— –Shiho Suzui– —
How the hell had the school transformed into a castle? Why were there knights that could turn into monsters? How the hell had Amamiya summoned a monster of his own? Why THE HELL was the castle dedicated to praising Kamoshida?
Amongst many other things, these were the questions currently haunting Shiho. But as she snuck around the castle with Ren by her side, she had to simply push those questions down in favor of surviving.
It was funny really, she was fighting so hard to survive when for the past few weeks she had been planning to…. No, she had to shake her head at the thought, she couldn't let herself get distracted, not now.
She wasn't an expert when it came to sneaking around, but Amamiya on the other hand, appeared to be a bit more experienced than her. With his help, the two of them had managed to sneak past a few other guards along the way. Guards that appeared to be somewhat on alert at the moment.
But that was their fault, really. They'd accidentally forgotten to hide the two sodas they'd brought with them, and after the commotion, one of the guards had found them and had rightly assumed that there were intruders in the castle.
Thankfully, however, they hadn't been caught yet.
Strangely enough, she felt a strange sense of familiarity with the castle. It reminded her of the school in a strange way. And so far, that feeling had helped them somewhat find their direction as they sneaked around.
Still, it did take them at least a few hours to find their way. But soon enough, they had stumbled onto what could only be the entrance. Or in their case, their way out. Sadly for them, there were too many knights around. Knights that didn't appear to be planning to leave at any moment.
"The longer we stay here the higher the chance we get caught…" Ren whispered next to her, a strange smile appearing on his face as he hid next to her.
Really, she wished she could be annoyed at the fact that he seemed to be enjoying the chase, but in the end, she preferred it over him freaking out like she had before. Still, she shifted uncomfortably at how close the two of them were.
It wasn't fair to him, but anytime she was this close to any man she felt somewhat uncomfortable, if not outright disgusted depending on how they acted near her. Another thing to add to the list of things she would forever hate Kamoshida for.
Hell, even now, thinking about it made her nauseous.
"Then what do we do?" She whispered back, trying to move just a bit further from him.
"We might have to run." He answered her, leaning closer to point to the open door. "I think it's a trap, but if we manage to run out of the doors, we might be able to go back to our world. Look, it doesn't look like there is much out there, so maybe if we get far enough from the castle then…"
"There!" A knight shouted, causing all of the other knights in the room to snap at attention.
Shiho froze for a moment, looking underneath her to realize that in trying to make some distance from Ren, she'd accidentally exposed their hiding spot.
"Shit—" She tried to curse, she was about to panic when she felt Ren grab her hand and instantly pull her as he began to run for the door.
She didn't have to be told twice, as she grabbed his hand back and began to run next to him. No, past him, until the point she was the one pulling him along. As much as she hated it, she was faster thanks to Kamoshida's damned training.
But before they could reach the door, one of the knights stepped forward to block their path.
"Your majesty! You were right! The intruders did run to the entrance to escape." The knight shouted as he raised a spear in their direction.
She felt Ren let go, trying to reach for his face for the mask that he'd used before, but it wasn't there at the moment.
"Of course I was." A familiar voice echoed out, causing her blood to run cold as she froze in place, unwilling to turn around. For a few seconds, she simply closed her eyes, tightening her fists and trying to wake up from the nightmare, but when she opened them again, she was still here.
She tried to look at Ren for guidance, since he had been the one more confident out of the two, but in doing so, she inadvertently ended up following his eyes to the man she feared.
Just like all of the statues in here, he was walking in only his underwear, wearing a crimson cape along with a golden crown atop his head.
She felt disgust, anger, fear, sadness, and countless other things the moment she laid eyes on him. But her body betrayed her, she was trembling, unable to move as Kamoshida approached them.
"Well, well, well… If it isn't the annoying brat I picked up this morning." Kamoshida began, a snarling expression in his face that quickly twisted into a smile as his eyes settled on her. "And you, my disobedient little bunny. I summoned you to my royal chambers, and you never showed up. You do know that now I am going to have to punish you, don't you?"
