128: A Company of Fools: Operation of Pride I

<Thor's breath! I can still see the fire from all way over here!> I exclaimed as I looked at the raging flames in the distance.

<We have to at least be ten miles away, and it still looks so bright…> Nate commented.

<You can probably see it from Silver and even Gold city.> Bo piped up.

<Good! That'll get Draco's attention.> Sin said. <If he wasn't at the fights before, he'll be thre now.>

<I'm still a little fuzzy on how we're going to get into the figh club in first place.> Nate said.

<Simple, we're going to hijack a couple of people's faces.> I answered. <Particularly rich looking out of towners that are already on their way to the fights.>

<Is that why we're hiding here in this disgusting apartment watching the road?> Bo asked.

The five of us were all sitting in the living room of a condemned apartment staring out of the windows overlooking the street. Grimm-Guard and Alpa'nagia were stationed in alleys on either side of the street waiting to strike and capture unsuspecting prey as they passed. Though most of Grimm-Guards body was hidden underground.

<Yeah. This is a road that most out of towners use in order to get the fight club.> Sin confirmed.

<Why would they come through here, this is like the most dangerous part of bronze city. There a much safer path six blocks in other direction.> Nate said.

<It's the route our members tell them to use. You noticed that once we got on this street, didn't see anyone despite how dangerous neighborhood is? It's like purpose. Anyone seeing following specific is off limits in gang. They're going evo fights and getting ready drop some serious dough. get caught hassling someone here, you're dead, your family Draco will make you watch while he kills them.> Sin explained.

<Well fuck…> I muttered.

<And this man has your sister?> Nate asked, and Sin nodded solemnly.

<Not after tonight.> Sin said. His voice was as hard as steel. 1

[Boss!] Bone-lasher alerted me. My senses blurred as we shared senses, and I saw a steed carriage entering his field of vision. Inside the carriage were four people, two women and two men. Judging by the extravagance of the carriage, they were rich, and I saw farm crystals on both men and women.

<Someone's coming.> I informed everyone. <They're in a carriage, so Grimm-Guard, you're up.>

Everyone's eyes focused on the road leading past the apartment. The carriage came into view a few moments after I alerted everyone. It was moving at a brisk pace but not too fast that we couldn't catch it in our trap.

The carriage passed by the alley that Grimm-guard was hiding in and was quickly approaching the alley that Alpa'nagia was hiding in.

[Now!] I exclaimed.

Alpa'Nagia lunged out of the alley and spat a large wad of venom into the face of the Steed. It hissed loudly and tried to buck and run away, but the venom worked fast. After a few steps, the steed suddenly collapsed on the ground. The driver of the carriage screamed and tried to jump off and run down the street only to be cut off by Grimm-Guard, who spat some of his venom in the man's face and paralyzed him as well.

<Got 'em!] I exclaimed and jumped up.< p>

<Lets hurry up and get their clothes.> Sin said. He was already up and making his way down to the street. I started to follow him when Jade grabbed me by my wrist and stopped me however.

<Maybe it's best you stay here. Your farm crystal makes easily identifiable.> Jade said.

<Yeah…you're right.> I replied with a sigh as I looked down at my right hand and my farm crystal. Jade patted me on my shoulder and pointed to Bo.

<You can keep a watch with Bo while we take care of them.> She added. Bo sat by the window with his arms crossed and a stern scowl on his face.

<You never get to let me have any fun!> Bo grumbled.

<Robbing someone should not count as fun!> Nate snapped. Bo grumbled some more under his breath and looked out the window. I smiled and nodded at Nate and Jade.

They both hurried after Sin downstairs and joined him as he approached the carriage. Bo and I watched from the window as Sin knocked on the door of the carriage with a blood axe drawn and 'nicely' asked the owners and his guests to exit the carriage.

They were reluctant, to say the least, but after a few well placed threats and a hungry glare from Alpa'nagia they finally agreed. Sin ordered them to head to the sidewalk and then strip. At first, the women looked terrified and looked to Nate and Sin, but after Jade explained that they just wanted their clothes, the women's terror turned to indignity. They tried to get mouthy with Jade and say that she didn't have enough class to pull off their clothes. Sin shut them up with a threat to cut off all their hair and butcher their faces.

Once the four of them were stripped down to their underwear, Sin tied their hands behind their backs, gagged them, and blindfolded them, then led them up into the apartment. Nate walked over and grabbed the driver, and dragged him inside as well.

