Chapter 25

Kaya convinces Usopp to leave before he attacks Klahadore anymore, and Luffy and the others leave soon after. Depressed at what has happened, Kaya refuses to eat or speak, causing Klahadore to explain his motivations for protecting Kaya in an attempt to cheer her up. Zoro and Nami lose Luffy, and Tamanegi tells them about a strange man walking backwards. The strange man shows up and reveals himself to be a hypnotist; but his attempt to prove it results in putting both the Usopp Pirates and himself to sleep. At the cliff, Luffy catches up to Usopp, and they talk about Usopp's father, Yasopp. Their reminiscing is cut short when Luffy notices Klahadore and the hypnotist down on the beach, discussing their plan to assassinate Kaya.

Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince

Lies

Klahadore continues to insult Usopp despite being knocked down, insisting although he is not a pirate his father's blood still makes him resort to violence when he is insulted. The butler asks Usopp if he is only after Kaya's money, but before he lands another punch, Kaya begs Usopp to stop. As Usopp lets the butler go, Klahadore warns him about never returning to the mansion, and Usopp angrily agrees. The Usopp Pirates and Luffy insult Usopp for giving in so easily; as they are told to leave, the four try to go after the butler, but are held back by Zoro and Nami.

In the mansion. Kaya refuses to eat her meal, miserably explaining she does not want it. Her butler insists she eat so as to not disappoint the chefs. Kaya tells him he should not have insulted Usopp, and Klahadore explains that she should have faith in him, since he has worked for her for three years after losing his job on the ship he worked for. He explains he could not bear to carry the burden of failing his former employer, Kaya's father, who saved his life.

Near the village, Nami, Zoro, Ninjin, and Piiman are sitting on a fence, and Nami wonders where Luffy got to. When Zoro explains he went looking for Usopp, the members of Usopp's Pirates explain Usopp will be at the coast. Tamanegi is missing, but Ninjin and Piiman tell them he always goes away and comes back overreacting about something. Immediately afterwards, Tamanegi runs towards them, shouting about a man walking backwards, only for the others to accuse him of lying. Shortly afterwards, the hypnotist Jango shows up, walking backwards. Jango is asked to show the three children his hypnotist tricks, but when he does it results in both him and the Usopp pirates falling asleep.

At the coast, Usopp sits alone on the cliff staring out to sea. Luffy appears in front of him suddenly, hanging upside down out of the tree Usopp is sitting under. Luffy asks him if his father was called Yasopp, astonishing Usopp before he asks how he knew. Luffy explains how he met him when he was young, in Foosha Village. Yasopp was his favorite member of the Red Hair Pirates, and Luffy is sure he is still be with Shanks even now. Usopp cannot believe his father is with Shanks.

In a flashback to Luffy's youth when he met Shanks and his crew, Yasopp demonstrates his sharp-shooting skills to Luffy by shooting an apple off a barrel. Later at the local bar, Yasopp begins to tell Luffy about his son his age. When Luffy has heard enough and is getting bored, a glass is placed on his head by Yasopp, who taps it. Yasopp stands up and calls to the other that the Jolly Roger had called him to piracy, with the rest of the crew responding by throwing their hands in the air in approval.

Back in the present. Usopp explains he is proud of his father and he would gladly return to the mansion, despite his pride, if the butler apologized. Luffy notices that Klahadore is on the beach below them with another man, Jango. Jango confirms to the butler that the plan to murder the mansion owner is ready.

Mission 10

The chapter opens in the Forger family home, in which Loid is explaining fractions to Anya to help her with her studies. Anya is visibly confused by Loid's teaching, so Yor turns and pauses as she is cleaning the room and suggests they take a break. Loid turns down the suggestion and says that Anya needs to memorize the math by today, thinking to himself that plan A, to get Anya Imperial Scholar status, is now the best option for his operation's success since plan B, to get Anya to befriend the target's son Damian, failed when the two fell out. He reminds his daughter that if she does not finish it quickly, she will miss her spy cartoon, and a now startled Anya decides to read his mind in order to get the answer. She finds it too talkative to read, however, and, when opting to read Yor's mind, finds that hers is too empty and that she is just as clueless, and Anya falls to the ground in shock. Yor asks if she is okay, and Loid asks why she cannot solve it, and Anya runs away to her room despite Loid's protests, screaming that she hates studying.

