It was another typical market day as merchants called out their wares each louder than the last to attract perspective buyers. Where there were humans, animals were bound to follow as skinny felines brushed against boots in hopes of catching a scrap.However, much of the time catching a thrown kick instead. Such was the misfortune of the multitude of strays without a fitted collar around their neck. However, cats seemed to have the best of luck in finding another meal around the corner.

A scraggly-looking grey tom was such an incident as his body slid along the dirt as amber eyes narrowed at a second chance. The meal came in the form of a somewhat plump-looking crow pecking at a scrap of fish on the dirt, yellow beak easily ripping it. A pink tongue swiped over the feline's muzzle as it dropped into a practiced crouch as it came closer and closer with each paw step. It wouldn't be as easy as begging for a scrap of meat from a human, as birds had a tendency to put up a fight for their life. Such was the circle of life...

However, the circle of life never did consider the actions of intervening humans as a hiss escaped the crouched creature seconds later from an ambush. The sudden black liquid splattering on it's face from a well-aimed flick of a brush. Swiping it's stained fur with a paw as a low growl was cut off by a soft, but serious sounding "Shoo" as the creature's ears twitched at the noise. A soft hum came next as the feline yowled in protest as his scruff was gripped suddenly followed by cold water soaking his whiskers from a damp cloth. Natural instincts rendered it immobilized until the dreaded treatment was completed. Amber eyes flickered open to stare at pale blue ones as a gentle smile curved on the woman's face before the cat found itself placed back onto the ground.


It's own scrap of fish soon followed as the woman made another shooing sound which the cat hastily took as warning before fleeing with it's scaly catch. A sound of disappointment escaped the woman as she returned her focus to her feathered subject, only to find a single ebony feather in it's place. A smart bird indeed, flying off when larger predator's came lurking about. It seemed the small poem about this particular subject would have to wait. Returning the book back into her dress pocket as the snow haired woman sighed from her seat listening to the lapping sound of water from the fountain behind her.

There wasn't anything too special about the woman's appearance aside from her white hair, although more focused individual's would feel something was different about her. Clad in ruffled robe that seem to be an endless flowing material ruffled here and there down to her feet. Pale bare shoulders weren't too scandalous in many circles, but shown curves of her chest could be as the middle of the dress had a deep v-neck. While the richer crust may have found her lack of shoes offensive as well..Not that Siyna minded the airs of apparent 'nobles'.

Idle fingers wound her floor length hair into a long braid to keep it from dragging as a blue ribbon from her pocket added a fashionable flair to it. Elegant fingers drummed idly on the soft fabric of her robe rubbing them together in hopes of getting ebony ink stains from them. Pale blue eyes flickered from person to person, but looked back down at her lap as there wasn't anyone of interest to see. It was all in all a normal day..without work..how relaxing. Well as relaxed as member of Grimoire Heart could be as her guild mark remained hidden under make-up.

A 'demon' descended upon the streets of Oak, making its way like flowing water through the crowds that began to gather. The 'demon' parted them with ease slipping through barely touching the peons that stood in its path. This 'demon' took the shape of what one could only call as a harmless little old lady, however she was more than just a harmless old woman. She was a ruthless Mage who had lived many years on the battlefield clashing with many magi. She was a magi who did not refer to herself as such but called herself a Witch. Her power did not come from a simple magical energy that coursed through her, but her unyielding faith in her almighty God.

The deadly old woman stood at only a simple four ten in height with a thin build, but even then she stood tall and she appeared not so harmless anymore. She vented a deadly aura with every step she took that forced the streets to part making way for her. The dulled crimson hues that once shined like an emerald in her youth cut through the crowds, making many a civilian sweat at the feeling of death the old woman excreted. A thin veil of black magical flowed from her body as a wave of killer intent seemed to roll off her.

The old woman dressed in her kimono ignored the simpleton fools as her waraji patted against the stone path. The pearls of the needle that bound her hair in a bun dangled in the breeze as it blew by, gently rustling the woman's clothing. This old woman was known as Yumi, to those who knew her she was a religious zealot Worshiping the Chaos God of War, Death, Courage, Rage, Strength and Hate, Khorne or his true name Kharneth when spoke in the Chaos' daemonic Dark Tongue. Not only was a worshiper of the Chaos God, but she was also a member of Grimoire Heart, known only to her fellow members.

Yumi was the oldest living member of Grimoire Heart having been a part of the guild for thirty plus years. Her name was known by almost every member of the world whispered positively and negatively. She was known for having a fiery temper and would lash out the moment she was crossed. It had become abundantly clear one should never bring up the woman's age, less their skull be added to her throne, and their blood offered to her God. Yumi had already ended the lives of some her fellow Guild Mates who had dared anger her; quickly word spread to every recruit to avoid the wrath of the old woman less they end up dead. Yumi had her patience, but a word of her age was a line you should never cross as it was clear she had a complex.

