GuiltyxCreatures
patreon
Guilty x Creatures : Assassin Arc : Chapter 24
🕑 Added 2022-10-15 07:01:01 +0000 UTCChapter 24 : Early Morning
Anton grumbled to himself as he reached over to his nightstand and shut off his phones alarm.
Still several hours away from dawn in their part of the world, the room around him was completely dark, so before pulling his arm back to himself he grudgingly flicked on his bedside lamp.
Pointing her ears straight back, Kianna scrunched up her face with a whine before pulling the blanket up over her head and hiding herself from the light.
Chuckling, Anton leaned over her and began to playfully poke at her ears through the blanket.
“Hey now... C'mon, it's time to get up...” he grinned as the blanket began to twitch in irritation “You knew we were getting up early today. So c'mon, let's get this over with...”
“Hmph!” groaned Kianna “5 more minutes...”
Chuckling again, Anton took hold of the edge of the blanket and slowly peeled it back enough to expose the dark elf hidden beneath.
Glaring up at him with her just barely glowing eyes, Kianna pouted for a second before turning her face into the pillow and groaning again.
“Aw... My poor little dark elf. She's so sleepy...” teased Anton.
“She is!” whined Kianna as she scooted closer and made to snuggle herself up against him.
“I know...” soothed Anton “But unfortunately we got things we have to do today. So have to get up now...”
“Argh! ...Fine!” complained Kianna as she lifted herself up onto her elbows.
Blinking the sleepiness from her eyes, she turned to Anton and smiled softly before leaning towards him and going in for a kiss.
“Hey now!” smiled Anton as he eased away from her “What do you think you're doing? You heard the Doctor's orders! No kissing for the next few days!”
“Hmph! What the Doctor doesn't know won't hurt us!” stated Kianna as she stubbornly continued to lean forward “It's just a little kiss anyway, it doesn't... Wha! Hey!”
Stiffening in surprise, Kianna went still as Anton suddenly flung the blanket back over her head and quickly wrapped his arms around her so as to trap her beneath it.
“Naughty little dark elf...” he whispered as he held her against his chest “When will you ever learn to behave yourself, huh?”
Kianna stayed still for a moment before starting to lightly struggle.
“Let me go...” she whimpered as she looked up at him through the blanket and tried and failed to wiggle her way free.
“Hm... I don't know... You might try to kiss me again...” teased Anton “Will you promise to behave yourself, and listen to the Doctor's orders if I do?”
“...Yes. I will.” grumbled Kianna after a moment of silence.
Laughing through his smiling teeth, Anton loosened his hold and leaned his head back as Kianna immediately shook her head free of the blanket.
Blinking as she looked back up him, Kianna began to pout as she pointed her ears straight back behind her head.
“Bully...” she muttered as she ducked down and nuzzled her head in under Anton's chin “You're so mean to me...”
“I know, and I'm sorry...” smiled Anton as he wrapped his arms back around her.
Kianna sighed heavily through her nose as she let herself go limp in Anton's arms and listened to his heart beat in his chest.
“...Do we really have to get up right now?” she asked softly.
“Yes... Unfortunately we do...” mumbled Anton.
Kianna groaned in annoyance as she stretched out her legs.
“Do we really, really have to though?” she asked again.
“Yes.” chuckled Anton as he moved to rise up onto his elbow “Tell you what though. You go make sure your sisters are awake, and I'll start the shower, so that by the time you get back the water will be warm, and I can wash you.”
“Hmm... Just wash me?” questioned Kianna.
Grinning, Anton leaned over her and stared her straight in the eyes.
“We have a deadline to meet. So if you don't get back quick enough...” he said as he raised his eyebrows for emphasis.
“Okay, fine, I'm going!” exclaimed Kianna as she rolled to her edge of the bed.
“Good girl!” smiled Anton as he watched her bounding form quickly leave the room.
