Fuyu dashed along the barren plains around the Eastern Romari territory, traveling far faster than any breed of horse in the Empire.
After a few moments, a second being dressed in dark colors appeared beside the Pantas survivor. The latter eyed the man, it was another one of Serpentine's shinobi hosts: A gray hair man with streaks of black along the ends of his head.
"Did everyone pull out in time?" Fuyu asked the ninja host.
"Raryu is fine and proceeding to the next objective." Serpentine replied.
"Norman on the other hand received some major wounds. Nothing life threatening but enough to keep him out of commission for the time being. He reports that he failed to defeat the corpse puppet he engaged in combat and apologizes for his incompetence."
"I see. Well it's fine." Fuyu said casually. "He's the only one of our expendable corps to survive to this stage, so all is forgiven."
The Chairmen frowned. "I never expected Kurome to have a Z class under her command." He said in a low tone.
"It does pose a threat to our plan." Serpentine replied.
"We need to eliminate it the first opportunity we get."
"Wouldn't it be simpler to slay the girl instead?"
"Pyro would never allow it." Fuyu said with a smirk. "If we tried that would only make him an enemy and we have plenty as it is."
"Why not destroy the Imperial Arms Yusafusa?" The shinobi suggested. "If we can get rid of that, then it's magic should no longer have any effect on the corpse puppets."
Fuyu's eyes seemed to brighten a bit. "That's actually a good idea. It may even demoralize her enough to willingly leave the Empire." He said with a smile. "I'll mention that to Pyro next time I see him."
"While we're on the subject." Serpentine interrupted. "Pyro's returning, bringing Chelsea along for the ride."
Fuyu let out a sigh. "What happened?"
"Seems she received some sort of injury." The shinobi eyed Fuyu. "He's bringing her to one of our safe houses inside the Capital."
"That guy, always acting in ways that annoy me." Fuyu replied with a smirk. "No matter. Keep an eye on them. Who knows, maybe Pyro will do us a favor and convince his girlfriend to join us."
"Perhaps, but he's always been one to act on his own." Serpentine paused before continuing. "We barely know what move he'll make next half the time. It's rather stressing to keep track of him."
"Oh it's nothing you can't handle." Fuyu replied with a smirk. "Besides, his sporadic actions keep our enemies on their toes."
"I hope he doesn't become a problem in the future."
"If he does, I'll deal with him." Fuyu frowned. "Those in the way of our goal will either bend to our will or brake to it. I won't tolerate anyone trying to bring down what we're establishing. These people want a peaceful world and that's exactly what I'm going to give them."
A brief moment of silence lasted between the two before the Chairmen spoke once again.
"How's Joker doing on his end?"
"Everything's going according to plan thus far." Serpentine answered. "However they've run into a bit of a snag."
"What sort of snag?"
The shinobi paused to glance at the man running beside him.
"The type that can't be solved unless you cut everything down that stands against you."
Fuyu chuckled. "Is that right?" He replied with a smile. "Well, I suppose that will be another lesson the young Emperor shall be taught on his field trip."
Twenty minutes ago, The Imperial Capital...
Jast and his group traveled at a brisk pace. They were currently located in a slum district located between the Royal Palace and the Great Imperial Walls that protected the Capital.
Xein Shi leading, the party of six traveled with great care. Though it seemed like the people mingling around them were no different than those in the market district that fact is many were just scrapping by.
Even with the threat of torture and execution by the hands of General Esdeath and her Jagears some of these people are desperate enough to try and pull something regardless of the consequences.
The group traversed the surprisingly populated streets. Despite living in poverty, the residents of the slums live lives comparable to the rest of the capital.
Or at the very least, they put on a convincing show.
They moved among the crowd, trying their best not to draw attention to themselves. However, the party would catch the eyes of several curious civilians and the attention of some that noticed the young Emperor glazing at them with particular interest.
Still, none made any hostile movements toward them.
Xein Shi lead them away from the main street and into a series of back alleys and passage ways.
"Why have we strayed from the main route?" One of the Royal Guards asked.
Jast turned his head back. "Chairmen Fuyu wishes the young master to witness all that happens in the Capital, even that which cannot be seen in plain daylight."
"You mean to put-"
The young Emperor held up his hand. "It's fine." He said, calling the Royal Guard off.
