35 Rescue Operation (1/2)

Chapter 35: Rescue Operation

Around the dusk covered city of Skyworld, many peasants and middle class citizens were roaming the cobblestone streets within their Italianate structured architecture. The streets were full of people who all seemed to be heading towards the castle gates up at the highest point of the city.

A few templar stepped out of the pub, but they were all pretty sloshed in their laughter. One of which stumbled onto the streets, and the other two were forced to help the drunk man up. ”Mate, I think you've had a bit much to drink! Haha!” One teased.

”Innit dat deh truth.” The drunken man hiccuped, happily.

”You just can't hold yer ale, can ya?” The female templar rolled her eyes.

”Oooh I caaann too. Just give us a kiss and see!” The drunk one tried to kiss the lady templar, who proceeded to shove away his face in disgust.

”Knock it off mates. Come on now, The Grand master will have our heads if we are late to his event.” The other male broke it up, so they could gather up their friend, and quickly be on their way.

Some barrels had been resting against the wall not far from them, as Ashewyn and Jackyn peered from behind them, carrying serious expressions. ”They seemed in a hurry...” Ashewyn noted, quietly.

”Then we better move.” Jackyn grunted, getting to his feet.

”Hey, just hang on. You really sure you're up for this, man?” Ashewyn asked, making one last attempt to get Jackyn to come to his senses.

Jackyn only glanced back briefly. ”We're wasting time.”

”If we split up, there's no guarantee I'll be able to watch your back. You know that, right?” Ashewyn explained, seriously.

”Yeah, I'm well aware of that.” Jackyn abruptly said, taking off into the streets of Skyworld, as he pulled his hood over his head.

Ashewyn made a disgruntled groan of annoyance, as he held his head in frustration. No words could express what was going on in his head, but he begrudgingly made his way for the castle as well, hoping that Jackyn wouldn't do anything too brash.

The scene transitioned back to Dragon's Keep, where Eclipse was going over the strategy and plan of action. Sally and Maxwhyld had both shifted to securing the room by blocking the entrances from any Aoba loyalists.

”Coast should be clear.” Maxwhyldlooked to Eclipse.

”Very good, move in close so we can speak over this as quietly as we can.” Eclipse gestured to the others.

The centaurs remained at their stations, as everyone else shifted closer to the Spymaster.

”Please understand the controversy of this meeting, we cannot allow any Templar loyalists to overhear any word of our treason. Grand master Aoba has proven to be unworthy of holding the position of King to our people. It's imperative that we remove him from his position before any worse instance can occur. A man like him should never have become king, so tonight we shall become the instruments of his demise.” Eclipse explained quietly.

”(When they mentioned overthrowing the Templar grand master, I had no idea this was what they had in mind... Fuck.. We fail here... We're dead.)” Zyron thought, sweating a bit nervously.

”Tonight Aoba is holding an event, this should give us the best opportune moment to strike. So here is the plan we have decided on. Talis will be staying here, along with Sally. Zyron, being a Vulpis, you may draw too much attention, so I would like you to remain here and look after the two of them. Sally has been deemed a traitor to the King, and Talis is in no condition to fight. So it is up to you to keep them safe.” Eclipse spoke to the canine across the table.

”Uh... Y-Yeah, sure I can do that.” Zyron hesitantly nodded, glancing to Solitaire. He seemed worried about her, she responded with a soft smile to comfort his worries.

”Solitaire, I'll need you to blend in with the crowd of commoners and keep a look out for possible breaches in the Templar defenses. Hold back from fighting unless you have no other options. We may need to use you as a decoy to draw Aoba's attention.” Eclipse explained.

”Alright, I think I can manage.” Solitaire nodded, seeming comfortable with the idea. She knew Ashewyn had a plan of his own, but right now she needed this way inside Skyworld.

”Okay, so the rest of you are going to fall in line with the Templar and blend in for now. Keep your ears open for any information, and keep to the plan we per-established. As for my role, I'll be the one to strike the death blow. If this plan is obstructed or dissolved in anyway, it'll be me who takes the backlash of attempted murder. The rest of you are to flee, and never look back. Understood?” Eclipse concluded, looking over to all their watchful faces.

