23 Conscripting Holy Knights

Far above the Oceanside lands, and hidden above the clouds, was the kingdom of Skyworld. The floating rock isle, with an entire kingdom built on top of it. The sunlit sky shined onto the kingdom, where many people, Rhyme and their allied species; were gathered at the Castle's bailey. They were all speaking amongst themselves, eagerly awaiting for something to happen.

A male red haired elf was standing with a dark haired man, who appeared to be a samurai. They seemed to be friends, despite the elf having a leashed with him. The leashed was peering around the crowds, from his position. The three of them appeared to be the same blokes that Jackyn had seen at the pub in Belmont, several months prior. The samurai glanced over to the elf however.

"Oy, Jayson. Lookin' forward to all the riches, mate?" The samurai chuckled.

"Obviously, why else would we be here?" Jayson, the elf, held his hands up with a shrug.

"True that!" The samurai grinned, before looking to the feline beside Jayson. "...Your leashed doesn't seem too thrilled." His expression become more serious.

"Ronan, tell Enoch you're not some pussy." Jayson groaned.

The feline leashed kept close to Jayson, but turned to Enoch. "I do as the master orders. I am happy, if he is happy."

"See. He's a good leashed, very loyal." Jayson replied with a cocky tone, as he pat Ronan on the head.

"Out of my way, amateurs!" a sharp female tone was heard, as the bounty hunter, Trigger, appeared from the crowds. She shoved right through Jayson and Enoch, making her way closer to the front of the swarm of people.

"What the hell is that bitch's deal!?" Jayson snapped, growing angry.

"That's Trigger Wyshak, the renowned bounty hunter. Don't tell me you don't know of her?" Enoch quirked a brow over at his friend.

"Wait! No way, that's her!?" Jayson appeared surprised, trying to get a better look, before she vanished into the crowd. "She makes blokes like us, look like newbies."

"I heard that Trig had a bad run in with that wanted Amygdala a few months back. Honestly, It's no surprise that she's here." Enoch crossed his arms, looking to the swarm of people ahead of them.

"Pfft, why do you say that?" Jayson scoffed. "That chick is a one bitch army."

"That wanted man got the best of her, and the Templar saved her life. It goes without saying, that she may want to conscript." Enoch explained.

"You're kidding." Jayson was even more astonished, his leashed peering over at him, with his ears back.

Emerging from the large balcony of the castle above them, stepped forth the Grand Master. Aoba looked to his subjects, as he kept a royal demeanor. "This has turned into quite the gathering." He spoke up with a whimsical grin poised on his lips. Everyone immediately silenced, their eyes and ears focused on the Grand master. "Now that I have your undivided attention, we can get down to business." Aoba used his hand to gently shift the hair from his face. "Many of you have had your eyes set on that wanted Amygdala, known as the Angel of Death. However, it has been brought to my attention that another is more of a threat to the Templar Order." He continued.

The crowd was drawn in by the Leader of the Rhyme, listening intensely. Below the bailing, was two of the higher ranked Templar, Flint and Phish, who were guarding the entrance of the castle. They held in their deep concern for the situation.

"I'm sure you're all aware of the stories my grandfather spoke of. The entire reason we keep them in solitude..." Aoba paused for a moment, before continuing. "On our hands, may just be the next Amygdala uprising. Be that as it may, the Angel of Death appears to be working along side the one I speak of. The Queen of Fiends has appeared, and some of my forces engaged her in combat."

The onlookers of the crowd seemed astonished, some even gasping in shock. The more serious warriors however, kept a serious demeanor.

"If we don't act soon there may be a war on our hands. So due to these events, we'll need all the forces we can muster. Those of you who wish to join the Templar Order, enter the castle keep below. This is your chance to conscript to the ways of the Holy Knights. Just bare in mind that I want the Queen captured, alive. Good luck now." Aoba smiled, before proceeding back through the path he came.

Below the bailey, two templar soldiers from inside opened the gates. Flint and Phish invited in the crowd who desired to draft into the Templar army. As the entrance hall filled up, the gates closed behind them, with the two Lupis following them inside. Awaiting the recruits from the opposite corridor, was Ayame and Eclipse.

