Team Asakura had no idea how to feel about what was happening. They had been ambushed by X-Laws. Marco was a real prick and working on their last nerve as was that little girl, Iron Maiden Jeanne. And to make things worse Hao was here and now Yoh and his friends weren't sure what to make of the situation. They were also still stinging with the betrayal of Lyserg for the X-Laws.
"I would greatly appreciated it if you left my little brother alone..." Hao says with a polite smile that is anything but.
"We will cleanse the world of the Asakura stain!" Marco bellowed out as he charged Yoh, who was still trapped in his bindings and thus could not protect himself.
"Yoh!!" everyone screamed in panic, even Hao looked concerned as Marco's blade was thrust right for his twin's heart, but suddenly it hit against something and split second later it shattered.
"What?"
"I do not like those who would harm innocents simply because of something beyond their control." a new voice speaks up and Yoh opens his eyes to see a glowing barrier between him and Marco before he looked to his left where a figure in a cloak stood, one hand held up in a stopping motion. "I suggest you leave before you get hurt. I am already mildly annoyed."
"How dare you!? I am a Paladin!!"
"And I am the Harbinger of Death." the stranger says without missing a beat and like many times before, the others think he is being sarcastic because of how quick and the slightly more sassy tone he says it in. "But that is beside the point. You are attacking someone in my territory. Get out."
"Your--"
"Fine...." the stranger sighs and then after a few muttered words and a snap of his fingers, the X-Laws are suddenly gone along with the bindings on Team Asakura. "You are welcomed to stay as long as it remains peaceful and you do not disturb those at rest here... You lot on the other hand... I guess you can stay, but try anything and believe me, i will know, you will find yourselves in Antarctica with no way to get away."
"We would like to thank you, but I fear we do not know your name." Tao Ren says, tone a mix of grateful, annoyed, and arrogant all at once.
"Oh, yo can call me Hari." The stranger smiles at them and suddenly the area lightens up so they see someone with long black hair dressed in what looked like princely clothes from a fairy tale book and a cloak that started off as black but then the universe suddenly bursts into being on it and as the dance of stars and colorful gases circle it, they notice ghostly designs in the form of a crest of some kind. "Well, follow me..."
Hao wasn't sure about how he felt being both threatened and commanded, however he was curious about this Hari person. Opacho blinked her eyes and started to follow the stranger which forced Hao to follow along. Yoh and his friends also followed the person, who so far seemed friendly or at least was willing to be neutral. They walked through the dark underground cave that they had been fighting in and came out into a small valley of some kind and gasped at the utter beauty of the place, but what shocked them even more was that they were still in the cave, the rocky ceiling told them as much, but still 'stars' shown. However, after a second glance, they were not 'stars', but ghosts, who were floating about in their orb forms. Hari walked to a tent and grabbed a flap and held it open.
"Come on in, I will get you all some tea and maybe some food if you are hungry?" He wonders and they slowly walk closer, the tent looks small, but Yoh heads in first, wanting to at least sit down and treat a few injuries before he and his team kept navigating the Devil's Maze as the subterranian network of caves were called. After he walked in he left out a shout of shock and then poked his head back out, first checking the tent, then he went in, made another sound and popped his head back out.
"Guys, you will not believe this! Check it out!" Yoh exclaims and Faust as the oldest slowly approaches, warily eyeing the young man standing by the entrance. He sensed death on this child. Walking in he gasped and let out a string of curse in German before he, too, poked his head back out, though he stepped out fully and grabbed the material of the 'tent' in his fingers, muttering in German as he went about how this was possible, that the material was consistent with tents, though the cloth was well crafted wool and some other fiber to make it rainproof, but breathable.
Hao frowns as he nods to his team to go in next and they do, then the others of his brother's team go in as well and he and the German are left to stare at their host.
"This is remarkable... how?" the German doctor asks.
