20 Chapter 20: Homecoming

Onyx stood above the hill looking at the city of Albion. He never had any fantasies of coming here to look for any clues about his family. Karash was where his loyalties were. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Azura standing next to him.

"How you feeling kid?" Asked Azura.

"Nervous. We're down two soldiers and the rest of the legionnaire squads are down."

"That's about the size of it. We'll have to wait until dark and slip in. You still remember how to find the safe house right?"

Onyx opened his mouth and stuck his tongue out. Azura looked inside and found the black mark that legionnaire spies were marked with at the far end of his tongue.

"Assuming the protocols for Zul-Aman are the same for Dol-Sur there should be some markings leading to the safe house."

"Since infiltration is your specialty I'll let you take point. And Onyx... If you..."

"I already have a mom... And four sisters."

"Alright then we'll go in when it's dark. Let's head back to the ship."

Antama sat outside the office of Sovereign Knight Lamia. His legs bouncing up and down from anxiety. If what the prisoner said was true and Zephyrus was still alive somehow then they were completely screwed. Gaeric's line died when Corrax killed his own children during the Sovereign Rebellions. With no heir to unite the kingdoms let alone someone that could kill a Divine they were fucked beyond all recognition.

He heard heavy footsteps and heavy metal clanking followed by the sound of the doorknob turning. Lamia emerged with a clipboard on hand.

"So Rylos... What is it this time?"

"You read the report didn't you?"

"I did, but I want to hear it from you."

"I saw a man or woman... I dunno someone with black robes and bone mask using magic to suck the life out of people."

"Hmm. In that case I'll commission a few units to hunt them down." She stated plainly.

Antama's eyes widened. "That's it? That's not enough we need all the kingdoms on this."

"Right now it's all I can do until King Yeul receives the full report along with the findings of the prisoner."

"What did they find?"

"Little I'm afraid. The damn thing just won't shut up about him being a tool for his master. Now as per your original assignment..."

"I sent Aradesh to pick up the trail."

"Yes well it appears you followed the wrong one as Fort Revasan was wiped out. In addition Akama the leader of the Broken Beaks escaped from the prison in Renoa. I'm still waiting on the full report on that incident. That only leaves us with a few nobodies."

"Lamia... Dawon is waging his war."

"I'd hardly call this a war."

"How much more do you need? He's already got so much support. You need to commit our entire army now."

"It's not my call. It's the king's call."

"Well you tell him that when Dawon lays siege to the walls outside the city, when fire rains from the sky, and the streets run red with our blood... That they'll get a ton of new recruits."

"This is not a war Dawon can win."

"The Divines and their Champions thought the same when Gaeric fought against them. And where are they now?" Antama left with a displeased look on his face.

Lamia walked back inside her office, pulled out a sign that read 'do not disturb' and locked the door behind her. She stretched her arm and slowly opened her palm opening a portal to a different dimension. She stepped into the portal and was transported to the main hall.

She then spoke a single word. "Come."

After a few moments five other portals opened up revealing the rest of her siblings.

"So... are the walking carpets giving you too much trouble?" Asked Sethos.

"Hardly." She then turned her attention towards Apollyon. "It would seem that your time to take up our grandmother's mantle has come."

"What are you talking about?" She asked almost irritated.

"A Divine is coming back. Zephyrus, first born of Khemmel, has followers that are trying to revive him somehow."

"Ok even I know that's fucking stupid. Grandma. Killed. All. Of. Them."

"Sethos if I hear one more idiocy coming from your mouth your head will meet my axe. She killed six out of the seven. Zephyrus died long before her rebellion. When the other Divines allied against him. Unfortunately however, I would have to agree with Sethos. Bringing back a dead Divine is impossible."

"Not with magic it isn't."

"I like these little moments when somebody kicks your ass at being smart Hekate. It makes life worth living." Added Sethos.

"What kind of magic?" Asked Sammael.

