Chapter 93 - Ensnaring

<---Chapter 92 - Attempted Rescue|Table of Contents|Chapter 94 - Hitmen--->

The never-ending waves of reports and shouts over the arctech radios washed over Gunther, countless casualties and injuries streaming into the hideout, desperate fighters missing limbs still raring to launch a second wave against the escort while volunteer nurses and medical staff tried to hold them down.

"Gunther, the prisoner escaped with the underboss. They are running on foot now." One of the radical council members informed him.

"Have the fighters hunt them down. I want our informants keeping a lookout for the two of them."

"Of course, Gunther."

The battle raged on as the rescue operation lingered on. Soon, an interesting report came in that had Gunther sitting upright in his chair. "Bronco's squad was killed?" he pressed themessenger who had just delivered the news.

"Five bodies, dead. The prisoner is dead and beheaded for some unknown reason - Bronco and Damian is missing. We suspect Bronco might be dead or captured by the Seven Snakes..." The messenger held a solemn expression. The news of the prisoner dying sent shockwaves through the hideout, many of the fighters stunned at the 'failure'.

Gunther kept silent for a brief moment, his hands clasped together as he rested his elbows on the operation table. "Call off the operation. All members to return to their respective cells immediately. Stall any pursuit."

The council got to work, hurriedly calling off the rescue mission. Their faces were clearly disheartened, the morale plummeting significantly, some having lost friends for a sacrifice that did not amount to much in the end. Gunther clearly noticed the change in atmosphere, prompting him to stand up and raise himself to his full height. "Brothers and sisters. We have not failed. We have succeeded!"

The declaration caught the other members off-guard, confusion clear in their faces as they looked towards Gunther. "But Brother Long Hua is dead!" A council member countered.

"And would you rather he be tortured, enslaved against his will, suffering in a cell where he may never see the sun again? It is true that we did not save him, but we most certainly tried. And today, we succeeded in proving that the union is as united as ever, bound together by code, loyalty and morals in solidarity to the cause!" Gunther asserted, clenching his fist as he pumped his arm into the air. "We've shown the city that we would never let one of our own be taken against their will, not without a fight! And anyone who dares to stand against us would have to suffer terrible casualties and pay the price. This is the day where we truly establish ourselves as the pinnacle of the revolution, the spearhead of the fight against inequality and selfishness, against despair and hopelessness. Brother Long Hua would have been proud today, that he died for a better future that he would never see. For a future where all men are equal!"

"For men of equal shall inherit the world!" The hideout reverberated with a resounding chant, boosting the morale back upwards.

"Now, we have our own fighters to save. Their families are waiting for their return, as do all of us. Save them all!"

The retreat was rapid and decentralized, the fighters streaming back to the nearest hideouts and diffusing towards their original cell's location. Before long, the battle had came to an end, leaving the major streets a wreck, with countless billboards and lampposts toppled over, fragments of glass, rock and flesh strewn all over the pavements. Searchlights and patrol squads of both enforcers, Red Lions and Seven Snakes alike hunted any clues or inklings of the union.

Intermittent explosions send spiralling pillars of smog and fumes into the sky, the night air filled with panicked shouts from violent raids on hidden cellars in every nook and cranny. No matter how hard the union tried to cover their tracks, somehow each hiding hole was rooted out one by one. As the night wore on, the council became increasingly distressed as news of the cell groups falling like dominos were incessant.

"They have us on lock, its like they know exactly where we were going to retreat to!"

"The prisoner himself was a trap, a ploy to lure us out and expose our positions, we should have never mobilized a force as large as we had!"

"We had no choice, our brother needed our help!"

While the council bickered over the rights and wrongs, Gunther could already see the writing on the wall. "Brothers, no matter what comes, we will stand strong till the dawn. Fight! Fight to the death! There will be no compromise, no retreat. If they come to us, we will never forgo the cause!"

