Tales of the Epitaph 12

[Hayate]

Tales of the Epitaph

Chapter 12: The Ninja’s Rebirth

~ Dol Dona Village, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~

~ Lilithday, Gorre-Lunae 27, AC2038 ~

*Kazuto’s friends’ battle against Sumomo persists, despite the five-on-one handicap placed on Sumomo*

All: *panting*

Sumomo: Hehehe… What’s the matter!? Don’t tell me you’ve had enough already! I’m just getting warmed up over here!

Kazuto: *panting* The stamina of Dol Dona ninjas is unbelievable…! She doesn’t even look tired…!

Ren: She’s been going just as long as we have. She might not look it, but she’s just as tired as we are.

Kazuto: Huh?

Ren: Look closely.

*upon close inspection, it’s discovered that Sumomo’s arms and legs are trembling from heavy fatigue*

Kaori: …Hey, you’re right. But then, how is she…?

Saber: It’s the Tree of Lios. It’s pushing Sumomo’s body past its limits. If this goes on for much longer, she won’t survive.

Shiro: …Look alive, guys! She’s coming again!

*Sumomo dashes towards the party at full speed with a pair of daggers in hand; the party splits up and spreads out towards the left and right to dodge Sumomo’s incoming attack; having predicted this, Sumomo makes a swift 180 as she rushes past the party, motioning a series of seals with her hands as she does so*

Sumomo: Daunian Arte: Zan Kazeha!

*swinging her arms fiercely, Sumomo conjures a small but potent wind to shove the party into the left and right walls of the shrine; the only one still standing before Sumomo was Saber; Saber dashes forward and meets Sumomo’s daggers with her broadsword; several feet to the two’s right, Kaori fires an arrow at Sumomo; noticing the arrow, Sumomo shifts hers and Saber’s weight until Saber was right in the arrow’s line of fire; the arrow pierces an area on Saber’s back not protected by armor*

Saber: Agh!

Kaori: *gasp*

Sumomo: Heh! Careful with those arrows, girly! …H-Huh!?

*glancing down, Sumomo discovers her feet were now encased in stone as a result of Ren’s Gadelican magic*

Ren: Gotcha!

Sumomo: Grrrr…

*with Sumomo now unable to move, Kazuto and Shiro move in with their bladed weapons -- Kazuto from the right, Shiro from the left*

Kazuto/Shiro: HYAH!!!

Sumomo: Tch!

*while Saber was incapacitated from Kaori’s arrow, Sumomo forms another series of seals with her hands and creates a small group of clones to meet Kazuto and Shiro*

Shiro: Grrrr! Again with the clones! Get lost, you damn fakes!

*swinging his dual swords, Shiro makes quick work of the clones, but not before one could pierce his shoulder with a dagger*

Shiro: Gah!

Kaori: Repth!

*with her palm pointed forth, Kaori quickly heals Shiro’s shoulder wound with her healing magic; meanwhile, Kazuto struggles to keep a pair of Sumomo’s clones at bay with his sword*

Kazuto: Argh…!

*one clone vanishes in a puff of white smoke when struck by Ren’s fire magic, and the other vanishes when Kazuto runs her through with his sword; now that everyone’s attention was drawn away from her, the real Sumomo manages to break herself loose of Ren’s petrification magic and distance herself from Saber*

Sumomo: Hehehe! Well, this is getting fun, isn’t it!?

Kazuto: (Dammit, I don’t see any end to this… Who knows how much more strain Sumomo’s body can take?) …Hmm?

*Kazuto could sense an ominous presence coming from behind him; turning his head back just far enough, he notices the Tree of Lios’ roots giving off their usual purple aura*

Kazuto: …

Piscosapiens: …

Kazuto: (…They’re not attacking…)

*upon closer inspection of the Piscosapiens, Kazuto discovers that their eyes glowed the same color as the orb in his hand*

Kazuto: (It’s…controlling them…!)

