In a dark large room, with many people seated behind stands, relaxing
peacefully as they glanced down at the man who casually walked forth into
the spotlight, arms crossed behind his back, as he glimpsed up at the
highest stand in the room, taking a deep breath, ready to address them.
"It appears Don Monte Cameron has failed, and like any fool, he chose to take a cowards way out rather then face us." The familiar man stated, knowing full well his role of keeping the Don on a leash was finally over with.
"The Black Market was our only way of getting the Fae without being discovered; now it seems we have only few choices left." A deep male voice replied from the upper left area of the stands.
"We cannot revert to THEM, not yet... we still have two cards yet to play... The first is the Peacemaker head boss Erwin. he is one of our best choices considering how deep of debt he is in." A soft male voice claimed, his tone more relieved then most others.
"Your out of line, he wouldn't even dare get involved in a case such as this, the Bandit Trio though might be of good service." The elderly man addressed the council members, chatter of disagreement buzzing afterwards.
"The Bandit Trio! Are you blind old fool, those men are better as assassins then they are in a mission such as this." A female of the stands bellow in dismay at the suggestion the male made.
"OLD FOOL, why I outta-"
"I agree with Penelope, last time we gave them a mission to take care of a leak that would tarnish our corporation, they ended up creating a scene of murder, that incident still is under question." Acknowledged a male seated a few stands away from the Penelope, already showing who side he was with on this debate.
"Penelope, show respect to the elders of this council, and Dagget, we acknowledge your opinion, but at this point, I agree with our Elder, Elroy. The Bandit Trio may be a mix of misfits and the most sadistic soldiers of fortune known to this world, but they are our only option." Stated the one who was seated in the highest chair, a man in his near fifties, but still retained his dark green hair, with a few gray hairs showing in the hairline, thin but visible to any sharp eye.
"Seymour, as always, I thank thee." Elroy honored, as he bowed with his hands clasped together.
"I agree with Elroy and Seymour, the Bandit Trio are the right source, even if they are reckless, at the right price, they can be easily convinced to do as much as groom a puppy. All we need to do is offer that price, I would say a around six hundred-thousand dollars might do the trick." Mentioned a more deep toned female voice, seated near Dagget.
"Trish, you goodie two shoes, always siding with the elders just cause they allowed you in the council!?" Penelope muttered to herself, grasping her fists in anger.
"Hold your tongue Penelope, were not here to start a child's argument, were here to decide what steps must be taken." The more relieved male voice stated, glaring at her with perturb eyes.
"Grr, mind your damn business Clark!" She spat, infuriated greatly.
At that moment, a buzz of several arguments started throughout the council, one side to the other, each shouting with rasped tones of voices. Elroy though was the only one who remained out of it, as he was the high chairman within the council.
"Order... ORDER!! There is no need for this arguing to continue. As the highest councilmen of this council, I need only few votes to get it, and so far, I have enough." Bits of anger were shouted towards him, before he raised his hand calling for silence. "In addition, I have called for the three already, with an offer they cant refuse." He concluded, with a smile at his last statement.
Those who did disagree replied with yells of disgust, but they were only ignored by Seymour, who had dealt with their backbiting so many times before. He didn't ever cheat or rig things to create his own gain, he was a fair man who granted equality to all his members, even those who did at times mock and criticize him. With already the failure of the Black Markets strive to retrieve the Fae, they had little choice but to rely now on others.
He only feared what would happen if the failures did continue, the ones who would take over would be the Chairman's most elite force known throughout the land, beings who easily were superior in ways that no mortal ever could equal. Jealous he was, they easily were more then the council would ever attain to. He still hid the idea, like the many others, as they didn't dare shed their spite towards the squad that had already spread fear through the land thirty years ago.
***
In a town by the name of Mayflower, said to have been named for a flower years before the sands eroded the soil away. It was another small average town, the buildings made from wood, but reinforced to withstand the ever devastating sandstorms that ravaged the area from year to year. The town though wasn't so average considering that it housed many guards posted to protect what was known as 'Green Domes' that were around the area.
Green Domes were mainly farms, placed under a huge dome that extended deep into the ground, avoiding most of the sands that spanned throughout the desert. Around forty acres were taken up by the domes, mostly for the purpose of growing large quantities of edible plants, to help keep the food supply of fruits and vegetables at a high and supplying rate.
The main security that surrounded each dome kept a tight protection that no group had ever been able to bypass for several years, none have dared let a single renegade or hell-raiser through, they only answered to the trespassers with the heavy artillery gunshots of pure grade A lead bullets. It was the only way to answer when threats of outlaws had risen to the state of creating an armed group to hire people to go out and hunt down the outlaws. The armed guards were employed by the farmers and by the food marketers to stand guard around a one area of the dome, at the turret guns, lookouts sent to the tower to keep watch of the distance for any incoming hostile forces. The amount of time was around several hours, shifts around eight hours per day, given only a day off.
The area was set up beyond the idea of a prison, but it was necessary in order to protect such a vital area. The dome may have been several yards thick in glass, but with the right amount of force, the entire area would be shattered. Wires were not placed in to prevent impact resistance; the dome was designed to purely to last forever, why else was it thirteen layers thick, and only a one way glass, the outside cloaked in a dark gray mirror, to prevent most beings from coming in.
A few beasts did pick fights, but were silenced by the counter attack of the auto-guns that would activate when an intruder without a signal was detected. Workers carried a card that sent out a signal, providing them a safe walk inside. Anything without the card would be shot to death. The second was the facial scan, after you passed inside; you had to get a scan, eyes, hair and facial. The last part was an X-ray scan, a device that helped point out anything dangerous the worker carried.
The fear of traitors was one of the biggest fears among, and the system easily took care of it, putting thick doors and locks on the most very critical damaging areas that could cause a shockwave of explosions easily leaving an opening for a group of vigilantes to move in and create plenty of trouble for the entire dome.
The inside was rumored to be an Eden, nothing but plants were inside, food all around, but anyone who went in stayed inside til their death. While there was communication, people who worked in their never seemed to want to leave, they wanted to stay in the area, breath the air, and gaze upon the endlessness of the beauty that the planet long ago lost.
The town only played the role of operation in trade, but it wasn't too crowded, the place was only for workers and some of the workers family's, who helped out in keeping the town straight. The usual eat and go area's, and hotel's were the only area's that were built for travelers on the go, but recently, someone was running amok within the town.
Damien 'Nazza' Hill's was stirring up trouble round-a-bout, already wanted for several armed robberies, and attempted murders of several government officials and the guards, and also public disturbance, when he ran his mouth about how certain races were ugly directly in the same places the people were. Recently though he has started more trouble, this time with public graffiti, creating symbols of highly controversial meanings, easily stirring up a trouble with many of the travelers.
As usual, it was up to a peacemaker to take him down, and recently, Ryu was the one with the job. He only gave one warning, with a message sent by the old telegram system by a boy, stating the punk to either show up in the town square or start packing and running. The town went dead quiet; high noon now was near with the sun in the dead center of the sky. , Ryu standing out in the middle, a slight breeze blowing his coat to the side, his face ever emotionless.
Slowly a runt came out, wearing the usual punk rock T-shirt, with a band well known throughout the lands, Shattered Kiss. His short but still baggy pants hanging past the knee's, and leather boots already covering his bare feet.
"Well, the coward waits for me to show, how amusing, so what, we gonna get this-"
BANG!!
One shot rang, one second passed, one person stood, one gun drawn. A gentle breeze once more blew through town, caressing the victor's hair, the long blue hair of Ryu, who glanced at the fallen teen, a shot to the heart, easily fatal to a weak fool such as this.
His gun smoked with the recent bullet engagement of the chamber fire, as he snorted, placing the gun back into its holster, he turned away from the punk, walking off at a normal trotting pace, making not one single remark, only in his head.
"All talk and easily naive, better to end your pitiful life as soon as possible." Ryu mentally remarked, heading off, as the townsfolk walked outside, each staring down at the fallen man, a few spat insensitive remarks towards the peacemaker, claiming he had no right to kill a still young child.
Anyone over the age of thirteen who was involved in such things as this was easily considered a criminal, mostly on the account that teenagers around that age were most often responsible for violence. Incidents from the past few decades spanned many bad incidents where teens carried out murders on people that a mob or crime syndicate wanted dead. While people at times put teens into programs designed to help guide them the right path, most were rebellious enough to not even follow.
Ryu never entered such a thing, he and Draco both grew up in the middle of nowhere. The two were allowed outside to explore and get some exercise, but never to wonder too far from home. Draco had run off after he murdered his father, only to turn to the side of an outlaw.
He might have been the first, but he was easily tricky. When young, he and Ryu always were competitive, in running, fighting and the usual wrestle. Draco always managed to outdo Ryu in anything, finishing first in racing, pinning him in wrestling, and disarming him in sword fights.
Ah, the days of the past, when the two were young, so energetic, and so filled with dreams of the future they never did argue or fight in bitterness at all. Those times were over, and the two were arch enemies. Ryu though still remembered why he left home. Out on a short walk, mostly to see if Draco was around their hide out, mostly a rock that had an underground cave. Finding no trace, he headed home, only to find his home scorching in a vicious inferno that no man in his right mind would dare go inside and try to face. Ryu wouldn't even try, the true horror was outside.
He took only to steps forward, before falling to his knees, breaking into tears, mourning over the death of his parents, and demanding to know who and why someone would do this.
Never since then had he found an answer, but he found a path, his long road of being a hunter of the malice outlaws who tarnished the lands, deadbeats who murdered, robbed, rapped, and cause public disturbance. He had been there for about six days now, with Nina as well. Nina, how he had grew closer to her, though she wasn't too happy that often since she had a job.
Ryu had long ago thwarted an armed robbery within a tavern four years ago. While the main head offered many rewards none would refuse, Ryu only remarked it was his job. The tender though still wished he could repay him, so when he returned, he immediately went to the tavern, and asked if Nina could have a job there.
The tender glanced at her uneasy, taking a deep long sigh. He accepted, but there was a catch, Nina was not a waitress, she was a dish washer, mostly so someone could get a good long break. She wasn't pleased with the position at all, repetitively washing dish after dish after dish, it was boring as anything. Ryu though convinced her it was how a job was, he told her of his early days, how he had trouble finding target, how even after he did, he rarely took a break. It was not enjoyable, but it was his job, and he fulfilled it with a shining ball of determination.
Ryu knew the latest take down would only rake in around four thousand zenny, not a lot when compared to other take downs, but it was better then nothing. A Peacemaker Station was nearby, and with already word going round quick, it was only an easy walk in and out. Stepping into the never so tarnished placed, clean as a whistle, and sparkling with a grade A shine.
He advanced to the desk, the female clerk glancing up, and looking him over.
"Ryu, yes, let me guess, took down the punk Damien, pah, you really seem to be just going after the small targets." She commented, taking a bag marked Four-T, and placing it on the desk, along with a paper that Ryu had to sign.
Grasping a pen, he signed the sheet, picking up the bag, and strapping it to his belt. He took off his coat, knowing full well he had to record the hit, or else he would be demoted if he didn't follow the standards. He sighed, as he walked over taking a seat, knowing it might take a while.
It was ten minutes later that he was called, up, his trench coat now stitched with the name of Damien 'Nazza' Hills, even if he was a short stuff, it still had to be recorded. With a sigh of relief, Ryu once more placed his jacket over his shoulders, as he walked out of the area, his next stop the market, to buy at least some of the harvested food that was around.
This was perhaps the best place to ever shop, the harvesting was almost year round with the already dry and very hot atmosphere, but with the domes, the inside was designed to specifically run at the same standard of the old days, giving rain when needed, plenty of sun, and a moist environment none could ever resist.
It had been a while since Ryu had tasted a nice sweet and juicy ripe-red apple, one of his favorites in fruits. The taste was nothing like any of the foods he had tried, mostly from the crunch it had when he bit into it, the savoring saccharine flavor it had, nothing else was like it. His tongue ran across his bottom lip, before he made a snap with both, really he was craving an apple right about then, even more then a cup of roumen.
He strolled off, knowing where to go, the market, where the fresh batch of many harvested fruits and vegetables would be found.
***
"Councilmen Seymour, there are three men here to see you, they say they have an appointment." The secretary said her tone very shaky.
"Send them in." He replied naturally.
"Amazing the fools didn't try to threaten her, that girl would have broke into tears." Penelope remarked bitterly.
"Put a sock in it you spoiled girl. Your whining is really getting on my last nerve." Elroy commented, sick of hearing the girl's complaining.
Slowly the door opened, as three figures walked in. The man to the right, dressed in black and white, his cape black on the outer side, crimson red on the inside. He seemed more like an entertainer then a mercenary, with the magician hat on his head, the white gloves went up to his wrist, easily covering the ends of his sleeves of his tuxedo. His face though was more villain designed, the intersecting chin, the evil eyes, the thick eyebrows, and to top it off, a zig-zaggy mustache. A long thin black cane grasped firmly in his right hand, as he walked with a great posture similar to that of an aristocrat, as he removed his hate in politeness, holding it down with his free left hand.
