The meeting was set for 8 this evening, over the past hours dozens of people had slowly trickled in, all of whom had their features hidden by dark cloaks and strange masks. These Masks seemed to have no Holes for the eyes and appeared completely blank except for individual scratch-like markings on the spot where their mouth was supposed to be. Some of these masks stood out by their coloring as well. While the most of them were an ivory color, a few of the people who had entered the mansion wore masks in shades of grey, red or green,
Vuk, Gabriel and Asmodeus were the only ones allowed to show their own appearance as the Lady's Generals and Confidantes.
When the Great wooden Grandfather-clock in the Ballroom struck 8 and the countless figures had gathered around their respective places, the iron double doors opened, and their Queen and Lady stepped into the room.
Each and every single soul in the room saluted her and stood at attention before they were motioned to sit by her tight nod. As one, they sat down, not a sound left them as they waited for her to speak. Slowly she stepped to the head of the table, the skirt of her dark red dress dragged behind her as the light from the chandeliers reflected from the bejeweled bodice. A sheer black scarf wrapped softly around her tan shoulders and her dark curls were gathered in an elegant up-do with some ruby ornaments peeking out, showing off her tipped ears and inhuman arm.
None of these sights seemed to bother the individuals in the room who stayed still as statues and had their full attention on the singular female before them.
Her clear voice rang across the mass:
"I thank you all for coming, for those who have not been here before, Welcome to my humble abode. I am the Black Queen and the leader of our organization. The meeting was called on such short notice as important information was gained this afternoon, that will change the fundamentals of our family. It has come to my attention that certain individuals have turned their backs on us and have given up on quite a few locations of operation. HQ was breached this afternoon, while I was out on a mission of my own. We lost some of our brothers, may they rest in piece and know our gratitude for all they have done. A memorial will take place in the coming days, families will be welcome to attend, preparations are underway. The traitors are being dealt with this very moment, do not worry."
Stopping for a moment Ebony gazed around the room as shadows wrapped around certain people, who vanished without a trace. No screams rang out, but the people around those tensed up in obvious distress or shock.
Coughing softly, all attention was back on her.
"Calm yourselves! You knew Loyalty and Integrity to be our top values and if those are broken without good cause you forfeit this family and your life. Coming to the second point of this meeting. From this Evening onward, I, Ebony Sylvestra Auset, step back from the position of leader of our great family. – Murmurs and whispers broke out immediately- Calm everyone! The information I have gained today was deeply troubling and I will have to leave before the morning to deal with it together with my three generals. I will leave you in the capable hands of Sir Nemo. From this day onward, he will be the leader and head of this family and I expect you to follow all his orders to a T, am I understood?! -A simultaneous 'YES' swept across the crowd- Very Well. You are excused. Head of Formations Alpha through Lambda stay behind…"
Silently, most of the faceless people left the hall, all giving a reverent bow as they passed the Lady in Red before leaving the mansion and returning to their posts.
Staying behind were the few ones with shaded masks, who upon the emptying room, moved further up the table. They kept silent, but some had started twitching nervously when the silence grew.
One of them coughed softly and grabbed the word.
"My Lady, what is this? What Information could you have gathered that would make you step down? You have been our Leader for so long!"
A tiny smile graced painted lips and glowing orbs narrowed in amusement.
"Come now, Abel. Do you not think that I have been here for long enough? Truthfully…There was no new Information. But I have grown tired of my position and what it brings with me. Selfishly I decided to leave, and my companions have decided to come with me. Have you not realized over the past few years that I have built up our people's strength and force? Our Enemies would have surely thought this Family to be weak, if I had just suddenly up and left and would have attempted to gain control. Because of this I prepared and trained you all for this moment. With Nemo as the Head, you will stay in position and there will be no risk of us leaving now."
Another one spoke up." Very Well. Where will you go? Will you stay aligned or be cut off completely?"
"I will leave completely. After this evening you will never face me again."
"And what about these traitors? Was that a ruse as well?", the same cloaked figure asked.
"No Evan, these Turnback's have truly forsaken the family and had to be dealt with. HQ was breached this afternoon, but the intruders were killed immediately. We have lost 79 of our brothers and they will be avenged, but first the other bases will have to be relocated. Nemo is on it already. He will inform you of everything in the morning."
