Chapter 69 Guess Who's Back?
Character Charolite
Charolite, Clementine, Christa and Omid had been moving from place to place ever since they left Savannah. Currently they were camped in a forest and were heading north to try and get somewhere cold so the Walkers would be slowed or frozen. They had more problems than just the undead though. A group of bandits had been following them for a week now and all four of them expected an attack any day now. Clementine was checking her gun as she sat across the fire from Charolite. Charolite was keeping the fire going and cooking the rabbits that they had caught earlier that day. Christa and Omid were out gathering more wood. Charolite had found that her spectral arm was immune to fire so it made her the perfect candidate to tend the fire.
"They've been gone a while," Clem said, "Do you think they are okay?"
"Well I don't have much faith in luck anymore," Char replied, "But those two are careful I'd assume they are proba..." She was cut off as yelling erupted from the forest to the west. It was close and Char picked out the voices of Omid and Christa. Clem had her pistol out and she and Char ran towards the direction of the voices. Char cloaked Clem and herself as they moved. The two came into sight of the bandits that had Omid and Christa at gun point.
"Oh no," Clem whispered, "How do we get them out of that?"
"We won't," Char replied as she saw one of the bandits raise his gun and aim it at Omid. "Omid, catch!" Char cast a spell on Omid that would allow him to control his skeleton if he were to die in the next few minutes. She was not a moment too soon either as the revolver in the Bandit's hand went off just after Char's spell took effect. Omid exploded in a flash of light and he yelled for Christa to run as skeleton Omid smashed into the bandits.
"Char, Clem scatter," Christa yelled as she took off into the forest. Char and Clem tried to run after Christa but she was already lost from sight as the two ran through the bandits and caused havoc. Char was glad to see that Clem was smart enough not to waste her bullets as the two ran through.
"After them," a voice yelled.
"Christa," Clem yelled.
"No time," Char hissed as she pulled Clem after her, "Omid can follow her and help her, we've got to go." Clem looked angry but she sighed and ran with Char.
"Over here," voices exclaimed from almost directly to the girl's left. Char and Clem dodged right to avoid the bandits and the gun fire.
"The river," Char said, "Jump into it."
"What," Clem questioned.
"Just do it the river runs fast and can carry us away from these guys," Char replied. Clem nodded and the two turned towards the river and jumped off the small overlook and into the water. Char and Clem were separated in the rushing water. Char made it to shore and tried to follow the river to see if she could spot where Clem might come out. She spent the rest of the night looking along the shore for any sign of Clem and as morning arrived Char was about to give up when she saw wet footsteps leading away from a patch of soggy ground.
"Clem must have just started moving for these to be wet," Char thought as she looked at the prints. "She must have slept here all night. She's probably soaked and cold, that's not good. Hang in there Clem I'm coming." Char followed the prints to a dock and then up a path to a camp sight. Clem must have been here just recently since there was a dog impaled on a tent pole with a slit throat and blood was covering the ground. "The fool mutt must have attacked her," Char thought as she reanimated the dog as a canine skeleton. "Come on boy," Char said as the dog walked up to her and sat down. "Hmm Sam huh," Char remarked as she looked at the collar. "I guess we could use a good guard dog. Now help me find Clem, the girl you attacked."
Sam flashed with a red glow as he 'smelled' the blood on the ground then followed it's scent out from the camp. Charolite followed Sam through the forest for a half hour before she caught sight of a log cabin. There was a group of people standing around out front and Clem was in the center of them. They seemed to be arguing about what to do with Clem. Clem was making a case for herself it would seem but with the bite that was on her arm that would be a hard sell.
"You did attack her," Char scolded the undead Sam. Sam recoiled form Char and whined at her. She was not expecting that response. Char had thought that the dog was just another minion but it seemed that it had lingered on long enough for her to bring it's personality back with it. "Well that could be useful," Char thought. "Come on let's go help Clem." Char and Sam descended the embankment from the forest to the cabin. She didn't attempt to conceal herself as she did not want to startle the group. The rustling of the leaves as she slid down the slope must have gotten the group's attention since they all turned towards her and then immediately recoiled from her. Clementine however ran over and, despite the injury to her arm, hugged Charolite.
"I thought you had gotten lost," Clem said.
"Yeah I did too," Char said, "I found Sam here, I take it you met him first though."
"He bit me," Clem said as she held out her arm that had a five inch gash running down it. "I didn't want to kill him but after he got impaled..."
"Clem," an older balding man from the group said as he walked up to her, "This is Charolite then?"
"Yes Pete, this is her and that is what is left of the dog that bit me," Clem said as she pointed at Sam. Sam hid behind Char. "Oh he's still in there?"
"Apparently," Char said as she patted Sam with her spectral hand. "I always wanted a dog and well I guess this will work."
"I guess you were telling the truth little lady," a big man with thick, dark hair and a beard said, "I'm Carlos the doctor of this mismatched group. Come on inside and we will work on taking care of that."
"No need for that now," Clem said, "Char can heal it, sort of."
"With that magic of hers right," A young man with wavy brown hair said, "Hi I'm Luke, That is Nick, Alvin and Rebecca."
"Dad who is out there," the voice of a girl called from the door to the house.
"Sarah go back inside we will be in in a moment," Carlos said, "And that is my daughter... please don't go into details about the world with her she has not had to deal with it yet."
"She's been able to avoid all this," Clem asked.
"Yes," Carlos said.
"Then we will do what we can to keep it that way," Char said, "Though I'm sure she will want an explanation about my arm and Sam here."
"Of that you are right," Carlos said with a sigh, "Come inside you can tend to your friend within."
"Thank you," Char said as she followed the group inside with Clem. "Sam stay guard out here okay." Sam sat down at the base of the stairs of the house. "I guess that will do," Char remarked. "You all are taking my appearance quite well you know."
"Well you are obviously not a walker," Pete said, "and Clementine told us about you already so we were somewhat prepared to see you."
"But you didn't believe me," Clem said as she sat down at the table and put her arm out for Char to mend. Char had gotten pretty good at closing up wounds by this point. While her skills didn't heal the wound, by closing it up she ensured that it wouldn't get infected.
"Do you have anything to clean wounds with," Char asked, "I can close it up but I can not sterilize it."
"Here," Carlos said as he came over to the table. He set down a bottle of hydrogen peroxide a needle, some fishing line and a roll of gauze wrap. "Once you have that wound cleaned up I'll let you meet Sarah. She's about your age so I know she will want to meet you and I can't keep her from you for long."
"I understand," Char said as she took the peroxide, "I won't be needing the rest. Clem you ready?"
"This is going to suck isn't it," Clem said.
"Just like all the other times," Char stated. Clem nodded and held her arm down with her free hand. Char poured some of the peroxide over Clem's bite. Clem grimaced but otherwise dealt with the pain. Char then wove her magic across Clem's arm and used any of the dead or dying cells to scab the bite over. Carlos looked on in amazement as the wound seemingly healed as Char's spectral hand moved across it.
"Did you just," Carlos started.
"It's not healed," Char said, "Just closed."
"It's up to me to heal it now," Clem added as she took the gauze roll and wrapped the scab up so that it wouldn't get broken.
"Dad can I come down and meet the new girls now," Sarah asked from the upper floor of the house.
"Yes but just for a bit," Carlos replied, "Luke wants to talk to them." Carlos then said to Char and Clem, "Prepare yourselves, Sarah is not like anyone else in this world."
"Hi," Sarah exclaimed as the energetic girl came into the kitchen. "I'm Sarah, who are yo... whoa what is with your arms?"
"I got bit by a dog," Clem said, "I'm Clementine, this is Charolite."
"Her arm is glowing," Sarah said as she came over and stared at Char's arm. Char set her spectral hand on Sarah's shoulder.
"It's still an arm," Char said, "Even if it is spectral."
"That is amazing," Sarah remarked as she hesitantly touched Char's arm. "How did you get it?"