The old woman held back a sneer as a youth bumped into her. The youth apologised profusely before running off leaving the old woman be. Yumi turned away and made her way towards the fountain situated by the streets. She wished to get away from these heathens and offer a prayer to her lord. As she walked the old woman would chant her scriptures beneath her breath, yet seemed to echo with every step.

"My Master is the Beginning, and he is the End. He is the Master of mortals and the core of our Dead Hearts. Deny him, and you deny yourselves. Honour him, and acknowledge he to whom we owe it all. As proclaimed in the Saga of Khorne." Chanted the old woman, receiving looks from those around her, having never heard such words before in their life, but the Khorne Priestess ignored them.

By the time she had finished, the old woman had found herself before a scene by a fountain of water. Before Yumi were two youths who seemed all by familiar. First was a young woman in her twenties with flowing white hair, pale blue eyes and stood five foot five in height, towering over Yumi. Across from the old woman attempting to sway the young lady was a boy, though she called him a boy was a more a young man only a few years younger than the girl, black hair, golden eyes and over six feet in height. The height of the two youths irked the old woman as it reminded her of her short stature.

The old woman saw not to interrupt as they bantered back and forth and proceeded to conceal her presence sealing of her mana and intent, forcing them deep into her core. The woman, called Carnage by her Guildmates, picked up the names they called one another E and Crow. The names seemed to ring with the old lady's memories, and she thought back, attempting to remember where she heard of them. A light bulb went off at the realisation; they were members of Grimoire Heart. The appearance of the two seemed familiar to the old woman as she had been there at their inductions when they were first recruited watching from the shadows.

Carnage approached her features set in a permanent scowl as her eyes appeared closed, deciding to finally show her presence, offering up her voice which came out in a tone that while soft, was rough from age and battle, "I see naught has changed, since last words I heard of thee." Said the old woman as she addresses both youths.

Yumi took a step forward following by another, appearing to glide across the streets with grace one would not expect from one her age. While time has passed, it appeared it had not affected the abilities of the old woman, "Perhaps ye would be wise to move thy conversation away from prying eyes, less ye continue to draw the attention of these heathens." Spoke up the old woman once more using her head to incline towards the gathering of spectators who like Yumi were drawn to the youths, listening in on their conversation. The eyes of many were upon them eyeing with lust and jealousy.

Yumi snorted in annoyance as she focused on the crowd and unleashed her magical energy and killer intent. The two mixed together forming tongues of mana appearing as black flames that flickered from her body. The black aura rose up engulfing the old woman as it struck upon the crowd unleashing a terrifying pressure and the old woman's desire to kill, quickly forcing the crowd to depart running away in fear of the grey haired woman. Yumi tsked as she sealed off her power, "Cowards."

With the crowd gone only the three remained in the once bustling streets of Oak. Yumi turned back to the two youths, "Now where were we, Crow, E. This one known as Carnage surely hopes ye are receiving of one another." The way she spoke had a deadly tone to it as she flashed a smile that could only be described as wrong and out of place on the old womans lips as she enquired if the two were getting along.

Yumi's crimson hues flickered as E moved his hand away from Crow's neck. it was clear he dared not to make a move while she was there, the old woman while not as strong as the Guild Master or Caius an A rank Mage who went by the name Black, she was still strong in her own right. What Yumi lacked in Magical Strength and raw power she made up with experience, wisdom, her ability to intimidate and her years of battle. The old woman ignored the actions of the young man, she would set it aside for now, she had already caused enough of a scene by intimidating the citizens of Oak no need to continue exposing herself.

The wrinkled flesh of a woman opted not to reply to Crow as she spoke glaring at Erebus hissing in a sweet tone. It was clear these two had been about in some kind of argument that would have escalated had Yumi not appeared when she had. Yumi supposed it her duty as their senior to keep them in place, of course she would sooner kill herself than admit anything about her own age before these two youngsters. Secretly the old woman's gaze would flicker across the youth of the younger woman admiring her fair skin and beautiful long white locks. The old woman forced her jealousy done, she long missed her won youth. How the old woman desired to have the milky white skin she had in her youth, to be young again with a heart shaped face, button nose and long silky black hair that had made many jealous with the way it shimmered.

The old woman forced the thought done, as long as she remained faithful to her Chaos God Khorne she was sure he would one day reward her with youth. It had been foretold that only the truly virtuous followers of Khorne who receive his favour and return to their prime. While many disregarded the scripture that foretold this, Yumi held it close to her heart. Her God had not led her astray yet in the many years she worshipped him so why would he now?

