Chapter 15: Militant Force (3)

A grey column rose in contrast to the orange dawn.

Captain Huo Fang was seated on the balcony of the residence he was given for the now weeklong stay he'd been having in Kuchinashi. In his hands, he kept the dull, monotonous task of sharpening the knife. A practice that helped keep his impulses in check, while his mind wandered and meandered over the events of the past few days.

The morning after his arrival, a messenger from the two Houses reaffirmed his arrival and that of his troops. Within reason, they allowed him to begin civil restoration efforts, so long as it didn't impede the activities of the local nobles. He saw it in as good light as possible, but he would later chastise himself when he realised, he fell for a certain trap of the Court.

As an esteemed guest, he was to be entertained by the local lords for a set period of time. Any longer, and it would be within reason for the lords to kick him out in simple terms. This meant he wouldn't be able to coordinate the efforts of his men, let alone see any of them until the period ended. Granted, ignoring Courtly Culture was an option, but he would be stupid to do so, in a place so far from any ally other than his subordinates.

Fortunately, the one upside was that the House Lords had allowed his officers to have adjacent residency within the four-story building he was given, and on the same floor no less. From there, it was a matter of staying as up to date as he can with the happenings in the city whilst he was left to the devices of the Lords.

If only things got better from there.

He rose from his seat and spared a glance out to the front of the premises down below. Blinking, he noted the lack of noises from the streets in front of the building. It would've usually started being rather noisy at this hour, as all layers of the city rushed to start their day. Apart of him felt tightness in the chest.

Walking in, he made to appraise his room. Documents were arranged in an eclectic mess on a round table, most were his written observations on Summer Turmeric and Autumn Jade. A few were thin documents brought from home for reviewing at his leisure. Then, there were the handed in reports from his officers, but those were torn and burnt ashes in the one dustbin of the room.

Moving to the one cabinet near the door, he switched out his nightwear for his battledress. The change had been near subliminal, but he felt no comfort right now. Not since he noted the changes outside.

He'd sheathed and fastened both his dadao sword, and the smaller jian sword when a barrage of hard slams shook the frame of the entrance door to his suite. Body stiffened, but ready to draw, he waited for a second barrage on the door. It came as he'd predicted, but this time he noted the pattern. A small breath of relief escaped him.

Approaching the door, he opened it cautiously, using the furthest distance possible, and stretching his upper half to reach the handle. Beyond the small crack he allowed, was a lieutenant. One he recognised as the officer for the first company.

"What's going on out there, lieutenant?" he asked bluntly.

"Riot sir, nothing like we've seen before," came the tense reply. "Chief scout came in and told me to send you this."

The man handed him a small, folded piece of paper. Upon opening, he noted the bottom left corner had dried blood. Yet, that detail paled to the contents of the paper.

"Dissenters organising revolt. House Guards are compromised. Ringleaders unknown. Confirmed not Lords. Retreat is urged."

Huo Fang saw himself as a man who could and will continue seeing the worst of Anima throughout all his life. He had eaten from the trash of the slums. He had dined in places where poison was mixed into his meal. He had dealt with every manner of underhanded tactics a society of man could dish out. However, there was one kind of terror that he was rightfully wary, and that was unknown usurpers.

'The mercs?' he pondered. 'How could they've organised something like this?' Who's paying them?'

Prior to his journey to the southern city, he'd read in detail as to the limits of the mercenaries, and one of those was that they were banned from being near the city and its immediate vicinity, outside of guarding refugees in the midst of a Grimm assault. In addition, the refugees themselves weren't allowed to bring any belongings in that wasn't checked extensively by the House Guards. Hence, the likelihood of one of their own slipping in unnoticed was very slim unless they'd staged this whole crisis from the ground up.

A cold seeped into him at the thought.

Then the tremor shook him.

A mighty beast roared, raising earth and fire from the front. The captain dashed to the balcony once more, but he didn't need to step past the doorway to see it what was happening.

The front gates of the residence were gone. A mere gaping, smouldering cradle where it once stood. Blinking, he looked into the distance, and now he noted the thicker, and much, much closer columns of smoke. An audible, rising tide of chaos could be heard in the distance.

He didn't dally, and immediately turned heel. "Everybody up! We need to rally the battalion, now!"

With little sign of acknowledgement, his officer left the doorway. Huo Fang followed behind, but not before addressing his belongings. He pulled a simple Fire Dust mixture from his pocket, concentrated Aura into it and threw the entire thing onto the bed. He prayed it'd be enough.

