Hide and Seek

[Shinku]

The distant view of Arcadia welcomed Shinku as he approached the city from the death game's venue. He stopped, floating with his shadowsteed, as he indluged himself in the distant nostalgic view of Arcadia, the great city that had been his home since the threat of the unmaking had befallen the crossroads. The Arcadians sprawled across the city like tiny ants scuttling here and there as they went about their businesses. Somehow, their carefree nature reflected that the threats of the unmaking had subsided. At least for the time being.

Beyond the horizon, the rustic orange glow of the setting sun partly illuminated the thicket of trees that formed the outer boundaries of the city. Above, dragons and steampunk airships still dominated the skies, crisscrossing to and fro the several trading routes within the humongous city. Scarlet sails reflected the crimson hue of the sunset as the merchants embarked on their last voyage of the day.

He smiled wistfully, recalling the day when he first set foot into the city and was enthralled by its majestic beauty. Then, it was but a foreign land of beauty for him, but at that point, the city felt more like a home for him than Opealon. He lived more years in Opealon but most of his memories in Arcadia weighed heavier on him than the rogue life he had on the ocean world. It was such a pity that he'd have to leave the city sooner or later to continue his quest for power.

The darkness of dusk started to descend on the city, casting long shadows from Arcadia's towering buildings. The city's sprawling citizens began to diminish one after another, each retiring to their homes.

Shinku chuckled lightly, trying to shake off the melancholy that started creeping into his mind. With the coming nightfall, he dismissed his dark horse and decided to enter his shadows and portal his way into the city. His form appeared back on Suvaru Inn's rooftop where the agent from Carnival Rosa took him from.

"So you were actually alive," a voice welcomed Shinku, causing him to turn around to see the lady that suddenly spoke. "I thought you were dead. I haven't seen you since after that Dante's Abyss game."

"I...I've been busy with a lot of things since then. How are you?," Shinku asked the lady which he recognized as Elise, his mind still placing what she could have been doing there at such a time.

"Well, we've been doing well, me and Janica's family, that's all thanks to you," Elise smiled as a sudden gust of wind gently blew, rustling her hair, its loose strands dancing in her face.

"I'm glad you are," he responded briefly, left with no more words to express. It felt awkward, to say the least, but at the same time comforting to meet the lady that he hadn't seen for quite some time. They stood there for a moment, silence stretching between them until Elise broke it with a small cough.

"I've been waiting for you." Elise remarked shyly, her face blushing under the faint glow of the moonlight.

Shinku couldn't help but be taken aback by the lady's words. He wasn't sure what to make of it but he couldn't deny the sudden flutter in his heart. "You...need something?," he asked, trying to brush off the awkward tension that was starting to build up within him.

Elise hesitated for a moment, her gaze veering away from Shinku's eyes. "I was hoping you could make me stronger," she responded softly, her voice sounding just above a whisper.

"How do you suggest we do that?," Shinku asked though it was more out of a filled conversation rather than genuine curiosity. He knew how the lady felt, helpless and weak, unable to do anything against the destruction of her homeworld. Or perhaps, having experienced the dangers of the unmaking and Darkseid's occult members made her wary over time.

"Teach me the ways of the sword and train me to fight like you do," she requested, her voice sounding bolder as compared to the shy tone she had earlier.

Shinku took a moment to reflect on the lady's request. Although he's not that stingy with his abilities, he knew that training the lady might lead her to a dangerous path.

"Why do you want to be strong?," he assessed, wanting to hear her motive from her lips.

Elise' expression turned somber. "I don't want to feel helpless anymore. I...can't always rely on you...on...anyone to protect me and my friends. And I don't want to stay here, waiting for the news on where my parents are." Her shoulders slumped slightly, letting out a heavy sigh after her speech.

Shinku felt a pang of sympathy for the lady. Yet, it still wasn't easy for him to just say yes. Aside from his fear for the lady's fate, he had plans that would take most of his time. "I can teach you. But you will have to earn it," Shinku remarked in a firm tone, testing the lady's resolve.

"Of course. I'll do whatever it takes," she responded with a determined nod. Her eyes finally stared straight into Shinku's, her fists clenched firmly at her sides.

"Though I can't help but wonder. How did you know that I'm coming back today," Shinku then asked, a hint of suspicion lacing his tone.

"I didn't," she replied with a faint smile. "But I've been visiting this inn since Carnival Rosa announced the end of the Death Game. And I figured out that you'd be...returning here. Today, I almost gave up and came up here to see the setting sun as I did when this was my home."

"I see. Where are you staying now by the way?,"

"Well, we found a place with others there," she responded, pointing at one of Erde's floating platforms. "They named it Tinkerdrift. Well, it's named after a place from our old world. Not too fancy but I guess, we can't be choosers," she chuckled lightly, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow.

"Hmmm...at least that's good hear. Very well," the assassin of shadows remarked, followed by a whistle. A few moments later, Shinku's shadowsteed came galloping down from the sky, landing softly on the ground beside him. "Let's go," he then offered, after mounting his ride. Elise climbed up behind him, grabbing tightly onto his waist as Shinku spurred the shadowsteed forward into the horizon.

 

[Shinku]

The scent of burnt coals welcomed Shinku and Elise as they descended upon the floating station. The loud sound of clanging metals rang in the air, harmonizing with the rhythmic grinding and clanking of gears. The settlement showed a bustling ambience even at night time, most of them tinkering with various machines and gadgets.

"Hey! That's Trevor!," the voice of a male child called out, causing Shinku's head to turn towards a house just across the street. He caught sight of a young boy, being held by an old lady who immediately covered his lips.

A couple more people turned their heads at the descending Shinku and Elise. Whispers and murmurs could be heard among a few groups of people, their gaze fixated on the newcomers.

"I'm sorry sir!" the old lady apologized, pulling the boy inside the house before shutting the door.

"Hey, you're famous now," Elise remarked, lightly chuckling in awkwardness.

