**Days after Greed and the others' departure**
**Valley Kingdom**
The sound of a lighter clinked open, followed by the soft burn onto a cigarette bud.
A pleasant inhale was followed by a relieved exhale, blowing smoke in the air as the man stared blankly into the calm Valley skies.
He sat forward on a metal chair, elbows resting on his knees, sheathed blade resting against his inner thigh. His round glasses reflected an eaglehawk from above, circling the area.
He had just gotten done with his solo training regime for the morning. It was time to make breakfast.
A large wolfdog panted next to him, and he reached out to pet her before he finally rose, flicking the cigarette away. He grabbed his fur-hooded jacket behind him and slung it over his shoulder. And as he snapped his fingers, the metal chair was gone in an instant and replaced by a potted plant from somewhere unknown.
He made his way to the kitchen area and washed his hands, preheated the oven to three-hundred-fifty degrees, and began chopping up some vegetables and some raw chickensnake meat. He mixed it all together and scrambled some eggs with no salt, whisking it with some chopsticks until it was ready to be turned into an omelet.
He placed the meat and veggie tart in a bowl and then effortlessly guided the omelet on top, balancing it there. He then snapped his fingers, and the pan was replaced by a finely sharpened knife, which he used to slice the omelet in half with, letting its gooey insides flow onto the rest of the dish. The wolfdog watched in anticipation all the while.
Afterward, he went over to one side of the bar and whistled, signaling her to sit. He placed the bowl down on an elevated platform just below and turned around, whistling again a few short seconds later; another signal allowing the wolfdog to start eating.
He began whipping up some Mornay sauce in a small saucepan on medium heat, and melted some butter, then added some flour and stirred for a good minute until fragrant.
The fridge opened as he checked if they were stocked with milk. Alas… there was only one carton despite him buying cases of them just the other day. But there was no one to nag to, so he loosed a sigh and grabbed it without further complaint.
He gradually whisked it in, added salt, pepper, and nutmeg, then brought it to a simmer—whisking constantly until the sauce had thickened after two minutes. He then removed it from the heat and began stirring in the Gruyère, leaving it there to cool for the next ten minutes or so.
Next, he assembled the Croque Monsieurs, toasting the bread on both sides until lightly golden brown over a large, ovenproof skillet on medium heat. He spread half a tablespoon of butter on each side along with a single tablespoon of mustard and a tablespoon of Mornay sauce.
Each mustard slice was topped with three cuts of ham and one-fourth cup of Gruyère on the remaining bread pieces. Then evenly spreading the tops of each sandwich with two tablespoons of sauce, he sprinkled whatever there was left of it.
The oven beeped at the perfect time just as he finished. So he opened it and transferred the skillet inside, cooking it for approximately fifteen to eighteen minutes. He set no timer as he usually just cooked it until the cheese was melty and top was golden brown. With or without it, his timing was always on the mark.
Next, he took out another nonstick skillet and heated it to medium-high heat, melted butter, cracked eggs with one hand, and fried until the whites were set—usually after three minutes—seasoning with salt and pepper as he did.
After a moment, he took out the skillet in the oven, expertly placed the sandwiches on a decorative plate, and topped them each with an egg.
Coffee had been made as he placed it and his dish on the bar, snapping his fingers and pointing without looking, switching it with another empty plate across the long table.
At last, he casually made his way to it and sat, silently marveling what he had just made.
A simple dish, but proficiently put together, nonetheless.
He sliced a piece and took a single bite. And when he did, he shot back in his seat and closed his eyes tightly, enjoying the effortless taste of his cooking.
After gulping, he faced forward again and merely sat there, observing the long, empty dining table that was usually full of life.
Without thinking, he took out a cigarette and sparked his lighter, hovering it there just before the bud as a thought crept in…
Do me a favor and stop smoking inside, would ya? It's bad for Yuna…
His eyes narrowed to the wolfdog ahead next to the bar, just finishing up her meal as he recalled this certain acting captain's words…
He closed his eyes and sighed, shutting the lighter and putting away the cigarette bud soon after.
"Jackass…" he said under his breath.
It was at that time, a maid's voice chimed in from a nearby entrance, "Master Code, shall I take Nash's dish to his room?" a tall woman with purple and blue streaked hair asked.
