Stepping Stones, a little bump in the road to victory

[TigStripe]

It had occurred to Demi that Sekhmet wouldn't be satisfied with only taking out one of the two countries' capitals, so it came as no surprise when the order appeared before the demon slayer that Merxenne's own capital was to be assaulted and taken by Majin forces. Demi sat on a steel bench inside a metal vehicle that had been confiscated from the Merxenne Knights by some of the grunt Majin for this particular mission. Their objective was not all-out war, but instead a stealthy infiltration of Veiniste that would lead to the assassination of some of the higher ups stationed within the city, if not the Head Honcho himself, the Prime Minister.

Demi turned his head to see Blight and Echo sitting across from each other, silent as usual. The two of them never seemed to say anything when apart from Varlet, who was seated in another vehicle nearby. Demi couldn't remember if Miasma had been assigned as well, but he hardly cared - he was more concerned with the warning he had given to an old friend, tipping the Knights off about the invasion. If all went well, the assassination would fail and the Majin would be forced back out of Merxenne.

It was an odd thing to think that after watching Zarack fall to the Majin that the Merxenne would simply let their capital fall unguarded, so it wasn't surprising to see increased defenses around the country even before Demi had tipped Lee off. This, however, was a concrete defense. Hopefully no one would catch on that the Knights had been tipped off.

The vehicle gave a lurch as it came to a stop near the outskirts of Veiniste. Demi stood to his feet, an action mimicked by every Majin in the vehicle alongside him. The posterior entrance opened, the military-issued vehicle opening its rear for the Majin to pour out. It looked like a military squad, but as soon as the Majin were out, they stepped into wormholes created by Blight. Demi, however, did not step through, instead opting to meet up with Varlet between the vehicles and plan their 'invasion' separately.

Let's hope Lee took necessary precautions, eh, Varlet? Demi thought towards the second vehicle.



The Majin were not welcome in Veiniste. Lee Mirax would make sure that they realized this. It surprised several of the higher ups that Lee would offer such information as to the organization of Majin troops, but not a single question was asked since the recent attack on Derrande left Zarack virtually without leadership. Rumor had it that the legendary Arcmages had shown themselves at long last, but even the Merxenne spies over in Zarack had either nothing concrete to report, or were killed in the assault themselves. Lee didn't know much about all that, but he did know that the attack was very real, and he had a very reliable source from within the Majin forces that warned him about the oncoming invasion.

It hardly took more than the words "the Majin are mobilizing" in order for Lee to get the attention of the Heavenly Knights. Unfortunately several of the Heavenly Knights made it known that they would move the Prime Minister to Carmenn Fort while a few would stay behind and lead the 'defense' of Veiniste. In all reality, without the Prime Minister there, the Majin were almost free to take the city. Lee's job, however, was to put up a good show to make it seem like they didn't want the Majin to take the city at all. It was, after all, home to several thousands of people. Lee couldn't just sit back and let the Majin destroy the atmosphere that these people lived by, could he?

What disgusted Lee the most, however, was the company in which the Heavenly Knights had left him. There were only two Council members present in Veiniste now: the youngest member, Carrin Newsgold, and a much more hardened veteran, and a man that Lee himself actually feared, Everryne Algod. Algod wasn't a problem, but Newsgold had hardly any battle experience, instead climbing to her position as Heaven Knight by sheer political influence. Her father was rich, so she was able to make it to where she stood with relatively little ease.

Just another aspect of the Merxenne Knights that Lee despised.

The most intriguing and disgusting part of the whole operation was something that Lee hadn't even known existed. There was little else to call it but, well, it. Some kind of weird experiment using some of the technology from the Ancient Wars. Lee didn't know the details, but evidently it was the perfect last-line defense against the Majin, and would be used if they truly intended to take the city, even through harsh defense by the Knights.

Today was going to be one hell of a day, Lee could already tell.

[Zeke]

Agent Varlet exited the craft and ran a hand through her soft black hair. The wind was blowing harsh today and dawn was approaching over the horizon. All in all, it was going to be a rough day, and Varlet was feeling more and more apprehensive about the day.

