[scikaiju]

There were several shouts and cities of surprise right before one of the ones that were sent to surface for the latest assault, the latest failure, slammed into the wall. Those brave enough to do so looked over at their lord as he reverted into a more human looking form, just stand there, seething. He stared daggers as the one he threw slowly got to his feet. Then he snapped around toward the priestess who almost fell backwards from the sudden movement. “Why didn’t you mention that there was a second Rider?!”

“All I saw was a window of transition,” she quickly said backing up even more. “That was all. What I read didn’t indicate that there was another Rider in play.” Backing into the pedestal she nearly pleaded as she added, “I would haveI have warned you of it I did. I swear!”

“Such news travels fast,” a new voice said. The crowd seemed to part as two newcomers came forward. The Lord strode forward to meet them after telling his guards to stay in place. “I should have known that was the case.”

“Sraxis,” the lord said in greeting. Then he turned to the other, younger man. “Son,” he said, keeping his emotions under control. Something he was blaming that human for putting that curse on him when she and the others were here.

“Father,” he said in return, his head held high. “You have been doing well I see.”

Clasping both his shoulders he looked him in the eyes, “Now I will be doing better, now you are back by my side. Come son, you too Sraxis,” he beckoned and they followed. As they approached the throne, “You witnessed this other Rider I have been told about?”

“We did my Lord,” Sraxis said. “As I told my charge he reminded me of the previous Rider, not the one you described to me.”

“Priesress,” the youngest of te three said as they passed her. The lord looked back at him briefly but kept going.

“Young Lord,” she said in response.

“Tell me what you saw,” the Lord said as he took the throne. The Priestess even came a little closer to hear the answer.

“He mainly fought from a distance,” his son answered. Sraxis just nodded but added nothing, letting the younger man answer the question. “Like the stories were told. He seemed to be able to engage in close combat, but for this encounter at least, chose to stay back like a spike thrower.”

“Just as the previous Rider,” their lord mused. “From what I have been told the Rider we have been vexed with until now preferred to fight in close combat.”

“Thatr one sounds like a warrior,” his son said.

“There are many types of warriors,” Sraxis told his charge. “Fighting at a distance makes him more dangerous since he can injure you before you can even get close.”

“This is true,” the lord said. “Humans have many ways of combat. That is what I sent you to Sraxis to learn.”

“And I have father,” he said. “But as the saying goes, a true warrior looks his enemy in the eyes.”

“This is also true,” the Lord conceded after a moment. “Talks of philosophy can wait until later. For now, my son has returned and I wish to indulge him and myself with a feast. You are welcomed as well old friend. You promised to bring my son back to me when he is ready and you have.”

“It will be my honor my lord,” Sarxis said. None seemed to notice the one Cryptis staring at them from the back, focusing on the young lord out of all of them.

***

“Just take your time,” the person in front of her said in a calm voice. Kat sat there, fidgeting slightly, not even sure where to begin with what he asked. Hell it has been a couple of weeks since it happened, where she saw people, innocent people, just lose their lives for no reason whatsoever. The counselor she was told to see had asked how she had been since then and she practically froze up. He smiled softly. “I’m not going to sit here and say I understand how you’re feeling. You witnessed something horrific, something I can’t even imagine seeing.”

“The others did,” she said softly. He nodded and just waited.”I mean, what makes me so special? Just because my boyfriend works for this organization and that means I get special treatment?”

“Believe me Katherine, you are not getting any special treatment. Myself and a few others are talking with all the survivors.”

Why didn’t she believe that? “You are?”

“Yes, we’re talking to anybody who wants help. Actually I have another patient scheduled right after you.”

“I’m sorry,” she told him. “It’s just been weird lately.”

“Don’t be,” he said gently. “You’re still trying to process what happened. This part takes time, like I said take all the time you need. You’re not the one paying for this after all,” he added with a chuckle. Kat did smile just a little. “We don’t have to talk about what happened, at least not until you’re ready. But since we’re both here we can talk about something. Anything you like.”

“Marcus and Nate, that’s my boyfriend and his brother,” she began, “well both of them have said the big rule was to not talk about the Cryptids. At least when their dad was involved.”

“This was true,” he said, “for the longest time everything was extremely hush, hush. But when Director Miller changed that particular rule, it opened things up. It allowed us to help the ones like you and the other survivors.”

When she finally opened up and started talking, the hour she was allotted went by faster than she expected. As the counselor walked her to the door he said, “Remember, this takes time. There’s no overnight solution. If there were, a lot of us would be out of a job.” He smiled at his own joke. He opened the door for her and amazingly she thought she did spot somebody from that day. She was positive it was the guy they were going to kill when Nate and them showed up. Although she wasn’t sure if mentioning that flash she thought she saw behind’s Marcus’ ear. He probably would think she was crazy then.

