Vonoros looked exasperated by those two buffoons, sure that was a total diversion attempt but still. He thought that at least that’d throw them off for a second the triton found himself in the same situation once more. Hammer to his front and daggers to his back this wasn’t a situation that he was a stranger to especially the daggers to the back part. He was really at his wit’s end but wasn’t going to go down without a fight. He grits his teeth and makes his move as the two weapons draw near him he takes the daggers to his back which stab right into the center of his back.

He quickly ducked and allowed the big guy’s hammer to avoid him completely and knocked his partner right in the head. Sending the smaller man to the floor immediately after taking a hammer smash head-on, literally. The triton laughed as he pulled the two daggers from his back, which made the blood that started seeping out of the two holes on his back increase profusely



He held the blood-stained daggers in his hands and laughed, “I guess I have your partner to thank for these new toys”.



Vonoros then stretched his right hand to his right, the tattooed stitches on his arm glowing for a second before suddenly his entire right arm detached (1) from his body. He sent his arm straight for the man aiming at his throat on his right side while he sprinted forward attempting to stab his left side. He was going to attempt a pincer on this man as they tried on him but this time he was going to have a better partner, himself.

---

1. Suture Tattoo

With his dagger stabbed into the man's back, him ducking so suddenly pulled the guard forward just enough to have his partner's hammer swing clip the top of his skull. With their strong coordination and experience working as a team, one of them accidentally hitting the other was something that took them by surprise. Thankfully, the smaller guard's helmet took enough of the blow to have it not be fatal, but he was still knocked out as his now very dented helmet let out a ring like a bell and he fell to the ground, letting go of his daggers.

"Mike!" The larger guard called out, now even more furious seeing their partner on the ground and the enemy using his partner's own daggers against him. "You'll pay for that!"

Hylltywyll reclined on his side across one of the rafters above, watching the battle unfold. Well, with one guard down and Vonoros now with a weapon, even one he was clearly inexperienced with, the odds were really uneven again. Or it would have, if not for time being up.

The sounds of metallic boots on stone came from the doorway and only grew louder. The rest of the guards were coming back and not at a walking pace. They must have realized something was amiss when there were no red rogues to find and had started rushing back to make sure everything at the guard post was alright.

Vonors might have been able to get off with a lighter punishment before, but now once they came in and saw a guard unconscious on the ground, he definitely would be lucky to only be thrown in a cell. Hylltywyll couldn't help but be amused at the whole turn of events. Just how deep a hole could this guy dig himself into? He'd have to watch and see. Maybe he'd be executed. That is, if he didn't bleed out from those stab wounds before the guards even showed up.

Vonoros began laughing as he heard the other man curse him, “What’d I do dude? Yer the one who hit ‘em, isn’t that supposed to be your partner? Doesn’t look like it the way you took him out”.



He gripped the dagger in his hand while he sent the other dagger straight at the guard's head.



He could already hear yelling and rushed movement from outside, he couldn’t just stay here and try and beat the guy. He was desperate for as much as he wanted the money he wanted to stay free of a prison cell for the fifth time this year. Vonoros thought about his options and only had one possible crazy idea that could save him from this. That furry shadow fellow from earlier was his only possible savior.



He held his position and continued holding his stance before shouting, “Hey great one that lies in the shadows who took my stuff. I ask for your great forgiveness for disrespecting you if I did. I humbly ask for your powerful help in saving me from this. I’ll give you tribute and such if you ask for it just save me out of this crappy situation dude!”.

The guard turned his head to the side to let the dagger glance off of his helmet and then glared at Vonoros, even more furious now that he was taunting him about the accidental blow to his own comrade that was caused by the Triton. This guy was a cocky bastard, but that cockiness should take a hit now that he could hear the rest of the guards returning.

It seemed like it really took quite the blow. Now the guy was begging some "Great One That Lies in the Shadows". Probably another lie to try and save his skin, making up some god or whatever to pray to for help. Well, nothing he said mattered anymore. It'd all just be used against him in court and hopefully this bastard would get the death penalty for what he did. Attacking city guards unprovoked wasn't a crime taken very likely, plus the attempt to break prisoners out on top of making a false report. Oh yeah, this guy was going to be in some deep shit once he was caught.

"Great One That Lies in Shadows? Never heard that one before, but it won't help you." The guard taunted Vonoros before running at him, swinging his hammer toward his arm that was still holding one of his partner's daggers.

Hylltywyll was more interested now. "Great One That Lies in the Shadows" He liked the sound of that. A fitting title for him. And he also like the sound of receiving tribute. He was planning to watch this guy die for annoying him, but the title and tribute pleased him enough to almost change his mind. Maybe if he begged a little more, he'd save him.

