Balance of Death Read online

  “I need to know if you are planning on moving large units, and where?” Daeva not wanting to give away his interest in the culmination date.

  Ruvaen straightens his suit jacket and sits up contemplating. What could Daeva want this information for and could it be harmful to his goals? Not wanting to sit and dwell on it too long he quickly decides that even if he is trying to track their military movements it must only be to better plot some criminal undertaking. “We will be moving a full regiment sized unit from Thoraza to Wrathbrook in.” Ruvaen pauses for a second rests his chin on his hand and lightly strokes his mustache. “26 days time. Now I have been more than accommodating with you. In the coming weeks it would be incumbent upon you to stay your request and make good on your promises.” Ruvaen pauses as he resituates himself once again facing towards Daeva. “Are we clear?” He finishes.

  Daeva got exactly what he came for and the win seems to dampen his normal predisposition to conflict. “Yeah, let us not sully our impression of each other by getting to know one another too much.” Daeva jokes before returning to his goblet ending the interaction.

  Ruvaen taps on the back of Daeva’s chair before walking away. “Enjoy yourself.” Ruvaen mentions as he leaves.

  Later that day in the north eastern portion of Phalyados. Aeshma is making his way to a hub outside the capital city of Egux. Hubs are little towns that thrive off of the surrounding industry. In this case mostly mining and a few other forms of cultivating the lands. The terrain around Egux is still scarred from large battles between the Krishunder and Amneka. Krishunder’s raw power derived from outlawed sources of energy that consumes the user driving them mad. Amneka with some help from clerics managed to cleanse the area of them.

  Aeshma is riding a wooden and marble carriage hovering over the unrefined road using giant crystals that exude stored chakra in the form of gravitational force. This is controlled by the driver through the connecting and disconnecting of crystals using leavers from atop the carriage.

  As his carriage glides past a family on a horse drawn carriage he is reminded of the luxury the circle affords criminals. It brings his true self to the surface a bit, which is worrying as he is about to partake in a very important meeting that entails he don a particular persona.

  As he tries to prepare himself, and bury his conflictions the vehicle stops. Aeshma takes a deep breath and exhales quickly readying himself. The driver steps down, walks over and opens the door for Aeshma the carriage still hovering kicking debris up slightly.

  Aeshma steps out and looks onto the abandoned looking village. The structures are well built, industrial, and look as if they were plucked from a larger city and misplaced here in the middle of nowhere. He walks towards one of the larger buildings and sees two men outside with cloaks and dire hide armor. Their circle tattoos are a dead give-away for members of the circle of śmierć. The armor lacks uniformity yet the overall design and craftsmanship look quite similar. Another man exits from the building walking past the two who were already outside joking between each other. This third man has a pendant connecting the ends of his cloak at his shoulder. This pin is the mark of anyone working directly for a radian. This man blows right past the two and heads straight for Aeshma. Aeshma is unsure of what to expect as he has only met Lucio once before, and certainly not under as tense of circumstances. “You must be Aeshma, I am Cormac.” The man with the pendant says.

  “Well met Cormac, will this be the place of our meeting?” Aeshma asks as he points to the large building.

  “Yes, It may not be as fancy as your usual spots in Thoraza.” This large man says with a thick accent.

  Aeshma fakes a chuckle; “Whatever works.” Aesham responds as they both begin walking towards the large building. They make their way inside and the building is mostly open space filled with stacks of large crates. Warehouses are common on routes to mines and other areas of cultivation. Thanks to Lucio’s backing this one lacks the rural aesthetic they generally have. There are men throughout the building that don’t seem to be doing anything in particular. Given their armor and hand cannons it is clear they are Lucio’s men and do not work the warehouse. They walk up some stairs leading to a private room; one of the few private rooms as the building is mostly open.

  They enter the room where Lucio is sitting back in his chair at one end of a large oval table. Lucio is a hefty man in a suit with a commanding presence. “Please take a seat.” Lucio asserts as he turns and beckons with two fingers for one of his enforcers. The enforcer leans in and Lucio whispers something in his ear before returning his attention towards Aeshma. Lucio takes a drag of his cigar and leans forward resting on the table. “You know it's fucken funny. This building is storage for one of the mining companies. So, we charge them to keep their stuff here. Meanwhile we are the same fucking guys who rob other shipments from them.” Lucio exhales the smoke from his drag. He looks upward for a moment before continuing. “I mean we never steal from the shit they got here, so I guess all-n-all not a bad investment for em.” Lucio concludes before taking another drag.

  Aeshma unsure of how to respond decides to try and cap off the conversation; “Thankfully I simply deal in blood.” Aeshma responds.

  Lucio lowers his head and tightens his gaze at Aeshma as if he is really taking in his words. “Yes, and quite well from what I hear. But, for whom do your loyalties lie?” Lucio obviously alluding to their circumstances.

  Aeshma doesn’t want to get into this conversation. He racks his mind trying to come up with a good ending comment, but as he sits their nodding he fears too much time has passed so he just moves on. “Yeah, well. The Kentro sent me to..”

