“So, theupid bastard goes and asks Aliyah if she’s done pying for the other team, and if she’s happier now she’s got a taste of a man’s rod, a hero’s, no less.” Trey was waving his half-drunk gss for emphasis, clearly tipsy and amused. “Of course, I tried to calm her down, but…”

  All eyes turo Aliyah, all except for Adelheid, who was sipping from a gss mug of beer, well satisfied, though she had pined bitterly at first that Ameri beer was awful. Fortuhe bar did stoe European bottles, so she was drinking one happily. Belgian, I think?

  “Dumb dipshit. He’s lucky I didn’t knock out his teeth, just busted up his nose a bit. And he’s an ugly fuobody tell the difference.” Aliyah shrugged, her expression a little awkward as she noticed Bud David couldn’t help but check out her chest as it bounced. As for me… nope, no way I’m getting caught doing that. Besides… my vision’s nearly three-sixty anyway. Unless I was doing other matters to recover ether, I usually left one Split Thought processing expanded sensory input, it was good training in the Skill and also mental stats.

  “…anyway…” Trey took ain. “That started a bit of a brawl. A few of his guys were there, and a couple of other Captains joined in for fun, though…” He smirked at his sister, who was angry, but still in trol of her temper. “…wouldn’t surprise me if a few of them just wao cop a feel during the scrap.”

  “Normally, the price for that is high. Ain’t it?” she s me, and I had to smile. Hey, I did let you hit me. Not my fault it didn’t do anything to me.

  “There’s a story there, I know it!” David grinned, and Buodded.

  “You’re n, old buddy. But I’m a gentleman, and I’d never dish the dirt on a doll like Aliyah. Besides…” He turo Mrs Kelly, kissing her on the cheek gently, making her flush a little. “…I’m a happily married man, I leave the pying around to the younger geion. Though…” he pointed, and we could see the busy Fae-themed bar through the gss surrounding our luxury booth. “…Shaeu, she sure is a wicked one. No meren or women.”

  Aliyah grunted. “She sure is. Bad to the bone, cute as hell, but she’s got a mean streak and loves to tease.” She then paused, embarrassed. “Shit, don’t get the wrong idea. It was only a hug. A hug! I lost a bet, that’s all. Bitch cheated me!”

  “I think you were trying to cheat her first.” I replied mildly, my treaind remembering Aliyah, naked as the day she was born, big and muscur in a way no irl I’d been around was. Well, it’s all water uhe bridge. Holy, she’s crude, short-tempered and not a fan of me, but… she and Trey do have their positives. And sihey’ve accepted my deal, they’ve worked for me wholeheartedly. I’ve fiven them for their part iae. And why not? They’re right. They kept Aiko and Eri out of the mess I caused.

  “Maybe so, but… oh, fuck it. Done is done. Anyway, my point is, none of those bastards would enter my eyes, even if I was in the market fuy. I’ve got standards, yeah?” She then paused, gng at Mrs Kelly. “Oh, sorry. I should mind my nguage.”

  Mrs Kelly shook her head gently. “It’s fine, dear. I’ve a fair share of Irish blood in me, a bit of colourful nguage won’t upset me. You should hear Buck swear when he’s losing at cards or on the horses. Drinking, gambling and cursing, the trio of Irish vices!”

  “And I fear I am prey to them all.” Buck admitted. “So… Aliyah, doll, what happened ?”

  “Simple. Trey didn’t eveo step in.” She downed her drink and ched one fist. “If it was before, their numbers would have overpowered me. Sure, I’d have taken a few bruises, but we’re professionals. We’d not do more than brawl, no sting injuries. I’d have busted up a few more hough.” She sniggered, tossing her head, beads jingling softly. “This time though, the dumb shits haven’t worked out the world’s ged. I beat the fuck out of all of them. They’ll be nursing aches and pains all day tomorrow. Serves them right. I ain’t giving up on my dream of a cute girlfriend, not even for you.” She smirked at me. “Besides, you’ve got your hands full with the madwoman there.”

  “How rude!” Christina, who was lying against my shoulder, face armingly flushed, giggled. “I’m not mad… unless I’m mad for knowledge… no, madly in love? Yes, that ohat one!”

