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Sitting on the stairs, the girls looks like they are a bunch of children waiting for a bedtime story. On the contrary, the boys are standing at the foot of the lobby like parents ready to tuck in their children to bed. Weird metaphor? Okay, I'll stop.
"Okay, the coast is clear." Kazuto held up his thumb in the air indicating that no one is trying to catch a listen. He made his way from the door after closing them tight and lean against the railings. "Aw, you guys looks like children about to be put to bed."
*Swish*
He nearly got hit by a piece of rock that Yanyi threw in his direction. "Yeah, and you looks like you just got bullied by your younger siblings, screaming in your boots, dumbass!" You know, Irene and Luyao had never really had any long conversation with each other. But if they had to agree to one topic they can talk for a long time, their close friend can be the topic of stupidity.
"Do you want the clue or not?!" Luyao can no longer hold his tone in the calm zone and yell at the two people to stop playing cat and mouse. The two sat down obediently seeing as Luyao's glare can penetrate right through their skull.
Luyao — "First verse is talking about the location by the river that is close to the Karamine Ocean. This is where the supposedly, ancient beginning of Volparine starts."
Kazuto — "The second verse is about the effort to build their home or civilization all come to vain as the flow of water is quite the massive one. Hence the verse destined to falter. Oh and also, the otter in this story is human."
Yanyi — "Well I can guess that part myself."
Irene — "Stop!" *glare at both*
"In order to give the people their home, the elder stepped up and proclaimed how they have to first tackle the issue with the water current first. That is what the third verse means." And Luyao explain each verse in significant detail. To sum up the story.
The fourth verse talked about how the people starts to discuss what method to use to counter such problems and they need to do it quickly or they will die of cold and starvation from not having a place to live. The fifth and sicth verse tell how two person came to the front and propose a different idea to keep the water at bay. Their idea was written inside of the verse itself.
The seventh verse tell how these two people continue to fight with each other and the wisest have had enough and put a stop to them. He said how both idea is good and instead of fighting to see which idea is better, they should work together to put two ideas into one and soon got into their teams. The last verse shows how instead of colliding with each other, they should work together and now they have a safe living place. Temporarily as they soon make their way to another place.
"That's the story." Yanyi raised her hand like she is in some sort of class and Luyao points to her like he was a Professor. "Where is the place exactly?" Luyao looked at Kazuto for answer. It's not like he didn't know the answer, it's just that the boy knew more about the places history than he does.
Kazuto — "It's an abandoned dam system that is bordering the state of Iravelic. It wasn't used for over 60 years as the system of the dam has become outdated and the new stone mountain by the ocean is detering the waves away."
Yanyi — "Is it a restricted place to the people. And if so, when is the last time that someone was there?"
Luyao — "It's a restricted place not only for the public, but even for those who work for the empire. Uncle and Aunt Ryuichi haven't been able to enter such place for years now. The last it was seen to be with people is of 25 years ago as to what Uncle said."
Irene — "No one has been there for a long time. Yet why is this story trying to lead us there?"
Yanyi contemplates on the clue she has of the story. Luyao watch her like she is not finding for new clues but rather pieceing everything out into one. Perhaps even more, maybe creating a plan to successfully save these girls. "There's no LCTV there and the pathway leading to the place is clear just some bushes that need to be trim."
A couple of minutes of silence later, Yanyi sprung from her place and ran up to her room to grab her coat and went out the door. "Yanyi!" Irene called for her but when she reach the door, Yanyi had already ran her heart out to catch a carriage and went away.
Luyao saw how worried Irene is for Yanyi. This girl can be quite the mystery sometimes. Nevertheless he had figured out where she is going. "Kazuto, bring Irene to the station and see if there's any new mail or letter that came in." Kazuto was about to protest but had failed due to Luyao's agility in running and jumping.
"So. It's just us here." They both sigh and went to get ready for their departure.
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Yanyi gets off the carriage and pay the coachman some gold before stepping into the hotel in which she had personally invited the boy band to stay. "You're here for job?" She almost scream her heart out but holds back and only let out a yelp. Luyao had somehow managed to catch her, who is riding a carriage you see, via foot.
"You're quite the monkey yourself. Coming all the way here by foot." She ignored him and went inside of the building where she proceed to ask the front desk to call the room of the boy band. The desk lady was skeptical at first, but after seeing Luyao's dazzling charm and charismatic aura she happily complied.
Yanyi — "So your face do have its use."
Luyao — "Watch your mouth, young lady."
Yanyi roll her eyes and follow the lady the moment she came back for them. Apparently, the boy band had used the excuse of one of their members had a serious illness. Yanyi knew well and fine that they have nothing like a serious illness. After all she had seen them before and they are perfectly fine.