"For the union!" The remaining fighters in the hideout rallied behind Gunther's words, preparing for the toughest battles of their lives. Even the injured mustered what strength they could, helping to prop up temporary makeshift barricades and distributing additional homemade weapons to those who did not have rifles nor armour.

While defenses and traps were being placed, Gunther leaned over to his nearest council member. "We will leave eventually. Leave them to their fate - if we die, the union will be no more."

"Understood, brother."

Four of the council followed Gunther as they snuck out of the hideout, covering their own tracks from their very own members and travelled to a different hideout, a fortified bunker hidden below a building through a mechanical shaft, covered precariously by what seemed to be a sewer drainage cover. The five of them clambered down the small ladder, descending into the depths where stores of food, water and weapons enough to last them three months were well-stocked and arranged neatly. This was one of but the many retreats that Gunther himself has built up over the years in Raktor, before his unfortunate capture by Leo.

As soon as he descended the ladder into the main hallway lit by bright arctech lanterns. he was greeted by Bronco who was covered in grime and blood from head to toe, the head of Guang Hwa displayed prominently on a table behind him. "Well done, Brother. It must have been hard."

"Anything for the cause." Bronco nodded. "But why did we decide to meet here? Once the fighters know that we have abandoned them, they might turn on us."

"No doubt that with so many of our fighters exposed, our hideouts will eventually be traced back by their movements. Even if they tell of what they know, only the few of us know of this bunker. They would never be able to find us here. We shall wait a day or two before announcing our survival to the city, thereby earning our legend as resistance fighters to the end. The word of our escape can be easily dismissed as rumors planted by the gangs and the enforcers to discredit us." Gunther explained as he reached forward to place his hands on Guang Hwa's head, sighing slightly to himself. "The path of a revolutionary is vicious and ruthless, yet necessary if we want to succeed. Do you understand, Bronco?"

"Of course, Gunther." Bronco found his wording to be a bit strange.

"What do the rest of you think?" Gunther spoke calmly, turning to face the other four council members. "Do you agree?"

"Yes, Gunther. To be a revolutionary is to forsake the world."

"Then one of you is clearly lying. We have a mole amidst us. One who has been working with the Seven Snakes in an effort to topple the very revolution you swore your lives too. You have one chance to step forward, and maybe you will live."

The others were startled, their eyes shifting to each other in shock and suspicion, wondering who among them was the true traitor. "How do you know there is a mole? What if the mole was part of the council that was left behind?"

"Impossible. Only the five of us here knew the full extent of every cell group in operation. I would be even more surprised if there was not a mole-" Gunther was about to grab Bronco's rifle in a bid to elicit a confession, only to suddenly hear the grating sound of the drainage cover being shifted aside along the street. "Someone's coming."

The council kicked into action, rushing for the stored rifles and handguns and taking cover, aiming their guns right at the last step of the descending ladder, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Gunther too wielded a rifle of his own, staring down the iron sights while nodding to Bronco, who armed an similar incapacitating gas grenade, preparing to throw it.

Without warning, two figures dropped from the shaft, not even bothering to climb down the ladder as their knees buckled, kicking up the dormant dust from the floor. Instantly all of the council fired at them, only for the pellets to be deflected by a strong arctech tower shield, wielded by Damian himself. "Time for payback."

The pellets ricocheted around the room in a dazzling display, nearly nicking the ears of one of the council members. "Bronco, NOW!" Gunther roared as he too began to fire at Damian. However, it was far too late, the second figure already lunging forward in three leaps to the nearest council member, her magical falchion lobbing off the council member's arm in one fell swoop, the disembered limb flailing into the air while its owner let out a shriek of pain.

"Bronco? Bronco!" Gunther turned only to see Bronco frozen with fear, suffering from the trauma of Sasha's assault during his prison rescue attempt. Gunther grunted as he focus on saving his own life, swivelling his aim to the vanishing Sasha, trying to get a lock.

