To Know One's Enemy...

✧ ✦ ✧

Zero and I stood around patiently outside Milton’s office, making idle chitchat while waiting. Shion had gone ahead to the ladies’ lavatory to change out of the black cloak she had been wearing and freshen up a bit, and returned in a flash.

“Shall we head on in?” Shion said as she approached. ”It wouldn’t do to keep the Guildmaster waiting when he’s set aside time in his busy schedule for us three.”

She now sported a pretty white dress with frills around the shoulders, and a section along the mid-back that showed off a little skin. In her bangs was also a white flower hairpin. It made for a nicer signature look than the Halloween costume-esque robe she wore before.

It also highlighted the fact that she had more cleavage than expected…

“Roger that.” Zero answered as I was busy admiring Shion’s figure. He suddenly flashed a cheeky grin. “Oh, and you’re staring hardcore there, Partner.”

“Wha—!?”

Zero whispered the last part which caused me to panic a bit. I did my best not to bring further attention to it, however, since it didn’t seem like Shion noticed. Probably, at least.

Phew.

I knocked on the door in lieu of the others, since I was most familiar with the man we’d be talking to. I gave it three good taps before calling out.

“Yo, Boss, it’s Ren.”

“Ah, dear boy, please come in! You and your friends.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call them “friends”, but…” I muttered to myself. Even though I didn’t mention that I had others with me, he seemed to be expecting multiple guests. “Pardon the intrusion.”

As we entered the office, Guildmaster Milton sat relaxed with his hands tented at his desk, and a wry smile painted on his face.

“To what do I owe the honor of a visit from my favorite young guild member, and his distinguished guests. Miss Shion, the apprentice of Headmaster Argo himself and this other strapping lad.” Milton beamed, turning his attention to Zero. “What might your name be?”

“Name’s Zero!” Our newest companion pointed with his thumb to himself without any hesitation. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for running such a fine joint downstairs. It puts all the other pubs in town to shame, that’s for sure.”

“Ah, yes! The staff have spoken quite impressively about you and your exploits, a strong fighter amongst the Institute’s students as well. I greatly appreciate your continued patronage.” Milton mused. “Perhaps one day you will even purchase a drink from your own coin purse, hmm?”

There wasn’t a hint of malice in Milton’s jab, but he still flashed a sharp look that would’ve scared the average guy out of his wits. I had only seen him in action a handful of times, but the Guildmaster was inhumanely strong in battle and maybe even more fearsome in a setting like this.

“When those guys stop challenging my alcohol tolerance, I might do just that.” Zero chuckled, not flinching a bit, due to being a little dim or perhaps very brave. “But your guild members sure are a rowdy bunch, never a dull moment here in the hall.”

“I certainly cannot deny that.” Milton agreed with a soft expression.

“That’s wonderful and all, but we have a purpose for our intrusion today, if you’ll hear us out.” Shion tried to get us back on track in as polite terms as she could muster. “It involves many weird goings on within the city as of late, and I have some rather troubling news to report.”

“Yes, yes, my apologies, Miss Shion.” Milton nodded his head. “If I may ask, what have you found out since we met last? Did your fears come to pass as you described before?”

“You guys have met?” I asked.

“Yes, though not directly, usually.” Shion replied. “Oftentimes I participate in the meetings between my master and Guildmaster Milton in a less active role, only interjecting when needed. However, recently…”

“—Miss Shion approached me shortly after Headmaster Argo left to make preparations in Ember. She shared a fear she had, of what’s to come.” Milton explained. “She wagered that you, dear boy, would soon be the target of some unknown entity and that they may be to blame for a few of Redrook’s recent troubles.”

“Wait, you knew something was going to happen to me?” I asked incredulously. “Why didn’t you warn me?”

“Not exactly, no. I wrote off her warnings at first, since they seemed a touch vague, and kept an eye on you myself.” Milton scratched his chin. “But the undead attack today in the Residential District, and the dagger thief that targeted you, they wouldn’t happen to be connected somehow?”

“That’s what we assume is the case.” Shion said. “They left a note at the scene, did they not? About a repeat attack in the area, almost like they were challenging the guard to stop them.”

“Oho?” Milton suddenly appeared interested. “For you to say that so confidently when we’ve only just decoded the message ourselves. This isn’t your first run on this case, is it, Miss Shion?”

“No, it’s not.” I answered for her.

“You are correct, Guildmaster. I’ve traveled back a bit in time after witnessing what happens tomorrow, in hopes that we can coordinate our efforts to stop it.” Shion explained. “Though, this will only be the beginning of our troubles, I fear.”

