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Chapter 12
Rumble Stadium
The redwood study was bathed in a blend of warm light and cool winter blues, which streamed in through a large window. Books lined the walls behind the graying diplomat, their spines a testament to knowledge and history. Across from Apricot, the elder sat at an expansive desk, his military fatigues and numerous medals speaking to his authority. Looking at the questions in her notepad, Apricot felt a mix of excitement and nerves. “Thank you again, Lord Ietsuna, for agreeing to be interviewed.”
He was a man of impressive stature, his white hair mostly hidden by a large military cap. Other than a pair of thin mustache strips above his lips, he was clean-shaven. “My pleasure. You have a very impressive portfolio. You have achieved so much at such a young age. You may call me Tetsuro,” he said gruffly. The idea of calling a Lord by their first name made Apricot uncomfortable, especially one as powerful as this man. She decided to avoid using his name altogether, so as not to risk any embarrassment.
As she reviewed her notes one last time, Apricot bowed her head in gratitude. “Can you clarify what your role is as the Ietsuna clan’s representative?”
Lord Ietsuna bobbed his head, a warm smile spreading across his lips. “I present the Okabe clan’s perspective to the Ietsuna clan. Having embraced the western world, the Okabe clans require greater respect. Hence my presence. I oversee the modernization of Okabe and ensure it remains distinctively Uchellan. In a secondary capacity, I assess military movements and Uchellan reactions to those movements.”
Feeling slightly more at ease, Apricot continued with her questions. “For any foreign readers, I was wondering how the Ietsuna clan is connected to the other clans of Uchella.”
His posture stiffened as his grin broadened. “We are Uchella’s true rulers. Other clans, such as the Okabe, fall under the Ietsuna clan. The Ietsuna clan has been responsible for maintaining peace between warring states since the Uchella agreement. Emperor Uchella Ietsuna led a most glorious campaign to conquer all the lands of the Empire five hundred years ago. Instead of destroying the clans, he formed a coalition to end the age of war. With the advance of the west, they would soon reach the eastern shores, bringing conquering armies with them. Thus, we have maintained our hegemony in the world. I hope you do not take offense, but we are extremely proud of our people. We treasure our traditions.”
Apricot bowed her head in respect. “I think that’s a fine response. Pride in one’s ethnicity is a good thing. We become better people when we do that.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself for her next series of questions. “I was wondering if you might be able to speak with me about the tension between Uchella and Arslana. According to the Sotaro clans, Kubebna ships have been passing through their waters to reach the demilitarized zone. How accurate are these claims?”
“I’ve heard the rumors as well. I believe them. Kubebna, Stezyl, and Tvekala have positioned themselves as possible aggressors in Uchellan waters. As you may already be aware, we have had several naval standoffs. A military alliance has been formed between Akiyama, Iori, Kinjo, and Sotaro in the event that Arslana escalates the situation. As of now, the Tatsumi and Okabe families have not gotten involved. In contrast, Armaryol and Tortau have been moving vessels through western waters. I’m afraid we’ll have to begin military operations against the Aristocracies of Arslana if this trend continues. Almost certainly, the Uchellan Empire would unite to defend her lands if that were to happen.” The smile that had once been so bright was now fading, and Apricot noticed the subtle change in his demeanor.
She diligently recorded his words and glanced up from her page. “Off the record, just out of curiosity between us, what do the Ietsuna believe?”
The man smirked as he sat back in the large padded chair. “That’s intuitive of you to notice that I haven’t offered you that. You can record this. Our lands should not be invaded, and our support for the Empire is unwavering; we are the Empire. While they are small and easy to deal with, the northern clans are still our people. Uchella, the ancient dragon, will awaken if Arslana thinks they will violate our sovereignty.”
Slowly, Apricot nodded. “What about Castor?” Apricot asked. “Would the Uchellan Empire make an alliance with Castor?”
“No. To maintain our borders, we do not need invitations from other countries. And we don’t want them either,” he asserted firmly.
“I suppose you feel the same way about Estarus,” Apricot replied.
Lord Ietsuna nodded toward her in a measured manner. “Estarus is a peculiar case,” he said. “We have an agreement of non-indulgence. We remain on our lands and they remain on theirs. This is what we prefer. We do things our way.”
“So, what are your thoughts on Okabe’s robust immigration policy?” she inquired, no longer paying attention to her notes.
Ietsuna’s eyes seemed to be filled with a positive light, and he smiled warmly. “I am proud of Okabe’s openness to foreigners. Their presence makes our community more colorful. Discovering novel things requires fresh eyes. As long as it stays in Okabe, I don’t see anything wrong with this experiment.”
She extended a handshake to him, which he warmly accepted. “I really appreciate you taking the time,” she said. “I think that’s all I need to ask. Is there anything you would like me to strike out?” Apricot offered her notes to the man, an unusual gesture, but she understood that a man in this position could easily ruin her family. After examining the pad, he returned it to Apricot.
