Mei lifts her head out over the palisade- at the dozens of Fenrimorph corpses spread at the entrance. Her snout wiggles in distaste at the smell, for much of it has started going rancid. She wishes she can clean the mess, or at least smother it in alcohol. But alas, it is this smell which protects them from being found.

  A temporary measure, for the smell will eventually fade away. And when it does, the monsters will sniff them out.

  “[Major]. Someone is coming.”

  She hears one of her [Guards] warn. So Mei turns, her eyes bulging under her armored mask at the sight of Yuto.

  “Stay vigilant,” She orders the [Guards] and leaves the palisade.

  “Jiro, I thought you’d told me your brother should be aboard the ship.”

  Jiro grins. “He was.”

  ___________________________________________________

  The first thing I notice about Mei is her adorned, handcrafted mask that shows some similarities to a Fenrimorph. It has small horns atop the mask and four red circles near the eyes- none of which is useful in combat, but it does create something of a dangerous aesthetic.

  “Jiro, I thought you’d told me your brother should be aboard the ship.” The woman exclaims, completely ignoring my presence on Yutos’ shoulder.

  “He was.” Jiro answers. Then nods his head to his brother.

  “[Major] Mei.” Yuto bows. “I have returned to offer salvation off this island.”

  The female wolven removes her mask to reveal a scowl. “And how will you do that?”

  “I have a plan, Honored Mei. A Good plan.”

  Jiro winces as Mei’s scowl deepens.

  “Your plan endangers those I am responsible to protect!” She growls and spreads her hands. “Other than having the inquisition at your back, what plan do you believe will allow everyone to escape with our lives?”

  “Dayum,” I can’t help but voice aloud. “Are you normally this much of a bitch or is the stress just getting to you?”

  And like that, her anger shifts to another. Though, that anger is slowly being replaced with confusion. “A [Captain]?”

  “A cat [Captain],” I correct. “And you’ve yet to answer my question.”

  “Mei,” Jiro quickly interrupts. “Yuto and honored Quasi have come with an effective plan to escape and the support of many [Elite Guards] to make such a plan possible.”

  Mei returns her scowl, shifting it back to Yuto. “And what plan is that?”

  Yuto bows. “Your uncle Hekima is positioning the past the rice fields. If we traverse the wetland, we can escape before the Alpha can effectively respond.”

  “And how will we safely get to the fields? The moment even a single Fenrimorph sees us, we will be swarmed.”

  “Through the tunnel leading to the fields.” Yuto explains.

  Mei frowns, her head shifts to Jiro. “You told me the tunnels lead into the city.”

  Jiro scratches the side of his head. “One of them also leads to the rice paddies.”

  “There are dozens of tunnels. Do you know which one?” She asks.

  When the brothers are unable to answer, it becomes quite clear to me why her first impression is to be annoyed.

  She sighs. “Rest and recover. I’ll open the tunnels and send someone to ascertain the correct one. Then we’ll prepare and depart.”

  Yuto and Jiro bow while Mei shifts her focus to me. “As for you, if you insult me again, I will end your dishonorable life.”

  I can’t help but chuckle. “End me? Oh please, I could easily sla-.” Yutos’ hand smothers my mouth. “Honorable Quasi is exhausted from his battle against Elder Ning.” He says quickly. “His thoughts are muddled. Please forgive him for his dishonorable words. They are not born from malice.”

  She glares at me with disdain, not at all believing Yutos’ words, but decides against aggravating the situation. “Yuto, go rest and take the [Druid] with you. Jiro, lead me to the [Elite Guards]. I will have to incorporate them into a proper defensive formation.”

  _________________________________________________________

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Once far enough from the [Major], Yuto removes his hand from my mouth.

  “Honorable Quasi, please do not aggravate her. Mei has a temper only Akio could hope to suppress. And now, with his death, I imagine it is far more easily flared.”

  “I can suppress her anger real easily. I’d barely need to lift a paw.” I grumble. “How does someone like that become the leader of the [Guards]?”

  Yuto sighs. “Skill, levels, and hard work. She is fair and honorable in her dealings with others, but will not accept anyone to belittle her in the slightest.”

  “Sounds like she’s got far too much pride.”

  Yuto raises an eyebrow as he continues walking. “And you don’t?”

  “Hey, my pride is justifiable. Hers is much less so. By the way, where are we going?”

  Yuto shakes his head at my words, though there is a smirk. He turns a corner to reveal a candlelit cavern, a large carpet, and the tower's entrance. Incense wafts through the room as a dozen wolven are in the midst of prayer. The smoke is prevalent, but not so much as to be annoying.

  “You mentioned you wish to enter the tower.” Yuto explains. “With the need to find the entrance, we are afforded additional time. Will you return soon enough before we depart?”

  “Depends on what I find inside.” I say. I glance up at the plague.

  Here lies the test of the Priestess.

  Through Intelligence you will choose the correct path.

  Through Perception you will find the outliers.

  Through Vitality you will gain wisdom.

  “This might actually be quick.”

  Yuto nods. “Do you want me to ask everyone here to leave?” He asks.

  When I look at the wolven, each and every single one of them is in deep prayer, all with their backs to us.

