Chaos concerning

Despite his best efforts, the madness of Alexandru is too much for Nanji to handle on his own. Time to call in reinforcements. Three old friends reunite to attempt to face these challenging times.

Chaos Concerning

By: Dr. Leah M.J. Rais

Night had fallen over the Hyurite City of Shangarnii. The city consisted of around a dozen tall spires of rock with homes carved into them at varying levels. The spires themselves were connected by a series of rope bridges strung between them in a way very reminiscent of a spider web. Narrow ledges wound their way up the spires, making treacherous footpaths, that even in the best of circumstances were difficult to climb, and at night were downright treacherous.And yet in spite of the danger, two figures were slowly weaving their way through the narrow streets of the city, their identities obscured in dark clothing and hooded cloaks, causing them to blend in with the surrounding night. 

Their movements were slow, with a constant threat of falling from the cliffs should their footing betray them, and each step was carefully placed and tested before their entire weight was trusted to it. And yet, in spite of the danger, the hooded figures pressed on, until they reached a small house carved near the top of one of the outermost spires. It was an unassuming stone house, bare on the outside, with one curtained window and a simple wooden door. The two companions  stopped in front of this wooden door, before the one in front raised a fist and knocked on it. 

From inside the home, a sudden flurry of activity could be heard. 

“No, get away from there!” They heard a voice say, as heavy footsteps ran towards the door. Someone pulled against the door, causing it to shake and bits of sawdust to drift lazily to the ground, but it was bolted shut. 

“Alex, get away from the door.” The voice repeated, and suddenly the shaking stopped. 

“Let go of me!” A second voice said, its tone harsh and full of hatred.

“No, now back away.” The first voice said, its  carefully maintained calm giving way to frustration. 

“Never!” The second voice shouted. There was a sound as if wind was blowing from inside the house, and through the cracks in the wooden door a green light emanated, before vanishing after a few seconds. 

“Let… go… of… me!” The second voice said again, although this time as it spoke, the sound faded slightly as footsteps could be heard on the stone inside. They heard the click of a lock and the door swung open, the light from within spilling out and illuminating the two cloaked men. 

The scene inside the small home was something neither of the hooded figures had ever imagined they’d see. One Nanji stood at the entrance of the home, looking more frazzled than either man had ever seen him. Behind him stood two more copies of him, each holding onto one of the arms of Commander Lupei. He was straining against the clones, his blood red eyes narrowed in anger as he attempted to pull himself free, teeth bared as if he were some sort of vicious animal, rather than an old friend. 

“Thank goodness. Please, come inside quickly.” Nanji said, stepping aside and allowing the two hooded figures to enter. 

“You have to get me out of here! This man is crazy!” Alexandru hissed, pulling against the two clones holding him as Nanji closed and locked the door.

“Yeah… you’re one to talk.” Nanji mumbled.

“Commander Lupei, I assure you, none of us want any harm to come to you, including Nanji.” Lord Kazue Hayashi said, as he pulled back his hood. He was a man of average height and a lean build, with deeply tanned skin, jet black hair that he wore short and looked a bit windswept at the moment, and dark brown eyes. He carried himself with an air of dignity that instantly reminded you of his status. Next to him, Wilder Thorburne lowered his hood. His appearance was a stark contrast to Lord Hayashi.  They had the same lean frame, but that is where the similarity ended. He was taller, with wavy red hair and bright green eyes. His fair skin was marked by freckles, and a white bandage could be seen poking out from the collar of his shirt. 

“Don’t call me that!” Alexandru snarled, glaring at Lord Hayashi, who narrowed his eyes in confusion. 

“Com… Alex, what happened?” Wilder asked, stepping towards Alexandru. A grin spread over Alexandru’s face, and he began to chuckle.

“And they say I’m crazy!” He giggled. “Our Kingdom fell, and the entire world is doomed now! How do you not remember? Aren’t you a doctor? I thought you were smart!” 

“Alex!” Kazue said sharply. 

“Oh shut up.” Alexandru said, the laughter instantly giving way to annoyance as he glared at Kazue. “You don’t have any power, not anymore. None of us do!” 

“Should you maybe let him go? It might help him calm down.” Wilder suggested. Nanji hesitated, his eyes shifting to Kazue.

“Do it.” Kazue said. Nanji nodded and lifted his hand. Green mist surrounded the two clones of himself, and they vanished. The minute they did, Alexandru attempted to run to the door, 

“Alex, wait!” Wilder said, grabbing onto his wrist as he attempted to flee. Without saying a word, Alexandru turned and punched him hard in the face, sending Wilder careening backwards.

