With urgency in their steps, Wulfric and Brokenfang move with purpose through the streets of the Empire City. Utilizing their agility and heightened speed, they efficiently navigate the rooftops, effortlessly leaping from one building to another to reach the northern gate in a shorter time. The air is filled with a hushed silence, as the two focus solely on the task at hand and close the distance towards their destination.
Time has gradually passed, and now the sun had dipped below the horizon, bathing the surroundings in a velvety darkness. Then as quickly the silvery glow of the moon, rising steadily in the night sky, cast a pale luminescence upon the scene, transforming the pitch-black surroundings into a realm of shadowy contours and subtle contrasts, allowing Wulfric and Brokenfang, with their heightened senses, to navigate the darkness with relative ease. Brokenfang took the lead, darting ahead of Wulfric as they leaped from one building to another. Their movements were swift and precise, punctuated only by brief pauses to catch their breath or take a moment to sniff the air. Wulfric followed closely behind, his focus unwavering as they swiftly approached the northern gate.
Wulfric's violet eyes fix on their destination—the imposing northern gate in the distance, lit by the flickering torches and guarded by vigilant sentries. With a keen eye, he gauges their progress, anticipating that they are making good time. However, his focus is interrupted when Brokenfang suddenly deviates, darting to the right, momentarily throwing Wulfric off course. Recollecting himself, he swiftly reacts, adjusting his trajectory to follow closely behind the agile Beastel.
Wulfric calls out to Brokenfang with a hint of annoyance, his irritation palpable in his gritted teeth. "Hey, Beastel, a little warning next time," he exclaims, trying to rein in his frayed nerves. "The gate is in the opposite direction. Where are we going?"
Brokenfang remains silent, his focus undeterred as he continues his rapid pace. With his hood lowered, his black and silver ears swivel from side to side, alert and attentive to their surroundings. His tail occasionally peeks out from the folds of his cloak, adding a touch of movement to his fluid and agile stride.
Frustrated by Brokenfang's continued silence, Wulftic hastens his steps and swiftly leaps across to another rooftop, abruptly cutting off the Beastel's path. The two warriors nearly collide, and Brokenfang manages to halt himself just in time, coming to a standstill as Wulfric plants himself squarely in front of him.
Wulfric stands before Brokenfang, his tone urgent and laced with impatience. "Didn't you hear me?" he demands. "We don't have time for you to play around. We need to find the antidote. Loden said you guys were at the Northern gate. That's where we need to be. Explain yourself.”
Brokenfang responds with a shake of his head, clarifying his actions. "That’s what I’m doing," he says, "we weren't at the gate itself, but my home. That's where we need to go so I can pick up the scent trail."
Wulfric throws up his hands in frustration, irritation evident in his expression. "Why am I not surprised?" he exclaims, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Instead of just telling me, you lead me all over the place, wasting precious time that could be spent finding the antidote for Kaiden." Wulfric stands with his weight shifted backward, his frustration palpable as he glares at Brokenfang.
Brokenfang's ears swiftly rotate as he springs into action, seizing Wulfric’s arm and forcefully yanking him closer. The unexpected physical contact initially offends Wulfric until he feels the rooftop beneath his feet give way, threatening to send him plummeting. In a swift and graceful motion, Brokenfang pulls Wulfric away from the collapsing section, sparing him from the perilous fall.
Brokenfang releases Wulfric's arm, and utters a soft apology for the forceful pull. Conscious of the disdain others often harbor towards his touch, he slouches slightly, a subtle response to the unwelcome contact. Then, with a sense of urgency, he speaks up, his ears twitching and his head turning as he listens to the approaching sounds of rain in the far distance. "We must move quickly," he mentions, "We risk losing the scent soon when the rain falls."
Wulfric nods, acknowledging the need for haste, and Brokenfang leaps away, driven by an urgent feeling. Wulfric glances upward at the night sky, puzzled by the lack of rain or any telltale signs of an impending downpour. However, he swiftly sets aside his confusion, refocusing his attention on the task at hand. Determined to keep up with Brokenfang, he swiftly follows, staying close behind as they continue their hurried journey.
Following Brokenfang's lead, Wulfric lands in a small clearing, where neglect has left the surroundings desolated. The structures around them are partially demolished, leaving an air of ruin and abandonment. However, amidst the wreckage, one building appears less damaged, standing partially collapsed. Wulfric turns away from the desolate surroundings, searching for a trace of Brokenfang, only to realize that the Beastel has vanished from sight. Just as he is about to call out, Brokenfang emerges from the partially collapsed building, a bag fastened around his waist over his cloak.
Wulfric, clearly annoyed, addresses Brokenfang with a chiding tone. "Don't disappear on me like that," he admonishes. "Stay where I can see you." With a hint of irritation, Wulfric's gaze remains fixed on Brokenfang as he instructs, "Now, please get on with tracking and tell me where we're heading."
