I've returned to the Crimson Wolves' training yard. Deatrix is smiling brightly, but he's not holding a weapon. Somehow this concerns me more.
"We're starting off with a warm up and stretches. Then we're doing the mile run!" Deatrix says eagerly.
"Alreadyyyyy?" I groan annoyedly.
"Yup. Unfortunately, you have to be tired for us to learn what your willpower's base level truly is. Cause after that, August and you are doing mental training. So brighten up nerd. There won't be any more exercise after the run." Deatrix says warmly.
That honestly almost made me smile. Almost.
After that exhausting run, Deatrix leads me to a simple, serene room. Tan walls, a white ceiling. And a white floor. There are scented candles lit on shelves nearby. But there's nothing else on the shelves. All that is in the room is August sitting cross legged in the center of the room. She wears a simple black dress, crimson pants, and black socks. I see some black sandals by the door.
"Henry, you don't have to take off your shoes. They probably smell after your run." August says calmly.
"Pfft. Alright." I say calmly.
"Now take a seat in front of me. Jacob, you may leave." August says calmly.
"Alright, I'll see you guys around." Deatrix says calmly.
"See ya." I say calmly.
Deatrix leaves, and I start sitting down. However, August snaps her fingers. We lock eyes. And suddenly it feels like I'm being sucked into her. I try to stand back up and step away, but I'm frozen.
Her golden irises are glowing larger. They seem to become animated, growing beyond her eyes and face. Her eyes have become something like a black hole.
I've watched enough anime. This is the mental attack. There must be a way I can break through this. They say it's willpower, so let's just start with…focusing on…fucking…moving…
My body isn't listening to me. I can't look away from the golden black hole. The golden iris has filled the edges of the room, while her black pupil is turning everything into a void. And the void is getting closer.
Maybe I can use magic. I try to force a light to be created in front of me. Something that will push back the void. And a few seconds pass, but I see the light start to form. A thin wall of white light. As it forms, the eye starts moving towards me. It pushes against the wall that hasn't even formed fully yet.
Suddenly pain strikes me throughout my whole body. It's like a blunt shock throughout my whole body. And it thrives with every second the golden black hole pushes. I focus more on the wall, begging it to push back the golden black hole. Seconds pass, and the pain makes it hard to focus. But the pain is dulling. And I can see the golden black hole back away as the wall of light becomes more solid.
I begin forming this wall in a circle around me. The more it forms, the more the pain goes away. Until it's completely gone. And I'm back in the real world.
With August pointing a knife at me, a few inches from my face. I jump back with shock, stand up, and ready an electric bolt. August chuckles amusedly.
"You're an amateur, but you do have a strong will at least. You could probably withstand most mental assaults given enough time. However, you don't really have that time. Guess how much time passed while you were frozen?" August says warmly.
I hesitate for a moment, because I didn't really have a concept of time there. Too much pain.
"A minute?" I say nervously.
"Honestly, yeah. Just about. But that's too much time. An expert like me can act in the real world and the mental one. I could've killed you. Or restrained you with rope or something." August says calmly.
Her words fill me with dread. I imagine myself being twisted and torn like a doll by Cato, and shudder.
August snorts amusedly.
"It appears you understand how serious that is. Good." August says warmly.
August's eyes focus. But not on me. Something in her mind.
"The pain overwhelmed you. And that overwhelms most people honestly. The first few seconds are always a shock. Unless you're prepared, you're near guaranteed to be stunned. There are a few ways to counter this. First and foremost, learn to ignore pain and maintain focus." August explains seriously.
"That sounds…difficult." I say nervously.
"Yes, but it's essential." August says seriously.
August raises her hand suddenly.
"We will begin with a simple trial. Don't move a muscle despite how hard this smack is." she says firmly.
"Wait, what?" I say nervously.
August's hand flies forward, and I lean back quickly to-
OW! She's attacking my mind again! OW! I felt her smack me just now! I pant from the pain for a moment, then glare at August.
"Either we do the trial or we do the mind control. Pick your poison, Henry." August says annoyedly.
August glares back into my eyes with firm authority. After a moment, I bend my head and look down.
"Smack me. I won't flinch." I promise hesitantly.