"If the Chairmen wishes for we to see it then so shall it be. Besides," The young Emperor turned his head back. "You two are here to protect us should anything happen, right?"
The Royal Guard looked his young lord in his innocent eyes. "Of course, young master." He said with a bow.
While it was agreed to refrain from calling the young lord "Emperor" or "your highness", the Royal Guards insisted on referring to the Emperor with some sort of respect.
Calling him young master helped sell the point that he and Steven are the sons of merchants, so their was no harm in it.
"You little brats!" A unseen man shouted. "We'll teach you to look upon the faces of nobles! You gutter trash!"
A loud smacking noise echoed off the walls.
Jast took a step forward, standing just off Xein's right side. "Can you tell where's that is coming from?" He asked in a whisper.
"Roughly." The martial artist replied. "Not too far from here."
"Senator Jast." The Emperor spoke up. The forward turned, facing the young ruler. "Have your guide take us to the source of that outburst."
Jast stared at the youth for a few moments.
"You told me Chairmen Fuyu wishes for me to witness all that happens in the Capital did you not?" The young Emperor continued, giving the Senator the bravest and determined look anyone had ever seen portrayed on the youth's face.
"Then by all means, show us."
Jast smiled. The Senator was proud, both by the fact that their plan has been working thus far but also by the change the young Emperor began to show.
While he still had much growing to do, it seems that he was starting to break through Prime Minister Honest's cleaver manipulation.
Jast bowed his head slightly. "As you command."
It took the party several minutes to find the source of the disturbance.
There where 4 middle aged men who appeared to be nobles gathered around in a circle. Beneath them was a pair of boys no older than six, beaten to near a bloody pulp.
One of the nobles rose his leg, bringing down upon one of the collapsed children.
"Serves you brats right!" He shouted with glee before kicking the poor soul again. "This is what you get for being born low class, bottom feeding scum!"
"That's despicable." Steven said in a low voice. "Nobles from the palace coming all this way to beat on slum children? As if they don't have enough hardships as it is."
The young Emperor clenched his fist, grinning his teeth in anger.
"Stop it!" He shouted, moving past Xein Shi and Jast and towards the 4 nobles.
They turned their heads to the approaching Emperor, though none recognized him due to his current disguise and the fact that none of them have seen their ruler in person.
"What's this? Another brat?" One of the noblemen said, turning towards the young man.
Another smirked, thoroughly studying the Emperor. "Foreigners like you have no say in these matters." He said in a harsh tone. "Get lost kid!"
"I thought the Empire was home to brave and noble men who defended and cared for her people!" The Emperor replied, carefully choosing his words as not to give his identity away. "Not despicable men who prey upon the weak and helpless!"
All four of the nobles frowned. One of them approached the young Emperor.
"I don't like your tone!" The noble shouted, slapping the young man across the face.
The two Royal Guardsmen rushed forward, hands resting on the hilt of their swords.
"Young master-!"
"Stay back!" The Emperor shouted, causing the two loyal soldiers to halt in their tracks. He looked at the noble, shooting a determined gaze that unnerved the man.
"Go on." The Emperor said. "Or is your will so weak that you quit halfway through what you've already started? "
The nobleman growled. "Why you little-!" He smacked the young man again, and once more the Emperor faced the man.
This time, the noble punched the Emperor in the gut, then knocked him on his back.
"Had enough you brat?" He said between breaths.
Slowly and without so much as a word, the young Emperor rose to his feet. Once more, he gave the same determined look as before, casting the nobleman further into a rage.
Jast look on as the Emperor received blow after blow, never once striking back at the enraged noble nor failing to rise again and again.
'Young Emperor. You truly are a kind soul.' The senator thought. 'Standing up to these men while relying on your own power instead of that of your title. Perhaps the stories Fuyu told you over the past few years have inspired you to carry out such a noble act,'
The Senator eyed the two slum kids. Their heads were raised, gawking at the young man who chosen to stand to these bullies with awe.
'But right now you are a hero to these people.' Jast looked back the young Emperor. 'One day, you'll become a great Emperor.'
"Xein Shi." The senator spoke. "You know what to do."
The foreigner nodded. "Understood."
He strolled forward, approaching the nobleman pounding the young Emperor.
Only once Xein was within arms reach did the man notice his presence.
"What do you wa-"
"Sorry, but we wasted enough time on you delusional fools." Xein cut in. "Allow me to settle this."
