Grimm Tales: Rise of the Yokai

Chapter 13 Grimm History

I jumped up and ran for the front door. Miroku was backing away from the open door as fast as he could. I stopped short after a quick glance at the figures on the other side told me why.

Both were dressed in black hunter's leathers and armor. The helms they wore hid their faces, except for their blue eyes, glowing like candles in the dark.

The first carried a pair of double-bladed axes, and had arms covered in runic tattoos, and bare except for a set of dark fur bracers, that were so thick with muscle they could probably juggle cars.

Where their companion was short and thick, the second was tall and thin, and more heavily armored. Their armor rose in ridges at the elbows and knees, and along the back of the helm. Combined with the curved, fin-like ridge rising from the helm, the armor had the look of some deep-sea predator. A hilt hung off their hip, the two long arms of the cross guard folded up together where the blade should be.

About two dozen more armored figures were scattered across the front lawn, some astride horses, others on foot and accompanied by dogs even bigger than Dante. With a crew like this greeting him at the door, I could hardly blame Miroku for panicking.

So, I walked up to the door and said, "You didn't happen to pass the pizza guy out here, did you?"

The guy with the axes passed me a steaming box from Pizza Pi. Look, I get how nerdy it is to have a pizza box with the numbers for pi around the sides, but to be fair, those mathletes make a killer pizza.

"Nice. Thanks, Sven," I said. "Um ... none of your crew chased after them this time, right? Cause you know, last time you did that I had to apologize with Lakers tickets."

"The driver was surprised, but unharmed," said the tall knight, her voice echoing slightly through her armor. "We gave him a very large tip as recompense."

"Awesome, thank you, Moira," I said. I leaned over and shouted to the ones out on the lawn, "Thanks, guys!"

Several of the riders bowed their heads, or gave a friendly wave.

Moira nodded at Miroku, "Friend of yours?"

"Yep, Miroku and I are working on a job. He's new in town, so be nice," I said. "If you're here for Dad, he's out back. You two can just cut through the house, if you want."

"Much appreciated, young master," said Sven.

Sven's shoulders were so wide he had to angle himself to get through the door, and Moira had to duck to keep her helm from gouging into the doorframe.

"He's 'round back, guys!" I shouted to the mob outside.

There was a chorus of "Thank you" just before I closed the door.

"Dinner's here," I said.

"That was the Wild Hunt!" exclaimed Miroku.

"I know."

"The Wild Hunt is at your house!"

"Yeah, I know," I said. "Come on, let's eat before it gets cold."

I walked back over to the couch and sat down, helping myself to a slice of pizza.

Miroku continued, "But the Wild Hunt ... they hunt, they kill, they .... Why are they at your house?"

"Okay, first, the Hunt also protects the spirits of dead children," I said, "and second, they're here because my dad's their boss. Now would you please stop freaking out and sit down?"

Miroku dropped back into his chair, but he was staring at me like I had two heads.

"The Lord of the Wild Hunt is your father?! Then who's your mother?"