Lisa saw her as stupid, albeit her speed surpassed everyone's expectations. Now, who was stupid? Lisa gritted her fist and wished Murai's hoodie was normal to ease her self-inflicted egoistic anger.
Surprisingly, it wasn't her time to shine.
The one who moved and spoke next was David. “Carmilla, is it?” He moved forward without a defense in sight, positioning himself between her and Lisa. Aside, his guard was up; Ultium would act up in less than a second. He always could.
“Yep. Good day to you, David. Where is your belly, you old fool?” Carmilla asked as she laughed, pointing her finger in mockery towards his lower body. David wasn't ashamed or interested in this topic. It was never fine, nor never bad. It was just what came with his choices and current temper.
The mood amongst the group shifted when he recognized this woman, while Lisa was yet to reconsider her moves. She was a fine target when she had Murai in her grasp, but behind her was Ultium, and Bagus walked beside her too, almost deciding on covering them with his huge wings.
Itrosh flew away when Carmilla landed since her position was close and not ready for such a storm. Carmilla arrived with an ashen expression more than a dozen seconds later, grinning in anger and shame. This was her mistake and she was sweating bullets because she didn't expect Carmilla of all fools to do something like coming at them alone. Everyone beside their little invader remained serious, waiting for David to conclude this opening.
David gestured for everyone to wait so he would take care of this. They should care of the surroundings, depths, or lows, while those crows were yet to move. Their current location was kind of barren, so not many enemies should come at them without obvious moves.
They didn't know if there were others, or if this was a simple probing attack pushed on some facts. Carmilla was quick. She could disappear in a blink if one wasn't careful. Not like David would let her go if she was an enemy.
“So, you wanna haggle? For the sake of the other Side, I presume?”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.”
“Do you think I would believe such nonsense? One word is other than the rest. Our Side, or opposing Side?”
“Whatever. You know how this goes. Didn't ask, didn't care. But I did get permission to do whatever I wanted, spy, see, and hear, catching some heads, figures, or... animals?” Carmilla poked a finger at her cheek and glared at Murai affectionately. “Never seen so many points for such a target, you see. Some Ends or badges are interesting, but killing is nearly outlawed and stupid. In rumors... ideas. Considering Ultium, I am not involving my skills, or so to say in facts and Laws. I don't wanna hear or get near him, so I came to haggle with the sincerity of a Hunter because of others.” Carmilla stated her facts, playing with her long stretching hair of deep brown color that flew behind her shoulders and cloak.
She nodded to herself and puffed her swaying chest. She looked quite young, but one was never sure about the age of others in this world. Especially when high powers, time, and many sources of development moved many races and Bloodlines, let alone individuals. Magic was why. Laws were bizarre and Boosts and attributes did leave their mark.
Vitality was the source of health and time. It was possible to get it far enough to keep a youthful appearance for a long time. However, Carmilla wasn't older than David. Her lean yet developed muscles meant she was a fighter and her face and voice were way softer instead. A pair of gauntlets around her forearms looked like some kind of artifact with hidden weapons, or tools to effect the Wind. Their remarkable and re-trackable design might help with ambushes if they hid weapons, but she aimed her bare fingers at Murai alone. She wanted to catch him alive.
“What do you want here? Watched enough? Heard us enough?” David asked firmly, moving towards her enough to almost touch her face. He loomed over her with his sheer size.
Her face remained smiling and wondering. Carmilla didn't mind the worst; she kept smiling and preparing her words instead. Failure meant a plunging reputation if she had to deal with humans with a cold heart.
She had a history here that she wanted to forget.
“I heard a rumor of some wealth walking around, unobscured by others, and traveling further into this Gate. Who knew that my ears were so great?! I was surprised! So I came to see and survey fools that move as if they are some big players. And guess who do I see? A fool who got involved too... but, with... 10,000 points? That is kind of shocking. Who decides that? With your size, I would expect twice or thrice of that number alone,” She laughed and put her both arms around her mouth.
