56.
Suspicion on the Eve of Assassination
Frank had known Edward a long time, and although their past life seemed
like an alternate reality at this point, he felt as if they could trust each other
with anything. That’s why Frank felt so torn about keeping Phileas's secret from
him. The doctor had more or less promised him that they wouldn't be hurt while
they stayed there, and Frank really had no choice but to trust the cannibal at
this point. Not only were they indebted him – now, they were also at his mercy.
And so, as they walked back through a spacious hall, heading to their rooms
for the evening, Frank bid his friend a quiet goodnight.
"Phileas said there's some big tournament starting tomorrow,"
Edward said, "are you excited to go?"
"Yeah, I suppose." Frank shrugged.
Edward contemplated something for a moment, and then turned to go into
his bedroom.
Frank flinched. "Is something wrong, Ed?"
"Oh..." Edward propped his door open and stopped. "Not really,
I was just thinking. It feels like I'm farther away from my son more now than
ever. I wish I could see him again."
"No worries, Ed," Frank said, focused on trying to relax his
friend. "We'll be back home before you know it."
"See, now, I'm not sure that's the best idea," Edward said, with
a sad laugh. "This seems to be a much safer place than Earth right now."
Frank was silent for a moment. He just couldn't think of anything to say
without ruining everything. Ed's done so much for me. He deserves at least a
day of peace before we're thrown back into danger again.
"Yeah. Maybe you're right. Let's just get some sleep."
"Good idea." Edward smiled hopefully, then disappeared into his
bedroom.
*
"And you're 150% sure that you're prepared for your duties tomorrow?"
Roufas sat on the sofa in the Zodiacs’ suite room across from Averyl, who
had returned to a less-than-enthusiastic homecoming.
"I can't believe you're making me work with him," Mephistoclessia
rasped.
"It shall be fun, methinks!" Saffron shouted, as he polished
his sword.
"Oh, I’m ready. Aand I hear that you and the others will have your
hands full tomorrow," Averyl said to Roufas. "I envy you. I wouldn't mind
getting a shot at the one they call Azuka...she's quite a rarity."
"We will be very busy, indeed, which is why it is imperative that you
all take care of things on your end, so that we can secure the clock when the time
comes."
"Mmm." Averyl nodded slowly. "It will be an honor, Mr.
Ernst."
"Yeah, thanks for letting me enter, Roufas," Winslow said, taking
his eyes off the TV for a moment. "I won’t let you down!"
Roufas nodded curtly. "We're going to start the Group A meeting
now. Feel free to join us if you want, although I'll be sending your teammates back
to their rooms."
"Thy offer graces me...but further preparation doth beckon my comrades,"
Saffron said, running his hand down one of the blades. "Doth it not, Rosencrantz?"
"Very well." The violinist excused himself to the neighboring
room. Waiting inside were all the other Zodiacs in Group A: Bruce, Rose, Zhang Guo,
Cecilia, Grayson, and Van Kaen.
"That makes seven," Grayson said. "Now, all the Zodiacs
have congregated, with the exception of the traitor Madeleine. Tomorrow, you are
to lead each of the four captains out from the tournament complex, isolate them,
then kill them without hesitation."
"Rose and I will each take one," Bruce said, squeezing Rose's
waist as she sat in his lap.
Grayson nodded, then looked to the Rabbit for confirmation. It was an unspoken
agreement among the Zodiacs that the Snake and the Rabbit were the unofficial leaders
of the group. Not only were they the ones who originally founded the Dark Zodiacs,
but they were also easily the strongest. Their word usually went unquestioned,
simply because of the respect that the other members carried for them.
With that said, the current condition of the group was unlike anything
Roufas had ever experienced before. Some members were uncooperative, unmotivated,
and others were simply rebellious. But all of them were promising warriors, and
Roufas' unique ethics kept him from chopping any away, despite Grayson's opinion
that it was time for a spring cleaning.
He watched Grayson now – a tall man in his 40s with a long blonde
ponytail, and remembered when they had first met. All those years ago, it had been
just the two of them: Grayson, a cool, calculated youth with perspicacious eyes,
and Roufas, a jaded, middle-aged violinist who had more than a few tricks up
the sleeves of his expensive suits. The most remarkable thing that Roufas could
remember about Grayson was the way he seemed to be able to take complete control
over any situation or person. Grayson had a special effect on people, an unconscious
influence that practically entranced them.
