บท 20: Blood Moon (Part 1)

The sun was beginning to peak over Endyre's city walls by the time Curt and Otto made it back to the base. Mahku was already up with a freshly brewed pot of tea, and Xujen was in the middle of some sort of meditation session with his sword balancing on its tip in front of him. Bauph, Tera, and Jesse seemed like they were sleeping in.

"Welcome back," Mahku said calmly. "I admit, I was a bit worried when you two didn't come back yet by the time I was awake."

"Thanks for caring," Otto said, slumping into the only vacant chair.

"I presume that things didn't go well, though?"

"Have you heard of the guild, 'Blood Moon' before?" Curt queried.

Mahku froze. Shrieking Vapor fell over with a clang and Xujen's eyes snapped open.

"Uh, I'm guessing you guys do?" Curt asked, hesitantly. Mahku seemed like he knew most things, so Curt wasn't so surprised, but for Xujen, a fellow foreigner to Sanora to know of a specific guild, that was a bit telling.

"I've heard some nasty rumors about 'em," Otto admitted. "Didn't think any coulda been real 'til I saw how those two reacted."

"Blood Moon is infamous," Mahku answered. "It is not a guild to be trifled with."

"It is an evil guild," Xujen said. "One that will mercilessly slaughter anyone so long as the price is right. I've heard that though they are officially an A-rank guild, the prowess of their members could categorize them as S-rank."

That didn't sound good. Ancient World was one thing, but now they had to convince a borderline S-rank guild full of killers to give up and save an old geezer? Somehow, Curt didn't think an honorable guild duel was going to settle it this time.

Bauph wandered into the kitchen, looking like he was just woken up. "Please tell me I did not just hear Blood Moon mentioned."

"I'm afraid it is so," Mahku replied.

Bauph groaned as he opened the pantry to find something for breakfast. Finding it mostly barren, he shut it.

"Let's get everyone up and then we'll let y'all know what happened," Otto said. He waved his hand at Mahku and Xujen. "I dunno about Curt, but I'm about ready to crash so let's make this quick."

Eventually, everyone was rounded up. Jesse was rubbing his eyes sleepily and Tera's hair was a mess of tangles. Otto was still sitting in his chair, looking like he was about to nod off at any moment. Curt nudged him.

"Right! Everyone's here," Otto said with a start. He gazed at each of them. "I'm sure y'all are eager to here what went down last night. Curt?"

Curt wondered why Otto wanted him to tell the story, but he obliged. Anything to get this over with so he could catch some shut-eye. Curt began with them waiting past the meeting time at the alleyway. He talked about their contact bleeding out from a curse, and leading them to an illusionary wall. He described their encounter with the supposed Viper and Shroud, and finally, their demand.

"I don't see how this could be a problem for us." Jesse was the first to speak. "If Blood Moon's a guild that thinks killing an old guy is ok, then we should teach them a lesson."

"I don't know if we're able to do that," Curt cautioned.

Tera nodded, agreeing with Curt. "Blood Moon is bad news. If they're involved, I'm not sure we should interfere."

"How could you two say that?" Jesse said hotly. "Aren't they an A-rank guild just like us? We won against Ancient World easily, and I'm sure Blood Moon's no match for us either. We can't let an innocent man die!"

"I'm with Jesse," Xujen said. "Blood Moon may be a powerful foe, stronger than any we've faced, but killing the elderly is low, even for them. I know I can't stand by idly."

"I think this is suicide," Bauph said.

"Me too," Curt said. "But Otto did promise them we'd help. And I also would feel guilty if Oleander died because we did nothing. At least if we try, we can say we tried." Assuming we survive an encounter with them, Curt thought to himself.

Jesse beamed. "Knew you'd actually agree, Curt."

"How are we going to confront Blood Moon then? Anyone have a plan? I'd rather settle this without bloodshed," Tera said.

"Perhaps we can just ask them," Mahku suggested.

"Just ask them? What makes you think they'd listen?" Bauph asked.

Mahku shrugged. "It's worth a shot. We might learn more about what's going on. I have a feeling there's something else we're missing. After all, Blood Moon is full of professionals. Why attack an acquaintance of the thieves? They'd go directly for their marks."

Curt watched as Tera mulled over that one. "You're right," she mumbled. "It doesn't make much sense. Blood Moon prides itself for clean, efficient kills. Alright, let's pay them a visit then."

"Maybe in the afternoon." Curt yawned, and pointed to Otto who had nodded off.

----

Curt wasn't exactly energized when he dragged himself out of bed in the afternoon, but they had no time to waste. The thought that an old man he barely knew was bleeding out spurred him into action.

