The Dunamis Coup
Track 6
Kyrie looks up and down, appraising my new suit with a gleam in her eyes. “I'm surprised. Dreck like you can actually look pretty good cleaned up. I might even upgrade you to the status of a flea. I should thank Butterfield for his tastefulness in clothes.”
Flea? I'm a living organism in her eyes now. Hurray.
The butler had brought me a black coat and pants to go with a white shirt and black tie. It appeared to be the typical outfit for bodyguards working for the ISC's higher ups. With the sunglasses in place, I definitely did not look my age any more. Butterfield had placed a very heavy hand on my shoulders, looking me in the eye, and said, “Lady Kyrie ordered these tailored to your measurements. If you should as much as stain them...” His grip was... terrifying.
“Butterfield, huh?” I cringe inwardly and pull at my collar nervously. I
am expecting something to happen today. I might even get my clothes stained.
“What's the matter?” asks Kyrie.
“No, nothing. When is the Emperor arriving?”
“He should be here any time now.” She checks her watch impatiently. The students are getting restless in the hot sun, waiting for the guest of honour to arrive.
The grounds of the Academy has been cleared to set up a grand stage. The Emperor is arriving to commemorate the founding of the Academy – as an institution in its modern form, it has been around for exactly 500 years today. The past few weeks had seen Kyrie being busy organizing the festival that would accompany today's ceremony and go on for a week after. If I had been part of the student council I would definitely have been dragged along; thankfully, I showed her that I was busy (kind of) with my club activities. Looking at the stalls spread out all over the school, it's clear that the festival is a massive undertaking.
Here, on the stage we were standing on, the Emperor-President of the Imperial Shinar Corporation, ruler of the Neo Shinar Empire, would address both five thousand students and faculty as well as the entire world. Unlike the other nations, the Shinar prides its national culture on knowledge and enterprise. They do have military force sufficient to rival the Higashi and the UNS, but their main prowess is in the creation and trade of ideas and wealth. The only thing that usually attracts more global attention for the ISC would be its annual budget report.
As far as I know, they've announced record earnings year after year, by the way. They've been pretty successful lately.
If Relius tried anything here, it would be shown to the whole world. The existence of those monsters would be known and publicized... and perhaps the cult's secrets together with it. Did they not mind? Keiko tells me they've been unwilling to act against Relius so far... I wonder if they did not care that the world knows about such things. Still, that is something to think about at another time. Today I need to focus on keeping an eye out for either Relius or Julius. The former is scheduled to arrive at the same time the Emperor does, while no one has seen the latter since he abandoned his laboratory.
“There he is!” says Kyrie excitedly, looking behind me. I turn around. The Emperor is here. Iannes Sargone de Shinar, the... well, I don't remember how many Emperors there have been exactly – only the most devoted historians that spend their entire life studying the extensively complicated genealogy of the Imperial family do – but he's the current one. He is tall, well-built and grey-haired, with a dignified moustache adorning his lips. Although he wears a similar black coat to mine, it is lined at the edges with gold thread, with the Imperial crest of a stylized sword pinned to his lapel. A ceremonial sword hangs from his waist. Behind him walked a row of serious looking men and women in similar outfits. Those must be some of the directors. Relius is among them, though he doesn't seem to notice me.
Kyrie runs past me with a scream of “Papa!”
Papa? I could recall that she once said that she knew etiquette around her father and the higher ups of the company.
“Kiki!” laughed the Emperor, as they hug. He swings her around like a father playing with his daughter – well, they
are that, but aren't they a bit too old for this? “You've grown!”
Kiki, huh. I should remember that. Behind the father-daughter idiot combo, the directors looked perturbed, a scowl on their faces. I can just about read their minds: “How undignified.” Sure enough, one of the older men muttered those words quietly. Relius is the only one watching on with a grin.
“Oh!” gasps Kyrie. “I forget myself, Papa.” She unlatches from him and gives a curtsey. “Welcome to the Academy, Your Majesty, m'lords Directors of the Corporation.”
“Don't worry about it, Kiki.” grinned Emperor Iannes cheerfully. “Your mother isn't here right now. There's no need to stand on ceremony. The old chaps won't mind, right?” He shoots a smile at the directors, who return the smile and affirm their lack of minding awkwardly.
