The Dark Order 1.10: A Man Running Out Of Time

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Alexis stands outside on the porch, holding onto his bracelet. He doesn't react as the front door opens and closes, and Maggie comes into view, standing beside him. They stand quietly.

In a moment of vulnerability, Alexis offers her the bracelet. "Her name was Antoinette. She made this bracelet for me for my birthday. I promised her I'd take good care of it and never lose it."

"And you haven't..."

He smiles to himself, "It's my treasure." He stares at the stars. "I called her my little piece of Heaven on Earth. She made me a better person-- She made me believe I was anyway." He scoffs. "Seven years ago, all that changed. I was working the violent magic crimes division and had just been tipped off on the sighting of a man wanted for the bombing of an SSA Post. He had been hiding in an abandoned church, and I knew we wouldn't catch him if I didn't take advantage of the opportunity. So, I made an impulsive decision and went after him alone."

Maggie looks over at him, noticing the tears slowly rolling down his cheeks. "I had no idea what to expect but knew what needed to be done, and given my position, I was willing to take the risks that others wouldn't. I understood the threat he posed to the World Government and Valon. I needed to stop him. I had to."

Balling his fists, pinning his anger, he said, "I had to." He wipes his eyes. "We nearly destroyed that holy place, but I finally did it. Killing him was what made me a legend, and it put a stop to his madness- Or so I thought."

He turns toward her. "Something felt off. It was like I saw him- Everywhere. So much so that I started to believe it was him and he had somehow escaped death. I even pursued it several times before I realized that it was just extreme paranoia." Maggie hands back the bracelet.

"Until I got a call to the scene of a grade school."

"Your daughter's school?"

He nods 'yes', "When I got there..."

He's struggling to control his emotions. "It was gone. Vanished... It was like it never existed. All that was left was a spell circle. That's when I realized I wasn't paranoid, he had been toying with me, watching me, learning what made me vulnerable. Then he took it from me. I've been hunting him ever since."

He holds onto his bracelet, almost like he's hugging Antionette...

"I'm sorry." That is all she could say.

"Me too. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, kid." He smiles. "Even if it kills me." He holds up his fist. "Partners?"

She smirks. Pounding her fist against his. "Partners."

He smiles somberly, and they head back inside.

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Pyfir's aura carries a deathly scent. Standing in front of the throne, looking up at a would-be king. She grumbles in annoyance, "It seems you're struggling to keep your little play toy at bay."

"He's precisely where I need him to be."

"He has something of mine, and I want it back." Her words snap, exuding demand.

Musi chuckles before bursting into maniacal laughter, "Y- You come here. " He jolts to his feet with authority. "You come here! With demands of me?" He walks down from the podium, getting right into her face, his eyes bright blue.

"You'd better mind your words in my house, demon." He warns.

Pyfir didn't back down. "A demon?" She shutters in excitement, "I'm flattered, Gran." Massaging his torso, her nails drag against his clothing as she wraps her arms around him. "You've always had a way with words." Her nails scratched down his face, causing it to decay. He SWATS her away. She steps back with a devilish smirk on her face.

With the yellow glow against her soulless black eyes, Pyfir is beyond human. They stare at one another. Their mana seeps out across the sanctuary floor. Musi's black cloud has a blue tint. Pyfir's has a yellow. The mana crashes together like waves in the Northern Sea.

The Undead begins to rise from Musi's mana. The faceless demons from Pyfir's. Abominations on both sides. "Let's see which evil is strongest."

Monstrous screeches erupt through the abandoned church.

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The newly formed partners are packing for their continued journey, ensuring they have the appropriate provisions for their long trek ahead.

"Are we seriously going to walk everywhere?"

"Yes, we are. Unless you've found a way to get a car through the forest."

She doesn't say anything. "No suggestions?" He jabs.

"Don't be an asshole."

"Have you ever left the North?"

"No."

"Well- It's the largest realm by far." He hoists a bag over his shoulder. "Everything from the weather to the ecosystem is completely unpredictable." Alexis continues as he's looking through Dakota's liquor. "The World Government HQ and The Nox rests inside the Giant Elder tree, shrouded by dense fog."