“This is fine with me. Journalists rarely feel any responsibility toward the subjects they interview these days. They’re more inclined to go for big scoops than the truth.”
Apricot replied, “I try my best.”
Apricot’s life carried on with an air of normalcy. Following her encounter with those mysterious men, her existence seemed to have settled back into something routine, mundane, and utterly devoid of intrigue. Each day after class, she would head to the gym to work out, then return home to work on essays and complete her studies. A few times a week, she would conduct informal interviews with community members for her various investigations. Her interviewees were often government officials or local celebrities. On weekends, she would spend time with her friends. Several months had passed since that fateful day.
But as the sun dipped below the horizon each evening, something within Apricot stirred—a lingering feeling that refused to be ignored. At night, her thoughts would drift back to those enigmatic men and the secrets they seemed to hold. The questions that had been left unanswered gnawed at her, fueling a growing restlessness in her soul.
The pungent odor of mildew and dust pervaded the abandoned building as Apricot stepped from the hall into the dilapidated auditorium. Torn-up chairs and dust-coated bleachers lay strewn about the once-great stadium, and the stage displayed remnants of props from a long-forgotten event. Atop a splintered piano, a gray-scale humanoid figure with wings and a horn protruding from his forehead sat, reminiscent of a gargoyle. The gaping hole in the ceiling revealed the vast, starry night sky.
“So we finally meet,” the creature rumbled in a deep voice as it rose from its perch.
A surge of determination coursed through Apricot. “I’m glad the reports were true about you.” She pulled a pistol from her side and added, “I can talk to you.”
The gargoyle-like creature snorted in response. “I am different from my peers.” It roared with such force that the wooden bleachers exploded into splinters. Apricot narrowly evaded the blast, but not without sustaining several cuts on her arm. As she looked down at the ruby-red blood streaming down her skin, the iron scent filled the air. The creature grinned triumphantly, observing her injury. “But it’s not fast enough.”
Fighting the pain, Apricot growled, “It’s nothing, devil. Before I kill you, tell me something.”
With an air of arrogance, the creature retorted, “The hunter of my kin seeks an audience with me. Child, I am a lord of vengeful spirits! Why should you have this privilege?”
As Apricot advanced down the auditorium aisle, she proposed two outcomes: a peaceful resolution or a brutal one. The creature unfurled its wings and bellowed, “I prefer the second.”
In a swift motion, Apricot dove to the side and fired her pistol, striking the creature mid-air. The bullet sizzled as it burned into its flesh like acid, causing it to shriek in agony.Apricot’s voice was laced with a snarl as she declared, “Silver bullet,” watching the monster’s violent tumble through the rows of benches. Splinters from the destroyed bleachers clung to the creature’s body as it struggled to rise, its hand clutching at the mangled arm.
A guttural roar escaped its throat as it tore at the injured limb, the sound reverberating through the auditorium. Wet, sickening bursts filled the air as the creature’s skin gave way, revealing the muscle beneath and the thinning tendons. Blood poured out in a torrent, and Apricot couldn’t help but wince at the gruesome sight. The creature flung its now-useless appendage to the ground with a final, frustrated snarl.
As Apricot stared at the maimed creature, she couldn’t help but remark, “That is dedication.” Her voice was a mixture of disgust and grudging respect. The creature seemed surprised by her comment, its remaining eye narrowing in confusion. “What is your purpose here?” Apricot demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions surging within her.
Laughter echoed through the room as the creature locked its gaze onto her. With each step forward, blood dripped rhythmically from its wound. “We’ve been here a long time,” it began. “The wait was long. We came first. The intrusion came from you. Now, our world must unite with yours. As they merge, everyone will be able to see the real world.” As it closed in, Apricot aimed her gun.
“Sure,” she replied, squeezing the trigger. With a flick of its remaining arm, the creature disarmed her with an invisible force. Baring its fangs, it lunged at her throat, only to be met with a powerful, purple-flamed punch that shattered its spine and set its insides ablaze. Apricot followed through with a swift uppercut, cleaving the monster in two. As the creature dissipated, leaving no trace behind, she clenched her teeth and panted heavily.
The sound of clapping from the other side of the room caused her to sigh and think, “Not tonight.” A shiver ran down her spine.
As the man who had been clapping emerged from the shadows, a familiar voice called out, “I thought you were a goner. It has been a while, reporter girl.”
In the dim light, Apricot recognized the shabby figure before her. “Cortez?” Memories of their past encounters flooded her mind: the train ride, the alley where he spat blood, and the camera he had given her.
“Yeah, you remembered me this time.” Cortez chuckled. “I didn’t think you were a mage, but look at you. There’s more to you than meets the eye.” He jumped off the stage and approached the bleachers. “So, you handled everything yourself. Heh, wow. Never would have guessed you were capable. I assume you have done this before. At least experienced enough to bring silver.”
“Do you know about all this?” Apricot asked, puzzled.