"Good." August says warmly.
I don't look as she raises her hand. It might help me not to watch as it comes. … SMACK! I can't help but turn my head and let my mouth open from the pain. I hiss out a quiet breath.
"Alright for a first timer." August says warmly. "Now don't look away." she says firmly.
I look up fearfully, tears in my eyes when she says that. August smiles at that.
"Ha! You need to face this head on. It'll make ya tougher, Henry." she says amusedly.
I grit my teeth, and restrain myself from telling her to go fuck herself. Anger enters August's eyes a millisecond after I thought that, and she swings hard at me. I'm nearly knocked over by it. I look at the wall drearily for a moment. Then I turn back to August, cautious. I eye her suspiciously.
"Can you read-" I ask seriously.
"Your mind? Yes, I can maintain a mental link with anyone who's mind I've broken or been allowed into before." August says quickly.
I sigh annoyed as she interrupts me. Rude but alright.
"Are you ready for more?" August asks amusedly.
I grit my teeth, and hesitation fills me.
"Yes. I am ready." I say firmly.
Meanwhile, at the Rumshackle Inn. A brown building with black trim. The patrons of this inn are tough. The drinks are stiff and burn your throat. And the music sucks. There's only an old man with one hand playing the same song all day. And for some reason, everyone loves him.
Sitting at the bar counter is a young man. He's tanned with shaggy black hair. He wears black leather armor, and carries a blade on his hip and a crossbow on his back.
He's talking to the bartender. An older man. Dark skinned, and his body looks like he's quite strong. But also that he eats too much with the size of his pot belly. He has a short black afro, and a beard. He wears a brown shirt, black pants, black boots. And on his wrists are dark brown shackles with an inch of broken chain hanging off both of them.
The young man chugs a shot, and points a drunken finger at the bartender.
"So I've got to ask, man. What's with the shackles?" he drawls warmly.
The bartender stands up a bit straighter, and looks the young man dead in the eyes.
"I used to be a slave. Until I broke free, and murdered the bastard in his sleep. Then I took over his inn." he explains coldly.
The young man smiles and leans back, impressed.
"Damn man. That's crazy. And they just let you do that?" he says warmly.
The bartender laughs.
"They let you do anything here." he says with good humor.
The young man laughs.
"Yeah, true that. Can I get another shot?" he says warmly.
"Sure." Bartender says calmly.
The bartender pours him a shot. The young man swings the shot glass in a light circle as he musters the courage to drink it.
"So, my man. Could I ask you something?" the young man drawls warmly.
"If you pay your tab, I might." Bartender says annoyedly.
The young man laughs, and reaches into a pouch on his leather cuirass. He pulls out a small but thick sack of golden coins. The Bartender's eyes widen, then look at the young man suspiciously.
"You only do this when you want something big." he whispers tensely.
"Indeed. Help me out, would ya?" the young man drawls warmly.
The Bartender stares at the young man. Then he jerks a thumb to a door in the back.
"Come with me." he says firmly.
They walk into the back. As they do, the Bartender tells his one waitress, an older redheaded woman, to man the bar counter while he's busy.
When they're finally back there, the young man has his arms crossed with a big grin. His eyes seem focused and clear. Completely unlike that of a drunk.
"I need information on the Adventurers known as The Heroes of Fair City." he says confidently.
The Bartender looks at the young man with fear for him.
"You should leave them alone. They have deep connections." he says seriously.
"Don't care, already know about them. One's a Bloody Fist, the other is a Seeker of Knowledge. What I need is information on any crimes they've done." the young man says warmly.
The Bartender sighs, hesitant. And a tinge of sadness.
"Alright, let me get some files out." he says.
The Bartender turns and heads into the back of his storage room. It's filled with barrels of alcohol, and shelves filled with papers that don't seem to have an obvious pattern of organization. He reaches into a chunk of papers on the shelf, and pulls out a wand.
He comes back around, and points it at the young man. The young man barely has time to sputter and try pulling out his own wand before he's interrupted with a laser beam through the heart. He collapses to the ground like a rag doll. Blood not even leaking out due to how cauterized his wound is.
The Bartender sighs sadly and shakes his head.
