Javal Zarrias was currently sitting in his family's inn and tavern, "The Indigo Inn '' in an office alongside his good friend Cyran. He had decided to meet him at his family's home before they made the journey to their next destination on their quest to take down the lords of chaos. For Javal this was a done deal he was going to follow and defeat the lords of chaos but he still had doubts about Cyran's involvement. He was sitting behind his mom's office chair and had Cyran sitting across from him. His family was all here in the inn working; they'd all met Cyran and each had a different response.



His sister Mersaria, "Woah you're the guy who alongside my brother Sley the demonic sheep must write a song about you two's adventure at once" and ran somewhere to write her song.



His brother Nicolaus, "You must be Cyran, your weaponry looks amazing if you ever need a weapon let me know I'd be happy to help".


His sister Riezala, "You must be great at parties I might need to use you and my brother up in Sol City as security or company".


His brother Daimon sized up Cyran, "Make sure you don't do anything bad or I'll find it"..


Javal then asks Cyran, "Cyran are you sure you want to come with me on this journey? I wouldn't want it to seem like I'm pushing this on you, plus last time we almost died. If you'd like to leave now I totally understand".

Cyran was glad he’d managed to keep the true nature of his profession a secret from Javal at their last meeting. Though their last encounter had been… tense, so to speak, the invitation the young fellblood extended to Cyran to visit his home in the underground society of Thorock made it easy for him to carry out a quick mission for one of his employers.

Cyran made quick work of the job, dropping the package of mysterious origin off at an infamous pirate’s den before making his way to Javal’s home, as instructed. The Indigo Inn was a tavern on the other side of town. The place seemed quiet… which made the sudden interrogation from all of Javal’s family members once he entered all the more overwhelming.

One started muttering about writing a song about them while another began marveling at his weaponry. Cyran flashed him a kind smile. “Thank you. I’m rather partial to my daggers… though I would never say no to more. Are you a craftsman?”

Another sibling, talking about how fun Cyran must be at parties. He was taken aback by this claim, considering that fun was not the first word someone would use to describe Cyran in the slightest. “… Thank you?”

The second brother’s greeting was the one that startled Cyran the most. “I don’t have any nefarious intentions, if that’s what you mean.” He promised.

He and Javal then got settled in an office to get to the true nature of their business - the Lords of Chaos.

He hadn’t learned much on them since his last meeting with Javal, much to his chagrin. Records of the demons were few and far in between, though he’d managed to pick up a little. Namely, that there thirteen of them in total, demons of calamity, each one wielding a world-ending power.

They were a bit late for that, Cyran thought wryly. Given the state of Charon, calamity was already here.

He leaned forward in his seat, a no-nonsense expression on his face. “I wouldn’t be here if I was not willing to risk my life. You have asked for my help, and I am more than willing to give it. I am aware of the risks, and I know you do too. I don't intend on leaving any time soon.”

---

Bringing Minions
Oriole (Warlord I)
Andromeda (Warlord II)

Javal smiled; he was glad he had such a dependable friend like Cyran at his side, especially now since they were about to embark on such a great journey. After all, they were facing such a dangerous threat that if they didn’t put a stop to it would lead many to lose their lives. They had to push forward and stop this threat at any and all costs.



“Good to have you on board as my partner in this Cyran. I’ll need someone so dependable and skilled as you on this adventure considering how powerful our enemies will be”.



Soon after some more talking with Cyran Javal heard a knock at the door, “Come on whoever it is”, he responded.



It was his mother at the door holding two plates of pie, “Javal dearie make sure you and your friend eat. I brought some pie I made for you and your friend to enjoy. Make sure whatever you two are working on that you take breaks sometimes”.



"Thanks, mom", Javal says he then turns to Cyran, "Mom's pie is super good Cyran dig in".

“And I am glad to fight by your side.” Cyran replied in turn, a grave expression on his face. He knew what was at stake here - hunting down demons was no summer picnic. “Though I have faith that the two of us will be able to hold our own.” And if they found themselves in trouble, he had backup waiting this time around.

