FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

‘...So this is the place, then.’

Among the outskirts of Unity Falls, a lone figure stared on at the city ahead. A sergal to be exact, donning a long, black coat and wearing baggy pants almost akin to traditional Japanese hakama, and carrying a sheathed katana in his left hand. With his right, he reached up to gently touch the cross hanging around his neck, a clawtip gently grazing the sapphire gem embedded into its center the longer he stared at the city.

He then closed his eyes, wincing slightly as he recalled past memories for a brief moment before reopening them again, a cold, cruel demeanour present in his gaze as he began striding toward Unity Falls, his long tail flicking absently behind him as he walked.

“I feel it… the essence originates from somewhere in this city…” He muttered to himself softly. “Whatever demon curses this city… I will make it understand power greater than it could ever imagine.” He went on, a small sneer crossing his features.

“...The power… of the true heir to the Demon Throne…”

~~~~~

“Attention, Mr. Darwinson,” came the voice of the house’s artificial intelligence as Kyle vacuumed the foyer.

The human took a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow before looking up. Even though Avory and Avelyn had left him in charge of the house since they both had traveled to Europe on business, it still took the human some adjustment to get used to the disembodied voice of A.V.I. He… She… It - he still didn’t know what to call the A.I. had been informed that it could speak with him as it did the siblings.

Still, Kyle was convinced he’d never get used to having a real-life A.I speaking to him so casually…

“Yes… A.V.I?” he asked hesitantly, still taken aback in addressing the disembodied voice.

“There is someone approaching the house,” the A.I replied. “I do not recognize them. It appears to be a sergal; male, approximately 5’10 in height, with black and white fur. Do you know anyone with this description?”

Kyle frowned. “No, I don’t know any sergals,” he said, walking over to the staircase railing. There, he found a dark green T-shirt he had taken off, in favour of working in just his white tank - it was a rather hot day. “Is he armed?”

“Affirmative. He is in possession of a Japanese longsword, commonly referred to as a katana,” A.V.I replied. “In addition, he appears to have similar energy signatures to Korban.”

Kyle, halfway to putting his shirt on, looked up at the ceiling - more out of reflex than anything, as there was nothing there to indicate A.V.I herself. “A similar energy to Korban?” he repeated, confused. “Explain. How is he similar?”

“High concentrations of negative M.A.N.A,” A.V.I explained, “but unlike Korban, his M.A.N.A. readings are more uniform, whilst Korban had stronger aqurum and galrum readings. Should I contact the police?”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “Standby on that; if this guy’s like Korban, we don’t want the cops involved,” he said as he made his way over to his room. “I’ll handle this.”

Entering his room, he hastily retrieved his sidearm, checking and loading it before he started for the front door, keeping the pistol holstered until he really needed it. He had no reason to believe off the bat that this sergal was hostile… But his instincts told him not to take any chances.

Tsumé was in the yard, doing her job. He considered going to get her, but decided against it. If he needed her help, he could shout for her - she was still in earshot, and could certainly reach him quickly if it was serious.

He reached the front door, resting his palm on the handle. “A.V.I, where is that sergal now?”

“Approximately twenty steps from the door. They have slowed their approach.”

“Slowed?”

“They appear to be searching for something,” A.V.I replied.

With his mind made up, Kyle pushed down on the handle and opened the door, stepping out where he could see the sergal, and was in full view of him. The sergal was just as A.V.I had described - average height, with black and white fur. He was dressed in a long coat and baggy trousers but wore nothing on his feet, and a long tail swept the ground behind him, covered in the same black and white fur and tipped by a tufted white end.

“Hello there,” he called to the sergal. “Can I help you?”

The sergal paid Kyle no mind at first, almost as if he wasn’t even aware of the human’s existence… or more precisely, he chose not to acknowledge his presence. He eventually turned his head toward the open door of the house and narrowed his eyes, his frown hardening as he began to step toward it, yet he never looked directly at the human.