*with a fierce wail, the Piscosapiens converge upon Kazuto once more; thinking quickly, Kazuto lifts the orb above his head, draws his sword, and…*

Kazuto: HYAAAAAH!!!!!

*…shatters the orb into thousands of fragments*

Kazuto: …!!! Of course! *looks over at Shiro* Shiro! Cover me!

Shiro: Huh? Cover you? What are you about to--?

*before Shiro could finish his question, Kazuto brandishes his blade sword and sprints toward the tree*

Shiro: H-Hey! Kazu!

Sumomo: HEY!!! You stay away from there!

*Sumomo dashes forward to hinder the attack, but Shiro jumps in front of her to cover Kazuto*

Shiro: Sorry, carrot-top! Your fight’s with me at the moment!

Sumomo: Damn you…!

*detecting Kazuto’s frontal assault, the tree’s roots fling themselves towards him in an attempt to deter him; Kazuto swipes his sword at the tree’s attacking roots and draws ever closer; once finally within range, he leaps high into the air…*

Kazuto: KYAAAAAAAH!!!!!

*…and with a furious vertical slash into the tree’s trunk, he exposes the purple orb beneath*

Kazuto: Hah! Found ya!

*in a last-ditch effort, the tree’s roots stretch out and upward to take a hold of Kazuto’s body; as the tree wraps its roots around Kazuto’s limbs, it attempts to tear off his arms and legs*

Kazuto: AAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Ren/Kaori: Kazu!

Saber: Sir Kazuto!

Kazuto: Don’t…worry about me…! D-Destroy the orb…!

Sumomo: *in a distorted voice* You WILL stay away from this tree!

Shiro: !!!

Sumomo: This land is MINE to extract life from! Interfere, and the next breath you draw will be your last!

*Kaori fires a volley of arrows towards the exposed orb, but the tree’s roots repel them as they draw near*

Kaori: My attacks can’t get through!

Ren: Earth below, reveal thy force! Gan Bolg!

*from underneath the shrine’s solid flooring, Ren summons a group of jagged rocks and hurls them at the roots that were suspending Kazuto; the rocks sever the roots and Kazuto falls to the ground; shortly picking himself back up and grasping the hilt of his sword, Kazuto focuses his eyes on the orb, which was slowly sinking back into the safety of the tree’s trunk*

Kazuto: Oh, no…you don’t…!

*Kazuto prepares to destroy the orb, but at the last second, a single root reaches out and wraps tightly around Kazuto’s neck, and starts to asphyxiate him*

Kazuto: AAAAGGGHHH…!!!

Sumomo: It’s time you learned your place, you fleshy little meddler!

Shiro: You know, that voice of yours is starting to irritate me!

*Ren points her palm forward to cast another spell…*

Ren: Conflagration--!

*…but before Ren could complete her incantation, the tree extends another of its roots her way and forces her to go on the defensive*

Ren: Grrrr…!

*with the tree keeping Ren and Kaori at bay, and Shiro and Saber kept busy with Sumomo, Kazuto was on his own*

Kazuto: Nngh…!

*he struggles to raise his blade-holding arm and keep his eyes open; just a few feet before him, the purple orb controlling Sumomo and the Tree of Lios glows its brightest*

Kazuto: …This is…the end of the line for you…!!!

*with whatever strength Kazuto had left, he raises his arm and drives the blade straight into the orb*

Sumomo: *deep gasp*

*like before her body was taken over, Sumomo collapses to her knees and grasps her stomach in anguish*

Sumomo: W-What…have you…done…?!?

Shiro: Heh. In my line of work, that’s what we call chalking one up for the good guys.

Sumomo: Ah… Ahhh… AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

*as Kazuto removes his blade from the cracked orb, it shatters into thousands of fragments, and the clash of energies generates such a force that blows the party clear across, and out the sealed doors of, the shrine; after regaining their composure, the party finds itself back outside*

Kaori: Ohhhh… Someone make everything stop spinning…

Ren: Is it over…? Did we win?

