50. Emma and Ito
Raindrops pelted my face.
I woke up.
I looked around. It felt like I was deep in a dense forest. Had I been knocked out?
"You're awake? Then walk on your own two feet."
Riley said. I'd been slung over her back. She set me down.
"Where the hell are we?"
"A forest, as you can see. We're heading to Ito's hideout."
So I'd been kidnapped. I looked up; through gaps in the trees, I could see a sky blanketed in thick clouds. Rain poured down from it. It was dim, and I had no idea what time it was. I pulled out my smartphone to check.
"July 8th, 7:36 a.m...."
It was the day after I'd hooked up with Riley.
"In your world, yesterday was Tanabata, right? The one day a year when the Weaver Girl and the Oxherder can meet in the heavens. But as you can see, it's pouring."
"Not disappointed. Up there, it's just the two of them. No one's watching while they whisper sweet nothings."
"Heh, romantic stuff. Kinda like us last night."
"Shut up. I'm heading back to town."
"How?"
Riley laughed. I scanned our surroundings again. Trees loomed thick in every direction—no clue which way led out. One wrong turn, and we'd wander this woods forever.
"You know the way?"
"I'm a chaser by trade. Beastkin-exclusive job. Skill lets me track marked spots or rough directions to people. Switched to warrior to protect my master."
"That's some cheat-ass job."
"Adventurer storage is the real cheat."
"...Fair point."
Pointless chit-chat, so I just nodded. Riley started walking. No options for me right now—had to follow her.
"You know where Ito's hideout is?"
"Knew they holed up around here. Master and Ito met on these roads. But exact spot? No clue."
"How do you know we're heading to the hideout?"
"Emma's position hasn't budged since yesterday."
So we were charging into who-knows-what, just the two of us.
"What's the plan?"
"Get Levante and Ito's thieves fighting. While they're busy, I snatch my master."
"Hold up—Levante's just me."
"Relax. Left a calling card. Sprinkled strong-scented perfume along our trail—Fam's dog ears'll pick it up. Even left marks like this."
She swung her sword, gouging a tree.
"Hey, when'd you get that blade?"
Come to think of it, no hook claws. Myra and the others must've removed them during treatment. Memories fuzzy.
"Some nice guy handed it over when we entered the woods. Two offered, but one was enough—turned the other down. Need one yourself?"
She grinned.
"You didn't kill 'em, right?"
"Payback for yesterday. Thieves anyway."
Thieves deserve death, huh.
"...You're too damn reckless. Thought it during the bell tower mess too—you're a total idiot."
"What?!"
"Don't know what Ito's deal is. But Emma's alive, right? Means no intent to kill her. Doesn't scream commercial kidnapping or some beneficiary setup. And it wouldn't escalate to killing over whether to off me or not. Resolve their beef, and we're free. But you got zero intel on that."
I kept quiet about the noble in Rishel who'd housed Emma.
"..."
"Just stirring shit to force a standoff. Cornering them."
Ito seemed wild enough to lead thieves, but chose not to come at us directly.
"Easier to create conditions for Ito to release Emma than slaughter every thief."
"Master and Ito are twin sisters. Same party originally. Half a year ago, Ito and one other bailed. Sudden. I knew nothing."
"Spill that shit earlier! Twins ain't killing each other!"
"Truth? Ito's a blank to me. Even in the party, we rarely synced. Lately, tailed you into the dungeon together."
"Someone hauled your asses to floor 12."
"Yeah. Ito's an adventurer job."
"Doesn't add up. Means Ito helped try to kill us in the dungeon. Wasn't she against killing us?"
"Nah, spot on. Always half-assed about it."
"..."
Summoned by the same god, probably. Should draw them together. Half-year rift? Me as trigger maybe, but not root.
Thought of Myra and Ira—near-identical sisters, not twins. Myra clingy, Ira annoyed. Petty squabbles, sure, but no murder without inheritance drama.
My sis called me gross nonstop, but whatever—this ain't forgiving that. Miracle my angelic niece popped out. Siblings different.
Thoughts derailed. Riley's story still bugged me. Delivery off, info weird. Not hiding, but something nagged.
