Ajax and his Kabukimono finally arrive at the gate of the Black Hollow and when they enter they are amazed by the scenery. However just minutes after entering a voice calls out to the group. After a back and forward confrontation Ajax chooses to follow the voice to wherever it wants to take them.
Ajax continues chasing after the whistling voice.
"Hey slow don't there's no need to run!" Ajax yells to no response.
Ishida, Rumi, And Ryizen chase not to far behind Ajax.
"Jeez do we always have to be running?" Ryizen groans.
"Honestly it's a nice change of pace. So I'll take it." Rumi says.
"Hey where are you even taking us anyways?" Ajax yells at the voice.
"Oh it's nothing special. It's just the nearby town." The voice calls back.
"Oh what? There's towns inside the bBack Hollows?" Ishida questions.
"Oh yeah, plenty of them. Here lemme give you an analogy. This little square of woods here. Imagine this but 10 million times over. That's basically the circumference of the black Hollows. It's pretty spacious." The voice says.
"10 MILLION TIMES OVER!?" The group says in unison.
"Damn and how the hell are we even supposed to navigate through this place?" Rumi says.
"Don't worry it's just a little further and all your questions will be answered." The voice says.
After running for a bit longer the whistling from the voice stops.
"Hey voice guy, are you still there? Where'd the whistling go?" Ajax calls out.
"There is no need to whistle anymore because we are here." The voice says simply now extremely close by.
"Oh yeah alright!" Ajax says.
"Finally I'm getting a bit tired of running around all the time. It's getting quite old." Ishida says.
"I agree." Rumi says huffing.
Suddenly the bushes start to shake and rattle.
"Hey what the-." Ryizen says before a figure pops out the bush.
"Well hello to you Travelers! And welcome!" The figure says.
"Hey, you're new. Say, do you know where that voice that was whistling has gone?" Ajax says looking at the figure.
"You moron, that is the voice clearly." Rumi says holding back the urge to smack Ajax.
"In the flesh, though it's rude, I never introduced myself. My name is Jwiler! Jwiler Anthodious. It's great to meet yah travelers." Jwiler says, shaking everyone's hand except Rumi who almost kicks him.
"That's fun and all Jwiler, but WHERE ARE WE!!!" Rumi says trying to grab Jwiler but Ryizen holds her back.
"Oh sorry. But where in the first city of the Black Hollow! Springtown city!" Jwiler says.
"Springtown huh? Not much of a town." Ishida says, looking around.
"Yeah, not much of a city." Ajax says looking around in disappointment.
"Oh it's because we haven't entered yet, just give it a couple of minutes." Jwiler says walking away.
"I'm getting a bad vibe from him." Ryizen says.
"A town's a town. And a town means bed and food. I'm in." Ajax says walking after Jwiler.
"He's got a point" Ishida says following him.
After walking for a couple minutes Jwiler doesn't lie. A city that doesn't look like any city the group has ever seen comes into the distance. Buildings looking like they are from the future.
"Woah these buildings are huge and what are they made of?" Ajax asks, walking behind Jwiler.
"They're made of some kinda ancient metal that people came into the Black Hollow and figured out how to melt. But to be honest I couldn't tell you what the name of it is." Jwiler explains while walking.
"It's so cool to look at." Rumi says.
"Indeed, welcome travelers. To Springtown City!" Jwiler says as he enters the town.
"Man oh man you guys think Nelazaru came through here on his journey?" Ajax practically squeals.
"Most likely Jwiler did say it's the first city of the Black Hollows." Ryizen says.
"Man, I can't wait! I'm finally starting on my quest to find Kimmegona's sword. It's incredible." Ajax says practically beaming with energy.
"Yeah plenty of rookies this time of year come into the Black Hollows. And that's why Springtown is where everyone's journey begins. Everyone." Jwiler says his voice trailing off at the end.
"Hey Jwiler, how old are you exactly?" Rumi asks.
"Oh me. Well Jwiler is 19 but thanks for asking." Jwiler says his charm back on in full display.
"Why'd you speak like that in third person? Why say "Jwiler is" when you are Jwiler." Ishida says catching onto what Jwiler said.
"Oh it's just a habit I have…..sometimes." Jwiler says starting to slightly tremble.
"Hey Jwiler you're kinda trembling. You okay?" Ajax asks.
Jwiler flinches hard and nervously swallows.
"Oh I uhm well. It's just uhh. Cold? No. It's just something I do y'know? Like when you fidget or something."
"Yeah something like that." Ryizen says, eyeing him.
"Uhm sorry but Jwiler has to go. But I'll come back! Don't you worry travelers. But I'll uhm catch back up with you okay!" Jwiler says before sprinting away before anyone could object.
"Oh uhm bye then Jwiler." Ajax says.
"He's definitely interesting to say the least." Rumi says.
"Who cares, let's not get bummed out! We have a new town to explore!" Ajax says beaming.
Meanwhile Jwiler has entered what looks to be an abandoned building and enters a room before closing the door with a deep sigh.
"I-It's finished I brought in the last group of Ronin sir." Jwiler says before nervously kneeling and looking down at the floor.
"What's the matter Jwiler? It seems you're trembling quite a lot." A voice booms before him.
Jwiler trembles even more before swallowing extremely hard.
"W-well I u-u-uhh. You s-see I wa-was." Jwiler sputters.
"Jesus Christ Jwiler breath. I don't plan on harming you. Yet. The voice says.
"Ye-yes. Yes sir. Sorry Nagama sir." Jwiler says.
Yes it never gets old hearing you say that Jwiler." Nagama says walking up to Jwiler.
"So is this last group anything special? Or are they just useless trash that will waste my time?" Nagama says grabbing Jwiler by his delicate blonde hair causing a yell to escape his mouth.
"Ow ow ow. N-no sir they seem strong enough I mean they had some guy who was able to hear my whistling and not many Ronin can hear that! Plus I think it was him look." Jwiler whines as he hands Nagama a piece of paper.
Nagama reads the paper, his face not changing in the slightest.
"Ajax Nozami huh? 50,000 Ryō bounty huh? That's pathetic Jwiler y'know?" You think the Shogunate's gonna care about him! My bounty is worth 240,000 Ryō! He ain't got no spunk. How dare you bring such trash here!" Nagama says bashing Jwiler into the wall causing the metal to creak.
Jwiler coughs out blood as some blood begins to pool on his forehead.
"I'm sorry sir I just thought you needed more groups to finish your plan that's all! And I seemed to like this group alot." Jwiler says barely above a whisper.
"Hmm you make a good point Jwiler. I do need more participants for my plan. Let this group of Ajax Nozami in and invite them in. I knew you'd be perfect for the job Jwiler." Nagama says setting Jwiler down.
"Ye-yes Sir Nagama. I'll invite them right away!" Jwiler says slightly swaying from the blood loss coming from his head.
"Yes Jwiler invite them. It's coming close for the next phase of my plan. And it'll make me even closer to finding Nelazaru Kimmegona's damn sword." Nagama smirks as Jwiler stumbles his way out of the room.
End of chapter