Chapter 65 - EVO

Chapter 65 - EVO

***Tirnanog, Mount Aerie***

***Astra***

I awoke, or rather, became aware of myself as a drizzle of water hit my face.

It was yet another of Gaias dream settings, this time located in a bungalow right next to a waterfall which found its end in an ocean. Beyond was a chain of islands with verdant rainforests. Flocks of tropical birds hinted at the pulsating life covering the isles. They were green hearts within a blue sea, much more inviting than Tirnanogs hostile fauna and flora could ever be.

I stepped back from where the waterfall was drenching the protective railing between the terrace and the water. From there, a glass door led into the wooden bungalow.

Inside, I found a generously spaced living room.

Gaia was leaning over the body of someone lying on a couch who I automatically assumed to be Magnus.

She was moaning and giggling stupidly while moving her ass back and forth in apparent enjoyment. Oh, yes! Thats good! Mmh!

What the fuck were they doing!?

I let out an involuntary growl as thoughts of betrayal flashed through my mind.

Before I could stop myself, I ripped the handle off the door with the unmistakable snap of breaking wood.

The avatar gasped and straitened, then looked at me with a guilty expression.

My hand was ready to launch the metal handle at her when I realized just in time I had misunderstood the situation.

Which didnt mean the truth was any less strange to witness.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at the avatar and the permanent marker in her hand, then at my sleeping partner.

What the fuck are you doing to my husband? I asked.

Gaia pouted and made some insecure noises. I uhm am mmh having some fun?

My eyes wandered between the marker in her hand and my partners defaced mien. No words would have been able to describe the depth of my bafflement.

She continued, waving the marker in the air. You know, me hijacking peoples dreams and all that? Its really, really rare to meet someone who sleeps within the dream. And there is this human thing which I find interesting to draw stuff on someones face when they are caught sleeping.

I opened my mouth but wasnt sure what to say.

This was yet another case of Gaia's skewed understanding of humans. You know, you are supposed to smear something stupid on their face. What you did is more like body painting.

Gaia looked down at Magnuss peaceful face, now featuring a high-class image of a satisfied-looking cat with long hair. It was a perfect job, worthy of an artist.

Somehow, I cant believe you are rarely doing this. This looks too skilled, I spoke slowly, doubting her claim. You had to train this, or is your nature allowing you to become a perfect body painter on a whim?

The avatar pursed her lips and looked down at my unconscious partner. She tilted her head, then her eyes widened in realization.

She cursed and flung the marker against the nearest wall. Meteor strike my creations down! I knew there was something wrong with this! I thought humans were just too inept to do a better job! The ungainliness of the scribbles being intentional never occurred to me!

I slowly lowered the metal handle and tried my best to be inconspicuous when I threw it behind me while Gaia ranted.

Ignoring her, I went to my partners side and took his hand in mine. It felt cold and clammy, which immediately had me worried. Why isnt he awake?

Don't know for sure. Happens sometimes when people skirt the edge of death. They return to the fold, Gaia retorted disinterestedly. The poison has him out cold, though I got a connection to him. You two are strange that way. I cannot say I fully understand it myself.

She reached over and switched off the lamp she had used to ensure optimal illumination of my partner's face.

I sighed in frustration and squeezed Magnus's hand. I wanted to pursue this line of discussion and Gaias knowledge about death, but right now I had other problems.

Then tell me about the ones who tried to kill him. We have three bodies and we are very sure one got away. I need his affiliates within the clan. Know whether there are more of these 'Forgotten' around.

As long as I did this right, I would get my revenge.

It took half an hour until Thalia joined me, trailed by her entourage of ten guards. Including the ten which had been attached to Magnus and my own group, the foyer was becoming crowded with grim-looking women and men in full armour.

The guard told me you knew where the assassin is? my friend asked with a curious expression.

I nodded. We are going there, right now. And you will be with us to rip any information they might have right out of their brains.

Thalia's eyes widened at my suggestion. Shouldn't you let the Patels do that? They got the job as far as I remember. And how did you find out where the assassin is hiding? Weren't you with Magnus the entire time?

A very good question!

Bruce sped into the foyer, surrounded by a blurry outline of black wings which moved far too fast for the eye to see. His entrance was accompanied by the buzz of a human-sized colibri and a gust of air which forced me to raise a hand protectively to my eyes.

The elder's feet lightly touched the ground and he effortlessly transitioned to a speedy walk. His wings wrapped around him like a cloak. My people are taking the second, third, and fourth stratas apart to find the culprit, but all we got are old trails and abandoned hideouts. What clue could you have found here in the hospital?

I lowered my hand and bowed slightly to the elder. My partner woke up for a few minutes. The attackers exchanged instructions which led me to believe it would be highly advisable to search the tenth.

The tenth? Bruce raised an eyebrow. Nothing I got points at the tenth. And it's hard to believe agents who managed to hide among us for years would slip up so dramatically. Why would they tell their target where to find them?

I wouldn't call it a slip-up, I retorted, spinning my white lie further. They believed their target dead and had suffered unexpected losses. One of their dying agents mentioned a fallback point 'Silo Seven' right before my partner lost consciousness.

'Silo Seven' could mean anything, Bruce countered.

Maybe. I tapped a finger against my temple. But training aside, would a dying man remember to keep his cool while bleeding out on the ground? I admit, this is a shot in the dark, but one of my mutations enhances mental capabilities and I firmly believe myself to be on the right track. The tenth has an old storage facility which was abandoned years ago. Presumably, because a ratkin break-in left it too vulnerable to be repaired. Once upon a time, it was called storehouse seven. If a group decided to renovate the structure, they would have a perfect hideout connected to the clans tunnel system while also providing a way out.

Bruce wasn't convinced. An odd tidbit of knowledge to have. And how does storehouse translate to silo? You wouldnt be willing to share the detail of this ability so I can judge its accuracy?

No. You wont get any more information about this mutation. And silo is what the tenth's farmers call their storehouses. It's slang, I explained and pointed towards the door. Can we go now? I dare say we should come down on them hard and fast as soon as possible before they get the idea they could be compromised and relocate for safety.

I strolled past the elder and gestured for Thalia to follow. Come.

It took a moment before Bruce followed us. Now wait a moment.

No time for a moment, I interrupted. Either we can coordinate and you get the credit, or I get to storm the opponent's fort with my hunters and we get the glory. What will it be?

The elder harrumphed. If you are so certain, then I will take the credit, but this needs a little more planning than simply barging into their hideout. We have to close off possible escape routes and make sure we have the upper hand.

Exactly what I wanted.

How long? I asked.

Bruce bristled. An hour? If I mobilize all my people.

I stopped, turned to him and crossed my arms. I am waiting.

Bruce pressed his lips together but didn't say anything more. Instead, he gave me a mocking bow and spread his wings. A moment later, he buzzed off.

It was the longest hour I had to endure in my entire life so far.

The thirds people scouted out the area while our hunters prepared to act as the spearhead of the operation.

Dad and Mom naturally heard about me requisitioning more people once Bruce informed us of the necessary scope of the operation. We had to block all the Forgottens escape routes, including the ones which would allow them to flee the clan entirely.

In the end, it meant several hundred people were involved.

The idea of personally storming the enemys stronghold to take personal revenge was drenched in cold water once the scope of the operation became obvious.

Nobody desired a failure, so five juggernaut-classed hunters were tasked with breaking down the door to the abandoned facility, while other parties fortified each identified escape route.

Meanwhile, I had to sit still and wait for the operation to end, fobbed off by the promise of getting my hands on the Forgotten who werent killed in action.