A little bit of romance, a little bit of fighting, and a little bit of drama. Nice.

Episode 67 Do Not Interfere! II

“It is in Haven.”

The dwarf pauses, and for a moment, the entire room is emptied of his low, coarse voice. At last, he speaks again, his voice raspy and dull.

“The plans for interplanetary travel are kept in a high-security vault deep within Haven. Lord Gilford has his soldiers guarding it day and night. I myself have only glanced at it once, and I would not be able to tell you much or anything at all that is written in it.”

“I see,” Ryuu replies, his voice automatic.

“At least we know now,” Kunai replies, “that the plans are in Haven. All we have to do is go in and steal them. It shouldn’t be that difficult, we’ve done it before, after all.”

“However, that was when Lord Fyx was running things,” Ryuu retorts, “we have no idea how Lord Gilford has things going in there these days. Either way, sneaking into Haven and reading a few computer screens is nothing compared to infiltrating Haven and stealing such an important document.”

“It can still be done, though,” Ayame chips in. “However, it will be considerably more difficult than anything else we’ve done so far. I think it would be best if we only sent a smaller party, about three or four people, in to do this mission. It would be next to impossible with a large group of people.”

“Exactly,” Ryuu replies. “However, although we need the plans, we do not need them immediately. I think it would be best if we saved this particular mission for last. In the meantime, I propose that we should concentrate on building up our forces.”

“Which leads us to our second topic of inquiry,” Wing contributes. “The building of an army in rebellion against the Myougun Empire. We shall need a large force. As I understand, you have much influence over the government of Henesys these days. Can we count on the people of Henesys to join in this rebellion?”

“Now wait a minute,” Kunai interrupts. “Building an army is nice, but it would be pointless right now. Don’t forget what happened to us the last time we were transporting a small army around. If the Myougun realize we’re building up an army, they’ll send their guys out to stop us.

“We should strike first by infiltrating Haven, before they realize that we’re even mobilizing. What would be the point of building an army now? We don’t know enough of the Myougun’s plans to form an offensive against them. Now, if we enter Haven instead, we might be able to—”

“We might be able to find out what they’re up to?” Ryuu asks. “Nice try, Kunai, but I stand by what I said. Entering Haven now is far too dangerous. The point about building an army is so that we may combat them on a large scale. No one expects us to win in a war against the Myougun, but if we can form a large enough force, we can preoccupy them long enough to destroy them from the inside.

“Besides,” Ryuu continues, “George here is working for the Myougun, remember? Going to Haven first would be too risky; George should be able to give us all the info we need for now.”

“That doesn’t make sense, though!” Kunai argues, his voice rising slightly. “We have to take this opportunity to strike against an important headquarters of the Myougun as soon as possible! If we go into Haven, we might meet Lord Gilford as well…and, for sure, I will defeat him then!”

“I know you’ve got a grudge, Kunai,” Ryuu retorts, “but you don’t understand. This isn’t the time to go around trying to beat up your bully. This is real war, and we’ve got to approach it rationally. We can’t afford any mistakes right now.”

“You’re the one that doesn’t understand!” Kunai shouts, slamming his fist on the table. “We can accomplish much more going into Haven right now! If we can gain a foothold against the Myougun, we’d be in a far greater position to strike back against our enemies.”

Ryuu folds his arms, smirking slightly. “I like the fact that you’ve thought this out so much, Kunai,” he answers, “but it won’t work. Trust me.”

“Are you mocking me?!” Kunai snaps back, seething. He draws a Steely. “I feel insulted.”

“Kunai!” Ayame leaps to her feet, restraining Kunai as he struggles to throw his arms at Ryuu.

Ryuu stands up slowly as well, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. “Maybe I am,” he growls.

Tide hops to his feet, putting an arm between Ryuu and Kunai. “Whoa, guys, this ain’t the time for friends to be fighting.”

“Settle down, everyone!” George rumbles. “I shall not have this fighting under my roof. We have come to discuss our plans to combat the Myougun, not bicker amongst ourselves.”

