Rain poured hard from the outside world, At least to those inside who had shelter. To those who didn't. They faced the downpour of the rain.
The sky seemed so gloomy. Who would have thought something as colorless as water could make the clouds so dark?
"Now hold still. if you keep moving, it will be harder for me to mend your wounds."
That voice was stern yet caring at the same time. It came from a woman—Someone who was 32, although their face kept pleasant facial features. She had short dark magenta hair that reached past her chin, bangs fell over her eyes in an uneven fringe and parted to a side, and the ends of her hair were in uneven lengths. Maybe due to something like a knife or anything sharp that made the ends of her hair like that. Her eyes were sharp, teal with flecks of lighter hues of blue in them, there was a glint in her eyes that showed her true wit.
And the name of this woman was, Masuji Ibuse, a government assassin. She worked in Goken, the five greatest swordsmen in the government. With an ability that is used for taunting, it got many successful tasks done. She earned the name, The Salamander. Ibuse's strong will and determination were one thing although Salamander is known to be symbolic of fire but even when it rains it's the time they come out.
"How many times do I have to tell you Shiki? I understand you are trying to suppress yourself but try to not go forth without a plan. They'll cause injuries like these."
"Ach..! Be careful! It stings." The teenager said through their gritted teeth although it seemed they were biting on their tongue. The younger individual was about 14, She was fairly pale even to be taken as sickly. She had pale blue hair in a short bob cut that reached past her chin but it seemed to be growing, some parts were swirling like a curl. Her eyes were a mix match of the yellow gradient to blue, those eyes seem to reflect the setting sky even but they seem lifeless like a void that is willing to suck a person in and drown them. Underneath her lip in the right corner is a small beauty mark and their name. Their name is Shiki.
"It's only going to hurt more if you keep moving." Ibuse dipped Shiki's hand in a bowl of warm water, leaving it in for at least a minute. She took a look at Shiki's hand once more, her eyes narrowing as she focused more on the wound.
Shiki's hand was normal as most, with slender and long fingers with minor scars that fading away yet the only thing that wasn't normal was how her fingertips faded onto black, It was like she dipped her nails in ink.
Ibuse turned Shiki's palm upwards, showing the large cut that was painted on Shiki's skin. Some droplets of ink trickled down her palm and into the water, making it ripple and darken the water.
There weren't any more words exchanged between the two, just the brief flicker of the candle in the corner of the room, it casts dim shadows on the walls and onto their faces. Ibuse used a towel to apply pressure on the wound and then wrapped Shiki's hand with a bandage rather tightly, making Shiki flitch.
"One should wait like the calm of the storm then strike as rain pierces through the sky and ripples through the earth. Then after that return to a clear blue day. It's not always the storm must be in a calamity, a tranquil sky is enough."
"Try remembering that next time we are on a mission."
Cawing came from the crow perched on a tree branch, signaling the rising dawn.
Poke.
poke.
Shiki knitted her eyebrows together but kept her eyes closed. "Wait..just give me a few more seconds.." she managed to mumble out. It seems she is still in the same place as she was last night, supposedly to be at "watch."
Poke..!
POKE!
"Alright! Alright! I'm awake!" Shiki groaned loudly as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her palm, her gaze met the other two to see that both Takagi and Murakami just standing there, already dressed.
"It seems you're finally up and here I thought you wouldn't sleep.." Takagi said wryly, the longer part of her smoking pipe was being twirled in between her fingers and her other hand in her pocket. "Now let's move, we don't have all day."
"Fine.. fine I'll get up." Shiki stood up from her seat on the log, stretching her long limbs then looking through her pockets to make sure everything was there but Shiki felt something in her waistcoat–the small bird from last night was still fast asleep.
Sharp black talons and beak, a short feathery tail, and soft little brown wings. It was too cute to ignore! Who wouldn't want to keep it?
Murakami and Takagi looked at Shiki and then back at each other.
They all stood in silence.
"Can we-"
"No."
The trio soon began making their way to the town. Not knowing what was waiting for them at the train station.
Throughout the town they have been in, otherwise keeping their goal in mind (Or when Shiki stopped at any store and wasted more time) After a while, they now have made it to the station. It wasn't what they had in mind though...
"So. This is the station that's going to take us to Mount Atago?" Murakami asked, raising an eyebrow and furrowing the other one. "This is the right one.. right?"
It was just a regular train station, seemingly busy with people leaving in and out of the train they were about to enter although it seemed just like a normal day, the normalcy of it was suspicious enough.
"Regardless we should keep our guard up and keep a low profile. Something is lurking on the train and we don't want any attention drawn to us." Shiki brushed her hand near the lens of her glasses before stepping onto the train, shortly Murakami and Takagi followed in.