"From the reports my soldiers gathered it would seem that the Champion... or rather Champions have some sort of life stealing ability and a regenerative one."

"Makes sense this is all a contingency plan concocted by Zephyrus should he die. The amount of lives it would take to perform such an undertaking would be massive."

"For how long have they been at this you think?" Asked Usha.

"Probably since his death. The fact that they've remained undetected until now... For all we know they might already be close to resurrecting him. If that is the case..." Hekate turned towards Apollyon. "Then it appears your moment has arrived."

Apollyon tightened her grip on her sword. "Where is the One Eye? He should know about this."

All the siblings looked at each other shaking their heads. "Hekate, he said he would visit King Astopheles so you should know where he is." She stated.

"I don't actually. He never showed up. However, someone most unusual did. A boy looking a lot like one of the two meddlers. He said that his brother works as a caravaner and travels with a female companion. I've kept a close eye on him since his arrival. Also something came up on my desk a report by Herald Maxwell regarding a monster that used tentacles. Sethos you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

Before he could finish his question Sethos had opened a portal back to Dol-Sur. Hekate growled in frustration at his brothers antics. Lamia and Hekate left soon after leaving only Usha, Apollyon, and Sammael behind.

"So is this what you could have ever dreamed of?" Asked Usha.

"What are you on about?" Asked Apollyon.

"Nothing... Daughter of Gaeric." Usha opened the portal and left.

"Are you okay?" Asked Sammael with concern over his older sister.

"I'll be fine."

"If you ever need to talk Apollyon you can always call." Sammael then opened a portal back to Ulammar and left Apollyon all alone.

"I'd sooner see this world burn rather than save it."

Stars filled the sky as the seven moons took their place among them. Onyx and the rest of the team secured the Sky Sailor and hid it above the trees. No one would think to look for a ship atop some trees.

"Two by two formation. Tykal you're with me we'll bring up the rear. Onyx and Embry you two take point."

"No killing." Added Onyx.

"I'm sorry?" Asked Azura.

"If they find out that some of their guards are dead we'll blow our cover and the cover of our agents. It's too big a risk."

"I doubt they'll figure out who it was that killed them." Said Tykal.

"Even so... they might step up patrols and make it harder for our agents to gather intelligence. In addition, we're still here and it'd be best if they don't add any more patrols or change their routes."

Azura clicked her tongue. They were several squads down and the team itself was at half strength. They were fucked the minute they crossed the border. Even as much as she wanted to pave a bloody way to the safe house Onyx was right.

"Okay then grab the slingshots and some pebbles to distract the guards. Also the grappling guns just in case." Ordered Azura.

"Smoke grenades?" Asked Tykal.

"Yeah those too. And grab the automatic crossbows." Added Azura.

Onyx was about to say something when Azura interrupted him. "Never know."

"Fair point."

The team made it to the city's outer wall and aimed their grappling guns high. The grappling guns were pneumatic and fired a grappling hook upwards to two hundred feet depending on wind conditions. The weather was cloudy and was lacking any wind speed. They waited until the clouds began covering the moons for cover before they fired their guns. The guns also had a crank that could be used to retract the hook much like a fishing rod. However, the user required a lot of upper body strength to operate it as there was no harness connecting the user to the rope. The team started walking along the walls to the top reeling in the hooks trying to reach the top. They made sure to turn the cranks slowly and not make any noise. The group almost made it to the top when they heard guards passing by. They stopped dead in their tracks their grips tightening on the guns. Onyx started to slowly get ahead to hear what they were saying.

"Man the commander is pissed."

"No shit. I wonder what crawled up his ass."

"Heard a rumor from one of the guys that the Black Knight of Albion brought a giant lizard."

"That's it?"

"Apparently this one talked and said something about Zephyrus coming back."

"Now that's a load of horse shit."

"I'm telling you they even said that it has Dragon Eyes and is locked away in Dour Keep."

