"DAMN, COSMO HAS DONE well for himself. Just look at that big ass house. Hey Izumi, are you seeing this?"
"Ha, ha, sooo not funny."
"I can clearly see you're annoyed with me."
"Keep it up fur-ball, and I'm gonna shove my staff up your ass."
"Your blind ass would miss.
"I suggest you sleep on your back for a while."
"How can I help you two." Asked a guard, as he steps out of the guard house.
"Cosmo sent for us. I'm Izumi."
"And I'm Ben D'over."
"Hang on." Instructs the guard as he pulls out a piece of parchment from his breast pocket, and reads it out loud.
𝒫𝓁ℯ𝒶𝓈ℯ 𝒶𝓁𝓁ℴ𝓌 ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓇𝓎 𝓉ℴ 𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝒹𝓋ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓊𝓇ℯ𝓇 𝒷𝓎 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓃𝒶𝓂ℯ ℴ𝒻 ℐ𝓏𝓊𝓂𝒾. ℐ 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓁ℯ𝒶𝓋ℯ 𝒾𝓉 𝓊𝓅 𝓉ℴ 𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝒶𝓈 𝓉ℴ 𝓌𝒽ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒽ℯ𝓇 ℴ𝓇 𝓃ℴ𝓉 𝓈𝒽ℯ 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽ℯ𝓈 𝓉ℴ 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒶𝓁ℴ𝓃ℊ 𝒽ℯ𝓇 𝓅ℯ𝓉 𝓀𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓎.
𝒮𝒾ℊ𝓃ℯ𝒹
ℋℯ𝒶𝒹 ℴ𝒻 𝒮ℯ𝒸𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝒞ℴ𝓈𝓂ℴ.
"Kitty? That bastard dares call me a kitty. I'm gonna kick his ass when I see him."
"You're not gonna do a damn thing. The second you try, Cosmo will put you flat on your backside." Retorted Izumi. "Guard, kitty will wait out here until I his owner returns."
"Like hell I will!" Shouts Ben as Izumi steps forward. "Izumi, are you seriously gonna make me wait here like some damn dog?"
"Hee hee." Izumi just laughs as the guard opens the gate for her.
"Please follow me." Said the guard.
"Hey damn it! Don't ignore me!" Ben shouts after them.
"Most guests arrive in carriages or on horseback; however we do have a jinrikisha available to take you to the mansion."
"Can't I just walk?" Asked Izumi.
"You may, but it is quite aways from here."
"So the mansion can't be seen from where we are right now?"
"No it can not."
"I'll take a jinrikisha, but please describe the scenery as we go."
"I can not leave my post here at the main gate. However, Dallas can take you over." Explained the guard. "Hey Dallas, get out here!"
Stepping out the back door of the guard house, Dallas makes his way over to the pair. "Yo Phill, what's up?"
"This is Izumi, she's here at Cosmo's request. Izumi, this is Dallas. He's a beast-kin ox." The two shake hands as Phill informs Dallas of Izumi's request.
"Ok you got it. Oh before I forget that white tiger hopped the fence, and took off into the woods." Said Dallas taking his place between the two shafts.
"Well Anna has been complaining that she's bored all the time." Said Phill. "I don't see how that's possible when she's surrounded by her children."
"Should I be worried about him?" Asked Izumi as she climbed into the jinrikisha with assistance from Phill.
"Not at all. She won't kill him; just tie him up, and wait for orders from Cosmo. Alright Dallas she's all yours."
"Alright! Let's start the tour." Dallas said with gusto.
"The driveway is wide enough that two carriages traveling in opposite directions can safely pass one another with no worry of colliding with one the other. There's a sea of trees on either side with a heavy canopy; darkening the driveway even in the daytime. There's just enough light that one can still see without a lantern." Dallas explains as he pulls the jinrikisha at a light jog.
"Once through the trees our guests are greeted with a stunning array of living sculptures; in this case it's topiary. Each one is beautifully trimmed to take on the appearance of an animal. Then they're adorned with vibrant flowers to look as realistic as possible."
