Chapter I

Thunder boomed, lightning flashed, winds howled, and trees had begun to crash. The Yukon, normally a place of beauty and life, now turned upside down by a relentless storm. Not a bird flapped, not an animal scurried, not a single figure moved. A blackened sky with vicious intent.

Below many a tree blew with several collapsing atop a pathway right through the forest, one being torn and sent flying along that path. Through the air and straight into the side of a mountain, exploding with splintering force the moment it hit. Rain pelted down, a landslide beginning with trees flowing down the mountain side mixed into the muddy waters. With splashes the mud blew right over several caves to seemingly seal them tight; though even as the mud blocked them the light did not fade.

CLANG

Inside the echoing cave where wind and water howled, deeper down to the sides of the tunnels were torches. Freshly lit, burning brilliantly. Further in the chatter of English speaking individuals had overtaken the sounds of the storm hounding outside. Up ahead further still the air shifted, blood scenting the air.

CLANG

The sound of metal on metal, banging together with extreme force. A large cavern with torches all around, paint and chalk drawn onto the cave floor dividing the room with a large rectangle in the middle. Steps echoed in this chamber along with the source of the blades, blurs of movement from corner to corner of the drawn shape. Rock was tossed by the skidding of feet, two individuals standing near head to head with locked blades on a final swing.

With arms and blades quivering, the two looking straight into the other’s eyes. Eyes locked fierce with fire, their weapons at full force against the other. A female with long dark hair and bright eyes in a long black coat and pants holding out a dagger, while the other a male with short light hair and dark eyes holding out a sword. Both grunted, the male pushing the female back with her feet digging into the ground though only momentarily.

With no wasted movement the woman stepped left, her body turning with only a single blade blocking the sword. The male grunted, stumbling forward at the sudden shift of force. Another clang, this time metal on rock followed by a thudding slap of flesh to floor. Quickly he turned round, the female standing over him with both blades to his throat.

“D-dammit,” the male grumbled.

A clapping echoed and flooded, the female stepping back to which point the male began to stumble up. Their heads turned right, a bench of stone visible where upon it sat a clapping young girl with nothing but the largest of grins on her face, “Heh heh, alright, that’s game and point.”

Her hair long down her back and dirty-blond, light green eyes shining off the light of the torches near her. Her shirt long sleeved and black with a few tears in the sleeves, her pants typical blue jeans with gashes around the legs, black boots half covered by the length of the jeans. In her lap a book with a red cover with patches of black, no writing on it though there was a portrait of several shadowy figures, “You guys did great that time, way way better than before.”

“Ugh,” the male growled stumbling up full stance, “If you say so. My performance was crap.”

“Got that right,” his opponent chuckled.

“Oh shut it. What the hell was that anyway Destiny? Dancing around me to let me stumble. That’s not fighting, that’s being a ballerina jerk!”

“Thomas Thomas Thomas, are you always such a sore loser? All is fair in love and war, haven’t your parents told you that before?”

“Yeah well we also agreed to not cut each other. Look at my damn arm you grazed.”

“Oh don’t be such a baby, it was an accident. You’re a man so act like one. You’re supposed to be stronger so I went at this with more than just intent of practice, get me?”

“Such a poor excuse Destiny,” the girl on the sideline laughed, “That whole men being stronger than women thing is so last century. Face it, you both wore each other out plain and simple and that cut was just a miss swing.”

“Oh shut up Elise,” both barked.

Elise broke into a slight laugh with her eyes shut and a hand up to her mouth, a smile on her face. Her eyes quickly opened and shifted back down to her lap with her hands also moving down to it. They skimmed from left to right across the pages, her mouth still open as she continued to speak, “You two work too hard sometimes, I swear.”

“We just want to be the best fighters in the area Elise. We’re going to show everyone up and utterly prove our power and-”

“Oh pipe down Thomas you arrogant lad you,” Destiny laughed, “I’d be happy being the best that Vulfax has to offer.”

“Yeah well beating each other up constantly isn’t doing it. Elise should come join us and put her silly book aside.”

“Oh, no, no thanks. I don’t particularly care for fighting. I’m fine being on the sidelines when I can be.”

“Come on Elise. You have the strength to lift a man and freakin’ throw him as far as I can throw a rock. With a little practice you’d be perfect with that monster strength!” Thomas barked, “At least help me get stronger.”

“If you want to get better you should do chores with me,” Elise laughed.

“What? The hell does that have to do with anything?”

“Try carrying a few dozen liters of water for a few kilometers,” Elise replied with a shrug, “I think you’ll understand what I mean then. Besides, when I fight it gets me yelled at for being an uncoordinated woman or whatever my brother feels like throwing in my face at the time. Way easier to avoid everything.”

“Oh pft, come on. If I can do it so can you.”

“Yeah but you’re not the one with a sexist brother, Destiny.”

“Rusty isn’t sexist, he simply hates everyone.”

“Heh, true true,” Elise replied, her book being placed now at her side, “By the way, isn’t it about time you two report to Vulper for duty?”

“Why not come with us?”

“Nah, I’m not much of a hunter unless it’s trapping.”

“Look just because your butt hates meat, unlike the rest of us-”

“No see, I do enjoy fish when I can get some.”

“Whatever. You should still help hunt and keep the clan happy. The clan comes first and foremost.”

“I’m aware, I just prefer my stance as is.”

“Man you are stubborn even for a female Drachen. Even Destiny isn’t as much of a pain as you are. That might be why you and your brother get into it.”

“Really Thomas?” Elise sighed, rolling her eyes for a brief instance.

A smack could be heard, Destiny’s hand pressed into Thomas’s face pressing the back of his head firmly up against a stone wall as her expression showed annoyance, mouth opening to speak, “You big dummy, think before you speak.”

“Gah, I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking, sorry Elise, ow Destiny that hurts that hurts that hurts,” Thomas cried out.

“It won’t be the only thing that’ll hurt if you keep this up,” she growled.

Yet another bit of laughter left Elise at that moment, higher in pitch. The book rose in her hand, held firmly to her side as she swiftly stood, “It’s quite alright. I’m aware that I’m not like most of the clan. I’m fine being different. Alright, I suppose then. Vulper’s in the main chamber right? ”

“Er, yeah,” Thomas replied.

“Don’t have much choice in the matter but I suppose I can do my best, right?”

“Yeah, even though your best isn’t-”

“Thomas I swear to our non-existent god or gods, I will claw your face off Captain Honest.”

“Eh- s-s-sorry.”

“Haha, oh Destiny, relax. Now come on, we have a job to accomplish.”

“And by job you mean you’re going to see us off when the storm clears and then you’re going to go get some new reading material.”

“Thomas!” Destiny boomed.

“Well he’s not wrong,” Elise chuckled.

She walked forward towards a tunnel entrance, quick to disappear down into the torch-lit cavern until she escaped their view. The two blinked and immediately took off into a dash, Thomas shouting, “Hey Elise, wait for us!”

1. Chapter II

Day crept above, sun glowing brilliantly in the blue sky scattering warmth throughout the region. Thick puddles drenched the land, water hung in trees gradually running down to the ground. A storm passed beyond a bustling small town of only a few hundred. Trees lined the streets with lamp posts, old world houses mixed with newer, some with plastic siding and others straight up wood. Tar streets lay surrounded by white concrete sidewalks that were surrounded in turn by grass. Many were on the move including a blue dressed mailman stationed by a box, a bag filling to the brim with letters.

Towards the middle of town there stood an old brick building with a large wooden door, large glass windows, and a sign reading Emerton Library. Inside were many bookshelves, all lined with books; tables spread out across the middle and by the windows, chairs around each table, and a front desk with a woman sitting at it. Her hair long and black, her eyes bright lit green, her eyes staring down at the pages of a book with one hand upon it and in another hand an ink stamper.

She sat at this desk with a radio on a shelf behind, playing the end of a song that sounded right out of the eighties. Above this radio sat a sign with the text Music Is Acceptable Here. A smile spread upon her face as her stamper went down on the back of a book, punching ink onto a card that was then slipped back into a plastic sleeve, “Well this just won’t do, overdo by a week. Going to have to make a note of that.”

An old bell rang by the door as the clank of the knob was heard, the door being pushed open brushing the bell as it hung from the ceiling. The woman at the desk looked up and quickly smiled bigger, “Ah Elise, good to see you back in town.”

Elise walked in the door with three books in hand, “Good to be back and out of my home again,” was her response as she walked forward, the door shutting behind her brushing the bell again.

She slowly approached the front desk looking up and down the rows of books with a slight smile. She stopped at the desk and placed the books down, looking to the woman sitting on the other side, “I can’t even tell you how good it feels to get out of there again Miss Holly.”

“Heh heh, I’m sure of that. Family can be such a pain at times,” Holly spoke as she spun her chair around to the radio, free hand outstretched to a nob.

With a twist she began turning it down a slight bit to make conversation easier. Once done she spun back around and placed the ink stamper back on its pad. Her hands folded, her elbows resting upon the desk, and her chin resting upon the hands, “A father so dense and a mother so clueless. So, what can I do you for this time?”