"You... you don't want to know," Char said as sorrow flared up inside her as she remember Steve's last words to her. Sarah backed up at that but she nodded her head after a moment and her smile returned.
"So are you two staying with us," Sarah asked, "Oh we could have a slumber party, I've got some board games upstairs."
"Ha maybe they can," Luke said as he walked in, "First I need to talk to them. They may be able to help us."
"Oh right," Sarah said, "Well it was nice meeting you I'll see you later." She waved as she left and went into the den.
"She doesn't know how bad the world has gotten does she," Char asked.
"No," Carlos said as he started to follow his daughter, "And I am trying to keep it that way. Thank you for not going into details with her about your arms." Carlos then left and Luke set two bowls of oatmeal down in front of Char and Clem.
"Here eat," Luke said, "If what you told Carlos is true then you will need that energy to heal that wound."
"Clem take mine as well," Char said.
"Don't you need it," Luke asked.
"I draw in energy from the life around me, the trees and wildlife are more than enough to sustain me," Char explained as she handed her bowl to Clem.
"Yeah I guess you can," Luke said, "You're a necromancer right?"
"Yes," Char said.
"You two have been together for two years," Luke asked.
"A little more than two but yes," Clem answered, "We met pretty much in the first week of the walkers."
"Wow," Luke commented, "Were you two with anyone else before you found us?"
"Yeah, we lost them in a bandit raid," Clem said.
"Odd thing about those bandits though they had automatic weapons," Char said, "They were up river from here when we encountered them. Me and Clem escaped by jumping into the river."
"Automatics," Luke asked, "How many of them were there?"
"Maybe eight," Char said, "I couldn't get a good count in the dark."
"How far up river," Luke asked.
"At least a night's walk," Char said, "We floated down the river for a while and once I got out it was another few hours before I made it here."
"Okay well we probably don't have to worry about them," Luke said with a sigh. "At least not yet. You girls get settled in, tomorrow we will go hunting. I'd bet you both would be helpful in a hunt."
"Right," Clem said as she finished the oatmeal.
"Hey," Nick said as he came into the room. He looked hesitantly at Charolite's arm, "So you, you ain't going to turn are you?"
"It's been almost two years and I haven't yet," Char replied. She held out her hand to Nick. The lanky guy tentatively reached out his hand and felt her arm.
"Ha it's warm just like a regular arm." Nick remarked. "Clementine, I'm sorry for how I reacted earlier... you forgive me?"
"You were scared," Clem said, "and you didn't actually hurt me so yeah we're good."
"Thank you," Nick said, "I'm, ah, going to go check on the new dog." Nick headed out of the room as he said that.
"So what did he do," Char asked.
Luke looked to Clem who just shook her head and said, "It's not important. So tomorrow who will go hunting?"
"I think you two, Alvin, Nick and Pete," Luke said, "I will need to scout around to see if I can see any signs of those bandits."
"Hey Clementine, Charolite," Sarah said as she came into the room with a monopoly game. "Do you two want to play?"
Char looked at Luke who nodded as he got up and left saying, "Have a good game ladies."
"Sure," Clem said, "Char how about it?"
"I... I've never actually played Monopoly," Char said, "But I'll give it a shot."
"Awesome," Sarah exclaimed as she started setting up the game. Char smiled at the girl's enthusiasm. Her smile faded as she realized that should the situation change Sarah would most likely die very quickly.
"I need to see what I can do to keep her safe," Char thought, "Sarah is probably more helpless than Clem was when I first met her..." The rest of the night passed with Char only paying half attention to the goings on. She was thinking about how she could keep everyone here alive until DC came to get her. Despite it being about two years, Charolite still trusted Storm's words and she felt that they were being proved more true each day. This world needed her and her abilities.
The next morning Char and Clem were going to accompany Nick and Pete as they went hunting. Alvin and Carlos were going to go with Luke to search for signs of bandits. Rebecca stayed at the house since she was pregnant and someone needed to watch Sarah. Char had Sam stay at the house to guard Rebecca and Sarah as they all dispersed for the day.
"You don't talk much do you," Pete commented to Char.
"Not really," Char replied, "I learned young that words can often times be used to deceive, to persuade, to control. I would rather my actions be what speak for me."
"Hmm," Pete remarked, "What about you Clementine you seem more inclined to conversation."
"Yeah a little I guess," Clem said, "My parents always talked with me when I was little...er."
"Ah I see," Pete said, "I take it that what happened to them is the same thing that happened to everyone's parents eventually."
"Yes," Clem stated, "Them and so many others that we knew..."
"Uncle Pete," Nick yelled from up the path through the woods, "You need to see this." The three ran to catch up with Nick. They arrived to see a swath of bodies laying around the stream.
"Search 'em," Pete ordered, "Let's see if there is any evidence of who did this."
"Careful make sure none of them have turned," Char said. The four spread out and started searching the bodies. After a few minutes Clem called Char over to her. She was out on an island of pebbles in the river and was holding her backpack.
"Clem where did," Char started but then she realized what the pack meant. "Pete, Nick, these are the guys who we ran into before we found you all."
"What," Nick asked, "But you said these guys had automatic weapons."
"Then whoever took them out was better with automatic weapons," Pete said as he looked over from his side of the river.
"We need to leave," Char exclaimed as she felt the presence of Walkers come into their area. "Walkers are coming."
Pete looked at her for a moment as if he was analyzing her before saying, "Okay grab whatever you can get off the bodies and lets get out of here." Pete made his way back across the river while Nick, Char and Clem scavenged what they could from the bodies. As they retreated back to the cabin the sounds of walkers became more noticeable behind them.
"I guess I was right to trust you," Pete remarked, "That sounds like a lot of them back there."
"At least fifty," Char said.
"Wow that is a handy trait," Nick remarked, "We won't have to worry about walkers with you around."
"It's not walkers that I'm worried about," Pete said.
"Then what are you worried about," Clem asked.
"People," Pete replied. "We need to talk with Luke." The four arrived back at the house some time later and Pete, Nick and Rebecca decided to go out to find Luke and his group.
"Char, Clem, stay here and watch the house," Pete said, "Keep an eye on Sarah and don't let anyone in that isn't one of us."
"That sounds ominous," Clem remarked.
"We've not been completely honest with you two," Pete said, "There is someone looking for us and he will stop at nothing to take back what he thinks is his."
"You think it was him and his people then that took out the guys at the river," Char stated, "I'll have Sam hide then his appearance might spook people into leaving if he sneaks up on them."
"Thank you," Pete said as he, Nick and Rebecca left the house.
"Where are they going," Sarah asked from the top of the stairs that led to the second floor balcony.
"They are just going to go talk to your dad, Luke and Alvin," Clem answered.
"Oh okay, hey can you two show me how this works," Sarah waved the two up to her room. Char and Clem came up and entered Sarah's room to see her holding an unloaded, thankfully, pistol.
"Where did you get that," Clem asked.
"I found it under the dresser," Sarah said as she waved it at them causing both girls to duck.
"Hey careful with that," Char said, "It's not a toy!"
"Oh sorry," Sarah said, "I, I just wanted to know how it worked."
Char and Clem looked between each other before Clem sighed and walked over to Sarah.
"Okay first remember it's only a thing," Clem said.
"What's that supposed to mean," Sarah asked.
"It means that it will only do what you make it do," Char stated, "A gun doesn't kill the one using it kills."
"Oh," Sarah commented. "Okay..."
"To aim you line up the sights," Clem said as she showed Sarah how to line up the sights. When you go to fire squeeze the trigger and lean into the shot, that makes it more stable."
"Okay cool, thanks," Sarah said as she set the gun down on the dresser. "Hey is that Luke?"
"What," Char asked as she went to the window and looked out it through the curtains. "I don't see anyone... still. Clem stay here with Sarah, I'm going to go check on this."
"Right," Clem said as she drew her own pistol, "I've got you covered if things get bad."