“Fine,” Kunai fumes, “but Ryuu, you should know that I completely disagree with you in every way. I believe that you are totally wrong this time, Ryuu.”

“Humph,” Ryuu replies.

Ayame glances from Ryuu to Kunai, and for the first time, a very worried masks her face. “Ryuu, Kunai. Calm down, both of you. I’ve never seen you two fight like this.”

Kunai sits down, as does Ryuu; however, after giving him one last glare, Kunai folds his arms, and looks away, his eyes now focused on the entrance into the bedroom where Ivy is sleeping.

Rill glances at Kunai as well, noting the anger flaming in his dark eyes. ‘Although I’ve known Kunai only for a few days,’ Rill thinks to himself, ‘I never would’ve imagined him getting this angry over something. What could be the reason behind all this…?’

“At any rate,” George continues, as the hubbub dies down, “I can assure you, Wing, that I will attempt, to the best of my ability, and as surreptitiously as I can, so as not to incur Myougun disapproval, to rouse the people of Henesys against the Myougun. Be forewarned, however, that I may yet fail.

“The Myougun is a powerful foe and the people of Henesys, who live these days under the shadow of Lord Duncan’s domain, are very fearful for their own safety. It will be difficult finding many who will bravely stand up against the Myougun.”

“That is all right,” Wing replies, “I doubt many of my fellow fairies will want to join in on this bid for independence as well. However, we must recruit as many as we can. It is the only way we will win freedom from this terrible empire once and for all.”

“Agreed,” George answers.

The room falls into a long moment of silence, as everybody glances at each other, gloomy expressions on their faces. Ayame sneaks a quick, apprehensive look at both Ryuu and Kunai, her eyes lingering on Ryuu just a brief moment longer.

Rill and Lily, as well, focus their gazes onto Kunai, who remains oblivious to the many eyes resting on him. Instead, he shifts restlessly, his eyes now set on the pane of sunlight on the floor streaming in from the door.

“Lastly,” Wing says, breaking the taciturn atmosphere, “we need to know as much as we can about the Myougun’s motives. In this way…we can come up with a plan.”

Kunai looks up at these words, a faint glitter in his dark eyes. However, very soon, the glimmer disappears, and his dark eyes glaze over into a veil of black silk.

“Motives,” George repeats with a heavy sigh, “I see. Well, although I work within the Myougun, they have not told me much. It is to be expected; only the topmost officials are informed of what is really going on. Those of us in the lower factions merely follow orders.”

“Your job is in the technology department, right?” Ryuu asks. “Well, tell us what you’ve heard while you’ve been in there, then.”

“From what I’ve heard,” George begins, “the Myougun’s motives are simple. Much simpler than expected. Their primary goal by capturing the Phonemes is to break the seals the Four used to separate the four worlds. In essence, their intent is to reunify the four worlds.”

“Reunify?” Ayame repeats. “Why on earth would they want to do that? Lilith would then be free to roam…unless—”

“No,” George interrupts, “they, too, see Lilith as an obstacle. In fact, their hesitance in permanently opening the gateway to the Underworld is because of that. However, it seems that Lord Kimura is pushing for the possession of the Third Phoneme, in order so that he may gain the power to stop Lilith and achieve his aims.”

Lily shifts uncomfortably in her seat, shivering at the mention of Lord Kimura’s name. Kunai glances briefly at her, his eyes cold and his expression hard.

“To reunify the worlds…” Ryuu mutters under his breath, “that is the strangest news I’ve heard yet. I simply thought Kimura wanted world domination. Yet, he wants to reunify them? It must mean that there’s something he wants, and he can only acquire it by reunifying the worlds…otherwise, there’s no purpose in doing so.

“I’m simply guessing here, but if he’s already unlocked the doors between Maple, Rift, and Night, and he’s still unsatisfied, it must mean that whatever he really wants is in the Underworld. That being said, there’s not much there, except for the Gods and a bunch of dead souls.”

“At any rate,” Ayame sighs, “we must stop him, as whatever he’s got planned cannot possibly be good.”

