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The Conspiracy Written in Ash

The journey on the bus was quite uneventful, mostly because of how empty it was, and how big it was. It seemed that Sideview was not a popular tourist destination. Somehow, it was obvious. There was a gate to hell in that village, after all.

Zardes boringly looked outside the window of the bus. There was nothing but trees and forest for an hour. He wanted to do something on that bus, but it seemed that, unlike the train, it only had rows of seat. He wanted to go to sleep, but he was told that the journey would only take two hours. He kept thinking about what to do when he got to Drundas. He wished that it wasn't so tedious on that region. He could've taken Itresil with him and flew his way to the Crossing Gate, then to Drundas. But then, it was far too expensive for his own merit, and he might got into trouble.

He turned towards Malkar, who was reading his notebook and tried to write something down. He seemed to still be working on the notes he gathered from extensive interviews with the Ash Hounds, both in the Underworld and those he invited to go to the surface. Seeing how he worked made him wonder if he was too relaxed. He was supposed to guard his friend.

That thought quickly made him aware of his surroundings. Aside from the two of them, the other passengers were a human couple having a romantic conversation, a lone hellhound who was asleep, another hellhound who was reading a book, and a hooded figure sitting at the back of the vacant bus. Of everyone on that bus, that figure was the most suspicious. He tried his best to conceal his face, and he kept quite an effort to cover his limbs. He also tried to be as conspicuous as possible, at least for the others. Not to Zardes, though. That kind of behavior spell trouble in the long run.

As Malkar continued his research, Zardes tried his best to keep a look out at the person. He did not want to be wrong, but he also wished that it was. He did not like explaining his suspicions, and he certainly did not like dealing with legal problems. The figure could be just weird, not being suspicious.

That small activity seemed to help Zardes passed the time. They reached Sideview village's bus stop and walked down. The hellhound kept his eye towards the hooded figure, and quickly found out about something peculiar. It was just a glimpse, but he could see a light gray-skinned foot. That 'foot', however, looked too inhuman. It did not look like paw, either.

"Malkar, don't react, but I have a feeling that someone's following us," whispered Zardes as they walked away from the bus. Malkar wanted to turn, but Zardes stopped him and said, "I said, don't react."

"Who is it?" asked Malkar. He knew that when Zardes spoke in Common, it was to hide their conversation.

"A hooded figure wearing a long dark brown heavy coat. He was in the bus with us all the way from Wayfar," said Zardes.

"Any ideas?"

Zardes quickly spotted an alley. He silently directed Malkar there, hoping that the figure would follow him. To his amazement, he actually followed them there. They quickened to pace to show him that they were suspicious.

Without any time at all, they reached the dark alley. The figure was following them there.

"I think it's time for you to show us your face," said Zardes.

The figure stayed silent.

"Look, man, I don't want to resort to force. We can just talk and end this misunderstanding. Whoever we are, we are not your enemies. We just came here."

"(I know that)," said the figure. "(But I also know that you've touched the Cold Ashes)."

"(Cold Ashes)?"

"(You've made contact with the Ash Hounds)," he said. "(Through the ancient Crossing Gate in the neighboring continent)."

This surprised Zardes. As far as he knew, this was still a secret. Malkar had made sure of it.

"(How do you know about that?)" said Malkar, surprised.

"(You can't hide the scent even if you try and wash it. Well, at least for me, anyway)?"

"(Who are you?)"

The person then lifted the hood and showed them a very monstrous-looking face that resembled a bat. They quickly realized who was following them from Wayfar.

"(A demon bat?)" said Zardes. "(Under daylight?)"

"(It is quite a risk to take to follow you. I've caught your scent by coincidence when I was in Sevilis's bar. I can't believe it at first, but I guess it's a fact now)."

"(Wait. You're waiting for us? Why?)"

"(It is better if we find a good place to talk. Come. I have a friend here whose establishment we can use)."

A couple of minutes later, in a closed pub...

