Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A deep breath. And then another.

A putrid smell invaded his nose, it was close. He might as well have been on top of it.

Slow, careful steps forward; one hand hovering over the Octo Shot hanging at his hip. One wrong step and he'd pay the fee with his life.

UUURRRR!

A burning sensation overcame his legs as he was lifted from his feet and hung upside-down. Apart from the ringing in his ears, he heard his sword slide out of its scabbard—No!—and clatter to the ground.

Reaching up with his left hand, he wrapped his fingers around the Octo Shot and fired at point blank. He was released from the monster's grip with an ear-piercing screech and a wave of pain over his shoulder and upper back.

He rolled onto his side and quickly scrambled to his feet. Hideyo, where...?

He scanned the dimly lit arena for a shimmer—a glint—a flash of silver that made up the blade of his sword. Yet his time to search was cut short as the ground beneath him rumbled with the ever approaching creature; he whipped around and fired a barrage of coral pink ink, watching as the it slowed to a stop and cried out as his ink mixed and overpowered the sickly green-blue ink of the monster's. The patches made up of his ink sloughed off and exposed what could only best be described as stained, rotting skin.

But without Hideyo, I can't do anything apart from surface damage.

And yet, he managed to catch sight of a streak of silver cutting through its arm. Another ear-piercing screech ripped through the air at the loss of its arm.

"Your sword, lad!"

Flying through the air and landing at his feet—chik!—was Hideyo. Without a moment to spare, he gripped the hilt of the blade in his artificial hand and ripped it from the ground. Turning to the monster, he pointed the barrel of his Octo Shot at its chest before firing.

For a moment, he waited for the ink to slide off; and once it did, he rushed forward—leaping into the air, Hideyo raised high, and sunk its blade into the monster's flesh. With one final scream, it fell backwards and dissolved into nothing.

He caught his breath, then stood, sheathing Hideyo and putting his Octo Shot back into its holster. He heard someone approach him as he cracked his neck and turned to look at them.

"That's a fine blade ye've got there, lad." he said. "But yer form was gash."

What... does that mean?

He gave a small bow to the elder, murmuring, "My apologies."

A rough hand placed itself upon his mantle and gently ruffled his tentacles. Tilting his head up, he saw the same stern look upon the elder's face, though his eyes—one of which was bloodshot—had softened.

"None needed. Like a whetstone, refinement will sharpen yer skills to perfection." His hand fell back to clasp his other, which held a heavily worn and damaged cane. "What's yer name, lad?"

He straightened himself. "Lynx, sir."

"An' why d'ye fight, Lynx?"

"To reach the surface. The Promised Land."

The elder nodded with a hum, closing his eyes. "'Twould seem we share a goal then. I am Cuttlefish, but ye'll refer to me as Captain. Aye?"

"Yes, Captain."

Lynx's attention turned elsewhere. A strange object tightly wrapped in tarp, taller than himself by at least a head. The reason why he was there in the first place.

He strode towards the object, or Thang as it was called, and curled his fingers underneath it, then began to lift. His left arm and right shoulder tensed as he put all his strength into lifting up the Thang. Just then, its weight became just a bit more bearable, and he found Captain assisting him with one hand.

"Thank you, Captain." Lynx grunted.

"Mind tellin' me what ye need this for?" Captain asked.

Carefully, they began to move in tandem, with Lynx leading. "The Gatekeeper requires it. I need only two more to be allowed through."

"Pure barry..."

Regardless of their discomfort, they continued on, eventually reaching a platform fitted with benches. With a heavy huff, they placed the Thang down and caught their breath. For several moment did they not utter a word to one another, and for several moments did they wait.

And then, the tunnel was lit and roaring. The first half of the massive machination breezed past them, even as it came to a grinding stop; from the second half, a pair of doors hissed open, revealing a creature small enough to fit in Lynx's palms. The creature, wearing an adorably tiny conductor's hat, trudged in their direction.

"Go ahead and take a seat, boys," the creature, whose voice was high in pitch, said. "I can take care of this."

Lynx bowed. "Thank you, Conductor."

A spindly tendril emerged from the conductor's body and tilted his hat.

As the two walked into the subway car, Lynx noticed that Captain walked with a limp. When he brought his gaze down to look at his feet, he saw that one pant leg, patterned with dark camo, was torn at the knee and exposed a wooden peg leg. He remained quiet and sat down in one of the seats of the brightly lit car. He threw his head back and breathed out a heavy sigh.

"That mark on yer neck," Lynx looked back at Captain, who sat parallel to him. "What is it?"

His left hand went to the mark imprinted down the right side of his neck. "Father called it an 'identification brand.' It was there when I woke up, but, I don't remember anything before that."

"What's it say? 'Fraid I'm not too familiar wit' th' language down 'ere."

"Ten thousand and eight." Lynx said. "I'm not sure what it means."

Captain mumbled something under his breath. "Ten thousand an' eight's quite lengthy. Eight's much quicker an' flows better..."

"Captain?"

"Yer brand new, lad. Ye've potential. From this moment forward, 'til ye give me reason otherwise, ye'll be known as Agent Eight. Codename: Lynx."

He blinked beneath his blindfold and lowered his head in a bow. "Thank you, Captain."

"Now, ye said ye 'woke up.' Mind tellin' me what came 'fore our meetin'?"

Lynx nodded.

He came to with an aching headache and pain arching down the right side of his neck. Lynx—was that his name?—grunted and pushed himself to his knees. Every movement he made was followed by an ache, save for his right arm. When he turned his head to look at his arm, he found that it was not there; rather, all that remained of his arm was a stump of a shoulder. Turning his attention from his shoulder, he placed the pads of his fingers onto the right side of his neck, only to quickly move them away as the pain worsened. Yet the longer he left it alone the more it hurt, and the more it started to itch.

The clothes he wore certainly didn't help. It was a singular piece, almost like a gown, but stiff and crumpled whenever he moved; the material was uncomfortable, and he felt as though he were wearing paper.

A strange, otherworldly sound pierced his ears. Just as he turned around to locate the source, he was tackled and held close to the chest of another. One pair of arms wrapped around his middle, two hands covered his mouth and eyes simultaneously.

"Look not upon its form. 'Tis an unkind, insane ounce." whispered a deep, yet soft, voice.

The sound became louder as it drew closer, but Lynx found himself calmed by the embrace of the mysterious figure. And then, the hands covering his mouth and eyes let go, but swiftly returned to wrap a line of dark fabric over his eyes.

"Shroud thy eyne in darkness. Keep thy mind tested." The grip around his middle loosened. "Let me rid of this ounce."

Not a moment later, the presence was gone and the sounds grew louder, though pained. Then silence accompanied by footsteps.

"Come now, knave. I shall teach thee to be defensible."

When next the subway stopped, it was at the central station. The conductor, CQ Cumber, was kind enough to mount the Thang onto a trolley for Lynx to push rather than struggle with. Captain was with him as he departed from the car.

The central station, in truth, could hardly be called a station. It was more of a glorified rest spot. Parallel to where the subway doors would open was a massive stone gate that kept hidden the trail to The Promised Land; and just in front of the gate was a telephone. The telephone was known as the Gatekeeper, but it was more commonly called Tartar.

Lynx rolled the trolley just in front of Tartar, and with Captain's help, lifted the Thang off the trolley and placed it in front of the telephone. Just before they made their way back inside the car, Lynx bowed, then rolled the trolley back into the car with Captain. He turned to look at the elder the moment his hands left the trolley.

"Captain, may I introduce you to Father?" he asked.

Slowly, Captain nodded.

With leisurely steps, they travelled from one car to the next. Sitting at the very end of the second car with four of his six arms crossed and a strange assortment of sewing kits, plush toys, and sheathed weaponry around him, was Father. A smile unconsciously appeared on Lynx's face. "Ah, good hunter," said Father. "You are returned."

Lynx sat opposite of Father, while Captain sat next to him.

"I hath heard of thy complement."

He bowed as best as he could while sitting. "Thank you, Father."

"So yer 'is 'father.'" Captain said.

Father nodded as he turned his head to look at Captain. "Verily. To the good hunter, I am Father. But to thee, I am Iso Padre."

"A hunter, eh? An' yer th' one tha' taught 'im?"

"Thou art keen. Aye, 'twas I who taught the good hunter. Erewhile it has been since I retired, but the good hunter has proven himself where I hath failed."

"Father..."

He held up a claw. "Nay, for I speak not untrue."

"Yer time as a hunter," Captain said, narrowing his eyes at Father. "Tell me about it."

"Verily so. 'Tis a perilous tale..."

Lynx drew his attention away from the two and pulled out a small device from his coat's pocket. It was a darkly coloured device that could barely fit in his hand, with a clear screen and three buttons along the right edge. A CQ-80. Turning it on, Lynx opened the only thing that could keep him occupied while he waited for the next stop.

Marina's Chatroom

Webmaster: 88CaratLynx has joined the chatroom.

MC.Princess: Well well well

MC.Princess: Look who decided to join us!

88CaratLynx: Hello, I made it back to the subway. No injuries, thankfully.

DJ_Hyperfresh: Good to know you're okay, Lynx! Unfortunately, I'm still no closer to figuring out where you are. (┳Д┳)

88CaratLynx: Don't worry, I'm sure you will eventually! Maybe once I pass through the gate?

DJ_Hyperfresh: It's possible...

Webmaster: FF-Prince2B has joined the chatroom.

MC.Princess: Oh shit its Bastion!

FF-Prince2B: i hit my head on the door frame while you two were out lol

MC.Princess: Gettin taller AGAIN??

DJ_Hyperfresh: A Kraken's growth is dependent on the environment around them. I have no doubt that he's still growing.

FF-Prince2B: barely felt it but still

FF-Prince2B: im a growing boy i cant help it

FF-Prince2B: oh thats right before i forget

FF-Prince2B: could little sister join the chat?

88CaratLynx: Who is that?

MC.Princess: Took me a minute to realise who that was because of the translator

MC.Princess: Im cool with it

DJ_Hyperfresh: I'll only add her if she's okay with it.

FF-Prince2B: i already spoke to her about it and shes okay with it

FF-Prince2B i wouldnt ask you if i hadnt asked her first

DJ_Hyperfresh: Alright, gimme just a moment.

"Get the fuck back here!"

Something, or rather, someone ran past him. Two more people, an Inkling and an anemone, followed suit. The Inkling had tried to shove him away, but ended up just putting their hand on his chest as they ran past. Bastion watched as they chased a smaller figure into an alleyway.

Furrowing his brows, Bastion trailed them. He watched as the Inkling shoved the third figure, which was a younger Inkling girl, into the wall of the alley.

"You little fuck! Know your fucking place!"

Bunch of bullies...

Bastion walked up behind them and smacked both of their heads together. It was enough to get them to fall onto their backs and let the Inkling girl scramble to her feet.

"No, wait!" Bastion called, gently grasping onto her arm. She whipped around with bared fangs, which was quite frightening, and scratched at his arm hard enough to leave a mark. He let go, cradling his arm with his other hand, and watched her run away. "Damn..."

He looked down at the other Inkling and Anemone and sighed, picking both of them up by their collars. He walked out of the alleyway while dragging both of them. 

Marina's Chatroom

Webmaster: DJ_Hyperfresh has added Blank_Name to the chatroom.

Webmaster: Blank_Name has joined the chatroom.

MC.Princess: Gnashers?

DJ_Hyperfresh: This might be very new to her, so let's give her some time.

FF-Prince2B: little sister type E in chat once youre ready

DJ_Hyperfresh: Take your time! There's no rush here!

MC.Princess: Yeah this chats mostly just to vibe

MC.Princess: And help our boy @88CaratLynx

MC.Princess: But mostly vibe

FF-Prince2B: you can say whatever comes to your mind here

FF-Prince2B: but you dont have to say anything if you dont feel like it

MC.Princess: Besides

MC.Princess: Aint no one here gonna say anything bad about our lovable glitch in the matrix

MC.Princess: Right?

FF-Prince2B: fr

88CaratLynx: I see no reason as to why I should.

DJ_Hyperfresh: Of course!

Webmaster: Blank_Name has changed their screen name to Glitch.

MC.Princess: Ayo??

Glitch: I don't really know what to say on here...

FF-Prince2B: thats just fine you dont gotta respond to everything

Glitch: I also thought the glitch/matrix rhyme was cool.

MC.Princess: HELL YEAH!!

MC.Princess: Okay wait wait wait

MC.Princess: We gotta introduce you to @88CaratLynx

MC.Princess: Gnashers, are you okay dropping your real name?

Glitch: Not really.

MC.Princess: Got it got it

FF-Prince2B: rare footage of Pearl Houzuki-Hime using a comma

MC.Princess: Rare footage of Bastion Houzuki-Hime-Iida minding his damn business

DJ_Hyperfresh: PEARL

MC.Princess: ANYWAY

MC.Princess: @88CaratLynx @Glitch how about you introduce yourselves to each other?

