42 Strike Back (2/2)

”Of course it does. You have to tell me what you're thinking. I know well enough about Amygdala and what happens when-” She went on, but was quickly cut off.

”That tone... You have no idea how that makes me feel.” Ashewyn scoffed, keeping his gaze away from her.

He stood and she sat there for a moment quietly, before Ashewyn finally looked back to her. Eclipse seemed hesitant by his response, but she hadn't yet pulled her hand from his. He didn't force his away either, and yet they just stood and sat there in silence.

With a soft grimace, Ashewyn let out a soft chuckle. ”I guess you've grown fond of me too, huh?” His tone was much softer this time, making Eclipse lighten up.

She shyly smiled, peering up at him. ”Then you-? Well... How could I not? I feel safe when you're around. So please don't hide things from me, I worry about you as well.”

”I've honestly tried to avoid getting attached to others my whole life, after seeing so many other Amygdala die from it. I'm a lot more paranoid than I let on. Right now though, I'm fully committed to our cause, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you.” Ashewyn tried to explain.

”I completely understand. I was not trying to impose on you, especially since your sister just-” She sighed, pausing a moment. ”-Please forgive my rudeness. I just seem to have... well, fallen for you.” Eclipse meekly admitted, before growing silent.

There was a delayed reaction in Ashewyn, but he tried to give her a smile. ”If I make it out of this, I'll consider the idea of there being an 'us', alright? Priorities and all that.” Ashewyn replied, stepping a bit closer to her. ”You really should rest though.” He went on, trying to help her get back into bed.

”Fair enough. Should I send a raven to the others? You will be needing reinforcements after all.” Eclipse asked, allowing herself to lay back down to recover from her previous injuries.

”I was actually planning to send one for you, but if you feel up to it, then that would be great.” Ashewyn stated. ”I really should join the others now though. Just try to rest.”

”Be safe.” Eclipse replied, watching as Ashewyn took his leave of her.

Ashewyn closed the door behind himself, holding his hand to his chest as he closed his eyes. He took a breath, before peering them open to notice the group formed downstairs. He walked to the edge of the railing, seeing Nye explaining the situation to the others. Amongst them was Miles and Minerva, as well as Zyron, Solitaire, Adam, and Nikolai, as well as Jackyn who was keeping distance as usual. Ashewyn took notice that Talis and Djinn weren't far from the meeting, listening but trying to keep their voices from the discussion. Trailing his eyes from them, he noticed Runfaust and Pneuma absent, perhaps they were behind the bar in the kitchen hallway again? He pondered, before taking steps down the stairs.

”This makes me sick...” Adam muttered, softly.

”How could those arseholes nick away Molly's life like that?!” Solitaire exclaimed in irritation. ”This really brasses me off!

”Those cultists are fucking heartless bastards obviously. Shit though, so how are we supposed to pull this fucking thing off?” Zyron crossed his arms.

”Good question.” Minerva added.

”What can we really even do? There's more of those guys than us. We're screwed here.” Miles sighed.

”Not if we just kill them.” Jackyn groaned, boredly. ”Numbers are meaningless without strength to back it.”

”Wow, so like you to suggest a reckless massacre.” Miles grumbled, with a sarcastic tone.

Jackyn's eyes sharply focused on Miles.”Got any better ideas, cat?” He asked in a harsh tone.

”Uh... well... uh... N-No?” Miles got chills up his spine, before quickly grabbing to Minerva's arm for protection, which she seemed to like, as she pulled him closer.

”There is no sense arguing about it, but I suppose it can't be helped.” Nikolai said, his words falling short of the others, before looking to Nye. ”What do you think, mistress?

”Jack does pose a fair point, though there is a slight possibility we may not need to kill all of our enemies. However, If we invade this way, I think it might be best to split up our forces.” Nye explained, clearly taking Jackyn's side on this.

”Seems like a sound idea, the less attention we draw to ourselves, the better. Not only will we cover more ground, it could give us opportunity for a preemptive strike.” Ashewyn spoke up, as he joined the others.

”Glad you could join us.” Nye glanced to the redhead.

”Sorry to keep everyone.” Ashewyn stated. ”I spoke with Eclipse, she'll get word out to her friends. I also think it's best we have Talis and Djinn remain here to look over her while we attempt this counter attack.” He said, looking over to them.

”Fair enough. You focus on the threat then, and leave Eclipse to us.” Djinn replied, in a confident tone.

”We'll make sure she recovers.” Talis added timidly, as she gripped to Djinn's hand.

”Good.” Ashewyn nodded, his attention returning to the others.

”If that's decided, then let's plan for who will be paired off for our return trip to Wynorex. We should be able to divide evenly into groups of three, however due to the crucialness of this operation, I might have to recommend pairings who won't be a distraction to each other.” Nye made her suggestion, after noticing Miles and Minerva's behavior together.

Jackyn didn't seem keen on the idea however, walking up to Nye. ”You can't just expect me to pair off without you. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you that I could have prevented.” Jackyn stated, clearly frustrated.

”Jackyn. I'm not happy about this either, but you need to understand I'm making this call to ensure everyone is focused on task at hand. If we make any mistakes, we're all done for.” Nye explained, trying to get him to understand.

”That's exactly why I need to be there. I know how these bastards operate by now.” Jackyn argued.

