Active An Unexpected Alliance

[Requine]

Knight-Captain Cassandra Arbuthnot takes a seat in the God, ordering a black coffee. She’s been in the office all morning, dealing with the usual - petitions, Knight training, Venetian documents, and more. She pulls out a book, settles into her booth, and sighs with contentment. At least the lunch break is all her own.

Marli slides into the Horned God unnoticed, mixing into the normal crowd as she maneuvers over to where Cass was sitting. Gingerly she settles into the booth across from Cass. Her features devoid of any emotion “Good evening Knight-Captain.”

“‘Lo,” Cass says, casually, looking up. When she sees Marli on the other side of the table, her eyes widen and then narrow. “Ah. It’s you.”

“Surprised to see me then. I do hope there is no hard feelings for the state of the SUV?”

Cass pauses, then hesitates, and sighs. “Let’s call it even. From what I understand, I uh - was less than gentle with you when you interfered with the job.”

Marli’s eyes narrow ever so slightly “It was foolish in doing what you did but, I am not one to hold a grudge as it were.”

“Sure.” Cass says. “So, fresh slate, then?” She offers a white gloved hand across the table.

Staring at Cass’s hand for a moment “Of course.” she shakes it with her own gloved hand “Let bygones be bygones.”

“Sure. Cool.” Cass shakes firmly, and then accepts her coffee from the waitress. “So, uh. You healing up OK?”

“It is slow as the experience of being tossed many yards into some trees will produce a rather significant wound.” She looks to the waitress “Water.” Returning her focus back to Cass “I should thank you for your, methods.”

She blinks. “My... methods? I uh... What?”

“When you were channeling your ability. I was struck with very painful, vivid visions. Needless to say my sleep cycle has been severely hampered by this. Along with healing from the wound.”

The Templar stares at Marli. “Marli. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t... Look, whatever I did there wasn’t intentional.”

The waitress returns with a bottle of water “You don’t know what you were doing, the forces you toyed with could have ripped open a rift, worse, would have left you drained and Rosas and the demon might have escaped.” Taking several small sips “You channeled something, that is certain. What you did I have no explanation for.”

“Makes two of us.” Cass makes a face as she sips her coffee. “I had things under control on the Chaos front, though. I’m not a fuckin’... amateur.” She adds some cream and sugar to her drink. “So. Visions. What kind of visions we talkin’ here?”

“They come and go in flashes, notably preceded by a sharp pain. The telling aspect of them is that they are of demons. Not ordinary though. There are others.” she closes her eyes as she recalls “Experiments, sharp prods against the flesh.”

“Demons.” Cass muses. “Fuckin’ fantastic. How big we talkin’ here? Like, babies, or...?”

“Small ones, the people there with them are injecting..” she shakes her head “This is something I have never experienced before. Your magic caused this.”

“No, you caused this.” The Knight-Captain grumbles. “You ran into the middle of a complex Chaos ritual. I don’t know what you expected. What was your end game there, anyways? To take my head off?”

“If need be. You knew what was to happen if you and the others had continued on in the hope of capturing the targets alive. That kind of power does not belong in anyone’s hands. No matter how tempting it may be. I knew the risks in that stepping into the ritual could end in my death. I am prepared to die for keeping balance in this world.”

“Look, point is, don’t pin this shit on me. That was your call to make.” Cass says. “So. More demons. Interesting you’re telling me about this. Figured you’d want to solo this shit again.”

“I see things differently than you do. True, my mission was a failure and you and the others took a very dangerous power and I assume are hoarding it somewhere. My point being, things are moving in a direction that even I or others can see.” she looks directly into Cass’s eyes “I require your help.”

“Actually, the demon is dead.” Cass is a terrible liar. “Official Templar business. Can’t go into the details. But... I may be able to help you. Go on.”

Marli doesn’t seem to be pleased, or angry, it’s hard to tell with her “Factions politics are not my concern. What is, is the visions. If everything that is coming to me happened or is happening. Then we are on the verge of even more issues than Rosas and her demon.”

“Understood. Where do I come in on this?” Cass sips more coffee. “I assume you need more than just another set of hands. You need a Knight-Captain.”