The train as well was...normal, and fairly clean, with no sign of dirt, trash, or unwanted waste. They each took a spot near the exits, Takagi sitting close to the exit on the right, Murakami sitting on the exit close to the left, and Shiki standing up, just in between the two.
As the trio were in their places, they waited for more people to enter and the train to depart.
Soon, more people came in, finding somewhere to sit hastily. An old woman sat near Murakami, she had a kind smile on her face as she turned her head to him, in her hand she held out some pieces of what seemed to be chocolate and asked; "Would you like some?"
Murakami looked back at the elderly woman, he shook his head. "I appreciated it.. but no thank you." he politely declined then faced back at the ground. "I would've taken some although who knows what could be those chocolates."
The train then departed.
The ride was fairly smooth, the elder lady started to fall asleep and her head rested on Murakami's shoulder, he felt a surge of panic rising in him, and he tried carefully not to move. His eyes darting to Shiki or Takagi, his expression reads; HELP ME.
Both of the two women didn't even look his way, Takagi had her eyes closed and Shiki was busy staring into the distance out the window.
The young man sighed, keeping his head down at least the elderly lady wasn't snoring or anything-
No, no never mind, she started to snore.
Meanwhile, Shiki kept her gaze at the window, looking as the trees passed by. Her expression was unreadable as usual but it seemed she was deep in thought, it wasn't until she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. It reflected in the glass of the window just right behind Shiki, her eyes narrowed ever so.
Shiki then spoke up.
"Takagi, be sure to put everyone to sleep." She turned on her heel and stood next to the door that led to the cart behind them. "Murakami, you stay and assist Takagi. I'll be in the next cart." Shiki left into the next cart without saying much after.
Takagi stood up from her seat and Murakami slowly got up so he couldn't interrupt the elderly lady sleeping.
"Ability: Honeymoon to Nowhere."
Takagi then summoned her pipe, the stem was long, thin, and sliver and had intricate designs adorned on it. The design was a gold smoke swirling around the pipe. Both the mouthpiece and bowl were a shade of dark green.
There came a sweet yet sicking aroma that was in the air coming from Takagi's smoking pipe, she took a deep inhale and then pressed her index and middle finger against her lips in a gesture of a cigarette being blown and exhaling by her blowing away the smoke that escaped her lips, her hand extended. It started to grow larger and larger and spread across the room like a serpent coiling around itself.
The scent eventually filled their lungs, to those wearing masks, it went into their ears. Regardless it could enter no matter where. The people on the train soon were transported in the smoke and into a dimensional room where many monsters yet only under the command of Takagi, are safe.
It leaves both Murakami and Takagi.
Were they alone? No. They just needed the people on the train out of their way.
On Shiki's side, who knew what was in the other cart?
Lights going on and off.
The steps Shiki took were making this walk more twisted along the way.
How the more she walked the farther the next cart seemed, it felt as expanded more.
Faint whispers of the past ring in her ear, her hand cupped her ear. Listening deeply for the source of the sound.
"If you believe that I think I don't know you are hiding, I suggest to come out," Shiki replied to whatever it was behind her. She crossed her arms and side glanced.
From behind her came forth a bizarre mimetic plant monster that seemed small, just only reaching the height of her leg. Sure it was cute but Shiki doubts it was harmless.
The plant's vine-like stalks shoot out from the ground almost hitting Shiki from beneath her, luckily she managed to dodge.
"You almost caught me there.. but that was too slow." Shiki's tone held boredom and slight amusement.
Even in her nonchalance, Shiki felt something crept up behind her. When she looked over her shoulder she saw the plant's vine just hovering about her, ready to strike.
The sudden act did surprise her yet not completely.
"You clever little thing."
Meanwhile...
The lights went out on the train. The two glanced up at the broken light. Murakami tensed up as he gulped, Takagi knitted her eyebrows together. She removed her smoking pipe from between her lips.
A sound of muttering can be heard in their ears.
Another one of those plant monsters! It shot up from the ground, jump scaring the two (Mainly Murakami.)
"AHHH! WHERE DID IT COME FROM!?" Murakami clings on to the thing he could find closest which was Takagi's arm.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! I'M GOING TO SHOOT IT! AND LET GO OF MY ARM!"
"NO! NO!" Murakami yelled back. "WHAT IF IT BECOMES MORE IRRITATED!?"
While they were busy bickering, the plant monster stood patiently. Its stalks slowly inched towards Murakami's ankle and just like that it grabbed a hold of his ankle.
Takagi and Murakami snapped their heads at the plant, looking at it with a blank face.
There was silence.