"You really should've listened to me, and left them alone." he says with firm disappointment.
I haven't heard back from the first man I sent out to help with Jacob's case. Very concerning. But I have plenty more pieces to put on the board. Just like they do, unfortunately. The Seekers of Knowledge may be the first time I use my Guild's resources in a game of equal footing. I must use their lives carefully. No more waste.
I will order them all to use caution with how they gather information from this point on.
Another day of training at the Crimson Wolves. Yayyyyy. We're in the serene room once more. August is calmly smoking a cigarette, and ashing her cigarette on the ground. I look at that with mild disgust. She returns an annoyed look.
"It's my Guild. A servant will clean it up." she says calmly.
I shrug, trying my best to show I don't care. August takes a long hit of her cigarette, then begins speaking.
"Magic has Five major rules. Do you know them?" August says calmly.
I nod calmly. Libra injected my mind with these rules before.
"Yes, they're as follows: One, a spell must be fed mana. Without it, it doesn't exist. Two, a spell must be concentrated on. Without it, the spell fades away. Though a master mage may recover the spell, it will become weaker despite how quickly the recovery may occur. Three, each creature has a type of mana they resonate with most. Using spells of this type are preferred, as they're stronger and cost less mana. Four, the more a spell bends or breaks a law of reality, the more mana it costs. Five, battles of magic are to a major extent, battles of will. To the point that those with stronger willpower have their spells fly through an enemy's spells. And six, adding flaws and conditions to a spell could make them stronger." I explain dutifully.
August smiles warmly.
"Good, you do have a brain." she says.
Then she frowns.
"However, it's obvious you don't do much with that knowledge. Do you even know your preferred element?" August says sternly.
I smile sheepishly and look away. August sighs annoyedly. Then she pulls out a simple metal stick that glows with purple energy. And a simple blue book with the words 'Elemental Colors Guide' on the front.
"This is an Elemental Stick. You just stick it in your mouth for a minute, and it will glow with the color of your mana. Then we find the element that matches the color in this book. Pretty straightforward." August says calmly.
"Oh, that's neat." I say warmly.
"Yeah, I guess." August says calmly.
She holds the stick out to me, and I take it, putting it in my mouth. As we wait, August smokes. And after a minute, it. Fucking. Glows. Gray.
August gives the stick a peculiar look, then flips through the book quickly. Then she grins.
"Looks like you're a Pure Mana type. Very rare, but quite useful. Normally spells of that type are a bit more tiring, but you'll be able to cast them at a normal cost. Very useful." she says warmly.
I sigh annoyedly.
"It's useful, but I think I would've preferred an element. Like light or wind." I complain.
August snorts amusedly.
"You'll learn to find the appeal. Let's craft some spells that work with your element. Then we'll do more mental training after testing them out." she says warmly.
I groan with dread.
"Yes ma'am." I say with pure hesitation.
Meanwhile, outside the Seekers of Knowledge Guild Tower. The street seems quite peaceful. People are walking by, chatting without a care.
Suddenly a loud BOOM fills the air as a hole is created in the wall of the Tower. A middle aged man in torn brown leather armor, with a black steel chestplate, holding a black wand is jumping out the hole that he just created.
He yells "Wings!" and white wings made of energy form on his back. He flaps, and it sounds like static and wind as he does. He begins flying rapidly away as mages from the Tower fire magic bolts after him.
"Damn it all to hell! What did he grab!?" Seeker 1 yells angrily.
"Some Guild Member files!" Seeker 2 yells angrily.
"FUCK!" Seeker 1 curses furiously.
The Thief flies down an alley, and spots his first stop of his escape path. An open window of an inn. He flies into the window, dispelling his wings as he does. Then he draws the curtains close, and begins forming another spell. Within seconds, he is covered in a white light. And a few seconds later, the Thief's appearance has changed entirely.
He is now a beautiful, tall woman in a very flashy and revealing red dress with black hair and ruby red lips. The Thief leaves the room, and quickly heads down stairs. As they do, a few drunken men hoot and holler dirty praise. The Thief smiles brightly and leans over the stairs' railing.
"Who wants to take me back home? I need to get out of this place for the night!" Thief yells seductively.
