Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 19

Chapter 181

In the common area, the girls showed Iratus affection with nuzzling and neck licking.

Resonantia, "How could you spend so much time not giving us affection? Don't you like your girls?"

Ignis, "The aspiration of trying so hard to have children, but you are lacking in the determination of even touching us."

Iratus, "Ah, girls, please. Have mercy, for I am trying to remove the threat to our House."

Victoria, "How much of a threat could that army pose?"

Iratus, "They have to go, and that's final."

Clamor, "Can you kids please show some restraint? Literally, we have a battle to fight tomorrow."

Iratus, "Guess I need to have a long wash in the morning."

Clamor, "Useless kids! These men came here because of their thirst for conquest, and while I admit that giving them the target of the castle did bring them into our lives, we now must accept the duty to deal with this threat with seriousness."

Iratus, "I'll fight too, don't worry."

Victoria, "In fact, Resonantia and I decided to come too."

Clamor, "If you two think you are up for killing people, then fine, but I will say that killing people is nothing like killing monsters. I've seen people not come back whole from wars. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Iratus, "Considering you planned on fighting all by yourself, none of us should have to kill anyone."

Clamor, "We can only hope."

Clamor got up from the table and grabbed one of the ear muffles as he headed to bed.

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Chapter 182

The 70th day came with everyone having a good wash to wash away any smells, with Clamor and Iratus heading off ahead of the girls, who were told to stay away from camp but watch from somewhere.

Iratus, "They'll be fine, right?"

Clamor, "Shouldn't be any patrols running around; otherwise, we might have a problem."

Iratus, "Ok, then what is the plan for your attack?"

Clamor, "I just need a controlled arena or a place to assassinate Victorium."

Iratus, "Hm. I've asked many times before, but despite last night, surely you've seen people that we don't have to kill?"

Clamor, "Hardly, though I will say that if they flee for their lives, I wouldn't hunt them down. I am far more merciful and don't desire death on non-threats."

Iratus, "Is it true that Victorium has had a reason to kill deserters?"

Clamor, "Make him define what stealing from the group means. He can get around our overly tuned empathy and avoid lying by speaking the truth in a roundabout way."

Iratus, "Anyone who lives with people who can sense deception are quick to adapt. I just wish I could draw out their lies."

Clamor, "Well, you still have some time before I fight."

Eventually, they would make it to the camp, and Clamor would give one final sniff of the air to make sure he couldn't smell the girls.

The pair greeted anyone around from the army, sat down, and waited for orders to come down. The camp had a bit more activity as the hyena named Fractura, who investigated the bodies from yesterday, was receiving a few insults, among other things.

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Chapter 183

The young wolf man, Laqueus, sat down next to Iratus and began to chat.

Laqueus, "Yo, you two missed the report. We followed the blood trail and found so many caves and tunnels that we couldn't continue. Our scouts had to turn back because the tunnel they ran into was freezing cold, like, frostbite in one hour kind of cold."

Iratus, "Did the ebonies actually never leave the tunnel?"

Clamor, "Technically, we don't know if it is the ebonies."

Laqueus, "Ebonies, what are those?"

Iratus, "I wondered if it was ebonies that attacked you guys. They are monsters—really tough ones. It took a leopard and myself to actually kill one, and even then, I was lucky to survive."

Laqueus, "So you knew what attacked us but didn't tell us."

Clamor, "Not like we had a lot of evidence, and you guys were probably prepared for running into monsters. Iratus told me about some sort of road and an elevator room. Is that place?"

Laqueus, "Yes, and I also want to say that you two keeping the knowledge to yourselves is not cool. Anyway, Victorium is getting everyone in winter gear to head down into those tunnels to kill whatever is down there. That man is angry, and not just from the attack yesterday."

Iratus, "Hey, what's with everyone treating the doctor guy badly today?"

Laqueus, "Fractura? That guy is the one person who never had to swear loyalty because, while he isn't a doctor, he has a lot of medical knowledge, which made Victorium give him an exception for the army. Unfortunately, Victorium's patience is at an end, and Fractura is facing some serious consequences."

Iratus, "Like, he can't stay with the army anymore? Then he is free to leave?"

