Vol. 2 Prologue[3]

Joseph idly toyed with his dagger, the well-worn handle flipping deftly across his knuckles as he leaned against the rough cavern wall. The chamber was dimly lit by a few scattered torches, their struggling amber glow unable to fully pierce the subterranean gloom. Still, there was just enough flickering radiance for joseph to brood by, sharpened steel casting back orange glints.

"Ho there, joseph! When'd you slip back in?" a voice called out, shattering his dark reverie. joseph glanced up to see Kalan approaching, his thin features thrown into sharp relief by the guttering torchlight. The man's robes, as always, looked to have seen fresher days, stained and singed from who knows what failed magical experimentations. joseph just grunted noncommittally in reply.

"Alys is in a meeting so I'm stuck kicking my heels for a bit," joseph gestured toward the plain wooden door set into the cave wall, behind which muted voices could be heard.

There were only about 13 people total in whole association right now, with six pairs and the leader. Each pair worked on different stuff to cause trouble for the kingdom. joseph was newbie so he was paired up with alys who has had experience in the field. 

joseph and Alys went out to make attacks look like monsters did them. Kalan and his buddy Zeth made magical gadgets and weapons. The sneakier members snuck around stealing secrets and supplies. Other teams worked on potions or keeping their hideout hidden.

But nobody knew everything the leader planned. That way if one team got caught, the rest stayed safe. 

joseph pulled Kalan aside, knowing they needed to speak quietly about his question. In a hushed voice, he asked something that had been bothering him. "You know a lot about magical stuff. Can you explain why we try so hard to get any teleport scrolls and things after we do our attacks?" 

He shook his head, confused. "I get that those magic scrolls let us escape quick and make it way harder for the authorities to track us. But why are we told we absolutely have to grab all the enchanted parchment from where we were?" What's the real reason behind that weird rule?"

Kalan nodded wisely, always ready to show off his magical knowledge. "Good question! You're right - scroll spells are powerful that uses mystical runes magic. Scrolls are way more powerful than just portals. You can block portals with a wide anti-magic spell. But those take a lot of energy - only high A-rank mages could even try it. " 

He glanced around the dark cave corridors. Then he kept talking softly. "The big risk is our magic doesn't have great ways to block those rune spells. You see, making a scroll bakes in layers of counterspells..."

The mage shook his head in frustration. "Basic anti-teleport wards just don't cut it. They can't fully stop the intricate scroll phrases. Only a Cancellation Scroll has the right keys to negate it - takes one to beat one." 

Kalan leaned in even closer, voice barely a whisper. "So by taking any leftover scrolls, the Enforcers can't prove that humans recently cast spells at the 'monster' attack sites. With no clear sign of focused magic, they stay in the dark! And without such solid evidence that sorcery was involved, they can't unravel the true nature of our 'monster' attacks or track the movements of our members."

joseph nodded slowly as understanding dawned. "I think I get it now."

Kalan smiled and clapped joseph on the back. "Precisely! You see now why the protocol is so vital. Depriving the Enforcers of those aromatic traces of monsters is the only reliable way to confuse their investigations."

The door suddenly swung open and Alys strode out. joseph tried glimpsing inside but Alys shut it quick behind her.

"Oh, Kalan. Surprised you're still here," Alys greeted with some sarcasm. "Thought you were busy finishing prototype C2. But if you got time to chat, guess it must be done for me to test soon?"

Kalan looked annoyed at her tone. "I was just updating joseph on some magic details for his mission. The new prototype is coming along, don't get pushy."

Alys smirked. "Sure, sure. But we're on a timeline, you know that. The leader want results." Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

joseph shifted awkwardly. He always felt caught in the middle when these two started bickering about timetables or who worked harder. Hopefully Kalan would keep cool headedness even though Alys poked him. They all had to contribute, after all.

"Got things to work on," Kalan said, walking away annoyed.

"Leave him be. Come on joseph," Alys waved for joseph to join her. After some walking, she stopped and turned to joseph. "The leader said to stop all attacks and stuff until Prince Edward gets crowned. Even awhile after. Too risky right now."

Alys went on "You can take off if you want joseph. Go back to normal life until we call you again. But remember – don't let anything about us slip!"

joseph nodded, taking it in. Seemed they'd lay low and let Prince Edward take over peacefully. Then later their missions could restart.

"I'll clear out first thing tomorrow," joseph told her.

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The lead Enforcer surveyed the carnage left in the wake of the army's ruthless counterattack. Broken bodies of beasts littered the battlefield - at least ten manticores and a lone basilisk that had spearheaded the invasion now lay lifeless amidst the gore. Cries of the few remaining monsters still stubbornly clinging to life echoed across the area as soldiers systematically extinguished the last embers of resistance.

The Enforcer commander stood tall despite his black uniform being drenched in sickly green blood. The noxious fluid dripped from his arms and blade as he watched the final monster strongholds falling one by one. It was merely a formality at this point - the tide had clearly turned in the army's favor after brutal hours of combat. But the lead Enforcer would not relax his guard until every last invader was slain. Only then could he consider this threat neutralized and the score settled for the innocents they had slaughtered.

A resounding cheer went up among the soldiers as the last monster fell dead to the ground. With the threat fully quelled after hours of grueling combat, a wave of jubilation and relief swept through the exhausted troops. They embraced, clapped each other on the back, and whooped cries of victory to the sky, swords and helmets thrust aloft.

The camp erupted into spontaneous celebration that night as mead and wine flowed freely. Great bonfires crackled, makeshift taverns handed out free drinks, and raucous toasts were made to fallen comrades. Songs and dancing rang out, warriors banded together to joyously recount their slaying of vile beasts.

As raucous festivities reigned around him, the Lead Enforcer tapped his gauntlet rune to open a secure channel back to Enforcer high command. "Reporting, the monster horde invasion has been successfully repelled. Casualties were heavy but ultimately acceptable given targets neutralized."

"Solid work, Commander," came the crisp reply. "What's the status of recovery operations?"

"Site Alpha remains sealed under stasis protocol to enable investigation of the anomaly's origin point," Victorious responded. "We are commencing construction of a reinforced perimeter to secure the surrounding villages from in case of any follow-up attacks."

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Prince Edward paced back and forth within his private chambers, boots clicking sharply against the polished marble floors. Despite the lavish silk tapestries draping the walls and elegant mahogany furnishings scattered about, he felt confined in the spacious room.

A sudden rap at the ornately carved doors made him start. "Enter," Edward called out. The heavy door swung inward and a grizzled man limped into the royal bedchamber. Edward recognized him as Commander Bron.

"Your Highness, I bring news from the aftermath of the confrontation with the A-rank monster horde." Bron hesitated before continuing. "It was a hard fight, nearly fourteen hours of pitched combat."

He implored Bron to sit, pouring a goblet of wine for the worn commander. "Please Commander, you must rest. Now tell me - what of the threat? Was it quelled?" 

Bron gulped down the drink gratefully. "Aye. We rallied once the lead Enforcer 25 arrived and implemented an attack. It was brutal...we lost over a hundred soldiers." Shaking his head sharply Bron refocused. " Every last one of those monsters now lie dead by our blades. We made sure none survived." Bron met Edward's gaze. "The threat has been eradicated, Highness."

The prince loosed a heavy sigh. "Please relay my deepest thanks to your brave soldiers. And may our fallen rest in heroic peace." Edward refilled Bron's emptied cup.