Mind of War (On Hold)

The Capital

The doorbell rang, which pulled Onyx from his thoughts.

He opened the door to see Song Valor, he walked out of the door and locked up behind him. "How's it going?" He asked.

"Pretty good, ready to uncover some Shadow secrets." She replied.

"Yeah, but we also need a plan to get Bliss out, in case the Capital is as ugly as my parents suspected."

"Well, I have a tentative plan, but we really need to see what we are up against. And there are several variables: what if Bliss is not there, what if we can't get in, or if we get caught." Song explained.

"I suppose you have a point, but we should take this one step at a time." An unexpected wave of guilt passed through Onyx when he thought about Creed. He had to make it back from the Capital and get to the Gate.

"Is everything okay? You're spacing out," Song asked.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." Song didn't inquire anymore. They were about to leave when Onyx grabbed a box of fruit bars and stuffed them in a knapsack. Song looked down at his bag and shook her head. "What?"

"Nothing, I was unaware that this was a field trip, and we would be in a desperate need for snacks, let me go home and grab the juice." Song replied.

"It's not. My parents taught me to expect the unexpected that's all." He smiled.

The two friends left Onyx's house and began their journey to Capital Q. Onyx told Song that it would be a mile walk. They decided to jog to make time, an easy feat for hunters of their caliber. "What kind of leads are you looking for?" He asked in between breaths.

"Anything that would explain what draws Shadows to some souls and not others. What makes some souls targets, something, anything that will show us what the Shadows want."

"We can't stay long okay."

Song looked puzzled and slowed up, "I wasn't intending too. Is something wrong?"

"No, I just have some other things to do." Onyx slowed beside her, then beckoned for her to come on. Song shook her head and continued behind him.

"You know, it's fine if you don't want me to know." Song said in between breaths.

"It's not like that, let's just say, it would be better for you if I didn't tell you at this moment, until I have everything sorted out."

She nodded, "You sound like Creed, last night he came by trying to push me away. I knew that wasn't like him. He eventually told me that the SSS want to send him to the Second Dimension."

Onyx tried to sound surprised, "Damn, I hope he finds a way to get himself out of that."

Song smiled, "Same here, but he promised me that he wouldn't go."

Onyx mouth dropped and he choked on some spit. Song stopped, "Are you okay? What happened?"

"Dry mouth, I'm fine. Let's keep moving, we can't waste time." Onyx answered. Now he really has a mess on his hands. Song doesn't know that Creed is going to the Gate. This makes his part crucial, because if Creed dies, Song will know that he went to the Gate. But he can't tell Song either. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a nightmare. Thanks Creed for not telling me that small part about telling Song that you weren't going. He silently prayed. He heard a beep, reaching in his sack, Onyx grabbed him watch. One hour had passed the Capital was in view, they finally reached their destination.

"Well here we are," Onyx said.

"It's not as big as I expected it to be, you know, people make it seem like hundreds of people come here for treatment. It doesn't look like fifty people can even be treated here, judging by size alone," Song replied.