The Heavens Shall Fall

What most associations didn't have, as there was not really any need for it, was a private training room. But for the Stone Ward, that was just one of the benefits, as centuries of mining left countless, now-unused shafts and caverns empty, waiting to be repurposed. Previously, nobody bothered with them, but Bren, seeing the opportunity, began spending a great amount of wealth to repurpose them. They not only had almost endless storage thanks to it, but also their own hidden rooms for training and seclusion, one that Bren Tarr was using to its fullest at the moment.

At the far end of one of the training halls, standing below one of the reinforced archways holding up the ceiling, he was taking deep breaths, wearing only his training pants. His hands were clasped behind his back, forcing his posture to stand straight and unmoving. The reason behind it was simple: his body was strapped down with multiple chains, all of them connected to machines in the four corners of the room, massive cogs that kept whirring as they tried to reel the iron chains in and force him down to the ground to kneel. However, as stubborn as he was, Bren just stood still, refusing to give in. Naturally, he didn’t turn when Chalvert entered the training room; he didn’t even acknowledge him. He just stood still while the machine was trying to bring him to his knees, so far, unsuccessfully.

“Report.” He spoke up about a minute later, saying the word, showing the strain with his tone, his voice sounding like a groan.

Given the permission, Chalvert hurriedly stepped forward, stopping at a respectful distance behind him, looking at how the chains were pulling against his muscles and skin, ripping them open, shedding blood, but Bren didn't falter at all.

“Baun and Varren have both submitted their weekly observations,” he began. “Along with our independent reports… Everything is as consistent as it should be.”

“Speak.... up!” He said again, barely opening his mouth, pressing the word through gritted teeth as the gears at the four corners of the room croaked loudly, trying to pull on the chains.

“Siu,” Chalvert continued, gulping at hearing him and the straining metal, feeling his own skin hurt by just the sound, “It is now confirmed that his primary combat method revolves around three beast forms: The Ox, the Wild Cat, and the Crane. We are 100% sure of this, and we know he cycles between them and does not merge them simultaneously. Instead, he transitions from one form to another in a sequence that Varren mapped out for us, and he also included a note that he says is only 70% accurate, as he can't be more sure than that."

"That's..." Bren hissed, "Good... Enough..."

"He also warned us that it is very much possible that Siu will start merging the forms, and if we don't do something in time, he will keep raising his strength."

“Con...tinue...” He ordered with a ground, moving his shoulders, suddenly pulling on the chains, turning the gears in the opposite direction, making the metal shriek like a banshee as he did so.

“There is a delay in his moves,” Chalvert gulped, shivering when hearing that damned noise the machines were making, “And if he manages to improve and get rid of that, it will be much harder to deal with it.”

“And this is... Also.... Confirmed?” Bren asked, moving his torso once again, pulling on the chains just by that alone.

“By multiple sources,” Chalvert answered with another gulp, hearing the metal cry out more and more, getting to a snapping point. “Varren’s report aligns with Baun’s firsthand experience. Additionally, several of our observers noted the same behavior during their sparring.”

CRASH!

“Ugh!” Bren exhaled as two of the chains not only snapped, but they also yanked out the gears that were trying to reel them in, dissipating the pressure and the strong pull on his body.

Finally, feeling himself getting freed, he began moving his hands as he tore off the rest, and while rolling and cracking his shoulders, he turned towards Chalvert, ignoring the deep cuts and scraped skin, letting his blood flow freely. Chalvert said nothing; he just kept watching, trying to stay still, only blinking his eyes when Bren began issuing orders.

“Tell Baun to come up with something, no, tell that Varren to do so. He seems smarter!” Bren said with a chortle, "We will strike them down!"

“They already began doing it,” Chalvert replied, furrowing his brows, “Boss... it is a bit weird...”

“Weird?” Bren interrupted him, raising one of his brows on his sweaty face.

“Yes... Varren had proposed a coordinated approach, all worked out,” he held out his reports, which Bren took, and as he read them, the idea on the paper made him exhale through his nose. When he finally finished, before looking at Chalvert again, he began blowing his nose onto the floor, unclotting it from the blood stuck deep within it.

“Jealous?” He asked, making Chalvert flinch, quickly shaking his head, "I like it... It seems he is more useful than you gave him credit for, and that saves us time. Which is what we need, because Cal'Fia is a nastier bitch to bring in line. We need our full focus on the Ember Circle to do so! So, if we can strike Siu and his Wardens down, we will do it before they gain more support amongst the others. Everyone seems to be in a frenzy to gain his favor and get a pet... Hmph!”

"..." Chalvert opened his mouth to say something, that he knew Varren and that this idea felt fishy, because he should be a timid, scared little pawn, but... This plan? This... craftiness? Something changed; he could sense it as he read his message. However, he couldn't go against Bren's orders, so he closed his mouth, deciding that his position was worth more than anything, even if he had misgivings about it.

