-- Father Sardax of Darg-Kai, Second Realm 

Drew was really starting to hate his life.

All of the stress he had endured over the course of 17 years of life was nothing compared to what he had to deal with over the past few months. In retrospect, he suppose that there were signs that things just weren't right- Earth had its share of problems, true, but even with those cast aside for the time being, he should have seen that things were just wrong. Natural disasters that just didn't seem all that natural, strange shifts in power in more than one governing body, and for as long as he lived Drew would never forget the day he saw half of China explode on the evening news. His reality had gone from that of a typical, run of the mill teenager to that of a very minor character in the most twisted of apocalyptic animes. To say life was merely fucked up was a gross understatement of the highest possible order.

He was living a nightmare. His life had been one really bad dream since those... creatures... overran the city, slaughtering those that fought, enslaving those that did not. Drew was among the lucky ones- he was one of the few that evaded capture by the demon hordes. When he and the others were found by military forces some months later, they were amazed that anyone could even survive in the harsh reality that had been created by the unholy war. Drew didn't quite understand it when he was told that they would be sent to a safe world, but with everything that had taken place around him of late, he was willing to accept just about any truth.

Haven wasn't as much of a haven as he had hoped due to what the military personnel accompanying the group referred to as a 'minor miscalculation in the transfer coordinates'. As minor as it was made out to be, Drew began to doubt their guide's full grasp of the situation as he led the refugees deeper and deeper into the forests surrounding them. Any attempt at speaking to that military jackass (as he had been dubbed by several members of the group) always resulted in a shouting match between the two parties, with the jackass making a big deal about his position as the professional of the lot.
As morbid as it sounded, Drew was actually a little happy when said jackass met an untimely demise at the hands of a motley crew of locals, shortly before the rest of the group was shackled and dragged to a small camp. That second part, however, Drew felt he could have dealt without. He didn't want to jinx himself by believing that things could not get much worse, but at the same time, he realized that most of his optimism died with the countless others that did not survive back home.

Drew was really starting to hate his life. 

"Slaves? Here?"

A low siren blared somewhere within the city, a sound common to New Evandalis during this time of night. "Are you sure?," Natalie added after a moment's pause, to which Neil nodded.

"At least they will be," he remarked, taking a long sip of the liquid in the styrofoam cup he had procured from the inside of the restaurant shortly after he, Mani, and Rigma arrived. The three looked as if they had not slept in hours, because quite simply, they hadn't. Just the sight of the three reminded Natalie that like them, she could really use some rest. "From what we overheard, most of them are refugees from Earth," Neil added. "Fairly young group of about twenty, ages ranging from 16 to 24. It seems that there's an Earth settlement in Dominus that they were headed to, and apparently hit some trouble along the way. They were found and sold by a local slaver to Dark Dance, who intends on selling them to the Ophidians."

"Being an Ophidian slave can't be terribly pleasant, I imagine," Mei-Lynn remarked, sighing.

Rigma shrugged. "There are worse things that can happen. Just not many."

Another bout of intense silence ensued as Rigma took a deep sip from his own cup, glancing at several of the vehicles that drove by the establishment. Neil looked a bit more paranoid than usual, while Mani had not uttered a word since their return. "We can't just leave them here," Natalie finally put forth.

Rigma nodded slowly. "I wasn't going to suggest that we do. In fact, I'm certain that the rest of our associates are with that same group." 

"... and as such, it would seem that Zedaro was quite displeased with your conduct within his establishment earlier this evening. Though you will still be rewarded for the eradication of Lotus Albrook, I cannot ignore the fact that your actions have seriously jeopardized the union of our organizations. Ledanya possesses capital and influence that would be most beneficial to our cause, benefits that we may not be able to partake of due to your lapse in judgment. Upon return to the Hydra, you will collect the bounty for the eradication of our former sister, and immediately report to the Circle for twenty lashes, to be conducted before the gathering of our Sisters, and done by my own hand. These are the words of Lady Tikara."

Damn this city. Damn it to hell.

The words of that message continued to burn inside of Gwen, not unlike the burn of the alcohol going down her throat. The bar she had stumbled into wasn't that social of a place to begin with, but with the aura of 'piss off' she was exuding, no one had bothered to sit near her, and after breaking the hand of the guy that had the nerve to touch her, no one was planning to. Used to dealing with all sorts of antisocial types in the past, the bartender knew that the wisest course of action was avoid asking questions, and to keep the drinks flowing.

