*In the house of Andrade and Zelina, Zelina went out with Jade to the clothing store while Dust was nowhere to be seen. Alita was looking at the family portraits in the hallway of the house she saw coming in and examining them*
(Andrade): Ah~, there you are young one. Might I inquire where your dark elf friend went?
(Alita): He went to report to the others on the current situation.
(Andrade): And you didn’t go with him?
(Alita): He asks that I stay behind to watch you. While the chances are low it’s too dangerous to leave you alone.
(Andrade): You really think they would attack me? I’ve known Silas for years, I doubt he would attack his own friend. But then again he has changed quite a lot in the years. Such is the way of life. People grow old and they change.
*Andrade notices Alita looking at the picture of his family*
(Andrade): Interested in my family portrait are you?
(Alita): I was quite curious where your children were? Are they not here at the moment?
(Andrade): They moved out quite a few years ago. My oldest son is currently an archeologist. Meanwhile, my daughter left and joined a traveling theatre group. As for my youngest son, he got married to his childhood sweetheart. The two run their own little dojo here in the city and will be having their firstborn child not too long from now. By the Gods, I feel old. I’m both excited and worried for that child’s future.
(Alita): Are you afraid of the world they are about to be brought into?
(Andrade): Yes. The child hasn’t even born yet and I want to apologize to them. A world full of prejudice is no place for a child to grow up in.
(Alita): I believe you’ve accomplished great achievements throughout your life.
(Andrade): But not great enough. Outside of these walls demihumans are looked down upon and mistreated by the other races and Blood Moon that was founded as a symbol of hope and prosperity has now become a source of fear and violence.
(Alita): Do you regret stepping down from your position?
(Andrade): I. . .am not sure. If I had known Blood Moon would devolve into this I never would have handed control over to Silas, but at the same time I can’t deny that his way has produced more results at a better rate than my way.
(Alita): True. But the means don’t justify the ends. While I admit your way was slower it was built on a strong foundation. Something that you could hold your head up high. Personally, I think you should become their leader once again and push them in the right direction.
(Andrade): Your opinion of me is very high young one. Sadly, I doubt anyone has the patience for my way.
(Alita): Then that is when we endure. We keep fighting for a brighter tomorrow. To become the change that the world needs. To create a better future for those who will be born so that they never have to go through what we go through. It’s often said that it’s darkest before the storm, but once you pass through it a brilliant sight awaits.
*Andrade smiles happily, bends down and pats Alita on the head*
(Andrade): You truly are wise for such a young one. Your body may be made of metal but you carry the heart of a demihuman.
*Alita smiled proudly as Andrade heads toward the stairs until she realized what Andrade just said*
(Alita): Wait! How did you-
(Andrade): One should never underestimate the senses of a wolf, young one.
*Andrade rubbed his nose with his index finger as he began climbing the stairs to his room to get ready for tonight*
***
*In the outskirts of Carnivale, Dust had returned to the RV to inform the others on what was going on*
(Dust): So that’s the situation we’re in.
(Ryuuji): He’s quite brazen to invite you to a party like that. You weren’t seen heading here were you?
(Dust): Don’t worry, I made sure I gave them the slip before coming here.
(Morgan): We should probably contact the others for backup.
(Jin): You really think this Stampede thing is real?
(Morgan): If it was written in text there must be some truth to it. Not to mention this man caused a blackout in an entire kingdom just to get that blade. You really think it’s wise to not take this legend seriously? Now, about Jade’s plus one, it seems like our only option is you, Dust.
(Dust): Yeah, it looks that way. Stuck in a room full of people ready to kill me at the drop of a hat. Ahh~ you never forget your 21st birthday.
(Jin): The more I learn about you the more fascinating and scarier you become.
(Dust): I’m glad you feel that way, rookie. Now it might be best to move the RV back to a safer location. If they found us in the city then there’s a good chance they’ll find you out here.
(Ryuuji): Alright. I don’t like the idea of leaving you guys in such a dangerous situation, but I have faith that you’ll be fine on your own. We’ll start packing.
*As Ryuuji, Morgan, and Jin get ready to gather everything and move the RV to a safer location, Dust stops Jin*
(Dust): Hold up rookie, want to have a few words with you.
