Chapter 4: Paranoid
As the group made their way into the depths of the base, Yuki couldn't help but shake the feeling she was being watched. "Hey, you catch anyone tailing us?" She asked the Emissary, the hound responding by shaking his head.
"Relax, we are all accounted for. Anyone trying to follow us is trying to meet a fool's end." Lavender Doctor remarks.
"Unless it's the Prince, then you just let it happen. Dude's a wuss anyways." Marigold Mandarin snarks.
"Excuse me?" Yuki responds, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, the Void Prince. Dude's no fun, he just spends his days reading those dusty magic books or what have you. Doesn't know how to have a real party, either! I got him a drink for his 13th and he just never freakin' drank it! Tellin' ya, he's a freaking prude." Marigold Mandarin explains.
Yuki thought for a few moments. Magic. Haven't seen that in a long-ass time. She noted. Probably doesn't have an Affinity if he's reliant on something like that…
"Perhaps because you know the King and the Queen would disapprove of such a thing." Lavender Doctor groans, shaking his head. "I know you want him to 'party', but risking their wrath is not how I'd go about it."
"Oh yeah? Bet you haven't seen any action since the stone age, geezer!" The goat laughs.
"Are the two of you seriously like this all the time? Damn miracle any of you work together." Yuki remarks.
"Don't get it twisted, lady, the King's got some serious power in his back pocket, shit none of us even know." Marigold Mandarin responds. "We work together not because we like it, or because we want to, but because out of everyone in this here criminal underworld? The King is King. You genuinely can't climb any higher than working with him even if you tried. Should've seen what happened to the last person who tried to kill him, shit was grisly!"
Yuki already knew what happened to Candela Tea, shuddering. "I honestly don't want to know." She lied.
"Good idea, child." Lavender Doctor remarks, reaching the bottommost floor. "Anyways! Here we are on the main floor! We'll give you the tour and arrange a telephone call with the King afterwards."
"Right, let's see what we got." Yuki nods, the Emissary opening up the door for the group. The main floor was incredibly spacious, a dimly lit wide open area lavishly decorated with marble pillars and a clean oak wood floor, a carpet beneath a chandelier as the centerpiece. There were stairs along the sides of the room, going up into another floor and down into a basement. There were three separate entryways within the main hall, labeled "CAFETERIA", "LIVING QUARTERS" and "TRAINING HALL".
"You guys live here?" Yuki remarks, noticing the artworks lining the walls. "Damn place has more in common with some swanky five star hotel."
"The Queen did the interior decorating." Lavender Doctor spoke. "Believe it or not, everything here came from her private collection."
"Yeah, just don't mess any of 'em up, last time someone did, they were basically ordered to be killed on the spot." Marigold Mandarin added. "She's got a real attachment to these things, so just watch your step."
Good to know what's fine to break. Yuki thought. "Good to know, won't touch a thing." She remarked.
"[I will be in my quarters.]" The Emissary signed. "[If you need me, knock.]" He then left for the living quarters, leaving Yuki with Lavender Doctor and Marigold Mandarin.
"Sure." Yuki shrugs. "So, where should we start?"
"Hey, let's go to the Cafeteria! I'm starving!" Marigold Mandarin chimes, leading Yuki and Lavender Doctor into a large auditorium-sized room with several circular tables and a kitchen in the back. A savory aroma filled the air, one primarily consisting of fish and vegetables. "Got crazy good acoustics here, man, you should definitely see me play sometime!"
"...Sure." Yuki responds. "What's your selection to eat?"
"Primarily seafood, the King does not wish to… Ah… Offend anyone in our ranks with poultry, beef or pork." Lavender Doctor spoke. "There is also a vegetarian option for those that wish it."
"Yeah, but no offense to the big man, that stuff's garbaggio! Gotta wash that dry shit down with waaaaaay more brandy than a normal meal." Marigold Mandarin spoke. "Hey, Kori, you drink?"
"...No." Yuki answers.
"Eh, suit yourself." The goat shrugs. "C'mon! Let's grab some grub!"