88CaratLynx: I have only known you for about a moment, and I'm sure you hand read the previous messages, but allow me to introduce myself; I am Lynx, my identification number is 10,008. Though just recently I met someone who has dubbed me Agent Eight.

FF-Prince2B: wait what

Glitch: Okay. You can just call me Glitch. I like to do Salmon Run, but I can't right now because my body was apparently overworked from my last job.

88CaratLynx: You have a job? What kind?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Glitch's job is very... complicated.

Glitch: I work with machines.

DJ_Hyperfresh: Oh.

FF-Prince2B: gonna be fr i didnt expect that one

88CaratLynx: Really? What kind of machines?

MC.Princess: I can hear Marina VIBRATING in the other room

Glitch: I repair them, so it's a variety.

88CaratLynx: How interesting! I remember something or someone who had a similar role from where I came from. But it's mostly a feeling rather than a memory.

Glitch: Amnesia?

88CaratLynx: Correct, in my journey to The Promised Land, I am also attempting to regain my memories. It is an arduous quest, but one I am willing to take.

Glitch: Good luck then.

88CaratLynx: Thank you, Glitch.

FF-Prince2B: @Glitch shouldnt you be getting to bed?

FF-Prince2B: its getting pretty late

Glitch: I probably should. Night.

FF-Prince2B: night little sister

MC.Princess: gnight Gnashers!

DJ_Hyperfresh: Goodnight, Glitch!

88CaratLynx: Goodnight, Glitch!

Chapter Text

Should I leave a note?

It was the dead of night, yet Kotone stood wide awake. She dressed in all dark clothing with a small pack tied around her back. Her hands sat on her hips as she contemplated her choices.

Is a note too little? Should I leave something else?

"Koto?"

She whipped around, seeing Marie standing in the doorway of her room. Kotone's body ran cold.

"You are awake?"

"What are you doing?"

Kotone looked away and rubbed the back of her neck. Marie had approached her and gently grasped her other hand. Slowly, ever slowly, Kotone wrapped her arms around Marie; and almost like an embarrassed child, hid her face in the Inkling's mantle.

"Please, don't leave..."

It felt as though a weight was being pressed onto her back.

"I must." She held her tighter for just a moment. "They will hurt you, because I am gone. I don't... want to risk..."

"How would they know it was us?"

"Stay away from the Valley. They will look, and they will assume."

Marie separated from their embrace to look the Octoling in the eye, their hands interlinked. "Why can't you just stay here then? They wouldn't be stupid enough to go to Inkopolis to search for you!"

"I..." Kotone’s hands trembled. "I am... afraid..."

For a brief moment, Marie was silent. Quietly, softly, she asked, "Afraid of what?"

Unconsciously, she began to speak in her mother tongue. "I'm afraid that they might hurt you or Callie...! They have spies—they will know if I am here! For your own safety, I must leave..."

Just as she began to turn away, the sleeves of her hoodie were pulled. "Koto, wait!" Even with her voice being quiet, she sounded stern, yet still did she hesitate. "...Will I ever see you again?"

She looked down, pausing. And then, "Someday, I will return to you. Though neither of us know when it will be, my hearts will be yours."

Marie's grip loosened until she let go. Kotone remained glued in place, eventually turning her head to look at the Inkling, only to find her gaze averted. A deep sigh escaped her, and she whispered, "May the fireflies lead us to victory." before walking out the door.

Fog was a difficult thing to maneuver through, even when she was the Owl. With her eyesight limited more than ever, navigating through a narrow space became more than just difficult. It was good thing she had a second pair of eyes resting on her back.

"The split in the line shouldn't be much farther," Mizuta said. "And then it's just more walking."

Kotone managed a huff of a laugh. "Aye, much more walking for me. Consider yourself lucky." She quickly corrected herself. "Ah, from walking, I mean."

What once were Mizuta's legs were now tentacles; they were different in length, with the right one being shorter, likely in Mizuta's attempt to cut it off. Flexible and strong as they were, the Octoling was rendered to a pathetic, vulnerable crawl.

Kotone carried them on her back, their tentacles wrapped around their torso in a tight, though painless, grip. How long their strength could last, however, was yet to be seen.

"It's alright," Mizuta said. "I understood what you meant."

She hummed. Then, unconsciously, she began to hum a song familiar to her ears only. A song that altered her views of the world and way of thinking. A song that could only belong to one, whose effect was unintentional, but caught her hearts in a death grip.

No matter how long she'd be haunted, so long as that song and its owner remained in her memories, she believed that atonement was possible.

“Ier namhorie teneri,

Yelschv fehrtsa lvfo parschu yastii,

Kiischfur parhamirto hatsna,

Ahsirie atselyatuya tahstetorman-yo…”

Kotone froze in place.

No... No, it's not possible...

"Mehriyetorfari,

Alzhyamiyeoreifra,

Martoreinyaromqompro sheiyoremno,

Talnomproshvahsi..."

But that voice...!

Surely, it wasn't possible. Kotone knew Marie was anything but stupid. She was one of the twin Raions; she wouldn't follow her down to the depths of wherever she was! It just wasn't possible. And yet still, the voice singing was so remarkably similar.

"Wolf!" Mizuta shook her shoulder. "Don't listen to it!"

"But—"

"It's not what you think it is!"

Her hearts ached. It sounded so much like her—what if they were wrong? What if Mizuta was tricking her? They wouldn't... she thought. Right?

The thought of seeing her face again was enough to keep her moving forward. Perhaps if she thought about it hard enough, it would come true. But that was logic only applicable to dreams, and this place—whatever it was—was anything but.

It hurt to block out the sound of her voice; as if to deny a siren her song. A song so beautiful, meaning unknown, that could touch the hearts of many and hold their gaze upon her and her alone.

Kotone squeezed her good eye shut and envisioned the real songstress. Try as might as it could, it would never be able to capture her as well as the real thing. 'Tis just a mockery... I mustn't give in...!

"Wolf!"

But by the time she opened her eye, she was sent skidding across the hard ground. She gasped for air, her chest aching from an unseen impact. "Mizuta...!"

The ground slid beneath Kotone’s body—her attempts to grip the ground in seafoam claws were fruitless as she was lifted into the air, her cowl slipping off.

"Ko... to..."

Distorted and mangled as it was, only one person called her that. Her body was turned to face the being, and despite being upside-down, she recoginsed her form.

Her face leaned closer to Kotone's, tilting slightly as her hand caressed the side of her face, fingers curling underneath her jaw. She couldn't help the tears forming in her eyes, though they were not from the burning pain on the side of her face.

"Miss... ed... you..."

She choked back a sob. Despite the pain, she leaned into her hand.

BRRRRRRRR!

She fell to the ground with a heavy thud and an abhorrent screech in her ears. Flipping onto her feet, Kotone readied another barrage in her Ballpoint Splatling. She squinted hard with her good eye, though what she could see was hardly anything of note.

Something whipped beneath her feet, and sent her on her back, unleashing the barrage into the open air. Before aught else could happen, Kotone rolled sideways, gripping the Splatling 'till her knuckles turned white, then used the momentum to raise her legs into the air and flip herself back onto her feet.

Taking a deep breath, and readying another charge, Kotone focused. With only one eye available to her and a sea of fog obscuring her vision, she watched as best she could for any sign of movement.

There!

From beyond the fog was a sliver of sickly green ink. Thrusting the Splatling forward, she released the trigger, unleashing a barrage of seafoam ink.

A scream—one that sounded far too close to hers—pierced her ears and chilled her blood. She grimaced at the thought of it actually being her, but she persisted. 

She reached with her other hand, tightly wrapping her fingers around the shaft, and unhooked the spear from her back. With the monster's scream still ringing, Kotone dashed, thrusting the spear forward and meeting her mark.

Blocking out the second scream, she used the head of the spear as a foothold, and stood on the back of the creature. Were she stupid enough to be wearing her old armour, its outer ink would sear straight to her skin. It made her all the more thankful for the armour given to her by the denizens.

She walked along the spine of the monster, noting that its form was built in such a way that it was forced to remain stationary. It made up for this flaw in having a seemingly endless spine. The moment she reached the front of the monster, she was greeted with the weeping face of the one she once loved.

"Ko... to..." it wept. "Please..."

Kotone’s grip on the spear tightened alongside her chest.

A shaky, rippling hand reached up to gingerly place itself upon her chest.

"Stay... with... me...?"

She hesitated. "I can't."

A dark ichor trickled between the blade of the spear. Slowly, the life—if it could be called that—faded from her eyes.

"Ko... to... I..." Her form rippled and distorted. "Love... you..."

Once she dissolved into nothing, Kotone fell to her knees and wailed. She could care less at the sound of her weapons clattering at her sides, or the fog clearing away; instead, she curled into herself and screamed. She could hear the sound of Mizuta's voice, but could not hear their words.

Marie... I feel so lonely...

Chapter Text

NOW ARRIVING AT STATION C

Lynx looked himself over, then once more with Father fixing the tie at his neck. He quickly flexed his artificial arm to ensure it could still be used before standing by the car's door.

"'Old it there, lad!" Captain exclaimed, pushing himself to stand. "I'll chum ye on this hunt."

From underneath his blindfold, he blinked. "Captain—"

He was swiftly silenced by Captain shoving the blunt end of his cane in his face. "Old as I am, I can 'old me own well enough. I've spat in th' face o' death once 'fore, an' I'll do it again!"

He nodded, watching as he brought his cane back down to even his stance. Turning his head, he gave a nod to Father, who returned the gesture with a nod of his own and a raised claw.

Several minutes later, the subway slowed to a stop. The doors split open and the voice of CQ Cumber spoke over the speakers, "We have now arrived at Station C, please mind the gap before stepping off." An influx of passengers from within the other cars exited, but were quickly filled up by newer passengers entering. Lynx and Captain managed to step off amidst the chaos, taking a moment to watch the subway fill to capacity before leaving; and before walking up the stairs, Lynx looked to the sign which gave the name of the village they were to enter and read it aloud to him.

Cikap-kamuy

"Strange name." Captain said. "'Minds me o' 'ow things were 'fore calamity struck."

Lynx remained quiet, glancing from him to the stairs, then began to ascend. To his knowledge, limited as it was, Station C was one of the last remaining towns in the Metro. He remembered asking Father about where the denizens went after leaving the remains of their own settlements, though he did not possess an answer. 

Reaching the top of the stairs, they were met with a nearly barren village. The streets were wide enough to allow larger transportation devices through, and were lined with damaged and destroyed houses. Lynx considered it a miracle that there were still residents living there.

"Right then, lad." Captain said. "Lead th' way." The hunter paused at his words, putting a hand to his chin while he thought. "Ye do know where yer goin', aye?" He remained frozen in place. In response, Captain closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh.

Captain smacked Lynx's chest with the head of his cane, effectively drawing him out of his mind and nearly off his feet. "'Mon then, ye dobber. Signs o' life should be our first pri'rity." Despite his lack of a second foot, he was already several yards ahead of Lynx, causing him to quickly stride over to keep pace.

For several minutes they walked in silence. In those minutes, they found nothing but abandoned and destroyed houses; the very streets they walked upon split and torn open. Any denizens that they had seen quickly made to hide before they could approach them. Lynx had, at some point, caught sight of a jellyfish watching them through a cracked window, before closing the curtains at the turn of his head.

He sighed and continued forward. At the rate they were going, they'd be forced to return to the station; 'til he caught sight of a small figure struggling to clear debris. Said figure glanced in Lynx's direction, but paid him no heed. He felt his chest swell.

"Excuse me!" he called, running towards them.  "Excuse me!"

Their head raised at Lynx's voice, then turned around to face him. If he remembered correctly, this particular denizen was known as a gulper eel.

"Forgive me for wasting your time, but have you happened to see any monsters around these parts?" he asked.

They hummed, bringing a hand to their chin. "The monsters have moved on from Cikap-kamuy, they've gone further in. It's been quiet these few days, but not peaceful." they said. Lynx heard Captain walk up behind him, then stop. "The river we get our water from has been tainted by that foul smelling ooze. All we've been drinking for the past few days have been what we've conserved."

Captain stepped forward. "Yer people—they 'ide a' th' sight o' us."

"Please, forgive them." they said, bowing their head. "A hunter, like yourself, fell from The Promised Land. We took her in and cared for her 'til she could depart. It wasn't long after that we were attacked by a monster that sang in a beautiful voice. It's long since left, but the others associated it with the hunter, and suspect that you both might bring an omen."

"Fergiveness is earned, not given. Ye wan' us t' fergive yer people? Take us t' th' river."

The gulper eel hesitated. "...T-the outskirts of Cikap-kamuy, yes; but I... I am not brave enough to go to the river..."

Lynx quickly intervened before Captain could say much else. "Thank you. Please, take us as far as you can. We'll take care of the river, I promise you."

They bowed their head. "I will do my best. Please, follow me."

And they did. Lynx and Captain allowed them to slink ahead, leading them through the village's remains. For just a moment, Lynx could picture Cikap-kamuy in its prime; undamaged and almost serene, without fear of monsters destroying all they loved.

