Patience.
A lone shifter floats high in the sky, his right hand holding a small home sized ball of mixed alcohol and his left holding a light. Silently he watches as the wave approaches the moat. Anxiety takes over his mind as he wonders if it really will just walk into the moat. Seconds begin to feel like years, then right as his anxiety hits its peak he makes his move. Flying above he manipulates the ball of alcohol, making it slowly rain down and soak the front of the wave.
Falling.
Mindlessly it starts to fall into the pit!
No hesitation.
Before it can fill he sets the lighter aflame and throws it into the pit. Instantly flames burst into a violent existence, greedily spreading and devouring the strands. It spreads fast, the strands going still for a split moment before rushing backward, trying their best to escape the all-consuming flames. In seconds the temperature around the town rises as a wall of flames hides the horizon. Seeing the strands retreat as stray embers set more of it alight, joy fills the shifter's eyes, meanwhile panic seizes the townspeople. Those that gathered at the wall run backwards, pushing each other down while wildly screaming. Just as chaos is about to take over the shifter flies down, moving to the most heavily packed area.
"Calm down! Everyone! I swear on my name, Joshua Ameliece, we are safe! These flames were created to counter the calamity! I repeat! The flames are beneficial! Do not panic and immediately move to the town center!"
The crowd stops, staring at him. Before he can say anything else a familiar innkeep appears. Unlike earlier he's no longer dressed in casual clothes, instead wearing a tight vest and matching brown pants and boots. Behind him, just like him, are several men openly carrying small rifles and daggers. Despite this, seeing the innkeep relief floods through the people.
"Until the calamity ends, the underworld is no more. Obey the shifters and Ouros men and we have no problems."
Dominance.
A fierce aura shoots out from his glaring eyes. Seeing back up appear the shifter lets out a sigh of relief internally, trying to appear as cold and calm as he can on the outside. The scene remains serious, at least until an odd trio step out from behind the innkeep. Crim speaks first, followed by Harry, Will letting out a heavy sigh immediately after.
"C'mon ya'll! We ain't got booze but we can still party!"
"What he said!"
Seeing Harry and Crim act so unseriously with their goofy grins the crowd goes into shock. Suddenly, a surly man starts to laugh, followed by another member of the crowd, then a cheer spreads through. "C'mon, who want's ta arm wrestle me. Loser has ta walk in their undies for a day!" While Harry and the crowd immediately throw Crim an odd look, the innkeep immediately takes Crim up his offer. "Sure thing kid!" Annoyed, Crim lets out a small grumble. "I ain't no dang kid ya hairy bag a russets." Amused, the innkeep smiles. "Sounds like some'ones gonna be a sore loser aint'cha kid." Almost immediately the awkwardness fades away as smiles take over the crowd, Will on the other hand can't help but look at the pair of overgrown kids and wonder if he should go along or not.
"....You, me, the inn right now."
"On it."
Practically stomping, Crim heads back to the inn, an entertained crowd following along while talking amongst themselves. Some choose to go straight to the town center instead, some head to what's left of their home, and some set up a betting pool, most betting on the innkeep. While they walk, Crim and the innkeep chat.
"So what's ya name mista underworld?"
"Roland, how's bout ya?"
"Crim."
A bit more relaxed, Roland starts to examine Crim, letting his thoughts wander as he walks. Is this kid really responsible for killing that high-rank shifter? Hmmm, at the very least I know I won't have to worry about hurting him in our little contest. Actually, "Hey Crim, ya can keep ya clothes on when ya lose. Lady like ya shouldn't go off in 'er undies." Crim, in response, just let out a defeated sigh. "I'm a man mate, as for ya, straight ta undies when ya lose."
As they walk the wave continues to move. It stays far from the wall of fire surrounding the town, separating in dozens upon dozens of small crowds. Joshua, after grabbing several large boxes of coal flies above and is immediately shocked to see the wave acting in an organized manner. It completely surrounds the town, grouping in a way that makes it so that even if stray sparks hit, only a miniscule part of it will burn. Still, it doesn't seem to be too intelligent. If it was it would bury the fire under dirt, but considering how far away from the fire it is perhaps fire is just that effective against it.
Despite his shock he continues onto part two of the plan. Carefully, he drops the coals into the corpse filled flaming moat, making sure to spread as evenly as he can as he knows there's no more left to give. After making sure the flame will burn bright for at least three days and nights he tries to move closer to the wave, compressing as much air as he can to send as much as he can flying into the fire when released. Unfortunately, the second he lowers the strands start to violently writhe, climbing and crawling over each other to form a pillar to try to grab him. Fortunately he reacts in time, dashing behind the pillar.
