[center][b]Meeting Kanon[/b]
A collab between [@Fallenreaper], [@Xodus] and [@Rina][/center]

Bella gave a nod to Samad as he instructed her and Zane to stay. She was curious about what was causing the dead zone and wanted to see the cause of the disturbance for herself but with as much trouble Zane had already brought to their investigation she was hesitant about speaking up. As Bella gave a small wave to the other duo she noticed another person approach the group. Bella’s gaze darted between the man and the others and he introduced himself. Bella stayed quiet as he questioned them, uncertain how to handle the talking side of this situation. Did the man know why they were here? Was he a threat to the team? Would he even be patient enough to listen if she tried to speak? The thoughts were spinning around in Bella’s head as she heard her partner speak up.

“I’m here because the other three are too antsy to take it easy after being ambushed by students and sent to guard duty.” Zane said as he gave a slight wave towards Samad and Elsa. “What’s your story Kanon? What brought you out here?” Zane said as he placed a hand on Bella’s shoulder and spoke through his telepathic link to his partner. [i]’Focus Bella and assess the situation. You are the eyes of the group. I can focus on defending if needed but we need your intel.[/i] 


Samad tensed at both Zane's and Kanon's replies. Elsa reached a small hand out then touched him, a soothing effect that immediately took hold. He forced himself to relax. If AMRO didn't want them in certain places, it should've been touched on before their arrival. Naturally anything outside of the norm stirred some asylums' paranoia. Especially those usually assigned dangerous missions where details mattered. Elsa and Samad fit in that category.

[i]Let's see what Zane does...[/i]

Her partner didn't answer. For a moment, Elsa looked confused then it dawned on her. They were in a dead zone. It proved the area negated all alchemy within this area. Her concern grew because it left Samad and her helpless, save for their physical skills. Unfortunately, a human had their limits.

At the man's gesture, she jerked her head for them to follow. Samad immediately caught the gesture and subtly nodded. They began to walk back until they were over the other side of the line once more.

Elsa let a small breath escape her lips when she once more felt a presence in her mind.

[i]That was unpleasant. It seems Zane's at least determined to ease the tension, though his methods aren't exactly ideal. [/i] Her eyes met Zane's for a moment, indicating she would step in when he wanted her to. At this point, she saw no reason to interrupt. 

[i]I agree on both accounts.[/i] 

They stood on the outside of the conversation while still being involved. 

Despite Zane's rather strange ice breaking conversation, Kanon maintained a cheery deposition. He merely nodded at Zane's explanation as he continued to approach the four Asylums who had now backed out of the boundary line. 

"Well believe it or not I am supposed to be guarding this fine piece of land," the Asylum spread his arms and gestured at the pasture field of nothingness. "There is nothing to hide really. You see I am part of the Wolf Brigade or the Howlers. You may have heard of our specialized task force. We carry our missions in the open, our actions used to make a statement to the wider public. Of course due to the nature of our missions we rarely rely on alchemy." The Howler explained as he casually strolled near the borderline. His steps falling still within the deadzone as if silently signifying how little it bothers him. 

Elsa casually hooked her fingers into her pants pockets as she continued to observe. She remained near Samad, her head fixed on the two men locked in conversation. Neither of the linked pair relaxed despite their appearance. Samad arched an eyebrow at the mention of Zanon guarding the open field.

[i] Then why is someone of your status guarding an empty field?[/i] Samad's voice shot the question at Elsa.

[i] Reminding you of Istanbul, doesn't it?[/i]

[i] Yes.I don’t like it.[/i] Samad grumbled as he shifted to the background while Kanon paced along the deadzone's edge. 

"Now it's my turn for the questions and I do hope you are as honest." The Howler's tone changed pitch, dropping just enough to let the group know he was serious. A few other silhouettes appeared around the weary Asylum group, all of them maintaining a large distance but cutting off any exit. 

"You did not come here due to a simple stroll. Your path was calculated. Your reaction to seeing me was weary if not expected. You knew about the dead zone beforehand and traced it else you wouldn't be as calm when you first stepped across the boundary." Kanon calmly explained what he believed was true based on observation and guess work. 

"Now here is where you need to help me out. How did you manage to trace this place, it should have been a needle in a stupidly massive hay stack." 

Kanon raised a finger as he asked his first question. 

"Why did you come to this place? You seem to know it renders alchemy null so what was your intention?" 

Kanon raised a second finger as he asked the following question. 

"Who are you working for? This to me looks like an observation party sent to steal intellectual information." 

Kanon raised a third finger while his spare hand drew his revolver at blinding speed, having it leveled with Samad's head. 

"If any of you so much as consider using alchemy, we will have you bombarded into oblivion. Nine against four are not odds you want to take, especially not on our terrain. So please cooperate. Thanks bunches." 

At the gun at his head, Samad tensed on impulse. Elsa’s eyes just barely caught the movement as  she heard Kanon's warning and her blood iced.

With a few blinks of her eyes Bella switched her peripherals to thermal imaging as the man started to question the group and scanned the surrounding area. [i]’He’s right about not being alone. I’ll monitor for any movement.’[/i] Bella said through her telepathic link to Zane while giving a slight nod towards Elsa and Samad. 

[i]’Success of Skylar blocking the bullet?[/i] Zane questioned as raised up his hands to show he was currently empty handed. “You might not like our answers but I’m willing to talk.”