"Lady Yanyi!" The boys exclaimed the moment Yanyi step into the room. The manager had been by the front door to greet them and wave off the desk lady away. Be serious, if a young and gorgeous girl that is known to work for the good of everybody, would you or would you not stop and admire her?
The same is going on with these boys. They immediately see her like an angel and proceed to gently take her palm and guide her to the nearby bean bag. Luyao who is behind her all this time just stand and watch as his partners is getting all the attention. He wants to interfere with them but what excuse do he use?
They are not in a serious relationship and in terms of personal life, Luyao has no rights to interfere if Yanyi shows no sign of dislike. He continue to see these artist fond over Yanyi by giving her snacks and drinks. Thankfully, Yanyi is someone who is fully aware of her capabilities to charm almost anyone, so she decline all the attempt to spoil her.
"What do you come here for, Inspector Chen?" Well at least the manager is someone who is aware of the situation. He walked away into the hotel room with nonchalant, hands in the pockets. "Yanyi came here first. I came to accompany her. Figure that she might get involved with these people." Though he said such things, he quietly mumbles the last part all to himself.
Another attempt to give her a drinks is where Luyao has had enough. He stare down into the boys eyes' and proceed to help Yanyi up from the bean bag. Clearing her throat she said, "We have found the location of your missing fans and we would like to ask you guys for help."
All are sitting quietly after being glared at and awaiting for her next sentence. "We would like you guys to publicly announced to your fan that you'll be having an open air photoshoot where fans are allowed to see and watch." Luyao was quite surprised with her proposal and look at the girl from the corner of his eyes in disbelief and quite literally anger.
"Manager?" All 7 heads turn to the manager who is the one in charge of their tour as of now. The man in question is scratching his temple in frustration and guilt. Technically they aren't allowed to do such activities without the approval of the company which makes him feel guilty. "Just say that its an order from the Ryuichi's family."
His head turns up to Luyao who had seen his struggling features and decided to take matters into his own hand. Marquess Ryuichi would be able to understand the circumstances and would request for an approval. It's more like an order than a request actually as whatever is demanded by the high noble is usually given.
Manager — "Just this once, I'll allow you all to pick your own outfits. Remember this is a request of the Marquess so dress nicely."
Boy Band Members — "Sir, yes sir!" *ran into their respective room*
Yanyi — "Good. Now let us discuss the detail of how it's going to play out."
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The Next Day
Kaw
Kaw
Kaw
The crow is calling out whilst flying through the sky over the seemingly abandoned area southeast of Kinsel. The sound of gentle ocean flowing from the distance slowly wither away as the sound of engine came into the ear canal. The two man dress in guard attire starts to push away towards the van that came into view.
The clock on their watch shows that it has reach 12:30 in the afternoon just as they stop by the abandoned dam system. A few well suited man came down from the vehicle, one of particular dresses in a different color than the other black and white attire. This just shows that the odd ones out is likely the director or the manager of the team while the other are bodyguards. But why need so many?
One of the guards that confront the team of people says "Who are you and what are you doing here, huh?" He wanted to point the gun towards the men but afraid that they might go and snitch to the higher-ups. The odd man move his palm in a gesture for them to calm down.
Manager — "We made a request from the Marquess to use this site for photoshoot and got permission to do so."
Guard — "Where is your proof."
"Dude, calm down a bit. What are you so tense about." A voice came from the van and came out the man. It was one of the boy band that had just had their performances in Kinsel. "Yeah. Chill a bit, we're not coming here to cause any trouble." Another man cam out and soon followed by the remaining five members.
The guards starts to become pale and slowly inches backwards. Just as they are about to turn around to inform supposedly their superior, a familiar and cocky voice came from behind the van. They had been focusing so much attention on the van that they failed to notice the other many vehicle that follow up the large vehicle monster.
The man with the familiar voice had said "What's gotten you so fuss up? They got permission already." Kazuto came out from behind the van and smile in a playful manner. The guards start to tense up as they are now facing the son of the person who is in charge of this area.
Kazuto — "Yoo! What's up dude."
Guard 1 — "Young Marquess Ryuichi, sir you know that this area is forbidden from entering."
Kazuto — "I know."
Guard 2 — "And these people are trying to enter on the pre text of having permission from the Marquess himself. Sir you can't seriously believe them."
"Yeah. That's why I came to supervise them." The two guard looked at him in perplex. To further solidify their proof, Kazuto signal for the manager to take out the agreements for the guards to read. They reluctantly take the paper and read them line by line, even going as far as reading them three additional times. They found that they are not joking and indeed has been given permission to do a photoshoot.
"Well as you can see, this is an occasion that my father has approve. Thus, this area is temporarily open." The guards wanted to argue but then came a click sound coming from behind Kazuto which makes them thinks even more trouble is coming. If such famous artist is coming to this place, a certain job people will do anything to get a material. The one behind Kazuto works as a journalist.