Then she spotted Marcus as he got up from the seat he was in when she went inside. He quickly came over to them. Thank God he left that backpack in the car. And thankfully even more there wasn’t an alert. Why did she talk him into staying with this place?

“Remember,” the councilor said to her. “We have an appointment in two weeks. You must be Marcus,” he held out a hand that Marcus shook. “Surprised your name came up in our session.”

“There is no way for me to answer that without sounding arrogant,” he said after a bit.

It was a terrible joke but the counselor chuckled anyway. “Oh there are ways. I’ll see you in two weeks Katherine, nice meeting you.”

As he went to the front desk she and Marcus headed for the door. Once outside in the hall he finally said,”How are you doing?”

“I’m not sure yet,” she told him. ‘He said this was going to take some time but I don’t know.’

“I heard the same thing after Mom died,” he said. “It took a long time before I realized they were right. We’ll get through this Kat, don’t you worry about it. So what do you want to do now?”

“I just want to hold on to Maddie,” she told him.

“Swinging by Trish's place it is then for some family time. She’s going to have to get over the fact that time with her niece was cut short.” Marcus took her hand as they walked. “So you still want me doing this?”, he asked. “Miller left the window pretty wide open if you want to change your mind.”

There was a part of her who was screaming for her to take it. But then there was this other part, “No, you and Nate can finish this faster if you two are together.”

Marcus tried to hide a sigh, but she knew him too well at this point not to see it on his face. “Miller’s going to have to get use to being in a draft,* He was joking but he was disappointed in her answer. Marcus wanted out of this almost as much as she did, but they both knew she was right. And this was one of the times she hated being right.

***

Being back underground he often felt like he was gone for too long. Then there were moments that his time away didn’t seem long enough. Those parts of his mind were in a constant duel within him as he walked the familiar halls of his home, part of him wanted to think nothing has changed the other was constantly going “Was that different?” A trivial thing in the long run but something that still nagged at his mind. Something's had to have changed since he had left to train under Sraxis. He had at least as when he turned a corner he stole a quick look at the passageway he was just in, a habit he had picked up from his master, and saw the two guards still following him. It was something he was used to growing up, similar guards had been following his father for as long as he could remember. Now it just seemed unnecessary.

He knew his father well enough to know that he would dismiss any request to have them placed elsewhere. Since returning he knew returning to this life would be an adjustment, but certain things like the near constant presence of the guards had quickly gotten on his nerves since returning.

“My friend,” someone exclaimed. He looked over to see Skyr coming toward him, arms wide in greeting.

“Skyr,” he said in return. “I’m surprised you’re still alive.” A quick glance at the guards kept them at bay for the moment.

“You know me,” Skyr said as he joined him for his walk, “always trying to stay out from under the eyes of the guards.”

He smirked, “And yet you proudly walk with one who is next in line for the throne.”

“Well you can’t help who you become friends with,” Skyr told him, returning the smirk “Refamiliarizing with these particular halls?”

“Partially,” he admitted to his friend. He doubted Skyr would approach anything close to Sraxis’ standing, but it brought him some joy in seeing him. “I felt it wise to make it known that I had returned. And they should get used to the idea again.” As they talked they passed a particular hallway. He remembered his father declaring it off limits. But now there was a lone figure with his hand on a wall. A man he had seen before since coming back. “Skyr, down that hall we passed. There was a man there.”

“Ah, him,” he said mysteriously. “His only son is behind that wall. He is still waiting.”

“Waiting? Waiting for what?”

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard by now. His son disobeyed your father. In more than one way,” Skyr told him. “Not only was he staying around that cavern like it was his own kingdom, he and his followers went to the surface without permission. He thought he could get a better standing by defeating the Rider. Those same followers said he up and ran after the Rider killed one of them. As punishment your father buried him in there. Although he did say that if he managed to survive he would have him trained.”

“How long has he been standing there?”, he asked.

“”Long enough that most others would have realized that his son isn’t coming out.”

“He feels the loss deeply,” he said. “Deep enough that I have spotted him several times since I’ve returned. Always at the edge of a crowd

“He may mean you harm,” Skyr said looking back toward that tunnel. A move so sudden the guard looked back as well. “We need to inform the guards, tell your father…”

“In good time,” he said calmly. “If he wants to follow his son, let him “ Skyr didn’t look pleased by his decision but held his tongue. To appease his friend he would tell his father but he would insist on handling things his way

***
These past few weeks had been troublesome, and Miller knew it was only going to get worse. Because sooner or later certain congressmen were going to hear about a second operative in the Cryptid situation. And they were going to hear about it, in that she had no doubt. Even her predecessor complained about things they heard about that he was trying to keep quiet, something she had experienced herself on a couple of occasions.

