The Assassin's Way
part 10 Never Sleep Never Die part 2
"You think you can challenge me, pitiful human ? I, the bane of empires, the Mother of Pain ? Allow me to educate you, I need a new pet..."
-Ingrid I, the Necromancer, the Wolf Queen
10 June 2055
Sacremento Observatory
10 AM local time
Mark's grim expression didn't change as he watched Zhao Yu scream in pain and terror, her body morphing before his eyes. He could hear each indivdual bone and joint snap into hundreds of pieces, rearrange itself, and mend itself back together. He could feel the tendons tearing and healing in the ground beneath his feet as her body continued to transform. The rags that passed for clothing tore off her body as she grew, and for a second, she was still vaguely human, but then her head began to morph as well as she reached out in agony to him, screaming for him to help her; though her words were nothing more than feral screams, undecipherable to all as they morphed into a screaming roar of a Tiger, her hand becoming a paw as her skull flattened and elongated her now paws reaching to her head, she roared in abject horror as feline thoughts battled for control of what was left of her humanity, her tail-bone grew into a long tail, and thick beautiful fur sprouted from across her body, within minutes rendering her nothing more than a feral Tiger, afraid of everything around her.
Mark finally blinked, his eyes narrowing gently for a second before he looked back to Vitas. "Point taken." he said sternly; holding back the rage he felt for seeing a fellow Assassin, let alone one who had allowed herself to be taught by Georgina, a dear friend and one-time drunken lover, changed so forcefully, so magically like this. He let out a slow breath, the air he exhaled visible as mist in the cool morning air.
Vitas dusted off her hands. Calling out in Hebrew simply a word meaning calm down furball. Relax, its only for a week. Vitas stepped forwards to the tiger that was once Zhao Yu and bent down to be eye level with the massive cat "You protected my Pet, so this punishment which should be permament, is only for a week. After which I will return you to your former form and set you free." She looked up to the two thugs nearby "Take her home, she is docile now. Put her with my other pet and keep her well fed"
Vitas then turned back to Mark. "Now. If I were to show mercy towards her, like I had before, this would merely happen anew. I had shown her mercy for the theft of an item of mine a few days ago. And I showed her mercy. And then she brings in weapons meant for you and another person. If I showed her mercy today... how much further would she go ? What else would she bring ? What other wrule would she break ? Would she harm my pet ? Me ? Spike ? If I showed her mercy... She would still break my rules"
Vitas then crossed her arms over her chest as she regarded Mark thoughtfully. A finger tapped her chin in thought "Now, lets begin anew shall we Mr Phantom... which I do not think is your name. Who are you, where do you come from, Do you like what what you see ?"
"I told you who I am. I'm a Phantom. However if you would like a name, I'll provide you with one: How does Jack sound to you? As for where I"m from? How does Norway sound?" he offered a low bow as his tone became subtly playful. It was obvious he was lying about who he was and where he came from; he didn't answer her questions, only asked more questions, questions that would lead to dead ends. "Do I like what I see? Now how do you mean? Your dress? Yes, it's lovely. Your hair? Sublime. Your figure? Delicate and stunning. Your face and expression? Exactly what I said looked terrible on it." he said, his voice coming around back to being stern again. "Your guards? Big and not good for much." he added as he once more offered the bow, spinning in place before standing before her, and reaching up to his Mask.
"Perhaps you'd like to see the face of the man who you danced with last night?" he asked, beginning to remove it.
"Yes" Vitas agreed, "let us see your face" But as Mark reached up to the mask to remove it, Vitas lip twitched, sheer evil thoughts in her head, this man dared bring weapons into her ball, she danced with him and he was armed to the teeth. And she knew for a fact he had weapons on him right then as well
Quick as lightning, though not as fast as Hidden Flute as Mark couldnt even track her, hell Kalda couldnt track that pitfgighter after a million years too damn fast, but Vitas, time pretty much slowed when she moved so fast, her hand snapping out, Sheer magic, transformative magic, boiling in it as she thrust her hand forwards, it slammed first into the mask, the brunt of it at least, the rest of it hit Mark dead in the face.
"Let us see your face... as a pet perhaps ?" Vitas smirked as her eyes glittered with eldrtich energy as her magic swirled around Mark, most of it entering the mask, turning it into a Relic right then and there.
Mark stumbled back as her hand slammed into his face, the mask falling to the ground, sparking madly with Magic. Mark's foot stamped on the ground, his body beginning to morph as his grabbed his face, gritting his teeth as he let out a pained grunt one normally made under great pain before he dropped to one knee. i"Kalda... a little help here...I can only slow this down.../i" Mark thought as he stumbled towards the wall, stopping in front of Vitas and looking at her from behind his hands, his eyes blazing Silver, pupils vertical, reptilian.
Draconian.
Mark stopped and stood straight, his body burning bright with Silver-colored Ice-Fire, the transformation halting and his body returning to normal. The only reason he was able to slow it down to begin with was due to his being a quarter Tigris in the first Place. The Flames continued to cover his body, a Phoenix Cloak shielding him from her Magic.
His face laid bare now; it was still that of someone she'd never recognize, but felt hauntingly familiar towards. "Well, here's my face; but not as you wanted it." he said calmly, his hands coming out in a sort of shrug. As he stepped back towards his original position, he stooped down, summoning his left Gauntlet, using the gloved Claws to pick up his Mask, the thing reacting to his Draconian Duradaeden a bit, sparking and humming. It had not chosen him, now that it was a relic.
"A new Relic. Interesting." he said calmly, the flames finally disapating, her magic gone from his body entirely, burnt away by the purity of his Draconian Magic. With the Draconian Magic faded his eyes, returning to their original Rich, deep Brown.
