บท 2: Lucy of the Silver Hammer [2]

As the moon dipped into the horizon, Lucy walked through the narrow alley, the scent of incense and woodsmoke filling his nostrils and transporting him to a time when life was simpler.

However, such memories only filled him with rage:

'The only thing I know about my father is that he looks like me! Nevertheless, I will chase him to the ends of the world, until I bring justice for what he did to my mother!'

Suddenly, the group reached a restaurant at the peripheries of Kokoro City, and the samurai led them there, removing his metal cap as he entered.

"I have brought the last male mortal brats." His voice echoed through the wooden walls of the restaurant.

Two other samurai guarding the group of mortal children walked up to him and hit their chests in respect.

"Lord Katsura, you are back."

Katsura ignored them and directed the group behind him to join the other group of trembling children.

He then asked the two samurai, "Have you told them what is going on?"

The two samurai shook their heads, and the bald-headed man clicked his tongue in disdain. He landed his brown eyes on the tallest person in the room.

"Silver Hammer, explain to them what is going on."

Lucy didn't hesitate. Although illiterate, his mother was once someone from a big clan in the city and had told him stories about the harshness of this island.

"As we all know, at sixteen, everyone is taken to drink the Faith Tame and open their Primordial Space to become Tama Artists. Those who fail to do this are sent to the outskirts of Kurenai Village and live as mortals who will worship and obey Tama Artists' every command."

Cold as it may be, Lucy's words were indeed true. He himself was one of the unfortunate children who didn't open up a Primordial space two years ago. However, he didn't care, as he got to spend more time with his mother since her condition was irreversible. Now that she was gone, he had a new goal in sight. However, to achieve this goal, he had to obey the Tama Artist before him to ensure his life.

He continued with an indifferent expression, "The Tama Artists who took you away from your mundane lives are here to assign you to the age regiment."

The trembling expressions of the male teens increased to frightened levels. All of them knew what age regiments were, and Lucy had to rub it in their faces.

"Every male mortal child between the ages of 16 to 20 has been gathered in this restaurant are to go fight the stage 1 profound beasts in the forest, who are being pushed by the people of Koshi Village who want to invade our Kurenai Village."

For a moment, the whole restaurant turned silent. Profound beasts weren't just normal creatures; they could all use Rei, something this pathetic group couldn't. They were stage 1, meaning they had the same fighting power as a grade 1 Tama Artist.

The teens were walking straight into a death trap they had no right to walk around!

After a few seconds of deathly silence, one boy rushed to kneel at Katsura's feet, tears in his eyes. "Lords, please spare me! I am only twenty, and expecting a baby in the next few -"

His words were stuck in his mouth as Katsura chopped off his head in swift motion with his katana before returning it to its sheath.

He cast a cold gaze over the teens in the restaurant:

"Silver Hammer, tell them what happens to mortals who disobey the orders given by Tama Artists."

Lucy could only let out a helpless sigh at how this unpleasant nickname was being given to him. He answered Katsura's question with a cold voice.

"All mortals who disobey Tama Artists are killed without exception."

Katsura was pleased with Lucy's performance and caressed his short beard in amazement. "As expected from the Akaki Yojo's only son, maybe you will be the one to bring us victory in this battle."

'He wants me to be the target of fear and hatred from this group. After all, my mother would have at least killed one or two of their relatives.'

Mickey didn't let it bother him; some of the teens were giving him disdainful gazes ever since he entered the restaurant. He bowed lightly to Katsura.

"I will do my best to bring honor to your name, Lord."

Katsura just laughed heartily at Lucy's courageous response before ordering the other two samurai to bring food for the group - it was nothing special, just rice balls and a cup of tea. However, for the group, tea was something only Tama Artists could enjoy, hence the teens felt a little ecstatic about the whole thing.

On the other hand, Lucy stayed vigilant, silently eating his rice balls and sipping his tea while enjoying the yellow wallpaper on the walls and the scent of mold penetrating through the room.

Just when he finished his tea, a few loud purrs came from outside the restaurant, and the three samurai quickly stopped their idle chatter.

"Everyone, grab your weapons at the back right corner and go out to kill those beasts. Do not fear; none of them have any wild Tama with them, so it will be easy for you to end their lives."

Everyone hesitated except Lucy, who walked over to the right corner and picked up a giant silver claw hammer.

Before he could move out of the restaurant, slicing sounds came from behind his back - the three samurai were taking their time to kill the teens.

This small action made the teens rush over to pick up the weapons before they rushed out of the restaurant with horrified expressions. However, their expressions became even more terrified when they looked in the direction of the rising sun.

Even Lucy's eyes sank to pin size at the sight that surrounded them. Small, slender cats with long legs, lean bodies, short tails, and long necks that took everyone's attention.

"Servals..."

...

1 - Serval are African wide cats, whom you might know as giraffe cats. We used to have one back in the day, anyway if you are interested, check them up on the internet.