18 The Way of the Amygdala

Within Finch's chamber, Miles sat with the plague doctor as his table. There was a kettle brewing on a magic rock in the center of the table, from the fire of Finch's aura. The feline seemed slightly uneasy about the discussion. Finch on the other hand appeared intrigued. "I see. So she rejected you. It's not surprising really, with how diverse our lifespans are. The courting behaviors are so diverse between our species, it's truly fascinating." Finch remarked, purely interested in the learning experience.

"Age is just a number, so who cares if she's outlives me? Besides... What else am I missing? I just don't get it." Miles pouted, in a grumpy manner. "Am I not her type or something?"

"I don't believe you understand how complicated it is for an Amygdala to live nearly two hundred years after a Leashed has already expired... Even so, as the Queen had said, Amygdala like her and I, do not mate the same way as a leashed would. It runs much deeper than that, I'm afraid. Our kind are a very complex species." Finch replied with a shrug, pouring a cup of tea. "Tea?"

Miles shook his head. "Pass... Could you help me out then, Finch? I want to understand, maybe find a way to work things out. Ya'know?" Miles inquired, with furrowed brows.

Finch took a sip from his tea cup. "If it pleases you. Hmm, oh where to begin?" He pondered briefly.

"I want to know these things she said I wouldn't understand." Miles admitted.

"Ah, yes. I do have to warn you, it is quite a lot of knowledge to take in." Finch chuckled.

"I'll endure it." The feline nodded.

Finch set down his tea cup, entwining his fingers. "As I'm sure you're aware, our kind were forced into a state of isolation. We're physically forbidden from having many freedoms that those others take for granted, like friendship, relationships, even family. As you can already tell, many of us break these rules in secret. However, if the Templar were to discover, it wouldn't bode so well. I'm unsure where our power laid before the great war, but I know for certain our aptitude does not lie in strength, or bravery."

"What do you mean?" Miles asked.

"There are power in number to be sure, though in truth an Amygdala's greatest strength is our wisdom, and the Rhyme fear that. We know things that they can't even begin to fathom... However, the templar also are aware of our greatest weakness. The result of keeping us apart, plays into their favor." Finch went on.

"Weakness?" Miles seemed more interested in the topic, leaning forward slightly.

"Indeed. You see, Amygdala, full blood or otherwise, have very vulnerable hearts. In turn, heartbreak can result in our death." Finch explained.

"..." Miles seemed shocked.

Finch sighed, leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Parents being taken from their children, friends forcefully torn apart, even rejection or loss of someone you have come to love. The heart is a weak thing, and it can physically kill us. As this entails, our kind only take a significant other when we cannot bare to part with them. Most of us never let ourselves love another, cause we're afraid those emotions would kill us. The ones who do, only ever choose one, a life partner, much like that of hawks or wolves. They would fight for their love, and even be willing to die for them. The sad fact of it all is, if one dies, so does another. It's much like love birds, but that's life." Finch stated, in a very cynical manner.

"Love can kill?... That's so messed up." Miles held his head, his eyes trembling. "(No wonder Nye was so pissed off... I had no idea it was like that.)"

"I know, but there is little we can do. Perhaps if we are to achieve freedom, it will be less harsh." Finch took another sip of his tea. "We are easily susceptible to strong emotions, and it can act as a double-edged sword."

Miles took a breath, looking to Finch. "What else should I know, so I don't step out of line again."

Finch glanced Miles's way. "Well, if you want add to things you may not be aware of... It might be hard for an allosexual race to grasp. Amygdala often choose mates by their aura. Each of us have a unique one, and it an tell a lot about another Amygdala... though I suspect other things could fall into play as well for crossbreeding. I've never experienced the phenomenon of 'love', so I don't fully understand it myself."

"What about sex? Nye said it worked differently for Amygdala." Miles rest his chin to his arms on the table.

