Kazuma trekked onwards in top of the mule his father gave him. Out of the many things he's glad for, he remembered how despite them being shocked and somewhat irate of the crime he committed, they still hugged him, and said their goodbyes.
'I don't care if they say you're a criminal or not, I don't care if I'm sending you out there! You are still my son, and I'd be damned to let you die and rot from the buzzards.' The words that came from his father rang inside his head.
"I guess I partially deserve this." He muttered to himself. "I didn't have any evidence to prove that my judgement will prevent me."
Sighing to himself, he looked at the night sky and gazed at the full moon and felt all of his troubles at least melt away. But his moment of peace didn't last long as he felt his mule bray to a stop.
"What is it, bud?" He asked it, patting it's mane to try and calm it down.
Looking around, he noticed that the night grew quieter. Not a single sound of crickets or whatever could be out making sounds out here at night, it's just quiet like the sound of death. Along with it came a thick fog, almost making it hard for him to see... Then he saw a sprite. A bright blue sprite suddenly flying around him, leaving behind trails of its dust as it flew.
Kazuma raised a brow, and in his bout of curiosity, he reached for it, but it only flew away. Only for it to spin around as if it wants him to follow.
"Well, I think I know what we need to do, bud."
The mule snorted it's protest, but complied, and followed. Kazuma looked around, but the fog was too thick, and the only thing that lights the way is the sprite that led the way. He didn't know why it came to him when the fog came, nor why did it come to him. But he had to follow.
Then after traveling with it, he found something over by the distance. Ruins of an old fort, complete with three towers and a keep, and old scuffed walls adorned with grime and moss, yet, it looked like it would stand for another hundred years for the people that once lived within it's walls. Yet, a part of him felt something... greater than the antiquity of it... Something that he knows.
Dark magic, is what he felt. He felt it wafting through the air like a nexus, swirling through his ears, almost hearing the whispers of temptation of using the dark forces. Weaker men would have fallen for it, and carve their paths though ruination, but him? Kazuma knows better than to listen. It's only the second side of the same coin, one that he knew how dangerous it can be, especially onto the wrong hands.
He knows better than to be swayed by it.
Nonetheless, he continued on, onto the fort's ruined gates.
The foggy courtyard did little to ease him form his own growing apprehension, but a sprite led him here, and he'll ensure that he'll see what it is, and what it wants.
The Idea of it being a trap hasn't been lost on him, however. Old and decrepit forts usually are a bad sign, and they're often unhospitable. They're usually used as hideouts by deserters who decided to leave and become bandits, or monsters breed and cause problems.
Quiet and desolate, it didn't do much to calm his nerves, and just adds more to his worry. He gulped and made his mule stop, and from there, he saw a figure from the distance, shambling over to him. His mount stopping and neighing in fear, the legs kicking and bucking. Kazuma quickly drew out his sword and aimed it at them.
"Stay away!" He yelled out. "I'm not afraid of you!"
The figure only moved forward, and Kazuma became more perturbed as it came closer, and saw what it was. It was an odd looking demon, with a red and white face, forming together like a picasso painting, and the horns that crowned his head, but he was more perturbed on how thin and gangly the demon was. It looks like it was going to be blown by the wind, and yet it would still stalk you by the trees and rocks, for it can fit even the thinnest branches.
He shuddered a little, thinking about it made him sick, but he won't fall. He raised his blade to strike it, and yet it caught it... and melted it. His eyes widened in fear and was about to ride out of the fort until the demon spoke.
"Do not run... We have been waiting..."
He stopped and gave it a confused look, backing away until his fear returned as the demon grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Do not run..." It repeated. "The fort has found an heir."
"What?" He said to the demon, confused, but he didn't get any answers, he gets hauled away by it.
'Better than death, I suppose...' He mused in his mind as he goes deeper in the fort.
[Present Day]
[Dennis]
Soldiers and the militia stayed within their trenches, firing at the raiding Black Dogs and kingdom supporters with their guns, crossbows, and sometimes magic. However, it's clear that there numbers are not enough, judging by how many there are right now. And it didn't help with the fact that the dogs are doing the same thing.
For every bullet or arrow shot, both sides followed up with the same thing, and people died on both sides.