Saber: It appears that way…

Sumomo: Ohhhh…

Kazuto: Sumomo! Are you alright?

Sumomo: …The tree… Is it…?

*looking towards the Tree of Lios, the group notices that its purple glow from before was gone*

Shiro: …It’s alright now. We’ve succeeded.

Sumomo: *sigh* Thank goodness… Hmm? *groan* …Um…might I be so bold as to ask for some assistance in standing up? I…can’t seem to move.

Ren: Hahahaha. Of course.

*Ren and Saber help Sumomo to her feet and support her as the party begins its trek back to the village; Kazuto stays behind momentarily, looking back towards the shrine*

Kazuto: …First the Piscosapiens in the Crimson Sea, and now here in Dol Dona… These purple orbs that are controlling living things -- just what are they…?

*just a short while later, the party returns to the village and are confronted by a small group of angry villagers*

Man 1: Hey, devil girl! What do you think you’re doing!?

Sumomo: Huh?

Woman 1: What were you doing at the shrine of Lios just now!?

Woman 2: No doubt tainting it with her demonic aura!

Sumomo: I-I wasn’t--

Man 2: You just can’t leave well enough alone, can you!? You just have to go out of your way to cause trouble for us!

Man 1: Do you want the Great Lios to be even angrier with us!?

Sumomo: …I…

Ren: That’s enough! Sumomo’s not who you say she is!

Shiro: If it weren’t for Sumomo, your village would still be at the mercy of a false god!

Man 2: Shut up! This doesn’t concern you outsiders!

*Sumomo cringes in slight pain when a rock suddenly connects with her head*

Kaori: *gasp*

Woman 3: Get lost, you monster! Just leave us alone already!

Sumomo: …

: Enough!

*in response to the booming voice, the group of villagers harassing Sumomo turns around to face a violet-haired woman; she had a bandage concealing her right eye, was wearing a black dress with floral design, and in her left hand was a blade with a white sheath*

Sumomo: *gasp*

Man 1: Y-Yuasa! What are you doing here?

Yuasa: Watching the honor of my people fall further down the drain. Is this what the once-great ninja village of Dol Dona has been reduced to? Treating one of our own as the devil’s advocate?

Man 3: Hmph! As if you’re one to talk, Yuasa! Have you forgotten what happened 7 years ago!? Or does the bandage you wear over your eye not serve as enough of a reminder!?

Yuasa: … *places palm over bandage* …The only thing this reminds me of is how little I’d done to help my student.

Man 2: Even now, you still refer to this monster as your student?

Yuasa: Perhaps if you’d refrain from calling her a “monster” for a bit, you’d take a moment to glance at the soil on which you stand.

All: …?

*looking down at the ground around them, the villagers notice flower buds sprouting from various spots in the soil*

Woman 1: Ah! Flower buds! It’s been years since any have sprouted!

Woman 3: It’s a miracle! The Great Lios has forgiven us!

Kazuto: Miracle!? This is no work of god! Sumomo was the one who--

Man 1: Come! We must inform the others!

*ignoring Kazuto, the villagers quickly depart*

Kazuto: …But…it wasn’t…

Yuasa: *steps forward* Don’t worry. It will take some time, but the rest of Dol Dona will come to acknowledge what Sumomo has done for the village.

Sumomo: …Yuasa-sensei… I…

Yuasa: …You’ve grown, Sumomo. You’re stronger than before. Much stronger.

Saber: Were you watching her from before?

Yuasa: I’ve always been watching Sumomo. Even after the incident. Most would’ve likely sought retaliation if placed in a situation such as hers. But she persevered, and tried her absolute hardest for the sake of those she loved. After today…I’ve never been prouder to be her teacher.

Sumomo: …Oh, sensei… *sobs* Sensei!

