MERCHANTS 3 [VIII] (Ch. 83)
Duke contemplates initiating combat against Daryun before Tobi and Lino arrive but ultimately decided against it, their fight would be a battle of attrition, several minutes later Daryun's face darkens once he charges sight of Tobi and lino in the distance,
"What the hell did you do?" He seethes,
"Just invited some friends over for a fun night out" he responds playfully, "the party's about to get crazier",
"Boss" the two great when they arrive both dressed in normal clothes, Lino gives the bag by his side to Duke as the two make a wall while he changes, wasting no time they head into the club to find Raven. Duke arrives at the same passage to find Raven gone,
(That bastard couldn't just stay put could he, i'll have to get in by showing a bank statement), the three walk up to the bartender who gives them a greeting before inquiring about their choice of drinks,
"I'm here for a room",
"Is this your first time here sir?" The bartender questions politely,
"Yes" Duke replies,
"I'll need to see an appropriate sum in your bank statement to permit entrance" he replies, Duke complies showing the balance of the money saved up if push comes to shove to buy Corinth's freedom,
"Well then after me" the bartender jokes, he leads them to the elevator, once in he inserts a code through the buttons, beside a slot opens and he pulls a key inserts then turns, several seconds later the elevator door stops ascending and the metal doors push open, before then is a ridiculously elaborate reception area filled with huge chandeliers and bright golden lights,
(Just how much money do these bastards have?), Duke questions bitterly, the three head in toward the reception to booking a room,
"Good evening gentlemen, i presume your here to book a room" the beautiful Chinese woman inquires, Duke smack Lino on the upside of his head,
"Yes, one for each, i'm paying" he replies,
"Alright, there's a store that has just about anything just beyond the bend, be sure to get some formal attire for the upcoming gala, be sure not to miss it" the woman smiles. Once complete they waste no time in refusing assistance to reach their rooms,
"Duke, what now?",
"Errr..... don't know" he deadpans,
"Guess i don't have a choice",
"Choice?" Tobi inquires,
"Nothing much, all we need is someone to make some noise",
"They're executives" Tobi replies catching on, "but won't this start a war?",
"When did i ever say we'd be the one being noise?" Duke grins pulling Raven's phone from our his pocket, he goes straight into the contracts before heading to favourites, living a random name he clicks James before hitting call, the phone barely rings when the line is answered,
"Your friends in some deep shit, you might want to save him before that statement becomes 'was'" Duke states, "MERCHANTS, third affiliate, Jhevo, if you've got someone here, get them here quick",
"Fifteen" James replies before dropping the call, he ignites his bikes engine fixing in his gloves before revving up and blasting away,
(Thanks again Roger) he mules speeding towards the third affiliate.
Raven's eyes flick open to bright lights, his pupils refocus allowing him to pick out the details around him, a couple of feet Infront is someone petits back humming merrily as they work with chemicals,
(Ivy), he struggles against his binds,
"Don't bother, that's casted with titanium and re enforced with 'Force', you're going nowhere, you see i really wanted us to be friends, it's a shame things ended up this way, you know i've always loved watching things melt" she hums, "i wonder, did you know?, That hydraulic acid can melt flesh and bones but not plastic, i wonder, how would such a splendid sight look, won't you bea darling and show it to me?, Your redemption for ruining our budding friendship" she raves, Raven had long zones out at the realisation that there current day could be his last, he runs 'Force' through his body in copious amounts but the 'Force' around his metal bindings stay rigid, Raven ignites his striker technique: 'Force' compression, he then circulates thr 'Force' in his body into his arms, pressure mounts with each passing second as the two Forces clash,
{Raven!} Silver bellows, {stop it'll bl...}
BOOMMM, a wave of 'Force' ignites and detonates wiping through the entire floor, the sky scraper Windows on that floor shatter, Raven is free but Ivy is downed and unconscious, luckily despite her proximity to acids she remains relatively unarmed, Raven picks her up binding her as he staggers towards the elevator,
{Your body is heavily injured, run 'Force' through it and you could die} Silver states grimly, Raven pushes forward unable to form a coherent response through the wrenching pain.
Duke and co are quick to feel the huge release of 'Force', Duke grins before heading over to one of the elevators,
"Well well well, would you look at that boys, looks like we've got our noise"
"Let's do this boss" Lino states striking his fist into his palm,
"I'm with you" Tobi states,
"We move fast and we move hard, It's show time" he declares when the metal doors open.
The elevator opens to reveal Lingyun, in his hand is his scimitar spear, the hold of the blade is embroidered with gold similar to its bottom, around the hold is a red scarf, the blade gleans beneath the lighting,
{That.....looks familiar } Silver states into his mind, the issue explodes stunning him enough to allow Lingyun get in close, Raven resists the instinct to drop the girl, he falls back while tightening his grip on her waist, despite the searing pain he's feeling he remains coherent enough to pick Lingyun's further darkening expression,
"Let me an friends out or she...",
"You won't hurt her, or i'll make it my job to kill everyone you love", Lingyun interjects, Raven smirks as his hand slowly grips at Ivy's neck,
"You're thinking way too far ahead" Raven sneers. Lingyun concedes with gritted teeth,
"State your terms" he seethes, get vehicles out, get my bo...my friend and the drugged clubbers into the car" Raven begins pausing momentarily to inject the unconscious girl with his 'Force'
{Don't, if you use 'Force' right now you'll...}, Lingyun growls at the sight of this, the veins in his neck bulging, noticing Raven stagger and his grip over Ivy loosen he ignites his Enforcer technique: 'Arrows head', the space around him seems to compress back pushing forward and in a flash he's at Raven's side, the latter recovers instinctively, he uses the girl to block and feasible attack path,
"Push me too far and....." Raven trails motioning his hand to Ivy's neck, Lingyun continues to watch him like a hawk for any slips as he picks his phone before dialing a number and giving the order, Raven coughs in harsh fits as blood eventually forces it's way out his mouth as he continues to inject 'Force' into the girl,
{STOP IT!} Silver bellows, a sharp pain pierces through his skull as he manages to keep one eye open as blood fountain out both eyes, a quick survey of Ivy's situation makes it very clear he'd be unable to take charge of the situation, several tense minutes later Raven bellows with flaring temper,
"WHERE THE HELL IS MY RIDE!" he shouts, on cue the elevator opens,
"Sir!, We've got intruders!, Four of them, they're currently in combat against the executives!"
Several minutes prior
Duke and co exit the elevator, while make their way down the hall a guard stationed Infront of a separate elevator line spots them,
"That's our ride!" Duke declares, the guard wastes no time calling for backup on the intercom, a single fist is all it takes to drop the guard Duke follows with a quick survey of the elevators front,
(We need one), following behind them just seconds after are three of the executives, All two hundred and thirty plus pounds of Tobi squares off against the executive who's both a head shorter and just a few pounds lighter, Lino squares off against the staffmaster while Duke focuses on making quick work of the woman in order to get her badge,
(Fuck, Why do i feel like that black eyed bastard planned this outcome) he muses tightening his gloves and dropping into a stance, he smirks staring the woman down as he waves her to come at him,
"Ladies first".