“Hey now, that’s close enough,” Kyle stated, his tone firm as he put up his left hand in a stopping gesture, keeping his gaze firmly locked on the sergal, and resisting the urge to reach for his weapon until he knew for sure if he needed it. “If you’re looking for the owners of the house, they aren’t home today.”

This time, when he stopped walking, the sergal did look at Kyle, his gaze slowly glancing in his direct direction. If looks could kill, Kyle’s heart would have been pierced several times before he hit the ground just from how the stranger was looking at him. After several moments of silence, he finally spoke.

“...I have no business with you, human,” he began, his voice cold, calculated… bordering on cruel even. “Step aside… I am searching for something that does not concern you.”

“You’re the one trespassing,” Kyle said calmly, his voice steady but leaving no room for argument. “Whatever it is you’re after, it’s not here. It’s time for you to go.” His hand moved deliberately to rest on his gun, undoing the loop that secured it—ready, but not drawn.

The sergal took note of the gun holstered on the human’s hip, still remaining relaxed despite the threat of a firearm. “If you will not stand aside… then you will die just like the rest of your worthless race,” he warned Kyle. “I will not tell you a third time… Stand aside…”

“And I will not ask you a third time,” Kyle retorted, finally drawing his pistol and flicking off the safety. “Turn around, and leave.”

As far as Kyle could tell, the figure did not possess any firearms or distance weapons of his own. By human standards, Kyle was pretty fast and more than confident that he could shoot the intruder dead - or at least incapacitated, well before he could reach him…

He was wrong…

The sergal took one step. Kyle lifted his gun, angling for a shot, only to suddenly feel a sharp pain along the back of his neck the second he squeezed the trigger, sending him face first into the ground with the sergal standing behind him now, his hand raised and glaring down at him.

“...I warned you,” He said in a low tone. “Stay down, or I won’t be so merciful should you try again…” he concluded, turning his back to Kyle and continuing toward the house.

“Hey, tête de merde!”

The sergal barely had time to turn his head toward the voice, before he was suddenly struck by a flying stone, slamming hard into his shoulder. Tsumé – having heard Kyle’s gun discharge, had come out from the yard to see what had happened, and had quickly discerned that the figure standing over Kyle was an enemy, catching him completely by surprise as he failed to hear the girl approaching.

The surprise attack successfully stumbled the intruder, and Kyle acted in the blink of an eye, flipping himself over and onto his backside, where he brandished his pistol again and fired a second time. The sights were dead-center on the sergal this time, straight at the center mass of his torso; he recoiled from the shot, and Kyle saw blood hit the wall behind him.

But the sergal did not fall.

When Kyle went to fire again, the intruder clicked his katana out of its scabbard. In less than a second he was behind Kyle, sword drawn as if he had already swung, and when he sheathed his blade back into its scabbard, the human’s gun was split in two right across the muzzle.

“What the fuck?!” Kyle demanded, staring at his destroyed weapon in disbelief.

Either not seeing or uncaring about seeing Kyle’s weapon destroyed, Tsumé sprang into action. Running in to join the fight, Tsumé sprang at the assailant and swung out with her legs at the sergal, her talons raking dangerously close to his face, but he was quick; he ducked out of the way of the first swipe, but moved in to block her seconds strike, his sheathed sword meeting her leg and halting her attack.

With swift precision, he looped his arm around Tsumé’s leg, locking her in place. Before she could react, the hard edge of his scabbard cracked against her cheek. He didn’t stop there. Using the scabbard like a lever, he pressed it behind her head and twisted, sending her crashing to the ground. In one fluid motion, he drew his sword, the tip hovering inches from her forehead, steady and unshakable, the blade pointed squarely between her eyes.

“Yield, wench…” he warned her in a chilling tone.

Tsume looked cross-eyed at the sword, and then back at the sergal. “Well, I’ll admit it, you’re fast,” she said.

Suddenly, the sergal felt someone seize him from behind, grabbing his weapon arm and twisting sharply, pulling him off balance. “But cocky!” Kyle shouted.

