Just Checking Up! Part Sixty-Three: A Nest Of Despair and a Clue!

Silks:

Hoisting myself onto the roof of my home, a glint of silver had me leaping ten feet into the air. Catching before I fell, Phylox placed me gingerly next to her. Clicking her metal wings for a bit, the poor thing would need something besides that silver armor. Silver eyes flitted over to my bewildered expression, one of my last sanctuaries getting lost to someone else. Hiding my fuming poorly, her hands began to wave around. Cupping her hands, silent glowing tears stained her cheeks. So much sorrow and guilt laced her aura, a sweet Linz and Kiba cuddling with her doing little to aid her. 

“Please don’t worry about finding a lovely hiding spot. The stars are quite breathtaking.” I pointed out freely, a seriousness washing over my features. “Can you lead me to where your former team is keeping the dragon demons? I can’t help but to want to get rid of the chemicals before they become a bomb.” A lump formed in her throat, my latest request throwing her off. Shivering in her place, something told me to slow it down. 

“Assuming you are wiser than most demons, the nest lies in an elemental dimension to keep most of my team out.” I continued cautiously, her silver fingernails blending into her matching lips with every bite. Nodding in confirmation, my suspicions were correct. Angels had years of strategy behind them, her hands digging through a chain mail bag hanging off of her armor. Tossing me an odd gray skull key, a chill ran up my spine. Way to be spooky, I rambled internally.

“Shouldn’t we tell the oth-” She began, my palm cupping her mouth ending that suggestion. Hurt dimmed her eyes, shame causing her to bow her head. Past mistakes shouldn’t hold such weight if she wanted to help me so badly, a dark creaking door groaning into place in front of us. Snapping my fingers, one of my emergency worn leather bags appeared over the shoulder of my burgundy leather jacket dress. Fussing with the off-centered zipper, the familiarity of my usual matching boots provided me the slightest bit of comfort. Popping to my feet, my hand hovered in front of her face. Hesitation haunted her features, her hand reaching for mine and withdrawing several times. 

“Help me out, please?” I begged after clasping my palms together, hoping she would warm up to me. “Living with your ghosts will often hurt those in the end if they keep letting the wasp sting them repeatedly. Give it a shot and please get to know me.” Rising to her feet, metal clanged against metal. Plucking the key from my fingers, her slender fingers jammed it into the lock. A click had it swinging open, my animal familiars bounding across the threshold alongside us. Glancing back at me with the most dejected expression, cracks traveled up my soul. Who damaged her to this point? 

Stained glass windows stole my breath away, silver iron shimmering around the slim spaces. Who operated this space? A rotten scent of death plagued the space, the ash of a dead elemental remained piled onto a breaking iron throne. Someone didn’t know how to maintain their borrowed space, the scent of dragon magic poisoning it further. Covering my mouth, the kidnapped victims were definitely trapped here. Approaching each window cautiously, the various states of each lily reminded me of the four seasons. Energy warned and waxed, the last one threatening to collapse me to my knees. Digging around my bag, my mask hit my eager palm. Tying it around my mouth, the slight cracks were beginning to show the impact of every battle. Bringing my boot behind my head, glass rained everywhere the second my boot met the secret door. Stepping into a musty room, raw dragon magic leaked in through the crack. Phylox mustn’t know about this, blood pooling in the back of my throat. Swallowing it back down, bitter copper sickened me further. Pushing forward, Kiba cawed in protest with every footfall towards the impending danger . Sprinting into a sea of black iron cages, exhausted dragon demons of all colors wheezed at the bottom of their prisons. Crouching down to the floor, one grace of my palms had orange fire lilies blossoming to life as far as the eyes can see. Releasing a wave of black lightning, metal began to heat up. Struggling to their bare scaled feet, they wanted to go home. The question truthfully had to be where was home, my eyes flitting over to their glowing marks. How peculiar? 

“Those cages seem ready to open, my lilies will take you to my humble abode. After that, a discussion of your own residence will take place.” I informed them gently, all of them nodding their heads vigorously. “Trust me when I assure you a chance at freedom.” Iron shot all around me, the cages melting into molten piles. Jumping into my field, a swing of my arms sent them back home. Lifting up my mask, a coughing fit painted the fading petals. Leaving only Phylox and I, earned worry scrunched up her nose. Rummaging around my bag once more, a golden liquid filled needle rolled into my clammy palm. Tossing it into the air, a catch had it hovering over my neck. Jamming it into the thickest vein, two other get out of jail cards clinked away as the poisoning died down for a moment. Throwing up the rest of the blood, this bastard was going to pay for fucking with my day. The hair on Linz’ back stood up, time seeming to stumble to a rough halt upon an abrupt shift in energy. From dead to angelic, life was about to become that much harder.  

