Inferno sighed gently as he walked down the hall, having left Kenta to rest in his room, and Ornstein to go on patrol. The crown prince decided to take a small stroll into town, having let the soldiers know just in case Lyle or Ornstein asked of his whereabouts. As he approached the entryway, Marz was sitting there walking with Marik, the green dragon he had found almost a year ago, the boy had started walking and Marz was doing what he could to aid and support his growth. The pair saw Inferno and Marz smiled, giving a wave as Marik shyly hid behind his father as he was a bit of a shy boy. Inferno chuckled softly as he walked over, waving gently to Marik to show he wasn’t to be scared of him. “Hello to you Marz, heading out with Marik?” Inferno asked him as he looked at the three tailed fox, who smiled and nodded noticing Inferno was wearing very casual clothing compared to the typical over fancy clothing he wore around the castle, due to his title. “Yes, I just wanted to take him to the park for some fresh air. Care to join us?” Marz smiled gently as he looked towards the hybrid, the two have developed a good brotherly bond over the year Inferno has been around, and Marz had devoted himself to protecting his new younger brother, it was clear just by the look he gave. Inferno listened to his offer and sighed happily as he nodded, leading the way without many more words, Marz chuckling a bit at how upfront and quick his brother was to end any conversation.
The pair walked out of the castle and walked down the steps leading into town, passing guards and nobles going in every direction they could see. Ever since the battle with Leblanc, the guards have been much more cautious and the patrols have gotten heavier since then, because they had one goal in mind, to protect Inferno and the others in the family. Inferno sighed gently as Marik and Marz looked over to him curiously, the fox’s ears twitching as he heard the sigh, but had a feeling it was something Inferno didn’t want him to hear. The prince had many thoughts ever since he battled Leblanc, and he wondered what they would really open up to. Inferno shook his head and tried to keep his smile as he led the duo into town, walking to a nearby town. Marik looked up at his father curiously, despite his age, he could tell something wasn’t right with Inferno, but Marz just smiled and picked him up, rubbing his head as he walked behind Inferno. The thoughts left Marik’s head as soon as he saw the playground as he grinned and bounced a little in his father's arms, in which Marz took it as a sign to let him down and let the boy run free, which he did as he went to play on the playset. Inferno took a seat on the bench nearby and watched Marik closely, Marz nodding and sitting beside him, but made sure he was in a position to immediately jump when Marik needed him. The brothers watched in peace, as Marz sighed softly before turning his attention to Inferno, looking him in the eyes. “There’s something you aren’t telling us, is there?” Marz got straight to the point, getting a surprised gasp from Inferno, who leaned forward a bit and sighed. “No, it’s nothing to worry about.” He said simply, but a bit too quick to be believed, Marz looking right at him seriously. “Inferno, please. You don’t have to lie to me.” He said softly as Inferno winced a little and looked away, thinking.
After a moment he finally spoke up once more, standing. “It’s just.” He started, before taking a long pause and looking out, seeing Marik playing with a couple of other kids, happy, carefree, and Inferno just sighed. “What if stuff like Leblanc’s attack keeps happening? The moment father finally leaves the throne and passes it to me, what do I do if these attacks don’t stop. Look at your child out there, he is happy, but for how long if these attacks continue to plague our kingdom. What if it ends up being my fault, because I killed Drazernon. What if that caused the attacks?” Inferno said, slowly hyperventilating as he sat back down, and continued. “What can I do?” he asked, before Marz gently placed a hand on his back, and gently pulled him close, hugging Inferno with a soft, but comforting sigh. “Stop, you don’t have to share anymore if you don’t want to. I had no idea you thought those things. One thing I can guarantee… none of that is your fault. It is all just coincidence. Even with Leblanc, just look, you managed to bring her around to your side. You may be scared things will keep getting worse but you need to look at the good you’ve brought. And everyone in this army will continue to support you once you take the throne from dad, I can guarantee it. You even have two of the best retainers in Lyle and Lea, so people will always have your back.” Marz assured him gently, working on calming down his nerves so he didn’t pass out then and there. Even though he didn’t have direct or ‘real’ answers, he still believed in what he said, knowing he would aid Inferno no matter what.