Laqueus, "...It's more complicated than that. Fractura owes us, and we can't let him leave without paying his debts."

Iratus eyed the young wolf man but decided to let the conversation die. Fractura walked by, trying to avoid the harassment from his companions, and Iratus tried to get his attention.

Iratus, "Fractura right? Do you need a partner today since everyone else seems to have abandoned you?"

The hyena man was tall, but at a normal height for bloodforged beings that were called folk, with a lithe and well-built frame that was quite similar to Iratus's build. He now wore the armor of the people that once inhabited the city, but he clearly had to reconfigure and do a lot of modifications for the armor to properly fit him.

Fractura in a nonchalant tone, "I'm actually staying behind this time. Thanks for asking, though."

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Chapter 184

Several men came by carrying dead metalheads. Everyone started to gather around as they came up to Victorium. Once the scouting group sat down, the bodies spoke.

Scout Leader, "We found them, sir!"

The raccoon man flicked his tail in positive affirmation.

Victorium, "Excellent! Any knowledge on how they dispensed from us?"

Iratus to Laqueus, "Disappeared?"

Laqueus, "They looked for their missing man yesterday, remember? On the way back, three more men were just gone."

Scout Leader, "We found our men's stuff missing, and through smelling around, we determined that after they were transformed into metalheads, they were killed and looted. Someone else is living in this city."

Iratus and Clamor gave each other a doubtful and confused look.

Scout Leader, "There's more. The smells—we have identified them not only as fellow folk but female as well."

Murmers rippled through the remaining soldiers.

Victorium, "Change of plans, we march into the city. Did you tack down the smells and have they left the city?"

Scout Leader, "With a perimeter check, they have not left the city, and we couldn't finish tracking the smells down."

Everyone switched to urban exploration equipment, and Iratus and Clamor looked at each other again, but with worry on their faces.

As the groups were made, Victorium made sure Clamor was with him, while Iratus had to be part of the left flank, with Laqueus also a part of that group.

Laqueus, "I am stoked about finding females because I have been starved for a good woman for such a long time. How about you? How has your libido been doing without females?"

Iratus, "I don't think about it."

Laqueus, "What the hell, man?"

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Chapter 185

The groups entered the city, and because of the days of clearing, the number of metalheads on the camp side was quite diminished, which allowed for an effective search. Iratus could feel the tension among the soldiers, but the source of their stress felt like it was because of him.

Iratus took a moment to remember his home and the feline species being a wrathful kind that required a healthy outlet for violence with competitions of the martial kind, such as archery, and even into arts such as dancing. Most importantly, children required careful tempering to master themselves and accept their rage instead of rejecting or holding onto it. With this, Iratus remembered focusing his mental ability on others to make sure he paid as much attention to their emotional state as possible, as any slight slip could break someone, and with such a wrathful personality, someone could end up being killed.

Iratus opened his eyes.

Iratus thoughts, "I can feel the stiff muscles and razor-sharp eyes on me. These people are expecting death or a fight, and I am certain that it involves me. This makes no sense, for there is no reason that I can think of for why I have become a target. All I need to do is be ready if someone tries anything."

There came a point where the group stopped at a small estate with a large house on the gated property. Once the building was accessible, the group searched around outside while Laqueus invited Iratus inside to search for loot.

Iratus was quite skilled at showing no sign of resistance or being tense, and he could feel the fuzz of stress radiating off of Laqueus. Iratus did his best to search around, but he noticed this place was already riffled through. After looking over a pilfered room, he turned around to see the wolf man standing in the doorway.

Iratus, "I think a team has already been through here."

Laqueus, "Iratus, do you feel like joining Victorium's army?"

Iratus, "No way. I just want to live my life."

Laqueus, "I assume Clamor told you you two would be vassals under our leader's influence. Are you prepared to yield to tribute and follow his orders?"

Iratus, "Nope. I don't plan on giving the man anything, and I don't plan on obeying any orders he tells me."

Laqueus, "Yeah, everyone figured this was the case. What do the traitors have that we don't?"

Iratus, "Excuse me?"

