Chapter 421 - Conclusion

The subtle shaking of the ground, the air of desertion, the aura of uneasiness. A day for celebration turned to a cacophonous continuum of sequences many thought to be unreal.

Across the bridge, the headquarters of the AHA hosted a strange figure. A lady accompanied by Director Leo. Long and ever-stretching, the hallway tipped to go under. From bright and joyful to dull and stern, the color-scheme added to the mystic. 

"Oh dear Cleo," said the Director with upmost affection, "-why was it you wanted to see our secret room so much?" 

"Leo, my dear Leo," replied she caressing the shorter man's cheek, "-I want to know everything about you," her chest soon stuck to his shoulders, "-after all, I'm willing to give you all of me, what about you?" 

"I will do as you wish," infatuated by her fierceness, the unrivaled exotic beauty, her uniqueness in both physical and psychological worked wonders. The ever-stretching corridor came to a stop with a metallic door that stood stoically before an array of black windows. Faint beeps whispered across as if the gossip of a ghost. 

[Authorized personnel only]

"Wow," exclaimed she with genuine curiosity and dashed to have a closer look, "-it's how I imagined it." 

"Glad you liked it," said Leo standing smugly, "-I sadly can't take you any further." 

"Why not?" back at his side, the man felt a sense of pride and superiority. He had something the lady wanted – the fl.u.s.tered face rendered her even more attractive. 

"It's a matter of security," said he with puffed out chest, "-matter of fact, there are only a few people who can come here. There's me, the vice director, and some…" frozen on the last words, "-I apologize, it's me and the vice-director only."

"Awe," she pouted, "-you're such a tease. Tell me, tell me, how do you actually go in?" 

"Using my eye," pulling down the darkened skin around his eyes, "-and fingers too." 

"Is that right?"

"Yes," he laughed, "-come on now, let's head back. It's almost time for the ceremony."

"Wait for me," *SMACK.* Knocked unconscious, the man fell at a slow pace for he was fat. The c.u.mbersomeness of the said fall had her frown. The flesh vibrated and move along his back. 'Obese little shit,' thought she, "-Éclair, are you there?"

"Yes, Lady Cleopatra, how can I help?"

"I've got access to the server room. The man is a bit too heavy for a lady as I to carry, plus, I wish not to sully my hands any further. Can I have a little bit of help?" 

"Lady Cleopatra, if you would only check thy handbag. There should be a tool to aid in removing the man's identification."

"Are you saying I gouge out the eyeballs?" the tone cut across in astonishment.

"No," said the butler calmly, "-you need only position it above the eye. The machine will take care of the rest. As for the finger, you'll need to cut it."

"Seriously," sighed she, "-I've come from an age far ancient than this. Simpler times where being poisoned or assassinated was the only worry."

"Lady Cleopatra, are you going to complain?"

"I understand," rolling her eyes reluctantly: [Access Granted].

Countless metallic shafts of unknown rose before her. Not obvious from the outside; the spherical shape made spotting the middle easier. "What do I do?" asked she coming to a tube-like interface. 

"Plug in the device and leave. I've stall security, transport should be waiting outside."

*BEEP.* Quiet repetition of a sound similar to twinkling increased. It felt menacing in a way, the intervals grew shorter of which had the lady leave. Left in her wake was a man deprived of his eyeball and fingers, both laid next to the door. 

"Lady Cleopatra, have you seen the director?" asked a worker in a panic. The lounge filled with others who held the same feeling. 

"No, I have not, I went to the washroom," said to defuse the situation, "-what's the matter?" 

"There's been an incident," the frightened face gave to the television. Breaking news of what transpired in the City had the people in chaos. The stadium underwent a disorderly evacuation. Executives were taken off the stage. Some excited fans were trampled and gravely injured as result. 

"Why are they in such a panic, aren't the heroes present?" asked Cleopatra seeing it felt wrong.

"No, that's not it," voiced the receptionist, "-look here," lifting her phone, *The Truth of Asuna Muld and the AHA. Written by the Jester.* "A copy of the file was sent to everyone at the concert. The Arcanum flooded with an angered mob of fans who once worshiped Luna. The evacuation is nothing more than a riot. They're headed here," the fear palpable, a tension one could slice with a knife.

"Lady Cleopatra, you need to leave, NOW!" ordered Éclair. 

A car pulled to the entrance; "-I'll take my leave." She left in haste; the workers were suspicious of her action. Security was called to no avail, the timing was perfect, Éclair drove her to safety. Giving chase wasn't an option, even if they knew she was responsible, the angered mob came ever so close. 

"Congratulation on completing the mission, lady Cleopatra. I'm sure Master will be very pleased." 

"I hope he is," said she resting against the passenger window, "-I worked for god knows how long to get in that man's good graces. I shudder to think what another day with him would have been like. The l.u.s.tful gaze he gave makes me shiver."

"Were you not Queen of Eduipt, surely her majesty is comfortable with men?"

"Éclair," returned she coldly, "-I was queen and had my harem. I had men wrapped about my fingers, yes, I loved each of them very much. I find it quite offensive the way my relation was portraited. I'm not a lady of pleasure; don't get it twisted. I'll only give myself to the one I love, not any stranger." 

"I apologize, my lady, those weren't what I intended."

