Into the Pit

4 - Monsters in Diafthoria

A loud ruckus filled the streets as Zach arrived at the hunter training fields the next morning. A large crowd was gathered inside the area so thick it was almost impossible to push his way in.

"What's going on?" Vince asked coming up from behind.

Zach shrugged, "not sure, c'mon." With that they pushed their way through the kingdom people, until coming up on a familiar face. "What's happening kid?"

Niko turned at the sound of Zach's voice before shrugging. "Not sure coach. I came in early to try and work on my blade work before training when all the sudden the Third Leader and the Vaslia came in with the Chief Protector."

"No kiddin'?" Vince hummed, shoving a muffin into his mouth. "Wonder what's going on, don't think we've ever had a visit from a crowd like that before."

"Oh, you two sure are a lost cause, aren't you?" A voice drawled from above.

Zach peered upwards, his eyes meeting the icy blue eyes of Travis who was perched upon the four-foot wall. Why was he always lingering around? "What do you know about it then Harper?"

Travis shrugged, "nothing to worry your pretty heads about."

"Which means 'absolutely nothing'" Vince chirped in a low voice causing Niko to chuckle.

"If there wasn't a lady inside the grounds, I'd..." Travis began, his hands forming into fists.

"You'd what Harper?" Vince threw his arms up, "I'm getting sick of your empty threats. Everyone knows it's the fool who talks too much."

Travis jumped from the wall, approaching Vince, ensuring that he was standing at his full height. He was always trying to do that, intimidate Vince, or anyone shorter than he was by his height. Vince however was not to be intimidated, instead he flexed his muscles and stepped up to Travis.

Travis let out a guttural chuckle, ensuring he was looking down upon Vince. "What are you gonna do about it you pint sized pixie?"

Zach placed himself in between the two men, "C'mon guys, break it up." Although he wanted nothing more than to see Travis get what was coming to him, he knew that if anything went down, the Sargent wouldn't put up with it, and it could possibly result in Vince being discharged from the force.

"Daddy coming to save you Cooper, better listen." Travis taunted.

Vince glared about to retort, but Zach chirped in first.

"You know the Sargent doesn't put up with that type of behavior, you'd both be in deep shit. Besides what would happen if the Vaslia walked out on that. Make you look bad."

Travis thought about it before his lip rose in a snarl and he walked to the other side of the grounds.

"What's his problem?" Niko asked finally.