Bestia Custos Episode 12: The Festival of the Hunt - Part 4

      As you have requested, my captain, this is the first of many messages to inform you of the plans of the bandit Genkaku. To avoid revealing my identity among his cohorts, I shall narrate the events that have transpired so as to not reveal my identity, should this message be intercepted and the hex on it removed. I must start by commending your predictions, captain. Genkaku's theft of the dragon scroll did indeed draw out the Monster Without a Name. He also has taken to referring to himself as Agrond as well, more proof that Ghast has indeed been destroyed and liberating what was left of the great dragon's essence. Now that his child has taken back what is his, this new Agrond will certainly follow in his father's footsteps and attempt to reunite with the dragon clan. However, it does seem to be a peculiar thing that he is accompanied by Genkaku's sister, Takai. Her loyalty to him seems fierce, and should the monster and this fox retrieve the scroll, it will make for a solid foundation of trust between the dragons and foxes. But, the vixen is not the only one in his party who is of interest. There is a human female with a particular odor about her, one that burns the senses and radiates caution. I've yet to understand this sensation or why she is among the monster's ranks, but there is something... old about her. Finally, I am most excited to report that what you desire most has come to past. He has returned! He came with the monster and the human woman. The Black Heart flourishes inside him as he demonstrated its power to intimidate Genkaku and the rest of us. Genkaku and the others lack the ability to sense the Black Heart and are left unaware of what they face. All this, and yet, there is but one more piece of excellent news. A female black ram is among them! Even Genkaku is highly interested in her as I'm sure he is aware of the tales about such rare creatures. I eagerly await your response as to how to proceed forward! Until then, I shall keep a watchful eye on both parties.

- Bandit

     Your response was quick and appreciated, captain. You must be close indeed to have sent a reply in mere hours. I admit that your criticism of my previous message pains me, I will confess that I have simply become excited to see your desires finally begin to fall into your grasp! I will endeavor to slow the pace of my messages, however.

      To confirm and alleviate your concerns, allow me to ensure you that I am well aware of what you wish me to do. I will convince Genkaku that the best way to begin the Festival of the Hunt will be for all of us to split up and leave Yashima alone with the monster's party so that he may use his anima to separate them from one another. I certainly see why this will benefit Gankaku and his minions, as they will be able to challenge the monster's party one at a time, but I fail to see how it benefits us. Do not doubt that I have faith in your plan, captain. I will do as you ask without fail.

      If I may express but one more concern, though. You wish that I stay as far away from the black ram as possible, but is she not just as valuable to you as the wolf? To think that you would so casually ignore such a ripe opportunity is perplexing. What if the stories are true and Gankaku or the monster were able to convince her to join either of them? Such a thing would prove disastrous.

      Again, I do not mean disrespect, and I will have faith in my captain's plan, but I take my role as both your agent seriously. I only have the best intentions for the welfare of my captain and his family.

      The festival begin tomorrow at dawn and Genkaku is clearly planning something without telling us. Baal has taken the monster and his party away to speak with in private, so there is no doubt that the Zodiac Ministry has their own plots in mind. I shall report again tomorrow when the deed is done, captain.

-Bandit

     I hope this message finds you quickly, captain. I have done as you asked and shall report on those events. It was easy to convince Genkaku to separate and allow Yashima to use his anima against the monster and his allies. At dawn, both parties met in a field surround by the great forest outside of Pandemonium. Genkaku preached of his assured victory while his sister Takai pleaded once again for him to simply hand over the scroll. To which Genkaku responded with, “If you want the scroll so badly, then come and get it.” This was Yashima's cue to throw the scroll to Genkaku and for the rest of us to scatter in separate directions into the forest.

      The dragon's party panicked at this and almost gave chase, but the human female was quick to stop them and advise them of the ruse that was pulled. She was also noted that Yashima was left alone with them and suggested they work together to defeat him and gain answers through interrogation.

      But this too was part of the plan that you had crafted yourself, captain, and it worked perfectly if not for one setback. Yashima did as instructed and his anima burned off of him in fiery waves. Thrusting his staff into the ground, a violent force began to lift the dragon's party above the ground. Except for two of them, the wolf and the black ram. The ram used some kind of instrument to play a series of sounds that commanded the ground to envelop her and hold her in place. The wolf undoubtedly used the Black Heart is such a subtle way as to ground himself without it being apparent. The monster, human female, and the vixen were sent sailing through the air away from their comrades deep into the forest as they shouted in dismay to one another.

      Though the plan worked for the most part, the rage on the wolf's face made it quite apparent that Yashima would have quite the difficult time ensuring the wolf was left alone as well. To make matters worse, the ram seemed intent on making sure that didn't happen.