Grey considered the board in front of him with a frown.

“Clever,” Legate said to his left.

“Yes.” Grey tapped a marker. “She’s spread them out further, ostensibly under the excuse of patrolling wider areas without overlap.”

“No clean way to hit them all.”

“No.” He bit the inside of his lip. “Did she give you that list?”

“Yeah, do you want to see it?”

“If you’ve looked at it, just tell me what you found interesting.” Grey’s eyes remained on the board. His request seemed innocent enough, but he had to get a firm grasp of the way the Legate thought.

“Well,” the Legate slid into the seat beside him. They were in a room in the keep of the Steel Legion Dungeon, alone save for a silent Tribune who stood outside the doorway. “A few of the Dungeons the daemons searched stood out. One that fits your request was a Silver with creatures that launched spines and had thick armor.”

“Your assessment?”

“They’re slow. If we are as committed to flexibility and mobility as you wish, then we can’t have troops slower than my soldiers already are.”

Grey nodded. “Any others?”

“Yes, I believe there were a few.” The Legate stopped there, clearly wanting to continue but afraid to reveal too much.

Grey sighed. He supposed he could peel back the curtain a bit. This was a give and take. He would get nothing from the Legate without offering something of his own.

“The Legion will be our primary force. Heavy infantry. Earth had a grand empire long ago, called Rome. It had an army that consisted primarily of shield-bearing infantry, but as it conquered countries, it pulled on the strengths of the defeated. These troops were called auxiliaries. They performed functions the standard Roman army didn’t. Some were light cavalry. Others were light infantry. I’m sure you see my point.”

“I do. You want auxiliary troops.”

“Sort of,” Grey said. “But like you said, we can’t just absorb those who are good at strengths different from the Legion’s. They also have to fit the greater strategy.” He waved a hand. “You are a commander. Have been for a lot longer time than I’ve even been alive. With that expertise, I’d like you to pick the forces you think fit.”

“A test, then.”

Grey stood. “Not so. It’s called delegation. I have tasks of my own to do.”

“That are more important than this?” The suit of armor shook its head. “Those seem like strange priorities.”

“Where does family fall in your priorities, Legate?”

“Highly.”

Grey tapped the table. “Then I think my priorities are where they need to be.”

He left the room and considered the exchange. The Legate was still questioning, but that was fine. Grey was not infallible. The open rebellion was quieting, however. With every smart choice and plan, he whittled away the armor’s contempt for him. Logically, the Legate knew there was no reincarnated emperor to save him and his people. Emotionally, however… Things might be different. In fact, Grey wagered it was so.

He pushed the thoughts aside. They were simply distractions from the main problem on his mind. His family was in the city. They had received his message. It was an outcome he should have prepared more thoroughly for, but family was a… sensitive issue.

The daemons of the Dungeon he had dubbed as the Twilight Cathedral were perfect scouts. Though the number he could send from the Dungeon was limited, he had as many as he could scattered across the city searching for information. Well, save for the two he had watching his own back.

They were in many ways the scalpel to the Legion’s hammer. It was a position he had been desperate to fill. He had the vague outline of a plan, but to make it anything more, he needed information. Now, he was getting it. It was only a trickle, little more than bits and pieces, and yet even that was enough. The morning’s report ran through his mind.

Tan, dark-haired male. Above average height. Brown eyes. Seen watching ARA patrol from an abandoned restaurant on South Main. Tracked back to an abandoned apartment four blocks over. He met with another man of older age and four women of varying ages. Tracking was an individual in dark clothing that used an Evolution that obscured its features.

His family was in trouble. Jessica had caught wind of them before he had, which put him at a severe disadvantage. She called his bluff. He either let them fall or tipped his hand to save them. If, of course, this was an isolated situation. With such a stunning variety of variables, however, things became much less linear.

Grey summoned another report to mind.

