As the day star was still hidden, Angelo awoke to get ready for the day ahead of them. When he looked outside the window from the second floor he found that Bingwen was already awake and practicing his sword skills. Each move was graceful yet fierce. He admired his movements. He occasionally felt like a creep watching him and would go back to doing his own thing. But something in him captured his interest and would still find himself standing by the window and quickly hide himself from view. He didn't have his mask on yet.
With a bored expression he watched as lights in the buildings turned on. The warm rise of the day star engulfed the tallest buildings first before any. The hilly grasslands collected dew and bits of frost which shone beautifully like a yellow-peachy tinted ocean. Once it touched his own face he shut his eyes. His handsome face lost its shadows and his eyes watered. His completion is soft yet refined with thin lips and thick eyebrows as sharp as a sword. His chin was unable to grow a beard though some hairs still sprouted. He felt that it was still too early to go out; and was tired from the cleaning session the day before.
He was about to lay back down when he spotted Bingwen again. He wore a loose shirt and shorts. He wouldn't have imagined him wearing something like this. He went downstairs, mask in hand, to see if he could catch up to him. Bingwen though was already gone. Angelo now completely alone decided to take this chance to preen his wings.
A quarter before midday had passed Bingwen finally came back. Bingwen was sweaty and out of breath. Angelo asked, "Hey, you good?" Bingwen nodded and said, "Yeah I've just gone for a quick morning jog." Bingwen asked him, "Did you have breakfast yet?" Angelo nodded, "Yeah I did." Of course he couldn't just wait for him the whole morning and starve himself. Bingwen nodded, "That's good. I'll go wash myself and after that we can go get some lunch?" Angelo agreed, "Sure thing! I'll head upstairs for a quick power nap. When you're ready just call me."
Bingwen went to the large tub outside, he prepared the water and placed three dark blue fabric privacy screens with golden flowers painted on it. Bingwen took his time enjoying the chamomile lavender scented bath. When he got out he dried and rubbed mint on himself. He put on his robe and went straight to his room to change. When he came out, Bingwen felt refreshed and his mood improved.
Bingwen knocked on Angelo's door, "Hey Angelo, are you awake? Shall we head to lunch now?" Angelo was quite on the other side. The door wasn't shut so he took a quick peek inside. Angelo was completely sprawled on the small bed snoring. His wings barely fit on it and hung over. Bingwen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Suddenly he noticed that he accidentally saw his face! He gasped and turned his own back against the door. He internally yelled, "Shoot! I shouldn't have looked in!" After some time he called for him again. All he got in response was Angelo's snoring.
Bingwen awkwardly raised his voice and knocked on the door louder, "Angelo! I'm ready to go!" Angelo quickly shot up and wiped the drool off his face, "Sorry. Sorry, I ummm seem to have passed out completely. I'll head down stairs now." "All right I'll wait for you by the front door."
Even though Bingwen only saw his side profile it still wasn't clear. He just knew that Angelo had a tall nose. Bingwen internally yelled, "Dang it! Why didn't he close the door! I can't get it out of my head! Whatever, as long as I don't say anything, it never happened." He was snapped out of it when he heard Angelo's footsteps coming down the stairs. He turned around and froze a bit. He really was curious now. What did Angelo fully look like underneath the mask?
Bingwen quickly forgot about the incident when they both ate and chatted. Unlike the times he'd been assigned different partners, none of them talked like Angelo. Everyone else seemed to be too distant, awkward, or silent. He felt relieved that he'd been saved from spending his days in awkward silence. And for the first time in a while he felt like chuckling more. "You should laugh more," said Angelo. Bingwen only waved him off, not really giving much thought into it. "Okay okay now that we're done we should head back and figure out how to move."
When they got back to the house they laid out their plans. They agreed upon how to escape if something were to go south. Before the day star set Angelo asked Bingwen, "So how about to pass the time… We have a friendly match? Hand to hand combat? What do you say?" Bingwen was surprised, no one had actually asked to challenge him. "Of course! I'd like to see what you've got!"
Angelo was already filled with adrenaline energizing him into conversation. "You know Itchaka trained me right? Are you not afraid to lose?"
Bingwen with a grin in his voice, "you know I also was trained by him for a while too, right? Maybe it's you who should be afraid."