The trio went to the back and grabbed a tray for each of them before heading towards a buffet-style table with a kitchen in the back, several meals were on offer including various types of fish and vegetables. As Yuki picked a few, she noticed a dark spot dart from her location through the shadows of the kitchen.
"...You see that?" Yuki asked.
"See what?" Marigold Mandarin asked, picking his fish and pouring himself a glass of brandy.
"There was a dark spot, it went from behind me to the kitchen." Yuki pointed out.
"Most likely it's the Prince. After all, no alarms were tripped." Lavender Doctor spoke, taking some broccoli. "Though the Tea that entered the HQ through the vents didn't either so she had to have some insider knowledge."
"You got a mole inside here?" Yuki asked.
"Yeah, calls 'imself the Legate." Marigold Mandarin spoke. "Least, that's what we've heard from the King when he found out about it. He's screened basically everyone, even us, but couldn't find the guy at all. Guy's probably a literal fly on the wall that can't kill the King himself, or some chicken-shit pacifist that wants someone else to do the job."
"Huh. Right." Yuki simply responds as she gets to the table with the goat and the rat. Her tray consisted of some cooked salmon and mashed potatoes.
"So, what brings you all the way from Shuigang to our humble operation, hm?" Lavender Doctor asked. "Surely there's a good reason why you came here, of all places."
"I wanna work with the best. Clearly, you guys are the best in your business. Hopefully the little bank heist from earlier is enough for me to earn my stripes." Yuki answers.
"Eh, hold your horses, lady. You're tough, don't get me wrong, buuuuuuuut not exactly on my level, or even the decrepit fossil across from me!" Marigold Mandarin laughs, taking a swig of his drink. "That bein' said? Not exactly opposed to you climbin' the ranks. The King will have to take a look at ya personally for that to happen, and as I'm sure you remember, he's… Busy right now."
"Besides, a simple bank heist isn't going to be enough to be a part of us. Was it impressive? Sure, but it wasn't flawless. For starters, you hesitated in killing the soldier who fought you on the truck." Lavender Doctor points out. "You cannot afford that. It leaves them with the capacity to grow stronger should they survive. Otherwise I don't exactly have too many notes for you."
"Killing them only makes them a martyr." Yuki points out. "Anyone connected to them would pursue you to enact their revenge. One problem becomes two, two becomes four."
"Perhaps so, but to a point." Lavender Doctor rebukes.
"Yeah! What, gonna let up a chance to get some blood on your hands?" Marigold Mandarin asked. "'Cause this is not the kind of place to be some sort of pacifist pansy!"
"...I'll do better." Yuki responds.
"You must." Lavender Doctor simply spoke as the group ate their meals. "Otherwise, I assure, you, you will not last long."
Yuki then began to eat her food. The salmon was in an awkward state between being cooked and absolutely not cooked. If it wasn't for the fact she preferred her salmon raw, Yuki felt she absolutely would have gotten sick from it. As for the potatoes, they were simultaneously horribly soggy and incredibly dry. It all tasted as awful as her surroundings...
After the trio ate their meals, Yuki was led into the living quarters by Lavender Doctor. It consisted of a long series of doors, with several blocks to hold more rooms for other members of the organization. It was rather densely packed, almost making the avian claustrophobic.
"Right, here's our rooms. You have a bed and bathroom, just be sure not to break anything. No drugs, no outside individuals entering the area." The rat spoke as he opened Yuki's room. The room was somewhat cramped, with a dull red wallpaper and worn molding on the bottom of it, but true to his word, there was at least a bed and a bathroom, albeit there was not much else aside from a dresser, a ceiling lamp, and a nightstand with a telephone on it.
"...Thanks. Looks real cozy." Yuki deadpans.
"If you have a problem with these rooms, do a good job. Maybe then you'll get something better." Lavender Doctor responds. "You're just starting out, so make sure to leave a good impression on us, okay?"
"Alright." Yuki shrugs. "...That it?"