“No, not really. To be honest, I probably know as much as you do. Come on, let’s grab a bite, shall we? Is that alright with you?” Cortez replied. Apricot’s confusion deepened at his nonchalance, as if they were old friends.
“What are you crazy?” Apricot shouted.
Cortez sighed. “No, I am hungry. After that fight, I’m sure you are, too.”
As indignant as she was, Apricot had to admit that Cortez was right. She was hungry, and the idea of sharing a meal piqued her curiosity. “Sure, whatever,” she relented.
“Great,” Cortez grinned. “I know a place where we can eat in private, too.” With the night’s events swirling through her thoughts, Apricot followed Cortez, uncertain of what awaited her.
A faint haze of smoke hung in the air, and the black and white tiled floor gave the diner a retro feel. Red and white booths lined the walls, and black tables filled the space between them. Apricot found the atmosphere peculiar, as the people around them seemed shady. Even the waitress, wearing a low-cut uniform, appeared to be a lady of the night. “What kind of place is this?” Apricot inquired.
“Heh, a booth where we can talk and no one cares,” Cortez replied, his head resting against the cold window. “So, how long have you been, you know, working at it?”
Ensuring that no one was eavesdropping, Apricot glanced around the room before answering, “For a few months. Around the time I met you.” She shrugged. “I picked up a couple of tricks, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“So, how did you do it?” Cortez whispered, leaning closer. Apricot frowned, furrowing her brow. “The thing with the fire. Can you tell me how you did it? Could you show me?”
Apricot shrugged. “I can only do it when those things get close to me. I don’t know how it works. The first time it happened, I nearly died. It kind of clicked after I hunted those things. I’ve killed twelve, well, thirteen tonight.”
“Hmm, you’re pretty tough, right?” Cortez replied. “I haven’t met any other girls this brave. So what makes you do it?”
Holding up a hand, Apricot interrupted. “Wait a minute. I have a few questions of my own. I want to know how you know such things.”
“Well, if you insist.” Cortez rolled his eyes.
She fixed her gaze on him. “Yes, I do. I want to know who I am dealing with.”
Cortez sighed, then began his story. “Okay, so this city is pretty shady. Right, so my father was a cop. Great guy. He was an investigator with the SDP. A very smart man whom I respected a lot. Probably about a year ago, maybe closer to two, he had this case dragging on. Something about internal corruption among nobles. Apparently, they were kidnapping kids for sacrifice rituals around town. He gets called out one day to respond to an emergency. At the mall, someone had become a gunman. They dispatched my dad and other officers to deal with the situation. The active-shooter got away, but my dad got shot in the face.”
“I am sorry,” Apricot murmured, her heart aching for him.
Cortez rolled his eyes. “Save it; I’m not done yet. In case of his death, my dad wanted me to keep his records hidden. When the old man came knocking in uniform, I knew dad was dead or gone. Under the floorboards, I tucked his file away. When the police searched for it, they almost destroyed our home. They really wanted it. He told me to burn it. But I didn’t. I looked through it. It contained many horrible things. Little girls with their bodies chopped up like they were in a butcher shop. The floor was soaked in blood. Unending reports of monsters. Okabe’s are to blame. After I got some balls right, I looked for a temple in that area. I found a few scattered around the city in unexpected places.”
As Cortez spoke, Apricot raised her soda to her mouth and sipped from the long straw. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Yeah, well, I found one,” he continued. “In the industrial district, I guess. Man, it was just like any other temple. So, while I’m walking around this temple, I notice it was empty, and it really is an abandoned temple with no groundskeepers or anything. I had the feeling that I was being watched the whole time. Suddenly, something hideous came from the shadows. This was like some type of rat-dog creature. It had a big mouth, like half its body.”
“Made of shadows?” Apricot interjected, her voice low and tense.
Cortez choked. “Yeah, you saw one too?”
Apricot nodded. “In my kid brother’s room.”
“Shit.” Cortez’s breathing rasped. “I grabbed anything I could find. A silver rod was hanging from the wall. After striking it, it exploded into dust. I rushed out of there in a flash. I figured there were more of them, but didn’t want to find out. I did a little more digging and discovered there are places around the city where people who know about this congregate. This is one of those places. It’s safe here, and people respect each other enough to keep out of each other’s business. Like all these stories about terrorists, they’re all lies. No bombs, no chemicals. This stuff’s been carrying on for years. And they keep happening. There’s a panic brewing on, and I feel like something big is about to happen.”
“I have felt the same way, too. So what now?” Apricot asked.
On this issue, Cortez remained silent. Outside, a light drizzle fell against the window. He stretched his arms and his back. “Hell if I know. Keep in touch. After all that, I feel a little uneasy myself,” Cortez said. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a wad of bills and left them on the table. “You be careful. If you need help, you know where to find me. Every morning, the train still rolls in.” Apricot nodded as he left the diner. As she sipped her soda, she mulled over the startling revelations from Cortez, feeling the weight of the unknown settle on her shoulders.
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