Brokenfang, his annoyance apparent in his body language, rolls his mixed colored eyes slightly at Wulfric's words before turning towards the area where Kaiden had earlier leaned against the wall. He moves closer and begins to methodically sniff the air, his eyes closing as he concentrates. His head tilts ever so slightly from side to side as he diligently searches for the familiar scent.
Wulfric's irritation mounts as he observes Brokenfang's behavior, puzzled by the Beastel's actions. He moves to confront the Beastel for this delay in their mission. However, before Wulfric can even reach arm's length, Brokenfang raises his hand, gesturing for Wulfric to stop.
Brokenfang, with a hint of urgency, implores Wulfric to halt, explaining, "Please, stop! You'll disturb the scent." Brokenfang's gaze lifts as he lowers himself to a squat, a small breeze of breath escaping his lips, shifting the surface of the ground and disperse grains of dirt from the surface.
With the dirt gently blown away, several drops of blood are exposed on the ground, forming a small trail that leads somewhere in the distance. Brokenfang points to the stained ground, explaining, "This is the blood from Kaiden's cut. His blood will still be on the dagger or on the person who has it. By following this trail and scent, we can track the thugs back to their hideout."
Wulfric, taking advantage of the silvery glow of the moon, scans the ground and observes the dark spots left behind by the drops of blood. He questions Brokenfang's deduction. "How can you be so certain that this trail will lead us to the thugs rather than back to the palace?"
Brokenfang rises to his feet, his back and legs straightening as he responds, "It's simple, really. The scent of Kaiden, Loden, and my own is headed to the palace, in that direction." He gestures towards the path leading toward the palace. "But the thugs' scent is distinct, it carries the scent of Kaiden's blood and the poison, and they're heading in the opposite direction." Brokenfang then points in the opposite direction from the palace, making the distinction clear.
Wulfric, still a bit puzzled by Brokenfang's explanation, shakes his head in bewildered understanding. But just as he's about to ask another question, Brokenfang abruptly interrupts him, swiftly moving forward. "Let's go," he calls out, already on the move and urging Wulfric to follow.
Wulfric huffs in annoyance, quickening his pace to match Brokenfang's speed. He diligently follows the Beastel, keeping close to his tail, and the duo sprints down the cobblestone streets at a rapid pace. Brokenfang momentarily halts a few times, taking a short break before swiftly resuming his run, leading Wulfric to turn one corner after another, navigating the labyrinthine streets with uncanny precision.
As Wulfric diligently runs after Brokenfang, his thoughts race through his mind. He's still not fully convinced of the reliability of the Beastel's tracking abilities. Although the thought that Brokenfang may possess impressive tracking skills briefly crosses his mind, Wulfric quickly dismisses it, determined to maintain his distance and remain aloof from any notion of friendship with the Beastel. In his fixed mindset, Wulfric firmly believes that Beastels are an abomination, further solidifying his distance from the creature he follows.
Brokenfang suddenly comes to a halt, stopping in his tracks and tilting his head upward, his silver/black ears twitching before flattening against his head. Wulfric quickly follows suit, noticing Brokenfang's focused attention on something above. The sensation of raindrops gently hitting Wulfric's face confirms the imminent arrival of the rain.
Wulfric, visibly affected by the rain, shakes his head in an attempt to dispel the water droplets from his face, and wipes his face with his hand. He turns his attention to Brokenfang, noticing the water settling on the Beastel's hair and face, yet Brokenfang appears unfazed, his expression remaining stoic and unflinching, like a statue immune to the elements.
The rain intensifies, pouring down on Wulfric and Brokenfang with increased ferocity. Wulfric instinctively moves to shield his head with his arm, trying to see through the deluge. At the same time, Brokenfang senses something amiss and abruptly turns his head to look behind them, his blue and green eyes sweeping the area vigilantly. He then turns to spot a building close by, shadowed by the darkness of the night, and quickly gestures for Wulfric to move towards it.
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“Over there, quickly," Brokenfang calls out, his voice cutting through the sound of the rain. Without hesitation, he swiftly makes his way towards the cover offered by the buildings lining the road. Following suit, Wulfric quickly follows Brokenfang and moves away from the exposed road, seeking refuge against the line of buildings nearby.
Brokenfang and Wulfric step into the shelter of the building, the door opening easily under the Beastel's touch. Wulfric pauses briefly before stepping inside, reluctantly following Brokenfang's lead, though his demeanor remains guarded. Just as he's about to speak, Brokenfang raises his finger, silencing Wulfric and pointing towards the door, drawing his attention to something outside.
