Astra was standing by his bedside, looking down from above with squinting purple eyes as if he were an inspector. “I will be honest with you, Boss. It’s as if the right side of your chest has turned to ground meat– Wait! No, scrambled eggs, more so.” His inspector act didn’t last long before it all fell apart – he couldn’t even peek at Six’s wounds without gagging and wincing.
“Is that good or bad?” Six asked with a dry tone and dull look.
“I don’t know. Do I look like a doctor to you?” Astra took a step back. The smell was probably getting to him.
“Why did I even bother asking you?” Six sighed, having to deal with his Wing’s antics was more excruciating than the wound itself.
“That’s what I’m sayin’,” Astra tossed his arms into the air in agreement.
With his Wing unable to assist in the slightest, Six then wrapped new bandages around his chest wound. It was hard doing it by himself, but the physician wasn’t here in the chamber, and he’d rather struggle than have Astra do it for him.
“It’s rare to see you suffer such a wound from anything short of a dragon.” Astra picked up the dirty bandages and tossed them into the bin. “At this rate, you may even need a ReSamra surgery – or maybe even a Reconstruct.” His Wing recommended him to wholly rejuvenate his shell.
“We don’t have time for that right now–” Six put on a thin shirt, and even the soft touch of it slightly ached his chest. He, too, tied up his long golden hair into a tail as it was getting in the way of his eyes.
“Well, if ya’ had just been more careful like you usually are, then we wouldn’t have to entertain this idea,” Astra shook his head in disapproval as if he was the Prime Sentinel and Six was the Wing Sentinel.
“What happened to the girl?” Six asked. He hasn’t seen her ever since the battle ended.
“Tior? She’s lucky she still has a job after that reckless stunt of hers. I don’t even know why you’re vouching for her to stay in the corp. Isn’t saving her life enough already?” Astra whinged, but Six could hardly blame his frustration.
“Her reprimand will come, but I do not intend to severely fault my hotblooded soldiers for being hotblooded.”
“Not when being hotblooded leads to harm against you,” Astra held his ground firmly on the matter.
“Since when are you so considerate?”
“I’ve always been kind. You just don’t know what kindness is, so you wouldn’t have even been able to tell.” Astra pointed his finger at Six.
This little punk… Six cursed silently, despite how tactless he framed it, Astra did make some good points.
Despite it all, Astra kept awkwardly standing at the corner of the room, throwing glances at Six from time to time.
“What are you looking at?” asked Six. Even he did not know why he’d bother to humour Astra’s wont.
“Sorry, Boss. I’m still at a loss at that wound ya’ got. I just can’t believe there’d be a weapon that could inflict such an injury, especially in the hands of a bunch of motley rebels, no less.” Astra scratched his black hair.
“It was most likely the ‘wand thing’ that was spoken of during the recent meeting of the Aces,” Six offered his theory. Even though the knowledge of the ‘wand’ has never been officially revealed to the public – it still somehow got leaked to eyes and ears around Xearth. If Six had to guess, it’d be that gossiper, Bellamy Thatcher. “Regardless, I’m not healing this wound. Not until I allow our scholars and physicians to study it first.” No doubt, his son, Sitri, would be elated to study this mystery. Still, even though he said that, a lot of the small lead remnants from that strange attack had been removed from his flesh out of doctor’s recommendations.
“Is that why you’re so reluctant to get a Reconstruct?”
“A part of it, yes. But, I’d rather avoid undergoing a Cycle of Reconstruct unless absolutely needed. I’ve seen what happens to folks who over-abuse it.” Six gritted his teeth as he revealed that. Six has reached over two hundred years in age, yet he perhaps has conducted only about half the amount of Cycles of Reconstruct compared to ecliants half his age.
“You’re such a hard-headed rock… None of this should have even happened to begin with,” Astra clicked his tongue. “It’s not like you to play with your enemies like that – you’re not like that deranged woman,” Astra most likely spoke of the Hunt Commander, Anaeis Wodengale – notorious for her ferocity against beasts and humans alike. “Ya’ should’ve just struck them down then and there. What possible reasons would you have not to?”
“It was obvious to me that Firstkind rebel was hiding something. I was hoping that he’d reveal it if I dragged the battle out,” Six slicked his long golden hair back, it was getting sweaty. “In the end, he did reveal it – I just never expected it to be something like that of all things.”
“You’re acting far too daring, Boss. This ain’t like you. You’re not in your youthful years anymore,” Astra breathed through his nose. “You’re lucky you’re built like a mountain with limbs. Any other ecliants would have had a hole blown through their chest by now,” he flippantly pointed his finger at Six again.
