Empire City

Noble walked alongside Nick. "Kid, when we get back to Loki, let me talk to him. He may have bought you into our world, but he respects me more out of seniority. he won't write it off as a kid telling him a story. No offense, but I know Loki and I know how he is towards new Dealers." He pushed open the alley door, letting Nick go ahead of him. They walked into the reception room of A.N.G. Office. They walked up to Wendy's desk. "Yes, Wendy, could you let Loki know I'm here with Nick Raster. And make sure to tell him that a Mr. Glasya Labolas sends his regards."

"To answer Zess's question first. No, I did not get all the "fun". I got to kill a few Lost Souls and attacked by some sort of demon. Whatever you did was probably more interesting." Noble looked at Loki. The Merchant seemed deep in thought, as if remembering his entire life to figure out whoever this Glasya man was. he was probably thinking about what he wanted for breakfast tomorrow. Noble sat down in his usual white lounge chair. Loki was infuriating at times. This was one of them.

About ten minutes past, Loki was still leaning against the desk. Zess was almost asleep on the couch, trying to decide if he should just head home as this wasn't going anywhere. Loki opened his eyes and walked over to the far wall which, like all of them, was shelved with books. He started running his hands along the books, appearing to be mumbling something incoherent. After four shelves he stopped and bent down to the last row. "Found you." He pulled out a book and brushed the dust of it, throwing it on his desk. The thud brought Zess back who stood up and walked over to the desk. Loki sat in his chair and flipped through the book, seemingly going at a hundred pages a second. He stopped and turned the book towards the dealers. "Is this who you meet, Mr. Noble?" Loki pointed at a picture in the book on the right side. On the left was a writing no one there save for Loki would understand. The page seemed to have a title, but it was unimportant. The picture looked like an ancient, uncolored portrait of a man. The man's face was not visible as the large top hat was tilted down.

Bone got bored of playing modern warfare and pulled out oblivion and started to play that. He got hungry he announced to himself "I'm going to get a pizza". He called and order for a pizza and continued to play xbox360 and when the pizza came he payed and then started to eat it.

Noble sat in the chair for what seemed to be an hour, but was probably only 10 or so minutes. Living for almost 200 years made time rather insignificant. Noble was contemplating that it would take Loki at least another hour to respond when he heard the loud thud. " Is this who you met, Mr. Noble?" Noble got up and approached the desk. He bent over and looked at the book. it had to be at least 17,000 years old. How Loki kept it in good shape was a miracle. It was written in a strange language. Noble couldn't make head or tails of it. But the picture... even without the words, Noble recognized the man. "Yes, Loki. That's him." He looked back at the picture. The face wasn't visible, but the picture emanated the same evil he felt in the house. Noble looked up at Loki. "Who is this man?"

Noble heard Kazuki's outburst. He looked at the assassin. "I know what I saw. And I saw this man. I don't make mistakes. You know this, and Loki knows this. Both of you know I wouldn't say yes to something like this unless I was 100% sure." Noble stood up from the desk. "So Loki, as I said before that little outburst: who is this man?"

Bone got bored this that and he finished his pizza he got up and got into his Jeep and he was driving and before he could see it a very strong lost soul ran into his car and flipped it. Bone jumped out and pulled out a bone sword from his arm and cut the lost soul in half once that was done put the soul in his backpack and ran towards the A.N.G. Office. He ran in and tossed the soul at Loki "Take care of that something crazy just happened a Lost soul just ambushed me and destroyed my ride!" He was angry like anyone would be "Something is going down and who ever sent that thing after me is going to get their ass kicked give me a name Loki." He cracked his neck and then he took a clam breath "Ok sorry for that i just want some information on who could of sent a lost soul after me."

