Jade Empire; Scarlet cove


    Along the road approaching Scarlet Cove, nearly a thousand men marched with cavalry accompaniment. Ranks and files of men marched in step, their cadence shaking the ground in the surrounding area.


    At the head of the company rode Major Titus Jade, Commanding Officer of the Disciplinary Force of the Imperial Military. Along with his usual honour guard and officers, he was closely followed by his loyal second-in-command, Captain Darius Grizwalt.


    "My lord, we''ve arrived at the walls of Scarlet Cove; how would you like us to proceed?" A scout returning from his forward patrol reported.


    "Your men can sweep the area one last time. Even then, I will have you rejoin the main force at Fort Blackridge." Titus ordered.


    "Yes, my lord."


    Titus looked toward his men following him.


    "All noncommissioned members will split their sections into squads and enter the city. Report to the keep and wait for orders from your commanding officers. All officers will now accompany me and Captain Darius to meet General Julius of the Guardian Hall. You have your orders; disperse."


    The column of soldiers halted and in unison replied. "As the Emperor wills it!"


    Titus rode on, accompanied by ten other officers toward the gates; they''d have to enter in the city through the lower tiers and ascend to the higher tiers.


    The Guardian Hall’s mansion was the largest in the city. Its lord also held the title Master of the Guardian Hall. That lord was Titus'' uncle, General Julius Jade, brother to his father Emperor Tiberius Jade.


    Before he entered the main grounds, he directed his officers to where their briefings would be handled. Darius would ensure all information was passed along to them from the knight commander and the stationed holy knights of the city.


    “Sir if they don’t comply, am I permitted to obtain the information through my means?” Darius asked.


    “My god man! Try going one day without killing people…” Titus cracked a smile toward Darius “I’m just kidding. But seriously you’re too ‘torture happy’. They will comply; not one of these Guardians are stupid enough to resist the Wardens. Even if they do, the Seekers will find the truth through their means; if those men want to live, they won’t lie to us.” Titus reassured him.


    “Yes sir. After the briefing, I will ensure all preparations are made for the investigation.”


    “Very good Darius. I will see you after I meet with General Julius” Titus said. He walked off toward the main hall separate from his escorting officers.


    Titus entered the main hall. To his surprise, a large portion of the hall was busy with masons repairing a wall along with a column. The damage was nearly completely repaired.


    "Titus!" A familiar voice shouted from across the hall.


    Titus turned around to see his uncle approaching with a younger man to his right. The younger man was a slender man with dark hair and clear bright eyes. He gave off an air of nobility.


    "Cousin Quintus, Uncle Julius! it''s been far too long." Titus said


    "Indeed it has been too long. Look how you''ve grown!" Julius praised Titus.


    "It''s good to see you again so soon cousin," Quintus followed up with Julius.


    "Ah yes, we recently met up on the border with Deshan. Sadly, our meeting was cut short. Uncle, before we get to business may I ask what became of Tiberius? Is he not joining us?" Titus asked.


    Julius felt his blood boil as he thought back to the events of the week prior before sternly saying; "No, your brother has decided to leave the city of his own accord. I''m uncertain of when he will return."


    Titus frowned he had looked forward to possibly meeting with his younger brother. They hadn''t spoken for some time since he was sent to live and train with Julius.


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    ''I wonder if he made progress in his training in these few years. I should have made more of an effort to come see him.'' Titus thought.


    "Well then let''s get to business. A large quantity of essential cultivation items has been somehow stolen from the merchant guild’s treasure vaults. Young master Kronos sent the Wardens and Seekers to investigate the crime. So from here on, in my city, you boys will have full access to all information and free reign to investigate however you see fit." Julius explained as he cupped his hands.


    ''This old dog just wants us young guys to do all the work while he sits back and relaxes. I wonder if he still plans on trying to surpass father.'' Titus thought the idea of such a thing was laughable.


    In his younger years Julius, had tried to fight for control of the throne and lost a fight that ended his regular military service. The loss had been at the hands of Tiberius, his younger brother, now the glorious Jade Emperor.


    "I assure you uncle, the Warden hall will locate and recover every pill that was stolen," Titus reassured him.


    "Uncle Julius,  Titus and I will take our leave. Our men are back at the garrison and will require orders sooner than later. Please excuse us." Quintus cupped his hands and bowed before walking toward the door.


    "Sadly, Quintus is right. We can catch up another time uncle. I will take my leave." Titus said respectfully as he bowed and followed Quintus out of the hall.


    After walking to the edge of the property Quintus let out a sigh. "God, that old man''s boring. Not to mention he knew we were to arrive today. What''s with that main hall? The place looks like it was trashed recently."


    "Quin, you''ve always been a picky guy but don''t sweat small stuff like the appearance of the hall. He probably had an issue he''d rather we didn''t know about." Titus replied as he stepped through the massive bronze gates and headed toward the stables.


    As Titus walked, he retrieved a hand rolled cigarette from an interior pocket in his breastplate. The tip of his finger ignited into a small scarlet tongue that licked the end of the cigarette igniting the paper into a cherry flame.


    With a deep breath, the small cherry tip brightened and burned away the herb within. Releasing a massive cloud of smoke when he exhaled Titus looked up towards the sky.


    ''Sesh where did you go off to? Perhaps he didn''t know I was coming to visit?''


    Titus'' thoughts were quickly disrupted by a blade nearly skimming the side of his face.


