The Assassins Way
part 13 What the Dead Man Read part 2
"What is another word for idiot ?"
-Talak Horde
18 June 2055
Crescent City California
Ruth Big's Bed and Breakfast
2PM
A week, Vitas said the magic would wear off in a week. So there she was, asleep, on the floor in a closet. No signs of a tiger in the closet anymore. No loud purring noises coming from the nextdoor roomie... Nothing... strange was going on since Mark returned on wednesday morning the week before. And as luck had it nobody bothered to check the connecting closet for tigers... or people...
Which was something of a bad thing due to the mere fact that, as luck had it -which was quite rotten when it came to Miss Yu to begin with-. The woman in the closet, asleep, rolled over, and became quite awake as something heavy as fuck fell onto her with a very loud and painful THUD. Now, Zhao Yu had handled sniper weapons before, but nothing like this.
Mark blinked his eyes open at the sound of a thud; his nap having been interrupted by the noise. Sitting up and tilting his head from side to side to crack his neck, he looked to the closet, and stood. Currently he was just in a pair of pants and a tank-top; he had been planning to use this day to relax. It seemed that may be cut short. Opening the closet quickly he blinked.
"Miss Yu? What... what are you doing in my closet? Trying to say something or..." he shrugged softly, stooping to pick up his Sniper from her prone body and reach to help her to her feet.
Thankfully she was fully dressed, and as the weapon was taken off her she sat up. A hand went to her face. "My head is pounding." She had a little migrane but it wasnt a killer headache. yet Then she saw where she was "Wha... where am I ? Your closet ? Wha... what happened ? The last thing I remember was... that nightmare... and you... fighting her..." She took his hand and got to her feet
She was trying to piece it all together, and so far it wasnt working exactly as she hoped it would. But it did the job quite wll. At least, well enough. She was using her belt it seemed, or rather her twin bandoliers of ulaks as a pillow, the multicolored weapons were her prefered method of weaponry aside from tjhe Hidden Blade and her twin gauntlets she had.
"You were turned into a Tiger by Talak... there was nothing I could do. After that she tried to do the same to me... by some miraculous happenstance my mask saved me; she turned it into a relic. After that... she ran while I fought off about... I dunno a dozen guards. The rest... well don't worry about the rest." he explained. He then stooped down and picked up a few stray .50 caliber bullets that fell out of the duffel bag, the things resonating gently in his hand, a light hum heard from them as well. Anti Everything rounds... he'd use one on Talak if needed.
Stowing them away, he opened the closet door wider so Miss Yu could exit.
Stepping into his room, Miss Yu nodded. "I recall that much at least, everything else is a blur" She tried to recall what exactly had happened "Vitas took me back to her house, then sent me somewhere. next thing I knew I was on a beach and playing in the water." Most cats hated water, but tigers sometimes just loved it. Other times they didnt, but thankfully even she loved water. And Vitas came through on her promise, every feline thought pattern had faded away. just a forgotten bad dream,. The headache faded... slowly.
Seeing the weapon now in better light she briefly stared slack jawed at it then her brain and mouth worked at the same time "Why do you have... antimagic weaponry ?" Then something else of a thought hit her "You got close to her pet didnt you ? You want to save that cat ?"
"That cat is my cousin... and yes I want to save her. Vitas has her basically drugged out of her mind... poor girl is so addicted she'd die without... god knows how many drugs in her system... I need to find a way to heal her." he said. "As for why I have these... well, what better to kill anything with than these?" he answered that question with another one; one that made sense.
"Now... I don't know how long you've been in my closet... but I suggest you get some proper rest... or... shower or something... at least let Grandma Ruthie you're alright." he said. She smelled like a cat who hadn't bathed itself in a week, and carpet... mostly carpet. Strange.