Thankfully, reinforcements have arrived.
Dennis charged with his friends, along with the army of the undead. He grabbed an unused rifle on the ground and started firing at the dogs, with every shot nailing every one at the head before throwing it at a Black Dog's head as it runs out of ammo. He pulls out two short swords and charges at the dogs.
After the soldiers in the trenches realize they are being reinforced, they got out with renowned vigor and they charged with the undead. The enemy stood their ground and charged as well, as they refuse to back down, only to have some of their morale go down as Arten threw a bag of grenades at them, along with Thompson savagely striking them with his claymore.
Nemesis raised her blade, and from the sky, a few shots of light volley down, clearing out a swathe of them. It didn't take long for the dogs to realize that they are outmatched, and they fled. Some didn't make it far as they either got shot, or some of the undead caught up and killed them. The soldiers began to cheer, but Dennis only sighed and put away his axe.
Something about this feels wrong, and it's not about the killing. Rather, it's about how Boe Dasher died, and to him, there's someone inside that killed him. And with the raider attack that just happened, it felt way too... coincidental.
'Maybe I'm overthinking it.' He rationalized, and went back inside with the rest.
Thompson drank the pale ale, gulping down the boozy beverage as he stands at the encampments. He looked over at the body of Boe, and how Dennis seemed a little bit suspicious. He gave him the mug and gave off a bit of a sigh as Dennis took a swig.
"I don't understand." He began. "I don't want to sound rude, but why do you seem... Concerned about his death...?"
"I don't know, and I'm not sure." Dennis replied curtly and wiped some of the froth off his lips. "It's just that. We've been sent here to negotiate with them."
"I see." Thompson said with a slight drawl, nodding a little as he goes back to looking at the body. "I'm guessing he's a big deal then."
"Not exactly. Boe Dasher's just a speaker for House Knaplace. They were one of the houses that joined Kazuma's campaign over to reclaim Ansur from House Pantielle. They wanted to come, but since taking the place will be beneficial, they decided to send him in, bearing the mark of their house to show that he's a trusted friend."
With that, the two departed, walking away from the body to check up on the others. Gears turning their heads, pondering slightly as to what it would lead to. A murder within the walls is a large concern, especially if the victim was a close friend of a noble house.
Dennis can't help but think that they may be targeted, but he doesn't know if it's a conspiracy, or just some irate refugee who decided to take out their frustration on him for their plight. Might sound dumb, but not unreasonable.
"I'll go check with the others." Thompson told him. "You should do the same if you're worried about your own group."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine." Thompson said with a slight chuckle. "I have died once, and I am reborn to what I am now."
Dennis nodded with that, and both of them departed.
[Alicia]
She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, trying to remain calm and composed, and yet, she can't shake off the feelings that she has.
Boe Dasher was murdered and that much was clear, but she can't help but feel somewhat agitated by it.
Ever since Kazuma took Eostia by storm as he raised an army of the dead, and encouraged some of the lords to rebel. After she was freed from the bonds by the Black Dogs, she has always wanted to strike back against them after she suffered the humiliation given by them. normalcy somewhat returned to her. But she still has one bone to pick, and that is to reunite with with Prim again.
She remembered how broken she was, and how she called her a liar after all of that. She felt her blood starting to boil, and she gripped the tablecloth in growing anger, but she tries to remain calm.
She'll have her revenge sooner or later, and this might as well be the beginning. And she will have her due.
Knock knock.
"Must be someone..." She muttered to herself and gets up from her chair, thinking of things that can at least put a smile on her face. Or at least look somewhat friendly.
When she opened the door, she saw Dennis, his axe latched onto his back and carrying two bottles of at least decent quality mead. With the way how his eyes looked, he was silently asking if he can come in. She let him in, and led him to her bed. She watched him place the bottles and sat on the bed, stretching a little.
"So what brings you here?"
"Checking up on you, along with the others." He replied curtly. "I can't help but feel something off ever since Boe died."
"I can agree." She sighed and joined him on the bed and grabbing one of the bottles. Savoring the taste of it.
Then she felt him grab her shoulders and gave her a gentle massage. She was taken aback, but she let him, trusting him enough for something like this. She felt her tension melt away, and sighed blissfully just as he stopped. It's almost sweet in a way.
