Belial was drumming his fingers against the table as he waited for Kotetsu to return. He was sure she’d be able to pick up on enough information for them to decide whether to go ahead with plan B or move onto plan C. The others were also out on their own missions and tasks. Mordred was just out to get a sword, from what Belial knew. Myra was gathering info on where Talya Tiko - the first person Kito would doubtless go to - currently was. Andra was scouting their old hideouts just in case they needed to hide out anywhere in particular. He sighed, it was going to happen. It was inevitable. He was actually nervous. Looking down at his hand, Belial saw how tense he was. He did lose his last battle with Kito pretty badly. Yhor’Dheel was a bloodbath for everyone, though Belial felt relatively confident before running into Kito. He had never been sliced to ribbons in an instant before, it was a first. Belial’s fist clenched tightly as he thought about his inevitable clash with Kito. His strength was gone, everyone knew, but no-one else knew just how strong Kito actually was before he lost his strength. Belial did. How much of his strength did Kito really lose? How strong was he? Weak for him, maybe, but that didn’t mean weak. Belial’s eyes darted up as the doors burst open. No-one was due back yet… Belial’s eyes narrowed slightly and he kicked his chair back, standing up.

“I thought you died.” Belial grinned wickedly.

A hooded figure stood in the dark doorway, unmoving. His chest was bare, his cloak shrouding his shoulders and arms and thick, worn hakama going to the ground.

“Cat got your tongue?”

“Belial,” The figure said, his voice smooth, rich, “Your plan will fail.”

“Oh?” Belial slowly walked towards the man.

“You may have had a chance if you were able to amass le Masque Noire.”

“Interesting,” Belial smiled wider, “Are you offering your services? I’d say it would be appreciated, but you’re the only person besides me who can say they lost that spectacularly against Tiko.”

The man chuckled, “No,” He said, turning on his heel, “I just wanted to check up on you. I’m sure you can keep Kito busy long enough for me to get my plan set up.”

“What makes you think I won’t kill him?”

“Oh I trust you could,” The man shrugged, beginning his walk back to the open door, “Maybe. Not with general Ni around. Sorry, general Tiko now I suppose. That may get confusing.”

“I have it under control.”

“Mordred is strong, but he can’t take on Katy Tiko.”

Belial’s smile didn’t drop, “I wouldn’t expect him to be able to. You never know though. We could have the upper hand.”

“Again,” The man stopped at the door, turning back to Belial briefly, “So long as you keep him busy. If you kill him, good for you. Either way, I wish you the best.”

“It was good to see you again,” Belial nodded to the man, “I’m glad you weren’t killed.”

The man gave Belial a two-fingered salute and the door closed with a loud clunk. Belial sighed. He wasn’t sure he could kill Kito either. He was beginning to worry that he’d let his chance pass him by already. Had he been too careful? He shook his head, walking back to his chair. He’d kill Kito, even if he had to kill himself doing it.

Belial looked up, hearing the slightest of movements. Mordred and Andra had returned already. Andra had disappeared deep into the castle they were hiding out in, while Mordred had been testing out the weight of the new broadsword he’d found. It had been mesmerising, watching him swing it around. Why didn't he use the giant sword on his back? Belial didn’t really know. He’d only ever saw him use it once, and that was against a legendary warrior. So maybe that was his arbitrary bar for unleashing his true power. Belial had one of those too, but his bar was more reasonable. Fun factor made a lot more sense to him. Another very slight shuffle moved his attention to the other side of the room as Kotetsu walked over the stone floor completely silently.

“I can never sneak up on you.” She said, her voice - as always - little more than a whisper.

“What can I say,” Belial grinned, “I know you too well.”

“He accepted the mission,” Kotetsu said, hooking a finger into the cloth mask covering her lower face and pulling it down.

“Oh?” Belial sat forward, his fingers interlocking as his elbows settled on the table.

“He’ll be going to find Talya first, just like we thought.” She smiled, unclasping the thin black breastplate and laying it gently on the table. Suddenly, Belial could feel her presence like anyone else. Her nightsteel armour always impressed.

“Good... “ Belial’s eyebrows rose. Everything was going nicely to plan. Albeit plan B, he was just hoping he wouldn’t need to incorporate anything from plans C through F.

“I’m looking forward to the battle,” Mordred said softly, sliding his new sword into a scabbard on his waist and leaning back against the far wall.

“Me too,” Kotetsu kept her smile, slipping her silky black hair out of a bun and whipping it from side to side, “Though I imagine the first battle will be little more than a testing period.”

“I’m glad you’re still sharp,” Belial looked up at her, “I’ll send in Mordred and Myra. They’re our heaviest hitters. Depending on what they can do, we’ll know whether or not to attack in force.”

“I’m positively brimming with anticipation,” Mordred said, his voice perfectly even.

“There’s another wrinkle, sir,” Kotetsu said, taking a seat across from Belial and working at loosening her greaves.

Belial’s brow rose a fraction, “A wrinkle?”

“General Mukai is alive.”

“Mukai?” Mordred said, his thick grey armour clinking as he stood up straighter.

“I thought he died decades ago.” Belial shook his head. It was his protege that killed Seiko Mukai. There was no way he could have survived.

“I saw him,” Kotetsu met the demon’s gaze, “He’s very much alive. And just as strong as he’s always been.”

“That is a wrinkle…” Belial sat back again, “No matter. The plan hasn’t changed. I’ll just hang around and step in if anything goes tits-up.”

“I doubt it,” Mordred took a seat at the table too, his chair echoing around the hall, “I fought Mukai several times. He is immensely skilled, though he is limited.”

“He’s a martial artist,” Belial nodded, “So he’d have issues getting through your armour, true. As I say. The plan is sound.”

“Agreed,” Kotetsu sat back, stretching her arms out and yawning, “I’m at your disposal.”

Belial smiled, though before he could answer, the doors swung open. Much unlike Kotetsu, Myra strode into the hall, her heavy blood-spattered boots sending loud echoes around the large hall. Her coattails slapped against her calves and her usually white fur collar was blotted with red. She was wiping her slim double-bladed sword as she made her way to the table.

“I found her,” Myra said, turning her golden eyes to Belial.

“Wonderful!” Belial laughed, “Things are actually going our way for once!”

“Where is she?” Mordred asked, leaning back with his hands clasped.

“On an island just off the northern coast,” Myra grinned, taking her headpiece off and swishing her long silver hair off of her face, “Densely forested. Isolated. Perfect for a good scrap.”

“Oh, good,” Belial smiled widely, “I was meaning to get in a nature walk this week.”