Outside, he was met with all six of his officers. Many were straight-faced and poised to draw weapons. The ones closest and facing him nodded his way, as he entered their midst.

"Let's get going, we'll go out through the back."

"Yes, sir," they acknowledged.

They'd passed through plenty of surprised, groggy and confused housekeepers and other staff on the way down. The chef was surprised of their presence as they pushed through his domain and out the back.

What first greeted them was the wall, and behind that, the massive mound of Earth, the forgotten remains of an elaborate project of a noble. There was no gate behind the residence, only the path that went around it and led to the front.

The last of his officers had just exited the doorway leading to the kitchen when bedlam occurred behind him. A shrill cry and shattering of kitchenware were heard, and the captain and his men clutched their swords tighter. Still, the leader of the seven-man group had enough discretion to avoid confrontation for now.

"The front! Get around to the front!" he ordered.

Assembling into a looses circle with their leader in the middle, the group circled around the residence back to the front. Much to no one's surprise, it was swarmed by armed men, many wielding a mismatch of makeshift weapons ranging from wood to steel and iron, and even the odd pieces of masonry. Two different groups in the back were formed into three-man teams that lobbed flammables through the residence's windows with mixed success.

Of the throng, one man with a wok tied to his head noticed the group that had come from behind the building. His surprise was covered by an Aura infused fist slamming into it and sending him tumbling into his compatriots. The owner of the fist wasted no time and body slammed several other men, his Aura flaring at will.

Likewise, the rest of the officers and even Huo Fang charged in. No order was needed, the only way out was to fight through the remains of the gate. Concern for injury took second place, and they placed their trust in skill, discipline and the strength of their souls to break through the front.

A swing there, a stab here, a dogpile from behind. The Captain of The Capital Guard met each with the strength of ten years of servitude and station. He checked and countered with all the grace of one who upheld public order.

The rabble was far from the worst he'd seen. Yet, that only made his concern deep down grow more troublesome.

Eventually, the group was able to break through the mob and out into the main street. A few of the braver ones followed and surrounded the group.

"What now, captain?" an officer bristled, adrenaline running high with every word.

"Chau! Take point!" Huo Fang called over his shoulder.

The officer in question broke off from his position behind the captain and dashed to the front. Two officers parted to make room for their comrade, and two behind moved to cover the space he made. The mobsters watched, wary of the elite they surrounded.

Just then, shouting broke out from beyond the crowd. Someone, if not several people were making their way forward and through the masses.

At the same time, Chau gave a hand gesture. He and two other officers took a stance, and then executed a strike in unison. Their blades gut, cut and struck the nearest of the plebians. A streak of colour denoted their Aura. Chau followed up with a dropkick, transitioning into a spin that sent a man flying into a building. The suddenness of their attack had an effect on their poorly disciplined foes.

"This way!" the man called, and the rest of the group quickly followed.

Huo Fang and two subordinates stayed back long enough for the rest of the group to enter the building. As the three followed suit with the rest, the shouting from before caught the attention of the captain, who turned.

Just in time to see a fireball land in front of the doorway and sent him flying further into the store. Nothing could've prepared him.

Pain bloomed across his back. His vision blurred by half a dozen splotches. The smell of burning wood and furniture stung his nose. Blinking blearily, he fought to shake of the dizziness, he was rewarded with the sight of the destroyed entrance of the building. The two officers that'd been with him were close by, both wriggled on the ground, afflicted with heat simmering from their forms.

Across the destroyed front, he could see the mob backing off. A few among their number had the misfortune of being torched by their own weapon. Unlike him and his men, they didn't have Aura, and it showed as they were eaten alive by the fire.

"Sir!" one of his other subordinates called from behind.

"Get Kaito!" he pointed to the man on his right. "Pull back, now!"

The officer didn't hesitate, and together, they pulled their fallen comrades further into the building. By the time they'd exited into the back alley, the two incapacitated men had recovered enough to walk on their own.

"What happened?" someone asked.

"Explosives. Makeshift, but dangerous," the captain surmised.

"How did the plebs manage that? No way they'd managed it with scraps and tears."

"It's not the common folk whom I'm worried off."

"Then who?" another man asked.

Huo Fang breathed deep before resuming. "Scouts suspect the Guards are compromised."

"…. What? But that's treason! There's no way the Lords here will let them get away with it!"

"Not in normal conditions, no. But some of these people must've been recruited from the refugees. Pull in enough, and they'd overwhelm even the ones who are loyal."

