Dragon Realm Cypress

Inle and the Collector walked through the scattered wreckage of the ruins of Lost Dawns. The shadow elf’s feet crunched onto the shattered glass scattered throughout the streets. Clay shingles that made up the roof tops lay broken on the ground. Smoldering remains of fires cooled down to small embers. The city looked like it had been ravaged by a natural disaster, and it made Inle smile.

“We did fine work here, Inle.” said the yikahti. “You should be proud of yourself.”

Inle nodded. He stopped to watch a lone protestor sprint down an alley way calling for the dethroning of the king.

“But to what end does the fall of Lost Dawns do for us?” asked Inle.

“The Mage King is distracted with his city,” explained the Collector, “Koda will now be susceptible to manipulation by our Master.”

Inle paused with the thought of Koda joining the side of his guild. What would that mean for them? How easily could Wraslyn turn Koda against his allies? “So are we playing the long con?”

“I suppose you can say that,” the Collector let out a raspy laugh. “Koda shall bring the seals to us. That is the Master's plan for the mage brat.”

“And my plan?” asked Inle. “What is my end game in all this chaos?”

The Collector turned to the clown. He tilted his head in silence but continued to walk instead of answering.

“Do you not know?” Inle asked again.

“I am not privy to reveal your own destiny, Inle.”

“But what of my near future?” Inle slid in front of the Collector, determined to get at least one straight answer from the cat. “What is my goal now that we shut down Lost Dawns?”

The Collector raised his chin and grazed a thin whisker with a claw. “Uther nears the Celestial Seal of Scorch. We are to protect the Plague Reach as it breaks the seal.”

“And what of the Ghost Foxes?”

The Collector pushed aside Inle. “What of them?”

“We promised them a seat to watch the chess game.”

The Collector halted and smiled at Inle. “You like them, don’t you?”

“They entertain me,” said Inle, “They did well.”

“Indeed,” agreed the Collector, “They will be a useful asset, but we will see how much more use we can get out of them.”

Inle nodded in satisfaction. He did not know why, but he showed an admiration for the Ghost Foxes. Perhaps they reminded him of his time with the Black Rabbits. Perhaps it was their unfaltering dedication to their cause. Whatever it was, he was pleased with them. Perhaps they could be by his side as his new clan.

***

Dragon Realm Cypress

“About the other night, Wiccer…” Elucard sat on the steps leading to the old Silent Master’s quarters in the Black Rabbit compound. He watched as Wiccer paced back and forth, hands shaking in agitation. The former White Cloak furrowed his brow in deep contemplation.

“Save it, Elucard,” spat Wiccer, “The only thing that should concern us is what the rest of the team wants to meet us for.”

One by one the Ghost Fox soldiers revealed themselves from the compound’s shadows, dressed in their red and black ARO attire.

“What is the meaning of this?” Wiccer took a step back, something was amiss. Were his men planning a mutiny against him? “Why aren’t you in uniform?”

Lear stepped forward, the others lowered their heads, unable to face Wiccer or Elucard.

“We feel things have escalated too far out of your hands, captain,” said Lear. His eyes

wandered from Wiccer’s to the anger written in Elucard’s eyes. “It’s time we give in.

Wiccer shook his head in disbelief. “We are this close to learning of Inle’s plan,” he repeated what Elucard told him, as if it was something he believed himself. “He can’t give in now.”

“Wiccer, listen to yourself!” pleaded Essie. “We burned down the city three nights ago!”

“I-” tried Wiccer.

“No, Wiccer. They are wrong.” Elucard stepped forward, moving in close to Essie.

“I always knew you had it in you to push too far,” Essie spat, “I just never thought you would.”

Elucard sneered, but let her continue.

“Blayvaar is in the infirmary. You did that to him…” Essie’s voice grew louder, “To one of our own!?”

“I did.” it was all that Elucard could say.

“I don’t understand you…”

“He’ll live.”

“That’s not the point, Elucard!” Rulan pushed forward and thrust his index finger into Elucard’s chest. “We don’t hurt our own! We are a family. We look out for one another... we're a clan... we’re the Watchers.”

Elucard grabbed Rulan’s hand and squeezed it until his face contorted with pain. “Blayvaar should have thought about that before he betrayed us,” hissed Elucard. His voice was dark and grim. He had no remorse for what he had done. No sympathy. None.

“Wiccer, you have always been the logical one,” said Lear, “Tell this yikahti you know what we are doing is wrong.”

“Don’t answer him, Wiccer,” snapped Elucard.

Wiccer stared at his friend, then back to Lear. It was true, things were wildly spinning out of his control. Like a runaway horse, coursing with confusion and adrenaline. Unable to stop. Which was why they needed to follow through. “We are undercover, Lear. You knew the risks when you signed up.”

“The risks!?” roared Essie.

“Yes. The risks, Es.” Wiccer’s voice grew with more confidence as he led with conviction. “We are on the verge of success with this mission. All the sacrifices we made will pay off. We just need to persevere further.”

“We knew this would have been an outcome. This yikahti speaks for the rest of us,” Lear said slowly, “We are out.”

Wiccer nodded, “I understand.”

“We shall keep the secret safe, for your sake, Wiccer.” Lear glared at Elucard. “Not his.” Elucard and Wiccer watched as Lear, Essie, and Rulan filed out of the compound until only he and Wiccer remained. Elucard snatched a rock from the ground and chucked it at one of the wooden walls that surrounded the training grounds. As it bounced off, he screamed at the top of his lungs in frustration.

“We don’t need them!” Elucard growled, “We don’t need anyone!”

“We have no choice now. We are on our own,” responded Wiccer.

“We’re too far up river to turn back now, Wiccer.”

Wiccer looked silently to Elucard.

Elucard allowed the silence to linger further. “We’re too far gone, Wiccer,” he finally said.

“Too far gone,” Wiccer repeated, “Too far.”