Mica sighed softly as she gazed at herself in the mirror and lightly tugged on the collar that hung around her neck. Unlike the jeweled versions that the dark elves wore, this collar was a more traditional model. Solid black in color and made of a carbon steel shell molded around a silver center, the collar was quite durable and yet still lightweight enough to not be uncomfortable to its wearer.
Simple in design as it may be, there was still no mistaking the collar for anything else but what it truly was. A signal that she was a slave, and a constant reminder of all her mistakes.
Mica shook her head as she drove that idea from her mind. She refused to let her regrets rule her, she had messed up, yes, many times over, but she would not let herself fall into despair. Things were certainly bad for her, but she would stay strong and overcome this situation, she would survive this and in the end, she would be free again.
Her resolve set, Mica turned back to the mirror and let her eyes land back on the collar. She couldn't help but to feel a bit thankful that at least this collar wasn't nearly as flashy looking as either Fiona's or Kianna's were, and that its subtle appearance, along with its smaller size, would make hiding it fairly easy.
Staring at it now, she began to wonder if maybe this was why Anton had chosen this type of collar for her. Maybe he had intended on letting her hide it? He never did say she couldn't. And after all, if he wanted her collar to be noticeable he could easily just make her wear one like the dark elves. ...Though, perhaps her collar not being as fancy as theirs was actually meant to mean something? Maybe having a simple collar was meant to be a sign of where her place was... Maybe it was meant to let her know that she was lower than everyone else... That she was at the bottom...
Mica shook her head again as she mentally berated herself for almost falling back into despair. Sighing again, she let her shoulders slump as she brought her eyes back to the mirror.
She looked tired... she was tired. Last night had been the first full night of solid sleep she had gotten in days. Her first night as a slave had been a restless one, as she had been on guard all night, fearful of and fully expecting Anton to appear and come for her at any moment. He never did though. Not that she was convinced that he wouldn't try at some point or another. So far at least he hadn't made any moves to do so... Though even if he did, there was nothing she could do to stop him...
Grumbling incomprehensibly, Mica banished the negative thoughts from her head. Annoyed with herself now, she took a deep breath as she mentally commanded herself to stop letting herself slip like that. Taking stock of the positives, she looked around the bathroom and immediately registered that the bathroom itself was a positive. This was her bathroom, which was connected directly to her new room, which she had been allowed to pick out herself. She could have easily ended up back in the dungeon, but instead she now had her own room with a bathroom. This was a nice room too, it was big, even bigger than the one she had at home. It was a private place for her, complete with a lockable door. She liked this room. And she also liked her new bedroom set, it was nice, and she had also been allowed to pick it out as well. Everything had been in pieces when they got it, but Anton, Fiona and Kianna had spent the evening helping her put it all together... They had wanted to help her... They had helped her a lot lately...
They had even fought for her...
Mica's jaw tightened involuntarily as her conflicting emotions warred inside her and she thought back to the conversation she had just had with Dr. Creek.
Did she really trust Anton? Or the dark elves for that matter?
She really wasn't sure...
On the one hand, she absolutely hated them all. They were monstrous people and she could never forget all the torture and humiliation they had put her through! ...And yet, at the same time, on the other hand... She did owe them her life...
The pondering kiochi was suddenly pulled away from her thoughts by a knock at her bedroom door.
“Mica?” called Kianna “Are you awake in there?”
“Yeah, I'm awake.” answered Mica as she stuck her head out of the bathroom and spoke at her bedroom door “I'm getting ready right now.”
“Okay, just checking.” said Kianna as she stepped away.
A moment later Mica heard another knock coming from further down the hall, which was followed by the muffled back and forth of Kianna talking to Fiona through her bedroom door, and this conversation quickly grew in intensity as they started to lightly argue with each other.
Ignoring them, Mica put her previous thoughts aside and finished getting ready by taking a long, hot shower, tying her hair back into a simple ponytail and getting dressed before finally leaving her room.
