Chapter nine: the proposal and the tradgedy

"if everyone would just open their eyes, they would see that we are all one, there is no true purpose to divide ourselves in any way."

• "emotional" emperorwolf.

outside the three story home in the forest, the skies buffeted the area with heavy rain, whilst the inhabitants slept peacefully through the early morning, unaware of the weather.
tythiel watched curiously through the crystal ball as her old friend kenziel, now called 'ian', slept peacefully, before tending to her brother's wound.
she had returned to the eternal kingdom, specifically the infirmary, to heal the injury zeitiel had sustained from ian's divine flame, which had burnt off his left arm. she soaked a bandage in a glowing silver fluid before wrapping it onto the wound.
zeitiel winced.
"please, brother, do stay still, the ilixir wont work if you keep moving around so much" she scolded him.
"i know, sister...."
"still thinking about him?"
zeitiel lay down upon the hospital bed "yes... i do not understand his fasination with mortals.... i understood the light-bringer's dislike of them, but i cannot comprehend kenziel's-"
"ian's" she corrected him.
he nodded "yes...'ian' ... his amazement with them as a species... he was a class two, why does he care so much...?"
tythiel rubbed a blue gelatin on the bandages, and added another layer of cloth.
"maybe spending so many lifetimes as one of them taught him something we do not know...?"
zeitiel closed his eyes "...perhaps... but now that he has attacked me, i do hope 'HE' doesn't think 'ian' has turned against us..."
tythiel sighed " but 'he' is busy studying humanity on earth, ever since his fall, he has taken an intrest in them...."
the door opened, and two angels entered, one with blue hair, a spear, and shimmering golden armour worn atop a pure white robe, and the other was blonde, with a longsword and brilliant cerulean armour.
tythiel bowed to them "greetings, michael and raphiel."
raphiel, the blonde one, stepped forward, and examined zeitiel "you've done quite well... your healing skills are not unlike mine once were."
tythiel looked up, smiling "i thank you for your praise, mighty archangel known as 'healer' ..."
raphiel smiled gently "that is but my name's meaning..."
michael approached zeitiel "how have you ended up this way? were you attacked by a fallen?"
zeitiel groaned "no, master michael... i meerly underestimated.... my chances..."
michael turned to the door, as an angel in beautiful crimson armour walked in
"uriel... what brings you here?"
uriel looked at the angel on the bed "he encountered the fallen kenziel."
tythiel covered her mouth "how did you...?"
"i was watching." uriel answered, gesturing to the crystal ball.
zeitiel coughed "i allowed him... to do this... it will heal..."
uriel sighed.
raphiel gestured to his comrades to leave "we must allow him to rest. we will discuss what to do about kenziel once he has healed."
the three legendary archangels left.

tythiel turned to her brother, concerned.
"do not worry, sister... i will appeal for kenziel..."
she nodded and left him to rest.

---

benson yawned and woke up, it was still raining outside, and everyone else was still asleep.
(okay... better get started) benson climbed the rope and got out of the box-bed.
he moved to his backpack, and changed into his day-clothes, then made his way to the second floor.
when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked around, it was still dark, and the digital clock on the oven read '5:05 AM'
he took out his portable laptop (it is a laptop, made smaller for ease of transport) and turned it on, sitting in the corner, beneath the dining table.
he accessed the internet and noticed the 'new mail' icon. he clicked on it and a message came up.
it was from the bank.
"greetings, Mr Palmer.
due to an error in the system, for reasons we cannot determine, you will unfortunately not recieve this month's payment.
we will reimburse you next moth with double pay, in response to this error.

we thank you for your understanding, and once again apologise for the inconvenience.

-sencirely, the national bank of Virada."

benson clicked the 'respond' button with a growl.
"dammit, this happened last month as well... don't they know that I'M the one who freaking built their building?" he stewed "friggin' expect better than this."
benson typed a reply.

"excuse me, but you did this to me last month as well.
as the national bank used by the most people, i expect better than this from you.
i understand that the error was unintentional, but you are making things very difficult for me, and i believe that, i should recieve TRIPLE pay next month, as that is currently what you owe me.
please understand that i am not being greedy, but simply want may late payment i have been expecting.
please fix the issue, if this happens again next month, i WILL switch banks.