Onyx raised his brow in suspicion wondering if the rumors were true. If so they were worth investigating to see if a Divine was truly coming back. It might also explain Sloane and the incident at Drakon's Rest. After a few moments the guards left and the team climbed up to the battlements.

"You guys heard that right?" Asked Onyx.

"Yep." Answered Embry.

"We'll deal with that later. Right now we need to focus on getting inside the city." Said Azura as she walked to the opposite side and looked down to see if they could descend safely from the wall. She spotted an elevator used to carry crates and heavy weapons. "We'll use that c'mon."

"Why not use the grappling guns again?" Asked Tykal.

"How are we gonna retract them when we get down?" Asked Onyx.

"Fair point."

The group boarded the elevator and descended towards the city. The elevator didn't even touch the ground as the group jumped off and sought cover in the nearest alleyway.

"Two by two formation. Onyx and Embry you guys take point we'll cover you."

"Yes ma'am."

The group moved through the alleyway to the nearest intersection looking for any hints about a safe house. The safe houses were inconspicuous to a fault. There was no set protocol for what it should be and often times they varied from actual houses to living under the sewers. They still had a few options available which were to find markers around the city detailing where the safe house might be. They could also locate a spy which was almost always a child pretending to be homeless. Then there was also navigating the streets like a raving lunatic.

The team stopped dead in their tracks as a patrol walked down the street. They could kill the two guards, take their uniforms, and blend in. However, there was no telling how the city guards might react to finding two of their soldiers dead without their uniforms. They waited until the two of them passed. Onyx peeked from the corner and waited until the guards were further away until he and Embry moved to the nearest alleyway on the opposite street.

"Just like Kuraysh huh Onyx?" Whispered Embry.

"Except that we had paladins with us in Kuraysh they helped."

Embry signaled for the other two to move to their position whilst Onyx moved through the alleyway to the next next street. He looked everywhere for a sign that might say where the safe house might be, but found nothing. Suddenly he heard scurrying footsteps as he saw a child moving along the sidewalk. Onyx used the cover of darkness to mask his presence as the child moved through the opposite alleyway. Onyx signaled the rest to move in the direction of the child. They followed the child through the darkness without making any sounds. Finally the child stopped dead in his tracks before checking to see if he was being followed.

He knocked on the door twice. "What is life's greatest illusion?" Asked the voice behind the door.

"Safety." Answered the child.

"Spooky kids man." Whispered Tykal.

"You learn to live with it." Answered Onyx.

The door opened and the child walked inside. They made their way to the door and knocked twice. There was no answer. Onyx pressed his ear against the door and heard shuffling.

"The daffodils sing in the moonlight." Said Onyx.

He heard footsteps approaching. The door creaked open only slightly as it slowly opened revealing a man with a flintlock revolver and the children behind him armed with automatic crossbows and sybaris rifles.

"Prove it." Ordered the man as he aimed the gun at Onyx's head.

Onyx opened his mouth and pulled out his tongue. The man looked for the distinct black mark that all legionnaire spies had.

"Shit. Alright come in hurry."

The team was quickly ushered in. The man looked to the sides of the entrance to ensure that they were not followed.

"Fuck. You'll have to forgive me. Can't be too careful these days. Fork, Spoon come here and prepare something for our guests. Cup and Mug will set some sleeping arrangements for you. You'll have to forgive the tight accommodations."

"Cup and Mug? Fork and Spoon? Those can't be your real names?" Began Tykal.

"Codenames. In case the enemy captures us. I'm the Housekeeper by the way."

"You a legionnaire?" Asked Azura.

"That's right. Now what in the name of the Sovereigns is the Karashian military doing out here?"

"We need a more private room."

"Basement it is. Rag head upstairs and watch the approaches."

"Tykal go with her and help her out." Ordered Azura.

"Yes ma'am."

Azura, the Housekeeper, and Onyx made their way to the basement. The basement was littered with maps and documents detailing the operations of the legionnaire spies in the country.

