8 Divine Intervention

The blue eyes of the man with the spider tattoo, kept a sharp glare poised to Nye. He seemed fairly fatigued, huffing a bit as he showed his fangs. "...I thought I told you... to stay away FROM ME!" He yelled out, somewhat agitated in tone; yet fearful at the same time.

He had stumbled slightly from his position, in the process of shouting. A few drops of blood hit the snow below him. Nye stepped closer however, and yet Ashe decided to follow her. She held her hand in front of Ashe, giving him a stern look. "I said, leave him to me." Nye insisted.

Ashe glanced to the man, and back to Nye. "If you're sure. He seems pretty hostile."

"Just, stay there." Nye stated, closing some distance between her, and the wanted man. "(He's in no shape to survive out here... I need to remain cautious, but if I'm to learn if I can trust him... Then I need him alive.)"

"Back off!" The man with the spider tattoo demanded to her, but Nye still drew closer.

"You're wounded, not to mention, freezing to death..." Nye replied, keeping calm under the circumstances.

The man shakily turned to her, reaching for one of his knives, with his left hand. "Don't be moronic. I tried to kill you twice already... You don't want want me to make it a third time! There's no chance getting that bounty on my head either!" He tried to move, but he was panting heavily, struggling to keep on his feet.

"I don't want the stupid bounty. So, quit being absurd." Nye scoffed, continuing to walk closer. "You need to calm down."

The Dream Weaver was growing more fierce. "Why won't you... JUST RUN AWAY FROM ME!?" He demanded, rushing at Nye, with his blade gripped tightly. Ichor magic trailed from him, violently.

Nye halted, getting tense, as the man was dashing her way with hostility. Ashe noticed, and moved from his position. However, as the man drew closer, his dagger was clashed with another blade, from virtually nowhere, someone had countered his blow. Both Nye and Ashe were taken by surprise, as an angelic orange and white haired man had gotten between Nye, and the assailant. White angel wings were spread, with a few feathers floating passed, as his swords held back the knife of the attacker.

"Apologizes, but I couldn't stand by idly, and watch this commence any further. I was forced to alleviate this lamentable situation. Please understand." The ginger haired man explained, keeping his back turned to Nye.

"(A Rhyme was eavesdropping the whole time? This is growing bothersome, I had a solid plan to handle this.)" Nye thought, as she was growing annoyed.

The man with the spider tattoo sneered weakly, to the ginger haired angel. He was breathing with staggered breaths. "You... shouldn't have done THAT." His eyes sharpened, as his knives were grinding along the plated duel swords of the angel.

Before the shady man could strike, the angel swung his duel blades in an cross slash. The assailant was slammed back hard to the snow, his blood coating the ground in places. His mouth was still bleeding, as he spat to the side. The fatigue was setting in, and his inchor magic failed to manifest properly, leaving only an oozing puddle of blood. He was far too weak to fight now, his wounds festering with faint panic.

The Rhyme proceeded closer, speaking to the Dream Weaver. He seemed a bit unnerved by the encounter. "You're the 'Angel of death', aren't you? Just the wanted fellow that we've been seeking. As decreed by grand master Aoba, any Amygdala showing hostile intent-" He paused, as Nye gently pulled her blade to the Rhyme's throat. This caused the man to shiver uneasily, he had grown fearful in expression, as he persperated nervously.

Nye's lips were positioned right by his ear, and her sharp eyes were focused on the orange haired man. "Yet another vacuous Templar. Things aren't looking too auspicious for you, now are they? You deduced that I needed rescuing, however, on the contrary, now you're in need of it; if you don't flee. Don't make me reiterate." Her aura spiraled around her like smoke, giving notice to the wailing faces.

"... Shut, up!? Y-You're an... Amygdala.... How did...?" The Rhyme began to grow more timid, and unsure of his surroundings. "I saved an enemy of the Templar? Why didn't I?..." He was getting frantic in tone. "The others will..."

Nye ignored the man, her eyes peering over the the felon in the snow. He appeared to be in a vulnerable state. He held himself off the ground, weakly. His hood shrouded his face in shadows, blood dripping down his jaw. Ashe glanced to the Templar, as he stepped around him, his focus shifting to the wanted man, this 'Angel of Death'.

"What do you want me to do?" Ashe asked, looking back to Nye.

"I told you, leave him to me." Nye insisted, her sharp eyes peering to Ashe.

The Dream weaver stood shakily to his feet, he kept a knife in his left hand, as he breathed heavily. His eyes focused on Nye, he seemed pissed still, but confused at the same time. As he was about to engage them once more, the flapping of wings was heard overhead. Both of the unknown men looked to the sky, to see the wings of Ayame's dragon.

"Oh no... I can't be seen here!" The angel shoved Nye away in panic, rushing to the West.

