《American Yokai》
Kitsunes Tale
Ray moved through the street, eyes peeled as his stomach rumbled at the sight of a dozen different food stops before he spotted Blue River Sushi and moved straight for the restaurant. When he opened the door a small bell above it chimed and a portly chef at the counter turned to him with a smile. "Irasshaimase!"
Ray moved straight to the counter and crossed his arms on it, "Hey there, heard this is some place to pick up some inarizushi?"
"Oh yes, would you like that for here or to-" The man paused, thinking and blinking for a moment, "Oh!"
The man''s eyes darted about the empty restaurant as if someone was listening in then quickly moved to unroll bamboo blinds over the front window before returning to his spot behind the counter, leaning on it. He gestured for Ray to get closer and the boy did so, the man whispering, "So you''re, you know... a hunter?"
"That''s why I''m here, Mr. Hoyohito."
The man quickly nodded, cheeks wobbling with the movement, whispering loudly. "So I''m not going crazy, right? That really was a you-know-what?"
"That''s what I''m here to determine. Walk me through what you saw."
"Right, so I was walking along 31st, like I always do because of the fish markets, you know? I got to the park and then I see... it. It was big as a bus, hungry and angry too! It looked at me like it wanted me for takeout! I wasn''t going to stick around, so I threw all my stuff at it, hoping it would eat that instead, and I ran all the way here!"
"I see... can you describe exactly what you saw, Mr Hoyohito."
"I didn''t get a good look, I had to run after all, but I swear it was..." The man looked about again before leaning in way too close to Ray''s face, "...a kitsune!"
"White?" Mr. Hoyohito blinked. "Did it have white fur? Any distinct markings as far as you could tell?"
"I was too busy running..."
"Alright." Well, it was a start. "The park, you mean the one with the duck statue?"
"That''s the one!" Ray nodded, shoving off the counter and heading for the door before Mr. Hoyohito called out. "Wait, don''t I need to pay you?"
"The Regulatory Committee handles all fees and insurance claims for-"
"No, no, it''s just that other young man-"
"Other?" Ray turned halfway around to look back.
"Yes, the one with the mustache, and the stringy hair? He told me there''s a research fee, a-"
"Let me guess: he told you there''s a number of fees you had to pay, probably to speed up the process!"
"Yes, yes! He told me it was $50 for "removal-""
Ray groaned, putting his face in his hand and rubbing. "Right... don''t worry about it, it''s fine."
Ray continued out, moving his way towards Willow Park. Calling it a park was kind: it had some swings, a few animal-shaped riding springs, a single slide, and a stone dome with several holes in it for kids to crawl in and out of. The place was deserted sans a pair of black jeans and boots sticking out from under the dome, and Ray stepped besides the legs, a voice getting clearer as he got closer. "Okay... been here, but when? How? Shrink or-"
Ray kicked the legs and there was a yelp, the legs scrambling inside before a shotgun pointed out one of the holes, "GET SOME YOU- oh... hey Ray."
"Hello Zanzibar." Ray nodded to the older boy with stringy black hair... then punched him in the face and caused Zanzibar to fall back and hold his nose.
"Ow, fuck! Why!?"
"Mr. Hoyohito mentioned something real interesting."
"...Listen-"
"Zan, get out the fucking hole." Ray rubbed his head again, trying to avoid the growing headache as Zanzibar climbed out from under the dome, and Ray looked up to him. "So was the threat of them taking away your license not enough, or are you looking to get fully blanked?"
"Oh I''m sorry Mr.-Owns-His-House, some of us have to pay rent!"
"Zan-"
"Fine, fine, I''ll return it. I''m calling dibs on this hunt though!"
"...You know what? You have at it." Ray turned and started to walk away. He could feel Zanzibar''s confused look on his back but he wasn''t stopped, and Ray spent the next few hours wandering the blocks around the park, taking in the stores and sights. Eventually the sun set well below the horizon, shops locking up for the night and not a soul was in sight, and Ray took that moment to start heading towards the park-
He froze as he heard a gunshot, and then a faint "uh oh" followed by a scream that was getting closer. A blur passed and smacked into the side of a car before flipping over it, and Ray gingerly made his way around the car to see the prone form of Zanzibar. "Hello Zan."
"Not... a word." Zanzibar strained to speak, and Ray looked towards the park to see a single massive brown tail thrashing between the trees. That... was curious. Good, but curious. Ray reached into his hoodie''s pockets before he pulled out three paper dolls, holding up one and whispering to it.
"Distraction." The paper glowed a faint green and he threw it, the doll sailing towards the tail. He held up the other two dolls. "Find. Watch."
The dolls glowed and he threw them, shutting his eyes. His vision was only dark for a moment before he could see the world through the "Watch" doll''s "eyes." He could see the one doll sent as a distraction swarming in and around the face of a... ludicrously buff kitsune. The fox spirits could change shape, sure, but something was clearly wrong here: its muscles were so swollen they actually stymied its movements, even its eyes were practically hidden by the swollen cheeks of a constantly-snarling face. A flex of his magic and his shikigami moved to focus on the dome he had found earlier. Claw marks, chunks of fur not belonging solely to the kitsune, small bones-Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Ray was pulled out of his vision by Zanzibar pulling him down the sidewalk, shotgun up and aimed at the kitsune that was now standing on the car Zanzibar had been tossed against. The shotgun went off and there was a spray of blood sa the kitsune fell back, the two quickly scrambling to stand, Zanzibar with his shotgun ready and Ray drawing a knife and more paper dolls out of his pocket. Another shotgun blast and the kitsune''s face was almost blown away to the bone, but despite that it still shakily stood, groaning and whining. A bright green light was starting to form through cracks on the kitsune''s face and as Zanzibar tried to swap the shells in his shotgun out, Ray rushed forward and planted his knife into one of the cracks. Light came rushing out almost like a fire and with a sharp movement Ray dragged his arm to the side and the kitsune''s head vanished into light. He quickly stepped away and the two watched as green light pour from the stump, the kitsune''s body struggling for a moment... and then launching itself into a car. The body thrashed and clawed at random and Ray quickly drew more shikigami from his pocket.
"Bind!" He sent the flock of paper dolls out and their arms stretched over the kitsune''s body, trying to restrain it as Zanzibar was finally ready. Shot after shot left his gun, blowing more and more from the kitsune''s hide, green energy flowing off it until the body finally collapsed. Neither of them approached for a long moment until the body began collapsing into motes of light, and the two steadily approached. On the ground was a swirling brown crystal with one curling away from the crystal like a kitsune''s tail. Zanzibar breathed out as he saw the crystal, Ray nodding as he looked at the cracks.
"Wow..."
"Yeah. Clearly, something-"
"Score!" Ray blinked as Zanzibar quickly snatched up the crystal and all but sprinted off, Ray reaching out towards him before sighing. He fished out his phone and began to call his dispatcher. At least someone should be the professional here...
"900... 1,000... 1,100." The woman at the counter finished counting out Ray''s reward, and he nodded to her as she smiled. "Big win today, huh?"
"Weird win, too." He stuffed the money into his wallet and he could clearly see she wanted to ask more questions, but silence was golden here. He made his way out of the office building, staring up into the now dark sky. He should probably head home... buuut he was kind of hungry, freshly paid, and he did just takedown a kitsune, even if it was a one-tail. He moved around the building to an alley and tapped on a manhole cover there, symbols lighting up before the manhole slid away like a shutter, and Ray began climbing down into the hole. He came down to a glass-encased room, moving to a door with a metal detector, x-ray machine, and a very bored looking security guard who didn''t even look up from his computer as Ray approached.