-sincerely, patron number 4995, Benson Appolo Palmer."
benson clicked the 'send' button and closed the window, he then checked his bank details, the display read: "your account's total savings is curently... one-hundred and fourty five thousand, and two hundred, point one three..." (145,200.13)
benson's ears flattened, it ws just enough to pay for his house loan, but it would leave him without any money for food.
"damn.... why is this happening to me? what did i do to deserve this?" he groaned, and closed the window.
he shut down his laptop, climbing up to kevin's computer desk, and leaving it up there.
then he sat on the edge of the desk, thinking.

he did his job, quite a lot better than most, in fact, so why was his life going downhill?
he conjured a stress ball from the dust on the desk and broke it almost straight away.
(fuck, Fuck, FUCK, FUCK!) he screamed in his head. sure, he could ask his friends if he could borrow some cash, but he didn't want to make them feel like he relied on them for everything, they had always been there for him, but he needed to do some things for himself. he didn't want to seem too needy.
he suddenly realised that the voice in his head was being unusually quiet.
he meditated on the thought and slipped into the realm of his mind.

---

he found himself before a firey cage, inside it, his shadow sat calmly.
he opened his mouth, and found that this time, unlike his previous visits, was able to speak.
"you're being quiet."
the shadow shrugged "not that i don't have my own opinion, but i seem to have been sealed up."
benson frowned "but.... i didn't do that, how did you get sealed?"
the shadow scratched it's head "hmm, no idea... it happened last night, one second i'm observing your thoughts, like usual, then i'm suddenly stuck in this thing" it said, motioning to the cage.
a sound in the real world caught benson's attention.
the shadow sighed "go back there, not like i'm gonna go anywhere..."
benson nodded, and allowed himself to return to reality.

---

he looked at the time, '5:06 AM'
he looked at the stairs, the sound had come from kevin, who leant against the banister, looking at his friend.
"y'r up early." the german shepherd remarked in a hushed voice.
benson sighed. "woke up and couldn't get back to sleep..."
kevin nodded, and walked over to the computer desk, sitting down on the chair to be closer to benson's level.

