At this current time, there were three groups of three in three separate locations.
Alice's Domain / the Pink Room:
- Greed
- Belle
- Alice
The Crimson Dragons' castle / Ryo's quarters:
- Ryo
- Havoc
- Ophelia
And the Wolves Den:
- Star
- Brand
- Nash
At the Valley Kingdom, a series of events were brewing. One that had the potential of shattering the Black Wolves' reputation forever.
Somewhere at a city plaza in the Valley Kingdom, Captain Syemore of the Blue Phoenix Knights was holding a speech to the Kingdom's residents. The place was crowded like that of an election for an Arcane King, but this was simply a rally of people in the Kingdom who fully supported the Blue Phoenixes and Syemore's ideals. There were even W.M.A. officers spread out on the outer layers of the crowd as if assisting escort to him.
The crowd cheered as he made his way through them along with his follower knights, two of whom were especially close on both sides. The one on his right was huge and burly, wearing a hood over his head. The other on the left was female and slender, also wearing a hood as her blonde hair peeked through, draping down to her waist from underneath. They weren't Blue Phoenix Knights either. Instead, the colors of their cloaks were of white and silver, and on their backs, a silver lily logo could be found.
An elevated podium awaited Syemore in the middle of the crowd as he walked up the steps to speak from it. The place seemed like that of an event of some sort, and he was to deliver important information to his supporters.
Since the Kingdom's Guild meeting, the conclusion of the meeting ended with a vote for the alliance between the Valley and the Mountain Kingdom. The vote came out to a tie of four to four, with the final decision and tiebreaker left to the Royal King, who voted pro-alliance. The four who were against the act, or who could not presently vote, were: the Black Wolf Knights – not present, the Crimson Dragon Knights – who voted no, the Green Owl Knights – who voted no, and the Golden Rose Knights – who did not vote.
Even if a Guild was not present or chose to not vote, the Kingdom still needed eight Guilds decisions, so your absence or inaction to vote still counted as a no regardless—you just abolish your opinion and must support the winning side, whereas if a Guild had voted no, they did not have to support the winning vote and where entitled to that decision.
The Guilds that were pro-alliance were as follows: the Silver Shark Knights, the Purple Panther Knights, the Snow Lily Knights, and, of course, the Blue Phoenix Knights. Which explained the two Snow Lily Knights, Vice Captain Goro and 1st Executive Rin, by Syemore's side at this time.
The time was now 1000, and by this time tomorrow, the Mountain Kingdom was to visit the Valley to forge its alliance with the other half of the Zion Orb.
"My fellow citizens of the Valley Kingdom, I come humbly before you today to give you great news." The crowd cheered as he spoke. All of them were undeniable believers of the newest knights in the Kingdom.
"The Valley has received a new Zion Orb from our new allies, the Mountain Kingdom, and it is the Valley Knights' great pleasure to accept such a generous offer from our fellow Kingdom-mates."
The crowd cheered and clapped once again, eating his every word.
"As you know, the Valley has only ever had three Zion Orbs at a time. Never has it had four. So as to not override the walls, we've split the Zion Orb in half and will temporarily shut down the barrier for a day to welcome our new allies who have the other half. Together as one Kingdom, we will do the honors of combining both halves to secure the Valley's and the Mountain's pact. This ceremony will be conducted by this time tomorrow. In the meantime, we will prepare."
Syemore paused as he received his applause from the residents, his supporters, and allies. He held a ring-filled hand up, waving to them as they did. His long white hair shone from the sunlight as it made him look god-like in their eyes.
"Captain Syemore is so amazing."
"He's done more in four months than any of the other Guilds have done in years."
"He is the reason the Valley will flourish even more!"
"Captain Syemore is my hero!"
Residents shouted and spoke those words amongst themselves. They might as well have worshiped him.
When the crowd died down, Syemore continued, "However, it pains me to say that not all support this alliance… One, in particular, has constantly thwarted our efforts time and time again, continuing to sully the Valley Kingdom's name through the dirt so as to cause distrust among our allies. This group, as you know, is the Black Wolf Knights."
A chatter of booing and bickering came from the crowd next.
"Those damn dogs."
"They're the bane of the Kingdom's existence!"
"If only they were never around!"
