like wretched souls trying to support one another in silence.
None of us dare to interrupt this peaceful moment. Maybe because we are still trying to get comfortable with each other's close presence. Houki tends to avoid me on usual basis and looking for me only when there's something important to do or helping me to keep my blading skill in check with her rigorous training after school in the school dojo.
Everything changed drastically after Dante-san moved in. All these supernatural stuffs has turned herself back to her clinging childhood to me. Only this time she is more protective to me than what she used to be, putting me into shame as I cannot carry my words I uttered back then which I will protect her instead.
Maybe today is not entirely bad after all.
"Earlier, in the armory you suddenly became hysteric when he accidentally touched your hand. What happened?"
"Madness, Ichika. It was so horrible that I couldn't unlearn what I saw. It was blood against blood for reasons unknown. Their eyes...one was cold and prideful whereas the other person was warm and selfless, a total opposite of the first one…"
Cold and prideful she said?
Blood against blood?
Don't tell me it was…
"…despite that, their eyes emit a malignant bloodlust as they went for each other's throat. That's when I couldn't bear to watch longer."
"Chotto…Dante-san fought his twin in bloody combat? Then…that's…that's tragic."
"Very tracgic indeed."
I dare not to enquire further.
We remain still in my bed, enjoying one another's presence in a content tranquility of silence.
If only this moment was forever…
I was originally planning to publish this early in March but I had to change the original script due to errors I couldn't stand in many parts. My deepest and sincerest apology. I hope you can enjoy this chapter. The next one will be around June during my Summer break. Bear with me 1 more chapter and I promise that it will be Dante's match with Tatenashi and Fairs. And yes, for my fellow co-writers, I am sorry if I cannot reply to you guys lately mainly because of university reason. I finally get back in my study path and I don't want to screw it for the 3rd time. Thank you for your guys' kind understanding.
Cheers.
Qin