Kaoru's groggy consciousness stirred as he regained awareness. The sun's golden rays filtered through the curtain, casting a bright glow inside the room. His feet, still tingling from sleep, brushed against something unexpected — a delicate tickle snapped him fully awake. The spiders — the same ones that he had sent out to explore the cave — had returned. Their tiny legs skittered across his skin, and Kaoru reached out to touch one of the arachnids, its delicate form dancing on his fingertips.
"What did you find out?" He whispered. "Let me see."
In an instant, his eyes went blank. The spider's vision merged with his own, and he glimpsed the hidden depths of the cave they explored. There stood a ten feet tall creature unlike anything he had seen. Four arms extended from its crimson-red body. It's teeth — sharp and numerous; Eyes — huge and bloodshot. The creature turned, locking eyes with the spider, and sensing danger, the spider scrambled backward. It desperately escapes to save itself. The vision ends there, leaving him breathless.
Kaoru's mind reeled. The creature they talked about in legend was indeed true. It exists and was roaming their kingdom for centuries, digging out the heart of anyone it preyed on.
He opened his eyes after, and the spider who showed him the memory exploded. It has always been like that, they die once they show him their memory as if it stresses them.
He stood up from his bed, the dull ached in his sternum is now barely noticeable. Two days of resting was enough. Ever since he collapsed, Elric has brought him to this nearby inn to recover.
"When you've thought about my offer to you, come find me." Was all Elric said before he left him to fend for his self.
Kaoru smirked. That's what he said, yet the moment he stood up the door swung open, revealing Elric, his obsidian cropped hair framing the face that held secrets. He entered the room without asking and nestled on the edge of the bed.
"You're awake."
Kaoru nodded while fixing his dirty and disheveled kimono. "Breakfast?" He asked. He's famished so before anything else he wanted to have his fill first.
"It's lunch now." Elric answered, pointing at the window where the sun is high above, peeking through the looming thick clouds.
"Then let's talk over lunch." He said. "I have my answer on your offer already."
Elric stared at his disappearing figure. The corner of his lips tugged into a wicked smile. There is only one reason why he stayed at the inn. Not because he was worried about him. Sure enough, Kaoru is a member of the cadre, and they all have shared memories together. But each member have their own selfish reasons.
His answer — Kaoru's life depended on it. Live or die. If he decides to turn down his offer then he'll die in his hands today, for knowledge is also a double-edged sword. He risked telling him about his plan, and joining means he has to forsake everything: His safety, his loyalty, and perhaps even his future. It was a hard decision, yes, but only death awaits those who will not join him. He'd rather kill him than be complications in the future.
As Elric descended the stairs, he sighted Kaoru sitting on the far corner of the inn. An errand boy scurried over to take his order before leaving the table. Elric settled across from him, his demeanor carefree yet purposeful.
He was not in a hurry so he waited for him to start the conversation first. The rebellion doesn't start soon, his next step will depend on Kaoru. His role might not be that important, however, he still needs his ability — to spy on the king and his castle. What's he's plan? his secrets? or does he have any hidden army? — So he waited patiently, his gaze unyielding..
"About your plan... I want proof that you're not just manipulating me. The King has been nothing but generous and kind, so it's still hard for me to believe what you are implying." Kaoru started, his head lowered, concealing the disappointment in his eyes. "And what about the queen? How did you even get the information from her?"
The errand boy came, putting down the plates of food, Elric waited for him to go before answering.
"The queen is nothing but a puppet to the king." He said, his voice barely inaudible. "In a fit of anger, she spilled the truth to me."
"I hope you know, that if ever you decide to proceed with your plan, without me or not, you're committing a grave act. It's treason."
Elric's smile held no warmth. "I am more than aware of that. That's why you're the only one who knows. I don't want to start a bigger war." He explained.
"But is the throne you want?"
"No." He lied. "I just want all of us to live without anyone threatening our existence."
"What about our kingdom? The king has no heir. If he dies, the kingdom will be in chaos. Who will choose the next king?"
"The ancient dragon will. Aren't they the one above yokais and below heaven. The kingmakers, the title they were most known of."
Kaoru shook his head in disbelief. "They are long gone. After they anointed the Kitsunes as the royalty of our kingdom, they vanished as well."
"No. If they learned of the news. One will come to crown a new royalty." Elric said, he was so confident with his words that Kaoru almost thought that he knows where the dragon's lair was. "We do not see them, yes. But they are not going to abandom the kingdom they built for centuries. They will always be watching."
Kaoru looked down on his food, the soup is getting cold, but his mind is somewhere else. On the other hand, Elric's gaze bore down upon him, hand resting on the hilt of the sword — ready to draw it if ever he rejected him.
"Then..." Kaoru trailed, still torn between rebellion and complacency. 'I'll join you. For the sake of the cadre. I'll assist you accordingly."