20 Invasion (1/2)

Chapter 20: Invasion

An overview of the Skyworld kingdom was seen, with Kloud and Flint rushing through the crowd of civilian Rhyme, beasts, and other allied species. The two made their way through several blocks of populous, before reaching the castle courtyard. The perimeters were guarded by armored templar, but that didn't stop the duo from entering the main hall of the castle. Inside they encountered Ayame, which forced them to cease movement.

”Just where on Desdemuna are you two off to in such a hurry?” She crossed her arms.

”A-Ayame!” Kloud gulped, his face turning bright red.

”Flint, when I asked you to help him, I didn't think you'd stoop to Kloud's level. There are much more civilized ways to enter Aoba's domain.” Ayame gestured at Kloud, before holding her temples. ”You two better have a good reason to explain this manner of behavior.”

”Believe it or not, we actually do.” Flint stated. ”The grand master will need to hear about this, it's pretty urgent.”

Ayame's gaze turned to Kloud, getting in his face. ”Explain it for me then.”

”Well, that Amygdala that Aoba sent me after... She's... uh... well....” Kloud stammered.

”Kloud, out with it.” Ayame appeared cross.

”We discovered she's... the next Queen of Fiends.” Kloud was nervously avoiding looking to her.

”There's no way...” Ayame gasped, in shock. She was holding her hand over her mouth. ”The bloodline survived after what the former grand master did to Lenault? I-I'm in shock... That means, this Amygdala is even higher priority than the Angel of Death... Maker's breath...This needs to get to Grand Master Aoba immediately! Quickly!” She exclaimed, taking Kloud's wrist, to lead him and Flint in the direction of Aoba's study.

The situation in the deep roads however, was still very confrontational. Nye was fleeing oncoming assaults from various lesser fiends as she made her way to the underground city. With how many beasts attempted to flank her, it was far too dangerous to engage in combat. She narrowly dodged a tail striking from behind her, that crashed into the walls of the nearby catacombs. This forced her to land with one hand touching the ground.

”Mistress, allow me to assist you.” Nikolai phased from her grasp, forming his scythe.

More fiends flooded in around them, which made Nye a bit edgy. ”Now's not the time, Nikolai!” She insisted, before quickly attempting to escape.

Nikolai turned to see where Nye was progressing, hastefully warping to her side. ”As you wish, mi'lady.”

Nye kept her eyes on the path ahead, trying to keep a strong face. ”(Just what has gotten into the fiends? All but Nikolai seem to have grown hostile. It doesn't make any sense.)”

The eerie glimpse of the savage beasts pursing Nye in the darkness was seen from above, as several eyes observed from the darkness. ”Everything is going according to plan... Ehehehe...” It cackled in a sinister manner, as the mysterious figure hung from the ceiling of the cave by black tentacles.

Finally, after dodging with several parkour maneuvers, and weaving around the several aggressive monsters; Nye and Nikolai reached the gates of Wynorex. Nikolai watched her back, forming his scythe, as Nye went to open the doors. Many fiends were incoming, letting both Nye and Nikolai narrowly make it inside Wynorex, and managed to get the gates sealed before there could be any further conflict. Nye was sweating, and out of breath, as she held the gates with her back. She slid down to the ground, sitting there in relief, with Nikolai floating just beside her.

”That was way too close for comfort...” She muttered, with closed eyes.

”NYE!” Called a frantic voice. Nye's eyes opened, peering up to see Miles staring down at her in concern. ”H-Hey... Are you alright? What happened to your hand?” He asked, his ears slanting backwards. He was eyeing the bandage wrapping that Jack had placed on her.

”I'll be fine.” She replied, getting up to her feet. ”Where's Finch? Something's going on with the lesser fiends out in the caverns... I need to speak with him.”

”...He's in his study. Hey... look, Nye...” Miles glanced off nervously. ”About earlier...”

”We can discuss that incident another time. Right now, there's hundreds of fiends at our doorstep. I need you to go make sure the others are aware of the situation. I'm not sure if those gates will hold up, or not. Understand?” Nye glanced his way.

”U-Uh. Yeah, s-sure thing.” Miles nodded, still nervous from before, as he timidly watched Nye head to Finch's chambers. He sighed, sliding his hand up his forehead into his hair.

Nye entered Finch's study, peering over to him as she knocked on the entry way's wall. ”Finch.”

”Oh, my queen. You've returned.” Finch smiled to her.

”Aye.” She said, before entering the room. ”We have a situation outside our walls. I need your consultation on the matter.” Nye explained.

At this time, Miles was walking up the steps to where the others were located. His ears perked up a bit, listening. In the room ahead, Zyron was coming to.

”Shit... Where... the fuck... am I now?....” He grunted in a displeased tone, sitting up briefly.

”Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine.” Ashewyn snickered, from behind a lit cigarette. He had been sitting in the corner of the room, resting his chin to his free hand.

Zyron quickly looked his way, with an angered face. ”Got something to say to me, asswipe!?”

”Chill out, Goldy-locks. Pinkie had me bring you here to make sure you didn't die. She's asleep in the other room, so relax buddy.” Ashewyn teased, getting to his feet, and stepping out the butt of his cigarette that he dropped.

”...” Zyron looked off, with a disgruntled gaze. His eyes trailed back, when Ashe leaned forward, in a pestering way.

”That's some attitude, well, I'm sure she'll at least be relieved you're feeling better.” Ashewyn joked.

Zyron shoved Ashe to a distance, baring his fangs. ”GET OUT OF MY FACE!” He snapped.

”Jeez, talk about testy.” Ashewyn scoffed, with a smirk. ”There's no way a girl like that would want such a snappy Vuplis as a pet.”

”How about you go fuck yourself.” Zyron retorted.

”Sounds to me like you want that Solitaire girl as your master.” Ashe teased, in a cunning manner.

”I'm no one's pet!!” Zyron snapped, angrily.

”I see the dog's finally awake.” Miles intruded, leaning to the doorway with his arms crossed with a bored expression.

Right as the two glanced Miles's way, before they could even make an effort to reply; there was a sudden noise like a battering ram crashing into the front gates. It was so strong the cave shook briefly with some minor debris floating down from the cavern's ceiling.

”What the FUCK was THAT!?” Zyron growled, tensing up.

”Shit... Okay listen up. Nye just got back in, and said something about fiends surrounding us. She sent me up here to warn everyone. I-I don't know what she's planning, but we could be at risk if those gates don't hold up.” Miles tried to explain, urgently.

”Well, ain't that peachy. Alright then, time to go guys. Move it or lose it.” Ashewyn stated, heading for the door.

”Wait a goddamn minute!” Zyron shifted, trying to get up.

Ashe's eyes shot over to Zyron, without delay. ”If there's any chance of invasion, with how loud that was, we won't survive the first wave. Let's get the ladies, and bail NOW.”

Zyron seemed unnerved, but nodded. ”U-Uh... Yeah... Good point... Fucking hell...” He stammered, getting his feet to the ground.

”Fluffy, handle getting him suited up. I'll grab Solitaire. Don't waste any time.” Ashe instructed, exiting the room in a hurry.

”...” Miles lazily looked to Zyron.

”...” Zyron quirked a brow back at him. ”Gonna help me or what?!”

”Ugh! Fine!” Miles whined, moving to help Zyron get the rest of his gear on.

In the other room, Ashewyn got to Solitaire's bed side. Without warning, he scooped her out of bed, startling her as he placed her over his shoulder. ”BLOODY HELL!? JUST WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU ARSE!? YOU NEARLY SCARED THE KNICKERS OFF OF ME!” She exclaimed, in panic.

There was another loud bang down stairs. Ashewyn's eyes glanced it's way. ”It'll be a lot worse if you stay here, trust me.” He stated, grabbing her boots from the floor, and proceeding back to the hall.

Miles was helping Zyron out the door, when there was a harder bang, that shook the whole location. It made Solitaire jump, gripping to Ashe. ”WHAT THE BLEEDING HELL WAS THAT!?”

”Nye!” Miles called, as he spotted Nye and Finch hurrying to the gates with Nikolai right behind them.

Nye happened to glance his way, right as the front gates busted open with fiends manning a make shift battering ram. Her attention turned quick, as she fumbled to form her wraith-edge. She was going to be quickly overrun by demons if the others didn't do something fast. The swarm flooded the ground, and the air, without a moment's notice. Miles rushed ahead of the others with his sword drawn.

”Guess we got company.” Ashewyn remarked, as he followed Miles' lead; setting Solitaire down, and forming his flaming dragon armor before proceeding after him.

Zyron had formed his staff, using it as a crutch to stand, while both he and Solitaire stared to the commencing chaos below. The fiends were already engaging their allies. Nye was slashing them back, the best she could, with Finch by her side blasting some beasts with the flame magic from his will-o-wisp lantern. Nikolai had already drawn his scythe, wailing it at nearing foes.

Miles joined the fray, slashing with his katana. However, a fiend had proceeded to cause a preemptive strike on the feline, as he was combating another fiend. When to Miles' surprise, his adolescent phoenix dove down, blasting blue fire out, and scorching away the savage monster. ”Ember?” Miles asked in shock, seeing the bird looking his way as his hovered beside him. Miles quickly seemed relieved letting his gaze trail over to the Queen of Fiends, as he was preparing his next attack. ”Nye, we're coming. Just hang on...” He spoke softly.