*Out in the wastelands is an oasis city protected by stone walls, bustling with life and a big lake in the middle of the city. This was Carnivale. The Demihuman kingdom of the world and home to many demihumans. In the far outskirts of the city, an RV was hidden behind some rocks which belonged to the members of Shadow Eye who were overseeing the city*
(Jin): Woah. So that’s Carnivale?
(Morgan): Yes. It’s not as big as Brister but it’s still an impressive city especially in this wasteland.
(Alita): According to my calculations there are over 9,000 demihumans currently living in the city. However, judging by the size of the city it only has enough resources to maintain a populace of 8,500.
(Jade): Hence why a lot of demihumans leave the city. To make room for others. There have been efforts to expand into other areas but with the harsh wasteland and Eclipses being a constant threat, the efforts have been in vain.
(Jin): What about sending out their army or getting help from other kingdoms?
(Ryuuji): Carnivale doesn’t have enough bodies to form an army. They only have enough to form a town watch to maintain order within the city. As for the other kingdoms, well. . .
(Jin): No help?
(Dust): Carnivale is recognized as an independent nation. However, they hold no alliance with any kingdoms or empires and since it’s housing a terrorist group most kingdoms are hesitant to extend a helping hand. Even if another nation were to help out it’s believed that Carnivale would just reject their offer because of their poor treatment in the world.
(Jin): You really think they would do that?
(Morgan): They wouldn’t have a reason not to do it. If you stop to think about it.
(Jin): I rather not. I get sick just hearing about some of the horrendous acts they’ve been through. So what’s our plan?
(Jade): We. By which I mean Dust, Alita, and I will head into the city. The rest of you will stay here and be on standby.
(Jin): On standby? You mean I came out here just to look at rocks?
(Dust): Use your brain, rookie. You’re in the capital of demihumans. If they see a human you’re gonna stand out like a sore thumb. However, a passing elf will be just like an everyday thing. Don’t worry, I’ll bring you a souvenir.
*Dust, Jade, and Alita make for the city gates leaving Morgan, Ryuuji, and a slightly angered Jin behind*
(Alita): Are you sure it’s wise to tease him like that? Given the state of mind he’s been in as of late?
(Dust): It’s fine. He’ll get over it.
(Jade): Something you care to elaborate on?
(Alita): Jin seems to be suffering from a sucky attitude according to Dust.
(Dust): Rookie’s been in kind of a funk as of late. He was the only one on our team to lose in Kragnorok and he couldn’t do much against the Eclipse during the Brister incident.
(Jade): Two hard defeats back-to-back.
(Dust): On top of that Gael seems to be outperforming him and our hired bot here has quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
(Alita): I am honored to receive such high praise from DeMarcus himself.
(Jade): So not only is he losing to opponents he’s losing to those around him.
(Dust): Yeah, not a good combination.
(Alita): I am confused as to why he would be mad about losing to Gael and me. Are we not friends?
(Dust): You are. He’s not mad at you per se, he’s mad at himself. He’s been in the order longer than you guys and as the oldest among you he feels the need to set an example not only for you but for himself as well. Right now he feels as if you two are passing him by and he hates himself for allowing it to happen.
(Jade): Honestly, it’s not that surprising. Gael is an incredibly hard worker. He has incredible instincts and a strong will that keeps pushing him forward. Whenever he sees a wall in front of him he breaks through it. With Sanada and Raika training him he’s only going to get stronger as time goes on. As for Alita, she’s a natural. She was programmed to be a fighter, but she lacks the knowledge to master it. With Amarti’s intellect and Zia’s mentorship, her possibilities are endless.
(Dust): And as for rookie?
(Jade): He’s a tough one to figure out. He’s not the strongest, but he has good strength. He’s not the smartest, but he has enough intelligence to defeat his opponents. He has an amazing ability that anyone would be blessed to have and with you and Ryuuji training him he could become the baddest knight in the kingdom. But his confidence keeps holding him back.
(Dust): Exactly. As expected from the battle-tested legend.
(Jade): It’s almost as if the kid has some kind of mental trauma or something. Was he bullied as a kid?
