The night turned into day; the chilling breeze was eradicated by the warmth that graced the day. The city was not as bemusing now, the bright lights did not stand out as much as they had the night before. The room was injected by large rays of the sun, making dust particles more visible. The town outside of the palace was just as bustling as the day before, the rich still in their silk robes and open shops making a profit from their goods. Geoffrey awoke, the room had such a fresh smell. He sat up, bare-chested, looking around the room at all the objects engulfed in sunlight. He stretched out his arms and bent his back, he ached so much from the past couple of days.
He slipped out of the covers and stood next to his crumpled sheets; he was still drowsy. His armour was just how he left it, banished to the floor. He did not rush to get ready; he knew that he probably had limited time, but it was still early morning. He placed his armour pieces in their designated positions and straightened himself to the best he could, the only difference being the piece of cloth that he was given from Kei. He placed the cloth around his upper left arm. Geoffrey sat at the table, contemplating what he would need for the oncoming journey. A small army maybe? Powerful weapons? He did not know where to start.
He had no idea how powerful the Firecracker was, the only thing that Geoffrey knew was that flaming arrows left quite the mark on the beast, but whether that was accurate was another question. All those crucial details had been lost to the grasp of history. Any sane person could see that this was a suicide mission, but fate had led Geoffrey here. His worry was not for him though, it was for Kei. He did not want to risk her after everything he had already put her through. He had so many things on his mind, he just could not focus on one thing at all. He caressed his chin as he tried to focus but was interrupted by his room door opening.
A maid poked her head around the door, she had her hair tied up into a bun and her face was indulged with white makeup. When she saw Geoffrey, she entered inside fully. She wore a bright pink laced kimono and an apron over the top. She bowed towards Geoffrey and placed a bowl of fruits on the table. She smiled whilst Geoffrey scanned all of the items, he recognised all but one. When he looked up again, she was over at his bed, straightening it back up. He smiled at her generosity, not thinking that it was part of her job, and indulged in the fruits.
Once she was done, she bowed towards Geoffrey and left, Geoffrey thanked her for her kindness, and she giggled as she left. As he reached the bottom of the bowl, he saw a slip of parchment. He scanned the text; Kei had written to him asking for the two of them to meet at the blossom tree in the courtyard. She knew more than he did, and he could not just say no to her after he said they would work together. He grabbed his stuff and left for the courtyard.
When he reached the courtyard, after the occasional wrong turn, he got to experience the vast scale of the emperor's morning briefing. Emperor Hayashi stood atop a wooden platform, concealed behind his Imperial Armour, with a platoon of his generals. From the doors that Geoffrey appeared from, he could not hear what the briefing was about, but the closer he got, looking for the pink blossom tree, he could hear a lot more of the conversation. Roughly thirty-six generals were standing, listening to the emperor's words, Geoffrey trying his best to locate which one was Kei. He could not decipher which of them was Kei, due to the same armour. Geoffrey tried to keep away from interrupting the voice of the emperor but kept enough distance to hear what he was saying.
"Today is a reasonably good day, I imagine that there will not be many issues in the city, so I shall not bombard you with tasks. I would like half of you to be patrolling the battlements, for the reason that if we get attacked by the 生き物 we can defend ourselves with haste. From the remainder of you, I want eight of you to conduct military exercises in the barracks and around the city. The rest of you, you shall patrol the corridors. Dismissed." The emperor stated, Geoffrey continued to watch whilst the group disbanded and went to their new position.
Geoffrey continued walking around the edge of the courtyard, he still had not located the blossom tree. His path soon became obstructed by a small house, attached to the side, he had no idea what the building was. He continued past the small house, looking over towards the way he had just come from, it was so distant from where he was. When he had passed the front of the building, he looked to his left, confronted by the pink blossoms. The tree was not as big as the other ones he had come across in the city, but it seemed more delicate and cared for. Before the tree was Kei, she sat on a square stone pot that kept the tree's roots contained. She was wearing the same armour as the not long dismissed generals. She was coated by the occasional blossom petal, this only added to her beauty. She was staring at the stone floor as if in a trance, she did not seem to blink while Geoffrey approached her. After so long, she blinked for the first time and noticed her lover across from her.