"okay. but you look depressed. feel like talkin'?"
benson closed his eyes. "let's go down to the first floor, i don't want to wake anyone."
kevin nodded, and picked up his friend, holding him in his paw as he walked downstairs.
kevin sat on the couch, and set his friend upon his muzzle.
"this okay?"
benson nodded. "yes... okay, kevin. thing is, i've been having financial troubles."
kevin frowned "how so?"
benson took a deep breath, then breathed out. "the bank's had the same problem two months in a row, and i haven't recieved my monthly payment, i have enough to pay my loans, but if i do, i wont have enough left for food." he told him.
kevin just kept listening.
"i just don't understand, i do my job better than anyone else, you'd expect better treatment of their best worker."
kevin rested his head on his paws "so, is this why you were at the beach that time? to get away from the stresses of daily life?" he asked curiously.
"kind of... yes, i suppose so." the fox admitted.
kevin moved one of his paws, and rubbed his friend gently on the head with a finger to comfort him.
"i'm sorry to hear about your troubles. is there anything i can do to help?"
benson reached up and grabbed the giant finger. "...no.... thankyou, but i don't want to be needy. i'll think of something."
kevin bumped him with the finger, knocking him flat upon his muzzle. "i don't think you could stop me helping if i decided i wanted to." kevin joked.
benson sat up. "i appreciate it, i really do, but i'll have to decline." benson insisted "i need to do this myself. besides, you've done so much already, you're a great friend, but i'll take care of it."
kevin sighed "okay then... but you can just ask me if you ever need help."
"right now all i can think of that you'd really be able to help with would be moving the two-ton boulder in my backyard."
kevin thought about that.
"no offense! it's just the first thing that came to mind..." benson apologised.
kevin slowly shook his head, so as not to knock benson off. "it's okay. it's a normal thing to ask of someone of my size, i'd guess. it makes sense." kevin's expression turned sympathetic "and i would be fine with helping with that."
benson laughed a little "i think you'd scare the whole neighbourhood, though." benson told him "and then there's the 'endangering lives' fees..."
kevin sighed, a little in annoyance "i don't understand why you guys are allowed to freely travel into 'our territory' but we get fines and punishments for setting foot in 'your territory' ..."
benson shrugged "i think it's because we won't cause as much damage as you guys would naturally..." benson stopped, feeling the giant's gaze upon him "...cause... from... just moving... around..." he said hesitantly.
"i-i'm sure you'd be careful! ... but... most people aren't...v-very trusting... of y-your kind..."
kevin closed his eyes briefly, before opening them again.
"when you say it like that, it makes sense..." kevin huffed "but i still don't like it. i wanna punish whoever thought of the damn law."
benson fidgeted "w-what would... you do?"
"break their legs, first of all. then i'd break some more o'their stuff; maybe their damn city. see how they like being fucked with, for a change."
benson cringed "s-sorry... but wouldn't th-that just give them m-more reason to have those laws?" benson said, frightened.
kevin noticed the little fox's discomfort. he WAS talking about violent acts against benson's people, after all. "i'd make sure i wouldn't trample your home, don't worry."
benson stood, shaking "A-and what if i W-wasn't home?! i'd be k-killed along with everyone e-else! w-wouldn't i?!" benson said angrily, clearly afraid, but was courageous enough to stand up to him.
kevin stared. he hadn't thought of that, nor had he expected the outburst.
"...sorry, you're absolutely right. i think i went too far with that... no, i DID go too far." he admitted sadly. "you know, you're pretty brave. i can't imagine many people would stand up to something like that, let alone someone of your size to someone of mine. i can respect that in a person." kevin said, much calmer.
benson breathed quickly, then slowed it down "th-thanks... b-but promise me you'll never even THINK about doing th-that again!" he demanded cautiously.
kevin put one paw over his heart, and raised the other "i promise you i will not destroy your city."
a moment of silence followed, the only sound was the raining outside.
kevin looked at his friend seriously "i mean it."
benson fidgeted "wh-what if we one day aren't friends... or you get angry with me... or, i dunno, get drunk, and destroy everything... i'd hate to have that hanging over my head every day."
kevin picked benson up off his muzzle, holding him level with his eyes. "even IF that happened, which i highly doubt, i will NEVER endanger you, or your city." kevin insisted "NEVER."
benson sighed "alright... i believe you."

-an hour later-
heavy rain still poured down, but it was being ignored by another person who had awoken.

