Dragon Realm Cypress

“Alright, I’m here. What is this all about?” Wiccer entered the tall and twisting forest. Dark and foreboding, The Blood Forest had been renamed to the ‘Stomping Grounds’, used exclusively by the Anti-Rogue Ops for training purposes.

Wiccer signaled for Elucard to drop down from a tree branch, but the elf refused. Annoyed, Wiccer leaped and landed besides Elucard with little struggle. Years ago, such a feat would have seemed impossible. These days, however, his body has become accustomed to agility and speed training. The formal, rigid White Cloak in him was now dead; replaced by the sly and shrewd Watcher.

“You know we have our own headquarters?” Wiccer folded his arms. “Lit better than this dingy forest too.”

“I needed to talk to you privately,” responded Elucard. He didn’t look up at Wiccer as he scanned the wooded path for anyone who might have been trailing his captain.

“I have an apartment.”

“I prefer the woods.”

Wiccer rolled his eyes. “Ah yes, the assassin prefers the shadows, how silly of me.” Satisfied they were alone, Elucard loosened his grip on his hilt and motioned Wiccer to move

closer. “What we are about to discuss could mean treason.”

“Treason!?” exclaimed Wiccer, quick to heighten his voice despite the displeasure of Elucard, “What are you going on about!”

Elucard raised his hands to Wiccer’s mouth, “Quiet. You do know we train soldiers to spy on these types of meetings?”

Wiccer glared at Elucard, but then relaxed. “Enough dancing around, Elucard. Spit it out”

Elucard darted his eyes left to right before finally speaking, “I thought about what we read in

the Vile Goat’s cellar; about Inle’s sighting and the coup’s funding.”

“And?”

“And I think we should keep this information hidden from Koda.”

Wiccer’s face widened in surprise but then turned sour. “We are his Anti-Rogue Ops; this is exactly the type of thing we would tell him.” He placed a hand on Elucard’s shoulder. “I have already prepared my report for a debriefing, you can accompany-”

“Koda isn’t in any kind of condition to take such news,” said Elucard, “You were there when he hanged his lords, only the Baneberry clan survives.”

“Elucard, they betrayed the king before a crucial battle,” Wiccer argued.

“And the nation has yet to recover. Already his citizens have plotted to overthrow him. He is too inexperienced as a leader to deal with the news that his most lethal enemies may be rebuilding their clan.”

The rebirth of the Black Rabbits was a fear that Wiccer often imagined. Although ARO grew in numbers and skill, the Black Rabbit influence had already reached across the seas to other realms. Several kingdoms had requested for trained Watchers to establish new ARO units as a response. Even Long Whisper broke off into creating new ARO units to attach to Range Patrols and infantry divisions. The stereotype of the Watchers being criminals and misfits was a thing of the past. Now being trained by Elucard was far more desired than being trained by any other instructor, despite his still infamous reputation. However, If Inle returned and the Black Rabbits rose from the Silent Master’s ashes, perhaps even a stronger ARO would not be enough to save the city this time around.

“We have already assigned Koda bodyguards,” assured Wiccer, “Calsoon has even volunteered to lead the detail. As we speak, we have three ARO units formed across the country, as well as two more sister units in Varis. What else do we need to do, Elucard?”

“If the Black Rabbits are reforming under Inle…” Elucard lowered his voice to a whisper, “We need to get involved.”

“Involved, how?” asked Wiccer, “We are already involved.”

“No,” Elucard’s expression grew hard like iron. “I mean go undercover.”

“What?” Wiccer couldn’t stop himself from snickering. “How? We are famous throughout the realm. I needn’t remind you of your title, Elucard the Kingslayer. You would be recognized in mere seconds.” Wiccer had to stop himself from chuckling further. Elucard’s idea was outrageous. “Go undercover, indeed.”

“We would create an organization that would bring down the city. Much like the veterans tried to,” explained Elucard. He was undeterred by Wiccer’s mockery.

“You are serious about this?”

“Inle will seek us out and bring us into his cabal,” Elucard finished his thought.

Wiccer nodded, pondering the idea. It was crazy, but it had potential. After all, he thought his father’s plan of the Anti-Rogue Ops was wild too. “Then we arrest Inle?”

“Yes.”

“Simple as that?” teased Wiccer.

“Well, it’s a work in progress,” admitted Elucard with a sly smile, “First we have to get our men on board.”

“Fine then.” Wiccer reached out for a handshake. “Let me be the first.”

***

Wiccer waited for the final ARO member to arrive at their meeting spot at the old Black Rabbit compound. Once a thriving spot for conspiracy and terrorism, it was now a shambling relic of Long Whisper’s woods. The moon’s light barely broke through the canopy, fracturing apart by the Autumn leaves. All was silent, not even the patterning of the running mice interrupted the stillness of the secret meeting.

As the Watchers gathered in the square, Wiccer raised a single hand to calm the chirping gossip and conversation. He nodded Elucard, sitting on the steps behind, to begin.

“Thank you for all coming, my Watchers,” said Elucard in a low voice. “I’m sure you are all wondering about the urgency and secrecy.”

