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"So how did you get that wound?" Stella had one eyebrow raised while watching Doctor Hocho apply medicine to the deep gash.
"I stepped into Jack's path for revenge, so he drove a blade through my shoulder." Ace pouted. Jack stared at every supply stacked in the cupboards. He would rather not explain stabbing his friend.
"So, why didn't you dodge it, or stop the blade?" Stella not letting up. Jack faces them again and nods to reinforce the correct line of questioning.
"I wanted to have matching scars with Jack. We are like twins." Ace raises his moustache to show his teeth.
"You are a dumbass." The disappointment in her voice made Doctor Hocho wince.
"Let's move on. It's good that Billy went home. How was he?" Ace questioned.
"Physically, he just needs rest. He would be able to rest home and check in with me ever so often. If you mean mentally then—"
"He was happy to hear Jack was okay. He felt down that we weren't able to follow up on that lead. He left this morning apologising. I couldn't really find any words. We definitely have to check on him later." Stella followed.
"I see. He really is a good guy. I wish I was more careful," Jack mentioned.
"Ahh, innocence. The cruelty of battle stretches far beyond this. I wish my heart still shattered over the loss of a limb. Many a battle has made this heart cold. I am sure you are the same way. With all these scars I am sure it also came with a lot of loss." The doctor smiling at the grim topic didn't sit right with the younger pair.
"Honestly, it never got easier for me. I can't say I became cold towards it, but I have seen a lot of people I cared about find fates they weren't ready for. I agree with you doc, its great they still have this innocence, but I hope they keep these same feelings, even if they are ever cursed to see more."
The scars on Ace's body ran deep. Jack had seen them before during training. He thought they looked cool. The battles of a hero. Now, staring at them caused a lump in his throat. Billy was lucky, but he also wasn't. It wasn't for Jack to decide. The one who suffered loss carries the viewpoint that is important. Jack knew he was lucky, and all he could do is continue forward. His heart rate steadily increased.
"Ace, what are we going to do about the situation? How are we approaching it?"
"What situation?" Stella sat up straight. Were there more consequences she wondered.
"Tenny is following some members of Eclipse right now. He should come back with a lead," Jack said.
"No way! Why didn't you start with that instead of a guy who let himself get stabbed? What is the plan?"
"I'm not sure I want to tell you anymore. That was harsh." Ace glowered for a second before wincing at the stitches. "Okay, no more joking around. It is super important that you keep your emotions under control. Jack, none of what happened today."
"Yea, won't happen again boss."
"I like how you said that. That is the entire idea, just let me do the talking, and look as tough as you can. You are going to have to trust me again. The main goal is to find out about Luna."
"Are we going to take them down?" Stella's eyes made Jack's pores open. His body felt cold suddenly. Do they have to fight all of them? Billy deserves that, but can they do it?
"I don't think that it is the best plan. We don't know their full strength and the strength they have shown is enough for us to hesitate. Let's just focus on getting information, and I can try to keep them in town for the military to handle them."
"That can work. The military can capture them if they have the information." Jack joined in the plan.
"Your hero has arrived! Ready to go?" Tenny's grin showed an emotion that felt opposite to Jack's. He looked at his mentor. This time is different.
"Yea, let's go!" Ace pulled on his shirt and jacket. "Jack, leave your weapons with the doctor. We are just going to talk. Stella, can you hide your hair pin just in case?"
"Ace, I'm hungry!" The hero said while jumping on Ace's head.
***
"I saw them walk through this door. I stayed for at least 30 minutes to see if anyone else came out, and nothing happened." The crew found themselves at the end of an alley way again. This one unfamiliar. The building that the door was attached too seemed closed. It wasn't a house, but there was no indication of what they were walking into. Here goes nothing.
The metal door didn't budge. That should have been expected. Jack suggested they break through the front. That door was wooden, it would be easier without making as much noise. Ace thought it would look to suspicious. This would be easier and less noise.
"Tenny, make it jagged, please."
"Yes, Sir." Tenny leapt in the air in front of Ace as a thin jagged blade of pure black appeared from his paws and fell into Ace's grip.