Their mutual dissatisfaction with the world and the Church’s uncompromising
reign is what first led them to take matters into their own hands. Empowered by
their common ideologies, they first began with assaults on small-scale entities
and governments who provided too much ‘positive support’ to greedy corporations,
or simply taxed their people more than necessary. Grayson took care of the stealth,
while Roufas provided the firepower. Soon, their reputation grew larger, until
finally they were forced to pick up newer, stronger allies just to stay ahead
of their enemies. Eventually, one world grew too small for them and they hopped
dimensions, enlarging their victories to epic proportions.
Although they didn't spend much time together anymore, Roufas still felt
a strong bond with Grayson, who he had always considered to be his very first
pupil. The Rabbit felt that he could trust him with anything, and never doubted
his intelligence. They worked perfectly together, and their combined mental efforts
had allowed the Dark Zodiacs to triumph over any obstacle. Now, though, it seemed
as if Grayson had grown a bit distant. While his personality hadn't changed, he
seemed to be less vocal in his ideas and thoughts about the group. On top of that,
he was very private about his work on earth. Roufas didn't understand it, but
he knew Grayson well, and with Grayson, there was always a reason.
"Roufas!" Grayson called out. "You look a bit spaced
out, old man. Is something on your mind?"
"Not at all." Roufas rubbed his chin. "Just a bit tired,
that's all."
"We'll decide who fights who later, then," Grayson said.
"The most important thing now is to work out the spatial logistics."
"Here's the map of the tournament complex," Cecilia said,
pulling a sheet of paper out of her pocket and unfolding it. "The tournament
committee members will be watching the festivities from the top floor of this
observation tower."
"That should be easy to find," Roufas remarked.
"Everyone should study the layout."
"What about the Daughter?" Rose asked. "When should we plan
to obtain her?"
"The Daughter?" Roufas furrowed his brow. "Remember, I
said–"
"The Daughter will not cause any problems," Grayson cut in.
"You just leave her to me."
*
Eden quietly closed the door to the hotel room that she and Azuka shared.
Inside, the captain had just hung her uniform up in the closet and changed into
a silk nightgown. She looked as beautiful as ever, but her aura felt softer
than usual.
"All ready for tomorrow, Eden?" Azuka asked, tucking herself
into her bed. "This will be the last time we get to talk for a while."
"What should I really be expecting during the tournament?" Eden
asked suddenly. "First I thought only the Dark Zodiacs are after me...but
they aren't alone, are they?"
"Eden," Azuka said sternly. "Once people learn of your
identity, they’ll come after you regardless of where you go."
"I know," Eden said. "I can protect myself. My only question
is...from what?"
"The most dangerous people in the universe," Azuka continued.
"And I'm not talking about the Dark Zodiacs. There are monsters in this world,
beings with powers that neither you nor I could fathom...and the only thing that
is not within their grasp is your ability, Eden – unlimited psynergy, the ability
to break the barrier to the Space-Time Continuum. For that, they will do anything
to own you."
Eden flinched, and Azuka's choice of words sent shivers up her spine.
"I understand, Captain. I won't back down."
"Neither will I." Azuka smiled warmly. "They won't have
you, Eden...not on my watch."
*
"Rest easy, Vance." Cliff shut off the lights and hopped into
bed. "Big day tomorrow."
"Cliff." Vance's voice floated through the dim suite, lit only
by slivers of neon lights radiating through the blinds.
"Yup?"
"Have you noticed anything strange about Eden lately?" Vance's
voice sounded weak.
"You're worried about her? What for?"
"It just seems like she's hiding something from us. She’s acting weird."
"That's just Eden's way, I think. When the stakes are high, she
tries her best to keep people from worrying about her."
"I agree," Vance replied, "but this time it's different.
There’s something she doesn’t want us to know."
"You’re really that worried about her?" Cliff asked. "Relax,
Vance. Between me, you, and Captain Azuka, Eden will be safe."
"Look, I’m not really that worried," Vance answered suddenly.
"Just...annoyed, I guess."
