Helo landed hard, far harder than he wanted to, but thankfully the sound of his landing was covered by a very noisy fox. Looking down at his hands and knees he can see the small cuts that are littering his body. They are not too deep but they are numerous.
Grimacing from the pain he starts getting up and looks around. He stays in a crouch sneaking into the foliage in from the wall. Looking back, he can see that nobody is following him. Walking further into the compound he can see that there are paths flowing through the massive garden leading all over the entire complex. Staying within the shadows Helo takes light but quick steps trying to find his way closer to the Easten gate. As he travels, he focuses on his senses, twice he must dive into the woods to hide in bushes or behind trees. The entire time he can feel the light buzzing outside his body. This is like how he felt near the wall.
Finally finding his way to the gate Helo focuses on his sense of smell trying to pick up the scent of Fuzzball. It doesn't take him long and he starts going between the buildings in the back of the compound heading toward the western wall. He is keeping an ear on his surroundings while searching for the bear. As he is following his sense of smell, he sees the four poachers coming out of a building off to the side. They are coming out of a hot spring near the back of the compound.
Diving into a bush off the side of the road he hears them speaking. “Well, we can't really complain. We got paid in a vacation and good money to catch a bear.” The leader of the four says.
The other three let of a series of cheers and grunts of approval at their boss for finding such a great gig.
“Well let's head back to where the truck is parked and get on the road. We are supposed to be gone by tomorrow.” He says before leading the men away.
Assuming where they left the truck is where the bear is Helo follows behind the men. He can hear them loudly talking about how beautiful the attendants are and how easy this job was. Following behind Helo sees the men approach one of the walled off sections within the compound. Behind this much smaller wall is a large Ranch style home. It looks like mix between a ranch house and a northern chalet. It's a large and beautiful building; the men make their way to the side of the building where there is a large barn connected to the outer wall. Their truck is parked next to it.
Helo watches all of this while sitting in a large tree next to one of the paths that go through the entire compound. He sees the four men talk to a very well-dressed man and beautiful woman that came out of the home. After a brief conversation the men get in the truck and leave.
While sitting in the tree Helo realizes that he has no clue where he is and how to get out. He was to focused on following the men. While looking around from his vantage point to try and see an outer wall all he can see is multiple walled complexes from different countries.
Looking down then up, Helo is only 10 feet off the ground from where he is hiding and has 50 feet of room to go up. Starting to slowly climb higher up the tree he is getting to a height that is making his feel uncomfortable.
Feeling the rough bark under his hands and on his cut-up knees Helo continues up. He is skillfully finding and testing hand holds while moving with the sway of the tree. Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding he stops to look around.
Now, about 40 feet in the air and swaying with the wind and tree. Helo gets a good look at his surroundings. The property is massive. He can’t help but be shocked by its size. He can see a wall on the western side with an impressive front gate. The road goes straight to a massive building then splits from there. the right-side leads to two other buildings all walled off into their own areas. The left road leads to a massive forest with individual walled mansions all designed with different cultural ascetics. These mansion complexes are surrounding the original three large buildings. From where Helo is sitting, he can't help but be amazed at the beauty of the resort. Connected to the eastern wall is another building but this one has the largest wall surrounding it. It looks like a fortress or a prison.
Helo finds himself near the northern and eastern walls. He is in-between a Ranch style home and a Japanese one. Helo decides that if he finds the bear he is bringing him out the Northen gate. Slowly climbing back down the tree Helo jumps the last 10 feet landing in a crouch.
Breathing slowly through his nose to identify the scents in the surroundings. It doesn't take long for his high senses to detect the bear nearby. He slowly moves closer to the barn connected to the wall of the ranch house. As he draws near Helo can hear the annoyed huffing of large animal. Looking through a gap in the wall of the barn he sees a large bear slowly waking up. Following the front of the barn Helo looks around hoping to find a way inside but everything is close. The entire barn and wall connecting it are buzzing with that same external feeling to Helo's sense. Like a twisting path of electricity. Looking closer with his perception Helo is confused because the feeling is spaced mostly evenly between the entire wood barn wall and stone wall.
