A Knight's Loyalty | Food Fantasy AU Fanfic

Chapter 31 - A War For Survival

The stakes were pretty high at this point. Send in the wrong unit, or use the wrong formation and it could jeopardize the whole strategy. When your army is undoubtedly smaller than your opponent's, you stand virtually no chance.

Except Ryouri had high hopes, Catcakes had high expectations, and Kuri had a high IQ. Needless to say, if their Food Soul army couldn't handle this fight, the Attendants were there to pick up the slack and strategize.

"We'll send in Sanma first to scope out," Kuri suggested. "He's practically a ninja - even his cats are stealthy. Plus, he's a front-liner."

"Mooncake has proven to be capable of breaking in though," Ryouri offered. "She single-handedly took down Spaghetti's side base in Light Kingdom one or two days ago."

"Then Spaghetti will expect her again," Kuri pointed out. "And Salty is out of the question."

"Sounds like Sanma is the best choice," Catcakes stated. Kuri and Ryouri nodded. "Sanma it is."

Kuri looked at Sanma, and they both nodded. Shioyaki put his hand on he handle of his sheathed sword, and dashed towards the castle within the trees, his footsteps more silent than the dead of night.

"Everyone! Sanma is scoping out the castle. We'll be finalizing the plan here in the meantime!" Kuri exclaimed. They were just out of earshot of the castle, so Kuri was worry-free.

Most of everyone was glad for the sudden break. Vodka took another drink whilst Brownie scolded her once more. Double Scoop played patty cake, and Mooncake teased Salty Tofu. Raindrop Cake hung back and played with some of Sanma's cats, and while Milt joined him, Caviar merely watched. The Attendants seemed to be having an intense game of rock-paper-scissors (refereed by Kuri - Ryouri was losing horribly).

It was all fun and games for a bit. No one seemed to remember what was waiting ahead for them. Except B-52, who was dead-set on defeating Spaghetti.

~

Sanma stayed true to his task, staying to the trees. He was basically invisible- invisible to eyes, ears, nose, and fingers.

His speed rendered him impossible to see. His skill allowed him to move silently. His scent of fish was masked by the leaves. Even if an attack was sent his way, he was more than capable of avoiding the attack without losing momentum.

He slowed to a stop as he reached the castle. It was about a mile from his group, and despite his expectations, didn't seem to be falling apart in any manner. Sanma ducked at the sight of a glint of metal.

A redhead figure stepped out - pasta on a giant fork. That must be Spaghetti. Sanma laid low and watched.

The man pulled a golden medallion farther from out of his clothing. It shone like bronze (despite the hue), and was attached to Spaghetti by a lanyard of sorts - like some sort of trophy of participation.

He held it out to Sanma's left, and Sanma leaned towards it for a closer glance. Then he freezed. The reflection of eyes in the gold, they . . .

They were staring dead in his eyes. Those eyes weren't exactly friendly either.

Sanma almost fell off the branch he was perched on, but kept his balance - how did Spaghetti know Sanma was here?

"You must be Sanma Shioyaki," Spaghetti declared. "I'm glad to see you came to me yourself. I didn't want to have to hurt that little Attendant of yours."

Sanma spoke nothing - silence was key at this moment. Talking would waste time - if he was silent and let Spaghetti monologue, Sanma could find a chance to escape.

"Oh, and whatever you're calculating, forget it. You won't be leaving this place - at least, not alive." Spaghetti gave off a sickening smirk.

Sanma couldn't wait. He had no clue what defenses Spaghetti had, so fighting would most likely result in him being captured. Waiting would do nothing but give Spaghetti an advantage, so escape through the foliage - where Spaghetti would have trouble seeing (and therefore attacking) would be optimal.

Sanma dashed off through the foliage, taking a detour to get Spaghetti off his trail the quickest. He went for about a minute before turning around to check for Spaghetti. It didn't sound like he was being chased -

Sanma ducked just in time to avoid a giant fork to the head. The kitten in his scarf woke up, but Sanma didn't stop to coax it - he could get captured.

He jumped off the branch to the next, only to feel a force pull him back by his . . . headband . . . ?

Sanma looked up, and saw that the fork had clipped him, and caught onto the loose fabric of his headband. It couldn't possibly be that strong, could it?

Spaghetti jumped down from a higher branch and dragged Sanma up by the head. He smirked once more.

"You really thought you could escape me! That's funny, you know." He pulled out a syringe. "You made the mistake of coming to me by yourself - if only you could've learned in a less punishing circumstance."

Sanma braced for impact as Spaghetti drew his hand high. It would be at any instant.

It was at that moment that the branch broke. Spaghetti recovered before hitting the ground, so he was fine, but Sanma remained dangling by his headband - a sitting duck.

I wonder what Peking Duck would think. Sanma glanced to where the branch once stood and saw Caviar on a different - and much sturdier - branch.

"Caviar?" Sanma asked, confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Saving you." Caviar's left eye sparkled for half a second.

"How did you I needed assistance? Were you following me?"

"I had a gut instinct. I figured it was better safe than sorry."

"Is Milt with you?" Sanma couldn't see her.

"No. She's with the others - too risky with Spaghetti around."

Sanma pulled up his legs to avoid Spaghetti stabbing him whilst Caviar was still talking.

"Hmm. Seems like a smart choice."

"Don't you wanna get down from there?"  Caviar offered out his left hand. Sanma took hold and Caviar dragged him until the bit of the fabric stuck on the fork separated from the rest of the headband.

Sanma fell a bit, but Caviar dragged him up. The two then ditched Spaghetti to return back to the group.