Canticle: Code Caligula

Chapter 23: The Handrail

The emperor pinned the Jikininki badge to Mura's kimono, pressing the polished metal against his chest with a single finger. His words tumbled within Mura's mind like a single bean inside of an empty can. Mara was so close, he could smell the emperor's perfumed skin.

"I... I will do whatever is needed of me," he replied clearly.

Mara smirked, his upper face concealed by the darkness of the room.

"It interests me how easily you swear your loyalty. I hope it not so quickly retracted..."

Mura grimaced for a moment. No matter what he said to this man, Mara always had a retort for it. He felt as if he was being dissected, word by word. This was a battle of wits, and Mura was losing.

"My allegiance has always been to my empire, Your Majesty. It will never falter."

Mara smiled, stepping back into the murky shadows. It seemed that Mura had saved some face with the monarch.

"Forgive me for earlier, for my... outburst," Mara spoke solemnly. "Just like you, I am simply a man who wants to bring joy, security and emancipation to my people. Your thoughts will always be your own, I don't expect you to share mine."

Mura bowed his head in response, sure that the emperor would see.

"The reason I called you here to see me today is because I was impressed by your raw potential. You're a novice, plain as day. But so was Nergal, our Minister of Defense and your fellow compatriot. So was Grendel and Kishin and the others. This is the beginning of your journey, Mura."

Mara slowly walked across the room, casting impossibly stretched shadows across the walls as he passed by the candlelight.

"Every journey requires supplies, a guide... and that first step towards your destination," Mara finished, his deep voice reverberating with a silken authority.

"What is my mission, Your Majesty?"

"If you weren't made aware, the civilians of Yomi are forbidden from traveling to other realms. This world of ours, the one where we reside is Kurayami. You will be traveling to Nakatsukuni, the realm of humans."

—The human world?

"Their world, as you might know is called Earth. You will be sent to Japan: an archipelago nation in the east. Our reconnaissance has reported several suspicious disappearances over the past week on the Japanese city of Monido," Mara calmly declared, sitting on a shrouded throne.

"While there, I expect you to investigate these matters and if the target is of supernatural origin, eliminate it," Mara concluded.

—Japan, huh? Sounds interesting...

"Very well, Your Majesty," Mura accepted. "I assume I'll have that guide you mentioned accompanying me?"

"You assume correctly. I've instructed my personal bodyguard to be the guide on your initial visit; she'll merely watch and provide assistance should you absolutely require it. Any future missions will have you going with only your Thrall."

—So I'll be shadowed by his bodyguard, huh?

"What shall I call this bodyguard?" Mura inquired.

"Her name is Kirin, captain of the Onryō Squadron. Typically I'd have her unit handle assignments such as these, but it'll serve as a pleasant introduction to wetwork for you as well." Mara stated, crossing one leg over the other as he lounged comfortably. "Your comrade Kishin asked to be your guide first, but I had to deny him."