*Dust drags Jin off to a secluded area so that they can talk in private*
(Dust): You doing alright out here?
(Jin): Yeah, of course.
(Dust): Really? Because by the looks of it your mind still seems to be elsewhere. How long are you going to keep moping around about your losses?
(Jin): I know! But it’s just not that easy. I’m better and yet I keep feeling this gap growing between me and everyone else. Especially Gael. What does he have that I’m lacking that gives him the edge in fights?
*As Jin wondered this he was punched to the side of his face by Dust and fell to the ground*
(Jin): Hey!
(Dust): If you have to ask that question then this trip was a bust. I’m starting to think it was a mistake letting you become a knight.
(Jin): What did you say?
(Dust): I said it was a mistake letting you become a knight. I mean, can’t win fights and can’t learn the simplest of lessons. Why are you even here? It’s like your whole family is full of nothing but failures. How could a mother produce such a pathetic offspring?
*Upon hearing that Jin leaped to his feet and punched Dust across the face which made him fall to the ground*
(Jin): You can say what you want about me, but don’t you ever insult my family. They were knights you could never dream of being.
(Dust): Oh yeah, like I care about becoming some holy knight from fairytales. Those are the knights I hate the most. Just like your damn grandpa.
*With anger in his eyes, Jin tried to punch Dust again only this time Dust caught the punch with his right hand and kicked Jin in the stomach area to push him back*
(Dust): First shot is free. Second shot is when I start charging.
*Dust approached Jin slowly only to jump back when Jin tried to slash him with a blade from his wrist*
(Jin): I’ve been thinking this for a while but you really are a pain in the ass and I really wish someone would wipe that smirk off your face.
(Dust): Oh, I suppose you’re going to do it?
(Jin): It couldn’t hurt to try.
(Dust): Well you’re a daisy if you do.
*Dust openly invites Jin to attack him and he accepts. Jin charges at Dust with his blade. Dust avoids Jin’s first attack by stepping to the right and attempts to trip Jin but he quickly regains his footing. He quickly turns around in time to block a punch from Dust but wasn’t quick enough to block a knee to the stomach followed by a chop to the back of the neck which makes him to fall to the ground. Dust would follow up the chop with repeated kicks to his side until Jin managed to block one with his arm and fired off his wrist gun which shot a green mist towards Dust’s face which temporarily blinded him. Jin rose back to his feet as Dust was busy trying to wipe the mist from his eyes and regain his sight. Jin took advantage of this and quickly punched Dust in the nose just as he was regaining his sight back. Jin’s punch staggered Dust who fell back a few steps and he even got a nosebleed from the punch. As Dust felt the blood leaking from his nose and his face covered in green mist he gained a serious look on his face.
(Jin): So what were you saying about me being a daisy?
*Dust smirks and licks the blood dripping from his nose*
(Jin): Well that’s just nasty.
(Dust): Not bad rookie. Look likes you can do it when you put your mind to it.
*Jin lowered his fist as he quickly figured out what was going on*
(Jin): Wait, was all that just an act? Why would you do that?
(Dust): I figured a little provoking would get your blood moving. Sometimes you need a good ass-kicking to help clear your mind for the motivational words.
*Jin stood there stunned before getting angry*
(Jin): Is my situation that much of a joke to you? I’m really struggling here.
(Dust): You really are a high-maintenance knight with self-esteem issues. Seriously, where does that lack of confidence come from?
*Dust spits out the blood he licked up*
(Dust): Do you want to know the edge that Gael has over here? What everyone has over you for that matter, confidence. When you fought against Brodie and that Eclipse in the sewers what was going through your mind? A strategy to win or a strategy to survive? For Gael, the only thing on his mind was beating the opponent in front of him. It didn’t matter if he broke every bone in his body or he lost his limb, he went into those fights determined to win no matter what. You on the other hand only cared about surviving. It’s much different than your first mission. Back then you were prepared to give your life to protect those merfolk without a second thought. That’s the mindset you need to have in this line of work. Being a knight means putting your life on the line every day and struggling to survive so that you can see tomorrow. Stop thinking about surviving and start thinking about winning. If you take anything from this scuffle then take that. Now stop second-guessing yourself and have confidence in your skills. You’re a member of Shadow Eye, we don’t just let anyone join us. If you’re here, it’s because you have the abilities to back it up.
