A Demon's Tale

During the cold winter season, a massive sled that had piles of wood that towered over many houses was being pulled effortlessly through the snow. The weight of this sled caused the snow beneath it to become smooth, making a perfectly clean path towards a house far off from the nearby village. With the amount of wood that rested on top, along with the very width and structure of the sled itself, one would assume that such a thing would not be so easy to move across the harsh snow. Despite this however, the boy who had continued to pull did not run into any trouble during his trip…with one exception.

Inkra: [Hey, kid, don’t go too hard just cause I told you that you need to build some more muscle! It’s freezing out here anyways! Plus, the hell am I gonna do with all this wood?!]

Nero: [Ah, well, the storage room should be able to fit all of it. This amount should hopefully last through the winter, maybe even the next to come.]

Inkra: [Sure, it’ll fit, but did we really need this much?]

Nero: [Hm. Perhaps I should go into town and ask the people there if they would like to buy it?]

Inkra: [How many times do I gotta tell you, they’re not very accepting of others. Well, they’re accepting of each other, but you should be able to tell what the difference between you and them is.]

Nero: [That is true…Oh! Maybe you could sell them instead!]

Inkra: [I’m not selling any either. They probably would like me a whole lot less than you.]

Nero: [I don’t understand, you’re a human just like them, right?]

Nero stared back at Inkra in confusion, while Inkra turned around with her back to the door, no longer meeting Nero’s face.

Inkra: [The wood is fine. Put it in the storage room.]

Nero: [Are you sure? I don’t want the mistake I had made go to wa–]

Inkra: [It’s fine, Nero. Just put it in the storage room.]

Nero: [R-Right!]

As the door slid along the entrance before closing, Nero moved the sled of wood over to a building directly connected to the house. Due to the way it was built, it was possible to reach this storage room from both the outside, as well as the inside of the house. This allowed for ease of access to anything that was needed from within the room.

Nero began to unload the wood from the sled, and moved into the room to organize piles in a tidy fashion. He would then exit the room to grab more, and then return once more to once again pile them into the room. This repeated for several moments, and despite how long the task had taken him, he did not feel the least bit tired. Perhaps this was due to the training Inkra had put him through, or perhaps this was due to his very own body being excellent at such a task.

Oni were naturally strong beings, so lifting heavy objects was equivalent to a human lifting an apple for them. On top of this, they were often considered hot in the temperature of their bodies. This was not to say that they were immune to the cold, as falling ill was still possible for them, but their body was able to reduce the feeling that occurred while in cold temperatures. This effect however often provided both good and bad side effects to it. However, due to the scenario Nero had now been in, his body had become well trained. Along with this, Nero had lived in a cold environment for a long enough time that it had grown to adapt towards this new temperature.

He had begun to think to himself that should his training pay off, he’d like to thank Inkra for all the help she provided both him and his sister.

Caught up in this thought, Nero did not notice the pile of wood he had ever so slightly misplaced, and watched as it all toppled against him.

Nero: [Ow!...Ow!...Ow!...]

Inkra: [You alright?]

From the other room, he could hear a slightly muffled voice belonging to Inkra asking about his well being. Though the wood had fallen on him, Nero hadn’t felt the slightest bit injured. He once again wondered if this was due to Inkra’s training. Feeling only minor pains in his body, Nero confidently responded to Inkra.

Nero: [I’m alright! I just made an error!]

Inkra: [Alright. As long as you’re all good.]

He stood up, dusting off his clothes and picking up wood to once again stack into the corner of the room…before noticing something on the floor.

Nero: [Hm? This is…]

He looked to the floor, noticing a photo that had dropped from an old dusty box in the room. He had likely never seen the box before since it had always been on the highest shelf in the room, but now here it stood, before his very eyes.

Nero picked up the photo and looked at the two strangers who he had not known, along with a happy woman who he recognized.

Nero: [That’s…Inkra!]

Within the photo was a young Inkra, a body without scars, two eyes that sparkled, and a smile on her face. She looked happy. Truly happy. Her outfit was interesting to Nero, as he had noticed the very military-like quality to it. The same could be said about the people standing nearby. They had been on what looked like a ship.

Perhaps Inkra was a war veteran who fought bravely in her youth? This could explain what seemed to be a change in personality, along with the scars riddled across her body.

Shortly after observing the photo, Nero noticed an entire collection within the old box, and began to take a peek within it.

He wanted to see more…No, he shouldn’t.

