Chapter 293
Hiccups POV:
I slowly walked into the darkness and didn't see a thing as the darkness consumed me but then there was a flash of fire and I found myself in a hall of rice paper doors. I slid one door open but the second I did I found an empty room with a door that had the image of a purple Japanese dragon on it, standing opposite to me which opened with large clap to reveal an identical room on the other side with the same door that opened up. On the other side was the same with the same door snapping open to reveal the same behind it and this seemed to go on forever making me turn away and open another door only to find the same thing waiting for me behind it. I growled and looked around as I said.
"I've wondered right into their trap." My words were met with cruel laughter from all sides before a voice I recognized as Kazuya's said.
"You shall never leave through any of the doors to freedom, only the door of death awaits you." I sighed and shook my head.
"How did you know I was in your house?" I looked around.
"I have my men give reports every half hour and when the ones in the watchtower not only didn't report what was happening but also collapsed when nudged I knew something was going on, so I had my home searched and found some of the locks on my secret doors were broken."
"So, you had your mystics prepare this prison for me."
"Smart man."
"I am, unlike you who thinks this is going to hold me."
"You'll never escape, and you shall die but that fancy sword of yours will make an excellent trophy." I chuckled.
"Please, if I had a gold coin for every enemy, I've faced who believed they could kill me I'd be the richest man in the world, all of whom are now either dead or stuck in a prison cell somewhere."
"Well, this illusion shall be your prison and your death." I looked around and thought back to my time with the Ancient One had told me about these kinds of traps and how to escape them by focusing my mind and inner power to break free of the illusion using a special technique he'd taught me.
"Fortunately, I've had training to deal with these situations."
I closed my eyes and took a breath before closing my eyes and held up two fingers to focus my inner power and then opened my eyes, slashing at the air in front of me making a tear in the very air that leaked blue fog. The fog quickly spread out throughout the entire hall, leaving me standing in a dense void of dark blue fog that I could barely see through it. I looked around ready for a fight knowing that this was the ideal place for me to be ambushed or for an enemy to get the drop on me. Sensing something from behind me, I quickly stepped to the side which turned out to be the right move as three arrows flew past me and into the fog. I turned around and saw a robed figure with grey robes armed with a long bow standing there're but thing about this figure is where his head was meant to be, was a floating skull. It was then from behind him three more figures appeared from behind it and came to its sides.
Each of them was wearing different robes with skulls floating above where the heads were meant to be were skulls but each of them was different. One had brown robes with a skull made of pure stone wielding a tetsubo, one had red robes with a flaming skull and was wielding a naginata that had red hot blade and the final one had blue robes with a skull made of water wielding a katana that was made of water. It was easy to tell that these guys were elemental creatures of air, earth, fire and water meaning they might be able to use these elements to attack. I knew this was not going to be easy since these fights never were and began thinking back to what I've been taught about these types of attacks and foes.
I didn't get much of a chance to think though before the fire elemental charged at me, stabbing its weapons burning blade at me but I quickly side stepped and did a swing kick to its back sending it sliding forward and away from me. I then jumped back just as the stone elemental slammed his tetsubo down where I was, but it sent a shockwave that threw me back a little. I delivered a quick kick to its skull, throwing it back towards the fire elemental as I did a back flip back to avoid some slashes of water, thrown at me by the water elemental. I then quickly slashed my sword to destroy the arrows shot at me by the wind elemental and then had my sword shatter into shards that then became blades that I launched at the wind and water elementals. I smirked as the blades went right through the elementals, creating holes in their bodies before my blade reformed but my joy was short lived as the holes in them quickly repaired themselves and they continued their attack on me.
Half an hour later
I've been fighting these elementals for half an hour and in that time, I've stabbed them, slashed them, decapitated them, sliced them in two and more only for them to reform or heal their wounds. I knew that if this kept up, I'd be tired out and then I'd be an easy kill for these elementals and I'm guessing that's what the ones controlling them knew and why they were having these elementals fight me so hard. I knew that if I kept this up, I'd be killed meaning I needed to figure out how to take these things down and thought about what the Ancient One told me about what I should when if I ever find myself in this kind of situation. I then snapped my fingers remembering how he told me that creatures like these were nothing more than puppets and if I wanted to stop them, I'd need to cut the strings that were the paper talismans hidden somewhere off their bodies.
