A/N: Hey guys, its been a while.
Now I know it has been a while since I last updated anything, but... I ended up catching the Virus that shall not be named and have been out of commission for a few weeks. Don't ask me how I got it, I am not even sure how. But don't worry, I am recovering and is I feel about 85-90% better. But as a result, I could not work on this chapter since I was in bed most of the time and too weak to even think.
But... now I am back and with a new chapter, but don't expect frequent updates since I am still not at 100%. I just hope you guys like this chapter since I was working on it before I got sick. So... on to the story...
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The Akusho District, Sadera...
Date, Unknown
Time, Unknown.
The sun had yet rise over the Imperial Capitol, as a lone individual rushed through the deserted streets of the Akusho District. In the distance, he could hear the echoes of an enraged populace taking out their frustration on another individual who for a time, controlled the infamous slums with an iron fist and a ruthless agenda.
His vain cries for mercy had long since been silenced, as Akusho's residents continued to do unspeakable things to the now doomed crime lord. His many crimes against the people of the forgotten district had finally caught up to him and the residents were going to make sure that leader of the Bessara Crime Family pay for what he had done.
This individual himself had also been apart of the mob that went after the crime boss. But rather than contribute to the Crime Lord's demise, he had stayed just long enough to quite literally rip off two fingers off of Bessara's right hand place them safely in his pocket. Before clawing his way out of the crowd and running off into the night. But there was more to his violent actions, than what one would expect.
There were those within the criminal underground who would be more than pleased to learn about the demise of the Bessara Crime Syndicate. Persons who did not hold the crime family in high regard, but were in no position to do anything about it. Of course, that just might change after tonight.
After what felt like an eternity, the individual came upon a door which was connected to a rather run down building. If anyone were to see the structure, they would have just written it off as just another one of the many dilapidated buildings found within the district. But to those in the know, it was a place that was best to be avoided.
Three loud knocks echoed through the alley way before a space opened up on the door to reveal the eyes of a demi-human glaring down at the person standing outside.
"What is it?!" the half man/Half tiger growled in annoyance, as he knew the person standing outside as a low ranking member of the Paramount Crime Family. By Hardy, calling this person a member of the aforementioned Crime Family was a stretch at best, but these underlings had been utilized by the Paramount before and was well known to the other Criminal organizations in the district.
The young man, one of the many informants utilized by the Paramount, just reached into his pocket and puked out two bloodied human fingers which wore two very familiar gold rings on each of them. Rings which carried the symbols of each of the major crime families in Akusho and for many years, were a symbol of the Bessara Family's power over the other Crime Families.
The Tiger man's eyes went wide in shock as the informant held up the severed fingers. He could smell the blood and it gave off a sent that only came when a fresh kill was made.
Suddenly, the door swung open and the informant was ushered inside by the now excited enforcer, slamming shut almost as quickly as it had opened. Once again leaving the alley in silence...
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The Very Next Night...
The Akusho district was still a buzz with news of Bessara's demise, as his mutilated body had been discovered earlier that day near the entrance to the slum. Then again, it was not every day that the leader of one of the most powerful criminal enterprises in the district was found dead. Even more so the Bessara's private army, made up mostly of mercenaries, had seemingly vanished over night as well. Of course, this was because of the supposed "Battle" that had taken place outside the Playful Elf. A battle which wiped out most of them.
Their bodies littering the streets and soaking cobble stones in blood. Bodies that quickly vanished as the day progressed, but the blood stains remained as testament to the slaughter which had taken place hours before. What happened to the bodies? No one could say, the residents that lived near the infamous brothel weren't talking. Then again, no one was keen on avenging the fallen crime lord, as Bessara's family had done a very good job at making enemies of the other Crime Families in not only Akusho, but in the Saderan underworld in general. B
The Bessara Family was just too powerful. They had their hands in everything and anything, and it was even rumoured that the Family had connections to some high ranking officials in the Imperial Government itself. But somehow, a third party had eliminated the greatest evil within the Criminal underworld and it was something that did not go unnoticed by the other ruling Crime Lords in the city.
It was not long before a meeting was organized between not only the surviving Akusho Crime Bosses, but some of the more powerful crime syndicates in Sadera. It was not often such a meeting would take place, but when one was held, it was because of something very serious in nature.
By the time night finally came again, several individuals had arrived in an old tavern near the entrance leading into the Akusho District. In a private room located above the tavern itself, several individuals sat around a large, circular wooden table. A hand full of oil lanterns illuminated the scene as a trio of cat girls placed plates of food and mugs fill with alcoholic drinks for those in attendance. Before quickly ushering themselves out of the room and back down stairs to the tavern itself. The heavy wooden door closing shut behind them.as they left, thus signaling the start of that evenings meeting.
