The Assessment
The Mugen-Armaments unit moved like shadows, parkouring across the moonlit rooftops of the capital. Leading the charge were Shiori and Kikyo, their distinct, functional uniforms contrasting sharply with the elegance of their surroundings. They arrived at a recently abandoned cultist temple.
"Reports say that Lord Umbra's subordinates entered and saved fifteen hostages," Kikyo stated, her ambition clear in her voice.
"Let's find out." Shiori didn't hesitate, entering the temple. She wrinkled her nose, looking at the mess of dead bodies. "Well, it seems that they don't know how to clean evidence."
"I don't think they care about 'evidence,'" Kikyo countered.
"What makes you say that?"
"No matter what, they always escape. They don't move in the shadows; they are the shadows."
A third figure entered, her posture radiating rigid royalty. Lyra looked around, her eyes serious. "Praising our enemies leads to their victory. But respecting them places us on their level."
Kikyo instantly bowed. "My Lady... your ummm uniform."
"Yeah," Lyra said, adjusting the garment. "After a few adjustments on the legs, I got it. It's better than what it was."
"So adding stockings makes you feel better?" Kikyo asked innocently.
"No, it makes me feel awkward, but..." [SHICK!] A thin, razor-sharp blade formed from the fabric of the stockings. "...it does come in handy."
"Okay, My Lady, so now are you ready for the assessment?" Shiori asked, ever the pragmatic one.
"Bring it."
Shiori began her analysis. "These bodies are five hours old. The total number of deaths is forty-three, and they all seem to die within twenty-one minutes, meaning—"
"It was not Lord Umbra," Lyra finished instantly, her gaze fixed on the gore.
"What makes you say that?" Kikyo pressed.
"I can now trace Kishō using this uniform. I had a sample of his shadow uniform, which I used a suspended animation technique to prevent it from disintegrating."
"Okay?" Shiori prompted.
"So, how or what is his Kishō?" Kikyo asked.
Lyra's jaw tightened. "It feels like an infinite pool of shadow. I'm not surprised, but after a thorough analysis, I realized his Kishō is below the Kenshin-ritsu user."
"Okay, then. So what else does this revealing uniform do?" Kikyo asked, clearly bored by the technical details.
"Besides track Kishō? It can—" Lyra stopped, her eyes going wide as her suit glowed faintly.
"What is it?"
"Hakuyō Academy. Two operatives of Lord Umbra."
"Okay, then we must..." Kikyo started, but Lyra was already gone. She was moving at incredible speed, a streak of crimson-armored ambition.
"I will get to that level!" Kikyo swore, staring at Lyra's fading form.
Shiori, already moving, shouted back, "Well, you won't if you just stand there!" Kikyo nodded and rushed after her.
The Shadow's Recall
On the rooftop of Hakuyō Academy, Veyla was sitting in a feral, low wolf position, her eyes scanning the shadows. Fenrix watched diligently nearby.
"The key, Veyla," Fenrix instructed, his voice low, "is to strip your need for sleep to ensure proper victory."
"Grandpa Fen know he not human, right?" Veyla responded, her voice a low growl.
"Almost forgot, pup," Fenrix said, patting her head.
Veyla smiled, but then her feral fur ears instantly pricked and flickered. She turned sharply to her left. Standing there was Lyra.
"Took you long enough to notice me," Lyra stated.
Fenrix's Tekko-Kagi (clawed hand guards) extended. "What do you want?"
"Let's be simple," Lyra replied, tilting her head. "I want Lord Umbra's head. So if you just tell me where he is, then you can live your pity lives."
"Mmmm, no," Veyla replied simply.
"No?" Lyra tilted her head again. "Well, then I guess you two will have to come with us three."
Fenrix turned quickly behind him to see Kikyo and Shiori standing silently, blocking their escape. Veyla's ears dropped; she felt a flicker of fear.
Back at the dorm, Kai instantly jolted awake, his muscles rigid.
Kurone, on the lower bunk, levitated onto his bed. "Kai? You okay?"
"Yeah," Kai replied, his voice calm. "Just a bug bite."
"Yeah, okay. Well, maybe you go wash your face."
"Yeah, thanks. Let me go."
Kurone returned to her bed, sensing the lie but choosing to ignore it. Kai walked into the washroom. As he splashed water on his face, he looked in the mirror, his eyes briefly glowing a distinct, cold crimson.
"Renaria."
[WHRRR! SHICK!] The walls shifted and rotated, and he was instantly in Renaria's room within the Kage-jō.
"Master?" Renaria asked, instantly snapping to attention.
"Veyla and Fenrix? They are—"
"I sent Zira and Kaelin to deal with it," Renaria interrupted calmly. "Since they were already coming from trading with King Malgros."
Kai looked relieved. "What were their orders?"
"Retrieve Veyla and Fenrix. That's all."
"Okay, then, I shall leave."
"Good. My Sovereign needs his eight hours of sleep."
Kai didn't respond but gave a small, genuine smile. The walls shifted back to his washroom. He looked in the mirror, his expression returning to his bored mask, and headed back to bed.
Back on the Hakuyō Academy rooftop, Zira and Kaelin, wearing elegant fox masks, stood behind Fenrix and Veyla.
"You know, we could've handled it," Fenrix grumbled.
"Master's orders," Zira replied.
Kaelin fanned her Tessens. "Besides, we are not to interfere."
Lyra glared at the new arrivals. "Four against three seems unfair."
Zira stepped forward. "Lyra Kare Akatsuki, we have no intention of defeating or embarrassing you. So let us take our own, and we shall be on our way."
"Who do you think you are to refer to Her Majesty by her full name!?" Kikyo snapped.
Kaelin answered with cold contempt. "We respect no royal but only our Sovereign, who deserves the praise."
"What's your orders, Lyra?" Shiori asked, awaiting the tactical decision.
Lyra took a slow, deep breath. "We're at school grounds. It's risky to cause disruption now. [GLARE!] We fall back for now."
"Phew. We didn't want to embarrass the royal family... again," Kaelin murmured under her breath.
"Let us go," Zira ordered.
All four Umbra Circlemembers were instantly engulfed in a pool of shadows and vanished. Lyra was left alone, a small, dangerous smile on her face.
"Why are you smiling?" Shiori asked.
"I have no issues with them," Lyra said. "And they respected the school. Even if they disrespected my name and family, I'm sure... sure very soon something will erupt, and I shall have Lord Umbra's head."
The moment she mentioned Lord Umbra, we cut to a panel of Kai sleeping peacefully in his bed.
End of chapter