David wasn't impressed. “I heard plenty of rumors myself, while my informants are no weaklings either. There are so many idiots, it is hard to see them all. The whole Hellscape is turning into one hell of a civil warfare. Everyone is having some chances to prove their worth to Levandis. Old World's ways are as nasty as rumored.”
“Right? Isn't it the greatest?”
“All because Levandis deems it fit? No. We do.”
“I guess that's true. How wonderful, isn't that? Shame you took the losing Side. Perhaps things would've moved differently if you had taken Razmunds' side from the very beginning. Wouldn't that be wonderful or right?”
“Perhaps,” David mumbled and eyed her with hideous stress and unblinking yes. Like a mafia boss, he was losing his patience.
“Anyway, seeing that.... voluptuous ghost and clothed duck, I guess all the rumors are truthful and this team is hardly... balanced. Old and young, everyone here has some past and interesting hopes. Interesting. Well, that agenda also came from the upper Gates and the lower ones confirmed something interesting as well. They want everyone's heads, while some fools are so angry, they wish to act themselves. Guess what? They can't! Mindarch chipped their wings! Hilarious. Something interesting is happening in this temple after all.”
“What do you mean? Who? They already let the information out?”
“Some fools. Oh, like... an hour ago? No idea if we are talking about the same thing. My informants are private since I am quite a good spy. Gate 2 was extensive, you see. Took days to gather something specific by murdering and looking closely, but... many things are under the locks. Can't get further into them because of Network and Mindarch. And you fucked up, David. Big time.” Carmilla said and pouted. “By the way, your business is out of order or city. Don't know which is worst, but you forfeited your whole life. I fear your boy fled and didn't leave a leaf unarmed, unharmed, or overturned. I tell it in fear of his life.” She faked a tear and grimaced as she shifted her steps.
“Marthosh is clever, unlike many. Anyone lucid enough and involved in the Helltrim Society is either sober or a fool. I am no longer in the picture! Rules are rules, and my choice is mine.”
“Tsch. Tsch. Tsch!” she pressed her lips, letting out mocking tones of humming moans. “Care for some trade then? I heard other rumors that you wanna hear. I don't care about that city or society. Don't work for them. Don't need them.”
“I won't haggle with you. Why would I? I don't think you are getting our situation, or mine. Read some atmosphere too, you wind freak.”
“I might. I also think you need something, considering that shivering look that bends my knees and turns my insides wet,” she waved a hand and pointed at Murai, who kept his piercing gaze on her, thinking of killing this cheeky brat who almost clutched his neck.
Murai could see that this woman was a crafty foe, and her personality was so close to Lisa that he wanted to kick her knees and call her many names. Her power was also concealed, while her emotions lingered on and on like her body, and her body language didn't point to anything but straight and illogical sides. She was dangerous. One couldn't tell what her acts or words would be like since they could shift mid-sentence, or change like sudden wind.
She was around or above the level of some of his Helpers for sure. Which ones? There were big differences between them, which Murai thought about a few times before.
Most obvious answers didn't come with Levels themselves, similar to his own situation. But it sure was great to see their power, acts, and abilities when some fools made their moves. Of course, Murai never took part in any battle because this passionate team took care of every issue.
Thanks to these times, he discovered ideas about his Helpers, albeit devoid of some tougher fights. David barely fought, and his power wasn't as substantial. His barehanded style of combat was heavy and rugged, often assuming heavy kicks and punches with unexpected strength.
Itrosh was a quick weapon master, and her dozens of styles of mastered weaponry flowed through messy wind and clutter of steel, unleashing many attacks. If anything, Murai would call her an indecisive idiot because of her style, but she was kind of good at what she followed.
Ultium was hard to Read, suppress when released, and even harder to predict. He could kill a rabbit with full strength, or struggle to catch a wasp. How much did he make sense out of everyone, Murai didn't know this question yet. But he knew he was the strongest variable out of this group, if not the most vicious.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Bagus was most reasonable if Murai was thinking right. His fighting beast-like style held almost no weaknesses and resembled Griffins in many ways. It was to the point, savage, and quick. His beak held powerful stabs and smacks, signifying potent acts that Murai wasn't unfamiliar with. His wings were wide, thick, and powerful, and his sharp feathers were like steel.