She casually walked over to demi and nodded. "Let's hope he's as smart as he is cute otherwise this will be bloody." Varlet then turned and walked over to blight.

"Sister, stay behind. Dearest Echo will give the signal for our escape. Should you hear the choral, return to the lord Immediately. Our sacrifice will be his empowerment."

And with this she stepped through the portal.

[PumpkinHat]

Miasma remained in the far end of the opposite vehicle of Demi. He kept to himself, never the one for good conversation, and kept his focus on the battle ahead. He still distrusted the demon killer and that worthless, or so he referred to her, ninja girl. They had set him in the wrong mood and his suspicions had only risen since. He saw them talking together often...often it was going somewhere alone to discuss something... He could see them sometimes, but never close enough to hear. Each time he tried they would move, as if they knew he was there... Although...he had almost forgotten there was a mind reader there, that blasted ninja. Such a problem.

The vehicle came to a halt and he was the first to exit and enter one of the portals, I shall not fail you, Lord Sekhmet.



****



Algod eyed Lee for a moment, blue smoke billowing in streams from his mouth. He closed the distance between them and kept his voice quiet, "I must speak with you without the ears of a certain woman listening. It is important."

With that he left the room and began to make his way down the hallway, not without giving Newsgold quite a sour glare.

[TigStripe]

Confused, Lee followed Algod away from Newsgold into a large conference room. Algod locked the door behind them. He puffed on his addiction as he turned to face Lee, who stood uncomfortably in the center of Algod's sight. Unlike his counterpart, Lee was not without respect or fear of those placed higher in the military than he. Nights was fully equipped to handle anyone who told her something she didn't want to hear, but Lee was a more humble person than she. He would timidly listen to whatever Algod had to say.

"Sir? What is it?" Lee asked.


* * *


Demi watched Varlet slip in through one of Blight's wormholes before turning towards the city himself. The potential death toll of this invasion is astronomical, Demi thought to himself. Demi noticed movement out of the corner of his eye as Miasma lumbered up to a wormhole created specifically for him. The strange man gave the demon slayer a disgusted and suspicious look before turning and stepping through the hole. And I can't let him realize what's really happening here.

Demi would not approach through one of Blight's holes. Instead, he would use the Executioner to make his way to the capital, where the Majin would attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister. It was up to Varlet to do so, but Demi was to "oversee" the situation. According to what Lee had told Demi, however, the Merxenne had already prepared for the confrontation - Lee would disguise himself as the Prime Minister within the capital and the Knights would ambush the assassins sent in. Demi's role was clear at that point: make it look like he was there to save Varlet from certain death at the hands of their enemies, as well as any other Majin he could manage to rescue.

But as smoothly as the plan went over again and again inside the demon slayer's mind, Demi couldn't shake the feeling that something horrible was going to happen. Something completely unexpected.

Demi's scythe the Executioner materialized strapped to the slayer's back. He dislodged it from its holster and swung it around in front of him, turning its single, largest blade to point at him. He stepped up on the blade and the scythe itself began to levitate off the ground, shooting along a street until Demi ordered it to duck into a back alley, which he would utilize to reach the capital.

[PumpkinHat]

Algod looked Lee over for a moment before speaking, "As you well know, or should at least have guessed by this moment, our esteemed colleague, Ms. Newsgold, is not well adjusted to these sorts of delicate situations. In fact I doubt very much to her capabilities, my suspicions being that she climbed the tall and rickety ladder to success in the Merxenne government with skills other than her resolve on the battlefield. I'd say she's never seen a truly bloody fight in her life."

He cleared his throat, smoke spewing out from his lips, "My point being, she can hardly take care of herself in a verbal argument let alone the Majin onslaught that awaits our fair city. So I am to inform you that you are to follow my commands over hers especially should the situation grow to be more than our forces can handle. You would be wise to consider this."

