*Two hours earlier*
*At the safe house, the members of Shadow Eye were sitting at the table listening to Amarti. Zia was by the stove cooking up some food for everyone*
(Amarti): All right. I just got done reviewing Ignis’s notes. Here’s what we got. First up is Lloyd Noetia, the head of the Syndicate. Took over thirty-five years ago following the passing of his dad, Dutch Noetia. While he’s more of a businessman he’s not afraid to fight and knows how to intimidate people. Lloyd’s right-hand man or woman in this case is a dark elf named Sae. Little is known about her but she remains loyal to Lloyd and has his complete trust. Working under her she has four captains who oversee the Syndicate. The first is Maven who oversees their finances. He’s also a student of the Fire Grid so I’m sure you and him will have plenty to talk about, Ryuuji. After him comes Garcia. He’s unstable and is a sadomasochist. Whenever someone doesn’t pay their fees or needs a reminder of who’s in charge he’s there to make an example. Sometimes for everyone to see. Next up is Diamanda. Despite her small stature.
(Dust): You’re one to talk.
(Amarti): She’s in charge of weapon imports and exports. She’s also a weapon enthusiast herself. The final guy is Gambit. He’s the newest member of Sae’s inner circle. Started off as a regular grunt and worked his way up. He’s proof that everyone has a chance to make it in the Syndicate and is seen as a hero by the fellow grunts. Aside from these guys nobody has done anything truly remarkable to stand out according to Ignis’s notes.
(Ryuuji): So if we take these guys down the others shouldn’t pose much of a threat.
(Amarti): It’s not them I’m worried about, it’s the mansion that concerns me.
*Amarti pulls out a schematic of the mansion. It was five stories tall and built on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean*
(Amarti): There’s no doubt Chief is inside, but even if we do rescue him getting him out won’t be easy.
(Zia): And there’s a good chance Chief’s friends are also in there.
(Amarti): Exactly. Protecting four people won’t be easy. Especially in a heavily armed mansion. Once we find them we’ll need to get them out quickly.
(Jin): What if we used the ocean? We could get them out through a tunnel dug through the cliff.
(Dust): Not a bad idea, rookie. But you’ll need something fast to dig through it.
(Jin): I’ve thought about that. I can modify Alita’s tail into a drill to dig through the rock and up to the mansion. Assuming she’s okay with that.
(Alita): Affirmative. That is an excellent idea, Jin. Do be gentle. It’s my first time having someone modify my tail.
*Alita turned sideways and blushed while closing her eyes. Jin had to admit he sweated a little bit from how cute she was acting. The lessons from Zia and the girls at Le Garden were paying off is what Alita thought to herself*
(Jin): Uh~ right. Now, to make this plan work perfectly we need to get an inside look into the mansion.
(Ryuuji): That shouldn’t be too difficult. Dust can give you the layout of the place.
(Dust): I would, but I don’t remember a single thing about the mansion.
(Zia): Eh? How do you not remember what the mansion looks like inside?
(Dust): It was over 80 years ago. How am I supposed to remember something from that far back? Not to mention I was a little preoccupied with staying alive and not getting killed.
(Zia): *Sigh* Well that throws a wrench in the plan.
(Amarti): We need to get inside that mansion.
(Jin): How? It’s not like they’re going to let us walk in.
(Dust): Hey Amarti, do Ignis’s notes contain the whereabouts of the Syndicate’s businesses?
(Amarti): Yes. There’s a number of them here.
*Amarti passes a sheet of paper with addresses of the Syndicate’s businesses*
(Dust): Great. Sorry, Zia. But it looks like I’ll be eating out today.
*Dust gets up from his seat and heads toward the door*
(Jin): Wait. Where are you going?
(Dust): We need to get inside, right? So I’m going to head out and just talk to them about meeting their boss.
(Ryuuji): Hold on. You don’t know your way around. Things have changed over the last 80 years.
(Dust): Are mobsters here still superstitious and easily scared?
*Amarti checks the notes*
(Amarti): Yep.
(Dust): That’s all I need to get what I want.
*Dust opens the door and heads out into the streets*
***
*Over the next two hours the lower half management of the Syndicate were in a frenzy as multiple businesses owned by them were raided by Dust single-handedly. Officers of the Syndicate were left beaten and unconscious in establishments or in the streets for everyone to see. One of the head honchos of the Syndicate’s lower management was walking in the streets heading toward his establishment to ready the boys. The man was human with short-cut brown hair and a ponytail in the back. His eyes were black and he wore a heavy black coat. The man pulled out his cellphone to make a call*
(Syndicate manager): Tanner! Status report!
(Tanner): We’re all here Paul and ready to march on your order. Who’s the bastard we’re looking for?
