Chapter 11: Taking Action

Laura let out a long yawn, stretching while still lying in bed. She rubbed both eyes before getting up and heading over to the shower. As the water hit her face, Laura was contemplating what to do today. Training was obvious, but since she wasn’t a part of the defense force, there was too much time on her hands. Perhaps she’d visit the cemetery to visit her father. It’s been a while since Laura’s done that. Bring some flowers to place on his grave? Most definitely. She wondered if her mother would be free to join. Nia’s been quite busy the past couple of days. That’s when Laura remembered that meeting her mother had with the other rulers, discussing that masked man.

He sounded like quite the threat, didn’t he?

After Laura finished her shower, she stepped out and wiped the fog off the mirror. She dried herself off, got dressed, and brushed her teeth before heading downstairs. She looked around for her mother, but once again was unable to find her. Laura instantly figured Nia would be in the office and made her way over. Once she got there, Laura could already hear the sound of voices coming from inside. The door was closed, so Laura quietly crept closer and lightly pressed her fingertips onto the knob, just enough to get a good grip, and twisted it ever so gently. She moved it centimeter by centimeter to avoid making it creak. Once she got it ajar, Laura peeked her right eye through the crack.

“And you still have the fucking nerve to keep defending them?!” A woman’s voice shouted, her voice was filled with fury and vitriol. Who else could this be but Empress Kiya of the Kiya Empire of North America?

She continued. “We withheld judgment after losing Frenki, but now we lost Fenrir?!” Kiya slammed her fist on her table. “This is irrefutable evidence that humans are behind this!”

“We still can’t go pointing fingers just yet,” A man replied, his voice poised and calm. Emperor Looboru of the Looboru Empire of South America. He continued, keeping his cool composure. “I believe it is time we take action and hunt this masked man down. It’s obvious he intends to take us one-on-one because he must know that together he wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Nia tapped her finger against her desk, lost in thought. “What if that’s what he wants?” She mumbled to herself.

Empress Kiya asked, “What?”

Emperor Looboru added, “What do you mean?”

Nia looked up, realizing she spoke her thoughts out loud. She cleared her throat and reiterated what she said. “What if that’s what he wants? What if he wants us all to come to him? That explains why he created that tree thing that makes those beasts.”

She tapped her finger even quicker. Nia continued. “This masked man must be creating an army to fend off multiple people. Seems like one of the more logical answers, right?”

The other two rulers kept silent as they mulled over Nia’s words.

Emperor Looboru nodded. “It seems likely,” He responded. “Catch our attention and put us in a position where we’d join together and confront him.”

“But even if this was his plan, does he really think he’d be able to take on the combined might of our empires?” Empress Kiya wondered. “He’s certainly got some nerve, I’ll give him that.”

“Whatever his thought process might be, we’ll have to act while there’s still time,” Nia said. “We don’t know who he’ll target next, or even if he will. This could be exactly what he wants, to put us on edge.”

Emperor Looboru nodded and replied, “Agreed, we must approach this foe with calm and clear minds.”

“Let’s not be reckless,” Empress Kiya commented. “Even if he’s trying to play some kind of psychological warfare with us, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be on guard. I’ll have some of my soldiers out on constant patrols, hiding within the environment.”

“As will I,” Emperor Looboru said, “then, after a day, we should hold another meeting to discuss battle plans.”

“Very well.”

Nia was the only one hesitant to say something, but simply nodded quietly. There was no further discussion, and after the other rulers’ screens went black, Nia quickly contacted Armin. He picked up, seemingly in the middle of a meal.

“What’s up?” He asked, cleaning his mouth with a napkin.

Nia replied, “I need you to come here, and fast. Another ruler has been killed, and it’s got the others on edge.”

Armin’s face became solemn upon hearing this news. “I see,” He said, lowering his eyes as he contemplated. He continued. “Alright, I’ll be there in two hours.”

“Thank you.”

The screen went black, and Nia stood up, ready to leave. Laura quickly closed the door and raced off. She headed into the kitchen; luckily, the house chef had just finished making breakfast. Laura grabbed a plate, placed some food on it, and slid into a chair at the dining table. As she ate, Nia came over, spotting her daughter stuffing her face. Laura looked up and smiled, her cheeks filled with food. Nia chuckled before taking a seat beside her daughter, one of the housekeepers bringing Nia a plate of breakfast.