“Your part in this is that you channeled the chaos magic used during the ritual. There must have been something in the ritual, the demon or even Rosas that created a bridge between us. If this was any other scenario I could find any other Knight-Captain. Templars have plenty to choose from. No, it has to you. You are as much a part of this as I am.”

“Great. Fantastic.” Cass drums her fingers against the table. “...I have an idea. Are you free this evening?”

“I am free anytime. What is this idea you have come up with?”

“I just have a hunch, okay? Here.” Cass scribbles down an address. “Meet me here. Tomorrow evening. We’ll talk.”

 

[Requine]

The next day, Marli can easily find the address Cass gave her. It’s a squat abandoned warehouse, surrounded by nothing but weeds and pavement and snow. The door is locked by a simple chain.

On her approach to the front of the warehouse , Marli had been constantly scanning the area. Looking for anyone that had been in the area. Studying the chain and lock, Marli grasps it in one hand. The shimmering heat waves coming from her hand the only tell of what she was doing as the chain began to glow.

The chain, now useless, clatters to the ground, leaving the door open.

Stepping inside the warehouse. Marli is careful in keeping to the shadows. Knowing that all of this could be just some elaborate trap.

Instead, she sees Cass - and just Cass. “Hey.” The Knight-Captain sounds tired. “Figured it was for the best I didn’t bring my Knights. They’re, uh, pretty salty about the whole interception thing.”

“I would imagine” Marli says as she walks over to Cass “What is your plan?” she looks around still.

“These...” Cass reaches into her coat and pulls out a frayed leather harness, inscribed with runes beyond your comprehension. “Is what I used to bind the demon while channeling the ritual. If any hope of getting access to these visions remains - it’s in this thing. So. I’m going to try to draw it out. And for that...” Cass takes in a deep breath. “I need you to tie me up with this sucker.”

“You are willing to become bound with this?” Marli looks to the harness then back to Cass “Perhaps I have been mislead in your conviction.”

“I need to see the visions.” Cass grits her teeth. “I’m not playing fuckin’ telephone when it comes to this thing. You going to do it or not?”

Without further questions Marli takes the harness from Cass’s hand “If you die, that is not on me.” She begins the work of tying it tightly to Cass, not being careful or even gentle as she worked.

When the first strip of leather lands against Cass’s skin, she hisses like she’s touched a hot stove. With each successive knot, she lets out a grunt or a cry of pain. Finally, the work is done. “Okay.” Cass gasps. “I - I have some dice. In my bag over there. Put them in my hands.”

Marli watched carefully the pain on Cass’s face. She turned towards the bag “Very well.” looking into the bag she found the dice after some searching. Placing them into her hand.

“Thanks.” Cass knits her brows together, and the dice in her hand glow a faint grey green. There’s a pulse. Another pulse. And then - both Marli and Cass have their minds flooded.


Daughters of Karsgaard, the children of the great demon slain in the Apiary.

Small wings stretching towards the sky, leathery expanses growing longer.

Flat faces with short tusks and double pupilled eyes, being fed formula.

And then an Orochi scientist turning his back to them, the black O starkly apparent against his white lab coat.

A pause. A pulse. A glimpse of a dark night and snow outside.

And then the vision ends.


Mali collapses to the ground as the visions play out, she grasps her head. Teeth clenched in immense pain. She lets Cass’s continue the ritual knowing that together they might be able to get to the bottom of this. The final pulse almost send her unconscious. She is kneeling in front of Cass, her heavy breathing loud in the cool air. She looks up to Cass, her eyes are deep red, brighter than normal and the black veins seem to pulse “These..are the visions...you see…”

“GET ME OUT OF THIS THING!” Cass yelps, trying to jerk away from the leather, which is now sorchingly hot. “Shit! Fuck! Oh, God damnit fucking shit!”

Raising to her feet Marli begins to unlatch each strap. Working through her own pain without a sound. She undoes the last one “You are free now.”

Cass bounds to her feet. “Jesus. Christ. Okay. Orochi. Orochi has more Daughters of Karsgaard.” She begins to pace. “Somewhere... with snow. Okay.” She looks at Marli. “We can’t let the Illuminati in on this one. They have one demon - I mean - they had their shot at one demon, who they don’t have. They don’t need more.”

