Birds on branches flapped their wings, taking straight off into the air as the sun began to set once again. The crackle of a snapping twig, movement on the forest floor. Brush moved ever so slightly as several walked through it.
Holly moved at the head in her uniform with a sheathed sword on her back, the type a knight of old would wield. Behind in succession was Sora, then Elise and Callie, then Jimmy, with Anna and Chelsea taking up the rear. All continuously glanced around on guard, all except for Jimmy who simply sniffed the air as they moved. Elise tilted her head and glanced to the rear once before turning back ahead, a hand rested upon the hilt of her own sword.
“So Elise,” Sora began.
“Yeah?”
“What was it like working in Vulfax? I’ve heard only rumors but from what I have heard they’re a bit ruthless right?”
“Mmm, more than you know and more than I’d like to admit. Then again what do you expect considering what the man in charge is doing, him and his shady dealings.”
“Power corrupts. That’s all there is to that,” Callie replied.
“Power most certainly can though it is not the only factor. Influence from a third party can be the biggest culprit in many instances. Don’t forget, not all people are born evil,” Holly spoke out, “I’ve seen many empires rise and fall in my time on Earth. Many ruled the way they did because of culture, many because of events that happened to them, though some I suppose really are lost when you think about it.”
“So what do you know of Azala on that note?”
“Well Elise, he’s at least several hundred years of age. For a spell he was a Pirate and eventually commanded a small fleet of ships until that era ended, then formed the Vulfax Clan from the remainder. Other than that there isn’t much to tell. He grew up in the mountains of China and moved on.”
“And what about Dustin?”
“That is a different story. As I recall Dustin was born during the era of the Roman Empire and was actually a pretty high ranking individual when he discovered his power. Supposedly he made illegal dealings to increase his own power up until the fall. From there he went on to work as a mercenary for a few hundred years, then around the time the Crusades began he fled into who knows where. At some point he came to North America and formed Stark Pack from scattered individuals.”
“I had no idea Zaherians could live that long,” Callie murmured.
“Typically they don’t. Dustin likely has something special in his genetics though as to what I most certainly am unsure.”
“Maybe Shadow made contact with him long ago?” Elise questioned.
“Possibly I suppose. At any rate he’s likely the one who introduced Azala to Shadow.”
“So basically he’s using Azala to further his own agenda, just as Shadow is in turn using Dustin.”
“Likely though as of right now I am still very uncertain as to the extent of Dustin’s partnership with The Hive, especially with how he is still alive.”
“I see.”
Jimmy’s head immediately shot up with a grunt, “Holly, they’re here!”
Everyone shot to life at once, all looking around quickly taking combative stances. Laughter could be heard up ahead at once, all eyes shifting as the falling sunlight pierced through the trees illuminating up ahead at last. Two individuals stood against trees, one with one foot up against it and the other with crossed arms. Visible off to the side were three individuals though two were on the ground with the third standing over them.
Elise’s heart skipped a beat at once as she saw who was tied up, “David and Milly of Stark Pack?”
“Heh heh heh heh heh, ha ha ha ha ha!” came a deep laughter from up above. All eyes shifted up, their sights resting upon a lone figure, Winston, “Ah at last, I was wondering when you were going to get here.”521Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOqUEEqSqE
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