Chapter Three - Duality

Everything exists in balance; the two sides of a coin, night and day, order and chaos.


Not only do they exist with each other, they exist for each other. That which casts light defines itself by illuminating that which does not, and that which casts shadows cannot do so unless it blocks light.

However, this balance is perceived and skewed in its perception. Thus exists those who wish to disturb it; it is not because they wish to create imbalance, but because they wish to establish their own sense of balance.

It is for this reason ... why we disagree, why we idolize, why we shed blood.

Rho tossed and turned that night in her sleep. It was hard to appreciate the comforts of Souhonzan, although the cause of her unrest would be more aptly placed on the events unfolding as of late.

It was the feeling of chasing the wind: one felt its direction and its strength, but could not know where it was going or if it had already gone, simply following a trail of rustling leaves.

Rho woke up with a sudden jerk, soaked in cold sweat.

A quick shower will cure this, and a trip to the terminal.




Guess I'm starting the day early.

Rho palmed the stone in her pocket, double checking that it was with her.

What is so important about this stone? Perhaps Doukan sent me on a wild goose chase.




First things first: Arcadian Archives.




Home sweet home.

Aaro: "Yo!"

Rho stared at the man waving at her, but still couldn't help pointing at herself.

Me?

Aaro: "Yeah~ You!"



Aaro motioned for her to come.

Aaro: "Judah is expecting you."

One of Judah's goons.

Rho: "Tell him I have no reason to meet with him. I'm still chasing ghosts."

Aaro: "You'll have to tell him that yourself."

A stupid smile on his face.

Rho: "Who are you?"

Are you like me?

Aaro: "I'm just a librarian, and a philoso-"




Rho: "Please don't touch me."

You're nothing like me.

Rho: "A librarian? Perfect, you're coming with me."

Aaro: "Wha-? ...okay."




The Arcadian Archives.

Rho: "I want everything in the database that makes a reference to Setsu."

Aaro: "Setsu?"

Rho: "Yes, are you familiar with that name?"

Aaro: "Not at all."

He disappeared between the bookshelves.

And what about this stone; what secrets does it possess?

Aaro: "Are you aware of the Seven Philosophers?"

He had wandered back to Rho, holding a few books under his arms.

Rho: "As in The Progenitors?"

Aaro: "Yes, as in the organization who fathered this society. The creators of the Homes, of Arcadia, of Souhonzan, even of Shinjuku Babel."

Rho: "And what do they have to do with what I asked you?"


Aaro: "Setsu is the descendant of one of the Seven, the man who created the Innocents."

Rho: "The archives show this?"

Aaro: "Yes, and personally I think Setsu is probably an Innocent himself - the first of its kind! The prototype."

Some librarian.

Rho: "You sound like you've got more to say."

Aaro: "Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.'" *

Rho: "You are referring to the Tower of Babel."

Aaro: "Yes! Genesis 11:4." *

He was absolutely excited now.

Aaro: "God, seeing what the people were doing, came down and confounded their languages, and scattered the people throughout the earth. It had been God's original purpose for mankind to grow and fill the earth."

Rho: "Books really come to life for you, don't they."

Aaro laughed.

Aaro: "It's one thing to read about it, and another thing seeing it come to life. Shinjuku Babel, the cradle and center of our civilization - and what are we waiting for? Tokyo Rebirth! The act of God that will give the world to man."

Rho contemplated for a minute. She then removed the stone from her pocket.

Rho: "What can you tell me about this?"

Aaro stared in amazement.

Aaro: "A Kingdom Shard."


~ End of chapter three
~*+ Rho

*Information on the Tower of Babel was ripped off Wikipedia. >_>
Aaro Note~ : *sigh* Do it properly, Rho.
* Wikipedia (2009) Tower of Babel. Available: <here>

Chapter Two - The Generals

Pearz laughed.
She must have found herself very amusing, as her heaving breaths threaten to burst her breasts from that shame of a dress.

Rho: "You call me a snake when you can barely keep your own forked tongue in your mouth."

Pearz hissed playfully.

Pearz: "And what brings you to my fair city?"

Powers to be.

Rho reached forward, gently placing her fingertips on Pearz' Aegis. Pearz understood.



Few friendships are worth risking your position and your life for; this was one of those. Time and time again, they have called upon each others' talents.

Pearz: "Have you eaten?"

Rho: "Not since I left Arcadia."

Pearz: "Good. I know a place. It's close to home. It's a sit-down; you'll like it."


Wading through the crowds, they arrived at the place: Asian Legend; funny name. The bell rang as Pearz pushed open the door. A heavy scent of meat and soy sauce ran about.

A waiter looked over, and then followed with a traditional greeting. Pearz raised two fingers. They sat down by the window.


It was always the people of a city that got to you, darting here and there, busy with their own ends and rounds. People had always fascinated Rho.

