In the expansive washroom present in a snug space on the 110th floor, Mentos was revelling in the crystal-clear water, frolicking among the vibrant Sword Fishes. His laughter echoed off the iridescent tiles as he playfully engaged with the aquatic creatures. Acadian, on the other hand, was sprawled languidly at the pool edge, his body stretched out in a manner that suggested utmost comfort; also his drooping eyelids highlighted his fatigue. The image of a snoozing beast at the water's edge, with Mentos splashing water on him intermittently, was a sight to behold.
Splash! Splash!
Mentos eventually grew tired of his aquatic exploits and climbed out of the pool with a satisfied grin. His skin was glistening with trickling droplets. He padded over to the workbench where his friend was while his footfalls were being muffled by the soft carpet. There he found Hao slumped over the counter with an expression of annoyance on his face.
He squinted at the broken piece of Vibe Edge on the counter, then at Hao who was still draped only in a towel. "What's the matter, Vee?" A note of concern threaded through his usually jovial tone. "You've been mulling over this desk for quite a while now, and you haven't even bothered to get dressed."
Hao lifted his head towards Mentos with fatigue marking his features. "This blasted blade is proving more complex than anticipated," he admitted, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "It's almost as if it resists my attempts at mending."
Mentos gestured over at the Bastians by the pool, "Then take a break mate to unwind. Look, even the beasts are having fun."
Hao sighed, "Maybe you're right, Mentos."
"I know I am mate. Now come on." Mentos responded with a grin while clapping his friend on the back.
Deciding to follow his friend's advice, Hao pushed himself away from the counter, stood straight then commenced stretching his weary limbs.
Mentos heard his bones crack and said, “Wow, do you hear that? Your body has ceased up from all that slouching around. It’s telling you to loosen up.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll try to loosen up.” Although he agreed, his mind was still plastered on his broken Vibe Edge resting on the counter.
While doing a couple of sets of stretching with Mentos by the pool, Hao’s keen auditory senses began to pick up on the faint echo of familiar footfalls approaching. “Those heels…?” As he listened, his heartbeat began picking up pace. His face paled at the realization, "She's on her way here. That means she saw when we came in."
"Who's coming? Who saw us when we came in?" Mentos asked, puzzled by Hao's sudden panic.
"It's my mother," Hao explained hastily.
“Your mother is on her way here? Oh my, I need to look more decent.” Mentos hurriedly straightened himself up, preparing for the imminent encounter. After dashing a shirt over his chest, he brought something important to Hao’s attention, "You should hide that cursed sword." He pointed at Judgment Day which was lying conspicuously on the desk.
“You’re right.” Swiftly, Hao stowed Judgment Day behind the massive bone on the desk and draped a cloth over the entire setup, effectively camouflaging the contraband. He then sprinted towards his clothes and commenced pulling on his pants hurriedly as the sound of the approaching footsteps became more pronounced. “Blimey!” In his haste, he stumbled, falling flat on his rump just as the door slid open and more embarrassingly, his pants was only halfway up.
“Get up Vee.” Saying this, Mentos swivelled towards the door, standing erect. "Hey there, Mrs. Vee. I'm Mentos, a good friend of your son." Hosting a ridiculous smile on his face, he extended his hand towards the woman who had just entered.
“Hmm…?” Quory Vee, a figure of elegance and authority, completely disregarded Mentos, her stern gaze fell upon her son who was pulling up his trousers, but only briefly. Her countenance darkened further upon spotting the Bastians lounging around at the back. She seemed to connect their presence with the accusations levelled at her son by the Imperial Hounds.
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Without uttering a single word, she stepped past Mentos and Hao who was just picking himself up from the floor. Her eyes roved around the room until they landed eventually on the conspicuous bulge hidden under the cloth on the desk. ‘What’s hiding underneath there?’ She reached out to draw away the covering but Hao, struggling to keep his pants up, intercepted her.
"Mum, don't!" he pleaded in a panicking manner while grabbing her hand.
“Let go.” Quory flicked his hand away with a swift motion, then went ahead and unveiled the hidden bone. “What’s with this bone?” It didn’t take her long to also identify the sinister sword tucked underneath it. She began reaching out to grasp its hilt.
