Chapter 18
Another plans was now put into motion.
It has occurred to Kenjaku that he is no longer dealing with sorcerers anymore. He has spent some time looking over recent events, how no one he sends out to destroy the demon vessel or even the clone of Sukuna have returned.
But, there was an incident that has happened a while ago. He learned recently as to why that was.
In fact, he saw one of the sorcerers he sent out to do such a task, on the streets, walking about bitterly and drunk if he were to assume. Kenjaku was quick to stop him in order to learn what had happened. "Yang Lee, correct?" he asked.
The drunk stumbled, yet, when he was caught in Kenjaku's grasp, he froze and sobered up rather quickly. "Sir!" he whispered.
"We need to talk, don't you agree?" he asked and smiled.
The strange thing was, Lee jumped at the chance to speak with him. In fact, it appeared a great burden would be lifted off his shoulders if he does. So, Kenjaku found a run down place. There, he carelessly threw Lee into it, closed and locked the doors. "Now, this situation is not…"
"KILL ME!"
Kenjaku paused. "Pardon?"
"KILL ME PLEASE!" he begged and prostrated himself. "I HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR! PLEASE, GRANT ME THIS!"
"I want answers first."
Lee sang like a bird and explained what had happened. He and four others were after Yuuji Itadori, they knew it was him and yet he explained there was something drastically off about it. "He emitted no curse energy, he hid it as well as a Tooru if that's the case, but I didn't sense a thing about him." They followed the kid all day, until he went down a strange path. They were quick to follow, but then, the path shifted. "We thought for certain we kept close, but the moment we entered that alleyway… we were no longer in the same part of Japan… it was… teleportation or something!"
"Summarize" Kenjaku said in a board tone. "I don't want your life story."
Lee nodded. "We ended up in a dense forest, we don't know how we got there, but we were there. The demon vessel showed himself and stated he didn't like to be followed. Specially when he has children with him, then… he… he took our curse energy away."
He froze to this. "That's not possible. I personally know that one has to…"
"LOOK!" Lee ripped opened his tattered clothing. From his stomach was a black burn mark that spread throughout the body like veins. Those were curse energy channels. But the most noticeable mark came on the head of Lee, it was burnt as well, it is where techniques are stored. That area bore a black mark like the naval.
"He… he took it away from us, then… then… he…"
Kenjaku glared. "What became of the curse energy?"
"He ate it,"
This… this complicates things now doesn't it? He sighed to the news and knew now he had to dig deep in research as well as tap into old connections. "Very well then…" he stood to leave, as Lee shouted.
"Are you not going to kill me?!" he demanded. "I failed you! All who fail you deserve death do they not? Is that not what was said?!"
"Indeed" he replied and smiled. "But it appears you are suffering far more than any death I could provide you. So, enjoy the rest of your monkey life!"
Thus, that is why Kenjaku has come here of all places.
London England to an old connection he has to a group of particular individuals…
#
Gwrych Castle at Abergele- England.
Kenjaku has been here more than once, despite the outside appearing in disrepair, he knew otherwise.
The castle itself has been run down for years, it's to throw off the humans that like to visit the place during their free time or holidays. But, the real secret to this place, resides in the underground.
He was forced to wait for the human to leave before he could make his move. Just as he remembered it, the passage was still open on the north side hidden under the door of the main structure.
He entered fearlessly, but knew what was to come. As he took the last step, he felt sharp blades pressed against his throat. "Speak, who dares enter here?"
He smiled. "One who knows the truth,"
The swords lowered. To his left and right stood two men with strong bodies. "It's been a while hasn't it?" he asked. "I may not be familiar to you but…"
"Kenjaku, they await you up ahead."
The guards went back to their positions.
Strange, he didn't give any of them a message of his arrival…
He proceeded down the hall, the way lit by torches until he came to a massive door. He knocked three times, but prolonged the knocks as protocol dictated. When he landed the final knock, he waited, and the doors opened.
Within he saw a good legion of people, stopping all conversations and staring as he walked in with a smile on his face. "Ah, it's nice to see your numbers increase… it has been a while hasn't it, Slayers of Warwick."
The one who led them was a crotchety old man. Kenjaku hasn't seen him before, yet the resemblance…
"I have heard of you through tales of my ancestors. What does a jujutsu sorcerer have to do with us now?" the old man asked.
He smiled. "The last time I came here… was over a thousand years ago, when I spoke of a dragon who would possess a human to live, and yet, that human would die within a few years… how come your people didn't do anything about that?"
The room suddenly got defensive, everyone was reading for a weapon but the old man waved them off. "Who are you to say such a thing?"
Kenjaku smirked once more. "Oh, I know it all too well… you are Beowulf the 12th if I were to assume. And your clan made a promise to me… a promise that was never fulfilled or completed despite my help… you do know there is a price to pay for such a thing, correct?"