  “Wait, wait hold on. Treggin sent you?” Lucio interrupts.

  This comment bothers Aeshma in a way it shouldn’t. His role in the circle is merely a façade for his true loyalties to the Shanshe clan. Yet Lucio’s questioning of Daeva and his brothers in the circle leaves a bad taste in Aeshma’s mouth. “You know damn well Daeva is Kentro. Is there something you want to say?” Aeshma tapping into his inclination to loyalty.

  Lucio is not used to people talking with him this bluntly. Lucio still sees Daeva and himself on equal footing. Daeva’s appointment of Kentro is a formality to him. “Why did Daeva send you ahead of our scheduled meet?” Lucio’s curiosity overtakes his anger.

  “He sent me to have you calm syndicate actions in Egux.” Aeshma expresses hoping the change of subject will ease the tension.

  “The fucking balls on Daeva.” Lucio says with a spiteful smile nodding his head: barely containing his anger. “I’ll give him a fucking response.” Lucio stands leaning forward on the table. “End him.” Lucio commands pointing towards Aeshma looking straight at him.

  As he does Aeshma weaves a Soten, chakra streams through his body increasing his gravitational pull. Just as he finishes Lucio’s men raises their hand cannons and a blast of chakra rockets forward colliding with Aeshma. Sending him smashing through the wall of the office and falling into the street below.

  Aeshma slides on his back for a moment before leaping to his feet. He quickly regains himself and leaps onto a building behind him in an attempt to flee. If Lucio was that quick to attack him it is likely he brought great numbers.

  Two of Lucio’s vampire enforcers are on the roof at either side of Aeshma in the blink of an eye. Aeshma weaves a Soten and his chakra builds up converting into kinetic energy around his hand. One of the enforcers fires a hand cannon. Aeshma flips over the blast; then strikes towards the enforcer releasing a burst of kinetic energy that breaks through the air detonating on the enforcer’s chest sending him flying backwards.

  The other enforcer in an instant is behind Aeshma and bashes his hand cannon into Aeshma’s side at the same time releasing a blast of chakra. The point blank explosion sends the cannon flying and the enforcer reeling; burning Aeshma and concussing his rib cage. Aeshma’s increased weight affords him a lot more inertia, but reduces his speed.

  Aeshma spits blood, then quickly
capitalizes on the enforcer’s surprise that the blast didn’t move him. Aeshma grabs the enforcer's wrist throwing him over his hip onto the ground in front of him then stomps down on the enforcers shoulder shattering it. Aeshma only takes a moment to assess. Lucio’s men continue to stream out of the building errant chakra blasts intermittently exploding against the edge of the rooftop he is on.

  Aeshma knows that battling Lucio’s men here would be difficult given his injuries, and expose more Soten than he would like. He must decide quickly, so he turns and leaps off the building running through a clearing trying to reach the edge to take cover in the woods while he retreats. As he sprints Lucio’s men round the building and begin taking aim on him. As he runs chakra blasts collide around him kicking up dust and debris.

  Aeshma knows it is only a matter of time before one of those blasts hit him. Doubting he’ll make it he decides to turn and fight. As he stops a chakra blast catches him in the shoulder dislocating it. After dropping to his knees he sees a ditch. Aeshma quickly dives into it for cover.

  Now he is pinned down with chakra erupting all around the ditch as Lucio’s men fire on his location. As they close in the blasts make their way further down the ditch Aeshma can feel their heat and force. Aeshma composes a Soten and readies himself to charge the group. Before he can mount his counterattack he notices the dust around him settle; yet he can still hear the hand cannons firing. Have they changed their target? Just then he remembers Thromb promising him there would be a squad of Shanshe clansmen watching over him.

  He readies himself and peaks over the top of the ditch. In the distance he sees three men sprinting towards Lucio’s mob. As they run and chakra streams at them they jab at the energy blasts with the tips of their fingers; the chakra blasts make contact with their fingers they twist their hand and stream their chakra in all directions providing an easier path for the hand cannon blasts. Dissipating it around their hands. Effectively dispersing the blasts and continuing their assault forward.

  Lucio’s men are awestruck by this. As the three close in some of Lucio’s men draw their swords and run to meet the three strangers. One of the strangers dive forward colliding with the henchman’s waist. They both fly backward and smash into the ground the weight of the stranger crushes the henchman knocking the wind out of his body and caving in his chest cavity. Without losing too much momentum as they slide backward the stranger gracefully gets to his feet jumping forward using the henchman’s chest as a platform further shattering his ribs.

  The other two strangers running through the mob snapping arms and breaking jaws. As one of the strangers runs forward to meet with a group of henchmen a blur of light streams in front of him; one of Lucio’s vampire enforcers runs past shooting a chakra blast at the feet of the stranger as he moves sending him tumbling forward.

  The stranger regains control of his tumble: sliding to a crouched position. The enforcer runs up striking and dodging too fast for the stranger to see or counter. Just a blur of light and chakra blasts all around the stranger as he desperately tries to block or attack the blur.

