16 Convoke Affinity (1/2)

Chapter 16: Convoke Affinity

Around the woods, Nye was perched on a tree, resting her back against the trunk. Her eyes were closed, but she seemed to be sleeping, appearing in a faint discomfort of pain. Nye's black wings were still exposed from her body, even though they seemed to have recovered a slightly, but the wounds hadn't yet recovered fully.The sound of flapping wingsapproached, and landed on the ground just below her. This caused Nye's sleepy eyes to flutter open.

”Nye, there you are!” Called a familiar voice, in an easy-going tone.

Nye's emerald eyes panned down to the ground, noticing Ashewyn peering up at her. ”Ashewyn. I was starting to wonder if something had happened to you, after we decided to split up back there.” She spoke softly, before descending to the ground. Her wings shifted slightly behind her.

”Eh, I'm fine as long as the Templar keep outta my business. Speaking of. I finally found where your leashed, and Morpheus friend wandered off to. They're in Possebiggo.” Ashe replied.

”Well, that's good to hear... Better there then here. These woods are haunted by malevolent spirits... Might even be what scared off the templar.” Nye replied, flinching slightly in pain.

”Ohh, tell me about it.” He chuckled, but then looked oddly to Nye. ”Huh? What's wrong? Oh shit, what happened to your wing?!” Ashe gawked, after catching notice of Nye hiding both of them behind her back.

”...I'll be alright, my wing is recovering on its own. I'm just glad you found them. However, I need to find Jack before the Templar do. Have you seen him?” Nye asked, stumbling slightly as she painfully retracted her wings into her back.

Ashe caught her balance looking to her with a skeptical expression. ”You're really not making me believe you, Nye.”

”I got careless, when eavesdropping on the Templar. It could be a lot worse. Trust me.” Nye insisted.

Ashe took his hands off her, pocketing them as he glanced off. ”I know it ain't like me to suggest something like this, but maybe you should have Finch look it over. Just saying.”

”Noted. Now would you mind answering my previous inquiry.” Nye sighed.

”Haven't seen the guy, so maybe he's hiding out like before. Seems to have a knack for that. Look, at least let me get you to Knothole. My old man can look after you, until Finch can fix that wound. I'll make sure those other guys stay outta trouble. Sound fair?” Ashe scratched the side of his face with his index finger.

”Seeing you're not giving me any other options, I don't have much of a choice on the matter, now do I?” Nye replied, begrudgingly.

”Don't sweat it Nye, I'll keep an eye out for that goth boy too. Kay?” Ashe slouched slightly, to peer down to Nye.

”Very well. Then let us be on our way.” Nye started walking in the direction of Knothole Sanctum.

Ashe however, came up behind her, scooping the Queen off her feet. He formed his wings looking to the blond girl in his arms. Nye seemed taken by surprise.

”You didn't seriously think I was going to let you walk all that way, did you?” Ashe smirked to her.

”...” Nye had a disapproving expression.

”Oh, come on Nye, don't be like that.” Ashe laughed, as he took off into the sky.

Elsewhere, around the chamber with the stained glass windows in Skyworld. Some of the Templar elites, and their men were gathered. Ayame stood before them all.

”As many of you have already grown aware, the other night many of our men were slaughtered by the hand of a witch of the wilds, whilst seeking out an Amygdala spy. We were informed by Sally Night's Leashed only the previous morning. From the report, only Sally made it out of the cross fire. However, even though this witch is not our top priority, we will be putting the Mystic woods on lock down. Any soldiers not tasked to seek out the Angel of Death within the borders of Feirela and Possebiggo, will be assigned the task of capturing the alleged witch.” Ayame spoke to her fellow templar soldiers.

”That's what happens when you send a dolt of a centaur to handle a Rhyme's work. What of our Spymaster? Surely she's had better luck then our men in the Mystic woods.” Skyletra scoffed.

”Skye, must you always be so harsh to poor Sally?” The eleven assassin peered over. ”To answer your inquiry, my assassins have already been deployed within Belmont and other neighboring cities to seek out the Angel of Death, as planned. I will be joining them in the search as master Aoba has instructed, once we have finished our colloquy.” Eclipse added.

”I understand that both of you were there when the Amygdala interfered in the meeting, however many of us have been placed into the position of these conflicting circumstances. While, yes Eclipse's assassins are on pursuit in Belmont, The grand master has sent Kloud, and Flint to seek out an intrusive female Amygdala. She may as easily be the very one who was eavesdropping on our matters.” Ayame stated, looking to the two of them.

”Sally is currently in Possebiggo, correct? Certainly she can be on look out for either around there while she aids the civilians.” Dimitri peered over.

”Aye, but that leaves only so many of the Elites to place on duty. Lyra is already on the field, as she's been assigned to investigate a potential leak on our information.” Ayame explained, seriously.

”You mean to say that we have a mole in our ranks?” Dimitri was flabbergasted.

”We can't be for certain, however if we do then we need to nip it in the butt before it can escalate further. Dimitri, perhaps you should remain here in Skyworld for the time being? That way you can keep your eyes out for it as well.” Ayame shrugged slightly.

”Then mote it be.” Dimitri bowed his head.

”The Grand Master wanted to send Gaigas out to the fray as well. Having a Terra out there could prove useful.” Eclipse mentioned.

”That may be so, but if you're to deploy one of your Dragons, then why not send Talis? Her stealth is far more suited, than to that of Gaigas' brute strength.” Skyletra argued.

”Lady Tactician, I do appreciate your professional input, however it is the Grand Master's order.” Eclipse replied, calmly.

