Hunted

Ether and Rose along with the officers swarm the street after Withra. Although, they only think she is a thief. By the time they reach the street from the subway station she is already gone. The coven officers and palace guards organize their forces to sweep the sector.

"Damn she got away again!" Rose says. "We had her."

"Calm down," Ether says.

"Calm down? Calm down!" Rose says. "I should have just shot her. Then we would have the damn spear or whatever and..."

Ether turns away from her when he gets a call on his personal phone. He presses a button on his helmet to pick it up.

"Hello?" He says.

"Ether. Why do you sound like you don't know who this is?" Carmelita says in a pouty voice. "Don't tell me you didn't save my number."

"Caramel? You never gave me your number. Wait, I never gave you mine either how did you..."

"Now that's just cruel that you don't even remember." Carmelita cuts him off. "Out of all the guys out there no one treats me as cold as you."

"Look Caramel, I am busy right..."

"Oh I am fully aware. In fact, I want to join in with all the fun. Have you all caught the thief yet?"

"Woah wait you want to join in? You are way overqualified for this. Are the Myrmidons getting involved?"

"No just me. Is there a problem?"

"No-no of course not. I just need to ask my commander..."

"Can you just do me this one favor and keep this between us? Look, if the other Myrmidons found out I decided to thief chase, I'd never hear the end of it. Just do this for me as a friend."

Ether lets out a sigh. "Sure I'll send you my location now. Rose and I will wait here."

"Rose, who is that? I accepted your cheating on me with the Princess but now I hear about your other side chick. How many girls does it take to please you?"

"Shut-up Caramel, we are not an item and Rose is my partner." Ether says with a sigh. "I'll see you when you arrive. We'll wait at the address the address I am sending."

"No one treats me as cold as you, baby."

Ether hangs up the phone and turns his attention back to Rose who has continued on her rant uninterrupted.

"...and that's why the next time I see that bitch I am going to pump her full of lead. So don't you tell me to calm down, Ether! Actually, now that I got that all out I am feeling much better. The only frustration I have left is sexual."

"Too much information, Rose." Ether says. "Let's go partner."

"Where?"

To investigate the scene. She used her magic let's see what we can find out. You have night vision in your helmet right?"

The two walk back down into the subway station. All of the ceiling lights were blown so they had to rely on their night vision. They come to the spot where Withra shot the lightning upward. The ceiling tiles were the initial impact hit was completely melted through and the stone behind was blackened and cracked. Scorch marks and melted tiles stretched all across the ceiling. The two were shocked at the evidence left behind by their mysterious thief. The magic that she used as a distraction was more than enough to have killed everyone. It was clear with talent she possessed she was no armature mage but instead a master, possibly a grandmaster.

Soon the crime scene investigators came taking pictures of the scene. They all were astonished at the potency of the magic that the thief used. It was definitely overkill to knockout the power. Rose and Ether leave to get out of the investigators way.

As soon as they leave the subway a hover-car lands. It is definitely military quality a heavily armored. However, it has no identification and is a gunmetal gray. The driver window rolls down and Carmelita waves.

"How much for a night, baby?" Carmelita catcalls.

"Is that a Myrmidon?" Rose asks. "What's she doing here."

"She's going to be with us for a little while. Let's go." Ether responds as he walks to the hover-car. "Her name is Carmelita."

"You're kidding right no way the captain approved this." Rose says.

"What the captain doesn't know won't hurt him. It is a personal favor." Ether admits.

"I didn't know you were such a rebel. You must really want some nooky from the Princess to be teaming up with a Myrmidon." Rose says with a sly look. "Hell, I would bend over for you just knowing all the effort you put into this."

"Sh-shut-up...It's not like that and you know it."

Ether and Rose get in the car and Carmelita promptly takes off. Ether introduces the two to each other then tells Carmelita the last known location of the thief in the fourth district which is not too far from where they are. Roadblock checkpoints were already set up around the district and an extensive manhunt is underway. Now that Carmelita has gotten involved the chances of the thief getting out of this alive has dropped drastically.

The Myrmidon Corp. is comprised of only ten members. Each of them personally trained by Sabrous with one purpose; to kill Gods. Although the Myrmidon Corps has never been called to commit deicide the group has destroyed entire armies alone. Destroying small nations that threatened Sabrous' developing kingdom. Most of whom were little more than pride hungry barbarians looking to test their metal against the fabled Demon-God of Death.

"So what's the plan. We still need to find her." Rose says.

"That's not a problem now that I have Ether." Carmelita responds.

"How do I play a part in this?" Ether says. "I don't have any leads."

"You are the lead silly." Carmelita says. "Have you heard of magical reverberation?"

"Oh no, here comes exposition." Rose states.

"Anyway, it's a phenomenon that happens when a person or thing has had an extended amount of time with or around a magic item. It's like magnetizing a piece of metal by rubbing it against a magnet."

"What does that have to do with this?" Rose asks skeptically. "Besides the magical reverberation is nearly impossible to detect. Even if you could somehow detect it you would need the princess or Lord Sabrous for it to work."

