Chapter 8:

Waystation Part III

Psychophage: Volume 1

The man clad in black armor paced around, his tattered cape flowing behind him. The blue glow of his armor was ominous, and he was strangely calm.

“H-how do you know my name?” Kairo asked with a shaky voice. He stood in front of the carriage, praying the horses wouldn’t run him over.

This boss fight is giving me chills… He hasn’t even done anything yet and I can tell how strong he is.

The man smiled at him and said, “I know because you are special. In fact, I’ve been waiting here for you!”

He stopped pacing around and began walking towards Kairo.

“S-stay back!”

I have to be heroic for her! Maybe she might call this marriage off because I saved her!

He shook his head and stood tall.

No. I need to focus on now. I can’t be a hero by thinking about it, right?

“What do you want with her?” he asked, his voice now firmer than before.

“Well, you see, she was my original target. I simply cannot allow her to bring peace to the Sakurachi lands. Because the Psycho Hunters,” the armored man paused. “They need to fall.”

What?! That doesn’t make any sense!

“Wait a minute! You know about the Psycho Hunters?”

He gave Kairo a look of confusion, tilting his head slightly.

“Yeah. I know all about them alright. And that’s exactly why I’m saying they need to be destroyed—”

“But you’re human aren’t you?” Kairo interjected.

I mean, I have no way of knowing… Those ninja siblings made me start to doubt everything…

“Laria? You can see him too, right?”

He looked over his shoulder, praying the princess was still safe in the carriage.

“Y-yes! I can see him!”

He turned his back to face the man. Looking closer at him, he realized the man probably was around the twenty years old—somewhere around Takada’s age.

He looks like he used to smile… Now it looks forced.

“Even I can sense a lot of pain behind it…”

“Yes. Indeed I am human just like you two. However, the Psycho Hunters would disagree and are heinous criminals running rampant throughout this country, spilling into others. They must be dealt with.”

He stood before Kairo, looking him square in the eyes.

“In all honesty, she was my target, and while I was killing time, I happened to find the Drifore’s! Can you imagine that? Then I found out you were still alive, so I used them as bait to get both at once!”

It took a second to process everything the man in black was saying. When it finally clicked, Kairo shuddered.

You mean I’m responsible for this? For that woman’s death?

“What the hell did you do to that family?” Kairo growled. “Tell me right now… Why did you hurt them?”

“…Huh?”

The man looked completely bewildered. He scratched his head slowly and carefully—clearly he had to, as he was wearing sharp pointed gauntlets.

“I don’t see the problem here… Wait—do you even know who the Drifore family is?”

“N-no… I’ve never heard of them before,” Kairo answered reluctantly.

The man shook his head.

“So that’s why you’d defend those bastards without a second thought…”

Kairo snapped.

“How dare you! Don’t call them that! They were humans too! They didn’t deserve—”

The man cut him off.

“They are from Dhar’Naleem, responsible for maintaining several waystations and traveler stops like this one. The thing is, their list of crime goes on so long, I’d have to print you a receipt with it all: Robbery, murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, extortion, and the list goes on.”

Kairo gasped. He didn’t mean to either.

“That’s horrible…”

But how can I trust what this guy says?

“Don’t believe me? Ask her. She is the princess after all,” the man said.

Cautiously, Kairo turned to look at Laria, staring straight at her eyes.

“…Is this true?”

She nodded, clasping her hands tighter together.

“I admit I am relieved they are no more,” she said softly. “But I would rather they had stood trial for their crimes.”

“And that is why it wasn’t a problem to kill them,” the man replied. “And Princess, please be reasonable. We both know that if this goes through, the Emperor and his forces will probably strike the Shogun, eliminating everyone along with them. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what would happen then?”

“I am aware of the risk. However, that’s why Dhar’Naleem is more than willing to provide support—”

The man rolled his eyes.

“Oh puh-lease! Spare me the patriotic crap. If your nation gets involved, that’s even worse.”

Kairo glared at him intently.

I have no idea what they are talking about! But he’s disrespecting my princess!

“And what, pray tell, do you think would happen then?” Kairo mocked.

The man leaned in, right into his face.

“Well, boy, for starters, other nations would get involved. And I’m certain YOU know what would happen next, don’t you?”

No… It can’t be.

“A world war…” Kairo uttered, barely a whisper. The man nodded his head, and he backed up.

“That’s exactly right! And then Dhar’Naleem would be one of the first targets for the world to group up to kick in the teeth.”

Kairo looked back at the carriage again. Laria had her head turned away.

She looks like she might cry! Damn this guy!

“How dare you! You take that back!”

The man’s face twisted up.

“You mean they defeated that one? He was much stronger than the others!”

“What?”

What is this guy talking about?

“No matter. I’ll just have to wrap up here and be on my way.”

“What are you talking abou—”

“I’m truly sorry about this, but I really need to hurry this up.” The man apologized.

Crnnnnnch!!

Kairo dropped to one knee, cupping his mouth with one hand. It was crimson and he coughed, spitting up more blood. His hand was dripping. Slightly dazed from the impact, he remained motionless.

Oh my god… Did a truck hit me?

“Oh shit.”

The man’s foot was flying straight for his face.

Crack!!

Flying back from the impact, Kairo felt his nose shattering. His head hit the dirt, and he felt his brain rattle.

“Aaaahhhh!!!” He screamed out in pain.

Damn it! I c-can’t even think straight!

* * *

Meanwhile, psychos continued spilling out of the shoji doors, and Takada’s sword arm drooped.