"Wha-"
Xein quickly jabbed three points on the nobleman's neck. Before he realized it, the man's body fell numb. He fell to the floor, unable to move any part of his being.
Xein Shi turned to the other three nobles. He adjusted his stance to one of the many he'd learn over the years as a student of the martial art: Himo-Kiri Karate.
The three cringed in fear, hesitating for a few moments before running off fearing for their own lives.
The young Emperor wiped a trail of blood oozing out of the corner of his mouth. He looked at Xein Shi and smiled.
"Are you alright?" Jast asked he approached. The young Emperor turned to face him.
"I'm quite alright." The Emperor replied with a smile. "Only a few bruises, that's all."
"That was totally cool standing up to those jerks like you did!" Steven said ecstatically, suddenly popping beside his friend.
The Emperor blinked a few times then chuckled. "Oh, it's nothing impressive really."
"It was a brave, noble deed my lord." One of the Royal Guards added.
"A selfless act that would have made the last Emperor proud." The other finished.
The young Emperor smiled sadly at the mentioning of his father.
An illness took the last Emperor's life a few years ago and his wife died shortly after leaving the current Emperor in the care of Prime Minster Honest and Chairmen Fuyu. Those two were his family now.
Still, being compared to his late father whom he respected and deeply loved...
"Hearing that...Sets my heart a joy." The Emperor said in a sad but proud tone.
"Uh...E-excuse me." One of the slum boys nervously said. The group from the palace turned their attention to the two beaten and bruised children.
"We wanted to thank you. Standing up for us I mean." The same one said with a smile.
"Those jerks always come down from the palace and pick on us kids!" The other shouted. "It's about time someone stood up to them!"
"Even though it was the right thing to do and those nobles deserved every bit of it, they'll be sending guards after you soon." The first kid said. "I would be worried, but it looks like slant eyes can handle any number of foes no problem!"
'Slant eyes?' Xein Shi thought.
"Thanks for the warning." The young Emperor replied with a cheery smile. "We'll be careful. Now hurry on home."
The slum kids nodded in agreement. The two said their goodbyes before running off into the maze of alleyways.
"What should we do about him?" One of the Royal Guards asked, referring to the immobile nobleman on the ground.
"Leave him." Xein Shi answered. "I rendered him unable to move for the next while along with rendering most of his senses in a daze. In his current state, he's of little threat."
"That would be best." Jast added. "Killing him now will cause nothing but unwanted trouble to this area. Besides, his majesty can always punish him and his associates once we're returned."
"Agreed." The Emperor said. "If nothing else, shall we continue onward Senator Jast?"
The latter smiled, bowing slightly to the young lord. "As you desire."
Several minutes after Xein Shi chased off the group of nobles...
Jast and his party continued to travel through the back routes of the slums.
Eventually, they entered into an open ended courtyard. The courtyard wasn't impressive looking given it was located far from the main streets used in the slums.
It held five different routes to and fro. One of which -located on the opposite side of where Jast and his party entered from- stood several dozen Imperial soldiers.
They smiled, glancing at the group as they let out low toned laughs.
"These are the guys." One of them, an officer from the look of him said. "Cut off their escape routes."
The soldiers moved as their commander requested. At least 5 or 6 of them would block off each of the alternate routes while the rest formed a lazy circle around their six targets.
"What is the meaning of this?" Jast asked despite already knowing the answer himself.
'Looks like those kids were right.' He thought as one of the soldiers took a half step forward.
"If you can't figure the reason why, then you guys are dumber that you look." The soldier said with a chuckle. "We're here to teach you six what it means when you mess with members of the Empire's upper class."
Steven step forward with a smug look on his face. "Prime Minster Honest would be angry if you killed the sons of foreign traders currently striking a deal with him." He said aiming to bluff these pawns.
In truth, but he as the collective intellect known as Serpentine and Senator Jast knew fully way that bluffing without a show of overwhelming force wouldn't work on these greedy fools.
"Ha, too bad for you but our lords pay the Prime Minster plenty in bribes to do whatever they want," The soldier replied, smiling wickedly. "So I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we deprived him of a few coins."
"Besides, we're getting double pay for slaying anyone causing trouble for anyone in his inner circle and that man you left laying on the ground was one of them."
