Chapter 3:
Bounty Regression: Enter, Itaka Tomidoru!
Hollow Dawn
His eyes, sharp and steady, softened for a moment as he handed them three small packages, each neatly wrapped. “Take these,” he said, voice low but firm. “Low grade venison stew, nothing fancy, but enough to keep the chill off while you walk.” He reached for a fourth package and set it aside. “And this, a little extra.” He said, looking at Tatsuchi and Asumi.
Tatsuchi raised an eyebrow. “Why the extra?” His father’s gaze drifted to the street beyond. “Someone will want it,” he said, the weight in his voice hinting at a sight beyond the present. “Keep it. You’ll understand.” Zhenyu nodded, tucking the packages carefully into a cloth against his chest. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll be careful,”“Watch out for eachother,” his father added, eyes lingering on all three. “Pride is fine, but hunger and cold will make fools of even the sharpest.” With a final glance, Zhenyu followed Tatsuchi and Asumi into the night.
The bar’s glow faded behind them, leaving only the quiet streets and the biting cold. Steam rose faintly from the wrapped packages, carrying a small warmth that would see them through the long walk ahead.The streets of Saltmere were quiet, lit by street lights and the occasional flicker of a vendor’s dying fire. People still moved about, late night merchants closing up their stalls, commoners heading home.
Tatsuchi and Asumi started walking, trying to cover ground. An hour passed. The third sun set fully, leaving the streets under the muted glow of lamppost and the chill of the night. The temperature hovered around thirty degrees, and the cold was starting to bite.Zhenyu lagged slightly behind, rubbing his arms. “We should call someone. It’s getting colder, and we’re nowhere near Phoenixis yet.”
Tatsuchi shot him a glare. “We’re fine. Keep walking.”Zhenyu sighed. “Fine? Half an hour ago you were muttering about freezing to death.”
“I said and meant it,” Tatsuchi snapped, stomping her foot. “I will freeze before I beg anyone to pick us up.” Asumi smirked, though she shivered. “You’d rather suffer like this than call Itaka?”
Tatsuchi’s jaw tightened. “Exactly. There’s only one person I could even call at this hour, and I am not giving her the satisfaction of knowing I need her.”
Zhenyu groaned. “It’s thirty degrees outside, we're about six or more hours out from Phoenixis, why risk frostbite and exhaustion for pride?”
“Because it isn’t just vanity,” Tatsuchi said firmly. “It’s a Kuroainaru thing. And I’m not about to make it look like the Ninth Gate Captain gets the upper hand just because we’re cold.”They walked in silence, each crunch of asphalt beneath their shoes echoing through the empty streets. Zhenyu muttered complaints under his breath, but he followed. The night stretched on, dark and quiet, until even Asumi’s smirk had faded.
Every step forward made the cold more tangible, every shadow longer. Somewhere in the distance, a cloaked figure watched, patient and unyielding, letting the shadows do their work.
Tatsuchi’s hand brushed the hilt of her sword under her kimono.“Let’s see who’s bold enough to follow us all the way here.”
Tatsuchi spun toward the dark trees flanking the street. Her purple eyes glinted with frustration. Raising her sword, she yelled, “Cortadora de hojas!” (Leaf Cutter!)
A single, sharp arc cut through the air, and the trees behind them shuddered violently. Leaves scattered across the road, slicing through branches with precision. From the shaken branches, a single raven took flight, its wings slicing through the darkness, disappearing into the night. Nothing else revealed itself.
She exhaled sharply, the sound mixing with the cold wind. Her pride, her Kuroainaru resolve, it all felt thin. Exhaustion and irritation gnawed at her.
The cold wasn’t the enemy. Her own stubbornness was.
Tatsuchi’s hand shook slightly as she pulled out her phone. “…Fine,” she muttered, teeth gritted. “You win, Itaka. I’m calling.”The line clicked. Sharp, annoyed voice: “Itaka Tomidoru. Explain why you’re calling me this late Tats.”
“…We need a ride,” Tatsuchi said, trying to sound composed but failing, “We're stuck in Garudon and my group and I are about a six hour walk from the capital.”
Itaka laughed lightly. “Garudon? What are you doing all the way down there?”
Tatsuchi’s pride burned, but she ignored it. “Just pick us up, we're near the coastline of Saltmere. ”
Another pause, then Itaka said, “Fine. Give me thirty minutes. Don’t do anything stupid until I get there.”
