C • 1 : Teeth through Flesh, Flesh through Teeth
Deep in the earth, in a fortress of endless brightly lit halls, a young girl ran barefoot, chains rattling. She quickly turned down a corner, the air passing through her dark-brown buzz-cut hair.
A group of soldiers, all clad in black armor made to withstand both bullets and magic, ran after her.
Suddenly, the chase came to a halt when the small girl in a white dress bumped into a woman with a grey cloak over her shoulders. The woman had a bright smile that warmed the young girl and simply pulled the girl behind her.
"So," the woman began, her brown hair glowing purple at the ends, "Which one you child-chasing shit balls wants to die first?"
None of the soldiers moved. Then one of them slowly raised his rifle and aimed it at the woman's head.
A new voice suddenly arose, "I'll go first."
A man in white armor came from around the corner. He had deep blue eyes and brown hair. An emblem lay on his shoulder pad, just barely visible beneath his cape.
The girl's eyes went wide, an agent had appeared. Not just any agent either, no this was the one that had killed her parents and taken her from her home. Seeing him, tears immediately flooded her eyes.
The woman suddenly had a shift in her aura, what was calming was now a violent feeling that the girl couldn't quite grasp. Was it anger? No, desire? The girl suddenly realized the feeling. Hunger. Strong insatiable hunger. It may have terrified her more than the agent.
Even the woman's smile seemed to change despite never moving. Her eyes and the X's on her hands began to glow like a sunlit field of bright violets and the feeling of hunger increased.
The woman, after a second that felt like minutes, finally spoke.
"Vaelan, we got an agent."
The room went dead silent, the agent took a single step, and a massive shadow formed behind him. The agent and soldiers spun around as the girl watched wide-eyed.
The shadow wrapped around the soldiers and agent. Everything was silent for another few moments and the shadow lifted, revealing a wildly tall man standing over the dead bodies of the soldiers and holding the agent by his throat.
In the girl's eyes, this man was the most horrific and somehow most calming creature she had ever seen. His aura somehow carried the malice of sixteen violent people as well as his hatred yet despite the aura, he seemed so serene and calm somehow, as if not a problem in the world could exist around him.
He too was draped in black armor, lighter than that used by the soldiers, but still protective. He had a mass of black hair tied up and six small black horns reaching out of his forehead.
"Elizabeth, get the girl to a safe place, then rendezvous at the spot we scouted earlier," the man's voice was lighter than she expected, it wasn't deep or scratchy, it was smooth and just as serene as he appeared.
The woman, Elizabeth, whose eyes were filled with purple energy that made her seem young, guided the girl away, "Come on, baby. Let's get you out of here."
A large ring of violet energy, big enough to fit even Vaelan in it, formed in the air, in it sat the outside world, sunshine and all. A sickening crack echoed from behind her, the girl turned her head back but Elizabeth stopped her, "Don't look back, baby. What's back there isn't good."
But it was too late the girl already knew, the agent, her brother, was dead.
Elizabeth led the girl through the portal and into the city where the sound of cars driving past and people walking by struck the girl. For the past five years, she had known nothing but the walls of the facility, now she was free, but it meant nothing without her family.
"My," the girl stammered, "My brother."
Elizabeth came to a stop and kneeled.
"What'd you say, baby?" Elizabeth held an ear close.
"My brother," she choked out.
"Oh, you have a brother in there? I could search for him, don't worry," she gave another sweet smile.
The girl shook her head, "You killed him."
Elizabeth looked puzzled for a moment before she registered what had been said. She shook her head and brushed a couple of strands of hair out of the girl's face.
"Vaelan didn't-"
There was a loud and sudden explosion next to them. Her brother was kneeling and blood-soaked at the center of the cracks. His white armor had been cracked and broken in the center of his chest.
Vaelan landed just beside him, facing away from Elizabeth and the girl. The girl turned her attention away from the smoke and dust and saw a large white-clad agent walking toward them with two pistols in his hands and a sheathed Order-blade, a weapon similar to a tanto with a blade rather than a blunt end.
"Elizabeth," Vaelan said, "I found our target, Agent Forty-Two."
"What about the other agent?" Elizabeth stepped in front of the girl.
