Mhaieiyu
Arc 1, Chapter 8
The Accomplice
Filth was commonplace in a city such as this; fumes and soot morbidly present on every road, street, and alleyway. Vehicles sputtered, leaving behind a cloud of stagnant smoke as they piled in excess amongst countless others rummaging the roads. To even take a glance at the skyscraper-occupied skies would be repulsive, with the clouds near-invisible above the endless haze that wafted permanently atop the city. This regrettable display was inevitable. The volume of life meandering within the megapolis on a daily basis was just too great to keep adequate cleanliness in check. The truest and hardest nail in this society-wide coffin, was, of course, the incessant black smog produced by the harshest, most dutiful coal-stained industries.
Walking through these dingy streets would make anybody feel miserable, especially if they had just come from a place as green as the Dwellers’ abode. In spite of this, Eclipse seemed awfully indifferent to her surroundings, as if she’d been traversing this place for years. Considering even he disdained the wasteful nature of this city after decades of watching it grow and wither, Emris was left awestruck at her nonchalant behaviour towards the fact.
Feeling his curiosity irk him, Emris found himself staring at the lass as she effortlessly walked with Erica in tow. Noticing his eyes, Eclipse smirked.
“Like what you see?” she quipped.
“Starin’ is my special way of gettin' someone's attention," he excused, not acknowledging her question.
"Is that so...? Well, you already have mine." Eclipse kicked a rock, it bouncing off the pavement and into an alleyway. A little yelp came from within it.
"Aye. You have an uncanny set of skills. I'd be lyin' if I said you didn't piss me off back there. Kind of pissed now, but I'll let it slide," the veteran admitted, huffing as he looked on. With a short pause and an amused look from the mysterious woman, he asked: "Who taught ye?"
Looking forward, Eclipse snorted. "Aren't you a bit old to be taught new tricks?"
"Oi! I ain't old, ye shite!" Emris barked, frothing at her remark. "I ain't looking for a lesson. I'm fine already."
She couldn't suppress a sheepish giggle. "Is that right? Because I'm pretty sure I just dropped you five minutes ago——"
Stopping her, Emris threw his hands around as he yelled over her. "Enough! Shite...! I can't believe you took me down that easily. Next time I'll clock ye, hear?" he threatened with a stomp of his boot, almost dropping Corvus in the process.
"Ooh... I riled him up now," the hooded lass teased, giving a chuckle. "You'd be disappointed if I told you, though."
"Oy... trained yerself?" Emris guessed, raising a brow. He managed to relax a bit, at least. Corvus will certainly appreciate that later.
With a shrug and titter, fox-like, she looked on.
"Right on the mark, oldie," she jested, earning a dissatisfied growl from the Brigadier. Before he could spit his tongue out about it, she continued. "So, I don't think I need to ask if you're a Syndie. I haven't visited the old fortress in quite a while, now that I think of it."
"Oy, you tellin' me ye peek at the Facility so easily ain't gonna slip..."
"Oh, what? You're gonna flop on me again?" she rebutted, giving him a playful yet eerie look.
While he couldn't so easily back down, his mind worn from an overly inflated ego and pride, he simply had to hold his tongue. He didn't know the full extent of this woman's capabilities, and it was in his best interest to keep that mystery in the air for now. If only to keep his comrades safe.
While he could nearly guarantee his own survival, Emris couldn't promise such for the pair of drunk morons currently being swept away by the two territory-based enemies.
Speaking of which, "What are ye gainin' from this?" Emris asked, his curiosity piqued.
Eclipse exhaled.
"What's with the interrogation? Is it that bad for me to want to help some irresponsible adults?" she jeered. "It's kind of tiring, you know. Just take the solid and leave it be."
"Yeah, that ain't so easy, lass. Forest Dwellers ain't exactly welcome 'round here——"
"I was exiled, so I don't count. Besides, if I was exiled, doesn't that mean I don't appeal to them?" the hooded woman rebutted, knavishly.
"Hey, I don't know if that's true. Shite, am I assistin' an infiltration here?!" Emris yelled, suddenly coming to his senses about the whole spiel. Despite his panic, Eclipse shook her head in amusement.