Yor says to Loid that he should not be forcing her to study like that, but he just says that she needs to if she wants to be an Imperial Scholar. Yor asks if that is what she even wants to be, and Loid thinks to himself that it is just convenient for his mission. Yor then says that she just wants Anya to enjoy her time at school and study enough that she passes. Loid sighs and agrees, Yor then growing flustered and apologizing for telling him how to raise his own daughter. Her husband dismisses this, admitting that she is right and thanking her for speaking up before expressing his trouble dealing with children and suggesting they take a break for some tea.

Loid calls into Anya's room that he is making hot chocolate if she wants any, sighing when he is met with silence as Yor laughs and comments on how Anya's stubbornness is similar to that of her and her younger brother when they were young. Loid then says that his intelligence must be impressive since he works for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asks how he studied back when he was younger, to which Yor just says that he is more on top of things than she is. She says that embarrassing as it is, he taught her more than she ever taught him, remembering their numerous lessons, and telling Loid how happy he seemed when she praised him for his studies. Loid comments that using praise as motivation may have been his reason to study so hard, and Yor agrees, suggesting he could do something similar for Anya. Loid says he does not know about that as he thinks to himself that he is far from the ideal father for her, but his wife tells him to have confidence and explains that Anya thinks he is a wonderful father as she reminds him that she gave him 100 points during the Eden interview. Touched, Loid thanks her, and Yor again grows flustered and apologizes for being so forward despite being an outsider, but Loid tells her that she is part of the family now and he will always be counting on her for things he cannot do. Yor then remembers that she is his wife and Loid laughs and says not to forget that when they are outside, then asks her if she could help with Anya's study sessions. She agrees, saying there is no rush and that they can do it together.

Loid thinks to himself that she is right, there is no need to rush, as, if all he wanted to do was assassinate Donovan Desmond, he could have done that in many other ways since it will not resolve anything. He reminds himself that as a spy he needs to play the waiting game and earn his target's trust, but he must understand Anya first. He tells Yor he is going to check up on Anya, and she says that she will do the dishes. Loid calls into Anya's room that her spy show is about to start and that he is sorry for earlier. When met with silence, he enters to find her fast asleep after studying on her own, mumbling to herself that she will be number one for her father. Loid smiles and carries Anya to her bed, a little confused as she then mutters in her sleep that her mother should not kill her father. As he exits her room, Loid wonders how he would feel if this was a real family.

In town, Dominic reunites with Yuri Briar at their apartment building and asks him if he is working hard, to which Yuri replies he has been so busy he has not been home for a while. Dominic comments that it must be difficult, and Yuri then remembers the party, asking him what Yor's boyfriend was like. Confused, Dominic asks if he has not congratulated Yor on her marriage, and a now very shocked Yuri asks him if she is actually married.

Artio

Ice melts in cascading waterfalls from jagged mountain peaks, pouring into rivers roaring white to the cold sea. Straightening slowly, like aged men, trees and fauna of the underbrush, now free of snow-weight, reach for the sun. It is spring; the world awakens from darkness and death to grow green again. Her hibernation ends. Coat wet with fresh rain, Artio, Goddess-Bear, roars into the chill morning air.

She is guardian of the cycle. Not the passage of time, but the balance of things. There is no spring without winter, no death without life, no darkness without light, no goodness without evil. Nature declares these opposites into law and Artio is the enforcer.

Among the ursine she runs, sometimes in the shape of a woman, lithe and wild, sometimes as a bear, brown and fierce. Nowhere in the forest do there stand shrines in her name, for Artio is less worshipped and more respected. Perhaps, instead, she looms overhead, a constant presence in the twinkle of the stars, a connection of glistening light; the constellation Ursa Major.

And now there is war. None could know peace without war, victory without defeat, glory without failure. Artio must join those that fight if only to enforce the cycle of things. Nothing and no one defies the laws of nature like a God.

