The autumn night grew to an unnatural bitter cold as dead leaves skittered across the pathways, driven by gusts of wind carrying whispers of destruction. Cherry blossoms like petals swirled in bizarre patterns, dancing to an unheard melody of anarchy. Hurried footsteps, urgent allusions, and softly clinking weapons engulfed the serene evening atmosphere. The air itself seemed to resist movement, thick with anticipation and dread, enduring the organized chaos erupted throughout the Chika's palace grounds in the aftermath of the shockwave.
Royal guards rushed in formation, their trained, stoic demeanor unhinged, revealing underlying tension with tight jaws and worried eyes. Some sprinted toward the outer perimeters, while others moved in disciplined groups toward defensive positions. As they passed each other, conversations died and replaced by meaningful glances and subtle nods.
The royal soldiers stood steadfast in the guarding yards clustered in small groups exchanging theories surrounding the unnatural disturbance experienced throughout the territory.
"Did you feel that power?" one guard muttered, his breath visible in the cold air. "It was like nothing I've ever sensed before."
"Look at the sky," another responded, pointing to the distant mushroom cloud still dominating the horizon, casting strange shadows across the palace grounds. "Something's very wrong!"
Airi rose from her rocking chair with fluid grace, her movements leisure despite the surrounding exigency. The wooden chair gently creaked, continuing to rock behind her as she turned to leave the balcony and proceed toward the guarding yards, leaving behind the view of the illuminated, storm-wracked sky.
The halls leading to the guarding yards echoed with the sound of bootsteps and rattling weapons of royal soldiers and guards darting to their posts. Entering the guarding outpost, the anxious murmuring fell into absolute silence. Bodies rigid with military precision, each royal soldier had snapped to attention with only the distant rumble of thunder daring to break the stillness.
The soldiers' eyes remained fixed forward, intentionally evading Airi's gaze, her eyes narrowing in close observation of their visible anxiety.
The Grand Elder, his face concealed by a black cloth inscribed with the word 'OBEY,' moved silently to her side bowing deeply. As she took her seat, the royal soldiers simultaneously dropped to one knee in perfect unison, the sound of armor and weapons creating a brief metallic symphony. The Grand Elder settled to the right of Airi, slightly leaning towards her ear, his voice emerging lower than a whisper. "My lady, there have been... developments."
Airi tilted her head towards his voice, signaling him to continue. "Before returning to the palace, King Chika, King Nami, and Captain Haru convened with Takanaka and the Elders. Takanaka successfully retrieved Kaname and has already returned with her to the palace through the hidden passages beneath the Enchanted Lake."
Placing both hands in her lap, Airi's eyes screened across the guard yards. "And her condition?"
"According to Takanaka's report," the Grand Elder hesitated, "she was... unusually composed. Despite the chaos and bloodshed, she maintained an almost peculiar calm. It was as if..." he paused, choosing his words carefully, "as if she had expected everything that transpired."
A subtle smile played at the corners of Airi's lips before posing her next question. "And Yasushi? How is my son doing?"
"Yasushi's injuries were severe, my lady. King Chika, King Nami and Captain Haru personally escorted him to the hospital, along with the wounded Elders." The Grand Elder drew a deep breath to gather his thoughts. "The surgery was... complicated. He's stable now, but remains in a coma. The medical team cannot provide a timeline for his recovery."
"Hmm... I see..." Airi responded, her tone betraying nothing of her thoughts. "And Zei? Where is he at?"
"As ordered," the Grand Elder replied with satisfaction, "he's been isolated and secured in the prison at the River Meadows' edge. The chains are in place." He straightened slightly, adding, "Also, your guest should be arriving shortly."
Content with his report, Airi leaned back upright, subtly nodding in acknowledgment of the information. The Grand Elder bowed then straightened his weathered frame towards the kneeling royal soldiers.
"Lieutenant Riku," Airi called, her voice disrupting the increasing apprehension. "Come forward!"
A figure emerged from the ranks of kneeling soldiers. His long purple hair, bound in a low ponytail, caught the intermittent flashes of lightning. His uniform, immaculate in spite of the evening's chaos, accentuated his slender yet muscular frame. As he knelt before Airi, several of the younger soldiers stole glances at their Lieutenant's striking features - high cheekbones, sharp jawline, and eyes that held both strength and intelligence.
"Report on the current status of our forces," Airi commanded with unmistakable authority.
Keeping his head bowed, Riku spoke, his voice deep and melodious. "My lady, we've implemented standard emergency protocols in response to the anomalous shockwave. All perimeter guards have doubled, and we've established additional checkpoints throughout the territory. Our scouts are-"
"Pull back the emergency measures," Airi interrupted, causing Riku to look up in surprise, his purple hair shifting like silk in the dim light.
"My lady?" he questioned, confusion coloring his tone. "We haven't yet determined the source of the disturbance. Our initial reports suggest it originated from the Abandoned Lands near Yazumi territory." Riku's hand unconsciously tightened on his sword hilt. "Given their proximity, we should consider the possibility of an imminent attack-"
"That won't be necessary, Lieutenant," Airi interjected, her tone savoring notes of amusement. "The matter has already been handled personally by King Chika and Captain Haru."
