Chapter 417 - War [Underworld]

Time was 21:00, the secluded town of Tole rested gently under the peak of the highest mountain of Dostein. Atlon, the mountain, stood lonesome upon the otherwise flatlands. An irregularity which many saw as beautiful. During the day, one could see the snowy peak surrounded by clouds. A very steep climb waited for those who wished to thread upon its face. 

Tole was to the Northwest of Atlon. A quaint little town with access being twice a day train schedule or the long road wrapping around the mountain. As far as the entirety of Alphia was concerned, Tole was but an ant. The title of the town was given only because the population was in the four thousand. Fondly enough, the town was a hotbed of underworld related activities. The lack of law-enforcement here made dumping bodies into the nearby forest easier. A spot of clearance amidst the endless woodlands. The rain was the most prominent factor – during heavier rain, landslides could happen at any moment. The people weren't safe, not until a few years ago when a mage came to build a natural barrier against the mud. 

Similar to other small gangs – Tole hosted the Lerado's hideout. One kept secret and usually out of people's mouths. 

At 21:30 – the sound of helicopters had the town anxiously awake. People who roamed to the local pub were baffled as the flickering lights in the sky were menacing. Intel was leaked, those with ties to the Anti-Narco Unit knew of the impromptu visit. Thus, the filled streets cleared to a desert. The red-light district close to Tole's downtown was dead silent. Prostitution was rampant, motels made a fortune giving rooms to those partaking in the flesh. The ringleader – a man from Cimier; many knew not to speak his name. 

The hideout was to the other end of town, a place with a direct path into the forest. 

"They are here," said a man dressed smartly – the tables laid with guns and ammo.

"Yeah, I know," replied another with a bigger gun. "Half of our brothers were killed, it's time for payback."

"Hell yeah," puffed another, "-lady Lerado's safe."

"Who told ya?" asked yet another.

"Dunno man," inhaling the last smoke, he crushed the cigarette. "Ay, Chicken-Head, how's the missy doing?" 

"She's fine," replied a man with an eyepatch, "-how's the whore you've been screwing, huh, Dingle-Bell?"

"Dead," replied he with a scarred face, "-I heard a drunken fool stabbed her instead of paying."

"Damn," sighed the one dressed smartly, "-any news on the fool then?"

"No, Mart, last I know the owner had him fed to the dogs."

"This town is as shitty as always," said a new character opening the door.

"Look who it is, Mr. Bigeyes." 

"Shove it, Dingle," brushing off the comment, "-aye, Mart, is everyone ready?" asked he with a beanie and long hair. 

"Ask 'em yourself," replied he staring out the window.

"Ain't no need to repeat the question," added Chicken-Head confidently, "-we've been ready."

"Then, let's go boys." A war brewed, the Anti-Narco Unit versus the remainder of the Lerado. The choppers landed; the mobile unit stood close to the mountain; time had come – the assault against the Lerado began. 

"There's trouble, master, the Lerado are under attack," voiced Éclair, "-I've confirmed the location of the AN-U at Tole."

'Damn it,' the flaps grew faster, and soon after a 'boom,' Staxius shot as if a bullet. 

*Bang, bang, bang,* the sound of gunshots echoed around town. Blinders and windows were shut, the mansion in which the members hid was breached. Build in a C-shape; hard as they might have tried; the barrage on the courtyard did naught but slow the slaughter. The AN-U was overwhelmingly strong. It took two to kill one. 

'Chicken-Head, Dingle-Bell, Sparkles, Twin-Dog, Twilight,' time slowed, a platoon of soldiers surrounded the remaining member, Mart. 'I'm sorry.' The shuffles of the heavily armed forces pierced the bloodied hallway. 'Lerado is finished,' no ammo, he stood with an empty gun. 

"That's the last one, what are your orders, sir?" 

"Kill him," came a merciless demand.

"Mr. Tello, isn't saving the last and asking for the location of their leader the best option?" interjected Larson.

"This is my operation, we were ordered to wipe-out Lerado, and that is what we'll do. Leader or not, who cares, the preceding event lead to this. Why did you think we allowed Jefferson's to run wild?" 

"S-sure," he sat with a shrug.

"Sir, what did he mean by run-wild?" whispered Chad.

"Ah, you don't know do you. There was a massacre not long ago – the leaders of Lerado were wiped. The Jefferson's were in on the plan; let's say it was a trade. They want a monopoly on the drug trade, and we want to have a share of the profit. Come on now, dear Chad, a country isn't run on white-money; more often than not, it's black, dirty money. Bet they didn't teach that at the Academy?" 

"What're the numbers," asked Staxius.

"I'd estimate around two-hundred."

"Quite a lot. Éclair, start trying to find a justifiable way of resolving this issue. Pull as much string as is needed, I want their commander knelt on my doorstep in the next week."

"Yes, master, I shall contact Lady Elvira." 

The cloud hiding the full moon swayed. A dark figure landed atop the roof of the mansion. Down in the yard, men in uniform dragged bodies onto a pile. Others were busy salvaging the weapons as well as narcotics. There was also money; Exa notes escaping to the wind. 

"Adete, wake up."

"What now?" a dark-crimson portal opened; "-did you call on me?" 

"Yes, I did, First progenitor," with a murderous smirk, "-look at the prey below. The full-moon feels nice, it's warm and gentle." 

"A fight?" her sleep broke, "-is it time to eat?" 

"Can thee not see the abundance of livestock?" 

"I'm salivating, go, go, Blood-King, go, go, I want to eat."