Faerie Dragon

Brightwing is a Faerie Dragon located in the Emerald Dreamway in World of Warcraft.

Faerie Dragons (also known as sprites, sprite darters, blink dragons, fey dragons or fey drakes) are diminutive, intelligent creatures that look like flying lizards (much like a chameleon with butterfly wings). Though not actual dragons, these mystical looking creatures police the Emerald Dream from magic. As such they are immune to magic.

The Faerie Dragons of Ashenvale are known for their playful demeanor, seemingly disappearing on a whim. The more mischievous ones will often materialize out of nowhere to save their allies, or simply to mock their foes. One wouldn't know it from looking at them, but the lovely faerie dragons can be truly fearsome if trained properly. They can do amazing things to magical energy: absorb it, redirect it, even nullify it entirely. They're nearly harmless alone, but in large numbers, they can have a stunning effect on a battle. Faerie dragons can speak, but few of them choose to do so. The faerie dragons that dwell near Nordrassil in Mount Hyjal can see through enemy illusions. They are quite intelligent and able to speak, albeit with broken grammar.

This creature resembles a dragon in some respects, but feathery antennae sprout from its head and its wings are moth-like. Its turquoise scales shimmer in the sparkles that dance from its body. It turns its head to look at you with a beady black eye before emitting a small keen. They have a powerful natural defense against magic and the unique ability to phase out of reality. Their defense seems to work by the dragon encasing itself within a strong energy shield that repels most magic and conventional attacks. While in this form they can siphon the unused magical energy wasted in basic spell casting, and then focus, amplify, and direct it back at the unfortunate caster in a sort of "feedback" attack. This ability is very powerful but requires a great deal of effort, and can only be used sporadically, requiring the dragon to rest between uses. For this reason, the faerie dragons often travel in packs.

Glory

The blacksmith wiped ichor off my sword, eyed the blade, and tossed it into the pile at his feet. "Too damaged. Get another," he grunted, pointing to the rack of weapons behind him. "Next!"

New blade in hand, I rechecked my armor. Scarred, but sound. More than enough for the coming battle.

I was looking over my wolf when the order came: "Gakarah ma!"

Eagerly we soldiers formed ranks for our commander, Saurfang the Younger. Behind him stretched the towering shadow of Angrathar the Wrath Gate. He didn't even seem to notice. I'd never met a braver orc. From what I'd seen so far, he was truly his father's son, brown skin or not.

"Some of you rode here with me from Azjol-Nerub, where we pitted our strength against the rotting spider-folk. For those of you who missed it, we smashed our way into their precious kingdom and blocked off their tunnels into the Dragonblight." He gave us a slow and savage grin. "Arthas won't be getting any reinforcements from them today."

We cheered, and the wind shifted, bringing with it the stench of decay. As if the Forsaken here weren't bad enough. I'd never understand why they'd been allowed to join the Horde. They might hate the Scourge, but they were still undead. Worse, they were traitors: they'd served the Alliance in life. If the Forsaken could change allegiance once, they could do it again.

"And the Alliance has held up its end of the agreement," Saurfang went on. "Our scouts have just confirmed that Naxxramas too has been cut off." He raised a gauntleted hand to silence our jeers. "Yes, Naxxramas was probably the smaller task. That was why I asked to take on Azjol-Nerub. It was only right for the Horde to claim the greater challenge and the honor that comes with it. Even so," and he chuckled, "clearly the pinkskins' pride was stung. They must have set their feet on fire, racing to beat us here."

A guttural war cry behind him drew his attention. Drawing his axe, he turned at last to watch the battle playing out below us. His vantage point was better than mine, but I heard a loud metallic clanking and then an unearthly roar.

He reacted immediately. "Rise up, sons of the Horde!" he shouted, and turned to face us again. "Blood and glory await us!"

Whatever he'd seen, it meant trouble for the reckless humans. We ran to our wolves and mounted up.

"Lok-tar ogar!" Saurfang cried as he led us down the hill.

"For the Horde!" we thundered back in answer.