"Beg some more." Vonoros heard a voice whisper in his mind.

---

Mind Parasite

Vonoros gave the only conscious guard a small smile as he once more attacked him with his sutured arm (1) trying to stab him in the back trying to avoid getting smashed by the other man’s hammer as he continued pleading towards the shadow figure. He was begging to grow desperate as he waited for the figure in the shadows to respond, although he had done the occasional stint in jail this would be different. He didn’t have his parents to fall back on, not his sister to bail him out, nope. This situation had gotten way too big for him to handle. Honestly, he regretted being so brash and excited considering it was his cocky attitude that led him to getting caught. He valued the big payout this job offered but he valued his own life a lot more. His heart then was filled with relief and he was grinning ear to ear as suddenly he heard a voice that appeared in his head.



“Why of course great lord of shadows for I am a humble man who is nothing in comparison to the big, powerful, and super strong dude that is you. I beg for your help here. I have gotten to be prideful and ask for your forgiveness just this once. Flawed people like me make mistakes all the time. All I ask is just this one time to save me”.



He was hoping that this fellow would throw him a bone considering in all honesty he had run out of either option. He couldn’t take down the alive guard and even if he did, the sounds of footsteps climbing up the stairs outside meant he was out of time in a matter of less than a minute.

---

1. Suture Tattoo

Dude? That wasn't very formal language. He expected some more fancy speak in someone begging him to save their life, but from what he'd seen of his personality so far, he probably shouldn't have. The begging was a little sloppy, but he guessed it was good enough. And besides, if he let this guy die, he wouldn't get that tribute he was promised.

"Eh, good enough." Hylltywyll said into Vonoros' mind as he shrugged.

With a quick wave of his hand, a transparent wall of a violet light appeared in front of the surprised guard. The wall of light moved forward suddenly and pushed the guard right out the door and then stayed there, blocking the way. The guard shouted and banged on the wall with his hammer, but it didn't budge at all.

"Go out the back of the prison." Hylltywyll ordered Vonoros.

In the back of the prison, a hole was already opened that lead out into an alleyway behind the guard station. Normally, there was no door there, but the Fairy had simply created one himself.  The hole was large, tall and wide enough for two people to walk through at the same time easily. It was positioned on the wall so it was halfway into the cells and halfway outside them. The captured red rogues were already scrambling out of the hole, not questioning how it got there. This was their chance to escape!

"I expect my first tribute soon, and more for freeing your friends. Don't forget it. Or else." Hylltywyll whispered into Vonoros' mind threateningly. What exactly he'd receive as tribute wasn't specified. He sort of wondered what this guy would think he wanted. And, if he received something he didn't like, he'd just make sure he regretted it and got him something else until he did like his tribute.

Oh, what a mistake Vonoros had made, making a deal with him.

---

Wall of Light
Create Door

The triton’s smile contorted into a wild manic grin as he heard the dark one’s voice in his head. He was completely enthralled and for once he could say he was happy as suddenly the great shadowy one not only freed him but pushed that annoying guard outside. Not only did the man free him from his plight but the figure even stopped the imminent complete beating up from the rest of the guards as the wall now blocked the way. Vonoors stood and held his arm out letting his sutured arm return to him and reattach. He immediately complied and not taking it for granted nodded and trusted the mysterious entity’s words. He quickly jogged and noticed his prayers of self-survival worked but the great shadow one was merciful enough to free the rest of the imprisoned red rogues. He smiled that day couldn’t get any better. He practically skipped his way outside pushing through the hole in the wall. Mission complete he’d done thanks to making a deal with the great shadow one.



He stood in the alleyway grinning as he thought hard, “Thank you for the great shadow one I swear on my soul to repay your kindness and mercy. I wouldn’t care about forgetting my debts dude I swear it. I’ll give ya yer tribute as soon as I can. How can I reach ya? Are you like in my head now?”.



After hearing the voice’s response he sprints away escaping out the alleyway tapping his feet together filling them with magic as he jumps (1) into the air and lands on the roof of the building across from the station and begins making his way far away from the scene of the crimes.

---

1. Long Stride

"Oh don't worry. I'll find you." Hylltywyll replied in Vonoros' mind in a sinister tone. There was no way he'd forget his debt. Hylltywyll would make sure of it.

The hole in the wall closed up behind them as the last of the red rogues made their escape. Ah, that guy was getting some reward for freeing these guys, right? Well, it was Hylltywyll that freed them, not Vonoros. He'd make sure to collect that reward for his hard work.

