"What is taking him so long?" Sel whined.
"He just got his outfit," Enai responded angrily, "Give him a minute to make sure it fits."
"Tristram made it," Hitsu said as he lay back with his hands behind his head against the front steps of the guildhall, "It fits."
"So what do you think is holding him up?" Nox asked as she played with Juno's ears.
"It's Jinsuke," Hitsu replied, "he either fell asleep or died tragically."
"Are those really the only two options?" Nox asked nervously.
"On a normal day yes," Jinsuke said from the top of the steps, "but today I had to use the bathroom."
Everyone turned to meet their friend and see his new hero outfit. Jinsuke didn't seem to bother getting pants or shoes made as he wore plain ones instead. What he did have made was a pure white cloak with orange embroidery all around the edges. The orange stitching made the pattern of mountains and orange material covered some of the white in a symmetrical pattern. The material looked strong and durable yet comfortable enough to sleep in. The cloak included a hood that covered Jinsuke's head and protected his always tired eyes from the sun.
"Woah, looking good Sleepy," Sel said.
"That cloak looks so cool," Nox added.
"Of course it does," Enai said excitedly, "It's the cloak that all members of the Sone Slayers wear!"
"She's fangirling again," Nox said with a sigh.
"Alright, guys!" Hitsu said sternly, "focus up."
Hitsu quickly gained the attention of everyone and they began to listen intently.
"We all know Jinsuke looks awesome but today is a very important day," Hitsu said as he pushed himself up from the stairs into a standing position.
"Why is that?" Nox asked.
"Because today is a special holiday," Hitsu explained, "It's Freedom Day."
"Freedom Day?" Nox said curiously.
"You might not have heard of it," Enai said, "It's a New Faith holiday."
"She's right," Hitsu continued, "to celebrate the world we lost control of, once a year people celebrate by going outside the walls."
"Outside the walls?" Sel asked.
"Yep," Hitsu explained, "with New Faith being abundant with slayer guilds many people pay to get escorted outside the walls. Today is everyone's day to see the outside world and remember a time before the shadows attacked."
As Hitsu spoke Nox realized he wasn't smiling as usual. Hitsu face and demeanor felt sad and heavy.
"Normally Master would be here," Hitsu continued, "but he still hasn't returned."
"Why is this day so important for us?" Jinsuke asked, "You didn't say anything about going outside the walls."
"Exactly," Hitsu said, "all of the slayers will be outside the walls. Normally Slayer guilds don't handle local crimes but if they see them they will take action. With all the Slayers gone today, there's a huge potential for an increase in crime. That's why today is so important... Because we have to step up and do our job."
"Alright!" Sel said loudly, "Let's do this!"
"You are loud and annoying," Enai said to Sel, "but I completely agree."
"You two are gonna have to stop arguing," Nox scolded, "how else can we be a team?"
"I don't know," Jinsuke said, "I think it's pretty funny."
"This is serious you guys," Hitsu said sternly, his words quickly gathering the other's attention.
"Sorry," they apologized as they awaited his instructions.
"Now then," Hitsu said with a grin, "the last one to the center of town has to pay for everyone's lunch."
With those words, Hitsu took off with a burst of neon and in mere seconds had scaled the Future Veins guildhall. It took a moment for the others to keep up with Hitsu's sudden change in tone but they soon adjusted. With laughs and grins, they followed suit and climbed the building. Fire, bones, Earth, and dance all allowed them to follow their friend to the rooftops.
It was soon apparent there was no real race. With Hitsu's speed, he could have easily beat them all to the center of New Faith but instead, he ran along with them. The five friends leaped from roof to roof in their joyous trip. People on the sidewalks looked up as they passed, some amused by the group, some amazed by the heroes.
As they neared the center of town Hitsu ignored his lead and slowed to a stop to turn to his friends. He smiled at their joyous laughter and gleeful faces. His smile only faded when theirs did. One by one the others all stop and looked in Hitsu's direction with nothing but concern. As the smiles left a feeling of dread wrapped itself around Hitsu and a chill rushed up his spine.
"What's the matter?" Hitsu asked the others nervously.
"Is... Is Juno okay?" Nox asked on edge.
Hitsu turned his head to his shoulder where Juno stood. Her eyes were wide with fear as if her worst nightmare was right in front of her. Her tail and hair stood on end, her form resembling a normal scared cat. Every couple of seconds Juno's ears would twitch as if she was hearing a loud sound that the others couldn't.
"Juno?" Hitsu said concerned.
"HISSSSSSSSSS!" Juno responded startling Hitsu in the process. In all the years Juno had stood by his side Juno had never hissed at Hitsu.
"You guys stay here," Hitsu said to the others without removing his gaze from Juno.
Without waiting for a response, Hitsu took off in the direction Juno was staring. He leaped from rooftop to rooftop only this time there was no joy. The further he ran the worse the feeling in his stomach became. Hitsu realized soon the direction Juno was staring was the center of town. Hitsu landed on the edge of a building near the town square to see Juno still staring. Her eyes landed directly on a giant stone fountain in the middle of town, the fountain paid tribute to all the great slayers of New Faith's past, great heroes were notably absent.
"What is it, girl?" Hitsu whispered, "what do you hear?"
In a single second his question would be answered. In a single second, it would appear before him. In a single second the bright sun would hide behind the dark clouds. In a single second a day of celebration would become a day people remembered fearfully. In a single second the fountain would crack. In a single second darkness would begin to spill out of the ground. In a single second the shadow would arrive.
"Run!" Hitsu shouted down to the people below, "Get out of here!"
The fountain shattered to pieces as a giant claw the same size broke through the ground below. Slowly but surely the giant shadow pulled itself from its underground tunnel. It rose and rose, for a moment it seemed it would never stop. If the shadow Hitsu and Nox faced was a combination of forty shadows this one was one hundred at least. As the last of its body appeared in New Faith the shadow's head lowered and its eyes locked onto a single target...
...Hitsu.
...
End of Episode 40