Kito walked down the stairs towards the lowest floor of the mansion. He had set everything up when he woke up. Calling a carriage to get them out of the city and part of the way to the coast, and then trek their way to the fishing village Talya had visited on her way to the island. He didn’t really know what her mission was, but it would probably be a cinch to find her he assumed. All of the bags were already packed and ready to go. Kito just needed one more thing. He walked into a small room at the far end of a long hallway. The lights flickered on, showing several display cabinets. One held dented and tarnished black armour and a chipped broadsword. Another held a ceremonial kilt that he wore to his wedding. The case he walked to, however, was the one directly across from the door. Unlike the others, there was no mannequin in this case. His traditional Tiko combat gear hung from the backboard of the display case in tatters. The jacket was mostly gone, only half of a sleeve and some fabric hanging from it remaining. The gloves were in ruins as well, one of them missing all of the straps and protection for his forearm, the other missing all of the fingers. The thick boots were mostly intact, though the armour that covered them was broken and bent. The hakama were in the best shape, with only most of one side missing and long rips going straight up them. Of course, they had been destroyed in his battle against Xan, so they had burns all over them. The material was singed at the edges, the usually dark brown leather of the gloves and boots blackened. Kito sighed and opened the case. He had been meaning to fix it up when he got back into the groove of combat, but it looked like he’d need to fast-track that idea.

He busied himself taking the combat gear from the wall, then grabbing an ancient chest that sat beneath it containing lengths of the material used for his gear, and the book with all of the enchantments in it. Though he’d need to find the right materials to do it… Before leaving, his gaze wandered to the right of where his gear had been. A long sword sat, suspended by pegs with the blade pointing toward the ground. The double-edged blade was slim and the handle long, thick material wrapped around and flowing loosely from it. The guard was an odd affair, three metal prongs of varying lengths. Two at either side of the blade and one acting as a guard, parallel to the handle. Kito took a deep breath. He hadn’t picked up his Tiko longsword in a long time. He briefly wondered if he should bring it with him, though the thought was fleeting. Kito gave the blade one last look before he left the basement, slipping his combat gear into the old chest.

“You ready?” Katy asked, flipping her hair out from under her collar and gathering it up in her hands.

“Aye,” Kito smiled, dropping the chest onto a large cart with all of their bags and cases, “I wish I had a little more time to fix it up though.”

“Gonna do that on the road I guess.” Katy shrugged, pulling her hair into a high ponytail and letting it fall, her bangs still framing her face.

“Seems like.” Kito pulled on his new gloves, pure black solid material. His jeans were tucked into his tall boots, not loose around them as usual.

“So it’s an island just off the coast huh?” Katy said, buttoning her coat up and zipping a flap over the buttons securely. She busied herself fastening her belt as Kito buttoned up his black shirt.

“Yep,” Kito rolled his shoulders, “Just off the northern coast. We’re already pretty close.”

“Well that’s good,” Katy rolled up her sleeves, her hands still bare, “Where are we meeting the carriage?”

“In town in just over an hour.” Kito pushed his sleeves up as well as Katy was pulling on her gauntlets and gloves.

“Gives us time for some last-minute supplies.” Katy smiled, leaning back against their large cart.

“What kind of things are you gonna buy?” Seiko said, whipping his long jacket round and sliding his arms through the sleeves as he strode towards them, “You look pretty stocked as it is.”

“Some gear for you as a start,” Kito looked Seiko up and down with a raised eyebrow, “Something at least semi suitable for a mission.”

“What, trenchcoat and baggy trousers aren’t suitable?” Katy grinned, “Seiko wore unsuitable clothes for decades?”

“Oh, ha-ha.” Seiko nodded slowly, looking between the two before picking up the handle of the wagon and setting off down the garden path, dragging the wagon along as if it weighed nothing, despite being stacked with cases and bags. Katy followed with a chuckle as Kito looked back at the mansion. It would probably be quite a while before he came here again. He smiled to himself as he walked backwards a few steps. He had spent the last two decades here, recuperating and relaxing. It was going to be difficult getting used to life outside again, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to it.. He turned, joining Katy on the path and looking ahead, onward to the journey ahead of them.