Oriole and Andromeda hadn’t come with him to visit Javal’s family, but his two apprentices were just down the street, within shouting distance in case Cyran needed them. Thief and assassin would follow from a distance, ready to observe this fight, and only intervene unless absolutely necessary.

“Do we have any leads?”

Before they could continue speaking about work, there was a polite knock on the door. Cyran pursed his lips, only relaxing when an older woman stepped in side, setting two plates of sugary confections down on the table. Pie? It looked delicious. Cyran was not particularly a fan of overly sweet foods, but he would not turn up his nose at a good, homecooked meal - especially not one from his host.

He bowed his head in thanks, a polite smile on his face. “Thank you for your meal and your generosity, Madam.” He was relieved to hear the care and concern in her voice for her son… he, of all people, understood what the concern of a parent felt like. He stood, offering his hand for her to shake.

“I promise you, I will watch over Javal and ensure that he takes breaks. He will be well-cared for. This, I swear.” A more loaded promise than she probably knew… nor did she knew she held the promise of an assassin. But one who cared about her son, all the same.

As Javal ushered him to eat, Cyran sat, digging into his mother’s pie.

It really was delicious.

He hoped this wouldn’t be their last meal.

As Javal was stuffing his face with pie he remembered that Raoul was on his way to the office to give them some more information Javal had asked him to look into. They heard another knock at the door Javal told them to come in and there he was, his sworn brother Raoul.



He hadn't changed much since their last meeting, he was still the same vampiric detective he always was. Hey Javal and Cyran, I came up with some of the information you had me to look into about your next target. They've taken Storm Gale over and are searching to gain complete control over it. They've already infiltrated the area and are gaining political power quickly".

The second knock on the door set Cyran on guard.

This time, the man who entered the room was not Javal’s mother. Rather, a pale-skinned man whom Cyran had not met, but knew his name all the same. He stiffened before remembering that Javal must have told him. An informant? He and Javal seemed familiar with one another… enough so that Javal trusted him to look into this lord of chaos.

Cyran politely set his fork down on the plate while the young man spoke, metal clinking against porcelain. The soft sound seemed to mark the end of the lighthearted portion of this journey. He was under no illusions that this was merely a social visit, but the reality of it was still exhausting. Gods, he was tired.

But he had promised Javal his blades.

Cyran rested his hand on the hilt of Spell Slicer - the small, familiar motion brought him some level of comfort. “Political power? In Stormgale?” He knew little about the political situation in the Cradle. Each city was different, with their own chain of command and their own way of running things. “Did you happen to get a name?”

If the young informant happened to have a name, it was entirely possible that Cyran could sneak inside and secure a kill, assassinate the target before the Lord of Chaos realized that someone was after them.

His grip on his dagger tightened.

He didn’t want Javal to have to see him… in his element, but at least his skills would come in handy here. Cyran was adept at killing - even things that had an annoying inability to stay dead.

"We'll have to be discrete about this. Subtle. The people of Stormgale won't take kindly to seeing a couple of strangers clashing with a prominent member of the community."

Raoul after hearing out Cyran responds, “Yes, they have been taking control over many of the population there through worship. There’s been an uprising of a new religion that’s placed them as their savior. I have the name of the head priest, Lector Trikil, although that might not do you any good. The religion is fast spreading, you’ll need to do something more direct and more effective than just covering things up, Cyran” He winks as he says that last part.



Javal didn’t understand why Raoul did that. Maybe he had an itchy eye, so he'd talk to Raoul about his possible eye condition another time.



“Oh, my apologies. I haven't introduced myself properly, sorry I was a bit rushed to deliver the information as fast as I could. My name is Raoul Orel, the dark detective, and owner of the Dragon Fang Detective Agency. Javal here's my little brother. I thank you for taking such good care of him".


He holds his hand out awaiting a handshake from Cyran.