Making her way downstairs, she found a very refreshed looking Anton in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee and petting Molly. Once the dark elves joined them, they had a quick breakfast and after double checking the coordinates on his phone, Anton opened a portal and they were off.
Stepping out of the portal, the group found themselves surrounded by dense pine forest and majestic, towering mountains. The early morning chill was nearly as breathtaking as the scenery that now lay all around them. Wisps of heavy fog rolled down the sides of the mountains and hung lazily in the air as the gray skies above were just barely showing the early signs of the coming daylight. The quiet hour was broken by the first few faint chirps of unseen birds as they were just beginning their morning chorus.
Having arrived in the designated portal area that was adjacent to a parking lot, Anton led the group down a walkway towards a massive wooden structure that a first glance appeared to be a hunting lodge.
“Okay, so before we get up there. There's a few things I should let you guys know about Mokai.” said Anton as they came to a wooden stairway that led upwards “He's ex-military, and as such he can have a bit of an intense character to him. He's a nice enough guy though, and very reasonable. As a civilian, he not only collects all kinds of weapons, but he practices with them at a professional level as well. In fact, this isn't just his home, it's also a school that he runs himself. Here he trains others on how to fight with various weapons and also teaches classes on wilderness survival on top of the combat training.”
“Really...” mused Mica as she looked up at the lodge with new interest.
“Yes, he's a very knowledgeable person, though I wouldn't get too excited if I were you, Mica.” said Anton as he glanced back at her “As there's one other thing that I do need to mention about Mokai. And it's that he is not at all very tolerant of Infernals.”
“...Wait, so he doesn't like Infernals?” asked Kianna as she too glanced at Mica.
“As a whole, no. Though from what I understand he doesn't have any issues with mazzikin. He is not fond of fiends though, and that includes cubi's.” answered Anton “In fact, he actually runs several courses designed around fighting Infernals. And I would be very surprised if at least one of those classes wasn't dedicated to dealing with shinoccubi specifically.”
“Oh, goody...” mumbled Mica as she rolled her eyes “So what? Should I just wait outside or something?”
“Oh no, that won't be necessary.” said Anton “Like I said, Mokai is a reasonable person. So I'm sure he'll be suspicious of you but I doubt he'll be hateful in any way. Just don't expect much in the way of a warm welcome is all.”
“Huh. Well thanks for the heads up, I guess...” said Mica.
“Of course.” said Anton as they came up to the wide landing in front the lodge's entrance “Another thing for everyone to remember is to not give out the names of any of Mica's family members. Things are already complicated enough with them, and the last thing we don't need to do is add Mokai to that mix. So just don't mention any of them by name. Understand?”
“Yes.” rang out the dark elves and Mica in unison.
“Good.” said Anton.
“Uh, aren't we going inside?” asked Fiona as Anton veered to the left and away from the front doors.
“No, those doors should still be closed and locked.” explained Anton “Mokai is supposed to be waiting for us around back though.”
“Oh, okay.” said Fiona.
Following a gravel path around the side of the building, the group rounded the back corner and came upon a wide open clearing with what looked like sparring rings, running tracks and obstacle courses set up along its back half.
Facing all this was a broad, wooden beam, high ceiling, raised porch, which ran down the entire length of the back side of the lodge. And situated just in front of this porch were multiple rows of seating, which consisted of half cut logs made into long rustic benches.
And on the far side of this porch, sitting cross-legged on a stack of what appeared to be some kind of massive pillows, cushions or possibly even bean bags, was a figure that could only be assumed to be Mokai.
Resting with the air of someone in a state of meditation, the figure had an odd feel to him as he sat silently staring outwards towards the coming dawn. This sense of strangeness was due in most part to the large purple sheet he had draped over both himself as well as the stack of large pillows he sat on. Aside from giving him a monk-like appearance, as it hung over the top of his head, this sheet had also apparently been dampened with warm water, as not only did it cling to the figure's being, but faint wisps of steam were steadily rising from all around it. Adding to his sage-like appearance, the figure had a large, round mug nestled in his hands that seemed to be filled with a warm drink as indicated by a thin, stream of steam that rose from it to join with the steam rising from the sheet around him.