A young, chubby man with greasy hair in fancy robes comes closer to the stairs, holding up a handful of coins.
"Come with me. I need a whore for the day." he says confidently.
The Thief smiles brightly, and takes the young man by the arm. He leads her out to a nice white carriage parked on the side of the road. An older man in a black uniform sits on the driver's seat.
The Young Man opens the door, and the Thief enters. As she does, a yellow portal forms in front of the inn. Several Seekers of Knowledge in dark blue robes step out of it. They go into the inn, yelling their heads off. The Young Man enters, and orders his driver to take them away. They pull away without speaking.
Several minutes pass. It isn't until the Crimson Wolves Guild Fort is in sight when both the Thief and the Young Man dispel their disguise spells. The Thief resumes his original appearance. The Young Man becomes an older tanned woman with graying brown hair wearing a simple black dress with black pants and black heels.
"Did you perform all your duties?" the woman asks calmly.
"No, I only managed to find files on the Wizard of the Heroes of Fair City. And a few of our own members." Thief says calmly.
"Miss Caeser will be disappointed." the woman says calmly.
"Shame." Thief says calmly.
We've finished my first new spell with my preferred element and rule six kept in mind. It's…weird. Though August is oddly proud of it.
Dance of a Thousand Blasts: The user performs the unique dance tied to this spell. As they do, they will charge and create a storm of fast flying, pure mana bolts. This dance lasts up to five minutes. And if the dance is interrupted in the slightest or distracted from, the spell will begin to end. Only continuing the dance will restore the spell's flow.
It seems fine on paper but then, August starts showing me the dance I'm supposed to do. First you pirouette for just a literal minute straight. I am physically incapable of that. Then she stops with a stomp, and starts moving her arms in complex patterns. First an X with her forearms, then she spins her arms until the elbows are high and her hands pointing down. Then she squats down, and starts spinning her legs about in some crazy dance move. Then she swings onto her hands and starts spinning on them. Until she lowers herself and is spinning on her head. Again, I physically can't do this. I barely managed front flips on a trampoline. Then she stops her spinning by smacking her hands against the ground and launches herself back onto her feet.
August is panting a bit, but smiling with pride.
"Alright, now you try." August says warmly.
I hold up a hesitant finger.
"August, I'm just a lawyer. I literally can't do any of that spinny stuff. I can barely pirouette." I say bluntly.
August looks me up and down, and sighs with disappointment.
"How athletic are you even?" she asks.
"I can uh…run a mile in twenty minutes." I say sheepishly.
August sighs again, disappointed.
"I guess we could do a simpler dance. Do you have anything in mind?" she asks.
I ponder for a moment, and then it strikes me.
"I'll do the macarena." I say with determination.
August gives me a confused look. We hear footsteps, and turn to see an older man and woman at the door. The man in leather armor, and the woman in a black dress. August stands up, and approaches them.
"Stay here Henry. Take a smoke break if you want." she says calmly.
"I uh, don't have a cigarette." I admit sheepishly.
"That sucks." August says calmly.
They step aside for August, and walk away from me.
My Rogue hands me a few black files stuffed with papers. I nod to him. I quickly skim through it, then can't help but shoot my Rogue a stern glare.
"A lot is missing." I state annoyedly.
"They discovered me mid robbery. I had to skedaddle." Rogue explains annoyedly.
I roll my eyes. What he's given me will do. We have the bare minimum. Information on this Wizard. And it includes things I know a Judge or two would find evil. And of course, I can slip them a "blessing" as well.
I walk over to a safe in this empty office. Inside it is the Rogue and his partner's pay.
"I'm taking off 30% of your pay since this is an incomplete job." I state sternly.
I hear the Rogue curse under his breath.
August returns to me, a thick black folder in her hand. Huh, I'm somewhat surprised this planet has folders. Seems a bit modern. She seems to be annoyed though.
When she locks eyes with me, she gives me a strained smile.
"Henry, I have good news. Through studying old records of the local newspaper and interviewing a bunch of people, my Guild Members were able to obtain a great deal of information on that Wizard. I may obtain more, up to the trial's end." she says warmly.
