*About an hour later, Dust and Lylah were in the Sharkfang as Dust was driving her back to her hotel. The ride there was mostly quiet as Lylah was still on cloud nine from her dance with Dust and what he said to her. Dust pulled up to the curbside of Lylah’s hotel*
(Dust): And we’re here.
*Dust and Lylah exit the car and walk into the hotel. The lobby was mostly empty as the attendant greeted them. They make it to the elevator and Lylah presses the button*
(Lylah): This is good.
(Dust): Sure you don’t want me to give you a ride to the station tomorrow?
(Lylah): Ah no, I couldn’t trouble you anymore than I already have. Thank you for spending the evening with me and indulging my selfish wishes. I’m sure I’ll be hearing an earful from the others when I return. Speaking of which.
*Lylah hands Dust a envelope*
(Lylah): This is from the others. Do be sure to open it later.
*The elevator arrives, and Lylah enters it. She turns around to look at Dust one last time*
(Lylah): I still haven’t given up on you returning to the clan. I will become the next leader and bring you back. Just you wait. Keep watching from the sidelines and I’ll surpass you.
*The elevator closes and starts to go up. Dust snickers and begins to walk out of the hotel while looking at the envelope*
(Dust): Silly girl. You’ve already surpassed me in terms of leadership.
*Once outside, Dust slips the envelope into his suit pocket and then turns right walking past his car and down an alleyway where he comes to an empty lot*
(Dust): You can come out now. This spot is out of sight from the hotel so Lylah won’t see us.
*As if on cue Lamar appeared and began walking toward Dust*
(Lamar): Surprised to see me?
(Dust): Not really, I sensed you while we were eating. You must be pretty bored if you were spying on us this whole time.
(Lamar): Hmm~, very perceptive. He sensed me all the way back at the hotel. Not even shocked or scared to see me here. He’s way more impressive than the stories made him out to be.
(Dust): I take it you wanted to speak with me Mr. Celes? Or should I call you by your real name? Lamar Corday.
*Lamar was taken back by what Dust said but quickly regained his composure*
(Lamar): So, you know my real name.
(Dust): You can change your last name but you can’t hide that Corday presence. It’s enough to send a chill down the spine. How’s your father? The last time I saw him he had a terrible cough.
(Lamar): Thanks to advancements in medicine, he’s doing much better. Unfortunately, his days in the field are done.
(Dust): Shame. He was truly the best assassin to come through the clan. I am glad to hear he’s doing better. So, what did you want? Since a Corday is here, I can only suspect one thing.
(Lamar): There is no need to be on guard. You’re the man who defeated Lao-Hashi. Even among the Cordays he was considered a monster who shouldn’t exist. I know I don’t stand a chance against you in a straight up fight.
(Dust): You’re certainly as level-headed as that man. Then what about Lylah? Does she know?
(Lamar): Yes, she outed me from the moment I joined the family. However, only her, Dante, and Jordan know who I truly am. The rest of the family only knows me as Lamar Celes and I would like to keep it that way.
(Dust): So even Rook couldn’t help but keep an eye on her.
(Lamar): Actually, he did this to protect her.
*Dust gave a questionable look*
(Lamar): It’s no secret that there are many in the clan who don’t trust or like her. So who better to keep an eye out for assassination than an assassin. Along with this they all think milady hasn’t discovered my true identity and is unaware that I have been given orders to strike her down should I be given the word.
(Dust): Nice. As expected of Rook. Always staying ahead of his opponents.
(Lamar): Indeed. Now, just like you said, I’m only here to talk and pass a warning. News of your reappearance has started to spread within the clan. While some aren’t surprise others are angry. Whatever you’ve done in the past really has their blood boiling.