Slicked back ivory hair and ruby eyes sent chills up my spin, the silver armor with ruby accents not exactly helping settle my nerves. Tattered ash gray angel feathers fluttered about, the empty needle smashing inches from my boot. Phylox shrank back behind me, her pleas resting on deaf ears as I folded my arms across my chest. Dusting off his armor, the seven foot muscular frame didn’t help with my odds of survival. A smoky grey grenade bounced off of his openly bleeding palm, sick curiosity twinkling in his eyes. 

“Phylox, this is fucking pathetic. You get your wings clipped off and you become a cowering mouse. I, Fritzy, will get the credit of bringing in Miss Silks! Keep being a little bitch and hide away.” He sang gleefully, his palms clasping together. Summoning my carved pieces of wood, a swift cut on the nearest sharp material had orange flames crackling into dual curved blades. Midnight black lightning danced to the tip, his brow cocking in distaste. 

“Cute, the kitten wants to play. Seems fair. Considering you set all my toys free.” He insulted me in a bit of a hiss, the top seconds from coming off. “This isn’t the only farm around. Good luck finding the others if you ever beat me.” Huffing in disbelief, a system had to exist out of this. Chucking the grenade into the air, Phylox popped up behind me. Molding a metal feather over the crack, determination hid her anxiety ridden fright poorly. 

“This kitten is under my guardianship, Fritzy!” She growled through gritted teeth, silver metal feathers floating behind her. “Back the fuck off and spill the location if death isn’t what you desire.” Cracking his hand, the wet noise of his blood molding into a giant curved blade nauseated me. A bold boom released the greatest wave of dragon magic, Phylox searching my bag desperately. Jamming a needle into my neck, her wings folded over us.

“Time for me to step up.” She squeaked out awkwardly, silver metal boots knocking me into a wall of stained glass. Sliding down while wincing, Phylox required my help. Struggling to my feet, dust blew up as I sprinted towards my new friend. Skidding to stop behind a dark wooden door frame, flames had been carved into it. Hiding in the shadows, ribbons of inky blood swirled wildly as her metal feathers cut them down with ease. Swaying from the intense use of her adjusted powers, her body collapsed onto the wooden floor. Bringing his blade behind his head, there was no time like the present. Scurrying along the shadows, a push of the quietest board had me flipping through the air. Spinning on his heels, sparks fluttered with ash alongside every violent clash. Sheer force kept me in the air, his wings taunting the shit out of me. Grasping onto the closest metal bar, a swing around threw off my concentration. Nicking my cheek, an ashy smoke curled into the air. Remembering that I had a needle in my neck, a flick on my neck sent it zooming towards his left eyeball. Choosing to dodge that, a window of opportunity offered itself. Snatching his wings, a spin of my wrist released one of my blades. Slicing through the base of his wings with ease, the damn things melting into a pile of sludge broke him. Crying out in rage, a crazed expression met mine. Smashing his fist into my chest, cracks rounded my eyes as I smashed through a wall of stained glass windows. Groaning into a sea of glass, his advantage had hopefully been stolen. Crunching announced him approaching me, his blade bouncing off of his palm wetly. 

“I don’t like my kittens to be so misbehaved.” He huffed a couple of turns away, my palms screaming out in protest as glass dug into my palms on the way up to my feet. “Playing such games pisses me the fuck off! Come on out like the queen you are, damn it! No one steals my wings and gets away with it!” Cocking my brow, a few plucks losing the glass in my palms. Shadows of the annoying prickly sensation irked me, a snap of my finger summoning my other blade. Noticing a busted copper pipe, water flooded up to about my ankle. An idea came to mind, a devilish grin dancing across my lips. Climbing up the iron bars, lightning built around the tip of one of my blades. Splashing into the rising water, befuddlement twisted his features at me dangling my sparking blade. 

“How’s it cooking?” I joked playfully before dropping the blade into the water. “Has your day been electrifying?” Lightning paralyzed him, smoke curling off of his exposed skin. Scanning his chest for his soul, a single dark mass thumped wildly due fright and rage. Swinging down, a twirl and a toss landed the tip into his chest. Flinging myself onto the closest bar, the poor bastard didn’t know what was coming.  

“Blossom and cook!” I commanded powerfully, inky lightning laced orange fire lilies beginning to devour his body. Hanging by my knees, a bomb made of my blood tumbling into my eager bomb. Shaking his head, this bastard had severely underestimated me.  

“Audacity does lie in that action, so don’t even try!” He wheezed between angry twitches, a snap to my free fingers waking up a cute orange flame. “I will not be bested by a demonic br-” Igniting the string, a drop into his opening chest wound confirming his fate. Using the hanging bars much like monkey bars, a leap landed me outside of the room.  

