Jan and the woman-who introduced herself as Angeline, quickly did their best to secure the scene. Adrenaline was still pumping, so the weight of Jan’s various injuries hadn’t quite caught up to him just yet. As he quickly surveyed the building, he realized that it was mostly intact. The door hadn’t ended up being broken in, the beasts outside having been caught by Angeline first. How she had bypassed the barricade without moving it, he didn’t know, but given how she had saved him, he wasn’t keen on asking too many questions.
For a woman who appeared to be in her late fifties or early sixties, Angeline didn’t move like it, as she swiftly examined each window and door that led towards the outside. On those that weren’t barricaded, she seemed to smudge something onto each with her finger, leaving a strange green mark in the wake of the motion. Jan didn’t question that either. She was muttering to herself the whole way-this time, in a language Jan didn’t know, and didn’t recognize.
The two reconvened in the room where Artem Lysenko had fallen. They’d moved the bulky man to one of the beds, after ensuring that his wounds wouldn’t get any worse. That had been Jan’s job. He hadn’t been allowed to be deployed in the division unless he knew this sort of first aid. At the time, he hadn’t understood the logic, if half the horror stories about that particular group had been true. After his labor with Anna, and now this, he saw the merit in being able to stop someone from dying, even when facing what they faced. Because one person could make all the difference.
Angeline had left the severed head in the corner, along with her bag, having taken an item or five out of it for one reason or another. The hand crossbow had been strapped onto her belt, and Jan was quite wary of it, even seeing it stowed. He had seen what it had done to the discolored man…and wasn’t keen on having that happen to him.
“I’m sorry if I’ve delayed you. I’m sure you don’t want to stick around this place for long, all things considered.” Jan started, doing his best to look apologetic. He was trying to be nice. Mostly because he wanted answers, but he was legitimately thankful for the rescue. And…curiosity was a great motivator.
“Hmph. I doubt leaving while the night still hangs would be wise. I’m not exactly certain what’s happening, but generally, the night makes things like…him-” She jammed an elbow towards the corpse of the discolored man. “More and more bold. There’s no real reason for it, save in edge cases, but all the same.” A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“Right. I’ve read as much. Can I ask how you…” Jan gave a half nod towards the body.
“Ah! Simple fragility curse. I established the threat, asserted it, and then enacted it. In this case, I established that he shouldn’t pull the bolt out, doubled down, and then he did. It likely wouldn’t have worked nearly as well had he not been shot previously. The more someone’s body is held together by unnatural powers, the easier something like that is.”
Jan pretended like that made sense, by nodding.
“…So you’re an…” He desperately tried to recall what the manual had told him. Sorcerer was the informal term, what was the formal one…
“…Arcanite?”
Angeline laughed. The way her face moved made Jan think she didn’t do that very often.
“That is what you would think. No. That’s a term for a very specific type of practice. It’s mostly popular amongst proper wizards. The types that shout fancy latin before doing anything. I’m a little bit different then that. And better, if you ask me. You could call me a collector, or a dabbler. Again, using that sort of terminology.”
Once again. Jan pretended to understand.
“Alright. Well whatever you are, thank you for helping me. I’m not sure I would have gotten out of that on my own. I take it you aren’t from around here?” Jan asked, curiously.
“Mmm. Yes, my skin isn’t white as snow like yours, is it? But you are right. I was simply traveling, and this layover has turned into something more irritating. I was here to meet with an individual creature known as the Chimera Prince. But it seemed those who serve him weren’t keen on a warm welcome. I was attacked in the street, so I came back here, and found you. I did a little bit of looking around the day before last, and found some signs of meddling, a few small creatures scuttling about, but they’re actually out in force tonight. Strange.” She commented without skipping much of a beat.
Jan decided not to acknowledge that first part, again nodding.
“I heard that one talk about serving a Prince. Who apparently sent him here to kill Artem, then find me. I…don’t know who he is, though. Or why he’s in this town, of all places.”
Angeline’s face…softened. Which Jan didn’t take as a good sign.
“My dear, the Chimera Prince has been here for quite some time. I don’t know exactly why, but he’s a known factor in many circles. This is his stomping ground, has been for at least a decade. Many have come here seeking him, for one reason or another.”
That made Jan’s heart sink a little. He’d assumed whatever had happened, it had started in the time he’d been gone. Apparently, that wasn’t quite the case.
“That doesn’t change anything. I used to wander around all the time, and didn’t see monsters, weird things in the sky-anything like that.” Jan said, a bit of…defiance, creeping in his voice, even if it wasn’t directed at Angeline.
