Tales of the Epitaph 2

[Hayate]

Tales of the Epitaph

Chapter 2: The Black Nexus

~ Capital of LeGable, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~

~ Filiday, Gorre-Lunae 15, AC2038 ~

*Sakaki is seen sitting behind a desk in his castle quarters; a Royal Guard soldier enters*

Soldier: *salutes* Lord Sakaki. The person whose presence you’ve requested has arrived.

Sakaki: Send her in.

Soldier: Yes, milord.

*as the soldier exits, another person enters: a tall, slender woman with whitish-blond hair and an ample bust wearing a lightweight fur coat*

Sakaki: I’m pleased you could meet with me on such short notice.

Woman: Hehehe. Well, I gotta admit I was a little skeptical at first. It’s not every day that Sakaki, royal advisor to the King of Mac Anu himself, calls out little ol’ me.

*walking over, the woman seats herself across from Sakaki and props her feet up on his desk*

Woman: So…whatcha need, sugar?

*reaching out his hand, Sakaki presents to the woman a photograph of Kazuto*

Woman: Ooh… This little guy’s cute as a button.

Sakaki: This is the crown prince of Mac Anu and heir to the throne, Kazuto Rin Anu-Takeuchi.

Woman: Ya don’t say…?

Sakaki: As of right now, he’s on the run from the kingdom for conspiring against the very world itself. I want you and your group to find him…and end him.

Woman: Awww… You want me to mess up this adorable face? …What’s in it for me?

Sakaki: … *snaps fingers*

*at the sound of Sakaki’s snap, a pair of soldiers enters and presents to the woman a box filled to the brim with gold and jewels*

Woman: *whistles* You don’t do anything halfway, do ya, sugar?

Sakaki: This is a matter that will decide the fate of the world itself. Riches and fortune are but a paltry cost for such a matter. …But I suppose someone such as yourself believes otherwise.

Woman: Oh, that hurts.

Sakaki: So…can I rely on your services…Beatrice?

Beatrice: Hehehe… Consider his Majesty the Prince as good as dead.

*meanwhile, in the ruins of Carmina Gadelica, Ren gazes at her brother’s grave in the square as the morning breeze swept over her*

Ren: …

*the girl becomes lost in her memories of childhood; in one memory of when she was 8 years old, she’s seen chasing after Kaga in a field of flowers*

Ren: Wait, brother! Wait for me!

Kaga: Hahaha!

*in another memory of when she was 10, she’s seen crying her eyes out while Kaga stands above her patting her on the head*

Kaga: There, there, Ren, don’t cry.

Ren: *crying*

Ren: (Brother…) *closes eyes* (Please watch over me…)

: …Ren?

Ren: Aah! *turns around to see Kazuto* Oh. Kazuto, you scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that.

Kazuto: S-Sorry. Um…about these clothes…

*looking at Kazuto’s body, Ren notices that he was wearing an almost all-blue ensemble*

Ren: People are looking for you, remember? It’s vital that we throw them off your trail. Besides… *smiles* …brother’s old clothes look good on you.

Kazuto: *blush* Heh. Thanks. …So…you still haven’t told me where it is we’re heading.

Ren: Ah. My apologies. There’s a town called Naval Monte a little northeast of here. We’ll be meeting with one of my informants there.

Kazuto: *nods* Alright.

Ren: …I’m…sorry about all of this, Kazuto. Driven away from your own home, giving up your title as Prince, forced to go on the run…

Kazuto: Hehehe. Well, it’s not the greatest birthday I’ve ever had, I’ll admit. But none of this is your fault, Ren. I’ve been hanging by a thread of fate ever since I was born. I don’t blame you for anything that’s happened. In fact, I’m grateful to you. It’s because of you I’m still alive right now.

Ren: …You’re very kind… Just like my brother… Thank you, Kazuto.

Kazuto: No problem. And please…call me “Kazu”.

Ren: …Alright…K-Kazu. *ahem* Okay. Let’s be off.

Kazuto: Right!

*just a short while later, Kazuto and Ren would reach the humble town of Naval Monte; the streets were crowded with people and everyone had smiles on their faces*

Kazuto: Wow. The people here sure are lively, aren’t they?

Ren: It’s because of the Church of Aura. Its members are very influential here. They offer the people hope.

Kazuto: …It’s even livelier than LeGable…

Ren: Come. My informant should be waiting for us at the café.

Kazuto: O-Oh. Right.

*at the outdoor café on the west side of town, Kazuto and Ren gaze amongst the crowd of sitting people*

Ren: Hmm… Ah!