"What just happened?" Jack remembered that Tenny could use dark magic, but it wasn't like the rules of dark wisps at all.
"All creatures use a completely different system than us. Tenny has the ability to create objects out of dark energy, but I can't say anyone really understands their magic. Even creatures don't fully grasp it because it comes natural to them," Ace explained while sawing at the door lock in the narrow gap between the frame. "I recommend not fighting a mystical creature. Although I doubt one will ever try and fight. They are pretty strict at following The Three. Oh, and Virgo too, since he is a Mythical Magic User. Andddd we are done!"
The metal door swung in front of them. A warm fragrance escaped the doorway. It was sweet, fresh, it was bread.
"No way. Is this the bakery?" Jack's eyes and nostrils were wide open.
"It would seem so." Stella already taking a step inside. The rest of the team right behind her as they scanned the empty kitchen. The display was barren as well and the scent must have come from the closed off fire pit in the corner.
"Tenny, check it out." Ace sat on the counter and looked towards the back of the room. Tenny disappeared in an instant. Jack was going to suggest they check around too, but Tenny was already back.
"Yup, there seems to be something hiding behind the cupboard. Everywhere else is empty." Tenny's voice echoed excitement. Stella couldn't help but think that the two of them were a team no one should ever cross.
Jack opened the doors of the extra-large wooden box to see the only item inside, another door at the back of it. He carefully turned the handle with success.
"Don't forget to follow my lead." Ace took charge. The door was hiding a wooden staircase surrounded by walls. The wall ended halfway down the stairs, to reveal a large room filled with barrels, sacks of probably wheat, a large arsenal of weaponry, and a few sealed chests towards the back, and lastly, roughly 30 men with weapons drawn, staring at the four of them.
"Who are you?" Mr. Quinn bellowed from the other side of the room behind a desk.
"Tenny, go tell him I want to talk. Stella, Jack, take any two of them out quickly." In the instant that Ace finished his sentence, Tenny had already disappeared. The pair rushed in front of him. Jack chose the closest to Ace. The guy was already in stance with sword drawn, but he still couldn't react to the sudden burst forward from a Wind Walk. The mercenary could barely take a back step before Jack slammed his fist across his chin sending the sword wielder crashing into the wall. At the same time Stella was running before coming to a halt. She lifted her right hand to reveal a decent size red orb was already in her palm. It zoomed from her hand, directly into the chest of another mercenary. He crashed into two others before taking them to the ground.
"Sheesh I only said two." The rest of soldiers began rushing ahead.
"Stop!" The heavy words from Mr. Quinn halted everyone in their tracks. Every soldier stepped to the side leaving a path for the group to walk through. It was hard to describe, but each of Ace's step seemed purposeful. He definitely doesn't walk like that but with his hands in his pockets and each step feeling weighty and slow, he left a mixed impression on the characters that lined the walls. Jack and Stella did as he said and followed his lead. Their eyes sharp and focused on different soldiers as they made their way to Mr. Quinn.
"I assume you are the boss, and this is the so-called Eclipse." Ace signalled for one of the mercenaries to bring over a crate for him to sit on.
"I don't often repeat myself, however I can tell you are someone special so I will allow it. Who are you?"
"I am the leader of a mercenary group. I am a hundred percent sure that you have heard of us. They call us Lunar Eclipse." Every eye pierced Ace's flesh. The worst stare came from the bewildered eyes of Jack. Why would anyone believe him? "I'll explain it to your men since you probably never explained your inspiration, but I am the third-generation boss of a top tier mercenary group from the east. My uncle passed on the title to me, and he got it from his dad's best friend's wife's cousin who started the operation 60 years ago. It doesn't matter too much, but you can just call me Boss from now on, Baker."
"I thought someone who had a Mystical Creature as a pet would be special, but even so I can't stand it when someone is lying to my fac—"
"It seems your thoughts were right. I didn't know you were hard of hearing. I am the third-generation boss; thus, I am special indeed, and I would rather not waste time. Are you trying to take my score?"
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"What score?"
