Secrets of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!
Chapter 9: The Price of Freedom
Semira Isle Outskirts
It was late morning. The sun was shining high above in the eastern heavens. The wind was cool and smelled like the salty sea. No longer was it filled with the earthy scents of the forests and mountains. It was slowly sinking in that he was leaving Semira Isle.
Flying overhead of the crystal blue waters, Aeron glanced back at the island gradually growing smaller behind him. With his black hood blown down, his raven locks fluttered against his goggles as his silver eyes turned away from the mainland. There was no going back on his decision. It was too late to back out. His father would be furious by the time he returns, but…Would it be worth it? To step outside his home? To learn his father's past? He sighed. Lord Tristan proposed quite the offer.
The glistening aqua blanket stretched far into the distant horizon. Even at the altitude Aeron was on, there were no other land forms to be seen. It only proved the how big the world really was. The lands beyond his view were unknown and full of mystery. He could only wonder what those places are like. Probably, like Semira Isle, probably not.
Either way it was going to be a long flight to reach anywhere. Aeron gently stroked the dark dragon's back, wondering how long could the pokemon manage with its three pairs of thin black wings. Knowing that it was raised in Black Scythe division, it would probably last longer than normal ones. The creature growled submissively at his gesture, showing no signs of fear or uneasiness.
Aeron took a deep breath and gazed upfront. His mind wandered again. It was like a first for him. He was now beyond the boundary of his known home. The skies were a familiar place yet somehow the atmosphere had this unexplainable feeling of freedom. He flew several times using his father's various flying pokemon, but this time around, something was different. The fact he was on a Hydreigon belonging to the Black Scythe unit wasn't it. It was as if he had flown out of an invisible cage.
*beep* *beep*
Aeron's Xtranseiver went off. He snapped out of his semi-dazed state and glanced at the contact: Lord Tristan. His mood darkened as he pressed the answer button. The image of the man appeared on screen. He looked like he hadn't moved from his usual spot that night. He was still sitting in front of his desk with an amused grin on his face.
Aeron stared at the screen with a cold look. "Is there a problem, Lord Tristan?"
The Black Scythe master chuckled under his breath. He could barely hear the boy properly in the midst of the roaring wind, but he managed well enough. It was a common talent to read by just looking at the person's lips. "It seems you're enjoying yourself."
Aeron's brows furrowed slightly as he answered, "…Hardly."
"Is that so? Are you getting along with your pretty little seniors?"
"They are not my seniors," Aeron corrected, calmly yet defensively. It was true in a sense that they belong to a different division. And besides that, the boy didn't want to be associated with the Black Scythe division, any more than he already has. He was now standing dangerously on the edge of that boundary. Tossing aside the useless comments and questions, Aeron stared at the image of the man displayed on his device. "If you don't have any important questions, Lord Tristan, I shall resume my duty."
With a moment's wait, he pressed a button on the Xtranseiver and ended the communication. Aeron redirected his gaze up front as he grasped the black cloak with the Black Scythe insignia. His expression became completely solemn. The call wasn't overall useless. Truthfully, it reminded him that he was bound to their agreement. He was on a job with a trio of assassins somewhere surfing the waves below. The feeling he had before was merely transient.
A tension lingered. The billowing breeze muffled the symphony of the vast ocean waves. Only the howls and the Hydreigon's beating wings were all that could be heard.
Noir, positioned in front of Aeron's lap, sensed the boy's dampened mood and zoned out expression. He cooed to catch his attention which he knew worked all the time.
The boy looked down at his Noibat partner who was smiling and flicking his ears cutely. Aeron's eyes softened and he patted Noir with gratitude. "I'm okay. Let's just get this over with. I'm sure father will be angry by the time we get back." Father, I want to do this. Not because I want to know about you and the Black Scythes, but I want to see what this world really is.
Senka Island, Semira Isle
Lord Tristan dropped the Xtranseiver on his desk, and waited. He could hear someone coming. Footsteps outside his door grew louder with each passing second. His mouth curved into a grin as the doors to his office flew open. A brown-haired man with stone-like hazel eyes stormed towards his desk. He was cloaked in a tattered desert cape that wrapped around his neck and hung just above his feet. It was dusty in color with the Sky unit's insignia embedded in sepia.
"Where is Aeron?!" he demanded, slamming a hand on the table.
Lord Tristan was calm. He glanced behind the man and saw several of his Black Scythe subordinates, along with their pokemon, sprawled on the hallway floor. The sight was amusing for him. He adjusted his round glasses and looked up at the glaring individual.
"I had him run an errand for me," Lord Tristan replied with an innocent sly grin.
"What kind of errand?" Lord Altair stared the other man down. He was composed but steadily growing impatient.
"My, my, aren't you the concerned father?" Lord Tristan held back a laugh of amusement. He turned his eyes away from the Sky unit leader and scanned a few papers scattered on his desk. "He isn't out there to kill someone, I assure you. My girls have that covered."
Lord Altair clenched his teeth. At that moment, a whirlwind came out of nowhere and ravaged the inside of the office. Documents flew like leaves in twister. The decors shook and slammed across the room. By the time the violent winds died down, the whole office was a mess. The Black Scythe master readjusted his hat and glasses. Thankfully, they weren't blown off, due to the fact that they were in the middle of the mini-hurricane.
"Yyyannnmee…" A large green insect buzzed hoarsely and perched itself on Lord Altair's shoulders. Its large tail curved in front of his trainer's chest while its wings kept vibrating.
