Mistaking him as a girl is understandable,as this child had a feminine name,clothes and even silhouette. However , his expression was as clear as it could be to who he truly was on the inside: a mighty little man determined not to fail to protect those he loves.
So engrossed he went on his thoughts that he didn't notice two familiar friends approaching down the road:the short(but not a child) one wore an orange sailor vest with a tight body suit underneath, with orange boots and pirate hat to match;the tall,muscular man had dark blue kimono-like sleeves below the shoulders with a white layer underneath connected behind his back,with matching pants tied at the waist with a black belt.
-Hey, Bridget! - shouted May after noticing her good friend.
-May ,is that you?-said Bridget snapping out of his trance.- And Anji as well?
They greet each and all three sit on some nearby logs to speak more comfortably.
-So,where are you both going to,May?
-We're visiting a nearby japanese colony.
-Why? Are you japanese like Anji and Baiken too?-asked a curious Bridget.
-It appears I am,at least. Johnny didn't want to explain it to me ,but I want to learn who my real family is and Anji can help me on that.
-Yeah,family is...really important.
May notices her friend looking away.
-Hey,Bridget,is everything ok?- she askd concerned.- I've never seen you like this.
-What do you mean?
-Well, you look... looks weird on you were so happy to start working as an entertainer when we last met.
-About that,I've put it on hold,there is something else I need to do now.
-Did something happen?
-Well, you know I wanted a partner for my entertaining group,right? I went looking for a guitarrist in red clothes who could play the guitar really well that I met a while ago.
Anji looks concerned at Bridget,knowing whom he's refering to.
-Ah, that woman is a bad person, Bridget!- May reprimended him.
-Well, she did say something about "violating me" as a main routine when I asked her to join -her friend commented -. She started fighting me and dissapeared in a fantastical way, way cooler than anything I can do. was feeling down ,so I decided to come back to my village. I hadn't been back after leaving on my birthday and I missed my when I came back,my uncle told me he had been missing for a few days, he must have been so worried for me that he left to go for me. I want to find and I will,but ... I don't even know where to start.
-I think I can help you with that. -declared Anij,entering their conversation.
-Really?! -Bridget happily exclaimed.
-Keep this a secret, but I know a technique to vizualize people ,no matter how far they are or the moment.
-Wait- a thought came to May's mind- So you can spy on people when they're naked too?!
-I would never use it for that!-replied Anji angrily- And besides,it only works on people you can create a great mental image in your mind,and it has to be someone you share a strong bond with.
-And is that someone a girl~~?
A visible grin appeared on Anji's face.
-You think you can do that, kid?- said Anji,trying to ignore that comment .
Bridget reflected on those requirements. The detailed image couldn't be easier:they're twins after all, just that his brother has longer hair. And about the strong bond... During all his years on the village, his brother was the only one whom he could be truly honest with ,the one who was always willing to help him keep that happy front for their parents and the rest of the village.
-Let's do this- said a determined Bridget.
-Alright,then sit in front of me and start thinking on detail about your brother.I'll cast the spell but you'll be the one using it.
Bridget followed these instructions and closed his eyes. As he felt the magic going through his body he made memory on all the experiences he share with his twin, until... He opened and from his eyes a green light was emanating ,proyecting like a crystal ball on the ground, allowing him to see his brother standing next to a fountain in a big plaza.
-Amazing...- May exclaimed in surprise.
-Eddie...
When comparing the two,there was no doubt they were twins:he shared the effeminate figure,golden hair and greenish eyes, with the only notable difference being his brother wearing boy clothes , this time a red and white shirt and blue shorts. And it appears he was holding a... billiard stick? There was no time to confirm, Bridget couldn't maintain the vision for too long, just exhausted from using it for a short period despite his true efforts.
-That's weird. Even if the japanese have better ki control, yours is still below average- Anji commented.-The spell was long enough,though, I recognized the plaza your brother was. He seems to be in the old part of London, the one not affected by the destruction of the city from some decades ago. If you leave up south now you should be there in a couple days.
-I can't thank you enough for this, I really wasn't expecting him to find him so easily!
-Hey,Anji... can we use that spell to find my family too?- asked May,doubtful.
-I'm sorry, but you don't have any personal connection to them or even a photo for it to work.
-I see...
Reversing their roles from a moment ago, Bridget tries to cheer up his friend.
-Don't worry,May,I'm sure you'll find your family!
-May Thank you,I hope so too.
May and Bridget gave each other a grateful look.
-Kiss her,you moron.
Roger,Bridget's teddy bear and travelling companion, had crawled from Bridget's back and was pushing for Bridget's leg.
-Is Roger saying something?- inquired May.
-He's just saying goodbye to you too- said Bridget cover him up.
He fixed his gaze on Roger and told him mentally: (Cut it out ,Roger,we're just friends!)
-I want grandkids, Buri.
Bridget:(I'm just 15.)-Well,goodbye ,guys!-(Man,I'm so glad only Eddie and I can hear him).
Anji: So,do we move camp too?
May: Sure,we're close to one of the colonies. I can't wait!