He waved a hand at his guards ordering them to step closer, surrounding them from all sides.
Shiho took a step back, falling to the ground as she tried to crawl back, to escape, but she couldn't. She was trapped.
"My dear insubordinate rabbit, I am going to have fun breaking you into my pet." Kamoshida continued, causing the disgust and anger in her to grow as her breathing quickened and her fists tightened. "Maybe if Ann witnesses your submission, she'll surrender herself to me willingly. She will throw herself at me the moment she sees how much fun you are having."
Shiho could feel her own heartbeat pulsing against her chest. She wanted to scream in anger, to try to fight back, but—
'Is that really all you are? A doll to be played with until it breaks?' A soft, feminine voice whispered in her ear.
"No… stop it…" Shiho grunted as she clutched her head. Closing her eyes as tightly as she could.
'He looks at you and sees a plaything. A victim. He believes his lust is a king's right, and your silence is his permission. Are you going to die here, choked by your own fear?' The voice continued, now sounding as angry as Shiho herself was.
For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. She felt a gentle warmth around her, almost like the warmth of the sun. Along with it, she could smell the ocean in the air. It felt like the fear in her was quickly being washed away by a sense of calm.
'Look at him. He is no King. He is a gluttonous beast gorging on the weak. Does it not make you sick? Does it not make you want to... transform him?'
Finally opening her eyes, Shiho glared at Kamoshida and forced herself to her feet, ignoring the knights that were stepping even closer now.
"I… am not a doll…" She muttered, still clutching onto her head as she continued to glare at the man in front of her.
"Hm? Did you say something? Speak up, girl!" Kamoshida taunted her, a slight smirk appearing on his face.
""I SAID!" Shiho shouted, her eyes flashing yellow. "I AM NOT YOUR TOY!"
At her words, a wave of wind burst from her, pushing the guards back. She stood straighter now, raising her face so she could look at the smirk fading from Kamoshida's face. A silver mask appeared on her face, resembling a masquerade domino mask with white feather accents.
'Good. The spell is now broken. The illusion of his power is shattered.' The charming voice whispered approvingly. 'I am thou, thou art I... Thou who hast been forced to drink the poison of submission... Now, brew a poison of thine own. Turn the wolves into swine and strip them of their dignity! Let them grovel in the mud before your feet!'
Shiho reached up, her fingers hooking under the rim of the silver mask. It didn't feel like plastic or metal; it felt fused to her skin, like a scab she wasn't supposed to pick.
But the voice was right. She was done being careful. With a scream that was more rage than pain, she tore it away.
Blood sprayed from her skin, but before it could hit the dirty floor of the dungeon, it ignited. A pillar of blue fire erupted around her, scorching the air and forcing Kamoshida to shield his eyes.
From within that roaring inferno, a massive shadow rose up behind her.
The flames scattered, revealing a woman who towered over the entire room. Not in height, but in presence. She had wild, ocean-teal hair that floated around her as if she were underwater, and behind her head spun a giant, jagged wheel of gold, shining like a sun that was too bright to look at directly.
She wore elegant blue robes armored with heavy gold on one shoulder, and her ears were pointed, sharp and inhuman. But it was her eyes that mattered. They were glowing, burning amber, staring down at Kamoshida with absolutely zero fear.
"Come, Circe!" Shiho shouted, her voice cracking with newfound power as her school uniform ignited into the same blue flames that had birthed her mask.
The tattered gym clothes were incinerated instantly. In their place, Shiho stood clad in a sharp, white military tunic, the kind a commander or a conductor might wear to lead an orchestra of war. It was adorned with gold aiguillettes draped across her chest and silver pauldrons armoring her shoulders.
Beneath the tunic, a crimson pleated skirt provided a stark splash of color against the white. A long, split coat-tail flowed behind her legs, etched with a faint, white-on-white floral pattern that shimmered like frost whenever she moved.
