"Be that as it may, he broke the rules. We have no choice."
-Heard by master shi after number 3004.
Coras walked down the main street in the city of Orlar. The large city was home to the world's only dungeon. As such, it had gathered many people. Bounty hunters, lawless, and even Elves made their homes here.
Though the threat of the Silcureuss Guard was a constant reminder. Centuries ago, Verristalls, one of the greatest nations in history, had fallen from the Silcureuss guard.
The news had caught even Coras' ear. For five Elves to destroy an entire country, he had been wary of them since, but not so much that fighting them would be a stretch.
The reason they'd destroyed the country however, wasn't what Coras had originally thought. He'd thought it had been the country that wanted to start a war for the Elves' fertile land. But it had been instead the country kidnapping and breeding with Elves.
No one, not even the kidnapped Elves in the country had survived. The Silcureuss guard had been formed to prevent the ultimate abomination from being born. A half-elf being born would contradict every moral the Elves held, their very doctrine.
Just like Alah Porteli, Coras had thought Nearie had been responsible. Perhaps the Silcureuss guard is the one Nearie claimed to have been under her influence, Coras thought.
They would be a great resource to her, not to mention Nearie seemed hesitant when Coras had brought up the Elves extinction. No, Coras thought, she wouldn't have let that slip that easily.
Though she could have also acted that way to bring Coras to that very conclusion. So Coras shelved the idea. He had to suspect everyone. He wasn't yet strong enough to beat Nearie, and conventional training had no effect on the undead.
He could only wait. But that didn't mean he would do nothing. Yes, if he hid himself and waited another few thousand years, he'd likely be plenty strong. Not to mention he could figure out how to catch Nearie in a separate dimension.
But mankind would likely have died off from her own hand by that point.
So Coras would do what he could to slow her down. That meant he would destroy whatever force was working for her.
Coras stopped next to the governor's building. If he wanted answers, he would have to rely on a widespread network. With mankind's increasing population and technology, it would take too long for Coras to find the culprit on his own.
He moved to enter, but was stopped by several guards.
"Who are you!?" one shouted.
"I am here on official business," Coras said.
"Do you have a writ of invitation?" another guard asked.
Coras ignored the second guard, walking past them and shoving his way through the door. Several men shot in his direction, but the bullets simply bounced off his armor. The guards all fanned in the building along with him.
"Code red!" one man shouted.
The enormous room erupted with gunfire. Coras kept walking, not even explosions broke through his armor, and Coras doubted they would set one off in the governor's own building.
"Cees fire!" someone shouted, "Flame it, cees fire men! Stand down!"
The gunfire stopped and the governor himself made his way to Coras. The governor punched Coras lightly on his armor.
"You should warn when you come here old friend," the governor said, tilting his head upward to look Coras in the eye. "One as intimidating as you should keep in mind your appearance. Though, I tried telling you that forty years ago and you didn't listen then. Anyway, please come to my office. We can talk there."
Coras followed him and a man who looked like a captain scowled at him. Coras followed the governor upstairs to his office where a maid poured tea, then left the room to give them privacy.
"I'm happy to clear my schedule for a visit, old friend," the governor said, sitting down behind his desk. "But I would seriously appreciate it if you gave me notice. I don't want my guard to force me out of the building every time you come."
"I'll be sure to send word beforehand," Coras replied.
The governor nodded, sipping at his tea. "Please sit," he said, gesturing to a chair in the corner. "Don't worry, I had it made specifically for you in mind." Coras nodded, sitting down. "I suspect you have a favor to ask of me?"
"I need a live information network," Coras said.
"I see," the governor said, "straight to the point as always. I don't mind, it's good to hear someone speak bluntly for once. It's tiring to deal with silent agreements and deals under the table that come with politicians."
"If I remember correctly, you were the one to take on this job," Coras said.
It was better to let someone talk about themselves for a while. Based on what Coras knew, it helped get information around.
"Yes, I suppose I did," the governor said, taking another sip of his tea.
The governor, Paul, was an old retired soldier. Coras had fought with them in the civil war several decades ago, in order to curry favor with the government.