The one on the opposite end was a tall, muscular cyborg, at least by the sheer amounts of metal strapped around his body; he was a monstrosity to any normal everyday citizen. Around eight feet tall, he was bulked with many an overdosed human on steroids, truly an experiment gone wrong. Armored around his chest, wrists, calves, and waist area, shining in the copper tint color that the armor was by default. His back containing what seemed to be an engine, steam powered by the funnel that ran out in the center of the huge pack that was built into his back so long ago, his voice area now useless, as all he did was roar. His bare areas were dark, coal black like a miner. His face hidden under the more concealing metal mask, his eyes covered in the mirror type lenses that sun glasses usually have. His metal boots clanked loudly as he took a very long and earth shaking step, the sound of metal screeched along the area as he made every stride of the way.
The last, and the main leader who stood between the two opposites was, just like them, dressed in an odd sense of fashion, but he was more of a creative type then a mere parody of a villain. His face was wrapped fully in strips of clothing, concealing his entire face, his wicked eyes still glancing through, and his lips still visible, chapped badly, as the whiteness of the dry split areas easily was visible. He wore a tan brown trench coat, a white long sleeved shirt under it, with a bullet proof vest, easily giving him superior protection. His hands like anyone's hidden by a leather glove, his pants tan brown, extending down to his black leather boots, guns glare stationed within his coat, he had everything within his own large trench coat, he was truly a rare sight to see.
"So, what is the bidding of this council's will, to hire us once more for a job I suppose, to not tarnish the name of their own company. Cowards they be, for not using their own employee's." He mocked, with a deep laughter.
"Your little prediction couldn't be far from the truth, though your tone should not be so insolent towards your employers, we can and will react harshly, so be good and keep your comments to yourself." Dagget responded despicably.
The tone of the leader's voice easily was enough to just pull his last nerve, his last defense that held him back from wrapping his arms around the bastard's neck and strangling him to death. He was still kept from moving in by the standards that held back himself
"Always the high talker, aye Dagget?" The Leader remarked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"ENOUGH!! Dagget, behave, and Joker, I advise you keep your own ground as well; you have been called here for the assignment of the following. Your mission is retrieval, the target, a girl with wings. The only murders I expect will be the Peacemaker we have identified as Ryu, a mullet cut sea sky blue haired boy. The other, a Woren, but he has recently been said to have left the party, so-to-speak." Elroy updated, and briefed the trio on their assignment.
"A Peacemaker aye? Are they Top Ranking or just another Grunt?" Joker inquired, really wanting to have a more hard to kill target.
"Top Ranking, one of the last, and perhaps the best there is. The Black Market fell like dominos to him, but you three though are a lot more skilled when it comes to combat. We want the girl, ALIVE, NOT DEAD, and if you screw up, mark my word, your all dead men, dead men that will be hunted down, and murdered... UNDERSTOOD!?" Seymour yelled angrily.
"Dare threaten us; we can walk out of this deal in a snap. If the money is good, then I'm in." The magician said, swaying his cape to the left.
"You will receive an amount of thirty five million if you manage to capture that Fae, as for the peacemaker, we suggest you do as you please, last one or not, as long as Erwin is alive, we could care less what you do with any of the Peacemakers who are below, the debt for them is already high enough that it could reach the stars." Elroy mentioned, grasping his hands together.
"Hold it... you offered the black market thirty-five BILLION zenny, and you offer us thirty-five MILLION zenny, highway robbery if you ask me." Joker barked out, irritated by the offer.
"You three are getting plenty, were sure you can split it amongst yourself," Elroy stated, knowing full well the situation "but, if you get her here in about less than three days, then you shall be granted a higher pay." He finished, gesturing for Dagget and Penelope to keep their mouths shut.
"Hmm, if that's so, then you have hired the grand marshals of all, you have just hired, the Bandit Trio, I Joker, leader and grand thinker of the group. The specialist of spell casting and magic tricks, my first hand man, Wyden the Magnificent Magician. And of course, my heavy hitter, the front line master, Goliath. We are the Bandit Trio, the soldiers of fortune known throughout the barren desert, and we shall get your little birdy for you." Joker said, as he laughed insanely.
"I bid you people, good-day." He sarcastically completed, with a bow to the council, the other two already walking towards the exit, Joker following the two from behind.
"You offered them a reward of thirty-five billion if they get the Fae in three days, you're truly insane." Penelope commented crossly.
"Yes, those bastards might just pull it off you old kook!" Cited a seated council member, blond and in his early twenties, he was still one of the brightest men around.
"Yes, Rudolf has point, considering how rumors spread fast with the high range radio towers, they could find her by the end of the day and have her back here tomorrow evening." Dagget bitterly bellyached, truly fearing the idea.
"Adolescent idiots, your own stupidity will get you nowhere." Remarked an elder woman, her pitch very crude and shriveling.
"Clarice, you wench, dare even curse our name and you'll end up really getting more wrinkles when were done with ya." Rudolf shouted bitterly.
"SILENCE!! I will have anymore arguments. Rudolf, respect your elders, your pushing you luck considering how high I am, I can easily throw you off. If those three don't succeed, we will refer to Erwin, he is in enough debt, that he will literally take on the job, or he will become another bum in society. For now... all we can do, is wait." Seymour addressed, as he took a deep sigh, knowing full well the risk was taken, and there was no other way to convince them to back down.
***
Nina took a deep gasp, scrubbing the dishes as usual to get any if all the filth off. Her hands wet from all the cleaning she had repeatedly been doing. Plates of leftover food, scraps, sauces, and dry toppings, all of it scrubbed down. It was endless, a long boring trial that never did cease to end, and only one break that was the only break Nina would get in the whole ten hour shift, from sunrise to near set, she was released only to go home ever so tired out, and miserable.
Ryu told her a job was not something easy, but was something not anyone enjoyed, even his job was no fun, when it was all day in hell. Dish after dish, a relentless day of scrubbing it was for her. It was near the end of the day, and as usual, she was busy, taking care of piles of dishes, making them spick and spam, shining like diamonds with the sparkle only jewelry could equal.
Finally, the clock struck evening, five o'clock sharp, as she left her post, heading over to the area to clock out. Relief, after a long day of stress, she was relieved of duty, allowed to go home, to be relieved. She as usual washed her hands, cleaning them of the chemicals that were used to wash the dishes. Pulling out her time card, she slipped it into the slot, going through the process necessary to confirm that she was leaving.
Quick and efficient, she smiled, as she picked up her purse, walking outside, and heading to the apartment. She always did have a bad feeling when she walked around the outside. Everyone seemed to stare at her, rudely whispering to one another comments of how pathetic her race was. She felt ever so lonely, Ryu was the only one who seemed to actually give her comfort, since Wes went off with Cherry, and she only had him as a friend, the only one she trusted in this town of many.
She wanted to be a waitress, even if it was dealing with having her ass slapped. Ryu had good connections with the owner, since he foiled a robbery, and didn't take a reward for his service and heroism. The owner didn't like the idea of putting a Fae in because of how much people were not so kind towards a race that had long ago cut their links with the world, and trade. Their town once traded items almost none could equal, but since the fifty years that they cut trades, the world went downhill. The blame was the Fae's, who for the past years had the best trades to offer, in medical treatment, bread, and even most antiques.
Nina though chose to head here, to experience life by the way it was. How she at times regretted ever leaving, but more often she felt free, free from the standards of manners, free from the fashion limits her parents set, and free to finally explore, adventure. Ever since she met Ryu, she was having a adventure that she never expected, already had they ended up fighting several men, and made a few friends. She checked in with the clerk, heading to her room staggeringly, as she opened the door.
"Heads up!!" Nina jumped, as her arms hastily tried to grasp the apple Ryu had thrown to her.
Grasping it, her cheeks went puffy, glaring over with a beet red face, Ryu sitting in the chair, taking a loud crunchy bite out of his apple, smiling in delight, eyes closed as he endured the taste.
"Pigging out as always I see." Nina spat, Ryu only ignored her, as he munched down the apple.
"Go ahead, take a bite, the farmers know full well how to grow the best fruits." Ryu commented, Nina glancing down at the round deep red apple.
Nina had one of these before; in New Wyndia they had always had a harvest such as these, and apples just as tasty as these. Oh how she enjoyed the taste of the fruits, and she desperately was wishing to eat one. Opening her mouth up, she took a deep bit, and slowly chewed it down, enjoying the sweet taste that was in it.
"Good to see you cheering up, but I am sure you know what happened today, huh?" He asked, a serious grin now in his eyes.
"W-w-what, you mean that outlaw you shot?" She replied, already knowing of it, feeling some sadness towards the one who was shot.
"Yeah, the kid was corrupt; he took the path that leads only towards disaster. You know full well the laws of the west by now, either you live to defend, or you live to assault." He lectured, reminding her of what was the law.
"That is how I see it, even if I hate it, there is no way I can change it." She remarked in despair, wishing there was another way.
"Just enjoy your stay; I plan to head out to the west area, to a town called Valkyrie, the main training grounds for the Peacemakers." He stated, cracking a smile.
"Is that were you trained?" She questioned, wondering just if the place was eligible enough to make her as great of a gunslinger out of her as they did to Ryu.
"Yep, me, and a few other... " His voice trailed off, as his face went melancholy.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing too big, just a few bad memories that intrude when I think back." Ryu answered, shaking his head.
"I'll just stop right there, seems you really do have a lot of things you have to regret." Nina alleged, with a sigh.
"You don't know half of it!" Ryu mentally thought, knowing full well of why he tried to shove the thoughts off his shoulders.
Turning on the TV, the two sat next to each other, watching mostly sit- coms, dealing more along the lines of singles living together, and just how overactive they went in such outrageous scenarios. Somehow, Ryu felt a bit more closeness; he and Nina were becoming closer, physically and mentally.
Was it love?
He felt deep care for her, wanting to go as far as risk his own skin just to keep her alive. It was more then that, he had feelings for her. He loved her perky and cheerfulness, her smile melted his heart each time he thought of it. She was someone who he never met, even as naive as she was, she still was a jewel that he treasured deeply.
He placed his arm around her back, as she moved closer, leaning her head on his shoulders, closing her eyes. He smiled, slowly falling asleep, with Nina laying her head against him. The two perhaps would make a good Kodak moment if there was a cameraman nearby.
***
"Ye call tis a' scrrewdriverr, I call' it purre crrap out of a hoarrses arse." Shouted the drunken man seated at the counter, in a fluent Scottish accent as he spoke in an enraged manner.
"Don't like it, then get out ya flame mouth bastard, I don't take kindly to the likes of you." Replied the Tender, as he pointed to the exit.
"Teh hell wit all-of-yas, ya been nothin more t'en a pain-in-my-arse, and I can't stand teh likes of anyone-of-yas!" He yelled, as he stood up, walking backward towards the exit.
"Yeah, you're a drunken forty-eight year old who has no job and earns his money off of old funds, and working at a salvage plant." The tender said, only to receive a middle finger as a remark towards his truthful comment.
The man was around that exact age the tender claimed he was. The man was a very obese man, with a bald head, and only hairs around the sides of his head, from the sideburns to the back of his head. A long shaggy beard grown down to his chest, his hairs all orange or what some would refer to as 'red'. The pupils were brown, his face nearly full of wrinkles, proving he was near an age of old. He wore tattered cloths, blue jeans stained with oil marks and white short sleeved shirt the exact same way.
He may have been overweight, but he still knew how to fight. Spending around three decades in the arm guards sure did pay off, when he was able to survive the many years of battles against several lawless men who dared tried and break into the dome barrier. His job may have been boring, but he did get some action, a whole lot during the times when the Carson Gang was still alive and kicking'.
Back then, anyone near any dome was getting some action, battling most of the tanks the thugs stole from a secured bunker in the far west, and dared tried to break through the tight defense posted all around the entire farm domes. He had a share of rumbles as well, fighting off a few of the men who tried to take him down with their bare knuckles. Though, the times of those days ended when the Carson Gang was dissolved apart directly after the top leader of the gang was assassinated by a group of soldiers that had a very high potential in skills ranging from mechanics to gunsmith.
The man shook his head the though of them, he knew full well what resulted when the work started getting slower, and duller. The soldiers that had killed the top leader now were nothing more then a gang of hired guns, taking on any job for cash, murder, chaos inflicting, or destruction, anything that was a thrill they jumped on at the sight. The old man was there when the men started their own reign of terror, the incident referred to as 'Dome Five Massacre', where several innocent men were killed by the main leader and his two flunkies.
"Damn teh bloody bastarrds, damn 'em ta teh bloody pits of hells firres." He mumbled under his breath, with a loud belch as he did.
Staggeringly moving through the dark and ever so quiet town, drunk as he was, he turned into a dark alley, falling down to the ground, knocking tin trash canes down, the clatter of metal echoed within the alleyway. Vomiting once on the ground, he pushed himself up, seating himself against the wall, taking a deep breath, as he wiped some of the acid he had on his whiskers with the bottom of his shirt. The stench of the trash was a relief in contrast to the vile odor that was emitted from heaved alcohol that always gave the kidney a kick in the worst way possible.
Like any drunken person, he fell flat to the ground face first, drooling onto the ground, as he laid out in the cold, the chill the desert always had at night, and the worst place to even be when nighttime fell. Thugs could just go up and rob you blind; then again, they would just kill you in a snitch. Nobody did dare even try and wonder streets when darkness ran throughout the skies, out came the imps, the dangerous imps that came out at night, and caused trouble for anyone who was in their sight. Tonight was not going to be the night for the imps. There was a sudden gust that blew across the desert, a strong wind that came before the sudden rains, an omen of danger approaching.