'Damn you to hell you, Kramen prick', Gwen thought, downing another shot in a swift motion that would have made most frat guys green with envy. After the incident at Zedaro's precious club, the bastard had taken it upon himself to demolish one of Dark Dance's safe-houses in the city, a fact that Mistress Tikara didn't take terribly well. Gwen, just as any of the higher ranking members within The Order, had to take lashes on more than one occasion, but for Tikara to request the honor... Gwen had only witnessed it happen on one other occasion, and that was after they had caught Monique for her betrayal. Though as she recalled, Tikara didn't quite stop at twenty...

Gwen took another drink.

All of this, the dread, the fear, all of it stemmed from one thing. Lotus Albrook. Gwen allowed herself a moment to smile as she recalled sending that Nixen bitch to her death a few hours prior. It would have been more satisfying to have seen her beg for her life before pushing her through that penthouse window, but Lotus was never the one to allow an adversary any type of pleasure, even in her death. She fought to the bitter end, cursed Gwen's name, and even spit in her face before she was pushed through- and even then, she did not scream on the way down. Damn her stoicism- it made the victory seem just a little more empty.
Gwen reached down and absently ran her hand over the long lock of red hair that she had cut from Lotus's head before sending her on her way, now intertwined with her belt. This was her trophy. Lotus could have her theatrics- they meant nothing to anyone now that she was dead.

Though it disturbed Gwen somewhat to know that someone was that willing to embrace death so openly. Perhaps Lotus was tired of running- never, she knew the Nixen thrived on that kind of pressure. Maybe the whole reason behind it was indeed to disturb her, the woman that had taken the young Nixen's life.

Damn you, Lotus Albrook.

"I was told that I could find you here," came a light female voice from behind. Gwen took a deep breath and an even deeper sip of her beverage before slowly turning around. She couldn't quite place the voice, or the accent for that matter. It was a skill that she had prided herself with, being able to recognize just about anyone by voice alone, sight unseen. This was someone new, someone different.

Standing behind her was a young woman of a light ivory complexion, made all the more prominent by her long black hair, and equally dark leather trenchcoat adorning her frame. She was a woman of subtle curves from what Gwen could tell, starting with the delicate shape of her face, her light almond eyes, thin red lips, and slight curve of her hips, barely noticeable beneath the folds of the coat. Gwen also spotted a bulge underneath it, coming from her side- it looked as if she was carrying a weapon, most likely a sword. "Make your name and business known," Gwen responded. It was the only statement she could muster as a greeting at this time. The trenchcoat clad young woman nodded slowly, her face a mask of indifference.

"Mistress Tikara has sent me to assist you in the Order's latest endeavor."

A baby-sitter. Tikara sent a goddamned baby-sitter. Gwen mentally swore as she looked the young woman up and down. "You must be one of the newcomers," she made known.

"I am."

"Which sphere?"

"Nimbus." As an afterthought, she added "Inner Circle." She slowly raised a brow.

Tikara didn't send a baby-sitter... for her to be Nimbus, she had to be a warrior. But for her to be Inner Circle; it meant much more than she previously weighed it to be. This woman was the same rank as her; Tikara had sent an equal. Quite possibly a replacement.

Gwen had grown accustomed to dealing with the rest of the Inner Circle; the fact that she was considered the best among the best was understood fully, and she was respected because of it. Newcomers to the Circle were nothing new, but in the past they had all been Sisters she was familiar with; those that she had witnessed fighting their way through the ranks, performing to the satisfaction of the Mistress, enduring the harsh initiation rites... Gwen was unfamiliar with this new one, and the fact that a new recruit had somehow been initiated into the Inner Circle. NO ONE entered as Inner Circle. It was unheard of.

"Where do you hail from?"

"Earth."

Impossible...

"We must hurry," the young woman remarked, continuing to keep her calm demeanor despite the urgency in her voice. "I am to make a report to the Mistress as to the current status of the operation. I am sure that you are aware of Mistress Tikara's feelings on timeliness."

Gwen didn't say another word as she reached into the pockets of her own coat and retrieved a number of credits, not taking much time to count them before slapping them on the bar. Exhibiting a control of liquor unbecoming of most women, she began to walk out of the bar without so much as a stagger, the strange young lady following close behind. "What do they call you?," she asked, casting a glance over her shoulder.

"I have been dubbed as 'Hecate' by the Mistress."

"Very well, Hecate. We have business to attend to at the docks." 

Optimism was indeed an admirable trait.

To be able to keep such a hopeful demeanor in the midst of these sort of circumstances impressed Drew. The newcomers did not seem nearly as depressed as the rest of the refugees, himself included, and still seemed to cling on to the hope of escape. They spoke, they planned; they even laughed on more than one occasion. It was simply unheard of for someone to be so optimistic in this sort of environment. The bars of the numerous cells had taken its toll upon the spirits of the others, and Drew was curious as to if it would do the same to the new arrivals after spending some time here.

