One could say that the sheer size of the Ceron Manor was not conductive to their search. The outer walls and underground tunnels were enough to navigate through, and now there was the building itself... Though, that was to be expected from one of the world's largest castles. Something that Arctaius had recognized long before coming here, as such, he was not all that surprised. As of now, he found himself walking in one of the darkened halls of the ceron manor. A sight that he'd seen for what felt like hours. His left hand shoved into his pocket, and his right, a holographic display, one that looked much different from his own. Likely one from the unconscious guards. The display itself showed a map of the many winding corridors that made up the building’s structure.
“The throne room is there… Looks like we’ve found our way.”
Arctaius dropped the communicator as he turned on his heel, pulling his holo-phone out of his pocket, and tapping the side, bringing the display back up. Tapping on the screen once again, his phone’s timer came up. 2 minutes left and counting, more than enough to get back. He soon dashed away, stepping over the unconscious guards, as he began his ascent on the stairs. Soon, Coming onto the corridor from the three others branching onto it, where Alarick, Rhuskov, and Zhao. As they took note of one another, they began to slow down, Arctaius would speak just seconds after.
“I found a way to the throne room. I was able to find a map earlier. Zaisen, your left, and we go down 4 levels from there.”
Alairck Nodded.
“Let’s hurry this up.”
Alarick turned on his heel, and began running down the hall, his feet thumping on the wooden floor, soon followed by those of three others, as they began to make their way to the throne room.
“It seems like we finally get to meet King Juancho himself.” He thought.
They swiftly made their way down 1 flight of stairs, before turning, and going down the next, and then, yet again. Until they made their way to a darkened hall, with a much higher ceiling than those they’d been in before. All of their gazes fell upon the light coming from the middle of the studded steel doors, just down the hall, facing the stairwell. They glanced at one another, as Kazimir began running forward.
“Alright, here we are!”
Soon, the other three did the same., and they made their entrance. The room had a high ceiling. It is rather elaborately decorated. With Marble pillars on both sides, and tapestry draped on the wall, behind a throne in the center of the room. With a red carpet leading up to it. Sitting there is an older man, the bottom half of his face covered in a black beard, the same color as his hair, that just barely touched his ears. His elbow was placed upon the throne’s arm, and his face rested on the same hand. At first, his eyes were closed. Until he heard the sound of steps clamoring on his floor. It was only as they cleared the door that he opened his eyes, revealing his purple orbs, that soon moved to the four that entered his compound. His gaze alone felt piercing. Perhaps intimidating for some people. Though it hadn’t been the case for the tides. There he was, His Majesty King Juancho Of Çeron sitting on his throne.
“You know… something gives me the feeling you aren’t people I've allowed in. What may you be doing here?”
Alarick stepped forward as he shoved his hands into his pocket. He went silent for a moment, as he mulled over how to tell him the situation.
“We came here to investigate a certain group, calling themselves the Kaemerge. We believe we have information you could use, and vice versa.”
This piqued Juancho’s interest, to say the least, his gaze went to Alarick as he spoke… Investigating a group, huh.
“Oh? How so?”
“We think that it's possible that they are the cause of the attacks back in 2000... I’m sure you remember that.” He continued
This made him skeptical. After all their investigation, THEY hadn’t even found anything. How did they manage to do so? Juancho sat up, as he removed his hand from his fist, and placed both of his arms on the opposing rests.
“Those attacks…? Tell me, what reason is there for me to believe 4 Intruders?”
Arctaius stepped forward as well, stopping as he walked past Alarick.
“Whether you believe us or not, we know that they exist-- Old man. Tell me… Have you seen anything suspicious going on?”
Juancho squinted his eyes, as he focused his gaze on Arctaius.
“How disrespectful…You'd speak to this land's sovereign like that? When asking for a favor?” The two exchanged glances. As the two focused on one another, they proceeded to go silent. A silence that remained, until Corde decided to break it.
“Let’s make this clear. I don’t care about giving respect to you over your Label of "Royalty" Or "Nobility". Or anyone else's for that matter… Right now, I have a goal to achieve, that is all.”
Though he didn’t exactly like the man very much. That much was something he could respect.
“Agreed”
As the blonde spoke, the Monarch glanced at him.
“How strange, to hear that the heir to house Von Zaisen Doesn't care about noble status…”
Alarick’s eyes widened as he heard these words… It looked to him like he truly hadn’t done enough to conceal his identity. Regardless, he could not let words like that pass, his lips parted as he prepared to speak. At the least, until the sound of rushing wind came from above them. And, all their gazes went to the source. A man standing on the ceiling’s support beams. The man himself, the captain of the Ceron Royal Guard, Valiego. He leaped off, moments after he made himself known, and landed between the King and the tides.
“Your majesty, if I may intervene- I can explain the situation a bit more.”