Despite the sergal’s efforts, Kyle’s tenacity and larger size won their contest as he rammed his knee into the intruder’s stomach, followed by a sharp pull and turn, wrenching the sergal’s arm until he managed to pry the intruder’s sword from his hand and pull it away. But no sooner did Kyle have the blade in his hands, than it very suddenly dragged him off his feet, and he let out a surprised grunt as the blade buried itself in the ground, all the way down the length as Kyle gripped the handle.

Kyle had to pull his hands free as his fingers were nearly crushed by the sword. “What the hell is going on - this fucking thing weighs a ton!” he exclaimed.

Tsumé had not let up her attack. With a thrust of her elbows at the ground, she launched herself back upright again and attacked the assailant once more as she flew into a flurry of attacks. This time, she brandished a bowie knife she had been wearing on the belt of her capris and made a slashing motion at the sergal’s stomach as he avoided her kick, turning on her other foot to keep her momentum.

To her surprise, not only did he dodge her kick, but he managed to zip back enough to evade the knife strike as well. He then dashed in and palm struck her square in the beak, then followed up with a few quick punches to her sternum, ending with a jump spinning kick to the side of her head to send her stumbling away. Despite the beatdown, she managed to keep her footing, panting heavily and readying herself for the next attack.

The sergal, however, was looking at his clenched hands, shaking one of them as though to relieve an ache. He looked curiously at Tsumé, until his eyes narrowed in suspicion and he spoke.

“...So… You’re one of them.” He muttered softly as Tsumé collected herself. “...A phoenix born from the Earth itself.”

Tsume’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by the sergal’s knowledge of her species. “...Well, since you know about me,” she said, and slid her foot over the ground as it cracked. “No need for me to hold back!”

With a stomp of her foot, several stones shot up, and a thrust of her palm sent them flying at the sergal, all at once. In response, the sergal held his hand out at his side and his sword flew right back into it, to which he then spun the blade rapidly in front of him. The whirling blade formed a vortex of bluish, magical energy, the barrage of stones stopping dead within its boundaries, leaving Tsumé gaping in disbelief, until the sergal swung his blade and sent the projectiles flying back at her.

The stones pelted Tsumé, causing her to stumble; she was so caught off guard by the counter-attack she had no chance to take control of the stones again before they hit her. Fortunately, they didn’t do her any true harm, her leathery skin holding against the pointed stones. “Fucking hell!” she growled, more annoyed than hurt.

“Who the fuck is this guy?” Kyle asked, coming to stand beside Tsumé. He had another weapon in his hand - a knife, different than Tsumé’s, but it was all he had left with the destruction of his gun. “He’s just like-” Then, his voice trailed off, realization crossing his features, though he had no chance to speak.

The sergal’s ear twitched immediately afterward, and he turned to look over at Kyle with an arched eyebrow. “...Like who?” He demanded, slowly turning to fully face the human, studying him for a few moments. “...You have encountered another such as myself?”

“Kyle, grab onto me!” Tsumé said urgently, “and hold your breath!”

Kyle didn’t question it, sheathing his knife and throwing his arms around the earth phoenix in a single, swift motion. The sergal, as if realizing what was about to happen, started to move toward the pair but Tsumé had already been working on their escape; the earth opened beneath the pair and they dropped into the ground, disappearing when the stone, and soil and dirt closed the opening in the blink of an eye leaving no trace of where the hole had been.

He stared down at the ground where they had escaped from, frowning heavily before lifting his gaze to the house again. “...So, you’re here too, then.” He remarked, lifting his left hand up and idly rubbing the sapphire jewel embedded in the cross hanging around his neck. “...How fortuitous. It looks like I might kill two birds with one stone after all.”

With that, he turned and began walking away from the Lo’Raven household, grabbing his scabbard and quickly flourishing his blade before sliding it back into its housing with a click, then vanishing into thin air without a trace.