"Thanks," Char said as she left the room and headed down the stairs. There was a knock at the door as she reached the bottom stair. Char went to the door and looked out the frosted window to see the silhouette of a man but his build was not similar to anyone from the group that lived in the cabin. Char decided that interacting with the man would be better than letting him think he needed to bust in the door so she opened it up slightly. The man was middle aged, white, with brown hair a rugged beard a fur coat and he had a revolver prominently holstered to his hip.
"Hello," he said.
"You don't look like a stray," Char replied, "What brings you to my little place?"
"Not one for pleasantries hm," the man said, "very well, some of my people have gone missing, I was wondering if they might have passed through this way."
"Your people huh," Char said as she opened the door further to reveal her spectral arm. The man's eyes narrowed at the sight of her arm but he didn't move. "Well that explains why you are better outfitted than the strays I usually take in. Char walked outside and closed the door behind her. She motioned to a bench that was sitting by the porch. "What did your people look like, what were their names?"
"One of them was a woman, she was pregnant. There was also a girl about your age several men, in total there were eight of them," The man said.
"Well Mister... um I don't believe I got your name," Char said.
"And I didn't get yours," the man replied. "Did you see my people?"
"About a week ago the group you described came through," Char said, "They didn't seem to be lost though. If I recall their plan was to head north, try and reach Wellington."
"A week," the man sighed, "I've got some catching up to do then."
"A word of advice stranger," Char said as Sam walked up beside her and she petted him with her spectral arm, "People who don't seem lost usually are not. It may be they left you and if so they may not take kindly to being found."
"Noted," The man said as he got up. "It's just you here?"
"I wouldn't count on it," Clem said from behind the man. She was leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed and her pistol held casually in one hand. "Is he lost?"
"I don't think so," Char said.
"Well you can't stay here then," Clem said, "We only take in strays."
"So I gathered," the man said as he looked at the two. He then turned and left the cabin.
"Who was that," Clem asked.
"I don't know," Char said, "But he seems like trouble."
Character Blade Wolf
Blade Wolf, Tucker and Noire appeared where Blade Wolf had left his home. However, to Blade Wolf's surprise, George and Sunny both jumped as the three appeared. Sunny was a sixteen year old girl with white skin, silvery gray hair and brown eyes. George was a boy of about fourteen with dark hair, eyes and skin.
"Blade Wolf," Sunny exclaimed, "But how did..."
"I thought you two were dead," Blade Wolf stated as he moved to stand before his family. "I... Are you two okay?"
"We are now yes," Sunny said, "My nanobots actually saved me... that would have given the Patriots a head ache for sure."
"Mi got dis new super jumba body," George added as he flexed the now much more militarized body that the cyborg Guyanese boy had. "Maybe if I had just had dis when those skunta monsters attacked..."
"It's fine George," Sunny said as she smiled at him, "So who are your friends."
"This is Tucker and Noire," Blade Wolf said as he introduced the two to his family. "They helped me kill those who hurt you."
"Well you two certainly look the part," Sunny remarked.
"Yeah those be some jumba ninja looking people," George said as he looked at Tucker and Noire.
"I take it that means he likes us," Noire said.
"That is correct," Blade Wolf said, "Speaking of ninjas, do either of you know where Raiden is?"
"Why are you looking for him," Sunny asked.
"Because the creatures that hurt you two are just two of many and the group that these two are from hunt these creatures," Blade Wolf explained.
"Basically he wants to see if his friend will join us in fighting the demons," Tucker said.
"In that case Raiden may already be doing that," Sunny said as George left the room that they were in.
"What do you mean," Noire asked.
"I mean he came through here just a couple of days ago to check on us and he has been hunting creatures like the ones that attacked us ever since," Sunny replied, "It shouldn't be hard to find him just follow the bodies."
"Hey Wolfie," George said, "Ninja man said to tell you he wah taking dat red sword and for us to give you dis if you came round." Blade Wolf saw that George was holding out Raiden's original sword. It had been reforged but Raiden had actually found an even stronger blade than either his original or the blade that Blade Wolf got from his friend Samuel upon the latter's death.
"Why did he take Sam's sword," Blade Wolf asked.
"He didn't say," Sunny replied.
"Well if he took two swords then we might need to find him quickly," Tucker said, "Two swords means a hefty fight."
"Meow-chicka-meow-meow," Noire remarked.
"What dis that," George asked.
"It's just our thing," Noire said as she and Tucker shared a laugh.
"Do either of you know where he was going," Blade Wolf asked.
"He was going to walk down the road to Solis Air base," Sunny said, "Blade Wolf are you really going to be leaving again so soon?"
"I need to find Raiden," Blade Wolf said, "I... I took pleasure in killing those that harmed you. Raiden knows how to deal with this mentality. I need to learn from him once again." Blade Wolf took Raiden's sword as he said this. "We will return before we leave again."
"Yeah okay," George said. Sunny patted Blade Wolf on his head as he, Tucker and Noire turned to leave.
"It was nice to meet you both," Tucker said.
"We're glade that you are both okay," Noire added as she ducked out of the door to the little house following after Blade Wolf. "So those are your family then?"
"They are," Blade Wolf answered, "I am glad that the demons were wrong about their deaths."
"Well don't feel bad about killing the demons," Tucker said, "I get a rush every time I kill one."
"I have never felt the satisfaction of watching my foes fall before," Blade Wolf said, "I always killed because I absolutely had to. When I though that Sunny and George were dead I had to hunt the demons and I enjoyed watching them die. Raiden also enjoys watching his enemies die. He can help me understand this state."
"Oh," Tucker said.
"How fast can you two run," Blade Wolf asked.
"Uh I don't know maybe eight miles per hours," Tucker said.
"We will need a vehicle then," Blade Wolf remarked. He looked around the side of the house and sure enough the motorcycle that Raiden had picked up in Denver was sitting in front of the garage.
"I can drive that," Noire remarked.
"My top speed is sixty five miles per hour," Blade Wolf said, "Are you comfortable at that speed?"
"We'll be fine," Noire said as she got on the motorcycle and Tucker got on behind her.
"We will follow you," Tucker said. Blade Wolf nodded and sprinted off down the street towards the west. He knew the rout to Solis well as he had traveled it with Sunny and George often. Behind him the familiar thrum of Raiden's motorcycle was both comforting and odd because he knew Raiden was not on the vehicle.
"Raiden has not been down this road since his fight with Sam," Blade Wolf thought, "He took Sam's sword... this has to be about Samuel." Blade Wolf headed to the spot where Raiden killed Sam. He was certain that was going to be the best place to find his friend. As he approached the boulder strewn field where Raiden and Sam had their show down Blade Wolf detected at least twenty targets converging on the area and engaging in a fight with...
"Raiden, Samuel," Blade Wolf exclaimed as he dove intothe fray of demon dogs that were surrounding his two friends.
"Ha Wolfie," Sam greeted as the Brazilian man in the tan, skin tight, exoskeleton with the black cyborg arm and red blade flashed in the light of the sun. Demon blood flew with each stroke of Sam's sword.
"Wolf," Raiden greeted as he cut his way through one of the larger demons and caught his original sword as Blade Wolf threw it to him. Raiden attached the sword and sheath to his sleek, black cyborg body as he ducked under a demon that was trying to bite his head off. Raiden's white hair and face were splattered with crimson as the demons blood gushed out from the gaping hole down it's underside as Raiden slid under it and came up next to Blade Wolf. "Who are your new friends?"
"Hey it's my bike," Sam said. "How did you two end up with it?"
"That is yours," Raiden asked as he cut down another demon that lunged at him.
"I rode it right up to World Marshal when I was first going to kill Armstrong," Sam said.
"I saw you die," Blade Wolf commented to Sam as the two chopped at the demons.
"You think that little stab could kill me," Sam asked, "Well I guess I was pretty convincing. Which was good, I was able to go underground for a couple of years and that is where I noticed these demons."