His men looked at him bewildered, as if he'd spoke of a full moon. Yet, he found little else to explain their current predicaments. Furthermore, he'd noticed in the past week just lacking many of the Guardsmen here were. Many didn't carry themselves with discipline befitting a City Guard, let alone a trained warrior. A few even eyed him when ethics dictate it was ill-mannered. When he brought it up with the House Captains, they ignored him.

"We need to get to the Chímǎ," he straightened up. "We'll regroup with the rest of our forces and then plan a retreat."

"Retreat?!" an officer blurted out. "But sir! What about the city? The riots will attract the Grimm! If the chaos persists like this, it'd lead to the whole city being overrun!"

"I know," he growled. "However, the situation has been underestimated. I'll answer for us all when we get back, but for now…"

A rumble stopped him mid-sentence. All seven turned and looked up as a massive form passed above them. The shape of which was long, and a strange fan-like form whirred further above it.

"What in gods…" a man trailed off.

For his part, Huo Fang took a few moments to blink, before he turned to look at the end of the alley in front of him.

"Move fast! We have to get to the docks now!"

If the men had doubts, they made no vocal retort and followed their leader with resolution.

Reaching the docks required them passing two districts. One was an urban quarter whilst the other was a craftsmen's quarters.

The urban area was the scene of slaughter. There were mostly scavengers in the area, but that had to do with the all-out war erupting between the Guards. Huo Fang and his men saw no single street spared from having bodies end to end. He guessed entire sections had bled and died in close quarter engagements. A few of his men gagged, even seasoned as they were to the real horrors of battle.

Most disturbing, proved to be the square at the centre of the district. It was much to his heartbreak that'd he recognised his own colours among the bodies. He could only imagine what'd his men done to control whatever madness had erupted here. While little, he made a point to close the eyes of those he passed by. It was the least he could've done.

It was as he was closing the eyes of one such man that'd one of his officers called out in alarm. Looking in the direction of one street leading out of the square, there was a dozen men- no, a dozen Guardsmen standing there, haggard and bloodied.

They wore the colours of both Houses, but what took the attention of the captain was that the Guardsmen weren't fighting each other. Rather, their hostility seemed focus entirely at him and his group.

"It's them! Kill them!"

His men acted without order. Huo Fang stared dead ahead at a muzzle pointed at him. The muzzle flared a bright orange, and he barely managed to channel his Aura towards his raised left fist and his head. Not even a second later, he registered the thundering crack of not one but two rifles.

One impact forced his hand wild, the second impact connected with his head, and he went tumbling onto the stone pavement. His mind rang, but experience told him it wasn't pain from a bullet but the fall. Further evidence was him hearing the full-on melee brawl erupting further ahead.

Blinking twice, he raised his head just in time to see one of the Guardsmen approaching him. His Aura hadn't recovered, but he had enough to launch himself from the ground with both hands. Legs wide, he latched onto the man's waist and spun to send them both onto the earth.

He landed on his chest this time. Not even registering fully his position, he made to stand and with his sabre readied, he spun on his heel to face his adversary.

In a daring move, his opponent tried to replicate his own counter but with one leg. He sidestepped and unleashed an upward swing, punishing the man. Not giving rest, he stepped closer and brought the dadao sword down in a two-handed chop, breaking the man's Aura. A second strike, and the man through his eyes as half his neck was spilt open.

Yanking the sword out, he turned hearing a cry. Another Guardsmen was charging, and he countered the man's overhead swing with a double blow. One to catch their weapon, and another that was aimed at the man's cheek. Whether said opponent realised it or not, they'd apparently had no protection, and Huo Fang's sword sliced their right cheek apart.

As his second opponent reeled, he didn't have time to finish before a third appeared to his right. He dodged a sloppy thrust and responded by grabbing the man's arm and raising it. Like the previous Guardsmen, this one also lacked Aura, evident when he sliced his exposed abdomen in a diagonal slash, earning a howl. A kick sent his third opponent straight into his second. Both men he finished off with an Aura infused thrust that went through both bodies at once.

Fatigue kicked in, along with shock from the earlier rifle hits. He looked up to see that the fighting around him had died down. It became disheartening when he noticed only five remained.

"Sir…" someone called between ragged breaths. "…What's going on?"

His own breath was laboured, but he summoned what strength he had to straighten himself.

"Scoutmaster suspects that there's seditionist involved in this chaos. They've taken root within both the populace and the Guard."

"By the Brothers…" one of the officers trailed.

