41 The Beginning of the End (1/2)

Chapter 41: The Beginning of the End

Tyr's eyes continued to stare at the felines in a striking manner, as his hand slowly retreated from Nobou's cheek. Miles and Minerva weren't sure what to expect with this fiend, who had appeared to even the odds; as well as their allies lingering together not far from their position. Anxiety felt like it was creeping in with those dark eyes staring into their souls with unknown intentions lying in wake. Nobou however weakly glanced to Tyr, his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

Trailing back into the dragon's memories, Nobou found himself in a younger point of his life; perhaps ten or fifteen years ago. He was with a group of other Terras, such as Manik, inside Dragon's keep. Before them was the war table, with Eclipse leaning over it, as she positioned the chess-like pieces resembling various factions; allied or otherwise. The elven spy master's hair seemed much shorter then, but due to their species none of them truly looked to have aged a day since then.

”There.” Eclipse spoke, before looking to the dragon soldiers around the room. ”Nobou. Manik. I have an assignment for the two of you to practice team unity. Our Lord has instructions to eliminate a particular beast. A daemoniorum. They usually don't get too close to civilization, but one has been causing trouble at the cross roads. I would send Gaigas to handle this, but the two of you need to learn to work together.”

”Consider it eliminated.” Manik spoke swiftly without a moment's hesitation.

”Very well, lady spymaster.” Nobou replied, seeming a bit conflicted in tone.

Elapsing forward, the two arrived to the crossroads. The train tracks appeared to be in working condition, despite the snow around them. There was many trees nearby, but no sign of any beast.

”There's nothing here... Waste of time. She could have sent some grunt to investigate.” Manik hissed. ”I should be assassinating threats, not wasting my time hunting in this frozen wasteland.”

”As someone who is a stealth expert, you seem to complain a fair deal.” Nobou spoke softly, his pointed ears adjusting backwards.

”Don't act like you know me, samurai.” Manik growled, before pushing Nobou down a hill. The smaller dragon tumbled down it, rolling in the snow before reaching the bottom of the valley. ”Freeze to death, you disgusting freak.” Manik's words echoed off from above the slope.

Lifting his head, Nobou could just barely see Manik turn away and leave, but his leg seemed to have been injured severely. Nobou could do nothing but lay there for what seemed like hours. However, just as Nobou seemed to grow faint, he could just barely hear the sound of feet or perhaps paws crunching through the snow towards him.

His hidden eyes wearily opened to a low growl, quickly noticing a large skull faced dog looking down at him. This beast was Asmodeus, albeit much smaller than in present time. The horse-sized daemoniorum pup nuzzled Nobou's shoulder, seeming to be attempting to get him back on his feet. Nobou was too weak from hypothermia though, only shivering as he weakly laid there in the snow.

”What did you find there, Asmodeus?” Tyr's teen-aged face came into view, as he peered down at Nobou's shivering body. There was a brief pause before their eyes met, through the unintended parting of Nobou's hair. Nobou's eyes were rather unusual however, with Fuchsia colored pupula duplex. ”Did someone just leave you out here like this? You're freezing.” Tyr asked, unphased by the oddity of the eyes. Without any further words, Tyr removed his coat, to wrap it around Nobou, before scooping him up, and taking him to shelter.

Some time after that when Nobou's leg had been wrapped up, Tyr was encouraging him to pet Asmodeus as he recovered.

”He won't hurt you unless I tell him to.” Tyr chuckled, taking Nobou's hand to guide it to the small daemoniorum's snout.

Nobou seemed to blush as Tyr's hand took his, allowing him to take control. They were growing closer as they spent time together, seeing that the fiend had bothered to take care of Nobou. Time elapsed again, where Nobou returned to Skyworld with his leg healed, only to encounter a sudden embrace from his worried sister.

”Nobou! Where have you been?! We thought you were dead. Manik told me that...” Talis' words trailed off as Nobou realized the betrayal of his former comrade staring at him with what seemed to be a a glare of hatred. Why did Manik hate him so? Nobou couldn't understand, was it his eyes or was it something else...?

More time went by as the knights eventually hunted down the daemoniorum. Nobou had been sent to the field, as many Templar had Asmodeus tied down to the ground. The beast was whimpering softly, but his gaze quickly took notice of Tyr threatening the Templar from a restrained position, by a familiar female Templar. Tyr's arms had been held back, as he was forced forward into the snowy ground.

”Get you hands off him! Asmodeus-” Tyr shouted with hostility before a firm back hand to the face followed.

”Shut your mouth demon! Your kind should be dead!” Spat out a higher ranked Templar general.

”Leave him alone, Salem!” Nobou pleaded, urgently placing himself between the surprised Fiend and the Templar, named Salem.

