"Amatesa, we have an update," Tatsuya said to a sleeping Amatesa. "Ryuu gave me the word on what we are to do. That new territory that just lost its leader is already going through turmoil. So, we're in to 'save the day.'"
"Are you sure she heard you? She's been hard asleep this whole time." Darius stated.
"I hear you Tatsuya," Amatesa said without opening her eyes. I already did light recon with Rae earlier. Several gangs were clearly fighting to occupy and the rest of the people were too scared to leave their homes. Perfect chance for us to swoop in and knock some heads clean off. I could use an under the table meal."
"Under the table?" Darius asked.
"You're from a country where it's mostly humans dominating the population. So, you're allowed to openly eat meat that hasn't been cured and documented for the record. Over here, we have to get meat that has been cleared. It's to prevent one species from killing off other species here. Though, I'm sure you know the red market exists." Tatsuya stated for Darius.
"The red market. I've heard about it, but I didn't know it really existed like that." Darius said surprised.
"Yea, it's the real deal. Most people around here eat meat substitutes or have to pay a high price for real meat. So, the red market exists to cut corners. The main way food is secured is we have volunteers who choose to be slaughtered and recovered. It's a very painful process, but it pays well. As long as, their head isn't severed from the spine, most people can be resurrected, as long as it is done within a certain window." Tatsuya explained.
"Then that means, when you guys go and secure this other zone, any gang members you kill..." Darius started to say.
"We can keep for ourselves," Amatesa said while standing behind Darius who jumped up.
"When did you get up?" Darius said spooked.
"I'm always up, I don't sleep all too often. Part of my condition. Anyway, let's get dressed and head out. The gangs were starting to stabilize, and we need to get in there before they decide to team up. Rae found a few A+ fighters among them, so we need to get there before they team up. Do you want to come Darius?" Amatesa said while she pulled her hair back. It usually falls to her shoulders, but she wrapped it up into a bun.
"I can help..." Darius is unsure of what helping them truly means.
Amatesa sensing this, "It would mean killing someone. You may not have to, but once they see you're allied with us, they will definitely go after you until you're dead. Your call, we can always get assistance from Rae. We only need a light team of 3 to deal with this.
"I'll sit this one out..." Darius said sadly.
"I'm sorry to break it to you, but things down here work differently. But you don't have to do anything you don't want to. However this country is just about always at war. To create peace through war. That's how we handle it." Tatsuya said while equipping two blades from a pocket dimension.
"How kind of you to volunteer me, sure, I'll go. We were going to head back today, but if this means a 3 way split of goods, then I'll happily tag along. I call dibs on lion though." Rae said while stretching.
"You always liked lion meat." Amatesa laughed.
"It's something about eating a predator that feels so satisfying. Amazing feeling." Rae said while drooling. "Well, I'm ready to head out. We'll travel by foot. I could tell they had wards for any teleporters, so our best bet is a sneaky approach."
"You guys be safe." Darius said softly.
"They'll be fine. While they are gone, I could use your help with something else." Chel said to Darius while smiling. "Don't worry it's nothing dangerous."
As the three left the forest, William approached them with a bag. "This should hold you guys over for about a week. Water, food, some quick cast magic, and equipment. Ryuu prepared some disposable sapphire enhancers. Designed to enhance your abilities as you enter the zone. It'll last 24 hours. You shouldn't feel any downs from these, these are above general market quality. There's also a two way ward as well. It is purposely dated for two way communication only, in case anyone is interfering with your magic. Lastly, Tatsuya remember to not let your guard down." Tatsuya looked surprised. "Even the towns people should be considered hostile."
"I'll remember that. Let's get out of here." Tatsuya said as he grabbed the bag and threw it in his pocket dimension. The three took off running together.
Amatesa took up the lead while Tatsuya and then Rae followed. They ran around the main city to avoid being seen on the move. It took them about 3 hours of straight running.
They arrived to the metal city at twilight. They first went to the same hill outside of the city to scope it out again. Dragons have sharp eyes and have the ability to shape shift. Including shaping their eyes to alter their vision. "It looks to me, that 2 of the bigger gangs have decided to work together." Rae said looking down. "The movement isn't crossing a specific street. There's conflict on both sides, but you see none of it is taking place on the middle street. That's likely a neutral zone between the 2 groups."
