The underground corridors stretched before Yasushi like a labyrinth of nightmares. Shadows danced on the damp stone walls, cast by flickering torches doing little to dispel the oppressive darkness. Every step echoed ominously, a constant reminder of the danger lurking around each corner. In one hand, Yasushi held a vice-like grip on the back rat yazumi's neck, in the other, the crowbar, a cold promise of violence he was ready to fulfill.
The yazumi stumbled forward in a state of near panic following Yasushi's lead. Its fur, slick with sweat giving off a musky odor of terror. Its breath came in short and panicked gasps, a constant wheeze setting Yasushi's teeth on edge. As they navigated the twisting passages, the yazumi's whispers grew more frantic, its voice hoarse from repeating its terrified mantra:
"We're going to die."
"We're going to die."
"We're going to die."
"We're going to die."
"DIE"
"DIE"
"DIE!!!"
"They're going to chop me up alive and feed me to the trolls."
"Or even worse… they're going to make ratatouille of my body parts then beat me because I don't taste good!!!"
Yasushi glared at the fearful creature. Its persistent whimpering and ramblings rapidly grated his already frayed nerves. They pressed on listening to the distant sounds rippling through the passages - clanking metal, muffled voices, and at one point, a scream that was quickly silenced, further agitating the yazumi.
His disgust at the yazumi's cowardice warred with everything he's been told about them. Raised on stories of yazumi brutality, tales of villages razed and innocents slaughtered, yet the creature before was the complete opposite of those grisly accounts.
"How can a yazumi behave so cowardly?" Yasushi hissed, his voice sharp with contempt. "Your kind terrorizes and brings death to the innocent without any regard for life!"
The yazumi's whiskers twitched. "Terrorize?" it questioned shakily, a note of indignation creeping into its voice. "I nor any member of my colony has ever hurt anyone! It is your kind who are the murderers and bringers of calamity."
Yasushi's grip reflexively tightened, causing the yazumi to let out a small squeak. "What did you say?"
The yazumi quivered as Yasushi forced it to stop, the newfound courage barely fueling its words. "Though our kind has always desired peace, never harming any living creature, we're judged by the few and slaughtered by the many! Solely based on our appearance and existence! The history your people feed you are lies!"
Its voice heightened in pitch, feeling Yasushi's growing impatience. "A yazumi wasn't the one who brought harm to that woman or kidnapped you and that child…. So who really is the monster here?"
Corner of the yazumi's beady eyes glanced over to him "My colony, along with others, are being forced to live as slaves until death. A life we live because of people like you"
Yasushi's eyes widened, its words striking a chord. Reluctant to acknowledge the truth behind the yazumi's statement, he shifted his gaze forward, pushing it to continue walking. "You got what you deserve, yazumi…I don't care about your sob story." Hardening his heart, clinging to the beliefs that'd guided him this far, he reinforced his grip around its neck. "Your viewpoints mean nothing."
As the yazumi shifted its eyes forward, the sound of distant voices interrupted their exchange. Both Yasushi and the yazumi froze, their earlier argument forgotten in the face of immediate danger.
Yasushi's eyes darted around frantically, quickly spotting a shadowy opening in the stone wall. Without hesitation, he pulled the yazumi inside, shoving the crowbar into the creature's mouth to silence its squeaky whimpers.
Pressed against the damp stone, he held his breath, straining his ears to discern the source and direction of the approaching voices. The crowbar, clutched tightly in his sweating palm, mildly suffocating the yazumi.
The voices grew closer, Yasushi's muscles tensed, heart pounding, readying himself to fight at a moment's notice. Just as the shadows of unseen men approached, it faded along with their voices, turning down the opposite passage, never intercepting Yasushi and the yazumi's position. He poked his head out from the shadows, looking both ways confirming the danger had passed.
Yasushi allowed himself to breathe again, removing the crowbar from the yazumi's mouth. Hurriedly exiting their hiding place, he tapped the yazumi in the back with the crowbar, motioning it to continue forward. It initially resisted, but quickly complied, cowed by the murderous look in Yasushi's eyes. Together, they briskly walked side by side towards the back corridor.