I looked around the fog using the eye of the dragon's ability to see weaknesses hoping that since the talismans were the weakness of these creatures, the eye would see them. I smiled when they talismans gave off their red glow but was a little surprised when it wasn't four talismans but five meaning there was an extra, powering something other than these elementals. I decided to worry about that later as I dodged three more arrows from the wind elemental and another stab from the fire elemental. I pulled my star sword back into my prosthetic and released my boomerang before throwing it at the talismans and smiled as it sliced through all five and then returned to me hand and had the boomerang return to my prosthetic.
As soon as my boomerang was back in my prosthetic the elementals faded from existence and then the fog disappeared meaning that the fifth talisman was what was powering that fog. As soon as the fog fully cleared, and I found myself standing in a large black void with a stage at the back where Kazuya was sitting with two men on either side of him and a large lit torch behind him. This was the first time I'd actually seen Kazuya up close and saw he had long hair that went down his back and it was black with white streaks in it. As for his robes, he was wearing a black formal kimono with a navy-blue wrap and lining, all of which I could easily tell was made from fine silk. As for the men who were at his sides, they were all elderly men wearing the same thing as the elementals but with shaved heads and cloth masks hiding their faces. Kazuya then gave a slow clap as he said.
"Congratulations, you are the first to ever escape my prison with their life." He shrugged. "It matters not though as you have simply come to meet your end in another place." I glared at him. "Before we kill you though, answer me this." I raised an eyebrow. "Why would you go through so much trouble to get into my home?" He raised an eyebrow. "Was it the chance to steal my wealth, a claim to the power I wield or maybe you just want to help the filth of this town that I command."
"I admit helping the people of this village has become one of my goals, but my main goal is rescuing Asami's daughter." He raised an eyebrow. "She's the kitsune you recently captured and imprisoned."
"So that kitsune has a mother." He shrugged. "I had no idea but I'm afraid I cannot allow her or the other yokai to go free as they are a source of power for the friends at my sides." He then gave a cruel smile. "Now I believe it's time for the pleasantries to end along with your life."
He snapped his fingers and each of the mystics stood up, raising their arms and pointing their hands at me before their chosen element shot out at me. Thinking fast, I swept my coat to the side forming the shield of nine tails, blocking their attacks and leaving them all shocked before I lowered my coat and asked.
"You didn't think my sword was the only magic I possessed did you." Kazuya growled and then pointed at me while yelling.
"KILL HIM!"
I released my blue flame chains and began swinging them around while the mystics pulled out the same weapons the elementals used and began their attack with the earth mystic leaping from the stage, his tetsubo raised high. I stepped to the side dodging the blow before swinging my chains down at his arms, wrapping them up and then yanking the mystic towards me and pulling his face into my outstretched prosthetic hand. I then slammed his head back into the ground hard knocking him out cold and surprisingly making cracks appear in the walls around me. I didn't get the chance to examine it more before a blast of flames came at me and out of reflex I tuck and rolled to the side to avoid the flames even though I had a flame immunity.
I looked in the direction of the flames to see where they came from and as expected, it was from the flame mystic who was pointing his naginata at me but all he succeeded in doing was making me smirk. He pointed his weapon at me once more and blasted a stream of flames at me but this time, I charged into it and as expected, it didn't hurt a bit thanks to my flame immunity. I quickly reached the end of the stream and ran past the naginata shocking the mystic as I wrapped my chains around my fist and smirked before I slammed my chain covered fist into his gut while channeling my strength into my arm. The mystic had the air knocked out of him before he flew back into the stage and fell unconscious and new cracks formed around the room.
I ignored the cracks in favor of dodging a slash from the water mystic who had leapt from the stage to attack me in close combat, and he was skilled with the katana. If it weren't for both my ninja and kung fu training, he'd have killed me easily, but I was able to match his speed as I wrapped my chain around my right hand to form the link between my two arms. I rolled to the side to avoid the katanas slash and then held up my chains to block a downward slash and as soon as the blade hit my chains it began seeping through since it was made of water. Before it could come through fully though I tightened the chains by pulling the ends in opposite ways and igniting them with their blue flames. The water quickly turned to steam before I rolled to the side making the mystic stumble forward as I stood up and slammed my fists onto the back of his head, knocking him out cold before more cracks formed.