"You people are skittish, huh? How cute."
"Aye. 'Adorable'," Emris grumbled, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. "Hold it, ye called me an 'accomplice'. The hell does that mean?!"
"Simple: you've got such a big mouth that you speak of all we need to hear as you ramble on," Eclipse pointed out, tauntingly spreading her smirk into a huge grin with her fingers to emphasize.
"Fuckin'—! 'We'?!" Emris growled, gnashing his teeth with a jolted heartbeat.
Seeing that he wasn't going to speak much more than arguments of his own volition, the quirky female simply cackled, watching the roads before her gradually become more scarce as they inched their way to the edge of the city — towards the tucked away facility. Noticing the fumes dissipate as they ventured forth through the path lined with trees, the claw-bearing Eclipse took in a deep breath of air, feeling her stiffened body loosen in the humbler environment. It became evident that the recent orders for persistent training had left few vehicles entering and leaving the building, which was subconsciously appreciated.
"I still feel like I'm bein' a dumbass by lettin' ye near,” Emris mumbled, cutting the silence.
"Don't worry, you aren't exactly known for being brainy," Eclipse chaffed, flashing a cocky grin.
"Do ye have some kind of... perception? That I don't beat down women or somethin'?" Emris asked, flaring a toothy scowl in her direction even as she looked away innocently.
"We're here," she announced, suddenly dropping the sleeping beauty so noisily snoring away on her back. The angel merely grunted as she collapsed, not caring to wake. With a chortle, Emris responded thusly by throwing Corvus to the earth with the delicacy of a disillusioned package deliverer, producing a pained gargle from the winged man.
Staring her down, the Brig’s complexion stiffened. "We ain’t in yet. Is that some kind of signal?”
"I can't get any closer because I'll get hurt. I like these clothes, and I don't want to filthy them with my blood, understand?" she jested, shrugging her shoulders. "A strong man like you can handle a few bodies, right? Surely this wouldn't be the first time you drag corpses around..."
Lowering his guard with a huff, he dragged Erica's armoured body over next to Corvus.
"They ain't dead. Their groanin’ makes it all the more tedious.”
"Well, they might as well be, having been carried around by a big bad Dweller, after all!" she exclaimed, dramatically. "You three should be more careful, you know. It's not too wise, getting drunk at a time like this."
"Get off my case, eh? It's amazin' we don't do this more often, what with us havin' more responsibilities than findin' food and livin' off the world's luxuries."
Eclipse frowned, dashing up the nearest tree like a lizard as if it were second nature; aided by those vicious claws of hers. Giving him one last look, the ex-Dweller remarked, "You know, that ignorance isn't going to get you anywhere. But I suppose that's to be expected from you folks. Isn't that right, pup?"
"We ain’t ignorant. We've just got better things to be worryin' about," Emris growled, watching the figure vanish within the leaves. "And I ain't a fuckin' pup!”
Grousing, the veteran reached for the two drunks, tucking Erica under his arm while dragging Corvus like luggage. Because of the female angel’s ridiculous use of armour, he found her to be the real encumbrance between the two. Emris couldn’t help but admire the sheer strength Eclipse possessed to have been so nonchalant in lugging her so far. Reminding himself not to meddle in her affairs, he shook his head before facing the distant facility.
After ruthlessly dropping the sleeping angels upon the entrance's carpets—much to the annoyance of a soon-to-be responsible janitor—the veteran walked straight towards the throne room, where Alpha would often sit upon during inconsistent times of day. It could even be considered a gamble whether or not that untimely ruler would be found, and looking for him didn't exactly come off as an appealing chore to commit to in such a gigantic building. Finally realising the fact that he had barely slept these past few days, much to his careless behaviour, his body began to steadily become heavier on his shoes by each passing second. He almost lost his head as he bumped into the axe of a Mynotaur in his stumblings, earning an immediate apology from the beast. It might seem a bit out of place, but all who spent time within the Syndicate became keenly aware of the Brigadiers' individual reputations; particularly that of the supposedly indispensable Guardian.
