Toji first comes to terms with the cold, damp clay flooring which he lays upon.
"Gaahh…my fucking head!", the giant complains while rolling around, "Doll...what the hell did we get into last night?!"
When he opens his eyes though, Genghis stands with folded arms and traditional golden robes a few feet away. Toji's mind swiftly becomes aware of his predicament but he also recalls the events that brought him to this point. 'Elska…Naoya…', the last thing he can clearly remember is how he was fighting off the grey-eyed Titer that stuck the syringe into his arm; after that it's all black.
With an annoyed huff, Toji's scowls at Genghis and contemplates on how satisfying it would be to rip his throat out.
"Fushiguro! How are you feeling?", Genghis takes one step closer while utilizing the friendliest voice possible. He's confident in the seals they've compiled to suppress Toji's abilities but not for a single second will Genghis underestimate the power of a turned. He watches Toji spit in his direction and sighs with boredom after having expected the opposition.
"Fushiguro, you may not be a fan of me but I am certainly one of yours…", he now crouches down as Toji shifts to a crisscrossed position on the floor.
"Fuck off Titer.", is all the dirtied giant gives while squinting with distrust while thoughts like, 'I can't believe I let them get me…', converge his emotions internally. Embarrassed, Toji clenches his fists and fears over losing his grit.
Genghis chooses to mirror Toji, sitting down completely. He leans back on his arms though and looks up to the ceiling, flinching when Toji yanks the chains and abhorrently startles him.
"Let. Me. Go."
Temujin nervously cracks his neck and defies his unease, resting back into the same way but with tension, "You're something else, aren't you? You were already incredibly fierce even when you couldn't wield cursed energy but now?", Genghis chuckles lightly before proceeding with, "Now it feels hopeless to be your enemy!" He throws his hands into the air dramatically before bringing them back to his lap. Toji isn't seeming like he's going to respond and rather glares in a crestfallen fashion. "Fushiguro…I don't want us to be enemies. Things have changed and I want us to all unite. We...actually have to now."
Toji isn't buying this guy's pitch and figures Genghis is merely trying to gain his cooperation. 'Fucking cunt…', he thinks while trying to gather energy, becoming irritated when he can't. 'Of course they sealed me, I should've expected that…' His time working under Getou should insinuate the reach of the Titer clan but as he turns his head to ascertain where his chains anchor into the wall, he smirks, 'I can get out of this without the damn energy...' but refocuses hides his content to form a plan. Turning his head back to Genghis, Toji hazardously snarks, "Why the fuck am I here?"
Genghis smiles even after registering the malice in Toji's voice, "Well, I was actually planning on having Lady Oda but since she clearly didn't want to come, I had to take you so she would on her own accord! You three are very important to me, to us all. You have no idea how imperative it is that you survive now…there is something big coming. Something we will need all of our strength for." Finally, Temujin catches Toji showing signs of interest which motivates Genghis to share more than he originally intended to.
He scoots a little closer to Toji now leaving a mere couple of feet between them, disregarding Toji having range to reach him judging by the slack in the chains.
"Lady Oda needs to join with the Titers, Fushiguro. We are the only clan that can prepare her and in turn, yourself and Zenin. You know nothing of yourselves." Toji's face lights up for a split second which prompts Genghis to assure, "Yes, Naoya Zenin is fine, better than fine actually! My intel has informed me of his awakening…and I'll bet his capabilities are quite formidable now. He already had Scalar Warfare too. Wonder how destructive it is now!"
Finding out that his cousin's transformation was successful fills Toji with relief and it's expressed through a breathless sigh. He knows there will be times where Naoya also being turned will annoy the shit out him but, in this moment, he chooses to feel grateful for Elska's success.
A strange realization comes to him and for the sake of understanding where Genghis is going with all of this, he asks, "Why are you happy about that? Why did you let her do it? You know we could destroy you as we already were..." It doesn't make sense to Toji now that he's thinking about it, 'Why would they let Naoya turn? What the fuck is this guy up to?!' He narrows his green eyes again to Genghis as a chills crawl down his spine, 'What is it that I'm not getting?'