Target was located entering the city on the north side. The one who followed him returned to report to Her, and the home he stopped at is now under our surveillance. Target immediately located and embraced an older woman. He has currently not moved from the house. A search of the house revealed the target is one Zion Hill. Listening in has further revealed that he has a sister that is an ARA agent. They are unaware of her location.

Zion Hill. It was a relatively tame name for the one known as the Rage Knight, but titles made the plain spectacular by their very purpose. Without the ARA’s Evolution-supported network or any databases, Grey had no further information on the man, but he could make deductions. And Grey’s deductions were very accurate.

He stepped out of the Steel Legion Dungeon, looking himself over with a casual glance. He had groomed himself for this meeting. He would hope it was worth it, but men like Grey didn’t hope. They made their wishes happen by their own will.

---

Zion embraced his mother tightly, breathing in her smell once more. Peppermint. It had been that way since he was a kid, and smelling it brought happier memories, ones that weren't blood-stained or full of horror.

“As much as I love you,” his mother said. “I think you need a shower.”

He pulled back. “You have running water?”

“No, not yet. Allona has high hopes that we will, though. She said the ARA folks even have their own version of the internet. Isn’t that amazing?”

He nodded, smiling for his mother. Inside, he was in turmoil. The path back to his family had been a long one, and he had met his fair share of people, ARA folks among them. They hadn’t left him with the greatest impression.

“But how am I supposed to take a shower?”

“The same way the rest of us do. There’s water in the bathroom. Soap and rags, too. Hop to it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled and started to walk away, but a sound stopped him, his hands clutching for blades that weren’t there.

The knock on the door came again.

“Maybe it’s Allona.”

“No, mother.” Zion’s voice lost its warmth. “Step into the back room for a second, please.”

“Zion, I won’t be told-”

“Mother,” he said, his voice breaking, “please.”

She seemed to sense something was amiss and walked away. When she was gone, Zion willed the darkness inside him to rise, stopping short of summoning the dark, bestial armor. With his body and muscles enforced, he ripped open the door, stopping a hand mid-knock.

In front of him stood a man. He was tan with light brown hair and plain brown eyes. He wore plain, unassuming clothes and looked well-kept. He smiled.

“Hello. My name is Grey. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Who are you?” Zion kept one of his hands between himself and the man.

“I’d say Grey again, but I’m guessing that’s not what you’re asking. May I come in and explain?” His voice was pleasant. Casual, even.

“Outside is fine.”

Grey nodded. “That’s fair.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But let’s be honest. You’re not really asking who I am. You want to know why I’m here.”

“Tell me, then.”

“Gladly, but you might want to tell your mother everything is okay. I wouldn’t want her worried over little old me.”

Zion clenched his jaw. “Mom, I’m going to step out for a bit! An old friend of mine showed up, saw me enter the city.” He stepped out of the home and shut the door behind him.

Grey looked up at the taller man. “Good. Now, I’m here because I want something. I won’t lie or hide that. But I also have something to offer in return. I guess you could say I’m here for… business.”

Zion lifted an eyebrow. “Business?”

“Of course. I know a lot about you, Zion. You are the Rage Knight. You hold an Evolution that summons a sort of armor, and if my guess is correct- and they usually are- you are able to enhance your physical capabilities. Those are impressive gifts, ones I’d like you to use to rescue my family.”

“Explain. Quickly.”

Grey smiled again. “I’ll tell you what I’m offering first. Your sister is in peril. I can fix that.”

“And how is she in peril?” Zion ratcheted up the strength flowing into his body.

“Well, there’s a few things really. The most relevant is that her mind is under the control of a very dangerous woman.”

He stiffened. “And you have proof?”

Grey shrugged. “I don’t. There isn’t any, not in the traditional way. I can offer you something, however. Soon, your sister will return. With her will come a woman. She will have reddish brown hair and eyes that seem a sort of golden brown. She will introduce herself as Jessica, a friend of your sister. Don’t- and I really must stress this- shake her hand or touch her palm in any manner. Not casually, not quickly, not at all. That is how she gets you.”