"Does anyone ever travel that far North?"

"Only those wishing to die." Dakota chimes in.

"Oh."

"Don't worry so much, I'm sure everything will work out." He laughs with his hand behind his head. She can only focus on his unwavering smile, she finds hope in it.

Dakota comes up beside her, "He's always like this—always so sure of himself."

"Not sure if that's good or bad." She forces a chuckle.

"Here. You'll need this." Dakota gives Maggie a small container with medical supplies. She looks it over as he explains.

"There are a couple of remedies that should slow the effects of the toxin. If he starts complaining of headaches, the temperature, whether too cold or hot, or craves anything unusual, have him drink this."

He points to a VIAL OF GREEN SLIME.

"It's slug ooze. It'll coat his organs and protect them temporarily."

"How long?"

"This is the first of the human trials."

She can only give him a WTF look.

"If he starts sleepwalking, becomes forgetful, or loses his depth perception- Have him chew on this."

Points at a MOLDY, OFF-BROWN MUSHROOM COVERED IN HAIR.

"I haven't even named it, but it will keep his mind... Normalish."

She holds up the box with the Black Diamond that hisses and bumps around. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

Alexis snags it from her. "I know the perfect person to help with this."

"Best be careful with that. You know they carry a bit of a grudge."

"I'm sure-" The Black Diamond RAMS the box, and Alexis almost drops it.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Alexis is too uncaring. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"You could die sooner."

Alexis laughs as he hugs his friend.

"You should be spending more time around your loved ones."

"Thank you for all your help- We'll return in a week. Hopefully."

"I'll await your arrival. Safe travels. You'd better not die on me."

"All right, kid- let's go before he gets sappy." He pats Dakota on the shoulder and heads out.

Dakota looks to Maggie and says, "I know he can be a handful; he's troublesome but a great person. Please take care of him."

"Of course."

She exits.

She follows Alexis into the fielded area, just near the treeline. Dakota watches from the porch.

Maggie follows behind, "So, where are we going now?"

"To visit my sister."

She forces a smile. "Should I be excited or scared?"

"A little of both would be best." His eyes glow green. "Earth Magic: Weaved Gateway" A green mana spell circle is conjured on the ground. Thick, wooden branches begin to spiral from within it, weaving together. The wood cracks and constricts as tension builds; the branches twist, forming a large doorway that emits a green glow.

"Shall we?"

Dakota watches as he steps through, followed by Magnolia. He can only shake his head. "She's going to kill him." He smiles.

The duo step out of the doorway into a large living room where the spell slowly crumbles away. Maggie looks around, admiring the large living room. Two steps led down into a lowered space. Family pictures are displayed throughout, and the array of literature resembles a scholar's oasis. A map of Valon hangs above a corner desk, right next to the half bar.

"Drink?"

Maggie's uneasy. "Alexis, did we just break into your sister's house?"

He's barely over a whisper, "No- No. We did no such thing."

"Why are you whispering?-" Though she's whispering too.

"You are, too. It's best to keep our voices down for now." He peers around. "Not that it matters. You sure about that drink?"

"Do you ever crave anything else? Food perhaps?"

Getting ice from the bar's mini freezer, he says. "It helps with the pain- Though you'll wish you had one in about three... Two...

Constance STORMS into the living room, Claudia on her shoulder, "You picked the wrong house asshole!"

Her brother throws his hands up in surrender, "Stand down, it's just me!"

He turns around, taking a sip of his drink. He waves. She's filled with rage.

"So now you use magic to break into houses?!?"

"I wouldn't call it breaking in." He scoffs. "That's illegal."

That does it...

She STOMPS past Maggie.

"Is everything a joke to you?!? You pretend like you haven't been absent for HOW MANY YEARS NOW?!? Noooooo!" She smacks the drink out of his hand, "You'd rather be a drunk!" She pushes him. "You're tarnishing your legacy and refusing to seek help!" She makes a choking gesture toward him. "UGH! Do you truly believe this is what Antoinette wanted to become of her father?!?"