How does that even work. Does electricity even work on stone like this. I might be young, but this doesn't make sense. Putting the weird feeling out of his mind he continues to look for a way in but there isn't a good way. Looking up at the hay loading door a lot of barns have it’s just barely open. Wait... that window its open now. How... Anyway. I can get to it if a climb the wall. probably.
A few minutes earlier.
“Ring, Ring” “Ahh hello, what is it, it's like one at night.” An annoyed Micah BrightMoon says from bed. Releasing a breath and a knife he grabbed from his bed side he finally looks at who called him. “Ughh, what Bernard. We literally just got to your resort yesterday. Nothing could have happened yet.”
“Hahhaha, nothing you say. Did you know your cute little niece Alli is trying, very poorly might I add, to sneak into the Kashiwagi residence.” Bernard chuckles while on the other line.
Sitting up smoothly and blinking away his drowsiness Micah says in a neutral tone “Oh. Are any of the less neutral families moving tonight? The Guatemalan, Russian, and New York families are not even here yet.”
“What... oh no calm damn man. I'm calling for a separate reason.” Bernard quickly says feeling bad for worrying his friend.
“Then why the call. Also, why are you paying such close attention to our residence. I thought you only focused when you felt intentions to harm. If those families are not here who would attack us. Especially at a resort owned location.” Micah says this while getting up and slowly dressing. He knows his friend and if he wakes him up at this hour it is for a reason.
Bernard gets up from his desk to more closely watch a monitor on his wall. Next to him Amanda is quietly watching the warding enchantments muttering about how well he hides his presence. One the screen is a scuffed up black hair red eyed boy who is aggressively studying a wall.
“First off Micah, I'm a druid and you're in my domain. Obviously, I know what is happening. Wait. You're not going to say anything about your niece?” Bernard asks. He knows the answer already but he like pushing Micah's nerves.
“The Kashiwagi clan are friendly with the BrightMoons. Also, if she makes it then, I am proud of her. If she gets caught it's her own fault. She is as safe as can be within your domain.” Finishing getting ready he heads to his door. “Now what do you want?”
“Has your little brother mentioned a boy my town nicknamed the wild child?”
“If I remember correctly, he’s a kid with a weird relationship with a bear. Or something. Graham stopped mentioning him after you brought up how close in age they are.” Micah says with a chuckle
“YES. Exactly the bear, well unlike those other idiots I sent some actual professionals. Knowing the kid would follow. I set up him and my guards. Mixing up the rotation all the newbies were on the eastern wall tonight. I wanted to see how far the kid would make it.” Bernard says this as he watches Helo study the enchantment on the wall outside the BrightMoon residence. On another screen a young Alli is struggling as her nightgown is caught on a root.
“Okay Bernard, it sounds like you're having fun. But why am I awake at 1am.”
“Well Micah. Where is the bear?” A look of confusion washes over Micah’s face, then understanding, then shock along with a sharp breath. Hearing Micah's surprise. Bernard continues. “YEP! He is outside your place right now.”
Micah can hear the satisfaction in Bernard’s voice, and he can picture the smug look on his friend's face. “Why are you happy? Your guard's failed.” Micah says to his phone while sending out his aura. Feeling all the presences within the compound and around it. He quickly locates his niece and the kid.
“Hah, well after watching this kid as he snuck in and through my place, they didn't stand a chance against him. I am mostly just proud of the kid.” A little of the smugness leaves his voice. “Now here is why I'm calling you. The kid can't break the wards to get the doors open. So, I want you to slightly open the hayloft door so I can see if the kid will get the bear out. I want to see how they make it.”
Bernard looks between the two screens again. Both kids only 100 feet apart, unaware of one another. A smirk appears on his face. Then he hears Micah again. “Fine, since I am already awake and dressed. But I want to be the one to catch him. Let's see how freaked out he is.”
“Okay... okay that's fine.” The smirk tuning into a full grin. “So... want to piss your brother off while we are at it.”