“And that’s supposed to convince me?”

“Not in and of itself.” He looked down at a watch on his wrist. “It seems as though it’s about time to go. Watch your sister closely, and watch Jessica even more so. I’ll return after to discuss the part about my family, unless you’d like to meet somewhere?”

Zion clenched his jaw and released the tension. Then again. “There’s a basketball court. West Pine. Two blocks away.”

The man smiled. “Then that’s where I’ll be.” He turned to leave, stopping only when Zion’s hand wrapped around his arm.

“My family-”

Brown eyes moved to his own. They had no warmth, no emotion, nothing.

“Think for a moment, Zion.” Grey’s voice is as empty as his eyes. “If I wanted your family dead, they would be. I won’t lie to you; I am not a good man. But I am the lesser, the lesser of two evils. And my family? They are innocent. So no, I will not threaten your family. In fact, I plan on protecting them, else Jessica use them- and by extension, you- against me.”

He turned and stepped onto the sidewalk. Zion watched him go. He had fought for so long. Fought monsters. Demons. Men that might as well have been both. It was hard to grasp that there were some problems not solved by the sword, and now, his family depended on him to figure it out.

He was still watching the sidewalk when two figures stepped into view. One he recognized instantly. It was his sister. The other caused his expression to harden.

She will have reddish brown hair and eyes that seem a sort of golden brown.

“Zion!” His sister bounded across the space between them, and he stood, snatching her up into his arms.

Unbidden, images fought to the surface of his mind. Blood. War. Death. He bit the inside of his lip. “I’ve missed you.” His voice was a croak, hoarse and desperate. “I’ve missed you so much.”

She pulled back to arm’s length. “Don’t get teary-eyed on me. I thought you were dead. I…” She looked back. “I’m being rude, aren’t I? Zion, this is my friend.”

“Hi, I’m Jessica,” the other woman said, extending a hand.

She will introduce herself as Jessica, a friend of your sister.

Zion watched the limb in stony silence, his eyes flicking up to his sister’s face. She seemed normal, but… It was strange. She was part of the ARA. She fought and killed and nearly died everyday, and yet, she seemed normal. Was he being paranoid?

Zion nodded. “Nice to meet you.” He made no movement towards the hand, which was withdrawn after a moment. The awkwardness didn't last long.

“Where’s mom?” his sister asked.

Zion frowned. “Inside. I’ll get her.”

“Oh, we can come in, and-”

“I’ll get her.” He walked into the house, the door swinging shut behind him. His hands tightened, balled into tight fists at his side.

In his head, a warning bell rang. It was one of his Evolutions, Danger Sense, and it’s warning locked onto Jessica. Grey was telling the truth.

He walked into the kitchen, where his mother sat anxiously. She rose to her feet when he walked in, but he placed a hand on her shoulder, gently easing her to her seat. He dropped to a knee beside her.

“Mom, please listen to me, okay?”

She grabbed his face, tugging his eyes to meet hers. “I am your mother. I always listen.”

He smiled, a part of his tension fleeing. “Mother, the woman with Allona is very dangerous. She is bad.” His eyes darted over his shoulder, making sure no one was there. “Do not touch her hand. Please. Try to act normal, but don’t touch her hand no matter what. Not even if Allona tells you to. Not even if she acts normal. Just don’t.”

The sound of the door opening closed his mother’s mouth. She nodded to him. He smiled. They stood together, and a moment later, Jessica and Allona entered the kitchen. His mother reached for his sister.

“I’m glad your home,” she said, her eyes sliding over to Jessica. “And you’ve brought a friend…” She sounded unenthused about the matter.

“Hey, would you mind stepping out for a moment, Jessica? I have something to ask my mother about.”

“Of course,” the chestnut-haired woman said, her eyes landing on Zion for a moment. She walked out of the room.

