7 Coated in Blood

Foggy visions of snow loomed around like a vulture seeking it's prey. Nye was standing in the sea of white, where blood coated the frozen ground around her. She examined her surroundings through emerald eyes, having a faint ringing in her ears.

"Is this a dream?" Nye spoke up, her words echoing around her, as the snow was slowly falling. "Or... a premonition?"

Battle cries were heard in the distance, flowing around like the inside of a hollow room. There was nothing to be seen, but faceless mugs of the dead corpses around her. She stepped forward, her boots crunching in the snow. Then Nye's eyes looked west, spotting nothing, but the void air. Only emptiness loomed, except the sounds of death seeping in.

"It's dangerous out there on your own... You aren't even hiding the fact of what you are now from the Templar..." echoed a male voice in her mind, from a shadowy silhouette behind her.

Nye swerved around, but the form had vanished into smoke, with eerie laughter. "..."

The dream faded with her eyes opening into reality. Nye was still perched in the rafters of her domain. She breathed softly, glancing down to see Miles still sleeping on the bed below her. Cradled between him and his tail, was the phoenix egg. Nye fazed into shadows, wrapping around down to the floor below. She reappeared in the doorway of the room, glancing back to Miles as he slumbered. "You rest now. I have something I need to look into, my friend." She spoke quietly, before exiting the room. "(Before that, I need to head back to the Wynorex region...)"

The scene panned to darkness, transitioning to a nightfall location in a white field of snow. Black boots stepped through the soft pillows of ice, with the sound of shivering, from below zero degrees. Through the hooded shroud on his head, casted shadows over the narrowing cobalt eyes of the man with the Spider tattoo. He struggled to keep awake, trying to press on further. However, his eyes were slowly closing, causing him to loose balance, collapsing into the snow below him. The winter storm was picking up around him, whipping around snowflakes like a miniature, icy tornado.

Elsewhere, Nye had made her way to the Knothole Sanctum. The night sky above was filled with stars and many constellations. A chilling breeze blew past her as she opened the entry door to the pub level. Inside was much quieter from before, with less patrons as well. The ones inside seemed to going about their own business, whilst a few seemed distressed.

"So, Vex went off on his own? You're fucking kidding me." Ashe seemed annoyed, as he was conversing with a female fiend with horns and purple skin.

She was garbed in mostly red, and seemed to be a traveler. "You really must be deaf, kid, because that's exactly what I just said. I mean, I'm only staying here for the time being, but a wandering trader knows these kinds of things. Your 'brother' ain't here now, so would ya quit botherin' me?" She looked lazily to the red haired Amygdala.

"Sheesh lady, You're the one who brought it up in the first place!" Ashe scoffed, blowing a brief bit of flame to the side of his exposed fangs.

Nye approached, her emerald eyes observing the two. "Is there a problem here, that I should know about?"

They both glanced over, Ashe had a slight smirk, leaning to his palm in amusement. He seemed far more pleased to see Nye, than the woman.

"Well, if it ain't phony queen of the fiends. Didn't think I'd be seeing your face in 'ere again so soon." The lady fiend leaned to her fist, with a scowl. However, she smirked a bit, looking to Nye.

Nye crossed her arms, as she raised a brow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The woman sat up, slyly grinning to Nye. "She doesn't know, well, this is rich. I think I've stayed my welcome anyway, no sense wasting time 'ere with your kind. I ain't the only one who thinks you're a fraud either. Enjoy the luxury whilst it lasts 'Queen'." The fiend cackled, heading for the door.

As it closed behind her, Nye's peripheral glances to Ashe. He looks to her, appearing somewhat bored in appearance, propping his chin up with his palm. Nye quirks a brow, looking to the bar. "...Assuming Runfaust is absent?"

Ashe looked to her in surprise, with a playful expression. "Oh? Yeah, he's off gathering supplies with my sister. The one you saved the other day." He seemed a bit distant as his gaze looked of, causing Nye to glance over to him once more. Ashe's eyes glanced back over to Nye, as he smiled a bit, "Oh, I'm Ashewyn, by the way... I mean no offense, if I'm giving any negative vibes."