"Thanks." She said mirthfully.
Dennis nodded with a smile as he looked around.
"If I didn't know any better, I could've sworn you're planning on seducing me."
"Hey now, I'm only doing it because I wanna know if you're okay. The others seem to be fine, that's for sure." He said defensively.
Alicia laughed and gently punched his shoulder. "Oh loosen up, will you? it was just a jest."
Dennis sighed, but he gave her a smile. With that, he grabbed the bottle and took a swig out of it as he spends some time with her.
Moments passed, and Alicia laughed gleefully, slightly inebriated from the honeyed wine as Dennis is there, happy to see her being raucous despite the grim situation they're in. Dennis laughed a little bit because of it, and ruffled her hair, hearing her whine a little bit in her drunken gaze from the gesture.
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, not the hair...!" She giggled with a playful pout.
"Can't help it." Dennis replied. "Gotta make sure you're absolutely happy."
Alicia purred a little, and then she felt him stop. She sighed happily and lied down, feeling the weight on her shoulders being removed at Dennis' gesture of kindness. It's sweet in a way, how he cared about her. Surely much more tender than those dogs-.
She touches herself in the forehead, practically snapping herself out of it. What is she thinking? Fawning over him like a dainty maiden just because he showed her the basic amount of gentle human kindness. It's not bad, and not insulting. It's just somewhat embarrassing that she found herself acting like that.
But it wouldn't hurt, wouldn't it?
"Hey, wanna know something?"
Dennis looked at her. "What is it?"
She put the bottle down and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzled, smiling lightly. With the way how he moved, he was somewhat taken aback, but he returned the gesture. She sighed soflty, letting herself enjoy this wholesome moment.
"It's sweet that you did that for me." She cooed.
"I just wanted to ensure that you're alright, that's all." He replied, and he felt her giggle, lightly slapping his back before she faced him.
"Thank you for that, Dennis, it means a lot."
He smiled back and ruffled her hair. Then at that point, the door and they looked to see Noah there, standing their with a gobsmacked look on his face.
"Am I interrupting something?" He asked questioningly.
"It depends." Alicia, stroking Dennis' chin.
Dennis' eyes widened, Alicia laughed as she got off of him. Dennis quickly got off and dusted himself. Alicia laughed even more the moment Dennis gave him a look before he turned to Noah.
"What is it?"
"I was about to come in and ask to see if she's interested in joining my patrol for the night, but it appears that I walked in on something intimate."
"Not at all." Dennis dismissed with a handwave. "I'll join in on this patrol of yours. How much are we looking into?"
"Just making sure that there's no discord amongst us. Along with finding anyone suspicious, that's for sure."
Dennis nodded, and after bidding a quick goodbye to Alicia. He walked off with Noah.
[Dennis]
The patrol is going on smoothly, if one so expects, as nothing exciting ended up happening during the nightly stroll with Noah. Which is good, considering that if nothing is happening, then that means you're doing a good job. And Dennis supposed that looking at the scenery is somewhat exciting, considering that the place was well kempt, despite the refugee tents and there's not a lot of rubble to be seen. A decent fort, he supposed, as it was indeed practical. Morale seems to be good too, if he had to add that in.
"Lemme ask you something." He heard Noah ask, and he turned to him.
"What is it?" He replied.
"I know we kind of talked about it before, but I can't help but ask... Is it true? That the Lord of Bones is a good man?" Noah said to him, curiosity clear on his eyes.
Dennis snickered a little at the nick name, but it was inevitable that titles will be named for him, and the rebellion he threw was supposed to be in defiance against the dogs, and now that some lords and Houses are swearing to him, he's getting good traction, and good progress. He also knew enough about Kazuma that this war he waged, it was never about him gaining power, but to drive them out. Whether exile by sea, or be buried six feet underneath.
"You can say that." Dennis said with a smile. "If he wasn't, the Shields would have been held hostage, and you wouldn't see a lot of support."
"I guess you're right." Noah nodded with a smile, satisfied with his answer.