“I’m only here to return these and get a couple more for the month.”

“Ah right right, I suppose. So what did you think of Martin Trainworth?”

“Interesting. Different from the science fiction books I’m so accustomed to; though still superior to those princess stories I read that one time by, uh, oh man I can’t remember.”

“Well that’s fine. If you’re interested in more science fiction might I recommend Isiah Avacados or perhaps some Mariah Shores? Oh, we also recently got in a new Emeelia Norland novel.”

“Actually I was thinking about maybe some normal fantasy.”

“Ah fantasy, those are some good ones. Young Adult, New Adult, Middle Grade, or-”

“Young Adult is fine.”

“Ah darn, I was hoping to introduce you to this one about magic that’s super popular. Thing is that it isn’t Young Adult though but it’s still super good.”

“Maybe next time though trust me Miss Holly. I want to sorta slide into the genre before I read something totally crazy.”

“Fair enough I suppose; though I personally would find it cooler to dive in and be completely bewildered at something new. But hey, to each their own.”

“Eh, I don’t know. I like being able to compare things.”

“Oh man, sometimes you young people I just, oh I don’t get it. I can’t comprehend it.”

“Like how I can’t comprehend that old music you keep playing Holly,” came a voice, a male approaching from beyond the book shelves.

“Marve, the eighties were brilliant for music. Put your neck out a little and hear the greatness.”

“Stop being old,” Marve chuckled, quickly disappearing down another aisle as Holly sighed.

Elise let out a slight chuckle as Holly looked back up, “Oh uh, right then, so books. For this particular genre, perhaps, what about-”

“Oh it’s fine Holly. I’ll go by book cover and their description this time, keep a small bit of surprise to everything right?”

“Oh, haha, alright. Well, fantasy is down aisle twelve. I think you’ll like it, truly.”

“It’ll be interesting to read though I’m not sure how I’ll feel. I prefer something imaginable that’s realistic, not fake but who knows.”

“Fantasy is the imaginable luv, things not real to some that might be true for others. Regardless of what you say all fantasy has to start from something and chances are that it is somewhat realistic.”

“Fair enough. Well I’ll still give it a try. It can’t be that bad, unlike that one thing you swore up and down would be the best thing ever.”

“Hahaha,” Holly laughed waving a paper fan at her face for but a moment before placing it over her mouth, “Oh that. Well you’ve got me there.”

“Yeah I gu- hey where did that fan come from?”

Holly lowered it, a smile spread across her face, “Well, either way. Thank you for stopping by again Elise. When you’re ready I’ll check you out. I’m sure you’ll be busy for awhile since you’re here.”

“Right. Well, thanks again Miss Holly.”

Elise turned, walking towards aisle twelve as it was labeled above, looking around and as she went down aisle twelve. Holly let out a sigh having been smiling until that point, “Well, she definitely resembles how her father used to be and yet she’s far more gentle. I wonder how much longer she’ll continue on this way. Hmm, I suppose I won’t truly know that. Heh, though on another note, I wonder how that old coot friend of mine is doing? Hopefully doing alright.”

1. Chapter III

“Warning, warning, security breach on the South end of the facility. All non-military personnel must take shelter immediately. All able fighters report to defensive positions and lock down the facility. This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill!”

That was the voice over the loudspeakers as a high pitched shrieking alarm went on. Within the halls of the facility men and women ran with rifles primarily, steel doors dropping behind and in front of them sealing off various sections of the base. The facility was quick to rumble, the sound of a massive explosion going off somewhere within that shook viciously leading to some of the soldiers falling over. Many of those in lab coats ran around quickly with notes flying everywhere, some turning corners to run right into one another and fall backwards.

Lights began to flicker on and off repeatedly until the main lights went down entirely leaving only emergency lights on. Soldiers rushed along the corridors turning in various directions at each fork with doors slamming down behind them. Many turned down a passage, running down quick soon entering the Hub grounds with the various pathways where many others had entered. It was from one of these that Wesley ran down from with others in the same robe as him, all meeting up, “What happened?”

“Sir, we’ve had a breach. It’s them.”

“Dammit, how many?”

“At least a battalion's worth sir-”

“What? Damn it all. How did they gather so many and sneak up on us? All of you with me.”

They turned and flew quickly down a passageway with a sign hanging above that read South. They ran quickly, vigilantly, all with a fierce look in their eyes. Ahead an inhuman moaning roar was heard, then a shriek of some form of creature, followed by the sounds of gunfire as another explosion rocked the facility. With this one all of those running behind Wesley stumbled and collapsed, quick to get back up with fright however, “General, what the hell is going on?”

“It’s The Hive so I haven’t a damn clue. How close are we?”

“Not far sir, they should be just ahead.”

All of them skidded to a halt as in front of them were several soldiers on one knee each, firing their rifles off into the darkness. Wesley’s eyes danced around from one side to the other then back down the middle before widening as another roar was heard. Charging at them from up front taking round after round of ammo fire was a wolf-type creature with blazing sapphire eyes, black in color though covered with splotches of blood all over, it being many meters tall.

“Take that thing!” Wesley shouted though as he did there was a crash to his right.

The wall ripped open with an explosion of fire flying out, one that would quickly engulf the general. His body flew in these flames, flung through the other wall of the hallway.

The soldiers looked on, mouths hanging and eyes swollen, “General!”

One man flew out wearing the robe of The Hive, his hair shoulder length and pure white, his eyes that of a simple blue. His eyes shifted left towards the soldiers, sharpening upon sighting. With screams they opened fire upon the individual, shots that would never reach. Bullets stopped within the air before the man, all rounds just freezing with no visible damage or hold. His eyes rolled, the soldiers continuing their fire even as the frozen bullets shifted. A snap of his fingers, then came the screams of pain as every bullet flew straight back into the bodies of their owners.

Many dropped, many continued fire stumbling away. The man launched himself forth, his body a blur of color as he went. Purple flames flew from his body, breaking off as his arms flew forward with black rods extending from his sleeves. There came more screams followed by the sound of flesh being ripped clean from bodies and of blood splattering the floor, walls, and ceiling. Bodies were flung everywhere littered with holes from both the rods and bullets. Behind the wolf howled out, blood flowing from both of its eyes which now had begun to glow orange and blue both.

More figures in Hive uniform flew from the hole, following the man of white hair down the hall. Behind a few of the new comers stopped, not in Hive uniform yet marked with red stars, all chuckling, “Well I guess that takes care of-”

Metal clanged again, blood spraying out as the individual fell backwards collapsing on the ground. Before him stood Wesley all a sudden back on his feet with some tears to his outfit, a white aura surrounding him as he looked upon the individual. Wesley’s eyes drifted down the hall to where the white haired man had run, “Dammit! How could I have let myself be taken by that crap?”

THWACK!

Wesley flew, crashing to the tiled floor riddled with dents and holes. Before him stood another individual, a laughing individual, “Haha, too slow old man.”

Wesley back flipped and landed securely on his feet in a single motion, “And who might you be, sunshine?”

“Heh heh, they call me Rohwer,” the individual spoke, high pitched.

Behind him cartwheeled two more marked with the red stars of the Hive, flipping up to land on their feet. Both female and identical, both with green hair smiling looking upon Wesley, “Oh he looks like fun,” one spoke.

Rohwer chuckled, “Cindy, Sidney, shall we get down to it and roast this turkey?”

“Sounds fun Rohwer.”

“Oh yeah I call dibs on his legs.”

“Hmph, a bunch of children who think they can tangle with me? Normally I’d be up for a little fun but right now I have no time for you,” Wesley spat charging forward at them.

The twins quickly leaped back, Rowher also taking a quick step back with his arms flying up, “Alright we can do this, come on old man!”

“Nope-” Wesley muttered, skidding with a turn.

Bolting away, he shot down the hall in the white haired man’s direction. Rowher blinked, head turning with a mouth slightly open, “Uhhh.”

“You blockhead, he’s going after Lord Shadow!” came the bark of Sidney.

“What? That snake- I thought he was going to take us on. Bah, stop him now or it’ll be the ax for the lot of us!”

Ahead Wesley ran, passing bodies strung about on the floor and through walls; many his own soldiers, some of the rest being those marked by The Hive. His eyes darted back and forth as he ran, passing to the right at a fork in the hall. Ahead came roaring of a beast of some sort, loud footsteps, and gun shots. Then thuds, redundant thuds, almost like something stomping upon the ground.

All at once he came to a halt at another fork, eyes glowing big, “{Alright now what the living hell is that then?}”

A creature stomped forth, large enough to take up much of the hallway. A very big green beak flying open, the body and legs of a wolf, tail of a reptile, head of a pterodactyl, and small wings upon its back. A roar left it at once as it spotted Wesley, the same roar Wesley had heard the moment prior, loud enough the shake everything in its general vicinity. All at once it then shot forward right at Wesley, who at that point stepped a single pace back, “Oh you have got to be shitting me!” he shouted turning down another hall with a quick dash.