"Looks like it," Shinku responded, forming a faint smile on his lips. What he felt around him, however, was that of fear rather than awe. For some reason, these people fear his presence, and he couldn't blame them for it. After all, his fame was rooted from Carnival Rosa's death game.

"So...I guess you can leave me here. Thanks," Elise said faintly, as she carefully dismounted from the shadowsteed. "Don't forget your promise."

"Of course. But remember, you still have to prove yourself," the assassin remarked, his voice taking in a more stern tone. "For now, stay safe and be careful," he continued before commanding his shadowsteed once again to soar in the sky.

Elise watched, as Shinku disappeared with his shadowsteed into the night sky. "I will be stronger. Ma and Pa," she muttered under her breath as she stepped towards his home.

'She seems to be fond of you.' Orochi's voice hissed in Shinku's mind as he flew back towards the city.

'You sure like to talk about unnecessary stuff a lot.' Shinku retorted, annoyance evident in his thought.

'Hmmm...I don't think I'd consider that one unnecessary. After all, there's a chance that you'd get distracted because of her.'

'Oh, so that's what you're worried about. Do you really think that at this point, anyone could still sway me from my path of vengeance?'

'Frankly speaking? I think yes my dear host. Don't forget that I can read through your thoughts. Right now, you're afraid that she might end up like you. I got that right, did I not?,' the shadow demon hissed, its tone laced with sarcasm.

Shinku grew silent, realizing the truth of the demon's words. Somehow, he couldn't deny how much he cared for the lady, even though he tried to avoid the lady for such a long time. 'Well, she won't be a hindrance. That, I can assure you.'

The shadow demon let out a mocking laugh in response. 'We'll see about that. But don't think for a second that I won't keep bugging you. After all, you are my precious host.'

'Fine. Let's just let her be. I just need to teach her anyway and I can avoid her again after that.'

'Whatever suits you. At least, I can still smell that blood that lusts for vengeance. As long as it's in there, I know that you'll never fail me.'

'So then. Let's just leave it be. I still don't forget about the next stone in Opealon. We'll get there once I got enough strength and allies.'

'Good. That's all I need to hear for now,' the shadow demon remarked, its voice gradually trailing off. Fortunately, nothing followed after that, leaving Shinku at peace once again.

The glow of the full moon cast an ethereal light on the city, Shinku's form silhouetted against its radiance. And yet, the assassin's thoughts were clouded by a multitude of concerns which was only exacerbated by the added pact he made with Elise. Or at least, till he ascertained that she was worth the training she asked for.

Shinku sighed a deep breath, but just as he thought that his day was over, a familiar presence suddenly caught his attention.

"I'll be leaving you here. Thanks for the ride," he whispered to the shadowsteed who neighed in response. Shinku then turned his gaze down to the ground before disappearing into his shadows. His form reappeared right in front of Michael Callons, assisting a drunk Jack who appeared to have passed out.

Callon's senses were heightened upon Shinku's appearance but relaxed upon recognizing the assassin. "Sir, you're back!," he greeted, snapping into attention but keeping the pirate steady with his arm wrapped around the drunk's back.

"He's drunk again," Shinku remarked, his visage betraying a hint of annoyance yet his lips forming a faint smile in the presence of his companions.

"Well, he's got a few rounds with the general earlier," Callon explained, his hand gesturing towards a nearby tavern.

"You've met with Connor? Where is he now?," the assassin inquired in curiosity before coming forward to help Callon with the pirate.

"Ah, you know him. He's a busy man. He just kept us company for a while then left as soon as he finished a few cups."

Shinku nodded in agreement. It did not surprise him of the meeting since Callon was Connor's soldier, although he would have been thrilled to meet the general as well. "I see. So how were things while I was gone?" He continued, walking along the night street of Arcada, passing by guards on patrol and a few merchants who still operated at that hour.

"So far...I at least managed to keep him from getting into trouble. But if you're worried about this city, it's been quiet nowadays, especially during the whole broadcast of the death game. You did great there by the way," Callon remarked, a shy smile forming on his lips as he praised the assassin.

"Thanks. I just got lucky I guess. So how about our route to Opealon?," he inquired, lowering his voice, his eyes darting around for any onlookers.

"Oh about that. There are some bandits in the Hinterlands that enter the planet in secret. However, I think they've paused their operations for now as Opealon's security has heightened due to some incidents. I'm not sure if you've heard of the disappearance of Nausicaa."

"Yeah, I've caught some gossip about that. This unmaking thing's really gotten out of hand," Shinku grunted in a low voice, fury lightly painted on his face.

"Yeah, it did quite a number on Opealon. It seems that we'll have to wait till things get a bit more stable there before we could hope to travel."

"Right. And the pirates?"

"So far, there isn't any news of them going here as of yet. Perhaps, they've been affected by Opealon's heightened security measures as well."

Shinku nodded in understanding, his thoughts keeping him quiet for a while. "Let's just keep our ears open for anything about them then. For now, we'll just have to bide our time and strengthen ourselves."

"Sounds like a plan," Callon agreed, smiling faintly at Shinku as they continued their work towards the inn. Silence fell between them during the remainder of their short journey, momentary accented by Jack's grunts and sleep-talking.

 

[Shinku]

Morning came swiftly to Arcadia, even quicker than Shinku could have hoped for. He rose from a shallow sleep, still feeling somewhat fatigued from last night's journey and unexpected events. His keen senses were overwhelmed by the bustling crowd that scurried here and there, outside of the inn. What caught his attention, however, was the familiar presence of someone nearby - almost nearby. With that, he pulled himself out of his bed, quickly got dressed, and grabbed his gears as he went out of his room.

His steps this time were slow, yet determined. His expression, however, seemed conflicted as he made his way up a long plight of stairs towards the inn's rooftop..As he reached the top, he saw a figure silhouetted against the morning sun

"You're early," Shinku greeted, as he stepped out of the rooftop.