Noah hummed, and Dennis began whistling a tune. Both of them relaxing as they seem to enjoy each other's company, in a way, being glad that everything isn't entirely dreary, especially with Noah confiding with the fact that Kazuma isn't a terrible person. It slowly felt like the old days, where they were more concerned about the war between the two elves- at least for Noah- and how they at least trusted the dogs to win.
Oh what was he thinking... This land was torn by war between two feuding elves, and now torn by a war between sex slavers and a necromancer.
Although he supposed that would be better, and considering the news that he freed the Shields, and how they're fighting with him... It appears that Dennis is right, and that the Necromancer is somewhat selfless, but in the advent that he might not be and only doing it for the glory and fame, it's still arguably better than what they have now.
He sighed, now what he was going to do next might just be cruel.
Then he heard a scream, and both of them came to a stop. Dennis instinctively pulled out his axe and brandished it, looking around before turning to Noah.
"You heard that?"
Noah nodded, and pulls out his sword and charges to the same direction with Dennis.
"Come on! Shut it! The more you scream, the more this is gonna hurt!" A Black Dog yelled against a woman, trying to force himself down on her.
Yet she kept on resisting, thrashing around even after his mates are currently holding her down, she refuses to even think about letting them get anything, so she screamed one more time, only to shut up as she gets one of their cocks shoved down her throat.
"Finally, now we can get to the good paAAAAAAAAAAAARGGHHHHH- AHHHHHHHHHHH!" The black dog roared in pain as he felt her bite down onto his johnson hard, and he started prying her off.
The woman let go and snarled at him with a slight feral smile, her teeth bedighted with small splotches of blood. She laughed a little in a taunting tone before she managed to kick him in the shin, making him fall down with pain.
"You're not gonna get what you want from me!" She yelled out. "You'll burn! You dogs will burn with the others that joined you!"
"That's enough!" Another black dog punches her to the ground, and cruelly grabbed and slammed her on top of the crates. "We were going to be gentle with you girl, but now, we're gonna fucking ruin you!"
He and his greedily started tearing her clothes, each one taking their sweet time, savoring her now failing resistance. They started throwing insults at her, at the one who got bit by her slapped her hard upon the lips and grabbed her head hard.
"I'm gonna have my payback!" He declared, and he forces his cock into her mouth once more, and began violating her.
And then Dennis came in, and Noah picked up a stone and threw it at them. The dogs stopped, but they kept the girl pinned down, making sure that she won't be able to get away. Their leader glared at the two, and pulls out his glaive and pointed it at them, as if challenging them.
"You two don't know the amount of trouble you're getting into!" He declared. "You better walk away while you still can!"
"I don't think I'll abide by that!" Dennis retorted, and gets ready to charge
But the leader just smirked, and whistled. "Oh, Rudrik! Someone wants to see you!" He laughed and walked back. Dennis looked over by the archway, and found a tall, burly man, clutching a mace as he walked over, his bald bearded face carrying a neutral face as he looked at all of them. Dennis was taken aback by how someone like him was able to sneak in, and Noah trembled a little, intimidated by his large figure.
"Good evening." Rudrik said politely as he walked over to the Black Dogs and sided with them.
"This man here is Rudrik. A good friend of ours, and he wants to greet you!" The leader said with a smug smirk, and Rudrik nodding. "Now, if you excuse us, we have something we need to do."
With that, the leader walked away, and Rudrik walked in front of them, brandishing his mace, and watches them for any move they're about to do. Dennis took a deep breath, and gets close to Noah.
"Save the girl, I'll take on the big guy.." He whispered, and both shared a nod.
With that, both of them charged. Rudrik clutched his mace, and runs at Dennis. With a mighty roar, he brought the mace up, and brought it down. He looked down as the cloud of dust settled, he raised a brow as he didn't find any splatter of blood, or his ruined body. He began to look around, only to groan as he feels something biting down onto his backside.
"You should've been paying attention!" Dennis taunted as he pulled out the axe, and kicked him down. He then followed with a strike to the head.
Rudrik quickly scrambled and blocked with his mace, gritting his teeth as he tried to meet Dennis' strikes. He batted the axe away, and grabs Dennis by the collar of his shirt. A victorious smirk appeared on his face, and lifted him up. Dennis trashed around, glaring at Rudrik as he begins to laugh at him, mocking him for being ensnared.