“And how many loops can you manage with the source of your power so far away at this present moment?”

“That matters little, what matters is that we get it right this time. For all our sake.”

Hmm?

“Understood… Tell me though, before we continue, where does this all lead? At the end of this plot our foe weaves, what goal do they have for so many events that seem so disconnected?” Milton asked. “What happens tomorrow?”

We all glanced around at each other.

“A massive horde of undead will attack the Palace District, slaughtering the townsfolk with little guard resistance, and in the chaos the Princess will not only lose her life, but Ren-kun will be sentenced to death for the crime in place of the true killer.”

Zero stared at Shion, mouth agape, as she came out and admitted something like that so casually. It seems as if he had only been let in on what was necessary. Milton, on the other hand, didn’t even break his stride as he nodded along.

“P-p-princess!?” Zero practically shouted before Shion kicked his shin, hard. “YOUCH!”

“Don’t be so loud, you big doofus!” Shion snapped.

“Sorry, it’s just… Wow.”

It’s okay, buddy, I get where you’re coming from. I was surprised too.

“It appears you’ve had a tough time, dear boy.” Milton flashed me a look of pity. “I’m happy that you are safe, but I can’t imagine the Garrison treating you with care, assuming that you had slain their most important charge.”

“That’s an understatement. Grimwick had my head on the block and I would’ve become a permanent part of the scenery if not for Shion, though she did take her sweet time…” I shot her a distasteful look, but she just shrugged.

“I had to let events play out as far as I could for information gathering purposes.” Shion suggested. “It’s not like I can endlessly turn the clock back as it suits me, at least not at the moment. We have to maximize what we know to make up for what we don’t.”

“So what do we know?” Zero asked.

“The true killer misdirected the Garrison to double their presence in the Residential and Northern Districts, and launched the attack Shion mentioned in the Palace District to the West.” I said. “And then tomorrow, they‘ll use the chaos to sneak in and take out Princess Nouella with the Ashen Fang, or that’s what we figure happened.”

“Wait a minute…” Shion suddenly appeared confused. “Why would the Garrison also collect in the Northern District? Did something happen near the Institute as well in the last loop?”

“Yeah, did I not mention it before?”

“No, I believe you only mentioned the undead attacks…”

That’s right, I didn’t, did I?

I figured she already knew about the events at the Institute, or maybe I just didn’t see the connective thread forming. The incident was handled quickly and seemingly without incident so I thought it might pull our attention in too many different directions. But was I wrong to ignore it?

“Some slick bastard summoned a fire golem outside campus, and Captain Dimwit ran off to deal with it after I gave him Milton’s missive.” I said. “And then there was also a note at the scene, claiming responsibility, like with the zombie sightings.”

“That missive, it’s still in your possession this time around, yes?” Milton cut in.

“Ah, yeah.” I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly, remembering my incomplete task. “I didn’t get to meet Grimwick before we came this way, sorry about that. And after you sent me to get it done…”

“Worry not, dear boy. After hearing all this, I've decided against informing the Captain of the moot until I’ve done a little more homework of my own. You’ll still be paid a reasonable sum, since you completed your task in another time.”

Not sure that’s how it works, but I’ll take the money regardless.

“A fire golem… huh?” Shion still appeared deep in thought. “There’s only one student, perhaps even only one mage in town with the affinity and magic ability to conjure up such a creature.”

“Ain’t that Fia?” Zero weighed in, producing a loaf of bread from somewhere on his person, munching it in just a few bites. “I get the impression she likes to blow stuff up, so it’s not the most surprising thing if she did it again.”

“Right. Ren-kun and I observed her earlier as she caused a disturbance in the training yard, and I had her wand confiscated by Headteacher Fury.” Shion noted. “If it was indeed her, then she shouldn’t pose any issues this time around without it. Unlike the last loop.”

“Humu humu, but she wouldn’t summon something like that on purpose though, would she? But there is that note claiming responsibility and all…” Zero thought long and hard on that singular point.

“Surely, you’re joking. Fia-chan wouldn’t hurt a fly, you’ve been around her, Zero.” Shion insisted. “The note at the scene was likely to capitalize on the event, and further stretch the Garrison thin.”

“Hopefully that’s one less thing for us to worry about, in any case.” I shrugged. “And it sounds like we have the element of surprise this time around as well.”

“I hope so, but…” Shion appeared conflicted. “We can’t afford to underestimate our opponent, he’s far too resourceful in matters such as these. I’ve seen him operate with far less room to work with, and come out the victor.”

