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Chapter 10

The Ultimatum

Vhaldaria - Egad's Castle

09:30 PM - Local Time

Two Days Later...

Galen roamed around the castle humming to himself, looking for Amon. The day had went well, and Galen was now starting to get over his separation anxiety from Master Egad, with help from Amon, along with Zarch who accidentally walked in on them while they were making out on the bench near the staircase.

It turned out that Zarch wasn't just a skilled and dominant lover in the coven. He was also one of the chefs in the kitchen that prepared the food for their meals. Each member of the Elite Gallery had a certain talent that they revealed or Master Egad had discovered which they would put to good use for him. Zarch, for example, had a lot of skill with cooking and had learned some very tasty recipes for food, and even had devised some of his own special recipes. As for Jet, he knew a lot about the computer devices and electronics that were used not just by Egad, but by other members of the coven. Chaos was responsible for the castle's protection, as he commanded the guards, devised patrols, and managed the castle's security systems, while Hatred, being a skilled craftsman, blacksmith, and gunsmith, maintained the guard's weapons, as well as replacing them if needed.

Zarch had just hung up his apron and washed up after some meal prep in the castle's kitchen when he had walked in on Amon and Galen's rutting. Cracking a smile, the demon-wolf wasn't surprised, not even batting an eye at the scene. In fact, Zarch had even joined in their sex session after they had taken it to Amon's bed in the slave quarters, helping to relive Galen's anxiety. The lion still had a fresh memory of it all.

Right now, Galen was wondering if Amon had any time for a quickie. He had started to grow fond of the rat and enjoyed being in his company. That, and Amon seemed to know all the right buttons to press with the lion to make him horny as hell, and crazy with lust and desire. Galen had spent the last couple nights with Amon, both taking turns sleeping in each other's beds. Along with occasionally making out with ardor and passion when they had time in other areas of the castle. It turned out that Amon was very frisky, despite being exceptionally disciplined in his sexual control. Some said he was the most disciplined member of the coven in that aspect. Combined with him being busy when he was called upon for his duties in the dungeon, that didn't leave as much time as he would have liked to relieve his lust with Master Egad. Though, when he was able to relieve his lust, he savored every moment.

After roaming through the castle for a few minutes, Galen found Amon in the data center with Zarch. Galen stood at the door of the room, quiet as he watched Amon sit at one of the computer terminals, tying commands into the keyboard. Zarch stood over Amon's shoulder, appearing to be helping with whatever they were taking care of.

"Hmm... Number 258 needs reconditioning before the Auction..." Amon said, looking over a profile of one of the slaves in the dungeon.

"We have to look over the records again, don't we?" Zarch sighed, placing his arms lovingly around Amon's shoulders.

Amon let out a friendly chuckle. "Well, who else would do this? I don't see you around a computer at all. Besides... What do you know about browsing files and ticking check boxes?"

Zarch just laughed heartily at Amon's statement. "Well, technology really isn't my cup of tea. After all, I am a full demon wolf, and have never really had a use for technology. I prefer the "old ways" with runes, quill, and parchment." He said with a hint of flirtatious sass.

Amon just smiled, chuckling once more. "Have you told that same excuse to Jet? I mean, he's able to use the computer... At times, when he can resist looking up certain materials... Anyways... Master asked me to look over the files for him, so I am doing just that."

Zarch leaned forward, his head next to Amon's ear while his eyes skimmed across the computer screen. "Yes, I know. Master needs someone to look over these things while he is away. That's why he left us in charge, After all. We are the ones he knows that he can trust in these matters. Still, I wonder how his business trip is going... Who knows what exotic land or world he has traveled to this time? Makes me wonder..."

Amon nodded, closing his eyes as he nuzzled Zarch "... Master can be quite the handful when he goes on these business trips... But, considering Jet is finding him all sorts of new possible leads to new members... We must do what he asks." Amon opened his eyes and looked at Zarch. "Along with that, we are the ones he trusts the most... so we MUST do as he asks, right?"

"Exactly." Zarch answered and licked the side of Amon's face. "Otherwise, things would fall apart. The castle cannot run itself, after all."