"No...Th-that's...You're lying..." The young Emperor said. All his bravery from before vanished as the news struck him hard.
Those nobles? Part of Honest's inner circle? Did he even know how wicked those men even were?!
"Honest would never..."
"It's the truth kid!" The solder said with a laugh. "We have orders to kill you guys and that's exactly what we're going to do."
The Royal Guards drew their swords. "Protect the Emperor!" One said before each moved to their lord's side.
The Imperial soldiers hesitated for a few moments, deterred by the 'mercenaries' calling one of the boys Emperor.
The soon waved the feeling of uncertainty off as each of them knew that their Emperor would never leave the Imperial Palace without the Prime Minster's supervision.
Or so they believed.
The soldiers slowly closed in on the group of six, inch by inch.
Knowing that they couldn't rely on Steven and his Imperial Arms or his own abilities, Jast's face morphed into a emotionless figure.
Even if they couldn't show their full strength, the members of Clockwork had placed an important piece inside the inner workings of the Palace for this very day.
"Xein Shi." Jast said without looking at the martial artist. "Kill them. Every last one."
Xein Shi smiled. "As you command."
I grew up in the country side. Being born into an average household, I studied hard and choose to work at the Territorial Governmental Office.
I planed to claim the ranks, marry into a frantically secure family and live a good life.
That dream vanished soon after I started working.
Even in the country side, the corruption originating from the Capital could be seen. Officials took bribes like it was common currency, allowing those that payed them off to climb higher on the latter or do whatever they pleased.
I might have managed to cope if it was just that.
The viceroy -my boss- was a inhuman monster. He hunted other humans for sport. It gave him a sick thrill to impale the poor souls he hunted.
I grew used to the corruption constantly seen around me and, eventually, even my boss's human hunts.
At that point I despised myself, both for growing accustomed to these despicable acts and not being able to do anything to stop them.
One day, I found my Imperial Arms: Gaea Foundation in the basement of the castle I was working in.
Later I would learn that no one working here was able to use it, so they kept in storage almost forgetting about it all together.
I felt the Imperial Arms calling to me. Its cry awoke my dying hope. My desire to stop the corruption pledging my home region and end the viceroy's reign.
Taking my time, I made Gaea Foundation my own. Using its powers of transformation, I approached my boss and killed him.
The people cheer as they saw me, sword in hand dripping with the viceroy's blood and the latter's decapitated body collapsed in the courtyard of his own castle.
My soul rejuvenated. I was please with my self. Proud that I cause a reformation in the world, despite how meager it seemed to be.
I thought that if I used this power I could help change this deprived world.
I set off to create a better world.
Eventually, I was recruited by the Revolutionary Army to join one of their cover operation squads.
I had no issues joining an assassination squad, seeing as my hands were already dirtied with the blood of a tyrant.
I've come to know people who share my ideals, many I would call friend.
I've experienced the pain of loosing people I've known for years, some of which I considered my family.
I've discovered what it's like to love and receive love in return.
And I've come to know the turmoil of trying to make an impossible choice between those you care about, your own principles, and the ideal you've devoted your life towards achieving.
Never thought it would turn out quite like this...
Several days later. The Capital, location uncertain...
Chelsea open her eyes. She blinked a few times, lifting her head up.
The young assassin laid on a single bed. Heavy blankets covered her almost half naked body. Several rolls of bandages were tightly wrapped around from her chest down to her lower stomach.
'Weird...I don't remember falling asleep.' She thought, scanning her surroundings.
The room she was in look pretty ordinary: A single wooded dresser before the bed, a small desk with a wooden chair, one window with white curtains. The walls were painted a dull yellowish brown, the floor standard wooded boards and the single door painted white with the same colored frame.
Chelsea glanced out the window, noting the familiar styled buildings around her and the large looming wall in the horizon.
"I'm in...the Capital?"
Her head turned as she heard the door open. Entering through it was none other than Pyro.
The latter at first didn't notice his girlfriend gaze, but once he had smiled.
"So your awake?" He said, pacing towards the bed side. "That's good, you had me worried for a little while."
"How long have I been out?" Chelsea said.
"3 days. Give or take." Pyro bluntly replied. "You blacked out from the pain so I brought you here."
"And where exactly is here?"
"The Capital." Pyro said with a smirk.
Chelsea shook her head. "More specifically please." She said with a smile.
