28 Louder than Words

It had gotten late around Knothole Sanctum, Solitaire was fast asleep in her room, as was Runfaust and his daughter Molliana. Zyron had fallen asleep while reading a book, under candle light; while Ashewyn was still awake, smoking a cigarette in bed. Miles However, was outside near the secret entrance. Just down the stairs, was the make-shift stables; where Miles was inside, napping with his full grown Phoenix, Ember.

Elsewhere, Nye was in the main chamber of the hideout, sitting up in the rafters. She had her quill out, as she was jotting something onto the pages of her journal. Her eyes however, lifted from the book, upon hearing the entrance creak open.

There she noticed Jackyn finally make it back to the base. Their eyes met, before Jackyn averted his gaze. He stood there briefly in silence, as his mind recalled a fragment from his earlier conflict with Miles.

"You're just as cold blooded as those Cultists, so what makes you think you'll ever be one of us!? I don't care if Nye trusts you or not, you're still a wanted criminal, and you killed people! None of us want anything to do with you, so why not just disappear for good!? You're just wasting your time, and you can forget about Nye! I claimed her first! She's mine!!" Miles' voice echoed in his mind, as his hair hung over his eyes thinking about the conversation.

"You think you have me all figured out, don't you? You'll never understand what I've been through, or what I was forced to do... I don't need anymore guilt, so consider yourself lucky I don't do the same to you..." Jackyn's reply also came to mind, before he remembered brushing passed Miles, as he was leaving Knothole earlier that day.

Jackyn took a step further inside, shadows casting over his face. "Can we talk?" He finally spoke up, his tone chilling.

Nye tilted her head, in concern. "What is it, Jack?" She asked, softly.

Jack didn't reply, but held a hand up, gesturing her to follow him. Nye in response, set down her journal, before gracefully descending to the bottom level. Her wings withdrew into her back, as she followed after Jackyn. The two proceeded through the back entrance, and the raven haired Dream weaver halted at the stone railing of the walkway. His back was left turned to her, as Nye approached him.

"Is everything alright?" Nye inquired, shutting the door behind her.

Upon hearing Nye's voice, Miles had woken up, and came out into the passage way, just below where they were. "Nye-?" Miles called, but quickly went silent. He kept behind the corner, peering up to see Nye and Jackyn. His ears immediately darted backwards with a hushed growl. "I thought I told him to stay away from her?..."

A cold breeze blew by, as Jack turned around; his eyes were concealed by darkness. "I can't take this anymore..." He said, solemnly.

Jackyn then began to walk down the pathway, and Nye immediately followed him. She got up beside him, looking over. "What are you talking about?" She asked, clearly concerned.

Nye was about to reach for his hand, but without any warning, she felt her back forced against the wall of the structure. Jack's hands were roughly pressed against the stone building, cornering Nye. Jackyn's head was lowered, with his hair hanging in front of his face. Nye could only stare at him with an unsure gaze, listening to his staggered breaths.

Jackyn gripped to the wall, as he gritted his teeth. "It's clear the others don't want something like me amongst them... Even more so apparent with that possessive, feline friend of yours. Might just be better if I left..." He said, letting his fingers drag down the wall, to return to his sides. "There's one problem with that though..."

Jackyn then took a step backwards, before he turned away from Nye. The blonde haired Amygdala seemed confused, her eyes focusing on Jack's back. "Jackyn?" She asked, softly.

"After everything that's happened, I've become attached... I can't leave your side... At the same time... If I let myself get any closer, I might not be able to pull myself back. I've been through enough heartache as it is in my life, and it nearly killed me... I don't think I could go through it again... I just can't..." Jack explained in a somber tone, his body seeming to tense up.

His ears heard Nye take a few steps closer, before feeling Nye wrap her arms around him, from behind. Her face was pressed against his back, and this caused him to freeze up for a moment in shock. He hesitated, before growing agitated, and turning around to grip her shoulders. He pushed her back to a distance, holding her in place, through barred fangs.

Nye could see his eyes from behind his dark hair now, but she was surprised to see the frustrated tears streaming down his cheeks. "Don't toy with my feelings this way... Can't you see... These emotions are tearing me apart!" Jackyn shakily gritted his teeth, trying hard to hold back his emotional tone. "I would die for you!" He exclaimed, as some of his tears hit the ground below them.

Even with his hold on her shoulders, Nye extended her hand to Jackyn's face. This caused him to flinch, however, he was left in surprise after Nye gently rested her fingers against his cheek. "Jackyn, I think you misunderstand. I wasn't playing with your emotions. That was never my intention, in fact, I quite enjoy our time together. Despite everything we've endured, you've never let me down. You're also one of my most cherished confidants... you don't have to be afraid. I too, feel the threads of fate binding us together. I've felt this way for a while now." She admitted.