"Any orders for us specifically?", came the gruff voice of the person with the darkest mask on.
"Do not worry so much Gol, everything will resolve itself. Be as you were, and everything will work out. I left an emergency contingency plan with Nemo. I expect to only be contacted when the clock has struck 12, understood?!"
Firm nods were the answer.
The rest of the meeting flew by, filled with social talk, some more inquiries and answers…
Soon an hour had passed, and the last members were dismissed as Ebony made her way up to her personal chambers, where her generals and closest friends were already waiting for her and their orders.
The Three tall figures all sat around a low round table in the Livingroom area, on which different documents, maps and odd objects were scattered, softly talking to each other as the giant hulking form of a panther was seen laying in a corner, keeping their eyes on the three. Immediately upon her entering, all five pairs of eyes moved to the females form in apparent anticipation.
"Good, you are here. Have the others been informed? – Nods answered – Very well. Azazel, you are bound to me which sadly does not give you much of a choice, but you three, Asmodeus, Gabriel, Vuk, are you completely sure that you wish to accompany me? I will not return, as such there will be no turning back for you three and where I am going, you will be like fish out of water. You will have to forget everything you have ever learned and learn to adapt at the blink of an eye. There is a high chance that one if not all of you will die. Be warned."
Vuk was the first one to stand up and step closer to his red lady. "Da Kraljica moja, the others and I have thought about this. We have spoken often over the past years, and we truly wish to come with you. You are our Queen and as your knights, we must accompany you. It is our duty and wish.", his answer was met with an annoyed expression on the female's face.
"Duty, huh? That does not really help your case… But if you three truly desire to come with me, then who am I (just your god damned queen, eh?) to keep you from it? Deus. Have you prepared everything as I ordered?", her husky voice was just as quiet as when she was talking before, but sharpness was laced underneath. The impatience to leave was slowly leaking through.
"Yes my Lady. Everything is sealed and ready to be summoned. The workers wished to inform you of a couple of improvements to the original designs as well as a couple extras. A couple is an understatement in my opinion though. There is an entire catalogue. They were certainly happy for the challenges you gave them…", Deus answered with a sharp smile and a playful glint in his chocolate-colored eyes.
"I was so free to add another few things which will come in handy on our travels if I am right my assumption of our destination… Quite useful, I assure you.", Gabriel added from his place on the couch.
"If there is nothing else, preparations have finished and all tasks have been delivered to the respective people, I want you to give this envelope to Nemo, Gabriel. It contains further instructions. Afterwards, you three go and get changed. Where we are going, it's going to be sunny, wet, and salty. Meet up here in 20 minutes…"
Gabriel grabbed the ivory letter and left in search of the new leader, closely followed by Asmodeus and Vuk.
The black-haired beauty left to her bedroom and adjoining walk-in closet. There she soon found what she was looking for:
A simple black three-piece suit, with west and jacket, a red silk tie with the same soft pattern as the black shirt underneath. Silver chains held her pants instead of a belt. Paired with it was a couple of black leather gloves, of which she only chose to wear one to hide the odd blackness of her left arm. For now. Simple dress shoes finished the outfit.
Looking in the floor-length mirror of her closet, she made some final adjustments, before a knock at her door signaled her to come out. The others were ready and waiting for her.
Stepping back to join the others, they had already gathered in the center of the room, standing in a circular formation with Azazel in his Mono-head form.
"All of you Grab onto me, this will be a wild ride. Best close your eyes, ignore everything that may speak to you or touch you, otherwise you will die. Upon our arrival I will inform you when it is safe to open your senses again. Not a second sooner, have I made myself clear?", Ebony ordered, rightly expecting her companions to follow her every word.
"Yes Ma'am!", came their unified response as they each grabbed onto her hands or shoulders. They were ready.
A last gaze swept through her room and once out the window. "Not sure if I will miss this or not. We'll see for now, this is goodbye SS-T-110697G"
With that her eyes began to gain glow a strange purple as black tendrils grew from all their shadows and wrapped and slowly crept over them until their entire forms were shrouded in darkness and only Ebony's odd eyes penetrated the darkness. The next moment they vanished. No explosion, no wave or energy, they were just…gone.
A new Chapter in their life was just about to begin…