“Grab him!” Kazue said. Nanji hurried to comply, running up behind Alex and seizing him around the arms. Alexandru strained against him.

“Let me go!” He shouted, stomping on Nanji’s foot. It hurt, a lot, but Nanji held fast. 

While Nanji held him, Wilder sat up from the ground, blood oozing from his nose and Kazue reached into a pouch on his belt. From it he withdrew a vial and a cloth. He upturned the vial onto the cloth and held it for a few seconds before putting the vial back. He then walked quickly to Nanji and Alexandru.

“My apologies, Alex.” He said, before pressing the cloth over Alexandru’s face, using his other hand to steady the back of Alexandru’s head. Alexandru’s eyes went wide, and he tried to shout,  but his voice was muffled by the cloth. 

“Wilder, are you alright?” Kazue called, as Wilder pushed himself to his feet.

“Yeah… I should be good. In case anyone was wondering, he can still pack a punch.” Wilder said, staggering slightly. 

“You should probably sit down.” Kazue said, giving him a sidelong glance. Wilder nodded and went to sit at the low table.

Alexandru continued to struggle for a few minutes, but as time marched on, his struggles became weaker and weaker, until gradually they ceased all together, and his eyes slid shut. Immediately, his body went limp. Nanji steadied Alexandru’s body before slowly lowering him to the floor as Kazue pulled the cloth away from his face. 

“There, he should  sleep for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half.” Kazue said, tucking the cloth back into his pouch.

“Thank you. I’ll move him to the bedroom, then we can begin.” Nanji said. He bent down and gathered Alexandru up into his arms. He easily lifted the unconscious man. 

“This door?” Kazue asked, gesturing to the other door in the room.

“Yes.” Nanji replied. Kazue nodded and pulled the door open, revealing a room shrouded in darkness, with only the light from the doorway illuminating a rectangular space on the stone floor. Nanji carried Alexandru into the room and Kazue closed the door.

“Do you just carry that everywhere with you?” Wilder asked as Kazue approached him.

“I do now.” Kazue answered, kneeling down in front of him to examine his injury. “Room spinning at all?

“A bit. Likely have a mild concussion, and I’m pretty certain he broke my nose.” Wilder replied, tracking the finger Kazue held up in front of him.

“I’d say you’re right, here.” And with that, Kazue laid his hand against Wilder’s forehead. Bronze light appeared from the cracks between his fingers and remained for about a minute before dissipating. By this point Nanji had rejoined them in the room.

“That better?” Kazue asked.

“Much. Thank you.” Wilder said, as his pupils returned to their normal size and blood stopped dripping from his nose. 

“Of course.” Kazue replied as Nanji handed him a clean piece of linen that he had gotten damp.

“Here, you can use this to clean some of that blood off.” He offered.

“Thanks.” Wilder said as he began to wipe the blood away. 

“Has he been like this since you found him?” Kazue asked, standing up from where he was kneeling, but not looking at either of his companions. Instead he stared off into the corner of the room, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

“Yes Sir.” Nanji replied. Kazue nodded. 

“Any sign of Joseph?” 

“No. Alex says he was captured.” Nanji replied.

“Good heavens.” Wilder said, his eyes going wide. 

“That’s… most unfortunate.” Kazue said, his expression souring. 

“It is.” Nanji replied.

“It’s also most likely the catalyst for what’s happening with Alex.” Wilder added, standing up as he spoke. “Joseph was his main support system, and the first person to show him true kindness. His loss would devastate Alex”

“Very true.” Kazue said. He sighed, his eyes sliding closed for a moment as he considered their next course of action. The situation was bleak to say the least, and it just kept getting worse. 

“Wilder, I want you to stay here with Nanji. Keep Commander Lupei contained, and do what you can to restore his sanity. If you need assistance, reach out to me and I will see what can be done to support you. In the meantime, I need to keep gathering information. Who escaped, who didn’t, and try to formulate a plan moving forward. Any questions?” 

“No.” Wilder said. 

“No.” Nanji agreed.

“Very good, then I will wish you gentlemen luck. Until we meet again.” Kazue said. 

“We’ll let you know how things are progressing.” Nanji said.

“Please do. Stay safe, both of you.” Kazue said.

“You as well, Lord Hayashi.” Wilder replied. With that Kazue pulled his hood back up, once again casting his face into shadow, and followed Nanji to the door. Nanji opened the door, bowing his head one final time to Lord Hayashi, who stepped past the threshold, and within a matter of seconds was swallowed by the darkness.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this story! This is the third part of the Chaos Series, so I would highly encourage reading the first two parts (Chaos Concerning and Chaos Continuing) to understand the context! I really hope you enjoy it!