Outcasts

THE crisp Akaram air bit at Mika's lungs as she jogged back to her companions. Three sharp cracks echoed through the silent valley, followed by the acrid scent of gunpowder. A lone Tiger Beast lay motionless, two precise holes in its skull.

Kazuo's grin stretched wide as he whistled. "Nice shot!"

Smoke curled from Shinji's gun barrel, a silent testament to his skill. Even Guy, ever cautious, nodded in approval.

Kazuo clapped a heavy hand on Guy's shoulder, startling him. "Loosen up, man! You're one of us now. Right, Mika, darling?"

Silence answered him. Kazuo frowned. "Mika, darling? That's odd. She was just here."

Meanwhile, Mika knelt beside the fallen beast, a silent prayer escaping her lips. With practised ease, she skinned the animal, the metallic tang of blood sharp in the air. Her swift movements belied the tension knotting her muscles.

Rejoining the group, she announced, "This should last us tonight," wiping her hands on her trousers. The sunset painted the sky fiery hues, but the oppressive heat remained.

As they descended, Kazuo grumbled, "Damn. Wish I was back North." He nudged Shinji playfully. "Colder there by far!"

"Go then," Shinji retorted. "No one's stopping you."

Kazuo chuckled. "Touchy, touchy. Just making conversation." He quickened his pace, boots crunching on the rocky path, Shinji's complaints trailing behind.

Mika broke the silence. "What's the North like, Kazuo?"

Kazuo looked surprised. "Shinji never told you? Ah, well, I can't blame him. He hates the Prince up there more than the cold. But the North's got good things, too, Mika. Food, culture... and girls," he winked, which earned him a playful swat from Mika. 

"Just sayin'," he grinned. "I only go there occasionally, anyway, when Shinji has his princely duties with the Black Raven Clan."

Guy's head snapped up. "Black Raven Clan?"

"Powerful bunch," Kazuo confirmed. Rivals to the White Wolf Clan, they are. Masters of transportation, they are. Giant eagles, wings that blot out the sun."

Mika and Guy's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yep," Kazuo grinned. "Quite a sight. Maybe one day you'll see them yourselves." He gazed wistfully at the horizon as the first stars began to emerge.

Hours later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, they reached a bustling town. A luxurious inn caught Shinji's eye, and soon, they were settled for the night. After a hearty meal, they retired to their separate quarters. Mika headed to the hot spring, a rare luxury.

"Goodnight, everyone," Mika chirped, waving goodbye. "See you in the morning!"

"Don't be late," Shinji called after her, handing her a slip of paper. "First express train to Eden at dawn."

"Roger that," Mika grinned before closing the door. Deciding to indulge in the inn's hot spring, she gathered her toiletries and headed downstairs.

THE dim lamp cast an unruly halo around Shinji's loose hair as he devoured the local paper. Every rustle seemed to grate on Kazuo, already on edge after a tense loss to Guy at chess. With a triumphant smirk, Guy swept Kazuo's king from the board.

"Not again!" Kazuo roared, throwing his hands up in defeat. A tense silence settled, broken only by the clinking of reset chess pieces. Their camaraderie, forged through shared adventures, was evident despite the unspoken tension.

Guy chuckled, gathering the pieces. "Rematch?"

"Pass!" Kazuo declared, rising and heading for the water cooler. He guzzled down a glass in one go. "Strategy games just aren't my forte."

"Seems you were more comfortable as a fish," Shinji commented dryly.

Kazuo choked on the water. "And who finished all our supplies back in the mountains, leaving us parched?"

Shinji flipped a page, feigning innocence. "Maybe I owe them a good thrashing."

"Why you..."

A cough laced with worry cut through the bickering. "Gentlemen," Guy began, his voice barely a whisper. Kazuo realised how tense the situation had become.

"Right," Kazuo mumbled, a glass of water in hand. "The innkeeper kept staring at Mika while we were checking in. Do you think he recognised a Spirit?"

Newspapers rustled. "What about it?" Shinji asked, unconcerned.

Kazuo's frustration bubbled. "Don't you care? He could spill beans on anyone! Imagine a mob after us!"

"Indeed, troublesome," Shinji conceded, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. Kazuo had filled Guy in on everything, including the encounter with Mika's "brother."

"We're also out of supplies," Kazuo added. "Restock in the morning, maybe?"

Shinji muttered, flipping a page with annoyance. "You wouldn't be worried if you paid attention. I silenced the innkeeper."

"How much did you pay him?" Kazuo raised an eyebrow, knowing Shinji's spending habits.

"Enough," Shinji said curtly. We're stuck here anyway. The exits are closed, and we're out of clean clothes." He gestured to a pile of worn fabric. Mika will be fine as long as she stays hidden."

