Shinigami Twin Ch.52 "Stars in the night sky"

Where was our young brave hero? Is he dead or alive? Let me just tell you he is very much alive. More alive than ever.

Tyrin Saki, the Commander of Unit 9 and now 14 years old, stared at the night sky. Stars filled the night sky. In the North Soul Tower, you couldn't see much stars because of the lights below them. But, here... you can see all the beautiful stars. Every bright star gleamed in the night sky. Tyrin's blue eyes continued to stare in amazement. It has been years since he saw such a beautiful sight.

Actually, that would be a lie. Because Ai Kotokami (also 14) was sitting right next to him. They both gazed at the night sky together.

Toshiko: *whisper* Those two look so cute together.

Lewis: *whisper* How long have they been out there?

Toshiko: *whisper* I don't know. About thirty minutes?

Lewis: *whisper* Kinda odd their still not a couple. Didn't take Jones this long.

Toshiko: *whisper* Lewis, you cannot rush love! It is a slow and delicate experience.

Lewis: *whisper* I wasn't rushing, just a simple comparison.

Toshiko: *whisper* I say it's Tyrin's fault. He hasn't tried anything.

Tyrin stood up and walked to the hiding place where Lewis and Toshiko was, behind the front slide of the room.

Tyrin: Can you guys please leave?! This is finally a moment I can have some alone time with Ai and you two staring at my back is making me nervous!

Toshiko: Hey, we need to keep an eye on you. How knows what kind of game you'll pull.

Tyrin: I can't believe you're suggesting I'll do such a thing! I'm no pervert!

Lewis: Well, she's like a little sister to us. We can't just leave her alone with you for so long. Oddly, it seems kids these days are grown adults.

Tyrin: Saying "these days" makes you sound like an old man, Lewis.

Lewis: *sits in a corner in depress* Old... old... old...

Toshiko: Don't pick on Lewis just because you suck at romance.

Tyrin: Get off my back! At least I'm trying!

Ai: *sighs* (I really wish they can leave...)

You're probably asking what are our heroes doing in an old inn. If you're not, then just go with the flashback anyway.

A few hours ago, Ai, Lewis, Toshiko, and Tyrin stared at the exterior of the old hotel.

Toshiko: Wow, this is place is as old as hell.

Tyrin: Why is this place still in business?

Ai: Some couples like the olden scenery, it's kinda romantic in a way.

The four noticed an old man standing in front of the old inn. Tyrin approached the old man.

Tyrin: Excuse me, sir. Would you happened to the innkeeper?

Old man: Huh? What's that? Oh, good evening, young ones.

Lewis: So, you own this place, sir?

Old man: Why yes I do. Been holding this old inn for decades. Nothing much changed. People still come and go.

Tyrin: Alright, then. We would like a room for the night.

Old man: Splendid. That will be a hundred for the night.

Tyrin: Thank you, sir... I'm sorry what?

Old man: A hundred. For one night.

Lewis: Are you sure you're calculating that right? Because I'm expecting that price for something like a 5 star hotel.

Old man: Well, that's my price and I'm sticking to it.

Tyrin: Ah, forget this! I'm not going to get ripped off by some old...

Old man: Leave... *whisper*

Tyrin: What was that?

Old man: Huh? Oh, nothing.

Ai: What should we do then?

Tyrin: We're not staying here of all places, I know that.

Old man: Help me... *whisper*

Tyrin: Dude, if you have something you want to say, then say it.

Old man: *sigh* Look, kid. I really don't want you to stay here.

Toshiko: And why is that, sir? You don't want anybody to conduct business here?

Old man: Pretty much. I've been raising the price here for years, but people still stay at my inn regardless. I never understand young people and their money spending habits. Like they have gold falling out their pockets or something.

Ai: Tyrin, I think this man is being haunted. *whisper*

Tyrin: Haunted? Don't you mean crazy?

Ai: No, I heard him call for help. I think a Mons is lurking around the inn. *whisper*

Tyrin: A Mons? Why would a Mons hang around here? *whisper*

Ai: Sorry, I just have a hunch. *whisper*

Tyrin: Hmm... if you think there's a Mons here, I guess we can investigate. We need a place to stay anyway, though I feel cheated having to pay such a high price. *whisper*

Ai: I apologize. I'll pay half of it.

Tyrin: No, no. It's alright.