Behind the creature crashed in an attempt to turn, the walls and ceiling behind falling straight down atop its body like an avalanche. In seconds it shot forward through the rubble, down the same hallway as Wesley with its roar. Right passed this creature crawled Rohwer across the ceiling with a glow behind his eyes and a wide grin, while along the walls the two twins ran with smiles and a happy look to their eyes.

Glancing back ahead his right hand moved to his ear pressing against it, “This is General Wesley Ezdorth to all available units near the South Twenty-First Passage. Meet at the East Twenty-Fifth Passage immediately. I have a whole herd of trouble on my tail and I’m not having it.”

1. Chapter IV

“Elise, you pathetic pile of vomit!” a voice yelled, echoing off rocky cave walls along with the echo of dripping water.

“Excuse you?” was the response given with a slight bark to it, also echoing off the walls as a number of footsteps came to a halt.

Elise looked ahead, eyes locked with the individual who yelled and his scowling face, anger seeping through his expression like oil through a paper towel. Hers, a cold brittle stare with eyes absolutely locked and her body tensed. All around bodies stood with eyes locked on both, a stand off.

“I just heard that Vulper let you skip out on another hunt to go get your stupid made up tinker blinking bullshit. You should be cleaning and food prepping and gathering.”

“Since when does my involvement in a hunt matter to you? Last I checked I’m just a good for nothing woman who can only clean. And what does it matter if I have more books to pass the time? We live in a damn cave, I can’t make it shinier than a diamond jackass. Not like it’ll matter what I do.”

His jaw hung a tad, his face growing a tint of red as his eyes lit ablaze with more inferno, “Not like it’ll matter? Not matter?” came the growl back, “Damn straight it doesn’t matter because you don’t matter you worthless broad.”

“And that’s why I said my presence doesn’t matter.”

“Pft, just burn her damn books Rusty,” came the voice of another.

“Kick her ass!”

Around the two a crowd had begun to gather, heads poking themselves up and other poking down. Some shoved way to the front with grins, others blank or with darting eyes.

“Yeah, do it, she should be doing work the little freeloader,” called another.

“Beat her ass straight, no way in hell can she fight back,” laughed a third.

“God, your sister sucks,” a fourth concluded.

“Pft, whatever,” Elise grumbled with a glance away, eyes looking down towards the ground.

“Submissive like the woman that you are. Pathetic,” Rusty growled, “I’m disgusted that we’re blood.”

“Hey you said it not me,” she murmured raising her right hand to grab her left shoulder with a slight shrug.

“Useless hack, you’re submissive as all living hell and no one likes you. You should do us a favor and get the hell out of here. Go drop dead somewhere, I don’t freakin’ care.”

“No because all you care about is fighting. Why should you care about anyone or anything else?” Elise grumbled, her eyes dancing back towards him.

“Are you talking back to me? Do you want me to beat the crap out of you again?”

“Rusty, that’s enough of that,” came a call from the other end of the cavern.

All eyes, even those of Elise and Rusty, shifted to the source to see two figures emerge, “Hmph, Sacho and Nora, what a surprise,” Rusty muttered.

Both figures stepped forward to the center of the crowd which in turn parted around. The male crossed his arms, the female placing her hands to her sides, both looking directly at Rusty with fire in their own eyes. The male in particular looked with a spit of disgust, “Rusty, for someone who thinks your sister isn’t worth a damn thing, you sure seem to like bugging her. You could be using your free time to get stronger, right?”

“Well pardon me for trying to take out the trash. She doesn’t even gather crap right. She has no skill to hone, she has no worth with chores, she’s slow and utter crap,” Rusty growled in response.

Once more Elise’s eyes glanced away, her body shifting off from Rusty. The crowd parted as she moved, all letting her move on as their fixations on the three before them grew stronger. Rusty stepped forward, a knife sliding from his right sleeve, “You should know your place Sacho. I am an heir to the Clan of Vulfax. Screw with me and I’ll make your life a living hell just as it is for the girl.”

“Big talk from a runt who can’t even beat a Zaherian,” Nora growled sharply.

“You stay out of this,” Rusty hissed.

“You’re a bloody arrogant disgrace to Drachen everywhere, you so often act like a vulgar Zaherian Wulfn on the hunt. You honestly think that Lord Azala will choose you over Britt? Ha! You barely have half the brains of him. And for that matter, though she’s ignorant to fighting, your sister is smarter than both of you put together. A smarter choice would be to label Britt as leader, Elise as his tactician, and you as a mindless enforcer. Oh hell or even pick her for her brains, that would be classy, so priceless. Sure we might all burn by the end of her reign but it would so be worth it to see you put in your place for once in your life.”

“Did- did you just compare me to that loser sister of mine? I’ll have your bloody head Sacho!” Rusty spat.

“You underestimate your father’s insight and it comes off as stupid.”

“You want stupid? Really now, oh, I’ve got you bro. Sacho, how about you and I go at it eh? I’d love to take you down a peg or two and show you why I am the best.”

“Rusty, stop it,” came a loud call, the call of a not-so deep commanding voice, rather silky smooth.

Elise’s head poked up, her eyes meeting the torso of another before her. Eyes turned again to see a figure approaching from the nearby crowd, a figure to which Rusty scoffed with his head shaking, “Oh hell no Britt, I’m not dismissing this again. Sacho has to run his mouth and now I’m going to kick his pretty face in.”

The newcomer stepped forward, more eyes turning to him as he moved up near Elise in a few steps. His feet stopped behind her, to which she slowly turned to look at him. With a sigh he raised his right hand to his head and mixed it in with his lengthy brown hair, “My my, you never learn brother.”

“Neither of you learn and your father needs to be aware of this. Elise might be a weak piece of trash but at least she’s smarter than the both of you when it comes to knowing her place.”

“I’m getting real sick of your mouth Sacho so come on, let’s get on with it,” Rusty called out.

Nora stepped aside, letting Sacho proceed towards Rusty, “Bring it on then little brat.”

“B-Britt, are you going to?” Elise murmured watching the scene unfold.

“Step in? No. He’ll have to learn the hard way,” Britt grumbled crossing his arms, “Now then, how long will Rusty last I wonder?”

Elise gradually looked back ahead, eyes glancing away after so long with both arms crossed relatively low, “I’ll watch this for now, then I have to go gather things. Vulper said he might come and watch me work for a spell.”

1. Chapter V

Daylight flourished with shadows cast from the trees. They danced over a winding dirt path along a forest floor, littered with natural beauty. Open and beautiful as wild flowers danced along with a slight breeze, the leaves shaking. Small shrubs shook with small critters scurrying about. A Chipmunk chirped before rushing off, squirrels wrestled in the tree branches above, birds fluttering in the air.

Those birds then swooped and caught many insects with each pass, one nearly slamming into a rabbit as it moved along. Rabbits flew forward across the path from one end of the forest to another, the sun moving overhead bit by bit. They’d move, stopping along the path sitting up before turning back to where they came from. From up the path came Elise, walking in the sunlight with a pouch at her side, a large handbag and a backpack filled with canisters at the top.

“Get this woman, go do that Elise, hey you should try something lady, just- ugh,” she grumbled with her walk.

Her gaze darted back and forth with a slight smile forming as the sight of the wildlife darting around, rummaging through the vegetation, “Gets his pale ass beat for being a cocky dastard, then has the audacity to slug me in the gut and order me to go find crap out here. I can’t stand him!”

Rusty lay upon his back, twin knives at his side covered in blood; though not the blood of his enemy. Above him towered Sacho, grinning as he looked down upon the battered Rusty. Elise observed, her face relatively calm and blank while Britt looked on in disgust, a sneer of disappointment overtaking him for a moment. Elise stepped forward twice, stopped as Britt’s right hand grabbed her left shoulder. Her head turned only to be met with a shaking of her brother’s head.

“What was that about me hitting like a girl, Rusty?” Sacho chuckled.

“Kkk, y-you hit and look like one still,” Rusty growled.

“Pft- Rusty you idiot,” Britt murmured beside Elise.

Blood trickled from Rusty’s nostrils, his right eye half-swollen, his left pinky bent straight back. An arm also lay twisted, a hole through the right hand from a blade. A hole also rested in his foot. He lay there, down and battered to nothing. With Sacho, it was only mere cuts to his clothes and little blood on the left arm, some down his chin leading from the mouth.

Her eyes turned to the right, acting in response to the sudden call of a falcon. It swooped down with talons out, narrowly missing a small rodent by centimeters. Having missed the falcon took off right back into the air, leaving Elise to chuckle a tad.

“Little ones aren’t always easy to take out I suppose.”

“No they’re not, yet you still let yourself get pushed around,” came a deep voice from behind Elise.

Her head turned again, eyes staring back at a man in black. She side stepped, sighing, “Well Vulper, not like I my words will make much difference and I definitely can’t just kick his ass.”

“There are many ways to win a fight, you know that better than anyone,” he spoke stepping ahead in the shadows.