*overcome with emotion, Sumomo runs into the open arms of her teacher*

Sumomo: I’m so sorry, sensei! *sobs* I never meant to hurt you!

Yuasa: You have nothing to be sorry for, Sumomo. I’ve seen the things you do for the village’s sake. I’m proud of the person you’ve become.

*as they watch the emotional moment between Sumomo and Yuasa, Kazuto’s friends smile contently among themselves; a short time later, the group converses one last time with Sumomo at the entrance to Dol Dona*

Sumomo: I…don’t know how to thank all of you. In the short time we’ve spent together, you’ve done so much for me. I’m very grateful.

Kaori: Heh. It was our pleasure.

Shiro: Although…if you’re looking to show appreciation, there is one thing you could do…

Sumomo: …Yes, you’re right. Now that my home and family are on the road to recovery, there’s no purpose in me involving myself with Atrum Neux anymore. …I’ll send a notice of my resignation to Beatrice soon.

Saber: Thank you. This is most welcome news to us.

Sumomo: *bows* I wish you the best of luck. Take care.

*at last taking their leave of Dol Dona, Kazuto and company make their way back to the southern Mac Anu shore*

Shiro: Well, this is a banner day, isn’t it? Not only did we help free a small Mac Anu village from the clutches of poverty, but Atrum Neux is now down one member. Like we’re doing the world a service one city at a time.

Ren: That’s a rather optimistic way of looking at it.

Shiro: Heh. What can I say? Kazu’s rubbing off on me.

Kazuto: Hehehe…

Saber: Yes, well, let’s not lower our guard just yet. As far as we know, four assassins still remain in Beatrice’s forces. As soon as she catches wind of Sumomo’s desertion, she’ll no doubt double her efforts.

Kaori: Hee-hee. No need to hide it, Saber. You’re in a good mood over this too.

Saber: …Heh. Perhaps.

Kaori: Hahaha! Well, alright then! C’mon, guys, let’s hurry back to the ship and tell Captain Ciel the good--! *gasp*

*upon exiting the woods, Kaori is the first to see the entire Arc-en-Ciel crew dead on the sandy Mac Anu shore and, in utter shock, lets out a loud scream*

Ren: Kaori! What’s the matter!? *gasp*

Shiro: …Oh, good lord… W-Who could’ve…?

*at the sight of the massacre, Kazuto clenches his teeth and tightens his hands into fists*

Kazuto: …Atrum Neux…! They just don’t know where to draw the line, do they…!?

Saber: But…this much senseless bloodshed…

Kazuto: It couldn’t have been anyone else! Only those…murderers lack the remorse to do something like this!

Shiro: …Even murderers have motives for killing…

Kazuto: You’re defending them, Shiro?!?

Shiro: Of course not, but do you disagree? What is Atrum Neux’s motive for trying to kill you, Kazu? Money. What would their motive be for slaying the Arc-en-Ciel crew and destroying the S.S. Twilight? My guess is stranding us here in Mac Anu so it’d be easier for them to reach us.

Kaori: …I sense signs of life.

Kazuto: !!!

Ren: …Over there!

*noticing faint movement to the east, the party rushes over and discover Ciel’s body; Kazuto kneels down and takes his body into his lap*

Kazuto: Captain Ciel! Are you okay!? Say something!

Ciel: …Ah… Ohhhh…

Kazuto: *gasp* He’s still alive!

*almost immediately, Kaori and Ren kneel down at Ciel’s side and begin casting healing magic on him*

Ciel: …It’s…about damn time…

Kaori: Who did this to you, Captain!? Was it Atrum Neux!?

Ciel: ‘Twas…a blonde twin-blade with a pretty face…and a redhead with sad eyes…

Shiro: Nanao and Mitsuru!

Ciel: I…got careless…and because of it, my crew… If… If she hadn’t come along, I’d…

Saber: “She”? “She” who?

Ciel: …

Kazuto: Captain!? Captain!!!

