Mane walked down the streets with calm, determined steps. His face was covered with a black mask; the very same one he had used years ago when he competed as part of the Orange Team. After all, he wanted t be able to visit Amalgamation again. And it would be difficult to do so with his face exposed. His blindfold was off, exposing his beautiful blue eyes. From time to time they flashed and transformed into his True Eyes, but only briefly. Everywhere he stepped his air of intimidation forced people back into their homes. And many scrambled to get back, knowing full well that this person was looking for trouble.
"Sir, what do you want?" Many guards were alarmed by Mane's strange getup. His mask aside, he was wearing a large black cloak with the sigil of a Silver Wolf printed boldly on the back. On his back were two swords that were delicately held in intricately woven sheaths. What ticked the guards off was that the sigil on the sheaths was that of the Black Dragon.
"I want Ancestor Origin," Mane stated coolly. His voice was calm and composed. There wasn't a single ripple or stammer. And the guards felt most of their strength leave their bodies just because of that simple statement.
Ancestor Origin!
That wasn't a name that could be mentioned by just anyone. To call for such a figure meant that you were either crazy, or an Ancestor from another race! They were just lowly guards. Though some were Nightmares, they still didn't have the jurisdiction to know about the ancestors of the others races. Even worse, their strongest teams were all out on missions, just like it was with the other races.
"I am sorry Sir. We cannot allow you to move any further." One of the guards, presumably a captain, stepped up at this point. He was also slightly unnerved, but he had a job to do.
"Hah!" he roared as his aura filled the streets, declaring his intent as a Peak Nightmare. His shout seemed to have invigorated the others, and they awakened. With shouts of their own they overcame the unsettling feeling within their hearts and summoned their own auras.
*Boom*
"Finally, the guards are here"
Many of the citizens felt a bit more at home when the guards stood their ground. Though conflict was rare in Amalgamation, when had their guards ever failed to protect them on the rare chance that there was one?
Several auras blended together in harmony as the power of the city guards reminded Mane of the strength people had in unity. And he couldn't help but appreciate their gusto. But this wasn't their fight.
"Fall," Mane whispered with the voice of a kind lover, and the united growing aura of the guards deflated like a popped bubble.
They all fell down uncontrollably with their eyes filled with fear and despair.
"How is that even possible?" Many of the guards mumbled with difficulty as they tried to stand, yet none could.
The captain's face was red with effort yet try as he did, his body would not obey him. He felt like there was a large boulder pressing upon him. It allowed him to breath yet took away his right to movement.
"What man is this? That my body and might obey him?" he thought fearfully.
He had heard many legends of Ancestor Origin. But in none could he find the strength to defeat an army, not with his aura or power, but his words! Whoever this person was, he was a massive danger to Amalgamation.
The guards may have been the ones who experienced Mane's queerness, but many peepers saw his strength for themselves. And the legend of their strong protection was broken. Many of the spectating onlookers swiftly closed their blinds in fear. They were no longer interested in peeping. For they feared for their lives!
"Hmm," Mane rubbed his mask thoughtfully. He couldn't just leave the guards there. He searched with his eyes and found a suitably large house. Then he waved his hand towards the fallen guards and summoning the wind elements, carried them off the ground.
"Do you mind if I borrow your space?" Mane's voice traveled to the ears of the startled home owner, who hastily closed his window blinds. For some reason he knew that Mane was speaking to him.
"I am going to take that as a yes," Mane stated and slapped a palm towards the man's gate. The barrier he himself erected rippled in resistance, but facing the direct assault of a boy who was now a man, it ultimately crumbled. After all, it was made to deal with debris and aftershocks, not direct confrontation.
Mane tossed the guards onto the compound and into one big heap. And then he re-erected the barrier. Once his task was finished, he kept moving towards Ancestor Origin's residence. And he neutralized many more guards along the way. Mane had to commend them. Many of them were shaking when they met him, yet they resisted him to the very end. They knew they couldn't win, yet they tried.
"You shame their bravery with your betrayal, Origin," Mane was even more disappointed in Ancestor Origin after what he had witnessed. How were these people cowards? If they could stand up to him whom they had no chance of defeating, why wouldn't they stand against Pazuzu?
"What's with the commotion outside?" Ancestor Fire was startled by the noise coming from outside her residence.
Amalgamation was usually so quiet that even the smallest of sounds was an unwelcome addition to its serene atmosphere. And that made the persistent noise difficult to ignore.
The older lady walked over to her window frame to see what was happening, yet her aged eyes were nothing special. So she could see nothing beyond what their scope allowed. Suddenly a small badge on her table lit up, and Ancestor Fire's expression became grim.
"A threat great enough that I am being summoned?" Ancestor Fire frowned deeply, intensifying the shade of her frown lines.
Each Ancestor had a battalion under their leadership. And she was no different. Every captain had the ability to contact their Ancestor depending on the situation. But it was only when the battalion heads were out of sorts that they contacted their Ancestors.
"I better check it out," Ancestor Fire frowned and headed out. Clutching onto her walking stick she calmly moved out, unlike a woman pressed to appear before a court hearing. Strangely enough, she was much faster than the average man – or woman. Her steps were like those of a wild cat. They weren't taken with great strides, but the speed of each step made her feet seem elusive.
