Azure Resound was merely following Amber Ivory during her performances, she was currently rehearsing with her orchestra. The melody was alluring, it had made Azure Resound quite enjoy the show. Still wearing his special suit that the 5th Bellwitch had made.
Turns out the 4 people who were being targeted? They were all targets of Garden for specific purposes. Amber was being targeted because her melody when played on the battlefield will increase STATs in combat. Eun Jung's relation to an Enchanter, Stella's company has the resources to create high grade weaponry and the technological prowess. Then they were looking for Songstresses to put in their ranks, which is why Cindy was targeted.
It has been reported a few Songstresses were in a state of slave collars. This report had reached all the Familiars, including the Ancients and Sovereigns but they were debating if they needed to tell their Lord.The telepathy they all possessed was in a state of disarray as they were arguing amongst themselves.
Because the Garden's behaviour was similar to Spataro but with the fierceness of Cold Cage. They were worried that Silas would go into a frenzy, or rather an all out war with Garden. The rules may be different but nothing's stopping Silas from doing it, whether he will take action or not? That's a different story.
13 reported the details of what he had seen. The Garden was weaker than them, and it may be due to Silas's ascension as an Avatar of Seasons. Azure Resound had a few things to think about, among his thoughts were about what to do next? Azure Resound brushed those thoughts off as he looked at Amber who finished her rehearsal.
"Did you wait long?"
"No. I didn't wait long. So shall we?" Azure Resound walked by Amber's side, she was unlike the others. No security team that followed her, she had skills according to the record but she had issue with her mana efficiency.
"Sorry about this. My manager wouldn't let me travel anywhere because of the threat. The Garden's got a lot of groups that threaten me. Even my younger sister who stays here is in danger."
"Well, you lead an orchestra. It's a beautiful song. So what's tonight's theme?"
"Tonight's performance will be theme of that movie that stars Eun Jung, it's sponsored by the Renault CEO and sung by Cindy Holloway."
"I guess you knew that I was wondering about the connection?"
"It's written on your face. Now I'm no fighter, but even I was wondering if it's going to be safe if the Garden shows up. We thought about cancelling the show." Amber had a point, the whole case with Eun Jung and 13? That was a mess and it must have agitated Garden pretty badly to get them all riled up.
"My sister's coming tonight... Do.." Amber's voice was cracking as she looked at Azure Resound's eyes.
"I'll protect her too. Don't worry about it." A loud grumble was heard, it came from both of them.
"Let's go get something to eat." The two of them headed to a cafe, where Amber took a moment to look at Azure Resound's silky smooth silver hair. It stopped by the back of his waist and despite that Amber could feel her fingers phase through it. As if it was refusing to be touched.
"Curious about my hair?"
"Yeah. How is it so... Smooth?"
"A lot of money." A blatant answer which had Amber giggling at its absurdity but it was true. They ordered some sandwiches and some iced chocolate with whip cream. Azure Resound brought the food to a vacant spot.
"So, what're your hobbies?"
"I prefer sitting somewhere and just reading books, or maybe read some poetry. Listening to music as well."
"What kind of music?" Amber said as she sipped on her ice chocolate. Shaking it a little just to see the whip cream wiggle.
"Just some jazz. Some orchestra songs. The musicians in my world were a lot like you. Always creating innovative pieces, merging genres together. It was an interesting thing to say the least." Azure Resound spoke before taking a giant bite of his sandwich. Half of it was gone, he had a delicate face. A foul mouthed man but his eating habit was much impressive. He finished an entire snack at once. A bit of the juice from the meat slowly made its way down his chin. Amber wiped it with a napkin.
"Thanks. Sorry, I'm a messy eater. Something my brother in law and sister try to correct me on."
"It's fine. At least I know you're human. I'm not used to that idea. Most Familiars I've met don't have much human like features."
"Well, I am different." Azure Resound said as he fiinished his sandwich then going over to clean up his hands. Amber could see the other patrons, including the staff oogling at Azure Resound's features. Though if one thing Amber had to comment on, it would be how tight the pants seemed to look on him. Were they suction cupped to his butt? Or were they just fitted to well that it looks tight? The smile he showed as he grabbed a napkin to dry his hands? There were people glancing at his lovely hands, no callouses and not bruised. Then seeing him put on a pair of blue gloves with a scythe emblem.
