Orochi's ire crescendoed as he ascended the deep chasm separating the Monster Association's Base from to his temple using the myriad dragon heads of his true form.
Psychos vanished, escaped! Unacceptable!
He had premeditated her time of despair, that sweet instant when she would plead for life. But that loathsome interloper returned and snatched her away.
She was his prey, not theirs!
Not all was lost considering the other intruder lingered. The other half of the pair.
Good.
His vengeance would begin with their end. And when that accursed thief learned of their partner's demise, he would savor the anguish blooming in their heart, a feast of suffering as sweet as their flesh would be.
¤ ¤ ¤
S-City had returned to its usual rhythm, and Cafe Togus was no exception.
Waitresses bustled about, tending to scattered groups of customers. Behind a set of double doors near the back, the kitchen sizzled with frying sounds and bursts of steam.
In one particular booth, tucked along the cafe's wall, sat three stunning women.
"Fubuki, are you going to tell us what's up? Is it about why you wouldn't let us follow the rest of the Blizzard Group back to the base?"
She glanced up at Suiko, who sat on the other side of the booth beside Yuta. "No. The issue is I wish my sister would've let us fight more than a single monster before she wiped them all out.
With my new goal for the Blizzard Group being to climb through the ranks of A-Class, how am I to accomplish it if she steals all the credit?"
Fubuki looked at the two and asked, "Speaking of goals… what about you two? Everything's happened so fast, I haven't had the chance to learn more about either of you."
"Well, I want to climb the ranks of A-Class," Suiko said, popping the last of the fries she ordered into her mouth. "Eventually reach S-Class and make my name famous, so the dojo my brother and I inherited from our late grandfather can return to its former glory."
"Now that you're a member of my Blizzard Group, your dream will assuredly come true," Fubuki said.
"I guess so. Hey, it's your turn, Yuta. Why the frown?"
"I do not know what my goal is…"
"Helping the Blizzard Group can be your goal."
"Come on, Fubuki," Suiko cut in. "She can have her own personal dream too."
Yuta stared into her glass of water, brow furrowed in thought.
"What about your swordsmanship?" Suiko asked.
"It is a big part of me, and I hold it dear… but I am not sure I would call it a goal. Rather, it is a way of life."
Fubuki raised a finger. "Maybe you could try teaching others?"
"Hey, that's not a bad idea," Suiko said. "My dojo is studentless right now, so it would be a good time for you to visit. I can teach you all I know about teaching others."
Yuta's countenance softened. "I think I would find that enjoyable."
"Then that's that." Suiko leaned into her shoulder. "We'll figu—"
A buzzing sound interrupted her.
Fubuki observed Suiko take out her phone.
"Hey brother…what do you mean 'is it true?' I'm not engaged yet!"
Suiko's outburst drew several stares, making her sink into the booth, red-faced. "Don't ask questions like that over the phone.
Where did you even hear about this? Mosquito G—Genos… actually, that surprises me about as much as her."
Fubuki tuned out the rest, her gaze drifting toward the cafe's entrance — only to be met with a startling sight.
A blonde-haired woman with blunt-cut bangs stepped through the door, drawing gasps from those who recognized her.
How is she here?
¤ ¤ ¤
Caspian emerged from the hyperspace gate, a panting Mosquito Girl and a dazed Psykos cradled in his arms.
He released Psykos, letting her drift back, attached to the five 'Gravity Tethers,' as his gaze lingered on her, tinged with suspicion. What's she scheming? It's hard to believe she would give up.
Psykos was a cunning, arrogant, mischievous, sadistic, misanthropic, merciless, and volatile woman. At least, based on his knowledge of her fictional representation.
But now that he'd met her in person, he wasn't so sure. Perhaps she was exactly as he thought. Perhaps not. Maybe his will had already altered her by a degree. Or maybe he was projecting shadows where none existed.
Pushing all that aside, if he could offer her a glimpse of a brighter future, if he could persuade her to wield her 'Third Eye' once more, this time while linked to him, then maybe—
It would have to wait like many other topics.
Caspian's eyes traveled down to view the balcony of his old apartment room. "Could you release me while we're here?"
Mosquito Girl stared down at the street and shook her head, causing her two long antennae to brush across the side of his face. He took it as a firm refusal to leave his arms — one he wholeheartedly agreed with.
He then descended, a silver-haired beauty cradled in one arm and a turquoise-haired one tethered above him like a drifting balloon. As he neared the balcony, his gaze locked with a man in a white button-up shirt, the collar loose and open.
"I have been waiting."
"Sweet Mask… are you here to invite me to lunch and open on how the world is 'entering a new era of change?'"
"Your abilities make everything simpler. I see you've gained a couple of eye-catching ones. Flight and portals, perfect. Here's a gift I have for you."
Sweet Mask disappeared into the empty apartment room and brought back a woman wrapped in a spiky whip.
Psykos muttered incoherently from above.
He sized up the blonde sadist, noting her rosy cheeks, the absence of her usual mask, and particularly her expression of yearning as she stood obediently at Sweet Mask's side.
"Gift?" he asked.
"Her." Sweet Mask gave her a nudge. "She is yours."
Caspian chuckled. "No thanks. In case you missed it, you're the one she's staring at lovingly."
Sweet Mask and Do-S. Guess I'll embark on your little matchmaking quest tomorrow…
And the day after that I'll respond to my good friend's letter of challenge.