At mention of Vitas pet, Miao, being Marks long lost cousin Yu raised a eyebrow and was about to ask another question regarding the relationship but all she said was "...Oh... I see." She was thoughtful briefly as he mentioned how drugged Miao was. Again she niodded "ninety six" At his confused look she said "The number of drugs. Vitas uses magic, and whatever magic is within your cousin to administer the drugs. Once a day, every twenty four hours on the dot. But it didnt start with her. It was her mother, Marueen Warmoon had the girl catnapped from her parents at a park in Norway somewhere"
"When I first started working for Vitas undercover through the Assassins, I found that Vitas began drugging the girl daily with experimental drugs normally used on rats, Negating most of the effects with her magic and then slowly retracting her magic for each effect. Apparently your cousin is made of sterner stuff than you or me because most of the drugs are deadly. I dare not touch them..." She smirked then, yeah she stank, but she was alive, and wasnt permamently a tiger.
"Yeah, I will tell Madam Ruth I am alright; I heard her yelling a few days ago" About an hour after Mark got Back Ruth went off on a tariade at the man about certain things before grilling him on info of Talak and her troop movements. Sadly Mark didnt get much of at the time. "Its not easy to bathe when you're a seven hundred pound tiger against your will; thoughts like that get missed' How Miao as a child could speak like a human being perfectly when she was with her cousins was entirely a different matter
Mark nodded along, staying mostly quiet for the duration of her talking; there wasn't really anything else that needed to be said. Closing the closet door he nodded once more and patted Miss Yu on the shoulder. "Go see Ruthie." he smiled. Something was on his mind, what it was, however, he was trying to figure out. Trying to remember. It'd come to him eventually.
"Mm... thank you... for getting that thing off me" It was going to bruise where it landed, briefly at least for a time, but at least she was alright. Her stuiff was safely in Xeibos room by then as she heard someone moving in the other room. Followed by a grumpy voice saying "keep it down in there Im trying to sleep" Apparently Shade was a light sleeper. With that Yu went to the door and took her leave of Mark, for the moment at least. First she had to speak to Ruthie, then take a very much wanted shower.
As she left the room the possible miracle Mark sought stepped into view from her own room, Wezaki was a Healer right ?
Mark cleared his throat to get the Dove's attention. "Wezaki." He called out; once he had her attention, he leaned against the door frame. "How good are you at healing?" At her puzzled look he held up a hand so he could explain. "For the last... fuck, I dunno at least twenty years Vitas and her family have been pumping my cousin full of 96 experimental drugs that would kill a normal person. Luckily my cousin's alive, but I think the only reason why is because she's a Tigris... could you get rid of her addiction?" he asked, keeping it short and to the point.
"Or is that too much?"
Wezaki stared at him. "Thats a lot of drugs... well, the Tigris blood helps with keeping her alive, so killing the addiction is an entirely different story. I can only do so much myself, Yes I am a Healer; Healed you pretty good once Colonel Matisai was done with you." It was mostly true. Plus Mark had seen how she could use her healing abilities to injure targets as well as heal them. Just like Vitas could.
"Dont take this the wrong way. I can heal her... but only so far, experimental drugs are one thing, but are you sure all 96 are experimental ? Nothing common like asperin or tylenol or the like ?" Well, Miao DID take a caffine shot direct to the heart each morning at ten am sharp. And that wasnt experimental.
Mark shrugged. "Hell if I know how many are experimental... I know that she takes a big ass shot of pure Caffiene to the heart every morning... how that doesn't make her heart explode, Tigris or not, I've got no fuckin' clue." he said, shrugging again. "I'll get her to you as soon as I can... gotta kill Vitas first I think... then I can take her to you..." he said, his voice trailing off as his mind kicked itself. Vitas. He had another "Date" with Vitas tonight. He'd better start getting ready again.
"How big of a shot are we talking ?" At Marks hand motion Wezaki half smiled "If shes been captive that long. her body wont be able to live with out caffine in some form even if I can break the addiction and damage done by the other drugs. A caffine shot, two hundred ccs of which, per day. For the last... twenty something years ?" He noddeed. Wezaki took a deep breath. "I'll do what I can, But I dont think it will be much."
That was good enough for him apparently as he seemingly trailed off in thought. "What is it ?" Wezaki asked, thankfully the 'date' he had that night was little more than a meeting in a park, a very public place, in front of St Diamonds Cathederal in Sacremento, what was left of it. So he didnt have to worry of overly dressing up.
