25th Rebirth Moon, 885 – Osorekaku-machi, Great Gate Empire

Takigawa Hidekage desired nothing less than to create the ultimate clan in Great Gate. He sought out only the best. He sought women of exceptional strength and bloodlines to create his clan of soldiers. The process of searching could take weeks or months to find the right specimen for his needs. After all, he himself was proof that not all Pokémon were born equal, even of the same species.

No, the Takigawa Clan was strong. Too strong. That's why they had to be wiped out, leaving only Hidekage as the lone survivor of his clan.

It would be cruel to kill off an entire bloodline, wouldn't it?

Then again…he wasn't above it to get results.

Hidekage sat back in his chair surrounded by soldiers lent by Emperor Amano, along with his first batch of children. Though still young, the Patrat and Flaaffy standing loyally by their father's side exuded a strength that even these soldiers couldn't match.

Having bred many children during his reign, he continued to seek stronger women to breed the ultimate soldiers. In his search, he came across an interesting array of information loaned to him by his emperor/longtime friend: information about a source of power wholly unique to eight individuals.

It seemed too good to be true, almost fantastical. And yet, Hidekage wasn't one to undermine the integrity of his friend. If he claimed such a power existed, then it surely did.

Now, the problem was obtaining it. A few of the bloodlines had gone into hiding, and some were inaccessible as far as he was concerned. However, Hidekage wasn't one to give up so easily, thus he continued searching for more of these special bloodlines.

One finally caught his eye. After months of searching and tracing the bloodline for a match, he found one that suited the Takigawa Clan perfectly.

The remnants of the Porter family.

"And that's why you're here in my domain, Ms. Penelope."

Kneeling before the Sneasler with her hands bound behind her back, an irate Mawile glared up with defiance burning in her bloodshot eyes. She had swords pointed at her back, a warning against escaping. Not that she believed she could escape under these conditions. Especially with the monster before her.

She saw what he did to her family.

"You killed them…all of them…" she growled.

Hidekage grinned. "A mercy. After all, if any of them tried coming here for revenge, well…it'd be a worse fate."

She clenched her fists. Her hair matched her fury, growling with bared fangs. "You sick freak. You took everything from me, and you expect me to let you have your way with me?!" She stood up, ignoring the blades pressing against her back. "I'd rather die than fall in line with your twisted goals!"

Hidekage leaned back, clasping his claws under his chin. "My dear, I think you're not seeing the full picture. You stand before something…grand, as you would say in your tongue. You're going to be a part of the Takigawa Clan. Our prestige and influence grant us privileges one of your station could only dream of. All you need to provide me is a child with that power resting in your family's bloodline. I require nothing more."

Penelope scowled. "My ancestor's power wasn't meant to be turned into a weapon! It was a gift to protect the innocent! I won't allow you to—"

"Unfortunately, my dear, that's not your choice."

Penelope froze as the Flaaffy beside him pulled out a vial containing a luminescent pink concoction. Hidekage claimed the vial and stood up, approaching the Mawile as she shrunk back in fear. He knelt before her, dangling the vial in front of her eyes.

"A little something that I acquired from a…friend of an acquaintance, you could say." He marveled at the vial with a smirk. "Apparently, the Arcania Kingdom has this fascinating ritual to show the passion and commitment of two lovers. However, given the heavily restricted usage of this potion, it's only used within those rituals. It's taboo to use it for anything else. You know, like using medicine to poison someone. It's just something you're taught not to do."

Penelope recoiled as he held the vial closer to her face. "G-Get that away from me…"

"So, you're familiar with this." He snickered. "Curious little potion. I've actually considered performing experiments with it. Perhaps finding a way to incorporate it into one of my children. Imagine having the power to bend someone's will with a simple drink. It would make these…interactions go by smoother."

Penelope growled. "You're sick…"

Hidekage chuckled, popping the cork off the vial. "I'm not letting that power escape my grasp. So, you can either comply of your own volition, or we can use this to speed things along. You might not even remember what happened."

"…"

"Either way, I always get what I want, Ms. Penelope. Now, how are we going to do this?"

Seven Months Later…

It was a special occasion. Though Hidekage placed special attention onto all the eggs, with some being placed under experimentation before the hatching stage, this egg was meant to be nurtured with the utmost care. Experimentation had been performed to provide nutrients to the egg during the developmental stages, aiming to grant the child the pinnacle of physical perfection.

However, strangely, the egg took longer to hatch than was previously predicted. It was believed to require four months of incubation before its time came, yet it hadn't shown signs of hatching for months after. In fear of angering their lord, the assigned caretakers worked triple time monitoring the egg's life signs.

