Stage I
The Old Order
Act 4
12/13/44 A.H
Location: Unknown Realm, Elysium ‘Club’.
What lay before- a lavish environment. A place where mortal-like beings of all shapes and sizes and types did mingle. Be them ogre like goblins or small fluttering fairy creatures, slime ball aliens, cosmic truckernauts. The club where all could meet and mingle, known as Mars’ Place by some, and Elysium by others.
Lavish décor and dim lighting, rather seductive music all jazzy and bluesy. Carvings made into the walls, floors of polished marble, air thick with exotic smells and perfumes. People all around, gathered near the main stage where the exotic dancers did their dance, seating all around. The private rooms to the back, curtains drawn and also busy as can be. Tables and booths all around, in sections where dancers did work and where they did not, at various levels with balconies all over.
Far far in the back within those private booths, a meeting was going down.
-
Several were sat around a single table, some to the back wall and some to their left and right. Those to one side of the wall, all dressed like generic mobsters with the fancy suits and jackets and the hats. There wasn’t much to tell other than there was a lot of them- close to a dozen. The leader with his slicked back salt-n-pepper hair, a scarred right eye, a shit eating grin ear to ear with filed down sharp teeth showing.
And then across the way, fewer people. In fact there were only three- at the head an older man with combed back gray hair, a beard and stache, a scar under his left eye, both peepers glowing red. The older gent’s attire was more old fashion, an old-school military attire jacket, gauntlets, a cloak wrapped around. His arms crossed, his posture a bit arrogant as he leaned back with a slight scowl.
To his right, a young man in pure knight armor loosely covered with cloth. Dazzling dark green hair unkempt, eyes as green as emeralds, ears poking out the sides revealing pointed tips, a rather straight forward locked on gaze. On the left another knight; similar with the armor and cloak wrap. Dark hair and brown eyes, a softer expression. In order- Fondor, Prince Lucius, and Fondor’s aid.
Taking in the view of both from across the aisle in another booth, a pair of magenta eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses, under-bridged red. Alexander Blackheart sat there with his own arms crossed, leaned back. Alex sat to the left, whilst direct across from him sat yet another knight. Silver armor, fewer plates than that of those at the other booth, a red scarf and a red gem hanging over his exposed chest. Rather ordinary blond hair, pointed ears, a smirk, red eyes with painted runes beneath the right.
Sat beside Alexander, a young girl in a black coat with some sort of dress shirt and tie, a purple scarf- amethyst eyes, snow white hair, and a black ribbon in her hair. Sat to the left of the knight, two others, both teens or at least they appeared as such. One with messy auburn hair and red eyes, moth antenna sticking out of his forehead, a cloak wrapped around concealing much of him. The other a young looking girl also cloaked, purple eyes, brown hair curly and flowing around her pointed ears.
The players: Alexander, Reise, Nirro, Sarxis, and Namaqi.
Alexander reached out, taking hold of a glass of clear liquid, proceeding to then drink out of it and place the glass back down. Across the way from them at that meeting, a lot of back and forth was well underway. Fondor, the older man, speaking- followed then by the sharp teeth man mumbling off something with his grin, then to the prince, and then back to Fondor. All the while the group with Alex just watched.
“Heh- these negotiations are sure something,” Sarxis chuckled.
“Look at Fondor spit- heehee it’s funny to see the old man spit like that,” Namaqi giggled.
“I’m just surprised that the Prince came along for this honestly,” Alex replied.
“Heh heh, well I’m glad he did. Means two of us get ta be here and… heh heh, enjoy the perks of this place,” Nirro laughed, glancing across the booth at a couple of the entertainers.
“Hell yeah,” Sarxis joined in, “Too bad we’re on duty.”
“Boys. Settle down,” Namaqi then grumbled.
“Let them have their fun Namaqi,” Alex laughed.
“AH come onnnnnnnnnnn~” Nirro joked, “Live a little Nama~”
“Boss, seriously?”
“Mars does a lot for her employees Namaqi. It’s actually a good thing if ol’ Nirro here and others take an interest. Keeps their income flowing.”
“Hmph!”
A smirk crossed Alex’s face as he looked over to Nirro, leaning back then after.
“Lord Blackheart,” Sarxis called, “I’m surprised you can tolerate the atmosphere given your… persuasion.”
