-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!-William was screaming trying to keep the top hat on his head while Nick was driving like a maniac through surprisingly crowded streets of southern Mistral
-Stop screaming!-Van Thorne said loudly through the roaring of his engine
When they finally got to the border between southern and eastern Mistral, Nick slowed down. Will was breathing heavily, scared shitless. Van Thorne was slowly riding closer and closer to the gate. Two soldiers stood up from under a wooden wall which was supposed to be a border:
-Restricted area-said one of them-get out
-You always have to be an obstacle?-said Nick, giving them a menacing look from under his hat
-Are you deaf, dude? Get out!-the other one yelled
Van Thorne didn't say anything, he just stepped on the gas pedal. The motorcycle roared furiously and drove right into the wooden wall, making a hole in it. Will started to scream again:
-Hey, you idiot! Get back here!-yelled one of the guards after them-you'll pay for repairing this wall!
-Leave him be-said the other one-he's not coming back anyway if you know what I mean
Slowly after the roar that shattered the wooden wall Nick slowed down again. Now he was just riding through the almost empty streets of another isolated district in Mistral, casually looking around:
-Nick, why did you do this? Now we will probably be hunted by Mistral police
-What, you mean those guys? They didn't seem like ones from Mistral at all. Think about it. Since when does Mistral police wear tracksuits?
-I see what you mean...hey, look! There are people gathered around there. Maybe this is what we're looking for?
At that moment Nick noticed 3 figures coming towards them. One of them was hiding in shadows, but he immediately recognized the other 2. That black coat, slightly shorter than his, a mask covering his eyes, the sheathed blade in his hand...blood boiled in his veins. He stepped harder on the accelerator. The engine roared:
-What are you doing? Stop, you'll run these people over-Will tightened the grip of his hands on Nick's shoulders. He didn't want to care but then one of these familiar figures swung the sheathed blade, immediately transforming it into a pump-action shotgun. He aimed it at the Hexman
-I suggest you get off the bike-said Adam in an ominous voice
-Nick, who are these people?
-Stop calling us people, human! We're Faunus!-yelled the Lieutenant from behind Adam. His chainsaw was above his head
-Stop calling me human, Faunus! I'm a cyborg!-Will yelled back
-And if I don't?-asked Nick Adam, completely ignoring the quarrel Will and Lieutenant had
-I'll put a 20mm Dust round in your head. Heard you Hexmen die slowly. It would be painful to walk around with a shotgun shell in your forehead for 20 minutes before finally biting the dust, don't you think?
-In these 20 minutes I'd manage to run you over so hard you'd be turned into strawberry jam
-Reflexes of a Faunus are quicker than human's. I'd just jump a couple of times
-Hmpf-both Adam and Nick snorted. The Faunus corrected the mask on his eyes and smiled sneeringly
-You know, Taurus, I won't run you over for simple reasons. There's too many witnesses, there's the race...and because I'm just too polite when I want to be. Though one day I'm going to mess you up worse than you messed Yang up
-Oh...so you're murdering my people just because you're salty about some girl?
-This is no ordinary girl-Nick's eyes started burning-this is the girl I swore I'll protect forever. If you disrespect her, I'm afraid you'll have to die, Adam
-You seem to forget one major detail-Taurus raised his finger, stopping Nick from stepping on the gas pedal again-how much do you know about your great-grandfather, Nick?
Van Thorne's eyes almost popped out. "How the hell does he know about him?" he thought:
-Victor Gven'nel-said Taurus-that was his name, wasn't it?
-How the hell do you know about him?! It was long time ago!
-Did your father ever tell you why Mr. Gven'nel worked for us?-Adam took out a cigar from his pocket. The Lieutenant walked up to him with a lighter and lit it in his mouth
-The archives are silent about this...it's only mentioned that he abandoned the Schnee corporation and was spotted a couple of times among the White Fang ranks. Atlas considers him one of the biggest traitors in the history of mankind
-Your great-grandfather was not a traitor-Adam exhaled smoke from his mouth-he was simply betrayed. Schnee were doing those purges among their workers back when he was on duty. He was their next target so he escaped. And that's when my dad and I came in. Victor Gven'nel was rescued by us. He was the only human in the history of our organization to work for us. Think about it, Nick. Are you going to piss off your ancestor and run over the man who saved his life?