As soon as he was down though, I quickly turned around and grabbed a flaming arrow out of the air and looked at where it came from only to see both Kazuya and the wind mystic armed with long bows. I tossed the arrow aside as Kazuya growled and cried.
"I won't let all the power and riches I worked so hard to gain be taken away due to some foreigner."
Both he and the wind mystic began firing arrows at me which either blocked, dodged or caught in my hand before dropping to the ground as I walked towards them. I had to admit, I admired their determination to keep fighting to the very end but I'm guessing it was more out of fear, knowing what punishment awaited them if they were defeated. I shook my head ignoring these thoughts and launched the chains links at Kazuya hoping to at least get the flaming arrows to stop so I could focus on the wind mystic. My eyes widened when Kazuya dropped his bow and instead grabbed the mystic by his robes and then holding him in front of him, using him as a human shield who took the chain links into his back making him cry out in pain. Kazuya then threw the mystic at me as my chains reformed and while the mystic was still stumbling from my chain links, I grabbed the mystic and gave him a quick headbutt knocking him out cold.
When he fell unconscious the sound of glass shattering echoed through the entire place before the darkness and stage shattered around me like glass leaving me standing in a room half the size of the original room that was completely empty except for dust, cobwebs and spiders along with Kazuya and the unconscious mystics. I knew this meant that the entire time I'd been in this room while everything I had been seeing was nothing more than an illusion made to confuse my senses and make me easier to deal with. Kazuya then backed up in fear as I smirked and released Toothless making him let out a yelp before I signaled Toothless to guard the door who growled and nodded as he jumped in front of the door in his battle stance. I pulled the mystics into my shadow making Kazuya stare in horror and fear as I walked towards him but as I did he gave a quick smirk before the wall he'd been backed up against spun around to reveal it was a hidden door that he just escaped through. I growled having my full of his tricks and signaled Toothless to blast the wall which he was all too happy to do, creating a hole where the door used to be before he ran into it with me climbing on as he ran past.
We quickly gave chase to him down the hall until we burst through the end and into the courtyard where both Kazuya and Geni were waiting with multiple guards all armed and pointing their weapons at us. Kazuya gave a cruel smirk before he said.
"I've clearly underestimated you foreigner and I must admit, I was surprised when you released that beast from your shadow but now it's over." He brought out his own katana and pointed it at us. "You shall be executed alongside your beast with your body being burned and your beasts' body being processed into whatever I decide while your magic items shall be taken and used by my mystics." He then chuckled. "And my life shall return to the way it was." I glared at him.
"You mean where you abuse the villagers for the entertainment of both you and your son while stealing their money and hiring bandits as the guards knowing they won't go to the Lord or any of his men to expose you and your crimes?" He chuckled.
"Of course, and there is nothing you shall be able to do about it." It was then a voice from behind the crowd said.
"He might not be able to do anything about it, but I believe me, and my men can." All eyes turned to the owner of the voice to reveal an armored man on the back of a white horse and at his sides were multiple other armed men. "Agawa Kazuya, by order of lord Chisaka, you and your son are under arrest for numerous crimes against the people of Japan." Kazuya lowered his blade.
"What crimes are you speaking of?" He pointed his blade at me. "If you are going to arrest anyone than arrest this foreigner and his beast who have invaded my home and assaulted both me and my guards."
"The foreigner and his beast shall be brought before the lord to discuss what we have been told about him, but we have a witness who has told us everything they know of your crimes."
"So, you are arresting me on mere words alone and nothing more?" Kazuya looked outraged. "These could easily be lies of someone who merely holds some sort of grudge against me." He crossed his arms. "I hope you have more evidence than just the words of someone."
It was then I noticed the ninja I'd sent to escort Ema standing at the front of the men and smiled before signaling Metal forward who rushed to meet me as I brought out the evidence I had gathered and handed it to him. I signaled him to give it to the one in charge before he rushed back to the one on horseback and offered him the forms which the man took. He went through the first pages while I smirked at Kazuya who looked more paler by the second before the man on the horse yelled out.
"MEN, TAKE THAT CRIMINAL AND ALL HIS GUARDS INTO CUSTODY AND SHOULD THEY RESIST USE FORCE!" I saw four guards immediately begin to flee and rolled my eyes and signaled my ninja to stop them which they were quick to do before I noticed Genji was trying to run but I shot a bola at him making him fall to the ground and chuckled until the man on his horse rode up to me. "Are you the one who saved Ema and the master of those ninja?" I could see the mistrust in his eyes as I nodded.