“Ha! Ain’t like I’m allergic to or afraid of women Sarxis. Albeit getting paid sure as hell helps~”
“Pfft, talks like he’s broke and the schmuck is filthy rich. Shaking my head here friend,” Nirro spoke.
“I’m not one for power and wealth like that my guy. I prefer things to be a bit more quiet.”
“And yet you’re working for a guy like Marius?” Namaqi questioned.
“… yeah I don’t have a comeback for that one. He pays decent and I can keep to my own business when I want. Ain’t that how it is for you Nirro?”
“HA! Yeah you know it!” the Elf Warrior laughed throwing back another drink right away after the fact.
“Marius is an old ally you see. I was well versed with his Coven by the time he extended an offer those years ago.”
“Hey speaking of the Coven- I think the meeting is about over,” Sarxis mumbled.
Across the way the mobsters were all moving to get up. The leader, the shark tooth fellow, reached across- shaking the hand of Fondor. With subtle nods exchanged the group moved across the way, exiting out of the area. Once they had left, both the prince and the aid rose only to be followed by the old man himself.
“Well, guess that’s that,” Nirro sighed moving to get up himself, “Nama, Sarx.”
Both rose up while Alexander and Reise did not, the latter looking to her superior and the former looking over to Fondor. In return, Fondor looked back across, nodding as the other two moved to leave.
“Alex?”
“You guys stay with Prince Lucius. I’ll be along.”
“… ‘ight. Lets go,” Nirro spoke weaving around his subordinates to go and join the prince and his aid.
Meanwhile, Fondor moved around his table and over towards the sat duo of white hair, taking a seat moments after-
“Sooooo… how did it go?” Alex questioned.
“Rather rudimentary, all things considered. *Sigh*”
“… Suuuuuuurrrrre. Sounds like it.”
Fondor glanced to Alex with a rather dead and tired expression, his eyes hung and his frown on full display. Alex looked back whilst shrugging his shoulders. The old man then looked away, his frown becoming a scowl as he did so.
“The tides are changing my friend,” he spoke in a rough gruff voice.
“I- am aware,” Alex replied, grabbing hold of his drink and swirling it around a little, “This war of the Great Powers is starting to impact things on our little scale. Won’t be long until all hell breaks loose.”
“… and I don’t suppose there’s anything you can do about it? You being a Blackheart and all-”
“What would you like me to do? Bleh-” he scoffed, taking a swig of his drink then after.
“You’re an heir. You could take your rightful place, settle this conflict.”
With what many would call a gasp for air after his long drink despite not being a gasp, he placed the empty glass back down on the table. Pushing it away with only a few fingers on the rim. His magenta gaze moved from it back up to Fondor before once again leaning back.
“Again, what would you like me to do Fondor? The damage is done. My father’s passing was one thing. The disappearance of his council another. The assassination of my elder brother though- and by the likes of the Tatara remnants? That sealed it.”
A sigh left Alex, his eyes shut. Across from him Fondor looked upon him, one brow raised.
“Rival factions see the Shadow Dominions as weak, vulnerable. And once the Dominions pull themselves out of the conflict the situation will only get worse before it-”
“-I’m sorry, pull themselves out?!”
Alex looked up, eyes open again, “Yeah. According to my contacts, the Dominions are going to agree to several ceasefires and pull out of various territories. Some remnants will remain though they will not be under the Dominion’s banner proper anymore.”
“And why would the Dominions do that? Do they not care about their people? Do YOU not care about your people?!”
“… It’s more complicated than that Fondor.”
Fondor blinked. His arms lowered to his sides as he then leaned back, allowing them to sway at his sides. Alex on the other hand crossed his arms as he leaned back, throwing one leg over the other. His eyes returned to being shut for a short time.
“My father was powerful, perhaps too powerful. Leagues beyond what any normal person could ever hope to become. Shadow Dominions, as the name implies, is- or was, a part of him. A reflection of his power, his dreams. His Will proper for his passing was never recorded… and with the bad timing of both his first heir and his top advisors disappearing, the helm has been left vacant. Think of it as the Galactic Empire, only without all of the treachery that followed Palpatine’s death. Regional rulers, each with their own ideas. Smaller factions and claimed territories breaking away.”