-Nick, he's manipulating you! Remember what he did to Yang? What he did to Blake?-Will said to stunned Van Thorne
-I would never exist if not for him, Will-Nick replied-Which means I would never love Yang if he wasn't there. I can't kill him
Adam grinned widely, happy that his plan was working:
-So, Van Thorne...you've come back to your senses?-he asked
-Here's my offer-Nick replied, a smirk appeared on his face-I will not take your life, but once the race ends I shall bring you to Haven and you will apologize directly to Yang and Blake...and break your own arm in front of them as punishment
-I'll...think this through-Adam said, shocked that Nick managed to outsmart him-have fun at the race
The 3 Faunus walked away, apparently not happy. Van Thorne and Vengh just casually proceeded slowly to the racing zone.
A lot of people were there. The crowd was huge, seemed like it was extremely hyped about this race. However, when Nick put his vehicle on the spot where the race was supposed to begin and he went with Will to check out the rest of the area, he was disappointed because he couldn't find Adam or Lieutenant anywhere. Soon they both found a small bar where they could settle down. However, soon they heard announcer calling from a distance:
-AAAAAALRIGHT MOTHERFUCKERS, 15 MINUTES TO THE ANNUAL "MISTRAL DRIFT" MOTORCYCLE RACE!
-Gotta go-Nick said, emptying his can of energy drink quickly and tossing the can into the trash-find something to keep you busy, it's a 5 lap race
Will looked to his right. Near him, a group of people were sitting and yelling at each other:
-20 thousand Liens number 21 wins!
-Idiot, he has an old model! It's clear number 37 has the biggest chance! Remember he was winning all the races so far! I bet 30 thousand Liens he wins!
-Oh yeah?! Then I bet 100 thousand Liens both number 21 and 37 will lose!
-DEAL!-both arguing men yelled at the third one
William smiled to himself. His cybernetic eye got brighter. As the 3 people were getting louder and louder he snuck up to them and took a place on a stool next to them:
-Well well, gentlemen...I see not only motorcycle races are a sport you're interested in-he said, not looking at them
-Eh?! Who are you? Are you a cop or something that you're saying that?!-One of the men yelled. He clearly was drunk
-No no no, nothing of such sort. I'm just a person who enjoys risk as much as you do
-The look from your eyes is weird...can you even be trusted?-said one of the gamblers
Will's cybernetic eye blinked for a second and looked around them all:
-Gentlemen, this eye is only a cause of a minor accident. This doesn't stop me from having fun. Anyway...let's instead talk about the game
-What do you offer?-asked one of the gamblers
-There is a new racer here. ID number 13. What do you wanna bet?
All the gamblers roared with laughter:
-I ain't gonna bet shit for an unknown racer, kid! Get lost!
-Prove it to me he's not worthy your money then-said Will and smirked
-What are you suggesting?
-I bet all the shit I have he'll win-said Vengh
-I bet all my Liens he's gonna lose miserably-said one of the gamblers and others confirmed they bet the same. After they said that, Will put a small piece of paper on the table:
-This is my private account number...in case I win-the cyborg's eye flashed menacingly
-Where do you think you're trying to put this fucking number?!-yelled Nick at a guy who tried to put a number stamp on the back of his motorcycle
-Sir, an ID number is required for you to stand out among other racers-replied the man with a sleepy voice
-But not here, damnit! I just polished it! Put it on the registration plate instead!
-Oh?-said the guy-I didn't see it at first, sorry
When the worker was putting an unlucky ID number 13 on Nick's motorcycle, the Hexman decided to smoke a cigarette before riding. He was looking at the moon, when he suddenly heard a voice next to him:
-Your lungs must already smell of smoke
-Yeah, well vaping just isn't for me-Van Thorne replied, not looking at the one who said that. When he tried to look at that person, he already disappeared
-Sir, you can take your bike to the starting line-said the worker
Once Nick entered the starting line on his bike, everyone else was there. Apart from him, however, they all had helmets, while Nick only wore his cowboy hat and sunglasses. Next to him stood another black motorcycle. Not a chopper like his, but still pretty stylish. The dude sitting on it had a dim shield on his helmet, so Nick couldn't see his face:
-We'll have to talk, Van Thorne-he suddenly said from behind that helmet
"That voice" Nick thought. "It's the dude from earlier. Who the fuck does he think he is? And how does he know my name? Probably just a coincidence. I gotta focus on winning instead".