Stretched before them, once they reached the outskirts, was a flat plain of dead grass. Lynx frowned at its state, it was like looking at the rotting corpse of a once magnificent creature, reduced now to nothing more than a husk of its former glory. The smell that lingered in the air gave away its cause; like rotting flesh and spoiled food.

Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he could see something. Almost like an image. A body draped in tarp laid in front of him, his hand on their chest—a comrade of his?—perhaps so. An untouched meal was placed next to their covered body. Another image flashed in front of his eyes; a multitude of orange/blue gradient limbs that writhed around a figure like tails; their amber eyes blazing like an uncontrollable wildfire. 

"The river is just ahead," Lynx blinked, looking down at the denizen. "I'm sorry I cannot take you farther."

He knelt down to eye level with the gulper eel, smiling warmly. "You have done more than enough, we thank you. We will return once the river is clean."

"'Tis we who should thank you. Cikap-kamuy may not be the same as it was before, but we will not forget your kindness." They bowed to him. "'Til we meet again, good hunter."

For a moment, Lynx watched them slink back to the village, then turned and started walking. Captain caught up to him, if not a pace faster.

And for several minutes, they were quiet. That was, until Captain spoke up, "Y'interrupted me back there. Could kill ye fer that. Why'd ye?"

"Father taught me to treat the denizens with kindness, even if they did not in return."

"'An' why's that?"

"Because it's what a hunter must do."

Once more, silence fell between them. But with each passing minute, the putrid stench in the air grew stronger, until they stood before its source.

A river wide enough to swallow the subway whole, running through it was sickly green-blue ooze. In its raw state, it was thick like dough, but retained its liquidity. It was a strange thing.

"Fuck me," Captain gasped. "Th' smell o' this place could kill a Great Octoweapon. Not that they were 'pressive t' begin wit'."

That sounds... familiar. But where have I heard that before? Lynx pondered.

He shook his head and reached into his coat, pulling out a Splat Bomb filled with coral pink ink. Casually, he tossed it into the river, to which it bounced off as if it were solid. He heard Captain mutter to himself before the Splat Bomb detonated. The coral ink lingered for a few seconds before being ultimately overpowered by the river's.

The ground 'neath their feet rumbled, and the surface of the river contorted; massive, twisting limbs emerged from the ink, followed by a single body that could best be described as a massive beak.

GAOOOOOOOO!!

The limbs closest to them reared back, then lurched forward, slamming against the ground with great strength. Lynx made to dodge, but found himself crushed under the tendril's weight and hot pain that coiled around his body.

He tried his best to reach his weapons, fruitless as it was. Sucking in a breath, he curled his artificial hand into a fist and braced himself; not a second later, coral ink burst from his arm—freeing him from the monster's burning hold. He scrambled to his feet, raced over to Captain's side, and drew his weapons.

"Don't look directly at it, Captain!" Lynx exclaimed. "You'll lose your mind!"

"Already 'ave, lad." he said.

Another tendril lurched towards them with great speed. Lynx quickly pelted it with his Octo Shot, then swiped at its exposed skin with Hideyo.

"'S th' bloody Octomaw." Captain growled. "Aim fer 's gullet, lad."

Lynx nodded. "Yes, Captain!"

"The... are the... weakness. Strike the... down..."

A command given to him. Or rather, someone that used to be him. But regardless, whomever the command belonged to mattered naught, his goal in the present was clear, oddly natural as it was to be given orders and follow them to the end.

He rushed to the limb closest to him, noting how it curled back in preparation. With his Octo Shot, he created a horizontal line of exposed skin at its base, then cut it clean off. It writhed as it fell backwards onto the river, floating at the surface, and Lynx seized his opportunity. Sheathing his weapons, he jumped to the still wriggling limb and ran across its body 'til he was close enough to jump towards its beak. He thrust his artificial arm forward and quickly planted his boots on the surface of the bottom jaw, then watched the beak clamp down against the metal surface of his arm.

Lynx smirked.

He leapt off just his arm let out another explosion of coral ink, landing on the ground with a thud. The beak let out a pathetic squeal as it sunk into the river, coral ink trickling down, its limbs followed suit. Soon, there was a massive splotch of pink within the middle of the river, and it remained. But so did the ooze.

"It must be cleansed." Lynx said.

Captain snorted, turning around and starting to walk away. "Aye, aye, an' wit' tha' munter gone they can do it themselves. Ye've done what ye said ye do, lad."

Lynx remained quiet, and instead began to walk along the edge of the river, opposite of its 'current.'

"Agent Eight! Th' hell're ye doin'!?" Captain shouted. Still, the hunter was quiet. "Agent Eight!" The hunter stumbled over his feet when his right shoulder was harshly tugged back, a firm hand gripping his artificial wrist. "Answer me question. That's an order from yer captain."

"The... word is absolute..."

"The denizens can't protect themselves against the ooze; and if another one of those monsters show up that we're not aware of, Cikap-kamuy will be destroyed completely." Lynx said. "If we can find the source, Cikap-kamuy might last a bit longer."

For a long moment, Captain glared at him. It was odd that only one of his eyes was bloodshot, while his other eye hardly moved at all! Then, with a scowl, Captain released him. "Fine. Let's make it quick."

Lynx nodded.

Thus, for several long minutes, they walked along the river's edge. Its current—if it could even be called that—hardly moved, seeming to be more along the lines of tiny ripples that appeared every now and then.

Once they'd discovered the source of the ooze, Lynx was left confused, but couldn't help its odd familiarity. It was a generator of sorts, heaving out the sickly substance in a never-ending chute, but its oddity lay in where it was positioned; suspended horizontally in the air by an invisible something that separated the ooze and river water from touching.

"Octo tech," Captain growled. "An' uninkable too."

"How do we reach it?" Lynx asked, looking up at the elder.

"We don't. But I've a solution." In one fluid motion, Captain flicked his cane—and Lynx watched as it twisted and snapped apart in small segments. He gripped Lynx's shoulder as he reared his arm back, then threw it forward; the segmented cane stretched like a whip, wrapping around the base of the generator.

Captain grunted, his beak bared from amidst his scruffy beard. The mechanism groaned as it was pulled out of place, a ripple of blue-green appearing between the ooze and water. Then with a snarl, he heaved his arm back and released the generator from where it hung.

It crashed into the now water-filled river with a massive splash! The water rushed forth from its stasis, dissolving the ooze into nothing. Lynx, on stumbling feet from Captain's strength, smiled at the sight of the purified river.

"'Elp me up, lad!" Lynx turned around, finding Captain flat on his back, struggling to rise. He outstretched his prosthetic hand and helped the elder to his feet. In his other hand, Captain smacked his cane-whip against the ground repeatedly until it returned to its normal state. "Fuckin' 'ingway..." He turned and started walking away. "'Mon ye dobber! We've found fuck all an' done fuck all. We're done 'ere!"

"I've... failed... the..."

He had paused for only a second, before he began to follow.

Chapter Text

Siblings Siblings Siblings Siblings

Glitch: Can I ask you a weird question? Weird to me at least.

FF-Prince2B: of course

Glitch: Have you had nightmares before?

FF-Prince2B: sure

FF-Prince2B: they were pretty frequent when big sister and i first came to inkpolis with houzuki

FF-Prince2B: she got them too

FF-Prince2B: scared houzuki to death

Glitch: Did they feel real? Like, did it feel like you were back there?

FF-Prince2B: yeah

FF-Prince2B: sometimes it would be big sister and i trying to run away from the fox

FF-Prince2B: other times it was her protecting me

FF-Prince2B: it always ended with the fox getting her and me only being able to watch

FF-Prince2B: and every time i woke up i thought houzuki was the fox and id try to fight her

FF-Prince2B: id yell in imperial "dont touch my big sister!!"

FF-Prince2B: and when i saw that she was okay itd finally register that i wasnt dreaming anymore

FF-Prince2B: but anyway, have you been having nightmares?

Glitch: They've been getting worse. I wake up in the middle of the night and my throat hurts—Mama and Callie are there trying to calm me down because I didn't realise I started crying until I'm wiping the tears away and everything just hurts. I can feel them, the 'caretakers,' touching and pulling and throwing and yelling at me and I want it to stop but I can't because I'm back in the closet but this time they've tied me up and there's nothing I can do! They never got this bad before I started staying with Mama!

Glitch: I don't know what to do. What if Mama doesn't believe me if I tell her? What if she lied and she's really going to send me back to Seaside?!

Glitch: I don't want to go back to Seaside, Bastion! You won't let that happen, right?!

FF-Prince2B: if i have to ill make sure they wont even take a breath near you

FF-Prince2B: and if i end up in jail (again) or prison because of that then ill break out and get you far far away from them

FF-Prince2B: because so long as i stand by you there is nothing for you to be afraid of and if anything happens youd tell me

FF-Prince2B: right?

Glitch: ...Yeah. Thanks, Bastion. I think I needed to hear that...

FF-Prince2B: no problem little sister

FF-Prince2B: you mind if i change the topic to get your mind off it?

Glitch: Yeah. I think that'd help.

FF-Prince2B: you remember naoto?

Glitch: Yeah, Phoenix. Except, last time someone spoke about them, they said 'she' so I think I got mixed up.

FF-Prince2B: well i got into contact with her recently

FF-Prince2B: thank you big sister

FF-Prince2B: and she does identify as a girl after something came up

FF-Prince2B: i wont say what

FF-Prince2B: and it kinda made her realise that after some thinking

Glitch: What do you mean by 'after some thinking'?

FF-Prince2B: i gotta be teacher bastion for this one

FF-Prince2B: so you remember when i spoke to her i used he when talking about her right?

Glitch: Yes.

FF-Prince2B: well at that time Naoto identified as a boy

FF-Prince2B: she told me after i got into contact with her that she feels more like a girl than a boy

Glitch: Wait, I'm confused. So, Naoto WAS a boy originally and then became a girl? That's a thing?

FF-Prince2B: yes naoto transitioned from what she was originally to what she felt more connected to

FF-Prince2B: make sense?

Glitch: I think so?

FF-Prince2B: well to get to the main point

FF-Prince2B: she told me that shes trying to learn inklish

Glitch: Okay.

FF-Prince2B: and its mainly because she wants to talk to you

Glitch: What? Why?

FF-Prince2B: i mean

FF-Prince2B: you did barge into the domes under the guise of an imperial god

FF-Prince2B: soooooo

Glitch: But why me specifically? It'd make more sense to talk to Mama, isn't the Lion an Inkling god?

FF-Prince2B: the lion is a god of unknown origin

FF-Prince2B: to the octarians at least

Glitch: That gives Naoto all the more reason to want to talk to Mama instead!

FF-Prince2B: you really dont give yourself enough credit

FF-Prince2B: maybe she wants to talk to hotaru and not the rabbit

Glitch: But that doesn't make sense, I'm the last person anyone would want to talk to!

FF-Prince2B: says the child of a celebrity

Glitch: Says an actual celebrity.

FF-Prince2B: whatever

FF-Prince2B: look

FF-Prince2B: naoto thinks youre really cool and she doesnt really have any friends apart from the other icons

FF-Prince2B: could you at least try?

Glitch: Fine. But you have to teach me Octarian in case she struggles with Inklish.

FF-Prince2B: yeah alright i can do that

FF-Prince2B: lemme just turn the translator off real quick

FF-Prince2B: so first off you got your formal greetings

FF-Prince2B: and depending on what time it is you use a different greeting

FF-Prince2B: but to summarise

FF-Prince2B: konnichiwa=good afternoon, most common. ohayo gozaimasu=good morning, most formal greeting out of all. konbanwa=good evening, mostly used in the late afternoon

FF-Prince2B: and when you answer the phone to someone youre close with you say moshi moshi

Glitch: You said that to your ane that one time.

FF-Prince2B: i did

FF-Prince2B: you following me so far or do you need a minute?

Glitch: I think I need a minute.

FF-Prince2B: thats fine we can take a break

Glitch: Okay.

Glitch: And, not to be weirder, but did Naoto say anything else?

Glitch: About me?

Off the Chat/Chat the Hook

FF-Prince2B: hotaru might just return naotos crush

DJ_Hyperfresh: AWWW (  ≧ᗜ≦)

MC.Princess: OUGGGGG THE BABY GAYSSSS

FF-Prince2B: well

FF-Prince2B: she thinks youre very strong and very brave for standing against the emperor the way you did

FF-Prince2B: and she finds you ESPECIALLY badass for calling the emperor kusojiji to his face

Glitch: Hahaha! You should've seen the look on his face—you would've thought he popped a blood vessel!

FF-Prince2B: lmaooooo

FF-Prince2B: i bet

FF-Prince2B: that actually gives me an idea

FF-Prince2B: only if youre cool with it tho

FF-Prince2B: why don't you change your screen name to Takaika×Glitch?

Glitch: What does Takaika mean?

FF-Prince2B: its a combination of the octarian words for octopus and squid

FF-Prince2B: tako means octopus and ika means squid

Glitch: And I'm a hybrid of an Inkling and Octoling, that's kind of clever. But what's with the x?