"Sure." Was all Code said.
She bowed and gracefully made her way to the kitchen to grab the extra Croque Madame that Code had somehow pieced together along with his meal.
"Milo," he said, and she paused for a moment to face him. "Don't worry about the rest of the chores today. I got 'em."
"A-Are you sure, Master Code?"
"Yeah. You, Ulrich, and Kiki take the day off today. Thanks for your services."
Milo hesitated after he said this. There seemed to be something on her mind.
"Um… thank you, sir… but I'm currently working on a 'project' today…"
"Project? Do maids normally call housework 'projects'?"
"Well… no… but for me it is. You see I found a motorbike in the Den's storage out back. I would like to clean and take care of it if you'll allow?"
"Motorbike?"
Ah… that's right. 1st Exec's…
Code closed his eyes and began slicing another piece from his dish. "Didn't take you for a mechanic," he implied.
"Aye. I actually like tuning and fixing machinery. My club that I once had…"—she recalled the weapon she used when she fought Ophelia and Raeyn that day—"I managed it myself. It's a bit like therapy if you will… S-Sorry, I'm getting carried away. If that is what you wish then I'll—"
"No, it's fine. I get it. Do what you want. Just make sure to call it a day when you feel like it."
Milo gleamed as her shoulders raised. "Aye! Thank you sir!" she bowed.
Therapy, huh? He thought. Guess mine is cleaning up these idiots' messes today… and every day…
He finished his meal and placed the dish in the sink before stepping outside for a quick moment before starting around the Den.
Immediately when he stepped out, he pulled out that same cigarette he attempted to light earlier and sparked a light.
He blew out a smoke easily and said, "Sometimes I feel like you ask for too much out of me… Withholding the desire is harder than you think, you know?"
Code began thinking of the mission he just came back from. Something about it had triggered a thought… a thought buried deep within him that he had long refused to answer…
He started coughing, having breathed in too much smoke as he lingered on it.
What will you do if there's no one else to protect?
***
**A few days ago. One day after Greed and the others' departure**
**Somewhere in the Valley jurisdiction**
At some underground mines at the edge of the Valley, a meet up between Valley mage knights had begun. They solicited the outside of a cave before entering, waiting for the Captain of the joint mission to arrive.
The cave entrance had a red Torii gate with ribbons of dangling pieces of paper with odd symbols on it. It seemed to be sealed, but that part didn't seem to worry them much…
This joint operation included mages such as: 1st Executive Flare of the Crimson Dragons, 1st Executive Rin of the Snow Lilies, 1st Executive Marley of the Silver Sharks, 2nd Executive Zayden of the Purple Panters, and 1st and 2nd Executives Maine and Rowen of the Green Owls. And their captain for the joint mission…
"Does anyone know who the captain is? We've been waiting here for ten minutes now…" Zayden said.
"Oooo… ten minutes… I swear, you Purple Panthers have no patience. You're all apples that fell from the same tree—Tubolt." Rin spat. "Minus your Vice Captain Zeno… It's like he doesn't even belong with you bunch. His personality is the polar opposite! He's the most polite… and yummy…"
"Keeper… if it walks and breathes," Marley insinuated.
"No… if it walks, breathes, and has a title."
"Gold digger."
"Whatchu you call me, bitch?"
"Now, now… let's not get our tits in a bunch, ladies," Zayden carelessly commented as they both flared their nostrils at him. He waved his hands in the air in surrender.
Maine and Rowen hung around in the background while they witnessed them banter. Their painted masks latched effortlessly on their faces.
"Looks like you'll have to wait no longer. There he is," Flare said, arms crossed and ahead of the group.
When the team captain arrived, he had a black fur hood on and a white billed hat with a wolf logo on it. His round glasses glinted as he fixed it with his middle finger.
"Thanks for waiting," he said, as he carried an unconscious mage bandit to his side. "Got caught up on the way here." He threw the mage bandit on the ground in front of them.
Their eyes narrowed to him. And before he got out another word, Flare made his way, passing through the others with his burly physique as he said, "Thank you! It's an honor to be working with you, Vice Captain Code of the Black Wolves!"