"I am and I'm also the one who discovered the evidence to bring Kazuya to justice and if you will allow me to, I can take you to a room with a lot more evidence to ensure he can't talk his way out of it and make finding his criminal allies, a little easier." He looked at me with mistrust still but this time there was a small glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.
"You alone can lead me and six of my men, but your ninja and beast must remain behind." I nodded.
"I understand." I dismounted Toothless and summoned my ninja to us. "Just make sure your men keep their weapons sheathed around him or he will be on edge and may attack." He nodded and went to gather his men while I dismounted Toothless and rubbed his head. "Stay calm bud, we're in their land." He growled and nodded as I turned to my ninja. "Make sure nobody tries to harm Toothless." They nodded as the man who was leading the men walked up with six other men.
"Take us to this room with the evidence." I nodded and lead them into the house.
1 hour later
It's been an hour since I took the leader of the men to the room with the evidence and since then the room had been fully cleaned out of all evidence by the men while the guards were rounded up as were all the servants who were being mind-controlled. While the guards were all tied up and restrained the servants were set aside before the man who lead the men asked if what he'd been told about me having a way to free the people of mind-control being true. When I told him it was true he had me free each and every one of the servants and as expected, when they were free they broke down to their knees, crying tears of joy with some latching onto me and continuously thanking me and I couldn't blame them after what they'd been through. What worried me most though was that when the men went to investigate the dungeon where the yokai were kept, all the cells were empty, but it was clear that they had once been inhabited.
Now after all that, Toothless had his wings pinned down with rope while my arms had been bound behind my back since the men still didn't trust me or Toothless which brings us to now. Both me and Toothless were now being lead through the town, being taken to meet with the lord of this land who wished to speak with me and ordered his men to bring me in if they could and I wasn't going to risk getting filled with arrows by the archers. As I we were led through the village though, there were multiple cheers from everyone as Kazuya and Geni were led through the village in chains with all their guards while their loved ones who were once magically enslaved by the mystics. Speaking of the mystics, they'd been brought out of my shadow and chained up alongside their master and all of them were now being marched in the middle of the men who'd come to arrest Kazuya. I took a breath not knowing what was going to happen in the next few days but if worse came to worst, I'd drop some of my black Loki balls and escape into the shadows with Toothless. It took a breath and just allowed myself to be led away by the armored men knowing it best I not let my guard down since I knew nothing of these men or if they really worked for the lord of this land.
Next day
We'd spent half the night walking before stopping to rest for the evening which is when a few bandits tried to make a break for it, but they were all caught before they could get far. At the crack of dawn, we were off again and had been marching the entire day to wherever it was we were being taken to and now we'd arrived in a large city with a large palace in the center of the city which is where we Toothless and I were being led. I was grateful for this since we'd been walking all day and nobody would tell me why we were being taken to meet with the lord of this land, meaning I didn't know if it was a meeting to thank me for helping bring down Kazuya, an execution for being a threat, wanting to hire me for some job or one of my two biggest headaches, wanting me to marry his daughter or sell him Toothless.
Now I was being led in through the palace gates and into the courtyard where there were multiple armed men with cherry blossom trees by the walls. Me and the other men were forced to kneel before the leader of the armored men walked turned to me and gave me an order to wait and not try anything and then going into the palace with the men who had the evidence on what Kazuya and his men had been up to. I was left there kneeling on the ground while Toothless lay down and waited patiently for something to happen but while we waited, I took the time to look around the courtyard. I had to say it was a really nice place and clearly used as a place to welcome large groups with how big it was but also a place used for training if the weapons and training equipment on racks against the wall were anything to go by.
Half-an-hour later
I'd been forced to remain kneeling on the ground for a while, waiting for something to happen and had mostly just past the time using the jewelwigs I'd released into the city when we passed through to see what was going on and get an idea of the place. I must admit it was impressive and from the various blacksmith shops I saw, I could tell that their skill when it comes to working with the metal was a gift made through years of practice. Along with that the craftsmanship of other stores products such as paper lamps, paintings and more were amazing and it meant I was going to be doing a lot of shopping before I went home since there were more than a few items that caught my eye. Eventually, I was brought out of my investigation of the city when the doors opened up and the man from before walked out and made his way up to us before giving the order for Kazuya, Genji and their men to be taken to the dungeon and then gave the order for Toothless and I to be brought into the palace.
