Kyo 43

Kyo’s vision wavered in Loguetown. She suddenly saw a strange Ritual circle that linked four entities to the elf, Eve. The words for Child, Maiden, Mother, and Crone were at the four cardinal points. Kudzu sat in shrub form within the Crone circle and adjacent to it was another circle that said Child. Kyo’s eyes snapped wide as she realized that sitting in that circle was her!

The image vanished a moment later and Nok said, “Boss?” shaking her gently.

“Y-Yes?” Kyo asked visibly confused.

“We have people looking at us like we are prey.” Nok said eyeing a group of unsavory individuals that had gathered to cut them off at both ends of the alley.

“Oh.” Kyo said her eyes turning into pools of liquid red without emotional ripples. A sharp flick of nails mimicking claws and the surrounding enemies turned into sliced meat sausages. The scent released wasn’t tasty like real meat though in Kyo’s mind. Her eyes went grey once more and she said, “Problem solved.”

Nok facepalmed and said, “The Marines will look into this now. People don’t just separate into pieces like that without a Devil Fruit or a really strong Sword user.”

“I don’t like humans.” Kyo said firmly. She ignored the eye roll from her chef. “Humans aren’t trustworthy!”

“I’m human.” Nok said with a glance as he dropped his hand to the side.

“Exactly.” Kyo nodding as if her point had been proven.

With a sigh, Nok said, “Captain, you are too brutal. Be cuter!”

“Being cute is useless.” Kyo said as they walked forward out of the alley.

“Being cute can get you more meat without paying.” Nok said primely.

“So can a sharp knife to the kidney.” Kyo argued with refutable logic.

Nok gave a frustrated sigh. "But a sharp knife to the kidney also brings Marines down on us. And I don't think you want that, do you?"

Kyo shrugged. "I can handle Marines."

"You can handle anyone," Nok grumbled, "That's not the point."

"Then what is?" Kyo asked, eyes scanning the bustling streets as they left the alley behind.

"The point is, we're pirates, not monsters," Nok replied. "We have a reputation to maintain."

Kyo cocked her head, looking at Nok in confusion. "But don't pirates pillage and plunder? Don't they make people fear them?"

Nok nodded, "Yes, but there's a difference between fear and disgust, Kyo. And right now, we're straddling the line. It’s like the difference between celery and sausage.”

Before Kyo could respond, her eyes glazed over again. The strange vision from before returned, the ritual circle burning bright in her mind's eye. It pulsed with a radiant energy that made her heart pound and her blood sing.

"Boss?" Nok asked, watching her with concern.

Kyo blinked and the vision faded. She shook her head, trying to clear the remaining fuzziness. "Nok, I'm seeing things. I think I need to rest." She wanted to consult Kudzu on the vision, her Patron would know what was going on.

With a worried nod, Nok agreed. "Alright, let's head back to the ship. You can rest there. We can always check the information brokers later.

As they walked away, the vision of the ritual circle still burned in Kyo's mind. The Child, the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. The elf, Eve, in the center. And Kudzu in shrub form inside the Crone circle with her in another circle.

This isn’t how the visions normally work. Kyo thought.

This vision felt like a puzzle, a riddle she had to solve. But not now. Not yet. Now, she needed to rest, to regain her strength, and to figure out her next move after checking with her alchemy teacher.