Disarm Evil

Chapter 23: Hitch

We climb aboard and find two atu already on deck. Judging by their attire, one appears to be a crew member, while the other is a fellow passenger like us. Another bitu emerges from one of the ship's cabins, carrying a tray with great care just as our helpers finish lugging our possessions aboard. They shout to us, "We know what you have been through. Please, to celebrate your freedom, share some tea with us before you head below deck."

Odd... Miya and I take the first cups and as we do I catch the bitu's scent. It is unlike other Bitu I have encountered. Like they just bathed in water and then spritzed some perfume on their mess of natural odors...

Their scent, their shoes, the way the letter was worded. It all feels far too suspicious... I squint at the contents of the cup I hold and my heart drops into my stomach when I see blue flower petals...

"Stop!" I yell, splashing the tea into the face of the bitu holding the tray. They stumble back, spilling the drinks onto another stranger and the deck. "Step back!" I demand, gingerly taking the cup from Miya's paw and tossing it away. Miya catches on and pushes the group away from the puddle. The two bitu hit by the tea clutch their necks, gasping for air before falling silent.

"Tatu! Dezadu!" one of the strangers exclaims, staring in disbelief at the choking bitu.

Suddenly, Suki's cloak flares up as Buso extends ver wings, throwing the cloak onto the puddle with ver legs. "It's a trap! It's most certainly a trap. Vetu are dying below deck!"

"You vemo worms!" The stranger yells at us, "You are going to pay for that!"

The atu passenger who hadn't gone below deck yet gets blindsided by a fist, causing ver to fall unconscious with a thorn in ver neck. The remaining enemies, three bitu and one atu, draw daggers from concealed sheaths.

"Sorry about this," Miya says to me just before ve rips away the harness strapping me to ver back, sending me toppling to the deck.

"Gah! Shit!" I exclaim, clutching my agitated rib. It may not be a complete break, but it is still tender and hurts like hase from the jolt of the fall.

"Suki!" Miya shouts as ve charges in.

"I've got you!" Suki responds.

Miya confronts the foes, their blades futilely bouncing off ver body while Suki extends one hand toward Miya and clenches a fist-sized rock in ver other hand which ve pulled from ver pocket.

Since the weapons can't penetrate Miya's skin, three of the bitu resort to grappling and restraining ver. Given Miya's lack of combat experience, ve is easily overpowered and starts screaming in pain as the attackers begin breaking ver arms and legs. Ver skin may be impenetrable, but ver joints need to remain flexible for movement, making them vulnerable to breaks. One foe attempts to bring their blade down on an exposed joint. Suki has no choice but to immobilize Miya to save ver, meanwhile Suki verself is highly vulnerable as ve cannot break out of ver concentration lest Miya die.

Seeking to take advantage of Suki's vulnerability, the atu enemy moves in to attack ver. Powa jumps from Suki's pocket and quickly moves to turn the tea soaked cloak into an extended body. Looking something like a living ragdoll.

Powa attempts to tackle the enemy with ver toxic body, but is too easily dodged due to short stature. After the enemy successfully dodges Powa twice, ve spots an opening and swings ver dagger, hitting Powa's gem with the flat of ver blade and sending ver flying out of ver rag doll body and over the edge of the air ship. The still conscious Powa screams as ve falls.

"Powa, I've got you!" Buso yells as ve leaps over the edge of the airship, "Just keep screaming so I can find you!"

The enemy now faces Jove and Kidu as they provide defense and ve charges into the defensive line. Ve slashes at Jove who is quick to dodge backwards. The momentum of the strike creates an opening that Kidu tries to take advantage of. However, Kidu's lack of combat experience makes ver slow to recognize the opening and act on it. So the enemy has plenty of time to see Kidu coming.