~~~~~

When the pair emerged further around the lake, in the middle of a vacant lot, Kyle was cursing as he held his head, teeth bared and eyes clenched. “Oowww!” he groaned, rubbing his scalp through his hair. “How do you do that without giving yourself a concussion?”

Tsumé shrugged, nonchalant. “Sorry. I guess I just have a very hard head,” she replied.

“Well, apparently I don’t. Next time, remind me to bring a helmet,” Kyle commented, still rubbing the top of his head as he spoke. “Are we safe here?”

“As long as he doesn’t come running up the street, yeah, we should be for the moment,” replied Tsumé, looking down the lane in the direction of Avory’s house. “We better call someone.”

“Like who?” Kyle asked. “You saw that guy, Tsumé; I already told A.V.I not to call the cops. I don’t think we want them to run into that guy, considering he just whooped both our asses. Also, it might just be me, but I don’t think he was even trying.”

“Well, someone! Who knows what that guy’s doing to Avory and Avelyn’s house; we practically left the front door open for him!” the earth phoenix urged.

But Kyle shook his head. “He ain’t there to rob the place,” he said.

“How do you know?”

“Does that guy really strike you as someone who gives a shit about the antiques or silverware in that house?” Kyle asked. “A.V.I said it looked like he was searching for something even as he approached the house; I tried asking him, but he didn’t say what or who before he got me.”

At that, Kyle reached behind him to rub the spot where the sergal had struck him behind his head. “For such a skinny guy, he packed a wallop too,” he added.

“Not to mention, he was fast,” added Tsumé, nodding in agreement. “Catching a shower of stones – even reacting fast enough to do that is crazy. Who was that guy?”

“I don’t know,” Kyle replied, honestly. “But… I think I might know who we can ask.”

“Who?”

Kyle looked at her. “Didn’t that guy remind you of someone, particularly with that sword of his? Or that healing?”

“What healing? We didn’t even hit him.”

“I did,” Kyle replied. “I got him right in the chest; he didn’t even react to it, and he didn’t even bleed either. Plus, what A.V.I said about his energy readings was that he was similar to Korban. Then there was that katana of his… It felt like it weighed a thousand pounds - dragged me right off my feet.”

Tsumé opened her mouth to ask why that would matter until a memory brought itself to the forefront of her mind. “Wait… Volcan tried to use Korban’s sword once… And it-” she blinked. “You think Korban knows who that was?”

“The guy reminded me a lot of him, with that weapon and those abilities,” replied Kyle. “It may only be a coincidence, but that guy’s powers are just like his. We need to talk to him.”

Tsumé grimaced. “Okay… But how do we find him?”

“Avory should have his phone number. Maybe we can sneak into the house through the back, avoid him if he’s still there, and-”

“I’ve got his phone number, actually,” Tsumé interjected. “Gave it to me that night at Ordagova’s Problem is, my phone’s in the yard… So we’ll have to slip in either way. Fortunate for you, I can do that.”

Kyle looked at her warily. “...You don’t need to take me with you, right?”

Tsumé rolled her eyes and smiled. “No. I can get in and out faster on my own; I’ll be gone before he even knows I was there,” she replied. “Or, best case scenario, he’s already left. I’ll let you know. In the meantime, you better hide somewhere.”

Kyle nodded, and after the two confirmed that no one was looking, Tsumé disappeared into the ground again, leaving Kyle on his own. He headed to the rear of the lot, getting as far away from the street as possible and searching for a place to take cover until Tsumé came back. While he waited, he pondered, wondering what it could mean to have a stranger - with power similar to Korban’s, showing up at the mansion so suddenly…

“This is starting to give me a bad feeling,” he muttered.

~~~~~

Korban was quite surprised when he received the phone call, from the most unexpected of callers. When he lifted his phone and checked the caller I.D to read the name, the name ‘Mondiale, Tsumé’ appeared across the screen. Arching an eyebrow curiously at the name, he let it ring a couple more times before he finally answered, accepting the call and holding his phone to his ear.

“Well, well, this is a surprise.” the husky remarked with a grin he hoped the earth phoenix could hear. “Here I thought you were done with my bullshit after the last stunt I pulled at Stark’s mansion.”

“I thought so too. But lucky for you, we got a serious matter and we think you can help us out,” the earth phoenix replied. “By chance, are you in the area, anywhere close to Avory’s house?”

“I’m aboooout…” He glanced out the window of his trailer for a moment. “...I’d say maybe twenty minutes out.” He answered before grinning again. “A serious matter, eh? And here I thought I was getting another crack at gettin’ to know you better,” he joked.

“You wish,” the earth phoenix said, disdainfully. “We had a visitor, one with a big chip on his shoulder, and I want to be alert in case he comes back for round two.” After a few seconds of delay, she then added, “Don’t suppose you know any sergals with samurai swords, do you?”

Just like that, Korban felt like a lead weight had dropped into his stomach. His smile vanished instantly and his eyes suddenly widened as a sense of dread washed over him. He stayed quiet for several long moments, making Tsumé wonder if he was still there.

“…I’ll be there in five…” was all he said before he hung up, then bolted up from his seat and quickly went for his bike, grabbing his guns and sword as he did. Within seconds he was out of his trailer and zooming down the road at full throttle, racing for the Lo’Raven residence as fast as he could.

~~~~~

When they heard the familiar sound of a motorcycle pulling up, Kyle arched an eyebrow as he looked toward the door. “...Wow. He run a bunch of red lights to get here?” he said, looking at the clock.