"Let's enjoy," smirked he. The conflict that began so long ago would enter the last stages. 

*BAM,* the transportation of merchandise stopped after a crack. A man had his skull crushed onto the floor. Brain matter splattered along the stone path. "My shoes are dirtied."

"What are you doing here?" approached one of the fighters, "-this place is currently under the AN-C's command." 

*Blood-Arts: Bloody Mary,* Adete stood on his head and conducted the blood into power. 

"I'd beg to differ," said he, "-this place belongs to Lerado."

"Hey, look at this dumbass," laughed another, "-the Lerado, I guess we missed one." 

*Blood-Arts: Crimson Thread,* a turn of the finger had four beheaded in an instant. 

"Who's laughing now?" walked the man.

"KILL HIM!"

"Bullets are nothing but toys," gesturing with only the index, people fell left, right, and center." 

"03, do you hear me, this is command, RESPOND DAMN IT!" 

"03 is dead," said Staxius, "-Commander of the AN-U, retreat this instant. I will allow thee to beg for mercy."

"Who are you?" the atmosphere of the command unit dropped. The conversation was broadcasted over the speakers.

"Shadow." 

"Shadow who?" asked the commander.

"…" the transmission ended.

"More, kill more," said Adete in hysteria.

"Alright," the suppressed killing intent came to light. The anger to kill and the slaughter was held back for so long. The raw adrenaline of slaying another foe, the decimation of what stood in his path. 

Time 22:00; a once green lawn was covered in blood. Bodies became more common than the ever-abundant trees.

"Status report," urged the commander. 

*You've been compromised,* flashed across their screens. The data of the operation and the people involved were transferred before their eyes. The screen didn't only show what happened but also a smugly animated teddy bear. 

"We've pissed off the wrong people," laughed Larson.

"WHAT IS SO DAMN FUNNY?" frowned the commander.

"I had a feeling tonight would be amusing, and oh boy did it deliver." 

"IF YOU DON'T SHUT THE F.U.C.K," *SPLAT*

"AHHHHHHHHHH," panic had the crew reaching for the door. A spear-like rod pierced the van and into the commander. One could see the starry night from the hole left. 

"The stench of blood," sighed Larson, "-come on Chad," he took to the front door.

"B-but,"

"Do you think the enemy is going to allow the rest to live? Whoever it is has wiped out 200 men in less than thirty-minute. We're nothing but detectives, we hunt for clues, not kill people. Come on, follow me," out the van and into the forest. Larson knew what would happen next.

*BAM,* an explosion rattled the sleeping forest. 

"I told you," said he, "-they were wiped."

"Larson and Chad of Unit 08," came a mysterious voice from an unknown location. "We know of thy involvement."

"What then, are you going to kill us?" 

"No, far from it. Larson and Chad, consider this a warning. Do not get involve. A war has begun; the AN-U will pay for their discrimination and fake justice."

"What if we get involved?"

"Then we shall take what is most valued to thee. Chad, you have a family living peacefully in Dostein, a sister who's getting ready to be wedded soon. I heard the groom is very much handsome and a part of the upper echelon of society. Larson, you have a sick wife nearing her death at St. Anea's Hospital. Thy children seem to be growing up in nice spirit, the boy is fond of detective movies and the girl is very much infatuated with the idols."

"ENOUGH, DON'T SPEAK OF MY WIFE" yelled at the dense forestry, Larson lost composure for the first time. "I swear, if you touch one hair, I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth."

"We won't touch a hair, no, the girl has the potential to be a very good asset, and the boy can be brainwashed into becoming a hitman. Any threats thee makes will end in naught. Larson, you are a man of intellect, realize the Underground isn't a place for he who wishes to save his wife." A scroll dropped into his hand. "If the time ever gets desperate that her life is far-gone; go to said address, we promise she'll be saved in exchange of thy soul," cawing of crows dispersed into silence. 

"It's a trap, sir, don't believe a word."

"I know Chad. I guess we bit more than we can chew."

On said night, declaration of war went around the continent. Addressed to the chief-commander of the AN-U and head of the Jefferson's; under Godfather Renaud's name, Shadow launched a war. The slaughter of Lerado would be paid twice as much. 

Soon, dawn broke the eternal night. News of what had happened reached the capital via an anonymous tip. The heading, "-a 200-man slaughter; war is upon us." 

"On the 30th of April, the Anti-Narco Unit scheduled to track down an organization at Tole were met with an unfortunate end. They were wiped by an uncertain team. The officials are baffled as casualties included Sergeant Commander Major Tello. Will the AN-U continue to act or does this call for a higher authority to take command? Time will tell."

"Yesterday was fun," came a sleepy mumble to the left. 'I'm home,' waked Staxius – the bedsheets were clean. The same couldn't be said about the clothes for they laid on the floor. 

"Master," spoke a holographic display of Éclair, "-Lady Elvira is sending over the special forces of Phantom. The base of operation will be at Tole. ETA, 15:00."

"What about the response of the families?" semi-nude, he signaled for the television to play the news. 

"The Jefferson's have been preparing for the eventuality."

"What about Cimier, did the spies relay anything?"

"No, not at the moment."

"I suppose they don't want to get involved in our dispute. What of the evidence, did you find any relating to the Jefferson's?" 

"No, I've fabricated an incriminating conversation between Yuri and Tello."

"A dead man can't testify against a lie. Good job, Éclair, I'd pat thee if only thou were in flesh."

"The feeling is recompense enough, master."