Chapter 7 -- Proditiones

Why did you go home anyway, it's unusual for you to visit before a job.. 

 

I've a feeling this mission is my last.. 

 

Once more, his thoughts cleared up. Perhaps facing down the fruits of his long forgotten betrayal, or the anticipation of battle after so long, brought clarity.

 

Facing a practice opponent never cut it for him, but when that opposing force had manifested with soulless, red eyes, fangs and claws, radiating that cold void of emptiness.. His instincts came to life. 

 

He eyed the blue mass of light, by then, it had grown to match his height. A glance over his shoulder at the settling darkness, he memorized the intriguing, moist scents in the air. The sights of his clan's castle looming over a cluster of hovels, yes, by comparison all other structures around it seemed like caricatures.. 

 

With his arm hairs on end, he stepped into the blue glob of radiance. 

 

Are you planning an early retirement? 

 

Fury's booming voice cleared his momentary daze. With a shiver through his being, the new restriction spell on his power settled in. 

 

Knowing he could easily break it allowed some of his concerns to fade. 

Fresh, resinous scents flooded his nostrils with the first conscious inhale. 

 

It's been a while.. 

 

Fury added a mhm noise in agreement as Ash observed the smoldering ruins in the distance. 

 

Immediately his senses picked up on the demons nearby. None of them seemed worth his time, still, numerous battles left him wiser than to take that for a guaranteed victory, and the knowledge of who was orchestrating events. 

 

Is this it? These insects had you so worried? I can kill these with my sheath! 

 

Fury jabbered, making Ash glad the spirit had no external voice. 

 

Let me loose and you can bag this whole thing in two seconds. 

 

Quiet. Remember, there are prisoners we have to rescue. 

 

Oh, I'll play nice, promise! 

 

Tempting as it was, Ash knew his companion too well. He released the spirit once before, but as it turned out, Fury caused just as much destruction as the demons, and nearly killed innocents. Something the blond figure wouldn't condone. 

 

 How about we don't start any wars for a change? 

 

Was that a joke? 

 

Stillness and relative silence reigned in the forest around him, though he expected some lookouts, or even traps. 

 

His senses couldn't discern any immediate threats, but he knew better. 

 

Senses strained to the utmost, he wended through the undergrowth and pines, taking care to keep some brush between him and any onlookers in town. 

 

You know, if they're any good, they know you're here.

Fury pointed out the obvious. 

 

It doesn't look like they're aware of my presence…

 

Disappointed, are you? 

 

Ash halted any thoughts from responding, instead he unsheathed Fury. 

 

From what I can discern of magical aberrations here… that was done by something more troublesome than a garden variety ghoul.. 

 

He eyed the lone ruins of a family house just outside of town. 

 

So, what now? 

The blade glimmered in a pale blue light. 

 

Now we make a report, then I'll go ask them for directions. 

 

Reaching to his right shoulder, a single word parted his lips, release. 

 

The plate divided itself into two, then more and more larger and smaller segments, until moments later, Ash was covered in full plate armor. 

 

I thought you hated wearing armor.. 

Fury noted as Ash removed the helmet. 

 

I do.. But I'll try to follow my orders.. 

 

For a change.. 

You know, I was thinking.. 

 

Ash allowed himself a brief smirk. 

 

You do too much of that lately. 

 

Very charming.. But none of this would have happened if you just listened to me back then.. Listened to your orders.. 

 

You know damn well that I can't take life as if it didn't matter.. 

 

This is what I warned you about back then.. It would have been terrible, yes, but, you do know how the enemy operates. You couldn't see it as delivering mercy back then, but.. 

 

Enough, Fury. There's no reason to have this discussion now. I did what I thought was best.. It worked, so quit your yammering and let me focus. 

 

Just saying.. 

The voice died out immediately as a faint crunching sound came from behind. 

 

They're not really good at this game.. 

 

Ash didn't respond, instead took a two handed hold on his weapon. Already, in his mind he saw the fiends approaching him from behind. 

 

We'll do the usual, one through four.. 

 

An instant before the first one got within reach, Ash spun around, blade gleaming, on a direct path to the shadowy menace's neck. 

 

The red eyed creature shrieked before being reduced to an undignified heap of dust and smoke by contact with the weapon.

 

Three others behind it faltered in their approach, the fourth had already gotten too close. Immediately, Ash plunged Fury into its chest, instantly destroying the ghoul. 

 

Even as the group readied their bloodstained jagged blades, Ash vanished from their view briefly, reappearing just a step behind the last creature. 

 

The little definition their shapes held, suddenly taken from them, their bodies exploded to clouds of black smoke. 

 

They've been expecting a response.. Which means.. 

 

Wow. That was fast.. Remember Asia, they had a bigger welcome staged there.. 

 

How could I forget.. You goaded me into powering up beyond reasonable limit.. 

 

It worked too! 

 

Only if you count all the unnecessary destruction as a success.. 

 

Oh brighten up, nobody died..

 

Replying to you is a waste of thought sometimes.. 

 

Because you know I'm usually right? 

 

A brief head shake later, he returned his attention to the smoldering ruins.