“He sounded pretty stricken when I told him about that sergal,” said Tsume.

With that, Kyle walked over to the front doors to open them, just in time as Korban was practically running up to the front door. The two had never seen such a serious expression on the face of the husky before, knowing him to be free-spirited and, at times, exceedingly cocky… But at the moment, there was no trace of his usual self on his face, and it immediately silenced any words either Kyle or Tsume had prepared when they saw him…

He paused once he saw the two of them staring back at him, glancing between the two before continuing up the stairs to meet them.

“Start talking.” He said in a very serious tone. “Was it really a katana slinging sergal you two just encountered or is this a bad attempt at a prank…cause I ain’t laughing if it is.”

“I keep all footage from all cameras in this household for up to one hundred days unless stated otherwise. I have the footage you are referring to loaded and ready to view.”

Korban began looking around frantically for the source of that voice. “Okay, who the fuck just said that?” He demanded.

The two looked at the husky curiously. “You didn't know about A.V.I.?” Tsumé asked.

“The fuck’s an Avi?” Korban asked, then he thought for a moment before wearing a blank expression on his face. “...Don’t tell me he actually has his own version of J.A.R.V.I.S….”

“If that’s the name of an A.I assistant then, yes. Yes he does,” said Tsumé.

“He really is a real-life Iron Man,” Kyle remarked.

“What would that make Avelyn - Iron Maiden?” asked Tsumé

“That’s a band,” Kyle pointed out.

“A’ight, enough!” Korban snapped, waving his hands in irritation. “Look… A.V.I. or whatever… Bring up what happened earlier today.”

“I have brought up the footage on the main screen in the living room,” A.V.I. replied.

At the A.I’s direction, the three moved to the living room and sat down in front of the aforementioned - a large television, and they began watching the footage of the encounter with the sergal.

Through the recording, he saw the stranger approaching the house, walking slowly and slowing more each time he took in his surroundings, clearly searching for something. It continued until Kyle stepped out to confront him, exchanging words until the sergal suddenly appeared behind Kyle and struck him, knocking him down.

“A.V.I; play that back, slow motion, from right when that sergal started to move to just after he hit me,” Kyle directed after the scene played.

The A.I did as instructed, starting at when the intruder disappeared from where he was standing, before reappearing behind Kyle, with only a blur of motion to mark his path where he moved.

“So, it wasn’t teleportation,” said Kyle, “Guy just moved too fast for me to see clearly… Though that’s not exactly less alarming.”

The whole time the video played Korban remained silent, even at parts where they had to pause just to confirm the sergal’s abilities. When they took a second to gauge Korban’s reaction, they saw his eyes almost bulging from how wide they were, and his breathing had quickened somewhat as he focused solely on the sergal, the weapon he carried, and how he fought. It was then that both Kyle and Tsume saw firsthand an emotion they never could have expected from the self-proclaimed Immortal Bounty Hunter.

Fear… He was truly and utterly afraid of what he was witnessing…

“Korban?” Tsumé asked, sounding concerned.

Kyle, though, narrowed his eyes. “So, I was right,” he spoke in a glib tone. “You do know that guy.”

Korban stumbled back until he was leaning against a nearby wall, running his paw through his hair and blinking rapidly as he just processed what he just watched. Slowly he lifted his gaze back up to the two of them and frowned heavily.

“Yea, I do…” He confirmed. “And you two are fucking lucky to still be alive right now…”

“You can thank Tsumé’s quick thinking for that,” said Kyle, nodding to the Earth phoenix. “But that still begs the question, who was he?”

“And more to the point, what was he doing here?” Tsumé added to the question. “He wasn’t exactly talkative; never even said what he wanted.”

“Only two reasons I can think that he’d be here.” Korban answered, pushing off of the wall and walking past Tsumé and Kyle as he went on. “He’s either here because he, like me, sensed that Flamie was possessed and was drawn to his power like a moth to a flame… Or he’s here because he knows I’m sticking around these parts…”

Tsumé and Kyle exchanged a brief look before Kyle turned to Korban again. “I’d say it’s the former,” he stated. “If he knows you, then he probably knows he’d never find you in a place like this, on the higher end of society. No offense,” he added with an upraised hand.

“None taken, Sarge,” Korban dismissively answered, letting out a sigh before he suddenly turned and punched the closest wall to him, Tsume stepping back in alarm and Kyle uncrossing his arms, but his hands remained up.