"Please put-" He didn''t bother finishing as Ray fished everything out of his pockets and put them on the x-ray''s conveyor belt, stepping into the detector with his arms up.
"Hunter ID-42290, Rei Tomino. Registration-"
"Go on through." The guard clearly only gave a glance at the result coming across his monitor and Ray felt like he should say something, but after a moment he mentally shrugged and gathered up this things. He stepped out of the Hunter Admisnistration and into Yokaitown, purple light of the "sky" revealing... empty streets? Sure, the government district wasn''t exactly a party palace, but it shouldn''t be so quiet. He started making his way down the street, and as he reached the shopping district things were much more like he expected; hunters on break, yokai moving through the streets or in the air, and more mythen going about their nights. Ray kept his eyes peeled and finally spotted a restaurant that was decently empty, ducking inside.
The place was all-wood with paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and he found a spot at the front counter, waiting for someone to appear and take his order when one of the lanterns floated down from the ceiling, the lantern floating for a moment before there was a quiet. "Whoops."
"Hello?" The lantern turned around and Ray saw two black eye spots and two curling spots above the lantern''s mouth, almost like a moustache. The lantern smiled at him and spoke with an aged voice.
"Apologies! Welcome to Kabuki Ramen! Don''t worry: we have much more than simply noodles to satisfy you!" A four-legged platter came out from behind a cloth behind the counter, quickly rushing up to Ray with a menu on top. Rey took it and began looking through the options. "We''re having a special today! Our chefs have prepared what we call the "Fox Platters!""
A smile broke Ray''s face at the coincidence, "What''s included?"
"A platter of inarizushi as an appetizer while we prepare the main dish of "kitsune ramen." Please note: the ramen does not contain actual kitsune. Lastly, our dessert of nine chocolate-dusted mochi. Do you have any questions?"
"The mochi is filled with red bean paste, right?" The lantern floated back, seemingly surprised before it smiled wide.
"Indeed sir! We could also substitute chocolate filling if you wish."
"Red bean is fine, I just wanted to ask you to skip any seafood ingredients you might be using in the broth or oil. No naruto, either." More surprise but the lantern recovered quickly, bouncing in excitement.
"Of course sir! That''ll be fifty dollars!"
Ouch. Thank goodness for his job. Ray placed the money on the platter along with the menu and both objects bowed to him before disappearing behind the cloth separating the front of the shop from the kitchen, leaving Ray to look about. The only other customers were a kappa in one corner enjoying a staggering amount of vegetables with a small hand fan blowing on him, the other seemingly a drunken human but considering how he reached out to start drinking the wax out of a candle on his table, he was likely something else. A clatter and Ray turned his focus back to the counter, the platter returning with a cup full of tea on it. "Ah thank you."
The platter waited for him to take the cup before bowing and retreating, and Ray sipped at the drink. A very sweet green tea... either the yokai were psychic or they could tell he was very basic. He spent a while just absorbing the atmosphere before the platter returned, laden with his food as the lantern floated back out. "Here we are sir!"
"Thank you." Ray took the platter and set it in front of himself, taking in the smell and sight of the food before he grabbed a pair of chopsticks and picked up one of the inarizushi.
"If I may, young man?" Ray paused, looking curiously at the lantern as it spoke up. "Are you Japanese, perchance?"
"Ah... half." Ray admitted.
"I thought as much!" The lantern cheered. "Not many who visit know the fish cake is called naruto, and even fewer ask for red beans."
He felt that was a somewhat flimsy reasoning to make an assumption on being Japanese, but he kept it to himself. "A shame for them, then."
"Indeed. Feels like there''s fewer and fewer who appreciate the old ways." The lantern sighed. "Now it''s all "Bobby" tea, or whatever the children are calling it these days, and-"
The lantern began to ramble and Ray nodded along, not saying anything and picking at his food. Everything was perfect: the inarizushi seemed to be extra stuffed with rice, the ramen flavored to perfection, and the mochi was pillowy-soft and perfectly sweet. When he was done he clasped his hand together, interrupting the lantern. "Thank you for the food."
"Did you enjoy it?"
"It was the best meal I''ve ever gotten in Yokaitown." The light inside the paper lantern grew bright at his words
"I am so glad to hear it! Oh, after that incident earlier I was terrified no new customers would come in!"
"Incident?"
"Didn''t you hear? Ah, I suppose you might''ve been in school then." The lantern leaned in, whispering. "They say some sort of dog spirit went on a rampage."
"I... see." The words were clicking back to the fight earlier in Ray''s mind.
"It was subdued by the administration and taken away, thankfully, and with no one hurt either!" The lantern kept talking but Ray was dealing with his own thoughts; once was an accident, twice is circumstantial evidence, but three times?
Three tires was someone making a move, and he had a bad feeling a third was coming.
Ray thanked the lantern for the meal and made sure to grab a business card before leaving, pulling his phone out. He had a call to make and some questions to ask...
Kappas Waves: Part 1
Ray''s leg bounced as he waited in his bedroom, staring at his computer as he waited for the message to come. It was still early in the morning so he doubted he''d get an answer soon, but the anxiety had forced him to sit as his desk to be absolutely sure. It was the greatest relief when he finally got an alert about a new newsletter for the Administration. It wasn''t what he was looking for but he checked it anyways, and what he saw gave him at least some relief; a major smuggling operation had been busted. Evidently this was the source of the two kitsune''s that appeared. From there it was the usual: report what you see, keep your eyes open, etc..
Ray sighed in relief and stood up, about to shut off his computer when another message came through from the administration, requesting his presence at the main office. He hoped it was just to pick up a reward but in his stomach he knew something was wrong. Quickly he gathered his supplies and rushed out of his house.
Let his gut instinct, which was screaming "danger" at him, be wrong this time.
