The Red Hand

Chapter 462 – Praise, a Clue, and Determination.

With the 'Valukar' destroyed, Akagi aided in the cleanup operations within the Dwarven Capital, generously directing some of the Ninja to help find those trapped under the rubble. Rough estimates showed around two to three thousand people either dead or missing in just those few short moments, with an equal number wounded, many critically. As one would expect, the entire Capital was in a panic, and a military lock down had been declared until further notice. The attack hadn't taken longer than a few minutes, but that was all that was needed to shake the entire Dwarven Captial to its core.

"Keep looking under the rubble. Collecting remains is just as important as finding people alive." Akagi said to a team of three Ninja who nodded before leaping away to aid in the search and rescue. The Demon had set up a small medical area to allow Yumi and some of the other members of the Clan to heal the wounded, something that had already brought her a copious amount of praise. One would think that some of the Ninja would be uncomfortable playing savior after their boss just attacked a town, but none of them so much batted and eye, with most just putting their best foot forward to help like it was any other mission.

"I'd say things turned out well." Yumi commented as she healed an elderly Dwarf with her magic. Yumi was not the only member of the clan versed in healing magic, and while the Ninja who could do so were few and far between there were others who could help during such times of need. "Casualties aren't too bad for a city of nearly two hundred thousand people. Though I hope you don't expect me to do most of the healing."

"I'd say everything went according to cake, and its fine. You ain't got anything better to do anyway." Akagi chuckled at her own stupid joke as Commander Bogram entered the tent. "Ah! Minister Bogram, it's a pleasure to see you again. Though I'm sure you'd rather it be under better circumstances." She smiled as the Dwarf and his two guards approached, a worried look in his eye as he watched the healers work their magic.

"Thank you for your help, Lady Akagi." Commander Bogram said as the two shook hands, though the Demon could tell the man was shaken despite his outward attempt to maintain his cool. "Had you not intervened when you did, the Capital would've been reduced to rubble by that thing." He paused for a moment before continuing in an attempt to steady his nerves. "I never imagined that I'd see a Valukar in my life, and as part of this attack on our Holds..."

{If such creatures are at the heart of this invasion, then...} (Bogram)

"I was informed that they were an ancient creation of the Arch Dukes of the Hells used during a war with the Gods." Akagi said as she watched Yumi heal a small child's broken leg. "But I was under the impression that they'd all been destroyed."

"We were as well." Commander Bogram grumbled as his face folded into a deep scowl. "Our war plans did not account for such creatures, and now that we've seen one attack, we need to reevaluate our preparations. I fear that where there is one, there is more."

{If Valukar are involved, that would explain the suddenness and ferocity of these attacks. Those creatures are intelligent and more than capable of leading an invasion like this, but still...} (Bogram)

"I'd like to know how it entered the Capital." Commander Bogram said, noting that the cavern ceiling from which it broke through should have no caves or other natural formations to allow it to enter as easily it did. "If those creatures found a way to bypass our defenses, then the situation is far worse than any of us could've expected." He began to fear that further attacks would and could come from any direction.

"Who knows, perhaps the mountain holds secrets kept from even the Dwarves." Akagi shrugged. "It would do you well to investigate, lest another one show up when I'm not around."

"I'll send a team to examine the entry point, and we'll keep the Capital on high alert." Commander Bogram nodded. "Again, Lady Akagi, please allow me to extend my and our Kingdom's most sincere gratitude. We are truly grateful for your help."

"Twas nothing." Akagi waived him off. “I was merely in the right place at the right time.”

{Nothing to a Demon Lord perhaps, but slaying a monster like that is something relegated to the Heroes of ancient history. The only living person who's not a Demi-God that I know of who's managed such a feat is the adventurer Halifax.} (Bogram)

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Commander Bogram departed from the tent. He had much to do in the wake of this attack, and Akagi was hoping that a bit of extra pressure would force the Dwarven Council to make a decision on accepting her offer sooner rather than later.

{How did the other one fair?} (Akagi)

{That lich woman managed to destroy it, but it seems that it took her a great deal of effort to bring it down. Alice was quite irritated though and vowed to send something even more powerful next time to finish her off.} (Yumi)

{That girl... I wonder where she gets it from?} (Akagi)

{Who knows, maybe a certain kitty had a bad influence on her? Nah, couldn't be.} (Yumi)

{MEW!} (Akagi)

"Jokes aside, keep me appraised on that situation." Akagi said as Yumi finished healing another wounded man. "I don't need her going and doing something crazy or reckless."

"I mean, she's your Daughter. Crazy and reckless is par for the course, no?" Yumi side eyed her with a wily smile plastered on her lips.