(Dust): Nope. His dad was hard on him, but nothing too serious from what I’ve read and heard. He had the occasional sibling squabble, but that’s to be expected from a boy living with six sisters and had a very loving mom who was supportive of him. I’m really stumped on where that lack of confidence comes from, but I know that when you’re in a funk the best way to get out of it is to get that one big win and I’m hoping this trip will provide it for him.
(Jade): Well you’re not wrong about the big win, but are you sure this mission is the best place to get it?
(Dust): Like my mom used to say. Sometimes in order to swim you’ve got to be thrown at the deep end of the pool.
*Jade stopped and gave a stunned look to Dust as he continued to walk forward with Alita but then chuckled and gained a smug smile on her face*
(Jade): You’ve really got high hopes for this kid, don’t you?
*Jade caught up to the two as they reached the main gate of Carnivale. They got through the gates easily and entered the city where they were treated to the sight of various demihumans going about their day. The streets were made of bricks and dirt with street lanterns along the road. Various stalls could be seen in the marketplace and people could be seen having fun in the lake which was located at the center of the city. Various statues of the Earth Goddess Midori were scattered throughout the city for citizens to pray at and offer their respects*
(Dust): So how does it feel to be back home, Jade?
(Jade): It’s definitely changed. Still, it’s an overrated experience.
(Alita): When was the last time you came to the city?
(Jade): About roughly twenty years ago. Of course back then that wasn’t normal.
*Jade turned to the side and pointed to a boy fox demihuman with orange eyes and black hair sitting on a bench next to a muscular tiger demihuman boy who had orange eyes and black hair as well. They both were wearing red t-shirts with the Blood Moon logo on it which was the picture of a black full moon dripping blood. Standing in front of them were bunch of giddy school girls of various species fawning over them as they talked about their exploits with the group, exaggerating stories to make themselves look cooler than they really were*
(Dust): Yeah, that’s something you won’t see in the other kingdoms.
(???): I’m afraid it’s becoming a common sight day after day.
*Dust, Jade, and Alita turned around to see an elderly demihuman who was a male capybara with brown eyes, a slightly bald scalp with brown hair and wore glasses. His attire was a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, navy blue pants, and black shoes with a cane in his right hand*
(Capybara demihuman): Many people regard the members of Blood Moon as heroes within the city and they’ve spared no expense at recruiting young and able bodies to their cause creating a positive outlook on their organization. While I don’t condone their actions there’s no denying that under Silas’s leadership, the group is getting results, but I do wonder if these results are something we as a race can be proud of? Andrade’s results may have been slow, but they were at least results we could be proud of.
(Jade): I bet. Hey speaking of Andrade, we’re actually looking for his house.
(Capybara demihuman): Oh, are you a friend of Andrade?
(Jade): I’m actually a distant relative. I was in the area and wanted to drop by and see how he was doing. Do you know where his house is?
(Capybara demihuman): Aww, how caring of you. His house is located on the eastside past the plaza. Once past the plaza take a left and you’ll enter the rural residential area. His house will be fifth one on the left.
(Jade): Fifth house on the left. Got it. Thanks.
*Dust, Jade, and Alita headed to the plaza where they pass multiple stands of demihumans selling food, hand crafted jewelry, paintings, or clothing. They eventually stop when they come across a big crowd gathered by the fountain. The three got a good look and could see Han donning a white robe with Blood Moon symbol in gold speaking to the crowd while standing on the podium. There were two very intimidating gorilla demihumans who were both big, muscular and had their faces covered by black gorilla masks standing on both sides of the podium and acting as guards while Han spoke to the audience*
(Han): Enlightenment shall come to all who are blessed by the goddess herself. She has blessed the brave warriors of Blood Moon and brought them home safely after their heroic deeds in Brister. Those barbaric humans speak of equality, yet they held the sacred weapon of the great hero Aitana for themselves. Putting it on display as if it were some trophy. But now the sword has been retrieved by Blood Moon. While many were captured they can hold their heads up high knowing that they not only helped us retrieve the blade of Aitana but that they help free our previously captured brethren. Brother Muta, please grace us with your words.