Explaining the different armor would have been relatively simple, just say although it had been successful there were still a couple of worrying quirks that necessitated the use of the previous system. Captain Cole’s own reports on how the armor seemed to be resisting him during testing would come in handy, she just had to leave out the testing part. Unfortunately the younger of the Cole brothers staying on at the urging of his significant other threw a wrench in that idea. Because they were going to want to know who the second operative was. And at the moment she had no idea how to explain it away in a satisfactory manner.

If only Katherine's argument about two operatives getting things done faster didn’t make so much sense, she could have easily ended things right then and there. Actually she has posed a similar option years ago but was told there was no room in the budget for a second ongoing operative at the time. Actually at the time she was surprised at the time that nobody higher up at the time stole the idea as his own. So perhaps there was some truth behind the reason given to her And she had to remind herself, not that long ago after seeing him calm down Captain Cole from going almost nuclear after the near debacle that was the experimental bullet decision, that even she briefly thought that Marcus staying might not have been that bad of a an idea.

“Speak of the devils,” she muttered to herself after turning a corner and seeing the two of them having a discussion about something. Then Marcus saw her and quickly ducked in a hallway or something.

Leaving the Captain looking confused momentarily until he spotted her as well. “Really?”, he said , she assumed, to his brother. “She’s not going to do anything. Ma;am,” he said to her as she walked up to their position. She didn't respond right away, she purposely waited just long enough to get a good look at Marcus Cole as she passed them. He waved his fingers, a bit nervously by her estimation.

“Gentlemen,” she said pleasantly enough as she went on her way.

“Would you grow up,” she heard Captain Cole say.

“I was supposed to be out of here by now,” came the reply. “I ain’t risking shit.” Well, it was nice to know that she could still install that sort of fear in somebody. Best not let that go to her head.

She looked at her watch as she entered her office, “Any calls?”

“Some of the board have been trying to get a hold of you,” her secretary informed her. “This one has been calling almost every two minutes, honestly I’m running out of reasons why you won’t take his call.”

“Keep it up for a few more minutes,” she told her. “The next couple of lunches will be on me.” Without waiting for a response she entered her office. “What did you want to tell me about?”

“As requested,” the AI replied, “we ran several more tests on the sample from the ordered blood work of Madison Cole.

Stopping in front of her desk she took a breath and went, “And the results?”

“The same as the first test we ran. Madison Cole is a perfectly normal human child. No abnormalities of any kind detected.” She let out another breath as she leaned against her desk. “Do you wish to run the tests again?”

“No,” Miller told the program. “No more tests. But keep an eye on her medical file, just in case.”

“Should I be looking for anything in particular Director?”

“Just inform me if anything comes into question about her health.” Dropping into her chair she leaned back and looked at the ceiling, so far one less thing to worry about. Leaning forward she hit the call button to her secretary’s desk. “Unleash the flood gates.” If this was about the ammunition again she just might get both Cole brothers to personally voice their displeasure.

***
“Three bites,” Kat said, trying not to laugh while Marcus wiped food off his face. Not his dinner, Maddie’s. Their daughter cooed cheerfully the entire time. Getting herself under control Kat managed to repeat, “Three bites. You got her to eat three bites before she started throwing things at you. I think that’s a record.”

“You know what,” he muttered after getting most of it off and stared at the towel she’d given him, “I’ll take it. Pretend that it means I’m finally getting better at this.”

“Let’s pretend it’s that,” she said, a slight chuckle in her voice. “Come on Maddie, let’s let daddy get himself cleaned up while we finish eating. Then it’s bed time.” Maddie made some happy noises as Kat picked her up. “You feel like a movie tonight?”

“Sure,” Marcus told her. “Why don’t you and Maddie go pick one out.”

“Of course,” she said then to Maddie she said, “We have much better taste in movies than daddy don’t we? Yes we do, oh yes we do."

“How did it get in my hair?”, Marcus went as he headed toward the bathroom. After washing Maddie’s dinner out in the sink. He grabbed a towel and started rubbing his hair dry a bit before grabbing his shirt and pulling it on. In the living room Kat was on the vouch, she had already picked out a movie. Although she was paying more attention to Maddie than what she picked.

“Feel better?”, she asked not looking up.

“Yeah,” he said while looking at the television screen. There was an old black and white film on. But something about it was nagging at him for some reason. Then on screen a woman sat there for a bit. Why did this feel familiar? “Wait, is this one where they send the woman back through time by hypnosis or something.”