The danger was familiar, to those who lived in the town for around fifteen years and a couple of months knew of the Dome Five Massacre, a day that scarred the entire town. It was the day when a dome security truly failed; the armed guards were hunted down by three of the men that once were in cahoots with them. The same men who had taken on a mission of impossible measurements, the odds overwhelming, and in only a couple of days, did they call in, and announce the success, with pictures of their target, dead by a bullet to the head.
While they were honored by perhaps the entire guards, and the townsfolk's, the three heroes were not pleased. The mission to them was unfulfilling, and if the people knew full well what really went on in the hideout of the Carson Gang, they would have taken immediate action to throw the three in the mental house for their own ambitions.
The men not only killed their true target, but they also killed every living, breathing walkers within the place, people shot several times, stabbed and cut all along their bodies. The sight could send chills down everyone's spine, nightmares that would haunt anyone for weeks. It would be on that day when the most ruthless mercenaries of all time would make their mark. Wanted for the destruction of a Green Dome, several counts of murder, and treason, a bounty of seventy thousand dollars on each of the three men's heads, mostly alive, but if dead, the reward would be slashed to only a quarter of a main reward.
The Bandit Trio, the notorious men finally had returned, following a few tips and large messages indicating of where the Fae was presently located. Sunrise was not arriving, and the three men were searching, searching for the bike that was reported to have been in ownership with the Peacemaker for quite a short while. Their goal was simple, locate the motorcycle, and take it to the confirmed location to where the Peacemaker was staying. Phase one would be complete, and Phase two would start.
***
A loud explosion rang close by the hotel, Ryu immediately sat up, wide awake, as he ran to the window, glancing outside to the now burning bike, the entire thing now a heap of flames, crackling loudly, as the thick smoke ascended up from it, and into the sky. Ryu already felt the burning wrath of anger swelling all throughout his heart, and only one line of words came from his mouth.
"Son of a bitch!" He remarked, running over to where his weapons were stashed, suiting himself up for battle, knowing full well he was about to encounter one.
Nina rolled over to her left, as the two fell asleep on their backsides last night, and seemingly didn't roll around in their sleep. Falling to the floor with a loud thud as she hit the floor, a rude awakening for anyone, as she sat up, rubbing her head, a painful frown pursed on her lips and near tearful eyes. She stood up, rubbing her hurt shoulders, glancing around to where Ryu would be.
"Ryu?" She called; worried he might have left without him.
"Nina, get your staff and ring, I smell a battle brew 'in and it ain't gonna be a easy one." He said, locking his bullet chamber in place.
"Why, what's going on?" She groaned, still sore from the fall.
"Someone blew up my bike, and right nearby. Anyone who is able to disable a security system that new is no chump looking for trouble. Best guess it is somebody very skilled, or." Ryu shook off the though, as he placed on his trench coat, and threw his sheath over his back.
"Or what? What Ryu...Ryu? Hello, are you gonna answer me." Nina demandingly asked, raising her tone higher each time she begged.
"Get dressed and get your weapons NOW!?" He ordered, really serious this time that his voice was a loud rumble that only the sound of thunder could relate with.
Nina didn't reply, she saw right in his eyes that he was concerned about what they might be up against. She noticed it each time they were about to go into battle, the eyes of war, an ember flame dancing in the eyes of the Peacemaker when a fight was going to commence. Wes had the same glance, but unlike Ryu, his was not as bright. Ryu had one with a shine that she herself had never seen in anyone before, a will that was strong, inner strength that easily kept the worrier calm at heart, and helped him prevail through even the dimmest of any situation.
She started to get her things, dashing behind to catch up with Ryu, knowing he might already be in danger.
Ryu slowly took a few steps out, glancing at the burnt wreckage with rage. Controlling his temper, and knowing from experience, the bastards who did this would sure enough walk out and reveal themselves.
"Good to see your awake, Peacemaker." Mocked a villainous voice that Ryu immediately turned towards, as his glance going from tempered to disbelief knowing full well what he was up against.
"The Bandit Trio, the mercenaries known full well to have a passion for killing, surprised you bastards would even return to the same place where your first counts of murdered occurred." Ryu stated, knowing full well of the incident of fifteen years ago.
"How true it is, but were not here for an anniversary, were here for the Fae." Joker remarked, with a snicker.
"W-what!? Just what the hell do you want with her; you won't get anything even if you do capture her!" Ryu yelled, taking aim with his firearm, breathing much faster then before.
"Foolish Ryu, how blind you truly are, you only were facing a mere wing of the hunters. Were the second wave, and unlike those idiots of the Black Market, we just love murdering people. Money is good, but the sight of the victims when they are dying is a sight that never has gotten old. Blood gushing out of their body, the shock glances in their eyes, and their cringing bodies, amusing it is to watch live, ehahahahahaha!" Joker remarked with a snicker, his bandages flowing as a light gust of wind blew through the area.
"Bastards, your already to corrupt to negotiate with, then again, in the order of the Peacemakers, in the name of justice, and of the law, you shall be handled like every ruffian scoundrel I have had to deal with, the verdict, guilty, and the sentence, death. Hope you have no regrets, cause I got a one way ticket to send your three asses straight down to hell." Ryu claimed, smirking ever so charmingly, that it could melt any young girls heart.
"Are you just plain stupid, there's three of us, and one of you. We don't have any standards or codes of honor, just ambition, desire that you fools consider being sin. Free from limits, you are about to meet your match, Peacemaker." Joker stated, as he pointed the gun towards Ryu, smiling with his very rotten teeth.
"Two to three to be exact bandaged face. I swear, you three are dressed more like you're off of a cheesy action cartoon." Nina said, as she drifted down, her wings helping her descend down to the ground.
"Like that makes a difference little birdy, your still one person short, and Goliath here is wanting a piece of the action to y'know." Joker replied motioning over to the bulky man in metal, who let out a roar, low and more retarded then the freak was fierce.
"Less you two get another willing ally, you are practically outnumbered." Wyden mocked with a laugh.
In the alley where the drunken Scotsman laid, slowly stirring, as he sat up, groaning as a huge hangover was already present in his head. The bad side to every habit such as drinking habit was the aftermath, waking up with a huge headache, or what everyone called a hangover. Slowly getting to his feet, as he held his throbbing in pain head, still trying to get his recovering brain, the intense beat that ran though was enough to make anyone suffer for what seemed to be an eternity. The voices he was hearing right then and there was familiar enough to get him to stand, and move.
The same voice that so long ago haunted him, the same tone, identical in every way to the man who killed so many of his partners, people who were close friends to him were killed at the hands of the fiends. Luckily, he always did carry a pack of pills with him, the kind that would clear any hangover up in a jiffy. Opening the package up halfway, he tossed one inside, and swallowed it down, the medicine slowly taking effect. He walked out, glancing to where the murderous bastards stood; he was right behind the Fae and the Peacemaker, a very grim disadvantage as the men were easily better at close confrontation.
He still didn't fear them; dressed or not dressed in combat uniform he was going to challenge them. He may have been out of shape, but he still had the strength of a soldier, one determined to avenge the deaths of comrades who died in the line of duty, and redeem himself for his cowardice. Hiding from them in a locked closet, only to remain there until all was silent, opening the door and stepping into a room of slaughtered men, how the memory haunted him. He had to take vengeance, and fate seemed to bring it to him.
Moving into plain sight, he wobblingly moved towards the group, glaring irritatingly to the three.
"Ye bastarrds are'a goin' ta pay fer wat ye did all tem years ago." He shouted, advancing to where Ryu and Nina stood.
"A survivor of the Dome Five Massacre, how intriguing that someone could elude us, but then again, we didn't search every nook and cranny, there are bound to be other's, else you would be a very popular man." Joker remarked with a sinister laugh as usual.
"Ye bloody bastarrds, ye reign o' terrah shah end hearr." The man shouted, clenching his fists.
"Ye chubby fool, ye thiks ye can beat teh tree of tus, ye be dum as 'a' rrock." Joker mockingly reported, as the three chuckled hearing his comment.
Ryu and Nina blinked, both very confused by the newcomer, and not so grateful for the newcomer. The guy didn't look too much like a fighter, more of a lazy old bastard who just came out of retirement. Was he even in shape, the large gut he had was enough to doubt anyone's opinion that he had even the slightest clue of any battle.
"Whoever this guy is, he looks more like a deadweight old man then a soldier." Ryu whispered over to Nina.
"Uh, and he looks like he needs a bath, and clean cloths, ugh, just look at those stains on his shirt." She murmured in reply to Ryu's statement.
"Ye young'ins thik I ain't worrt 'a' damn, ye ungrateful bastarrds aint see's notin of meh yat." He sternly countered, spitting small beads of saliva as he shouted loudly.
The two remained silent, looking at him in more disbelief eyes. Did this guy even have a brain cell left in that bald head of his? Probably not, considering he had walked into a quarrel that would be a hell of a waking once the party got started.
"Fine, just don't expect me to wipe your ass off the ground when you get yourself murdered by these guys, kay?" Ryu warned, as he glimpsed ahead, staring to the three men.
"I wunt be getting masulf killed anytume soon, I mey look like a tub eh larrd, but I can fight, so shut ye traps all'eady!" He groaned, cracking his knuckles.
"Geez, times like this I do wish Wes was still in our party, but instead, I have to settle with this bragger." Ryu mentally thought, the guy a real pain, and was dressed more like the town idiot then a worker.
"Hmph, so be it old fool, Goliath, take care of this guy, and try not to waste him too quickly." Joker remarked, Goliath roaring pleased.
"The Fae is a magic user, best leave her to me." Wyden called, throwing his cape behind him, as he shot a dastardly smile.
"Try not to kill her Wyden, remember, we need her alive, but they didn't say to harm her, now did they." Joker reminded, as he glanced with his dark creepy eyes over to Ryu.
"Peacemaker, you and me, just don't play coward and lead me out of town, else you be branded a coward like that shitbag who thinks he can fight." Joker remarked with a scoff.
"Don't run your mouth til you know victory is near, ya strip covered fool, just how badly did the plastic surgeon screw your face up, or were you to ugly to even get an operation on it." Ryu snapped, reaching for his gun.
"Sticks and stones don't break bones; your words are a waste of breath." Joker commented, as he drew his gun, being the first to fire, a shot that nearly hit Ryu in the heart.
Ryu leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding it, as he returned fire, taking cover behind a shack. By now, people were starting to clear out, and head out of range from the gunfight, knowing full well who the men were in town from years back.
Screams could be heard, shouts of 'There back, run for your lives' all nearby. People cleared out of the area, with haste that they didn't dare grab any of their belongings. It seemed many would do this anytime a gunfight occurred, especially between a Peacemaker and a infamous man as the Joker.
Ryu knew full well he had to get to cover, with only five bullets left, he had to use them wisely, especially against a fiend as wicked as this. He still had a bad feeling that ran through his stomach, more for the old man then for Nina. That damn idiot wasn't in any shape for fighting, and yet he claimed he was able to hold his ground in whatever language he spoke.
Taking cover behind a nearby truck, right around the tires, Ryu took a few breaths, but to dismay, bullets flew bye just about touching the ground, but they were high enough to be hovering across the ground, one of the on course stingers impacted Ryu in the ankles, the pain very inflicting. Letting out a cry of pain, Ryu grasped his ankle, giving a short cry of the inflicted damage. This would effect his movement, downsizing it greatly, forcing him to limp more often then running.
"Bulls-eye, tires are nothing but rubber, and rubber can't withstand the impact force of a bullet, just like your piteous ankles." Joker remarked, a loud clank following the ground, Ryu glimpsed behind him, taking one quick gasp, standing and running a few feet before the grenade blew up, sending the truck flying up in the air, in a heap of flames, Ryu turned around and hugged the ground, waiting for the joker to appear in sight, his leg bleeding badly.
***
Wyden and Nina exchanged magic spells, Nina airborne, as she gracefully remained high in the air, hovering around, as she gathered the elemental powers, sending a few third class spells to the man, Wind and Jolt mostly. Her spells easily hit, and but didn't phase the dastardly magician, who only smiled and countered with a few fire spells, fire being the first, then a flare. Nina avoided each nearly getting caught by each.
"Little bird, it is time to clip them wings of yours." Wyden remarked, casting an ice spell that nearly caught Nina by the wings.
She barely avoided it, as part of her wing was frozen by the attack. She glared at the man, who fiddled with his mustache, an evil grin pursed on his face. Nina slowly gathered magic, knowing it was time to send something that didn't use any elemental energy, only magic, pure simple magic energy.
"MAGIC BALL!!" She cried out at the top of her lungs, a bowling ball sized amount of energy came flying fast, meeting the magician a few feet near impact.
A bright light easily shined with a blind flicker, Nina shading her eyes, waiting for it to die down, and see the man fallen to the ground. The glimmer died down, Nina gasped, looking down with wide eyes, Wyden standing there, holding out a wand, a curved smile on his face, he laughed belittlingly at her, and in the snap of his fingers, she felt a invisible force wrap around her body, forcing her to fall to the ground, impacting with a aching smack to the ground.
"Guess the little bird didn't expect a binding spell to be pulled from my sleeve." He remarked with a boastful laugh.
"Ah, I can't... move." Nina cried, relentlessly struggling to move.