"Something must be done! We need to get rid of them!"
Syemore caught the last of what one of the residents had said and replied, "Yes. You are right. Something must be and is currently being done as we speak. Which brings me to another very important announcement here today. And we need your help to make it happen. Every single one of you."
He went on, "Last night, we apprehended many of their members from the incident at the Southeast territory. But there are still some out there as we speak. If you see them, let one of us or the World Magistral Army know, and we will apprehend them immediately. We will take in as many of them as we can, and, if needed, execute them so as to not cause further harm to the Kingdom. Those who assist in doing so will be rewarded 2000 eterna per head."
The crowd began to chatter and cheer at the same time at this news. Around this same time, Henza was on the other side of the East Gate and was stepping into the court of Black Wolves territory, facing the Wolves Den. At another section of the Valley, an army of Blue Phoenixes surrounded the Crimson Dragon's castle with three figures: a chubby male, a tall and slender woman, and an eerie silhouette of a girl that resembled a doll. All three of them looked like high officials of the Blue Phoenix Knights and were the same ones leading the forces.
He said this, knowing full well that all the "Black Wolves" that had been apprehended were fakes. Some were members of the Blue Phoenixes, and others were actual criminals or hired bandits that joined the cause on a whim, set free in the city to cause chaos and sully the Black Wolf Knights' name even further.
"And, of course, we will be apprehending the main leaders and their allies who are advancing their cause. For if we do not, then this cycle of bad will never end."
In that moment, one of Syemore's knights cast Projection magic and showed a wanted list of faces in the sky for all to see.
"These, ladies and gentlemen, are the Valley's traitors."
The wanted list was as follows:
Of the Black Wolves:
- Brand
- Star
- Havoc
- Ophelia
- Greed
Of the allies:
- Terek
- Ryoku
Shock filled the crowd as they were surprised to see Ryo's name listed among the allies of the treacherous Black Wolves. They threw Terek's name in there just for show, and they didn't have a face of the 2nd Ace Nash nor mention his name because, though many knew he existed, he was often forgotten to be a Black Wolf Knight. The 1st Executive and the 1st Ace were also not mentioned, simply because they were not present at this time. And as for the last one…
"But do not fret, my fellow citizens, we currently have the edge and a lead on them as we speak. You see, one of the Black Wolves has decided to turn a new leaf. Because they have chosen to come to the light and expose all their wrongdoings, all evidence proves that these are the guilty."
As he said this, a male appeared at the podium. He was wearing a Black Wolves jacket and a white billed cap with the logo of a wolf with his hood over his head. His hair had black tips that ombre'd into white on his roots under his billed cap. Hands in his jacket pockets and a double-hilted long sword strapped to his back.
"This is Code, the former Vice Captain of the Black Wolves. And he is going to help us on our endeavors. Please treat him as your own. For everyone should have a chance to repent so long as they are not too far gone."
The shadow of Code's billed cap covered his eyes as Syemore introduced him. And the crowd, who had mixed feelings at first, ended up rallying on to the speech, cheering him on and chanting Syemore's name. The two other Snow Lily Knight escorts eyed Code from the side. Watching him ever so closely.
It had seemed that everyone was a full supporter of the Blue Phoenixes, and with this, operation 'Hunt the Wolves' was in full swing.
***
**Back at the Wolves Den**
A single Blue Phoenix Knight stood across the pathway of pillars and the worn steampunk castle. Vice Captain Henza had appeared at the Wolves Den.
As he stepped forward, a vicious female voice shot through the place.
"WHO DARES ENTER THE HOUSE OF THE WOLVES?"
From behind, Star and Brand had just arrived through the grove and into the open clearing from the Den. Henza turned only his head slightly, back still facing them, and stared with one lazy eye.
"Ah… You two are on the wanted list. In that case… I'm here for your heads."
Star, confused, responded, shouting back, "THE ONLY ONE THAT GETS MY HEAD IS TEDDY!"
Though Brand was wearing a mask, one could still tell that he was expressionless underneath. "I don't think that's what he meant…"
"Regardless, no one gets head from me except Teddy."
"Again, that's not…" He sighed. "You know what, never mind."
Star ignored Brand after that and stared down her adversary standing before them, baring her shark-like teeth in a wicked smile—growling even.