Noble listened as Loki explained what the man that attacked him and Nick was. Speaking of Nick... Noble went to the office door and opened it. He motioned for Nick to come inside. They all were grouped around Loki's desk, listening to him. A Grand Demon... Noble didn't even know those existed. He looked over at Nick, who was playing with a piece of metal with a green rune. Noble looked back at the desk. The book still had a sense of evil about it, although it was much less now. "So, let's hear it then. Will you all fight?"
Noble looked at Loki. The Merchant was serious about this. This could mean permanent death for the Dealers in this room. Noble took a step forward. "You know I will fight. Tell me what needs to be done, and it will happen."

"Me to!" Nick yelled and turned his arms into two large spikes. The wound had stopped bleeding, but around the wound there was a large green glowing rune. The light from the rune was so bright that it shined threw Nick's shirt and it was projected on the wall. He tried to hide the green glow but it was still visible on his hand.

Bone looked around confused "Wait who are you guys fighting whats going on?" He saw the green rune "What is that?" he knew he missed something and if it had to go with losing his car he would fight. He spent years trying to get that car and now it is gone and he can't do anything because he doesn't know who sent the lost soul after him.

Nick listened to Loki and when he heard that this demon could control people the rune started to burn. "Well if that is true that he can control people, then would he leave this mark?" Nick said and took his hand away and let the rune show.

Bone heard about the remark about the demon head and he said "Wait I want to keep the head it would be for my wall i think it would be the best addition!"
Then he joined the conversation more "Plus when it comes down to paying for the extras i think its fair i mean if he believes that we are good enough that we have to pay for extra stuff i find it a compliment it means that he knows that we are strong enough that we don't need anything more to complete our jobs." He took a deep breath "He thinks very high of us when it comes down to it i mean just think for a while."

Bone saw the green glowing and like it was a common reaction his arm shot out a bone arm blade and he grabbed the boy in a position where the boy cant move and he placed the blade to the kids throat "Sorry kid just taking necessary procedures we don't want you causing damage to anything if you are tapped into it's nothing personal ok." He hated doing this but he had to then he remembered the boys power "Oh and if you put spikes into me it would be useless ok and dont struggle or try to break free just be patient and we will find out if you are safe to let go right Loki?"

"Are you really going to cut the kid that is made of metal with a metal blade and you do realize that I could just seep into the pipes and get around from there right?" Nick said as some of the skin on his neck turned gray and grabbed the knife's blade. The metal bubbled over it and receded back into Nick's neck, leaving the handle behind. "Bone can you please get off me, you knee is kinda crushing one of my ribs." Nick said uncomfortably.

Bone knew he could do that and he could hurt the boy badly if he wanted to all it would take is a tamper with his own bones but he snapped to reality "Um what am i doing holding you down and my bones sticking out of my body?" Bone stepped back and pat Nick on the back "Sorry dude i guess my natural reaction kicked in i read the book and i read what he can do." He felt odd "Um i can read that stuff I have a talent for it i guess it comes naturally to me like English in bold print.

The pressure on Nick's lower rib eased Bone got off of him. Nick stood up and rubbed his bruised rib. "No problem, when I was alive my step dad broke every rib in my- I shouldn't trouble you guys with my issues." Nick said laughing awkwardly.

Loki looked up from his work with an eye brow raised. "It really doesn't matter to me at this point. I've given you the job and how you all go about it at this point is no longer my concern." Zess rolled his eyes and stood up, stretching out. "Well, I didn't exactly have much of a job this time, so I'm more than game to go after this guy." Zess didn't really care if the new kid was under Labolas' control or not. It he wasn't then whatever, if he was then Zess was sure one of the others would take him out. "I'm gonna to head over to Happy Trails Themepark, get this whole mess out of the way before this guy starts fuckin' with my daily routine." He gave a half-ass wave back to the others as he opened the door and left, obviously in more of a rush than the others seemed to be. Loki gently tapped his pen on the desk. "Okay, now I'm just annoyed. Mr. Shiroyama, Mr. Noble, Mr. Caster and Mr... Bone. I'd like you all to leave. Go after the demon or go wherever, I don't care just please don't stay here." The sun was beginning to set, likely meaning that Loki was bored with the day already.