“FUCK!” Korban shouted. “…You just couldn’t stay away, could you ya fucking bastard?!” He demanded, his attention only on the wall he had struck.

After a short pause, as Korban had his furious outburst, a thought came to Tsumé “Wait a minute,” she cut in, “You said that he might have been here because of Volcan? How could he even know?”

“Yeah, she’s right; I’m pretty sure none of us ever saw that guy before, including Volc,” Kyle added.

Korban’s ears twitched for a moment before he turned and looked back at them curiously, shifting his gaze between the two before a look of realization crossed his face. “...Oh shit, you two weren’t there when…” he muttered out loud, then groaned audibly and rolled his eyes before fully facing them. “Well… the others already know, Volc included, so I guess the cat’s fully outta the bag now.”

He took a second to calm down before speaking again. “So, remember when we first met when Frosty tried deducing what I was, and I told him that, and I quote, ‘I wasn’t exactly mortal?’” he asked.

“Neither of us were here for that either,” Tsumé pointed out, “but go on?”

“Come to think of it, you did get here pretty fast that night,” Kyle muttered, in a way that suggested he was starting to piece it together.

“Well, see… it was a hint as to what I really am…” Korban answered. “And what I really am is… sigh… I’m a demon myself.”

The two gaped at him, sharing a quick look before looking at Korban again. “Wait, then that’s how you knew Volcan was possessed?” Tsumé asked.

“Yep,” Korban confirmed. “I sensed the demonic presence overpowering Flamie’s… It filled me with a dread I hadn’t felt in a long ass time, at least until today,” he went on. “See, my old man was a Demon, or so I was told. Specifically, he was the former Demon King of the Underworld, which… In a sense, makes me a Demon Prince of sorts.”

He scoffed angrily before he continued. “It’s why I can swing this hunk of metal so easily. It’s a Demonic weapon that he once used himself and passed down to me,” he said while jerking his thumb to the massive sword on his back.

Tsumé looked at the sword. “I remember that even Volcan wasn’t able to lift that, that day at Ayane’s,” she said.

“And likewise that sergal’s blade dragged me right off my feet when I got it away from him; felt like I was trying to pick up a heap of raw iron,” added Kyle. “So, what was he really, then; another demon like you?”

“That and worse,” Korban answered grimly. “...He’s my brother.”

Again, the two gaped at him; Tsumé’s beak dropped wide open, and Kyle - though with a less comical reaction than the Earth Phoenix, still couldn’t keep the shock off his face at the news.

“I’m sorry, what?” Tsumé asked. “But that guy’s not even the same species as you!”

“Same father, different mother?” Kyle inquired, making a guess.

“Right again,” Korban confirmed, nodding to Kyle. “His name’s Sash. We’re both related by blood because we’re both offspring of the same Demon King. The biggest difference, besides our species, is that while I'm not proud of my heritage, he embraces it fully.” He explained, then frowned and clenched his paws tightly at his sides. “It’s the reason why we parted ways in the first place… after the huge fight we had about it…”

Tsumé frowned, lifting one arm to absently rub her other, her gaze drifting aside. “Yeah… I sort of know what that’s like,” she said.

Kyle shook his head. “We might be getting off-topic here,” he said. “If that guy came here, specifically looking for Volcan… Do you think he still is?”

At that, Tsumé jerked like she had been hit. “Oh shit… Do you think so?” she asked, looking between Korban and Kyle.

“He might have, at first… But now that he knows that I’m here, he’s probably gonna shift his priority to hunting me down and finishing what we started several years ago…” Korban answered, then he smirked slightly. “Ironic… the hunter has now become the prey…”

Kyle narrowed his eyes. “So, what do we do, then? Can we say for sure he’s not still hunting that demon that possessed Volcan?” he asked.

“If he is, then that’s no skin off our shoulders. He takes down that demon, then that’s one less headache for us.” Korban quickly replied. “Of course, once that’s done, he’s gonna set his sights on me… and if any of you decide to get in the way, he won’t think twice about cutting you down to get to me.”

He then glared at the both of them firmly. “...Which is why I’m telling you now… If he shows up again, run. Do not engage him. He’s after me and me alone, and he won’t stop until he finds me again.”

