The GATE Academy [Please read description]

Chapter 27: Incarcerated

Mizu stepped up and kneeled down to Tsukara.

"L-... Lord Tsukara..."

He said, his wavering voice seeming to hold back a swell of emotions. I, as well everybody else, seemed confused at Mizu's unexpected outburst. A light smile played across Tsukara's face as he gestured for Mizu to stand up with his left hand. Mizu obliged, retaining a submissive air to Tsukara.

"It's ok, Mizu, there is no need to treat me as your king just yet, although, I would like to speak with you privately after dinner..." Tsukara said, looking back over to the rest of us.

"You guys must be hungry," he said, "Humans have a much shorter span for hunger than us demons... I'll have the kitchen prepare something for you guys and we can discuss your visit at dinner, sound fair?"

Keita shook his head, "No, Tsukara. Your hospitality is gracious, but we don't have time to spare to sit down and dine in a place. All I ask of you is to provide us with a single vehicle and, if you be so kind, some food rations for the trip," Keita said, closing his eyes after, "These are what we need right now, not an unnecessary feast."

Tsukara pocketed his hands, took in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly as he looked at Keita.

"Still bold as ever, Keita, but I truly am sorry when I say this... But I don't have a choice... Take them away," Tsukara waved a hand and shackles made of ice formed around all of our bodies, binding our arms to our sides.

The case that Keita had in his hands fell to the floor and Tsukara walked up to it and took it into his own, "Thank you for returning this, Keita..."

I stumbled forward and attempted to ram Tsukara, but a guard appeared behind me and held me back by the chains.

"Tsukara! Let us go! It doesn't have to be like this!" I yelled out to him, resisting the soldier that held me.

I tried to summon fire and energy to myself, but nothing came out. Nothing happened when I tried to shapeshift, and as I looked back, everybody else was struggling with being powerless as well.

Tsukara closed his eyes and signed, "I know it doesn't seem like it, but you guys chose to make things more difficult to me... I don't want to do this, but Keita is the most wanted war criminal in this kingdom, and the councilors will not allow me to do anything but this, I'd have just hoped to treat you guys before it came to this..."

Tsukara hung his head, seeming to be in a genuine apology.

Riku struggled against his guard and stepped forward, "But you're the king, man, let us go if you want to!!"

Tsukara shook his head and looked up at Riku, "It doesn't work like that, Riku. There's an order to the power of a kingdom and sometimes being the king doesn't give you it all. War crimes fall under the congressional body of the kingdom, well, at least in mine..."

Keita, whose head was bowed and eyes closed, spoke lowly, "Just take us, then, Tsukara..."

Tsukara shook his head, "Of course, I will make sure you guys are to hear the judges tomorrow for them to make a decision on what to do with you. I will be present and will defend you wholeheartedly, Keita, that I can promise."

"Thank you, now let us be."

Tsukara waved again and our escorts huddled around us and started to herd us off through the castle.

I fell back into the group besides Satsujin, "Take note of how we came in, we may need to break out..."

"I was already doing so," he said, "But I appreciate the heads up."