”Then you know they'll take advantage of our emotions. This is the safest bet. You know that.” Nye tried tor reason with him.

”...” Jackyn averted his eyes, growing silent. ”I know, but ...”

”I'll be fine.” Nye said, hoping to reassure her lover.

”...” Jackyn hesitated again, knowing well enough he already drew a lot of attention to himself with this scene he made.

Zyron was about to argue his point on being with Solitaire on this mission, however seeing that Nye could even shut down the most feared of their party, he slunk back and remained silent. Miles was also quick to avoid his disagreeances well, he knew Nye meant business.

As the room quieted down, Nye took out the map she acquired from Lenault, and laid it out on the table for all to see. The others gathered in, looking upon the parchment.

”Solitaire and Minerva, you're with me.” Nye looked to the girls, as she pointed suddenly to the nearest city on the map. ”We'll be heading for the Belmont entry point.”

”Alright mate, I'm ready for this. Those cunts are gonna pay.” Solitaire nodded.

”Count me in, I'm ready for some action.” Minerva smirked.

”Glad to hear. Alright, Jackyn, you take Zyron and Nikolai with you.” Nye said to her raven haired sweetheart, as she slid her index finger over to another location on the map. ”You three will take the entry where the Cultists made an escape route.”

”Fine.” Jackyn begrudgingly accepted.

”Not excited about this crap, but we're boned if we don't do anything.” Zyron stated.

”As you wish, Mistress.” Nikolai bowed.

Nye smiled, ”Then that leaves Ashewyn, with Miles and Adam.” She said, placing a finger over the farm lands. ”Kamano ranch will be your entry point.”

”You got it.” Ashewyn said, accepting his role.

”Leave it to us.” Miles tried to be brave, holding up his bandaged hand like a fist, but shifted as he grew self conscious about it.

”I'll do what I can to help.” Adam added.

”So, here's what I have in mind. After we split up, each our parties will transverse the underground, taking the deep road passages ways to regroup at Wynorex to find this 'Queen' who's pulling all the strings. We have no idea what we'll be up against down there, or how large her army has grown. Push has come to shove, and we must strike back before they can do the same. There's no guarantee all of us will make it out alive, but if we stay determined we might be able to pull this off.” Nye explained, while using markers on the map to show her thinking. She kept her tone serious, trying to to prepare everyone for the worst.

Footsteps approached them suddenly, as Runfaust came up behind the meeting from the kitchen portion of the base. ”Nyghtmare, if you're truly planning to take on these cultists, I am going with you. When we first met, I vowed to fight by your side. Queen or no queen, that promise remains. More than anything though, I want to get back at those who stole away two of the kids I raised.”

”Dad, you have to stay here to look after Pneuma. I'll deal with them and Vex, alright?” Ashewyn stated, trying to stop him.

”He won't have to, because I'm going too, and there's nothing you can say or do that will stop me from doing so.” Pneuma interrupted the conversation, as she approached from behind Runfaust. ”There's nothing more powerful than a mother's scorn.”

”We already talked things through together, and both of us want to get a hand at these scum.” Runfaust added.

”...” Ashewyn seemed hesitant.

”There's no arguing with them, Ashe. They could easily go against our wishes after we left for the chasms. It's better we know.” Nye explained, understanding how adamant the two were.

”I get it. It's just-” Ashewyn was about to give his end of the argument, but was quickly cut off.

”I'm past my prime, kid. I don't have many years left in me now, just listen to Nyghtmare. She's right.” Runfaust stated.

”I know that.” He sighed. ”Alright, fine. I won't stop you. Just go together, and keep each other safe.” Ashewyn gave in.

”We definitely will, don't worry, Ashe.” Pneuma said.

”The two of you can take the swamp entrance here.” Nye stated, placing her finger to the marker on the map.

”Very well.” Runfaust agreed.

”If there aren't any other matters to discuss, we should get ready to depart to our destination. Take this time to prepare yourself, and say what needs to be said to anyone who you feel needs to hear it. What lays ahead remains unknown, and so does the outcomes of everyone involved. War is now upon us, but we can succeed if we put our minds to it. We won't give up, and we will fight on. No matter what happens, this must come to an end. If we can defeat the cult, then we might stand a chance against the true threat. The Templar.” Nye spoke to encourage her friends and allies, overlapping the moments they took to speak to their loved ones before their departure.

As soon as everyone said their well wishes and farewells, they parted ways at the cross roads. Showing from an overview angle in the woods, the four groups split up in the direction of their destinations, making their journeys forward.

Following Nye's group, of her, Solitaire and Minerva; the girls reached Belmont, and entered through the secret passageway. Upon stepping in, they ventured down into the dark abyss, traveled through vast dank chambers within the chasm. Wandering deeper in, came to a fork in the road, discovering a mangled corpse pinned to the wall by a blade that stuck through their red stained chest. Solitaire seemed unnerved but Minerva approached to examine the body. It was definitely a dwarven man with a hefty body and flowing ginger-colored beard, this man however was clad in Templar garbs.

”This dwarf, he's a templar? What's a Templar doing down here in a place like this?” Minerva glanced back to the others, from the mangled mess on the wall.

”Nye?” Solitaire looked to the blonde, hoping desperately for an answer.

”We may not be the only ones the cult is fighting.” Nye stated, her tone cold.