"Ah, you're in one of our safe houses." Pyro replied. "Our boss likes to play things cautiously. In case everything hits the fan or something."
"Makes sense..." Chelsea added. "Never can be to careful when you're planing a coup."
"Yeah, I guess." Pyro said with a shrug. "More importantly, how are you feeling?" He crossed his arms before continuing. "Your wound wasn't deep, but you lost a lot of blood. On top of what I had to do to close the wound, I imagine you'd still be in some pain."
"No, I feel fine. Just a bit dizzy and..." Chlesea cut herself off, realizing something she overlook.
"You..." Chelsea's face started to turn red. "You saw them, didn't you?"
Pyro blinked a few times. "Eh?"
"You saw my boobs, didn't you?"
"Ahhahaha..." Pyro turned his head. "A-about that...You see I had no choice..."
Chelsea's face turned ever brighter red.
"YOU PERVERT!"
"I DID IT TO SAVE YOUR LIFE DAMN IT!"
"EVEN SO, YOU'RE STILL A PERVERT!"
"OH I'M SORRY, NEXT TIME I'LL CLOSE MY EYES WHEN I'M WRAPPING BANDAGES AROUND YOU WOUNDS! DON'T BLAME ME IF YOU END UP LOOKING LIKE SOME MUMMIFIED FREAK BECAUSE OF IT!"
"THAT'S FINE CAUSE I WON'T YOU STALKING PERVERT!"
"GOOD TO KNOW YOU TROLLING BITCH!"
"OH SO I'M A BITCH HUH!?"
"DAMN RIGHT, AND A SEXY ONE AT THAT!"
The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting out in a fit of laughter.
"What even was that?" Chelsea asked between laughs.
"That is what I like to call a reversal." Pyro answered, calming down a bit in the process. "Works nearly every time."
Chelsea sneered. "Well aren't you such a charmer."
"Thank you, thank you." Pyro replied with an overly done bow. "For my next trick, I'll show you how a guy takes off a girl's panties without lifting a finger."
Chelsea threw her pillow at her boyfriend. The latter easily dodged with a laugh.
"Over my dead body!" Chelsea said with a smile.
Pyro smirked. "That can be arranged..." He said in a playful manner.
Pyro moved closer to the bed. He bent forward, hovering close to his girlfriend's face.
"Oh can it now?" Chelsea replied in a half-whisper.
She clasped her boyfriend's face between her two hands. She leaned back, Pyro following suit. The two stared into each others eyes for a few moments.
Pyro took the first move, inching his face closer and closer until his lips merely hovered above hers. Chelsea closed the small gap, locking her lips with his.
Their tongues swirled together, contesting with each other for space in the others mouth.
Several minutes would pass before the two separated from the other.
Pyro sat up. "I'll come to check on you later." He said with a smile.
Chelsea turned her head slightly. "Oh so you can show me that trick of yours?" She said, smirking in a seductive way.
Pyro let out a single laugh. "If you're up for it." He replied before turned around and heading for the door.
Along the way, he scooped up the pillow Chelsea had thrown at him earlier.
"Oh by the way," He turned around, throwing the pillow at his girl. "You dropped this."
Chelsea simply caught the pillow. She closed her eyes and smiled. "Thanks hun~"
Pyro turned back around, but still had his head looking at his girlfriend from over his shoulder. "No problem dear~"
He turned his head back around and exited the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Chelsea moved the pillow behind her head and plopped back on it. She smiled, thinking of how wonderful and fun this relationship with Pyro has been.
After a few seconds, she frowned. Sooner or later, she would have to make a hard decision. One that no matter what she choose, Chelsea knew it would crush her.
The young assassin let out an inner laugh.
'Never thought it would turn out like this.' She thought as she slowly closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace...
Wave laid on a couch, arms crossed behind his head. He stared at the dull colored ceiling, deep in thought.
He made up his mind on what sort of ideal world he wanted to bring to pass, but how would he set about creating it?
This racked the young Jagear's mind to new heights. Many thoughts passed through his head, but none seemed realistic enough to work in the long run.
The Empire was corrupt, that much he knew. So in order to bring about his ideal world he'd have to change it or leave to join the rebels.
The latter didn't feel right, given everything he been through the past few months.
Wave wasn't even sure what the Revolutionary's end goal was either, so there was no way he would blindly join up with them.
