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Post by Kuma on Apr 19, 2015 22:16:35 GMT
Falken jumped at the last second possible, for a moment he perceived the world stopping around him, the plane descending at top speed enveloped in Crimson Flames, Alexander’s wires helping Eve and Garo losing the Vermillion Mode. The Cyborg saw everything happen at once, almost in slow motion. The Huntress’ efforts were more than enough to keep Suzaku busy as the Jet went nose first, with the Vermillion Wire Javelin up front, like a flying narwhal coming from hell itself. Suzaku didn’t even notice the incoming attack, too wounded to realize what was coming its way.
The Sacred Beast just realized at the last moment the incoming doom about to befall it. From above the peak Garo whispered words carried by the wind to Suzaku.
-You’re already dead.-
The plane crashed into Suzaku, pushing the bird through the ground leaving the imprint of its body. The massive bird collided with the peaks behind it and the plane, firmly pierced into the being’s chest exploded is a pillar of divine flames that reached the skies, with such power it dispelled the storm clouds over the battlefield, showing the a clear sky over their heads, for the first time since the Hunters entered the Mountain Range. But that explosion didn’t even reach the toes of the next event.
For a single moment a pulse of energy, unlike anything Suzaku showcased was released, it was not an offensive move, nor defensive, it was a transference. Once it located the Egg, everything that remained in Suzaku moved like a stream of golden light, sparkling over the Hunters.
Everything but a single thing… some sort of round object, very small, that fell besides Eve after the conflagration ended. It was a circle made of some sort of black metallic substance, on it a single kanji could be read. -恐怖- Soon enough the Egg would hatch…
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 20, 2015 3:50:52 GMT
Alex sits down as his body was completely exhausted at this point. Still, that didn't prevent him from enjoying the screen in front of him. Looking around, he pays close attention to the world. Grinning to himself, he actually can't believe they were able to pull it off. He was in such a good mood, that the man releases his wire threads and makes them warp around the environment. Creating a massive and complex layout around him. Next, he proceeds to play a small piece of music for the fallen deity as well as for the new deity that was going to be born soon. With all his threads, Alex was a one man string orchestra, as he displayes his mastery over his instrument in a way that was totally different than the other ways he would normally use his wire threads. His fingers move with swift, beautiful, and graceful motions as he plays one of his favorite pieces.
As he plays, his smiles becomes even wider and more sinister looking, but for the man behind the smile, this was simply his happy face.
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 20, 2015 15:34:22 GMT
Eve relaxed gratefully in the net, letting it slow her before she rolled out, fully intact. She took a second to take it all in. The clouds clearing overhead, Suzaku burning away, Alex playing his frankly beautiful song with what Eve now recognized as a genuine smile on his face. She picked up the little disk with writing she couldn't read and just stared at it for a second. For some reason, she didn't like it in the slightest. But even so, everything else hit her like a tsunami of joy and she tackled Alex with a crushing hug.
"Good work, Alex. Hey, you have an interest is weird stuff, right? You want to check this out? Feel free to keep it." She pulled away and flipped the disk into his hands like a coin. "Keep playing your wonderful music, Alex." She turned away, feeling better than she ever had since she left Warden. She didn't feel tired. Her muscles were worn and her mind exhausted, but she felt exhilarated. "Garo! Falken! Get the fuck over here so I can crush your ribs with the biggest hug I've ever given!" She needed to talk to them, but that could wait until after she cuddled them silly.
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Post by Kuma on Apr 21, 2015 2:06:41 GMT
Falken and Garo moved towards the others. The Mercenary softly punched the Archer in shoulder. –Good job old man, I didn’t know you had it in you… But next time don’t trash our bloody ride home… not to mention the student… what’s-his-name sacrifice will be appreciated.- Garo looked at Falken not knowing if the Infamous Mercenary was joking or not, to avoid any confusion the Archer decided to clarify. –Barnaby Talons jumped and landed near the HQ we were earlier, he is using the Inazuma Medical training to help the wounded there.- He spoke with wisdom and serenity, something that Falken rudely sneered at and Garo was generous enough to let it pass.