"Hello Geoff," Kei exclaimed, smiling.
"Good morning, Kei." Geoffrey returned.
"Did you see my father's briefing?" She questioned.
"Yeah, I kept looking for you, but I could not see you."
"I do not go to them anymore; I cannot deal with them. He used to look about at every other general, but always deny his gaze on me. I suppose as well, you cannot have thirty-seven generals if half of them need to split up,"
"You should not have to feel that way,"
"It is only fate; Tezcatlipoca would want it that way." She stated, a slight smile showing, "I love this tree, it is the only one in the palace."
"Why have only one tree?"
"When I was young, I and my mother planted it. My father never removed it, although he has strong opinions of my mother."
"What happened to your mother?" Geoffrey asked, he had never really known or asked.
"Perhaps another time, we should focus on the matter at hand," Kei replied. Geoffrey accepted that.
"You have a plan?"
"To a certain extent, I have ideas, I just need you and the 6th to help with the rest," Kei responded jumping down from the stone pot.
She began to lead Geoffrey away from the tree, he could see that Kei was upset behind her eyes and her smile. Geoffrey could only hope that fate would let them survive this quest so that he could help her, but no complete plan and a small group of generals did not make their chances all too high. Geoffrey followed her round the way he came to the front of the little house he had manoeuvred around, he looked up to the sign on the top of the frame. The small house was the entrance to where all the generals lived and slept, it was relatively small, with no room for thirty-seven people. The perimeter of the room was home to the beds of the generals which surrounded two rectangular tables with at least four chairs surrounding them. When the two entered the building, they were instantly met by a table of four other generals. Kei gestured Geoffrey closer to the table, he stood there awkwardly. Kei dragged two chairs over to the table and sat with the four other men.
"So, this is the guy you were telling us about?" One of the men stated.
"He does not look like much, you sure this is the guy?" Spoke another one of the men.
"Yeah, Tak, you sure this is the guy the emperor wanted?" Said the third man.
"I am sure this is the man; you will have faith once you see him in action." Said the fourth man, Geoffrey recognised his voice.
"Everybody, this is Geoffrey Gold! He is going to help us slay the beast!" Kei interjected.
"It is good to see you so soon, Geoffrey," Takahir stated, rising from his chair, and shaking Geoffrey's hand.
"Thanks, Takahir, good to see you too." Geoffrey smiled.
"I would say introductions are in order, you already know Tak, so Chiba, why do not you start?" Kei questioned.
"Of course, I am Daiki Chiba. One of the samurai warriors, Tak has been telling us about your grand adventure to get here, hope I get to see you in action at some point." Chiba said, smiling at Geoffrey.
"I am Akio Nishitani, Tani for short. I am the other samurai." Tani continued, he did not seem as open as the others.
"Last but not least, me, Haru Nakamura, I am your scout and bow master. Do not ever trust one of those fools with a bow. I heard you managed to pierce some thug's skull, takes real strength to do that with a simple bow." Haru exclaimed.
"It is nice to meet you all, I look forward to assisting you," Geoffrey responded.
"You will be doing more than assisting, Geoff," Kei responded. Tani chuckled.
"Did not know you and him were on a first-name basis, Kei, something you want to share?" Tani joked, Geoffrey, coughing out of surprise.
"Shut up, Tani, we have got more important matters to discuss. Geoff, do you know much about the Firecracker?" Kei questioned.
"Huge 12-foot beast roamed thousands of years ago. Apparently, it is weak against flaming arrows."
"From what I remember, the beast is immune to flaming arrows." Takahir injected.