“Aye, Elucard. This yikahti wants to know why you dragged us to this Alanna forsaken grave,” Lear spoke out. Others shouted with their agreement.

“As you are aware, either through rumor or through word of mouth, we believe Inle has resurfaced.”

“Are we finally going to do something about this? It’s bad enough you let him escape his death sentence!” blurted out a younger ARO member.

Elucard cast a glance at the fresh recruit that could put down a bull. It is true that Watcher recruitment had hit an all-time high since the Long Whisper’s victory in the Varis War, but Elucard’s standing with other soldiers had not improved. No longer was he just the Kingslayer, but now he was seen as the Black Rabbit spy that allowed a war criminal to escape. It would seem not even his own recruits respected him.

“Quiet, private!” snapped Wiccer, “Continue, sergeant.”

“What I am asking you soldiers to embark on is a journey through the Lost Dawns underworld. You will become traitors to the crown and undertake crimes punishable by death.” The crowd of Watchers erupted in frenzied murmurs, but Elucard raised his hands to silence them.

“Please, Please, if I can have your attention.”

“Everyone shut up and listen to my master!” It was Kyzo’s turn to handle the commotion. The young elf had only been a part of ARO for a year, but had joined them on missions ever since he could wield his own blade.

Elucard smirked at his pupil’s loyalty, “What I ask you is not for the faint of heart. What I ask of you, I know, is too much…” he paused, “but what I ask of you is to save the city.”

“Already Inle’s new allies have spent a considerable amount of resources to see our city burned into a pile of embers.”

Wiccer stepped in at this point. “Inle will not rest there. He will find a new way to dismantle our government and destroy our way of life.”

“What are you two proposing, Captain?” asked Essie.

“We once again become the shadow that protects the light,” recited Wiccer. His voice was stern. Commanding. Full of the confidence he thought he had lost in the months he dealt with the nightmares of his time at war. Restless memories of that forest bled his ability to lead dry. He glanced at his hand. It shook uncontrollably, but he knew in his heart that his voice had to have the conviction to show his soldiers the courage that his presence could not.

The more seasoned Watchers nodded and hooted a low ‘hooah’. Their unit’s motto had a revered power in its words. A power that kept them going during the harshest of times. Through nights where no speech could push the horror that befell upon them. Their motto kept them united in solidarity.

Wiccer smiled and allowed Elucard to explain their plan.

“We will be creating a clan to infiltrate and uncover Inle’s allies. We will earn the clown’s trust working against Koda and the city.”

“We are to kill no one. Harm if you must, but no one shall die by our blade,” said Wiccer, firmly asserting the rule.

“That’s right, captain,” nodded Elucard, “We will be a splinter cell of ARO, no one will know we exist except for everyone present here.”

“And if we oppose the plan?” Blayvaar asked.

“You will not be forced to join, but we will ask you to be sworn to secrecy,” answered Wiccer, “Step forward if you wish to join.”

“And what if we break our oath to secrecy, what then?” Blayvaar pushed further. “Do you really want to find out?” said Elucard. He brushed his neck with his thumb. Without hesitation Kyzo and Lear stepped forward. Rulan and Essie were next to fall into

line.

“I’ve been happier than ever being a hero finally, cap,” said Blayvaar, “I really don’t want to give that up now.”

“Friend, Blayvaar. Wiccer and Elucard gave you a purpose,” pleaded Lear, “Join us, at least for this yikahti.”

Blayvaar cursed under his breath. He rolled his eyes with a long sigh and begrudgingly joined Lear’s side.

“Captain, you know I am now the leader of my own ARO unit,” reported Timber. The wolf saluted, “We head out to march with an expedition to establish a new colony in the Risen Forest. I can’t jeopardize my position. I am sorry. I wish you the best of luck.”

“I understand, lieutenant, and congratulations on your promotion.” Wiccer saluted back, casting his sights on Elisa, the last of his ARO veterans. He knew that he would be hard pressed to gather the new recruits for his crazy scheme, but he would at least have the original members join him. “Elisa?”

Elisa avoided his gaze, “I was a criminal of this nation once, I won’t be again.”

“Very well. I understand.” Wiccer turned to the other eight recruits that didn’t step forward. “Those of you that have decided to join us, we will compensate you with the appropriate hazard pay. On paper you will be assigned to fake Range Patrols heading out across Long Whisper. The rest of you will have your pay increased as well.”

“Hazard pay, Captain?” asked one of the rookie recruits. He gulped as he watched Elucard unsheathe and rub a dagger with his thumb.

“We don’t want to call it that, private, but it is what we will pay you for your silence,” explained Wiccer. He eyed Elucard’s grim smile, “As you know, the Kingslayer has no objections dealing with those he does not trust.”

All of the Watchers that were not a part of the plan nodded in understanding and exited the compound, leaving all those left within Wiccer’s fold.

“What will this new clan be called, Wiccer?” asked Rulan. Elucard looked over to Wiccer, “Well, Wiccer, what say you?” Wiccer grinned. “The Ghost Fox.”