Away from the manor, a group stood on the roof of one of Niopolis’ many buildings. Somewhat taller than the ones around them, giving them a direct view of a stone bridge that led up to the massive walls. In the forefront, Stood a man with tight black cloth covering his body, his eyes the only visible part of his face, the rest, covered in a white mask, which had a beak extending from it, resembling that of a falcon. Though, most notable, were the metallic wings, reminiscent of a hawk’s, coming out of his back. This would make most recognize him as the Ceifador. Though normally, he would’ve made an attack. There were more pressing matters. An elimination order from command was pretty serious, after all. Beside Augilla, was the younger Bijan. They stood in silence as they watched the manor.
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“Interesting... It seems that they've entered that place.”
As Augilla spoke, Bijan Glanced at him. Before he looked at his communicator once again. Though the display was up, whoever he spoke to, had their camera off.
“Lord Ito--What shall we do? “
Silence… Ito began to think over his plans, factoring in both their targets, the defenses around them. It was never his style to do what wasn’t the most effective, after all. The troops waited for what felt like minutes until a deep voice reverberated from the device’s speakers.
“Go in and eliminate them-- Do it quickly, and leave… In Fact, we will kill two birds with one stone. We are going to increase our hold on this country. Eliminate “King” Juancho and the heiress apparent. Our allies will be able to take hold easier without them in the way.”
Lafeyah folded his arm over his chest, saluting.
“Yes!”
With a tap of the screen from the other end, the call ended. Lafeyah tapped the side of the communicator, as the display went down. He Shoved it into his right pocket, as his gaze went back to the manor. While his expression remained the same, solely focused on the battle, the same could not be said for his ally. Augilla’s lips curled into a smirk. Though covered by his mask, the one beside him had been around enough to know what his reaction was. Elated at the chance to get into another battle. He walked onto the roof’s edge.
“An interesting idea. It happens to benefit me as well… I sense someone familiar within that compound… And it isn’t those four”
Augilla pulled off his mask. As he did, Soon, walking to his side was a light-skinned youth who looked to be around the age of 15 or 16. Wearing a black headband, where some strands of his wild black hair flowed over. Though, most of the strands went downward along his head, stopping around his shoulders. But most notable was the cross-shaped scar on his cheek, as well as the sheathed blade at his side. He wore a traditional Kung-Fu uniform, stitched at the center. Though, with the distinct difference, of being sleeveless, leaving his muscular toned arms in full view. This was Yu Liang. His expression remained a neutral one as he stopped beside Valiego. His glance went over, and, in the same way, Augilla glanced at him.
“I’m going in first.”
Liang leaped forward, and bounded over the city below, beginning his flight right toward the ceron manor. Augilla glanced back at the three other proto-humans behind them,
“Well, you heard the man… Time to get hunting!”
Augilla leaped forward, flying as well, Followed by the three nameless soldiers. Then, finally, Bijan flew off as well. Even so, In Juancho’s throne room, they remained in the same state they were before. Valiego slowly paced around the room, looking between the four, and the Santa Marian King. Only stopping as he finally spoke.
“I'm sure you remember the day you saved me, during the attack, Correct?”
Juancho nodded
“But of course…How could I not remember when one of my best guards appeared.”
The man paused for a moment… Almost, debating with himself whether he should continue. After all, this wasn’t something he was very proud of. There was no telling how he would react, or, given their statements earlier, how those four would react. Eventually, however, he suppressed such thoughts, he had a job to do, and he would carry it out.
“What you may not have known… Is that the group that caused this did in fact call themselves the Kaemerge, I can personally attest to this since I was a former member... These four aren't wrong…”
As the bombshell was dropped, surprise went through the expressions of Both the tides and Juancho himself... Juancho especially. For what felt like an hour, they stood in silence. Until Juancho finally spoke once again, gazing at the tides.
“You four, normally, I would have called the guard to throw you three out. However--Since Valiego believes you. I'll give you a reprieve.”
Alarick frowned at this development.
“We don't need your reprieve… we need information…I- “
However, he was cut off, as Zhao stepped forward, putting a hand on Alarick, and Arctaius’ shoulders respectively.
“Come on you two, Let's not disrespect him too much.”
Silence resumed for another moment until Juancho responded.
“I have no information for you.”
Arctaius shoved Zhao’s hand off of his shoulder, as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Then I suppose you're useless to us.”
Arctaius turns on his heel before he begins making his way toward the door. Soon, alarick turns and begins walking as well. Though he didn’t like him all that much, if there was one thing he could say at that point, it was…
“Agreed”
As the two made their way back into the hallway, Zhao and Kazimir made their way out as well. Stopping as they stood in a line in front of the door… A complete bust, they began to arrange themselves in a circle within the corridor. Something the Captain took notice of, as he watched them leave. At least they were calm about what they heard... But, he would decide to look at Juancho rather than dwell on it.
“So… That’s your course of action?”
Juancho’s poker face returned as Valiego spoke. Decidedly keeping his composure as best as he could.
“But of course.. with the danger that the group you speak of likely poses, I couldn’t let them handle our issues for us.”
“I suppose you haven't changed in all these years, Your Majesty.”