"Your wasting your strength, the BINDGRASP is not so easy to escape once it takes effect. It's too bad for you little bird, you're sapped of your freedom to move about freely, even your wings can't save you now." He claimed, stepping ever so closer to her.
"That's what you think," She spat, slowly gathering her magic up, and in closing her eyes, as she opened them and at the top of her lungs she cried out pleadingly, "CLEANSE."
A large sphere of shimmering light surrounded her, and freed her from the binds of the spell that paralyzed her, she could feel the effects immediately after, as she flapped her wings, moving slowly into the air. The spell was one that she had mastered after many hardship years of practice.
"Damn, how in the hell could someone even beat my own spell... no matter, there is more then one way to capture a dame such as this." He whispered to himself, removing his hat, as he reached inside, pulling out tear gas canister, knowing full well it was the best thing when dealing with an airborne girl such as this.
Nina remained in the air, patiently waiting for his next action. She knew by his movements he was up to something. What is the question that ran through her mind. He shot a glance to her, and in the blink of an eye, he chucked the canister, pulling the seal off, as smoke started pouring out, Nina watching as the can sped towards her like a fastball. The gas remained in the air, surrounding the Fae, smoke fogging the entire block they were in up. Wyden covered his face with a gas mask, keeping his eye around, waiting to see where the Fae laid. Even as thick as the gas mask was, he still knew it was not sound proof. He only heard the hiss as the smoke came out of the seal of the container.
Rapidly did the smoke start vanishing, throwing it high into the sky, above the town, as Nina stood, still awake and not one bit somnolent by the sleeping gas that spurred from the can.
"Is that it?" Nina mocked happily.
Wyden glowered at her, as he placed his hand out, beams gathered right then and there, only unlike the magic ball spell, he moved his hand back, and closed his eyes, as he threw it up in the air, and glanced towards here.
"MULTI MAGIC SEEKING WHISPS." He cried at the top of his lungs, the ball splitting to about around twenty or thirty seeking magic balls.
Nina kept a tight watch, scanning one and another. She already was tensing up; something like this she had never at all seen back in New Wyndia, there was not telling how powerful it truly was. She took up her staff, taking a deep breath. She could sense them closing in, feeling a heavy energy pattern of non elemental magic, the type that has two elemental attributes that cancel one another out. The result is a free of elemental energy that simply was Neutral Energy. These types were found just about anywhere, even in the water. It was energy known to exist throughout the world, or at least wherever air was. The origin of the energy was still unknown, considering how it was created by two elemental attributes canceled; it was still unknown how it was able to be located almost anywhere.
Nina waited, she knew how to counter it, but she had to pull it off just at the right time. She slowly gathered the power of both elemental and neutral magic, knowing full well that the spell required both to come together for full effect of the spell. As the wisps slowly closed in on her, she opened her eyes, and cried out at the top of her lungs.
"SPHERE SHEILD OMEGA!!" She shouted, as a large round ball surrounded here, glowing in the colors of a rainbow, flashing three colors per second as it remained up.
The wisps slammed fiercely against the shield, vanishing upon impact, and were absorbed by the shields power, easily giving it more strength to resist. Wyden looked on in shock, she was canceling every move he used on her, and even his own sleeping gas. He clenched his fist, easily fed up with this game of cat and mouse.
"Anything you can do, I can foil better." She stated, with a 'Tee-hee' giggle.
"Charming, though I'm just warming up." He boasted, removing his glove, knowing full well it was time to use a few of the spell combo moves to wipe her out.
"Show me wut you got, meany!" She sarcastically remarked, easily taking him to be lightly with all he had done.
He shot a smile, slowly charging up one spell, fire in his right hand, wind in his left, a firestorm would take this guy out easily. He first cast the wind spell, then used the fire, creating a firestorm of wind that moved towards. Nina watched, knowing of this spell, but she had no clue how to counter, as the huge wall of fire came burning towards her, she took a breath, holding up her wand, easily awaiting the spell to close in on her.
"Hope I get this one right... last time it cost me a diploma in that school." She thought to herself, knowing it was a tricky counter to use.
She gathered her magic, and in that instant, a bright gold light emitted from where she was, blinding anyone near there, the light surrounding the entire area.
***
The fat man smiled with his rotten and ugly teeth, mostly from his recent years. Goliath remained still, looking down at the man through the mask that covered his face.
"Ef terre one ting we 'ave n' comm'n, ets tat we ugly as hell. Ye toe chose ta hide ya face unda ye damn metal mask. Sa tell meh someting, ye think ya goin' ta win this bout?" The old man said, cracking his knuckles once more.
The huge freak only roared, beating his chest, with his steam vent in his back smoking out loudly. He took a step forward, breathing hard, and glancing dead eye at the man. The old man rushed forward, rushing head on to ram the bastard. The beast brought its arm back, swinging at a hammering pace. The old main quickly avoided him, and thrust his right arm forward and smashing the left rib area of Goliath, who roared by the pain.
"Ye need te watch ya oponaunt more closa', else ya goin' to git ya ass wupped." He muttered, smashing his knee into the ribcage once more.
Goliath though already was aware, and shifted his pivoting foot up and landed it directly on the old mans. Letting out a loud howl, the old man received a rude awakening punch to the jaw, and went flying several feet back. The old man spit a few teeth from his mouth, rubbing his bleeding jaw as he glared irritatingly at the ugly ass bastard. Staggeringly, he stood to his feet, taking a few breaths; the blow to the jaw really forced the air out of him.
He wasn't planning to give up any time soon; he planned to send the monster to hell, like he had claimed time and time again to do. He knew there was a way, the steam vent on the back looked like the perfect area to strike at, that would easily send the bastard to hell.
"Ye goin' te hell, and I be takin ye tere mesulf ef I 'ave te!" He muttered, and with a loud pathetic roar, he charged forth, ready to ram the tin can bastard once more.
Charging in once more, he struck hard at the sides, only making his way around, judging each blind spot where Goliath wouldn't dare try and touch. Goliath though, while weakened by each blow easily saw the best chance to strike, and took it, kneeing the ribs, and kicking the back ends of the knee's.
"Victary shell be mine." He mentally though, still continuing, before getting a hard kick to the gut.
***
Ryu remained in hiding, as bullets flew above; he took a deep breath, knowing he had to make a shot soon. His leg pulsed with pain from the bullet that hit the area earlier. A pause soon commenced, as Ryu jolted up, and returned five shots, but to his dismay, Joker was not in sight.
"Got'cha!"
Ryu turned, and three bullets were fired, each hit him, the first in his right shoulder, the second at his gun, throwing it all the way from him, and the final one striking him in his right leg, around the upper area to be exact. A shrill laughter filled the air, the Joker slowly stepping forth, advancing over towards the fallen Ryu, glancing down at him with his beady eyes, a crooked smile pursed on his dry lips.
"Said the spider to the fly, time to die." He claimed, placing his gun near the Peacemaker's face, smiling as he was ready to end things.
Ryu only watched his two legs couldn't help, the pain easily was to strong that he would fall and still be a goner, his right shoulder was put out of commission by the shot, rendering his right hand useless. He only had his left hand, but reaching for his sword when he was laying flat on the ground was foolish. The left arm though was still in shape, but how to counter the man was the real question. At that second, an idea ran through his head, and in the same instant, as the Joker slowly pulled down on the trigger, Ryu shot his hand forth, pushing the gun to his head, the bullet sent directly into his head, blowing a large hole through his head, blood and brains in many chunks were splattered along the ground, the blood dying the pavement.
Ryu took several deep breaths, so much pain he was in, he only wished Nina was there, to help him out, to heal him up, and to give him the strength to move on.
***
Nina braced herself, watching as the now combined spell rumbled towards here, the whirling storm of fire slowly consuming, Nina gathering her elemental magic, and in two hands was she preparing two spells, one of two different but combining elements.
She easily knew what two would counter both of the spells, water and earth would easily cancel the two spells out, though the fierce feedback would not be a calm resulting peace. The result was a fierce shield aftershock that would throw most anybody who wasn't buried calf deep in the ground. Nina knew well of this, but she also knew how powerful the spell was, with two elements combined, it was fiercer then any other spell that was around first class.
Casting both at a range a few seconds before the fiery whirlwinds would be at point blank, she would be able to overpower the spell, easily causing a more less dense impact if she did it right then, the spark of the spell as it was cast was the point when the highest power of energy was at best. That energy would give a higher chance of not having the aftershock and forcing the reminisce of the spell to strike the enemy. The spell formed was a mudslide spell, a wave known full well for easily canceling both wind and fire, as the two clashed with a thunderous boom. Nina watched, slowly as her magic spell consumed the magicians, and the last remaining part of the spell moved towards the magician, consumed by fear, he remained standing, as the spell finally touched him, and knocked him off his feet, and threw him back into the wall, he remained still, shivering, obviously unable to handle such a powerful spell that was cast by a expert of it.
Nina took a sigh, noticing the gunshots she heard earlier no longer were heard. Curiosity as usual took control, as she walked on off, heading to where Ryu and the Joker were fighting. She glanced around, seeing the masked fiend laying dead, cringing, as she frowned, sickened by the sight, the though drifted out when she spotted Ryu sitting against a wall, his breathing weak.
"Ryu!?" She ran towards him, kneeling down, glancing his body over, as she felt a faint pulse on his smooth skin.
She knew it was necessary to heal him, and as usual, she clasped her hands together, slowly she focused the holy elements to gather, mostly the light that gave a divine shine that easily equaled the power that was known for healing. Any ray from the sun was nearly enough energy that could be collected and used for mostly healing and cleansing spells that affected those in need of treatment to wounds or in illnesses. Nina was an expert at this, she had seemed to take it more serious then elements since the healing powers always seemed to help people out.
Slowly murmuring phrases in a whisper, a light surrounded Ryu, giving him a more feeling of relief, his wounds closing up, and becoming skin once more, his body becoming less effected by the leads, as the spell did cleanse it partially of any foul or ill presences located in the body. Groaning, Ryu stood to his feet, glancing over to her, a smile spread on his face.
"What would I do without you?" He remarked in good humor.
Nina only blinked, not very aware of the joke.
"What am I, a seeress?" She countered, placing her hands on her hips and kneeling over.
Ryu only sighed, shaking his head, somehow she never did see him joke so often, especially after a battle like this, but then again, it was life or death. He never knew why ever so often it was like a joke, he seemed to walk out of every conflict involving a pro- and antagonist ended with the pro walking.
***
The Scotsman looked on, breathing as his body was now covered with blood, bleeding from his nose and mouth, but her wasn't through, he may have been out of shape, but vengeance already fueled him to continue. The metal armored fool also seemed beat, his ribs sore from the strikes the old man landed on his boans, and the hits from behind, the two were both out of shape, but the old man was loosing blood, he would faint and die if he continued.
The Scotsman picked up a large titanium metal alloyed pipe, advancing toward the freak, as he held the rod in his hand, breathing every step of the way.
"Ye time 'ave came te sen ya arse te hell, and I know jest were te hit cha." He spat, slowly moving in a crude smile on his face, blood trickling from him.
Goliath only roared, and took a step forward, ready to finish him off. The old man waited, keeping a sharp eye on the man, and at the right time did he run to the left, slipping behind as he bashed furiously at the main steam vent behind the giants back, the steam vent bending in half, and keeping the steam inside to be built up. It was only in a few seconds that the engine started to overload, the hot steam turning the machine red hot, and the machine started to overload.
Screws slowly blew out of their sockets in a loud 'bwear' sound that could've been mistaken for a bullet. The huge man roared, as he fell to the ground, the machine already was causing him pain inside. The old man stood to his feet breathing, and stumblingly moved to the beast. The machine suddenly blew up, a loud bang and whistling of stem echoed around the entire area. Ryu and Nina immediately heard it, running over towards where the sound was.
There in the middle of the square was several body parts scattered around, blood everywhere. The old man was at that same area, dead from the forceful explosion; he had died with no regrets, knowing full well the other two would have been by now put out of commission by the high classed Peacemaker and that winged girl looked promising.
"I guess that means the three area dead, but at the cost of the old mans life." Nina sadly commented, feeling guilt for the man to have died just for his own personal scores he wanted to settle.
"Don't start going emotional on me, ya hardly knew the guy, for all you know, he might have just been some idiot who lived off of stories her heard." Ryu remarked, as he turned strolling off.
"How can you say that, we may not have won if he didn't help us!" She screamed, irritated by his hard remarks.
"Cause something else is bothering me, the fact that they were sent to capture you." He answered sternly, Nina remaining silent.
"They said the Black Market was pawns, so if they wernt behind it, it leaves the question of who is." Ryu remarked, really creep out.
Who could have such power to control an illegal trade zone?
And why where they after Nina?
Ryu got a grip on himself; already he lost his one vehicle thanks to the soldiers of fortune, forcing him to walk, and if the people would go to hiring the insane bastards to get Nina, just what would be next.
Ryu knew something ill was brewing, but he was only one man standing against several billion possibilities. He had no idea where to start, but he knew where they had to go if Nina was going to be in safe haven. They had to reach Valkyrie.
Next Time:
Erwin, the man who trained me in the arts of gunmanship, the one who took me and a few other under his wing, and raised us to be the best heroes. I admired him for his bravery, for his wisdom, the knowledge that has helped me for so long stay alive, and keep peace through the land. But there comes a time, when the apprentice is forced to bypass the master, and that time is coming, when the master betrays his apprentice.