She adjusted her long black gloves and planted her heels, which were white and shaped like clipped wings, digging them into the floor.
"Circe! Marin Karin!" Shiho shouted, following an instinct she didn't know she had. Behind her, Circe moved her hands in a hypnotic weave, casting a wave of pink energy toward one of the armored guards.
The spell took effect instantly. The guard froze, then turned with sudden aggression toward his ally, swinging his weapon at the knight next to him. Chaos broke out in the large hall as the formation collapsed. It was then that she turned to look at Ren, the strange domino mask having materialized once more on his face.
"Arsene!" He called out, his voice cutting through the noise.
The winged pillager materialized from the shadows, lunging at the last guard blocking their path and knocking the heavy suit of armor aside with a sweep of its black wings.
Before Shiho could try to put up more of a fight, she saw Ren sprinting toward her. He grabbed her arm tight, nearly jerking her off her feet as he pulled her toward the exit.
"Run!"
She was glad he did. When she glanced back over her shoulder, the scene was a nightmare. The knights that had surrounded them were convulsing and exploding, their armor bursting apart to reveal a horde of writhing, grotesque shadows that began to screech and give chase.
They burst through the castle doors, expecting the monsters to follow, yet none of them dared to cross the threshold. They clawed at the air but refused to leave the castle grounds.
Taking the chance, the two of them pushed themselves to run, their breath tearing at their lungs, running until the castle was far behind them in the fog. Suddenly, the sensation hit. The world warped, spinning violently around them, twisting like wet paint. The ground vanished, replaced by a sickening drop, until they crashed down hard onto the cold concrete of the real world.
The two of them took a moment to catch their breath on the ground before sitting up. The sky was dark now, which meant the hours they had spent there had also passed in here.
"Well…" Amamiya finally spoke up, dusting off his pants. "That was a blast. Wanna do it again next Tuesday?"
Shiho let out a tired, breathy chuckle when she heard him, shaking her head with a smile. She wasn't sure how he managed to keep such a bright attitude after what'd happened.
"I don't know, I'll have to check my schedule." She answered, finding it surprisingly easy to match his playful tone.
After awakening Circe, the crushing weight that had been sitting on her chest for months felt... gone. Her heart felt lighter. It wasn't something she knew exactly how to describe, but the world didn't look as terrifying anymore. She felt confident. She felt free.
Yet, the moment that thought crossed her mind, a wave of physical exhaustion crashed into her.
"I don't know about you…" She muttered, forcing her wobbling legs to cooperate. She offered a hand to Ren to help him up. "But I am about to collapse."
Taking her hand, Ren hauled himself up and let out a dry laugh.
"Can't relate." He lied smoothly, immediately followed by a massive yawn that nearly cracked his jaw. "I feel like I could run a marathon."
His already messy, frizzy hair looked more disheveled than ever, sticking up in every direction. But still, he managed to flash her a crooked grin as he adjusted his glasses, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask a million questions about the monsters, the powers, and the castle. But before she could get the words out, Ren checked his phone and winced.
"We need to go. I'm sure your parents are worried about you. And well, there's a solid chance Sojiro already called the police on me. I'm... well, I'm on a pretty tight leash right now."
Police?
Ah, that was right. Didn't the rumors say he was on probation? A transfer student with a criminal record. Looking at him now, tired and dusty, he didn't look much like a criminal.
"Here, give me your number." Ren added, quickly unlocking his phone. "I know we'll see each other at school tomorrow to talk about... all this. But I might need to call you when I get to Leblanc. I need proof I wasn't out there robbing banks or something. I'll come up with a halfway decent excuse on the train."
Then, just as quickly as they'd exchanged numbers, Ren gave her a quick wave and dashed off toward the station, disappearing into the night.
