The next morning rolled over, as a cold front came into the city. Blowing the leaves on the trees frantically and people sluggishly moved throughout it. In the mist of the hustle and bustle was a Raven haired guy, with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Headed to the Stronghold to deliver the news. Making sure there wasn't anyone following him. On his way there he came across a few checkpoints with Order Goons littered about. Slipping past them unnoticed he arrived at the Stronghold where Dorian was waiting for him at the elevator doors.
"Yo, where have you been? Weeks have passed since you had to take out that guy in the opera." Said Dorian as they headed to the headmasters office.
"Well things didn't go so well. There were two order generals there and they weren't too happy to see me."
"You took care of them, right? Nothing is too much for you."
"Not quite, he slipped away and I got captured. Good news is I found their headquarters. Bad news now they know what I look like."
"Wait what!? That's why they've tighten the hold on the town. You didn't tell them anything right!" Dorian angrily pinned the Raven to the wall.
"Course not. You know I wouldn't talk. So calm down."
"Good. Anyway we've got another target moving southbound through the city. The Headmaster will fill you in."
The two walked into the headmaster's office as someone in a white robe walked out.
"Perfect was just hoping you two would show up. There are a ton of Order Goons running around this city and we need to loosen the grip. I've got a mission for you…." The old man said, placing a photograph on his desk. Dorian and the Raven walked up to the desk and examined the picture.
In the picture was a womanly figure blurred with a dark blue robe, a scaled Griffin plated on the back of it with shoulder plates that complemented the armored leggings. The hood was over the person's head so they couldn't make out the face.
"So this is our target? Seems pretty vague don't you think headmaster." Dorain said as they stepped back from the desk.
"Here is a map to one of their strongholds where they are keeping a group of our own. Go in and extract them. If you see this woman, take her out." The headmaster said before showing them out of his office with an envelope.
"We shall take this on in a week okay. That gives us time to prepare. Plus square out some things before we engage the enemy." Said the Raven.
"Sure, just meet me at the hideout on the east side of the city." Dorian dapped up the Raven before going back into the elevator, the doors shutting behind him.
The Raven left the hideout and went back to his apartment changing into his normal dark attire of black shirt and pants. Heading to the Zone, meeting up with his band.
Arriving to find a small crowd littered around the bar while others stood around the dance floor. The stage was empty of personnel, just the DJ booth. A brown haired man with a cowboy hat next to a guy with well kept hair chatting at the bar.
"What you call the meeting for Roy?" Asked the Raven sitting at the stool next to the man in the cowboy hat.
"Took you long enough to get here. Aiden. It's about the upcoming gig. Plus you've been MIA the past couple of weeks." The man in the cowboy hat said taking a sip of his dark drink.
"Was handling business…."
"Uuuh huh, business. Well left a few scars huh." Roy said waving at the bruise on the Raven's face.
"That's beside the point. I'm here now. So about this-" cut off by a girl with green hair barging in and punching the Raven's shoulder.
"You've got some nerve showing up here after standing up my friend." Said the green haired girl.
"Calm down, Gumi. I didn't mean too. I was out of town." The Raven said as he turned to the green haired girl.
"I don't care where you were, you could've given a heads up or something. Anyway, You better make it up to her." She said before ordering her drink.
"Ooo someone's in trouble…" said the man with well kept hair.
"Oh shut it Allen. When are you finally gonna practice that piece by System Divide?"
"I'll get to it. When are you gonna stop breaking hearts?" Allen jabbed while the others laughed.
The Raven took Roy's drink and downing it. Roy rolled his eyes before reaching behind the bar and poured more in the glass.
"Now the set list is lined up for us. So stick to it this time. We can't go over our allotted time. There are two bands after us." Roy said grabbing another glass and filling it up.
"You guys will do fine. Just don't get ahead of yourselves. Also don't let me catch you making googly eyes at one of the birthday girls this time Allen." Gumi said taking a sip of her drink
Allen just shrugged her off before going to the dance floor to mingle. Gumi sighed before taking her drink and joining him. While the other two left Roy scooted closer to the Raven.
"You were off on a mission weren't you? Did you at least take out your target?" Roy asked softly as he molled over his drink
Downing another, the Raven sighed,"Not quite. I was apprehended by two order goons. They were tougher than I expected."
"Hah, you're off your game. Told you to stop taking on missions alone."
"You know I tend to work alone. Well after my partner died. Headmaster keeps putting people with me until he finds me another partner. Anywho, how's the family?"
"They're good, been able to spend more time with them since the hold on the town has been so tight. Can't really move around too much. Although, I do miss the missions."
"This next gig should be a good distraction till my next mission. I should also listen to Gumi's advice and call the Dove back."
"Who? You mean Gumi's friend, Laura?"
"Yup that's the one. Hope she isn't too angry with me…"
"Well go get em tiger." Roy chuckled as he took a sip of his drink.
The two joined their friends on the dance floor having a good time for the rest of the night. Closing the night the group said their goodbyes before parting ways and as he was leaving a blue haired beauty appeared behind the Raven as he was walking away from his friends.
"There you are. Thought I'd find you around here. You haven't been running from me, have you?" Said the blue haired beauty, a hint of mallus hidden in her voice.
"Now why on earth would I do that? I was out of town on family matters." The Raven said a bit concerned that he couldn't sense her. Maybe Roy was right. I might be off my game.
"Well whatever, I've got you now. You still owe me dinner. So let's go.." She giggled, wrapping her arms around his left arm and walking with him.
Chapter end ~