Chapter 2 - The Great Liar
Kaze is sitting with Hensai and the others as they discuss their next steps. Kaze wants Hensai to clarify some details.
“So, you’re sure he’s dead?”
Hensai is quick to respond in a monotone voice.
“I watched him die.”
“His name is Crow.”
“His power is similar to yours Kaze.”
“Except he can transform his body into birds rather than insects.”
“He can also call every crow in a 15 mile radius to him if he wanted too.”
“And use them to pick the victims bones clean.”
“His power isn’t an illusion like orange skies.”
Hensai pauses for a moment as he delivers chilling words.
“It’s a power made to massacre.”
Kaze is confused about something that Hensai has said.
“If you saw him die then how is he still killing?”
Hensai has the same question.
“That’s what I want to find out.”
They all head into town and sit down on some benches in the local park. It appears to be a mundane activity but Hensai elaborates further.
“If we want to find crow then we need to observe the crows.”
“I know it sounds boring but that’s the only way we’ll find him.”
Hours pass by with Kaze and the others staying alert. Drowsiness kicks in and at this point Yuma is asleep. Kaze can’t help but comment on the boringness of the task.
“This is so boring.”
Shokku, however, does not find this to be as boring as Kaze.
“It is not the worst way to spend time.”
At this point, Chikaku notices that Yuma is asleep while the others are monitoring the patterns of the crows.
“Wake up Yuma.”
“Huh?”
Before Chikaku and Yuma could continue their conversation, Hensai has just finished calculating after watching the crows in a steadfast manner for the past few hours.
“I think I got it.”
Everyone proceeds to look at Hensai.
“Follow me.”
Everyone begins to walk behind Hensai. Kaze wonders if Hensai has a location in mind.
“Where are we heading?”
“East.”
Kaze finds this response to be lacking in detail and attempts to pry for more.
“East?”
“Care to elaborate?”
“I can’t.”
Kaze finds this response to be strange and wonders why Hensai is being so reluctant to go into detail.
“Why?”
Hensai gives Kaze a genuine response.
“I don’t know where exactly we are heading.”
“Just that the birds are going east.”
They continue to follow Hensai for quite a while, until they begin to approach the edge of the town. Hensai begins to notice something.
“The culprit is near.”
Hensai points to a massive and unusual number of crows congregating in the area.
“I know what Crow looks like so this should be easy.”
Hensai looks around and can’t seem to spot anyone who bares any similarities to Crow. Hensai begins to notices that a large number of the birds have began moving.
“Huh.”
“The birds are moving.”
“Crow isn’t here.”
“I don’t understand.”
Kaze begins to think of a reason for this.
“Maybe he’s in a disguise?”
As the birds begin to move, Hensai knows that he has to pursue now or he could risk losing Crow.
“Follow the birds.”
They all begin to follow the flock of crows until they reach a deserted street with only one person on it. Hensai takes a quick look at the positioning of the birds before establishing that the man standing ahead of them must be Crow. Hensai points at the mysterious figure.
“It’s him!”
The mysterious figure turns around and then after noticing the group, begins to run away. Hensai gets worried that he may possibly escape.
“After him!”
Hensai, Kaze and the others begin to chase him. The figure is fast and difficult to catch. After they pursue the figure for a while, the figure realises that he wont escape Kaze and the others easily. In order to make an escape, the figure begins to transform his body into a pack of crows that begin to fly off. Hensai is not about to let this happen.
“Kaze, bring him down!”
Kaze uses his ability to throw his insects at the birds and commands them to bite. As he does this, the pain causes the crows to begin to fall towards the ground. The crows then begin to reassemble into a person. Kaze stops his insects and returns them to him. Hensai issues a warning to the figure.
“Don’t attempt to run.”
The mysterious figure is determined to get away and stands up to face Kaze and the others.
“I won’t be bested.”
Hensai looks surprised and confused.
“Now I can see his face, something is clear to me.”
Kaze is confused about what Hensai has realised.
“What?”
Hensai was uncertain at first but now he has realised something shocking.
“That isn’t crow.”
“Who are you?”
“How do you have Crow’s power?”
The mysterious figure begins to answer.
