Chapter 50:

  Split Decision

  (Lucas's POV)

  Reporters. Civilians. Anyone and everyone who thought themselves entitled to know our affairs were lined up outside of our home, and not just where we lived, but Aegis Headquarters as well. Some were protesting, others were demanding answers.

  Who was Maya really? Why did Elizabeth let her work for them? Were they stealing funds from the Association? Was Elizabeth also a part of the supposed embezzlement?

  These were but a few of the questions posed by those who had gathered. They flocked the streets, even blocking our vehicle from moving when they realized it was us. "How did they realize it was our car?" I had to wonder, as we weren't exactly bsting our location. Sure, it was a luxury car, but no different from any of the others out there that the Guild Leaders and other business execs used.

  "They've been tracking us," Elizabeth answered my thoughts quietly, "Parasites..."

  "What? How?" I asked, gncing over at her incredulously, "Did they put a tracker on the car or...?"

  "No," Elizabeth replied with a shake of her head, "They've been using a Pyer with unique abilities. Even I can't exactly pinpoint their location, which is a little vexing."

  "Wait, you're telling me they've been watching us?" I was a little annoyed to say the least as I turned to look back out of the window of the vehicle, scanning the mob of people and the buildings as if I was going to actually see anything, "Fuckers. They're going through all this trouble and for what?"

  I could feel the anger boiling within me. Did they have no sense of decency at all? From what Maya had told me, they were ruthless and greedy. They cared only for themselves and what benefited them. Anything else might as well be an insect. Even so, I couldn't believe that they were this petty. It was sickening.

  "We need to say something, we-" I began, but Maya softly interrupted me.

  "It won't matter," she said, leaning back against the seat and staring out of the window a rather emotionless gaze, "They won't stop unless we stop them, but..."

  She sighed and Hannah pced a comforting hand upon her sister's arm.

  "It'll be okay, Big Sis," Hannah tried to assure her with a warm smile, "We can do this."

  Maya gnced at her vacantly for a moment before a little bit of the light returned as she gave Hannah a small smile.

  "Yeah, I'll pull them into the light," she responded, though something bothered me in the way she said it.

  "Maya..." I called softly, yet apprehensively, "Do you have a pn?"

  She looked at me, and in that moment I knew. As confident as she was, and as much as she talked about being ready, she was not as prepared as she let on.

  "It seems you see through me, Sir," Maya admitted with a heavier sigh, "Right now, I don't see a way through this, but I will, so don't worry."

  "That's what you say," I mumbled, resting my chin in my hand, staring absently out of the window, "I care about you, so I will worry. I have a bad feeling about this."

  From outside of the vehicle, I could hear the muffled shouts of the people as we slowly made our way through the streets inch by inch.

  "Sellout!"

  "Fakes!"

  There were multiple words that were being thrown, but usually it revolved around the loss of trust that the public had in not only Elizabeth, but Aegis as a whole. Not everything was aimed towards Maya, which only furthered my annoyance. If I could, I'd beat every single one of them, but I knew that wouldn't get me anywhere. It would only make things worse.

  "Honestly, who do they think they are?" I asked, leaning back against my seat, "It's not like any of this affects them."

  "They believe it's their money," Hannah answered me with slight exasperation, "Most guilds are funded by the public through taxes that are collected and then distributed."

  "Fucking taxes..." I grumbled, knowing full well just how self-important the people felt about their taxes, "It's not like that's the main source of income. Sponsorships, products, and the selling of dungeon materials and monster cores. That's where the real money is."

  "Yes, but they like to ignore such things," Hannah chuckled, the two of us on a familiar wavelength, "People love drama, and even if they don't fully believe the rumors, they can at least say they were there, and once it blows over, they'll cim to have always known it was fake."

  "Ha!" I couldn't help but ugh at that, because it was the truth, "It seems we agree then, but honestly, what's our pn?"