That only left the option of changing it, but how?
He couldn't do it by himself. At first, Wave thought of taking up Fuyu's offer but the reminder of that Pyro character stopped him from pursuing that action.
How could he work with someone that murdered one of his closest friends in cold blood?
While Wave had no way of knowing for sure if Pyro worked for Fuyu in the first place, the young man had a feeling they were related somehow.
He'd just have to ask the next time he works up the nerve to visit the Chairmen.
"How you holding up boy?" Drake called out to him.
Wave sat up, he didn't hear Drake approach since he was so deep in thought.
"Hey Drake." He replied in a low tone. "I'm doing alright."
"That so?" Drake said, crossing his arms. He didn't fully believe the young lad was as 'alright' as he claimed to be. "Aren't you acting a little odd for someone who's alright?"
Wave smirked. He closed his eyes, letting out a slight sigh. "I guess I'm just lost in thought."
"Oh, careful now." Drake sneered. "Thinking's uncharted territory for someone like you boy."
Wave let out a single laugh. "I know right? Since I'm usually the first one to run in head first without a clue."
Drake frowned. Something was wrong. Wave would normally shout some comeback, (usually) yelling the opposite of what was just said about him.
The old soldier uncrossed his arms. He moved over and sat next to the young Jagear.
"Alright, now you got me worried." Drake said as he sat down. He turned his head towards Wave. "What's bugging you so much that you're out of character?"
Wave turned his head directly ahead. "It's just..." He closed his eyes. "Has everything we've been done up till now really been the right thing?"
The teen brought his right hand up to his head, covering that side of his face.
"I've seen so many things wrong with this world. Every side seems to have some sort of evil in one form or another, but Bols..." Wave paused a few moments before continuing. "Bols whole hearty devoted himself to serving the Empire, but even he had to see the corrupt side of the Capital."
"Maybe he did but choose not to believe it." Drake said. "That, or he choose to accept that side of the Empire he loved so dearly."
Wave lowered his hand. "Maybe..." He replied with a frown. "It's a sad joke if he really saw that side of the Empire and choose not to do anything about it..."
"Aye, Bols really was a hypocrite." Drake said bluntly. "But he acted in the way he believed in. Even if he was a hypocrite, Bols didn't live a bad life." The old soldier smiled.
"Not many people are willing to go so far for what they believe in, no matter how deluded or morally questionable it may be."
Wave replied with silence. He agreed with most of what his friend had said, but it didn't feel right talking about Bols that way. Then again, he was the one that brought it up in the first place.
The young Jagear clenched his fists. "It wouldn't have had to go that far. If only..."
Wave stopped himself before he could say any more. He already got Drake's lecture on how strength doesn't grant you the ability to save everyone you care about and didn't care to hear it again.
Instead, he choose to redirect the conversation.
"I'm sorry." Wave said. "I still can't get over Bols death."
The Clockwork agent stared at the teen for a few moments. He above everyone else in the Jagear knew many times over what is was like to loose a comrade.
Perhaps he should cut the kid a break, given this is the first time he lost a good friend.
"Word of wisdom from an old soldier." Drake replied with a sad smile. "No matter how much time you give it, some wounds just never heal. All you can do is cope with the pain as best you can."
"Yeah..." Wave said in a low tone. "I try my best."
Drake lightly patted the latter on the back. "See you do lad."
He sat up, turning around to face the young man. "And about that moral question bit you mentioned before, long as you act according to what you think is the right thing to do, nothing else matters."
Wave closed his eyes. He smiled, letting out a slight huff. "Thanks Drake."
The double agent turned around. "Anytime boy." He replied before heading off.
Wave lean back on the couch before letting out a sigh.
'Nothing else matters as long as I act the way I think is right.' He thought. 'If only things where that simple...or are they?'
3 days ago, a few minutes after the back alley ambush...
Blood.
That was what mostly covered the courtyard.
Red blood.
Fresh from the group Imperial Soldiers foolish enough to seek revenge for the much needed embarrassment their master's deserved.
Xein Shi patrolled around the corpses of slain soldiers, scanning for any unlikely survivors or possible reinforcements.
The two Royal Guards kept a close eye on the foreigner.
Given how quickly he dispensed of these poor souls, the two guards decided to watch the man as a potential threat to the Emperor.