Nye kept her usual demeanor about her, as she looked his way. "Does this have anything to do with that fiend? I get the feeling my company disturbs you."

"Naw, I'm just not the most social. Don't mind me, but that woman? Yeah, she's some wanderer who trades goods, I guess." Ashe glanced off, grimacing slightly. "I think it might be some cover, assuming she's seeking others who share her mindset on things. Maybe I'm just thinking up some conspiracy about her or something."

Nye glances to the few patrons around, and up to the balcony. "So assuming from that, you're on my side, I take it?" She eyes kept attention above, not bothering to look to him.

Ashe smirked, leaning back with a cool demeanor. "You can say that."

"I see." Nye said, still peering to the second floor.

Ashe noticed she wasn't paying full attention, and glanced up, to see where she was looking. "Are you looking for somebody in particular, Queen?"

"Just call me Nye. All these titles get to be so bothersome." She said, glancing back to Ashe, "To answer your inquiry. Aye. There is a certain Dream Weaver, I've been keeping an eye on."

Ashe thought for a moment, he was intrigued, but somewhat irritated in his tone. "Hold up, you mean the one guy, that the Templar have been hunting? I remember my old man said something, about you asking about that guy the other night."

"Indeed. However, that is not the reason I have returned. Seeing your father isn't here, I suppose I'll go about this one my own." Nye turned from Ashe.

"Hey, Nye where's the fire?" Ashe got up, following her. "Did you need help with something?"

She glanced back to him, "Do you know what a premonition is?"

Ashe looked to her oddly, "Yeah, Are you a clairvoyant or something? What are you getting at?"

Nye looked seriously to him, "During a dream, I saw a war in cold blood... dead bodies being buried by the falling snow. I believe, something was calling me to the southern ice lands of Demonica."

Ashe crossed his arms, "You sure? Well, supposing that's the case, what did my old man have to do with that frozen wasteland?"

"I had some inquiries about our people, to see how many are living in that region. It may be a good place to seek out more allies and gain a better footing against the Rhyme's forces, whilst I investigate the matter. However, since he's not here, I'm hindering the clock. If something is going to occur there, then I want to know what, and to why I had that vision." Nye turned from him. "I'm afraid I have wasted enough time. There's no telling what could be happening there."

Ashe stood up, "And you're just going to go there on you're own? How about this, let me tag along in case things get serious. If I shared my aura, you'd know that I'm a fire based Amygdala. If anything, I can keep the cold off."

Nye smirked, closing her eyes. "(Interesting. Seems I am getting similar advice from this boy.) Very well, but if you're going to be accompanying me, Ashe, then keep in mind, if I tell you to do something, then you should heed my words."

"As you command then." Ashe bowed, grinning slightly.

"Don't do that." Nye said heading for the door.

Ashe pocketed his hands, following after her. "Fine. One quick question, Nye."

"Hm?" Nye kept her back to him.

"What type of Amygdala are you? I couldn't tell by your aura." Ashe spoke up, curiously.

Nye halted briefly, "I assume wraith, much like the tales of Lenault. We should get moving." Nye stated, heading out.

"Wraith?... (That explains to why her aura was so different from the others... but one that has been thought of as a fairy tale or a legend?... Nye, you're a pretty interesting lady.)" He thought, smirking, as he trailed after her.

Meanwhile, in the snowy tundra of the Demonica ice lands, many Templar Centaurs were traveling behind what looked to be Lyra on horseback. In the center of the herd, was a caged cart, carrying a restrained, unconscious passenger, the man with the spider tattoo. The scenery seemed more mountainous than before, with more forest exposed from the white blanket of winter. The caravan arrived to a sector in the valley of the mountains, with snowflakes forming like droplets in the sky. They were in what appeared to be a frozen prison sector of the region, with a wooden podium in the center of the valley. Stationed upon the wooden structure were several hanging nooses from pillars around the platform.

As the troupe stopped, Ayame on her dragon flew down to join them. Ayame and her leashed, Elliot, dismounted, approaching Lyra. "Viceroy Lyra." Spoke Ayame to her companion.

"Knight of the Wind, Ayame." Lyra greeted back.