Yumi drew herself from her thoughts as Crow addressed her once more. The hatchling seemed to have a hidden agenda, no doubt to try and get back at him for grasping her (Crows) throat earlier. If the youngsters wanted to play their mind games who was she to care, but she would only tolerate them using her (Yumi) in them for now. Before the old woman could offer reply a small shadow formed over her. Slowly descending from the air was a most peculiar creature. The creature had a two-foot tall frame that was covered by a black robe with two bones on its back. The mask of the being resembled a skull that sat o its face, a single giant red orb floated back and forth between the eye sockets, the orb being its eye. All in all it looked like some kind of child Grim Reaper.

The creature floated down and landed on Yumi's right shoulder appearing to rub it's skull like mask affectionately against the old woman's chin. "Where did ye get to Venom?" Addressed Yumi in her raspy tone as she raised a single hand to pat the top of the identified Venom's skull. Should the creature be recognised by the two youths they would realise it was a Duskull a rare nocturnal creature that was said to live in thick forests and spirit away disobedient creature. it is said when a Duksull chooses a target, it will doggedly pursue the intended victim until the break of dawn. Dukskulls were rare creatures to find, let along bond with.

Carnage turned away from her familiar who got comfortable in order to focus back on Crow and E, "Very well, ye may accompany thee. This one should desire to spend the according time with thy colleagues. This one could use two pack mules, as this one has much to buy" The old woman folded her hands into the sleeves of her kimono her expression never changing. If these two wanted to play she would make the play, to dance to her own strings. Yumi would make both carry her purchases.

The old woman turned north on her heels her kimono flowing in the breeze. Even if she was wrinkled and old she was still as elegant as ever. The pearls of her earrings dangled down as she began walking away beckoning the two to follow, "Come hatchlings, let us barter with the heathens of Oak." With that she walked on, more like glided. While Yumi was old, she had not lost any speed as she walked at a pace that would force two youths to speed up themselves if they wish to catch her.

Yumi had seen a rather fashionable boutique earlier that day, one that specialised in a mix of incense and the finest kimonos around. It was time the old woman changed her attire she had worn the same kimonos for the last ten years now.

Carnage would walk without saying a word to her two compatriots allowing silence to fall over them. of course while Yumi said not a word her familiar would notice the two followers and proceed to fly over to them. Venom would float backwards in front of E and Crow watching them with its big red eye, "Dusk?" The creature spoke in a raspy wispy voice as it tilted its head to the right, as it appearing to study the two. Venom then raised both its hands to the edge of its mask. It then seemed to part its own skull mask mouth as a black tongue rolled out as the creature blew a loud raspberry at the two youths before flying back over to Yumi. Venom's body shook in what could only be described as laughter. it seemed the tiny creature had found amusement in what it had done.

Yumi ignored the antics of her two travelling companions. Whether it be Erebus stealing and pickpocketing along the way, as long as he wasn't caught she could care less what he did. If he were caught it would be his own fault. Yumi was the type to allow people to fall on their mistakes instead of stopping them if the first time you touched fire you normally learnt it burned and hurt, if you touched it again it was your damn fault. So the woman would not interfere. She spoke not a word as the youth pulled out a cigarette and flipped the bird to the onlooking crowd. The male youth was impetuous, loud and rude from what the old woman could tell from the small interactions; she had also heard he was quite the womaniser, partaking in the warm flesh of others.

Not that Yumi could blame him, she had partaken many times in the flesh of others to warm her bed at night male and female. But that had been many years ago now she simply laid in a cold, empty bed at night. She had no regrets about her past actions, after all, she had killed every lover she had. Rarely did she ever let anyone she laid with escape alive when she was done with them? That was just the type of woman Yumi had been in her youth.

The moment of the offer of a cigarette arrived, and the old woman decided she may as well calm herself. At least the youth, as uncouth as he was had the decency to offer, perhaps he was not as bad as what she first thought. Of course, this would require further observation before she could form a proper assessment of the boy. "Very well this one will accept." The old woman would retrieve a lone cigarette holding it between her index and middle finger on her right hand, offering it to the boy to light.

Once done the old woman would raise the cancer stick to her ageing lips. She would rest it there and take a long drag inhaling deeply. Yumi was not an avid smoker but she had partaken in the act a number of times. It was a way to relieve tension in one body to remove stress. The old woman removed the cigarette and blew out a ring of smoke. She took another drag allowing the smoke to hang in her mouth before blowing out a larger ring.

"What brings ye to oak." Addressed the old woman appearing to finally attempt some kind of conversation. At the same time, she turned her back towards them, as they continued on their path. The cancer stick hung loosely on the left side of her mouth pointed away from her familiar.

Of course during the entire time the youth Siyna, Crow had been attempting to antagonise the young male. The Old woman cast her gaze back briefly to look at the young woman, "Don't blame that one. Coequal thee can admit ye art an attractive beauty. If this one wast young, then thee would beest attempting to seduce ye." Spoke the old woman in her usual tone, admitting that if she was any younger she would have attempted to seduce the youth.