<Wow, you guys are really good at that…> I teased as everyone returned. Nate narrowed his eyes at me as he dragged the driver into the room and left him by the window.

<I can't believe you talked me into this…> Nate groaned.

<Well you in the thick of it now, no point complaining.> I said. Nate frowned at me and shook his head.

<Okay we got them, now what?> Bo asked as he looked at the captives. Sin stood in front of one of the women and cracked his knuckles.

<Now we steal their faces.> Sin said.

He started casting a utility spell sigil. Sin held his arm out at the woman, and a green beam shot from his hand and struck the woman. She was engulfed by a green light as her features slowly became more masculine and taller. Within a few seconds, she looked like a carbon copy of Sin. Sin, on the other hand, started to look more feminine and shrank down until he looked like a carbon copy of the woman.

It was an odd thing seeing the giant of a man, closer in looks to a gorilla, suddenly turn in a blonde hair, blue-eyed bombshell. Sin had to hold up his pants as they now were about eight sizes too big.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed out loud, then clapped a hand over my mouth. Everyone turned and glared at me.

<Sorry… > I said over the mental link. <…but seriously, holy shit! I've never seen a spell that changes person's appearance like that!>

<It's a spell that's been passed down in my mother's side of the family.> Sin said, flashing a devilish smirk that smirk quickly faded however after he said that. <…and I don't have a spell sigil card to teach it you all…and he's normie and can't cast spells…shit!>

<Oh leave that to me.> I said confidently. I popped my claws and pricked my finger on my right hand, and started tracing runes on my left arm. For the most part, I copied runes that I saw when Sin casted the spell. I added a few runes that altered the spell a little.

When I was done, I channeled mana into my arm and started casting a axiom spell sigil. A green orb formed in my hand then floated in front of me and shot me with a green beam of light. The orb then shot another beam of light at one of the men in the group, the oldest out of everyone. He looked to be in his late forties but was in great shape for his age and, oddly enough, looked strangely familiar. We were similar builds, so there wasn't much of a change in the fit of my clothes when our appearances swapped.

The spell wasn't finished. However, the orb shot another beam at Nate and then at the second man in the group and swapped their appearances. After that, he shot a beam at Jade and the last woman and swapped their appearances. Sin stared at me blankly as the spells effect resolved.

<Did you just cast a personalized version of my family's spell after seeing it only one time…using blood?> He asked dazedly.

<Yeah. It's not really my best work, but then again, it's kind of a rush job. The spell should last for few hours, though.> I said. Sin looked to Nate and Jade for some sort of confirmation that they had seen the same thing he had.

Jade, being one to roll with the punches, gave him a nod of acknowledgement, then looked herself over. Nate just shrugs at Sin, then reaches down and pokes the gut that he is now sporting thanks to swapping appearances. The man he swapped with was about the same age as he was just nowhere near as in shape as he was.

<I'm starting to learn that the rules bind us when it comes magic and common sense don't apply him.> Jade said.

<Geez you sound like my classmates…> I grumbled.

<I feel sorry for your classmates…> Sin muttered. He grabbed the clothes that the woman he swapped appearances with and went into the other room. <…let's hurry up and change. So we can get this show on the road.>

Everyone grabbed their swappers' clothes and went into another room to change. Only Bo stayed behind and watched the captives. When everyone came back, they were dressed in their new clothes. Bo was sitting on the window sill in the living room with his arms crossed and his face set in a pout.

<What about me?> He asked expectantly.

<You're not coming with us.> I said. Bo pouted even deeper, then kicked the air angrily.

<Oh come on! Why not!?>

<You really have to ask?> Nate said, then walked over to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Bo looked up and looked hos father in the eye. <We are about to head into the heart of red dragon territory and do our damnedest puss off a gang killers, swindlers, human traffickers. Something could very easily go sideways.>

<You'll be close by Bo, I want with Grimm-Guard flying over the area in case we need to make a quick exit.> I added to help smooth the plan over with Bo.

Bo continued to pout but didn't seem as annoyed as he looked away from his dad. Nate looked to me and smiled softly, a silent thanks.

<Okay let's get this show on the road. Bo, head outside and Grimm-Guard follow us from above. Jade, heal driver to cure his paralysis. We'll need him make look come together. Sinner Nate carriage ready.> I ordered.