Over the course of the week, signs showed the egg was entering its hatching stage.

Hidekage arrived at the incubation lab with Penelope and his eldest sons by his side. While Hidekage looked through the glass barrier with an expectant grin, Penelope averted her gaze, a darkness in her eyes coupled by the dark rings beneath them.

Everyone watched with bated breath as the egg began to crack, beams of pure light expelling from within as the shell broke away. Hidekage's grin grew larger as he laughed to himself.

"[Arise, my child. Welcome…to the Takigawa Clan.]"

The egg shattered apart, and the light diminished. Hidekage grinned excitedly as he looked upon his newest spawn.

Then…he frowned in confusion.

"[What the…?]"

Penelope looked up from her sullen state, curious by the Sneaseler's reaction. Against her better judgment, she moved toward the window to get a better look. Her eyes widened at the child sitting in the incubation chamber.

Or…rather, the children.

Normally when an egg hatched, a single child would be produced. It was the expected outcome. However, sitting in the egg's cushion were two Pokémon. A baby Mawile and a baby Sneasel. They snoozed soundly within their cushion, their arms entangling each other in what could be described as a loving embrace.

"Oh…Oh my…" Penelope gasped.

Hidekage glared. "[Two?]" He glanced at the Reuniclus caretaker for answers.

The caretaker gulped and examined his notes. "[M-My lord, this was…a potential cause for the egg's delay. It's a rare occurrence, but there have been observations in the past of eggs spawning more than one lifeform inside. However, these cases often lead to death, either with one or both children. Thanks to the experiments on the egg, the additional nutrients must've allowed them both to survive the developmental stage, albeit with the greater waiting period.]"

"[So, which one of them has the Porter bloodline's innate power?]"

"[I…I don't know. The information you granted us would suggest it's the next born, but…these two were born at the same time. I can't be sure exactly.]"

Hidekage scratched his chin. "[I didn't account for training two, and we don't have the means to confirm which of them inherited the power until they get older.]" He groaned. "[How annoying, but what's done is done. Prepare the checkup and arrange for servants to be their temporary caretakers—]"

"Lord…Lord Takigawa."

Hidekage glanced down at the older Mawile, who seemed transfixed on the two children, bringing back a degree of light to her eyes.

"If it's not too much trouble, I would like to take care of them. They are my children, after all."

Hidekage narrowed his eyes. He wasn't oblivious to Penelope's disdain for him or the ultimatum he pushed onto her months back. She expressed numerous times she wanted nothing to do with the child, or children in this case. The only reason he hadn't gotten rid of her was to make sure the hatching went off without complication. He contemplated having another child when the egg's lack of activity started raising concerns, something that the Mawile would've been against.

So, what compelled her to take an interest in the children now? He'd rather have his trained servants handle the development of the children just like the rest of his clan's growing numbers, and he couldn't allow this woman who continues to defy him be the sole caretaker of his prized masterpiece.

However, with the information he had on this innate power, drawing out its full potential may require a…different approach. It wasn't something that he could force out of the child. No, it was something that took shape naturally. It was a rather unorthodox way of gaining that power for his clan, but perhaps she could.

"…Very well. You will be in charge of raising them until they're ready for training. You do understand what that entails, right?"

Penelope narrowed her eyes at the two girls nestled peacefully behind the window.

"I understand."

Year 889

"[Mama!]"

Penelope looked up from her writing desk and glanced over at her daughters. Makiko bounced a ball on her knee, demonstrating remarkable dexterity and control even at such a young age. She flipped onto her hands, bouncing the ball between her feet.

"Watch! Watch!" She spun and kicked the ball across the bedroom.

Shizuka leapt from the bed, attempting to catch the ball, but it smacked off her face and ricocheted into a vase in the corner. The young Sneasel faceplanted onto the floor.

Penelope winced. "Oooh…"

Shizuka sat up, blinked twice, and suddenly bawled her eyes out. She fell on her back, holding her face. "[Mama! Mama!] Makiko hurt me!"

"No! You didn't catch the ball good!" Makiko accused.

Penelope sighed, putting her brush down and moving over to her daughter. "Shh, shh, Shizuka. Shh." She pulled the Sneasel up and cradled her in her arms. "Shh, it's okay. Don't cry. It was an accident." She kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Hmm, there? All better."

Shizuka sniffled, staring up at her with watery eyes. "B-Better?"

Penelope smiled gently. "Of course."

Makiko glanced at the broken vase and frowned. "Sorry I broke it…"

Penelope waved it off. "Eh, that thing was ugly, anyway. Get over here."

