The cold wind cut across Kanji's face as he and Akari walked down the narrow cobblestone road leading to the entrance of the port city of Aleppo, the first stop on the continent of Pangea. The buildings around them were rustic, made of dark wood and stone, marked by time and decay. The feeling of being on solid ground again was strange, almost suffocating, as if each step pushed Kugutsu's essence further away from their bodies.
Akari pulled her hood lower, concealing her worried expression. The silence between them was heavy, and Kanji seemed distant, lost in his thoughts about the path ahead. Mao, though physically absent, made his presence felt. The connection he had with Kanji was a constant reminder of his dark nature and, in a way, his fragility in the face of the power he carried.
In the center of the city, the tavern known as "The Smile" stood out. The weathered sign swayed in the wind, creaking softly. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of loud voices, clinking wooden mugs, and the strong smell of alcohol. Kanji and Akari entered, immediately drawing stares. Outsiders were rare there, especially two young people with an air of mystery. The tension in the air was palpable.
They sat in a secluded corner, trying to go unnoticed. Akari observed the people around her, analyzing every movement. She knew this wasn't just an ordinary bar; this place hid figures connected to the underworld of Pangea, many of them with a declared hatred for the Kugutsus. Stories of distorted sealings and the horrors associated with them fueled the prejudice. On the walls, graffiti with symbols of the Church of the Holy Faith revealed the religious influence in the city and connected the soldiers to Mustaf, foreshadowing an inevitable confrontation.
"This place reeks of desperation," murmured Akari, leaning slightly toward Kanji.
Kanji didn't answer immediately. He was focused on a figure across the room. A sturdy man, with a scar crossing his face and bloodshot eyes, was speaking loudly to a small group. The words "damn Kugutsus" and "threat" echoed through the room, provoking laughter and murmurs of agreement. Across the bar, black-market merchants exchanged artifacts and scrolls in hushed tones. This was where they would find clues about Mustaf.
"They see us as monsters," Kanji finally said, his voice low and laced with resentment. "But it's them who distort what they don't understand."
Before Akari could respond, Mao emerged. Not physically, but his presence overtook Kanji like a shadow. A cruel laugh echoed in the young man's mind.
"Monsters? They're right, Kanji. And you should embrace that."
Kanji clenched his fists, trying to contain the influence. He knew that Mao thrived on chaos and violence, and this environment was ripe for bringing out the worst in him. Akari noticed the change in Kanji's demeanor and placed her hand over his.
"Don't let him win," she said, her voice firm. "You're stronger than this."
The door of the tavern slammed open, interrupting the moment. A group of soldiers entered, clearly searching for something—or someone. Their eyes locked onto Kanji and Akari almost immediately. The tension in the air increased, and the tavern-goers began to pull away, trying to avoid trouble.
"We're looking for two fugitives from the island of Kugutsu," announced the leader of the group, a tall man in shining armor. "Hand them over, and no one else gets hurt."
Kanji slowly stood, his eyes fixed like a hunter watching its prey. Akari did the same, positioning herself beside him. Despite the danger, she knew they couldn't surrender.
"If you want to take us," Yuzuki said, his voice firm and defiant, "you'll have to fight for it."
The soldiers advanced, and the bar, once just a place of veiled hatred and tension, turned into a battlefield. Kanji and Akari fought side by side, their skills complementing each other perfectly. Kanji used his brute strength with the sword and the abilities granted by Mao, while Akari showcased her agility and lethal precision with her blade.
As Kanji fought, Mao's voice echoed: "Kill them all, and I'll give you the power to find Mustaf." For a moment, Kanji's hands trembled, and he saw the face of his fallen brother from the ritual. Then Akari shouted, "Kanji, don't give in!" and he retaliated with a controlled strike, sparing a young soldier who recoiled in panic.
When the dust settled, the soldiers were down, incapacitated, and the bar was in ruins. The remaining patrons looked at Kanji and Akari with a mix of fear and respect. Without a word, the two left the place, leaving behind a trail of destruction and a clear message: they wouldn't be hunted so easily.