Amon smiled, giving Zarch a lick in return. Then he got up out of the chair, stretching out. "This is true... I will say, I feel like I am getting too old to sit in this chair for hours on end... but that is why we have legs, after all... only excuse I would have not to use them is that I have become too lazy..." Amon chuckled in amusement before blowing a raspberry at Zarch.

Zarch just smiled, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Of course, I will remember that last part... Especially when you ask me to fix my Strawberry Madeleines." He finished the sentence with a wink and a blep.

Amon gave Zarch a mischievous grin in return. "You're quite the naughty wolf, aren't you?" The rat said, giving Zarch a swift yet playful smack on the butt, causing the demon wolf to let out a sudden yet short moan. "Anyways... I think I am done here, for now..."

There was then a ringing noise coming from a device next the computer. Galen learned it was called a Telephone, as Amon had the gallery come into the data center yesterday for a call with Master Egad when he was in his hotel room. The device could either use audio to communicate, or video if they desired that would be displayed on a large screen in the data center, which let them see Master's face, and vice versa. Right now, the caller indicator screen on the phone displayed "Master's Smartphone - Video Mode" which indicated that Master wanted to talk via video.

Amon and Zarch exchanged puzzled glances at this sudden late-night call. Regardless, Amon hit a few buttons in sequence on the phone, answering the call. The large screen in the data center turned on as the call connected. The image on the screen was distorted at first, but cleared up after a few seconds, revealing the face on the other end of the call... Only it wasn't Master Egad! Instead, it was another fox with darker fur and electric-blue eyes!

Galen's eyes widened as he saw this while he stood in the door. Amon and Zarch looked at the individual on the screen with shocked expressions.

"C... C-Cailus?! W-what are you doing with master's phone?! Where is Egad?!" Amon exclaimed.

"How in the hell did you get master's phone?! What the fuck is going on?!" Zarch demanded, also clearly surprised. Galen watched on, silent and surprised at the scene. Clearly, this new face was not a stranger to the coven, and judging by Amon and Zarch's reactions, he was not a friend or ally, either.

Cailus gave an evil chuckle, his face showing malicious intent. "Your 'master'... is weak..." Cailus then turned the phone to show something behind him: It was Egad, chained to a chair held down by large weights! His suit was ripped and ruined; his fur covered with dirt. Egad also had some injuries, and many scrapes were visible, along with several large bruises.

Cailus then started speaking again. "Why you are all under his wing, answering his beck and call, I shall never understand... that being said... I have need of his power... and he has been... resistant... for now... Ah, you, there! Lion boy!" Cailus motioned towards the back of the room, towards the doorway.

Zarch and Amon turned to the doorway, seeing Galen starting to walk forward. They could tell that the lion was deeply shocked at the sight he was seeing on the video call. Then again, all of them were.

"My... brother... has been talking highly of you." Cailus continued. "It seems you might be the key I need to unlock my brother's mind... and take his power..."

"You are not taking shit, Cailus!" Zarch snarled. "We all have been told how much Master is disappointed in you, and how jealous you are of his success! You need to grow a pair and accept the fact that some things you just cannot control..." Zarch finished the sentence with a cocky smile. "That is, if you ever had a pair to begin with..."

Cailus let out an angry growl, his eyes focusing on Zarch. "Whether I had a pair or not is none of your concern, wolf... Besides..." Cailus then grabbed ahold of Egad by the hair, lifting his head up. Then Cailus got out a knife, placing the blade against Egad's neck! "...I do not think you are in such a position to sit there and mock me when someone you love... Has their life on the line... Unless you are wanting him to die?"

Zarch looked on, his cocky smile fading instantly as his eyes widened in panic!

"You wouldn't dare..." Zarch let out a dangerous growl.

"Oh... but I would..." Cailus gave Zarch a devilish grin. Then, with a swift motion of his hand moved the knife down to Egad's chest! Cailus then dug the blade into Egad's flesh, dragging the knife down along his chest, leaving a trail of open flesh that bled crimson with blood! The three could only watch as Egad screamed out in pain, the knife digging deep into his flesh! Cylus dragged the knife across Egad's chest in a diagonal swipe, stopping the blade right before it could go down along Egad's stomach, then lifted the knife away. Egad squirmed around as the pain shot through his body before settling, panting hard with his head draped down. Cailus then grabbed Egad by the hair again, forcing him to face the camera!