Finch seemed intrigued by Miles' curiosity, and went to grab his journal, and sat it on the table. "I do know that when it comes to the mating courtship, that it is only done for reproduction. In the manner of 'sex' that you are referring to, only male Amygdala are able to." He explained, opening the book to a page where there was illustrations depicting what Amygdala looked like unclothed, and motioned first to the male, before having Miles turn his attention to the female anatomy; with notes written along the images." However, females lack the proper means to carry a child in the way that other species do. Instead, offspring are conceived by mental means. The pressing of foreheads, if you would, and a mother's aura creates a cocoon of sorts. Due to Templar's rules, these 'brain babies' are left to develop and hatch on it's own and thus forth raise themselves. It's unfortunate, but only perhaps thirty percent of offspring make it to adulthood. It's survival of the fittest out there." Finch explained further.

"Man... that sounds grim..." Miles muttered, with his ears back in pity.

"It is what it is, but that's how Maker has let us evolve. Even so, when it comes to breeding, a female Amygdala can mate with either gender and other species, since the child would be born the same way as any Amygdala would. Males however, cannot mate with other males to reproduce. They still can successfully breed with other species in the manner you can, even though we take no pleasure it in." Finch stated.

"How did you learn all of this?" Miles asked.

"I'm an Amygdala, learning comes naturally to me. Even so, knowledge is passed around from one to another very easily." Finch admitted, pouring another cup of tea. "Are you quite satisfied now? Or do you have other inquires?"

Miles shook his head, "No, I think I heard enough. Thanks for filling me in. Man though, I really should apologize to Nye."

"I'm sure she understands, with you being another species. You didn't understand our way of life, but now you do." Finch replied, sipping the tea.

"Yeah, well guess I'll go wait for her to come back. Thanks again for the info." Miles got to his feet.

"Of course. Oh, and Miles." Finch glanced over, catching the cat's eye peering back. "Do keep an eye on that Dream weaver if you see him around the Queen. I do not trust him, nor do I like Nyghtmare's choice on recruiting his aid."

"Same here, so will do." Miles nodded, heading out of the doctor's chambers.

The scene panned to the sleeping chambers upstairs, where Zyron was placed in one of the round shaped beds, that had animal skin covering it like a blanket of fur. Solitaire was sitting beside him, looking over the sleeping canine. Ashewyn was still present as well, leaning against the nearby wooden pillar of the room, with his hands in his pockets.

"I've been wondering something, Smokey." Solitaire glanced back to Ashe.

"(Smokey?)" He sweated a bit, seeming a bit uneasy. "Uh, yeah, what's up?"

"How does Finch know that Zyron's gonna be alright? The poor bloke doesn't seem like he's improved much..." Solitaire inquired, extending her hand to touch Zyron's floppy ears. "I couldn't even tell that he was this far gone back in Possebiggo."

Ashe shrugged, closing his eyes. "Cause he didn't see the visions of rain."

"I'm afraid that I don't understand." Solitaire shifted, turning more to Ashe's direction.

"It's a phenomenon that only Amygdala can see. The best way I can describe it is, your surroundings become misty in a way, and there appears to be rainfall manifesting around you. Though you can't smell the petrichor, or feel the cold droplets, the rain still appears to be there. We've come to refer to it as having 'visions of rain'. Witnessing this symbolizes an impending death nearby. When someone is in the process of dying, or their body failing. It's our little known secret, that Amygdala can sense when someone close by is nearing their end." Ashe explained.

"Blimey... That must be so horrible... How do you live with knowing that?" Solitaire furrowed her brows.

"Eh, you get used to it after a while. So don't worry, kay? Finch and I both are close enough to make sure your Leashed Vulpis won't die. The doc's pretty reliable with his methods though, with how passionate he is with his work. If he says the dog will be okay, than he will. He knows his shit." Ashe cleaned out his ear, with his pinkie.

"That puts my mind more at ease. Really.... But you called him a 'Vulpis'? I thought his species, only were called leashed." Solitaire smiled.

Ashe smiled back. "All Leashed have other names, it's like classifying them as one breed to make it easier. You can blame the Templar for that."

"That's cruel in a way... Almost like a racial slur... So if the canine are Vulpis, then what are the other ones called?" Solitaire inquired.

