The Crimson Fang
Chapter 11 - The Magician

The days continued like this for the Crimson Fang. They would attend social gatherings, hoping to obtain information on the Altros. Unfortunately, they had little to no success. Occasionally, they would hear of a violent crime committed within the walls of the city, only to replace that it was merely some human acting out aggressively. The days turned into months, the months to years, until eventually several centuries had passed. Occasionally, there would be visitors arriving to inspect the progress of their mission, inform the Fang on recent events, send them on side missions, and even to embark on their own missions. The humans had managed to come out of the dark ages, with the help of the Crimson Nobles who, as agreed, were slowly giving them ideas for technological advancement. They were now in an age full of new technology, which the humans had referred to as the “Golden Age.” This was, however, a double edged sword; with the new technology, there formed a larger rift between the high and low born, which resulted in a great increase in thievery and other crimes. Also, along with the great deal of “amazing discoveries,” there came a large amount of fraudulent creations, such as a potion that would make one grow younger every time they drank it.

The Crimson Fang also had to adapt to the changing times. With the mission taking a much longer time than anyone had originally planned for, they had to make changes to keep up the illusion that they were human. Many deaths and births among them had been faked throughout the years, to represent mortality. They had also changed relationships from time to time. They watched as society moved from the castle age all the way to an age when aristocracy ruled over all in houses, some the size of small castles. Even the home that they lived in had been built upon and improved, even being given a name, symbolizing that it was a manor belonging to a noble family. It had become known as “Blood Crimson,” due to the family name.

The Fang, themselves, had become quite a well-known family. They received invitations to every party, gala, and major ball that was held in the city, as well as some that were even in other cities. When they refused, they did so in a manner that, rather than leave the host feeling insulted or infuriated, made them want the Fang even more. The fact that their family also dated back centuries won them even more praise among the aristocracy, which led to even higher status. Noble families often came to them, either for advice, or to provide them with information. The family had even employed a number of “eyes and ears” within the city, in order to provide them with any information that may lead to their targets.

The Fang had come almost full circle now, as a family. Geoff was, again, Earl and head of the household, with Sakura as his wife. The main difference was that Ami was now the youngest child, with Draken as her fiancé. Joseph, having been the first to “die” among the three of them in the last cycle, was now heir to the Crimsoni household. This offered a much larger area of influence for him, as well as more freedom to travel alone throughout the city’s streets. Most of the time, he travelled without a bodyguard, which would have hurt the appearance of their nobility, had he not proven himself to be a mistake to attack. Anyone who had known who he was also knew that anyone who attacked him ended up severely wounded, or worse.

Joseph was taking his “sister” for a stroll through the busy streets of Carten in one of the family’s carriages, an activity that they partook in once a week. There was a festival being held this week, lining the streets with performers and merchants. A brightly coloured clown decided to poke his head into the carriage, when it had come to a stop; an action that almost caused him to lose it. He squeaked in shock, as he noticed the blade placed beneath his chin.

“Please forgive me! I only meant to see if there was anybody in the carriage who would be interested in this!” He created a flash of light in his hand, which turned into a pair of tickets. “Two tickets to tonight’s main event! I really had no intention of upsetting you!” Joseph withdrew his blade from the trembling clown’s throat. “What, pray tell, is the main event for tonight?” The clown flashed a grin in Ami’s direction. “We have an amazing magician, who will be performing feats of magic that would astound and amaze even a blind man!” Ami’s eyes went wide. Joseph asked him, “What manner of wonders will he be performing?” “He promises to levitate the entire crow, several feet off their seats! He will stop a speeding arrow, with nothing but a piece of string! He can…” “That is enough, my good man. Do you wish to attend then, Ami?” Ami nodded. “Excellent! Here are the tickets, young lord! See you tonight!” The clown handed the tickets to Joseph, smiling, and exited the carriage. The two of them went back to Blood Crimson to prepare for the evening.

