33 Conflict Rises (2/2)

”Kerlancealo just explained that one of that Imposter's followers eliminated 'em. Obviously if you were 'ere on time, you wouldn't need it repeated.” The lady fiend, named Darkness spoke up, in a snobby tone.

”Tryin' to start something, bitch!?” Pythagoras retorted back, with hostility.

Pythagoras got right up in Darkness' face, but Vex got between them, pushing him back. ”Back off, Pyth! Don't be starting shit now!” He growled, protecting the female fiend.

Retina and some of the others just watched, keeping back from what was expected to become a brawl between Pythagoras and Vex.

”This is going to get out of hand.” A male Naga crossed his arms, boredly.

”You're telling me.” A spider-like fiend agreed with a slight sigh.

Levi licked her lips, ”Ohh I don't know about that. Things like this get me ALL hot and bothered. Mmm!”

The two glanced to her, blushing with startled faces.

”Everyone is getting all huffy, and poor little Lance lost his lover. Don't any of you have any compassion?” The oni named Dharma pouted, as she crouched down to the feline, pulling him into her arms. ”Take refuge in my bosun, okay?” She said, holding the sobbing Kerlancealo.

”T-Thank you...Dharma...” Kerlancealo tried to hold back his tears.

Leviathan placed a hand to her hip, as she looked to her friend and Kerlancealo with a saddened expression. Everyone else began to settle down, all glancing to Dharma.

Pythagoras and Vex both backed off, with a groan. The fight had been broken up, but there was still a heavy tension in the room.

Pythagoras closed his eyes, as he crossed his arms the most he was able to, with another sound of irritation. ”Mistress Koron. Whoever this fuck is who killed Hase. This asshole is MINE. That clear with you softies?” He looked around the room, with a scowl. ”If anyone is strong enough to take out one of ours, then I want to make him bleed.”

”Very well Pythagoras. You have my permission to end his life.” Koron's lips curled, very intrigued by the developments.

The scene cut to black, as it transitioned back to Knothole, where Jackyn was resting on a bed. He was laying on his side, but his eye lids began to twitch. He sat up abruptly, as they shot open. He recalled Sclera and then Shane almost immediately. Jackyn was breathing heavy, feeling his chest before glancing down to notice his severed leg. His brows furrowed, as he held his face with a soft groan.”...”

The bed shifted slightly, quickly getting Jackyn's attention. He only just then realized that Nye has fallen asleep next to him. She was still lost in her dreams it seemed, but he was really relieved to see her. Jackyn leaned back against the bed to look at Nye, it was pretty clear that she had been worried about him. He gently ran his knuckles against her cheek, as he leaned in to kiss her forehead.

Hazily, Nye's eyes peered open. She stared for a moment at Jackyn, before realizing he was awake. Her expression shifted from confused to happy, as she quickly wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. ”Jack. You're awake. I was so worried about you...”

Jackyn hugged her back, resting his chin on the top of her head. ”I'm sorry Nye... I really messed up back there. Now I'm paying for it.” He muttered, glancing to his stub of a leg.

Nye shifted him back slightly, so she could look at his face. ”What's important is that you're alive. We'll think of something so you can walk again. Alright?”

Jack averted his eyes, with a slight grimace upon sitting up. As he did this, Nye placed her hand to his cheek, as she sat up as well. His eyes shifted back to her face, seeing Nye's concerned gaze. Jackyn took Nye's hand, before pulling her another embrace, followed by a kiss. As the kiss broke, the embrace continued, while Jackyn rested his face against hers, and his mouth next to her ear.

”I'm scared I won't be able to protect you like this...” He quietly admitted, with an uneasy tone.

”Then... Perhaps it's my turn to protect you. You know I love you.” Nye whispered back into his ear.

”I know...” Jackyn leaned against her more, smiling faintly.

There was a sudden knock at the door, which caused Nye to glance over.

”Hey Spooky? It's Solitaire. Ashe just got back in with Adam a bit ago. He's working with Zyron to make something for your bloke's leg.” Solitaire called from the other side of the door.

Nye glanced to Jackyn for a moment, before getting to her feet and approaching the door. She opened it, peering out to the pink haired Morphious. ”I'll come have a look then.” Nye replied, calmly.

”Oh? He's awake. Great.” Solitaire seemed surprised, upon noticing Jackyn.

