Makoto was aggravated and thoroughly uncomfortable. She was unused to being touched. The shock of it put her in a foul mood. But she could forgive Amamiya's accidental roving palms. Makoto had fallen off the back of a motorcycle once- she knew that feeling of slow-motion panic.

Still! That didn't make the indignation go away immediately. The pressure of his hands there, through her armor- it was stuck in her mind like a song she couldn't shake.

She was also sitting forward on the bike, half off the seat, handlebars jammed up too close, the installed battery for Iwai's blue light digging into the area just above her groin. Plus Amamiya's surprising weight on her back pressing her forward even more. He was heavy! She was holding onto his right arm and her fingers could feel his flesh through the joints in his armor- though it was hard to tell what was armor and what was muscle because it was all surprisingly hard. If Amamiya was this thickly corded all over, it would explain why the man was so damn heavy despite being rather lanky.

She also hated riding on gravel: a treacherous, unfriendly surface. The extra bulk of Amamiya and her own forward position drastically altered the center of gravity she was used to. In short, nothing about the current situation was ideal or comfortable.

Also: it looked like Amamiya took a thorough thrashing from the vampire. Makoto only saw brief glimpses of Amamiya's martial abilities last night and today: she'd seen him leap up the side of a building: suck in black magic: and leap from third-story windows unharmed. If despite being able to do all that, a noble vampire still turned Amamiya into a staggering weakling… how the hell did normal people hunt them? What did Father do? What does Sae do? Makoto's revolver and bladed gauntlets seemed more and more like toys.

They rode back into the daylight and found themselves in a forested area with robust greenery. The tunnel they'd just passed was known as The Long Dark, and it led to a mostly uninhabited waste in the center of Tock-Yo- a swampy area known as Inokashira. The ground was too wet to build on, the soil too… something or other to grow crops in, and the air too filled with mosquitos to enjoy. Criminals and avid duck hunters were pretty much the only people who came here.

And noble vampires fleeing pursuit.

Gravel gave way to dried mud, which was solid enough for Makoto to increase the speed. The heavy metal coach was leaving an obvious path in the soft earth. Makoto followed it cautiously, as the path twisted amongst trees, both living and fallen. She was surprised there was a path here at all. Much less one that a coach could follow. Who was bringing enough carriages in and out of this marsh to keep the vegetation down?

"Maybe the fool will get stuck in the mud," Amamiya said from behind her left ear. "Save us the trouble…"

Before she could stop herself, Makoto quoted something she read: "Only dead men hope their enemies are fools."

Amamiya let out an amused grunt, a gust of hot breath flowing over Makoto's ear. "True enough. He must be down here for a reason. Hey, wait. He went off the trail here."

He was right. While the mysterious coach path continued on into the woods, the fresh trail of their quarry made an abrupt left. It was heading back towards the small ridge from whence the tunnel of The Long Dark emerged. Makoto turned onto the new path, feeling her back wheel slide on a thin layer of mud.

They soon came upon the stopped coach. It was parked near the entrance to some kind of cave, and the coach was jammed up near the rockface. The team of mechanical horses were standing like statues- a lot of wealth to abandon. Perhaps their prey was more desperate than they thought. Or… this is where he turned around to fight.

Amamiya slid off the back of Johanna as Makoto put out the kickstand and switched her off. An eerie quiet surrounded them, though likely it was simply the engine noise having scared the wildlife into silence. He was walking better now, though he was still looking leaden in his movements. He staggered slightly as he went to look inside the coach's open door.

"Nothing. And no blood. He took them with him."

Ann and Ryuji! Makoto felt relief flood through her. "Are they still alive?"

"Probably," Amamiya turned to regard the dark cave. "A vampire isn't likely to kill his captives outright. As I understand it, there's no discernible difference in taste from freshly dead and long dead, so a meal loses all its value if the human dies first."

A difference in taste? Based on the mortality of the human? How could such a thing be possible? The flavor of fresh pork and salt pork was vastly different; but Amamiya was saying that, from the vampire's perspective, there was an instant change the very moment of death. Yet in such a moment to moment transition, the corpse would not be notably different than a few moments previous when the person was alive. So what then... were vampires feeding on exactly? Yes, blood, but blood was in fresh corpses, too. What else did a living human have?

A soul?

This trail of thought was getting metaphysical, and there wasn't any time for that. Their prey, and the Sakamotos, were getting away from them. Makoto strode to where Amamiya was leaning against the cave wall, looking down into the dark. She wanted to hurry, but they couldn't move faster than Amamiya at this point.