"Thank you for joining us, new recruits. I am Knight of the Wind, Ayame Shizuko, and the elf beside me is Spymaster Eclipse Lunar. The two Lupis behind you are Flint Wulfric and Phish Tigerpaws. Allow me to explain how the initiation into the templar will follow." Ayame introduced her allies, pausing to look to the people overlooking her. "My fellow knights and I will be placing you all through trials to determine your strengths and weaknesses. From there it will be decided your placement in our ranks. Most of you will no doubt become foot soldiers, but then a lucky few may be qualified enough to become higher ranked officers, like the ones of us who will be deciding your fate today." Ayame turned from them, walking down the left corridor. "The training barracks is just out this way. Please do keep close, and follow me." She said, leading the way.

The crowd followed Ayame and Eclipse through the hallway to an outside training area of the castle. There was wooden targets around with arrows piercing the boards, as well as straw dummies, and a wall holding a hanging weapon armory. It seemed like the perfect area for knights to spar with others, and hone their skills for combat. The gates closed behind them, as the four templar generals stood before the recruits.

"We will be dividing you upon race. We don't want to expect a fish to climb a tree, as well as a cat, now do we? This way everything will be judged fairly. Understand?" Eclipse spoke up. "Also, those of you with leashed, will be trained to coordinate with your animal companion."

Watching from one of the balconies above, Elliot was observing the trial period. He seemed prepared to protect Ayame, in case something went amiss. He saw the templar dividing the recruits, and confirming their species. Jayson was placed with the other elves, and his leashed, Ronan, set aside with the other pets for the time being. Enoch was sent to the human group, which just so happened to be the same one that Trigger was placed in.

"Seems we'll be competing against each other, Trigger." Enoch turned to her.

"Don't get cocky rookie, I've taken down beasts I doubt you've ever even heard of. So don't act friendly with me. I'm out of your league." Trigger scoffed at him.

Other races were placed together, like the centaur, other Lupis, Terra, and the Rhyme. They all were being checked to ensure no Amygdala or Fiends were present, and that no race lied about their birthright.

Flint came up to Ayame, informing her of something, which caused her to look to a lone brunette haired man, who wore a red cloak. She had a serious look on her face as she approached him. "Identify your species, recruit. Flint has just informed me that he doesn't know what you are." She stated, sternly. "A Lupis can detect any species just by their scent alone. What are you?"

The other recruits all peered over to the commotion, wondering what was going on.

"I'm not an Amygdala, so why does it matter?" The man retorted, seriously.

"If you do not comply, then you'll be taken in for questioning." Ayame insisted, with a cold tone, as she grabbed his shoulder.

The man pulled out a voulge from beneath his cloak. "Don't force my hand, I am not your enemy." He stared, on the defensive.

Ayame withdrew a small axe from her back utility belt, keeping her eyes sharply placed on the man. "Your actions say otherwise." She retorted, slashing down at the suspicious man immediately. The crowd was getting stirred and riled up as conflict rose in the training area. Ayame's axe had collided with the man's voulge, as he tried to avoid her incoming blow. "Answer me!" Ayame demanded. "You work for the Queen of Fiends, don't you!?"

The man didn't respond, as he used his voulge to knock her back to a distance. As Ayame's back hit the ground, Elliot leapt down from above, picking up dust as his feet hit the ground right in front of the suspicious man in red. His sword was drawn, as he slashed back at the unknown man. This caused the man to sway backwards, to avoid the blade connecting, however in doing so the man stumbled into the wall behind him. He was cornered now, as Elliot held his sword across the man's throat.

"Everyone remain calm. I believe the situation has been handled." Eclipse spoke up, as she approached the conflict. She looked to Ayame, who was sitting up and holding her head. "Is your head alright?"

Ayame nodded, as Eclipse helped her to her feet. "I'll be fine."

"Perhaps you should go have it looked at, it could be a concussion. I'm sure the rest of us can handle things from here." Eclipse insisted.

"Very well, I'll send Kloud Vespire to take my place." Ayame agreed.

"I don't think that will be necessary. Just get some rest for now." Eclipse replied, walking over to the suspicious man, that Elliot cornered; as Ayame took her leave. "We'll have this one escorted to the prison block for now. Elliot, if you don't mind?"

Elliot grunted, getting a hold on the man, so that his hands could be bound. Some lower grunts came in, taking the man away, with Elliot keeping to their rear as they left. Eclipse turned back the others. "Let us begin your trials now, shall we?"

The training period began, as each of the recruits showed their skills to the superior officers. They practiced melee fighting, dexterity, mount control, and agility. Some like Trigger, were excellent marksmen, while others, such as Enoch and Jayson, had better melee skills, and even a few could perform magic. Flint seemed to be keeping his attention mostly on Trigger, impressed by her skills, while the other generals didn't seem too impressed by many of the others. However, nightfall was drawing near.