"Dammit... Not this crap again." The man with the spider tattoo rushed off, in that same instant. Instead he headed in the East, leaving a puddle of blood where he had fallen.

Nye and Ashe were looking between where the two had fled, seriously, but the mount hovered between them. From on top of the creature, Ayame peered down to them. Behind her was Elliot, leering their way.

"And so we meet again. It is you, isn't it? How ironic this is, that you not only broke one rule before, with the leashed, but now I find you here, with another Amygdala. Strange, isn't it, with how things work out this way." Ayame spoke, confidently.

Nye kept her ground, as did Ashe. Both seemed on edge, with this situation.

"Now now, I haven't revoked my offer just yet, Amygdala. I have one condition, to let you go once again. My leashed here, spotted not one, but two figures flee this location. You know who I'm after. Tell me which one of them was the target, and you'll be free to go. However, If discovered you lied, you both will be considered accomplices to the 'Angel of Death', and thus executed." Ayame looked to Nye, and her gaze shifted to Ashe. "A simple answer is all it takes."

Nye thinks a bit on the situation, "(I need him alive, if I'm to get anywhere on my investigation... that is... If he doesn't bleed out first...) Go West, the one you seek, headed that way." She lied, knowing that this was her only option, if she wanted him to stay out of Templar hands.

"Very well. Then I have no choice, but to trust you. Bare in mind what I had warned you." Ayame looked to the West, taking flight on her mount.

Their eyes watched this Rhyme, until she had flown off beyond their line of sight.

"What do you plan to do now?" Ashe glanced briefly to Nye.

Her eyes focused down the path, that the wanted man fled. "We pursue him. From observation, right now he's vulnerable. He couldn't even use his magic, so now is the best time to swoop in."

"You're the queen." Ashe shrugged, "It's your call, if you want to 'swoop in', and catch this guy. Dude's a killer."

"If you're scared, go home." Nye formed her wings, from her back.

Ashe stared at Nye, briefly looking off. "All I'm saying, is this guy seems like bad news. That's just how those hybrids are, their barbaric. Or so I've heard."

"I am well aware, however, I need to look into him further. If not an ally, then he's just an easy target." Nye stated, walking off into the snow.

"Nye. Do you really wanna walk off in the cold, on your own?" Ashe gawked slightly.

"Not like it bothers me. Either follow, or go home. Time's not waiting." She flew up into the air, further from the red haired Amygdala.

Ashe shook his head. "Our fearless leader. Hold up, I'm coming." He said, following after Nye.

Meanwhile, back in under ground city of Wynorex. Miles was just waking up, he yawned briefly, before peering around. "Nye? Oh, not again...." He groaned a bit, with a sigh. "She always does this." He said, shifting from the bed. However, he glanced down to the egg. It was shaking, softly. "Eh?... Some time to be hatching! What am I supposed to do?" Miles gawked, staring to the egg, that his tail was wrapped around loosely.

It suddenly cracked, with a tiny phoenix peering out to him. Miles had an unsure expression, as he stared to the baby bird. She was returning the gaze to him, and didn't move as Miles reached slowly for her.

"It's okay...." He muttered, "I'm not going to hurt you." His hand touched the bird's head, yet she didn't jolt away. He gently picked her up, looking to the phoenix hatchling. "Maybe... Ember?" He spoke, but the little one jumped from his hands, into the hood of his jacket. Miles was a bit shaken, as she warmed up against his neck.

Elsewhere, Ayame's dragon soared in the direction that Nye had informed her.

"Mistress." Elliot spoke up, motioning ahead.

Ayame glanced forward, notices movement, of the fleeing ginger haired Rhyme. Without much warning, the dragon swooped down, letting Elliot leap off, and pin the man to the snow.

"Argh!..." The Rhyme winced, as Ayame hopped off, to approach him.

"You can ease up, Elliot. He's a Templar soldier... for now." Ayame looked to the man, as Elliot let him go.

The man sat up from the ground, timidly looking to Ayame. "..."

Ayame looked to him, seriously. "I can't say I'm surprised, that she lied about the target. However, now I am intrigued. So, do tell, where were you off to in such a hurry, Kloud? You're not a turncoat now, are you?"

"I... I..." Kloud stammered, nervously.

"Don't be shy now." Ayame crouched down, to his level. She placed her hand to his face. "Kloud. What happened with that female Amygdala?"

He was shaking, blushing slightly. "Ayame... I-I... I didn't know... I couldn't tell that she was one of them... I was idiotic, I shouldn't have stepped in."

"You saved her, from the 'Angel of Death'?" Ayame looked to him, suspiciously, as she got to her feet.

"I thought-" Kloud began, however he was interrupted.

"Grand Master Aoba is going to want to hear about this. Don't even think about trying to get out of whatever punishment he has in store for you. If you do, well, let's just say, the results won't be pretty. Get up." She scolded him, sternly.