A collective breath released throughout the guard yards. The tension that held the royal soldiers rigid immediately dissolved into noticeable relief.
Airi stood to her feet, the Grand Elder following suit beside her. Her eyes continued to sweep across the assembled soldiers displayed in front of her, "Return to your normal patrols. Spread word to the villages that the disturbance has been resolved. There is no cause for further concern."
She paused, allowing her next words to carry weight. "The shockwave was merely a result of training - a demonstration of the incredible power our clan possesses." Taking a step forward, she placed her arms behind her, divulging a faint, knowing smile. "The Chika Clan is home to extraordinary talents, led by our powerful King Chika. Consider what you felt and experienced today a testament to our clan's strength."
Lieutenant Riku rose immediately to his feet, standing pridefully in salute. Around him, the royal soldiers snapped to attention as one, their voices ringing out simultaneously: "YES, MA'AM!"
As she exited the guarding yards, the assembled royal soldiers bowed in synchronized movement displaying a wave of respectful submission. Walking through the pathway intersecting the palace gates, Airi spotted Sora and Mari approaching. She abruptly stopped and turned to the Grand Elder beside her, keeping her focus intently on Sora.
Airi raised her arm, covering her mouth with the lingering fabric from her kimono. "Ready the guest's arrival and escort her to the prison." Her voice lowered, eyes never leaving the approaching pair. "And do so without anyone's knowledge."
"As you command," he responded, bowing before disappearing into the shadows of the palace corridors.
Quickly, she motioned to the left, changing courses to avoid an encounter. Spotting Airi's hasty movements, Sora's sharp eyes widened.
"AAAAAAAIIIIIIRRRRRRIIIIIII!!!! WHERE ARE YOU GGGGOOOOOIIINNNGGGG???!" Sora called out, skipping toward her with an energy mocking the somber atmosphere, her lab coat billowing behind her like wings in the storm winds.
Airi stammered in realization of her failed covert retreat. Within this momentary delay, Sora swiftly closed the distance, wrapping her arm around Airi's with familiar irreverence.
"Now, now, you weren't trying to avoid us, were you?" Sora playfully inquired, her eyes retaining a calculating gleam. "That would be terribly rude, especially after such an... interesting display of power we witnessed earlier."
Airi released a resigned sigh, rolling her eyes. "Of course not, Sora. I was actually on my way to see you."
Mari pushed up his glasses with 2 fingers and continued his stride ahead of them, uninterested in the conversation.
"Walk with us!" Sora insisted, tightening her grip on Airi's arm and dragging her forward.
Airi exhaled, annoyed by Sora's persistence, strength and awkwardly cheer demeanor as they walked along the storm-swept path to the palace gates. "We missed you at the gathering in the War Room earlier..., but I'm so relieved to hear of Yasushi and Kaname's safe return," she chuckled. "Though I must admit, I'm particularly intrigued by Kaname's survival of such an intense ordeal."
Lightning split the sky, briefly elucidating Sora's face, her scientific curiosity barely masking a factious veneer of concern. "You see, it's quite fascinating really. Mutated mortals typically have such fragile constitutions. Their bodies simply can't handle stress. Most live carefully sheltered lives, and even then, rarely survive past their twenties."
Her voice shifted, taking on the clinical tone of a researcher discussing a particularly interesting specimen. "Yet Kaname..." Sora's eyes widened with thrill, "She's quite exceptional, isn't she? To withstand that level of power..."
She tilted her head thoughtfully and smiled, resting it on the side of Airi's shoulder. "As someone who has spent years studying and experimenting on mutated mortals, I know their body chemistry better than anyone. I'd be more than happy to assist in her recovery and evaluate her condition. Purely for medical purposes, of course."
Airi amusingly snickered. "Your offer is appreciated, Sora, but I'm quite capable of tending to Kaname myself." Shifting her eyes downward to meet Sora's, she casually wiped the smudge lipstick from the corner of her mouth. "Though if you continue asking such pointed questions about her, you may meet her sooner rather than later."
Mari suddenly halted his stride, his eyes darting toward Airi with sharp intensity; the implied threat stirring tension between them.
Sora giggled, dispelling the tension, motioning Mari to relax as her eyes locked with Airi's in a battle of wills. The rumble of an approaching vehicle drew their attention as an all-black SUV pulled up before them, its headlights fragmenting through the storm's gloom.
Releasing her grip around Airi's arm, Sora stepped toward the vehicle. As Mari opened the door for her, she halted, hiding a cruel smirk forming across her features. "Oh, and before I forget," she murmured, settling into her seat. "We've agreed to allow Taichi to train under your territory. After this incident, it's important for our children to become well-rounded enough to protect themselves."
Mari slipped in after her, turning his gaze on the driver. Sora leaned forward, offering a final wave through the window. "I hope they become good friends," she shouted, her cheerful tone belying the dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Tell Kaname I look forward to meeting her!"
Airi stood motionless, watching in silence as the SUV pulled away into the depths of the night, its engine noise competing with the rolling thunder overhead. Slowly, she raised her head toward the sky, where the last remnants of the mushroom cloud still lingered, irradiated by sporadic flashes of lightning; each flash revealing a grim expression mirroring the storm's encroaching intensity.
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