Chapter 622: Trouble in Konlda

"Was the mess really a necessity?"

"Sure it was," returned a nonchalant voice, "-the blood's already cleaned up. Tidy the rest of the room."

"As you wish."

*Crunch,* '-weak blood,' he swallowed, '-what a waste of energy.' Headed to the study, the mind constantly went about the information provided. A couch next to a small table gave ample space to rest and think. The multiple outcomes gathered to form several white paths, each of which bore a certain ending. 'Odgawoan and their leaders,' he thought, '-the Konlda's, Mi's, Fulha's district, and lastly, Stanley's homage. They're respectively ruled by, the Yanok, Saku, Vermillion, and Luon Families. Underground shadow leaders, similar to the guild, each ruffian has to ally to one of the four great families. They're not only big here but throughout the whole of Alphia. Insider information says each of them is allied to one of the conglomerates. I'm starting to think Cimier isn't such a threat, there's the possibility of a stray lead, they could be considered a collection of the four great families. There's no feasible treaty at the moment, they're all greedy and bloodthirsty. Unda was part of the Luon's family, one of the more peaceful if we go on kill count alone. If not for Go, we'd have never found their names, truly an inspiration. The task ahead is slowly seeping into my core, we're in for a world of pain. I can't risk the possibility of war. It would be hard enough to manifest my puppet army in the current state. What to do, and what to think…'

*Knock, knock,* the potential foresight shattered with two hard taps.

"Enter," he replied.

"Hello pops," said the trio rushing inside, "-the mansion is amazing!" complimented Draconis.

"Glad you liked it," he returned.

"I'm tired," said Vanesa climbing up his legs and into a cradle, "-breakfast was good, I want to sleep."

He but smiled at her reaction, "-don't forget about me," interjected Saniata, "-anyway," she looked around, "-this place definitely has enough stuff to keep us occupied."

Inhaling deep, "-gather around," he ordered. The tiny feet carried to a kneel, "-we're starting in a new continent. The mansion is akin to our heart. Unlike Hidros where we're free to do just about anything, here, the politics are different and people are strong. Draconis and Saniata, I want a guarantee that you'll not leave the mansion's vicinity unless I agree."

"You going to cage us?" frowned Draconis, "-pops, I thought we came to have fun."

"I'm sorry," he shuffled the boy's hair, "-until we have a stronghold, I can't allow our cover to be compromised. Besides, there's a gaming room at the eastern wing of the mansion. We're in the land of technology, do as is pleased and enjoy what the continent has to offer. If the conduct is satisfactory, I'll allow for you to head out without supervision."

"On one condition," said Saniata.

"Which is?"

"I get to come with any time I wish so."

"Don't try your luck."

"Either that or."

"Fine, fine, no need to throw a tantrum."

"Cool," said she, "-Draconis, let's go check out the gaming room."

"Hell yeah!" they darted out leaving a fatigued Igna.

'Kids,' he thought, '-how very convenient.'

"What about me?" yawned Vanesa, "-should I stay with them?" her face spoke of being at his side.

"No, you're coming with me," a forehead flick had her giggle. Later, he took to the streets in the newly acquired car. Éclair had his hand full in finding the optimal course of action for income. Supplies for the synthesis were ordered, the estimated arrival was in a week. 

Somewhere deep in Fulha's district, a man clad in a plain shirt and pants ambled along the distant paths of Paster's Park, or Pasture for short. For those in the know, the naming had been done by a certain individual, greenery in the middle of a district of casinos and love hotels. Either genius or outright stupid; said matter was best left to the individual. Soon, the somberness inherit to Rotherham invaded the brighter Odgawoan. The tragedy of flashfloods was still fresh in the minds of many, none wanted a repeat, especially since Carter Lake had to be compromised. 

Cigarette in mouth, a newspaper in hand, and sat on a wooden bench, the hardened path ahead was very frequented. Some ran, some walked, others flirted, parks were a place of secrecy. Smoke puffed, he leaned to an eyeful of the towering logos of the casinos. The names carved the grey sky, '-I missed the peace,' he thought and crushed the cigarette. Two casually dressed men crossed his vision, '-it's them,' he narrowed. "-go, follow them." A mask-wearing lady took on after. 

'Leaders of Wen, Carl and the Rept gang, Stea. One's in human trafficking, the other in prostitution. The tip on investigating Laven Enda led to those two. Not hard to imagine them being accomplices in the overdoses. Igna sure has guts, the three other members are very talented, especially Inesa, her talent in infiltration is top-notch.' Foliage soon marred the line of sight. "-Let's go," said a black-haired man, "-we ought to follow."

"Good idea," returned Odgar, "-Kion," to which he smiled. Trails led to one of the shabbier love hotels, a fifteen-minute drive from the park. 

Transmission arrived saying, "-get ready." 

"I recently acquired something you'll love," winked the leader of Wen draped in a shawl.

"You keep going on about this lass," refuted the other, "-how good is she?" the tall figures skipped into a back-alley to a silent eatery. "-Very good," he reassured. 

"Moment of truth," whispered Odgar, "-the rest is up to you." When spoken, a nonchalant car trunk opened. 

"See," said Carl, "-she's an up-and-coming starlet, worth a pretty penny."

"Where you find her?" 

"The usual means," he chuckled, "-a drink and it was easy pickings."

"Good then," he nodded, "-I'll take it from here," said Stea, "-payments at the usual spot." He drove off without time wasted towards Stanley's homage where he made for Konlda. Odgar continued to trail, Aki and Tensy were at the ready. Kion's demeanor felt shaky at best. 

"Will she be ok?" inquired Tensy.

"No idea," refuted Odgar, "-we're taking quite the risk for a low return. Desperate times mean desperate measures."