"Well, it seemed like Lady Oda wasn't willing to do it before. I hate to say it, but I needed her to turn Zenin sooner than later. We don't have as much time as I'd like so that means we haven't the courtesy of comfort.", he pauses to make sure Toji is still following for a moment but when the giant remains silent, he continues, "I had two main purposes for wanting to bring her here. The first would be for the hopes of her wanting to become Master Suguru's bride."
Temujin feels his soul shake when the giant stomps his foot but for the sake of his goals, he remains steadfast in stance.
"You're a brave fucking cunt, you know that?", Toji feels every vile atom in his body activate, "She would NEVER agree to Getou and fuck you for thinkin' she deserves that fate. Suguru's behavior toward the other gender will ensure his own."
"Oh, I see...", Genghis lifts his brow with eyes that say debate, "And I suppose Satoru Gojo is the epitome of gentlemen."
Genghis takes in Toji's snarl but tries to squash the quarrel with reason, "No matter how you look at it, her abilities and ours combined into offspring would be the ideal match…even more so than the Zenin clan. This will all make sense you to over time. The second reason was to educate her and have her embrace her incredible potential to make it reality." Toji's expression seems somehow unbiased so Genghis exhales with a small smile at how reasonable the man is. 'I definitely understand why Suguru likes him so much!', he thinks to himself, trying to control his fanaticism.
"Toji…may I call you that?", he asks and receives a mere scoff as a response which Genghis takes as a reluctant yes. "I actually raised Master Suguru you see, until I was sent to my death by the hands of the adolescent Gojo, that is..." Toji forms a glare but he doesn't feel like its towards him so it prompts Genghis to wonder if the giant isn't already aware of Satoru's true nature.
"The higher-ranking Titers that hold influence and political power, we are all under a revival technique. I believe you and yours experienced this upon the hybrid's attempt to kill Master Suguru before." He sees Toji's eyes widen as if he's trying to figure out why he'd be relaying this information to him. "The trick is, it only is effective if we're killed with cursed energy." Genghis claps his hands loudly twice and waits to read Toji's expression, "I'll show you."
The thick lone door exiting this hell hole squeaks open.
"YOU!", Toji shouts as the male waiter from the restaurant appears in yellow robes and a smug expression. Toji's wide eyes take to his lap while thinking, 'What the fuck is going on here? Why would he do this this when I still consider him our enemy?'
Toji comprehends that Genghis is slowly trying to build actual trust between them as he keeps providing truth and proof for all he's saying. He recalls the waiter triggering him though, which caused Toji to become something else. "You fucking made me slaughter those people! FUCK YOU! I BLASTED YOUR ASS!", Toji bears fangs at the waiter whose arrogant expression now shows traces of fear. "I am definitely going to tear your fucking throat out…", he sneers a vow. He watches Genghis wave the man away quickly before bowing and apologizing for upsetting him. 'I don't understand…', it really doesn't add up to Toji.
"Perhaps it was too soon for that...", Genghis clears his throat once lifting his head, "We had to return him without harming you which was quite the task. When your energy was altered, it was more like we dug up turned within you; forced it's hand in a way..."
Toji does his best to shake off the lingering sensation of his hands shredding bystanders.
"Have you ever wondered why our clan ratio is so high, Toji?" Genghis watches the realization creep over Toji and smirks kindly, "It is because we can foresee who will inherit the techniques. We then also place them under the revival to ensure our clan's future." The amazement is quickly overwritten with disgust though.
"All that great power and you use it to kill regular ass people..."
"Toji, the fault of that solely lies with me for I am the one who wanted to alter your energy. Before you say anything more, I would like to explain that my purpose for doing so was with the fleeting hope that you'd harm Zenin enough for Lady Oda to turn him and that possibly, you'd kill Gojo."
Toji mutters, "You fucking cunts!", but nothing more as his eyes lower back to his lap as if he's upset for only now putting it together.
"If Lady Oda were to turn Satoru Gojo, we fear what he would become. From what we've seen, that could mean absolute destruction for us all."
"Seen?", Toji is aware of the bowl of water technique but he also knows that only shows the present. 'How deep does this rabbit hole go?', he questions in disbelief. He decides to keep hearing Genghis out, being beside himself with how he can't bring his logic to discredit what he's being told.