"He knows just as much as we do. We know of a way to gain more accurate knowledge about the creature, but it is risky. We suspect that within my father's chamber is a sealed room with the ability to gain the knowledge we seek. Many generations ago, an ancestor of mine documented many creatures long since decimated from Ebisu, it has always been protected since my father's previous advisor attempted to steal it and sell it. We have suspicion to believe that this may shed some light onto how we slay the beast, but it will be risky." Kei explained.
"Sounds easy enough, what is the major concern about it all?" Geoffrey questioned.
"My father's room is protected by two guards, I have an inkling on how to change that, the only other issue also being that I cannot guarantee my father's location," Kei responded.
"I will let you sort out a distraction, but I should be able to get inside his room and find where he keeps the book. Any idea where he keeps the hidden room or any protection I should be concerned about?"
"I know that the passcode is 010617, but no idea where the door is." Takahir replied, "I hoped I could come along with you, but I've got business to address, and so do most of the others except from- "
"Me," Tani finished, "I have got nothing worthwhile, so I will come along with you."
"Of course." Geoffrey ended.
"That is all then, me and Chiba will sort out the distraction, you and Tani get what we need," Kei confirmed, everyone stood up and said their temporary farewells.
On the way out, Takahir and Haru left straight away to patrol the palace battlements, the other four left together, still talking. Kei explained to Geoffrey and Tani that they would have to stay within the Generals Barracks whilst she and Chiba made a worthwhile distraction for the Palace Guards. The two men proceeded to go back inside the small structure to wait out for the distraction, whilst Kei and Chiba left out the main gates of the palace. Takahir and Haru were long gone, but Kei had the perfect idea for the distraction that they needed.
The two generals made their way out from the Royal Town and into the middle ring. The streets were never really that busy, people often lived within one building with their family and friends and learned all of their knowledge through the cybernetic implants in their heads. Life for them was not hard, compared to the people before them, they could spend so much time with the people around them or doing the things they loved. Most mechanical people have their organs replaced at birth. The most common organ to be replaced was the stomach and intestines. Jidō-ka's discovered that having one meal upon birth could provide you with enough energy to sustain you till death, so they created a continuous loop device that feeds you constantly. The only organ that has never been replaced is the heart, nothing had ever been discovered to duplicate the abilities it possesses. To some people, the Jidō-ka shops seemed like a bad establishment, but if you knew where to look, there was worse. Enhansumento. If you knew how to get to the lower levels of this section, you could come across Enhansumentos. Kei has known about them for years, but no one has ever done anything to shut them down. They provide dangerous and unstable enhancements to thugs and criminals to make their crimes easier and more efficient. This, however, was Kei's only option to create a worthy enough distraction for the palace. In her youth, she happened to grow up with one of the leading people of the Enhansumentos. This would hopefully get his interest.
Esaias Mori had been running the biggest underground Enhansumento trade since his father introduced him to it all. He had grown up motherless. His mother got caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting when his father heard of the event, he longed for vengeance. His father turned to drink and substances, lashing out at Esaias. That lasted for several years until his father discovered the unstable enhancements. He spent all his Sol on the upgrades and placed himself into severe debt to the Enhansumentos, but he ignored the issue and took his revenge on the shooters. Esaias's father never paid off the debt that he owed; he disappeared when Esaias was only nineteen. Esaias proceeded to join the people that his father held his debt with, learning skills, committing crimes, and gaining respect. The previous leader of the Enhansumentos learned of his skill and rewarded him with the top enhancements and later placed him in charge. His reputation as one of the leaders of the Enhansumentos makes him a popular character within the depths of Ebisu, but he does not show his face as much now.
Kei and Chiba continued through the area, soon approaching a dark-looking path that parted the two buildings from touching. They eventually reached a singular metal door with a hatch at about eye level. Kei knocked loudly and boldly. She heard talking and sounds coming from the other side, she could not make out what was being said, but they sounded surprised. The hatch opened. The eyes of an Ebisu Pirate stared back at Kei. He was very grotesque, just from his eyes. His right eye was covered by a small shaving of leather that was growing some sort of bacteria. Around his patch was also dried and decaying skin along with the occasional pus-filled spot. His opposite eye had been upgraded; it was a dark red that glared through the fumes that came from below. He had quite a peculiar smell, a very pungent rotting smell.