While he wasn't the most well-thought-of soldier, Emris was at least treated with the minimum respect a higher authority would deserve. His combat prowess outmatched a great deal of the army's, too. If anything, his reckless, self-centred behaviour was likely the biggest turn-off for the more aspiring soldiers.
"Damn it... Alpha!" he shouted, not withholding his volume even within the walls of the resting establishment.
"Where... where are ye. Damn it..." Emris muttered, feeling his head sway as he slowly inched forwards.
One step, then another. The veteran had to watch the footfalls of his worn boots as he grew weary. One step, then another. One step, then... uh, what again?
Just like that, Emris' sleep-deprived body found itself in due course with the ground, crashing rather abruptly with a wince-worthy thud. The fact he fell face-first would be motive for concern, were he an average Joe. In the last few seconds of his prolonged consciousness, he could make out the worried yet disappointed words of a familiar, deeply skittish doctor.
The first thing Emris’ eyes met as he pried them open under the bothering sun was a bright white ceiling he had grown accustomed to. Despite his miraculous properties, his relocation to the Ward was simply customary practice within these walls. Anything less could be deemed incompetence on the doctors’ part, and whereas Alpha was indeed a forgiving man, the law long-since constructed could force retribution upon those who failed their duties.
"...Y'know, ye should take a day off, William. Sally'd appreciate it," Emris said, having stood up from the medical bed as he noticed the snoring Lapine, sleeping soundly through the early hours of daylight when he was most needed. "Nightshift guys ain't gonna like ye sleepin' when they need help. Oi, get up. Oi!"
With a resounding slap against the doctor's furred cheek, the rabbit’s eyes shot open as he quickly scanned his surroundings, entirely awake in the blink of an eye.
"Bloody hell! Was that necessary!?" William complained, rubbing the reddening skin.
William was, as was generalised, a Lypin. A poly-anthropomorphic rabbit—a Cryptid—that fell under a vast array of varying rabbit-like beasts. Their species were often known for velocity and quick wit but were also recognised as one of the lowest beings on the food chain, being considered weaker than humans in some instances. Some Lypins had longer ears than others; some had lopped ears, others had straight; some were as little as a trash can or as tall as a human person — the latter of which being exceptional cases. This particular Lypin belonged to that of the Westernmost Mountainous districts, which happened to be of the long-and-lopped-eared, wimpy-human-sized variety.
With a shit-eating grin lining his face, Emris leered at the rabbit. "I tried to wake ye with words, but after tryin' once I ran out of options."
"Could you have not simply spoken louder?! I have big ears, you know!" William said, tapping away at the wrinkles on his gown. It seemed all the doctors were a tad obsessive with such.
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"Oh, like this, YOU MEAN?!" Emris yelled, raising his voice to that of a drill sergeant as he intentionally flipped the poor creature's ideas on his head.
Grasping his ears with full intent on tearing them off, William screeched. "Enough! Gah, good Goddess! Mercy!"
"Heh, always fun screwin' with ye," Emris mocked, toying with the physician he deemed a friend. Friendship is such a curious thing sometimes, isn't it?
"You should be more merciful to your medical team, don't you think?" William pleaded, patting his coat compulsively. With a shrug and a smug grin, Emris patted the adult rabbit on the head.
"Eh, it's what friends do, nay?"
"I do wish you don't mean to insist that our friendship has been reduced to belittling me, you brute!"
Chuckling, the veteran slipped a hand into his coat, checking to see that all his belongings were in their place. While he did vaguely remember coming to the Facility, he couldn't guarantee it wasn't just a dream. Recalling his sinful activities just the day prior, his mood began to dampen in thought. Eclipse was an oddity, to say the least. It almost seemed unrealistic that she had managed to train herself so effectively. Grumbling at his damaged pride, he shook off the memories of her ever besting him and moved further back. He knew something serious was amiss the moment he woke up, and when he finally recalled the incident within the Dwellers' domain, as well as their complete failure in garnering their cooperation, Emris ground his teeth, wishing that it was all a dream. He didn't want to believe it, but he had to stop beating around the bush.