"(You might be wondering how I caught the scent of Cold Ashes. The truth is, I'm a Priest of the Ashes. We have been specifically trained to detect the scent of those who have been around that region. Like the ash hounds you've met there, we have ashen gray skin color due to prolonged exposure to the ashes)."

"(Which explained your complexion. I thought demon bats have dark brown skin?)"

"(More importantly, why are you here? I thought it's quite a long way from there to here. We even took at least four days to reach this village)?" asked Zardes.

"(It's a long story. Most importantly, I want you to listen closely. Don't trust anyone who claimed to be from Drundas on behalf of Adre Schelkz. He does not know about your intent, but everyone knows he has a captive Infernal. The only reason for you to come here is to research something about the Ashen Kingdom, right?)"

"(And we thought we're the first one to find it...)"

"(It's not because you're ignorant. You are a surface hound, so you don't follow what happens down there. When you've contacted the ash hounds, you must've known there are hellhounds from the other side of the sea visiting, right? Not everyone has a good intention, and many are driven by greed)."

"(Greed?)"

"(Opportunity for expansion, and gold)," he said. "(The former territory of the Ashen Kingdom is a big open space covered with ashes of the dead, after all)."

"(Wait. Ashes of the...you mean the ashes are...)"

The demon bat nodded, which cause Malkar's expression to turn sour then horrified.

"(What do you expect?)" said the bat.

"(We thought it's a natural occurrence)," replied Zardes. "(Like ashes from a subterranean volcano or something)."

"(From a burned down kingdom?)" the bat demon sighed. "(Just follow my warning and you'll be alright)."

Zardes's interest was quickly piqued. Something told him that there were others who tried to get their hands on the Infernal books, and tried to get an Infernal to read it, but they could not. The bat mentioned a captive Infernal in Drundas, and he seemed to know what those books were.

"(Bat, does this warning have something to do with the Infernal books?)"

"(I can't tell you more than what I know. It seems possible, but also not. Like I said, be careful)."

The hellhound sighed. He wanted to know more, but the demon bat was clearly reluctant. He beckoned Malkar to walk out of the pub with him. As he opened the door, he said, "(See you around)."

They walked out to the sunshine, trying to sort what they had known from all the information.

"(Did you trust him)?" asked Malkar.

"(With that monstrous face, it's hard to be. But, I can see his eyes. He's trying his best to be honest)," said Zardes. "(Be on your guard)."

"(Yeah. I mean, if it's true, we might...)" Zardes stopped Malkar from walking and directed him behind a wall. When asked, the hellhound simply pointed towards several hounds coming out of the portal. They seemed threatening and walked around with weapons on their hilt.

"(I don't want to assume that they're searching for us, but just on the safe side...)."

"(Why are they going to the bar we just in?)" said Malkar when he noticed a couple of them walking towards the closed bar.

"(I have a bad feeling about this. Stay out of sight. I'll check)."

"(Be careful, Zardes)."

"(Don't worry. I do not plan to die here)."

"(It's not about that. Don't involve the police in this)."

Zardes nodded. Their mission was supposed to be a purely academic one with secrets thrown in the mix. Best not getting problems trying to explain their intentions to the law enforcement.

Inside the bar, the bat demon was talking to the bartender when the door slammed open. Three hellhounds walked in, sat near the bat, and glared towards him.

"(You're either stupid or suicidal to come back here, bat)," said the sitting hellhound. "(Right when we come out, too)."

The bat did not say anything.

"(You are not that talkative, unlike your allies)," said the hellhound. He slammed the bar, startling the bartender hellhound. That said hellhound, however, kept calm and tried to stay out of the way of the conflict.

"(Petty bullying won't get you anywhere)," said the bat demon. "(I am not that easily intimidated)."

"(Oh, not that easy, eh? You wanna test that resolve?)"

Without warning, the other hellhounds grabbed the demon bat. They forcibly pull away his coat and held his hands and wings, which were on his arms.

"(Still wearing your priest clothing? You do realize that it's nothing but underwear, right? Too bad for you, your precious naked skin is not going to like it)."

