In a dipilated bar about 7 miles from the capital , two figures get of a carriage and walk into the bar . The place is noisy,but gets quite when the two enter. Billiam afraid draws closer to Cabolt,who ignores and walks forward ignoring the dozens of eyes following them.
"Huh? What do you want" the bartender said in an unfriendly tone.
" You dare adress-" Billiam began but Cabolt silenced him.
"Pay him no mind. He's a simpleton who cannot think for himself. Anyway could we get some Red Ram?"
The bartender looked at them then returned to cleaning cleaning the counter.
" You can get some in the back" he said not raising his head. Cabolt got up and filled by Billiam entered the store. There was a stairway that led underground. Cabolt took a tourch and lighted it descending and goin underground.
" What is this place?" Billiam asked.
" It's one of the structures left behind after the catastrophe that took place 7,000."
" The crimson dawn? And it's still here?"
" Though most of the structures from the old works are destroyed,others like this one still exist and are being used for various purposes. This one is a meeting ground for the big wigs in the underworld."
" How'd you know about this place?"
" I have connections" Cabolt replied, although he wondered how Billiam wasn't suspicious after the last bit. He simply concluded that the prince was a certified idiot .
" When we get there let me do the talking"
"But I'm the prince. They ought to know who's in charge."
" Your highness,a prince shouldn't stoop so low so as to talk to these commoner. Allow me the responsibility "Cabolt said.
" You're Right. Now I see why father values your counsel."
" Idiot. You would ruin everything the moment you opened that stupid mouth of yours. Honestly how long do I have to put up with this?" Cabolt thought,shaking his head
After walking a while, they came to a large room. Within it they saw a group of four men,clad in tattered clothes with hoods covering their faces. Only one of them ,the burly man in front,didn't cover his face.. Next to them was a man in a white robe and a mask covering his face who sat with some goblins.
" Is it really necessary to come here to meet these ruffians,Cabolt ?" Billiam asked with a hint of fear.
"All for the greater good,Prince." He replied.
Cabolt walks up to a table and removes his hood .
"Never thought our client would be the famous Grand Councillor to the King and the First prince, we scored big this time aye lads?" Ricci said,he and his men laughing.
"Ricci Moor , Leader of Black Blood, leader of the renegade band that has been going around causing chaos within the kingdom."
" So what are you gonna do ,capture me?" He said with a grin.
" This is no time for jokes"Cabolt said.
There where sparks of electricity outside the bar there was a bright flash as Reynolds appeared skidding on the ground.
" I really need to get the hang of this " he said. He turned and saw the bar , narrowing his eyes and walking toward it.
" So let me guess,you want us to take out the king and put pretty boy on top."Ricci asked pointing to Billiam.
" No,we want you to eliminate the current champion. I need not talk much,here's all the information you need" Cabolt said handing him some parchment. Ricci read it's content.
" Ok so what about them?"
Ricci whistles in a low tune and says, "We've really got out work cut out for us. Do you want us to kidnap the princess while going on a rampage,declaring that it's this, Kojo's doing?"
" Wait but-" Billiam began to protest."
" Dint worry it'll just be an act" Cabolt reassured.
"Hmmm" Cabolt grunted after looking through the parchment.
"What , you can't do it?" Cabolt asks
"No , no, but is there anything else you've got for us?" Ricci said. " This job seems way too easy."
"It isn't actually " the masked man said .
" Huh? And who are you?"
" He and I are partners" Cabolt replied.
" Oh? I assume that you're with Decorum?"
" I see your brains aren't made of muscle like I expected" the mask said.
" What was that?" Ricci yelled grabbing him by the collar and pulling him closer .
" You got a death wish?" Ricci said as flames manifested around him. The Goblins and Black Blood members facing off.
" Now, now,let's all calm down" Cabolt said.
Ricci let the mask go and returned to his seat.
" They'll be usinng the confusion to smuggle some of their,products. Theyll be the ones to cause the chaos."
" All you have to do is capture gi princess and take out the two champions. I'm sure it's not going to be too difficult a task. You are The strongest fire mage on continent.
