Sun Demon and the rest of her cohort made it back to their hideout deep in the sewers as a bunker underground. It was a safe haven for all those who wish to become strong and fight the king. Hide from the king, or the law itself. Some came here to belong after being casted aside by the aristocracy. This safe haven was called the Hideout. It was obvious for many reasons and easy to remember if directing those to its existence. It was bustling with people as they headed to the medical wing of the Hideout. All saluted the Sun Demon as she passed, placing a fist on their chests. She gave them knowing nods. After arriving at the medical wing a doctor greeted them and began treating the kid. They treated the kid, wrapping his wounds, and disinfecting it.
He lay upon the table and walked in was Sun Demon and a gentleman with black skin, dreads tied back, and a scar across his cheek. He was big and wore a black jacket with patches sewn on it. On his belt he had a wakizashi, and a chi gas pistol. He pulled up a chair and Sun Demon closed the door behind them. She also took a seat in a second chair. "So? Let's debrief. What went wrong Samuel?" Sun Demon asked with a cold tone.
The kid sighed, "I was picked up at the gambling den…I was high and might have spouted off to a few guys hassling me. So I flaunted being a member of this cohort?" He said with guilt. His head sank, "Listen I'm sorry…I'm trying to quit Hypnotic, but" Sun Demon cut him off holding up a hand. "No. I don't want to hear it. Not again Samuel. I've saved; we have saved you more than once from your own weakness. From that mouth you spout off every time you think flexing will save you!" Her eyes could be seen glowing from inside the mask. They were bright white and seemed to burn his soul. The other men didn't flinch his eyes glowing purple as he also stared at the boy. "You have wasted our time. Our resources and manpower getting you out of these jams you so love to call them!" She gripped her spear shaft with one hand tightly as she began to shout. She then calmed her eyes dimmed, but the man's did not. "Scarab tell this boy what his foolishness really cost us?" she asked. He seems to be pained by this line of questioning. "When you were arrested those four men you assaulted were members of the gang we were trying to treat. Since you cut one up so badly his eye had to be removed the leader happened to be his uncle. Not just any nephew mind you one he raised himself as a son. The eye has now become infected and he will die from it. So at 10:30 this morning we had men set to meet him. Goliath, Maria, Drip, and Stick went to meet. They never made it back. We found their bodies mangled and missing their eyes. Maria was left naked and disrespected even in death…you know how I felt about her. Everyone here knows that she was the love of my life. She was brokering the deal being the best talker amongst us. She in the others paid for your little fucking jam!" He said, rising from the chair.
Samuel flinched and began to sob. Maria was always kind to him. Sun Demon placed a hand on Scarab's shoulder. "In retribution we lost three others during the fight before we came to get you" she sighed. "For this you are to be executed. You will endanger the lives of this population. She rushed forward with great speed picking Samuel up by the neck. And then made for the door kicking it open. She then brought him to the middle of the square, throwing him down. All were standing still as they were prepared for this.
No one said anything as the boy cried looking around for help. "Please I know I messed up everyone! But please! I'm sorry!" He screamed through sobs. "Everyone here knows what the law is?" She shouted. "NOTHING, NO ONE, COMES BEFORE THE POPULACE OF HIDEOUT!" They all said in unison. "I set these laws when I brought all gangs, misfits, outcasts, and victims of this harsh realm! We all survive if we all work together. No one is to put themselves above the people and these words are set in stone!" She pointed her spear at Samuel. "We have all tried to set this young man on the straight and narrow for the cause. But he has failed me. He has failed you, and he has failed those whose lives were taken by his selfishness" she paused. And gently she asked, "What shall the sentence be? Exile, blinding, or death?" She asked, waiting. "Death!" This word was repeated by all.
She flipped the spear resting it upon her shoulder. "Scarab. You do it? It's your blood debt he owes the most" she asked looking at her second. He didn't hesitate unsheathing his wakizashi that had a black blade. It gave off an ethereal fog from the blade that made it look cursed. His eyes glowing purple he slashed across Samuel's throat removing his head clean off. It bobbed to the floor leaving a trail of blood as it rolled to the Sun Demon's feet. She spun her spear around and the tip began to glow. She touched the head and it caught flames. She did the same to the body and both quickly turned to ash. "May we all learn a lesson from this" she said somberly.
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At the palace the Topaz King stood at a painting that was being made. His golden mirror mask staring up at it. He was a tall man with a hood and black robes with gold accents upon it. He stood with his hands behind his back as automatons painted a mural of him surrounded by clouds looking down on bowing people. His attention was interrupted as a Tin-man approached and bowed. "Report" the king said without looking away from the painting. "Yes sire. Seems the Engineer is dead along with his guild. The facility is in flames we have a fire brigade working hard to put it out" this made the king turn now with more abruptness. "Say that again? Are you telling me the top guild is gone? Do you even have a body that could possibly know the Engineer is dead?" he asked bluntly and with anger.