Makiko smiled, racing over and joining her mother and sister in the embrace. Penelope fell back onto the floor, holding her daughters close. She sighed, staring wistfully at the ceiling.

"You girls are growing up so fast, you know that?" She snickered. "Those were some impressive moves, Makiko."

The little Mawile grinned. "Big Brother Takato taught me!"

"He…did, huh?" Penelope strained a smile. "That's…nice."

Though she had full authority in the girls' care, that didn't stop their half-siblings from being bad influences. She tried and tried to keep the girls separated from the rest of the clan as much as she could. Having been forced to live in the clan for nearly five years, Penelope saw the worst of Hidekage's treatment of his children. Worst still was that grizzly survival exam the girls would eventually have to take when they turn ten.

She hated to admit it, but she grew attached to her daughters, despite the horrid circumstances of their creation. She wanted nothing to do with them, thinking they would just end up like monsters the moment they hatched. But when she saw how peaceful they looked together upon hatching…

She vowed to do everything in her power to instill good values into these girls.

One day, if she did everything right, they'd be able to escape this nightmare town for good.

Penelope sat up and rested Makiko on her lap. "Sweetie, you know I don't like it when you hang out with your older brother, right? He's…different."

Makiko tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, well…you know how your father is, right? And how he raises the clan?"

Shizuka smiled. "[Papa says that the Takigawa Clan is the mightiest clan! It is an honor worn with pride! The enforcers of Great Gate! We are respected!]"

"[We are mighty!]" Makiko joined in.

"[We are feared!]" they cheered.

Penelope winced. Despite how rusty her Old Johtonian was, she heard the girls say those horrible things enough to feel what they were saying. She calmly placed her hands on their shoulders, shaking them to attention.

"Heh, that's…very cute, but there are some things in this world better than fear."

"…" Makiko and Shizuka shared a confused looked with each other. "There is?"

"Yes. Things like happiness, peace, and…love."

"Do you love Papa?" Shizuka asked innocently.

Penelope's expression soured instantly. "The feelings I have for that man are far, far, far from anything remotely resembling love." She bitterly laughed it off before stroking their heads. "But I do love you girls. You've…made my stay here a bit more tolerable. Love can be…a powerful motivator. It's something that gives strength. Strength greater than fear."

"Impossible!" Shizuka gasped.

"Big Brother Takato says there's nothing stronger than fear!" Makiko exclaimed.

Penelope smiled angrily. "Yes, well…your big brother is full of it, and I wouldn't hesitate to slit his throat if it weren't for the fact he would kill me in three seconds."

"That doesn't sound like love or peace," Makiko said.

"When you get to my age, you'll understand that adults have very complicated feelings about certain things even if they sound hypocritical." She sighed, stroking her daughters' cheeks. "Girls, what I'm trying to say is that…try not to follow in your father's footsteps. I want you both to grow up to be strong and kind, nothing like the monsters in this town."

Makiko frowned. "Would you still love us if we were monsters?"

"…" Penelope bit her lip hesitantly, but ultimately sighed and smiled. "Of course. I'll always love you girls." She hugged them tightly. "But just…try and make an effort to be good people, alright?"

"We promise!" the girls squealed, hugging her back.

Penelope sighed. "Thank you. That's all I ask." She glanced at the broken vase in the corner, then said, "We should probably clean that up."

"Can we sneak the shards into Big Brother Takato's lunch?" Shizuka asked. "Would that make you happy?"

"Girls, I just asked you to be good—" Penelope paused, then sighed. "Okay, you get one pass to do something bad. Just…make sure no one sees you."

"[Yes, Mama!]" the girls cheered. They sprung up and ran off to collect a dustpan and broom.

Penelope groaned. "That sadistic nature of his really is hereditary." She shook her head. "Calm down, Penelope. You just need to make sure your lessons stick before they turn ten." She closed her eyes and sighed. "If I can convince them not to partake in that awful survival exam, maybe there's a chance we can escape…"

Year 892

The disparity between her teachings and the Takigawa's training regimen often left Penelope with mixed feelings. On the one hand, her daughters continued to adhere to her advice, demonstrating some degree of compassion, at least to each other. Makiko and Shizuka were close. Very close. That seemed to be the only consistent element to the Takigawa Clan when it came to the children raised together. Some had strong bonds by design, such as the two Eevee and Panpour raised since hatching or the Passimian and Diggersby who spent every waking moment training together.

Makiko and Shizuka kept up with each other in their training, details they happily explained whenever they returned to her. It filled Penelope with pride that the girls continued supporting each other.