"... Now, one more quip out of you, boy, and next time, it will be his neck!" Cailus sneered.

"Leave master Egad ALONE!!" Amon screamed, clenching his hands into fists. The normally hardened, tough-as-nails dungeon head was close to tears as he watched the sickening display.

Cailus smiled, baring his teeth in a nonchalant expression. "Or you will do what... exactly? You must find me first... I shall... hmm... make a game, out of this... You have a full week, and this is me being very generous... to find your master... should you not find him in time... I shall mail you your masters head on a silver platter..."

Zarch glared at Cailus with a leer that could melt metal, his eyes glowing a fiery, bright orange in rage. "If I ever get the privilege to meet you in person, Cailus... I will make sure you suffer that pain tenfold..." The demon wolf growled loudly.

Cailus was not intimidated. "Trust me, wolf boy... The only one feeling pain, will be you once I snap your bones... One. By. One. So... Any last words for your "subjects" brother?" Cailus brought Egad's head up once more, forcing him to face the camera.

Egad looked at his subjects, struggling to ignore the pain from his fresh wounds. "Zarc... Amon... You need to go with the others in the gallery to my quarters and turn the torch sconce next to my vanity to the left!" Egad pleaded, yelling into the phone. "You must go! DO IT NOW!!! TURN IT TO THE LEFT!!! GO!!! GO-"

There was a loud smack, as Cailus backhanded Egad suddenly.

"SHUT UP!!!" Cailus shouted. He then let out a dark chuckle as he turned back to the camera with a sick grin, facing Galen and the others. "Like I said, you have one week. The clock is ticking, boys..."

Cailus the let out a mad, psychotic laugh, and the screen went blank as the call cut.

After a few minutes, Zarch and Amon turned to face Galen. The lion was completely shell-shocked at what he just witnessed. Tears were running from his eyes, his face set in a look of deep hurt mixed with anger.

Galen then suddenly seized Zarch by the shoulders. "What is going on?! Who was that?! Why does he have Master, why did he hurt him?! TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON!! TELL ME!!! TELL ME, PLEASE!!" Galen sobbed.

Amon quickly grabbed Galen, forcing him to release Zarch, pulling the lion into a tight hug to comfort him as Galen wept.

"Shh, shhh..." Amon shushed Galen gently as he held the lion in his embrace, soothing him as best he could. "It will be okay, Galen... trust me... Master has been through far worse... "

Amon looked down into Galen's tear-filled eyes, starting to explain as he struggled to keep his temper in check as he described this new enemy. "That... beast... You saw... Is his brother... There has been a long-standing feud between the two. Cailus is a very sadistic and violent man. He makes weapons, and has even tried digging up ancient artifacts, intending to use them for harm on a massive scale. Master Egad is the only one who has stood in his way, thwarting him at every turn. Egad wants to bring peace... Where Cailus only wants destruction. But you must believe me when I say... Egad will be alright... We -HAVE- to get to his quarters and find what he was telling us to find... It's the only way to find him, the only way to save him! Let's go!"

Galen clutched onto Amon's arms with desperation. "Why...? Why didn't he ever speak of this to everyone? I understand that everyone has their secrets, but..."

Amon placed a gentle hand on Galen's cheek, wiping away his tears, running his fingers through the lion's mane soothingly. "Because this is an enemy you are not ready for, Galen... But we have no choice now. It's either do or die... and I am not about to lose my master to a snake like Cailus..." Galen watched Amon's face hardened into determination. "...And I know you feel the same, Galen... We _will_get him back... You just have to trust me on this one. We need to get going...." Amon then turned to Zarch with a nod. "Get the others, and meet us in Master's chambers! Now is the time for war!"

"Oh, don't worry..." Zarch said with a growl, his eyes still ablaze. "I will have everyone ready in Master's chambers, post-haste..." The tattoos on Zarch's body then began to glow the same color as his eyes. Then, Zarch brought his hands together in loud clap. He teleported out of the room to a different area of the castle in a swift flash of light to gather the others.