“Yes,” she said, still not looking up.

Then he remembered something else about this particular flick, particularly the climax, “Um, you sure you want to be watching this?”

“Yes,” she replied firmly. So he sat next to her and watched while she continued to play with Maddie. At least until they got closer to the end. The climax of this film were three women, including the lead female, who were found guilty of being witches and had to face the executioner's axe, in front of a crowd. Here she paid really close attention to what was happening. She did look away when the first woman lost her head, not on screen but there was no way it could be anything else.. “What is wrong with people?”, she asked, holding Maddie a little closer.

“I…”, Marcus slowly said, “don’t know. It’s just a movie.”

“I know it’s just a movie,” she snapped at him. “But people just stood around and just watched as people died. Like it was some type of fucking entertainment.”

“Maybe it was,” he said, not sure what else to say. “Maybe the sickos were a little more open back then. Maybe the higher ups thought this was the best way to keep people in line. I don’t know.”

She sat there for a moment before going, “I gotta put Maddie to bed.” Then she got up without a word and took Maddie into her bedroom. Marcus sat there, knowing if he just changed the movie it would have made things worse. What in the hell was he supposed to do here? Maybe that doctor had an idea. It couldn’t hurt to ask.

***
“Okay, this is it?” Marcus asked as he and Nate stood around looking at some random motorcycle, literally just one you could randomly see on the street. “If you’re that desperate for a new set of wheels I know a guy selling his.”

“It’s not going to have these kinds of features bro,” Nate told him while handing over a tablet.

“You sure, it’s got a sweet bobble head hula dog glued to the tank.” Looking at the screen he saw that a video was queued up. Playing it, Marcus’ eyebrows shot up slightly as he watched the virtual motorcycle on screen turn into a three wheel machine. “Okay, that might be a little better than a hula dog.” Pointing at the one in front of them he looked at Nate, “That can do this?”

“In theory,” Nate answered as he took the tablet back. “I saw the Spyder the other day so it looks like they started getting it going.”

“Wait, am I getting one of these?”

“From what they tell me the transformation sequence works better with the BScan system than the QScan, so for now no.”

“Well that sucks,” Marcus told him. “Then again Kat might think I’ll go out and buy my own after riding one.”

“Would you?”

“It is a pretty cool looking hula dog,” he joked, “But no, I’ll take my vehicles with four wheels thank you very much.”

“How is Kat doing?”. Marcus was afraid he was going to ask that sooner or later.

“I don’t know,” he ae told his brother. “I’m going to talk with that doctor this place had set her up with, see if there’s anything I can do besides just being there because I have no clue. Hell I’m not even sure Dad would have known how to handle this.”

“I don’t think anybody would,” Nate told him.

“Guess not,” he conceded. “If anything, maybe I can get some things off my chest.” The way Nate was looking at him made Marcus want to go, “If talking to a camera was good enough for dad…”

“Just caught me off guard bro,” Nate said. “If you think you need to talk to somebody, be my guest. If it helps you and Kat all the better. Hold a sec,’ he said suddenly as he put a hand to his ear, “This is Cole, go.” he just listened for a moment before going,” Come on bro we gotta go suit up?”

“But there wasn’t an alarm,” he pointed out as he followed Nate out of the room.

“New alert system they set up,” was all he said. “An early detection system, they just got a hit by the station right outside of town.

“Outside of town?”, he repeated. Hopefully it’s not by the ranch. Fortunately Kat had was given some leave to deal with seeing all of those people die right in front of her. Still that ranch was like a second home, he had friends there.

“We’ll find out more once we’re on the road.”

“Nate!”

“We don’t have time Marcus, we need to nip this bud before the Cryptids start thinking they have a easy way into the city.”

“Just one thing, the other day. You showed up because you were tracking the driver didn’t you.”

“Well you are usually around when the leader shows up, I was just playing the odds. Now come on!”, he started off again at almost a full sprint Marcus stood there a moment long, rubbing his neck before running off after his brother.

***
He walked the underground by himself. It may have been a while since he had set a foot here but this was still his home. And no changes there may have been, no matter how big or small, was going to change that. Although he didn’t recall the stares he was currently getting. Being the son of their Lord it should have been normal, an everyday occurrence growing up. Maybe it was and he was just too young to notice at the time.

Or it could have been the lack of guards at his back. Like he promised Skyr he told his father about the person who was following him. His father’s outburst at the news was expected. It almost equaled his confusion at his insurance that he had to deal with this and not the guards.

“What have you been teaching my son?”, he heard his father demand after he left the room. But he stayed, hovering just outside the door to make sure his mentor would be all right.