Her fist clinched, but her magic faded from her eyes as she stared. Those eyes... those brown eyes she never could forget them nomatter how hard she tried! her magic faded from her hands. She stumbled back a step or two before falling to the floor "No... It can be, no, you're not him! He's dead! My father made sure of it!" She scrambled back from him then on all fours before getting to her feet, Freaked out.
The past hurt, Mark knew it all too well. And now her own pent up held back memories and hatred was boiling back to where she didnt want it. "Kill him!" She shrieked. then it was clear, It wasnt just two thugs, but a good three dozen hidden among the pillars of the Boservatory and around the telescope itself. As the thugs stepped into cview, weapons ready, Vitas smirked "If you can survive these men... I will contact you."
Mark frowned. "I told you I was a Phantom of your Past, did I not?" He asked, smiling as he rest of his armor came to his body, his sword appearing on his back as well as the rest of the guards came forth. This would be took his DEagle, spinning it in his finger before pointing it at the first two guards who were closest to him firing off two shots, their heads gone entirely before he holstered it at his thigh again before spinning, flicking his arm out, the rope-dart screaming from his wrist into the neck of another man, the rope being cut by another. Mark hopped onto the railing, using the height to throw his throwing knives and take out another five men using all twenty of his knives, his rushed nature causing him to hit more painful, less vital areas of their bodies before they dropped.
Finally he drew his sword, it and his Mask reacting oddly, the Mask bursting into Flames like he did, causing him to drop it back to the ground, the hard polymer merely bouncing off the pavement as he then hopped down to the ground. He was backed against a corner, his Mask was burning as a relic, and his sword was vibrating. Sheathing it, he growled, settling into a Tiger Stance quickly before charging the closest man to him.
Out of three dozen they backed off initally when the shots were fired however when the mask turned into a fireball one or two drew switchblades, another drew one of marks thrown knives from his fellow and threw it back, only to have it cvaught expertly by mark and thrown back perfectly nailing the guy between the eyes as Vitas watched.
Raising a hand the woman called to the Relic with her magic. At first it resisted. shaking violently as Mark sheathed his sword and charged at another thug. The mask ceased its fire and floated into the air flying madly towards Vitas outstretched hand. But it halted before she could grab it. She tried jumping to a stair and off said stair before giving up on grabbing it, It wouldnt be choosing her it seemed. And she had turned it into a relic of all things!
iHmmm/i Vitas then thought, ia fireball.../i Charging her magic she threw a fireball... at the sprinkler system. And headed for the door. Leaving in her fleeting shadow a letter, another location, and another time to meet. Mark was sure to survive this day. Vitas wanted to get away, get away from the past, her memories of thaty day, finding her parents dead in their home, they ihurt/i
As the Sprinklers went off, Mark's claws connected with the throat of another guard, tearing it out before his legs snapped the knee of another, and his elbow slammed the jaw of yet another. Mark was making quick work of the guards despite their being larger than him. Drawing his gun, he dropped another five, having killed over a third of them already he turned, dropping another two before his magazine was empty, and he holstered the gun, continuing his spin into clawing another man's ribs, breaking the ribs and tear away at his flesh before punching where he had broken the ribs, the ribs then puncturing the lungs. Finally drawing his sword, he decapitated one man, stabbed another through the stomach, sliced through another man's legs, and repeated the process quickly, swiftly cutting down half of the men before him before the rest began to run, screaming for their life.
He moved to the bench, picking up the other piece of paper and pocketing it. "I will see you soon, Talak Horde of Cairo." he shouted, knowing his voice would carry to where she was either hiding or running. He stepped through a transport array and vanished, appearing in Ruthie's living room, sheathing his sword. Vitas barely heard him call her true name as she left the observatory, soaking wet from the sprinklers. She opened a portal and disappeared to her home
Crescent City California
Ruth Bigs Bed and Breakfast
Seconds later
Marks arrival startled only two people, the first was the napping Wezaki who grumbled about the draft and rolled over, and ended up rolling off the sofa completely but still slept. The other person was Big Tony himself, Seeing Mark arrive out of nowehre as if literally from mist Tony gave him a strange look "I thought you had a date with Lady Vitas... what is it ?" He saw Marks look, one that had something of shock and sheer horror mixed together with anger and resentiment
Mark's fists tightened, the claws of his gauntlet grinding against the palm-plate while he sighed. "Talak Horde. She's a powerful Sourceress... She... transformed Zhao Yu into a feral Tiger... she's stuck like that for a week..." he sighed, calming down. "She tried the same to me, but ended up turning my mask into a Relic." he added. "With her bare hands, no less."
He shook his head and looked upon the strip of paper she gave him. "She also knows who I am. So now I don't have to hide who I am around her anymore... but she's intrigued, I can play into that. Use it to my advantage to get close before striking..." he stated. "I need a nap."
"What sorry what ?" Tony said in disbelief, "Transformed Miss Yu... into a Tiger ?... Am I missing something ?" He knew only so much about Vitas Warmoon's abilities, his mother never really detailed the magic side of things completely. But to turn someone into an animal ? "It explains why Miss Yu was scared for her life." Tony had been going over the ball recordings to try and decern certain things to add to the file on 'Bertha'
His eyes then went to the mask, it sparked crazily in Marks claws. "I take it it didnt choose you then ?" This made things so much more harder now that Vitas was revealed to transform people that wronged her. The paper as Mark looked at it had another location, and time. The Red Cliff park, noon. in a week exactly.