Inferno sighed as he slowly calmed down and thought to himself, listening to the laughter coming from his nephew and the other kids helping ease his mind as he thought deeper, taking a few deep breaths before he gently stood up, but didn’t make Marz break his hug, as it was helping ease him as well. “Maybe you’re right. The thoughts still linger, and will haunt me for a while, but I do feel you are right to some degree. I will just need some time to think and clear my thoughts, and put everything together piece by piece. My mind is kind of a weird fog though honestly. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like I have memories and thoughts, but then when I try to think harder and get a better picture of them in front of me, they become hazy or just outright impossible to put together. It has only gotten worse with time, my father doing that ritual kind of pushed it even worse than it already was, because even stuff I had figured out has since disappeared since Lynx saved me from the ritual.” Inferno explained, showing there was a lot going on in his head at the time. Marz sighed but listened intently as he looked over at him curiously, with a gentle gaze. “I see. Don’t worry, you do not have to push yourself if you don’t want to. Just take things slow. You will eventually find your answer.” Marz told him as he thought, now having some doubts after hearing that, as he felt like it was his and Lynx’s fault that his memories are bad, because they interfere with the ritual. He shook his head and rid himself of that thought for now, as he didn’t want that flooding his thoughts. Before he could say anything else, Inferno stood and walked over towards Marik, the dragon boy pulling Inferno along to play on some swings, Marz chuckling a little seeing how fast his son got over that fear of his uncle. He sat back and watched Inferno put Marik on the swing and start pushing him gently, a cute scene to witness. Marz sighed with a smile, but thought to himself ‘I wonder just what we are getting into. He makes some good points, yet there is no way it IS our fault… is there? I will have to talk to Ornstein and Maxwell about it later today. Inferno… be strong please. For all of us. We will stand by your side until the very end.’
-
Judas looked at her map as she walked down the beaten path, seeing it having been used many times before her own journey. Her first stop was in a nearby city, one not necessarily bound by any kingdom. They were mostly a neutral place, and tended to stay out of wars unless asked directly by a kingdom's nobility to aid them. They were about a half days walk south of Sanctuary, and was one of two places that stood between Sanctuary and Elderitch, but was the only major city between the two as the other location was more of a pass through type of place. She decided this was a better place to stop when comparing the two as she felt she could get better supplies and even better rest in a proper inn. She made her way through the opening of the simple, easily noticeable feeble wall that surrounded this place, it was not anywhere near as advanced as Sanctuary or as structurally sound as Elderitch, and just by looking Judas could tell that much. She shook her head a little and walked in, looking around at the buildings, they were well made, for what they had, and she admired that much. People gave her some glances as she walked, but only some were hostile, the rest were either curious or just intrigued that a demon was wandering the world like her. She sighed as she just wished her appearance wouldn’t be a source of attention to people, but she had to get by with it since she wasn’t exactly given a choice to be born this way. Her thoughts were cut short by the sound of a young, almost teenage voice, speaking up to get her attention. She looked around for a moment before her eyes set themselves on a human teen, sitting at a stand, one that looked like it could collapse at any moment. She looked at the person monitoring the stand, a human, with pale skin, gentle blue eyes, black hair that went down to his neck, tied up slightly but sloppily. A bit of a roundish face. She noticed one thing about him, the gentle eyes lied. She could sense some built up anger, and much more. “Hey, you there. Want to play a little game?” He called out, his voice was smooth, and almost deceptive, Judas noticing quite immediately as she thought, but decided to play along just so she didn’t draw any attention for declining.