We were marched through the doors and taken through a few halls, past a couple of doors and more than a few amazing pieces of art that were clearly made by masters. We eventually made it to a large room which was clearly the throne room which brings us to now, with me kneeling down before the a throne on a stage where a man with his greying black hair tied up in a tight bun in a golden headpiece that had a needle going through it. His robes were bright red with gold lining and patterns embroidered onto it and standing next to him was another man in dark blue robes with his hair tied back in a high ponytail and standing next to him was Ema who gave me a gentle smile. The man in the throne who I could tell was the Lord of this land turned to her and asked.
"Is this the man who rescued you?" She nodded before he turned to me. "You saved Ema, the daughter of my oldest friend and also exposed the crimes of Kazuya and his son Geni along with all their bandits who are wanted in many parts if Japan and for that you have my thanks." I nodded.
"Just trying to help make life a little easier for the people of this land." He nodded.
"A noble cause but the answer makes me suspicious since people rarely do such things without desiring something in return." He then glared at me. "So, what is it you wish to have in return for your services?" I shrugged.
"Nothing really, I was honestly just requested some help from a friend whose daughter was taken by Kazuya and although I originally intended to rescue her alone, I couldn't stand by and let the people of that town to continue to be abused by Kazuya, Geni and their men." I looked down and glared at the ground. "Along with that, I know mind control when I see it and let's just say past experiences have left me with a strong hatred for it and when I saw the people being mind controlled, I couldn't sit by and let it continue." I looked up at the lord who raised an eyebrow.
"You claim that you hate mind control but are you not using such a method to control that beast of yours?" I shook my head.
"No, Toothless is trained and he's my friend." It was then a voice from the door said.
"He is telling the truth and I'm more than willing to vouch for him." We all turned to the door and we all saw Asami in her human form walking towards us. "Hiccup and his dragon Toothless are in this land because I requested, they rescue my daughter who was captured by Kazuya and he is also the one who defeated the demon lord Akuhei." The lord's eyes widened as he looked from Asami to me.
"You're the warrior who defeated Akuhei?" I nodded.
"I am but it wasn't easy since he was strong, and he kept sending his minions after me in order to weaken me." I shrugged. "Jokes on him though since every time he sent them, I'd beat them and get to add a new weapon or skill to my arsenal for my battle against him." The lord sighed.
"Although I would love to hear more of these battels against Akuhei's forces and see these items and skills you claimed to have gained from defeating Akuhei's minions, we have other business to discuss." He took a breath. "Asami has served my family and the shogun for many years so if she claims you are telling the truth than I shall accept your words and thank you for your services to my province." I nodded. "Now I am curious as to what you intend to do now that the task you were requested to do has been completed?" I shrugged.
"I figure I'll explore this city a bit since I haven't seen much of this land other than a few small villages so exploring this city will help me get a better understanding of this land and its culture before going home." He nodded.
"Then I believe this may help you." He clapped his hands before a woman in a light pink kimono walked in with a chest and presented it to me. "In that chest you shall find five-hundred gold coins as thanks for helping expose Kazuya's various crimes." I nodded in thanks and took the chest. "Once we have added up the bounties for all the bandits who were working for Kazuya, you shall be given a part of the bounty for your aid in their capture." I nodded.
"Thanks but this chest will be more than enough payment for my part in bringing Kazuya down but if you insist on paying me the money than please give it to the village Kazuya ruled over since the people could use the money to help repair all the damage done to their lives." He smiled and nodded.
"As you wish." He then turned to Toothless. "As for your dragon, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to wonder around the city with it as the sight of your dragon may cause a panic in the streets." I nodded.
"Understood!" With that said I was allowed to leave the room after me and Toothless were untied and made our way out of the room where we met with Asami who smiled at me as she said.
"Hiccup, I cannot thank you enough for saving my daughter while also bringing Kazuya, Geni and their mystics." I raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry Asami but when I went to free her and the other yokai from their cells they were all empty." She smiled.