Brokenfang crouches down, his tail flicking back and forth across the floor as he intently observes the scene outside the door. The rain continues to fall, drenching the surroundings. Seeing this, Wulfric reflexively shakes his head, but he quickly halts as he notices a small light approaching in the distance, its brightness growing steadily larger and more pronounced, signifying the imminent presence of something or someone drawing near.
The glow from a lantern becomes more apparent as 4 men pass by the building where Brokenfang and Wulfric are concealed. Engrossed in their own haste, none of the men seem to notice their presence. Wulfric, casting a cursory glance in their direction, quickly assesses their appearance, and dismisses them as typical citizens of the Empire City. Despite the seemingly mundane encounter, this was nothing out of the ordinary to pique his curiosity or concern.
Brokenfang, remaining in his crouching position, leans out of the door cautiously, observing the glow from the lantern stopping at a building further down the street and disappearing within it. He pauses for a moment, deep in thought, his hand on his head, a gesture that reflects his internal dialogue. Brokenfang's ears stand erect once more, the silver/black appendages twitching gently in different directions, capturing sounds that only his heightened senses can detect.
"Let's press on," Wulfric interjects, his tone laced with a hint of condescension. "We have a mission to complete, remember? Unless you've forgotten why we're out here in the first place." He smirks and adds a barbed remark, his words dripping with a condescending tone. "Did the poor thing get all wet? Just shake off the water, you mangy dog. Aren’t you supposed to like water, After all, you're a Beastel.”
Brokenfang rises to his feet, his gaze fixed solidly on Wulfric, his expression a mix of annoyance and irritation. "For your information," he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of irritation, "I am no mere dog. I am a wolf, just like Astryaln. There is a difference." Brokenfang pauses before continuing, his fists clenching tightly as he struggles to contain his anger. "We are here to obtain the antidote, and I have located the whereabouts of the thugs who possess it," he emphasizes, his voice firm and resolute.
With a swift motion, Brokenfang closes the door and passes by Wulfric, his tail swishing in annoyance. He pauses briefly, his voice filled with a hint of irritation as he addresses Wulfric. "I have a name as well," he retorts. "It's brokenfang. Not Beastel." Brokenfang moves to the back of the house and stands there, his ears twitching as he remains vigilant, taking in the surrounding sounds.m
Wulfric remains unfazed by Brokenfang's words, shaking his head nonchalantly. "Then where are the thugs?" he repeats, his tone laced with skepticism. "We're in an deserted house." He uncrosses his arms and proceeds to follow Brokenfang across the room, his gaze fixated on the beastel's movements.
Brokenfang turns his head towards Wulfric and then shakes it in resignation. He then scents the air, his nose twitching as he detects a faint draft blowing through the room. Without a word, Brokenfang moves into the next room, and Wulfric instinctively feels the cool breeze flowing through the space. He watches as Brokenfang pushes at a wall of wooden planks, causing them to collapse and reveal a hidden passage behind. Beyond the collapsed wall lies a small alley, just wide enough for a person to pass through, separated by the facade of another building.
Brokenfang explains his observation to Wulfric, his voice tinged with a matter-of-fact manner. "If you had been paying attention, you would have seen that the group of 4 men who arrived earlier are actually with the thugs. I was able to smell kaiden’s blood still before the rain interfered with the scent trail." He pokes his head out and glances towards the house a few doors down. Brokenfang pulls his head back in and shakes it off, dispersing the water off his ears and head. “I had the scent before the rain made it harder to pick up. But I saw the trail leading right to that house."
Brokenfang adjusts his hood and tightens the bag around his waist, preparing for a stealthy approach. "I'll take care of infiltrating and grabbing the antidote," he states as he prepares to venture out into the rain, but before he can move, Wulfric quickly interjects. "Wait a minute," Wulfric demands, his voice firm and authoritative.
Brokenfang gazes at Wulfric, his expression obscured by the shadow of his hood. His one-blue, one-green eyes boring into Wulfric with a penetrating stare, his face a mask of skepticism. "What now? Are you doubting my ability to distinguish the right antidote or perhaps you think I'll just flee?" he inquires sarcastically.
Wulfric takes a firm stance, his expression resolute as he responds to Brokenfang's words. "No, it's not that. I just think it would be better if I went with you. You could use the backup, as Tibost had said," he reasons.
Brokenfang is momentarily surprised by Wulfric's unexpected response, his eyes widening slightly before he shrugs nonchalantly, acknowledging that Wulfric's presence could be beneficial. He recognizes that Wulfric, as the head of the palace guard, possesses the necessary skills and experience to handle himself in dangerous situations.
Brokenfang takes charge, giving a curt command to Wulfric. "Okay, stay close and follow my lead. I'll still grab the antidote though. There are quite a few people in there, so keep your head on and don't cause any trouble," Brokenfang instructs, his voice firm and resolute. He then proceeds through the alley, keeping his head down under his hood and his shoulders pressed against the walls, moving with cautious steps.