Then his tail was capable of flexible and powerful whipping strikes, shredding stones and trees to pieces. The only bad thing was his overall flexibility, thanks to his four legs, nature, and sizable frame. Bagus didn't have the most efficient body or styles, but he made up for them with his surprising talents and battle-stricken madness that changed him from a good big boy into a battle beast.
Murai saw it as no weakness.
He thought about himself more; his little frame left much to be desired, and he wouldn't like four legs, but then... he remembered he wished to be a wolf when he woke up as a duck. That sobered up his wonders quite quickly.
If he ranked his Helpers, Ulitum was at an unknown peak in sight, followed by Bagus who wasn't hiding a thing. Itrosh, David, himself, and Lisa were rather straightforward with many obvious flaws. Itrosh's worth wasn't in the combat anyway, while David didn't want to fight unless it was necessary.
As for the strength of this Carmilla, Murai wondered where she stood. It a was veiled curiosity. Not necessity.
He would recognize Laws of Wind with closed eyes, moving thinly over her legs as if they were unstoppable breathing tattoos. That was weird. They looked far too great, even though she didn't catch him when she could, nor had she struck the earth in power equal to her obscure strength.
Did someone protect him, or was she weak, or was it his hoodie? If things made sense, someone like her should've done quite some damage to him in many ways. Was she afraid of being too straightforward because of others, or was what she said the truth? She didn't go all out because she wasn't here to kill but to catch or do some easier work.
All sorts of ideas occurred under his head in a few moments that Murai barely paid attention to their following haggling.
“A hundred thumb-sized Ultra Gems. No less, and all of my knowledge is yours. Deal of the century, considering your Hunt,” Carmilla said, cheering under a nice deal. She knew a lot of brokers, so whatever this meant, her betrayal might be reasonable and no deal was always set in stone or blood.
“HEH!” David scowled, almost slapping his belly that wasn't as he remembered. It deflated, much to his faked distress. “Do you want my life too? What a spineless deal.”
“Is it worth something more? Nah. My worth and business proposal is enough. Trust me, Razmund's Side is big enough and he isn't the only thing. I can dig out some interest too and you would be more than glad for a hundred.” She kept smiling, appearing too obnoxious for David to call it pretty.
“With those Ultra Gems, you can go fuck yourself from those that back you up. I won't haggle with stupids. Get back to where you belong. You aren't ready to take our weight. Information that you have with your eyes and senses alone isn't infinite. You have no idea about us! Leave us be, or I will let Ultium pursue you until your skeleton is left behind. Hell, even then, I would order him to munch you apart, leaving nothing behind but your dread. Get lost.” David spoke quickly, yet each word carried his conviction, and power he lacked.
Uttering those words showed some impression on his face, giving him a different flank to who he was. For once, even Lisa was a bit taken aback by this speech, while Ultium was yet to move.
And Carmilla wasn't the least bit surprised to see him like this.
Ultium was behind him, listening and knowing he could do what he said. But it sounded boring. He could solve this problem much more easily. He already imagined what he could've done to these Crows, how, or when. Feeling it, he didn't do it. It was the shame of greatest importance.
“Just how would those big crows taste with Itrosh's barbeque techniques?” Ultium asked out loud by mistake.
He was like a shadow behind David, eyeing Carmilla with his red eyes. It was a deadly stare; foolproof that his boss was all fine.
However, he felt this woman, whom he couldn't remember. The blood was thick, however, and she could kill David in a single careless motion. He bet she wouldn't dare to do it. There was something Ultium could do and couldn't imagine.
He didn't think of many possibilities, and among them, David held the lowest points. Thus, he should be the least focused target.
That was right and wrong at the same time. Throughout the years, David made many enemies in the Hellscape as a human and owner of the Lost Brothers. Some demons and devils and even humans would love to see his demise. So when he was no longer part of the Helltrim Society and went out to seek his End, many would send it quicker just because they could. They would get rewarded by Mindrach and Levandis, so seeing him dead would be even better.