Juancho stretched as he lifted himself, beginning to descend upon the stairs, before he began walking toward Valiego, his expression gradually softened.
“I've told you before. I consider you a friend, You do not need to be so formal.”
“Regardless of that. I must show you some form of respect. After all, you are the reason I am not still with them... Speaking of such.”
The king waved him off, apparently somewhat understanding where he was going.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like you’re still working with them, right.”
The two continued to speak behind the four. Though, they decided to ignore their words.
“If we can't get information from them.. we’ll simply have to go elsewhere. But that presents a problem.” Said Arctaius
“Right. With how well the Kaemerge hide themselves... I find it unlikely that most would know of their existence.” Zhao Replied
“Can we find a way to get a general area for their fortress?”
As Arctaius spoke, Alarick began to tap his feet on the stone panels below them as he thought.
“That'd be hard...I've heard that there's a proto-human with sensory abilities, unmatched ones. Possibly capable of seeing us from 10s of Kilometers away. If we assume that's true, that extends the possible area we'd need to search within. And that's not factoring in the possibility they may have a higher range than that.”
“But there's still a chance that this man may not even exist, he could be a false lead to throw us off. I wouldn't put that past them.” Kazimir chimed in.
As Arctaius went silent, he put his hand on his chin, factoring in the information that was spread between them… He didn’t like what the possible options were.
“Either way, any information we gain in the process is dubious at BEST. Until we get a source we can actually believe, we'll be running around blind.”
“And I'm sure we all know that won't get us anywhere.” Zhao Mumbled.
Alaricked sighed as he opened his mouth to speak.
“We used to have an informant, but… He went silent a while ago. Worst case scenario-- we continue our search elsewhere- Santa Maria likely isn't the only country that has a Kaemerge presence here. We can search in Spielbach. My family has close ties with Von Blutstein. We’re related, distantly perhaps- but related nonetheless. Though I'd prefer not to, I've kept my status hidden all these years, that goes against what I originally planned to do.”
Arctaius glanced at him, somewhat interested.
“What you originally planned, what would that be?”
“Simple-- fade away, and leave my family to history once this is all said and done. though, this may be necessary…”
“If that's how it is then--”
Arctaius stopped, as, at the base of his spine, a feeling tingled through the lump just between his shoulders. His eyes darted toward the window, as did the other’s
“You All sense that too?”
Alarick Nodded
“Seven Proto-Humans.. they all seem to be stronger than Yusei, Yuusuke, or whatever his name was…”
Outside of the manor, the cracking of gun began to echo through the night sky, as the railguns placed on the walls, began to fire at the oncoming Intruders… Even so, the hypersonic rounds did not come anywhere close to hitting them. And though the beams of sigma particles had better luck, they ultimately did nothing to harm them… And ultimately, as a counterattack began, it was over. Light from explosions began to shine through the Manor’s windows, as a storm of scrap metal flew from the destroyed sections of the wall. Valiego rushed out of the room, soon joining the group, and taking his own look at the situation outside.
“Damn! Hopefully, they didn’t already disperse sigma particles.”
“Are the Kaemerge here?”
As the monk spoke, Arctaius removed his hands from his pockets.
“If so.. we've found people to get information from.”
Soon, the wall exploded as debris flew toward them, dust flying through the hallway. For a few moments, there looked to be no movement, until, coming through the cloud of dust, Was Liang. Augilla and the other soldiers landed afterward, and soon, so did Bijan. Augilla was the first to speak.
“Ah… Here you are-- The elusive Four tides. Let us see if you are truly as much a threat as they say you are.”
Elsewhere, a frown began to form on Valiego’s face as the Ceifador spoke.
“That voice… I knew that power felt familiar…. Augilla.”
Augilla’s gaze moved to the Royal Guard’s Captain, as he spoke… It was then that his demeanor changed. His confident smirk was replaced with a frown. It became very clear that, whoever the two were to one another, this was no happy reunion.
“Valiego. I thought I sensed you from outside… I guess this tells me my senses are as sharp as they used to be…”
Valeigo kept his gaze on Augilla, as he reached for his communicator, tapping it, as the holographic display came up.
“Bring his majesty, her highness, and the residents somewhere safe, We have intruders, Dangerous ones…”
“Yes!!”
As the response reverberated through the comms, he placed the device away.
“Do what you want with the rest if you intend to help... But that one in the center is mine.”
Augilla cracked his knuckles
“Yeah, Let’s go… Traitor.”
The two flashed away, as they made their exit, though visible to the other fighters, to the naked eye, they seemed to just disappear. Kazimir spoke out as he took note of their absence.
“Hey, hold on-”
Arctaius put his hand up, silencing Kazimir.
“Let him do what he wants. I'm not too fond of interrupting personal business. Considering how those two looked at each other.. We'll handle these ones here.”
Tension within the room began to build, further, and further, as the two sides stared at one another. They watched for movements, openings, any other advantage that they could press. They were all ready to take the first strike, but the question remained… Who would do it?
To Be Continued