He watched helplessly as his pellets went wide, Sasha unhindered and maiming each of the council members one by one. Before long, only Gunther and Bronco were left standing, the rest whimpering on the ground while a third figure entered through the shaft, his cloak fluttering from the impact. "Mister Gunther, or should I say, Ki Hwang. What a pleasure to finally meet you properly."

Before Gunther could react, he heard the hiss of a gas mask behind, the familiar purple gas streaking forwards and enveloping him. He involuntarily breathed in the intoxicating gas, choking and gasping for air as he staggered to his knees, watching in horror as Bronco tossed the grenade right under Gunther's feet. "Sorry, brother. I had no choice..."

"Bronco, you...!" Gunther's voice was hoarse as he clutched his throat, trying to stem the effects of the gas as best as he could. His muscles still in control, he swung his rifle around to Bronco, pulling the trigger without hesitation. The shot caught Bronco off-guard, the pellet breaking his gas mask and lodging deep into his eye, the eyeball twisted into a pulp while Bronco cried out in pain.

"Kyle!" Gunther grunted in anger, reaching deep into his shirt before the gas took over and drawing a palm-sized metallic totem, the cracks in it beginning to flash red. "You won't be leaving this place alive, not if I have a choice!"

Kyle squinted in suspicion at the mysterious handheld arctech device, Sasha and Damian immediately keeping a clear distance, unsure of what was about to happen.

"Now, all three of you will die her-URK!" Gunther's proclamation was interrupted as the device began to rip apart Gunther's flesh, turning his own muscles into meaty tendrils that snaked along his arm and strangle him. Each sinew of flesh tore their way into every orifice they could find on Gunther's body, twisting and lodging themselves deep within his innards while his eyes stared in horror, clearly not expecting this effect. He tried to let go of the device, but his hand was locked firmly in place due to the purple gas, his body no longer responding.

"The device is killing him!" Damian shouted, but Kyle was already one step ahead, rushing forward and trying to tear apart the tendrils that were rooting themselves all over Gunther's body. The tendrils swarmed together and lashed out towards Kyle, who ripped them apart with his bare hands easily. Yet, more and more of Gunther's flesh was being stripped to form new tendrils, as if he was the new breeding ground for a demonic monster that was hellbent on devouring everything living in reach.

Kyle got close enough to Gunther's flailing body, using his fingers to pry the device from Gunther's undying grip, but even he could not overpower the unnatural strength. "Sasha, sword!" Kyle motioned with a free hand, Sasha tossing her falchion over to Kyle immediately without hesitation. In one swift motion, he used the blade to cut off Gunther's wrist, the enhanced edge slicing cleanly through the bone.

The horrifying device clattered onto the ground, before its unnerving invisible aura suddenly expanded, enveloping the bunker as strips of skin on everyone within range began to twist into similar tendrils, jabbing sharply at the faces of their owners. The council members screamed as their bodies turned against them, one even dying as his own eyelids turned inwards, the modified flesh carving right through his brain and yanking grey matter out. Damian and Sasha retreated, attempting to escape the limits of the aura but to no avail. Even Kyle watched as his own skin began to peel in small strands, revealing the red flesh beneath while the newly formed tendrils tried to lunge at his eyes.

Arcia Disruption!

The device's engravings colours and invisible aura instantly swapped, turning brown instead of red as a disgusting putrid stench of a decaying corpse began to emit from it, the vomit-inducing smell enveloping the whole bunker. Damian nearly gagged as the council, while Sasha's eyes watered. Kyle himself smothered his own nose with the edge of his sleeve, preventing the horrid scent from disorientating him. The animated tendrils instantly disintegrated, leaving the survivors panting and wincing from the exposed flesh. Damian tossed Sasha a small health potion flask, healing up the minor wounds while he stabilized the remaining council members.

Kyle knelt next to the dying Gunther, healing him with his necklace of healing. The soft green glow alleviated the internal bleeding, but it was far from strong enough. Even feeding a full health potion flask did not stop the numerous internal wounds from closing up, Gunther's life slowly fading.