”He just woke up.” Nye admitted, before she glanced back over to Jack with a soft smile. ”Just rest for now Jack, I'll be back shortly.”

”Not like I'm going anywhere...” Jackyn mumbled.

Nye closed the door, as she followed Solitaire downstairs.

”Beating himself up, eh?” Solitaire glance to Nye.

”You can say that.” Nye shrugged, trying to smile.

The girls headed down to the bottom level, and approached a table near a makeshift forge near the kitchen; where Ashewyn seemed to be metalworking, using his fire with scraps of metal. Zyron was assisting him, but didn't seem too thrilled. As they approached, Miles slipped passed them upstairs. His eyes were fixed on Nye and Solitaire, but his shady expression made it seem like he was up to something.

”How's Adam doing?” Nye inquired, as examined the steel work from a safe distance.

”He's resting, guess he exhausted himself against that cult member. We all talked things over while you and Jackyn have been resting. Don't worry about anything, we got figured out.” Ashewyn reassured her.

”Well, that's good to hear. So what's this you're forging?” Nye replied, somewhat relived.

”Zyron's idea. Care explaining?” Ashewyn glanced to the canine.

Zyron shrugged, as he peered up to Nye. ”It's called a prosthetic limb. I read about things like this in some old books, while trying to find some spell to regrow body parts. It's the best we can manage, unfortunately.”

”How very clever. I appreciate the effort you both are putting into helping Jackyn get back on his feet.” Nye smiled, genuinely happy to hear some good news.

The sound of footsteps were heard, as Pneuma approached Nye. ”You're Nyghtmare, I presume?” She inquired.

Solitaire and Zyron seemed a bit tense of the older woman, but Nye turned around to face her. ”Aye? Who might you be?” Nye seemed perplexed by this. ”Are you the one Runfaust wanted me to meet?”

”In fact I am. My name is Pneuma.” Pneuma replied.

In that instant Nye recalled a moment from her childhood, the vary same one she recalled upon meeting Skyletra some time prior. The face of the woman who stopped the senseless bullying... was Pneuma.

”We've met before... Haven't we?” Nye seemed taken back, unsure how to go about this.

”Your face... it does seem familiar in a way. Whether that be the case or not, that's not why I wanted to speak with you, Nyghtmare.” Pneuma seemed a bit surprised about this as well, however she avoided the conversation from becoming side tracked.

There was a sudden thud upstairs that broke the moment, getting Nye's attention. ”Can we can resume this later?” Nye spoke urgently, as she made her way upstairs.

Pneuma seemed surprised as Nye rushed off in such a hurry, but she didn't follow the younger Amygdala. Nye reached the top of the staircase, and immediately noticed Miles darting out of Jackyn's room. Without warning, Nye shoved him against the wall, her forearm holding tightly against his neck.

Miles gasped in surprised from his pinned state, but immediately Nye noticed a splatter of blood that went across his eyes, almost like warpaint. ”What did You do? Answer me!” Nye snapped, growing angry.

”I didn't do ANYTHING!” Miles retorted, clenching his fangs.

”Ya'know, I seriously doubt that.” Nye growled.

”Nye.” Ashewyn called, from on the stairwell. He approached, holding out the prosthetic leg. ”Here. Go get Jackyn fixed up. I'll deal with this troublemaker.” He said, placing a hand to Miles' shoulder, firmly.

Nye took a breath to calm her anger, as she removed her grip on Miles, and took the leg. ”I appreciate it, Ashe.” She replied, before hurrying to see if Jackyn was alright.

Nye reached the room, and immediately spotted Jackyn on the floor. He was trying to get himself to his feet, but struggling horribly. Nye rushed to him, setting the leg down, before placing her hand to his shoulders.

”Are you alright? What happened?” Nye inquired, in slight panic.

”I'm fine.” Jackyn sighed in an irritated manner. ”That cat just pissed me off. Knocked him back with some blood magic was all.” He admitted.

Nye seemed worried, noticing his hand was bleeding. ”Jack... You shouldn't be using magic when you're in this state. You're still recovering.” She took it into her hands, taking out some cloth to wrap it up.

”I... I know... I'm sorry. He just wouldn't shut up with his snide remarks.” Jackyn replied, furrowing his brows.

