Canticle: Code Caligula

Chapter 22: Killing with Silence

August 16th, 2098 — the following afternoon. Mura and Lilith had returned to Naraka's abode in the Endless Plains. Once there, he promptly congratulated them before scolding them both for their recklessness. They both went to bed in the guest chambers, sleeping on what they felt was the softest bed they'd most likely ever experience.

Awaking after nearly eight hours, Mura's body still ached in places but his mind and spirit were both refreshed. Naraka had to instruct him to bathe and shave, as his current appearance was hardly worth gracing the eyes of royalty. Once he had finished, he found his clothing along with Lilith's replaced with luxurious kimonos.

"What the hell is this?! Where are my clothes??" Mura shouted as he held a white towel in place over his naked drying form.

"It's traditional when gracing sovereigns to look proper and you will be wearing it," Naraka stated with a firm tone.

He took several steps forward until he was in front of Mura's scowling face. Placing his finger underneath Mura's chin, he lifted the man's head upwards to look into his eyes.

"Behave yourself. The young one took to the new wardrobe quite nicely. I swear, you're worse than a teenager..." Naraka muttered to him, causing Mura to turn away.

Mura scoffed lightly, noticing that Lilith was still in the bathroom showering. He was used to things that were physically familiar to him; never wearing much else growing up on the streets. Surrendering to his master, he dropped the white towel on the floor as Naraka walked away.

"You certainly lack modesty, along with a few other things..." Naraka spoke out, annoyed over his pupil's nonexistent manners.

"Yeah yeah, how do you even put this thing on? There's like, a million different pieces to this!" Mura grumbled in frustration.

"I'll have an assistant dress you. You're a Jikininki now, after all! You get to partake in such luxuries!" Naraka stated, his gaze averted away from Mura's nudity.

—That's pretty cool, I suppose. I guess this is what I wanted after all. But now that I've come this far, everything feels really foreign to me. Why?

Mura's thoughts were interrupted by a door opening behind him. Lilith was wearing a bathrobe, her golden hair wrapped up in a towel.

"Hey Naraka, you know where the hairdryer is? I'm sure you have one to keep up with that mane of yours—"

Lilith stopped and yelped as she caught a glimpse of Mura's exposed behind, covering her eyes and running out of the room.

❇ ❇ ❇

Batō Kōkyo, Yomi — Mura and Lilith stood inside an exquisite elevator within the imperial palace. It was decorated with brown marbling and gilded crowning on the ceiling. The duo were both dressed in their kimonos, their hair styled and tied up traditionally. Mura's long shaggy hair was tied back in a short ponytail and he stood uncomfortably. Lilith's locks were fashioned into two golden buns on each side of her head as she smiled gleefully.

"I hate kimonos..." Mura complained.

"Stop being such a grumpy-butt," Lilith retorted back, jabbing his side. "It's bad enough I had to see your butt to begin with."

"Well that's what you get for not knocking!"

A guard in the elevator with them rolled his eyes as the doors opened with a light dinging noise; signaling their arrival.

"I shall escort you to His Majesty the Emperor. Please, follow me," the guard said.

Mura nodded and walked behind the armored man as Lilith trailed beside him. Before them was a hallway that seemed so long it continued off into infinity. The ceiling was arched and decorated with frescoes as ancient as Yomi's past.