Kaito's heart raced with anticipation as he held the artifact in his trembling hands, his fingers eager to uncover its secrets. With cautious determination, he began to unfurl the scroll, the anticipation growing with each passing moment. But before he could fully reveal its contents, a surge of magic surged through the parchment, sending a jolt of electricity shooting through his fingertips. With a startled yelp, he dropped the scroll, watching helplessly as it tumbled to the floor, rolling out of reach.
His pulse quickened as he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing near, their approach sending a wave of panic coursing through him. Two sets of footsteps. Could it be El and the Governor? With a sense of urgency, Kaito scanned the room for a hiding spot, his eyes settling on a nearby couch. Moving quickly, he darted towards it, crouching down behind its plush cushions just as the door swung open with a creak. Holding his breath, he prayed that he hadn't been discovered.
Peering cautiously from behind the couch, Kaito's heart pounded in his chest as Elowyn and the Governor entered the room, their voices carrying through the air. At first, alarm surged through him as he watched them, his mind racing with a multitude of possibilities.
However, as he observed Elowyn's behavior, a mix of admiration and concern washed over him. She seemed to be fully immersed in her role, her laughter and stumbling movements convincing in their authenticity. Her acting prowess was impressive, and for a moment, Kaito found himself almost believing the charade.
Yet, as he continued to watch, a sense of unease began to settle in the pit of his stomach. Something about Elowyn's demeanor felt off, her usual spark replaced by a vacant look in her eyes. Her movements were erratic, as if she were under some sort of influence, and Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.
And that lit a fire in the kitsune.
As Kaito emerged from his hiding place, the Governor's eyes widened in surprise, his grip on Elowyn loosening slightly as he turned to face the unexpected intruder.
"You again?! What are you doing in my personal chambers? Who are you exactly?!" the Governor demanded, suspicion coloring his tone as he eyed Kaito's disguised appearance, a noblewoman adorned in elegant attire.
Undeterred by the Governor's skepticism, Kaito maintained the facade of the noblewoman, offering a coy smile as he approached. "My dear Governor," he began, his voice smooth and melodious, "I am Lady Cassandra, a guest at your exquisite gathering."
The Governor's brows furrowed in confusion, but Kaito pressed on, his movements graceful and deliberate. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with this charming young man," he continued, gesturing towards Elowyn. "And I simply had to offer my assistance."
The Governor regarded Kaito with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "Assistance with what, exactly?" he asked guardedly. "What exactly did you hear?"
Kaito's smile widened, his eyes gleaming as he leaned in closer. "Why, with matters of the heart, of course," he replied. "I couldn't bear to see such a lovely young man in distress."
"Distress? You're mistaken. I assure you-"
"Shut. Up."
The Governor's expression shifted, caught off guard by the sudden change in Lady Cassandra's demeanor. In that moment, Kaito seized the opportunity, shedding the facade of Lady Cassandra with a swift motion, revealing his true form beneath.
The room crackled with energy as Kaito's fiery tails unfurled in a blaze of flames, their intense heat radiating through the air. His kitsune ears twitched with anticipation, and his eyes blazed with an ominous intensity that matched the fire dancing in his tails. As the transformation unfolded, a sense of primal power filled the room, causing the Governor to take a step back in shock.
"What?!" his voice trembled with disbelief. "Demon!"
The Governor's grip on Elowyn loosened completely as he recoiled in fear and he had an absolute fear in his eyes.
"Enough of this," Kaito's voice rang out. "What did you do to her?"
"H-Her?!"
With a primal intensity, Kaito lunged at the Governor, his hand wrapping around the man's throat in a vice-like grip. The Governor gasped for breath as he was hurled against the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Pins and needles danced along the Governor's spine as Kaito's fiery gaze bore into him, demanding answers.
"Now, you're going to tell me exactly what you did to my friend," Kaito growled as his grip tightened around the man's throat. With a fierce tug, he yanked at the Governor's ridiculous mustache, eliciting a cry of pain. "Or I'll burn it off."
Terror flashed in the Governor's eyes as he struggled to form words. "I-I didn't do anything," he stammered. "I swear, I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
Kaito's lip curled into a snarl of frustration and anger as he yanked at the Governor's mustache once more, causing the man to whimper in pain. "Don't lie to me," he spat venomously. Losing patience, Kaito flung the man to the ground with a resounding thud, shattering a glass table in the process as his body crashed through. "If you don't start talking, I'll make you regret it. What the hells did you do to her?!"
The Governor's groans filled the room as he winced in pain, disoriented from being manhandled like a rag doll by Kaito. His eyes darted around frantically, searching for any escape from the fiery wrath before him, but Kaito's presence loomed over him like a shadow of impending doom.
"Guards!" the Governor managed to yell. But before the word could fully leave his lips, Kaito's fist connected with his face, silencing him with a sharp blow. Stars danced before the Governor's eyes as pain exploded across his cheek.
"Oh, they can't help you now," Kaito's voice cut through the air like a menacing whip. Another blow followed, the force of it sending shockwaves of agony through the Governor's body.
Tears welled in the Governor's eyes as he struggled to form words, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "I-I didn't do anything," he protested weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kaito's eyes blazed with fury as he leaned in close. "What did you do?!"