The bat demon, which until moments ago kept his composure, started to struggle, realizing what they were trying to do.

"(It's three O'clock in the middle of summer)," said the hellhound. "(High level of sun radiation)."

The bat glared towards the hellhound, inciting a scoff and a slap to his face.

"(Throw him out there and let the sun do the rest)."

The bat was exceptionally strong, but he was outnumbered. While he was okay with being beaten up, the sun burn would surely be a torture. He wore a concealing trench coat to prevent this. It was also made worse by the fact that nothing remained on him after the coat was removed, all because of tradition.

He gulped, trying to act strong with impending pain all over his skin, but his senses, and the imagination of searing heat from the sun, almost broke him to hysterics. His strong glare was replaced by a scared expression. Even if he would eventually heal his skin, no one would want to give it to him. Practically, he was doomed.

Just as he closed his eyes to meet his fate (while trying his best not to break and give away everything) he saw the hellhound he warned before walking into the bar. The hellhound, Zardes, quickly read the situation and pulled his sword with a blade that curved inwardly. He then slowly approached the group and said, "(What's going on here?)"

"(Not your business)," said one of the hellhounds.

He turned towards the bat. "(Got caught in a lot of debt?)"

Before the bat demon could say anything, Zardes stabbed one of the hellhounds in the stomach, before kicking them both into the bar. He then locked the door behind him.

"(Hey! What's the big idea?!)"

"(Just so you know, that bat's in my protection. You mess around with him, you answer to me)."

The rest of the hellhounds were clearly agitated by it and pulled out their guns, but before they could react, the bartender pulled a gun from behind the counter and shot one in the hand, disarming him, and the other in the leg. The commotion ended just as it started. Zardes nodded, then sheathed his knife.

"(Thank you)," said Zardes. "(And sorry for the mess)."

"(Ah, don't worry about it. I'll call the police)." He then threw a rope. "(Secure them)."

Zardes quickly moved towards the stunned and disarmed hellhound. He then hit the hellhound at the back of his head, causing him to go unconscious. He did the same to the injured one.

"(Now, bat)," said Zardes while tying one of the hellhound's hands on his back. "(You got a lot to answer to, and you owe me one)."

"(Why do you want to be involved. Now, they'll know where to look!)"

"(I know how to handle danger, bat. Why are they after you? Why are you so scared to be thrown outside naked? Does it have anything to do with our own quest?)"

The bat hesitated for a moment before he said, "(Ammon)."

"(Hmm?)"

"(That's my name. Ammon. And this is my priest garb)."

"(I've never seen a priest wearing nothing but a cloth wrapped around their waist)."

"(We're still quite traditional about it. Also, it's hot)."

"(You are covering your whole body with garment)." "(That's because I...I cannot bear the sun. It will burn me to the point of death)."

Zardes did not understand what he meant.

"(I thought you guys don't like the bright, not because of being sun burned)."

"(Those are normal demon bats. I'm...not. You ever heard of vampires before?)"

"(It's your kind)."

"(Yes, but there are many among us that was hit worse than the others. We demon bats have the same power involving blood magic, but some of us had a craving for it. Even now, I...)"

"(Go on)."

"(I want to try your blood. Just a sip. It's...oh, what am I thinking. Simply put, that craving for blood makes me stronger, but at the same time, not drinking them can kill me. You don't get demon bats who will be killed just because they don't drink blood)."

"(Like an addiction, then)."

"(It's the same, but...oh, this is getting nowhere. Simply put, I will be burned by sunlight, I drink blood to heal myself, and I have a craving for blood. Does that satisfy you?)"

"(Yeah. That's not going to satisfy my curiosity, though. Why are they chasing you and do they have anything to do with our mission?)"

"(Yes, they do. They know of the existence of the books, left over from the old kingdom. They believed that the books possessed a great secret to demonic power beyond their own. But, because they don't have the means to find it, they specifically target us, ash hounds and priests)."

"(Hmm...well, I understand one thing. This is more than just a couple of books. Just so you know, these three are not the only ones out there)."