On the other hand, the violent nature of their training left them desensitized to the harm they were being taught. While they haven't outright killed anything yet, the way they described 'killing' their practice mannequins nearly made the poor woman throw up in disgust. Makiko would talk about how she snuck up on hers and slit its throat while Shizuka took a liking to pummeling something until it stopped moving, which was a worrying thought given that mannequins weren't supposed to move to begin with.

They were such sweet girls, but that violence instilled within their souls scared her.

"And-And-And-And then, I jumped on the other one's back and stabbed it over and over and over and over and over in the shoulder!" Makiko excitedly exclaimed. "My face was covered in blood!"

Shizuka grinned. "I broke the head off of mine!"

Penelope smiled through her grimace, especially since the girls hadn't yet cleaned themselves off, carrying the evidence of their escapades with red-drenched faces. "That's…not real blood, right?"

Shizuka licked around her lips, much to Penelope's disgust. Fortunately, the Sneasel smiled and said, "No, it's just bean jam!"

"That explains the…chunks," Penelope grumbled. She grabbed a chunk of red off Makiko's head and sniffed it. Shrugging, she popped it into her mouth. "Eh, still good." She sighed and patted their heads. "Well, I'm glad you had…fun, at least. Now, go wash up. Your father's expected to return soon, and he'll want a report on your progress."

"Yes, Mama!" They ran off, following after their awaiting servants.

Penelope sighed. "A few more years before that dreaded exam. Keep your cool. The girls may have some violent tendencies, but they're still good kids. I've taught them better than that. If they don't kill anyone in the exam, maybe that jerk won't see much use in continuing their special training. That would keep eyes off us—"

She snapped from her thoughts as a noise stirred from outside. She opened the front door and saw the many wives, servants, and subjects of Hidekage gathering outside with Takigawa soldiers marching through the street. An air of commotion washed over the townsfolk, some looking to each other in confusion and even fear.

Penelope glared. "What the—"

"[Lady Penelope.]" A Persian soldier approached the Mawile, kneeling before her. "[I bring distressing news in regards to the mission on Arcania—]"

Penelope scowled. "I can't understand a thing you're saying!"

The Persian scowled back at her briefly before groaning. "I bring news regarding the mission on Arcania."

"Tch." Penelope crossed her arms and looked away. "All this fuss just to celebrate that monster's latest conquest? Don't bother me with whatever he did. As if I want to celebrate the ceaseless slaughter of the innocent."

She tried to shut the door on him, but the Persian stuck his leg out and stopped her. "I'm afraid you misunderstand. We've returned a week earlier than we were supposed to."

"Tch. So?"

He glared. "Lord Takigawa was defeated in battle."

"…" Penelope looked back at him with wide eyes. Not with fear and shock, but with confusion and curiosity. "He was…what?"

Hidekage…was defeated?

It had been a couple weeks since Hidekage's return, and his status was kept on wide alert throughout Osorekaku to assure the peace of its civilians. After all, everyone in Osorekaku was either Hidekage's children or dismantled clans who swore allegiance into the family. Naturally, if anything happened to Hidekage, these clans would have a lot to lose.

Soon, an announcement was made to have the town meet outside Hidekage's grand villa, where he would be making an announcement. Curiosity got the better of Penelope, only because she wanted to know the circumstances that got this monster near death's door.

She and her daughters attended the rally outside the grand villa, where Hidekage's two elite children, Takato and Gaku, waited outside.

The doors opened, and Hidekage stepped out onto the elevated stage.

To say Penelope was shocked was underselling her reaction.

She had seen what Hidekage was capable of when he attacked her hometown. Uncontested strength and ferocity that not even the town's fiercest warriors could contend with, losing their lives to his sharpened claws and swift movements. There was no other that could rival his speed and precision.

And yet, he looked like a half-burnt scarecrow the moment he stepped out.

The entire left side of his face was covered in bandages, and yet Penelope could see signs of damaged and burnt skin hidden beneath them even from so far back into the crowd. His right sleeve hung limp by his side, flattened and hollow compared to his left arm that displayed his scarred hand. He leaned on a cane, and he showed signs of wobbling, nearly losing his balance a few times making his way onto the stage. Barely concealed beneath his kimono were more bandages covering what could've been nastier burns.

Penelope could've celebrated the fact he wasn't invincible, except…he was still alive. That somehow made him more frightening in her eyes.

The crowd around her had a different reaction, responding with gasps and chatter at how their lord could be brought so low.