While they talked, hundreds of meters away the Egg finally absorbed all the energy and egg shell started to crack. And besides it somebody was waiting... somebody dressed in a black suit, smoking a handrolled cigar.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 21, 2015 14:42:41 GMT
Alex doesn't mind the hug from Eve and was actually surprise by the disk that she had given him. He continues to play his music as if it was second nature to him, but his full attention went into studying the kanji. As soon as he notices the word his happy smile fades away and is replace with his curiosity face. Standing up, he returns all his wires threads back into his glove and turns to face the approaching archer and machine. He throws the object at Garo and asks, "What does this mean?"
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 21, 2015 15:56:17 GMT
Eve didn't even mind Falken and Garo's bickering right now. She had just realized something about them, and it almost She just tackled them and lifted them off the ground with a big group hug. "Yeah, speaking of that, we should get going back. But just right here, you mind me saying I love you both? I don't want to push either of you away. Hell, I'd go so far to say you're both almost a part of me. Falken, you're my wildness and pragmatism. And Garo, you're my restraint and morals. One of you I might want as a lover." She winked at Falken. "The other, a... mentor." She waved at the third member of the group. "And Alex, you're utterly unique. I don't want you to be that way."
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Post by Kuma on Apr 23, 2015 3:18:15 GMT
Garo and Falken looked at each other with a hint of surprise. The Mercenary face quickly shifted into a smirk when Eve lifted them both while Garo was, if possible for the stoic archer, a bit embarrassed. When she let them down Falken whispered to his Inazuma Co-worker. –I call dibs on the first old man; I bet that can keep the arrow straight….if you know what I mean. - The Old Hunter headbutted Falken and turned to Eve.
-I don’t feel like being a mentor, and I don’t have currently an interest for a lover.- He smiled faintly – But I think I could be your comrade, considering that I just destroyed property of the school several times more expensive that my annual income.- Garo extended his right hand while he grabbed the thing Alex threw with his left. The Old Archer glanced it without much interest, more out of reflex than interest.
Garo’s extended hand dropped to hang lifelessly from his arm, right besides his body. He was frozen on his place, with his open hand holding the disk… his eyes about to come out from his orbits. It was weird to see Garo so worried about something, Eve saw him pissed before, but this wasn’t anger… it was visceral a primitive, it was fear. Falken gave the Old Archer a puzzled look and rudely. –What the bloody hell is happening old fart? Did you forget a medication?-
The Old Archer whispered something, too faint to be heard. –G--- M---- - He was silent of a second and then repeated it louder – A Gainen Medal…-
The Eggshell cracked and a smaller version of Suzaku, with golden feathers stretched its young wings. The man in black just whispered something to it, with a voice that seemed to inhuman for him.
-Young Suzaku, the one behind your progenitor corruption was an agent of Seiryuu… you must weaken the Azure Dragon with your newfound might.-
He opened his hand revealing a golden disk with the kanji “勝利“on it. He placed it over the creature back, between its wings and phased it in. The medal entered the New Suzaku without leaving a trace. So did the man in black, who vanished into the mist.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 23, 2015 4:01:40 GMT
Alex stood up to address the old archer, "What is a Gainen Medal?" he asked in his typical devilish voice. He didn't like the look on Garo's face. That face told him that the device means trouble in some way and that this good vibe moment is over for him. Slowly the gears work in his head and he finally remembers the egg again. It was probably going to be hatching soon or it already did. Alex was so curious about the egg, he didn't wait for the old archer's respond. He begins to move his feet towards the egg's location. He wanted to watch the divine creature and study it a bit if possible before it disappears. But there was also something else that was pushing Alex to go to the new deity. For some reason, something about all this was staring to bother him and he couldn't put his finger on it. Yet, for some reason, the hunter had the sense that they had a mistake somewhere. The feeling of disappointment enters Alex's mind and he knew that there was definitely something that he had miss. He just hope that it was one of those mistakes that he could fix before it was too late.