khyber stood on the window ledge in kevin's room, looking out at the dark terrain outside.
something didn't feel right, he didn't know what, but it unnerved him, it felt as if something was coming, something big... but not in terms of mass, rather, in terms of severity.
"patrick?" came a voice from behind him, he turned and saw ian walking toward him.
"oh, hi ian. i just feel... like something big is coming..."
ian chuckled "he's downstairs."
khyber glared at him "severity, not mass."
ian shrugged "either way."
"speak up, i'm not sure BEN heard you."
"point taken." he laughed "that fox does have 'a way with words' doesn't he?"
"if by words, you mean fists."
ian sighed "them too."
back in her bed, amelia stirred, causing ian and khyber to decide to head to the second floor.
once they reached the bottom of the stairs, they noticed benson and kevin chatting at the dining table.
ian shined a torch up at benson, catching their atention.
"mornin' guys" khyber called in a hushed voice, only just barely enough for kevin and benson to hear.
benson just waved.
kevin smiled and motioned for the duo to join them.
moments later, they sat near benson atop the table, holding coffee mugs benson had generated and sipped hot coffee from them.
benson poured himself some more from a thermos. "so, what do you guys think about the issue?"
ian rubbed his temperal. "i think... that they should build a city where it's possible for giants and non-giants to live in coexistance, like... maybe have enclosed walkways or something... like a better version of the additions you've put in, kevin. something like that"
kevin rubbed his chin "it's a pretty good idea, in theory. but what about stopping the 'random violence' issue created from it?" he asked.
"you've got me there..." ian admitted.
"i don't know either" khyber added.
benson raised his arm "what if, and bare with me on this, what if, ... we were all able to just zip through the air in transport thingies...?"
khyber frowned "it's a start, but i can see a few problems with it, namely random violence."
benson thought for a moment "what if our area was about..." he looked at kevin "waist height?... with appropriate barricades and stuff?" benson continued "or maybe on the ceiling...?"
kevin nodded slowly, and took a sip from his cup "that might work... providing that people were responsible enough..."
ian shot him a confused look "what do you mean, exactly?"
"i mean, like not purposely bumping against the enclosed areas, or...whatever."
khyber took another mouthful "it's a good point..." then his face lit up "now, don't take offense to this, kevin, but what if they simply SHRUNK all the giants?"
kevin frowned
"it's just, i don't think GROWING everyone else would be a good idea, we'd run out of room, or have the 'continental weight' problem again..."
kevin's mouth slanted "i think most of us LIKE being this big. i can't imagine many people would agree to it."
ian looked curiously at him "would you? ... agree to being our size, i mean. would you?"
kevin considered. "i've actually had a taste of being your size before, you know." kevin admited
khyber almost spat out his coffee "w-what? seriously? how?"
"i was born that way."
ian's eyes widened "i read about that: a giant family birthed a child who wasn't giant... that was you?"
kevin nodded. "yeah, it was. but around my third birthday i started growing abnormally, within a year i was at 'average' height for my age."
benson nodded "okay, ... you mean 'average' in giant's terms, right?"
kevin nodded
benson drank again before continuing "but do you think you'd agree to being our size ALL the time, not just, um... temporarily or something?"
kevin thought about it. "sorry, but i can't say i would. i'm one of the people who likes being giant."
ian put up a hand "fair enough."
khyber nodded "personally, i like being this size, too."
benson offered the other two more coffee, and poured them some more. "there must be a way for all three kinds to live in harmony... i just know it... but i can't work out how."
kevin nodded "the obvious thing would be if we were all the same size, but there're too many issues with that."
ian stood up "i'm going outside."
kevin glanced at him "what? in this weather?."
"just outside the window. i need to clear my head, rainy weather usually helps."
kevin nodded. "there's a little hole in the glass, in the window above the sink, you should be able to fit through, i'll just push the block aside for you." kevin told him and let ian outside.

there was a little 'fence' around the edge of the windowsil, making it more like a balcony. ian was sure kevin hadn't put it in as an 'addition' like the other things he'd done, he did have to admit that it was useful.
it made him feel safer.
although, he realised it was probably intended for potted plants.

"hey" came a voice to his right, a young male's voice.
he turned to see miliel, another one of his old friends, sitting on the sill.
"what brings you here, milliel? how's my sister?"
milliel smiled "she's got the kids today, so i thought i'd drop in on my brother in law... she's doing great, by the way."
ian smiled "she always was suited for motherhood." he sighed happily "how are my nieces and nephews?"
milliel chuckled "they're learning to fly. the twins are having troubles, but they're starting to get the hang of it. we tell them stories about their amazing uncle every night before bed."
ian blushed. "i wish i could meet them."
milliel gestured for him to sit with him.
"they're probably watching us on the crystal right now."
ian looked up. milliel was right, he could sense them.
he laughed and waved "hello." to the sky.
milliel threw an arm around ian then placed a yellow orb, no larger than a marble, in his hand.
ian looked at it curiously "what's this?"
milliel smiled "tythiel and zeitiel told the archangels, you know, uriel, gabriel, raphiel, and michael, about you giving up your new wings to bless that fox-kid..."
ian looked at him curiously "it's not a suicide pill, is it?"
milliel laughed "no, but close. it's a grace pill."
ian's eyes widened "they're giving me my wings back?"
milliel nodded "zeitiel said you deserved that much. you'll still be a 'fallen' but..."
ian looked up at the sky "tell them i'm appreciative of it."
and then he swallowed the pill.
milliel stood up. "they should grow back by tomorrow."
"milliel..."
he turned "yes?"
"thank you... for everything... especially making my sister happy..."
milliel smiled, and spread his wings "don't mention it." he said warmly, then flew away.