Flashback ends

Something moved within the bushes nearby. Ai noticed it, quickly stood up, and sensed a Mons presence from the bushes.

Ai: Guys!

Lewis, Toshiko, and Tyrin ran next to Ai and looked into the bushes. From the bushes, a shadowy figure rose up and landed on top of a tree.

Unknown: Good evening, guests. I hope you're comfortable at our fine establishment.

Tyrin: Who are you?

Unknown: Me? Heh, heh. I am the Lurker, a being who wonders this world in search of a challenge.

Tyrin: Wouldn't that make you, the Searcher?

Lurker: It's the Lurker, got it?!

Tyrin: Ok, ok.

Lurker: Now, that you are here, Shinigami. My thirst may or may not be filled. Of course, it all depends on whenever you are strong enough to...

Toshiko threw a boulder at him. The boulder, only grazed the Lurker's left cheek.

Toshiko: Shoot, I missed.

Tyrin: You have terrible aim, Toshiko.

Lurker: W... What the hell?! How dare you attack me while I was speaking! Do you have any manners at all?! *clears throat* Now, as I was saying... *barley evades another boulder*

Toshiko: Shoot, I missed again. Maybe I should move closer.

Lurker: Enough of your games, Shinigami! This is my domain and as such, you shall play by my rules!

Lewis: Well, someone is upset.

Ai: I think he's going to throw a tantrum.

Tyrin: Whatever, let's just kill this guy. I'm tired.

Tyrin unsheated his sword and struck at the Lurker. He noticed the Lurker was no longer there and was under the tree.

Lurker: Ha! Too slow, Shinigami! By the look of things, I already won this...

Tyrin dashed downward and struck at the Lurker once again. The Lurker was slightly cut.

Lurker: (Damn... he almost got me... This little brat is faster than I...)

After landing on the ground, the Lurker evaded a wind attack from Lewis.

Lewis: Hmph, this guy is faster than I thought. I wonder if we should take him seriously.

Lurker: You mean you haven't been taking me seriously this entire time?!

Before the Lurker could continue, Tyrin struck at him again. The Lurker leaped into the air, evading his strike. He noticed something on top of him, Tyrin preparing to kick him. Too slow to evade the attack, the Lurker knocked back to the ground.

Lurker: O... Ow... Didn't think he could that fast...

Tyrin: So, you want to continue?

Lurker: Ha, you underestimate me, Shinigami! I'm just getting started.

Quickly, the Lurker threw a knife at Tyrin. Tyrin caught the knife in between his fingers and looked at it. Using the knife, Tyrin blocked another one from the Lurker. In a blur, the Lurker appeared in front of Tyrin, pulled out a short sword, and stabbed at him.

Lurker: Try and dodge this one, brat!

Tyrin kicked the Lurker and what he assumed to be his face. The Lurker was knocked all the back into a nearby tree.

Lurker: N... No way... how can he be that fast?

The Lurker looked up, noticing Tyrin pointing his sword at his head.

Tyrin: It's over, Mons. I don't know why somebody like you would want to trap an old man, but...

Lurker: I'm sorry?

Tyrin: The old man, the innkeeper.

Lurker: You mean that old bastard? Why would I want to trap him for? I'm only looking for a fight. And why are you assuming I'm a Mons?

Tyrin: Nice try, but I'm not falling for it.

Lurker: What are you talking about, dude?! Why do you think I'm a Mons?!

Tyrin: Because you have the energy of one, duh! Right, guys?

Lewis: I'm not sensing anything.

Toshiko: Nope.

Ai: I sensed a Mons presence earlier, but it's not from him.

Tyrin: *dumbfounded* Then who is this guy?

The Lurker removed his cloak, revealing the head of a man. The man had messy, brown hair and green eyes.

Lurker: I'm not a Mons, dude. Told ya.

Tyrin: Oh, sorry about that...

A few minutes later, despite being freed from his Mons accusation, the Lurker was tied up to the tree.

Lurker: Why are you guys tying me up?!

Lewis: Well for one, you attacked us. And two, we have a couple of questions for you.

Lurker: It's who I am! I travel around looking for a fight! Weren't you guys listening to a single word I just said?!

Toshiko: Then what are you?

Lurker: Just a normal guy wearing a costume.

Tyrin: Some power you have for a normal guy.