"Not everything is based around facts and science, Herr Doctor..." the boy smiles brightly and the German blinks, surprised at the proper address the child gave him. "Please, you look tired and I know you want to treat your friends' injuries. I can get you supplies if you need a first aid kit. As for you... Asakura Hao, I am willing to let you stay as well, but if you cause any fights or try anything sneaky.... well you will never have to worry about 'wretched humans' ever again because you will be dead." Hari warns with cute smile that sends shivers up both males' spines before he walks into his own tent, the Doctor glances at the powerful Shaman for a moment, both seeming to come to an agreement to not piss of their host before they enter, the German before him to get to his friends while Hao is wary still, but finally enters and is amazed at the literal castle inside of the tent.
"How is this possible!?" Ren is heard yelling, golden eyes wide and twitching as Horohoro just lays on the comfy chair, in a dead faint. Ryu is freaking out because there was a painting and it was moving!! Hari just giggles and walks over to a cupboard and opens it to reveal a very impressive medical storage that makes Faust itch to poke around in, but he at least goes in to find what he needs in terms of treating his friends.
"If you need anything else, please tell me or simply call for Milly, she will assist you. If you do call for her, you are not allowed to hurt her in any shape or form, none of you, or I will kill you all." Hari growls glaring at them for a second, his eyes glowing brightly for an instant before he is back to smiling. "I will be in the kitchen."
He walks into an entryway and they assume it is the kitchen which the sound of pots and pans being moved and soon enough the smell of food confirms it. Faust takes his borrowed items and goes to first Horohoro, who had a splint on his left arm and carefully removes it and his shirt to get at his injuries. As the doctor works, the others slowly sit down and soon are half dozing or chatting softly, there is a mild tension because of Hao's presence, but what can be done? Their Host was allowing him to remain.
"I wonder if we can get in contact with Silva?" Yoh wonders about his sponsor for the Tournament.
"Did you call for me?" Silva's voice startles them and they turn to see him leaning on a crutch, his left leg in a cast of some kind, half his face was also bandaged and he had several others around his arms and ribs.
"Silva!?" Team Asakura gasps.
"Yoh, everyone..." He smiles softly, wincing slightly and finishes hobbling his way to the table and all but collapses in his chair, groaning. "Got ambushed by outsiders to the Tournament and was lucky enough to stumble across this place, been here since, recovering. I see Hari's found you lot as well..." He chuckles warmly, leaning back into the chair and sighing as most of the weight and pressure is off his injuries.
"I told you to stay in bed, Mr. Silva." Hari scolds as he comes out of the kitchen, smelling strongly of cooking meat, spices and something sweet. He sets down a few platters of finger foods and a couple of pitchers of something to drink. "Water, juice and tea. If you want coffee, I can make a fresh pot."
"Yes please." Faust says and the young man nods and vanishes back into the kitchen, finally figuring out that the young child was male.
"Hao..."
"Silva." Hao smiles at him and the older man glares at him. "I'm under strict instructions to not start anything. I do not wish to upset our host, so do not start with me and I will not need to retaliate-- ouch!?"
"You will do no such thing." Hari growls, walking back out with the fresh pot of coffee and slapping the older boy on the back of his head. "You have caused me enough of a headache, I will not hesitate to end you, Asakura Hao the Onmyuji!"
Hao gasped, how did someone so young know--!?
AN: I made this a bit longer, sorry for the shortness of the first go around, but I also did it because I have to let you all know, I caught Covid and have been instructed by my doctor to quarantine at home. How I got it, I have no idea, but I am Asymptomatic, which means I am not showing the usual symptoms associated with Covid. I have no fever, I can still taste my food and the only thing bothering me is my throat. However I am keeping a very close eye on that and if I feel worse or suddenly get a fever, I am heading to the hospital.
I want you all to know that while I am at home, I'm going to keep working on updates, and will try to keep you all up to speed on how I am feeling, but just in case I do not update for a while more, it is because my dumbass got sick. Please be careful, mask up, wash up and for goddess's sake, do not PANIC!!! I am not dying!!