Even the sight of him just combing his hair with his fingers was beautiful. They both finished their drinks as they headed to the hotel, where Azure Resound could sense mana flowing everywhere. Not that Azure Resound needed it since he wasn't a magic user. Amber was much more upbeat thanks to this mana, they headed up to the elevators.
"Azure Resound."
"Yes, Lord?" Telepathy was going off in Azure Resound's head.
"I've heard about Garden and according to one I have interrogated... It seems they're gunning after the concert tonight. You're to use your powers in its fullest. I release you from the shackles that limit your powers and it will be up to you to use it."
"I'm going to shower first." Amber said as she headed inside while Azure Resound took off his shirt and coat, putting it aside. When Amber was done, it was Azure Resound's turn for a shower. The sight of his bare chest had caught her off guard, as she averted her eyes elsewhere.
"What, never seen a shirtless guy before? We're all on billboards and music videos." Teasing words as Amber immediately went over to her cupboard as Azure Resound was humming a song in the showers.
Azure Resound left the bath wearing a blue tailcoat and his gloves, looking at Amber who was flustered.
"What? You're all flustered? Did you expect me to run out naked?"
"NO! I." Azure Resound chuckled as he looked at the time. They had to be at the hall at 5 o'clock with the others. Another 3 hours to spare, where by Amber fell asleep on the bed, Azure Resound tucked her in and then sat by her side as he read a book. Going to wake her up at 4 o clock. Given that she takes an hour to prepare herself. With the mental preparation and dressing up for the part.
So the Garden wants to attack again? Azure Resound was just waiting in anticipation.
"Lord. Are you leaving it to just the four of us?" Viking 13 checked in.
"Yes, I'm sure you guys can handle it. The Garden's preparing for assaults in other locations. Because of the fact we thwarted their attack recently. Don't get conscious with the people's thoughts. When it starts, just make sure that they're all dead. Do your prep during the show and when it starts? Leave nothing standing. We might be able to scare the Garden out of the country if given the time. I won't go out killing them if they don't go after my family. It'll be a different story if they do." Silas answered them, which helped ease the doubts of their thoughts.
"Don't kill them easily either. The Garden is cruel, so let them have a taste of your cruelty. Greet kindness with kindness. Greet cruelty with cruelty."
"Yes, Lord." The others responded as Azure Resound waited for the hours to pass and then waking Amber up. Rubbing her eyes as she went into the bathroom to get cleaned up. Azure Resound had his scythe that was being filled with his usual power. Though with the shackles undone, it meant that he could use his other part. His humming voice that would cause more chaos as time passes by.
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They made their way to the theater, where Vizel, 13 and Ace were geared up.
"Hey Azure." Azure Resound wielded his scythe as he looked at Ace who was wielding his new weapon from the 5th Bellwitch.
"The new gear feels good. Easy to use and it suits how we fight perfectly." Ace said as he looked at Reaper Gear.
"Think this place can handle the intensity of our fight?"
"I spent some time reinforcing it. The more we kill. The more it'll be powerful. That is part of the authority as the Rose of Guilty." Vizel said as he punched the wall, where it did not even crack or break. Not even an imprint of his fist was on it.
"They definitely planted bombs. I found a few while I was checking the area. Though if Vizel reinforced the building? Only way to break it is if you put a nuclear explosion at one pillar." 13 said as he showed the box that was filled with explosives.
"They're defused right?" Azure Resound asked, seemingly a little uncomfortable with the idea of explosives inside this place.
"It's safe, but I don't mind throwing it back at them."
"No need for that. Final Judgement will take the explosives and bring it elsewhere. You four just focus on facing the Garden that's coming during the show." Silas spoke to them.
"Understood Lord." The show was now underway, the four Familiars were now waiting in safe places to strike back when needed. Things were going fine, they felt the movements. There were thousands of them in here. A mix of humans, slave monsters and Hunters.
Vizel was sitting by the backstage, observing Cindy Holloway singing the theme song while Amber Ivory was leading the orchestra according to Cindy's voice. Eun Jung was sitting beside the male lead while Stella was observing all this with Ace who was seated to her right. The closest to the path that led to the exits.