The wall of light disappeared and the guard fell into the room just as the returning guards reached the door. He scrambled into the prison and looked around in horror. All the red rogues were gone! The holding cell was completely empty, and that damn fish man was nowhere to be seen! How the hell did they get out, with the only door blocked by that blasted wall of light?

The guard roared as he took his helmet off and threw it on the ground in a fit of rage. He'd get his revenge on that man!

"Get the sketch artist! We have a new wanted poster to post. And someone get a healer in here, NOW!"

"Ugh... What happened?" The lithe guard who had taken a hammer blow to the helmet got up groggily.

"Mike! Stay down. You took a blow to the head. Are you okay?"

"Ike? I feel fine..." He replied, a little confused.

Looking at his head, he really didn't have any wound there to note and after some testing, it looked like he hadn't suffered any lasting brain damage. He was just fine.

"Hmph. A little parting gift for the entertainment." Hylltywyll chuckled to himself as he left, the guards completely unaware he had even been there at all and not even suspecting he had healed the injured guard. They just accepted it as a miracle. They also didn't notice that the helmet Ike had thrown on the ground in anger was gone.

"Heh, shiny..." Hylltywyll said to himself, admiring the well polished helmet for a moment before slipping it into his shadow with the rest of his prizes from the day. He was looking forward to even more treasures to add to it that he'd make sure to receive from Vonoros.

---

Major Healing

Vonoros proceeded to jump roof to roof getting as far enough away from the scene of the crime as he could. Eventually, he made it back to the alleyway where he woke up and this whole thing started. He stood leaning against the wall trying to catch his breath and waited thinking what to do next. He didn’t know what he was supposed to do now. He didn’t have a name or address where he was supposed to go to get his reward. He stood scratching his head and it appeared that he had been scammed out of his reward. Now what was he supposed to do? He was really hungry and bummed that he’d risked his life and made a deal with some sort of paranormal entity for nothing.



He sulked and slid against his will sitting down, there was only one thing that could help in a situation like this, a nap. So he did so and closed his eyes, sleeping for about thirty minutes before he was woken up suddenly by movement coming from above him.



He saw a tall lanky rogue figure in full red garb jump over the roof above him, “Ey thanks for ye help there buddy, the red rogues thank ye. Take your reward, sorry for being late. We had to coordinate our next move now that you freed everyone".

He dropped a very large heavy pouch next to Vonoros and speedily left. The triton was grinning ear to ear his initial annoyance and anger from being woken up had been replaced by pure happiness. He could afford a thousand foods with money like this.

Vonoros' pure happiness didn't last long as the pouch of coins sank into the shadow of the alleyway and vanished.

"I'll take that. Don't forget my tribute. I'm waiting." He heard in his head a moment later.

No, this pouch of coins was nice, but it wasn't his tribute. It was what Hylltywyll was owed for saving those red rogues. In his shadowy little pocket space, he lounged on a soft, squishy pillow as he cackled over the big pouch of coins in his arms. Gosh, it was heavy! It was almost as big as Hylltywyll. This had to be quite the sum of money in here.

And now it was all his. The coins clinked across the ground, adding to the pile of treasures as he dumped the bag out. It took a bit of effort with how large it was, but he emptied every coin out of it and then tossed the empty sack into the corner. The sack itself wasn't bad either. A rather nice leather bag that even had some embroidery along the top edge.

Now Hylltywyll was curious just who that man was that dropped this reward off for him. Why would someone with so much money be hiring someone to free those people that steal from the rich? It was... interesting. Maybe he found someone new to entertain him once he was done getting his tribute from this poor sap that thought it was a good idea to make a deal with him.

Vonoros was about to walk over to the pile of solars, his grin couldn’t be wider, he was delighted and content in this moment. He didn’t think he could be this happy; it was an emotion that felt like a stranger. But in that moment everything seemed perfect, for once his hard work and dumb luck managed to work to give him everything he wanted. Nothing in this world could ruin this moment; everything was going his way for once. That was until for some unexplainable reason it disappeared into the floor and shadows as if the ground itself was asking for compensation.



His face drained of all color his eyes went dim his brain grew completely blank, “What the fuck just happened?”. He dove to the floor where the big bag sat and tried his best to look even if he had a crazed look in his eyes and looked pathetic and desperate.



Suddenly a voice rang in his head, a familiar one he hadn’t even gone 20 minutes from last hearing. Then everything made sense, the great dark entity. He had forgotten in his naivete that he had made a deal with the devil for his safety.



“Oh yeah you’re tribute give me a second to look oh gracious one”, the triton said in a bored tone.