The man grasped the handle of the door, ice creeping from him and frosting over the metal latch and the door. He jerked the door open, as it became slightly frozen and looked over his shoulder at Lee, "The Fire Riders are nearby. After they bore me here post haste I told them to linger, as we will likely require their help. I also took the liberty of informing the Mage Hunters of the affair and they are making their way to the city as we speak. These Majin caught our enemy, Zarack, off guard. We will not be so foolish."

[TigStripe]

Lee nodded to Algod. "I share your feelings about Heaven Knight Newsgold, sir." Lee shifted his weight a little uncertainly. "Sir, permission to get into position as the imposter Minister?"


* * *


Demi landed lightly as he jumped off the Executioner's blade. He now stood atop one of the taller buildings overlooking the capital building. Varlet should have already been inside, but Lee wasn't aware of Varlet's involvement in the espionage within the Majin ranks. It was very likely that Demi would actually have to save her life.

Demi looked up and down the street at the base of the building on which he stood. Knights were rushing around in well-armed and well-organized groups. Lee evidently wasn't the one in charge, or there wouldn't have been so many Knights present. There was probably at least one Heavenly Knight present. That could easily complicate matters in the event that Demi or Varlet were captured.

Demi heard a scream from somewhere off to the east, followed by an explosion. Smoke began to drift from an alley a few blocks down.

"Let's go, men!"

"For Merxenne!"

"For Algod!"

Demi could hear the Knights as they turned around and shot down the street towards the smoke. The name they'd used lingered in Demi's ears: Algod. The slayer knew the man - he didn't like him very much. All the more reason for Demi to be executed if caught.


* * *


A Knight burst through the doors to the conference room, surprising Algod and Lee. He gave Algod a quick salute and began a report.

"Lord Algod, the Majin have begun their assault! There are fires starting in several back alleys across the eastern block of the capital area. Already three explosions have been heard, and two regiments are not replying to their communicators."

Lee gave Algod a cautious gaze. "Sir, I need to get to my post."

[PumpkinHat]

Algod nodded to Lee, "Dismissed. Be on your guard, soldier."

He turned to the messenger, "Get the word to them yourself if that's what it takes. I want full alert, but do not charge in or give away your positions until proper signal is given or the enemy is bitting at your heels. Is that clear?"

The young man nodded and bolted out the door to carry out his new orders. Algod followed him out the door and into the night covered street. He placed his hand on the center of the doorway and a thick sheet of ice spread from it. It grew thicker and thicker until the door itself became virtually impassable. The enemy would have to be a little more creative to reach the inside, but unfortunately for them all other entrances were guarded by Merxenne soldiers. Only the most skilled of Majin, the assassins meant to take on the Prime Minister, would be able to find a way in. And they were prepared well enough for that.

He grabbed the large weapon holstered on his back, a thick polearm with three large blades on one end and a pommel to even the weight on the other. He waved up at the sky and a smaller, sleeker solid black dragon swoop down to meet him. Its rider seemed of the same build as the dragon, slender and lanky, "Your orders, sir?"

Algod nodded, his stoic expression never failing, "Have the fifth unit meet me here and from there depending on our current outlook on the battle we will decide our next step. Also, have the dragons Limniad and Rime take care of these fires. They are a bit of a nuisance."

[Zeke]

Varlet silently made her way through the city running into little resistance, any she did run into she kindly avoided with proper persuasion. Varlet stopped at the steps of the capitol building with a defiant grin--ever so popular to her--spread clear across her face. She noticed quite a large mass of soldiers infront of the doors. "well this could be a problem." she commented to no one in particular." She didn't have time, nor was she going to wait for reinforcements. It would probably get her killed doing something foolish as that."

The kunoichi delicately raised her hands to her face revealing a full set of neko-te's, cat claws. Her grinned remained even when she ran full force into the barrage of unsuspecting soldiers. So surprised at the sheer speed of her assault they were caught of guard, lowering their chances even still of hitting her with a single shot. What must have been more surprising to them all was when, instead of going attacking them head on, she lept into the air onto the face of the the building itself.