"Hah," Ancestor Specter sighed wistfully as his eyes reflected the rays of light from the badge flickering on his study desk. Like a disco ball it went on and off for several moments. Yet it had to be ignored. Sleeping on the only couch in the room were Lily and Lam. Before them were two cups of tea half drank – and the culprits for their unconscious states.
"I would rather you do not experience this firsthand. You may not feel any particular closeness to them, but they are your people." Ancestor Specter sighed once again but this time in pain. And then he cast another glance at the badge on the table. His eyes were full of many complex emotions, and his balled up fists suggested that the calm his body exuded was not shared by his trembling soul within.
"I must not – for their sake," Ancestor Specter walked up to his desk and picked up the badge. Giving it one more lasting look he slipped it into one of the open drawers and shut it. He had given his word not to be a nuisance to Mane today. And for the sake of his people he must abide by his promise. For this was the best route for them. Rebellion was no way out.
Ancestor Specter wasn't the only one experiencing an internal turmoil. Ancestor Storm and Ancestor Ice weren't having an easy time either. Ancestor Storm's badge wasn't here with him. But he could pretty much guess that it must be buzzing like crazy right now. Ancestor Ice on the other hand, didn't need to guess that she was being summoned. For her badge kept flickering before her eyes like a dysfunctional lamp.
"Just put it away," Ancestor Storm advised seeing the complex emotions within his friend's eyes and like any good friend would, he picked up the badge and placed it within his bosom, concealing the blinding lights.
"I hope this is over soon," Ancestor Ice sighed regretfully and curled up within her couch.
"It will be," Ancestor Storm smiled sullenly and allowed his back to taste the cold, hard floor.
The person Mane was looking forward to seeing the most was Ancestor Origin. The oldest Ancestor was not like the others. While he also possessed a badge, that was a long time ago – long before he became the strongest Ancestor in Amalgamation. Now his badge was like one of honour. It lay against the frame of his bedroom door as a highlight to his long, glistering career as the oldest Ancestor.
"Hmm. What's that noise?" Ancestor Origin wondered as he lazed around in his large chair. However, though his mind asked the question, his body made no attempt to investigate it.
"The others will take care of it," he whispered as he rested his tired back. It had been a long week for him. He needed all the rest he could get.
"They will do no such thing"
Suddenly a powerful voice rushed into Ancestor Origin's mind and shook him awake. His eyes fluttered open with the alertness of a man caught sleeping at work by his infuriated boss and his body leapt up instinctively.
"Ashera's Herald?" Ancestor Origin quickly recognised the all too familiar voice. As one who knew so well of Ashera's many abilities, he knew that breaching the mind of others was a rare and difficult skill. And it spoke volumes of Mane's power. For the boy to so easily breach his defenses like it was a sheet of butter was imperious of him.
"Yes, Pazuzu's ally. Come out yourself and make this easier for the others." Mane's words shook Ancestor Origin's unmovable heart. And for the first time in several decades, he felt the life leave his hearty body. And a great murderous instinct overcame him.
"You must not be left alive," Ancestor Origin's eyes flashed with a coldness that would have caused Cocytus itself to tremble. The killing intent he exuded was strong and mighty, and the birds that were flirting outside his window were swiftly scared away. Without any hesitation Ancestor Origin picked up his cane and jumped out his window, shattering the glass that stood in his way. And like a white flash he was off.
"Hehe. I could say the same about you. Come, traitorous old man." Mane smirked as his own killing intent was revealed. The guards who stood in his way felt their knees buckle as they fell before the might of the one blessed by the Grim Reaper himself.
Within Ancestor Specter's home was another who was wistfully looking outside the window. This person was a young woman, and boy was she beautiful. Her bright eyes reflected the glory of the daytime and her devilish curves reminded many of the secret pleasures of the night. How charming she was, and with the two rare beasts next to her she possessed an ethereal sort of charm.
"Please be fine," Sunflower prayed silently.
She trusted the man she loved, but he was still just a man. And every man was prone to the picky hands of the Grim Reaper. She couldn't help the slight anxiety that burdened her soul. But she wasn't strong enough to make a difference. All she could do was pray for his safety.
*Meow*
One of the beasts next to Sunflower was Sasha. The vagabond creature returned early this morning as though it had sensed the storm that was coming. Her presence was greatly welcome and she kept Sunflower company. Sasha slightly rubbed her furry body against Sunflower to comfort her favorite buddy.
"I hope so," Sunflower smiled brightly for she understood just what Sasha was implying. Having spent so long with the Heavenly Nether Lion, she had grown used to her manner of speech.
*Wuwu*
Silver rushed to Sunflower's side and grabbed her hand eagerly, not wanting to be left out. Sunflower giggled pleasantly and rubbed Silver's shiny fur.
"Yes, I know you are here too," Sunflower laughed, allowing the rare creatures she possessed to take her mind off what she worried most about. She had to admit that her confidence had been renewed. And she knew.
"He will be fine"
What Sunflower didn't realise, neither did she have the ability to, was that Hildegarde was there with her. Mane had abandoned his fairy because she was safer here. And for the first time in a long while, he went off to battle without his trusty sidekick next to him.
"You better not make any mistakes," Hildegarde harrumphed as she munched on a large candy. Though her words seemed rough and unconcerned, her eyes told of how worried she was. With gritted teeth she balled up her fists and threatened the Supreme who wasn't here.
"If you dare get hurt I will literally emasculate you!"