"Sasha, Damian, get Gunther and the rest back to Haui immediately. I want them alive." Kyle ordered, the two immediately complying and calling in a wagon to haul the injured away for further interrogation, while he continued to attempt to stem the bleeding. Sasha scoured the bunker for medical equipment or additional potions, passing them to Kyle in an effort to stabilize Gunther. He took the spare time to pat Gunther down, checking his clothes for any other strange arctech devices or trackers, a habit he picked up a lifetime ago.

Soon, a team of Seven Snakes and a wagon came to pick up the injuried. "Guard the wagon, make sure no union fighter finds out about it." Kyle had Sasha and Damian escort the wagon just in case there was a third party angling for it. He wouldn't put it past Leo of the Red Lions or even Bishop Vernette to swoop in and claim his prize. While he eventually had to hand them over to the enforcers, there were still a multitude of questions he had, especially after all that has happened.

He began to inspect the bunker, trying to figure out who exactly was funding them. The stores of food and supplies were unnatural in volume, far beyond what Count Leon and the Red Lions would have provided them with. Clearly someone was helping them, and Kyle did not think that there was another mole in the Seven Snakes capable of pulling off such a feat.

Kyle picked up the strange arctech device in his hand, feeling the clearly machined grooves and surface, detailed with a precision level reminiscent of a high-tech factory. The engravings were far more intricate than anything he had ever seen so far in Raktor, showing a level of arctech engineering beyond what he was familiar with. Not even the military grade armor or weapons that he had developed thus far came close.

Harrison Industries? Kyle began to check the rest of the bunkers, noticing many of the supplies were coming directly from Versia, including the unique rocket launcher that took out the prisoner convoy. He sifted through the various belongings of those who had lived in the bunker over time. Multiple records and parchments of delivery timings and rotations of watches were noted, along with a list of supplies and goods.

Soon, the rest of the Seven Snakes guards showed up, entering the bunker enmasse led by Niko, who was awed by the size of the bunker. "Fucking.... they built all of this in two months?"

"Hardly. It seems to have been utilized over three years." Kyle replied as he flipped through an old logbook on a dusty desk, scanning the entries within. There were clear dates next to crossed out lines, along with coded agent names, all apparently dispatched from Versia by a group only know as Nest. Haui did mention about Nest before, I'll need to have a chat with him.

"So what do we do now? We got the bastards, we should reorganize and solidfy our control now. Better yet, this will be the perfect time to launch an attack on the Red Lions." Niko suggested.

"No. My deal was to crush the union, and we shall do that. We do not fight anyone else. Instead, I'm far more interested in where this Harrison is supplying the union from. Have these few crates brought back to the base for research and inspection." It was clear with the enforcers, nobles and gangs all working against the union, the Versians must have had a smuggling route into Raktor that was near undetectable. Gunther must have had a point of contact as well. Where is he?

With Gunther and the council now in his hands, his side of the deal was now done. Kyle could simply hand over the rest of the operation to the enforcers. Yet the involvement of Harrison with advanced arctech made it even more important to get as much information as he could. He did not forget that the Galactic Era personal shield worn by Makoa had also passed through Harrison's hands. Not to mention the Ancient Exosuit Spine being from Versia too.

With so much technology coming from Verisa, Kyle felt the need more than ever to figure out the true source of all this technology. And perhaps I will find my answers in these so-called ruins.

[Sir, Bronco is still alive.] Damian reported.

"Keep him there, I'm on my way. Prepare Gunther for interrogation as well." Kyle prepared to leave, bringing a few pieces of evidence back when a smattering of footsteps began to swarm the ladder, angry shouts echoing through the shafts before a Seven Snakes guard was thrown down the ladder, prompting Niko to hurriedly block the guard's fall.

Before Kyle could inform the rest of the Seven Snakes in the bunker to prepare, a man bristling in red gaseous tentacles dropped in, his landing softened by the aura condensing at his feet. "So, it seems the information was right. You were financing the radical union and preventing us from crushing them."