"Very few Titers are masterful enough to operate this technique but if you can, you're able to see different, parallel futures. This is very significant for our clan which is why we have been able to rule from the shadows through the major three. We are involved in everything because our technique makes us unknowingly invaluable to others. We see for the elders mainly but knowing futures for others allows us to infiltrate many groups and eventually they make the decision to keep us around due to our insight!" Genghis laughs, "I know that sounds manipulative…and it is but our clan protects the entirety of this realm, we always have."
He leans forward towards Toji, "My point for expressing all of this is so you understand what we Titers can do and why we do it. What I am about to tell you is something my own clan isn't even aware of but it is necessary for you and Lady Oda to harness."
Toji sits up with a serious expression and nods to show that he's involved.
"When I was brought back after my grueling death, the faux head of the clan at the time, Mugoi Kokoro", Genghis smiles widely and inserts, "The man you killed on the roof of the mall…thank you for that by the way…", and then returns, "he sent me away due to his desire to control Master Suguru. I was outnumbered and far weaker than I am today…I deserved to be overrun for how pathetic and soft I was…" Genghis sighs, "To make sure that I would not be an issue, he sent me to Gaia…", he pauses for a moment as Toji's confusion is obvious. "Gaia is Elska's world."
Toji furrows his brow as to his knowledge, there used to be some sort of bridge connecting their worlds but Satoru eliminated it. "How? Wasn't the means to travel there destroyed by Gojo?!" Toji also thinks about all of the facts little Kechizu would tell them about the Titers, 'Kechi tried to tell us what they were capable of….', he recalls as he can still here the excitement in the young curse's voice.
"Yes, that bridge certainly was, I'm surprised you know about that!". Genghis is confident that Toji can handle the full truth now as he's taken everything else seemingly well and in stride. "Our Titer ancestors created all of the bridges originally though so we are capable of doing it again as long as we keep practicing the technique. Kokoro had one constructed so he could send me there because it was also destroyed a thousand years ago. The point was that the Oda's would likely kill me on the spot or torture me further if nothing else!"
Genghis runs his hands through his short black hair, "But for vicious blood-sucking demons, the turned were far more civilized in matters of diplomacy than we would have ever realized, especially their King."
Toji's chest tightens.
"I didn't meet him right away you see because I was first enslaved but I saw Lady Oda a few times in my first years there. I'm speaking of only mere glimpses. I had no way of knowing her significance at the time and I didn't become close to the King until after Gojo took her. She was quite different than the woman she is here but you got a good glimpse of her lethality yesterday. Nonetheless, the King soon saw me as valuable being from the world she was taken to…"
Toji feels a wave of nausea travel over him at the continued mention of the King. He thinks back to the story Gojo was telling while they were in the car and wonders if it's the same King that intended to marry Elska.
'Her fiancée…'
This breaks Toji in many ways. One side of him hurts for Elska knowing that she was destined to suffer and be taken from her world no matter what due to whatever plans the Elders and Titers had in store for her. The other piece of him aches because if this king is the same one, that means he could still want her back, 'And who are we to keep her from him if that's what she wants as well?' Sadness creeps over, replacing the exhilaration that momentarily consumed him seconds before. 'Doll…', he closes his eyes trying to fight back his emotions.
"I'm guessing by your reaction that you comprehend Lady Oda's connection to the King?", Toji dejectedly nods as if he'd lost heart but Genghis is touched by how deeply he cares about Elska even while knowing that could cause major problems down the line. 'Luckily, I've a remedy for that too…', Genghis has a huge bomb to drop on Toji but because of the severity, he's saving it for last.
"The Council of her world made arrangements with the Elders which meant that while on Gaia, the council would direct her to the king and his brother because of their legitimacy. Coincidentally though, the King and Lady Oda slowly fell in love which put a kink in their plans of her simply being bitten and sent onward. The King didn't want that kind of life for her and publicly announced that his bride would remain human for as long as possible in order to help Elska continue to understand emotions. The Council and the Elders both worked tirelessly to figure out a way to sever their relationship though and finally came up with a treacherously experimental plan..."