“Good morning, Mokai.” called Anton with a cheery tone.
“Good morning.” answered the figure with a nod “Glad you could make it, Anton. ...And I see you brought some friends with you.”
“Yes, I hope that's not a problem?” said Anton.
“No, not at all.” answered Mokai as he nodded to the benches just in front of himself “Please, take a seat. Can I offer any of you a drink?”
“Oh, no. Don't trouble yourself.” said Anton as he indicated that everyone should sit “No reason to get uncomfortable.”
“Hardly a problem.” said Mokai “But if you insist. ...So, who do we have here with us today?”
Gazing up at the now high sitting figure, Mica and the dark elves couldn't help but to squint a bit as they all tried to make out any details of the being they were looking at. Unfortunately, the only portion of him that could be seem around the sheet that was draped over him was his lower face, from his eyes downwards and even this small bit was still heavily obscured by a deep shadow.
“Ah, yes. These two are Kianna and Fiona Vale, and at the end there is Mica, our bodyguard.” said Anton as he went down the line from who was sitting next to him “Everyone, this is Alan Mokai. He's the one who'll hopefully be able to help us figure out which clan our sword has come from.”
Mica had a slight grimace marring her features as she tentatively grinned up at Mokai.
“Good morning, Mr. Mokai.” said Kianna as she smiled brightly.
“Good morning to you as well, Miss Kianna. And please, just Mokai is fine.” said Mokai as he nodded to her “Mr. Mokai is my Father.”
“Okay, and you can just call me Kianna too. It's very nice to meet you!” said Kianna
“You as well, Kianna.” nodded Mokai as he inclined his head to her “It's a pleasure.”
Smiling with legitimate delight, Kianna couldn't help but to feel a bit elated and impressed that Mokai seemed to be one of the rare individuals who had no qualms whatsoever with the fact that she and her sister were dark elves.
“...This is an interesting place you got here, Mokai.” said Fiona as she craned her neck back and let her eyes wandered across the clearing “...So you really do teach classes on how to fight here?”
“I do. Among other things.” answered Mokai.
“...That's cool.” nodded Fiona as she continued to look around “Really cool...”
“Thank you.” said Mokai as he shifted his head to the side and looked in Mica's direction.
Seeing that his attention was on her, Mica nervously turned away in a bid to act as though she hadn't noticed him looking at her.
“...You certainly keep some interesting company, Anton.” said Mokai as he gazed at each member of the group for another moment “...Dark elves, and a kiochi. ...Interesting company indeed.”
“Yes, I lead quite the blessed existence.” smiled Anton as he reached over and gave a grinning Kianna a light, one armed hug.
“Quite.” nodded Mokai as he took a sip of his drink “Well then, shall we get down to business? I'm assuming that's the sword you called me about?”
“Yes, this is the one.” said Anton as he stood up and went to hand Mokai the sword “Careful, its been enchanted, though I haven't been able to identify how yet.”
Setting his drink down on a small table that was sitting next to him, Mokai hummed softly as he took the offered sword, removed it from its sheath and used both hands to hold it out in front of himself. After silently looking over the sword for several long moments he hummed again as he absently began to nod his head.
Having retaken his seat, Anton and the others all quietly watched as a faint glow began to emanate from around the sword.
“...Yes. ...There are at least 4 different enchantments here. ...And possibly more.” mumbled Mokai as he turned the sword over in his hands “An aura ignition, a charm breaker... and what I believe may be a mana pool breaker as well. ...I'm not sure what this fourth one is though? ...It's not a self destruction hex. And I don't believe it's a tracer of any kind. ...I don't know what this is?”