In a quick motion, Henza flicked two fingers from his side, and as quick as it happened, the two of them, Star and Brand, were bonded with a floating yellow ring of mana. The rings hovered around them each, and both of them were frozen completely except their eyes as they shot every which way.
"Anticlimactic, as usual," Henza said dispassionately as he faced them now.
He paced himself as he walked over, reaching into his cloak and pulling out a retractable black blade that he whipped to his side, fully extended.
As he slowly made his way to them, Star began to get agitated. Her rage grew, and the ring around her beat like a heart—as did she, flashing some kind of creature in Henza's eyes.
What the— he thought to himself.
Just then, the yellow ring around Star shattered, and she bolted at him at lightning speed. In slow motion, just as she was only inches away from Henza, she jumped in the air, spinning, and kicked him on the left side of his head. A small yellow flicker emitted right at impact before she sent Henza skipping across the field like a stone on water.
The bond that held Brand was undone, and he checked his movements to see if he was truly free.
From the part of the field Star had kicked him, Henza's silhouette formed from the smoke of the dust. He stood hunched over, arms dangling in front of him as he breathed out, and a layer of bonds that were cast all over his body had disappeared. There was even one wrapped around his head as he dispelled his magic.
"That was interesting," he said, now standing there unscathed.
From behind him now, it was too quick for Henza to notice in time. Brand had appeared with glowing red eyes through his mask.
"Haste Magic: Tri Shift."
He said as he threw a haymaker with his right fist. It whipped up and down in a vertical fashion so intensely that it looked like there were multiple fists about to land on Henza at the same time on the right side of his head. When his multiple fists connected, it sounded like an echoing crack.
SLAM!
Henza shot to the side and twisted in the air in slow motion. In this moment, Brand had slowed down Henza's speed time movement while still keeping the impact of the punch he had laid on him. He suspended seemingly, as if he were floating in mid-air. Brand then readied his left hand and struck Henza from the back, twisting his fist into him as he tossed him back to Star.
Star, from the opposite side, dashed at Henza. Her arms followed behind, and her oversized Black Wolves jacket flapped at the winds of her speed. From her right hand, a white hammer had formed that had the texture of bone. She met Henza there, who was flying toward her, and swung the huge bone-like hammer upward from under him, the hammer dragging on the ground as she swung. She shot him upward, and the slam from the hammer made him flail in the air above them like a rag doll.
Then in the sky, Brand jumped just in front of the sun, forming a silhouette from above and shadowed over Henza. He slammed down on him in the air, and he crashed down to the ground below, causing a shockwave so strong that it moved the nearby trees on the outer layer of the dirt and grass clearing they were on, just in front of the Wolves Den.
BOOM!
The shockwave sounded.
Covering her eyes and still dragging her large bone hammer on the ground, Star sashayed to the crater Brand made. She checked on Henza, who was within it, as the smoke and dust continued to protrude out.
"Pitiful weakling." she said, staring down into the smoke-filled crater.
Brand landed from up above and joined Star just to the right of her.
Vice Captain Henza of the Blue Phoenix Knights had picked a fight with two of the fastest Black Wolf Knights—Brand and Star, Brand being the fastest of them all and Star the second.
Brand's magic ability was Haste magic, granting him the ability to change the speed of himself and other people and things by simply touching them after chanting an incantation.
Star's magic ability was Boneshifting magic, allowing her the ability to shapeshift her bones into anything she wanted, even extending or expanding them more than their original size or form. She could even strengthen the density and durability of her bones to withstand certain attacks and perform certain techniques. Even lightening her bone weight to move at high-velocity speeds. Unlike other mages, Star had a rare ability that allowed her to use her magic without chanting incantations or forming hand signs, otherwise known as nameless spellcasting.
The two, although lowly members, were highly skilled fighters in their own rights.
When the smoke faded, there was a shell of yellow rings in the center of the crater, with Henza inside of it. The rings expanded out, revealing him, then constricted inward on different parts of his body. Henza looked as if he was in pain as the yellow rings constricted certain areas of him—most likely from areas of damage. But once the rings were situated, his agony stopped, and the rings locked in, stabilizing him.
