Maxwell remarked how loud the room was before he entered.
The boy was holding his ear firmly against the door of his squadron dorm, eavesdropping on the laughter and chatter of its inhabitants. It sounded like Oxford and Cutter were the only ones making it. Curiosity killed the cat, driving Maxwell to push the door open in pursuit of answers.
He was quick to notice Takeshi, Oxford, and Herrick at the dinner table, all sitting together. Akemi was in the corner of the room, tucked into her covers, fast asleep. Back at the table, Takeshi sat calmly, his feet kicked up as he listened to the conversation.
The cheeks of Oxford and Cutter were a bright pink—a sign that they were under the influence. Surely enough, a large bottle of Alcohol was smack dab in the center of the table.
"SO I TOL' THE BLOKE...WHAT KNIFE? YA TRIPPED ON YER OWN GOTTDAMN LACE, YOU NUMBSKULL!!!! HAHAHAH!" Cutter shouted, a loud gut wrenching cackle escaping his mouth. Oxford pressed his head against the table, smacking it with his fist in hysteria. A shrill laugh escaped his throat as he mashed the table with his bare fist.
"Oi! You should have told the daft idiot to check under his shoe...THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A PEEL!" Oxford chuckled, the two drunkenly joining in laughter.
Takeshi simply sat, sipping his own drink as his attention diverted to Maxwell, who had just entered.
"There's the man of the hour! Good to see ya, Maxwell. Come and sit down. We're having a few drinks in your honor of being initiated." Takeshi smiled, pulling a chair for Maxwell at the table.
Deciding to stay courteous, despite wanting to go to sleep, Maxwell sat at the table in good manners. They went through the trouble of getting something to drink, so he figured his presence was deserving at least.
"Why don't you have a drink, Riley? It's ale from the pub in Stratford. Good stuff I tell you." Cutter said cheerfully, setting down his mug. Maxwell was shocked, as he had never seen Cutter so lively. Being as cold and reserved as he is, seeing him like this was a total change of pace. It also surprised Riley to see Cutter and Oxford talking like friends. Every time he had seen the two together, they were utterly revolted by each other's presence, or at least ignoring one each other. But it seems that when alcohol was involved, even the bitterest rivals could be good friends.
"Sorry...I don't drink."
"Suit yourself." Cutter quipped, leaning back in his chair.
"So, tell us Maxwell. What did you get as your branding?" Oxford asked, pushing aside his mug of beer.
"It's kanji for the word 'lucky'. My mother used to write it everywhere. It was her own little charm, so to speak." Riley explained.
Takeshi, touched by the fact, raised his metal arm as he placed it on the table. Under the gaslight, his arm was reflective in its cast iron. On one of the shotgun plates, a large kanji was etched on with ink, cut deep into the material with a knife.
"It reads 'Hope'. Never lost it before. Never plan to. It's a good word, you know." Takeshi said, his speech being cut short as a psychokinetic message was transferred to his mind. The man pressed his finger up to his temple
and closed his eyes, focusing on the sudden contact.
"Come In captain Takeshi, this is Charlemagne. It has come to our attention that a few enemy guild members are prowling near our premises. They are heavily armed and presumed dangerous. Our guard forces are in for the night. We need immediate recon and defense of the area. Please send in a few of your members to investigate."
Takeshi opened his eyes, realizing the situation.
"Damn. Got a few hostels around the area. Might be a few members of Nightingale." Takeshi explained.
"Ah yes, those dodgy bastards are back at it again with their heavy guns and big numbers. How they manage to give us competition beats me." Cutter replied, taking another long swig from his beer.
"Oxford...Cutter…I take it you both are still under the influence…" Takeshi assumed.
"Alas, indeed." Oxford admitted.
"I'm in no shape to fight right now. If they're looking to throw down, I wouldn't be much help. I need full concentration if I were to use my knives." Cutter said.
"Hmf. Akemi's down for the count as well...I guess that just leaves you, Riley." Takeshi smiled.
"M-me!? I'm not trained yet! I wouldn't be much use if a fight broke out!" Maxwell threw his arms up frantically.
"You're a rookie, Max. You'll need to get some sort of experience somehow. This is the perfect opportunity. You just leave the fighting to me. And remember, I'm your captain now. If I give you any orders, it's your job to follow them. All you have to do is trust me. Do I have your trust?" Takeshi said as he extended his arm out to Riley, waiting for a handshake.
"You have my trust. Now, let's go." Maxwell said confidently, shaking Takeshi's hand. Although he was nervous and afraid, there was a sense of thrill to be had from embarking on one's first mission. With that, the two left the room swiftly, making their way through the Spectre headquarters all the way out to the entrance of the guild, which was located in a large sewage pipe.
When the two arrived, there was no sign of anyone, anywhere. It was silent, the only noises filling the air was the periodic droplets of water from the top of the pipes. Takeshi grew cautious immediately, slowly making his way through the pipeline with his sword slightly drawn at the sheath.
"This way, Maxwell. Try not to make any noise. They could still be around here." Takeshi warned, arching his back so his footsteps would be quieter. Riley mimicked this himself, seeing the effectiveness instantly. The two slowly sweeped the pipeline until they approached a corner. Takeshi pressed himself up against it, beginning to peer over his shoulder. What he saw made him snap back to the side he leaned against, turning toward Riley with a distressed look.
