A new team is formed.
#4 of The Legacy Cycle
Chaoter Two of my story... Most of it at least. Over the weekend i will post a mini-chapter that concludes Ian's short time in Beta before his first adventure within this varied new group.
Right back at the start. he thought to himself as he came to. "Ugh... Shut up." He replied out loud. He slowly sat up, already knowing where he was.
The human repeated the same efforts as before and found the same set of clothes. Either they were cleaned or a new pair because they were void of blood.
As soon as he left the office he encountered Junes at a desk, sitting with a female Hippo in a lab coat. "Hey Ian" He spoke in a tiny voice, as if afraid to disturb the silence. "Hellllooooooo~~~" the hippo greeted. she was average height and weight. She was a shade of purple. she had short hair and bangs that attempted to hide her forehead. She jumped up and gave Ian an tight embrace. They spun a full lap before she let him go. " I'm Doctor Issabelle Manore. The resident doctor here." "Where is here?" Ian asked, ignoring the greeting. "Uh.." The fox spoke up "Commander Knarls plans to explain that when he meets you." "Which is why young Junes is here. He's supposed to take you to the commander." Issabelle explained and the fox stood up. Junes offered a smile "C'mon!"
As the pair walked outside the office Ian noticed some walls were still bloody and he guessed they already moved the bodies. As they made their way to the elvelator he decided to question the fox. "What happened out here last time?" The human asked. "We stopped the Trolls." Junes answered, avoiding what he really asked. "We got to work after you.... Passed... out..." Junes just shut up as they reached the lift. They shuffled around awkwardly for a few seconds until Gore entered the lobby. He was carrying a big chair then he noticed Ian and it became unimportant. He dropped it and walked over to Ian, Grinning. Gore was a gator. He was big, strong, and as menacing as he looked. He was completely pale. His pigment was completely white and that alone made him stand out. "Hey Gore..." Junes greeted "Yeah, yeah.." Gore ignore the fox and moved in too close on Ian. His green reptilian eyes taking all of Ian in. He leaned in and sniffed the human, his grin grew wider. His rows of teeth unnerved Ian. Ian started to back up and Gore followed until they were backed up against the elevator door. Ian could feel the primitive energy the reptile emitted. Gore didn't say a word for several seconds. "Gore..." The fox tried to get his attention "Yeah, that's my name. What's yours?" He asked Ian in a deep voice. He placed a hand on the human's chest. Ian looked up at Gore but he just couldn't reply. He couldn't explain it, he didn't want to. He actually wanted to give in... "I... I... It's... I'm Ian" he finally managed to stutter. Gore moved his hand down to the boy's abdomen. Ian brought up his hands to meet Gore's I could just.. sub- The elevator doors opened and he fell back. Junes saw a chance to help Ian "Hey Shali!" He called out Gore jumped back from helping Ian and turned around, expecting to meet the scorpion. The fox slipped by him and closed the elevator. "Hey!" Gore roared as the doors closed in his face.
Ian seemed to be out of breath, as he drew in air as he got up. "Thanks..." He managed to mutter, avoiding the fox's eyes. "It's no problem. I know how it feels" the fox admitted. "it's like you're being sucked it but it feel's kind of good then when you're out of it," the fox suddenly animated "You feel so shamed." The two exchanged a smile a relief "Gore is a good guy though..." The fox admitted. The door opened and they stepped into lobby before an office. This lobby was much bigger than downstairs. On each end of the wall were two semi-circular desks with a matching row of computers. There were people at most of them, feverishly typing, clicking, and talking away. The one closest to the elevator sat Shali. The scorpion's face unreadable as she entered information. She happened to glance up and noticed Ian and Junes "I'm glad to see the two of you meet." She stated with an open smile and the two made their way over to her. "I'm sorry about what happened..." Ian tried to place a time, not knowing how long he had been out. "It's fine. It's fine." Shali dismissed it. "You sure can move though. You saved us." "You only did the same for me." Ian smiled. "He saw magic behind himself!" The little fox added" "That. I don't know" Ian admitted" it was just a gut feeling." "That's one hell of a gut." Riles poked his head from behind the computer next to Shali. Riles was a jackal. Riles Had an eye patch and a scare running through and under it. His other available eye was green and hard, like he has seen too much in his lifetime. "Hey Riles" Junes