---

Chapter 186

Laqueus, "You can't lie to me. As we traveled over here, before Clamor came around, Victorium heard everything about the cat boy in the stone tower. You are the enemy of the summoners, a champion of a rebel faction, and they will not stand for traitors breaking their Nexus Prime. So I ask again, Why are you following the traitors?"

Iratus, "You must be confused; I'm not working for anyone. I am my own man, and I don't know anything about the summoners, their factions, or whatever, and I only know their name because of Clamor."

Laqueus, "Regardless, the summoners are our allies, and we've been asked to stop you from doing the bidding of the traitors. You must come under our rule or else."

Iratus, "You guys had a lot of time to kill me; you really should have taken advantage of it."

Laqueus, "We can't? Like, the summoners need political-" He shut his mouth, cleared his throat, and then continued. "If you are not working for the traitors, then why do the summoners want you dead so badly?"

The sound of horns could be heard in the distance and nearby.

Laqueus, "Oof, not smart to use noise to communicate and issue orders. Those guys are just going to draw monsters. Anyway, go ahead and answer."

Iratus, "I have yet to actually do anything. I've been busy surviving and building my tower. I've killed a bunch of monsters and took down what you guys call a gray mask conduit, but otherwise I didn't make any changes to this world."

Laqueus, "Hmm, well, I've got to get going before too many metalheads show up. I'll give you one last chance to join our army, or I'm going to have to feed you to the metalheads."

Iratus, "Try me. I relish the challenge."

Laqueus, "Just because I'm not supposed to kill you does not mean you can beat me. I've lived a hellish life of raiders coming to steal my people's wealth and women, and I've led similar raids. I've killed helpless people and even brats thinking they could protect their mother, and I've never shed a single tear. I'm a killer, and you're just a kid. You cannot win."

Iratus, "If you've trained your skills by killing the helpless, the weak, and children, then it is you who can't win."

Iratus looked over the wolffolk, looking for weaknesses, with Laqueus still having his few layers of cloth and still wielding a well-made spear with an arming sword as his side arm. Iratus looked over the cloth some more and noticed that it did indeed cover every bit of the wolf's torso and crouch area.

Laqueus, "Ok, guess we're doing it then."

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Chapter 187

Laqueus held up his spear and entered the room, with Iratus pulling his long sword out and readying himself. Laqueus was on Iratus quickly with several thrusts, most as fients, but then launched a quick strike to Iratus's face, which Iratus dodged and dived into the wolf, thrusting the tip of his sword into Laqueus's chest, but it didn't seem to only barely penetrate. Laqueus dropped his spear, pulled out his side arm, and bashed away Iratus's sword. Iratus backed up, and the wolffolk did the same.

Iratus with a neutral tone, "Since when we could walk, we sought violence. Everyone must be disciplined, learn martial combat, take part in sports, mental and physical, and learn to restrain themselves so as not to rip out another kid's throat with our teeth. Stand down, for I cannot guarantee that you will survive our duel."

The wolffolk man grunted in anger and came towards Iratus, who looked at the arming sword and saw it was pretty long for a one-handed weapon. Iratus got into his high guard stance with his sword over his head and covering his face, while Laqueus held his sword high in a high stance.

Laqueus charged and slammed his sword down with all his strength, while Iratus caught his foe's sword with his own and moved it to the side with Laqueus's blade continuing to slide down. Iratus flipped his blade around and cut into the wolffolk's neck, then switched back to cut across his face—two strikes, one stroke of his blade.

The wolf man backed into a wall and grabbed onto his neck.

Iratus, "I suggest you flee, for there will not be a camp left for you to return to."

Laqueus tested his neck and discovered that, despite his neck being cut, it wasn't a lethal blow, while at the same time Iratus ran out of the room and ran to the entrance. Metalheads were already entering the building, and Iratus brought his sword to bear, but with one roar of combustion being shot out, Iratus stopped and saw just how little room he had to fight with, then put on his nope face and turned to find another way out.

Iratus ran into another room, saw a hole in the wall, and before moving to it, was grabbed by a hand from a closet.

Iratus, "Urg!"

