A fist collides with the wall. There is an indent left in the cobalt stone where the punch was thrown. The force of the hit acts as a small earthquake; tremors pass through the wall, cracking it in places, until the power is released completely into a tall, unsuspecting stained glass window. The colorful glass, its different hues arranged in the shape of an angel with its wings and hands stretching forth, shatters. The tiny pieces make tinkling sounds as they land abruptly on the floor.
"Such a simple task." A smooth, cool hiss of a voice splits the air. The fist smashes the wall again. The already splintered glass vibrates on the floor with the second powerful impact.
Smoke billows from between the lips of Isaac Fernand von Kampfer, inventor and sorcerer of the Rosen Kreuz Orden. Having finished his cigarillo, he flicks the stub from between his fingers, smashing it with his foot as he walks forward from his perch at the doorway. He comes to a stop next to Dietrich von Lohengrin, Puppet Master of the Orden, but at this exact moment, Lucky to Be Alive of the Orden.
"Mein Herr," Isaac's even words spill out, reaching the ears of the fuming man before the two of them. "Remember your temper. It would not do for you to need another treatment so soon." He fidgets his hand around in his sleek, black jacket before pulling out another cigarillo and placing it between his lips, but not lighting it.
"If I did not have to deal with this incompetence, then the matter of my health would not be an issue." Cain Nightroad, leader of the Rosen Kreuz Orden, Crusnik, turns, facing his two followers in full. His pale face holds a calm, thin smile, but the anger and disgust at Dietrich's failure is clearly evident in his crimson eyes.
"You were to watch the woman and retrieve her findings, her solution to our problem." Quicker than the eye can follow, Cain is before Dietrich, his hand firmly grasped around the young man's throat. "Are you that simple minded that you cannot thoroughly carry out the mediocre task of picking up a book?" A cruel smile replaces his previous one as his grip tightens and Dietrich is raised from the ground, his feet dangling feebly as he gasps for breath.
Isaac sighs and places a firm hand on Cain's arm, persuading him with his touch to lower Dietrich back to the ground.
"We have done research of our own, and have gotten far, Mein Herr."
Cain snorts, releasing Dietrich and making his way back towards the damaged wall and broken window. He slowly traces his hand across the jagged shards of glass that somehow remained attached to the frame. His finger pricks one of the sharp edges, a small bubble of blood pooling on the tip before running down his skin and dripping off of his knuckle onto the glass littered floor.
"You will do better this time." Cain's voice is even, his face holds no emotion; it makes his words all the more sinister. "Won't you Puppet Master?"
"Yes, Mein Herr." Dietrich crosses his right arm over his chest and gives a small bow, his eyes staying transfixed on Cain's back.
"Isaac, accompany him. In case you run into…difficulties." Cain turns his head slightly. His eyes are shielded by his white-blonde bangs, his lips set in a thin smile once more. Isaac bows as well. He and Dietrich rise simultaneously and exit the room.
"You could have waited to give him the treatment, Wizard," Dietrich says now that they are a safe distance down the hall.
"You know he gets a bit irritable afterwards, Puppet Master. I suggest you don't bring him such bad news." A small smile plays on Isaac's lips as he finally lights the cigarillo that has been hanging in his mouth for the past few minutes.
Dietrich gives a small huff. "With my ability and the strides in this lost science we have made, I don't see why he is so upset that this book has gotten away. I can bring plenty of people back from the dead, and with the added bonus of no free will. What could be better than unquestioning pawns?"
Isaac chuckles lightly. "You miss the point of why the woman's research is so much more valuable."
"Apparantly." Dietrich grumbles. "Why don't you enlighten me?"
Isaac takes a deep breath, sucking through the cigarillo; then letting it out in a thick cloud of smoke. "It is not so much the raising of the dead that interests him so, but the fact that the body of this dead man was able to be perfectly resurrected, and with the soul still in excellent condition. With this form of renewing the body, Cain would not have the need of anymore treatments. One session and the work would be complete. He would have the body that was lost to him all those years ago." He takes another long drag of his cigarillo.
The corners of Dietrich's mouth shoot up in a mock smile. "But, Wizard, wouldn't that weaken your influence over him? No more caretaker persuasion?"
Isaac takes the cigarillo from his mouth, holding it between his index and middle finger. "You have it wrong, Puppet Master. I only wish for his well-being. You read far too into things for your own good." A small, unreadable smile lights Isaac's face as he puts the cigarillo back in his mouth, tucks his hands in his pockets, and continues to stride down the hall.