“You can call me the same name as my power.”
“My power ‘Jailbird’ allows me to copy the last ability I’ve seen in use.”
“However, if I decide to use a new power, I can no longer access the old one.”
“I’m yet to find anything more useful than Murder of Crows so far, so I never changed it.”
Hensai begins to understand the situation clearer. Even though the person standing before them is likely a threat, Hensai is glad that Crow remains dead.
“I see.”
Kaze is annoyed about Jailbird’s lack of respect for human life and can’t contain his anger.
“Why did you kill that person?”
Jailbird looks confused.
“Who?”
“I kill lots of people.”
Jailbirds’ expression turns to one of malice.
“I won’t make an exception for any of you either.”
Kaze and the others prepare themselves as they are certain a fight is about to ensue. Kaze readies himself for battle and Jailbird takes notice of this.
“You’re the one who threw those insects right?”
“So, your power is similar to Murder of Crows.”
“Let’s see which is better.”
Kaze and Jailbird begin to fight. Despite Kaze’s recent history of pugilism, Jailbird is a stronger fighter and soon begins to best Kaze in hand to hand combat. Kaze begins to pick up on some of Jailbirds sluggish patterns and strikes him back.
“I got you now.”
Jailbird knows that the warm up is over now and that he should use his powers now. Jailbird is cunning and has devised a plan. He plans to transform into a swarm of crows that circle quickly around Kaze so that when Kaze transforms into a group of insects, the crows can feast on them. Kaze knows this and knows that he has access to an insect that Jailbird will be unprepared for.
Jailbird suddenly begins his plan and turns into crows that swarm around Kaze and prepare to peck at him relentlessly. Kaze activates his secret weapon.
“Golden Scarab!”
Kaze transforms his body into a group of golden scarabs that begin to rapidly devour a bunch of Jailbird’s crows. Jailbird figures out the tide is turning in a matter of seconds and quickly the rest of the crows reform into an injured jailbird.
“What kind of insect is that?”
Kaze is cold in his response.
“A kind you cannot beat.”
Jailbird suddenly lets out a bird sound and suddenly thousands of birds come flying towards them and swarm Kaze and the others while Jailbird begins to runs off. Kaze begins to think about what he should do, he knows that he can’t let Jailbird get away but he can’t leave his friends here either. Before Kaze could act, Shokku springs into action and begins to chase Jailbird.
“I’ll handle this.”
Shokku leaves some parting words for Kaze.
“Protect the others.”
Shokku runs after Jailbird. They run for a bit until Jailbird comes to a sudden stop and turns to face Shokku.
“So, you’re the unlucky victim huh?”
Shokku responds to this is a calm manner.
“I will not be a victim.”
Jailbird is curious about Shokku.
“I wonder what power you have.”
Shokku is desperate to engage in conflict with Jailbird and put this to an end.
“Why don’t you find out?”
Jailbird notices Shokku’s baton and sends a bunch of crows flying at Shokku. Shokku electrifies his baton and begins to smack them away. Jailbird knows that he has the upper hand.
“I see.”
“Your power is limited to the ground.”
“That means you can’t chase me if I fly.”
Jailbird laughs and gives a smug expression as his confidence in escaping rises.
“Goodbye.”
Jailbird turns himself into crows that begin flying away. Shokku smiles at this.
“You fell right into my trap.”
Shokku puts his hand onto a nearby a power box and shocks it. The power lines up above have an electric explosion which shocks all of the crows in its vicinity. All of the crows passing near it fall to the ground. The crows then reform into a shocked and stunned Jailbird.
“I don’t think you’ll be getting up any time soon.”
The others arrive and notice that Shokku is fine. Kaze is the first to comment.
“Shokku.”
Their eyes all suddenly move to the defeated Jailbird laying on the ground.
“I told you I could handle it.”
Kaze was confident in Shokku from the start. Kaze makes a bold proclamation.
“I guess we beat the bad guy again.”
A voice is heard from the not far distance.
“Not yet you haven’t.”