Mark nodded, the relic didn't choose him, and Yu was scared out of her mind because of the threat of being turned into an animal with no human dignity. "A week. Pitiful. Oh well." he said, finally moving and putting the piece of paper in his pocket as his armor vanished from his body. "I'll be in my room if you need me." he said calmly, turning to walk up towards his room, where first he'd take a shower, and then he'd change into his normal Assassin's cloak and lay down for a nap.
"Huh... A week, that gives us time to make arrengments. When you get up meet me in the barn by the car. We got a mission but I'll let you get your rest" Tony said waving off Mark as he went to the massive file on the coffee table and started typing up some notes to add into it concerning Vitas magical ability. Tony knew of his mothers other guests, and the need to keep Mark from them.
A woman with ink black hair passed by Mark, briefly Kalda wondered who she was before recognising the scent of her magic. Shade was up it seemed. She never looked Marks way as she passed him in the hall. Stepping down the stairs she went into the kitchen as Sazhori watched Mark from her bedroom door. She heard it all as she was listening in, but she could tell Mark was either tramatised by what he had witnessed, or something else entirely.
As Marks door closed another door opened and two men stepped out. Heading downstairs for a late breakfast it was revealed as Tony looked up as Wezaki woke up, to be Prince Talon and Prince Auji. Both men looked in need of breakfast, Tony just nodded towards the kitchen, no need to ruin their appitites by mentioning the fate of Zhao Yu to either of them.
Sacremento
Warmoon Palace
At that same moment
Rain pelted the windows of the grand hall where the feral tiger laid in a heap, bound by her back legs unable to move as she watched with scared gaze towards Vitas as the woman entered the grand hall. "I promised you I would turn you back in a week. But I have a better idea. " Vitas waved her hand. The tiger murred scared of what was happening. "You are to go to the Crescent City Zoo, Relax, dont get nervous. Its only for a week." Vitas said as Yu bucked up at the mere thought of getting dropped at a zoo. That was her worst possible fear, to be a tiger foever and forget of being human
"In seven days the magic will fade and you will return to being human anew. So, until then I release you from my service, you will stay at the zoo. By the end of seven days hopefully someone will have gotten you out of there, It would be bad form for a human to be found dead in a tiger cage now wouldnt it." Yu didnt react, still scared at the mere thought of getting taken to a zoo.
"Now, dont give me that look" Vitas said as Zhao Yu gave a sidelong scared glance towards Vitas as she moved towards a massive cage where a solid white tiger laid in a drugged sleep. "My plan is that you get taken to the Zoo and dropped off in their tiger cage. However, I gave you some sembilence of humanity in terms of memory and recognising people as friendlies to you. My plan is for me to never see you again, So, magically I gave you your assassin robes of black and white patterns upon your body, so when you return to human form in a week, you will be dressed like nothing ever happened. Take her away"
Two men from the Crescent City Zoo entered the room and within a moment had Zhao Yu loaded into a crate and carted out Before they left, Vitas marked the crate in big bold red letters "bNOT FOR BREEDING/b" If Zhao Yu even got screwed by a single tiger... the spell would become permament and that was not the plan whatsoever. Infact Vitas was relying completely on Mark Wolfe, her old lover, her to be husband, the only man she ever loved in her entire life, to find and rescue Zhao Yu before anything happened to the tiger.
Crescent City
Ruth Bigs Bed and Breakfast
20 minutes later
The two men sat at table, Talon looking seemingly at nothing while Auji sat back, also bored but agitated. It was unlike their contact to be late. For all Talon knew, Zhao Yu was early and waiting for Auji when a meeting was called for. They'd been sitting there for a while now, waiting on one person: Zhao Yu. They were all going to meet here at Ruth's, and yet, she was missing.
"What's keeping her? It's not like her to be late to anything." Auji growled, annoyed as he leaned back in his seat.
"Have you tried the Crescent City Zoo ?" Tony asked as he came into the dining room. "I hear they just got a donation to their tiger exibit" uh what ? He didnt want to put them off their meal by saying what exactly happened to Zhao Yu, just trying to envision it made Big Tony queasy. But it was the pure confusion on the two mens faces that Car Key thankfully stepped into view and their attentioned turned to her as she was going over the holo news on her wristphone
"Come again ?" Talon said giving the two Men a look,, the humans were strange folk. Why the Zoo ?
"Yeah, new tiger. Scared of everything, too." Key answered, still glued to her phone screen.
Auji paused. Yu was undercover, working for Vitas... if Vitas really was as powerful as they said... He stood up . "Guess we're going to the zoo." he said. At everyone's confused look he blinked. "What? New Tiger scared of everything? Sounds like a human got turned into a Tiger. Namely, our Miss Yu." he said, turning to walk out of the room, mumbling something to himself that no one could hear.
Of course he walked right into Xeibo, who heard the tail end of it too "What happened to Miss Yu ? She isnt here yet ?" The blonde girl had no idea whatsoever what happened to the poor woman. "Where are you going ?"
"To the Zoo apparently" Talon replied also standing up from the table
"Whats at the zoo ?" Wait, they were going to a Zoo ? as in were they kept animals in captivity ? "is that where Miss Yu is ?" She got nods from everyone present, Ok so that meant either one of two things. One the meeting was reset to the local zoo, more people, more blending oppertuniites, Or something came up and someone at the zoo was their new contact.
As the two left for a hovervan Big Tony stood from the sofa "If that is really the case... Im gonna finish the case in the fridge" There was a half case of Budwiser in the fridge. The mere thought of Zhao Yu magically getting transformed made him want to get hammered
"Where are they going ?" Shade then asked, it took a moment for Talon to recognise the woman, her hair color had shifted from silver to oil black
"To the Zoo, want some ?" Big Tony replied offering her and Talon a beer as Fang snuck out the front door. Shade respectfully declined the offered drink but Talon took one. He had a good tolorance for alcohol.