*Muta came over wearing a green suit and tie with a white shirt and hugged Han before getting on the podium as Han got off it*
(Muta): Thank you, Han. My brothers and sisters, I have returned! When I left I was but a simple warrior. When I was captured in Brister I became a caged animal like they wanted, but now I have returned as a hero who has accomplished his mission. They try to keep me locked up and told me that I would never see the light of day again, but yet here I am and never have I felt more alive!
*The crowd cheered for Muta*
(Muta): We delivered a heavy blow to our enemies, but the battle still rages. Which is why I encourage all of you to stand by our side! To believe in us! To give to us! To fight with us! To join us in our battle for dominance! For too long have we been mistreated and overlooked by the world and now I say it is time that we show the world just how fierce demihumans can be and it is only a matter of time before Blood Moon cuts them all down and stands tall with our howls heard all around the world.
*The crowd goes into a frenzy cheering Muta for his passionate speech. Some started putting money in the offering baskets that were being passed around in the crowd while others were walking up asking to join Blood Moon. Dust, Jade, and Alita had seen enough and continued to walk to their destination, but little did they know that they were spotted by Muta out of the corners of his eyes*
***
*Back on the outskirts of Carnivale, Ryuuji was meditating on a rock as a ring of fire could be seen behind him. Morgan in the shade reading a book by a table with a glass of water by him. Jin was by the RV sitting next to the radio fidgeting in his seat*
(Jin): *Growl* Why haven’t they contacted us yet? What are they doing in there?
(Morgan): Calm yourself, Jin. It’s only been about an hour.
(Jin): Yeah, but what if they got into a fight? Or worse, got captured by Blood Moon?
(Morgan): Well I don’t hear screams or buildings crashing down so they aren’t fighting. As far as getting captured I really don’t see that happening unless it was something outside of their control and they willingly gave themselves up.
*Jin took a minute to think about Morgan’s sound logic*
(Jin): Okay, good points, but I still think they should have contacted us by now. I just can’t help but worry when we’re so close to enemy territory.
(Ryuuji): You need to relax Jin. You’re no good if you’re constantly worrying.
*Ryuuji gets off the rock and takes up a fighting stance*
(Ryuuji): Come on, let’s have a sparring match. That’ll help calm you down, plus I’m curious to see the results of Jade and Raika’s training.
(Morgan): Interesting. I say go for it. It’s not every day one gets to spar with the Blazing Knight.
*Jin nodded and went to stand out in the open far away from Ryuuji. The two knights stared each other down waiting for the other to make the first move. Jin made the first move as he fired his hand cannon at Ryuuji who countered with fire bullets he shot from his fingers. The fire bullets destroyed the shot from the hand cannon and were closing in on Jin who shielded himself from the bullets with the buckler on his left arm. Jin returned fire where Ryuuji dodged the hand cannon fire by jumping and rolling on the ground. After his roll, he hurled a fireball at Jin’s latest shot where the mini cannon ball bursting into smoke to cover the area and cloud Ryuuji’s vision*
(Ryuuji): Using a smokescreen to limit my vision and take advantage of it. Effective strategy.
*Ryuuji could sense an attack coming from behind him and quickly dodged to the left to avoid getting struck. At first, Ryuuji thought it was Jin but was surprised to see it was his blacksmith spirit. He didn’t have much time to contemplate this as he heard rumblings in the beneath and looked down just in time to see Jin’s ninja spirit emerge from the ground and try to land an uppercut attack. Ryuuji quickly titled his head back to avoid getting hit leaving himself wide open as Jin came running towards him with a big shield and slamming into Ryuuji. Jin pushed Ryuuji out of the smokescreen and then Ryuuji planted his feet to stop Jin in his tracks lifting the shield and Jin up into the air and tossing them to the side. Jin lands on his back but quickly recovers to stand back up only to see Ryuuji running towards him*
(Ryuuji): Fire Grid Form 64: Flaming Knee Trigger!
*Ryuuji’s left knee caught fire and he jumped up to nail Jin in the stomach with a running knee. Jin lets out a gasp of pain and shortness of breath from Ryuuji’s attack. Jin staggered back a few steps and kneeled over as he threw up a little*
(Ryuuji): Jin, are you okay? I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you that hard. I thought for sure you would deploy your new gadget.
(Morgan): New gadget? What new gadget?
(Ryuuji): The one around his chest area. I caught a glimpse of it just before I threw him. Supposedly it’s some kind of new force field device.