"Any more tricks, boy?" He snarled.
Dennis said nothing, staring at him directly in the eye before a smirk appeared, then suddenly, he jabbed a knife into his wrist and twisted it. Rudrik roared in pain, and he ended up letting go. Then not wasting any time, he kicked him in the balls, making him fall to the ground and then knocked unconscious with the blunt end of his axe.
On Noah's side, he charged at the leader, and proved that he was no slouch with a sword. The leader struggled with the twirls of Noah's bladed dance, his glaive not doing much against his swift strikes. He screamed in pain as Noah nailed him in the knee, realizing the situation could be dire, one of his cronies charged at him with a spear, but he just parried it to the side, and killed him with a swift stab to the neck.
The others realize the grave situation they're in, the dogs quickly abandoned their prey and fled, only to be stopped as the militia men blocked their path. Seeing as they're surrounded, they had no choice but to surrender, and dropped their weapons, not even resisting as they were manacled.
"Cowards, all of you!" The leader screamed, trying to get up despite his injuries.
"Quiet, you." Noah said, and slapped him down.
"You think that's all of them." Dennis asked, panting a little bit.
"Seems like it to me." Noah replied as he looked around before looking at the men. "Take them to the cellars, ready them for questioning."
The men gave him a nod, and took them away along with the big guy. The leader on the other hand, didn't want to go without a fight. He trashed and screamed, even biting at the soldiers, only for one of them to put an end to it as he received a swift punch to the head.
Noah sighed and sheathed his sword, and quickly walked away. Not even listening to Dennis as he called out for him, asking where he was going.
[5 days later]
Torien drank as she watches Dennis and Ogrimm boredly, both of them screaming and yelling as 5 days passed after the death of Boe. All of it started as Ogrimm- in his drunken state, suddenly began hyperventilating and panicking as he thought one of them will be next, and Dennis tried to calm him down, only for it to turn into a massive argument.
Which is why, with a pilfered bottle of wine, she watched with the rest of the group, watching the verbal chaos in front of her.
"You don't understand!" Ogrimm bellowed. "Do you really think that acting calm is going to help anything?! One of us is already dead, but it already has been five days! FIVE! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!"
"I know, but you need to pipe down!" Dennis argued politely. "Yes, it could be anyone here, but the moment you're here, screaming out like a scared damsel, they're gonna take that as a sign of weakness."
"YOU DON'T GET TO CALL ME WEAK!" Ogrimm screamed and grabbed him by the collar.
Torien's eyes widened and she ran over along with Bronn, John, and a couple others. All of them grabbed the burly lord's arms and tried to pull back, but he just ended up swatting them away in his drunken stupor.
"Calm down, Ogrimm! I need you to calm down!" Dennis yelled out one more time, gritting his teeth as he grabs his hand, trying to get him to let go.
But Ogrimm didn't listen, and glared him down.
"SHUT UP!"
And the last thing Dennis saw, was his fist colliding with his face.
After a while, Dennis groaned as he woke up, blinking a few times and sees Ogrimm, Torien, and Alicia looking at him with concern. He weakly got up, and looked around, only to see it was night outside.
"How long was I out?" He asked.
"Too long." Ogrimm said mournfully. "Sorry for punching you, I was drunk and-"
"It's fine." Dennis interrupted. "I knew it was bad, and you weren't really in control."
Ogrimm sighed, but he accepted it nonetheless. Then he heard the door knocks. The young nobleman walked over and opened, and saw Noah, looking rather concerned.
"Is he okay? I heard what happened."
Ogrimm nodded and let him in. Noah took a deep breath and sighed as he looked into Dennis eyes, Torien narrowed her eyes, studying his movements.
"What's wrong?" Alicia asked him.
"It's about news." He began, and pulled out a note. "They're mobilizing. Some of our friends have given us news about it, and they're gathering a lot."
"How many, boy?" Ogrimm asked, narrowing his eyes.
"700,000 at least, but they suspect more on the way. I suggest you lot to leave. Now!" He yelled out, worry laden on his face as his fist clenched against the paper.
"Why are you telling us this, shouldn't that be going to them?" Alicia asked. "And why do you want us to leave?"