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 23, 2015 14:54:32 GMT
Eve rolled her eyes. "Come on, Falken. You knew I was talking about you as a bedmate." She gave Garo a worried look. "You think you're going to get fired? Because funny enough, I was going to ask you if you wanted a job back before the kirin distracted us." She handed them both business cards with the address of her office and phone number. "Feel free to drop by and talk things over. Don't worry about operating hours- I live there. And don't need much sleep." She winked at Falken before dropping them just before Garo caught the little disk.
Eve gave the little thing a quizzical look. "Yeah, I'm with Alex. What's a Gainen Medal?" Whatever it was, it must be bad news to frighten Garo like this. From the context, she guessed it was whatever had corrupted the god they had just slain.
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Post by Kuma on Apr 24, 2015 2:36:25 GMT
-The Gainen Medals… are devices that trap Gainen inside of them, powerful creatures created from humanities collective imagination and knowledge.- Garo spoke in an awfully technical tone, as if he was reciting something he memorized. –Humanity thoughts, when they leave your head don’t vanish, just like any kind of energy it just transforms. - The Old Archer looked at them with true fear on his eyes. –They are creatures of pure concept, with powers beyond human comprehension.-
-But this doesn’t make any sense, the Gainen were defeated a long time ago and there were only 10 medals left… I know which ones, I was taught about them during my JHWAB years.- He gave a puzzled stare to the medal. –There are no “Fear” Medals, this is one is either a fake or is new… Because if this was in circulation since the old days then we are in deep trouble, as whoever holds one of these and is synched to the concept can tap on its power…- He made a pause as if he was thinking about something.
-I think that’s why Suzaku resisted my holy arrow, he was getting an enhancement from this thing.- Garo looked around just to see the New Suzaku moving towards them. He looked at the others and said. –I’m going to keep this one for safekeeping and I’ll take it to the JHWAB, maybe they can find out more about it.- The Archer seemed to want to say something else, but the next incarnation of the Vermillion Bird of Fire and Rebirth started talking to the group.
-I MUST THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME RELEASE MY PROGENITOR FROM THE CLAWS OF DECEIT OUR FAMILY LONG TIME RIVAL, SEIRYUU OF THE EAST, IMPOSED ON HIM. YOU HAVE MY BLESSING.-
A shining red light appeared on their hands, just below their knuckles. When the radiance stopped a strange tattoo appeared. It was shaped like a quarter of a circle missing the tip in the middle; it was crimson and had the motif of feathers and fire.
-THIS IS MY BLESSING, ONE OF FOURTHS THAT COMPOSE THE SACRED CYCLE, IT WILL NOT GRANT THE SAME POWER YOU WIELDED AGAINST MY PROGENITOR, BUT IT WILL SHIELD YOU FROM ANY NATURAL FIRE AND HELP SPEED UP THE HEALING OF YOUR WOUNDS. ONLY THE SACRED BEAST CAN GRANT THIS BLESSING, NOBODY BUT ONE EVER COMPLETE THE FULL CYCLE BEFORE.-
Falken wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the newfound blessing, he despised divine creatures and their gifts, but was pragmatic enough to keep his mouth shut. Still he was more interest on the Medal Garo put away, as he had the strange feeling of seeing something like it before, even if he didn’t knew what a Gainen Medal was.
The Mercenary was lost in thought; he only remembered the faint glimpse of a voice.
-Forget…-
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 24, 2015 5:57:53 GMT
Alex studies the mark on his hand for a long time. Never saying a word to anyone. He continues to stare and stare at his crimson tattoo. Wondering what this all means. The Scared path.... should he try to to complete the challenge? Alexander always enjoys a good test, but considering that only one person has ever completed it makes him worry about the chances for success. Then he goes back to considering the power that the bird was able to give him, he wonders if getting all the paths would give him the power he needs for his ultimate goal in life. Then again, Alex can't avoid to die yet, but then again he really doesn't have too much time left before he will be unable to carry out his revenge. Perhaps this blessing was exactly what he needs. As he questions what should his next move be, he eventually comes to the conclusion that this risk was worth taking.
