Tides Of Protomis CXXIII

Infiltration

The assembled group had begun to make their way toward the keep to which the general inhabited. The force of demons and humans alike all going to the same goal. But it was only now, as the sky darkened, that they finally found the place they sought. It was a keep, no doubt, but it differed in Appearance from Sigma's. More vertically built. A number of towers linked together by bridges and hallways. All surrounding the largest one in the very center. As Fuzel gazed upon the pristine architecture, he stayed silent, as the rest of the group did. What would he do from here?

“This is it. If you all don’t mind, I’ll be staying here to help see this through. I’m not exactly the strongest combatant, but I'll do what I can…” In a short time, Kilesia chimed in.

“We will be staying as well. This is an event we must archive, after all. The implications of such an event could be wide reaching…” Gaining a nod from Arctaius.

“Fine with me. But we need a plan of action. If we just rush in attacking, they could just dispatch them outright before we’re able to get to them.” Arctaius stated.

“Yeah, and I’m guessing there are strong demons within too. We’d be at a disadvantage if we were to have to engage them. They’d get in our way.” Miyamoto responded. Beside her, Kazimir put his hand on his chin, tapping his foot.

“Then we need stealth. Gilga, Hyperion, and Junko are out immediately, they’ll be sensed.” Kazimir noted.

“That, and I’m not much of a stealth guy.” Hyperion responded.

“Same here.” Gilga added. While Miyamoto simply nodded in agreement. The Four tides glanced at each other, knowing very well that wasn’t them. The only time they’d tried stealth was back in the Ceron Manor, and that didn’t exactly work as they wanted it too. Had the Royal Guard’s Captain, Valiego not made the at-the-time surprising decision to allow them to pass, it would have been a different story. And so, the eyes of those there moved to Jirou, who simply shrugged his shoulders. From there, to Liang.

“I used to be an Assassin during my days with the Kaemerge, Lafeyah and Myself… I can handle this.” The martial artist stated. In no short time, he leaped away, breaking off from the group, while they watched all the while.

“I’ll fire the azure dragon to the sky as a signal!” And with that, he disappeared into the night. As for the former assassin himself, his observant gaze moved through the area around him rapidly. Not exactly in the mood to get caught off guard, or discovered this early in his infiltration. In no short time, he took note of the sound of his feet crunching on the ground below him. Though likely far enough and quietly enough for that not to be an issue, he wasn’t exactly willing to take that chance…

“Was Cuifen among those captured…? I left her in Lafeyah’s care for the time being, and I doubt that’s a fact they would know so they could send a higher-leveled demon after him. After all, the tunnel between the realms had temporarily collapsed at that time. But I can’t rule it out based on that alone.” It was certainly something he pondered… But for the time being, he would use the utmost caution regardless. He hadn’t done any sort of assassination in a while, but he was certainly confident that he hadn’t lost his touch. A sheen of Qi cloaked his feet, separating his feet from the ground, and decreasing the amount of sound he made even further. The dim lights of the lanterns and torches alike began to light up his vision.

Eventually, Liang’s eyes spotted an entrance. One guarded by a demon who didn’t exactly look to be threatening. In short time, he launched himself forward, cutting into him before he even had time to react, and dispelling him. With no hesitation, entering the compound. There was but one way to go, up. As such, he ascended up the stone constructed stairs. The room he found himself in looked to be some sort of storage room. Filled with crates, and having a distinct musty smell to it. Clearly, air fresheners had not been of importance to them. The two paths available to him led to the front, and his right respectively.

“Thinking back to what I could see of the layout when I was outside, the right one should lead to me entering the central tower quicker… If I were to wager a guess, that’s where they’re stored… But I'm guessing somebody on the other side may expect us to look there… I’d be better off listening in..”

In a short time, he decidedly took the path in front of him, moving through the bridge between towers with great speed. Though, he purposely limited himself to under the speed of sound. Lest a sonic boom alert his enemies to his presence. As he arrived in the next tower, he took note of the two things, the numerous beds lining the room, and the footsteps in his ears. It seemed that he would get his chance soon. In a short time, he’d already leaped off of the floor. Landing the ceiling above, and watching his targets as they passed by.

“So those bowl things are supposed to go to those humans?” The one on the left, an oni-like creature questioned.

“Yeah… Apparently, it's their food, the General wants' em’ alive. Supposed to go to one of the cargo towers.”

Cargo towers, huh… Liang moved his gaze around once more. So it looked like there were two types of towers so far, one used as a barracks, and the other, for storing whatever it was the demons used. And one of them would lead him to the hostages if he got there in time. It seemed to him like the towers alternated between cargo and Barracks, one, then the next. Decidedly, he dropped from the ceiling, and began running to the next one to test his theory…

The stone hallway gave way to yet another room with crates. So that, at the least, confirmed he was correct. From what he recalled, there were four in this row, meaning there would be yet another barracks next. So he would have to skip that one, and get to the next cargo tower, on the back row. And the best way to do so was running atop the downward sloped bridge to his right, which he did. Brining him on a direct course to the largest structure, at the center of them all. An opened hole that served as a window, allowed him to enter in a short time. The room he was in was bare, lacking any people within, but that worked well for him.

The people he looked to find remained within their cell, well aware of the change in light. It was Dim, only a few torches and lanterns lighting the room. And they were still trapped here.

“So… What now? Do we try to get out?” Akashi questioned.

“And how would we do that? I don’t exactly see a way out from here.” Yudei responded. Causing the youth to gaze at him, with a thumbs up.

“You’re right, there’s no way out with our current resources, but all we need is some of my charm, then they’ll let us out just like that.” Was his confidence misplaced? Given the looks he got from those in the room, save for Koyama, they certainly thought it was.

