“L-l-lady Flizz!”

Invit and Dane fell over themselves to greet her, grovelling at her feet in cold sweat. The gecko girl tittered in delighted glee at their palpable fear before stepping over them with casual disregard, not giving them anymore attention than she would give the rest of the ground. The smile she gave Haggard, however, was genuinely apologetic. It was an innocent, little thing that reminded of a child who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

“I’m really sorry about missing out on our little date. But the big man surprised me with a conference. I heard from a little wretch that things went a bit hectic~?”

Flizz purred, draping herself over Haggard with her dainty fingers playfully caressing his chest. He barely reacted to her actions, not even as her soft breasts pressed against his side. Face stony and hard. Her eyes twinkled in delight as she felt his minions’ nervousness mix with flashes of envy.

The pulse of white rage that rippled through Haggard at her mention of problems, however, made her breath hitch in rupture. This pure hatred… she loved seeing it burn so close to her. It was beautiful~! Her eyes traveled down to the crimson pearl within his hands, its power wrapped tight around the wolf’s hand and pulsed along the beat of his heart and fury.

“Did you like my little present?” Flizz asked, changing the subject with a soft lilt as she still waited for an answer to her first question. “You had such a nice laugh while holding it, after all.”

Haggard smirked and for the first time the stoic facade he clung so tightly to in her presence broke away. It tickled her crimson how he twisted himself around her, eager to prove himself worthy, and then got angry at his perceived failings. Really, she would love it if he were more open about his feelings like she was. But she would certainly miss this delightful mix of self-hatred clinging to his mind.

“It’s perfect.”

Haggard’s face spread wide with his smirk. His eyes dilated as he let the crimson arcs play along his arm. It overlaid his own Arc, flowing to his will like an eager pet.

“I will use it to have my revenge on that runt Jak using his little brat sister and bring that worthless orphanage down all at once.”

The dancing of crimson intensified and a piercing scream filled the air. Dane and Invit whimpered, still prostrating on the floor, as the sound painfully tore through their ears. Haggard’s eyes narrowed and he clenched his fist tight around the pearl, silencing it torturous sound. An angry growl echoed from his throat.

“We just need to find our way back out.”

Both Dane and Invit breathed in relief as the oppressive feeling ceased. And then hurried to their feet as Haggard marched deeper into the tunnels. Swallowing nervously, it was the big bear cat who managed to gather his courage.

“B-bring down the orphanage?” Dane stuttered out with wide eyes. “Y-you mean actually… actually destroy it…?”

“Well, that’s certainly a wonderful use for it.”

Flizz giggled happily. She had leant backwards and now floated lazily alongside Haggard. Concentrated hatred like that would easily be enough to level a large building or two. She lightly tapped against chin in musing.

Haggard turned to glare at Dane.

“You got a problem with it?”

Terrified, Dane rapidly shook his head in denial

“Good, the let’s continue. We still have to get out of this abyss damned Underground.”

Haggard smirked satisfied and he continued on his path through the tunnels, uncaring that his two lackeys stumbled awkwardly after him. A cheerful hum soon began to accompany their walk as Flizz strolled comfortably along while openly using her portals to just float or flit a few steps ahead.

It was a few minutes into this walk that Invit began to twitch, a nervous tick pulling at his right eye. Left hand intensely scratching his side. Fist twitching and clenching erratically. Fear warred with rapidly growing annoyance. Until he finally popped.

“C-c-c-couldn’t you just open a portal for us to get out, L-lady Flizz?!”

Invit’s voice was strangled, barely able to hold onto his anger at her taunting. Only a disturbing gurgle echoed form his throat a moment later, unable to endure Flizz’ yellow eyes piercing through him as she turned around. Flames of violet smouldered within them. It felt like they were burning his mind.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Khhh… sss-ssssorry…” Was all he brought out, unable to breath as if an unseen force was strangling his throat. The lion weasel’s eyes bulged unnaturally in their sockets and he was terrified out of his mind.

“Apology accepted~ But no, sadly I’m not allowed to open any portals around the actual city grounds. Take it up with the big man himself, if you want to complain.”

Flizz grinned cheerfully, the feeling oppression vanishing just as quickly as it had appeared. Her words were complete bullshit. But where was the fun in bringing them to their goal immediately?

Coughing for breath, Invit swallowed audibly in acknowledgment and accepted her words at face value. There had been bile burning his throat. Ducking his head under her nervous twitching he muttered incomprehensible apologies under his breath.

Flizz already didn’t care anymore and she turned towards Haggard, eyes twinkling playfully at him.

“That said, perhaps I could show you the quickest path out of here instead~ Interested?”