“Of course we won't, Your Majesty. Why, Her Highness's exuberance brightens all our hearts!” said one of them.
That was Relius. Obviously.
The Emperor nods at him. “That's a good lad. Now, let's see... hm, who's the boy over here?” His eyes had spotted me.
“Oh, him? Hm. He's just another servant of mine, Papa.” sniffs Kyrie dismissively. “H-his name is Senya.”
The Emperor's eyes twinkle. “Senya? I see.” he says. “I will have a quick talk with him. He is also a student here, is he not?”
“Yes, but you don't need to-” Although Kyrie doesn't seem to be enthused by the idea, the Emperor shuts her up by patting her head. “Don't worry about it, Kiki, I won't eat him up!”
Then he comes for me. The Emperor takes me aside, some ways away from the others. I can see Relius giving me a dirty glare.
“So, Senya. Hoshikawa Senya. I have heard of you.” His cheerful face has turned serious, his voice low.
“At your service, your Majesty.” I do not keep eye contact with him, instead opting to look at his very distinguished and well-groomed moustache.
“How far have you gotten with my daughter?”
“W-what... no, your Majesty, I would never think of-”
He shakes his head and puts both his hands on my shoulders. Am I done for?
“That... will not do. That will not do at all!” he hisses, towering over me. “Are all young people nowadays gutless?”
I stare at him, blinking in surprise.
“Look, lad, I know my daughter. She's just shy.”
“I don't think Kyrie can be considered shy by any reasonable standards.”
“Kyrie, is it? Not Her Highness?” grins the Emperor.
“Uh...”
“Worry not.” His hands grip my shoulders even more tightly, giving me more cause to worry. “A dalliance here and there is a good thing for any young person to experience. Even the heartbreak that follows is a good learning experience. I should know. Live and love as you wish.”
I didn't expect to hear such words coming from him.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I really have no such relationship with your daughter.”
“Hm.” He sniffs. In this aspect he seems to be just like Kyrie. “If you say so. But I ask of you to take care of her even as a friend. She needs some, stubborn, bull-headed girl that she is.” I remember Kyrie, sitting alone in the student council room, and nod. Emperor Iannes seems pleased.
“There's a good lad.” He pats my shoulders and brings me back to Kyrie, who is looking a bit concerned. “What did you speak about with him, Papa?”
“Just about his good job in analyzing that Indus data for us. Our men have made some pretty good use of his recommendations.” laughs the Emperor as he slaps me on the back. It looks like he is aware of that. I should probably not underestimate him despite his easy-going demeanour. Kyrie heaves a sigh of relief. His next words cause a fit of spluttering amongst the directors. “In fact, he's so promising I should marry you to him, eh? Leave the empire in good hands.”
One of the oldest ones, some decrepit old lady, faints. The others have faces that are almost purple with bewilderment and anger. I can feel Relius's white hot glare of hatred bore into me. You're really something, old man – your joke isn't going to make my life any easier. I can't help but applaud him in my mind. If he's looking to troll his directors, he's certainly succeeded.
“Live a little,” grins the Emperor again, twirling his moustache. “Can't you take a joke? I certainly wouldn't marry my precious daughter away to some common boy. She's too young. Now, about that speech...” He swiftly changes the subject and his staff follow gratefully, still unsure whether he was being serious. As he walks away, preparing to go on stage for his speech, Kyrie comes up to me.
“So that's your father.” I remark. “I'm not sure what to say about him.”
“I'm not going to let any harm come to my father.”
“Well, we better stay alert to protect your precious Papa then... Kiki.”
I earn a well-deserved stamp on my toes for that remark.
***
track: executioner
The ceremony is in full swing – I could see journalists with their cameras all over the grounds. Kyrie's father had taken the stage a while ago for his speech.
“... my speechwriter told me to say this: young people are the future...”
I keep an intent eye out for any disturbances. Kyrie is sitting along with the other directors at the back of the stage. Since Butterfield is with her, I decided to take a walk around. Security is on extremely high alert, no thanks to the Emperor's presence, but it's still better to be safe than sorry.
“...I say, our youth aren't the future, but...”
There is a roar from the student body. I couldn't make out what the Emperor had said afterwards to elicit that reaction. Some boy screams “FUCK YEAH!” from the middle of the crowd. I look around again. Still nothing.