  "I've already contacted a few of my friends," Hannah informed me, "The Ptinum Lotus aren't the only ones with contacts. They'll help counter some of the rumors, and even ferret a few of the bastards out, but..."

  "It's not enough, is it?" I asked the dreaded question.

  "No," she shook her head sadly, "Without actual proof, we won't be able to really review who was behind this. They can just deny it as hearsay."

  "Can't we do the same?" I had to wonder.

  "The seeds have already been pnted," Hannah expined, sighing softly, "So, unfortunately, even if we do, the public will be looking at everyone with higher scrutiny. It'll make it hard for us to move."

  "...It's already hard for us to move," I half-joked, as we had barely moved an entire block in all of this time.

  Elizabeth smiled amusingly, with Hannah and Maya just shaking their heads in amused synchronicity. It was then that I made a realization about something.

  "Shit," I muttered vehemently, "They wouldn't..."

  "Love?" Elizabeth inquired, only to quickly realize what I had thought of as I pulled my phone from my pocket, "I've had eyes on them, so they should be safe."

  "I know, but..." I began dialing the number, holding the phone to my ear, "I just have to make sure."

  She nodded, pcing a gentle, comforting hand upon my shoulder. As the phone rang, my heart was beating wildly. If the Ptinum Lotus were as fucked as I was led to believe, then they would have no problem going after my parents. I held my breath until, from over the phone, I heard my mother answer.

  "Lucas?" her voice was reassuring, yet I could hear the worry in it, "Are you okay? I've heard about what's going on. Where are you?"

  "Right now?" I asked, gncing out of the window again, "Somewhere downtown. The mobs won't let us move much."

  "Tch, honestly, people have no sense," she chided, which soothed my heart as it told me she was doing just fine, but I had to make sure.

  "What about you?" I asked, "Are you and dad okay? They haven't bothered you at all, have they?"

  "Oh, we're just fine," she answered, "Though, there were a few reporters that came by asking about you, and a few curious bystanders, but...some nice fellows helped shoo them away."

  "Nice fellows?" I wondered, gncing over at Elizabeth curiously, moving the phone away from my mouth to ask her a question, "Who did you have watching them?"

  Elizabeth's smile was devious, yet comforting. Something in the way she appeared looked like she was positively glowing with pride.

  "Someone who owed me a favor," she stated with a shrug, "Dmitriy, and I also sent Richard."

  "Wait, Dimitry, as in The Mammoth?" I was taken aback to say the least, but if it was him, then my parents were more than fine as I put the phone back to my mouth, "Mom, you still there?"

  "Yes, I am," she responded as I heard shuffling in the background, "Would you like another one?"

  "Can I?" a man with a slight accent spoke from somewhere near my mother, "Thank you."

  "Don't mention it," my mother replied, and I could just hear the smile in her voice, "It's always nice to have guests, and you're a friend of my son, aren't you?"

  "Ah, well..." there was a slight shuffling as if they were nervous, "I'm more acquainted with Hades...ahem, I mean Miss Falcrest, but maybe one day I might meet him."

  "Oh, is that so?" my mother entered into her typical gossip mode, "I'd love to know more about that, just give me a moment, will you?"

  "Mother?" I cautioned, "Don't be too hard on them. If Ellie trusts them, then so do I."

  "Yes, yes," she dismissed pyfully, "I'll behave. After all, they did help us, and I like having the company. Of course, they tried to refuse, but that wouldn't do."

  "Haha, no, it wouldn't," I ughed, knowing full well how hard it was to refuse my mother's hospitality, "Tell Richard I say hi at least."

  "The older one?" my mother inquired and I gave an affirmative grunt, "Will do, but Lucas..."

  The mood shifted, becoming a little more serious and somber.

  "Maya, that girl..." she was practically whispering, "Keep an eye on her, yeah?"

  "What do you mean?" as I asked this, I gnced over at Maya to see that she was currently looking out of the window at the gathered crowds, "Is everything okay?"