"When she was turned, the King's brother was the one to pierce her but he was ordered by the Council to leave the ritual unfinished. This would force the King himself to complete the process…which was the formula for the incredible creation we know as Lady Oda today. She is undoubtedly the strongest out of them all now, hands down. The king nearly killed his brother for assaulting and turning her but the brother fled to the shelter of the Council, who it turns out promised him the crown for his deeds."
Genghis watches Toji's lips part in surprise so he says, "Shit's crazy right?! There's so much you and your team aren't even aware of! This though, is why I'm telling you and would be what I would be saying to Lady Oda had we succeeded in bringing her here."
Toji straightens his posture and says calmy, "I want to know more.", to which Genghis cheerfully nods. It's never fully occurred to him, how much he blindly accepts Elska but the more he hears about her past, the more addicted Toji becomes with funneling the knowledge in. It's almost as if he stumbled across some Holy Book of ancient knowledge but the subject is his mysterious doll.
"Lady Oda's clan, once sent to Gaia, were the exact opposite of the poised turned I've come to know. They ravished through the humans, unaware of how to control their urges or even comprehend what happened to them; how they suddenly received the powers.", Genghis takes a deep breath, "It was truly horrific. Just imagine hundreds of people just like you, forced into a frenzy just as you were but with no reigns of direction, no explanation."
The giant unfortunately does imagine. He's sensed the wickedness in the Other Elska's presence but to animate that with the actions of the emulsifying rage he experienced, his mind pictures a blood bath of organs and screams.
"Elska's ancestor was the woman who made the deal with an incredible curse, wanting her clan to be able to use cursed energy so they would be recognized. She was in love with the Zenin head and they wished to marry but the Elders of their time rejected the idea due to the Oda's inferiority. Out of pure guilt we assume, once sent to Gaia, she relinquished her desire for the use of cursed energy after seeing how the deal that was struck turned everyone seemingly mad with blood lust. She probably harbored the weight of the slaughters herself and after permanently being separated from her lover, she meekly lived her days trying to become ordinary like she once was. Over the centuries, her descendants integrated and mated with surviving humans, slowly replacing their cursed potency with human DNA until eventually their true nature became completely dormant. Elska Oda, an only child was the last of this line which is why she never stood a chance against fate."
"Holy shit…", Toji couldn't even hide the fact that he's mind blown by this information. He, Shoko and Nanami once briefly discussed her kind but they were under the impression that the turned fully populated her original world as well as thinking that they all had her same abilities. He gets it now more than ever that there are bigger things at play here and that they've all belonged to this shit show far longer than assumed. "I thought the Elders wanted her to assassinate Gojo though and become a Zenin, how the hell does that and where we are today fit into this?"
Temujin chuckles, "Well, the Elders are so incredibly simple minded, I swear you have to be addled to have their seat. They indeed reached the agreement with the Council for the purpose of Gojo's demise but they ignored our warnings. This next part is very important though and I believe it should answer some of your questions."
Genghis stretches his legs out, "Getting stiff, sorry about the suspense haha", but then continues, "The agreement made was that if the Council helped with Elska's DNA synthesis requirements, the Elders would in turn form an alliance and send over high-level shaman to help teach turned that have a natural affinity to cursed energy in order to strengthen their overall defenses. The Council upon seeing how powerful Elska was after being turned though wanted to control her themselves and captured her in an attempt to break her into what they wanted; a spy/agent for our world. Things took a nasty turn when she unconsciously released what I later found out to be her pheromones upon waking up in their headquarters, sending the men into an incredible hormone-fueled way. Lady Oda though, was no one to mess with back then. I'm told she viciously dismembered them all in one way or another, apparently it was a total massacre!"
He watches Toji grin and says, "You must appreciate that too!", and almost wants to shake his hand at their shared admiration. "The King would have easily pardoned her actions of mutilating the Council being as that she was his fiancée whom he truly loved. It's all kind of terribly sad actually, he was on his way to save her while this was all happening. He told me of how he's never flown that fast before in his life and how exhausted he was by the time he reached their base of operations."