Her claws dug into the wall with ease, and scaled the face with incredible speed.

With a final pull she climbed onto the roof of the capitol building and began to formulate her next course of action.

[PumpkinHat]

Algod simply watched the ninja jump over them and scurry up the building. He then spoke in a loud voice so that the whole unit around him would hear, "Explain yourselves, soldiers!"

There was a silence, and many uncertain faces, to which Algod replied, "A Merxenne soldier never drops his guard whether the enemy is close at hand or far away. Remember that next time and maybe you'll have wit enough to shoot them before allowing them access to this building! If you cannot do this simple task, then you do not belong in my regiment nor in the Merxenne army."

He turned to the man at his side, "Alert section two and tell them to perpare themselves immediately, hurry!" He pulled out a small device, a communicator, and spoke as clearly as he could into it, "This is Heavenly Knight Algod. The enemy has breeched our line and is currently on the roof. I want everyone inside to be on their toes. Do not allow her to slip by without answering to your rifles first."

[TigStripe]

Demi watched from afar as Varlet launched herself at the capital building, finally reaching the safety of the roof. Only mages would easily be able to follow her up there, and Merxenne had very few mages to spare. Varlet seemed to hesitate, looking around and contemplating her next move, when it was obvious to Demi: the reinforced glass sphere that signified the Minister's Chamber. It didn't take the woman long to spot her target and start charging towards it with her cohort watching intently.

Demi heard several more explosions from random locations around the city, more and more smoke pouring into the air. The Knights were being scattered, and soon only the most trustworthy would be anywhere close to the capital. Demi sighed, ashamed at being even a fake part of this infiltration. When he looked back up, his heart sank as something in the distance caught his eye. Floating above the city was one Merxenne's dragon riders, charging towards the capital.

"Damn!" Demi spat. He slung the Executioner to his feet and stepped on its blade, rushing off the rooftop of his safe observation area on its wicked curve. Varlet was in danger now, and it was his job as a Majin and as an accomplice to help protect her mission objective.


* * *


Lee sat in the Minister's chair within the glass-encased chamber known only as the Minister's Chamber. It was more of a crystal throne room than anything else, as Merxenne's leader was hardly a "prime minister" over being a monarch. Lee sighed, trying to calm his nerves. Explosions from outside rang rather loudly throughout the glass chamber, letting Lee in on the knowledge that the Knights were failing to stop the Majin altogether. It wouldn't be long before Algod's troops were the last standing.

The door to the glass chamber opened and in stepped a head of bright golden hair. Newsgold made her way toward Lee, fury in her eyes and spread across her face.

"That bastard!" she screamed, her voice ringing throughout the chamber and causing Lee's ears to ring in a different manner.

"What happened, Sir?" Lee asked, showing respect for his military superior, but his inflection of apathy was hardly noticed.

"Algod. The bastard. He sent me in here to be the 'last line of defense' for you. I don't get why we're defending a phony minister. I know about you, Mirax, you're good in a fight. You should be out on the field of battle, not sitting here in the comfort of the Glass Dome while my men lose their lives. I'd be out there too, but Algod insisted that I would be of more use here." She fumed, crossing her arms. "Honestly, it feels like he's trying to keep me out of battle."

Lee didn't say anything, but he forced an expression of pity for Newsgold. She really didn't know what she was talking about. Innocence in the world of the corrupt. "I'm sure Algod had his reasons to station you here," he said in a voice as emotional as he could manage.

Newsgold sighed and dropped her arms. "Now I'm being given pity by a Holy Knight. This is pathetic."

The Heavenly Knight turned away from Lee just as Lee heard a tip-tap high overhead. Intrigued, Lee looked up to see Varlet grinning down at him from the glass above the chamber. Lee grinned back up at her and turned his attention back to Newsgold, who had gone into a rant about some kind of injustice about a moose.

[Zeke]

Varlet looked back and saw the dragon with a heavy sigh she drew her sword from the back sheath. "Whly do you people make it so difficult to do my job. I mean.. here i am, minding my own business and a dragon comes and ruin everything."