"Comrades killed," Riley spat bitterly.
"You killed one too. And two today. You started the blood feud, didn't you? Your fault..."
Couldn't say Emma'd die. I was heated too. No point cornering Riley. Needed calm.
"You said Ito used dragon power. Emma didn't fight back?"
"Emma tried countering with the same special skill."
"...Dragon power?"
"Yeah."
Special skills shouldn't duplicate. Blacked-out ones okay? Glitchy as hell.
"Anyway, hurry to Emma."
Fam and crew probably en route. Didn't want them fighting thieves.
Waiting for join-up risks assault label. Backtrack? Bodies left. Avoid Levante-thief clash too.
"You'll help? As expected from the man I love."
"Keep dreaming! Lead the way."
Wanna kick yesterday's me with her.
"Your plan's half-baked. I'm taking charge now. Want to save Emma? Follow me!"
No save guarantee. But no fights for Fam's crew. End it before they arrive.
"Can I trust you?"
"Stay here, wait for your backup, head home together."
Fam probably sniffed our hookup. Ditched me for Migurutto in spite? No full confidence she'd come.
"...Yeah, fair. My plan's full of holes."
Riley laughed. Kinda endearing.
Anyway, meet Ito. Probe release terms, persuade. No better plan. Skill clash means numbers irrelevant.
We trekked through the forest. Canopy blocked most rain, but ground was muddy slop.
Riley picked easy paths for me.
Thieves' hideout—where's ideal? Ambush road travelers, so near roads, but not obvious or retaliation bait.
No comfy digs. Shitty gig. Red Brigade raiding Fam's village probably hunkered similar.
Noble housing Emma their patron?
Lost in thoughts, Riley halted.
"Welcoming committee."
Stopped her drawing sword.
"Emma close?"
"Yeah."
"Then let 'em guide us. That sword's trouble—hand it over."
Stolen from thieves. Ends talks cold.
"One more time. Trustworthy?"
Riley eyed me.
"We're lovers, right?"
"...You're an idiot too. Think I'm seriously into you?"
"Yup."
"Idiot."
She handed the sword; stored it.
Hands up, advanced. Riley followed.
Bowmen emerged.
"Wanna see Ito. Tell her Mash is here."
Riley and I waited there.
No hideout tour. If kitchen, could've grilled corn fest, played nice. Skipping it means release possible. Even if Emma talks bust, maybe walk free.
Two deep-hooded black robes appeared. Mouths visible only. One tall, male-ish.
Other matched Emma's build. Probably Ito.
"First time meeting. I'm Ito."
Ito spoke. Same tone as Emma. Indistinguishable.
"Yeah. Nice to meet ya."
"So, business?"
"Talk alone."
"Date invite?"
"Yep. Invited Emma to dinner once. Got shot down."
Ito leaned back slightly. Surprised? Separate people after all.
"For real?"
She glanced at Riley.
"Real."
Riley nodded.
"Got it. Let's stroll, just us."
We distanced from Riley and thieves. Rain drummed on, but overhead branches sheltered. She waited for me to speak. Guess I start.
"Nice digs."
"Bit inconvenient."
Ito bantered lightly.
"Met other transfers?"
"...First besides Emma."
True? Slight pause.
"Goddess Five Pillars told you to kill their transfers?"
"Yep. You?"
Ito direct.
"Demon King. No word on others. Not 'fight transfers.'"
Kept quiet on arguing with Mizuki instead of Rakushel chat.
"Demon King... died 100 years back."
"Reason we gotta kill each other?"
"War's extension. Kill all Goddess Five transfers, unlock the Ark. Granter fulfills wisher's desire."
Wish granted? Bad vibes only. No happy endings in those tales.
"Emma got a wish?"
"Yeah, me too."
Ito nodded.
"Ark's where?"
"Imperial capital. Deepest in Palace of No Return dungeon."
Fancy name, but known location means returnees.
"Seen it?"
"Nah, under royal castle. Guarded. No entry."
"Rough. My goddess implied wish post-Demon King."
Rakushel heard Mizuki's homeworld wish. I don't buy it.
"Which tougher..."
"Why fight Emma?"
