Earthbound: Champions of the Future

Chapter Sixteen

~ Azura Mizu's POV ~

The morning after our Panther's Hold investigation, Syo gathered us all together to discuss our next location. "The next place we have to go to is a place called Vineside!" Syo announced.

"Vineside?" I repeated. "That's the village that is owned by the Kazz, correct?"

Syo nodded, although Naoma frowned in confusion. "What's a Kazz?" She asked.

"The Kazz are a race of people with catlike features." I explained. "For example, they can possess the ears, the tail, or both, in some rare cases. They also possess a lot of agility, making them able fighters."

"Great, more people who can break my bones if I mess up." Naoma sighed. "So... where in 'Vineside' is Enigma targeting?"

"There's a dungeon near Vineside called Northern Chambers." Syo explained. "There's quite a bit of Negon there which Enigma would find useful."

"Then we must ensure that this Enigma do not locate the material they are seeking." S'yan replied. I nodded in silent agreement.

"Wait," Naoma cut in. "Azura just said that the Kazz are good fighters. Can't they just fight Enigma off or something?"

"We still don't know what kind of allies Enigma has." I said. "They could have warriors that are even stronger than the Kazz."

Naoma gulped, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "O-On that cheery note, should we go? We can't hang around forever, after all."

~ ~ ~

"Hey, S'yan?" Naoma began, adjusting her scarf. "Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" S'yan questioned, his stoic expression unchanging.

"So... about this whole sacred panther thing... is it real?" Naoma inquired. "What I mean is, like... is there something like a panther deity that you worship and that's how you got the power to shapeshift into one?"

"Of course it's real," S'yan replied. Naoma stared at the prince for a few moments, as if she was expecting a longer answer, and sighed when she didn't get one.

"You didn't exactly answer my question, but fine." The bespectacled girl shrugged. She suddenly gasped and a grin spread onto her face. "What if you and the Kazz are distantly related?"

S'yan could reply with nothing more than a blink for a few seconds. "What?"

"Think about it." Naoma shrugged. "You're both cats."

"A panther and a cat are two completely separate things," S'yan replied. "I believe I have told you this once before."

"They're not really." Naoma sighed. "They're both some form of cat, at least."

"Naoma, perhaps it would be wise to let this point go for now." I interrupted with a weak smile, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We have more important things to be focusing on."

"Fine..." Naoma grumbled. "Syo, anything else you can tell us about these Kazz?"

"Hmm, let's see..." Syo began, fluttering around mindlessly. "I hear that some of the best swordfighters live in Vineside. The chieftain, Tadao Kaze, runs a dojo which specializes in swords and hand-to-hand combat. Him, alongside his daughter Kireina Kaze and student Catarina Katsumata, are the very best! It's pretty common knowledge that Kireina and Catarina are his favourite students."

"Isn't having favourite students a bad thing?" Naoma questioned. "I mean, I've never been to school, but even I know that."

"Yeah, but these people are the protectors of their town. They aren't going to question it." Syo responded. "They're also pretty hostile towards others, although I don't really know why."

"Wonderful..." Naoma sighed. "Hopefully I don't get any broken bones this time around..."

~ ~ ~

"Hey, I think I see it!" Syo exclaimed. "There's a village up ahead! Wow, those cherry blossom trees look amazing!"

"Syo, of course you can see it. You can fly." Naoma sighed. "But at least we're not too far away from Vineside."

"Wait." Gandamu held up a hand, stopping everybody in their tracks. "Be on guard. We're not alone."

"N-Not alone?" Naoma repeated. The conversation was dropped as Gandamu drew his blade and turned, parrying another attack from behind. The mystery attacker jumped backwards, landing some distance away. I observed their appearance as they stood up. It was a girl; young, a teenager. She had wavy blonde hair tied back into a ponytail. Her irises were a light purple, a scar running over the left eye. Yellow feline ears poked out of the top of her head. Her clothing consisted of a black turtleneck sleeveless shirt and black leggings with sandals on her feet. A gold band with a blue gem in the middle was wrapped around her forehead. A black sheath was attached to her back, a katana gripped tightly in her hand.

"Who are you?" I asked. "There is no reason for hostilities. We are-"

"I don't care why you're here." The girl replied, a harsh glare in her eyes. "All I care about is keeping you away from my hometown."

"W-We just want to protect you guys from Enigma!" Naoma cried. "They're really dangerous, so-"

The Kazz girl took a threatening swing at Naoma, Gandamu stepping in front of her and blocking the attack. "This should prove to be an interesting battle," the demon grinned. "I look forward to crushing you."

The Kazz girl remained silent, instead raising a foot to kick Gandamu in the side. Gandamu lightly stepped aside to dodge the attack, shoving the girl away and clenching his fist, an icy mist soon surrounding his closed hand. Several ice spears erupted from his hand and flew towards the Kazz girl. She swung her katana expertly, breaking each spear so that they crumbled to tiny pieces.

"Resorting to supernatural abilities to stand a chance in a fight... I thought you were better than that, demon prince." The girl taunted, the smallest of a smirk on her lips.

"We still don't know who you are." Syo shrugged. "Something like that is kind of helpful in a situation like this."

"Fine," the girl sighed. "My name is Kireina Kaze, daughter to Tadao Kaze, and I will not allow you to take a single step further! All of you will fall before my blade!"

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I like how Naoma and Syo are the only remotely happy people here everyone else  is always frowning like guys be happy

AceAttorneyFan over and out!