"I'll find you if I need anything. I'm going to talk to the King for a few moments." The rat responds as he scurries off.
Yuki sighs, but then she noticed a shadow glide along the floor, entering one of the rooms at the end of the hall. Must be the Prince… She thought. Met almost everyone else, right? Might as well see what his deal is about.
Yuki approaches the room, feeling a foreboding atmosphere through the doorframe. Taking a deep breath, she enters the dark room, looking around for a light switch. Flipping it on, she noticed the light bulbs above were exceptionally dim, though not dead outright. The room contained a bed, a dresser, a closet, a bookshelf lined with books of varying subjects, and a desk with a deck of cards in the corner that caught her eye.
"…The fuck is this?" Yuki asked, looking at the cards. There were a little over 70 cards in total, and were randomly sorted. They were far too big to be used as playing cards, yet were too ornate to have been used as part of a game. Whatever they were, they were in exceptional condition. Curious, she took the top card and flipped it over. Noticing it was upside down, she turned it over, revealing a skeletal figure in dark robes riding a steed in the midst of a forest, captioned "Death".
"…Whatever." Yuki sighed, putting the cards away before looking at the books in the bookshelf. They varied wildly depending on the subject, including math, science, cultural history and philosophy, with various classical reading materials and Magic spellbooks along the shelf. "Whoever the Prince is, he's a bookworm, no doubt." She chuckles to herself. "…Still, if he's not here, then where-"
"Step out of the room, Kori Kaze." A deep voice reverberated at the doorway. Snapping around, Yuki saw the figure of a man draped in shadow, wearing a wide hat and what looked to be a cloak draped over his torso. The figure paced around the room, his piercing yellow eyes not letting go of Yuki. "Now."
"Uhh huh. Sure." Yuki spoke, raising her hands. "Aaaaand you know my name… How?"
"That is unimportant." The Prince spoke. "And if you-"
"Kid, drop the act, you're like, 13?" Yuki asked. "Honestly, I already took a look around this place, you're… Kinda a geek? Not exactly scary, if you ask me."
"I had trained in the sword almost my entire life, you rely on mere street brawling to get by. You have no room to speak on intimidation." The Prince spoke, hand on a katana around his waist. "Last chance. Get out. Now."
"Not until I actually talk to you. This really doesn't have to be taken the painful way…" Yuki breathes, summoning her ice fists to her side.
"Painful. For you." The Void Prince responds before slamming the light switch off and disappearing into the shadows of the now pitch-black room, Yuki immediately on the defensive as she attempts to figure out his position only to be harshly smacked across her face, falling to the floor before what felt like a tendril wrapped around her torso and flung her out of the room, stopping just short of the wall on the other side. Yuki groans, shakily getting up as she attempts to recompose herself.
That strength! Only a kid and he's tossing me around like a damn ragdoll! Yuki thought, looking at the still open door. "Is this how you greet everyone, or what?! I just want to talk!"
"For your own sake, Kori, drop it!" The Prince snaps before slamming the door shut.
Yuki stares, dumbstruck as she rubs the underside of her beak, wincing slightly. "For my own sake, the fuck does he know about my own sake?!" Yuki snarls. She approaches the door and knocks it. "Kid, open up!"
There was no response.
Yuki narrows her eyes. "Seriously? I get introduced to almost everyone in upper management except you throwing me out? The hell's your problem?" She asked.
Again, no response.
Yuki grunts as she moves to open the door, only to find it locked. Unperturbed, she froze the doorknob to break the lock and force it open, seeing the same pitch black room. The Prince was at his desk.
"Tell me. Are you always this persistent with people who clearly do not want to talk?" The Prince asked, glancing at Yuki.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Yuki spoke, entering the room. "You'll only know if you get over yourself."
"Get over myself? Ten seconds after walking in from a basic bank heist, and you somehow think I'm obligated to talk to you?" The Prince asked. "A word of advice: The only thing the King admires is strength. Not cooperation. Not friendly talk. Just slaughter, and doing it well. Once again, get out."