“Uh, that might be tricky,” said Kyle, arching an eyebrow in a ‘no shit’ manner. “You saw for yourself how fast that guy moves. He’s quicker than greased lightning; running won’t even be an option.”

“Not to mention, we didn’t exactly go looking for him the first time - he came to us,” added Tsumé, “and he might already suspect we know you. If he does, he’ll come back.”

“He wasn’t looking for you, he was searching for the source of the demonic presence.” Korban corrected. “But, yea I do see yer point there. Regardless, if he comes back, then the safest thing you can do is just tell him where I am. It’s the best chance you’ll have of staying alive.”

“You mean knowingly put you in danger?” Tsumé asked, scowling. “What do you take us for, a bunch of rats?”

“Gotta agree,” said Kyle, “You may not have been in the marine corp with me, Korban, but we fought together to take down P.A.C.E. Far as I’m concerned, that makes you a comrade, and I don’t sell out my comrades.”

Korban growled at that. “This ain’t like dealing with those P.A.C.E. fucks, Sarge!” He said angrily. “This is a guy who can, and will, cut you down into literal confetti before you can even blink! Even if you’re some elementally powered phoenix or protected in a suit of armour or whatever!!” He went on, pointing at the both of them. “You only saw a fucking fraction of what this guy can do! He could have easily killed you both if he wanted to, and the same goes for everyone else you guys know. I am telling you not to get in the way fer yer own fucking protection!”

But both shook their heads. “We’ll stay out of his way if we have to,” Tsumé spoke for both of them, “but even if he shows up here again, we are not going to sell you out.”

Kyle nodded in agreement with Tsumé, making it clear that both had made up their minds on the subject.

“Yer both fucking idiots…” Korban abrasively remarked, then sighed heavily afterward. “...But who am I to tell you what to do with yer lives? Just know that if you do decide to get involved, it’s your funeral.”

Beneath his gruff words, though… Korban felt an emotion – one that took a moment for him to recognize as gratitude, passing through him; the last time he had felt the emotion had been when Volcan had saved him from Devilshade, putting his life in danger for him and making sure Korban lived to see another day. Though he stayed silent about this feeling, the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“If nothing else, first thing we should do is go check on Volcan,” said Kyle.

“Right… He might not be fully recovered after that demon ripped its way out of him,” Tsumé agreed with a nod. “If that sergal goes looking for him, trying to find that demon, he won’t stand a chance.”

“Good call,” Korban agreed with a nod. “I’ll head on over and let him know the situation. You guys get in touch with the others and do the same thing. Knowing Stark, he’ll try to come up with some kinda contingency plan on how to deal with my bro…for whatever good as that’ll do…”

“Avory’s in Tel Aviv right now,” said Kyle, “and Avelyn’s in Milan. They left a week ago; business trips, they said.”

“...Nevermind then, we’re fucked.” Korban muttered.

“What about Vinge?” Kyle suggested. “Any way to reach him? He is the one who came up with the plan that beat Korban before - again, no offense,” he commented before continuing, “and even drafted the plan to beat P.A.C.E. Maybe he could figure something out.”

“While he’s certainly not across the Atlantic, he’s almost just as far away,” Tsumé replied. “He lives in the Yukon Territories, somewhere in Whitehorse. I don’t really know.”

Kyle looked at Korban. “Any chance your kitty friend can poof us over there?” he asked.

Korban shook his head. “No such luck. We uh… had a fallin’ out not long before Volc got possessed. No idea where he went.” He answered. “Tried callin’ him several times, but he either ain’t answerin’ or he’s in a spot with no signal…”

“Well, that’s just great,” said Kyle, rolling his eyes. “Guess it’s just up to us, then… Let’s get busy - make sure Volcan’s okay, then try to come up with a plan.”

“Start makin’ calls then,” Korban said before he quickly headed for the door leading out to his bike. “I’ll deliver the news to Flamie myself.”

“Right. I’ll call Pavan and Lighris then,” Tsumé offered, picking her phone out of her pocket.

“Watch out, Korban,” Kyle called after him. “That guy now suspects you’re here… He could show up any time.”

“Trust me, I’m countin’ on it.” Korban called back as he mounted his bike. He paused for a moment, then called out once more. “Hey, Tsumé.”