The bus ride to the Hunters Administration was thankfully short, and when he arrived he was quickly ushered to a meeting room where quickly he knew this wasn''t going to be simple; already several heavy hitters were in meeting room, looking deathly serious. A woman at the entrance of the room handed him a thick packet and he quickly found a seat in the rows of chairs facing the podium and projector. One by one the seats were filled until it was standing room only, any whispers ending when a door near the podium opened to let in an older man with a thick, bushy, grey-streaked beard and a furry cloak. He quickly took a spot at the podium and he nodded to the crowd. ¡°Good morning everyone. To those who don¡¯t know, I am Thaumaturge-Deputy Dawson, currently in charge of this operation. I thank you all for coming, as I know this is rather short notice.¡±
Dawson raised a hand and the lights in the room darkened, a projector screen rolling down behind him, the projector turning on and displaying two news articles. ¡°Now, for those who did not check their newsletters, there were two incidents involving kitsune yesterday, one at our Yokaitown branch and at a small park in another section of the city. You can find copies of the news reports and further incident details in the packets given to you at the door. Further investigation was held, and it was discovered that both kitsune had escaped from a smuggling operation, one we shut down. This is where the public information ended.¡±
A physical weight seemed to settle over everyone as Dawson looked about the room, ¡°I should not have to tell you, however, that our purview is keeping information out of the public eye.¡±
Another wave of the hand and the projection showed mugshots of a plain looking man, pictures of various tattoos on his body and a small, docked cargo ship taking up one corner. ¡°This is Iosef Delaz, small time Hungarian smuggler of mundane goods. He wasn¡¯t anyone of note until today. The tattoos shown here are attempts at defensive magic, shoddy though they may be. Between interrogation and investigation of his ship, we¡¯ve been able to determine he was part of a concerted effort to traffic the kitsune into the U.S..¡±
Another wave and now the images were various docks and ports around both New York and Yokaitown, along with multiple images of people. ¡°Our investigations revealed there are at least two other kitsune being brought into the U.S. along with other mythen, though exact details are scarce. Ergo, we will be forming teams to investigate each area of interest. When you hear your name called, please head to room 3-2B in order to receive more information.¡±
Dawson clapped and the projector turned off, lights returning to normal as he began calling out names, three or four people to each team. Ray had his hands clasped together in front of him as he sat, forcing his leg not to bounce as he waited to be called. This was it: this was probably going to be one of the biggest missions of his career, even if they just sent him to one of the ¡°safer¡± places to investigate. However, as more and more teams left, he found himself alone in the rows of chairs, now nervous as Dawson waved. ¡°Mr. Tomino, if you would come here a moment.¡±
Ray nodded and approached, standing before the podium. Dawson studied him a moment, seemingly looking through him before speaking, ¡°You take after your father, in more ways than one.¡±
Ray¡¯s anxiety was replaced with something much more bitter, but he nodded to his superior. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±
¡°I know your relationship is strained, but you should take it to heart. It¡¯s part of why I¡¯m giving you a special assignment.¡±
¡°Sir?¡±
¡°I am not technically supposed to be saying this, but we are temporarily understaffed with most of our top hunters on missions already. That is why you and several ¡°up-and-comers" are going to be given special permissions to be part of this mission.¡±
That got Ray¡¯s attention immediately. ¡°Sir, is this-¡±
Dawson raised a hand to stop his question. ¡°This is not a ¡°graduation¡± mission, at least not officially. I¡¯ve no doubt your success here will encourage the rest of the management to finally push through your paperwork, however.¡±
...This has just become the most important thing in Ray¡¯s life. Anxiety and bitterness were washed away in a flood of almost desperate excitement, and he tried to keep his face schooled while trying to play it cool. ¡°Is this mission really that important, sir?¡±
"Every mission is important, this just happens to be more so. It¡¯s why we¡¯ve chosen the team as we did.¡± Dawson waved a hand over the packet Ray had, and the first page became a dossier of an all-too-familiar face. ¡°I¡¯m sure recognize Mr. Boothe.¡±
¡°I do, sir.¡± It was amazing how Zanzibar could look so smug even on his official photos.
¡°In terms of success rates both working together and solo, you two are some of the best rookies we¡¯ve seen in years.¡±
¡°Zan?¡± Ray couldn¡¯t stop the incredulous word from leaving his mouth.
¡°I¡¯m well aware of the many, many,¡± Dawson took a deep breath through his nose, ¡°many complaints about Mr. Boothe, but despite this he has always been working towards the administration¡¯s goals.¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
¡°Sir, Zan- Mr. Boothe, while I can¡¯t say anything to his success rate, he isn¡¯t always the most... focused, of Hunters.¡±
¡°Which is why you¡¯ll have two chaperones.¡± Dawson nodded and Ray flipped through the packet to see two other people. ¡°Agent Adler Woodbanks, F.B.I., and Hunter Juzo Araki.¡±
¡°F.B.I.?¡±
¡°They insisted this smuggling is related to another matter. You four will be heading to the Yokaitown deep-docks to investigate. I feel I do not to reiterate given your methodology, but do not take any risks that aren¡¯t necessary.¡± Ray debated asking a question on his mind for a moment, and the instant he opened his mouth to do so Dawson raised a hand. ¡°You are as much Boothe¡¯s chaperone as Araki is yours.¡±
God damn it. ¡°Yes sir...¡±
¡°Now, if nothing else, report down to the garage. The others should already be waiting for you.¡±
¡°Yes sir.¡± Ray nodded and quickly moved out of the meeting room and towards the elevator. When he got down to the garage and past security he quickly moved through the rows of cars, vans, and enchanted vehicles to try and spot any familiar faces, finally coming out to a nondescript black van. The back doors were open and he could see Zanzibar all but pouting in the back while sitting on a bench, two men in front seats that he guessed were the chaperones. Ray approached the van and nodded Zanzibar as he stepped into the van.
¡°You Tomino?¡± The blonde man in the driver¡¯s seat glanced at Ray in the mirror.
¡°Yes sir.¡±
¡°You know the details of the job?¡±
¡°We¡¯re heading for the Yokaitown deep-docks, but that was it.¡± The Administration always preferred giving info out piecemeal to prevent leaks, so no doubt Mr. Araki would fill him in.
¡°Shut the doors and buckle up.¡± Ray reached over to close the backdoors of the van, buckling in as the F.B.I. agents started to drive, and just as he expected Mr. Araki began to speak.
¡°We¡¯re investigating the Old South Prince, a trader boat owned by a kappa by the name of Old South Sea. Supposedly he¡¯s seen some evidence of suspicious activity, though there¡¯s also been evidence he¡¯s performing some the trafficking himself. Cages, large amounts of raw meat, and more. While we are not expecting trouble, there is something in the storage to help you.¡± Araki nodded to the metal storage box behind the front seats and Ray opened it up to find a small wooden charm of a fox head, two smooth brown crystals for the eyes.
¡°Sir, is this-¡±
¡°Yes. As Mr. Boothe already has his registered artifact-¡± Zanzibar made a displeased noise, ¡°-this charm has been registered to you. It should allow you to cast magic easier.¡±
Ray was sure there was some further important, deeply impressive magical explanation attached to the charm, but right now he was just enjoying have an artifact of his own. He quickly tied the charm to the drawstring of his hoodie and he could already feel the extra power flowing through him... or maybe he was just giddy.
¡°Speaking of magic, your organization wasn¡¯t exactly forthcoming with details. What are we walking into here?¡± The agent spoke up, and Araki answered.
¡°The deep-docks are the underground ports of Yokaitown, and home to the largest population of aquatic mythen in the U.S., at least the largest non-migratory population.¡±
¡°Also the place most of the crime happens.¡± Zanzibar chimed in, and Ray and Araki shot him a look while the agent raised a brow.
¡°That so?¡±
¡°Yep. It¡¯s the place where all the smugglers hang out; if you need to find something, you¡¯ll find it there.¡± Ray wanted to argue but Zanzibar wasn¡¯t wrong, at least not entirely. Aquatic mythen had a distinct distrust of most land dwellers and a large part of that section of the city was underwater, so keeping an eye on the place was always difficult.
¡°Anything else I should know about?¡±
¡°Not really. Just don¡¯t flash your badge or nothing, stay out of the water, and let us handle it.¡± The agent snorted.