*in the distance, she sees a man with long blond hair wearing a silk top hat*

Kazuto: That’s the informant!? …For someone who sneaks around gathering information, he sticks out like a sore thumb…

Ren: …Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so…

*approaching the man in the top hat, Ren sits directly across from him while Kazuto sits in the middle*

Informant: *sips tea* Ahhh… Hmm? *looks up at Ren* Ah, Ren, you’ve finally arrived. Can I interest you in a cup? The jasmine’s positively superb today. …Hmm? *looks at Kazuto* …You never struck me as the babysitting type.

Kazuto: B-Babysitting!? I’m no baby! I’m--!

Ren: Kazu.

Kazuto: … *sigh*

Ren: It’s good to see you, Zero.

Zero: Always a pleasure for my lovely Renanthera. And I take it this is the former prince?

Kazuto: !!!

Ren: Yes.

Kazuto: He knows who I am too?

Ren: Zero here is a master at collecting information. He’s my most trusted informant.

Zero: Heh. You flatter me, Ren.

Ren: …What’s the situation like in LeGable?

Zero: The entire kingdom is in an uproar over the disappearance of the crown prince. What with all the wanted posters that are being put up and the civil unrest, the city’s been turned completely upside-down.

Kazuto: …And all because of a stupid prophecy…

Zero: There’s even word that the kingdom has a guild of mercenaries in its employ. …Atrum Neux.

Ren: *gasp* What!? Are you certain!?

Kazuto: …What’s “Atrum Neux”?

Ren: A band of bloodthirsty assassins willing to kill anyone and anything as long as the price is right. They’re one of the most notorious mercenary guilds in the world. …This is bad… If they truly have sent Atrum Neux after us… Zero.

Zero: Hmm?

Ren: Kazuto and I will require passports to Lumina Cloth. By Albaday the latest.

Zero: …I’ll have them for you by tomorrow morning.

Ren: Thank you.

Zero: *finishes tea* Ahhh… Naval Monte’s tea never ceases to amaze. Good day to you, Renanthera. And Kazuto?

Kazuto: Y-Yes?

Zero: …Do try and stay alive, won’t you? Ta-ta.

*then, with a short hand wave, Zero vanishes, his body collapsing into thousands of cards that get swept away by the wind*

Kazuto: …Whoa… *turns to Ren* So why are we going to Lumina Cloth?

Ren: We know at the very least we’re being pursued. If the pursuers are indeed Atrum Neux, we need to distance ourselves from Mac Anu. They may be well-known, but even they will have trouble following us across the ocean. All we can do is now is wait for Zero to come through.

Kazuto: I see. …Although…I hadn’t counted on returning to Lumina Cloth so soon…

Ren: You do not wish to go there?

Kazuto: No, no, it’s not that. It’s just… Heh. Never mind, it’s nothing.

Ren: …?

*several hours later, a man with spiky black hair and pale skin is seen entering town with a long sword and sheath propped over his shoulders*

: *groan* Worst day ever… First I’m dragged out of bed by my hair, then I get chewed out by the old hag, and now I’m forced to come ALL the way out here to the boondocks just to track down some spoiled brat… I swear, I don’t get paid enough for this crap…

*the black-haired man is suddenly approached by a Church of Aura activist*

Aura Activist: Hello, sir! Is this your first time in Naval Monte?

*just then, the black-haired man connects the underside of his boot with the activist’s face*

: Get out of my face, you damn preacher!!! …God… This many people with this many happy faces… It makes me sick to my stomach…!

*reaching into his pocket, the man pulls out a photo of Kazuto*

: …Kazuto Rin Anu-Takeuchi… *smirks* …Hope you’ve enjoyed your time among the living, kid…

*meanwhile, as Kazuto explores Naval Monte, he wanders into the church; inside, he finds several Naval Monte citizens kneeling and praying; approaching the rear of the church, he sees a statue of Aura*

Kazuto: …

*moments later, he’s approached by a beautiful woman with long, lavender hair*

Woman: Oh. Hello. Are you lost?

Kazuto: *turns to woman* Huh? Oh, no, I was just…exploring. Thought I’d see what this Church of Aura was all about.

Woman: Ah, I see. So you too seek guidance from the almighty Aura? What’s your name, my child?

Kazuto: …Kazu.

Fianna: A pleasure to meet you, Kazu. My name is Fianna. *turns to face Aura statue* The goddess Aura looks over all of us and protects us from the unholy fires of Eld Sleika. Only by practicing faith and virtue can we, her children, be welcomed into her open embrace in the promised land of Airceltrai.

Kazuto: …

Ren: Kazu!

*Ren suddenly enters and walks up to Kazuto*

Ren: Please don’t go off on your own like that! You could’ve been seized by the Mac Anu Royal Guard! Or worse -- Atrum Neux!

Kazuto: S-Sorry…

Ren: … *sigh* Never mind. I’m just glad you’re safe. Come on. Let’s head back to the inn.

Kazuto: Sure. …Sorry to take up your time, Miss Fianna.