As the signal to go was fired, Nick's feet were already on the gas pedal. As all the racers were picking up speed, Van Thorne dashed forward, his hat almost flying off his head. He could feel the other racers cursing him for burning his tire while doing this.
Van Thorne left everything behind as his chopper moved at a light speed through the tracks. At some point he slowed down and through the roaring of his engine he could hear the spectators yelling:
-Come on, 13! You're the best!
-13, your ride's engine makes me wet!
-Nick, you can do it!-yelled Will among them
-Slow down kid, your tires demand it, hehehe!-yelled the 3 gamblers William made a bet with
Nicholas looked at all the spectators from behind his sunglasses. He then smiled to himself, lit the cigarette he still had in his mouth with Igni and pressed a button on his motorcycle's radio. A popular hard rock tune started to play as he was leaving the whole crowd behind.
After around 15 minutes Nick was approaching the tunnel. It was a special isolated area of the racing track. In the tunnel, there were no rules, no lights and most importantly, no crowd. Suddenly Nick heard as the song in his radio silences due to another engine roaring next to him. He looked to his right and noticed the mysterious guy on a black motorcycle in a silver helmet:
-"Shoot to thrill"?-he asked for the song's title
-Fuck yeah!-yelled Nick back in response, making a typical horn gesture with his fingers
-I see you really have bad taste in music-laughed the guy as he and Nick entered the tunnel-slow down a bit. We need to talk
But then Nick turned around and saw two other racers getting closer to the tunnel, numbers 21 and 37:
-No way man! They are catching up to us!-said the Hexman pointing his finger behind him
-I said slow down! There are things more important than the race!
-I will NOT lose it because of you!-yelled Nick at the racer next to him
But the man on the motorcycle kept insisting. At some point he even drove near Nick and tried to press a handbrake on his steering wheel. That ultimately pissed Nick off. This man was asking for trouble. He then kicked the motorcycle of the other racer and took out the golden gun and started shooting in the guy's direction:
-What the hell are you doing?!-he yelled and then noticed his front wheel has a small hole in it. The motorcycle was about to crash. The Hexman hid the gun and focused on getting out of the tunnel. In the meantime the other racer's motorcycle was about to fall to the ground, but he was faster. With parkour precision he jumped on the steering wheel and from it dashed onto the ground, landing on his feet. The racers number 21 and 37 were unlucky enough to be near when the abandoned vehicle exploded. However, the racer who saved himself from this horrible death didn't seem to be bothered. He just took off his helmet, revealing short, spiky, gray hair on his head. He only smiled to himself and walked out of the tunnel on foot. Leaving it right behind him, he slowly walked under the barricade and snuck in the crowd, slowly backing off out of the racing area. When he made sure he is alone, he took out his scroll from the pocket, dialed a number and placed it against his ear:
-Yes?-an unknown female voice said after picking up the scroll from the other side
-I think…we're gonna be a bit late-replied the man with the gray hair
In the meantime, Nicholas decimated the rest of the racers. "Shoot to thrill" was playing with other hard rock and metal tracks on Nick's radio and this time nobody disturbed it during any lap. Nicholas was making a lot of crazy stunts on his motorcycle (like for example standing on the steering wheel while in air etc.). Every time he was jumping like that, he could hear and see as the crowd takes photos. The light of flashes from their scrolls and cameras was almost blinding him. The corpses of number 21 and 37 along with the 3 roasted motorcycles were lying in convenient places throughout the tunnel and other racers mistook them for obstacles set by organizers as an extra. During the last lap one of Nick's tricks landed him on top of the tunnel. While he was dashing through it, the crowd started taking photos and clapping their hands maniacally. The most cheerful among them was William, who was now sure he'll win the bet with 3 gamblers and 450 thousand Liens would land on his bank account.
