The Dark Order 1.12: Gran’s Ironkey Plan!

Begin with Chapter 1.1

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The Country of Debois is luxurious. A marble stone forward country, it represents Valon history; the Valon Historic Museum and the World Governments' Holy Court are here. Many of the top bounty hunter factions have taken residence in the city. With a mantra of prosperity and wealth, many from all over Valon have migrated to the fast-growing city.

Every three years, Debois hosts the World Government Summit, a three-day event for the world's elite, with talks of peace, economy, and the military between the realms. With ever-growing tensions, the SSA demands a safe and violence-free event. Assigning the highest level of security to the event, which is only a week away.

Kings. Queens. Ministers. Dictators. Commanders with Bishops. The summit is filled to the brim with leaders of the new world. Outside the Debois Central Hotel, several luxury vehicles line the crescent drive. Several valets are present as summit members arrive. The leaders of Valon assemble three days before the summit, a time used for back door negotiations, blackmails, and espionage, blended with festivities.

Throughout the coming days, the streets of Debois will flood with visitors from every sector of the world. There will be daily activities for families. There will be stageplays, games, and prizes. Children will be able to enjoy the spoils of endless amounts of sugar. People are traveling to the country to get a glimpse of the authorative figures in Valon.

The summit will take place at the Debois Floating Amphitheater in the western part of Debois. For any new visitor, it’s good to know that Debois is broken into three parts:

West Debois is a blended area. Located near the Western border, West Debois is known for its population of Great Elves living alongside humans. It's the more pretentious area, filled with greed and corruption. The west has isolated itself from the rest of the city, having voted to be considered its entity. The royal and prestigious are the only ones welcome.

Their homes are massive structures, a combination of advanced design and architecture, and their very existence warrants worship and praise… At least, they believe that.

The summit takes place at the top of the Debois floating amphitheater, which is owned by the House of Sevine, the royal family of the Western realm. Western technology allows the amphitheater to float.

Central Debois is where the regular, hard-working, blue collars work. Endless effort and dedication toward those who see them as lowly. The historic district. It is highly monitored and patrolled by the SSA. Even with its protection, Central Debois has its fair share of criminals. Underground organizations plague not only the city but the realm. It’s the most visited city in the Northwest.

Central Debois is more modern. Filled with shopping, food, and entertainment. It’s the perfect place to raise a family, start or advance a career, and enjoy the finer things.

SSA Northwest Headquarters is the most secure area in the country. It's highly secretive and cut off. A massive stone wall surrounds the base, separating it from the rest of the country.

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A gray Mercedes-Benz GLS is parked in an alleyway outside a large, moss-covered cellar. Draped in a black mist-like cloth, two of Gran's disciples stand watch outside. The sun is beaming, but it's unable to cut through the darkness of their clothing. From beneath their hoods, their eyes are blue.

There are stone steps leading toward the darkness, twenty steps exactly. Visitors are required to choose between three stone archways leading deeper into the cellar. From the depths of the left archway is the commotion of clashing voices. At the end of the winding hall is a circular space. There's a massive circular table with chairs. There are fourteen seats total, and thirteen have been occupied. The final seat is larger than the others, meant to signify the head of the table.

A large, square parchment schematic of the Amphitheater is spread across the table. Arguments, laughs, and complaints are hurled around, making most words inaudible. The sapphire glow of Gran's eyes appeared from within the shroud of darkness, moving closer. When he emerges, the room falls deaf. He's followed by several of his disciples, who line the wall. He takes his place at the head of the table, a menacing smile fills his face.

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Constance and Perry have entered Tramble, accompanied by the division of lower-ranking knights. The lower ranking officers wear form-fitting, light gray camouflage uniforms. The SSA emblem has been stitched onto their service cap, collar edges, and each arm. Constance wears a tailored black blazer and slacks. She wears a coat with the SSA emblem stitched onto the back and over her left breast. Perry wears a tailored dark gray suit. The SSA emblem has been stitched onto the back and overtop his black gloves. He's wearing a black trench coat that sparkles faintly in the light, his gloves provide the same effect.

"Leuitenient, what's the plan?"

Constance peers at the locals who have gathered to watch the SSA enter their town. "We're on damage control. We will talk to every resident and figure out what happened." She notices Maggie's wanted poster nailed to the bar they had visited. "Grabowski, take a group with you and go to the North end of town. Talk to the locals. Find any eyewitnesses."

"Yes, ma'am." He looks among the knights. "First two ranks, come with me." Constance is left behind with the final two ranks, a total of eight knights. "Spread out, talk to the locals. We're to offer minimal information." She points to a White female, who is tall and brunette. "You." She points at a Black male, his dreadlocks are shoulder length. "And you- come with me." With that, the knights disperse.