openly greeted. "Nak, Little guy" Riles reached over and stroked the fox's head then extended it to Ian. "Riles Gunner: Former bandit, thief, highway robber, and con-artist. "He still cons and steals" Shali half-joked "Shaddup." Riles shot back. Ian took the Jackal's hand. Riles gave a firm handshake and Ian decided to return the favor. "I guess all humans aren't weak then. Good good." He gave a toothy grin and what Ian could only guess was a wink. "Don't mind him" Shali said "They all like fresh meat, it's also rare to have a human here too" "Gore agrees." Junes added Shali's features darkened "So you've met scales?" Ian recalled the gator and numbly nodded "I couldn't...." "Better you than me. Ha-ha" Riles laughed. "Like when Daaven first joined" "Yeah, Gore was after him for a month." Shali remembered "Then we Azden caught them in the..." Riles' voice trailed off. The four of them sat in silence for a long moment. "That reminds me. You two were to go into the commander's office as soon as you arrived- Wait!" She pulled Junes over and whispered in his ear. The fox nodded and began to lead Ian along to the office door. Junes walked in front of Ian, between the human and the door. "Uhhhh... You remember that dragon, right." All too well. He thought to himself. "Yeah, I do." Ian's face twisted for a second "I don't know why I lost myself. It was like... I wanted to believe he was the enemy. I saw and knew he wasn't but..." He didn't know how to finish, he he'd his head and took long deep breaths. Junes kept quiet while Ian regained himself. Once Ian looked more stable, he decided to ask the question "Can you keep calm around him?" The fox was concerned for both of them "Yeah! Yeah. Of course, totally isolated incident!" Ian stated a little too energetically. "It won't happen again." The human cooled down a bit. "It would just be so much cooler if knew what made me go bonkers like that." The fox noticed how much Ian eased up in the last few moments. He also saw the internal struggle the human held within. Ian took a slow breath. "Let's go!" They knocked and entered the office door.
The office itself was dull. It was nice in a drab, boring, formal office type of way. For the boss' office it was small. Two people were already in the office. An eagle in a semi-casual suit, and Terror, in the flesh. Ian held back a surge of anger. So this is what Junes was warning me about. Outwardly, he showed now expression. The eagle was in a suit yes his muscle showed through. His brown feathers had a golden shine and the white feathers on his head were well groomed. He took no notice of the pair as they said down in the chairs opposite of him. Ian took this moment to look at Terror. The dragon was already holding an icy glare at him. The dragon possessed nice soft blue eyes, contrary to his image. Ian noticed the dragon's great sword lodged into the wall behind him, right into the middle of a picture that looked like a human. Ian couldn't tell the features because it was destroyed. Ian decided he would ask about it, eventually. He had more pressing issues to solve. Like where he was, where his crew bodies were, and where he would go from here. He felt lost and helpless.
"Uh..." The fox started. The eagle's head shot up and he jumped. "How the blazes did you get here?" He asked "Wait. Through the door. Of course. Did you knock?" "Loudly." Ian answered. "Yes. Ian. I have heard about you. I am Faust Knarls, Leader of Mercenary base Beta." "You're sell swords?" The human asked, slightly excited. "That has been for a while, merely a name we carry. We have changed and branched since times of the title" Faust gestured his hands when we spoke. He was slightly animated. "We take on paid jobs that does not classify as shady, we help towns and cities, and we generally explore the world. Did you know we found the cave of Zilde? It was a mine of ore! We had enough metal t-" Terror cleared his throat, clearly wanting to move on. Faust stopped and blinked a few times. He suddenly swiveled in his chair and opened a drawer behind him. "They should be in here." He mumbled to himself, forgetting the human and the fox. "Uh... Boss? " Junes called "Just a second Ju-" He half turned to face them "Oh yes. Ian!" He turned fully around and pulled himself into the desk. "I'm curious Ian..." Faust started, Leaning in and crossing his fingers. "How did you, a human, so far from friendly turf, end up here?" "I..." Ian searched his mind and found no sort of answer. He remembered everything up until he reached a ruined town, but that's all he knew. After that, it was void. "I don't know." He said at length. His face twisting with sorrow and anger. "I hope we cou-" Faust started. "I don't..!" Ian stood up slamming his fists on the desk. Terror grabbed for his sword, expecting