Golden Month Arc -Start-
"Welcome back, Shinatsu!"
Kagura jumps out in joy, welcoming Shinatsu back from her 3-day leave and gifting her a bear hug. The others also welcome her back with great energy.
"Pff. Jeez Iris, you're covered in bandages."
"Heh." She nervously scratches her head. Iris has bandages covering the left side of her face down to her abdomen with a cast on her left arm. It'll take some weeks to a few months for her injuries to heal.
"You should've seen her, she was really going all out during her fight."
"Hehehe. What can I say?" The praise floats straight to her head.
"While you were gone, it was decided we'd get the next few months off from our Hunter duties."
"Really, isn't that a while?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Chifuyu words himself clicking his tongue. "You do know what we just accomplished, right? We probably just had the biggest battle of the year and acquired a great deal of intel, all while after only being Hunter for no more than a few months."
Diego joins in, "In other words, we're rolling in dough!"
"You're not even a Hunter."
"Credit's due where credit's due. Besides, I'll be enrolling at the Academy starting next year."
"Hey, good for you." Kagura gives Diego pats on his back. This greatly pleases him. "Anyway…"
"Anyway?"
"…As you all know, we'll be off during September. And this year, Golden Festival is here!"
"Hell yeah!"
"Wooooo!"
"What's Golden Festival?" asks Ariel.
Chifuyu enthusiastically answers, "It's basically Shioto's biggest festival held every 3 years. It lasts two months, but the actual festival is just during the last week."
"I never got to celebrate it, guess I'll have to look forward to it."
"Just you wait, Shinatsu. It's gonna be a blast."
The sound of keys unlocking the door grabs everyone's attention. The person letting themselves in is Nailah, coming in for one of her routine check-ups.
"I see you're all having fun, I could hear you from outside."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Nailah."
"Good afternoon."
"Hey."
They all greet her, with Ariel giving a plain hey.
"Good afternoon. I have news today, nothing big. Remember Charlatan?"
"The human pretending to be a vampire?"
"Yes, he was finally captured last night."
"Oh, that's great."
"It was a matter of time, he was just a pretender after all," Ariel throws in.
Nailah looks over at her niece, "How was your visit with Naomi and Noah?"
Shinatsu is surprised she asked. "It was nice, I enjoyed being there."
"That's good. I know you just got back, but your presence is needed at HQ. Along with Chifuyu, Ariel, and Iris."
***
The four who received a summons promptly left for Capri Island, where the Hunter Agency Headquarters is located. Ariel complained about not having Shoyo just teleport them instead of taking a 4-hour flight. She's grown to dislike prolonged trips, unfortunately for her Shoyo is busy. When they arrived at HQ, they were quickly directed to the top floor where the president is waiting for them. As they enter the room, Iris can't help but shake because she's afraid of heights. Taking the plane was even more of a struggle. Luckily for her, Chifuyu was there to help her get through it.
"It's been a while, half-vampire and Vampire Lord. I see your training has paid off since you were able to stand your ground against one of the strongest vampires of the Slayers."
"Sure has. I have Shoyo to thank for me still being alive. Well, and you of course."
"Yes. As for you, Ariel Ryuji. You sure have been through a lot in just a few months. Fighting against your sister and having a life-threatening fight inside of a labyrinth. I was surprised when I read in your report that there was a chance you could've died."
"Yeah, I had the fortune of getting sent to one of the most difficult labyrinths, but I made it out."
"I'm thankful for that. You're an insurmountable asset on our side after all. Now you two, Shinatsu Boreas and Iris Sakata. You've more than already proven your worth as Hunters. One tapped into the powers of an Alter Weapon within minutes of trying, and the other has taken out an unprecedented number of vampires for her age. You're no doubt a disciple of Shoyo."
"So, why did you make us come here?" Ariel wants to get straight to the point.
"Wasn't it obvious? The four of you are getting a promotion. You're being shot up from 4th rank to 2nd rank. You kids are the first in a long time to accomplish this in less than half a year of being Hunters, congratulations."
"Oh yeah, baby!"
"I like the sound of that."
Chifuyu puts his hand up for Ariel to high-five, and Shinatsu swings her arm around Iris in celebration.
"Shinatsu Boreas, as for the concern of your sister who has turned into a half-vampire. You made it clear in your report that she is not on our side. So she will be treated accordingly, as an enemy."
"I understand."
"I know you're thinking about who the alter blade you've been given will be passed on to. Well, you can consider it yours."
"Are you sure, Mr. President?"
"I reckon it's safe to say that blade has chosen you. I can only imagine how strong you'll get if you continue using it."
"Thank you, sir."
"I look forward to what you all will do from here on out."
A year and 3 & a half months have passed since the night of the Moon Festival, when Chifuyu and Ariel's fate intertwined.