They barely knew anything about Xein Shi, so while he was on their side for now there was no guaranty that would remain the case forever.
Steven and Jast stood a few steps away from the pair. The forward watching the young Emperor standing in a sort of daze while the latter slowly scanned the carnage.
'Such is the fate of all who succumb to greed.' The senator thought. He glanced towards the Emperor.
'I hope this has opened you eyes, your highness. Honest isn't the saint you were lead to believe. His tyranny has brought nothing but misfortune and chaos to this Empire. Understand, my young lord, that we must remove his evil if you truly wish to bring peace and justice to this land.'
A few more awkward moments passed.
"What they said...About Prime Minister Honest..." The young Emperor said, breaking the lasting silence. He turned his head, looking into Jast's eyes. "They were lying, weren't they?"
The latter closed his eyes. He knew the Emperor needed one final push to finally see through Honest's shroud of darkness.
"I'm afraid what they spoke is the truth." Jast said with a sigh. He reopened his eyes, staring at the young ruler with the utmost intensity.
"In fact, there are very few in the Capital that don't know of how corrupt the Prime Minster is. He abuses his powers only for his own personal gain, causing the masses to suffer and die."
"It cannot be..." The Emperor replied. His eyes shook with disbelief.
"It is true, my lord." Jast said with the bow of his head. "I have no reason to lie to you. This ambush is simply one of the many proofs I can show your majesty on how corrupt the Prime Minster truly is."
The young Emperor brought one of his hands to his face. He stood in silence for a few moments, eyes shacking as he struggled to decide whether or not what the Senator said was accurate.
It was true that the men that attacked them claimed their masters worked for Prime Minister Honest. If it was true, there had to be some sort of explanation as to why the Minister would work with such evil men!
Then again, Senator Jast was a close friend to Chairmen Fuyu; a man he respected and admired deeply. There was no way Fuyu would deceive him.
Who was telling the truth? And who has lied to him up till now?
As things stand, it seems the one manipulating things was Honest.
The Emperor lowered his hand. He looked at Jast once more. "Why didn't the anyone tell me this before now?" He ask. The young lord's tone was calmer than before.
Jast half-smiled. It was a good sign.
"Many have or at least tired, but Honest silenced them all." The senator replied. "Besides, would you have believed anyone who would make such an accusation?"
The latter's question brought up an old memory. The young Emperor recalled the last time someone made such a bold statement.
It happened a few months ago, the man who brought it up was the former Domestic Affairs Official Shoi.
He was sentenced to death for speaking out against the Empire's policies and delaying government affairs. Before he was taking away, Shoi proclaimed Honest had been manipulating him for his own selfish interests.
Honest quickly denounced this, claiming Shoi had gone mad and so the matter was dropped.
Now, with a measure of proof before him, the young Emperor wondered if Shoi truly was mad as Honest claimed.
"The Prime Minister had you wrapped around his fat fingers. Advising, if you would call it that, to act in whatever way would benefit him the most." Jast continued.
"He and his fellow conspirators have set upon the selfish decay of our once majestic Empire. If things stay their coarse, then all we've work so hard to maintain will fall to ruin."
"Everything my father, my mother, and all my ancestors sought to preserve..." The young Emperor said in a low tone. "Honest and his cohorts seek to destroy it all..."
"That's correct, your highness." Jast replied. "In order to prevent this, Chairmen Fuyu has made plans to strip these corrupted men of their power. However, he is in need of your help if we are to flush out the rotten cancer plaguing our nation forever."
The young Emperor blinked a few times. "He needs...my aid?"
"Yes, your majesty." Jast said with the bow of his head. "Will you help us restore your Empire to its former glory and aid the people of this glorious nation like your father and his father before then have?"
The Emperor gave the senator a sad smile. He turned his head slightly to the right. "You're right." He muttered. "Supporting the people is exactly what my father had done when he was alive."
The young Emperor turned back to Senator Jast. His face brighten with determination and a cheery smile. "What would you have me do senator?"
Jast smiled, raising his own head. It had worked! He convince the Emperor to aid their coup!
"For now, I suggest you pay head to even hint of what you've seen or learned here today to anyone outside of this group, Chairmen Fuyu, Commander Budo or the rest of the Royal Guard." Jast answered.