“Perhaps I should’ve just taken your offer and had you stay behind with me during that fight, after all.” Six, too, jested.
“You’re not funny, Boss.” Astra stared dully at Six.
Astra may not have found it funny, but Six thought it was kind of funny – chuckling by himself at his own joke like a pitiable clown.
After calming from his brief fit of glee, Six’s face glowered like usual. “How did everything go on your end?” It was Six’s turn to scrutinise Astra’s actions.
“Quite good, if I’m being honest.” Astra held his thumb up – that was not what Six was expecting. “The bulk of the rebels who tried to flee the city were captured by our soldiers stationing outside the city border. The others who tried to hide within stalls and alleys were also snuffed out by our hounds and the contributing efforts of the local watchdroids as well. We’ve allowed some to escape as per your order so that they could be tailed after – from what was reported; it’d seem most of them are heading South as we speak.” Astra gloated, stepping back and forth like he was delivering a victory speech. “The troops are already beginning to celebrate already.”
“Who allowed those fools to celebrate already?” asked Six with a grave voice. His throat was getting rather dry, so he grabbed the flask on his bedside, surrounded by a pile of letters, and then poured himself a cup of water.
“I mean… They did do a fine enough job, considering they were just recently under the lacking command of that swine Idavi. I think they’ve earned themselves some respite after this victory–”
“A fine enough job, you say… Ruining landmarks, disrupting local businesses, threatening innocent civilians… They get to celebrate when everything is back to how it was. Because of those brats, I have had to go through endless paperwork and gatherings with local lords in the past few days.” Six admonished while holding onto his wound. “Issue a command for any able men to assist with the city restoration’s efforts. That’s the least they could do.” Six chugged down the cup of water. It wasn’t enough. He then chugged down the entire flask. “Their so-called victory was as sloppy as they come. If they would just destroy the city in place of the rebels, what other difference would that make them? I’d not allow the damages they’ve caused to Dreamcity to stain the reputation of the Sentinels.” Six glared at Astra with his golden eyes before heavily setting the empty flask back onto the counter.
Astra’s face twisted wholly from what was once a cheery grin to a solemn mope. He hesitated for a moment but eventually bowed his head. “I’d issue the command post-haste.” He heeded Six’s command as his station would implore him before making his way towards the door.
“One more thing,” Six shouted out just as Astra had his hand on the doorknob.
“Yes, Boss?” Astra twisted his head back, still opening the door as he turned.
“About the rebel captives… Issue a search for two exact rebels. A black man, bald head, brown eyes, and about as tall as me. The other would be a white woman, golden hair, orange eyes, and about as tall as you.” Six issued his command to Astra.
“They were the ones at the scene, weren’t they?” Astra’s eyes widened as he realised whom Six was referring to.
“The very same.”
“I did not see the blond girl after she escaped, but perhaps one of the other squadrons could have caught up to her,” Astra informed Six. It’d seem both the Prime Sentinel and his Wing have allowed their prey to evade their grasp. “But… I understand the other guy, considering what he did to you – but why the girl?”
“Do what I say. If what I think turns out to be right, then maybe I’ll tell you after. Though, if you’re even half as smart as I think you are – you’d easily put all the pieces in your head without me having to reveal it to you.” Six smirked and chuckled, though only feebly – even laughing was aching his chest.
“Very well. I do like a challenge – at least, when I don’t have to get physical, that is.” Astra stretched his neck and arms despite what he just said. “See ya’ in a bit, Boss.” Astra bid his departure and left the chamber, skipping out of the doorway while humming to the tune of All Centum Road – however, he could always stay so cheerful remained to be an enigma to Six.
With Astra at last out of his chamber, as if his strength left his body wholly, Six crumbled back onto his bed. It was nothing like any pain he had felt before, or even if he had, he could no longer remember when. It wasn’t necessarily as painful as compared to a chomp from a dragon or a claw from a meteras – but it was certainly unique in its own destruction.
Six rocked and turned on his bed, trying to find the most comfortable position to lay. As he twisted his face to the side, he noticed a bundle of letters lying neatly on his bedside. Those kids… They were letters from his children. Some reached out to him out of concerns for his wellbeing, others were asking for favours, and one particular son was merely gloating to him about his graduation at Harford and how he’d be joining Six’s Sentinel force at Dreamcity soon. “Kids… I swear to Ark… How did you do it?” Six sighed out deeply, but this time, for some reason, it did not hurt his chest as much as usual.