"So he sends a message to me of all people," Raiden cut in. "Wanted to meet me here, dangerous but it worked out."
"So you two were enemies," Noire asked as Cat's Tail froze several of the demons which Tucker then sliced up with his energy sword.
"Dueled to the 'death' right here," Sam remarked with a sideways grin. "You know Wolfie I thought that at least the wink would have told you something."
"I thought it was simply your way of saying goodbye," Blade Wolf said as his chainsaw cut through the last of the twenty demons that had beset the now five combatants. "That makes three people I got back today."
"Three," Sam asked.
"You didn't know that Sunny and George were okay," Raiden asked, "Then why did you leave?"
"I went to hunt those who hurt them," Blade Wolf said.
"He thought they were dead so he went and killed the demons that had deceived him into thinking that," Noire said.
"Yeah that's where he met us," Tucker added, "We're glad for it too. He saved the two of us and my squad from getting crushed by a massive demon, bear, mammoth thing."
"It was more like a big cat," Noire remarked.
"Oh don't you start with the puma thing," Tucker said, "Sometimes I wish I never told you that story."
"It is not like you to fight for vengeance," Sam said, "What changed?"
"I changed," Blade Wolf replied, "The demons showed me how to love and hate. What they were not expecting is that you two had already shown me this. So when they ran away to their world I followed them to repay them for what I had thought was the death of my family."
"Ha ha sounds like I'm starting to rub off on you," Raiden laughed dryly.
"That is what I assumed as well. It is why I sought you out," Blade Wolf said. "These demons' leaders are dead why do they still fight?"
"The two that you destroyed were just commanders they were not the real leader," Tucker said.
"So you're saying these things will continue to assault our world until their main leader is dealt with," Sam asked.
"Basically," Tucker confirmed.
"And you said you have a whole team that is hunting this demon," Raiden asked.
"Dragon Company yes," Noire answered.
"Sunny and George are already under Maverick's protection," Raiden remarked with a sigh.
"I don't see any other option for us," Sam stated, "We have to kill this demon."
"Right," Raiden said, "Let's get back to Sunny's place. She and George should at least know why we are leaving."
"You're going to leave them," Tucker asked, "Who's this Maverick then that he can keep them safe while your with us?"
"My former employer," Raiden answered as he started walking back towards the house. "Can you two keep up on that thing?"
"On the motorcycle," Noire stated, "Easily."
"Well alright then," Sam remarked. A moment later and he was kicking up a trail of dust as he and Raiden were running back to the house.
"There is a fair amount of competition between those two," Tucker said as he got on the motorcycle. Blade Wolf took off after Raiden and Sam, catching up with them after only a few minutes. Noire and Tucker had no trouble keeping up on the motorcycle but Blade Wolf knew that neither Sam nor Raiden were using all their potential speed. The five arrived at the start of the neighborhood to find it swarmed with little, reptile-like demons that were chasing people through the streets and ripping those unfortunate to get caught in the little monsters' jaws to shreds. Blade Wolf didn't even slow down he barreled through the demons, chopping some of them up when they got in his way but continuing on to his house. He bust the door down to get in and killed three of the little demons with the knives that were attached to the back of his legs and his claws.
"Sunny, George," Blade Wolf called out into the house. After not getting an answer he switched on his AR visor and scanned the house for any signs of the two. He picked up the two's heat signatures from a closet in the upper floor of the house. He also noted that there were demons outside the closet. Blade Wolf moved under the floor of the closet and used his chainsaw to cut the floor out around his family. Sunny and George dropped down and landed on his back with a few shouts and a thump.
"Blade Wolf look out," Sunny yelled as she ducked down behind him. Blade Wolf turned in time to see five of the demons lunging towards him but Tucker's energy sword found the demons first.
"I got your backs," Tucker said, "Now come on let's clear these demons out of the streets and see what we will do next."
"That is one bad rass sword," George said in awe of the glowing energy of Tucker's sword.
"That's what I keep telling people," Tucker said as the four left the house. Blade Wolf threw three of his throwing knives to kill three demons that jumped down from on top of the house. Blade Wolf's AR visor told him that the demons had cleared out most of the people in this subdivision. Since there was a distinct lack of bodies he concluded that most people were able to get away from the little, swarming demons. Raiden moved up to stand beside Blade Wolf as they fought to protect Sunny and George. How many of these guys are there," Raiden asked.
"I count almost a hundred thousand," Blade Wolf said.
"We have to stop them here," Tucker said, "Otherwise they will spread, we need a bomb of some sort."
"You want to blow up the neighborhood," Sunny asked, "What about the people?"
"It looks like any that are still alive have fled," Raiden said, "It's just us here now."
Sam and Noire had joined the five at this point. "So I'm good with a sword," Sam remarked as he chopped five of the demons out of the air as they jumped at him. "but this is getting a little edgy."
"Who's that," George asked as he pointed at Sam, "Are you another ninja?"
"Ha is that what you call Raiden," Sam asked with a laugh, "I like it."
"Not now Sam," Raiden said, "We need a..."
"I got it," Sunny exclaimed as she held up her touch pad. "Everyone gather around Blade Wolf."
"What is your plan," Blade Wolf asked.
"I'm going to over charge your jets and combine them with your dimensional rift generator to cause a cascading explosion that will chain through the demons," Sunny said. "It might hurt."
"We don't have time to worry about us getting a little hurt," Noire pointed out as she stunned another wave of the little demons with a sweeping electric attack from Cat's Tail.
"Blade Wolf," Sunny said, "I'm going to be taking over some of your systems for a bit, okay?"
"Do what you need to," Blade Wolf said. Sunny nodded and went to work. Blade Wolf felt her take command of his legs, immobilizing him but his tail was still free to use so he kept swinging his chainsaw around to keep the demons off of them. Blade Wolf was still analyzing the fight and he saw that George would get grabbed if he didn't have some cover. "Raiden give George your sword," Blade Wolf said.
"Catch," Raiden said as he threw his sword to George. George caught it with his cyborg hand and used it to hack at the demons. The kid's swings were undisciplined and wild but they had enough strength to cut down the demons. Blade Wolf thought that with training George could become a skilled swordsman.
"Everyone get close to us now," Sunny yelled as Blade Wolf's jets started up. As Blade Wolf felt himself start to rise the dimensional rift generator activated and a deafening explosion threw everyone to the ground. Blade Wolf had control of his legs again and he stood back up as the roar of the explosion was repeated across the neighborhood. Before him all the demons that got caught in an explosion then sucked other demons to them before exploding and causing a chain reaction that carried on for five minutes or so.
"Well this is bad," Sam stated as the group looked around at the burning rubble that they left in their wake.
"I need to make a call," Raiden said as he walked away from the group.
"How did you do that," Tucker asked Sunny.
"Easy I ran the fail safe for Blade Wolf's rockets through an inverter sequence then phased it into the dimensional rift generator to create an implosion that chains itself to all the creatures that is catches in it's detonation," Sunny said. "We were the initial detonation and each successive on got more powerful from there."
"Sunny, George," Raiden said, "I've got some bad news we have to leave. Maverick can't continue to protect you two and not draw heat thanks to this event. We've got to leave."
"Come to Dragon Company," Tucker said, "We've got plenty of things that you all could help with."
"And there will be plenty of demons to kill," Noire added.
"You sa'in if we go wit you den we get to kill more of them monsters," George asked as he was being shown by Sam how to sheath his new sword.
"That's right," Tucker said, "And a lot of other bad things that try to hurt people."
"You mean other people who try to hurt people," Raiden stated, "Well we all are officially wanted for destroying a neighborhood so we might as well."
"One condition," Sam said, "Well two actually, I get to train the boy and we take my motorcycle with us."
"I would transport us but I can only take so much material through a rift at one time," Blade Wolf said.
"I can fix that," Sunny said, "I have been working on upgrading that system for my... I guess I won't get to finish my work with Solis now will I?"