A thick puff of steam knocked Rho out of her daydream; there was food on the table. Pearz gestured to eat.

Pearz: "I suppose you being here has no correlation with what happened to Ogami?"

Rho: "Of course not."

Pearz: "Then you obviously wouldn't care to know this name: Setsu."

Rho: "Setsu?"

Pearz: "Don't repeat names you don't care about."

Setsu.

Pearz: "Something to do with the Rebirth of Tokyo. I'm sure there's more in the church's records than what we have."

Before Rho could even reach for her Macca, Pearz had already placed a note in the waiter's hands.

Pearz: "Not here you won't."

As they existed the shop, the waiters called out the traditional goodbye.

Rho: "Thanks."

She bowed lightly; such formalities were more for stray eyes than each other. After all, Pearz is still the Beast of Babel.



Rho: "It's good seeing you."

Pearz: "Yeah. Oh by the way: Yamamoto wants to see you."

Bitch.

Rho: "So that's why you paid for the food."

She was still glaring at Pearz.

Pearz laughed, holding out her hands like she was fishing for a hug.

Rho: "Apology not accepted."

They shared a quick hug; soon after, Rho disappeared down the Terminal steps.

It was good to see her again.



Although the Central Control Room was always busy and brightly lit, it was the flickering of the monitors and the constant droning of keys being struck that gave feeling to the place.

The ominous glow of the screens created an eerie outline of Yamamoto; coupled with those beady black eyes, one wondered if he was human or demon.


Yamamoto: "Good Evening, Rho of Arcadia."

Dangerous.

Yamamoto: "When such an important guest comes to my city, I am obligated to greet them."

Rho: "I'm honoured to be considered important."



Yamamoto: "I am also obligated to ask the purpose for which you are here."

None of your business, old man.

Rho: "My business here is personal, not official. However, you will here from us for the latter purpose soon enough."

Yamamoto: "Oh? And what would that be about?"

Rho: "Recently your Busters partook on a mission to stop Ogami."

Yamamoto: "To my knowledge, that mission was a success."




Rho: "Letting that heretic live does not entitle a success! You, standing at the centre of it all, should know just how delicate of a balancing act we do every day! You sent one of your best Busters for the job, so am I to believe that the result was on purpose?! For what goddamn reaso-"

Calm down! Breathe.

Rho: "Excuse my outburst. I'm just a knife, not a pen; I cannot hope to draw webs like you. I will excuse myself before I insult myself further."

Yamamoto: "You are still young. Although you have been allowed to witness a great deal of things, you do not yet understand the consequences of them."

Rho bowed slightly and turned towards the door.

Yamamoto: "Ogami is but a piece of the puzzle. The balance would will not tip because of her alone, nor will it stop tipping with her gone. There are far more reckless powers at work."



Rho: "Thank you for your wisdom."

Rho exited the Central Control room, and a cold evening breeze cleared her mind.

20:30. Just in time.

If there was ever a place of true neutrality, then it would be the shops of the magic dealers. They collected and sold all items of magical value. They were an essential part of a Buster's life.

In addition to stones and beads, some - for a select few customers - also dealt in information.


Robed Man: "Are you a customer?"

Rho: "Of course.　だけど物を要らない。" *

The owner pulled out a pocket watch and placed it on the table, face down.

Robe Man: "君が早いですね。" *

Rho: "ワインじゃない！教えって。売るか？それとも売らないか？" *

The owner opened a drawer behind him, and from it he produced a small wooden tablet.

Robed Man: "これがOgamiの・・・" *

Rho reached for the tablet.

Robed Man: "Don't touch it!"



Rho jerked her hand back.

Robed man: "只一人がこの招牌に君を与えます。" *

Rho: "Who?"

Robed man: "Doukan."

Rho placed a couple of Macca notes on the counter, along with the folded paper.

Rho: "Thank you."

Next stop. Souhonzan.



Gaian Priest: "You are now entering Ueno."

Rho showed him her acknowledgement.

No shit.

Everywhere she went, she just got more questions - or answers, for which she had no question.

What is so important about Ogami?
What is Yamamoto hiding; what is he planning?
What is Doukan's goal in all this?
Who is Setsu?



Souhonzan was the City of Chaos - though a poor excuse for one, at that. The dusty air only settled at night, revealing a crispy clean panorama of stars.


The markets of Souhonzan were as you would imagine it to be: filled with tonnes and tonnes of junk, of every purpose you could imagine. Stall after stall, it filled the tables and lined the walls - but there was always room to haggle.



The castle of Souhonzan rested atop a hill at the back of the city; a castle is a bit of an understatement because it was more like a fortress...an armed fortress.

That was for good reason: Chaos had many enemies, most of whom had been made on purpose.


Doukan, the Messiah of Chaos, Master of House Souhonzan.

Rho: "Master Doukan. Thank you for allowing an audience with me."

