"I am telling you, I am fine. So you can stop worrying about me!" Ruu declared as he, Bell, Maze, and Toko walked out of the hospital together. "Even my parents are letting me walk home on my own you know?"
"Wait, they are?"
"...Bell, I know you want to see them, but this hurts my feelings a bit?"
"You just complained about me worrying about you! Make up your mind!"
Bell and Ruu had that sort of discussion as they were heading down the street and towards the subway. Bell had decided to walk Ruu home, and was quite insistent on this matter. He perhaps also had the ulterior motive of finally meeting Ruu's elusive parents, but that was all besides the point.
Ruu had been quite insistant however that Bell not come around, and that he could manage on his own. But Bell had denied all of that.
"Ruu, if we were in the opposite situation, you would be doing the same damn thing. Actually, you usually are way more receptive of help yourself, so this is quite unlike you".
The boy seemed to avoid that comment, so Bell grabbed his cheeks and began pulling.
"Wuah! Why?!"
"I have known you for two years, since we were nine. Don't think you can hide things so easily from me...especially when I am working up the courage myself..."
That last part was more of a mutter, but Ruu seemed to hear it all the same.
"...sorry. That was unfair of me. Listen Bell, you dont need to. Just know, no matter what, no matter what you become, you are still my friend Bell".
"Thanks Ruu...I guess we both need to grow up a bit".
"Well, its not like you two have to do it right away" Maze said, drawing a look from Toko.
"I dont think anyone wants to hear that from you Maze".
"What do you mean by that?!"
"You are probably the most immature of us all".
"How?! I give sage like advice and provide cool headed support".
"Why is it when we are eating dinner, you always seem to get full before you eat your veggies then?"
Maze averted his gaze, a sheepish grin on his face. "I mean, I save them specifically for you, who likes to eat them".
"That is just an excuse and you know it!"
"Huh. Even Bell eats his veggies".
Bell turned away a bit red. "Well, I promised her I would grow up properly. Not that I have had much success in that matter".
Toko also averted his gaze at that comment, while Maze just looked annoyed. Ruu meanwhile seemed to not want to acknowledge what Bell said in its entirely.
As a Timekeeper, Toko was well aware of why he wouldn't, or couldn't, grow. As for Bell, a dormant Bloodline could explain it, but if he got his powers from a ritual site, Toko figured perhaps the shock of losing his mother when he was young might have somehow had an impact, the mental affecting the physical, as well as just stress on his body. And Maze was likely related to whatever happened in his past. As for Ruu...
Well, Ruu is probably a normal human. And yet...
Toko took a look at his Pocketwatch. When he opened it and hit a button, time seemed to slow down around him, and he could see a variety of silver threads. These threads were similar to the Golden Threads produced when Bell utilized what Toko had named Fate Synchronization. His current theory was that it synchronized multiple people to a single fate, similar but different to viewing and choosing timelines. This let them work together in a critical moment to deliver a critical combination attack. Silver threads meanwhile were more closely related to time. They could be used to determine how much longer someone roughly has to live, but it wasn't an absolute. Time could shift, and things could change easily, but it could be used to understand the danger and risk well enough.
But ever since that day, whenever he used this power, he could see Golden Threads too. So far, they had only appeared around Toko, Maze, and Bell. It showed a strong affinity for Fate, a tendency to become embroiled in troubles and turmoil. And all three of them had a lot of golden threads that looked quite strong, flowing from them like puppets with far too many strings. And yet now, he could see those same golden threads as well, despite the fact that Ruu had not been part of the attack. However, he was a significant part of Bell's life. His long time friend, he was likely synchronized more to Bell then anyone else, despite no supernatural affiliation or booster.
Time is a powerful catalyst after all. He will get pulled into this sooner or later, but it will happen.
Toko thought those words as he ended the power, returning to normal time and continuing to go along with the others. He figured that it wasn't something that had to happen immediately either, and instead decided to just enjoy the banter. That said, the group paused for a moment as another security robot passed in front of them.
"I guess they are still on the lookout for that criminal".