It takes him a moment, but Kaze recognises this voice. Kaze is struggling to process it and believes that his ears may be deceiving him. Kaze turns around to see exactly who he expected…Fukusei. He appears different, Fukusei is dressed in slightly different attire and its apparent that he now has a facial scar. Kaze can’t contain his excitement.
“Fukusei!!!”
“I’m so glad you’re ok.”
“I was so worried.”
“Where have you been?”
Fukusei looks blankly and stops Kaze from speaking.
“Now isn’t the time for greeting.”
Kaze is visibly confused by this.
“Huh?”
Fukusei continues in his serious tone of voice as the mood of excitement and joy has become sinister.
“Step away from him.”
Fukusei points at someone. They all look at Fukusei, who is pointing at Hensai. Kaze is confused as to what is happening.
“What’s going on?”
Fukusei begins to lose his patience.
“Just do it!!!”
“All of you!!!”
They all step away from the now lonely group of Hensai, Shinrai and Shinote. Fukusei continues his speech.
“At first I thought I was mistaken.”
“I know who you are…”
“Ringmaster!”
Hensai looks shocked. It was as if the word ‘ringmaster’ triggered Hensai to realise that a dark secret of his has been found out. Kaze can’t understand the situation and begins to look at Hensai for answers.
“What’s wrong Hensai?”
Hensai plays it off. However, it is certain that the current mood can’t be recovered without conflict.
“I think your friend is mistaking me with someone else.”
Fukusei continues in an incredibly serious tone.
“No.”
“You’re the man who killed Crow.”
Kaze recalls that Hensai spoke about watching Crow die. Kaze wonders how Fukusei knows about this. Fukusei begins to lose his patience.
“If you don’t want to talk then we can do this the hard way.”
Fukusei suddenly creates 5 hologram clones of himself as he readies himself to fight. Hensai is still interested in resolving this peacefully and begins to piece together everything in his mind.
“You’ve been talking to Neutraliser, haven’t you?”
“No matter.”
Fukusei’s holograms begin to run towards Hensai with the intention to attack. However, Hensai recalls Kaze speaking about Fukusei when they had first met. Hensai remembers saying that Fukusei’s holograms disappear upon contact.
“Kaze told me about your power.”
“Your clones can’t interact with people.”
One of the clones charge towards Hensai with its fist clenched. Hensai smirks as he s5tands confidently. Unexpectedly, the clone punches Hensai with force, knocking him to the ground. Fukusei begins to explain.
“My power has advanced.”
“The power known as ‘Human Assimilation’ is now ‘Hologram Heaven’!”
As Hensai remains on the ground, it appears that his personality has changed. A dark aura now radiates from Hensai.
“Now this is really interesting!”
“You have a power I want all for myself.”
Hensai quickly pulls himself up off the ground and jumps backwards. Unexpectedly, Hensai pulls a knife out from one of his pockets and puts it to Yuma’s throat, taking her hostage. This has put Kaze in utter shock and he tries to talk with Hensai.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“It appears my cover has been blown.”
“Hensai, stop!”
Hensai gives a menacing glare towards Kaze.
“You can refer to me as ‘The Ringmaster’ from now on.”
Kaze is confused as to what or who ‘The Ringmaster’ is supposed to be. Hensai turns his attention to Fukusei.
“I desire your power, Fukusei.”
“However, I don’t fancy fighting you and Kaze at the same time.”
“So, I’m going to cut you a deal.”
“Stop pursuing me and I’ll let Yuma live.”
Hensai cuts the knife deeper into Yuma who begins to move around in pain. Fukusei bares a blank expression.
“No deal.
Both Kaze and Chikaku are shocked that Fukusei would be willing to let someone die over nothing. Fukusei’s clones begin to run towards Hensai.
“Bad choice.”
In retaliation to this, Hensai cuts Yuma’s throat in an attempt to kill her, however, he fails to cut it deep enough because of Kaze’s quick thinking. The second that Hensai began to move the knife, Kaze threw his leafcutter ants at Hensai, causing him to dodge backwards.
“You little brats.”
“Go Land and Sea!”
Kaze stops for a moment as he realises that he has heard this name before. He recalls his time on the island with Genso.
“Land and Sea?”
“I know this power!”