“Hm, those other enchantments all make sense...” mused Anton “Do you think the fourth one might be some kind of identifier? Something that would let the owner, or the clan know exactly who is using the weapon?”
“I doubt it.” mumbled Mokai as he shook his head “Something like that would be too easy to trace back to the source. Assassins won't ever use anything on their weapons that would link them back to the owners. That's also why most of their weapons rarely ever have any kind of safeties...”
To illustrate his point, Mokai held the sword out in front of himself and activated the aura ignition enchantment. The moment he did, the sword's blade instantly lit up with the soft silver light of his aura. Now appearing as though it was made of solidified plasma, the sword began to pulsate in time with a faint, electrical sounding hum that emanated out from it. This hum grew into a whooshing sound as Mokai swung the sword from side to side and effortlessly cut through the air with it.
“See what I mean. So long as you know how to activate the enchantments, anyone can use them.” said Mokai.
“...Wait? If they don't link their weapons to themselves then why couldn't I use Nok-I mean, that kiochi... That one bitch's gun!?” asked Fiona as she sheepishly glanced at Anton “It was synced to her, so I couldn't fire it...”
“Oh, that's simple.” said Anton as he made an effort to remain nonchalant “I'm guessing she didn't get that gun from her clan. Nor did she make it herself. In fact, she might have actually bought it legally, though I doubt that. And as for why she would even be carrying it in the first place? Well, if anything, I'd say she was more than likely only meant to use it as a last resort. Something to defend herself with, rather than as a primary weapon.”
Mokai nodded in agreement as he deactivated the swords enchantment and laid it across his lap.
“It sounds as though you've had some interesting experiences lately.” he said as he looked at Anton “Do you mind telling me what happened?”
“...Unfortunately there's really not much I can say. You see, I'm afraid that this is a very sensitive situation. And not one that I'm willing to involve too many people in.” explained Anton.
“...I see. Well, while that is regrettable.” mumbled Mokai “I'd still be interested in hearing whatever it is you can tell me. Especially as any extra information you can give would only help to identify where this sword came from.”
“Hm... Fair enough.” mumbled Anton as he crossed his arms over his chest “Just understand that I can't give out any of the finer details, so you may need to read between the lines a bit.”
Mokai nodded as he slid the sword back into its sheath and settled in against the large cushion that was propped up behind him as he readied himself to listen to what Anton had to say.
Keeping things as vague as possible, Anton gave a quick, chopped up retelling of what happened over the last few days. As he explained it, the sword they had was taken from an assassin who had tried to kill him with it, and whose clan mates had later appeared to try and reclaim it. And how they were now trying to figure out which clan these assassins had come from so as to take the fight to them.
For his part, Mokai stayed mostly quiet, with the few questions he did ask being neither overly prying nor intrusive but simple things that he seemed interested in having clarified. When Anton finally finished, he remained silent for a few more moments before slowly looking over towards Mica.
“...Alright then. I think I can understand why you feel it's necessary to try to keep so much information to yourself.” he said as he kept his eyes on the kiochi “As well as what you mean by reading between the lines... Though, just because I may understand parts of your situation does not mean that I'm willing to completely play along, Anton. There is an obvious gap in your story, one that I see no reason to ignore.”
Anton said nothing as he followed Mokai's gaze to Mica, as he looked over at her, he gave her and the dark elves all a reassuring grin.
“I have more questions, and I would appreciate it if you would tell me the full truth.” stated Mokai “And first and foremost among them, I'd like to know whether or not this kiochi that's here with you, Mica, is the assassin that tried to kill you?”
“...Yes. She is.” said Anton with a nod.
“And why is she here with you now?” asked Mokai.
“Well it's like I said, she's our new bodyguard.” said Anton as he smiled at Mica “Or, bodyguard in training, I suppose.”
“And how did that come to be the case?” questioned Mokai as he turned to face Anton “Did her clan give her to you? Or did you make some kind of deal with them?”