Finally Wezaki nodded "I'll do what I can; Hold still a minute" The Dove said, holding out a crystal sheheld it up to Marks face, energy streamed from his head to the crystal, brief seconds of info, what condition Miao was in, what Miao looked like, everything pertaining to a medical record really was seemingly downloaded from Marks mind as a copy of his brief moments with Miao, screenshots basically was all Wezaki had, no real memories with dialog or seqeunces, just brief snapshots of Miaos face, human condition, and feline form. "With this I can begin learning exactly what our common foe treats her to." She smiled and bid him farewell for the moment as she stepped towards the stairs, leaving Mark alone in the hallway.
He went back into his room and closed the door. Sitting in the sitting chair within the room he picked up Yaekos journal, thanks to Luna he had some of it translated, Luna felt that he should finish reading it before she took it into her own possession in the Mythic Realm. Either way the journal itself really got rolling when Yaeko was ten years old, and that was when her father first began showing signs of slowing down or needing a cane.
The first few pages of the journal detailed her swords and how to work colored, otherwise known as useless, iDuradaeden/i Yaeko somehow had the skillset, of her generation, along with Luna seventy years later, to work the useless metal into works of sheer art and warfare.
Staring at the cover of the journal for a few seconds, Mark thought for a second, before opening the book and beginning to read. He didn't know what he'd find between the strips of Leather that made the cover, but it'd make for an interesting read regardless. Squinting for a second, he quickly recognized the language it was written as Norse, and after quickly remember exactly what he was doing, his mind was able to process it as easily as English.
1 Two days ago I got in trouble with Pax's guardsmen again, they dont seem to get the point of what Im doing. They ran after me, I ended up jumping off the bridge to Arko District into the water to lose them. When I told mother she was upset, but when I told Papa he laughed. Said it was just me being a kid. Most children got on the nerves of the guards at times, but none of them would dare try to go against the Wolfe Family tree in any manner.
The following morning, yesterday, Papa and I went to see Vines, the Merchant Guildmaster about some weaponry and types of steels that Vines had picked up. Papa said it was for me to learn how to do certain things in the way of making my own weapons. Sure I have twin daggers, but papa says I need shortswords to match my size. Whatever that means
At Vines place, a massive buildinig in the heart of the Dawn District just a few Districts over from Roughwater nested between the Greensky District and the Fourdmouth District was a well kept place. Papa insisted I be on my best behaviour, might explain why I was dressed in a outfit I disliked so much
I hate dresses. They're unpractical when metalworking or running from the guards,. Much less swimming from the guards! Nevertheless, Papa and I met with Vines, who as pretty as I was, seemed to look at me with contempt or concern, or humor, I couldnt tell, the guy creeped me out. I dare not tell Papa of the mans strange looks towards me.
Papa and Vines went behind the counter, the office to talk over things, leaving me alone in the shop part of the merchant building proper. Packed with all sortso f outlandish stuff I've never seen before, exotic rugs, weapons, clothing, stuff that confused me in its make, and things that amused me in the colors and designs. But what nobody even I expected was the newcomers voice.
"Hey, werent you the girl the guards were chasing yesterday ?" It was young, like a young man I had yet to meet, maybe it was my brother it sounded familiar ? I turned to look and there stood Vines younger son, Ryssa. A month older then me I could tell he was cute. But he had a look of pure admiration for me.
I nodded "Yes, I had to jump the bridge to get away, they're relentless, You'd think Captain Snaproot would just give up when chasing kids but he wants to try and drag me back kicking and screaming,. So jumping was the only option" I said in reply
Ryssa smiled "You've gotten better at annoying the guards, but sooner or later they'll start to catch on. Papa is amused by it, says it gets him more money for uniforms and weapons for the guardsmen"
I smirked "the princess needs to give up on sending her guards after me when something happens. Next joke I make will either hurt somebody, likely me or them, or someone else entirely, and I sdont want to cause trouble to get my fellow Arendellians harmed" Ryssa nodded
"I agree" He said, he stuck out his hand "I'm Ryssa, my older brother Sidias is in the back helping Mother with something, If you need anything to pull off a prank come find either of us, we'll get you what you need."
I took his hand and shook it "I'm Yaeko"
He stared at me "You're the Wolfe girl the guards compliand about this morning ?" I nodded "Awesome! Glad to meet you, Yaeko!" Ryssa pumped my hand, for ten years old the kid was strong!
