Anisa had been out of sorts since nearly losing Katsi, the weight of the blood on her hands more a point of focus for her mind as of late. Despite this, the Violet figure warning of a coming war sent a chill up her spine. She looked at the Phoenix Emperor for an answer but he seemed only to lose what humor he had. He turned to the group and as his eyes rested on Zwei Valk he nodded to her. He then said, “Our goal is the Arena on the far side of town. I landed here for the hospitality, but if our mysterious friend is right then innocent people are in danger. We should have enough firepower here to get Anisa and the Dragon Gem to the Arena. I will be escorting her, being as I’m our biggest gun.” He said colder, “Be aware, Emperor Visto has a certain preference for his officers. Be ready for some crazy and messed up abilities and don’t drop your guard for a moment.”
Zwei walked to the back of the group, clearly taking up rear guard. Anisa eventually asked, “They mentioned ‘the war you dread’… what war?” He didn’t respond her eyes narrowed, “Is that your goal? To start a war?”
“Ha-“
Dean cut off the response, seemingly on high alert, “The Cosmic War started when Shawn got drunk after killing Sculptura and pasted Emperor Visto. It set into motion a war that consumed the cosmos for a decade. Most of you wouldn’t remember it even if Shawn was back. The Tak’Nasi were already dead, the war never touched Shawn’s homeworld, Pine was never found, and Gavin…”
Gavin waved it off, “Probably dead. I know how the arms dealing thing goes.”
Dean nodded, “So… let’s just… focus on staying alive… because if that warning is right we are in for trouble.”
Anisa internally winced at the mention of the Tak’Nasi, her recent actions still fresh and the memories of her rampage in the previous timeline still shaking her resolve. Still, she felt her new view pushing itself to the front of her mind.
It’s fine. We have a mission. Get to the arena so Douglas can help us bring back Shawn. What horror can war bring me that I haven’t already seen?
She began to walk forward into the town, transforming again into her new orange and black armor. “Alright… fine… let’s go win a war.” As she started to take the lead, she could sense it, Zwei already gone from her station in the same moment. The world was practically in slow motion as she turned and saw the blonde figure in the nearby trees, an odd symbol on his forehead. She watched as Dean used a Quantum Snap to move between her and the figure… and she watched as he shone with a white light before a coin took his place. She watched in shock as it fell to the ground, and as Zwei’s blade failed to make contact… as familiar purple flames engulfed the man.
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Katsi’s face froze in horror, her face going pale before she ran over to the coin to grab it.
It was then that Lady Unicorn appeared in front of them, “Srava is going to be upset that I interrupted expanding his collection but-“ Anisa closed the gap quickly, Lady Unicorn letting out a short gasp before disappearing in purple flames, reappearing a short distance away, about to protest before Narine leapt in to assault her, causing he to change location again. When Gavin threw a flash bang at her she took to the air and shouted, “All of you lack decorum! Class! Fine! I’ll just let you find out at the arena!” She vanished again in purple flames.
Anisa ran to her sister’s side, trying to check on her only I see raw anger on Katsi’s face. “What the hell, Nisa! You got my boyfriend killed!”
The Phoenix Emperor asked humorously, “Were you two officially an item or-“
Katsi stomped over and attempted to slap his helmeted face which he caught effortlessly. This didn’t stop her as she attempted to kick him. But when he caught that by her ankle, his grip became nearly crushing, picking her up and slamming her into the ground hard enough to crack it, the wind knocked clean out of her. She spat from the ground, “F-fuck… you…”
Before anyone could approach him with issues about it, he manifested a blade of fire at her throat, “Kat… this is war, and you need a cool head before you get yourself or others killed. Srava’s ability is unpleasant but not lethal. Dean knows that. We kill Srava and he will return to normal… and Srava Tonio won’t be leaving this planet without collecting Dean. His ability can only be used once every hour or so. It’s why he tries to use the first victim as a hostage. The fact that we have the coin means we are fine.”
Gavin hesitated, “The Coin Collector is real? I thought he was an urban myth… or some weird serial killer. I didn’t think he physically converted people into coins.”
Katsi’s face seemed still frustrated but calmer upon hearing that Dean wasn’t dead, but the Phoenix Emperor seemed a little less understanding. “This is war now… if you can’t keep your eyes on the mission, you are a liability we can’t afford.” He turned to the rest of them, seeing their reaction to his treatment of Katsi and stated firmly, “None of you have seen war… so I’ll escort Anisa to the arena. All of you, evac duty. Find survivors if there are any. Be ready for literally anything and don’t trust anyone, least of all the survivors. Despoda are carnivores that eat through osmosis… so if they are snacky, traitors, or just don’t trust you…”
Gavin stepped forward, snapping Anisa from her trance by patting her on the shoulder, “Sure thing. Get our captain to that arena and I’m sure whoever this Douglas guy is can help us set this right.” He looked at her, as though able to see past the helmet she was shielding herself behind. “Don’t worry, Cap. We will take care of whoever gets in the way. You just stay in the zone, okay?”
She spoke commandingly, “Appreciated, Gav. I’m putting you in charge of the rest and Sai as your advisor. Move them however you see fit.” He nodded and in that moment, Anisa felt a bolt through her mind. Even as she was now, hands soaked in blood and on the edge of war, Gavin remained unchanged, the same reliable friend who had shared a drink with her when they first left on the Ziegfried.