"Huh, I was sure you would have known. It seems like there is an alliance forming between the empire and a southern country. I am not sure of the details, but a high-ranking member of the council is making its way through this village and heading to the ports. They are carrying a convoy full of goods to trade for some reason. That doesn't concern me because it will be mine for the taking. I planned to attack them in Torrs Village, but I got word they change their route and would arrive here in 3 days. I am already pissed in organising 200 men to get here in time and imagine how upset I was when I found out that you were gathering back your troops here. I have heard of the name Eclipse before and I allowed you all to keep using my name cause I thought you would die out, but now it looks like you are trying to stab me in the back."
"How could I stab you in the back when no one has ever heard about you. I am getting tired of the lies. If there was such a convoy, I would have heard about it. You aren't soldiers, but you clearly are working with them. Your two members there have been sloppy, so stop wasting my time and tell me who you are and why you are here." Stella could see the veins forming on Quinn's head. His beady eyes were weighed down by his eyebrows.
"For someone who says they know this and know that. You sure don't know anything do you? I am starting to feel sorry for your men. You didn't know about the largest score passing through your own town. You didn't know Billy was my inside man in this village. You pretend not to know about Lunar Eclipse. I came here because I wanted to see what kind of man you are. I was willing to cut you in because I am on your turf, but if you are too ignorant to a treasure that rivals a kingdom's fortune then stay out of my way."
"You really are pissing me off. You feel sorry for my men? You have no idea the power we hold. How far we are going to go." His words seemed to rile up the crowd. They all had a reason to be there, and it seemed Quinn sold them an ideal future.
"That's what I like to see Baker. You have the support of your troops. What is your goal here? You plan to flee to the southern continent with treasure you collected? If you give me a good enough reason, then I am sure it will be good to have allies like me." Ace took out his chef's knife and points the tip off to the right aiming at one of the sealed chests behind Quinn. "I am guessing that is a Null Metal box. That shows your power to acquire something like that, but here is mine." The dark energy blade extends from the knife into the metal chest, cracking the strange purple and black stone before tearing into the metal.
"Boss! That has to be Mystical Magic!" a soldier yelled out while looking at the gems and gold spilled on the ground.
"Wisps can't touch Null Metal, right! What was that?" another soldier chimed in. Whispers started to form in the room. Mr. Quinn's beady eyes stretched to reach his forehead.
"I get it. That blade could reach me before any of these men take a step. You have my interest Boss. You want to know about us? We are a band that is tired of being tools of the empire. Forced to fill out ledgers and daily task while some cities and kingdoms are filled with people that never have to lift a finger. I am going to form my own dark kingdom and become the fifth Stray Monarch. What do you think?"
"Is that enough to take people's lives?" Jack got emotional. "Good innocent people who try their hardest to live a full and peaceful life. You all claim you want freedom, but what is the cost? Tools of the empire? Aren't these people just tools for you to reach where you want to? What is so bad about living as a part of society?"
"Talked like a true soldier. You should choose better men, Boss. He practically sold you all out." Damnit. Jack clenched his fist. He got carried away. His mind couldn't help replaying the events of his friend being cut. He knew he wasn't supposed to. Was it because he felt they were at a place of power? How could he mess this entire thing up? He glanced over to Stella, but she wasn't fazed. The cold gaze was fixed on one point and one point alone. Jack snapped back his composure. He would figure it out.
"I think you misunderstand, Baker. We are mercenaries, but our band never drags the innocent into our actions. He is right in questioning your intentions when you make claims as grand as yours," Ace calmly denied the opponent before slowly turning the chef's knife on the table to have the blade pointed at Mr. Quinn as it rested there.
"Fine. I will indulge your subordinate. He could learn a lesson anyway since he clearly has not seen the world. The quota's the villages fill is used to sustain the village with a thin margin. The remainder all is taken to larger kingdoms or cities. The workload is carefully calculated for the cities to reap the benefits. The empire's system is flawed. 'To move forward, we must unite so all can live well.' They say this, but the major cities and kingdoms live in excess. It is an excess no one in this class can hope to achieve. What is wrong with wanting a little more equality. Why must they live with such comfort off our backs. You are right. My men are my tools for my goals, but they know that they are tools being used to build something they look forward to, instead of building the extravagance of people they will never see. You are a fool if you believe in this ledger system. It does grant everyone with resources and a purpose, but it is designed to cage the people that keep the empire alive."