"No," Raiden said, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be we had to kill those monsters," Sunny said as she plugged her tablet into Blade Wolf's body. "Okay just a few adjustments here, change this variable article here... deactivate this restriction, and that useless fail safe. Okay done. Blade Wolf you can now decided how much you want warp through a rift. The catch is if you don't have enough power for it then it wont work or, uh you know just try it."
"Or what," Tucker asked, "You were going to say explode weren't you?"
"No I'd never let Blade Wolf use something that I wasn't sure would not hurt him," Sunny said.
While Sunny and Tucker were arguing Blade Wolf was processing the changes Sunny had made. He soon realized what she was going to say. "Or it will overload and send us to any point in creation that we can get to with the energy that is available," Blade Wolf said to stop the conversation. Then we just have to wait until I get more power to jump again."
"Really," Noire remarked after Blade Wolf's revelation, "That is actually quite a sensible solution. I'll get the bike and we can go before the sirens that I hear in the distance find us."
"Quick response times," Raiden remarked.
"Well you are probably still wanted for that stunt you pulled back in Denver," Sam stated as Noire drove the bike up to the group.
"Readying transport," Blade Wolf informed the group. "Rift in three... two... one." The world around the group changed from one razed neighborhood to another as Blade Wolf found himself back in the camp of DC on the fallen Remnant.
"Hey Tucker, hi Noire," Ruby greeted, "Hey Blade Wolf. Who are your new friends?"
"Hello again Ruby," Blade Wolf replied, "These are my friends and family, Sunny, George, Sam and Raiden."
"Cyborgs huh," Ruby stated, "By choice or?"
"Forced," Raiden said, "for all of us."
"We make the most of it though," Sam added. "So where is everyone else?"
"Oh we were packing this camp up and moving the operation to Requiem," Ruby replied, "Me and Scooter were cleaning up this camp. He's on his way back after taking a load of equipment to Shade in Atlas. In fact he should be here right about... now." The hum of an engine could be heard then the pick up truck that was Scooter's armor roared into view by jumping over the ridge and sailing over their heads to land behind the group with a clash and a screech.
"Oh hey didn't see y'all there," Scooter said as he stuck his head out of the window. "You two actually came back with the robot wolf and friends huh, that's cool. Rubabe we're done here so If you all want to get in we can make our way back."
"I'm taking my bike," Sam said, "But the rest of you can ride."
"Dibs on the turret," Ruby exclaimed as she launched herself into the air to land inside the seat of the barrel turret.
"Wolf, yo got som jumba friends yah," George remarked as they got in the truck bed.
"I guess it runs in the family," Blade Wolf replied as he looked at his 'siblings.' Oddly he felt at peace in this moment. He knew that they would undoubtedly be in more danger now but he felt like he could trust this Dragon Company to keep his family and friends safe.
Character Luciver
It had been two days since Locust had joined up with Luciver and his family/friends. Luciver was still angry with the merc for breaking Janell's ribs. Janell and Emerald were both doing better. Janell more so than Emerald. While Janell's ribs were only fractured Emerald has four that were truly broken, along with a nasty gash on the back of her head. Her arm and leg were back to normal though so the green haired girl was using that as a positive to keep up everyone's spirits. Luciver found it odd that Locust and Emerald seemed to talk to each other often but considering that Emerald had a dark past the Eryian could understand it.
"The path forward looks clear," Locust said as the merc reappeared in the camp that the group had set up about five miles from the first energy tower that the Magog set up. "We should strike now while we have an opening."
"Janell and Emerald are in no condition to fight," Luciver replied.
"We didn't come all this way just... to sit in the camp," Emerald said. She still was careful with her breathing and having her ribs wrapped up had helped Emerald a great deal but Luciver still thought that she shouldn't be involved in this venture. Janell had made the point that they shouldn't leave Emerald in the castle by herself either so they had all gone out, despite their injuries, to decommission the towers that were siphoning the energy of the planet to Magog-Cinder.
"I have to agree with Luciver," Locust said, "If you come with us you are likely to injure yourself further."
"Yeah, well unlike most everyone else here... I can't funnel my power into any of you... to use on my behalf," Emerald said. "Besides I do not have to exert myself... to use my pistols and they are effective weapons."
"It will most likely be safer for everyone if we stay together," Jeyne said, "There are more than just your demon possessed men running around this world."
"We're going with you," Janell said, "Don't argue Daemon." Daemon, who was about to argue with his wife stopped and just assumed a brooding appearance.
"Be reasonable," Saetan said, "The Archon speaks wisdom. Should we split up and one of us needs help we may not be able to provide it in time. However by staying together we can cover each other."
"Fine," Luciver stated. He moved to stand beside the two injured women, "If you two are set on this then I will guard you."
"Our window is closing while we stand here and talk," Locust said.
"Let's go then," Emerald said as she strode past the merc and towards the tower. Luciver snarled but followed with Janell and the rest of their group.
"She is strong," Graysfang said, "She will be okay."
"Well you were right about Janell after she almost died," Luciver replied to the wolf prince. "It's just I can't protect them both."
"Then protect the one that means the most to you," Sureal said.
"I plan to," Luciver stated. "If I have to choose then I know I will help Janell first."
It took them about an hour and a half to reach the tower. The tower was an apt description for the structure. It was tall and thin with a large orb on the top of it that looked like someone had encased a dimensional rift in a glass bubble.
"Good we are right on time," Locust remarked as he saw the guards swap their shifts. "This will give us the maximum amount of time to clean this place out and dismantle it."
"Ha this thing should be easy to take down," Luciver remarked, "Janell?"
"Done," Janell remarked as she pointed to the globe on the top of the structure. Luciver could see cracks starting to form on it. "That breaks the rift will pull the whole structure into it before it closes."
"How long do we have," Jeyne started to asked but the thunderous roar of the rift breaking loose cut her off. The tower was sucked through the rift as were the mercs guarding it however the implosion pulled the group into the clearing from their hiding spot on the crest of the hill they had come to. Luciver was picking himself up when an explosion knocked him back from where the tower used to be. In the tower's place stood three Apocicas. As Luciver was once again picking himself up he noticed that Janell and Emerald were having trouble getting up. Luciver ran to Janell's side, he and Daemon helping her up.
"Who is covering Emerald," Janell asked as she held her side.
"Looks like Locust is," Daemon said as he pulled Luciver and Janell out of the way of an ice wave from one of the demons. Luciver glanced over to where Emerald was and saw that Locust was beside her and the two were raining down a bullet storm on the Apocicas. Jeyne was with them as well, using her Archon fire to dispel the freezing attacks of the demons. Sureal, Graysfang and Saetan were around to Luciver's left. The three groups were forming a triangle around the Apocicas.
"Well we've taken these guys on before," Janell said, "And we've gotten stronger since then."
"Oh you're not," Luciver started but Janell had already started her spell weaving. "Daemon cover her," Luciver said as he pumped his wings and flew into the sky. He surrounded himself in an energy shield to disspell the freezing orbs that the Apocicas were throwing at him. From his vantage point Luciver could see how the battle was going. Unsurprisingly Saetan, Sureal and Graysfang were holding their own with their combined strength being greater than any one of the Apocica's. Daemon was protecting Janell as she was waiting for the right moment to cast her spell. Emerald, Jeyne and Locust were doing well considering that they had none of the powers that Luciver and his group had.
As Luciver rained down beams of energy from the air he watched Locust. The merc was indeed very methodical. His shots were placed so precisely that it appeared that he was actually hurting the Apocica that he was targeting.
"How is he," Luciver thought before he picked up on the pattern that Locust had seen. "They can be hurt if you hit them when they are casting those waves of frost. That's why he is aiming at their hands. Cat time your spell so that all three of the Apocicas are in mid cast."
"Right," Janell replied. "Everyone they are vulnerable when they are casting, hit whichever hand they are using to channel their spells!"