Crescent City Zoo
Ten minutes later
"We're here" Xeibo said as they flew over the zoo, using the map they fiured out where the tiger enclosure was and it was Auji who spotted the truck that most likely had transported Zhao Yu to the place to begin with. Xeibo pout the van in hover as they looked out the wnidows and down, trying to figure out where Miss Yu was hiding inside the massive cage. it was an hour before opening time and they had to find her before the zoo let the male out into the cage
"There!" Xeibo found a copse of trees within the cage, a tiger hid among them, apparently backed into a corner. a pile of stuff was also laid on the ground near to the tiger's hiding spot. "Shes a female for sure. wait, is that Miss Yu's guantlets ?" Xeibo focused her dragon vision on the pile of stuff and sure enough she recognised Zhao Yu's gear
"Looks like we found our missing Miss Yu. I'm going down there" Auji said he hit the button to slide open the side door "Keep it in hover over the cage. Lets hope the male wont notice us"
"Are you insane ?" Xeibo asked, but she was too slow as Auji went into brief free fall before his wings formed and he glided gently to the ground a good hundred meters below "I hate it when he does that" Xeibo said mostly to herself.
The tiger watched clearly scared as Auji landed and went to her gear. It was her stuff alright. But she recognised him. Thanks to Vitas giving her her memories and ability decern friend from foe. Almost timdly and freaked out the massive Siberian tiger stepped into Aujis view. He could tell she was scared by the way she moved. Each step was more careful than the last, but the closer she got to Auji the more she recognised him in appearance and scent.
She couldnt speak, so only low growls were coming from her throat as she tried to explain what Vitas did, but she didnt have to try as Auji went to her side after scooping up her gear from the ground. A quck transport array later and the gear, two bandoleirs of ulaks, Zhao Yu's preferred weapons, and a pair of heavy leather gauntlets with all sorts of attachments built onto them clonked into a neat pile within the hovervan.
As Zhao Yu stepped closer to Auji the young man held out his hand. Letting her sniff it briefly before she just up and set her massive fuzzy forehead against his palm letting her gently pet her head, "Its alright" He was saying. Her body shook with fear, the scent of the male tiger was everywhere. And she could smell him getting closer. At the scared look on the tigers face Auji simply nodded and opened a brief portal and stuck his arm through it to open Xeibos door and undo the dragon princesses seatbelt. Even with his own strength he couldnt hope to carry the seven hundred and ten pound tiger.
Without the chance to make sure the van was locked in hover over where they needed it, Xeibo fell out of the hovervan, in brief freefall before her scaled wings formed allowing her to quickly land next to her friends. "Did we find her ?" She asked At even the nod from the tiger as Zhao Yu recognised the frosted pink winged woman Xeibo turned to Auji. "That van isnt gonna stay there forever"
"Well, even with my strength and abilites I cant lift her out of here" Auji said simply.
Xeibo gave him a dark look. casting a quick look around she heard voices, someone was bound to spot the van hovering over the enclosure b then buit it was the look from first Auji then the tiger herself that made the Princess relent "Fine, i'm a dragon, I can carry her to the van overhead." The sliding door was wide open still so that let her have a straight shot inside the van once she had Zhao Yu in hand.
At the thought of being carried briefly Zhao Yu was scared, but then figured it was her ticket to freedom, Vitas had promised that the magic would wear off in a week, so why not have it wear off among friends rather then be found humasn in a tiger cage ? So with that in mind she pawed at Xeibos hand. As if a kitten were asking to be picked up, the look Miss Yu gave to the Princess was exactly similar. Xeibo gave a brief look to Auji. Finally sighing and nodding,. Time ticked on and she heard a gate open.
At the sound of the gate opening there was also another sound, footsteps, padded pawsteps actually of another tiger. At the sounds of new footsteps, Zhao Yu pretty much tackled Xeibo as she jumped into her arms. It was time to go.
Without thinking exactly what she was doing, she was only hoping the van could hold that much weight inside it Xeibo simply pushed off the ground while holding Zhao Yu. easily lifting the freaked out tiger in her arms as they hugged each other as their lives depended on getting safely into the hovervan
Two steps behind was Auji who ensured that nothing of Zhao Yu's gear was left before easily taking to the air, his wings stretching as he lifted from the ground, looking down as he felt the wind shift he spotted the male tiger had tried to jump and tackle him back down, but Auji was just out of the massive cat's reach.
Slamming into the van was one thing, but thankfully Xeibo was able to get Zhao Yu inside without too much harm coming to the newly transformed tiger who once was a Human Woman only mere hours before. Auji went to the drivers seat shutting the door behind him as Xeibo slapped the button to close the siding to. It was time to get Zhao Yu to home, the only problem was it was broad daylight. They had to kill time before getting back home to the house they were staying at.
"That went well" Auji commented putting the hovervan into drive and the van cruised away as a helicopter came into view. "We might have company cover her" Auji said, if the van had been spotted hovering over the tiger cage that meant trouble for two reasons, one was if the police were alerted that a tiger was getting stolen, then they'd be onto them, However as the helicopter turned as it neared the hovervan Auji saw the Assassin symbol clearly on its tailfin. they had a friend in the air.
Once given the wave of all clear Auji put the hovervan into motion and they were on their way leaving the zoo and heading along the coast. the assassin brotherhood kept a eye on the van ensuring their safety before flying off elsewhere. "Where are we going ?" Xeibo asked seeing the scenery go by as they were half a meter off the ground, Zhao Yu tried to look out the window as well only to have Xeibo cover the massive cat with a blanket
"It's too soon to go back to the house. We have to wait for nightfall." Auji replied
"Yeah but where are we going ?"
