The devil that lurks within

Takeshi watched the pink woman’s expression carefully, trying to search for signs of subterfuge or malice, but he saw none of the above. He supposed she could just be wearing a very good mask, after all he was adept in one himself. But, the words she spoke seemed genuine, especially when she spoke of finding a new home. This intrigued him and reminded him of their low ranks back in Ashen. If this woman truly was from Iga but wasn’t seeking them out with bad intentions, she could potentially be a good addition to their ranks. The boy wrote another note for his companion to convey.

“Master Takeshi wishes to convey that if you are looking for a home, there may be ranks within our pack, the Ashen Empire. It has rankings and a setting similar to Iga, but with a very different purpose. However, if you choose to go with him, you will first need to spar with the young master so that he can assess your skills. There is no room for the weak within our ranks. If you are deemed worthy, he will take you to meet the Empress and the Shogun,” the Akita said. Takeshi’s glowing gaze remained pinned to her face, steady as ever. What would she choose?