As Nick's chopper jumped down from the top of the tunnel, other racers were just behind him. They almost ended up like number 21 and 37. When they saw Nick, they knew they failed. In the end, Van Thorne with the last push of the gas pedal synchronized with the last chord played on the last song on his radio crossed the finishing line and heard the ultimate crowd roar. They were constantly yelling out loud his racing ID-13. Soon he felt as he is being lifted in the air-the crowd was holding him in their hands. Nick felt like a surfer but instead of water there were people, his fans. He used to do a similar thing on concerts in Gwynbleidd but he never was the one surfing:
-Put me down! I still didn't take my ID stamp!
Someone from the crowd handed him the mentioned stamp. He needed it to claim the prize-a golden statue of a chopper.
After claiming it Nicholas came back to the bar where he and Will were before the race. He sat on a bar stool and ordered his favorite energy drink, as it was very late at night and he was feeling a bit sleepy.
Suddenly he heard as the doors are loudly opened and William rushes inside, laughing like a greedy banker who just won the lottery. In a heartbeat he ran up to Nick and sat on the stool next to him:
-Double vodka! We have a reason to celebrate tonight!-he said as the bartender was walking away to pour the drink into the glasses
-It's not that big of a deal you know-said Nick
-Maybe for you, but I have something that will blow your mind!
William took out his scroll, pressed a couple of buttons on it and showed Nick a huge number on its screen:
-See that? We won that from a bet!-said the cyborg
-You know I didn't win for you to get richer. I won because you wanted to find that friend of yours
-Yes, we will find Stephen in time. But first of all, why did we attend this race?
-My…new contact from the west said that we're to meet here someone who knows where Stephen is
-Interesting…who could that be?
Nick then started to think deeply…but when he realized the fact he facepalmed so hard he wobbled and fell off the chair:
-God. Fucking. Damnit. Ughhhhhh!-he groaned from the floor
-What's wrong?
-There was a guy on the race that wanted to talk to me but I thought he wants to win the race so I shot his bike! I probably killed him, I didn't look!
-You fucking retard!-screamed William and hit the counter with his fist. His cybernetic eye got black all of a sudden-because of your desire for that prize we might have killed our contact!
At that moment the doors to the bar opened and William spotted two buffed men coming inside. There was also a 3rd one which Vengh immediately recognized as one of the gamblers:
-There he is! He is the fraud! Get him!-yelled the gambler
The two goons rushed forward and were about to punch Vengh but he just jumped back. After that they both separated and only one of them charged. William parried his blow and with his clenched fist he punched him in the crotch. Because of "Stanley the exoskeleton" his punches were not normal and his fist got stuck inside in between the attacker's legs. He just screamed loudly. When the other one attacked him, Will just prepared his other fist with exoskeleton's energy and threw a hook punch right at his jaw. The lower side not only dislocated but actually went flying into the wall. William was clearly more pissed off than ever.
At that moment he quickly grabbed the gambler by his coat. His eye started to flash blue again. He shoved the gambler at the wall and blocked him with his hands:
-I'll put a safety lock on you so that you never think of a similar idea-he said with slightly changed voice
His eye fired a blue beam and started to drill a small hole in the gambler's forehead. Through his screams William carved with one huge burn wound a letter V in a circle on his forehead. The gambler fell onto the ground, still screaming in pain. The two goons were slowly bleeding out.
All this time Nick was lying on the floor, shocked to see his former friend become so murderous:
-Situation…under control…-mumbled William and gave a thumbs up before he fell onto the ground
-Willy!-yelled Nick as he was getting up and rushing up to him
Nick was rubbing his hands on William's face, trying to see if everything's alright
-I'm just…tired-he was mumbling with his eyes closed-stop…Nick…
The doors to the bar opened again. Nick heard 3 people walking in and ducking near him
-We'll take care of him. Just follow us, we'll get to our room in Mistral
Nick this time looked to his left. It was Adam. He and 2 other people were with him. One of them was of course the Lieutenant, the other one was a Faunus Nick didn't recognize. All he could see were little sideburns on his cheeks and a burgundy White Fang uniform instead of black, white and silver as others.