(Paul): We don’t know. All we know is that he’s a dark elf. Eleven of our establishments have already been taken out by him.
(Tanner): Well if he comes around here we’re gonna tell him-
(???): DAHHH~!
(Tanner): What the hell!?
*Paul hears gunfire going on in the background*
(Paul): Tanner! What’s going on!? Tanner! Tanner!
*The manager doesn’t get a response*
(Paul): Damn it!
*The manager starts running to his business which was a pool hall*
***
*When Paul entered the pool hall, he saw the place was a wreck and entered slowly. He looked around and saw bodies lying on the floor, unconscious. Before he could bend down to check on one of them to see if he was alive he was lifted off the ground by a black wire*
(Paul): AHHHHHHH~!
*Paul hit his back on the ceiling. When he looks to the side he spots Dust sitting on a support beam holding the wire in his hand. Before Paul could say anything, Dust let go of the wire and Paul began to fall all while screaming. Paul landed face-first onto a pool table and turned himself around in pain just in time to see Dust land above him pointing a gun at his head*
(Dust): I could have killed them all. I could have killed you. But I won’t.
*At first, Paul was attempting to reach for a pool ball but Dust shot it away. Paul broke out into a cold sweat staring up at Dust who bent down to bring the gun closer to Paul’s head. Paul was scared and speechless. He felt as if he was staring into the eyes of a demon*
(Dust): Don’t push it. I’ll give you a bloodbath you didn’t think possible.
*Dust uses his free hand to reach into Paul’s pocket and pull out his cellphone. On instinct Paul reached out and grabbed the phone*
(Dust): Let it go.
*Dust brings his face close to Paul’s face with the gun still pointed at him*
(Dust): Let. It. Go.
*Paul lets go of the cellphone and Dust jumps off the pool table and heads toward the door. Paul slid off the table and down to the floor too scared to do anything and having a panic attack. Dust quickly pulled up Paul’s contacts where he saw one contact called HQ line. Dust clicked on it and got an answer*
(Dust): Hello. I wish to speak to the head of the Noetia Syndicate. Tell him it’s the guy who’s been attacking his businesses. My name? None of your business.
***
*Present time*
*After Dust got his soup, Lloyd’s men arrived with a car to take him up to the mansion. The drive up to the mansion was done in complete silence as the escorts were too afraid to talk to Dust who still had his soup in his hands*
(Dust): Appreciate you boys coming to pick me up. I’ll be sure to put a good word in with your boss.
*The car soon arrived at the gates of the mansion. The driver pressed a button and the gate opened allowing them to pass through. The car pulled into the driveway where it parked in front of some stairs. On top of the stairs were Lloyd, Sae, and Gambit waiting to greet Dust*
(Gambit): Just say the word boss and I’ll rush him while you and Miss Sae make a break for it.
(Lloyd): Steady, Gambit. Think about this rationally. If he wanted to he could have easily come up here on his own. He did this in order to talk with us, so let’s hear him out and not do anything reckless.
*The car door opens and out comes Dust*
(Lloyd): So the stories were exaggerated. You are alive. I had to see it to believe it. It is such an honor to meet a living legend in the flesh. I am Lloyd Noetia. The current head of the Noetia Syndicate. This lovely lady is Sae Vallie and this young man is Gambit Boel. Two of my most trusted captains.
(Dust): Nice to meet you all too. I’m Dust Balor.
(Lloyd): Well let’s not talk out in the cold. Please come in.
*Lloyd, Sae, and Gambit led Dust inside. As soon as Dust was inside the mansion he could see how lavish and clean the place was. The floors were made of white marble, the walls were white with paintings and other antiques hung up along the wall and the doors were a dark brown color. As Dust was being led through the mansion he heard some chatter coming from a door. He instantly recognized the voice as Chief’s voice and stopped to look up at one of the doors on the second floor*
(Gambit): Please ignore the noise, Mr. Balor. We’re just interrogating some other guests. Nothing to worry about.
(Dust): I see. Also, Dust is fine.
(Lloyd): Gambit, please go see how our other guests are doing. Dust, please follow me to the dining room.
*Gambit walked up the stairs and went into the third door on the left. Dust made note of this and continued to follow Lloyd and Sae*
***
*Once they made it to the dining room Dust took a seat along with Sae and Lloyd*
(Lloyd): I thank you once again for joining us, Dust. I’m sure you’ll enjoy tonight’s dinner. Anthony makes an incredible lobster dish.
(Dust): No thanks. I got some nice potato soup that I’ll be enjoying just fine.
(Lloyd): *Chuckles* Surely you don’t think I would go through the trouble of poisoning you?