Vizel, 13, Ace and Azure Resound walked out into the light as the members of Garden stormed into the room.
"So you're the bastards that have been getting in our way! I am the elder brother of Sadie, Jenkins! I'll make sure to..." Whatever that was said by the brash man with the heavy sword was left unheard by the four familiars. Yawning as they kept thinking to themselves.
"We're the Garden and we'll be taking those four ladies!" This went on for about half an hour, the 4 Familiars couldn't be bothrered. 13 was doing stretches while Vizel sat down to polish his blade. Azure Resound was humming to himself as he looked at his scythe. Ace was checking the magazine of his Reaper Rifle.
"You done?" Ace asked as he shouldered his rifle, the sound of his voice was enough to cause the building to rumble.
"You know this has to be a joke. I've not met villains that are so full of themselves. You want a eulogy?" Azure Resound said.
"I do remember demons being prideful but only after they subdued people." 13 remarked where Vizel finished using the cotton ball to the blade, then standing as he towered among the four.
"Let's not waste time." Vizel said as Ace roared at them, the Hunters and monsters used their powers to block the barrier. Where it began to crack as Ace stopped roaring then charging straight into the fray with his gear. His eyes that left blue streaks was haunting the Garden members. Shattering the barrier with a single swing, then impaling Jenkin's shoulder. Pinning Jenkins to the wall with his old Reaver Rifle.
The others began their attack, as they tried to use civilians as shields. Their limbs fly into the air as they were gunned down by the 10 rifles within Vizel's cape. 13 drew his blade while
One of the Hunters charged at Vizel with a great sword. Only to see Vizel snap it with his fingers, followed by a punch that decimated the man into nothing but a pile of flesh.
"They killed the great sword Hurrin!" One of the humans tried to escape by breaking the door, only to see it locked. Firing at it.
"We're trapped in here!"
"Of course you are. We've been told to slaughter all of you whole sale. For I've read that you feed children the corpses of their own families. Oh not to mention that you had a child's skin be cut open because the child tried to protect his elder sister. Then you murdered her as well. And you laughed about it. Now I enjoy cutting people like you. Are we not mood kindred?" Azure Resound hummed his thoughts out as the Garden's members tried to fight against him. Only to see their limbs be cut open, as he went after them with a twisted smile. Their armors and magic were useless, perhaps because of their Thorn sharpness that cuts through everything that is not considered as a God.
Azure Resound then stood on the stage, tapping his feet to a rhythm. Snapping his fingers with a one second count as they started to hear music coming on stage. Where the members of the orchestra was already elsewhere.
'Azure Resound Combat Skill : The Introduction to Melody' as the music began to build up, Azure Resound was in his groove. Cleaving through the dozens of Hunters and humans. They kept firing at him, where they watched how he used his scythe to stop the bullets. None of it even grazed his hair, swinging it fast to cut a few of them down. Ace was roaring as he went over to cut down dozens of them at once. Even using his bare hands to push a little fenrir down, then crushing its skull with his bare hands. The Reaper was enjoying himself, laughing at the sight of their fear.
13 was off with his Khanda sword, breaking their armors as he crushed their heads with his hands. Vizel was carving through them with his katanas. The massacre that was shown in front of them. Panic, fear, anxiety. The three emotions had spiced the Garden's members for the Four Familiars. A lovely serving as the blood off their allies stained their bodies and Jenkins was left as an observer.
'Azure Resound Combat Skill :: Absolute Finale.'
'White Rose Knight Combat Skill : The Last Guilt'
'Crimson Reaper, Ancient of Slaughter Combat Skill : The End of Slaughter'
'Daemon Punisher Combat Skill : The twin Flames.'
Everything was over when those attacks had occurred. A series of attacks that was hidden thanks to Vizel's beautiful white rose petals soaking up the blood all around them. By the end of it Azure Resound was holding a bloodied skull in his hand, Vizel was holding a bouquet of white roses that began to absorb the blood into it. 13 swung the blood off his Khanda sword. Ace went over to Jenkins, pulling out the rifle from the shoulder.
"You're all monsters! Why don't you join us?! With your power we can change the world!" Jenkins words were met with silence from the Four Familiars.