2 It happened again, Papa though was unhappy that I somehow lured both Ryssa and his brother Sidias into the prank in getting supplies and a proper location, last night I had to go to bed with no dinner, I didnt caer it was worth it to see the look on Snaproots face for once having to stop in the street and watch me flee into the safty of the District. Omri says I need to cool it, Owen wont stop laughing, my brother always was the calmer one.
3 I am in trouble, I snuck out of curfew. Papa sent me to bed last night, no dinner, now Im awake, well fed and Papa is upset. I am scared of what he'll do. So I told him. He smiled, which scared me, and said for me to get some sleep, the day was going to be a big one for me and he needs my help... uh oh.
4 We're at the Mausoleum; Papa says I can explore if I want to, so I think I will; for now at least. I wonder whats in here ?
Turning the page, Mark found nothing. And continued to find nothing until three pages later, where a picture of a Young Yaeko greeted his eyes. She was a pretty girl, definitely easy on the eyes, with soft features and a slender frame. But then, she was younger in that picture, as she grew older her features would become slightly less soft, and more sharp as her body matured and grew.
Across from the image of the following page was a small bit 1 Has it really been six years ? Wow, so much to write and I dont have time, I have to sit for a painting, Mother insisted. Maybe afterwards I can write what I found in the Mausoleum. We'll see... The section futher detailed strange riddles things like "To idle is to die, keep your path straight and eyes ahead." and "To continue requires a sacrifice" But the last bit had the most attention The mausoleum has strange magic at work. I dont think I can track it that fast without falling again, maybe one day I will ?... And Papa and Mother are upset I did it again. Princess Pax put out a wanted poster with my face on it... she wont learn
Closing the book, Mark considered that last bit carefully. There was more to the Mausoleum than he knew... leave it to Yaeko to figure it out, however. Looking at the clock, he nodded and set the journal down, putting on his usual cloak and boots before leaving the room.
He had a date to attend.
One hour later
Sacremento California
Across from St Diamonds Cathederal
St Diamond Park
The park was well kept. Everything was in order, even the playground structures had sand imnstead of the trashy woodchips. Soft sand, beautiful scenery, and it was all in the bright sunlight. The massive gothic front of St Diamonds Cathderal towered over the park, yet the park was not in its shadow whatsoever. The kids, their famileis, Mark could see upon arrival seemed to be enjoying themselves, carefree children and their parents without fear of war or robbery, or anything. there was nary a crime being done anywhere.
Though he did see a few police cars every few moments. But nothing outright dangerous was going on. Nothing with ill intent or destruction. Instead what he saw was a lot of reasonably honorable people who were by all means quite happy with their current lifestyle. The kids didnt have to want for anything.
Mark watched the scene with his hands behind his back and his hood down, his heavy coat fluttering gently in the breeze. These people were happy... strange, considering the ruling of the place. But he couldn't help but wonder: How many more children would be able to easily enjoy this if leadership was different? How much safer would they be? How much happier? His brown eyes, backlit by a dim bronze, looked down in thought. At the same time, this was not bad; in fact, if it weren't for the knowledge that yes, this was a Templar State, he'd assume it was any other place. Just went to show that not all Templars were bad, explicitely anyway, and that, by extention, not all Assassins were good.
After all, Nothing was True, and Everything was Permitted. Including this.
Seeing the children at play made one thing clear, the upkeep, the peacefulness, the seemingly endless happiness the kids had without fear of war or wondering where their next meal was to come from, or if they'd even get a next meal for that matter made one thing clear. Vitas reign over what was left of Sacremento made it a paradise for the children to grow up in.
Every now and again a police man went past on foot, or in a car, each seemingly peaceful yet alert for the slightest sign of trouble. For once Mark didnt have Sazhori by his side, no, she was upstairs watching efverything even without him noticing. Thanks to Big Tony she had taken lessons on sniper use, sleep darts normally were what she wanted to use, quiet and didnt kill. Using the scope she kept an eye on the surroundings, her own version of Eagle Vision taking in every person.