Hidekage eventually raised his hand to silence their cries. Despite the obvious pain he was in, he grinned as he always did: with malice and confidence.

"[My loyal subjects of Osorekaku, do not look upon my withered form in fear. Though not the grand success we were hoping for, we've successfully completed our mission in Emperor Amano's name. The Arcania Kingdom has been struck down, left in a funeral pyre. We've obtained a great many number of their secrets, those we hope to expand the might of the Takigawa Clan. We've left ruin to their multitude of clans, stealing away their family secrets and their children to make into a new generation of Takigawa. This was not a failure. This was a grand success!]"

Though his speech was lost on her ears, Penelope winced as the crowd granted themselves a collective sigh of relief. She even watched Makiko and Shizuka, who had climbed atop other Takigawa for a better view, gasping in awe at their father's grandiose performance. It hurt her to see them so moved by such cruelty.

Hidekage continued, "[I understand if my current state distresses some of you. As is natural, even I am not immune to the hands of time. I had hoped to extend my strength beyond my later years, but it seems I haven't struck down by a worthy opponent. Indeed, she was a valiant archmage! She defended her home with a killer's intent! Magnificent! It was a truly moving experience!]"

He stomped his foot down, raising his cane, and bellowing with laughter. The Takigawa children raised their fists and cheered on their father, earning less confident cheers from the clan's subordinates.

"[For that, we will honor the Arcania Kingdom by making more powerful versions of their weak clans! We will bring out their true potential, using their alchemy to expand the might of the Takigawa Clan! Our history will live on throughout history! We will be the clan that surpasses the future! A name that will be honored and feared for eternity!]"

The clan roared with cheers sounding like a demonic chorus. Penelope covered her ears, frowning as her daughters joined in the maniacal chant.

Hidekage stamped his cane down and grinned wickedly. "[This is a time for celebration! The new generation of Takigawa…will exceed history forever!]"

Penelope clenched her eyes shut, her head rattling from the roars and cheers booming around her. The killing intent of the Takigawa children permeated through the air like a sickening miasma, burning her lungs and suffocating her as the world began to spin in a dizzying array. Just being around these monsters was enough to make her ill.

What kind of nightmare was she living in right now?

Winter Moon, 895

It pained Penelope knowing this day would come sooner or later. She had hoped to buy herself more time, perhaps find a way to convince Hidekage they weren't ready to take on the exam. However, his fixation on drawing out the girls' true power made any attempts at negotiation pointless.

All she could do was watch as the servants did one final check of the girls and their regulated equipment. They were both dressed in dark blue uniform similar to the attire worn by the Takigawa soldiers. They lacked the armor or personalization of other Takigawa's uniforms. Nothing more than a standard blue cotton with a black belt tied around the waist.

As for what they were allowed to bring, it wasn't much. Penelope had been around long enough to know the basic procedures of the exams. It was all about adapting, hunting, and surviving. All they were allowed to bring were worn-out daggers, journals and ink to document their progress, and a single bread roll to serve as their only treat in the deadly forest.

Penelope held back her tears, wondering if this was the last time she'll see her daughters. She wasn't as invested in the other Takigawa children's training, but she wished she was. She had nothing to gauge or compare. She had no idea if any of them were stronger or craftier than her daughters.

And it saddened her that they were treating it with such carefree spirits.

"We're teaming up, right?" Shizuka asked.

"Of course!" Makiko exclaimed. "We'll be the best teammates ever!"

"Yeah!"

Penelope shuddered, but swallowed her fears and knelt before her daughters. "Makiko. Shizuka."

The girls blinked. "Yeah?"

She sighed. "Remember what we promised? Do whatever you can to survive, but please don't kill anyone. Not the prisoners you'll have to hunt. Not your half-siblings. And especially not each other. Please do not go down that path."

Shizuka frowned. "But isn't that against the point of the exam?"

"You don't need to kill anyone to pass, I know that much. I mean, that one Pachirisu reportedly didn't kill anyone in her exam, and she still passed technically."

Makiko tapped her chin. "Oh right, Fuku did pass hers by hiding the entire time."

Penelope placed a hand on both their shoulders. "I'm asking you girls to do the right thing. Please. Please be better than your father. If you can do this for me, I know…I know you girls will become amazing people in the future. Please do that for me. Be good, and watch out for each other."

"…" Makiko and Shizuka shared a look before smiling. "We promise, Mama!" They threw their arms around her.

Penelope sighed and hugged them back tightly. "Thank you…"

"[Ahem.]" The family looked up as the Passimian, Hatsu, stood by the doorway, impatiently tapping her foot. "[It's time.]"