The Hexman followed the 3 Faunus. Lieutenant was holding the cyborg in his arms, while Adam and the other guy were walking with Nick right in front of the tall lieutenant:
-Why did you come to help me?-Nick asked
-2 reasons-Adam replied-first is that there is someone in our room who wants to desperately meet you. Second stands right to your left
Nick looked at the other Faunus who stood to his left:
-It was very rude of me to not introduce myself-he said and stretched out his hand-I'm Tukson, I'm in charge of the White Fang's archives
Nick shaked the Faunus' hand, slightly confused:
-I shall explain myself once we reach our base, Sir Van Thorne-said Tukson after a while
Nick decided to keep quiet for the rest of their journey. Adam was smoking a cigar and coughing while doing so. Every time Tukson was walking up to him and asking if he's alright.
It took almost an hour but Nick and the rest soon reached the room Adam mentioned. That's how the Faunus called a small shack on a hill. He explained that this is where he and the others reside for the time the eastern Mistral is controlled:
-We'll take the cyborg inside-he said and grabbed Nick by the shoulder-walk with me for a second here
Adam and Nick stayed near the door to the shack and when Tukson and the Lieutenant got inside, they both walked away towards a nearby tree:
-I really wish we met under different circumstances, Nick-said Adam after he was silent for a while
-So do I-Van Thorne replied
-You said that your girlfriend was wounded by me, right?-Adam stopped looking at Nick. Instead he was staring at the rest of the city district
-Wounded is an understatement. You cut off her arm to the elbow-said Nick almost yelling, pissed off Taurus was so calm about saying such stuff
-Instincts, Van Thorne. It's what you follow on the battlefield if you wanna survive. But you can't, can you?
-Not possible. I'd turn into a Cursed immediately
-Exactly my point. You, Hexmen, have knowledge that people don't possess. But what good is inhuman knowledge without human means to use it?
-You'd be surprised how we can handle such issues. For example, you hide your eyes from me behind that mask, you and the Lieutenant, because you're afraid of your victims to see fear and pity in your eyes. You cut off Yang's arm supposedly in cold blood and "instincts" as you say it, but those eyes hidden behind your face wear shelter eyes filled with grief
-I could cut you for that-Adam laughed and smiled
-We'd have to see who's quicker-Nick replied
-In eastern Mistral I wasn't
-What?
-The White Fang, despite what Tromberg implies, doesn't control the eastern Mistral. Not to mention local mobs, who were reduced to what you saw at the racing area
-By you?
-No, when we arrived they were already being exterminated. People who did this to them…compared to them, we are like maidens
-So you know about Lahilla around here. Tell me, do you know where do they keep the cyborg's friend?-Nick asked hoping actually Adam was his contact
-Friend?-Adam seemed confused-I thought you were the only one he had
-Wait, so you're not the contact?
-What contact? What are you talking about?-Adam was even more confused
Then they both heard footsteps that didn't belong to them near the shack. Adam and Nick turned around to see a man with spiky grey hair approaching them. He was wearing a grey jacket with a few armor pieces in the same color, black gloves and black pants:
-Mercury?-Adam seemed surprised-weren't you supposed to wait inside already? I gave you the key
-Things got slightly complicated-replied the newcomer, smirking the whole time. Nick immediately recognized his voice. He opened his mouth in shock
-But...I heard your motorcycle exploding...-Van Thorne mumbled
-Guess I'm going to miss it a little bit-replied the grey haired dude
-You two know each other?-Adam asked Nick, surprised again
-Of course we do. But before now we spoke very briefly-the stranger replied-I'm Mercury, by the way. Mercury Black
-Nicholas Van Thorne-the Hexman introduced himself
-I already know your name-Mercury laughed
-Look, if you're still pissed off about the motorcycle, when William wakes up I'll pay you its worth
-No need for that-Black replied-could we go inside for the rest of this chat? It's cold this night
-Good idea-Adam said and quickly walked past Nick and Mercury to the shack. He entered it and closed the door behind him
-Is he a poikilotherm?-Nick asked
-A poikilowhat?-Mercury seemed confused
-Does he freeze easily?-asked Nick in a more simple way
-Nah, it's just that he's not a fan of being surprised too much
-I can imagine why-Nick said
-Oh really?