”Did you just give me an order, freak?!” Salem practically roared, as he clutched to the smaller man's scarf.

Nobou quickly pulled back and unsheathed his blade, holding it to the blond haired lady Templar that was restraining Tyr. ”Astrid, you must understand what he is doing is wrong.”

”Commander Salem's orders out rank you, Nobou. Stand down.” Astrid spoke firmly.

”This man saved my life. He's not a monster.” Nobou explained, motioning to Tyr, whose expression now seemed conflicted.

”Is that so? Remove your katana from Astrid's neck at once, or perhaps you'll join this savage.” A voice talked down to Nobou, before he realized it was Aoba.

”Grand Master? Please understand... Salem's discrimination is without warrant.” Nobou tried to reason with him.

”Do not defy me, lest you wish to be branded a traitor.” Aoba kept a stern expression focused on the dragon. ”What gender were you again? Sorry, I always find it hard to tell.”

”Please... Don't patronize me... Aoba, be reasonable. Astrid. You understand, do you not?” Nobou was nearly begging, which came to a surprise for Tyr behind him. ”Tell him. Tell him this is wrong.” Nobou went on.

”Disobedient cur!” Aoba snapped, hitting Nobou backwards into the snow beside where Tyr was restrained. ”You know well enough what betrayal condemns in MY kingdom. As Grand Master, I hereby strip you of your title and rank. Templar soldiers, I order capture of this traitor. I will make a point out of you, dragon. Your screams will echo through the kingdom, to prove why it's unwise to challenge me.

With the command, the surrounding knights turned their focus to Nobou in complete unison of the Grand Master's direct order. Tyr's ears twitched, as his eyes focused on Nobou. Tyr could feel the turmoil bubbling inside the dragon, as Nobou staggered back to his feet. Nobou withdrew a second sword, making it clear that he wasn't giving up so easily. Several Templar came rushing at Nobou and Tyr as Aoba watched with a cold gaze of hatred.

Nobou deflected incoming blows, fending off the miniature army that came at him with fury.His katakanas spiraled around like a whirlwind, knocking back as much incoming attacks as he could parry. His tail pulled a dirk from his belt, back flipping out of the way to cut the ropes with it, that held Asmodeus. Nobou's hair concealed his unusual eyes, but with the beast acting as a distraction as it fled into the woods, he quickly rushed at Astrid to knock her away from Tyr. In the process he collapsed not far from the fiend, with his leg injury reopened. Blood dripped into the snow as more of the Templar began to close in on him.

Quickly, Tyr got to his feet and snatched Nobou up from the snow, as he dashed into void he opened with haste. Without delay it closed behind them, blocking out all the hostile forces from pursuing them. It was certain Aoba was beyond livid, but Nobou wasn't there to witness it. Nobou came back to reality, as Tyr shifted to pick him up into his arms. Talis took notice of this seeming shocked, but yet also somewhat relieved in a way.

Tyr's ears twitched as he looked down to Nobou, clearly reading his soul like he had done with Solitaire. ”Go.” Tyr spoke sternly. His opponents stared in confusion, seemingly uneasy. This began to frustrate the fiend. ”Get outta here!!” Tyr commanded.

Miles seemed stunned, as he held to his open wound. ”You're just letting us go? I'm not complaining here, but we nearly just killed your 'friend'.”

”Pretty dumb response to someone who's sparing your life. Look. I don't exactly like following orders, but I have more important things to worry about besides following the directive. So get lost already!”Tyr insisted, coldly.

Minerva looked down to Miles, and his bleeding hand. ”I don't think now is the time to be arguing. He's letting us go, we really should get Eclipse back to your base.” She said.

”Right. We should get out of here, before he changes his mind.” Miles skeptically agreed. He sheathed his sword, before gripping back to his hand wearily. He kept his eyes on Tyr and Nobou, as he proceeded over to the rest of his party with Minerva.

Talis watched her brother as their groups parted ways, seeing Tyr turn from them to phase off into darkness with the dragon, as they ventured deeper into the bog. ”(Nobou... what happened that day when you were banished from the kingdom..? I have to wonder though, who was that man that came to your rescue..? Does he know you're different... in more ways then one?)” Talis thought.

She glanced back to the party, as they paused for a moment. Minerva took this time to bandage up Miles' bleeding hand, before continuing on their way. Finally after trekking through the bog's woodlands, they reached the entrance of Knothole. As they entered the hideout, Miles lead the girls inside, but Minerva ended up having to carry Eclipse in on her back, seeing that Ember was too big to enter now. The phoenix had been sent around back to her nest in the stables instead.

