It was clear there was nothing more for them to discuss. Sylvie and Tsukiko apologized, then broke away.

Sylvie apparently had another lead hidden up her sleeve. For once, it was a good one, supposedly leading straight to the leader of the Shakudos. Going alone probably wasn't the wisest decision, but in the heat of the moment, neither of them hesitated.

Their destination was an abandoned office building. The front glass door had been smashed in long ago, leaving the place open for anyone to enter. From the clean door handle, someone had gone in recently.

"So, this is the place." Tsukiko straightened her jacket.

"Yeah." Sylvie snacked on left over chicken. "Hidden in plain sight."

"You should stay out here. I’ll go by myself." Tsuki took a step forward.

"Are you crazy?" Sylvie grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.

"You planning to fight lookin' like that?" Tsuki looked down at Sylvie’s clothes. "You don't even have your mask with you."

Sylvie was wearing a charcoal jacket. Under that, she had a colorful pink and yellow graphic tee. She wore black biking shorts and crimson red high top shoes. She had tied her hair into a ponytail to prevent it from getting in her eyes.

"…Yeah, I forgot." Sylvie scratched her head.

Tsuki started walking toward the building. "Wait here."

"You're serious?" Sylvie whispered.

"If I don’t come back, tell Fumi I always loved her." Tsuki tried to sound heroic.

"…lame." Sylvie groaned.

"Shut it."

Tsukiko pulled open the door. As she stepped in, her heels crushed a few pieces of leftover broken glass. She thanked Aurelia for the boots and closed the door behind her.

Moonlight was the only thing illuminating the space within. She found herself within a waiting room for a business that had failed long ago.

There were dusty glass tables and broken chairs lining the edges of the room. The receptionist desk had a large smashed flat screen television hanging above it. Broken glass littered the carpet. The reception desk was covered in loose folders and papers.

The damage bordered on vandalism more than any actual wear and tear or rot. It had definitely been some time since that happened though. A thick layer of damage covered every shard of glass and every smashed thing.

Behind the reception desk, there was a door that had been torn off of its hinges. This doorway was incredibly dark, and Tsukiko’s eyes only allowed for a vague image to appear.

She stood for a moment, allowing her eyes to adjust. It was too dark for her to see any color, so she proceeded with caution.

Carefully, she moved by adjusting her weight to avoid making any unnecessary sounds. Each side of the hallway had open doors that lead into small offices.

Some had been abandoned in a hurry. Left behind were rather old computers and ornate desks.

Others had been ransacked, loose papers lining the carpeted floors. The moonlight entered again through the windows, painting everything a weak dark blue.

At the end of the hallway, there was one last door. White light escaped from underneath. As Tsuki approached, she could feel the cold air escaping through the gaps. A strange droning sound played just beyond the door.

Tsuki opened the door, and her eyes were flooded with a strong, white light. It took a second for her eyes to adjust to what she was seeing. She squinted and saw three figures, sitting at a table. When her vision recovered, she finally saw the three masks they wore.

The one on the far left had a mask that was covered in scars and damage. The figure in the middle wore a black and silver mask with no holes for their eyes. The figure on the far right was the same floral mask that Tsukiko had seen several times before.

"Who the hell're you?" The figure with the scarred mask spoke up.

"That's the Third Knight, you idiot." The floral mask replied.

The scarred mask stood up. "So, we're gonna kick her ass, right?"

The silver mask shook his head. "Sit down, dumbass."

"Boss--"

"Just sit." The silver masked man repeated himself.

The scarred mask sat back down.

"I'm not here to fight." Tsuki kept her guard up.

The floral mask crossed her legs and put them up on the table. "So, what are you here for?"

"I just need him." Tsuki pointed at the bashed mask.

The silver mask tried to say something, paused, then said something else. "Why him?"

The scarred mask complained to the silver mask. "You seriously gonna listen to her? C'mon, Morgan!"

Morgan stared at Tsuki. "Y'know, you're pretty brave to just show up on someone else's turf."

"I don't care about your turf, I care about what your men have done to my friends." Tsuki grit her teeth.

Morgan's silver mask hid his eyes, and his expressions. His voice was clear of any sort of emotion, and it was difficult to gauge his true reactions. Tsuki imagined his face, smirking under the black and chrome facade.

"Good answer." The floral mask's eyes looked happy.

"Not you too, Flowers!" The scarred masked man revealed another name.

"Shut up already, you fucking idiot." Flowers responded.

"Hey!" The scarred mask shouted.