"Can you describe some of them for me?"
"You got it, Izumi." Dallas stops, takes a swig of water from his canteen and begins describing some of the topiary.
"First up is The Spring Azure Butterfly. Standing at three meters tall, and three meters wide, it's colored with Hydrangeas.
Dallas jogs on to the next one.
"Ok, this one is an Amur tiger. It was sculpted to look like it's lying down. Two meters tall, and three meters long. Zinnia flowers give it the rusty-yellow appearance, and Black Dahlias make up the black stripes.
"Thank you Dallas this has been fun, but I do believe it's time to get me to the mansion."
"You got Izumi, and you're welcome."
Takashi Mansion.
The building itself is a four-story red brick facade, adorned with white marble columns on the front exterior. White shutters around all the widows, with a different animal cut out at the top of each one.
Cosmo is standing out front when Dallas comes to a halt.
"Hello Izumi, you're looking well." Said Cosmo as he offered her a hand.
"Thank you Cosmo, still a gentleman I see." Izumi takes his hand, stepping from the jinrikisha.
"Huh, I thought you were blind?" Dallas asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"I am blind." States Izumi. "But I have known Cosmo for about seven years now."
"Where's King, or whatever he's calling himself this time?" Inquired Cosmo.
"Ben D'over. That's his latest asinine name he picked. He took offense to being called kitty, hopped the fence, and ran off into the woods."
"Hee hee ha ha ha." Dallas starts laughing. "I just figured out the name he gave. That's pretty good. Hey Cosmo, did you teach him that?"
"Let's head inside, Izumi. The patriarch is waiting. Dallas, return to your post."
"You got it."
(Character Bio)
Name: Izumi, Age: 17, Species: Human, Gender: Female. Job: Mercenary, Class: Mage, Subclass: Combat Mage, Rank: C. Appearance: Short Orange Hair, A White Cloth Over Her Eyes, White Skin. Gear: White Torso Armor with Hood, Black Leather Battle Skirt, Black Suede Boots. Weapon: Jo Staff, Length: 1.5 meters.
****
"Hellooo, I know you can hear me! Let me down already; this shit isn't funny!" King shouts. As he swings to and fro by his feet.
"You are absolutely right, it's not funny. It's fucking hilarious."
A beast-kin spider woman lowers herself til she's eye level with, King.
"Anna?! What the hell! Is this any way to treat a friend?"
"Friend or foe; it matters not. I was ordered to capture anyone not with an escort. That order comes from both the patriarch, and Cosmo."
"Is the situation that bad?"
"He's returned." Replies Anna with a serious tone in her voice.
"He? As in the one who gave me this scar?"
"And cut the tip of your ear off."
King puts his abs to work, reaching for the webbing around his feet, and cuts himself free with his claws.
"Hey Anna, tell whomever you need to that I'm heading out. If I need an escort they can come find me."
"Just run straight in that direction." Anna points the way for him.
"Hey, let's grab a drink later and catch up a bit when things settle down."
"Sounds good, King. I'll introduce you to the family."
King takes off, running full tilt towards the mansion. As he breaks through the tree line he's joined by Tian.
"I'm Tian, Please follow me."
"Never met a human who could match my speed." Remarks King.
"The world's a big place."
"That it is Tian that it is. Alright, lead the way."
(Character Bio)
Name: King, Age: 19, Species: Demi-human White Tiger, Gender: Male. Job: Mercenary, Class: Hunter, Subclass: Tracker, Rank C. Description: Height: 220 cm, Weight: 300 kg. Appearance: White Fur and Sepia-Brown Stripes, Blue Eyes, missing the tip of his left ear, a scar runs along the left side of his face. Gear: Black Canvas Pants, Leather Tassets, Light Brown Leather Greaves, Black Clawed Leather Gauntlets. Weapon: Kukris, Claws, Teeth.