Allona looked at them. “Why are you being so rude?”

His mother looked to him, and Zion shook his head ever so slightly.

“Your brother just got home. I want you to spend time with him, to leave the ARA stuff with the ARA. I know what the world is, Allona. I do. But our house is safe, and your brother is here. Let’s be a family, just this once.”

Zion watched closely, stone creeping over his heart.

“Fine, mom. I’ll be back after a while,” she said and walked out of the room. The front door slammed shut a moment later.

“You better have a good explanation.” His mother’s eyes landed on him.

“I can’t explain, mom. Not yet. That woman is dangerous, though, and she has Allona wrapped up in her games. I’m going to fix it, though.”

“How?”

He bit his lip. “Just trust that I will.”

“Zion, I-”

“I love you. And I love Allona. You two are,” he looked at his hands, “You are all that I have. I’ll fix this. Just give me some time.”

Grey waited for him at the basketball court, sitting casually on a picnic table stood on the grass beside it. Zion stood across from him, his thumbs tucked under his belt. He wished for his blades.

“Believe me now?” Grey shielded his eyes from the sun with a palm, the watch on his wrist glinting in the sun and blinding Zion’s eyes for a moment.

“I do.” He rubbed the sun from his eyes.

“Good.” He nodded. “Good.”

Zion sighed. “And you can fix it?”

“I can.”

“How?”

Grey shrugged. “What’s the saying… A magician never reveals his secrets? Yeah, let’s go with that.”

Zion shook his head. “No, I want answers.”

He sighed. “Fine,” he said. “Jessica has a veritable army. Maybe around a thousand people, maybe more. It seems an insignificant number in comparison to the amount of people who used to live in the city, but…” He shrugged. “They’re mostly dead. The ones who are left have all gained some sort of Evolution, and most of them respect the ARA- something she’s made sure of.

“In short, she can’t be killed. Not easily. You couldn’t do it, not alone, and that means your sister is her puppet. Until she no longer has a use, of course. I can kill her, however. And I will. As soon as my family is out of danger, that is.”

“How can you?”

Grey smiled. “I have an army, too.”

Zion felt his Danger Sense flair, and he turned. He started to summon the shadow armor and blades of Hell’s Beast, but a hand landed on his shoulder.

“This,” Grey said, waving a hand, “This is my army. Well, a portion of it anyways.”

Arrayed on the court were several monsters. They were humanoids with gray, lifeless skin. Matte black legs extended from their backs, the blade-like appendages flexing and clicking in the silence. A few watched him with smirks. Others looked at Grey with… With fear.

Zion frowned and peeled the hand from his shoulder. “Very… theatrical.”

“I guess play time is over, then.” Grey snapped his finger, and the monsters shot off, melding into shadow. “They snuck up when my watch blinded you, by the way. Your senses are still quite sharp, I’m sure.”

Grey’s face dropped all sense of humor a moment later. He handed an envelope to Zion. “Inside is the current location of my family, their likenesses, and my message to them. You have at most forty-eight hours to bring them to the designated location. Any later and Jessica’s people will move. You might also consider bringing your mother, as well. You may become a target.”

Zion took the envelope, indecisiveness roiling in his gut. “And you?”

“It’s too early to tip my hand. I have things to do first.”

“What about my sister?”

Grey checked his watch. “Jessica might hold her hostage, but I doubt it. Your sister has quite the place in the ARA, and Jessica’s Evolution isn’t all powerful. Only a fraction is under her control, though they are all leaders. No, your sister can’t disappear. I’ll have her separated before the fighting starts.”

Zion sighed. “Okay.”

He felt as though he had sold his soul to the devil, but it was for his sister. At worst, he was walking into a trap. It wouldn’t be the first. On the other hand, he might be saving his sister and the city besides. Endearing himself to the future dictator of said city didn’t hurt, either.

After all, swords only worked at arm’s reach.