  "Yes, everything is fine," she answered, but sounded a little hesitant, "Perhaps I'm being a little nosy, or maybe a mother's instincts, but...I've seen kids like her before. They'll burn themselves out if they're not careful."

  "...I know," I replied softly, "Don't worry. I won't let that happen."

  "You're a good kid," she praised, "I heard about the rumors with you two, and whether it's true or not, you seem like good friends. She'll need that."

  News really did spread fast, and I was sure that Denny was keeping them appraised of the situation. Regardless of how distant Denny tried to be, she cared about my parents just about as much as I did. Out of all the kids we had fostered, she was the closest to being my sister than anyone else.

  "Yeah, we are," I spoke earnestly, pausing for a moment before making a decision, "Mom, what would you say if we were."

  I enunciated the word, trying to be as vague as possible because the person in question was in the car with me, but thankfully, she appeared to be slightly distracted. However, Elizabeth and Hannah were well aware of what I was asking my mother, both seeming quite amused.

  "Well, honey," my mother took a moment, and I could almost envision her standing with one hand on her hip with a smile on her face as she rexed against the wall, "It's your life. As long as you treat them well, and you've discussed this with Elizabeth, then...who am I to say?"

  "I knew you'd understand," I smiled into the phone, "Thanks, Mom. I really do appreciate it. Anyways, I should probably go. Tell Dad I love him, and not to eat everything before Richard and Dimitry get some."

  "Oh, he won't," there was a threat in her assurance, and my heart went out to my father, "Take care. I love you."

  "I love you, too," I ended the conversation as the phone hung up.

  I was quite relieved to know that my parents were safe, but now came the hard part. "What do we do?" I didn't have an answer. I knew that the Ptinum Lotus was pnning something more, but I couldn't see what that was. Were they just going to cause as much chaos as possible, or...

  My phone dinged a moment ter from a text. Everyone looked over curious as I checked it. My heart immediately sunk as I saw the name, and the contents of the message.

  >From: Denny

  >Message: Hey, Bro. We need to talk.

  Now, usually, I would be happy to hear from Denny, but with current circumstances, I only had a sinking feeling as I replied.

  >To: Denny

  >Message: About what?

  >From: Denny

  >Message: Orchid.

  My fingers froze over the screen of my phone, mind racing a thousand miles an hour. "Orchid? What does Denny know about that?" I could only come to one conclusion, and I didn't like the thought of it. Clenching my jaw, I replied simply.

  >To: Denny

  >Message: What have you done?

  >From: Denny

  >Message: Juniper's. Tomorrow. Noon. Come alone.

  I could only stare bnkly at the screen with an empty feeling in my chest. Closing my eyes, I leaned back against the seat of the couch as I closed my phone and pced it in my p.

  "Lucas?" Elizabeth asked with concern, feeling her hand rest upon my shoulder, "What's wrong? Are your parents okay?"

  "They're fine," I replied quietly, "Thanks to you, anyways. Though, I thought Zero Squad was busy with dungeons and stuff?"

  "They were," she confirmed, "However, they're not Zero Squad for nothing. I've had them doing several things. Including looking into our problems."

  "I see..." I let myself smile slightly, grateful that at least something was being done.

  "My love..." Elizabeth coaxed, wrapping her arms around mine as she leaned against me, "That's not what's bothering you, is it?"

  "No," I shook my head with a sigh, opening my eyes to stare bnkly up at the roof of the car, "I think I know how they've tracked us."

  "Oh?" Elizabeth's curiosity was spiked, and I felt all eyes on me in that moment.

  "Yeah," I felt the weight of realization hit me like a truck, all energy leaving my body as I hoped that I was wrong, "I think Denny sold us out."

  -----

  (Lucas's POV, the next day)

  Denny. The closest I've ever come to having a sibling. The only reason she hadn't been adopted was because she knew that if she did, then my parents would be relentless in spoiling her. They already did even without being official, so you could imagine how it would be if it was.