"Hey King, what kept you?" Izumi asked as she set down her tea cup.
"Ran into an old friend of mine. Got hung up making small talk with her."
"Glad you could make it King. Here, have some water." Cosmo hands him a glass filled to the brim. "Once you're done I'll take you to meet the patriarch."
Cosmo, King, and Izumi pass through a set of double doors taking them into Yoshi's office. Seated behind a desk is Yoshi. And seated in one of the chairs across from him is Ryo.
"Sir, allow me to introduce you to King and Izumi." Said Cosmo.
"Hello." Replies Izumi with a bow.
"Ryo, it's been a while since I saw you last."
"Hey King." Ryo replied.
"Greetings to you both, I'm Yoshi Takashi, and that is Ryo Takashi, my grandson. Please take a seat we have much to discuss."
****
"Are we there yet, Karen?" Asked Riho, waking from her slumber.
"No child, not yet. We had to take a detour due to an increase in monster attacks."
"Ok." Riho closes her and falls back asleep.
"Hey boss, here comes a carriage. Looks like a small one; seats no more than four people tops, one driver. Should we let it go?"
"No, let's take it. Kill anyone who fights back."
Men wait in silence as the carriage draws closer. Once it passes them, ten men creep out from the bushes cutting off the way it came. They signal their spotter that they are set. The spotter in turn signals to the group in front.
"Mage's get to work." Orders the boss.
Four mages step forward. """"Fire Magic: Fire Wall."""" Night turns to day as a wall of fire cuts off the carriage from the front.
"""Fire Magic: Fireball.""" Three fireballs hit their mark; Killing the horse, the driver, and the third destroyed one of the wheels.
"Go move in!" Shouts the boss.
The men swarm the carriage like ants to sugar. It doesn't take them long to pull Karen and Riho out.
"Unhand us at once!" Screams Karen.
"Shut up or I'll shut you up." Counters one of the men.
"I'd like to see you try."
The boss steps forward and stabs Karen in her throat.
"NOOO, KAREN, KAREN!!" Riho cries out.
She tries fighting her way over to where Karen is only to be punched in the face, the sound of cartilage breaking is the last thing she hears before darkness overtakes her.
"You fucking idiot! We can't get a good deal for damaged merchandise."
"It's fine." Said the boss. "I wasn't gonna sell her to the slave trader's anyways."
"Hey pops you need to see this!" Shouts a man from inside the carriage.
"What is it Jr."
"It's their travel papers. I think this girl is from the Takashi family."
Jr hands the papers to his father. After reading them and then rereading them, a plan begins forming in his mind.
"Boys, we hit the jackpot with this one. Drinks are on me tonight! Let's load up and head out."
Cheers of excitement go up as everyone starts loading their wagons.
"Jr, load the girl in our wagon, if anything happens to her it's your ass."
"Understood pops."
𝐿𝑒𝑡'𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡, 𝑀𝑟. 𝑀𝑜𝑛𝑘𝑒𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑛. Thinks the boss.
Unbeknownst to him two witnesses saw and heard everything that happened. Three days will pass before word of this tragedy reaches the Takashi family.
****
"Shortly after hearing about this a package was delivered with Karen's severed head in it along with this message."
𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒸𝓁ℯ𝒶𝓋ℯ𝓇 𝓂ℴ𝓃𝓀ℯ𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝒹ℴ 𝓃ℴ𝓌?
The patriarch lets out a sigh and sits back in his chair emotionally drained from explaining everything, wishing for this nightmare to end.
"Do you know who's responsible for this?" Asked Izumi.
"Yes, it's the bandit group Phoenix. And just like their name implies they always rise back up from the ashes, stronger than before." Explained Cosmo.
"Every new leader who steps up to lead is more ruthless than their predecessor. Same with each new member who joins. They even recruited The Pyros, Black Fang, White Claw, and The Violators."