*Click!*
Tatsuchi lowered her phone and exhaled. The call ended. Tatsuchi didn’t move right away. She stared at her phone until the screen went dark, then slipped it back into her sleeve. No one said anything. The wind picked up, just enough to hurt. Thirty minutes sounded short when you said it out loud, but standing there, it felt endless. They shifted their weight from foot to foot. Asumi pulled her clothes tighter, shoulders rising toward her ears. Zhenyu paced a few steps, stopped, then paced again, like walking might keep the cold out of his bones. Tatsuchi stood still. Her fingers burned. Then they went numb. Minutes passed, or maybe it was only seconds. Zhenyu checked the road again. “She said thirty, right?” “She said thirty,” Asumi replied. Another gust slipped through the trees. Zhenyu turned to Asumi, curiosity finally getting the better of him. “Why doesn't Tatsuchi and Itaka seem to get along?”
Asumi glanced at Tatsuchi, her eyes glinting. One word escaped her lips:“Pride.”
Tatsuchi sucked in a breath through her teeth. Her pride didn’t feel strong right now, it felt heavy. She shifted her stance, shoes crunching softly. Somewhere far off, metal clanged. A door shut. The town was settling in for the night while they stood there freezing. Her hand drifted back to her sword, more out of habit than fear. Zhenyu stopped pacing. “If she doesn’t show-” “She will,” Tatsuchi cut in. Silence again, the road stayed empty. Lantern light flickered. Tatsuchi focused on her breathing. Then, finally, light. Distant at first, then closer. Headlights cut through the mist, bouncing off the road. The engine hum rolled in, relief hit before
Tatsuchi could stop it. The car slowed to a halt. Itaka sat behind the wheel. The door opened and Itaka stepped out wearing summer clothes. Light fabric, short sleeves, no coat. The cold didn’t seem to touch her. She looked them over once, taking in stiff fingers, hunched shoulders, and frozen breath. “…You’re all idiots for not bringing frostwear.” she said calmly.
Then she walked straight up to Tatsuchi and pulled her into a hug. Tatsuchi tensed, but warmth flooded in immediately, like standing too close to a fire without ever getting burned. The ache in her hands faded, her breath stopped hurting, and feeling crept back into places that had gone numb. Asumi blinked hard. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Itaka reached out, dragged Asumi in with one arm, then caught Zhenyu by the collar and pulled him close. “Don’t move,” Itaka said. “You’ll throw off the transfer.”
Her Zyn technique is "Thermosovereign." Her technique allows her to control the heat inside her own body with extreme precision. By raising or lowering internal temperature at will, she can boosts her own strength, speed, endurance, and reaction time, turning her body into a perfectly regulated engine. She can also transfer heat to cure fatigue and exhaustion.
Zhenyu exhaled slowly. “That’s… kinda nice.” “You should’ve called sooner,” Itaka replied. "It's a little pass twelve in the morning." For a moment, Tatsuchi forgot the cold. Then Itaka stepped back, just a fraction. Her breath came a little heavier than before. “Alright,” she said. “That’s enough. Any more and I’ll start cooking myself.” She laughed as she turned toward the car. “Get in.” Tatsuchi didn’t argue as she climbed into the passenger seat, warmth still clinging to her skin. The engine hums low as the car pulls away, tires crunching over gravel that sounds way too loud for how quiet everyone’s gotten. For a few seconds, nobody talks.
The city lights fade behind them, swallowed by dark roads and colder air. Tatsuchi keeps her eyes forward, jaw tight. Asumi sits straight, hands folded. Zhenyu leans back, one arm hooked over the seat. Finally, the silence snaps. “Right,” Itaka says from the driver’s seat, like she’s ripping off a bandage. “Guess I should introduce myself.” She glances at them through the mirror. “My name’s Itaka Tomidoru,” she says. “Captain of the Ninth Gate Guards.” Zhenyu lets out a quiet whistle. “Captain?” Itaka smirks. “Not a compliment?” Tatsuchi exhales through her nose. “She prefers painfully underdressed lunatic who shows up late." “Hey,” Itaka shoots back, offended. “I showed up exactly when I needed to.” “Thirty minutes late,” Tatsuchi says flatly. “Thirty minutes dramatic,” Itaka corrects. From the backseat, Zhenyu snorts before he can stop himself. Asumi covers a smile. Itaka glances back again. “And you’re laughing already? Wow, I like you two.” She taps the wheel once, then looks at Tatsuchi. “So Tatsuchi, what were you doing all the way down south in Saltmere?” Tatsuchi hesitates, then answers like she’s reporting to someone who matters. “We're following a lead,” she says. “About the Noble disappearances, and the bounties being placed on the higher ranks.” Zhenyu tilts his head. “Which, by the way, is still insane. You don’t just slap a bounty on people that close to the crown unless you’re asking to deal with the Vanguard.” Asumi nods. “That’s why we’re informing the King first thing in the morning. After that, we’re heading up north to Condoran.” At the name, Itaka’s grip tightens on the wheel for half a second. “Condoran,” she repeats. “Straight to Hades Vault?” “Yeah,” Zhenyu says. “If something’s being hidden, it’ll be there.” Itaka exhales slowly. “Of course it would be.” Asumi studies her through the mirror. “Tomidoru,” she says. “That’s your family’s land.” Itaka doesn’t answer right away. “I was born there.” she finally says. Another pause. Longer this time. “You should come with us.” Itaka laughs, sharp.