"To the beach"
"Do tigers like the beach ?"
"I'm not sure, but I know Miss Yu does"
To that Xeibo had no reply but there came a happy noise from Zhao Yu under the blanket. The mere thought of going to the beach actually made her happy, the mere thought of going to the beach with friernds made her happier still
Crescent City
Ruth Bigs Bed and Breakfast
90 minutes later
Wandering was a good thing. Wandering a open meadowy field that was plowed the month before and already growing thick with flowers and weat was another thing entirely. But that is what Shade was doing when another pair of eyes spotted the woman practising her stances. the sword seemingly made of light itself sparkled in the sunlight as the woman moved in a dance of mock combat, her eyes closed as she moved. Her mind envisioning combat around her as she moved.
"Shade. The Second Daughter of Light. Never actually met her; always saw her running around though... almost skulking, actually." Kalda spoke in Mark's mind as they observed her intricate dance of shadow-combat. Mark crossed his arms, watching her movements with a steady, unbiased eye.
"Something's on her mind... she's distracted." Mark stated inwardly.
"What makes you so sure?"
"She knows we're here, but has done nothing despite not knowing who we are." Mark answered. Kalda shrugged and Mark began to move towards the woman before them; her dark-colored, almost Gothic styled clothing a stark contrast to the bright wheat and flowers around her. He stopped, her sword-swing ending inches away from his nose as she continued her movements, moving past him without stopping.
"Shade, correct?" he asked.
Indeed she knew Mark or at least somebody was watching her. Her eyes were closed as she moved in the dance of apparent death with movements so peaceful and oddly alluring She moved int he dance, her sword seemingly going back towards Mark briefly before halting a centimeter from his nose as she turned his way. "That depends on who is asking" Came the reply, what sounded like a opera singer with a crystal clear voice with a strong hard harp echo was in complete contrast to the outfit the woman wore.
And then her eyes opened, and Mark saw black well, whites with black coloration. Wait, wasnt she the woman at breakfast the day before ? At Vivians funeral ? No just breakfast. the woman looked somewhat similar to Hidden Flute in a way, she had a look that said 'I'm not what you think I am' which when thought about it, if one called her out as a goth or emo type, she'd ask what the hell it meant
Her eyes took him in; and briefly she saw Kalda in place of Mark but as brief as it was she either ignored it or acted like she didnt notice. "You are correct Mr... ?" She faltered, she had no clue if she should act as if she knew him or not. After all Mother had indeed shown me what this guy looks like, seeing him in person is different, the crystal didnt do him justice. she thought
"Wolfe." he extended his hand to shake. "Mark Wolfe. Reincarnation of Kaldakava, former Champion of Light." he said. Of course then again the Crystal that she'd seen was him as he was before he cut his hair and shaved. Elsa needn't worry though, he'd grow it all back eventually. "You look like you've seen me before. Well... I had a rough night... look a bit different." he said, shrugging slightly.
She shook his hand when he extended his own. "Yes, I did see you a... painting of you at least... it doesnt do you justice" Of course she had seen more or less a three dimensional image of him before his hair was cut and he had shaved. So a painting was just as good. Her sword went to her hip disappearing it seemed as she set it upon her thigh. "You seem troubled about something Mr Wolfe. Everyone knows of the Masked Ball and how many girls hoped to dance with a man called The Phantom of the Ballroom." Sher had only heard it by word of mouth herself. How many girls were speaking that a guy in a mask got to dance with Lady Warmoon herself. As well as with Spike.
"I hear you had a... interesting morning today" Shade said offhand, meaning his meeting with Vitas that morning and what it had devolved to. "Weatherman get it wrong again ?" She meant the fire sprinkler system going off.
"Something like that. I certainly played the role of Phantom... a bit too well. The woman I was to meet remembered who I was; set off the alarms while her witless guards tried to kill me." he explained, his hand smoving behind his back as he spoke. His eyes shined dimly in the light of the day.
"Your form was off just a second ago. What's on your mind?" He asked; looking into her eyes, but not simply iinto/i her eyes, but into her mind, soul; seeing through her like she was hardly there.
"Having fun staring through her?" Kalda asked.
"Not really. I'm half zoning out; haven't slept well." Mark admitted internally.
When Mark stared at her as he asked his question he simply saw swirling energy, outlined in bright blue, an ally for sure. She sighed a moment then spoke "Distance" She was a bodyguard, but she was only to step in and protect Xeibo and her friends only if the necromancer was sighted anywhere. And that had yet to happen. "I was sent to help someone here, but only in the most dire of circumstances am I to step in. I am a bodyguard by trade" Well that explained the skulking around the Crystal Palace back home
She smiled then at his mention of the woman of the night before setting off the fire alarm while the thugs went after him. "Yes I smelled the water on your boots" She said simply. It was the smile however that made it clear she wasnt what she looked like at all but something else entirely. "What happened this morning for the thugs to try to kill you ?"
She then gave Mark a pointed look, he had mentioned Kaldakava. "iFor being the Third Son and Champion I expected you to be... taller/i" She said in Draconic. Everyone knew Kalda stood at eight foot two in human form! So why was he two feet shorter than herself ?
"Kalda was taller, yes. I'm his reincarnation; I'm a bit shorter." Mark replied. "Though he is oddly conscious. Here, I'll let you talk to him." he said smirking at the cheesiness of what he'd just said. With a metaphorical torch-passing, Mark's body shimmered and Kalda's appeared, even with Shade as he stood across from her.