Kloud immediately rose to his feet, and was back handed by the Templar Knightress. He stared to her, with shaken eyes.

"We're leaving. We already wasted too much time, and I'm sure the target has escaped." She said, climbing onto her dragon, with her Leashed.

"R-Right... my apologizes.... Ayame..." Kloud lowered his head, in shame.

The scene transitions to the man with the Spider tattoo, this 'Angel of Death'. He was out of breath, holding himself up, as he staggered to a nearby stone wall. Blood was dripping from his forehead, as he shakily breathed in pain. Around him was a snow covered village, but no one was out at this time. His sharp blue eyes weakly panned to the snowflakes falling from sky. He gritted his fangs, as he watched defensively. The sound of wings were heard, where he could barely make out Nye and Ashe soaring, from not too far off. He shuffled into a dank alleyway, observing them as they landed.

Nye's feet crunched in the snow, as her eyes peered around. Ashe was right behind her, crossing his arms. "So, you think that Dream Weaver's hiding here in Artiren?"

"Aye. I suspect so, being how it's one of the few villages here in the Demonica region." Nye replied.

"Shelter. I see." Ashe remarked.

The mysterious man kept his eyes on them, specifically focused on Nye. The two Amygdala began proceeding further into the village of Artiren.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?..." The man muttered, in irritation.

The Amygdala duo traveled through the village, for hours, but to no avail. They could not locate the wanted man. Ashe stopped behind Nye, as she halted under a lamppost. Moths were gathering at the light of it.

"Nye, I don't think he's here." Ashe pocketed his hands.

"Appears that way. Perhaps we should return to Knothole for now." Nye turned off. "No sense searching any further, if he's not here." She said, spreading her wings.

"Yeah, I'm sure you got other matters to worry about anyway." Ashe replied, also forming his wings.

The scene panned, transitioning to the floating isle of the Skyworld. It focused to the Inside part of the castle, that rested in the center of the massive rock formation. Ayame was guiding Kloud with her, through the passageways of the structure. Elliot kept close behind them, and remained silent.

"This will be your first time, meeting the Grand master in person, wouldn't it?" Ayame peers over to Kloud.

He nods timidly. "I-Indeed..."

"Word of caution, don't speak, unless addressed. You're already treading on fairly thin ice, after that last encounter." Ayame went on.

"Whatever you say... Ayame..." Kloud looked off, nervously.

They approached very large doors, where two Templar knights were positioned to either side. As the three approached, Elliot waited outside, while Ayame and Kloud were let through. The knights held the doors open, as the duo progressed inside the main hall. It was lit with candles, as they crossed the red carpet, up to the throne. Sitting in it, with his legs crossed, and one hand's fingers under his chin, was a very handsome man. He had light blue hair, with gleeful heterocromia eyes. He had on a a rather unusual crown, that resembled wings on the sides of his temples. His green armored coat also was decorated with fancy detailing, as well as crystals that were attached to the hip of his attire.

Sitting by his feet, was a female leashed with pink hair. She looked like a hybrid of sorts. Her long ears went back, as she stared, timidly to the approaching Rhyme. The man placed his hand to her head, smiling to them.

"Grand Master Aoba." Ayame greeted, taking a knee with a bow, and her right fist to her chest. Kloud did the same, but more nervously.

Aoba stared to them, with a whimsical smile on his face. "Greetings to both of you. To what may I ask, do I owe the pleasure?" He smiled, leaning to his hand, playfully.

Ayame stood to her feet, looking to the Grand master. "While pursuing the 'Angel of Death', we lost a lot more of our men. However, Kloud encountered a female Amygdala, in the process of chasing him down. It was the same one, that I previously informed you about."

"Oh? The one with the Leashed?" Aoba seemed intrigued.

"Correct, your grace." Ayame confirmed.

"How peculiar. Kloud, was it?" Aoba peered over, with a sly expression. "Do tell me how things played out. I quite enjoy tales of valor."

The ginger haired Rhyme stumbled a bit, nervously. "Well, uh... She was fighting that 'Angel of Death' fellow... I sorta stepped in, and defended her, not aware she was... well... an Amygdala. She had a sword to my neck, and made me run. She was almost as terrifying as that wanted man."

"How interesting, the more I hear of this woman, the more I want to meet her." Aoba seemed amused, rather than angry. His leashed peered up to him, in confusion. "It's fascinating really, how such a woman breaks so many rules, and yet gets away without a hitch. Don't you agree, Hitomi?"

Her eyes peered up to him, she had a gentle look to her. "Kyu." She nodded, shyly.

"You're not going to punish him, for fleeing a top priority criminal!? He could be a turn coat, working with them!" Ayame gasped, in astonishment. Her tone sounded irritated.