If this box was so high up on the shelf, there would be a reason for that.

Inkra likely did not want anyone to see this.

But why?

What had occurred?

Did Inkra perhaps lose some friends she had made during this supposed war?

The curiosity slowly but surely bit away at Nero, and eventually, he gave into the desire.

He picked up the box, and attempted to fit it within the bag on his back. It protruded outwards in some areas, however, he was still able to get the box into his bag, zipping it up almost completely. The zipper had stopped close to the end, as it was unable to contain such an outstretched object, but this was good enough for Nero. He quickly finished piling up the remaining wood, as well as fixing the piles that had fallen, before moving into the house and trying to swiftly move towards the room that he and Mena had shared.

Before he could do so…

Inkra: [Hey.]

Nero: [AH!]

Nero jumped back in shock as Inkra touched his shoulder. His reaction caused her to jump as well.

Inkra: [Don’t go doing that “ah” stuff again! I thought we finally got past that! Anyways, I wanted to make sure you’re alright.]

Nero: [I-I’m fine…]

Inkra: [You sure? There was a loud series of thuds back there, plus you’ve got a bunch of marks all over you.]

Nero: [I-I’m alright…really…]

Inkra: [Wait here. I’m gonna get a wet cloth.]

Inkra exited the room while Nero shook nervously.

Did she perhaps realize what he had done?

Did she not notice the bag?

Is she perhaps trying to pretend not to notice?

He remained unsure if he should run, or if waiting would be the better option.

His body had already decided for him, as he remained standing there, without a single step taken towards the opposite direction.

Eventually, Inkra returned with a wet cloth, crouching down so she was the same height as Nero, and she began to wipe his face.

Inkra: [You really got to be careful with this stuff. I tell you over and over but you don’t seem to like listening.]

Nero: [I-I’m sorry…]

Inkra: [No sorrys. If you just do better, then that works out a whole lot better for me. You gotta make sure you focus on fixing your mistakes instead of just always apologizing about them.]

Inkra stared at the floor, her expressionless face slowly turning into a saddened one as she began to mumble a few words.

Inkra: [You’d be doing a whole lot better than me that way…]

He still did not understand her situation, but hearing her quiet words, and thinking back to the photos he had seen, he felt as though he could gather where this message had rooted from.

He felt sick, He felt sad.

He felt guilty.

He had taken the box of photos without her knowing, and he would soon look at all of the memories she likely hated thinking about.

He wanted to cry to her, and tell her that he had stolen her photos.

He hated himself at this moment.

He…still continued to do nothing.

He stood there, guilty rattling his body as if an entire ant farm had begun to crawl across it.

He told himself to move.

He told himself to speak.

He continued to do nothing.

No matter what he had done.

His body did not move.

Why?

For some odd reason…something about the box had seemed right.

Right had not been the correct word in his mind, but it was the closest thing he could think of.

It did not feel correct to take the box, but it felt as though there was a piece to it that remained important.

Perhaps her smile?

He did like seeing Inkra happy.

Whenever she took care of Mena, or assisted Nero in both chores and training, he could see a faint smile on her face.

As if a long since dead woman was slowly being returned to life.

He enjoyed that smile very much, and wished to see it in its fullest.

Was this correct then?

He performed an action that would likely leave her in an angered state. Possibly a saddened one. Maybe something even greater.

Was this right?

Was this truly right, Nero Virtuoso?

His mind had begun to attack itself while she wiped off the dirt on him.

Inkra: [There. You’re all good now.]

Nero: [T-Thank you…]

Inkra: [No need to thank me. Anyways, I managed to get some chicken earlier this morning, so I think we’ll have some of that tonight. You okay with that?]

Nero: [Y-Yes…]

Inkra: [Cheer up. I’m gonna start cooking, and the next time I see you, you better have a goofy smile like you always do.]

Nero: [O-Okay…]

Inkra: [Alright. Your timer starts now.]

Inkra stood up, and moved into the storage room where some of the food had also been kept.

Those words however.

The words that she had uttered.

There was nothing more true to Nero’s ears than what she had said.

How long until she would see what was missing?

His body received a quick chill along the spine, and finally, he darted towards the room he had almost reached just a moment prior.

This box of mysteries…would soon become all too clear.

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Shiro: [Mmm…Morning already?]

The light of the sun beamed through the inn windows as Shiro began to stretch her arms. A satisfied yawn exited her mouth as she rubbed her eyes.