“Are you sure about this?” Joseph was being followed by a very concerned Sakura. “We haven’t even gotten any leads on the Altros, after all this time, and being out with just the two of you could be dangerous! What if this magician is one of them? Not all of them are frauds, you know!” Joseph put his hand up. “Don’t worry, Sakura. I have a plan. There was something about that clown that gave me bad vibes. It’s a feeling that I haven’t experienced in a long time. I think there’s a very real possibility that the Altros are involved here and, if they are, I would prefer that it were Ami and I on the front line. She’s always followed my orders, without question, so if the Altros are there, I will send her back here to get you guys, while I hold them off. I know that you and the others might refuse, choosing to fight the Altros, rather than leave me there. This is why I have chosen for the two of us to go.” “Please, don’t make yourself into the bait. I would hate to lose any of my children.” “You are not our real mother,” Joseph laughed. “True, but I have become the mother of the group, with Geoff as the father. We all have our roles. The two of us watch over and worry about you three. You are the unquestioning leader. Ami is the quiet, albeit deadly, baby girl. And Draken is the rebellious and reckless teenager. This is our family,” Sakura smiled. Joseph placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, ‘mom.’ I’m not the type to go in half prepared and reckless. I’ll not be getting myself killed today.” He finished getting ready and he and Ami left the manor.

The show began after sunset. Joseph made sure that he and Ami were in the front row of the large tent that the performance was to be held in. A short human took to the stage, causing confusion to spread through the crowd. They were expecting the magician to be taller. “Introducing,” the human began, “the Magnificent, the Marvelous, the Magical Magnaros, the master of all things mystifying!” The duo felt extremely uneasy as a man wearing a mask took the stage. They looked at each other, confirming that they both felt this way. Joseph nodded at Ami, and she prepared to exit the performance at any time, to go warn the others.

Magnaros opened the performance by levitating himself above the crowd. This amazed the audience, while Joseph and Ami kept affixed gaze on him. After he did a few more tricks, he made an announcement to the crowd. “I would like to call up a volunteer to help me with my next feat of mystical wonder!” Several hands went up. “I need somebody who has excellent aim for this one!” Many hands went down. “Preferably, those willing to place another life in their hands!” All the hands went down. Magnaros’ eyes scanned the crowd and stopped on Joseph. He could see the pure fire in his eyes, and he lit up. “May I request your assistance, young Lord Crimsoni? I admire the pure determination and strength in you.” Joseph hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. He approached the stage, as applause and cheering erupted from the audience. As he ascended the stairs, Magnaros put his arm around his shoulders, handing him a dagger. “Aim the blade, straight at my heart. Fear not about missing your mark, for I will stop it with my magic.” Joseph stared at the dagger and then back at Magnaros. “Are you certain about this? I cannot be held responsible if something were to go wrong.” Magnaros nodded and moved to a point across the stage. “If you insist. You asked for this.” Magnaros could tell he had skill, when he flipped the dagger in his hand to hold the blade. Joseph lifted his arm and lowered it again, releasing it as his target, who failed to stop it. The crowd fell silent and shut their eyes, as the blade pushed its way into Magnaros’ heart.

