Lesia listened to the screams outside the building and sighed to herself. Cornering Blake wouldn't earn her any results compared to the citizens running for their lives and villains on the loss.
"This isn't over Blake. If I discover that the Nox family has any hand in this, I won't take it lightly even if your my son." She spoke
Blake smirked, "I won't go down easily. I request forgiveness for any disrespect in advance, I can't hold back even for my mother."
Blake turned way prepared to search for Quinlan somewhere in the building when a sharp pain made him twist his expression. He looked at his left side as though it wasn't part of his body. Arrows were impeded in his body from his shoulder down to his lower back and blood stained his clothes.
"I...I was shot?" He asked in surprise
Blake wouldn't brag but even if he wasn't here to fight his skin was similar material to titanium alloy. He could get scratched but under heavy impact like stabs or shot, his skin would flex and snap back into original place prevent any deep wounds or all kinds.
Sebastian screamed pulling at his hair as he took out a first aid kit from his bag with worry dripping from his eyes. Lesia tried to advance but Misty grabbed onto her with an iron grip.
"What to you think you're doing!" She asked with maternal venom
Misty's eyes were filled with sadness, "You can't. He is a Nox and you're a Pioneer, if you help him now the situation after will be irredeemable."
"He's my son...do you understand what you trying to say? I don't care about what others will say!" She told
Misty knew her friend's mind was clouded, she also wanted to go and fuss over the boy she literally watched grow up. Sadly if their Summer Guild helped a main member of an underworld superpower, the government and other guilds will never let them go.
She say the pained gazes of the others members who knew Blake, looked at Lesia's half crazed half scared eyes and knocked her out. Lesia was a good person who will help many people and she will make sure that she's able to so this situation couldn't become a noose on her neck.
"Let's....go..." Misty said choking on tears
Blake chuckled at the scene, Misty avoided his gaze and left as quickly as possible. He didn't know how to feel in this moment as Sebastian frantically tried to preserve his life.
"Why are you still here?" He asked
Sebastian answered immediately, "Because I want to."
Humphrey was watching the news channel with the rest of the family. Misty had ensure that they were angled in a way that they weren't properly identified and only Blake was visible. Killian dropped his glass and Elsbeth rose up with a roar of rage.
"Go tell the brothers." Jerome said seriously "This can't be left alone."
Humphrey turned toward an incoming maid and asked, "Where are the Heads?"
"Today they are sharing a workshop within the villa on the -5 floor." She answered
Leo sighed, "Sadly, their close."
The brothers had various workshop in different locations that they tend to use as they please. Sometimes they work in the same place and others they don't want to share the same air with one another.
Humphrey walked to the elevator with a tablet connected to the news and mentally preapared himself. One because he brought bad news and two, they hated being interrupted in the workshop unless an emergency.
This was his first time inside and it was enormous. One side most likely Valentine's was littered with papers, fumes from the various types of bottles were carried into the ducks and roses of different kinds clung to the walls of that half. The other side, Vladimir's was orderly, building plans for many types of places were stuck on the walls, miniature sculptures of each were placed on pedestals beside their corresponding blue print and a table was in the center of everything with nicely stacked papers.
"Over here." Vladimir called
He found the brothers an area that was similar to a living room. Before they could ask him what was wrong, Humphrey thrust the tablet into their sleep deprived faces to rip the bandage off. The air in the room was suffocating as they watched.
"There really are some brave idiots in this life." Valentine snarled shattering the vial in his hand
Vladimir asked, "You or Me?"
"I'll go since I'm better at medicine and the like." Valentine told "Come on, it seems everyone forgot things are things that they shouldn't do."
Humphrey followed him out. Meanwhile Sebastian had done well lying Blake down, tearing nearby curtains to carefully wrap around the arrows in hopes of keeping the still and controlling the bleeding.
The others had descended into more chaos as some underworld people tried to push through and run away. A Pioneer stopped a running grunt with confusion.
"Where are you going? Seems their more to you plan seeing as you are leaving in the peak of battle?" The man spoke calmly
The grunt frowned, "Plan?! I need to far away from here! Some moron shot Blake 'The Guillotine' Nox!!"
The Pioneer was confused but sadly he held onto the grunts shoulder tightly preventing his escape with his fellow low lives.
"I don't have time for this! When you attack cub naturally you attract its family" The grunt spoke in a hurry
A voice echoed everyone, "Peek-a-boo"
Thick vines rose from the outskirts on the city trapping them inside, roses burst into bloom everywhere and it would have been beautiful if they were ignorant of who was the cause. All cameras turned to a crack that formed on a high rising building. Valentine walked out with Vincent beside him as his icy smile made their blood run cold.
A sweet and toxic air filled every corner of the city. Unlike his brother's aura which was like the manifestation of heartless winter, authority and forced people to follow his will, Valentine's aura was like a dangerous spring, inviting one closer to obey his will and majestic even as it sinks it teeth into you. Some of the weaker individuals were already in a trance.
"I'm a reasonable unreasonable person." Valentine smiled "From what I've gathered the factions present are: The Neutral such as The unfortunate venue of this battle, Pioneers & Government, Villains, Underworld and the mysterious faction which is called Wonderland."
The Wonderland members were surprised that he knew their identify so well.
Valentine scoffed, "So I know you so what? Didn't you do research people say' As long as it under the sky Nox knows about it', maybe exaggerated but where there's smoke there's fire."
The city was quiet listening to the voice of the teen which echoed everywhere through the roses.
"Anyway I'll add those fortunately entrance by me to make six Faction within this city. Sadly I can only let two go so my family's honor is intact. Fight or discuss, I'm not a uncivilized, among yourself who to let go. Or I will decide" Valentine smiled
A Villain asked, "Those left behind?"
"They die." he answered instantly
A Pioneer asked, "The citizens?"
Valentine gave them a kind smile, "To the victor, the spoils, honor and glory."