"That aint strength. Any sleazebag cop can put someone down for the crime of existing in a public space." Yuki remarked. "You wanna know what actual strength is? Getting the hell out of your comfort zone. Doing the best you can. Working with-" Yuki spoke, only to find the Prince rush forward and attack with several swipes of his shadowy tentacles, sending Yuki through the door once again.
"I have asked several times for you to get out and yet you still remain! Fine! Apparently I have to take you out by force!" The Prince snaps, his hands clasping together and forming a triangle with his fingers before Fire energy condensed within his grasp to an orb with flaming wings that floated by his side. "I am the Void Prince, third in command of the Court of the Crimson King! Prepare for a lesson in humility!"
Yuki groans. Well, shit, that went awful. She thought before she noticed the Fire Orb floating by the Prince's side. And now this just got far more complicated than it had to be! What's the deal with this kid?! Yuki steels herself, getting into a combat stance and stepping forwards, a set of icy fists flying towards the Prince, only to find him effortlessly dodging each blow.
"Pathetic! Just how slow are you?!" The Prince taunts before he rushes forward, taking a deep breath as he strikes Yuki with an open palm, sending her towards the entrance of the living quarters area, knocking the air out of her lungs and making the avian feel like she was to throw up at any given moment. Her head rang from the impact, a low drone reverberating in her ears as she got back up with extreme disorientation. The Prince follows up by grabbing her right calf with his shadow and throwing her harshly into the common area. "You think you have what it takes to be a part of this organization?! You're a novice! An amateur! You know absolutely nothing about the work that's being asked of you!" He shouts.
Yuki tasted iron in her beak, wiping her mouth and staining her wing red as she stood and paced the room, observing the Prince. The shadows… Those have to be what's giving him strength, but how can I attack him?
"Hey, you two knock it off! The Queen's gonna be pissed if she hears either of you are trashing the place!" A burly pig remarks within the main floor.
"I'm performing my duty! You get lost!" The Prince responds as he rushes forward once more, though Yuki was prepared, blocking more of his attacks with her icy fists. The Prince was ridiculously fast and strong, no one Yuki had fought prior could even compare to the brutality on display.
She froze his feet to the ground and threw a punch at the dragonblood's midsection, finally landing a blow that dispelled the Fire Orb. However, the Prince did not flinch from the attack, taking the opportunity to summon flames to his hands to melt the ice swiftly. Yuki noticed, however, that the Prince's flames seemed to force his own shadowy tentacles back into him. Having a sudden realization, she knew how best to deal with his abilities.
She leapt backwards and fired several icicles at the Prince, who deflected most with ease as he made his rapid approach. Some of the icicles embedded into the floor, others into the walls, but some knocked into the chandelier, causing it to sway. Yuki smirks as she kept distracting him, leading him beneath the chandelier before she rushed towards him.
"Give up! You have no hope of beating me with your own strength!" The Prince snarls as he clasps his hands together, channeling an aura of golden light that spread through his arms.
"Nah, but I've got a good head on my shoulders!" Yuki grins as she froze his feet to the floor and leapt above and over him, firing another icicle at the connection to the swaying chandelier, causing it to fall fast towards the dragonblood. The Prince's eyes widened as he attempted to protect himself, but the chandelier hit him before he could respond, pinning him to the floor and dispelling his shadows completely, his body going limp. His true appearance was on display, namely his red scales and white headfeathers. He wore a black iron jingasa alongside a magenta scarf with a black vest, clean maroon pants and light brown loafers. Thankfully, he was clearly alive, but not in a state to fight further from going unconscious.
"Well, that's that…" Yuki sighs before the door to the meeting room slammed open, revealing Lavender Doctor.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE PRINCE?!" The rat screams in rage and confusion.
"Long story, you guys got a medical wing to take him?!" Yuki asks.
Lavender Doctor snarls. "We do, but you'll have to explain all this to the King! He's on the phone now!"