"We've to move now! The ship is our only chance out! Mistral must be informed!"

They nodded. They were tired. Even with the experience of many campaigns, killing fellow humans was something that troubled and weighed them down heavily.

They ran ahead, and towards the remaining district between them and the airship ports. A single gateway with both its doors shattered bordered the way forward.

"ARCK!"

One of his men fell forward face first onto the pavement. The air still swelled from where he was punched by an invisible force in the back. Right after, they heard a familiar crack.

"Sharpshooters!" another man called out.

"Run!" Huo Fang yelled back. "Get through the gate!"

No one had time to respond back as more rounds peltered them with deadly accuracy. Their lives saved by the strength of their souls as they ran forward, safe one.

The man that'd fallen earlier was unable to get up. Huo Fang himself tried to reach him but was thwarted by the increased ferocity of the sharpshooters. When he pressed on, he earned a bullet through his left knee for his troubles.

"Get out, sir! Get out! Get out!"

The officers made waving motions as he shouted. He continued making those motions long after his superior had been forced forward and beyond the gatehouse for shelter from the shooting.

The remaining five men of the group could only watch as their fallen comrade was riddled relentless with rifle fire from afar. Even after his Aura was shattered and his soul no longer resided within the mortal coil, the unseen sharpshooters continued tearing apart the body from afar. It became too unbearable, and many cursed as they made their way through the market district.

For the first in a long while, Huo Fang and his remaining subordinates didn't encounter anymore foes in need of dispatch or forcing them to detour.

In its place, was a deep, unsettling feeling.

For the market wasn't just torn asunder, it had been scorched. Akin to someone taking a giant's fist worth or Red Dust and blowing it over every building within the immediate area. Not a single building was recognisable from being eaten away from a now dead wave of flame.

And for that matter, he had yet to see a single one of his own Guardsmen within the area.

Despite his injury, the group never lost any speed in their haste to the airship ports. The bullet wound was clean through, and the lack of combat meant that he could afford to divert Aura to keeping the wound from worsening.

The entranceway for the ports was now just ahead of them. Orange light shown from beyond the barely standing, ash coated doors. The feeling within him worsened.

His men looked to each other, then him. With a heavy nod, he and his subordinates readied weapons as two amongst them opened the doors.

It was then they were assaulted by a wall of heat.

Huo Fang stumbled, the heat failed to trigger his Aura, but that didn't the intensity was something else. He initially struggled to see what was in front of him, but as his eyes adjusted, he wished that he'd have remained blind forever more.

The wall of heat came from a much larger wall of flame. It towered tens of meters above them. It swallowed their entire front of view, and its roars can be heard clearly from where they stood at a distance of no less than a hundred meters away. But worst of all, was the fuel for great flames.

It was the airships. All of them, including theirs.

As the group of warriors stared in horror at the inferno, they nearly missed the men who limped, stumbled and dragged themselves to them. The two officers who initially opened the gate were the first to noticed, but were certainly not the only ones to be frightened by the blackened, charred appearance of the men.

"C-captain.." the man in the lead of the new group croaked. "C-ap-ptain. You made it."

Said man collapsed onto his knees. Before he could fall over completely, Huo Fang dashed to his front and caught him. Close up, the captain was able to appraise the extent of the man's injuries. Many were beyond medicine's aid.

The man grabbed his shoulder. "Scoutmaster told us what was happening. We tried to pull back quickly, but we couldn't stop all of them."

"Stop who?" the captain prodded.

"T-The rebels," the man murmured. "Too many, too equipped…. Too strong."

"Did you figure out who's leading them?"

No response.

"Hey, don't fall asleep here, guardsman. Answer me!"

"We didn't," answered another man from the new group. "We were barely able to recognise the Jade and Summer uniforms from the masses"

Still kneeling, Huo Fang looked to the second man who'd just spoken and then back to the limp first man. He laid the now unmoving guardsmen down gently on the ground.

As he stood, he took stock of the men around him. Both his officers, and however many of the battalion that'd survived up to this point. All were tired, some were wounded and even a few were scared. Yet still, not a single one looked away from him, and he knew just as much what needed to be done.

"We can't stay here. We have to move and make our way to the noble's quarters. Don't stop for nothing. Carry whoever's wounded. We mov-"

A loud clap sounded above the flames. An instant later the captain and his men realised the loud, odd whirl above them, along with the cone of light shining from the object. When all eyes had turned and adjusted, they saw what looked like an airship of sorts, but not like one they'd ever seen. It was high enough to be within the size of their palm, but they could make out the distinct shape of wings and a narrow body. Above, was the thin fan-like shape similar to the one the officers had seen earlier.