Only two people showed up in bright purpleish pink, with a few blood red. and others in sky blue, the rest in plain white. Mostly the kids.
Vitas had arrived, and with her was Spike. the tiger was nowhere to be seen.
Stepping into Marks range of hearing Vitas asked aloud "Enjoying the park ?" When he turned to look to her he saw her dressed in something not exactly skimpy or sexy in a overly way like he last saw her a week before. But something a bit more regal of red and black in a smoke pattern. her magic at work once again she appeared the same height as he. She nodded towards Spike, who also nodded and waved towards the six others with them. It was food truck time and that meant setting up the truck for the late lunch early dinner.
"I am, actually. Seeing children at peace and at play almost makes me forget that this state is Templar-Ruled." he responded to Vitas, his voice a little quieter than hers, but still clearly heard. He didn't turn to look at her, but instead continued to watch the children at play, their parents enjoying the sight of their children happy, and that sight making him content. He could feel Kalda stir within him each time he looked at or thought of the Cathedral - something about it was... almost meant for him. He continued to remain still as Vitas drew closer, knowing, or at least figuring that she wouldn't attack him in public, not with children and innocents so close. He also figured that while she icould/i wipe their memories of anything bad, going to the effort of doing so would cost more resrouces than would be worth it.
He was right on both vcounts, but she wassnt there to fight or attack or anything, no, she was there to show him how her rule benefited those there. Towards the north people flocked to her banner because she offered peace and stablity, and food to those that wanted it. Infact ias the children who somehow convinced their parents to move south, or let Vitas leadership reach their districts and became common the closer Mark had gotten to St Diamond Park. For ecvery destroyed home by fire or accident, a new one was built in its place as if the destruction never happened.
There was always work, and eveyone took part. Regardless of who led the people the closer her got to Sacremento, the palace, the cathederal, all of it, the more prosperous it became for everyone. Infact he saw no homeless people in sight when he parked the car. "The children convinced me to lead properly." Vitas mused standing next to Mark for a moment watching the children playing soccor, a few teens getting a game of volleyball ready. And further a bunch of adults and teens pklaying flag football. "What I told you was true, Unlike most Templars you may know, I do not opress, or seek to rule by might or sheer force. No, I simply want to learn, to understand..." She trailed off looking towards him.
"I want to understand one thing; Why ? Why you. Why did we fall in love ? Was it fate for us to meet ? Why did I become who I am, a daughter of the Warmoon family ? Did my parents choose to become Templars, or did the Templars choose to become my parents ?" All good questions, but only one Mark knew the answer to, when they were kids, when he had fallen in love, it was a mission to do so, but nobody expected it to grow into ireal/i love between them
"Most of those I can't answer. But I can answer the question of ius/i" he said, finally turning to look at her. "I figure we're both mature enough to accept this now... I was ordered to become your friend. To grow close to you, use you as leverage to get to your parents." he turned and moved to a bench, where he would turn and sit, leaning back, crossing his legs at the ankles and stretching out his legs as he rested one arm on the back-rest of the bench. "It became real love when my boyish hormones took over, and overruled the Mission objective. You can believe that I was ... disciplined thoroughly for letting my affections for you turn real." he continued.
He gestured to the park, specifically at a young couple watching their children play in the sand a scant ten feet away from them. "I envisioned all of that for you... for us... but after being reminded of my mission... I was forced to give it up, or become a casualty myself...Or so I felt." he tilted his head slightly; perhaps he was exagerating, but then, the result still would have been the same regardless if he did it or his sisters. Or even his Aunt or Mother.
"The rest of those questions... well, I'll leave to history to answer, and I never liked History very much until I returned to my... true home." he paused, recalling his return to Arendelle, his sudden spark of passion for restoring his Clan and the district to its glory. Falling in Love with Elsa... everything. His expression softened, and his free hand went to his half of the pendant he still wore, gently running his gloved fingers over the intricate details he'd made himself.
"When you left me, my heart was broken. But maybe it was for the best. Before we were to meet that day. Father told me on no uncertain terms that if I didnt show any signs of mystical progress whatsoever he'd kick me from the family entirely. Throw me to the street. Next thing I know, I wake up in a ships medical bed with three concerned people hovering over me. My new parents, and the ships cptain" Vitqas said going to the bench and aklso taking a seat, watching the children at play made her smile as he spoke. He wanted that for them too ? Inwardly she smiled, she still wanted it yes, but did he ?