“...four thousand years of history? That is only because...”
The speech continued.
Then, I hear another scream, but this one fearful. Did Relius play his hand after all? It came from the far side of the grounds, where the entrance to the Academy is located. Most of the stalls were set up there, and I can't see past all the tents and awnings. A while later, there is a second, and a third, and soon they formed a chorus of desperate cries and primal screams. This is definitely it. I bring out my phone to call Kyrie, but it is already ringing. I answer it.
“Senya! They're here!” She must've gotten news from the police guarding the area faster than I could. “I've started the evacuation plan! Get back here!”
I know what she means – it's time to grab Relius.
“Do not panic...” It sounds like the contents of the Emperor's speech has changed. He is now exhorting all the students to line up and head for the school building neatly. Looks like he's playing along with our plan, even though he doesn't need to. I dash back towards the stage. I haven't been idle in the past two months; I'm confident I can match any average kid my age in physical ability now.
The screams are getting closer. I turn to look behind me, just in time to see a dozen shambling monsters burst past the stalls. Despite the briefing and samples shown, most of the police were not mentally prepared to handle the real thing. They must've panicked, allowing the creatures to breach their line. I can see some red staining the bodies of the monsters... already there were casualties.
Suddenly, there are screams coming ahead of me. I hear a familiar howl. It looks like Julius hadn't sent his pets from just one direction. I quicken my pace, attempting to get to the stage as soon as possible.
My feet stop.
The Dunamis private security group are already on the scene. On the stage, Relius is trying to shelter the Emperor with his body, though the Emperor looks more irritated than grateful. Though I knew Erika and the man I encountered were sword users, it looks like they employed a variety of weapons in real combat. Some of them wielded spears, others axes. There were also plenty with pistols and submachine guns in their hands. With blinding speed and the utmost grace, the Dunamis swept across the grounds, slaughtering the creatures with ease. They were all, to the last man or woman, white-haired. It must run in the clan.
I make my way around the edges of the battle – no point getting stuck in there now that someone else is taking care of the monsters – and find Kyrie, who is being restrained by Butterfield safely at the back of the stage.
“What's with the hold?” I gestured.
“Senya, how's my father? Papa didn't want to leave until all the students were evacuated! Did you see him?”
I nodded. “He's fine. Relius is with him, though.”
“What? Let's go get him right now before he does anything else!” shouts Kyrie. She's not particularly calm right now, and I don't blame her. It's her first time seeing the monsters in action.
“Butterfield, may we proceed to meet the Emperor? I think Lady Kyrie will not calm down until we do.” I ask politely. The old butler looks at Kyrie for a while, and then nods. He keeps his hand on her shoulder though, holding her in place. “We will go, but... my lady, if anything dangerous happens, my duty is to escort you from the premises in safety.” She nods, a grim look on her face.
“Kyrie,” I begin. “Relius hired the Dunamis, and unleashed the monsters. He probably plans to be a hero and impress your father. I don't think the Emperor is in any harm.” She doesn't reply, but bites down hard on her lip, still looking worried. We climb up onto the stage from the back. The Emperor, Relius and some of the directors are still there, along with perhaps a dozen ISC bodyguards. It looks like the Dunamis have successfully killed all of the monsters in the area. There were a few brave camera crews still lingering around, the reporters rushing around to cover the aftermath. This attack would go down in infamy.
Relius walks towards one of the Dunamis mercenaries. He had long, silver hair tied into a ponytail and delicate features. By his side hung a curved Higashi sword, its scabbard covered with ornate decorations. He was dressed in black kevlar, as is the rest of his companions. They whisper something to each other, and Relius turns to the Emperor, a bright smile on his face.
“Your Majesty, may I introduce my loyal subordinates-”
He does not finish his sentence, as his head drops off his body neatly and rolls to a stop at Iannes's feet. The young man he had spoken to flicks his sword-arm. The blood – Relius's blood – slides off his curved sword neatly, and he sheathes it with one fluid movement. There are screams as the directors panic. Kyrie grips my arm tightly, almost painfully. Emperor Iannes hasn't moved yet, his eyes glaring straight at the man, refusing to be intimidated.