"What about the police," gnarled Aki, "-have we informed them?"

"Those corrupt bastards aren't going to do much," returned Odgar, "-keep focus, we're closing in."

The car distantly stopped at a run-down drug store. The surrounding didn't inspire confidence, for once, there was a lack of cars and bystanders. The opposing building, an abandoned five-story high apartment. To avoid detection, they were forced to take refuge a good distance away, at the slightly populated corner store. 

The trunk buckled; an earpiece relayed what happened. "I never thought old man Carl would find such a fine specimen," he grabbed by her hair and pulled, "-come on bitch." Her screams resounded clearly regardless of the mouth-gag. Garbage bins, trash-filled streets, squatting homeless, and the odor of urine. The already tired body tripped and fell. The man mercilessly flung her into a red door. She landed face-first in the backroom, the smoke-filled air hampered breathing.

"What's this?" said a man in a white shirt.

"I brought us some fresh meat," added Stea, "-the boss's going to be happy with this catch." The chairs pushed back with a screech, murmurs of lustrous comments invaded her space, "-she's good," said one holding her chin. "What about her stuff?" he lustfully pushed her legs with his foot.

"Don't damage the goods," returned Stea, "-where's Onil, we need the appraiser's approval."

"In the store," returned a bystander, "-come on guys," they returned to playing cards. Not a minute wasted, the lass was taken to a dark room filled with hostages. From boys to middle-aged maids, "-better not make a sound, else we'll kill you," glared Stea. Stale food, a squeaking fan, and a barred window. The panes were painted in light-brown, petrified stares that went from person to person. A total of five had curled into their private corners. None wanted to speak, even if the will was present, they dared not say a word. 

Out to the corner store, they decided to continue on foot. The audio sufficed in providing a mental image. The pain and suffering, comments, and despicable actions could be heard through the radio. Aki and Tensy took the lead, the former made for the left opposing sidewalk whilst the latter kept closer to the drug store.

"Good thing you called me," said a stranger man, "-this one is a fake," he said.

"What do you mean fake?" refuted the other.

"Her cover's been blown!" cried Kion sat in the car.

"Stay put," cried Odgar shadowing their step, "-AKI, TENSY, GET IN COVER." 

Men with rifles rushed onto the street. Alas, the duo had walked into the open, the only hiding spot was a broken car and an old fridge against the apartment.

"We're pinned down," refuted Aki, "-bring the car around."

"Oh god," said Tensy crouched behind the car, "-what about Inesa? Kion, are her vital signs…"

"She's alive, for now… the earpiece has been destroyed," gloom befell his tone. 

'What now?' thought Odgar dashing for a back alley, '-they fooled us and acted cluelessly. I should have known it wouldn't be so easy.'

*AHHH,* cried Aki, "-I'm hit," gasped, "-they got my legs."

"Let me help," offered Tensy.

"No," returned he adamantly, "-you're closest to the intersection. Make a run for it," he scanned about, "-I'll create a distraction."

"Understood," they exchanged nods. 

"On my mark," he held a rock, "-NOW!" he peeped to fling a grenade, the gunfire stopped with screams of, "-GET IN COVER." The decoy didn't work so, a lone gunman courageously held his nerves and shot. 

'Aki…' gulped Tensy who darted for the intersection, "-AKI'S HIT IN THE CHEST," he fell noiselessly, a puddle gathered about his area. 

'Aki's hit?' gritted Odgar, '-there's no way to fight back. We walked into a trap… they don't even have weapons to fight with,' he used a mirror, '-damn it, Aki's down. Tensy's circling to check on Inesa. What can I do in this situation, should I ask for Kion's help? No, if he comes here, he'll be shot instantly. That one has a rocket launcher.'

"TENSY, DON'T!" exclaimed Odgar.

The advances halted, "-listen to me," said Odgar, "-the apartment's an ambush, they have eyes on the alley. The moment one crosses, it's death. Retreat, we have to fall back."

"What about Inesa?" inquired Kion, "-there's no way I'm leaving my companion behind." 

"Don't argue," said Tensy, "-Aki's dead, listen to our leader or get out. Tis the condition we made."

He bit his tongue in ire, '-hopeless, I'm hopeless.' 

Armored vans darted down the streets where Tensy hid. The fight was a failed operation. In when they thought the situation couldn't get worse, Stea walked into the street with Inesa held by the hair. He jammed a pistol into her mouth, a sadistic grin broke Odgar's tenacity, '-I can't do anything.'

"Éclair, toggle battle mode, infiltrate their coms, and take control of the car," he climbed onto the metal steed.

"Understood," returned the butler. *Woosh,* he leaped, "-good afternoon, gentlemen."

The car skid to stop, the doors opened, Tensy jumped without a word said. It accelerated and swerved towards the corner store; the armored vans followed closely. 

"You've gotten in quite the mess I see," a figure flew atop the drug store, *bang,* a downward shot knocked the gun out of Stea's hand.

*Partial Realm Expansion; Mantia,* the hands pressed, he landed atop the apartment, the left eye bleached into white, *Spatial-Arts: Wormhole,* a snap conjured a hole under Inesa and Aki. "-LEG IT ÉCLAIR," the car brunt into overdrive.

'What's happening?' wondered Odgar, the black steed whistled past. 

'So much work,' he leaped from building to building till the last, '-there,' hung onto the side, he pushed, the walls cracked, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* a man-sized bullet flung across the street. 'And we should be clear,' a swipe cleanly split the van and its passengers, *Mana Control: Purgatory Flame Variant – Hellfire Blaze.* 

*Ancient Magic: Gate,* the street rattled, the van crashed and burnt to a loud explosion. "-Odgar Codd, long time no see," said a man hovered before a ball of flame. Flickers of fire and debris hovered as snow, '-it's you.'