¡°If you could handle it, I wouldn¡¯t be down here.¡±
¡°What the hell¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±
¡°That¡¯s classified.¡± Zanzibar rolled his eyes. Another point to Zanzibar, that was a good question. Normally the H.A. handled everything ¡°in-house,¡± so the agent¡¯s presence was strange, to say the least. Still, it wasn¡¯t his place to question. The van trundled along until they reached the edge of Yokaitown and headed for one of the many ¡°freeway¡± tunnels, yellow lights flickering overhead. Ray knew it would take some time to reach the docks, so he reached for his charm-
¡°So, how¡¯s it feel to wear stolen valor?¡± Ray¡¯s head whipped around in confusion to look at Zanzibar. ¡°I still swear that should be my charm.¡±
¡°Boothe...¡± Araki glared at the younger man in the mirror. ¡°You already have your boots and jacket.¡±
¡°I¡¯m the one who did most of the work!¡±
One of Ray¡¯s brows shot up but he let the comment slide. He wanted so badly to point out he was the one who actually stayed at the scene to file paperwork and report to the H.A., but this was the biggest job of his life and he couldn¡¯t risk saying anything that made him seem unprofessional. Zanzibar didn¡¯t seem to have that issue though, continuing to gripe and argue with Araki until they finally reached the deep-docks and a wave of scents hit them: sea salt, damp moss, and a funk no one could ever really place. Unlike the ¡°sky¡± over Yokaitown the ceiling here was almost like a mix of blue sky and the dancing sunlight you¡¯d see when underwater, much prettier compared the ramshackle wood buildings that dominated most of the bay the freeway led down to.
¡°...We¡¯re not going to have to head underwater, are we?¡± Agent Woodbanks nodded to the section of the docks that kept descending deeper and deeper into the water and Araki shook his head.
¡°Take the right at the next exit and follow it, that¡¯ll bring us to the docks we need.¡±
It was thankfully only a short ride to the docks, the van parked out of the way as the four filed out, Zanzibar stretching out as Ray looked about. Aquatic mythen milled about, largely kappa in sailor¡¯s clothes, and the four found themselves moving towards the harbormaster¡¯s office. One of the few stone buildings not dedicated to storage at the dock it was easy to spot with the massive wooden kraken on top of it, but as they got closer Araki turned around to Zanzibar and Ray. ¡°You two stay outside while we speak with the harbormaster.¡±
¡°Oh cool, guard duty.¡± Zanzibar huffed but turned to watch the dock, Ray doing the same. It was only about a minute into their watch when Zanzibar spoke up. ¡°So, feel like lending me that charm?¡±
¡°No.¡± Was the immediately reply.
¡°Oh come on, I earned it.¡± Ray took a breath and turned to look at Zanzibar.
¡°Did you?¡± Evidently his tone was harsher than intended as the other boy reeled back.
¡°I mean, yeah-¡±
¡°I helped in that fight while you were trying to reload, and I vouched for you despite stealing from that chef, and I was the one to handle all the paperwork after you ran off, like I usually am.¡± Ray realized how heated he was getting and took a breath. ¡°I think...¡±
Ray paused, leaning to peer past Zanzibar, who took the pause to shake out of his stupor and poke Ray¡¯s chest. ¡°What, you think you¡¯re better than me? You think just because you got hired on because your-¡±
¡°I think those kappa have shell carvings.¡± Zanzibar paused his rant and turned to follow Ray¡¯s gaze. A number of kappa were milling near a rusted old boat covered in kelp, some with iron caps on their heads but it was one that wore a purple robe and had Chinese symbols carved into the scutes. ¡°Gang members?¡±
¡°...No, no if that were the case, more would have them. Let¡¯s see... ¡°North-¡±¡± That was the only word the two needed to look at each other and move. Ray moved for the door while Zanzibar... moved towards the kappa. Ray quickly grabbed his jacket sleeve.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
¡°Our job. You get the others, I¡¯m gonna have a little chat.¡± Zanzibar pulled his sleeve away and started walking towards the kappas. Ray looked between his partner and the door before pulling out a shikigami.
¡°Go warn the others.¡± Ray threw the paper doll to the door, and it slid under the door smoothly as he rushed to follow Zanzibar.
Zanzibar¡¯s talks tended to not stay as talks for long...
Kappas Waves: Part 2
Captain Maddock considered himself a patient creature; when half the mythen you deal with on the daily practically needed alcohol to function properly, you learn to put up with a few quirks and have a wellspring of patience. On a day like today when everything seems to be going wrong, however, that patience was running thin.
¡°As I told you, sirs, I cannot just hand out information on everyone who comes into the docks willy-nilly.¡±
¡°This is a federal investigation, so I disagree.¡± The F.B.I. agent raised a brow and Maddock raised a dark hand to his forehead, trying to abate a growing headache as he looked to the hunter.
¡°All complaints and warrants are usually filed through H.A., what is this?¡±
¡°It is as Agent Woodbanks said: our jurisdiction has been...¡±
¡°Superseded.¡± Woodbanks offered.
¡°By the government for this, and the Administration has declined to resist.¡±
¡°And I am declining to hand over the personal information of Gods knows how many clients. This isn¡¯t some random shop: the mythen here trust me to run one of the biggest sections of Yokaitown, and I trust and respect them in turn. These aren¡¯t some drunken... hoodlums...?¡± Maddock trailed off and leaned to the side to look past the two humans and out the window of the office. Surely, that blur he saw wasn¡¯t-
A tall kappa stumbled past the window, looking gobsmacked before a human suddenly launched into them, tackling them out of sight. Another human in a red hood came into view, running with two kappa chasing after them, disappearing out of view for just a moment before the kappa came running back, chased by a swarm of paper dolls. The two humans followed Maddock out the front door and they saw a scene of chaos; several kappa were wrapped up in shikigami, one of the yokai was being spun rapidly by the dolls on its back, and one of the human boys had another kappa in a headlock. Whatever patience Maddock had evaporated and he took a deep breath, and the water of the port lurched-
Ray heard a yelp behind him and turned just in time to see a wave come crashing over the street, slamming into both humans and kappa gathered there, sending them all sprawling to the floor. The wind was knocked out of him for a moment and he shakily stood up, only to see a tall, dark figure looming over the group. ¡°WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?¡±
¡°...They started it!¡± Zanzibar pointed to the kappa, the leader of whom looked at him in shock.
¡°What!? We didn¡¯t do anything, you-¡±
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A sound like the crashing of the ocean silenced all of them, and the umibozu pointed at Ray. ¡°You. Explain. And tell me the truth.¡±
¡°We spotted the captain we were looking for and instead of waiting to go get our chaperones, Mr. Boothe went to question him about our mission.¡±
¡°And how, perchance, did that turn into an all-out brawl on my docks?¡±
¡°...The conversation turned heated and there was some shoving involved-¡± The man raised his hand and Ray silenced himself. The man shut his eyes and took a few deep breaths, slowly shrinking in size until he was down to the height of a regular human being. With one last breath the man opened his eyes.
¡°Who started it?¡±
¡°Mr. Boothe pointed at one of the kappa and they slapped his hand away, which turned into him slapping their hand back, and it devolved from there.¡± The man studied Ray for a long moment before huffing through his nose.