“You’re right. Something about tonight is different, that much I’m certain of. Something makes them willing to show themselves. The question is, why were they after you, and this fine gentleman here?”
She looked to Artem. Jan paused for a moment, unsure how to best answer this. He was saved by luck and happenstance. Artem started coughing, hacking up saliva and a little bit of bile. Slowly, but surely, the large man leaned up, eyes finding themselves firmly placed on Angeline…before he saw Jan. He relaxed slightly. But Jan recognized the ready posture. If he’d had his weapon in hand, Artem would have shot Angeline.
“…Mendyk.” He said, his voice hoarse. “I take it you found me in a sorry state, of some sort?”
Jan nodded.
“I came to the rendezvous early. Lucky thing I did. What happened?” A little bit of worry was there. Even if he was intimidating, Artem in theory, was on his side.
“I was trying to sleep, when they came in and attacked. I managed to deal with one, but…”
His eyes went to the corpse of the discolored man, behind both Jan and Angeline.
“That one had tricks up his sleeve. He shrugged off at least one bullet.”
A sigh escaped Jan. Yup.
A moment of silence hung over the trio, before Artem looked to Angeline again.
“I know you. You were staying here at the hostel. Who are you, and why are you with…” He looked at Jan.
“I could ask you the same thing. I was going about my night, when I heard a commotion, and came here to help Mr. Mendyk here. I lent him a hand, and we were just talking about the just so peculiar situation we happened to be in, when you awoke.” She said this with a tone of voice that sounded disingenuous.
“…Well. You saved my subordinate, so thank you. Artem Lysenko. State Security Committee. I’m here looking after Jan Mendyk. And directing him on our operation.”
Something about the way he said subordinate, and operation, gave Jan discomfort. He wasn’t able to speak, not confidently. Thankfully, Angeline continued.
“Oh? Well, does your operation have anything to do with me?” She said, curiosity in her voice. But again sounding disingenuous.
“I doubt it. It’s nothing you should have to worry about. I suggest you make haste getting out of this town, however. It seems it’s unsafe for travelers.” Despite his injured state, Artem had a really good brave face. Jan almost bought it.
“Ha! Thank you for the advice, Lysenko. But unfortunately, that’s a little more trouble then it’s worth on foot.” She said, with a slight shake of her head.
“Luckily enough, myself and Mr. Mendyk will be leaving soon as well. You’re welcome to come with us, on our way out of town.”
Jan froze. This got him to speak.
“…What?” He said, with a bit of shock. Artem turned a stern gaze to him.
“Why do you think I’m here, Mr. Mendyk. You’re one of few assets left that the KGB can tap against this sort of thing. The only others deserted or died in Siberia. You, me, three others. And we aren’t even supposed to still exist. There’s something wrong with this town. The goal on high was they we could handle it. That is distinctly not the case. We’re leaving, calling for backup, and sweeping this place properly.” He said this sternly, giving Jan half glare, half mental prod.
“Sweeping…you mean?”
“You’ve read the manual, Mr. Mendyk.” He said, keeping his stare ironclad.
Jan was speechless again. He had in fact read the manual. Protocol was eliminate first, save later. But with the amount of creatures that were here…
Angeline filled the silence.
“My apologies, sirs. But I must ask…does this have to do with the Chimera Prince and his activities?”
In an instant, Artem’s attention was gone from Jan, and turned fully to Angeline. Suspicion now filled the agent’s eyes.
“…That is what the primary entity is, yes. You are in the know about him?” He asked, with caution in his voice, and an edge to it on top of all that.
“I’m now opposed to him as well, as it turns out. If you’re seeking worthy allies to deal with his ilk…I can do my best. He’s put quite a poor turn on my night” She was shocking jovial sounding, despite the dour subject material. Jan appreciated that.
And yet, Artem’s suspicion didn’t let up. He shook his head.
“I can’t accept the help of third parties without approval. Especially not of a foreigner. I’m sorry, but if you come with us, I would be happy to submit the request. I am certain proper expertise would be welcome when dealing with such a threat.”
A bit of silence hang over the room, before Jan had the courage to speak again.
“You’re certain we can’t do this alone? Deal with this Chimera Prince? Maybe if we cut off the head of the snak-“
Artem held up a hand, to stop Jan.
“We don’t even have the proper equipment. Most of the stockpiles of Control weapons were turned over to the Kremlin, after the division was dismantled. I don’t even know if it’ll be us doing the sweeping. They may call…our replacements.” He said that, for the first time, with a grimace. The first time that Artem had seem worried in this conversation. And that sent a strike of terror down through his soul.