Shiro: [Weird…that one presence almost felt like a–]

Kōkatsu: [Oh, Shiro! Yer awake! Come join us! Me and Silvia are playin’ poker. We’re usin’ our food as chips.]

Silvia: [Kōkatssssu issss lossssing quite badly.]

Kōkatsu: [If ya weren’t so shady with yer bluffin’ and not bluffin’, I’d be able to tell when I can win!]

Kaoru: [You keep making raises at random moments, Lady Kōkatsu…]

A devilish smile rose on Silivia’s face as she stared at the shouting Kōkatsu. Shiro nodded towards the three of them as she continued to rub her left eye and moved towards the restroom.

Shiro: [I might join in a minute…or at least spectate if anything. I just gotta brush my teeth so give me fi–]

Shiro’s movement stopped as she turned to the left just before entering the restroom. She could see Yoro constantly moving across the different sides of Nero’s bed. A measuring tape in hand, stretched out beside the sleeping Nero. This occurrence did not seem odd to Shiro, so she responded normally.

Shiro: [Hey Yoro.]

Yoro: [Ah! Good morning, Shiro!]

Shiro continued to walk towards the restroom, shutting the door behind her and turning on the sink. The main room went silent for a few seconds, before the distant sounding sink was abruptly shut off and the door to the restroom was opened wide.

Shiro: [WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!]

This occurrence was odd to Shiro.

Kōkatsu and Silvia turned to face Shiro, confused as to what she had been yelling at. They moved their eyes towards Yoro, and quickly ran over upon realizing what Shiro had been yelling about. Kaoru remained seated by Kōkatsu’s bed, as she had already grown used to the arguments that would often happen.

Silvia: [Why do you have meassssuring tape?]

Yoro: [Oh, well, I’d like to check Nero’s height and width for something specific. Did you know that is six feet and three inches tall? That’s nearly a foot taller than myself. Oni usually continue to grow till they are eighteen, so he will likely get a few more inches in height before that happens. The width of his muscles is also incredible as it–]

Kōkatsu: [Yeah speakin’ of width and inches and all that crap, what are ya doin’ ya perv?! Don’t go measurin’ people why they sleep, and for weird reasons at that!]

Yoro: [I’m not a pervert! You might just be one if that’s all your mind can think of in a simple situation such as this!]

Shiro: [Can the two of you go one entire conversation without being at each other’s throats?!]

Kōkatsu and Yoro: [We did!]

Shiro: [MORE THAN ONE THEN! Anyways, that’s not the point! This is not a simple situation! I have to agree with Kō here on this. Why are you measuring Nero while he sleeps?!]

Yoro: [I would like to say, but I want to keep it a secret.]

Silvia: [You are not helping your casssse.]

Kōkatsu: [She doesn’t have a case to begin with!]

Yoro: [Tell me, what could I possibly do with the information of his height and width?]

Kōkatsu: [Fill him with steroids and increase his height via bone lengthenin’!]

The three of them stared at Kōkatsu in silence. Kōkatsu’s confident look after her answer slowly melted into a discouraged one.

Shiro: [I don’t think you’d be trying to harm us, but something like this isn’t normally what people do!]

Yoro: [It’s not?!]

Shiro, Kōkatsu and Silvia: [WHY DID YOU THINK IT WAS?!]

The eruption from the three girls yelling at Yoro caused enough noise for Nero to slowly wake up from his slumber. He began to look around his bed in confusion.

Nero: [Hello everyone. It’s rather odd that the three of you are standing around my bed.]

Shiro, Kōkatsu and Silvia: [WE’RE THE ODD ONES?!]

Nero: [Well, it is also odd to see Yoro. But I feel this was expected, something like this was the reason we paid for an extra bed after all.]

In order to prevent any odd interactions between Yoro and Nero, the group had paid for an extra bed in the room for Yoro to sleep on. As an extra precaution, the bed was kept on the opposite side of the room, so if Yoro wanted to get to Nero as quietly as possible, she’d likely have to step over Silvia’s bed. The floorboards in the middle of the room provided a loud creak, so that path was unavailable to her.

Shiro: [Nero, you really don’t find it odd that she has a measuring tape in her hands?]

Nero looked at Yoro as she looked back at him, a measuring tape spread across both her hands and the bed. Nero quickly came to realize what was going on.

Nero: [I see. You would like some assistance with checking your height? I have no problem assisting you with that at the very least!]

Kōkatsu’s face lost all anger as she turned to face the direction where her bed and Kaoru had been.