"Freedom." Ace's voice wavered. Stella finally took her eyes of the large preaching man to see her friend glance down. His character broke for a short moment until his eyes raised again. "I can understand the fight for freedom. You wouldn't believe it, but that was my exact goal. With the treasure on this convoy, that dream is possible. I don't know what it takes to run a dark kingdom so I can count on you. I will handle the military force, you just back us up and make off with the treasure. We can meet up after and when I start a dark kingdom, you can be my adviser. Sounds like the perfect deal right. The only condition is giving me information on something only you can. What happened to Luna from Cartina?"
Quinn's face radiated. Stella's stomach dropped. Jack hated the cold wave that washed his body as Mr. Quinn's mouth contorted into a smile. He could tell this was what the man was waiting for. Something to make sense as to why they broke into his base. Either that or he was sure he drew a trump card.
"Luna. I haven't heard that name in ages. Not many around here know that name. To my understanding that incident was covered up. What would you like to know?" Mr. Quinn began tapping each finger on the desk with a fast rhythm.
"Now you are making me repeat myself. I want to know what happened to her," Ace answered.
"I might as well inform everyone about the story of Eclipse." Mr. Quinn's voice filled the room. The The sound of his tapping stopped and replaced by the sounds of footsteps behind them. Jack swivelled to see mercenaries gathered in a crowd. The boy's heart skipped as the path to the staircase was hidden by a sea of faces. He heard mumbling and what seemed to sound like chains.
"Ace," Jack whispered.
"Don't worry," The moustached man replied without looking back.
"9 years ago, Eclipse was a small band that operated in the Dark Kingdom run by the King of the Moon. We were fresh and would take any job that came our way, when leader of the Septem house acquired a large debt. He was young and greedy, and his visits was always shrouded in secrecy. Our job was simple. Collect the debt. The King of the Moon figured he would have to pay it off with royal antiques if we blackmailed him with his gambling addiction, but he ignored all threats. We figured he would have to pay if we had his child. After kidnapping Luna, the family still made no efforts. The King was outraged that we went after a child and decided we would be disbanded for our actions. We were ambitious to make it right, so we decided to storm the household and kill his entire family while looting the place.
"That's when I saw that we had the power. The King was just giving orders, but we are the ones that make him strong. We disappeared with the treasure and decided never to look back. Unfortunately, a woman in the band decided that they couldn't leave Luna behind. Rosa looked after her, so I had no qualms until Rosa didn't make it back from a mission. That wretched woman left me with the child, but to my surprise, the kid had a knack for fighting and could use dark mimics.
"She had to earn her keeps and turned out to be one of my greatest weapons. The Reaper of Eclipse they call her. The soldiers call her Ashe, and she is right over there."
Jack's mind raced around. The cloak. Where is the cloak? The entire crew turned around to see the crowd part with a small girl standing in their view. She had long silver hair, lighter than Stella's, with over sized, dirty clothes draped over her. Her eyes were large and violet, but expressionless. Jack couldn't tell where her focus was, but it wasn't on anything in this room. Her wrist was weighted with iron shackles and chains that dragged to the ground.
"Luna—" Stella whispered. Jack saw her eyes lifting a growing water droplet. The water having a slight bounce, in time with small trembles in her bottom lip. "Luna. It's me, Stella. You are alive. Everything will be okay now." Stella inched forward. Her pace starting to pick up to a run for her sister.
Shit! Jack dashed ahead wrapping his arms around his friend who was lost in emotion. He slammed both their bodies to the ground. He was just out of reach for the scythe blade that almost kissed Stella's nose.
"That isn't her right now. She only knows survival. You can't do that." The panic in his voice made him choke on the words.
"What do you mean that isn't her? Jack, she is right there. Jack she is right there! Luna!" Stella's voice ripped into Jack's stomach more than her physical attempt to pry herself free. "Get off me!"