“Geez… You’re starting to sound like Kazimir used too… Well, I suppose it's been like that for a while.” Yudei responded. Apparently, this caused the woman who sat alone to perk up, she recognized that name very well.

“Kazimir? That boy Junko is always around, You know him?” So that was the case…

“You know of Kazimir and Miyamoto?” Shinto questioned, the woman nodded, thinking back to how the two spoke, how they seemed to stick to each other like glue when they were in the same place.

“Yes… Seeing those two always reminds me of my younger days in many ways. I once had a lover, after all.” She continued, slipping back into silence as she began to reminisce. As for the others there, they found themselves thinking of a variety of things. Asami, of Arctaius once more. To say that she had fear in her heart was obvious, but there was no doubt in her mind that he would come. Perhaps, she’d even stand with the rest of her friends here, and try to fight against these creatures holding her. What she could do against them, she wasn’t sure. There was only hope in her heart that they wouldn’t be lost like Kazumi. The quiet Gythrossi Princess had drifted to her husband-to-be… Or at least, who was supposed to be.

“Alarick… I hope you come soon, You are strong, I know that much… Please, do so alive. Even if our marriage was meant to be arranged, and even though by all means not exactly a thing we need to do anymore. I care dearly, and If not, I wouldn't have come to be around you here.”

Eventually, a demon did pass by, something that one of those within saw as the chance to start his plan, there wasn’t much he could do otherwise. Akashi slid toward the cell door, knocking on it to get the serpentine demon’s attention. As its rather intimidating gaze bored into him, Akashi kept a smile on his face, maintaining his cooled exterior, though, on the inside…

“Ohhh no… I don’t like how this guy’s looking at me! You got this, Akashi!” The boy steeled himself, as he began speaking once more.

“Look… You seem like a reasonable guy… Perhaps we could just, uh… Slip that door open? Perhaps we could get together afterwards, get some food? Just one big friend group!” This much gained only a blank stare from the creature, it remained this way for a while. Asami’s facepalmed at this development, while Yudei shook his head, leaning in.

“That was your Plan?!” He whispered, with Akashi leaning in as well to respond.

“It could work… Just give it time.” Akashi stated, in his own defense. Asami eventually stepped into the circle.

“I highly doubt that… Let me try something.” She whispered.

“What he’s trying to say is… Why waste time guarding us? I’m certain this is boring for you…” She questioned. This caused the demon to break its gaze for a moment, standing there thinkingly, as it turned back, a deep, feminine voice emanating from its opened maw.

“Perhaps…” They’d at least taken a step forward, Shito stepped forward, ready to convince her completely.

“Think about it… Wouldn’t you much rather be… Fighting? Why leave you here to guard a bunch of humans?” For a moment, there was no response, but the demon eventually slithered forward, slipping a key into the lock with its tail, and letting the door swing open.

“You’re right… I have better things to do.” With no more words, the demon slithered off to parts unknown, leaving the group freed from their capture, at least, partially, they still needed to find a way out of this castle, and to their friends, if they were even anywhere near here. But for now, a sense of jubilance took them.

“Alright! Can’t believe that worked. Looks like even you have good ideas sometimes, Akashi.” Yudei stated.

“Aw, Shucks, well thank- Hey, Wait a minute! What do you mean sometimes?! My ideas have gotten us out of all sorts of jams!” Akashi responded.

“What, Like the situation in the locker room… The Shima Ward’s own legend, The Hot Towel In- MRPHHH” His words were promptly shut off as Akashi put his hand over his mouth.

“Oi, Oi, Shut up! I do not need people knowing we were there when that happened!” He whispered, rather loudly. It seemed that most decided to leave it at that, regardless of who’d actually heard it or not. Now the question was, what route could they take to get out of this demonic general’s castle, and how could they move undetected.

…

Liang was unaware of the antics, still scouting out the main building. He himself was on the stone walkways that seemingly served to bridge the different towers on the inside. One lining the entire length of the room he was in, vertically, before leading into another room horizontally, was there for easy access. There was a lot of connectivity, no doubt. But that's none of his business, his gaze shot over to one of the doors leading to the outward paths.

“Given the pattern I saw earlier, That should be it-” His words were interrupted by the members of the very group he was searching for making their way through the same door… How did they get out? No matter, it just made his job easier.

“There you all are… Let’s get out of here, quick. The others are waiting.”

In a short time, he’d already begun moving in a flash, gently taking hold of them one by one, and bringing them to the ground…What was not so gentle was his strike on the wall, which demolished it with very little effort. Which certainly caught the attention of all the demons within the base, including the general herself. The demoness promptly stood from her seat, and began to exit her chambers.

“So they’ve arrived…”

The broken wall was followed by Liang letting loose an Azure dragon, shooting it into the sky.. And with the signal received, those who lay in wait outside were immediately on guard. Shooting off in that direction, save for those that didn’t have the ability, trudging behind them or marching in their formations. Knowing quite well just who could be there, Arctaius' thoughts drifted to them almost immediately.

“...Akashi, Yudei, Shinto, Asami, I’m on my way!” For the time being, the situation was looking up, those they’d come for had been secured, and reinforcements were on their way… Just as Liang was about to speak once more, he found himself nearly hit by a launched ray of light. Leaning back, he weaved around it with little effort. But he found himself face-to-face with a more humanoid looking demon, one who appeared female…

“So you are one of the humans who managed to kill Sigma… Interesting.”

Liang eyed the woman with suspicion, trying to size her up.

“If i’m guessing correctly, then you must be the General they call Gamenna.” He received a smirk in response. Though she didn’t answer, that confirmed his thoughts…

To Be Continued