Within one of the Barrack's sleeping chambers, two of the Spymaster's dragon sat inside. Talis was rebandaging up Gaigas' collarbone, from where Shane had stabbed him. He grunted in irritation, from the pain.

"Please sit still, Gaigas. You need to let me finish changing your bandage... That human wounded you more than you think he did." Talis tried to force the male dragon to hold still.

"I said, I'M FINE!" Gaigas snapped back, shifting from her grasp.

Talis lowered her head. "You need to be more careful... It's hard enough without Nobou around anymore."

Gaigas had been flaring his teeth, but eased up, with a grunt-like scoff. "Tzz... You act like they killed your little brother, he was banished. Get over it."

"The point is, I don't want to lose you, Guy. Stop being such a jerk to me!" Talis sulked.

Gaigas grumbled, as he rolled his eyes. He forced her closer, as one arm wrapped around her. Talis' tears ran onto his fresh bandages. "Knock it off already. It's harder to kill me, than that... Sheesh. You must REALLY want me up inside you." He briefly chuckled, at the nasty remark, as he reached his hand into her top, to feel up her breast.

Talis blushed, as she tried to pull away from him. "S-Stop it..!" She pleaded, nervously.

"Come on now, don't be shy. You know you want this, I can smell it." Gaigas grabbed her by the shoulder, as he leaned in to bite at her neck, before licking down her chest. Talis froze, her face flustered, as the male dragon pulled her top down to place his mouth on her breasts, nipping at them. His hand reached for a lower region, but he didn't cease his perversion.

"Ooh..." Talis groaned, no longer struggling, as she was forced to lay down, as Gaigas shifted his trousers, and proceeded to mount the female dragon, without hesitation. As he forced himself on her, she could do nothing but submit, and accept her fate. She was scared, but there was nothing she could do...

Elsewhere, within the capital, was a smaller prison than the one on the outskirts of the mainlands. This one was beneath the castle walls, almost like a cellar, through the moat entrance, which was in the rear of the stone walls. Inside was a handful of tiny jail cells, for temporary holding until prisoners received their trial. Sally, the centaur knight, was within one of those chambers, hunched on the ground of it. She looked miserable, leaned up against that grimy wall.

A few cells down the way, was another prisoner. It was the suspicious man from earlier. He had his back up against the wall, with his hands still bound. Those light blue eyes opened, as the entrance door creaked ajar. Footsteps trudged passed Sally's cell, proceeding over to the brown haired man's confinement. Peering down with a stone-like expression, was Dimitri.

"Are you ready to confess?" Dimitri asked, with a harsh tone.

The man didn't even bother looking at Dimitri. "It doesn't matter how many times you ask, the answer will remain the same."

"Ayame may have not been able to handle you, but don't think you will get the same results with someone like myself. Believe you me, you really don't want to cross a viceroy." Dimitri stated, sternly, as a sharp gaze poised on his face. Light magic began to form in his hand.

"Yawww...." Yawned a female voice from behind the Viceroy. "Why are you even bothering asking him, Dimitri, not like he's gonna change his mind now." It was Phish, the feline Lupis.

Dimitri appeared annoyed, disengaging his mana as he turned to her. "Then what action, would you suggest, Phish?" He inquired, with agitation.

Phish shrugged with her paws in the air. "I dunno, get creative. Like you did with that Leashed of yours."

"Very well. Before night falls, your tune will change, prisoner." Dimitri sneered, to the man in the cell. He turned out walking to the exit, and stopped, with Phish not far behind him. "Phish, bring the prisoner out to the terrace. I believe a good flogging is in order."

"I like when you treat them like toys." Phish whispered with a soft raspy tone into his ear, as she smirked to the silver haired Rhyme.

Dimitri glanced to her, with an hard to read expression, as she proceeded back over to the cell where the man was kept. Dimitri stepped outside, just as Phish halted before the cage. Raising a paw to the air, she exposed her retractable claws, and unlocked the cell. She smirked boredly to the man, as she opened the door, and entered.

"Ready for some fun? I know I am." Phish pulled the man to his feet, holding him by his scarf tightly.

His hands were still bound, as he was shoved from the cage, and lured outside to the terrace as instructed. Sally could only watch from her confinement as the door closed behind them. Tears were streaming down her face. "Alack... Tis feasible that mine self shall beith slain as a martyr within a fortnight as well... I cannot shelve thee thought... Tis such a cruel world..." She sobbed, placing her hands to her face.