Genghis takes a moment to sympathize for the King's effort as he truly harbors a kind of love for him from the time they spent together on Gaia. "Gojo was using Titers for months to watch her with the original intent of murdering her first. Obviously, that was no longer the case. Satoru Gojo's appearance was completely unexpected and the fact that he showed up when he did to take Elska for himself has caused irreparable problems between our worlds. The King holds an extreme grudge against Gojo for violently abducting her like he did."
Toji is able to put some pieces together better now that he's being given this additional perspective. "We'd already figured that Gojo interfering caused issues but I had no idea how much more there was to it than that." Toji almost hates himself for wanting to ask his next question. It's not that he finds it more important than the information he's being handed, his heart just needs to know. "How long were they together for? Elska and the King I mean…". He sees Genghis's face brighten to the curiosity.
"Their courtship was lengthy as they have cultural traditions that apply to royal marriage. Certain stipulations can only be met every so often though meaning they were unable to sanctify their desires when they wanted to. All together though? 39 of our years." Genghis notices the shock that riddles Toji's face and gives him a moment to let that sink in. "Time is relative Toji, it also moves at a slower rate where she's from; it's roughly three times as slow. I can't quite explain it…", Genghis sighs, "She's not aged a single day since she was turned though and I believe yourself and Naoya Zenin will be able to confirm this with yourselves, given more time."
"There's no way!", Toji doesn't mean to yell but he's beyond perplexed, "How old is she?!" He's now thinking back, 'I've known her for four years now so that's not a whole lot but she really hasn't changed one bit…' He's absolutely amazed and is further discovering how alike her and the being are starting to sound. Toji asks, "Do you know what they are? Choso isn't a turned but..."
"I'm not aware of an exact age unfortunately, only she would really know. As far as what they are…Toji…they're half curse…hybrid beings. That includes you now too. Your genetic composition has been permanently but beautifully altered." Genghis sighs, "But without all of her memories, she wouldn't be aware of this I imagine. Has she ever brought the King up before?"
Toji swallows "No, never. I'm actually only aware of him because of what Gojo told me…about the day he took her."
"Ahhh, so Satoru Gojo knows full well that he was stealing their Queen to be…", Genghis brings his hands to his chin, "But I guess It's not possible for him to know that it would lead to what's coming if he thought the bridge couldn't be rebuilt. Toji, there will soon be others that will try to take her and they mean to spill blood. I was warned by the King upon my returning to this world that they will come for her and vengefully, with an army. Although the king took a liking to me, as did his sister whom I miss dearly every day, he's unable to forgive our governing Elders for having manipulated him and so many others all while hurting Lady Oda. I'm afraid the days of negotiation are far behind us. He is a very intelligent and wonderful man but he is still the Demon King."
Toji jumps to his knees as he thinks about the seriousness of this possibility, "A fucking army?!" His mind now envisions the skies being filled with winged blood thirsty beings like himself. "WHY THE FUCK would you take the long route in having this explained?!" He's furious at the fact that had they known this before, a lot of heartache and pain could've been avoided. It prompts him to recall all of the times Suguru's hurt her and realizes that doesn't fit. "And what the fuck kind of explanation do you have for Getou's actions toward Elska? That fucker's sick in the god damn head!" Toji remains aggressive as he's riled up by the actuality of things really being this bad.
"Had I remained by Master Suguru's side, he would not have become what he is today…that was all Kokoro's doing. The man was a moron who had no idea to lead a clan let alone such a promising youth." Genghis feels his lip snarl upon remembering Mugoi and how he fucked everything up, making the other clans their enemy. Genghis retracts his anger and looks towards Toji, "Also, had I been around we would never have had to be here now. I have a proposal...but everyone finds my idea of a solution too dangerous. I merely mean to fight fire with fire. Care to hear it?"
"You think me, Elska and Naoya will be enough to withstand an entire army of others like us?!", Toji is now finding the plan to be horrible as well. He knows he and Elska are really strong but the numbers would be way out of their favor and Naoya is brand new. "I can't let her put herself at risk like that! That's out of the question. Shit plan."