"How are you?"

Amamiya's eyes met hers. His face still had a bit of a sickly cast to it, though it was hard to tell due to his naturally pale skin. He nodded.

"I'm fine. I'll be ready when we reach him."

"What are we waiting for?"

Amamiya looked back down into the cave. "Traps. This must be his Palace. Never rush into a noble's Palace. There's always traps"

"Palace?"

Amamiya shrugged. "It's what I call their homes, their shelters. An exile noble is used to certain comforts. Qualities of life they enjoyed for thousands of years. In exile, they crave the same luxury they had before. So they turn their homes into a Palace as best they can."

An exile? That was an interesting word. "What do you mean? Exile noble? Exiled from where?"

Amamiya stiffened. His mouth curled into a grimace. Makoto hadn't seen this look in a while. He didn't want to tell her something.

"An exile from where, Mr. Amamiya?"

"Somewhere else," Amamiya heaved himself off the wall and turned his grimace down upon her. "We don't have time for this, Ms. Niijima. I don't see anything dangerous down there, but follow me at a small distance. Step where I step. Touch nothing else. Understand?"

Makoto's mind was burning with curiosity. Amamiya had let something slip and he knew it, but he was also correct: they didn't have time for this. But when this was over... there would be some quiet afternoon she could bring him to a private place and have him all to herself…

Makoto felt heat blush over her face. That was an odd way to think about a private conversation! The excitement of the day was getting to her. That was evidence, right there. And what was she doing even thinking about it at all! Ryuji and Ann were still in danger!

"Is something wrong?" asked Amamiya.

She looked up into his grey eyes and the heat redoubled over her cheeks. She looked away and stared down into the darkness of the cave. "No! I'm fine! I'll follow you, of course!"

She felt Amamiya's gaze for a few moments longer, then he moved in front of her and into the darkness. She followed. Somewhere down here was the vampire- and Ann and Ryuji. They needed to hurry, but Amamiya was still weakened, so not hurry too much- and now there was a danger of lethal booby traps.

It was daunting. Makoto still felt far out of her league. How much more didn't she know? A lot, she was sure. She should have done more research- perhaps seek out vampire hunters and get them to explain their tactics. Father had never gone into such technical detail- he wanted her to have the fundamentals of combat and riding first. And Sae- well, Sae wasn't one to talk about the specifics of her work. Then there was her new partner. Amamiya was mostly willing to share- but he wasn't proactive. He explained things as they encountered it, which was way too late for Makoto's liking. Just another reason for that private conversation with this reticent man.

But first things first: survive today.

A small part of Makoto was tired from lack of sleep and longing for a bath, a soft chair, a good book. The rest of her eagerly followed Amamiya into the darkness. She didn't know what was going to happen. She wasn't confident she was up to the challenge of whatever was down here. She felt ignorant, inadequate, incompetent. But Ryuji and Ann needed someone, anyone. And Amamiya had already been defeated once while alone. Maybe he was outmatched, too. Makoto realized he'd not even suggested that she stay behind or go back to the city. He offered her no ploy to go look at the "safe" spot. He wanted her with her.

He thought she would be useful.

Makoto drew her revolver.

And she will be. Amamiya will see. Sae will see. Father will see.

Sakamoto Ryuji came screaming back to consciousness. He opened his eyes to see some sort of smooth stone texture passing before him, illuminated by dim light. He felt an arm around his waist, over which he was awkwardly drooped. The pain which revived him was coming from his right leg, and with every stride of Ryuji's captor, Ryuji's leg was jolted, sending new agony careening through his mind.

They stopped before a metal door. Ryuji was dropped to the ground. His leg sent new agony to his mind. Ryuji couldn't think- it was too intense. He screamed again, just to try and get some of the pain out of his body.

"Shut up!" snarled a male voice.

The door opened. Ryuji felt himself get picked up, but just as his leg was forcing another scream from his mouth- the open door slammed into his head. His vision flashed white and he was now focused on a new type of delirious pain in his skull. But- but it deadened the pain in his leg. Ryuji rotated his head, his vision blurry in the darkness.

The door was closing behind them. They were in some kind of hallway, lit by orange light. Ann was hanging limp beside him, on the other side of quickly-walking legs. She was also bouncing with the stride of the person holding them both, her blond pigtails swinging wildly. She was still unconscious.

They both were being spirited away like two bags of clothing... Or two piglets to slaughter. Ryuji's daze faded as the reality of his situation came back to him, clearing his vision and sending a surge of adrenaline through his body.