The craft wasn't alone either.

A whole fleet of seven such craft were aloft in the air, and presumably more as well as dots appeared on the horizon.

So entranced they were, they nearly missed the roars and crimes coming from the market district. Huo Fang stepped side-to-side until he stood in the middle of the gate and between the two areas. He saw the oncoming tide of savage, armed mobs, along with a number of guardsmen among them. Turning back to the aircraft in the sky, he realised the nature of the situation before him.

A pang of regret filled the space where the weight in his heart had been.

He spared one final look to the men around him. The remains of the once prestige battalion of Capital Guards. He thought of their accomplishments, their heroism, and the many feats he had the chance to guide them to grasp. He looked into their eyes, and from the closest ones, he could make out the moisture from withheld tears; and he could see more than a few swallowing dryly, knowing what was to come.

Closing his eyes, breathing deep. He opened himself to resolve and death. The grip on his sabre tight white-knuckled.

"With me," he breathed. "With me!"

As he charged, he was followed by many a yell and roar. His hundred against the thousands.

Not a single Capital Guard made it to the other end of the market district.

There was no view to be had from the balcony.

Thick columns of smoke blocked all of Kuchinashi. Fire raged and spread through the districts like a moss eating a carpet. Even from above, the sounds of chaos -agony and rage- could be heard. Occasionally, the sounds increased in intensity, but like the waves on a cliffside, they were erratic and without tempo.

Yù Shí Bái swallowed hard, his nostrils flared red with irritation from both air and stress. Behind him, seated on a couch, his peer continued meditating to bleed her own distress.

The same question was on their minds, 'How did this happen?'

They'd awoken to the day expecting the same routine of the week. The same dally and distractions whilst their House Lords sorted out their bickering. It hadn't been needed for them to converse directly, or in secret, in order to steer the majority number of troops away from the feud. In truth, the only ones to have died were the hardliners of both their troops and that was many a week before this day.

With new troops being recruited from the desperate populace beyond the walls, it was their hope that they could use the inflated numbers to pressure the main branch of the two Houses to cease hostilities. That all changed when the guests from the capital arrived.

As if possessed, both received worrying reports of their subordinates going astray and acting on their own. It wasn't just them, but also the disappearance of a large number of their arsenal that set them off. Alas, with internal loyalties already disputed, the most either captains could do was consolidate their most trusted and wait out the violence.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Both man and woman turned to the door.

"Come in," spoke the captain of Autumn Jade.

A Summer Turmeric guardsman peeked through the door.

"Sir, Ma'am, we just got word that the rebels have torched the port. Capital Guards were seen fighting to the last man."

"By the Brothers…" Yù Shí Bái whispered.

"….. And Captain Huo Fang?" Jun Li asked.

"We're unsure as of this moment, but what we do know is that the guest residence was one of the places targeted by the mobs. No survivors from the staff or the captain's bodyguard, let alone the captain himself have been found."

She nodded. "Keep us posted."

"…. Permission to speak, ma'am?"

"No, you may not. Now, leave," interrupted Yù Shí Bái.

"….Yes, sir. My apologies."

The moment the door closed; Jun turned to look at her peer, her gaze a silent question.

"You know well what he was going to ask, and what his feelings on the response was going to be. We can't afford to lose anymore face than we do now."

She contorted her face into a pained look before turning to look at the ground.

"What does it matter if we lose face? We're done for anyway. That much chaos, the Grimm are gonna lick this city clean of bones."

"Let the mercenaries handle the outside defence. We just have to worry about what goes on inside here."

A broken laugh. "You expect me believe those money hungry mongrels are going to actually help us in this situation? It's more likely they'll be salivating at the idea of scavenging this city's carcass clean."

Before he could answer back, another series of knocks sounded at the door, and he gave a very irritated response to enter. The first tell that something was off came in the form of an uneasy guardsmen at the door.

"Sir, Ma'am, there's been a development. We've just got word from one of the radio stations. The Mercenaries are here in force, and their leader wishes to speak with you both."

Sweat dripped from both their heads. The man swallowed, whilst the woman breathed deep before responding.

"What are they doing here? Are there any other demands?"

"None, ma'am."

Both captains shared another look.

"Bring them into the meeting room. We'll be there shortly."

After the guard left, the two of them had a brief, but very detailed discussion to determine what needed to be said and done.