”If it is Aoba's wish, than so be it. It is imperative we deal with these threats as soon as possible, so cease your banterings, take your men, and report to your positions.” Ayame held her head. ”We have more than just the threat of the Angel of Death, and that female Amygdala remember. There is a witch out there, whose just as dangerous.”

”Ser.” The templar elites acknowledged, before exiting the chambers. The scene transitioned, to darkness.

”Zyron...” Spoke a soft female voice, that echoed in the darkness.

A close up of Zyron's face came into view as his eyes shot open. He had sat up in a panic, and breathing was very erratic. Zyron's heart rate wasn't settling, and his eyes couldn't focus enough to make out his surroundings. Everything around him was blurry, but a female form rushed over to his side immediately.

”Easy now, mate. You're safe.” He heard her say, as her hand reached for him.

Zyron flinched, recoiling back, as if she was about to hit him. ”DON'T TOUCH ME!” He yelped, cowering slightly, as he shivered anxiously.

He hadn't noticed it was Solitaire by his side, but she retreated her hand. ”Zyron, it's okay...” She murmured uneasily, with furrowed brows.

The canine timidly glanced her way, seeing the worried look on her face. ”It's you again... ” Zyron muttered, as his eyes eased up, glancing around to finally see his surroundings. He found himself in what appeared to be an Inn room. He was laying in a bed, with only his pants on. He took notice to the bandage wrapping around his stomach and both his hands. His breathing was settling finally. ”Urgh... Where.... the fuck am I?”

”We're in Possebiggo... Miles and I brought you here, after getting you away from that witch. You've been unconscious for three days.” Solitaire explained, slowly sitting next to him.

”(W-Wait! She saved me?! AGAIN!?)” Zyron seemed surprised, but he was quick to hide his embarrassment. ”What the hell is your deal anyway? I mean, shit, following me all the way into the Mystic woods like that?... Do you have any idea how many fucking spirits haunt that fucking place? You're crazy for wandering into that! I mean come on, I already told you I'm not interested in being your pet! You should just mind your own damn business!” Zyron grunted in a condescending manner, as he crossed his arms with a fake huff. His back was turned to her now, as his gaze focused to the window, which seemed to be slightly ajar.

Outside the open window, on the roof above their Inn room; Miles was laying with his arms behind his head. His ear twitched, as one of his eyes peered to the side of the building where the window was. ”Sounds like that mutt's finally awake.” He muttered, as he sat up.

Solitaire's brow twitched, she leaned her face into her palm with a groan. ”(Typical, why are blokes such cheeky arse holes?! The least he can do, is say 'thank you' for cripes-sake!)” She was about ready to rip her hair out, due to his attitude.

”(Why the fuck would she save me again? I was stuck to a fucking tree, in the middle of FUCKING nowhere. Not to mention, I acted like a dick back when I last saw her, so why'd she want to rescue my sorry ass? How the fucking hell did this chick even find me anyway!?)” He softly sighed through a closed mouth. Zyron's expression grew softer, as his gaze focused to his bandaged up hands. ”(I could have died back there with.... Inferna... b-but...)” His eyes glanced back to Solitaire, who looked pretty pissed off. ”(With how much of a fucking jerk I was to her, she still got my ass out of that mess... Even taking care of me now, so I wouldn't die. I just don't get it.)”

”Don't get all brassed off at me! I saved your life arsehole, so what are you bloody staring at!? Don't you have something to say to me!?” Solitaire flared her teeth.

Zyron seemed stunned by her words, looking off uneasily. ”Fuck, I'm sorry alright...” Zyron fidgeted a bit, peered back over to the angry pink haired girl.

However before he could say anything along the lines of a 'thank you', Miles sung into the room from the window.

He looked over with a soft groan. ”I told you that you'd just be wasting your time saving him, Sol. He's just going to look for the quickest exit, and bail on us. He clearly doesn't give a shit that you saved him from that witch, or that you mended his injuries.” Miles placed his hands behind his head with a scoff. ”We've wasted enough time with him, when we should have been looking for Nye.”

”Oh yeah, like you know me!” Zyron growled, taking what he said as an insult.

”Tsk. You're easier to read than you think, mutt!” Miles flared his fangs a bit, as his fur stood on end.

”Both of you blokes are really starting to brass me off!” Solitaire snapped, in frustration.

Both turned her way, completely stunned by the out burst. However, there was no room to speak. She got up with a huff, and slamming the door shut behind her on her way out of the room. Both boys remained completely dumbfounded by the response of the morphious.

”Now look what you did.” Miles shot a glare to Zyron.

”Well excuuuuse meeee for defending myself, asshole. You don't know half the crap I've been through; just like I don't know jack shit about you! I know she saved my ass, okay! I-I just... I can't trust 'masters' so easily, alright?! Fuck!” Zyron grunted, crossing his arms.

Miles tilted his head, with a raised brow. ”Just cause we're both Leashed, doesn't make ME trust YOU, dog. One thing I've learned from the so called 'masters' you hate, is that you should show someone respect for looking out for you.” Miles turned off, leaving the room in annoyance.

”...” Zyron peered down to the hands again, seeing the bandages with a melancholy expression. ”(Crap... He's got me there...)”

Outside, walking along a cobblestone road, near a stone fence; Sally was trotting over to the inn, accompanied by the shady hare, Hige. Just as she was nearing the entrance, Solitaire rushed outside, nearly bumping into the centaur knight. Luckily, she caught herself before any collisions occurred.

”Good morrow, young maiden. I crave thou's pardon, but arte thee well?” Sally inquired, in slight concern.