Outside, the sun was starting to set, and the unknown man was taken up a platform that was just a bit higher than the ground. The area around them was in the soldier area of the castle, on the opposite side of the training grounds. Other templar were around, watching the act that was about to take place. Dimitri was waiting, watching as Phish forced the man closer, and removed his cloak, and other clothes, leaving everything on that below the belt.

They were tossed to the side, despite his struggling. However, his bound wrists were slung up onto a hook, from a wooden pillar, with his back now facing Dimitri, who held a flogging stick in hand. He was tapping it into his palm, as he patiently waited for Phish to step out of his way.

On the man's exposed skin, he had two tattoos; the one on his right forearm, was like black flames crawling up his wrist. The other one was on his right shoulder, it appeared to be a shield, with two wings wrapping around from the back.

Dimitri approached, a cold expression still on his face. "Last chance. Confess you ingrate." He said.

"You already have my answer." The man replied, keeping cool under the pressure.

"Very well then. It's your funeral, vermin." Dimitri stated, taking the whip, and slashing it hard against the man's bare back.

"ARGHH!!!" The man shouted in pain.

Another blow came, followed by several others, and with each came a yelp of pain. Blood was torn from his back, dripping down to the wooden floorboards below his feet.

"GIVE ME AN ANSWER!" Dimitri demanded, not letting up the punishment.

Sweat was dripping down his brow, causing his spiked hair to hang in his face. "Stop this..." The man spoke, from the shroud of shadows casting over his face. The flogging didn't cease, and the blows kept coming. "Let off already!" He snapped, as wings formed from his back, gusting briefly, which caused Dimitri to stumble back a moment.

Those sharp eyes seemed displeased, until he caught notice of the wings however. Feathers were floating down to their feet, as two different colored wings were exposed for all to see. One was white, like a Rhyme's, the other however, was brown like a hawk's.

This caused Dimitri to smirk slightly. "I see... So you're one of those half breed Darklings... A Nephelim of all things. Tsk. Abominations like you shouldn't even exist. I believe I have a better plan for you now." His eyes turned to Phish. "You know what to do."

Phish smiled, eerily. "With pleasure." She said, before cutting the rope, to drop the man to the ground, landing on his abdomen.

He grunted upon impact, as his ribs hit the floorboard. Dimitri stepped forward, placing his knee to the mid spot of the man's back, forcing his belly against against the hard wooden flooring. Dimitri took the man's right wing in hand, and forced it to lay flat. The Nephelim looked uneasy, trying to get loose, but he was in far too great of pain. Phish had stepped to the side, and brought over an old handsaw to Dimitri.

"Hold him down." Dimitri instructed, and Phish did so after giving him the saw.

Phish placed her paw to the man's head, and upper spine, as all the templar around watched. Dimitri began to saw at the base of the white angelic wing from the Nephelim's back, hearing every scream and cry of his agonizing pain. The once white wing was turning red, as it soaked in his ever flowing blood. The jagged blade running through his bone was so excruciating, that the man literally could not hold back his tears of torment. He felt like he was going to die. Not a soul even seemed to disagree with Dimitri's choice of actions, instead they continued to watch as the man continued to scream out excessively.

Finally the bone snapped, and the sawing ceased. Dimitri took hold, ripping the wing brutally from the man's back. Blood was flowing rabidly from his wounds, and dripping to the dirt below the platform. Tears were tailing down the horrified face of the Nephelim, as he lost consciousness. The blood stained wing was thrown to the ground, and Dimitri turned from the man.

"Someone clean up this mess, and dispose of the body. He's not going to last for long." He said, without any sign of remorse, as he left the platform, heading back to the castle. Phish followed right after him, as they left the grunts to clean up the violent blood spill of a man they did not know the name of.

The templar in the vicinity did as Dimitri asked, removing the body and cleaning up the blood. Two carried the body out of the castle, and dumped him onto a cart filled with corpses. They tossed his garbs of clothing on top to dispose of them. An older woman, that had charge of the body cart, dragged it down several more streets to collect more corpses before taking them, down to the mine shaft styled slums. It was part of the island within the kingdom, that was built inside the ground of the floating isle. It was like a cave with several poor and sick folks lining the streets. Some plague doctors seemed to be caring for the weak, as the cart lady took the bodies further into the depths of the underground slums.