<Yeah, yeah…> Sin said, then headed outside, Nate followed close behind while Bo jumped down from the windowsill and chased after the two. Jade walked over to the driver and started casting a utility spell. I stood in front of our captives and cleared my throat.

"Okay, listen up…" I said, then frowned when I noticed that the voice I was using was not my own but the guy's face I was wearing. With a shrug, I rolled with it. "…we'll be borrowing your faces and your steed carriage. You won't be harmed as long as you do what we say."

"Please don't hurt us!" The girl who had Sin's face said.

"For fucks sake I just said we wouldn't hurt you! Look just stay Herr and count ti five thousand then you can take your blind folds off and leave. Just make sure to go back the way you came or you'll get jumped by the local gang." I said.

Thankfully none of the other captives spoke. I looked over to Jade and the drove to see Jade helping him up. Grimm-Guard's venom paralyzed them but didn't effect his hearing so he had to of heard what I told the others. The driver looked at Jade and I then, a momentary look of confusion on his face.

"This way…" I said motioning to the door. The driver nodded then hesitantly walked outside. Jade and I followed after him. When the three of us got downstairs Grimm-Guard and Bo were nowhere to be seen but I knew they were already above the clouds. Sin and Nate had the carriage righted and the steed healed and connected to the carriage. It didn't look like Alpa'nagia's venom would gave any lasting effects either.

"Where do you want me to take you?" The driver asked as he approached the carriage.

"The same place you were originally going to take your employer." I answered.

"Those evo fights? Why would you need to hijacks carriage to go to the fights?" He asked.

"That's none of your business." Sin said in a sharp then then got in the driver's face. "Don't ask anymore questions unless you want to end up missing."

Despite the fact the threat was coming out the mouth of a pompous and posh looking woman, the malice in his tone and the crazed determination in his eye really sold the look.

The driver gulped audibly then quickly turned and took hos position in the driver section of the carriage. Sin smirked and looked over at me with a cocky grin.

Sin, Nate, Jade and I all climbed into the back of the with Nate and Jade sitting next to each other and sin and I taking the seats across from them while Alpa'nagia returned to my crystal. The driver set off without another word and headed down the street.

We were still a good deal away from the location of the evo fights. Which was why Sin had suggested that street for the ambush.

<So…I've Ben meaning to ask. Where did you learn speak English?> I asked looking over to Sin. He frowned and crossed his arms.

<Does that really matter?> He replied dismissively. I knew from his tone he meant to end the conversation but I wasn't letting it go, we had a ways to go and I knew next to nothing about the guy.

<Yes. I'm nosy and we might literally be marching to pur doom try save your sister so the least you can give us is a little backstory.> I retorted. Sin huffed and narrowed his eyes at me, probably meaning to intimidate me but I have dealt with worse. After a few omens of us locking eyes he turned and looked put the window and sighed.

<My Father was American, in fact I born America.> Sin said softly. My eyes widened and I looked to Jade and Nate to make sure I heard him correctly.

<Wait? You're American too?! But you're a splicer?>

<Yeah, I lived there until was six. My parents managed to keep the fact a splicer hidden for that long. Until kid pants me at school and everyone saw my crystal.> Nate continued. Nate, Jade and I shared a sideways glance then looked at Sin with a bit of distrust.

<Where exactly is your crystal?> I asked. Sin looked confused for a second then his face turned red and he reached out and slapped me on my arm.

<It's on my outer thigh you perv!> He barked. I cackled and shook my head.

<Oh please! Next time be clearer and don't just say everyone saw your crystal when you got pants pulled down.> I countered. Sin curled his upper lip and snarled at me.

<Either way! After everyone found out I was a splicer mom and dad smuggled me of the country. My is originally from Egypt so they settled here in silver city. A year later had my sister, she too.> Sin said.

<Why would they have to smuggle you out of the country? From what we're taught about America hate splicers so why care if one left?> Jade asked.

<Because America is…for a lack of better term…a ass-backwards cluster fuck. American's hate splicers but at the same time most profitable business is selling evos to splicers.> I said bitterly. Sin nodded in agreement.

<They hate us but at the same time don't want any splicer born on American soil to leave because it gives them a superiority complex beat up who can't fight back if we do then legally they can kill us.> Sin explained.

<Lets be honest they could kill us without a reason and somehow it would still legal.> I said. Sin sighed and nodded in agreement again.