“I have learned that is how he is,” Sraxis had answered. “While I did protect him growing up I didn’t coddle him. He has a natural fighting instinct that I tried to reign in.and with all due respect my old friend but he is his father’s son.”

His father leaned back in his chair in a huff. But soon started to smirk, “That is true I suppose. If there was any threat to my person when I was his age I insisted on handling it myself as well. But age has brought wisdom. The family line must be protected at all cost.”

“And it will be Galen,” Sraxis had said. “I will keep an eye on the situation. But I will only intervene if he is truly in danger.” Sarxis had turned his head slightly, just enough that he noticed and not his father. He knew that he was still there and that statement was more for him than his father. He nodded and walked away. Sarxis would keep his word to his father but he would also let him handle the situation as he saw fit.

He turned into a hallway, one he saw that was completely empty. He did this on purpose and kept on walking, and waiting. About half way down he finally stopped and looked back. The person stalking him was standing there, pulling a weapon from his cloak.

Fully facing him he said, “It takes the shadows for you to finally find your courage. I figured as much.”

“Now your father will pay for the sin against my family,” he snarled. “His son for mine.”

“Your son was an idiot who thought he understood how things work. He’s lucky father allowed him to keep his head.”

Pointing the bladed weapon at him he said, “you won’t be so lucky. Go ahead, try and control me like your family does every one else.”

He looked down at his left hand, still wrapped with the cloth Sarxis insisted he wear. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary. Or wanted on the likes of you.” The other man roared and charged at him changing forms into something resembling an ogre. He changed into something more reptilian as he stood there and waited.

***
The back of the van was quieter than normal, at least to him. Usually his guys were talking to each other quietly, hyping each other up as it were. But now most of them were casting glances toward Marcus as he sat in a corner staring down at the backpack he kept the driver in..looking so depressed that it was unnerving. There was something off and he thought he realized what it was, that question he asked when they got the alert. Making his way over to him and sitting next to him waiting a beat before going, “You good?”

“What?”, he looked caught off guard for a moment. Then he tried to cover it up by going, “Just realized we never really talked about the dual Rider thing was going to work out.”

“It’s been kinda crazy since the last attack,” Nate told him. “We haven’t really had a chance to sit down and talk.”

“I’m good,” he insisted.

“If you say so. Marcus look, I’m the head of this unit and all but I’m also your brother. Anytime you need to talk, you don’t even have to ask. I mean about anything.”

“I know Nate,” he said. Then he smirked a bit, “But if you’re expecting me to call you sir, don’t hold your breath.”

“Bro, there’s an order to maintain. We don’t need anybody thinking they’re above the rest.”

He looked like he was going to argue the point, like literally argue the point. Then he looked at the others looking at him and looked a little defeated, just a bit. “I’ll try to throw in a ‘sir’ every so often.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“So how are we going to do the two Rider thing? Dad was always a solo act.”

“Wow okay, you were actually serious about that,” Nate went. “”I’m not sure honestly. Guess we have to pull from your playbook and wing it.”

“Because winging it has always worked so good for us in the past.”

“Just follow my lead,” Nate told him.

As he stood Marcus got in, “If it’s my playbook maybe follow my lead.” He just looked back at him. Murcus just shrugged slightly, going, “Just saying.” A quick look at the others apparently made him add, “Sir.” Leaning in a little he softly said, “Happy?”

“How did I not kill you when we were kids,” he sighed.

“Because you’d still be grounded by now,” Marcus shot back as he walked away.

“How close are we?”, Nate asked the driver, just to ignore his brother at this point.

“A few minutes based on the last report we got, sir.”

“”Get ready guys!” he said to the rest. This is the best test of that early warning system as we’re going to get. Thankfully the Cryptids usually come from this direction once they hit above ground so we should get the drop on them this time. Still we’re going to be in a wooded area, plenty of trees to drop down from. So keep your eyes open for anything. And remember, there’s no guarantee that the area will be civilian free” He reached for the case holding the BScan driver while Marcus opened the backpack at his feet. “Get ready to go, me and Marcus have lead on this one.”

“Sweet,” Marcus spoke up, “I got promoted.”

“Family, figures,” one of the others said.

Another snickered going, "Nepotism at its finest.”

“Do you see what you did?”,” Nate snapped at Marcus. Not his most professional moment, but at this age there should be some buttons his younger brother shouldn’t be able to press. “Get the ha has out now guys."

“Sorry sir,” the one who snickered quickly said.

“We’re there and so are they,” the driver shouted.

“Go go go!” Nate ordered. Since he was by it Marcus hit the door release and the two of them jumped out. With the two of them in the lead they ran toward the front of the vehicle. There were two different electronic voices saying “Ready,” as they touched the screen on their respective drivers. There were severs; Cryptids in the area, Nate was estimating about twenty in that brief moment. “I got left,” he said while putting the driver at his waist.