“No. There's no agreement to speak of, least not officially.” said Anton as he shook his head “Truth be told, Mica herself is not part of a clan, and has never been part of a clan.”
“...Then where did this sword come from?” asked Mokai “Was she not the one who had it?”
“She was.” nodded Anton.
“Then where did she get it from?” questioned Mokai as he shifted his gaze back to Mica.
“She borrowed it, from her parents.” said Anton “Who are themselves, in a clan.”
“...Her parents are in a clan, but she isn't part of that clan?” questioned Mokai.
“Correct.” nodded Anton.
“...You're being reckless by letting these shinoccubi get as close to you as you have. And I don't intend to do the same, I think it's time for you to leave.” said Mokai as he shook his head “I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play with this nonsense, but I don't want any part of it.”
“This isn't a game, Mokai.” signed Anton “Look, here's the truth. Mica's parents are in a clan, but due to certain circumstances they were given a level of freedom that allowed them to keep Mica's existence a secret and raise her outside of the clan. Unfortunately, this led to a disconnection between them that resulted in a sense of longing in Mica. So taking it upon herself, she sought to bridge the gap with her parents by proving herself in their eyes. This, was a misguided decision. And it obviously didn't work out for her. But now because she's put herself out there like this, her existence has become known, and it may be only a matter of time before her parent's clan makes an effort to investigate her. Which is why we need to know who they are, we need to be able to-”
“You can't be serious.” stated Mokai as he interrupted Anton “Do you honestly expect me to have sympathy for someone who tried to connect with her parents by committing a murder?”
“...Again, it was a misguided decision on her part.” said Anton.
“To say the least.” said Mokai “And even if this was all as legitimate as you say it is, then you're acting just as misguided as well, if not down right stupid.”
“...Excuse me?” said Anton.
“Tell me exactly why you're so trusting of this kiochi after what she's tried to do to you. And while you're at it explain to me how you can be so sure that this isn't some ruse on her part.” said Mokai.
“Ruse? ...What are you implying?” asked Anton.
“I'm implying that this could all be some kind of long play on the part of these shinoccubi, that they could have some reason for wanting to get close to you. Perhaps they're after some kind of information you have, or they want access to any valuables that they know you're keeping.” said Mokai “Whatever the case may be, it's a fools end to ever trust them at face value. And I assume that you're smart enough to understand this. So I'm asking you, why are you willing to trust this kiochi like this?”
“Ah, I see what you mean now.” said Anton “Well as I've said before, there are details to this situation that I'm afraid I still need to keep to myself. But suffice to say, there's no reason for me to think that this is some kind of ploy. As at this point I don't feel that any of the shinoccubi involved are a threat, save for the clan itself, the same clan that we're trying to identify.”
“And how do you really know that this kiochi isn't actually part of that clan? Because she told you she wasn't? And you just believed her? How do you know she isn't going to betray you, Anton?” asked Mokai “What makes you so certain that it's even safe to have her around?”
Blinking, Anton turned to Mica and raised an eyebrow.
“Wait, do you not see that collar around her neck?” he said as he looked back at Mokai “She's been enslaved, Mokai. She couldn't betray me if she wanted to. She doesn't even have that option anymore.”
Pausing for a moment, Mokai turned back to Mica before going still again.
“She's not a threat at all.” said Anton “But her parent's clan is, which is why we're tying to figure out who they are.”
“...How did you do that?” questioned Mokai.
“...What do you mean?” asked Anton.
“...You really enslaved her?” asked Mokai as he turned back to Anton.
“Yes?” confirmed Anton.
“...I see. ...Well that changes things.” mumbled Mokai as he again looked at Mica.
Fed up with this conversation, Mica's tail curled up high over her head as she glared at Mokai.
“Oh. So now I'm suddenly trustworthy now that you know I'm a slave, huh!?” she exclaimed as she crossed her arms over her chest “Guess the fiend isn't so scary now that she's under control, eh!?”