Asthey entered, there was only a few of the group still down stairs. Adam was keeping to himself in the corner as usual, but peered over as they reached the dining area. Ashewyn was just walking down the staircase with Molliana, immediately taking notice of them in utter surprise. Runfaust and Pneuma however were still by the bar, and peered over.

”Look who finally decided to return.” Runfaust scoffed. ”Bringing outsiders into our home no less.” He remarked in a foul tone, as he got closer to the wounded feline.

”H-Hey settle down.” Miles grew nervous.

A hand was placed to Runfaust's shoulder, as Ashewyn stepped up behind him. ”Dad, it's cool. They're friends. You wanted me to deal with Miles anyway, remember?”

”Very well.” Runfaust crossed him arms as he took a step out of the way.

Ashewyn turned to Miles, who wasn't sure what to expect from this. His ears went backwards nervously, but was surprised that Ashewyn extended his hand, as if to greet him. Miles seemed relieved as he shifted his palm out, but suddenly hesitated as his eyes trailed to his bandaged up hand. Ashewyn noticed this too, before Miles slowly retreated it backwards.

”Didn't think we'd be seeing you back so soon. With a new face even...” He said, retracting his back into his pocket, as he turned his attention to Minerva. Immediately he realized she was carrying Eclipse on her back.

”We didn't exactly have many options-” Miles began, but was interrupted.

”Is she okay?” Ashewyn asked, growing concerned as he walked over to relieve Eclipse from Minerva.

Minerva allowed Ashewyn to take her. ”She's wounded, but she should be fine after her injuries are treated.”

”I'll go get some herbs from the garden!” Molliana chimed in, before hurrying up the stairs.

”Molly, be careful out there!” Pneuma called to her.

”I will, mommy!” Molliana replied, going outside.

”How did this happen?” Ashewyn inquired, seriously to Miles.

”I was getting to that... Some Templar attacked the camp, and she got hurt in the process.” Miles admitted, nervously.

”You're going to lead the Templar right to our doorstep! My little girl just went out there! Do you have any idea how much of a risk you're pulling!?” Runfaust spouted out, clearly livid.

”I didn't know what else to do!” Miles cowered, keeping distance as the tall fiend came his way. ”I'll go after her, alright? Just settle down!” Miles pleaded.

Minerva got in front of Miles, looking to Runfaust sternly. ”No Templar followed us. I made sure of that.”

”You're a stranger in our home, do NOT try to reason with me on this!” Runfaust retorted.

Pneuma got to his side, making him turn to face her. ”Faust. It's already been done. I'll go find Molliana. She's just outside, she should be fine.”

”.....” Runfaust turned off from the others. ”I'm still not thrilled about this.” He said, heading into the bar area.

”He means well, don't let him get to you.” Pneuma said, before glancing to Ashewyn. ”Ashe, you handle things with your friends, I'm going to check on Molly.” She insisted, before heading out after the cyclops girl.

”Alright. I need to get Eclipse upstairs. Miles, could you get Zyron?” Ashewyn asked, before glancing to the girls. ”The rest of you can make yourselves at home.” He said, proceeding up to one of the spare rooms with the unconscious Eclipse in his arms.

”On it.” Miles nodded, following after to head to look for Zyron.

Ashewyn reached the top level ahead of the feline, placing the wounded elf into the fur covered bed. He took notice of the rushed bandage work on her arm, that was barely covering the burn scarring from her duel with Gaigas. Ashewyn furrowed his brows, as waited for Zyron's arrival.

Miles had been looking in nearly every room, before turning his attention to the one Solitaire had claimed. His ears went back, before he knocked while pushing the door ajar. As soon as he was able to see inside, Miles spotted Zyron and Solitaire kissing, with the canine's hand under the sheets, clearly between her legs.

”U-Uh!?” Miles gawked.

”BLOODY HELL MATE!!” Solitaire reared back in full panic, behind her rosy red cheeks as she realized Miles was staring at them. She urgently covered herself.

”Hey, I knocked!” Miles looked off uncomfortably, as Zyron got up to pull his trousers back on.

”You could have fucking knocked, asshole!! What the hell is your problem!?” Zyron growled.

”I did, you idiot!! It's not my fault you were-” Miles retorted.

”You say one word!” Zyron before he sighed, ”What are you even doing coming in here? I thought you stayed with the resistance?”

”Sheesh, I'll explain later. Red needs your help in the other room right now. Eclipse got pretty messed up.” Miles crossed his arms.

”Shit. How bad is it?” Zyron asked, realizing the urgency of this interruption. He pulled the rest of his clothes on before following after Miles, leaving Solitaire in the bed alone. ”What kind of an injury are we dealing with?”