I’m at my limit… I’ve used too much magic as it is!

“Any more, and I’ll start forgetting things.”

He let go of his scarf, letting it settle under his chin.

I don’t think there’s a way out of this!

“The one who cast this dominion has to run out of mana at some point!” Zashi shouted. He start to grit his teeth. He knew that it wasn’t that simple.

Shrieeeeeek!!

He slashed and stabbed and cut down every psycho that crossed his path.

These psychos just don’t stop! No… these specters aren’t normal psychos!

“These monsters are being summoned—they were never human to begin with!”

He chuckled in disgust.

“I guess that just goes to show we’ve fallen into something real nasty!”

“What are you muttering on about?” Zashi asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how we’ll get out of here.” he replied. “I don’t think we can just brute force our way out.”

Crack!!

Crunch!!

Crsssh!!

He beheaded one psycho. Two. Another three. He kicked another, and his fist slammed into one’s nose. His dark, navy colored uniform hid the blood stains well.

Whump!!

More doors opened, and the horde tripled in size.

“Hey, bro? How many are there?! Thirty?!”

“What?! Are you insane? There are at least fifty here! There’s no way we can take them all!”

This is it… I don’t have any other choice.

He pulled his scarf up.

“Manifest Psyche.”

“Brother, no!!” Zashi shouted. “Do you really want to forget her?! Do you really want to forget Iome?!”

He could hear the pain in her voice. She was concerned about her—about him. But his mind was made up.

“I don’t have a choice. I can’t let you die here! You still want to have a lavish wedding don’t you?”

Her eyes teared up. She knew he was right. She knew he didn’t have any other options.

I hate to see you upset. I don’t want to forget her… But it’s better than dying!

“Frigus Ry—”

Shrieeeeeeeeeee—!

Suddenly, all of the creatures began fading into a black smoke. Each of the doors closed one by one.

Fwoof!!

All of the lamps suddenly went out, returning to the way they were before. Not a single specter remained. The front door was closed.

No way…

“Is it… Is it over?”

Zashi collapsed to her knees, looking up towards the ceiling.

“Thank goodness… Oh thank goodness…” Tears slowly pushed their way out of her eyes.

“That was a close one, huh?” Takada said, slightly laughing to ease the tension.

“Are you serious? We almost died! And you almost sacrificed your memories for one attack!”

I guess she’s right.

“But it all worked out in the end, right? Now, let’s get back to the others.”

* * *

“K-Kairo! Are you okay?!”

Laria? No… D-don’t come any closer!

Kairo’s thoughts loudly swirled in his head as he heard the princess jumping out of the carriage.

Don’t worry about me! Run away!

He wasn’t even sure if he was actually speaking or purely imagining it. As if she was reading his mind, she said, “I won’t leave you behind! Here! Manifest Pathos!”

Finally, he managed to utter a single word.

“Run…”

He heard the heavy footsteps and clanking of armor.

He’s coming this way! I need to get her out of here!

“You should listen to him, Princess. I have no intention of killing either of you, but if you won’t come with me willingly, I’ll have to take you by force.”

“…”

“Your answer?”

“Let me heal him first—then I swear I will go with you!”

Her voice sounded reluctant, yet strangely resolute.

“D-don’t do it!”

Don’t do it damn it! I’m not worth it! Don’t risk your life for me!!!

“Do you find this agreeable?” she asked.

Even without seeing his face, Kairo could tell the man was grinning.

“I do. You may proceed. After all, I can’t have him dying on me just yet.”

Looking up, Kairo could see Laria kneeling down beside him. She placed a hand above his face, hovering over it slightly. Her eyes began to glow a golden yellow.

“Blessed Healing: Minor!”

Her soft hand began to glow a gentle, bright green.

Oh yes… That feels amazing!

The pain began to fade, and he could feel his bones shifting back into place. He felt a warm sensation as they joined back together, as if they were never broken. Now able to think clearly again, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Eek!” she screamed, clearly not expecting to be touched.

“Hey! Dirtbag! Get your filthy hand off of her!” the man yelled.

His foot went cutting through the air, straight for the stomach.

Bleurgh!

A mix of vomit and blood shot out of Kairo’s mouth, and he curled up into a ball. He had no choice but to watch as the man extended a hand to Laria—and she accepted it. He pulled her to her feet, and she wrapped herself around him, like he was her protector, or her trusted knight.

Whump!

The door to the waystation shot open.

Is that? Oh please tell me it is…

“Kairo! Laria!”

Indeed, it was Takada shouting from that direction.

I’ve got to get up! I’m supposed to be the hero! It’s MY job to save the princess!

Slowly, but painfully, he tried to get up. As he did, he watched as Laria clinged to the man. A matching helmet formed out the armor and around the man’s face. Rage and envy shot through Kairo’s mind. All of his pain felt as if it melted away.

“I’ll get you, you bastard!”

As he started shouting, someone—only a blur—ran past him. Takada began running as well and shouted, “Zashi, don’t!”

It was too late—her kunai was inches from the man’s face.

“Dark Transfer!”

Oh no! No. No, no, no, no!

Kairo and Takada shouted her name simultaneously.

“Zashiiii!!”

A split second ago, the man and Laria were standing there. Now two psychos were slouched over in their places.

Shrieeeeek!!

They immediately prepared to impale her—just as soon as her momentum carried her forward. Takada grabbed the back of her collar, yanking her back.

He did it!

Shiing!!