"Is there a reason you're not asking The Templars for aid in this matter?"
"Because the bastard responsible for this shit is apparently my uncle."
King and Izumi look over at Ryo.
"The same bastard who ten years ago killed my parents; killed his own sister out of spite, all just to hurt his father."
"So where should we start looking for him?" King asked.
𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘, 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘, 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑘.
"Enter."
"Pardon me sir, another package has arrived from the main gate, and…" The maid turns pale, unable to continue speaking. The very thought of telling someone sends a chill through her trembling body.
"Stella, I need to know." Yoshi's voice is calm and reassuring, as he makes his way over to her. "Please Stella, I need to know."
"T-the package h-had la-la-lady Riho's clothing." Stella begins hyperventilating.
"Cosmo, please take Stella to her room." Instructs Yoshi.
"Sir, with your permission, I'll inquire about the package." Offers King.
"Please do."
A few minutes later.
"Here's what I found out. The package contained the clothes of Riho, covered in dried blood, along with…" King pauses, takes a breath then continues. "There was also a pair of human eyes; with green irises, and a note."
𝒮𝒽ℯ 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓁ℯ ℴ𝒻 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇 ℯ𝓎ℯ.
"Thank you King. Now I wish to be left alone. Cosmo please show them out."
Seeing the dejected expression on his grandfather's face, Ryo silently departs with the others.
"I'll be in my room." Ryo walks off, his mind in a haze.
"King, Izumi, I need you guys to help Ryo. It won't be long before he takes off seeking revenge."
"Fine by me." Replies Izumi.
"Same."
"You have my thanks." Cosmo bows to them both, and heads back into the patriarch's office.
"How has it come to this? My only son kills his sister, his brother-in-law, and now his niece."
Tears run down Yoshi's cheeks. Cosmo can only stand in silence, as grief takes hold of them both. After some time Yoshi speaks again.
"Cosmo, please… I-I can't lose Ryo too, help him."
"Of course sir."
Yoshi rises from his chair; his legs unsteady, takes a step, stumbles but remains upright. He slowly makes his way over to the bookshelf, and pulls down a long wooden box.
"Give this to Ryo, it was his mother's."
Later that night Ryo goes downstairs and heads for the door. He stops upon seeing Cosmo, King, and Izumi standing there.
"Move."
"Do you even have a plan?" Asked Cosmo.
"I'll figure it out as I go. Now move."
"Or instead of wasting time you should work with King and Izumi."
"Why should I?"
"They have connections in the underworld. A man with your uncle's reputation won't be hard to find with their help." Answered Cosmo. "Also if you use the name Crimson Moon. No one will stand in your way."
"Crimson Moon?"
"That's the name of the mercenary group we belong to." Said King. "Cosmo here was the bossman back in the day. Now he works here for your family."
"Fine then." Agreed Ryo.
"One more thing before you go." Cosmo waves Stella over, who was waiting in the wings. "This was your mother's. It now belongs to you."
Ryo opens the lid, and finds nestled in red velvet a beautifully crafted sabre. With a smile on his face, and his new sabre on his hip, Ryo heads out with King and Izumi in tow.
(Character Bio)
Name: Ryo Takashi, Age: 17, Species: Human, Gender: Male. Job: Mercenary, Class: Warrior, Subclass: Apothecary, Rank: A. Description: Height: 158 cm, Weight: 52 kg, Lean Body Build. Appearance: Red Hair, Green Eyes, White Skin w/ Freckles. Gear: Red Cotton Shirt, Black Pants, Black Boots, Rapier Belt with Frog. Weapon: Sabre with full cupped hand guard.
****
"Is that… yes it is, I don't believe it! Ladies and gentlemen for the first time ever the champion is bleeding."
"Meow-ow. This is truly a day to remember." Comments Brittany.
"What will the champion do now?"
"Oh look, he took a knee. I think an artery was hit; just look at all that blood."