After that, he begins giving more info again, “Whatever this beast is we couldn’t find its real name all books and information brokers could give me was an old alias people gave it, the feline of thunder. It's known to be more strategic in its approach but doesn’t underestimate it. We’ve found out that this feline has the catalytic ability of Lightning".


“Woah, I wish I could pet this sparkly cat”, Javal says cheerfully.



After a bit more discussion and planning, Raoul suddenly remarks, “Hey Javal, your brother Daimon wanted to talk to you about something downstairs”.


Javal then leaves excitedly, “I’ll be right back guys, don’t worry Cyran, Raoul here’s my brother he wouldn’t do anything bad I promise".


Raoul then closes the door and sits back down on Javal’s chair.



“Well it appears that we’re here alone Cyran or should I say, “the Specter” You may have Javal fooled on your identity but not me”.

There was a knowing look in the young man’s eyes as he winked at Cyran. Javal might not have known the implication in the investigators rather unsubtle pointed tone, but Cyran knew what he was hinting at immediately.

The assassin crossed his arms, leaning back in the seat. So this young detective - Raoul, as he soon introduced himself - had done some digging into Cyran’s alias. That was not necessarily cause for concern. It was his job to be in the know, and Cyran at the very least could appreciate the caution and concern for the man’s brother. Javal and Raoul were clearly not bound by blood, but the bond that they shared clearly ran deep.

Cyran accepted his handshake.

“Lovely to meet you, Raoul. I’m Cyran - no family name. Though…” His eyes flicked towards Javal, “I see Javal has already mentioned me.” His grip was firm, not overly tight - if Raoul had any doubts about the assassin’s identity they would be banished by the feeling of scars and callouses along Cyran’s palm, from years of wielding a blade, and even more training with one.

He settled back into his seat while Raoul relayed the information he had.

Truly, there wasn’t a lot to go off of.

But a name, Cyran could work with. Lector Trikil. A living tempest masquerading around as a human. Already, his mind was spinning with all the ways they could infiltrate the man’s inner circle, strike fast and strike hard - his thoughts were interrupted by Javal’s laments.

“… I’m sure we could find other cats for you to pet besides the one that will electrocute you upon contact.” Cyran tried to dissuade thoughts of petting the animal gently.

And then conversation progressed as normal. Cyran almost expected Raoul to make more cracks about Cyran’s identity, lord the information over his head, but he didn’t. They spoke about what their plan was going to be to take care of the lord of chaos, and nothing else. What was Raoul’s plan? He clearly didn’t seem ready to shoo the assassin away from his brother anytime soon - in fact, he seemed quite content with Cyran’s presence. So was it to be blackmail, then?

If that was the case, brother or no, Cyran would have to erase Raoul’s memory of this encounter. He couldn’t have too many people knowing about his identity. It didn’t just put his own life at risk, but that of his family. His daughters, his sons, his friends… Del. It put Javal at risk. It put Raoul himself at risk.

All Cyran could do was wait for the moment Raoul tried to get them alone, away from Javal. He knew how this worked. The young man would attempt to scare Cyran with what he knew. Rattle him so that Cyran would do what he wanted. It was unfortunate for him, then, that Cyran was not so young or inexperienced that he would be scared by something like this.

Just as he expected, Raoul came up with some excuse about Javal’s brother, which the young fellblood accepted at face value. Cyran offered him a serene smile. “No worries. Go see what your brother wants. I’m sure we’ll be just fine.”

And he meant it.

He remained calm while Raoul showed his hand.

“It was never my intention to fool Javal.” Cyran folded his hands on the table, away from his daggers. He did not need to keep his hands near them to grab them at a moment’s notice, but Raoul didn’t know that. Even if he’d managed to piece together Cyran’s alias, there was little recorded information about the Specter’s abilities. “My personal life and my work life are separate.“

He leaned forward.

“Though the fact that you were curious enough to dig into my past on a whim is… interesting. And you clearly haven’t told Javal what you know. Which means you have come to me with this information either to scare me… or because you want something from me. And given that you look smart enough to avoid threatening a known assassin while you’re alone with him, I assume it’s the latter.”