Code huffed in a disregarding manner as he said this.
Well, well… looks like I get to have a second chance with Mr. Cool Wolf, after all… Rin thought.
"You know I can hear you right? Your thoughts are not safe with me… floozy," Marley jabbed.
"Marley! Get out! Get out! GET OUT!"
Code watched them with a bland expression, studying his team.
Though joint missions were nice because you got to work with ally Guilds, the problem with it was, unlike your own Guild where you got to choose who comes, in these missions—you do not. The purpose of joint missions was to combine any available mage knight with others in the area, or who are available to take arms from the Valley with little to no delay.
The day after Greed had left with Ryo and the others, Code had taken up this mission to lead a group of Executives who were on the Valley outskirts. The reward was hard to turn down… fifteen-thousand eterna for the Executives, and twenty-thousand for the voluntary leading captain of this squad.
Though, he was surprised no other Captain or Vice Captain had taken the mission before he did. It was posted for at least three days before he had finally accepted…
In any case, he was here, and he had a secondary goal along with leading this one to success. And that was getting the job done as soon as possible.
Zayden and the others seemed to hesitate to what Flare had said. But he instantly countered everyone's hesitation, "You all need to address your team captain. And you all need to address him with respect. Must I remind you how utterly useless we all were during the Valley Tournament incident? How many of you can confidently say you contributed a decent amount after being released from that 'Void'?"
They all thought silently about it. Every single one of them had been taken—and were among the vanished when it happened. Only after Pride had decided to release them were they able to contribute. But from Code and the Black Wolves… out of them all, only one was vanished, and even then, she was a great help to the survivors within the Void.
Rin stepped forward next. She remembered when she and Goro were ordered to watch him by Syemore and she had found out a little too late of Code's true intentions that day… Nevertheless, ever since that, she carried an unspoken admiration for him. "Aye, thank you Vice Captain Code for assisting us today!" she said. Oh, my holy Keeper! He is so hot this up close!
Marley heard every one of Rin's thoughts, but she was next to step up, followed by Maine and Rowen who remembered his captain—Greed who had made a promise to get back at Lance that day, too, and he followed through.
Last was Zayden. He was the most skeptical, but he did witness it as well… that day, the Black Wolves were the reason the Valley had overcame that incident, along with minimize the casualties. He also remembered the other Executive, Wilren, get utterly wrecked by their captain… He reluctantly stepped forward and greeted him as well.
This was the first time any of them had worked with a Black Wolf, let alone a Vice Captain. And now they were the number one Guild in the Kingdom. So underneath the success of the mission, they were all eager to see what he was made of.
Code sighed and walked past them, kicking the unconscious mage bandit to the side. "Can any of you use binding spells or recreate one?"
Rin responded almost immediately, "I can!"
"Do you need to reinforce it after use?" Code asked.
"Nope! I can cast and dispel whenever I feel like it without it draining my mana or hindering other spells."
"Great. Bind him, would you?" he turned around to face them. "Listen up. I want to get this done as soon as any of you do, but there's one thing I need you all to understand before we enter the mines."
They all perked and wore focused looks to him as Rin had finished up binding the mage bandit.
"Our mission has been compromised."
Their eyes flashed.
"The mage bandit over there was monitoring you all before I came. His group most likely knows we are already here. How they were able to pinpoint our exact location is beyond me. Perhaps there's a high-level Sensory mage among them… Or perhaps not… You two"—he looked at Maine and Rowen—"how many earpieces do you have?"
"Enough for the seven of us."
"That is all?"
"Yes."
"Good. Destroy them all."
What? They all thought.
"It's likely our equipment has been highjacked, too. What we will do instead is link our brains with Marley." He faced her this time, "Is that alright?"
Marley studied him and silently agreed.
"Okay then. First link with me, then Flare, then Maine, Rin, Rowen, and then Zayden in that order."
"Why?"
"Link with me first."
Marley quickly engaged her magic and entered Code's mind.
She was surprised she was actually able to enter. Back in the Kingdom's Guild Meeting and even earlier when he arrived, she had attempted to enter his mind, but could not do it. His mental shields were nothing to pass up.
When she arrived, she was in a pitch black space with nothing but a door in front of her.
