Tales of a Lost Sword 16

Episode 16 The Two Families
Kunai furrows his eyebrows as he stares into the magnificently green eyes of Hyacinth. “Me?” he says questioningly.

“Yes,” Hyacinth replies confidently. She stands slightly shorter than Kunai, but she gazes at him without any sign of fear or uncertainty.

Further away, Ophelia turns around as she spots Kunai walking off with Hyacinth. She turns to the others, who are gathered around her. “Hm? Where’s Kunai going with that girl?”

Zack quickly elbows Ophelia on the side, a devious smirk on his face. “C’mon, Ophelia, let’s leave those two alone for a bit.”

“Leave them alone?” Ophelia asks obliviously. “But are you sure she’s not leading him into a trap or anything?”

“Your Boss wouldn’t do something like that, would she?” Mira inquires, turning to Zaram and his men.

However, Zaram and his men are merely bursting into tears at the sight of Kunai and Hyacinth walking off together. “Bossssssss!” Zaram cries explosively. “Where are you going off with that strange mannnnn?!”

Mira folds her arms impatiently. “Never mind,” she grumbles.

Kunai and Hyacinth tread along the streets of Showa Town side by side, as the sun shines brightly in the clear blue sky above. Around them, people come and go in the midst of their daily routines. An elderly woman sweeping the ground outside her home waves to Hyacinth, grinning at her.

“Hey, Hyacinth! Long time no see!”

“Yeah, it has, Granny!” Hyacinth replies in a bright, but not excessively cheerful voice.

A faint smile appears on Kunai’s lips. “The people of Showa Town seem to know you quite well.”

“Yes,” Hyacinth answers. “I’ve been coming and going to Showa Town often ever since I was a child.”

“Well,” Kunai says, “what did you want to talk to me about? If it’s about the ARES Project…”

“No.” Hyacinth quickly takes several paces forward and turns around to face Kunai, cutting him off. Kunai comes to a halt, puzzled. The two stare each other down for some time, before Hyacinth opens her mouth to speak.

“Ayame.”

Kunai’s eyes bulge upon hearing the name. He freezes completely as he stares at Hyacinth, his heart beating hard. “Wh-what did you just say?!”

“I knew it,” Hyacinth growls, “if you know Ryuu, than surely you’d be familiar with Ayame. Then…would you also know her sister, Ivy?”

Kunai starts shaking before Hyacinth even finishes speaking. Hyacinth softens her stance as she notices Kunai trembling. She stares at him perplexedly. “Hm? What’s wrong?”

“How…how do you know about them?” Kunai asks, his voice and composure completely shaken.

“Hm? Isn’t it obvious?” Hyacinth questions, her eyes glowing innocently. “They were from the Cloud Family. I didn’t know Ivy that well because I was only thirteen when she disappeared six years ago, and I knew Ayame even less because she left even before that. But they were the daughters of my mother’s brother. They were part of the Cloud Family in Orbis.”

Kunai remains silent, shock completely written all over his face. Hyacinth looks at him worriedly. “Hey, a-are you all right?”

Without uttering another word, Kunai falls face forward, his eyes darkening as he loses consciousness. Hyacinth catches him before he falls to the ground. “Hey!” she cries. “Get a hold of yourself!”

“I see, so that was what happened,” Mira says in a soft voice by Kunai’s bedside. Hyacinth and Ophelia sit on the floor next to her.

Across from them, Zack nods knowingly. “I see it now. So that’s why the Cloud Family name sounded familiar t’me. Ayame musta mentioned it to me back when we were both workin’ for Lord Kimura.”

On the futon in front of them, Kunai suddenly begins to stir. He opens his eyes, staring up at the plain ceiling. “What…happened?”

“Seems like ya fainted after hearin’ the news,” Zack says brightly, waving at Kunai from his left side.

On Kunai’s right, Hyacinth speaks. “I apologize for my ignorance. While you were asleep, Zack told me everything about your relationship to Ayame and Ivy. You must have been surprised.”

Kunai rises from his futon into a sitting position, noticing the tatami mats on the floor and the people gathered around him. Hiraku suddenly walks into the room, and looks up as he sees Kunai awake.

“I see that you are now awake, Kunai,” he says. “My meeting is now over, so if you are feeling up to it, I would like to continue our conversation from earlier.”

“Sure,” Kunai replies immediately, getting to his feet.

“H-Hey!” Mira cries, rising to her feet as well. “Are you sure that’s wise, Kunai? You just fainted.”

“Yes, you need to rest!” Ophelia says.

“I’m fine,” Kunai replies stubbornly.

Hiraku stares at Kunai for some time, before nodding. “Well then, I would like to speak with you and Zack in private.”

“Eh?” Mira says wonderingly. “In private? But what about us?”

“Please stay behind,” Hiraku answers firmly. “This is a matter which I wish to discuss solely with Kunai and Zack.”

Hiraku, Kunai, and Zack sit down in front of a bar within the interiors of the Kimura household. An attendant places a bottle of sake in front of them. Hiraku pours himself some and takes a deep sip.

“The Kimura Family is a very proud household,” he begins. Kunai and Zack both gaze at him intently. “The fact that the founder of the Myougun Empire was a member of the Kimura household is a fact that deeply shames us.”

“Eh?” Kunai cries, surprised. “What does Lord Kimura have to do with this?”