It boiled down to two things:

One, what were they doing here.

Two, why were they in breach of their contract.

Three, they had no business within the walls.

All three were brought up with the man in the meeting room who claimed to be the leader of the mercs. A stout man with a rounded face and slanted eyes. Interestingly enough, was the dress uniform he wore, albeit it lacked badges of any kind.

The man introduced himself as Amaris.

"I'll begin with my most sincere apologies on the matter of us being here. However, do understand that we ourselves were greatly alarmed upon seeing a sudden change in Grimm behaviour out in the wilds. It didn't help that our escort forces who were sending the latest wave of refugees back reported seeing smoke and fires all across the city. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together and take decisive action."

"Be that as it may," began Jun Li. "This is a still a breach in the agreement. Neither House Summer Turmeric, nor Autumn Jade will stand for this, and so we demand you leave the city with your forces immediately."

"With respect, no. Not with the current state of the city. We couldn't leave if we wanted to. Past those smoke columns out there, the skies are filled with Grimm, and our own air power is struggling to suppress them as we speak. Leaving only guarantees losses for both our sides, and I doubt your house guards are in any way or shape to fight right now."

The captain of House Autumn Jade stomped forward.

"You're stepping out of bounds, merc! Call your men off, or so help me, I'll personally see to it your contract is annulled!"

"My thoughts are the same. Take your forces, and get out of this city, now! That's an order," added the captain of House Summer Turmeric.

If he was amused or offended, it was difficult to tell. Amaris simply stared them down. Yù Shí Bái was about to call for his men when a Guardsman burst through the doors of the meeting room and knelt before them.

"Captains I forgive the intrusion, but we've just received terrible news."

"What is it?" spoke Yù Shí Bái through gritted teeth.

"Captain Huo Fang has been found dead in the market district. Rioters and rogue guardsmen killed him and the remainders of his forces. They also targeted the airships in port."

"…."

It was akin to hearing the end of the world. The colour on both captains drained. Heat permeated the room. All of them except the one foreign liaison in their midst was keeping their composure. Said men stepped towards the side of the guardsman.

"Rise up, young man."

Said guardsman looked up at the mercenary leader from his kneeling position. He turned to look at his own superiors first, but realised they were too caught in the shock of the news still. Mulling a bit, he opted to obey the commands of the man beside him.

"How long have you been in the City Guards?" asked Amaris after he was fully stood.

"…. Only a few weeks, sir," he hesitantly replied.

"You got family?"

"…. A sister, that's it."

"Then why are you here? Don't you love her?"

"I-I do!"

"No you don't! You're here while she's out there, ain't she?! You care more about those people! Then your own sister!"

Amaris wisely didn't point fingers, but the statement was clear enough. The guardsman, who'd already been shaken from crossing the chaos outside, was even more visibly unsure now.

"B-But, what do I do? What can I do?"

"How about you start by walking through that door and finding some like-minded folks. You look smart, get to it!"

With a shove, the guardsman was pushed to the door. The man spared a glance to his superiors and caught the disapproving glare they directed his way.

He decided his duty wasn't worth it compared to his family.

The moment the guardsman left; Amaris turned to face the two once more. Imagine his surprise when there were not one, but two swords pointed at him.

"You're responsible for this, aren't you?" sneered Captain Jun Li.

Amaris scoffed. "How do you proof that?"

"It's obvious," Captain Yù Shí Bái. "The sudden riots, the appearance of your kind here; I'm not even surprised if the bandits outside these walls were your doing! It's over! We'll have you arrested here and now and bring you straight to the capital for justice! Have at you, scum!"

If the man feared for his life, he didn't show it. Rather, Amaris only smiled and raised his hands.

"Very well, if that's what you're doing, then I suppose I'll have to surrender myself," a pause. "Feel free to explain that to my men, though."

Both captains had only a moment to register what was said before the room around them erupted into brilliant, painful light.

"…Reports are sketchy at best, but what our sources confirm is that widespread fighting has erupted in Kuchinashi. Both Summer Turmeric and Autumn Jade aligned City Guards are embroiled in near senseless slaughter following a mass revolt that claimed the lives of the leaders on both sides. The greater tragedy, however, is Captain of the Capital Guard, Huo Fang who was killed near the start of the unrest. Unconfirmed reports suggest that both Houses blame the other for the death of all three captains. Worse still, was when Colonel Amaris, leader of the mercenary forces, attempted to provide aid, and was attacked unjustifiably by the Houses, following unjustified reasoning.

