“We can’t do that,” said Bunni, the seriousness in her voice at odds with her general demeanor. “We have come a long way to make a difference, and we aren’t going to make the difference by hiding in another country, at least not yet, not until the pieces are in place.”
“That’s right,” Liza chimed in. “The pieces need to be in place.”
“We should train,” Micah said suddenly, now in the mood to get out some energy, especially with Youseg’s prophecy weighing heavy on his shoulders.
After his grandmother rattled off a few more monk-based insults, Liza, Bunni, and Soraya joined Micah outside, the four gravitating toward an area where they had been practicing the new industria technique. There were a variety of objects to move, ranging in weight and size.
They started up, Bunni working on a statue that was easily a hundred pounds and alternating between that and a small paper crane. She was very good at using industria in this way. Liza was the second best of the current group, her focus on levitating bamboo canes and arranging them in the air into shapes. Because they were both better at using the new technique, Bunni and Liza began training together, the nun flinging items at the ninja, Bunni catching them midair and sending them right back, all without touching the items with their hands.
“Showoffs,” Soraya said as she continued to focus on moving a simple brick. The kitsune was able to make it shake, and there were a few times that she lifted it a few feet using just its industria, but she still never quite got the hang of it.
Micah hadn’t mentioned his success in using the power last night against Kami at the massage parlor. So much had happened since then, and he didn’t want to come off as bragging, nor did he want this conversation to shift to himself, especially when they had a future to think about, and Yuri was still in mourning. As it turned out, what happened last night seemed to be a one-off event—Micah was unable to move anything.
Just my luck, he thought as he tried to lift a brick solely using its industria. Last night I was able to save the day with the power, now I can’t even summon it.
It was clear that this industria technique shouldn’t be something he should rely on, that he was better at other things, like healing himself and even absorbing an attack, than he was actually controlling something with the unique form of energy that ruled his world. It wasn’t quite back to the drawing board; Micah never expected himself to become a powerhouse in the group, but it was disappointing, and it reminded him once again of his role. It also made him question his usefulness to some degree. What did he truly bring to the group? Was he holding them back?
Micah shook his head. It was a rabbit hole to continue with thoughts like this; he needed to focus.
Watching Liza and Bunni go about their routines was inspiring, and it was only when Micah finally forgot about his own misgivings that something happened. Losing focus on his brick yet again, he quickly shifted his gaze to Liza and Bunni, who were now tossing a fifty-pound statue between them solely using industria. When he looked back, Micah was floating one of the bricks. And not only that, he was floating another one directly above it, the two separated by a thin line.
Soraya nodded, impressed. “Do it again,” she said once he let the bricks drop.
“Yeah, sure…” Micah focused on the bricks again and was able to lift both with relative ease. How is it possible? Just moments ago, he would have had more luck getting down on his knees and blowing air at the bricks, and now he was exhibiting the power again.
“When did you start?” Liza asked as she turned to him, Bunni doing the same.
Micah explained what happened last night at the massage parlor, how he had knocked Kami to the side during her surprise attack, which had helped Bunni eventually overpower her.
“Well, consider me impressed,” Soraya said, offering him a rare smile. “You’re getting stronger every day.”
“It’s the massage,” Bunni told the kitsune. “I told you they are valuable.”
“Your little perverted massages have no value to me.”
“Oh, you would love one of these massages,” Bunni assured her. “And as I’ve always told you, the first one is on me. You just let me know.”
“I’m seriously impressed,” Liza told Micah, looking at him with bright eyes. “You should have said something about it last night.”
“What’s the point? I still can’t do the things that the three of you can do,” he said, “but I’m trying. My usage seems to be triggered by adrenaline to some degree. Like, when I’m in the situation, it just comes to me.”
Bunni nodded. “Industria will do that to you, especially at the early stages. Once you get used to being able to fully control it, it doesn’t work the same way.” She considered what she had just said. “Let me rephrase: it still happens, but you have more of a sense over it, and by that point you’ve already been using it.” She approached Micah and reached her hand out to pinch his cheek. “Look at you, from a schoolboy to an industria master. We’re going to make something out of you yet, hubby.”
The evening came faster than Micah anticipated it would. After training, he had spent a few hours with Yuri, who maintained the distant gaze she’d had all day. That did change, however, when Micah explained to her that they would be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Ninja. This seemed to mean something to her.
“It was Bobi’s idea,” Micah said as she gave him a hug.
“It’s a good suggestion, and you’re a good man, a good husband.”
“Why don’t I feel that way? I just want you to be… to feel…” Micah didn’t know how to express himself in that moment, but he tried. “I know this has been incredibly hard, but I just want you to take all the time you need, and we can even change what we’re going to do here tonight, if it’s better for you. We don’t have to go right now. Who cares if the moon is out or not? You know what I’m saying.”
“No, we need to go back to our country. I appreciate you worrying about me, but my life has been defined by death. I can handle this. And traveling will get my mind off what happened. I would like my sister and Kami to be buried in the proper place.”