  This was who Denny was. Someone who cared for those who meant a lot to her. She hadn't gotten adopted because she knew that it would be detrimental to the wellbeing of our parents. Of course, she did consider herself a part of the family, and to be honest...we did as well. So, official or not, she was family, but as family often did...they grew a little overprotective.

  "Denny..." I called her name softly, a little guarded as I approached the table on the terrace of Juniper's third story, "You really had to choose this table, didn't you?"

  Looking up at me was a young woman with fair, freckled skin and dark hair cut short with an undercut. Electric blue eyes softened as she saw me, and her lips curled into a soft smile. She wore casual, alt-styled clothing and a dark backpack sat at her feet against her chair. I looked around to see if there was anyone else here, and besides a few other customers inside of the store, it was just the two of us on the terrace.

  "You always liked the view," the woman, Denny, replied, though just as she looked at me, her gaze also seemed to go past me, "If you want, we can move elsewhere, though I've already ordered us something."

  Juniper's. An all-purpose store with a restaurant on the third floor. Of course, I say restaurant loosely. It was more of a cafe mixed with a diner than anything.

  We used to come here a lot with Mom and Dad when we lived with them. It was where we did most our shopping. The first floor held groceries and the second floor was everything else. Clothing, electronics, bed and bath, and almost anything you might find at your typical retailer. It was a convenient store for those who couldn't afford the more specialized pces.

  I understood a little of why Denny chose this pce to meet. It was honestly the only pce the both of us knew. So, it was convenient. This particur table was where we would sit together, Denny and Mom on one side, and my Father and me on the other. Of course, I always sat furthest from the railing.

  "I do like the view," I admitted, gncing out at the scene in question.

  It was a just on the edge of a residential and business district, with a park just across the street. It was a beautiful park with a rge pond that glistened in the light of the noonday sun. There were some trees blossoming with flowers, giving vibrancy among the sea of green.

  "Still doesn't mean I like heights," I sighed, looking away from the view as I sat down opposite of her, "So, what'd you order?"

  "Your usual," she answered simply, eyes darting around briefly before focusing back on me, "If that was okay?"

  I couldn't deny that I felt a little...awkward. I sensed the same was true for her. The way we spoke to each other was definitely familiar, yet also...hesitant. She had called me here for a reason, and we hadn't seen each other in a long time. It was obvious that she was trying to make me feel comfortable, but...I knew that wasn't the question she wanted to ask, yet I answered regardless.

  "Yeah, that's fine," I nodded, "So, how have you been?"

  "Good, good," she gave a small smile, shifting in her seat, "Speaking of good, you look nice. Those clothes suit you."

  I looked down at what I was wearing, having not thought much of it before. Ever since I started living with Ellie and Maya, they've always taken care of the clothing I wore. Most of it was custom made with enchantments to protect me. Today I wore luxury sweatpants that appeared almost like scks and a white colred shirt underneath a dark blue vest with a tie.

  Elizabeth had picked it out. The material was always comfortable and breathable, and she quite enjoyed helping me put on the tie. I could still smell the slight aroma of her perfume as she stood close to me this morning.

  "Thanks," I gave an appreciative nod, "So, how's life?"

  "Just been working," she said noncommittally, obviously distracted, "A little busy, but-"

  "Denny," I interrupted quietly, trying to be as gentle as I could, "You've been nervous since I said hello. What's up?"

  She shifted again, taking a deep breath. Just why was she so nervous? The implications were unnerving and made my blood run cold, but I would withhold judgement until I knew more.

  "...Did you come alone?" she spoke so quietly that it might as well have been a whisper, but I heard her nonetheless.

  I took a chance and gnced down at the road and people walking by. I wasn't alone, not really. I was never alone, but I couldn't tell her that. However, I knew what, or rather who, she meant.

  "Ellie and Maya aren't here, if that's what you mean," I answered, looking away from the ground before the vertigo truly kicked in.