"It appears that the two groups are specialized. The north side are physical fighters and the Southside appear to have various weapons. This makes deciding who goes where extremely easy for us. Little brother, I'm sure you can handle the south just fine." Amatesa said as she stood up. "Let's take care of them." Amatesa starts to fully transition. Her entire body covers itself in scales, her tail extends out, and her hands become more claw like. Her eyes become vibrantly blue, as she dawns her scales like an armor. Covering her from head to tail, unrecognizable to what she appeared as before. Even growing 3 additional inches due to her feet gaining additional size. She then burst across from the hill towards the north side of the city.
Tatsuya doesn't transform. He simply summons his two blades. One blade with the metal a deep dark blue color and the other a bright red that had a fire lining. He prefers to fight as light as possible and he would be weighed down too much from a complete transformation. Rae chants a spell puts an invisible grid around the city. She is able to it to better sense where everyone is and also doubles as a way to cast spells from a distant. She remains on the hill out of sight. Tatsuya runs shortly behind Amatesa heading the opposite direction towards the south.
Tatsuya arrives to his part of the city first. There are hundreds of bodies laying on the ground. With children crying in alleys trying to protect themselves. This portion of town had lost majority of its population. The town was filled with a population of Bipedal Raccoon people. They weren't fighters, so they had no protection except by an agreement with their previous leader who would supply military if anything were to happen. Tatsuya walked through the town until he was spotted by an enemy scout. "Hey, there's a random guy here with swords!" He yelled. He then drew out his bow and arrow and immediately tool a shot at Tatsuya. He stood there as the arrow bounced off his skin. "What? Oh crap." He scout panicked and tried ducking out of sight. Some more help came. It was a group of five Gorillas. They had armor and different weapons. They immediately started to charge Tatsuya. He started dashing towards him with his blades in front of him. One by one, he slew through them all. He would parry their attack and then go for a lethal blow immediately after. He kept at full spacing to go in and out to take them out without getting surrounded. After killing the five members, with ease, even more appeared. Twenty different gorillas suddenly had him surrounded. With more on the buildings taking aim. As he looked around accessing the situation, he noticed a circle in the air. It didn't have the dragon symbol from Rae, it was an enemy caster using a spell. A hailstorm of fire came rushing from the circle while the archers took shots with metal arrows. Tatsuya put his blades away, and started dodging everything. He evaded all projectiles as if he was water. Eventually the onslaught halted. As they did, Tatsuya immediately rushed the archers on the building and started cutting their heads off with one strike. Jumping from building to building, they couldn't escape him.
The people who were still alive, saw a lone warrior slaying the people who were killing them. Secretly chanting for their survival and hoping that this person wouldn't turn on them. The commander of the group finally appeared. Commander Jo. He was bigger than every other gorilla, who already were standing almost as height with the buildings the raccoons created. Jo after seeing so many of his troops dead, went straight for the assault. He was the A+ ranked fighter. High speed, high endurance, and fur so durable that weak blades can't pierce him. He slammed the ground creating a Shockwave that went towards Tatsuya. He jumped back on the building to avoid further the danger. A second circle appeared in the sky above Tatsuya and two fire whips appeared. They came slamming down towards Tatsuya forcing him to dodge off the building. The timing lined up perfectly as a Shockwave met Tatsuya as he landed, knocking him back into the air. The fire whips whipped him into a building. The raccoons spectating were starting to lose hope. The gorillas started to cheer on their commander when Tatsuya jumped out of the flames. His Crimson blade now has a full coat of fire on it. Jo tried to quickly cast another spell but Tatsuya already gained ground and was in his face. He tried to pierce his heart, but was unable to penetrate his chest but was unable to. However. his flame sword ignited his fur, which started to burn his body. Jo started screaming and running away. His hidden castle had created a gate for him and the others to retreat through. Tatsuya tried to chase but one of the minions decided to sacrifice themselves and jump on his back to allow everyone else to escape. Tatsuya chopped his head off after wrestling him off his back. The others had escaped.
Tatsuya covered in blood, started walking towards the north to team up with his sister. The raccoons who were alive still looked from the shadows, not knowing if he was truly ally or foe.