"Good to finally meet you to, Leo." Kyle adjusted his cloak's collar, staring at the Red Lion's leader as the rest of the Seven Snakes aimed their rifles at him. "But I'm afraid you're mistaken. I merely cleaned up after you. All radical union leaders have been captured."

"Funny. Don't you mean protected?" Leo gritted his teeth. "Hand over the union leaders, or things will get nasty here."

Kyle gave Leo a closer glance, noticing the distinct purple leather clock with the insignia of the Red Lions emblazoned on its shoulders. The red gaseous tentacles split into five unique arms, drifting and snaking their ways towards the other Seven Snakes guards. None of the guards flinched, waiting for the order, but Kyle seemed wholly unimpressed with the threat that Leo posed. "You are more than welcome to try."

"I could gut you like a leguswhale fin by fin before you even made a move."

"Are you sure you want to? "

The pause in response from the hesitant Leo was all it took for Kyle to let out a condescending snort, infuriating Leo even further. "Don't think you can walk away scott-free. I want compensation!"

Kyle raised an eyebrow. "Compensation? Now that's a funny word."

"You engineered this entire radical union uprising against my men, my people."

"And how much is this proposed compensation supposed to be?"

"Two hundred million rakels. For the wanton destruction of businesses and property all across my districts."

"Interesting...."

"Interesting?! You...!" Leo launched a tendril of gas right at Kyle, stopping inches before the nose, Kyle not even flinching a single inch, staring down the tendril. Leo instinctively recoiled, retracting the tendril as a sliver of fright began to appear on his face, as though he had a close shave with death.

For it was not the pride of Kyle that instilled fear into him - it was the utter discipline that the Seven Snakes guards surrounding showed. If any enemy had tried to do that to him, his own Red Lions would have pulled the trigger immediately. The fact that they didn't showed the sheer level of confidence the Seven Snakes guards had in Kyle's prowess. He... he is on par with Ares Ulras! Or even beyond...

"Are you finished with your theatrics?" Kyle's mouth curled into a smile, as he stepped forward slowly, approaching Leo who fought every base instinct in his body that told him to run. "Let's be very clear with each other, as fellow concerned citizens of Raktor."

Kyle's voice was barely audible as he leisurely circled Leo, step by step. "Your men are exhausted from an uprising you foster from the very beginning. I know your attack plans. I know the deal you had with Count Leon. And I know where every single one of your commanders are, thanks to a certain Left Paw."

Leo was frozen in place, the tendrils dangling helplessly in mid-air when the tension was finally interrupted by another arrival, the sliver pauldrons and distinctive cap of the inquisitor flashing as Mason slid down the ladder with grace, landing right behind Leo. Mason surveyed the bunker cautiously, noticing the tense standoff while Bishop Vernette entered as well. "Seems like I'm interrupting." Mason remarked.

"Not at all, Inquisitor. Just reminding a wayward citizen of how the city works." Kyle held a genial smile, his eyes still boring holes into Leo.

"Need I remind you both, that starting a gang war right now does not mean the enforcers will stand by idly. I think we had more than enough disruptions for one month in the South Sector. Don't push my generousity. You two, stand down right this instant."

Kyle motioned with his hands to the Seven Snakes guards to lower their weapons, while Leo retracted the tendrils into his body, the gas seemingly seeping back into his hand.

"Now, where is Gunther?" Bishop Vernette asked Kyle pointedly, clearly noticing none of the union leaders here.

"I am holding them for questioning."

"The Count wants them in front of him in the morning."

"And he shall have his prisoners by then."

"Don't listen to him! He's clearly protecting them! The Seven Snakes are in cahoots with the radicals!" Leo finally mustered enough courage to speak back out, buoyed by the presence of the enforcers, yet he found no solace within the Bishop's and Inquisitor's pitying gazes.

Bishop Vernette waved her hands dismissively. "Enough, Leo. I think you've done well enough. In the morning, I will report your assistance favorably to the Count."