Kōkatsu: [If she jumps on ya in the middle of the night, that’s yer problem now. I ain’t helpin’. Let’s keep playin’ poker, Sil.]

Silvia: [Try not to be too loud with the ssssmooching.]

Nero: [I’m not quite sure what you’re referring to.]

Yoro: [Smooching….hehe……eheheheh…..eheheheheheheh….♥]

Kōkatsu and Silvia moved away from Nero’s bed while he remained seated on it, puzzled as to what was happening. All the while Yoro rubbed her shoulders up and down while wiggling her body around like a snake.

Shiro: [I don’t think we’re getting anywhere with this topic, so let me just move onto something else. Yoro, we’re moving towards the gem today, correct?]

Yoro: [Hm? Oh, yes. I plan on assisting you all with where to go in order to reach the very important diamond that is needed for your task!]

Shiro: [It’s more of Silvia’s task, but close enough.]

Yoro: [Don’t worry, I have everything we need right…My book is by my bed, hold on.]

Yoro lifted herself up from her knees and raced over to her bed to grab the book she had brought with her. Shiro followed close behind at a normal pace, and noticed something about the book Yoro had.

Shiro: [A…picture book?]

Yoro: [Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s not important though. I left the map to the cave in one of these pages.]

Shiro: [I’m just surprised that’s what you had made sure to grab before your entire castle crashed down. Not to judge you or anything like that, I just found it odd.]

Yoro: [No offense taken! I guess it might seem strange, but this story means a lot to me, so I wanted to be absolutely sure I had it!]

Shiro: [I see. Well, fair enough then.]

The two smiled at each other and Yoro continued to flip through the pages of the book. Eventually, she landed on a page with a singular slip of paper in it. It was evident by just the look of the paper alone that it had been folded many times over. Yoro moved over to the center of the room, unraveling the paper to reveal a large map with some areas still undiscovered.

Shiro: [I really wasn’t expecting the map to be this large.]

Yoro: [I wanna make a whole bunch of these, and have the entire world charted out. That way I’ll think back to my trips to every single place that exists, and remember all the good, bad, and interesting times I had! Anyways, we’re about…hereish…and the cave is right there. It’ll most likely take us two days at the bare minimum. There is an alternative route that we may be able to take for reduced time, however it could possibly be risky depending on weather.]

Shiro: [I’ve already had my fair share of fun these past couple of trips. I think we can choose a safe route for now. We know where the gem is anyways, so it’s not like we desperately need to save time.]

As Yoro deduced the routes in which the group could arrive at their destination, the others in the room who had not been beside Yoro or Shiro chimed in.

Kōkatsu: [I like the idea of risk on an adventure, and if it takes less time, all the better!]

Kaoru: [I’m not entirely sure I would enjoy the risky area…]

Kōkatsu: [Ya sure, Kaoru? I bet it’d be lots of fun! Plus, it’ll be a proper adventure for me and ya!]

Kaoru: [I’m sorry, Lady Kōkatsu. I’m still a little afraid of taking that route.]

Kōkatsu: [Hm. I see. Fair enough. I hated the idea anyway.]

Shiro: [But you just said–]

Kōkatsu: [I hated the idea anyway.]

Before Shiro could question her statement, Kōkatsu shot a deathly glare in her direction.

Shiro: [R-Right!]

Silvia: [I do not mind either way, but perhapssss the alternative route will make for a much more thrilling journey.]

Kōkatsu: [Yer just mad that yer task is all done! Yaha–]

Silvia: [Are you aware of what a ssssnake can do with itssss tail?]

Kōkatsu: [...ha………hah.]

Though her glare was not as fearsome as Kōkatsu’s had been towards Shiro, Silvia had glared back at Kōkatsu with a chilling gaze after she had attempted to make a joke about the situation. For the first time, Kōkatsu’s face began to show signs of fear as she nervously lowered her smile.

Nero: [Either way is fine for me as well. Though, I would prefer the safety of everyone.]

Yoro: [His words have helped me decide! We shall take the other way!]

Shiro: [And also the fact that it was technically speaking everyone voting for that option as well, correct?]

Yoro: [Yes, that too! Grab your things everyone, we shall move immediately!]

Kōkatsu: [We aren’t done with our poker game yet though.]

Shiro: [Is that really what’s important right now?]

Silvia: [I have earned a conssssiderable amount of ssssake due to thissss game, sssso yessss.]

Kōkatsu: [Just ya wait, my next hand is gonna kick yer ass!]