The passageways grew narrower, the lighting dimmer entering an area isolated from the rest of the compartments. At the end of the passageway stood an unnatural darkness. The yazumi suddenly stopped and pointed ahead, early signs of hyperventilation becoming noticeable.
Several feet in front of them laid a partially open rustic wooden door, camouflaged by the dark corners to avoid detection. Yasushi moved, pushing the yazumi forward, but it refused to proceed, shakily stepping back.
"I've done as you asked!" the yazumi exclaimed, its voice trembling with fear."There's no way in hell I'm getting any closer to Zei's room!"
As Yasushi stepped closer to the door, it seized its opportunity, turning to flee, its small feet pattering against the stone floor as it ran.
"No, Stop!" Yasushi shouted, raising his crowbar as he turned to chase the fleeing rat, but a gentle whisper froze him in his tracks.
KANA?!
The thought exploded in his mind, stripping him of all other intentions.
Repositioning his hold on the crowbar, he inched closer to the door. He led with the crowbar, peering through the gap, his eyes scanning the dark room beyond.
To his left, the room mimicked vibes of a creepy study, absent of any semblance of comfort and normalcy. Bounded books, loose paper, and various arcane objects scattered about. The bare stone walls, its surface marred by long, dark stains that trailed from ceiling to the floor like macabre tears.
Instead of a bed, a large, wooden chair dominated the center of the room. Its high back was ostentatious with winding blue carvings depicting scenes of torment and suffering. The armrests ended in clawed hands, their fingers curled as if grasping any unfortunate soul who sat there.
Flanking the chair were two tall, wrought-iron candelabras, their candles unlit but dripping with congealed blood. In one corner stood a tall, narrow cabinet. Its doors, slightly ajar, revealed glimpses of strange implements and bottles filled with liquids of unnatural colors. A faint, pungent smell emanated from within, making Yasushi's nose wrinkle in disgust.
The floor was bare except for a large, circular rug at the room's center. Its pattern, a dizzying spiral that produced a nauseating sense of vertigo.
Then, shifting his eyes to his far right, he saw her. Kaname, chained by her wrists and ankles, resting on the ground. She wore a white kimono with elaborate floral red stitching. A cute red bow neatly placed in her hair, its color so vibrant it gleamed in the darkness.
FINALLY! I FOUND YOU!!!
Yasushi's heart skipped a beat as he took in Kaname's appearance, momentarily losing himself in admiration. AHHH... She's so pretty even in chains!!!
Realizing the inappropriateness of his thoughts, he slapped his cheeks together. Focus Yasushi! It's not the time for this. Don't get distracted!!
Taking one last glance back down the corridor to ensure he hadn't been discovered, Yasushi pushed the door open wider and entered. His eyes, still adjusting to the darkness, continuously scanned the room from left to right, alert for any signs of danger.
As he approached Kaname, a blend of relief and anxiety flushed over him. Kneeling in front of her, he gently caressed her hair. "It's gonna be alright Kana, I'm here now. I'm so happy to s-"
His words cut short as Kaname suddenly grabbed his wrist. The firm grasp sent a jolt of pain through his arm, creating an awkward tension in what should have been a joyous reunion. Seeing Yasushi's pained expression, Kaname loosened her grip, tilting her head in confusion as she released her hold.
Yasushi rested the crowbar on the ground, rubbing his wrist to ease the lingering pain. "Sorry... I guess I scared you," he muttered, attempting to mask his surprise at her unexpected reaction.
Bringing his pointer finger to his mouth, he motioned for her to stay quiet. "We have to stay quiet Kana, okay? I'll get you out of here."
As Yasushi's eyes skimmed around the room, searching for a way to break Kaname's chains, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. This…I don't know…but this isn't how I expected her to react. How'd she get so strong? Is she not happy to see me?!