“Right. We will leave shortly.”
They purposely had a light meal that night, and once they were ready, all their gear packed, they were joined by Choro, Youseg, and Micah’s grandmother at the door, the older monk’s attendants behind him and holding the two caskets.
“I don’t like seeing you go like this,” Micah’s grandmother said, clearly trying to hold back a tear.
Did she sense something? Micah thought, remembering what Youseg had told him. He smiled at his grandmother, hoping to cast away her fears. Micah didn’t know if his gesture would have any effect, but didn’t want her to later suspect that he had been hiding something from her, especially if…
He shook his head. He couldn’t think like that. If he was going to die, then so be it. But he couldn’t immediately assume that the monk’s vision was true. To do so could alter a decision he would soon be forced to make, whatever that decision may be.
“We’ll be back in a couple of days,” he told his grandmother through gritted teeth at first, Micah trying to relax the tenseness he was feeling in his face. “Just a few days.”
His grandmother took his hand and squeezed it. “You know I love you, right?” she asked. “I love all of you, my granddaughters-in-law current and future, you as well, Choro. I don’t love you,” she told Youseg, “but I appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he said as he stepped aside. “I’ll let you say your goodbyes.”
“I just want you to be safe, to come back in one piece,” she told Micah. “All of you need to come back in one piece. There’s been enough life lost. Do what you have to do, and then come back. I was serious when I said there’s no point. If it seems like you’re not going to be able to win, then accept defeat. You can always go back and try again. But don’t do anything that will put you or any of the others in harm’s way.”
Yu
ri shook her head. “That’s exactly what we have to do.” She approached Micah’s grandmother and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know I respect you, but…” Yuri settled her breath. “That’s not what we were sent here to do. Now is our chance. Now is the time that we are going to act.”
“Predictable, but I would expect nothing less from a kick-ass woman such as yourself. I just want…” Micah’s grandmother grunted. “Those stuck-up bucketed frat-tards. I hate them all, the shitty little bitches. They have been up to these shenanigans throughout my entire life. They’re responsible for the death of your parents, and…” She never finished her sentence, and as she looked back up at Micah, she finally made direct eye to eye contact with him. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
Micah lowered his head.
“Promise me, sweetie. You have to promise me.”
“I promise that things will be better sooner rather than later,” he said.
“No, that’s not good enough. I want to hear you promise. Promise me you will come back, that you will bring everyone back alive.”
Micah had to lie. He didn’t know what the future held, but he also didn’t want his grandmother to worry. He slowly started to nod. “I promise.” Micah looked to Choro. “Take good care of her while we’re gone.”
After his grandmother gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which was somewhat comical to watch considering Bunni’s height, they set out, Micah leading the way back to the underground tunnels that connected to Woodsaka, five of Youseg’s attendants with them, two for each casket, and one to alternate with.
Everyone was silent as they walked, the streets seemingly empty. At first, Micah thought he was imagining it, but they really did seem less active in the district than it had been when they first arrived. The monks carrying the two caskets had a foreboding look about them, all of them in veils, their gazes cast downward. They went wherever Micah and his team went, Soraya in the lead, her tail bouncing just a bit as she walked.
Micah walked next to Yuri, her hand in his, his finger grazing against the ring he had given her. He kept it on there for a moment, and Yuri squeezed even tighter.
They eventually came to the tunnel, where they found the small vehicle Bobi had prepared for Micah’s grandmother, right where they left it. Micah and Liza helmeted up, Bobi chiming in and letting them know that everything was set once they reached the other side. As they entered the narrow space, Bobi’s small robot came alive and started following after them, startling one of the monks that had joined them.
“It’s with us,” Micah assured him as they pressed onward, a dim green light guiding them through the tunnel. Again, no words were exchanged, the group falling into a pattern of almost meditative walking. He bit his lip, hoping that it wasn’t the last moment he saw his grandmother, that Youseg’s vision wouldn’t turn out to be true, and if it did that at least she would be safe; at least the Society of Monks couldn’t get her.
After a long, and quiet walk through the underground tunnel, they reached the exit point in Woodsaka, where they were greeted by more four-wheeled robots, all with lights on their front ends. Their casings were a little rusty, but they seemed sturdy enough, three robots making whizzing noises as they got into place, the all-terrain robot that had met them in Heian joining its counterparts.
“In case you’re wondering, they are for the caskets,” Bobi told Micah in his headset.
“Thank you.”
While Liza relayed the message to Youseg’s monks, Micah stepped aside to make a quick call. “Choro,” he said, once his friend answered. “We have made it back to Woodsaka.”
“Good. I am here if you need me, twenty-four seven,” Choro told him, his voice very thin at the moment, the reception affected due to the fact they were underground. “Be sure to contact me whenever you are on the move, so I can be part of it.”
“Definitely. We’re going to handle the bodies now,” Micah said as Youseg’s monks lowered the first casket on the backs of the two all-terrain robots. They then placed the second casket on the other two.
The five monks who had joined them on the journey through the tunnel turned and began making their way back to their country.