"Says he'll protect his sister, I trust him enough for now," Vaelan dashed off, almost too fast to see, and threw a kick at the agent who immediately disappeared, "Damn it!" Vaelan screamed before jumping high into the air, higher than any human ever could.
The girl's brother charged forward, his eyes glowing yellow as he punched at the air. She knew what his yellow eyes meant, he was seeing something that others could not, it was one of the four abilities that he had been given by the Order.
Vaelan began to descend with a black object in his right hand. Or rather, one of his right hands as he had grown an extra pair of arms. He brought the object down as he landed, and a wave of blood suddenly splashed into the air. The missing agent reappeared with a massive tear in his chest.
The girl looked at the item, it looked like a sword made of inky blackness.
The agent fell to his knees and they all stood in silence with Vaelan calmly saying into a bracelet on his wrist, "Agent hunt, complete."
• :: • :: • :: • :: • :: • :: •
Demi stood outside a small Starbucks building. She had just finished saying goodbye to Vaelan when a soldier shakily walked up to her.
"Elite Warmage Valenseria," he started, "Second Captain Arva has requested that you meet with her."
"Ooh, I wonder what she wants with me? Hey!" Demi grabbed onto the soldier, "Wanna come find out with me?"
Despite Demi's large smile, the soldier only gave an awkward frown.
"I really should report back to my station," he said while trying to pull away.
"Nope!" Demi began to tug him behind her, "You're coming with me."
The wind kicked up, dancing through her grey hair as she pulled the soldier through the revolution-base streets. Every few steps she'd hop and skip a bit before returning to her confident stride.
She led the poor soldier through the streets, even though he was bigger than her by at least a half-foot, he was a gentle giant, just like Vaelan. They eventually arrived at an old office building that had been turned into the headquarters of the base. Still holding on to the soldier, Demi made her way up to the fifth floor and into a side room where an anthraahlan woman sat at a desk in the center of the room. An empty chair sat across from her.
The brown-skinned woman with singular lines of runes under each eye spoke with a striking voice, "I hope you realize that this meeting between us is supposed to be private, Demi." Her thin eyes squinted with annoyance at Demi.
"I know, but how could I leave my new friend here out of this?" Demi said, though her next thought remained silent. Besides, Vaelan doesn't trust you higher-ups.
Demi gave a smile and Arva simply raised an eyebrow.
"Okay," Arva huffed, "But this is still a closed meeting."
Demi wasn't going to let up, she wouldn't be caught in this room alone. She had some trust with the captains and commanders, but Arva was always someone Demi didn't trust, no matter what.
She pulled the soldier closer, "I want him to be part of my squadron," Demi dropped the happy tone and shifted her weight.
"Alright fine, I can see you won't let him leave the room. You can have him on your squadron but please, just take a seat and be professional for once" Arva gestured to the empty chair.
Demi sat, holding her hands on her lap as Arva pulled out a tablet and placed it in front of Demi. The soldier stood awkwardly behind her, trying his best to subtly peer at the tablet, though Demi and Arva had already noticed.
The tablet had a 3-D map of an Order facility, Demi spun the map around and tilted her head as she studied the layout of the rooms. On the western side of the facility was a small red dot labeling whatever her target was. It was held in a large vertical room, what Demi guessed was one of the prison areas.
"Our scouts finally found her, the girl that Christopher was so worried about. You and Christopher will be leading your squadron into the facility and you will quietly retrieve her," Arva paused for a moment, Demi was about to speak but was immediately cut off, "Once the girl is safe, we will begin an attack and raid on the facility."
"How many agents are there?" Demi said, placing a hand on her chin to try to look like she was thinking seriously.
"We've estimated two mid-level agents, nothing you can't handle."
The soldier spoke up next, though with heavy and clear anxiety in his voice, "And when do we leave?"
Demi smiled, she didn't think this nerve-wracked soldier would ever speak unless she told him to. Arva however, looked unimpressed.
"Tomorrow. Demi, get your team ready."
Demi stood and turned away, giving a wave as she and the soldier left the room, "Yes ma'am."
She and the soldier made their way back down through the building and Demi immediately started studying him, trying to figure out his personality.
