Ebony and Ivory: Next Generation.

While a family in a small hamlet celebrated one of the most amazing news to hear, a shadow stalked the metropolis of the Griffon capital. Leaping from a roof to roof quieter than a whisper, more invisible than a shadow at night, and more deadly than a plague. It had no facial features except for two piercing red eyes that burned like blood and hell. Finally coming to a stop it stared down at it's target, a tavern. Known as the Three-eyed-Crow it was a popular meet and greet for the cities underworld. There was nothing interesting about the building itself it was mid-sized just the right size to be inconspicuous. No paint adorned its walls no flowers or plants on its sides. It was a simple rectangular stone building with a wooden of a sign adorned with a crow with three eyes. Inside however it was a hot-bed of activity. Powerful gangsters conducting business deals biding their time to stab each other in the back. Assassins and bounty hunters picking up contracts or receiving payment, and mercenary groups from all over the world conducting their own business. While the shadow would enjoy to set the entire establishment ablaze with all of its occupants it was here for an important meeting with an unsuspecting client.

"I know your glare is powerful but I don't think it can burn down a building, not yet anyway." A white hooded man whispered into its ear. The shadow did not move only continued to stare at the tavern.

"You're late." The shadow spoke it's voice deep and hard like stone.

"Well that's what happens when you don't give me proper directions." The hood shot back.

"I did you give you proper direction, you’re just lazy." The shadow bit back now turning his attention to his companion.

"You said and I quote: 'meet me at the rooftop across the tavern at 6:00 pm.' You never said which tavern." The hood retorted.

"Because I didn't think it was important. Which tavern? I don't know maybe the notorious one with all the criminals. You were probably hoping I meant the one with the cute waitress with auburn hair and blue eyes." He responded jumping down to an alley below their perch.

"Okay first off her name is Fire Seed and she has hazel eyes. Secondly that is the last tavern I would want it to be. You'd probably scare her off with your incredible lack of people skills." He said following him.

"I have people skills." He responded sounding almost offended.

"No, no you do not Ebony. The last conversation you had with a person ended with a fractured skull and a broken bottle in the eye." He pointed out recalling what transpired in a back room with a portly aristocrat.

"That's still people skills. A different kind of skill that leads to people telling me what I want." He said walking towards the door. Now in the warmth of light the shadow gave way to a man tall and firmly built with a broad chest, strong shoulders, and toned muscles. He was sporting a midnight blue long coat with matching pants and black boots. Underneath his coat was a reddish brown button up vest and a shirt underneath that. Each article with various symptoms of wear and tear. At his hips were two sheathed blades and upon his face was a solid ebony mask with no features only two large holes for eyes. His companion while similarly built albeit slightly scrawnier was dressed in startling contrast with a clean alabaster jacket with viridian trimming along with a black shirt pants and shoes.

"Yeah along with screaming for death, their mothers and their god all at once. Great skill." His last comment dripping in sarcasm.

"Thank you." He replied not noticing or caring for the comment. As they walked up to the door he removed the mask and the other let down his hood. Their hair like their attire were polar opposite the one in white shined with golden locks that reflected all light that it touched pulled back into a neat pony tail showing off his emerald eyes. The other however had a mess of darkness atop his head and like a black hole absorbs all light that came into contact with it.

The duo swung open the door to the seedy establishment. Inside the walls were filled with unsavory characters. Some of them looked like they came right out of a childrens comic book with scarred faces, missing eyes, spiked armor and other features that screamed “look at me I’m a deadly mercenary.” Others though were far more realistic and twice as dangerous wearing with faces and attire that could blend into any crowd, but with a glint in their eyes that told they would kill a child’s puppy before their eyes if it ended in profit. It was at that moment Ebony noticed Storm Feather a senator in the Griffon Imperium. He looked like most griffons feathers for hair, bird like wings, and claws on his hands. He gained a reputation as a man who came from nothing and rose to power, a real underdog story. That is if the writer ignored that he only achieved that power by getting his hands wet with various underground organizations making his money from selling various illegal items.

“Ivory, correct me if I’m wrong but that’s Storm Feather, correct?” he asked making a subtle motion to the well dressed man.