Kaoru: [Lady Kōkatsu, you folded something that this manual here calls a full house while she only had a pair…]

Before the group had headed out, Kōkatsu and Silvia attempted to finish their game of poker. This eventually led to Kōkatsu losing all of her sake, but out of pity, Silvia left her with three bottles to make up for the loss.

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The area was dry, but filled with more life than the previous sand covered wasteland where they had once been as the party of six now began their journey once more. Fully energized and prepared for what the world would throw at them, they began their march towards their next task. An order of operations was established between them.

Yoro: [Kaoru, correct? You shall be our guide for the map!]

Kaoru: [A-Are you sure? I’m well educated, but I am unsure if I would call myself smart…]

Kōkatsu: [Nah, her decision is right, Kaoru. Yer the perfect person for our guide. Ya got brains, more than ya might think and we gotta do our job defendin’ ourselves along with ya anyways.]

Kaoru: [I-I’m strong! I can fight!]

Kōkatsu: [I don’t doubt that. Bein’ a mini version of me means ya got what it takes to be the strongest. But, yer the size of a berry. Can’t go havin’ our little berry smushed now can we?]

Kaoru: [...Hmmmmm….]

Kaoru began to pout in response to Kōkatsu’s comment, which led to Kaoru’s cheeks being gently pinched, causing her to blush in embarrassment.

Kōkatsu: [Alright, so what are the other roles?]

Yoro: [Kōkatsu and Shiro, the two of you will act as our main line of defense.]

Shiro: [Very well. I have no objections to that.]

Kōkatsu: [Hah! Me and Shiro teamin’ up. ’S like a dream come true!]

Yoro: [Silvia will act as our stealth force. I know it’s an odd role to have, but should something go wrong, I believe she will be a necessary help in that regard.]

Silvia: [You need not worry. I am honored to have ssssuch a role in thissss formation. Sssstealth issss where I exssssssel.]

Yoro: [And I shall defend Nero, while Nero focuses on me!]

Nero: [I shall join the main line of defense.]

Yoro: [But–]

Nero: [I’m sorry but, no buts.]

Yoro stared at Nero with a sad look riddled on her face, before looking to the ground, shutting her eyes while exhaling, and correcting her statement.

Yoro: [Nero…will join the main line…of defense…I shall in turn also join the main line of defense and protect-]

Nero: [The group.]

Yoro: [...the group…]

Nero: [And in turn of course, we shall protect you.]

Yoro’s saddened eyes slowly glimmered with hope as they once again rose to meet Nero’s.

Yoro: [You’ll…protect me…?]

Nero: [Of course. I have no issue with performing such a duty.]

Yoro’s face began to turn as blinding red, the sound her throat had started to make sounded like that of a teapot blowing steam. All of a sudden, her eyes had rolled into the back of her head, a large puff of steam exited her mouth, and she passed out, causing her body to fall backwards. Thanks to the group being nearby, she was caught by Shiro and Nero before she could reach the ground below.

Nero: [Yoro, are you alright?! Please answer me!]

Shiro: [Why’d you have to go and say that, Nero?!]

Nero: [I don’t believe I said anything wrong…unless I did?]

Yoro: [Nero…protecting…me…Ne….Ne….Ne…..Ne…]

Kōkatsu: [She can’t even finish her sentence anymore!]

Shiro: [Quick! Do something!]

Nero: [What exactly should I do in this situation?]

Kōkatsu: [Slap her!]

Silvia: [I don’t think he could perform ssssuch an action.]

Nero: [Silvia is right! I could not!]

Shiro: [What would you normally do if someone is like this?]

Nero: [I suppose CPR is a possibili–]

In an instant, a wave of steam came bursting through Yoro’s mouth. A thunderous roar joined the wave while her eyes had returned to their normal position.

Yoro: [GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!]

Nero: [Are you alright, Yoro?]

Yoro: [DO YOU LIKE VARIUS AS A NAME?!]

Nero: [Huh?]

Yoro: [I MEAN YES! I AM VARIOUS LEVELS OF FINE! I AM PERFECTLY NORMAL RIGHT NOW! LET ME JUST…SIT DOWN FOR A MOMENT…THAT IS ALL!]

Yoro proceeded to move a few steps away and sat down, moving her fingers around each other in a circular motion.

Kōkatsu: [...I think we definitely need to protect Crazy over there.]

Yoro: [I am not the one who is crazy! Last I checked a real crazy person gambles all of their booze away!]