"What do ye want?" The pirate spoke, eventually realising what they were, "Imperial generals? why be ye snoopin' around these parts? ye be not ye be welcome 'ere."
"We are here on personal business, not Imperial," Kei explained.
"What business be that there?"
"I request to see Mori; I am an old friend."
"I do not care if ye an' 'e was arr, mates back in the day. Why be ye 'ere?"
"I require his services to create a distraction at the palace. If my name does not convince him, I will pay him enough that he could retire."
"All right then, Miss, give me a moment."
The pungent pirate then closed the hatch that he had been peering out from and moved away. Kei and Chiba stood there waiting, Chiba seemed slightly uncomfortable being opposite the metal door. Chiba was seemingly open and friendly, but inside his optimistic shell was the depressing truth of his past. When Chiba was seven, his parents abandoned him outside of that door whilst they ran away to escape the civil war. He was taken in by the pirates and cared for by them, whilst also being taught how to be a pirate. He received upgrades and enhancements to make him more efficient, but his machinery was second-hand and did not always accept him. When he was ordered to kill an "insurgent" group, he found himself holding his sword up to a group of scared children. Unable to bring himself to do it, he deserted the pirates and became homeless. He covered his enhancements and requested to join the Imperial army because of his inhuman abilities. Only the 6th Battalion knows of his enhancements, but only he knows that his time with them is only temporary. His second-class appendages are slowly passing poison through his body, he has no idea how long he has left.
The door opened.
The two generals went through the door and into the world below. This hidden city was a lot different to the city above. The long continuous ring housed many floors of homes and shops that went several more levels down. This place was also more populated, people roamed these streets, unlike above. Kei knew exactly where Mori would be, when they were still friends, he always took her to the same cantina. The two did wander for a bit, taking in this seemingly beautiful metropolis. Chiba placed his hand on Kei's shoulder, causing her to turn round to him.
"Is everything all right, Chiba?" Kei asked.
"Being here again. It is bringing back memories. I need to check something while I am here, will you be all right on your own?" Chiba responded.
"I will be fine, stay out of trouble. I will meet you back at the door." Kei smiled, understanding the pain Chiba had inside him.
Kei continued down the same path that she had been on since she entered the world below, it always surprised her how desolate the above world was. She recognised most of the places she had passed from when she would explore with Mori, the place never really seemed to change. She eventually approached the bar that she had always drank at, The Twin Koi. It was just like any bar in any country, lots of tables, lots of chairs, drunk people, and the strong smell of alcohol. She used to always order the Blind Man's Grog, it always tasted better than the other concoctions that the place offered. She did not recognise any of the people in the bar, only the people had changed in all that time. She sat at the main bar where all the drinks were served, the barman asked her what she wanted. She waited for her drink, staring at the people around her. Pirates mainly filled the vicinity, but there were also civilians and smugglers. The barman placed the drink in front of Kei, resting his arms on the surface.
"I do not believe I have seen you here before," He began, "Which floor are you from?"
"I come from the surface, do you dwellers not know what an Imperial General looks like?" Kei responded.
"Why should we interfere with the world above when we have got all we need down here? However, the real question is what brings a general down here?" He asked.
"I have come to see Mori; I have got business to discuss." She said simply.
"Mori? I know no Mori. You are sure you are in the right place?" Kei reached inside her armour producing a pouch, she passed it over to the barman, "Oh! Mori, Esaias Mori. Yes, is he expecting you?"
"He should be," Kei finished. The barman raised his elbows from the bar and pointed to a door. Kei rose from her seat, leaving half a glass, and pressed on through the door.