“This way, Boss.” Astra led the way for Six throughout the street of Dreamcity.
“Give me a moment.” Six breathed shallowly as he limped his steps. He couldn’t even wear his treasured navy coat properly due to his wound – and instead hung it over his back and shoulders, allowing it to sway with the wind as if it were a cape.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
A few days have passed since the attack, but Six still hasn’t regained his strength yet. At least he didn’t need to rely on crutches or a cane to walk – he wouldn’t want to give Astra more reason to tease him.
Astra was leading them to a local Love Machines, one that he seemed to be very familiar with – and so did Six.
On their way to the brothel, Six bear witness to the sight of the desolate city street. Piles of ashes, fallen arrows, and blood stains coloured the City of Colours. Few residents even dared to step foot outside of their homes for the past few days. Many stores and establishments were still closed off for the time being.
If there was one saving grace – at least, Six’s command to the Sentinels with helping in restoring the city was being properly followed. Each squadron seemed to be participating in different competitions to gain some arks – some involved seeing who could collect the most discarded weaponries or littering corpses, while others involved seeing who could wipe away as many blood stains and sweep off as many ashes from the streets. Despite their mishap throughout the recent battle – Six was nonetheless a little proud of the Heart Corp for coming as far as they had, given their previous master.
“We’re here, Boss.” Astra stopped in front of the Love Machines’ establishment, probably one of the only stores throughout Dreamcity that was not closed right now.
Even standing outside, Six could smell the scent of wine and smoke, despite there should have been barely any customers visiting it at the moment.
His Wing then swiftly opened the wooden door, holding it wide open for Six to walk through.
The inside was about what Six expected. A wide space – lit up by purple lanterns and permeated with fragrant perfume. Its many booths that would usually be occupied by their finest workers were all but empty. The only spot to house any semblance of life was the bar, whereupon three people attended it.
“Lord Prime, it’s a pleasure to have met you again at our humble establishment,” the lord of this brothel and the wealthiest man in Dreamcity, ZZ, greeted Six. He was sitting by the bar counter, being served a copious amount of wine by the old bartender, while his personal attendant was standing by him in silence. His fancy purple coat was hung over the counter, being used as a napkin to wipe wine stains off his mouth.
“Likewise, Lord ZZ.” Six clenched his nose as he approached the steelborn lord. Six hasn’t met him that many times, but every time he did, he never struck him as someone who would get drunk and act so slovenly.
“My Lord,” the old bartender, too, bowed his head, Old Hick was his name.
“I see you’re doing fine these days. I’m glad.” Six greeted the old steelborn. Even though he was not nearly as old as Six, he certainly did look far older than him – with his grey beard and long silver hair under his black beret.
As for the girl, Aleah was her name if Six remembered correctly, still remained in silence and merely bowed her head. She seemingly would not do more than she needed to, unless approved by her master.
“How may I be of service, Lord Prime? Surely you’re not here just to chatter away with my servants,” the drunken owner of the brothel hiccupped as he chugged down another goblet.
“Given your current state, I’ll speak as blunt as I can,” Six took a seat next to ZZ while Astra joined Aleah and stood by in silence. “Do you have any information regarding the Firstkind?”
“And why would I have any?” ZZ rested his face on his palm.
“Don’t act like a fool with me. Even your drunken act is getting on my nerves.” Six glared at the slobbering steelborn lord. “If there’s any man that would know what the underbelly of Dreamcity looks like, it would be you.”
“The underbelly of Dreamcity, sure… But the Firstkind does not belong to Dreamcity, so I don’t know how you expect me to know anything about them.” ZZ made his rebuttal, his tone cranky like a bitter old man.
“If you don’t know, then I’m sure some of your spies parading as courtesans may. One of the advantages of having so many brothels throughout every corner of Xearth, no doubt.” Six turned his head towards the silent Aleah. “Even she may be able to tell me something of worth.”
“Do not lay even one finger on her.” ZZ cursed, at last sobering up and dropped his paltry act.
Even with her Lord being riled up on her behalf, she had yet to make any motions and remained still.
“So you can act sane, after all.” Six smirked. Sweat trailed down his forehead, though not out of fear for the small steelborn but more so from his body battling the pain. “Now, the sooner you tell me what I want to know, the sooner I’ll leave you be with your mistress.”
“She’s not my mistress.” ZZ glared at Six with his eyes of purple and gold. “And as I said, I don’t know anything of worth to you about the Firstkind.”