“Right,” Kunai mutters barely audibly.

Night has set in at last upon the lonely dwarven home lost in the hills of Henesys. Silvery stars twinkle gently in the black, purplish nighttime sky, while a sickle moon rises above a storm of thin, grayish clouds.

Crickets chirp contentedly, while the glowing, yellow lights of fireflies hover about in the air. Ryuu and Ayame sit together side by side on the front porch, their faces dark and grim.

Ryuu raises a bottle of purple Warrior Potion in his hand up to his lips, draining the last dregs of it in one gulp. He casts the bottle aside, tossing it onto a growing pile on the wooden porch. With a burp, he wipes his mouth.

Ayame sighs, lowering her head to get a better view of the grassy ground at her feet. She bites her lip uncertainly, while Ryuu ignores her. “Ryuu, about the fight earlier—”

“Ignore it,” Ryuu growls, the bags under his eyes strangely fuller than usual. “Kunai is obviously going through a lot of stress lately. I don’t blame him if he lashes out at me. The problem is—” Ryuu trails off, unsure of how to continue.

“The problem?” Ayame asks, nudging the conversation forward helpfully.

Ryuu leans forward, interlocking his palms on his lap. His eyes narrow dangerously, and his voice rises in a low, grim rasp. “Just as I predicted, Kunai is getting progressively stronger. Don’t pretend you didn’t see that sword he had against Gilford. We were watching him for some time before I stepped in at last.

“Kunai is getting considerably stronger, and at a ridiculously insane rate. The training with Azuma worked, and I’m beginning to think it worked too well. Whatever Azuma did is turning Kunai into some sort of monster.”

“You also said, that time, that if Kunai…” Ayame mumbles.

“That if he got any stronger, I might not be able to stop him anymore,” Ryuu mutters slowly. “And I think that time has come.”

Meanwhile, inside, Kunai sits in a wooden chair in George’s bedroom, his head lowered towards the floor in a deep, meditative state. Outside, in the main room, shouts of laughter and loud, raucous talking rings in.

“You call that a good Lupin impression?!” Tide’s voice shouts loudly. “I’ve got a Stump impression that’ll knock all your socks off!”

His voice is then followed by a series of hoarse gasping and groaning, followed by many laughs.

“That sounded like a Zombie Lupin giving birth to a Stone Golem,” Silver says after a while.

From the bed, Ivy suddenly stirs, turning around with a soft moan. Kunai looks up, his dark face partially obscured by the bangs of black hair covering his eyes.

Ivy glances up, comforted by the sight of Kunai. “Kunai,” she murmurs sleepily, “have you been here all this time? Where are we?”

“Only for a couple hours,” Kunai replies in a low voice. “We’re in George’s house right now. We’re gonna stay until everyone is healed from their injuries and we can come up with our next move against the Myougun.”

“Okay, Kunai,” Ivy whispers back. Suddenly, she blinks. “Kunai! Why are you crying?”

Ivy looks up, only to find a tear or two streaming down Kunai’s cheek. He hurriedly wipes them away with a shaking hand. “N-Nothing,” he murmurs, “go back to sleep.”

“Something’s wrong,” Ivy says immediately, rising into a sitting position on her bed. “Why are you crying, Kunai? Please tell me.”

“Like I said,” Kunai replies uncomfortably, “it’s nothing. I was just…just thinking about my family, that’s all. They—they were all massacred because of the Myougun, after all.”

Ivy’s lip trembles, as she stares into Kunai’s eyes. “Please don’t cry, Kunai,” she murmurs worriedly, “because if you do, you’re gonna make me want to cry too.”

“There’s no need to cry,” Kunai whispers, placing a firm hand on Ivy’s arm. With his other hand, he brushes a strand of hair away from her eyes.

For a moment, neither of them blinks. They simply stare into each other’s eyes, both psychologically and physically mesmerized by the look in the other’s eyes. Automatically, they reach forward towards one another, and for one long moment, their lips meet under the shade of moonlight streaming in through the window.