"I was informed that your squadron located, and captured the alleged felon. Was I informed correctly?" Ayame inquired.

"Indeed, we happened across him, unconscious in the snow." Lyra replied, motioning to the cell. Lyra and a few of her Rhyme Templar approached the cart, followed by Ayame. "Just as the description stated, Male, raven haired Amygdala, with eyes like the ocean. No need to fret though, the bars are magic resistant. No one can escape, unless there was a repeat of the previous incident."

"Good to hear. So, you're certain that this man is truly the demon who killed Astrid, and the others before her?" Ayame looked curiously to the chamber of the caravan.

Lyra looked to Ayame with a devilish grin, "He has the scar on his left wrist. The same place the bastard cut himself to use that cursed inchor magic."

Ayame seemed intrigued. "It would be too dangerous to risk him using that ghastly magic again, just to prove it's him. Even so, he does carry the same outlook as I recall from the brief moment I saw him caged the first time..." Ayame thought for a moment, "It must be the Amygdala..."

"Then it's a good thing I had his arms bound. Amygdala are useless without their hands free. Even so, he'd be too weak to escape with that shadow stepping skill." Lyra explained.

"Aye." Ayame turned to the Templar nearby. "After the events that happened with Astrid's forces... he can't be allowed to live. You know what to do."

"Yes ma'am!" They saluted, with one opening the cell.

The metallic ringing of the bared door squeaked loudly, it flowed into the man's ears, causing his eyes to open slightly. The creaking of the floor board was heard, as two Templar entered the cell. One grabbed him by his hair, forcing him to stand as the two took either side of the man's arms. They forced him in the direction of the podium, with his hazy eyes still waking, squinting slightly from the brief pain.

"...." No words crossed his lips, as his blurry vision cleared, seeing the nearing platform ahead of him. His arms were bound behind his back, making it impossible to do anything. However, the platform was growing nearer, finally his boot touched the steps. His eyes glanced slightly, seeing the executioner before him, as he was passed to this Templar. His blue eyes observed his surroundings, as he was led to the edge of the platform, a noose hanging before him.

"At long last, this nefarious fugitive has finally been apprehended once again. However, due to the violent nature of recent happenings, you will not receive the same punishment as before." Ayame spoke up, as the scene panned over to the man with the spider tattoo. Ayame continued, "Keeping anonymity to your identity, didn't keep you safe, Amygdala. So now, as Knight of the Wind, I sentence you to death, under the decree of Grand master, Aoba."

The man didn't reply, but was pushed forward to the noose hanging before him. His eyes glanced back from his peripheral to the executioner. His fangs bit down into his tongue within seconds, before he spat it at the Templar, that was forcing him to the gallows. The red substance flew, taking form into that of a knife, smashing into the Templar's skull. The body fell back to the ground, as blood gurgled from the still shocked expression on his face. A brief silence, before the entire fleet began to uproar, and prepare for battle. The battalion of Templar dove for the platform with swords drawn, and bows arched. The man with the spider tattoo's eyes trailed, noticing another Templar attempting to flank him. He phased behind the knight, with his bound arms shifted in front of him. The Dream Weaver quickly used the rope to strangle the man before him, in cold blood. As the asphyxiation set in, the Templar fell unconscious within seconds. This gave the fugitive a chance to snap his neck, dropping the lifeless body to the ground beside the other.

Panic was rising in the horde of knights, but they didn't falter. The other Templar were closing in, as he uses his bloodied mouth to rip the rope from his wrists. As his arms were released, the man spun around like a twister, using knives to slash back the nearby Templar forces. All the bodies collapsed to his feet, as his piercing azure eyes focused to Ayame. The pools of blood at his heels formed skeleton archers, pelting back more of the forces. At this point, more than half of their units were corpses. Ayame, Lyra and Elliot were prepared to attack, but the man pointed his bloody blade to them with a sadistic expression.

"If any of you continue to hunt me... I'll slaughter every fucking last one of you!" His fangs gritted, as he stumbled from fatigue, before the man took the form of shadows, fleeing to the woods near them.

"He's trying to flee, make haste men! Don't let him escape!" Ayame called. "(He's too weak to fight much longer. If we catch him now, there won't be any escape.)"