Mokai said nothing as he continued to stare at her.
“...Look! This ain't a scam, okay! I'm not trying to fuck anybody over!” continued Mica “And I'm not a threat to you or anybody. I haven't even done anything at all since I got here! But oh no! I'm a kiochi, so you're gonna be suspicious of me regardless, even when you don't even know me!”
“I know you've tried to kill someone.” said Mokai in an even tone “And that alone gives me all the reason I need to be suspicious of you.”
Mica went still for a moment as her face twisted in rage.
Expecting her to continue, Mokai was surprised when she sighed in defeat, slumped her shoulders and looked at the ground.
“...Yeah, I did.” mumbled Mica as she closed her eyes and shook her head “But I didn't want to... Not that, that matters though... I was stupid. And I knew I was being stupid, even when I was doing it...”
Everyone stayed silent as Mica sighed again and lifted her head.
“I fucked up. Big time. And I know I did.” she said as she looked straight at Mokai “But whatever it takes... I will pay for my mistakes.”
Looking past the dark elves, Mica turned and locked eyes with Anton.
“I'll wear this collar. I'll serve him, and I'll protect them.” she declared “And I'm not going to do this because I'm being commanded to, or because I have no choice. ...I'm gonna do it because I want to!”
Mokai remained still as Mica turned back to him.
“I know you don't trust my kind, and yeah, trust me, I get it! They suck!” she exclaimed “...But I'm not like them. Okay! ...This isn't a scam or a ploy or a game, or anything! ...This is just these guys trying to help me. That's it! ...They're just trying to help me. They're the only people that are trying to help me...”
Dropping her eyes back to the ground, Mica wrapped her crossed arms around her torso as she hugged herself in despair.
“I fucked up, and they're still trying to help me...” she whimpered as her eyes welled with tears “I owe them everything... And I would never betray them... I trust them!”
Mica went stiff as Fiona and Kianna suddenly appeared on either side of her. Wrapping their arms protectively around the smaller figure, the dark elves held the sobbing kiochi between them. They tightened their hold on her when they felt Mica's tail slowly wrap itself around them to complete the embrace.
Staring at them for a long moment, Anton couldn't help but to let a thin smile spread across his face.
“This is why we need your help, Mokai.” he said softly.
“...Yes. It's clear that there is more going on here than I realized.” said Mokai with a nod “...You really do keep some interesting company, Anton.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” chuckled Anton.
“Maybe not... Sadly though, there really isn't much info I can give you at the moment.” said Mokai as he looked at the sword in his lap “There's no question that this is a shinoccubi clan sword, but I can't say which clan it came from... There's just no easy way to know. These swords are made in such a way that they're difficult to track.”
“Hm, that's disappointing. But not necessarily surprising...” grumbled Anton “Well if this sword is going to be a bust, do you have any ideas for what we should try next?”
“Now hold on a moment. I may not be able to tell you anything myself, but that doesn't mean this sword is a hopeless case.” said Mokai “Let me ask around a little bit. Some of the people I know may be able to tell us more about this sword than I can. So just give me a little time, and I'll see what I can dig up.”
“I'd appreciate that, I really would.” said Anton “And if you could let me know as soon as you find out anything, that would be great.”
“Of course.” nodded Mokai “I just wish I could be more helpful right now...”
“...Well, there is actually one other thing that you might be able to help with.” said Anton as he stared at the sword.
“Oh, and what's that?” asked Mokai.
“Well, and I hate to even ask out of the blue like this.” said Anton as he looked over to where the dark elves were still comforting Mica “But do you think you could have one of your staff give my bodyguard an assessment of some sort?”
“An assessment?” repeated Mokai.