"what... the fuck?"

ian froze. he turned to see benson looking on, bewildered at the winged man as he flew away.
"oh no..." ian muttered
"ian.... what... IS that?"
ian sighed. there was no use lying this time. "an ... angel..."
"a WHAT?"
"a bird."
"you said 'angel' ..."
"i-i'm guessing..." he lied.
"b-but it-GUGH." benson started, but was knocked out from behind.
behind him stood ian's sister, tarikel.
"tari?!"
she shushed him "i'm not supposed to be here, i'll visit another time, i'm sorry... just tell your friend he hallucinated or something..."
ian nodded "okay, thanks sis."
she nodded, and vanished in a blue flame.

---

benson's head hurt, when he opened his eyes and saw ian standing over him.
"what...?"
ian helped him up "you came out here, but you slipped and hit your head, are you okay?"
benson rubbed his head "i thought i saw an angel...?"
ian scoffed "an angel? really? you must have hit your head pretty damn hard."
benson laughed "guess you're right... but i don't remember slipping over..."
"probably BECAUSE you slipped." he suggested.
"yeah... that makes sense." benson admitted
"why'd you come out here, anyway?"
"same as you."
"fair enough"
there was a knock at the window
they turned to see kevin, who was motioning for them to come back inside.

---

everyone sat on the dining table, including lily and amelia, who had been woken up, as kevin brought a radio over and set it on the table, an elderly voice crackled through...
"my fellow people, humans, Giki, and Buki alike, the council has an announcement."
a younger voice cracked through next; "the council has reached a decision... starting today... it will no longer be illegal for our 'giant' populace to enter our non-giant cities, but keep in mind that punishments WILL NOT be removed for any undesireable actions taken by them, the walkways will be raised, so there is no need to be worried about being trampled. also, this ammendment applies only to cities on Virada, our tri-citizen continent, giants are still forbidden on Gentiki, non giants are still forbidden on Fira Deralo.
i repeat..."
khyber looked at everyone "isn't this amazing?"

the broadcast continued, a young female voice this time "...any Buki citizens objecting to this ammendment will be asked to return to Gentiki, we expect full cooperation."
a louder, male voice came next, it's owner was likely a giant... "thank you, miss secretary. also on the important notes, the national bank of Virada was robbed this morning, the culprits were five cloaked individuals, scans reveal human evidence from the footage, but bio-cams in the area indicate inhuman genetic signatures. the police are currently investigating, but would like to point out that, if anyone knows something about the crime, to please report it immediately. that concludes this briefing, the time is 7:14 AM - synchronised time."
the broadcast ended, and kevin turned down the radio
lily spoke up "oh wow... that's terrible... good thing none of us use the national bank."
amelia spoke "yeah, we all use international banks."
kevin spoke next "uhhhhh... ben... uses the national...bank...."
everyone looked at benson, who looked depressed, he was on his laptop, checking his account. "i feel like i've just had a bulldozer dropped on me... i've lost everything... i'm absolutely broke..." he began to cry "i can't .... e-even pay... m-my home loan now..." he wept.
khyber hit the table "what the hell?! why would they put such a horrible message after such a great one?! dammit!"
amelia turned to benson "i'm sure they'll make an exception-"
a beep sounded on benson's laptop, and he opened the message and read it out loud

"Dear Mr Palmer.
we have noticed that you have not yet payed your home loan, it is now overdue.
please pay within the hour or you will lose your house.

-sencerely, the national bank of virada."

another beep

"Dear Mr Palmer.
you have failed to pay your overdue loans.
we would normally give you an eviction notice, but we have also been informed that your home burned down last night, following our own robbery, you have lost your home like many others last night.
we apologise for this, but the law states that we must take your insurance pay to make up for your overdues.