  "First name basis, huh?" she teased, but I could tell she was forcing herself to joke, "You're moving up in the world."

  "Why wouldn't I use their names?" I countered, feeling a little annoyed, but I knew that where she was coming from wasn't a bad pce.

  "I..." she began, but cut herself off as she looked slight troubled, "I mean, of course. Sorry."

  "Don't be," I let out a small sigh, calming myself a bit, "I am moving up in the world, thanks to Ellie, but I know that's not why you called me here, Denny. So-"

  I stopped speaking as a young man wearing the uniform of Juniper's, bck and green, came with a tray of food. Two shakes, one mint chocote chip and the other strawberry. There were also two ptes of alfredo, but instead of the traditional fettuccine, it used penne noodles instead.

  "Thanks," I nodded to the man, who gave a small nod back before heading off, "I see your order hasn't changed either."

  "No," she chuckled, shaking her head, "We both like the alfredo, though our drinks are different."

  I took a moment to enjoy this, taking a nice sip from the milkshake before enjoying a fork full of pasta. It was just as good as I remembered it. Rather mediocre, being honest. I mean, what else could you expect from a retailer's food? It did hold a special pce in my heart. A comfort food of sorts, and so it was incredibly delicious.

  "Alright, Denny," I cleared my throat and took another drink of my shake, "Out with it. What's going on?"

  She took a deep breath, pushing against the table as she stretched back, her chair leaning slightly off the ground as she did. I could tell that what she wanted to say was a little bit hard for her to approach. She was much like me, trying to figure out the best way to say something, but sometimes the only way to get to it was the just do it, much like ripping a bandaid off.

  "Damn it..." she grumbled, letting her chair fall back down, eyes no serious, "Lucas, you know I love you right? As brother, of course."

  "Yeah, duh," I responded with a slight scoff, "Be weird if it was anything else."

  "Heh, yeah it would," she smiled, rexing slightly, "As someone who loves you, I just...I'm worried about you."

  "Why?" I furrowed my brow slightly, "I'm safe, trust me."

  "Are you, though?" she sat a bit straighter, leaning a bit closer, "Do you know the type of people you're around?"

  I narrowed my eyes at her, not in anger, but more of a curious apprehension. I was beginning to piece together why she had called me here, but I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

  "Of course I do," I told her quietly, solemnly looking into my half-drunk shake, "Why?"

  I gnced up at Denny who balked slightly at my answer.

  "Damn it, Denny," I sighed, shaking my head and setting my drink down as I leaned back staring at her intently, "What's got you so on edge? You know you can talk to me about anything."

  "...I know, I just..." she looked away for a moment to center herself before meeting my gaze seriously, "Maya. That woman. What do you know about her?"

  I figured that this was what everything about. After all, she had sent that one word. Orchid. I could feel my heart sink immediately. A cold feeling that sunk deep into the pit of my stomach. I really didn't want to believe that Denny was a part of this, but...

  "No," I shook my head, a cool expression on my face, "Let's start with what you know, Denny. I love you, but I'm pretty sure you know nothing."

  "Lucas!" she excimed defiantly, taken aback by my words, "I'm just worried about you! She's a killer! Do you know how many people she's killed? What if she-"

  I held up my hand, surprising her and cutting her off. Her face was full of concerned desperation. I knew she cared about me, but what she was saying...

  "Who said she was a killer?" I asked calmly, "I know your skills are good, but-"

  "They're more than good, Lucas," she corrected, looking a little guilty as she let out a heavy sigh, "The people I work for...they had me dig into some stuff, and what I found was-"

  "The people you work for?" I inquired, "You know, I never did ask who that was. Mind telling me now?"

  "Urk! I...listen, I can't..." she began to look even more nervous than before, gncing around furtively before closing her eyes to calm herself, and when she opened them again, she looked with determination upon me, "Lucas. You came alone, right?"

  "Five," I told her, locking eyes with her.