Kōkatsu: [I bet yer shit at poker!]

Yoro: [Of course I am! Who would I even play such a game with, you dunce!]

Shiro: [How did you two even start this argument?!]

As the two bickered, Nero stepped between them, trying to once again get the group to focus on their objective.

Nero: [Now that we have our formation figured out, I believe it is best that we get a move on.]

Yoro: [Y-Yes! I agree…to the fullest extent! We shall now walk…and I will walk too…holding…]

Shiro: [No one.]

Yoro: [In-Indeed! No one! I am a leader! Therefore, I do not need…a single hand to hold! Not even that of…someone with large…mus…mus…mus…OW!]

Before Yoro could go into another breakdown, Kōkatsu gave a swift punch against the back of her head.

Kōkatsu: [Better?]

Yoro: [Much better. Thank you kindly.]

Shiro: [THAT WAS OKAY THOUGH?!]

With that, the group began their move towards the cavern that awaited them from beyond. Whilst walking, Yoro turned to Shiro to speak with her.

Yoro: [By the way, Shiro, I had a question about something.]

Shiro: [Sure, what’s up?]

Yoro: [I noticed it when you entered my castle, but you have a sword there, correct?]

Shiro: [Oh, this? Yeah, it’s a katana that Kō made for me. She named it Storm.]

Yoro: [I see. But what I’m curious about is if we were battling against each other, why did you not use it? Matōki allows for weapons to excel in many ways. From increased range, to even ranged attacks themselves. I can understand why Silvia did not, as hers seems to be a much more assassin based method in terms of her weapon along with her fighting style, but your scenario I do not understand. Why not focus your attacks against me using that?]

Shiro: [I guess that is odd, huh. Well, I did kinda have two reasons. One…I don’t really like killing…at all. From the very beginning I didn’t plan on killing anyone. Sure, a sword could deal non-fatal damage towards someone, but there’s always a chance that a slip up could lead to that person dying. I didn’t really like the thought of that at all.]

Yoro: [I see.]

Shiro: [That’s probably a weak answer I know–]

Yoro: [No. I do not find it weak. I myself have grown indifferent to killing others, but I can understand why you would not like to perform such an action. If anything, I believe it shows you are very kind, Shiro. With that said however, there will likely come a point where you must perform actions you may not enjoy. You plan on becoming a goddess after all. This is a duty you must expect.]

Shiro: [I suppose that’s true…]

Silvia: [Do not worry, Sssshiro. If you are ever in battle with ssssomeone you do not wissssh to kill, I sssshall do it for you.]

Shiro: [Thanks…Sil…I’ll uhhhh…I’ll keep that in mind…]

Yoro: [I believe you said there was a second reason?]

Shiro: [Right. My second reason was I didn’t think you were worth it.]

Yoro: [Oh?]

Silvia: [Oh my.]

Kōkatsu: [PFFFT-HA!]

Shiro: [I’ve already figured out my matōki ability. It involves my sword, but the thing is, I wanna fight someone who I think is really worth using the ability on. Therefore, I’m saving it all up for something much larger. I won’t even use my sword till then, not until I know it’s worth it!]

Kōkatsu: [Ya hear that, dwarf?! Ya ain’t worth it!]

Yoro did not look back towards Shiro in anger or disgust, not even in sadness, but instead, an intrigued expression coloring her eyes. One of her eyebrows began to raise as the other remained in its position.

Yoro: [Well now, I’m certainly curious. You’re holding back quite the immense amount of power then.]

Silvia: [Sssshiro and I fought againsssst you with an immensssse amount of our own might. I do not mean to ssssay thissss in order to make light of Sssshiro’ssss power, but it wassss the besssst we could manage.]

Yoro: [You don’t need to say that. I could tell the two of you were holding back a bit. Rather, I should say I could tell Silvia was.]

Kōkatsu was surprised at the sound of Yoro’s statement.

Kōkatsu: [Wait, Silvia was holdin’ back despite the whole killin’ thing?! No, wait, that doesn’t matter as much as that other part. Yer tellin’ me Shiro held back a ton?!]