Marli grabs the front of Cass’s shirt “You lied to me. You said that the demon was dead and now you let slip it is very much alive and in Illuminati hands.” Cass could probably feel the rise in temperature from Marli “What other lies are you telling me, every word? I should bind you within that harness again and leave you here to rot.”

Cass’s eyes widen. She is suddenly incredibly, uncomfortable aware of the fact that she is unarmed. “I swear to God, Marli, I - that’s it. That’s the only lie I’ve told, and - look, I need to. I did Eve a solid on that one, and if the Templars...” She swallows hard. “Look, it’s... it’s complicated, I’m trying to do the right thing, and - everyone needs something different.”

The grip tightens as Marli’s fingers turn even whiter than normal “It’s always the same story, someone needs, someone wants. Greed for what you don’t deserve has ruined the balance.” she slides one of her blades from its scabbard and rests the point against Cass’s cheek “I will forgive this one indiscretion. Lie to me again and I will not show mercy. For now, we must work together. To clean up your mess and theirs.”

Cass’s eyes go to the point of the blade against her cheek, and she leans back as much as she can. “Are you asking for me to work with you, or telling me I’m going to work with you?”

Marli’s eyes stare what seems like through Cass, after a silent moment Marli loosened the grip she had “I leave that up to you.”

“I’m in.” Cass steps away from Marli, still breathing slightly heavily. “But don’t fuckin’... pull a knife on me again, got it? It’ll go badly for you, next time.”

Marli simply exhaled loudly through her nose as she returned the blade “I at least know my place within this world.”

“Yeah, well, must be fuckin’ nice.” Cass leans against one of the walls of the warehouse, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’ll start research on this. You do whatever you do. We’ll talk in a few days. You’ll find me in London, I’m sure.”

“Then we will remove these demons, no one will gain from their presence. Correct.”

“Agreed. Purge them from the Earth. I’m on your side, Marli. It’s just... It was complicated, okay?”

“You were used, there will be a day that your eyes will be opened. In that moment, things will become clearer for you.” Marli turns her back to Cass “We’ll be able to do this much and..” she turns to look over her shoulder “I understand your predicament.” she says before walking out into the cold air.

Cass keeps her head in her hand, massaging her forehead. “Christ.” she sighs, before bending to pick up the drained restraints.

 

[Requine]

Cassandra is in her apartment, a couple of days after being threatened by Marli in a warehouse. She has her computer on and a notebook in front of her, scribbling down notes. After a pause, she texts Marli, figuring its probably for the best to attempt to rebuild trust. “At my place. Found a lead on Orochi. Might be something interesting. Might not.” She pours herself another cup of coffee.

It was only a few short minutes later that Marli would appear from nowhere. Standing in the living room she settles into a seat near where Cass had her computer “I do hope in that this new information is worthwhile.” Marli simply states as if continuing a conversation.

Cass nearly leaps out of her seat, coffee sploshing over the edge of the mug. “JESUS CHRIST!”

From the bedroom, Derek Havelock pokes his head out. “Everything okay out there, babe?” He calls. He’s currently wearing a butcher’s apron and a welding mask, both spattered with blood.

“Yeah.” Cass says, exhaling hard and looking at Marli. “Just a, uh, drop in guest. Jesus Christ, Marli, have you ever heard of knocking?”

Turning towards the sound of Derek’s voice she looks over to Cass “I’ve found it takes longer and when gaining information you should rely on surprise.”

“Well, this cultist is totally about to dish, so I’ll let you get to it.” Derek nods at Marli and then closes the bedroom door with a soft click

“We’re supposed to be allies,” Cass grumbles. “So, fuckin’ knock if you want me to be nice about this.”

“Very well.” Marli doesn’t question about the man in bloodied coverings in Cass’s room. “I will knock next time. Now, you were mentioning something about Orochi?”

“The Orochi facility you saw. You remember it, right? Well, I think I might have found it.” Cass clicks on Google maps and zooms in. “Camera’s distorted here to the public. But it’s technically on Templar soil, up in Northern Canada - and I mean Northern Canada. Specifically, Nunavut.” Cass clicks, types in a password quickly, and then zooms. Sure enough, there’s a facility that bears a remarkable resemblance to the one from the visions.

Leaning forward arli studies the map “Yes, that looks very familiar. I assume you would use your Templar connections in getting access there?”