¡°Right: all the humans off my dock, you-¡± He pointed to the kappa, ¡°-are confined to your ship until further notice.¡±
¡°But, but-¡± The kappa shot back at the stern look leveled at him. ¡°Yessir.¡±
Agent Woodbanks looked like he wanted to argue but Araki held out a hand in front of him, quickly shaking his head. The four retreated to the van, and the moment they were all inside the agent whipped around to look at the two young Hunters. ¡°Do you two have any idea how badly you screwed up? You-¡±
¡°Sir, I put two of my shikigami on them.¡± Normally Ray would never interrupt someone who was technically a superior, but he had to do damage control now. ¡°In the fight, I sent off two of my shikigami to hide so we can track them and listen in.¡±
Agent Woodbanks didn¡¯t seem particularly happy, but at least he seemed mollified as he processed the words. Araki reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil, wordlessly handing it to Ray and he immediately understood; Ray pulled another pair of paper dolls out, and he could feel the rush of energy that normally came with his magic turn into a torrent as he ordered the two shikigami. ¡°Share your sight, share your voices.¡±
The dolls floated into the air, one wrapping its arms around the pencil while the other folded itself into an origami mouth, opening and closing with a scratchy voice. ¡°Boss, are you sure we¡¯ll be alright?¡±
The shikigami with the pencil quickly sketched out an image of a cargo hold stuffed with odds and ends, one kappa facing a group with a hand raised. ¡°Of course... once we get out of here.¡±
The voices became distorted before one voice rang out, ¡°Quit your blubbering! That umi-bozo was already suspicious of us, we can¡¯t stay here much longer. We already had those humans pay us for bringing their beasts abroad, we just need to head to sea until Maddock calms down.¡±
¡°But captain, what do we do with the fox then?¡±
¡°Eh, dump it overboard, I-¡±
¡°Shit, they still have a kitsune?¡± Zanzibar reached for the doors of the van.
¡°We can¡¯t-¡±
¡°Listen fed-boy, we can either sit around and wait for them to bail, or we go in now and deal with the paperwork later.¡± Ray felt one of his eyes twitch at Zanzibar¡¯s words, realizing the other boy really did learn nothing from Ray doing his work. He waited for Mr. Araki to say something, but wasn¡¯t expecting the Hunter to nod.
¡°The Administration can handle the paperwork, we need to move now.¡±
Only Agent Woodbanks seemed hesitant but after a second he drove the van forward, and Ray mentally sighed.
At least he was putting his talisman to good use today.
Kappas Waves: Part 3
Old South Sea took a deep breath as he looked over the railing of the Old South Prince. It¡¯d be the last good scent of the port he¡¯d get now that he and his crew were shipping out. North Sea was off securing the cargo below while his crew move about the ship, doing what needed doing. The old kappa would almost miss this place, but they¡¯d overstayed their welcome. All they had to do was shove the kitsune off and they could sail away with no worries.
¡°Captain?¡± Old South Sea turned to sea North Sea standing there.
¡°Aye?¡±
¡°The crew and I had a thought.¡±
¡°From you that¡¯s expected, but the others? Maybe the gods are granting us a miracle.¡± North Sea let out a low chuckle.
¡°Perhaps. We talked about it, I think it best we wait until we¡¯re out at sea to, uh... ¡°drop off the present.¡±¡±
¡°Aye, would probably be for the best. Maybe we get stranded and it becomes our next meal.¡±
¡°Or makes a meal out of us. Little River almost lost an arm to it.¡± Old South Sea shook his head; it¡¯d be good to wash their hands of this whole thing. Slowly the crew meandered into the bridge, and with a nod the crew manned their stations as the ship¡¯s anchor rose rapidly into the ship¡¯s side. Old South Sea could see Maddock rush out of his office and the kappa grinned and dragged one of his eyelids down, sticking his tongue out at Maddock through the window as the ship began to turn. Maddock started to shift into his true form but Old South Sea had a plan for that, a little gift from his employers; a flick of a lever and suddenly the ship was rocketing forward out of Maddock¡¯s reach. The waters churned mightily but his crew was accustomed to worse than this and in moments they were sailing freely through the tunnels of the deep-docks, navigating their way through the tall tunnels until they reached the barrier to the sea, slipping right through it and into the deep waters.
He could see it in his crew, the way the all seemed to shudder in relief, and he couldn¡¯t deny having water that wasn¡¯t soiled by Yokaitown funk felt grand on his hide. A shame the hold was waterproof, they could just drown the damn beast below but so it goes. It would be another few hours before they were safe enough to float up to the surface, basking under the starless night.
¡°Ah, drink it in lads. Only a bit more to go and we can set sail to whatever port we wish. We could head home and pay off our debts.¡± The crew booed. ¡°Or we can make some new ones wherever we land!¡±
The crew cheered and Old South Sea laughed, White Lake chortling as he spoke up, ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll win enough to fix that hole!¡±
Old South Sea froze, looking right at White Lake. The other crew caught on quick and quieted down, White Lake still chortling for a moment before he was elbowed in the arm, ¡°Ow, whazzat for?¡±
¡°White Lake.¡± Old South Sea gripped the wheel of the ship.
¡°Yes Cap¡¯n?¡±
¡°What hole?¡± White Lake blinked and scratched under the bowl of his head.
¡°That vent what¡¯s been popped off.¡± Old South Sea pressed a hand to his face before looking to North Sea, his second in command already raising a hand.
¡°I¡¯ll take care of it. C¡¯mon, White Lake.¡± White Lake blinked in confusion but got out of his seat to follow North Sea. The captain shook his head, focusing on the sea instead. Oh, if White Lake wasn¡¯t a friend, he¡¯d be gone already. It was a few minutes longer when there was a crackle on the radio, North Sea¡¯s voice coming through, ¡°Captain, we got a problem; think we got a stowaway.¡±
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Old South Sea quickly picked up the mouthpiece of the radio, ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡±
¡°Unless someone¡¯s decided to start wearing boots, we got a-¡±
There was a burst of static and North Sea¡¯s voice suddenly cut off...
Ray watched the two kappa raise their hands up as Zanzibar leveled his shotgun at them, the intercom they were using a crater thanks to said gun. He had a feeling Zanzibar was still rather angry about losing his boot and having his sock soaked through as they sneaked onto the ship. The kappa were ushered into a cargo container, a pair of shikigami wrapping around their wrists and ankles like cuffs as the door was locked. Araki huffed, ¡°I believe our chance for stealth has just disappeared.¡±
¡°Maybe, maybe not.¡± Agent Woodbanks pointed at Ray and Araki. ¡°You two find the package. Boothe? With me.¡± The group split, going towards opposite ends of the cargo hold. Ray kept his eyes peeled as they moved through unmarked boxes and pallets, a hand on his knife and dolls before they found a cage... completely busted open, the bars bent outwards. The two Hunters looked at each and took a single step back to retreat before something echoed through the boat, and Ray felt his whole soul shake. The sound itself was low, but Ray¡¯s vision was blurry from how it shook him, accompanied by a clicking that hit him like a series of punches until something landed on his shoulder and the world became clear.