"So the rumors were true, that son of a whore Bassara finally bit off more than he could chew! Always knew he would get himself killed!" Dunno Val Lidas of the Calrisian Syndicate announced. His voice dripping with glee as his words left his mouth, as the notorious smuggler looked on at the pair of severed fingers resting in the bowl in front of him.
"I think... these on top of his mutilated body should be more than enough proof that our... associate is no longer with us." Calico Medusa, leader of the Medusa Crime Family, replied. He too reveling in the fact that Bessara himself was indeed dead, it was in fact on of his men which had retrieved the former crime lord's fingers during the chaos of his untimely demise. Fingers which still had Bessera's gold rings still on them, rings many crime bosses were forced to kiss as a sign loyalty to the powerful family. But were now proof of Bessara's "By the way, the individual who retrieved these for us has been rewarded handsomely for these fingers for us."
"As you should." the Hondo Del Sol, leader of the Al Pya Syndicate, remarked. The relationship between the Al Pya and the Bessara was icy at best, seeing that the Bessara had stolen a lot of "merchandise" from the Al Pya over the years."Though I would suspect that a much bigger reward would be given to the ones responsible for Bassara's downfall? By the way, have you discovered the identity of the ones responsible? "
"We have, which is why we asked for this meeting." Leonada Paramount, (Paramount Family) replied, though his voice sounded more concerned than jubilant. "We are all well aware that the Empire is currently at war with an enemy like no other. Despite what those in the upper tiers of the city have been telling the public, the war is not going well at all."
"Indeed." Gernu Gonzori ( Gonzori Cartel ) added on. " My contacts in the Imperial Army has told me there are many in the leadership who believe that its only a matter of time before these so called... 'Other Worlders' attack the capitol. But... we believe that these beings from across the Gate are already in the city and that hey were the ones responsible for eliminating Bassara's organization."
There was a moment of awkward silence, as Gonzori's words sank in. But while the heads of Akusho's criminal Organizations seemed calm about the situation, the other crime lords were not.
"Are you saying that Sadera's enemies are already in the city?" Del Sol asked his hosts, his normally calm yet confident demeanor giving way to someone who was more worried than anything. The other Criminal Heads just nodded in confirmation.
"This is..." Dunno spoke up, "Are you sure that these... Other Worlders, were responsible for the destruction of the Bessara Family?"
Without hesitation, Gonzori snapped his fingers and within moments, one of his bodyguards stepped forward and revealed a small leather bag in right hand. Which he then handed to his employer before fading back into the darkness. Gonzori then proceeded to open the bag and shake out it's contents onto the table. To which several small, metallic objects fell onto the table and before the Saderan Crime Lords.
"My people discovered these pieces near the vicinity of the Playful Elf after Bessara's were killed." Gonzori explained, as the other examined the bullet casing before them. "I showed my contacts in the Imperial Army these things and they looked as if they saw a Lord Hardy herself. Apparently, scouts were were sent in after the Imperial army withdrew from...the Province, recovered these similar pieces from around Alnus hill and Italica."
"Have your contacts been able to determine just what these things are made out of?" Del Sol asked the Cartel leader, as he examined the shell casing.
Gonzori just shook his head and replied. "I am afraid not. They believe that copper may have been used to create these things, but not even the Scholars at the Imperial Academy can agree as to what they are made of, let alone how they were made. But we are getting too much off subject, Bessara is dead and his family has gone missing. Upon leaning of Bessara's... untimely demise, I had some of my men visit some of Bessara's businesses."
"Didn't take you long to move in on his territory," Dunno said with a grin.
"Not like he was still gonna need it when he reaches Hardy's realm." The Akusho crime lord replied. "But back to the case, when they began to approach the Playful Elf, they noticed a number of robed figures on the surrounding roof tops watching them. My men didn't know these individuals were, but they got the sense that they were being watched. Another team that was sent to the Bessara's residents reported seeing the same robed figures guarding the mansion, but did not see any of Bessara's men or even his family.."
"So not only have these Other Worlders eliminated Bessara and his organization, but have taken over his properties as well?" Dunno mused.
"Not all of them." Calico replied casually. "Some of my people have reported that several of Bessara's Gambling Dens were still operating. Though it seems his former enforcers have taken the initiative and gone into business for themselves."