"I'm surprised you keep such detailed records of your operations." Said Azura, marveling at the amount of paperwork.

"It's all fake. To give the Zulamarians a false trail should they find us and give the other houses a heads up and head start to escape. We burn all the real documents the same day we receive them."

"Did you not know we were coming?" Asked Onyx.

"Nope. I'm impressed by how fast you got here actually. The news never made it."

Onyx and Azura looked at each other. "Ley's just say Karash has invented a new means of transportation."

"Courtesy of Spyre." Added Onyx.

"So what's your mission?"

"We are to create a situation that allows Karash to pull veteran troops from its border with Zul-Aman to send them off to fight in the war. In order to achieve this we must create infighting among the key players here."

The man hummed. "Yeah you'll want to see the Plumber over at our main base here."

"Where is that?"

"I'll have one of the kids show you the way. Ah before I forget you may want to change into something less formal."

"Thank you." Replied Azura.

The Housekeeper left the two in the basement whilst he went to retrieve some clothes.

"He said so much and so little at the same time." Began Azura.

"Can't be too careful. We are in enemy territory after all."

"Still... a little more information would have been nice."

"This ain't the first time we've had little intel."

"True, but we always had a few more soldiers backing us up not half a squad."

The man returned with Tykal and Embry in tow along with civilian clothes they could use.

"They ain't much but... they'll have to do. You'll have to leave your weapons here. It's almost the crack of dawn. We have a few pneumatic pistols you can use."

Pneumatic pistols were air powered pistols that fired steel darts. All one would have to do is charge the compressor with air to fire a dart. The bigger the charge the more powerful the dart. Only downside was the fact that they had terrible range, and wouldn't always kill their target.

"What about a ballistica crossbow?" Asked Tykal.

Ballistica crossbows were much smaller almost the size of pistols. They had increased accuracy and range compared to pneumatics pistols. Some could even be mounted on wrists. They were perfect for assassination or stealth missions.

"We only have enough for all of us here in the safe house and I'am not going to part with any of them. You'll have to leave the rest of your gear here can't have armed civilians wandering about. I'll arrange to send them later."

"Thanks." Answered Azura. "Let's change quickly and get out of here. Before I forget you wouldn't happen to have any suicide pills would you?"

The man opened a drawer with a bottle full of small black pills. "I never leave home without them."

Antama stepped out of the building and onto the empty streets of Albion. He looked at the cobblestone and wondered how long it would be before the mud, rain, dirt, and trash would be joined by blood and corpses. He continued walking down the street until he gazed up at the statue of Gaeric. The statue was allegedly an accurate description of the woman herself. The statue was well over seven feet tall, nearly eight feet, and ten inches. There was not a single inch that was not covered in scars, and completely naked. She was made of pure muscle, and was rumored to have the strength of a thousand men. They needed someone like that. Except that they didn't. All they had were mockeries of what was and never could be. He reached for his necklace and clutched the precious black stone tightly.

Antama was suddenly startled by the hand on his shoulder. "Who?"

The hand belonged to a woman, a silent sister to be precise.

Antama resorted to using sign language. "You scared me."

The woman signed back. "I know. That was the point. How have you been?"

"I'm fine. Although you look like you've seen better days."

"Story of my life. Are you here for Cierra?"

The woman nodded. "It's been a long time since I last saw her."

"Me too." Said Antama trying to remember the last time he visited his wife's grave. It felt like such a long time ago now. Too often he'd spend most of his days at his office, at one of their other bases in the country, or hunting for any threats.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"Sure thing Amaya." He forced his smile.

The pair walked through the dark streets and made their way towards the cemetery. Antama noticed a pair of teenagers managing a stand with flowers for sale. The girl was the first to notice them and signaled the boy about their arrival.

"Holy shit it's you!" The boy exclaimed.

The girl elbowed him in the gut. "Ah shit Sasha that hurt."

"Show some respect."

"Right apologies. Silent sister. Black Knight Rylos. Uh... what will it be?"