He quickly turned to see Araki holding his shoulder, a faint green light pouring off him. ¡°Calm thyself.¡±
Ray nodded and realized he hadn¡¯t been breathing, coughing once before he took deep breaths, ¡°What, ugh, what is this?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not sure, but we are not remaining here to find out. Come on.¡± Araki started dragging Ray away, back towards the vent they got through, and saw Zanzibar looking annoyed while Agent Woodbanks looked ill. Araki didn¡¯t ask anything, instead making several hand gestures before a faint light washed over them all, Zanzibar and Woodbanks relaxing. ¡°The kitsune is already gone, we need to get to the bridge. I¡¯d rather fight a crew of kappa then-¡±
There was a loud, metallic clang and the cargo hold doors buckled inward, only a small bump it was enough for the four to look at each other before rushing out the vent they came in. The closer they got to the surface the louder the sounds of shouts became, and once they were above deck the four of them quietly shuffled towards the side of the bridge, Ray sending out a shikigami to scout ahead. What he saw was the kappa crew, some armed with harpoons, trying to corner a black-furred kitsune on the deck of the ship. ¡°I see... six- no, eight kappa and the kitsune. It¡¯s fighting the crew off but-¡±
Ray saw the kitsune plants its feet and its whole body seemed to swell before that deep noise hit again, disorienting the crew. ¡°The kappa are-¡±
Something jostled Ray out of the shikigami¡¯s vision, and he saw Zanzibar rush past the group as Araki and Woodbanks failed to make a grab for him. Both adults swore and Woodbanks rushed out to follow Zanzibar, Araki trying to stop the agent before quickly turning to Ray, ¡°Stay here, prepare your shikigami to rescue us if we fall in the water.¡±
Ray simply nodded and Araki rushed off to join the others. Ray focused and shikigami flew from his pocket, one landing on his back and flattening itself. He peered around the corner and watched the trio surprised the kappa, shouting at them to get on the ground or drop their weapons. Some of the kappa turned but others were torn on whether the sudden humans or the kitsune were the bigger threat. Ray watched carefully, ready to react if things got worse, when he noticed something: the kitsune¡¯s head shot up, ears perked forward. It was staring past the crowd and at first Ray thought it was staring at him, but he felt a creeping dread run up his back and he turned to stare at the water.
In the distance was a patch of fog that was steadily approaching the ship, faint glowing lights hovering above the fog. The instinct to follow orders broke immediately as Ray raised a hand and shouted and order, ¡°Rise!¡±
The arms of the dolls grew into wide white wings that rapidly flapped, dragging the four into the air. The shikigami brought them all close together in the sky high above the boat and Ray could see Araki trying to say something but it was lost over the sounds of the shikigami flapping and the wind, so Ray simply pointed to the incoming fog cloud. The water clearly trembled before a massive, skeletal whale breached out of the water, slamming itself down onto the ship. The group stared in horror as the ship all but vanished under the water before bobbing back to the surface, albeit upside down.
They were going to be in so much trouble for this.
To Prepare
¡°...Well we ain¡¯t dead, that¡¯s a plus.¡±
¡°...¡±
¡°Which, if you think about it, is kind of amazing.¡±
¡°..."
¡°I mean that whale thing took out the whole-¡±
¡°Zan?¡± Ray interrupted Zanzibar as the two of them sat outside Dawson¡¯s office like unruly students.
¡°Yeah?¡±
¡°...As much as I appreciate you trying, I¡¯d rather just be with my thoughts right now.¡± Ray was originally going to snap at him, but he could recognize Zanzibar was at least trying to comfort him. Araki finally exited the office and Dawson stepped out, raising a hand when Ray opened his mouth.
¡°Neither of you are in trouble, but both of you need to get in here and tell me everything that went down.¡± Dawson gestured the two inside and even without the runes for a lie detection spell carved into the seats in front of Dawson¡¯s desk, Ray would¡¯ve spilled the beans down to every last detail. Dawson¡¯s face didn¡¯t change much throughout them recounting what happened on the boat, but at the mention of the bake-kujira he leaned forward. ¡°And you¡¯re certain of what you saw?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t ask me, ask him.¡± Zanzibar gestured with a thumb to Ray. ¡°All I saw was a fog cloud and then something landed on the ship.¡±
¡°I¡¯m certain, sir.¡± Ray leaned forward. ¡°It¡¯s the only thing it could have been. I... I think the kitsune summoned it.¡±
¡°Explain.¡± Dawson looked straight at Ray.
¡°It¡¯s the only explanation I can think of. I know it sounds crazy but it seems like the kitsune was able to make some sort of whale call, that deep thrum we felt. As well, I saw it raise its head and look straight towards the back of the boat as the bake-kujira approached.¡±
¡°Could¡¯ve just seen you.¡± Zanzibar pointed out, but Ray shook his head.
¡°It was looking past me, I¡¯m sure.¡±
Dawson sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. ¡°I was afraid of that.¡±
¡°Oh God, what is it now?¡± Zanzibar dragged a hand down his face.
¡°Congratulations: you¡¯ve both just received promotions. Unfortunately, this is not the end of your time with this case.¡± Dawson opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of papers. ¡°While there¡¯s no official word out yet, there was a running theory that someone¡¯s been altering the kitsune you¡¯ve encountered-¡±
¡°No shit.¡± Ray shot Zanzibar a look.
¡°-And thanks to the cooperation of the kappa smugglers you captured, now we know for certain. Apparently, some ¡°secret society-¡± The words from Dawson were dripping with disdain, ¡°-was paying them handsomely in magical protection and goods to transport the kitsune to another smuggler."
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Dawson gestured to the papers and Ray took the stack, holding it so Zanzibar could also see as he leafed through. Fact sheets of older men and a few very elderly looking fellows with facts on them, followed by images of the men and others standing around various animals after what must¡¯ve been a successful hunt. Dawson continued, ¡°The Order of the Red Elk. Apparently an old and storied collection of hunters ¨C mundane hunters ¨C that had actually been a thorn in our British counterpart¡¯s side several decades ago. It was believed they had gone the way of a typical country club until today.¡±
¡°Okay... and why¡¯re you telling us this? Sounds like you know exactly who to go after.¡±
¡°Make no mistake: we are. However, being such a large operation when already short-staffed, we cannot cover every step... at least, not with the number of high-ranked Hunters we have on hand right now. So, congratulations on your promotions.¡±
There was a stunned silence from the two as Dawson reached into his desk again to pull out a small white whale charm and some sort of thick white blade, setting them on his desk.
¡°...Well shit.¡± Zanzibar reached out, grabbing the blade. ¡°A machete?¡±
¡°Both of these are made of bone fragments from the bake-kujira, rewards in addition to your promotions. You will need them where you¡¯re going.¡±
¡°Where is that, exactly?¡± Dawson waved his hand the stacks of paper in Ray¡¯s hand flipped to an image from above a sprinter van, two mugshots next to the picture.
¡°Andreas Rosetti and Michael Carrette. Another pair of low-rank smugglers, not unknown to the Administration. Their faces match the description the kappa crew was told to look out for. We had a feeling they¡¯d be involved in this regardless, and tracked them down to an island den they use near Niagra Falls.¡±
¡°Niagra Falls? Isn¡¯t that a kelpie sanctuary?¡± Ray pointed out.
¡°Indeed. It¡¯s unclear how they managed to avoid or repel the kelpie, but I feel as though you¡¯ll discover as such in the course of your investigation.¡±
¡°An investigation that comes with loads of hazard pay, right?¡± Zanzibar tapped the machete. ¡°Because I noticed how you talked about how you needed to bump us up the next rank to fill out some manpower for this, and it feels like-¡±
¡°You two will be going in alone, yes.¡±
¡°There it is.¡±
¡°I understand your concerns, but if I had another option, I would take it. Even if the promotion is fresh, I have faith in both your skills... and your discretion.¡± Ray looked to Zanzibar. ¡°Strictly speaking, this mission hasn¡¯t been approved yet.¡±
¡°Wait-wait-wait, hold on-¡± Zanzibar tried to interrupt, but Dawson continued.
¡°The Canadian government has been slow to grant us permission to enter the area. It¡¯s been decided that this is of too great an importance to simply sit idly by and wait. Ergo, we are sending you two to intervene. You will have extra equipment and backing, of course, but you must not be observed.¡±
¡°Nuh-uh, no way, I¡¯ve seen the movies: we screw up, magically you have no idea who we were, and we sit in a Canadian prison for life.¡± Zanzibar stood and jabbed a finger towards Dawson, and Ray swatted the hand down.
