Same Day - 1900

Ancil was the first to speak. “What the hell is going on here!”

Megumi drew her tessen, crouching to the floor ready to pounce. “I don’t know why she’s out sir, but I’ll restrain her again.”

“Wait!” Yelena yelled, running in front of Megumi. “This isn’t what it looks like!”

“Miss Sergeyevna! Why are you here!?”

Megumi lowered her weapons and approached Yelena, never taking her eyes off of Setsuna. “Explain. Why is she loose.”

“Eustis insisted on fighting her. He released her and armed her.”

“Well damn, Marquette!” Ancil laughed. “You started a fight then got your ass handed to you! Laughable!”

Eustis glared up at Ancil, his eyes barely focused. “Shut… Shut up…” he groaned. He held his right arm with his left, blood profusely spilling from his wound leaving a trail.  It wouldn’t be long until he lost consciousness.

“Ha! You can barely stand!” Ancil mocked.

“SILENCE!!!”

The booming voice commanded the attention of everyone in the room. The voice belonged to the blonde haired man. The man had a regal aura about him as he stepped down into the room, the gold embroidery on his crimson coat reflecting the miniscule light from the room above.

“My apologies, father.” Ancil sullenly replied as he kneeled down.

Setsuna looked at the tall newcomer. So this man is Ancil’s father…

“Commandant Jean Bellerose.” Setsuna stated dryly. “Still commanding respect, I see.”

“I see my reputation precedes me!” the man smiled. “Yes, I am Jean Bellerose, leader of the People’s Republic of Bellerose. And you most be the infamous Assassin of the Dark, I presume?”

“…I see my reputation precedes me.”

The Commandant walked towards Setsuna

“ Salope ! ”

The Commandant slapped Setsuna. “Show some respect, you devil worshipping bitch!”

Megumi frowned upon hearing the Commandant’s words. She quickly straightened her face before speaking. “…Sir, shall we begin the interrogation?”

“Hmmm…,” the Commandant began to stroke his goatee. “No. Lock her up until the morning.”

“But sir,” Megumi protested, “she has already proven dangerous! Shouldn’t we…”

“I didn’t take you in to question my orders, Violet Witch! Do what you must, just keep her down here!”

“…Understood.” Megumi replied sheepishly

The Commandant turned to leave, followed by his son. “And clean up this mess!” he added as he left.

Megumi approached Setsuna, who instinctively started to back away. “Don’t move.”

Can I get away? I could shadow step, but where would I go? Besides… do I even deserve to get away…?

As Setsuna hesitated to take action, Megumi formed a sign with her right hand. Raising her index and middle fingers, Megumi screamed out;

“Ougi: Suisei Ayatsuru!”

An ougi…, Setsuna pondered. “Suisei” has something to do with water… but what’s “Ayatsuru”? Setsuna vigorously shook her head. Ugh! It’s so humid! I can’t concentrate!

The already damp air in the room continued to grow heavier by the second when the water dripping from the ceiling suddenly started to fall at a tremendous rate. The ceiling began to release water as if a flood gate had just been opened.

“What’s going on!?” Yelena screamed. She ran over to protect Eustis, covering him with her body. Everybody in the room was drenched by the torrent of water that had suddenly rained down on them. After a few seconds, when the downpour ceased, Yelena wiped her wet bangs from out of her eyes to see what had just happened.

“Whoa…”

The majority of the water that had fallen now swirled in a vortex around Megumi. Yelena looked with bewilderment at the marvel before her; she didn’t even notice that her hair and clothing had become dry.

“I can’t let you get away Setsuna!” Megumi yelled.

The water whirling around Megumi sounded like crashing waves as it flowed from circling Megumi to enveloping Setsuna. The force of the rushing water forced Setsuna to her hands and knees. This technique… it’s incredible! Setsuna closed her eyes as the raging water whipped her face from what felt like every direction. I knew she was good at controlling water, but this is insane!

The water came to a sudden stop. Setsuna took a moment to catch her breath. Damn. I’m wet, and cold, and… and I can’t move! She opened her eyes to find her arms and legs encased in ice.

“H-How?” Setsuna asked.

“Sorry Sunshine,” Megumi mocked, “but I can’t let you get away. You’ll have to chill out here for tonight!”

“Grrr… ‘Chill out here’. How clever.”

Megumi smiled innocently. “I try!”

***

Megumi has used a mysterious technique to trap Setsuna in ice! With Jean Bellerose returning in the morning, can Setsuna escape in time? Does she even have the will?

The story continues next week! Please look forward to it!

As always, thank you for reading! Please leave comments/critiques. If you enjoyed the story, let me know with a vote; it would be greatly appreciated!