"Hey! I got a really good angle for photoshoot, look!" Irene push the camera towards Kazuto who gladly takes the camera to look into the picture. They start to have a conversation of their own while the boys is currently doing their make up for the photoshoot.
The two guards wanted to run in to inform their superior but got stop by Kazuto's order. They turn back around, awaiting his order. "You really can't leave this area. I mean it. You both have the responsibility to prevent anyone from entering the area."
Guard — "Guard from anyone entering? But sir, I thought you are going to supervise them?"
Irene — "Oh, you didn't tell them?"
Guards — "!!!"
Kazuto — "Right, I forgot."
Irene — "They are going to have an open photoshoot session. Which means that anyone can come and seen them taking pictures."
"Precisely. This place will be a hoard of fans and your job is to prevent anyone from entering the premises." They try to argue but their shouts got drown by the loud screams and chants coming from the path where all vehicle came. Through rocks and pebbles, these fans still firmly hold their grounds though they continue to fall and scrap their knees till it bleed.
Seeing the amount of fans that they had to gold off, they did not even think about going to their superior to inform them of such ordeal. Instead they have to unwillingly obey what Kazuto has ordered them.
Kazuto and Irene can't help but to laugh at them. To see a hoard of fans is trying to enter the ground to see their favourite artist in a shooting area is quite literally interesting.
Unbeknownst to the two unfortunate victims, two other individuals had already sneak in through the front door while silently praising Kazuto and Irene lack of demeanor. "They really are enjoying others' suffering." Yanyi commented without much thought. In order to blend into the forest like area, Yanyi and Luyao wears the colour of green and black in order to hide from view.
"We better keep on moving. They won't be able to stay there for long until someone from the other factions came and ruin everything." Luyao urge her with his elbow and they make their way deeper into the abandoned dam system. Soon, they reach the area that have a rather large amount of guards. Thankfully they are nearing their change of shift.
Yanyi takes this chance and moves quickly towards the single building where they all keeps on glancing over. "Are you sure that this is where they are?" Yanyi nod in strict affirmation. After all what is the reason for you to put in a lot of guard in a single area if not to guard the one important part of the area. in this case, the building is the only things that is out of the ordinary in the guarded area.
Luyao proceeded to knock into the door and wait for any response. After a few seconds they hear a knock back and a small whisper of pleading asking "Who's there's?". "It's the police department. We are here to rescue you all. Please make way from the door."
Before Luyao could use his shoulder to break the door, Yanyi tapped on his shoulder that brought his attention back to where the girl is.
It wasn't a surprised to him but quite the literal annoyance to have to deal with suck obnoxious situation. "We have company chief.". Cracking his knuckle, he gets ready to grab the items behind him. Although this is a rescue mission, they both did not thought about bringing their signia long side them.
"How many are they?" Luyao lean in towards Yanyi to ask her how many people that she can see from her point of view. "Roughly, 14 people. Want to split half-half?" "Sure thing." He throw a wooden rod in a direction which hit a guard in their stomach. This prompt the other guards to start their fight.
Yanyi brought over a guard head in between her palm using her flexible body and smashed them into the wall behind her. She then proceed to use the receding body to use as a platform to launch herself to the air with a few wooden rod in her hand.
The other guards that came to run into her direction was momentarily perplex with her stunt and could only look up at where she is. Without knowing Yanyi had already thrown two rods towards two people. Unfortunate for one of them, the rod smash their face which turns them unconscious.
Lucky for the other one as he is able to dodge in time. Barely mind you. After a few seconds in the air, Yanyi landed beside the unconscious body and took hold of the two rods. She prepare herself with a weapon as she saw the other five is ready to fire at any moment.
"Well this will be fun." She hurl herself into them directly.
On the other hand, Luyao had six men after his head and he had just taken care of one of them. He is more of a bare fist fight fighter than a weapon wielder like Yanyi. However, Yanyi is not yet known oublicly about who she is, thus allowing other to be less weary if her. Luyao is a well-known figure, so people knew how his combat is.
Each of them aiming their gun and has taken a considerable large gap between to make it less likely to get injured form the attack. This doesn't mean that they have to be close for Luyao to send in a blow. In a swift motion, one of the man had flung upwards into the air. It's like he had magically flew into the air.
What had actually happened is that Luyao's quick steps and undetectable motion had allowed him to move in a twist of a head. Combine that with his stregth he is able to give him a blow to the sky. The other had just realize this when they met into those deadly crimson blood eyes.
Without thinking, they all fired shots onto the ground which did not hit any soul. Standing in place would be stupid and he actually push himself back and use the wall of the cabin to push his momentum forward. By doing this, he gains more speed which allows him to by pass the guards and be behind them.