Sunlight streams in where previously there was only moonlight. Streams of it fall in dappled rays on the bed where Ivy is sleeping. Around the entire house, not another soul is awake. Sasha remains unconscious next to her, while Ryuu, Ayame, Wing, Lily, Tide, Silver, Rill, and George are asleep in the main room outside.

All of a sudden, Ivy turns, snoring, and tumbles out of her bed. “Whoa!” she screams, fumbling around on the floor for some time. She finally regains herself, rubbing her head embarrassedly where she’d fallen.

She gets up, clutching the blanket, and her hand wraps around something thin and papery. She stares, and pulls it out. In her hand she is holding a handwritten note, written in blank ink on a scratch piece of parchment.

Upon further inspection, Ivy immediately recognizes the handwriting as Kunai’s. Without hesitance, Ivy begins reading, her eyes widening more and more:

‘Dear Ivy,

By the time you read this, I shall be long gone. I did not want to alarm you last night, although I wanted to tell you everything so badly. It pains my heart to leave your side, but I feel like I have no other choice. Ryuu is an obstacle, an obstruction that is blindly leading us to doom.

Because of that, I have decided it is time that I must part ways with him. I wish I could have told you last night, I wish even more that I could have taken you along, but it is just too dangerous. I will not tell you where I am going, and please, don’t attempt to follow me.

If you do, I might not be able to complete what I set out to do—defeat the Myougun, my way. What Ryuu and the others are hoping to achieve by building up an army will fail. I have left in order to defeat the Myougun myself.

Please do not take this personally; I love you very much, but I have to do this for the good of the world. Not only that, but I can’t feel content until I know that the Myougun is long dead. They have to pay for what they did to my family.

Wait for me if you will, but I don’t know how long I will be gone, or even whether or not I will come back alive. To tell you the truth, I’m a little scared, but this is what I’ve decided to do. Please tell the others where I have gone. They don’t need to wait for me, or look for me.

Love,

Kunai’

Tears begin streaming down Ivy’s eyes uncontrollably, as a high-pitched wail escapes from her lips. All of a sudden, she falls to her knees, crushing the letter in her hands. She wipes her eyes furiously, yet tears come out faster than she can wipe them away.

With a rumble, Ryuu and Ayame, followed by the others, stumble into the room. They stare worriedly at Ivy, appalled by her sudden outburst of crying. “Ivy!” Ayame shouts. “What the hell is the matter?!”

Ivy merely shakes her head, unable to stop the crying long enough to answer. Instead, she blindly throws the letter into the air, which lands at Ryuu’s feet.

While Ayame rushes to Ivy’s side in order to comfort her, Ryuu picks up the letter, unfolding it, and proceeds to rapidly skim through it. As he finishes reading it, he crushes the letter again in his fist, while his eyes narrow angrily.

“Damn it!” Ryuu shouts. “Kunai’s left us!”

“Left…?” Ayame murmurs. “But where could he have gone?”

A light breeze whispers through the air, ruffling the tips of countless trees standing in a grove. The early morning sun casts a light, warm sunshine down on the ground.

One single figure comes to a stop upon a rocky hill, jutting out from amidst a whole, endless forest of dark trees. Another breeze blows by, seemingly calling out in its strange, whispering language.

Kunai pays no attention to the wind. Instead, he straightens the Dark Identity wrapped around his forehead, as his cold, listless eyes stare down at the heavy, industrialized complex before him.

“Lord Gilford,” he says calmly, “I’ve come for you.”

Next Time: Episode 68 The Fog that Does Not Clear

Otis: Oh, ho, ho! So Kunai-gorilla has left us for better things! I wonder how he’s doing with my boss Lord Gilford! Maybe they’re having cookies and tea as we speak!

Ryuu: They’re enemies, stupid!

Otis: How does this sudden departure of Kunai-gorilla change the tide of the story? There’s only one way to find out, next time, on ‘The Fog that Does Not Clear!’

Episode 68 The Fog that Does Not Clear coming soon!