Varlet saluted the dragon rider with a huge smirk and turned toward the dome. A few swipes later and a large squarish hole was now where a quarter of the dome used to be. Lee had to step back a few feet to allow the glass piece to fall but in all no harm was done.

Varlet felt a pulse, a command given to the dragon to attack, which was her cue to get out of the open. The emerald ninja jumped through the small opening just before a wave of fire enveloped the area she once stood, doing nothing more but melt a portion of the dome.



Varlet landed gracefully in the middle of the chamber with a defiant smile. "Well, Lee Mirax." she said kindly. "Infiltration, complete."

Varlet slowly made her way to the desk where the real minister usually sits. She hopped on, crossed her legs, waved her hand which caused the door to lock shut, and smiled. "So who is this?" she asked, as if she didn't know the answer.

[TigStripe]

Newsgold's eyes widened as she saw Lee and Varlet interact. Fear overtook her face, then pure rage. "Infiltration?" she spat. "You were in on this, weren't you, Mirax? You're in league with the Majin! I knew I didn't like something about you!"

Lee opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say a word, Newsgold's communicator was in her hand. "Emergency broadcast! Holy Knight Lee Mirax is a traitor to Merxenne and must be put down! Assistance is requested in the Glass Dome!"

Lee raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms as Newsgold drew her sword. "Newsgold, I'm the one who informed Algod of the invasion. Varlet here is on our side. She's a spy. There should be one more outside the capital, waiting to help her out of here if morons like you get her too close to danger."

Newsgold grimaced. "Shut up, you filthy liar! I see through your trickery now! All of it makes sense!"

"None of it makes any sense at all!" Lee replied with a laugh. "You're deluding yourself, Newsgold."

"I am Heavenly Knight Newsgold!" the Knight replied proudly. "You will address me as such!"

Lee shook his head. "You know, I'm beginning to see why Nights doesn't listen to authority."

The three of them waited for anything to happen. When no soldiers burst through in shouts of glory to back up their glorious commander, Newsgold screeched in a voice that Lee could swear cracked the dome a little. "Where are my men?!"

"Probably trying to defend the city from the Majin invasion," Lee replied with a shrug. "You're in no danger here, 'Sir.' There's no reason to try to raise alarm throughout soldiers who are preoccupied."

Newsgold fumed. "That does it, Mirax! Draw your damned sword! I'll take you both on myself!"

Lee couldn't take it anymore. The sheer determination on Newsgold's face, the tight grip on her sword, her defensive stance, her reckless demeanor...

"Listen, you pompous little bitch!" Lee shouted, shocking both Varlet and Newsgold. "Wanna know the reason no one's rushing to save your hide? It's because Algod ordered them not to listen to a damned word you say. You may be a Heavenly Knight, but you have practically no field experience at all. Varlet here has more experience being a Merxenne Knight than you do! You're eccentric, and not in a good way. Now lay down your sword before I'm forced to remove it from your hand!"

Newsgold was shocked. Lee could tell that no one had ever shouted at her like that. Of course, spoiled is as spoiled does - Newsgold's eyes narrowed and her face began to burn in rage. "How dare you speak to me in that tone!"

Lee drew his sword. Unlike Newsgold's, it was not a standard Merxenne weapon. Instead, the blade was serrated at the tip, as if it had been broken off by concussion. In fact, it had been Mitchell who had broken Lee's sword in their first meeting. He pointed it at Newsgold. "You're saying that you're willing to fight with General Varlet of the Majin army as well as the former Shadow Sage? Tell me you're joking. Either one of us could easily take you out, let alone both of us. You need to stand down, Sir. I really don't want to have to hurt you."

Newsgold faltered. Did he just say...Sage? Mirax was a former Sage? If that were true...

"Everything you've said is true," Newsgold said, her expression softening and her stance becoming limber again, not so rigid from being on the defensive. "A Sage can't be in league with the Majin. She's...really a spy?"

Lee sighed and lowered his weapon. "It's about time you came to your senses."