Noah looked them all in the eyes, and took a deep breath, then handed them a letter. Torien took it and began reading as her eyes widened. Alicia looked at him in concern before Noah cleared his throat.
"That note... That was a deal between us and them. I'm sorry, I should've known it was going to be like this, but..." He shaked, but tried to continue. "We had a deal with them to kill you all."
"YOU WHAT!?" Ogrimm roared and grabbed him by the collar "Give me one good reason not to kill you!"
"I know you're mad, but listen! I know I should've listened, but I didn't realize this is what they meant." Noah said in a panic. "I want you to get out of here now. When they come, they'll open the gates, and they'll let them in! Go! GO! I can't let them kill you, not when I know you have good intentions."
Ogrimm grit his teeth, but he put him down and let him get back on his feet. Noah sighs and walks over to the balcony to see if the streets are clear. When it looked to be clear, he looked at them mournfully.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you after he died. You need to go before the others could be next."
"But what about you?" Dennis asked, pulling out his axe for the slightest hint of danger.
"You don't have to worry." Noah began. "Once all is done, I'll try to-"
He suddenly stopped as the breath gets knocked out of him... he blinked a few times before looking down and seeing an arrow embedded on his chest. Torien, Dennis, and Alicia looked in shock as a couple more nail him in the shoulders and a good bit more in his chest before he fell to the floor. Dennis ran over and held him as Noah shivered, blood leaking out of his mouth and wounds as he looks at him.
He watched him struggle to say anything as it all came out gargling chokes murred in blood, yet he looked at him pleadingly as he puts on a hold on his shoulder, trying to tell him to go, but he couldnt. Then he went limp, the light fading out of his eyes as death finally claimed him.
Dennis grit his teeth as he gently put him down, and closed his eyes, anger coursing to him that they willingly killed one of their own after they already claimed there's. However, luck wasn't on his as Ogrimm got shot and fell to the floor. Alicia grabbed him as she looked at where the arrow got him.
"Don't mind me!" Ogrimm growled and pulled it out of his shoulder. "I'll live, find the bastard that did this!"
Dennis looked out, and saw a cloaked figure on top of the adjacent building, a crossbow on their hands, and with the way how they drop the weapon, they've been caugh, and are now fleeing. Wasting no time, he and Torien gave chase, with her on the roofs and Dennis on the ground.
"Don't think you're getting away!" He yelled out.
But the figure gave him a nonchalant glance and threw daggers at him, yet, Dennis deflected them all by twirling his axe like a whirlwind. Torien used this chance to jump over to the assassin, and when she made it, she pulled out her short sword and began swinging. The assassin dodged and jumped down, only to be tackled by Dennis.
Unfortunately for him, she pulls out a long knife and stabs him in the shoulder. He screamed in pain and let go, and the assassin kicked him square in the chest, but he grabbed on and pulled them in as he headbutted them hard. With the way how they screamed in pain, it sounded feminine, but he didn't care, as he pulled one of his arms back and gave them a punch that will definitely leave a mark.
Torien then jumped down and pinned her down, but the figure only rolled to the side away from Dennis and slammed herself against the wall, Torien let out a grunt of pain, but she tried to keep it in control, only to get tossed down from the assassin. Now free from the elf, the assassin resumed her escape. Climbing up from the wall with elven agility and flipped away as if to show of her dexterity.
"Fuck!" Dennis yelled out as he picked Torien up. "Who even is that?!"
"Not even I know..." She groaned before seeing the horn on her hip, and she quickly grabbed it and blew on it.
Dennis looked around as the horn roared, and to his relief, some of the militia came over. Along with Bronn, Alex, Thompson, and Arten, but he noticed that some were missing.
"Where's Nemesis? Where's Tek?" He asked.
"Busy with their own shit." Alex said as he cocked his Jezzail. "Come on, what's the situation.?"
"Found an assassin, and she came in prepared." Dennis said as he handed Torien over to some of the soldiers. "They already got Noah."
"Did they get anyone else?" Bronn asked in concern.
"Other than Noah, no one else. Ogrimm did get shot, but he'll live."
With that, Dennis and co. nodded and continued the hunt.