"Hello there, Shade." Kalda said. "I see you're doing well for yourself." he nodded.
"Third Son" Shade replied simply with a nod. "You seemed entranced where you once were. Now you're here... And part of the Eyes of Light... What are the odds you find love, and end up across the realm from her ?" Shade raised an eyebrow then "You're not planning on doing a Raven are you ?" That would be the weirdest offspring, ever.
Kalda chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no I don't intend to do that. I have found my love, but she isn't... awake yet. On one hand, we're here because Mark messed up. On another, She needs time to wake up without me intervening. Give it some time... " he shrugged. He said nothing of offspring; not knowing where his and Xeir's Egg was at the moment, if it hatched, or if the girl they'd named Lizzy was alive... he sighed softly.
"What about you? You find love yet?" he asked. She'd been searching for a while, after all, for her certain someone. Whoever that was. "Or just the occasional fling?" A rather informal Question, but then, Kalda was always informal. Mostly.
She gave him a look, it was a simple look, but one that said, dont push it. However she shifted the topic, slightly. Mostly back to his inital question, at least Marks question. Why her stance was off And what happened that morning. "You seem troubled yourself. Something happened unlike anything you have witnessed, and you are speaking to me, your elder of all things. Whats bugging you ? His first love ?"
"Something like that." he responded. "He blames himself for the deaths of innocents and comrades. He is here to redeem himself... he's not handling it very well." Kalda explained Mark's reasoning for being here, why he was off, among other things. "Nothing really is on my mind at the moment; just making sure this fool doesn't kill himself. It would prove to be rather annoying."
After a moment he paused. "Why is your stance off?"
For a moment she said nothing. Sighing she sheathed her sword, the blade disappearing into the sheath, disappearing to somewhere. "Because I am unable to do my duty. So I practise here. I am what you might refer to as... reenforcements; But I am restless, and as such I need to keep myself in practise as much as I can." Well that didnt make much sense if any at all
"You are avoiding the question. That is not something you were taught" She was tempted to duel him right then any there. Unless he answered her question. "What is bothering you Something happened this morning. And it is not just me on their edge"
"This Talak Horde... Vitas Warmoon, whatever she's calling herself." Kalda would finally come around to the point. "A mere mortal with the power to force someone into another form... I watched her transform another Mortal into a Tiger like it was nothing." he explained. "That'd put off anyone... let alone another mortal like Mark."
"Gee, Thanks, Kalda" Kalda grunted then, crossing his arms.
"No mortal has that kind of power... no mortal alive" Shade mused thoughtfully. Unless... "Dragonshit" Shade had forgotten about the Mystic Arts. Some Mortals in the Mythic Realm back home practise them, even used the strange rings on their fingers to do many bits of magic. Like opening portals. "This... Vitas... whatever... is a Mystic ?" Oh this wasnt good. "Im not going to ask exactly how she came by such a spell. Transforming a person into an animal is not a good thing. Its actually forbidden"
"From what I was told he isnt simply Mortal... he is... A mutt" Shade said referring to Mark, Human, Tigris, Eagle and dragon, yep, a Mutt. "From what I was also told, if It's power was here anywhere I was to intervine to ensure the safety of certain people... Unfortunately I was also told to avoid you at all costs but somehow I knew you'd come to me. At some point. just not this soon."
"She knows I can hear her, right?"
"Shush boy, you know it's true."
"It seems she knows the Mystic Arts... I have no reason to believe that "It" is here." he said. Kalda blinked slowly, looking off to the side. "I've felt her presence, but not here... somewhere else..." he said, not able to put a finger on the place just yet. He shook his head.
"Mystic Arts or not, no Mortal knows those kind of spells, they're forbidden. But, you're part of the Eyes of Light now, and you felt her precense ? Where ? When ?" Shade was all business by then, focused on Kalda directly, stepping closer she set her slender hands on his shoulders, staring into his eyes "You know how strong she is ? If her magic were to spread, then them ission is dead in the water before it began." She mused thoughtfully letting him go and started pacing
Shade then smelled it "Oy" She wafted a hand before her face "What did you fight in ?" Apparently fire surpression foam stank "never mind, point is, if she is around I need to know where she is" She had no idea what he ment when he sensed her presence at times. Well he did say somewhere else
The only other place he'd been would be his only answer. "...Arendelle." Well that wasnt good
Mythic Realm
At that same Moment
Courts of Light
Throne Room
Luna stepped into the throne room, it had been ages since she had heard anything from her home and her family since the death of her beloved mother. And even longer still it felt since she had ever kept hope of finding her own flesh and blood. But Light summoned her from the Tigris City known as the City of Tile. Light had been searching for information of a certain child, a woman who worked with the Carrion Girl known formly as Vulture. As well as the other two of the Nameless Unit
And now Light had summoned her to the Throne Room of the Crystal Courts of Light. Light had information for her concerning a woman. Someone who had eyes as bright as starlight, could fight back dragons of all types and survive within the darkest dirtiest fighting arena. A woman named Hidden Flute had gained a reputation within the Mythic Realm as a skilled weaponless brawler. Which then got Lunas hopes up. There wasnt anyone besides her or the child she had born a million three hundred thousand years before.
"Good, you're here" Light said stepping into the throneroom, as the doors closed behind her Luna turned towards the All-Mother, bowing she saluted as was typical habit, a hand covering the toher when raised in greeting ,the head bowed slightly. "That isnt nesseccary" Light told her, Luna nodded and relaxed
"You summoned me, All-Mother,.. Why ?" Luna asked
"One million three hundred thousand and seven years ago you bore a daughter did you not ?" Light said in reply
"Yes. My husband took her and branded her a bastard, he never told me where he left her. I never could find her" Luna said
"A million one hundred thousand years ago a girl beat and broke the arm of my former Champion, Kaldakava. A girl, with eyes of brown that shined like starlight" Light said, Luna focused her own bright bown eyes on the Light Dragon before her
"You mean ?" Luna was confused, if her daughter survived.