  "W-What?" she looked confused, blinking a few times, "You came with...five people?"

  "No," I shook my head and gave a small smile, "Maya, from what I know, has killed five people. Probably more, but I know of five."

  Denny's face grew pale with an expression of horror.

  "How can you...be so calm?" she finally asked, "Maya is a killer. An Assassin who hides behind the moniker Orchid. She's a Pyer, Lucas. She's been deceiving every-"

  "No," I repeated, still smiling softly, "I know all of that, but she isn't deceiving anyone. The five people she killed were trying to kill me."

  Denny's face dropped, almost in disbelief, but more...shocked concern.

  "You...almost died?" she went to reach across the table for me, but hesitated and withdrew, "I didn't know that..."

  "There's a lot you don't know, Denny," I felt movement under my clothing...that of agitation and mentally commanded, "Rex."

  Immediately, I felt the agitation settle for a moment, but still felt the strange sensation like moving liquid under my skin. It was almost like a pulse. Several of them.

  "Maya saved my life, and...she means a lot to me," I never took my eyes off of her, "I'd love to tell you more, but there's an organization that's trying to ruin our lives right now. So I really don't have much time."

  Denny was quiet as I spoke, almost eerily so. Her eyes shifted to the left, as if listening to something but quickly shifted back.

  "I just need to confirm something, Denny..." I dreaded this question, but we'd get nowhere continuing to beat around the bush, "Will you answer me honestly? As someone who loves me, and who I love in return. As family?"

  "Yeah," she didn't hesitate to answer, her expression softening, "Ask your questions."

  "Have you been tracking us?" I asked, and she nodded, "I thought so...how?"

  "Well, I'm..." Denny looked conflicted for a moment before her eyes grew clear, "About two years ago, I awakened as a Pyer. Recon. Intelligence. My hacking skills have improved quite a lot. I...never registered."

  Somehow, this didn't surprise me. Denny had always been rather special. Her skills with technology went beyond my comprehension, and her being chosen as a Pyer made sense. What didn't was that she never registered.

  "Oh, Denny..." I shook my head somberly, "What have you been up to?"

  "...Apparently nothing good," she admitted, for the first time appearing genuine since I got here, "Lucas, I work for some bad people. They-"

  "The Ptinum Lotus," I said the name without fear, but Denny's eyes...there was a true fear there.

  "You...know about them?" she asked softly, fear tinging her voice, "That's dangerous knowledge."

  "Yeah, so I've been told," I watched her closely, giving her a small smile, "But I'm not afraid."

  "You should be," she was quite serious about this, "Lucas, you're wrapped up in something that I don't know if I can protect you from."

  "I knew it..." I thought to myself, feeling all of the tension in my body loosen.

  "You know..." I smiled fondly, "You really are family, Denny, but in this...I don't need protection."

  I felt the squirming beneath my clothes. A warning. Once again, Denny's eyes flicked to the left, but this time widened.

  "W-Wait, this wasn't...!" Denny began, but it was already too te.

  Three individuals appeared as if from nowhere. They each wore immacute dark suits, all with serious expressions on their faces.

  "He knows too much," one of them stated, a man with short cut dark hair, "Don't worry. We're not here to kill you. Capture him."

  The other two, a woman with tightly tied back brown hair, and another man with short cut blonde hair leapt towards me. The squirming under my clothing grew anxious, and with a single thought...they came to live.

  "Subdue them."

  Tentacles leapt from beneath my clothing, shing onto them.

  "W-What the hell?" one of them excimed, struggling to free themselves, "I thought he wasn't a Pyer!"

  "I'm not," I replied, staring coldly at them, "I just lied when I said I was alone. Luria. Nima. Release."

  The keyword was said and from beneath my clothing came the Krakens, Luria and Nima. Thanks to our bond, they had been able to hide underneath, though there was one still lurking. Azure. He was impatient, but I had to keep some of my cards hidden.