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 25, 2015 0:04:48 GMT
Eve watched the medal as it went into Garo's pocket. "That sounds really useful. Do we have to turn it in?" Aw, she should have kept it. Mastery of such a thing would be awesome. Commanding the power of fear would be the crowd control tactic she so desperately needed. Not really her thing though. She guessed it wasn't really something she was synched up with though. Being all freaky was Alex's deal.
"What are the other Gainen Medals?" She asked just before the new Suzaku spoke in their heads. She looked at her hand with absolute glee, ignoring the sudden recognition she had with the name. Immune to fire? She was fucking invincible now! She was slightly bouncing with an overload of childish excitement, but everybody around her was being a solemn navel gazer. She wanted to question both Falken and Alex, settling on the one she was more likely to get a straight response out of.
"Hey Falken, you okay?" She slipped an arm over his shoulder and shook him a little. She gave him a friendly smile in the hopes of teasing something out.
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Post by Kuma on Apr 25, 2015 3:03:35 GMT
After imparting its words of wisdom Suzaku left them to their own devices, leaving a warm stream of light behind him, as the corpses started turning into dust and plantlife started to sprouted around it.
-Yes, I’m okay…. I’m bloody okay… I just had one of those…. Who-do-you-call-them?- The Mercenary stopped talking , lost in thought, he had the word in the tip of his tongue and finally he found it. –A déjà vu! That’s what I wanted to say.- He smiled back. –Nothing serious, maybe a hiccup in my mainframe, I guess that divine intervention doesn’t know shit about computer repairs.- The Mercenary checked his pockets and gave Eve a card. –Here is my number if you want to hang out, I have a small pub in Berlin if you ever fancy a beer.- Falken gave Eve his work number, but truthfully it was his only number. He wasn’t big on private life, one of the many things he and Garo had in common, even if neither wanted to admit it. - Garo turned to Eve. –Yes, we must turn this in, there are only 10 acknowledged medals in world, most of them were in the hands of Reiji Fukuma, a legendary martial arts master who fought the Gainen in the 70’s.- The Old Archer sighed. –Most of them were lost last year, after the JHWAB messed up the protection of the Medals.- Garo finally added. –I’ll take it to the JHWAB, alongside taking Barnaby Talons back to Inazuma. I’ll quit and go meet you in your offices.- The Archer bowed to Eve and glared at Falken. He turned to Alexander next.
-Stevenson-san, you proved to be very… resourceful, if you ever need my help please contact me.- He extended his hand for a handshake with the Grotesque Hunter.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 25, 2015 4:13:24 GMT
Alex shakes the great archer's hand and says in his demonic voice, "Your words humble me." Examining the field around them, he knew that their task was complete. Satisfied with his work, Alex proceeds to talk to Falken, "Mind giving me back the dragon skin?" he asked respectful in his mind, but his voice would cause one, who know nothing know about Alex, to assume he was making a threat instead of a request. Grateful to the help he receive today, he also pulls out a few winkled pieces of paper and offer one to each of them. Though barely readable, one could make out a few numbers. "There. Now you all have my information if you need me."
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 25, 2015 5:51:02 GMT
Eve gave Garo a steady look as he avoided telling her what the other Gainen Medals were. He didn't want her going after the missing ones. Or maybe the ones still in good hands. She'd just have to look it up on her own. "Good luck Garo. I'll see you then." She accepted Alex's little note, reading it easily but making a mental note to copy his number herself. Malcolm could never read something this sloppy with his impeccable handwriting.
"Unfortunately I've been diverted to soda. Apparently I'm not a nice drunk. But I'll drop in and give you a visit soon enough." She pulled a little scroll from her pocket. "Unless you'd like to come along with me. I was expecting this to last a few days at least, so I'm gonna be bored." She offered Falken her hand.
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Post by Kuma on Apr 26, 2015 19:21:05 GMT
-Sorry love, but I’ve got to recalibrate my bloody mainframe or things could get nasty, but give me a couple of days and you can stop by the bar, if I’m not there, then I’m in Inazuma- Falken shook her hand tightly before turning to Alex. –Yes, here you go.- The Mercenary hand entered a green portal and took the bags with the Fubai Long scales, he also took two of his own bags and gave one each to Garo and Eve. –Dragon Scales, really strong and really light, you can get a proper armor with them.- Falken knocked his chest, as the scales he used before were still there.