Jackyn appeared stunned, his grip ceasing. "Then... will you have me?.." He shakily asked her, as he tried to hold back his emotions.

"My heart belongs to you, and you alone. So, I would like that more than anything." Nye smiled to him, her eyes looking to Jackyn, with an adoring gaze.

The hesitation was broken, as Jack immediately pulled Nye into an embrace. Nye closed her eyes, nudging her head against the side of his face, as she placed her hands around his back. She could feel his hand on the back of her head, holding her tightly. As Nye's head slightly lifted, her relaxed eyes met Jackyn's, before he sheepishly proceeded to kiss her lips.

A horrified expression crossed Miles face, as he realized Nye wasn't going to pull away like she had with him. Instead, Nye fell into it, shocking the eavesdropping feline further.

Miles felt like his heart stopped, as he recalled something that Finch had once told him. "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."

He snapped out of it, becoming immensely overwhelmed with frustration. "I-I apologized to her, and she forgave me! Nye was supposed to fall in love with ME! NOT HIM!" Miles angry spouted, in an idiotic manner, as he clenched his head with both hands.

The sound of his voice forced the kiss to break, as Nye looked off in the direction of it. There was a brief silence, before rushed footsteps fled into the stables. Nye stared for a moment, before her eyes shifted to Jackyn.

"You heard that, didn't you?" She inquired, seeming confused.

"Yeah..." Jackyn replied, keeping his gaze in the direction still.

Nye took a step to glance around, but Jack took her hand. She glanced back to look to him. "I just wanted to figure out what it was."

"Whatever it was, I'll protect you. Don't worry." Jack tried to reassure her, seeing she was anxious about it.

A few moments passed, before flapping wings soared off into the distance. Miles had mounted his phoenix, and took off into the night. However, neither Nye nor Jackyn had seen or heard him leave.

The feline arrived to the nearby swamp, as Ember roughly landed to the ground. Without restraint, Miles collapsed onto the dirt ground. He laid on his side, for a moment as he roughly pulled his ears forward in rage. His breathing was wild and harsh, but Miles continued to act in a childish manner.

He then recalled something he had said to Nye, "Why!? Because I'm a Leashed!? Some PET!? WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME!?" He took a breath, while releasing his ears from self inflicted pain.

"She was never going to love me... It was always gonna be him... Wasn't it?..." He sulked, before wearily stumbling up to his feet. "I don't need HER! I'll be just FINE by myself!" He scoffed, as he proceed to stomp off into the wilderness. "I can get some sweet poontang some place else! Why was I even wasting my time with some chick who won't EVER put out!?" He bantered onward.

Ember tucked back her wings, tilting her head at the angered feline. She decided to follow after him, seeming somewhat uncertain. Miles continued to trudge through the shrubs, and vines that obstructed his path. As he traveled deeper into the unknown, the sound of a tree branch, snapped behind him. "Ember?" Miles asked, but noticed his phoenix was no where to be seen.

Miles halted abruptly, his ears shifting backwards to listen. His expression was frightened, and his hair rose up in fear. "Ah ha ha hah... Ohh. Aren't you the cute one." Came a seductive female voice from behind.

Her voice made Miles' ears perk up, as he seemed to relax. The feline eagerly shifted around to see who this mystery woman was. Before him, was the naked form of the athletic woman, Leviathan. Her tanned body was pressed up against a nearby tree, playfully. Miles couldn't help but gawk, as she licked her middle finger in a sexual manner, before slowly sliding it down her lips, to the point she touching her breast. However, her fingers continued to trail further down, in the direction of her navel.

She smiled devilishly at him, as she decided to walk over to Miles. He only stood there, staring to her naked breasts. He had no time to react, as the amazonian sized woman wrapped her arms around his neck, to stick her tongue into his mouth. His eyes fluttered, with a soft moan, as Levi bit to his lower lip, to tug it gently with her fangs. As she released her grip on them, she leaned away, to lick her own lips in a sexual manner.

Miles was blushing, as he stared to this beautiful creature, but abruptly felt the giant claw from the back of her head slip down the front of his pants, to grip to his manhood. "Well aren't you the big boy." Levi could help but grin, seeing how flustered he was. "Awe, did you want to play with me too?" She teased, taking his hand to cup her breast. "Here."

"Oohoho, now this is what I'm taking about. Ahhh..." Miles didn't decline, seeming more than thrilled to be in this position, despite not knowing her.