Thank you… Code thought. The door ahead is your link to Flare. Use it, and head on.
You know I can make my own links right? I don't need you to make one for me, she replied.
Aye. But there is something I want you to see before you do. If I understand your ability right, the links you create from one person to the other are based on your opinion of them—and those opinions are based on what you are allowed to see in their heads. If they have strong mental shields, you won't be able to see much. And if they don't then that's self-explanatory… However, if the person whose mind you entered develops another opinion about the other person, you can use that as a door as well… but the difference lies in that opinion.
Where are you going with this?
Simple. You are going to learn something new about every person here. Code looked at her as they stood amid the blackness of his mind. Something important I need you to know…
Both Marley and Code opened their eyes again and they were back with everyone else.
"It's done." Marley said.
"I'd advise you all to turn off your comms too, for good measure," Code said. "I'm sure the rest of you can guess what happens next?"
"We're gonna split up." Rowen answered.
"What? Why? The mines are a maze! What's the point of having this joint operation if we're just going to split up anyway?" Zayden spoke.
"Because our enemies already know we're here as a group. If we enter as a group, we only risk ambush while they find escape. The mission was to subdue 'all' mage bandits, not stick together." Code went on, "On top of that, you are all Executives. So you are leaders in your own right. Don't forget in a team of leaders that you are also one."
Zayden clicked his tongue, but he knew he was right.
"With our minds linked, we can speak to each other like we have earpieces. This time the enemy won't be able to intercept. Once we're in, we split up when we hit a fork in the road, and then again until we are all singled out."
This is the worst plan in all of strategy… Zayden unknowingly sent through the mind link.
"See, just like earpieces." Code replied.
Zayden poised himself nervously after everyone had heard him.
"Now… Who here can break the barrier?"
"That would be me." Rowen spoke.
"Once you break the barrier put up a new one in a dome behind us. You'll see why later…"
He stepped forward and placed his hands just before the Torii gate and the air rippled from the placement of them there. "Aye, aye… I can do that with one spell…" Blue sigils formed, tracing until completion around his palms and then he chanted,
"Mana Discharge Magic: Glass Air."
The barrier shattered just like the name of his spell. And in an instant, they were off.
The sound of reforming echoed in their ears from behind as they dashed through the winding tunnels, staying together until the tunnel split off into two, and then three, and then multiple routes. Before Code knew it, he was alone at a fork in the road with six potential pathways all around him, including the one he came from.
This mission is high reward for a reason… he thought as he placed his boot flat on the ground and he summoned his pentagram as far as his designated mana would allow. For starters, it's extremely vague—apprehend all mage bandits in the Torii mines. Apparently, these bandits are linked to Riot Gang, but we have no proof. The more we keep alive, the better. But in the event where one has to die… We've got no choice but to execute.
Gee, thanks for the recap, Captain! Zayden responded through the link.
Hey, I appreciated it! Plus, I get to hear his oh so cool voice tickling my mind! Rin swooned.
I am instantly regretting linking all our minds like this… I already can't handle reading one person's mind… now your thoughts come in like messages on a comm… Marley commented.
I'm surprised you all are Executives… Flare uttered, followed by the laughter of both Maine and Rowen on the other ends.
Code rolled his eyes as he chose a path. Seems he's always the babysitter in every group setting.
Anyway… something's off. If the mage bandits already saw us coming, and they remained anyway… what's the reason? Code said lastly as he was ambushed by a group of mage bandits that appeared just as he met another fork in the road.
They charged him and he switched places with one of them as the others continued their attacks on the, now, wrong target. Code then switched a mana grenade with another and it set off, effectively knocking them all out.
Uh… so Captain… what do we do when we defeat a few? Zayden asked.
Leave that to me. He said as he traced the location of Zayden through his pentagram and found three mage bandits down.
Code snapped his fingers and they all vanished back outside, along with the group that he had just defeated as well.
Because of Code's awakening, he can now expand his pentagram further beyond its normal size. This also bypasses walls and obstacles that normally would hinder his ability to see. As it was now, he did not need to see where everyone was. If they were within his pentagram, they could be traced.
Ooo! Do me next! Hehe… pun intended… Rin called.