*Flashback*
*At Coriarty HQ multiple family leaders were in the meeting room with Rook discussing the appearance of Dust. Even though they all had chairs, some were standing up and arguing with each other all while Rook sat there silently and observed the conversation. Off to his right was a female dark elf with wavy silver hair and purple eyes drinking some tea. To his left were two men. One had a stern look on his face and was quite tall and muscular. He was half elf half demihuman of the elephant variety. His eyes were brown his black hair was cut short and he wore glasses. The man sitting next to him had green eyes and short spikey blonde hair with a goatee. He was leaning back in his chair with a bored expression on his face staring up into the ceiling*
(Coriarty member #1): We know where the demon is. We should take him down right now!
(Coriarty member #2): Now hold a minute. The demon has done absolutely nothing to us. If anything we owe him for taking out Flint and exposing his whole operation. I say let the man be.
(Coriarty member #3): You don’t understand! You don’t know how dangerous he is. That man caused so much trouble back in the day. We lost so many credits and men because of his antics.
(Coriarty member #2): Yes, we are fully aware of his antics but at the same time he has also helped expand the clan’s influence, taken down rival gangs, and stopped a full on war from happening. As far as we’re concerned the positives outweigh his negatives. Not to mention The Dragon and The Demon’s Hand. Are you really prepared to risk getting those two involved?
(Coriarty member #4): They disowned him after he deserted the clan. I doubt they would get involved.
(Coriarty member #5): He’s still their son. Don’t think for one second they won’t protect him and once they’re involved all hell will break loose.
*Both sides continue to argue with each other going back and forth*
(Rook): Enough!
*Rook’s voice silences everyone*
(Rook): Not even my children bicker as much as you. I have already decided what we’ll do with Dust. We’re going to leave him alone.
(Coriarty member #3): But sir-
*Rook gives him the death glare and he shuts up*
(Rook): I’ve known Dust for years and I’ve learned the best way to deal with him is to leave him alone.
(Coriarty member #3): But our clan secrets. He knows all of them.
(Rook): And he’s going to keep those secrets. If he wanted to expose us he would have done it by now. Instead he’s kept quiet and out of sight like a ghost. I have no interest in chasing ghosts. However, if you guys insist on wasting your time and hunting ghosts, I won’t stop you. Just know that you will be on your own.
(Coriarty member #3): Shizune! Vergil! Reed. Surely this isn’t how the rest of the lieutenants feel?
(Shizune): Yes. I have no qualms with the demon.
(Vergil): Same here. As attempting as it sounds this is not the right time nor the right motive to face him.
(Reed): If Rook says to leave him alone. Leave him alone.
(Rook): And there you have it. This meeting is over.
*All of the members including the lieutenants get up to leave. Some were okay with Rook’s verdict while others were disappointed and upset with his decision and making plans to take matters into their own hands. Rook got up from his seat and walked over to the window where he looked outside. The once vibrant forest was now stripped of its green scenery and now covered in snow*
(Rook): Sure hope you have a photographic memory.
*Out of corner of Rook’s eyes he can see Lamar leaning against the wall with a smug look on his face*
*Flashback ends*
***
(Dust): I think I know a few people who might take issue with me still being alive and I gave them a good reason to want me dead. They don’t need to worry. I have no interest in starting a war with the clan.
(Lamar): Of course. Unfortunately, they want to start a war with you. One name in particular comes to mind, Connar Galahand, leader of the Galahand Family.
(Dust): The Galahand Family? What’s their problem with me?
(Lamar): While I have no evidence, I believe he was the one pulling Flint’s strings with Smile and now he wants revenge. He’s a lot more dangerous than Flint and would be more than happy to use this as a way to gain favor with others.
(Dust): He’s more than welcome to try. Although, I doubt anybody in the clan is stupid enough to stir up trouble in Brister.
(Lamar): True. But outside the walls of the kingdom is a different story. It’s free game. Anything can happen. Even those within the clan can be taken down.
(Dust): Don’t think I don’t see what’s going on here. You and Rook want to use me as a hitman to take out bad seeds within the clan.
(Lamar): By eliminating them you would not only bring solidarity to the clan but you’d be clearing a path for milady to become the next head.
