Cue the bongos.

Flapping after my friends as they chase this thief, I notice that each of them seem to be having some issues; issues that would be funny if we weren't trying to catch someone right now. Zana had managed to lodge her Boomstick into the side of a chimney; and so Scott went to try and get her unstuck. Gabriella had incidentally put a hole into a roof with her golden arms; with Ashes currently trying to fix said hole with a Repair Incantation. Cilla, on the other hand, was still chasing.

I move as quickly as I can; still new to the whole 'functional wings' part of my life. Thankfully, I had a small instinctual understanding of how to use them, but that still only meant I was moving as fast as a turtle; rather than a slug. I spot the thief, using some sort of pole to vault themselves around the rooftops; Cilla simply leaping like a wild cat to follow. The thief's figure is feminine, but the details of their features are obscured by a cloak. That furry tail is the only distinction I can make out; with a golden band near the tip... shiny.

My thoughts of hoarding end alongside the chase, as we come to a dead end; having gone horizontally along our ascent, the buildings came to an end. Now, the only thing infront of the thief was an enormous wall spanning all of Bounty; several times taller than the buildings previously used as stepping stones on their escape. I try my best to land gracefully next to Cilla as she comes to a stop; only to fall flat on my face.

"Ow! Shit! Damn it!" I yell, holding a bruised nose; which surprisingly wasn't bleeding.

I'm picked up by my cloak with one, clawed hand, and lifted to my feet in a single motion; Cilla speaking all the while. "Please, return what you stole, Simi-Ong. I won't even go to the guards if you do."

Wait... I hear something... what is that... wings?

My thought is disturbed by the voice of the thief; saying "I'm sorry... master told me too do it..."

"Get down!"

I shove Cilla to the side as a blazing inferno swoops where she stood; a sight I certainly didn't want to see today.

"Hello, 'Monster'. How have you been... clear headed?"

Fawks, Sarmenti, whatever... he now stands next to the thief; speaking to her. "Well done, Miss Dolores. Pyurus will reward you for this. Now... where we're we? Ah, right."

Before I can speak, I'm suddenly slammed in the gut in a flash of fire; Fawks fist being the blunt object used to rearrange my organs oh so rudely. I'm sent back two feet; dragging my boots on the ground as I go, almost vomiting from the sudden **** applied to my stomach. I unlatch my hook from its brace, and pull my shortsword from my back.

"How did you find us..." I groan out, trying to maintain a ready stance to grapple his sword; if he even needs one...

The smug look on my enemies face accompanied a degrading, comical voice. "Oh, well... Vanishing Charms only work if your always wearing them, but you took yours off; twice. That was all I needed to know where you were going, from Saltmore, to the sea outside Tomo, to a dungeon off the shore of riptide... only one place left to check, really. Now... apologize."

...

"What!?"

Me, Cilla, and even this 'Dolores' exclaim all at once.

Sighing in annoyance, the pompous bastard speaks. "You heard me, beast. Apologize to me. That is what my goddess has demanded of me; nothing more. Once that is done; my true work can begin... besides, it the least you could do. I did help you with your insanity..."

Helped me? HELPED ME!?

All I see is red as I lunge at this bastard; aiming to rip him apart until he's in so many pieces that not even the Gods could put him back together.

I start shouting, snarling even; all in an endless rage. "You killed them! You killed ME!"

The worthless blonde worm moves out of the way of my blows as though they were nothing; speaking as he does so. "I killed your insanity; the thing that enjoyed killing those men of mine..."

Fawks moves out of the way of another swing of my hook, slamming his knee into my gut; causing me to fall to my knees.

"Apologize. This is becoming pitiful; and I grow bored of it."

I roar out in anger. "I've killed you before; I'll do it again!"

"You caught me off guard; something that can never happen again, 'friend'."

I hear a bolt being fired, looking up to see Fawks holding the deadly projectile as though it were a toy. Cilla stands ready to pounce, claws drawn; another bolt already loaded.

"Get away from him. Now." Her words are like acid; hissing and burning their hateful way through my ears.

Fawks, as annoyed as his voice is annoying, says."Damn it all! I just need an apology; there are far more pressing matters to attend too, but I cannot lend my strength to those causes until he does so. The new Demon King moves on Sosis; and I am needed."

Cilla moves to my side; Fawks doing nothing to stop her as she speaks. "You mean Reala? She's barely a leader..."

My fiery foe interrupts her, trying as best he can to impose upon her his words. "Reala has been dethroned. The new Demon King is far more of a threat; organized, calculating, and powerful. My Lady has told me this information, and you would be a fool to doubt her. This new Demon King; it goes by the name of..."

"Naimad."

...

"How do you know..."

Both look towards me with confusion as I speak; the dreams and visions now making all the more sense. "When you burned away my Others, they returned to the Twins... They must have pulled them from my first core; and made their new Chosen; Naimad included..."

"How do you know this? Have you been in contact with them in some way?" Fawks tone changed completely, from domineering, and cocky; to a ****, and genuine in his need for this information.

I shake my head; saying. "Visions; seeing through their eyes. Hearing their plans. It's how I know your spell is what let the Twins create them."

The heir to the dead Kingdom of Krow looks... unwell; conflicted even. Then, he draws his sword from his sheath...

And casts it to the ground; shouting as he puts his hands over his face; his expression suddenly panicked and woeful. "Damn it! Damn, damn, damn, damn! I... I caused this. I brought rise to a great evil... what would father think..."

Dolores walks over to him, and places her gloved hand on his shoulder; saying. "Master, please calm yourself."

Fawks seems to calm at her touch, listening closely as she whispers in his ear; while I and Cilla just look confused at one another. She even mouths the words 'what is going on with this dolt' to me.

I shrug, mouthing back 'How would I know?'

Fawks regains composure, and turns to me; seemingly disgusted by his coming words.

"I hate you..."

Oh, well, that was expected.

He continues. "But... you could be of great use in defeating these 'Others' of yours. I... ah hells..."

The thief once more pats his shoulder; allowing Fawks to speak in a grating, self-hating tone. "I apologize; for my initial attempt to kill you, and for what I did to you in Saltmoore; to your Others. I would like to request... a truce. You are far more useful to the Light as an informant with these 'visions', and I still require your apology to be free to fight this threat..."

Dolores bumps him in the ribs slightly; causing him to sigh before saying the last part of his little speech.

"...please..."

Ugh... Gods damn it...