"Well, I guess. I know they don't like being called that generally unless they don't know any better. Of the ones I'm familiar with, I know there are the Vuplis, the Lugooz and the Shin. Lugooz being the feline, like Miles, and the Shin being rodents." Ashe admitted.

"I'll try to keep that in mind, so I don't offend them. Those Templar seem like terrible blokes." Solitaire shrugged.

"That's why Nye's leading this uprising against them. Any who. Go ahead and get some rest, both the doc and I are on watch duty. I'm sure you're tired." Ashewyn chuckled.

"Well, alright. I'm gonna have to pay you back one of these days." Solitaire winked to him, before exiting the room.

Ashe scratched his head, with a sigh. "She seems nice, but man that is one strange chick."

Elsewhere, around a vast field of grass and trees, Nye was standing on a large hill, overlooking the landscape. She seemed to be lost in thought at the moment. Nikolai was floating not far behind her, glancing to the soon to be setting sun.

"Mistress. Is there something you require of me? You seem out of sorts, mi'lady." Nikolai floated behind Nye, coiling around her to peer up.

Nye had a solemn expression, staring off as far as the eye can see. "Sorry Nikolai, but I just don't feel like talking about it."

"Then shall I give you some space, my Queen? Perhaps go and find you some beautiful flowers that suit you?" Nikolai had wrapped around to the other side of her, still gazing up at Nye with that cute little skull face of his.

Nye shook her head. "There's no need, but thanks for the gesture, my friend." She kept her gaze ahead, still appearing very stoic.

"Of course milady. Is there something else I can be of assistance with?" Nikolai bowed, but Nye didn't reply, causing Nikolai to look up again. "Perhaps a moment to be alone is what you desire, mistress. If you require my aid, I will be close by." He said, before poofing into a dark shady smoke.

Nye glanced back to where he had been, before setting her eyes to the scenery once more. "I swear, that feline has some nerve." She muttered to herself, in an agitated manner.

unbeknownst to Nye, something dropped out of the sky, and landed roughly right behind where she was standing. This forced a gust to pick up, however there was no immediate room for Nye to react, before the person had one arm wrapped around Nye's collarbone to her shoulder, and the other holding a sword blade to her neck. Nye was taken by surprise, and could barely move to peer behind her.

White angelic wings were about the only thing she could see. "Finally found you. This time you won't be able to disappear like before. The Grand master has been expecting you." The voice that spoke to her, was none other than the auburn haired templar, Kloud.

"I'm really not in the mood to deal with you, or your Grand master right now, templar." Nye growled, quickly gripping to the blade of his sword, to pull it away from her neck. Without hesitation, or room for him to react, she slammed her elbow back hard, into his chest. This knocked Kloud back to the ground, however in that same instance, the edge of his blade dug into her palm. It carved a deep cut into Nye's hand, forcing blood to fly out from the recoil.

Nye flinched as she jumped to a distance, gripping to her bleeding palm. However, between the time it took to glance back up from her hand, Kloud was already charging her way with both his blades drawn. He immediately came at her swinging hard. It almost mirrored their previous battle, Kloud slashed his blades, one after another continuously whilst on the attack. Nye could do little more than jump back with each strike, and side stepping as he jabbed one of the blades forward. The lack of ferocity in his attacks was showing, with every attempted blow.

"Just stand still! Stop eluding me, woman!" Kloud pleaded in a pouty manner, missing by a strand of hair.

Nye only held scornful eyes, as she dodged each strike. With her hand like that, it would be hard to fight, but her wings were recovering, so she wouldn't be able to fly at this point. Too many thoughts rushed through her head, as the Queen of fiends was left on the complete defensive. Kloud's strikes didn't subside, as he kept thrusting his blade at Nye, until he finally cornered her. Nye's back had collided with a tree, but before she could move, Kloud pieced the trunk on both sides of her throat, in an 'X' position. Nye felt some blood drip down the side of her neck, where she was barely grazed by the metal of his blade.

"End of the line, lady. Going to come quietly, or do you plan to keep this convoluted?" Kloud tried to put on a brave face.