"Haha not at all!"
"Then come at me!"
"All right!"
The two of them laughed, stroked, and blocked each other's attacks.
"So, do you normally do this with anyone, or are you just having fun with me? It's already obvious I'm no match for you."
"Use your wings! Give me a challenge!" Bingwen seemed not to be tired yet and was having genuine fun. Puzzled, Angelo asked, "But if I use them isn't it a little like cheating?" Bingwen chuckled and threw his cloak at his unsuspecting face. "Using what is near or on you isn't exactly cheating in a real fight."
"Wait, but we're not fighting for real are we?"
Bingwen blurted out, "No, I just felt like messing with you!" Before Angelo took off the cloak from his face he fell hard on the floor. Bingwen said, "But of course if it were real, I'd be really annoyed with you for remembering your wings." Bingwen squatted down and lent him his hand. "I just hope you don't forget you have wings tonight."
"Pfft! Okay okay!" If Angelo didn't know any better, he'd say that the last line was a bit scandalous if it came from a woman. Angelo was still holding his hand when BingWen looked up. The day star was about two quarters before It was almost time. Angelo and BingWen decided to fight two more rounds before resting.
-
It was now midnight, the Hunter's moon was high up in the sky with stars filling up the sky. Some of them twinkled, as if they were at war with each other. Angelo wore an armored vest he found back at the house. He was also equipped with tiny but powerful bombs of his own creation, they were in the shape of marbles; only he knew how to activate them. Bingwen wore the same clothes from yesterday but wore a different cloak that could deflect blades. His hair was tied up into a high braided ponytail. He carried his bag out of sight containing the map along with a couple things. He kept his dagger close to his hand for easy access.
They both made their way to the tallest building in town. There they spot two strong, intimidating, and muscular looking men. Once they spotted them they engaged in conversation, "Lovely night isn't it?" BingWen nodded, "lovely indeed." Once they came closer the two jolted at the sight of their earrings. They knew who they were, so they both changed their composure and opened the door behind them, "He's waiting inside, take the stairs and to your right is a door. Open it and he will be there."
Bingwen and Angelo nodded in synchronicity and stepped inside. Inside was dimly lit with candles with the stairs remaining visible. They walked side by side up the stairs. When they turned right around the corner Bingwen warned Angelo to keep his guard up.
There was a faint light coming through the door. Once Bingwen knocked on it, someone from the other side responded in a deep voice, "you may come in." Once they opened it, Angelo followed closely behind Bingwen.
Surrounding them there were exactly six vigilant people on standby. Further in the room a seventh person stood by the long wide windows overlooking the city. He flipped a coin around his elongated fingers. Out of his head came two long cat-like ears. His furry tail calm and composed made small movements. He turned around, his face was not like the people who lived here, it was furry with a bald spot under one of his green cat eyes. On his other hand was a rolled paper likely containing the information Griffith sent them to retrieve. Both Bingwen and Angelo were surprised to see such a being all the way out here.
In the prairie, people who live here closely resembled humans or were ordinary earth humans. It was extremely rare to come across people like him. Hybrids like Angelo are pretty common, and usually lie low. Bingwen now understood why he was assigned this case at such short notice. Who else would Griffith inquire about safeguarding and receiving highly classified documents. The feline in front of him must have come from the hills from the north east. People like him aren't widely accepted by the majority of the prairie population.
"Did you know that if I do not receive the map in your hands, I would be free to take you as my subordinate? The son of COPPESS' head of the council Master Einar and of course his right hand council member Lilith" declared the feline. Bingwen felt sick to his stomach. His own father who gave him a home was willing to gamble the life of his son. Angelo felt the same way, maybe he had misjudged Bingwen, he felt guilty, and found it harder to keep thinking about him as a nepo baby.
Bingwen was noticeably agitated by this as Angelo saw him lower his head. Their silence made the hideous feline continue talking, "you see this? These in my hand are the master plans you seek. I assume you have brought the map with you." Bingwen nodded and reached into his cloak when the feline's bodyguards unsheathed their weapons. "Worry not," said Bingwen, revealing his bag, took out the enchanted scroll. The enchanted seal on it was made to where the feline would be the only one able to open it. Now more than ever has Bingwen felt the urge to see its contents.