"I didn't know flower stands stayed opened this late, or early." Spoke Antama.

"Never know when people might come along. People are funny like that. You never know what they'll do next."

Antama and Amaya glanced at each other. There was an awkward silence before Sasha finally broke it.

"What sort of flowers are you looking for?"

"Lilies. Orange preferably if you have them." Spoke Antama.

The boy smiled. "Gladly let me just look."

Amaya tapped Antama's shoulder. "Don't you think it's weird?"

"We are not used to the city yet." Spoke Sasha.

Amaya was slightly taken aback by the girl's knowledge of sign language.

"Where are you from?" Asked Antama.

"We've been all over Eris from Ulammar to Aephon, and everything in between." Answered the boy as he pulled out the flower pot with orange lilies.

"Are the two of you married?" Signed Amaya.

"No. Although sometimes it feels like it." Answered the boy.

"Do you really think that...."

"Nag, nag, nag."

Sasha snarled. "And for you?" Sasha directed her question towards the silent sister.

"Bellflowers. Blue preferably if you have them." She signed.

"Sure thing."

"How many Zubriks?" Antama asked as he pulled out his wallet.

"No charge." The boy smiled then he pulled out his hand. "It's the least I could do for the Black Knight of Albion."

Antama shook the boy's hand. The handshake lasted a little longer than Antama expected.

"Huh?" The boy began.

"What is it?"Asked Antama, eager to break physical contact.

"You have really soft hands. Like baby's bottom crazy soft."

"Let go of his hand." Interjected Sasha.

"Right my bad."

After that awkward exchange Amaya and Antama left the pair.

"So?" Sasha began.

"For now let's wait and see. Not like we can do much else at this point."

The pair made their way towards Cierra's grave. Antama dreaded the walk, and the flower pot felt heavier each time he took a step. They finally reached the gravestone. The epitaph on her grave read, "Cierra Rylos, Daughter of Havel, Beloved Wife and Sister, 2206 A.D.C.-2245 A.D.C." Both of them placed their respective flower pots down.

Amaya placed her hand on Antama's shoulder and signed. "What happened to her is not your fault."

"Sure doesn't feel like it some days." Antama didn't know what to make of the scene he witnessed that day. His wife sprawled on the bed with her chest open and her guts spilling out. A monster swallowing his child. That last image repeated itself again and again. He didn't tell anyone about the monster. Not like anyone would believe him.

"Have you found any suitors? What with you being the last descendant of Havel and all." Began Antama.

"It is the second strongest line right after Gaeric's. However, there are many that would like to see the lineage gone what with him being allied to the Divines."

"At least he helped Gaeric's son Corrax when it mattered."

"If you could call it that." Amaya placed her hand on the gravestone and turned to leave.

"Zephyrus is coming back." Said Antama.

Amaya only looked at Antama as he looked down at the gravestone. He slowly turned his head to meet her gaze.

"I found two people who could perform magic about twenty days ago."

Amaya placed her hand on Antama's shoulder and left. Antama was left with his thoughts all alone. There was a thick fog settling in followed by the sounds of laughter. Antama turned around trying to get a look at who it was that was nearby.

"Amaya!" He shouted.

As he turned around to look at his wife's grave he saw it crouched on top of it looking back at him smiling. The same monster that killed his wife and devoured his child. Antama pulled out his knife and threw it at his eye. The monster didn't even flinch or evade it just stayed there still smiling.

"What do you want? Are you here to finish the job?"

The one eyed monster didn't reply it simply pulled the knife from its eye.

Antama pulled out a second one and just before he was about to throw it the monster spoke to him. "So uncivilized."

"What the fuck are you? What do you want from me?"

"When Albion's forgotten son returns. Gaeric's daughter will have her revenge. The skies shall cry red with blood and the dead shall rise again. Heed these words Black Knight." He looked at Cierra's grave. "Only one last debt remains to be paid." Suddenly he tore the skin from his back revealing wings made of skin, and the monster flew off into the night sky.