It was clear as day: the Dwellers would not assist, nor even cease pursuit on the Syndicate. The Syndies were now on their own.
Turning his attention back to the caffeine-addicted doctor, who was just fixing up a cup of the black stimulant for his morning routine, Emris spoke.
"Thanks for the help, pops. Look, I've got to get movin'. Time's runnin' short. I'll catch ye later, aye?"
"Of course! Do try not to get blasted to bits, hm? I don't fancy spending my hours pulling out bullets like last time," William said, bringing the cup to his lips with excited vigour.
"I'll try not to, doc. Don't die!" Emris wished, sniggering with hazy breath.
"You always say the same thing, Emris," William sighed, chuckling to himself as he focused on his work.
Seeing his way through the Facility, Emris' first destination was that of wherever the Heads might be located. He did remember trying to find Alpha—stifling a laugh as he thought of the dropped angels—before he made an impromptu bed on the floor. With a hastened step, he made way for the throne room. Of all men, he should be the first to know, after all. Kev would certainly come next——
"Emris!" shouted yet another familiar voice, ringing unpleasantly in the Brig's ears. Walking up to him with speedy steps, a soldier with a rifle on her shoulder found herself directly in the higher’s path. "You've been absent from training! Where in the hell were you? You're the one who keeps complaining we're strapped for time while whimpering about the end is nigh!"
"Ugh... Elena, I ain't got the time— I wasn't whimperin'!"
"Whatever you might call it, then! Moping about isn't going to help. Come on! You're late!" she demanded, grabbing the veteran's arm before trying to cart him off to the training area. Emris managed to thrash himself free.
"Listen, I've got shite to do," Emris said, considering just making a mad dash from the lass.
Nay, too risky. Girl's nuts.
"Yeah, we all do. And it's your responsibility to train us. Now come on, let's go!"
"Y’all can train alone, Colonel! I have to speak to Alpha," Emris reasoned, tiredness in his eyes.
"...You always have to. It's like he's your husband or something," she complained, massaging the bridge of her nose. After a few seconds, she stuck her index finger out towards him as she declared: "Alright, but you best get in the arena today. For every minute you're absent, we're kicking your ass."
"Oy, don't ye think this should be the other way around?" Emris muttered, cringing.
Aye. Total nutter.
"Yeah, but we also have to babysit our superior, so I don't see much sense here anyway."
"Harsh words from a harsh woman..." Emris smirked, raising himself.
"Just your type. Yeah, shut up."
With a wince as she made her leave, he found himself laughing at the aggressive closeness of his platoon. While the members of the Syndicate were often cynical in nature, they usually did admire their superior's teachings, a fact Emris could testify. With a feeling of fondness warmly passing through his core, the veteran continued on his trek, his legs moving smoother now that he had found some incentive to rely on.
Reaching the throne room was entirely uneventful. While he was well-known within this place, the passing soldiers knew better than to disturb his endeavours. Partly due to the formalities of professionalism, but mostly due to his notoriously awful temper.
With a push against the majestic doors that lead into the room before him, Emris couldn't help but sigh in relief as he spotted Alpha trying to talk with an advisor regarding some financial affairs. While he did respect the nobleman, the veteran inevitably snorted at the head-scratching ruler, knowing him as a man of war and glory over one of diplomatic blathering.
Raising his gaze to Emris, Alpha chuckled mightily to himself, mentally thanking the Brigadier's convenient entry, shouting over his advisor. "Morning to you, kindred gentleman! I do hope you come bearing news?"
Chuckling at Alpha's amusing displays at distraction, Emris replied. "Aye, but it ain't pretty. Sit down, it's serious."
"Ah, 'tis so? Pray tell, mate," Alpha implored, wiping his greatsword of dust as he listened.
"It's about the Dwellers," Emris started, cracking his neck. "They're not givin' up."
"Aye, I did figure those fiends would fail to lower their blades." Alpha scratched his chin in thought, contemplating just how they should advance now that the cards had stacked so unfairly against them.
"So, what's the word, chief? We don't exactly have time to screw around."