He gave two steps forward mirroring the feline's movements. Angelo was filled with anxiety as he studied both their movements. If something went south, he'd have to take out his marbled bombs and fly the fuck out.
Once the exchange was done Bingwen ripped open the information scroll. THEY WERE PLANS TO FORCIBLY TAKE OVER THE DESERT KINGDOM!
The feline roared, "IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE! WHY IS IT BLANK!!! YOU BETTER HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS! Guards detain them both NOW!!!"
Angelo gasped as he cursed under his breath. The guards split up into two even groups and jumped them. Bingwen shoved the paper in his bag and said "Wait, I- I don't understand, Griffith isn't one to break his word!"
The feline sneered, "Well I guess he was too eager to shove you into my claws! Maybe you really aren't one of his best soldiers, letting yourselves get captured like this!"
Angelo was the only one fighting and defending himself, he was too busy to realize Bingwen had already been willingly subdued and kneeled. The wicked creature threw the map on the floor and flashed his fangs, "At least you seem to be good and obedient. The hybrid over there is still fighting my guards. Two of you go help the others. I only need one of you here. I've heard so many great things about you, Bingwen. Now that you're mine, let's get rid of that mask now, shall we? You won't need it anymore where we're going."
It was never BingWen's intention to give up, instead he broke free and stabbed the man who held him. The wound he left was fatal. He froze, it was also not his intention to kill; but the man in front of him bled. His blood spilled all over the floor. He whimpered in pain and his faint voice echoed, "Why, I don't want to die. Help." He then coughed uncontrollably and began choking on his own blood. Bingwen was in shock, he couldn't process his thoughts. One of his deep hidden memories surfaced which sent shivers up his spine. He trembled in horror as he watched another man gurgling in pain. The haunting memory made it seem as if there were people dying at his feet.
Behind him was a furious feline who kicked him out of shock and pulled him back into reality. They exchanged blows, Bingwen no longer had the knife in his hand. He might have dropped it in his trance.
On the other side of the huge room was Angelo who set off a single bomb. He darted to the map with a vase filled with flowers and water . He threw its contents onto it. The water and glowing flowers spilled all over the bloody floor. The map began to faintly glow on its own. He picked it up and showed it to Bingwen. Angelo was out of breath as he said, "Turns out all we needed to do was pour water on it and it'll do the rest on its own. Look!"
Bingwen snatched the map and saw that Egypt city on the map was circled in red. Arrows traced along the desert, it was a subjugation plan and alliance. Bingwen at a loss of words, he couldn't keep holding on to it any longer. He was absolutely disgusted with the council. To them he was just a puppet and he knew that.
The rest of the guards recovered from the explosion and made their way to them. Angelo grew impatient and grabbed him from behind. His arms wrapped around him, This made Bingwen accidentally let go of the map as Angelo broke through the glass. His wings opened and he dropped four marbles that exploded and sent the building tumbling down.
He swerved through the city trying his best not to go too high into the air. He stopped at lightning speed in an alleyway far away. He let go of Bingwen who stumbled onto the ground with a hard thud. He was completely disoriented, his mind was forever spinning falling into an endless abyss. He trembled uncontrollably grasping the dirt beneath him. He then said, "I- I dropped the map."
Angelo reassured him, "It's okay, I blew up the building. Even if they got out of there they wouldn't be able to find the map in one piece. Come on, let's go. We can't stay in the same house as before, so we'll find an inn at the edge of the city and stay until morning." Bingwen nodded and stood. He wanted to say something but held back.
They both walked in the shadowy night for a while until they finally found an inn. They walked in the small inn where a man over forty attended them. They asked for a single room with two beds. Once they got there they set up a long wall divider in the middle of the small room. Bingwen took off his cloak and outer robes. He sat on the bed with its curtains closed.
On the other side sat Angelo in his bed. He wanted to say something but was afraid that Bingwen wouldn't want to talk after what he saw. He called out his name twice, only after the third time did Bingwen acknowledge him, "Hmm?"
Angelo felt awkward, "Sorry, were you asleep?"
Bingwen didn't feel like talking, so he said, "No, not yet but we should sleep now. Good night."
"Alright, Good Night Bingwen," Angelo replied with a yawn.
Bingwen angrily took off his earrings and accessories along with his mask. He closed his teary eyes and slept. In his dreamscape he dreamt of an endless abyss until he distinguished a location.