FF-Prince2B: its a silent letter thats there to make it look cool

Glitch: I kind of like it.

Webmaster: Glitch has changed their screen name to Takaika×Glitch

"Captain, are you—"

"I'm fine, ye fuckin' dobber! I sliced open th' arm o' a Kraken in me youth! One tumble won't keep me down!"

Lynx gasped, suddenly stopping in his tracks and gripping his prosthetic arm. A strange sort of sensation occurred down the length of his faux arm; an uncomfortable, tingling feeling. A series of strangled noises escaped him as a voice boomed in the back of his mind, "You are beyond the rank of an Elite; and yet you could not do so much as a simple mission! You bring shame to the Empire's name!"

A wordless apology came from his trembling lips. His arm was no longer there, replaced instead with a bloody stump of a shoulder. A puddle of blue blood formed on the ground, and from within, amber eyes bore into his very being.

Thwack!

His body fell against the carpeted floor of the subway car. His jaw stung as if a thousand tiny needles had embedded themselves into his cartilage. Tentatively, he raised his hand and massaged his jaw.

"Fuckin' 'ell, lad." Captain stood over his frame, eyes dark. "'Ave a square go wit' yer demons at another time. Get up."

Lynx nodded slowly, using the nearest seat as leverage. A heavy sigh left him at the sight of his prosthetic arm, curling his metal fingers into a fist, then uncurling them after a moment. None of that was real. I must have caught a sight of the monster... He shook his head and straightened his back.

Shwip!

"'Scuse me, boys."

"Conductor!" Lynx bowed.

The cucumber raised his head, tipping his hat in greeting, "A word, if you will."

Captain nodded. "Speak."

"The next Thang is close, but the village in the next line has been destroyed, and the station after that is inaccessible." He sighed, tipping his hat low. "As much as I hate to say it, you boys will have to travel by foot. If the signs and old trails are still up, you should be able to make it."

There was a brief moment of silence before Captain spoke up, "Our thanks, Conductor."

He nodded and turned around, shuffling his way into the next car.

"Eyes up, lad!" Captain snapped. "Else I'll be givin' ye extra trainin' once we're on th' surface."

Lynx saluted, "Yes, Captain!" like an instinct that'd been engraved in his brain since birth.

He scoffed, smacking his cane against Lynx's back. "Aye, that's more like it."

Captain was the first to step off the subway, then Lynx. Then, in a flash, the subway departed.

"We're on our own now, lad. Let's move." Captain said.

Lynx nodded and quickly followed behind.

It'd taken him a moment to realise the state of the nameless village after they left the station. Calling it destroyed would be incorrect—it was as if there had never been a village there in the first place! It was only when he noticed how uneven the terrain was that it clicked. All of the buildings and decorative structures had, quite literally, been reduced to dust.

"'Lieve me, lad," Captain said. "This c'look worse."

Lynx recoiled at his words, his mouth falling open. I don't think that's something to be proud of...

And then he froze; a distinct smell lingered in the air. "Captain! There's a monster in the area!"

"What?"

BBBBBUUUUURRRRDDDDSSSSHHHHHH!!!

Captain and Lynx fell to their hands and knees, the latter trying his best to crawl over. But at the same time, a massive shadow swallowed them in darkness. And after a moment, Lynx stood and drew his Octo Shot.

It was a massive, hulking mass of sanitised ink, and despite the appearance of waves along its form many pieces of debris floated on its surface. By Lynx's estimate, it was about sixteen metres tall.

With his beak bared, he pointed the Octo Shot at the monster; but just as he was about to pull the trigger, the monster raised its blobby hands and shook them side to side. Then, it began to make a series of motions with its hands that Lynx found oddly familiar.

He blinked underneath his blindfold and gasped. "You can talk!"

Its head, or what Lynx presumed to be its head, subtlety bobbed.

"Y'can 'stand it, lad?"

"Yes, Captain!"

"Well, what's it sayin'?"

Lynx began to translate just as the monster started to sign with its hands. "Though my body has changed, my mind hasn't; I am not your enemy, I'm just a bystander that's met a terrible fate.

"I am already dead, one way or another. How I meet my end matters not, but permit me this final act in life; let me help you."

Captain scoffed. "An' who's t'say y'ain't lyin'? One final act o' righteousness fer ye could be a disservice t'us."

"Believe what you want, but I do not lie. Kill me now or later, there is no escape for me."

He snorted, then glanced at Lynx. "Well, lad? What d'ye think?"

The hunter hummed, then stepped toward the mass of sentient ink. His eyes flicked between the pieces of debris, until he locked onto a particular piece that sat on where its shoulder would be. He crouched low and tensed his body, not taking his eyes off the platform, then shot up into the air and landed on top of the hard surface.

He called out, "Captain, the debris is sturdy enough to stand on!"

"Aye, 's that right?" Captain called back. "Well, stay put, lad; I've'nt done this 'n years!"

It had taken at least five to ten minutes for Captain to prepare himself before finally launching himself in the air. A loud BANG and CRUNCH reverberated in the air when he landed. Captain's peg leg had pierced the surface of the platform, and caused his leg to sink through; he waved Lynx off when he tried to help, and instead planted his cane down and pushed himself up. He sat down once freed.

"Excuse me," Lynx said, turning to the monster's head. "Could you take us to the next station over?"

A rumble came from its chest as it nodded. Then, it turned and began to walk.

Chapter Text

Incense was a curious thing. Apparently the smell of cedar was so revolting, that the monsters of the metro steered clear of it entirely. How it was first discovered, Kotone did not know—and Mizuta likely didn't either; and thankfully they weren't affected by the incense, regardless of the amount that enveloped them.

Kotone hummed to herself, leaning against the wall. The two of them had taken refuge within a room hidden inside the abandoned subway's walls. It wasn't particularly big, but it was comfortable, and allowed then to rest and collect their thoughts.

"That melody," Mizuta said, breaking the silence. "It's the same one that monster was singing. What is it?"

Kotone smiled. "It's the song that made me fall; it may have clipped my wings, but I would give the world for it to happen again."

"Are they waiting for you on the surface? The one who made that song?"

Her smile faltered for a moment. "No." she said. "After all these years, she must have forgotten about me. I've no doubt in my mind that her hearts now belong to someone else. Someone who won't hurt her."

A bout of silence passed between them.

Kotone slipped a dark hand between the fabric of her armour and pulled out a small packet. Inside were tiny strips of dried, salted meat. If she were to be honest, she had no idea how they lasted as long as they did.

"I've still got some left," she said. "Would you like some?"

"Food?" Mizuta asked, receiving a nod. "I... don't need to. Since I got like this, I've never felt the need."

"Are you sure?" Kotone asked. "Do you think it'll help you remember if you had some? Only if you want."

They hesitated. "Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But... to not try is to not know."

"Is that a yes?"

"It might be."

She chuckled, handing them a strip. They seemed to examine it for a moment before shoving it in their mouth. And after a moment, "I can't taste it, and I don't feel any different. But... I can't help but want more."

"It's quite alright," Kotone smiled. "I'm more than happy to share."

Mizuta slowly turned to look at the Wolf. "Thank you."

How strange... Lynx thought.

Roughly half an hour had passed since the friendly monster began its travel; Captain dozed off at some point, but remained in an upright position. But that was not what held Lynx's attention.

Instead, he focused on the strange cluster of objects they began to pass by. They were cylindrical objects, taller than Captain by at least a few heads, and bearing the same symbol engraved upon his prosthetic arm; two blue lines that sat atop each other and flourished at each end. Why such a large amount was needed, he wasn't sure, though it did make him wonder about the identity of the village.

A manufacturing town? Or, not a village at all—a factory? But, why so many? And what are they? Supplies? Rations?

The monster stopped.

Lynx looked at it, then peered over the platform's edge. His immediate line of sight went to the tunnel that travelled down, lined with ruined stairs. He quietly gasped and gently shook Captain's shoulder. The elder awoke with a cough and a snort, then glared daggers at Lynx, who pointed to the tunnel.

"We made it?"

"Aye; I'll jump first."

Or, he would have, had the platform they stood on not suddenly move. It slid down the arm of the monster before stopping at where its wrist would be. Lynx hopped off first, then held out his hand to help Captain down, only to have it be slapped aside as the elder got down on his own.

"Our thanks!" Lynx said to the monster.

It bobbed it head and crossed its arms, motioning for them to move.

Lynx smiled and turned to the tunnel, but paused. Faded as it was, there was no mistaking the trail of ink trickling down the tunnel's stairs.

"Captain,"

"Aye, I see it." He put his free hand on the spot between Lynx's shoulder blades and shoved him forward. "Yer a 'unter ain't ye? Get 'untin'!"

Lynx stumbled forward, nearly falling, but quickly caught himself. Taking a quick breath, he strode forward and stepped down the stairs, two at a time; and Captain following not far behind. The first thing he noticed was how destroyed the station was.

The stairs had abruptly ended at least a foot from the ground; the station platform was ruined and piled with debris. Blood from former denizens still remained painted on the walls and grounds, though faded with time. But in the centre of it all lay a large object, tightly wrapped in tarp.

Carefully, Lynx stepped down from the stairs and began to approach the Thang. His steps were slow, and light. His shoes softly crunched against the rubble. The scent assaulting his nose was nauseating, he could feel his stomach churning, though how much of it came from the monster, he wasn't sure.

The ground beneath him buckled just as he was about to lay his hand on the tarp. He fell to the ground, landing on his back with a loud smack! A strange, sloshing noise that grew ever closer filled his ears; and when it was at its loudest, Lynx rolled to the side.

He stopped when he was flat on his belly, turning his head to a fresh trail of sanitised ink next to him. With a firm push of his hands, he rose to his feet and drew his Octo Shot.

The trail continued to run forward until it suddenly halted. Then, it rushed to Lynx, bulging outward 'till it took a half-circle shape and loomed over him. He thrust the Octo Shot forward and pulled the trigger, then quickly jumped aside before he could be swallowed up. The form sunk back into the floor as quickly as it had rose.

Lynx pointed the barrel of his Octo Shot at the still travelling streak, gritting his beak. He pulled the trigger the moment it began to bulge outward, but that did not stop it. Its toothless mouth opened wide and the hunter brought his prosthetic arm back, tensing his body.

BANG! BANG!

Sizzling pain streaked across his back and shoulders—Lynx recoiled with a cry, dropping his Octo Shot. He fell to his knees, but quickly looked up to see the massive mouth lurch up to clamp onto a large, cylindrical object. Liquid dripped onto the ground, but it was not ink.

Lynx ran. He had gotten roughly a few metres away before his ears rang from the monster exploding; he was sent skidding across the ground the moment the blast wave reached him. His back collided against a ruined wall and sent down more flashes of pain throughout his body.

He desperately gasped for air, pushing himself to his hands and knees. The smell of sanitised ink still lingered in the air, but it was not nearly as powerful. His back still stung from the water that leaked out of the large canister.

He glanced up, catching sight of a tall figure walking towards him, and fast as he could, he put a hand over Hideyo's hilt. The figure, garbed in white and red, stopped and raised a hand—palm facing him; they held their other hand out to him, and like a little one's toy in the hand of a giant, was his Octo Shot.

Slowly, Lynx removed his hand from Hideyo's hilt, and retrieved his Octo Shot from the figure. "My thanks," he said, putting it back into its holster. Yet the figure kept their wrapped hand extended. Lynx tilted his head and hesitantly put his hand in their's, letting out a gasp as he was pulled to his feet.

He craned his neck, even stepping back, to look up at the figure's face. But instead, he found it obscured by a mask resembling a snarling creature with a long nose, pointed ears, and large eyes. A slight tremble coursed through his being.

"Agent Three," Lynx and the figure turned to see Captain struggling down the stairs and walk towards them. "'Bout time ye showed up. Made quick work o' tha' monster besides. Faster than this so-called 'unter." Lynx flinched. "Agent Eight, this is Agent Three—codename Kitsune." A chill ran down his back. "Agent Three, this is Agent Eight—codename Lynx."

Kitsune looked down at Lynx, which he found mildly humiliating, and nodded at him. He returned the gesture.

"Agent Eight," Captain said. "Agent Three's yer s'perior, an' I expect ye t'give 'er th' 'spect she deserves."

Lynx put a hand over his heart and bowed. "Of course."

Kitsune pointed to the stairs, then curled all of her fingers except her thumb into a fist and dragged it across her throat.

"Well good, Agent Three. Target outside's been exterminated. D'ye get tha', Agent Eight?"

She killed the monster outside before coming in here? Why...? It wasn't... "Aye, Captain."

"Good. Now then, ain't tha' there what we came 'ere for?" He pointed to the Thang with his cane.

"Aye, we must deliver it to the Gatekeeper." Lynx said, walking over to the Thang and curling his fingers underneath it.