There were three of them- a fourth member of their party, a lizard man, had been escorted to another cell, one with thicker bars a bit further down the corridor. The other three were humans- two young men with their heads shaved down to the scalp, and a dark skinned young woman that looked as if she had been stripped of most of her clothing. When Drew finally got the courage to ask her where the rest of her clothes were, the young lady smirked and answered 'There are many places where a woman can hide a lock-pick, and it looks like Dark Dance was aware of most of them.'

Her two associates mainly discussed possible methods of escape, with the young lady debunking most of their plans by pointing out simple flaws that the two had overlooked. That didn't seem to phase them for very long, and after a few moments of contemplation, one of them would consider another plan, beginning the cycle again. Drew was shocked when the lizard man would add his own suggestion or two to the conversation. Most of the group from Earth seemed taken back by the strangers, save Drew, who found himself somewhat intrigued by the four.

Leaning back on against the wall of his cell, Drew was a bit surprised when he heard one of the strangers addressing him. He slowly opened his eyes and glanced over to see the young lady waving her hand, trying to get his attention. "How long have you guys been in here?," she wondered.

Drew shrugged as he mentally began to count the days. "I think it's been about a week since they picked us up," he remarked after some thought. "It's not so bad though," he added as an afterthought. "At least they got us out of those damned woods we were lost in."

The comment drew a few dry laughs from the rest of the Earth group, but little else. The young lady, however, seemed a bit more interested. "What part of Earth are you from?," she asked.

Drew sat up a bit more. "How did you know I was from Earth?"

The young woman smirked, looking him up and down. "Call it a lucky guess," she answered, pointing to his clothes. Drew paused for a moment before glancing down, noting his sneakers, blue jeans, and his 'Layeth the Smacketh Down' tee-shirt. He nodded slowly.

"Florida. You?"

"Not. But I actually spent some time a bit further north of Florida for a while though. Lovely place."

Drew nodded again. "I should have figured that you guys weren't from Earth."

The young lady smiled. "Oh?"

Taking a moment to make sure that none of his associates were listening, Drew leaned a bit closer to the bars. "Too optimistic," he remarked, managing a weak smile.

"I've been in worse situations," she casually made known. She smiled again and reached her hand through the bars. "I'm Tara." She motioned towards her associates. "This is Kobi, that's Darren..." She pointed towards the lizard man. "... and that's Narek."

He shook her hand. "Andrew St.Croix. Most people call me Drew."

Their greeting was cut somewhat short as the lights to the cells suddenly cut off, bathing the entire room in total darkness. A few cries rose up from several of the refugees, while Drew could have sworn he had heard Tara laugh and say something about it taking them long enough. The blackout continued for several more seconds, and Drew could not help but jump as soon as the lights cut back on.

He had no idea how she got there, but somehow, a young lady had gotten into the room and was standing directly outside of his cell. The dark haired young woman looked about the room for a moment before finally locking gazes with Tara and the rest of her associates in the cell next to his.

"Nice entrance, Natalie," Darren remarked, standing to his feet. "Where'd you learn that from?"

"Shadow Ninjitsu School of Grand Entrances," came a voice from the ventilation ducts above. A moment later one of the grates was slid to the side, as Mani slowly lowered himself down to the floor below. "Not too bad, but she's still got a lot to learn," he added with a grin, dusting himself off.

One of the Earth refugees stood to his feet and made his way over to the bars of his cell. "H... have you come to get us out of here?," he wondered, the tinge of hope prominent in his voice. Natalie nodded.

"We'll have you out of here the moment we find the keys, but in the meantime, consider this vessel high-jacked. You're not being sold to anyone." Several cries of relief rose up from the group.

"Vessel?" Tara raised her hand. "Might I inquire as to where we are? We were slightly unconscious when they brought us in here..."

Mani took a moment to check the opposite end of the room to make sure no guards were approaching. "Hydra class transport airship, docked at the harbor of New Evandalis," Natalie quickly explained.

"Hydra class..." Tara shook her head. "It's Sukatan... I'm not too familiar these types..."

Natalie grinned. "Well, neither are Rigma and Mei-Lynn, but that's not stopping them from trying to fly this thing." As if on cue, the entire craft suddenly lurched forwarded, stopping just as suddenly as it started. Natalie was more familiar with this model than just about any other she had come across, because she recalled touring one at the capital back home when she was younger. The Hydra class was so named because the airship itself contained three separate 'heads', or more specifically, three smaller vessels that could be detached and operated on their own. This ship was one of those vessels. She was also aware of the fact that a Hydra class vessel was quite expensive, and as such, Dark Dance probably would not appreciate them highjacking it in the least.