Outside, under the faint moonlight, Akari finally broke the silence. "That was too close. We need to be more careful."
Yuzuki nodded, but his mind was still troubled. Mao was right about one thing: there was a monster inside him. The real question was whether he would be able to control it or if he would end up consumed by it.
The Church of the Holy Faith had watched the battle from afar, but the group didn't notice their presence and moved on in search of answers.
Villain: Mr. Kitty
The thick fog enveloped the port city on the continent of Pangea. A gloomy atmosphere hung over the dimly lit alleys, while the wind carried distant murmurs that seemed like whispers from lost souls. Yuzuki and Akari, newly arrived in this unknown place, were in search of shelter and information. They walked through the dark streets until they found a tavern with a curious name: "The Cat's Smile."
The place had a strange air. Men and women sat at tables, drinking in silence, some casting suspicious glances at the two strangers. Behind the counter, the bartender watched with a smile that seemed more like a grimace. Yuzuki and Akari sat in a discreet corner, but little did they know they were being watched.
From a box seat on the upper floor, cold, calculating eyes studied the two outsiders. Mr. Kitty was there, waiting.
The Legend of Mr. Kitty
Few dared to speak the name "Mr. Kitty" aloud, but his actions were known in all the dark corners of the continent. He was a methodical assassin, specialized in macabre rituals involving only women. It was said that his obsession was tied to a pact that had never been fully understood, something that connected him to the forbidden arts of the Kugutsus.
Mr. Kitty was a tall, slender man, always dressed in impeccable suits and carrying a cold gaze that pierced even the bravest hearts. Behind the refined facade, there was a terrifying sadism. He didn't just kill; he turned each murder into a carefully planned performance, a ritual that elevated his own distorted sense of art.
That night, he already had a new "work" in mind.
While Kanji and Akari discussed their next steps, the bartender approached with a note in hand. "A gift from the gentleman upstairs," he said, sliding the piece of paper onto the table.
Yuzuki opened the note and read it quietly:
"Nothing is more beautiful than a genuine smile. I wonder if I can steal one from you? Come upstairs. I'm looking forward to meeting you. – Mr. Kitty."
The tension set in immediately. Akari clenched her fists, feeling a chill run up her spine. Yuzuki, ever cautious, suggested they leave without drawing attention. However, before they could move, two masked figures blocked the tavern door. They had no choice but to face the mysterious host's invitation.
They climbed the creaky stairs to the box, where they found Mr. Kitty sitting in a red velvet armchair, his legs crossed and a disturbing smile on his face. His eyes gleamed with an almost supernatural malice.
"Ah, how refreshing it is to see young people so full of vitality," he said, his voice soft and controlled. "Kanji Yuzuki and Akari, isn't it? I've been hearing fascinating things about you."
Kanji narrowed his eyes. "And who are you?"
Mr. Kitty tilted his head slightly. "I'm a collector. An admirer of beauty and symmetry in mortality. And you... You intrigue me. Especially you, Akari."
Akari stepped forward, the rage visible in her eyes. "If you're thinking of trying something, choose your words carefully."
"Ah," said Mr. Kitty, rising slowly, "so much passion. A waste, really."
The Sadism of Mr. Kitty
Before they could react, the lights in the room flickered, and Mr. Kitty vanished in the blink of an eye. A low, disturbing laugh echoed throughout the room. "Let's play a little," the voice whispered, now coming from all directions.
Yuzuki and Akari were suddenly surrounded by masked figures who emerged from the shadows, each armed with sharp, slender blades. The ensuing fight was brutal. Yuzuki, with his sharp reflexes, dodged and counterattacked with skill, while Akari used her agility to disarm the opponents. But even as the masked figures fell one by one, the feeling of being watched lingered.
Mr. Kitty's laugh never stopped. "You're good, I admit. But I'm better."
When all the masked figures were defeated, the room lit up again. Mr. Kitty was back in the armchair, slowly clapping. "Impressive. You gave me a real show. But know this is just the first act."