Next Chapter: Unlikely Quarrel
"It appears Don Monte Cameron has failed, and like any fool, he chose to take a cowards way out rather then face us." The familiar man stated, knowing full well his role of keeping the Don on a leash was finally over with.
"The Black Market was our only way of getting the Fae without being discovered; now it seems we have only few choices left." A deep male voice replied from the upper left area of the stands.
"We cannot revert to THEM, not yet... we still have two cards yet to play... The first is the Peacemaker head boss Erwin. he is one of our best choices considering how deep of debt he is in." A soft male voice claimed, his tone more relieved then most others.
"Your out of line, he wouldn't even dare get involved in a case such as this, the Bandit Trio though might be of good service." The elderly man addressed the council members, chatter of disagreement buzzing afterwards.
"The Bandit Trio! Are you blind old fool, those men are better as assassins then they are in a mission such as this." A female of the stands bellow in dismay at the suggestion the male made.
"OLD FOOL, why I outta-"
"I agree with Penelope, last time we gave them a mission to take care of a leak that would tarnish our corporation, they ended up creating a scene of murder, that incident still is under question." Acknowledged a male seated a few stands away from the Penelope, already showing who side he was with on this debate.
"Penelope, show respect to the elders of this council, and Dagget, we acknowledge your opinion, but at this point, I agree with our Elder, Elroy. The Bandit Trio may be a mix of misfits and the most sadistic soldiers of fortune known to this world, but they are our only option." Stated the one who was seated in the highest chair, a man in his near fifties, but still retained his dark green hair, with a few gray hairs showing in the hairline, thin but visible to any sharp eye.
"Seymour, as always, I thank thee." Elroy honored, as he bowed with his hands clasped together.
"I agree with Elroy and Seymour, the Bandit Trio are the right source, even if they are reckless, at the right price, they can be easily convinced to do as much as groom a puppy. All we need to do is offer that price, I would say a around six hundred-thousand dollars might do the trick." Mentioned a more deep toned female voice, seated near Dagget.
"Trish, you goodie two shoes, always siding with the elders just cause they allowed you in the council!?" Penelope muttered to herself, grasping her fists in anger.
"Hold your tongue Penelope, were not here to start a child's argument, were here to decide what steps must be taken." The more relieved male voice stated, glaring at her with perturb eyes.
"Grr, mind your damn business Clark!" She spat, infuriated greatly.
At that moment, a buzz of several arguments started throughout the council, one side to the other, each shouting with rasped tones of voices. Elroy though was the only one who remained out of it, as he was the high chairman within the council.
"Order... ORDER!! There is no need for this arguing to continue. As the highest councilmen of this council, I need only few votes to get it, and so far, I have enough." Bits of anger were shouted towards him, before he raised his hand calling for silence. "In addition, I have called for the three already, with an offer they cant refuse." He concluded, with a smile at his last statement.
Those who did disagree replied with yells of disgust, but they were only ignored by Seymour, who had dealt with their backbiting so many times before. He didn't ever cheat or rig things to create his own gain, he was a fair man who granted equality to all his members, even those who did at times mock and criticize him. With already the failure of the Black Markets strive to retrieve the Fae, they had little choice but to rely now on others.
He only feared what would happen if the failures did continue, the ones who would take over would be the Chairman's most elite force known throughout the land, beings who easily were superior in ways that no mortal ever could equal. Jealous he was, they easily were more then the council would ever attain to. He still hid the idea, like the many others, as they didn't dare shed their spite towards the squad that had already spread fear through the land thirty years ago.
***
In a town by the name of Mayflower, said to have been named for a flower years before the sands eroded the soil away. It was another small average town, the buildings made from wood, but reinforced to withstand the ever devastating sandstorms that ravaged the area from year to year. The town though wasn't so average considering that it housed many guards posted to protect what was known as 'Green Domes' that were around the area.
Green Domes were mainly farms, placed under a huge dome that extended deep into the ground, avoiding most of the sands that spanned throughout the desert. Around forty acres were taken up by the domes, mostly for the purpose of growing large quantities of edible plants, to help keep the food supply of fruits and vegetables at a high and supplying rate.
The main security that surrounded each dome kept a tight protection that no group had ever been able to bypass for several years, none have dared let a single renegade or hell-raiser through, they only answered to the trespassers with the heavy artillery gunshots of pure grade A lead bullets. It was the only way to answer when threats of outlaws had risen to the state of creating an armed group to hire people to go out and hunt down the outlaws. The armed guards were employed by the farmers and by the food marketers to stand guard around a one area of the dome, at the turret guns, lookouts sent to the tower to keep watch of the distance for any incoming hostile forces. The amount of time was around several hours, shifts around eight hours per day, given only a day off.
The area was set up beyond the idea of a prison, but it was necessary in order to protect such a vital area. The dome may have been several yards thick in glass, but with the right amount of force, the entire area would be shattered. Wires were not placed in to prevent impact resistance; the dome was designed to purely to last forever, why else was it thirteen layers thick, and only a one way glass, the outside cloaked in a dark gray mirror, to prevent most beings from coming in.
A few beasts did pick fights, but were silenced by the counter attack of the auto-guns that would activate when an intruder without a signal was detected. Workers carried a card that sent out a signal, providing them a safe walk inside. Anything without the card would be shot to death. The second was the facial scan, after you passed inside; you had to get a scan, eyes, hair and facial. The last part was an X-ray scan, a device that helped point out anything dangerous the worker carried.
The fear of traitors was one of the biggest fears among, and the system easily took care of it, putting thick doors and locks on the most very critical damaging areas that could cause a shockwave of explosions easily leaving an opening for a group of vigilantes to move in and create plenty of trouble for the entire dome.
The inside was rumored to be an Eden, nothing but plants were inside, food all around, but anyone who went in stayed inside til their death. While there was communication, people who worked in their never seemed to want to leave, they wanted to stay in the area, breath the air, and gaze upon the endlessness of the beauty that the planet long ago lost.
The town only played the role of operation in trade, but it wasn't too crowded, the place was only for workers and some of the workers family's, who helped out in keeping the town straight. The usual eat and go area's, and hotel's were the only area's that were built for travelers on the go, but recently, someone was running amok within the town.
Damien 'Nazza' Hill's was stirring up trouble round-a-bout, already wanted for several armed robberies, and attempted murders of several government officials and the guards, and also public disturbance, when he ran his mouth about how certain races were ugly directly in the same places the people were. Recently though he has started more trouble, this time with public graffiti, creating symbols of highly controversial meanings, easily stirring up a trouble with many of the travelers.
As usual, it was up to a peacemaker to take him down, and recently, Ryu was the one with the job. He only gave one warning, with a message sent by the old telegram system by a boy, stating the punk to either show up in the town square or start packing and running. The town went dead quiet; high noon now was near with the sun in the dead center of the sky. , Ryu standing out in the middle, a slight breeze blowing his coat to the side, his face ever emotionless.
Slowly a runt came out, wearing the usual punk rock T-shirt, with a band well known throughout the lands, Shattered Kiss. His short but still baggy pants hanging past the knee's, and leather boots already covering his bare feet.
"Well, the coward waits for me to show, how amusing, so what, we gonna get this-"
BANG!!
One shot rang, one second passed, one person stood, one gun drawn. A gentle breeze once more blew through town, caressing the victor's hair, the long blue hair of Ryu, who glanced at the fallen teen, a shot to the heart, easily fatal to a weak fool such as this.
His gun smoked with the recent bullet engagement of the chamber fire, as he snorted, placing the gun back into its holster, he turned away from the punk, walking off at a normal trotting pace, making not one single remark, only in his head.
"All talk and easily naive, better to end your pitiful life as soon as possible." Ryu mentally remarked, heading off, as the townsfolk walked outside, each staring down at the fallen man, a few spat insensitive remarks towards the peacemaker, claiming he had no right to kill a still young child.
Anyone over the age of thirteen who was involved in such things as this was easily considered a criminal, mostly on the account that teenagers around that age were most often responsible for violence. Incidents from the past few decades spanned many bad incidents where teens carried out murders on people that a mob or crime syndicate wanted dead. While people at times put teens into programs designed to help guide them the right path, most were rebellious enough to not even follow.
Ryu never entered such a thing, he and Draco both grew up in the middle of nowhere. The two were allowed outside to explore and get some exercise, but never to wonder too far from home. Draco had run off after he murdered his father, only to turn to the side of an outlaw.
He might have been the first, but he was easily tricky. When young, he and Ryu always were competitive, in running, fighting and the usual wrestle. Draco always managed to outdo Ryu in anything, finishing first in racing, pinning him in wrestling, and disarming him in sword fights.
Ah, the days of the past, when the two were young, so energetic, and so filled with dreams of the future they never did argue or fight in bitterness at all. Those times were over, and the two were arch enemies. Ryu though still remembered why he left home. Out on a short walk, mostly to see if Draco was around their hide out, mostly a rock that had an underground cave. Finding no trace, he headed home, only to find his home scorching in a vicious inferno that no man in his right mind would dare go inside and try to face. Ryu wouldn't even try, the true horror was outside.
He took only to steps forward, before falling to his knees, breaking into tears, mourning over the death of his parents, and demanding to know who and why someone would do this.
Never since then had he found an answer, but he found a path, his long road of being a hunter of the malice outlaws who tarnished the lands, deadbeats who murdered, robbed, rapped, and cause public disturbance. He had been there for about six days now, with Nina as well. Nina, how he had grew closer to her, though she wasn't too happy that often since she had a job.
Ryu had long ago thwarted an armed robbery within a tavern four years ago. While the main head offered many rewards none would refuse, Ryu only remarked it was his job. The tender though still wished he could repay him, so when he returned, he immediately went to the tavern, and asked if Nina could have a job there.
The tender glanced at her uneasy, taking a deep long sigh. He accepted, but there was a catch, Nina was not a waitress, she was a dish washer, mostly so someone could get a good long break. She wasn't pleased with the position at all, repetitively washing dish after dish after dish, it was boring as anything. Ryu though convinced her it was how a job was, he told her of his early days, how he had trouble finding target, how even after he did, he rarely took a break. It was not enjoyable, but it was his job, and he fulfilled it with a shining ball of determination.
Ryu knew the latest take down would only rake in around four thousand zenny, not a lot when compared to other take downs, but it was better then nothing. A Peacemaker Station was nearby, and with already word going round quick, it was only an easy walk in and out. Stepping into the never so tarnished placed, clean as a whistle, and sparkling with a grade A shine.
He advanced to the desk, the female clerk glancing up, and looking him over.
"Ryu, yes, let me guess, took down the punk Damien, pah, you really seem to be just going after the small targets." She commented, taking a bag marked Four-T, and placing it on the desk, along with a paper that Ryu had to sign.
Grasping a pen, he signed the sheet, picking up the bag, and strapping it to his belt. He took off his coat, knowing full well he had to record the hit, or else he would be demoted if he didn't follow the standards. He sighed, as he walked over taking a seat, knowing it might take a while.
It was ten minutes later that he was called, up, his trench coat now stitched with the name of Damien 'Nazza' Hills, even if he was a short stuff, it still had to be recorded. With a sigh of relief, Ryu once more placed his jacket over his shoulders, as he walked out of the area, his next stop the market, to buy at least some of the harvested food that was around.
This was perhaps the best place to ever shop, the harvesting was almost year round with the already dry and very hot atmosphere, but with the domes, the inside was designed to specifically run at the same standard of the old days, giving rain when needed, plenty of sun, and a moist environment none could ever resist.
It had been a while since Ryu had tasted a nice sweet and juicy ripe-red apple, one of his favorites in fruits. The taste was nothing like any of the foods he had tried, mostly from the crunch it had when he bit into it, the savoring saccharine flavor it had, nothing else was like it. His tongue ran across his bottom lip, before he made a snap with both, really he was craving an apple right about then, even more then a cup of roumen.
He strolled off, knowing where to go, the market, where the fresh batch of many harvested fruits and vegetables would be found.
***
"Councilmen Seymour, there are three men here to see you, they say they have an appointment." The secretary said her tone very shaky.
"Send them in." He replied naturally.
"Amazing the fools didn't try to threaten her, that girl would have broke into tears." Penelope remarked bitterly.
"Put a sock in it you spoiled girl. Your whining is really getting on my last nerve." Elroy commented, sick of hearing the girl's complaining.
Slowly the door opened, as three figures walked in. The man to the right, dressed in black and white, his cape black on the outer side, crimson red on the inside. He seemed more like an entertainer then a mercenary, with the magician hat on his head, the white gloves went up to his wrist, easily covering the ends of his sleeves of his tuxedo. His face though was more villain designed, the intersecting chin, the evil eyes, the thick eyebrows, and to top it off, a zig-zaggy mustache. A long thin black cane grasped firmly in his right hand, as he walked with a great posture similar to that of an aristocrat, as he removed his hate in politeness, holding it down with his free left hand.