Glasya Labolas watched through the eyes of his latest minions. He watched as the Dealers came out of Loki's office. He smiled. So, Loki. What did you tell them, exactly? The last man to leave the office was the cowboy, the one called Noble. Loki smiled. He remembered Noble. And the massacre that immediately followed his death. The fact that he was punishing himself for the deaths was even better. Glasya let go of his control of the mother and son. They both fell dead, unable to cope with his sudden withdrawal. He turned around and looked at the eight Lost Souls and the Hell Spawn. " Go and tell our friend Mr. Noble hello for me." The nine ghouls slinked off. Yes, killing the Dealers before my little surprise will be... fun.



Noble walked towards the door after everyone else had left. he put his hand on the knob. Before he left, he looked at Loki one last time. "Loki, I have seen that demon before the incident tonight. Just once. The day I made my deal with you, he was in the Crossroads. He watched me pen my contract." Noble turned around and left without another word.

Zess arrived at the Happy Trails Theme park as the sun was setting off in the distance. He was debating whether or not he should wait for the others or continue inside. Taking a long yawn he leaned up against his motorcycle. He wasn't stupid enough to rush in and try to take the guy down himself, but he wasn't exactly one for waiting either.

________________________

Loki began writing again now that everyone had left. Wendy walked over to his desk and sat down in the chair in front of it. "Didn't you hear what Mr. Noble said?" Loki didn't bother looking up as he continued writing. "Nothing I didn't already know. Still though, when it it happened two hundred years ago I was nothing less then shocked." He flipped the paper over and began writing on the back, trying to use all available space. "I don't know why Mr. Lebolas has taken an interest in Mr. Noble. What I do know is that Mr. Noble is going back there with a couple of bordering sociopaths. He should be fine." Wendy stood up and walked back over to her desk, tapping her pencil. "If you want to send a shadow to follow them, be my guest."

So Loki chooses to ignore my promise, odd given his emotional response to my calling out of his bullshit, but no matter. The assassin thought as Bone attempted to kill the new guy and failing spectacularly. Something Kazuki found odd yet not unexpected when you got right down to it. After all Bone was in many ways the weakest of all the Dealers present. The man had no self-control whatsoever and in combat it would prove a fatal weakness when faced with an opponent of equal or greater strength. So given that the new guy at least matched Bone it was no wonder he came off the victor despite the veteran dealer's words. And if that sociopath monster thought he was getting this demon's head he had another thing coming but that bridge would be crossed when the assassin came to it and not a moment before.

When Loki ordered them out of the office the assassin was of a mind to tell the self-satisfied Merchant to fuck off but decided against it. While he had never liked the man now was not the time to challenge him. This Glasya Labolas was the target at the moment seeing as he sought the death of the Dealers personally. But after his head was shoved down Loki's throat Kazuki was going to have a long and hard talk with the Merchant even if said Merchant was not in the mood.

But as with Bone such matters would be dealt with in their own time and not before. So filing out of the A.N.G office he headed towards his car not caring of the others Dealers. Either they would be there or they would not. He didn't feel a particular need for the reinforcement they represented after all an assassin was used to being alone against his target.

Driving in his usual reckless manner it was not long before the Happy Trails them park was in sight complete with run down buildings and Zess leaning against his motorcycle. Pulling over to the edge of the road Kazuki got out of his care and stared at the buildings in the faded and dingy state his sixth sense warning him of danger. As usual although he paid attention to it he did not let it consume him. For he was well aware of the danger already.

