The bird pushed it's head into her hand. The creature seemed full of emotion, but whether it was love, sadness, or possibly both, was unclear. After it recieved her reply it lifted it's head and spread it's wings. Starting at the tips of it's feathers, the bird began to deteriorate into tatters. Slowly but surely it was gnawed at by the very air around them, and yet it's face was full of peace and fulfillment. The last part of it to go was it's eyes. Instead of deteriorating, the eyes blinked themselves closed and out of sight.
The moment the bird completely disappeared, a glowing ring of energy was released from where it stood. The ring pulsed like an enormous water ripple, spreading through Yuuki, the men in the room behind her, and all of the clan within it's wide proximity. Only those with magic could have felt the ring, the last of Apollo's essence, bid the world farewell before it was gone.
As the energy had brushed over him like a strong breeze, Korosu had looked up in surprise. His eyes seemed to drift off into a deep realization.
Crafter had felt the same wave of magical energy, but noticed it at a much lesser degree. He turned head, acknowledging what Korosu had shared about the beast. While he certainly didn't recognize the user's aura, he caught himself noticing the slight change the demon bore.
Instead of bothering the hunter further, Takuto walked towards his chair that had been completely knocked over by the chaotic mishap of a bird. After standing it upright, he took a seat.
"Hey... Until anyone else shows up, you might want to get any and all sleep you're possibly able. It's about to get more than hectic."
A bit of advice accompanying the warning, as he searching the countertop for his parchment, finding it instead on the floor. He could only read for a moment, however, before taking note of the growing volume of yells coming from the assembly. No doubt plenty had felt the ripple of energy sweep over them, causing concern to grow among the clansmen.
With a sigh, he stood again and checked outside the door, pausing for a moment before nodding to himself and coming back inside.
"If you need anything, let me know. Before we get caught in a storm."
He mumbled, rubbing his temples as he let out another irritated sigh.
"Yuuka's right outside for any medicine or whatever."
Ignoring everything Takuto had said, Korosu sat up and whispered to him urgently.
"Listen to me. I know who that bird belonged to. It wasn't Maware." The demon eyed the door before leaning in closer to him and speaking more carefully.
"It was Apollo's, the leader of Maelstromclan. A clan to the west of here. A rival clan, known for it's violence. I also know that Bell Ringers only approach those that they were sent to. What is Yuuka doing getting a message as urgent as this from a rival clan leader? In times like these no less?" He asked in suspicion, eyes narrowing.
Takuto's face remained unchanged, still mildly annoyed as Korosu listed off his suspicions to the crafter.
"Maelstromclan? Although Yuuka has been known to visit Lunarisclan on occasion, she has yet to leave clan territory."
The master craftsman refuted, leaning himself against the wall as he continued.
"She's actually quite close to a number of elders in our sister clan. Mostly, the other menders. For all we know, it could be one of them sending her their last goodbyes."
Although Takuto was stern, he didn't quite believe his own story. Yuuka had always been... odd. But scheming? She was born in the clan; acknowledged by the Goddess herself. Accusations could not be made foolishly.
"Can you prove that the energy had been from the western clan's leader?"
Takuto defended, straightening himself from leaning against the wall.
"But proof is necessary both for and against her case."
A simple statement, said matter-of-factly.
"Say, you're correct, and it is the clan leader's aura. If he's found dead, which is what the Bell Ringer warns of, what then? What is there to gain from announcing her compliance to him, even if she's a part of a larger operation at hand? Which would... make sense... hm."
Takuto drifted off into thought, recalling the events Korosu had been conveniently absent for.
With yet another annoyed sigh, Takuto considered the demondevil's request. Had he noticed even the slightest bit of malice from the other, he'd have delayed their meeting. However, the hunter still needed a statement witnessing Maware's demise. There wasn't much the Master Craftsman could do in the situation than confess what he knew.
Breaking eye contact, Takuto glanced at the other's stub before slowly nodding.
"She planned to return here after the assembly, so hang tight."
...The reaction of the crowd was something to behold. Just as the initial reactions and opposition of Yomi's course of action mellowed into acceptance, a wave of unknown energy swept over her clanmates.
And what a fucking headache that was.
A singular knock echoed from the treehome's door before Yomi promptly entered the abode. Scanning the semi-chaotic state of the space, she skipped over Takuto's attempts at cleaning the space and walked over to the patient. When he finally glanced up at the leader, she said nothing but waved him out of the room.
When it was clear that the two were alone, the leader crossed her arms and tapped a finger along her bicep. Wine colored irises focused on the demon, ready for his testimony.
"Korosu. Your time in our clan has been brief-- but your assistance is essential. By all means, explain your account of events taking place the final night of our summer festivities."
Taking in and letting out a long exhale, Korosu sat back against the headboard. His eyes were low as he slowly recalled everything.
"I remember...getting some food from Lavon. Afterwards, I waited for Maware to finish his tournament round before telling him I needed to show him something near the border. I remember he couldn't hear me very well. " Korosu scoffed a little, seeming to enjoy his small memory of the lost deputy.
"I then took him to where I had found Avinus growing earlier. I wasn't planning on telling him during the festivites but my concerns overtook me and I felt the need to. We were nearly there, and...That's where my memory fails me, I'm afraid. I woke up here."
Finger continued to tap throughout his explanation of events, only stopping as he did.
"What you're saying advocates our suspicions of foul play."
Rather than an accusation, it was the leader's vocal understanding to the conclusion of his events. Her features were agitated, but her tone remained neutral as she spoke.
"By the goddess's grace, you're still with us to confirm this information.
How long ago was the Avinus trap found before you brought it to Maware's attention? And was anything else out of place before you approached the trap?"
"I would absolutely agree." Korosu said towards her statement about foul play.
"I found it earlier that day, ma'am. I'm sorry, it was dark that night and I didn't notice anything unusual."
He looked away from her, face pained in grief and shame. "I should have waited until morning, when we could have watched our steps better. I fear this is all my fault..."
"Blaming yourself is foolish; you only carried out your duty. If the Deputy had taken your concern seriously and was diligent in his investigation, neither of you would've been harmed."
Her tone was harsh, but she made it clear where her blame lied. The leader dropped her arms at her sides, finalizing her thoughts.
"Not that there's any use bashing a dead man. Thank you for sharing your account; if you recall anything further of significance, inform either Takuto or myself."
She took a step back, but immediately recalled another point to add.
"Ah, and if you'd like to see Maware before or during the cremation, a mender will be assigned accompany you. For safety."