Penelope sighed and reluctantly parted from her daughters, though not before giving them each a kiss on the cheek. "Be strong. I love you both."

The girls smiled. "We love you, too, Mama!"

Penelope smiled, hiding the pain behind it as the girls followed Hatsu and the servants out the door. The door closed, plunging the Mawile into darkness. She slouched to her knees, her façade cracking as the girls' footsteps faded further and further away.

She prayed. She prayed this wouldn't be the last she saw them.

The three weeks dragged on for Penelope, unable to work or relax since her daughters ventured out to conduct their exam. Some days, she would find herself staring endlessly into her tea until it turned ice cold. She would lounge in bed for hours on end, staring at the ceiling unblinkingly.

The last time she was this sleep deprived was when she was first captured by Hidekage, her sleep only improving when she started taking care and bonding with Makiko and Shizuka. It was a nerve-wracking memory, not helped by the reminder of past reports.

Graves weren't even made for the 'failures.' They were just burned or recycled into whatever sick experiment Hidekage was creating next. She remembered how Hidekage even sold the bodies of his dead children to some business partner of his, their purpose unclear yet stomach-churning. Her mind uncomfortably wandered to a scenario, watching the heartless lord carting off the mangled bodies of her daughters to be used for some depraved experiment.

Clans in Great Gate sought out this kind of life? Were they desperate or just as twisted as their lord? The influence Hidekage held over the empire was palpable. Anyone was willing to sell out their livelihood and children to be ensured security and power.

The hours ticked by little by little. Today was the day the surviving examinees would return to town. Penelope was the only one waiting by the main gate, clasping her hands over her chest and praying for the best.

She gulped as figures made their ascent up the stone steps. She could barely make them out in the early dawn, hidden in shadows. However, her fears tripled when she saw how small the group was. She undoubtedly recognized the shapes of Hatsu and Bansyou, meaning the two following behind them were the only survivors of the exam.

Weren't there at least a hundred children for this month's exam?

Penelope clenched her eyes shut as the group drew closer to the main gate. She feared opening her eyes to the reality before her, but she couldn't hold onto a fantasy forever. With great hesitance, she cracked one eye open as the surviving party reached the final step.

The tension in her chest lifted instantly, recognizing the Mawile and Sneasel in front of her.

Penelope choked back a sob, breaking past the older Takigawa and embracing her daughters. "Oh my Arceus! Oh, thank goodness! You two are alright! I was so worried! I'm so glad you made it out alright!"

"…"

Penelope wiped her eyes and pulled back a bit. "Are you two alright? Were you able to—"

Her heart stopped as she finally got a good look at the two in the better lighting. Her hands shakily left their shoulders, and she staggered back on her heels. Her eyes shrank back as she looked her daughters up and down, wondering if what she saw was a trick of the light.

"G…Girls?"

The Mawile and Shizuka standing before her were undoubtably her daughters, yet…they looked different.

Their faces and uniforms were drenched in dried blood, as were their dagger. Their expressions were distant, their eyes lacking that enthusiastic spark she cherished. They carried an abyss within them, one that went on forever the longer Penelope stared into them. They were both covered in wounds, with Shizuka sporting a bandage around her forehead.

"M…Makiko? Shizuka?" Penelope muttered.

She froze as Bansyou started laughing, slapping his belly as he trembled atop his ears. "Lady, what's with that pathetic expression? You should be celebrating Lord Father's mightiest disciples!"

Penelope blinked twice. "W…What?"

Hatsu scoffed. "These two exceeded all our expectations. It was an astounding display of ruthlessness I've never witnessed before."

Penelope trembled back. "W-Wait, what are you talking about? Did…Did they kill—"

"Did they kill?" Bansyou threw his head back and laughed. "That's an understatement!"

Hatsu pulled out her journal and flipped to the twins' page. "They showed lackluster results during the first half of the hunting exam. They were just capturing the prisoners. Not against the rules necessarily, but it was rather boring. However, somewhere during the week, they suddenly went on a killing spree against twenty different prisoners. It was a marvelous turn around."

Penelope shook her head, unwilling to believe these slanderous remarks. "That's…That's not true. My girls would never—"

"Oh, and the culling exam? Beautiful!" Bansyou praised. "These girls set a new record!"

She froze, looking at her daughters fearfully. "What…does that mean?"

Hatsu flipped through her notes. "Forty-seven made it to the culling portion of the exam, including Makiko and Shizuka. Of the forty-five other Takigawa trainees…"

Penelope's eyes locked onto the emotionless expressions her daughters wore, yet she felt something that wasn't there before. Something that made her nauseous every time she went deep into the heart of Osorekaku. It was that filthy miasma that followed each Takigawa like the plague.

