The Black River | Kuzeless [C]

Chapter 10 | The Eagle Has Landed

Night had fallen upon the beautiful city of Regulus. This was a place of money, any fool could see that. Marble statues of lions were posted along the streets. Above them, golden balls of light hovered, serving as mystical street lamps. Among the fairy lights and sky walkways, the peace was silently and swiftly being disturbed.

Thankfully, not many were out this time of night. The few that were couldn't help themselves from stopping and staring at a sight they knew they'd most likely never see again. Upon one of the clear bridges that connected buildings high up above the streets, two flashes of blue and red went at each other like rabid dogs. Four killers in two bodies tangled in a dance of death.

Those who rested in this city knew that the Eclipse slept below their feet. They ignored it, turned a blind eye to the darkness inside the brightest city in the underworld. Now, for once, the Laced One has emerged from their hellhole to take down the only being that was foolish enough to ever challenge them. It went without saying that the Wiccan's fear was nonexistent, and their conviction unfathomable.

They'd never seen another of their kind, either of them. Half their fight was spent studying one another. The Eclipse had similarities, but plenty of differences. Their hair was black at the roots and faded to a shattered ombre of light blue. A mask covered their mouth and their bangs fell in front of their eyes, just like their opponent. However, a silver chain was wrapped around their throat multiple times instead of a scar. On one end dangled a hook, on the other a shining dagger. Under a leather coat, a silver ribcage was fastened over their pale chest. Spiked brass knuckles of the same finish protected both their hands.

A few blocks away at the train station, the buzz of folks talking didn't go unnoticed. The second Kuza and Chris caught whispers of a fight between two Laced Ones, they were running as fast as their feet could carry them. Deysa wasn't far behind, but he did harbor more hesitance than them, for several reasons. People like him, vagabonds, they aren't welcomed in nice cities like this. Aside from that, he had to expect that both General Eckerström and members of Demon's Card weren't far behind them.

"Deysa!" Kuza called for him, pulling him out of his thoughts. His red eyes were stuck on the fight far above their heads. "Is that the Eclipse?"

He sighed, "Yeah. It's creepy seeing them again. I have to assume that's the Wiccan. You think that's your friends?"

"We know it is. Ryan's the only person I know that fights like that." Chris responded.

"I can see how you'd think that was Casper and Elliot by the looks, but... Deysa, look at the way they're fighting. That's not the way you and Dex taught them." Kuza said.

"No," He replied as his eyes followed the icy figure, "They're using a combination of Aikido and Hojojutsu to fight. There's only one place they could've learned that, but..."

He knew that tone in Deysa's voice and it wasn't a good one. "What's wrong?"

"The Wiccan isn't just keeping up with them incredibly well, but their fighting style is incredible. I can tell Ryan is an expert in Taido and Naginatajutsu, and I'm guessing probably several other Japanese Martial Arts, but his mate knows more of a rougher style, like prison or street fighting. The two shouldn't work together so well, but they do. It's... Marvelous." His eyes were glistening like a child at Disneyland.

"I can promise you, you will never find someone else like Ryan and Ricky. They're a picture of what true love can create; perfect harmony. Unfortunately, the Eclipse has had a lot more practice in recent years than they have. I'm afraid they won't be able to win this fight, especially if that is Casper and Elliot. I don't know why they'd be doing this, maybe they're brainwashed or some shit, but if that thing has their Arcadia's, I don't think Ryan and Ricky can win this fight."