"It's fine," smiled she, "-I apologize for my tone, it's unbefitting to pour my worries onto another." 

Thus continued the car along the less populated roads. Across the jungle of concrete to the end of town. They came upon a clearing in the land, a small playground devoid of people. The city was long behind. Stepping out of the car; spirals of smoke rose to the murky grey-sky where it merged with the same colored clouds. 

"You're here," came a strict voice.

"I wish I was not," replied Cleopatra uninterested by who spoke.

"Same here," said another.

"Goddess Intherna and Goddess Gophy," said the lady bored of the pillars of smoke, "-what happened to Operation Malk?"

"Queen Cleopatra, we ask the same, how was thy mission?"

"A walk in the park," said Cleopatra barely able to stand, "-what about you?"

"Easy," coughed an injured Intherna.

"The wounds are proof of our battle," winked Gophy in an even dastardlier state.

Each glared another, a silent battle of endurance. The dampness of the coming rain had the stance relax. "Haha," unable to continue the seamlessly hate-filled conversation, the trio cracked. The pressure relieved, a plan completed – they rested with back against the opened car. "I'm glad it's over." 

"I agree, Intherna, it must have been tough playing the villain for so long."

"Are you worried about me, dear Cleopatra?" asked she with a slight tilt of the head.

"Oh shut it," sighed she regretting having asked.

"Don't start you two," interjected Gophy.

"To be honest," spoke Intherna, "-It wasn't that hard. I enjoyed being the villain, allowed me to let loose. I do feel for the few people who died to the greater picture."

"Saving so many countless life, it gave a new perspective," voiced Gophy.

"The goddess of destruction saving lives and the daughter of Rah being the villain, thy roles were the extremes of what the name suggests." 

"I guess…What about seducing the l.u.s.tful Director?"

"Just glad it didn't go past the point of hugging. Any more contact with him and I'd have cut his head or poisoned the meal."

"Calm down," said both goddesses in tandem.

"The question now is whether he is happy." 

"The Death Reaper," mumbled the queen, "-I wonder what Lixbin sees in him." 

"Did you say Lixbin?" asked Gophy with a frown.

"N-no…"

"Are you sure?" her brows knitted.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Ladies, please be ready, transport is arriving soon," came through the speakers. The menacing sound of air being cut rose from the back. The outline of a helicopter. "Time to go home."

'It's a success.' Sat Staxius far, far away from the growing riot. The small table held a hovering screen – on it, information relating to the AHA. Éclair infiltrated their servers and was in process of transferring all the information. Minutes turned to hours, soon, the sound of a helicopter landing broke the impromptu nap. 

*Knock, knock,*

"Welcome home," the door opened.

"Thanks," said they half-asleep.

"Go on, get some rest," offered he closing the door behind.

"Don't mind us," soon turn into a flicker of light, they went inside his shadow. A place where rest and mana were abundant. 

"What about you, Cleopatra, are you not going to rest?"

"I'd prefer to sleep on the bed, is that ok?" leaned off the wall, her fingers sloppily tried to take off the high-heels.

"Suit yourself," said he with a smile. Changed to the other foot,"-good night." 

The one most important in this mission was Cleopatra. Operation Malk began to promote Meldorino. The operation soon changed to being a decoy for another mission. One kept hidden from everyone except Staxius and Éclair. Cleopatra, who went missing for a few months; headed to the AHA. Only a place and time was handed to her. Director Leo, as told by Emi, enjoyed roaming around the shady town of Tale during the weekends. He was given priority on any 'products' the company brought. Tis was there he met with the Queen. Using her wits and charm, she managed to pass off as the bankrupt owner of a motel. Attracted by her face; Leo made sure he knew who she was.

While she worked at getting his trust, the Jester and Hero Luna battled throughout the continent.

Few villains came as one to follow the Jester's idealism, effectively becoming his pawn. The alliance only served to increased Luna's reputation. The people fell in love, and so did the owners of the AHA. As for the proof the jester sent before he died; it contained revealing information of the AHA's abuse. The story of Asuna Muld, the real uncensored story with proof. Tis was a gift from what Éclair uncovered whilst looking into the Emi Muko scandal. One thing led to another and there it was, the damning proof to ignite the growing incompetence of the Association. 

Staxius did as he told to the Emperor. He lit the fire of a coming inferno. The people knew the truth, or so what they thought. In no way would a man who refused to believe in the AHA's heroes be a liar. From day one, he showed a sense of integrity, despite the insanity, he showed he knew what he spoke of. The charm brought a sense of certainty, a confidence that the words were true on some basis. His death added even more credibility, the last words were those of a man in pain, a pain who wanted justice, a man who gave his all to save his sister. In no way could the association move freely, answers needed to be given. 

'I've halted their movement. If Éclair's search finds links of Cimier or the Patek, it would confirm a few hypotheses on the ring leaders. It should at least give a clear target to go after. Intherna, Gophy, and Cleopatra accomplished more than I expected. They deserve a well-needed moment of respite. The rest is on my shoulders. Phantom needs to win the coming conflict. I need a firm foot in Alphia else there's no way I can take down those at the top.' Wondering what was to come next; the phone suddenly rang.

*Lady Shino Pierre Gaso Calling…*