Nye's piercing green eyes may have seemed surprised, but it was clear she wasn't happy about this. Kloud kept his hands to the hilts of his blades, however his mind started to be obstructed with thoughts. He had an uneasy gaze, as what seemed to be Nye somehow draw close to him, with her hands were gently placed to his chest. He blushed nervously as her lips were only inches away from his now. Her eyes were closed, with a seemingly mischievous smirk.

"Umm, uh... W-What are you d-d-doing?!" He blushed frantically, his heart was beating out of his chest.

"Was I playing too hard to get, Kloud? How about we just forget about Aoba? I know you want me, handsome." Nye's voice spoke, nearly kissing him at this point.

Kloud clenched his eyes tightly closed, blushing profusely. "S-Stop trying to seduce me! I-I admit it! You're very attractive! B-B-B-But-but! There's-There's someone I'm already in love with!" He exclaimed, his heart pounding a million miles an hour.

Nye was still pinned by the blades, that Kloud still held in place. It would appear Kloud had been day dreaming once again. Nye raised a brow, before she quickly took advantage of the opening, slamming the bottom of her boot into his abdomen. Kloud flew backwards, pulling the blades out of the tree along with him, and crashed into the ground.

Nye stood there, blood still dripping from her hand. "I think you have the wrong idea... you're the one pursuing me..." She scoffed, summoning her wraith-edge.

Kloud was stumbling to his feet, right as Nye dove his way with her blade. She wasn't as fast as she usually was, due to not using her wings. Nye prepared a large swing, but before it could connect with Kloud, something deflected it's path. Nye was a bit taken off guard, noticing the towering wolf man looking down at her, his claws holding her blade.

"Hey sorry I'm late, Stormy. I do have to say though, this woman you're tracking for Aoba, is a babe." Flint chuckled.

"Thanks, for stepping in... she's proving to be a handful once again." Kloud grumbled.

"You just don't know how to treat a female." Flint jested.

"And a Lupis would?" Nye spoke sarcastically as she was coldly looking to the wolf.

"Ooooh, she's a snarky one, Ain't she?" Flint smirked. "I like a rose with thorns, better in the sack."

"You can try to camouflage your vulgarity all you like, but you're pursuing misguided line of thought. Take your mangy hands off my sword, before I make you." Nye retorted, in agitation.

"But your lips look so lonely, would they like to meet mine?" Flint tried to charm her.

"Another doltish templar." Nye rolled her eyes, prying her sword from his grasp.

"I don't wish to fight you, sweetheart." Flint said drawing closer, which made Nye step back. "Oh, you're bleeding. Here, let me see."

"Flint!" Kloud called out, but before Flint could react, he had a scythe angled at his face.

Nikolai was now between Flint and Nye, ready to protect her. "Mi'lady, tell me these Templar haven't harmed you." Nikolai spoke up.

"Just a wound to my hand, but I should be alright." Nye replied, a bit unnerved.

"Such uncouth barbarians!" Nikolai exclaimed, in annoyance.

Kloud was shakily pointing in Nye's direction, the look of terror on his face."S-She spoke with the fiend!"

Flint took a few steps back from the scythe, as he too seemed shaken. "If she can speak with the lesser fiends then... She's...."

"(They know.)" Nye thought, her eyes growing fearful.

"N-No wonder the Grand master wants her..." Kloud was trembling slightly, griping to his duel swords.

Flint suddenly let out a bellowing howl, that formed magic before him, creating a battle axe. He gripped it in his paw, leering over to Nikolai and Nye. "It is our duty as Templar, to see her imprisoned!" He shouted, rushing her way with his weapon.

"Mistress, stay behind me!" Nikolai instructed, flying to counterattack Flint pursuit.

The scythe and battleaxe collide in mere seconds, the metal grinding against the other weapon. Flint responded with a blunt shove of his axe. Nikolai was knocked back briefly, but attempted another blow. However, Flint was quicker, grabbing the small reaper by his head with his massive paws. Nikolai was quickly thrusted away, crashing into the ground, as he tumbled in the grass. He appeared to have claw marks from the action, but he was knocked unconscious in the process.

