Author's Notes:
Here I am! Wooh! Another chapter… Well actually, this chapter has so much filler in it. Or at least that's how I feel. Unfortunately for you guys, fluff doesn't return for a while…so this is a chapter with tons of information for you.
Advancements
A dark night is brought to life under the luminous moon and vivid stars. The lights of the angel encampment long deceased and the fumes of the human world nonexistent—a picturesque night by human means.
"Attention!" The sharp voice of the drill commander pierces the peace and, as they had been trained, each stands rigid, breathing undetectable.
"You know the deal, men...and women—he adds as an afterthought—Watch for any demonic creature; we don't know their allies. This is war; we cannot afford to allow civilians to get hurt." The sergeant barks. There is a collective grumble of affirmation before each man turns, marching silently to their positions.
Line
"Okay, so based off of the information we were given, the angels have three watch levels: supreme — those who watch from the sky, the intermediate — those in the middle, and the ground group. I know for a fact that the intermediate group is the strongest. However, I'm not sure which is the weakest. Therefore, we need to get rid of one group; I say the intermediate. That means we attack from above and on foot. Squad Alpha, you knock out the supreme group while Beta will take out the ground. While the intermediates go to help their compatriots, team Gamma will enter the Angel Realm from the middle. Alpha and Beta will join you shortly." The commander instructs, moving the little pegs across the map as demonstration.
"Don't forget the shields." Bakura grumbles, looking up from the map to briefly glare at the commanding officer. How could he be so ignorant as to forget that the angels have defenses?
"Ah-ah yes, your honor." The demon fumbles "We have team Delta weakening them as we speak." He stutters, waving his hand over his head to dispatch said group.
Bakura tsks in annoyance, calmly walking to the captain. In a flash, a hand shoots out and wraps around the aging demon's neck. "Look, I have a lot invested in this war, and I can't have imbeciles like you f*cking it up. So, I'm going to tell you all here and now—he glowers at everyone in the room with ruby eyes—don't screw up. Your life depends on it." With that, he tosses the twitching commander to the ground. A black handprint left where Bakura's hand once was. Glancing at the commander with a satisfied smirk, the demon leaves the navy tent.
"Hmmm, interesting tactic to gain their respect." Bakura doesn't flinch as the smooth voice of his uncle cuts through his haze of enmity.
"There's too much riding on this." Bakura growls, walking a few steps in front of his uncle.
"So, how do you expect to go about this?" Akefia questions, lazily keeping his distance. There is no need to encroach upon the king at this time. He's too unstable.
"Weaken their forces and then have Noah lead the transformation."
"That's quite unlike you."
"This requires a delicate touch. If I move impetuously, it will implode." Expatiates the Demon Lord.
"Ooh! We're actually thinking this through." Akefia taunts before ceasing his trek, "Look, I stayed this long, but if you're going to consider this...this...I don't even know what to call it. It's a true f*ckery.–"
The steady crunch of gravel cues Akefia onto his nephew's absence. With an disgruntled sigh, he runs his fingers through his hair, staring off in the distance. The boy will never get it through his thick head; he's a teenager trying to live up to the expectations set out for him by his father. He isn't ready for the crown. But then again, he'll never be.
Line
"Alpha, go." It's a whispered command that echoes through every region of the forest. As one, flocks of leathery-winged creatures take off into the night, their dark wings and figures casting odd shadows on the ground below.
"Beta, onward!" The General chants. And forth comes a stampede of pounding hooves, charging to be the first to lay a blow. Everyone wants the honor of being the best, the greatest, to be honored by the king for his or her amazing work. None of them will ever get it.
A crystal dome stands in the night, catching the rays of the moon and reflecting them for the world to see. The beams waver every now and then, glimmers slipping through cracks in the weakening shields.
Battle cries drown out the whispering winds and rustling animals. Metal slashing metal becomes a song that resonates through the realm with 'zings' of energy underscoring the frantic nature of the moment. Screams of agony are mixed into the battle cries as the crystal dome shatters. Light bounces off the descending shards, momentarily exposing the carnage the demons have caused.
