The Ark Of Tomoe Gets Hurt

No matter how many times Raiyen had seen that display, it would still be stunning enough to capture his attention. Golden, feathered wings outlined with a golden hue of light, large enough to dwarf the Rukh. It was grand enough to show that the Valkyries are not to be messed around with.

"So, are we racing? My Glitch vs your wings?" asked Raiyen, twisting his back to crack it.

"Yes. The first one to get back the Old Chapel wins the person's dessert," replied Mavislin, propelling herself towards their home.

"I want that cheesecake!" yelled Raiyen, preparing to glitch back.

But there was a strange figure, lurking within the corner of his eyes. Somehow, the figure didn't feel provoking. The being felt reassuring as words appeared into Raiyen's mind.

"Do not worry, I will watch over this place while you are gone," was the words.

Raiyen felt confused but nodded as he ran after his girl. There's not much that figure can do since it's being sealed by the Element of Time.

"You could've won! You threw me off course with those flames of yours! Why didn't you continue to fight?" exclaimed Bryan, trying his best to apply pressure on Tomoe's gaping wound.

Not only the force was enough to break through the fans' defenses, but Bryan ended up stabbing Tomoe's lower abdomen. The Slayer was lucky that it was the abdomen and not the chest, or else the Kitsune would have a bone to pick with him in the distant future.

"Had I pursued the fight just like how I did with my twin those years ago... I would have lost another potential buddy."

"You had a twin? I thought you said you couldn't remember your past..."

"And I thought you knew Kitsunes are known as tricksters. But that's beside the point. Indeed, I had a twin. But I lost him. All because of a dumb squabble we got into," replied Tomoe, spitting out some blood.

"You alright?! I didn't know Kitsunes can die or get hurt like this..."

"I'm fine. But you are right if this was a normal situation. I'm existing here because Raiyen wants me to. I am connected as his weapon, not as a Kitsune. And for the dying part, Kitsunes can be killed."

Now it was Baldwin's turn to be surprised.

"The same way Mages have their Elemental Cores, the same way our spirits have a core. It's called a Spiritual Core. And no, I will not tell you which part of it would it be. Just know we can be killed. And don't be disheartened about breaking my fans, it was time to get new ones anyway."

"But didn't you mention that you handmade it?"

"Not exactly, I commissioned it, told, and observed the person making the fans. It was none other than my twin. I did the same for his weapon as well."

"That doesn't make me feel any less guilty in destroying them... In fact, it feels a lot worse now... Hang on, you mentioned 'losing a potential buddy'?"

"Yep, I find you annoyingly masterful with your blade and legs. Enough for me to ask Mavislin for permission to have you as my fighting partner if I happen to have some battles on my agenda."

"Uhh... Do you go around picking fights? Doesn't sound very appealing to me... I'd rather use free time to rest."

"You might be sharp in your moves in combat but you're so blunt within that head of yours. I happen to be Raiyen's Familiar. And though we fight tooth and nail for girls and weapons, we are still a team. I am under the Vigilante of the Arks, just like how you are under the Pillars."

"Yes, I've got a bone to pick with Raiyen at times but I still do my duties as a member of the Arks' Vigilante. I have been helping Mavislin gather intelligence during the Umbra missions. And I've just helped Raiyen and Z collect more information on the Trench."

"But Raiyen has the major missions to go onto. And because we argue all the time, I have to go on my missions alone. Mostly it's avoiding conflicts but it's starting to get boring if it's only me. It'll be fun if I had some company alongside me. Plus, I heard you work for Minwoo last time."

Bryan's ears perked up. Tomoe took in a ragged breath, trying his best to stop the bleeding.

"Listen, I know more about you than you might think. After all, I was the first member of the Vigilante. And our first missions are to keep track of the members of the Five Kings. So, I know all about what you've done under Minwoo's guidance, Livya."

Bryan's eyes widened, only Minwoo called him that when they were in private.