Morgan snapped at him. "Can't you read the room?"

"...sorry, boss."

"Shut up."

"Back to our guest." Flowers pointed at Tsukiko.

Morgan sighed. "Tell me what my men did to you."

"They stabbed my friend and burned another!" Tsuki shouted.

"Burned? With fire?" Flowers narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah." Tsuki stepped closer.

Morgan whispered something to Flowers. Tsuki kept a close eye on the three of them, not letting herself slip into some sort of sense of comfort. Again, Flowers' golden mask didn't let her know much.

"You never told me who started that fire." Morgan turned to the man in the scarred mask.

"He started it." Tsuki cut in.

Morgan sighed again. "Is that right?"

"Yeah, what about it?" The bashed mask crossed his arms.

Morgan slowly stood up. "So, you're an arsonist?"

"What?"

"You know, an arsonist. People who start fires?"

"I… guess." The bashed mask turned to Morgan in fear.

Morgan stood over him. "What else have you done?"

"I… Hey, you told me to get the Third Knight there, and I tried--"

"You didn't even know who she was when she walked in!" Flowers shouted.

"I did my job! More than I can say for you!"

"Was lighting a child on fire part of the job?" Tsuki slammed her fist on the table.

"He what?" Flowers gasped.

"You lit a child on fire?" Morgan's voice went sour.

"He poured liquor all over her and burned her. He hung her from the ceiling too!" Tsuki tried her best not to jump over the table and kill the man at that moment.

"O-Oh my god…" Flowers had her voice waver.

"She's lying! You're seriously believin' this bullshit?" The person in the bashed mask tried to defend himself.

Morgan shook his head. "No, I know the Knights. She ain't lying."

"You're gonna take her side over mine?"

"This isn't the first time you fucked up!" Morgan made his right hand into a fist.

"People make mistakes!"

"You sure seem to make a lot of 'em." Flowers lowered her head.

"It was your men who attacked that girl. It was your man that stabbed the Nakano girl. It was your man that put that kid in the hospital, and it was you who lit a child on fire!" Morgan practically shook with rage.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"I did what I had to do!"

Morgan grabbed the bashed mask by the neck. "Do you even think about what you're gonna say before you say it?"

"Whuh!" The bashed mask struggled.

"You know how many people you could've killed? You know what would've happened if that fire had spread?" Morgan tossed him aside.

"Boss!" The bashed mask backed away.

"You think you can do whatever you want and get away with it?" Morgan shouted.

"I-I thought that's what you wanted!"

Morgan turned to Tsukiko. "My condolences to your friend… What was their name?"

"Lilith Guillemot."

Morgan sighed. "Of course it is."

Flowers looked away. "Doing that to a homeless girl..."

Morgan turned to the back door behind them. "You can have him."

"Huh?" The bashed mask stumbled up.

"I don't want to see you ever again, understand?"

"Boss!"

Flowers stood up, following Morgan. "Shut up!"

Morgan stopped in front of the back door, and turned back. "By the way, this idiot knows who stabbed your friend."

"Why're you telling me this?" Tsuki asked.

"Because we made a deal. You told me who started that fire, and I give you a criminal's head."

"I don't remember agreeing to this." Tsuki countered.

"You didn't. I'm making your life easier."

"Why?"

"I have a soft spot for the Knights." Morgan chuckled.

"You said you knew them. Who are you?" Tsuki raised her voice.

Morgan turned away and opened the door. "Don't worry about me. I'm not the one you're looking for right now."

Tsuki paused for a moment, before shouting a threat. "When I'm done here, you're next!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Morgan laughed as he slammed the door behind him.

"See ya again, Tsukiko." Flowers waved, and disappeared out the door.

Before the scarred Shakudo could react, he was already in Tsukiko's grasp. Her fingers tugged on his collar, pulling him close He tried to break away, but her grip only tightened.

She lifted the Shakudo off the ground, then slammed him down. His body crashed through the table, shattering it. The scarred Shakudo was left in a heap on the floor.

Tsuki kicked him in the side once, then twice. The scarred Shakudo tried to raise his hand, but she kicked him again.

"Back off!" The scarred Shakudo tried to get away.

Tsuki kept close. "Tell me who did it!"

The Shakudo tried to throw a broken piece of the table at her. Tsuki swatted it away with little effort. She moved in and kicked him in the gut again.

"Talk!" Tsuki shouted.

"That all ya got?" He said as he tried to catch his breath.

