9 Crystal Transcendence (2/2)
”They think us to be villains, as they cast themselves as the heroes. It's only in their nature to act in such trivial ways. They misunderstand, that sometimes there is no good nor evil.” Nye stated, her eyes still shut as she relaxed.
”It is rather true, but will they ever rue the day they thought in such ways? Nay. They just won't stay away, but what can we do? Now that they are after you?” Finch pondered, in his usual manner of speech.
Nye opened her emerald eyes. ”I can't be certain, my friend. Perhaps they never will learn.”
The scene transitioned, from the underground city, to the snow covered ground of the Artiren village. A larger cobblestone was uplifted from under the white powder, by the hand of the canine leashed, Zyron. He looked around nervously, before ascending to the ground above. He placed back the rock, peering around the quiet village. He shivered briefly, he could see his breath, due to how cold it was.
”Why the hell is it so damn cold!?” Zyron growled, pressing onward. ”Just have to keep moving... No fucking way am I getting stuck out here to get frost bite!”
Zyron kept his staff on his back, making for the direction the the exit of the town.He was nearing an underpass, where a road went overhead, when his foot suddenly bumped into something. He immediately glanced down, expecting it to be a rock. However, he grew very frightened. Zyron's boot had accidentally nudged into a body of a dwarven man, laying on the ground. Zyron was screaming internally, seeing the corpse having blood escaping from his ears, and eyes like a waterfall of red. The eyes though, were completely white, without any notice of an iris, or anything.
Zyron cringed, shuttering to glance up. Then he noticed something not far off from him. Another dwarf, she was laying unconscious on the ground, at a slight distance. However, she wasn't in the same state, as the already deceased one. The shrouded hood of the mysterious man with the spider tattoo was crouched down to her level. His mouth was ajar, with fangs exposed, not too far from her far. The sight however was rather disturbing. The Angel of death was breathing in the dwarven woman's dream, or rather her life force, from the look of it.
Zyron's heart was racing, his breathing becoming distorted as he took a step back. His heel however, knocked back a small pebble. With the clicking of the stone bouncing off, the Leashed froze. His eyes stricken with terror, as the electric blue ones of the Dream Weaver glanced over, with an intimidating glare. ”...”
”oohhh... Fuck...” Zyron grimaced, in panic.
Without a moments notice, the mysterious man shadow stepped at Zyron; warping to the side of the dog. His quick movement fazed by, with blue eyes locked. Zyron was too slow to maneuver, before the man slammed him back hard into the cobble stone wall, of the underpass. Zyron swallowed frantically, shaking, with fear casting over him. The Weaver has his hand clenched to Zyron's throat, with his knifeheld to his side. The dog's feet were elevated above the ground.
”A stray Leashed. Typical. Always showing up when I'm feeding. You must really want to die.” Sneered the intimidating man, with the Spider Tattoo. His tone was cold, and harsh, which sent shivers up Zyron's spine.
Zyron was traumatized, he was unable to choke up a sentence, or even a word to beg for his life.
”Hmph.” The man scoffed, dropping Zyron to the ground, to his surprise.
The dog sat there, the suspense surfacing as he trembled. Those piercing blue eyes peering down at him, before they closed,to turn off from Zyron. The man placed his hands into his pockets, walking off from him; his coat blowing from the frosted wind.
”This time you escape death, next time... I won't hesitate to kill you.” He stated, darkness in his voice as he vanished off into the white blanket of snow, through the winter village.
”...” Zyron was shaking. ”What the hell, was he?!...” He was breathing erratically.
The view panned up to the sky, before emerging to Belmont city. Kloud was holding his arm, walking in slight discomfort from his previous encounter with Nye. He was gritting his teeth.
”Great... Now I have to find her again... The Grand Master is going to kill me...Ughhh...” He groaned, with a sigh.
He formed his angel wings, before flying off to the Sky World kingdom. He reached the summit of it, before progressing through the gates of the capitol. There was a city up there, the architecture was rather lovely, with grand amounts of luxury. It was bustling with many other Rhyme it seemed, along with various forms of beast men. A towering wolf man happened to notice Kloud, heading over to greet him.
”Why if it isn't Kloud. How's it going?” The giant beast of a man smiled.
Kloud timidly peered up, to the mountainsized wolf. ”Oh, Flint. Uh, greetings... Apologizes, I'm in a bit of a rut here.”
Flint seemed perplexed. ”That so? Mind if I butt in, and ask what's bothering you?
