"Special Agent Immoriens. Send an emergency signal to headquarters in stonebourne city that I'm alive and currently kidnapped and chased by a couple of crazy masters. I've been sold to someone called Lady Ivy so she'll come looking pretty soon." Markus said before running out of the shack and across the underworld of Yen Port. Eventually though, he tucked into a small alley.
'Dammit I don't even have my combat suit… at least my wind essence is restored. And I'm not nearly as uneasy as I was on that ship… whirlwind messed up my essence reserves pretty bad. And my celestial essence… well— I'm slowly gathering it now. What a pitiful state I'm in though…' Markus remarked about himself
Then he took notice of something.
The vines in the alley…
'Are they moving—' he thought but in an instant they were wrapped around him
Without hesitation, he blasted the vines with whirlwind but it merely bounced off, cutting into the buildings forming the alley.
'Ofcourse. Now how the hell is Delta going to save me from this shit? Enrique himself needs to come. Or maybe general ruben? Who knows— but now all I can do is wait… dammit why do I keep dealing with elites and masters!' Markus complained inwardly
As he got cocooned in vines, he could do nothing but wait for the predator to come claim its prey.
The sound of a transport grew louder before stopping right before the alley. Then without warning, the cocoon was yanked right in as the door opened.
"Here you are." She said to Markus in Stomebournese as the vines came undone
Markus looked at her and then into her…
'This doesn't make sense… she's only a rank 3… how the hell are these vines so strong that I can't break them?' Markus asked himself as he looked down at the receding vines
"You're so cute when you're confused." She said in Stonebournese as she pinched his chin to examine his face
"The last time my face got grabbed I ended up cutting the elite's hand off. Unhand me." Markus said with restraint, in Centralese
"Oh? You don't speak the regional language? Then we will converse in Centralese. Why did Crow want you so bad?" She asked in Centralese
"Same reasons as you." He lied
"I don't think so. Crow took interest in you. Why is that?" She asked
"He was charmed by the sight of me in chains." Markus replied as he rolled his eyes
Without hesitation she slapped him across the face. In response however, she winced in pain. Even trapped Markus' essence was still flowing and shielded him like a wall. So she felt like she just gave a wall a hard slap.
"Tsk— you will learn to obey!" She said taking out a whip of essence suppression material
She whipped Markus across his right cheek, drawing blood.
Then she wrapped the whip around his neck, suppressing all his essence.
"Now answer me." She said
"Why don't you ask the Crow yourself—" he replied
But she slapped him as soon as he finished replying. This time, it was a hard slap that connected and turned his head.
"Want to try it again?" She asked
"Fine fine… I'm a special agent spy that works for the crown. Oh and I can't accept any advances because you're an old hag and because I'm engaged to the princess of the kingdom." Markus said honestly
"What utter nonsense are you spouting now!" She shouted as she slapped him with her left hand, giving him whiplash.
Markus glared daggers at her.
"Don't you dare look at me that you filthy peasant!" She said as she began to slap him with an open palm and then backhanding him.
Slap after slap, Markus' face turned red. Eventually though, he snapped.
Weaving his head past her slap, he leaned forward and headbutted her. Then immediately did the same again before rubbing the whip off his neck and letting his essence flow once more
'Dammit— I can't use phantom step to get out the vines…' he thought as created a different construct
A bat. Then creating a pair of hands, he swung the bat at Lady Ivy's head, knocking her out and bruising her face and skull instantly.
Markus naturally did it with restraint as a full force attack would've killed her instantly.
As he did knock her out though… the car stopped.
"Uhoh—" he said as the doors opened
A day later, an old man was in the Stonebourne City underworld, at the headquarters of the crown's special operations.
"I need to speak to Special Agent Delta… it concerns Special Agent Immoriens." The old man said
The guards instantly became tense and led the old man, already having met him when they were introduced to regional operation staff.
The old man walked into Delta's office.
"What is it?" Delta asked as he was writing on some papers
"Special Agent Immoriens is alive… but he is captured. He has been auctioned to a Lady Ivy in Yen Port." The old man said
"What! How do you know this?" Delta asked
"A wind attuned young man with black hair came into the establishment. He told me all of this. Before I could even confirm if he was the special agent, he had run. I suspect he is now caught." The old man said
"Good work! We'll get right on it… but how did he look?" Delta asked
"I assume you're asking about his mental state. He was clear headed… but by the volatility of his essence he was clearly startled and stressed. He has evidently been through quite a lot." The old man said
"Thank you. You may return to your post." Delta said
"Delta… find him quickly. I don't think he has much more time before his mind breaks." The old man said before taking his leave
After the old man left, Delta sat in silence for a few moments. Thinking.
'Since he only said that he's alive and needs a rescue… it means the others are dead. We found nothing at the southern coastal temple— not even a trace that they had been there. So either they never made it there… or someone erased every trace of their passing. Immoriens is strong… if it came down to it he could probably even kill me despite the rank difference. He did cut off Omega's hand after all. So if he and the rest were so thoroughly defeated and the traces were wiped… then we're dealing with a master. We need reinforcements from the Capital to deal with the temple and to rescue Immoriens from the underworld since he's running and was captured. He won't fall to a mere elite after all.' Delta thought after analysing the situation
He stood up and gathered a few agents.