    "Your back’s wide open cuz. You should be more careful." Quintus laughed as he threw another knife.


    Titus rotated and caught the blade of the knife. "Quinn, I don''t have time for this playing around. Not here. After we finish this job and arrive at Blackridge, then I''ll fight you."


    "Oh come on Titus. Or should I say, Devlin?" Quintus laughed mockingly.


    Titus dropped his arms to his side as heat began to rise from his body. Steam rolled off his shoulders as he gritted his teeth.


    "You bastard! Don''t call me that. I''m not in the mood to play with you, Quinn! Don''t piss me off." Titus burned down the rest of his cigarette trying to calm down.


    "What are you going to do about it?" Quin mocked again. Smiling toward Titus, “Jade Devil, hm? What are you going to do?”


    "That''s it! You’re a dead man!" Titus roared.


    Titus'' arms exploded with heat as he ignited his real guards. Both arms splintered with large cracks appearing in his red-hot skin. Steam and fire poured out, engulfing his arms and torso completely in a raging inferno.


    "That''s more like it Dev! Come at me!" Quintus shouted. Quintus also activated his real guards and wind rushed in from all around as Quintus lunged forward.


    Titus didn''t move an inch as Quintus approached at great speed.


    "Wind still can''t hope to defeat my flames," Titus spoke quietly under his breath as he took in a deep breath.


    [Dragon’s Rage]


    [God Adjudicator]


    [Holy Seal] Activate.


    White scales covered Titus'' skin. Covering his entire body in an armour of scale and light. Fire escapes out of any small gaps.


    The temperature of the area rose sharply to sweltering. The grass along the sides of the path withered and became ash. A burst of essence sent out from Titus hit Quintus who had nearly reached his target; Sending him flying back a few meters.


    "Damn! I thought I could close the gap before you equipped your holy blessings. I guess you finally learned the [Dragon’s Rage]. That''s very impressive. Well, it would be, if I had sat dormant this year since we fought last." Quintus laughed.


    He truly was enjoying himself. There was very little Quintus liked more than fighting his brothers and cousins.


    "Get a load of my new technique." He smirked.


    [Sonic blast] Quintus dropped into a low stance building up essence before blasting forward with explosive speed. He appeared four meters behind Titus with a knife drawn in his hand.


    Titus felt a warm sensation in his neck. Blood flowed out from under his scales.


    "You managed to land a hit. That''s impressive Quin. But that''s enough messing around, I''ll end this now." Titus said as he shifted into an attack stance.


    "Bring it! I''m a Journeyman Level Five. I''m not scared of you anymore." Quintus smiled.


    Titus took a step forward as his foot hit the ground he appeared directly in front of Quintus, landing a solid punch to his abdomen.


    ''He just closed the four-meter gap faster than I could see! How?'' Quintus'' mind raced as he collapsed to the ground.


    [Realguard deactivate]


    Titus squatted next to Quintus.


    "Your arrogance cost you that fight. You’re a wind essence user. Attack like you mean it from the start or don''t bother. An assassin loses the moment the element of surprise is lost in a one-on-one with a striker, your only hope is to surprise them. Though props to you for putting me with your energy. I know that blade was just a bluff to confuse me…. Okay. Class dismissed, I''ll see you over at the barracks once you muster the strength to get up." Titus finished speaking. He stood and continued down the road to the stable, drawing out another cigarette out and lighting it as he disappeared.


    A few hours later Quintus rolled to his stomach and propped himself up against a wall.


    "Fuck that hurt! I guess that''s why he''s the commander for this mission." Quintus said to himself. “Better stop sitting here feeling sorry for myself over a small fight.”


    Scarlet Cove Guard garrison


    Titus had arrived at the main guard barracks for the castle garrison. Darius had already set to unpacking the equipment and setting their men to the tasks previously laid out for them.


    “Sir! Are you wounded? Your neck is bleeding.” Darius inquired.


    “This is nothing, Darius. Just got into a scuffle with an old rival who insists on continuing to pester me.” Titus sighed as he climbed down off his horse.


    The end of Titus’ index finger lit up red as he applied heat to the wound. Sealing the wound as he traced around the laceration on his neck.


    “Sir, cauterizing will leave scars. Use a bandage please.” Darius scolded.


    “Who are you? My mother? If I have the ability to stop the bleeding, then why not?” Titus mocked.


    “Well actually sir, if I were…”


    “Shut up, Darius. I know.” Titus cut Darius off.


    Within the Scarlet keep the Wardens had set up temporary barracks and settled into their new home. The garrison also welcomed the men from the Cloaked hall, a small group of only ten men had come with Quintus. Unlike the Wardens, they didn’t wear armors or crests. These men wore dark grey cloth garbs marked with a black strip on the sleeve.


    Quintus commanded a small unit of assassins; though small they were all experts in their fields. Sabotage, murder, torture, etc. If the Specters were the eyes of the empire under General Knox and the Wardens were the right arm commanded by General, then the Cloaked hall was the left hand behind its back ready to strike. Their master General Minos was a god of death on the battlefield, all his followers reflected his teachings in their steely gazes.


    “Sir, the men are nervous around those cloaked guys...” Darius whispered to Titus.


    “They should be Darius; those men could destabilize and topple a government overnight if the Emperor ordered it done,” Titus explained. “Have the men give them a wide berth.”


    “Yes sir,” Darius answered.