  “Fuck me, she’s an awful drunk.” Aliyah rolled her eyes. “And she’s staying in your room tonight? I’d normally call bullshit on that, saying you wao take advantage of her… but it’s not like I don’t know she’s more than willing.” She let out a cavernous sigh as Christina giggled, nodding, trying to kiss my cheek, so I held her at bay with my free hand, which she then began to lick, which was rather annoying.

  “I learn. And having that giant Shaeu staring, it creeps me out but makes me think.” Aliyah shuddered. “Anyway, it wasn’t all just fun and games. We got the intel you hough it doesn’t make a lot of sense, ain’t that right, Trey?”

  “Yeah. There’s the usual crap, though more of the missions involve assisting in as against others like you two.” He Adelheid and I. “Usually support or area suppression. We’re hardly equipped to handle what the US gover ’t. Damn, gives me shivers remembering.” He did indeed shudder, like his sister did earlier. Yeah, they’re quite a lot alike, as much as they bicker and fight.

  “Anyway, cutting through the crap, ohing of note was that rumours have been cirg about some strange deals for ons. Mostly in Russia, there’s a crap-ton of old AK’s and RPG’s in circution there. But I’ve also heard tell of a few raids, jag more upmarket equipment from Europe and even some in our own backyard, the US. Once or twice could be ce, but this many? No way.”

  “Yeah, and obviously, since we get a lot of ear from these same els, so do most PMC’s, people have taken note. A couple of groups have just up and vanished, poof, into fug thin air!” Aliyah drained anss of Fae liquor and waved the empty vessel to emphasise her point. “Shit, this stuff is awesome. You know, Lua gets to drink this all the time, rubs it in my face. Thinks she’s a bigshot now, just because she wears the damn uniform…”

  “Aliyah…” Trey warned, and she paused, grinning shamefacedly, before refilling her gss.

  “Yeah, shit, setting off-topic there. And she does share with me, so I guess she’s not all bad. “Anyway, yeah… we know usually when a pany is liquidated, we hear on the grapevine. Like that redneck bastard Alex Trakand and his team. But these… not a whisper. It means trouble, and I ain’t exaggerating.”

  “I agree.” Trey nodded, supp her. “We’ll keep digging tomorrow, when the hangovers and the bruises fade. But… I’ve got a bad feeling.”

  “No kidding.” I nodded sourly. “Me too. I’m just hoping nothing happens while I’m away from home, but…”

  “Yeah, life ain’t that easy.” Aliyah agreed. “But you ’t sit at home, babysitting, you? Shit, even I know your trips abroad have brought in big gains.” She Adelheid, atg the TV, still drinking. “You’ve pnned, and it’s just a matter of trust, ain’t it?”

  “Excuse me…” David asked diffidently. He had listeo the talk with sparkling eyes, most men being patrial to talk of martial heroid bar brawls. “…I doly uand, but like everyone, I saw the press feren London, watched your talk show with Arisu Arisugawa…” He suddenly grinned. “She’s geous. I re you work your charm on her and win her over!”

  “I wouldn’t dare.” I ughed, and the idea was a little scary. “She’s a good friend and ally, and she’s best friends with another of my fiancées, so it’d be awkward as hell. I do agree she’s stunning though. Objectively, Shiro and Tsukiko are more perfect, but… when you add on Arisu-san’s poise and professional charm, she seems a cut above almost anyone.”

  “For someone who’s not… aha… ied…” Christina giggled, breath hot on my cheek. “…you sure do talk well about her. I’m a little… jealous? Yes, how iing. This is jealousy! I only ever used to feel that when I looked at funding for experiments I wasn’t given! But I’m not a woman who is here to… annoy you! Wao help you win her over?”

  “No thanks.” I grimaced, flig her forehead lightly, making her giggle, already flushed face darkening. Adelheid roiled her eyes and told me to stop flirting, which I denied internally. I’m not flirting!

  “Anyway, you were saying, David?” I ged the subject.

  “Oh yeah…” he nodded. “I saw the cert too. Not really my thing, but everyone was watg. I dooo. Not that I’m ied in the random rewards.”