Downstairs, everyone was ready to go. Even Otto was already up, though he still looked tired. "You've got a present," Otto said when he noticed Curt.

Bauph pointed at the bundle on the kitchen table. "Kirina dropped by and said to give you these."

Curt unwrapped it, and as he expected, a new pair of revolvers were inside. The metal adorning the revolvers had a blue tint to them. Curt picked up the short note underneath the guns.

"Hope you're doing well, Curt. Otto told me the pair of guns you had exploded on you mid-duel. My bad. As an apology, here's a new pair. Real works of art. Won't explode. Should feel faster too. - Kirina"

Curt holstered the new revolvers. The weight and feel of the revolvers felt comfortable, reassuring, and familiar. He wondered if Kirina used his old pair as a model for these. In any case, at least he no longer felt naked.

Otto let out a low whistle. "Damn, those look fine," he remarked. "Nearly as good as the ones I have. Well, looks like we're all ready then. Let's go."

They headed out. Curt noted that Mahku and Jesse were wearing clothes marked with the guild emblem already. Altogether, the band looked like a unified front. They were really beginning to look like a respectable guild now, Curt thought.

It seemed almost too easy that they could confront the infamous Blood Moon guild just by walking to their headquarters in the Guild District. Curt didn't know what he expected though. Maybe storming a secret fortress out in the countryside instead? For a guild of assassins, having their base out in the open seemed odd. The guild emblem — a red crescent moon enveloping a drop of blood — marked their headquarters.

Blood Moon's building stood apart from the others, literally. A generous gap stood between Blood Moon and the neighboring buildings. The building had peculiar — and in Curt's opinion, distasteful — architecture, with hideous gargoyles snarling down at visitors from the rooftop, creeping vines scaling the stone walls, and a black iron fence that looked like it was meant for impaling the heads on. The building lacked very many windows, and the few that existed had thick curtains drawn over them. It was impossible to tell if anyone was in. Compared to Ancient World's bustling headquarters, Blood Moon's looked abandoned.

Otto took a deep breath. He tossed the still-good cigarette to the ground, crushing it underfoot, and marched up to the double doors. He used the knocker, shaped like the maw of an ugly bat, and waited.

The doors swung open, revealing an empty foyer. Creepy. Otto hesitated for a moment, not seeing whoever opened the doors for them or anyone even bothering to greet them, before stepping inside. The others followed, similarly on edge.

Once everyone was inside, the doors swung shut, extinguishing what was the only source of light in the building. Soon, candles flickered to life, lighting a path down one of the corridors.

"Blood Moon sure has bad taste," Jesse muttered.

"Seems like they were expecting us though," Tera remarked.

Following the lit candles sent them down a winding path through the building. Maybe it was the dim lighting or the eerie atmosphere, but Curt was pretty sure that the interior of the building seemed much larger than its exterior. Eventually, they were led down a hallway that ended at a dark red door.

With no other path to take, Otto just pushed the door open. It seemed like he wanted to get this over with, and Curt didn't blame him. He'd feel better the sooner they were out of here.

The room they entered seemed ridiculously large. Curt was definitely sure now the place was much bigger than it looked on the outside. The high ceiling had a mural painted on it, and a blood red carpet stretched across the hall. At the end of the hall were stairs leading up to a gothic throne chair.

Lounging on the throne, smiling, was a boy dressed up like one of High Town's rich kids. His skin was pale and smooth, looking untouched by any hardships, and his long, inky black hair spilled across the chair. The boy before them didn't look any older than Celia.

"We don't get many visitors, you know," the youth said, still smirking. "So, what'd you think about the entrance? Suitably dramatic?"

Otto ignored the boy's question. "We got business with the guild leader," he said.

"Then you have business with me," the boy said. He swung his legs off the armrest, sitting more properly.

"With you?" Otto asked. "Listen kid, we ain't here to play games, so bring out the guild leader."

Mahku placed a hand on Otto's arm. Mahku muttered, "Be careful, that boy is not what he seems."

The boy's grin widened, revealing prominent canines. "You should listen to your blind friend," he said as he glanced at Mahku. His eyes lingered and his smile disappeared for a moment while he did, but then he looked back at Otto with a smile. "My name is Layil, guild leader of Blood Moon. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Otto looked baffled. "You're the guild leader? A kid?"

"I'm older than I look," Layil said with a shrug. "You know, it's good manners to reciprocate an introduction."

"We're from the guild, Point Blank," Curt answered while Otto tried to regain some composure.

"Ah, the D-rank guild that won a duel against Ancient World. How embarrassing for them," he mused. He flicked his eyes toward Curt. The red irises appeared to glow in the low lighting. "Are you the guild leader?"