“Well I do believe it is so are we going to hit two birds with one stone? No pun intended.” He replied. Ebony thought about it for a moment he was going to deal with the senator eventually but on the other hand the mission he was on was too important to mess up and even scum like him was had friends to cause trouble.

“No, he’s not worth it we can’t afford to fail here I’ll send Acacia, she can handle him.” He responded continuing his stride to the bar.

“Oooh Acacia you’ve been bringing her up a lot lately.” Ivory commented raising his eyebrows.

“Ivory I know what you’re suggesting and no. She’s a good hunter that is it. I am not getting involved that closely with another one.” He growled through gritted teeth leaning against the bar. Ivory gave a deep sigh and joined him.

“Look, I know it’s hard but you gotta get move past this. You need to start let-” He was cut off however by Ebony glare. More intimidating than a hydra, manticore and dragon hybrid and burned hotter than 100 suns enough to make even strongest willed men flinch.

“What I need, brother, is to find them and exact my justice and we are not bringing this up again.” He growled Ivory opened his mouth for a rebuttal but knew it was pointless and instead ended the conversation on a weak sigh.

“Good, now if you don’t mind we have our objective to get back to.” He said flagging down the bartender.

“What can I get you boys: Drinks, food, room… other?” The bartender asked.

“Were looking for the Blackfoot Irregulars. I trust you know where I could find them.” Ebony replied the bartender leaned in closer.

“Well that depends what you need them for.” He whispered.

“Isn’t it obvious we’re a couple of customers wondering what kind of services they offer.” Ivory replied.

“Well I’m sure you two are a couple of fine gentleman. However, the Blackfoot irregulars are one of the most well known mercenaries in the world and only take the most serious buyers. No time for window shoppers.” The bartender replied raising one of his eyebrows. Ebony understood the message and pulled out a small package of bits and slid it to the bartender. He took the bag and proceeded to look at it’s contents and the small grin on his face showed he got his answer.

“And there’s more where that came from.” Ebony whispered. The bartender quickly tucked the package in his pockets and with face full of glee he lead the two to a back room of the establishment.

The trio stopped at a door being blocked by a giant of a man whose head almost touched the ceiling. “Hello, Saul we have a couple of generous and wealthy customers for the Blackfoot’s.” The giant looked at the three and put his hand up. “No swords” he said simply pointing at Ebony’s swords. He then held out an open palmed hand. “You’ll have to excuse Saul he’s a half giant and not great with words so forgive his curtness. He is right though no weapons inside the room.” Ebony nodded and removed the twin blades and handed them to the giant. Saul however was not convinced and kept his hand out. Ebony gave slight chuckle before handing over his belt that was lined with bombs, throwing knives, a knife connected to a rope and a broad knife sheathed at the rear. Along with that he handed over twin knives that were lined inside his jacket along with a stiletto knife hidden on his boot.

“Apparently you’re not as dull as the bartender thinks you are.” He commented.

“Not good with words good at job.” he responded before turning to Ivory.

“Oh you don’t have to worry about me, my good sir, I’m not quite as brutish as my bodyguard here I would never touch keep such ghastly things.” He responded putting up his hands. Saul however, like a world class poker player called his bluff and proceeded to pat down Ivory only to find nothing.

“Sorry.” Saul said stepping aside. The bartender proceeded to open the door to a well lit room with a large desk were a Griffon sat flanked by two guards each as big as the one outside. As the two walked in the bartender left shutting the door behind him.

“Greetings gentleman how might I be of service? Please take a seat. I certainly hope Saul didn’t offend you two we’ve been trying to work on his people skills but to no avail. Ah well he’s good at what he does and that’s what counts right?” The griffon smiled gesturing toward the two chairs.