“We have a unique position in the history of the Maple World as being at the forefront of technological innovation,” Hiraku continues. “The one known as Lord Kimura was the same. He was one of the first hybrids ever created. To put it simply, he was a ‘pre-Fatalist.’”

“Pre-Fatalist…” Zack mutters under his breath.

“Yes,” Hiraku growls, “we have even allied ourselves with the Cloud Family in the hope that producing the Anti-Paradox will aid in the war against the Fatalists. It is the least we may do, as we are not a family that is well-known for warriors, despite producing one of the greatest enemies this world has ever seen. Therefore, I was surprised to learn that you are familiar with Ryuu of the Joukai.”

“Yes, Ryuu has been my mentor from the day my father died in battle,” Kunai answers. “He has been both a brother and a father to me.”

“Ah, I see. Then you must forgive me even more for my selfishness,” Hiraku mutters, “but I must make a selfish request. If you know Ryuu, then you must know him as well. I wish to inquire about the current affairs of an Assassin named Rill.”

‘Rill?!’ Kunai thinks wonderingly to himself. His eyes widen upon hearing the name. He turns to Hiraku, staring him in the eye. “I do know about Rill, but unfortunately I don’t have very accurate information about him. I have been away for the past five years, and I haven’t seen Rill since I returned. According to Ryuu, Rill is currently on a secret mission for the Joukai.”

“I see,” Hiraku breathes solemnly.

“Why do ya wanna know about Rill, though?” Zack asks.

“Ah, because he is a member of the Kimura family. He is one of us.”

Both Kunai and Zack exchange looks of shock upon this revelation. “Rill is related to Lord Kimura?!” Kunai exclaims.

“Yes,” Hiraku replies, “although it would seem he has not informed you of this fact. Indeed, Rill is my own nephew. I am pleased to hear that he has gained Ryuu’s trust however. Originally, as an act of alliance, we intended to marry him to a female member of the Cloud Family, before she disappeared. I believe her name was Ivy.”

The sound of breaking glass sounds as Kunai drops his cup of sake on the floor. Kunai remains immobile in his seat, unable to say anything. Zack immediately puts an arm around Kunai, making sure he doesn’t collapse again. He glares angrily at Hiraku. “That’s not something you shoulda said!”

“I see,” Hiraku growls calmly, “I apologize for my ignorance. It was not intentional.”

Hiraku clears his throat as Kunai continues to appear shocked and motionless, as Zack attempts to keep him steady. “I would like to say one last thing then. Although indeed we ordered a certain Bentley of New Leaf City to conduct research into the production of an Anti-Paradox, he is not the only scientist on which we have pinned our hopes. Even as we speak, there are others researching the Anti-Paradox under our support and protection. However, if you insist on chasing after Takuya Kimura, I will not stop you, for I do not deny that he is indeed the sole possessor of an Anti-Paradox at this moment in time.”

“All right,” Zack replies, still helping Kunai remain steady. He finally gives up and stands up, bowing low to Hiraku. “I’ll take my leave then. Kunai needs t’rest.” Helping Kunai to his feet, Zack leads Kunai out of the bar. Only Hiraku remains behind, watching them leave gravely.

Zack leads Kunai back to his futon. The room is now deserted. Zack lays Kunai on the bed, and pulls a blanket over him. Huffing and puffing from the effort, Zack stands up again, staring down at the now unconscious Kunai on the bed.

“You idiot…” Zack murmurs to himself. “I told ya to get over her.”

The morning sun rises over Showa Town. The shadows lengthened by night retreat once again, leaving only a city submerged in the warm glow of the sun. Several birds chirp in the air.

Zack, Mira, Ophelia, and Hyacinth sit at a stone table in a small patio outside the Kimura mansion. They are huddled together, debating amongst each other.

“So if Takuya’s in the Masteria region we probably ought t’head back there as soon as possible,” Zack says, gesturing at a map laid out on the table.

“I agree,” Mira says, “as soon as Kunai gets better, we’ll have to leave. We have no idea how far Takuya’s traveled since he was last seen, so the sooner we get to the Masteria region, the fresher the clues will be.”

Hyacinth stares off disinterestedly into the air away from the group. She suddenly turns to them, her green eyes glowing. “If it is okay with you, I would like to come with you on this journey.”

“Hm?” Zack says pleasantly, looking up with surprise. “You wanna join us?”

“Yes,” Hyacinth replies. “I originally came to Showa Town to report on the status of the Anti-Paradox anyway. Since there has been absolutely no progress on its development lately, I would like to come with you on your search for Takuya Kimura. I may be of use to you.”

“Certainly havin’ another person helping us out wouldn’t hurt,” Zack replies, rubbing his chin. He grins. “All right! But Kunai gets the final say on whether ya go or not, since this is his mission.”

“Very well,” Hyacinth answers.

“Welcome aboard, Hyacinth!” Ophelia cries joyfully.

Hyacinth smiles faintly, as she bows. “It is a pleasure to work with you.”

A loud disturbance sounds in the woods surrounding the Mushroom Shrine. Several flocks of crows fly into the air, squawking wildly and spreading in all directions. With a thundering roar, several trees collapse, shaking the ground violently.

One single man emerges from this wreckage, his strangely blank eyes staring about him, as if unaware of his actions. He strides to the top of a small hillock, free of trees and looking down over Showa Town off in the distance. The man looks up at the sky, which is bright blue. A stream of sunshine pours down from the sky to greet his face.

He glares at the sun. Very slowly, from the sky, fall several flakes of snow.
—END SIXTEEN—
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