The door at the opposite end of the room opened and Neil stepped inside, with Mani right behind him. "It looks like everyone made it out of there OK," Tara remarked upon seeing him. "The only one I haven't heard from yet is Lotus..." She suddenly cut herself off as she noticed Mani quietly turn away from the group, while Natalie and Neil both became silent. "No..." Tara slowly brought her hand up to her mouth. Natalie shook her head mutely, and left it at that.

"Me and Mani are going to take one of the vessels from this ship's docking bay after we take off, and head towards Ardonis to throw off the pursuit." Neil turned towards Tara. "Rigma's flying this thing to New Malstron. You shouldn't have any problems once you get there, because there's no way in hell Dark Dance would try and follow you. I'm sure they're well aware of the fact that they can be arrested the moment they set foot in the city." He then pointed over his shoulder, towards the door. "We've loaded the cargo already, so I don't think you'll be in any need of weapons and equipment..."

"Let me come with you two." Narek suddenly stood up in his cell, grabbing the bars. "You two might need some help if Dark Dance were to catch up to you."

Neil shook his head. "Narek, I'd love to have you along, but we still haven't figured out how to open these cells yet, and we've got to leave very soon..."

Without a word, Narek suddenly grabbed the bars to his cell and began to pull. After a few moments of intense effort the bars began to bend, and a moment later, Narek had managed to pull them far enough apart for him to slip through. The massive young Islander stretched his muscles for a moment before heading over to where both Neil and Mani where standing. Tara reached out from her cell and slapped his arm.

"Why the hell didn't you do that earlier?!," she wondered outloud.

Narek shrugged. "Dark Dance's guards would have been all over me the moment they heard those bars bend. I just had to abide my time."

Neil just shook his head slowly, choosing not to comment. "You guys be careful, OK?"

Tara nodded, reaching out and laying her hand on his shoulder. "Likewise. Let us know something the moment you can."

Mani reached out and shook Natalie's hand, managing a weak smile. "It was a pleasure, Ms. Firebrand. Try not to get into too much trouble," he remarked, his grin stretching a bit further.

"The same to you." Natalie sighed deeply. "Please be careful, you three." 

The sight of seeing the supposedly docked airship move made Gwen just a bit uneasy, but the moment she heard the engines cut on, she was out of the car and sprinting towards it before her driver had even stopped the vehicle. Hecate didn't wait too long either and followed close behind, but did it with considerably less swearing than her Sister. By the time the vessel had backed away from the dock and slowly began to hover, Gwen had finally given up the chase and kicked over a nearby trash can before blaspheming loudly and repeatedly towards the sky. Mistress Tikara was -not- going to be pleased.

"Twenty three slaves... twenty three young, healthy goddamned slaves..." Gwen screamed again in disgusted anger, taking out her aggression on the trash can once more. She'd be surprised if Tikara didn't sell -her- to the Ophidians after this...

"I anticipate that they'll probably head towards Ardonis," Hecate remarked slowly. Gwen didn't even bother turning around- she knew seeing the newcomer as calm as she always was would probably disgust her to no limit at this point in time. "It's a large city, which makes hiding that much easier. Though they might also head to New Malstron, which would make things a bit more difficult..."

Gwen took a deep breath and finally brought herself to face Hecate. "We've got agents in both cities," she observed, taking a moment to get her head together. Tikara would be angry without a doubt, but there was still a chance that she could salvage something from the situation. "It'll just be a matter of time," she noted.

Hecate just nodded as she headed back towards the waiting vehicle. Gwen stood in silence for a moment, expecting to hear more from the girl. When she was certain that she wasn't going to say anything else, Gwen paused for a moment and ran her hand through her mussed blonde hair and took a deep breath to regain what remained of her composure. Even so, with each step she took towards the vehicle, she could not help but dread what the future held for her.

Hecate stood near their vehicle's door, her indifferent gaze locked on Gwen's approaching figure. "I always suppose that things could be worse," the blonde assassin remarked, ducking her head in order to step inside the waiting vehicle. She paused on her way in as she heard Hecate actually laugh quietly to herself. Gwen's blood suddenly ran cold as she felt a knife's blade pressed to her throat from behind.

Hecate grabbed her hair with one hand and pulled her head back, taking care to keep the knife pressed to her throat as she leaned in closely to her ear. "You're right," the newcomer hissed, the sound sending chills down the elder assassin's spine. "It could always be worse..."

Without another word, she then brought the blade swiftly across Gwen's throat. The assassin attempted to gasp for air before the realization finally dawned upon her that despite all that she had done in the past, it now meant nothing.

She had failed. And as she slowly lay dying upon the docks, she realized that she had just paid the ultimate price for that failure.