"This is where you live?" Nox said in shock as she stared up at the building that Hitsu and Juno had led her to. Nox's mind already struggled to keep up with all of the changes happening around her. After a two-hour trip by cat, the three had arrived at their destination. Immediately Nox found herself in awe at the new city. From the outside of the wall, Nox could see buildings shooting high into the sky, something completely foreign to her and her small hometown.
The guards at the gate greeted Hitsu as they arrived and joked as they asked about Nox. As they made their way into the city Nox was taken aback at her new surroundings. Twindawn was nothing compared to the size of the massive bustling city. Buildings reached to the sky as they towered over Nox's head. Crowds of people filled the streets and sidewalks as they made their ways to their different destinations. Cars and buses drove by only stopping for traffic lights. Nox had seen things like this before but never to this scale.
"What is this town called again?" Nox asked as she took in the sights all around her. She desperately attempted to keep up with Hitsu and Juno who seemed to walk along the busy sidewalks effortlessly.
"First, this is a city, not a town," Hitsu replied, "the fourth largest to be specific."
"Right, city," Nox corrected herself. "This is gonna take some getting used to."
"Second, this is called New Faith, the city of hope," Hitsu continued.
"Wow, how did it get a name like that," Nox asked.
"It got it because New Faith has the biggest population of shadow slayers," Hitsu replied.
"Shadow slayers? You mean hunter guilds and guard agencies right?" Nox said.
"Yep," Hitsu answered, "If there's a problem with shadows, the solution is within these walls."
"Does that mean there are other hero guilds here?" Nox asked excitedly.
"Nope," Hitsu responded, "there are only a few hero guilds across the nation and only one in all of New Faith."
Hitsu stopped and turned to Nox. With a huge grin and wave of his hands, Hitsu moved Nox's attention to an imposing building. The dark wooden building looked like a mix between a castle and a house. The fencing surrounding the building's yard was made of black metal and looked stronger than most. The building must have been at least three stories high. The building itself made one point clear, this was a home for heroes.
"Welcome to the Future Veins guild," Hitsu announced proudly.
"This is where you live?" Nox said in shock as she stared up at the building that Hitsu and Juno had led her to.
"Yep, and about what you said earlier. Don't worry about getting used to the city, I'll help you with whatever you need," Hitsu said with a smile.
Nox could only respond with the two words that came to her head.
"Thank you."
...
Nox watched as Hitsu opened the heavy wooden double doors to the headquarters. She stood at the bottom of the small flight of stairs that lead to the building's front entrance. She couldn't help but notice the detailed craving across the doors as they opened.
"What is that symbol on the door for?" Nox asked as Hitsu opened the doors fully.
"That's the symbol of the Future Veins," Hitsu explained. Without turning back to Nox, Hitsu pulled up his hoodie and shirt up to his neck to reveal the same symbol on the back of his left shoulder. The symbol looked as though it were drawn on with black ink, like a permanent tattoo. "Every member gets this symbol to show their loyalty," Hitsu said, "Juno has one too."
As if Hitsu's words were a cue, Juno rolled onto her side to show the small symbol on her stomach. Her white fur looked dyed black to decorate her with the symbol.
"Woah," Nox said amazed, "you guys must have a ton of members then right?"
Hitsu's and Juno's faces dropped as the air grew awkward. Their sudden silence made it apparent that the building inside was silent, not a voice to be heard.
"There's... Only three members," Hitsu admitted slightly embarrassed, "us two and Master."
"Master?" Nox asked as she started up the stairs after Hitsu.
"Yeah, the guild master," Hitsu responded, "He's the one who will decide if you can join."
"Decide?" Nox asked nervously.
"Well yeah," Hitsu said nonchalantly, "I'm not the leader, he'll have to let you join."
"So there's a chance I might get rejected?" Nox said as she started to panic.
"Don't worry," Hitsu assured, "I've seen what you can do, there's no way you won't get accepted."
"Alright," Nox said as she tried to calm herself, "If you say so."
It was then that Nox actually looked at the room in front of her. The large area composed of wooden floorboards and walls rivaled her whole house in size. Along the left wall was a flight of stairs that lead to the next floor of the house, on the right was an opening in the wall that allowed Nox to see the sizeable kitchen on the other side. In the far left corner of the room was a doorway that led to another room. Easily the most impressive part of the room was the giant dinner table made of hand-carved wood with enough chairs to fit at least fifteen people.
"You said there were only three members right?" Nox asked slightly overwhelmed by the room before her.
"Yeah," Hitsu responded as he scratched the back of his head, "The government gives money to shadow slayers and we have lots leftover. We might have furnished the headquarters a little too much."
"You think?" Nox asked sarcastically.
"Well now we give out extra money to local charities," Hitsu said, "Master came up with that idea."
"Wow," Nox said, "He sounds like a nice guy, I can't wait to meet him."
"You shouldn't have to wait long," Hitsu replied, "he should be back from his mission at any time."
"Why are you talking about me Shrimp?" a deep voice said from the doorway.
Nox spun in her heels and froze. The person that stood before her didn't seem like a nice headmaster but instead a terrifying monster. The man towered of Nox and Hitsu, their smaller statures wasn't what made this man tall either. The man's head nearly touched the top of the huge doorframe. The man's arms were covered in enough muscle to make them larger than her head. He stared down at her with menacing eyes that paralyzed Nox where she stood.
"Master!" Hitsu said happily, "You're back!"
"Yeah..." he said with a low voice that sounded more like a growl than a response. His eyes refused to leave Nox and they seemed to gleam with threatening intensity.
"...Who the hell are you?"
...
End of Episode 20