Kei entered the door that she believed Mori was behind. She entered a corridor with one lone guard. He asked for all her weapons, and she complied. She was vulnerable, but certain that there was no need for violence. The guard took her down the door at the opposing end of the stretch, inputted a passcode and opened the door. The illusive Esaias Mori greeted her.
He was a lot taller than Kei. He had long black hair that reached just below his shoulders and connected to a thick black beard that reached to where his belly button was. His ears were covered in piercings and jewellery of high value. He wore a blue bandana across his forehead, keeping his hair from obstructing his view. He stood up, presenting the blue jacket that he wore over his tunic. The jacket had patches and blotches which told many stories. He had several string necklaces on which led to an incredible jewel that sparkled within the light above. He wore complete black beneath his jacket which also had the occasional patch. On his left side was his cutlass, it mostly resembled that of an Ebisu Katana, but its blade had been repurposed. He arose from his seating and gestured towards the seat opposite.
"Kei Hayashi, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Mori stated.
"And yours," She responded, "You are aware of why I have come?"
"Indeed, you want some of my freaks to stage an assault on the palace. Why is that?"
"I need my father out of my way, he has something of interest to me. I need you to draw him out."
"I see, and what of the men I shall lose?"
"I will make sure that I compensate you with what I have to my name, just keep them occupied for half an hour at least."
"I suppose I can make that arrangement; how long do we need to wait?"
"As soon as possible. Just make sure I do not get mentioned as the one who acquired your assistance."
"I will make sure you do not, how much are you thinking this is going to cost you?"
"I would say a modest ten thousand would compensate well for everything," Mori responded, grinning at the suggestion of such a high price.
"Agreed, get your men ready." Kei finished, getting up from her seat and leaving the way she came.
Meanwhile, Chiba continued through the streets of the underground looking for the one place that he would always recognise. Down in the underworld was the one place where Chiba spent most of his days as a pirate, Kyo Unknown. Kyo was one of the many people who provided Enhansumentos to the people who could pay, but to Chiba, he was the one who made him the way he is. He wanted some justice for the way he is and answers to his questions. He felt a building rage, the kind that makes you shiver when you are alone. The image of the place he was tortured within was permanently engraved inside his poisoned brain; the pain endured over the past 24 years had to be put to rest. He stood outside the building; it was still engulfed by the neon green lights that covered its exterior. There were no windows, just signs on prices and everything they could change. Chiba stood there, thinking…
He already knew the outcome of what was to come and there was no way he could talk himself out of his actions. He began his journey inside.
He was expecting to see loads of pirates inside the building, but to his surprise, there were none. Chiba walked from the door over to the front desk. The only person inside the building was a woman, she was blonde and moderately tall. She wore a green sort of jumper and long grey trousers, she had a couple of enhancements that were visible, but she probably could have passed for a normal person in the above worlds. When Chiba first walked over, she continued to look at the screen opposite. She soon broke contact with the screen and turned towards Chiba, looked him up and down, did not change expression and told him to go inside.
He entered the one industrial door inside the room, turned to his right, following the stairs up. He soon approached the top and decided that he was to play it dumb as he had never met the man before. His rage was not as enthusiastic at that moment. Chiba pushed open the door of the floor above, his nostrils became graced with the smell of dried blood and decaying flesh. It was so repugnant. The general continued forward to a section which contained a large, reclined chair and then a smaller chair next to it. Chiba placed himself onto the chair, it was stained with blood. From across the room, a man entered. He was medium height, balding, and ridden with the wrinkles of days gone by. He hobbled over to Chiba, coughing every so often and gasping with every step. He placed himself in the chair next to Chiba, coughed once more, turned, and then realised.
Kyo remembered every face, much like how his wrinkles held stories, this was the one that he could never forget. He remembers the small seven-year-old boy, sitting there, solitary as a hermit, never speaking. The boy never spoke to him, he always screamed… In pain. He always watched the streams of saltwater cross the hills of the boy, but he could not just stop mid-procedure. Kyo's balding head started sweating. "Do I know you?"