”I don't know what's gotten into him.” Nye groaned, before taking Jackyn's arm over her shoulder, and helped him back to a sitting position on the bed. ”Let's get you fixed up, shall we?” Nye reached for the prosthetic leg, bringing it over to Jackyn.

Nye knelt down, and maneuvered the prosthetic limb to the stub of leg Jackyn had left. She fumbled with it for a moment, until she figured out how it would connect. Shifting the belts around, Nye adjusted it Jack's leg and hooked it in place.

”I think that should do it.” Nye said, getting back to her feet.

”Then let's test it out, so I can give that fur-ball a piece of my mind.” Jackyn replied, shifting to stand up.

Immediately he stumbled, not yet used to the new leg. Luckily Nye caught him, as he fell forward. They both blushed briefly as their noses nearly touched.

Nye smiled, through a grimace. ”Careful. I don't know if you're ready to be walking around so soon. You need to get used to the new leg.” Nye teased him. ”Just leave Miles to me.”

”Yeah-Yeah... I get it... I just don't want to be some burden for you.” Jackyn shrugged, as Nye helped him sit back down.

”I know, but right now I think you should focus on recovering. You should take your time getting used to this change. At least your hair is growing back, there's something positive about this.” Nye tried to make him feel better.

Jackyn shifted his hand to his hair, running his fingers through it. ”I guess you're right. I'm surprised you remembered how much I hate it when it's short.”

”Why would I forget about that? It was blatantly obvious how much you were bothered by it.” Nye stiffed a laugh. ”You're a lot easier to read now, than when we first met.”

Jackyn smiled, seeing Nye more at ease. He took her hand in his, looking to her with adoring eyes. Nye smiled back at him, but her thought quickly drew back to Miles behavior.

”I don't like how Miles has been treating you. It makes me so angry. I'm gonna go have a word with him real quick, I won't be long.” Nye admitted, giving Jackyn a quick peck before turning for the door.

”He told me... That I should have died out there. That I don't deserve you.” Jackyn spoke up, in a somber tone.

”...” Nye seemed annoyed hearing this. ”Don't listen to him. He's nothing but a selfish fool.” She finally spoke up, before departing the room and headed down the stairs.

She noticed Miles and Ashewyn weren't downstairs with the others, and she hadn't passed them upstairs either. She looked around, before her eyes focused on Zyron and Solitaire. ”Where is Miles?” She asked, holding back the anger in her tone.

”Looks like he pissed you off big time. That fucker is outside, throwing a little hissy fit.” Zyron replied, leaning to his hand. ”Ashe went after him out there though.”

”Keep an eye on Jack for me. I'll be back shortly.” Nye said, as she turned for the entrance, and proceeded outside.

Getting outside she could hear the two arguing in the distance. ”Just what the hell were you thinking?!””Get out of my face! I didn't do anything!””That's bullshit!!”

Nye decided to follow the sounds of their voices, heading deeper into the marsh. She reached a hill that overlooked a lower level into a swamp area where Miles and Ashewyn were trying to push each other away in the water.

”Oy!!” She shouted, getting both of their attention. However, right before she jumped down to their level, a hand covered her mouth. ”?!” Nye muffled a gasp, as she was caught by surprise.

”Well, well lookie who I found.” Growled a familiar voice. Nye's eyes finally shifted enough to notice the Terra from the island she first found Adam, none other than Gaigas.

”Nye!!” Miles called out in panic.

”Let go of her!” Ashewyn formed his wings to soar at Gaigas.

”Tzz.” The dragon scoffed, using his powerful tail to bash right into Ashewyn, sending him splashing back into the swamp. ”Aoba has been dying to meet you, 'Queen of Fiends'.” Gaigas chuckled, as he flew into the air, taking Nye with him.

”N-NYEEE!!!” Miles fumbled in the mud, unable to do anything as she was swept away into the distant sky. ”Crap! Ashe! We gotta do something!” Miles gasped, trying to make his way over to where Ashewyn crashed in the murky water. ”That dragon took Nye!!!” He called, as he managed to pull Ashewyn out of the mud.

Ashewyn gasped for air, shoving Miles away from him, with a glare. ”This is YOUR fault Miles... Dammit... We need to get the others. That Terra... He's really strong.” His eyes danced around frantically, as the scene panned to darkness.