Code traced her and transported the mage bandits she took down, followed by Maine, Flare, Rowen and then Marley.
Two, four, eight, twelve…
More from my end!
Aye, four more from here as well.
Three this way.
Five over here!
Two mage bandits flanked him right then, and he tossed his hand up, which maneuvered him upward into a flip as he watched them crash into each other. He then raised his hand again and the two bandits flew upward while he flew down, unsheathing both his blades onto them.
They landed with a thud to the ground afterward and he snapped his fingers, sending them back.
Thirty so far… something's not right…
So you noticed, too? Marley said.
When Code subdued his next batch, before he sent them away, he took off their masks, and just as he suspected…
Cease fire! He shouted through the mind link. They're all clones!
Then a loud muffled boom sounded from behind them all, sending a dust storm that surged all the way to each of their locations.
Fuck…
From Code's pentagram sensors, he saw that all the mage bandits—clones—they had sent back had detonated, destroying Rowen's barrier and crumbling the entrance they had entered from.
Captain, what was that? Rowen asked.
Sorry… I fucked up… Code replied.
It was silent for a moment through the link. And then Zayden said, I knew better than to trust a Black Wolf…
Zayden! Rin shouted.
No, he's correct… I didn't anticipate there to be a Clone magic user among them… let alone one that can detonate his own clones. If anything, it was a good thing we sent them back rather than keep them in here. They would have detonated the mines with us in it.
This is true. I'm with the Captain on this one. Flare confirmed.
Fine… so what now? Stop fighting?
No. It doesn't look like they know we caught on. If we stop attacking altogether, they might just detonate the clones upon arrival instead… Code pondered as they all eagerly waited through the link. Keep doing what you're doing… I have a plan.
Code charged off as more clone bandits arrived and he took care of them swiftly, teleporting them to the entrance still…
Far off within the mines the mage bandit that was summoning the clones remained perched atop some rocks, hand sign in place. "Stupid Valley knights. This is why it's so fun to mess with you. You didn't even think twice about the explosion back there… huh?"
One of his clones alerted him about a certain mage and he shared eyes with it to see. "This one stopped attacking… where are you—" he stopped his sentence as one of the clones near him had been swapped with the mage. He was face to face with him now.
"Just as I thought," Code said as he readied his blade. "No wonder I wasn't able to trace the source. You were hiding your presence."
A unique attribute of Clone magic is that the user is able to hide his presence among his clones. When five or more clones are clustered together, they become a single presence as opposed to a group. When Code was trying to trace the source, he couldn't find it because it appeared the clones were just simply everywhere, but among the traced clones, only one 'clone' was stationary. Thus, leading him to a cluster of them here and now along with the source.
"You think you have me beat!?" the mage bandit yelled as he sent a wave of clones charging toward Code.
He then twirled both his blades and connected them together, releasing it as it began to hover in the air, spinning and picking up speed continuously.
He leaned his body forward as he dragged the spinning blades ahead of himself, sending it flying through the mass as it followed its own course.
Snapping his fingers, he replaced himself with a clone, leaving a grenade behind and let it detonate behind him. He did it again and again until he reached the main one. It was hard to tell which one was the real mage bandit, but he had marked him with his pentagram, so all he had to do was follow the marker.
"There you are." He said as he raised his hand and a random clone floated upward. He then snapped his fingers and replaced himself with it, now in the air near his target.
Right on time, his spinning blades had met him there and he caught it, using the momentum to unleash a swing onto the mage bandit.
He slashed and it was a clean strike across his torso.
Blood splattered at last, and the mage bandit thudded to the ground.
Code detached his blades and twirled them to his sides as each of the clones had begun to disappear into a cloud shortly after.
Target apprehended. He said through the link. But it was silent…
Team… still no response.
"Well, that's unfortunate, now you can't communicate!" a voice said from the darkness.
Code whipped his head, and when he saw the figure walk into the light of the mines, he was shocked at what he saw…
The figure wore a black cloak and a hood over his head with a glowing cross in the middle of his veil.
"Apostle!?"
"Ehhh, almost… but not quite…"
When the figure appeared, he was noticeably taller than him, standing at about six-foot-nine. He removed his veil and all that was there was the face of a skull.