Standing there now, in the middle of the crater, his head faced up and his arms dangled to the side of him, he remarked wickedly, "Well now, I was not expecting that… Looks like this is gonna be fun after all."
Then, in a flash, he was gone. Brand and Star lost sight of him. Just as quickly, Henza reappeared in front of Star and grabbed her throat, lifting her up. Brand tried to rush in, but Henza stuck out his left palm and bound Brand in place, as if he had adjusted to his speed.
"You're not the threat here," he said to Brand, then faced Star, whom he held up by the throat.
Star squirmed her body and was trying to pry open Henza's strong hand, choking her. She was breathless.
"You, however…" Henza looked at her petite, shapely body up and down before speaking again. "For someone so seemingly frail and cute, for some reason, I can't bond you. Is it your magic? No, that's not it. It's something else entirely. What is it, little flower?"
He brought her in close and licked her face while Brand watched, frozen in horror. She squirmed, but his grip around her throat was too tight. Then Henza noticed the small gray horns that shaped around her head like a tiara. Star's rage built once more, and the same creature that he saw earlier flashed in his eyes again.
"I see… Could you perhaps be—" he said with a cruel obsession before being interrupted by a left kick to his ribcage.
He didn't move; it wasn't as strong of a kick. His choking was getting tighter and was hindering her focus. But from her shin she formed a spiked bone that jabbed at his side even deeper. Henza's eyes shifted down to it and used Bonding magic to shield the stab, preventing damage as the spiked bone attempted to perforate him, pushing him to the side. The sudden action caused him to lose his grip on Star, letting her go completely and releasing Brand from the bond he was in, even if it was for a second—it was enough time for Brand to react .
Brand then raced to Henza once again, but Henza matched his speed. The two of them seemed to disappear multiple times until finally, Henza had the upper hand and appeared behind Brand, slamming him into the ground with the back of his right forearm.
"So long as I don't let you touch me, you can't slow me down. Is that how that works, 'masked wolf'?" Henza said, mocking Brand after he had struck him.
Star rushed Henza after that, forming bone spikes all over her arms, both resembling two spiked clubs. She ran toward him, swinging both arms together, causing a clash. Henza ducked so low, demonstrating his agility, and slid behind her, expending that same retractable black blade through his sleeves, this time from both his hands just behind him. He twirled both blades forward and shot them at Star's back in a stabbing motion. But just before the blades connected, a white bone shield formed from behind her, blocking the pierce. She swung around, flailing the spiked maces at him, each one either being blocked by his blades or dodged.
They fought in close combat as Henza attempted to bond her arms when she swung them. His bonds lasted a few seconds at best as she froze for barely a second before moving again each time.
But then he threw one of his black blades down, sticking it to the ground. He stuck his free hand out as Star swung a right to him and stopped the swing mid-air temporarily. With the other black blade, he slashed off her entire right arm from the shoulder joint entirely.
Star's eyes opened wide, shocked that her right arm had been completely cut off. It had only taken her seconds to forget about it as she proceeded to swing with her left arm onto Henza. But once again, he repeated the motion and slashed off her entire left arm too. She grunted as both her arms flew off, spraying blood everywhere.
She dropped to her knees, and her eyes were bloodshot after having been decapitated…
"STAR!!" Brand yelled, trying to get up from where he was struck down.
To which Henza looked at him and flicked a finger, bonding him once again before getting the chance to get up, shutting him up simultaneously—immobilized and useless.
Brand shuttered as he witnessed Star on her knees, arms severed off, and her face spaced out as she opened her mouth slightly, dozing off into the distance past Henza.
"It's a shame to have to cut up your attractive body, but you're being a nuisance to me right now. Maybe someday we can meet each other in the afterlife if the Keeper allows. I wonder if we had met in different circumstances, would I have been forced to kill you then as well?" He trailed off, thinking to himself about what could have been.
At this time, Star could only think of a certain male's voice echoing in her head. The words were so clear as if he were right there, saying it to her in that moment, just like before. We'll call her Star.
"Sorry, Teddy…" she said back to the voice.
Henza raised his black blade over Star, and it flickered from the sunlight. He swung the blade in the direction of her neck, and what happened next could only be described as a sound—the sound of a blade severing off a body part.