He looked around reached into his pocket and pulled out all he had on him, “Alright dude how does one of my flip flops, this cool seashell, and half of a bucket I found yesterday sound?”.

One of his shoes, a seashell, and half a bucket? That was all he had to offer? Ugh. Of course this guy would have nothing good to offer. Turned out he made a deal with some kind of sea hobo or something, didn't he? He'd probably never get a tribute as good as the weapons he stole or the bag of coins he earned. The shell at least was pretty, but he had no interest in a used old sandal or half of a bucket.

Fine, he'd just have to take something else as tribute.

The three objects sank into the shadows just like the bag of coins and it seemed the tribute had been accepted as Hylltywyll's voice didn't say anything further in Vonoros' mind for a few quiet seconds.

Suddenly, Vonoros felt completely weightless and lifted a few inches into the air, unable to get any leverage on anything to move, slowly rotating and turning upside down. Hylltywyll climbed out of the shadow and looked up at the helplessly floating Triton with a furrowed brow.

"Not enough, but don't worry. There's something else you can give me." He said ominously.

He reached up and grabbed Vonoros by the wrist and brought it to his mouth. He bit down on his wrist, the jagged teeth poking Vonoros' skin painfully but not breaking the skin. In that moment, Vonoros suddenly felt a pull of something inside him and a wave of fatigue washed over him as his arcane energy was drained, Hylltywyll drinking it rapidly until Vonoros passed out.

---

Fairy Dust
Vampiric Heritage- Chaos Touched

Vonoros’s eyes glanced at the spot where his beloved former jackpot had disappeared to where he’d left his left sandal, that pretty seashell he found on the beach the other day and half a bucket. He didn’t know where the bucket had come from in all honesty, he just woke up yesterday in the very same alley and there it was facing across from him. It puzzled and decided it was a weird enough thing to keep him company. He stood scratching his chin as he waited, and quickly enough his tribute to the so great dark one was accepted, at least that’s what it seemed like as it sunk into the shadows.



“Cool”, he thought and was about to turn around and walk away thinking his business with this powerful magic entity was over. He found himself wrong as suddenly he felt his entire body float slightly above solid ground. He tried to squirm and panicked, “Hey man what’re you doing here, I gave you your shit now leave me alone”, he then scowled as he felt his body get spun around in different directions as he stayed in mid-air.



“Hey man quit it this ain’t funny, I gave you what you asked for tribute, right? Just let me go”, his mind started to worry as he tried to kick and punch but to no avail he was simply stuck in weightlessness. Was this guy here for the price on his head? Could it be one of his older brother’s friends? An assassin after his head? A relative of one of his contracts?



Suddenly from the shadows emerges his tormentor, the fellow who was responsible for all this chaotic day.



“What are you?”, he blurted out as he looked over at Hylltywyll, “Strange I’ve never seen anyone like you before I’ll say that much. Who’re you with? Rikath? A Crime Family? Well let me tell you something I ain’t going down without a fight!”, he exclaimed but before he could do anything else the entity grabbed his wrist and simply chomped down it.



“What the fuck?”, he exclaims as he felt his mana drained from his body, “I feel sleep-”, his voice trailed off as he was knocked out and dropped back to the floor landing on his back and falling asleep.

Hylltywyll was in no position to answer any of Vonoros' questions while he was draining the mana from him, but he rolled his eyes and blew air out of his nose in amusement.

He really though the Fairy was with some sort of crime family? As if any family would be on par with him. And who was Rikath? Whatever. It didn't matter. He was probably just grasping at straw, trying to get him to stop draining his mana to talk or putting up a last ditch effort to get some information about him. Well, it wasn't going to work. He was going to pay his tribute whether he wanted to or not.

When Vonoros was unconscious and nearly drained dry of every drop of mana, Hylltywyll let go just before the lack of mana could prove life threatening. He didn't want to kill him after all. He might be able to get some more tribute later.

He let out a satisfied sigh after his meal. The mana might have been a bit weaker than he'd have preferred, but it was enough to satiate him. The sea domain was the first type of mana he'd ever drunk and so he had a bit of a fondness for its taste, though the first taste he'd had of it had been from a much more powerful source so this one was a little bland.

Hylltywyll made Vonoros' unconscious body float again and pushed him off to the side of the alleyway where he covered him in some trash to keep him hidden. He didn't want him to be found by any guards and executed or anything. That wouldn't be good.

"Grow stronger and don't die. Maybe next time your mana will taste better." Hylltywyll taunted the unconscious man with a smirk. Hopefully next time he came to get his tribute, it would be much more satisfying.

With his business done for now, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Vonoros behind.