  “You say that now, but some of them might be worth a dolr or two down the line, right Akio?” Buck winked spiratorially. “Whie do you think will be worth the most?”

  “Arisu-san, definitely. Though Suzu-san’s a dark horse.” I sidered it. “And while I’m in there, and just as rare as Arisu-san… generally, female figures are far more valuable. Due to the usual type of collector, I guess. Oh, and thanks for your donation, it does help.”

  “No problem.” David shrugged. “We may have only met briefly, but we’re poker buddies, and a friend of Buck’s is a pal of mine, I won’t hear otherwise.” As Buck teased him, saying he just wanted in on the Fae booze and image rights deal, the versation devolved into a drunken squabble, before my ears picked up an iing versation, evehe buzz of the busy bar.

  “This isn’t a good idea, Zack. Why must you always be so headstrong? If dad finds out, he’ll be pissed!”

  “Oh e oh, lighten up! It’s him in the flesh, the Hero of Britain, Saviour of South Korea! There’s no way I’m going to miss meeting him, he’s my idol! Besides…” As they came closer, the voice was getting lower. “…dad doesn’t want us using our powers, does he? He won’t eve us learn with the others. I want to ask a few pointers!”

  “…but that’s…” The exasperated young woman’s voice sounded again. “…dad’s only thinking of what’s best for us. I nearly died, didn’t I, Zack? I still have the scar. I hate this. It’s so ugly…”

  “Well, not like you have a boyfriend, Beth! So don’t sweat it!”

  “Don’t sweat it, you little bastard! I’m your sister, how you say that? You wao end up a spinster, all alone?”

  “When you don’t nag, you’re a great catch, sis. What’s a few scars? Anyway, just… don’t be mean, okay? I’ve wao meet him fes…”

  Now the others could hear. Buck frowned, as this rivate booth, and he left instrus for only the staff to enter, and indeed, a bouncer intercepted the two, but after a brief versatio them pass. That made Buck’s expression uglier, but I uood. They demonstrated they were a Chosen and the young man cimed to be a friend of mine. Sure, he should have asked Buck, it’s sloppy work, but in odd situations the instinct is just to go along with things.

  “I’ll just go and…” Buck stood, but I shook my head.

  “It’s fine. I think I know who they are.”

  There was a diffident kno the gss, and a head popped round. He was brown-haired and rather handsome, somewhere around twenty years old, I’d imagine. Yeah, he does look like Director Christopher. Seeing me looking, his eyes brightehough he was clearly nervous.

  “Sorry to intrude, but… you’re Akiht? I just had to meet you. Oh, you don’t know me, but…”

  “If I had to guess, judging by your versation, and your sister, who’s still hiding…” My words surprised him. “…you’d be the children of the Director of the FBI, right? Might as well e in, then.”

  His blue eyes widened, and from beside him another head popped into view. She was older, maybe my age or a year or two younger, and she looked simir to her brother, though her hair was a darker shade, closer to bck, and her eyes were green with blue tones. “Wait, how…?”

  “Just sit down.” I gestured to a pair of opes. Luckily as this was the best VIP booth there le space.

  “Don’t mind if I do!” Zachary agreed, striding in fidently. He was wearing a bck shirt which was unbuttoned, revealing some sort of band t-shirt underh, as well as blue jeans. His sister followed him in. She was also wearing a shirt, this one bd pink, seeming to be velvet or some simir material, and she wore a bck ce miniskirt, tights and a fetg pair of bck, high-heeled boots. Seeing me looking, she tossed her head, before striding over towards the empty seat. As she did so, she stopped, suddenly frozen as if she was a mouse being stared at by a snake. Seeing that, her brother turned, blinking in surprise, only to also notice Christina, who was grinning sloppily at them. She raised one hand in a wave.

  “If it isn’t Bethany and Zachary! How are you both? Well, I… aha… hope?”

  “Dad never said you were here!” Bethany squeaked. “I… oh, God, stay away!”

  “e now, I’m here on a date…” Christina began.

  “No, you’re not.” I interjected, and she giggled.

  “To me it is. But who cares? I’m having fun! More fun now dear Bethany and Zachary have arrived! You know, I was just talking about you this m!”