"Hiccup, the moment the mystics were taken down the cells lost their magic as did the spell controlling the others allowing the yokai to escape from the house that had become their prison and into the forest." I let out a sigh of relief before smiling.
"I'm glad."
"There are some things we will need to discuss at a later time but for now, you may go enjoy the sights of the city yourself and enjoy some of the local culture and products." I smiled.
"Am I really that easy to predict?"
"Sometimes." She then walked to the door. "Now if you will excuse me, there are some things I need to discuss with the Lord of the province." With that said she made her way back in while I turned to Toothless.
"Well now that that's taken care of, I'm afraid you need to go back into my shadow bud." He crooned while looking at me with a pleading look. "I'm sorry bud but the people of this land don't know or see you the way I do." He growled and looked down. "I know it's annoying Toothless but before I leave you there, I'll prepare your favorite meal and we'll go flying tonight when nobody will see us in sky." He growled and nodded in acceptance before I pulled him into my shadow allowing me to let out a sigh of relief, put the chest away in my spiderpack and sunk back into my shadow to prepare Toothless' meal.
2 weeks later
It's been two weeks since we arrived in the city and after my meeting with the Lord of the province, I was able to explore the city a bit and do a lot of shopping from the various shops while staying at one of the local inns. Not all was smooth sailing though as I did have to check in with the Lord on a daily basis as a condition since there was still a little mistrust for me. I didn't mind though since this led to me meeting the man who brought me here and I now knew him to be named Jiro who was a high-ranking samurai in the Lords army and the uncle of Ema through her father. To show his thanks he allowed me to join him and the other samurai in training and although most of them were no match for me, more than a few were able to give me a challenge and a handful of them were actually able to fight me to a standstill and it was these men who were kind enough to teach me a few of their methods in exchange for some of my own techniques.
Besides that, I'd spent hours using my wedding ring to talk to Blanca and see how things have been going back home and although I'd been told things are going well, I miss my family and do worry about them. The reason I hadn't gone home is because the Lord of the land wanted me to stay until things are officially taken care of and I didn't want to be disrespectful to him as he has been kind to me. Speaking of taking care of things, Kazuya and Geni had been stripped of their titles, their home, their money and all their possessions with their fortune being given to their victims while their house and belonging were being sold off to help repair the lives they ruined. Before they were sold off though, the artwork and books that were going to be sold were shown to me and I was allowed to pick out whichever ones I wanted as thanks for bringing Kazuya down.
As for the actual man, his son and his men, the bandits he employed were mostly sent back to where they came from to face justice for their crimes with a few being kept in the city to be either have their punishment decided or to be executed. As for Kazuya and Geni, they were both severely punished with Kazuya being executed and Geni being sent to an isolated prison for the rest of his life with no chances of being released. I still remember his cries and screams as he was dragged away, swearing he'd have his revenge on me for ruining his life and killing his father.
All this aside, things have been pretty good but I kept getting the feeling I was being watched for some reason even when I was alone and at times I'd see a woman staring at me from the shadows and she'd disappear before I could get a good look at her. Even when I used my ox flame boots to speed towards her she'd disappear which only made me more suspicious and believe I was dealing with a yokai of some kind but what kind of yokai she was, I had no idea nor did I know what she wanted. Now though, I was making my way back to the inn after my meeting with the Lord who gave me my share of the bounties for the bandits and with it I could finally go home to my family, but I figured I'd return to my own palace for a visit. It was then I felt like I was being watched again and looked to where the feeling of the looks were coming from and saw that same woman staring at me before she walked back into the alley. I rushed over and looked in but found nobody there making me sigh and run a hand through my hair as I said.
"I really need to get some sleep." With that said I continued to make my way back to the inn.
10 minutes later
I walked into the room I had at the inn and took off my coat along with my spiderpack before sitting down on the bed and letting out a sigh as I kicked off my shoes and put my gloves on the bedside table. I threw myself back onto the bed and let my legs dangle while letting out a sigh and closing my eyes as I enjoyed the silence with the only sound being the creaking of the wood that the inn was made from. It was then as I was about to fall asleep, a breeze from the window hit my side and I felt a familiar presence before I sighed and sat up, looking at the familiar nine-tailed fox who was my friend Asami and said.
"Good evening Asami." She smiled and bowed.
"Good evening to you as well Hiccup."
"So, what brings you here this late in the evening?"