“And the tunnel will still be lit, right?” he asked Bobi.
“Affirmative. I can try to pipe in some old music for them, if you’d like. I don’t really have anything that great, but there was a tune that the people that lived in Woodsaka used to play at the train stations which is programmed into my system. Sort of a dee-dee-dee-doo-doo-doo kind of sound, definitely pretty. Great walking music. Would you like that?”
“That’s probably not necessary, but thanks anyway. I suppose we should head to the Tomb of the Unknown Ninja,” Micah said as the others gathered behind the all-terrain vehicles.
“That’s right, follow my Bobis; they know where they’re going.”
Micah and his group did just that, the vehicles leading them through the forest, Bobi laying out a pretty clear path without many obstacles. It felt strange to be back in this country, Micah feeling like the air was different, like it was warmer here. Of course, he couldn’t see any of the actual districts; but he could almost sense it, his birthplace, where all the craziness started, literally.
They came to an enormous rock structure, Soraya gasping as she looked up at it.
“I can’t believe it still stands.” The kitsune brought her hand to her mouth.
“How wonderful,” said Bunni. “How truly wonderful.”
It took a moment for Micah to realize that he was looking at a statue, then he made out the sharp outfit of a clan hunter with unique armor cut into rectangles and squares, the tip of a weapon pressed into the ground and covered in vines, many of the corners eroded.
“There are two slots available, and open now,” Bobi told Micah and Liza, his voice appearing in their helmets. “Shall I lead you there? Do not worry about covering the caskets; I can handle that.”
“Yes,” Micah said. “Thank you.”
They passed under a thick tree branch and from there to the left around a pile of stones, where they found two recently dug graves surrounded by dozens upon dozens of flowers that had been picked a short time ago. It was a bit dark out, so he couldn’t quite appreciate the color, but he could definitely smell the flowers. Micah took a quick look around, not quite sure of how Bobi had actually dug the hole, but he had. Impressive, he thought.
Once the vehicles stopped, Bunni and Micah slowly lowered the first casket in with Liza’s assistance, the one with Milsung and her severed head inside. As they placed the second, Soraya collected flowers, which she distributed to Yuri. When she was done, the kitsune came forward and dipped between the two caskets, placing her hands over their graves. With her head down she whispered a mantra, Bunni saying a few ancient words in response, Yuri and Liza echoing them.
“Should we mark their graves?” Liza asked, once they had finished.
Yuri shook her head. “They are anonymous now, like all of us will be when we pass, as is the tradition of the Royal Star Ninjas. Thank you,” she said, turning to Micah, her message also meant for Bobi. “Now that they are here, they can rest in peace. As for us…”
“There’s a vehicle already waiting for you,” Bobi said. “If I didn’t tell you, you should’ve figured it out by now: I can control those, too.”
It was late into the night when a stolen vehicle rose into the air, the hovering craft first stolen from the monks, and then later from the Hermetics by Choro. The circle of thievery was not quite on full display, considering the vehicle was moved ahead without any running lights, everything blacked out, bathed in anonymity. Liza sat in the driver’s seat, but she wasn’t controlling the vehicle, that was all Bobi, the steering wheel moving on its own, the AI letting them know through a pair of speakers what to expect next.
“Since I’m driving, I will be moving a bit faster than normal, which will also help us stay off the monk’s radar. Easy enough to do at night, but will be more challe
nging during the day.”
“Meaning we will leave for Uyanga early in the morning, right?” Micah asked, just confirming what they’d already discussed.
“That’s right,” said Liza. “We can stay in the stash house tonight, and move to Uyanga tomorrow. Remember all the underground passageways beneath Ahmey’s temple? That will help us keep a low profile while we figure out our next steps.”
“I’m not going to pretend to understand the politics of this country,” Soraya said, the kitsune given the front passenger seat for once. She normally sat in the back with Micah, but Bunni had offered it to her, the Plains Dweller seated next to Micah, Yuri on her other side, both with their hands on his lap.
“Then let me help. The upper echelon acts as a parliamentary council for changes in the law,” Liza explained. “But the citizens aren’t able to vote for the monks and nuns to take a seat at the High Council; they really have no say, aside from mayoral representatives who have their own Society of Monks counterparts. It’s always an uphill battle to get something changed in one of the districts, depending on the district. It goes without saying that any of the floating districts have more power than the ones on the ground. But what you need to know is that they have these meetings quite frequently, and if we’re lucky, there’s one happening soon. If we’re not lucky, we may have to wait, and remain underground for the time being.”
“And we will just strut in there and take over?” Soraya asked. “I know you already told me how this could theoretically work, please don’t take my skepticism as judgment, it all just seems far-fetched. We really are putting a lot on Ahmey.”
“Monks have come into power before, doing the very same thing,” Liza explained. “It happened about a hundred years ago, actually. Every representative in the upper echelon brings a security apparatus with them. They meet in a large circular room, where they discuss various things affecting the country, or affecting the Society of Monks’ overall mission.”
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