"It seems we are running thin, aren't we? This is a nasty gamble we're dealing with, but we have no choice but to roll the dice. I've already made plans to send subsidies to Sylvves in hopes of their cooperation," Alpha explained, cracking his knuckles. "It's only a matter of chance and time whether or not they respond soon enough, and in-kind."
Hearing this statement, a few of the guards cast the ruler a disapproving glance, though the pair of veterans would fail to notice.
"Fingers crossed, I guess," Emris replied, scratching his head. "What about Khorralege? Plannin' on keepin' Jasper off our back?"
"Aye, I've certainly considered it. But I do believe he would only accept negotiations with my presence. He does like having my head on the line," Alpha humoured, nudging the Brigadier.
"Heh, aye. We'll use you as bait if worst comes to worst." Emris chuckled. "Guess we could also brute-force his place, but we’ll leave that on the backburner for now.”
“Hm, truth. I would much prefer not to partake in such vulgar chance, at least for the time.”
Clearing his throat, Emris moved on to more pressing matters.
“What about Yanksee?"
"I've entrusted a buffer operation to Kev, in the hopes of debilitating their approach. While I can’t guarantee good news, I do have faith in his success."
"Eh, Kev always was a sturdy man. He'll survive."
"His survival is but one of my concerns, mate."
With a gloomier tone, Emris narrowed his eyes. "Aye, the Crimsons. What do we know of their advance?"
"Sluggish, as usual. They fare like a slow but broad frigate; we cannae be sure of their numbers just yet. Aerial troops are trying to make estimations, but they have to do so carefully. We've already lost quarter a dozen who came too close," Alpha informed with a sombre nod.
Sighing to himself, the Brigadier resisted the urge to break the floor in anger. "...At least they're takin' their sweet time. What are the odds we'll end up at war with them and Yanksee at the same time?"
With an amused hum and a reassuring pat on the back, Alpha showed his characteristically high spirit as he replied: "Worry not, dear friend! For if those devils draw near at equal pace, the Yanksies would surely be trampled. As far as I remember, Ducasse is still ignorant of the raw power the Reds possess. It's why pride is a sin! Excessive amounts could bring ruin to even such a nation as that of our neighbours."
"What of Zwaarstrich then? They'll be in direct line of fire when the Crimsoneers arrive," Emris said, sighing out of pity for the small north-western island — its lustrous castles had already been torn to pieces from the last invasion a decade ago, the region finding itself in the direct path between the Badlands and the country on which the Syndicate is built upon, known colloquially as 'The Hub'. To exist as a stepping stone to the devils must surely be a frightful existence, but the inhabitors refused to leave their ancestral territories. And yet, while they had managed to rebuild enough to remain respectable since the last onslaught, they still weren't restored to their fullest. If they were forced to engage the Crimsons in the front lines, they would be wiped out without a doubt.
"While it pains me to say it, we truly don't have the time nor resources to send any reinforcements their way right now. Xavier deems it fit to take arms and protect them, but I cannae in good faith allow such suicide. My heart aches terribly for him and his lot, truly. May the Goddess protect them," Alpha wished, already mourning the likely loss the region would suffer. Their isolated location, coupled with abundant, rich resources came at a terrible cost, it seemed.
"Oy, this is a mess..." Emris muttered, disturbed at their inability to act. This too, made several guards turn their way, listening closely. One of which held their visor in terror, hiding grief through the symmetric masks they wore.
"I'm surprised ye convinced the man, honestly,” Emris said, looking up at the Head’s closed eyes.
"Regretfully, I could do nought but use force. You know he wouldn't accept this otherwise."
"Aye, fair enough. Victus… We should prioritize the buffer operation, then?"
"Aye, no doubt. If we loosen up now, they'll tear through the gates and bring us all hell."
"...Looks like that trip to Yanksee ain't happenin'. Shame. I fancied a 'visit'," Emris jested, trying to raise both of their spirits. Deep inside he felt the urge to puke.
"Oho! And I'm sure you would've made them a great mischief, indeed! But such reckless abandon would surely bring about your ruin, friend," Alpha proclaimed, reverting to his ever-noble self.