Yuki suddenly had a cold sweat, realizing what she had just done wouldn't exactly give a good first impression…
When Yuki entered the meeting room, she saw a landline phone at the head of the table. The phone itself laid on the table, connected to the receiver by a soft beige coiled wire. When she approached, Lavender Doctor went ahead of her immediately and got the phone.
"My King? Yes, apologies, our… New recruit apparently had just got done beating your son to an inch of his life." Lavender Doctor snarled. "What should I do with her for this?"
Yuki had to keep cool, but the tension in the air was palpable. The elder rat then nods. "Right. I'll let her speak her case." It was only then he passed the phone to Yuki. "Here."
The avian picked up the phone, putting it against her head. "...My King?" Yuki asked, the words almost feeling toxic to say to her.
"You must be Kori Kaze? I hear from Lavender Doctor that you apparently… Beat my son?" The voice of the Crimson King asked. Unlike the Prince, his voice sent shivers down Yuki's spine.
"...Yes. I did." Yuki answered.
"And what exactly makes you think this was an appropriate thing to do?" The Crimson King then asked.
"I… I got the feeling we were being tailed after the bank heist today. Turns out it was him, and he wasn't in the mood to talk or explain himself in the slightest. Had to get him to snap out of it the best way I knew how." Yuki explains, sweat beading on her forehead.
The Lavender Doctor raises his eyebrow, the silence from the phone was deafening. After a few seconds…
"...I must say, never in my life have I heard of a new recruit being so… Promising." The King spoke, seeming to beam from ear to ear with malicious glee. "I'll have the Court take care of things from here, but I admire the way you handled it. Firm. Getting exactly what you want. The Prince could afford to get out of his cave now and again, so I thank you for dealing with that for me."
"Sir, we're almos-" A different voice spoke before what sounded like the King placing his hand on the phone would be heard. Another set of muffled voices would be heard.
"...Apologies. I have to go, I have work to do. Please, make yourself at home, you will receive your first proper assignment come tomorrow morning. I look forward to a productive career from you, Kori." The King spoke before the call was hung up.
"...He says he's proud of me?" Yuki asked, placing the phone on the receiver.
"Apparently so. Rather unexpected of him, but you have been given a rare opportunity. Getting on the King's good graces this fast is… Impressive." Lavender Doctor spoke. "...You can leave."
"Thank you, sir." Yuki nods, leaving the meeting room to the common area and finding the Prince lying beneath the chandelier. Hopping down, she summoned her ice hands to lift the chandelier from the dragonblood's body. "Hey, you alright, kid?" Yuki asked.
"Yes. Just peachy." The Prince remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he groaned, getting out from beneath the chandelier. "What did you come back here for, anyways? To laugh at me?"
"No, to get you out from beneath this damn thing." Yuki answered, dropping the chandelier once the Prince was out. "...Your old man apparently wants you out-"
"Of my cave, yes." The Prince interrupts, looking away. "Look, I already know, you won his favor, just… Just…" His voice seemed to shake, his fists clenching before Yuki placed a wing on his back. The dragonblood tensed up, looking at the avian in surprise. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Giving you a pat on the back?" Yuki answered. "I'll admit, you're tough as hell. I can actually learn a thing or two from you, could prove useful later."
"...I'm no teacher." The Prince spoke simply.
"Can't take a compliment?" Yuki smirks.
The Prince was silent. "...Thanks. I… I suppose." He spoke. "...My name is Masau, by the way."
"Well, nice to meet you. Maybe next time we talk it won't involve extensive property damage?" Yuki teases.
"...No guarantees." Masau responds, clutching his left side. "If you'll excuse me, I think I have some fractures to tend to." He then enveloped himself in shadow, before melting into the shadows of the area and moving towards the Training Room, leaving Yuki alone.
"...Weird kid." Yuki spoke under her breath as she went to her room.
After an explosive confrontation with the Void Prince Masau, Yuki finds herself in the good graces of the Crimson King! But how will she get close enough to the Crimson King in order to strike him down? Find out next time on Chapter 5: Are You Experienced?