By the rooftops, she kept on running, and yet she knows that the streets down below we're unsafe now that they're there. And it also doesn't help that she's now starting to see Wolfmen climbing onto the rooftops along with other beastmen to do the same here. She grit her teeth, finding herself rather surprised, and stupefied over the fact that all of her chances are falling apart after killing him. It was all a part of their deal, and he was the traitor, so he had to be eliminated.
Yet, she cursed whatever god was there to see this as she's now stuck with this ever growing conundrum. At this point, she has no choice but to flee, and so she whistled, and came the gargoyle she rode in. One dark as the night sky so it can slip through them.
"You fucked it up!" He yelled in a hushed tone. "How did you fuck it up that badly?!"
"Had to deal with a traitor!" She yelled back as she got on.
The gargoyle grumbled and spread out it's wings, ready to take flight. Then it flaps before taking the air and soaring. All it seems to be well until the nets start shooting above.
"Damn it!" The Gargoyle cursed. "I blame this all on you!"
"I did what I have to do!" She argued back. "I can't let a rat tell away our schemes!"
"And look where that got us!?" He roared back until one of the nets snagged him by the wings.
The Assassin started cutting the binds off, trying her best despite the turbulence, but it was too late, she crashed to the ground below.
Dust and wood flew from the impact of the crash, and the gargoyle bleeds as it was impaled by one of the broken boards. The Assassin survived the fall, but in a daze, and cursed as her one way out lays dead. She hears the foot steps coming in, and she can already tell they're starting to surround her, and their is no way out.
"Don't move!" One of the lords, Argyle yelled out as Dennis got closer with the manacles he was given.
Yet she pulled out a knife, and glared at them all. Then she suddenly plunged the knife straight into her neck.
"No!" He screamed and rushed over, he then grabbed her by the collar and forcefully yanked her back.
She gasped as she tumbled back, and she ended up dropping the knife. She started to cry, sobbing as tears fall down as she tries to get away, screaming and thrashing.
"I'll handle this!" Dennis yelled out. "Search every single perimeter, make sure that they're all secured!"
"You heard the man!" Argyle yelled, and ran off with his mates.
Dennis then looked at the assassin with a glare, and walked off with her.
Ratcliffe sighed as he resides within his office, browsing through the notes and papers that he had, he stroked his beard in contemplation. He thought about Kazuma's offer, and it did seem promising, and with the Shields and Celestine by his side, he has given himself such a powerful claim. Yet, how could he trust him fully? Volt was the key to win the war, and they did... and they ended up starting another one.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He doesn't know what's the better option, stick to the Necromancer if you're not fully sure that he'll win, or let the dogs run amok.
'Fuck it!' He thought. 'I might as well let them kill each other. This is their war, not mine. We'll start over once the fire has settled!'
But even that makes him somewhat regretful. The keep they're in, was the last vestige of his own family, and before the Brotherhood and the Church came along, he had to ensure that they were all placated to not cause issues amongst the refugees. He's old, and he knows that he's old. He doesn't know if his heirs are still around anymore, for they were either taken hostage, dead, or working for them.
Besides, this was Jon's idea, and he provided them the means. Guess that means he's in deep as they are. Then he heard the door knocks.
"Come in."
And then Dennis came in. Hauling in the assassin, and slams her to the table.
"I found her!" He yelled out. "I finally found the one who killed Boe... and Noah..."
Ratcliffe went tense, but he made sure not to give it anyway. Noah may not be a person that he's close to, but that didn't mean he hated him. Three things went to mind, one is how Dennis could be a threat to their own plans now that he found the assassin, two is that Noah betrayed them and told them about what's going on...
And the third: How they're willing to kill their own...
'Poor Noah...' He thought. 'You didn't deserve this.'
"Now..." Dennis began once more. Grabbing the hood of the assassin. "Let's see who this is."
And with that, he pulled it off and turn her around. Only to stop to see who it is.
The mop of black hair, piercing red eyes, her pointy elven ears matching the color of her brown, dusky skin...It was the same elf. The same dark elf that tried to kill him back at the betrayal of Ken.
He still felt the ghostly pains of being pin cushioned. And it didn't help that he barely succeeded as he was bleeding out because of her back up.
"It's nice to meet you once again." She growled sarcastically. Almost having the same thoughts.