-sincerely the national bank of virada."

benson closed his laptop and cried.
"FUCK DAMN IT! now i've got ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOTHING!" he cried uncontrolably.
nobody could respond to that.
except for kevin, who pounded his fist against the table, causing everyone to jump.
"bastards. they aren't even smart enough to realise that YOU need the money. all they care about is themselves!" he growled angrily.
everyone shifted a meter back from kevin.
he noticed "... sorry..."
benson continued crying.
ian looked up at the giant german shepherd. "i-it's okay... i'm feeling pretty similar right now... if i had your size..."
khyber glared at ian "don't even JOKE about that!"
amelia thumped ian on the head again. "IDIOT!!"
lily hugged the crying fox. "ben... i can't believe this... they've absolutely no right!"
there was a light knock at the door.
kevin looked down the stairs "come in!"
a series of light thumps sounded as a young human woman in a buisiness suit jumped up the stairs.
the badge on her jacket had the logo of the national bank of virada on it.
kevin glared at her. "what the hell do YOU think you're doing here?!"
the woman ignored his hostility "Mr Benson Palmer accessed his account from this location this morning, is he still here?"
a weak, pitiful "yes" came from the tabletop.
she noticed the ladder and climbed up.
once she reached the top, lily ran to her and slapped her in the face "HOW DARE YOU?! take his only money, AND then have THE GALL to show up here?!"
the woman immediately straightened up, almost as if she had not noticed the hit. "Mr Palmer, we are dreadfully sorry for what has happened, we hope you will continue using the national-"
now benson screamed through his tears "You cannot be SERIOUS?! THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I'M STAYING WITH YOUR BANK!!" he screamed in sadness-turned rage "AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, YOU CAN FUCKING GO TO HELL ALONG WITH YOUR FUCKING BANK!" he screamed... and the radio began to turn to dust...
kevin yelled in fear "B-BEN! STOP!"
benson froze and looked at the radio, half desintegrated.
"oh shit.... let me try..."
he concentrated and the radio rebuilt itself.
the woman was shocked, but threw it off "i-i see. i'm sorry to hear that..." she held out an envelope.
kevin stared "what's that?"
"Mr Palmer was the only one whoose insurance was taken, so we decided to gather up his month's pay... rather... everything he paid for his home..." she answered.
lily stepped back "you're refunding him?"
she nodded.
"i apologise for hitting you..."
the woman held up a hand "there is no need. your reactions are completely understandable. the computers send the emails, not us."
ian raised an eyebrow "the computer knew about the fires and the robbery?"
"they have AI's"
the woman handed the envelope to lily, bowed respectfully, and made her way out."

lily gave the envelope to benson, who opened it, and his eyes went wide.

"th-there's at least nine hundred thousand in here...!"
ian, khyber, amelia, and kevin stared, mouths agape
lily hugged benson "i guess lady luck must be even more into you than I AM! hopefully i wont have to compete with her~!" lily charmingly joked.
benson shook his head, part in answer, part in disbelief "don't worry....she's not even in the same league as you... but...DAMN! this is unbelievable..."
"who's better~?"
"you..."

kevin patted benson on the head lightly "even if they didn't reimburse ya' y'd've still had us..."
"yeah!" amelia piped up "we're your friends, we'll always be here for you!!"

benson's expression faded "too bad i'll have to use most of this to buy a new home... and new stuff..."
kevin had an idea. "you could..... or...."
everyone looked at kevin, confused.
"or...what?" benson asked.
kevin laughed "you could use most of it buying a new house, ... or you could keep all of it... and move in here."
benson's jaw dropped "seriously? you'd do that? for me?"
kevin nodded "like she said; we're friends. we'll be there for you when you need us. only a complete asshole would abandon you in this situation."
benson's smile returned "my old foster family threw me out when they stopped getting money for me, they claimed i was 'hearing voices' in court" he informed them "can you believe that?"
kevin laughed "you can hear all the voices you want, pal, i'm not going to just throw you out like garbage."
everyone cringed "except it'd be quite literal with you, kev." amelia reminded him.
"you guys? garbage?" he asked "hmmm...nope, i can't see the symilarity." he joked "all i see are three little cats, a human, and one very lucky little fox! no garbage here!"