Fuck! Kamoshida is a vampire! I gotta get Ann outa here!

As he realized this, the footsteps of Kamoshida changed pitch, now sounding metallic. But it was an unimportant development to Ryuji. He saw his target. Right between this fucker's legs. He struck out with his right fist.

"Arrgh!"

Right in the sack! So it works on vampires, too! Ryuji struck out again, this time aiming for a knee. He landed a hit, but it didn't get the same reaction.

"Are you in a rush to die?" shouted Kamoshida.

Ryuji's world suddenly spun and he was flying through the air. The back of his head hit something hard. Dazed once again, he fell to the ground- And then past the ground. Kamoshida was on some kind of metal bridge, watching him fall.

"Shit!" said Kamoshida.

Ryuji looked down into a yawning darkness. He screamed in fear. His injured leg smashed into something as he fell. Ryuji screamed louder. His head collided with a hard object and his universe went dark.

Makoro followed Amamiya closely, just as he'd advised. The darkness here was not entirely complete. Daylight was reflecting its way down the passage, giving just enough illumination for her to get a general sense of her surroundings. Was that enough daylight to give a vampire trouble? Makoto was unsure, and this wasn't the time to make unnecessary noise by asking Amamiya about another curiosity. Besides, Kamoshida made it through here, so obviously it wasn't too much daylight to impair him.

They were in a wide-open space with a smooth stone floor. Too smooth, some to think of it. Makoto realized this was a crafted space. Another imperial ruin, sitting dark and neglected amidst the growing metropolis of Tock-Yo. How many were there? Did anyone know them all? The places were taboo to most and useless to everyone else. Anything useful was cleaned out centuries before. But Kamoshida was utilizing them: first 'The Long Dark' as an escape route, and now this place as a- a Palace? That's what Amamiya called it, anyway.

Was anyone still interested in these places, or were they just like mountains: mapped once hundreds of years ago and then taken for granted ever since. Admittedly, Makoto never spared them much thought but that wouldn't be the case after today. She should know what was under her own city.

They came to a new descent. This one was narrower and it appeared to be some sort of stairway. Four stairways, with individual waist-high walls which served as railings for each set of stairs. All four were only wide enough for maybe two people to stand. An unusual design. Why not just make the stairwell as wide as the passage? Why bother with extra little walls?

Amamiya stopped to examine one of the four stairwells. Then he stood, looked at her, then descended. His feet made a different sound as he stepped upon the first step. It sounded metallic. Makoto followed him closely, careful not to touch anything she didn't have to. Darkness deepened around them as they clanked down the stairs. Makoto unhooked the electric lantern from her hip. This was an expensive item- perhaps the most valuable thing she personally owned.

She flipped the switch. A soft yellow glow illuminated the steps gleamed with a strange grooved texture… almost like rows of tilled farmland. Bizzare.

Amamiya froze at the sudden light. He turned to look at her. Seemed to consider the situation. Then turned back and continued downward. Makoto was sure he figured it out: she wasn't about to wander around down here blind. And if vampires could see in the dark- it was unlikely they were going to sneak up on anyone, anyway.

At the bottom of the stairwells, the smooth stone floor stretched to the left and right, but abruptly ended in front of them. There seemed to be some sort of drop off into the dark below. They walked closer and found the drop to only be a few feet- down to more smooth stone. But the floor down there was adorned with two long metal… poles, Makoto guessed they were. The poles were laying on the ground, lengthwise, running parallel with each other into the unknowable darkness to the left and to the right. Further across this depression was another portion of raised smooth stone, like where Makoto and Amamiya now stood. What manner of place was this? The architecture was bizarre.

"Turn off the light," Amamiya whispered.

Makoto did so, and darkness collapsed around her. But she found she wasn't blind. There was a glow coming from their right. It was not enough to see her immediate surroundings, but she could make out the arc of another tunnel to their right. The light was coming from down there somewhere. Makoto felt Amamiya take her hand and pull her lightly along with him. They were heading towards the glow.

"How do you know this is the right way?' Makoto whispered as softly as she could.

"I can smell Ms. Sakamoto. She passed this way."

Oh, right. The smell of a virgin. ... Who smells better? Me or Ann?

What! What does that matter! Focus!

Nearer the archway of the tunnel, the light was strong enough for Makoto to let go of Amamiya's hand and navigate herself. The platform they stood on ended in a smooth stone wall, so they dropped into the depression for the metal beams and continued into the tunnel.