Miles had sat down to the ground, with Levi hovering over him, with her knees pressed against the side of his legs. The feline's hands held to her hips, guiding her along, as she continued to kiss him. Both of their moans were audible, but that didn't stop them from making love.

However, watching them, from a slight distance was another form. Standing there was the real Leviathan. Miles had no idea he was in a trance, mating with nothing more than an illusion.

She grinned, evilly, as she observed Miles in his state of euphoria. "Leashed. Such easy targets to manipulate. Ahaha, so desperate for love, that you would fall so carelessly into my trap. Oooh, the mistress will be pleased." The succubus chuckled, with a hand before her lips.

Midway through, the illusion vanished like smoke in the wind. Miles seemed startled, urgently getting to his knees. "Hey! Lady, where did you go!?" Miles shouted, his hands concealing his private region.

"Ahahaha..." Echoed Levi's voice around him, in an eerie manner. She leaned up against a tree, grinning to the startled feline. "Awe, couldn't you see that was nothing more than an illusion, sweet cherry boy?"

"Huh? Uh... W-What are you talking about?" Miles seemed uneasy now.

She phased over to him, like a breeze of wind, touching his chest from behind his back. He could feel her breath grazing his neck, and breast up against his spine. "I'm a succubus, I can make all your wildest fantasies come true, just like that. Ahah." She states, seductively, as she snapped her fingers.

Miles turns around, not seeing her there. His ears darted back, nervously. "You telling me, that wasn't real?..." He was trembling.

"'Fraid not, hun." Levi giggled, reappearing behind him, with a grin. "It could be though, all you have to do, is join us. Then, you can have anything you want." She explained, reappearing in front of him, with her form changing into Nye. "With whomever your heart so desires. You yern for that, don't you?" She grins, with Nye's face.

Miles' flustered heart was racing fast, but he couldn't speak. "(How is she doing this!?)"

"Mmmm, Men are always so easy to read. You want her, but she loves another. I can feel it. You shouldn't waste your time with a woman that could never please your manly needs. I can give anything, everything. You just have to give yourself up to the cult. Forget about her." Leviathan teased, as she changed her form back to normal.

Miles was frozen, but then another conversation with Finch came back to him. "Amygdala to live nearly two hundred years after a Leashed has already expired... The heart is a weak thing, and it can physically kill us. The sad fact of it all is, if one dies, so does another."

"I.... I remember now." Miles took a step back. "(How could I have been so selfish?.. Nye's my best friend. I must have let my urges get the best of me... That's why I apologized to her in the first place. I'm so stupid!)" Miles held his head.

"No. I think not. You WILL be mine, big boy." Leviathan stared to Miles, with her eyes glowing with magic.

The feline stared back to her, feeling the magic flowing from her. He could feel his body craving her, and his heart throbbing out of his chest. He wanted her so bad it hurt, but Miles tried to resist it. He fell to his hands and knees, struggling with himself internally.

"I-I can't!...." He winced, holding his head low. "No matter how much you make me want you, I need to fight it!" Miles whimpered, his eyes trailing with tears. "These feelings you're making me have.... They AREN'T REAL!" He cried, struggling to restrain himself.

"Resisting a temptress of the night is futile. Surrender yourself, you know you want me!" Leviathan didn't cease her magic spell, letting the lustful powers flow around them wildly.

Miles hand lifted shakily, to grip to the hilt of his blade. "Please...Don't make me fight you." He pleaded with her.

Before he could draw his sword, Levi's over-sized claw clutched to his throat, lifting him into the air with force. "Freedom is no different than fantasy. You have no power here, kitten."

Miles winced, grabbing to the claw with his free hand. The succubus could only grin at his pain, waiting for his answer. Miles could feel her intense gaze focusing on him, as he struggled to breath. Urgently, he withdrew his katana, slashing off the wrist of the claw, that held his throat. Immediately, Miles was flung to the ground, as Leviathan flailed back in panic. Blood was spraying out of it, as she clutched to it. The feline could feel the trance's hold break, coming back to his senses.

"You wretched animal..." Levi sneered, before grinning wildly. "You've made a terrible mistake." She stated, as a new claw burst out from the severed point. The fingers flexed, as her eyes loomed over to Miles. Her body repositioned to a more hostile stance, appearing far more menacing than the moments before. "Regeneration is a beautiful thing, don't you agree? However, you've reached the point of no return, now you have to die. Ahahahaa."

Leviathan began to hover off the ground, levitating above the feline in a chilling manner. In response, Miles held tightly to his blade, fumbling backward in a defense stature. "J-Just... Stay back!" Miles stammered, feeling the air around him trembling.