Yumi walked along listening to her two colleagues speak as they told her the reasoning they were here in Oak. The boy stated he had been inducted into the guild here in Oak, he was a recent member that was true and one of the youngest members, alongside Odin who went by the name Luficer. In terms of Age Lucifer and E were the youngster just out of their teens and approaching adulthood. Then there was Axileo followed by Cornelius, Nastasya who was known as Shadow. After Shadow was Siyna Crow then Caius who was called black finally Nathaniel who went by the name Rune. All over them were under the age of thirty where Yumi was the eldest at seventy-five years. There was a big age cap between the old woman and her guild-mates.

"Just because one cannot use the art of magic, does not mean one is weak. This one has defeated many a foe without magic. Thy is young and has much to learn, which ye will with time" Spoke the old woman as she eyed the young male. She was providing her own advice to him, being the eldest she should pass what wisdom she had while she could. "Strengthen what you know and expand. Do not focus on put a single art and become stagnant." Yumi magic was well known throughout her guild. The old woman used a form of magic that focused heavily on combing Martial Arts with Magical techniques. She was a practitioner of many styles Judo, Kendo, Jujitsu, Karate, Muay Thai, Boxing and many more. She did not just know one style but many combining them into her form. Even with her aged body she was still capable of handling herself in a fist fight, able to take down opponents many times stronger than her without magic.

Yumi caught Siyna's eyes flickering to Erebus at the mention of a dog. It seemed Siyna saw Erebus perhaps as nothing more than a dog in heat. It was amusing to say the least. The old woman inhaled her death stick, the cigarette began to flake away as she inhaled the remains of it in one go until it was down to the butt. She removed the end and blew a large ring of smoke up into the air. Yumi applied a little magic to her finger tips and put the end out before flicking her fingers and sending the butt flying into a bin with precision. It was at this time Crow asked about Yumi's purpose for being here.

"I has many reasons f'r being here in oak. The first would be to earneth wage. I have travel this land f'r many years, spending what jewels i has't did save, twas tim to saveth again. The second to doth with mine own religion. I have heard word my fellow worshippers had descended into madness and begun worshipping the foe of mine own lord. So I did away with them" Speaking about murder seemed to be second nature to the old woman. She had no issue with talking out loud about killing ex-followers to her faith in the middle of the day. There was no one around to listen so she wasn't overly worried about drawing attention.

"Lastly after meeting with some of our organisation, it was decided..." The old woman paused as she turned to face the two. A dark expression fell upon the old woman's features her eyes narrowed. Her lips twitched rising into a twisted smile that could only be called wrong on the old woman's lips, "we will be calling forth a storm." From Yumi's words, they would be able to gather a meeting had gone down with some of the senior members of Grimoire Heart and they were planning some kind of attack.

Carnage came to an abrupt stop the moment the two question about the upcoming storm. The old woman began to look around, eyes darting back and forth surveying the area for eavesdroppers. She spotted the odd person out and about, in order to get rid of them she spiked her killer intent directing it towards then, just enough to make them tremble and flee. Her familiar Venom raced off to terrorise anyone who approached away leaving the three alone in the middle of the streets. The old woman motioned for the two to approach her in order to close the gap so she would not have to speak too loudly. She was overly cautious; some may call her paranoid, but it was that paranoia that allowed her to live as long as Yumi had.

Once everything was in the clear Yumi spoke in a low tone, just loud enough for both to hear, "The Organisation is planning a raid. This one assigned two targets, pairing colleagues with one another designating a primary and secondary target. The assault will commence soon. At this point no one but I know the exact date and time. When a specific time arrives those participating are to open a gift, I gave them detailing the exact coordinates and date of the raid." Explained the old woman, hands remaining in her kimono sleeve. She saw no need to punctuate her sentences by moving her hands unlike others she knew who could be quite animated when they talked.

"As for the little phantoms. Ye does not need to be concerned with them. Oak may be their territory, the targets hold no significant value to them. There will be no need for them to interfere." Explained the old woman once again. Yumi had spent time studying the buildings of Oak, finding out just which would most likely be valued by the Phantoms, after assessing them she picked two targets they would least likely to protect or would have any reason to protect unless paid. Even if they did show the old woman had no doubts that they could handle them. The Phantoms were just little guppies in an ocean filled with sharks.

Yumi eyed the sun it was beginning to set. She had spent too much time dilly dallying about when there was still so much to do. The old woman paused deciding she would at least answer the question of the male youth before she left, "To cause a little chaos of course. The world has gotten to peaceful and these fools need a wake up call with a little misery." Spoke the old woman as she turned to her colleagues.

The old woman then proceeded bowed politely, "Now I must apologise to thee but I must leave. I have much to prepare." The old woman then turned and walked away from the two leaving them be in the middle of the streets.

[EXIT]