He figured he was confusing her. "Yeah. Night Stalkers. Maybe something you should research a little. They aren't that important though" he informed as he would think and wonder how to answer her question. She wondered how he meant she confused him. He gave the answer and the answer obviously got her thinking. "Headmaster's inner circle? Autrox? Heh. Fair enough. Most missions are for huntsmen and his students. I guess should be something for huntsmen of other kingdoms. Well, you could ask Kai for stuff to do but I feel you too prideful there as well?" he wondered as he would think over about the huntress. It honestly was an issue he was thinking about. Some huntsmen felt left out. Her thoughts were intriguing. Rebuild herself? "Adapt and survive. Or perish by staying stagnant" He commented before putting his hands in his pockets. "The night stalkers have open auditions. A SPYING type group is all I can say. If interested, you don't have to worry about being in Autrox inner circle. You will have work. I guess, be more who you would work for. I should reintroduce myself. I am Virulent... but also go by Xcoutal. Leader of the Night Stalkers. As for what we are..." he commented before a few came out the woods and into jackie's sights. It was almost as if she was surrounded. Making a sign, they would disperse and Virulent would start to walk in a circle. "You have potential. You were once great huntsmen. Yet, you no different than a student at this strength. At this level. That's not a gripe though. I believe you can be legendary. That's why I WANT YOU for myself...before Autrox reaches grow more. He already got power allies on his side. Which is to be expected." He informed. Virulent didn't expect anything. Not like a war or a battle. He just needed strong allies to trust. People that can take high risk missions.
Jacqueline would be turned into what he had to say. He knew what he was talking about and she was a wise woman. That is what her mother loved about her and why she wanted to marry her off. She was a woman who was well mannered and wise. Knew hoe to carry herself and wouldn't make a fool of her husband when she spoke. Her mother did hate that she was prideful. "I would rather be on my own is all. I don't mind working with Kai, but he isn't always good for my mental health." She spoke as he commented on adapting and surviving. That is all she was doing. That was all she could do. This was not her home. Then they went back to the topic of the night stalkers. Listening to his pitch, she was interested in this night stalker audition. This is what she needed. A boost to her growth. A reason to push herself forward. He was right. She was no stronger than a child at Beacon. This wasn't a good thing. "You are the leader of this spy group. Promising me steady work," she said as she was surrounded by other members. If this was part of the test, she was battle-ready. The young woman showed no fear of being surrounded by them. It also told her no wonder he found her so easily. he had people all over the place. As he circled her, she listened to his speech. He wanted her. he saw her unlike others did. "I want in," she told him. "If you believe all you are saying, I want into the night stalkers. You want me, you got me." Yes, she was buying into what he was saying. This was her chance to be legendary as he says.
He smirked. ¨Then I guess the true question now is. Will you be able to pass. Auditions formally already occurred, but a celebration is going on for our newest recruit. Efficiency is my strong point. Come prepared and come with a mask shaped like an animal made out of bone. If you pass you earn it. IF not, then it will be destroyed. Will see you then¨ he commented. What would she do? Would she put her heart and soul into her design of mask knowing a possibility it be destroyed infront of her? Or would she downplay the design to spare herself if failure occurs. Guess we will see.
Blood would stain the letter as he finished writing it. The wolf among him would grip it and look at Virulent with big baby eyes. A soft whine would come from the wolf. “Don't worry old friend. We will meet again after I visit a friend. We will meet at home” He commented before the wolf went off to deliver the letter to certain individuals. He hoped that they hadn't turned rogue either. If not, then they would be in charge until Aeralin was ready. Which, Virulent didn't know how long that was but he also provided an extra note of warning. He didn't want Aeralin going after the Shield. He was too strong and he rather her not be limited to the same fate that he was going to. He didn't lie to his wolf companion, they would meet again at home. Their true home. He would be waiting for him too! Until then though, he just hoped it would forgive him for the small white lie. With the wolf gone, he would look up ahead to see the familiar sight. The tree house which he helped pull some strings to move was up ahead. A sharp internal pain would intensify within him. It's getting worse and worse by the second.... I don't have much time left then... he would think as he made his way forward. Blood would drip from his body, leaving a trail as he walked. His aura was refusing to heal himself, being permanently broken.
Virulent didn't feel bad about the situation. He didn't have remorse or sorrow. He had some regrets but nothing truly major. If anything, his life being shortened was something he should of expected. Maybe survivors guilt for getting Aeralin's father killed? For not being the best leader? Not pushing hard enough for his people? Maybe he played the game to fairly instead of staying in the gray area? Many things ran into his mind through all of this but it wasn't going to upset the shirtless and war torn male. Why be upset over something you have no control over? He would use the bit of energy he had to enter into the treehouse through the window.