She took a seat. “Fine, but maybe only one round. I have important matters.” She stated but watched as he set out three playing cards, two numbered black cards, and one red queen. “Oh do not worry, it will only take a few seconds each round. It is simple, you are watching for the blood queen. Simple enough. Pay is just five gold pieces, if you win you get that and a silver piece back. You in?” He asked, as he wasn’t asking for a lot, and Judas couldn’t tell which was more valuable given that her kingdom differs from other places and such. She pulled out some gold and set it down, and watched. The teen smirked as he started to work with the cards. To normal eyes, it looked like he just shuffled them around, and that was it. Judas however watched as the teens hand slipped a card out from the table almost inhumanely fast, She could only assume that it was the red queen card that he removed and replaced it with something else. After a few more seconds he chuckled and sat back. “Alright, where is the bloody queen?” he asked her, Judas taking a moment to play along as she looked at the three faced down cards, before glancing up. “It is below the countertop of this stand, I watched you swap them out. That little trick was good though, and I can see it working on many other normal people like humans or non magical anthro types. But a demon isn’t easily deceived.” She told him, getting a shocked expression from him, who was going to argue but just decided to accept it and put it down on the table again, and handed her the silver pieces. “You’ve got quite the eye on your miss.” He said.
“Thank you, I grew up being manipulated and deceived so I have a history of these tricks. My name is Judas by the way, and what is your name?” She asked him simply, wanting to inquire a bit on the boy, who was a bit surprised at her question before nodding and smiling. “The name is Kimbley, Kimbley Argen. I am a ‘helper’ at the orphanage nearby. I use that term loosely as I am too old to be a resident technically but they let me help and give room for free.” He explained to her as he stood up to close down shop for now. Judas watched as she took the hint and stood, looking towards the path before glancing back. “Don’t be discouraged by me figuring out your trick. I think you have a lot of potential Kimbley. Keep working towards it and let's meet again in the future, you can show me your improvements then, sound good?” She asked before tossing back the silver piece and pocketing her gold, unable to accept money after tearing down his trick so easily. Kimbley caught it and watched as the demon walked off, leaving him alone as he thought. “Judas huh? I’ve always been told Demons were horrid beings, but she was actually surprisingly nice. I can’t wait to tell the kids.” Kimbley said as he broke down shop for today and walked away from the stand with a small sum of money. He looked at the pouch in his hands and sighed. “Well, it is more than I started with at least, hopefully that’s enough for them.” Kimbley said as he walked away, heading towards a somewhat tattered and rundown building that had the word ‘Orphanage’ written in big letters on the sign above the door. He saw kids playing in the grass out front as he walked by and headed inside, going to see the head of the house.
Upon entering, he saw another human man, one much taller, a bit burlier than your average person, sitting in a chair staring out the window, listening as he glanced back. “Ah, Kimbley. What did you make today?” He asked as the teen threw the bag onto the desk, the man turning and seeing it, looking a bit annoyed as he glanced up at Kimbley. “What’s this?” He asked as he pulled a cigar from his mouth that had been sitting out of sight before turning around. He placed it aside for now to look at the feeble bag. “This is barely more than I sent you with, no one wanting to see your little tricks?” He asked as Kimbley just stood and stared at him. “Listen, I did what I could but I only had four customers today. People just don’t want to see little tricks, and besides, almost everyone in this town has seen these stupid tricks, and I have to rely on some unsuspecting bastart to stroll on by and not already know. You have to get me something new to work with here or income is just gonna halt.” Kimbley put it simply as the man just chuckled, but not amused, or happy. It was an anger filled chuckle, as if wanting to shout but keeping his cool. “Just remember you little shit, you either start raking in some extra gold with these tricks you do, or you’ll be out on the streets. Poor kids will be quite upset if you leave now won’t they? Don’t wanna upset the little ones now do you Argen?” The man smirked, turning and shooing Kimbley away, the teen grunting and gritting his teeth as he restrained himself from walking over and punching this bastard in his face. Kimbley just clenched and unclenched his fist a few times before he walked away, heading out of the orphanage and into town for a little to get some fresh air.