The Tin-man turned as two more of his men walked in wheeling in a gold statue of the Engineer smiling. The King approached it, cocking his head to the side, "Why would that buffoon be smiling?" he asked rhetorically. No one answered, they all knew better to answer such a question. He then sighed and walked to his throne taking a seat upon a chair of gold. "Do you have any leads as to who could have perpetrated this?" he asked. "Yes sir, we believe the Sun Demon could be behind this? We do not have evidence though sire" he said fear evident in his demeanor. "Oh it was them. No doubt about it...believing in a righteous cause and all that bullshit. This is not what we need right now. Has the army returned from the latest incursion from the War Realm?" the Tin man shook his head. "Not yet Sire. They are still on route. Maybe it will be another day?" he backed away. "Well then it looks like the automaton army I have stored away will have to do. Send them out under the Tin-men's supervision and start ransacking the city. I want to know where this Sun Demon lays their head!" he said shouting. Just then three young adults entered. Two girls and a boy. These were his children and his heir being his son. They were dressed in fine clothes. One of the girls had black hair tied back with a hair clip, she was muscular and toned. She had white eyes and a serious demeanor about her. This daughter was called Farrah the second oldest. The young girl was about eighteen and had the same black hair but curled. She wore a dress of white her name was Samantha, and the son was a tall young man with broad shoulders, a grin and short black hair. He was dressed in a military uniform and had a broad sword upon his belt. His name was Corazon and among the people he was considered a terrible human being. These children were the only ones that were allowed to be Rank 5 or Rank 6 next to their father.
"What seems to be the trouble father?" he asked. "Seems the Engineer is dead" he pointed to the statue. Corazon squinted as he studied the statue and looked at it closer. He smirked, "Peculiar face he has there?" he said jokingly. "This isn't a joke Corazon! The Molten Metal was an important enterprise to this crown. And now that vigilante ruins it! What progress have you made in finding their secret hideout? They have to be somewhere!" he said yelling. "Jeez father haven't seen you this worked up since the start of the King's Test. I promise you I will find him" he said sarcastically. He did not seem to fear the King his father at all. The king with a swipe of his hand produced a broadsword with a swirling folds onto the blade giving it a black aura. The folds moved like waves like the sword was alive. Farrah and Samantha backed away when he produced the weapon. It was clearly his soul weapon from the aura it gave off. "Do not speak to your king in that tone! Report what you know?" he demanded pointing the blade at his son. The young man didn't show fear to this either he merely stared at the sword with indifference. He then looked at the Topaz King "There is nothing to report. They leave no trace and all those we know to be hot spots for gang and criminal activity have become non-existent. They move randomly, hit as quietly as possible at night, cleanly purging things with fire during the day, and the vigilantes themselves are very skilled. This came from one eye witness who was then killed after right in the hospital" he said turning back to the statue. "Seems they wish to hinder your cultivation with the souls you collected in the machines?" he said bluntly. This caused the King to real back, "You have a babbling tongue boy. Your lucky you're my heir. If that is what they want then we should set a trap. Make the necessary preparations" he told his son.
He sat upon the throne resting the sword upon his lap. "Daughters, what have you to report? How are studies and combat training?" Farrah spoke first, "Going well father I have almost mastered all forms of martial arts. And Samantha is a good apprentice. I impart all my knowledge I learn on to her. She is a quick study and a calculating mind" she said, giving her sister a smile. "This true Samantha, have you learned well from your sister?" the young girl nodded and bowed. "Farrah is a great warrior and philosopher. We have studied many things and she is a hard sparring partner" she announced. "Tell me then which one of you have seen fit to educate yourself on this vigilante? What trap would you set for them?" he asked, staring down with his mirror mask. "Simple father. You don't search out just the populace who have no station. How do we not know that these guilds being attacked aren't the work of rivals using the vigilante as a scapegoat?" she asked. 'Best play ignorant when facing two that are calculating and volatile. Corazon will find this as an offense' she thought as she waited for the answer. "Guild Masters wouldn't dare! I have tried this line of inquiry and didn't find evidence" Corazon glared at Farrah. 'So predictable' she thought, laughing internally at how much her brother had a quick temper. "Just as well brother, but it is important to look at all angles. The guild masters have resources and abilities to hide such great numbers of outlaws. Just because you didn't find evidence doesn't mean there isn't any. They could be out of sight, or elsewhere? If they have nothing to hide then they should be open to the search?" the King chuckled at Farrah's explanation. "She is quite wise like her mother. She isn't wrong, the guilds may say they are loyal, but we know they are not. Not entirely" he said. The Tin-man stepped forward, "Sire if I may, that could cause them to join the outlaws if we push them. As the lady suggested they have many resources and abilities to also fight the kingdom" the king seemed deep in thought. 'Who the hell asked you' Farrah thought. 'Come on take the bait' she was waiting anxiously to see what her father would decide.
"Well you all have given me much to think on. But I do believe in having no stone overturned. Search the Guilds top to bottom, turn the city over, and find them! Bring the Sun Demon here alive Corazon" he commanded. Corazon shook his head, "You doom us all turn them against us. You listen to Farrah over me and this asshole?" Corazon yelled. "Know your place boy! You are not king yet? Yes I may injure their pride, but think of the future we can't have the disloyal when you are king after I ascend" he stood up from his throne. "I plan to raise hell upon this city! I will not let it all interfere with my ascension. The automatons must remain intact and protected" he ordered. "All may leave" he commanded. All four bowed and left the room Corazon the first out the door. 'You want to see me raise hell? Then it's time to boost up the timeline to take that throne. He is doing nothing for this realm and we need a new king!' Corazon began to plot.