Newsgold's communicator went off with static as someone attempted to contact them. "Holy Knight Mirax! Please, respond! The Majin are marching in a full assault against the capital now! Half our men are dead or injured, the rest being held back by Majin forces. We can't protect the capital! Algod's men are the last line of defense - even the Fire Riders have been taken care of, some kind of weird insects!"

Lee's eyes shot up to Newsgold's face, which had contorted into fear. "Lee, I..."

"Save it," Lee replied sharply. "We need to get out of here."

"It's no good!" Newsgold's communicator spat. "Even Algod's men are retreating into the capital!" There was a pause. "No...no, Sir! No!"

Lee, Varlet, and Newsgold leaned in to hear the communicator.

"Heavenly Knight Algod has given the go ahead to release.....it. The reserve has been activated. Chyra help us all."

[Uzuill]

Two dragons, large even for their kind, flew towards the leading edge of the Majin attack force, a large metal box of some kind between them. They set down the container in a good thirty meters from a small squad of Majin, looking restless while their riders remove the attachments. As soon as the container was free, they left in a hurry, going to get refitted for combat. Both dragons and riders seemed anxious to put distance between themselves and their cargo.

At a radio-given signal, the single large door slowly opened, revealing almost total darkness inside. Opening the door also revealed the wall thickness - at least a foot and a half wide. The only bit of light was a slight blue glow that could only be seen if the viewer had above-average eyes or knew what they were looking for. All of the Merxenne forces and civilians in the immediate area had evacuated, leaving only confused Majin.

[Zeke]

Thoughts reached varlet's mind which caused her eyes to widen. "No" she whispered to herself. Newsgold seemed defiant at the reaction she had on the former majin. "What... Why... How..." she whispered each time knowing the answer before the question was finished.

Meanwhile A tall gray haired individual stepped outside of the capitol and quickly surveyed the scene before him. The man was dressed in light leather armor bearing the insignia of Merxenne on his right breast, and under it bearing the a iridescent blue heard covered in purple heart with a dagger puncturing it.

His wrists were wrapped up in gray wrappings, and his head nearly completely shaved. It took a few seconds of silence before he spoke into a small communicator. "This is Golo, Mage hunters are in position."

[PumpkinHat]

Algod spoke hastily into the communicator, fighting off the majin ranks as he did so, "Good. Keep these Majin scum inside this city! I do not want them to escape from it...."

With a mighty swing the end of his polearm cut through an oncoming crowd of majin, severing several of them fatally. He gripped his weapon tightly and took a step, advancing towards the survivors. The minions stepped back, never having seen such a show of sheer physical power.

Blood dripped from the blades, saturating the stones of the street with Majin blood. The heavenly knight pointed the end at his enemies but said nothing. His expression needed no words to back him up. He was going to kill them all, and they knew it. It would take more than a crowd of underlings to bring him down. So they ran from him, fearing for their lives.

Algod swung his weapon and its end slammed into the ground. A wave of ice and frost erupted from the impact and raced towards them in a wave, icicles bursting out of the earth. This battle was far from over.


****


The sound of insects whirred around the figure of a gaunt being, standing on the edge of a tall building. He could hardly be considered a man... A creature more than anything else. He gazed down at the battle below...but only half his face remained intact, as well as his whole right shoulder missing. The insects seemed to be burrowing into his wounds, hovering around him. It was truly a grotesque sight to behold, and truly so when only half his face could hold that horrible smirk.

Pathetic dragons... You should pick your meals more wisely, some may bit back. Miasma chuckled, his now raspy voice seeping from the holes in his throat. He looked towards the capital building, his remaining eye glaring into the distance, She sure is taking her time with this simple task of killing one man.... Perhaps she ran into some misfortune. Stupid woman. I knew we should not have left this up to her. With this thought he leapt off the building and landed on the next roof.

He carefully and quickly closed the distance and walked quietly to the damaged glass dome, the cloud of insects following after him. He looked down into the room, listening as closely as he could for any sign of his comrade or the Prime Minister.