" I'm far from the strongest." Ricci said.
" There are still people stronger than me."
" Regardless,you fought the previous champion to a standstill I'm sure you're still itching to settle the score" Cabolt said.
" The only reason it was to a standstill was because she held back
And if this Kojo guy beat her,then he's an even bigger monster. I changed nothing since I took have gotten a lot stronger. Where I'm at ,taking them out would be as easy as breathing.Forget the price of this job,we can use this as a cover to ransack this kingdom dry then demand for a ransom then sell the girl aftwr weve sucked this kingdom dry." Cabolt thought with a sinister grin.
" Now about the money "
" I'll do it for double " Ricci said.
" But boss" his men protested. But a stern glance shut them up.
" I'm surprised. I was expecting you to try to collapse the kingdom "
" You have no idea" Ricci said.
" Very well then. We have a deal"
Just then Cabolt three a fireball . A cloaked figure dodged and the room was illuminated by the flames. Reynolds seeing that his cover was blown ran away to go and inform the others.
" Courier,Avril" Ricci said promoting two of his men to go after him.
" Now then I'll take my leave. I'll leave these two with you" he said indicating his subordinates." I'll send you more of my troops and a little something to aid you" the man said then dissapeared.
Rigarde took of the mask. The golem he sent to the meeting had already materialized in its pedestal.
" All going according to plan. With the City thrown into chaos it will be easy for me to take the Metatron Cube from the vault within the castle."
Reynolds wove through the forest,his two assailants hit on his tail. He fell back drawing his sword and knocked them back with an arc of lightning. The three began to fight.
One of his assailants used a bow and arrow shooting him from a distance while he danced with the other one, a wind magic user with two sickles.
Courier used his wind to make wind arcs at Reynolds who dodged and returned the shits with his lighting. The two exchanged blows while Avril fired shits at Reynolds from the distance. Courier dropped a sickle and catching Reynolds blade by surroundedimg his hand with wind pulled him closer and attempted to stab him. Reynolds sidestepped to avoid but Courier used his foot to throw the sickle he'd dropped into the air, catching it with his other arm and slashing Reynolds shoulder. Reynolds unleashed a power bolt of lightning that knocked both Courier and Avril away. He dropped to one knee. Looking at his shoulder,he saw that purple veins had began to spread.
He turned to face the Capitol.
Hermes.
He shot toward the Capitol with such speed that hys movements created shockwaves that vibrated through the forest. Avril quickly climbed a tree and drew his bow. He tried to aim for the blue of blue light but it was moving so fast he could barely follow. He narrowed his eyes and fired the arrow upward.
The girls were walking through the gardens when there was a loud crash which threw dust into the air a few meters away. The dust cleared amidst sparks of electricity.
" Brother." Adriana yelled as Reynolds limped towards them. Klara stepped forward about to scokd him when she saw how badly wounded he was.
He held his arm ,the veins still spreading.
" Let's get you to a doctor." He raised his hand .
" There's something you need to know first. Cab-" he began but Koniko saw something shining in the sky. She quickly rushed forward and pushed Reynolds out of the way and caught the arrow. She then manifested a bow and fired the arrow in the same line where the shot has some from as the others rushed forward to help Reynolds.
Avril wondered if his shit had landed. He sensed something and instinctiy jumped of the tree as Koniko's arrow struck causing an explosion and incinerating everything around. Avril managed to survive though got serious burns. Courier made an air bible but even he didn't escape unscathed. He got up and found Avrils badly burnt body outside a huge crater. He carried him away frowning as his own wounds hurt.
Koniko looked skyward then turned back to Reynold who had collapsed due to the poison.The veins had almost completely covered his body. Adriana began to weep. Sharone knelt down beside him and tried using her blood magic but that only seemed to speed it's effects. Koniko stepped forward and used her flames on Reynolds. Adriana opened her mouth to protest but fell silent when she saw vapour coming from his body.
" There,I've managed to evaporate most of the poison. But he's not out of danger just yet." Klara signaled some maids and ordered them to bring the doctor while Koniko and the others carried him away.