-Let's get inside. I don't wish to talk about that-Nick wasn't in the mood to tell Mercury about him and Blake
When Van Thorne and Black entered the shack, they immediately felt warm from the fireplace in the room they landed in. It wasn't a one room shack as Adam referred to but a small, yet cozy house, with weak lights, wooden walls and floor. The room they were in was like a living room. The fireplace was giving light to a carpet and the back of a black sofa, which was set near an average TV set. Besides that, there were two armchairs by the fireplace, a wardrobe, a desk, two curtained windows and two doors. As Nick later explored the small house, one door led to the bathroom while the other one led to the sleeping room, where William was lying in the bed. When Nick came back to the living room, Adam and the Lieutenant were discussing something by the fireplace in their armchairs, Tukson was in the bathroom and Mercury was relaxing on the sofa, watching TV. Nick sat down next to him.
The TV was displaying the news programme hosted by Lisa Lavender, a beautiful news reporter with average length hair in the same color as her last name, shining amber eyes and very narrow lips which made her look surprised every time she was saying a sentence. She was speaking about an event which occurred in Mistral and about which Nick knew very well:
-The Mistral Riots, which blocked the entrance to the city for many days now, slowly fade away. After a sudden liberation of southern district from Haven Academy to the Dust Boulevard and the tragic death of vice principal Jonas Mikaelsen, headmistress of Haven, Helga Tromberg, who has been declared the regent of Mistral for as long as the council resides in Atlas, officially stated that her students, along with the now present at the scene Atlesian representatives, will offer amnesty to the protesting communists in West End. Back to you, Cyril-said the host
Then the mentioned voice could be heard as the screen showed photos from days when Tromberg's students desperately tried to hold the western district together by blocking demonstrating people. Nick looked at their transparents. They were mostly saying: "No more ruthless labor for the working class!", "Leadership belongs to proletariat!", "Stop the capitalist pigs!" and a picture of a snowflake being crushed by a red hand. All those demonstrators who didn't have the transparents carried red flags in their hands and were waving them in the air. While these photos were shown and a strap below said "West Mistral liberated?", the reporter Cyril Ian was giving the information:
-Thank you, Lisa. Right now the press conference of Haven's principal has ended but from what I found out at it not only are the communists free to use amnesty now but Jacques Schnee, also known as Harland Junior, who is among the Atlas representatives currently in Mistral, said that in the following days Haven and Atlas will cooperate to convince the Communist Front's First Secretary to lay down weapons and get rid of barricades which block the entrance to the West End. Atlesian general, James Ironwood, who transported to Mistral the remaining staff of the destroyed Beacon Academy in Vale commented that once West End stops their riots they will be able to get knowledge about what happens in the entirely isolated from our cameras Northern Hills.
The screen went back to Lavender:
-Thank you, Cyril. In other news, we just received reports, that...
At that moment Mercury switched off the TV with the remote:
-One more second and my head would explode from her annoying voice-he said
Nick was still looking at the switched off TV:
-Hey, you there?-Mercury said and waved his hand in front of Van Thorne's face
-Who is Jacques Schnee? Is he Winter's brother or what?-the Hexman said to himself
-You kidding? The guy's a main corporate rat of the world! And if you mean the icy bitch Winter then he's her father
-What? No no no, that was Harland Schnee, not Jacques
-You have the wrong information, Van Thorne-Mercury laughed-Harland is Jacques' father. That rat was doubted to be his father's successor by most of the workers so he started to call himself Harland Junior so that others are convinced. And they fucking bought that, bunch of idiots...
-Pfffft-Nick snorted as if he wanted to laugh
-Anyway, now that the purple cunt is silent...I have a message for you
-Is it about Stephen?-asked Nick, full of hope
-That too. Though I'd prefer if the cyborg was present on that. I have another message for your ears only
-What is it?
-My boss wishes to meet you, but when I asked for details I was just told that you'll meet in a right place at the right time
-Who is your boss? Mercury?-asked Nick, seeing that Black suddenly stands up from the sofa
Then they both heard as the toilet is flushed and Tukson walks out of the bathroom:
-Finally!-Mercury yelled and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. After a while both Nick and Tukson heard him pee.