  That scared them more, so I decided to calm dowuation. “Take a seat. You came all this way to find me, didn’t you? As for Christina, she won’t bother you. She’s… uh, seded to my service for some repentance. So I’ll keep her in line.”

  “I… see?” Zachary muttered, calming down, but Bethany still seemed suspicious.

  “I knew ing here was a mistake.” she pined. “But Zack was desperate to meet you. He’d go alone if I didn’t keep an eye on him. Uh… oh, yeah, my manners. Sorry, I’m Bethany Wright, and this is my little brother, Zachary. Seems you’ve heard of us from her, huh? She’s a bad woman, you know? Eyes like a dead fish. Although…” Bethany frowned. “Whoa, is she drunk? That’s terrifying. She’d try and slice you up, dissect you sober, so drunk…”

  “How rude. Warranted, but still rude. You know, I don’t enjoy it when she’s cold to me. It’s… enlightening!” Christina drawled. “Do sit dowhany. Even if I was ied in your abilities still, I’m off duty. I’m here to flirt and drink and maybe a little more… ehehe…” Her damp ughter earned a sigh from me.

  “Look, I told you, you’re not my type. I prefer my women rather less amoral and murderous.”

  “Oh. I shall… where did I put my phone… Hyath, Hyath…” Christina teased. “Ahat… that gives me those shivers! Such a putdown!”

  “I… am not sure what’s going on here.” Zachary shook his head. “Oh my God, is that Fae booze? I saw the prices at the bar! Crazy, on my allowance I ’t afford it, ah won’t buy me any…”

  “Of course I won’t. You want booze, pay for it yourself!” Bethany protested, still eyeing Christina warily, before she shook her head, giving in. “Fine. Anyway, dad said he met you today, and then when Zack looked ohere were some photos of you entering this bar. Though she…” she Christina. “…wasn’t reisable. Where’s the scruffy hair, the b coat, the total disregard for looking pretty?”

  “I’m pretty? Yes, yes I am!”

  Ign her babbling, Bethany tinued. “…I thought it rather risky ing here. After all… oh well, no point hiding it. With her here, you must know. We’re like you. The Gods visited us. But I know… it’s dangerous to tell the truth. Dad’s said others hunt each other down, kill each other. I don’t want that.”

  “You don’t know that, Beth.” Zachary cut in, stealing a whiskey. “It could all be hearsay.”

  “It’s not. I’m not dumb, Zack.” She shook her head, face pale, hand going to her side, idly stroking around her ribs, seemingly unaware she was doing it. “You weren’t there. It’s kill or be killed.”

  “I know, we’ll ask Akio!” Zackary turo me. “So, is my sister right? Is there no way for us to live in peace? She ’t be, after all, you’ve got a group, yeah?”

  “She’s both wrong and sadly right.” I admitted. Mrs Kelly was distang herself from the versation wisely, saying she was going to the powder room, but Bud David were listening ily. With a sigh, I leaked some wind energy, isoting sound from leaking out. “There’s certainly some iive for flict, but that doesn’t mean there’s no value in w with others you trust. Far from it. The worst option of them all is doing nothing and pretending everything will be okay, though. Only regret lies that way.”

  “See Beth, I told you!” Zachary was excited at my words. “I knew hoping it would all go away is stupid! Besides, we’re one in a million, the chosen ones!”

  “Actually, we believe it to be closer to one iy thousand, based on the numbers from Amerid also information gathered worldwide…” Christina disagreed, only for Bethany to snap at her.

  “Oh shut up, psyad stist! You should be in jail!”

  “Maybe so.” she agreed, ahany froze, surprised.

  “What?” Christina shrugged. “I get it. I did terrible things. I still say the reasons were right, but… the road to Hell is paved with good iions, yes? Don’t worry… I’ll accept the sequeny as. Just so long as the work is done.”

  “I’m… never mind!” Bethany was thrown off, but quickly recovered. “Zachary, this isn’t some game. We’re adults, we ’t keep living off dad’s money forever. We o get jobs, start a family… not mess around, pretending to be superheroes. And the killed.” Her hand on her side moved faster, and her face ale.

  “But why else was it us?” Zachary disagreed. “It could have been anyone, but it was us! There has to be a reason.”