***
*Flashback*
* A few days ago while camping out late at night, Ryuuji noticed Jin at the workbench by the RV*
(Ryuuji): Jin, don’t stay up too late, we’ve got an early start tomorrow.
(Jin): Don’t worry. I’ll be going to bed soon.
*Jin had a screwdriver in one hand and a triangular device in his other hand. Ryuuji got closer to inspect what Jin was working on*
(Ryuuji): What’s that you got there, Jin? Some new device for combat?
(Jin): Sort of. I call it the Counter Dial. It works similar to my impact shield only it covers my whole body. It’s still a work in progress but once it’s completed I’ll be able to use this as an invisible body shield to protect myself from direct physical attacks and deflect the attack back towards the attacker.
(Ryuuji): Ohh~, impressive. That would definitely catch the enemy by surprise.
*End Flashback*
***
(Ryuuji): Since he had the device on him I assumed he completed it and was going to use it.
(Morgan): That would have been the wise thing to do. So why didn’t you do it?
(Jin): I. . .wasn’t sure if it could stop Sir Ryuuji’s attack. I figured I take the hit and then counter from there. I didn’t expect his attack to hit me that hard.
(Morgan): You doubted your gadget? That doesn’t sound like you. I know these last few battles you’ve been in haven’t gone in your favor but don’t let that cloud your judgement in battle.
(Jin): I know, but it just seems like my first judgment leads to failure each time. So I figured I go with my second judgment and take a big risk. I was confident I can take the hit and then counter.
(Ryuuji): Now listen Jin. What you just displayed wasn’t confidence, but a reliance on dumb luck and knights don’t need that. I’ve seen multiple knights fall because they believed in dumb luck that they confused with confidence. A knight needs to have confidence in his first judgment and then use the second judgment in case the first one fails. I didn’t master all 500 forms of the Fire Grid by dumb luck, and you can’t be a great knight if you don’t have confidence in yourself or your skills. Now come on, let’s have a quick drink and do a little more training.
(Jin): Right.
*Ryuuji, Morgan, and Jin began walking back to the RV as Jin walked behind the two knights he admired and respected letting out a soft sigh of defeat. Even though Ryuuji and Morgan were walking only a few steps in front of Jin, he felt a great distance from them. As if they could escape his sight if he looked away for even a second and despite his best efforts to catch up to them he couldn’t reach them*
***
*Back in Carnivale in the underground HQ of Blood Moon, Muta was in the office of Silas talking to him and Han about what he saw earlier today*
(Silas): And you’re sure it was her?
(Muta): Positive. That female wolf was the same one I fought in Brister. She may have been traveling with a dark elf and another demihuman, but there’s no way I could forget her.
(Silas): So Brister sent their knights all the way here to retrieve the blade. And right when we’re so close to achieving our goals.
(Han): Where were they headed?
(Muta): Not sure. It looked as if they were heading toward the rural residential area.
(Silas): Hmm~, there’s only one person of value in that area that they would visit. Andrade.
(Han): Shall I send the troops to seize them?
(Silas): No. We can’t risk causing an uproar just yet. Monitor them for now. Search the city and the surrounding areas for any more knights we might have missed. I’ll handle the knights in the city.
(Muta): Understood.
*Muta and Han head out the door. Once Silas is alone, he pulls out a picture he keeps in his personal drawer*
(Silas): So, you’ve finally returned. After all these years. I hope you look just as gorgeous as the day I first laid eyes on you.
*The picture showed a younger Silas in a black suit with his right arm locked with Jade’s right arm wearing a green dress and smiling*
Author’s Note: Can Jin overcome his lack of confidence? What is Jade’s connection with Silas? Find out next time on Shadow Eye. After an exciting start I decided it was time to set the stage for Carnivale and how different it was from Brister. While Brister was a central hub for all manner of races, Carnivale is only home to demihumans and their views on Blood Moon differ from the world’s view. People will blindly cheer for them while others will support them but don’t approve of their methods. It’s a moral dilemma on what’s right, what’s wrong, and what are we sacrificing to get the results we want. Tune in next week as we continue to explore Carnivale as I have a lot of surprises in store for you. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.