Airson's Story Part Three (18)

Airson caught up with the rest of his squad, Nigel and Niwea, who were at an inn near the Silver Coast resting.

He opened the wooden door to the cheap place, greeted the innkeeper and went to their room.

"Yo" Nigel said, holding a hand up.

Airson closed the door behind him. He had a serious look on his face.

"Something happen?" Nigel asked.

Niwea nonchalantly looked their way, annoyed that he was woken up from his nap.

"Our mission just changed a little." Airson said.

"What you mean?" Nigel questioned. "Aren't we supposed to be looking for this Carnage guy?"

Airson nodded. "Something happened back in Arbok City. I wasn't told what, but Ahsan told me that Carnage is near the base of Mount Vulcan."

Niwea sat up. "Mount Vulcan? That's the far north of the country. But why would Ahsan know where Carnage is? *We're* the ones on the mission."

Airson went on. "He said he found a man connected to Carnage. *He's* the one who knows where he'll attack."

Nigel put his hand on his chin, deep in thought.

"You think he's on our side?" Niwea asked.

"He could be-" Airson started to say.

Nigel interrupted him mid sentence. "No, he can't be."

The other two looked at him.

Nigel continued. "Carnage is a S-Rank criminal. In our briefing, and in the book we get with intel on all the wanted people, Carnage is a villain with no clear sign of intellect. He simply kills just because, only he never kills more than eight people. Any connections to him can't mean well."

"So you're saying Arbok City's in danger?" Niwea asked him.

Airson replied. "No I don't think so. Nigel's right, but if the others were in danger, we would've been recalled. Actually I don't think we'd have been contacted at all. If Ahsan ran into someone who knows Carnage's location, it would make sense to think that Carnage probably works for this man."

Nigel nodded. "Yeah that's what I was thinking too. But how can a villain with no intellect work for someone? The only thing on his mind his death basically."

"Maybe he's not so one track minded after all?" Airson suggested.

Niwea shook his head. "Carnage has killed a total of two hundred and forty-six people, in over thirty-seven locations. All witnesses say the same thing. He doesn't think. He goes on a killing spree of no more than eight people, then leaves, no matter how much he's threatened or insulted. He pays no mind to anything else other than his job."

"Well if he really is a mindless killer, then we have nothing to worry about, right?" Airson said.

Nigel answered next. "I mean sure, but something's bothering me about this whole thing. How does a mindless killer with no intellect keep his bloodlust in control to the point where he kills no more than eight? Isn't that weird? Wouldn't a mindless killer just keep killing until he's satisfied? It seems too routine."

Niwea's face lit up. "Mind control!"

The others looked at him.

Niwea kept talking. "That's the only explanation. A mindless killer with no intellect right? So he doesn't think about anything, and he never kills more than eight people. Someone has to be controlling Carnage to kill. A killer that will slaughter women and children would also kill those who oppose him correct? But if Carnage reaches eight, he won't on any circumstance, kill another person, or even attack them. He's being controlled."

Airson's expression darkened. "The man from Arbok City..."

Nigel went on. "We have to get to Mount Vulcan, quick."

Airson straightened himself up. "Right, that's our priority. Let's go."

The three of them ran out the inn and flew northward.

--

Back in Arbok City, Katie was letting out all the people who were under Mastermind's control.

"It's been an hour, so all of you are free to go!" she said.

The people had no memory of what happened, but were grateful for being saved. They thanked her as they went home.

Miraka caught up with Katie.

"You give the story to the news?" Katie asked.

"Yeah, every detail, but, why was that something Mastermind wanted?"

"I don't know, maybe he wants publicity. That seems likely."

Miraka nodded. "True."

The two walked back to their home, the two were roommates. "You okay? You look sad in a way." Katie asked.

Miraka looked up. "Oh, uh, no I'm not sad, I'm just worried about Airson. Mastermind sent him and the others straight to Carnage."

Katie put her arm around Miraka as they were walking. "Don't be. Airson is strong. And Nigel and Niwea are real strong too. They won't lose. I'm sure of it."

Miraka began tearing up. "Yeah, you're right." She wiped her face.

--

Airson, Nigel, and Niwea were mid-flight at high speed heading straight for Mount Vulcan. It was visible in the distance. "Is that it? Airson asked."

Niwea answered him. "Yeah, it's the third tallest mountain in the world, it's a dormant volcano but we call it a mountain."

They kept flying towards the it. Mount Vulcan is a large dark brown colored mountain with no snow at the top. The mountain sits in the middle of the bay at the northernmost part of Arbok. There's water all around it, then there's a low mountain range that curves around both sides of the lake like a letter 'C' with a spot in the middle of it.

The water pools out into the ocean, which will lead you to the Jade Islands if you were to keep flying north. This region near the base of the mountain is known as Vulcan Bay.

At the base of the mountain there are a multitude of small villages and towns, but there are no forests and not many trees, so the people get their food imported from Arbok City.

Airson's squad stopped at the dock where the supply ships come through. An old man greeted them. "Ah, tourists I suppose?"

Airson gave him a smile. "No, we're Knights of the First Order, here on a mission. Hopefully we won't be disturbing you often."

The old man laughed. "No, carry on, carry on, it's an honor to have such a high class of warriors visit this place."

Airson gave the man a small courtesy bow and moved on with his squad. The town they landed on was called Lemming Town.

It was a modest development, no skyscrapers like you see in the big cities. It was more of a humble settlement of cement and clay houses, wooden pop up shops that lined the streets which made up the market, and metal warehouses that dotted the town scarcely.

The people seemed happy.

Airson turned to Niwea. "This the right place?"

He nodded. "Yeah, should be, I'm sensing a faint sinister aura from someone, but it's widespread so I can't pinpoint exactly where it's coming from."

Airson nodded. "Well at least we know where the attack will be. Split up and stay alert at all times. The town isn't too large, so if something happens, we'll know where each other is."

"Right." Nigel and Niwea said together. They all proceeded to split up to search for their target.