“Yeah yeah, I know.”

She carried on as Vulper followed close behind, the leaves crunching beneath their feet as they moved, then came the crunch of the grass. Her head perked up, eyes looking ahead to a large wooden cart sitting with a deer upon it, several foxes, ducks, and various other animals. At the back of the cart laid a stack of wood, topped with various ropes and bear traps. Sacks hung around full of canisters, some hanging by ropes off the cart.

Behind Vulper pulled a piece of paper from his sleeves, unrolling it for a minimal amount of time. His green eyes zipped around with a tint of read, examining what was drawn upon it, “Alright, the next trap is to the South.”

“Suppose I have to pull this damn cart myself right?”

“You suppose right Elise.”

“Dammit, the thing is going to be so heavy. Whatever.”

Vulper stepped out of the shadows into the light, a brief breeze hitting him causing his long black hair to flow back. He stood bold and tall, shoving the paper away into his coat pockets, “What, you want help with that or what?”

“No thanks. I’m good. I don’t want to burden you. Why did you want to come along anyway Vulper?”

“Curiosity I suppose. Make sure you’re doing your job proper.”

“I suppose that’s the one benefit you have, being a Drachen half of Zaherian and not a half of Vampire. Makes me wonder why our ancestors thought to go with Vampire blood hybridization. Yeah they’re crazy strong but the whole sunlight thing among other things is kinda trash. Inheriting all those weaknesses and such.”

“Pretty much just the power thing and for convenience. If our line was of Wulfin blood or just Zaherian in general, well, that would be something weaker than what we are now. Or I should say, weaker than what the bulk of you are now. Regardless of what we are a mix of, we are Drachen, descendants of the proud Dragons that once ruled this world.”

Both stopped before the cart, Elise lugging off her many containers onto the back with a single movement, “Huff! Those things are heavy.”

“Well you carry a ton so not surprising. Now don’t forget that after this you also need to cycle some of the straw bedding the elders have and from some of the others, the torches to the south need to be redone. Oh and you need to deliver the kills so they can be cleaned up and preserved a bit. Dust the tunnels, collect empty water canisters, burn the old cart, and-”

“Yeah yeah I get it Vulper, the normal chore list, I know. All I can say is that I’m glad we found a new cart, that old one sucked. Ugh, that deer though is going to stink it up. Been dead for awhile.”

“Well you don’t need a nose to know it has been rotting. Heck, its organs sloshing around should have been sign one.”

“Ugh, gross, how can you guys eat this stuff?” she gagged.

“Sweetie, a Drachen can eat anything. Just stick to your vegan diet.”

“Dude, I eat fish, I’m not vegan or vegetarian.”

“Right right, just don’t complain now, there’s work to be done.”

1. Chapter VI

There came a chain of explosions, a deep rumbling that rocked entire sectors of Nospheross. Creaking metal, snapping panels, crashing pillars. Deep inside a fire spread out while more metal pipes began to clang upon the ground, roaring out liquid that would flood rooms. Footsteps moved forward, a man gurgling before a crackle took the place. A thud and then more pipes banging down.

“Sounds as if we’ve got company on the way. Heh, no matter.”

Walking through the prison room, a sole man in a black cloak with red stars patterned across it, his hair long and silver, his eyes gleaming purple. Around him lay the bodies of several of the Security Force. As the prison bars dropped, sliced to nothing but pieces on the ground, many would leave the cells and look around. Many would grin, turning and heading off in their own directions leaving the man.

“I thank you both for freeing me.”

Behind him now from nowhere appeared two men, both with the same coat and each masked. One stood shorter with black hair and sapphire eyes, his mask half gold and half silver, carved with a smile. The other wore a simple gray mask with a giant red visor in the middle.

“But of course Cortez, it wouldn’t be a party without you,” the one with the gray mask spoke.

“Heh heh yeah let’s do this. This should be well worth the four hundred years of waiting.”

“Right. On that note, might I ask who is the one leading this operation?”

“The Prince of Darkness of course.”

“Heh, so my old apprentice is the one leading. Fascinating.”

“That is an affirmative.”

“Fascinating indeed. It will be good to see Leon after all this time. So, have you found what we seek yet?”

“Affirmative, again.”

“And uh, how about that other item I requested?”

“Affirmative to that as well, Cortez. All the pieces are in place so rest assured that this will all be said and done for good at long last.”

“Nothing is ever set in stone my friend, do well to remember that.”

“Gah, Nazi Vampires, Zombie Werewolves, what the hell else is in here!?” came the bark of a soldier, followed by a crackle of fire.

“Pissed off Leprechauns?”

“Shut up Timmy, I am not in the mood for jokes!”

“Who said I was joking jackass!?”

Footsteps rang out along with the sound of metal being cleaved open, a shriek coming out of said metal. Soldiers tore down a single hallway with metal-made rifles loaded with screens and other gizmos. They held ahead, firing white laser blasts upon Hive soldiers. Three flew ahead, their appearances all identical with flowing white hair and blue eyes, all wearing the black cloak of a Hive Elite. All shot around the shots, flipping onto walls, onto the ceiling, and then back onto the ground itself.

“Who gives a rip snort, fill them full of holes private. And fix that damn communicator so we can get backup in here!” came another yell.

“I am trying Lieutenant, I truly am but I’m telling you the main systems are down and I’m locked out. These guys had to have had help in order to pull this off, I’m telling you!” came the response not more than a moment’s passing later.

“You’re telling me a lot of things and I don’t want to hear any of it. We are pinned down here Commander and I’m not having any of this. We’re dealing with Vampires who have flippin’ guns. Vampires with guns, do you know how messed up any of this is? I swear a couple of them are dressed like the Nazis and even American Civil War guys too.”

Wesley slammed down behind, throwing Wulfn after Vampire after Wulfn with his strength, blades of glittering white slamming through some. The Vampires once struck were set ablaze with inferno filled shrieks, stumbling around in agony as they went up, “No shit they planned this, we have a mole in our ranks!”

Yelping and yowls of pain, howling of wolves. Chunks of ceiling collapsing and walls blistered out, many soldiers holding place behind each viable spot as bullets stormed the air.

“Hold the line, hold the line!”

Many stood in the halls behind piles of debris, behind the holes in the walls, around corners, some even against the walls. An explosion filled the hall as another section of wall blew out, sparks of electricity sent flying out along with a body. The body flew clipped by several bullets after the fact and slammed through another wall. Wesley turned, two corpses in his hands, “Bloody dastards.”

Halls lit crimson with the sound of crackling flames, the crackle of gun fire, the screams of many a mortal man.

“General look out!”

Wesley glanced at the soldier that had yelled to him and then to the opposite direction seeing three Wulfn Wolves charging him.

“Mongrels, have at thee, ha!”

Swinging his outstretched hand a blinding flash of light shot out and slammed into the wolves, sending all of them crashing back into a group of enemy soldiers, “Gettin real tired of this shit right about now.”

“General look out behind you, again!”

Without a moment’s hesitation Wesley twirled around and hurled the man from his right hand at what was approaching, only to be met by an explosion. The force sent Wesley flying back right into another hole, “Bah, damn.”

A man approached dressed in a Black Long Coat with a red star pattern, his hair white and down to just above the shoulders. Icy blue eyes stared back into Wesley’s brown eyes as he stood, “Hmm, judging by the power I’m feeling, you’re a Hive Elite. Am I right?”

Wesley glanced around quickly examining white gloves, black boots, no obvious weapons, though his gaze did focus upon a mask half covered by a black hood. A white mask with a black lightning bolt on the right side and a blue squiggly line beneath the left eye hole. A frown was carved into the mask while upon the forehead a black star surrounded by dark red flames rested. Black aura danced around the man with a sapphire tint echoing outwards from it like a bunch of waves.

By this point the gun fire on both sides halted, men looking across the line to their foes and then back towards their comrades. Wesley continued, “I would ask for your name but honestly I think I already see the answer. Iced blue eyes, the white hair, and that black star with the flames. Heh, I’d call you a fake but that aura, has to be. Are you Zero Skyheart?”

“Mmm, perhaps, does that fact really matter?” was the response in a low, calm tone.

“Somewhat considering he should be dead. Half his face was blown off and he was left to burn after the Battle of Jerrisan. He’s well done and well dead.”

“Who knows, am I?” came the response as several other figures approached from behind the masked individual.

Wesley’s eyes filled with a level of shock seeing these newcomers. All stood identical with the same hair and eyes as the masked man. None of them shared the mask though all shared the same face; pale with no lines, merely a scar around the right eye that ran from two inches above to five inches down the face.

“I find it most amusing how the moment someone wears a mask, everyone has to find out who sits behind it, rather than find out what the individual is acting on.”

“Kind of my business in case you have a weakness, and what are they supposed to be? Replications?”

“Heh, you might call them that though does it really matter Ezdorth? Who and what we are should be of no concern to you at this very moment, what should be of concern is what we are about to do.”