“Right. Problem is convincing the brass I have a legitimate reason to be up there. I mean, “investigating Orochi” is a safe bet, but that raises questions as to why I would be investigating Orochi.” Cass frowns. “No Agartha portals nearby. So damn isolated it might as well be the moon. But - you remember Rosas was fleeing north, right? Maybe she was trying to head here? Or maybe...” Cass sighs. “I don’t know. If we had access to the woman herself it’d be easier.”

“I may have another option.” She removes her phone and begins to type out a message. Setting it in her lap she leans back in the chair “While we wait. You should install air fresheners or an air purifier to remove the smell of blood in the air.”

“Don’t even get me started.” Cass glares over her shoulder at the bedroom. “I’m looking at moving into a house so he can have a basement to himself for his stupid cultist hunting stuff and I can have my bedroom back. So. What text was that?”

“A rule is to never work where you sleep. Provides less of a reason to conduct your business when all you can think is of your work.” Marli looks to Cass for a moment “You seem to enjoy your work? Your devotion to the Order is quite high.” Marli simply lets Cass’s question pass without an answer.

“Believe me, you’re preaching to the choir on that one. I’m working on getting Derek proper Witch Hunter quarters set up, or at least a house so he can have a basement. As for my job... I love it. How could I not? I’m a literal Knight in shining armour. That’s the best!” Cass grins, but her good mood fades as someone knocks on the door. “Who the hell could that be? One second.” She stands to answer it.

Marli watches Cass go over to the door, a slight smirk played across her lips “There will be something for us.”

Cass returns with an unmarked brown envelope. “...Did you just give my fucking home address to a God damn like, spy and info corporation?”

“Cass, do you truly believe that anything is beyond the scope of your employer, the Illuminati and even the Dragon. Plus, it is quite easy in pinpointing a request when it is done from this phone. Now, lets see what intel we have been provided. I’m sure you may enjoy this.”

The Knight-Captain looks at Marli incredulously, sighs, and then opens the envelope and hands it to Marli. “You look at it first.”

Taking the envelope she begins to remove the contents within. The first items were a pair of ID cards. The Orochi logo clearly seen on them. The place where normally one would find a photo was blank. “Very good, would make things very easy.” Marli takes out a key, it’s nondescript and only has a small number engraved into it. Tilting the envelope as a heavy box thudded out onto the coffee table “I assume you’ve gone underground before?” Marli looks up to Cass.

“No.” Cass begins to look uncomfortable. “Everything I do is in the light of day. Why - What are you planning, Marli?”

With a soft sigh Marli stands up “That is the reason Templars are always running into problems. They leave their dirty laundry out for anyone to see.” She picks up the box “We will travel to this facility, not as Templar and her independent contractor but, as Orochi field agents.”

“No. No, no, Marli, are you kidding me? Do you know what a bad idea this is for me? First of all, I have places to be every day - I can’t just not show up cause I’m on a solo sneaking mission. Second of all, if I’m caught... do you know what that means?”

“Inquisition is a messy fate, something I wouldn’t want to see happen to you.” Holding the box up, Marli presses her index finger onto the top of it and the box makes a soft click before a unseen seam opens it down the middle “Your travel papers to help in the clean up efforts at the besieged town of Twin Falls. Something on behalf of Temple Hall to make amends to the Illuminati.” Inside are three USB keys “Each one set to your daily online activity. Believe me, we take great measures in what we do.”

Cass hesitates, obviously torn. “I... And once we’re inside the facility, we burn it all down?”

“The snow and ice will cover up the scorch mark of a crater that for some strange reason has appeared. NASA would say that the cause would be an unknown meteorite. Of course, you don’t have to do this. You can continue on with your life as it is and I will take care of the problem.”

“...I’m in.” Cass says. “But we won’t talk about it while Derek is home. Come back later. We’ll go over the details.” She stands, looking guilty. “I need to do the right thing. This is it.”

“Noted.” Closing the box with another soft click she picks up the ID’s and key. Placing them into a pocket of her over coat “Do remember that time is not on your side. Don’t take too long in thinking, don’t think like a Templar.” Marli starts for the door.

“I don’t know how to think like anything else.” Cass says quietly, desperately.

Standing at the door Marli has it open slightly “I look forward in working with you on this Cass.” she turns to look back to her, nodding once and then she’s gone.