Murakami and the plant monster looked at each other, he shook his head from side to side slowly. As telling the plant monster; 'No, don't do it!-'
Did he think a plant monster was going to listen to him? Of course not!
The plant monster threw Murakami across the train with its vines. He yelped as he was thrown, his body crashed against a door, especially his head which he hit badly.
Letting out a growl the plant monster grew in size, its stalks growing thicker and larger almost breaking some aspects of the train.
That left Takagi alone with the monster, there were two thoughts in her head at the moment. One; was to trap it, using her ability, or two; Fight it.
So she chose the smartest choice.
Fight it.
Besides the plant doesn't have anything like a nose to be engulfed in by her smoke.
In an arrangement of smoke, out came Takagi's sniper. A firearm with a slick black color, looking as if it was just brand new but this weapon and her go a long way back.
Another one of its vines was sent towards Takagi, pulling on the firearm's trigger, the bullet deflected due to the thickness of its stalks.
The bullet came flying towards Takagi, she dodged it just in time. Her brows furrowed at realizing how strong the vines were and no mere bullet would go pierce through them.
"Shit. The vines aren't a good place to shoot, maybe it's head? That's usually the spot." Takagi thought, instead of aiming for the vines she tilted her sniper upwards, and through the scope, her eyes narrowed at her target.
Then the bullet was fired once more, the shot echoing in the train. It went right through the head of the plant monster, it let out loud shrieks that made Takagi cover her ears.
If it was in pain that meant she had hit the spot where it was its weak point.
"Murakami! Takagi shouted. "You alright?!"
The young man sat up slowly, groaning at the pain that was inflicted at the back of his head.
Murakami winched as he placed a hand behind his head, when he removed his hand he saw the faint amount of blood on his palm.
His breath hitched, averting his eyes from his palm. Murakami called back to Takagi with a shaky voice. "I'm fine!" Murakami's voice cracked.
"That hurts.. and the sight of the blood is starting to make me feel lighter-"
Murakami ducked his head in time, Takagi firing even more bullets and the wails of the plant monster made him cover his ears.
"What could that thing even be..? it's not like some natural being. It's an ability, but who's?"
While Murakami was busy mumbling to himself, Takagi was starting to struggle with the plant monster.
"Shit. I'm starting to run out of bullets." Takagi dodged another one of the monster's swings, as she reached into her pockets once more, there weren't any more bullets.
She huffed in frustration, she tossed her sniper to the side and grabbed the stalks of the plant with her own hands.
It was a constant pulling and tugging, they were like playing a game of tug of war with each other.
"I could use some help about now!"
Murakami snapped out of his train of thought, his hands fumbling inside of his pockets.
"J-just give me a quick moment!"
He then pulled out something from his pockets, a small golden coin. On both sides, it's engraved with 'pick' on the front and 'me' on the back.
Ability: Coin locker babies.
A small rusted coin locker appeared, it then grew in size. Murakami then placed the coin in the slot.
He then pulled out something from his pockets, a small golden coin. On both sides, it's engraved with 'pick' on the front and 'me' on the back.
A small rusted coin locker appeared, it then grew in size. Murakami then placed the coin in the slot.
Murakami quickly stood behind the coin locker and with an air of confidence, he pointed his finger at the plant monster. He raises his voice. "Hachi! Eat it!"
Emerging from the locker was a monster just the size of the plant monster. A baby whose face has been distorted. This being known as 'Hachi' had its jaw torn open with rows of sharp teeth. A baby monster whose skin seems to be falling off and whose eyes are just out of their sockets. It stood on the body of what seemed to be a spider with hind legs.
Letting out a growl, Hachi lunged at the plant monster, but Takagi managed to duck as quickly.
Murakami came back jogging shortly next to Takagi, he scratched his cheek sheepishly. "I'm sorry... I should have been faster." He apologized, his gaze locked onto the ground.
Takagi adjusted her hat and scoffed. "It's not something I would get mad about, just your timing was too slow."
The duo watched as Hachi started to bite into the plant monster's vines and rip them out like cords. The plant monster fought back biting one of Hachi's legs, the baby monster let out a loud cry and pushed the plant away from itself.
Murakami's eyes widen, he tried stepping in but Takagi stopped him by gripping him firmly by the shoulder.
"Hachi! Please, Takagi, he got hurt! I have to put him back-" Murakami's voice had no longer that confidence it had a while ago, instead it broke down quickly with an overcoming worry in his tone.
Takagi cuts him off. "It's just got one of its legs cut off, it doesn't need you to treat it like some child. It will never learn to get back up properly if you help." She responded coldly.
Murakami looked between the Hachi and the plant monster. His body slumped and he nodded.