Sensing this, Hao's pleas escalated into a desperate shout, "Mum, no!"
Mentos joined in, saying, "Don't touch it, Mrs Vee!"
Ignoring their protestations, Quory examined the contraband sword with an increasingly stern expression. As her hand inched closer, she began sensing a potent type of energy. However, before she could touch it, Hao quickly snatched up the X-Class sword and retreated, his face was a picture of desperation.
“Hmm?” Quory turned her displeased gaze on him, then spoke with a voice as icy as winter chill, "That sword... you stole it from the Imperial Storehouse, didn't you? What were you thinking?"
Hao's face drained of colour, "How did you know?"
"I've just been paid a visit by Imperial Hounds who seem to have a personal bone to pick with you," she responded curtly.
"What, they are here already?" Hao was surprised to hear this, his mind ran on Colgate and Diana.
“Damn, we’re screwed.” Mentos too looked worried.
Quory took into consideration their reaction and told them, "I've already sent them away. They are just outside and they know you are here. I won't be able to harbour you for long.” She eyed her son specifically, “Soon I will have to kick you out of here and let you face the consequences of your actions. I don't want you sullying the reputation of my company that I worked too damn hard to build." She warned them very sternly.
Mentos intervened, saying, "Mrs Vee, please let us stay a while longer. Please."
Before Mentos could get his answer, Hao acquiesced, "Fine," his expression was one of defiance, "We'll be out of your hair very soon."
Mentos shot him a surprised look, "Hey, man don't say that, we need the protection."
While the duo had their discussion, Quory’s gaze drifted onto Vibe Edge which was resting on the table. She identified its broken state which caused something to snap within her. A dense fog of tension began encapsulating the room as her gaze lingered on the shattered remnants of the once magnificent blade she crafted. Her brow furrowed and her lips curled downwards into a grimace of disbelief.
"What happened here?" Quory's tone which was sharpened by incredulity, echoed off the steel walls as she spewed her question forth. She picked up the sword gingerly, cradling it as one might a wounded bird. "You careless fool!" she spat at Hao and in a swift motion, pivoted towards him with her hand connecting with his face.
Boom!
The slap was a thing of brutal elegance, the force of it sent Hao reeling backwards into the sofa. His head snapped sideways while his jaw shifted with the momentum, additionally, a harsh red handprint quickly blossomed on his cheek.
Splash!
In response to the sudden violence, the Sword Fishes – Symphy and Euphy, exploded from the water. They moved with a lethal grace as they launched themselves at Quory to punish her for what she just did to her son. But even as they leapt, a single word issued from Quory's lips stopped them in their tracks.
"Settle!" BOOM! The command was firm and her gaze sharper than any sword. She had a link with her Blade Edge that was a thing of legend, a rarity even amongst the most formidable Blade Masters. Her Sword Spirit, known as the White Noise, was as deadly as it was beautiful. The pressure it exerted was tangible at most; it created a heavy blanket of invisible force that compelled obedience from the riled Bastians.
Rumble!
The force of her Sword Spirit was so great that even the inanimate objects around her began to vibrate. Symphy and Euphy dropped to the ground; their transparent bodies were pressed flat against the floor. The cumbersome pressure was causing them to leak water considerably. So frightened they were that they were shivering unceasingly.
‘Unbelievable!’ Mentos, though not the target of her intent, also felt the pressure. His legs wobbled beneath him while beads of sweat formed on his forehead. ‘She's this upset over a broken Uncommon Blade Edge, can't she just give her son a new and better one? This place is known for manufacturing rare and powerful swords after all,’ he thought to himself.
Unphased by the chaos, Quory turned her attention back to Vibe Edge. Her features softened as she caressed the shattered blade, tracing its cracked edge.
“Mum that’s enough, you’re going to kill them.” Hao pleaded for the Sword Fishes to be spared upon identifying their increasing despair.
Heading her son’s plea, Quory suppressed her Sword Spirit then commanded, "Control your beasts."
Whoosh!
The Sword Fishes were released from the invisible force but remained motionless on the ground in a puddle of trepidation.
Turning to Hao, who was still nursing his slapped cheek, she added, "I'll get this sword repaired. I want you and your beasts out of here when I do, got that?" After saying this, she swept past Hao with her heels clicking against the tiled floor.