"I am one of the few people in the world that can sense magical reverberation. Although the princess or Sabrous would be ideal, Ether will do. He help train her. So he was around the weapon in use. So as long as you're near, Ether, I can find Oli and in turn the thief."

Ether turns around to look at Rose in the back seat. "Rose call command..."

"Woah there," Carmelita says. "That might not be a good idea. I believe your little thief may have some inside help. No one could have known about the inner workings of the keep without it."

"Damn, she has a point, Ether." Rose says. "Besides capturing her will be a cinch with a Myrmidon backing us up."

* * *

Withra takes the visor off and throws them to the ground in disgust while clenching her throat. She couldn't believe that one of the Myrmidons is actually a traitor. If she had gone to the dinner and left early she would be dead now. She remembers what her father said about the Myrmidons. They were chosen and trained by him personally to one day be her God killing generals.

Withra walks out of the bathroom headed for the door to exit the club. She knows that it would be better to keep moving. Rather than wait around for a Myrmidon to show up. Suddenly, however, a man steps out in front of a her. He looks to be about the same age as Ether in he is in high-tech battle gear with a massive sword on his back and his helmet under his arms. He has a nice physique and broad shoulders, sparkling green gem like eyes and short brunette hair. He has a rough stubble that adds to his rustic look. He stands at about six feet tall and has a sly smile. Withra is taken back from the sight of him feeling something she hadn't before.

"Hey baby," the man says with a voice that rims with authority. "How are you doing?"

Withra struggles to find the words to speak. She takes a step back unsure of how to handle the situation. He takes a step forward not giving her any space or time to think of a way out.

"Excuse me," she's says at a whisper as she scuttles by him. "I have to be going."

"Where are my manners," he says. "Your beauty had me entranced. My name is Victor, dragon slayer of the north."

"That's nice and all Victor but I have to be going. It was nice meeting you..."

At that moment six covenant officers walk in the bar blocking the exit. Withra and Victor quickly turn away so the officers don't see them.

"Shit, they found me." Victor and Withra say simultaneously. "Found you?" They point at each other confused.

The two turn around and start walking into the crowd of dancers. Making their way to the rear exit. The Dj cuts off the music as more officers walk in the back door. Withra and Victor stop in their tracts.

"So my mystery criminal, what are they after you for?" Victor asks. After a few minutes of silence, he continues. "Well it doesn't matter in a few minutes they're going to get both of us."

"You maybe." Withra says.

"So you have an escape?" Victor asks. "Let me in on it."

"Why would I do that, Victor?"

"Well, what is your plan once you get out of here?" Victor asks. "Do you know how to get out of the city? How about the wall, did you forget about that?"

"Do you have a way out?"

"But of course," I always have a plan.

"What about right now," Withra says slyly as she pulls out her mask and puts in on.

"I am up for some improve." Victor puts on his helmet and it latches in place.

She grabs Victor's hand and runs as fast as she can to the bathroom. The guards quickly spot them and chase after the two. Once they are inside Withra starts her incantation and jumps up passing through the ceiling and dragging Victor with her. The two find themselves on the roof of the club. Victor takes the led across the rooftop to the front of the building. They survey the area not seeing anyone. Victor jumps down and lands then catches Withra when she jumps down. He puts her down and the two sneak across the parking lot.

"There she is." Victor says as he presents his red hovercycle.

"What is that thing?"

"I forgot these are illegal here. It's a hovercycle." He says as he mounts the bike. "Get on and hold on."

Withra jumps on behind him. The covenant officers hear the bike start-up and rush outside. However, by the time they make it, Victor and Withra are gone. Victor drives fast through alleys and in between buildings as if he knew every inch of the city. After a few minutes pass they make it out of the Fourth district. Escaping the tightening grip of the covenant officers.

Withra has a brief sigh of relief before she decides to turn around. She notices that they are being followed by a black hovercar that is flying high in the sky. She uses her magic to increase your vision seeing that someone is hanging out of the car. It is a woman with the sniper cannon that is aiming directly at them. Withra pats Victor's thigh to get his attention then points up. He sees the hovercar just in time to narrowly avoid the shot from the cannon. However, a second shot connects and the two careen out into the street. Victor grabs Withra and bails off of the uncontrollable vehicle. They hit the ground hard and fast. Victor is protected because of his armor however Withra breaks an arm as they roll along the pavement.

Victor promptly stands and helps Withra up to her feet. They don't have long before they've made it to the wall. The two start running. However, the hovercar cuts off their path nearly hitting them. The doors open and the first to step out is Ether. Withra debates if it's time to just come clean and return to the palace. She got further than she had hope to after all. She reaches up to take off her mask, however, when the second person steps out her hand freezes. A female Myrmidon with a sword and shield. It was unmistakable, she was the woman that tried to kill her in the tower. Withra lowers her hand and grabs on to her broken arm whispering a healing spell. Lastly Rose steps out of the car aiming her sniper cannon directly at Withra.

"It's nice to finally meet you miss thief." Carmelita says while she pulls her sword from her sheath. "Do make this fun."