“I got right,” Marcus said doing the same with the buckle. A strap wrapped around their waists. Both of them stood there a moment, the Cryptids more than realizing that they were there.

“Henshin!” they both said. Nate circled his arm around and swiped his hand over his driver’s screen. Marcus slotted his driver into the buckle, swinging his arms out to catch the driver and snap it into place. The usual giant QR code appeared in front of Marcus and started toward him as a giant bar code appeared and surrounded him and started spinning. Once both were done they stood there in their respective armor.

“Kamen Rider Aegis.”

“Kamen Rider Thanatos.”

Marcus cracked his neck slightly as Nate took stock of the Cryptid's current location. “Leader’s in there somewhere,” he said. “And no saying whoever gets him is the winner,” he said to Marcus.

“I wasn’t going to say that,” he insisted. “It was already implied.” Before Nate could say anything Marcus held up his left fist and said, “We got this.”

“We got this,” he repeated while bumping Marcus’ fist with the back of his right. His little brother apparently took that as the go ahead to run ahead.. He, on the other hand, took a moment to tell his men, “Make sure no stragglers get past this point. Keep an eye on the surroundings.” He didn't wait for any sort of acknowledgement he started toward his group of Cryptids.

***
The person stalking him flew out of the hallway and landed in a heap on the ground. He walked out examining the so-called weapon this wretch tried to attack him with. At a distance it was slightly concerning since he was unarmed. But looking at it up close after disarming him, it was amazing it was still holding together. It was basically a hunk of metal jammed into a handle. He wasn’t even sure if the edge was even sharp. “What were you even expecting to do with this?”, he asked, voice full of disdain for his would-be assailant. “You were stalking me for so long I was expecting something more.”


Almost definitely his attacker started to get up. “Face me like a warrior!”, he demanded.

He almost laughed in his attacker’s face, “If I did that you would be dead already. but that doesn’t suit my needs.” Looking around there were a few of the others watching, a few but not enough. More needed to witness what was going to happen. With a sneer he tossed the poor excuse for a knife back to it’s owner, surprised again that it didn’t shatter on impact. His attacker just looked at it, then him. The dumbfounded look on his face was sickening. “I thought your son meant something to you.” A low growl as his attacker took the knife grew into a roar as he charged him.

“That’s more like it,” he said. The briefest glimpse at the now growing crowd before he easily sidestepped a pathetic attempt at a lunge made him smirk for a moment, “And that’s even better.” He was caught off guard in that brief moment as his attacker started swinging his weapon at him. “So you do have some fight in you, good.” His attacker got close, trying to bring that weapon to his throat. “That’ll make the message that much more meaningful.”

“Stop talking,” his attacker growled and started swinging more wildly. Feeling a brief moment of satisfaction as he felt his weapon make contact with his target’s arm. He grabbed his arm than examined his hand, not seeing any sign of blood. He got overconfident. Sraxis warned him about that. Still it would make the story those watching would tell more interesting. He caught an attack clutching the weapon arm easily. His attacker struggled right until he looked him right in the eyes. Then the fear in his eyes quickly spread to his face. He sneered then quickly disarmed his attacker once again, snapping the wrist and he howled in pain as the knife dropped from his grip. With little effort he hurled his attacker toward the crowd, he wanted them to see this up close.

Some guards made their way through the crowd. He waved them off, they looked conflicted, even looking at each other in uncertainty but eventually backed off. Walking forward slowly he addressed the crowd, “”He mourns for his son, that is understandable. Grief makes you do stupid things.” In the crowd, Sraxis standing among them caught his eye, a slight nod between the two of them was all that was needed, his mentor would not interfere in this. “However, he attacked the royal line, no matter how justified he feels his revenge is.” Quickly he grabbed his attacker by the neck and hauled him up to face the crowd, “that shall not go unpunished. He misses his son,” he stared at the crowd, “and he will join him.” A quick twist of his arms snapped his attackers neck, letting go the body dropped to the ground.

“Remove the body,” Sraxis said, finally stepping through the crowd. The guards looked at each other again before compiling, grabbing the body by a leg each and dragged it off. “That was unnecessary," he told him after a bit. “Your father will tell you that the family line shouldn’t get their hands dirty.”

“He will say the lord should not get his hands dirty,” he countered as he took a more human form. “I am not yet their lord, and a message needs to be sent. I haven’t been around for a long time. They need to know I am not an easy target, no matter the justification in their minds.”

“I doubt he will see it that way,” his mentor said. “But I will be at your side while he voices his displeasure.”