Lurker: Well, I did use to work for the Ira ninjas.

Ai: You did? I guess that explains why you're so strong and why you have that equipment.

Lurker: You know them?

Tyrin: We know of few ninjas.

Lurker: That's awesome! How are they recently?! I haven't heard anything about them in years!

Toshiko: You mean you don't about the downfall of the Iras?

Lurker: Whoa, whoa! What's this all about?!

A few minutes later...

Lurker: Damn... can't believe all that happened years ago. I have to visit their graves...

Tyrin: Before we let you go, tell us what you know about the old innkeeper.

Lurker: Not much, just that his wife died a few years back. She was attacked and eaten by a Mons. He was so depressed that he raised the prices of his inn. That didn't stop business though and he was rolling in dough. One day, I heard he suffered from a heart attack, but oddly he's still alive. I guess someone came by and saved him.

Lewis: Really?

Lurker: Yep, that's all I know, so can I go now?

Tyrin: Sure, just make certain that you don't try attacking random next time.

Tyrin cut the ropes holding the Lurker. Immediately, the Lurker leaped onto a building nearby.

Lurker: I shall leave for now, Shinigami! Until then, pray you don't encounter me again! I bid you adieu.

The Lurker disappeared into the shadows

Tyrin: What a weird guy.

Ai: If he's not connected to the Mons, then we're back to we were earlier. Without a clue.

Lewis: Not really, Ai. What he said was quite interesting.

Toshiko: How so?

Lewis: I think we need to have a little chat with the innkeeper.

In a dark room, the old innkeeper quickly stuffed a large amount of money in a suitcase.

Innkeeper: Dammit it all! Can't believe Shinigami had to be here of all times! If only that damn ninja wasn't here...

Lewis: Going somewhere, mister?

A bright light shined upon the old innkeeper. He turned around, noticing Ai, Lewis, Toshiko, and Tyrin staring at him from the door.

Innkeeper: Why hello, young ones. I was just packing my things so I can meet my grandchildren.

Toshiko: Nice try, but I see that hundred-dollar bill sticking out of your suitcase. Planning on bailing out while we were handling the ninja earlier.

Innkeeper: So I guess the secret is out? I almost got away with it too if it wasn't for you meddling kids! And your aged fella too!

Lewis: Old... old... old... *slumps in depress*

Tyrin: How can you just cheat people out of their money?! You know, for a Mons, you really have some strange taste in satisfaction.

Lewis: I think you're reading this wrong, Tyrin.

Tyrin: Huh? Isn't the old man really a Mons cheating money out of people because he lost his wife in his previous life?

Innkeeper: Heh, you don't even know the half of the true story, sonny! Oh, honey, it's time to eat!

From behind the old man, a large spider-like Mons crawled out from its hiding place. The spider Mons had black skin, red eyes, and was wearing a mask that resembled a white oni over its face.

Lewis: The Mons behind the innkeeper... is the Mons of his wife.

Tyrin: Whoa, what?! That doesn't make any sense!

Ai: Widows would follow their husbands to their graves, but it seems to be the opposite here. When the old man died, the Mons of his wife probably kept him alive by connecting what life he had left to hers. The Mons that killed the wife made her passing soul into a Mons itself. That Mons, later convinced that she was really her, came back to the inn and saved her ghost's husband.

Innkeeper: Precisely. The only way I can live is by giving my wife tons of money. She loves money, so instead of killing me she kept me alive and told me to give her as much money as possible. I love my wife, so of course I would've done so even if my life was not in the balance. Plus, I love money!

Toshiko: That's why he rose those prices, luckily for him it worked a gold mine for them. For years they've ripped people off.

Innkeeper: Now, we're going to live in a vacation home on the river side and I won't let you young ones stop me! Then, I'm going to open another inn and start all over! Unless you don't want to eaten, I suggest you let us go.

Tyrin: Sorry old man, but this is where your money scheme ends!

Innkeeper: Honey, kill them!

With his command, the Spider Mons shot one of her tangled webs at them. Lewis used a tornado to deflect the webs and stepped back outside of the room with his comrades, into in open field. The Spider Mons gave chase and struck at Toshiko with one of her legs. Toshiko side-stepped, evading the leg, grabbed it, and tossed the Mons across the field.

Toshiko: Eww... it's legs are disgusting.