Hensai proceeds to punch the ground in a similar manor to how Genso once did. Upon doing this, pillars began come out from the ground. This was exactly what Hensai wanted as this left an opening for Hensai, Shinrai and Shinote to begin escaping. Fukusei is now angry.
“We’re not done here!”
Hensai stops for a brief moment.
“Yes, we are!”
Hensai then proceeds to punch a land pillar, which sends it flying towards Fukusei. Kaze sees this coming and narrowly pushes Fukusei out of the way and allowing him to barely dodge the pillar. By this time, Hensai and the two others have gone. Fukusei scans the area and sees no sign of them.
“No, damn it!”
“Where did they go?”
Kaze is confused as to what had just occurred.
“Fukusei, you need to tell us what’s going on?”
Fukusei stops and looks at Kaze, then looks at the others.
“You need to fill me in on what’s happened first.”
“I see that Chikaku is alive again.”
“Last I checked, he was dead.”
They all agree that lots of blanks need to be filled in. They go to a nearby café to talk through their situations. Kaze explains all the events that occurred after Fukusei disappeared.
“I see.”
“It sounds like you’ve been pretty occupied.”
Kaze agrees as he thinks back on everything that has happened.
“You could say that.”
Kaze signals to Fukusei that it’s his turn to tell Kaze everything that has happened.
“Your turn.”
“I met a team of people.”
“They told me all about Ringmaster.”
“He needs to be stopped.”
Kaze waits for more information, but Fukusei has stopped talking.
“That’s not a lot of detail.”
Fukusei begins to elaborate.
“I swore an oath not to say anything about my experience.”
“I owe these people a lot.”
“They showed me how to advance my power.”
“That is why my clones can now strike people.”
Kaze understands that Fukusei will not speak about his experience anymore and will likely not speak about the ‘Neutraliser’ character that Hensai had mentioned. Kaze wonders if Fukusei would share more details on Hensai.
“What about Hensai?”
Fukusei looks at Kaze. Kaze realises that Fukusei knows Hensai under his ‘The Ringmaster’ alias.
“I mean The Ringmaster.”
“What’s his power?”
Fukusei stirs his drink as he begins to explain.
“His ability is known as ‘Ring Thief’.”
“If he kills someone who possesses a power…”
Fukusei pauses for a moment.
“…A ring appears on their corpse.”
Kaze does not understand what rings have to do with Hensai using Genso’s ability.
“I don’t understand.”
Fukusei sighs as he begins to explain, knowing it will hurt Kaze.
“If he puts the ring on, he gains that person’s power.”
Kaze takes a moment to put everything together in his mind.
“What?”
“No.”
“He used Land and Sea.”
“That means he killed…”
“…Genso.”
Kaze eyes begin to water as he realises the man who helped him out while asking for nothing in return, was dead.
“How did he kill Genso?”
Fukusei keeps a calm composure as he believes there are more important things then mourning the dead.
“There’s time to grieve later.”
This annoys Kaze as he struggles to grasp the situation.
“Later?”
“You just turn up out of the blue and tell me my friend’s dead!”
Fukusei understands that Kaze would reasonably have difficulty understanding the situation.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“But many more will die if we don’t stop Ringmaster.”
Shokku looks at the situation with a level-head and agrees with Fukusei.
“He’s right, Kaze.”
Kaze tries not to think about Genso and turns his attention to Chikaku.
“Chikaku.”
“How’s Yuma holding up?”
After the fight, Chikaku took Yuma to the hotel to rest.
“She wasn’t cut deeply.”
“She just needs some rest.”
Kaze turns his focus back to Fukusei and inquires further about Hensai.
“So, I assume Hensai as hundreds of powers at his disposal?”
“No.”
“As of this time he only has three.”
“He can only have one ring per finger.”
“From what I’ve gathered he only want the powers he deems the greatest.”
“He didn’t even take Murder of Crows.”
Fukusei and the others look disturbed by this statement as it becomes clearly obvious that Hensai will not be an easy fight. Fukusei continues his speech.
“One of his powers are Unknown to us.”
“One is known as Land and Sea, which you’re familiar with.”
“The last one is known as ‘Devils Left Hand’.”