*Dust starts to walk away back to Carnivale leaving Jin alone to ponder and take in everything Dust just said to him. For the first time ever he felt like the weight was lifting off him and the dark clouds that were hanging over him were beginning to part*
(Jin): Wait, why did he want me to be a daisy if I punched him?
*Jin thought about this but didn’t have much time to think as Ryuuji called him back to the RV. Jin ran back to the RV where they were all set to take off*
(Jin): Sorry I couldn’t help. Dust kept me longer than expected.
(Ryuuji): What did you guys talk about?
(Jin): Nothing too serious. Just gave me some good words and a quick sparring session. Hey, I don’t suppose you know what being a daisy is to an elf?
(Ryuuji): Oh that? It’s an old saying among the elves. It means you’re the best if you can do it.
*Ryuuji and Jin entered the RV. Ryuuji drove the car while Morgan used the radio to contact Brister. As they drove off, they failed to notice that they being watched from afar by demihumans standing on top of a rock pillar. One of the demihumans was Muta and standing beside him were two others. The first was a female coyote demihuman with short grey hair and red eyes wearing a purple vest over a white tank top, brown shorts and sandals. The second one was a tall armadillo male demihuman who was bulky with purple eyes and sandy brown spike hair. He wore a red tank top and blue jeans with blue sandals*
(Muta): We shall follow and attack tonight. Leave the boy to me. You’re free to do whatever you want with the other two, but the young knight belongs to me.
***
*Back in Brister in the office of Morrison, he had just received Morgan’s message on the situation down in Carnivale and the request for backup. In his office were Rika, Amarti, and Zia who also listened to the message*
(Zia): It would appear there’s more happening in Carnivale than we originally thought.
(Morrison): Indeed. You guys should head down there immediately. If this Stampede really is true then the situation is a lot more dire than we anticipated.
(Amarti): Understood.
*Amarti and Zia get up to round up the others and head out*
(Zia): Master, what will be our means of transportation?
(Amarti): Driving there would take us about two and a half days. However, flying would get us there in no time. We’ll need to make a request to the Blue Dragons to borrow one of their ships and pilots.
***
*Returning to Carnivale, nighttime had set in and everyone was gathering outside of a three-story building awaiting entry into the party of Blood Moon. At the entrance were multiple demihumans dressed in fancy suits and dresses. They all had their invitations ready to show the bouncer who would allow them entrance. Walking up to the entrance were Dust, Jade, Andrade and Zelina. Dust was wearing a rental black suit with a white shirt and green tie. Jade was wearing a long strapless green dress with a golden necklace. Zelina wore a light blue dress while Andrade wore a white blue-striped suit with no tie. A lot of male eyes were on Jade as she walked to the front door with Dust by her side*
(Dust): You seem to have a few admirers.
(Jade): It’s the dress. I normally don’t wear such fancy clothes but when I do I turn heads. It’s my sexy gap factor. Try not to fall for me, you bad boy.
(Dust): I’m sure that won’t be a factor.
*Andrade and Zelina presented their invite to the bouncer who let them in. When it was time for Jade to present her invitation she pulled it from her cleavage and presented it to the bouncer with a wink. The bouncer slightly blushed and allowed Jade to enter who was putting extra sway in her hips as she entered*
(Dust): Nevermind, this might be a factor after all.
*As Dust was about to enter he was stopped by the bouncer staring down at him. Upon closer inspection Dust could see that the bouncer was a kangaroo demihuman with a muscular physique, dark skin, black eyes and a black low-cut haircut. He wore the standard black t-shirt and black pants all bouncers wear*
(Dust): Uh, I’m with her.
(Bouncer): Sorry. But this is a demihuman affair only. Boss’s orders.
(Dust): Look buddy, I spent a fair amount of money on this suit. So I’m getting in there to dance with my lady friend the easy way or the physical way. You decide how this goes down.
