Kyran grit his teeth at being berated. He knew in Sol's case it was probably out of concern for Yuiisai. While he had been impressed with how she'd gotten them through the border gate, the blood mage had been under the impression they had a time constraint. A time constraint that was growing smaller by the moment. Attacking in broad daylight seemed like the worst plan of action. That was where they were headed with all this sneaking around, wasting time on pleasantries. The Duck's friend would be on the gallows before they reached him. They would either fail the job, or have to go on an all out attack in order to take care of things.
He answered Sol's inquiry coldly. "First, I don't know her capabilities. I'd rather assume she was a capable fighter with fairly well honed abilities rather than underestimate her. Second, my magic can use another's body as fuel. If you were that concerned about leaving behind evidence and not getting this done quickly, you should have told me. Third, I was under the impression we had a time limit to complete our mission. While her idea is better, it takes more time. Time we don't have if we mean to rescue the Duck's friend. Being the amateur that I am, I went for the faster option as was the case." The black eyes that had replaced his own, stared at Sol from his skull-like face. Kyran knew he could easily rub his mentor's face in the reason why he'd been ill prepared. If Sol hadn't spent as much time arguing with Aguya, he might have been able to give Kyran a better idea of the plan. Perhaps even a bit of instruction on how they were meant to do things on this mission.
Instead, Kyran turned away from his two companions. Since he'd screwed things up, he was going to fix things. The guards were in Sol's shadow portals yes but they'd be replaced eventually. Their absence would be noted and an alarm raised. The blood mage knew that much at least. The time restraint they were under had changed from dawn to probably about two hours. It could be as many as five hours but Kyran was going to err on the side of caution this time. He either had to go all out or try his best to sneak about. He followed Sol after being gestured to. It was only a short ways before the redhead slipped away from his mentor. This was for the best. They were going to run out of time otherwise. The Duck might have been the only one to see Kyran slip away.
Now to prepare himself for the coming ordeal. His new magic, Salvator Alitis, would be helpful. First he summoned up the Cloak of Raziel. The black cloak shrouded him, pulling shadows to further conceal him. The hood of the cloak actually expanded to fit over his horns. That was useful. Next, Kyran brought forth the Bow of Dumah. This was a magical bow capable of putting others to sleep. While he hoped it wouldn't be needed, it could also cause a person to be consumed by their worst nightmare. It appeared to be a simple recurve bow with gold filigree. He took the time to tuck the flimsy scarves attached to the ends around the string. They might be noticed otherwise. Next to be called forth was the Bracelet of Hod. The intricate design of the bracelet looked like screaming people or worshiping people. It depended on which way you turned it. With this, Kyran could demand an act from someone. The angel of submission wasn't to be trifled with. The final peace to his outfit wrapped around his head. The Circlet of Eistibus. This granted him foresight of a kind allowing him to keep one step ahead of his opponents.
Now he was ready. Each of his requips could be used offensively if need be. However, Mystic Blood Beasts would be better for if he was finally caught. With those he could wreck havoc. Kyran did hope it didn't come to that though. He'd used a chunk of his magic in order not to be spotted. He didn't want it to become a waste. Before leaving the alley, Kyran activated the Future Sight ability of his circlet. Better to be safe than sorry. He'd see an outline of any patrolling guardsman before they reached him. It would give him just enough time to hide. Provided he actually saw it.
You should let us loose Medea purred in his ear. She was draped across the top of his mind as if trying to seem uninterested. Erebos and Ahriman sat against the 'doors' of his mind. Malinda slithered back and forth. They were all eager, Kyran realized. One wrong move and he might have to let them free. Luckily, he'd designed binding rituals. The demons might get out of his head and into their own bodies but they'd still be forced to listen. Kyran would have grinned if he was capable of it. Come on, you know you want to let us out to rampage. It would be the perfect dissssstraction. I won't eat too many people. I promise. Kyran got a fierce image of the town burning down around him. That would be what this place would be reduced to if the demons were released to play. He wouldn't let that happen. Not unless it was his last resort. He could do it. There was just enough mana for that plan.
Kyran shook his head, darting behind a wall as a guardsman approached. The patrols were getting heavier. He wasn't far from the prison itself so it made sense. The other two he'd sensed hadn't been anything to worry about. This was the first one to pass directly his way. The blood mage debated taking the man - woman, sorry - out. It would be one less guardsman if the alarm was raised. The bow in his hand came up. One sleep arrow would put her out of his business for a good long while. An arrow to the back of her head would do the same. In either case, Kyran would have to hide the body. He didn't have time for that.
