The Dragon Realms Saga

The second shackle locked with a heavy clank! Elucard's body dangled from the chains, his feet dragged slightly on the ground and his spine bent forward. He rolled his head, sending his eyes to the back of his skull.

Calsoon frowned. He hated that he had to be apart of Elucard's torture. Like he was some sort of warden. Wraslyn is meant to utilize me for missions, not tending to brainwashing prisoners.

"I…trusted you"

Calsoon lifted Elucard's chin with a finger. "You are awake already?"

Elucard's muttering became louder. "We mourned your death."

Calsoon averted his eyes. Elucard's glare was so intense it could kill a man. "I am… sorry, my friend."

"And you were our enemy this entire time?!"

"For what it's worth. I did enjoy myself as an Anti-Rogue Operative. I don't often get to have so much fun on my missions."

"Fun?" blurted Elucard. "I give you fun! Let me go and I'll rip your head off!"

Elucard yanked at his binding but they would not give.

Calsoon nodded and walked away. I am deeply sorry, Elucard. I didn't want this to happen.

Calsoon roamed the dark corridors of the Dead of Winter sanctuary. He grazed his fingers along the ebbing shadow that made up the narrow hallways. While others often used the infinite resources the sanctuary held, Calsoon only enjoyed to amble around.

A light voice called him from behind. "Calsoon!"

Calsoon smirked before turning. "How may I be of assistance today, Sable?"

Dressed in a set of fine olive green robes, the rune-covered woman stepped up to Calsoon. Our master wishes for our presence.

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"Of course, Of course. We can't leave him waiting." He moved aside for her to lead him.

Casually strolled, training only steps behind Sable. His mind wandered to Elucard once more before speaking his thoughts. "Do you wonder if all of this is worth it?"

"Be more specific, please?" Sable asked.

Calsoon spun on his heels while waving his arms. "This! All of this. The secrecy, the manipulation, Elucard torture, the destruction of the world for the Black Moon's sake!"

"You joined for a completely different reason than I did. We all joined with our own goals in mind." answered Sable.

"Already three of us have passed away and none of us have reached those goals…" Calsoon brought up three fingers and began counting. "Ryjin, Uther, Stri—"

"You have dangerous thoughts, Calsoon," warned Sable. "He watches our every move."

"Calsoon rested his hands behind his head. "I do not fear Wraslyn like the rest of you."

"You should. You know what he is capable of!" hissed Sable.

"I do not agree with his methods," Calsoon argued. "Koda and Elucard are not like us."

Sable stopped walking and turned around to face the demon. "And what of Inle. You brought the young elf into our fold."

"Ordered," corrected Calsoon. "I was ordered to bring him into the fold. "I no longer see our end game here. How many more roses must we burn to reach the camellia?"

Sable held silent.

"Did you not befriend Koda in New Estinia?"

Sable nodded. "I did."

"We spent so much time and many resources to manipulate Koda into joining us; even you must wonder why?"

"Koda's potential with the Magi even rivals that of Arrelion, perhaps even our master," explained Sable.

"Wraslyn tells us things, but as a demon, even I know he hides his motives from us."

"You brought him the plague reach in exchange for freeing you from your Demon Lord, did you not?" asked Sable.

"Yes."

"From then on you followed him like a dog. You trusted him then, I ask that you trust him now."

"My gut says otherwise," mumbled Calsoon.

"All will be revealed in time," said Sable. She turned back around and continued down the cooridor. "Now keep your thoughts to yourself, there is still much work to be done."

Calsoon stared at Sable's back, as if burning his ignored thoughts to her heart. He still had a lost faith in Wraslyn's ultimate plan. A lost faith that may never return, but what was he to do? Leave? Quit his role as the first seat next to the ancient vampire? Silly! He couldn't do that…could he? Could he just get up and walk away from this forever? Where would he even go?

Not back to my demon lord, He snorted to himself.

But still, leaving; quitting. It was an idea. Perhaps not a sound plan at this moment, but an option he could keep in his pocket.