“…Replacements?” Jan asked, slowly.
“I’ll brief you properly on our way to Warsaw. Gather your things, we’re leaving.” Artem said, as he rose from the bed, starting to gather his belongings, his bag and such. Jan realized he didn’t have anything with him. Another mental blow that rang through him. Angeline, meanwhile, shouldered her bag, hitching the severed head to the top of it. Jan grabbed a couple of the things from the ground. The discolored man’s knife and club, plus one of the ‘goblin weapons’ Angeline had told him to drop.
Artem began to move for the door after that, and Angeline followed shortly behind him. Jan was about to move to follow, when Artem patted his sides, frowned, and stopped, half turning his head towards Jan.
“Mendyk, where did my gun end up?”
Jan paused. He looked to the ground, where the gun laid. He picked it up, and trudged it over to Artem, placing it in his waiting hand.
“Thank you. This is for the best, you’ll see.”
Artem gave him a nod, and turned for the door. Jan was faster.
He didn’t trust his strength with the club or the other blunt instrument. So instead, the discolored man’s knife sunk into Artem’s back. It passed through the flesh with shocking ease, embedding up to the hilt.
Artem turned, and pressed the gun to his stomach, and pulled the trigger.
Click.
“Sorry. Used up.”
Jan muttered, as he stepped back, easily evading Artem’s weak grip, as he stumbled forward onto the ground.
Jan looked to Angeline, who looked surprised, but not shocked.
“You said you’d help against the Chimera Prince. Was that true, or just a lie for him?”
His voice leaked of desperation, and his voice shook slightly, very unlike him and how he wanted to sound, in this moment. In truth, he was terrified, as out of the corner of his eye, he saw Artem try and crawl forward, with the blade in his back. Jan was pretty sure he’d punctured around where his heart should be. If not that, a lung. Blood was seeping from his mouth.
“…Not entirely a lie, bu-“
Angeline was cut off by a sharp sound filling the space. The sound of clapping, coming from behind them. Jan turned, suddenly and sharply, pulling out the discolored man’s club.
Sitting on one of the top bunks, kicking their feet, was an individual who Jan first thought was a man, but seemed more androgynous upon a closer look. Wearing very short shorts, a baggy red hoodie with foreign words on the front, and with a pair of sunglasses on their face, despite it being night. In their hand, was a compass, which seemed to be made from pure gold. They had pale alabaster skin, short cut platinum blonde hair, and a wide grin on their face, as they jabbered something in a language Jan didn’t know. They sounded American, but Jan was pretty sure that wasn’t English.
Surprisingly enough, Angeline seemed to understood, and stepped forward, saying something back, sounding a bit more calm.
The new individual responded back, sliding off the top of the bunk and seamlessly landing in front, a smirk forming on their face, as they peered over their sunglasses, revealing uncanny, glittering golden eyes.
Angeline spoke back, but took a step towards Jan. Saying in Polish, in little over a whisper.
“They work for the Chimera Prince. Some kind of artifact pointed them here. Be ready.”
Another line from the stranger, another from Angeline. It sounded tense. Silence for a moment…
Angeline drew the hand crossbow, and fired. But the stranger wasn’t there anymore when the bolt flew through where they had been, and sunk into the opposite wall. Angeline’s eyes widened, as she turned, and Jan heard a loud popping sound behind his ear. He turned, and swung, and saw the shape of the stranger there, a glob of pink loudly smacking in their mouth before they were gone again. To Jan’s side, and now holding…the knife he’d stabbed Artem with. They lunged, but Jan swung out his elbow, even if it didn’t connect, it stopped him from getting stabbed in the nick of time. Quickly, Jan realized the strategy here, exploiting his blind spots, and ran across the room. If Angeline had any smarts, she’d cover for him.
As it turns out, she did. Jan swiftly crossed the room, and put his back against one wall. Meanwhile, Angeline had grabbed the severed head from the back of her bag, and dropped the rest of the bag onto the floor. She held it out in front of her, even as the stranger appeared in her blind spot. Jan was moments away from shouting a warning, when suddenly, the head went up in flames. And those flames caught Angeline’s arm.
Only for a moment though, as they dispersed, and in it’s place was a long chained whip, with connection sites that looked to be made from bone. Swinging the weapon around forced the stranger to vanish, and appear between the two. They were now dual wielding-holding both the knife stained in Artem’s blood, and one of the goblin weapons. Casually, they blew another bubble in what Jan now realized was gum, which released with a loud and annoying pop.
