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Chapter 9

Cailus

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Moon City

Tarion III - Valkyrie Star Cluster

08:00 PM Local Time

Egad walked out of the tall business skyscraper, hearing the receptionist say, "Have a very nice night, Mr. Foxmoore, and enjoy your time in Moon City!"

Egad nodded to the receptionist as he heard his birthname, then walked out the doors and started trekking through the streets of the costal metropolis that was Moon City. Egad wore his business suit, along with a tan-colored trench coat and a fedora. Rain poured down from overhead, wetting the streets. Egad's latest business meeting for one of his new merchant companies had went well. Though Egad was still tired, regardless. He had been thinking a lot about his coven back on Vhaldaria once he was out of the meeting. Egad was concerned for the coven's newest members: Galen, Uniko, and Zhal. Of course, he had confidence that others in the coven would be able to look out for them, as well as each other.

Egad finally decided to brush off the worry as best he could. He walked through Moon City's streets, taking in the sights. As he walked towards a local taxi terminal, the designs of the buildings, along with the warm, humid costal environment reminded Egad of a city he visited on Earth: Monaco.

The fox wasn't surprised. Moon City could almost be considered a mirror image of Monaco, even with the customs of the many different people who lived there. Even the majority of the population seemed to speak French! It was a comforting thought, as he reminisced on the memories and similarities. The only exception was that Moon city was a bit warmer than Monaco, along with it being very humid. The city was right next to an ocean and a mountainous rainforest, after all. Due to this warm and wet environment, the residents had to dress in either extremely breathable clothing or wear close to nothing at all. The latter is what most of the citizens ended up doing, which Egad didn't mind in the slightest. He watched as a buff panther walked by with a slender lioness under an umbrella, both wearing skimpy outfits that were common in the city. The attitude of the entire planet was like Amsterdam, only taken to an even greater level of acceptance and tolerance, despite having a strict police presence.

Egad turned to his left and saw a couple of orange foxes, both males, dart under an awning at a coffee shop, laughing as they took cover from the rain. These two had clearly not planned for the sudden weather. The older of the duo was dressed in some loose khaki shorts, and an unbuttoned Hawaiian-style shirt with sandals on his feet with a fishing hat. The younger of the duo was a bit more prepared, but not fully: He wore some snug yet breathable gray leggings and had a mesh-style shirt on that was covered by a brown open leather jacket with some tennis shoes.

"Son, just where did all this rain come from?" The older fox spoke in a heavy British accent, laughing. "I wasn't expecting this at all!"

The son laughed, speaking in a more neutral tone that sounded more American-like. "Beats me. I tried to tell you the rain can be heavy here, dad. Come on, let's go inside and get a coffee while we dry off and wait for this to pass."

Egad observed the scene, getting a rush back of memories from long ago. The father of the duo looked surprisingly familiar. If Egad didn't know better, that was his old friend from his military days in the CDF. A very close, and dear friend he had not seen or spoken to in person for a long time since those days, who also knew his secretive life as a dungeon master, only through their phone conversations.

"Symon..." Egad whispered, remembering his dear friend. It just hit him where Symon's latest postcard had come from: Moon City!

Egad walked down a few more blocks, then got out his smart phone near an alley close to his hotel. He still had Symon's number, and they did talk occasionally over the phone. But if the post card was accurate, and he now lived here, in this city...

Egad looked at the phone in his hand, his thumb hovering over Symon's number.

"It... has been awhile." Egad said to himself. "...It's been a long time since we even last spoke to each other... If we meet in person... I wonder if he will remember me..."

Egad then heard flapping canvas close behind him. The fox turned around, seeing what it was. There was another fox standing there, also in a trench coat, the loose ends flapping in the breeze. Though the color was black, and he wore nothing to cover his head from the rain. His figure was slightly buffer than Egad's. The dimly lit streetlamps made it difficult for Egad to see the other fox's face. Until a bolt of lightning flashed in the distance, showing dark-orange fur, and electric-blue eyes that were a total opposite of Egad's lustful red ones as the stranger bore a devilish predatory grin.

"Well... Long time no see... Brother~!" The stranger spoke, his wicked voice filled with daggers. Egad's eyes widened as he realized who it was!

"C-Cailus... what are you doing he- A-AGH!" Egad didn't have time to run, or even retaliate as Cailus suddenly ran up to him and clamped a hand around his neck! Cailus was a total blur, his speed unnatural!

Cailus heaved Egad off his feet, holding him up in the air! "DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME, RYAN!" Cailus snapped, using Egad's birth name. The name he went by in his merchant business meetings, and other professional circles. "Or what is it they are calling you in certain circles, now? Egad Nob, I think it was? Regardless... You and I -BOTH- know... just why I am here..." Cailus snarled with contempt.

Egad struggled against his brother's grip, his hands trying to get Cailus to unclamp his hand from his throat as he gasped for breath. "I-i... d-dont... know... w-what you are talking abou- AAAAHHH!" Cailus threw Egad hard as he hit the wall of a building, his back slamming into the brick and stone! Egad heard something pop in his left ribs, where most of the impact had been absorbed! He fell to the ground in pain, his legs crumpling beneath him.

Cailus stood over his brother, malice in his eyes. "Face it... you and I BOTH know you are not strong enough to defeat me... and if you did not have the power I needed, I would end you... RIGHT HERE AND NOW... But alas... it is as if fate cannot grant me such a kindness as to rid you of this world... at least not yet... I still have use for you."

Egad looked up at his brother, defiance in his eyes with a low growl. "Thrilling... as that may be... Why would I... Help an asshole like you...?" Egad chuckled softly as he watched Cailus's facial features twist into rage before suddenly grunting out loudly again, as Cailus kicked him straight in the stomach, knocking all the air out of him!

"SILENCE, BROTHER!" Cailus shouted, a low growl rumbling out of his throat before he composed himself, straightening his tie as he let out a sinister chuckle, getting a glowing gem from his pocket. "You act as if you have a choice in the matter... but you do not. You are coming with me whether you like it or not."

Cailus leaned down and grabbed ahold of Egad by the throat one more time, lifting him straight up as he let out a sinister laugh, a bright light coming from the gem. It engulfed the two, flashing from where they stood. As the light subsided, both Egad and Cailus were nowhere to be seen, the laugh from Cailus still echoing through the streets before fading away into the clouded, night sky.