Genghis motions for Toji to calm down and becomes relieved when he does a bit. "In a sense, yes I think we'd have a much better chance if the turned fought but I don't intend to lay the responsibility solely on your shoulders, Toji." He watches the giant's eyebrow raise in a silent demand to hear more. "I was hoping that once Elska understood us, she'd be willing to create her own army; turning all who were willing and suited for the job."
Toji immediately moves to shut this idea down, "She can't feed an entire army by herself. Do you understand what being turned by her means?! That's like saying you want the whole army to fuck her!", Toji growls and tugs on the chains to gauge their slack, having the urge to now wrap them around the Titer's throat. "You're fucking crazy if you think I'm about to let that happen. You would have to kill me first!" He pulls his right arm forward and surely rips the anchor out of the stone wall effortlessly, "Better start now, fucker."
Genghis jumps up as he can sense Toji's presence, 'That shouldn't be possible with the seals…', and worries that he might be in danger now as the giant starts spinning the chain like a weapon. "T-Toji, listen to me I've thought all of this through!!!", Temujin raises his hands defensively to show that he's still trying to be on even terms. Toji roars, "WHAT THEN!?", and Genghis feels the rage, now picking up on the fact that Toji's bond runs deeply with Elska, more so than he originally estimated.
Anxiously, Genghis quickly states, "Your healer…the genius woman Shoko! We had her working on a substitute that could sustain the army, meaning they wouldn't need to use Elska for sustenance. She is a QUEEN Toji, I would never allow for her to befall such a disgusting fate. She is literally the key to the clans uniting and our survival! Don't be foolish!!!"
Toji ponders on the text he received from Nanami before disaster struck at the restaurant and how that lines up with his knowledge of Shoko being a captive. 'Is that really why?', he wonders before asking, "Why the fuck would you hold Shoko hostage if your intentions are so God damn pure?" He bears his fangs and feels his eyes glowing thinking about how awful it would've been is something happened to her.
Genghis retorts childishly, "Well you guys certainly weren't going to just cooperate if we'd asked. I acknowledge that Master Suguru inflicted heavy damage while he was lost in his path." Toji seemed to appreciate that statement although he can still tell that Toji harbors discontent for Getou. "Master Suguru is currently wallowing in a bit of depression as we speak."
"HAH!"
Toji laughs harshly to that but Genghis decides to ignore it. "I believe he cares for Lady Oda now. I actually suspect he'll go so far to set you free for good faith."
Toji's eyes narrow. He can hear it in the Titer's voice, a sound of confidence as if Genghis is also going to allow Suguru to do it.
"Holding your healer, trust me, I understand that it was shady but we are truly running out of time. If I didn't make that call then we'd be fucked…or more like Lady Oda would be!" He watches with wide eyes as the left anchor grinds out of the stone from Toji simply tugging at it. "That was the wrong choice of words and I didn't mean any offense by them I swear…I wish to protect Lady Oda. The King is a dear friend to me but I cannot ignore his intention of obliterating life as we all know it. He is calculated and exact, a truly arduous man. Elska may be more powerful than him but he has nearly two centuries of experience when Lady Oda still hasn't even regained all of her memories. That's a problem, Fushiguro, I promise."
Genghis clenches his jaw while looking directly into Toji's eyes, "Kokoro ordered for the miss-write in the conjuring of manipulating her memories; him not knowing his foot from his ass, somehow managed to think that was a good call." He scoffs, "And out of fear? He was such an ignorant coward…"
The subject of Elska losing her memories has always been a sore one for Toji, hating Gojo for doing that in the first place.
"What was that piece of shit Titer so afraid of?", Toji asks Genghis halfheartedly through an aware snicker although it' evident of how much her brain being scrambled pisses him off.
"If Gojo would have gained her affections and, God forbid, bred with her, there would be no means left to stop the Silver Shaman nor the Gojo Clan from doing as they wish. Satoru Gojo is different than most. He lacks morality and sound reasoning, he's a menace…even worse than his father and surely you see how that's an issue." He watches Toji finally relax his stance so he gives him a kind expression, "Kokoro thought Lady Oda to be weak of mind I suppose, another one of his many, many mistakes."