Everyone agreed, understanding the full chain of events that could pan out. However, this was a risk they knew that had to take.

Meanwhile in Skyworld, Nye had been taken to a corridor upstairs, where many paintings were placed around the halls. One of which was a charming full body portrait of Aoba, posing very regally. Nye stood there glancing at this, already having changed her attire. She was wearing some sort of gothic dress, but it was quite damaged, and not really what she was expecting to be forced to wear for meeting the Grand master. Her hands however, still remained joined by the magic-proof restraints.

Horrifica came up behind her, leaning her face close to Nye's ear. ”Isn't he the most enchanting man you ever saw?”

”(So this is the Grand master...)” Nye thought, as the scene transitioned to showing fancy boots exit a chamber, before they proceeded further down the fancy corridor with Templar knights guarding at the end of it.

”I wonder... Are you excited, Amygdala?” Horrifica chuckled, licking her lips.

At the same moment the two knights opened the large doors behind them, with the Grand master entering the corridor where they awaited. As Nye turned around, she noticed Horrifica had already reached his side, and was pulled into a deep kiss with their tongues entwining together in a most disgusting manner. Mere moments passed, before Aoba was brought over to where Nye stood. Before any words could be spoken, Aoba gently took the chain that linked Nye's wrists. He pulled it close to his face and like a Prince, he pressed his tender lips against to top of her hand.

Nye stood there for a moment, watching him with a disconcerting expression, as the King rose back to meet her eyes with his. ”Might I just say, it's quite a pleasure to finally meet you, darlin'. I do have to comment however on this distasteful ring. Such a repulsive thing does not match the beauty you hold.” Aoba smiled whimsically, as he made note of Nye's cursed ring.

Before Nye could reply, Horrifica placed a hand to Aoba's shoulder, looking mockingly at Nye. ”The ring just wouldn't come off her hand. I think it's rather fitting of such a disgusting creature.”

”Now now, no need for trivial conflict sweet pea. Do play nice won't you?” He kissed into the Succubus' neck, before turning to Nye with that same whimsical grin of his. ”Alas, the ring shall remain for now I suppose.” He chuckled. This man was in fact charming, but Nye didn't seem to waver like these other woman did. It only made him more curious how she worked, as he eyed her further.

”Why was I brought here?!” Nye demanded, finally breaking her silence.

”Patience now, darlin', we have much to discuss.” Aoba placed his hand to her lower back, guiding Nye to walk with him towards the door on the opposite end of the chamber.

Another set of Templar knights opened two large doors for them, allowing them to reach the top of a luxurious spiraling staircase. Descending to the lower level, Nye noticed it was a large ballroom filled with many people wearing ballroom gowns and suits, as well as many of them having monstrous masks concealing most of their face. There wasn't any set race here either, she quickly took notice of the humans, Lupis, Rhyme, and even races like Terra and centaur amongst them.

Many Leashed also seemed to be handling them like royal servants at an extravagant celebration. Classical music appeared to be playing not too far from where the dancing was taking place as well. Many, if not all their eyes locked onto Nye and Aoba as they drew closer to the ballroom floor. The crowd parted letting Aoba lead Nye further into the crowd of his followers, and they halted as they reached the center of the vast dance floor.

Aoba took Nye's hands. ”Mark me, but I do believe it would be rather difficult to dance with your hands bound.” He said, as he removed the chain holding the magic restraints together. ”There, isn't that better?”

”I have no intention of dancing with you.” Nye leered at him, without even batting an eye.

”Afraid that's a shame. See, your spells are still bound, and my entire celebration is fully secured with many of my loyal Templar knights. They might have to kill you if you don't cooperate, darlin'.” Aoba only smiled in his usual manner. ”Come now, tis only a dance.”

Nye begrudgingly allowed the Grand master a dance, his hand placed to her hip to pull her close, before he took her palm with his free hand. Many eyes fixed on them as the two took center stage, stealing the spotlight from every single person in the room.

Aoba elegantly guided Nye as they danced for all to see. ”You desired to know the purpose of you being here, correct? As you can see by now, I have no intention of killing you, I merely wish to talk.” He spoke to her confidently.

”About what?” Nye asked, still not enjoying herself.

