CHAPTER 85 – DEAD NIGHT

KATE ZEPHYRUS

The nights on Onishira Island embraced silence. Devoid of electricity, the island relied on the warm glow emanating from lamps fueled by crimson mana stones. I clutched the address Mariko had given me, directing me to the Yoko Household, a colossal shrine adorned with three towering gates. Positioned atop the hill, I felt reassured that finding my way would be straightforward.

Ascending two hundred stone steps, I reached the shrine gate. The mountain echoed with the haunting hoots of owls, and the only audible symphony came from the crickets' rhythmic serenade in the profound quietude.

Glancing at the paper once more, Mariko had mentioned meeting at the southeastern tower. Baffled, I surveyed the surroundings, pondering my orientation. "I should have brought a compass," I muttered under my breath.

Abruptly, one of the shrine's towers ignited with a red lamp, cutting through the darkness. As I squinted at the illuminated tower, a silhouette emerged against the window, revealing a breathtaking oni, standing tall at a window about five stories. The vivid glow cast intriguing shadows, and the enigmatic figure within added a surreal touch to the moonlit night.

"Kate! Over here!" Mariko's gentle voice called out, breaking through the night's quietude. I hurried to the southeastern tower, craning my neck to gaze at the enchanting oni peering down from above.

"Mariko! Oh, my princess, let down your silky-smooth crimson hair so I can climb the tower!"

"Pfft!" Mariko scoffed. "I'm not a fairy tale princess, Kate. Stop it!" With a graceful leap, she descended from the window, manipulating the wind around her fingers to slow her fall. Her shrine maiden dress fluttered slowly, and her crimson hair beckoned like a captivating invitation.

"How are you, Mariko? Are you okay? Have you been eating?" I inquired, tapping her shoulders gently as she touched down.

"Kate, I'm okay. You're overreacting, really. Nothing is going to happen to me," Mariko replied with a suppressed smile.

"I have a lot of things to say to you. But before I forget this..." I reached into my backpack, presenting something to her with a bow. "Please accept this token of my love for you!"

"Eh?" Mariko uttered in surprise.

I slowly opened the gift box, unveiling a ruby necklace with golden frames—the symbol of my love, a month's salary embodied in jewelry. Mariko's eyes twinkled in appreciation.

"Kate, you don't need to buy me this. It's so expensive!"

"It's as expensive as my love for you," I smiled widely. Gently, I took the ruby necklace and carefully placed it around Mariko's neck. With a satisfying snap, the necklace settled perfectly, neither too loose nor too tight.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Kate, thank you. I appreciate this," Mariko said, looking down at the necklace. "You know, I-"

"Ssshh!" I interrupted her, pressing my index finger against her lips. "That will come later. For now, you have to come with me."

"Huh? What's with this all of a sudden?" Mariko asked, clearly confused.

"I'll explain to you along the way!" I grabbed Mariko's wrist. "For now, I have to keep you safe. I know a place!"

I was poised to dash away, but Mariko firmly anchored her feet, pulling me back with urgency.

"Wait, Kate! If I leave this place, Dennis will… Dennis will kill my fellow shrine maidens!" Mariko cried out, desperation etched across her face.

As her words hung in the air, a deafening explosion reverberated across the island of onis. To the north, a blue mushroom cloud billowed upward, likely the aftermath of a nuclear magic. The shockwave rippled through the landscape, causing trees around the shrine to sway as if caught in a hurricane.

"W-What was that!?" Mariko asked, her confusion deepening.

"That's the signal! Lysander must be wreaking havoc right now! The operation has started!" I declared.

"The what!?" Mariko exclaimed.

"Listen." I held Mariko's cheeks. "I am from the Empire of Alterra, and I am here to liberate the Island of Onishira from the Republic of Dragons!"

"I-Is that the truth?" Mariko asked, clutching her chest in concern.

"I will never lie to you, Mariko," I asserted, pumping my chest with sincerity.

"O-Okay," Mariko nodded. "Let me wake up the other maidens too. You will keep us safe, right?"

"Of course!" I replied with a reassuring smile.

Mariko hurried back to the shrine and began ringing the emergency bell at the gates. "Maidens! Let's evacuate!" she shouted repeatedly. The oni residents of the shrine scattered in panic, resembling a swarm of ants fleeing danger. There are about thirty of them.

Deep down, I knew the Windwalker couldn't accommodate all the shrine maidens of Onishira. Still, my goal was to gather them in one place where I could defend them. Once Lysander and Hiraya managed to destroy the bell tower at the far north of the island, everything would become easier.

I glanced in the direction of the crimson pillar, where the bell tower stood. Dragons soared toward its east, and blue nuclear blasters and Trailblaze Arrows painted the skies. Hiraya and the Trailblazer Dragon bought time, creating a chaotic spectacle to ensure Mariko's swift evacuation, keeping her out of the dragonoids' reach as much as possible.

I was abruptly pulled from my focus by the sudden silence, realizing the emergency bell had ceased ringing. Mariko wore a shocked expression, her gaze fixed on something in the darkness.

"N-No..." Mariko muttered.

Emerging from the shadows was a figure with silver hair, a mustache, a gray tuxedo, white skin, and striking crimson dragonoid eyes—the Dragonoid Erudite himself, Dennis Cavalier.

"I told you, Mariko. I told you not to mess with the Republic of Dragons. Now, you are siding with the human empire and betraying my kind," Dennis declared, fury resonating in his calm voice. "Now, I think it's fair to say that you have proven your worthlessness to our cause. And I shall now deem your life forfeit."

"Dennis..." Mariko trembled.

In an instant, I charged forward, drawing my sword and engulfing it in magical flames. Adopting a centered swordsman stance, I faced the middle-aged dragonoid sage. Gripping my sword tightly, I glared at the sole enemy.

"Mariko is coming with me!" I shouted. "One more step, and I'll cut your neck!"

"You are the one who has been poisoning Mariko's mind," Dennis declared, redirecting his gaze toward me. "Maybe you should be put in your place."

"Back to you, old gramps! I will put you in a wheelchair!" I yelled, recklessly charging toward the solitary adversary. "Raaaaaah!"

Suddenly, I felt a ripple emanating from Dennis's eyes. Almost instantly, my heart ceased its beating, my brain halted its thoughts, and my vision plunged into darkness. It was as if someone had pressed my power-off button, and my body shut down completely.

The next thing I heard was the thud of my own body hitting the ground, accompanied by Mariko's piercing scream.

"Kate!"

[Kate Zephyrus: K.I.A]