  "I can't get free!" the other excimed as Luria wrapped them tightly in their tentacle, "Kill this thing, will you!"

  By now, the entire third floor was in chaos. Patrons were running for their lives, while others dropped their disguises and leapt to the defense of those who attacked me. All the while, Denny was looking on in horror.

  "This wasn't the deal!" she screamed at the first man who gave the order to capture me, "I was only to distract him and you said you'd leave him alone!"

  "Things have changed," the man replied coolly, "He knows about them. We can't risk it leaking, and we can use him to lure them out."

  "So, you want to use me as bait?" I asked, clicking my tongue, "That's a mistake, you know."

  The man looked at me curiously.

  "We'll see," he stated, gncing over at Luria and Nima who now had several people wrapped in their tentacles, all helpless like children against them, "How troublesome."

  "You haven't seen the half of it," I replied with a smirk, "The Ptinum Lotus will fall. I guarantee it."

  The man's eyes hardened, narrowing in on me.

  "Is that so?" he asked with slight irritation, "They are the rulers of this world. The rightful-"

  "Gods, you are arrogant, aren't you?" I interrupted with a scoff, "Rulers of the world? Please. They hide in the shadows because they're afraid to be seen. They have no real power."

  This annoyed the man as his eye twitched, full irritation on his face now.

  "How dare you," he said through gritted teeth, "The great families of this world are-"

  "Cowards," I finished his sentence for him, "They hide and use pathetic tactics to get what they want. They don't care about colteral damage, or-"

  The fsh of a bde pressed against Denny's throat as the man grabbed her. My words went silent as I gred daggers at him.

  "Ah, so this got your attention," he sneered, "Yes, sometimes you have to py dirty. That's why we will sully our hands so that they do not have to."

  "Their hands are already sullied," I responded, continuing to gre at him, "Let her go."

  "Or what?" he asked, pressing the bde closer against her neck, "Order your creatures to back down, or I'll slit her throat before you can blink."

  "...These were the people you worked for?" I asked Denny, half-joking because I knew she'd never willingly work for them.

  "They paid well," she shrugged, looking a little nervous, but I saw in her eyes that familiar defiance, "Not well enough, though. This wasn't the deal."

  She held her hand open, palm facing her bag as her eyes glowed.

  "[Transform]," she uttered, activating a skill that caused the inside of her backpack to sizzle with teal-electricity.

  From within the bag erupted what looked like a staff made of nano-tech. It came to life like liquid metal, solidifying into silver with glowing teal lines. It smashed into the man's chin, knocking him back and away from her.

  "Lucas, run!" she ordered, but I wasn't going anywhere.

  "...How unsightly," the man recovered quickly, rubbing his chin and straightening his suit, "Very well. You know what this means, Ms. Avington."

  I tilted my head curiously.

  "Avington?" I asked Denny, giving her a wry, cat-like amused look, "When did you change your name?"

  Denny blushed, looking away in defiant bashfulness.

  "N-Now's not the time for that," she cleared her throat, trying to compose herself.

  "You're quite right," the man spoke he suddenly unched himself at Denny.

  She blocked the blow with her staff, grabbing it to intercept. The blow sent a wave of force that rippled my clothing and slightly cracked the floor under Denny. I had to anchor myself, not expecting such an impact. "Just how strong is he?" I had to wonder, seeing that Denny was actively struggling. It was obvious she wasn't geared towards combat.

  "Denny, are you okay!?" I called out.

  "Y-Yeah, but..." she was struggling to speak, "I won't be able to hold them for long."

  "Just hold on a little more!" I pleaded, looking towards Luria and Nima to see that they were now being overwhelmed, "When did more arrive...?"

  There were now at least twice as many as there were before. The third floor was getting crowded now.

  "Luria! Nima! Get them out of the building!" I ordered, with both of them acknowledging the order, flinging themselves and the attackers off of the third story.