*Dust and the bouncer had a stare down with both of them waiting for the other to make a move*
(Jade): Dust, it’s fine. Why don’t you hangout with Alita tonight? I’m sure she could use some company.
(Dust): . . .fine. I will remember your face.
*Dust stares at the bouncer one more time before walking away and leaving. Back in the building, Jade caught up to Andrade and Zelina up some stairs*
(Andrade): There you are. Where’s Dust?
(Jade): They wouldn’t let him in. Apparently, he only wants demihumans at this party.
(Andrade): Oh dear. It appears we’re already off to a bad start.
(Jade): Don’t worry. Dust is a very resourceful guy. He’ll find a way in.
***
*Outside of the building, Alita was perched on a rooftop examining the building when she was joined by Dust still in his suit*
(Dust): Lovely view, isn’t it?
(Alita): Yes, quite lovely. I take it they wouldn’t let you in.
(Dust): That obvious? Don’t suppose you know of a few ways to sneak in?
(Alita): I have 37 ways to sneak in. Which one would be ideal for you?
(Dust): Let’s go with the one that doesn’t garner the most attention.
***
*Back in the building, Jade was holding a glass of champagne and mingling with people as she walked through the room and made her way over to The Blade of Aitanna. The blade was under tight surveillance. Four members of Blood Moon standing by it, sealed away within a bulletproof glass case, and you could only get so close to it without arousing suspicion. Jade tried to formulate a plan on how to get the blade. The glass and guards would be a problem, but the real question was everyone’s reactions to her actions and could she go through with this? Should she really take away an artifact that rightfully belonged to her people and could she live with herself if she did it?*
(Silas): Beautiful, isn’t it?
*Jade was pulled from her thoughts by Silas who was standing right beside her wearing a black suit with white stripes and a black tie*
(Silas): The blade of the Legendary Hero Aitanna. Back in the hands of those who know its true purpose and value.
(Jade): I’ve been expecting you, Silas. You’re looking well for your age.
(Silas): An all honey diet and the daily exercise routine you made for me has worked wonders. You’re still breathtaking and beautiful as the day I first met you.
*Silas takes her left hand and kisses it which causes her to blush a little*
(Jade): Careful. You’ll ruin your image if people see you flirting with such a young-looking woman.
(Silas): Well women age like fine wine and I’ve always been attracted to older stronger women.
*Snapping his fingers, a server came by and handed Silas a champagne glass*
(Silas): To our glorious reunion.
*Silas and Jade toast their glasses and drink their champagne*
(Silas): Ahh~. Shall we walk around? There are a few people I’d love to introduce you to.
(Jade): Well I-
(Silas): It’d be a shame if someone were to get caught in an accident.
*Silas was motioning to Andrade and Zelina who were in the middle of talking to others unaware of the server behind them holding a knife. Jade gave a look of disbelief at Silas, but put on a smile so as not to arouse suspicion from others*
(Jade): I’d. . .love to.
*Silas smiled taking Jade by the hand and leading her through the room to meet the various demihumans*
***
*Back outside the building in the garden area, security guards were walking the area on the lookout for anything suspicious. One security guard who was a hawk demihuman with dark purple hair and lime green eyes got pulled into the bushes by black wires and knocked out immediately by the perpetrator. Dust emerged from the bushes with Alita where they saw his radio lying on the ground*
(Radio): Hey Dee, give me a status update. Dee? Dee respond.
*Alita picked up the radio and altered her voice*
(Alita): All clear here. Nothing to report.
*Alita hangs up*
(Dust): Nice. Didn’t know you can do that?
(Alita): *Adjusts voice to sound like Dust* I have more tricks than you could ever imagine.
*Alita said with a smug face that got a chuckle out of Dust. The two would go on to sneak up to the side of the building careful to avoid the security cameras and scale the wall up to reach a balcony door on the third floor. Alita checked the door to see that it was locked and began picking the lock while Dust stayed on the lookout. A few seconds passed and Alita managed to open the door*
(Alita): Door unlocked in 8.9 seconds. My time has improved.