"Nikolai!" Nye called out, in panic.

Her eyes took notice of the two templar rushing her way now, she was forced to grip her blade, and charge back their way. It was clear she was struggling from her injury, but she had no other option. It was flight or fight, and she couldn't abandon her friend. Kloud drew close, with both blades coming her way. Nye shakily ducked from the commencing blow, and fumbled to slash Kloud first. He was knocked back enough for his feet to slide from the collision, but Nye failed to inflict any damage.

Her eyes hastefully shifted to the wolf, in near panic. Flint was closing in, which forced Nye to take hold of her sword's chain, and thrust it towards the Lupis. It caused pain to take hold in her hand, making the Queen flinch from the maneuver. With luck, it hit along his face, making him wince, as he retracted back briefly. Nye went for another slash, but to Nye's utter surprise, Flint caught it in his hand.

The wolf didn't look too thrilled, as he squinted at her through one eye. "I really don't like hurting woman; but for you, I'll make an acceptation!" Flint snarled, beginning to swing the chain around in the air above his head, with Nye still hanging on.

Nye struggled to keep her grip on her wraith-edge, but with her hand wounded, it was proving difficult. The chain swung round and around, before Flint released his grasp. This left Nye's body flying through the air, from the rush of the acceleration. She had no way to cease the speed of her descent, with her wings in the shape they were in. Nye held her eyes pinched shut, as she braced for impact, expecting to crash into the ground shortly.

Then she felt her back slam into something, feeling herself move with it during the collision. Her eyes shakily opened, surprised that she wasn't harmed further. From her line of sight, she could see two long track marks leading away from her position, that extended from the impact location. It damaged the grass to the point you could see the dirt below the surface.

The next thing she noticed was the look on both of the Templar's faces. They seemed terrified, which prompted Nye to glance up. It came to her surprise, that she was caught during the skirmish. Arms were wrapped around, from behind, with her feet barley touching the ground. With all of this, she didn't even notice that someone saved her, and of all the people; it was the Angel of Death who came to her aid. Jack was fiercely gazing across the battlefield, his piercing eyes focused solely on the templar. His feet had never even left the ground, upon the moment he caught Nye.

"Jack?.. You rescued me?" Nye spoke softly, still hurting from the injury. "(Did he follow the scent of my blood?)" She pondered, with furrowed brows.

"Hmph. Just because I didn't take an oath of fealty, shouldn't imply I didn't mean what I said. I fight for you now, and I'm done running." Jack retorted, he placed his hand to Nye's shoulder to gently push her from his position.

"I-It's him! The Angel of Death..." Kloud was trembling.

"Then the rumors must be true, someone has been helping him, and I think I know who." Flint scoffed, leering to Nye, as he tried to camouflage his fear. "If we wrangle up these two, there's no way Aoba will take away your knighthood. He may even promote us."

Jack let Nye carefully stumble to her knees, before he withdrew two of his daggers. "You think you have it all figured out, don't you?" Jack glared boredly over to them.

Flint placed his axe to his shoulder, with a cocky expression. "I sense the tides turning. What more do I need to say?" Flint chuckled, rushing at Jack, with great speed.

Kloud looked uneasy, but was soon right behind him after sucking it up. Flint had both hands to his battle axe, and Kloud soaring with both swords at ready. Without hesitation, Jack lunged after them, weaving from Kloud's slashes, and leaping above Flint. His feet forcefully drop stomped, right as he landed on the wolf's back; bashing him to the ground. Unbeknownst to either templar, he had cut them both, the blood only breaking from the minor exit wounds, in that instant Flint crashed to the ground.

"Urgh..." Flint grunted, trying to push off the ground, as Jack stood there, peering over at Kloud with his vengeful eyes.

Kloud touched the side of his face, looking to the blood on his hands. He was trembling, but scornful eyes beamed back at Jack. Kloud flew at the Angel of death, X-slashing with his duel swords, but Jack countered the blows. He coldly sneered to the Templar, but was bucked off from the wolf below his heels.

