Talks and Trial's - Part 2

It doesn't take us long to locate Treia behind the bar in the tavern, making conversation while serving a customer. Approaching and then leaning against the bar, I convey our intentions to head to the guild, implying that she must come with us to serve as a voice in Sataro and Kitsura's trial.

"You know, this is really inconvenient right now. Ro has gone to bed and I need to manage the place until he's rested." Despite voicing her concern, I do a scan of the tavern floor, seeing barely half the amount of people that had occupied it earlier tonight. 'It appears that most of the people have either gone to their rooms, or back home.'

I know, but you're among the most respected members in Alameria..." I opt not to mention that she's also the oldest. "Grey will likely base his decision on their past connections, so I'm certain he'll lean towards a harsh punishment. I assured them of support them at their trial, and I need your voice there with me." Treia appears skeptical as I speak, her gaze shifting to Hikaru who  shrugs to her in response.

"And what am I supposed to do about the inn? I can't just leave the place unattended or ask everyone to leave. There are still a number of people here who have nowhere to go." 'Treia's argument has merit, yet I don't have time to address it.' Opting for the brute force approach, I walk towards the center of the tavern and jump onto an empty table. Inhaling deeply, and with my voice raised, I address everyone in the tavern.

"Alright people, listen up..." I pause briefly, allowing a moment for everyone to focus their attention on me. However, some of the people present continue to ignore me. "OI! Shut it, and pay attention!" My second attempt yields better results, drawing everyone's gaze to me, their expressions a blend of confusion, irritation and concern.

"The Life-Spirit Inn will be closed for the rest of the night. The bandits have been dealt with, so it's safe to return to your homes. If you're still in need of a place to stay, I suggest you make your way to the guild hall and seek shelter there." 

My declaration is met with a chorus of objections, and a few empty mugs being hurled at me. I catch one of them, tossing it over to Treia, who catches it before throwing it into a barrel filled with other used and dirty dishes. Struggling to contain my irritation and maintain my composure, I speak out again with a harsher tone.

"OI, you can leave on your own or I can throw you out. I don't have time to waste right now, so I'm giving you all two minutes." It takes several seconds for everyone to make their decisions; some choose to leave, others remain where they are. Meanwhile a large burly man rises from his seat and approaches me as I step down from the table. 

Towering over me, he stands about 7 feet tall and exudes a real muscle-head image. 'Oh, great, a tough guy. I really shouldn't enjoy this... but I'm going to anyway.'

"What was that about throwing us out?" I gaze up at the man as he looks down on me in more ways than one. "I'd like to see you try." He leans in, bringing his face closer to mine and I can't help but smirk, eager to humiliate and put the man in his place.

With a singular, smooth motion, I grip the man by his belt. In one seamless sequence of a pull and twist, I lift him off the ground and execute a single rotation before releasing him, sending him hurtling out through the inn's doors. His face grinds across the ground, his ass facing upward into the air for all to see.

'What a pushover, I barely used half my strength.' Needless to say, the inn was promptly cleared out afterwards, leaving Treia free to join and follow us to the guild.

We stroll through the torch-lit streets, enjoying the cool night air and the twinkle of the stars above as we approach the guild. Despite her initial reluctance, Treia agreed to join us, leaving her inn unattended in the meantime. Thankfully, Hikaru and Kiru's combined presence are enough to pacify her, both of them engaging her in girl talk while I stride ahead of them.

Wasting no time, we enter the guild hall and I take in the room. 'I can't help but notice that things haven't changed since I was last here.' To my relief, the male guild attendant is nowhere to be seen; in his place, a pair of girls are behind the counter, deep in gossip. Disrupting their conversation, I approach the counter and ask them about Grey.

"The guild master, yes, he's available. Is there something you need to discuss with him?" I don't recognise either of the guild girls. As the dark-haired one addresses me, her blonde-haired friend with big round glasses stands idly by, waiting for our conversation to conclude.

"I need to discuss the prisoners awaiting judgment in the dungeon." My mention of prisoners surprises both the guild girls. Treia, equally taken aback by their reaction, steps forward to involve herself in the conversation.

"You two were aware that there are prisoners down there, right?" Treia's question sends the guild girls into a panic. The dark-haired one bows and offers her apologies, while her blonde friend pulls out a large yellow log book and sifts through its records. "Well?" Treia's frustration and impatience become evident the more we learn about the situation.