  After a moment of confusion the stranger composes a Soten forcing chakra around his fists converting it into kinetic energy before smashing his fist against the ground below him; the energy thunders against the ground, as the kinetic energy floods in all directions gusts of wind shoot outward with immense force sending both the stranger and the vampire flying back. The stranger is thrown upward, while the enforcer is sent crashing into a large tree bending a sizable branch as the enforcer breaks around it.

  The stranger capitalizes on the vampire’s momentary loss of sense; striking his fist forward sending a gale of kinetic energy screaming towards the enforcer. It impacts the enforcer shattering his shoulder blade he is sent careening backwards. The stranger starts sprinting at the enforcer.

  Another enforcer speeds up striking the heel of the stranger mid run with the front of his hand cannon. Releasing a blast of chakra as it makes impact. The stranger is thrown off balance and tumbles. The enforcer runs forward grabbing the other now unconscious on the ground and they both are gone before anyone can react.

  The other two strangers a distance away are making their way through a now retreating crowd of men. The sound of bones cracking and screams of pain as they incapacitate the men one at a time. Before long the noise dies down as all that is left are bodies on the ground and a few men fleeing into the forest.

  The three strangers quickly make their way over to Aeshma. “Brother, how serious are your injuries?” Oenopain of the Shanshe clan says as he pulls cloth down covering the lower part of his face to reveal himself to Aeshma.

  Aeshma recognizes him and suddenly realizes he may have jeopardized the clans infiltration of the circle of śmierć. “I am fine.” Aeshma replies with shame as he stands to his feet.

  “We should get moving. We have rune boards less than a mile from here. We will escape with those. Are you well enough to ride a rune board?” Oenopain asks as the other two men stand alert and watching for any counter attack.

  With a nod Aeshma gets up; Oenopain sees he is hurt. This infuriates him. Oenopain looks to the other two; “Go take Aeshma, I am going to finish the rest of these fucks.” Oenopain exclaims.

  “Brother we must do what is best for the clan.” Aesham argues. Oenopain reluctantly agrees.

  Chapter 8

  The following day back in the capital city of Wrathbrook. The buildings were constructed with solid brick and metal. Looking up from the base level of the city you see roads and platforms connecting these enormous buildings. There are many levels to this city, each with its own life.

  The bottom level inhabits the cities more disenfranchised. As you go up in levels it gets more glamorous. Where politicians and the rich congregate. Asta finds herself climbing towards the top of this gaudy city. She is going to meet Daeva at one of the Amnekian colleges. As she climbs from level to level amongst these crowds slight anger builds in her.

  They are so oblivious to the world they live in and their path. Yet they seem to exist with such entitlement. The entire city screams indulgence, and to her that just feels like a pathetic visage of happiness for dumb animals that choose to bury their heads in the sand.

  As she nears her destination she notices at this level the buildings seem wider and more exuberant. Cheap mages standing atop either ends of arches casting weak flashy magic for guests entering. Eccentric powered lifts designed to give customers a thrilling view around the building before reaching its entrance. Bustling streets with too much going on creating a fog of activity that blends together to create an energetic privileged atmosphere.

  She continues up the levels; the streets and walking areas are less crowded. Extravagant custom carriages hover through the streets. The people seem more territorial as they move. One man looks at her as she passes and scoffs; “does she belong here.” under his breath to the other man he is walking with. The irony of them saying that being pawns of a larger scheme eludes them. Eventually she can see the college research building she is meeting Daeva at.

  From afar she can see a large dome structure connecting the tops of five buildings making for a massive combined structure; using not only each individual building's size but the space between them as well. The large metal support beams that follow the curve of the dome to the center are spread far enough apart to allow a view through the glass between them. The gold that lines the window pane and the beams seems to amplify the light shining from the building lighting up the dark night sky above.

  She enters into a lobby area. There are a few doors on the sides, and a main one leading to the center dome area. A young man with a forgettable face, likely a student of the college, stands behind a podium with names guiding guests to where they belong. She isn’t sure where in this inane building to find Daeva, so she makes her way to the young man. As she gets closer the young man greets her; “Welcome to the Wrathbrook capital university application hall. I am Estes. What event have you come for?” Estes
politely asks.

  Asta’s expression gives away nothing. “I am here to meet with Daeva.” Asta declares.

  “Ah, yes one of our most lucrative donors in Wrathbrook. We were expecting a guest for him. If you make your way through the door on your right, go up the stairs, and you will enter the main demonstration arena.” Estes shares as Asta walks away midway through his explanation. Estes unsure of how to respond to Asta’s actions just bows his head as he finishes.

  Asta makes her way up the stairs and through the door. She enters onto a balcony overlooking the main arena. The room is designed to house demonstrations for onlookers to study. The main arena below is a large open area with a few rows of tiered seats. In the center is a large square object with a sheet over it.

  On the balcony that circles the room she sees sections of seating with large chairs with expertly crafted wooden carvings on the hands and head portion, padded with dark indigo soft material; just in front of the chairs a bit lower there are couches of similar design.

  Daeva is sitting a few sections from her laughing with a woman next to him, and two guards wearing mostly leather with a few metal pieces. Swords crossed on their backs just over their cloaks.