Brokenfang continues walking, the pelting sound of the rain effectively masking their movements. Suddenly, he flinches at the sound of a grinding noise behind him, prompting him to glance over his shoulder. His gaze falls on Wulfric, who is awkwardly shuffling sideways down the alleyway, creating a distracting racket.
Brokenfang murmurs to Wulfric in a hushed tone, "Your armor, don't touch the wall with it." Wulfric nods in acknowledgment, straining to hear Brokenfang's words over the ambient sounds. He then repositions himself closer to the middle of the alley, attempting to minimize the noise of his armor against the wet walls.
Brokenfang halts at the house, leaning his head closer to the wall to listen intently. The muffled sounds of movement and indistinct words can be heard, but he is unable to make out any clear conversations. He scrutinizes the building thoughtfully, contemplating a plan of action. How are they going to gain entry to the building without causing a disturbance?
Wulfric mistakenly bumps into Brokenfang, who was standing still, lost in thought. Disoriented, Brokenfang stumbles a few steps forward, his gaze suddenly falling upon an opening in the neighboring building's facade. A potential entry point becomes apparent to his vision - a gap between the roof and a wall, covered by discarded wooden planks. In that moment, a thought crosses Brokenfang's mind: "That might work..."
Brokenfang points upward towards the opening, indicating their potential entry point. However, Wulfric is momentarily distracted and receives an unexpected smack from Brokenfang's wagging tail. Startled, Wulfric winces in surprise but then follows Brokenfang's gesture towards the relatively concealed opening.
Brokenfang exhibits his impressive strength by scaling the walls effortlessly, each hand gripping a separate wall to gain purchase as he ascends. Within the blink of an eye, he reaches the opening, gently yet firmly pushing aside the planks to widen the space. He moves swiftly and quietly, carefully laying the planks back down to avoid creating any unwanted noise.
Brokenfang gracefully crawls into the opening and then looks down at Wulfric, gesturing for him to follow. Wulfric, however, appears uneasy and uncertain about the task at hand. He attempts to scale the wall, placing his hands on the surface and gripping it tightly. However, Wulfric loses his footing and slips back down, unable to gain a proper grip on the wet walls.
Despite his amusement, Brokenfang manages to contain his laughter, finding Wulfric's predicament humorous. He extracts a coil of rope from his bag and lowers the end down to Wulfric. Catching onto the plan, Wulfric grabs the rope and holds on as Brokenfang skillfully pulls him up. Wulfric exercises extreme caution as he ascends, keenly aware of the risk of his armor scraping against the wall. His chest plate, leg guards, and arms are the primary points of contact, and he takes care not to let the armor brush against the surface. The last thing he wants is to make any noisy sounds that could potentially alert the thugs in the house.
Brokenfang with skill and strength hoists Wulfric into the opening with ease, backing up as Wulfric gingerly crawls in. The maneuver is difficult with the metal and limitations of his armor but he does it.
Brokenfang and Wulfric cautiously crawl a short distance before standing up in the attic space. Brokenfang listens intently, detecting that all the people in the building are gathered on the ground floor. With a keen sense of smell, he scents an area that leads to a hatch potentially leading downstairs.
Brokenfang silently opens the hatch, dropping down to the second floor with utmost quietness. Looking up, he sees Wulfric, the heavily armored individual, and is momentarily concerned about how he will descend without making a sound. He contemplates the situation, wondering how his armored companion will manage to join him without creating any noticeable noise.
Brokenfang's gaze shifts from Wulfric to the floor below, as he listens intently to the sound of the thugs on the ground floor. Turning to Wulfric, Brokenfang queries, "What now?" He then inquires about Wulfric's descent, "How will you manage to come down without making a sound?"
Wulfric contemplates the options, not liking either of them. The first solution, for Brokenfang to catch him to limit the sound, seems unideal due to the risk of injury. The second option, staying in the attic until needed or removing his armor, seems inconvenient and time-consuming. However, neither option is ideal, and Wulfric grapples with the dilemma, uncertain of how to proceed without causing disturbance.
Brokenfang interprets Wulfric's prolonged silence as a sign of indecision. He acknowledges the situation, suggesting, "I'll go and retrieve the antidote. If you hear noise, then I'll need your backup. Got it?" Brokenfang directs a firm look at Wulfric, emphasizing the importance of remaining silent. "Stay here and keep everything quiet while I'm gone," he adds, his gaze still fixed on his heavily-armored companion, even as his face remains obscured by the hood.
With a resigned nod, Wulfric acquiesces to Brokenfang's instructions and positions himself low against the hatch door, staying quiet as ordered. Brokenfang proceeds cautiously, slowly making his way towards the wall, keeping as close to the shadows as possible in an attempt to remain hidden in the dimly lit area. Once he reaches the staircase, he starts to descend.