Putting as much strength as he could into his shoulders and arm, he lifted it off the ground, just barely a few centimetres, before releasing it with a gasp. A hand landed on his shoulder—turning his head, he saw Kitsune standing behind him. She patted his shoulder once before wrapping one arm around the Thang and hauling it over her shoulder.

Lynx stared at her, mouth agape, then shook his head. "Captain, may I lead us back to the line?"

"Aye, lad. Go ahead."

He nodded and began walking, Kitsune and Captain following behind.

Chapter Text

Siblings Siblings Siblings Siblings

Takaika×Glitch: So you can talk to Naoto in a chatroom like this, right?

FF-Prince2B: yes

Takaika×Glitch: Have you spoken to her recently?

FF-Prince2B: i have

Takaika×Glitch: How is she?

FF-Prince2B: shes alright

FF-Prince2B: she would still like to see you again

Takaika×Glitch: I don't think I'm ever going to understand why...

FF-Prince2B: she thinks youre really cool

FF-Prince2B: and you kind of are

FF-Prince2B: bc you DID basically tell octavio to go fuck himself

Takaika×Glitch: YOU SAID I WAS CALLING HIM A RUDE OLD MAN! NOT THAT!

FF-Prince2B: LMAOOOOOOOOO

FF-Prince2B: thats pretty much what it translates to though

Takaika×Glitch: I can't believe I put my faith in you and this is what you have me say.

FF-Prince2B: you said

FF-Prince2B: in your own words

FF-Prince2B: "whats something rude to say in Octarian"

Takaika×Glitch: I can hear your smug voice from here.

FF-Prince2B: its cause im right

Takaika×Glitch: Yeah, shut up.

FF-Prince2B: lmao

FF-Prince2B: k but i do got a question though

FF-Prince2B: DO you wanna talk to naoto again?

FF-Prince2B: you seem awfully curious to know how she is

Takaika×Glitch: I have no comment on that last statement. But I admit that I would like to speak with her properly.

Takaika×Glitch: You know, without life ending pretenses.

FF-Prince2B: yeah i get it

Takaika×Glitch: Except for the fact that I can't leave the house currently.

FF-Prince2B: because of your health?

Takaika×Glitch: Seaside.

FF-Prince2B: seriously?

FF-Prince2B: theyre still looking for you?

Takaika×Glitch: Yes. It's become more of a nuisance than anything else. I can't do anything outside and it's so lame!

FF-Prince2B: geez

FF-Prince2B: sorry about that little sister

Takaika×Glitch: Don't apologise, it's not like you did this.

FF-Prince2B: still

FF-Prince2B: say

FF-Prince2B: if you ever get the okay to leave the house

FF-Prince2B: you wanna do some salmon run?

Takaika×Glitch: That better be a rhetorical question, because you already know the answer to that.

FF-Prince2B: figured lol

Once upon a time in a bountiful forest, flew a little, vermillion bird.

But the little bird began to falter in her flight, her wings like lead. So the little bird dove down, outstretching her tiny talons and folding her wings to rest on the branch of a tree.

The little bird began to relax and close her eyes. But the branch lurched suddenly, despite the lack of wind, and startled the little bird. She flapped her wings and jumped onto a higher branch before looking at the previous.

The supposed branch was attached to a large grey mass that slowly shifted itself upwards. Golden, slitted eyes looked up at the little bird and opened its great maw, revealing large teeth. The little bird hopped back and raised her red wings, only to watch as the much larger, horned creature closed its jaws and brought its head down on the forest floor.

The little bird relaxed, but tilted her head at the unfamiliar creature. It was a monstrous thing—with a rugged mane, gnarly claws, and sharp teeth. Its massive head rested on its paws, eyes shut, chest rising and falling evenly; but the little bird also noticed that it was covered in wounds. Wounds that still bled, and dyed its grey pelt red.

The little bird quietly chirped, then hopped off her branch and back onto the creature's horn. It twitched slightly when she landed, but quickly stilled. Then from its horn to the closest wound, the little bird hopped down and puffed up her feathers; she shook and preened at herself, inciting just a few to fall atop the wound. A gentle amber glow eminated from the fallen feathers on the wound, but nothing happened.

She tilted her head at the still bleeding wound, watching as the glow from the feathers dimmed to nothing. Gently, she nudged the feather with her beak, for nothing to happen still.

"Gao..."

The little bird flinched, raising her wings as the horned creature rose to its feet.

"GAOOOOOOOO!!!"

Naoto shot up in her makeshift futon; she clutched at her hearts, damp fabric wrinkling between her fingers. Her breaths came out short and ragged—her vision blurry. The sound of the creature echoed in her mind.

"GAOOOOOOOO...!"

She held her breath, held it for a few seconds, then slowly exhaled; she blinked and rubbed her eyes with her free hand, then removed her other hand from her chest. Naoto spent another moment in her futon before tossing away the covers and stood.

That creature... and that bird...

She stepped out of her room and into her bathroom; it was a small room with cobwebs in the corners, paint peeling on the walls, and a barrel on the far side with a sloppily folded tag sitting on top. Naoto picked the rag up, fighting a grimace as the dust that lingered stuck to her fingers, brushed it off with the front of her sleepwear, then wiped the sweat off her face.

Hmm... Library.

She put the rag back on the barrel and stepped back into her room. She slipped out of her nightwear and into a loose, long sleeved shirt and pants, followed by a pair of easy to put on flat shoes.

As she made her way out of her home, she paused at the doorway. The house, which appeared more as a hovel, was quiet. It certainly wasn't unwelcome, but it made her tense. Mother's not here anymore, I can do what I want. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the house and made her way to the library.

The tips of her fingers ghosted the spines of the books when she arrived. She stopped at Suzaku, Artisan and Cleric; then flipped the first page and began to read. The stories involving the great phoenix were rather uneventful in comparison to the Usagi and Byakko—where they would have epic fights and daring adventures, Suzaku was gentle and caring. Yet in none of her stories was there ever a strange, horned creature.

That bird has to be connected to Suzaku, there's no doubt. But that creature... what in the world was it? The Lion maybe? Her stomach growled, startling her from her thoughts with a yelp. Perhaps I should eat first...

Marina's Chatroom

MC.Princess: Aight imma say it

MC.Princess: It feels GREAT to have Splatfests again!!

MC.Princess: I was bored outta my mind when the Great Zapfish went missing

DJ_Hyperfresh: I agree! It does feel rather invigorating to perform in front of the Square again!

Webmaster: Takaika×Glitch has joined the chatroom.

MC.Princess: Yo yo yo Gnashers!

MC.Princess: Team Trick or Team Treat?

Takaika×Glitch: Pardon me?

MC.Princess: K lemme reword that

MC.Princess: Would you rather want a trick or a treat?

Takaika×Glitch: Is there a right answer?

MC.Princess: Nah just go with your gut

Takaika×Glitch: I guess a treat?

MC.Princess: DAMMIT

FF-Prince2B: lmaoooo

FF-Prince2B: i just heard her yell from the other room

Takaika×Glitch: Was that the wrong answer?

FF-Prince2B: nah

FF-Prince2B: splatfest themes dont have a right or wrong answer

FF-Prince2B: just go with what you like the most

Takaika×Glitch: Then why did Miss Houzuki get upset?

MC.Princess: I aint upset Gnashers dw

MC.Princess: Rina and i host the splatfests in the square and i was kinda hoping you picked my team

Takaika×Glitch: Splatfests are those competetive Turf Wars right?

FF-Prince2B: basically

Takaika×Glitch: So, do I have to participate now that I picked a team?

DJ_Hyperfresh: You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with! These events are meant to be fun for everyone; picking a team is sometimes enough for others.

FF-Prince2B: ^

FF-Prince2B: we aint about to force you to participate

MC.Princess: Can i change the subject real quick?

MC.Princess: That screen name is BALLER!!

MC.Princess: But it needs something else to make it click

Takaika×Glitch: Like a prefix or suffix? Wouldn't that make it too long?

DJ_Hyperfresh: On one hand, yes, that could be a problem. But a long username isn't unusual.

MC.Princess: Bassy and i got our prince and princess theme going on

MC.Princess: But itd be weird for there to be two princesses

DJ_Hyperfresh: Oh! I have a suggestion! Let me just turn the translator off for a moment.

DJ_Hyperfresh: Okay, how about -hime? It translates to 'princess' in Inklish and leans into Glitch's use of Octarian words!

FF-Prince2B: there also arent many people on the surface that speak imperial octarian

FF-Prince2B: so a lot of them will just think it sounds cool

Takaika×Glitch: It makes my name pretty long, but it does sound pretty cool.

Webmaster: Takaika×Glitch has changed their screen name to Takaika×Glitch-hime

MC.Princess: Okay now with a name like that you should just start making music

Takaika×Glitch-hime: Well, Mama’s been teaching me how to play the shamisen. 

FF-Prince2B: OH HELL YEAH!!

FF-Prince2B: but wait

FF-Prince2B: do you play songs on it as a hobby?

FF-Prince2B: or do you like

FF-Prince2B: wanna make your own music?

Takaika×Glitch-hime: I think experimenting with making music would be interesting, but I don't really know where to start—let alone be good at it.

FF-Prince2B: big sister please tell me you still have your old turntables

DJ_Hyperfresh: Of course I do! Oh my goodness! Glitch, if you decide to make music as a hobby, I'd be more than happy to teach you how to use turntables!

Takaika×Glitch-hime: Are you sure? You're busy with the Splatfests and the news and other stuff.

DJ_Hyperfresh: The news for stage rotations are pre-recorded and set up hours in advance; and while Splatfests last for two days, we have breaks between performances so we don't collapse from exhaustion. Apart from that, our time is free!

MC.Princess: Hell yeah

Takaika×Glitch-hime: May I think about it?

DJ_Hyperfresh: Of course, there's no rush to make a decision.

FF-Prince2B: take your time little sister

Takaika×Glitch-hime: Hey, I have to go. Got a serious job to take care of. I'll come back when I've made up my mind!

MC.Princess: Yo good luck Gnashers

FF-Prince2B: ttyl

DJ_Hyperfresh: Talk to you soon, Glitch!

Webmaster: Takaika×Glitch-hime has left the chatroom

Callie’s laugh reverberated throughout the shoin-zukuri as Hotaru slipped her head through her armour's hoodie.

"They really kept that name—oh, I love 'em!"

"This is serious, Cal!"

She stretched her arms over her head, then threw up her hood and mask.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry; but it's just so funny!"

"Please explain to me why Ruzu is so funny..."

Four sighed as Callie’s laugh increased in volume. She stepped out of her room to see the Inkling woman in question doubled over on the sofa. Two stood not far from her, arms crossed and dressed in her armour.

Honk! Honk!

They all turned to the front door, the rumble of an engine could be faintly heard. Nothing had to be said for them to straighten up and walk out the door. Callie had been the first to step out, but not before looking around for a moment, then turning her head back and nodding. Contrary to how they exited the shoin-zukuri, Callie was the last to enter the truck that was parked in front.

"Good to see you again, Agents!" Sheldon said.

"Aye, been a bit, eh?" Callie replied, closing the truck door.

"What's the situation?" Two asked as the truck began to move.

"Everything was fine before something showed up on the radar! All I got from it was the name 'Ruzu'"—Callie burst out laughing again—"and all my Shell-drones got shot down before I could see it! Can you make anything of it, Agent One?"

Four wondered, Another Octoboss?

Callie—One, rather—laughed for a moment longer before speaking, "Nothin' t'worry 'bout. But let's 'ave a look anyway."

Two sighed. "This better not be Octavio..."

"Nah, doubt it. Wit'out 'is mech, 'e can't do anythin'!"

"That doesn't mean it couldn't be him."

"Jus' trust me."

Four leaned back against her seat, closing her eyes. They sound like me and Bastion when we argue...

"What th' 'ell are y'doin'!?"

"Agent One!?"

Four flinched awake, whipping her head around and pausing once she saw that the truck's passenger door was open, wind rushing in. Additionally, One wasn't in sight.

Two jumped to her feet and looked out with wide eyes, holding onto the doorway. She growled under her breath, "She always does this!" Then, she stepped off the truck.

Sheldon exclaimed. "Agent Two!?"

Four blinked. How close are we to the ground? She pressed her hands to the roof of the truck and stood from her seat, using the pressure of her hands to keep her balance as she stepped toward the open door. One hand at a time, she curled her fingers around the edge of the doorway and peered over. From what she could see, the ground was roughly a few metres away and would very likely result in an injury if she landed wrong. I wonder...

She shifted into squid form and Super Jumped out of the truck and close to Two; she shifted back the second she landed. A hand patted her shoulder.

"That was very brave," Two said. "I'm proud."

Four's ears twitched underneath her hood as a strange swelling feeling appeared in her chest. "Thanks..."

Bmph! Bmph! Bmph!

Two and Four's heads snapped up, their hands hovering over their weapons—stalking towards them with golden bared teeth and magenta lights was the massive machination that assisted them in their fight against Octavio.

"Aava!"

"Taiga-sama!" A figure, clad in red, appeared between the machination's shoulders.

"Fenikkusu-san?"