Cliff sighed. "I want to let you know, Vance...it's nothing to be
ashamed of if you really do, you know...have feelings for her. She's a wonderful
girl."
"Ugh, forget it, Cliff," Vance said with an exasperation exhale.
"Let’s just go to sleep."
"Whatever you say, Vance. I was just trying to help. Night."
Vance closed his eyes and tried to sleep, despite his frustrations,
agitations, and sorrows getting in the way of his fatigue. It had only been a couple
of hours after he drifted off that he awoke again – when he felt someone lightly
touch his shoulder.
Vance looked at the face in front of him and nearly screamed, but a
pale hand shot onto his lips.
"Ssshhh..." Averyl cooed, staring down at Vance with unmasked
eyes. "We wouldn't want to disturb the cowboy."
"What is it?" Vance said, looking up to him. "Why do you
always show up at the most inconvenient times?"
"Is that any way to greet your mentor? You seem more agitated than
usual. What troubles you?"
"You're the third person to ask me that tonight, and I'll give you
the same answer I told them: nothing!"
"Vaaaaance..." Averyl's hand quickly changed positions, tightening
around his nephew's neck. "Didn't the time we spent together mean anything
to you?"
Vance gritted his teeth in silence, then waited for Averyl to let his neck
go.
"This is especially important," Averyl whispered, slowly
letting go. "Now, more than ever. Tomorrow we'll see whether or not you have
what it takes to bring vengeance to those who killed your mother...as well as
if you can truly protect the one you love."
"What?!" Vance shouted, then glanced quickly at Cliff, who
was still snoring softly. "What the hell are you talking about, Averyl?"
"Hee hee hee...didn't you like that last part?" Averyl was unable
to keep a straight face any longer. "You have a crush on someone, don't you,
Vance?"
"Who cares if I do?" Vance growled, in as fierce a whisper as
he could muster.
"Anyway." Averyl glided back to the window that he’d climbed
through. "Please don't let me down tomorrow. I’ll be watching you..."
"From where?!" Vance shouted, losing his patience. "Stop
being so damn cryptic, you asshole! Get back here!"
Averyl shot out of the window, just as Cliff blinked and rose from his
sleeping position. "What's going on?"
"I saw a spider," Vance groaned, throwing himself back down onto
the bed. "But don’t worry, I chased it out."
*
Nathan Marks watched lights dim in windows all over the city as many people
went to bed in preparation for tomorrow. He was ready to turn in for the night
himself, but decided to wait until the Seneschal finished taking a shower so he
could use the bathroom. Nathan's mother had hammered the ethics of hygiene into
her boy's mind ever since he was old enough to pick up a toothbrush, so he couldn’t
stand going to bed without brushing his teeth.
Growing a bit impatient, Nathan moved to the bathroom door and prepared
to knock when he suddenly heard a ringtone. The faucet in the shower went off
immediately, and a metallic clink sounded from within.
"This is Seneschal Fukunaga," Tao's muffled voice said.
Nathan knew it was wrong to listen, but something seemed to clench his
wrist and freeze him in place. It was strange, because usually he was very good
about letting people have their privacy. But due to the hour of the phone call,
and the urgency of the Seneschal's voice, he could feel that something was
wrong.
"Yes, sir." Tao's voice sounded again, sending a shiver up
Nathan's spine. "You're coming personally? But, why, sir?"
Silence.
"I feel confident that my Knights can take care of the problem with
unparalleled speed and efficiency. I wouldn't want to trouble you any further."
Tao's fingers could be heard scratching nervously on the sink.
"Yes, I understand that this is very important, but–"
More empty silence. Nathan tried to remember the name and face of every
important-looking person he'd seen come into the Guild. They had all been very
respectful to the Seneschal, and none of them had given him any commands.
"I-I see. Yes, sir. In that case, I will look forward to your
arrival, Father Zeigfried."
The Seneschal cut the line, and Nathan backed away from the door quickly.
Who's Father Zeigfried?
The Knight tried to relax himself, but his shoulders continued to shiver.
He had no idea who Father Zeigfried was, but felt that he would find out very
soon – along with many other things he probably didn’t want to know, tomorrow, when
the Belmarcian Tournament finally began.
Next: The Death Jam Exordium