Jack tumbled to the ground, rolling briefly in the dirt. The wolf man had already rose to his feet, dusting himself off. He then glanced to Kloud. "Grab the woman. I'll deal with this guy." He instructed.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Kloud nodded, making way for Nye in a steadfast manner.

Nye could only see Jack laying on the ground. She formed her sword, using it to help prop her up to her feet. Squinting faintly, her gaze however turned to Kloud as he neared her. "...." She seemed uneasy with how weak she was in this moment.

Flint was already at Jack's heels, raising his axe skyward. "Time to pay for your crimes, Amygdala! You're sentenced to death!" Flint shouted, hammering this weapon down.

Jack quickly rolled out of the line of fire, thrusting one of his blades through the air at Flint. It lodged into the wolf's shoulder, making him lash out in pain with a canine-like yelp; before he crashed to his hands and knees. Kloud hesitated, looking back, just as Flint was raising his head, to peer through the bangs in his face.

Jack stood there, his hands to his sides, and a shadowed over face with nothing but a eerie grin to show. He slowly raised his hands with open palms, and in that same instant, the surrounding splatters of blood took skeletal form. It was like an infantry of blood skeletons rising from the after life, and surrounding them. Some held bow and arrows, while other carried melee weapons like swords.

Jack took one step, and his body bursted into an aura of darkness, rushing at lightning speed in Kloud's direction, and with that, Jack reemerged right in the auburn haired boy's face. He could only see Jack's creepy grin, as a puddle of blood shot into the air way behind him, taking the forming of a massive bloody octopus tentacle. It flailed around wildly, before it grabbed around Flint's neck, forcing the wolf to gag.

"Flint!..." Kloud dropped to his knees. "I beg you, don't hurt my friend." He pleaded.

Jack got closer, using his knife to lift Kloud's chin to making the Rhyme look at him. "So you want me to kill you instead?"

"Please, have mercy. We're only doing as the grand master commands us." Kloud tried to explain, with a shaking tone to his voice.

"Do you really think I give a damn?" Jack scoffed.

"Kloud, don't make deals with a devil!" Flint urged his friend. "If we retreat, then we could lose more than this battle!"

"I know that!" Kloud lashed back. He then timidly looked to Jack. "It's in both parties best interest if we leave this at a draw. Live and let live. I beg you."

"..." Jack kept his cold gaze poised on the boy.

"If either of them try anything, you do have them surrounded." Nye spoke up, releasing the wraith-edge, after stabilizing her footing.

"Indeed, the woman is right." Kloud sweated uneasily.

Jack huffed, before begrudgingly withdrawing his blade. The tentacle also released Flint shortly after. "Get out of here, before I change my mind." He stated.

Kloud looked a bit frantic, as he rushed over to Flint. Flint looked pissed, but Kloud managed to get him to leave quietly. Nye watched as the two rushed from the area. Jack waited until they disappeared into the distance, before releasing his magic hold on the blood.

"I hope you know what you're doing. That was careless." Jack said, turning to Nye.

"Actions speak louder than words. Showing mercy can sometimes prove more impactful than senseless killing." Nye stated.

Jack gripped her wrist, lifting it to examine the injury on her palm with a disapproving stare. He took out a cloth and tied it around the wound, before letting her wrist go. "How did they manage that?" He grunted.

"I pried a sword from my neck. I didn't have any other option in that moment." Nye replied, before walking over to Nikolai who still laid on the ground. Nye crouched down, picking up the reaper into her arms like an stuffed animal. "Even Nikolai took a heavy blow. I don't know what we would have done if you haven't shown up."

"Why were you out here anyway? You had just gotten back to Wynorex." Jack crossed his arms.

"A certain Lugooz did something daft, so I needed to get some air." Nye explained.

Jack rolled his eyes in aggravation, before looking off in the direction of the setting sun. "... " He sighed a bit, before walking off briefly. "Well come on, I'm sure you need to head back, even if the cat was being doltish. That fiend looks worse than your hand does."

Nye smiled to him, following after the Angel of Death without hesitation.