"Our loyalty to our master. It cannot be bought nor can it be bargained for." Vizel said as he went to check on the four ladies whom they were guarding. Checking in to make sure they were okay, Eun Jung didn't feel any fear any more. Instead she saw the bright flames in 13's hand.
"Tell the Garden to stay away from Cresnax. Come back here, and I assure you we will hunt you down. It's your one warning." Ace said as he took out his beef jerky to chew on.
"This is your one and only warning. We're still being nice. If the civilians weren't here, we would have taken our time. So be sure to heed this warning, because if you violate this rule. We'll go find you in all of your bases and we'll butcher your families until the Garden is no more. We don't mind getting our hands dirty. Even if it means killing your baby sister in front of you. Or, beating you to death with your brother's head. Ah so many options." Azure Resound spoke with a grimace.
"Now, if the Garden was taken down by four people. It just means you're not as powerful as we thought. Here I thought you were powerful but perhaps the Garden believed that Cresnax is tame. Maybe I should just tear you limb to limb. If you bother the 4 people in our protection and even harm them... I don't suppose I have to spell it out since Azure Resound's speaking happily about it." 13 said as they knelt before the entrance.
Silas had made his appearance, wearing his black suit and the black mask.
"Lord."
"Good work. The other members of the Garden have either been captured or killed. Not much of a mess. We're letting the Head's family go. I don't want to give him a bigger reason to attack." Silas said as his four Familiars didn't say a word.
"Well off you go, Jenkins. One of my Familiars will bring you back to your family. So be sure to take our warning. Knowing groups like yours? It's best to destroy you, but I also need to make you into an example for everyone else." Silas said as he turned to his Four Familiars.
"It seems that you've stopped thinking about what these people think of you. You did your job. It's ugly, but our work also keeps a lot of people safe. They will need you for a longer period. It will be without pay. The Chairman has negotiated that your payment will be 5 thousand for each kill of a Garden human. Ten thousand for a Garden Hunter. 15 thousand for a Garden Beast. If there comes a time when I need you. I'll call for you."
"Yes, Lord." Silas bowed to everyone else as he left, dragging Jenkins by the leg. The Four Familiars got back on their feet, then returning back to the side of the ladies who they have been ordered to protect. Ace stood beside Stella's row, Vizel helped Cindy on her feet. Azure Resound stopped his humming and the orchestra had faded, taking a bottle of water to ease the swelling from his tonsils. 13 sheathed his blade and took off his mask. Exhaling the heat that build up in his body.
To the people inside the theater, the four Familiars had a smile to their faces. Relieved that it was over and a smile as they glanced at each other.
"Looks like we'll be in your hair for a while longer." Azure Resound said to Amber who smiled at him.
"You're beautiful. You know that?" The three Azterians coughed at hearing that from Amber while they see Azure Resound's face turned red where he turned away, covering his face with the hood.
"That's a first. It seems that he got flustered." Vizel said.
"But it's true. You are beautiful Vizel."
"Oh... Uh..." Vizel's eyes looked away from Cindy's eyes, his face was flushed in red.
"Ah your face is red."
"It must be the residual blood. Ah!" Vizel put on his helmet only to see the 10 riflemen from his cape took it off.
"Ah don't tease him too much Cindy. He's never understood romance." 13 joked as he patted Vizel's shoulder.
"Don't tease me! 13!" The White Rose Knight... The Rose of Guilty was acting all flustered, which Ace chuckled.
"Ah it's good to be young."
"You scare me, but you sure did look beautiful in all of that... Slaughtering." Ace merely looked at Stella with a sigh.
"It's just classic hero worship. I saved you twice. It's just superficial."
"And what if I said I don't want it to be superficial?" Ace was about to say something but he stopped himself.
"Do what you want." Ace had given up while Eun Jung looked at 13 with worried eyes.
"13. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I got scared of you." She was trying to relay her thoughts but to 13? It was just a pointless set of words.
"Don't be. Daemon Punishers are meant to scare people. Even the people we protect." 13 said as he put on his mask and vanished into the darkness.
"He's like that. If you want him to warm up to you. Don't force it." Ace said as he stretched his neck. Now the first fight was over, but Garden will come back and if they do. It will be a war between the Lord of Thorns and Garden. Which will be an interesting fight.