This topic reminds him to touch base on her awakening again. "Toji, we were also hoping to put the hybrid down, the one called Choso..."
"You arrogant cocks think you can just control everything don't you?", Toji seethes as he places his hands comfortably around the chains, making it well known that he's not been won over. "We will defend Choso to the death, sorry to tell you…", his eyes glow again as he thinks about the kind natured hybrid.
Genghis chuckles, "Well, it's funny you should say it like that because in all actuality, it is about control, just not in the way you think.", he watches Toji's expression lose amusement. "The hybrid can single-handedly help her to regain her true form BUT this is not exactly a good thing Toji. With the power she possesses and because her mind has already been tampered with, she could become extremely dangerous to us all."
His eyes soften for the large man cooperating in front of him, "Do you think she would really want to have the death of you and everyone else on her hands?", while watching Toji's eyes dart to the ground in thought, he motionlessly acknowledges that taking Toji was the right course of action. "I am willing to work with your party on this. So long as everyone understands the danger, I'm hoping they'll heed the advice. No one ever does yet they always befall misfortune. She mustn't feed from Choso needlessly and certainly not regularly. If she desires strength for this form, Master Suguru is suitable because of our clan's ancient ties. He can provide a more stable, less potent rate."
"So she was telling the truth…", Toji dips his head down upon remembering Elska drinking from Getou. He was so angered by that in the moment of which it occurred, feeling disgusted that she'd even want to taste him after everything the Titer had done to them. An important question arises though, "I think she knew what his blood could do for her, but how did she know?"
"Lady Oda's other form is not a separate matter. The darkness she holds within is partially her as well, a mixed blend of raw nature and the curse that has been instilled into each Oda." Genghis tilts his head, "Toji, tell me…have you ever heard a commanding voice from within…a type of guide that tells you what to do for her or yourself in moments when you're unsure?"
Toji straightens his posture and maintains his strict features, "I think so…", he retraces back to the evening in which an unfamiliar entity pleaded with him to feed her but they stopped after worrying what the Titer's energy alteration in Toji would do to her. More confidently, after this thought he says, "Yes."
Toji's eyes are surely full of amazement as he feels his life has been flipped upside down. 'Is it true? Are they really not our enemy?', he lifts his gaze to Genghis becoming nervous by how much he believes the faux head. "Shiiiiit…", he exasperates while placing his right hand to his head in disbelief. The door that enters the room opens again and the person that walks through sends him into a disarray of emotions.
Getou first notices Toji's red glowing eyes but is thoroughly surprised by running into Genghis too. Toji jumps up to his feet and growls deeply while his mentor calmy stands and dusts his robes. With a completely disgruntled glare, Getou sends his eyes to his mentor, twitching at the idea of crushing him again. "What are you doing here?", he coldly asks.
Genghis daringly walks over to Toji, "I figured you would show up at some point Little One so I was merely smoothing out our situation.", he notices how surprised Suguru is at the lack of animosity between he and Toji so he smiles, "I am not the monster everyone thinks I am, I can assure you this.", and places a hand on Toji's shoulder.
Toji winces to feeling Genghis's palm but is further astonished when he doesn't feel himself turning into a barbaric murder machine. He curiously eyes Genghis who says, "I've undone your energy manipulation, we will never hold that over you again…", causing Toji to eerily come to terms with the fact that he's maybe had this all wrong from the beginning. He nods to Genghis, showing appreciation for the demonstration but yanks the left chain from the wall after turning his attention to Suguru.
Getou is overcome with a foreign type of fear, not being used to feeling that as regularly as he has been lately. Before he can do anything, Toji's already pushing him roughly against the wall, pinning him. "Wh…what do you think you are doing?!", he hurriedly questions Toji while struggling but not wanting to engage his gravity understanding that would only ruin their relationship more.
Toji cackles deeply in front of him before saying, "I've just received quite the report and I would like to judge for myself, its veracity…"
Getou's eyes widen while watching Toji's fangs form being initially startled. Through everything running through his mind, Suguru only manages to mumble, "So you can decipher through blood too?"