Fianna: Think nothing of it, Kazu. I make time for any and all who seek the holy light of Aura. Have a pleasant day, my children.

*as Kazuto and Ren exit the church, the black-haired pale-skinned swordsman confronts them*

: There you are. I’d been looking all over this backwater town for you, blondie.

Kazuto: …Can I help you?

: Actually, yeah, you can. If it ain’t too much trouble… *draws blade* …I’d like you to drop dead!

*as the man brandishes his blade, he leaps forward and prepares to cut into Kazuto…*

Kazuto: !!!

*…when Ren suddenly jumps in front of him and fends off the man’s blade with her staff*

: Heh! Nice reflexes, blue-hair!

Ren: Who are you!? Are you with Atrum Neux!?

Kyuzo: Got that right, sweet-cheeks! Kyuzo’s the name!

Kazuto: Atrum Neux’s caught up with us this quickly!?

Kyuzo: Surprised, huh? I would’ve been here sooner, but I didn’t have my coffee today!

Ren: (Dammit…! What a time for Atrum Neux to make their move…!)

Kazuto: Ren!

Ren: Stay back, Kazuto! You’re no match for him!

Kazuto: I’m not letting you fight by yourself! *draws sword*

Kyuzo: Ahhh… Way to show some balls, blondie… Alright! I was planning to end this quickly, but you managed to get my blood boiling! *leaps away from Ren and assumes an attack stance* Show me what you got, kiddies!

*detecting that a fight was breaking out, the Naval Monte bystanders all scatter to a safe distance*

Ren: …Why didn’t you run away…?

Kazuto: And leave you to take on Atrum Neux alone? Not a chance. This is my fight too.

Ren: …Hmph. I’ll try to slow him down with my Gadelican magic. You attack from the left side.

Kazuto: Gotcha!

*grasping his sword, Kazuto dashes towards Kyuzo’s left side*

Kazuto: Kyaaaaaaah!

*swinging his sword down, Kazuto’s sword clangs when it comes into contact with Kyuzo’s blade*

Kyuzo: Heh! You really think you can take me on with that cheap-ass hand-me-down sword!?

Ren: Suvi Lei!

*with the casting of Ren’s spell, particles of light generate around Kyuzo’s ankles*

Kyuzo: W-What the!? I…can’t move my feet!

Kazuto: (Now’s my chance!) Take…this!

*moving his sword slightly away, Kazuto slashes across Kyuzo’s chest*

Kyuzo: Gah!

Kazuto: (Hah! I did it!)

Kyuzo: *stumbles back* D-Damn…! So that’s the…Gadelica-style magic the old hag…warned me about…! *glares at Ren* If I take her out, then…!

*with Ren’s spell worn off, Kyuzo dashes swiftly towards Ren with blade in hand*

Kyuzo: You’re MINE!!!!!

Ren: *gasp*

Kazuto: Ren!!!

*Ren raises her staff to cast another spell…*

Ren: Mumyn--!

Kyuzo: I don’t think so!

*…but before she could, Kyuzo slashes deeply into Ren’s left arm, causing her to drop her staff*

Ren: GAH!!!!!

*falling back onto the ground, Ren clenches her wound; blood trickles from her arm onto the ground below*

Kyuzo: *approaches Ren* Can’t do your special magic without that staff, can ya? Heh. That suits me just fine.

Kazuto: REN!!!

*as Kyuzo prepares to deal the final blow to Ren, Kazuto’s feet carry him forward*

Kyuzo: *raises blade* See ya ‘round…blue-hair.

Ren: !!!

Kazuto: (No! I’m not gonna get there in time!)

*Ren clenches her eyes closed as Kyuzo swings his blade down upon her*

CLANG!!!

Kazuto: *gasp*

Kyuzo: …Hmm?

*as Ren slowly reopens her eyes, she notices someone else standing in front of her, protecting her from Kyuzo’s attack; the person was dressed primarily and black and red, and had long white hair in a ponytail; in his hands were a pair of short blades which he used to fend off Kyuzo’s strike*

: Don’t you know it’s rude to kill a girl on the first date?

Ren: Who…?

Kyuzo: …And who are you supposed to be, ponytail boy?

Shiro: Shiro T. Xion at your service.

Kazuto: Shiro!

Shiro: Hey, Kazu. Sorry, but I can’t talk right now. Kinda busy being a hero. You understand, don’t you?

Kyuzo: Tch! It’s just one headache after another! Get out of my way!

*with the timely arrival of Shiro, he and Kyuzo meet in a clash of blades; Kyuzo finds himself being pushed back due to Shiro’s dual sword style*

Kyuzo: Heh! Not bad, whitey! Not bad at all!

*his speed suddenly increasing, Shiro swings his blades at Kyuzo at three swings per second*

Kyuzo: (Tch! Dammit, he’s too fast! If it weren’t for that kid giving me this damn chest wound, I’d…!)