" Zess you ever wonder why Loki bothers with us. Why would he give us a second life and make us do jobs he could do with his eyes closed. If he really is all that and a bag of potato chips why bother with us. And don't feed me the same bullshit about it being against his so called role." He asked with that same flat an emotionless voice that came of it's own accord." You know what i think, I think he really isn't all that and a bag of potato chips. I think Loki is a scared little girl pissing her frilly little panties hiding behind some facade and what little power he possesses. Don't get me wrong he does have some power after all we are standing here when we should be dead. But I think that is the limit of his power and courage. The man lacks the spirit of a warrior that is simply all there is to it. It isn't against any rule, he simply is too scared to fight. It's the same with every single other merchant out there. We are made indebted to them so that these cowards will have someone to fight for them. They are like the cowardly Generals who hide behind the ranks of their men. One day though these Merchants will have to fight their own wars, after all one can only lie to a man for so long before that man sees the truth behind the lie."

Today was proving a rare day for this assassin. Normally such thoughts would never be voiced. However after finishing his speech the assassin walked past Zess and into the Happy Trails theme park. Loki was an enemy for a later time, right now Glasya Labolas was his enemy. And Kazuki was determined to get this fight over with. No matter how strong the opponent one could always outmaneuver him given a calm and clear mind. Afterall assassins were use to fighting on uneven terms. And Kazuki had fought enemies on their own ground, surrounded by their loyal soldiers, and who's strength was greater then his own. But Kazuki was the blade in the crowd, the shadow that stalked. He was an assassin, a master of silent death. And this demon would learn that Kazuki was not one to let a little things like all the odds being against him stop him.

Zess quietly listened to Kazuki, lighting a cigarette as he followed him into the theme park. He took a small puff before looking back to see if Noble was there. He wasn't sure if Bone was coming given the state of things, but he knew Noble would want to settle the score. "Hey, Kazuki. We've both been alive for around fifty years now, right? But, we both still look to be in our twenties. This whole situation we're in doesn't make any sense. Why does a person that can bring people back from the dead have his base of operations on top of a laundromat? Why is Noble going on two hundred years, yet is still in debt to Loki? These are question we ain't never going to know the answers to." He tossed the cigarette in front of him and stepped on it. "I don't know how old Loki is exactly, nor do I care to find out. Why Loki doesn't fight, I don't know. If he even can fight, I don't know. But what I do know is that if he was weak, one of us would have killed him a long time ago. Sometimes you just have to accept your role as a pawn and live with it. Now come on, we got a demon to burn."

Glasya watched as the Dealers entered the theme park. He grinned, almost letting out a small laugh. "Those silly Dealers, so full of themselves. They think that they can just waltz into my house and kill me. They have no idea who they are up against." Glasya waved his hand, and the doors to his manor slammed shut. There was no way into the house now. They thought it was a possessed haunted house, but they had no idea. This was Glasya Labolas' demon lair, and it was totally his to control. They wouldn't touch him. He walked to the window of the attic, where he kept his study. He tapped his cane on the ground once, and the theme park came to life. The world belonged to him, and no Dealer would take it from him.


Noble walked into the park after the rest of the Dealers had gone in. The theme park was alive, with every machine turned on at full capacity. "Something seriously wrong is going on here." He looked around for the other Dealers, but could not hear any of them. He was completely alone in this nightmare of a fair. "Well, shit."

Bone sighed as he walked out he felt like an outcast he was the one who loved to kill it was an addiction one that he has to get rid of if he ever wants to be considered normal. The first thing that he has to do is remove all of his trophy's for those things has him crave for more. The next is he wants to control himself in battle become calm like the assassin that argues with Loki most of the time. If Bone can learn to become calm and think he could become a better person and be able to be around other's without trying to rip them to shreds like he did to the new kid. He remembered the he needs to apologize for what he did and that would be the first step. He stood next to the boy and said "Hey Nick sorry for that all its just i cant control myself much and its a weakness i need to control so you want to come over to my place and just hangout you know to say I'm sorry" Bone talked in a low voice Nick being the only person who has received a invitation to his home the only dealer who he has ever talked to in reality.