"What about his warehouses?" The leader of the Al Pya asked his host, referring to several warehouses that were known to be used by Bassara's organization to store many of their illegal items. warehouses that were more akin to tiny fortresses, considering the amount of guards which were posted to them.
But it was Leonada who spoke up and said, "They seem to still have a number of Bessara's men still guarding them. But I will bet that will soon change once Bassara's former enforcers decide they want what is inside."
"So none of you are planning to take the warehouses for yourselves?" The leader of the Calrisian Syndicate asked the Akusho crime lords, somewhat surprised that his counterparts were seeming uninterested in acquiring their former rival's assets.
"We have more pressing issues to worry about and it is the main reason we called for this meeting." Paramount stated, before he took another swig of his drink. "The Empire is at war but from the evidence we have found and from what our contacts in the Imperial Military has told us, it IS a war they cannot win. No one in the upper tiers in the government or military wants to openly admit it, but the war is lost and the Emperor and his court either just does not know it yet or are in complete denial. They tell the populace that the Empire will never bow down to these barbarians, yet the enemy is already in the city. Make no mistake, Sadera will fall."
"So what do we do? just let the Empire Fall around us?"
"Don't act as if you are suddenly a patriot, Del Sol Paramount replied, "You didn't seem to have a problem with selling those weapons to King Duran. You though you were the only one who was approached by the Lion's people?"
"Gold is Gold." the Al Pya leader shot back. "What I mean is, what should be our next move as a whole? If this war is already lost, then what should be our plans for moving forward. We may be able to Pay off our people in the government and nobility, but I doubt that these other Worlders would be willing to cooperate with us. Who is to say they would not come after us when they occupy the city?
"We all know the rumors surrounding Bessara's supposed links to Prince Zorzal." Calico reminded his comrades. "It is possible that the only reason they dealt with Bessara in the way they did, was to isolate the Imperial family from their own.allies within the city. Its would I would do."
"For once, I'm glad Bessara had links to the Imperial Family and not me." Hondo replied, as he had always envied the links the late crime boss' had within the Imperial court. But now reveled in the fact that it were those very same links which had ultimately made him.a target. "But I think we may have to deal with the fact that these other Worlders may not be too keen on working with the.likes of us."
"My contacts within the Slavers Guild have told me that ever since the Other Worlders took over Alnus, the group has lost several raiding parties from in that region." Dunno stated, owing to the fact that his organization was the only one which had some ties with the Slaver Guild. It was the Calrisian Syndicate which had worked out a deal with the private slavery organization which prevented them from operating within the Slums of Sadera. An agreement which Bessara ignored and used the Guild to supply the many sex workers he had in his possession. "It seem that these Other Worlders have been causing the Guild quite a lot stress as of late. Their is even a rumor that their stronghold at Rhinehrem was recently captured by the Other Worlder army, but the Guild's leadership is trying its best to prevent their clients from learning the truth. If they were to find out the other Worlders were attacking Slaver encampments ..."
"No one wants to by slaves and risk a visit from said Other Worlders." Paramount replied grimly. It was no secret that the Slaver Guild was indeed a powerful organization within Falmart. They had their own army and infrastructure to support/protect their vast Slave Network. So for them to be running scared and hiding information from their traditional clients about the losses they had sustained, was a very troubling development to say the very least.
"I know this is going to be a dumb question, tried to make contact with the Other Worlders?" Dunno asked the assembled crime bosses, gaining curious expressions from all of them. "Open a dialogue with them? Maybe even seek an alliance which could mutually benefit the all of us?"
"Have you gone mad?" Calico asked the Al Pya leader. "What makes you so sure that the Other Worlders would want to deal with us? Considering what they did to Bessara and his men, I find it highly unlikely that such a group would want to deal with our less that honorable organizations."
"That is where you are are wrong, Medusa." Dunno replied, as he began to explain himself. "The Other Worlders are at war with Sadera and I am very certain that they would pay handsomely for any and all information in regards to the Imperial government. I know for a fact that many of you have close ties with some of the Noble Houses in the upper levels."
"Are you suggesting we turn our backs on the Noble Houses?" Paramount asked , an panicked expression forming on his face. As he and the rest of Akusho's surviving Crime Lords knew just what said houses would do to them once they learned about their betrayal. "They will retaliate with force against Akusho."
"No, they won't." Medusa said with a neutral tone, as he soon came to a revelation of his own. "Not if we ally with the Other Worlders and give them what they want. We all know what happened to Bessara and his men when they confronted the Other Worlders and we have all heard about the carnage that took place at Alnus Hill. It will only be a matter of time before the rumors of the Other Worlders presence in Sadera reaches the Court and they will be running scared. They would not send their people into our district if they know the Other Worlders are here."
