Akira looked at the forked road in front of him. If he continued to lead everyone down the straight path they would quickly reach the drawbridge that led into the high-walled Thief City. If this was the only entrance then they would be in trouble.
“Take the right path,” said Zundar, translating for Spearia.
“Riht…” muttered Spearia, repeating the word. She had been trying to learn common from both Akira and Zundar during their march. The rough lessons she received were little more than having her repeat the words as there was not much you could do in just a few days. Akira was also able to learn a few words from both Zundar and Spearia which was enough to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to an obvious question that did not need translation.
The right path of the branching road curved around the thief city and led to the next town several days away. The next town was of course occupied by the Oni faction. Taking the right path allowed them to pretend to be a caravan that was just passing by while also being able to survey the entire city’s defenses.
What troubled Akira about this city was the deep moat around it… if it were just that it would be fine but this moat was completely filled with water which was rare above ground on this dry island! The moat surrounding the city was the size of a small lake requiring an extra-long drawbridge for those who wanted to enter the city.
“How are we supposed to enter that?” asked Akira.
“It’s a thief city, we’ll just enter the same way as all the smugglers do. There are several secret paths into the city. This is why the black market is strong here, it allows for easy transportation of many rare items and even movement of wanted criminals,” said Zundar translating Qorn’s words.
Akira was sure that many of the secret paths were not so secret to the city rulers but since they brought a lot of trade and money to the city they were allowed to stay open.
“Yap,” said Fluffball as he began trying to sniff out the smuggler’s entrance.
They continued to walk past the town for several minutes until the road ran between a set of dark hills. Instead of following the road Qorn stepped off the road and led them into the hilly terrain where they disappeared from view of any nosy people.
Qorn was looking left and right searching for something as they slowly walked through the hilly terrain. When he saw a familiar landmark he stopped and pointed at the large stone that was lying on the side of a large hill and then walked forward to stand next to the large stone.
RAP, TAP, TAP, RAP, CRACK! Qorn whacked the stone with his wooden cane several times in an off rhythm.
When he stepped back nothing happened for some time making Akira think it was the wrong stone. But the thought was thrown out when the large round boulder actually rolled to the side revealing a dark tunnel that had just enough room for one or two people to enter at a time.
Silently an armored arm extended out of the hole and held out its hand expectantly. Qorn took several silver pieces out of a pouch and placed them on the outstretched hand which pulled back into the dark tunnel after beckoning them to come in.
Since Akira was not willing to trust the goodwill of the hidden figures he took the lead and entered the dark tunnel first. Inside the dark tunnel were over ten well-armored brutes who were all from different demon races. They did not block his path and only stood on the side of the tunnel making it a cramped squeeze to get past them.
The guards inspected the large group that had been waiting to enter for some time before turning to Qorn who was now passing them.
“Old man, you brought back a lot of people this time. With so many people you will be noticed if you head out the normal way. That would be bad for businesses if we were linked with whatever you are planning so we will have to ask you to take the long way around,” said the guard who had just accepted the silver coins.
Qorn grumbled a few words and only nodded and waved for those behind him to continue following him toward a secondary path.
There wasn’t much to look at in the dark black tunnels that descended deep underground only to level out well below the moat that surrounded the city.
A short time later Qorn stopped at the end of the tunnel and pressed his ear to the wall that was blocking their path. He stood there for over a minute listening for any noise on the opposite side.
When he was confident that it was safe he pressed an indent on the wall allowing it to swing open on hinges. Their exit was a dark underground dungeon cell.
The cell’s thick wooden door was not locked so Akira was able to poke his head out and see if the coast was clear. While Fluffball stood next to him and sniffed the air for any threats.
“This level has been abandoned for several years due to several superstitions of it being haunted by the thousands that have died down here…” said Qorn.
Spearia placed her hand on Akira’s shoulder and said in broken common, “Waet.”
“Since you and the other werewolves would draw too much attention, they want us to wait here while Qorn and a few check out what is going on in the city right now,” said Zundar.
“Fine by me. Everyone should rest now before we make our move. We may not get much sleep after we enter the town depending on how many Demigods are living in this city,” said Akira as he walked back to the tunnel and down inside the entrance where he could keep a close eye on the dungeon cell door.
The rest of the warriors from each of the Demon races took his advice to heart and settled down quickly, falling asleep in the dark tunnels. Their short nap was interrupted two hours later when Spearia and Qorn returned.
Spearia held out both her fists and said, “Oni. Demigod.” She touched both fists together which Akira guessed meant that they two were working together in this town as well.
She turned to Zundar and started a rapid-fire explanation of all that they had found out about the current rumors as well as information on the current overlords that ruled the town.
Some of the rumors Zundar was translating were a bit troubling.
“Apparently, there is a new really good restaurant that opened in the town, its special dish is zombie meat… not sure what they mean by that.”
After listening to everything that the two had to say Akira called over the [Full moon] guild members and hashed out a plan on how to take care of the demigods inside the city with little death or injury on their side.
“Even If we die there’s no need to worry about us being sent all the way back to Kodria since we anchored ourselves in Spearia’s town. With the village leaders’ permission of course,” said Crowbhar.
“This should be an easy task for us. From what Spearia said they sound like a bunch of drunkards that only like to go to the seedy parts of the town at night and get wasted before walking back before the sun rises,” said Sweety.
“Then we just need to wait for that and then strike?” asked Beater.
“I’ll come with you to help make sure nothing goes wrong,” said Akira.
“Yap!” said Fluffball.
“Of course you can come with me. But Zundar I need you to go with Spearia and those under her to take out the Oni city rulers. For our main plan to work we must eliminate both groups to stop them from activating the city guard or send messengers out to request from those outside the city,” said Akira.