"It could be a new case as well. Or perhaps they want to help people feel safer".
The group made it to the entrance of the underground, when Bell suddenly looked behind them, jerking his head around with a startled expression.
"Bell?"
Ruu tugged on his sleeve.
"Sorry. Just had...a strange feeling".
Could we be being watched right now?
Toko put his hand on his pocketwatch, and Maze placed a hand on the inside of his satchel. However, whatever it was, Bell seemed to move on from it. They decided to keep heading down, but now everyone was on high alert.
"To think I got hospitalized at the very end of summer break though. What a pain. By this time next week, school will have started already. I suppose its at least nice I can salvage this last weekend".
"Ruu, you really should take it easy".
"Only if I can sleepover at your place. Oh, and your dad is coming home this weekend too from his business trip finally right?"
Bell froze for a moment.
Oh shit! I have been talking with him and such still, but I totally forgot about that!
He had Maze staying over and sometimes Toko. But even more than that, there was the fact he had become a Foxkin. There was no way he could maintain suppression all the time around the house. His father made their home a nice and comfortable place to relax in even after his mother died, as an understanding person and as a kind father. Bell felt so relaxed and close with his father, going around in just a shirt or nothing at all was something he was comfortable with, although ever since the cultural revolution that was just more normal in general. But this was a whole different beast. But he absolutely had to tell his dad, that was obvious. But he also wasn't sure how to handle his rapidly changed and changing body either. But, but, but.
Bell had been so preoccupied and busy, this new thing had temporarily sent him into a panic. Ruu pinched his cheek now.
"Bell, you okay?"
"Sorry. I was just thinking, can my bed really fit all four of us?"
"If we squeeze in real right yeah" Maze commented. Bell however, wasn't sure.
Bell figured this was probably something he would need to determine himself at home how to handle, but he would love Ruu's advice.
"...Ruu..."
"...ah, I see. Whatever it is, its so recent and new, you have not told your dad yet?"
Once again, Ruu hit the nail on the head exactly. Bell just nodded in response.
Seeing that, Ruu pinched Bell's nose now too, before flicking it.
"This is your dad we are talking about. I am sure he has gone through something like this before. Aren't you just overthinking things again?"
Ruu then released Bell's nose, causing Bell to rub it cause Ruu did not hold back.
"Well..."
"No well about it. He loves you. No matter what you are going through, he will always be your dad, and always be there for you".
Something about Ruu's words hit deep. Bell knew what he was saying deep down made sense, but this wasn't just something like puberty or normal issues. He literally became non-human and got supernatural powers, and now there are people after him. Can one really say it was the same?
"If you need any more advice, perhaps you should talk to your grandparents as well" Ruu added.
Once again, Ruu pointed out what should have been obvious to Bell. And yet...
"Bell, the only one that is really panicking or freaking out about this change...is you. And the only one who thinks no one else will understand is also you. So as someone being stubborn himself currently, let me just say...stop being stubborn. Me, your dad, the others. We are all close to you, and we are all here for you. The very first starting line...is taking this first step".
Bell looked at Ruu, his smile beaming past all the darkness that had been clouding his mind and heart. As if a dark smog was just starting to clear out, even if not instantly or all at once. Something about what Bell said just resonated with him on that level.
With that said and done, the group managed to get on the train. The moment the subway started to move, Bell rushed Ruu and gave him a big hug.
"Thanks Ruu. You always know what to say".
Meanwhile, Maze and Toko, who had been watching and didn't interrupt this whole time, gave them some applause.
"Bravo! Well said!"
"Truly brilliant words!"
"Ah...I said that...for everyone to hear" Ruu realized, turning red himself. "That whole speech...."
In the end, Ruu was still a young boy. Opening his heart like that in an open place had ended up being quite a bit embarrassing for him. They were all friends already which helped at least. Still, it was too late now, so he would just have to roll with it.
There was actually one thing Bell wanted to ask him about, but that would have to be saved for later. They got onto the train, and proceeded to head towards their destination. The subway was moving towards the area where both Bell and Ruu lived in, so if Ruu could sleepover, it would still be fairly easy.