The lady quickly spun her head, revealing the surprised face of Elise, whose lips gradually stretched into a smile. "Hey," she responded briefly, before turning back to the overlooking view of Arcadia. "You know, we don't have a view like this back at Govermorne," the lady continued as Shinku approached her.

"It's quite a sight indeed," Shinku nodded, revelling at the morning sun that cast an orange glow across the horizon that was accented by the flight of dragons and airships over the city.

"My homeworld was nothing like this. Everywhere, you can only see metals, machines, and a giant sea of melted slag. Although this is a foreign world, compared to Govermorne, this is much more beautiful," she smiled, her eyes trained towards the golden sky.

"So have you gone to accept this as your home now?" Shinku asked gently.

The assassin's inquiry, however, was met with silence. Elise's face momentarily clouded before turning to look at him. "I...really would love to but...", the lady held back her words and paused for a while before once again opening her lips. "...It's just hard to feel at home when my family isn't here.", she continued, her face now completely cast down.

Shinku held the lady's shoulder in sympathy, knowing her feeling of displacement all too well. "Do you want me to find them for you?"

"No!" Elise quickly faced him once again, her expression strong and resolute. "I don't want to be a burden again, to you, to anyone. That's why I must be strong! Because it is my duty to find them. And that...I must."

"If you're really that determined, then shouldn't you be learning how to handle a gun instead? I believe that could better help you to defend yourself," Shinku remarked as he turned to watch Arcadia from above.

"I have Brenwyn to teach me that, though I haven't fully convinced her yet. But that's not enough. And I saw you fight in that death game. If I could learn how to fight like that, then I believe that even if I'd have to save my family from those demons, I'd be able to do it," Elise responded, still sporting her determined tone.

Shinku sighed in surrender. He knew that raising more questions would only drag the conversation longer. The lady's determination was without a doubt, yet, he still couldn't help but worry for her safety. "Very well," he finally conceded, pulling a sheathed knife from inside his cloak. "Take these."

"But...this is just a knife," Elise questioned, as she received the weapon. "Shouldn't I be given a sword instead?"

"I think I have already told you that I need you to prove yourself first. Here, take this too." he continued, handing her a rolled-up piece of paper. "Beyond that forest is where freed cultists settled down. And by cultists, I meant those that once kidnapped Jaina's family."

Hearing that, Elise's face suddenly went pale. "Ttthey're free again?"

"Some of them. I heard a pardon was given to some of them, provided that they'd live far from Arcadia. And your friend, the one who led the kidnappers, was among them. If you could kill him and bring back proof of his death, then I'd teach you."

Elise's hand suddenly tightened around the hilt of the knife. He held the weapon closer to her chest, her hand suddenly shaking in fear. "But I can't kill him. He's still my friend."

"I doubt he considered you one. Besides, could you really call someone who hurt those that are close to you, a friend? Also, know that if you've decided to handle a weapon, you must have the resolve to kill with it, otherwise, there's no point in anyone teaching you how to fight."

Elise was silent for a moment. She tried her best to compose herself, as her chest tightened with emotions that conflicted within her. "I understand. Fine, I'll do it," she muttered, her eyes unable to meet Shinku's.

"That map can lead you to that place. But it's up to you to find where your friend is living. I will not be with you for this serves as your test. You said that want to solve things on your own right?"

"Yes! And I will!"

"Very well, I'll wait till you come back with the proof I need. But remember, you can always choose to back out if you want," he continued his face void of any emotion as he turned to leave.

"I will not," Elise whispered to herself, her tone now far from her previous decisive attidude. She just stood there, stunned, as she watched Shinku leave. Fear surged within her, yet a strong sense of determination seemed to take over the doubts that formed in her mind. "I must do this!," she muttered to herself.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the map and once again looked over Arcadia. It will never be an easy journey for her, but she knew that she had to make up her mind and face the challenge if she wanted to grow stronger. Steeling her mind, she packed the map and walked out of the inn's rooftop. Though her heart was heavy, her mind was full of determination.

And with a newfound resolve, she set off.

 

[Shinku]

The beauty of the forest faded once Elise stepped into it. The picture of lush greenery was replaced with a foreboding atmosphere. Every rustle and snap of a twig raced her heart.

The stories of savage creatures that lived in the forest flooded her mind, all of which she fought hard to dismiss. Her only solace was the heavens that blessed her with fair weather. Yet, she continued to steel her heart. Her mission hasn't even started but a battle already raged inside her.

What if she backs out now? What if she accepts Shinku's offer of finding her parents instead? She brushed the thoughts off and instead, unrolled the map in front of her to keep her mind busy. She wanted to curse Shinku for putting her in such an ordeal, but she couldn't help but be reminded of the huge favor that the young man had done for her.

Things had certainly changed. Long gone were the days when she was supposed to be her father's princess. Though it had been a few years since she was left alone, it still proved to be a challenge for her to be accustomed to her current ordeal.

Elise shivered as a vicious gust of cold breeze brushed past her, loosening a few strands of her hair with its cold fingers. The dense forest seemed neverending. She could only hope that she was reading the map in her hand correctly. The rustling of leaves and the occasional sound of wildlife served as her only companion in this ominous forest, save for the chocobo that she rented as her mount for the journey.

The avian mount strode on at a steady pace as its master commanded. Elise, who held the reins, took a deep breath and gathered all the courage she could muster. She needed every ounce of it, more than she ever did in her lifetime. Would she ever be able to draw blood? To take a life for the first time? More questions challenged her, more than the arduous journey ahead. Still, her unwavering will helped her push forward. Though her heart was heavy, and her mind in turmoil, she kept on with stubborn determination.

The musky scent of the forest was new to her, far from the stench of rust and coal back at Tinkerdrift. Somehow, it felt refreshing. Momentarily, it allowed her a faint smile for the first time since she left the inn. Ever since her eyes laid sight of the forest back at Suvaru's inn, she had always wanted to pay it a visit and explore its depths. Never did she imagine that her first trek in the forest would be for such a grim purpose.