***
Akira, Fluffball, and the [Full Moon] guild members were hiding in a rundown shack they had rented for a few coppers. They had chosen this shack as one of its windows allowed them to see the door of a seedy bar which they had been told was the favorite hangout for the demigods.
It was already well past midnight but there was little to no sign of any activity near the door. So Akira had volunteered to watch the only entrance and exit of the building while the others rested.
When the door cracked open and spilled out a yellow light across the dark streets Akira sat up straight.
Fluffball’s head popped up and looked at Akira sensing his movement. He grew tense ready to transform if Akira gave the order to rush out and attack.
The [Full moon] demigods also opened their eyes after noticing the two’s movements.
Together they all looked out the window and watched as a human-like figure, definitely a Demigod, appeared at the well-lit doorway! The demigod bent down and picked up a large burlap sack which was slung over his shoulder before he stepped out into the street.
The door closed behind the demigod with no one else exiting. Akira decided on the spot to not rush out and attack. If they acted now they would make too much noise and alert the other demigods who were still inside the building which would make their task even harder.
While Akira watched the demigod man walk away, he noticed the large sack that he was carrying was leaking a dark liquid on the ground behind him with each step.
Both Akira and Fluffball sniffed the air and caught a whiff of a familiar scent as the dry wind passed down the street and into their tiny shack. It was blood.
Another half hour passed before the lone demigod returned, this time without the bag.
Their stakeout of the bar lasted until the moon had already started to fall and its light was the dimmest of the entire night.
Akira quietly tapped his armored leg, alerting everyone in the shack.
The bar’s door had just slammed open.
“BRAH RAH AKAUH…!” a group of drunk demigods serenaded the night with their drunk song loud that made no sense.
They staggered out into the street along with a few Oni friends that they had made while bellowing at the top of their lungs not caring for those that lived nearby.
“Now,” whispered Akira.
This was all that was needed to be said as the [Full Moon] guild members leaped out of the window of the shack and silently landed behind the drunk group.
With only a few extra steps needed, they launched their sneak attacks piercing the backs of three of the demigods at the rear of the group immediately sending hundreds of bright fragment lights into the air.
The other drunk demigods sensing something was off turned to look behind them to only stare in shock with wide-open mouths as they saw three of their group disappear.
“DEATH!” shouted Beater as he swung his weapon at the head of one of the dazed demigods who had turned to look at him and received a caved-in skull creating another burst of light fragments.
Akira and Fluffball both jumped out of the shack to join the fight but half of the demigods were already dead and the surviving demigods were now struggling to survive but were now outnumbered.
With Akira and Fluffball’s help, they were the remaining demigods who quickly disappeared into fragmented lights. The Oni that had been singing with the drunk demigods had been killed in the crossfire of skills.
When Akira inspected their bodies he was happily surprised that they were not civilians but a few of the Oni rulers in charge of the city.
“That should make It easier for Zundar,” said Akira.
“We should go help them out just in case something went wrong on their end,” said Crowbahr.
They did not need to worry as Zundar and the other allies he had led were making their way back to the meeting point with their mission successfully completed.
“We did lose a few people in the attack… but we managed to take down the targets that were there,” said Zundar.
“Hurry, let’s go to the holding cells!” said an impatient Qorn.
“You know where your granddaughter is being held?” asked Akira.
“I managed to get it out of one of the Oni’s mouths before he died…” was all Qorn said.
They followed Qorn to the city’s central market guardhouse.
“She is being held in the holding cells underneath the guardhouse…” said Qorn.
Akira had seen such a place like this back in Cadia. The holding cells were most likely a place to hold the captured slaves and those who were being held for blackmail against their families.
He marched to the thick wooden door of the guardhouse and kicked it with his armored boot, breaking the flimsy lock and causing it to slam into the wall.
The guards inside had all been dozing off and were startled awake by the loud bang. They were alarmed to see a mob of people at the door. As they fumbled with unsheathing their swords, Akira and Fluffball rushed in and knocked them out.
Qorn rushed inside the guardhouse ignoring the guards that now lay on the floor. He opened the trap door in the ground that led to the holding cells and rushed down the steps. The two half-giants were right behind them as they both started searching for their loved ones.
Minutes later Qorn shouted and began frantically waving for Akira, who had just picked up the keys from the ground, to open up one of the cells that was in front of him.
Akira quickly rushed over to the thick metal door and had to try several keys before managing to open the door.
Qorn was crying as he rushed in to pick up his frail granddaughter who was little more than skin and bones. She was cowering in the corner of the cell too scared to look at whoever had entered the cell fearing that it was her tormentors that had returned.
Qorn with tear-filled eyes continuously tried to soothe her worries as he held her frail body in his arms. It took her a long while to recognize the voice and realize that it was not her tormentors who had come but her grandfather!
Akira pulled out a small red potion and handed it to Qorn and motioned to drink it as he pointed to the frail girl who had several wounds on her body.
Qorn did not hesitate and slowly fed her several sips of the red potion before giving her some water out of his own waterskin.
The half-giants also called out for Akira when they found a holding cell that needed to be unlocked. Inside the holding cell, they found a group of half-giants who were crammed inside and although they were wounded, they were still in far better shape than Qorn’s granddaughter.
Akira went to several of the other holding cells and opened each of them freeing the captured and demon race members that were waiting to be sold as slaves.
There was a lot of crying from them as they tried to hug Akira thanking him in the ancient language.
After managing to free himself he was going to walk to the last two cells but immediately the freed people began shouting and waving at him to stop and not open them.
“Murders,” said Zundar, translating their cries.