a repeat of yesterday "My brother is dead..." He strained the sentence, it was finally hitting him. "John is gone..." He clenched his teeth and felt like screaming. "My crew is dead and I don't know where I am." Worst off, I can't cry. Not a single tear, for anyone. Why?!" He demanded, expecting an answer from Faust "WHY!?" Ian slammed his fists again. Junes jumped up and helped the boy sit. The human fighting with his emotions within. "Shut the human up, we aren't getting anywhere." Terror stated, clearly wanting to leave. I_an, Control. We know they're gone. We knew they were gone. We can't grieve for them. Not yet._ We told himself Why not?! We aren't at the finish yet. We need to find out exactly what happened to them. He reasoned .... And if they were murdered? We avenge them. What about home? We can't go back, can we? Do you really want to go back? No... The experiments... Not without John. Good. Then we know what we need to do. Yeah..- Yes. Yes we know. Ian drew a long, deep breath. "I'm... I'm sorry, Sir." He made an awkward bow in his seat. Then he turned to Terror "I'm sorry for what happened." He said Terror didn't reply. "It's all water under the bridge" Faust waved his hand casually. "We're a good group of folks, Like Junes here. I'm sure, with our resources, we could help you find your way home-." "No!" Ian replied a little too quickly. Faust raised an eyebrow "I. I want to join." Ian stood up straight. "Join what? Us?" Faust asked. The boy nodded. " You know, this way of life is dangerous, and you're a human, we lost the last human we had." He looked briefly to Terror, who now shifted his glare to him. "I don't care." Ian stated " It's better than searching for a home I don't want to go to." Ian only partially admitted his reason. Faust shrugged. "If you want to join, there will be a trial, nothing too hard, but we need to examine your ability. Most others who join we see how they operate infield. I think it only fair." "Yes sir." Ian replied. He was ready. "That's the good news. The bad news is: In here, you may travel in groups but everyone is basically assigned a partner, someone who they learn to trust wholeheartedly. You would need such a partner, they're usually the person you would never consider like a former enemy or someone you simple have bad bl-" "NO!" Terror yelled, finally putting it together. The dragon drew his blade from the wall, bringing some of it, and the picture with it. Ian, and Junes barely dodged behind their chairs as the desk shattered. Faust however became someone else entirely. He had kicked from the desk as it shattered, his chair's wheels bounced off the wall and he rolled up to the dragon. With an open palm he crashed his hand into terror's, disarming him. With the same hand, he delivered a rough first to the dragon's chest. His free hand was suddenly cutting off Terror's oxygen, as he was held by his throat, against the wall. Terror kicked but made no effort to stop the eagle. "You and Ian will be partners" Faust stated matter of factly, acting like a different person all together. "You are a member here and like everyone else, you will be partnered and teach someone the ropes." Terror tried to grow but Faust pushed up further, changing it into a cough. "You have an obligation to fulfill. His death did not mean the contract has ended. Just as Azden has taught you, you will Teach Ian." Ian and Junes could only watch the exchange, in silent shock. "Do you remember the words he spoke?" Faust asked Terror. Terror finally stopped struggling and averted his eyes. "Good!" Faust smiled and dropped Terror, who fell to a kneel. The eagle returned to his chair and slide behind the pile of wood and paper. "Teach him the ropes and we'll move on from there." Ian, even though he had no protests dared not speak one if he had. Faust made a excited face and swiveled in his chair, opening a drawer. He retrieved a small stack of papers turned back around and frowned as he added them to the mess on the floor. "Ha-ha." Faust laughed nervously "We'll add that to troll damage." He looked to Ian, who was finally returning to his seat. "Yes, to make it formal: New input Ian...." "Ian Alther Neos" Ian stated "Yes. Ian Alther Neos. You are partnered with Terror formally of Third House." The fox stood up " I have witnessed the union." He stated, more confidently than he has ever spoke in Ian's presence. "Perfect. Perfect." The eagle nodded. " I need to do the paperwork and all, should be done when before you leave." "Shall I show him to his room?" Junes asked. "Yes, and give him the grand tour, we can't have a human getting lost with Gore around. Hahaha." Ian nervously laughed with him. He had a handshake with the commander then He and Junes left. "Terror, you stay with me." Faust pointed to the dragon.