The empress straightened herself, picking up the fork but not going for the food. Her eyes glanced at Laura before looking back at her plate.

“So, how much did you hear?” Nia said, not making eye contact with Laura.

The color drained from her face. Laura gulped, her mind racing to think up a lie. She replied, “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, mother.”

Nia snorted. “Don’t lie to me, Laura,” She said, turning her gaze to the young princess. She continued. “I heard the door close, and I know it wasn’t one of the housekeepers because they are not ones to be nosy. So spill.”

Laura sighed, knowing there was no point in dodging the conversation. She looked at her mother and responded, “I only heard you and Uncle Armin talking. You wanted him to come here for something.”

“Hm.”

Nia didn’t comment further and ate her breakfast. Laura internally sighed with relief. However, she wondered what her mother and Armin would do about the masked man. Was she really going to face off against him alone? Armin would be there to show the other rulers that it wasn’t the work of humans; that part felt obvious. Laura would have to continue to spy on the two once he got here. Two hours. That was more than enough time for her to work out a plan.

After a little over two hours had passed, a camouflage-painted helicopter stopped in remnants of what was once the Dead Zone. Since there were no more conflicts with humans, that area had regrown with more foliage. It was not as dense as the rest of the jungle, but certainly an improvement from the vast empty space it had been. Nia had been waiting in that area for the entire time. It was the spot the two would always meet before walking back to the village, but no one really knew why.

Armin got out of the helicopter from the left backseat. He and Nia looked at each other with solemn expressions, neither one even giving the faintest of smiles. Laura zipped through the jungle, strapping the longsword to her waist. Once she got toward the ledge that led down to the Dead Zone, Laura came to a screeching halt and hid behind some of the large boulders that were near the ledge. She was a sizable distance away from the two, but if there was one thing Laura excelled in the same as other experiments was having incredible hearing. She steadied her breath and listened carefully to the conversation.

“Alright,” Armin said businesslike, “Tell me your plan.”

They really are going straight into it, huh? Laura thought. She shouldn’t be surprised, though; her mother was never much for pleasantries and going into small talk when discussing serious matters. Armin knew that too.

Nia replied, “To avoid causing any panic within the empires, I want to hunt this masked man myself.”

Amrin raised his eyebrows, surprised at this idea. Nia continued. “I know the remaining rulers wouldn’t agree, but they’d only get in the way. But, I also want something from you, Armin.”

He nodded and replied, “What is it?”

“I need you to help me track the masked man,” Nia said. “I also would be grateful if you could investigate just what these creatures he’s creating are.”

Arming lifted his glasses. “Didn’t you say it was the Lucifer Hand fungus?” He asked.

“Yes, but that has to only be the surface level of it.”

Nia grabbed a stick and began drawing the various creatures the masked man had created. She continued. “How could he have made these monsters, and how could he expel them from his mouth? Just what is he?”

“Perhaps he’s done something to himself,” Armin replied, walking to get a better look at the drawing. “Would explain why he hides himself in a cloak and mask.”

Nia stared intently at the drawings. She looked at Armin and said, “Or maybe he’s one of them.” Her voice was nervous.

Armin shot his gaze at Nia. “What are you suggesting?” He asked.

Nia bit her lip, distressed at the very thought she had. “Do you think it’s possible that it could be back?”

Armin’s eyes widened, the color draining from his face. The very thought sent an icy chill down his spine. “No…it’s impossible…yeah, impossible.” He stuttered with words.

He collected himself before continuing. “It’s not possible, Ferral killed it. I saw with my own eyes.”

“Yes, but…you think there might be a chance?”

Arming gulped, taking a shuddering exhale. “If there is even a less than one percent chance that that nightmare is still alive,” He said, “there’s no way you should go alone.”

The memories of the demon flashed through their minds. The rampage it caused, its horrific cry, and the dread it branded into their minds. They made the two stand frozen stiff, feeling as though it was standing right behind them and looking down with its wide, slit-mouthed grin. Every hair on their bodies stood on end in fear.