That vile, unwavering bloodlust.

"Makiko killed nineteen, and Shizuka killed twenty-six. They killed every remaining Takigawa."

3rd Winter Moon, 908

Upon returning to his villa, Hidekage sat at his dining table as servants brought out a feast for their lord. A fine selection of meats, a bowl of rice, a serving of fruits, a bowl of soup off to the side, and a cup of piping hot tea. Before the Takigawa lord could finish properly seating himself, the servants had already made the table presentable.

They bowed, exclaiming, "[Please enjoy the meal, Lord Takigawa!]"

Hidekage gave them a dismissive wave, sending them off back to their duties. He rolled his right arm, shaking out the aches and creaks as it remained rested within his kimono, before procuring his chopsticks and seizing a sliver of meat off his plate. He sniffed it, taking in the savory aroma, before snapping it between his razor-like teeth.

As he ate, Takato stood off to the side, glaring at the wall with his arms crossed firmly. Hidekage glanced at his son before chuckling. "[Takato, I'm not used to you being so serious. Won't you join me for a bite?]"

"[My job is to guard you, Father. Though your strength is undeniable, I forbid myself to let my guard down while this unsavory assassin dares to ruin our name with their targeted killings. It is a foolish endeavor that will end in failure.]"

Hidekage smirked. "[My son, you would seem like the type to celebrate my untimely demise. You are my eldest son, lasting the longest of your former siblings. You would be made head of the clan if I were to perish.]"

Takato scoffed. "[I would seize that title by slaughtering you myself, dearest Father. I will not succeed you by someone else's intervention.]"

"[Spoken like a true Takigawa.]" Hidekage sipped his tea and sighed. "[Let this assassin come to me if they desire my death. I will accept their invitation as long as they prove their worth. I am a fair man.]" His smirk grew. "[It's been ages since I've allowed myself to experience the thrill of battle.]"

"[It'd be a shame if they turned out to be a disappointment.]"

Careful maneuvering through the streets and alleys led Makiko back to the familiar palace of nightmares engrained in her memory. She stared at the grand villa of the Takigawa Clan, the home of her father. An impressive home rivaling the grandeur of the emperor's palace itself. How long has it been since she stepped foot in this place?

She looked under her cloak, glancing at her sheathed weapons with a hesitance shaking in her eyes.

The plan was to lure Hidekage somewhere and leave him vulnerable to an attack. He was the strongest of all Takigawa. No assassin could match the likes of him. Even with her times matching blows with Jason, she wondered if he stood a chance against this monster. What chance did she have?

It was a foolish idea. She should consider turning back while she still could. Taking on her father after just getting out of a fight with one of her sisters? A fight that ended up wounding her? On top of that, her bum leg continued to screw her over, costing her a swift assassination against the energetic Monferno. Why did she have to be so careless?

She didn't believe for a second old age had slowed her father down. Takigawa didn't slow down as they got older. They just kept getting stronger. Pursuing his death this early into the plan was a fool's suicide.

However, the longer she remained in town, the stronger the bloodlust in the air grew. It normally acted like a comforting feeling for the former assassin, but that moment she felt her father's pressure brought back the terrible memories training under him. She and Shizuka remembered the power their father held over them. A simple look was enough to make them submit, even as they grew older.

If she didn't kill him soon, it'll jeopardize everything she sacrificed. She was betting everything on Basil's plan, and the key was to kill her father before the plan was executed.

Today was the day Takigawa Hidekage died.

Makiko took a deep breath. After massaging her bum leg, she stood up and dashed out into the open, swiftly avoiding detection from the servants and other Takigawa soldiers standing guard outside. Weaving between bushes and obstructions, she reached the villa without issue.

She exhaled and skimmed the exterior of the building, spotting a window that was out of sight from any patrolling soldiers. She dashed toward it and worked to pry it open with her dagger.

However, unbeknownst to the Mawile assassin, someone was already a step ahead of her. The moment she crossed into the villa's perimeter, a paper talisman buried in the ground flashed and burned itself to ash.

"[Captain Himura.]"

Hanzo and Shizuka stopped and looked back at Sakamoto as she pulled out a paper talisman from her bag. She held it up to them as psionic flames burst from the symbols stained into the paper.

Hanzo glared. "[I see.]"

Shizuka raised her brow. "[What is that?]"

