19 Chain Reaction (1/2)

Chapter 19: Chain Reaction

The night sky was seen through one of the stained glass window's of the chapel within Skyworld's kingdom. Once again the Templar order seemed to be in discussion, however fewer of their agents appeared to be present at this time. Ayame was standing before some of her fellow templar, which included Sally, Skyletra, Eclipse, two Terra; one of each gender, as well as a male centaur, and a feline Lupis. Hige was left to wait outside with Elliot, but the Shin Leashed was curious on the events about to occur in the chamber. He was leaning against one of the stone walls outside in the halls, with his ears listening closely. Being a hare, it made it easy for him to be an expert at eavesdropping.

”Many of our forces have already been deployed to their stations. With the events of late, we need to strategize further on where to go from this point onward. Eclipse, am I safe to assume the rest of your assassins, as well as Gaigas, have already arrived to their destinations?” Ayame turned to the elven spymaster.

”That is correct, I am also prepared to send Talis and Manik out as well, if need be.” Eclipse motioned to the dragon people standing beside her. The teal haired female, Talis, was far more petite, with a long tail and small wings; while the green haired male, Manik, seemed far more land sturdy, wearing a cloth over his mouth.

”As I said before, it would have been wiser to send the female in the first place. The grand master should have asked for my counsel on the matter. I am the master tactician, it's my job to strategize.” Skyletra scoffed.

The Lupis lazily tilted her head, with a faint, ”Nya?”

”Doth thou speak ill of mi'lord?” Sally glanced over, seeming displeased.

”Would thou wish me to speak low of thee instead? Hmph, in all honestly, a dolt of a horse who fled from a witch, has no right in our presence. Tis only a fact.” Skyletra sneered, through cold eyes.

”....” Sally's ears hung back, with a furrowed brow as she gazed off nervously.

”Crikey. You're as mean as cat's piss, ain't ya?” The male centaur retorted, which caught the female centaur by surprise.

Skyletra peered over, with a leer. She walked over to him, in an intimidating manner. ”Listen closely, chevalier. Do you truely see yourself to be any ounce of a threat to me?” She asked, in agitation, as she shoved her index finger into his chest. ”The fact that I do not even know your name only proves my point, you simpleton.”

”You think you're some tall poppy, just cause you're the tactician, don't ya? Sorry mate, but you're here with the rest of us blokes and sheilas. We're all fossicking for the same bludgers, so get over yourself.” The male centaur remarked, in a cool manner.

”Sir Maxwhyld does make a fair point, Skye.” Eclipse teased.

”I do have to concur with Lady spy master.” Talis smiled.

”Like a reptile to side with the one who controls them.” Skyletra growled.

”...” Manik leered over, silently.

”Next she's going to make some remark about Lupis...” The feline muttered, with lazy eyes.

”Oh, how could I forget our laziest crusader. Phish. You should just abandon your role, and go cough up a hair ball. You're a complete waste of space, to say the least.” Skyletra retorted.

”Bite me.” Phish yawned, as her tail swished.

”Skyletra, that is enough.” Ayame put her foot down.

The tensions were beginning to rise with the templar present, but before an uprise could occur, the chamber's doors bursted open. The scene has panned over, showing the boots of a man approaching the circle of knights.

”Oh, just what will I do with this mess?” Spoke a whimsical voice. The entire courtroom went silent as the man continued further in. ”Not only are there two Amygdala, and a witch making such a ruckus out there; but even my own army is fighting amongst themselves? Tsk tsk.” He said, revealing it was Aoba speaking. ”I do not enjoy evenings filled with hostile distractions, so bare that in mind.” His gaze turned to the tactician, before he approached the large window in the back. He placed his hands behind his back, peering out. ”You see, all this rising conflict will only fester worse wounds if they are not resolved. It's been brought to my attention that the leak has yet to surface as well.” Aoba turned, looking to his followers. ”So many concerns, and eventually the people will catch on. It could lead to riots or a revolt; and we can't have that, now can we? Oh no, I think not. My hands are here to upholdthe beauty and sovereignty over Desdemuna, and it's people. Mark me, I will see these dastardly fellows hanged, drawn, and quartered if I have to. Order must be restored, before more of our people fall to the hands of these, criminals.” Aoba began stepping down the steps, keeping a smile, even with the events of prior.