"Yeah..." Akagi groaned. "I hate that you're right... Alice..."

"Um, Lady Akagi..." A lion kin Ninja stammered slightly as she interrupted Akagi, her tail and ears drooped slightly due to nerves. "I have something to report."

"Whatcha got Peppi?" Akagi said to the Ninja, snapping into a more serious demeanor.

"We'll... I was healing one of the injured guards, and he said something that caught my attention." Peppi continued. She was a younger Ninja, and had only just been elevated to a full member when FWO ended which meant that while she was still quite capable she had much to learn. "Apparently he saw a strange Demonkin man in the City yesterday and was under the impression that he might've been responsible for this attack." She said. Naturally, the fact that Akagi

had orchestrated the whole thing was well known to the Clansmen, but Peppi couldn't let such information go without at least bringing it to the Demon Lord's attention, especially when it may involve the person who'd attacked Imp."How long ago did he see him? Was it before or after the attack?" Akagi asked, her gaze baring down on the lionkin and unintentionally putting pressure on her.

"I-I asked that, and he said it was after since the man seemed pretty wounded." Peppi answered, nervously. "He said he limped into a nearby alley the same day that Ms. Imp was ambushed, but that was all he saw. Where he went after that, he couldn't say."

"Sounds like the anti-teleportation barrier worked." Yumi commented.

"Good." Akagi grinned as she let out a quiet laugh. "That means he's still in the city. Excellent work, Peppi. This is very useful information."

"I'm just happy to have been of use!" Peppi replied with a bright smile that would've melted just about anyone's heart.

"Finish up healing the injured here and head back out on duty. If he's still out there, I want him found and brought to me alive." Akagi said as she swung her arm outward, allowing her outfit to billow dramatically. "He may well be our best chance at tracking down the Cult, and I will not let this chance slip through my fingers."

{If this works out, I may end up finding Labrys before Halifax does. I sent her out with the Twins and Chloe to see if he'd peep his head out, but I'm still worried that her connection to him may be a problem. I'm certain that the Divine Blade was originally a creation of Vikes, hence why Elariel pushed back on answering my questions. Luckily, that Goddess has been kept in the dark as to where specifically I sent her, but while she might be annoying that deity is no fool. She has to know I've sent Halifax to draw the Axe out of his hidey hole but can do nothing about it save complain. The question now becomes what happens when the two weapons meet? Halifax isn't going to take it well when she finds out about her origins, but I haven't the faintest clue what happens from there. Will she join forces with Labrys? Fight him? Fight me? I suppose only time will tell.} (Akagi)

"Too many damn variables." Akagi clicked her tongue in irritation. She hated not having all the information, something that had plagued her entire time on Enoris, but there was little she could do about it. The Ninja could only gather so much information, and she herself could only calculate so much before she might as well be speculating which could easily backfire if she wasn't careful. "If we're lucky, we can remove a few of them by preemptively finding Labrys before she does."

Akagi didn't particularly want her friend to go through more trauma but was more than willing to allow it if it meant she found a way to destroy the Gods. Her task to Halifax was a selfish one, one that she was fully aware could result in her ties to the Divine Blade breaking, but she determined that to be a necessary sacrifice if it came down to it. Getting a hold of Labrys and stomping out the Gods before they could enact whatever plan they had concocted was simply too important, and thus, the Divine Blade was sent forth to be a pawn of the Demon Lord. A pawn meant to draw out her Demonic prey to enable Akagi's conquest of this world. A pawn who could be disposed of if it became necessary.

“Oh well, Halifax consented to go even after I told her that Elariel was hiding something. So whatever comes next...” Akagi paused as she closed her eyes.

{I just need to focus on the end goal... My emotions, I can't let them get in the way. This much be approached pragmatically. My end goals for Kana aside, I cannot allow myself to become distracted. This is what must be done.} (Akagi)

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"Dammit... Dammit..." Elariel hissed as she paced back and forth in her room. "What can I do to stop this? Halifax is sure to encounter Labrys at this rate. There has to be something I can do to prevent the two from meeting before it's too late." She paused. "I could contact the others... No, that wouldn't do anything. Teiera and Cheofla wouldn't be able to do much more than I, and if word gets back to Gale..." She shook her head.

{I'm stuck down here with no power... Damn you, Akagi. You're going to make Halifax suffer for nothing! She doesn't need to know the truth! She can't handle it!} (Elariel)

"Maybe... Maybe that will work..." Elariel said as she used her messaging technique to communicate with her Angel servants in the heavens, its content something that she never imagined would be necessary. "I'll make up for my mistake, Halifax. I sacrificed you to save myself, and now... Now I'll make amends by using that life to protect you."