“Cylux,” called another voice, this one a shout from the direction of the enemy soldiers.

Another set of individuals approached through the ranks, “Cylux, you and Shadow go on ahead. I want this one for myself,” one of them spoke

Four individuals and all in black Long Coats with the red star pattern, two masked and two without.

“Shit! They let him out already?! Shit! Gonna have to kill ‘em now before he can return to full power-”

Two masked individuals stood alongside Cortez, who now stood in full uniform. The fourth individual’s Long Coat was dressed with splendor, silver fur lining around the neck band and sleeve openings as well as around the tails of the coat. Wavy dark brown hair flowed down his head to the base of the neck behind, parted and unkempt at the front exposing his forehead in full. His eyes a gleaming amber with a silver around the corneas.

Wesley scowled as he looked upon the man approaching, “Well well well if it isn’t the High Commander himself. Leon Sycamore. And what’s this? Two backup dancers to make yourself feel in charge? Losing your touch I see.”

“My my Wesley you’ve always acted with such ill-mannerism towards me and here you still are, alive and in command. I should correct that,” came the response of Leon in a cool and collected tone, his figure stopping in place as did the rest, “Cylux, be gone. I have business to tend to.”

Cylux nodded to Leon, “As you wish Leon. In the event that I don’t get the chance, I would like to say, Wesley… I’ve always felt you to be the biggest ass among the entirety of the Tribe. Ciao.”

At once the man and the others disappeared with only a trail of dust being left behind.

“Tch, high speed movement. Damn-”

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about that Wesley. You have bigger problems to contend with.”

“Suppose I do,” Wesley muttered turning to face Leon, “Guess I’ll have to kill them after I kill you, eh?”

The air around the two shifted once more, their intent to kill filling it and bearing down heavily. The very floor beneath them crackled, the sound of shattering as the air shifted again with the echoing of running off the walls.

1. Chapter VII

The breeze had begun to pick up more as the path guided her forth. Rustling up ahead stopped Elise short, stopped by the hop of a bunny on the move. Her smile perked up and with that her feet kept her moving. Her eyes darted right, a blur of movement on the horizon. Around a hundred meters out moved multiple humans, all dressed in armor vests carrying varying melee weapons and long range weapons.

Some with spears, some with axes, some with rifles, others with whole vests of grenades. Each wore cross necklaces, and none of them paid her any mind. Her pace stopped right behind a tree to block their potential view of her, eyes shaking a slither, “{Hunters? Yeah, definitely hunters. People from the Church probably. That’s just great. Looks like they’re heading in the direction of Pointe Peak. Stark Pack? I had best report back on that later I suppose.}”

Her head slowly poked out, eyes zooming out. Not a single one of them was in view though tracks left in the mud led on further away heading towards the North, “Well they’re either going for Pointe Peak for Stark Pack or their heading off to Faro. Dang, I should visit Faro again some time, I love that town. Alright, guess I should get back and report this, then get to work with all my other duties.”

The underground tunnels of the mountains, home of Clan Vulfax. Through these tunnels Elise moved at a sluggish pace with a basket upon her back filled with the unlit torches. Behind was her large cart, full of broken and diminished stubs that once were burning sources of light. Behind those, more wood and other torches, even supplies to make more torches. With a plastic lighter in hand, she moved about lighting each new one up, removing the old ones, and placing the new ones in their new holders upon the cave walls.

Step, swap, light, repeat. That was all as she moved along with others walking passed her. She gave them a glance then continued on down another tunnel, “Hmm, lets see, I think I need to trade these out tomorrow, or did I put them in later than I think I- eh, whatever. I’ll roll with it. What was it next again? Oh… great.”

Upon another cart lay a stack of sheets and straw pulled by Elise as she went on to small openings within the tunnels. Behind the cart was another cart with torn sheets and messy straw piled high. She stopped at each small opening and reached in, pulling from them more torn sheets and straw piled.

She gagged as she carried it over to the back cart, dropping it aboard. Her attention turned to the front cart as she moved again to grab new straw and sheets. Moving to the entrance she set them down with a nod and a sigh, returning to the cart pulling it on as she had done many times before, “I hate swapping out old bedding.”

At the end of the tunnel was a stack of water canisters. She gave another sigh as she stopped right in front of them, bending down scooping several up, “Great, now I have more water duty to worry about.”

The carts moved to the outside now with her pull, upon one multiple water containers and upon the other much of the bedding and old torches. With a sigh she stopped once a fair distance away, turning to the second cart, “Well, this cart is about done like this lighter. So-”

With a single flicker the cart erupted into flames, the lighter having been tossed lit right into it. Her foot pressed down and released the latch connecting the two carts. With that done Elise turned away and pulled the first cart aside, a book now in hand which she opened, “Lets see… so tomorrow I grab a few dozen liters of water again and find another cart if at all possible, then catch fish. What joy.”

Her eyes glanced up to the entrance where they then rested upon Vulper who stood with arms crossed. The book lowered as he gave a nod, turning to walk back in. Elise glanced back down to her book, reading along as the fire roared on, “Man, what a pain. Next I have to, uh, oh right, Vulper wants me to go tend to the Eldership and bring them their herbal tea and then sweep the tunnels out. Ah man, why do we even clean cave tunnels out?”

She sighed looking up as the smoke bloomed and moved up, “Just another day I suppose.”

Down the tunnels a new rolling cart squeaked again, pulled by Elise by a rope tied around her waist. This one carried only brooms. Forward she moved with one in hand. A sigh left her as she swept along the ground as she moved forward, eyes small and glum.

She looked left, hearing the sound of sudden clapping, then the sound of something smacking against the rock.

CRASH

Behind her the cart shattered, broom splinters flying as a man crashed down on top of the cart. He yowled, arched on his back. In the entryway there stood two individuals laughing to themselves, bumping fists as they then disappeared back inside. Elise turned round, “At it again Brett?”

“Nah- urk, I got beat because I failed my recent mission. Gahhh I’m in pain.”

“You’re in pain but you’re not acting like it.”

“Yeah that might be because I fell into a burning patch of some weird looking plant that was then hit by flaming arrows. Did I mention that?”

“Uh, no, pretty sure you didn’t.”

“Ah well, there’s that. Unfortunately it wasn’t just that that I inhaled, I think? I didn’t inhale enough either but it sorta buzzed me. I’m not really thinking right. I feel the pain but I’m not in pain if that makes sense.”

“Alright alright just uh, umm. Hey how about you sleep it off, I swapped out a bunch of the bedding a minute ago.”

“Sweet,” he mumbled standing, slowly stumbling off.

Elise’s gaze followed though only for a moment as she let off a sigh, “I don’t have the medical supplies anymore unfortunately ever since Father told me to stop collecting them, sorry about that. Ugh, this clan is too harsh with its punishments though-”

“Nah nah das, das just fine Lil’lise. Alls good. Jus-justrust me k? Heehee.”

“Heh, right. Try to be careful alright?”

“Yee yeah, whaeva,” he laughed stumbling off.

She sat in a carved seat now, the cart beside her. In her right hand an apple with a few bites taken out of it and in the left a book. Next to her Thomas and Destiny chowed down on bits of meat from recently caught deer, both laughing at each others jokes. She smiled slightly as she flipped the page with one finger.

“Right so then I was all like yo get out of my face before I drop kick you into next Tuesday and they got all up in my face.”

“So what happened next Destiny?” Elise asked.

“Drop kicked Baske through the floorboards at the mansion and through a couple floors into the basement.”

“Ha, I wish I had been there, those two drive me insane,” Thomas laughed.

“Oh gosh, don’t even get me started again. Elise be happy you don’t have to put up with all the idiots in Vulfax like us.”

“I mean, I still have to put up with them. Earlier I ran into Brett and, to say the least, the man was a walking pile of wounds and somehow fell into a patch of marijuana that got started on fire. He was so messed up that he couldn’t feel his pain yet he knew he was in pain.”

“Oh my gosh, did you help him?”

“No. Remember I was told to stop collecting medical supplies a few months ago? I can’t patch anyone up anymore like I used to.”

“That’s a shame because you were good as a medical person. I’d say you’re one of the best in the valley when it comes to herbs and medicines.”

“I’ve done a lot of reading, what can I say.”

“Heh, remember that time you had to sew half of Omanick’s arm back on when someone cleaved through it with an ax?”

“Oh lord, don’t even remind me. I had to use horse tranquilizers on him just to get him to stop twitching so I could sew him back up.”

“Wait, horse tra- is that good for- I mean, what?” she questioned loudly.

“Destiny, I have no idea. All I know is that what I was using didn’t work and I hadn’t read that I shouldn’t have used them. We’re Dragon people, not Vampires or Humans.”

“Sucks that he got blown to pieces a week later. Stupid land mines.”

“Mmm.”

“Well well well, if it isn’t the little loser Elise,” came laughter.

Attentions turned ahead and rested upon several individuals on the approach, Rusty among them with a wide smirk.

“The mistake herself eating fruit like the fruit that she is, haha,” came the laugh of another.