Toji pushes Getou back into the wall, "How the fuck would you know that?!", no one else should be aware unless she told them. He bullies Suguru more, "HOW?!"
"I figured it out after seeing Elska's demeanor towards me change. She was able to tell that I wasn't the one who wished for the attack in that manner. She was able to understand the murkiness of my soul even though I could not myself. More importantly, she spared me…"
Attention from all three focuses on small metal scraps that fall from Suguru's sleeve. Toji bends down to pick one up and says, "a flower petal?", as the resemblance is uncanny.
"Oh?! You're becoming quite the romantic!", Genghis smiles widely knowing that Getou has spent the past day to himself and is pleased by the activities that have consumed his pupil's time. He sees Getou blush and quickly turn his head away.
Toji looks over and asks Genghis, "What the fuck do you mean?", and waits for Suguru to reply.
When Getou doesn't, Genghis thinks to redirect the conversation, "You want to be sure what I've said is the truth?", and now turns to Getou, "Master Suguru, let him feed from you. Don't worry, it won't be like what she made you feel…" He shifts into ease after perceiving Suguru reluctrantly accept this.
"Don't get the wrong idea fucker, I still hate you.", Toji spats before pinning Getou again, "This shit feels fruity and I hate that too.", but pierces him.
Toji's eyes unfasten completely as he takes in the contents that comprise of Suguru's very being. 'This is insane…', he thinks as he apathetically drinks from the man he once swore to end.
Getou staggers in stance initially, not enjoying the dull pain that surges from the area in which Toji draws from him. He grunts to the dizziness that quickly overcomes him and wonders why the sensations are so dramatically different. He hears Toji groan in his ear but its not a sound of pleasure, seemingly more of a clarification. Suguru's mind copes by pondering on how Toji and Genghis were seemingly conversing without hostility, fearing, 'I've been used in this game just like everyone else…'
Toji didn't need to take much. Although he's not nearly as masterful of decoding essence, he was able to gather enough that causes him to slowly back away from Getou in sheer shock. The taste Suguru gives in incredibly delectable, he hates to admit it but at least now understands how lost the true head of the Titers really is.
'He actually does care for Elska now…'
Through angered eyes and a loud voice he impends, "GETOU, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE HER IN THE WAY YOU DESIRE!", becoming threatened by the Titer's affections still lingering on his tongue. "Elska would never marry you.", Toji's tone is calloused and biased until he thinks about the King. It's in this moment though that Toji realizes he cannot influence Elska's future anymore than she will allow and begins to become emotional at the thought of her wishing to return to her former life. Defeated by his own insecurities, Toji drops back to the ground in silent despair. 'Doll…please…don't…', he begs the heavens in hope she wouldn't want to leave.
Genghis is relieved that Toji was able to tell of the truth that was mentioned before, also being grateful for not having been bitten himself.
He truly feels for Fushiguro though and is torn about mentioning the last bit of information he has for the fanged man; his remedy for the love Toji bears Elska. Looking at Suguru, Genghis asks, "Are you alright?", and is satisfied when Getou expresses that he is.
Kneeling down to once again be at eye level, Genghis slowly states, "There's one more thing I should probably tell you but this pertains to you alone…" Toji is still glaring at him but he doesn't regret that he brought this up now. "Before I say it, I need you to understand that this is not to upset you in any way, I merely feel you have the right to know since it has to do with your first wife."
He perceives Toji's face drop into heartache, his guard lowering to the mention of his long-forgotten love. Genghis motions his hands in a way that gestures for Toji to remain calm before saying, "The Elders are truly despicable Toji and they have always been in bed with the Zenin's and in their favor…all with the guise to keep them on top of the food chain. They're simple minded as I've already stated. Even though you used to be without energy due to the heavenly restriction, the Elders knew of how special you were, how important it was for you to reproduce for the sake of the Zenin line..."
Genghis sighs and offers his most genuine condolences to the whirlwind this is about to send Toji in, "A recent discovery led me to acquire new services that were formerly only used for the Elders but everything…everyone has a price it would seem." Temujin sighs once more as he stands but manipulatively elucidates with forlorn tone, "Sachiko is very much alive Toji."