“As you wish, after you,” he said. Sraxis shook his head as they headed in the direction of his father’s chamber.

***
A Cryptid dropped to the ground after his fist connected with it’s jaw. Marcus looked around, that leader had to be somewhere close. While not seeing anyone obviously being protected, or directing traffic but he did see one charge right at him. Marcus was able to catch it mid leap and slam it to the ground. “On the right!”, he heard one of the guys shot right before the gunfire started.

“I see ‘em,” came the reply. Marcus took a look in that direction. Another wave seemed to be rushing at them.

Swiping the screen on the driver a couple of times before tapping the screen Marcus reached into the code that appeared in front of him, shouting, “Nate!”. As the gauntlet blaster formed around his forearm.

Behind him Nate had his weapon out and firing away at the Cryptids coming at him. He ran the top of the gun once through the small scanner at his side “Mulrishot”. “I see them!”, kicking one down he swung the gun around toward the new group and fired, multiple shots erupted from the barrel, flew past Marcus as he dropped to a knee and pressed the button on the handle he was holding and fired at them as well.

“Now they’re coming from the left!” Both of them looked as a new group came into view. Marcus heard some rustling in the forage coming at him and ducked as another Cryptid went flying over him. As soon as it hit the ground he already had the double barrels of the gauntlet blaster at it and pressed the trigger.

He got up shouting, “This is new.” Without waiting he returned to facing the first group that emerged from apparent hiding.

“Deal with it!”, Nate shouted back as he concentrated on the new group. Both of them were aware that some of the original group they had fought was slowly rejoining the fight. “Weather the storm and look for the leader!” Then he noticed that the Cryptids were starting to pull back a bit.

“This isn’t looking like a good thing,” Marcus called out as the same thing happened with his group.

“Big guy!”, was the call as a new group of Cryptids walked forward with one of the bigger Cryptids coming into view.”

“Where the fuck were they hiding that big son of a bitch?”, Marcus asked as he and Nate both walked toward each other. "They're spreading out,” he said as all the groups seemed to be forming a loose ring around the area. Shoulder to shoulder Marcus asked, “Have they done anything like this before?”

“I’ll look it up when we get back to base,” Nate told him, trying to keep everything in view. Behind them the guys were keeping their weapons on this new ring, waiting for them to make a move. “The point of attack is going to be the big one.”

“Fucking duh,” Marcus went.

“New strategy for dealing with the big one, a two prong attack. I’ll use range attacks to keep him off balance while you get in close.”

“In other words,” Masrcus said while swiping the the screen and tapping it then reaching into the new QR code that made the blaster disappear as he did so, “You stay back and shoot while I slice and dice.” Twirling the newly formed sword in his hand he said,” I can not wait until you get a melee weapon.”

“Captain!”, one of the others called out, “behind the big one, on his left!” They both looked there was a slender looking Cryptid who looked like he was directing things as he stood at the big one’s side. Marcus, on the other hand, was fully concentrated on the pole with the ax like thing on the end.

“Looks like the leader showed up,” Nate said. Then hr was surprised as Marcus suddenly shot forward before they could finalize a new plan, “Marcus? Marcus!”

The one with that damn ax had his complete and total attention. Marcus grunted out in annoyance as the big one got in his way. As it tried ti grab him Marcus went down and slid past him. As the big one stumbled forward Marcus quickly got to a knee as he faced it’s back and swung his sword widely, somehow slashing it behind the knee. As it dropped he got up and turned toward the one with an ax. It seemed surprised by the sudden action and took a step back. “Don’t even try to run bitch,” he growled as he charged at it.

“What the fuck is he thinking?”, Nate muttered. To his men he said, “Keep that ring back! I got the big one.” There was a quick acknowledgement of his order as he ran forward a bit toward the big who was struggling to get to his feet. “I’m going to assume that was part of the plan,” he said as he took aim and fired. The big one tried to cover up from his blasts while Marcus blocked a swing from the ax with his sword. Kicking the leader back Marcus swung the sword down attempting to cleave the leader in half but it rolled out of the way as the edge of the sword dug into the ground. The group leader jammed the end of the pole ax into his side, getting in right under the armor plating and getting the undersuit. It still protected him but he definitely felt more of the strike than he normally would and grunted as he stumbled to the side. The leader took advantage by getting the shaft of the pole over his head and pulled back into his neck.

“Multishot”, the gun said as Nate targeted the big Cryptid with every shot. It covered up again allowing Nate to run in with a jumping side kick after he let go of the trigger. Marcus had enough protection from the suit the choking move being done to him wasn’t having the full effect it was looking for. Still he panicked a bit before all the drills Nate had him go through, along with all the training their father let him go through as Nate was training for this kicked in, as he stepped back and threw the Cryptid over his head and slammed it to the ground. He started pounding away at it’s head until a couple of Cryptids tackled him to the ground.