One sprinted forward, meeting them halfway and catching the Octoling as she slid off Aava's shoulders.

Four and Two lowered their hands, then began to approach.

"Ah! Raion! Usagi!" Phoenix exclaimed, tilting her lower body into a bow. "It is good to see you again!" Despite her heavy accent, her words were clear. "I am the Phoenix, but also, Naoto."

"It's good to see that you're alright, Phoenix." Two said.

One chuckled, patting her head. "Your Inklish is gettin' better!"

Phoenix smiled, but it quickly faded. "Taiga-sama, I have to tell you—uh... ah! Byakko-tenno! He is not with us. And you are..."

A beat of silence passed.

Then a second.

And then a third.

"Oh..."

Chapter Text

Lynx would've found the scenario oddly amusing if the thought of Captain smacking him with his cane weren't there. Kitsune was an intriguing figure to the hunter, mostly from her size and strength, though they did end up as downsides in select occasions. Watching her struggle to fit through the subway's door, which was clearly made for someone not of her size, had been painful—Lynx cringed. It was only when she was forced to be on her hands and knees did she manage to crawl iinside. But then came the second problem: the Thang.

It was about twice the width of the subway, and Lynx saw a clear answer to the problem. Though Kitsune seemed prone to her own idea instead; after she had gotten inside, she began to pull it in at an awkward angle, then lifted one end of it up to lean on the backrests of the seats before pulling the rest of it in. She looked back at Captain and Lynx and gave a thumbs up.

An almost identical scenario occurred when the subway stopped at the Gatekeeper's station. Thankfully, it didn't take as long. Kitsune placed the second Thang next to the first surprisingly gentle. She stepped back and nodded, turning around and standing next to Captain.

Boo-doop!

Lynx flinched.

The voice that came from the odd looking device echoed throughout the station. "Hunter designation code: 10,008—you have retrieved the second Thang—excellent! The Promised Land now lies one step away. Good luck!"

Boo-doop!

A beat of silence passed.

Then a second.

"Right," Captain said, turning around. "Back to the subway."

Lynx and Kitsune whipped around to look at him almost simultaneously. They glanced at each other for a second before quickly following after. Just as Lynx entered the car, he turned around and cringed as Kitsune struggled to enter. The subway started moving the moment she finally got in, resulting in the tall Inkling to nearly fall on her side.

"Are you—"

"She's fine!" Captain snapped. "Takes more than a fall t'urt a Kraken."

Lynx stared at Captain for a moment before looking back at Kitsune and lowering his head. "My apologies."

She gave him another thumbs up, then took a moment to fix her posture and sit cross-legged on the floor.

A moment of silence passed.

Tssss!

Clap. Clap. Clap.

"I hath heard of thy complement once more, good hunter!"

Lynx turned around and smiled at the approaching figure. "Father!"

"And accompanied by an honourable knight besides." Father said. "'Tis mine most humble pleasure to meet thee." He placed one claw on his chest and bowed.

Kitsune bowed as best she could from her position on the floor.

Father tilted his head to look at Lynx and extended one claw that held a capsule pill. "A gift, good hunter. For thy work."

"Thank you, Father." He took the pill between his index finger and thumb, and swallowed it without so much as a second thought.

"Thy arduous journey hast led thee to retrieve not one, but two keys to the Promised Land. A feat unaccomplished by many a hunter before. And now dost thou seek the final key which sits at the line marked H.

"But be warned: the path to the final key is far more perilous. Thou wouldst be wise to carry these." He reached inside his coat with two claws and pulled out a pair of cylindrical lamps. "The ounces despise the scent that the lamps emit—thy quest shalt be lax when furnished unto thy body." He held them out to Lynx and Kitsune.

"Thank you, Father." Lynx said, taking one lamp in both hands.

He nodded, then turned his head to Captain. "With mine most great respect, thou wouldst be wise to remain here. The trail to the final key is a path made only of hunters and knights alike. Thou dost hast mine most sincere apologies." Father bowed and held two claws together in prayer.

Captain grumbled under his breath, then motioned at Kitsune to approach him. She shuffled on her knees awkwardly, then bent her body down to eye level with Captain. He whispered something that Lynx couldn't understand, and after a moment, Kitsune straightened up as best she could and nodded.

"I pray for thee to return swiftly and safely." Father finished with a bow.

Lynx smiled, mimicking his bow. "Of course, Father."

NOW ARRIVING AT STATION D

Lynx stood from his seat and stepped towards the car's doors. Kitsune shuffled next to him, placing one hand on the ceiling.

The subway came to a gradual stop, and after a moment, the doors hissed open. The hunter and knight gave their final goodbyes to Father and Captain and stepped off.

Kitsune stood at her full height and looked back to watch the subway leave the station. Even with the dim lighting, Lynx took the time to get a good look at his superior.

Her height was the first thing anyone would notice; she was likely three metres tall, which made for quite the intimidating sight. The second was her mantle—it was bright orange at the base and halfway down her tentacles, which were long enough to reach the ground, shifted into navy blue.

Her tanned hands and feet, sans her fingers and heels, were wrapped in a bandage-like material. Her coat was sleeveless, reaching all the way to the ground, and lined with thinly cut strips of seaweed that were clumped together. Only the first few buttons were held together, while the rest remained open. Her trousers were torn just above her knees.

Once the subway became nothing more than a distant echo through the tunnel, Kitsune entwined her fingers together and stretched her arms over her head. Then in one swift motion, she unbuttoned her coat and removed her mask.

Lynx flinched and looked away, raising a hand to cover the side of his burning face. Kitsune laughed.

Her laugh was bright and melodic; to Lynx, at least. Others would probably say that it was high pitched, loud, and squeaky. It was like a bell that rung to announce the midnight/midday hour. Beautiful and noticeable.

He flinched when a hand landed on his shoulder.

Slowly, he lowered his hand and turned his head to look at her. She was, thankfully, wearing what looked to be a sarashi around her upper body, though it did little to hide her toned abdomen. He quickly forced himself to look at her face before she could notice him staring, only to find himself starstruck.

She had a strong jawline, a straight nose, freckles along her cheeks and nose, a fanged, close-lipped smile, and the most beautiful amber eyes Lynx had ever seen. The ones he had seen in his visions were angry, like a roaring wildfire; but these were gentle, like a warm hearth.

She raised her hands and began to sign. I didn't get to tell you since I was wearing my mask in front of Captain, but you were really cool fighting that monster before I stepped in!

His chest ached with the increased speed his hearts were beating. "M-my thanks, Kitsune."

Kitsune chuckled. You don't have to call me by my title. She pointed to herself and then signed out the letters of her name. K-A-O-R-I.

"Kaori...?" He repeated the name out loud, watching as she nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaori."

You're so formal, loosen up a bit—Captain's not here to threaten us with his 'extra training.'

"A-ah, my apologies. I will try." he said. "It would be best if we started moving though."

Kaori yawned, raising her hands behind her head and leaned against them. She gently nudged Lynx forward with her knee and smiled at him. His cheeks grew warm and he returned the gesture with a shaky smile, then started their trek through the lines.

It was perhaps a minute or two later that Kaori stepped ahead of Lynx and turned to face him, walking backwards. Since Gramps isn't here, might as well get to know each other better; you got any hobbies?

Lynx blinked underneath his blindfold. "A-ah, hobbies?" He thought for a moment at Kaori's nod. "Father and I recite poems and haikus to one another on occasion."

You like to write?

"Aye, sometimes. Father is much better at it than I am."

Kaori scoffed and made a dismissive gesture with her hands. Yeah, right! I bet your writing is just as good as his!

A smile tugged at Lynx's lips, as well as a faint feeling of warmth on his cheeks. "You're very kind, but truly, Father's way with words is... indescribable."

The Kraken giggled, the sound, once again, akin to ringing bells. Don't sell yourself short. Besides, I'll see if that's true or not one we're on the surface.

Right... Lynx thought, a smile still on his face. One step away...

Kotone’s hum echoed throughout the tunnel; her gear rattling and shifting quietly. A small smile could just barely been seen on her lips.

"That song's got a nice melody." Mizuta said. "I should remix it when I get the chance."

Kotone chuckled. "Good to know that part of you hasn't changed. I remember the club you used to DJ at—every song you played and remixed was amazing!"

"...I used to DJ at a club?"

"Aye! Bird of Paradise, you spent all your time there, and didn't care if you got in trouble or not."

They let out a sound that was a mix between a huff and a cough. "That sounds like me. Or, whoever I used to be."

Kotone’s smile widened. "Try not to worry. I'll help you remember everything."

"Thanks... I don't really—" Mizuta paused when Kotone stopped walking. "What is it?"

The taller Octoling knelt down on one knee, easing Mizuta off her back. She stood, stepping forward and rolling her shoulders, and said, "Nothing I can't handle."

Nothing happened for a moment, until three figures emerged from the darkness around them. They were armoured, but it was crude and transparent; and in their hands were equally crude looking weapons. Kotone raised a brow as they stopped just a metre or two away from them. The first figure was in front of Kotone, while the other two flanked her sides.

"Hand over that thing," said the figure in front of Kotone. "That beast."

Kotone snorted, a smirk appearing on her face. "Nah, I don't think I will. Besides, they're better off with me than you lot."

The figure in front flourished their weapon. "You would sympathise with a parasite?"

Her smirked vanished as she narrowed her eye at the three figures. "'Parasite?'"

"Wolf," Mizuta said. "Let them take me. It's... They're hunters. And I'm a beast."

She turned her head to look at Mizuta, who had their head held low, before shooting a glare back at the hunter in front. "No."

The hunter at Kotone’s left pointed his weapon at her. "To sympathise with a beast is to become a beast!"

Laughter rose from her chest and echoed around them. "Then a beast I shall be! And if you are hunters, allow me then to make things fair for you." In a swift and fluid motion, Kotone removed her spear from her back and her Splatling from her hip.

The hunter on her right charged at her, thrusting their weapons forward. Kotone gripped the blade with her hand, curling her fingers in such a way that it prevented her palm from touching the edge of the blade. She stepped aside while still holding the weapon and let the hunter's momentum drive them forward; until Kotone jerked the weapon out of the hands and strike their knees with the pommel.

The left hunter appeared just as the right fell to the ground, positioning their weapon into a horizontal strike. Kotone crouched, the weapon's blade grazing her cowl, tossing aside the right hunter's weapon and curling her hand into a fist and striking the left's core. The force behind the impact was enough to crack the crude armour and send them skidding across the ground.

The final hunter did the same as the right, their weapon above their head. Still crouched, Kotone swung her legs around once they were close enough and knocked them off their feet. Using what remained of her momentum, she twisted her body and reached out for the final hunter's weapon; then raised it above her head and plunged it into their head as they fell onto their back. A puddle of blue surrounded their head in a halo.

Kotone scoffed as she let go of the weapon and stood straight. She turned and fastened her own weapons back onto her body and approached Mizuta.

"Owl..." they whispered, eliciting a quiet gasp from Kotone. "I... remember that name. But, it's your face—"

"The Owl has died," Kotone intervened, crouching down on one knee. "And the Wolf has taken her place."

Mizuta was silent for a moment as they wrapped their tentacles back around her waist. "Of course. The Owl's wings are... clipped."

Kotone stood and once again began to walk through the line. And after a moment, she began to hum.

Chapter Text

Heavy footsteps fell upon cobblestone streets, lungs burned with rapid breathing, hands tightly clutched the paper bags pressed into his chest. He heard the voice of the shopkeeper chasing after him, and despite the ache in his legs, he kept running.

He looked back, just for a moment, only for his foot to catch and send him tumbling onto the cobble. He only just managed to learn how to switch into his swim form, thus ridding his body of the excess ink that once coated his now impenetrable skin.

"Damn," someone hissed. "That looked like it hurt. Should be more careful."

He twisted his body around to look at who stood over him, a smirk on her face. "Houzuki-Hime-san!"

Her smirk grew just a tad bit bigger. "'Sup, B."

Bastion would have found her sudden appearance reassuring if he didn't notice the shopkeeper closing in on him. He quickly twisted around and clutched the paper bags, brushing off any dirt or pebbles that may have embedded themselves. Just as he stood and made to run, a tug at the back of his collar stopped him.

"Hol' up, B. You bought that with your own money right?"

He froze, quickly thinking of the Inklish words he could reply with. "Ah..."

"That tells me everything I need to know." A harsher tug at his collar made him stumble back into the older Inkling. "Hand it over."

"Dame." Bastion said.

"Why not?"

"Need."

Pearl sighed. "'Least lemme talk to the shopkeep, 'kay?"

He grumbled, slumping his shoulders as he waited for the shopkeeper to close in on them; and when they did, they were blue-faced and doubled over, their hands on their knees.

"You! You wee urchin! I've half a mind to call the authorities on you—child or not!"

"Ay, he's with me, chill." Pearl stepped between Bastion and the shopkeeper. "How much did that cost?"

"Six thousand! You ought to keep the wee cur in check—"

"Twelve thousand."