  “There is.” I agreed. “But that doesn’t matter. What does are your choices. But there’s really only two which are wise. You give up your power and live an ordinary life. That way you aren’t a target, but… if you see a tragedy in front of you, won’t yret being uo stop it? The sed way is fight, grow strong enough to defend yourself and others. The third way, of ign it and hoping everything goes away… that’s simply a fool’s choice.”

  “It be given up?” Bethany whispered, and before I could speak, Buck waved his phone.

  “Whoa there, newers. This is supposed to be a party, to celebrate. Go on, have a shot of this.” He poured them both gsses of Fae brandy, and the st was intoxig. Zachary grabbed the gss eagerly, and evehany seemed ied. “My Mary, she wants to e back, so… no hard talk, okay? Besides…” Buck gestured to the giant Shaeu and the bar staff in their yukatas. “This is a sight for sore eyes, isn’t it? The ging world isn’t all bad. Else you’d never have met that doll Shaeu, would you?” he wi me, and I ughed.

  “True.” I let the wind barrier down, and moments ter after a text from Buck, Mrs Kelly came back, taking her seat, relieved.

  “Not every person you meet’s going to be an enemy, or if they are… sometimes you make on ground.” Aliyah s my words, king a gss with Trey, and I tinued. “Shaeu loves the mortal world, and the Fae realms… they’re something special, all right. Though I’ve not seen too much of them. Buck’s right. There’ve been some tough times, some sad times…” My thoughts went to Kyoto, where disaster befell the trainees due to Yamato-san’s foolish pride, and where Mine-san paid the price for her belief in him. “…but more times of joy. I don’t regret a thing. I’d wish to do better, prevent a few more sorrows, but… what I have now, I’ve fought for, we’ve fought for, is simply irrepceable. And no matter the i or the reason I received my power, that’s what matters to me.”

  “And that’s why all the girls fall for him, sis. Take rey ribbed Aliyah, who rolled her eyes.

  “Anyway.” I finished. “Just enjoy a drink with us if you want. But I’m not talking any busionight. Especially not if your father doesn’t know you’re here. I had enough trouble iiations today. But if you want to know more, clear it with him, and I’ll try and make a little time. But my schedule is tight…”

  “We’ll do that.” Bethany decred, and before her brother could protest, she fixed him with a stern gre, her green eyes full of determination. “Numents, Zach! I only tagged along to stop you getting into trouble. And he’s right.” She ined her head to me in thanks. “Dad’s going to be furious. Especially since we ran into her.”

  Christi out a drunken giggle, which we all ighe subject was ged, and as Buck was once more telling the story of the poker match at o El Diablo, whirs Kelly and David pointed out was his favourite story, oold often, Aliyah joined in.

  “Shit, yeah, I ’t believe I got third pce. Although…” she glowered at me, and I ughed.

  “Yeah, I was trying to help you and Buck win sed and third. But in the end, the game was ted. I could only manage sed pce myself.”

  “Sorry I wasn’t sharp enough to notice…” Buck apologised. “But it was mighty swell of you to care, my lucky charm!”

  “Yeah.” Aliyah agreed. “Looking back, you were rather good to me. Though you’re still a pig, who chey tits.”

  “Maybe if you stopped funting them, sis…” Trey broke in, and their argume everyone amused, until talk turo Buck’s pns for his of bars.

  “So yes, the Fae, they have a great deal of presen tales of the old try, Irend. And many Irish-Ameris yearn for that nd, even if they only have stories from their granddaddy to listen to. Kelly’s is a bar where you get a little slice of that mythical home. It’s probably about as Irish as our Saint Patrick’s Day parades, but it’s not about what’s real, but rovokes a rea.”

  David nodded, agreeing. “Yeah, it’s about what sells. And people e to bars, pubs and clubs for ambiemosphere.”

  “So yeah, now I know the Fae exist, lepres too, like Princess Ffionnan, you bet your bottom dolr I’m going to capitalise on it. And…” He wi me. “Thanks to Akio here, I got a deal with Shaeu, and I finally mao get clearao sell Fae booze, though it was a close-run thing. I had the es and the bar fixtures ready, but… yeah, nearly didn’t make it for your visit.”

