136 Owner Of The Note

There was a dirty smell in the air. It was the kind of smell that stuck to your clothes and buried deep into one's nostrils. I had to swap from breathing through my nose to opening my mouth agape for comfort. My body subconsciously tried to remove the aromas of hard liquor, old mould ridden floors and weeks old sweat. Trag tavern was well known in town for its miscreants, cutthroats and all-around troublemakers, I felt extremely out of place as I took a step forward.

[ Urgh… this place is awful.]

A few people took one look in my direction and smirked. I shuffled with my head down low as not to bring attention too much attention to myself. My posture seemed to work since my fellow patrons turned away completely ignoring me. I picked a little seat in the far corner of the tavern and waited.

It had been decided that Loki and Kibbles would wait on the roof since I could communicate telepathically with my soul bonded friend. It wasn't the best idea for protection but we didn't want to scare the letter writer off.

It was a compromise that none of my other companions was happy about.

The people who knew my name after four years were few. If it wasn't someone I know it could be dangerous. I had to take the chance so here I was.

The time ticked by slowly, I flicked my fingers rhythmically on the table with impatience.

[ Where the heck are they? ]

My tolerance was wearing thin. This place was a hovel, I may have been poor in my last life but at least I was clean. My mind began to wonder as I imagined what a health inspector would say about this rat trap and decided not to order a drink.

[ No amount of high content spirits would sanitise my pallet after drinking from one of these glasses...]

Just as I was about to stand a voice which was not quite a whisper commented in my ear.

" Akiyo you came."

The voice was young and yet pleasant. There was no hint of immaturity as I sat back down. As to the owner of the voice I couldn't place it.

" You know, when you invite someone for a drink it is best not to use a dagger" I replied quietly before sitting back down on the chair.

[ They have arrived Kibs! ]

" Oh, You know if I wanted you dead I would have killed you already, consider the dagger a polite hello from me." The voice answered.

A young woman sat down in front of me. A patch over one eye which looked to cover a nasty scar. She wore a full-length cloak covering most of her appearance but her aura told me she was dangerous and not to be trifled with.

" And you are?" I said returning her gaze.

" Names are important things are they not? Just take the name Yuki Akiyo. My master would kill you in a very nasty way for using it." her lips moved quietly but every word she spoke was dipped in acid.

" Red hair, blue eyes but no spirit beast you are not he. Yuki Akiyo died in the Dredge Lands didn't yah know? Your facade is disgusting and you should be ashamed." She responded as she clicked her tongue on her teeth and shook her head.

" I died? And where did you hear such nonsense?" I said shifting closer.

The mysterious girl with nimble movements slammed a dagger on the table.

" I should cut you down where you stand!" she growled.

The people around us took a quick look before carrying on with their merrymaking. I didn't have to guess that brawls were likely common here.

[ Kibs.. I may need to be escorted out soon, lest I break down this building..]

" Who is your master? perhaps I can deal with them directly and they can verify my identity," I said diplomatically.

It seemed her master knew me I would have liked to find them. Considering she was protective of the name Yuki, the chance that it was Ren or My father was high. My chest began to beat a little faster as my mind raced.

" Sure let me just hand you all of my blades while I am at it imposter!" She growled.

" This is my only warning to you do not use the name Yuki Akiyo again. " The girl said before standing.

Just then Kibbles and Loki walked through the door their swords on their hip. I smiled slightly the girl staring over near the door.

" Don't think your comrades will save you.." She said before turning to leave.

" Save me? Kibbles and Loki are here so I do not destroy the bar!" I said with a grin.

" Loki... Kibbles more lies! I have heard from my master tales of Loki and Kibbles. Do not anger me further with your rubbish!" The girl said as a dagger flew in my direction.

I dodged the dagger and stood up before I walked over to collect the dagger.

Kibbles walked up to the women standing between her and me.

" We should take this outside," Kibbles said with a nasty look on his face.

" If you dare!" the girl spat as she went to the door.

" This will be a good one!" said one of the bar staff.

" Let's go watch," said a patron.

[ Kibbles we have to escape any eyes. We can't have gossip spread. ]

Kibbles looked at Loki and then at me and nodded.

As soon as we reached the door we jumped on side of the buildings before landing on the rooftops.

The girl took a look at us and nodded understanding our intention.

We flew from roof to roof with swift movements, the girl keeping up with ease. Thanks to the strengthening techniques of the Tulk we had not even broken a sweat, our feet lighter then the air we walked upon.

After a few moments of dancing upon the rooftops and basking in the starlight we came to a clearing. Each of us landed with a soft thump.

" Here" She said as she looked around and nodded.

I decided not to try and get any more information out of her, her hands already carried a blade in each hand. There was no more room for compromise.

" I have go this" Kibbles said as he took a step forward.

The blade in his hand was forged by Heyu himself. I nodded gently as I took a step back.

" One or three it wouldn't matter you are all dead men walking!" She said before she appeared to disappear.

" Shadow steps?" I whispered under my breath.

[ REN?! ]

Clang!

The sound of swords colliding was heard.

Clang! Clang!

Whoosh!

I could see Kibbles using his beast senses to follow the minute details of movement.

The pace picked up and they moved like petals falling from a tree before becoming a blur. It was hard to make out the movements but following the fighters.

Kibbles was known for his speed so the fact that she could keep up at least made me nod my head in respect.

" I had had enough," Kibbles said paused his movements.

" Oh? Already I could go another round or ten" The girl said as she laughed.

" That was not what I meant," Kibbles said before growling.

His teeth began to sharpen as his eyes turned into slits. We all watched quietly as Kibble's sword dropped to the ground and in the place of a human a massive Kithun took its place.

" GROWALLLLLLLLLLL" Kibbles roared.

He charged towards the girl showing no mercy his speed increased tenfold.

CRUNCH!

A dagger that was thrown by the girl was chewed to pieces before he swiped at her chest.

Bang!

She took the brunt of the force and went flying before she landed on the dirt using her feet to skid on the ground.

" Kithun.." She said before pausing.

" WAIT!" she shouted.

Kibbles paused his movements and looked over at me.

I nodded and he stood quietly.

" I want to tear her to pieces!" He said as he licked his lips.

" Are you really.. Yuki.. Akiyo?" she said after walking towards me.

I looked at her and smiled.

" Mm right person. Now… who the heck are you." I replied.