She halted, setting down the cart as she knocked on a door, before entering. After a few moments passed, a little head peered from around the corner. It was a green haired teenage girl, who wore a purple outfit, with a cat-like beanie on her head. She drew closer to the cart, with curiosity. She appeared dirty and hungry, but upon closer inspection, the girl was actually a canine Leashed.

The female Vulpis weakly shuffled her hands through the spaces between the bodies, seeking out food. "Come on... One of ya's gotta have somethin' to eat..." She muttered, with her squeaky voice.

As her hand touched the body of the man in the cart; he seemed to wheeze a bit beneath the several bodies piled on top of him. This caused the dog girl became startled, fumbling back to the ground. She had an unsure expression, as she took a breath.

"You gotta get a grip, there's no such thing as... z-zombies." She gulped, anxiously. Standing to her feet, to get a better look at the man under the corpses. "Eh? Say, is that one still alive?..." She stopped to ponder a moment. "Hmm... I just might be able to make this work out for both of us... Heh heh!-"

She quickly covered her mouth, and hid behind the wall as she noticed the woman came back outside, to dump a corpse to the pile with another fellow. She was sweating, waiting to see what they'd do. Instead of parting ways, the cart lady followed the man inside the dingy old house. The girl listened closely, before approaching the cart once more.

She went to the opposite side, where the man was mostly exposed. Taking his hands, she pulled his body out of the cart the best she could. Her size was so small it was near impossible, forcing her to dig the heels of her shoes into the cart wheel to help her force him loose.

Just as the woman was exiting the home, the dog girl managed to use enough strength to pull his body further out, and crash to the ground on top of her. She was left laying there with the unconscious man bleeding on to her. However, no one was on the streets to notice as the body collector dragged the cart further down.

"Bring out your dead!" The woman called, as she progressed further down the road.

On the ground, the canine's heart was racing, having this man on top of her. She panicked, shoving him off in a hurry, and panted to help calm herself. Then she noticed all the blood, and his weak disposition. "Fuck, Grave... What did you get yourself into... This dude's gonna be dead for sure..." She groaned, holding her head, as she fell back into the road.

The man coughed, laying there on the cold hard ground. He was still out cold it seemed, as the dog girl, named Grave sat up to inspect him and his pockets. She noticed his garbs fallen down with him, and decided went through the pockets. She found nothing however, and dropped them with a sigh.

"Ugh, nothin' on him either..." She groaned, blowing her hair from her face. She decided to take his cloak, and tightly fasten it around his wounded back to stop the bleeding the best she could. The remaining wing was still exposed, which perplexed her for sure. "Well, guess if I can't keep 'bird man' alive, I can always eat him..." Grave muttered, taking the guy's wrist to help get his arm over her shoulder. She took the clothes in her other hand, and rose to her feet. No one even noticed her drag his body off down those grimy old underground roads.

As the scene faded into darkness, it panned into a twisted looking desert. The night sky was distorted with shades of read, spiraling around like dancing embers of fire. Soot and ashes were falling from the sky, all landing into the cold sand, as the twin read moons hung above like eyes of a demon. It was like a lucid, psychedelic nightmare.

"Where... is this place?..." Words began to echo off into the distance.

Laying in the center of the demented desert was Nye. Her eyes weakly opened, with odd blurs and reverberating sounds surrounding her. The atmosphere was chilling, as four dark silhouettes began to circle in. She could barely make it out, but the figures closing in, seemed to be on horseback. They were phasing off sporadically, and changing position, yet drawing closer and closer to her. There were at least four sets of glowing red eyes locked onto her. Nye was too weak to get up however, her body was motionless like the dead, but her eyes focused to get a glimpse of the shadows approaching her position. Other shadow creatures began to appear from the darkness that was engulfing in the distance of the desert.

"Is this the end... am I dead?...." She spoke, with an uncertain tone, her voice throwing echos around her. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. Maybe it was fear, or perhaps sadness?... It was impossible to comprehend, whilst in this dark abyss.

It was too hazy to really grasp it all, until the sand around her began to shift like wildfire. Shadowy claws of skeletons and zombies tore through the sand, groaning as they crawled to the surface. Nye couldn't budge, as these monsters began to swarm her, in a suffocating manner. Even though most of their bodies were still submerged beneath the surface, there was only a few narrow openings visible between the horde of the skeletons and zombies.

Nye could just make out the four horse-like figures around her, and the deranged expressions on the black shadows that concealed their seemingly faceless riders. Suddenly, the undead completely covered Nye, as they piled over her body. It was as if she couldn't breath, and without warning, everything went black...