The path grew more difficult as Elise drew farther into her journey. Sections of the forest trail rose into steep hills, making it arduous even for the chocobo to traverse. Had the forest failed to provide her shade, the unforgiving midday sun would have been part of her cruel travel.

She stopped to take a rest on the first peak she reached. The chocobo itself seemed to have needed the rest more than her after the long, steep path it traversed to so far. With that in mind, she got off the avian mount and fed it with a few Gysahl greens that came with the rental package. With the chocobo taking its meal, Elise decided to take a look around the place. As she turned to look back, her eyes widened at the beauty of Arcadia. Never had she thought that the distant view of the city was a sight to behold. Somehow, it distracted her from the worries of her mission. Even from afar, the majestic sight of dragons and airships never failed to amuse her. The cheap airbuses never gave her problems but still, she couldn't help but wonder how it felt like riding on one of those dragons or fancy airships. Beyond the city was the vast expanse of the ocean, shimmering under the bright sun. She had always visited its shore for the delightful view of sunsets. But right then, seeing it from afar brought the ocean view another sense of beauty.

Beneath her, the ground felt soft on her feet. It was nothing compared to the hard pathways of the city, and even better from the metallic platform of her homeworld. As if retreating to her childhood, she laid down with her back on the ground and her arms spread out, allowing the soil to embrace her with its warmth. Momentarily, she felt a sense of calmness over her. Ironically, the forest that she feared when she started her journey seemed to be the one telling her that everything would be alright.

She lifted her body, remaining seated on the forest's soil. Once again, she lifted her eyes over the distant view of Arcadia. Tinkerdrift, with its unique aesthetic, stood out in her eyes over the other free-floating islands above the city. She missed her home. She could have been simply bugging the clocksmith and learning of his craft or teasing Janica's child, or perhaps just wandering about the marketplace had she not left. It was not too late for her to get back, as she still had the city within her sight. But then she brushed the thought out of her mind. All that mattered was for her to get strong, and prove that she could get past any challenge that life could throw at her. Before any more thought could dissuade her from her 'mission', she decided to get up and turn her back from the sight of the city. She walked towards her mount, brushing off bits of dirt from her clothes.

Once again, she took one deep breath before pressing on with her journey. Her surroundings grew ever more grim as Arcadia disappeared behind her. The wind howled constantly, despite the sun shining above. It was only her sheer willpower that allowed her to move forward, of course, with the greater help of her avian mount. She checked her map a hundred times, but no matter how she looked, the path seemed to be the right one pointing to her friend's place.

The sun had fallen midway to the horizon, yet all she could see were still the dense trees around her. Even with the momentary rests she had, her weariness of the journey never seemed to have left her. As she was about to give up hope, the sight an ancient ruins made her realize that she was drawing near her destination. Her eyes lit up with anticipation, quickening the pace of the chocobo. It was as indicated on the map she had. A village just past a set of stone ruins. She continued to nudge her mount, eager to reach her destination as fast as she could.

Finally, her eyes caught sight of dark houses lined on the side of a low hill. An unkempt stone wall stood at the base of the hill, its entrance marked with a rusty wrought iron gate that was wide open. It wasn't a pleasant sigh but the thought of finally reaching the village kept her excited anyway. As she drew closer to the gate, however, she pulled the reins to halt her mount. She remembered why she was there in the first place and once again, her doubt whether she could kill her friend or not, crept back in her mind.

 

[Shinku]

"Everything's going to be ok right?," she whispered to the chocobo, caressing the feathers on its head. In response, the giant bird affectionately nuzzled its head against her hand and let out a gentle chirp as if trying to reassure her of her words. Somehow, the comfort of her avian companion washed away the fear that crept into her. Feeling slightly confident, she dismounted her chocobo and proceeded inside the village, holding her mount's reins in her hand.

It could have been just the evening chill but something about the village made her skin crawl. A night owl called, sending an even more eerie feeling in her body. The streets were scarcely populated, strewn with debris, and the few villagers she saw seemed to be in a hurry. No one seemed to have taken notice of her arrival. Not that she minded, but surely, someone should have been alarmed at a stranger's presence in their place. She felt more uneasy by the second but was too shy to stop anyone in their tracks to ask. She kept walking, hoping that she'd at least find an inn or some sort of lodging and maybe ask its owner about her friend.

Before she could walk farther, a sudden noise forced her to turn around. The sound of horse hooves echoed from the distance.

"Oh dear arbiter! They're here!," an old woman cried in panic causing even more disarray among the other villagers. Doors and windows were slammed shut and the scarce villagers in the streets rushed into hiding.

"Why are you out here again mother? How many times should I tell you to stay inside?," a man suddenly scolded as he bolted out from one of the houses. He quickly rushed over the old woman, yanking her by her arm and dragged her back to a nearly tattered shack.

"But I just wanted some fresh air, dear," the old woman protested in her small, weak voice.

"Fresh air! For the arbiters' sake, it's almost evening already!," the man continued to grumble, clearly irked and panicked at the same time.

Confused and alarmed, Elise brushed past her shyness and quickly approached the man. "Take me inside with you please!," she pleaded, her voice quivering as the sound of the approaching horses grew louder.

"What? We don't even know you! Stay away!," the man yelled, pushing Elise away and slamming their door shut.

Elise' heart sank as she stumbled back, her eyes almost swelling in tears. "Please! Let me in!," she begged, pounding on the door, but to no avail.

Feeling helpless and fearful, the lady quickly mounted her chocobo and looked around for any possible escape routes, but it was all too late.

At least seven armed men, each mounted on elegant black stallions stormed through the village gates. Elise' heart raced, her body trembling as she faced the approaching men.

"Well what do we have here?" one of them said as they all pulled their horses to a halt. "What a fine lady you are. You're not from around here are you?," the man continued, flashing a rotten smile, exposing a full set of yellowed teeth. At least five of the seven men had their horses slowly approach Elise, their weapons remained undrawn but their menacing faces were enough to send shivers down the lady's spine.