“He, him?” I repeated to myself.

Didn’t she refer to it as “they“ last time?

“Come to think of it, you said we were up against some monster, but didn’t tell me anything about them.” I mentioned. “What sort of eldritch horror should I be expecting here?”

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles, was it?

“I… cannot say just yet.”

Milton didn’t say anything, but raised an eyebrow at Shion’s swift reply.

“So, you’re just gonna keep us in the dark, again?” I scoffed. “For what reason?”

“Welcome to the club, Partner.” Zero sighed deeply. “Shion always seeks me out to help with this and that, telling me next to nothing, and batting those pretty eyelashes. As if that were enough to convince me...”

“But it was enough…” I said. “You’re here, after all.”

Zero panned his gaze over to Shion who stared at him with her arms crossed, and gaze narrowed.

“Well, YEAH, but still…“ His cheeks suddenly reddened. “We’re getting way off subject though!”

“You” brought it up, my guy!

“I swear to you both that I’m not trying to be cryptic just for the sake of it.” Shion insisted. “Sooner or later, you will meet our enemy face-to-face, and his identity will come as quite a shock to you all. As I know it did for me…”

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to learn sooner rather than later?” I reasoned. “I’m not some twerp that needs training wheels and my hand held all the damn time, you know?”

“I do know, it’s just…”

“I’m not ready. Tch, I get it.“ I clicked my tongue. “Just like I wasn’t ready to join you and your magic school buddies when I got here, and had to eat moldy bread in an alley by myself for months instead. To build character or some shit, ain’t that right?”

“…”

“Now, now, Ren. Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh to Miss Shion?” Milton interjected softly. “She could have stood by as you were framed for a crime you didn’t commit, and extinguished from this world. But she seems intent on saving you, you could at least hear her out.”

“But, Boss, she—!“

“—No, Guildmaster… he’s absolutely right.” Shion finally admitted, her gaze downcast. “I’m sorry for insulting your intelligence, Ren-kun, Zero. I should have placed a bit more trust in you both from the start… I suppose I was simply protecting my own feelings above all else.”

“Ah, forget about it Shion-tan, what’s a few secrets between—?“

“—Does that mean you’ll tell us, then?” I cut in as Zero tried to smooth things over. “The truth?”

“Yes… but on the way back to the Institute. I’ve prepared lodgings in the administrative building for us while we prepare for tomorrow.” Shion said. “Guildmaster Milton, I trust you have your own preparations to make, but thank you for hosting us on such short notice.”

”Why, the pleasure was all mine, Miss Shion. I learned a great deal from our little exchange.” Milton replied with a smile. “It goes without being said that you can expect the guild's help in any way you deem necessary in the battle to come. We’ve got hands to spare.”

“Protecting the citizens of the Palace District from the surprise undead attack should take priority, and convincing Captain Grimwick to up his own security detail surrounding the Princess. Not to mention ignoring the false warnings too, if necessary.” Shion suggested. “We can’t give the assassin any room to operate while under the guise of the dagger.”

“Of course. And on the latter point, I will do my utmost to make that proud man see reason, you have my word.“

“It is much appreciated, I assure you.” Shion bowed her head.

“We owe you one, Boss.” I nodded.

“Please do take care on your way back to the Institute, you three, you never know when events might change...” Milton warned cryptically on our way out the door.

11.2

We had walked a decent distance north in the direction of the Institute when Zero suddenly groaned in displeasure, stopping a few paces in front of Shion and I.

“Dammit.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Gotta take a dump?”

“Ah, no, I forgot my broadsword back at Old Red’s Inn.” Zero shook his head, his hands on his hips. “Sucks, I’ll have to run back and go get it, but it shouldn’t take all that long.”

“How do you just forget something that huge?” Shion sighed, exasperated. “It’s the size of a surfboard and heavier than sin, not to mention always attached to you. Why did you take it off in the first place?”

“I kept knocking over people‘s drinks, so they made me take it off my back and put it behind the bar counter.” Zero shrugged. “Must’ve forgot I didn’t have it on me, since I haven’t felt its weight in some time.”

“That’s scary in its own way…”

“Buuuuut—I’ll be right back, you two, so don’t go anywhere!”

“Wait, Zero—!“ Before either of us could protest, Zero sprinted back in the direction we came from to retrieve his precious weapon from the clutches of the cute barmaid.

I guess it wouldn’t do for a swordsman to be without his sword. Shion didn’t seem too thrilled about it, however.