Dennis grit his teeth, but remained calm in order to stay professional. He turned to look at Ratcliffe, only to see him pull out a key from the drawer.
"Those are the keys to the dungeon, right?" He asked in concern as he sees him practically free from her manacles.
"I'm sorry, my boy." He began. "I'm afraid what we have going on has to come to an end, at least, right now."
"What do you mean...?" Dennis asked as he pulled out his axe.
Ratcliffe remained unperturbed and sighed, and grabbed his cane as he walked over to him.
"I had no choice." He began. "Ever since the dogs have been hired, we were ecstatic to see the war come to an end, only to see how they would betray us. You might have heard it multiple times, but it's a scar that still wounds us. You see... With the people here.. we thought of something. Since the Necromancer waged war upon them, it was only a matter of time until resistance was met."
Dennis narrowed his eyes as he clenched his axe, almost waiting for him to do something, but the old man only continued. "We have already seen enough war, and we are now in a third one. So we ended up thinking... Why not use it to be kings after we're done?"
"So you're willing to abandon everyone while you get to be kings?!" Dennis yelled out in anger. "What about the people here?!"
Ratcliffe only stared.
"It wasn't my idea." He only said to him.
He had enough, he decided that he had enough! With his axe in hand, Dennis raised it, and struck him down. But Ratcliffe was fast despite his age, and knocked it away with his cane and stunned him by striking his stomach. Dennis coughed and tried to counter, but it was too late as he got knocked out with one strike to the head.
"Finally." The elf let out... "Can I kill him now?"
"Guards...!" He slowly let out. And then he dropped the cane and started scrambling away like a coward. "GUARDS! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!"
"W-wait!" The Elf yelled out, but whatever protest she had fell on deaf ears as guards came inside the room. She tried to fight them off, but it didn't amount to much as one of them knocked her out with a hit at the back of the head.
With the two bodies sprawled out on the office floor, the guards looked at their leader for any more orders. He only brushed them away as an order to take them down to the dungeons, but before they left, he issued one command.
"Put them in the same cell. I want to watch them fight like rabid dogs."
With that, they nodded and ran off with the bodies.
=Meanwhile=
"So... you're telling me... She's in there as well?" A girl asked mirthfully as she looked at the map.
"Yep." Volt said with a grin. "It's good, isn't it? You finally get to play with her once more."
The girl remained still, but slowly, a grin crossed her face as she started giggling, and then it became full blows of laughter. She felt ecstatic that finally, finally, finally, she gets to play with her again. Ever since that mean necromance raised the dead and declared war, she barely had a chance to play with her ever since.
But now... that changes all. Primm grinned madly, and Primm will soon see her once more. Shame that it'll be a battlefield, but she'll make sure she survives, for she will be her prize. Her glory, and her toy.
A crow bared witness to the meeting, and soon, it started flapping it's wings before flying away, squawking as it looks down the city below. It sees the army forming their ranks, each one systematically taking their place. Orcs and Demons grinned as they got one last fuck session with their slaves as they started loading them on their carts so they can ravish them during the siege. Goblins laughed maniacally with their imps as they prepared their war machines, ready to ride out to the battle and sing.
Worst of all, they will bring their weapon. And the crow bear witness to it, an unholy abomination... One built from the flesh of those unfortunate to meet Shamuhaza, and became subjects for whatever dark magic he makes. It was large and hideous to look at, much more than the one that saved Volt from Ken.
The Titan bellowed, growling with it's many deformed heads as it glowed red from whatever foul magic and technology that was used to construct it.
Only one thing matters now, is for it to fly back at the Conglomerate and warn them all. The battle will come, and with that weapon by their side, they will be unstoppable...
He had to do it, and he needed to do it. Alicia is too valuable to lose along with his allies. Kazuma must be prepared, and his armies must march now if there was ever going to be a chance to save them. He could deal with losing the Conglomerate, but he can't let them die there.
With that, he made the crow squawked louder. Soon, the dead will march there to slow them down. All the time he needs to ensure their safety.
XX A bit of a shoutout to Axel as he noticed that it was 'Alicia' instead of Primm. Got busy trying to finish the chapter that I didn't notice, so thanks for that. XX