benson teared up again, this time, in joy "i have... THE best friends... in existance!"
everyone thanked him.
benson's expression became determined "that's it! i'm buying breakfast!"
kevin reacted nervously "n-now now, you don't have to-"
"shut up kevin! i'm doing it and nobody's changing my mind!"
ian reacted nervously as well "b-but we can buy our own-"
"I . AM . BUYING . YOU . GUYS . BREAKFAST!" benson insisted, determined, but happy.
"but-" khyber tried to argue
"I'M FREAKING DOING IT! YOU AREN'T CHANGING MY MIND!"
lily shrugged "well, there's no use arguing. we might as well just accept it politely."
benson turned and hugged her "THAT'S THE SPIRIT, LIL~!"
amelia sighed "well, now we don't even have a choice." she said jokingly, faking annoyance.
kevin sighed in defeat "alright... but don't go overboard, okay?"
benson waved a paw dissmissively "i'll buy however much i WANT to!"
khyber put up his paws "s-seriously, kevin's right! what's the point of accepting his offer if you'll just waste the cash anyway?"
benson just kept laughing "okay, point taken!" he admitted, and grabbed his phone from his pocket, and dialled the 'home dining delivery line' "what's everyone having?" he laughed.

---

meanwhile, in a cavern far away from the forest...
five shadowy cloaked figures laughed evilly as they counted their money.
the one wearing a black cloak spoke up "oh man, there's at least 160 grand in this one! what a STEAL!" he said, motioning to his sack of money.
a purple cloaked one spoke next "bah, there's only nine grand in mine!" she pouted
a green cloaked figure jumped up "ONE THOUSAND GRAND! top that!"
the one in a blue cloak sighed "i think you mean 'one million' moron. by the way..." he picked up his own sack "TWO million."

their leader, who wore a grey cloak, and a featureless white mask scoffed "you are all imbeciles. you act as if this is some sort of game..."
the black, and green cloaked figures bowed "Sorry, boss."
their leader nodded "besides, it is i who wins" he held up a large sack "thirteen. hundred. billion. big ones" he said smugly.
the blue cloaked figure stood, "so sir, what next on the agenda?"
he did not answer
"sir? sir, are you alright?"
no answer
"DRACO-!"
an invisible force knocked the blue cloaked figure into the wall.
the grey cloaked figure turned "i told you already. ONE: steal as much cash as we can... done. TWO: we need a technomage."
the blue cloaked figure stood shakily "i'm very sorry sir, i simply forgot, please forgive me." he said in a very sophisticated voice.
their leader laughed "you are forgiven, jack."
the blue cloak; jack nodded, and sat down to read a book.
"belle, mortimer."
the purple cloak and the black cloak aproached and bowed "yes, our lord?"
"you are to proceed to part THREE: ... bring me... my dear cousin..."
they smirked maliciously "do we have to leave him alive?"
"i would prefer it if you did not kill him...yet"
they nodded and vanished.
the green cloaked figure stood "what about me, boss?"
the grey cloaked figure turned "donovan, you are to take care of point TWO." he answered
"yes sir, do ya have one in mind, lord draco?"
the grey cloaked leader; draco turned "as a matter of fact, donovan, i do. it was in the list of people who worked on the building we robbed. he does not live far from central bordertown... but we burned down his home last night, and he is currently in the forest."
donovan nodded "as the great one wishes." and vanished.
jack looked up "do i have to do anything? i'm quite enjoying my novel."
draco turned to him "i would like you to follow donovan, stay hidden, he is not to know you are following him."
jack sighed "in case he screws up, sir?"
"WHEN he screws up, you are to step in before he ruins everything."
"and if he goes overboard?"
"you have my permission to kill him, i was getting tired of listening to him, actually."
jack smiled viciously "why thank you, sir. i knew you cared about me."
"i cannot let my big brother get bored, now can i?"
"may i bring my novel? i'm getting to a good part"
draco nodded "of course you may, you need SOME way to pass the time before donovan fails miserably... yet again."
"you mean like how he swapped bags with belle when she wasn't looking?"
"precisely."
"you are too kind, little brother." jack said, and vanished, leaving draco alone.
"i do not understand his fasination with books, i simply do not."
draco began to laugh "oh well... it will all be worth it when he and i stand atop this broken world as kings!" he laughed maniacally.

"Mister Benson Palmer... i am coming to get you...."

even if anyone had been present, they still could not have done anything to prevent the terrible events the evil group set in motion that morning...
the fight was beginning.
and no one could stop it happening...