When he had her attention, he looked at her in silence for a moment before he shot a friendlier smirk her way. “...Glad to know you and I have somethin’ in common.” He stated, then casually saluted her before revving his engine and peeling out of the driveway and down the road, leaving a smoke trail from the burnt rubber.

~~~~~

Back in the living room, Kyle was once again rewatching the CCTV of the incident before. As he kept his attention squarely focused on the monitor, he failed to notice that another window had appeared in the upper corner of the screen, showing the familiar face of an amber-eyed raven.

“Kyle! What the hell was that?!” the bird exclaimed, his voice exploding through the TV’s speakers.

Kyle nearly leapt out of his chair in fright, only now noticing the shrunken image of Avory’s face occupying the upper left side of the screen. “What the fuck!” he bellowed, putting a hand over his chest where his heart was. “Don’t do that - I’m on edge as it is!”

“I’m not surprised! What’s gone on? I’m only just watching the footage,” He insisted; his eyes visibly darting scanning across the small phone screen in front of him.

Kyle took a breath to steady himself and began to answer. “Someone came here, we think, looking for that thing that came out of Volcan,” he explained. “We don’t know much else besides that; you can see everything else on the cameras.”

“...Another demon… Korban’s brother…” Avory muttered, before realizing what he was saying, looking around the toilet cubicle a bit as he heard others come in and out, “In the… metaphorical sense…” he tried to play off, “what’s the plan then?”

“According to Korban himself, not metaphorical. That sergal and him share a dad, so, half-brothers,” said Kyle, misunderstanding what Avory was mumbling. “As for a plan… Still working on it. Tsumé and I were practically powerless against this guy; Korban’s gone to check on Volc and Tsume’s calling the others to warn them. Not much else we can do for now.”

“I know it’s not metaph… Look, I’m not alone right now… So can’t say much…” Avory reveals. “I am in the middle of a rock and a hard place right now… I’ve got four more nights and then I’m back…. …I can be back in a few hours if you’re desperate. Do you need me?”

Kyle blinked as he detected the hint of a slur in Avory’s words, realizing that when he spoke he had made several grammatical errors. Looking closely at the raven through the monitor. “...Avory. Are you drinking right now?” he asked.

“NOOO!!” Avory responded angrily to the accusation, “I am in the toilet! Why would I bring a drink in here?”

“You just sound a bit… Tipsy,” Kyle remarked, trying to sound impassive.

“Like, I’ve had a few before now. I’m not drinking now. It’s called ‘networking’. You won’t understand.” the bird dismissed.

Kyle arched an eyebrow. “Right… Well, anyway, I don’t think there’s a huge hurry yet, but I would feel better having you here,” Kyle agreed. “Still, you got work to do out there; we’ll be okay in the short term, now that we know who and what we’re dealing with.”

“Right. Stick close to Korban, but if it gets dangerous and too much for even him to handle, let me know immediately and I will head over right away,” Avory insisted.

Kyle nodded. “I will,” he promised.

With that, Avory ended the call, and Kyle went back to watching the footage about the sergal – Sash, Korban had called him, watching closely how he moved and fought. Sash was a well-practiced fighter, but his technique seemed to emphasize keeping his sword housed in the sheath at all times, until he needed it.

To Kyle’s disappointment, there was very little for him to see. Throughout the fight – if it could even be called one, Sash had only used the sword twice; first to threaten the earth phoenix into compliance, which was when Kyle had tried to disarm him, and then called it back to his hand to create the vortex he had counter-attacked Tsumé with. But otherwise, he had always kept the blade housed, relying instead on hand-to-hand combat.

“Too little to go on,” he muttered, disappointedly shaking his head. All that they knew about Sash was that he was fast, healed quickly, and knew some kind of power that allowed him to deflect Tsumé’s attack, and was even skilled enough to outmatch her, which is what he found equally alarming; Kyle had fought Tsumé in a sparring match, and he knew she was skilled. Besides that, Sash had been quick enough to outmaneuver Tsumé, fast enough to move behind Kyle before he could squeeze the trigger of his gun.

Yet all of this made Kyle aware, and frighteningly so, was the only reason he and Tsume were even still alive. “Shit,” he muttered. ‘This guy could’ve killed us both a dozen times over if he’d drawn that blade even once… ‘ he thought, adding to his horror at the realization. ‘Did he just decide we’re not worth it? Or was he trying to send a message?’

Somehow, Kyle knew that this opponent they now faced… Was far more dangerous than anything that had fought when they had destroyed the P.A.C.E directive…