Chapter Text
The Aftermath of the latest Cult ploy in their Hidden facility within Academy Grounds was foiled, thanks for both Shadow Garden's actiins and the unexpected interference by Kaiser and Mike, who had emded yet again in that place while following the reckless actions of Princess Alexia. Cleanup took time, and also was used to showcase that the First Princess, Iris, had made recovery from the wounds.
Reading the reports from those two, Iris more or less understood the Cult itself has been in possession of Diabolos for a while, but whatever they make use of them for is something that remained shrouded in darkness, but for now, Cult operations within Midgar would see a reduction, after all, they lost one of their biggest members and leader of an entire faction within said Organization. Chaos, power grabbing infighting and restructuring would keep them quiet for the time being, so much so that despite not being 100% there in terms of adapting to the new Blood, the training schedule was resumed.
"Do you always only perform the basics? Thought someone like you would go further than that."
The Crimson princess comments towards Cid's training, which was in summary the basics of swordsmanship and nothing else.
"Not much time lately, and ever since seeing what that Mike guy could do, I feel that there's much to be reviewed about myself."
"You better forget trying to match Master, he isn't in a league of his own, he is Mike."
"His very being is a definition of its own... Damn, wish I could one day achieve such levels. That Kaiser guy was good too, honestly I feel myself not having the best of chances against him."
"You bet. Guy's a monster who beat one of the handful of Calamity class Creatures of legend, you should call yourself lucky you aren't at a level where he may go full throtle even during a Spar."
"How bad?"
Cid's curiosity has been ignited in full.
"A Spar against someone he could go all-out in power? All the forests surrounding the Capital for a few Kiloneters would be gone, replaced with a wasteland like those of the Heroes legends, against a Creature of Legends? Probably up to those Mountains would end wiped out."
"Damn. I need to refine my I am Atomic then."
"Sure, sure."
....
Finishing his training for the day, the two shared very open talks about almost everything not related to their duties, one as a Royal leading her own Knight Order, the other being the leader of the world's most wanted Organization. Ready to get back to his average dorm apartment, Iris called him one last time.
"Just you know, If you planning on anything aimed at the Thirteen Night Blades, make sure it doesn't go too far."
"Okay, please don't overwork yourself too, you not yet fully there, yes?"
Slapping his back, they went their separate ways.
X-X-X-X
Night, where most would be enjoying a Drink at a Bar, losing their savings in some Cassino or just enjoying the comfort of being at home, for some, it was the peak time for their plans, one such person, Shadow, arrived at Shadow Garden's HQ within the Capital, on top of Mitsugoshi Mall.
"L-Lord Shadow!"
A Number on patrol duty is greeted by his stylish landing.
"404, is Gamma or Zeta available?"
"I'll inform them right away!"
Face beet red and sparkling for having her "name" remembered by the Leader of the Organization, the Number moved at a speed that left afterimages. Scanning the lavish and well maintained Garden that greets any who arrive through the Employees only secret Escalator, he wonders at how hardworking everyone is to support such, unsurprising given how meticulous and cutthroat Gamma is in Managing Shadow Garden's finances and their Money printer front, Mitsugoshi.
"Shadow-Sama!"
Not even a minute passed and Gamma was running to meet him, clumsy like always, she tripped on empty air, somehow about to start a 360 spin airborne, intervening at the right moment, Shadow moved faster than anyone could see, deacellerating before catching Gamma, in a Bridal Carry no less.
"Gamma, Lively as always."
As much she wanted to enjoy this for longer, her Master called for her, so she apologized for her clumsiness, being put down on her two feet, going inside towards her personal office room, Shadow spoke.
"The grand scheme of my plans remain unchanged, however, seems there's some ignorant shadows in need of culling, Gamma, what does Shadow Garden know about the Thirteen Night Blades?"
"They are an Organization of 13 Noble houses within Midgar that engage in some of the worst criminal activities, their deep connections with high ranked members of the Hovernment and Knight orders, as well likely ties with the Cult, makes them near impossible to deal through conventional means. Recently they even began trying to enact power plays for covert control of Midgar Morkite Department."
"I see. It seems my judgment was correct then. The newest playing board has been chosen. Your work is impeccable as always, Gamma."
Before she could even reply, Shadow was off to do his own things, leaving the Head of Finances of Shadow Garden to simmer the many thoughts that came from that last statement.
"Lady Gamma?"
404 entered the office.
"Have someone bring Alpha this report, ASAP."
"Understood!"