"Me?" Curt was taken aback. If anyone could be mistaken for the guild leader, he figured it would be Mahku. "No. No, I'm not." He shook his head and pointed at the real guild leader, Otto.

"The name's Otto," Otto said, taking a step forward. "If you're really Blood Moon's guild leader, then…" He trailed off, and turned towards Curt expectantly.

That's right. Otto knocked out in the middle of the whole planning session. Curt couldn't believe Otto didn't bother to ask anyone yet what they'd come here for. Given his earlier hostile greeting toward the kid, Curt wouldn't be surprised if Otto assumed they'd come here looking for a fight.

"We want to know if Blood Moon attacked an old man named Oleander," Curt said.

"And if it was?" Layil asked, a smile on his lips.

"Then we're hoping you could end the curse on him," Mahku said as he stopped Jesse from speaking. Jesse glowered, but stayed quiet.

"We do have a curse specialist. It'd be trivial for her to remove the curse."

"Are you admitting to the attack?" Xujen said, his hand over the hilt of his sword.

Layil tilted his head, regarding Xujen like a curious, but already sated predator. "Your lot isn't telling me everything, so why should we? What's your relationship to this Oleander?"

Curt debated whether it was a good idea to tell Blood Moon their deal with the Viper and the Shroud. If Blood Moon really wasn't the culprit behind this, then it's possible they could ask for the curse specialist for help. However, if Blood Moon were the perpetrators, then they might not be able to leave without a fight. He looked at Otto, who was the one that should be making the call.

"Oleander's a friend of mine. Said he was attacked by Blood Moon. Got a nasty gash that won't close up on his leg," Otto told, half-truthfully. "Dunno why he'd be targeted though, so we're here to find out what's up."

"A friend, hm? Maybe your friend's done something bad you don't know about to have deserved a curse," Layil said.

"Enough." Tera walked forward. "We don't have much time to spare, so let's just get to the point. We were looking to recruit the Viper and the Shroud, but Oleander, their acquaintance, says he was attacked by Blood Moon. He's dying as we speak, and the Viper and the Shroud aren't going to be joining if there's a bounty on their heads and if Oleander dies."

"That clears things up nicely, thank you," Layil said, looking pleased. "'The Viper and the Shroud' — those are some famous names."

He twirled a lock of his hair as he considered them.

"It's been quite boring lately," he thought aloud. "Peacetimes like these often mean our services aren't as wanted. I'm beginning to worry my guild members are getting out of shape."

Curt didn't like where Layil's train of thought was headed. Not again, he thought.

"Your guild won against Ancient World in a duel, correct? Even if they're a guild full of weaklings, to beat an A-rank guild as a D-rank one is practically unheard of," Layil continued. "A duel hm? Sounds fun. How about this: a duel right now, and if your guild does well, then we'll save Oleander's life. We'll even clear up any bounties on the Viper and the Shroud."

"If we lose?" Otto asked, testily.

"Oh, don't worry about that," Layil said, smiling. "The result of refusing the duel or losing are the same."

"Is this really okay?" A young woman appeared out of the shadows beside the throne. Curt nearly jumped out of his skin. He definitely didn't notice she was there at all. Sure, it was a dimly lit room, but from the looks of it, she simply took a single step into light. She had short, dark hair and similarly pale skin.

"Why wouldn't it be? Doesn't a duel against a D-rank enigma sound fun?"

She didn't bother to respond. She sighed instead, and withdrew back into the shadows. Even though she was now completely out of sight again, Curt could still hear her voice as she said, "I'll inform the others then."

"Are we really doing this right now?" Tera asked.

"Your the ones who said there was no time to waste," Layil pointed out. "If you don't mind, I'd like to add a few extra rules on top of the traditional dueling ones. Though, I suppose it's not like you have much choice in the matter."

"So long as the rules remain fair, I do not object to a duel," Xujen said. He gripped the hilt of his sword. "In fact, I welcome it."

"Good. My requests are simple: I get to choose the match ups, the location will be our personal training ground, and I'll be the judge."

"How is that fair?" Bauph objected. "For all we know, you could rig things in your guild's favor."

"I could," Layil replied, training his eyes on Bauph. "But I don't need to. Don't be so cocky and think that our guild needs any sort of handicap against your's. In fact, these are to your benefit. After all, as judge I won't be able to participate."

"Not like we got a choice," Curt muttered. He had a bad feeling about this. But maybe it was from the tasteless decor littering the place.

If Layil heard him, he chose to ignore it. Instead, the adolescent guild leader waved them away, and they were once again escorted by a trail lit by candles to what Curt presumed was either the training ground or some kind of torture chamber. He hoped it'd be the former.