That said, in truth, there was another reason why Bell had insisted on walking Ruu home.
----------------------------------------
A few days ago, at a nearby apartment building, Bell and Toko broke through the door as they entered the apartment, wearing masks and keeping their hoods up. This was supposed to be where the assassin who went after Ruu was staying. The windows apparently were blotted out with a special glass to prevent Maze from seeing in properly without assistance, which was why Bell and Toko had cameras on them given to them by Maze.
"It doesn't look like he is here" Bell noted, paying attention to all smells and sounds. "I smell...a lot of bleach".
Toko quickly went over to the computer system, but sighed the moment he accessed it.
"The data is completely wiped. Not a single bit of information remains".
"Maze? Looks like the guy bolted already" Bell said over comms.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Tsk. It wasn't even twelve hours, and he is already long gone? This guy has skills. At least he excels at self preservation".
"You sure this isn't a trap?" Bell asked, looking out the window.
"Doubt it. This is probably a disposable location, but between the three of us, we would notice a trap" Maze said, as he saw a few bats flying overhead. And it seems we have a chaperon for this operation. I wonder which one of them Bat is here for...unless, is he keeping an eye on me this time?
Maze had heard more legends about Bloody Bat then either of the others, but...
Best not to share them. The Bat needs his anonymity.
He was an ally, not a threat, and Maze never knew who might be listening. Normal bounty hunters no, but there were a few specialists who would ignore all three of them and just monitor to get at The Bat. After all, he always seemed to be in multiple places at once.
Maze just kept watch. "If this was a trap, it would be sprung by now. I did some checking, and this place doesn't have a Reflection. It could be hidden, but there are too many other people. It's too risky, if even a single one was a supernatural, they would notice instantly if it was too defended and raise a fuss. And you would detect them otherwise. Still, there are always exceptions. Be cautious".
"So this is just a place he uses to throw others off his scent then" Toko muttered. "Honestly, even if we get this guy, unless we get the bounty taken down, ending this one guy wont stop the bigger problem".
"Toko is right Bell".
"Yeah. I know. But he went after Ruu, and we cant let people think that will work".
Maze wanted to point out this very reaction would indicate that it would work, but he understood the sentiment. Dealing with someone who went after people like this, and treated others like pawns or objects, things to trade or profit from. Maze understood that part of the world all too well.
One of these days, I will end Golden Market. But for now, this will do.
Maze reafformed his own feelings, and refocused on the matter at hand.
"I know you said the computer got wiped, but check the cache and search history to be safe".
"Checking now. Search history is gone, cache...has something. Its fragmented, but it looks like...pieces of the bounty placed on Bell. I can only make out a few lines".
Bell beamed over to Toko. "Does it say who is responsible?!"
"Unfortunately, all I have is Industries. That could be over two dozen companies in the city, and that is after sorting out this ones with nothing to do with magic".
"Damn!"
"Honestly its amazing they had it at all. Even Maze couldn't get that information. Ah, if it makes you feel better, the bounty is for you to be alive".
"...thats something I suppose, but...I am not sure if that Swordsman remembered that with his last attack, so I cant be sure they will stick to it".
Maze nodded along, even if they couldn't see him do so.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah...Bell, Maze. This one might be big. According to this, your home location is...unknown. It seems that while they are searching for you all over the city, no one has been able to pin down where you actually live yet. Or if they have, they didn't tell anyone else".
Maze was honestly perplexed by what he heard. This was a huge bounty. They should have checked security cameras instantly, and been able to follow Bell back home, but...somehow, they didn't. Or couldn't.
The only one who could be responsible would be The Merchant. However, that meant someone bought that from The Merchant.
"...Bell, by any chance, are you familiar with The Merchant?"
"Wait, you mean that urban myth? A guy who you can buy from and sell to anything and everything?"
"Yeah".
"No, I wasn't even aware he was real...although given what I know now, it seems far more likely he is".
"Then...do you know anyone who might?"
"Only you two....oh. And Maybell, or whatever her real name is".