However, that wasn't in Ultium's mind or the Fate itself. He was confident that Carmilla couldn't kill him. He knew she wouldn't dare.
Carmilla giggled, letting out quite satisfied sounds after knowing David's profile. Backing when he gambled his whole life needed this sort of guts and balls. She didn't deny him his chance or words. They were correct in the grand scheme of things since everyone was a target of others. There were a lot of them.
All sorts of targets were a pain in the ass to deal with, hide from, and eavesdropping wasn't easy with a pair of Lawful beings everywhere. Then, there was that Anatidae that kept eyeing her like an absolute beast she knew he wasn't. Not yet. Nevertheless, the way it watched put her through mud and trembling heart.
Some haggling was honest. She wasn't testing everything or everyone. The whole situation was not here regardless. Wondering where both Sides were and hoped they would be, there was some power in understanding. Carrying news, or other hopes, her work was as best as many could ask for.
Carmilla had her sources and reputation, giving many groups news that could pull ahead some new boundaries. Wind can carry a lot of things.
“Are you trying us, or rob us?” David demanded.
“You know how to haggle, or make mistakes, Marching David, but I don't think my work is needed when I see the Hellscape going through such heavy footsteps. News is such a wide topic. Who knows what is trustworthy or who? You won't escape for longer if you keep this bait for so long, so If you are coming to the Scorching Light, call me impressed.”
“Or death,” Ultium added.
“Who says anything about escaping,” Itrosh said.
“Possible. All possible.” Carmilla nodded with a little frown on her face.
“So the forces don't know us all that well, huh? Asking for more than they can chew, do they? Cowards.” David laughed. “That is as good as unexpected, considering our faces were all over the sky. Bounties aren't Hell Points. You wish to deepen your pockets in different ways.”
“For what it is worth it, you should be creative. Four days ago, your whole company went to shit. Did you think your boy could take that, and others wouldn't take advantage of your silly mistake? In a world relying on strength and history and reputation, bowing or going down is like meat on a stick.”
“I know that. It is worth it though.”
“Sacrificing pawns in the chess game sounds boring. How befitting too, for some. Is it because of this Encounter or your new mission? Is it worth it that much trust? Sounds wasteful. Do you know something that the public doesn't, or the reward is way too good to refuse, or... the Encounter itself is nowhere to be seen, and you are fake news?”
“Who knows indeed,” David said coldly, while Lisa acted as if she was his shadow.
“Your conversation was lacking and giving many things, yet nothing at the same time. Sector 45 is rather small, so how much of our words is true? Can't fool me, David. Endangering your life like an idiot sounds fitting, but age or not, those trying are always there. Called idiots, it describes acts and fools.”
“Why do you care about it? I am certain you don't care about our haggling or my worth. Some Ultra Gems? Those can be found in a couple of assassinations or a couple of missions and kills. What you would gain from all of the potential customers around us is far too valuable. It's not Razmund, right?” David asked, opening his eyes wide. His arms bulged in either muscles or fat, and Carmilla backed a step. Not because of fear, but to see him better.
It was unknown what strength this man possessed because of his long-sleeved coat he kept wearing because it was nice. Ultium was also uncomfortably tensed and far too close to her liking.
“No,” she said, stopped giggling and turned serious. “The situation is shitty if I am honest. Not as far as it could be, but being a human here isn't nice at all, so I hoped to trade for a Diamond Badge. I have been getting headaches from this place for so long, I want to reconsider some things, or do you care for my Pledge instead? Or I can do something else? I have a hunch I can get away without it if I will follow along right now. Orderless and dull, the Old World seems intense but so feeble about a lot of things. Lady Levandis doesn't care for a lot of things either. Heard a bunch of gangs got annihilated by some masters, so how about it? Wanna get annihilated?” Carmilla asked openly, causing David to frown all so deeply.
Threats and hopes were within her voice, and so far, she didn't say or act outside of the normal. Besides wanting to catch Murai, of course. It was her first action followed by disturbing them and watching them for some time.