“For someone who refused me twice…” Bren said after a moment, his voice chilly, that made his smile feel unnatural, “Heh… He certainly has a talent for drawing attention to himself. And that will be his downfall! His confidence without foundation is arrogance,” Bren continued quietly, as if speaking to himself, "And confidence with foundation…” He tilted his head slightly, stretching his arms, ignoring the pain that was filling up his muscles, “…is the sure sign of failure.”

"What should we do, Boss?"

“We will watch closely,” Bren said after a momentary pause, “Let them proceed with the plan and put it all on Baun. If it fails, make him the scapegoat, but keep Varren clean of it. His work is very satisfactory, so I want to keep him close to the fire,” he ordered, directly looking into Chalvert's eyes, knowing how he felt about Varren. “Encourage him. Tell him that we will wipe his debt and tell him, if he gets into the core of the Wardens, we will not only wipe what he owes us, but we can also allow him to join us.”

"Boss..." Chalvert shivered at that, not wanting to believe his ears, but when he saw Bren raise his eyebrows, he quickly stopped himself. “As you command.”

“And Chalvert,” Bren added, just as he turned to leave in a hurry, making him stop, “If Baun believes he can break him…” he said slowly, “…I want to see it. When they have the date of that... spar, make sure to get me a place. I want to watch it with my own eyes.”

"Yes.” Chalvert bowed towards him, then once again stepped away, his footsteps sounding very quick against the stone as he made his way out of the training hall.

...

....

......

Siu was back in his cave, and it felt like he hadn't slept there for months now. Arya and Marly were already curled up on his bed, sleeping, exhausted from the evening training, but happy because Siu finally gave up, giving them a full win and buying them so much food that even Marly's mouth sacks were satisfied. He just couldn't tell where she put the food while walking back from the kitchens because by the time they got home, her mouth was empty again...

"If the sect starts smelling of rotting vegetables because of you..." He muttered, watching the two sleep, when someone knocked on his entrance. "Huh?" When he opened the door... Lorean was standing there, surprising him with her late-night visit. "Well, that's a surprise. Do come in..." He stepped aside, letting her inside.

"Thank you," She smiled and sat down at a free spot, glancing at the two snoring beasts, almost mistaking them for toys.

"Tea? Or something?" Siu asked, but Lorean just shook her head, watching him sit down with her.

“You’re busy, so I'm not here to rob you of your rest... I just couldn't get to you sooner because we are also way too occupied. You kicked a hornet's nest, and that's why I had to come.”

"Did I?" He smiled, making Lorean shrug.

“So much so that Toban sent me word to check up on you. He couldn't because he is in seclusion, and I should have done it earlier, but... As I said. We are swamped.”

"So you want to know what is happening." He began, unable to help himself and smile at her, "I thought you always knew everything."

"I'm not as good as Toban... Not yet," Lorean answered while she leaned back slightly, crossing one leg over the other, but her eyes didn’t leave him. “You see, whatever you did, Stone Ward is paying us handsomely,” she began, even giggling a little, "They are not even complaining about the raised prices."

"And?"

"Three out of five of their questions are about you. And they are very specific requests! So... What the hell did you do?"

"Got myself new fans?" He answered, making Lorean lean forward.

“No, let’s be accurate. We both know they sense blood in the water... But if they do, why didn't we? What did you do, Siu?”

"What Toban wanted me to," Siu smirked faintly, not wanting to lie, but he also hoped that Toban was a bit nervous, too. Just a little... a payback, in its own way. "I am baiting them, that's all. Also, good that you are here, because I was about to go look for you anyway."

"Oh? I'm all ears."

"I will need information about Stone Ward's top fighters and about Bren Tarr himself. I want to know what his strengths and weaknesses are. If they are gathering information about me, I will do the same and gather information about them. Can you do that?"

"Naturally." She nodded, raising a hand, tapping her chin, "I will compile you a list. I already sent one to Ember Circle because they are the other party paying us well for this stuff. I wouldn't have guessed that you would make a move on Stone Ward, earlier than Cal'Fia does... But I will make sure yours is more detailed."

"Thanks... You see... An opportunity arose," Siu answered, telling her as little as needed, "So we are striking it while the window is open. Sorry, but I won't say more; the fewer people who know about it, the better."

"You are hurting me!" She put a hand on her chest, but it was clear it was only a joke, "Oh well... Give me three days, and I'll get you the data. But if you would tell me more, I would be able to help you more."

"Lorean," Siu said, shaking his head, "You deal with information; both of us know what that means."

"Yes, but we are allies now."

"I know..." He nodded, looking into her eyes, "For now. But once this is over, I also know that you will take over the Golden Scroll and we will revert back to being business partners."

"..." Lorean said nothing about it at first; she just kept watching his face, finally allowing herself a smile, while standing up, "I can't fault you for thinking that. It is the truth, after all. Well then!" she patted herself down, nodding at him, "Let's get to business. I will get you the data and... I hope your plans succeed, because if Stone Ward cracks, they will fall apart quickly."