Maze facepalmed as he made his own realization.
"Now that you mention it, she somehow had clothes exactly your size waiting for you, didn't she?"
"....yeah, she did".
"Well, I guess we know why no one else has your information. Maybell bought it. She is probably continuously buying it".
But why? Maybell is enigmatic at best, but from everything I know, she isn't a charity case. The only person who could get her to go that far and get herself involved this fast would be her husband. So that means...Bloody Bat is protecting Bell? But why?
They had some answers, but even more questions.
"Guys, lets be extra careful to lose any tails on the way back. We will want to keep that advantage of having an undisclosed home base for as long as possible".
"Understood".
"Should we pull out then?"
"Yeah. Looks like we will have to wait for this guy to pop his head out again before we can take him off the board and make sure he never goes after Ruu again".
----------------------------------------
Returning back to the present, the four of them had just reached their station. They got off and continued through the Underworld, heading towards Ruu's book store. However, the more they walked, the worse of a feeling Bell got.
We are being followed. And its not just some bounty hunter this time.
Bell could feel it in his bones, it was a bad feeling that they were in great danger. Without a doubt, this was trouble of the highest order. Even Maze and Toko seemed to be aware of it. This wasn't like the guy in the tophat, who was able to keep things well hidden until his trap was sprung. This was different, an overwhelming force crushing down on them. Like being at the bottom of an ocean, surrounded by sharks, with nothing to protect you from the pressure.
As they walked forward, this feeling grew and grew, even when they finally reached the plaza where the bookstore was.
"See? I got here just fine. You are all big worry warts. Now, I will let you know if I can come over later, okay?" Ruu said as he turned to face them. That was when he heard the ring of the bell on their door. "And it sounds like its still active, so I better check and make sure they dont need any help".
"Hey, wait..." Bell shouted, only to see the figure coming out of the bookstore. Only visibly wearing a raincoat and boots, a familiar childlike figure had left the bookstore. Normally, this would make Bell want to charge in, as its proof that there was someone other then Ruu at the bookstore, but the raincoat figure caught his eyes too much.
The Bloody Bat. It could have just been a child with an identical raincoat. It wasn't like that raincoat looked unique or special in any way. But without a doubt, it was the exact same one used. The figure was the exact same height. Aside from knowing he was a fair skined boy like the Bloody Brat, or rest of them for that matter, from the legs and hands, there was no way to know they were the exact same person.
But Bell knew it had to be the same one. And so, he ended up waving goodbye to Ruu, and then followed the raincoat figure, leaving Ruu to sigh with relief. Ruu proceeded to go back towards the store, as other figures emerged from the shadows and alleyways in the area, staring at both the storefront, and the way Bell was going down. They each pulled out various concealed weapons, and began to approach both directions as they split up into two groups.
----------------------------------------
"Bell! Wait up!"
"We can finally get some answers from him though!" Bell replied, as they ran after the raincoat figure. The Bat looked like they were just walking normally, but any time they turned a corner, when Bell caught up, the figure was already near the end of the hall, appearing to walk normally but traversing a great deal of distance. No matter how much they ran, even when Toko used his magic to speed them up, they could not catch up to them.
Maze and Toko were finally able to catch up to Bell, and get him to stop.
"Bell, your transformation!"
Bell quickly noticed, and managed to keep it up.
Toko took out his pocketwatch, and invoked a spell.
"Chronostop!"
Freezing time for a moment, that was their chance to catch up with The Bat...except what they saw next defied everything they expect. The Bat was still moving in frozen time. By the time they reached the next corner, the Bat was gone, and time resumed. Toko looked a bit strained also.
"How....that shouldn't be possible. I only let us ignore the stop time, but...unless, its a being that exceeded time?"
"He is a vampire, so its possible".
"Yeah...but, there should have at least been a brief moment. But he didn't stop at all. There must be some special reason why, but I cant fathom it right now".
The Bat had evaded even Toko's trump card. He was clearly not to be underestimated.
As the trio were heading back however, they quickly went on high alert as figures surrounded them with weapons. All of them seemed to be dressed in a variety of ways, and all had basic weapons. Pipes, crowbars, handguns, even some swords.