“Yeah, something to give me an idea of where they think her skill level lies. And whether or not there's anything specific I should have her focus on.” explained Anton as he turned back to Mokai “You see, Mokai, being able to protect us is a nice idea and all. But the reality is that she really needs to be able to protect herself. She's never had any actual combat training in her life, and she's now in a position where she is going to be facing real danger. And not even because I intend to put her in harms way, but because danger itself is going to come for her... It already has come for her, and it's going to come again, whether she's ready for it or not.”
Shifting his head to the side, Mokai remained silent for a moment as he watched an irritated Mica grudgingly allow Kianna to clean her face with a handkerchief.
“...Can she fight at all?” he asked softly.
“...In a rudimentary sense, yes.” said Anton with a half shrug “Though I'd say that any basic skill on her part has probably more to do with instinct than anything else.”
Mokai nodded slowly as he shifted his shoulders back and forth.
“Hmph... Well maybe we need to test those instincts a bit...” he said as he set the sword down on the table next to his drink “And see just how strong they really are...”
“Sounds good to me.” nodded Anton as he turned back to the kiochi “Mica! Come here for a second, please.”
“What?” questioned Mica as she looked around Kianna and then quickly got to her feet “What's up?”
“Mokai has been kind enough to offer to give you an assessment today.” explained Anton as he nodded to Mokai.
“...Okay, cool.” said Mica as she came up to stand almost between them “What does that mean?”
“Nothing too complicated. I'm just going to test your skills a bit with a simple strength test.” said Mokai as he began to stretch by lightly twisting back and forth at the waist “Something like an arm wrestling match. Simple. That's all.”
“Oh. Okay, cool.” said Mica as her tail curled excitedly “Yeah, I'm down for that!”
“Wait, you're going to do it yourself?” asked Anton “Are you sure you're in any condition for this, Mokai?”
“It's fine. No point in calling in someone early when I'm right here already.” said Mokai as he began to shift back and forth to stretch the kinks out of his back.
“...Yeah, I really don't know about this.” mumbled Anton.
“Hey, don't try to baby the monk!” said Mica as she planted her hands on her hips and mockingly grinned at Mokai “If he wants to test me, then let him test me!”
“He's not really the one I'm worried about...” said Anton in a hushed tone.
“Monk?” chuckled Mokai “I'm far from a monk, little one.”
“Little one!?” sneered Mica as she cocked her hip “No offense pal, but you don't seem that big to me. Definitely not big enough to be calling me little one!”
“Oh, you think I'm... Heh, I see...” said Mokai as his chuckling became ominous.
“Hold on a second!” said Anton as he stood up “Mokai, are you really sure about this? Because I was under the impression that you were still recovering from a molt?”
“I am.” said Mokai as the “pillows” he was sitting on began to suddenly quiver “And I think this is just what I need to work out the last bit of stiffness in my joints...”
“...Whoa, whoa, hold on. ...What the hell!?” exclaimed Fiona as the pillows beneath Mokai began to move in earnest.
Suddenly sliding out from under the sheet that had been hiding them from sight, two giant, dark-colored, chitin encrusted, cylindrical legs stretched themselves out before Mokai. These legs were made up of long segmented sections that were covered in short, sharply pointed hairs and were connected to each other by fleshy joints that stood out clearly due to their lighter, yellowish color.
The “feet” at the ends of these legs consisted of two large toes and were, far and away, reminiscent of padded slippers, this appearance was helped along by the fact that they were covered in a dense, fuzzy looking coat of light gray hair.
“Oh, yes...” drawled Mokai as the toes at the ends of the legs stretched out to their fullest and began to lightly tap themselves on the edge of the porch “I've been sitting for long enough I think...”
The ears of the dark elves pointed themselves straight upwards in surprise as two pairs of long, serrated, hook-like claws suddenly shot out from between each set of toes and instantly clamped themselves down onto the edge of the porch with a vice-like grip.
Using this hold on the porch as leverage to help pull himself forward, Mokai began to stand up.
“Oh... crap...” mumbled Mica, her confidence quickly falling away as she watched the now ominous shape before her begin to rise higher and higher into the air.