¡°Zan!¡±
¡°No, no, Mr. Boothe is right to be concerned.¡± Dawson waved a hand. ¡°As said, I know how big an ask this, and we also knew he might need greater incentive.¡±
¡°No amount of-¡±
¡°38,000.¡± Dawson interrupted Zanzibar, causing him to pause. ¡°$38,000 as an addition to the hazard pay you shall be receiving, along with your promotion, Absolution, and a cancellation of your fees.¡±
¡°...Alright I¡¯m in.¡± Zanzibar sat back down, though he still didn¡¯t look pleased with the situation. That was... a lot, for one mission, but that likely reflected the risk and desperation of it. Absolution of his record would be huge for Zanzibar, and as money obsessed as he was the other benefits must¡¯ve been too good to pass up.
¡°Excellent. Be prepared, gentlemen. It¡¯s going to be a long walk to your destination.¡±
¡°...Walk?¡± For once Ray and Zanzibar were in sync as Dawson chuckled quietly.
¡°Of course, an engine would be too loud.¡±
...They did say the path to success was a long and arduous one. Time for them to put that to the test, it seems....
Horses and Ogres and Fish, Oh My
¡°...Man, you are out of shape.¡±
Ray shot Zanzibar a look as they paused again in their hike, leaning against the tree. ¡°I am not.¡±
¡°You stop us every hour so you can take a breather. I think you got way too used to taking the bus everywhere.¡±
¡°Just because I am not used to hiking, doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m unfit.¡±
¡°Hey man, all I¡¯m saying is you can hit the gym a bit more often.¡± Ray rolled his eyes and shoved off the tree.
¡°I have perfectly fine exercise equipment at home and am fit enough for the job, Zan.¡±
"Oh Mr. Fancypants here, with his home gym. Got a home theater too?¡±
¡°It is not- why am I arguing with you this is a stealth mission.¡± Ray huffed, starting to walk again. It was a small mercy his teammate didn¡¯t keep speaking; Ray¡¯s patience during this quest was running thin. The walk was long, not helped by the humidity nor the heavy packs of supplies, or the fact they were walking into one of the most dangerous missions they¡¯ve ever been on. Danger wasn¡¯t unusual to Hunters, but rarely was it a human threat. Trolls squatting under extremely active bridges, fairies pinching plants from home improvement stores, even the kitsune were the sorts of danger they faced.
Most of them didn¡¯t use guns.
The weight of the bulletproof best under Ray¡¯s camouflaged hoodie was suddenly very heavy, and not just because he was starting to sweat. Ray went to wipe some of the moisture off... then paused. Looking himself over he saw water beading all across his waterproof clothing and looking to Zanzibar revealed he was also drenched. The wheels began turning in Ray¡¯s mind, instinct flaring up.
¡°...Hold on.¡± Zanzibar looked at him with a huff.
¡°I swear to God if-¡± Ray shushed him and raised a hand that had the whale charm hanging from his wrist, watching it spin and turn... before it suddenly stopped, pointing in one direction. Quickly he pulled a shikigami and sent it to hover in front of Zanzibar, and Ray made a shooting gesture. Zanzibar caught on quick and took aim at the shikigami, the doll barely getting out of the way by the time he pulled the trigger. Even with the hefty suppressor on the barrel the blast was still loud, but not so much so they didn¡¯t hear a gurgling whinny and a loud thud. Ray drew his knife and the two moved in cautiously to see a dead kelpie, green light pouring from a massive wound in its neck.
¡°I see that-¡± Ray didn¡¯t get to finish his sentence as Zanzibar suddenly drew his machete and stabbed it into the kelpie, and it rapidly turned to dissolving green light before all was left was green-blue disk of crystal. Zanzibar grabbed the crystal and shoved it into his pack.
¡°Sorry, what were you saying?¡±
¡°...I see that the enchanted rounds are still doing the work. More importantly, I think we¡¯re on the right track.¡±
¡°Was the big water horse your first clue?¡±
¡°And my second. Either they¡¯ve somehow trained the kelpie as guard dogs, or found a way to drive them out.¡± Zanzibar hummed and pumped his shotgun, collecting the spent shell off the ground.
¡°Knowing our luck? The second one, and something big to boot.¡±
Caution became the name of the game from then on out: Ray created a screen of fog around them to hide their presence, senses extend through his shikigami with Zanzibar scanning ahead with his shotgun. No more kelpies, thankfully, but they soon came to another problem: a lake. At the very least it was the lake they needed, as discovered by their scouting; camouflaged cargo containers, a makeshift hut, and several unmarked boxes and packages.
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¡°Well that¡¯s either our target, or some poor camper is about to have a hell of a wake-up call.¡± Zanzibar double-checked his equipment. ¡°You sensing anything else?¡±
¡°Nothing, at least not that the charms or dolls detect.¡± Ray peered about the lake. ¡°It looks clear, but the question is how we get across.¡±
¡°Just fly us over like you did last time.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t, they might see us coming.¡±
¡°Then make a bridge out of them.¡±
¡°We don¡¯t know if the water is truly empty.¡±
¡°Oh for- then we fucking swim, how about that? Or we sit here with our thumbs up our asses.¡± Ray made face but Zanzibar had a point: there was no good way to approach the island, so they have to just pick the form of their destroyer-
¡°If I-¡± The two immediately whipped around, weapons in hand to see... a fish. It was as tall as they were, dressed in plan black robes, and it quickly raised a pair of finned hands into the air. ¡°...Hello. I mean no harm, I am simply an-¡±
¡°Iwana bozu.¡± Ray finished, and the fish nodded.
¡°I see you are familiar with my kind, though the fact you have not attacked me tells me you do not share a goal with the intruders.¡±
Ray looked to Zanzibar before putting his knife away, Zanzibar lowering his gun slightly as Ray continued, ¡°Who are you?¡±
¡°You may call me ¡°Iwai,¡± and I am... or, was, at least, the guardian of this place. ¡± The iwana bozu sighed. ¡°Before the poachers came.¡±
¡°You lived here, in a kelpie sanctuary?¡± The suspicion was plain in Zanzibar¡¯s voice, but Iwai nodded.
¡°We are of kin, in a sense, but I can explain much better if you follow me.¡±
Zanzibar¡¯s skepticism was clear, but when Ray began to follow Iwai, he did the same. Iwai led them to a small, abandoned beaver dam converted into a lean-to, sitting on a log. ¡°Please, sit. I know you two must be tired, to say nothing of the questions you have.¡±
Ray sat but Zanzibar remained standing, Ray bowing slightly. ¡°Thank you, Iwai.¡±
¡°If you truly wish to thank me, then remove the poachers from these lands. The way you two talked, you are... Hunters, is that the word?¡± Ray nodded, and Iwai sagged in relief. ¡°Rarely do I meet your kind here. Truly a blessing.¡±
¡°Just start from the beginning, Iwai.¡±
Iwai nodded and sat up straighter. ¡°I came here many years ago from-¡±
¡°Skip to the poachers.¡± Zanzibar interrupted as he turned his head, keeping watch. Ray elbowed one of Zanzibar¡¯s legs for the rudeness, but Iwai bowed their head.