Yoro: [There was a reason my attacks came out at a rapid and calculated rate. Silvia herself was a problem as she had attempted to deal with me as quickly and as effectively as possible. Shiro on the other hand was a separate ordeal. Her attacks focused less on vital areas, but I’m an expert at sensing matōki, even if it’s suppressed. It’s all I’ve done while I was in that castle really. Hers was not as immense as Nero’s, but I could tell that she was suppressing a large amount. If she wanted to, she could have provided a much greater force against me during that battle. This is not something you should blame her for though. With Silvia’s intent, Shiro’s true power, and your plan along with your immense physical power, my method of attacks became focused on neutralizing all of you as quickly as possible. Tell me, Shiro, before Nero entered the room, you were going to perform something, weren’t you?]

Shiro: [Well, you used your ability on me…so I thought maybe I should have activated mine since I wasn’t really sure how to get out of my situation. Hey…wait…that wasn’t even your ability, was it?]

Yoro: [Just Desserts.]

Shiro: [Hm?]

Yoro: [They’re matōki blasts formed into their own moves. Much like my ability to sense growing stronger with how often I used it, I came up with these attacks over the course of my life.]

Nero: [Matōki blasts themselves…can be formed into proper attacks?]

Yoro: [Yep! They obviously aren’t as complicated as proper techniques, nor do they have as much liberty in how they’re used, but you can make different sorts of attacks with them. For example, each of the walls I made had different types of what we’ll call coating to them. I had my mines, my darts, all sorts of stuff is possible with it!]

Kōkatsu bent down to her knees and clapped her hands together in front of Yoro.

Kōkatsu: [I apologize for my previous comments. Please teach me yer ways.]

A greedy smile formed on Yoro’s face as she noticed what Kōkatsu had done.

Yoro: [Well…I don’t mind teaching the others for free, but those sure were some mean comments. Perhaps if something was offered I might–]

Kōkatsu: [I will trade ya one of my three bottles.]

Yoro: [Deal! When we get the time, I’ll teach all of you about that type of stuff! Oh, and maybe the element related ones too! I think those-...Nero?]

While Yoro discussed her plan of educating the group, Nero stepped in front of Yoro. His body tilted forward in a cautious stance, which was soon followed by the sounds of Kōkatsu slowly unsheathing her blades as she had also noticed what he was looking at.

Kōkatsu: [That little fuck…]

Yoro: [Huh? I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong?]

Nero: [Please do not mind her words, Yoro. She was not referring to you. In regards to you, however, please stay behind us.]

Silvia: [What happened?]

Shiro: [Yeah I’m kinda confused as well. What–...No…]

Kaoru: [Those things are…]

Kōkatsu: [’S fucking back!]

Horrified and angered expressions resided within the group as the nearby forest, the distant mountains, even the ponds nearby had grown flesh-like life that mimicked the nature around the area, with eyes that pierced their souls.

Yoro: [What…is that?!]

Kōkatsu: [We saw these fuckin’ things back when we got Kaoru. Little shits destroyed her entire village. Now that they decided to show their face though, I’m gonna go right for the kill.]

Silvia: [I undersssstand your anger, Kōkatssssu. I truly do. However, againsssst thissss…thing…it issss besssst to play it ssssafe from a disssstansssse.]

Shiro: [If anything, it’ll come to us just like before.]

Nero: [Exactly…]

Nero did not falter, but sweat began to drip down from his head as he noticed the change in the eyes of the flesh mimics. Their stare originally did not have a direction, but this was quickly changed as they directed their eyes towards Nero himself. This did not bode well however, as the person who erupted in this situation was not Nero, Kōkatsu or Silvia, nor the trauma ridden Kaoru or Shiro who hid her strength, but…

Yoro: [Get your eyes…]

Kōkatsu: [Shit!]

Shiro: [Yoro! No!]

Yoro: [...OFF HIM!]

Nero: [YORO! STAY BACK!]

Yoro charged forward in an attempt to attack the creatures. Before she could finish her jump, large flesh tentacles flipped up through the ground. More fleshed quickly formed into and crushed the earth ever so slightly. A whip crack sound echoed through the area as the snapped in the air and quickly retracted back into the ground. The strangest part however was not the fact that these creatures had shown up, nor the quick attack they had performed, but their immediate leave following it. Without a trace, the flesh creatures disappeared from the land ahead.

Kōkatsu: [DON’T RUN, YA FUCKIN’ COWARD!]

Shiro quickly rushed over to Yoro, who landed on her feet as if nothing had happened, to make sure she was alright.

Shiro: [Yoro! Are you alright?!]

Yoro: [Y-Yeah…Those…whip things didn’t hit me at all…for some reason.]

Shiro: [They didn’t?]

Nero: [No. Even from here I could tell. They stopped a few inches away from her.]