"So, I'm part of your squadron now?" He asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
Demi hadn't noticed before, but his eyes were actually different colors. One shone like an emerald, and the other was grey, a lighter grey than that of anthraahlans but still grey all the same.
"Yup, what's your name, new friend?" She changed her tone back to cheerful as she asked the question.
"Ford, my name is Ford."
• :: • :: • :: • :: • :: • :: •
Vaelan and Elizabeth had finally made their way back to the city. Along the way, Vaelan let the girl and brother who had been an agent go in exchange for information, though Elizabeth contested the idea and was still irked about it. Vaelan was just glad to be home, where he could spend time with Demi and ignore the problems of the world.
Elizabeth, as always, was hungry and excited to eat everything in the greasiest restaurant she could find.
His shoulders hung low, he hadn't been getting his proper sleep lately, only one hour a day instead of four hours. He began to yawn, raising his heavily scarred right arm to his mouth, and halfway through it, he heard a familiar high-pitched voice shout, "Vaelan!"
He looked down and saw Demi charging him, and he immediately sparked to life. Demi tackled him to the ground and he was happy just to feel her warmth for the first time in days, but he quickly took note of her shaking shoulders. He pushed her up and saw a few tears in her eyes.
What happened?
He gingerly brushed her tears away and sat up as best he could while she was still on top of him. Supporting himself with his lower pair of arms.
"Demi, what's wrong?" He asked.
"We were sent on a mission while you were gone," as Vaelan studied her, he noticed that she was covered in scratches, bruises, and cuts, each injury sent anger through him, "We weren't expecting there to be so many, half of my squadron is dead and they caught Chris." Full streams of tears began to roll down her face as Vaelan pulled her close.
"We'll get him back, they only captured him, we can get him back."
Demi's next words shook him, "He was there, Vaelan," she shakily whispered, "Evan was there."
They spent the next few minutes there in silence but eventually began talking about what had happened. Elizabeth squatted next to them, with worried eyes.
Demi had been sent on a mission to retrieve a young girl named Anna. They expected the mission to be easy as there were only supposed to be two mid-level agents in the facility, but to everyone's surprise, there were six agents of mid to high level.
In the fight to escape the facility, half of Demi's squadron had been killed, the other half was badly wounded, and their friend Christopher had been captured.
Like Vaelan, Demi had just returned to the city, though she had arrived half a day earlier. Her squadron was currently in the hospital, and Demi had yet to report back to Arva.
"We'll go and see her now then," Vaelan said as he stood up and helped Demi to her feet, "And she'd better watch what she says around me."
They made their way to Arva's office, Demi seemed to grow more and more tired along the way. First simply yawning a bit too much, and eventually stumbling along. Vaelan stopped and when she caught up he simply grabbed hold and carried her on his back. Demi didn't complain, she rarely ever did, and Vaelan simply smiled as she rested her eyes and wrapped her arms tightly around him. In times like this, he always loved observing her beauty, her soft and pale skin, the few strands of her dark grey hair that fell over her maroon eyes. He remembered that when they were young, he'd always tap her button nose, dotted with a very small and light patch of freckles, and thought of the feeling of the kisses from her soft, heart-shaped lips.
Vaelan and Elizabeth slowed their pace at Vaelan's request, and they took their time walking to Arva's office, taking side roads, and even circling a couple of blocks. Vaelan noticed that Demi was wearing the silver earrings he had gotten her, small earrings in the shape of a moth. At least he had guessed that they were moths, they may have been butterflies.
Evan, huh? Vaelan thought. This could be a problem, I'll have to go on the next mission.
He pushed the thoughts of fire and soldiers rounding up children out of his mind. He hated those memories, and he especially had a hatred for Evan, despite Demi's insistence that he could be brought back, that he could be their friend again.
They finally reached the building, and when they got into the elevator, Demi woke up and got to her feet. She stretched as the doors opened, and the trio walked into the hallway.
When they walked into Arva's room, she was just finishing up a call and set down the phone.
"Ah, good you're all here, let me hear your report."
"The agent hunt is complete and went along with little to no complications," Vaelan said, he didn't want to mention the girl, nor her brother, and even gave a subtle signal for Elizabeth to keep quiet.
