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[center][b][h3]~~The halls of Babel; The Bell's First Toll~~[/h3][/b][/center]
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[color=#fc7703]"On short summer nights,
[sup]「Mizika-yo ya[/sup]
[center]both our dreams and our reality,
[sup]Yume mo utsutsu mo[/sup][/center]
[right]are one and the same."
[sup]Onazi koto」[/sup][/right][/color]

A peaceful Haiku echoed in response to Fujiko's questioning. Her opponent sat tranquil on the flat surface of a rock, standing steadfast in the middle of a pond. Lillypads dribbled peacefully along the water's surface as some Koi swam underneath. Around the lake were carefully tended to flowers and plants, the two vistas separated only by a rim of oval pebbles. This was the garden in front of a traditional and storied home. The bamboo screen leading into the house may was closed, but the lanterns hanging from the roof of the outside hall dangled softly in the wind. The seeming owner of the mansion was a [url=https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/83128678]red Oni[/url], dressed in a wine-red kimono and an orange coat on top. Aside from the red skin and horns popping out of the top of his black, ponytail-tied hair, the Oni looked like a gentle middle-aged man. He opened his eyes and stood up on top of his little perch, giving a courteous bow to the jester before him.

[color=#fc7703]"It was not mine lord's intend to deceive or ambush, young lady. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us."[/color] So was the old man's formal reply. He raised his head again, focusing wholly on the girl. [color=#fc7703]"My and mine lord are called Hideyoshi. Many an opponent have we faced, but pray I do not offend, rarely have we seen Architect and Ruler separated as you."[/color] Suddenly, the Oni extended and threw his right arm downards. [color=#fc7703]"Shut it, Hideyoshi. This is my battle."[/color] he seemed to say to himself. As if to reply to that, the Oni said [color=#fc7703]"Then I shall leave this to you, my lord."[/color]

After giving one last bow to Fujiko, the Oni's poise shifted completely. He stood much more relaxed, one hand resting on the Katana fastened around his waist. [color=#fc7703]"Come on, let's fight! I don't want to waste my time,"[/color] he said. His eyes were stern and narrowed on the jester.

The domain of the jester was a desolate ruin. The domain of the samurai was a tranquil abode. Both crossed over into the middle, fading to a neutral territory. The battle of two rulers was about to echo through the halls of Babel.