The magician did not drop, though. He placed his hand around the hilt of the dagger and walked toward Joseph, pulling it out. His suspicions were right, Magnaros was an Altos. He could feel it, as Magnaros’ power and evil flowed through him. The dagger was now at Joseph’s throat. The crowd was panicking at the sight they were watching. “Calm yourselves, you pitiful creatures, or the little lordling dies!” To his surprise, Joseph was smiling, not showing a hint of fear. Joseph began laughing, further confusing the magician. “What is so funny?” Joseph’s eyes narrowed. “Boy, did you pick the wrong lordling.” The next thing he knew, the dagger in his hand began burning his flesh. He dropped it and backed away, holding his hand. “There is a human with real magic? All you people ever do is illusions!” Joseph turned around. “Nice try, but not quite.” He grinned, revealing fangs, as his eyes turned to a deep red. “It cannot be! A Crimson Noble?!” Magnaros’ eyes went wide, as he realized what he was facing. Joseph’s eyes narrowed. “So, are you the High Lord in this area? I really have grown tired of this charade.” Magnaros laughed. “So, you are the hunter we have been searching for! I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I am not he! Actually, I’m not sorry.” “Where can I replace the High Lord, then? I would really like to get this over with.” “I would die before I reveal his position. And you shall too!” Lightning shot from Magnaros’ hands, which Joseph deftly dodged. He shadow-walked behind the Altros. “So,” Magnaros said, amused, “you can use the ancient technique, as well.” He too shadow-walked, travelling to the other side of the stage. “Let these people go and fight me, one on one, you coward! They are innocent!” “Very well, they may leave. It is really you I want.” The doors opened, and the panicked humans all fled through them. Ami just sat there, watching. She was waiting for Joseph to tell her to get the others. He wasn’t giving her the order, though. He just stood there, refusing to take his eyes off his target. “I must say, I am surprised at your confidence, hunter. Not many would stand their ground in when face to face with an Altros, especially when they do not have any assistance. May I ask why you have so much confidence?” “I’m going to assume you don’t know who I am.” “That would be a fairly wise assumption, as you have yet to give me your name. Do tell.” “I am Joseph, son of Reinhardt, Slayer of Zalterosand, Alphenthos and Serpenthos. Not to mention, countless other Altros. This will soon include you!” Magnaros’ eyes went wide, and he began to chuckle. “I suppose I will need to use my full power against you. This should be fun.”

Magnaros raised his hand, causing the stage to crack. Vines shot up through the cracks, binding Joseph’s arms and legs as they grew. “It is sad. I really expected so much more from you hunter, considering you boasted such grand accomplishments. If that is all you can muster, I suppose I will have to kill you now.” Joseph grinned, snapping his fingers. Flames began to form in his hand, which then travelled to the vines. They instantly ignited, as if they were covered in oil. Magnaros shook a little. “You must possess powerful flames, to be able to set my vines on fire. Do you mind telling me what makes it so strong?” Joseph grinned again, dodging a large chunk of wood. “It’s Dragon’s fire.” He threw a blade directly at Magnaros’ throat, which he dodged. “That is unfortunate. I am going to have to kill you now, to prevent this from dragging on too long. It really is too bad, as I am enjoying myself greatly, hunter.” He shot more lightning at Joseph. “As am I, magician. This is the best fight I’ve had in ages!” The two seemed to be evenly matched, and the battle continued on for quite some time, neither of them gaining any ground, until, “OUCH!” Magnaros had cut his hand on one of the vines, forgetting that some were still there. Blood flowed from his wound to the bottom of the vine, where Joseph was standing. He drank some of it, gaining the knowledge of Magnaros’ magic, as well as the whereabouts of his master, Rivathos, who served his own master, a High Lord named Cypros.

“Let’s end this.” These were the last words Magnaros heard, before becoming entangled in the very vines he had summoned. Joseph’s blades cut into his throat, continuing through until his head was no longer part of his body. The end of Magnaros had come.

Ami clapped as she ran to the stage. “Hold onto me,” Joseph told her. She grabbed his arm and he Shadow-Walked back to Blood Crimson. The other three members of the Crimson Fang were seated in the study, when Joseph and Ami burst through the doors. They seemed extremely excited. “Calm down, you two! What’s wrong?” Geoff asked a heavily breathing Joseph. “Nothing is wrong! I know where the Altros High Lord and his minions are hiding!” “How did you replace out?” “The magician we went to see was an Altros, just as I suspected. He was an incredibly powerful mage by the name of Magnaros. We battled for what seemed like forever. The fight would have lasted longer, but he cut himself, and I drank some of his blood. His blood contained all the information we have been trying to obtain for centuries! That’s not all, either. I now know the long lost secret of Shadow-Walking!”