The night was dark and windy—perfect for fishing in troubled waters.
"Is Stone Staircase Mountain far?" Alistair checked his phone's GPS.
"Not far. But do you need a different identity, Alistair? That 'human' look you use to play with the Exorcists might draw suspicion if you're seen with me," Kuchisake-Onna (Rie) said, her eyes tracing his features with curiosity.
"True. But this time, I want to make things a bit 'loud,'" Alistair replied, reverting to his true form. The 'Jotaro Kujo' persona was tied to Hana's help; he didn't want to blow her cover if things got messy.
"Why 'loud'?"
"Hana said Demi-humans are involved. These ancient races have deep roots. I don't believe for a second they aren't monitoring everything. They've lived too long to be fools. If they are this desperate for an artifact when the World Gates open in a few years anyway, they must be afraid of something. It's strange."
Alistair looked up at the crescent moon, partially veiled by clouds.
"So, you want a display of force?" Rie asked.
"Yes. When I was with Yukino, she told me that for a 'Hatchling' like me, their instinct is to 'coddle' me into siring strong children while keeping all the control. They'd treat me like a prize pet. I need to show them I have teeth. If they see me as a power to be reckoned with, they won't just see me as a breeding tool."
"Will you show your true form, then?"
"Not yet. My dragon form is over ten meters long even as a juvenile. That would cause a panic. I'll start with a prototype."
Black mist swirled around Alistair, coalescing into a suit of literal iron armor.
"Armor? Does this image have a special meaning?" Rie tapped the black steel, producing a crisp metallic ring.
"No special meaning. I just like a certain game character," Alistair smiled behind the visor.
Near Stone Staircase Mountain
"Are you sure it's here? I don't see anything," a man grumbled, leaning on a brass knuckle weapon.
"The mission said the vicinity. It's a huge area," his partner replied, wiping sweat from his brow.
"I've fought spirits before; they aren't that tough if you have the right gear. It's just the hostage-taking that's annoying." The man sat on a stone step, complaining about how he'd rather be ogling the "fleshy, big-breasted Elves" in the Demi-human territories.
"Shhh! Watch your mouth. You think they can't handle spirits? Watch what you say," his partner warned.
"Please, they aren't listening. Wait... why is it so dark? Is my night vision failing?" The man rubbed his eyes. "Ugh, I feel dizzy. Wait! There's—"
Before he could finish, both men slumped over, unconscious. From the shadows, a figure cloaked in black stepped out, raising a hand to finish them off.
"Looks like we arrived just in time, Rie," a three-meter-tall suit of iron armor boomed, appearing silently behind the figure.