"Delta One I want you to request the assistance of a master from the Capital. Immoriens is alive but he's captured by a master."
"Delta Two I want you to work the field and find any and all information in Yen Port about someone named Lady Ivy. She is suspected to have Immoriens right now. Find out who she actually is, where she could be holding Immoriens and scout anything else of relevance."
"Delta Three, I want you to take charge here whilst I go to the auction house where Immoriens was sold. Maybe I can uncover something there."
"Yes sir." They replied
Delta one was the first to leave for the Capital. Special operations could not use letters or crystals to ensure they could not be tied back to the crown, so they needed to use the slower paths to receive assistance. It would take two weeks for Delta one to get back with a master, so everyone else had two weeks to find Immoriens before the master arrived.
Delta Two was soon to leave as well, after all they had to scout an entire city and its underworld for a single person. And Special Agent Delta went with them to keep each other company. A day passed and they were at last in Yen Port and after entering the underworld, Delta and Delta Two split ways.
Delta went straight for the auction. At the auction doors, two elites stood guard.
"What is your business here stranger?" one of the guards in black suits and round masks asked
"I need to speak with The Director." Delta replied coldly
"And I want time off to go to a brothel. We don't always get what we want." the guard said
"Listen pal, you don't go in there unless you have something to sell, buy or an invitation from the director himself. And even with the first two, the boss needs to approve it." The second guard said
"Tell The Director I want to buy a slave. Tell him the Stuart of the East is asking." Delta said
The guards were stunned for a second.
"W-we didn't know it was the Stuart asking— right this way sir." The second guard responded quickly
The second guard let Delta through to the director's office.
"Director… the Stuart of the East is here." The guard said after knocking
"Come in." He replied
Delta walked into the office.
"What can I do for you, Special Agent Delta?" The director asked
"You sold a young man recently. Black hair. Expert. Wind attuned. Left with a ruckus." Delta said
"Ah— Markus Windwave. That would make sense why Mr Crow was interested. What about it?" The director asked
'So that's his name… Immoriens is Markus Windwave. And the crows know his name now? He will not have it easy… anyway' Delta thought for a moment
"He was one of mine. Who did you sell him to?" Delta asked
"That will cost you." The director replied
"It's alright— I already know it's someone called Lady Ivy. My agents are already looking for her. I simply wanted to reach an agreement with you before we can't do that anymore." Delta said
"How do you mean?" The director asked
"Well you see, we know a master is involved in this. So the might of the capital is about to descend to bring Markus Windwave back. Should we fail to find Ivy before they arrive, the masters will descend on you all, and who's to say who will still be in one piece when all is said and done. And even if you did come out in one piece, Markus Windwave will become a master within the decade. Probably less. And then he will descend on you. Needless to say, you are screwed unless you help me. Should you— I don't know— tell me who Ivy is and help me rescue him as soon as possible, I might be able to change his mind about destroying you." Delta said
"… and why would he want to destroy me. It was only business." The director said
"Is that your defence? It was just business? Not to mention how you treat your human merchandise." Delta replied
"… if I reveal the identity of my clients I am doomed to lose my business." The director said in turn
"That is true. But ultimately, you must choose between your business and your life. You might lose your clients and have to close up, but at least you'll be alive. That will not remain the case if you don't cooperate here." Delta said
"You're bluffing. If you close me down someone possibly worse will show up in my stead. The devil you know is better than the devil you don't." The director said, refusing to back down
"I don't think you realise the gravity of the situation. I will come back tomorrow. If your answer does not change, then there won't be another chance coming from me." Delta said, taking his leave
The director was left in his office with a heavy decision.
'I do not doubt Delta is lying. But what can I do here? If I tell him Lady Ivy is a count's wife, my auctions will be empty until I'm bankrupt. But what other choice have I got?' He thought with great concentration
After a while though… something popped in his mind.
'Ah… there is always another option…' he thought to himself
The next day, Delta was making his way to the auction house.
On the way there though, a beggar he passed by on the street grabbed his foot.
"Please sir— give me something and great fortune will surely fall upon you!" The beggar said
"..?" Delta had a confused expression
'A beggar in the underworld? A place where you pay to get in? It's not unheard of… but what are the chances of it happening right as I'm going to the auction?' Delta thought in a split second before reaching into his pocket for a handful of gold coins and dropping it to the beggar
"Oh bless your generosity! Not even Countess Selena Jaaku is so graceful to a beggar such as me! May the spirits bring you good fortune!" The beggar said before scurrying away
'Oh Mr Director— I did not give you enough credit. I suppose I should still come to you to get turned away, otherwise it would look like he did help me.' Delta said as he moved on
Once he arrived at the auction house doors, the guards stood there.
"The director is expecting me." Delta said
"The director has changed his mind. His refusal stands. Now please leave at once!" One of the guards said
"Is he certain he wants to refuse me? Even after all I said?" Delta asked, playing the game of false persistence
"Leave." The guard replied
Delta rushed forward to the guard and punched the wall, sending cracks all through it!
"He will regret this." Delta said to the guard before leaving
Delta returned to an inn where Delta two was.
"I know who took Immoriens. And it's bad." Delta said
"I've only found traces of this Lady Ivy… but you uncovered who she was in such a short time, captain! Who is she?" Delta two asked
"Oh nothing bad— just a Countess…" Delta replied