The wealth disparity of the northern city couldn’t be reflected any clearer than seeing windows with golden furnishings. Mansions with opened doors and gates three times her height, but without a soul in sight. Far from silent, Elizabeth heard music and merriment from the building with vultures perched on its roof. The temperature had been rising, the brightness of the sun bare down upon her. Even the weather felt foreboding...

Going through the entrance, the stench of alcohol coming from those getting their glasses filled by the bar wrenches. Noticing crowds gathering beside the immaculate fireplace, [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR5xTk1GjeM]listening to the bard playing on his pan flute.[/url] Further observation would witness the cards and coins littering all the tables. Weapons, trinkets and jewelry exchanged and dished out among them. Folks picking their teeth or stabbing rapidly between their fingers with a dagger. She hadn’t seen a single violent act or an angry face. Though it wasn’t reassuring, with armed and imposing strangers in every corner. Suddenly, a woman made direct eye contact with Elizabeth and smiled at her. Dressed in a vibrant red, with matching necklace and earrings. Glistening like a lighthouse from the shores, standing out from the surrounding men. A beacon drawing attention towards her. Beckoning Elizabeth closer with a finger.
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Standing amidst the shambles in a shaman’s tent, time berating his presence. The feeling of swallowing a knife. Another stabbing victim, their pupils screaming a lifetime of regret, lying in a crimson pool. His neck sweltered from the growing heat. Clutching his necklace as dull pain cut inside his chest. He called out to a fleeting glimpse of the figure ascending to the rooftops of the western buildings. Bastian huffed for oxygen, hearing an inaudible whisper. Shutting his eyes and clenching his fists tighter. Focusing, as the necklace glimmered.

[color=0072bc][i]“Get him…”[/i][/color] The tone of those words suggested it wasn’t a mere suggestion. Repeating the phrase ad-nauseam, becoming more hostile. Bastian bolted forward through the stretch of stone road. Passing many one story buildings and lunging into the air. He grabbed onto a ladder attached to a building’s wall, climbing up to the rooftop. The blackness erupting from the chimney, clouded the sky. The smell of smelting metal, didn’t obscure the figure’s fragrance. Continuing to run and leap across rooftops, lacking any visual traces. As if he was following their ghost. Civilians below witnessing Bastian’s blur moving above their homes. They gathered in a circle in the town square. The populace green with envy and spread like weeds among the city, protesting the encroaching beastkind movement.

He leaped down into a distant alleyway far from the rioting crowds, landing on all fours. Looking up at the monstrous smile beneath their hood. The wolf wearing sheep’s clothing, claws hidden in the cloak.

[color=f9ad33]“Alright, you’ve worn me out. What exactly do you need?”[/color] He uttered speaking cordially. Bastian stood upright, catching his breath.

[color=0072bc]“I wanted to ask you the same question...Why are you killing these people? Why would you have such a strong perfume, if you didn’t want to be caught by someone like me?”[/color] Bastian asked, the figure answered with a snort.

[color=f9ad33]“The world doesn’t revolve around you.”[/color] He quipped. [color=f9ad33]“This isn’t perfume. Nor did I purposefully spill it on my clothes. Accidents happen when you’re dealing with volatile chemicals, and you’re a little klutzy.”[/color] He answered sprinkled with sardonicism. Bastian remained silent, causing the beastkind to continue. [color=f9ad33]“If you haven’t been told to stay away from the north. Might I suggest, not to drink the water either? I can imagine the scent would already be appalling. The physickers are out of commission, so they won’t have anything for the inevitable tummy-ache.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]“Why? What does starting a war accomplish?”[/color] Bastian asked. The beastkind changed his posture, shaking his head.

[color=f9ad33]“That’s a stupid question.”[/color] He sneered. [color=f9ad33]“I can tell you know nothing. But no one’s foolish enough to come here without a purpose. You must be aware of the corruption and criminals plaguing this city for a decade now...”[/color] Bastian blank stare, had plenty to say about his absence of knowledge. Or at least, how bad it was… [color=f9ad33]“You came to find somebody right? Blackmailing you? Killed your siblings? Kidnapped your children?”[/color] Bastian eyes darted down from rapid-fire inquiries, hearing sounds of shuffling parchment. The beastkind scoffed, rushing up to Bastian and shoving a crumpled-up paper into his paw. Bastian smoothed the paper out, eyes widened. Seeing “The Bladed Beauty’s” real name, Scarlett Wild. Making note of a distinguishing birthmark at the back of her neck, cursed and forever unconcealed with her best magic.

[color=f9ad33]“How fortunate that we crossed paths then. She happened to be my last target. She’s a vile monster, who has others do the crimes against our kind. Aiding the worst scum of the earth to live a blessed life, while the corpses rot under the ground. Better hurry and find your kids before she buries them herself.”[/color] He murmured with urgency, back to back. [color=f9ad33]“Unless you plan on playing hero, and trying to stop me from doing what needs to be done...”[/color]

Bastian snarled a bit, turned around. [color=0072bc][i]“I’ve never claimed to be a hero…”[/i][/color] Leaving his pursuit behind for a new desire burning like his blood. He sought the target Elizabeth had been sent to find, fully aware that bloodshed would soon follow...only hoping he wouldn’t be too late.