Lord Tristan's smile vanished as he gazed at his office. He placed a hand below his chin and sighed. "I still don't understand you…"
"Just tell me where you sent Aeron." Lord Altair was calmer but his icy tone was still there.
"Tell me, my dear predecessor…" The red-headed man locked his two hands together and gazed at the Sky unit leader with utmost discretion and curiosity. "Why are you still hung up on this child? Have you really gotten attached to him?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Oh, contraire …it is." Lord Tristan chuckled amusingly. "After all—"
"-Enough! I have severed all my ties here, as well as that of Aeron's." Lord Altair declared.
Lord Tristan sighed in disappointment and looked down at the surface of his desk. "You know that boy is perfectly like a bird. One you chose to cage for many years." He paused and waited for the other man to contemplate on his words. Then he raised his head and once again met Lord Altair's gaze with a small grin. "Even if he is loyal to its owner, the primal instinct of a bird is to fly off once it gets the chance... I was merely the person to open that boy's cage."
Lord Altair was silent, but his emotionless gaze was still fixated on the person sitting down before him. They stared each other down as tension grew all around. Finally, it broke when the black Xtranseiver rang somewhere in the room.
With a small gesture, Lord Altair's Yanmega flew around the office and returned with the communication device. It handed the Xtranseiver over to its master and returned to its former position. The Sky unit leader gazed at the caller's name: Bellatrix. Then he tossed it over to Lord Tristan who pressed the answer button.
"Reporting in?"
A young lady with braided brown hair appeared on screen. "We are en route as we speak to the point of interception."
"Very nice." Lord Tristan complimented with a small chuckle. Before he continued, he grinned slyly and returned his attention to the other man, "…And the boy?"
Lord Altair flinched unnoticeably, knowing all too well who he meant. His eyes narrowed as he listened more intently. Lord Tristan seemed amused. Even if the man before him showed no strand of emotion, the current leader of the Black Scythe division could feel the change in the air, easily reading the amount of tension settling in.
"He went on ahead," Bellatrix answered, unaware that her master had company.
"Alright. Report in after you all complete your mission," Lord Tristan instructed.
"Yes, master."
And with that the call ended. Lord Tristan placed the Xtranseiver back on the desk and waited for his guest's reaction.
"What mission?" Lord Altair asked in cold and serious tone while raising a brow in suspicion.
Lord Tristan explained a few details of the task that was sent to them. He also explained why a member of the Sky unit, a.k.a Aeron, was necessary for the mission. He didn't give the final destination of the job, nor did he mention anything about what Aeron was receiving in return for his assistance.
Lord Altair couldn't care less about the assassination job. All he was demanding was Aeron's location. He grew frustrated with each passing minute, but he maintained much of his composure. By the time, Lord Tristan finally answered his predecessor's demand, it was already the middle of the afternoon. He had some of his members bring them tea while others took the ones that were badly beaten to the infirmary.
When it was time for the Sky unit leader to leave, Lord Tristan stood up and called his attention. "You know, even if a Bagon sprouts wings, it's not a bird. Deep down, it will always be a merciless dragon with the lust for blood and violence."
Lord Altair ignored his remark and left the grounds with his Yanmega and his son's location.
Back in the room, Lord Tristan contemplated on his guest's actions. "Dear me, it really seems like the Salamence still intends to act like a daddy Swellow towards his little chick… Shame."
Night was descending. The first couple of stars sparked in the faded pastel skies, while, the cool blue waters became dyed in a deep orange tint. A cold wind drifted by as if it was heralding a bad omen. Aeron stood beside the Hydreigon on a rock formation in the middle of the sea. Indeed, it had been a long flight, and the dark dragon needed rest.
The sun was setting. The darkness and chill was settling in. The boy's eyes panned the horizon for an approaching ship. So far, there wasn't any. Anticipation and anxiety grew. Aeron pulled his hood up and clutched the black cloak. Somewhere underneath, he could feel his royal blue scarf. It brought him a sense of calmness, but it wasn't enough to completely ward the heavy atmosphere. Noir flew off of the Hydreigon's back and clung to his trainer's shoulder. He cooed and watched the distance along with Aeron, hoping to help lighten his spirits.
Then a large dot appeared, growing bigger and more distinguishable with every passing minute. The time had come.
Aeron placed a hand on his partner's head and took a deep breath. He predicted much bloodshed, and took a moment to prepare himself mentally. He wasn't going to take part of it, but either way, knowing what was about to happen, made his stomach turn. The raven-haired boy contacted Bellatrix using the Xtranseiver and informed her that the objective vessel was in sight. Once he confirmed that the assassin trio were arriving soon, he ended the call. Without wasting time, he got back on the Hydreigon to get a bird's eye view of the ship.
It was a massive cargo vessel, strong and grand as it surged effortlessly through the waves. He couldn't tell the number of people or pokemon inside, but he could guess that there should be a lot; if not people or cargo, then pokemon.
Aeron maintained a high altitude to prevent people from seeing him. He took cover amongst the bluish-grey clouds and eyed the opposite side of the ship where streams of white water waves rocketed towards the ship. One was ahead, keeping a straight and steady pace while the other two were zigzagging around, almost forming double-helixes. The three had arrived.
Aeron looked away at the thought of the assassin trio. He turned his gaze up at the heavens where the final traces of daylight faded away. Stars began to dazzle the moonless sky. If it was any other day, then it would be considered beautiful. But this beautiful night will soon be drenched in shades of red, along with the sea.
End of Chapter 9
It's around 2.3k words. Shorter than the last but probably the next chapter will be longer.
It'll be my first doing something really dark and highly possibly violent.
Well, let's just see how I do in the next chapter.