Luciver dodged out of the way of another ice blast then switched from using his energy to shield himself to amping up the beams he was firing at the Apocicas. Another orb of ice left the hand of the Apocica that was fighting Daemon and Janell. Luciver sent a beam of energy into the Apocica's hand causing it to flinch and dispelling the orb at the same time. A moment later and time froze as Janell unleashed her spell. The Apocicas were all in mid cast but now they and their spells were frozen in time. Luciver dove down towards the Apocica that was fighting Daemon and Janell. Daemon blasted the hand that Luciver was aiming for, dispelling the frost that was building up on it and leaving it open for Luciver as he came crashing down on it with his battle ax. The hand shattered and blew off a sizable portion of the Apocica. Two other explosions followed signaling that the rest had accomplished the same feat with their targets. Janell let time resume and the three Apocicas reeled with the sudden loss of what amounted to a third of the creatures. They didn't go down however, instead the Apocicas started to fire more spells from their remaining hands and now they added a breath attack that came from their iron clad heads.
"Can we get Beast over here to eat these things again," Luciver asked as he jumped back to Janell's side to avoid a wave of freezing breath.
"Maybe we can substitute him," Daemon said, "After all Beast simply used a lot of force to kill that one we ran into before."
"Now that they are cracked open I can replicate that easily enough," Janell said. The three Apocicas were suddenly lifted off the ground as the flash of a giant black spike slammed into the side of them that had been blow off. Luciver started to funnel his power to Janell in case she needed it, he need not have worried however as he felt her reserves were still full. Ebony colored lines of power started scrawling across the Apocicas as they struggled against the spikes. A moment later and the demons were laying in two dissolving heaps on the ground.
"To think that a year or so ago it took you and me to lift one of these things off the ground," Daemon remarked.
"My power is still returning to what it once was," Janell said, "I am Witch and therefor I will continue to grown into being Queen."
"That is one tower down," Locust reported as he, Emerald, Jeyne, Sureal, Graysfang and Saetan came over to them. "I would expect that each tower has some sort of trap like this built into it. It would also be foolish to have the same style of trap at each one."
"What do you think we can expect," Saetan asked.
"I can probably... help with that," Emerald said. "Three tests, one of strength, which was this one... One of intellect, and one of survival... It was something that we used to evaluate... new members of our operation back when Cinder was... well you know."
"How do you know which is which," Jeyne asked.
"We won't until we are faced with it," Emerald said, "We have to figure it out."
"The next tower is in the desert north west of here," Locust said.
"A desert," Luciver remarked, "The perfect place to have a survival challenge."
"Where is the last one," Daemon asked.
"In the heart of a dead underground city," Locust replied.
"A perfect place for a test of intelligence," Sureal said.
"I wish I knew the lay of this world's energy lines," Janell said, "Then I could teleport us all to the next tower but as it is I can only make small jumps, we might as well walk."
"Unfortunate," Locust said, "While it will give you and Emerald time to heal it will also give the enemy time to prepare. … The next tower is three days away on a Warthog, let's see if we can get some from the next patrol that arrives."
"How long will that be," Luciver asked.
"Not long," Locust replied, "The convoy that left is returning due to the alarms and the explosions. Based on my thermal readings they should arrive in ninety seconds."
"Shifting us," Janell said. A moment later the group was in the murkiness of Janell's energy layer. "Locust. Timer?"
"Seventy seconds," Locust replied.
"We can not see them while we are in this energy layer," Daemon remarked.
"I'll shield us so we will not be surprised when we emerge," Saetan said.
"Graysfang and I will take care of anyone on those turrets," Sureal said as she flipped her dagger in the air and caught it.
"We can take out the guys on foot then," Daemon said as he indicated himself and Luciver with a wave of his hand.
"I can draw their fire," Jeyne said, "I've taken bullets before, I'm not afraid of them."
"You would have died if it was not for Janell," Luciver said, "Besides we will have a shield around us."
"Ten seconds," Locust stated as he cloaked. Luciver checked the edge of his battle ax and snarled. "Now." Locust said. Janell brought them out of her energy level and back to the normal world. Gun fire rang out as the team appeared in a flash of light. Luciver charged through three of the mercs only to find that they were already dead. Each of the thirty mercs fell over with three bullet holes in them, two in the chest and one in the head."
"What the," Luciver stated.
"Clear," Locust stated as he uncloaked by one of the warthogs and reloaded his SAW. "We will need to take a warthog without a turret to fit Graysfang and one with a turret to hold the rest of us, who knows how to drive a Warthog?"
"Only if it is stick," Daemon said, "Automatics throw me off."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Locust said. "That was a terrible joke by the way."
"Jeyne come on you can man the turret," Emerald said as she got into the side seat of a Warthog. Locust got in the same Warthog's driver seat. Daemon got into the driver seat of the transport Warthog and Saetan got in the passenger seat. Luciver, Janell, Sureal and Graysfang piled into the back with Graysfang laying down between Sureal and Luciver. Luciver patted his wolf friend's back as the team drove off towards the next tower. Locust was correct about the next tower being three days away. He did not mention, however, that it was three days with only one stop during the whole trip. They were able to pick up on the radio conversations between several of the merc groups as they drove and they learned more about the towers and how to shut them down from control panels within the tower.
They arrived at the tower around midday. The sun was scorching the desert as the team came to a stop to let Locust scope out the area with his sniper rifle. Janell and Emerald were doing better thanks to their abilities to heal rapidly. Janell was completely over her fractures and Emerald was able to breath and talk normally again but Luciver could see that her side was still sore from the way she would grimace every time she checked her bandages. Emerald's gash had completely healed by this point, leaving only a barely visible scar under her green hair. Luciver stretched his wings and flew up into the air for a few feet before returning to the ground.
"Ah the air in this place is so good for flying," Luciver remarked.
"And flying is good for getting spotted," Locust stated, "Fortunately it looks like this tower is unguarded. This is probably the survival tower so whatever the trial here is may prevent it from being able to be guarded."
"And you have no idea what the trial is," Graysfang asked so everyone could hear him.
"No," Locust stated, "Leave the cars here. Luciver with me, let's go look at this tower."
"I could just break the rift again," Janell said.
"You could but if they sent three Apocicas through the rift last time what might get sent through this time if it is not shut down properly," Saetan said, "It is wiser to play by the rules of this game now that we know them."
"Stay back and cover us," Luciver said as he and Locust headed for the tower. Luciver looked at Locust and asked, "Why me?"
"Because you are effective and brutal," Locust said, "Two attributes of a true soldier. While you do not like me, I can trust you to get the job done."
"Those are attributes that I have yes," Luciver agreed, "But not because I am a soldier, It's because I was a killer and I am still very good at it."
"Yet you have a sense of duty," Locust said, "If a soldier is ordered to kill he kills, there is no hesitation, no thought he becomes a weapon until his target is dead. You are a soldier because you kill when you are ordered to by your Queen."
"Whatever," Luciver replied as the two arrived at the base of the tower. "So now what?"
"That energy field there should let us in," Locust said as he pointed to a blue energy shield that was over a doorway. "Hold on a second." Luciver stopped his march to the door and waited for Locust to approach it. The merc looked the energy field over then took a grenade out, pulled the pin and rolled it through the opening before backing away. The explosion from the grenade did not come back out of the opening. "As I thought," Locust said, "It is one way, there must be another door to get out somewhere else."
"I see it," Luciver said as he pointed up towards the top of the tower. An orange energy field was covering another doorway about fifteen stories up. Locust fired a round at the door which deflected the bullet.
"Also one way," Locust said.
"So the only way out is up," Luciver said, "How is that going to be hard to survive?"
"We will find out soon enough," Locust said as he walked through the doorway into the tower.
"We've got one way doors here," Luciver thought to Daemon, "keep the rest out of the tower until we turn these shields off."
"Right," Daemon replied, "Be careful in there."