They had gotten so focused on The Bat, they had failed to realize they were being surrounded by those they noticed earlier. Furthermore, they all had these focused stares, making it clear who they were targeting.
"...the staring is kinda creepy you know?" Bell muttered, as the people all went in for the attack. One man came swinging from behind at top speed, while another took a shot from the side right at Bell's head. The knife flew from his pocket and unsheathed itself, deflecting the bullet away as Bell dodged the sword. "They are trying to kill me? I thought the bounty said alive?!"
"Clearly, these people are not following a simple bounty" Maze said, as he took out a pistol and fired a shot. It hit one guy, and then did chain lightning across several others. "Also, these guys are not normal".
Toko froze a few temporarily, as he deployed his Clockhand Sword and parried an attacker before cutting through his weapon. Despite that, he continued the attack as they were all pulled into a Boundary. The halls widened, various objects seemed to appear and duplicate, resulting in a wide battlefield that was still full of obstacles.
"These people are possessed or controlled by something!" Maze shouted as he watched one get up. "And whatever it is, it's making their bodies work in overdrive! They are pushing past their limits, and they will seriously injure themselves to get us!"
Bell deployed a sheet of ice on the ground, making it hard for their attackers to get their footing as he held his nose. "Also, they reek!"
"Reek? Reek of what?"
"I don't know, but it smells awful. It is way too strong!"
Maze and Toko looked at each other with concern. "Succubus!"
"Wait what?"
"They must be being manipulated by a Succubus!" Maze said, shooting a few more. "The spell will break on its own after they sleep, but another tried and true method is to drown out their smell. Succubi use pheromones and scents to enslave and control people!"
Toko got attacked from behind as he dodged another attack, only for him to suddenly disappear. Toko reappeared behind him, and hit him in the back of the head to knock him out.
"There are too many of them! I cant keep this much time control up for long!"
"Yeah. And if they get me while I need to reload, I am done for".
"I am not even that used to fighting yet! Where is Bat when you need him?"
Toko shook his head. "Wont work. The stench these guys are giving off would probably drive any of his familiars away no matter what".
Maze nodded. "Succubi are strong against familiars. Even their manipulated can repulse them".
Bell dodged another attack, only to be in the line of fire of another. The knife moved and parried it in time, letting Bell give both of them a massive electric shock and disable them both. Maze meanwhile jumped up onto an awning, trying to keep himself stable as he reloaded only for them to close in on him and jump up, while others tore it down. They had entered a Boundary long ago, but laws of physics at least pretended to apply.
Toko used another Chronostop, letting them pull back and regroup, but it didn't last long and they began moving towards them once again. More bullets were fired, but Toko had already created a shield that would slow them down and let them dodge the bullets. Maze fired his own rounds when went normally, unleashing another chain lightning attack.
Still, they were unending, and were charging towards them at speeds faster then they can deal with. The moment Toko ran out of power, they would be finished. This would be it for them.
"Now now, this is not where your story ends, little boyas" a seductive woman's voice rang in his ear, as he felt himself back up into something soft. "Oh my! So aggressive!"
However, Bell didn't get flustered, instead he was overjoyed. "Le Fey!"
The woman who appeared even more seductive then her voice stepped out in front of them. The crazed controlled people continued to charge at them, as they stood their ground in their corner, but the closer they got the slower they became.
"Oh my, don't tell me you all have abandoned your previous lover and fell in love with me just now, have you?" she asked, her voice felt as if she had enraptured them all. Her question felt rather rhetorical however. And for some reason, Toko felt the need to cover himself even though he was still quite dressed. Bell wondered if perhaps she put him through an unpleasant examination as well.
Either way, the mob seemed to be regaining their senses.
"How did you..." Maze muttered, but Maybell suddenly put her finger on his lips.
"Show me something of yours, and I will show you how" she said, making Maze go red in the face. He started to reach down, but stopped himself. Maybell just giggled. "Fine, I suppose I will give you this freebee, but I hope you will give me good entertainment next time and really show it all to me".