The chocobo squawked as if sensing the racing heart of its master. Elise on the other hand, had her lips sealed out of sudden fear. She wanted to cry for help but her voice seemed to have left her.

"Ah! You must be a gift from the heavens!," the same man exclaimed, earning a laughter that rumbled around Elise from various angles as the group of men surrounded her.

"She's obviously from Arcadia from the looks of her mount. We don't want to mess with her lest we attract unwanted attention to ourselves," another voice came, a bit squeaky one, coming from one of the men that stayed behind.

"Yyyes! If something happens to me here, mmy brrother will definitely come....errr...with his army!," Elise blurted out, finally gathering enough courage to speak up.

The men that surrounded her however, erupted into another round of laughter. "An army you say? Well, if your brother has an army of his own. Then you must be someone important! So how about we keep you and send a note to your brother to send a ransom for your release?," the man chuckled, dismounting from his horse before approaching the terrified lady.

"Yeah! That'll definitely earn us a lot boss!," another of the men around Elise chimed in, nodding his head and flashing a sinister grin. The rest of them snickered menacingly in a joined cackling noise that bore even more fear through the heart of Elise.

"Leave her alone!," a loud voice suddenly called out from a distance, his form emerging from one of the nearby houses.

"Ivor," Elise murmured, recognizing the voice even without turning around.

"Ah, if it isn't the greenthumb Ivor. And what are you gonna do with us, plant us in your farm eh!," the man nearest Elise mocked.

"Hey boss. Don't forget the man has that scary pitchfork!," another man added in ridicule, causing yet another burst of laughter.

"Here! You just want our money don't you!," Ivor retorted, throwing a bag of coins towards the men.

One of the men dexterously caught the pouch from the air, immediately opening it up. "This looks like a lot boss!"

"Thanks for that donation boy! But we're keeping the lady!," the men's obvious leader proclaimed, grabbing the lady by her arm.

"I said, LEAVE HER ALONE!," Ivor yelled once again, conjuring a ball of flames from his hand and shooting it at his friend's captor.

The flame hit with deadly accuracy right at the man's face, leaving a severely seared face in its wake. "Why you!," the man roared in anger before drawing his sword and charging at Ivor.

"Hey boss. You might want to think about that," one of his men warned, upon seeing a huge spell circle forming beneath them.

The charging man halted, scoffing as he placed his sword back in its sheath. "We're done here for today boys. But don't you forget. I'm coming back for you boy!," the man threatened before mounting his horse and galloping away, his men following closely behind.

"Ivor!," Elise cried, running towards the young man, tears welling in her eyes. Surprisingly, the chocobo obediently followed after her, even without the lady holding its reins.

"You're alright now Elise. They've gone," Ivor assured, pulling the lady in a warm embrace. Elise couldn't help but burst into tears, an emotion that she held since her arduous journey to the village. He kept the lady in his arms for a while, before finally inviting her into his home.

 

[Shinku]

"Elise!," a female voice called out as Elise stepped into Ivor's home. Bare concrete walls greeted her sight along with a few worn-out pieces of furniture and shelves lining the guest room before her eyes were finally drawn to a short, pale-skinned lady that stood right behind a tattered sofa.

"Florence! How have you been!," Elise exclaimed excitedly, rushing towards the woman, and greeting her with a warm embrace. "And my, you're pregnant!," she added, noticing the bulge on her friend's stomach.

"Yes, seven months. Time sure flies eh. Been a long time since I last saw you. Two, three years?," Florence remarked while gesturing towards a sofa for Elise to sit on.

"Almost three years, yes. How have you been!," Elise asked, settling in the offered seat, before holding her friend's hands. Her eyes glistened in the meager light that came from the fireplace. The place around them almost lay in ruins yet their sudden smiles lit the place up like a paradise.

As they spoke, Ivor busied himself brewing a pot of tea, occasionally glancing towards the women to make sure everything was ok.

"Well, it's been...tough. You know, what happened. Though we were pardoned, we were thrown here, banned from ever entering that city again," Florence responded, her face starting to contort into sadness. "Oh but we're getting by. And we're not about to turn this reunion into a pity party aren't we," she chuckled, mustering a faint smile as she wiped a stray tear from her eye.

"Of course. I'm just glad to see you both right now." A wry smile was all Elise could manage, given how things looked around her.

"What brings you hear anyway?," Florence then inquired curiously, as Ivor returned with a pot of tea for them.

"Yeah, this is not exactly a well-visited place," Ivor chimed in, taking a seat beside Florence after serving the tray he held to the small table among them.

"I...was told that you might be here. I just want to see for myself," Elise replied, her voice trailing off as she looked away. She was not good at lying, but that's all she could do, given her real intention of visiting.

"Well, we're certainly glad we have you here," Florence reassured, pouring tea for Elise in an attempt to lighten up the sudden gloomy atmosphere.

Elise smiled, taking a sip of tea as an excuse to elude her friend's eyes. Ivor, coming to her rescue made it more difficult for her to decide whether to fulfill her mission or not. Her heart grew heavy, but she couldn't show her friends that something was amiss.

"How's everyone coming along at Arcadia?" Florence asked.

"We're doing well, thriving actually. We settled on a small floating island. It's not much but enough to make a home out of it."

"That's amazing. And they allowed you to just settle there?"

"No one seemed to object so far. In fact, a lot of the other Arcadian people do visit us to buy our crafts," Elise replied, somehow glad to have the conversation shifted from herself.

"Oh, how I wish we can be there too. Ah! How's Janica!," Florence continued her sudden interview, taking another sip of tea.

"She and Clarence have this famous artillery shop running. You know how Clarence was an enthusiast of guns right? Perhaps he finally realized that he can make a business out of it," Elise chuckled, getting a bit more comfortable in the current conversation.