*They entered the room to see that it was an office area and walked to the door quietly. Opening the door as slowly as possible they look around and saw no one around. They exited the room and proceeded down the hallway to look for stairs that would lead to the second level*
***
*Silas and Jade were on the second floor out on a balcony. After showing Jade off to his financial backers, members of Blood Moon, representatives from The Church of Midori as well as political figures in Carnivale the two decided to take a break from the crowd and have some alone time together. While Jade was confident she could take down Silas herself, she couldn’t risk making a move knowing that Andrade and Zelina were in harm’s way. She had no choice but to surrender herself to Silas’s game and wait for an opening*
(Silas): Feels great to get away from that crowd and have some alone time together. Sorry for dragging you around like that. I know how much you hate crowds, but I really wanted to show you off to everyone. The source of my inspiration. The one who kept me going even when things got hard. My precious little honey wolf.
*Silas rubs his cheek next to Jade’s and purrs a little to show his affection and love for Jade who pushes him away*
(Jade): Stop it. You sound like a creepy old animal.
(Silas): I can’t help it, you know how I feel about you.
(Jade): I do. Which is why I came here to see you. Hand back the blade. I understand that it belongs to Carnivale and I agree that it should remain with demihumans. However, not like this. Just give me a chance to talk with Brister, I can convince them to give the blade back. If I reveal who I truly am I’m sure they would-
(Silas): No!
*Silas slammed his fist on the hard stone railing of the balcony cracking it. Jade watched impressed by his strength but was disturbed by the look of anger and rage in his eyes. Silas was breathing heavily as he turned to Jade to see a look of worry in her eyes. This look caused him to take a deep breath and calm himself down to regain his composure*
(Silas): I apologize for that. I didn’t mean to get so angry. It’s just, when you said you were going to reveal who you really were to them I got so mad. They don’t deserve to know who you truly are. If they do then they won’t let you leave. Those damn humans would just use you as a science experiment. They’d subject you to horrific test after test to figure out your immortality and we would never see you again. I won’t let them do that to you. Tell me, when you said once the conflict between humans and demihumans was resolved we could be together. Did you mean it?
(Jade): Silas. Don’t make me your last salvation to approve everything you’ve done so far. The terrorist attacks, the riots, the deaths. It’s not the right way and you know it.
(Silas): Please! I have to know! I’ve struggled so much over these last few years. When you left, things never felt the same, but we kept pressing on knowing that you would be watching us from afar and helping us in your own way. Things were tough. We would gain allies, lose allies to violent attacks, and be stabbed in the back by other races we thought were on our side. I saw the physical and mental toll it took on Andrade and as he divided his time between work and his family I knew he would reach a breaking point. I’m actually amazed he lasted as long as he did. But he finally stepped down five years ago and placed me in charge. I did not want to lead, but knew no one could steer this ship besides me, so I stepped up and pushed the group in a new direction. If they won’t listen to us willingly then we must make them listen to us by force. That was what I taught the group and it worked. We were finally making progress and getting the results we wanted at a faster rate. So much so that those who once doubted and laughed at us began to join us and backed us up. I was proud of those results and knew that when w’d meet again I could face you with my head held high knowing I did good. So please, tell me if it was true? I kept up the fight when everybody else dropped out! You owe me!
(Jade): Yes! I meant it! I would have been more than happy to settle down with you if this conflict could have been resolved.
*Silas suddenly hugs Jade catching her by surprise*
(Silas): Thank you! That’s all I needed to hear!
*Silas begins to cry as it sunk in to Jade just how much he suffered over the years after her departure. Just like she had gone through her own trials over the years, so too had Silas. The difference was she had the help of Morgan and the others to get her through the tough times. Silas didn’t have anyone and Jade couldn’t help but feel guilty that she had left him all alone for so many years. As the two continue to hug, Dust and Alita were quietly walking by when Dust spotted Jade and Silas hugging. He had so many questions running through his mind, but he knew this was a great opportunity to attack and take him down. Jade saw the two and before Dust could get ready to attack, Jade used sign language to communicate with Dust. This managed to stop Dust in his tracks as he observed Jade’s fingers and got the message she was trying to relay to him. Dust nodded his head and quickly headed down the hallway with Alita following behind him*
(Alita): What was that all about? Why didn’t you attack?