Kaname's silence, her strong grip, the look of confusion in her eyes - it all added up to a sense of unease he struggled to pinpoint. Nevertheless, he pushed his concerns aside and looked down at the chains, centering his thoughts on escaping. "I'm going to try to break these chains," Yasushi whispered, wiggling his fingers. "Just... just stay still, alright?"
Briefly looking up to obtain a response from her, he promptly looked back down, catching sight of Kaname's intense gaze following his every move, as if she was studying him, assessing him in a way she never had before.
She sat strangely composed, watching him examine the chains bounding her. The metal links tightly buckled to both her ankles and wrists, leaving visibly deep bruises on her delicate deep golden skin. Yasushi brought the chains closer, tracing the carvings etched into the surface of the chains with his fingers.
No! It can't be!!
Yasushi wrinkled his face in frustration and pulled his finger away from the carvings, calling upon his water abilities. He closed his eyes. Droplets began to coalesce around his hands, summoning water to flow around him. The water swirled and gathered, forming a shimmering glove-like layer that encased his hands up to his wrists.
He grasped the chains, concentrating the water to seep into the metal to find any weakness or crack to exploit. The water responded to his command, probing and pushing against the unyielding metal. The carvings on the chains started to glow with an eerie, pulsating light. To his horror, Yasushi felt his water ability being absorbed by the chains, the liquid disappearing, sucked into the metal itself.
Crap!! This isn't going to work! It's just like the markings from the cage!!
Gritting his teeth, he refused to give up. I have to get us out of here!
Yasushi pushed harder. He increased his energy to summon more water, drawing moisture from the very air around them to pressurize Kaname's restraints. Beads of sweat materialized on his brow before evaporating into the flow of his ability. But the glowing carvings only brightened in response. No matter how much strength he used, no matter how much pressure he applied, the chains remained stubbornly intact.
"Come on," Yasushi muttered through clenched teeth, his frustration mounting. He could feel his energy-draining, as the constant absorption of his ability took its toll.
Finally, exhausted and disheartened, he released his grip on the chains, panting. The remaining water splashed to the floor, swiftly absorbed by the dusty stone. The carvings on the chains dimmed, returning to their previous, scarcely visible state.
Hysteria trickled in as the reality of their situation sank in. Yasushi stood up, eyes pulling apart the room, desperately searching for anything that could aid in Kaname's release. Tears swelled in his eyes, his determination conceding to defeat accepting his inability to remove the chains.
Overwhelmed by emotion, he wept softly. "Kana, I... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for everything I said to you." Yasushi squeezed his eyes shut, unable to contain the flood of tears. He ceased his search of the room and walked back, falling to his knees in front of her. "I... I didn't mean it. Please forgive me. I just want to be a son mother and father are proud of!" Yasushi clenched his fists, his body trembling. "I have to be the best, I have to have the best! And I..."
His words trailed off as Kaname ran her hands through his hair, smoothly transitioning to stroke his face. She clasped his chin in the palm of her hand, gently lifting his head. Yasushi found himself paralyzed by her expression.
She stared directly at him, her eyes narrowed and bleak.
"Yasu... Why are you here?"
Confusion clouded his features. "Wha... What do you mean? I'm here to rescue you."
A pause hung in the air, heavy with muted tension at the sound of keys shuffling behind him reached Yasushi's ears. A frightening voice breached his thoughts, causing his blood to run cold. The presence filled the room with a palpable sense of menace.
Kaname's gaze shifted, looking past Yasushi as footsteps grew closer. "The fact you made it this far is impressive kid, but you're way too predictable."
Zei stepped out from the swirling portal, filling the room with light. Yasushi's mouth dropped open as he rotated his body, reaching for the crowbar.
As the portal swirled to a partial close behind him, taking most of the light with it, he stood in front of the children, his arm lifted holding the rat yazumi by its head. Its lowered body was completely severed, dripping a growing pool of blood beneath his feet.
His eyes went dark, lifeless, and unreadable in the fading light, fixed on the children before him.
Zei's face then sat free a twistedly cruel smile.
"Clearly I need to teach you a lesson in obedience."
- -