Not questioning his luck any further Helo looks for a way to climb to the loft. He can’t find a way to get there from the ground, so he looks around and sets his eyes on the wall that is connected to the barn. Climbing on top of the wall Helo turns and he is just below the roof of the barn. Doing his best to be quite Helo reaches up and shimmies his way on top of the barn. Once on top he looks around and drops as close are he can to the roof.
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“I'm telling you Jonney. I heard something over here.” Helo sees to men that he assumes to be guards patrolling to road that leads between all the residences. Helo does his best to slow his breathing. Calming his breath and focusing on the low of his heart rate he projects his will to not be seen.
With his eye's closed Helo doesn't notice the movement of shadows around his body. They wrap him like a blanket concealing his presence from the walking me. A silent and watching Micah can’t help but immediately be impressed confirming his desire to bring this child to their clan. Bernard can’t help but be impressed with himself for his plan working for Micah to notice Helo.
As the two men walk up to the side of the barn, both stop in their tracks as they hear the huffing of a large animal. Both men can’t help but be a little afraid. Jonney takes a breath and walks closer to the barn before whisper shouting at his companion. “Bill. You idiot it's that stupid bear they sent out an email about. Come on let's go.”
As the two men walk off Helo rises from the shadows of the roof above the two men. For a moment he is feeling a strong desire to drop down on top of the two humans like they are prey. The moment passes when a loud grunt from Fuzzball draws his attention.
Refocusing back on his task he crouch walks to the edge of the roof and steps on the crane that is protruding out over the hayloft. Slowly going down to his scuffed knees he winces slightly before reaching out opening the window and swinging in.
Once he is inside Helo stands straight and looks around. The only light is coming through the window from the moon, but Helo can still see well enough to move around. Taking the ladder to the ground, Helo finds a very annoyed bear in a cage within a horse stall. Feeling lucky that the cage isn't locked he makes eye contact with the bear. As they hold eye contact an unknow light shines on the bear as it slowly calms down before he opens the cage.
As the bear calmly walks out of the cage into the barn proper, he motions for it to follow him. Walking up to the barn door Helo find the enterior lock easy to open only for it to let out a loud screech “SCREEEEEEEE”. No no no no damn
“Please let nobody hear that.” Helo whispers as he peaks his head through the barn door hoping that nobody was outside. Looking back and forth the only thing he sees is the moon shining down on the manicured forest within the compound. It made a spectacular view nature and man living in harmony within a controlled environment. Seeing no one outside the barn Helo steps out of the barn facing south and turns to the left to follow the path around the ranch toward the northern gate.
Agh. Trying to move quietly with a massive bear is impossible. Helo is thinking this as he slowly moves along straining his ears as he reaches the corner. Stopping suddenly, a massive bear bumps into Helo's back sprawling him forwards unto his stomach. Trying to stall the bear he finally gets it to stop walking as he hears a man on what sounds like a phone call. Not wanting to get caught he quickly turns them both around and goes the other way.
The only thing he hears as he walks away is a distinctively smooth and deep voice say, “What, yeah yeah all is going how the planned B-Man.” what he doesn't make out is the last sentence. “Oh yeah, those two are going to meet. Please get a recording of her face as the bear turns the corner.”
Making it to the other side Helo listens for any movement before turning the corner and walking along the eastern side of the ranch houses wall in-between it and the Japanese compound. Moving quickly with the bear following about 15 steps behind, Helo keeps his eyes toward the path in the middle of the way before he hears a short high scream and a crash in front of him.
Stopping as he looks forward, he can’t help but feel hopeless as he is sure that he has been caught. Helo’s eyes go wide as instead of a guard he sees a very pretty girl before him. She is short wearing a very cute nightgown. Her eyes are so blue they are like a looking into the sky while the sun is shining down into your eyes. Her hair is a silver so bright that in the moon light that it looks pure white. She has a cute nose and lips and is looking up at him with a gaze mixed between a pout and a glare. Woah, she is pretty. Helo can’t help but think while stuck between feeling dazed and upset at being caught.
Trying to quickly find a way out of the situation, Helo turns his head away as the girl blushes. Only to remember that there is a massive bear following him.