He charged deep into the fray, heading for the humans' general. The rest of us spread out and aided the Alliance forces where necessary. They were fools to have started this fight without us. They'd seen little of war, and for the past six years we had been at "peace". They were soft, and they were smugly certain they could win the day. It hadn't occurred to them that they might lose. They didn't really understand loss, not as we orcs do.

I jumped off my wolf and launched myself at a ghoul. Severed its head, shrugged off the clutch of its rotting hands. Another undead reached for me, this one a skeleton in rags. Then there was another, and another after that. So many. The next one spotted my approach, and her expression changed to fear and anger. One of the Forsaken. I barely managed to halt my blade. "Out of the way!" I rasped, and thrust her aside impatiently.

After that, I let the familiar surge of bloodlust overcome me. My sword became my world: I couldn't see anything beyond it.

The elders say we were a peaceful race before we came to Azeroth. Our clans kept mostly to themselves. They hunted game, planted crops, raised families, and lived in harmony with the elements.

When I was a child, I wondered what Draenor must have been like. I tried to imagine these strange orcs who had a world of their own, a freedom I've never known. The few times I managed to picture such creatures, I despised them. They hadn't deserved their world, just as humans did not deserve Azeroth.

All too soon the Horde won the day, and Angrathar was ours. Yet the biggest task still lay ahead. The brash human general taunted Arthas and drew him out of Icecrown to confront us. Behind his spiked helm, the Lich King's eyes blazed a chilling blue. He threatened to teach us the true meaning of fear, and as he spoke, new undead clawed their way out of the ground.

But our bold leader had grown weary of fighting Arthas' minions. "Enough talk! Let it be finished!" He ran forward, axe raised.

The Lich King's glowing runeblade met Saurfang's axe, and the axe shattered like ice, pieces of metal flying outward. By the time Saurfang's back hit the ground, he was dead. Killed in one blow. Impossible. I stared in numb horror while Frostmourne devoured my commander's soul.

Again the human general blustered: "You will pay for all the lives you've stolen, traitor."

Arthas' reply was interrupted by an explosive crash and screams. I looked around. A cloud of yellow-green mist was rising in the middle of the battlefield, some distance away. Hard to see what was happening.

Malicious laughter drew my eyes upward. Silhouetted against the bright gray sky, a robed figure stood on the crags to one side of the Wrath Gate. "Did you think we had forgotten?" he called. "Did you think we had forgiven?" Catapults rolled into position on either side of him. "Behold now the terrible vengeance of the Forsaken! Death to the Scourge! And death to the living!"

They had betrayed us. Curse them and their monstrous queen.

Too late, Horde and Alliance forces tried to scatter. We were packed tightly together, and the catapults were already firing their payload: barrels that exploded on impact and released more of the noxious-looking mist. Anyone close enough to the blasts died instantly. Others doubled over, choking, retching, clawing at their eyes, crying out in vain for aid.

After the Third War, we could have defeated the humans once and for all. Instead, Thrall spoke of mercy. As if the humans had ever shown us mercy. I was born in their internment camps; they were pits of filth and despair. We were meant to die there. What would the warchief know of our suffering, the famous gladiator, the human pet? Nothing. He talked us into this. Allying with humans time and again. Bowing to their demands. Starving to death in nearly barren lands, surrounded by plenty. It was the internment camps all over again. Humans were too cowardly to exterminate us outright, but they intended to wipe us out all the same.

With this deadly mist, it seemed they might finally succeed. My eyes burned, and my throat was closing up. Suddenly my legs failed me, and I found myself on my knees. This was no heroic end, no glorious destiny. I'd known all along that humans, alive or undead, couldn't be trusted. I didn't deserve this.

I could taste my own blood. Then there was only darkness and the sound of my heart as it beat its last.

Where are all your words now, Warchief?

Oda Eiichiro

Thank you for the incredible amount of postcards we received for last year's 'Cover Page Illustration Idea Contest'. Selecting them is tough!

昨年募集した扉絵イラストのアイデア、超たくさんのおハガキありがとう。選考って悩む！

Chapter 26