Crashing towards Phlox, time wasn’t my pal at the moment. Tripping up to her blasts rattled the space, my arms scooping her up. Bringing my boot covered foot behind my head, a smash of my heel shattered the floor beneath us. Falling just in time, raw energy desecrated what once stood. Linz and Kiba caught us before a layer of icy water soaked me to the bone. Whisking us to a snow covered shore, the scent of Purgatory informed me of my current location. Soaking in my new settings, the last of that dimension crumbled to ash. Joining the snow, Rip’s mother floated over to me. Thousands of long dead cult members rose stiffly to their feet, festering anger darkening their eyes. His mother attempted to calm them down, nothing seeming to work. Their disappointment was warranted, the door to my salvation not existing within a close vicinity. Dragging me out of their view, her eyes flitted between Phlox and me.  

“Not that is any of my business but crashing into a crowd of people who despise you more than me isn’t wise.” She commented sarcastically, the urge to flip her off burning strong in my head. “Nice to see that spice in your eyes. Let me get you to the exit in one piece, your majesty.” Adjusting her bun, a deep disdain reminded me of why I hated her guts.  

“Please help me comprehend your intentions? Such actions are, well, unlike you.” I shot back venomously, her brow cocking at my failure to hide her true colors. “Hell didn’t even desire you.” Slamming her clenched fists on her hips, a low growl rumbled in her throat.  

“Kind of rude when you are Hell itself! Then again, harassment did occur on my end.” She confessed oddly, both of us taking a second to acknowledge the one way out of each other’s company. Following her through a maze of houses, the constant search party nipping at our heels wasn’t helping.  

“Sorry for being a bit short. Rip won’t like me being alone with you.” I apologized sincerely, her expression softening for a second. “Thank you for helping us out. Lord knows that I would have had to have committed a most terrible crime. Trouble surely would have been thrown onto my shoulders. Rules are rules for a reason.” Twisting me around to face her, the corner of her lips quivered as the kind words struggled to come out. 

“Not you! Not you in the slightest! Breaking rules and getting out of it is your thing. The only difference is that you do it for the greater good, not for selfish reasons.” She blurted out awkwardly, the words paining her to say. “Unlike me, a monster. Forever chasing a high that I could never quench. The performance stage is just over there. My dumb ass will cover you. Keep in mind that I never wish to see you again.” Skidding out of the shadows, her hands waved about. Shouting something about me going in the opposite direction, a bit of respect grew towards her. Granted it wasn’t enough for her to be forgiven. Waving as she floated away, the last one crashed after her. Moving fast, the door roared to life. Closing my eyes, every spin felt like dancing through thick mud. Creaking announced the door opening, a clumsy pirouette landed me deep in the outskirts of Purgatory. Kiba cawed next to me, Linz wagging that tail a mile a minute. Tossing Phylox over my shoulder, a cave had to exist somewhere around here. Kiba scooped us up, her wings fluttered open. Soaring through the sky, my genuine smile refused to leave my lips. Scanning the vast sea of despair, Hare’s mansion came into view. Guiding Kiba down, a fretting Hare rushed to our side. Words went in one ear and out the other, a frustrated Rip burst out of her front door. Softening at the sight of me sliding off, mixed emotions flashed in his eyes. Sounds of the crew erupted from inside of her home, his arms yanking me into a desperate hug right as Orchid whisked Phylox to the closest couch. Thanking her silently, stress wore on her features.   

“Thank god you are okay.” He breathed into my ear, his lips kissing my neck feverishly. Please take the Elementals next time if we can’t enter.” Agreeing with a peck to his cheek, a spin had me facing my entire team. Gabbing to me at once, stress swelled within my chest. Seconds from exploding, Rip shut them down with a clearing of his throat. Settling my fraying nerves, blurred faces clarified.  

“Sorry for stressing you out but I had to squash a major issue. May I explain myself?” I apologized sincerely, a quiet fear writing themselves onto their features as the dragon demons gathered behind them in fresh suits of all colors. “Don’t murder them. Our fallen angels host milking stations of forgotten survivors. Protecting my supply of kryptonite prevents more grenades. Hare, can they hide out here?” Shooting me an enthusiastic thumbs up, questions were shot in my direction. Answering them one by one, enough fright had melted away for me to ask another favor from Hare, a potential clue waiting for me.

“May I dig through your maps?” I requested politely, Rip sticking himself to my side. Motioning for me to follow her, a room with every map ever crafted had my jaw hitting the floor. Floating over to the Elemental section, dust shot into the air as she slammed about a dozen maps onto a worn cedar table. Excusing herself to visit the others, an eerie silence hung in the air. Hovering my hand over the pile, one stood out to me. Placing the other ones to the side, the brass ends taunted me. Unlocking it, a needle pricked my finger. Uttering a few curse words, the scroll creaked open. Thousands of locations glowed to life, an overwhelming sensation crashing through me. Cutting open my palm, an easy location spell under my breath created a pentagram. Stepping back, my arms folded across my chest, the prisons had been located. Why was I not shocked? Lord, please help me shut down Operation Dragon Magic.