Alli is having a terrible night. She is cold, she is sore, and she is very upset. First of all, she did everything like her uncle taught her. She inspected her route the day before, excused herself to bed early, and even remembered to grab the right pair of shoes. What she didn't remember, and is refusing to acknowledge, is a flashlight, a pair of clothes that isn't a light dress, and the fact that not only is there one wall between this compound and her best friends. There is two.
So now her hair is all messed up to the point she knows Delila will scold her tomorrow and find out what happened. Also, with her favorite nightgown ruined she forges on. Like a proud heroine that triumphed over her challenges on a great quest. Before her is the first of her major obstacles, the wall. Getting a good running start, Alli leaps up and is just able to get her hand on top of the stone wall. Finding purchase for her feet she slowly clambers her way to sit on top of the wall. Balancing precariously while looking out over the moon swept woods that is split by a path she starts smiling. Wow, I am so glad daddy let me start fighting slimes this year. Gaining those few levels really helped climb the wall. This view is pretty. Oh, what is that. Alli thinks this while dangerously balancing, she starts leaning forward to get better view. All she sees is some twisting shadow slowly going closer, only for a boy to appear out of the trees.
Whispering to herself Alli says “Oh who is he. Is he from another family or maybe he is working with Uncle Bernie.” Leaning forward to get a better look her foot slips and with a short high pitched “EEEeeehhhhhhha.” Alli falls off the wall. Crashing on the ground she lands in a daze staring up at the boy looking at her.
“Woah, she is pretty” the boy says before looking away.
Blushing furiously Alli tries to find something to say. Come on, a cute boy, late at night, in a moon filled woods. This is just like those novels mom likes to read. Say something Alli. “So. Ahhhhh.” She says while trying to make eye contact. She wants to but what he said is just too embarrassing. Now he is staring at me with those softly glowing eyes. What color are they red, no maybe they are pink. They are very pretty.
Now it is Helos turn to blush and turn away as the girl goes from blushing and barely looking at him to blushing at starting into his eyes. “Um. What brings you out at night. I’m Alli” She says while looking at him.
“Umm I was just bringing my friend home.” the boy mutters quietly as he nervously looks behind him.
“Friend? What frie... AHHHHHHHHHH. THAT’S A BEAR. It’s HUGE.” Alli screams while quickly getting to her feet and backpedaling into the wall.
“Please be quiet. He is nice. And you NO. Just because she is being load doesn't mean you can too.” He first speaks to Alli patting the air with both hands trying too quiet her. Before he whips around as he hears the bear draw in a breath. Bringing a hand up to its snout “No. No roaring”
“Woaaah. You must be a really great magic beast tamer.” She says while calming down, to a very confused Helo. “Are you Uncle Bernie’s apprentice. He is an AMAZING druid.”
Helo stares at her in confusion. “What... magic beast... Druid.” Those things are real...?
Alli wants to see the boy more clearly. It is the middle of the night after all, and she can barely see. Holding up her hand she channels some mana into a simple spell form to make a small ball of light. Only for Helo and the bear to quickly cover or avert their faces as soon as the spell is complete. Both boy and bear let out huffs of annoyance. Alli can’t help but giggle and think how cute it is that they both are acting alike. Quickly she gets annoyed though because he is still covering his face, and she wanted to see him in the light. So far all she saw was some pretty glowing eyes and long dark hair.
While watching the girl channel her mana Helo had no idea what was happening. But as the spell got closer to completing, he got the faint sense of flowing energy. Only for the external buzzing to come back as the spell competed. At the same time, he covered his head and made an annoyed noise because his eyes could see great in the dark, only for a bright light to show up.
“Sorry. I... We have to go.” the boy says to Alli while looking away from her and the light before turning to Fuzzball, motioning for him to follow and taking off into the woods.
She takes a step to follow behind them only to trip over a root and almost fall. Looking at the leaving form of the boy and bear she calls out to him. “What is you name! And what family are you from!” disappointed Alli kicks at the ground muttering, “Who just leaves a lady like that. And at night. What is Uncle Beernie teaching his pupil. Not chivalry like in my books.”