Kaze is curious about this ability and pry’s Fukusei for details.
“What does that do?”
“It essentially summons a giant hand he can use to crush foes.”
This makes both Kaze and Shokku feel nervous. Kaze comments on this.
“It sounds like it’ll be difficult to get around.”
Fukusei smiles as he takes a quick sip of his drink.
“I know all of its tricks, don’t worry.”
Fukusei seems uneasy about something.
“There’s another problem though.”
Kaze dreads asking what this may be, but knows that he must to get an accurate evaluation of the situation.
“What’s that?”
“Shinrai and Shinote.”
“His allies may wear one ring each.”
Kaze recalls that both Shinrai and Shinote did in fact both have a ring on.
“That’s right.”
“They did each have a ring on.”
This worries Fukusei.
“I have no idea as to what powers The Ringmaster gave them.”
Kaze seems determined.
“I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”
Unknown to Kaze, hidden by his clothing, on the upper levels of his shoulder blade is a strange mark. If Kaze’s shoulder blade was fully visible, it would appear there are the symbols of all 4 playing card suites together on Kaze’s shoulder blade and back, roughly the size of a palm. A skull symbol sits on the top of it.
Everyone heads to their rooms at the hotel to rest after the eventful day. Kaze worries that Hensai will be on the other side of the door. Kaze slowly opens his door as he scans the room to check for anyone.
“Nobody’s here.”
“I knew Hensai wasn’t stupid enough to stay in the hotel.”
The night passes, though everyone is still worried that Hensai may return to the hotel. This keeps everyone on edge. It’s now morning and there is a sudden knock on the door. This causes Kaze to wake up and become instantly alert, fearing the worst.
“Who is it?”
There is no response from the other side. Kaze worries and decides not to open the door in case it’s a trap. Kaze sends a small number of insects under the door. The insects do not spot anyone nearby but notice a letter left outside the door.
“Nobody in sight.”
“Just this letter.”
Kaze heads over to the door and opens it. Kaze proceeds to pick up the letter and close the door. Kaze opens the letter.
Unknown to Kaze, he was not the only one to receive the letter. Fukusei, Shokku, Hensai, Ryukku, Kemuri and countless power users have received the letter and begin to read the following text.
“Congratulations.”
“We know who you are and all about you.”
“We’re here to give you a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“250 power users have been selected.”
“At the included coordinates you will find an item capable of enhancing your power tenfold.”
“The first one to reach it gets to keep it.”
“No strings attached.”
Kaze knows that this could be bad news for everyone and instantly decides to go to Fukusei.
“I got to find Fukusei.”
Kaze meets up with all the others and discovers that Yuma and Chikaku did not receive a letter. Kaze discovers that Shokku and Fukusei did receive one and asks them to meet him in the café. Kaze wonders if either of them has a plan.
“What are we going to do?”
The conversation appears to bore Fukusei, who takes no interest.
“That isn’t our mission right now.”
Kaze can see that Fukusei is not realising the same thing as Kaze. He decides to give Fukusei his thoughts.
“You want The Ringmaster, right?”
“Think about it.”
“I’m certain The Ringmaster got one of these letters also.”
Fukusei thinks about this for a moment.
“That does seem probable.”
“However, we can’t beat 250 power users.”
Kaze seems determined and attempts to persuade Fukusei further.
“With our powers combined we stand a chance.”
“Besides…”
“…imagine if The Ringmaster got the power enhancer.”
Fukusei gives an obviously painful reaction as he clenches his fist.
“That’s a good point.”
“I mean, no offence to Chikaku or Yuma but if they didn’t receive a letter its best they stay behind.”
“If we’re doing this, then I don’t want them there.”
Shokku nods his head.
“On that matter, we agree.”
Kaze is reluctant but agrees also.
“Fine.”
“I’ll tell them to head home.”
Kaze points to the coordinates on his letter.
“Any idea where those coordinates are?”
The now well-travelled Fukusei has already figured out where they direct to.
“Mount Gajini.”
“It’s a three day climb.”
“So be prepared.”
A massive mountain rests, awaiting travellers to attempt to climb it. This mountain will soon become a place of battle between many with the goal of greater power.