"Yes, the child survived. And for the last year I had been searching and she is now found. She is in the Mortal Realm. It took a year but a woman, Ruth Big has cared for her and trained her as an Assassin within the Mortal Realm" light explained
Luna started breathing heavily, her daughter alive after one point three million years ? Impossible! "But the magic, his magic... it manefested as her... Would she remember me ?"
"Do not worry. When your husband placed the mark of the Bastard upon her, the corruption of Draco was removed entirely, burnt away by the sheer pain. She never knew the noblity that you carry or the title of the Daughter of Yaeko Wolfe that you are. You are the daughter of Yaeko Wolfe, there is a man, her decendeant, your decendant, who now roams the Mortal Realm, Kaldakava reborn. Go to him, and he will lead you to Hidden Flute. But be wary. there are enemies of the Darkness everywhere. You resisted his power, and bore the child. The mark Hidden Flute bears upon her right hand cannot be removed even if I tried to heal her of it myself. But what can be healed is the scars upon her heart when you reunite with her." Light explained. She opened a portal, the milky white portal opened to a field of weat and flowers
"Go to the Mortal Realm, seek the man known as Mark Wolfe. He will lead you to Hidden Flute. Do not worry, when you arrive you will know of the technology" Light said Luna nodded and stepped into the portal
10 June 2055
Sacremento California
4PM
"You're sure this is where they'er heading ?" The butler couldnt believe it, nor could Vitas or Spike who sat at the table, Takari Honda was a good spy for them, the Assassins had no idea what they were going to do next, nor did they for that matter, but all thanks to Takari Honda, Vitas had her edge. But she didnt trust the man, he was in it for the money. Vitas questioned the man relentlessly concerning Marks movements, where he was from, who he was with, and what he liked to do as a hobby "Two women actually searched his room ?"
"Three actually I should say" Takari said, the japanese business man had a way about him that everyone liked and left them penniless without knowing it. "Three women, one got burnt" Truth was two women searched Marks room, one slept in the other room. but that detail escaped them all.
"Good pay him, you may leave" Vitas said simply. Mark was alive, her bomb didnt work when she had hoped it had done so The wrong man died. "Spike, have your men track them, But I want you yourself to go to the history mesuem to reterive the artefact there. Try and be first. If you have to, make it like Madrid" Vitas said, Spike nodded and stood from the table. Finally a mission worth her time. Viotas stared pacing as Spike left, this was going to be a big mission, a Piece of Eden, what the Assassin's prized the most, almost within her grasp. She could use it for leverage against Mark for sure. But first she had to destroy Ruth Big.
Vitas activated a panel on the wall. "Ma'am" The thug, one of the smarter {aheh} ones stood waiting "Your orders ?"
"Move in, destroy Ruth Big... find and capture Mark Wolfe, and the woman with him, feathered in black, I want them both... alive" Vitas said simply. Somehow she knew they wouldnt succeed.
Crescent City California
Twenty minutes later
Ruth Big's Bed and Breakfast
The woman wore a dark coat, it was almost full dark, A hovervan went by her, in the Mortal Realm two hours and already she was lost, but not hopelessly lost. She had the general direction to head in, Towards the place where Kalda last was, or was currently staying, However it was her luck alone another hovercar pulled into the driveway and stopped a man getting out as the hovervan went into the parking areas and stopped, its headlights turning off.
Luna couldnt hear the words as the man, carrying what looked like a metal case for weapon rounds under one arm as if he life depended on it, knocked on the door. She could see the place clearly enough at least. the door opened, a woman stood there "Yes ?" Luna quickly slid over the low fence into the bushes near the window, leaning against the wall she listened to the conversation unseen by anyone.
"Takari Honda here, with the information required!" The woman stood to the side to let the man in. Ten minutes later and Mark, awake and refreshed all but fell down the stairs to the living room where Sazhori waited. Takari Honda had the info, and it was for her and Marks eyes only. "You look different since I last spoke to you" Takari said seeing Marks appearance. Of course the last time he spoke to Mark or even saw him was in Egypt 5 years before, just before Mark went to Arendelle infact "No matter." Takari reached into his coat and withdrew a holoprojector.
Taking a seat on the sofa, Mark sdmirked, yes he remembered, barely, Takari Honda, the man knew how to make a good buck and all his information came through for his mother and sisters for their missions. He even got wind of technologies about to fall into Templar hands and his info enabled minial damage to the items and to Mark and his fellow Assassins at the time "What can you give us ?"
"You pay ?"
"Like always"
Takaris eyes lit like a kid at a toystore for the first time. He activated the holoprojector, an image of the Shard of Eden floated over it. "I wandered around in the old city, northern edges of Sacremento, whats left of it. This caught my eye, it sits in a history meseum. Locked down tight, but I can tell you this. The Templars are after it, and from what I heard over the radio, a whole lot of speed freaks are after this thing too. Might be the same folk that wrecked Barcelona"
"Where is it now ?"
"From what I can tell, still in the place it belongs. But it wont be there for long." Takari stood. "Tell you what, I got you this info in person, hang onto that phone and wait for my signal" With that Takari left. Outside the window a woman hide in the bush as the man stepped from the house only feet to her left. Luna thought over everything she had heard, a Piece of Eden, Precoursor technology She could find her daughter with it!.