"He's right." Gonzori replied, "Those political fat cats would be too busy covering their own asses, to be worrying about the slums. Provided they find out we are helping the Other Worlders."
"Like it or not, the Empire is not going to win this war, so we must place systems to ensure the survival of our organizations. Besides, they did do us a huge favor by eliminating Bessara ." Hondo stated, "The least we can do is provide them with what ever information they need, as long as it does not affect our bottom line."
There was a long silence as the assembled crime lords mulled over what they had discussed. It was true that helping the Other Worlders could and would bring considerable risk to both themselves and their respective organizations. As much as the nobility wanted to act as if Akusho did not exist, many of them did have links to the criminal underworld in some form. But while most would only use these links to acquire certain items that were seen as illegal and hard to find( Certain Alcohols, Exotic Fruits, etc) , many others used the services of the City's criminal organizations for more morally questionable activities.
Services that made Bassara both a powerful and feared figure within the Sadera Crime world. As well as one of the more despised , as his organization dealt with things the other criminal groups would not even dare to partake in. True none of the other crime lords were not exactly pillars or morality, but Bessara's actions and business dealing made them all sick and anyone who had dealings with the crime boss were just as evil who deserved every bad thing that happens to them.
But with Bessara gone and the Empire in a state of denial/panic, the gathered Crime Bosses saw an golden opportunity. One that could not only cement their positions within Sadera itself, but actually ensure the survival of their respective organizations when the war finally ended.
But as the amber glow of the lit torches flickered away in the private room, the only question left to answer was...
Just how were they going to do it?
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The Playful Elf
Three Days Later.
Ever since Bessara was found dead, criminal activity within the Akusho district had seemingly gone quiet. It was something which did not go unnoticed by the Black Paint Organizers, as the coalition special forces teams now found themselves becoming the de facto police force within the infamous slum. unlike some of their brothers in arms currently assigned to monitor the Imperial leadership, those assigned to Black Paint did have the authority to intervene if needed. Hence the reason crime seeming evaporated within days of Bessara's demise.
The residents of Akusho were well aware that the infamous "Other Worlders" were now in control of the district. But did their very best to ignore their presence within the slum, after all the Other Worlders had... "removed" Bessara , the least they could do was not draw attention the Empire's would be enemy. Besides, it's not like they were interfering with their daily lives.
On one of the rooftops that over looked the brothel, you a Japanese Sniper scanned the streets below for anything that was out of the norm. A task easier said than done, seeing that Akusho was hope to both human and demi-human alike. But whatever, another world.
It was now mid day, as the Japanese Ranger peered through the scope of his American built M24 Sniper Rifle. The streets surrounding the Playful Elf were alive with the sounds of the locals going about their day. But despite the chaos taking place below, the Japanese Sniper was still able to see a hooded figure seemingly walk up to the entrance of the Brothel and leave a small package at the main entrance. Before they seemingly melted back into the sea of humanity and vanished.
Now this was very odd indeed, as most of Akusho's resident had avoided the Playful Elf ever since Bessara's death. But this mysterious individual had left them something, something they obviously wanted to be found.
Using his radio, the Sniper called it in and within moments, someone discretely collected the small package and brought it inside where the force commander and several others were waiting. Upon opening the package, the assembled Japanese/Australian force discovered that it contained a small fortune of gold coins and precious jems that seemingly glowed in the ambient light. But despite the treasure that laid before them, it was actually a small note with had been attacked to the package which really caught the attention if the Special Forces teams. A note that would prove very vital to the success of Operation Black Paint :
The Criminal Organizations of Sadera's many districts, thank you for dealing with the Bessara situation and as such, rewards you for your actions.
How ever, we understand that said actions were probably as a result of your people's ongoing war with the Saderan Imperial Government and its ruling Families. We, the leaders of the various criminal
organizations of Sadera will not interfere with your operations and will assist you where ever and when ever we can join request.
We ask for nothing more than to maintain the peace within Akusho and ensure that no more blood is spilled.
Akusho is Yours.
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A/N: Okay... confession time. I may start to focus on "Deadman of the Moon" more because I really want to get that fic moving along. which means I may not update this one as often as you may like. Plus I am still in recovery so it could be a while before I start updating as often as I did before.
Anyway, please leave a review and tell me what you think. Until next time, NIGHTSTALKER out!