"No, I have never been up this high before. I am travelling, at the moment." Chiba lied, this gave Kyo a bit of peace, perhaps he was wrong.
"I see, so what brings you to my Enhansumento shop today?" He asked not as stressed.
"I recently had my body enhanced, but I have been feeling quite unwell recently. I just want to make sure that I am not seriously ill." Chiba replied.
"I see, may I have your diagnostic cable?" Kyo asked.
Chiba pulled up the sleeve of his tunic and then pushed the edge of his glove up to reveal a small divot. He then reached inside and produced a long cable.
"Recently, you say. These cable ends have been out of use for a good 5 years. No worry though, it will do."
The doctor then connected Chiba to a sizable-looking tower and began loading Chiba's diagnostics and internal blueprints. Kyo became a lot calmer, he was certain that it was not the child from the past.
"I heard that this place used to be home to pirates, where are they now?" Chiba questioned, breaking the silence.
"They cleared off a couple of years ago and found someone who was cheaper and more dependable. Sort of sad when you put it that way." Kyo responded.
Chiba shivered. The business was not well for him, but after everything this man does, sad was not the word Chiba would use. The man turned to the tower; Chiba's diagnostics finally opened.
"Well, what are the chances of that? Your internal structure is perfectly set to how I use it." Kyo realised he did not question that with much thought. He then navigated through the internal structure to the brain chip that held all the relevant diagnostics. He opened the system file, it proceeded to scan. During that, Kyo checked through the other files that Chiba had. They were all named just as he would. "Are you sure you have never come here before?"
"Yeah."
"It is just that you have everything in the format that I do everything. It is just odd that-" He paused; diagnostics were done. "I am so sorry… you are dying. Your body is ninety-five percent poisoned."
"That poor child. How could you let that happen to him?" Chiba began.
"What? What child?" Kyo spoke, terrified.
"The boy, 24 years ago. I see in your mind that you know whom I mean."
"I… I do not follow."
"You made me into this, I have decayed into this. I am that boy, the one you placed enhancements on. Look at me now. I am dying."
"I only did what they asked."
"You watched me scream in pain, bleed on your floors. I was an abandoned, scared, and lost child and you let them tinker with me. I am slowly dying because of your second-hand appendages."
"They would have killed me."
"I was a child. You will tell me one thing; how long do I have left?"
"It estimates-"
"Do not give me an estimate, I want a definite," Chiba shouted.
"Three to five days."
"Thank you." Chiba finished, before revealing the dagger that he had concealed in his other hand. He then struck the blade across Kyo's heart and dug it deep into his chest. The man let out a groan of pain and then an exhale of peace. Chiba stood from the chair, unplugged from the screen, and left. His mission was complete, his questions were answered, and the seven-year-old boy felt peace.
However, in the palace, things were not as exciting as the events transpiring in the underworld. Geoffrey and Tani were still in the Generals Barracks and were still waiting for this planned distraction. Time seemed to drag on and on inside that small military home, but the more awkward thing was the silence between the two warriors. Geoffrey did not seem to enjoy being around Tani, something about him had a dark atmosphere. They were both sitting opposite each other, waiting, not saying a word. Geoffrey kept glancing up from wherever he was looking to be met with the piercing gaze of this intimidating man, he would, surprised and terrified, look away from Tani swiftly. Geoffrey felt as if the room, every time they looked at each other, was getting increasingly warm. He knew that he had to say something, they were going to be collaborating.
"What made you join Kei?" Geoffrey opened, trying to sound confident.
"The ability to prove myself and help the community in a meaningful way," Tani responded.
"Does not being a regular general guarantee such feelings?" Geoffrey questioned.
"No, being a general to this greedy emperor is like being a chicken to a farmer, useful at the time, but fed and used for eventual personal gain. I get to influence my people, my family if we can slay this beast."