Laura wondered what they could have been referring to. Certainly not that monster that attacked their village ten years ago, right? Her father took care of that villain; there was certainly no way. Its face flashed in her mind for a second, its rows of sharp teeth and long, whip-like tongue. She recalled how it almost devoured her and Berus, nearly killing their mother in the process. This made her shudder with fright.

Nia quickly changed the subject. “I’m much stronger than I was before,” She said with a gasp, snapping out of her horror-filled trance. “I can handle myself.”

“We don’t know how strong this masked man is,” Armin said. “He can kill the rulers of your guy’s empires, but whose to say he hasn’t been holding back?”

The thought did cross Nia’s mind. But even so, she couldn’t let him continue his rampage. Who’s to say he won’t target Amber Village next? Nia had to protect her people…she had to protect her children. But what if this is something the masked man had planned for? Was she being too paranoid?

Suddenly, Laura got up and moved out from behind the boulder. “Let me go!” She shouted, raising her hand.

Armin and Nia whipped their heads around and saw Laura standing at the ledge. Red filled the sides of Nia’s eyes; she was furious.

Laura slid down the ledge and ran toward the two. She continued. “Let me go! I can stop him!” She stopped a few feet in front of them.

Armin narrowed his eyes, examining the black-clad young woman. Then it clicked for him who this was. “Laura?!” He exclaimed, giving her a small smile. “Wow, you’ve grown pretty big!”

He circled his figure at her outfit and hair and asked, “Are you…uh, going through a phase?”

Veins bulged from Nia’s forehead. She grabbed Laura by the collar with both hands. “Why are you here?!” She barked, shaking her daughter.

Laura ignored her mothers scorning attitude; she was used to it. She replied, “You can’t leave the village unguarded, mother.” Her voice was calm yet serious.

“Do not change the subject, Laura!” Nia shook her once more.

Laura grabbed her mother’s wrists tightly. “I’ll go,” She reiterated. “This masked man is expecting to fight those who only know hand-to-hand combat. I can use traps, my flame tags, and my sword. His strength won’t matter if he’s outsmarted.”

“Out of the question!”

Laura scrunched her face and said, “You have to stay here!” She raised her voice. “If he comes here, who’s going to hold him off? General Peirce won’t be enough, mother, please, you have to stay.”

Nia tossed her daughter backward, tears filming over her eyes. She knew Laura was right, but couldn’t admit it.

“I would rather die before I send you out alone!” Nia shouted.

“You will die if you face him head-on,” Laura replied, trying her best to keep composed. “I already lost Papa, I don’t want to lose you next. Berus doesn’t want to lose you.”

Nia huffed, angrily pacing back and forth, knowing she was put between a rock and a hard place. She looked at her daughter and said, “I will not let you go. That’s final!”

Seeing the rising tension, Arming quickly stood between the two. “Okay, okay,” He said, sticking his arms out to put distance between the two. “Let’s just calm down. Everyone, take a deep breath.”

He looked at Nia and continued. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but your daughter is right.”

Nia sneered at Armin, looking ready to kill him. He put both his arms out in front of him. He continued. “Easy! I’m not saying she has to go alone. I’ll call for some protection to keep her out of harm’s way if things get hairy.”

Nia snorted. “Please, Armin,” She said, rolling her eyes. “I’m not putting my trust in you humans for protection.”

“Then, I can take Cello,” Laura suggested. “She was ranked sixth in our class out of twenty-five and a part of the defense force.”

Arming turned his head and asked, “What rank were you?”

Laura’s face flushed a light red, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. She kicked a rock and muttered, “Twenty-fifth.”

Armin tugged at his collar, feeling second-hand embarrassment. He looked back at Nia. “Does that work for you?”

Nia rubbed her temples with a hand. “First you want to go,” She said, aggravated, “and now you want to endanger Cello? Just say you want to bring Berus too!”

Laura chuckled, scratching the back of her head. “Well…funny you should ask that.”

Nia removed her hand from her face and stared daggers at her daughter. Her right eye twitched.