The ISC bodyguards spring into action, bringing up their guns against the young man, but one by one they sink to the floor, giving off a death rattle as spears and arrows appear to sprout from their bodies as if by magic. Without realizing it, they had been surrounded by the Dunamis... and so were we; two white-haired men stood before me. One of them sniffs the air and widens his eyes. He must have detected my nature. The Dunamis swordsman turns to the young man who had killed Relius, as if to say something, but the young man shakes his head with a dismissive glance at me. “Later. The monster can die together with the princess.”
The young man walks in front of the Emperor and gives him a mocking bow, before turning to face the grounds.
“It is time. Hear my words.” His voice is icy and calm, thinking nothing of having just murdered a man. The cameras, eager for more news, turn to him. The entire academy appears to be silent, awaiting his next words.
“The Neo Shinar Empire is ruled by the Imperial family. They claim to have a birthright inherited from that of the First Emperor in one unbroken line.” The young man turns and casts a contemptuous glare at the Emperor and then Kyrie, before turning back to the cameras. “That may be true. But if blood is birthright... then their blood is diluted and weak. You may think – all of you out there may think that the legends of the First Emperor are just that; legends. Fairy tales. Fanciful adventures. Well, as you have seen...” He points at the grounds with his scabbard, and the cameras turn to follow, sweeping along the area. It is littered with the quickly decomposing corpses of the creatures the Dunamis had slaughtered.
“They are real. The First Emperor is a true god, he fought true monsters... and his power yet lives on... within me.” The young man balls his right hand into a fist, and the Emperor is lifted bodily by an unseen force. Kyrie gasps as she sees it.
“We of the Dunamis clan are the descendants of Ean's Successors. We have inherited his blood. We have inherited his powers. We have inherited his will. None of these have been diluted by time , unlike the impurities that now occupy the throne. Now, we have returned to claim our birthright, as it should be. The Empire is ours to rule.”
“We will not stand for this!” A particularly plucky – or foolhardy director stands up, shouting at the young man. With a bored look on his face, he unclenches his fist. The Emperor drops to the ground, gasping. In the next instant, the director that had spoken out tumbles in front of the man, as if pulled by an invisible hand.
“Will not?” whispers the young man audibly. “Dead men will not do anything.” He raises the director up casually with his supposed powers. If these are special effects, they are extremely convincing. In a flash, his sword is drawn, sliding across his victim's neck in a gentle movement. The older man crumples to the ground, suffering the same fate as that of Relius. ...the blood is too convincing for it to be fake. This is all really happening. I don't want to believe it, but now that yet another person has died... No more wasting time. I begin considering my choices.
“I am Erec Dunamis, and the birthright of the Empire will be mine, whether you fools wish it or not. To demonstrate the gravity of my claim, I will show you how powerless the Imperial Family is before the might of a true descendant of Ean. They will suffer the fate all pretenders should.” So saying, Erec Dunamis points his sword at the Emperor.
He is about to execute the Emperor in front of the entire world. Saying that this would weaken the ISC would be an understatement. Kyrie screams besides me, her nails digging into my clothes. “No! Save him! Please!”
The Emperor turns to look at us, his face suddenly ashen. Forcing a smile, he shakes his head and mouths a single word.
Run.
I grip a vial of the elixir tightly in my hand. The man guarding me would be somewhat aware that I am not entirely human, but he doesn't know what exactly I can do. I cast an eye around for the man that had almost cornered me in Relius's hotel room – and I find him staring at me. He begins to walk towards us.
He would be more aware of my powers, but I have grown since then. I'll have to decide quickly. They've already flagged me as a monster for disposal. If I'm going to try to escape, I might as well do something useful while I'm at it, now that I'm irrevocably wrapped up in this mess.
***
A. I use my powers to break through, causing a distraction. Butterfield will carry Kyrie away the moment he sees a chance, so I will focus on saving the Emperor. I can probably take most of them by surprise if I am fast enough – I'll not be able to kill them all, far from it, but I can still buy time for the Emperor himself to escape. His survival is crucial for the ISC to remain stable.
B. I unleash my powers to retreat with Kyrie. Butterfield may be strong, but even he can't fend off all these Dunamis pricks. The best chance for Butterfield and Kyrie to get away will be if I retreat along with them. It means abandoning the Emperor to his fate, but as long as Kyrie is still alive there is still hope.
1. I drink the elixir.
2. I don't drink the elixir.
END OF RINE