She would eventually be returning on patrol. Kyran would need to move quickly or risk a disturbance much earlier than he needed it. The cloak flared out behind him when he moved to the next ally. He proceeded with as much speed as he dared. There was a fine line between his speed, caution and recklessness. As he made his way through the shadows, Kyran wondered if Sol had noticed his disappearance yet. Probably. He was going to at least get a chewing out when he got back. A beating wouldn't be out of the cards either. Kyran wasn't sure if Sol realized words hurt more than a physical beating. It was nearly impossible for the blood mage to feel violence upon his person. After feeling it all before, it didn't evoke his pain receptors anymore. Kyran respected his mentor. He really did. Yet the redhead had to wonder if Sol was really the best teacher for him. It often didn't seem like it when they were on missions together. Sol tried to act like his father too much. Well not Kyran's. That man had been more hands off. Fatherly at least was what Sol acted like. That wasn't what Kyran needed at all.
The fence around the prison made Kyran curse. It was warded judging by the glowing symbols. Guards were patrolling the length of it as well. He had no time to plan a good way over the fence. Touching it was out. It would fry and paralyze him. Most of the buildings were well out of the way without wings. Luckily we have wings. Go. Be quick. Kyran silently thanked Eae for pulling logic from his frazzled brain. Charging the nearest building, the blood mage leapt. His wings flared as he activated his coat's special ability. Planting his feet on the wall, Kyran pushed himself into the air. He had to keep from cursing when he saw the fence. His leap hadn't been high enough. His wings flapped, straining to pull him over the fence. The guards were going to see him.
"Shit!" His feet barely cleared the top of the fence. Before he dropped, the blood mage targeted every guard within range of his bow. A green arrow flared upon the string. As his wings closed, Kyran loosed. The arrow broke streaming through the air in multiple strands. The guards instantly fell asleep when the sickly green magic struck them. A few might have seen the spell heading toward them but Kyran didn't hear any shouts. He was in the clear for now. His time to get in and out was rapidly getting shorter. This last move would bring the guards in a few minutes give or take. He had that long to find the Raccoon.
Kyran poured the speed on as he rushed for the doors of the prison. Two guards. Newbies by the looks of those uniforms. Absolutely clean, not a wrinkle. Of course the standards here might be higher. It didn't matter. His arrows pinned them against the wall. Anyone glancing at them would think they were still at their post. A quick search of their bodies granted him a ring of keys. Hopefully, there was a master key. There isn't, idiot. These two were mere guards. The captains or the big boss here would have the master keys[i] Medea yawned, stretching. [i]Can we come out to play yet? Kyran glanced up at the massive prison in front of him. There was no way he could find the raccoon in a few minutes. He had to find Death Row then get the Raccoon out. Provided he had a key to the merchant's cell as well. Fuck, this hadn't been well thought out.
The key to open the door was luckily only the third on the ring. Unfortunately, there were shouts coming from the courtyard already. Damn it. There was also a guard just inside the door. Kyran grabbed the man and slammed him into the wall. "Tell me where the Raccoon is." He growled, activating Domination. A chain, invisible to every eye but his, shot from his bracelet. It wrapped around the man, squeezing him as it sank into his skin. The guard choked on his scream as Kyran squeezed his throat. "Tell me where the Raccoon is. Now." He repeated. "He is being held in the foremost cell of Death Row, two lefts, three rights from here. First left, third left, second right, second right, fourth right and you'll be at Death Row." The guardsman told him in monotone. The man's eyes were blank as the spell compelled the truth from him.
The next part of his plan wasn't so pleasant. Kyran carved runic symbols into the man's arm. As he carved, he chanted. "Fire, that burns all hearts. Vengeance, that grips the pure. Pain, that bane of life. Death, that final countenance. By this sacrifice, I call you forth. Ahriman!" The guardsman screamed as the spell consumed his blood. There was the sound of footsteps pounding down the hallway. Kyran grimaced as he dropped the writhing man. The runes on his arms glowed. His stomach bulged. Kyran turned away to secure the door with his Blood Morphs. He didn't need to watch any of this. As a group of guardsman burst around the corner, Ahriman ruptured the guardsman's corpse. They barely had time to scream before the demon attacked.
Why did he get summoned first? Medea whined, clawing Kyran's mind. The blood mage growled, kneeling at the edge of the blood pool Ahriman had created. "Light, to bind your darkness. Fervor, to curb your hunger. Steel, to diminish your strength. Death, to satisfy your essence. By this sacrifice, I call you forth. Medea!" The cat howled as she formed behind the black beast that was Ahriman. Kyran waved a hand. "Go. Wreck havoc. Ahriman!" The wolf turned back toward the blood mage. His muzzle was splattered in gore. Kyran rose to his feet. "Lead me to the Raccoon. Quickly. All guardsman in our way are yours."
The demon wolf gladly charged ahead of Kyran. The screams came frequently rang out before the guards died under Ahriman's jaws. The redhead had to ignore the blood pools and bodies as they advanced. One turn away from Death Row, Ahriman yelped. He backed away from whatever they'd run into. Kyran laid his free hand upon the wolf's flank. He carefully took in their opponent. They were wearing bright plate mail. The one leading them had no helmet and held a glowing blue sword. Knights of Pergrande. Wielding the 'power' of their gods to drive back the infidels. If they stopped here, their momentum would be completely stolen. Medea was creating a welcome distraction but she wouldn't last. This obstacle needed to be removed. Now.