He looked over to see an old red-haired, red-furred fox woman who was old enough that her beauty and color had faded, but she still had quite a fit body with a large chest. She had a finger to her lips as a gesture of silence, and upon seeing that, Iratus sighed and waited to see what happened next. The fox woman pulled out a metal rectangle and handed it to Iratus, who slowly grabbed it, and while he didn't know what it was, it looked like some sort of metal keycard. The fox woman continued holding her finger to her lips as she backed into the closet and closed the door.

Iratus just shook his head and rolled his eyes, and because he didn't have time to spare, he quickly left the building.

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Chapter 188

Irauts was slightly exhausted as he finally finished running back to the camp and looked around to see everyone in some amount of disarray, with three people in the center with the chaos not affecting them. Fractura was kneeling with several cuts across his body, with Clamor standing between him and Victorium, and from where the city was, a large army of metalheads was being led by the two armored soldiers.

Iratus came up to the conversation being held.

Clamor, "You said he could leave."

Victorium, "We've given him food, drink, and supplies, and some people even gave their lives for him. Unless he has a way to pay us back, he shall not leave our group."

Clamor, "And you'd kill him? The person who stitches you guys up?"

Victorium, "We've paid blood and treasure for him; he can't just leave, and if that means he dies, then he dies."

Clamor, "So that's a yes on killing the doctor guy?"

Victorium, "I treat my people as equals; I cannot make exceptions, and I can't show that someone can take our food, medicine, and the like and then just leave. This group could not survive like that; no group could."

Clamor, "I empathize; truly I do. As a king, I am well aware of what you are talking about, but please, sometimes there are exceptions; sometimes it makes sense to let people go."

Victorium, "I cannot let some people have more rights than others; everyone receives the same punishments and rewards."

Clamor, "Surely this man must have used all his effort to assist your army? Even if he has not paid his debts, if he put out his best for your army, then surely letting him go will not send negative signals for everyone else that they can just take advantage of your generosity."

Victorium was getting angrier, but he slowly saw common sense as he rationalized what he just heard. Then he became angry again as he turned to look at Iratus.

Victorium, "I don't suppose you are joining us?"

Clamor's ears perked up as the conversation continued.

Iratus, "I didn't kill anyone. Also, I don't suggest looking for that female; I found her, and she is an old thing."

Victorium, "What type of folk loses sexual appeal in their old age?"

Iratus, "Granted. Anyways, since you and your men mean me harm, I'm going to leave and no longer associate with you guys."

Victorium, "I cannot leave you alone, for you are an enemy agent of Nexus Prime."

Iratus rolled his eyes.

The metalheads walked into the barricades of the camp, but there were too many to be stopped by them, and as the soldiers fought, there was a messenger bringing more dire news.

Messenger, "Behind us!"

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Chapter 189

In the distance, at the back of the camp, were gravely deformed metalheads. They were soldiers who rode horses, but these people were fused to their horses becoming centaurs, with their horse half not looking organic or even like how metalheads are supposed to look with pure mechanical fittings and metal bodies. These metalheads had also fused with their red lamellar armor, though the red was now darkened while having a demonic red sheen. Each horseman readied their spears and, with rapid speed, charged at the camp, with some running into the back barricades and falling over while the majority ran past their tripped comrades.

The camp was being choked by the many metalheads, but Victorium drew his sword and pointed it at him.

Iratus, "You can't be serious. Really? In all of this?"

Victorium, "My men are strong, and my gods are with us, even more so as I am the grandson of Dominans, the dominator, and thus I am one fourth divine. I will survive, my army will live on, and I will conquer this lesser world for my grandfather."

Clamor drew his long sword, his great sword stashed at the tower. and the sound of his segmented armor alerted Victorium, who turned to the old rabbit.

Victorium, "You think you can challenge a godling and live?"

Clamor, "I've killed people who claim godhood before, so I don't see how you'll be any different."

Despite their fearsome appearance, the centaur metalheads were just as intelligent as any other metalhead and attacked mindlessly and were not too much trouble except for their powerful strikes, something Iratus witnessed as one of them came by, and despite his best defense, the horseman smashed into Iratus, throwing him on his back with his arm feeling broken and his right shoulder bleeding from the spear strike.