Tyrin: That's because it's a spider. What did you expect?

The Spider Mons got up to its legs and wildly shot webs around the field. She then jumped onto one of them and circled the Shinigami.

Lewis: She's faster than she looks.

Lewis threw a small wind slash at the web. The slash touched the webs, but instead of cutting it, it was destroyed.

Lewis: What? Those webs can cancel out energy?

Tyrin: So how we are supposed to attack her?

Ai: We're going to have to wait for her to charge at us directly. It's risky, but it's better than wasting our energy shooting at her.

Tyrin: Alright, I'll attack by flying next to her and you guys fight her off when she's on the ground.

Toshiko: Be careful not to touch those webs or else you'll get stuck.

Tyrin: I know.

Tyrin released his spirit, separating his sword into the two black/white katanas, Kurayami and Tomoshibi. He flew towards the Mons and struck at her. The Mons disappeared into the shadows behind her, his black sword trapped into the webs.

Tyrin: What the...

He turned to his right side, noticing the Mons appearing out of a shadow. She struck at him with one of her legs. Tyrin blocked the strike, but was pushed back into the web.

Tyrin: Dammit, I'm stuck!

Toshiko: Dumbass! I told you not to get stuck! Man, you're hopeless!

Tyrin: Shut up! I didn't know about her disappearing act, okay?!

Deciding to end his argument, Tyrin attempted to free himself. The Spider Mons slowly crawled to him and raised her front legs, preparing to strike at him. A wind tunnel erupted below her, tossing her into the air. Lewis raised his scythe from the ground and tossed a wind slash at the airborne Mons. The Mons turned around and shot a web at the slash, dispelling it. After landing on the ground, the Spider Mons charged at them.

The Spider Mons raised her front legs and struck at Ai and Lewis. They both block the attack.

Lewis: Toshiko, now!

Toshiko: "Cruris!" Translation: Leg for Latin

Toshiko shot her leg up, kicking the Mons in the face, stunning her.

Toshiko: "Ingemino Armo!" Translation: Repeat Arm for Latin

Toshiko repeatedly punched at the Mons face. Each punch created a crack on its oni mask. The Mons disappeared into the shadows once again and screeched in pain.

Ai: That mask must be its weak spot.

Toshiko: Come on out you six legged hag! I'm ready to break that mask! *cracks knuckles*

Lewis: I'm not sure provoking her is the best idea. *sweatdrop*

Suddenly, the three are trapped under a web shot from above. They look up and notice the Spider Mons falling down towards them, readying to bite at them with its slimy fangs.

Lewis: Dammit!

In a quick second, the Spider Mons' mask broke into pieces, revealing the surprising face of a old woman with brown eyes and long, white hair. The Spider Mons turned around to see her attacker, noticing a knife dropping below her. It was the same knife that Tyrin caught in his hands before.

Tyrin: Heh, got you. *smirks*

Spider Mons: D... Damn you!

The Spider Mons screams in pain as she slowly disappears from existence. The webs slowly dissolve along with her, freeing the Shinigami.

Innkeeper: Ah...

They looked back into the room, noticing the old innkeeper holding his chest in pain.

Innkeeper: You... you monsters... how can you just... kill me... don't you feel guilty? That you killed a poor old man like me?

Tyrin: Sorry, you were already dead when you were connected with the Mons. When it goes, you go as well. I wish there was some way to save you, but there isn't. Would you care to spend your last moments praying for her?

Innkeeper: W... What crap... I'm dying over here and you want me to pray? I should be praying that my death is painless...

Tyrin: You're more worried about your own life instead of praying for your wife's? You're a cruel old man. I hope you don't end up the same place she's going.

Both the innkeeper and the Mons disappeared from existence. Tyrin sighed and sheathed his sword.

Tyrin: Well... mission accomplished I guess.

Lewis: At least no one has to be robbed of their fortunes now. But, what are we to do with this large sum of money?

Toshiko: Well, the Toshiko Foundation is always looking for charity...

Tyrin: Not funny, Toshiko.

Toshiko: Relax, I was only kidding... mostly...

Ai: As much as I would like to investigate so we can return the money to each person who had stay here, it'll be too much time and trouble. Let's give it to a real charity.

Tyrin: Right. That's the least we can do. But, let's rest for the night first. I'm tired.

Ai: Of course. *smiles*

End of chapter