SCC Chapter 21 Party of Plots(11)
FCY 437, 2nd Month, Day 19, 10:24AM
Heels clicked against tiles, creating a rhythmic sound that echoed within the quiet corridor. This particular wing of the mansion was where the rooms for the guests were supposed to be, thereby making it silent. Though, Hina and the others had decided to meet during times when the others were mostly away from this particular wing of the building.
Though her steps appeared light and leisurely, inwardly, there was a storm of thoughts rampaging within her mind. The reason; the days had gone by, yet the mission was still unfinished. The bomb had managed to drag out Lily from her hiding place, but they hadn't gotten a chance to even get a glimpse after that, as if she was holing up somewhere.
Then there were the other agents, the secretive bunch working directly for Zeus. They hadn't shown hide nor hair, but she was certain they were there, looming within this mansion like a sword of damocles hanging over their heads.
Even with the storm raging, Hina was doing her best to regulate the thoughts within her mind from manifesting as signs on her body. Though there was no one in sight, she was relatively sure that spies were everywhere. She even caught a few signs indicating the presence of the mansion's guards on the premises.
Eventually, she reached the room and entered, having made sure to take a look around with scrutiny before opening the door to the room. That was the normal action of most of the guests after the attack, meaning that it was normal. Though, she also spread a little bit of her energy traces down on the floor, such that she would be alerted if anyone unfamiliar sprung the trap.
Her companions were already inside when she entered. The bespectacled petit woman and the golden haired man with ocean blue eyes.
(You were late!) The bespectacled woman transmitted even as Hina conjured a smile upon her face in response to the subdued ones on theirs.
(It took some time to dislodge myself from the others. Golden hair! Your movements have just made the mission harder.) After the explanation, Hina complained mentally, while in reality, she brought up a plan to enter a partnership with the Radiance sect. Livia had already released the areas through which cooperation was possible, and the resources everyone stood to gain.
(It was a prime opportunity. Didn't that action drag out our target? Now, all we need to do, is get a chance to get close.) transmitted the Golden haired man. Hina didn't know the names, or even code names of the other two, just like they didn't know hers. They might be partners in crime, but there was a chance of being stabbed in the back by the other. And Hina had noticed that these two were always together, meaning a deeper connection with each other.
(What do you mean? You have a plan?) The bespectacled woman asked.
(As a man, it will be harder to get close. Zeus is coming. That will be the chance! There is a device I have. Once it registers her aura, the mission will be completed.) confidence oozed from the man.
Hina's eyes narrowed at that. There was only a single type of device that could make the man brim with confidence. And she knew what it might be.
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FCY 437, 2nd Month, Day 19, 12:08PM
From afar, a gust of wind rushed towards the mansion, stirring up the dead leaves on the ground while also rustling the trees and grass on the extensive piece of land.
Then dark clouds rushed over from the North Eastern direction, covering up the noon sun, turning the atmosphere gloomy and chilly. Every single person within the mansion was attracted by the commotion, letting themselves outside to see the fuss. Mere clouds wouldn't have done that. These clouds were applying a heavy pressure upon all present because they were packed with spiritual energy of a certain attribute.
Not before long, lighting flashed, and thunder boomed in the atmosphere. The wind reached levels where a mortal would have been pushed to the ground, and drops of rain started falling from the sky, wetting the ground.
Reed was certain that Livia hadn't detected any truly harmful elements within. That was why the shield above the mansion let in the rain.
Then, a particularly strong light, containing photons blessed with some spiritual energy flashed, blinding almost everyone. When it dissipated, a golden chariot stood in the sky, almost a kilometer above. It was being pulled by four steeds, golden in color, and clearly, not living, but constructs of some sort. The entire chariot was wreathed in lightning, with the origin, being the man upon it.
His face was spotting a self satisfied arrogant smirk as he beheld everyone below. Reed's expression morphed into one of stoic seriousness upon spotting the man.
Then the chariot circled above the mansion a couple of times before landing upon the ground, right before the crowd. The man alighted, as slowly as a mortal, clearly taking his time.
"A bunch of weaklings have gathered to welcome me, a God! How fitting!"
"Get off your high horse, Zeus! This isn't your depraved territory." Livia spat back. Reed was certain that she was immensely unhappy with the man.
"Little girl. Did you truly believe you could escape the clutches of Pantheon by aligning with the Federation? There is a reason we are the strongest! Now, break up this little charade and give me what I want." His gaze roamed the crowd before finally settling in Lily, with a pressure following not too far behind, one which caused the barrier that enclosed Lily to shatter.
(I feel an invas-)
Before that transmission could even be completed, a chill coursed down Reed's spine, yet, faster than his reaction speed, he felt half of his vision vanish, while, through his remaining eye, he caught sight of lightning appearing around Zeus, with the man's eyes first widening, before fury to started take over and the artifact within his hand was launched at lightning speed, heading towards his side, where he now couldn't feel Lily.
Then, consciousness left him.
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FCY 437, 2nd Month, Day 19, 6:12PM
(Today, at 12:43PM, during a high profile meeting that was aimed at forging relations between the Radiance Sect and Muti business group, a terrorist incident occurred...)
Embers floated out from Declan's skin, into his surroundings...
(A spatial device of some sort, with technology non-existent in the Federation at this stage, was used to kidnap a Federal citizen, Ms. Lily Toba, and severely injure the CEO of Muti business group, Mr. Mumaso Reed.)
(His current state is unknown due to being rushed away by the Golden Merchant himself. The terrorists escaped, but their identities have been released to the media. If anyone gets a glimpse of these two individuals anywhere, you should report them to the nearest police station, and there is a reward; The fulfillment of a single request, by the Golden Merchant, as long as it is not something illegal or unreasonable.)
(The identities of the two terrorists are, the holy son of the Lion sect, Mpologoma Paul and one of his servants, Galubindi Shey.)
Joints popped as hands were clenched into fists, with the skin vibrating intensely...
(The Federation dispatched a task force aimed at apprehending the two culprits, but during the search and seizure, they were knowhere to be seen. Instead, many misdeeds of the sect came to light, with the sect master, elders and disciples, all arrested. It was also discovered that the sect had connections to the Underworld Palace, a branch of the Pantheon sect headed by Hades, one of the elders of the sect, who call themselves Gods...)
A long deep breath was taken, after which, the embers were all extinguished. Declan then turned his attention away from the hologram to focus on his other companions, all of whom, were seated in silence. Any other time, they might have jumped at the chance to try and calm him down. Yet now, everyone was quiet. Though, that silence didn't mean that they weren't subtly expressing their rage, worry and other emotions in various ways.
Kiso was constantly tapping the sheath of her blade, producing crisp ringing sounds with a glint within her gaze. James, as always, had his gaze set to an intense stare into space, yet particles of dirt were abruptly materializing around him before dissipating back into Earth attribute spiritual energy.
For Latniss, there were tear stains that hadn't yet been wiped off. Ansel... He was brooding.
(We interrupt our programming for an important message.)
That had everyone's eyes shift toward hologram of the news anchor, that had been floating right in the middle of the room, on top of a table encircled by their seats.
(Greetings, citizens...) started the man, whose very presence caused shock to ripple through Declan, with the others mimicking his reaction.
How long had it been since the man had last made a public appearance? There had been a 50/50 chance of this incident dragging him out of the woodwork. Yet seeing him appear, it still had a shock value.
Author 's note;
This weekend is the last that I will release chapters. After all, we have entered the next month, meaning the schedule is changing to Mon - Fri.