…
Bridget wasn't the only one looking after Eddie. A tanned man with white hair, with the bangs being so long they covered his face and neck, and a white open vest and pants,was also keeping an eye on the was sitting carefully on a bench next to the fountain,He had given his pool cue to his "pupil" of some sorts to distract himself while he was on his meeting.
-I will say,I'm quite surprised on this turn of events,Venom.
On the other side of the room,there was a suited man with a enjoying a glass of first glance, he just looked like an elegant wise aristocrat: a well kept,spiky brown hair , a well-maintained beard and even a monocle...but when you get to speak with him you can see his source of wisedom: he was a Nightless,a vampire whose lifespan expanded before as the Noble One, he now prefers to be called just as Slayer.
-Firstly, it's seems unnatural for you to reject a duel,I was hoping you would do me the honor.-Slayer recognize with a slight dissapointment.
-I don't want to expose that kid to unnecesary violence.
-And who could that child be? The son of your last target? -he theorized.
-He declares he's an orphan and that his village burnt down,but I don't believe he's telling the full so, I will take care of them.
-I can imagine what gave you this change of heart. Was it that you left your attachments to her... go too far?
Venom had already contemplated that thought.
-I'm ashamed it took me so many deaths to come to this path-he admitted-.I also know I won't be held back by the guild any longer. In the end, I granted your wish,right? The guild has been disolved indefinitely.
-That is my second point: that really was my intention when I first returned, but after some exploring of this new world after the crusades,I've come to realize that there is still need for control of if the current guild was but the remains of its former glory, it served the purpose of reducing low-level.
-Then lead the guild yourself again and, you should know how as the founder.
Slayer sighed.
-I'm just an old man looking to retire alongside my wife, the same reason I left my position to Zato-ONE.
Beneath his white hair,Venom sharpened his look when hearing that name.
-Which brings me to the last point to discuss of this reunion: the Forbidden Beast still possessing the corpse of his user.
-It's been more than 3 months since Master Zato's passing and his best taking over his body after his death-recalled the with the influence of magic his corpse must have reached its limit and the beast along with it.
-I wouldn't count on such easy solution for this problem -replied the vampire-. That Forbidden Beast is refusing to accept his end, and there are many secrets to these organisms you or that puppeteer aren't aware of.
-It's not on my control anymore, isn't it? That is a chapter of my life I will leave behind. If we're done discussing, there is business I need to attend to. Farewell.
Venom leaves the room,leaving Slayer pensative on his future actions.
-It appears that I still have some loose threats on this realm before I can return to maybe... I have already encountered the perfect person to solve both of them.
...
After Venom paid for the room Slayer and him attended their meeting, he went back with Eddie. He was playing with the billiard stick as a sword to pierce through some invisible enemies. Venom was still considering on how far his training with him should go, on how much of his past he should reveal ...but for now,he should made sure he eats well.
Venom called for Eddie's name, who hadn't noticed the hustler , and he sprinted to him.
-Did I keep you waiting for too long? -Venom asks politely.
-No, sir- said Eddie, returning the pool to it's owner-. Who was that man you spoke with? He looked elegant, but still so... imposing.
-Let's say he was my old boss before I quit. And please, call me Venom.
-Of course,sorry.
Eddie shyly relaxed a little, which put a smile on Venom's face.
-Come on,then, there is a duel waiting for us, it'll be good for you to learn about pool with a good match.
...
In a location not too far from the town Venom and Eddie were staying, a man was digging a grave on top of a hill,with tears flowing from his eyes.
-It's her fault, it's her fault... She kept rejecting me,we could have been happy together...
Next to him there was the corpse of a young woman with a blonde andlong,long beautiful hair. All throughtout her body there were precise stabbing wounds and circular blood markings ,as if she had been hit by high-speed balls.
While the man kept to his work,a man with a blindfold sorrounded by a cumulus of black mass approached the hill. To be more precise, the man was being dragged by it, as the shadow was chained to him. The name of the moving corpse was Zato-ONE, and the beast he once controlled went by the name of Eddie.
-MILLIA RAGE... HEH,SHE MET A MORE PATHETIC END THAN ZATO- the shadow's voice rumbled.
-Hey, are you...are you the one who did this to her?
Eddie ignored this question as he examined the body. He didn't really care about Millia herself, it was only Zato who shared sweet memories with her. What he was interested was on her hair, as the blonde huntress had also made .With her summoned deceased, Eddie was expecting his comrade to rise and live on like he did... But after a wait for a response, the gargoyle realized something.
-IMPOSSIBLE! ANGRA, DID YOU DIE AS WELL?
-Answer MEEEEE!- said Millia's admirer, grabbing the knife he came with.
-YOU SHOUT YOUR MOUTH!
In a swift move Eddie slashed through the broken's man jaw, killing him on the spot.
-VENOM... THIS IS THE WORK OF THAT PITIFUL DOG. ANGRA AND I COULD HAVE TAKEN HER BODY, FIND OUR HAPPINESS...
Even through all his anger, Eddie became even more aware of his situation: Zato's body was on a highly developed decomposition, and observing the fates of the other Forbidden, a cold thought went through his head.
-AM I.. AM I DESTINED TO DIE? NO... A BODY, I MUST FIND A BODY SOON!