She had no obvious device on her, but some could be hidden in her pockets or rings.
In a moment, David turned to his group, revealing wide open back to Carmilla. He shrugged his arms, chuckled, and shook both hands. “I think she is sincere about some deal. It is also true that she knows a lot. Maybe it is worth it.” he guessed out loud, leaving Murai speechless. He never heard such a naked lie that sounded so truthful. David must have practiced a lot to come this far.
This truly came from many experiences in the Hellscape and age. There was no doubt about it, or was it Lisa's skills?
“If she is sincere, I am an Archangel,” Lise floated forward, forcing Murai to come closer to Carmilla alongside her. This woman was far from being trustworthy; she was cautious, and so was Itrosh who followed behind Bagus. Everyone shifted their steps a little and prepared for the worst.
“So careful. I won't bite. I don't bite at all, in fact. Though, It would scratch my itch if I had time with that little guy who wants to taste me as well,” Carmilla pointed towards Murai, whose gaze made her awkward, but it was something she could get used to.
“You are dreaming, so dream on,” Lisa barked, seemingly hurt by her statements, but she faked it good enough for Murai to notice it. It wasn't that great acting.
Carmilla scremed in faked terror. “Oh! A ghost can speak too? How terrifying this is! How can it be possible? I am so scared.” She grimaced, forcing her arms to the sky. “Anyway, mind if I do it? The Pledge, hm? It doesn't sound like you are full.”
“What are your circumstances?” Lisa questioned. “Depending on it, your willingness, and life that is going around, moving around, and flying away, I might reconsider. I wonder if you can take us somewhere where neither of us can't.”
“Considering David and his previous efforts, you are certainly suspicious,” Itrosh said behind her back, grabbing a knife that tossed itself from her belt.
“You lot are heavy. No wonder. With this Hunt of large proportions, many seek your heads like bees some flowers. Not a lot of them are here. Frankly, you need information on a broader scale to give others some change. You are clever, let's just say it, and others are not. But if you want to stand a chance to get out of here, heading to Sector 45 and its portals is something else. It might be hard. I also wonder what you meant by the Ip'ur Mountain of all things. Mining? Are you serious, or is that a trap? To whom? So stupid.”
“See? She heard us?!” Ultium expressed his shock as if he had figured out the truth right now.
Others ignored him for the time being apart from Carmilla herself.
“Have sharp teeth and good eyes. Probably more than yours. So, what's up with the plans? Is it the bait? Ip'ur has no way ahead, or it gets so full, it might be a dead end. It is hardly a good way to fix a thing. You would get lost, while your plans and moves are suspicious when one does know some bits. Who knows, perhaps some superiors would be very curious about this topic and discover the truth.”
“You...”
“Let it be, Lisa,” David jumped between the two lofty women that scratched his itch. “Pledge is trust. You certainly want our heads, so why are you trying to do something else?”
Carmilla got serious and stopped her smile. Her eyes almost sparked in excitement. “Oh, there are changes to anyone at any time. You see, circumstances can change. I am like that, but stronger and much better help than someone,” She pointed to Itrosh and teased her in mocking eye.
“Wanna fight?” Itrosh hissed back.
“Calm down, kitty, your teeth will get duller or you will lose some,” Carmilla noticed what she wanted. “It is about the future. Worth getting ahead in the Encounter sounds good in the long run, as it happened before the world turned to shit. Gods must watch it in some way, but this temple can coexist with it and turns two Sides to shit. Does it mean there are two chances? More? What works? Razmund caused problems and wonders, while your Side has done its merits. Is it because of... you, David? You have some terrible ideas for sure. Razmund is savage. He will kill anyone for his goal.”
“Are we that different?” David asked a good question.
“Guess not. So?”
There was no dilemma. Murai felt no trust from this woman whatsoever, but what about the rest of his group? They surrounded her anyway, observing her movements and hearing her every word.
Aside from them, Ultium looked ready to bite her head off. Devils killed with passion or cold blood, or with utter fear and chaos dear to their hearts.
Biting was overrated; he would rip her head off at worse