Jan squinted at them. Angeline pulled the whip around again, gripping it in both hands.
There was a nice, silent moment of peace. Broken by the stranger appearing in Jan’s face. He felt their hand under his shirt, and felt too sharp nails dig into him. He swung his club down, reflexive to the unexpected contact, but they vanished, appearing at his side, and stabbing forward, not being quick enough to react this time.
He felt another sharp pain. Blood pouring free of a wound. They didn’t get it far enough in, however, before the whip cracked towards them, reaching out with more length then it should have had. They were forced to move again, moving to a few paces in front of Jan.
Jan noticed Angeline palm something in her other hand. A wooden tablet, with something that glowed inscribed on it’s surface. Suddenly, the glow went out, and Jan heard something…in his head?
“Keep their attention. We won’t win this without tricks. And I need time for tricks.”
Angeline’s voice. Jan didn’t have time to do much else, besides try and go on the offensive. The wall trick hadn’t worked, he was bleeding bad…magic might be the only way out of this.
Jan ran forward, blindly, and perhaps, outwardly, a bit stupidly. He swung the goblin weapon towards them, and they vanished, stabbing into his upper arm with the knife, and getting the stick part of the goblin weapon around his throat. Jan cried out, but the sound half died in his throat. This person was stronger then they looked. Jan hit the ground with one heave from them. Dazed, he looked up at the stranger, who was smirking, as they picked up the club Jan had dropped in his fall. They raised it up, and slammed it down-Jan feeling something in his ribs break. They said something else, perhaps a quip of some sort, before raising up the weapon again.
It was then that Angeline made her move. She had been speaking, barely audible, in a language that Jan once again didn’t know, but different then the last. It seemed the stranger hadn’t heard or hadn’t cared. At least, not until the goblin weapon and knife in their hands detonated into razor sharp splinters, which struck them all across the front. They howled in pain, at a volume that made Jan’s body ache. Jan realized that some of the splinters had gotten them in the eyes, metal sharps ripping their face to ribbons. Blood poured down, crimson, onto Jan’s front, mixing in with his own. The individual collapsed, writhing, as Angeline approached, and withdrew a small length of cord rope from her bag, and tapped it to one of their wrists.
Jan blinked, and the stranger was fully restrained, wrapped in silk blue rope.
And, they weren’t injured. Not a bit.
The stranger seemed just as surprised by this as Jan was, and grinned, focusing a moment…
And nothing happened.
Angeline ignored the stranger’s protests and shouts-and what were likely curses coming from their mouth, and leaned down, inspecting Jan. She frowned, pulling her bag closer, and rummaging through a moment. Eventually withdrawing a small pouch, and taking from it a small, tightly packed bundle of herbs.”
“Put that on your mouth, and hold it under your tongue.” She instructed, handing it to him. He weakly complied. It tasted like a mix of sour milk and very strong mint. And yet…
Angeline moved over to the stranger, who had managed to knock themselves over. Looking to Jan expectantly, as she withdrew what seemed to be some kind of marker, with English words written on the side. Red in color. Faded.
“Hold them down for me, would you Jan?”
Jan blinked, and was about to protest given his wounds, but noticed that the herbs had both dissolved and he…felt fine? He lifted his shirt, and the stab wound was gone. Like it had never been inflicted.
He wasn’t about to complain. He moved over, and with two strong arms, pinned the individual down. At least, until they tried to bite his arm. But even still, he held firm. Angeline uncapped the marker, and drew something on their forehead, what looked like a tongue, curled slightly. Around it, she drew the larger shape of an ear.
Suddenly, Jan understood the string of curses in perfect.
“Fucking-shit-asshole cunts!” The individual shouted “I’m gonna reach into your guts and unspool them like bad quality rope!“
Angeline gave a soft looking smile to the individual.
“Now that we can all understand each other. Would you care to introduce yourself, O’ mysterious assailant?”
They stopped cursing and instead glared daggers at Angeline.
“None of your business, hag. Let me go, now! Or I’m going to make what the soldier boy did to his boss look like a playdate!”
They thrashed against the ropes more, to no avail.
“Well, that’s no way to speak to someone whose had the mercy not to kill you. What manner of creature even are you? Such potent abilities as yours are…rare.” She said, sounding legitimately impressed. Jan almost said something, but held his tongue for now, instead taking a wary step back from the two.
The individual grinned.