“Again though, you are an heir yourself are you not? Could you not simply take your father’s place and lead the Dominions?”
“Again, it’s more complicated than that. There are no doubt leaders that would follow another Blackheart loyally; but then you have to worry about the infighting and having to retake it all on top of the enemies on the outside waging war. We are nowhere near as powerful as our father, that is well known. In truth, Zero’s demise was the start. My father’s passing was the ultimate tipping point, and Genos’s death pushed it over the edge.”
“…”
“In short- it is better to give control back to the people. Stop consolidating it. Yes, the Dominions kept the peace and did a lot of good. Yes a lot of needless carnage will come of this; but that’s to happen regardless. The future is always in motion. Evolution is always occurring. It might be weirdly ‘fucked up’ for me to let this go… but it IS for the best. I have a feeling my father would have surrendered power back regardless when the time was right. Besides, I abdicated sometime ago in a round about way. Other Blackhearts are actively doing their part anyway.”
“Hmph. So it would seem we are destined for the coming chaos no matter what. There is no changing that.”
“Destiny is what we make it my friend. Nothing is ever set in stone.”
“Then it isn’t exactly destiny, is it?” Fondor concluded with a sigh.
The old warrior slid over, moving to stand up with his hand pressed down atop the table. He stumbled a little before looking back to Alexander, who by now had opened his own eyes.
“Would you at the very least be able to acquire aid for The Coven given what we will no doubt face?”
“… I can see what I can do Fondor; but I can’t guarantee anything. Aside from that incident with Morionus, I haven’t had much contact with any of them since my exile forty something years ago.”
“You’re a good man Alexander,” he concluded, turning away then after, “For now I must depart. There are many a thing we need to prepare for with this information in mind. Do… take care, Alexander Blackheart.”
Both silver haired individuals watched as the old man made his way away from the booth and around a corner. Fondor disappeared out into the greater expanse of the nightclub, leaving just Alex and Reise behind. He sat himself back against the seat with his head flung back. A yawn left him as the girl turned her head to him.
“So Alex, what will you do?” she questioned.
“Meh. Nothing much to do,” he murmured staring up at the ceiling, “Not like we can change anything even if we did go back. For now, we’ll continue doing what we’ve been doing.”
“I see… so your exile continues then,” she sighed moving to then get up with a slight slide, “Perhaps for the best.”
“Heh. True enough,” he murmured as he reached into his right coat pocket.
His arm pulled out and from his hand flew a number of small coins. They rattled as they landed upon the table the very moment Reise stood up. And within the flicker of an eye- Alex was standing outside of the booth right in front of his young protégé.
“Lets go.”
“Mmm.”
Both then proceeded to walk around the corner and exit back into the greater part of the club. Both moved through the crowd, shrouds of darkness spreading up from both of their shadows and acting as if hugging them from behind. Both moved through the main floor then with hoods of darkness and their outfits bound just for the mist to take on a fabric-like appearance. They weaved and slipped through the crowds of people like ghosts.
Even when the walls of people stood to block them they would appear on the other side as if it were nothing. Little actual intrusion until they reached one of the exit doors, pressing it open and exiting out onto city streets. Beyond them fell the rain. Brick buildings and stone roads, thundering clouds up above. The neon lights of the club flickered behind, both joining the crowds on the sidewalk and moving along. The splash of water with each step through the puddles gathering upon the pavement.
“Soooo what are we going to do about this conflict Alex? Only a matter of time until Marius’s people get wrapped up in some stupid turf war,” Reise spoke out.
“I’ve thought about that. It would be preposterous to tell him to leave Flore Lunae. BUT- I have a contact who might have something for us. There is a new realm, recently discovered and rather hush hush. It’s called Aether. And the single landmass they’ve charted, Waconia, might be just the place to move operations to.”
“You really think Marius would agree to it?”
“It might be for the best instead of holding onto the small amount of turf he does have. Won’t be long till rivals jump the gun and start fighting one another. He’s been talking about establishing a new fortress out of the combat zone for a bit- and what better a place than a brand new realm that’s barely charted? Warp back and forth, can’t be tracked. No need to fight.”
“I guess that makes sense. I just hope you know what you’re doing with all of this.”
“Relax Reise. Everything will work out in the end. No worries.”
“I hope so… for everyone’s sake.”