[i]’Three percent. Maybe five if I let it defend on its own.’[i] Bella said as she glanced at the bot that hovered between the other duo. [i]’If we don’t care about injury and factor in the fact that the bot might explode if attacked, our odds would be better.’[/i]

As Zane and Bella talked with each other, Elsa opened up a channel for all four of them. A small ‘alert’ would’ve pinged through the other two Asylum’s minds and allowed them access when  they tuned in. Samad spoke first. 

[i]If a fight breaks out, I can slow down the bullets. Then transfer the speed to one of you or Elsa, who can raise a wall of ice to buffer the other attacks. However, we need to be careful. We’re on the edge of the dead zone and they will use it to their advantage.[/i] 

Elsa mentally sighed then added. [i]Which we wouldn’t have known if the prisoner didn’t mention it. So many questions are running through my mind, but we have very little time. I prefer we avoid a fight if we can and be ready if they don’t feel the same way.[/i] 

[i]’Transfer the speed first to Elsa and secondary to Bella.[/i] Zane chimed in as he thought through his options. [i]She can immediately focus on defense and then pivot to a ranged attack but will need Elsa to block any incoming attacks. I can keep Kanon busy along with anyone else that might charge in.[/i]

[i] Sounds like a plan. We won’t interrupt unless you need or want us to,[/i] Elsa stated then added, [/i] Also, control the flow of information and not give him too much. We have no idea how he’ll react or what he might do with too many details.[/i]

Taking a step forward Zane placed himself between the man and Bella. He thought over Elsa’s comment but decided to shrug it off. Zane agreed that too much information could be problematic but giving too little to someone who thinks that they are working for their enemy could lead to a bullet through one of their skulls. If he appears to be too cautious it could be perceived as him lying or hiding something. Deciding to stick with what he knew best, Zane decided to go with the blunt honesty. “I’m not sure what secrets you are hiding and honestly I don’t really care but someone must be slipping up if we heard rumors about a zone without alchemic energy from a prisoner that just arrived today.” Zane took another slow step towards the man and glanced at the gun. “We can tell you more about this man but could you first lower that? We’re willing to cooperate but let’s do a bit of give and take here.”

Kanon couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and then laugh, a small outburst before regaining his composure. “You heard about this place from a prisoner? He heard it from a prisoner, isn’t that fantastic?” The man stared at the direction of one of his hidden comrades, his arms flinging in the air in sheer frustration before cocking the gun’s safety back on. 

“Listen to me…..freshie,” The Howler scoffed as he walked out of the boundary line so as to restructure the soil into a crude stool to sit on. “A secret is best kept when you don’t try hard in keeping it a secret. And that has worked….so far.” Kanon continued, though his tone had become slightly on edge. “I am not told much about what goes on here, what I know is it is some form of an experimental technology that can completely nullify alchemy. Can you fucking imagine……” His voice had sobered now, taken a hushed tone, a scared tone. 

“What makes this a precarious situation is that even certain Chronos are unaware of this and that means it is an independent project and that means someone is vying for power. You do not want to get in between a power struggle among titans. I have no choice, my team and I are locked in this. I don’t want my team to suffer, you understand. They are good, loyal people.” As Kanon spoke his finger subconsciously played with the safety mechanism on his gun. 

“I have verified what you say to be true but now we have a problem. If I report this to my superiors, well….I’m fucked….you’re fucked…..and this prisoner is fucked. If I don’t report this and this prisoner ends up some Chrono spy, well then…..I’m fucked…..you’re fucked…..and he is fucked.” The Asylum couldn’t help but massage his temples,wondering how he got into this bullshit. 

“Now here is what I suggest. I don’t report this to my superiors and you four locate that prisoner and find out his intentions, but do it discreetly. First focus on your tasks here at the Island and figure out who this person is and what he wants. If he is an enemy, we assassinate him quietly, if he is not…..we assassinate him quietly?” Kanon shrugged as he finished his planning. “Oh or I kill you all here and then kill that prisoner, your call, no pressure.” 

Zane looked towards Bella with a shrug as if waiting for her approval. As he did so he continued the telepathic conversation with the other three. [i]If I don’t hear any objections in the next two seconds I’m going for it.[/i]

[i] So much for keeping to minimal details.[/i] Samad’s irritated voice commented, but became silent when his partner jumped in. 

[i] Considering we have no choice, we’re going to have to agree. Some details slipped by him, but not everything. Oh and Zane, if this goes sideways... I will personally encase you in ice for three days straight.[/i] Elsa’s threat wasn’t life threatening for Zane, but the inconvenience would’ve ensured he would remember it. 

Zane gave a slight shrug to Elsa’s comment and after receiving a nod from Bella, Zane turned back to Kanon. “As long as the we you mention is the Howlers assassinating the prisoner you have a deal.” Extending out his hand towards the man, Zane offered his hand for Kanon to shake. “Handling a man in chains that doesn't have a way to defend themself would be simple if your team is as good as you say they are.”

Silence stretched out before them for a few uncomfortable seconds before Kanon signalled with a hand gesture and the team that had surrounded the Asylums vanished. 

"Excellent!" Kanon spoke while clapping his hand. "Now we will continue to monitor the deadzone and pretend none of you ever came here. You guys simply figure out the deal with this 'prisoner'. Once we know what we are up against we will move against the target."  With that said Kanon walked back in the deadzone, lost to sight, hidden in darkness.