“That big oaf…”

“Hey, it’s alright, I can’t even remember how many times I used to leave my cellphone at home on the way to school.” I chuckled. “Had my old man chew me out for it a couple times, saying it was for “emergencies”, but he was really using it to track me instead. The bastard.”

I mused, remembering a rare funny moment between my father and I.

“So, my dumbass, what do I do? I strap my cellphone to a stray cat, right? And let my old man chase it around the neighborhood in his car half the day, thinking it was me.“ I belly laughed. “Shoulda seen his face when he got home though, whew, that wasn’t a fun night…”

Shion flashed a half-smile at my quick tale, but her expression quickly fell into a perplexing state.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked. “It’s not like you to get all quiet.”

“Is that another way of saying I tend to talk a lot?” Shion exhaled through her nose in amusement. “Though, I guess you’re not entirely incorrect…”

“Self-awareness, a rare quality nowadays. Though, if anything, I like when you talk a lot.“ I honestly said. “It’s when you clam up all of a sudden that I get uneasy, like you’re hiding something from me.”

“I’m… sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize, in fact…” I sighed. “I lost my temper a bit earlier, but I’ve been thinking about what Milton said. If there’s some mystical reason for you not to tell me this or that it’s up to you, I’ll lay off of it a bit for now.”

“No, that simply won’t do.” Shion shook her head profusely. “I feel as though the trust between us right now, our very alliance, is so fragile that a passing breeze could shatter it, and expecting you to blindly follow me—as Zero tends to—is just asking the impossible.”

“…” I didn’t respond, but I listened intently all the while.

“I’ve been using preconceptions I’ve gathered from versions of you that no longer exist. Subconsciously, mind you, to then try to use those to manufacture a friendship with you again. It’s… torture.“ She said, “Not to mention unfair to you. You’re your own person. I know that, of course I do, but when I see your face… I see… all of them.”

Shion’s voice trailed off, quivering a bit at the end.

“Sounds rough, but…” I thought for a moment of the right thing to say. “Why rush these things, you know?”

“What… do you mean?” Shion’s eyes lit up.

“I mean, it’s gotta be messing with your head, right?” I said, shrugging. “I’m wearing the face of a dude you used to know, but I ain’t anything like him, as far as I can tell. The way you look at me sometimes, hell, I bet I’m a real bastard in comparison. Did I get it right?”

“I wouldn’t say… Well, maybe...”

“See, it ain’t so hard to tell the truth. And it doesn’t bother me one bit either.” I smiled widely. “I’ll be the first to admit I’m a difficult guy to get along with, which is why I haven’t got a friend to my name or any real connections. But I’m working on it, and I wouldn’t mind getting to know the real you as long as you get to know the real me.”

“You’re so strange, Ren-kun, but… I like it.”

My cheeks almost flushed for a second before I put up my bravado again.

“You know, you ain’t so normal either, but I guess nobody in this world meets that benchmark. So I’ll give you a break.”

“Fufu, I suppose not.

. . .

A moment passed while Shion shifted around anxiously, the conversation grinding to a lull. Finally, she turned to face me with an earnest look in her eyes, and grabbed my hand out of the blue.

“You know, this enemy we face, the one who plots against this reality, he is a reminder of my many inadequacies. Both as a time keeper, and as a friend...” she continued, squeezing my palm a little. “And unless I come clean now, I may never find the opportunity.”

“Mhm.” I nodded to signal that I was ready to hear it.

“Ren-kun, our enemy… his real identity is—”

“—Oh dear, what do we have here?”

A voice sounded off, and Shion’s eyes suddenly went wide with fear. Her teeth clenched and body trembled like it was shivering against the cold. To see such a visceral reaction out of her was unprecedented, and the source of her dread approached us in slow, deliberate steps.

“My ears were positively burning, and so I decided to walk in this direction, and find the source.” The cloaked thief, our long-awaited enemy, said. “I hardly expected to run into you two like this, I’m almost embarrassed, really.”

“You bastard!” I shouted. “Who the hell are you!?”

Shion squeezed my hand ever-tighter, taking a step back and shaking her head. I stepped in front to shield her.

“Hmph.” The cloaked man smirked. “Who am I? What an odd question...”

I tilted my head in confusion. The man finally tore off his robes to reveal his identity in full. He wore blackened scale armor from the neck down with a red sapphire in the center.

“You—! You’re…” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Like staring into a mirror, his short, white hair rustled in the night breeze and his pale skin contrasted against his glowing red eyes, which pierced us with contempt. Aside from his irises, he was my equal in every physical way.

“That’s right. I’m you, Itsuka Ren.”