He had taken a brick by the side of the wall and just as the person in front of him turn to look, he had already smashed it into his face. The man falls to he ground with blood covering his forehead. "Three down, four more to go."
Yanyi had already finished three more people by the time Luyao got down to one, and had two left after Luyao finishes his. Dusting his hands away from the dirt, he still sees Yanyi struggling to defeat those men. He had no intention to disturb her but something doesn't seem right with her leg posture.
When she landed on the ground again, she wince in pain and involuntarily close her eyes which makes it a good excuse for attack. Both guard is heading to her with wooden sticks and gun their hands, ready to smack her dead.
WHOOSH!!
WHOOSH!!
Both wooden rod flung elsewhere and they saw their arms that are holding the guns unable to move. Lowering their gaze, they saw the bloodshot eyes of the Inspector. They don't have to go through the struggle of being dead but had already seen them after looking into those eyes.
"Run before I slice your throat and take out your intestine from there." His threat didn't take long to reach the two men as they already bolted away. Ignoring the childish scream of those adult, Luyao turn and kneel before Yanyi could stand up.
Luyao — "Stay."
Yanyi — "I'm fine, there's no need to worry." *struck just above her ankle* "Hiss!! WHAT THE FUCK MAN?!!!"
Luyao — "And you said you were okay."
Luyao proceed to tear a portion of his sleeve and grab a stick nearby. He find an unused piece of cloth and hold it out to Yanyi. "What?" the girl ask as she took the cloth in her hand. Luyao pointed to her mouth and proceed to slowly place his hand besides her ankle.
The blue lock immediately put the cloth in between her teeth and a CRACK! sound ensued. A scream that even those in the middle of the ocean was fortunately restrained by a piece of dirty clothe. "Hold it inside your mouth, I'm not done treating you." He then push the nerves that seem to be misplace gently back towards the right direction.
"FMUACKKK!!!" She wanted to swear in pain so bad, but the situation that she needs to hide from getting caught by other patrolling guard is getting over her. After 3 minutes of screaming and yelling, albeit restrained by a piece of fabric, Yanyi is able to let out a sigh of relief.
Luyao then take the two item he had prepared and tie them in order to not let her ankle nerve get twisted again. "Stay here, I'll carry you out later." She wanted to protest but thought that it will be for nothing. In the end, she stay silent and played around with the rocks and boxes by her side.
The man pick-lock the door and tried to push it normally, but due to the collective rust, he had a hard time to push it. "Is there anything blocking the door? If so, move them and stay away from the door. You have 30 seconds before I force this door open!" And just like that, he heard the stumbling and rumbling behind the door alongside sone yelp coming from the girls.
"It has been 30 seconds, we don't have much time." With Yanyi reminding him, he took a few steps away from the door and stretch out his biceps. Yanyi can't help but to peek at him for a second. She wasn't the type to like someone just by their looks. In fact, she believes more in fate than anything.
Yanyi — "Even if we are not fated, I don't mind dating him." *mumbles slowly even Luyao can't hear her words*
Luyao — "You said something."
Yanyi — "I said be quick, dumbass! Geez."
Luyao — "Can't you for once control your phrases."
Yanyi — "Rebellious face brough me here. Blame them, not me."
Shaking his head, he put himself in a running position with his left biceps forward, ready to knock the door down. He uses the momentum directed at his feet and pushed forward in a speed almost to fast for normal eyes to see and burst through the door.
Dust particles from the rust and mostly coming from the old cabin prompt him to get the girls outside, running with their mouth covered. "Quickly! Run following the path in the woods!" Yanyi who look onto the commotion aren't able to keep away from the entourage of ladies.
The only time she is swept away from the floor is when she realize that they need to get away fast. She aren't able to kept her eyes open not only because of the wind current but also because of her ankle.
Irene — "Yanyi!"
Kazuto — "Luyao!"
Without realizing it they had already reach the outside of the area. The boy bands lets out a sigh of relief once they find their abducted fans are safe and sound. The other part of the fans are more or less confused. "IS this really a photoshoot spot or is there something going on?" One of the girls ask in confusion.
"Nice work, move back to the city." Luyao gave the order to Max and they all starts to move the victims into the van and bring them out for a checkup. The artists are also helping by convincing their fans to move back into the city with the excuse of, "The photoshoot is for a cover album and we can't stay here longer." reluctantly they leave.
That just left the four members as well as some of the officers that came disguising as bodyguards. "Squeeze yourself into one car. I need the other one for emergency." They did realize that something was off and they can see it but silently agreed not to bother.
After everyone had left, Irene slowly moves towards Luyao and tried to speak up about the situation. "Um... L-Luyao?" She wasn't able to finish what is said and Kazuto decide to conclude it. "Why are you bridal carrying her?"
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