Bell however, could feel the emptiness in her voice still. She wasn't even remotely being serious, but she was being misleading. He decided to speak up.
"She was talking about your weapon".
"I know that!"
Toko just facepalmed. "I hate talking with her so much. That wasn't a euphamism, your literal weapon".
Maze seemed to finally snap out of it. "I knew that!"
"Sorry, just cant help myself with such cute boys" she said, that last bit making them all gulp. Bell pressed forward all the same.
"Could it be...you naturally cancel out whatever a Succubus does with....whatever is going on with you?"
Maybell gave Bell a wink. "Correct, little boy. I suppose its not terribly difficult to figure out".
"I mean, your words even when dripped with seduction feel so hollow, except for when you talk about your husband".
"Thats because my husband is my one true love, the one who has filled me with joy and wonder for over two thousand years. He is quite litterally my other half, someone who I just cannot be without. What we have been through, and knowing our true selves, we both agree in standing for our ideals".
Toko and Maze couldn't help but snap out of it as well. Certainly, when she talked about her husband, it felt...different. The love was pure, but also...it just felt full.
"So what brings you here anyways?"
"I am actually on my way to be on a date with my husband! I noticed these small fries scurrying about, and decided I had to step in. Especially when I heard them mutter...ah, you. Repeat what your command was".
She pointed at one that was under her thrall still, and hadn't dispersed yet.
"E-e-e-elimin-inate all boys of tar-target's group" they muttered, repeating the orders they were given. However, this only made Bell more concerned.
"Ruu! No, I wont let you harm him!"
Bell, Maze, and Toko ran out of the Boundary, with Maybell watching them with a smirk. It didn't take them long to reach Ruu's store. Perhaps the boundary deposited them closer, or they were just that determined, but they were worried all the same. Maze made sure to remind Bell about his suppression though, just to be safe.
When they finally got in however, they saw Ruu perfectly fine, manning the front counter.
"See! Nothing to be worried about!" Ruu told them, giving out a sigh. "Seriously, did you guys just assume the worse and rush back here?"
"...sorry. Just, had to check for peace of mind" Bell muttered, when he looked around. The place was an absolute mess. "Was it always this messy?"
"No! My parents just suck at cleaning! I swear, I cant wait for our part timer to be back when I go to school next week!"
"Ah, I see..." Bell muttered as he turned around, when he thought he heard a groan. He turned back to see Ruu with a rather forced smile. "Did you just..."
"I. Am. Fine!"
"Right. Sorry sorry" Bell said, leaving. He let out a sigh then. "I swear he needs to be more honest with how he is feeling".
Maze just looked back at the bookstore. "...yeah, probably. Bell, you know..."
"That there were unconscious people behind the counter? Yeah. It was probably his dad as well, but Bell knows how to handle himself. He did deliver a nasty blow to that assassin, and that guy was a pro".
"Yeah, that is weird...just, how capable is he?"
"Right. I never told you how we met, did I?"
"...I get the feeling its relevant to the explanation?"
"Junior Division of the City's Youth Olympics".
The City has its own mini olympics, and there were essentially four divisions. Youth Junior, which was everyone under thirteen. Youth Senior, which was 13-18. Young Adult, which was 19-40. And then "Experienced Adult", which was everyone over 41.
The Youth Ones tended to favor friendly competition, so they had a few teamwork based ones as well, and also had many shared training rooms available.
"He participated in some of mine, but he was one of the gold medalists for Martial Arts".
Each activity had multiple gold medal winners, and even more silver, and even more bronze. Their way of not making it too harsh on younger kids, and to help keep friendly spirit.
"Wait, so Ruu..."
"To be exact, he told me he learned martial arts from his dad. Not that I have ever seen him, but...the possibility he was there as well to fight them off isn't zero. Besides, they clearly got a lot less then us. Plus Ruu carries a taser stick".
"True. Now that makes it more believable".
Toko said that, as the group decided to head back to Bell's house. Completely forgetting Bell still needs to figure out the whole talk to dad thing.