“Well, at least we’ve confirmed that you do know something. I’ll be the judge whether it’s of worth or not.” Six slammed his fist onto the counter, startling the steelborn lord sitting on his stool.
“Lord Six.” Old Hick rested a cup of warm water onto the counter and slid it over to Six.
Out of consideration for Old Hick, Six simmered his temper down a notch – giving ZZ some time to collect his wits together.
ZZ sunk his head and dipped his chin onto the counter like a moping child. “There were some men who frequented my establishment in the past few weeks. I can’t guarantee that they were from the Firstkind, but they did leave this behind after one drunken night that led to a brawl,” ZZ glanced at Aleah, which she then delivered to Six an orange piece of cloth, with the symbol of a black four-pointed star woven onto its surface.
“That is the Firstkind’s colours, alright.” Astra chuckled.
“What else do you know?” Six further interrogated.
“Those very same men who made a mess of my brothel – the girls who attended to them heard talks about leaving down South for the Dragon’s Ranges.” ZZ wheezed out the information.
“South? That seems to match our report… But why the Dragon’s Ranges? What possible reasons could those rebels have to flag their rebellion in that barren wasteland?” Astra spouted out.
“You Sentinel boys go there often, don’t you not?” Old Hick asked jokingly, his gentle voice muffled over by his scruffy beard.
“Well, yeah… But that was for official business. So unless the Firstkinds wish to hunt those pesky fiery lizards in our place, then I do not see why they would ever even entertain the idea of setting foot onto that scorched land.” Astra tried his darndest to explain his point.
“Pardon my Wing for speaking out of line, but he isn’t wrong.” Six looked back at ZZ.
“Well, pardon me as well, Lord Prime. I’m no Prophet like your dear brother. I could not just read other folks’ thoughts and tell you why they’re doing what they’re doing.”
This is not going anywhere… Six sighed, having to deal with both ZZ’s shenanigans and the pain from his wound was taking a toll on him. “Astra, send envoys to any Hunt Corp’s squadrons currently stationed down South. Warn them to be wary of any rebel sightings in the coming weeks. If rebels were indeed to be spotted, have it be immediately reported back so that the Heart Corp could then march down South and join the Hunt.” Six relayed his order to Astra. Even though the Hunt Corp is spread out throughout Xearth, as their main task is the extermination of beastly threats – the majority of their squadrons hold camps in the Dragon’s Ranges, as there are no fiercer beastly threats to be found elsewhere in Xearth.
“I’ll do it as soon as we return,” Astra answered dutifully.
“Happy endings, all around. You love to see it,” ZZ resumed his drunken act and raised a bottle, but no one else joined him. “Now, if there’s nothing else that I could help you fine gentlemen with, I do hope you’d do me the kind favour of leaving my establishment. Truth be told, having the Prime Sentinel and his Wing hanging around with regular patrons isn’t very good for business.”
“I don’t see any regular patrons, though.” Six leered at the haughty owner of an empty brothel.
“They’ll come anytime soon, I’m sure.” ZZ grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth.
So he’s speaking of that business… Six glanced towards the end of the quarters, where a small steel door resided, seemingly leading to a storage chamber or a backroom. That’s where the scent of wine and smoke is coming from… That’s why the brothel is still open, Six gnawed his teeth – Dreamcity and its residents were as deplorable as he remembered. “Before I leave…”
“Yes?” ZZ innocently gazed up at Six.
“My brother, Five, should have visited your establishment at least once when he came here.”
“He did, yes.”
“Where is he now?” asked Six, his voice gravened.
“During the Sentinels’ raid, like any other customers, he, too, fled from my brothel to who knows where. If I remember right, he did have a tough-looking old guard accompanying him. If all goes well, they should both be making their way back to Sentry as we speak.”
“And how are you sure of that?”
“Did you not hear what I just said? I’m not sure of it at all.” ZZ tossed his hands in the sky out of frustration.
“No. How are you sure enough to even make such an assumption? You didn’t have this much confidence just a moment ago.” Six reminded ZZ.
“Fino is a good pal of mine. Of course, it’d be easier to assume what he’d do, as opposed to some casual drunks that I have to speak to by the hundreds every single day.” The crafty steelborn gave his answer to Six’s accusation.
Six stared at his unwavering eyes and calm composure – no sign of any liars, any amateur liars at least. “Very well. Thank you for your time, Lord ZZ. Apologies for disrupting your business.” Six stood up from his seat and chugged down the cup of water that had been left there for him by the bartender the entire time in one swig.