"You misunderstand, Knight of the Wind. He's not off the hook so easily, now are you, Kloud?" Aoba turned his soft grin to Kloud, who gulped. "I shall give you one chance to prove you are with us, and worthy of the title of 'Templar'. I am a most benevolent ruler, after all."

"W-What would you have me do, Grand Master...?" Kloud inquired, softly.

"I want you to locate this female Amygdala, and bring her to me. Do not take 'no' for an answer. Understand?" Aoba insisted.

"Whatever you desire, your grace." Kloud bowed his head. He was sweating nervously.

"That a boy. Don't keep me waiting now. Hee hee." The Grand Master smiled, stroking the head of Hitomi.

The scene transitioned to the city of Belmont, Nye was perched on top of the highest structure's edge; the clock tower. She was once again jotting down details, with a quill, into her notebook. She seemed to have sketches on the pages, with the notes she was making. This particular entry was on Dream Weavers, with a drawing of the man with the spider tattoo beside it. Her hood was over her head, as she stroked the quill along the pages.

Behind her, brown boots landed to the surface of the clock tower. White feathers fluttered from the impact of the person landing. Nye kept her back turned, but her eyes trailed to the side, boredly. Approaching from her rear, was Kloud, his angel wings still exposed, with the rising sun behind him.

"I'm not sure how you found me. However, events have led you here. If I were you, I wouldn't be so quick to temp fate as such, pretentious little Templar." Nye stated, with a sardonic tone.

"S-Shut up... I'm not here for trouble." He spoke softly as he looked off, nervously. Kloud's movement ceased, as he stared to her, with an unnerved expression. "... Forgive the intrusion, but... the Grand master beckons to meet with you..."

"How many times must I reiterate? I'm not interested in anything you Templar have to offer. Don't test me, or I'll you'll find out just how sharp my wraith-edge truly is." Nye growled, as she shifted to close her notebook.

"If you refuse, I've been asked to take you by force." Kloud pulled to his swords. "If you don't cooperate, you know where that leaves you. Wanted, dead or alive. Make it easier on yourself."

Nye stood to her feet, her back still turned to him. Her head shifted slightly, peering over her shoulder with a bored expression. "You Templar assemble the masses, to oppress those who have little to no freedoms, and force us into seclusion. Now why would you suppose that is? Whose really the one that's spineless? Your faint hearted forces embark against a single Amygdala in packs. Where's the valor in that?"

Kloud was shaking, as he tightened his grip. He seemed rather fearful, sweat dripping down his face. Without warning, Kloud rushes at Nye, his swords in tow. Nye formed her Wraith-edge, as she turned her body to face the the Rhyme. Taking her chain, she lassoed it around his ankle. Kloud stumbled as he almost reached Nye, however, he was flung away. Skidding across the roof, his boots picked up dust; coming to a halt. Their eyes met, exchanging sharp glares.

"You're not like other Amygdala, are you?" Kloud gritted his teeth.

"You don't even know the half of it." Nye smirked slightly.

Both instantly spread their wings, diving to the center of the roof. Their blades clashed, however Kloud pushed Nye back with his duel sabers, and struck at her.He slashed vertically, cutting her slightly across the left left side of her chest. Nye's eyes peered to it, in irritation, before they return to Kloud. He staggered his feet, taking another battle stance. He came at Nye, swinging, left, right, left, right, but each strike, she evaded. Her feet slowly reaching to the ledge of the of tower. Another strike came, carving into her left shoulder, through torn cloth.

As Nye reached for the infliction, however, Kloud thrusted his boot into her abdomen; knocking her clear off the roof. Her sword vanished in the shock of it. Nye was falling, her eyes focused on the watching Rhyme, who standing at the edge of the tower. She quickly kicked off the wall, flying higher into the air. Kloud dove off, flying after her like a missile.

Nye spun around; forming her sword once more. Like a jet stream, she flew passed Kloud. A purple haze; shaped like skeletons, plowed into him, as her blade struck. He took the beating, gritting his teeth once again. As Nye's attack ceased, and she had her back turned; Kloud rushed her again. This time his blades cross slashed in her direction. Before the attack could connect; Nye swung around, and kicked both swords from his grasp. The blades fell to the ground, far below them. That didn't stop him though, Kloud flew at her once again. Nye side maneuvered, from his path, smashing the back of her wing into him.

Kloud was struck by the impact, quickly dropping to the surface; as his eyes closed. Nye hovered there, watching the man crash into a nearby bale of hay. It wasn't too far off from the swords that hit the ground. She continued to float there, wincing as she grabbed her shoulder, that was wounded. "Blighted Templar." She muttered weakly, before quickly flying off to a nearby entrance, towards the under city of Wynorex. She left Kloud to lay there, wounds perhaps festering.