The Old Archer bowed. –Thanks for the parting gift, I’ll contact the Chinese and arrange that they pay us, at least for everything we actually killed and a bit more.- He thought for a second and said something that seemed a bit off character for such disciplined and stoic person. –Maybe I’ll sweeten the numbers, after all I’m going to be fired, so I need a financial safety net, but I think I can get them to pay us 10 million each for a job well done, at least.- The Archer bowed to them all and left walking, with Falken behind.
-See you around Eve and Quasi! We must repeat the team up sometime, it was fun-The Mercenary waved goodbye as he followed the Old Hunter to meet up with Barnaby Talons, who Garo already contacted.
-Fun?- Whispered Garo to himself. -I will never understand young folk these days.-
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Post by waybig1010101 on Apr 26, 2015 21:25:09 GMT
Alex gracious accepted his suitcases from Falken and thanks him for all his help today. He offers parting words to the others and proceeds to walk ever so slowly back to the main road, where he was going to get a taxi to take him back to the airport. His next stop on his Asian hunting trip is to travel to South Korea for another assignment from another employer. Even though he was tried, Alex still feels good enough to go on another hunt. He plans to rest during the flight ove with some sleep before he starts his next mission.
A while later....
Alex enters the taxi and tells his driver his destination, the driver however doesn't response to Alex and begins to drive away. He probably is just scared of me, thought the terrifying looking hunter. After a while, he notices that the driver is taking a different route than the previous driver, who took the disfigured man here earlier in the day. As his suspicion of the driver increase, Alex begins to ask odd questions as he slowly pays close attention to the man's body. Trying to see if there was any sign that he was experiencing stress, anxiety, and any other physical indicator of something being wrong. But instead, the driver remains the same as before and just ignores Alex.
Laughing to himself, he tells the man as he moves his hands, "Next time....try acting more human." Suddenly various wires threads wrap around the man's neck to the head rest, his hands to the wheels, along with his feet to the pedals. Alex begins to control the man limps and through his body he operates the vehicle. The man tries to struggle, but he stops as soon as he begins painfully tearing of his own flesh from his body with his attempts to escape the wire trap.
Looking at the rear-view mirror, Alex could see the man's face and his glowering red eyes. "So who sent you?" asked Alex in a tone that sounded like it come out of the lowest pit in hell. It takes Alex only a few minutes with his persuasion skills before he convinces the driver to tell him everything he wanted to hear. At this point he begs Alex to let him go and Alex remains quiet for a few minutes but for the monster the silence seem to last for days.
Eventually, the demonic humanoid had already suffered so much, that he desperately pleads with red tears coming down from his face, "Please... I'm begging you... Just Put me out of my misery already." Finally, Alex chooses to respond, "Here's the thing. I can't really understand and appreciate the radio here too well. So I'm going to have to entertain myself with something before arriving to the airport." The man begins to plead with him some more but Alex just takes his hand and pets the creature's face. "There. There. I have no need for tears."
At the airport....
Alex opens the door and comes out the taxi with his two suitcases in his hand. As he emerges he says, "I had hope we could have spend more time together, but sadly I'm on a tight schedule. Regardless of the limited time, I am most grateful for your company." He walks inside the airport and everyone ignores him. At this time, the people didn't bother to pay any attention to the taxi or Alex as they were too busy with their own duties to notice anything at first.
Yet, after a couple of minutes pass by, People started to take notice that the taxi wasn't leaving and had a back door open, but no one tries to investigate the vehicle. Soon enough, Airport employers were told by their bosses to force the driver to leave due to the need for more space for other customers. Annoyed by the situation, they made their way to the drive door and tap on the glass with force. After trying a few times with no response. One of the employees decides upon herself to go in though the open door at the back. Almost immediately, a loud scream follows. The airport employer, who had just enter through the back, quickly stumbles out and proceeds to vomit heavily on the ground.