Kazuo frowned, worrying and gnawing at him. An idea sparked, and a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Guy watched Kazuo approach the door. "Where to at this hour?"

"I'm just checking on our precious cargo," Kazuo winked. We wouldn't want anything to happen to our dear Princess, would we?"

Before Kazuo could finish, a lamp cord crashed near his feet, sending the lamp itself clattering to the floor. Kazuo froze under Shinji's dark gaze.

"I'm just joking!" Kazuo stammered. "You really think I'd barge in on her?" he pleaded, looking at Guy for support.

But Guy's icy tone sent shivers down Kazuo's spine. "Sneaking into a young woman's room...interesting." A slow, unsettling smile spread across his face.

"G-Guy?" Kazuo stammered, his bravado shattered.

Guy turned, an ominous aura seeming to surround him. "You call her affectionate names, Kazuo. I hope you haven't laid a finger on her. The consequences would be...unfavourable."

Kazuo paled under Guy's gaze and chilling smile. Panic rising, he stammered, "Just a joke! I'm just going for a smoke! Is it getting chilly here?"

Guy's expression remained unchanged. Meanwhile, Shinji stifled muffled chuckles under the covers, watching the exchange with amusement. He knew Kazuo was harmless, but the sight of the ginger-haired man scrambling to explain himself was too good to pass up.

"Smoke, you say?" The guy's voice remained flat, his dark eyes unwavering. There's a balcony just outside your room, Kazuo. Unless you prefer a smoke show here?" He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a playful challenge flickering in his gaze.

Kazuo gulped. The playful jab, combined with the earlier threat, left him flustered. "Uh, no balcony smoke show for me, thanks. Fresh air it is!" He beat a hasty retreat towards the door, casting a nervous glance at Shinji before disappearing into the fantastic night.

STEAMED air poured from the inn's hot spring as the sliding doors opened. Mika emerged with a satisfied sigh. The cobblestone streets glistened with a thin layer of ice under the pale moonlight. Most inns they stayed at needed better equipped, offering little more than a bucket bath. Here, the spa was a rare luxury.

Memories of a past bath in the mountains surfaced - a secluded waterfall after days of trekking in filthy clothes. None of her companions had objected when she insisted on stopping for a proper clean. In fact, Shinji had told her to go first while Kazuo fetched water and Guy cooked.

Now, whistling a tune, Mika changed into a simple white shirt, dark pants, a red cap, and a pair of cheap glasses—Shinji's ingenious disguise to hide her Spirit nature. Climbing the stairs, she paused at the window. The freezing night kept the roads mostly deserted. A strange comfort settled over her, replacing the loneliness she used to feel when gazing out of the Luyas' tower.

The faces of her companions filled her mind, and a smile touched her lips.

Suddenly, a figure caught her eye. Below the few late-night stragglers stood a tall boy in a worn brown jacket and a red cape that covered his face. To a human, he might seem out of place. Still, he radiated an unsettling aura to Mika – unlike a fellow Spirit or a demon. A mix of alluring and repulsive energy pulsed from him, drawing her in and pushing her away simultaneously.

Mika stumbled back, feeling an urge to walk towards him. Her muscles tensed, and an invisible force tugged at her limbs. Gritting her teeth, she fought the pull with every ounce of willpower. The battle took its toll, but the sensation slowly faded.

Outside, the boy clenched his fists in frustration. So close! He grinned to himself. She'll figure it out soon. It'll drive her crazy. Adjusting his red cape, he disappeared into the night.

Mika scowled. No human child would linger by the inn at this hour. But what was he then? A Spirit with an unsettling presence? Doubt gnawed at her.

Should she wake one of the others? Shinji would likely take charge, but Guy's constant watchfulness felt unnecessary. Besides, a spark of defiance ignited within her. It may be time to prove herself and handle this situation alone.

Mika slipped out of the inn with a determined glint, hoping to catch the boy before he vanished entirely.

Twenty minutes of following the hooded figure through deserted alleyways confirmed Mika's suspicions—this wasn't a human child. Every playful glance back held a hint of something… inhuman. Finally, he stopped before a crumbling mansion on the town's desolate outskirts. Moonlight glinted off broken windows, casting grotesque shadows that mirrored the horror novels Guy devoured. A shiver snaked down Mika's spine, momentarily banishing her resolve.

"Focus, Mika," she muttered, lightly slapping her cheek. Don't let Guy's morbid tastes distract you."

Suddenly, the boy raised his arms, chanting in a language she recognised - Ancient Asparian.

"Maine!" The air shimmered and, with a groan, revealed a hidden passage.