Haggard’s came prompt despite his grinding teeth.

“Yes.”

Haggard nodded, fist clenching painfully as he felt like he had just let her down. Flizz shivered in joy and with a snap of her fingers a purple arrow formed in the air in front of them, pointing them further down the tunnels.

The group of four continued onwards with their journey, Flizz shifting between floating lazily along, prancing ahead or stalking besides Haggard. There wasn’t really anything for her to do for the rest of the day and night anyways and this plan of her darling Haggard could actually be quite the nice distraction. In more ways than one.

Her eyes shimmered in anticipation. The sheer despair and hatred this would unleash~! An orphanage crumbling to the ground, burying the children with it. And maybe she could get a look at this Jak, as well. Like those wretches’ home, hm? Oh, he would make a nice gift that not even that stick-in-the-mud Velric would be able to deny!

A melodic giggled echoed through dimly lit underground, perhaps it could have been beautiful if not for the distinct, malevolent glee resonating clear within it.

It was the sound heralding the tragedies that would soon unfold within the walls of Dampfstadt.

———

Graam let out a satisfied sigh as he stretched himself wide, sitting behind the counter of his little store was always good for some nice rest and relaxation. He had settled only for maybe a few minutes into his chair when his fingers restlessly tapped against the wooden counter.

“Agh! Verteufelt noch eins! I can’t get any rest here…!” Graam growled out and leaped to his feet, ready to close down shop for the day. There was just too much tension! He was just going to go for a nice walk instead.

Already on his way to lock down the entrance, the curtains fluttered with a visitor arriving.

“Sorry, but we’re closing. Come back tomorrow, maybe…” Graam barked gruffly out only to trail off as he actually took notice of who had entered. The she-wolf smiled amused and with a happy grin she waved at him

“Hehe, seems like James was right~ Morning, Graam.”

Emerald green hair fell down her shoulders, backlighting her sleek body and shapely curves. A pair of tight hot pants and a small blouse hugged her body. Gone was the purple from her work at the club, the colors having left her strangely forgettable though her body had captured the eyes of many. Now her personality shone so much brighter through.

“Crya! What brings you here?” Graam called out startled, halting in his actions to let her inside and only then locked the entrance before stepping back behind the counter. Leaning onto it, he gave her inquisitive stare. “Thought you were getting ready for the… big thing tomorrow.”

Crya just waved him off and sat down at the counter. She shook her head.

“Today’s basically free for me. But sadly I’m not here for just a nice chat.”

“When are we ever…?” Graam sighed. “So, you said something about James?”

He gave her a raised eyebrow.

“Problems?”

His eyes narrowed and she nodded.

“Complications. But are you going to just interrogate me without offering me anything~?”

She fluttered her eyes playfully at him.

“Yep, some little thief stole my sweets and I’m hoarding my leftovers!”

Graam immediately shot back, head held high.

“Muh…” Crya pouted but the conversation quickly moved on, a smile playing over her lips.

“Well, I can at least give you an update on that thief of yours, then. That’s what got you so restless, I bet.”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously at him and Graam rolled his eyes. But still, this little factoid made him freeze. For a moment he hesitated but then nodded firmly to himself.

“You get one bonbon.”

Graam decided, flicking a blackberry pearl of his precious collection to her.

“Much appreciated~!”

Crya smiled brightly, snatching it out of the air and popped it right into her mouth.

“Anyways, in regards to your little thief. Her name is Myra Holomew, adopted granddaughter of one Albrecht Holomew. And she just saved your little friend from a Demon.” Her face turned serious.

Graam blinked, his mind screeching to a halt as he processed her words.

“… You mean Jak?”

He had to ask just to make sure and Crya nodded, eyes meeting his with reassurance. A light chuckled escaped her.

“He will be fine, just gained a few new scars that will impress the ladies soon enough. Myra cleaned bandaged his wounds before they could get infected. But it’s how the demon had attacked him that’s the problem, right out in the open atop the roofs. Something has Jak in their crosshairs. My sister’s currently tailing the two to make sure they don’t get ambushed for now.”

“… thanks.” Graam swallowed gratefully, licking his lips.

“Heh, no problem. Just means you owe us~”

Crya winked as she rose back to her feet, but just before she left his shop she gave him a pointed stare.

“You better try and get in contact with him before tonight. This is about as much as we can expend with the network down. Honestly, we’ve already gone far over what we should.”

“I will.”

He nodded hard in understanding. The door fell close behind her, lock snapping close, and after a short moment of silent thoughts he rose to his feet as well. Cracking his knuckles loudly, a heavy belly chuckle echoed from his throat.

“Seems like I’ve got an actual good reason to close down my shop, after all.”