The scarred masked man got back onto his feet. His posture wavered and his legs wobbled. He moved forward, throwing a weak punch.

Tsukiko punched him in the gut. As he reeled in pain, Tsuki wrapped her fingers around the man's neck. She pinned him against the wall.

"Just. Talk." Tsuki hissed.

Her grip around his neck tightened and squeezed. The Shakudo tried swinging at her head, but she simply ignored the pain. As more time passed, the more frantic his efforts got.

Tsukiko loosened her grip a bit, realizing her mistake. The figure choked and panted. There was a red mark around his neck.

"Okay, okay, I'll talk!" He pleaded.

"Who did it?" Tsuki demanded.

"T-Tell Sylvie Night Bird did it!" The scarred Shakudo told her. "Night Bird!"

"Who's Night Bird."

"She knows!"

"And where do we find him?"

"Point Zero!" He sounded afraid. "It's a nightclub!"

Tsuki let go. "Point Zero…"

The figure fell to the floor in a heap. He sat up, holding up his hands to protect himself.

"Don't kill me!" He pleaded.

"I don't kill people." Tsukiko shook her head. "But if I ever see you again, I just might!"

Tsuki pulled her leg back, then shot it forward. She kicked him in the gut again and again. Her anger overpowered her sense of restraint.

She kicked and kicked till he stopped resisting. He was still very much alive, but he wasn't going to be walking out of that office any time soon. Tsukiko lowered her head in shame when she realized what she'd done.

"Are we gonna have a problem?" Tsuki spoke quietly.

"N-no." The figure whimpered.

--

Tsukiko stepped outside to the moonlit street to see Sylvie curled up into a ball next to the door.

"You okay?" Tsuki kneeled down.

"What? Oh, yeah…" Sylvie turned to her.

"I might know who stabbed Fumi." Tsuki kneeled down next to Sylvie.

"Really?"

Tsuki smiled. "Yeah, I beat it out of a dude."

"You actually did that, and lived?" Sylvie laughed.

"I'm right here, aren't I?"

"That's amazing." Sylvie sighed.

"He said you knew someone called Night Bird?" Tsukiko edged closer.

Sylvie closed her eyes. "What about him?"

"That’s the name he told me." Tsuki sat down on the ground next to Sylvie.

"…Yeah, probably." Sylvie looked away.

"Did you know?"

"Deep down, I knew all along. I just never said anything cuz I wanted to be sure." Sylvie frowned.

"How?"

"That guy’s always been a trouble maker. When I first heard Fumi got stabbed, I thought about it, but I wanted to be certain. I always hoped he’d change someday, but he never did."

"Well, apparently I can find him down at a club called Point Zero." Tsuki stretched her arms.

"I’m really sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

Sylvie lowered her head. "I feel like I kept something important from you."

"Nah, it’s fine." Tsuki shook her head.

"Why?"

"Cuz, you didn’t send me out on a manhunt. We still figured it out eventually. All’s well that ends well, y’know?" Tsuki inched closer to Sylvie.

"You sure?"

"Trust me, Sylvie, it’s fine." Tsuki smiled.

"That’s a relief." Sylvie relaxed a bit.

"So, I can find him at that club?"

Sylvie mumbled. "Probably…"

"What's wrong?"

"I still feel kinda guilty about keeping that from you."

"It’s fine, man. We’re finishing this thing together, and that’s all that matters."

"You sound like Shizuka way back when." Sylvie chuckled.

"I wish I knew her in her prime." Tsuki admitted.

"You would have loved her." Sylvie straightened herself out and sat against the wall. "I hate what she’s turned into. I hate that everyone seems like they’re running away. I hate that everything feels like it’s falling apart."

"Things aren’t falling apart, and people aren’t running away. I’m here, Fumi’s here, Haruka’s back. I have a good feeling about Shizuka too." Tsuki comforted her.

"Good feeling about Shizuka? Why's that?" Sylvie asked.

Tsuki grinned. "I'm gonna get her back on her feet."

"I don’t think you can. I mean, she’s been retired for years now."

"Gotta stay positive, Sylvie. A bad mood can kill ya." Tsuki laughed.

"Don't get too cocky, y'hear?"

"I just wanna have a good time tonight, is that too much to ask?" Tsuki took a deep breath.

Sylvie turned to her. "I kind of expected you to run off to that club. You’ve been working on this for weeks now."

"You kidding?" Tsuki sat down next to her. "We know where he is. It's no rush."

"What if they tell him what happened?"