The one on the opposite end was a tall, muscular cyborg, at least by the sheer amounts of metal strapped around his body; he was a monstrosity to any normal everyday citizen. Around eight feet tall, he was bulked with many an overdosed human on steroids, truly an experiment gone wrong. Armored around his chest, wrists, calves, and waist area, shining in the copper tint color that the armor was by default. His back containing what seemed to be an engine, steam powered by the funnel that ran out in the center of the huge pack that was built into his back so long ago, his voice area now useless, as all he did was roar. His bare areas were dark, coal black like a miner. His face hidden under the more concealing metal mask, his eyes covered in the mirror type lenses that sun glasses usually have. His metal boots clanked loudly as he took a very long and earth shaking step, the sound of metal screeched along the area as he made every stride of the way.
The last, and the main leader who stood between the two opposites was, just like them, dressed in an odd sense of fashion, but he was more of a creative type then a mere parody of a villain. His face was wrapped fully in strips of clothing, concealing his entire face, his wicked eyes still glancing through, and his lips still visible, chapped badly, as the whiteness of the dry split areas easily was visible. He wore a tan brown trench coat, a white long sleeved shirt under it, with a bullet proof vest, easily giving him superior protection. His hands like anyone's hidden by a leather glove, his pants tan brown, extending down to his black leather boots, guns glare stationed within his coat, he had everything within his own large trench coat, he was truly a rare sight to see.
"So, what is the bidding of this council's will, to hire us once more for a job I suppose, to not tarnish the name of their own company. Cowards they be, for not using their own employee's." He mocked, with a deep laughter.
"Your little prediction couldn't be far from the truth, though your tone should not be so insolent towards your employers, we can and will react harshly, so be good and keep your comments to yourself." Dagget responded despicably.
The tone of the leader's voice easily was enough to just pull his last nerve, his last defense that held him back from wrapping his arms around the bastard's neck and strangling him to death. He was still kept from moving in by the standards that held back himself
"Always the high talker, aye Dagget?" The Leader remarked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"ENOUGH!! Dagget, behave, and Joker, I advise you keep your own ground as well; you have been called here for the assignment of the following. Your mission is retrieval, the target, a girl with wings. The only murders I expect will be the Peacemaker we have identified as Ryu, a mullet cut sea sky blue haired boy. The other, a Woren, but he has recently been said to have left the party, so-to-speak." Elroy updated, and briefed the trio on their assignment.
"A Peacemaker aye? Are they Top Ranking or just another Grunt?" Joker inquired, really wanting to have a more hard to kill target.
"Top Ranking, one of the last, and perhaps the best there is. The Black Market fell like dominos to him, but you three though are a lot more skilled when it comes to combat. We want the girl, ALIVE, NOT DEAD, and if you screw up, mark my word, your all dead men, dead men that will be hunted down, and murdered... UNDERSTOOD!?" Seymour yelled angrily.
"Dare threaten us; we can walk out of this deal in a snap. If the money is good, then I'm in." The magician said, swaying his cape to the left.
"You will receive an amount of thirty five million if you manage to capture that Fae, as for the peacemaker, we suggest you do as you please, last one or not, as long as Erwin is alive, we could care less what you do with any of the Peacemakers who are below, the debt for them is already high enough that it could reach the stars." Elroy mentioned, grasping his hands together.
"Hold it... you offered the black market thirty-five BILLION zenny, and you offer us thirty-five MILLION zenny, highway robbery if you ask me." Joker barked out, irritated by the offer.
"You three are getting plenty, were sure you can split it amongst yourself," Elroy stated, knowing full well the situation "but, if you get her here in about less than three days, then you shall be granted a higher pay." He finished, gesturing for Dagget and Penelope to keep their mouths shut.
"Hmm, if that's so, then you have hired the grand marshals of all, you have just hired, the Bandit Trio, I Joker, leader and grand thinker of the group. The specialist of spell casting and magic tricks, my first hand man, Wyden the Magnificent Magician. And of course, my heavy hitter, the front line master, Goliath. We are the Bandit Trio, the soldiers of fortune known throughout the barren desert, and we shall get your little birdy for you." Joker said, as he laughed insanely.
"I bid you people, good-day." He sarcastically completed, with a bow to the council, the other two already walking towards the exit, Joker following the two from behind.
"You offered them a reward of thirty-five billion if they get the Fae in three days, you're truly insane." Penelope commented crossly.
"Yes, those bastards might just pull it off you old kook!" Cited a seated council member, blond and in his early twenties, he was still one of the brightest men around.
"Yes, Rudolf has point, considering how rumors spread fast with the high range radio towers, they could find her by the end of the day and have her back here tomorrow evening." Dagget bitterly bellyached, truly fearing the idea.
"Adolescent idiots, your own stupidity will get you nowhere." Remarked an elder woman, her pitch very crude and shriveling.
"Clarice, you wench, dare even curse our name and you'll end up really getting more wrinkles when were done with ya." Rudolf shouted bitterly.
"SILENCE!! I will have anymore arguments. Rudolf, respect your elders, your pushing you luck considering how high I am, I can easily throw you off. If those three don't succeed, we will refer to Erwin, he is in enough debt, that he will literally take on the job, or he will become another bum in society. For now... all we can do, is wait." Seymour addressed, as he took a deep sigh, knowing full well the risk was taken, and there was no other way to convince them to back down.
***
Nina took a deep gasp, scrubbing the dishes as usual to get any if all the filth off. Her hands wet from all the cleaning she had repeatedly been doing. Plates of leftover food, scraps, sauces, and dry toppings, all of it scrubbed down. It was endless, a long boring trial that never did cease to end, and only one break that was the only break Nina would get in the whole ten hour shift, from sunrise to near set, she was released only to go home ever so tired out, and miserable.
Ryu told her a job was not something easy, but was something not anyone enjoyed, even his job was no fun, when it was all day in hell. Dish after dish, a relentless day of scrubbing it was for her. It was near the end of the day, and as usual, she was busy, taking care of piles of dishes, making them spick and spam, shining like diamonds with the sparkle only jewelry could equal.
Finally, the clock struck evening, five o'clock sharp, as she left her post, heading over to the area to clock out. Relief, after a long day of stress, she was relieved of duty, allowed to go home, to be relieved. She as usual washed her hands, cleaning them of the chemicals that were used to wash the dishes. Pulling out her time card, she slipped it into the slot, going through the process necessary to confirm that she was leaving.
Quick and efficient, she smiled, as she picked up her purse, walking outside, and heading to the apartment. She always did have a bad feeling when she walked around the outside. Everyone seemed to stare at her, rudely whispering to one another comments of how pathetic her race was. She felt ever so lonely, Ryu was the only one who seemed to actually give her comfort, since Wes went off with Cherry, and she only had him as a friend, the only one she trusted in this town of many.
She wanted to be a waitress, even if it was dealing with having her ass slapped. Ryu had good connections with the owner, since he foiled a robbery, and didn't take a reward for his service and heroism. The owner didn't like the idea of putting a Fae in because of how much people were not so kind towards a race that had long ago cut their links with the world, and trade. Their town once traded items almost none could equal, but since the fifty years that they cut trades, the world went downhill. The blame was the Fae's, who for the past years had the best trades to offer, in medical treatment, bread, and even most antiques.
Nina though chose to head here, to experience life by the way it was. How she at times regretted ever leaving, but more often she felt free, free from the standards of manners, free from the fashion limits her parents set, and free to finally explore, adventure. Ever since she met Ryu, she was having a adventure that she never expected, already had they ended up fighting several men, and made a few friends. She checked in with the clerk, heading to her room staggeringly, as she opened the door.
"Heads up!!" Nina jumped, as her arms hastily tried to grasp the apple Ryu had thrown to her.
Grasping it, her cheeks went puffy, glaring over with a beet red face, Ryu sitting in the chair, taking a loud crunchy bite out of his apple, smiling in delight, eyes closed as he endured the taste.
"Pigging out as always I see." Nina spat, Ryu only ignored her, as he munched down the apple.
"Go ahead, take a bite, the farmers know full well how to grow the best fruits." Ryu commented, Nina glancing down at the round deep red apple.
Nina had one of these before; in New Wyndia they had always had a harvest such as these, and apples just as tasty as these. Oh how she enjoyed the taste of the fruits, and she desperately was wishing to eat one. Opening her mouth up, she took a deep bit, and slowly chewed it down, enjoying the sweet taste that was in it.
"Good to see you cheering up, but I am sure you know what happened today, huh?" He asked, a serious grin now in his eyes.
"W-w-what, you mean that outlaw you shot?" She replied, already knowing of it, feeling some sadness towards the one who was shot.
"Yeah, the kid was corrupt; he took the path that leads only towards disaster. You know full well the laws of the west by now, either you live to defend, or you live to assault." He lectured, reminding her of what was the law.
"That is how I see it, even if I hate it, there is no way I can change it." She remarked in despair, wishing there was another way.
"Just enjoy your stay; I plan to head out to the west area, to a town called Valkyrie, the main training grounds for the Peacemakers." He stated, cracking a smile.
"Is that were you trained?" She questioned, wondering just if the place was eligible enough to make her as great of a gunslinger out of her as they did to Ryu.
"Yep, me, and a few other... " His voice trailed off, as his face went melancholy.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing too big, just a few bad memories that intrude when I think back." Ryu answered, shaking his head.
"I'll just stop right there, seems you really do have a lot of things you have to regret." Nina alleged, with a sigh.
"You don't know half of it!" Ryu mentally thought, knowing full well of why he tried to shove the thoughts off his shoulders.
Turning on the TV, the two sat next to each other, watching mostly sit- coms, dealing more along the lines of singles living together, and just how overactive they went in such outrageous scenarios. Somehow, Ryu felt a bit more closeness; he and Nina were becoming closer, physically and mentally.
Was it love?
He felt deep care for her, wanting to go as far as risk his own skin just to keep her alive. It was more then that, he had feelings for her. He loved her perky and cheerfulness, her smile melted his heart each time he thought of it. She was someone who he never met, even as naive as she was, she still was a jewel that he treasured deeply.
He placed his arm around her back, as she moved closer, leaning her head on his shoulders, closing her eyes. He smiled, slowly falling asleep, with Nina laying her head against him. The two perhaps would make a good Kodak moment if there was a cameraman nearby.
***
"Ye call tis a' scrrewdriverr, I call' it purre crrap out of a hoarrses arse." Shouted the drunken man seated at the counter, in a fluent Scottish accent as he spoke in an enraged manner.
"Don't like it, then get out ya flame mouth bastard, I don't take kindly to the likes of you." Replied the Tender, as he pointed to the exit.
"Teh hell wit all-of-yas, ya been nothin more t'en a pain-in-my-arse, and I can't stand teh likes of anyone-of-yas!" He yelled, as he stood up, walking backward towards the exit.
"Yeah, you're a drunken forty-eight year old who has no job and earns his money off of old funds, and working at a salvage plant." The tender said, only to receive a middle finger as a remark towards his truthful comment.
The man was around that exact age the tender claimed he was. The man was a very obese man, with a bald head, and only hairs around the sides of his head, from the sideburns to the back of his head. A long shaggy beard grown down to his chest, his hairs all orange or what some would refer to as 'red'. The pupils were brown, his face nearly full of wrinkles, proving he was near an age of old. He wore tattered cloths, blue jeans stained with oil marks and white short sleeved shirt the exact same way.
He may have been overweight, but he still knew how to fight. Spending around three decades in the arm guards sure did pay off, when he was able to survive the many years of battles against several lawless men who dared tried and break into the dome barrier. His job may have been boring, but he did get some action, a whole lot during the times when the Carson Gang was still alive and kicking'.
Back then, anyone near any dome was getting some action, battling most of the tanks the thugs stole from a secured bunker in the far west, and dared tried to break through the tight defense posted all around the entire farm domes. He had a share of rumbles as well, fighting off a few of the men who tried to take him down with their bare knuckles. Though, the times of those days ended when the Carson Gang was dissolved apart directly after the top leader of the gang was assassinated by a group of soldiers that had a very high potential in skills ranging from mechanics to gunsmith.
The man shook his head the though of them, he knew full well what resulted when the work started getting slower, and duller. The soldiers that had killed the top leader now were nothing more then a gang of hired guns, taking on any job for cash, murder, chaos inflicting, or destruction, anything that was a thrill they jumped on at the sight. The old man was there when the men started their own reign of terror, the incident referred to as 'Dome Five Massacre', where several innocent men were killed by the main leader and his two flunkies.
"Damn teh bloody bastarrds, damn 'em ta teh bloody pits of hells firres." He mumbled under his breath, with a loud belch as he did.
Staggeringly moving through the dark and ever so quiet town, drunk as he was, he turned into a dark alley, falling down to the ground, knocking tin trash canes down, the clatter of metal echoed within the alleyway. Vomiting once on the ground, he pushed himself up, seating himself against the wall, taking a deep breath, as he wiped some of the acid he had on his whiskers with the bottom of his shirt. The stench of the trash was a relief in contrast to the vile odor that was emitted from heaved alcohol that always gave the kidney a kick in the worst way possible.
Like any drunken person, he fell flat to the ground face first, drooling onto the ground, as he laid out in the cold, the chill the desert always had at night, and the worst place to even be when nighttime fell. Thugs could just go up and rob you blind; then again, they would just kill you in a snitch. Nobody did dare even try and wonder streets when darkness ran throughout the skies, out came the imps, the dangerous imps that came out at night, and caused trouble for anyone who was in their sight. Tonight was not going to be the night for the imps. There was a sudden gust that blew across the desert, a strong wind that came before the sudden rains, an omen of danger approaching.