Kōkatsu rushed over to Kaoru, caressing her hair and face after what had happened.

Kōkatsu: [Kaoru! It’s gonna be okay! It’s gonna be okay, I promise!]

Kaoru did not respond, but merely cried into Kōkatsu’s shoulder.

Shiro: [I don’t get it, what was that thing aiming for then?]

Silvia: [To ruin our fun, it appearssss.]

Shiro: [Ruin our fun? What do you–...That’s a…]

Yoro: [A path…leading directly to the cave.]

The creatures did not attack. Their aim was never to do so. Their only goal was strangely, to make a path for the party to follow in order to reach their destination. The crushed ground in between the trail left from the whips perfectly formed a smooth walkway towards it.

Veins began to show on Kōkatsu’s face as she looked at the path over her shoulder with anger in her eyes.

Kōkatsu: [Are ya tellin’ me those fuckin’ things are waitin’ for us? Good. I’ll make those fuckin’ shits bleed for makin’ Kaoru suffer.]

Shiro: [Should…we really trust this?]

Yoro: [The path it made is the exact path on the map. Furthermore…]

Yoro pointed towards the right, and as they all turned to face the same direction, they noticed another path had been made without them realizing beforehand.

Nero: [That’s the path to the more risky route!]

Yoro: [The exact same.]

Shiro: [Why does it know all of this?! Did it see the map we had?!]

Silvia: [No. Kaoru did not open the map even onsssse.]

Kōkatsu: [Meanin’ it knew where we were headed already.]

Nero: [It heard us from before. No, not just heard…it somehow had seen the map during that time most likely.]

Kōkatsu stomped towards Yoro and grabbed her by the collar of her black dress.

Kōkatsu: [I swear, if yer the reason this shit is happenin’–]

Yoro: [I’ve never seen that thing before! I swear!]

Shiro: [Kō. I understand why you have your suspicions, but that would count as harming us. She would have died if this was the plan.]

Kōkatsu slowly let go of Yoro after hearing Shiro’s response and moved back to where Kaoru had been.

Kōkatsu: [So? What’s the play now?]

Nero: [We continue to–]

Yoro: [We leave.]

Nero: [Yoro?]

She had always looked towards Nero with joy and love in her eyes, but in this moment, a serious glare was now on Yoro’s face.

Yoro: [It’s aim is you, Nero. I don’t know why, how, or anything related to it, but I saw what it did. It was looking at you and you alone. Whatever it wants is related to you.]

Nero: [Yoro…]

Yoro: [I’m sorry everyone. We’ll think of a strategy to get the gem without causing any problems to ourselves. It might require more time but–]

Kōkatsu: [We’re goin’ towards it.]

Yoro: [Kōkatsu. Please. Just hear me out this one time–]

Kōkatsu: [Yoro. I’m bein’ honest with ya. I hear ya. I really do. Honestly, if I had a cool head right now, I’d probably agree completely. But that fuckin’ thing isn’t gettin’ away again. If it means I can kick it’s ass, along with gettin’ the task done, then I think that’s a win in my book.]

Silvia: [If it ssssaw our map, it could sssstrike at any moment. Our best sssshot at thissss issss now.]

Yoro’s worried eyes moved over to Shiro to see which side she fell into.

Shiro: [I’m sorry, Yoro.]

Yoro: [It’s…It’s fine…but…can I please make one request…?]

Shiro: [That’s alright. Name it.]

Yoro: [I know it is still odd for me to say something like this but I really mean it this time…Please protect Nero while we move there.]

Kōkatsu once again moved towards Yoro, Kaoru following behind as she had taken Kōkatsu’s hand.

Kōkatsu: [Are ya able to protect Kaoru as much as ya can?]

Yoro: [If that is what it requires, then yes!]

Kōkatsu thrusted her free hand forward and grabbed Yoro’s opposite hand shortly after her response, forming a strong armed handshake between them.

Kōkatsu: [Then I’ll protect that dork with my fuckin’ life.]

Yoro smiled at Kōkatsu, tears starting to well up within her eyes.

Yoro: [Thank you, Kōkatsu. Though I would have preferred that without the harsh name.]

Yoro moved in front of the group as they all prepared themselves to once again move towards the cavern.

Yoro: [Alright then, let’s continue our journey.]

Despite the horrifying creatures once again showing their face before them, the resolve of the party did not falter as they continued to march onward towards their goal.

The very balance of life and death weighed down their souls, as what may come next was completely unknown to them.

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