The man named Beowulf sighed and nodded. "My clan knew this day would come, despite everything, we could never find that dragon. No matter what was tried or traps lured. We thought we had done so before, but only to learn the one who did contain the beast… wasn't the one we killed, but her twin sister."
Kenjaku waved off the tale. "I don't need to know such trivial things, what matters is this. There is a chance for redemption. In fact, there are more dragons than before…"
"WHAT!" Beowulf roared. "Why are you just coming to us now!"
"Your track record with me,"
He suddenly sunk into his chair and sneered. "Then why come to us?"
"A chance at redemption of course, as well… I came here to get what is mine… your clan must pay the price for breaking a binding vow with me…"
Beowulf sneered at this, however, despite his age, he's no fool. "Before that, I wish to ask of you… what are you not telling us about these dragons?"
"Whatever do you mean? A dragon is a dragon are they not?"
Beowulf snorted a laugh. "You know less than you think then,"
Kenjaku was in a good mood, so he will entertain the notion for a moment. "Oh? Then please, educate me."
Beowulf explained that despite Kenjaku telling them that there are dragons in Japan, he has yet to indicate what KIND of dragons are out there. "There are different breeds, different breeds means they have different tiers of power. You told us this before that there was a dragon, but you never explained what KIND it was. Also, if the dragon is powerful enough, they would state a parent's name acknowledging such. So these dragons say such a thing?"
How would he know? He knows better than to confront them!
Kenjaku however shook his head. "They have not uttered them before me." But, with the sorcerer he spoke with before coming here… the one that lost his curse energy…
"Tiamat" came out of Beowulf.
It made the room freeze in shock.
"What? Tiamat?" Kenjaku asked.
"Legend has it that Tiamat is one of the first dragons, she helped forge the earth and this universe with her great power. As such, she is responsible for the world… but, on a whim, she could end it. Which is why it is best to end her first. But, if she has had children, it complicates things greatly."
Kenjaku had to pause for a moment. How would an old man in isolation gain that knowledge?
"Who told you this?" he asked.
Beowulf smirked. "Just like you," he said with a grin. "I'm a sorcerer, but my power comes from the creatures of the divine world. I am briefed on everything spoken among them, they tell me the changes in their world, and have informed of the dragons. I will say this. You have not told us the whole truth. I utter the name of Tiamat, for I have been informed, she has had children… many of them." He decreed. "If we are to take this job, we need to know more. You keeping such information from us won't help your own cause either now will it? So, Kenjaku, we will pay your price for failing you. However, you need to speak the full truth to us. Only then, can we be of true use to you."
What a sly old fox…
Kenjaku smiled and nodded. "I can agree to that, now, my price?"
Beowulf sighed to this, he snapped his fingers as someone was heard screaming.
"HEY! LET GO OF ME! LET GO!"
They dragged in a rather strong, young man. He had blond hair, blue eyes. He was in his mid twenties, so a good age. Yet as he was dragged into the room, he was thrown at Kenjaku's feet.
The young man sneered. "What's going on!? Why am I here?!"
Beowulf smirked as he turned to Kenjaku. "This here… was my grandson, until he decided to go behind my back. I thought I was raising a dragon slayer, but instead, I raised a pussy! YOU KNEW where one was!"
His grandson peered away. "His name is Baldr, do with him as you wish!"
Kenjaku smiled. "Oh, I shall. We're about to become REALLY close, Baldr." He said and bore a wicked grin to the young man. "Now then…"
"I have already sent a scouting group ahead. We will have information shortly, besides. I was already made aware of these dragons before you came here, I was just wondering when you would come to our step and claim what you seek."
The room was gracious enough to clear out, leaving Kenjaku alone with Baldr.
Using his curse energy, he sealed off the room. "So, Baldr. Are you a divine user like your grandfather?"
He kept silent, refusing to answer. "Even if you don't tell me, I'll know sooner than later…" he teased.
He kept his mouth closed.
"Why are you so willing to die then? Huh? Did you fall in love or something?"
"She was beautiful," came out of the young man. "The dragon I saw… how she cared for her children… it was beautiful… how could they be creatures of destruction when the elementals themselves wished to help and nurture the little ones?"
'Soft hearted bastard… that has no place in this world. I'll be doing him a favor…' Kenjaku thought.
"I will say one thing, since I am to die at your hands…" Baldr warned.
"I'll be merciful and listen to your last request"
The young man glared at him, but then, a crooked smile came over his lips. "Whatever power I have, won't ever be yours. And with what is to come… you should have just left well enough alone. My clan's death will be on you, but you don't appear to care for the consequences either way…"
"What a waste of your last words…" Kenjaku uttered, he peered about, but found a sword lingering on a table…