215

Chapter 215 : The Swallow-tail Rebellion (2)

Among all the people that both Glint and Fargo kidnapped, the ones who left the deepest impression on them were the Scribe and the Succubus. If tales were worth believing, a high ranked Succubus could enthrall dozens of people to do her bidding. Scribes on the other hand were like having a never-ending supply of one-time-use items, some of which have rare powers and abilities. On top of that, their ability to infuse weapons and gear with various properties was highly coveted.

With these two under his wing, Enzo Gaines would go from a lurking threat to a major power -- that is if he played his cards right. And also, that’s *if* he could manage to acquire them both. Fargo knew the man much better than he would have liked. He knew for a fact that there was no way Gaines would simply pass up an opportunity to snatch two extremely talented people.

*If he was going to make a move, it would have to be now. I have no idea what he’s planning. But I know he’s up to something. I won’t let him have his way anymore.* Fargo thought as his eyes locked with Katrin’s. He lowered his head to further emphasize that he meant no harm to the woman.

He’d thought long and hard about what he could do given their past. He decided on divide and conquer tactics. With Glint speaking to the Succubus and himself confronting the Scribe, the hope was that warning both would prevent tragedy from unfolding.

“What do you want from me? If it’s not to attack me?” The brunette haired woman asked, her emerald colored eyes were clearly filled with doubt. Her mind was most likely working double-time to figure out his intentions. The truth was, there was probably very little he could say to her that would set her at ease.

*But that’s okay.* Fargo thought inwardly. He hadn’t been able to do it successfully, each attempt at the Swallow-tail technique caused waves of pain to assault his body. This time would be no different, but Fargo’s fierce determination would not allow him to leave without trying.

“The skull is inhuman.” Fargo said aloud, doing his utmost to distance his emotions from his words.

Despite this his face began to turn red as dull pains radiated outwards from the slave mark on his chest.

“Beware the mark.” Fargo next said, he could feel the blood rushing to his head as the familiar sense of unyielding pain began to overcome him.

“Fargo.” Rena said as she stepped towards the man with her hand outstretched.

“Let me do it. I can try harder.” Rena added. To this Fargo lifted his hand, as if to halt her in her tracks.

“I owe this young woman.” He said through several deep breaths. He then fixed his gaze on Katrin once more. She stood at the ready, a living weapon floating nearby.

*There’s no telling how many nasty spell combinations she’s stock-piled in that book. Heh, I wonder what would happen if we fought again.* The thought amused him, which in turn reminded him of the words he really wanted to say.

“I’m sorry.” Fargo said suddenly. Within his eyes Katrin could see a confusing emotion. It was melancholy mixed with genuine regret.

“We...we had to tell him about you and your friend. After-- After you killed six, six at once.” Fargo struggled to get the words out. He wasn’t entirely free of pain in this moment, for the words he spoke were specifically of Gaines and the brutal torture upon them which he endorsed.

Despite how desperately Fargo wanted to push the man’s face from his mind, to escape the thoughts of that hellish dungeon, it was impossible to do it entirely.

*Dammit. Dammit. I thought I could do better than this.* Fargo lamented. His body was now growing heavy, sluggish. It was hard to maintain his focus at this point. By contrast the Scribe was completely silent, observing his every action. Rena stood to the side, ready to act should he pass out -- but this wasn’t enough.

“Because of me, because of us.. You’re on his-his radar. He won’t stop until he acquires you.” Fargo muttered as he was forced to one knee. Purple energy shot outwards from the mark upon his chest, sending a burning pain to each and every corner of his body. His lungs were now on fire and it was hard to breathe. Yet the strangest thought crept into his mind.

*I bet that fucker Ziphyr never intended his torture to help out.* Fargo could only attribute his high pain tolerance to the constant torment of one man.

*One man. Ha.* He thought inwardly. Now that he thought about it, there was indeed one man he hated more than Enzo Gaines. He smiled and focused all of his being on a single thought.

*Think of him. His psychotic eyes. That gleeful laugh as he does depraved things. Focus only on him.* Fargo thought, he thought this so firmly that he could practically see Ziphyr’s face in his mind’s eye. Fargo lifted one hand and called forth some mana, his control wasn’t as good as the others -- he knew. But this was the most he could do.

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*Beware.*

*Contract.*

*Ruse.*

*Enslaved.*

*Beware.*

*Skull.*

Fargo could only use single words, which to others, might provide little context given the situation. But his hope was simple -- that he’d said enough, that he’d conveyed enough to keep her out of harm’s way -- or at the least be wary.

*That’s enough. That’s enough.* Fargo thought as his mind went hazy and he passed out from the pain ravaging his body.

The blue-haired Lycanthrope known as Rena immediately caught the man just centimeters from the ground. She glanced upwards towards a motionless Katrin, her eyes filled with concern.

*I wonder how much she understood.* Rena wondered as she released a sigh. She realized that Fargo wanted to do this himself, given their past history but he was bordering on reckless. They were only three strong, with no idea who could actually be trusted which meant they needed each other if they were to escape.

She sighed once again as she looked at the unconscious man in her arms.

“He had a clumsy way of trying to make amends. But his warning is sincere.” Rena said as she gently laid the man’s body down on the nearby ground. She closed her eyes and lifted her right palm upwards causing the fluttering butterfly to expand and change shape. Rena’s brow furrowed as she poured her concentration into the act.

*It’s easy to make shapes...there’s no unpleasant thoughts associated with them.* She thought inwardly.

*Both*

*Enslaved*

*Forced*

*Pain of*

*Death*

*Beware*

*Targeted*

*Beware*

Much like the man next to her Rena had now sank down to one knee. Unlike him she managed to separate much of her feelings from the message. Though for her it wasn’t completely possible to do.

*This is enough. We can’t both pass out here.* She thought. She nodded towards the woman in the distance then lifted her companion, his arm over her shoulder as she rose.

“It starts now.” Rena said, taking one last look towards Katrin before she left.

*I hope Glint is having better luck.* Rena thought inwardly as she carried the unconscious Fargo towards the decided meeting point.