She sighed softly then "When I went home from the ship I was rescued from, my parents said I pretty much fell onto it off the cliff park. My magic came over me when I was almost home seeing what I called dear to me destroyed as I held on to this. "She held up her locket, the one with his pictuer in it, she had magically aged the picture to match his current look. "I found my parents did, my father he... destroyed, his sling ring gone, his liver was under the bed. I thought my magic had destroyed my father. But mother, she was... well, dead in her bed, she looked asleep... That was you ?"
Her hand gently reached for the pendant he had around his neck. Almost to it she stopped her self and pulled her hand back. "It is beautiful." She said simply, If she saw that kind of beauty in the necklace he wore then there must be something off. "I have been thinking for a week now. You are here. Why ? What do you seek ? Do you seek to end what these enjoy ? Or is it something else ?"
Mark heard her words, and nodded silently softly as he listened. At her question of what had happened to her parents, he nodded again. "It was. Your father almost killed me." he stated. He paused, seeing her hand enter his peripheral vision, reaching for his half of the pendant; he didn't react except for stopping the movment of his fingers, convieniently enough, the front was facing Vitas well enough for her to see. The Scorpion over the Snowflake... so intricate.
He grunted in thanks to her compliment of the thing, and then as she asked her next question, he looked to the pendant, his expression softening further before he looked to her, his expression returning to normal. "Short answer is to kill you, if I must be honest. Longer answer... well... let's say it's to redeem myself in someone's eyes..." he said. Though it wasn't the eyes of Elsa he was trying to redeem himself in, or even Snowfeather or Blackmane, but himself. He couldn't stop those innocents from dying, yet with more planning and foresight he could have. So here he was in the most intricate chess game of his life with someone who could kill him as easilly as he could her.
"I can't go home if I don't do this." It'd be easy to do it now... but also predictable, and traumatizing for the children. Sink his blade into her throat. She was close enough to do so, maybe he'd be fast enough to do it before she could react, but then what of Spike and the Guards? They'd see it easilly, react quickly. He'd be dead if he couldn't get his armor up in time, and to top it off, he felt all of their eyes on him at once, and sensed someone fingering the trigger of a gun nearby.
"If you hadnt killed him, I would have been tossed to the street, would your family have taken me in ?" It was a good question to be sure, she sensed him tense up as they sat on the bench, both of them in reach of the other, they could both aim fofr the neck dead on. She stood from the bench. "These children grow up in peace, do you truly want to give them war and death ?" She turned towards him as she asked her question. Her eyes bright with power.
Behind Mark he sensed correctly as Spike had a hand on one of her pistols concealed in her dress sleeve. The dark forest green and deep sea blue dress was typical attire for the Henchwoman. Spike wasnt happy overhearing Mark say he wanted to kill Vitas. Vitas was the very life of Sacremento, the entire livelyhood of the kids who were now swarming the food truck for tacos and pizza and steaks. If she died, what would happen to the kids ?
Spike however seemed to calm when Vitas stood up. "Spike, two tacos, no lettuce, extra cheese. And a drink." Vitas looked to Mark "Hungry ?" There was a chance to make peace with this man. There was brief moment on the otrher side of the park as two Sentries faded into view and began patrolling. The kids took zero notice of the two constructs
"War and Death is something Children should never see. If everything goes to my plan, there will be no war... just my blade in that slender neck of yours. But for now... I suppose that would be a bad decision." His nostrils flared at the smell of the food trucks and the variety of foods from the kitchens. Burgers, Tacos, Hot Dogs, hell, even Gumbo. Those trucks had everything some times; there was even a Pizza Truck off to the side, the heat from the oven radiating as much as the smell of melting cheese. At the question of hunger Mark shrugged. "I suppose. I'll take whatever... so long as it isn't spiked." he said, letting out an amused breath as an afterthought of the unintentional pun he'd made.
"Coke, for a Drink, please." he added.