Geoffrey understood this feeling, fighting under a greedy ruler, not as much, but not being able to help your people was incredibly relatable. It reminded him of how he proved himself to the people of Basdon after he defeated the infesting Verglas spiders only three years ago. He still remembers running into the nest with a battered blade and some leather scraps, but it had brought him so far. This was, however, not the same for Tani. He grew up in the now abandoned town of Yamagawa, in the far reaches of Northern Ebisu. When he was twenty, he witnessed an Umibōzu over the cliffside of his town scraping away at the edge of the hill they lived on. He tried to warn his people, but no one listened to him, and he had no way of helping the people he loved and cared for. Days later, an earthquake shook the town, prompting him to leave only briefly and he watched, trying to save children, friends and loved ones from the premature threat, but no one listened. Only he survived the great catastrophe that he witnessed, he vowed that he would always find a way to save the people, whether he knew them or not.
Then it began. The huge alarm gong started echoing throughout the palace and into the town surrounding. Geoffrey and Tani were unsure of the circumstances that were unfolding, but everyone else was very sure. Palace guards and generals began flooding the courtyard and battlements in an attempt to stop what was unfolding. Kei and Chiba had snook back inside the Royal Town, to avoid Mori's men, and hid amongst the buildings. For the guards at the palace, however, they witnessed a stream of cybernetic men standing before the walls and entrance of the palace, some brandishing weapons and others relying on their enhancements. Guards began to charge out the front of the palace and towards the front of the mass of cybernetics, pointing their spears and katanas in the hopes of pushing them back.
Geoffrey and Tani opened the door of the barracks to see what was transpiring. One of the guards passed by told them what was occurring and went towards the growing tension. This was the distraction they were promised. Geoffrey watched as even more guards penetrated the gates, not realising that Tani had gone back inside. He returned to his previous position, now wearing a steel helmet which perfectly concealed his identity from detection. Geoffrey had no protection, so he had to keep a low profile as best he could. They swiftly move in the direction of the main hall, Guards presuming they were going to get the emperor for assistance.
They passed the hall and continued to go around the perimeter to find the emperor's place of rest, however, it was not as easy as they had thought. Standing by his doors were still two guards. Tani took initiative and commanded the men. He informed the men that emperor Hayashi had requested all stationary guards to be present as they were severely outnumbered, and the guards left shortly. They had made substantial progress on their mission to defeat the Firecracker, but now it was a matter of finding the hidden room within the walls of the emperor's chamber.
They opened the double sakura doors to reveal the lush and relaxing life that the emperor indulged himself in every day. His room was triple the size of Geoffrey's, but even then, his was relatively big. His room housed a giant king-sized bed, which he presumably used for only himself, covered in rich and highly detailed silk sheets, they were barely disturbed. His walls were covered in a dark wood for most which then reached a pale cream colour everywhere else. He had many pictures and portraits of himself, his family, and the people before him. On the wall opposite the doors was a huge full-length frame which contained all of his ancestors which then led to him, it was the Hayashi family tree. It started back in the year zero and continued generation after generation to him. Geoffrey barely recognised any of the people on that tree other than the names Katsu and Tomomi Hayashi. Geoffrey and Tani began to search for any indication or button which would be hiding or revealing a room. During the search for the hidden device, Tani happened to notice that the edging of the family tree was scraped along the whole right side. Unsure of the time they had, Tani began to vigorously study the frame before noticing an unusual gap between the box on the bottom of the frame. He pushed it. The frame clicked and opened up to reveal a large steel door behind. On the hidden door was just a keypad, presumably the lock they had heard about.
Time was now severely running thin; the pirates' advance on the palace was being managed and resolved with haste. Geoffrey looked down at a piece of parchment that he had produced from his pocket which had the digits 010617 and pressed them into the keypad. The steel door began to make loud clunks and churns from within and then slowly opened inwards to the emperor's hidden room. Inside, the walls were covered in thick sheets of wool to suppress any noise, its floor was also hard, but not wooden. Around one of the walls was a large display of weapons, some from his ancestors, some were collectors' items and others from places he had been to. Below this arsenal, was a table. One of the main components was a control panel which controlled weapons of mass destruction, next to it was a selection of old books. Geoffrey recognised "The Gods of Fauxwood," but all the others were complete mysteries. He briefly glanced at one called "The deception and chaos of Typhon", he felt like he recognised such a name, but had no idea who or what that was. "Over here, this is where the book is," Tani spoke, Geoffrey swiftly coming over. "The only issue being is that the lock on here is deadlocked, only Chiba would be able to decode this."