"…Hachi needs to take care of himself. He's an ability.. so he wouldn't get hurt but even if he does.. it wouldn't affect me. Right..?"
The fight between the Hachi and the plant monster continued with them banging themselves against the walls of the train the more they moved, it felt like the train was starting to lose its balance.
Eventually, Hachi bashed its head against the plant monster, slamming it onto the ground. Once more it started to dig its teeth back into the plant monster's stem and use its legs to pin the plant down.
Hachi ate the monster bit by bit but as soon as Hachi's teeth reached into the head of the plant, it exploded.
The guts of the plant monster went all over the place splattering the inside of the train like a canvas covered in splatters of purple
blood.
Silence.
Takagi and Murakami stood there with blank faces, they blinked and looked down at their clothes.
"Hachi.. you did enough, thank you." Murakami returned Hachi into the coin locker by snapping his fingers.
The two felt the train come to a halt and after being plunged into the darkness they finally saw a glimpse of the sun peaking out through the windows, they winched at the sun's harsh glare.
Takagi reached over to where her sniper was thrown, and a sigh of relief escaped her lips.
The train's doors open, leading them to the broad daylight.
They stepped out and took a look around. The train looked just nothing ever happened to it and yet the inside looked like a hellhole.
People started entering either way, it made Murakami and Takagi look out of place while being covered in sweat, blood, and guts.
A voice came from the speakers, telling the passengers that they had arrived at their destination.
Many signs were pointing to different areas near the station.
One of the signs pointed to a hiking trail.
'Mount Atago hiking trail'
Murakami felt all his stress wash away and ease came back into his body once again.
He looked at Takagi with a small smile. "We made it out at least but we should head down now."
Then they followed the sign to the hiking trail descended the stairs of the station and followed the trail to the hiking path.
Takagi and Murakami stood at the entrance of Mount Atago.
From the trees a tapestry of fiery red, orange, and golden hues as the leaves transform, offering a spectacle that is nothing short of magical.
This was it.
It was a step closer to getting the poem, once they got it, they wouldn't have to face what they did on the train anymore.
Finally!-
Murakami felt something shift in his pants pockets, it was his phone.
He unlocked the screen and the first thing he saw was a message from Shiki.
Reading: 'You guys left me behind!1!1!1! D:'
Murakami now felt his soul leave his body when he realized they forgot Shiki was also with them.
He's her agent for crying out loud!
Murakami quickly typed on his small keyboard on his phone. 'MASAOKA-SAN! YOU'RE ALRIGHT! I'M SORRY-'
As Murakami was typing he froze up for a moment, feeling something loom over him. He slowly turned his head to see.
Shiki was right at his face with a shadow casting over her eyes and an eerie smile on her lips. Her clothes were covered in what seemed to be guts and blood. Shiki's face was also covered with purple blood as well.
"You both forgo-"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Murakami screamed although it sounded more like how a teenager would scream due to his voice cracking.
Shiki sweatdrops at his sudden outburst. "Woah.. woah.. relax! You're acting as if you saw some ghost." Shiki held her hands up in defense, she then covered her nose.
"You both smell! Yuck!" Shiki stuck out her tongue and looked to the side like a child refusing to eat their food.
"You smell like crap too. I don't know what you're talking about." Takagi said in a flat tone.
Shiki laughs it off "Oh! You are funny Takagi! I missed you as well!" She skipped on over to the start of the trail but stopped for a moment, she looked up at the sky, the clouds were turning grey. Shiki frowns.
Then came a downpour of rain, coming down from the skies heavily. Murakami and Takagi covered themselves with their arms above their heads yet no avail.
It stopped raining.
But wait, did it stop raining?
No, no Shiki held out two umbrellas for Murakami and Takagi. She made them out of using her ability, Shiki was the only one without an umbrella.
"Masaoka-san.." Murakami looked up at the pale blue-haired woman, he was hesitant to grab the umbrella but ended up taking it from Shiki.
Takagi didn't say anything but she took the umbrella as well, what mattered most was not getting her fedora wet.
"Aren't you going to make one for yourself? You're going to get sick." Said Takagi.
"Don't worry much about me, I'll make myself one later on," Shiki said calmly with her usual smile on her lips, one that often held such an enigma. She turned on her heel and started to walk forward.
The two simply looked at each other and followed Shiki now onto the hiking path.
What Shiki remembered something when it rained, it was when "One should wait like the calm of the storm then strike as rain pierced through the sky and ripples through the earth. Then after that return to a clear blue day. It's not always the storm must be in a calamity, a tranquil sky is enough."
"Is this what she meant? I think I'm starting to understand now."