The battle cries louden as do the ones for agony. However, nothing is louder than the methodical marching of boots pounding the earth and the furious beats of wings thrashing to maneuver in the air. The Angel Kingdom, is under attack.
Line
"The king is out, the prince and his friends are gone, and Mai is missing... They knew this was the perfect time to strike." Ishizu concludes, stopping her pacing in front of Anzu. Her azure eyes narrow to little slits. While she too is worried about the others, she can't understand just why Ishizu is so DISCOMBOBULATED. The two had grown closer through all the fuss over the prince and his friends and the war. In a way, the elder had taken the younger under her wing, training her in the ways of controlling a crumbling society.
"What makes you so sure?" Anzu asks. She knows she sounds skeptical before her new instructor, but there is no way to be sure that the demons could be pinned for this. Regardless of her duties, her friendship must come first. Or regardless of her friendship, her duties came first. The more she gets involved in court politics, the more she questions where her loyalties lie. Lines were being blurred, and she's not sure she cares.
"Think about it: the demons took out the king, leaving Ryou in charge. Ryou is too stupidly in love with that demon to notice that he is a ploy. The moment the Angel Kingdom falls, he will be cast aside like a toy, never to be played with again. And of course, he had to go and get the others involved." Ishizu starts pacing again, ranting to the night. Words such as "Ryou", "Marik", and "stupid", make frequent appearances in her complaints. "Dear Ra, I hope that he's strong enough to have his heart smashed." Zuzu eventually added as an afterthought.
Anzu bristles at the comment. Shots had been fired, and it was time for her to affirm her loyalties. Would she follow her friends—the ones who had left her behind in a vain attempt to follow their hearts? Or would she follow Ishizu—the one desecrating the names of her friends?
"I gotta go. We're going to need all the help we can get taking down those demons." Anzu mumbles, backing towards the exit flap. Her steps are slow and deliberate, like a mighty beast surrendering from battle. She doesn't want to cross any boundaries; hopefully, she could play mediator for...ever.
Line
"Our job: sabotage them. The demons cannot get the upper hand too quickly or else the war will be over before we can implement our plans." Another commander, another army, another strategy.
These troops are not in apple-pie ordered lines. They do not stand ready to knock down a kingdom. No, these are simply rebels. They wear simple clothing. They reek of beer and sweat. Their language is garbled mess of fading chants and wolf-like howls that ring throughout the night, only comprehensible by their own barbaric kind. But they are proud and haughty. They are prepared. Their plans supersede all other plans. It is time to strike.
"Group 1, you help the angels. Group 2, the demons. Do not attack your own kind!" And with that, the rowdy bunch joined the battle. Each man slaughtering anyone who stands in their way, like ducks in a shooting gallery.
Mai, who had been forced to play on the demon's side to prove her loyalty, remained to the back. If no one noticed her lagging, she couldn't be marked as a felon, right?
Line
"Noah, they're still angels." No one is capable of changing angels into demons. Not even him! This is a fools errand. Or at least that's how it feels.
"I'm working on it." Noah hisses, typing furiously at his keyboard. In truth, he isn't actually doing anything, but he doesn't want to deal with the impatient bastard beside him.
"Really, and what are you doing?" Bakura asks skeptically. He stands with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot repeatedly while staring at the giant monitor hanging on the wall.
"I'm adjusting the fluids filtering through their tubes. Hopefully, this one can conduct magic better." Noah explain, repeatedly 'tapping' away at the keyboard. He was filing through some of the documents cluttering his screen, purposely moving quickly enough so Bakura can't see through his lie.
"Sure…but you better step up your game. I need them fully transformed by the sunny season. The war will be well on its way by then...unless those angels are too posh to actually kill someone." With a snort, Bakura turns on his heel and exits the shack, an arrogant smirk plastered on his face.
Author's Notes:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISHTAR!
So, not much happening this chapter, but, I'd still love to hear your opinions.
And the poll, never forget the poll…