<That place was hell, I feel sorry for anyone that actually had to spend their whole life there.> Sin said.

<Eighteen years of my life was spent there…> I sighed mournfully.

<Shit…you're either really tough or resourceful.> Sin said, a modicum of respect creeping onto hos voice.

<Bit of both. Living with a shitty half brother who took every chance to beat the shit puffed me made tough. Having kick-ass Grandma and grandpa taught everything they knew resourceful.> I replied.

<Would you ever go back?> Jade asked. I was caught off guard by her question. After everything that had happened in the last two years in America, getting out was all I could think of.

<I'd be executed on sight if the military caught me trying to get into America. I pulled some shenanigans in order leave and pissed off a high ranking member of military.> I said. Jade's expression softened as she tilted her head.

<You didn't answer my question.>

<If my grandfather was in trouble I'd go.> I said without hesitation. Jade and Sin both nodded at my answer, in Sin's eyes I saw a flash of respect and recognition.

<Ummm, I just thought of something. Won't there be a lot red dragon splicers at the fights? Even if we manage to sow chaos won't overwhelmed by number and evos?> Nate asked. My eyebrows shot up and I looked at Sin.

<Wait that's a good question…but now that I think about it haven't seem many of the splicers in red dragons use evos.> I said.

<That's partly by design and circumstance. Evos are powerful tools in the right splicers hands. Draco doesn't want one splicer go get too able to challenge them so as a precaution anytime red dragons takes territory they send teams find any that has evo forces kill them. Usually only or two with evos since it costs lot buy catalysts make Unless you out hunt for yourself but desert surrounding city snakes, scorpions odd rodent.> Sin explained.

<So there won't be many splicers with evos apart from the fighters?> Jade asked.

<No, but the red dragons that are there aren't like run of mill cannon fodder you've seen up to this point. They all specially trained fight evos, and splicers have evos special ones called Bone Kresshers, heavily armored specialize in close quarters combat. sharp scales they can freely manipulate even eject from their body. It makes them hard attack range since now matter which way you waiting for you.> Sin explained.

<Sound like you know a lot about them…> Nate commented.

<I designed them. I based them off the Bone lyzards only bigger. They use bearded dragons and African anteater as a base. aren't fast but with their claws scales they can do some serious damage.> Sin added.

<Luckily I have a evo that specializes in long range combat.> I said then pulled the ring off my middle finger and handed it to Jade. <This ring has a custom spell of mine that I think will help protect you. It's called Ice fortress. Activate it if there is fight, grab Nate and just find corner to hide in until stops.>

Jade took the ring and nodded at me with conviction in her eyes then looked at Nate. Nate shared a similar look to Jade. The driver opened the partition between the driving section and the passenger section and looked back at us.

"Ummm…We're nearly there." The driver said in a soft weary tone.

"Good, just act normal and nothing will happen to you." Sin said in a oddly menacing voice. The driver gulped audibly.

"Yes ma'am." He said.

Sin looked visibly annoyed at being called ma'am but considering he had took the appearance of a woman and was also wearing her clothes what else could he was assume Sin was.

"From here on out refer to all of us like you would your employers." I said. The driver nodded.

"Yes Mr. Caldifax." The driver said.

"Caldifax…as in Simon Caldifax? As in the CEO of Caldifax security in Britain?" I asked.

"Y-yes sir." The driver responded.

<Who the fuck is that?> Nate asked.

<A very rich and annoying asshole who bought a ascended Thrad in America.> I said.

It suddenly hit me why that guy looked so familiar. I had tried to put the day that I left America out of my mind, it was bittersweet. To be finally rid of my father and mother after two years of being forced to pretend to be a happy family after Grandma Lulu's death felt oddly satisfying, however leaving my Grandfather felt soul wrenching almost. Like I was losing a part of myself and my grandmother. I only ever caught a glimpse of Caldifax as I flew away on the Terraback heading to Australia.

The carriage slowed down to a crawl suddenly and the others and I looked out the window to see A large warehouse building stretched out before us. There were a few carriages parked out front in the entrance and a large line of people waiting to get inside. The place looked more like a club than a illegal evo fighting ring. The building was much more done up than the rest of area, it actually looked ritzy enough to pass for a building in the gold city instead of one in the bronze city slums.

"We're here, sir." The driver said as the carriage came to a stop.

<Well showtime…>