  As they flung themselves off, several who hadn't been wrapped up went to run after them, only to stop as the one in charge spoke up.

  "Enough!" he roared, knocking Denny's staff out of the way and kicking her back, "Ignore them! Capture the target!"

  Those who remained stopped, turning their attention towards us. We were surrounded, and with Luria and Nima down below subduing the rest, I knew that things were going south fast.

  "I'm sorry, Ellie...Maya," I closed my eyes, knowing that I'd pay for it ter, but...that wouldn't be so bad.

  Denny was kneeling down, struggling to stand from that kick. Slowly, the man was approaching them. At the same time, those who remained surrounded and restrained me. I could feel the angry squirming, ready to pounce from beneath my clothing.

  "No," I ordered, hearing a whimper.

  "Danger!" Azure's voice replied.

  "Yes, but not for me," I answered, "Protect Denny."

  "No! Azure protect Lucas!" they answered adamantly.

  "Not this time," I told them.

  "You've overstepped, Ms. Avington," he stated coldly, brandishing his bde, "I'm sorry to say, but there is no severance pay."

  She gred at him, watching and waiting for him to approach. Just a few steps from being within about five feet of her, he stopped and tilted his head with a smirk.

  "Do you think I'm naive?" he asked, swinging his bde out into what I thought was nothing but air.

  Instead, there was an electrical glitch as a shimmering veil disappeared over a drone. An invisible blue net before him buzzed into life before sputtering and breaking apart. Denny clicked her tongue, breathing heavily.

  "I know your tricks, Ms. Avington," he said with jeeringly, "They won't work on me. We've been keeping an eye on you. We knew you were close to the target, but to think you'd be so foolish as to oppose us."

  "You said you wouldn't touch him," she practically growled, "Why should I keep my end of the deal if you won't?"

  "Things have...changed," he adjusted the cuffs of his suit, looking down at her with contempt, "He'll be more useful as a hostage."

  "Go to hell," Denny spat, literally spitting blood infused saliva onto his shoe.

  "You...!" his eyes fred angrily, "Uncultured...uncivilized...trash!"

  He went to raise his weapon to strike, only...I wasn't about to sit still.

  "Azure," I called inwardly, "Please...Protect Denny."

  I could feel them struggling for a brief moment before, like a shooting star, shot from beneath my sleeve. A comet of violet and blue collided with the man's weapon, knocking it away. Forming from a nebus mist was Azure, poised before Denny and growling angrily.

  "W-What...!?" he excimed as he gred at Azure, "This little...! I'll kill-"

  "No!" I shouted, pushing against those who held me down, "You want me, don't you?"

  The man gnced back at me coolly.

  "Leave them alone," I told him, "You want me, you got me. Let them go."

  "Lucas! Friend! Master!" Azure's voice called in my head with worry.

  "Stay," I ordered, causing them to whimper slightly.

  "Lucas, what are you doing?" Denny asked with fear and concern, "Don't be a fool."

  "Heh, I always am," I chuckled, "Just stay put, Denny. Everything will be fine."

  The man reached out his hand, his weapon flying back into it. Turning, they gnced at Azure and Denny before walking past them back to me. Looking down upon me with that arrogant superiority, he smirked.

  "That's the first smart decision you've made," they mocked, motioning to the others, "Let's go before they get here."

  "Scared?" I taunted, "You should be."

  This earned me an annoyed gnced before they looked out over the horizon, narrowing their eyes. Reaching into their inventory, they grabbed from it what looked like a crystal of some kind.

  "We don't have much time," he mumbled and crushed the gem in his hand.

  Immediately, the floor beneath us was encompassed by a runic circle as blue light filled the area. However, my eyes were only on Denny and Azure.

  "Sorry for dragging you into this," I told her with a smile, "We really should keep in touch more."

  Before she could reply, or I could say anything else, the world vanished before me, and I was far from where I had been. Yet, I knew that no matter where I was...they would find me.

  -----

  Nikushimi