“Shut up Rick. Leave Elise be,” Destiny grumbled.

“All of you shut up, it’s time for your daily tasks to be handed out for tomorrow,” Vulper spat approaching, “All of you except for Elise file in, I have words to give.”

“That’s fine, I have to be on my way to get more water anyway I suppose,” Elise mumbled.

A sigh left her again as Destiny and Thomas left with the group, her head drifting back. The book flipped shut to which point she stood again to approach the cart. With that she carried on, cart following close behind as she moved. Her head turned, a slight glance off to the right where Britt stood, a nod given with a slight smile present.

1. Chapter VIII

Her back to the wall, her arms crossed, one foot backed and pressed against. Eyes shut, head lowered, hair flopped to the sides of her face. Around Elise stood several, various lengths and builds. Among them as well were Destiny and Thomas, both standing with arms crossed, both looking invested to what was before them.

The first a tall man, bulky, shaggy brown hair, green eyes, a huge grin spread across his face. A torn sleeve long-sleeve shirt with patches in it, ripped up jeans, black combat boots, spiked shoulder guards, piercings, even a few tattoos.

A small girl, still a middle teen like Elise, stood next to him. Green eyes, flowing silver hair, a petite face, square lens glasses. Dark red coat, blue tank top, green jeans, socks, and half battered sandals. She cowered back a smidge, appearing little before the group.

Two stood at the same height, just over a meter and a half. Both in dark blue coats, black red pants, ruffled shoes. Their faces were also the same, both well shaped, both with amber eyes, both with black hair. The differing factor: one had half green hair on their left, the other orange on their right side. Their arms crossed, casual stance, both grinning.

Finally was another, this one in a dark red Long Coat. A black tank top, cargo pants, swords holstered to both her sides below holstered pistols. Her hair long and flowing red with a flower centered above her face. Eyes hot pink, lips painted green, a dash of blush. She held back at half attention with a smile.

“So… how about that Rust, eh Elise?” the first bumbled out.

“Mark, I’m not in the mood to talk about him,” Elise grumbled.

“Yeah I know but come on, really? You’re going to have to talk about him sooner or later.”

“Mark you just need to know when it is best to shut up friend,” the half red-head laughed.

“Right right, I agree with Scott. How about you Samantha?” the half green-head retorted.

“Drake, I don’t see the problem. She can choose not to talk if she desires,” the red head concluded.

“Uh, I mean, mmm- if she wants to stay quiet she should,” the silver haired girl replied.

“Glasses, shush,” Mark laughed, “Oh I’m joking Elen, get back here.”

“Seriously guys? Pipe down. It’s not Elise’s fault that she has a dickhead for a brother,” Destiny barked.

Elise’s eyes opened to the comment, drifting over towards Destiny, “Honestly, I know I shouldn’t listen to him but every time he calls me out for being worthless or a burden, I- I just can’t help but feel that he’s right.”

“No way!” Mark spat.

“Yeah, M-Mark’s right Elise. Y-you’re no burden, y-you’re pretty awesome,” Elen murmured.

“I appreciate the thoughts everyone but still,” she sighed back.

“Seriously, that guy can get screwed. You’re, you’re great Elise,” another from behind Mark spoke up, another girl.

She walked around finally as Marked moved behind Zoey. This one was of the same height as Elise, black hair, silver eyes. Half black and half purple jacket divided down the middle. Pants the same only swapped around, then shoes that were simply red. She looked at Elise, firmly.

“Zoey, you need ta quit gawkin from behind me,” Mark grumbled.

“Sorry Mark, not my fault you’re a giant,” she replied.

“Guys, I appreciate this but come on, there are other things you could be worrying about,” Elise shrugged off, her head turning to the right with her eyes closing slightly, “The clan is all that matters anymore anyways. What I face is meaningless.”

“Bullshit. Without us there is no clan. People are the clan. We matter and so do you!”

“Hell, if that were the case then Sven would be here right now,” Samantha grumbled.

“I remember that, that was just bitter and pointless. Could’ve been saved,” Mark growled.

“I remember that too. I was the one who he died beside after all,” Elise sighed, her eyes shutting completely.

The main hall, crowded with the people of Vulfax. Some stood in corners, chewing into the raw flesh of animals. Some tore the heads off of birds and shoved the bodies straight in. Some even devoured human limbs, Vampiric of course. To one corner stood Elise with Zoey, Mark, and Elen.

Marked chomped on a hove and the leg attached to it, while Zoey picked cooked flesh off of a whole chicken. Elen sat, holding herself, hair covering her eyes, a human arm on the ground in front of her. Then there was Elise who stood with a stone bowl of berries. She looked up, speaking to those around her.

“Yeah so, what you need to do is avoid that plant. Hemlock is super toxic,” she spoke, looking at Mark.

“But you said-”

“Yeah I know, it has other uses. It can be used to make medicine. Still if you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t.”

“Latoma taught you a lot, didn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

“T-that’s cool Elise,” Elen murmured, glancing at Elise.

“Thanks Elen,” Elise replied.

“Huh?! Uh, y-yeah,” Elen replied looking away for a moment.

“Medic!” came a shout from behind Elise.

Her bowl dropped to the ground, as did the meat her friends chewed upon. All turned in the room to one of the entrances where there stumbled a man. He fumbled, bleeding from the head. His right eye shut with blood flowing, blood from his left hear and his nose.

A woman leaned on him, hunched over. Her eyes shut, her head bleeding bad. Her right arm was torn off with strands hanging. Her throat slashed, a blood soaked white cloth wrapped around. Several puncture wounds in her gut, one of her breasts bit clean off.

Elise moved forward, “Sven, hurry and set Grace down-” she began, pulling a hair pin out of Zoey’s hair.

She halted not more than twelve steps towards them at the sound of a man barking, “Stop!”

Elise turned to her right, as did many other. The injured man looked with quivering eyes, a face of dread. A man in black approached, his hair white, his eyes red. Fangs were laid out, “You know the rules brat. In this clan you die on the battle field or you pull through without help. Let the girl die Sven. Drop her.”

“B-but sir, she’s my friggen wife, I can’t let her!” Sven screamed.

“The code of this clan is the code, now drop her!” he barked, looking and nodding to two standing beside Sven.

They at once moved forward, both grabbing onto Sven shoulders while another approached Grace. The third ripped her cloth off, exposing a gash in her throat. From it blood washed out quickly, the wound opening. The first two yanked Sven away as the third pulled Grace from him.

“No- no no no!” Sven screamed as Grace dropped to the ground.

Elise turned quickly, “Phil, I can help her, let me please!”

A fourth walked up in front of Elise and swung his arm, slamming her back and onto her butt, the hairpin sent flying across the room. Phil shook his head as Grace’s own head struck the ground, “Code is code. If you’re going to die, you die in battle. You don’t get fixed. You two, drag this traitor before Lord Azala. Drag him to the ravine if he is to be banished, or send him to Rusty to be killed. I care not which it is that our lord picks.”

“Phil, please, I can he-”

“You can not do a thing. All you’re good for is gathering for this clan. The injured are of no use and so healing is of no use. You’re useless beyond your assigned task! You three, get her out of her, throw her into isolation!”

Three approached Elise, all grabbing hold of her. She struggled, yelling as the three took her away. Sven yelled out, crying as he was drug through the halls. All this as Grace lay there, dying on the cave rock.

“I’ll never forget that,” Elise growled.

“I know as Drachen we’re supposed to frown upon the weakness of others, by nature, but that… that was just being heartless,” Mark mumbled.

Elen turned away, taking a few paces back. Her eyes glimmered as she gazed upon the ground, her right hand over her heart clenching at her clothes.

“Ha, well what have we here?” came a voice from the left of the group, catching attentions from everyone, “A couple of gays hanging out with some freaks!”

Elise turned her head last, glaring down the hall where an older woman stood. Wrinkly, pasty skin, glowing orange eyes, silvering hair. “Belama,” Elise muttered.

1. Chapter IX

“You should watch your tongue Loserlise,” Belama chuckled.

“Stop calling me that you old witch!” Elise spat back.

“Such a temper, hahaha. So what are you doing? Having a queer party in the cave?”

“Eat ass you old hag,” Mark barked.

“How dare you- I’ll have your rear for that one. Such a mouth on you,” she muttered as others soon came from behind to join her.

“Get out of here!” Samantha yelled.

“Oh pipe down. I’m not here for you freaks anyways. I’m here for the princess over there.”

“The hell do you want?”

“Why, simple. I’m here because you’re such a disappointment and you need to be reminded of it daily. Also your bedding job was total shit. There were thorns in mine, brat.”

“Seriously?” Thomas muttered, “Can’t imagine why-”

“Why yes. A disgrace to the very name Vulfax. Your father tries so hard, your brothers try so hard. And here you are, consulting with the gays, being useless even for a woman. Ugh, you just reek of failure. I was hoping if I asked you nicely to run off and die somewhere you just would. Your brothers are both so stressed, poor Rusty is slipping up because you’re his blood, and it’s getting to him.”