At this very moment, outside in the halls. Elliot was the only Leashed present now. Hige had left his perch, and wandered further into the castle's corridors. The hare had made his way into Aoba's study. It was like a rustic library, with two floors connected by a wooden ladder that could be moved along the bookcases. On the bottom level, there seemed to be a section behind a glass chamber that overlooked the kingdom. Inside the chamber, it seemed to be a green house, with all sorts of exotic plants within it. On the other end was a large desk, that was covered with many pieces or parchment, as well as information slips, and rare artifactsscattered about.

Hige shifted some cobwebs out of his way, entering the room as he began sifting through all the papers on the lower floor. ”(With Aoba distracted in court, this should give me plenty of time to weasel my way around.) I just need to find the right documents in this mess...” He grumbled.

Standing in the entryway behind him, was Dimitri, who had his arms crossed with a displeased gaze. ”Just what are you doing?” He asked.

Hige grew startled, turning around fast, and bumping backwards into the table. ”U-Uh. (Oh shit... I thought he was with the other templar!)” He thought, sweating profusely as he gulped.

Dimitri drew closer, pulling to his tome, and flipping open a page. His free hand rose, seeming mystified with magic. ”Answer me, Leashed. I am not afraid to invoke harm onto you, if you do not speak when spoken to. What are you doing, snooping around the Grand master's study?”

”I-I wasn't doing anything.” Hige panted, anxiously.

”I can't say that I believe you.” Dimitri scoffed.

A dark shadow casted over Hige's eyes, in an eerie manner as Dimitri was drawing close. Without warning he rushed the Rhyme with a knife in hand, at great speed. Dimitri swiftly casted a spell, blasting a shining light right at Hige, sending the hare crashing into the stone wall. Some blood was dripping from the hare's head, as he weakly glanced up to the nearing Rhyme.

”I have not a shred of doubt, that you're the mole we're after. You can't shroud yourself further, Leashed. You and all those you're connected to will suffer the consequences of your actions.” Dimitri stated to the fearful rabbit, in a cold manner.

The scene panned back to Knothole sanctum. Shane was sitting at the bar, amongst other fiends and Amygdala patrons of the safe house. Runfaust was running the tavern section as per usual. His adopted daughter Molliana was sweeping the floors not too far off from the two of them.

”That friend of yours, should tread carefully in the company of our Queen.” Runfaust stated.

”Why's that?” Shane chuckled.

”Don't play dumb, everyone knows how violent that Dream Weaver can get. If something happens to her on his account, he won't be the only one with a death wish. A human like you shouldn't even have business here, but since you're an ally of our kind, we allow it. However, if the company you keep betrays that trust, then you're partly to blame, and will in for a world of trouble. Understand? ” Runfaust went on, as he used his hand-like tail to pour more liquor for the outlaw.

”Jackyn's not gonna hurt the broad, relaaaax. You don't know my bud like I do. Sure, he can get moody, but if he wanted her dead, she wouldn't be alive right now. Heh, You got nothing to be concerned about. Trust me.” Shane drank the liquor, laughing a bit.

”For your sake, I hope you're right. On other matters, has your intel acquired any new information on the templar that we should be concerned about?” Runfaust inquired.

”Hige's snooping around as usual, I'll be meeting up with him in Oakwood soon though. Don't worry, Faust, that hare of mine always gets what you ask of me. Don't I always pull through for you, when you need something smuggled?” Shane swirled his glass a bit.

”That you do. You're a good man, Shane, just like the man who took you in from the Pits as an apprentice. As long as we keep this partnership flowing, everything will work out for both you, and everyone I care for here.” Runfaust nodded.

”With all of us working to the same goal, and having the Queen by our side, it's only a matter of time before we break the cage the templar have placed on people like all of us. No matter what, I want to see those angel's fall, just like you do.” Shane got to his feet, leaning a bit on the bar table. ”Now that Jackyn's free, and working with us, we're just that much closer to cremating those bastards. Anyways though, I should go check on that hare, and see what he's found this time.” Shane went to shake hands with the towering fiend.