"And you, Demi? How did your mission go?"
"You gave us bad intel," she groggily growled.
Arva's hands immediately balled into fists, though she remained seated, "Excuse me? My intel wasn't wrong," she was furious about something, it wasn't Demi's tone, and it didn't seem to be the mission's intel. Something was off, and Vaelan couldn't quite figure it out.
"You gave us bad intel. There were six agents, not two. The prison area where she was supposedly contained was a generator room! And half of my team is dead!" Demi was in tears again and Vaelan fought the urge to comfort her, she needed to vent and he shouldn't stop her, though he still caught her as she fell.
"Demi, my scouts, and spies never give bad intel, I make sure of that, it's what-"
"Then your scouts and spies are traitors giving faulty info because the intel was wrong!"
The word traitors lingered in the air. Demi and Vaelan were known for being untrusting of most of the rebellion soldiers, but to actually say the word was a surprise for everyone. Arva shot up and Vaelan immediately took a stance and prepared to fight.
The two stood staring at each other with Demi at Vaelan's side, and Elizabeth left awe-struck at the intense ramp-up in tension.
"Stand down, Vaelan," Arva spoke, chin held high.
"You first, Captain," Vaelan growled as magic poured into his arms.
Arva stepped back and placed her fingers against the table, Vaelan hesitated for a moment but eventually stood up straight. He scratched at the bridge of his nose, a secret signal to Elizabeth to be cautious.
"Now then, Demi, please refrain from calling my soldiers traitors," she glanced at Vaelan for a moment, and he could swear he saw a flicker of fear for a moment, but she continued, "I am sorry for what happened to your squadron and I'll try to arrange a retrieval mission where we can save Christopher and Anna, but for now, please take your time and rest. You're dismissed."
The trio left, and a small tap of metal caught his ear though he paid no mind to it. He simply reveled in the fact that he'd be spending time with Demi again.
They left the building and began to make their way home. Along the way, Demi began to spin in circles, though not for fun, she was looking for something and then looked at Vaelan with panicked eyes.
"Vaelan, I lost one of my earrings," she began patting at her clothing when Vaelan remembered the sound he heard in the office.
"You may have dropped it in the office, do you want me to go get it?"
"No, I'll get it," Demi gave a small smile forcing Vaelan to raise an eyebrow, "Besides, I kinda want a moment to myself."
"Okay," he quickly pulled her in and gently placed his forehead against hers.
Demi took a step back, a gentle smile on her face, though Vaelan could see the sadness behind her eyes. Her squadron was like a family to her and he knew that she cared about every member, and now she had lost half of that family.
First her parents, then her home and friends at the orphanage, now she had lost half her squadron. Vaelan didn't quite understand the feeling, one of the curses of being half an archdevil, but he knew enough to understand that she was sad? No, despondent. It was a feeling that many of the revolution soldiers felt quite often, especially after battles.
He watched as she flew off, flames jetting from her hands and feet. Her sandals lay on the ground for Vaelan to take to the Chimera House. He picked them up and continued his walk with Elizabeth.
"You really shouldn't fight with the captains," Elizabeth started, somehow holding a chocolate bar in her hand when he knew there hadn't been any on her person.
"What's the worst they could do to me? Put me in a cell that I would break out of? Kick me out of the army? Elizabeth, by now you should know that I don't like it when people insult or act horribly to Demi," he turned his head to the sky that sat above the buildings of the city with a fleeting hope that Demi would fly above them.
"Even still, Vaelan, we can't exactly fight the order alone," she said in a muffled voice as she stuffed her maw with chocolate.
"You can't fight them alone, I can," his eyes trailed back to her chocolate-covered lips, which immediately made his stomach churn, "How can you eat that over-sweetened insanity without getting sick?"
"Over-sweetened? It's delicious," Elizabeth said cheerfully, a piece of chocolate flying out of her mouth and onto Vaelan's face.
He immediately swiped it off.
The duo, mentor and apprentice, walked along the streets in silence until they reached the Chimera House where Demi hurriedly landed in front of the two, never bothering to extinguish the fires on her feet.
"Arva is a traitor!"