"I don't see how this--"

"DON'T!"

Her eyes GLOW GREY.

CLAUDIA BITES HER NECK, AND THOUSANDS OF STRANDS OF SILK BEGIN SHOOTING OUT OF HER SKIN, STICKING ONTO EVERYTHING RANDOMLY AROUND THE ROOM.

Maggie's surrounded by it; she holds still.

"YOU DARE!... WHAT ABOUT CHERISE? WHAT ABOUT ME AND THE BOYS? WE'RE YOUR FAMILY!"

Alexis's hands are up in submission. He's starting to scratch as his gaze cuts around. "Constance, why don't we try and calm down a bit? Please don't use your magic, PLEASE!"

Her pupils have split into eight. Tears run down her face. Claudia releases her bite, and her eyes slowly fade back to normal. The strands of silk dissolve away.

There's pain in her words, "Why do you insist on making our lives harder? Hm?... Why don't you stop?"

He's irritatingly calm. "Stop what, sis?"

"Interfering!! You aren't doing yourself ANY favors! Oh- And your antics of late have the SSA believing you're working with a fugitive."

He scratches at his beard and starts making another drink. "Well- I technically am."

"I'm serious, Alexis! You can't joke around about that. They're talking about sending Bishops after Ms. Barker, and I don't want you getting caught in the middle of it. Do you know where she is? If so, you must turn her in, it's the only way you'll clear your name."

"It's funny you should ask that-"

"Do you mean the Holy Bishops?" Maggie smoothly enters the conversation.

There's an awkward silence as Constance turns, finally seeing Maggie for the first time.

Alexis's mischievous smile cut through."I wasn't joking."

"I'm sorry we broke into your house."

Mostly to himself, "Not a break-in. Just so we're clear."

"But we need your help."

"Alexis, I can't believe you're doing this to me." She hits him. "I can't!"

"Can we save that for later, please? We're in a bit of a hurry."

Constance storms past Maggie, over to the couch. She screams ALL her anger into a pillow.

"Did you not hear what I just said, Alexis? Holy Bishops are going to be deployed to find her."

"Constance, you can't capture her."

"You want me to go against the orders of my commanding officer and SSA?" She scoffs at his nerve, "So what?... I can end up like you?"

"It isn't about either of us, it's about her! They want her, and I'm sorry, but I can't let that happen." Constance looks over at her. "And I'll happily explain all of that later. Right now, I desperately need you." He holds up the box holding the Black Diamond.

She ignores him. She's honed in on Maggie. She's studying her... Realizing.

"She's just a kid." Mostly to herself.

"What was that?"

She continues ignoring him.

She walks over, standing directly in front of Maggie. She extends her hand. "Constance Bragg." For some reason, Maggie feels protected, and her shoulders relax.

"Magnolia Baker, but everyone calls me Maggie."

Constance can't stop staring at her, almost like she's trying to put her finger on it.

"How old are you, Magnolia?"

She glances at Alexis, and the feeling of protection slowly slips away. "I'm eighteen."

"Eighteen- Wow." She hasn't let go of her hand. "Did you know there were thirty people, mostly children, not even half your age, in that orphanage you torched in Windros?

That escalated at light speed.

"Seriously, Constance? You can't help yourself, can you?"

"And you expect me to let you go free?"

Her gaze pierces Maggie's soul, but she doesn't falter. She stands tall and doesn't waver, "Yes, ma'am. Please. I am innocent. I can prove that to you eventually, but Alexis and I need to find the ruins to get the items for his cure."

He returns with the box in hand. "We need a guide." She and Maggie hold their gazes, and she gives one final, heartwrenching, "Please."

Her razor-sharp glare, hones in on her brother, "Give me the damn box and step back!" She snatches it away, "It isn't going to like you. At all." Without an ounce of fear, she opens the box.

Seconds go by before a soccer ball-sized Black Diamond Spider bursts out with full aggression. It scurries wildly along the wall. Eight different viewpoints, cutting around the room before honing in on Alexis. It growls before it lets out a small but monstrous screech.

IT LEAPS AT HIM.

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....To be continued.