Luciver drew his ax and headed in after Locust. Inside was a metal room lined with sarcophagi. A few had been damaged by the grenade but otherwise they seemed in perfect condition. The metal room was bare of anything else even a door as far as Luciver could tell.
"If we can not walk back out of this shield," Luciver said as he leaned against the energy barrier that covered the door, "How are we getting out of here."
"The sarcophagi are big enough to hid a door," Locust stated, "I would assume that the ones that are not doors will have some sort of trap in them."
"Explosives," Luciver asked.
"Mummies," Locust said.
"Can they be killed," Luciver asked again.
"Yes," Locust said as he pulled open a sarcophagus and blasted the mummy inside in the head with his shotgun. The Mummy roared as it dissolved into sand. "Clear them all," Locust stated as he moved to the next sarcophagus. Luciver started on the other side and the two soon found the door up and cleared the room.
"That wasn't bad," Luciver remarked, "I was just starting to get warmed up."
"Save it," Locust stated as he walked to the door that led up. "An elevator? Luciver can your energy beam cut through this metal?"
"Let's see," Luciver answered as he entered the elevator and cut out a hole in the roof. "Yes." Locust climbed up through the hole to stand on top of the elevator and Luciver joined him a moment later.
"The rooms up are not shielded from this side," Locust said. He then turned and looked at the cables that operated the elevator. Locust grabbed onto one of the cables as he said. "Fly up to the top and cut the cable opposite mine that will cause mine to pull me up to the top.
"Right," Luciver said as he flew up to to top of the shaft. He landed inside the top room and saw the energy door that led back outside. Luciver turned around and looked back down the shaft to make sure he cut the right cable. After confirming which one he was to cut a quick use of Luciver's energy beam and Locust came flying up the shaft to join him in the top room.
"I don't see a control panel," Locust remarked after a quick scan of the room.
"We also didn't see a door on the bottom floor," Luciver said. Locust just looked at him before moving further into the hologram filled, metal room. Luciver swatted at a pesky hologram as he moved past it and it changed colors as his hand passed through it.
"The room is the control panel," Locust said. "Could the holograms label what they control?"
Luciver pressed a hologram that looked like a door and the energy barrier that led to the outside deactivated. "Looks like it," Luciver said, "Which one closes the rift then?" Locust looked the holograms over before touching a sphere which turned red.
"You got it," Daemon said.
"Daemon says we turned it off," Luciver said.
"What does the one you hit first control," Locust asked. The two turned to look at the hologram. It was of a massive man with what looked to be a star embedded in a hat. "That is unfortunate," Locust stated.
"Why is that," Luciver asked.
"You woke up the mummified sun king," Locust answered, "We should head back to the others and get out of here before he reaches the surface."
Character Ezio
"Diablo is finished already," Ezio asked Leah after she informed him and Claudia that he was on his way back.
"That is what he said," Leah answered with a shrug, "I just hope..."
"Hope what daughter," Diablo asked as he came into the room via a red portal. He was joined by the woman that Ezio had met in the rift and who had given them the Architect's robes.
"Well that the plan worked," Leah answered after doing a double take and composing herself.
"So you know each other then," Claudia asked.
"Not really," Ezio said.
"Well that is about to change," the woman said, "As I told your friend here, I am Raven Branwen. Yang is my biological daughter, however situations demanded that I had to leave her and Tai to protect them."
"Tai," Ezio asked, "Do you mean Lao?"
"Yes, Lao is his title," Raven clarified, "It means elder. That Yang and Ruby have turned it into a term of endearment is charming."
"Well that is great but can we focus on the Templars," Claudia asked.
"Yes whatever your past is we can sort that out later," Ezio said.
"That is generous," Raven remarked.
"Right now," Ezio continued, "we need to find out how many of the templars have turned to our side. We also need to get the artifacts for Leah."
"This portal will take us back to the room with your artifacts," Raven said, "You will also find that the Templar's highest level commanders are unconscious in that room."
"Come on Ezio," Leah said, "Let's go get these artifacts and check on the Templars."
"I'll go with you so the portal doesn't close," Raven said.
"Ezio," Claudia stated.
"We'll be fine," Ezio said, "Leah can let Diablo know of our progress so you two can stay updated."
"What if they wake up and turn on you," Diablo asked, "I should be there in case..."
"Dad," Leah said, "You should be here so we can let Claudia know where she will need to send the Assassins to link up with the Templars and which groups will need to be dealt with differently." Diablo glared at Leah before snarling. He took off the robes that he was wearing and threw them to Claudia before reverting to his normal form. He then walked over and started studying the table where the map of Templar positions was sitting.
"Go then before I change my mind," Diablo rumbled. Ezio, Leah and Raven nodded and stepped through the portal. The three were back in Raven's Neither Realm for a short walk over to another portal once they walked through it they were in the room under the Vatican where the Artifacts were stored. Ezio first took note of the forty-three unconscious Templars on the floor then he noticed the rows of artifacts and the holographic control panel that they were linked to.
"Leah see if you can control these things," Ezio said. Leah sent out a tendril of her power to touch the console that was dominating one wall of the room. The room responded by throwing up holographic controls around the room.
"Well that is a thing," Raven remarked as the back lit, black, prismatic walls of the room came to life.
"What do they do," Leah asked.
"What do you mean," Ezio asked. He could read the labels on the holograms just fine.
"It's just jumbled symbols, gibberish," Leah said, "I can't read what any of these buttons do."
"Must be an effect of the artifacts I control," Ezio said, "I can read them just fine, here follow me." Ezio walked around the room and read off the various commands to Leah. It boiled down to four main choices to augment the artifacts with and several different styles of enhancements to the effects.
"The first choice is mind control," Ezio said, "With this you have the option of subconscious control, illusion control, and overpowering control. Second you've got physical control, with the options to control muscles, nerves, or blood. Third is elemental control, in this case weather, rain, wind, heat, light. Lastly is self control with the variations of pain, focus, reactions and unbreaking."
"And I can only imbue these Artifacts with one of these effects," Leah asked. "But there are so many here."
"Each one empowers the effect you choose," Ezio said. "They work together like a web."
"Well I guess I'll take self-control and unbreaking," Leah said as she pushed the buttons Ezio had indicated were connected to her choice. The room rumbled as the Artifacts rose off their places on the shelves that sat along the wall and all slammed into Leah. Ezio tried running to her side but Raven restrained him.
"Wait if you interrupt this you could actually hurt her," Raven shouted at him, "look!" Ezio looked to Leah again and saw that she was standing in the center of a vortex of the Artifacts and that the artifacts were dissolving into Leah as they came in contact with her. As the last artifact melted into Leah Ezio braced for an explosion or a flash of light or something but there was nothing. The room powered down but that was it.
"Um, did it do anything," Raven asked.
"I don't know," Ezio replied, "Leah?"
"This feels... incredible," Leah said after a moment. "Let me try something." Leah walked over to one of the metal stands that the Artifacts used to be on. She punched it and as her hand traveled it was surrounded by a golden glow and when she hit the stand it shattered. Ezio pulled out his Artifacts to scan Leah as she moved to another stand. She was totally unharmed by a punch that should have broken her hand. The next stand she kicked and it too shattered when her glowing leg came in contact with it.
"What did the Artifacts do to you," Ezio asked.
"I can harden any part of my body so that I am indestructible," Leah replied, "That glow is the power of the Artifacts hardening my body structure."
"Uh who, Architect what happened," a voice mumbled. Ezio turned around to see the Templar Grand Master Marcel Dublin rising to his feet. "Who are you three and where is the Architect?" Marcel drew his sword as he pointed it at Ezio, Leah and Raven. "Wait I know you." Marcel aimed his sword at Ezio, "Ezio. So tell me, assassin, why didn't you kill us in our sleep?"
"Because your part in helping this world is not yet over," Ezio said. "I know the artifacts altered your perception of this world, of both our organizations. Now that you know more about the outcome of all the actions that have been taken by both our groups, do you really have to ask why I didn't kill any of you?" The other Templars started to wake while Ezio and Marcel were talking. Ezio went to help one of the Templars up as Marcel slammed his sword into his sheath and did the same.