Constance leads as the other two follow her into the bar from that night. The same wet dog smell lingers as a few knights scrunch their faces. "Mind your words here."

The place is nearly deserted, aside from a couple of scattered patrons. Constance gazes up at the second floor, where a large group is celebrating. She makes eye contact with a few men glaring at her. She waves before focusing on the bartender as she comes to the counter. She notices another one of Maggie's wanted posters nailed to the wall behind the bar.

"Can I help you folks with something?"

"As a matter of fact-" She leans against the counter. "You can." She points at the wanted poster. "Has that girl been here recently?"

"Uhh, yeah... Maybe three or four days ago. She came in with this older guy who looked pretty sick."

"Did they do anything?"

"Yeah- Drink. It's a bar." She lets out a rasped laugh.

"Anything else?"

"Nope. They just sat over there in that corner. She'd buy the booze. He'd drink it... Pretty pathetic of him, if you ask me. That girl practically carried him out of here." Constance drops her head.

"So- That young lady and older man came in had drinks and just left…? Did anything strange happen while they were here? Any confrontations? Aggressive behavior?"

"With them? No. Nothing." She thinks about it. "Well… she did put a knife to a guy's neck, but he deserved that."

"What do you mean when you say with them?"

"There were a few hunters in here, right before they came in... They were upstairs, talking about death and—acting different."

"Different how?"

"Hard to say, just not like any creature I’ve come across… I stay out of business that ain’t mine, so I can’t say much, but I know that when those two left, those three followed.”

Constance peers at the second floor. “Is that where hunters normally go?”

“Most times. Like to keep a watchful eye, acting all high and mighty.” Constance smiles. “Sounds about right.” She taps the bar. “You mind if I-“

“I’ve got no say in what the government does, just don’t destroy the place.” She starts making a drink.

“I see… wait for me outside.” She directs her unit away, and with that, she makes her way upstairs. “Ah, hell.” Is all the bartender could say as she watches Constance head upstairs.

As her vision breaks the top of the staircase, she’s met with questioning looks from ten men and women. “Look what we’ve got here. Now, what business does a government lapdog have here…? Hm?”

In the middle of the group is a massive Black male who looks to be carved from stone. Wearing a green vest with gold buttons and brown, oversized pants, he sits with his feet on the table and a drink in his hand; the booze escapes the creases of his mouth as he consumes his elixir.

“I’m looking for any bounty hunters that might be here.” She looks around. “Anyone?” Nothing but silent hatred. When his feet drop to the floor, the sound radiates through the space. “I guess I wasn’t clear.” He rises and approaches. “What business does a government l—“

Constance is unbothered as she interrupts. “I heard you the first time.” She must bend her neck back as she takes in his six-foot-nine-inch build. She smirks. “It’s just funny, you say that… being there looks to be one dog here.” She looks past him. “And his litter.” He bites down, offended. There are low growls around her as they face off, and Constance doesn’t yield; instead, she smiles, accepting the challenge as tension mounts as his group moves closer.

One versus ten. “You’re outnumbered here.”

Claudia crawls from under her blazer, up onto her shoulder and a smoke gray glow encompasses her eyes. “Is that so?”

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The members in attendance follow Gran as he circles the table. “At this very moment, the royals arrive in Debois, and the world awaits the summits commencement, ignorant of the war looming on the horizon… They will witness firsthand as their world crumbles into turmoil.” He points at the map on the table. There are small blue mana, chess-like figures moving all over the map. More continue to appear in random areas.

He snaps his fingers, and three figures on the map turn black. "Right now, my children are retrieving these three Sovereign Bishops, currently in charge of the summit's Sovereign Security Detail. Over the next few days, my plan will be laid out and executed without fail."

"What purpose will these soldiers serve?" Gran looks to a petite, middle-aged, White female wearing glasses and a purple puff dress. She appears harmless. This is Honey Polygrass -- User of Serum Magic. "Will I get to interrogate someone?"

"Indeed." He returns to his seat. “And the knowledge we gain, will allow us to destroy them from within... And there will be nothing they can do to stop it." As he stares at the schematic map, a black mana spell circle appears on the wall to the right of Gran. One of the black mana figures vanished from the map. A thick black mist rises from within the circle, there's a blue lightning tint inside of it. It continues to grow before one of Gran's undying children steps through, pulling along a Female Great Elf, who is hurled to the ground beside Gran. As she struggles to her hands and knees, she looks up; overcome with dread, she stares into the undead eyes of the smiling maniac. Entranced by the blue flame burning within his pupils.

Days remaining until the Debois Summit: 4

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.... To be continued.