"Intruder! Give yourself u-" Kyran's spell struck the captain in the chest. His face contorted into fear as his body knelt against his will. The expression was frozen upon his face. Paralyzed. Ahriman growled, seeing how weak their opponent truly was. The other knights seemed surprised at the swift defeat of their captain. Kyran took that advantage. "Ahriman." The wolf snorted at him. "Howl." The demon chuckled before throwing back his head. The air reverberated with his power. Kyran could feel it. His body felt faster than ever. Blood sprayed from the knights as the magic ruptured their ears. They began to quake. Kyran watched as all but one fled from Ahriman's magic. Smiling, the blood mage sent a bolt of energy through the man's neck. Obstacle eliminated.
Death Row was strangely unguarded. Unless the squad they had just taken care of had been the guard. Regardless, Ahriman went through the door in seconds. As the door burst open, Medea reappeared in Kyran's head. Woah that guy was strong! I wanna fight him again. Boss, you should fight him. Quick, stand still. He's on his way here! She jabbered on, describing all her fights. Kyran ignored her. The big boss of the prison must have been her opponent. The Raccoon was needed out. He rushed to the first cell. There was a humanoid raccoon inside. A simple smock covered the creature's front. Had to be the target.
Kyran blasted the lock. "You're friends with the satanic duck?" He rumbled breaking the chains on the raccoon. The rodent looked him over as he worked. "You're more demonic than Davey is, my friend. Perhaps you shouldn't have broken in here. They'll kill you on sight just from principle." Kyran raised an eyebrow at him then gestured to Ahriman. "He's mine. They have to bring him down first." The raccoon chuckled, rubbing his wrists. He walked out of the cell saying "Well he's a big bastard, ain't he? Maybe you can do this." The raccoon turned toward the open doorway of Death Row. Kyran peered at the wall at the back of the corridor. "Hold up, 'coon. Does that door lead outside?"
"It's Remy, pal and probably. Why?" Kyran fired off three energy projectiles. "The big boss is coming that way. Better to try a different exit." The blood mage explained quickly. Unlike the door, the wall was quite resilient. It had withstood the blasts with only three pockmarks in the wall. Kyran grit his teeth. Remy ran up to the wall running his hands over it. After a moment, he tapped a corner of the wall. Kyran didn't wait. He sent a blast into the indicated corner. The wall shook as a hole was blasted through it. A few more hits opened the wall up wide. Kyran could hear the clanking of armor. Ahriman turned to face those coming. "Go Remy, through the hole. Ahriman, you too!"
The demon growled but obeyed, squeezing his bulk out the hole after Remy. Kyran dove through after them. Aiming his circlet at the hole, the blood mage rapidly undid the damage. It reconstructed in front of their eyes. Perfect. No way to follow them. Kyran tossed Remy onto Ahriman's back. "Hey!" The raccoon protested. The redhead followed the rodent up. "Go Ahriman. Leap the fence, then find and follow my scent trail. It'll lead us back to Davey." Kyran drove a heel into the wolf when Ahriman hesitated. After a snarl, the demon charged for the fence. Remy and Kyran had to hold onto the black fur in order not to be thrown off when Ahriman jumped.
They ran into a few knights and guardsman as they ran. Kyran sank arrows into each of them. He made sure the shoots were always kill shots or disabling shots. If they weren't dead, they were unable to get help quickly. At one point, they ran into a group of knights. Kyran had Ahriman use his Carnage ability. The knights were torn apart by Ahriman's copies and they got away scot free. The city was on high alert as Kyran slipped off the demon wolf near the ally. He checked to see if Sol and/or Yuiisai was there. If either was, he waved his arm at them. "Come on. They'll be here any second. Either make yourself scarce or come with me to the boat." Then the blood mage charged away.
There were guards at the border of Pergrande. Well of course there were. Kyran pulled back on his bowstring. Upon release, sound waves crashed into the guards. Green mist poured from their mouths, solidifying into their worst nightmares. Kyran felt bad for them as he thundered through the gate. Ahriman was bleeding heavily now from his fights and being used as a battering ram. The blood mage bent over to pat the wolf. "You did good, boy. Get us to the boat and you can rest." The demon wagged his tail tiredly before pushing on. They were to the boat in no time.
Kyran jumped off Ahriman once they were aboard. Helping Remy down, the blood mage dismissed his demon wolf. Ahriman vanished with a happy sigh. He'd had his fill of violence and mayhem. It wouldn't sate him for long Kyran was sure but at least for now, he'd sleep. With that taken care off, Kyran called for the captain to take off. He collapsed to the deck with a humph. That was that. It hadn't been the most elegant way to complete a mission or the best way. The raccoon was safe though and his comrades didn't have to suffer. Only one group of guards had seen him too and Ahriman had probably made a bigger impression. There was nothing to tie Onyx Moon to this. Job well... well not well done but done at least. Kyran rested against the side of the ship, readying himself for the berating he knew he was going to get.
WC: 3171
TWC: 6,314