Spike grunted at the pun, typical. But she nodded at the request. Pizza it was then, with a coke... interesting choice But she didnt reply as Vitas simply nodded. "I agree" Vitas said simply "War, death, destruction, children should never see it, until they are of age when it is understandable. A childs mind is a clean slate, destructuon should not get into it until they can understand what it means. These children, none of them know of death, destruction, accidents, it happens" Children also made the best soldiers. but Vitas didnt use child soldiers in her army, no, she used mostly computer programs, the Sentries, and her Black Guard, and then stupid thugs who cant find their way out of a paperbag.
"But you have me wondering" Vitas said as her men set up dozens of tables with chairs and items to eat with. "Why kill me ?" It was a good question, did he seek a form of redepmtion that had her dead in order to feel right ? Or was it something greater ?
He joined her at a table as she asked her question, leaning back into the chair and once more crossing his feet at the ankles. "Killing you? Why? You are the head of the Templar Snake here in Sacremento... it's only natural that I go for you. My redemption is complete when I have freed this place of Templar Influence, then my mission is complete. If it were any of your personal guard or even Spike I'd kill them too. But to be honest... I quite like the challenge of going after you. I've not gone after someone with such iStrong/i magic since your father." he said. Of course, she was a thousand times stronger than her father could ever hope to achieve.
"If you were to step down and renounce the way of the Templar, and then not interfere, I'd not target you. It's that simple." he added, looking to her. "The Assassins could always use the intel and a strong Magical presence."
"I may be a Templar but that is only in title, not in influence. What most believe of them is true, they want money, control, power, Me, I want to understand. So I may be a Templar, but I like to collect things, and the things I collect are not minds or hearts. Besides, you never answered my question" Vitas said, he hadnt yet, if her father had kicked her out of the house, would his family have accepted her ?
Spike brought the food over, with her was another thug, a big brute of a man who made Dwayne Johnson look like a twig as he carried a chair or sixteen to set up another large table nearby. Spike gave a sour look towards Mark, but the pizza looked good, a ham and bacon pizza with black olives One of those personal pan jobs while Vitas had two ntacos with a very strong Egyptian flare to them in both taste and smell.
"Besides' Vitas continued as Spike set the food befoer them and stepped away to get her own food "I took control when my parents were killed by Ruth Big as part of a six way deal. In the end it was win win for Mrs Big." She said nothing about the home invasion she had sent. To that Mark had no answer ,the food was too good, however it was Vitas words that got him thinking, it was possible he could spare her life. She wasnt a Templar in deed and thought, simply a title, a means to an end. and if Vitas only sought true peace by providing for people around her properly and peacefully. Mark saw there wasnt any violence,. the kids enjoyed the park, the peace was almost too... peaceful.
For long moments their meal was in peaceful quiet. Finally Mark spoke. "I think so. Mother was adamant that I stick to the mission, kill you and your parents because they were Templars, but also Mystics at the same time. Had we married under different circumstances it would have been much easier - had your father thrown you out of the house before I killed him it would have made it even easier for me and you. So yes, I think my mother would have welcomed you into the family." Again silence fell on the table as they finished eating.
"You have given me a lot to think about, Lady Warmoon. I thank you for the lunch, it was quite good" Mark said, he stood from the table as he had finshed before she had. With a polite bow of farewell he left. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a woman who looked as if like a ghost. Flickering of reaslism meters away, watching him. he blinked and she was gone. Mark then left the park to meet up with Sazhori
Vitas watched him leave as she took a bite of her second taco, as Spike sat across from here where Mark once sat the other woman spoke. "Do you think he will hunt you ?"
"Yes, nothing will stop a hunter like him. Not even my magic" Vitas replied
"So he wont stop, Should I track him ?"
"No. He would be onto you from the start, even our own men are no match for him. Only magic users are a match if not better. You and me at the least"
"So what now ?"
"Now we simply wait for him to make the next move. He did say I have given him a lot to think about. Hopefully that includes poissibly not killing either of us."
"Does he really think you are a Templar when its only a title and you'd rather use your magic to unfuck what they fucked up ?"
"Yes, which is why he will come back again and again. Use the technology we have in this city, we can see everywhere, see everything, even a man like him cant hide from a camera for long."
