7 Coated in Blood (2/2)

”....” No words crossed his lips, as his blurry vision cleared, seeing the nearing platform ahead of him. His arms were bound behind his back, making it impossible to do anything. However, the platform was growing nearer, finally his boot touched the steps. His eyes glanced slightly, seeing the executioner before him, as he was passed to this Templar. His blue eyes observed his surroundings, as he was led to the edge of the platform, a noose hanging before him.

”At long last, this nefarious fugitive has finally been apprehended once again. However, due to the violent nature of recent happenings, you will not receive the same punishment as before.” Ayame spoke up, as the scene panned over to the man with the spider tattoo. Ayame continued, ”Keeping anonymity to your identity, didn't keep you safe, Amygdala. So now, as Knight of the Wind, I sentence you to death, under the decree of Grand master, Aoba.”

The man didn't reply, but was pushed forward to the noose hanging before him. His eyes glanced back from his peripheral to the executioner. His fangs bit down into his tongue within seconds, before he spat it at the Templar, that was forcing him to the gallows. The red substance flew, taking form into that of a knife, smashing into the Templar's skull. The body fell back to the ground, as blood gurgled from the still shocked expression on his face. A brief silence, before the entire fleet began to uproar, and prepare for battle. The battalion of Templar dove for the platform with swords drawn, and bows arched. The man with the spider tattoo's eyes trailed, noticing another Templar attempting to flank him. He phased behind the knight, with his bound arms shifted in front of him. The Dream Weaver quickly used the rope to strangle the man before him, in cold blood. As the asphyxiation set in, the Templar fell unconscious within seconds. This gave the fugitive a chance to snap his neck, dropping the lifeless body to the ground beside the other.

Panic was rising in the horde of knights, but they didn't falter. The other Templar were closing in, as he uses his bloodied mouth to rip the rope from his wrists. As his arms were released, the man spun around like a twister, using knives to slash back the nearby Templar forces. All the bodies collapsed to his feet, as his piercing azure eyes focused to Ayame. The pools of blood at his heels formed skeleton archers, pelting back more of the forces.At this point, more than half of their units were corpses. Ayame, Lyra and Elliot were prepared to attack, but the man pointed his bloody blade to them with a sadistic expression.

”If any of you continue to hunt me... I'll slaughter every fucking last one of you!” His fangs gritted, as he stumbled from fatigue, before the man took the form of shadows, fleeing to the woods near them.

”He's trying to flee, make haste men! Don't let him escape!” Ayame called. ”(He's too weak to fight much longer. If we catch him now, there won't be any escape.)”

The remaining seemed fearfully, but replied, ”S-Ser!” They called, making pursuit.

”Elliot, follow my lead. I'll be scouting from above. Sooner we put him down, the better.” Ayame instructed, taking flight on her mount.

Elliot nodded, tracking after the others. Lyra stood with her forces, ”The hunt is on boys.” Lyra grinned, ”This will be fun.” She said, as they too made chase.

Not far off, in the skies above. Nye and Ashe soared through the air, carried by their black wings. The winter frost glided passed the two, as they flew over the snowy terrain. Nearing them, was the massacre left by the man with the spider tattoo.

”That's a lot of blood.” Ashe mentioned.

”Just like my vision.” Nye remarked, seriously. She descended to the snow below, looking over the Templar carcasses, and blood coating the area around them.

Ashe crouched down, touching the wound of one of the deceased Templar. ”It's still warm.”

”Then those footprints couldn't have gone too far.” Nye added, looking to them leading into the woods.

Ashe peered up, getting to his feet. ”We may be running into Templar if we pursue those, or whoever killed them. Are you sure about this, Nye?” Ashe inquired, seeming calm.

”Last encounter with the Dream Weaver, the terrain was relatively dressed the same. If this is his handy work...” Nye was thinking a bit.

Ashe crossed his arms. ”You were looking into this guy, even with how dangerous these circumstances have shown?”

”As Lenault said, he could be a useful ally. However, he could just as easily be a powerful foe. This is why I am looking into him, before making a decision.” Nye explained, her wings extending. ”Don't fall behind.” She instructed, flying ahead into the woods.

Ashe extended his wings, ”This could get ugly.” He said to himself, before flying after Nye.

As the two proceeded through the frozen over forest, there was something ahead of them in the distance. It was far out of their line of sight, like an ant from afar. However, as they soared further, the form increased in size with every few feet. Finally the red and white colors were seen.

”Templar.” Nye muttered, under her breath.

They came closer into view, and one of the forces noticed them. ”AMYGDALA!!” Shouted a Templar in panic.

The remaining of the horde turned their attention to Nye and Ashe. In the midst of the pack, was Elliot. He sneered to Nye, as their wings carried them closer.

”Crossbows at ready!” Shouted one of the group, resulting in the others to scramble to get their weapons up and aimed. ”FIRE!”

A barrage of arrows slashed past Nye and Ashe, but they manged to weave passed them. However there was too many, causing the two to force a landing.

”ATTACK!” Called the commanding Templar.

A slew of men rushed their way towards Nye's company, weapons ready.

”We have no choice now. It's do or die.” Nye commanded, forming her wraith-edge.

”I'm with you.” Ashe acknowledged, creating flames in his right hand.