The remaining seemed fearfully, but replied, "S-Ser!" They called, making pursuit.

"Elliot, follow my lead. I'll be scouting from above. Sooner we put him down, the better." Ayame instructed, taking flight on her mount.

Elliot nodded, tracking after the others. Lyra stood with her forces, "The hunt is on boys." Lyra grinned, "This will be fun." She said, as they too made chase.

Not far off, in the skies above. Nye and Ashe soared through the air, carried by their black wings. The winter frost glided passed the two, as they flew over the snowy terrain. Nearing them, was the massacre left by the man with the spider tattoo.

"That's a lot of blood." Ashe mentioned.

"Just like my vision." Nye remarked, seriously. She descended to the snow below, looking over the Templar carcasses, and blood coating the area around them.

Ashe crouched down, touching the wound of one of the deceased Templar. "It's still warm."

"Then those footprints couldn't have gone too far." Nye added, looking to them leading into the woods.

Ashe peered up, getting to his feet. "We may be running into Templar if we pursue those, or whoever killed them. Are you sure about this, Nye?" Ashe inquired, seeming calm.

"Last encounter with the Dream Weaver, the terrain was relatively dressed the same. If this is his handy work..." Nye was thinking a bit.

Ashe crossed his arms. "You were looking into this guy, even with how dangerous these circumstances have shown?"

"As Lenault said, he could be a useful ally. However, he could just as easily be a powerful foe. This is why I am looking into him, before making a decision." Nye explained, her wings extending. "Don't fall behind." She instructed, flying ahead into the woods.

Ashe extended his wings, "This could get ugly." He said to himself, before flying after Nye.

As the two proceeded through the frozen over forest, there was something ahead of them in the distance. It was far out of their line of sight, like an ant from afar. However, as they soared further, the form increased in size with every few feet. Finally the red and white colors were seen.

"Templar." Nye muttered, under her breath.

They came closer into view, and one of the forces noticed them. "AMYGDALA!!" Shouted a Templar in panic.

The remaining of the horde turned their attention to Nye and Ashe. In the midst of the pack, was Elliot. He sneered to Nye, as their wings carried them closer.

"Crossbows at ready!" Shouted one of the group, resulting in the others to scramble to get their weapons up and aimed. "FIRE!"

A barrage of arrows slashed past Nye and Ashe, but they manged to weave passed them. However there was too many, causing the two to force a landing.

"ATTACK!" Called the commanding Templar.

A slew of men rushed their way towards Nye's company, weapons ready.

"We have no choice now. It's do or die." Nye commanded, forming her wraith-edge.

"I'm with you." Ashe acknowledged, creating flames in his right hand.

He clutched it, holding the embers high, before slamming the ball of fire into his chest. Flames engulfed him, spiraling around like a vortex shaped inferno. The Templar halted hesitantly, as the flames swarmed vibrantly. A sword was swung from within the fire, casting it off. Standing in place, Ashe was unharmed, but wore a dragon armored suit with sword in tow. He carried a cocky grin on his face, but the Templar noticed Ashe's demented aura trailing around him. It looked like fire, but with holes resembling ghostly faces.

The Templar knights snapped out of it, as the fire died down, and resumed the assault. Both Nye and Ashe took a battle stance with their blades. The two of them charged in on the fleet of soldiers. The rear Templar fired off more arrows, trying to defend the front ranks from the flaming blows of Ashe's sword. However, Ashe weaved between the shots, slamming several Templar back into the others. The knights were knocked to the ground, burned from the strikes of his sword.

Nye was slashing back several Templar as well, with already a few of them put down. She slashed her chain like a whip, knocking back several that drew close, however one she hadn't noticed, attempted to flank her. She was too distracted by the number of the foes, that the solitary Templar had gotten far too close. The blade of the knight was thrusted at her, with a loud clang. Nye glanced back, seeing Nikolai floating behind her, a massive scythe deflecting the blow from the threat.

"F-FIEND!?" The Templar scrambled, falling back to his rear in panic.

The remaining of the surrounding forces fell back, all unnerved by a fiend in the midst of two Amygdala. Ashe got back to back with Nye, Nikolai floating beside them as they eyed the swarm of Templar that backed up. Elliot was the only one not shaken, his glare sharp.