The town wasn’t exactly the adventure spot one would have imagined for this journey, but it was their first stop for good reason. Kito was looking through the windows of the shops they were passing and almost walked right past the shop he was looking for. He waved Katy and Seiko over and walked in. All down both of the walls to either side there were enchanted coats and jackets of all shapes and sizes. There was also other gear near and around the counter and on racks. A tall woman with broad shoulders walked out from the back and her face lit up when her eyes fell on Katy. She wiped her hands on the thick, dirty apron she had on and walked behind the counter, letting her hair out of a high bun. Kito gave her a little wave as Katy went over to catch up with the owner. Kito raised an eyebrow as he watched the tall woman blush and stammer over her words awkwardly. He understood having a crush on Katy, he had for decades after all. Smiling, he turned his attention to Seiko, who was perusing the jackets on display with a furrowed brow.

“I don’t only wear long jackets you know.” He said quietly. It sounded like he was sulking.

“How about this one?” Kito completely ignored the obvious lie and took out a long, tattered jacket with a padded chest piece and missing arms, “It kinda looks like what you used to wear.”

“The green one I had? Yeah, it kinda does…” Seiko’s gaze travelled over it for a few moments, “I quite like the blue, I’m not gonna lie…”

“Here, hold it,” Kito said, tossing the jacket to Seiko and looking at the rack it had been hanging from, “Let’s see what kinda enchantments it has…”

Seiko leaned in, the jacket slung over his left arm.

“So, the padded chest has a protective armour enchantment. Pretty powerful one too. Looks like it also has some pretty good defense against purer magical energy.”

“We planning on going up against Angels any time soon?”

“Not that I know of, though Demons always pop up. It should be handy against them too, not to mention Aura magic.”

“What else?” Seiko held the jacket by the shoulders, letting it fall in front of him for a better look.

“General magical output increase on the shoulders,” Kito shrugged, “It seems like a fairly practical choice. There aren’t any that specifically boost Elemental or Mirage magic. We can find someone to add them though, I imagine. Let’s grab it.”

Seiko smiled slightly and tossed it back to Kito, “Sure thing.” He said, walking out of the shop as Kito shook his head. Still the same old Seiko. He walked over to the counter, where Katy had bought new holsters for her sword and shield. Specially made, too, bearing the coat of arms of the shop’s owner herself. Kito raised his eyebrow as Katy fastened the buckle of the strap slung across her chest and worked at wrapping several connected belts around her waist. Kito could see her moving it around, tightening some areas and loosening others. It would only take her a few moments to have it perfectly how she needed it for use in the field.

“Nice choice of coat.” The owner said, her voice gruff but polite.

“Is there a bad choice here?” Kito smiled easily as he handed it over, the owner giving him a short chuckle before telling him the price. Altogether it was actually a lot cheaper than he’d expected. It wasn’t really an issue, either way, thankfully he still had the funds he’d raised himself, added to the inheritance from his parents. That he was undoubtedly going to spend finding a boat and crew for this journey of theirs.

Kito stretched as they made it back to the town centre. Katy had just managed the unfathomable task of making Seiko laugh as he dropped a bag onto the cart.

“Oh, you were at the alchemist’s?” Katy’s eyes glowed with wonder as Kito laughed.

“Aye,” Kito said, giving her a peck on the cheek for being adorable, “If we’re gonna be fighting, I figure we should at least have some draughts for magic boosting and strength.”

“You always were one for optimisation…” Seiko looked down at the bag, brows arched.

“If you can go in prepared…” Kito didn’t need to finish his sentence as he took up the handle of the cart. They had managed to kill the hour in town, after all, in fact, his trip to the alchemist’s stall was cutting it a little close. They may have overdone it slightly on food and drink, though he doubted it. It’s difficult to overdo it on food and drink in his opinion. Kito also got Seiko’s coat a few new enchantments, along with a couple of his own for his gloves. Mostly just a few things for basic magic enhancement, though one specifically for magic channelling in his case. It could be difficult to find a weapon that worked well with his particular martial magic style. His katana was great, he just figured a few precautions here and there were warranted to make sure he didn’t break it accidentally.

“Off we go.” Kito beamed as the carriage pulled up near them, the door and back compartment swinging open to allow space for the large cart. Kito and Katy took a side each and easily lifted the cart up, then Seiko took the front and pulled it onto the carriage from inside. Spacious thing, there was space left over in the back, even with the cart in it. Kito slipped into the carriage after Katy, and the three of them settled in for what was supposed to only be a rather short trip to where they needed to be. Kito grinned at the two of them, getting a wide smile in return from his wife, and a tut followed by a shaking of Seiko’s head. Kito didn’t let it deter his smile. This was an adventure! He hadn’t realised how much he had missed going out like this. Albeit, the circumstances weren’t the best. But he was optimistic. For the first time in a long time, too.