“ I don't exactly think that's a good idea.” “I’m serious,” Asumi says. “Since this involves Condoran, your presence might be appreciated by the head of ty3 clan.” Zhenyu shrugs. “Plus, having another Gate Captain around doesn’t hurt.” Itaka looks at Tatsuchi. Tatsuchi meets her eyes, and for just a flicker, she sees it again. Those purple eyes. Same as hers. The same ones she saw staring back from that bounty photo. Her chest tightens as she tells herself it’s just nerves. Tatsuchi doesn’t realize she’s tensing until her shoulders start to ache. Her fingers curl tighter in her lap, nails biting into her palm. Every bump in the road sends a small jolt through her, like she’s bracing for something that already happened. Itaka notices. She doesn’t say anything at first, just watches through the mirror. The way Tatsuchi’s posture stiffens. The way her breathing shortens, shallow and controlled like she’s trying to hold herself together. “Relax,” Itaka says casually. “You’re gonna crack your own spine if you keep that up.” “I’m fine,” Tatsuchi replies too fast. “Yeah,” Itaka mutters. “That’s what people say when they’re not.” At the next red light, Itaka shifts one hand off the wheel and reaches back, tapping two fingers lightly against Tatsuchi’s knee. There’s a faint warmth where her fingers touch. Like standing near a fire instead of in the cold. “Heat transfer.” Itaka says faintly. She redirects excess thermal energy from herself, spreading it out, grounding it. The warmth flows slow and controlled, bleeding into Tatsuchi’s muscles, easing the tightness and forcing it away. Tatsuchi exhales before she can stop herself. Her shoulders drop a fraction. The cold that’s been sitting in her chest since the bounty photo finally loosens its grip. “…You didn’t have to do that,” Tatsuchi says quietly. “I know,” Itaka replies, eyes still on the road. “That’s why I did.” Asumi notices but doesn’t comment. Asuminwatches Tatsuchi from the corner of her eye, relief softening her expression. Zhenyu shifts in his seat. “Huh,” he says. “They act like two sisters fighting.” Itaka looks confused but ignores it. She pulls her hand back as the light turns green, warmth fading slowly instead of snapping away. Tatsuchi sits there for a moment, breathing steadily now. The road doesn’t feel as cold anymore. And for the first time since the night started, she lets herself stop bracing for impact. “You can come with us, if you want.” Tatsuchi says quietly. The road stretches on. Itaka blushes, then smiles, but there’s something heavy behind it. “Looks like I don’t really have a choice.” The faint scent of food drifted up from the packages tucked against Zhenyu’s chest. Itaka’s nose twitched slightly, and she glanced toward the cloth with a small, amused grin. “Hmm,” she said, her voice calm but sharp. “Somethong smells good, is that venison stew?” Zhenyu nodded. “Yep. Packaged for the road. Bar fare.” Itaka’s eyes flicked to Zhenyu, then leaned slightly toward the packages. “Mind if I have a bit?” “Go ahead, we got one extra.” Zhenyu said, hands still resting in his lap. Itaka unwrapped a small portion carefully at the next light, steam curling up to her face. She took a bite, eyes closing just slightly, savoring the warmth and flavor. “Not bad,” she said, as she chewed. Then she opened her eyes, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. Itaka leaned back, finishing the bite, letting the warmth from the stew mingle with the heat in the car. “You owe me one Tatsu.” Said Itaka while stuffing her face and eyeing the roads. While she didn’t want to look weak, Tatsuchi whispered under her breath, “I know…” Up on a dead streetlight, barely visible, sits a man. His cloak flutters in the wind. Hair tied back, eyes dim and unreadable. He watched silently.
He mutters under his breath, low and controlled, “She actually did it, she jumped.”
His jaw clenched as he pulls out a sleek black phone. “Graves,” he says, voice sharp. “The girl’s bounty went active today, he placed it. Find me everything. Now. I’m making my way to Harpyra.” He ends the call. The wind blows across his face, but his eyes don’t leave the target. Finally, almost to himself,“The question now… which one of them is the real threat?”
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