The Faunus in burgundy uniform took a seat next to Van Thorne and looked him in the eyes:
-I owe you explanation. After all, Adam had to mention me as one of the reasons he helped you-he said
-An explanation wouldn't hurt, sure-Nick replied
-You see...a long time ago, I deserted from the White Fang. Mercury found me in my book store and I died by his hand. Ever since that happened I had hope one day I might escape from Dante...but soon all hope was lost. And then one day you came. Not only did you save me from the demons of the 3rd choir who were punishing me, but later, when you were negotiating with Dante, me and 3 other people managed to make the rift you left wide enough so that we could get away. You saved us, brought back to life, not even knowing that. When I got back, I immediately met up with the Lieutenant and offered my life back to the White Fang because you may cheat the afterlife, but not death. Thanks to you, I am where I am right now, and Torchwick too. I wanted to thank you for that and return the favor
-Who are the other two people who escaped with you?-asked Nick, shocked generally about what Tukson said
-I don't know, but they were females for sure-Tukson replied-by the way, what was your reason to go to Dante himself? Who is that girl you talked about?
-It's complicated-Nick replied and looked through one of the windows. It looked like it's about to rain. "I hope they are safe and not hunted" thought the Hexman.
Meanwhile, far beyond any living being's reach, deep in the realm of the underworld, where the lake of fire was the only source of light and the screams of its sinners were muffled by the constant singing of female souls, a hell minion left the fortress made of black brick. However, there was something weird about him. He was radiating with some weird dark magic. He lifted in the air and while levitating started to fly towards the island, where usually people who do the Necthro ritual land. The place was already full of other minions as well as demons from all choirs. They were walking around, burning the remains of their brothers and sisters who perished when the last mortal was escaping the underworld. At one point that dark minion ducked near the desecrated corpse of the fiery demon-the cruel general Malacoda:
-Oy, step yer feet away, eh? We about to bury that corpse-suddenly said one of the other minions
-Why should I step away from the corpse of my most trusted soldier?-said the dark minion. His voice sounded extremely dark. All hell knew that voice...and the other minion suddenly trembled
-L...L...Lord Dante!-he stuttered
-It's such a shame our dearest Malacoda had his fire extinguished...-said the ruler of hell
After these words Dante's vessel placed his hand on Malacoda's severed head's cheek:
-Poor little you, torn apart before your mission was complete...rise, my child. It is not yet your time. Per Aspera Ad Inferi, my dearest Malacoda
Suddenly the former fiery demon's severed head opened its eyes. Soon Malacoda started to gain back his shape until he was complete and was back to what he was before Pyrrha massacred him. Dante's vessel just smiled sneeringly:
-For the task I have for you, you'll need a proper clothing-he said and snapped the vessel's fingers. Malacoda started to transform again, this time he turned into a human. He was wearing a black suit, red tie, a brown trench coat over it and had a walking stick in his hand. His head was decorated with a bowler hat and on his face spiky ears appeared, skin became white, horns disappeared, eyes became human but with red pupils, a crooked nose and a fancy moustache with a light beard replaced his demonical face. After that, he immediately kneeled:
-What is thy bidding, my master?-he asked
-Certain souls left our home, general-Dante replied-I send you and the Bedlam division to the surface so that you bring them back where they belong
-Is The Red Damsel among them?-Malacoda asked
-Yes, she is. You will have your revenge-Dante said and a devious grin appeared on his face
A little later Malacoda and a division of demons from the most feared kind were on their thunder steeds and galloped through the portal. Once the portal disappeared, Dante destroyed the vessel he was in and as a shadow he flew back to the fortress.
Malacoda and others soon were galloping in the air on their steeds. The hell army's resurrected general had his face almost torn apart by a wide, devious grin. The demons behind him were also pleased with a vision of capturing stray souls of pathetic mortals. The former fire demon was joyful to finally get the second chance to prove his superiority to other demons and please Dante. But to do that he needs to get back with souls that escaped, especially the one his head was focused on the most. The soul of a girl that caused him to be placed in that mortal vessel. The soul of Pyrrha Nikos...
("Per Aspera Ad Inferi", which means "Through hardships to hell", is a paraphrase of the well-known Latin phrase "Per Aspera Ad Astra", which means "Through hardships to the stars". It's also a song title of the Swedish metal band Ghost BC)