"Eh, ye know me, boss," Emris shrugged, pressing a fist against his spine and cracking it straight. "Best I set off. Platoon's gonna tear me apart otherwise."
"Ah, you do that! Give them a big old hello from their liege." Alpha laughed, his booming voice exploding through the room's entirety. Hearing this, a particular bodyguard winced, glaring at the king through his helmet.
With a silent chuckle, as well as a new thought to agonize over later, Emris made way through the building once more, leaving the midsection to reach the eastern wing. Taking a swig of the concoction produced from his canteen, guzzling down his concerns, the Brigadier just barely managed to catch a glance of a certain dormitory as he raised his gaze to drink. With a curious sound, Emris put away his beverage before shifting direction. With any luck, his impatient soldiers would only tear off him two limbs at most for his distractable behaviour.
Approaching the door, he raised his hand to knock, only to freeze in place. A terrible feeling shivered down his spine, forcing him to reflexively step back to gather his bearings. With only more concern in his mind, he mustered his will to approach the doorway, shaking away the paleness of his skin. Without hesitation, he almost pounded at the door as he knocked.
There was a slight disturbance from inside, as whoever was within threw themselves off the bed, followed by a nasty thud. The veteran took another swig. Just in case.
"Who's there?" a hoarse, young voice spoke.
Sniggering and finding comfort in the boy's altered tone, Emris spoke up.
"Aye, lumber delivery?"
"Oh, it's just you," the lad acknowledged, opening the door to reveal himself. While Tokken did try his best to smile through his predicament, the bags under his eyes coupled with his exhausted appearance could only dream of fooling someone.
"The fuck do ye mean, 'it's just me'? And did ye sleep at all, kid?" the older man asked, inclining himself.
"Huh...? Oh, huh? Yeah, yeah! Sleep's fine," Tokken said, stumbling his words in an attempt at a playful voice. "What about yours?"
Raising a brow, Emris chewed at his cheek. "Ye look like shit. I slept fine."
"I do? Darn, I didn't uhm... shower! That's right, I didn't shower——"
Ignoring his feeble excuses, Emris peered his face inside the darkened room, noticing the sleeping Howler resting on a cushioned chair.
"Oy, this place is grim," the man noted, suddenly finding his fingers pressed up to his forehead as a slight ache began to flare. "There's that damn feelin' again. I should seriously drink other shite."
Turning back to the boy, Emris grabbed the lad's shoulders before forcing him outside.
"W—What? Hey! Let go!" Tokken complained, his already futile strength further dampened by his current state, leaving him barely able to flail his arms in response.
"C'mon, relax. I'll show ye how the army trains. Kids like that sort of thing, right?" Emris asked, releasing Tokken's shoulders once he'd managed to get him to walk.
"Not... really? Look, I don't know——"
"Yup, I'd love to hear all about it. C'mon," the Brigadier interrupted, pushing Tokken's back so as to speed up the pace. He was late.
"But isn't it like... dangerous to——"
"C'mon!"
"I really think I should just stay inside, I'll be less of a nuisance that way——"
"Oi!" Emris yelled, silencing the recoiling boy. Seeing the terrified look on Tokken's face, the man couldn't help but sigh to himself. "Look, I ain't too pleased either. But frankly, if I can't pull ye out of there, I'll feel like a shitty guardian. And that goes two ways with me, so humour me, alright?"
"Well... okay, I guess. I—If you insist, and all that," the youth quickly responded, stuttering as his freshly aware self tried in vain to maintain composure. Emris’ desperation had stepped over a few of the lad’s comfort zones, but he was in no position to deny the Brig who had saved his life.
With a short chuckle, Emris noted. "See? All wide awake now."
The first thing the pair heard upon stumbling into the vast, colosseum-like training grounds, amongst the range of grunts, clashes of iron and even gunfire, was——
"EMRIS!" a male soldier bellowed, practically fuming out of his ears. A voice as pissed off as his could terrify just about anyone within a five-mile radius. Good thing the approaching, flaming man's voice wasn't high pitched enough to reach such distances. "Four hours late?!"