He looked around and saw people doing odd jobs for money, alongside shops providing services to sell gear and weapons, fix ones that were breaking and falling apart and even selling high end armor you’d only rarely find for cheap in the kingdoms. Kimbley had to think as he walked, wondering how he was going to turn this around so he could actually make a profit off his card playing. Without thinking he accidentally bumped into something as he grunted and stumbled back a bit. He looked up as a person turned and glared. “The hell is your problem kid, watch where you’re going.” He grumbled and turned back around. “Stupid ass oprhands, can’t even bother watching where they’re going, such a waste of space.” He said as he took a drink from his cup, Kimbley silently walking back, only to be stopped by someone who grabbed his shirt. It was another man, who was sitting with the one who just got mad at Kimbley. “What, can’t even apologize for bumping into someone, some nerve you little shit.” The man spoke with a slight slur, showing he’s had a few drinks and was just set off by every little thing. Kimbley grunted and pulled away. “Sorry, I am just in a hurry.” He said and jerked away, and started backing away annoyed. “Oh, a hurry you say? What does a punk like you have to hurry for, no parents waiting for you after all, aren’t you one of those annoying orphans that beg for money for that idiot running the place?” He laughed, getting dirty looks from other people, especially the owner of the shop. “Okay that’s enough, everyone causing a scene needs to just leave.” He said, and Kimbley took that as his cue to leave, but not before having a fist hit the back of his head and throw him forward. “And stay gone you pathetic waste of space.” The drunk man said as he started walking off, before only got so far before a decent size rock got chucked at him and hit him right in the back.
Kimbley took off quickly after throwing that rock, avoiding people and turning into the alleyways, people chasing him as Kimbley turned the corner where the inn was, before falling and landing on his face and chest as he grunted. A few people from the shop finally caught up to him and one grabbed him by the back of his shirt. “You’ve got a lot of nerve throwing a rock at someone and running you little shit.” one said and forced him to stand before punching him in the gut, making Kimbley yell in pain. “He shouldn’t have snatched me up like that!” Kimbley said through pain as he headbutt the man's stomach, another kicking kimbley in the leg to drop him, and the third that was with them kneed him in the face, laughing a bit. The noise got the attention of Judas as she walked out and gasped at the sight, running over. “What the hell is going on here, how dare you hurt a child!” She shouted before grabbing the third one by the arm and throwing him to the ground, and when the second tried to punch her, she threw her elbow back, hit him in the gut and then snapped his arm over her shoulder, making the man scream as the sound of bone shattering filled the area. Finally the one winded from the headbutt charged at Judas, only to be met with a kick to the face as she leapt up and swung her leg out, knocking him back. The trio screamed in horror. “She’s a freak! A monster!” They shouted as they ran away in pain, trying to escape Judas. The demon woman sneered angrily and was about to check on Kimbley, before realizing he was gone. She sighed a bit and looked around. “What type of place is this that even humans despise one another. It’s horrid.” She said before walking back in and apologizing to the innkeeper.
“No need to be sorry ma’am, those drunk jerks always come around and beat up the orphans that wander the street. Most kingdoms have hate between humans and anthros, here it’s just outright hate for the orphans, because people have the skewed mentality that if you don’t have a family or aren’t set to go serve in one of the kingdoms, you are a waste of space. Not all of us agree, but sadly it is how it is.” The man spoke, he was a gruff human man, older than most, had a full head of grey hair and a small grey beard. He sighed and handed a small bag to her. “It’s not much, but I figured some easy travel food would be payment enough in these times. I’d offer more if I wasn't living day to day barely scraping by.” He told Judas, who just smiled warmly and accepted the food. “Thank you, this is more than enough. I serve the crown prince of Sanctuary, I grew up with the idea you always should help and accept any pay no matter how small. This enough shows you’re a good man.” She said before thanking him once more and heading to her room, the man chuckling softly. “Guard to prince Ashford huh? Well I’ll be.” he chuckled as she closed her door, and he took a seat waiting for any customers.
Nearby, Kimbley panted and tried catching his breath as he was finally glad to be away from everything that happened as he slid down against a wall slightly to lean against it and sit, holding his stomach as he coughed a little, before coughing up blood. “Damn… that hurt. Can’t believe she saved me.” He said before thinking. “Work on my tricks and I show promise huh, or whatever she said? Maybe she’s right…” Kimbley said, before shutting his eyes and groaning softly, in pain. He wanted to make it home but for now, this was enough for him to sleep the pain off, hidden and alone.
Inferno_the_dragon_wolf
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