"(You mean...)"

"(We need to get out of there)." He turned towards the bartender. "(Owner, sorry to bother you again, but would you mind taking care of them? How long until the police come?)"

"(A couple of minutes at most)."

"(And also, can we get out through the back exit?)"

"(No problem. Take care of Ammon here. He seems to get into one problem too many. Oh, and you heard what he said. Don't let him get exposed to sunlight at any times. Just don't)."

"(I heard that. Again, thank you, owner)."

"(My name is Karak, Zardes. Don't be a stranger)."

"(I won't. Come on. Let's go)."

"(Wait. Where is your friend?)"

"(I told him to stay out of sight. I hope he does. I cannot protect two people incapable of fighting. Well, I believe you can, but under sunlight, I don't think you can, even if you're all covered)."

"(Isn't he a hellhound? I thought your kind are natural fighters)."

"(He is, just not with swords. I hope he isn't that desperate to use his gun in the middle of the day. Come on. We are wasting time)."

"(Any plans?)"

"(Only one. We get to the Underworld without attracting more attention)."

They swiftly walked out the back door into a dark alley, where Zardes waited for Ammon to put on the hoodie and the coat. After that, they met Malkar, who was also hiding in that alley.

Malkar was then told of all the information Zardes had gathered. He nodded in confirmation. After Zardes told him the plan, Malkar shook his head.

"(It won't be as easy as you put it, Zardes. The portal is full of suspicious-looking hellhounds. I've been keeping track of their movements)." He then noticed blood from Zardes's hand. "(Especially since they will be suspicious when they don't get word from their comrades)."

"(Don't worry about it)," said Ammon. "(Karak knows what to do. The best we can hope is that these hellhounds don't turn out to be officials)."

"(We won't get away with it if that's the case. The Order's badge does not mean immunity to law, both in Ternor and Main)."

"(So, any ideas?)"

"(We get at close as we can without being seen)," said Ammon. "(From what I gather, this village has a good amount of shaded buildings that we can use. The only problem is when we are near the Gate. There's no building around it)."

"(Not a bad idea. It might work)."

"(Then, let's get started, then)."

The three of them moved swiftly in the dark alleys while Ammon helped them as their guide. When the demon bat was of considerable distance, however, Malkar grabbed Zardes's hand and whispered, "You trust that Fuzandre?"

"Not entirely, but for the moment, he's harmless," he whispered. "If he ends up betraying us, I can just kick him out to the sun, but that's not really what I want. Ammon has endured dangerous situations. I just hope those aren't just for naught."

"Let's hope so, for our own sakes. We're here for academic purposes, not getting involved in politics."

They continued to follow Ammon, and slowly but sure, they were just beside the Gate. There were two black-clothed hellhounds guarding the Gate, being eyed upon by a passing hellhound. They were quite suspicious to guard the Gate, especially since the Gate itself had guards posted there. One of them talked to the guard and tried to bribe him, but he refused and asked the two of them to 'not cause trouble' and stay with their own businesses. That was a good thing, since it might help the trio a bit.

Zardes and Malkar had their passes to get through the checkpoint. Ammon, however, did not have any. When asked, the demon bat said, "(I'm pretty much illegal at this point)."

"(How do you come out of there, then?)"

"(Karak made me a fake pass so I can go through)."

"(So, let's go back and ask him again)."

"(I don't think that's a good idea, especially since he's already gained too much attention. No. We need another plan. A disguise)."

Just as Zardes said that, he spotted two hellhounds sitting near a building. The hellhound approached discreetly and heard their conversations.

"(Just five more crates and we're done for the day)," said the flap-eared one, who looked a lot like a domestic hound. "(Long day, eh?)"

"(I wouldn't be that hard if we had volunteers. Guess no one wants to get into this back-breaking business)," said the other.

Zardes quickly got an idea. He then told the other of his plan.

"(It might work, but we can't just go and leave them hanging. We'll be like cheating them!)" said Malkar.

"(Not if you have a demon bat who can control them)." He then turned to Ammon. "(Can you do it?)"