In contrast to the kindness in his voice when he spoke with Javal, Cyran was cold now. Professional. Raoul was no longer speaking with Cyran, but the Specter himself.

“So, Raoul, what can I do for you?”

Raoul now sitting behind the desk where Javal was sat earlier looks straightforward at Cyran’s eyes unflinching with a large smile revealing his fangs. “Now now, Mr. Specter”, he chuckles, “Calm down there no need to get so upset. Don’t go assassinating me Mr. Big assassin guy”. He laughs as he says this, “Trust me Cyran you don’t scare me I’ve faced far more dangerous people than yourself over the years. I’ve seen the true ugliness of the world so I could understand far more than you would know about the dangers of assassins. I have two subjects of which I need to speak candidly about with you. Firstly, I need you to watch over Javal throughout this journey. As we both know he can be a bit curious and naive that may give him more trouble than he needs to be in. Especially now with what we’re dealing with, someone needs to watch over him to make sure he doesn’t get into danger. Secondly, I dropped your identity not because I wish to blackmail you but to ask for your assistance. I told you and Javal about most of the information I had except for one teensy little thing and that is that these lords usually bond and take over people’s bodies as hosts. You and I both know that it would be hard for for Javal to willingly kill people so I ask you to do what is necessary. In this mission we don't have time for sympathy and mercy so I ask you to just do what you do best Cyran that's all”.

Cyran merely raised his brows and remained silent while Raoul talked down to him. Kids these days liked to boast that they were unkillable, that they’d seen everything awful in the world. Whatever the kid was trying to do - provoke him, test him, or just bolster himself up - Cyran wasn’t rattled so easily by some smart-mouthed private investigator. Cyran had seen more frightening things too… the difference was that he did not rest on his laurels.

He waited until Raoul was finished with his spiel to speak.

“Word of advice, kid. Don’t belittle the man you’re propositioning for help before you proposition him for help.” There was no anger in his voice - just the same cold, analytical tone he’d spoken in before. “Now, I’m not going to enter a pissing contest with you. We’ve both seen some shit. You might not like me right off the bat because you’re protective of Javal. You don’t have to like me. Though it might surprise you to learn that I’m rather protective of him, too.”

Even though their acquaintanceship had been brief, Cyran was already pretty fond of Javal. He was young and headstrong, and that kind of innocence deserved to be protected. Everything that Raoul was requesting him do, Cyran had already been planning on.

“I figured that would be the case.” His single, silver, visible eye narrowing for a moment while he parsed through Raoul’s words. All truthful - not a single lie. “Most demons operate on a similar principle.” Chances were, the human mind and soul were already dead. Nothing but a shell of a person, a corpse piloted by an infernal creature.

Cyran had seen it before with his own eyes.

He sighed, resigned. “I was already planning on being the one to deliver the finishing blow. I’ve seen Javal’s kindness for myself. In this matter, my blades are yours.”

He leaned back in his seat, offering Raoul a wane smile. There was no happiness in it.

“Now, was there anything else you wanted from me?”

“Glad to hear that you’ve taken a liking to my little brother, however, I warn you if anything happens to him while on this mission the lords will be the least of your concerns. I can promise you that. Also, you are partly wrong in terms of the hosts and bodies talk, at least with the information I have although most vessels they take over become husks for them to inhabit. If they find a perfect vessel to commune with allowing they reach even greater powers so you need to stop that from happening and if it’s already happened well good luck to ya because that’s gonna be even harder to beat. Their souls are as one, the person will still be in there so I trust that it won’t be a problem to kill for you". It appears that the business talk is done, he sighs letting out a loud chuckle, “hope that didn’t get too intense. I take my job and my brother seriously, especially against new people. Cheer up old man no need to get too serious Mr. big specter assassin guy. Being serious is bad for people your age ya know”.