"Takeshi...what's wrong? What did you see?" Riley whispered, he himself now slightly scared. This was the first he had ever seen Takeshi with that look. He had perceived him to be incredibly strong emotionally and mentally. It was out of his nature and perception for him to suddenly be affected. That must have meant whatever he saw around the corner was genuinely frightening.
"I'm going to get closer. Stay right here. If I start yelling, I want you to run. Run all the way back to base. I'll call for reinforcements." Takeshi stood up, drawing his sword as he held it up confidently. His fearful look began to fade into that of a stern stare. He was already preparing himself to charge whatever was on the other side head on.
Riley nodded. With that, Takeshi slowly traversed the corner, hunching over like before, his sword ready. Maxwell couldn't contain his curiosity. The thought of something so frightening around the corner sent jolts through his mind, almost subconsciously pushing him forward. Without a second thought, the boy turned, his eyes widening from the sight.
Littered along the floor of the pipeline was bodies, all slashed and bloodied in all places. They were dressed like the thieves that had assaulted the fourth squadron before on the streets of London. Clearly, these were the members of nightingale that Charlemagne had warned of. But now the bigger question arose—what happened to them?
Suddenly, a pair of glimmering yellow eyes emerged from the darkness, tucked away in the corner of the pipeline. Takeshi took notice, carefully backing up as he readied his sword.
"Well...what do we have here? Who could this be? Another meal for my blade?" The eyes hissed. They were arched in a way that if the owner's face was visible, it would be clear that they are smiling.
"Now now. Don't be afraid. I'm sure my blade's appetite has wavered. Have you
come to avenge your friends? If that's the case, I'd turn back now."
"These aren't my friends. Now, who are you? What are you doing?" Takeshi barked.
"Oh me? No one really asks who I am. They do ask what I am though. All I can say is...I'm a snake in a human's body." The eyes shut. The advance stopped. Silence again. Takeshi closed his eyes, trying to sense the man. No avail. The silence was broken by a loud clash of metal, sparks flying about the place.
Then, it all came to realization. He had emerged. Pressing his katana up against Takeshi's, the eyes which were now closed belonged to a white haired
man. As he had suspected, the man had a closed smile, one that was curved and exaggerated. His eyes were also arched, yet appearing to be closed. His entire expression was cheery, yet deeply unnerving.
The man backed away, swinging his sword around as he jabbed the tip
of the blade into the ground.
The man was a tall figure. His hair was Snow White, reflective, and thin. His faced was somewhat curved yet sharp to a tee, a feature that could only be truly seen on a reptile or lizard. He wore a long white traditional kimono which was soaked at the feet with blood. On his hip, a sheath rested with its sword missing. On the back of him, another sheath hung.
Maxwell couldn't help but be utterly afraid of the man. His posture was slightly arched, giving him the illusion that he was even taller. The blade of his sword was still doused in red liquid, a sign that he was responsible for the deaths of the guild members.
"Why...you look strong. That cursed blade of yours could be promising. Maybe I can afford to feed my blade a little more...for deserts, of course." The man flicked his tongue, smiling even brighter.
"How'd you know this sword here is cursed? You have one too?" Takeshi backed up, keeping his fighting stance.
"No. I have two...hehe. This one here must be fed with blood of the living. It's for a good cause. Would you like to see what I can do?"
"No need. My cursed blade Kagami copies the power of any other cursed blade it clashes with. I already have your abilities."
"Well...isn't that just wonderful! But you see...you'd have to be quite special to use the true potential of that power. Perhaps I can save you for later. I must admit, however. That boy behind you is awfully interesting."
Takeshi quickly turned around, catching a glimpse of Riley, who was pale and scared to the bone. With a calm strut, the man walked over to Maxwell, who was too afraid to run.
"That pulse of yours. It's unique. I've never seen anything like it. I'd bet your blood is quite powerful."
"MAXWELL! RUN! GET OUT OF THERE!" Takeshi screamed. It was too late. In a single swipe, a massive gash erupted with blood across Riley's chest, making him slowly tumble to the ground in shock.
"RILEY!" Takeshi jumped in front of the boy, who began to bleed across the floor.
The snake man began to dodge backwards, slowly disappearing into the shadows again. Before he could leave however, the sword in his hands disappeared in thin air, dissolving into black dust.
"W-wha?" The man muttered.
Takeshi couldn't help but smile at the sudden event, realizing Maxwell had unintentionally stole his sword.
Quickly observing his wound, Takeshi decided the cut was not deep enough to be lethal, nor did it strike any critical spots. It was almost as if the snake intentionally cut him just to leave a mark.
"Where did my sword go? You had something to do with this...you struck my blade. Does that mean your blade absorbs it?" The man asked.
"No. That's not how Kagami works. I don't know what happened. Now, get lost before I cut you down." Takeshi barked, holding his ground over Riley, who was gripping his wound.
"No need. I'll be on my leave. But we will meet again. Fate will bring us together. I will have answers to my questions soon enough." The man disappeared into the darkness. His footsteps faded away as well, his pulse slowly driving off into the distance. He was far gone now.
Without haste, Takeshi picked up Maxwell by the shoulders as he rushed him back to headquarters.