  “It’s certainly a bit discerting…” I the watg Shaeu cutout. “…but yeah, I’ve seen people taking photos with it. And so long as we both profit, and people are more accepting of the Fae as a result, everyone wins.”

  “That’s so cool.” Zachary was starstruck, and had fotten the presence of Christina, which wasn’t that odd, as even with her increased stats from Chirurgery, she wasn’t used to alcohol, and had been guzzling it, so she was now half-asleep, muttering and drooling. “See, Beth? It’s not all bad!”

  “I suppose so.” Bethany muttered grudgingly. She had ehe Fae brandy, which was indescribably fruity and sweet without being cloying, but packed a punch, even if that kick was also somehow mellow. “You did save Princess Eleanor, I suppose.” She finally admitted. “She’s so elegant and refined.”

  “Yeah, it’s a little intimidating, meeting Princesses.” I chuckled, sparking a new round of tales. I was listening to Trey expining the differeween various types of guns and their use, which left the women bored, but the men ied. Yeah, not every girl’s a tomboy like my sis…

  Akio, it’s bad, there’s a problem! Eri’s armed thoughts echoed in my brain, and suddenly the siing feeling of Fht I was feeling spiked up, magnifying intensely. Immediately, I let Ether Healing ki, and I was suddenly sober, though the side-effect was my bdder was suddenly painfully full. No time for that now. Eri. Is everyone safe?

  Yes, but… you get JapaV where you are? It’s Kyoto…

  Seeing my sudden urgency, Adelheid tensed, looking around for enemies, and Christina blinked blearily, trying to sober up. Having no time for that, I gripped her forehead, p iher, and her gaze cleared, being lucid again.

  “ we get JapaV here? It’s an emergency!” I cried, and Buck shook his head, but then realised the TV was also i ected. He hurried out to get a staff member to see what they could do, while Eri was hurriedly expining, sending images to my mind. That’s… the ungrateful bastard… I was enraged and shocked by what she was saying, and soon Buck was back, and the TV was dispying a feed from the Kyoto Broadcasting System. On it was Uchida-san, father of Yamato-san, and he was apanied by several other priests who were former Susanoo fa and hadn’t e under our umbrel.

  He’s acg you of all sorts of things! Eri was clearly insed. And worse… there’s more trouble…

  Ihere was a buzz in the bar, a surprised one, and I could see that the sport had been interrupted by an emergency broadcast.

  “Oshiro-san is no hero, he’s a thief and a murderer!” Uchida-san was deg coldly. “See?” Footage was then pyed of his son, calling his golden statues. Then it switched to Korean footage of my sister, and her Golden Sister Army. Damnit, Hinata was right. This is why we didn’t want any broadcasts…

  “Oshiro-san steals the power and lives of others, spits on the Gods… no, no, there is only one God!” Uchida-san decred, shog me. “Oshiro-san’s only Deity is greed. After all, he heals the riot the poor. Isn’t that the opposite of how it should be?”

  I think there’s more to it. Those church people are on TV again…

  As Uchida-san tinued his rant, dispyi more incriminating footage, mostly from Korea, but some also from other sources, even within Japan, I was simultaneously listening to Eri while watg the footage oV outside.

  “Be not afraid.” The white-haired old man, who called himself Cardinal Lorenzo Giudice st time, was again addressing the world. “Once more, to all who believe in the Lord, you shall be saved. Your sins before are irrelevant, the Throne is fiving. So long as you cast aside false Gods.”

  There. On the footage of Kyoto, I could just make out white and gold robes in the background. Seems like Uchida-san’s cast aside his faith and thrown his lot in with them. That’s not good, if they’re already present in Kyoto… Eri, is the disaster protocol active? My phone was starting to ping, so rapidly it was nearly non-stop, and I ope even as Eri’s thoughts were transmitted to me at a rapid speed.