"Fine, I can concede that the Templars are not entirely correct on how to guide the world," Marcel said, "But neither are the Assassins."
"No they are not," Ezio agreed, "I am no longer a part of the Assassin order, I am a member of a group called Dragon Company. I and my friends here must return to them but not before I make sure that you and Claudia can come to an arrangement where our orders are working together for the betterment of this world."
"Claudia, she is your sister is she not," Marcel asked, "How would she help me?"
"She holds as high a rank in the Assassin order as is possible for us to obtain," Ezio said, "The other leaders will listen to her and with my backing I very much doubt that they will go against the words of the very aspect of death." The white mists of death started rolling off of Ezio for a few seconds as he finished his sentence.
"My portal stands ready to transport us back to Claudia," Raven said, "If you wish to meet with her we can do so now."
Marcel looked between his men and Ezio and his friends, "Fredrick, take the men back to their posts. I will return in a week, hopefully with an accord between our orders."
"A...As you command Grand Master," Commander Fredrick said, "Men return to your posts! Sir we will await your word in the coming days." With that Fredrick left to follow his men."
"You're remarkably trusting," Leah said as the four made their way to the portal.
"If you three were intent on killing me then you would have done so before I woke up," Marcel said.
"Are we ready," Ezio asked.
"They know we are coming," Leah said after a few moments, "Claudia is uneasy about this but she agrees to it."
"She is uneasy about it," Raven asked, "She is not the one being asked to go into the heart of his enemies domain through a portal that he has no idea how it functions with people who he only knew as enemies until a few moments ago. She will get over it."
"My feelings exactly," Marcel said as he tentatively touched the portal.
"Do not be afraid," Leah said, "You are under our protection as long as you do not disturb the peace." Marcel just looked at her before he walked into the portal after Raven. Ezio and Leah followed them and in a few moments they were back inside the fortress of Monteriggioni.
"What is that," Marcel asked as he saw Diablo.
"I was your Architect," Diablo stated as his fiery eyes glanced up from the map on the table.
"Grand Master Dublin," Claudia greeted, "I trust you find our accommodations agreeable?"
"We will see," Marcel said, "Claudia Auditore da Firenze, I can honestly say that I thought if we ever met it would be in combat."
"Well it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it to be," Claudia said, "You would be at a disadvantage though."
"I see and you've even cut off my escape," Marcel said as Raven closed her portal.
"Then hurry up and start talking," Diablo rumbled. The sooner you come to an accord the sooner we can all get back to working on our plans."
"I don't think that will be happening," Cinder's voice whispered through the air. "You see I need this world to be unstable so I can harness it."
"What is that," Claudia asked.
"Cinder," Ezio said as he readied a throwing knife. "Magog-Cinder that is. A demon that has been our enemy for a while now."
"I thought she disappeared," Leah said.
"Oh I did but only so I could track you and your assassin there," Magog-Cinder said as the demon burned it's way into existence. It's body was literally born from flames that burst up in front of the group. The really disconcerting thing was it looked exactly like Cinder, not a trace of demonic influence in the body.
"Claudia, Marcel into the portal," Raven said as she slashed her portal into existence.
"Not a chance," Claudia said as she drew her sword.
"Same," Marcel added as he too leveled his sword at Magog-Cinder.
"Such Drama," Diablo remarked as the floor under Magog-Cinder exploded sending the demon flying through the roof of the fortress. "But it makes for a nice distraction. That apocalypse spell will not kill the demon but it will weaken it."
"Let's go finish it off then," Raven said as she closed her portal. Ezio pulled out the Apples and located Magog-Cinder.
"Are those," Marcel asked.
"Yes," Ezio replied, "Come on she landed in the town square." With that he led the group out of the fortress and into the town. Monteriggioni was laid out in a square with the center being an open market of sorts. This 'town square' was where the Magog-Cinder had landed and it was just a short run for the group to get over to it from the gate of the fortress. They arrived to find Magog-Cinder opening a portal for some of her demons to come through. Raven canceled the portal with her own abilities causing Magog-Cinder to spin around to face the group.
"Six on one hardly seems fair," Magog-Cinder remarked as she summoned two long, curved, swords into her hands. The swords were broad and black with glowing orange lines running through them. Ezio also noted that they were connected to each other by a fiber of some kind.
"Why would there be," Ezio thought but then Magog-Cinder linked the swords together to form a bow and fired six exploding arrows at the group. Leah jumped in front of the arrows and they exploded on her enveloping Leah in a cloud of smoke. It cleared to revel Leah glowing with the golden light of the artifacts, she appeared like a statue of super heated bronze but she was as hard as titanium.
"I believe we've had this dance before," Leah said, "If the Magog side of you is the same as the one that we forced out of our Cinder then you know how this encounter will end."
"We will see," Magog-Cinder replied as she returned her weapon to it's swords form.
Ezio and Diablo had worked their way around to the side of Magog-Cinder while Raven was standing beside Leah and Claudia and Marcel were flanking Magog-Cinder from opposite of Ezio and Diablo. Magog-Cinder charged Leah but Raven had other ideas. As Leah braced for the impact Raven threw a portal in front of Magog-Cinder and then threw another one on the ground. Magog Cinder fell through the portal in front of her and shot out of the one on the ground. She spun in the air as she readied her bow but Leah and Diablo had their own ideas. Leah was single handedly firing her massive crossbow at Magog-Cinder while Diablo was unleashing his lightening inferno. Claudia and Ezio both started to throw knives at the now falling Magog-Cinder and Marcel dashed forward and planted his sword against the ground so that the demon was impaled on it when she landed.
"Damn you're strong," Magog-Cinder gasped upon landing on Marcel's sword. "But I'm stronger still. This fight will continue elsewhere." With that the Magog burst into flames causing Marcel to back away from it until the fire cleared. His sword had been melted in the heat but Magog-Cinder was gone, at least for now.
"That was clever with those portals," Ezio said to Raven.
"An old trick Tai introduced me to," Raven said.
"I see now what we truly must fight," Marcel stated.
"As do I," Claudia added, "I will call the other leaders of the Assassins to meet with you here it may be a week or so before they arrive if you would like to have word sent to some of your men to meet here as well."
"That would be appreciated," Marcel said, "I think we can come to an arrangement." The Templar then looked at Diablo, "Architect you have my thanks for forcing events into this path."
"You're welcome," Diablo rumbled. "Magog-Cinder is gone now, she will wait for a more opportune time to attack us, probably try to pick us off one by one."
"Charolite," Raven muttered, "Oh no."
"What," Ezio asked.
"Charolite was sucked into a dimensional rift," Raven said, "She is all by herself."
"How much of our activities have you been observing," Leah asked.
"Most of them," Raven replied, "D, take Leah and Ezio back to DC, tell them to start looking harder for a way to get to Char. I'll try to get to her via my realm. If I do I will see about opening portal for you all to come through."
"Can we trust you two to play nice," Diablo asked Claudia and Marcel.
"Certainly not," Marcel said, "This is not a game, you can expect us to work together to prevent that creature from coming back here however."
The next thing Ezio knew he was being lifted off the ground by Diablo, as was Leah and the three were surrounded in red before they arrived beside Mephisto outside of Grishnake's Smithy.
"Welcome back brother," Mephisto said, "Had an eventful trip?"
"We ran into Magog-Cinder," Diablo said, "Where is K?"
"Out," Mephisto said, "Why?"
"Magog-Cinder will be targeting Charolite," Ezio said, "We need to find her."
"The Leviathans have been trying to locate her with the Sentinels' aid for the past week," Mephisto replied, "Unless you have something that will help them find her I don't think we can speed up that process."
"Ezio," Leah stated.
"The Artifacts," Ezio said, "That just might work, I have enough of them to triangulate with now. Where are the Sentinels?"