"I don’t think that dude’s gonna warn anybody, I made sure of that. I think I broke some of his fingers." Tsuki turned red.

Sylvie stared at her silently for a moment. "You're joking right?"

"Uhh… no." Tsuki admitted.

"Make sure to call the cops before we leave." Sylvie sighed.

"Yeah, good idea." Tsuki nodded

"Ahh, it reminds me of the good old days, though, when we used to go after other gangs." Sylvie smiled.

"You think about that gang too much, Sylvie."

"Huh?"

Tsuki sat very close to her. "You and Haruka have known each other for years, right?

"Yeah." Sylvie nodded.

"You got into a fist fight over your gang. You don’t even know who half the members are." Tsuki tried her best to get her thoughts out.

"Of course not." Sylvie looked Tsuki in the eye.

"So some masked folks you know nothing about are more important to you than a long time friend?"

"No, it’s different." Sylvie shook her head.

"It’s a blob of masked people who’re just supposed to follow you around for no reason?" Tsuki countered.

Sylvie snapped. "Your point?"

"Do you know any of their names?"

"Well, not really. Some of them have nicknames, but--." Sylvie got cut off.

"What’s scarier? Losing your friends, or losing your gang?"

The words hit Sylvie hard. "I… don’t have that many friends to begin with."

"I like to think that we’re friends. Unless you’d rather leave me behind for your gang." Tsuki looked away.

"But it's my fault this all happened in the first place. If I had my shit together, Fumiko would've never been stabbed." The blonde stared down at the ground.

"And I'd have never become a Knight. I'd still hate Haruka, and I never would've met Aurelia." Tsuki spoke immediately.

"What am I supposed to do, the gang's all I got." Sylvie sobbed.

"You can always start a new gang, if that’s really important to you. For now, you should hang out with us. Friends are worth more than an army." Tsuki put a hand on Sylvie’s shoulder.

"I only really got mad at Haruka cuz I wanted to blame her for what happened with the Damascenes." Sylvie admitted.

"I don’t think you can even blame yourself. It wasn’t really your gang to begin with, was it?"

"Someone has to take the blame, don’t they?" Sylvie fidgeted.

"Not if they’re only gonna use it to hurt themselves." Tsuki scolded her.

Sylvie frowned. "What about the Shakudos?"

"We'll take ‘em down. One by one, if we have to. They’re just a bunch of nobodies." Tsukiko nudged her.

"And what're we?"

"Friends. How many times do I have to say that?" Tsukiko rolled her eyes.

Sylvie fidgeted. "But it's not just my gang… My grandpa taught me everything I know, and--"

"Would he have wanted to see you like this? You’re just rambling at this point, Sylvie."

"No, but I owe it to him, don't I?"

"You don’t owe anyone anything, Sylvie. Sometimes, things just don’t work out. You can’t bear everything on your shoulders. You’ll break!"

"No. I'm gonna work with what I've got." Sylvie stood up.

"What're you gonna do?" Tsuki looked up at her.

"I don't know." Sylvie's eyes darted back and forth. "But I’m gonna keep the Damascenes around. I’ve been in this too long to just give up."

"That’s good, keep your head up. A good attitude's half the key to success." Tsuki gave her a thumbs up.

"Yeah, you’re right." Sylvie smiled.

"You want me to toss an idea your way?"

"What is it?"

Tsukiko said only one word. "Downsize."

Sylvie rocked from side to side slightly. "Y-you think?"

"Find the real Damascenes, the ones that are loyal. Don’t be afraid to make some friends."

"And then what?"

Tsuki shrugged. "I dunno, what'd you guys do before?"

"I never knew what to do!"

"Why don’t you ask them what they wanna do?" Tsuki blurted out. "Or just… do what you wanna do. It's your gang, your crew."

Sylvie stopped herself from kicking Tsukiko's leg. "…I never thought about that."

Tsuki yawned. "No wonder it wasn't working out. Your gang sounds pretty damn boring, I gotta say."

Sylvie smiled. "I think I know what I'm gonna do."

"What?"

"It’s a secret. I'm gonna sit down and fix the Damascenes though, just you wait!" Sylvie exclaimed.

"Maybe don't commit crimes?"

"Uhh… No promises." Sylvie chuckled.

"Don’t do anything stupid. I don't wanna have to put you down." Tsuki tried to stand up.

Sylvie held out her hand. "Not even a friendly sparring match?"

Tsukiko grabbed her hand and pulled herself up. "No cheap shots, alright?"