The boy turned and winked at Mika, a mischievous glint in his mismatched eyes - one golden, the other brown - before he stepped into the darkness. The passage snapped shut behind him.

Mika's breath hitched. That language… was definitely her mother tongue, Ancient Aspania. According to Shinji, few people knew enough to speak it fluently because of the Great War years ago. All the artefacts and anything related to the Spirits' history were destroyed and burnt. Not even a single piece was left to preserve, except the ones in the hands of the White Wolf Clan. A knot of unease tightened in her gut. This boy held secrets, and Mika was determined to unearth them.

Blindness turned to a faint, flickering glow emanating from a hidden basement door a few metres ahead. Laughter, the sound of children, drifted from behind it. Mika crept forward, senses strained, her hand brushing the rough stone wall. The light sputtered and died, plunging her back into absolute darkness. Laughter echoed closer now, laced with a strange, chilling edge. Her heart hammered against her ribs.

Steel in her grip, Mika drew her twin blades. A harsh scrape against wood – the basement door splintered open. Light flooded in, momentarily blinding. Blinking rapidly, she took in the scene. A makeshift haven carved from the earth, filled with children.

Sharp-eared, multi-coloured eyes stared back at her. One boy, older than the others, sat on a makeshift throne, a mischievous glint in his mismatched brown and gold eyes. He wore a ragged smile and a worn leather jacket, a stark contrast to the playful clothes of the others.

"It took you long enough, lady," the boy drawled earlier, his voice surprisingly deep for his age. Welcome to our little haven, Spirit. The name's Rom."

"You knew I was tailing you?" Rom's smug grin faltered as Mika's voice echoed in the cavernous space.

The little boy proudly puffed his chest. "Of course he did! Rom's the best sensor we have! He can sniff anyone or anything from miles away! Earlier, he told us he sensed a strong Spirit scent coming from that miserable town. And he promised to bring it back to the hideout! That's you, lady."

"That's enough, Toma," Rom said, affectionately ruffling his younger brother's hair. Another boy, Luke, offered Mika a shy smile before mimicking Rom's assertive posture.

Suddenly, Rom stood up, his gaze sweeping Mika in a way that sent shivers down her spine.

"What are you looking at?" she demanded, an eyebrow raised.

Rom's lips twitched into a smirk. "Hmm... not bad," he muttered, his eyes lingering on her form.

Mika bristled. This arrogant child was checking her out? The audacity! Back in Luyas, she'd witnessed countless men do the same to Luna, but this felt different, more unsettling.

"Nothing to worry about, sweetheart," Rom winked, his voice dripping with condescension. "Alright then, fellas! I've made my decision."

The room erupted in excited chatter. "You have, Rom? What is it? Tell us!"

Ignoring the clamour, Rom pointed at Mika. "Isn't it obvious? This lady here is going to help us escape from this dreadful place!"

A chorus of "REALLY?" and "For real?" filled the air. A mob of hopeful faces surrounded Mika, their eyes brimming with anticipation. Rom, meanwhile, observed the scene with a mischievous glint in his mismatched eyes.

"How do you plan on helping us out, lady?" one of the children finally dared to ask.

Mika met his gaze directly. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" she countered, her voice firm.

Rom, unfazed, simply shrugged. "Piece of cake, really. All you have to do is become our chaperone while we travel to Eden. Ever heard of the place, sweetheart?"

Mika shook her head, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach. With their strange abilities and knowledge of a hidden city, these children were a mystery she couldn't ignore. But the thought of abandoning Shinji and Guy felt like a betrayal.

"Passports," Rom explained, a glint in his mismatched eyes. "We need them to cross the border to Eden. Kids don't need them, but an adult chaperone does. One look at a poor girl burdened with a gaggle of younger siblings..." He chuckled, picturing the scene. "Those guards wouldn't stand a chance."

A gasp erupted from the children as Mika turned towards the exit. "I appreciate the offer," she said, her voice firm. "But I can't just leave my comrades behind without a word. They'd be worried sick." Gently, she brushed a hand over a child's head. "I wish you all the best with your plan, though."

Before she could take another step, a harsh snort stopped her. "Comrades?" Rom scoffed. "Those humans? How much do you want to bet they'll turn on you in a heartbeat? Especially if they discover what you truly are?"

Mika's hand instinctively went to the hilt of a hidden blade. "They won't," she said, her voice laced with defiance. "I trust them."

Rom's gaze held hers, searching for a flicker of doubt. Finally, he crossed his arms. "Sure, you say that now. But trust is a fragile thing, easily shattered. With us, you wouldn't have to worry about that. We're the same, you and I. Outcasts on their land. Why help them?"