"A lesser fiend supporting an Amygdala?!... It-It can't be... Retreat! All forces RETREAT!" Called one of the Templar in panic.

The remaining enemy forces quickly scrambled to flee the area, as their fears crept in. The rushing knights swarmed passed, but Nye's forces resumed the attack. They all launched fierce slashes of blows to the Templar army. Nikolai's scythe tore through a Templar's body, ripping the man in half like a sliced slab of meat. Organs fell to the ground as more and more of the foes dropped like flies. Before any could escape, their bodies laid dormant on the frozen earth below them, resting in pools of their own blood.

The only one missing was Elliot, he however had gotten a distance observing before he turned from them. "(So that explains it. I better report back to master Ayame.)" He thought, as disappeared from sight.

Nye released her wraith-edge, letting it fade from her grasp, as Ashe disengaged his dragon armor. Nikolai floated between them, looking to Nye.

"Mistress, do you mean to continue?" Nikolai inquired with his chilling voice.

"Aye." She replied, looking to Nikolai. "I wasn't anticipating your arrival, Nikolai."

"If my Queen is in danger, it is my duty to protect her. I am your loyal servant, mistress." Nikolai bowed his head.

Ashe's eyes observed them briefly, "(Just like she said. Nye's the Queen of fiends, no doubt about that.)" He was intrigued. "(A lesser fiend showing up even, and fighting along side us, plus, she can understand it.)"

"We should keep moving." Nye insisted, walking ahead.

Ashe trailed after, with Nikolai floating overhead. "So Nye. What's the plan here?" Ashe asked.

Nye glanced back to him, as they pressed on. "With how heavily guarded those gallows were, and the amount of Templar encountered thus far... I have to assume it's him."

"And if it is, what are we gonna do? You said he could be an ally, yet possibly could be an enemy. He could just as easily attack us like he did those Templar back there." Ashe crossed his arms seriously.

"Leave him to me. Only if things get dire, do you do anything. Understand?" Nye explained, her tone stern.

"Pretty risky plan there, but you're the one calling the shots." Ashe replied, understanding.

Nikolai floated behind them still, remaining silent. This caused Nye to glance back to him. "Nikolai, could you return to our headquarters? It's best if we don't attract too much attention from here on out."

Nikolai bowed his head, "As you wish, mi'lady." He said, vanishing into darkness.

"Good plan, if we're to keep things about you under wraps." Ashe approved, following after Nye.

Nye continued leading, allowing her mind to ponder upon things. "(I'm not sure upon how things went before we arrived, but it is possible that the man with the spider tattoo could be wounded. If threatened I'm not sure how he would respond, or what his attentions would be if he is merely hiding from the Templar. Regardless, if I am to learn anything out how he was connected to these memories of my past life, then I need to know who he was... and who he is now. As much as Lenault wants me to recruit him to my forces, I still need to ensure I can trust him first. However, previous encounters have shown his hostility. If I am to uncover his reasoning, perhaps I may be able to place my mind to a decision on the matter.)" Nye thought, glancing to Ashe briefly.

She looked back ahead of them, "(I can't let myself hesitate, if it comes down to dangerous conflict... It will be my duty to keep my allies from harm... Just who is this man...? The others carry immense fear towards him, yet I do not... Could Lenault have known about this? Is that why he suggested the alliance in the first place? Though I know how the others feel, should I risk it? Or should I just put him down, before this Dream Weaver could cause any more pain?...)" Nye was intensely thinking by now, as they pressed further. "(If the Templar want him dead, without anyone one to call a friend...)" Nye looked ahead, "(...Could he truly be as cold blooded as the others proclaim?)" She thought, as her eyes noticed a tree with a shadowed figure catching their breath below it.

Cobalt eyes weakly lifted, peering back to Nye, as shivering was heard. A sharp gaze formed on his face, behind the black bangs of the man with the Spider tattoo. "...." Blood trailed down his fingertips, as he kept his sight set on Nye. Nye's eyes focused on him, as did Ashe's, who kept his defense up. The silent stare off commenced.