Chapter15: Defilement of Styx
Megufu was surprised they hadn't killed him in a case like this. The building was surrounded by enforcers waiting any second to make a move and here they were taking him prisoner. It didn't quite make sense. They'd taken his weapon and the stone and currently they were marching him down steps to the first floor. There were many of them walking, ten in all. It was hard to tell who they worked for. It was probable that they were Gehrich Mafia in what seemed like one of their biggest moves. Then again where Gehrich was Virage wasn't far away. It was not good for Endiness that the two largest crime organizations worked well together. When Megufu had worked for Virage he had been on many jobs big and small involved with the Gehrich.
Outside the rain was stopping. Thunder rumbled in the distance - the wet had slowed to a drizzle.
They passed through the lower cafeteria of the museum and out into the gardens where men were fiddling with lots of heavy technical equipment. Wires were set up everywhere running back and forth to a green teleport pad in the center. It was there Megufu was brought in front of the statue. A door with old stone steps leading down was opened beneath the statue. This was where men had entered the day before. From inside a man walked out up the steps in a white expensive suit with a red tie. He had a black cane in his hand as he swaggered forward with dark black hair to match currently the same tone as Megufu's. His nose and skin were smooth and very pale like his fine suit. His hands were enrobed in fluffy clean white gloves. The grass was wet.
"Ah good it's stopped raining," he said quite charmingly. He turned suddenly to Megufu, "What are you doing here?"
"I came here to…"
A man beside him kicked him hard in the stomach and stepped forward towards the man in the white suit, "He was carrying nothing but a weapon and this black stone. He took out three guards and tried to free the hostages"
The man took the dragoon spirit and looked at it with vague amusement. He smiled darkly and looked Megufu up and down, "You're Megufu aren't you? The little fish that got away from a big hook. I'm surprised you're still alive"
"Who might you be?" asked Megufu still in pain from the blow
"My name's Cain. I'm a member of the Gehrich Mafia. Perhaps you might recognize this?" he said holding up a purple stone
"Its my stone," replied Megufu darkly, "That I was sent to get,"
"Wrong actually," replied Cain with a laugh, "It's my stone that I was sent to get. You're stone is in my other hand. This stone is the dragoon spirit of Haschal the dragoon of lightning. Boss wants it so I was sent to get it"
"With all these men?" said Megufu dryly, "And there I was sent to get mine by myself"
"We thought we might steel a few objects at the same time," responded Cain with a wave of the hand, "A lucky stumble upon finding you here. In fact I've never known anything quite like it to happen on the trot – an excellent piece of luck"
"Why do you want the dragoon spirits?" asked Megufu, "What have they got to do with Virage?"
"Military weaponry," replied Cain, "They are a great source of power. The winglies were incredible creatures don't you think? Amazing that the more complicated aspects of their magic is still not understood today even after all this time. Dragoon spirits though – they outdate and out-do even the winglies"
"What are you going to do with me?" asked Megufu
"That depends on you," replied the man with a smile, "Can you fight?"
"Yes," replied Megufu, "I studied the Rouge art for five years"
"Really?" laughed Cain, "Then maybe we can have a little fun before I kill you. Let him go. I want to see how good he is"
The men moved away. Megufu looked either side of him and up at the statue in confusion, "What is this some kind of joke?"
"Depends how badly you do," said Cain with a shrug, "Hurry up"
"Why? asked Megufu.
"Because if you don't I'll get bored and order my men to shoot you"
"Fair enough," said Megufu and circled the man wearily. Cain stood and did not move even when Megufu walked behind him.
"You are worryingly confident," said Megufu.
"I am better than you…" said the man – but that was when Megufu attempted to strike. His blow that was aimed at the man's head was diverted as he received a chop on his back; with as little movement as the gesture of a hand he was flung across the grass.
"It was a nice thought," laughed Cain twiddling his little stick, "That you might catch me off guard while I was talking"
Megufu forced himself up and began circling again.
"I have studied Rouge since I was four until now. Now I am twenty-six"
"You should get out more," said Megufu cynically
"You little brat. I'll teach you a lesson for that remark," said Cain tightening his fists. Megufu attacked again and found himself kicked in the shins and flung head over heels onto the ground. He got up quickly in defense and tried to block as Cain attacked but the man was too advanced for him. He took several blows in the head and blood drizzled down his nose.
"It seems amazing that someone as weak as you was chosen by a dragoon spirit"
"It seems amazing that someone as ugly as you could…" began Megufu before he was kicked in the side twice.
"You're quite an upstart Megufu. It's amazing what people like you get taught in Virage"
Megufu tried to speak but couldn't. He spat blood onto the grass. The huge statue loomed over them all the rain drizzling down his neck.
"Are we ready to leave yet boss?"
"I think so…" said Cain, "First though I have to kill Megufu. It's clear that you were no match for my unmatched skills"
"Your skills are pathetic"
"You what?" said Cain angrily turning round to Megufu.
Megufu didn't respond.
"What did you say?" he asked again. Getting angry he walked forward towards Megufu ready to strike him. A man stepped forward from the darkness seemingly out of nowhere.
"I said your skills are pathetic," it was Lagnok.
