Chrono X Angel, Book 7: Trial By Fire

Chapter 14

If there was one method of transportation that Usoko had come to hate in her time with GARDNA, it was helicopters. They were so noisy and, at least in the times she had ridden in them, were way bouncier than she would have liked. Still, it was the fastest method available to get herself, Kuroko, and Sarah to the isle of Gairsay in the Orkney archipelago. As they made their way through the skies, Jacqueline had done her best to describe the beast Usoko needed to slay in order for her to be given access to the Veil once again.

"It's called the Nuckelave, and it's not something to be trifled with," she stated, her cheery demeanor seeming not to match the gravity of what she was describing, "It's an ancient demon, been menacing the Orcadians for centuries upon centuries. Truth be told, some aren't even sure it can be killed, but I have a hunch that if anyone can do so, it's you Usoko."

"Thank you, your highness," replied Usoko nervously, "if I might ask, what exactly does it... look like?"

"Oh trust me, you'll know it when you see it," answered the Spirit Queen in a quiet tone, "It's impossible to mistake for anything else."

The plushie Sarah was quite anxious, squirming in Kuroko's arms as the younger pinkette weighed her options, wondering if she could even contribute to all of this.

"Us'ko, it's not too late t'turn back," warned the plush doll, "I know y'feel like y'need to contact your mom, but th' only way you're gonna see her this way is after the Nuckelave kills ya."

"That's some confidence," scoffed Usoko half-jokingly.

"Nay lass, I know what you're capable of, and I know it's not enough for this. Not by yourself.

Kuroko huffed and held Sarah out in front of her, looking the squishy Banshee in the button eyes. Her expression was one of sincere determination, albeit there was just an ounce of worry in her eyes.

"Usoko won't be alone, Sarah, because I'll be backing her up," declared the younger Tachibana assuredly, "You're our friend aren't you? Aren't you gonna help her too? Maybe Usoko by herself isn't strong enough, but if all three of us give it all we got, I know we can win!!"

That seemed to shut Sarah up enough, and so the rest of the flight was spent in relative silence. Once over the city of Kirkwall, the helicopter began making its descent into the local airport. Usoko was curious why they were stopping early, but the loud growl of her stomach and the setting sun made it obvious why.

"If Sarah thinks fighting the beast on its own is suicide, then doing so on an empty stomach and without good rest would be doubly so," explained Jacqueline, shifting invisible and slipping Usoko a credit card, "Food's on me, all you can eat. Go wild you two, Ms. O'Malley and I will secure lodgings."

"And how, exactly, do ya propose we do that?" Groaned Sarah, "We're a bit conspicuous don't you think, your majesty? A purple woman and a talking stuffed doll, quite the pair we make no?"

"I anticipated this, which is why I begrudgingly brought along a Yokai crystal," stated Jacqueline as she reappeared in a rather convincing human disguise. Her skin, once lavender in hue, was now pale as snow. Though her hair color remained mostly the same, it now lacked the ethereal smoke-like quality it previously held. Jacqueline's eyes also now no longer appeared as burning coals, instead being a more subdued hazel-brown color.

"Ms. O'Malley, be a dear and climb in my purse would you?"

It was a short walk from the airport to the nearby town, and Usoko could tell just from the smell in the air it was a coastal town. That salty scent was unmistakable to someone who had grown up near the sea. It was funny, she thought, how so much of her life was spent near the ocean, whether it was back in Los Angeles as a kid, or in Fumizaki later in life, or now as she had been drawn to yet another coast. It was pretty though, the fields to the south were a lovely shade of green, and the town ahead was as picturesque as anything Usoko had ever seen before. Stone architecture, centuries upon centuries old dotted the streets all the way down to the shoreline. It did not take too long for the pair to find their way to a diner, which much to Usoko's delight carried burgers. She promptly ordered, and devoured three before the shocked eyes of both staff and sister alike. Kuroko, for her part, merely had some soup to top off her tank, as her stomach was still doing flip flops from the trip here.