”Good to hear. Keep me posted on what you've learned.” Runfaust agreed, as they broke the handshake.

”Will do, Runfaust. See ya around.” Shane grinned, before heading out of Knothole.

Shane had taken the forest route, heading through by foot. The sun had already vanished over the horizon, as night had broke. The smuggler reached the end of the woods, finding his way in a clearing, where a small town could be seen not too far in the distance. He progressed in the direction of it, but as he crossed the grassy terrain, he accidentally stepped onto a mound of dirt. His leg sunk in, causing him to lose his footing.

Shane seemed a bit taken by surprise, but managed to pull his leg out from the hole, and get back to his feet. He dusted off his trousers, glancing to the opening.

”That was a close call. Man, I thought Venember nests were only up around Flamsmarth.” He muttered, uneasily.

However, he grew more unnerved. Within the darkness of the hole, glowing eyes fixated on him. Shane slowly slid back on of his boots, trying to carefully retreat. Without any given warning sound, flames shot from the hole, knocking Shane back to rear, as he barely dodged the singeing embers. The cinders of fire were settling, as a massive red fire snake with horns emerged from the den in the ground.

”Just my luck...” Shane scrambled back to his feet.

He withdrew a chain weapon from his utility pack; that held a claw on one end, and a spike ball on the other. Holding the chain she spun it around like a like a vertical lasso. He flailed the claw end it at the snake fiend, slicing three gashes into it's belly. The Venember let out an angry screech, as it charged Shane's direction.

”OOooh SHIT!” Shane gasped, scrambling backwards, as the fire breathing snake rushed his way.

The flames upon it's back were blazing wildly, as Shane's back collided with a rock. He grew fearful as the giant snake leapt into the air, it's venomous fangs coming right for Shane's face. With luck, the smuggler managed to catch the mouth of the viper, without colliding with the fangs. Some of the venom oozed from it's teeth, dripping onto the rock beside Shane's head. Immediately the acid began to melt that part of the rock.

Shane was sweating uneasily, trying to hold back the ferocious reptile. ”Get off!” He grunted, slamming the heel of his boot into the previous infliction on it's belly.

The impact broke the remaining skin, splashing out green blood onto Shane, as it cried out in agonizing pain. The Venember flailed back, breaking Shane's grip on his jaw, leaving room for him to go for a second swing, of his chain-claw. As the weapon connected, the viper's internal organs were torn from it's abdomen, with them as well as slimey ooze splashing out onto Shane; who had a look of horror on his face as the body of the beast crashed on top of him.

A few moments passed, before Shane shoved the corpse off of his body. He shifted awkwardly, trying to wipe the snot like substance from his face. It clung to his fingers, stretching as he pulled his palm from his cheek. He had a very uncomfortable gaze of disgust on his face.

”Gross.... I don't get paid enough for this crap....” He groaned, as he got to his feet.

Shane abandons the monster's corpse, proceeding to the city of Oakwood. Upon entering the city's wall, he immediately noticed the many templar on duty around the twilight streets. The sun was barely coming out, but the gloomy weather made it appear darker than usual. Shane took out a matchbox, and lights a cigarette, before progressing onto the cobblestone streets.

He puffs out some smoke, as he continues through without conflict of the templar. He manages to reach the center of the plaza, beside a water fountain where there seemed to be fewer templar about. Gazing up he peered to the strange shape of the top of it. It seemed to be a faceless monster, with a humanoid form.

”(I'll never understand the followers of the Maker... What's this deity supposed to be anyway? Some hybrid of all the races or something?)... Eh whatever.” Shane shook his head uneasily, before glancing around. ”Hmm... Hige's later than usual. I wonder if those templar got him working his tail off again.” He shrugged, dropping the cigarette butt to the ground, and rubbing it out with his boot. ”Guess he's not coming...” He muttered, before turning off the direction he came from.

As Shane took a step, with his back to the fountain, someone halted on the other end. ”...Boss.” He spoke.