“I don’t give a damn what that jackass has to say about me, nor do I care what you have to say about me you old hag. Fuck off already!” Elise spat.

“Oh such a temper. Gosh. No wonder you’re such a failure. Can’t respect your elders.”

“S-shut up. Elise is no failure, she’s great!” Elen chimed.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did the little queer say something?” Belama retorted, “I know none of the rest of you are that way, or at least don’t yet seem to be. It’s such a disease, bringing such great shame. Elen, I don’t get it. How could you do that to this proud clan?”

Scott and Drake moved forward towards Belama, at which point three of her own people stepped in front of her to block the boys. Belama smirked, her eyes wild with flare, “Your own parents were so disappointed in you Elen that they had to run off and die. Your friends say nothing in retaliation that’s worth a shit. You are just as big of a failure as Elise.”

“Belama!” Elise spat, standing straight with arms down, turning in the old woman’s direction, “Get out of here now! I am still an heir to Vulfax, I can have you banished or executed with the snap of my god damn finger!”

“Ugh, standing up for that?! You must swing that way too, oooug. I was only joking about the gay party; but I guess I was right. You nasty nasty terrible girl. That’s alright though, we’ll talk again soon. Toodles,” she said with a laugh, turning and walking away, “Oh and Elen, stop your gushing over Elise. If she was ever going to smash your little hole with hers, she’d have done it AGES ago. You’re both just trash. No wonder your parents left you behind, just so they wouldn’t have to look at you, their mistake, an utter failure. Both of you should just kill yourselves and be done with it. You and your fake fucking depression, god!”

She departed down a corridor with others following close behind. Elise’s body relaxed as she let forth a sigh, turning round, “Hey uh, you alr-”

Mark turned, no sign of Elen. She had disappeared.

“Elen? Oh man, guys, please just, go find her,” Elise spoke.

“Gotcha,” Destiny replied.

The group moved down the tunnel, breaking off into different directions down different tunnels. Elise followed in a quick pace, looking around as she did, “Damn Belama, she knows Elen is more on the sensitive side. I hope she didn’t get far-”

Elise followed behind Scott and Zoey first, who then turned down different tunnels. Elise kept forward, turning, forward, and turning again. All the turns and tunnels appeared largely the same with torches placed every so often, some out and some still ablaze. Another turn and then there came shouting.

“Fucking little whore, stand up!” an elderly man yelled.

Elise turned another corner. Before her now a large old man in brown robes, two bulky warriors around him. On the ground before them was Elen. Blood trickled down the right side of her face, a bruise easily visible. The old man swung his right foot ahead, nailing Elen in the jaw sending her onto her back.

“Know your place, servant!” the old man spat, literally spitting on Elen’s face before walking over her with the other two, “I could give two shits about you being a queer. You’re still a woman and you’re fit to serve us warriors, bitch! And I don’t care what you say. Good luck surviving on your own you little queer! Out there, there’s nothing but death and worse hell than this clan!”

He approached Elise, scowling, “As for you,” he barked holding his right arm out, his pointer finger poking her chest, “Clean this shit heap up like a good little worm.”

He pulled his hand back and glance down slightly, “And while you’re at it, fluff these up so you’re at least presentable.”

He brushed passed Elise with the other two following, leaving her scowling with a following gaze. Her attention turned quickly back to Elen who was just now starting to sit back up, rather teary eyed. Her head and body turned round to look at Elise who was now approaching, who was moments later kneeling down with arms wrapped around Elen.

Embrace.

“Elen, it’ll be alright,” she spoke softly, patting Elen’s back.

“E-Elise I-I, I just- I hate it here, I don’t want to be here anymore!” she sobbed in response, “I hate everyone, it’s like this every day!”

“Easy now. I know. Belama has it out for anyone who isn’t up to her so called standards, and the elders are just stuck in their old ways.”

“They’re all like this though, all the time!”

“Vulfax- does have issues, lots of issues; but it’s not all bad, right?”

“J-just don’t lie to yourself, you get is worse than any of us-”

Elise glanced off to the left, a sigh escaping her in that moment. Elen tore free from Elise’s hold, causing the latter to stumble. The former moved away down the tunnel, her head lowered with her hair in her face, “I need some time Elise, j-just leave me be-” she finished with a sob.

By the time Elise stood, Elen had already taken off.

1. Chapter X

The Emerton Library sat largely vacant with exception to the rows and rows of shelves holding books, and only a few people. Rooms of shelves loaded with books, a mix of carpets and hardwood floors, furniture, wooden tables, the works of any small town library included inside. Holly drifted back and forth between sections, passing by a single table with books constantly being stacked high with every pass. Sitting at one side was Elise, her gaze following Holly’s each and every move.

There came others, a few of them who would follow patterns similar to Holly. Up and down the aisles, returning with books and then leaving with books. She sat puzzled as this went on, head tilted. The books simply piled higher and higher, dozens stacked atop one another on the table.

Holly approached with five more in hand, setting them down upon the table right in front of Elise. A huff left her. Black hair flopped as her head turned, “And that luv is our entire inventory.”

“I just wanted your three best on the subject, not- not this. Even I can’t read all this. Heck I can’t even carry all this,” Elise replied baffled.

“Well that’s because there is no three best when it comes to this sort of thing. You either do or, well, you don’t. There is no middle ground unless you’re lazy.”

“I only needed to learn a couple things, gosh! Like, what am I supposed to do with this one. This one is all about reacting to being an amputee. I mean no disrespect but that’s kinda useless to me.”

“Never know when you’ll be an amputee though, heh heh,” Holly concluded slumping down into a chair, “Honestly we just needed to throw about nine tenths of these in the archives or in the trash, as our vendor asks. Not that we would trash ‘em. Newer, more up to date ones are coming. We’re required to do this every tenth year so, I just thought I’d pile them up and see how you’d react.”

“Ha ha,” she grumbled with an eye roll, “Well still, I just need whatever your best are.”

“Uhhmmmmmm- oh, here, this is a fairly decent one,” Holly said reaching into the pile.

Elise leaned forward, observing as out popped a book upside down. It was handed over, text covering the back. Upon being received, her eyes shot over it. A few seconds of looking, then a glance was granted back up to Holly with an even more confused set expression, “This is a furniture catalog.”

“Eh- what?” she replied swiping the book back, giving it a look over, “How did that get in there? Boras, here-”

One hand tossed the book back towards a man, while the other arm and hand reached into the pile for another book. The man turned only to meet the book cover to his face, “Gyah- dammit Holly!”

Another moment later and Holly pulled out another book, one cover-side up. The book was handed to Elise.

“Sweet. This one seems right.”

“So,” Holly began taking a seat yet again, “What does one need a psychology book for?”

“Curiosity,” Elise replied as the pages were flipped, “I have a friend that I’m worried about. Just hoping one of these books will help me figure things out.”

“Ah. Well you’ll find that what you’re reading is only good for a basic set of knowledge,” Holly spoke as she stood again.

“How do you mean?”

“Psychology is something that can be studied day and night for years on end. Unfortunately you’ll never find answers. Human emotions, really brains in general, they just aren’t all built the same. You can reference any of these that you want but really you should try and feel the situation out yourself for an answer. It’s just like trying to understand the world and the many people of the world. It doesn’t work.”

“I see,” she murmured, “If only people could just get along and go out of their way to help one another.”

“Unfortunately things don’t work that way. Sin defines living beings. There are certainly virtues to be had; but we’re still a species of sin.”

“Well that’s reassuring.”

“Give it time my dear. Things always get worse before they get better; but when they do get better, they get a lot better,” Holly concluded as she disappeared behind more aisles.

Elise returned focus back to what lied before her, eyes half closed, shaken. A breath of air left her as she nodded. Eyes turned left and down towards the floor before moving up the lines of shelves.

1. Chapter XI

The two titans stood before one another, Leon of Hive and Wesley of Tribe. White aura crackled out of Wesley’s body, surging around him. Electricity sparked, his hair flapped along with his Tribe Coat. The power’s dance carried it high to the ceiling while it vined outwards around him at the same exact moment. His men stepped back, shaken, their guns clacking just as were their boots.

Before them there was the cold roar of Leon’s black aura. It drifted like smoke, racing to the above ceiling while also slowly breathing around him like mist. Bursts of purple and blues popped with red appearing every so often. His eyes gleamed within the darkness, his ear to ear grin quite visible. The red stars of his coat, glowing with their own brilliance, set off his position in the dark which now took way the rest of his color, leaving only his eyes and smile.

Wesley’s head turned a slight to the right, eyes darting back towards his men, “Stand down. This is not a foe you have any hope of matching. Reinforce the rest of the compound.”

“Y-yes sir!” one choked.

Their boots clattered and stomped as they tore off, leaving the two warriors to square off. Light and Dark, Warmth and Chill, Life and Death. That was all that stood in that hallway now. The darkness broke from Leon as the light shattered from Wesley, their forms returning to complete visibility, their heads tilting with eyes locked dead shot. Their feet twitched, gliding across the ground as they prepared their charges.