The danger was familiar, to those who lived in the town for around fifteen years and a couple of months knew of the Dome Five Massacre, a day that scarred the entire town. It was the day when a dome security truly failed; the armed guards were hunted down by three of the men that once were in cahoots with them. The same men who had taken on a mission of impossible measurements, the odds overwhelming, and in only a couple of days, did they call in, and announce the success, with pictures of their target, dead by a bullet to the head.
While they were honored by perhaps the entire guards, and the townsfolk's, the three heroes were not pleased. The mission to them was unfulfilling, and if the people knew full well what really went on in the hideout of the Carson Gang, they would have taken immediate action to throw the three in the mental house for their own ambitions.
The men not only killed their true target, but they also killed every living, breathing walkers within the place, people shot several times, stabbed and cut all along their bodies. The sight could send chills down everyone's spine, nightmares that would haunt anyone for weeks. It would be on that day when the most ruthless mercenaries of all time would make their mark. Wanted for the destruction of a Green Dome, several counts of murder, and treason, a bounty of seventy thousand dollars on each of the three men's heads, mostly alive, but if dead, the reward would be slashed to only a quarter of a main reward.
The Bandit Trio, the notorious men finally had returned, following a few tips and large messages indicating of where the Fae was presently located. Sunrise was not arriving, and the three men were searching, searching for the bike that was reported to have been in ownership with the Peacemaker for quite a short while. Their goal was simple, locate the motorcycle, and take it to the confirmed location to where the Peacemaker was staying. Phase one would be complete, and Phase two would start.
***
A loud explosion rang close by the hotel, Ryu immediately sat up, wide awake, as he ran to the window, glancing outside to the now burning bike, the entire thing now a heap of flames, crackling loudly, as the thick smoke ascended up from it, and into the sky. Ryu already felt the burning wrath of anger swelling all throughout his heart, and only one line of words came from his mouth.
"Son of a bitch!" He remarked, running over to where his weapons were stashed, suiting himself up for battle, knowing full well he was about to encounter one.
Nina rolled over to her left, as the two fell asleep on their backsides last night, and seemingly didn't roll around in their sleep. Falling to the floor with a loud thud as she hit the floor, a rude awakening for anyone, as she sat up, rubbing her head, a painful frown pursed on her lips and near tearful eyes. She stood up, rubbing her hurt shoulders, glancing around to where Ryu would be.
"Ryu?" She called; worried he might have left without him.
"Nina, get your staff and ring, I smell a battle brew 'in and it ain't gonna be a easy one." He said, locking his bullet chamber in place.
"Why, what's going on?" She groaned, still sore from the fall.
"Someone blew up my bike, and right nearby. Anyone who is able to disable a security system that new is no chump looking for trouble. Best guess it is somebody very skilled, or." Ryu shook off the though, as he placed on his trench coat, and threw his sheath over his back.
"Or what? What Ryu...Ryu? Hello, are you gonna answer me." Nina demandingly asked, raising her tone higher each time she begged.
"Get dressed and get your weapons NOW!?" He ordered, really serious this time that his voice was a loud rumble that only the sound of thunder could relate with.
Nina didn't reply, she saw right in his eyes that he was concerned about what they might be up against. She noticed it each time they were about to go into battle, the eyes of war, an ember flame dancing in the eyes of the Peacemaker when a fight was going to commence. Wes had the same glance, but unlike Ryu, his was not as bright. Ryu had one with a shine that she herself had never seen in anyone before, a will that was strong, inner strength that easily kept the worrier calm at heart, and helped him prevail through even the dimmest of any situation.
She started to get her things, dashing behind to catch up with Ryu, knowing he might already be in danger.
Ryu slowly took a few steps out, glancing at the burnt wreckage with rage. Controlling his temper, and knowing from experience, the bastards who did this would sure enough walk out and reveal themselves.
"Good to see your awake, Peacemaker." Mocked a villainous voice that Ryu immediately turned towards, as his glance going from tempered to disbelief knowing full well what he was up against.
"The Bandit Trio, the mercenaries known full well to have a passion for killing, surprised you bastards would even return to the same place where your first counts of murdered occurred." Ryu stated, knowing full well of the incident of fifteen years ago.
"How true it is, but were not here for an anniversary, were here for the Fae." Joker remarked, with a snicker.
"W-what!? Just what the hell do you want with her; you won't get anything even if you do capture her!" Ryu yelled, taking aim with his firearm, breathing much faster then before.
"Foolish Ryu, how blind you truly are, you only were facing a mere wing of the hunters. Were the second wave, and unlike those idiots of the Black Market, we just love murdering people. Money is good, but the sight of the victims when they are dying is a sight that never has gotten old. Blood gushing out of their body, the shock glances in their eyes, and their cringing bodies, amusing it is to watch live, ehahahahahaha!" Joker remarked with a snicker, his bandages flowing as a light gust of wind blew through the area.
"Bastards, your already to corrupt to negotiate with, then again, in the order of the Peacemakers, in the name of justice, and of the law, you shall be handled like every ruffian scoundrel I have had to deal with, the verdict, guilty, and the sentence, death. Hope you have no regrets, cause I got a one way ticket to send your three asses straight down to hell." Ryu claimed, smirking ever so charmingly, that it could melt any young girls heart.
"Are you just plain stupid, there's three of us, and one of you. We don't have any standards or codes of honor, just ambition, desire that you fools consider being sin. Free from limits, you are about to meet your match, Peacemaker." Joker stated, as he pointed the gun towards Ryu, smiling with his very rotten teeth.
"Two to three to be exact bandaged face. I swear, you three are dressed more like you're off of a cheesy action cartoon." Nina said, as she drifted down, her wings helping her descend down to the ground.
"Like that makes a difference little birdy, your still one person short, and Goliath here is wanting a piece of the action to y'know." Joker replied motioning over to the bulky man in metal, who let out a roar, low and more retarded then the freak was fierce.
"Less you two get another willing ally, you are practically outnumbered." Wyden mocked with a laugh.
In the alley where the drunken Scotsman laid, slowly stirring, as he sat up, groaning as a huge hangover was already present in his head. The bad side to every habit such as drinking habit was the aftermath, waking up with a huge headache, or what everyone called a hangover. Slowly getting to his feet, as he held his throbbing in pain head, still trying to get his recovering brain, the intense beat that ran though was enough to make anyone suffer for what seemed to be an eternity. The voices he was hearing right then and there was familiar enough to get him to stand, and move.
The same voice that so long ago haunted him, the same tone, identical in every way to the man who killed so many of his partners, people who were close friends to him were killed at the hands of the fiends. Luckily, he always did carry a pack of pills with him, the kind that would clear any hangover up in a jiffy. Opening the package up halfway, he tossed one inside, and swallowed it down, the medicine slowly taking effect. He walked out, glancing to where the murderous bastards stood; he was right behind the Fae and the Peacemaker, a very grim disadvantage as the men were easily better at close confrontation.
He still didn't fear them; dressed or not dressed in combat uniform he was going to challenge them. He may have been out of shape, but he still had the strength of a soldier, one determined to avenge the deaths of comrades who died in the line of duty, and redeem himself for his cowardice. Hiding from them in a locked closet, only to remain there until all was silent, opening the door and stepping into a room of slaughtered men, how the memory haunted him. He had to take vengeance, and fate seemed to bring it to him.
Moving into plain sight, he wobblingly moved towards the group, glaring irritatingly to the three.
"Ye bastarrds are'a goin' ta pay fer wat ye did all tem years ago." He shouted, advancing to where Ryu and Nina stood.
"A survivor of the Dome Five Massacre, how intriguing that someone could elude us, but then again, we didn't search every nook and cranny, there are bound to be other's, else you would be a very popular man." Joker remarked with a sinister laugh as usual.
"Ye bloody bastarrds, ye reign o' terrah shah end hearr." The man shouted, clenching his fists.
"Ye chubby fool, ye thiks ye can beat teh tree of tus, ye be dum as 'a' rrock." Joker mockingly reported, as the three chuckled hearing his comment.
Ryu and Nina blinked, both very confused by the newcomer, and not so grateful for the newcomer. The guy didn't look too much like a fighter, more of a lazy old bastard who just came out of retirement. Was he even in shape, the large gut he had was enough to doubt anyone's opinion that he had even the slightest clue of any battle.
"Whoever this guy is, he looks more like a deadweight old man then a soldier." Ryu whispered over to Nina.
"Uh, and he looks like he needs a bath, and clean cloths, ugh, just look at those stains on his shirt." She murmured in reply to Ryu's statement.
"Ye young'ins thik I ain't worrt 'a' damn, ye ungrateful bastarrds aint see's notin of meh yat." He sternly countered, spitting small beads of saliva as he shouted loudly.
The two remained silent, looking at him in more disbelief eyes. Did this guy even have a brain cell left in that bald head of his? Probably not, considering he had walked into a quarrel that would be a hell of a waking once the party got started.
"Fine, just don't expect me to wipe your ass off the ground when you get yourself murdered by these guys, kay?" Ryu warned, as he glimpsed ahead, staring to the three men.
"I wunt be getting masulf killed anytume soon, I mey look like a tub eh larrd, but I can fight, so shut ye traps all'eady!" He groaned, cracking his knuckles.
"Geez, times like this I do wish Wes was still in our party, but instead, I have to settle with this bragger." Ryu mentally thought, the guy a real pain, and was dressed more like the town idiot then a worker.
"Hmph, so be it old fool, Goliath, take care of this guy, and try not to waste him too quickly." Joker remarked, Goliath roaring pleased.
"The Fae is a magic user, best leave her to me." Wyden called, throwing his cape behind him, as he shot a dastardly smile.
"Try not to kill her Wyden, remember, we need her alive, but they didn't say to harm her, now did they." Joker reminded, as he glanced with his dark creepy eyes over to Ryu.
"Peacemaker, you and me, just don't play coward and lead me out of town, else you be branded a coward like that shitbag who thinks he can fight." Joker remarked with a scoff.
"Don't run your mouth til you know victory is near, ya strip covered fool, just how badly did the plastic surgeon screw your face up, or were you to ugly to even get an operation on it." Ryu snapped, reaching for his gun.
"Sticks and stones don't break bones; your words are a waste of breath." Joker commented, as he drew his gun, being the first to fire, a shot that nearly hit Ryu in the heart.
Ryu leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding it, as he returned fire, taking cover behind a shack. By now, people were starting to clear out, and head out of range from the gunfight, knowing full well who the men were in town from years back.
Screams could be heard, shouts of 'There back, run for your lives' all nearby. People cleared out of the area, with haste that they didn't dare grab any of their belongings. It seemed many would do this anytime a gunfight occurred, especially between a Peacemaker and a infamous man as the Joker.
Ryu knew full well he had to get to cover, with only five bullets left, he had to use them wisely, especially against a fiend as wicked as this. He still had a bad feeling that ran through his stomach, more for the old man then for Nina. That damn idiot wasn't in any shape for fighting, and yet he claimed he was able to hold his ground in whatever language he spoke.
Taking cover behind a nearby truck, right around the tires, Ryu took a few breaths, but to dismay, bullets flew bye just about touching the ground, but they were high enough to be hovering across the ground, one of the on course stingers impacted Ryu in the ankles, the pain very inflicting. Letting out a cry of pain, Ryu grasped his ankle, giving a short cry of the inflicted damage. This would effect his movement, downsizing it greatly, forcing him to limp more often then running.
"Bulls-eye, tires are nothing but rubber, and rubber can't withstand the impact force of a bullet, just like your piteous ankles." Joker remarked, a loud clank following the ground, Ryu glimpsed behind him, taking one quick gasp, standing and running a few feet before the grenade blew up, sending the truck flying up in the air, in a heap of flames, Ryu turned around and hugged the ground, waiting for the joker to appear in sight, his leg bleeding badly.
***
Wyden and Nina exchanged magic spells, Nina airborne, as she gracefully remained high in the air, hovering around, as she gathered the elemental powers, sending a few third class spells to the man, Wind and Jolt mostly. Her spells easily hit, and but didn't phase the dastardly magician, who only smiled and countered with a few fire spells, fire being the first, then a flare. Nina avoided each nearly getting caught by each.
"Little bird, it is time to clip them wings of yours." Wyden remarked, casting an ice spell that nearly caught Nina by the wings.
She barely avoided it, as part of her wing was frozen by the attack. She glared at the man, who fiddled with his mustache, an evil grin pursed on his face. Nina slowly gathered magic, knowing it was time to send something that didn't use any elemental energy, only magic, pure simple magic energy.
"MAGIC BALL!!" She cried out at the top of her lungs, a bowling ball sized amount of energy came flying fast, meeting the magician a few feet near impact.
A bright light easily shined with a blind flicker, Nina shading her eyes, waiting for it to die down, and see the man fallen to the ground. The glimmer died down, Nina gasped, looking down with wide eyes, Wyden standing there, holding out a wand, a curved smile on his face, he laughed belittlingly at her, and in the snap of his fingers, she felt a invisible force wrap around her body, forcing her to fall to the ground, impacting with a aching smack to the ground.
"Guess the little bird didn't expect a binding spell to be pulled from my sleeve." He remarked with a boastful laugh.
"Ah, I can't... move." Nina cried, relentlessly struggling to move.
"Your wasting your strength, the BINDGRASP is not so easy to escape once it takes effect. It's too bad for you little bird, you're sapped of your freedom to move about freely, even your wings can't save you now." He claimed, stepping ever so closer to her.
