[R] A Prelude for Darkness [Natron/Chalcanthite](Fin)

[Noir Songbird]

Natron was not fond of having to walk, but the address Chalcanthite had given him wasn't a place he was familiar with, so teleportation wouldn't do. Not until he was close to the place, so he could see the roof and teleported up. "Evening, Lieutenant," he said, his tone cheerful. "How have you been so far?"

It was nice to have the responsibility of teaching another, of ensuring that he was welcomed into the Negaverse properly.

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

Natron shrugged. "Well enough." Once again, he was warmed by his recruit's enthusiasm. "Patrols and routes are up to you, as is your choice of how to engage the enemy. Sometimes it works well to talk to them, especially if they're not attacking first - I did a lot of that, when I was a Lieutenant, because I was a scrawny nerdy kid and fighting was not my forte." That was no longer true. "Methods of fighting? Hand to hand, and remember that the enemy has magic that can be very unpredictable." Then, his face lit up, as if something had just occured to him.

"Oh, I think I have someone you'll be interested to meet." The General whistled, and out of one of the shadows in the corner of the roof, the form of a black wolflike creature, seemingly cloaked in darkness, appeared. "Airitech, this is Lieutenant Chalcanthite. Chalcanthite, my personal youma, Airitech."

Airi approached the Lieutenant and circled him, and then sat back on his haunches. "How fascinating," the wolf-creature said, in a rumbling masculine voice.

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

"I've seen all kinds, really. One Dark Mirror I knew made her targets see their worst fear, but on the other hand, I know of another Senshi who could heal energies and grant a boost to your energy with hers before she corrupted - we aren't sure what her magic does now, and I'm not entirely sure I want to be in the crossfire when she finds out." His nose wrinkled. He didn't like to think about what Persephone's magic, with a Chaotic touch, might do. "Their magic is so wide and varied it's impossible to give an accurate accounting. Every Senshi is different, which is their biggest strength."

He exhaled. "Senshi aren't our only enemy, either, but I'll wait on that." It was easy to tell that Airitech was far more interesting right now than he was.

The youma answered Chalcanthite's question by padding over to him, circling around and sniffing. "You'll do," he said, his tone dry. "Hmh. What would you like to know? If you wish to know how I came to be in this state - I cannot remember."

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

"That would be excellent," Natron said, "and set you up to be an excellent Intelligence officer. Enter what you find into the Negaverse database - I'll show you how to do that, too, it'll be helpful." He grinned. "Our other enemies are quite a bit more predictable. They're called Knights, and they're kind of - our own opposite. When a Negaverse officer turns traitor and joins Order, he or she becomes a Knight. And a target, in case you thought otherwise." There was a hint of warning in his tone.

"Knight magic is tied to different planets, and their planet symbol will be nice and helpfully displayed, giving you an idea of what to expect." It was short and to the point, in a way.

Airi snorted softly. "I move with the darkness. And I can talk because I am one of the more intelligent of my species. Some of us are pathetic, feral. Others are much more clever."

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

"I think it depends on the Knight, but from what I've heard Order is a disaster anyway and you're very lucky I found you first." Despite it being something of a joke, there was seriousness in Natron's tone - Persephone had given up everything in order to join Chaos because she was so disgusted with Order.

"And if you're that curious about youma, I can take you into the Rift sometime, where they live." The General proposed. Airi let out a pleased growl.

"An exploration trip is always well in order," the wolflike youma agreed, "and it would please me to guide you both. And to converse with you more, young Lieutenant."

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

"Oh, there are probably thousands of youma douwn there," Natron said, and Airi nodded agreement. The General looked genuinely excited at the prospect of going Rift-exploring with an eager young Lieutenant. It would surely be a trip worth taking, and he needed to become more familiar with the place himself, anyway.

Ninjagami Ryo Kage

 

[Noir Songbird]

"Then let's plan for perhaps next week, then?" Natron proposed, looking amused. The enthusiasm was definitely warming, and he looked forward to teaching Chalcanthite more in the future. The more exposure he had to his Lieutenant, the more pleased he was, overall, with his decision to recruit him.

"Much of the other things I'd like to teach you are purely practical - the draining of energy, the ripping of starseeds. We can begin those lessons tonight, or another evening if you'd prefer."

Ninjagami Ryo Kage