— –Ren Amamiya– —
Just as he'd expected, the moment the bell above the door chimed, he was greeted by the angriest version of Sojiro he'd seen yet.
"Where the hell were you, kid!?" Sojiro shouted, slamming his palm against the counter. The sound echoed in the empty shop. "With all the news about the psychotic breakdown incidents lately, do you have any idea what was going through my head?"
For a second, Sojiro looked ready to come around the counter and drag him by the ear. But then he stopped. He seemed to notice Ren's haggard state, the mess of his hair, the dust on his clothes, the sheer exhaustion in his posture. Sojiro let out a long, heavy sigh, lifting his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose.
Without another word, he jabbed a finger toward one of the booths, silently ordering him to sit. Ren obeyed without a peep, sliding into the seat.
Sojiro sat across from him, staring him down for a few agonizing seconds before speaking again, his voice lower but no less stern.
"Just a while back, there was a report on the news. A fifteen-year-old girl died in a car accident. That's around your age. So you can understand why I was pacing a hole in the floor. I can't have the kid I'm supposed to be watching die on his third day here. Bad for business, and bad for my conscience."
He paused, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses, challenging him.
"Alright, spill it. Tell me exactly what happened. And don't bother lying, I'll know."
Ren met his gaze, then rubbed the back of his head, putting on a tired, sheepish smile. He needed to sell this.
"Well… there was this girl in my class…" He began, trailing off intentionally.
"Of course." Sojiro let out a groan, planting his face in his palm.
"There've been some robberies around her neighborhood lately." Ren continued . "She was scared to walk alone, so she asked if I could walk her home."
"Why the hell would she ask you of all people?" Sojiro shot back, sounding annoyed. But underneath the irritation… was that a hint of pride? No, Ren was probably just hearing things.
"Word got around school that I have a criminal record." Ren explained with a self-deprecating shrug. "People think I'm some kind of tough guy. She figured I could scare off anyone who tried to mess with her. I mean… even a fake tough guy is better than nothing, right?"
Sojiro finally lowered his hand, scrutinizing Ren's messy appearance. He looked at the scuffs on Ren's pants.
"Let me guess…" Sojiro trailed off.
"Yeah." Ren nodded, looking down at his hands. "She was right. Someone actually tried to corner us."
Sojiro stiffened.
"And?"
"He wasn't prepared for someone to actually stand their ground." Ren lied smoothly. "I didn't do anything crazy, just… made it clear we weren't easy targets. He ran off after a minute."
Sojiro stared at him for a long, quiet moment, searching for cracks in the story.
"Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"Well… I have her number now. If you really want, I could call her right now so you can confirm. Might be a little awkward since I just dropped her off, but…" Ren pulled out his phone, unlocking it to show the text chain he'd manufactured on the train ride back.
The most recent message from 'Shiho' read: Thanks again for walking me home. You really saved me back there.
A brief, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Sojiro's mouth as he read the screen, but he crushed it instantly with a frown.
"So, you were off playing bodyguard for a girl and didn't think to pick up the phone and tell me you'd be late?"
"I'm sorry." Ren lowered his head, feigning regret. "It won't happen again."
Sojiro stood up, adjusting his glasses.
"What was I thinking, taking in a hormonal teenager?" He grumbled under his breath, shaking his head. He walked toward the door, pausing with his hand on the latch to issue one last warning. "Next time you're late without a heads-up, I'm calling the cops myself. Lock up when you're done."
The door chimed as it closed behind him, leaving Ren alone in the silence of the café.
"Turns out he's nicer than I thought." Ren muttered to himself, a genuine smile finally breaking through his exhaustion.
He had honestly expected a severe punishment, maybe getting kicked out. But all he got was a lecture. Even then, he could tell Sojiro was fighting back a smirk when he left. Ren grabbed his bag, cleaned up, and headed up the stairs to the attic. He needed sleep, desperately.
(Shiho Phantom Thief Outfit)
(Circe)