Price I

A FEW DAYS EARLIER…

He lifts her chin and gives her a tender kiss. As he begins to pull away, Hoshina draws him back for a long, breath-stealing one.

They part ways, for now.

Once Kaji's aircraft disappears beyond the horizon, she turns back and heads home at an easy pace. The sun will rise soon, and she needs to get back while it's still dark.

She slips through the streets, the few night guards not paying her any mind. They won't recognize her as long as she keeps some distance.

Making sure no eyes are on her, she jumps over the fence, enters through the window of her room, and lets herself relax.

She lies on her bed and takes a short nap, since she hasn't slept all night.

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

A knock. Only one.

"Come in." Hoshina says as she gets up with a slight headache.

It's Mugen. The guards close the door behind him.

"How are you doing? Need anything in particular?"

"Freedom would be appreciated," she says with a smirk.

"I see." He takes a few steps around the room, arms crossed on his back. "Does preventing further wars mean that much to you?"

She shrugs. "I guess so."

Mugen stops between her and the window.

"More than your family."

Her brow furrows.

"That's an unfair question."

"It's not. I'm aware of what you've been up to last night."

She sighs.

Of course he is.

"To think you are willing to trick your sister into leading you to your mother."

"If that counts as tricking, Mugen, then I'm afraid you've been doing far worse throughout our entire lives, trying to mold us into your image of a perfect warrior."

He nods.

…

He nods?

"There's no point in further talk. We've already established that neither can convince the other." He uncrosses his arms, staff in hand. "But it seems I have to take stronger measures to prevent your ideas from spreading."

"Are you going to lock me up in the dungeon as well?"

"Don't make it any harder than it has to be."

She lifts her hands. "I won't."

"So you've already accomplished all you wanted I presume. When will they attack?"

"Attack? Who?"

"Will it be during the next battle?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I see. And should I assume their goal is to reach our core?"

How!?

"You're making wild guesses."

He slowly shakes his head. "You have a habit of brushing hair from your face, even when it's not long enough to be in the way. Most of the time, it's just out of convenience."

Hoshina stops her hand halfway through the same motion.

Mugen continues. "But it's become something more. A tell. You do it when you're uncomfortable to cope with little stresses. Like lying to your father."

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

MORE THAN A FEW DAYS LATER…

The blast of a horn shakes the ground. It's time.

By the time the last horn sounds and the Kaizokuren deploy their troops, Kaji's group lands on the opposite side of the island.

Along with Raba and a fourth chosen warrior, called Yonshu, they disembark. Hoshina's missing; alas, they have no choice but to carry on without her.

Please, be alright.

…

After a few brief minutes, they reach the massive metropolis.

The main city of the Kaizokuren doesn't have walls. Being a unified and wealthy clan, they must've never felt the need to keep others out. Or perhaps it's pure arrogance.

Either way, this works great for them.

The map sends them through the marketplace. Here they can blend in, sort of.

Fully clothed, they certainly look suspicious, but it's the only way to conceal their foreign outlook. And Fuhai's armor should prevent other guards from asking questions.

They are surrounded by a myriad of colorful stands.

One sells a variety of crystal sculptures, some modeled after people.

Another is filled with an assortment of fruits he's never seen, all with such a sweet appearance he wishes he could spare a minute to try one.

Had they not been on a crucial mission, Kaji could've spent hours feeding in on the sights alone.

For a few seconds, they pass next to a public square, where a bunch of people are gathered watching some kind of performance. It appears to be a fight of some sorts. Kids are at the front, watching with starred eyes.

All the lightness turns to bitterness as he realizes how their minds are being poisoned from such an early age.

It might be a regular day for these citizens, but a few kilometers away, dozens of people are dying in agonizing pain, just so they can keep this kind of daily life.

How can they sleep at night knowing their luxuries are paid for in blood?

…

As they near their destination, the streets grow quieter, and more of the people they pass are guards.

Once they get near the high-class section of the city, they have to change their strategy.

Time to sneak around. Their clothes stand out too much.

Kaji isn't enthusiastic about following Fuhai's instructions but, regrettably, he was assigned as leader.

His foresight and guidance allow them to pass undetected—a relief, albeit a frustrating one.

It also helps that there are fewer guards than the average Hoshina warned them about. Patrol patterns must have changed in her absence.

At last, the entrance comes into view: a staircase within a small metal structure, at the center of a vast open square. No door, only four unarmored guards, each facing a different direction.

They stay hidden behind one of the last buildings before the open square.

Raba looks at Fuhai. "What are we going to do? There were supposed to be only two guards. We can't sneak on them like this."

"Let's snipe them. Each of us will get in position to shoot one of them," Yonshu proposes.

"We won't be able to coordinate, and if anyone misses they'll have time to sound the alarm." Fuhai lifts his helmet halfway to take a drink.

Even at a time like this…

"Listen all," he announces right after, "here's what's gonna happen: one of you will go out tumbling and acting like you are hurt and collapse a few meters away from us. I'll deal with the rest once the enemies get close enough."

"Are you sure you can kill them all before they scream and alert anyone?" Kaji asks.

"It's the best bet."

"Then wouldn't it be better if you go out, Fuhai?" says Raba. "That way they'll get right in front of you."

"No, it will work better my way. Yonshu, you go."

"Understood."

After their companion goes out in the open, the guards point at him, though they don't shoot. Once he falsely collapses, they all walk closer.

It's then that Kaji notices how Fuhai's eyes are moving from one direction to another.

He isn't looking at the guards.

Is he scanning the surroundings?

Fuhai takes out his wand and starts shooting. A guard collapses.

"Come back! It's an ambush!"

What!?

The guards shoot at the exposed Yonshu, who manages to dodge barely.

As Kaji and Raba join Fuhai in giving cover to their companion, several more shots impact the walls of the nearby buildings.

After a blink, Fuhai is no longer next to them. He's right behind Yonshu, a blade in hand. He swings and defects a myriad of earth shots.

What is the fuck is going on?

Yonshu reaches them and takes cover behind the building. Fuhai follows suit.

The additional shots came out from the entrance. Eight full armored warriors emerge, dashing in their direction with propulsion boots.

Raba exclaims. "What's the plan?"

"We split and fight like cowards. I'll take care of all armored enemies one by one. If you are about to die, scream so I know not to count on you anymore."

"Are you for real!?" Kaji shouts.

"Either you follow this plan or forget ever reuniting with your girlfriend, assuming she's alive. Now split!"