The Dark Order 1.13: The Golem Market Pt.1

Just before the Black Diamond can pounce on Alexis, Constance jumps in front of it, and the spider lands on her and scurries around her body. "They are so cute at this age!" It perches itself on Constance's shoulder, she caresses it as it growls at Alexis. "There, there."

"Okay- We need to get to Melox. So, what do you need? A piece of clothing? A strand of hair?"

"You are in no shape for this." Her attention turns to Maggie. "Magnolia, would you be willing to act as the link?"

She looks between the two of them. "Link?"

"That's right. A binding of sorts."

She looks at Alexis. He looks like shit. "Yes... Okay- What do you need me to do?"

Constance smiles innocently. "Try not to panic."

"Wait... What?" Suddenly, Claudia leaps onto her shoulder. Maggie must control her urge to freak out. "This will only hurt for a second." Her eyes glow GREY. "I promise."

Maggie, nearly frozen from fear, mouths okay. Out of the blue, Claudia bites her. As Constance holds the Black Diamond, several strands of silk wrap around it, slowly tightening. "Silk Magic: Webbed Binding."

Hundreds of silk strands latch onto Maggie, who has been put in a suspended trance by Claudia's bite. The silk begins to tighten around her, digging into her skin, drawing blood. As Maggie's blood flows along the silk toward the spider, the green blood of the Black Diamond flows along the silk toward Maggie. Their blood collides in the middle.

Mixing...

Suddenly, the blood on the silk begins to glow, transforming into a metallic silver color. All the strands of silk glow silver as the glowing blood seeps into Maggie's skin, healing her of all cuts. As the spell dissipates, Claudia releases her bite and returns to Constance, while Maggie begins to regain her senses. "All done."

Maggie shakes her head. "That felt weird." The Black Diamond growls, and a rasped voice screams inside her head. "Tell me about it!" Her head cuts around the room. "Who said that?!" Alexis looks around with her. The Black Diamond growls again.

"Quit yelling! I'm on this ladie's shoulder!" Maggie's attention cuts to the Black Diamond, whose eight eyes hone in on her. Leaning in close, no longer afraid, she stares directly into its eyes. "What did you say?"

The Black Diamond growls. "I told you to quit yelling." Her head jerks back, she looks at Constance, who is joyful. "It's pretty cool, right?" Without a word, Maggie backs away. She's unsure of what is happening. "He should be able to lead you to Melox without issue."

Over at the bar, Alexis holds up his glass. "Perfect!" He throws the drink back. "All right, kid, shall we?" Maggie hasn't stopped looking at the spider and it her. "You ready?" Through a small hiss, the Black Diamond leaps onto her, scurrying around before it rests on her shoulder.

Alexis comes up beside Constance. "What the hell did you do?"

"My part." She offers a faint smile, touching her brother's shoulder. "If you cast another Earth spell in my house, I'll wrap you in a cocoon." She walks off.

"That isn't funny." He follows behind. "Constance! That isn't funny." Maggie, with her new companion, heads out to.

Outside the house, the trio stands together in an open field. "This is as far as my help goes, Alexis... I can't risk the agency finding out what I've done." She looks at Maggie. "Please, don't make me regret this."

"Earth Magic: Weaved Gateway" Like before, a green mana spell circle is conjured on the ground. Thick, wooden branches begin to spiral from within it, weaving together. As tension builds, the wood cracks, twisting together, forming a large doorway that emits a green glow.

Alexis cracks his neck before looking at his sister. "I will explain everything later."

"Alexis... You'd better come back." She hugs him. "I love you."

"I love you too." He lets go and walks through the doorway.

"If Alexis trusts you, he sees something I haven't yet." She gets in her face. "If you turn against him... I will kill you." She smiles, pushing Maggie through the doorway. "Good luck!" She stands and watches as the spell crumbles away until she's the only one standing out, peering into the night sky.

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Maggie bumps into Alexis as she steps out into a densely brushed forest. She looks around. It's too dark to move. "Alexis, I can't see anything." He reaches back and grabs her hand. "Sorry about that... I'd rather not draw unnecessary attention to us... This way." He pulls them along, swatting leaves and moving branches, until Maggie sees specks of light cutting chaotically through the trees.

There's music being played. The voices of hundreds of people echo around them. "Where are we?" As the duo step from the hidden confines of the forest, they find themselves among varieties of vendor stands stretching North, East, and West as far as the eyes can see. This is the Golem Market.

"In the country of Finrel, at the Golem Market.”

“Golem Market?”

“It's the largest flea market in the Northern realm and is a midpoint between Tramble and Melox. To the West, we'll find our destination." Alexis scouts the immediate area. "We need to get some supplies. Some food. Some drinks... I need a still need a new shirt… Don't go wandering off, got it?"