(Dust): Sorry, I’m no one’s hitman. Not even Rook’s. Also, Lylah’s no baby, she can become head of the clan through her own power. Like I said, I have no interest in starting a war with the clan. You guys should take care of your own problems. But I wouldn’t mind clobbering a few heads that came my way just for the fun of it.
*Lamar chuckles*
(Lamar): Never one to live a boring life? I can see why my father and Rook hold you in such high regards.
*Lamar pulls out a flash drive and tosses it to Dust who catches the drive*
(Lamar): That drive contains files on families, clan members, and hired mercenaries that carry a grudge against you. I suggest keeping it safe and studying its contents. With that, my mission is accomplished and I shall take my leave. Thank you for your time, Dust Balor. May you find blessings and wealth in the new year.
(Dust): Same to you. Look after Lylah for me.
(Lamar): Of course. After all, that’s the next head of the clan. I’ll make sure she achieves her goal even if it costs me my life.
*Lamar walks off smiling that he accomplished his mission. Dust soon leaves after him and returns to his car where he drives off*
***
*The next day at Brister’s train station on one of the trains, Lylah and Lamar had taken their seats as the train was preparing to depart. Lylah looked out the window taking one last look at the loading platform*
(Lamar): Are you sure you did not want to see him again before you left?
(Lylah): I’m sure. If I saw him again it would have only made it harder for me to leave.
*As Lylah reached into her coat pocket, she felt an envelope and pulled it out. The envelope was red. At first, she was confused at how it got there and who put it there, but then she pieced together that it had to be from Dust. He must have slipped it into her coat back at the hotel/casino last night. She opened the envelope and saw a letter. She recognized the handwriting as Dust’s writing. As she began to read the letter in her mind she heard Dust’s voice*
(Dust): Dear Lylah. It was nice seeing you again. On the first day we met I warned you about the dangers of the clan and said that if you couldn’t handle them, it would be best to get out now while you can. The wild cards don’t last long here. Becoming head of the clan is as treacherous a path as defeating me. Its driven elves mad and broken them. Turn them into something they can’t recognize. But I know from experience that the clan could use wild cards like the Balor Family to take them to new heights. I’ll be waiting to see what surprises you’ll bring.
*The ringing of a bell broke Lylah away from her reading. The bell was the final call warning everyone that train was departing and people on the platform were supposed to get back behind the safety line. As Lylah took one last look at the platform she swore she saw Dust in the crowd leaning against a pillar. The train soon started leaving the station and Dust started to leave the station. Once he returned to his car, his phone started to ring*
(Dust): Hello!
(Morrison): Hello Dust. Hopefully, I’m not catching you at a bad time.
(Dust): No, just seeing someone off. What’s up?
(Morrison): Korone just called. They just got done interrogating those bikers from last night. Nothing too serious but they wanted to go over the report with you.
(Dust): Roger that. I’m on my way.
(Morrison): She also asked if you wouldn’t mind bringing some donuts as well.
(Dust): Sure. I’ll stop to get some at Stuffin’ off Boa Street.
(Morrison): Isn’t the one on Dockon Drive closer to the plaza?
(Dust): Yeah, but the ones on Boa are fresher. Not to mention they have my favorite, vanilla frosted. Don’t worry, it’ll only be a ten-minute detour.
(Morrison): You’re a complicated elf with simple pleasures. You know that?
(Dust): Isn’t that what makes me so lovable?
*Dust ends the call and drives off to Stuffin’ to pick up donuts. Back in his apartment in his bedroom on his nightstand are two pictures. One of them features a younger version of him, Lylah, Dante, Jordan and 17 other dark elves who look to be in their teens. Among those elves were Ignis, Roman, Penta, and Myrtle. In the second picture it was Lylah, Dante, and Jordan along with the elves from the previous picture all grown up and smiling*
Author’s Note: And this ends Dust and Lylah’s holiday date. It was nice revisiting the Coriarty Clan and setting up future events down the line. Assassins coming after Dust? A civil war within the clan? Who knows what’ll happen? But if Dust is involved, then you know it’s going to be something crazy. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.