Ace gently placed his hand on Stella's head while passing. Her loud cries slowly came to a quiet frustration. She wiped away her tears to see her friend walk directly into her sister's range. There was no swing. Stella's jaw fell slightly open as salted tears flowed to the corner of her mouth.
"You must be hungry huh? You have to go with my friends, okay." Ace placed his hand on the young girl's head and gave her a soft smile.
Luna was dragged backwards to the ground by the chains. Mercenaries surrounded her while a sword was pointed at her throat. She was completely unfazed. Her body still and eyes remained distant.
"It looks like you have a strong connection to my Little Reaper, Boss. I think I want to renegotiate our terms. I am sure you understand that I can take her life before you ever take a step. How about I spare her life and let her escape and you give me my dream. I will let you keep your band and work under us."
Stella dug her hands into the brick floor. Her teeth biting into each other. Jack struggled to hold her back. Should he hold her back? The moment in thought was just enough for his grip to slip. She was already on the move with red forming in her palm. She just had to get past Ace, but that was if he was still there. The entire group frantically stir their eyes for a trace of him.
"I am pretty sure I can still take a step before you do anything," Ace said directly behind Quinn with the edge of his knife flirting with the sly bear's neck. Ace's eyes looked narrow and dead. Everyone could tell from that gaze that they were playing his game. Jack saw the sweat form on the forehead of the checkmated opponent. "Let me give you some words of advice, Baker, and never forget it. People are not items. You cannot own anyone, so the only life you can ever barter with is your own. Understand?"
"Yea. I get it loud and clear, Boss."
"Good, so here is what we are going to do. Luna is going to go with my subordinates. I will take her place as your ransom for the money. I could still use your help, but I understand the distrust so I think this will suffice. Tell your man to drop his weapon and you guys can tie me up instead."
Only one person in that room was not shocked by Ace's words and she hasn't shown a sign of emotion yet. Jack wanted to testify, but how could he? He felt his heart waver. What can he do in this situation? He stood up to face his mentor as the orders were being carried out.
"Wait!" Ace objected. "I want to write a note for my subordinates to follow in my absence. Just to make sure the plan follows through. I hope you understand that I can't show you the note, so I can ensure that you won't attack my men in an ambush while I am tied up."
"I can allow that." The orders were carried out and Ace's wrist were tied with the note being sealed on the table. He walked over to the stunned trio.
"Ha, it looks like things got a bit off track. I am all tied up and stuff. Talk about a disaster." He chuckled at a volume only the small group can hear. "Oh, by the way, what is a dark kingdom?"
"Ace, what the hell are you doing?" Stella growled but matched volume. "You can easily kill all of them and we can get out of here."
"I am really sorry. I don't want to fight, and if I do, I am sure someone will end up dead at my hands. I would rather people with clashing ideals, who are willing to fight, kill each other. I know it sounds like a flimsy excuse and I am still practically leading people to death, but it is really important to me that I don't do it myself. I am being selfish but please understand this is the best I can do. Jack, I am putting you in charge because Stella might be a little too close to the situation. I want you to take the note and make a decision that you believe in. Do not think about me, I will be completely fine. I am trusting you to do what you believe is right and I will follow your choice no questions asked. Look out for yourselves."
"Okay, I trust you." Jack walked over and grabs the letter. His eyes locked again with the troublesome beady eyes. Jack felt his blood heat up. He couldn't wait to get an opportunity to crush this man. They continue to walk through the alley of mercenaries with Luna holding Stella's hand. The trio take one last look before ascending.
"It looks like it's just me and you guys. I hope we can have a great time together." Ace's grin made the mercenaries feel uneasy.
"You are the most unpredictable opponents I have ever faced," Quinn chimed to the chained man sitting in the centre of the room. He took a seat behind his desk once again and exhaled the tension from his body.
"It's probably because I try not to think too much. I didn't expect to get so pissed earlier either. That is not a good side of me but let's not do that again. So, if you ever try and use a life as a bargaining chip again, I will break every bone in your body." The large warm grin on his face silenced the room.