As Takari left Sazhori smirked "I dont trust him"
"I do, though only as far as I can reach with my foot." Mark replied "He gave my mother odd information at times when it was most critical. Side objectives were added to missions based on his data he gave us each time. If the Templars are after this ring. We're going to have to go get it first, Come on." He stood from the sofa as Sazhori stood from where she leaned against the wall. They had a mission to recover an artefact. But before they could get moving Ruth called to them to hide. As Takari left by taxi, a hovervan showed up, a dozen men stepped out, their faces masked carefully they were all armed it seemed, with pistols, slienced weapons at that.
They entered from several points as Ruthie was in the den getting a pistol of her own ready. Mark at first thought she was joking when she said she wanted a gun to take down the Templars, when she already had more than a few scattered through the home. Moving without a sound Ruth Leaned into the hallway, pop pop pop. two invaders dropped, one with a missing knee, both with holes between their eyes
Ruth then stood up, gun ready she moved into the kitchen, Getting into a quick martial fist fight she landed one man in the throat, the other she forced onto the counter before breaking his neck off the side of it, the man laid still three down nine to go. the fourth man took a swing, missed clean and found himself dead with a bullet in his throat. None of the men were people they knew.
Ruth then took her cane, the sword slid out without a sound, she easily slit another of the twelve men in the neck, five down seven to go. And they went, one fell out the picture window, shattering the glass easily Ruth moved throug the dimly lit hallway down a bookshelf before shooting at the firt target, another man down, grappling briefly with aniother she shot again, the bang taking down another far off. and down in the living room at the back of the house.
A few more shots and the last of the home invaders dropped like flies,. Finally she struggled with the last one, who had grabbed a carving knife off the counter. Finally getting him on the floor she stabbed the attacker in the throat and in the ensuing silence saw flashing lights of a policecar. Must have been a noise complaint.. Grandma Ruthie stepped to the door and cracked it open, then opened it. A Crecent City policeman stood there. "Good Evening, Grandma Ruthie" he said with a nod of greeting
"Good Evening, James" Ruthie said with a brief nod. Then she asked with a confused shake of her head "Noise complaint ?"
Officer James nodded, he knew the Assassin Brotherhood, he was a member of the Pit Crew as well. "Noise complaint" He saw the dead body in the hallway, removing his hat he asked "You uh... workin' again ?"
Ruthie shook her head "Nah, just sortin' some stuff out" She said
Officer James smiled as Ruthie brought out a pan of cookies, After taking a handful he said simply. "I'll leave you to it. Good night, Grandma Ruthie"
"Good night, James" Ruthie gently closed the door as Mark stepped into view down the stars. "Get to Sacremento fast as you can and get the shard, I'll handle clean up here." Mark nodded and left the house with Sazhori in tow, Ruthie went to the phone and dialed to a strange number "This is Big... Yes,... Ruth Big that's right... I'd like to make a dinner reservation for 12..."
Trinidad California
Trinidad Natural History museum
One hour later
The three thugs were swiftly knocked sensless by Sazhori dropping onto them as Mark took out their leader with a solid whack to the neck. The men sank to the floor out cold.
Stepping up to the pedestal Mark saw there was no technology around, no sensors or anything. Sazhori kept watch at the door as Mark summonred the claws of his gauntlets and gently lifted the top pane of glass off the case. The Shard of Eden floated apparently off a shard of glass of some form. "Is that it ?" Sazhori asked.
"That's a Shard of Eden alright" Mark replied reaching for it, as he did so the claws of his gauntlet seemed to bend away from it. Dispelling the claws he picked up the shard in his hand. It was no larger than a common wedding band one might buy their wife. "Funny, I was expecting it to be bigger"
Footsteps were heard on the floor, Sazhori dropped into a defensive stance. She relaxed however when she saw it was Takari Honda arriving, his ever present ammo box of credits under one arm "Ah good I see you got it!' he said, Mark smirked and stepped from the pedestal. There werent any troubles getting in, so hopefully there werent going to be any troubles getting out. Sadly with Takari there it reminded Mark of growing up, the man had a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"You could have warned us the Warmoon thugs were here" Mark growled.
"Ah I could have yes, but, I already told them about the shard, knowing full well the rightful owners coming for it would get here just in time to save it, You two being the rightful owners" Takari replied. He bent to one knee. there was an open closet nearby. "Tarkari could use a little help" A few moments later at the thugs were hidden safely in the closet
Finally Mark smirked "Time to go, gotta get this to safety"
"Uh wait wait" Takari said "Does this mean Im not getting my finders fee ?"
Mark failed to supress a laugh, half-sounding like a cough while he smirked "You never were" And walked off, Sazhori right behind him
Takari smiled, "Perfect answer. I am really proud of this guy every day" he turned and locked the closet. "I have never had a student learn this fast before!"
"Hey, you! Stop where you are!" Came a womans voice
"oh.. uh, something wrong dear friends ?" Takari asked turning with an innocent look as he held onto his ammo box of credits
"Received a destress call, Warmoon Commander, was meeting some informants here" Spike said stepping into view, there was no missing the dark green and dark blue dress always wore. "Knew something about some Warmoon Artefacts"
Takari thought fast "Yes, Actually I just arrived on scene here. well, I havent seen anything of Warmoon Artefacts, but uh... I did see some of them Warmoon fugitives... Assassins I believe they're called" Takari said "They were fleeing this area just before you arrived"
Spike raised an eyebrow, late to the money on the second run "Which way did they go ?" Her pistol raised at the man
"Ah that's a good question but uh... There's a reward for such information isnt there ?" Takari said, Spike narrowed her eyes at the man. Yes there was a reward. But she wasnt sure of letting him have it just yet