"Yeah. He sure was. Do you think he's still mad at us?," Florence threw another question, her expression suddenly turning into worry.

Elise sighed, silence ruling her lips for a few moments. "That's...really hard to tell Florence. You see...," she paused once again. She knew the answer right away, but she found it hard to express. So there she was, trying to conjure up the finest words she could use.

"You must be tired and hungry after your long journey. And you too darling. You should be resting now. We can continue this tomorrow," Ivor interrupted, having a plate of bread ready in his hand. "Here, this is all we have to offer."

"No, that's fine. I'm not that hungry actually but I will have these. Thanks!," Elise smiled, relieved at his friend's interruption.

"My, of course, forgive my manners. I'll take my rest now I guess. Ivor please do take care of her," Florence said, rising up from her seat.

"Don't worry darling. I got this," Ivor interrupted, quickly coming to Florence's assistance. He walked the lady, both of them disappearing into a room separated by thick white curtains before Ivor emerged once again to join Elise.

"Forgive us, she's just so happy to see you. It's not every day that someone we know visits us here. And we're really glad you did," Ivor said as he took the seat where his wife sat.

"Clarence and Jaina they...," Elise tried to talk about Florence's question with Ivor alone but still couldn't bring herself to do so. It's as if something forces her lips to keep shut whenever she tries to give away the answer.

"They haven't forgiven us yet. I understand. After all, what kind of people would try to kill their friends for some stupid belief, right?," Ivor spoke, his words laced with remorse, his eyes cast on the floor.

"They will...one day I know it. Especially once they realized that you two have changed!," Elise cheered, as she held her friend's hands in comfort.

"I sure hope so. You can sleep beside Florence for the night," Ivor said, obviously eluding the topic as he freed his hands from Elise'. "We don't really have a room for guests here. So I guess that's all I can offer. I'm good to sleep here anyway," Ivor chuckled lightly.

"No, no. You should lay beside your wife. This sofa seems comfortable enough to sleep on," Elise protested, waving her hands in dismissal.

"Of course not. You're our guest. You know she'd be mad at me if she learned that I let you sleep here. Come," Ivor insisted, grabbing Elise by her arm to lead the lady to their room "We still have a lot to catch up on but that can wait until tomorrow."

"Yeah. We do. See you tomorrow then," Elise smiled, leading her hand to the knife that she kept hidden in her pocket. With her friend's proximity, it was the perfect time to strike but her heart wouldn't just allow her to do so. She decided to separate herself from Ivor, gesturing to her friend that she could manage on her own. She then turned, her smiles fading into sadness, her heart heavy and conflicted as she walked into the room she was offered. She lay beside Florence who seemed to have easily drifted into slumber and yet, her thoughts deprived her of sleepiness.

 

[Shinku]

Winding back during Elise' attack.

"She's in trouble. Aren't you going to help her?," Orochi hissed, as Shinku watched Elise being ganged up on, from the top of a ruined tower.

The assassin of shadows responded in silence. His eyes showed hints of concern, yet he remained motionless, his arms crossed on his chest, his feet firmly planted on a moss-stained concrete floor.

‘It's getting really dire, you know. She's clearly outnumbered. Maybe it's time for us to intervene and help the poor lady,’ the shadow demon continued, his voice however, sported a tone of mockery rather than genuine concern.

‘Stop that act. You're just thirsty for their blood. We'll get there. Let's just watch for now,’ Shinku finally responded, seemingly unmoved at the lady's peril.

‘You don't actually believe that she could deal with those thugs, do you?,’ the shadow demon hissed once again, this time in a more curious tone.

Shinku, again, remained silent, maintaining a stoic demeanor and his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding around the obviously scared lady.

Anyone else who could watch the scene would have agreed with the snake demon's perspective. A young, weaponless, timid-looking lady, surrounded by a gang of armed thugs would scream a dire need of intervention for the damsel in distress.

However, as if Shinku had predicted what would unfold, a man suddenly came out of nowhere and intervened. It wasn't much of an impressive scene, but the stranger managed to actually repel the thugs away and save Elise.

‘Now that's interesting. But wasn't that the one she was supposed to kill? Yet, you just allowed him to be her hero. Haha! Had I not known you better, I'd say you're torturing the poor lady,’ Orochi hissed, sporting an amused tone. ‘So what's your play here really?’ the shadow demon continued, a curious tune playing in its voice.

The assassin of shadows remained silent. Instead of responding to the shadow demon, he locked his eyes onto the escaping bandits, his gaze an intense and foreboding warning.

Pulling his hood to cover his face, Shinku lept back, once again blending into the shadows.

His presence materialized high in the gnarled embrace of an ancient oak tree that loomed like a sentinel ahead of the bandits' escape route. His nimble fingers gripped the branches with preternatural ease, allowing him a stable post from his vantage point. From his arboreal perch, his form remained concealed under the shadows cast by the towering oak. His keen senses kept track of his opponent's presence, waiting patiently for the right time to strike.

As the bandits drew near, Shinku kept his senses sharp, feeling every vibrations of the bandits’ approach. The thumping of their horses and nervous whispers reached his ears. He could sense the rage of vengeance pounding in the leader’s heart in spite of their choice to retreat.

The moon, a pale sentinel in the starry tapestry above, cast its silvery glow upon the scene. The bandits, unaware of the sinister presence lurking above them, pressed on with their escape.

Shinku bided his time, his eyes never leaving the bandits’ progression. He materialized a chain coiling around his hand, its end gripping into the hilt of his blade. He felt the weight of the chain, his fingers flexed with anticipation.

Then, as the bandits passed directly below his concealed perch, Shinku made his move. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed the chain, sending his sword hurtling through the night air. The blade sailed with uncanny accuracy, its steel glinting faintly under the moon’s ethereal glow, unerringly piercing the heart of one of the bandits, who had been riding right in the middle of the group. The bandit's eyes widened in shock as the blade pierced his chest, his life extinguished in an instant. He slumped forward in his saddle, a spray of blood staining the earth beneath while Shinku's blade obediently returned to his hand.