It was dark, the day star had just set. A sixteen year old Bingwen walked in a sandy town with a bag of coal. People were leaving after a great day of celebrating. Bingwen was nicely dressed and headed somewhere with a purpose. He donned the same mask with the same earrings. He walked and walked a long distance before he passed a noisy bar, it sounded like there were people fighting and arguing. He turned to take a peek inside. He was right, the owners were getting ready to kick a group of drunken men. They looked rather rugged and unkempt. Bingwen stepped back and began to leave when he heard a loud, bang! He turned back around to see four guys flying out from the door. He stood there as women laughed at them and closed the door behind them. The men cursed at each other and the bar. Suddenly one of them noticed Bingwen staring, "Hey girl, why don't ya come over here! Haha." Bingwen shuddered, disgusted by him. Another one yelled "Fuck off!!! What are you looking at!" A third joined in, "SHUT UP! Don't listen to him girl let's have some fun!" The fourth one just kept staring at Bingwen and said, "Wait, that's one of them COPESS kids!" Everyone looked at each other and they whispered stuff he couldn't hear. He turned around and walked away. He was already in a dark alley when the fourth drunk put his roaming hand on his shoulder and rubbed it. Bingwen flinched when they all spoke to him. Their faces were blurry. His breathing increased, he felt that maybe he shouldn't have been nosy and just kept walking. The third drunk slapped the bag out of his arms and pushed him against the wall. The second asked, "you must be engaged, how about we teach you some things before marriage okay?" The angry drunk was still making his way to them. Bingwen tried struggling away from them but they were too strong. They were all eager to get a taste of the girl they thought he was. Bingwen finally spoke, "S- stop, Let me go! I'm male, I'm male." When they heard him say this they all turned livid. They made fun of him, most of their dialogue was static. He couldn't understand it. They made fun of his long hair in a high ponytail, of how he wore purple and adorned with a small crown just like a princess in her bizarre earrings. They grabbed him by the hair and led him to the edge of the town. They didn't take off his mask thinking that his face would spoil the fun, so they let it be. Bingwen was on the verge of tears when their hands roamed within his garments. The fourth bastard took two small knives. He said, "Hey since he has a lot of hair, why don't we give her a haircut! Oh sorry she's a HIM HAHAHA." Bingwen started wildly struggling even more than before. But one took him by the legs while another tied his arms together. The angry one just "prepared" his hair. The forth bastard gave him bangs; throughout the process he bragged about how he was one of the best barbers back home. Bingwen didn't care though, he'd been toyed with for a while now. It was just a matter of time before they asked for more. When the fourth bastard was done he marveled at his work. Everyone wanted to take a look at his work when Bingwen finally lost it and fury completely overcame him. He loosened the rope from his hands and became so violent he couldn't think. He beat them up with every move he had been taught in training. This was the first time he ever used his fighting skills on anyone other than his training buddies. He roared and struck with all his might. He never thought he'd use his fighting anywhere else much less on regular people. He was struck hard several times but returned it ten fold. His clothes were ragged and all he cared about was beating them into a bloody pulp. It took a while to completely harm the four of them. When he was done he trembled and fell on his knees. He picked up the hair that had been cut off. He held on to it as he silently cried. he should have just minded his own fucking business he thought when suddenly a voice came ringing out, "My child, how were they able to do such a thing to you?" Bingwen was horrified when he heard his father speaking. He cowered and did his best to cover himself. Griffith angrily spoke, "how could such savages come close to you! What happened to your training! They're nothing but empty cowards with disgusting behavior! If I were you I would have dealt with these types of people before they even harmed others. But you didn't handle the situation well. No?" Bingwen answered, "I should have minded my own business, I should have struggled more, I- I shouldn't have been afraid." Griffith nodded, "You're right, But now that I'm here- let me handle the trash." Bingwen stood and looked up at him in puzzlement. He saw his distorted gaze with red eyes which lay behind him, and he turned his head back around when he heard, Crack! Griffith used his powers to crush the four of them into four boxes of bloody flesh. The gargling noises were loud and clear. Bingwen was completely horrified, disgusted, and afraid. Griffith had just murdered four men right in front of him. He felt sick at the gory image forever implanted in his brain.