Iratus climbed to his feet as he turned to fight off the metalheads and the horseman. He took a glance at Clamor, who dueled Victorium. Clamor held a close stance, holding his blade near his body, while Victorium took a long stance with his blade held out from his body. The raccoon man took the initiative by striking Clamor, who expertly deflected and, in the same moment, lunged forward and stabbed into the straps of Victorium's armor. While Clamor didn't do any damage, it did lessen the protective ability of his foe's armor.

Iratus himself had to deal with a horseman charging in, to which Iratus dived out of the way. He avoided the charge and quickly got back to his feet to fight the horseman metalhead in close combat. The monster had a deadly range with its spear and no self-preservation to hold itself back, but Iratus noticed his right arm was functional again and properly prepared himself. Iratus managed to grab the spear, dive into the horseman, and penetrate it with his sword. He was surprised he didn't stab deeper, as if the armor of the monster actually had some effect, and then Iratus was pushed away by the horseman's bulk.

Another spear struck Iratus in the back as a second horseman engaged Iratus. Iratus was stuck until an arrow and then a crossbow bolt came in and downed the first horseman, and when he looked over, he saw Resonantia and Victoria coming towards the camp with their ranged weapons drawn.

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Chapter 190

Iratus noticed his vision constantly being clouded, sounds being muted, and himself being thrust in and out of reality.

Iratus thoughts, "There's the metalhead sickness. It took quite some time, but it finally kicked in. At least I'm not paralyzed this time."

Despite saying that, Iratus started breathing harder and noticed he felt like he couldn't breathe even though he was breathing. The fighting was blurring in and out, even Clamor's fight, which was reaching its climax. Clamor used an inside stance, while Victorium still used the long stance. The rabbitfolk thrust his point towards Victorium, who easily batted the strike away, but Clamor instantly switched stances and moved to the side to continue the strike by blocking the raccoon's parry and then stabbing deeply into Victorium's chest, where his heart was. Then Clamor quickly ripped out the sword and made one more strike across the man's face, staggering him. The raccoonfolk regained their posture and launched a counterattack against Clamor, to whom he and Iratus were shocked that he was still going as his heart should have been destroyed.

Fractura finished looting everything he could from the medical tent and headed to a gap in the camp defenses to flee. Iratus cut into the horseman in front of him, but he was still standing. Another arrow came by and struck the monster, but it still failed to kill it. Iratus held his throat as he felt like he was suffocating no matter how much he breathed and began to tear up.

Clamor attacked from the side that Victorium blocked but instantly struck the opposite side, which was also blocked. He went back and forth with his attacks, hitting each side with each one being blocked, until suddenly he feinted and spun his blade to strike vertically, which was blocked, but the raccoon now had bleeding fingers. Clamor instantly went into a block with the same strike that the raccoon ran into with his counter. Clamor stretched out his blade, but his foe retracted his blade to himself to hold Clamor's blade. Clamor leaned into the clash and grappled Victorium, and the two waddled around until Clamor was thrown onto the ground. The raccoonfolk readied to finish Clamor until the rabbit man stabbed forth his blade into the crotch area of Victorium, who backed up in pain.

Iratus was also on the ground, trying to avoid the hooves and spear strike of his foe. Finally, after having six projectiles sticking out on its back, a seventh arrow slamming into the creature was enough for it to collapse and die. Iratus ran as fast as he could to the edge of the camp, as he still could not breathe.

Clamor stood back up and engaged Victorium one more time by thrusting forward with the raccoon, throwing his blade up, only for Clamor to jump to the side and use the momentum of his blade to continue the strike into the neck of his foe. While Victorium took a step back from the strike, Clamor took one step forward and cut the other side of the raccoon's neck.

Victorium fell to his knees, and his sword dropped as he held onto his neck wounds.

Clamor, "The end." He turned to leave the camp and said, "If you survive, don't come back!"

Iratus watched Clamor run behind him, and the two escaped the camp and joined up with the girls, with the Hyena man trying to slip away from their notice.