“Well, I’m an exceptional creature! Your petty mortal confines don’t apply to my greatness! You’ve gotten the upper hand with a fluke alone! Release me so that I may claim the victory that I deserve.”
Angeline seemed to ponder, looking to Jan.
“What do you think Jan, should we release them?”
Jan shook his head.
“I don’t think so. We should probably just kill him, right?” Jan said, cocking his head towards them.
An expression of anger crossed over the stranger’s face.
“I am not a man! I am not bound by your petty expressions of binary gender-I am too powerful for such constraints!” They protested, writhing against simple rope.
Angeline shrugged.
“Well, if not a man, what are you? You never answered that question. I would be more inclined to negotiate with someone who introduced themselves in good faith.”
They seemed to consider a moment, before puffing out their chest slightly.
“I am a mighty creature! One of the many faces of humankind’s perceived sins! We are known by many names, but the most known one is Transgressors! My name is Tres, one of the mightiest of them al-”
“Short for Trespass, if I had to guess.” Angeline cut in, looking them over. “That makes some of your tricks make more sense.”
‘Tres’ scowled. “My full title and name is not for your petty mouth! Now, as I have introduced myself, release me!”
Jan ignored that request, instead squinting at Tres.
“Do you work for the Chimera Prince?” He asked, a bit suspicious.
“Bah! I do not serve anyone. The Chimera Prince simply has something I want, and thus I elected to help him for a meager day.”
“…So you’re working for him, and being paid to work.” Jan said, correcting with a bit of an eyebrow raise.
“You clearly don’t understand.” Tres said with a huff.
“Well, if you’re working for the Chimera Prince, we’d be best off just killing you. Especially since you tried to kill us.” Jan said, grabbing the club from nearby where they’d fallen, and shouldering it. “Sorry.” He said, a bit awkwardly.
Tres’s eyes seemed to widen slightly, but they swiftly tried to hide any signs of fear.
“Fool! I hold no loyalty to the Chimera Prince! Killing me would be a waste, if that is your aim!”
They paused a moment, considering.
“You have beaten me, well enough. You have shown yourselves to be worthy of my precious, powerful time. So, I will offer you an accord-spare my existence, and I will help you in your quest, lending you my great and mighty power! A true bargain, if I have ever offered one!”
Jan heard the fear in their voice. He looked to Angeline, both of them exchanging at least partially inscrutable looks, as Tres squirmed on the ground, still trying in vain to free themselves from their bindings.
“…You’d help us until you found what you were looking for, and then you’d use your powers to evade us.” Angeline said, squinting at Tres.
“That’s if you didn’t just kill her, and then me, the moment we cut you free of whatever is stopping you from doing your tricks.” Jan continued, pointing at Angeline and then himself.
Tres shook their head violently.
“Wrong! You’ve already bested me once. I am confident you could do it again-besides, as I said, my loyalty to the Chimera Prince does not exist! But, if you wanted to assure my help…” They said, a small grin starting to form on their face. “You could always promise me what I was in this for, regardless. If you would give me a better chance of getting what I seek, then why would I help your foe?”
Jan shared another look with Angeline, as Tres continued.
“…So, what do you say? Will you enlist my very powerful aid, rather then squander it, and my infinite potential?” Fear and hope both infected their voice. Jan felt…strangely sorry for them.
“Let us step outside and confer.” Angeline said, looking to Jan. He nodded, and stepped outside with her, closing the door to the hostel room behind them.
“They may cut and run. I can prepare a few contingencies, now that I know what they are, but transgressors, even minor ones, are quite powerful things.” Angeline said, with a worried look.
“…But if they don’t. They don’t seem to particularly care, and just want survival. We can give that, and what they want. And if we fail, they just slip away. If they turn on us, they could end up back in this situation. All we have to do is sell them on our strength.” Jan said, sounding a bit more confident.
Angeline sighed.
“They do seem easily tricked. And they would be useful…especially if they know what the Chimera Prince is planning. They got past the wards I set up, which means any he has would just as easily be moot” She admitted, pursing her lips slightly.
“I say, we get what we can out of them, then turn them loose. Then, we need to get out of here…before we get attacked again. Sound good?” Jan said, raising an eyebrow at her.
Angeline stayed silent, for a long moment, then sighed.
“Alright kid. Let’s do this.”
Jan walked back into the room, confidence in his stride. Tres had managed to sit up. Looking at them expectantly.
“…Alright. We’ll accept. But first, you have to tell us everything you know about what the Chimera Prince plans to do.”
Kindling And Miscellany 