The claw stretched his way, as it rushed at him; gripping to the blade he held out in defense. Leviathan's face was now hovering right in front of Miles', with a devilish grin, stretching across her lips. Miles was frozen in fear, his eyes unable to shift from her gaze. He could feel his grip weakening, as the blade was being forced from his fingers. Panicking, Miles thrusted the blade forward, impaling her abdomen, before tearing upward, through her right shoulder.

Miles stared in horror, as the blood blasted into the air, along with his blade. That expression on her face only grew more intense, as her body immediately healed in a matter of seconds. "Killing a succubi is no easy task, not unless you find my heart, that is." Levi grinned, before thrusting her spiked ridges of her claw arm at Miles.

The upper chuck of the fist passed Miles, as he tumbled backward; with the spikes narrowly missing him, as it stretched far into the sky. He wished that Nye would save him, but he knew she wasn't coming. Miles couldn't handle a force like this, so he had no choice on what to do. He quickly placed the sword back in his sheath, before jumping back to land on his hands and feet. Leviathan was not far off, but Miles had to try and flee. He urgently turned tail, and ran on all fours through the brush of the woods.

"(I need to get back to Nye! She'll know what to do! Man! I am so stupid! I should have stayed at Knothole!!)" Miles scolded himself.

His panicked breaths were audible, as he fled as fast as he could. Leviathan was trailing close behind, gliding through the air like a predator hunting her prey. The chase wasn't letting up, and she was gaining steadily on him. Finally she was within range, reaching out for Miles. From the sky, flames blasted down at him, forcing the succubus to halt.

Miles skidded to a stop, looking at the fire burning. He was breathing heavily, but heard something land behind him. Turning quickly, he spotted his phoenix, tilting her head at him with her wings stretched out.

"Ember!" Miles grinned in relief, hurrying to mount Ember's back. The phoenix quickly took flight, as the embers simmered down on Leviathan.

The succubus stood there, watching Miles vanish off into the night sky. She grinned, with a soft chuckle. "Next time, Cherry boy, you won't be so lucky." She said, before phasing off into the night.

Some time passed, as Miles reached the stables on Knothole. He sent Ember away to sleep, deciding to check inside on the others. Before entering the building, he noticed Nye standing with Jack. The two of them seemed to be talking, with their backs facing his position.

"You've never told me your side of the story, of why the Templar originally targeted you. All I know about it is what I've overheard from them." Nye asked, glancing to Jackyn.

Jackyn grimaced slightly, before glancing off. "It's a really long story..." He admitted.

"You promised you would tell me everything." Nye took his hand in hers.

"I know...." Jack hesitated, meeting her eyes with his. "It was a real long time ago, when I was a kid..."

Miles listened begrudgingly, as Jack continued to explain the origin of why the Templars hunted him so ruthlessly. As he went further into detail, it caused the feline to quickly look away, glancing to the door.

"(Confinement with forced combat? I guess I really didn't know his side of things... As much as I hate the guy, maybe it's better for Nye this way... I have to trust her judgment, she's my best friend after all. I honestly would be lost without her, so as long as she's happy.... that's what's important...)" Miles softly sighed, stepping inside as quietly as he could, to not disturb them.

The feline paced through the quiet corridors of the secret hideout, heading upstairs; in a walk of shame.

"I'll just explain things in the morning... Not like she knew I left anyway..." He muttered, to himself.

He reached the top floor, halting in front of Solitaire's room. There he recalled his conversation with Ashe from before. "So you wouldn't care if I wanted a piece of that?" He remembered asking the red haired Amygdala.

"Nope. All yours, buddy." Was the answer that Ashewyn had given him. As the thoughts floated in his mind, Miles stared to the entrance to Solitaire's room.

He then lifted his hand, placing it to the door, and slowly pushed it open. Inside, he spotted the pink haired girl fast asleep on her bed. Miles glanced to the side of the entry, taking off his shoes and other gear, before placing it to the side of the wall. He stared to her while taking off his vest and long sleeve top. His arms and waist were covered in stripped tattoos, much like his tail and cheeks. His necklace hung over bare chest, but he seemed rather fit, despite his excessive eating. All that remained was his trousers, and jewelry.

Miles approached Solitaire's bedside, shifting the covers so that he could crawl under. He had plopped down on his side, facing her. Solitaire felt his breath on her face, waking her tired eyes. She stared to him, seeming confused.

"Fluffy? What are you doing in here?" She grumbled, rubbing her eye.

Miles shifted, wrapping his arms around her waist, before resting his head on her chest. "... Just hold me for a while... Please?" Miles requested, in a somber tone.

Solitaire furrowed her brows, as she patted his head. "What's gotten into you, mate? Can't this wait til morning?"