"(I can, but is it wise?)"

"(We don't have much choice, do we? I'll distract them. You two stand ready)."

Malkar and Ammon nodded. Zardes then got himself in his role and walked towards the two hellhounds.

"(Good afternoon! Are you the moving company?)"

"(Well, we kinda are)," said the gray-furred one. "(What do you have in mind?)"

"(I was hoping if you can help me carry a rather heavy piece of table from my home)." Zardes then gave the flap-eared one a good chunk of money, which quickly made him intrigued.

"(Well, well)," he said with a smile. "(Is it really that heavy?)"

"(It's from the second floor down. My roommate is currently out of town and this table is in the way of what he's buying. He really hates the look of that thing. We got it from the previous tenant, a human woman with...unique tastes. You'll know why when you see it)."

"(Just so you know, we're currently behind with our work)," said the gray-furred one. "(I hope it is not that much work)."

"(No, I just need help getting it to the first floor)." Zardes then handed them more money. "(I'll buy you a drink after your shift's over)."

This intrigued both hellhounds. They quickly walked with Zardes, following him without any suspicions, until they reached a dark alley where Ammon and Malkar were waiting. Ammon was hanging above them then quickly attacked the first hellhound that was behind, before he swiftly bit him by the neck and drank a gulp of his blood. Then, before the flap-eared one was suspicious, he dashed behind him and grabbed the hellhound. Knowing that he would struggle, he swiftly bit his neck with his long, sharp canine teeth, drinking more gulp, before climbing down from him and wiped his bloodied mouth.

The two workers were in a moment of trance and dazed, before Ammon told them what to do.

"(Take us to your office and put me into one of the empty boxes in there)," he said. "(Then, take that box after Zardes and Malkar go through)."

(Yes)," said both of them. "(We will obey)."

"(Good. Now get on to it)."

They walked discreetly to the back door of the office. The grey-furred one unlocked it for them and invited them inside. Once inside, they pulled out a wooden crate, big enough for Ammon to fit in along with his wings.

"(Somehow, that makes you a proper vampire)," said Zardes. "(That crate looks like a coffin)."

"(What kind of imagination you have there?)"

"(It's from a book two hundred years ago, which roughly talked about human vampires. Also...will they become bloodsucking creatures of the night?)"

"(I doubt that, though they are not immune to the mind control. Unless they are me, the effect will be brief, and we will get into an awkward situation if that happens)."

"(How are you different?)"

"(I can't walk under the sun without getting burned. Is that sufficient explanation for you?)"

"(Fair enough. Now let's go, and don't screw this up. If you end up getting caught, we cannot go back and save you)."

"(Don't worry about me)."

They all then walked out of the back door and walked away from it without being suspicious. Zardes tried to find a way to not become suspicious, and he started talking about Malkar's previous project regarding Arcturus's ship. He had known most of the details, but to make it believable, he gave Malkar an incentive to explain Arcturus's physical characteristics. They were sufficiently alien enough that could make it interesting.

Zardes looked back towards the office. He could see the two hellhound workers took out the wooden crate, talking and complaining. If it wasn't the mind control getting cut off, it was quite a believable banter from the two workers. Inside, Ammon concentrated to give a degree of control to the two of them, and to make sure that he knew the procedures of taking the cargo through the Gate.

Somehow, it worked without any problems. The two walked towards the checkpoint, presented their passes, then was granted a pass, apparently without rousing any suspicions (Zardes had put his knife into a container he carried). A couple of minutes later, the hellhound workers walked in with the crate containing Ammon inside.

The environment and the temperature quickly changed as they reached the other side of the Gate. Zardes had not felt such heat for a long time (the Ashen Kingdom area was quite cold due to being covered with cold ashes). It quickly became apparent that it was a bleak place with nothing but black and red being the dominant color, along with a couple of orange and rustic brown. The Outer Ring area was already a hot place, and could clearly kill a human within minutes if they were not protected.

It was quite expected, really. The Underworld was hell, after all.