“I don’t intend to let anything happen to him.” Cyran’s voice was cold and unwavering, an uttered promise - Cyran was the kind of man who kept his word or died trying. He didn’t seem particularly bothered by the threat in Raoul’s voice.

What Raoul was describing, though, didn’t make a difference one way or the other. Whether the human soul had been overtaken or merged with the demon completely didn’t matter. If they had willingly allowed a demon into their heart, they were already too far gone to be saved. Sometimes mercy came in the form of a blade, cold steel against a throat for a swift end.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get the job done swiftly and efficiently.” That was the Specter’s modus operandi, after all.

He huffed out a ghost of a laugh when Raoul took a crack at his age. “Well, when you get to be my age, you’ll understand why I’m so serious.” There was no bite in his tone, though there was a bit of his usual self melting back into his demeanor now that business was over. He didn’t have to like the kid, but he respected Raoul’s protectiveness. He knew what that felt like, after all. And in that regard, they had common ground.

They both left their office and made there way to where Javal was regaling his brother with some pirate stories. Cyran offered the two a kindly smile, clearing his throat. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Javal was in the middle of regaling his little brother about the time that the black dragons went face to face with a giant kraken in the middle of the sea when suddenly Cyran and Raoul appeared next to the two. He was surprised to hear his brother requested Javal to regale him with old pirate stories because usually Daimon dreaded hearing Javal's stories because they dragged on and on. Once the two arrived Daimon's face went from bored and frustrated to a look of relief and happiness that the 16 stories were finally over.



Javal looked at the two and said "Oh hey guys how was your meeting, you guys talk about being mysterious and cool and stuff".


Daimon looked at Raoul nodded and said, "See you guys I have some work to do, stay safe"



Raoul said with a wide smile, "See ya kid, oh yeah Javal me and old man Cyrus here had a chat about who's more mysterious and cool. We both concluded that I was cooler by far" he chuckled, "Just kidding we concluded we're both equally as cool but your way cooler".



Javals eyes sparkled, "No way shucks you guys sure know how to make a guy smile".



Raoul continued "Yeah but anyways you weren't the only one that was telling stories, old man Cyrus was telling me stories about when he was young like hundreds of years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the earth" he laughed hard as he said this.

Daimon took their reappearance from the office as an opportunity to slip away and gain freedom from the stories that Javal was telling him. Cyran had to hide a fond smile behind his hand. It was sweet, watching brothers interact. Raoul jumped in with an easy lie about what they’d been speaking on, smooth as butter - though Cyran didn’t miss the purposeful way he messed up Cyran’s name.

Cyran nodded in agreement. “It’s hard to compete with the sheer, badass energy of Javal Style: Single Slash.”

Raoul, though, apparently couldn’t resist getting a couple more digs at Cyran. Cyran huffed, crossing his arms. He wasn’t particularly offended by the gentle ribbing. “Yes, I received schooling from a Tyrannosaurus rex.” He replied, sarcasm dripping from his voice. It was almost amusing, he thought, watching Raoul dig at him in some attempt to gain an upper hand between them. It was obvious that he was experienced, but his age was evident in the way he attempted to be acerbic and make himself feel superior to Cyran. Young, flippant, and a little bit full of himself.

But they at least had common ground on one matter - they wanted what was best for Javal.

“But I won’t bore you with those stories during our journey, Javal.” He assured the young fellblood. “We’ve a long road ahead of us to Skypeak village. I will not make it even longer with stories from my youth from… millennia ago.”

Javal's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Cyran how old are you!!", earnestly, "How big were the dinosaurs? What did the planet use to look like? and other questions were asked excitedly and honestly, "I want to hear all about these stories on our journey"! 

Raoul was struggling holding his laughter back, "Well, I'll leave you to it Old Man Cyrus and Javal. While you two make your way to skypeak, I'll make my way to another one of the lord's domains. I'll try to do as much fieldwork and research as I can so we're prepared.

He then gives the two a final handshake and bids them farewell, he tosses a coin at Cyran. It is a double sided coin with a dragon's tooth on one side and a skull on the other.