"Riley surviving surprised me, but didn't she tell you?"
"Yeah, argued over killing me, fought. No sense in fatalities."
"Really? You're strong. Avoid beef."
Playing dumb? Felt risky probing.
"No more transfer secrets. Head back?"
"...Yeah."
She cut it off, walked. I followed.
Back to Riley.
"Release Emma."
"Why? She's gunning for you."
"Black panther begged forgiveness, so I forgave. You don't wanna kill her either. Terms for release?"
"Tch."
Riley glared.
"Too bad—she's gone."
"Gone how? Riley's alive. Where?"
"Failed to kill you. Left evidence, forced standoff. Didn't want open feud. So, reset."
Ito drew sword from storage, tossed to Riley.
"Riley, take it. Order: kill Mash."
Riley caught, unsheathed.
"...You're definitely Ito. No slave crest transfer. Why?!"
Riley snarled.
"Order: kill Mash."
Riley's slave mark glowed dully. She lunged. I drew knife from storage, barely blocked.
"What the hell?"
"You two fight here, die 'accidentally.'"
Riley struck fast. Dodging max effort.
"Nngh, yesterday's wounds still hurt, right? Slow down!"
"If you ain't serious, hit for real!"
She lowered guard. Fight or die. But I froze.
"Idiot!"
She swung again.
Parried low. Tripped on root. Strike incoming— but she froze mid-upswing.
"Mash, you said 'follow me to save master.' ...Please!"
She plunged sword into her gut.
"Stop!"
Too late. Blood-soaked, she crumpled. I rushed, cradled her.
"Heh, in your arms. Never figured this end..."
"Hey! Don't fuck around—don't you dare!"
"..."
Riley whispered. Inaudible. Strength fading. Warmth slipping away.
"Hey, healer! Anyone?!"
Yelled at Ito.
"None."
Cold reply.
"Your comrade."
"Slave. Lives for me. Betrayed me."
"Riley's Emma's slave."
"Don't get it? Emma's me, I'm Emma."
"...Special skill?"
She nodded. Cloning skill? Explained dual dragon powers, two Hecatoncheires. Ito slipped floors, flanked with Emma.
"Whatever—save Riley!"
"Useless. She dies. You too."
"Shit—Goddess Summon!"
Instantly, light engulfed us.
Light converged; goddess lounged on floating spear.
"...Calling me with crude words? Meanies."
Even in rain, golden hair shimmered. Beauty clashed with her cutesy drawl.
"Who to kill today~?"
Casual about carnage.
"No kills. Arrow storm skyward—so they know I'm here. Call Myra and Ira."
"Forest. No one sees sky."
"Fine. Blast at Ito. Robed girl."
"Okay. No choice~."
Rakushel's tone unnerved me.
"...Rakushel, you get it?"
Emma gone already. Killed her? Ito dies, Riley too.
Rakushel floated down, stood before me cradling Riley. Hand to spear.
Spear glowed intensely. Overkill for close range—I knew it.
"Better defend. You'll die~."
Rakushel warned Ito. She snapped from daze—Myra's charm?
"Special skill: Dragon Mode!"
"SHUUUUTOOO!"
Shouts overlapped.
Gleaming spear launched at dragonizing Ito.
Flash, boom, blast wave. Obliterated center. Dust swallowed all.
Only Rakushel's barrier spared us.
Trees gone; rain lashed my cheeks direct.
Torrents tried washing Riley's blood. Cupped some—rain rinsed it too. Myra, Ira—hurry.
Spear explosion settled.
Huge crater ahead. Insane power.
Rakushel's form faded in light.
"Poured my mana into Riley. She'll hold a bit~."
"If you can do that, gimme some."
Head spun wildly. Blackout edging in. Mana depletion.
"Need yours first."
My mana via her to Riley.
"Ito..."
Rakushel pointed. Crater center: two legs protruded from dirt.
"Victory V-sign~."
"..."
Lame joke. No laugh, stayed silent.
"Shu-sama!"
Fam's voice.
"Heading home~. Get there before Myra, okay?"
She dissolved into light particles.
Still holding Riley, my consciousness faded.
Thank you for reading.
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It motivates me. I'll keep going.