  “No need. Just inform my team that I’m inside.”

  With but a thought, my form shifts into a bird. I ascend into the sky and dive into the tower at a speed few would notice.

  ______________________________________________________________

  Yuto watches Quasi dive inside, a feat he’d thought impossible. Some of the praying Wolven do notice their movement, but quickly decide it as a trick of the mind. After a good minute of staring, Yuto turns around and returns to the others.

  Upon his arrival, he finds that the reorganization is fully underway. Mei is already giving orders to the [Elite Guards] while Jiro is conversing with Quasi’s team. Yuto approaches his brother.

  “Quasi has chosen to rest at the tower,” He informs them on approach. “He says it might not take too long.”

  Quasi’s crew nod knowingly at his words, though his brother grows curious. “At the tower? Is he praying?”

  “In a way, yes. But that's not important right now. I wish to speak to you about Elder Ning.” Yuto starts.

  “I just heard the full story from the [Air Mage],” Jiro says. “It seems as though Steel Fur

  “Eight horns. I believe the larger bulk is thickening his fur and improving his skill,” Yuto says. He taps his sheathed katana. “I’m not sure if my blade will be adequate.”

  Jiro shakes his head. “It won’t. I couldn’t end him with my sword when he was at two horns. But, now that you’re here, I may have a solution. Follow for a moment..”

  Yuto follows Jiro for a minute to the entrance of a small storage room. “Wait outside.”

  Jiro enters. He returns shortly after with something that has Yuto’s eyes wide open. With a grin, Jiro extends the Odachi to his brother.

  Hesitantly, Yuto accepts the larger weapon.

  “After my fight with Elder Ning, I traveled to his residence and found still sheathed next to a barrel of sake. I believe Ning was heavily intoxicated when a Fenrimorph attacked.” Jiro explains.

  Yuto frowns sadly. “His inability to accept his past is what led him to this.” He unsheathes the Odachi and stares at the fourteen runes etched onto the blade. The metal glints from the firelight for a moment before Yuto sheathes the blade into the thick metal scabbard.

  “You will need to wield it against Ning.”

  “Me? Not you?”

  Jiro chuckles. He wiggles the remains of his elbow. “Not with a single arm. And before you say Mei, she doesn't have an activatable skill to fully utilize Ning’s blade.”

  Yuto runs a claw down the metal scabbard, enjoying the feel of the scratched metal. It is a weapon made to not only cut flesh, but of metal. It is, Yuto admits, morbidly funny that Ning carries a weapon capable of ending his own life.

  Yuto bows. “I accept the responsibility. If Ning shows up on our escape, I will make sure his end is swift.”

  “Good.” Jiro nods. “Ning would want that.” The wolven man shifts his weight to the side and leans next to a barrel. “Since we have time, do you mind telling me more about Quasi?”

  “Why?” Yuto asks nervously.

  Jino sighs and points at Yutos’ bristled tail. “Because everytime you’re trying to keep a secret from me, your tail bristles. The same thing happened when you spoke of Quasi praying. There is clearly something you’re not telling me.”

  Yuto frowns. He can feel the expectant gaze of his brother and the want for information. But he shakes his head.

  “I have sworn to secrecy.”

  “So there is something.” Jino frowns. “Mei’s intuition is always impressive.”

  “It’s not something dishonorable,” Yuto quickly adds.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I- um, maybe?”

  Jino sighs. “You are too trusting.”

  “He offered to explain, but I refused. I did not want the distraction.” Yuto explains, but that only has Jino frowning further.

  “Tell me.”

  “I swore.”

  Jino takes a breath and releases it.

  “Yuto, as the eldest brother and acting head of the Yamamoto clan on Kyoshi, I order you to tell me what you are keeping secret.”

  “B-but that's not fair. That’s dishonorable!”

  “Then let the dishonor fall upon the Yamamoto clan as a whole. If there is truly no dishonor, then a greater debt will be provided to Quasi.”

  Yuto growls at his brother in anger, but Jino does not even flinch. He merely waits until the eventuality.

  “Fine. Do you remember the rumors about individuals entering the towers?”

  “They are just rumors.” Jino answers, but Yuto is already shaking his head.

  “They are not.” Yuto counters angrily. “Quasi transformed into a bird and entered inside.”

  Jinos eyes widened. “Are you sure?”

  Yuto nods. “I saw it myself.”

  “For what reason? What is inside? Is he speaking with the divine?” Jino asks.

  “I don’t know and I refused to ask. I only asked that what he does inside is not dishonorable.”

  “Idiot! Why? There are countless theories of what can be found within. How are you not interested?”

  “Because I do not need such thoughts plaguing my mind. Not until those I care about are free from danger,” He growls.

  Jino quickly goes silent at his younger brother's words. Only now remembering he’d forced him to break his oath and thus dishonor himself.

  “Keep quiet about this until we are off the island.” He orders his brother. “If we survive and Quasi is determined to have acted in honor, I will make sure he is exceptionally awarded.”

  Yuto shakes his head, turns, and then begins walking away.

  “What is the point of one's honor if the head of a clan can step on it on a whim.”