“You really plan to kill them all?" Aryana asked, her proud tone softened. "You could well die yourself in the attempt, even with surprise on your side.”

Taki's expression grew colder, even frightening, the killing aura of the monsters of old emanating from her as her senses screamed out

Carter's location deep within the walls of the building. Clark actually stepped back as a wave of instinctual fear briefly rushed through him.

It was only then he realized how true it was that monster girls were descendants of races whose killing skills had once been enough to decimate whole human civilizations.

“They took him from me... they plan to kill him, though his only crime is leaving their evil behind. Would you not do the same as I in my place?"

Aryana bowed her head, it was true, she would indeed do no less if necessary, still Taki continued.

“What's more you said yourself the place is full of death. It would be their just reward to die for their crimes. Carter told me himself what these men are like, and I have seen the people they associate with.”

She paused, her deadly intent softening slightly, “even so... if any make no effort to sound the alarm, if they lower their weapons and flee, I will spare them."

“But as for the others..."

The cold, terrifying glare emanated again.

“They brought this on themselves."

Her scythes extended out, gleaming in the waning light.

“They are scum, with no chance of redemption.”

Carter had no idea how much time had passed since he had been placed in this room, bound and blindfolded in a chair. He only knew the sound of the door opening meant his wait had ended.

The door shut, the sound of a lock sliding into place following it.

“Ah Carter Carter Carter... the prodigal servant returns."

His blood ran cold at the voice, a voice he had hoped to never hear again. His blindfold was removed, and as his eyes adjusted to the Light streaming above, the only Light in the darkness of the room, he found himself staring face to face with the man he had known as master for as long as he could remember.

“Jiro...”

“And he remembers my name!" The well-dressed criminal mocked.

Middle-aged with a fairly handsome, charismatic face and well-groomed long brownish hair, the Look in his cold blue eyes was anything but friendly. He grabbed Carter's face roughly with one hand. "Good, I wondered if fucking monsters had left your mind intact or not. This means we can have ourselves a nice chat."