"Pass it here and I will keep hold of it, he will notice it is missing, but there is no way he will know it was us".
They swiftly exited where they were and returned everything to its previous state. The corridors were beginning to populate, the attempted pirate incursion was now over. Geoffrey and Tani returned to the Generals Barracks where they would now wait for the rest of the members to return.
During their waiting, the emperor returned to his room in anger over the near success of a pirate incursion. He opens his hidden room to escape from the palace, as he wanders over to his control panel, he flicks a switch which reveals a desk and chair for him to sit at. Then he noticed. He shouted in rage over the theft of such a prized possession, slamming his hands into his recently revealed desk. He sat down and reviewed a recording that he had running within the room, ten minutes prior, he saw two men one masked and the other visible take off with his possession. Filled with rage, he forced his fist into the recording and left his room in fury.
Soon after, Chiba and Kei returned to the Generals Barracks to see a box resting on the table with Geoffrey and Tani surrounding it. The two of them walked over and looked at the book, sealed inside.
"Deadlocked." Tani began.
"I suppose I best start then," Chiba states, revealing his cord once again and placing it into the keyhole. The rest of them sat there, waiting for Chiba to unlock the casing. Whilst waiting, the door to the barracks opened. Takahir and Haru entered, breathing heavily. Kei and Geoffrey looked at them distressed.
"Is everything all right?" Kei questioned, alarmed.
"No, he knows and is waiting for you all outside," Takahir responded.
"Impossible, how could he know we were there?" Geoffrey questioned.
"It will have been one of his unknown technologies, we cannot leave now, we have not decoded the lock." Tani continued.
"We will try and stall him, but as soon as you are ready or we can no longer stall, you need to run out of here and out of the main gates. They are open, so do not worry, I made sure of it" Haru ensured. The pressure was now on. Takahir and Haru exited and proceeded to try their best at stalling and Chiba continued to decode. The three others began grabbing supplies and possessions to take on their excursion.
After no more than two minutes, Chiba exclaimed in happiness and produced the book from the box. They were about to begin their search for the answers when a manly shout was heard from outside. The paper windows on either side of the door were suddenly pierced by two flaming arrows, prompting the place to catch fire. The four partners began to dash for the door, unaware of what was outside.
"Before we go, head north and out of the city. Rendezvous in the next town over, I will let the other two know." Kei stated and everyone agreed. They all produced themselves from the building and began to run for the main gates. Outside was the emperor with about ten guards ready to arrest the traitors. Takahir and Haru began to run with them, the emperor's dogs following his orders. They began firing arrows at them, in the hopes that perhaps one would be killed or perhaps imprisoned, but only one person was hit. Geoffrey was pierced in his right rib, but he could not give up now. They all dispersed in different directions, there were not enough guards to go after all six.
Geoffrey managed to climb his way through walls and fences to get to the north exit, avoiding potential threats and staying out of harm's way. When he had a moment, he stopped and dislodged the arrow in his back. It stung but needed to be removed. He soon after reached the final hurdle of his escape, the outer rings gate. The wall was too tall to be climbed, so he had to ask permission to pass, but the poor choices (leaving the traditional people without technology) had no idea he was a fugitive and let him pass.
He was free. He left out of the city and into the wilderness of Ebisu. He sat himself down in the grasslands to try and cover up his wound. Then, in a tired, wounded, and exhausted state, he blacked out. Unable to move, he lay in the grass, to die, to be robbed, or maybe to survive. His fate was now unclear to him.