(Dust): I can’t. We’ve got a major problem down below, Andrade and Zelina are in danger.
(Alita): Is that what Jade was relaying to you with that messy sign language?
(Dust): It’s a special sign language we created to communicate with each other. She’s telling us to secure Andrade and Zelina first before we take down Silas.
*Dust and Alita soon arrive at the stairs and look below searching for Andrade and Zelina*
(Alita): There! Near the buffet table.
(Dust): They seem fine.
(Alita): Look closely at who’s behind them.
*Dust focuses and sees that the server sticking close to them was a rather small rat female demihuman with dark skin, light purple hair and red eyes. Dust could notice the assassination patterns. She stayed within a safe distance but kept close to them so that when it was time to strike she had enough room to attack*
(Dust): Oh shit. Alright, here’s what we’re doing. I’m stopping her, you’re setting off the sprinklers to get everyone out of here.
*Dust leaps into the air and shoots off a wire to swing in through the air. When he’s close to the assassin he lets go of the wire and delivers a flying dropkick to send himself and the assassin flying into the buffet table where food lands on both of them and gets everyone’s attention*
(Dust): Well there goes my money on this suit.
*Alita shot off a plasma blast from her hands to a sprinkler to cause it to go off. This in turn caused the other sprinklers to go off as well as the alarm. Water soon started falling down on everyone. Women were screaming as their dresses and hair were ruined. Everyone began rushing to the doors as Dust quickly got up to stay close to Andrade and Zelina and blend into the crowd to escape. Alita ran down the stairs and joined the crowd to escape as well*
***
*Back on the balcony as Jade and Silas were still hugging, Silas’s attention was soon turned to the sounds of the alarm going off in the building*
(Silas): What’s that sound?
*Jade took advantage of this distraction by grabbing Silas’s right arm and performing a judo toss to slam him to the ground back first*
(Jade): Right on time.
*Silas slowly got back up as Jade took a fighting stance prepared to fight*
(Jade): Give it up Silas. With that distraction Andrade and Zelina are safe. Now stand down, I’d rather not fight you after all we just went through.
(Silas): I’m sorry Jade, but I’ve come too far just to stand down.
(Jade): Don’t do it Silas. You know what I’m capable of doing.
(Silas): True. Which means I also know how to take you down.
*Quickly reaching into his pocket, Silas pulls out a mini grenade and covers his mouth and nose with a handkerchief before tossing it on the ground. The grenade releases a gas which gets inhaled by Jade whose vision starts to get blurry. She stumbles over to the wall trying to stay on her feet but struggling*
(Jade): Sleepy. . .gas. Seriously?
(Silas): One of my favorite items we use at Blood Moon. Powerful enough to knock out an elephant. Never thought I would have to use it on you.
*Jade finally loses consciousness and falls into the arms of Silas who takes out a phone*
(Silas): This is Silas, is the Blade of Aitana secured? Good. Transport it back to HQ. We also have a few party crashers. Follow Andrade and Zelina. I want them found and dealt with.
*Silas picks up Jade and makes his way inside the building*
Author’s Notes: Man a lot went down this chapter. And how about that ending? Love makes you do crazy things. For this chapter, I was originally just going to focus on the party but couldn’t think of anything interesting to show aside from Jade and Silas meeting and chatting with each other. I also wanted to show a different side of Silas. In front of his men he’s this merciless leader but when he’s alone with Jade we get to see his true side. A man who shoulder a heavy burden and is looking for validation from the one person he loves. He doesn’t care what anybody else thinks, all that matters to him is what Jade thinks and her still having romantic feelings for Silas after all these years just shows a more personal side to her. Despite living all these years alone she still seeks comfort with others. In another part of the story, we see Dust give Jin some tough love. While Ryuuji is more subtle with Jin, Dust is more assertive. He knows when Jin needs a good kick in the ass and release his pent-up frustrations. It’s this kind of character interaction I enjoy writing about the most. Seeing these characters interact with each other and help the other one grow in their own little way. When I was writing this chapter I was also watching Tombstone hence the Val Kilmer line. He really was the best thing in that movie. Get ready for the next chapter as the action begins. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.