(Dust): I don’t know you that well and you wouldn’t be the first to try.
(Lloyd): Streetwise. You’re as witty and every bit the legend my grandpa used to tell me when I was a kid. So what brings you here? Hopefully not another raid on the mansion.
(Dust): Well as I told you over the phone I’m looking to get back into the game. Civilian life is boring and there’s no challenge in mercenary work. Can’t go back to the clan after the stunt I pulled, so I figured what better way to get back at them than by teaming up with one of their arch-rivals.
(Lloyd): You have quite a unique way of thinking. I would be more than happy to have you with us. Consider yourself an honored guest.
*As Sae sat there stunned at Lloyd’s decision in came Gambit who walked over to Lloyd and whispered into his ear. Lloyd smiled*
(Lloyd): Ah~, more good news. If you will excuse me, Dust. I have some business to attend to. Gambit, please escort our honored guest to his room. Sae.
*Lloyd excused himself followed by Sae which left Dust and Gambit in the room by themselves*
***
(Sae): Sir, are you sure it was wise to bring in the Demon’s Shadow so hastily? For all we know he could be working for the Clan.
(Lloyd): No. The Clan wants nothing to do with him. I’ll admit he’s dangerous to have around but if we let him go there’s a good chance he’ll seek employment elsewhere such as with the royal family. I’d rather have him around me where I can keep a close eye on him rather than out and about doing whatever he pleases.
(Sae): This is true. However, I doubt the men will take too kindly to an outsider. Especially since he just roughed up twelve of our businesses.
(Lloyd) That’s why I have you to smooth things over. Besides, we can worry about that later. Right now, we finally have the codes we need to wake the Golem. Send the message out to everyone. We strike tonight.
***
*Gambit was leading Dust to a guest room within the mansion*
(Dust): Your boss sure left in a hurry. Hopefully, nothing too serious.
(Gambit): I wouldn’t worry about him as much as yourself. The boys are still wary of you after the stunt you pulled to get here so don’t expect a warm welcome.
(Dust): Oh don’t worry. I’m used to the cold shoulder. So what’s the relationship between him and Sae? They seeing each other?
(Gambit): No! It’s strictly business.
(Dust): Great! I think I have a shot with her.
(Gambit): I doubt it! Miss Sae has made it a personal rule not to date anyone within the Syndicate.
(Dust): That’s a shame. I guess you and I will have to admire her from afar.
(Gambit): Huh?
(Dust): Don’t think I haven’t noticed. You’ve got a thing for her. Can’t say I blame you. She carries herself respectfully. She’s commanding, beautiful, and strong. You’d have to be crazy not to be attracted to her.
(Gambit): By the gods, yes. Wait! I mean no! I mean-
*Dust laughs as Gambit blushes and hides his face. He finally stops at a door and opens it for Dust*
(Gambit): This’ll be your room for the time being. Make yourself at home and I implore you not to do anything foolish while you’re here.
*Gambit glares back at Dust in the hopes of intimidating him. Dust just smirked at him*
(Dust): You’re all right, Gambit. I feel like you and I will get along just fine.
*Dust enters the room and closes the door. When he senses Gambit is gone, he goes to the closet and pulls out a hanger to hang his coat up. Once he hangs his coat up he inspects one of the buttons to reveal a camera*
(Dust): Sure hope you guys got all of that.
***
*Back in the safehouse. The members of Shadow Eye were gathered around a laptop watching a video that showed Dust in his room*
(Amarti): Oh yeah. We got it. What do you think Jin?
(Jin): That was perfect.
*Jin gets up from his seat and heads over to the table that shows a layout of the mansion*
(Jin): I now know where to dig in from.
(Zia): Judging from Lloyd’s behavior, I think he got the passcodes he needed to activate the Golem.
(Ryuuji): Then we have to act tonight. Before it’s too late.
(Amarti): We’ll send an anonymous tip to the royal family to alert them of the Syndicate’s plans. Jin. Alita. You guys get to work.
(Jin): What about Dust?
(Amarti): He won’t be able to do much without arousing suspicion. So don’t expect much help from him during this job.
(Ryuuji): I’ll join you two. I don’t want to risk the royal family recognizing me. We’ve got a tight timeframe so let’s make the most of it.
*Everyone gets up and heads out the door to perform their task and stop the Syndicate*
Author’s Note: Happy Independence Day everyone! A quick chapter with not much happening. Don’t worry, next chapter will have more action in it. The pool hall scene was actually inspired by one of my favorite scenes from Rambo: https://youtu.be/OnkQk_bWXpA?si=Y4sQpK0V_q-PJ1wQ. Brilliant. We also set some of the fights for the future as Shadow Eye gets ready to take on the Noetia Syndicate. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.