He clutched it, holding the embers high, before slamming the ball of fire into his chest. Flames engulfed him, spiraling around like a vortex shaped inferno. The Templar halted hesitantly, as the flames swarmed vibrantly. A sword was swung from within the fire, casting it off. Standing in place, Ashe was unharmed, but wore a dragon armored suit with sword in tow. He carried a cocky grin on his face, but the Templar noticed Ashe's demented aura trailing around him. It looked like fire, but with holes resembling ghostly faces.

The Templar knights snapped out of it, as the fire died down, and resumed the assault. Both Nye and Ashe took a battle stance with their blades. The two of them charged in on the fleet of soldiers. The rear Templar fired off more arrows, trying to defend the front ranks from the flaming blows of Ashe's sword. However, Ashe weaved between the shots, slamming several Templar back into the others. The knights were knocked to the ground, burned from the strikes of his sword.

Nye was slashing back several Templar as well, with already a few of them put down. She slashed her chain like a whip, knocking back several that drew close, however one she hadn't noticed, attempted to flank her. She was too distracted by the number of the foes, that the solitary Templar had gotten far too close. The blade of the knight was thrusted at her, with a loud clang. Nye glanced back, seeing Nikolai floating behind her, a massive scythe deflecting the blow from the threat.

”F-FIEND!?” The Templar scrambled, falling back to his rear in panic.

The remaining of the surrounding forces fell back, all unnerved by a fiend in the midst of two Amygdala. Ashe got back to back with Nye, Nikolai floating beside them as they eyed the swarm of Templar that backed up. Elliot was the only one not shaken, his glare sharp.

”A lesser fiend supporting an Amygdala?!... It-It can't be... Retreat! All forces RETREAT!” Called one of the Templar in panic.

The remaining enemy forces quickly scrambled to flee the area, as their fears crept in. The rushing knights swarmed passed, but Nye's forces resumed the attack. They all launched fierce slashes of blows to the Templar army. Nikolai's scythe tore through a Templar's body, ripping the man in half like a sliced slab of meat. Organs fell to the ground as more and more of the foes dropped like flies. Before any could escape, their bodies laid dormant on the frozen earth below them, resting in pools of their own blood.

The only one missing was Elliot, he however had gotten a distance observing before he turned from them. ”(So that explains it. I better report back to master Ayame.)” He thought, as disappeared from sight.

Nye released her wraith-edge, letting it fade from her grasp, as Ashe disengaged his dragon armor. Nikolai floated between them, looking to Nye.

”Mistress, do you mean to continue?” Nikolai inquired with his chilling voice.

”Aye.” She replied, looking to Nikolai. ”I wasn't anticipating your arrival, Nikolai.”

”If my Queen is in danger, it is my duty to protect her. I am your loyal servant, mistress.” Nikolai bowed his head.

Ashe's eyes observed them briefly, ”(Just like she said. Nye's the Queen of fiends, no doubt about that.)” He was intrigued. ”(A lesser fiend showing up even, and fighting along side us, plus, she can understand it.)”

”We should keep moving.” Nye insisted, walking ahead.

Ashe trailed after, with Nikolai floating overhead. ”So Nye. What's the plan here?” Ashe asked.

Nye glanced back to him, as they pressed on. ”With how heavily guarded those gallows were, and the amount of Templar encountered thus far... I have to assume it's him.”

”And if it is, what are we gonna do? You said he could be an ally, yet possibly could be an enemy. He could just as easily attack us like he did those Templar back there.” Ashe crossed his arms seriously.

”Leave him to me. Only if things get dire, do you do anything. Understand?” Nye explained, her tone stern.

”Pretty risky plan there, but you're the one calling the shots.” Ashe replied, understanding.

Nikolai floated behind them still, remaining silent.This caused Nye to glance back to him. ”Nikolai, could you return to our headquarters? It's best if we don't attract too much attention from here on out.”

Nikolai bowed his head, ”As you wish, mi'lady.” He said, vanishing into darkness.

”Good plan, if we're to keep things about you under wraps.” Ashe approved, following after Nye.

Nye continued leading, allowing her mind to ponder upon things. ”(I'm not sure upon how things went before we arrived, but it is possible that the man with the spider tattoo could be wounded. If threatened I'm not sure how he would respond, or what his attentions would be if he is merely hiding from the Templar. Regardless, if I am to learn anything out how he was connected to these memories of my past life, then I need to know who he was... and who he is now. As much as Lenault wants me to recruit him to my forces, I still need to ensure I can trust him first. However, previous encounters have shown his hostility. If I am to uncover his reasoning, perhaps I may be able to place my mind to a decision on the matter.)” Nye thought, glancing to Ashe briefly.

She looked back ahead of them, ”(I can't let myself hesitate, if it comes down to dangerous conflict... It will be my duty to keep my allies from harm... Just who is this man...? The others carry immense fear towards him, yet I do not... Could Lenault have known about this? Is that why he suggested the alliance in the first place? Though I know how the others feel, should I risk it? Or should I just put him down, before this Dream Weaver could cause any more pain?...)” Nye was intensely thinking by now, as they pressed further. ”(If the Templar want him dead, without anyone one to call a friend...)” Nye looked ahead, ”(...Could he truly be as cold blooded as the others proclaim?)” She thought, as her eyes noticed a tree with a shadowed figure catching their breath below it.

Cobalt eyes weakly lifted, peering back to Nye, as shivering was heard. A sharp gaze formed on his face, behind the black bangs of the man with the Spider tattoo. ”....” Blood trailed down his fingertips, as he kept his sight set on Nye. Nye's eyes focused on him, as did Ashe's, who kept his defense up. The silent stare off commenced.