The shopkeeper and Bastion flinched, blinking at Pearl. "E-eh?"

"N-nani o—"

Pearl put a hand on Bastion’s head, ruffling his mess of tentacles. "I'll pay for the food he took, and I'd like it doubled for good measure."

"H-Houzuki-Hime-san...!"

"You can't be serious!" exclaimed the shopkeeper. "You're rewarding his behaviour?"

She smirked. "I'm doing you a favour."

"W-what?"

"Now where's your stall?"

They rubbed the back of their neck and mumbled something under their breath as they turned around, leading Bastion and Pearl to their stall. True to her word, she paid for the stolen food and then some in double, putting down a handful of Inkling paper currency. The young Kraken ended up  carrying two paper bags in each arm, but not without a wink and a smirk from Pearl as she spoke to the shopkeeper.

Bastion blinked at Pearl, his brows furrowed, but said nothing as he started to walk away from the stall. His Inklish was not as good as he'd like it to be—trying to hold a conversation with Pearl was like trying to play Mahjong with master-level players as a beginner. Ane, at the very least, could hold her own against Pearl. But in the reclusive little village at the base of Mount Nantai, where everyone knew everyone, no one wanted to play Mahjong with Bastion or Ane.

It'd been a couple of weeks since they had 'moved in' to the little village—even if the closest they were allowed to be was the very edge. It made for quite a walk whenever either of them left for supplies and the like. Their home was more along the lines of a run down shack that was in a constant state of falling apart; it was a tiny thing with one room that had a table in the centre and blanket tucked away in the corner; the wood used to make it was old and rotted, and the thatch meant for the roof was littered with holes which light would shine through.

Bastion stood in front of the door to the shack, kneeling to put one of the bags down for a moment, then reaching for the knob; but not without noticing two apples alongside the bread. He shook his head and pushed the doot open.

"Tada—" The door snapped free of its hinges and fell forward. He cringed and reached down for the bag. "Tadaima!"

"Okaerinasai!" said Ane, who was sitting on her knees on the far end side of the table. She got up and took one of the bags from Bastion’s arms once she saw him. When both bags were placed on the rickety table, Ane peered inside. "Where did you get these?"

Bastion cringed a second time, rubbing the back of his neck before he spoke. "Ah... town."

"Where did you get this much?"

"I catch... by... shonin... Houzuki-Hime-san help..."

Ane sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You cannot steal from them, regardless if Houzuki-Hime-senpai helped you. Yes?"

He nodded with his head hung low and bowed. "Koukai shite orimasu."

She sighed, then raised a hand and patted his head. "Not again."

The smell of incense filled each and every breath taken by Lynx and Kaori. The former had grown used to the smell of cedar, often times associating it with Father, though anyone else would likely find it repulsive.

Like glowing embers... No, that's four... Like a glowing ember—aye, that's better...

Lynx raised a hand and scratched his cheek.

Like glowing embers... A warm hearth during the cold... Is that seven?

He looked down at his hands and began to mentally count the syllables. It should have been seven syllables if he was correct.

BOOM!

Both hands shot to his weapons as the sound rang out in his ears and down the tunnel. His hearts hammered in his chest as Kaori landed on her feet beside him.

She patted Lynx's back with a chuckle, and pointed up when he looked at her. Furrowing his brow, he looked up to see some sort of pink and green logo stuck to the tunnel's ceiling. "Wha...?"

He looked back at Kaori, who began to sign. Can you make that jump? To the ceiling?

"I... Maybe?" He rubbed the back of his neck and tilted his head.

Try it! She patted his back again with a smile.

Looking back up at the ceiling, Lynx licked his lips and relaxed his stance. He bent his knees, took a deep breath, and put as much strength into his legs as he could and jumped. Only for him to get just a few inches off the ground, nowhere close to the ceiling.

Kaori snorted, then laughed as Lynx stumbled on his landing and caught his breath. He felt his chest tighten and hearts quicken at the sound. 

Laugh like morning bells...

It was like a blessing from the gods to hear that laugh.

As Lynx turned around, Kaori crouched down and put her hands together, palms facing up. She gestured with her head and grinned; Lynx couldn't help but stare at the fangs that stuck out between her lips.

When he took a step forward, Kaori suddenly held up one hand and reached into her pocket. Then, she pulled out a small, flat object that resembled a purple octopus and grinned. Lynx furrowed his brow at the object and tilted his head.

It's a sticker, she signed. I'll give you a boost so you can put it next to mine.

Lynx took the sticker in one hand, carefully holding it by its edges. He turned it over and noted that its back was completely white and had some kind of sticky texture. He hummed and held the coloured side in his palm and placed his foot in Kaori's hands. "Ready."

Kaori smirked and promptly lifted him up, allowing him to reach and stick the object next to the logo his senior agent stuck just minutes before. He smiled and looked down, raising one hand and giving a thumbs up. She returned his smile and brought him back down to the ground.

Just as Lynx took a step forward, a quiet click made him turn back around. In the hand of his senior was a small, orange and blue device shaped liked a squid, pointed up at the two stickers. A bright flash appeared from it for a moment before disappearing. He furrowed his brows as Kaori put it inside one of her pockets.

Just taking a picture to show my friends on the surface. She grinned.

Lynx couldn't help but smile in return. There was something about her, in Lynx's opinion, that was just so grossly incandescent. As if the sun itself were made of flesh and ink.

Some several more minutes of walking passed, in comfortable silence, afore a painfully familiar, putrid scent assaulted their senses. Lynx froze instantly, resting his hand on his Octo Shot. Kaori covered her nose and mouth with her hand.

Covered eyes flicked to and fro, but found no sign of the tainted substance or beast. The hunter and knight continued down the line—taking slow, light steps that quietly echoed. More minutes passed, yet still, the beast made no appearance, but its scent remained. Kaori turned around, pressing her lower back against Lynx's shoulders (which caused his cheeks to flush dark blue) and scanned the tunnel's expanse behind them. Yet still, there was no sign of the beast apart from its putrid scent.

Simultaneously, as if their minds locked onto the same idea, they tilted their heads up. Lo there, gazing down upon them with its twisted, mutilated form and single black eye was the beast. What lay around it was a pool of sickly green-blue ooze, thick like oobleck; a single tendril-like appendage curled around its form.

Lynx pointed his Octo Shot at the beast and fired a barrage of coral ink. Just before it could come in contact with the creature, it submerged itself in its ooze and dashed away, leaving ripples and drips in its wake. The hunter and knight raced after the retreating beast. With the former's legs being longer than the latter's, she matched its speed with ease, while Lynx had to move his legs faster than he had ever done before.

Kaori, whose run was akin to a leaping stride, matched its speed—she shot up and outstretched her hand, only to miss by at least a metre. The sound of her landing roared through the tunnel's expanse. She jumped a second time and outstretched her hand again. Lynx blinked, and for only a moment, swore he watched Kaori's arm stretch farther than what should have been possible as her hand plunged into the ooze and ripped the creature out. Orange ink dripped down her arm as she came crashing down. She held it by the back of its head as it wiggled and writhed, letting out unholy and otherworldly cries. Lynx caught up with Kaori, pointing his Octo Shot at the beast.

"No, stop—wait!"

Kaori and Lynx turned. A male Octoling with a sunny yellow mantle tied back approached them; a bundle wrapped in dark cloth was tied on his back.

"Please, keep your distance and avert your gaze." Lynx said, raising one hand.

"She's not a beast—her mind is still intact!" he exclaimed. "She's been infected, yes, but she's not a beast, she's my wife."

Lynx blinked behind his blindfold and Kaori let out a strangled noise. "Your... wife...?" muttered the former.

"Her name is Shichi. She's been protecting us from the other monsters down here." he said.

Kaori straightened up and released Shichi from her grip. She warbled and looked back at Kaori, her dark eye distorted momentarily before slinking over to the Octoling’s side.

There are more monsters that still have their minds...?

"My apologies, sir." Lynx holstered his Octo Shot and bowed. "But pray tell, you speak as though there are several of you—would I be wrong in my assumption that you are travelling in a group?"

The Octoling gave a small smile, his brows furrowing up ever slightly. He raised his hands, his palms facing them, and shook them side-to-side. "No, no, apologies are not necessary. I understand that you hunters are quick to defend." He lowered his hands before speaking again. "As for your question, my wife and I are travelling with our daughter."

Lynx's eyes widened further behind his blindfold. Kaori let out another strangled noise, albeit confused sounding.

"You have a... a daughter...?"

I almost...

He nodded and looked back at the dark cloth on his back. "Aye. This cloth keeps her protected, and calm besides." He paused for a moment, his mouth parting open slightly. He glanced at Shichi and watched as she shifted in place before sinking into a puddle of sickly, sanitised ooze. "Ah, you're wearing incense..."

Lynx nodded in turn, looking down at the lamps that hung at his and Kaori's hips.

"My name is Eisuke; and might I know the names of you good hunters?"

Lynx looked back at the Octoling and smiled. "I am Lynx. Designated number ten thousand and eight." He turned to Kaori. "And though my compatriot is not a hunter, an honourable knight she remains." She glanced at Lynx and smirked.

Eisuke looked at Kaori and bowed slightly. "I see. I apologise for my assumption." She waved her hand at his apology.

"If you will permit me to ask," Lynx said. "Why do you travel down the lines? The villages are naught but rubble."

"There are more ways than one to reach what you call 'The Promised Land.'" Lynx's eyes widened again. "The Gatekeeper speaks in honeyed words and promises to those who find the keys. But the Gatekeeper's words are hollow. Have you never wondered why you are ten thousand and eight?"

Lynx looked down, his brows furrowing slightly. He felt Kaori's hand place itself on his shoulder, but he did not lift his head. He brought one of his own hands to his chin as he thought.

Hollow, honeyed words...

"If it would bring you comfort, you may travel with us. That is, if you believe what I say."

Lynx hummed as he closed his eyes beneath his blindfold. A deep, heavy sigh escaped his nose before he lifted his head and spoke. "Forgive me, but I must decline. I'm too close, and I mustn't abandon Father."

Eisuke's eyes dropped, though a smile remained on his face. "I do not fault you. I only wish for you to not be like the others. I pray we see each other on the surface again."

The hunter nodded and bowed, watching as the other Octoling turned around and began to walk away. Shichi's sigular eye remained fixed on Lynx for a long moment. She blinked slowly, her eye distorting and almost seeming to split in half before mending itself back together.

"Thank... you... sweet boy..."

She turned in place and slithered back to Eisuke's side, leaving a trail of ooze in her place. For some reason, Lynx found himself smiling at her words.

Have I been fed... a lie...?

Chapter Text

As it turned out, Aava could only carry so many people at once. Four had to awkwardly sit on the edge of her cockpit with Two sitting opposite of her. One sat in the cockpit itself with Phoenix in front of her. Aava was thankfully careful with the way she moved, occasionally looking back at her passengers. She parted her jaws, at some point, and let out a sound similar to TV static.

Four didn't think she would be returning to the domes anytime soon; let alone be invited by a soon-to-be Icon besides! It made an odd feeling settle in her chest and limbs. She kept one hand on her Dualies' holster while the other gripped the edge of Aava's cockpit.

The bottom of the Canyon was dark, with sunlight reaching only so far and casting long shadows over their bodies. Aava's footsteps were heavy and echoed off the veined walls that pulsed with ink and dim LED lights. At the very end of the Canyon stood a large, stone gate. Pulsing around its pillars were inky veins similar to the ones that lined the walls. It was almost like the entrance to the domes, if not the domes themselves, were a living, breathing creature; a creature that sheltered and cared for its inhabitants when everything else tried to kill it. An odd feeling welled up in Four's body, her ears tilting down.

Their surroundings only got darker when Aava passed through the gate and into the tunnel beyond. Yet still, there were LED lights that accented the walls and just barely lit the way, though Aava's stripes were bright enough to light up the tunnel and expose the overarching curve. Apart from her heavy, echoing steps and static that came from between her jaws, it was surprisingly quiet. At least until her teeth parted just a bit wider and soft, crackling notes started to fill the surrounding air. Unintelligible lyrics, Four assumed they were in Octarian, hummed alongside the rhythm.

Four tapped the top of her bracer and started to type in Bastion’s name before One spoke up. "Oh, Sheldon gave ye a fancy music player, too, eh?"

She blinked and looked down into the cockpit. One was looking up at her with a grin, while Phoenix glanced at her before quickly looking away.

"Uhh, yeah..."

She rubbed the back of her neck, the echoes of a song playing in the back of her mind. One snickered.

"I 'member when Two fell to a song—"

"It wasn't funny then, and it isn't funny now."

One smacked her knee, laughing. "No, no, it wasn't. But, ye would'a thought it'd be me who'd fall t' a song first."

Two rolled her eyes. "It's still not funny."

"It's a little funny."

"It's really not."

One looked up at Four again, leaning back. "Y'donnae gotta worry 'bout fallin' t' this song. It donnae 'ave th' same effects."