"I may not be among the high rankers but I'm still a devout follower of the Apostle Pride!"
There was that name again… from Polaris, to the other two—that large shadow figure and the red knight by his sides at the Valley Tournament, it seemed Pride and all the Apostles had followers of some kind.
This man… or whatever he was, was one of them.
"So… you took out my distraction… but still, our plans will not fail. I have already transferred off the desired item from this place over to my master!" he said wickedly.
Desired item… he thought.
Cap—tain… a distorted voice said through the link. It was Marley's, He's—there… — is there!
"Seems I just got confirmation of our traitor." Code said undoubtedly.
"What? They re-established their communications? Hey you!" he spoke to the darkness, "You said you could sever the link! What's going on?"
"Apologies," the voice said. And it was a voice that Code was familiar with… "I thought I hit her harder than that."
When he stepped into the light, his red poncho with flame cut-outs fluttered along with the dragon-like hood he wore over his head…
"Sorry, Captain… I had no choice…" Flare said.
Code narrowed his eyes to him and only held a solemn expression on his face. "It all makes sense now. Why the enemy was lying in wait. Why the mission statements were vague. You were the one who posted the mission, weren't you?"
Flare nodded reluctantly. "I'm truly sorry… My family lives in a village not too far from here, they were going to kill them if I did not comply—"
"Shut up, Flare… Honestly, your name is a lot cooler than you are right now. You did your job, here's your eterna and run along." The figure said.
"You will stay true to your word and keep your men away from the village?"
"I promise…"
"You don't sound too convincing." Code spoke.
Flare clicked his tongue and contemplated his next words, but Code beat him to it.
"If you have any ounce of dignity left in you, Flare, you will return home. And after we are done cleaning up this mess, you will wait for the W.M.A. to arrest you. Consider it mercy."
Flare hesitated but then found the decency to bow as he made his exit back into the shadows.
The figure chuckled and spread its arms. It almost didn't look human, or any other race for that matter…
"No more words," Code said as he readied himself. "I still have to cook dinner later."
The figure laughed hideously as it threw its arms to the ground and a swarm of spiders enveloped the place.
Code snapped his fingers and he was gone. Replacing himself with a spider from behind the figure. He swung but his blade went right through as the figure had turned his body into more spiders.
They swarmed him from his feet as he sheathed his blade and they all sliced in half,
"Space Manipulation Magic: Reality Detach!"
Right then, the space between Code and the spiders split, leaving only a black empty void between them. He looked as if he was standing midair.
"Oh that was a close one for you!" the figure spoke as it reformed itself from the cluster of spiders on the ground. "By the way, I didn't introduce myself! You may call me Specter!" he threw his gnarly hands into a hand sign and chanted,
"Primal Creation Magic: Fanged Spider Sea!"
From below, a sea of spiders shot up toward Code, but he didn't move. From the Reality Detach spell he had cast, there was nothing that could cross the gap between them. It was a spell that effectively erased the space between two objects—in his case, him and the spiders—but only in a single area for a short amount of time.
However, the case was only true from below…
The spider sea crashed against a wall and surged upward, finding a way to Code. He finally switched places with one of them from below and began surfing atop them with one of his swords. He held a single-handed hand sign and cast a lesser Reality Detach spell below his feet and his blade, allowing him to glide over the spiders instead of getting swallowed by them.
As he surfed, flurries of spiders flew toward him and he slashed each one, nearing Specter now.
He snapped his fingers, attempting to switch places with a stone behind him, but when he teleported, he was switched a yard to his left with a random spider instead...
Interesting... He must have a magic item on him that distorts other's magic within a certain radius. I Imagine it's his cloak—or perhaps that skull... He devised a plan. In that case...
When he was about a yard away, he reeled back his blade with the tip pointed ahead and tossed it. It went through Specter as he merely chuckled at the act. "Please, such a simpleton attack won't work on me! My Primal Creation magic also lets me take on a Full-Body form from the creatures I manifest!"
"First, preheat the oven to three-hundred-fifty degrees…" Code uttered.
"Come again?"
"And whip up some Mornay sauce in a small saucepan on medium heat…"
Specter threw his arms toward Code and a wave of spiders surged toward him.