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EPISDOE 19: END

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Episode 19 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 14
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork, minor damage), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet
Weapons: Long Sword, 3x Knifes, Short Sword
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 7 small silver bricks, 6 gemstones, 20 fine silver coins,20 fine gold coins

Wounds: Shoulder, stab wound (fresh)

Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, a lot of animal bones, some animal hide, 3 glass jar, 1 fish net, primitive sewing kit, trowel, woodcutting axe, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, some of sheets, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, box of unknown ammo, some medical supplies, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), a strange device (Gameboy-like device), lots of wooden planks and boards, wood glue, sandpaper, compass, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, lots of rope, a large barrel, some ink, 7 papyrus paper, 5 hide paper (parchments), 80 cloaks and other clothing materials, some alcohol, some primitive medicine, some fabrics

Armory: 10 wooden spears, 23 short swords, 40 knifes, 22 daggers, 2 hand bombs, 18 rusted weapons, many armor pieces, ruined metal armor

Treasure: 40 oval copper coins, 44 ancient metal coins, 40 fine silver coins, 44 fine gold coins, 23 fine copper coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a handful of sparkling glass beads, a small wooden trinket box, a collection of delicate, hand-painted porcelain charms, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, 155 copper lion coins, 35 silver lion coins, 11 gold lion coins

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates and clay pots), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools), Guest Quarters, Master Bedroom, Six Bedrooms

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (few tools, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in)

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet

Year 0, Day 70

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(Extra Stories)

Extra Story 1

(Not long ago) Aestus and Ignis looked over the burned area. The entire ruined stone city was scorched and blackened from the soot and flames of the giant treeskin tree, which was still in smoldering flames.

Ignis, "How dangerous for those muscle brutes to leave these flames unattended."

Aestus, "Are we sure it's safe over here?"

Ignis, "I came out here to aid our most precious companions. No one knows why you are out here."

Aestus, "We really should have just joined Resonantia and Victoria from the beginning."

Then they both froze as their ears started to twitch.

Aestus, "Did you hear that?"

Ignis, "Aye, it looks like we should have strongly reconsidered our task and stayed at the tower."

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(Extra Stories)

Extra Story 2

(a long time ago) Fractura woke up; he was wearing some primitive, medieval-like clothes and had several wounds. He deftly unbuckled his belt and tried to move out of his seat. He looked out to see that the helicopter had crashed into a tree in the jungle. The hyena man looked over to see the pilot dead and shot up as well with the windshield.

He got into the back and saw three modern-looking soldier people dead, with one giant-looking tigerfolk man wearing a cloth wrap being the only one who stood up.

Fractura, "I guess we aren't leaving by air then. Come on, we have to get going before the gray masks jump us."

In the distance, a gray mask wearing modern military-like leather clothing and a cloak stood on a tall stone pillar. It dropped a used RPG launcher and started to twitch a few times before it began to climb down the pillar.

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Extra Story 3

(some time ago) The old fox woman opened her car door and stepped inside. She turned on her laptop and opened up a chat window to type with someone.

V, "I'm at the Japanese city, and I still have no idea how you expect me to deliver the keycard."

DE, "These two groups are bound to come into conflict. Find a place to hide or try to blend in with the metalheads to get to one of the tower folk."

V, "I don't want to get melted by metalheads, and I don't see a way to infiltrate the camp. Are you sure we can't wait for a peaceful time to do this?"

DE, "This is the only stealthy way to do this. It's not about being spotted; we made sure you looked like a normal ghost, but we can't have you just leave the card unattended, and we can't have you interact with anyone unless it was accidental, and we all know why that's nearly impossible."

There was a pause.

V, "You are stupid. You guys are supposed to be the smartest things in the universe, maybe excluding some supercomputers. Why can't you come up with a real idea, a real plan, or anything that sounds smart?"

DE, "There are millions of battles I am fighting right now, and everyone else is in on it. It's sad that we have fallen to this kind of despotic infighting, but now all of our battles are about, Who messes up first?"

V, "I don't suppose you can revive me if I die?"

DE, "You've lived outside of the time limit and are apart of the third covenant. No one can touch your soul."

V, "Whatever, eat dirt. Thanks for not helping me do this crap."

Then the fox woman closed the laptop and got to work.

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