Vile Exile

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Author's POV

It was a snarky laugh that made every muscle in Sage's body tense. As he stood silently in front of the Frontlines Headquarters, he felt the vile presence of someone. His hands clenched at his sides and his eyes stayed glued to the ground, a tall blonde haired male standing out from behind the building "Sage Kageyama in the flesh - how lovely." the blonde male chirps "And you are?" Sage asks as he glares at the male wearing ripped clothing "Philip Shadow, a pleasure to meet you." He bows to Sage who turns his nose up at him, looking at him through half-lidded eyes "Philip Shadow.. Juanita's personal guard." Sage hums, the swordsman walking towards the entrance of the Headquarters "I'm going to assume that the declaration of war was true. I'll let her know." Philip says boldly, a smug smirk still plastered on the Troupe's soldier "A declaration of war was sent out long ago" Sage hums before disappearing into the building.

Sage entered his office lazily, his hands tucked into his pockets, his jaw clenched and his eyes piercing and stone cold "Sir!" all of the soldiers stand to attention when they notice him "At ease." Sage grumbles, slouching into his desk chair he groans "General, you have a meeting with the Governors in ten minutes." Second Lieutenant Henry Adler says as he approaches my desk I nod "I'm well aware Adler." The swordsman snaps back, his hands moving up to his forehead, practically holding it up at this point - thoughts raced in his mind about why Juanita would send one of her best soldiers to greet Sage. Why didn't she just come herself...

It bugged him as he walked towards the governors office, his hands tucked into his trouser pockets whilst Ben and Oscar followed silently, soldiers standing guard outside main offices for different higher ups glancing to sage and either waving or smiling at the two behind him, obviously discreetly considering the circumstances. As he reached for the door handle, he entered the office in a slouched manner, not even phased by the fact that they are four of the highest members of the frontlines "Morning Kageyama." Dior hums, the swordsman raising his hand in acknowledgment, not noticing the assault squad present currently.

Sage's PoV

Looking to the side at Hugo, Amanda, Balthazar and Levi... I stand upright now, Ben and Oscar glancing to me with furrowed brows I shoot a glare at them for a moment causing them to stand to attention "How are you feeling, Sage." Natalia asks as she approaches me I fold my arms over my chest, the metal of my right one clanking ever so slightly "I came in contact with one of Juanita's soldiers, Philip Shadow. I don't believe that's his real surname though." I respond, hearing Heathcliff hum he glances to Natalia who's staring at me with furrowed brows "It seems they are only interested in you." Justin says suddenly, closing my eyes I feel bens hand on my shoulder as he leans forward "The death of Frederick Banner.." he whispers, nodding I shake my head "your false. A soldier-trainee, Frederick Banner was murdered by another one of Juanita's soldiers." I say suddenly, Ben smiling slightly as he stands upright I hum as the governors and the assault squad stare at me.

Walking around the war table I crouch slightly, shrugging my jacket off, Ben catches it like it was something familiar to him, the Governors and Assault squad stood behind me silently watching "Where are you Juanita Roller..." I whisper, continuing to walk around the table, I inhale and exhale in concentration "You won't find her so easily, Kageyama." Looking up at Dior who's walking towards me she leans on the table, her hand gripping my shirt "show her your not bothered. Go on a mission you fool." She growls, looking to Natalia who's nodding I grab Dior's wrist, pulling her hand off of my shirt I look over to Oscar who stands to attention "Go through the mission list and find the one based in Baisle." I say, Watching him run out quickly I exhale "Done." I mumble, stepping back slowly.

Watching as the assault squad walk down the hallway I clip my fingers, a small flame ripping through the air just past Levi who jolts slightly "My new Aimed shots - a bit dangerous, isn't it." I smirk "I'm a marksman now, just like you." I continue, the soldiers around us staring as well as Hugo, Amanda and Balthazar "A marksman..?" He asks, watching as he moves his hand to his hand he whips a handgun out and fired a bullet at me, raising my right hand, I catch the bullet in between my index and middle finger, the bullet a few inches away from my forehead "Next time it'll hit." He hums, smiling, the soldiers surround us "Get back to work!" I shout at them before turning and walking away with Ben.

Authors PoV

As Levi walked silently down the pathway back towards the Assault squads House, a person watched from the shadows, the sudden gust of wind irritating the marksman who stops, inhaling and finally sensing the person who's been watching "Come out." Levi says sternly, Sage stepping out "Kageyama?" He asks, the swordsman shrugging and laughing "guess you caught me, then again nothing gets past you. Right, Colhart?" Sage chuckles as he approaches Levi, The marksman pulls out his handgun and shoots Sage in the kneecap causing him to fall "You'd shoot your boyfriend!" Sage shouts, his hands gripping his knee angrily "Your not Sage. Sage calls me by my first name - always." Levi growls, the false Sage shifting back into his original form, a small white haired pale sickly looking Male "Sharp senses... wish I got the relationship of you both down correctly." He groans.

Levi stood there, his gun pointed directly at the white haired males head, the presence of another entering their perimeter "Levi!?" The correct voice of the real sage cuts through the air as he runs towards the two "What happened?" He asks Levi who tightens his arm around his groceries "Someone was impersonating you." Levi responds, His caution on whether or not this is indeed Sage high until Sage's scarlet flames begin to ripple off of his arm "What? We're you expecting to hurt Levi? Aye? Capture him and torture him! Get information out of him?! I think not!" Sage shouts, his wrath on show as he grabs the white haired males collar, his flames burning the mans neck slightly "Sage drop him. He can't get anywhere I shot his kneecap directly." Levi says finally, the swordsman dropping him before turning to Levi, his hands moving to his shoulders as he looks down at the marksman "Are you okay?" Sage asks softly, earning a soft smile and a nod from the smaller Male.

Sage stood by Levi's side constantly whilst the frontlines soldiers took the unknown Male away, the rest of the assault squad arriving shortly after "He impersonated Sage?" Hugo asks, Amanda leaning forward with a curious look plastered on her face "Why...?" She asks, the two looking to each other with furrowed brows "Your dating!" Amanda shouts with a big smile "I knew it! Levi can't keep away from your wildly charms!" She continues as she points to sage who rolls his eyes, a light chuckle escaping Levi shocking all of them including Sage who stares at the marksman.