Discovery of a Dark Matter

"Dark Matter?" Hikaru inquires, her voice carrying a note of confusion. Grey and Argolus share a more concerned reaction as they realise the danger it poses.

"Holdy sit. Ah almose toche dat!" Argolus gazes up at me, expressing his gratitude with a succession of nods. "Ya ave ma tanks lad."

"Mixing Dark Matter with regular gunpowder! Are those city dwellers insane? This is a violation of inter-city law!" Grey is outraged as much as he is unsettled by this new discovery. I adjust my grip on Kiru, examining the damage on her blade while reflecting on my battle with the bandits, and the initial damage she suffered.

"That's what hurt me!" Kiru's voice resounds within my mind, causing me to flinch and recoil slightly. "Regular bullets can't stop me, but because they were enhanced with Dark Matter..."

"Maybe you should voice your concerns to everyone." Pouring all of my focus into changing Kiru's form again, Kiru changes from her sword form, emitting a brighter glow than before, shifting into her tiny humanoid one. Pushing off from my hand, she lands gracefully on the table, positioning herself beside the Dark Matter gunpowder.

"Alright, as it's well known, legendary weapons such as myself were made with Dark Matter as our core material." Kiru speaks with a loud and somewhat proud tone, but it isn't lost on me the concern and foreboding in what she's about to share. 

"Because of our Maker's genius and the manner of how he made us, we became what we are. The only dangers we weapons have ever faced have been witches with their Dark Matter powers, or our fellow weapons." Kiru marches in circles on the desk around the gunpowder, making occasional gestures with her arms and gazing at each of us as she continues speaking.

"Dark Matter can be—and is—dangerous, regardless of what form it's in, regardless of whether it is in its pure state or has been refined. Now, if those city people are incorporating Dark Matter into their weapons like this, there's no telling the danger it could unleash, affecting not only us but also them."

"We've already seen the effects and damage just one shot can do to you. Any more than that, you and your fellow weapons would likely be destroyed." I interject with my own observation, indicating my understanding of the situation, and the dangers the cities new rifle and ammunition poses.

"Lez not foget da corrupdiv evects eider. HELL, ah awlmos toche dit. Ai'da gone cdrazy whid'din mom'ehnts." Argolus adds in his own knowledge of Dark Matter, still soothing his wrist and holding it back almost as if protecting it.

"God I hope that page wasn't important." We all turn our attention to Grey as he delivers a lighthearted joke, though his expression is anything but pleasant. "Takashi, can I ask you to dispose of this when we're done? It's too dangerous for anyone else."

"Wait, if it's so dangerous, why does it have to be Takashi? Isn't there another, safer way?" Hikaru speaks up the loudest she's been in a long while. While I appreciate her concern for me, I offer her a gentle, sympathetic smile to help alleviate her anxiety. Then Kiru speaks up on my behalf.

"Because he's the only one who can." Hikaru shifts her gaze to Kiru, clearly unsettled by her words. "As a weapon made from Dark Matter and as my wielder, Takashi's connection to me provides with him a resistance to Dark Matter's corruptive effects." Hikaru seems taken aback by Kiru's disclosure, gazing at me with concern.

"I'll be fine." I speak softly to help reassure her. "I've had encounters with Dark Matter in the past..." I pause, remembering my previous encounter with it, and the effect it had on me. "And I've been exposed to much more, and worse than this." I gesture towards the gunpowder as I finish my sentence.

HIkaru appears to understand my meaning, but her concern remains evident as she gazes at the gunpowder laced with Dark Matter. I take several more sheets of paper from the stacks at the edge of Grey's desk. With great care, I encompass and wrap the gunpowder within them, crumpling and enclosing it as tightly as possible on Grey's desk.

"Thank you, Takashi..." Grey pauses for a moment, tracing his fingers along his bearded chin as he contemplates his next words. "For now, I intend to confiscate these weapons and have them sealed within the guild's vault." Taking hold of his cane, Grey rises from his seat.

"In the meantime, I will need to inform and confer with the other guild masters on what we have learned. I'm sorry Takashi, but we will have to leave dealing with the electronic device for another day." Grey offers me a slight bow in apology, which I acknowledge with a slight nod in return.