"Then melt some butter…" Code said as he grabbed the sword he was surfing on by the blade and pressed it upward against his feet. He leaped, facing the bottom of it toward the cluster and spun, slashing the swarm bit by bit as he continued to near Specter.
He followed the trail until he had managed to break through the swarm. "Next add some flour and stir until fragrant…"
Specter met him with a claw, and then another, and then another as they clashed endlessly—offense against offense.
"Gradually whisk in the milk, add salt, pepper, and nutmeg… then bring it to a simmer… whisk for two minutes until its thickened!"
"What in Keeper's name are you talking about!?" Specter roared as he dragged a slash from the ground up in an uppercut fashion.
Code blocked it but was sent to the air where more spiders were waiting for him there.
"Remove it from the heat, and start stirring in the Gruyère. Leave it to cool for the next ten minutes…"
He spun and slashed away the impending spiders as Specter had begun to get irritated from his incessant rambling.
He threw his abnormal arms down and forced it upward as if lifting an extremely heavy object. When he did, an eruption of spiders blasted up. He then threw his arms back down and up again in constant motion as the spiders did the same, like waves constantly crashing.
Code was caught within as the spiders began crawling all over him, entering his ears and mouth as they began wrapping him in an endless web—like they do prey.
"Primal Creation Magic—" Specter chanted,
"Endless Web Coffin!"
As the spiders continued wrapping Code, the spell reinforced their web, and what was left was a suspended cocoon held in place by web-like wires from wall to wall.
Inside, Code managed to move just barely, stabbing himself with his blade on the shoulder. By doing so, it allowed the spell to activate within his body, as it still contained a faint trace of his lesser Reality Detach spell, effectively letting him be the gap between the spiders and himself.
His body shot backward and out the cocoon. There amidst the endless eight-legged sea, he stood as if they could not get near him. Like the space inches between his entire self and the spiders was nonexistent space.
"Assemble the Croque Monsieurs, toasting the bread on both sides until lightly golden brown on a large skillet on medium heat…"
He crunched something in his mouth, and it was a spider—the wrong kind…
Its venom entered his body as his breathing started to waver and he knelt atop the empty space he occupied; the spider sea still crashing onto him endlessly as if hitting a barrier.
He started to see colors as his own reality was becoming distorted.
"How unfortunate… but at least now you can stop spouting that nonsense!" Specter held his hands in front of himself and began to close them as if metaphorically crushing Code inside within the sea.
Code then, quite literally grabbed his aura like he was reinforcing it, shaking it even as his mind started to clear more and more by doing so.
What? Specter thought. Is he reinforcing his aura after stabbing himself? How is that possible!?
"Spread half a tablespoon of butter on each side along with one tablespoon of mustard and one tablespoon of Mornay sauce…"
No… it can't be!
"Then top each mustard slice with ham and one-fourth cup of Gruyère, evenly spread the tops of each sandwich with two tablespoons of sauce, and sprinkle it with whatever's left of the Gruyère…"
Is this fucker awakened!?
Code then pointed to Specter, clarity at last his once again, and tapped the air. When he did the spider sea began to surge back toward him.
"What!?" Specter said as his spiders swirled all around him like a whirlpool.
"Transfer the skillet to the oven and wait for it to cook…" he said as he formed his hand into another gesture like he was crushing something.
When his hand closed, the spiders clumped into a ball on the ground all over Specter, and he grunted from the force.
"After doing so, take out another nonstick skillet and heat it to medium heat…"
Code raised his fist and the massive ball of spiders began floating upward. It was only then that Specter noticed Code's first blade that he threw earlier in the mix just behind him, like it had been caught within himself and used as a placer for his spell. "That bastard!"
"Melt butter and begin cracking some eggs…"
When the ball was at a desired spot in the air, Code slowly ungripped his hand and rested it to his side. He then slowly repositioned his sword to his other side, preparing a swing.
"Fry until whites are set and season with salt and pepper…"
Specter's eyes trembled as he desperately tried to escape and force his spiders outward. But it was as if all of space had been forced to gather in this one spot where Code's sword was effortlessly prepared. "And finally… When it's ready, take the skillet out of the oven, place the sandwiches on a plate and top them each with an egg."