Ren: …It’s alright. He’s just lost consciousness.

Kaori: But he’s lost so much blood… If we don’t get him some proper treatment soon, he’ll…!

Shiro: Where are we supposed to go? Dol Dona doesn’t have the available facilities we need, and without the “Twilight”, we’re stuck here.

Ren: …

Saber: …Miss Ren?

Ren: …There’s…a city just a few kilometers north of Dol Dona. Dun Loireag. The clinic there is one of the finest in Mac Anu.

Kazuto: Alright! Dun Loireag it is! I’ll carry Ciel! Let’s hurry!

*with Ciel in tow, the group hurries back northward, but Ren stays behind momentarily, lost in thought*

Ren: …

Kazuto: C’mon, Ren, hurry up!

Ren: O-Oh! Yes, be right there!

*rising to her feet, Ren rushes to catch up with the rest of the party*

Ren: (…Dun Loireag… Of course… It had to be that place…)

~ Capital of LeGable, Kingdom of Mac Anu ~

~ Jinnday, Gorre-Lunae 28, AC2038 ~

*in his castle quarters, Sakaki is seen sitting behind his desk reading a sheet of paper; Beatrice is seen standing a few feet away with her arms crossed*

Beatrice: …

Sakaki: …Would you mind telling me what this is, Miss Beatrice?

Beatrice: What, can’t you read? My ninja girl up and split. The ungrateful little twerp…

Sakaki: …So your Atrum Neux is less one member… Is that it?

Beatrice: …I need a few more days. As of yesterday, I made it so the prince can’t leave Mac Anu. But who knows when he’ll manage to slip away again?

Sakaki: He’s back in Mac Anu, you say? Interesting…

*just then, Sakaki places the sheet of paper down and stands up out of his seat*

Sakaki: …Thank you, Miss Beatrice. You’ve made things so much easier for me.

*saying nothing, Sakaki exits the room and makes his way towards the castle’s prison area downstairs; Beatrice follows close behind*

Beatrice: Hey! Where are you goin’!? We ain’t finished talkin’ yet!

*still saying nothing, Sakaki walks into the prison area, passes by numerous jailed offenders, and stops before the jail cell at the far back*

Sakaki: …Now that his Majesty Prince Kazuto is back in Mac Anu, I must do everything in my power to make sure he does not escape again.

Beatrice: W-Wait… What are you…?

Sakaki: *turns to face Beatrice* Miss Beatrice… I will no longer be requiring the services of you or your Atrum Neux. Consider our verbal contract…void.

Beatrice: *gasp* W-Wait just a damn minute here! We had an end-of-the-month agreement! You’re backing out just ‘cuz of a few slipups!?

Sakaki: … *snaps fingers*

*at the sound of Sakaki’s snap, a pair of LeGable soldiers enters and begins to drag Beatrice away*

Beatrice: Damn you, Sakaki! I ain’t takin’ this lyin’ down! I’m gonna get you for this, you bastard -- mark my words!

*with Beatrice now gone, Sakaki turns back to face the cell and approaches it; a large figure’s silhouette could be seen in the shadows*

: …Well, well. Aren’t I fortunate? Lord Sakaki graces me with his presence. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?

Sakaki: I have a special job that requires someone of your…expertise. I’d heard about your exploits in the Coite-Bodher War, and decided--

: Decided what? To recruit me? To make use of me? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kinda busy serving a life sentence. Besides, whatever amount you’re paying, I have no interest in being a hired hand.

Sakaki: Oh, what I have to offer you holds far more value than any amount of gold. I am aware of the crimes you’ve committed during the war, and I offer to you a chance at redemption. A chance to atone. I offer to you…freedom. Will you hear me out…Kaeion the “Adept Rogue”?

*the figure in the cell rises to his feet and approaches the cell bars; the dim jail lights expose his short snow-white hair and crimson eyes*

Kaeion: …I’m listening.

TO BE CONTINUED…