Refugees caught in the chaos have opted to abandon the City and are seeking refuge in the outer areas, near settlements and towns. Mercenary forces are currently providing civil and military aid to the best of their abilities.

As for now, we can only pray that these troubling times come to an end. Sumika station will do its utmost best, in the meantime, to keep our listeners informed on the latest developments as they unfold."

War raged across the stretches of the city that was Kuchinashi. The initial flurry of violence had left the inhabitants shocked, alarmed and furious. Many knew that the refugees had suffered, but few thought they'd dared pull such a vicious move as this.

Then, when word got around that the Captains of the Guard were dead, despair began to settle in. Like a blood in the water, the Grimm came in full swing and now the skies were filled with Nevermores and other aerial kin of the Beasts. The majority of the populace remained indoors, save for brave folk scavenging for food, and the bands of looters and former Guardsmen who kept to the alleys.

Kuchinashi was not but a giant offering for carrion. Yet, hope still lived on in saving the great beast.

Underground, where the sewage waters met and were directed out of the city, a meeting was taking place. One side consisted of concerned reactionary citizenries. The other was a group of interest that'd been at the heart of the conflict since its inception.

The reactionaries had fifteen men to their five, but those were the ones the leader could see, and for all he knew, the mercenaries could drop them all dead here if they wanted to. It was for that reason he avoided appearing too demanding of their aid.

"That's the gist of what we wish to achieve. To summarise, we wish to bring an end to the conflict plaguing our city, but at the same time, we wish to avoid another case of nobility feud from ever allowing this city to the state it is in now. To do so, we need your help, and, in return, we'll give you free reign outside the walls and a place to set up here within."

A click and crack echoed in the dark. A little flame came alive and disappeared. All that remained was the lit piece of stick that dangled in the man's mouth. Amaris, if the leader of the fifteen-man party remembered right.

"It's a fair offer, I say," he spoke between breaths. "Still, you got to do a bit better than that."

The leader of the fifteen-man group – a man who went by the name of Kai Chen- shared a look with his closest friend and also second-in-command. Neither man were sure how to proceed, this wasn't they're field of work. After all, they were but mere builders but a month before.

"What would be your terms then?"

Amaris exhaled, letting out a cloud of thick smoke that made Kai Chen uncomfortable.

"The most obvious problem will be the nobles further up north in Mistral. They're not going to take the news of three dead captains lightly, especially since one of those captains was in charge of protecting them from trouble. No, they'll have plenty of motivation now to send a whole of host of Guardsmen, and even Huntsmen to wrangle you and the city back to heel. Worse, chances its anyone but their kin who will be taxed to nothing in order to pay for damages."

Sweat dripped from Kai Chen's forehead hearing the details Amaris spoke of.

"T-Then…. W-what do you suppose we do?"

"Generally put, you'll have to prepare a force of your own to contend with them. The only way they'd listen is if you were a state of your own and with the army to match. Make it worth more than those bluebloods could afford when it comes to taking back what they think belongs to them."

In that barely lit area underneath a beleaguered city, Amaris took a step out of shadow. The light emitting from a lamp above revealed the stern and confident visage. A hand extended, one that was calloused and firm.

"You don't want that, do you? You wish to live in Peace, and to do so you must Unite. You must have Power, and so you called us here to form a front. Together, as a Brotherhood, we can achieve the peace you want and benefits us. What do you say?"

Kai Chen looked at the hand, and then the face it belonged to. He knew that behind him, his followers were looking on in wonder at no doubt would be a great memory for many years to come. It all boiled down to this one single handshake in this tenebrous hall used for the city's waste disposal.

Alas, whatever went through his head, it ended with him shaking the mercenary leader's hand.

"Teach us, sir. Help us make ourselves strong. Give us the means of controlling our own future. In return, we'll pledge our lives and that of our suns and daughters to you."

"He's not a military strategist, nor even a scion of nobility, but Kai Chen of Kuchinashi is one thing, and that's a man with a mission. That mission being to clear his home from threats above and beyond the walls. The former middle-class member had rallied an impressive support within the week since the civil unrest and is coordinating efforts to bring much needed organised responses to the delight his fellow citizens.

Yet, civil aid is not enough. Kai Chen has announced openly the need for military intervention in the form of a new proposal contract for the mercenaries, who, following their already established deals with Mistral, have maintained distance from the city besieged by Grimm. Refugees have already been escorted elsewhere following the recent development, and their fates remain unknown.