“Let’s go, Light Star Strike!” Wesley called out.

His hands clapped together, upon which sparks of white light appeared all around him. The Light Energy whirled, flying off as spinning arrows towards Leon, leaving behind speckles of electricity which crackled in said air. Leon’s grin widened even further, parting only when his mouth flapped with speech, “This is too easy!”

His feet bolted, his body launching ahead. Knees bent and sprung, his form shot high into the air straight over the first batch of arrows. The wind whirled around him, his coat flapping, his hair flailing. The light had closed the many meter gap in seconds, and in only that time he had effortlessly dodged, “Reaper Strike!”

His arms shot ahead, his sleeves flapping. From them launched multiple chains of Dark Energy which shrieked as they flew through the air. Wall panels and floor tiling alike shattered as the chains struck through with the force of anti-tank rifle bullets; though the bulk continued ahead straight to Wesley. His eyes lit up as they neared. A step back, hesitation.

BLAM

Wesley flew back as the chains blew straight into his torso and out of his back, crashing through the walls behind him seconds after. His center, his lower abdomen, his right side, and his left shoulder, all struck followed by others which danced around, “Gyah-”

“Ha, trouble already? My how times of peace can make one grow so weak, eh Wesley? Huh?”

Much of the color left Wesley’s form in a heartbeat, becoming a pasty dark brown. Said brown began to pool off of his body, splashing along the ground and walls, his entire form melting with all features leaving. The chains detached from Leon’s sleeves, clanging along the ground now solidified as he dropped down to the ground, “A Mud Replacement?”

His eyes remained on the replacement as it splashed to the ground. It was after that they shifted, drifting left to one of the intact walls.

“You face the challenge that is Wesley the Earth Dragon, now you shall be swept away,” Wesley’s voice echoed.

The wall shattered, a torrent of mud and water sent blowing out of a giant hole the size of a minivan. It swept into the hall, gushing its way down and straight into Leon in seconds. The Dark Warrior was blown back, the current taking him along as right ahead the entire hall was filled with the roaring waters. He growled, his body squirming against the waves as the space filled up more and more, “You call that an attack?!”

“No, I call that a diversion,” came Wesley’s voice from right ahead.

The water and mud dropped, revealing the other side of the hall dry as can be. There stood Wesley, his arm out, his right leg swinging and his foot slamming down to the ground shattering tile, “Now, Liger Bomb!”

Leon’s eyes widened, locked to Wesley’s out stretched right arm. With palm facing him, the Dark Warrior watched as there came a spark of white, followed by a sphere which quickly began to swell. As quickly as it appeared it shattered, doubling in size once. Two more times followed, the entire sphere practically filling the hall. It fired.

The sphere of Light Energy launched forward at two hundred Kilometers Per Hour, blasted right through the waters, and came right up upon Leon. His arms crossed as it struck. The blast went off immediately, filling the hall with a blinding white light and a colossal blast. A dome of white surrounded Wesley as the power swept him away, engulfing his shield with a flood that washed him away.

The entire ceiling erupted with the force of a volcanic eruption blasting its way up. It traveled wide, pushing out everything around it, forcing itself upwards especially. It was a blast that would easily penetrate the rocks above and blow open a hole straight into the depths of Nospheross. Leon’s wail could be heard only momentarily as his form was washed away in the blast itself as well.

The attack subsided not more than eight seconds after, leaving behind only a minimal amount of dust and smoke. The hall had been obliterated, a blast radius of sixty meters having pushed way dirt and the facility, vaporizing practically everything. Above light shined down with a rain of falling rock and panels, a hole punched straight up all that way to the surface.

Wesley stood in a section of the destroyed hall, the very end of it, a branch of halls right behind him. His dome of energy dissipated seconds following the end of the blast, leaving him standing tall with a smug grin. His eyes glanced around, “How’s that, welp?”

Wesley huffed, steam drenching off his body following those words, “Liger Bomb, a technique in which I expel all of my power into a single blast as quickly as I can for maximum kinetic damage. Practically an unstoppable bomb if you think about it. That should’ve packed a… what the fu-”

“Heh heh heh, not bad General,” came the call of Leon.

Smoke disappeared the moment those words finished to reveal Leon standing firm at the epicenter of the blast, hovering, his arms still crossed. Dark Energy flowed off of his body, like a shedding skin. His Long Coat was torn, muddy and burned; overall though his form was intact. His arms lowered to his sides to reveal a smug expression.

His head tilted, his neck cracking audibly, “Liger Bomb, been awhile since I last tanked one of those. Have to say, yours sucks compared to the Princess’s. Then again, I haven’t been hit by her in at least twenty thousand years.”

“Hmph! That was just an opening attack,” Wesley growled as the light of the base and of the surface shined down upon him.

Once more his aura crackled, the light warping around him, appearing to be sucked right in, “So long as I draw breath, I will not let you out of here alive!”

“My my you appear to be underestimating me. I do hope you’re right though about this only being the beginning. If peace had made you that weak, well hell, do I even need to say it? You’d be better off quitting now, General Ezdorth.”

“Arrogant much?” Wesley growled.

“I digress. Shall we just get to it? Might I recommend taking this fight to the surface so we have more room to play? I’d hate to reduce Nospheross to ruble while my troops are still inside.”

“I don’t take requests from scum.”

“That is so like you. So be it General Wesley Ezdorth. Please, try to make this interesting for me will you? Now… come!”

1. Chapter XII

Dipping sunshine lay before her. Crimson and orange cloaked the land with the ball of light descending on the horizon. Shadows cast forth from the standing army of wood, with a slight breeze present as opposed to earlier. Birds clung to branches, being some of the last visible things in the region.

Elise strode forward, a backpack attached to her filled to the brim with canisters and thick packs of leaves. Red dripped from the leaves, blood in fact, with some just open enough to reveal meat. Canisters sloshed all around, hooked to the bag. Upon her shoulder sat a long pole, rope and more canisters hanging right off of it.

The ground slopped beneath her feet mostly, with only some crunching, a couple twigs snapping. Another step and a snap. A flutter of feathers and cawing came from above, crows quickly flying off with squirrels scurrying along the branch right through where the birds had been. Rabbits around Elise flew off, darting into brush.

A sigh left her, as they typically do. Her head shaking, her feet stopped, her eyes began to drift around. The golden and orange sun bathed over her; though slowly it began to ebb away. She looked to a squirrel that fell right before her from above, one that quickly tore off.

“Great, something else I just so happened to ruin. So much for the tranquility.”

She moved on with the grass bowing for each step she took, a grunt leaving her as she bent her knees. The backpack and pole were both hoisted up a notch, resting easier on her now. She moved ahead faster than before, eyes still moving around though. Not a creature stirred around her, not a thing left.

CRACKLE

Her head perked up as she stopped in place. Twigs had snapped to her right. Her head drifted towards the right, facing it head on. No sign of movement other than the brush moving due to wind. The pole shifted, her left hand holding it up firmer with support from that shoulder. All the while her right arm moved over, hand grabbing her left arm.

A twig snapped to the left, her head turning quickly. As she shifted around she was struck. A massive object flew into her, knocking her right off her feet. The straps of the backpack ripped, the pole went flying. Canisters slashed and clattered against one another, against the rock, and right into the mud.

She rolled off in the direction she had been heading in, rolling through mud. She flipped around onto her knees and hands, huffing. She faced now the object that hit her, as well as her backpack. The pole lay bent against a tree with half the canisters having rolled off. Slowly standing, she caught view of the shape.

A man stood before her dressed rather well. Black dress pants, a white vest, a black coat in the fashion that a conductor might wear, black and white tap shoes, white gloves. Blood dripped down a partially burned face, black hair mopped right in said face. Steam rolled right off the burn, the red of it slowly disappearing giving the man back his normal color.

He looked to Elise, his eyes glowing silver and red. Fangs also made themselves visible with a curl of his lips. She stood tall, shook, “{A Vampire!}”

The man growled, “You wretch, you’re going to be in my way. No, you’ve promptly gotten in my way.”

“Look, I’m sorry for that but you ran into me. I don’t want any trouble,” Elise replied.

“Bah, too bad missy, you’ve got trouble now!” he spat pulling from his sleeve a black rod.

Blood dripped from the point at the end of the rod. He stood ready, eyes sharpened, “Human, I will take you and be on my way!”

“Human? No buddy, I’m a Drachen of Vulfax so I suggest you settle the hell down! {On the off chance that he is like every other Vampire, he’ll go shit faced and leave me be. If not, damn, I’m going to have to chance defending myself.}”

“Gah, Drachen of Vulfax you say? Hrgh, yes, I smell it on you. That stink, disgusting. Well it doesn’t matter, I need a hostage anyway. I’d take anyone, especially one of your people. Those damn Hunters are right behind me and I will be damned if I get caught, quite literally. So how about you help a brother out and let me take you hostage, they won’t know the difference between you and a civilian.”