"Wouldn't it be easier if we split up?"

"No. This market spans over two miles." He continues looking around. "Not only is it the largest..." He notices several Holy Knights, both magic and non. He notices hunter faction emblems. He notices the nefarious wanderers. "But the Finrel Sovereign base sits in the heart of the city." This puts her on edge. "On top of their never-ending patrol, there are hunter factions here.” He looks to her. “There's a reason it's called the hunter's paradise." As three knights head their way, Alexis takes her by the arm, "I'd like to avoid any conflict, so let's keep our heads low; we need to find a hotel."

With that, they walk off in the opposite direction. Within the crowd, two hooded, shadowy figures have their sights on the duo, weaving effortlessly through the market congestion in pursuit.

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At the Police station, Constance sits in her office. She's examining the case box for the bombing in Windros. She removes evidence bags, crime scene photos, newspaper articles, and Maggie's wanted poster. There's a knock on the door. She looks up to see Wilcox standing in the doorway.

"Sir."

"Constance, what is he doing?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why the hell is your brother in Tramble causing trouble?!"

This comes as a shock. "What!" She rises. "I want you on the next train and take Grabowski with you." He attempts to contain his anger as lightning sparks in his pupils. He hits the door frame, causing an ominous rubble. "Damn you, Jubilee!" As he walks off, Constance's head drops with a heavy sigh. "Dammit, Alexis."

She grabs her long coat and rushes out of her office. "Grabowski! We're going on a trip!"

Rushing from an adjoining hallway is Perry Grabowski, a twenty-three, five-foot-eight, White male with two-toned hair, half brown, half tan. One brown eye, one tan. He's dressed in slacks, a dress shirt, a tie, and black gloves. A transfer from Windros in his probationary period. "Yes, ma'am!" He's throwing on his coat. Grabowski is a non-magic officer. He's a masterful martial artist, strategist, and swordsman.

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Back in Finrel, Maggie stands in the shadows between two two-story, stucco buildings. Across the street is the Finrel Grand Hotel. A marble building that has the Northern realm ensigna carved into it. Through the oversized revolving door, she can see Alexis at the counter.

"What is your name?" she jerks her head toward her left, looking up. Her Black Diamond is perched on the side of the building. From within the dark, its purple spots provide a faint glow that resembles dozens of small eyes.

"Magnolia- but everyone calls me Maggie."

"Magnolia..." Her name rolls out chilling. "Do you mind not saying it like that? It sounds creepy." This causes her spider to retreat. "I didn't mean for that to come off so mean. I'm sorry... What is your name?"

"I don't have one." The Black Diamond heightened vision sees Maggie's heartbreak eight times over. "That's unacceptable... Nothing should be nameless." She thinks about it.

"How about Dotty?" There’s a mere moment of consideration.

"I am Dotty." It lets out a small growl of excitement. From inside the hotel, Alexis waves for Maggie. "Looks like we're good to go." Maggie holds out her arm. "Ready?" Dotty jumps on her arm and scurries onto her shoulder.

While crossing the street, someone bumps into Maggie, forcing something into her hand. "Hey!" She yells, thinking someone is trying to attack her. This causes Dotty to growl, frightening the surrounding civilians. Once separated, she looks around before looking at the rolled paper in her hand. Her expression turns fearful as she unrolls the paper, looking into the hotel at a waiting Alexis. She looks around in a near panic, rushing toward the hotel, only to be stopped by the two shadowy figures. From beneath their hoods, all Maggie can see is the shine of their Peridot Green eyes.

"Magnolia Barker." The figure to her right was a female. Her voice soft and non-threatening. She holds up Maggie's wanted poster, and she grows fearful.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

BOUNTY- 25.000.000R

MAGNOLIA BARKER

The other figure was a male. He holds up another wanted poster...

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

BOUNTY- 45.000.000R

ALEXIS JUBILEE

"Where is Alexis Jubilee?"

"He’s right behind you." Alexis states. The hooded male peers back, his peridot eyes meeting Alexis's, who can't believe it.

"A Great Elf… here?" He grows defensive. The green glow of his eyes starts to intensify. “What business do—“

Out of the blue, an emergency siren BLARES. Everyone looks around, confused. Soon, civilians disperse every which way as SSA knights storm toward the hotel.

"We're not hunting you." The female says. "But you must come with us."

The yells from the knights get closer. Maggie looks at Alexis for a decision. He's started to sweat, clenching his abdomen, reluctantly agreeing to follow. With that, the two elves lead them through the crowd, the distance growing between them and the knights.

Maggie pushes past people as she speed-walks to keep up with Alexis. "We have a problem." She says, holding up the wanted poster.

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....To be continued.