Chapter Three: Springfield Township

The city of Springfield was florid, and full of life despite the harsh weather. The citizens generated calm, peaceful energy and gave off a fine portrayal of harmony. Snow sank from the heavens and upon anything outside lighting up the scenery in this pretty, cold town. The buildings, especially taller ones, were half white which made for an interesting color. Conversations fly and smiles gleam. Could no one sense the absolute hell approaching them? Clueless as always, thought the fire headed knight; A loyal, ex soldier of the royal guard who made it his mission to protect and serve the citizens no matter his affiliation with the government. That’s what he believed power was for. 

The man stood tall, towering over a good majority of normal sized men. His attire was vibrant and loud. Designs of flames and fire filled his rags which were tan, and clean. The knight was equipped with two swords, whom he’d named Blaze and Jiyuu; that meant liberty in his native language. Sneaky armor plates covered his limbs and his face was screened by a bandage-like mask, and a hat that revealed his bright orange hair. He spoke with a sweet, familiar old lady outside a plaza downtown. Filled with family owned and self made establishments, the plaza shone day and night. 

“Oh Aggie, you’ve heard right?” She knew Agnius hated that nickname since a tot boy, but she enjoyed his awkward reactions. “The King is said to be on the move with his Royal Army. Have you not been seeking an audience with him?” The King?

“What?” Apollo fumbled as he tried to speak, and the woman continued. 

“My son’s stationed on Kope street. Yknow one of the territories they have locked down strictly for royal passage? Got a call from my boy saying the King was leading a force of four to five thousand soldiers this way from the Capital. I’d bet he’s got those horrendous clowns with him too.”

Agnius had no idea how to feel. The information came pouring out of the woman and he soaked it up like a sponge. Finally, a chance for redemption. If Agnius could just get a word, one chance to explain the situation which got his platoon banished from the military. But something was up. He felt it. 

“Can I ask why? The King practically never ascends into the outer cities, let alone with an army.”

“Beats me. My son's a foot soldier, practically a grunt to anyone a rank hire than him. Any info he gets is probably hear-say. Or from his eyes only with no context.” No matter, he thought. Agnius wouldn’t  miss this chance to clear the name of his squad. No way in the Rifhts hell. He and his comrades longed for this redemption. Their once powerful, active squadron titled the Blue Cardinals rooted out and ran into the lower cities to seek refuge after a certain situation involving their captain, who went missing shortly after. The squad was deemed ineligible to serve and all members were stripped of titles and duty. 

“My apologies, Ms. Alan. I must be off, my squad will be pleased to hear of this!” Distant screams and loud bangs crept closer until they eventually interrupted the conversation. Tch. That dark presence I felt earlier is back, and those noises? Apollo took a look around and sent the elderly woman on her way. Nothing unusual in his line of sight, but what he heard contradicted that. Here it goes. Agnius unsheathed his swords and began running toward the commotion, trying his hardest to follow the sound and energy billowing through the city. 

Considering his speed, the trip didn’t take long. The sight he’d arrived at left him in a state of full shock. 

“WHAT. THE FUCK.” Agnius blurted out loud. He’d never seen anything like this. A wolf which he thought to at least be the size of a bear, with glowing purple eyes and a vicious growl. It had teeth like a mammoth, and its fur was pitch black. Blood dripped, no— sloshed from the monster's face, and onto the pile of mutilated bodies it was standing over. Gods. At least eight people; women, children, grown men even, hopeless against the claws and fangs of this beast. Agnius’ shock was short lived, and overrun by his innate sense of duty to the innocent people. Exiled or not he was raised as a Knight. Not a Knight of some army tasked with dying for politicians ideals… A knight of the people; Love, respect, protect. It is what Agnius lived by even before picking up a sword.

His body moved on its own. Dashing toward the savage wolf he attacked with both his swords, carving parallel lines into the fur of it. Blood splattered everywhere and the monster dropped fairly easily. Odd that was. A young boy, seemingly a toddler, emerged from the messy pile of bodies. Agnius wasted no time making his way toward the child. It was as if he'd forgotten about the threat behind him. Foolish that was.

“Are you hurt?” The boy didn't answer.

Agnius figured he knew the reason this boy was practically looking through him. This was traumatizing even for him after all.

An even nastier growl than before stopped the Knight in his tracks. Shit, he thought while slowly turning his body around. Had it gotten even bigger? Agnius shielded the boy just in time as the beast attacked with a  scratching claw so powerful it cut through the air like a projectile. The next attack came without delay, but gave Agnius just enough time to jump out of the line of fire with the boy as the wolf lunged at them. A scared but focused Agnius used his TAKA covered swords to concoct a bed of fire and instructed the boy to lie down, speaking calmly to him. 

“Hey buddy? These flames are my power. They come from the energy in my body so I can control it, cool right?” The boy nodded his head and followed the man’s orders. As he laid down, thick heat lines emerged from the cushion and caged the boy in. They were as hard as iron bars. Before this pair knew it the demonic wolf was once again jumping at them. Agnius took a leap to the side, creating distance between him and the flame cage. He readied the fire on his swords as the wolf attempted to slash right through the cage. Startled the boy was, but safe as well. The bars of flame protected him just like the knight had said. From behind the wolf, Agnius brung both his swords down, slicing its back. He kicked himself off of the monster, yanking both his swords and his own body with them. Agnius landed on his back, and the beast let out another terrifying growl. It didn’t fall this time. What was happening?

 A split second was all it took for the wolf’s tail to grow abnormally in size and whip Agnius across the face. Dazed he was. Blood flitted from his mouth and nose as his upper body crunched deeper into the ground. The heavy tail lifted itself again and swung down. Another strike. In a valiant effort to delay his demise, Agnius clutched his sword; Jiyuu and put all his strength into a one handed sword swing that cut the tail smooth off. The beast, unphased, continued to pounce on the heat cage. It seemed as if every time the beast came in contact with fire its rage ballooned, and so did its body. Finally, Agnius’ makeshift defense gave in and the cage shattered. With nothing but air and opportunity between boy and beast, Agnius accepted any strength the Greatmother would lend him and threw himself forward. A failure that was. To his surprise the tail had grown back and almost instantly swatted him away. 

For the boy the beast reached.