"I wished to discuss some things with you." I raised an eyebrow. "I know you've noticed a woman staring at you from time to time when you're walking around the marketplace, out for a stroll or other such times." I nodded.
"You know her?" She nodded.
"She is my daughter." My eyes widened.
"Your daughter?" She nodded. "Why has she been following me?"
"She has been wanting to thank you for saving her once again, but she has been having trouble trying to figure out a way to repay you for what you have done." I shrugged.
"A simple thankyou would be enough for me." She smiled.
"That's what I've always liked about you Hiccup, you are a humble man who does not seek to abuse the kindness of others." I smiled. "Still though, we kitsune have been raised to never show lack of gratitude for things done for us."
She raised a hand, and it was then a woman walked out of the shadows and I immediately knew she was the one who had been following me and took the opportunity to study her appearance. She was wearing a light-yellow kimono with light orange flame shaped embroidery and lining while her hair was light red, a little lighter than the color of a fox's fur. This hair was tied back in a small bunch with some of it being tied down in two hoops and the rest fell down the front of her forehead and her eyes were a golden color. She looked at the ground nervously while shaking her shoulders a little as she said.
"My name is Chiaki." She then bowed. "Thank you so much for saving me from those cruel nobles and I hope you will forgive that I have nothing to repay your heroic deed with." I smiled at her.
"As I said before, your thanks are all the payment I need." She didn't seem any calmer.
"Still though, I would like to offer my services as thanks for your help." I raised an eyebrow. "I am an excellent performer when I dance or play my koto and consider myself a good cook so I would be happy to perform and cook for your family." I admit it was tempting since I did love the music made by the koto and it would be nice to have another pair of hands in the kitchen, but it didn't feel right, like I was guilt tripping her into being a servant.
"I'm sorry but I won't be able to accept that since it feels too much like slavery." She shook her head.
"No, it'd truly just be me repaying your kindness for saving me." I sighed and shook my head wondering what I should do.
"Let me have a meeting with my wives and we'll discuss things." They both nodded before Asami said.
"I will come and check up on you to see when the discussion is done." I nodded and with that said they both bowed before I blinked, and they were gone making me sigh and ran a hand through my hair.
"Well guess I'll have to talk to the girls when I use my ring to talk to them tomorrow."
I then noticed something on the table and walked up to it to see what it was and found a strange looking lantern that looked a little like something out of a nightmare and a large metal jar with multiple small faces built onto its surface. I noticed a rolled-up scroll in front of these two items and picked it up before unrolling it and reading.
Hiccup
These are gifts from the yokai who were saved from that dungeon alongside my daughter and the other local yokai who feared for their lives with what happened to the others who were taken and never seen again. Now they know what happened to them and wished to show you their gratitude for avenging their kind, freeing the survivors and ensuring they would not have to fear falling to the same fate. Right now I know you may have concerns and wonder if these items are safe to use as you have also taken the lives of some yokai and I also had these concerns which is why I had them checked at the dragons forge to ensure they were safe to use. I am happy to say that although some of the yokai who gave these weapons were ones that are known to do harm to humans, they bore no ill will towards you and simply wished to show their gratitude to you. As for the items themselves, they are powerful as are their abilities which may help you in the future for when your missions call for the skills of a ninja in which silence and darkness are your needed allies. How these items can bring them to you though is something you will have to learn yourself as you always claim that figuring out what the items do is part of the fun.
Thanks again for all your help
Asami
I smiled and looked at the items on the table knowing it better to wait until I'm in the safety of either of my own house or the palace that used to belong to Akuhei. I took one last look at the lantern and the jar before I shrugged and began undressing so I could get to bed for the evening for a goodnights sleep. A few seconds later, I was in bed and drifting off to the realm of sleep while wondering what I was going to tell my wives concerning Chiaki and her debt to me.
AN: And here's another chapter for you all and yeah, I know it's later than usual but a lot has been going on in my life with my cousin who I was close to, becoming the victim of a hit and not making it so I've been dealing with my grief and helping my relatives deal with theirs while also preparing for the funeral. Along with that I've been preparing for a trip me and my family will be taking a few days after the funeral since plans have already been made and we all feel we need to get away for a while. As you all know, while on vacation it is family time mostly so little writing time so updates could take a while so sorry but I hope you all enjoyed this one and have a nice day.