Across the park
Infront of St Diamonds Cathederal
"So this is it huh ?" Two people stood before it, a blonde haired girl and a dark haired boy of a sort viewed the massive structure from the front, the door was open, it was open for tours. So the two joined one and got to see inside the massive structure. "Fang was only able to get so much information on this place," Auji mused. a week of information gathering and they were there. As they walked imnside Auji looked carefully around the room, the massive cathederal had horizon dropoff feeling to it.
Xeibo had her Draconic version of Eagle Vision active. "Its here. somewhere. I can sense it. iDuradaeden/i isnt like a normal metal, with the right magics or senses to attune to it, its easy to find. But in a place like this..."
"Too much stone. This building has been rebuilt so many times." Auji said seeing the construction, two fires, total demolition, sixteen massive earthquakes, and a complete deconstruction and rebuild. At one point Diamonds tomb was iunder/i the altar in the sanctuary itself, but thanks to all the reconstruction and moving of things, the tomb itself was now in the dome above the sanctuary itself. Auji looked up at it "there. I sense something from up there. Fang said there was a second way of getting into here from outside without coming through the front door"
"The tour is almost over, looks like they're getting things ready for reconstruction ?" Xeibo said seeing scaffolding being set up, the ceiling, the beams and some upper walls it looked like needed new plastering due to a recent earthquake triggered by raw matrial proccessing that damaged the building.
Auji looked over the group of workmen getting ready to begin their work of redoing the inner wall of the cathederal. The walls were smooth nearly to the ceiling, which meant freerunning up them impossible even for him with his wings; He spotted the tomb, directly above the altar itself. "Come on, lets go outside. Lets see if we can find the secret entry to get inside. Once we have that we can get back inside and observe the workmen" He said softly, Xeibo nodded and the two left the building with the rest of the tour group.
Splitting off unseen the two went along the eastern edge of the building, facing the subway line overhead and also below. Barely anything around to observe or hide them, they'd be close in timing to not get noticed by anyone. This was going to be perfect. It was everything they needed for the job, and then some. All it counted on then was timing. Work was being done inside the cathederal for repainting and repairs. Which then meant at certain times the building was going to be entirely empty. Which then allowed the two young adults to plan things out carefully.
It would have to be a good plan, because Talons job was only for a month. Once Auji found the skull design he saw how it worked. "We'll return here after a few days when the heat dies down. Until then, we know how to get in" he pointed at the skull
Xeibo nodded. "Im famished, lets go find something to eat" Auji nodded and the two went to find a food truck
10 PM that night
Ruth Big's Bed and Breakfast
Mark closed his bedroom door, the day was a strange one for sure, he never really expected that much, but then, Vitas had given him a lot to think about. Sitting on the bed he removed his boots, then his coat, setting the coat on the nearby chair he picked up Yaekos journal, he found a page of a image of a sort, it was that of the interior of a tomb. Yet there was another next to it. One of destruction yet peace. He started reading.
1
I still dream of him
In my dream we were together, forever. What felt like a hundred years was really only a few days when I waken, but when I dream I dream of him and what he did for me, for us.
In my dream I stood at the precipice of the Blackrock Temple, searching for him. In the distance I saw a flash, like lightning, But there was no thunder. My sense of forboding gew, but I couldnt turn away.
Then I saw the light again, closer, it wasnt lightning, more orange like gold, shadowed with purple, like dawn and sunlight with a cloudy stormy sky, harth and a sound too, distinct and indistinct. Not thunder, but something I felt I should recognise
I want to leave my high place, seek shelter. From what I dont yet know. In the manner of dreams I cannot escape, I am forced to watch, to wait, to observe.
Then realisation hits me, Realistion and horror both. The orange is fire, Fire unlike anything I have exprienced. The purple is shadows, sheer horror and fear boil within them.
And then, the owner of the power is upon me, a Dragon, beautiful and deadly. Friend and fo alike,. But not just any dragon. But him. Draco, the Shadow Master The Dragon of legend, the dragon who devours all life and light.
And just before I wake up I hear his voice. The voice of her father. Telling me. "Do not fear"
Irral... Where are you ?
Mark snapped the book shut and he felt Kalda stir within him