Antama tried to understand what the creature meant. A daughter of Gaeric would mean a female descendant of Gaeric, but all of them were killed by Corrax during the Sovereign Rebellions. He had to wonder if that thing was somehow related to Zephyrus. If so he had to question the prisoner they had locked up in Dour Keep.

The group made it to the city's center keeping an eye on the patrols. There were at least thirty guards stationed on the square covering all the approaches.

"Where's the entrance?" Asked Azura.

"Center of the square in the park. There's a sewer grate that'll take you down. Just follow the markings. Good luck." The girl left the group.

"How are we gonna do this?" Asked Tykal.

"Onyx and Tykal go right. I'll take Embry and go left. We knockout the guards and steal their money so they think it's a robbery. Questions?"

"About the fact that the Divines may be coming back?" Asked Onyx.

"Later. One thing at a time."

The group split each covering one side of the square.

"So I guess we aren't talking about it?" Asked Tykal.

"Drakon's Rest?"

"Yes."

"Would you believe it?" Asked Onyx.

"Fair point. What about your Dragon Eyes?"

"When we reach the hideout. There might be some legionnaires down there that know something about it."

The duo hid among the vending stands and waited for the first patrol to pass them by. The two guards leaned against the stand and started to talk.

"I fucking hate the graveyard shift."

The other one yawned. "Tell me about it. I never feel like I get enough sleep."

Onyx and Tykal each took position behind one of the guards and brought them down to their side of the stand. The guards struggled for a bit, and all you could hear was muffled screams before they were knocked unconscious. Onyx and Tykal then moved on to rob them of their money.

"How much do you have on yours?" Asked Tykal.

"One zubrik." Said Onyx as he pulled out the note.

"Well I got... two."

There was an awkward pause before Onyx broke it. "I kind of feel bad."

"Yeah. Wanna kill them? End their money troubles."

"No killing."

"Killjoy."

The duo moved from their spot towards the center hiding among the bushes and trees. Onyx focused his attention on the other side of the square looking for Azura and Embry. He saw the two of them hiding by some crates and barrels waiting for the patrol to pass them by. Onyx picked up a rock and threw it several meters in front of the guards luring them away. Azura and Embry hurriedly moved towards the small park and met with them.

"So far so good. Now let's find that..." Azura was immediately cut off.

"Who goes there?" Asked one of the patrolmen.

Tykal readied her pneumatic pistol and aimed it at the man's head. As soon as he came within range she fired the pistol. The dart pierced the man's left eye. The man screamed in pain alerting the others in the vicinity.

"So much for no killing." Said Tykal as she walked up to the man, pressed the barrel of the gun against his neck, and pulled the trigger.

"Run!" Ordered Azura as the guards neared their position.

The group sprinted towards the grate. Onyx opted to split from the group, and lead the guards away in order to maintain the secrecy of the Karashian spy cell.

"Hey assholes over here!" Yelled Onyx.

The trio watched as Onyx led the guards away.

"Azura?" Asked Embry wondering what she might order them to do.

"Damn you Onyx! We have our orders let's go."

"But..." Embry began.

"He can take care of himself. Besides he has a suicide pill."

Embry growled at Tykal's last comment.

All they could do was follow the plan and hope that Onyx would somehow escape.

Onyx ran through the unknown streets of Albion as more soldiers pursued him. Onyx closed and opened his eyes repeatedly trying to activate his Dragon Eyes.

"How the fuck do you turn it on? Shit they're close."

Suddenly they started shooting at him. Onyx took a turn in a nearby alleyway when he noticed soldiers running towards him from the opposite side. Onyx retreated, but he was surrounded from both sides. He reached for his pocket and pulled out the black pill. However, he dropped it as one of the soldiers fired his crossbow at him from behind hitting his right shoulder. Onyx looked for the pill, but couldn't find it.

"Some welcome." He said before one of the soldiers hit his head with a club.