I look between her and the file suspiciously. I already know something sketchy must've happened for this to be done so quickly. … Or maybe she has her own legion of lawyers. And she has money. So maybe she just bribed the right people to gain this information. That Guard before would've given me info if I paid him. It could make sense.
Ugh, who cares? I took info from a pretty Dragon lady before. I take the file and open it up. … Huh, it's surprisingly organized. And thorough. There's a picture of the Wizard glued to the upper right corner. He's a pale man with a sharp chin, white shaggy hair down to his cheeks. And a thick beard. He wears a big blue wizard's hat in this picture.
Name: Wilbur Jenkins
Age: 70
History: He has been a hero of Fair City for a long time, and a Seeker of Knowledge for even longer.
In the name of the City, he has slain monsters, corrupt officials and an evil ruler.
In the name of the Seekers of Knowledge, he has helped us discover great things. Most importantly, establishing a bond with the Mighty God known as Locazoth. He is unfortunately a very loyal servant of his. This could be troublesome. It is also worth noting he helps us get lots of orphans and babies for our feasts. Yummy yummy.
We also know what he does for his Master. Which is get even more babies for him! Selfish bastard. Keeping all the good, delicious babies and puppies for his Master. We should kill him for this.
Wealth: Exceptional
Skills: Crafting, Knitting, Cooking, Hunting, Acting
Magical Abilities: Pure Control (Preferred), Fire
Loyalty Level: High
Fame Level: Extreme
Political Power Level: Medium
Political Standing: Extremely Positive
Political Beliefs: The Progressive Party
Yes, this is indeed good. I smile at August.
"This will be great. Where did you get this though? I'll need to cite it in my arguments." I say happily.
"Just say you got it from the Crimson Wolves." August says firmly.
Huh…weird, but alright. I shrug it off. This world is stupid when it comes to laws. I'm sure I can make it work.
August puts a hand on my shoulder, and smiles smugly. Then she raises her other hand, and shakes it a bit.
"I think it's about time for mental training." she says happily.
I sigh wearily. I hate this part so much.
A guttural scream fills the air. Alongside a heavy drum beat, and the screech of a furious violin. A band in all black stands on some tables in a rundown bar. In front of them are the patrons of the bar, in the middle of some passionate headbanging in the midst of a full on brawl. Everyone in this bar has a crimson fist with a circle of golden coins around it plastered on their body or clothes somewhere.
This is the Crimson Fist Inn, located in the scummy southeast part of Fair City. Every city has its dark spot. And Fair City is no exception. This is where rules and bones are broken.
Sitting in the back of this bar, overseeing it is a throne. This throne is made of dull eyed, rigid slaves. Their only function is to be a chair for the Lord of this chaos. Sitting on this throne is a tall, buff, and pale man in a tank top made of golden coins. Dark green shorts, and black sandals. His fists are tattooed to be thoroughly crimson. And he wears a wicked grin.
Suddenly he punches his fist into the palm of his other hand, and the entire room quiets and stands at the ready. The Lord stands up, and begins addressing his gang.
"Bitches and Bitches of the Bloody Fists! I'm only gonna say this once! If you see any of the following people on that Bounty Board: kill them and throw their body in the woods! Each kill gets you 5,000 gold! And killing Jacob Deatrix will get you 20,000!" he yells with bloodlust.
A beautiful pair of women in skimpy black skirts, crimson stockings, spiked boots, crimson tank tops, and spiked black collars pull a curtain off a board a few dozen feet away from the band playing.
A young man in a crimson vest and black pants approaches. He sees bounties for the following people: Dallphi Jenkins, Bellencia Femmatale, Sarah Nagetero, Megallia Strom. These are Henry's witnesses. Shakela Lorgana. The jewelry store owner. Then there's Henry Sheeves. And beside him is Deatrix.
The Young Man focuses his eyes on the bounty board for nearly a minute. But then one of the Bloody Fists punches the young man in the face.
"We've got a snitch here! I can sense the recording magic in his eyes!" Thug 1 yells angrily.
"No, I was just-" the Young Man yells nervously.
The Thug who just punched him pulls out a sword and a wand. Several other thugs do the same. The Young Man looks at them all for a moment, then tries to run. But they all surge on him. Within seconds, knives and blasts of magic dig into him. But he somehow manages to claw his way out.