The men came to a sudden halt, their comrade's death sending shockwaves through their ranks. Panic and fear clawed at their souls, confusion spreading among them as they searched for their unseen assailant. They scanned the surrounding darkness with wide, terrified eyes, struggling to comprehend the nature of their assailant.

One of the bandits, brave but foolish, piped up nervously, "Who's out there? Show yourself!"

And yet another one, the archer among them, took a trembling step forward. He raised his crossbow and fired at the spot where Shinku's blade had disappeared. The arrow sailed into the shadows, but there was no sound of impact, no cry of pain. Instead, the arrow defied the laws of physics, inexplicably returning to its source, and with sinister precision, it buried itself in the archer's throat.

The once-steely gaze of the archer turned glassy as his fingers fumbled at the shaft protruding from his neck. He gasped for breath, but life slipped away from him as he tumbled from his horse, his last moments a silent tableau of shock and despair.

With two of their own now lifeless on the forest floor, the remaining bandits exchanged fearful glances. The bravado that had propelled them during their escape had been extinguished by the relentless and unseen predator that lurked in the shadows, waiting patiently for the right time to strike.

The night air grew heavy with tension as the surviving bandits found themselves paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. Their leader, with his now scarred and burned face, struggled to regain control. "What in the name of the abyss is happening?" he roared, his voice trembling with unease.

None of his men had an answer. The forest, once their refuge, now seemed like a labyrinth of terror, concealing their doom in its shadows.

Shinku, still concealed in the canopy of the ancient oak, observed the chaos below with an inscrutable calm. His eyes glinted with an otherworldly resolve. In that moment, he became a symbol of their darkest nightmares—a figure of death incarnate, who had come to collect the debts of their past crimes.

The bandits, their hearts heavy with dread, began to disperse, each one hoping to find safety away from the malevolent presence that had descended upon them. Their ranks splintered, leaving behind a disorganized group of desperate men, driven to the brink of madness by their unseen assailant.

Shinku, recognizing the opportunity, let the shadows of the tree's branches envelop him. With a fluid and silent descent, he landed amongst the bandits, his dark cloak billowing like a specter from the netherworld.

The leader, finally regaining some composure, raised a trembling hand to his sword. "Show yourself, you coward!" he bellowed.

Shinku obliged. With a flick of his wrist, he let the hood of his cloak fall back, revealing a face shrouded in mystery. His eyes, the only visible feature, were pools of darkness with a hint of icy determination. "You do not want to see my face," he whispered, his voice a chilling breeze that sent shivers down their spines.

The leader, though shaken, was not one to back down. He lunged forward with his sword, a war cry on his lips. But Shinku was quicker than the eye could follow. In a blur of motion, he sidestepped the attack, the leader's blade slicing through the empty air where he had been just moments before.

As the leader's momentum carried him past Shinku, the assassin's chain snaked out, looping around the man's throat. With a swift pull, the bandit leader was yanked off balance, choking and gasping for breath. Shinku approached, his presence relentless, his grip on the chain unyielding. In the cold, pale moonlight, he whispered, "Your life is forfeit."

The remaining bandits, witnessing the fall of their formidable leader, quivered in terror. Shinku's dark silhouette, now partially revealed, stood as a harbinger of their own impending doom.

As the leader's life force ebbed away, the forest fell into a sinister silence, broken only by the hushed gasps of the trembling bandits.

Sensing that the remaining bandits were no longer a threat, Shinku decided to retreat into the shadows. With a final, piercing gaze that seemed to linger in the night like a haunting memory, he backed away from the trembling, disoriented men.

Silent as a whisper in the wind, he retreated further into the forest, his footsteps making no sound as he melted into the darkness. The bandits, their morale shattered and their hearts heavy with dread, dared not pursue the enigmatic assassin. They watched the shadows swallow him, their fear-stricken eyes tracking the vague silhouette until it was no more.

‘So you still do care for that lady,’ Orochi’s venomous hiss echoed in his mind.

Shinku didn’t respond. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh, his vexation at the shadow demon evident on his visage.
“You ignored her at her peril, yet now, you tried to be her hero,” the shadow demon’s relentless taunt reverberated within him, tearing like a blade into his thoughts.

“I am no hero,” The declaration was quiet but resolute, escaping Shinku's lips like a solemn oath.

‘Ah, of course. You don’t believe in that word, do you?’ The shadow demon’s voice, dripping with sarcasm, pierced his thoughts once more. ‘Everyone should learn to take care of their own business. Isn’t that right?’

Shinku’s thoughts churned as the shadow demon continued to assail him with his own twisted logic.

‘So is that what you’re trying to teach her today?’

Shinku’s expression remained inscrutable as he retreated back to the tower where he observed the town where Elise was at. He observed the town from the shadows, his eyes keen and unwavering, the night his silent ally.

“I only believed in one hero. But he’s gone now.” A pang of regret, like an old wound reopened, coursing through Shinku’s veins. The shadow demon’s voice suddenly went silent, allowing Shinku a moment of respite. Yet still, an inner turmoil continued to churn in him like a tempestuous sea. Whatever his plan for the lady was, remained a mystery. Would he be her savior, or a poison that would lead her to the path of corruption?

 

[Shinku]

Elise laid beside Florence, her eyes tightly shut, yet her mind remained active. Her heart raced like a ticking clock, reminding her of the rapidly fleeting moments that she allowed to pass every time she hesitated to make her move. Her fingers gripped the handle of the knife, hidden in the folds of her cloak, its cold steel sending shivers up her spine. It was a simple mission, or at least it should have been - eliminate Ivor.

It was for her to gain strength. To be able to grow stronger and search for her parents herself and bring back the home that they lost. But how could she bear to even hurt a friend who has shown remorse over his corrupted past and even had a family of his own to raise. Furthermore, as she allowed her mind to wander, it showed her the memories of her shared past with Ivor and Florence. They all grew up in the machine dominated streets of Tinkerdrift back when the clockwork planet of Govermorne was still thriving. She remembered their shared laughter, tears and stories that forged their friendship over the years.