Specter made an embarrassing noise like a gasp or a peep as he witnessed Code's aura burst, and he finally spoke words other than cooking instructions. And it was in the form of an incantation,
"Space Manipulation Magic: Overworld Slash."
He swung his sword and the sound of a long, drawn-out metal sound filled the space.
CLANG!
It was then that the other Valley knights that were still in the mines saw something overhead. Like something had effortlessly cut the place like a piece of paper.
And the only thing that followed was the whole mine from the upper section and above lifting off in the air—with Specter at the center of it all…
"Fuck… you… Valley… knight…"
For a sliver of a moment, the sky from outside could be seen from within the mines as it landed gracefully back atop where it had been cut like it never happened.
As Specter landed, his spiders had begun to erase until only he was left, groveling in the dirt. "It's no use… what we came here for… has already been sent to… the master…"
Code watched him as he bled.
Here and now, he no longer looked like an anomaly. He was but a man with a Distortion magic skull mask, skin stained from some warrior's paint. Nothing more.
"We will find your master. And we will do to him as I did to you."
Specter laughed agonizingly and said, "Why do you fight… if not for… the Keeper?"
"I fight to protect those I care for. Nothing more. Nothing less." A simple answer and one true.
But then Specter asked, "Then… what will you do… if there's no one else… to protect?"
Code was taken aback by that question. He knew not the answer.
Then with every ounce of his lifeforce left, Specter chuckled weakly and said, "You see… you are just me… waiting to happen…"
Code's eyes widened in a rage, and held a hand in the form of a snapping gesture in Specter's direction. He held it there. Teeth clenched. Contemplating. Searching for the answer. And yet he still did not know.
He pondered, but all he could find was a blank space where the answer should be.
When he finally focused back on Specter, he had already passed into the afterlife.
Code breathed deeply, before rummaging his pockets for a cigarette and lighter. As he grabbed it, it slipped through his fingers to the ground. He desperately reached for it and sparked a light on his knees, taking a hit, and then finally breathing easy.
When he looked upward, there were pockets of light that beamed down in the place like some abandoned church. But he would find no God here. Not now. And not for a while…
Nearby, Rin had watched him from those last seconds. Thinking to herself what that answer might be.
***
**Days after the mission**
The mission conducted was a success, but not in the way it was hoped.
The one who posted the mission, Flare, was apprehended for falsification and criminal aid in his village upon W.M.A. arrival. He was at the village gates, and he didn't put up a fight. He later pleaded guilty without the need of a Trial.
As Marley accompanied the W.M.A. for his apprehension, she recalled what Code showed her when she linked their minds.
First link with me, then Flare, then Maine, Rin, Rowen, and then Zayden in that order.
…
Where are you going with this?
Simple. You are going to learn something new about every person here.
When she passed through the door, she understood why Code wanted her to link him with Flare first.
He had already deduced that he was the traitor and speculated that he had posted the mission to ambush them there as collateral to keep his village safe. But it was the next part that surprised her even more than that…
I want you to let him get away with it.
What? Why? If we suspect him, we can deal with it now!
No. Look there. Code pointed with his vision to the outside world and they were facing Flare. As they were setting up the link, he had turned away and opened a locket with the picture of his younger sisters in it.
That was all it took for Marley to understand.
Let him get away with it, so that he may protect those he loves. If we take him now, his loved ones may suffer the consequences. We'll deal with the collateral later.
She was impressed with how much he had planned ahead. Almost feeling bad that she had doubted him at one point.
And even though they had only apprehended two mage bandits, they uncovered something more sinister beneath the surface…
Riot Gang. Apostles. Both working together and searching for lost items. Items they knew nothing about.
Marley sat at the edge of some hill near Flare's village and blew a bubble from the gum in her mouth, redefining her purpose of why she had become a Valley knight in the first place…
***
**Wolves Den**
Smoke filled the air where Code had been, just outside the Black Wolves double doors.
He thought about that question a lot since that day. And up till now, he has yet to find a sufficient answer. Secretly, he was afraid that if he never found one, he truly would end up just like Specter.
He stared at his cigarette and contemplated taking another hit. But he tossed it instead and headed back inside.
"Don't smoke inside, huh?"