"I'm afraid nothing has been logged in the books, and no notes or alerts were left for us prior to our shift." Irked by the blonde girl's words, I reach over the counter to find the dungeon keys, snatching them of their hook. 

"Tell Grey we'll be right up." Giving my command to the girls, I march towards the area behind the stairs. Unlocking the door leading downward, I enter the guild's dungeon. Inside the dimly lit space, I hasten to the cell where I last left them. Inside the iron-barred enclosure, I find Sataro lying face-down on the stone floor, while Kitsura sits lifelessly against the wall on the mattress. 

Treia's approach momentarily distracts me, allowing a delicate hand to seize my collar before I can react. Nearly slamming me against the cell bars, I'm brought face to face with Kitsura. Her vicious expression and gritted teeth make her appear more feral than she ever has before.

"Get... me... out... of... here!" Kitsura's speech is slow and deliberate. I can't help but meet her intense gaze, 'She was so fast, I didn't even notice her move.' I'm stricken with terror by the amount of hostility behind her orange eyes. Raising my hand in an attempt to remove hers from my collar, inadvertently encourages her to bare her fangs at me, causing me to stop.

"Takashi..." Treia utters my name in shock of as she moves to assist me. However, I raise my free hand in a gesture for her to stop, "What? You..." Baffled by the situation, Treia halts in place and stammers, her words trailing off as I return my full attention to Kitsura.

"Kitsura, you need to calm down and let me go." I address the fox woman softly, even as she tightens her grip on my collar. Gently, I take hold of her wrist. "I'm here to take you out of here and we'll see about your trial. By morning, all of this should be behind us." Kitsura blinks repeatedly, her eyes glazed over and filled with uncertainty. 'Is she really angry, or is she acting out again?'

Gradually, Kitsura's grip on my collar weakens, eventually letting me go, it allows me to approach the cell's gate and unlock it. I keep myself braced, anticipating any attempt by the fox woman to make a run for it. Yet, it's only Sataro who stirs, lifting his head from off the floor.

"Please tell me you're here to let us out." Sataro's question leaves me a little perplexed. Meanwhile, Hikaru has descended the stairs, holding Kiru in her arms as if she were a doll, a sight which brings me a sense of comfort in contrast to the dreary, dim chamber in which we stand.

"I hope so. Why?" Returning my attention to Sataro, my query is answered by the sound of two rumbling stomachs echoing from the cell. "Didn't anyone bring you two something to eat?" My second question is answered by another, louder growl from Kitsura's stomach. "Never mind."

Once Sataro picks himself off the floor, he moves to Kitsura's side to offer support and guide her out of the cell. The pair manages to make their way out of the cell, albeit weakly. Treia observes them as they exit, and I follow behind them. 'I'm gonna kill that guild guy next time I see him.'

"Why don't you take them to see Grey. I'll join you after I've picked up a few things. Alright?" Treia walks out of the dungeon first, brushing past Hikaru and Kiru as she heads up the stairs. Stopping by the storage chest, I unlock it with the key and gather up their belongings, including the rifle I severed in two.

Exiting the dim, cold dungeon, Hikaru, Kiru and I patiently await Kitsura and Sataro as they slowly emerge from the dungeon floor, heading towards the stairs that lead to the upper floor. A multitude of eyes fixate on us as we escort Kitsura and Sataro. The guild's adventurers, loiterers and workers all stare at us with harsh and judgemental gazes, further unsettling the already distressed pair.

"Are they going to be okay? Hikaru's genuine concern for Kitsura and Sataro warms my heart. Although, Kiru gazes at them with indifference, seemingly uninterested in their whole situation. Upon closer inspection, I notice Kiru appears to be nodding off, still cradled in Hikaru's arms like a doll.

"Honestly, no idea. Their fate is undetermined, and they're practically starved at the moment." I talk and walk with Hikaru following closely behind. We reach the top of the stairs while keeping an eye on Kitsura and Sataro. "If anything, I'm certain that all of Grey's snacks are going to disappear before we're in there for long."

Hikaru chuckles at the thought of my prediction. After a few more minutes, Kitsura and Sataro join us, standing outside of the guild master's office. Announcing our arrival with a series of loud knocks on the door, I declare our and intention to enter with Kitsura and Sataro in tow.

"Yes, come in. I've been expecting you."