Kloud sighed, ”Orders to detain a particular female Amygdala... I slipped up, and she eluded me.” He then holds his head. ”Ayame is going to be go cross with me.”
”Oh ho! Lady troubles.” Flint chuckled.
”Huh?” Kloud gawked, ”What? No-no.” He held his hands up, sweating slightly. ”The Grand Master wants me to bring the woman to him. Ayame... Well... I think I may be at the end of the rope with her. All these mistakes, I might loose my Knighthood.”
Flint crossed his arm. ”I see. Perhaps I could lend a hand.”
Kloud shook his head. ”It's punishment for letting 'the angel of death' escape. I can't ask you to help me, Flint.”
Flint thought for a moment. ”Hmmm.... I have a swell idea, Stormy.” He stated.
Kloud looked to Flint. ”You do?”
”Mhm! I'll help with Ayame. If she gets off your back, maybe you can focus more.” Flint grinned.
”Uh...” Kloud looked off, nervously. ”I know how you are with woman though...”
”I'm not going to swoop in and steal her, before you can get a chance, bud. I can soften her up for you, is all. How about it?” Flint explained.
”Well... It's just...I don't know...” Kloud sighed, shrugging timidly.
Flint patted Kloud's shoulder. ”It'll all work out. Just keep your chin up. Okay?”
”Thanks, Flint. I should go get these wounds cleaned up however. Sooner I get back out there, the sooner I can get this mission under control.” Kloud walked off from the wolf man.
Flint turned to watch him go. ”Poor guy. He's always such a nervous wreck.”
Around this time, Nye was exiting Finch's work space. Miles happened to be waiting for her, sitting criss-crossed, on a elevated space.
”Waiting for me?” Nye seemed intrigued.
Miles got to his feet, dusting off his rear. ”Yeah, I still wanna know where you dipped off to.”
”Investigating, as per usual. Why so curious?” Nye peered over to him.
Miles crossed his arms, one of hears ears slanting to the side. ”Maybe I just wanna know. Sheesh woman.”
”I see. Any who. I need to head back out shortly. If you want to go outside, you can explore with Solitaire.” Nye turned to the gates.
Both ears went back this time. ”What? Why can't I go with you?” Miles asked.
”I think it would be wiser if I went alone. Keep her company, alright?” Nye pocketed her hands.
Miles grumbled, with a sigh. ”Fine. Whatever you want.”
”I don't see why you're so disappointed, It's not as if you can't leave.” Nye shifted, to glance back.
”... It's nothing.” Miles looked off. ”Be careful.”
”I always am. You stay out of trouble now.” Nye headed out.
Miles stared where she went, seeming irritated ”...”
Nye was progressing through the tunnels, but the fiends seemed stirred. Her eyes loomed over to them, as they backed off aggressively.
”(The lesser fiends are acting rather strangely...)” She thought, looking over them as they fled back into the shadows. ”... I need to look into this when I return.” She muttered, progressing for the nearest exit.
Nye had a brief thought cross her mind, from a short while ago, as she continued through the dark abyss.
She was around the Knothole Sanctum, when she returned with Ashewyn. He had gone back into the pub, to join some others at a table. Nye was at the bar at this time, finishing a glass of whiskey, before getting to her feet.
”I may have some information, that perhaps might be of interest. It will cost you, however.” Spoke a female voice.
As she stepped closer to the exit, she glanced over to see a strange woman, who was sitting within the shadows of the corner. She had on a large witch hat, that covered over her eyes. She smiled to Nye, with her index finger to her chin.
”You have my attention.” Nye replied.
The woman held out her hand, her face still obscured by her massive hat. ”Zircon, in exchange. All sales final.”
”...So, the secret shop keeper.” Nye stepped closer, holding out a small stack of Zircon coins. ”Information first. I'm not buying, what I can't use.”
”Fair enough. Sit.” The witch instructed.
Nye joined the mysterious woman at her table, the shadows of her hat hiding the majority of her face.
”I have heard the whispers of the others, you are seeking intel on the one known as 'the angel of death', or am I mistaken?” She smiled.
”Aye.” Nye placed the coins to the table. ”What do you know?”
”I have heard rumors, that he is often around Belmont city. In assuming such, he must hold refuge near there. If you are seeking him out, then I would suggesting browsing there.” She giggled eerily, holding out her hand.
Nye pushed the Zircon across the table, to the witch. ”Thanks for the information.”
”Pleasure doing business with you.” The witch replied.
Nye's thought faded, as she continued walking through the dark underground caves.