Miles softly shook his head, not releasing his hold on her. "I think the reason Ashe doesn't love you, is the same reason why Nye doesn't love me. Amygdala lifespans exceed ours, and if the one they love dies... so do they... So why am I so selfish, knowing this? Am I a bad person?" Miles spoke softly.

"Oy, are you on a bender or something, Miles?" Solitaire seemed conflicted. "You're not making any sense."

"No. Just thought you should know, since you still seemed bummed about being rejected... I know what you've been going through..." Miles explained, in a hushed tone.

"..." Solitaire didn't respond, feeling a bit emotional again.

Miles' hand slid down her hip, to her thigh, while his other remained around her waist. He shifted his face closer to her throat. "Can I sleep with you tonight? I'll be good... Promise..." Miles asked, kissing Solitaire's soft neck, before pressing his body against hers.

Solitaire seemed unsure, which caused Miles to stop and look at her. He grimaced a bit, but noticed Solitaire begrudgingly close her eyes. His ears perked slightly, before deciding to go underneath the covers. He shifted her lower region, as he was completely concealed under the covers. After a few seconds, solitaire blushed nervously, with a soft groan.

The scene faded to black, as the night went on. Morning soon came, with Solitaire sitting on the spiral stair case. She had her face rested in her palms, as she stared with a regretful look in her eyes. She sighed, slumping forward partially.

Footsteps approached from behind her, as Zyron peered down at the pink haired girl. "What the hell did Ashe do this time?" He asked, seeming irritated.

Solitaire shook her head, as she sulked, hiding her face to her knees. "Nothing... I'm just bloody fool, that's what..."

Zyron furrowed his brows, staring to her in concern. "Hey." He said softly, crouching down beside her.

"Miles came into my room last night, on the pull. The cheeky bastard got me all wonky, and....I had a bleeding one night stand with him, I didn't really want to shag him... It just sort of happened..." She admitted, trying not to cry, but failing to hold back her tears.

"He fucking what!?" Zyron snapped, seeming to be growing furious.

Solitaire flinched, looking to him with a worried expression. "I could really bite your arm off for some bloody comfort here, arsehole!" Solitaire retorted, getting to her feet, before hurrying for the entrance door.

"Solitaire! Hey!" Zyron called in a conflicted tone, as he rose to his feet. She was already ascending the stairs, to the front door. "...I was trying... Fuck!"

"Uuuh... Why are you yelling?" Miles yawned, rubbing his face slightly with a tired expression.

Miles was just up the stairs, behind Zyron at this point. Without warning, Zyron got up to him, grabbing the feline by his choker. "You fucking slept with her, you sonnova bitch!? What the fuck is wrong with you!?" Zyron snapped, angrily at the shorter leashed.

"Jeez... What's gotten into you?" Miles looked lazily at the dog. "Can't a guy get some action, without getting shit for it?"

"I've seen how you fucking act around woman! You have zero restraint with your goddamn dick! You'd jump at the chance to fuck ANY chick!" Zyron barked, his face heating up with rage.

"So what? It's just natural urges, you're just pissed off cause I got a taste before you did. She obviously liked it, or I'd be full of holes right now. Get over it." Miles retorted, boredly.

"You took advantage of a lonely girl, whose been hurting!!" Zyron sneered, shoving Miles back to the ground with force. Miles seemed stunned, with the angered eyes of the dog glaring down at him. "No bones about it... You're nothing but a selfish little fucker! Keep this up, and you won't have a single fucking friend left!" Zyron turned from him, proceeding after Solitaire.

Miles stared, completely stunned by Zyron's reaction. He'd never seen the dog so angry before. "..."

Zyron got outside, panting softly as he looked around for the pink haired Morphious. "Solitaire!" He called, somewhat frantically. He received no response, but his nose detected an odd scent in the air. He sniffed for a moment, closing his eyes.

He reopened his eyes, before getting further away from the safety of Knothole. There was a clearing, where he crouched down to shift some black powder from the ground. Zyron looked at it briefly, before rubbing his index finger and thumb together to feel the substance.

"Sulfur?..." He muttered, before gazing back around to his surroundings. "(That's remnants of a fiend... No wonder her scent is so faint, but did it take her? Dammit....)" Zyron flared his teeth, as he grew tense. "I have to find her!" He growled, rushing off into the woods around him.

Not far from where Zyron had stood, a pair of legs hung, in a crossed fashion, from what seemed to be a broomstick. "As thine moon wanes, and thine heart wavers. By the Maker, land, and sea, bring back that in which belongs to me." A sultry voice chanted, with a cunning grin forming on her dark lips. "Hmhmhmhm."