"That's fine. Depending on Hikaru's wishes, we'll probably be around for a few days." Grey appears pleased with my response, then shifts to an expression of confusion as I reach over and pick up one of the blades associated with the control device. "I'll just need to borrow one of these for my own investigation. Assuming you don't mind."

"By all means, the more we learn about these, the better prepared we'll be. Where are you intending to go?" Leaning over the desk again, I grasp the severed rifle by its strap, lift it off the desk, and hang it over my shoulder. Additionally, I pick up the remaining two rounds he dropped onto his desk and pocket them, further adding to Grey's confusion.

"To the West. I was told the weapons and beasts came from that direction, so what better direction to begin." Grey's expression changes as he comprehends the implication of my words.

"Bolo?" I nod in response, which Grey immediately understands.

"Either he knew about these or he didn't. If it's the latter, he can begin an investigation on his end as well." Grey's mouth forms into a smile upon hearing my words, then the realisation strikes both of us that there are other people in the room. Grey starts by clearing his throat.

"Well, thank you for answering my summons, Argolus. I do believe we'll have need of your services in the future." Grey adopts a more respectful tone as he addresses the dwarf, who offers an appreciative nod in response.

"Aye, iss bin an intresstin nite. Plesur meetin ya Takshi, nnd yu too lassie. Ook forwrd ta see'in ya ag'en." Hikaru bows to Argolus, bidding him a farewell, while I extend my arm for a parting handshake. "No tanks lad, ahm still feelin sore from dat las grip o yors. Ah'l see ya round." Argolus gives me a hearty grin and leaves Grey's office in a quieter manner than when he entered.

"Well then, that should conclude our business for the night. It seems there is a great deal of work ahead of us. Right, Takashi?" Grey offers me his arm for a handshake, which I grasp, and with a single firm shake, settle our business for the night.

"Agreed. I have to admit, this is a little exciting for me. I haven't been faced with something this big since I took down Vestra." I express my honesty with Grey, earning a chuckle from him as we release our handshake. 

"Just be careful out there. Not to state the obvious, but you're not alone anymore. So try to avoid taking unnecessary risks." Grey smiles at me with confidence, encouraging a smile from me in return. "Miss Hikaru, it has been a pleasure, and I wish you the very best."

"Oh, ah. Thank you for having me here, even though there wasn't much for me to do or say." Hikaru bows deeply, nearly hitting her head on Grey's desk, prompting Kiru and I to close in to prevent it, before rising again with a bashful expression. "Honestly, I could understand or keep up with most of it. Though, I am glad things worked out for Sataro and Kitsura."

"True, if it wasn't for Takashi's opinion and Treia's observations, I wouldn't have been so lenient." Grey shifts his gaze from Hikaru to me, with a less pleasant expression. "Just remember, you brought them here and vouched for them, Takashi. If they screw up or cause trouble, it's on your head."

"I know, I know. If something happens, I'll take responsibility." I dismiss Grey's concern, feeling a little hungry and eager to leave. I hold out my hand to Kiru, allowing for her to climb up my arm. Once she's perched on my shoulder, I pick up the crumpled paper containing the Dark Matter gunpowder, handling it carefully.

"Oh, since you're planning to see Bolo, I'll write you a slip authourising the hire of a carriage to take you there." Grey takes out a fresh sheet of paper from his desk drawer and begins writing on it. "I wouldn't want you to subject Miss Hikaru to one of your death-marches."

"Hey, come on. I wouldn't do that to her. Right?" I shift my gaze over to Hikaru who stands in place. She responds by closing her eyes and tilting her head slightly with a forced smile, effectively countering my argument. Meanwhile, I catch a shrug from Kiru in the corner of my eye, further devastating me.

"Here, give this to the guards by the gate." Grey folds and hands me the letter, which I take and carefully pocket. "With our bandit problem gone now, we can open up the town again. Thank you for that."

"Happy to help. Hopefully Treia will be able to gather what she needs for her lethyl leaf brew, I'm guessing they're completely out, considering I was served a berry juice while I was there." Grey responds with a nod before taking a seat at his desk again, and letting out an exhausted sigh.

"Alright already, we're done here. Takashi, Hikaru, can we get outta here, please?" Kiru voices her eager desire to leave, resulting in a shared gaze and smile between Hikaru and I. We approach the door and with a final bow from Hikaru and I to Grey, we leave his office, closing the door behind us.