Sakamoto glanced at the burning talisman. "[It's one of my seals. When we met with Lord Takigawa on our arrival, I opted to place identical talismans around his property. I studied the energy flow of the servants and soldiers who regularly frequented his villa, adapting my talisman to not react to them. Anyone who crossed the boundary I made sends a signal back to this one.]"

Shizuka glared. "[Meaning…]"

Hanzo nodded. "[Our assassin has decided to hunt for bigger game today. Sakamoto, retrieve the others and meet us at Lord Takigawa's villa. We shall corner the assassin there.]"

She bowed. "[By your command, Captain Himura.]" She sprang off in a flash, bouncing across rooftops and disappearing from the duo's line of sight.

Hanzo clutched one of his swords as a heat billowed through his armor. He started off, nodding back at Shizuka. "[This will be one of your first assignments as an elite guard. Remember, our mission is to capture the prisoner and await orders from the emperor. No killing unless I give the order to.]"

Shizuka cracked her knuckles and huffed. "[Just point me in the direction of the arrogant fool, and I'll have them begging for death.]"

CRASH!

Hidekage looked up lazily from his meal, hearing a sound coming from the kitchen. Takato heard it, too. They could hear the servants shouting and scrambling in a panic as what sounded like a shelf collapsing and scattering cooking ware over the floor.

Takato groaned. "[How hard is it to find good help around here? Father, allow me to attend to this matter.]"

Hidekage waved him off and returned to his lunch as the Ampharos headed for the kitchen. He finished off his plate of meat and moved on to his soul bowl, picking it up and drinking directly from it.

He was alone. No guards. No Takato. Just him.

Exactly the way Makiko wanted it.

The Mawile hid within the shadows of the ceiling, digging her iron claw gauntlets into the wood to hold herself up. She moved like a Snom, slowly and quietly as to not alert the assassin lord's impeccable hearing. Even when he was at peace enjoying a meal, she could still sense his terrible bloodlust.

She refrained from feeling nervous. If she lost her nerve now, this close to meeting her goal, she'd be a disgrace to herself.

She climbed closer and closer to the floor, each movement carried out with surgical precision. She kept her breathing to a minimal, and she wiped the sweat dripping down her neck in fear a single droplet to the floor would give away her position.

She finally reached the floor, placing her good foot down. She knew the layout of the house. She knew which areas of the floor would creak under her weight. A natural design to prevent enemies from sneaking up on Hidekage. Makiko studied every inch of this villa in her youth. She knew the right spots that wouldn't creak under her weight.

Balancing on one foot, she slowly spun herself around and focused on her oblivious target. His back and nape were exposed, ripe for the killing. She drew her dagger as a silver glow flowed through her eyes.

Shatter Point.

The world around her turned monochrome, filtering out all light save for a red line flowing out from her dagger that resembled blood made by a painter's brush. The line flowed toward Hidekage, creating a network along his back. Several red stars appeared across his back, some brighter than the other. Makiko studied these stars, visualizing the network as the lines shifted and connected between the points.

Soon, the network became a unified line, targeting three points on the back. One by his right hip, another in the middle of his spine, and finally one ending at his right shoulder.

Pathway to Death.

Makiko's internal energy flowed into her dagger, creating a silver, blade-shaped veil around the blade. She flipped it into a reverse grip and focused on the pathway laid out before her. If she struck these weak points in the right sequence with minimal delay, Hidekage would have no means to counterattack. The shock of her attack piercing his body would cause an involuntary stunning effect, giving her the briefest window to complete the sequence.

At this very moment, striking these weak points will deliver the most amount of harm that will guarantee death.

Her breathing stilled. Her heart rate slowed. Her body relaxed.

Years of training flowed back into her muscles and nerves.

She emptied her mind of doubt and fear. She wiped away all memories of her father in this instance, curbing whatever hesitation that would hold her back. At this moment, this was nothing more than a standard assassination.

She carried out hundreds of these in the past.

This won't be any different.

With her path set, Makiko kicked off the floor and lunged toward the Sneaseler's exposed back. Silver flowed from her eyes filled with unwavering coldness. Her dagger erupted in silver light, rippling the air around it. Her focus was set on the first of the weak points, striking forth without delay.

But it was all for naught.

Makiko jolted to a stop, her dagger an inch away from striking the lord's flesh. The silver glow vanished from her eyes and dagger, fear flooding back into her mind as she stared at the pair of chopsticks that stopped her dagger in place. She trembled as her eyes followed up the arm holding the wooden utensils.

She stared back at Takigawa Hidekage's uncovered eye and that cruel grin of his.

"[Ah. Welcome home, my precious daughter. Coming to pay your old man a visit?]"