UGB Chapter 34: Black Sheep
Chapter 34: Black Sheep
Chapter 34: Black Sheep
What the hell is that bastard doing here!? I lurched forward, taking off in a sprint towards the lacquered wooden shrine. Kayson said we'd meet our Captain at the shrine to the Stalwart Immortal. I'd expected to see Atkins, not that psycho's smug face as he relaxed next to her. But there were all the other Captains, and their Lieutenants present too, Way more people than there should have been for a simple hand-off.
Kayson gave a quick shoutin a second, my feet were kicking nothing but air; Bruno yanked me up by my collar and held me airborne with minimal effort.
Let me go!
Luca! If you wish to draw blood, why not issue a challenge? Bruno asked.
No, he will not be doing that. Bruno dont put any thoughts in his head. Luca, keep quiet and calm down; let me do all of the talking.
Fuck that! I shouted, my voice carrying and catching the attention of the Brass Kings around the shrine. I got a few scowls, but Tristan gave me a poisonous smile. I redoubled my efforts to free myself, but Bruno was too damn strong.
Such glorious passion for violence! We should let him go, Kayson! Whats the worst that can happen! Bruno smiled wide at Kayson.
Hell make our division look worse than it currently does. Then hell get himself thrown out of the Brass Kings and somehow drag the rest of us into punishment. Are those enough reasons?
Screw that! Let me go! You cant just get away with fucking murder! I yelled, and the scowls from the other Captains grew darker. If I didnt get their attention before, I had it now. But I couldnt help it. I saw evil in those shades, saw maliciousness in Tristans triumphant posture. The asshole acted like he ruled the damn world.
Captain Atkins broke rank and began to close the distance to us. Her severe eyes burned into our squad. I struggled, trying to break free, and wellI didnt have much of a plan after that. Use Fickle Fate and hope for the best?
I couldnt take it, I knew I was acting irrational, but the rage in me had remained smoldering every second since that night at the casino. This squad had distracted me at times, but the sight of him right now brought it all back. The fucking murderer, abuser, smug little prick that only topped one horrid act with another. Hed have easily killed me and slept fine after. Yet I was the one with nightmares of him stabbing me to death in a dark alley.
Captain Atkins reached us; her hand reared back and slapped me. My head snapped to the side. Shed hit with everything shed had.
Right then. Presuming were done making scenes like children, are we ready to proceed? Captain Atkins asked, stiffening her shoulders as she turned her eyes to Kayson. I rubbed the burning print n my cheek. Not sure how to feel. That hate in mewell, shed broken a piece of it off with that slap. Her expression softened. Collect yourself, Cavicchi. Never forget that people remember your actions, especially when its their first impression of you.
She didnt apologize for the slap.
Bruno dropped me, and I straightened. I felt mortified. Captain Atkins gave me a slight nod. That is more like the behavior I want to see in this division. Kayson, lead the Alchemist to the captains. She turned on her heels, and we followed. I fell to the back of the group, shame and embarrassment swelling in me.
Eve dropped to the back of our group to whisper to me. Well done, slick. Wouldnt be right if you didnt find a way to make a scene.
The conversations around the shrine halted; despite it being a public park, anyone in New Valentine who saw a large group like ours left as fast as they could, unless they were blind or plain dumb. Meaning that no pedestrians were wandering around here. All brass Kings. All of the captains formed a row before the shrine. The Stalwart Immortal's bald jade head presided over this prestigious meeting of delinquents.
Tristan checked his watch and impatiently tapped his foot. As if this was a waste of his time. If only I could wrap my hands around his throat. Captain Atkins cleared her throat. James, the alchemist, gave her and the rest of the Captains a weary look as Kayson directed him to stand.
As you see, the Seventh Division has tracked down and recovered the Crimson Eagles Alchemist. Their only source of alchemical goods. We've achieved massive victory with this blow to their funding and strength. Captain Atkins paused, seeming to relish in her victory.
She slowly moved next to James and set a hand on his shoulder.New novel chapters are published on
I followed slowly.
He led me on a path away from the shrine, closer to the greenery of the park but still in view of the crowd, even if they couldnt hear us talk. From this distance, they wouldnt be able to reach us in time to stop anything from happening. But I wouldnt get caught like a helpless animal.
As soon as he turned to face me, I made the first move.
My foot arced through the aireasily closing the between us in the blink of the eye. Romeos training was paying off.
His eyes flashed yellow; his hand caught my ankle and held it in place before the blow landed. Tristan smiled before yanking me off balance and spilling me on the ground. A thick black shadow poured from his yellow eyeshed pulled out his Manifested Soul.
It swirled in the space above me, a large inky blob with six constantly shifting tendrils, and a single giant horrible eyeball that was firmly trained on me. Do you see the difference between us, street rat? He asked, the smile on his face didnt show in his tone. No. He spoke with pure cold and evil hate. One of those tendrils wrapped around my wrist and yanked me upat the exact moment his fist sailed into my gut.
His Manifested Soul let me go as I stumbled back, gagging. That horrible eye never left me; Tristan had broken past the Soul Seed stage. I was in deep shit.
Im done with you and your Divison. Youre all just dogs that think they can run around pissing on my streets. You should have left the Brass Kings. Fled out of sight and hoped I was too busy to track you down. But now, there is no leaving my gaze, Luca. Youre mine. You and your weak division. Your existence will no longer be tolerated. He leaned closer, eyes flashing yellow again. The truth makes the dog cower.
He straightened and adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. He was confident enough to check his watch. I worked my jaw. He wasnt on guard at all anymore. Filled with supreme confidence in himself and that Manifested Soul of his. Disgusting. He thought I was nothing.
Youre going to pay. Theyll all know what ya did ya son of a bitch! Hate overpowered self-preservation. Tristan returned those sharp eyes of his, filled with darkness.
I hate your type more than anything, the defiant that you think you have the right to strike back at your betters. Everything I have, I earned. Each calculated step moved me forward, one at a time. I dont take risks like you. I deserve what I have because I worked ceaselessly for it. I do not demand respect from worthless trash like youyou owe it to me.
He stalked closer. There was the tipping point. I felt it in the air, a crossroads of fate. Would he end me? Would I somehow overcome him?
Tristan pulled back, the emotion on his face vanishing into whatever dark hole it hid in. He looked at me once more, eyes flashing yellow; he recalled his Manifested Soul.
You will quit the Brass Kings by the end of the month.
Why the hell would I do that?
Please. Find out. He let the threat hang, turning around to walk off.
I slapped my hand on my chest, and it flashed bluethen I dived at his back, slamming a quick kick into his ass, flinging him to the ground.
Tristan looked up at me, his face going through a mix of emotions, confused? Angry? Scared? Some of them were so out of place that it startled me. Before he could say anything, Kayson let out a loud yell; hed been running in our direction probably since I threw the first punch.
I didnt get the chance to explainhe dragged me away before it could escalate further. Tristan had gone palenot arguing but standing up and numbly walking away. What the fuck had I done to shake him so severely? Maybe the bastard realized he wasnt as untouchable as hed thought.
But his Manifested Soul confirmed a harsh reality for me. It was an undeniable fact Tristan was stronger. I needed to push myself. Or else Immortals knew what would happen when we reached the end of the month.