Nate rolled under a punch aimed at his head. He tried getting his gun up to get off a shot but had to duck a back swing at his head. The thing was hobbling but still dangerous. He wasn’t going to give Marcus any grief ever again after facing one of these big ones up close and personal. He quickly retreated back a few steps, not to get out of danger, but to give himself some breathing room to slot the gun back into the scanner and run it twice. “Impactshot”. Bracing himself Nate took aim and pulled the trigger, a massive energy blast hit the big Cryptid and sent it flying back several yards, into the line the Cryptids had formed. Then one of his men called out to him right before he was tackled from behind, knocking his gun from his hand.

THe two that had got him off their leader tried to hold him as that leader got up and grab the pole ax and came toward him. They struggled to keep him down, but Marcus was able to use their grip to basically flip over , get his two captor off balance and free himself. Kicking one away he punched the other full in it’s misshapen face and went toward the leader again. That Cryptid tried to swing the ax. Catching it by the shaft they struggled for control, both swinging the other trying to shake them free. Nate was able to throw an elbow back and felt a nose give away. Locating his gun he dove for it. Once he had it in hand he felt himself being lifted up in the air and thrown by the big Cryptid. “Whoa!” he cried as was sent flying through the air.

Feeling the cryptid leader starting to push toward him Marcus suddenly pulled hen kicked knocking the Cryptid stumbling back and letting go of the staff. Fully imagining planting the ax into it’s head Marcus heard Nate cry out. He looked back to see Nate hit the side of the van and the big Cryptid limp toward him ignoring the bullets being fired sat it. He looked at the leader who was getting back to it’s feet. “Fuck,” he grunted as he broke the shaft over his knee. “No you don’t!” he hurled the end that had the ax. It flew end over end until it planted itself into the big Cryptid back. It roared as it tried to reach for, giving Nate time to recover enough to pull his gun into position and fire away. Marcus turned back toward the Cryptid leader and went after it again. He pounded away at it, making sure he was taking the fight away from the others. The leader tried to put up a fight but nothing it tried was stopping him. A quick side kick knocked it down, as it got up he swiped down and rapped the screen, “Lightning buzzsaw” When it stood Marcus swung around, the saw like effect following his foot and it went through it. As soon as it exploded the other Cryptids looked in his direction and started walking off.

“Where the fuck are you going?!”, Marcus yelled at them. He. Running over to his sword he pulled it out of the ground as the big one walked toward him. He just stood there and watched as it lumbered passed, still favoring it’s leg. “Hey!”, he called after it. “Come on you big fuck, let’s finish it!” When it didn’t react he started after it.

“Marcus!”, he heard his brother shout. When he kept going Nate shouted even louder, “Marcus! Stand down!”, He finally stopped but he still kept his eyes on the retreating form on the big Cryptid. “It’s over, bro it’s over.”

***
“Tell base,” Nate told the man sitting at communications, “that the early warning system worked.” He had deactivated his armor moments earlier after all the Cryptids had disappeared from sight, but in his mind the job wasn’t over, not just yet. “Also add that I sent a couple of men to trail after the Cryptids, if the entrance they used is nearby we can mark it and increase surveillance in the area.”

“You got it Captain,” came the reply. Nate winced a little, just after he gave Marcus crap about addressing him as sir. Still he looked back at his brother, outside of deactivating his armor he hadn’t moved, he was still just staring in the direction the Cryptids went.

“Is your brother all right?”,” one of his guys asked. Nate looked at him, at the concern in his and the others’ faces. That was not normal behavior for him and they all knew it. So why was he wishing he didn’t know the reason.

“Secure the area,” he told him, “I’ll go find out.”

The man quickly nodded as Nate walked toward his brother. Once he was close enough he said, “Marcus?” He didn’t respond. “What is going through your head? That wasn’t smart,” he trailed off when Marcus finally faced him. Nate was caught off guard by the tears in his eyes. “Marcus?”

He finally spoke, “My kid was going to be an orphan if you didn’t show up man.” Right then Nate stopped being the Captain and reacted like the older brother he was and pulled him into a hug, not caring what anybody watching thought.

“Hey, that didn’t happen,” he told him, “don’t even dwell on it. I got you bro, you and your family. Never doubt that. Let’s get you in the van, we’ll get out of here pretty soon.” Marcus didn’t do or say anything to acknowledge what he said but didn’t resist as Nate guided him back to the van. Him seeing that doctor was sounding more and more like a good idea by the second.