Alas, hopes, dreams and wishes can only last when separate from reality. Between unwilling Houses and a hostile, inhuman force, the best Kai Chen can do is request a hearing from the Courts of Mistral."

Far from the chaos of Kuchinashi, the Steward who manages Mistral and its compliant entities was engaged in a game of wits.

Before him was a board, pieces of black and white stood on its surface. A few of such pieces were set to the side of the board; casualties in battle.

His opponent sat before him wrapped in the usual cloth that covered head to toe. He never got an answer as to why they wore it. Deep down, he suspected he would never know in his lifetime, or what remained of it.

"Once this ordeal with that city in the south ends, what do you think the Houses would do?" asked the steward out of the blue, just as he moved a piece.

"Probably mobilise their Guard to reassert control, regardless of how actually battle ready their own respective retinues are," replied his opponent, moving his own piece in return.

"Would that be trouble for you?"

A pause. "…No, we have certain safeguards in place. Rather, it's you whom we should be asking. For all their lack of integrity, the Council itself still answers to the greater Kingdoms. They're already being pressured for a response to this chaos, not helped by the budding communication lines linking each city."

"Hm," the steward mulled. "I'll look into that. There are more than enough bones in the coffin for use. Should keep the Kingdoms off your back for a few more months."

"Much appreciated, Sir Steward."

A few more pieces were moved, and it was the steward's win by the end. Yet, the steward found no elation, for he saw more than a few trappings left behind. Obvious, to the point of toying with him. Though, his opponent bowed and rose up with grace, the real loser of this game was the one who remained seated.

"My leader has heard of you, and he insists I bring you this message," a letter was pulled from within the cloth of the opponent. The steward reached out and took it from their hand. Thin, almost atrophied fingers slowly opened the letter, and the owner of which squinted as he read the contents.

At the end of which, his lips twitched. He turned to look at his opponent.

"I'll have to give a bit more thought before I give a reply. Is it possible to do so?"

"I'm afraid not, sir. Time is not a friend of anyone, and our plans must continue."

A small smile on his face. "You're not aware of the letter's contents, are you?"

No response.

"Well," the steward breathed. "I think it matters not. By this time, tomorrow, I'll already be a dead man. Your leader wants something from me before hand, and I'll give it to him as a token of my appreciation for helping me achieve the current situation. I'll have it under my desk in the morning, that I can assure you."

They nodded but continued standing there.

"…. Yes?"

"Humour me once. Why do this? We approached you thinking it was some form of wealth or likewise equivalent you'd want. Instead, what we got was more akin to a backhand. All that you achieved in life, and this is how you want it to end?"

He looked dead into the eyes of the person before him. Cold, stiff and feeling at a lost for breath. In the end, he broke into a laugh.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! You really think I care enough about those old bloods?! They could all die in an alley for all I care."

The steward's hands clenched into fists. He imagined a different scene in his eyes. One where he was young and had both of his hands clutched around a face that was forever seared into his mind. The top his head twitched, where once had been two lupine ears but were now mere burnt marks covered by his hair tied back .

Pain clawed his throat, and the image faded. He swallowed despite the difficulty, and then stood up himself.

"Tell you master," he rasped. "I'm find where I am, how I am. Tell him, that Tao Yang, Last of the Eunuchs, is grateful for his offer but believes himself contented with his end."

"…. As you wish, sir."

He watched as they left, one moment they were walking away, the next they disappeared into thin air.

"Thank you," he spoke to no one in particular. "For everything."

After a while, he made to stand. He walked to a bookshelf, and pulled a bottle and a cup from behind one of the rows. He made to his balcony, and the view he had of the city of Mistral below him. This far high on one of the many floating mountains, the sight of it all was breathtaking.

He wondered how it will all end. Perhaps, in fire and later ruins no doubt. Not that he cared. In the close to century long reign he had as its caretaker, he had not once had a change of heart over its populace much less the aristocrats. He had lived under their heel and then their shadow and finally now under their gaze.

Apart of him mulled how he would end. Maybe, a blade in the chest perhaps? No doubt they'd push some blatant move to have him removed, even if it meant that all political power would be pushed onto the Council of Mistral. Thus, ending the rule of the Kingdom's nobility for good. A death of a man marks the end of an age.

He finished the cup in his hand in one swing, the contents were potent.

All of that seemed so far for now, which was fine by him. This silent moment of victory will forever be immortalised in the short time he had. He only wished he'd gotten a chance to meet the leader of the mercenary's proper, Amaris if he remembered right.