“Hey sounds like a new best friend for you, huh brother?” Ivory joked giving Ebony a playful elbow. Ebony failed to register the nudge and continued to stare at the three men in deep thought. Dozens of thoughts swirling through his mind, dozens of scenarios playing out before coming to the best conclusion. “Fuck it.” Ebony said dashing forward a steel claw extending from the top of his wrist he thrust it into the giant on the left’s stomach. The giant doubled over from the pain when a second claw extended from Ebony’s left wrist. Swiping upwards he sliced the man’s throat. Blood poured from the wound before he fell over dead. Ivory, quickly catching his brother’s plan reached into his jacket were a faint glow could be seen. He then pulled a black spell-gun and fired at the one on the right’s head with a combustion spell. The giant’s head exploded spraying blood, skull and brain matter everywhere. The Griffon was too shocked to move. Those two guards were half giants acquired from the Ice-Spine mountain clans and were brutal warrior capable of tearing off arms and the beating men with said arms. Yet two men turned them into little more than stains on the floor and the walls and the ceiling. Ebony then reached over and grasped the Griffon’s head slamming him into the floorboards. A loud crack could be heard although it was hard to tell if it was the wooden floors or the griffon’s bones. He was about to let out a scream of pain when Ebony covered his mouth with his hand. “Listen up you're going to tell us whatever we want to know and this is over quickly. Don’t and suffer. Your choice.” Ebony growled staring the man down. The griffon stared into his assailants eyes. They were like staring into the mouth of Tartarus. They swirled with unimaginable rage and spoke of a man that has killed more than most of the criminals in this tavern. Fear swept through the griffon’s body to the point he was almost shaking. Ebony carefully removed his hand from his mouth to let him speak but the griffon could only keep staring into his eyes, those horrifying unspeakable eyes. “Talk!” Ebony barked grabbing hold of his throat not squeezing hard enough to prevent him from speaking but enough to cause extreme pain.

“Okay, okay, don’t kill me please I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” He croaked. Ebony eased on his stranglehold but didn't completely release his throat.

“A man was looking to employ your group earlier this week. I want to know why and how many he paid for.” He said.

“Do you have a name then?” The griffon asked. Ebony tightened his grip moving closer to the griffon’s face.

“If I had a name I would have told it to you.” He growled baring his teeth.

“Right, look even if you did tell me the name I probably wouldn't have remembered just don’t kill me.” The griffon pleaded on the verge of tears. He joined this group to get some money but not enough to put his life on the line it’s why he tried his hardest to get this desk job.

“I won’t kill you as long as you stop wasting my time.” Ebony growled tightening his grip even further. The griffon began to choke before wheezing out a reply.

“Okay, look all deals and transactions are taken back to our hq in the city. It’s next to the shopping district it’s on Augustine street.” Ebony stared closely into his eyes scanning him for a hint of a lie. Satisfied, he let go of the griffon’s throat and let him get to his feet.

“Good, we’ll check it out and I highly suggest you don’t try to warn anyone because if you do I’ll find you and you know what I’ll do to you.” Ebony warned walking towards the door. He swung open the door where Saul was still standing oblivious to the commotion inside the room.  A sharp blow to the back of his knee toppled the half giant and an metal claw through his skull finished the job.

“Aww I was actually hoping a friendship would blossom between you two.” Ivory bemoaned. Like most of his brother’s sarcastic comments Ebony didn't bother to care.

“Get out.” A simple command and one the griffon did not need to be told twice. He couldn't have fled faster if he was on fire.

“You see it’s stuff like that makes me say you have an unnatural lack of people skills. Didn’t even get the guys name and you cover him in blood, get him on his back, and choke him. A gentleman would have taken him on at least three dates before getting to that.” Ivory said.

“Would you rather we go through the usual banter that would lead us to this anyway?” Ebony asked walking out of the room stepping over Saul’s massive body and taking back his equipment.

“No this way was definitely more efficient I might even get to see Fire Seed before we take off.” Ivory responded following behind and noting that Saul's ears were enveloped in bruises. Half-giants especially those born in clan society are known for having awful hearing mostly from getting Cauliflower-ear from fighting along with genetics.

“By the way nice job noticing that the big guy couldn't hear.” Ivory said putting a jovial arm around Ebony.

“Oh I had no idea it was actually pretty lucky I just thought we’d improvise with him.” Ebony responded with a small shrug. Ivory gave him a small scowl before taking his hand off of his shoulder and sighing.

“Of course that was your plan.” The two made their way out of the bar leaving the bodies and the room for the bartender to clean up.