Only to be at the feet of the man in black plate mail, Balgor. He draws his large blade, and lazily stabs it into the spine of the young man.
Damn, he died. But it is crucial information Henry and his witnesses will be targeted from this point on. We will have to protect them until the trial.
My face is sore. Again. I did manage to improve a bit. The most time I spent controlled today was forty seconds. Twenty seconds shaved off, yayyyyy.
God, I hate this.
I've almost left the Guild when I hear loud footsteps running my way. I turn and see August running with urgency. She stops when she gets close.
"Henry, it's not safe for you to go home right now." she says seriously.
I stiffen with fear when she says this.
"What? Why?" I ask nervously.
"I've learned recently from uh…Jacob being attacked that there's been bounties put on you, him, and your witnesses." August says seriously.
My eyes widen and I can't help but look around fearfully. Then I look at August nervously.
"So what do we do then? Will you give me a place to stay?" I ask.
August nods.
"Yes, I'm having a room prepared for you as we speak. If you need anything, let me know now." she says calmly.
I…have a few things.
"I need clothes from my home. And um…some cigarettes too." I say nervously.
"I'll get it taken care of." August says seriously.
As Henry tries to relax, August's soldiers step out of the Guild. They have one goal in mind: protect Henry's witnesses. They will do so subtly, watching from afar. And interfering when necessary.
A war on the streets begins tonight. Outside the home of Dallphi Jenkins. A simple white house with yellow trim. Dallphi is a heavy sleeper, so he will only witness the aftermath.
In the dead of night however, it began with a bolt flying at his window from a window of a nearby building. The bolt is blocked by a wall of invisible force. Then a white laser beam flies into the house the bolt was fired from. The laser pierces an assassin's shoulder, and sets the corner of the room he's in ablaze.
The assassin runs down the stairs of the house he's in. But the door is kicked in, and a very tall and buff man holding a sword with a black aura and a shield is there. The warrior shouts furiously, and charges the assassin with his blade. The assassin uses his spell Shadow Merge to merge with the darkness on the wall of this unlit house. He becomes flat as paper, and narrowly avoids a sword thrust. The warrior begins savagely attacking the wall, but to no avail. The assassin manages to slink around as a shadow down the wall, and out the home.
This would not be the only attack on Henry's witnesses. They would proceed through the entire night.
Twenty minutes later, inside Bellencia Femmatale's home. Bloody Fist Thugs just broke down the front doors of her mansion. Standing on the stairway mid-argument is Bellencia and her husband. Bellencia is wearing a simple light purple nightdress that hangs to her knees. And for some reason she has weapons strapped to her thighs with black belts. Three knives to each thigh, and a wand on the sides. Her husband wears a puffy gold robe, purple pants, and black white sandals.
Bellencia grows a wicked grin while her husband begins to go up the stairs fearfully. Before he can, Bellencia grabs him by the shoulder, and throws him down the stairs with strength that a woman of her size shouldn't have. Then she laughs maniacally.
"Kill him first, then I'll kill you all bit by bit, piece by piece!" she yells.
The Thugs look nervously between themselves, the husband, and Bellencia.
"Hey man, you look like a servant. Just get out of here." Thug 1 says with gruff kindness.
"I'm her husband!" Bellencia's Husband snaps angrily.
Bellencia throws a knife at her husband, and it lodges itself in the back of his head. She points at the Thugs with a widening grin.
"I'm blaming that on you fuckers! Prepare to die so your blood blesses my first night of freedom!" she yells with poetic malice.
The Thugs begin to step back as Bellencia draws a knife and a golden wand with a crimson ruby. A beam of intense orange flames shoots out the wand, and she sweeps it over all the Thugs. A few die, then they all start running down the street.
Bellencia runs out of her house, and chases after them. Blasting beam after beam with careless abandon. The walls and fences of homes are lit aflame as they run through this neighborhood.
It will be half an hour before this rampage is stopped. Not by the Thugs all being killed, but because Guards will eventually capture and arrest Bellencia. She will be charged with several counts of murder.
And finally, there is a battle for Henry's life.