NOVEL WEB XIX. Exhuming Wounds
The Fawn: There... That should do it.
Virno is laying on an operating table. His torso is stitched up, where his ribs are.
The Leopard: Thank you, Fawn...
The Fawn: It's fine. Now, we must bandage him up and get him out of here. He can't stay for long, especially in his debilitated state... You know what happens to those who come to the headquarters without protection.
The Leopard nods.
The Leopard: Don't worry, I'll get him home soon...
Before he starts bandaging him up, someone else enters the lab. The Fawn freezes up when they see them.
The Fawn: Lion...
The Leopard exhales a silent sigh before turning around to face him.
The Lion: LEOPARD! Explain yourself this instant.
Behind the Lion, several masked members peeked from the outside in, through the open doors. With a hand gesture, the Lion quickly shuts them, preventing the onlookers from seeing or hearing what was happening.
The Leopard: Von Virtus was injured... Critically. Had I not brought him here, he would have surely died.
The Lion walks over to the operation table, to inspect Virno.
The Lion: So... This is to be the future bearer of the sword...?
He seems... Disappointed.
The Lion: ... Unable to defend even himself. Pathetic.
The Leopard: In his defense, I have not yet begun his training. Moreover, he has no real means of fighting back... He's a swordsman without a sword, Lion.
The Lion: Hmph. What a shoddy excuse, Leopard...!
The Lion raises his right hand, gripping it tight. From the spaces between his fingers and his palm, grey energy shoots out. As he opens his hand, a grey ornate amulet is revealed. It emanated a slight magical glow.
The Lion: Make sure he wears this. At all times.
He throws the amulet into the Leopard's hands.
The Leopard: But-
The Lion shakes his head.
The Lion: Put your mind at ease. That amulet isn't powerful enough to draw unwanted attention. Much like the ring you gave your slum lord friend, it should only activate in times of real danger.
The Leopard looks at the amulet, gripping it.
The Leopard: I wouldn't go so far as to call him a friend...
The Lion: Listen to me... There will be no more excuses. Next time he injures himself, he is your responsibility. Eclipse cannot afford to bring outsiders in like this, no exceptions. It is dangerous not only for us, but for those we bring, too... You know this, do you not?
The Leopard: Of course, Lion... It won't happen again.
The Lion: Good.
The Lion prepares to leave, turning around and heading for the door.
The Lion: Make sure you begin his training at once... It would seem Nox are getting quite stirred up. Your city won't remain peaceful for long...
The Leopard dry swallows.
The Leopard: Y-yes...
The Lion opens the door, revealing a group of curious animal masks all around the sides.
The Lion: AND WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?! GET TO WORK!
They quickly disband, leaving the Fawn and the Leopard alone in the lab once more.
The Leopard: Nox are...?
The Fawn nods, as she takes a deep breath.
The Fawn: Our plan is well underway... It seems like Mortmundus will be destroyed, with or without the Puma's cooperation. It is our suspicion that Nox already know this, and hence have started to get more active as of late, even going so far as to capture smaller settlements that belong to their opponents... Ours included. They are gearing up for war, no doubt.
The Leopard stares at the floor, pensively.
The Leopard: A war with Nox... Then we really don't have much time.
He looks at Virno.
The Leopard: I'll get him home. Seems like I'll be catching up with Anya von Virtus myself, after all these years...
The Fawn crosses her arms, as she shakes her head.
The Fawn: She won't be happy to see one of us again...
The Leopard sighs.
The Leopard: I'm not too excited with the thought of it either... But, desperate times.
The Fawn nods.
The Fawn: Desperate times indeed.
She uncrosses her arms, as she directs her gaze toward Virno.
The Fawn: Alright, let's wrap this up then. Seems like you have a long night ahead of you...
With the Fawn's help, the Leopard wraps Virno's torso in bandages, and opens a portal to the slums. On the other side was Virno's home. The portal closes behind him after he crosses over, and he stands still with Virno in his arms, staring at the closed door.
The Leopard: Let's get this over with...
He takes a deep breath, before pushing the door and walking in. Anya was in the bathroom, as soon as she hears the door she bolts out. They lock eyes with each other.
Anya: ... You...!
She dashes for the kitchen drawers, and grabs a sharp knife from inside.
The Leopard: Please, miss-
She points the knife at him.
Anya: FIRST YOU TOOK MY HUSBAND, NOW YOU TAKE MY CHILD, TOO...?!
She runs towards him, with the intent of stabbing him. Her hands were shaking.
The Leopard: Please, let me put him down first! He needs rest...
She stops a couple of feet in front of him, with the trembling knife still pointed in his direction.
Anya: What have you done to him...?!
The Leopard: Your son tried to save a young girl from an assaulter... But the assaulter was stronger. When I found him, he was already lying on the ground unconscious. Don't worry... He's since been treated. All he needs now is a place to lie down for some time and recover.
She hesitantly lowers her weapon, and opens the door to one of the rooms.
Anya: If I find out you're lying to me...
The Leopard: We may be many things, miss Anya... But we are no liars.
She grinds her teeth, begrudgingly placing the knife down on top of a table.
Anya: No... You may be murderous magic casters who risk the lives of innocents to further your goals, but I suppose you are no liars...!
She takes Virno from his arms, and lays him down on a bed inside the room. As she leaves the room, she closes the door behind her.
Anya: Leave. Now. And if you ever get involved with my family again...
She looks at the knife.
Anya: ... I swear I'll kill you.
The Leopard could see it in her eyes... She was not making that threat lightly.
The Leopard: Miss Anya... I understand how things may seem from your perspective, but you have the wrong idea. We aren't to blame for Charles' death.
Anya widens her eyes.
Anya: You aren't to blame...? Every time you showed up, he'd be different. He refused to tell me anything about you at all, even going so far as to get agitated whenever I brought you up... It was clear to me he never liked you, and wished you would leave us alone.
She steps closer to him.
Anya: Do you think I failed to notice the times you showed up around our home...? Even when things were good, even when he was finally home again... You had to find a way to make it all worse, didn't you?
The Leopard: You must unders-
Anya: I DON'T WANT TO! I WANT YOU OUT OF OUR LIVES!
Meanwhile, inside the room, Virno wakes up with his mother's shouts... He couldn't yet move his body, but the walls inside the house were thin enough that he could understand what was being said. He remains silent and still, listening in...