“Please don’t put it that way. As I said, it’d be troublesome for my customers if you both were to come here as the Prime Sentinel and the Wing Sentinel – but if you were to go through the door as just Six and Astra, I’d be more than delighted to welcome you both.” ZZ’s demeanour seemingly changed entirely as his one golden eye glimmered. His current composure was far more akin to how he was when Six met him in the past.
Somehow, Six doubted the people of Xearth would be terribly welcoming of Six even if he did drop his Prime Sentinel’s title. “We’ll consider that when next we meet.” Six bid his goodbye to ZZ, then turned his head towards Old Hick. “Stay safe.” He, too, bid his farewell to the steelborn bartender.
“I’m but a humble bartender. It is you who needs to ensure your safety, My Lord.” Old Hick chuckled while slowly cleaning away the goblet of water that Six had just emptied.
“I will do.” Six, too, briefly chuckled back.
The information has been gathered, and the pleasantries have been parted – Six and Astra then left the purple-lit and perfumed brothel and back out into the warm and ashy air from outside the brothel. His Heart Sentinels were still lurking about the ruined streets – thoroughly repairing the mess they had caused even as the sun was dusking. It was a nice change of space. Six has never been a big drinker or smoker, so the smell of wine and clouds of smoke were slightly nauseating to him back there. On the other hand, his Wing still seemed to wish to stay inside a bit longer and explored the bar, like a child who was denied candy by a sweets peddler.
“That went about as well as it could have… That man reminds me of my own old man. All conniving and conceited like they’re the king of the world.” Astra sighed aloud as if he was pent up from having to compose himself in the brothel – even though he didn’t even do that good of a job at it. “What do you make of all of it, Boss?”
“Folks in this town are no strangers to trickeries. Go take care of the task I asked of you, and we’ll then see just how much truth that man was speaking.” Six offered his verdict of the situation, even though Six had no concrete proof as to ZZ’s falsehoods. A part of him did feel as if ZZ was speaking the truth – at least regarding the Firstkind heading down South was confirmed by Astra.
“Leave that to me,” Astra swiftly saluted. “Anything else you need done, Boss? If ya’ want, we could even send some of our boys to persuade the brothel owner for more crumbs.”
“Do not cause any unnecessary disturbance. A swindler he may be, as long as we’re still in this city – that man holds the most power.” Six promptly denied Astra’s reckless proposal. “Instead of that, just have some of our men lurk about their different establishments and see if they can learn anything more of worth.”
“Will do, Boss. Anything else?” asked Astra, as if he was expecting Six to demand something more of him.
This brat… Six chuckled – perhaps he was about as smart as Six thought of him. “Seeing how the Heart Sentinels are in a competitive mood right now… Issue a new command for them. Any soldiers who can buy off those little runts being held captive by the Love Machines would be rewarded back the entire price they pay in full and more.” Six issued a brand new command.
He has always known of the secret business that the Love Machines conducted in the backrooms of their brothels. The only reason neither the Sentinels nor the watchdroids have put an end to it, aside from minor crackdowns from time to time, was because of the substantial subornments that the Centum Order would receive back from those businesses.
“That’s a peculiar choice for a competition, I must say. Though, I’m not sure if our troops would be so keen on playing babysitters for some brats. And you can’t just release those kids back into the streets afterwards – they’d sooner die or be captured back again.” Astra smugly teased Six, even though he already knew exactly what Six was about to request of him even before he said it.
“If they don’t want to, that is up to them to decide.” Six crossed his arms, referring to both the saviours and the saved. “I’m not doing this merely for charity either. The Sentinels could always use an increase in manpower, and as for the rescued children – it’s better that they join us rather than go against us and join the Firstkind.”
“You didn’t need to add that last part. As if you’re allergic to being seen as a good man or somethin’…” Astra palmed his own face but soon dropped his hand and revealed a wide grin. “Our men may not be terribly fond of this, but I’m with ya’, Boss.” He tapped Six’s back, completely disregarding their status dynamic.
This is the most I could do for now, Six pondered while swatting Astra’s palm off of him. Even as an Archetype, Ace, and the Prime Sentinel – his hands were tied when even the High Lords of Sentry and Eden were involved. His arms may still be firm, and his legs may still stand tall – but his wits were no longer the same as they once were, even with the few Cycle of Reconstructs he has gone through – and now the excruciating pain plaguing his chest, too, weighted a heavy toll onto his olden shell. I’m getting way too old for this… Six let out a tiny sigh. This whole game of politics, for a long time now, had no longer held any interest to an old head like him – yet he still persisted.