Into the Storm

The room was heated, and it had nothing to do with the several inquisitors in the room. The day was cold as it was and the ac didn't make it any better (Blake was even surprised that they had one.) Looking round, Blake was still shocked at the sheer number of inquisitors. And he wasn't the only one. A lot of them were surprised as well. It truly wasn't everyday that they came together.

"Ughh." Ricardo groaned, resting his arm on Ivez's shoulder, "What's taking them so long? We could be doing something useful right now."

"I agree." Another inquisitor beside him said, "It is a waste of time to announce something we already know."

"Protocols are put in place for ruffians like you, you know." Cass said from behind them. Ricardo turned to face her in annoyance.

"Oh great, if it isn't the gang lord. Come to collect your pay?"

"Why of course," Cass said with a smile. "Money is everything."

"Won't matter if you're dead, you know."

"I don't like to waste my breath on people who don't understand money's value. Just ask Jacquez. He understands."

"Would you guys cut it out?!" Pop cried. "Some of us want to think."

"And some of us slip of into the afterlife, but here we are!!!" An inquisitor a few meters away said, "I shouldn't have listened to you, Dean."

"Shut up." Dean Monroe said, "If the day comes that you don't listen to me, the sun's coming down."

"Is it always this chaotic?" Sarah asked Zhao Fan. Zhao Fan shook her head. 

"I've actually seen worse days." She replied, "If Prime Klaus and Prime Diego weren't here, Ricardo and Cass will be at it."

"To think not everyone gets along here." Rachel said, "Talk about unity."

"Unity is a strong word that doesn't suit the Inquisition." Shino cut in, "That word best describes the Shield. We're just a bunch of dumbasses that only know how to work well together in a fight."

"I guess." Rachel shrugged.

"Yo Brandon," Shino called, "Pass me that ball."

Brandon obeyed immediately, swiftly turning his attention back to the set of cards in his hand. He placed one down with a smile, waiting for Blake's turn.

"Those are some really good cards." Blake said, as he placed a card down "Too bad."

"You are so hard to read."

"Don't tell me that's your excuse, Brandon. There are way better excuses than that."

"Ha!" Brandon said, placing a card down, "Excuses? Never needed them."

Blake bit his lip and grinned. "You sly fox."

"Ah, the joys of youth," Leticia said as she observed the two over Jake's shoulder, "Wish I was young again."

"Too bad. You had your chance." Jake said.

"What a meanie," Leticia said, "That really, really hurts. You've got to respect a lady's feelings."

"Well you're more than a lady to me." 

"Flattering won't get you anywhere, Jake."

"One of these days it will."

"Oh good Lord." Claire cried, "Make it stop. You guys are terrible lovers."

Leticia turned to her and smiled, hugging Jake's arm.

"How's the new boyfriend coming up?"

"Shut up!" Claire said, "You guys are the worst. At least Frank isn't as coldhearted like the rest of you, right Frank?"

"Hmm." Frank said, looking at the door, "Whatever."

"You're killing the mood bro. Lighten up."

"Considering the fact that I'll be burying some of you in a couple of days, I might as well kill the mood now."

"Hello people! Listen up!" Diego called from the stairs. All the inquisitors turned to face him. Beside Diego stood Klaus, who was as emotionless as always. Behind them was Kyler and Martha. And for Blake, it was his first time seeing her serious.

"Good evening, inquisitors." Klaus began, "As you know by now, there have been a surge of daemon attacks all around the globe with a lot of them involving whites. These whites, upon killing gave a message, talking about a march of sins, something that most of the older inquisitors are much aware of." Klaus paused, "A week ago, after the prime meeting, a white daemon appeared in the sky informing the world of a daemon incident that will take place a week or two from now. Unlike last time, we have been informed, and although they do not have the element of surprise like last time, they are confident in their abilities to overwhelm us. Which makes it all the more dire of a situation."

Klaus took a deep breath, "Each of you will be divided into your respective groups in order to cover more territory as well as kill as many daemon as possible. Thankfully, with the Shield around, we will not be burdened with saving innocent lives. With the exception of Cass, the rest of the groups will be assigned to Africa, Asia and Australia. Martha and Kyler will inform you of the specifics. Any questions?"

Claire raised her hand.

"Yes?"

"Um... about the sins...well..."

"As for the sins, they will be handled by the Primes. Each prime, with the exception of Diego and Donna who have a special assignment, are in charge of a zone."

"And the aides?" Jacquez asked, "Will they also be put in their own units?"

"No." Klaus said, "The aides are part of the special assignment along with Diego and Donna."

"What if we encounter sins, then?" Jacquez asked, "What do we do then?"

The room went dead silent. Klaus looked away, thinking for a while, before turning to the inquisitors.

"If the case happens, then you'll have no other option than to survive as long as you can. Don't try to play the hero or kill it. Survive until we can get there."

There was silence in the room. 

"Then I wish you the best of luck." Klaus said, ending the meeting. The inquisitors dispersed, going out in different directions.

"Blake." Klaus called. Blake stopped, turning to Klaus.

"Yeah?" Blake asked, approaching him. Klaus took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair.

"About what we talked about, have you decided?"

Blake sighed. A few days ago, Klaus had talked to him about not participating in the IIIrd Daemon Incident. Blake had refused then. 

"I'm still going, dad." Blake said. "Trust me on this."

"Trust, huh?" Klaus shook his head. "To be honest I trust Jacque more than I trust you. And I don't like Jacquez."

"Really, dad?"

"All I'm trying to say is that this isn't going to be a regular killing of daemon. Heck even the Half-breed incident was a problem for you."

"That was a different matter."

"Blake." Klaus said, "Watch your back out there. If push comes to shove, run. Even if you have to abandon your friends."

"What..."

"I'm serious." Klaus said. "I might not be the right person to say this, giving how powerful I am and my experience, but sometimes cowardice is bravery."

"Dad." Blake said with a grin, "I'll be alright."

The two stared at each other for a while. Klaus looked away at last, nodding his head. Blake walked away, joining up with Brandon and Shiro.

"He's a good kid, you know." Kyler said, resting his arm on Klaus' shoulder. "He'll live, don't worry about it."

Klaus looked at Kyler. Kyler smiled before taking his arm of his shoulder. "Just have a little faith in him."

"I do, Kyler. He's my son, why wouldn't I?"

"Then just lay off the kid, man."

"Ignoring your informal way of addressing me, have you found any information on what I wanted?"

"All leads to a dead end." Kyler said, "Best trail leads to the Ragnarok Society, but unfortunately, my informant is sort of new to the whole party so, it will take a while. Plus the information you want is apparently very delicate, as only two or three guys would know of it."

"Figures." Klaus said as he walked up the stairs. Kyler walked up to Martha, the latter who stood by herself.

"Missed me?" Kyler asked. Martha didn't reply. She only looked on her phone in silence. Kyler smiled.

"Hey, its going to be okay. We will survive this."

"This isn't about losing friends anymore, Kyler." Martha said, not looking at him. "This is about White City."

"Nothing could have been done, nobody could have been saved from something that no one knew of in the first place."

"Actually that I can forgive." Martha said, "But for years, they lied to me that my father murdered them all for the sake of some technique he didn't even give a damn about only to realize it now. I can't believe I actually bought that lie." Martha shoved a white cloth to Kyler. Kyler examined it, wrapping the scarf around his neck. She put on a short white coat with a red x stamped on its back.

"When this is over, the Dark family will rise again. That is a promise."

"Atta girl."

"Let's go Kyler, Diego wanted to have a special training session with us.."

"Tch."