The Number left, putting the task to one of the currently on break members on night patrol duty to go to the Royal Castle, where Alpha was doing the Punishment assignment Shadow tasked her with, work with Princess Iris Midgar, under the watchful gaze of that Maid of hers, Lilly.
X-X-X-X
For most within Midgar's Nobility, especially those going through the mandatory Academy studies, speaking and discussing about the evil deeds or acts of Corruption by Nobles was a common thing to do in hushed tones, but most kept things at that, no courage nor drive to try fighting such deplorable things. The few that had such, were entirelly too powerless to fight against said corruption. One such case of a Noble who's vocal about corruption and wanted to fight it despite lacking even her own Family's support, Christina Hope.
Her Father was under constant pressure by the worst of all Corrupt Nobles, members of the damned Thirteen Night Blades, and he rather sell off his own family than fight against them. She was realistic however, accepting that the gap in all metrics of power were too much, she was only somewhat abive mediocre in Bushin, and while their newest Swordsmanship instructor helped many, she included, improve by leaps and bounds, there was only so much her efforts would bring in a short time.
Her Family was only average in the Financial powers, and the fact her Father had bent the knee to the demands of those corrupt nobles isolated her Family from upright Nobles who stood away from those crooks, but wouldn't hesitate to pushback if they dare try something.
"Damned useless Father."
Classes over, Christina walked through the bustling main street, muling over her troubles with how to deal with such Corrupt Nobles, how to deliver Justice to evildoers. Window shopping, time flew by, so much that it was almost curfew time, running through the far more deserted streets, seeing no other choice, she used a shortcut, cutting through an alleyway that connected her current Street to the one she needed to reach the Academy Gate.
Hand on the pommel of her sword, she jogged through, the exit was right by a popular Mitsugoshi business, a Cake shop, no soon she leaves the eerie Aleyway, a sigh of relief escapes her mouth.
"GYAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH"
A Jolt of shock, the scream was close by, curiosity and her sense of Justice got those feet of her to take the naive girl to where the scream, the scene was a mess, the victim was nothing more than a pile of sliced meat, impossible to discern who it was, the broken Mythril Sword indicate a Noble, and then she spotted a ring, one she couldn't mistake for any other, it was of a Thirteen Night Blades member. There was no fight, rather, the way a path of blood was present to the pile of flesh, whoever was killed tried to flee from elsewhere. That's when her eyes met the supposed culprit.
Dressed in a strange fullbody uniform, a vibrant red, with yellow details, a Belt had utility pockets and strange cylindrical objects, the face was hidden by a full mask, only two dark tinted visors met her eyes, the reflection of her fearful eyes made the inhuman aspect of this mysterious murderer worse. Held by his Right hand, an Axe with a bright red body, only the cutting part being pure metal, revealing the Mythril Adamantite alloy it was made of, it was long aho, and the sample she saw was very poor, compared to the axe head she is seeing now. The blood dripping from it was all she needed to know the murder weapon.
Without a single word, only the muffled breathing from that mask's "mouth", he left, the steps measured, but after five or so steps, he became a blur and vanished.
"Hey! You okay?"
A voice came behind her, turning to face the male voice, sword ready to strike, she almost accudentaly stabbed the poor Student that came to her aid.
"WHOA!"
Stumbling backwards, he barely avoided falling on his ass, hand on his sword, he recomposed, by finally noticing the pile of meat that was once a person.
"The fuck?"
"I am as astonished as you are...."
"Cid, Cid Kagenoh."
"Christina Hope."
Deciding to avoid looking at the mess, the two walked to the Academy gate, with luck Knights on Patrol would arrive soon.
"You arrived earlier than me, saw anything? Like the Killer?"
"Yeah, a weirdo wearing a Red fullbody suit, like those of the Alchemical Labs at the Academy City, even the Mask, though his covered the whole head and the circular visors were tinted black, like a dark mirror no less."
"That's creepy. Still, whoever it is, they have style, leaving a calling card and all."
"Huh?"
Confused, Cid shows to Chris a half burnt Cigarette.
"This is a brand not sold in the Capital, and the sources are quite hard to find, whoever this maniac is, they seem intent in sending a message."
"You seem awfully knowledgable about such shady things, for a student."
"Blame some former acquaintances, the two bottom losers of the Academy."
"I see. Not friends anymore?"
"No, want a peaceful life, so I had to invest in lost time."
"Fair."
Arriving at the Gate garrison, the two Guards bore the Emblem of the Crimson Order.
"You two are in the nick of time, get in."
One, a huge ass man, at over 2m tall, was imposing, and clearly not in the mood to talk. So they both just entered, deciding that likely a night patrol would find the poor sod.