Every once in a while, he would spend a few years doing favors for either powerful people, or the general populous. Doing so helped him in his hunt later on.
Calling back on men like Harlem and Paul, people Coras had given his aid to, gave Coras not only a great amount of funds, but backing in some severe political situations, should his hunt require it.
Today he would receive payment for not only saving the governor's and his platoon's lives, but winning them the war. The payment would be in the form of information.
"Well if you give the base of what you're looking for, I'll be happy to help." Paul said. "I have a few networks out anyway. This won't be much trouble."
"I want people to find any large organization that might have ulterior motives," Coras responded. "Anything that suggests unreasonable violence to people. Or that includes powerful weaponry or technology."
"That's oddly specific," Paul answered. "What are you after?"
"I just want to kill off any violent organizations," Coras replied. "Check governments along with that list. Any group with a position of power, as well as any secretive groups."
Paul looked up with a raised eyebrow, "that's a tall order old friend."
"Consider ourselves even then," Coras said.
"Hm, alright," Paul said with a smile. He stood up and walked over to Coras. "Then we're even," he stretched out a hand.
"Contingent on you getting me this information?" Coras asked.
Paul nodded, and gave him a signed ledger to bring to his information guild. Coras nodded, then turned to leave.
"Hope you catch her." Paul paused, clearing his throat.
Coras stopped dead, then turned. Paul had on a questioning smile. His eyes, Coras thought, too lively. Coras discreetly put a hand underneath the desk, then flipped the whole thing over.
The Sasscare spun out of the way in Paul's body, then swung. The large fist connected with Coras' side, then retreated back. The strike only made a small dent, but for a regular Sasscare, that was an irregular feat.
It's Paul's body, Coras thought. Despite him being in his sixties, Paul was still built like rock. His muscular build would make even youths ashamed for their weakness.
That build along with the Sasscare's own strength would provide Coras with a formidable foe. He would win nonetheless.
The Sasscare seemed to realize this. For he bolted around, jumping over Coras' leg swing and rolling into a kick. The kick broke off the door hinges and the Sasscare jumped into a sprint.
Coras followed.
The Sasscare was bolting down the stairs, but Coras simply jumped over the railing into the large room. His land shattered the tile on the floor.
Coras jumped forward and slammed his hand against the wall. Preventing the Sasscare from reaching the door.
"Open fire!" someone shouted.
Gunfire once again sounded in the room. And several guards ran to shield Paul from any danger. It would have been better if lives hadn't been lost in this, but Coras needed to get to the Sasscare before he could flee.
He swung a massive arm, crashing it into the two guards, and sent them flying to the side. The Sasscare stepped back in shock, then sprinted away. Coras gave chase, running down a hall.
Despite the Sasscares' speed, Coras caught up. He swung his palm into Paul's chest, and pinned him into the wall.
"Who are you using?" Coras asked.
"WonK Ot eKil uOy T'ndLUow?"
The Sasscare left Paul's body, and tried to absorb itself into the shadows. Coras crushed it before it could leave completely, however, killing it. He then set Paul down.
He would still need the information network, and Paul would have to live for that. Paul drew in a raspy breath, confirming he was still alive.
After a few moments to breathe, Paul opened his mouth. "Coras?" He said weakly.
"Yes?" Coras asked.
"It's not just one," Paul said.
"What do you mean?" Coras asked.
"I saw the creatures' mind," Paul answered. "They've been active for centuries."
Centuries, Coras thought, Nearie had claimed it to be decades.
It clicked.
Coras carried Paul out, and gave him to his soldiers, a few of which tried to attack, but Coras didn't care. They couldn't hurt him.
In the past century, there had been civil wars in nearly every country. People broken apart by the Chreign and the Soverist religions. And the Silcureuss guard killed off any city with Elven involvement.
Throughout it all, there was one group that held their own. One group that kept themselves back from the dangers of the Silcureuss guard, whilst also involving themselves in the shifts of power within all countries.
Coras left the building and made his way to Septaroth forest. Of which hid his target.