The night filled her with tension, each minute seemed to stretch into hours. She had to make a decision or forever be stuck in her state of weakness and dependency. Finally, she left Florence’s side, her hand clutching the knife that Shinku gave her.

The moon cast a silvery glow through the window, bathing the small house in an eerie, almost surreal light. Within its shadows, Elise stood, pinned by the heavy air with an unspoken tension. From a distance, she could see the peaceful face of friend, faintly illuminated by a lamp near the tattered sofa where he lay.

In her trembling hand, she held the knife that gleamed in the faint moonlight, as she lumbered towards her friend. She couldn’t help but consider the weight of her friend’s hospitality. Of him saving her from the bandits and offering her shelter for the night. Yet, mixed with those thoughts were the clear instructions of Shinku to kill Ivor in exchange for teaching her the ways of the sword.

Even as she raised the knife, her hand quivered uncontrollably, her eyes welling with tears. She couldn’t help the inner turmoil that raged in her heart. A conflict between her sworn oath to find her parents and bring back Govermorne, against the mercy she felt upon her friend.

As she hesitated, a presence suddenly materialized from the shadowy corners of the room. Shinku’s form appeared with his sword drawn, and his blade pointed unwaveringly at Ivor’s throat. His eyes appeared like that of a phantom’s, cold and merciless.

“If you cannot carry out this task,” Shinku declared in a voice as cold as steel, “then I will do it for you.”

Ivor’s eyes snapped open at the assassin’s spectral whisper, his heart suddenly pounding with an unfamiliar mixture of shock and fear. He remembered that voice, somewhere in his nightmares. Then, as his vision focused, his sight formed the figure of Shinku, the assassin that eliminated his fellow cultists a few years back. He could feel the cold steel of his blade boring into his throat, the feeling even made worse by the assassin’s unrelenting eyes that seemed to stare into his very soul.

Elise’ heart on the other hand continued to pound like a drum in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. Her eyes widened with fear and desperation. "No, Shinku, please! I beg you to reconsider!" Elise implored, her voice echoing in the dimly lit chamber. Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her reluctance. Her trembling hands let go of the knife and reached out, as if imploring the very universe to halt the impending tragedy. Tears streamed down her cheeks, a silent testimony to the inner struggle that raged within her.

“Why are you here?” Ivor finally managed to utter, his voice quivering in pure fear.

Shinku's response was as cold and inscrutable as his presence. "You know why I am here," he said, the syllables hanging in the air like a sinister omen. "It is time for you to pay for your sins ."

At that moment, the curtain that secluded the makeshift bedroom from the rest of the house flung open. The figure of Florence appeared, her eyes wide with alarm and confusion. Her presence was like a sudden gust of wind that disrupted the delicate balance of the moment, as she stood there, a silent witness to a situation she could not yet comprehend. Her bewildered gaze darted from Elise' tear-streaked face to the cold determination in Shinku's eyes, her mind racing to make sense of the tumultuous scene that had unraveled before her.

“Have mercy!,” her voice finally uttered, piercing through the room like a desperate cry for salvation. Her voice quivered with the depth of her despair, her maternal instincts ignited, as she threw herself forward while disregarding the delicateness of her pregnancy. In that instant, her love for Ivor surged into a frenzied, heart-wrenching plea. She lunged forward, willing to shield her love from his impending death.

Before the situation could even get worse, Shinku finally decided to lower his sword. The steel black obsidian blade, gleamed ominously in the subdued light, making its way to its sheathe.

The room seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief as he stepped back from Ivor and into a corner. “Meet me in the same inn once you come back. We’ll discuss the details of your training from there,” Shinku uttered, before disappearing into the shadows.

As Shinku’s form vanished into obscurity, Elise, Florence and Ivor were all left into a mixture of puzzlement and relief. For a while, each of their faces reflected the complex emotions that swirled within them. Gradually though, the atmosphere shifted from one of impending tragedy, to a safe haven once again.

Though still trembling, Ivor quickly stood up and rushed towards Florence. His strides were fueled by a mixture of relief, adrenaline and worry of his wife who had been caught up in the unexpected turmoil. He enveloped her in a tender yet fervent embrace, whispering soothing words into her ear in an attempt to calm her down.

Elise could only watch from a distance, suddenly struck by a guilt, knowing that everything was her own doing. Still, she couldn’t understand what Shinku really wanted. Though he finally confirmed his willingness to train her, she still couldn’t grasp the significance of everything that she had to go through. Yet, at least the stillness of the situation finally gave her respite from her tumultuous thoughts.

It all ended up well after all. At least for that very moment.

Weeks after the incident

During a lull in their training, Elise approached Shinku, her eyes showing signs of hesitation. “Uhmm, you didn’t actually mean to make me kill him do you?,” she asked, her voice wavering in a plea for clarity of what her mentor actually wanted back then.

Shinku’s expression remained as unreadable as it has always been. Instead of looking at Elise in the eye, he instead pulled out his sword and stared at its blade. “This weapon’s power lies not in its blade but in its wielder. It could protect under the hands of a just and determined warrior, yet, it could also destroy when grasped by a corrupted one. I wanted to make sure what kind of warrior you’d become,” he responded in a measured and composed tone yet inside him, the guilt of his thought for vengeance and his bloodstained hands struck him through his own words. It was definitely from his own lips but it's as if he was hearing it from his father. Then, a thought suddenly surged in him - was he the one to protect, or destroy? “But enough of that for now. Let’s get back to training!,” he demanded, his stance shifting to an aggressive form ready to attack anytime.

Though her mind still worked on absorbing her mentor’s words, Elise’ instinct led her to assume a sudden defensive stance. Somehow, she was able to get a bit of Shinku’s imparted wisdom, yet she realized that she still had so much to learn.