¡°Apologies. Bandits and poachers aren¡¯t new, but the ones on the island came here... four months ago? Perhaps six. Them and that awful ogre...¡±
¡°Ogre?¡± Ray leaned in as Zanzibar let out a sarcastic laugh.
¡°Oh good, we found the thing to bring man and mythen together: crime.¡±
¡°Unfortunate, but true.¡± Iwai nodded to Zanzibar before focusing on Ray, ¡°Yes, or I believe it was. It was tall, grey skin like stone and stood like a man with two short horns on its head. The kelpie tried to get rid of them at first but... between their guns and that ogre¡¯s strength.¡±
Iwai shook his head, looking to the ground as Ray let the information steep. Stony skin? Ogres didn¡¯t typically have stony skin, not many mythen did, and those that were more in-tune with rock and stone avoided water, so what could that ¡°ogre¡± possibly be? A potion or spell wasn¡¯t impossible but they needed more info. ¡°Anything else you can tell us, Iwai? Even the smallest detail might help.¡±
¡°There is not much else I can provide. The ogre spends most of its days submerged in the water, sleeping I presume, or feeding on the local creatures when it¡¯s not ferrying the humans across.¡±
...What the fu- underwater? Ray¡¯s confusion skyrocketed; there was nothing stony that would actively live underwater. Were they dealing with something mutated like the kitsune? That must be it. Ray started scrolling through his mental list of aquatic creatures before Zanzibar cut in.
¡°You sure it ain¡¯t a troll?¡± Ray¡¯s mind screeched to a halt at the suggestion. ¡°I mean they turn to stone in the sunlight, maybe that¡¯s how it¡¯s living down there.¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s still active during the day.¡± Iwai shook his head but Ray¡¯s brain was rapidly making connections. This area isn¡¯t known for trolls, but trolls weren¡¯t always stationary and it was Niagra Falls: plenty of bridges, caves, and overhangs where a troll could reasonably make its den. Close to water for fresh fish, other animals as a food source, but stone skin- no, wait, there were cases like that. The trolls would slowly expose themselves to sunlight to build up a resistance, or even an armor of stony, calloused skin.
¡°Zan? I have a plan, and you¡¯re going to need the best bullets you packed.¡±
Plan A
Iwai clutched his walking stick tight as he marched up to the edge of the lake. His eyes scanned the water before he saw a rock jutting awkwardly amongst the water¡¯s surface. He took a steadying breath then called out, ¡°Troll! I would have parlay with you!¡±
There was no reaction for a moment before the rock and water shuttered, the stone slowly turning towards Iwai and then drifting closer. Iwai took a few steps back; if he could sweat, he probably would be right now. The stone got halfway to where Iwai was before it started to rise, revealing a tall, wide figure that almost appeared made of grey rock, thin strands of hair peeking from between thick callouses across its body. A pair of small, beady eyes peered from under a thick forehead covered in ¡°horns,¡± and a rumbling chuckle left the troll.
¡°Fish food delivers itself now.¡±
¡°I have come to beseech you to remove yourself from this body of water.¡±
¡°¡±Beseech?¡±¡±
¡°It means to ask, to request, to-¡± The troll chuckled.
¡°And why would I leave, little fish?¡± Iwai reached into his sleeve and pulled out an envelope, holding it out towards the much larger mythen.
¡°An official order per the demands of the courts.¡± The giant blinked blankly but reached out, taking the envelope... and tossing it into the water.
¡°I don¡¯t give a- HURK!¡±
¡°NOW!¡±
Zanzibar fired round after round into the troll from the underbrush as countless shikigami unfolded from the letter, forming together like an octopus and wrapping flat tentacles around the troll. Joints, neck, mouth, eyes, everywhere they could reach to do something to slow or cripple the troll¡¯s movements so Zanzibar could keep firing. Hunks of stony armor were blown away with each shot, even the water churning at the troll¡¯s feet to make sure it couldn¡¯t effectively fight back. Not to say it didn¡¯t put up a fight: it thrashed and bellowed through its bindings, ground shaking with its movements. When a thin crack of green light finally appeared on the troll¡¯s chest it was Ray¡¯s turn to suddenly appear from the brush, shikigami on his back to fly him through the air and Zanzibar¡¯s machete in hand. Like a bullet he was launched and slammed into the Troll¡¯s chest, sending it toppling backwards into the water.
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There was a brief surge of pride in Ray as the troll laid still... but when it didn¡¯t dissipate, panic set in. Though already plunged to its hilt Ray tried to force the weapon deeper, and then wondered why he was staring up at the sky for the brief moment he was conscious.
Ray¡¯s eyes slowly cracked open, and when he saw wooden branches he tried to sit up. He must¡¯ve, must¡¯ve landed-
Pain.
Ray wheezed and lowered himself back down, the familiar face of Iwai appearing above him and gently placing his hands on Ray¡¯s chest, the pain slowly disappearing, ¡°Rest, young man. You have done more than enough.¡±
¡°Did we win?¡± Ray¡¯s jaw felt wrong somehow. Iwai was silent for a long moment before shaking his head.
"I am sorry, but... no. How much do you remember?¡±
¡°The distraction went off... Zanzibar shot the troll, I... attacked?¡± The memories were there, but it felt like they were playing out faster than they should. Iwai sighed heavily.
¡°That is accurate, at least. The troll, it injured you. Badly.¡± Ray angled his head to see his right arm completely wrapped in bandages and sticks like a splint. ¡°I was able to heal you with local herbs and my own magic, but it¡¯s not complete. Thankfully the troll retreated, so we had the chance to retreat.¡±
There were a million questions in Ray¡¯s head but he tried to assign importance to them. Iwai was here, Ray was here, but...
¡°Where¡¯s Zan?¡±
¡°Ah, yes.¡± Iwai moved away to gather something, and Ray saw the sun setting. Concerning but Iwai handed him a walkie-talkie. ¡°He told me to hand you this as soon as you awoke.¡±
Ray reached out and took the device, checking it over before holding it close, ¡°Hello?¡±
There was a pause before a crackle and Zanzibar¡¯s voice came through, ¡°Jesus Christ you nearly made me piss myself. Guessing you¡¯re not dead?¡±
¡°No. Where are you?¡±
¡°Back at the lake, looking over our handiwork. You want the good news or bad news first?¡±
Ray sighed heavily. He seemed to already be down an arm for this operation and incredibly off schedule, might as well get it over with. ¡°Bad news first.¡±
¡°Troll ain¡¯t dead: I can see him floating out there in the lake. Thing is, he hasn¡¯t moved since he fell over after he ran off.¡±
¡°He hasn¡¯t moved? For how long?¡±
¡°Hours. Think he¡¯s in a coma?¡±
¡°It¡¯s... possible. The machete hit deep, perhaps it did more damage than we thought.¡± Or this was some bizarre trap.
¡°Good news is: smugglers still ain¡¯t around. Either they ran off once they heard the fighting, or they¡¯ve been out on a job.¡±
¡°We still have time then. I¡¯ll come to you, give me your location.¡±
¡°...Uh, last time I saw you, your arm was going in a direction they don¡¯t go for humans. I can¡¯t exactly fight and carry you, blondie.¡±
¡°I am fine.¡± Ray huffed. He wasn¡¯t, as shown by the fact just forcing himself to sit up made him need a break, but they can¡¯t screw up this mission. ¡°Just... give me your location.¡±
There was nothing but silence for a long moment... then the crack of Zanzibar¡¯s shotgun echoed throughout the woods...