Four noticed Two raise an eyebrow from the corner of her eye. She lifted her shades to rest on her forehead before resting her arm back into her lap. The lyrics of the song playing were slow and mournful, almost melancholy.

"How come we won't fall to this song? It's Octarian, isn't it?" Four looked back at One.

"'S Octarian, aye. But 's old—so old it pre-dates th' Great Turf War." One explained. "An' th' recordin's old, besides. Far as I know, no one 'members 's intent. 'Sides, these days 's jus' ambient music. Like what we play on th' radio."

The young agent nodded, then looked back down the tunnel.

Roughly a few moments passed, and another veined gate came into view. Phoenix stood from where she was and looked over the hood of Aava's cockpit, a wide smile on her face. "Here!" Not a second after the mechanical beast crossed through the gate, Two slid off her back and walked beside her in long strides. Four watched for a moment before sliding off and walking beside Aava as well, albeit in more of a jog.

Further down the tunnel, a voice called, "Naoto!"

Phoenix scrambled to get out of Aava's cockpit, the mechanical tiger pausing in her steps. "Otousan!" The moment her feet made contact with the ground, she started sprinting and jumped into the arms of a red garbed, male Octoling.

Four used to imagine a similar scenario when she was younger. It was a fairy tale of a thought, she knew now, but it was one that used to make her feel better. 

The Octoling’s mantle was the same shade of red as Phoenix's, but got paler the closer it was to the base. The same blue eyes as her's looked up and smiled at them. "Taiga-sama, Raion-sama, Usagi-sama."

"Yo, Yuuki-san!" One called, stepping out of Aava's cockpit and onto her shoulders. She stepped off the mechanical tiger and onto the ground. "Ye look a lot be'er." She folded her arms behind her head.

Yuuki shifted from one foot to the other and rubbed the back of his head, a small smile and light blush on his face. "Y-yes. I am... good." He shook his head and glanced between Two and Four before bowing. "I am Takakashi Yuuki—Suzaku."

Two remained still, while Four nodded.

"Th' others up 'head, Yuuki-san?"

Suzaku nodded. "Yes. Ah... here..." He made a gesture with his hand and turned around, walking back down the tunnel with Phoenix at his heels. The agents and Aava followed close behind.

It was a few more minutes before they reached a kind of clearing that had another veined gate. Standing just beyond the gate were four more Octolings.

One of them stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Taiga-sama, okaerinasai! Raion-sama, Usagi-sama, Okutarian teikoku no yokoso!"

Four blinked. What in the heck did he just say...?

Similar to Suzaku, he wore a kimono that was a blue-green instead of red, and accented in silver. Two azure tentacles hung over his face, while another two draped over his back and tickled the ground. His skin tone was a sort of grey-ish tint.

"Yo, Tatsuya-san!" One raised a hand and grinned.

He raised a hand and cleared his throat. "Seiryu-sama."

One laughed and crossed her arms. "Aye, aye!"

Two glanced back at One and raised a brow. "One, what's going on?" Four looked back at her as well.

She shrugged.

Seiryu approached them with his hands folded behind his back and his head held high. Four's ears twitched, she whipped around and gripped her Dualies while they were still in their holsters. Seiryu's eyes widened at her, his mouth parting.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

Another Octoling stood in between Seiryu and Four, large azure tentacles blanketing over his shoulders. He held his hands up in front of Four.

"You remember me, don't you?"

She stared at him for a long moment before blinking and taking her hands off her Dualies. "Yeah... Ri—something..."

A light dust of blue appeared on his cheeks. One laughed loudly, "'Ready know Ryuji-san, eh?"

"Somethin' like that..." Four said, shoving her hands inside her front pocket. "He helped me get to that big dome area where you were. And also against that robot crab thing..." She looked up at him for a second before staring at her feet. "You're good with a bucket."

Ryuji—Dragon, rather—chuckled quietly, his blush becoming just a bit deeper. "Ah... thank you..."

"Why are you all here?" Two looked between all of the Icons with narrowed eyes. "And why did you call for One specifically?"

Dragon nodded, then turned to Seiryu and the other two Octolings. He started speaking to them in, what Four assumed was, Imperial Octarian. A moment passed before Seiryu cleared his throat and started speaking to them, with Dragon translating at the same time.

"With Emperor Takowasa gone we have no one to lead our military—security can barely keep itself together under Lord Genbu's command." He paused at the same time as Seiryu, then continued. "With hardly any power to keep a single dome lit, many of our people have taken to the surface world, your Haikara City. Yet still, some remain to try and rebuild."

Another of the Icons, an older Octoling wearing what looked like a ragged, tattered cloak stepped forward. The only part of his face that was visible was a long, inky green beard. He too spoke in Imperial Octarian, which Dragon was quick to translate.

"Our trades with the Salmonids have ceased entirely"—Four raised a brow—"and we're doing our best to preserve our remaining power eggs, but we only have so many left..."

One held up a hand. "Hol' up, th' trade's stopped? Ye've tried talkin' t' 'em, aye?"

Dragon nodded. "Of course we have! But they've been radio silent. The Tatsu Splatoon has tried to meet with them, but they were met with a horde of aggressive Salmonids."

Suzaku cleared his throat and spoke up in Imperial Octarian, "Tiger, an Inkling you may be, you were the only one chosen by Emperor Takowasa to be his successor. Now that he is gone, the mantle of Byakko is to be passed down to you."

"Hold on a minute." Two’s voice cut through like a knife through butter. "This is all very sudden, you should give her some time to think—"

"Alright."

Two and Four whipped around. The former exclaimed, "One!" Even the Icons and their descendants looked at her with wide eyes, some with their mouths hanging open.

One took a step forward, her hands in her pockets. "I'll become the Byakko. I'll do my best to try and get Inklings and Octolings to get along, and get the Empire back on its feet. But," She held up one finger. "I'm not taking on this role permanently. I am still an Inkling—I wasn't raised in the domes like you all and I don't understand everything about your culture. I'll be looking for someone else to take up the mantle of Byakko, got that?"

Suzaku, Seiryu, Genbu, and their descendants glanced at each other before looking back at One, speaking in chorus and bowing, "The Byakko's word is absolute."

"Oi!" One snapped. "None o' that shite!"

The Icons flinched.

She continued. "No more o' that 'whate'er I say goes,' aye? Y'got a problem wit' what I say, then say somethin'! Aye?"

Again, they shared a look before speaking. "Y-yes, Byakko-heika..."

Two and Four glanced at each other while One cringed. The newly crowned Byakko turned to Genbu. "'Ow long 'ave th' trades been stopped?"

Genbu shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "It is hard to tell from how recent it has happened. As said before, Lord Seiryu's Tatsu Splatoon has been encountering aggressive hoards of Salmonids when they try to communicate."

"Additionally, our attempts at contacting the boss of Salmon Run have come up empty." said Seiryu.

Four snickered. "Good luck with that. No one's had any luck actually talkin' to him. All his messages are pre-recorded—the closest you're getting to him is one of his assistants." She glanced at Seiryu and Dragon. "Tatsu Splatoon's with you guys, right? What's their Salmon Run rank?"

"The highest possible. Er..." Dragon paused. "Eggsecutive...?"

"Then they've been to the Ark Polaris. The Salmonids are supposed to be super aggressive there. Even without your trades, they're nasty." Four said.

Two raised a brow at her. "You haven't been to the Ark Polaris, how do you know all that?"

"Friend of mine, y'know?"

"Genbu," Byakko spoke. "Can you get outside communications working?"

Before the Icon could reply, Four intervened. "You could just ask me to talk to him."

"Not yer friend, Four. Even if he could help." Byakko rolled her shoulders for a second before continuing. "Get in contact with the Tatsu Splatoon. I wanna hear their experience myself."

Salmonid Smokeyard. A small island littered with ramps, propeller-powered platform, and overlooked by large, Salmonid-build towers. A full party of Octolings loitered around its ramps and platforms, turning every corner that there was and walking from bank to bank.

The tallest of the group walked along the shoreline, an Inkbrush in her hands and wearing the standard Grizzco Salmon Run uniform. Two tentacles, short and glittering gold, framed her sun-kissed face. Large hoop earrings, a sparkling white, hung from her ears.

"Makoto-senpai!"

Crimson eyes swivelled around and landed on another Octoling jogging towards her, carrying a Heavy Splatling on both hands. Her tentacles, the same gold as Makoto's, hung just past her shoulders and framed her round face. She, too, wore the standard Grizzco Salmon Run uniform. The stout Octoling skidded to a stop and took a moment to catch her breath before speaking. "No sign of any Salmonids, Senpai!"

Makoto furrowed her delicately arched brows, turning her gaze to the still waters around the Smokeyard. "Thank you, Taika. Keep your eyes peeled, alright?"

Taika nodded.

"Senpai!"

Makoto whipped around, quickly finding another member of her Splatoon standing over them on a ramp. Blue eyes were wide as beads of sweat ran down dark skin.

"Akuha, what's wrong?" Makoto asked.

"It's the boat, Senpai—it's gone!" Akuha exclaimed.

Taika let out a cry as the taller Octoling blinked and started sprinting across the Smokeyard's platforms and ramps. She promptly bit down on her Inkbrush and held it between her beak as she climbed up one of the Salmonid towers. 

True to Akuha's word, the boat was nowhere in sight. No matter what direction Makoto turned, the boat remained unseen. What kind of joke is this? Makoto took her Inkbrush back in hand and looked down at her Splatoon.

"Don't panic!" she called. "Misen, send a distress signal to Lord Dragon!"

"Yes, Senpai!" replied Misen.

Taika exclaimed and pointed. "Senpai! The water's surface!"

Makoto turned her head and watched with wide eyes as broken planks of wood and debris floated on the water's surface. Several more pieces rose from the depths and bobbed with the rhythmic rise and fall of the tides.

"Ready your weapons!"

Fwip! Chkk!

A searing pain, so vastly unlike opposing ink; the scent of copper and sticky warmth and deafening ringing overwhelming her senses. Sharp winds whipped her face before the rest of her body exploded in pain. Crimson eyes gazed heavensward as rattled breaths wrecked her body. Akuha appeared in her vision, transparent doubles swam alongside her.

"Senpai!" she exclaimed. She knelt down and promptly heaved one of Makoto's arms over her shoulders, then helped her to her feet.

The taller Octoling turned her head for only a moment—jutting through her shoulder was a crudely made, partially rusted over arrow. Her eyes widened.

"Misen! Taika!" Makoto called. "Take cover! Now!" Misen ran past her, her Undercover Brella's shield unfurled. "What are you doing?"

"You're our senpai! It's our job to look out for you, like you look out for us!" Misen protested.

Just as Makoto opened her mouth, "Misen! Nine O'clock!" Taika stood opposite of her comrade, charging her Heavy Splatling.

Longbow in hand and string pulled taut, there stood—atop one of the ramps—a figure clad in shining, scaled armour. Makoto exclaimed, "Get down!" just as an arrow whipped past her head, holding Misen close to her chest as she brought her and herself to the ground.

She quickly rose to her feet and turned around, pressing her back against Misen's. The figure stood just in front of Makoto—How'd they move so quickly?—their armour gleaming an iridescent pink amidst the sun. In one hand they held their longbow, and in the other was Makoto's Inkbrush. They promptly tossed the Octoling’s weapon to her, which she caught with her unpierced arm.

The moment she caught her weapon, they charged at her with incredible speed; Makoto held her Inkbrush in front of her body, her shoulder shrieking as she used both hands to hold back the assailant. Makoto craned her neck, looking up at the concealed face of the enemy. Just then, they reached forward and curled their fingers around the arrow in her shoulder, then ripped it out.

She let out a cry, another explosion of pain flooding her shoulder. Her grip on her Inkbrush became uneven, her arm trembling as she forced her muscles to cooperate. A spray of golden ink struck the figure, yet they remained utterly unphased.

"Hold your fire!"

A bolt of agony, originating at her forehead, shook her to the core. The cries of her comrades rang in her ears. Makoto collapsed on her back, staring up at the assailant as they fended off Taika, Misen, and Akuha with practiced ease.

"N-no... Not my girls...!"

They turned back to Makoto, their fingers curled around the arrow that was in her shoulder; they took only a single step forward just as a strange, otherworldly sort of sound shook the very air around them. They turned away from Makoto, tilting their head for a moment and looking back at her 'fore dashing away onto one of the ramps and diving into the water.

"Senpai!"

Three pairs of hands grabbed onto her shoulders and arms, then lifted her up and helped her sit. Makoto gasped and winced as several waves of pain washed over her.

"They're getting smarter..." Makoto muttered. "They could attack the Empire if they wanted to..."

"Senpai, what do we tell them?" asked Taika.

Makoto remained silent, breathing deeply and pressing her hand into the wound on her shoulder. "We have nothing... No power, no allies... No emperor..." A shuddering sigh left her lips. "We have nothing...!"

"Senpai!"

HHHHHRRRRRRRNNNNNN!!!

All their heads snapped up and turned to the shore. Akuha's eyes widened. "Shimomaru! They've come for us!"