They walked steadily down a large curved corridor, following the curved metal poles on the ground. Ahead of them, a single burning light bulb came into view- the source of the glow. Electricity! Was this place connected to the city's steam plants? No, that couldn't be possible. There must be another energy source. Something down here. Something Kamoshida must be using.

Below the bulb was a metal door. It had no handle or latch or knob that Makoto could see. And carved into the door were the words:

Impetu Indespectus Imperium

Operarius Solum

It was the imperial language. The same language the church used. Well, anything old seemed to use it. Makoto's understanding was imperfect, and the grammar seemed weird, but she read it as: 'Control Unseeable Force. Only Laborers.' What did that mean? Maybe Amamiya would know.

"What does that mean?" she whispered.

"It's a place where workers can control the power generator."

"Power generator? Like electricity?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"Does it matter? Kamoshida took the Sakamotos in there, I'm sure of it," Amamiya ran his fingers along the edges of the door. "But how does it open?" He curled his fingers and tried pulling at the narrow edges. He didn't seem to be making any progress.

Makoto reached out with her hands. Her gauntlet was suddenly pulled into the door with a dull 'thunk'. And it stuck. Startled, she yanked her hand away and felt a familiar resistance before her hand freed itself.

"It's a magnet," she said, forgetting to whisper. "The door is being held closed by a magnet."

"How can we stop it?"

"Umm-" Makoto flung her mind back to her schooling, her studies, her endless hours in the Niijima Library. Natural Science. Magnetized metals. Got it! "Melt it. Or hammer it."

Amamiya grunted in frustration: "A hammer. Of course. Do you have one?"

"No."

Amamiya grunted again. Then he stepped back and push-kicked the door.

THOOM!

The door shuddered in its frame and developed a small dent. Meanwhile, Amamiya gasped in pain and collapsed to the ground, holding his knee.

"What are you doing!?"

"Hammering," hissed Amamiya through gritted teeth.

Ryuji's eyes fluttered open to a dim room. Wires and pipes covered the walls. Before him, on a small pedestal, a yellow, cantaloupe-sized orb pulsed with glowing light. It seemed all the wires and pipes in the room came out of the weird orb's pedestal.

**Ah, I've been waiting quite a while.***

What was that?

But before Ryuji could start to think about the voice he'd heard, an overwhelming wave of agony ballooned through his mind. Everything hurt. Everything was blurry. His head felt like a heavy piece of iron on the end of his neck.

Ann… he had to get to Ann. His head was so heavy... He tried to push himself up, but his right leg crunched oddly and he screamed in shock. He collapsed again, breath ragged.

Damnit! I can't get to her! I can't get anywhere! I need my strength!

**So… you seek power, correct? Then let us form a pact.**

What the hell was that voice? Ryuji looked around, but he was alone in this space, just him and the orb.

**Since you've been crippled already, why not join with me and gain victory?**

Who the hell was that? God?... Victory? Fuck yes. Die here in the dark? Or win? What kind of fucking choice was that?

He groaned. Not that whatever this voice was could do anything for him. He was hearing things. Hit on the head too many times. And his leg was fucked. He was fucked. Ann was… Goddamnit. Ryuji felt a surge to sorrow push water from his eyes. Goddamnit.

"Yes!" he screamed. "God, give me fucking power or something. Help me!"

The room was briefly illuminated with yellow light, then it darkened back to the original dimness. The yellow orb detached itself from the pedestal. The countless wires and pipes of the pedestal went dark while the orb brightened notably.

V-E-R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-r-u-u-u-u-u-m-m-m-m-…..

The earth shuddered as the orb began floating towards Ryuji. What the fuck! He tried to crawl away from it, but searing agony in his leg stopped him, breathless. What the fuck!

**Excellent. Oh… You're not…? I see. A long time ago… But there is enough here to work with. Let us begin.**

The orb drifted closer, filling up Ryuji's vision. Instinctual fear filled his mind.

"Get the fuck away!"

He struck at the orb with his fist, but when he touched the orb, his hand stuck to it- a surge of some strange, vibrating force went instantly through his entire body. Muscles seized everywhere; his arms, his legs, his core, all tense and ignoring the panicked commands of his mind. And still the orb drifted closer to his face, pulling his hand with it.

Ryuji screamed inside his head, as his jaw was clenched tightly shut, teeth grinding.

**I am thou, thou art I…**

The yellow surface of the object touched Ryuji's forehead. A new grinding agony shot through his consciousness, stealing his breath. The locking energy dissipated. He began to convulse, which further aggravated his broken leg.

"St- stop!" he gasped.

**There is no turning back…**