  Yes. Suzu-san, Arisugawa-san and Futamura-san have all relinquished their Anchors and carried the ether to your Territory. Word has go to Kyoto and our other allies, but I’m still waiting to hear. But… everyone’s so scattered. Hinata’s at the Tengokusentou, alongside Shiro for support. I think Miyu-san was going there too, along with the Shiraishi girls. Motoko and Natsumi are at school, Kana too, obviously… I’m at home, and Daiyu’s here too, but Asha went to the shrio see her Tree. Shaeu and Hyath are at the Spring, but I’ve sent someoo send word…

  Shit, the situation’s spiralling as I feared. If only…

  “The hour is darkest just before the dawn. I believe that to be true. God’s radiance has dimmed, too many sinners, using the false and profane powers of Devils, Idols and un beings, preventing us frhteously asding to the Ninth Heave is not too te. For repentance be sought or issued.” The Cardinal was calm, posed, yet cold. “If you are willing, when the swords, spears and words of the Lord e for you, simply kneel and ask for fiveness. You shall be spared. Those who persist… they shall still be saved, only through fire, sword and rope.”

  I calcuted, and even with Wings Of The Chooser, there was no feasible way I could cross the o, and unknown dangers surely lurked in the depths of the Boundary seas, so swimming was totally foolish. If I get a pne chartered now, even a military one from the US Gover, the battles will be over, one way or the other… fuck!

  Skimming my phone I saw messages from various people, and the situation was esg. Apparently, the murders that Bunta-san, Yoriko-san aive Kato were iigating were being id at our door, and evidence was being presented. Clearly fake, but right now, with everything going on…

  “We will endeavour to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.” the Cardinal finished, a holy glow behind him shining, whether by aether or carefully crafted artistry, I wasn’t sure. “But when one is dealing with cer, the body sadly suffers. Know that those who perish shall be guaranteed a seat at the Lord’s side, and even the sinful shall be ed ih! Now, Deus vult! God wills it!”

  “Damn… this is bad, right?” Buck was saying. He didn’t uand the Japanese, but he uood from the footage. “I mean… you didn’t, did you?”

  “His stupid son got himself into a deadly situation. I simply salvaged what I could, after he got a lot of i people killed.” I grated, furious. “Fuck. I…”

  Akio, I’ve got word the Territory is utack. We’re rallying forces, but… without you… no, fet it. I’m not weak any longer. I’ll take up my axe and fight! You… be careful too. You’re far from home. And they likely hate you after your victory in London.

  Wishing Eri luck, I cursed again. “This is shit. Damn it…”

  “Calm down.” Trey tapped my shoulder, and I took a deep breath, and my Resilience spiked up. Soon I had regained trol, and I nodded.

  “You’re right. Since I ’t do much from here…” I gnced around the room. Trey and Aliyah were resigned but ready, Adelheid had put down her beer, watg me patiently, and even Christina seemed calm. Buck, Mrs Kelly and David were white and pale, as was Bethany, but Zachary seemed eager. Puy, he’ll learn. “…it’s up to me to coordinate. But… if he’s after Chosen… we o get somewhere away from people.” I fixed Zachary ahany with a stern gre. “It’s up to you. ing with us might put you in more danger, but if yoing it alone and you’re a target…”

  “e on sis, let’s go with him. He’s the Hero of Britain. He be trusted!”

  Bethany rubbed at her side, biting her lip until it bled, but in the end she nodded. With that, the four of us left, while Aliyah and Trey would see Christina back to the hotel, but not before she’d awkwardly wished me luck, making the Wright siblings stare, shocked. As we raced out into the night, me keeping my pace down so that the others could keep up, my phone was stantly updating me, as was Eri. Each message was grimmer tha. Now, publid damning nation of Takatsukasa house and the nobility as a whole was being disseminated oer and broadcast on TV by KBS and FujiTV, and it alseted me and my retionships, maki to be a pervert who did unspeakable things to girls. Simir smear campaigns were being directed at Eleanor in Britain, as well as other people worldwide, who must have been Chosen I was unaware of, as some were on the Vermillion List data Christina had given us, but others weren’t.

  g my fist, I vowed that we’d weather this storm, and if it put those I cared about in danger, I’d be sure t retribution. e after me if you dare, but snder my friends, my family, attack them, harm then… I don’t care if you have Nine or y-nine Heavens, I’ll smash through them all until I’ve had my owribution!

  ShipTeaser