“You know. I never did get a chance to take you on that date” He would comment simply but loud enough to where even if she was in the other room she be able to hear him. He didn't want to scar her too bad. Whenever she did appear though, he would look over at her with a smile. If she was not there, he would just set his scroll to record himself and continue as if she was. If she was asleep, he would still continue to talk. Either way, his message was going to get to her. To be honest though, in his eyes he would think she was right in front of him, but that was just the effects of the poison finally reaching its final stages. His aura showing constant surging and breaking as his wounds still would not heal. “I sorry about the situation that happened at the ceremony.. Seems I wasn't the most effective leader that I thought... Or I would of prevented this.. Either way, I simply came by here to say a final goodbye!” He commented. The smile still not fading even given his position. ¨I do hope you continue down the road of the night stalkers but if not I understand completely. I do appreciate you at least taking the leap of being a part of your world.. Now I will be returning the favor” He added before thinking. Was he forgetting something. “I know its not your job and Pyrve is probably one your main concerns but look after Aeralin for me. When you able to. She won't be becoming Xcoutal so soon...I feel she not fully ready yet, but she will be in time....she going to learn a very big lesson soon so she may need someone with experience to guide her you know?” His words would come to a halt for a moment.
Relaxing, he would sit hunched over in a resting position similar to that of a football player during half time in the locker room or a fighter right before a fight. His hair would cover his eyes and face as his smile was hidden by the dark chocolate curtains obscuring his facial features. The poison had finished the job. His heart rate would slow to a halt as his last breathes would be taken. Yet, he would not waste them. “Aren't you two lovely?....I have nothing but time. I don't mind playing at all.....” he whispered as he hands were reached out as if two kids were grabbing them and pulling him along. To Virulent, he was seeing two twin girls that had an odd familiarity to them guiding him to the other side towards the white light. He would utter his final words.
¨You Two´s mother? I know of her. If only we had more time~¨
The woman had been in Vale the whole time hiding out. That was the most insane thing she had ever been through. It was good she was laying low, but also her supplies was running low. The newly recruited nightstalker was going to have to return home soon. It was either that or her business was go to start to suffer. She knew nothing about what had went down at the school with his daughter at Beacon. She'd gotten a whole new scroll just to make sure that she couldn't be traced.
Right now, she was wearing a black wig and a cloak that covered her whole body. She would start to make her way back to her tree house. Moving quickly, she was constantly looking over her shoulder taking to make sure no one was following her. There was no numbers saved in her new scroll. Therefore if something went down, she was on her own. Getting close to the tree house, that is when she noticed the blood. The look of horror on her face made her not want to climb up. She didn't know who was there or what was waiting for her. She had to make a choice and she did. Climbing up the ladder, she had her bow ready.
Walking into the living room, she had it pointed, but her heart instantly stopped at the sight she saw. "Virulent?" She whispered. No getting an answer, she kneeled down and checked his pulse. That is when reality started to set in. "Virulent." She called him again. "VIRULENT!" She screamed as the tears started to run down her face. "NO!" she continued. "YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME HERE. PLEASE!" She wailed as she just couldn't wrap her head around it. Noticing his scroll in his hand, she took it and saw the video that was recorded on it. She didn't even want to play it at first. She didn't want to bare what could have might been on it. Uncloaking herself and taking off the wig, she would sit down next to him.
She'd start to watch the video and the tears just wouldn't stop at that point. He had promised her a date. She remember because he was buying a gift for his goddaughter and they got to flirting. Then he went on to apologize to her about what happened. "Apology accepted." She whispered trying to wipe some tears away even though they just kept flowing. "I will...I promise. They are not going to get away with this." He told her to look after Aeralin. That was no problem. Her and Pyrve were teammates. "I will do my best." She promised him.
The last part stung so much. She could no longer hold it together as she knew who he was talking to. Her twins. Her babies that had died a long time ago. They were leading him to the other side. He was leaving with them and she couldn't take it as she balled her eyes out. As a breeze came through the window he left open and she just felt so much love. That let her know they were okay and finally resting.
"If only we had more time."~ She whispered. Composing herself the best she could, she got up and found a black and gold vase. Crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes, she kissed his forehead. The tears hadn't stopped, but she needed to do this. "Play with them forever for me. Will you do that for me?" She whispered to him. Taking off the necklace she had made for him, she would use her semblance to cremate his body. Putting his ashes in the vase, she would fasten the necklace around it. From there, she cleaned up and mourned him.
The wolf of Virulent would appear before Jacqueline, sneaking up on her as she was mourning. It looked tired but confused not seeing Virulent around. Pawing at Jackie, it was asking for information before stopping to sniff her. Once sniffing her, the wolf would let go the letter in its mouth and curl up in a ball. The letter was bloodied and showed that he made it with limited time and supplies.
The Letter
My Fellow Night Stalkers, I know the first thing you wondering is am I safe? I am currently at Kitsune´s (jackie) tree house but no need to come for me. There will not be enough time. I want you to take this opportunity to regroup, and make sure keep each other safe. There is a new enemy out to eliminate us. Their leader is strong. Do not confront them alone. With my passing the title of Xcoutal shall temporarily go to Ashima. Then when time comes a new Xcoutal shall rise. Whether it be Aeralin taking her rightful place, Jackie taking up the mantle in my honor, or another leader branching forward to lead you all into the future. Make sure they are ready to lead before you hand over control. As for my final words, if you can help it. Keep Aeralin away from this new enemy. I caused her father to die... I don´t want my inability to win to cause her to meet the same fate. I also do not want her to go after him..I don´t want this to become a Cycle of endless bloodshed. Defend yourselves, but do not retaliate over my death. Please be safe in your future endeavors and I want you to know that I am proud of every last one of you no matter if you old or new. Don´t consider this a goodbye. I will see you all on the other side.