One of the children piped up, his voice trembling. "Grandpa said it was the humans' fault! They started the Great War! We used to live in peace, but then they got greedy for the Spirit's prophecy and kidnapped the Princess!"

A jolt of shock ran through Mika. Fragmented and unfamiliar images flashed in her mind, and her heart hammered against her ribs.

"Are you alright?" Rom frowned, concerned momentarily, replacing his usual swagger.

Ignoring him, Mika turned to the child. "Can you tell me more about what your grandpa said? About the Spirits and the humans?"

The boy looked surprised. "You don't know?"

She shook her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "Apparently, I've been living under a rock."

"Legend says a strange light appeared on the battlefield," the boy began, launching into a tale Mika had never heard. "The Spirits vanished, just like that. People thought they won, but rumours swirled. What happened to the rest of the Spirits? Where did the light come from? The humans never answered those questions."

"Why not?" Mika breathed, a cold dread settling in her stomach.

"Ask your precious friends," Rom sneered. "They'll only tell you the official story. Here's the truth: most Spirits were slaughtered during the war. Villages burned, families torn apart. The survivors, like my mother and grandfather, lived in hiding, clinging to hope the Spirit Royal Family would come for them."

A small boy, Toma, hugged his brother tightly. "But they never did."

A heavy silence descended upon the room. Rom sighed, the bravado fading from his expression.

"We're orphans of the war," he explained, his voice low. "Taboo children, half-breeds. Rejected by both humans and Spirits. We waited for them to rescue us, but they abandoned us. Let us fend for ourselves."

Mika stared at him, a torrent of emotions swirling within her: sadness, anger, a gnawing sense of responsibility. How could the Spirit Royal Family have done this?

What should I say? Mika thought, despair threatening to overwhelm her. Should I tell him the person responsible might be standing right in front of him?

No. It was too soon. She needed proof. But seeing these children, their pain etched on their faces, ignited a spark of determination in her. Mika knew she couldn't reveal her true identity yet, but a daring plan began to form in her mind.

"Rom," she said, her voice surprisingly steady. He looked up, a flicker of surprise in his mismatched eyes.

"Given the chance," Mika continued, "would you ever want to return to the Spirit World?"

Rom's jaw clenched. "Go back to those arrogant fools? Never. We'll find a new life in Eden. You're welcome to join us, sweetheart."

Mika couldn't abandon Shinji and the others but couldn't ignore these children's plight. A risky yet intriguing idea began to form in her mind.

"I'll come with you," Mika declared, her voice ringing clear.

A collective gasp escaped the children's lips, replaced by ecstatic cheers. Mika, however, remained composed. With a raised hand, she silenced their celebration.

"But," she continued, her voice firm, "it will be on my terms."

Rom's grin faltered. "Terms, huh? Name them, sweetheart. Anything for a chance at a new life."

Mika locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering. "First, you won't try to manipulate me into staying in Eden permanently. My journey with Shinji and Guy isn't over. I'll help you get there, but eventually, our paths will diverge."

Rom considered this, a thoughtful crease forming between his brows. "Alright, fair enough. We can handle ourselves once we reach Eden."

"Second," Mika pressed on, "you'll tell me everything you know about the Great War and the Spirit Royal Family's involvement. No more half-truths."

A flicker of suspicion crossed Rom's mismatched eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a grudging nod. "Alright, you can hear our story. But be warned, it's not a pretty one."

"I understand," Mika replied, her voice laced with steely resolve.

"Lastly," she continued, her gaze sweeping over the excited children, "you will all obey my instructions during the journey. It will be dangerous, and I won't tolerate disobedience."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group. Toma, the youngest, piped up, "We promise, Miss Spirit!" while the others echoed his sentiment.

A flicker of unease flickered across Mika's face at the unintended title. "Please," she said gently, "call me Mika. And while we're on the subject, there's something else I need to know. What exactly did you mean when you called me a Spirit?"

The air in the room grew thick with anticipation as all eyes turned to Mika. Rom, a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaned back in his makeshift throne.

"That, sweetheart," he drawled, "is a story for another time. Now we have a long journey ahead. We need to prepare for our escape from this dreadful place."

A determined glint mirrored Rom's in Mika's eyes. She may not have all the answers, but she knew one thing for sure: her path had taken an unexpected turn, leading her towards a truth she couldn't ignore and a group of children depending on her. She would help them reach Eden, but her quest for answers had just begun.

However, a nagging worry gnawed at her. How could she explain her sudden disappearance to Shinji? She needed a plan and fast. She could leave a coded message, something only they would understand. 

As Mika pondered her next move, a sense of responsibility washed over her. The fate of these children, and possibly the truth about her past, hinged on her decisions. She knew the road ahead would be dangerous but determined to see it through.