Leo wore an external look of anger, but deep down he was slightly relieved to not have to face Kyle. However, when he turned around to climb the ladder back up, he found Niko and three other Seven Snakes guards blocking his way. "Who said you could get away scott-free?" Kyle's voice rang out.

"Seven Snakes! Don't you dare-" Bishop Vernette started, but quickly held her tongue the moment her eyes' met Kyle's.

"Please do not interfere, my dear Bishop. This is a business matter between gentlemen." Kyle's voice was polite, but his demeanour was far from it, walking towards Leo who began to stiffen up.

"Wh-what do you want?" Leo mumbled with obvious fear in his voice, while Inquisitor Mason was surprised at just how meek the leader of the Red Lions could be. The last time he heard of anything equivalent was when Leo met Ares Ulras of the Ardent Cretins.

"I'm here to offer you your compensation of course." Kyle mocked. "Despite your intentions against my businesses, I think is a valid compensation for your troubles : I will not pillage, raid and sack your entire territory of supplies and retrieve my stolen weapons and armour. You will turn them over to the enforcers and the Count, while paying me in equal for what you stole. I -"

"Ridiculous!" Leo interrupted Kyle. "You can't be the only gang in the South Sector wielding such equipment! The balance of power will be - "

Intimidation Aura!

His own words were lodged in his throat as the undeniable wave of pressure surged onto him, the weight of world seemingly pressing down while Kyle near him with each step, the same calm smile still plastered on his face. "You speak as if you even have a say. Interrupt me again at your peril. Understood?"

Leo tried to speak, but his body refused to budge, the intimidation aura suppressing him heavily as he struggled to even breath properly. Every fiber of his being screamed danger, even though his mind knew he needed to stand up for himself. Instead, he shuddered for a brief moment, before nodding vigorously in response.

"Now, I do not care whether or not your businesses are standing - you will complete payment and delivery within two months, or face the consequence.Is that clear, Mane of the Red Lion? Or should I write it down on paper to help make it clearer for you?"

Another nod from Leo.

The aura retracted as quickly as it began, Leo finally able to gasp for air while Kyle patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Pleasure doing business with you. Off you go now, better hurry home. Ophelia needs help getting down the stairs, she isn't doing too well lately, isn't she? I can offer my support should your wife need any healing."

Leo didn't bother responding, only quickly sliding past the grinning Niko and clambering up the ladder with his tail between his legs. Bishop Vernette sighed at the sight of Kyle sending Leo packing, but still did not expect anything different. True to his word, Kyle had now full control of the union and put the Red Lion to heel in one singular masterplan, the Bishop wondering if Kyle was secretly a legendary royal from the Hwa Dynasty.

"Now then, I have other matters to attend to. You will have Gunther before the morning. The scene is yours, Bishop. Inquisitor." Kyle nodded, before climbing up the ladder himself with the Seven Snakes guards in tow, leaving the enforcers to gather whatever was left of the evidence. Niko carried a crate filled to the brim with the same incapacitating grenades back with them as well, Kyle intent on

As they returned to the prison, where the union leaders were being treated, Kyle had the unconscious Gunther hauled to a solitary cell. "Is he stabilized?" He asked Haui, who was overseeing the healing process while two assistants were monitoring the prisoner's breathing rate and pulse.

"We've managed to seal most of the wounds and purge some of the toxins. The incapacitating gas's effects are still lingering in his system, which means his speech might be slurred or he would not be able to talk normally now."

"Good. I'll need about ten metal needles and five pairs of lab gloves."

Haui held a confused look on his face even as he complied. "If you're planning to experiment on him, I can have my assistants do any procedure you need."

Kyle snapped the slightly loose gloves on, a snug fit with his hands as he flexed his fingers. "Sometimes it requires a personal touch to have a civilized conversation."

<---Chapter 92 - Attempted Rescue|Table of Contents|Chapter 94 - Hitmen--->