Now lowered he releases the air, instantly creating a wave amongst the strands, sending another decently sized piece of it into the fire. This time though, the wave is ready. Before the flames can spread it separates and retreats, leaving only that area to burn. Seeing it learn to handle his previous tactic Joshua chooses to retreat and return to town. Empty, just as he expected. Yet it's still noisy? Following it he eventually finds himself at an inn and sees…a crowd of idiots cheering a man in his undies as he arm wrestles a little girl?
Empty, there is no thought.
"WHOSE THA KID NOW! MWAHAHAHA C'MON NOTHER GO!"
What in the ever loving hell is he looking at? While he and his cohorts are preparing for and dealing with the strands these idiots are partying? Wait, is that booze? How did they even get booze? Why is there furniture? It was all supposed to be used as kindling for the fire.
"Just go along with it, better than tha alternative"
Suddenly Will appears next to him, drink in hand. Looking at Will's fed-up eyes and bored expression Joshua knows, in this moment, he's found a friend. "So, how's it looking out there?" Looking at the crowd Joshua wonders what made Will think it was safe to ask that question out in the open. As expected the crowd goes stiff, immediately staring at Joshua. The silly atmosphere shoots away as an overwhelming seriousness and subtle fear takes its place. "We're safe so long as the fire keeps burning. That being said, no more drinking."
Those with drinks look to their cup, then Joshua, then their cups again and instantly, they chug without hesitation. Last drink they say, at first not meaning it only to mean it after Roland sends a heavy glare their way. Will, pats Joshua on the shoulder before stepping outside, signaling him to follow along. After they step out the inn becomes lively once again. Without them noticing Harry follows behind, remaining hidden as they begin their conversation.
Will, drink still in hand speaks first.
"So what's tha real situation?"
"Unpredictable, the strands seem capable of learning. Though, for now it seems to be limited to purely reactive actions."
"And what was that pillar I saw shoot up?"
"It was trying to catch me."
Will scratches the back of his head and lets out another heavy sigh. "Something tells me you tend to sigh a lot." Will nods his head in response to Joshua. For a moment there's silence, at least until Will breaks it. "How do ya intend ta deal with tha withdrawals?" Joshua tilts his head in clear confusion. "These people are used ta drinkin, take it away and they won't be easy normally let alone in tha heat caused by tha fire."
Silence.
"Well shit."
"Shite indeed mate. Shite indeed. Thankfully, our favorite dumbarses should do a good job a keepin tha people happy. Now onta tha real question. What'cha gonna do with the ones that misbehave."
Without a moment of hesitation Joshua answers.
"Death on the spot."
"Well now that's cold a ya."
"Yet I didn't see you flinch did I?"
Instantly, the conversation ends, the duo still not noticing Harry hiding in the shadows. Seeing the duo go silent he returns to the inn, disappointment clear in his eyes. Crim and the crowd, drunk on the atmosphere, fail to notice him going upstairs, everyone except Roland. "Aight, aight ya win lil man. Imma 'ead upstairs and rest me 'ead." He tries to follow but right as he hits the turn upstairs to the second story hallway he can't find Harry. Instead of looking for him, he walks into the nearest room.
"How's Lia?"
Inside a man sits on the small bed wearing headphones connected to a small radio on a table next to the bed. Seeing Roland his relaxed posture immediately shifts to serious. "Sir, we did as you asked. All of her stock was donated as treats for the children and her store is under constant supervision." Satisfied, he nods, moving to sit on the desk chair directly across the bed. Looking above the bed, through the window he can't help but stare at the sky.
It's dark yet bright, almost surreal. Though he can still see glimmers of the stars and clouds the waving strands remind him of the hell he has to protect his daughter from. Taking a moment, he decides on the spot to leave the inn to one of his subordinates and instead personally guard her. He won't lose his family, not again. Joining the underworld may have been the biggest mistake of his life, but at least for now, it's a blessing.
"Pass tha order. Anyone that acts up gets a whoppin, be they women or children. No exceptions"
"Yes sir."
Suddenly his daughter's face flashes before his eyes. She'd surely scold him for giving out such a cruel order. Even so, even if he can't keep the true nature of his work a secret, he will protect her and he will keep the people safe. He can't be afraid and he can't hesitate. The people will survive.
No matter what's needed to make it happen.