Make no mistake: the ease of being granted gain audience with Doukan was because he had nothing and no one to fear; there was no other reason.

Touching the floor with knee and hand was common courtesy to show the Master of House Souhonzan.


Doukan: "This is about Ogami."

It was not a question.

Rho: "You are correct."

Doukan: "Last I remember, I don't answer to the church."

Doukan looked amused.

Rho did not rise from her courtesy pose; there was much purpose behind this. Different people required different tactics for harvesting information.

Rho: "Although I am here for my own gains, I am here to deliver information rather than request it."



Rho: "Ogami had something in her possession belonging to you. In fact, it was something that could only be given by you. I worry for your good name, Master Doukan. I feel it is imperative that you knew of this the moment I confirmed it to be true."

Doukan continued to look amused. That was a good sign; tempting his patience was a dangerous game.

Doukan: "I've heard a great deal about you, Assassin of Arcadia. You do not disappoint me in person."

Rho bowed slightly. Praise was good.

Doukan: "I will give you answers, but there are things even I do not know. After all, an uneasy alliance is still an alliance, and we help our allies."

Rho: "I could not ask for more."



Doukan tossed a shiny piece across the floor, and it slid to a stop in front of Rho.

Doukan: "I've given nothing to Ogami - however, what she had was indeed mine. I'm sure everyone else you've spoken to said the same things about her. I will instead tell you something you don't know: Ogami is one of many who share the same goal. They are harbingers of a coming storm. Don't lose that."

Rho pocketed the trinket.

Doukan: "You already know more than you should. You may leave now."

Rising to her feet, Rho bowed one more time to the Master of House Souhonzan before leaving.



Who would share Ogami's goals?





~ End of chapter two
* Aaro Note: Fledgling multilinguals with Beginner Japanese knowledge are bound to make mistakes.

~*+ Rho

Chapter One - The Gathering Clouds

Rho: "Father."

Judah: "Welcome back, child."

Taking a quick look left and right, her gaze met with the Templar at the door. The Templar looked uneasy, not understanding why the attention had shifted to him.

Judah: "Please, let us be alone."

Templar: "Yes, of course, your lordship!"

The Templar stumbled out the door, as if his life was in danger otheriwse. It is.

Rho: "Ogami failed, and yet she lives. Yamamoto should be hanged for his incompetence."

Silence.

Rho: "She speaks of the church's hypocrisies, none of which I can refute. She speaks about the lie that is the Millennium King-"

Judah: "The church has as many deeds as it has crimes, as does any organization of man. But what would you have me do, child? Send an army after an ant? No. The mountain does not move for the wind. Ogami is but a part of a wave that will crash upon our shores and wash away."

Silence.

Rho: "Forgive me, Father. I speak out of line. I am simply the bloody hand the church does not have, and should know my place."

Judah: "Chi- Daughter. If I am stern it is because I love. Try to not resent me for showing you the real world behind the masks."

Rho: "Father."

She turned around.



Rho: "There are no more innocents to protect. The sooner you realize that, the sooner we can start this war."

Lord Judah said nothing, but Rho could feel his oppressive gaze like towers on her shoulders. The man was her godfather, and had been, for as long as she could remember, a mentor and a friend.

However, the world was changing now - that, or Rho was. When the time comes and the powers to be fight for their place, there would be no cross for her to hide behind; she would have to act first, or-

The door creaked open to reveal the Templar, standing guard. A hint of panic flushed his face before he pulled back the reins.

Rho: "What are you waiting for?"

She stepped onto the illuminated bridge leading into Arcadia. The heavy doors closed behind her with a thud. It's going to be a grey sunset.



Sunset in Arcadia always had a tinge of sin to it. As the light of day was slowly snuffed behind the Holy Walls, the deep reliefs cutting into the marble seemed like wounds oozing shadow. It was disgusting.


Messian: "Have you come to make a donation to the church?"

Of course not. But you had to say it.

Rho: "I can't offer much."

She handed over 50k note.

Messian: "Every Macca is appreciated. Please accept this blessing."

The messian handed Rho a folded piece of paper. A blessing indeed.


Rho: "Always happy to help."

Shinjuku Curious. New Moon. 20:39. It was written on the folded paper.



Shinjuku Babel. It was mankind's greatest achievement, and greatest mistake. It was also a neutral city, a breeding pit for sin. It almost made you admire the man responsible for keeping the place intact - almost. Yamamoto the Steel-Willed was a man who commanded great respect. And Yamamoto, like all men of power, behind his beady black eyes and solid posture, had his own fair share of secrets.




No doubt he kept tabs on anyone and everyone who entered his city.

I would not like to deal with him today.

The streets of Babel were always filled with hustle and bustle during the day. It is convenient for those who did not wish to be found. However, seldom do we get what we wish for.



Pearz: "Snakes of the church are not welcome here."



~ End of chapter one
~*+ Rho