”As you may have noticed, I enjoy a variety of pleasures. So as you can imagine, this exchange does not come without a purpose. I have an offer, and if you agree willingly, then I may consider sparing your people from mass genocide, and granting them their freedom. I am a most benevolent ruler, however my intention is purely that of including you in my compendium of woman.” Aoba smiled, almost in a humble way that really didn't match what he had inquired.

Nye immediately pulled from his grasp with the most repulsed expression on her face. ”Not interested.” She bluntly stated, with cold eyes focused on the light blue haired royal.

”Oh?” Aoba pursed his lips. Without any given warning, Aoba roughly snatched Nye's wrist, forcing her closer in a very harsh manner. ”Apologizes, but did I give an impression that you had a choice, darlin'?” He said, in an almost completely different tone than usual. Yet besides his hostile grip on Nye, he carried a smile that felt more chilling and threatening than the ones he carried prior. Nye could feel his hand shaking as it clutched tighter to her wrist.

”Let. Go. Of. Me.” Nye hissed, trying to pull her hand away from his violent grip.

”Hasn't Horrifica spoken to you of MY greatness? How I'm the absolute messenger of the Maker himself? You should feel HONORED that I want you in my collection, woman.” Aoba insisted harshly in tone, almost in a whisper so that his followers didn't notice.

”I said, let go.” Nye reiterated, coldly.

”How Peculiar. Oh well, perhaps I need to elaborate on my reasoning's. I do quite enjoy tales of valor, and many stories that have graced my ears have been of you. Through my knights stories, I have vicariously grown fond of you. I suppose I am much like my mother. You see, I have an intense desire to make you mine, my sweet Queen of Fiends.” Aoba explained, not yet releasing Nye from his clutches.

”You're mistaken. You have me confused with another Amygdala. I am NO queen.” Nye grew more angry in tone.

Aoba's face began to twitch, as he attempted to restrain his emotions. However, without a second thought, Nye was flung roughly into the crowd of shrieking party goers, and slid across the marble tile. Aoba was breathing heavily as he drew closer to where Nye laid in shock. ”Yet you have THIS ring.” Aoba gritted his teeth, stomping his iron boot down on Nye's right hand.

”Ahhhh!...” Nye cried out, feeling the presser worsening. She abruptly shifted, attempting to use her free hand to shove against Aoba's foot; however it didn't budge an inch. She felt the bones in her hand crushing under his heel.

Grabbing the hair on the back of her head, Aoba forced Nye up to her feet. He let her wounded hand slip out from under his foot, but gazed at her pained expression with much enjoyment. No one in the crowd dared bothering to help her, only continuing to dance at the snap of his fingers.

”There is one thing I hate far more then traitors. Do you know WHAT that is?” Aoba gripped tighter, as he brought Nye's face to his. ”Liars.” He growled, with hostility. ”Woman are nothing more than a man's property. It's your duty as a female to obey your lord and master. Understood?!” Aoba went on, the atmosphere around him had grown much more sinister than the whimsical side he usual carried, it was rather frightening.

Elsewhere in the castle, during the moment that Aoba left the room to meet Nye. A masked intruder had been hiding next to a suit of armor, carefully watching Aoba leave. Just as he was out of sight, the masked intruder came out of hiding to investigate the room. As he moved a familiar orange tail and ears became visible. While the door creaked open slowly, the masked was lowered from his face to peer inside the dark chamber. As the masked was removed, Miles's face became exposed. The feline had followed the others inside the castle and took it upon himself to go exploring.

”Jeez it's dark in here...” Miles grumbled, looking for a lamp switch. Upon finding it, he turned to to slowly light up the room with the lanterns that hung from the ceiling.

He peered around the dimly lit room noticing something very out of place in this castle. There weren't any windows inside this chamber, just a few steps in front of him. Letting curiosity get the better of him, Miles descended into the lower level of the cylindrical shaped room. There he found something terrifying. Within the chamber was several sadistic sexual devices, included ceiling, wall and standing restraints, along with Bondage gear, punishment tools, and a small cage that a small humanoid could fit inside.

Miles stood there uneasily, with a shocked expression. That was, until he hear a soft moan. ”Kyu....”