"These men are defiantly excluded from the Prime Minister's influence and can be trusted should you feel the need to discuss this information."
Commander Budo and his Royal Guard were composed of men whom sole focus is to serve the Emperor. They were loyal to him and no other.
Given Budo's hinted detest at Prime Minister Honest and the conversation he had with Jast before this tour of the Capital began, the latter knew he could be trusted.
"We have no idea how far spread Honest's nest is inside the palace and we would prefer not to alert that tyrant we're on to him just yet."
The Emperor nodded. "I understand." He looked to Steven. "I should say that goes double for you my friend."
Steven chuckled, crossing his arms behind his head. "No worries your highness. I'm good with keeping secrets."
The Emperor smiled. "I somehow doubt that."
"Your highness, I know this must be hard on you, but you must be strong." Senator Jast cut in. "I cannot stress how important it is to keep this information to yourself for the time being. Once Chairmen Fuyu returns, we can discuss further on the fate of the Empire."
The young Emperor nodded in agreement. "Very well Senator Jast. Until Chairmen Fuyu returns from his trip I shall pretend ignorance to Prime Minster Honest's treachery."
Jast smiled. "Thank you, your majesty. I promise. Together we shall restore the Empire to its former glory and restore peace and prosperity to this land once again."
4 days after that event. On the outskirts of Kyoroch...
Syrua looked down upon the rather large town of Kyoroch. This town was a prosperous one, wealthy from the vast about of trading preformed both though legal and illegal channels.
The officials of the Empire mostly didn't know or didn't care about how they acquired such an amount of wealth, as long as they paid their overpriced taxes there would be no problem.
One could say Kyoroch was the capital of the Eastern territories.
Raven walked up to his partner. He too joined in looking at the prosperous town.
They were here for one reason, to toy with the members of the so called "Path of Peace." This religious movement aimed to rebel against the Capital.
Honestly Raven didn't care if these civilians took up arms and fought the Empire. Such an act would only aim their overall objective.
However, Syrua insisted they play around with these fools. It didn't matter either way. At least they could lay the ground work for the large scale operation needed to be preformed in this region.
Syrua smiled widely. He trembled with joy imagining several dozen potential acts and opportunities they had to play with these toys.
With Raven and the Sons of Nores's magic abilities, the possibilities were endless.
Syrua eyed his partner standing beside him. "Raven, how about we give these new toys a good scare to start things off?" He suggested, smiling widely.
"My men are starting the prep work for the operation we plan to carry out in a month or two," Raven smirked, crossing his arms. "But I suppose I can divert some of them for an idea I have in mind."
Syura chuckled. "I can't wait!" He turned his head to Raven. "Better not disappoint me though, otherwise I'd be pretty pissed."
Raven closed his eyes letting out a huff. "I assure you, you'll be quite entertain by this act." Raven reopened his eyes, smiling.
"So, as you say: Lets have some fun."
And thus ends the latest chapter of Clockwork.
Lots and lots happening in this one huh?
Chelsea's alive, but out of commission for the time being. (And not due to her injury. *wink* *wink*)
Wave's showing signs of uncertainty, questioning his actions up till now and wondering how exactly he can create his ideal world.
This was brought upon realizing how corrupt the Empire is, his previous conversation with Fuyu on his plans to change it from within,
Bols's death and how the man devoted himself to the Empire despite how evil it seems to be and Wave's answer to the Chairman's question.
Jast AKA Joker managed to open the Emperor's eye to Honest's true nature.(Though it seems a bit easier than most would believe due to the ambush they went through, his trust in Chairmen Fuyu, and a bit of his naivety.)
Now with the Emperor's support and the certainty of Commander Budo and his Royal Guard as allies, Fuyu's overall plan is one major step closer to succeeding.
Syrua and his party have arrived at the peaceful Eastern city of Kyoroch. How will their presence in the HQ of the Path of Peace organization effect the lives of those that call it home and the Revolutionary Army's plan of revolution?
With signs of uncertainty plaguing him, will Wave join forces with Chairmen Fuyu in bringing peace to the Empire or will the young man follow his own path?
And with the Emperor's eyes finally opening to reality, how will Prime Minster Honest handle a revolt lead by two of his key pieces?
The answers maybe uncertain, but one thing is sure: No matter the course of how things are to come, many sacrifices will be necessary before peace can be restored.
Till next time.