Suddenly, an empty Air Freshener exists the car and hits the floor with a hollow ring to it, indicating that the bottle was completely empty. It rolls on the ground until it hits the right shoe of a fellow airport employee. While picking up the empty canister, he looks inside to see a huge amount of blood covering the front interior of the car by the driver seat There was no hair, no bones, no flesh, no body parts, no muscles and not even articles of clothing. Nothing but blood.
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Post by HungryHunter on Apr 26, 2015 22:22:18 GMT
10 million dollars? The thought made her drool. That was the biggest chunk of cash she had ever seen if Garo got it. "I hope you're as good at negotiations as you are at hunting, Garo." She tugged the string binding the little scroll off and let it curl open. The paper began to glow brighter and brighter. She gave her little team here one last beaming grin.
"I love you all. I hope we all hunt together again one day." The scroll's glow grew blinding and she was seemingly erased by a final blazing flash.
___
With a simultaneous blinding flare, Eve appeared in the lobby of the Wild Hunt office. "Hey Malcolm." A pink haired teen looked up from his paperwork. "Hello mam." He didn't point out her early return or anything, just continuing his work. She gleefully hugged him, ignoring the blush, as pink as his hair, that spread over his face. "Keep up the good work, kid. I know I can trust you to run things while I'm out now. There just may be a raise in your future." Malcolm gave her a surprised look as she walked to the stairs. "Th-thank you, mam." He looked away and scribbled at the paperwork again, still blushing furiously. "Oh, and Malcolm? Please put a few pillows on the chairs. We'll be having guests."
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Post by Kuma on Apr 27, 2015 15:31:48 GMT
Kyoto – 1 Week Later – Honnoji Temple
-I still don’t understand it, so please enlighten me… what do you get from causing mayhem with the Sacred Beasts?- Ikari Fukushi asked, once again sitting inside a temple in Kyoto, with a very familiar figure clothe in black besides him, both were drinking sake, from small, heavily decorated, cups.
-Chaos, Fukushi-san… I need chaos, as the entropic causality of events, or in this case, the illusion of causality serves more than enough as a smokescreen to my preparations for the upcoming events.- Kuro-san spoke with his usual de-attached tone, more like a college teacher explaining an uninteresting topic than a man explaining his master plan.
-But why do you play with the Sacred Beasts fate, wouldn’t that bring more attention… I still can’t see the pros beating the cons here.- Ikari wasn’t dumb muscle, he was an astute tactician on his own right, thus he had some troubles understanding Kuro-san’s plan.
-Is a matter of scope Fukushi-san, is easier to think that smaller things can be altered by an ulterior power, but the big things only get affected by powers of similar magnitude, and if it has a similar magnitude then the JHWAB or any organization that investigate the matter, after going through 100 km of Chinese red tape, will look for larger foes than myself, not to mention that I planted the memory of Seiryuu.- Kuro-san explained calmly.
-That’s actually a sound plan, the JHWAB would truly react as you say so, but why Seiryuu? That might bring problems in the long run, especially if the Hidden Worlders involved with Suzaku decide to try and complete the Cycle.- Ikari pointed more possible blind spots in the strategy with pinpoint accuracy.
-A new born Sacred Beast, especially Suzaku, carries more than enough power to at least weaken Seiryuu, and a contact I have asked me to do that in exchange of some useful information. Information that will allow me to keep tabs on the ones involved with the Sacred Beasts… very closely.- The Former Emperor of the Japanese Underworld finished explained and stood up.
-I would like to stay, but I should go back to work, there are many things to prepare before the next step. And you too need to return to your task.- Kuro-san bowed and left walking leaving Ikari sitting on the temple stairs.
-Next time pick a better place to meet up, this is scenic and everything but it gives me a bad feeling.- Ikari jokingly referred to the events that happened long time ago in this temple.
-I treasure that bad feeling Fukushi-san, is a reminder that no matter how close you are of your end goal something can happen to stop you.- And with that, the Forgotten Emperor left.
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