Shiro: What’s the matter!? Can’t keep up!?

Kyuzo: Oh, go to hell!

*narrowly dodging Shiro’s fierce sword slash, Kyuzo leaps up and plants his feet on a nearby rooftop*

Kyuzo: Looks like my plan for a one-on-one went up in smoke! You’d better watch your backs, kiddies, ‘cuz this ain’t over! I’ll be back!

*with that, Kyuzo makes a hasty retreat; putting his blades away, Shiro approaches Ren, who’s seen casting Repth on herself, and helps her to her feet*

Shiro: Are you alright, Miss?

Ren: I-I’m fine, thank you.

Kazuto: *runs up to Shiro* Nice timing, Shiro! You totally saved our asses!

Shiro: We should probably get you to the inn though, so your wound can properly heal.

Ren: Right…

Kazuto: …Uh, Shiro?

Shiro: So, Miss, would you do me the tremendous honor of learning your name?

Ren: It’s…Ren.

Shiro: Ren… What a lovely name you have.

Kazuto: HEY!!! SHIRO!!!

Shiro: It’s not polite to shout, Kazu.

Kazuto: *sweatdrop* …Why do I even bother…?

*not too long after, the three retire to the Naval Monte inn where they could converse and Ren could heal*

Kazuto: …What are you doing here, Shiro?

Shiro: After all the commotion in LeGable yesterday, I had to find you and make sure you were alright, Kazu. I heard you were last seen heading north, so I followed your tracks here to Naval Monte. Though it seems you were in pretty capable hands. …Very beautiful hands, I might add.

Ren: … *blush*

Kazuto: …You never change…

Shiro: Hehehe… Anyway, I got here as quickly as I could after finding out Atrum Neux was after you. And it’s a good thing I got here when I did.

Ren: Yes. Your timing couldn’t have been better. Thank you.

Shiro: *sigh* This must all be really overwhelming for you, huh, Kazu…?

Kazuto: …Yeah… But why? Why is this all happening now?

Shiro: It’s because of the prophecy. The whole “blue eyes VS green eyes” argument isn’t enough to change the minds of certain people when it comes to the fate of the world. …You don’t want the world to end, do you, Kazu?

Kazuto: Of course I don’t.

Shiro: Then that’s good enough for me. So…what’s our next course of action?

Kazuto: “Our”?

Shiro: Naturally. I came all this way to find you, Kazu; you can’t expect me to just turn tail and go home now. Atrum Neux is after you. You’ll need all the help you can get. And besides…I’d like to get to know the lovely Ren a little more.

Ren: …We were planning to cross the ocean into Lumina Cloth. If we can put some distance between ourselves and Atrum Neux, we can figure out what to do next.

Shiro: Sounds like a plan. *stands up* Argh! *clenches chest*

Kazuto: S-Shiro! You okay!?

Shiro: Ugh. Those soldiers really did a number on me back in LeGable. I haven’t had a chance to sit down and heal my wounds. I’ll be fine once I get some rest.

Ren: That’s fine. Zero won’t be returning until morning anyway. Best thing to do right now is get some sleep.

Kazuto: Heh. Sounds good to me.

*as Ren lays herself to sleep, Kazuto and Shiro exit towards their own inn room; the following morning, Kazuto is seen standing on a ship just as it pulls away from the harbor*

Kazuto: …

*a couple of hours earlier, as the sun was starting to rise, Kazuto, Ren, and Shiro stand on the outskirts of Naval Monte, waiting for Zero; in a windy swirl of cards, Zero appears before them*

Zero: Morning, all.

Ren: Good morning to you as well, Zero. Do you have the--?

Zero: *presents three passports to Ren* Passports to Lumina Cloth, as you requested.

Ren: Heh. What would I ever do without you, Zero?

Zero: *chuckles* Not a day goes by that I don’t ask myself that very question, my dear Renanthera. *gives passports to Ren* …Tell me, Ren… How far will you go? The Takeuchi boy can never return home. He will always be on the run. How long do you plan to protect him?

Ren: …I don’t know. But I’ve been entrusted with his life. And I plan to see this through…until the very end.

Zero: …Then I wish you the best of luck. *bows to Ren, then vanishes in a swirl of cards*

Ren: *turns to face Kazuto and Shiro* Let’s make for the eastern harbor. There, we’ll board a ship that’ll take us across the sea.

Kazuto: (I guess…this’ll be the last time I set eyes upon Mac Anu… Because of this damn prophecy, I can’t go back home… Is this what my life will be like from now on? Running? Hiding? I want to believe things will go back to the way they were before, but…)

*turning his head, Kazuto gazes at the rising sun and his eyes rest upon a small island in the distance*

Kazuto: (…Mother… Tell me what I should do…)

TO BE CONTINUED…