Jumping in surprise, Alli turns around to a familiar face and laugh. “Hahahah. You should have seen your face when the bear showed up and someone was eager to see a boy's face. Did you get a good look while blinding him.” Laughing some more, Micah grabs his niece around the waist and jumps them back over the wall.
Blushing and glaring in anger, surprise and a lot on indignation Alli growls at her uncle, “Were you there the whole time? What are you doing up? Why are you here?”
Looking down at her he says, “Well what where you doing? Having a secret meeting with a boy? What will your overprotective father say.”
Now looking a bit fearful Alli in a far calmer voice says, “Do you know who he is? The boy? He didn’t even respond to my introduction. As a fellow member to the High Families that was very rude.”
Smirking down at his niece he says, “Yah know what, if you are still curious after this weekend I'll tell you. Now go to bed”
Alli giving her uncle one last glare turns around with her already messy hair whipping behind her. She gives one very mature “Mhm” then storms back to her room.
Helo ran as fast as he could through the trees. He wasn’t sure where to go but the plan was a bust as soon as he ran into that girl. Looking over his shoulder Helo can see the massive bear crashing through the underbrush. This is not good. We were fine going slow before but now either we are caught, or we break free. Not sure when else to do Helo continues to the wall grimacing as he hears the bear behind him.
Reaching the wall on the North side of the Resort Helo pauses listening for something. “Nobody, I don't hear anything. I expected something.” Turning the Fuzzball. “We might just make it buddy.” As his eyes reach Fuzzball Helo feels dread. Standing over the unconscious bear is a tall man. Probably standing 6’ 5” with attractive features. He has a dark cleanly cut beard and piercing blue eyes.
“You did pretty well kid. But play time is over.” Somehow this tall man grabs ahold of the bear and tosses it over his shoulder. Helo stands there in a daze not sure if he should run or follow. “Come on, Bernard wants to see you.”
Looking from the casually lifted bear to the man's eyes Helo nods his head and starts to follow the man out of the trees to the nearest path. The man pulls out a phone and makes a call. “Brother, I got the bear. It’s unconscious near the northern path.” Hanging up the phone he drops off the bear and turns to Helo. “Follow me.”
Following the man toward the center of the compound Helo is still in a bit of shock. I didn't even feel his presence or hear him. But the bear was unconscious. Looking at the man Helo can’t help but start to feeling excited. Can I learn that.
From behind Helo he hears the sound of an engine heading toward the bear. Looking back, he sees a truck heading to pick up Fuzzball. Hanging his head because he can’t do anything about it Helo quietly follows the man.
Unknown to Helo from the passanger seat of the truck a little girl is staring at his back. After her uncle left, her father was getting their guards ready to go grab the bear. Pestering her father until he let her tag along, Alli was hoping to learn who the boy was.
Arriving at the central building, it’s a massive villa. From the front door steps a man with a large beard. He is wearing joggers and a baggy tan shirt that hides his impressive physique. “Haaahah looks like you caught the wild child. Hey Micah.” Gesteuring for them both to follow he walks inside. Holding open the door is a beautiful blonde woman that Helo has seen before. She has an impressive figure that is easily distracting with brown eyes that take in everything around her. “Amanda, can you prepare the sitting room with some tea please.”
Bowing lighting Amanda quickly turns and struts away. Both of the older men pause to watch. As she exits the room to grab tea both men look at one another before directly turning toward the next room. This room is spacious and comfortable with pictures and antiques casually placed along the walls. In the center of the room are four nice couches surrounding a table with a flower.
As the two men sit down Amanda returns with tea before stepping away. Bernard looks at Helo who paused in the entry way. “Come sit down young Helo. I have been meaning to have a conversation with you.” Cautiously like an animal ready to take off, Helo steps up to the couch before lightly taking a seat. “Tea?”
Helo looks at the teacup sitting in front of him and slowly picks it up. Looking at Micah and Bernard who are casually sipping their tea Helo takes a cautious sip. Eyes going wide and humming lightly Helo takes another.