"That's what you think," She spat, slowly gathering her magic up, and in closing her eyes, as she opened them and at the top of her lungs she cried out pleadingly, "CLEANSE."
A large sphere of shimmering light surrounded her, and freed her from the binds of the spell that paralyzed her, she could feel the effects immediately after, as she flapped her wings, moving slowly into the air. The spell was one that she had mastered after many hardship years of practice.
"Damn, how in the hell could someone even beat my own spell... no matter, there is more then one way to capture a dame such as this." He whispered to himself, removing his hat, as he reached inside, pulling out tear gas canister, knowing full well it was the best thing when dealing with an airborne girl such as this.
Nina remained in the air, patiently waiting for his next action. She knew by his movements he was up to something. What is the question that ran through her mind. He shot a glance to her, and in the blink of an eye, he chucked the canister, pulling the seal off, as smoke started pouring out, Nina watching as the can sped towards her like a fastball. The gas remained in the air, surrounding the Fae, smoke fogging the entire block they were in up. Wyden covered his face with a gas mask, keeping his eye around, waiting to see where the Fae laid. Even as thick as the gas mask was, he still knew it was not sound proof. He only heard the hiss as the smoke came out of the seal of the container.
Rapidly did the smoke start vanishing, throwing it high into the sky, above the town, as Nina stood, still awake and not one bit somnolent by the sleeping gas that spurred from the can.
"Is that it?" Nina mocked happily.
Wyden glowered at her, as he placed his hand out, beams gathered right then and there, only unlike the magic ball spell, he moved his hand back, and closed his eyes, as he threw it up in the air, and glanced towards here.
"MULTI MAGIC SEEKING WHISPS." He cried at the top of his lungs, the ball splitting to about around twenty or thirty seeking magic balls.
Nina kept a tight watch, scanning one and another. She already was tensing up; something like this she had never at all seen back in New Wyndia, there was not telling how powerful it truly was. She took up her staff, taking a deep breath. She could sense them closing in, feeling a heavy energy pattern of non elemental magic, the type that has two elemental attributes that cancel one another out. The result is a free of elemental energy that simply was Neutral Energy. These types were found just about anywhere, even in the water. It was energy known to exist throughout the world, or at least wherever air was. The origin of the energy was still unknown, considering how it was created by two elemental attributes canceled; it was still unknown how it was able to be located almost anywhere.
Nina waited, she knew how to counter it, but she had to pull it off just at the right time. She slowly gathered the power of both elemental and neutral magic, knowing full well that the spell required both to come together for full effect of the spell. As the wisps slowly closed in on her, she opened her eyes, and cried out at the top of her lungs.
"SPHERE SHEILD OMEGA!!" She shouted, as a large round ball surrounded here, glowing in the colors of a rainbow, flashing three colors per second as it remained up.
The wisps slammed fiercely against the shield, vanishing upon impact, and were absorbed by the shields power, easily giving it more strength to resist. Wyden looked on in shock, she was canceling every move he used on her, and even his own sleeping gas. He clenched his fist, easily fed up with this game of cat and mouse.
"Anything you can do, I can foil better." She stated, with a 'Tee-hee' giggle.
"Charming, though I'm just warming up." He boasted, removing his glove, knowing full well it was time to use a few of the spell combo moves to wipe her out.
"Show me wut you got, meany!" She sarcastically remarked, easily taking him to be lightly with all he had done.
He shot a smile, slowly charging up one spell, fire in his right hand, wind in his left, a firestorm would take this guy out easily. He first cast the wind spell, then used the fire, creating a firestorm of wind that moved towards. Nina watched, knowing of this spell, but she had no clue how to counter, as the huge wall of fire came burning towards her, she took a breath, holding up her wand, easily awaiting the spell to close in on her.
"Hope I get this one right... last time it cost me a diploma in that school." She thought to herself, knowing it was a tricky counter to use.
She gathered her magic, and in that instant, a bright gold light emitted from where she was, blinding anyone near there, the light surrounding the entire area.
***
The fat man smiled with his rotten and ugly teeth, mostly from his recent years. Goliath remained still, looking down at the man through the mask that covered his face.
"Ef terre one ting we 'ave n' comm'n, ets tat we ugly as hell. Ye toe chose ta hide ya face unda ye damn metal mask. Sa tell meh someting, ye think ya goin' ta win this bout?" The old man said, cracking his knuckles once more.
The huge freak only roared, beating his chest, with his steam vent in his back smoking out loudly. He took a step forward, breathing hard, and glancing dead eye at the man. The old man rushed forward, rushing head on to ram the bastard. The beast brought its arm back, swinging at a hammering pace. The old main quickly avoided him, and thrust his right arm forward and smashing the left rib area of Goliath, who roared by the pain.
"Ye need te watch ya oponaunt more closa', else ya goin' to git ya ass wupped." He muttered, smashing his knee into the ribcage once more.
Goliath though already was aware, and shifted his pivoting foot up and landed it directly on the old mans. Letting out a loud howl, the old man received a rude awakening punch to the jaw, and went flying several feet back. The old man spit a few teeth from his mouth, rubbing his bleeding jaw as he glared irritatingly at the ugly ass bastard. Staggeringly, he stood to his feet, taking a few breaths; the blow to the jaw really forced the air out of him.
He wasn't planning to give up any time soon; he planned to send the monster to hell, like he had claimed time and time again to do. He knew there was a way, the steam vent on the back looked like the perfect area to strike at, that would easily send the bastard to hell.
"Ye goin' te hell, and I be takin ye tere mesulf ef I 'ave te!" He muttered, and with a loud pathetic roar, he charged forth, ready to ram the tin can bastard once more.
Charging in once more, he struck hard at the sides, only making his way around, judging each blind spot where Goliath wouldn't dare try and touch. Goliath though, while weakened by each blow easily saw the best chance to strike, and took it, kneeing the ribs, and kicking the back ends of the knee's.
"Victary shell be mine." He mentally though, still continuing, before getting a hard kick to the gut.
***
Ryu remained in hiding, as bullets flew above; he took a deep breath, knowing he had to make a shot soon. His leg pulsed with pain from the bullet that hit the area earlier. A pause soon commenced, as Ryu jolted up, and returned five shots, but to his dismay, Joker was not in sight.
"Got'cha!"
Ryu turned, and three bullets were fired, each hit him, the first in his right shoulder, the second at his gun, throwing it all the way from him, and the final one striking him in his right leg, around the upper area to be exact. A shrill laughter filled the air, the Joker slowly stepping forth, advancing over towards the fallen Ryu, glancing down at him with his beady eyes, a crooked smile pursed on his dry lips.
"Said the spider to the fly, time to die." He claimed, placing his gun near the Peacemaker's face, smiling as he was ready to end things.
Ryu only watched his two legs couldn't help, the pain easily was to strong that he would fall and still be a goner, his right shoulder was put out of commission by the shot, rendering his right hand useless. He only had his left hand, but reaching for his sword when he was laying flat on the ground was foolish. The left arm though was still in shape, but how to counter the man was the real question. At that second, an idea ran through his head, and in the same instant, as the Joker slowly pulled down on the trigger, Ryu shot his hand forth, pushing the gun to his head, the bullet sent directly into his head, blowing a large hole through his head, blood and brains in many chunks were splattered along the ground, the blood dying the pavement.
Ryu took several deep breaths, so much pain he was in, he only wished Nina was there, to help him out, to heal him up, and to give him the strength to move on.
***
Nina braced herself, watching as the now combined spell rumbled towards here, the whirling storm of fire slowly consuming, Nina gathering her elemental magic, and in two hands was she preparing two spells, one of two different but combining elements.
She easily knew what two would counter both of the spells, water and earth would easily cancel the two spells out, though the fierce feedback would not be a calm resulting peace. The result was a fierce shield aftershock that would throw most anybody who wasn't buried calf deep in the ground. Nina knew well of this, but she also knew how powerful the spell was, with two elements combined, it was fiercer then any other spell that was around first class.
Casting both at a range a few seconds before the fiery whirlwinds would be at point blank, she would be able to overpower the spell, easily causing a more less dense impact if she did it right then, the spark of the spell as it was cast was the point when the highest power of energy was at best. That energy would give a higher chance of not having the aftershock and forcing the reminisce of the spell to strike the enemy. The spell formed was a mudslide spell, a wave known full well for easily canceling both wind and fire, as the two clashed with a thunderous boom. Nina watched, slowly as her magic spell consumed the magicians, and the last remaining part of the spell moved towards the magician, consumed by fear, he remained standing, as the spell finally touched him, and knocked him off his feet, and threw him back into the wall, he remained still, shivering, obviously unable to handle such a powerful spell that was cast by a expert of it.
Nina took a sigh, noticing the gunshots she heard earlier no longer were heard. Curiosity as usual took control, as she walked on off, heading to where Ryu and the Joker were fighting. She glanced around, seeing the masked fiend laying dead, cringing, as she frowned, sickened by the sight, the though drifted out when she spotted Ryu sitting against a wall, his breathing weak.
"Ryu!?" She ran towards him, kneeling down, glancing his body over, as she felt a faint pulse on his smooth skin.
She knew it was necessary to heal him, and as usual, she clasped her hands together, slowly she focused the holy elements to gather, mostly the light that gave a divine shine that easily equaled the power that was known for healing. Any ray from the sun was nearly enough energy that could be collected and used for mostly healing and cleansing spells that affected those in need of treatment to wounds or in illnesses. Nina was an expert at this, she had seemed to take it more serious then elements since the healing powers always seemed to help people out.
Slowly murmuring phrases in a whisper, a light surrounded Ryu, giving him a more feeling of relief, his wounds closing up, and becoming skin once more, his body becoming less effected by the leads, as the spell did cleanse it partially of any foul or ill presences located in the body. Groaning, Ryu stood to his feet, glancing over to her, a smile spread on his face.
"What would I do without you?" He remarked in good humor.
Nina only blinked, not very aware of the joke.
"What am I, a seeress?" She countered, placing her hands on her hips and kneeling over.
Ryu only sighed, shaking his head, somehow she never did see him joke so often, especially after a battle like this, but then again, it was life or death. He never knew why ever so often it was like a joke, he seemed to walk out of every conflict involving a pro- and antagonist ended with the pro walking.
***
The Scotsman looked on, breathing as his body was now covered with blood, bleeding from his nose and mouth, but her wasn't through, he may have been out of shape, but vengeance already fueled him to continue. The metal armored fool also seemed beat, his ribs sore from the strikes the old man landed on his boans, and the hits from behind, the two were both out of shape, but the old man was loosing blood, he would faint and die if he continued.
The Scotsman picked up a large titanium metal alloyed pipe, advancing toward the freak, as he held the rod in his hand, breathing every step of the way.
"Ye time 'ave came te sen ya arse te hell, and I know jest were te hit cha." He spat, slowly moving in a crude smile on his face, blood trickling from him.
Goliath only roared, and took a step forward, ready to finish him off. The old man waited, keeping a sharp eye on the man, and at the right time did he run to the left, slipping behind as he bashed furiously at the main steam vent behind the giants back, the steam vent bending in half, and keeping the steam inside to be built up. It was only in a few seconds that the engine started to overload, the hot steam turning the machine red hot, and the machine started to overload.
Screws slowly blew out of their sockets in a loud 'bwear' sound that could've been mistaken for a bullet. The huge man roared, as he fell to the ground, the machine already was causing him pain inside. The old man stood to his feet breathing, and stumblingly moved to the beast. The machine suddenly blew up, a loud bang and whistling of stem echoed around the entire area. Ryu and Nina immediately heard it, running over towards where the sound was.
There in the middle of the square was several body parts scattered around, blood everywhere. The old man was at that same area, dead from the forceful explosion; he had died with no regrets, knowing full well the other two would have been by now put out of commission by the high classed Peacemaker and that winged girl looked promising.
"I guess that means the three area dead, but at the cost of the old mans life." Nina sadly commented, feeling guilt for the man to have died just for his own personal scores he wanted to settle.
"Don't start going emotional on me, ya hardly knew the guy, for all you know, he might have just been some idiot who lived off of stories her heard." Ryu remarked, as he turned strolling off.
"How can you say that, we may not have won if he didn't help us!" She screamed, irritated by his hard remarks.
"Cause something else is bothering me, the fact that they were sent to capture you." He answered sternly, Nina remaining silent.
"They said the Black Market was pawns, so if they wernt behind it, it leaves the question of who is." Ryu remarked, really creep out.
Who could have such power to control an illegal trade zone?
And why where they after Nina?
Ryu got a grip on himself; already he lost his one vehicle thanks to the soldiers of fortune, forcing him to walk, and if the people would go to hiring the insane bastards to get Nina, just what would be next.
Ryu knew something ill was brewing, but he was only one man standing against several billion possibilities. He had no idea where to start, but he knew where they had to go if Nina was going to be in safe haven. They had to reach Valkyrie.
Next Time:
Erwin, the man who trained me in the arts of gunmanship, the one who took me and a few other under his wing, and raised us to be the best heroes. I admired him for his bravery, for his wisdom, the knowledge that has helped me for so long stay alive, and keep peace through the land. But there comes a time, when the apprentice is forced to bypass the master, and that time is coming, when the master betrays his apprentice.
Next Chapter: Unlikely Quarrel