Casseus now made his way to the Boss’s office, a confident stride to his step. Melissa was right. It was time to seize his rightful place as the unquestioned second in command amongst the Normal. He wouldn't let some snot nosed high schooler out do him.
As he entered the office, Casseus paused, confused as he saw the Boss and Rick open a bottle of champagne. "Casseus," the Boss said happily. "Just in time. Come here and have a drink. Our boy pulled off something incredible!" Casseus raised an eyebrow, slowly approaching as he grasped a glass. As the trio cheered, Casseus eyed Rick carefully. "So what's happened?" he asked.
"Well Rick here just pulled off the impossible," the Boss said happily. "His plot just made our job way, way easier." Casseus was curious, watching as the Boss now beckoned to a white board. In the past Casseus had seen this. It was a list of their adversaries, divided into various groups. Currently, he could see an X through several different groups. "I still don't understand." Casseus stated. The Boss simply chuckled as he explained Rick's perfectly executed plan.
Useing his magic, Rick mind controlled an elite vampire of the Tepes family. The vampire, Hannibal, proceeded to attack the younger brother of the current hunter of the Moreland family. As expected, Caleb Moreland believed the Tepes family crippled his younger brother, based on a death bed confession from Hannibal. This resulted in a blood feud between the Morelands and the vampires, effectively occupying them as the Normal moved into attack. What no one expected though was the collateral damage.
S.P.E.A.R involved themselves in the situation, preventing Caleb from assassinating Wyatt Tepes. That was unexpected, leading to a stroke of luck for the Normal. "The hunters pulled out of S.P.E.A.R," the Boss said happily. "Up and left them hanging high and dry. Even better it drove a wedge between hunters and fairies. The fae were already hurting from Operation Blackfire. This pretty much makes them a non factor going forward."
"That is good news," Casseus replied in awe. While secretly seething at Rick one upping him, he had to admire the unintentional outcome. S.P.E.A.R was now scrambling to get their house in order. The loss of the hunters a serious blow that would take time to recover. For all intents and purposes, they would be a non factor as the Normal moved towards their end goal. "It gets better though," the Boss replied giddily. "Rick, tell us then what happened with the wizards."
Casseus raised an eyebrow as Rick now smugly pointed towards the board. When they originally designed this board of adversaries, they divided into several groups, listing the most prominent members underneath. Kitsune, fairies, S.P.E.A.R, vampires, and finally wizards. Considering the amount of wizards they were dealing with though, that particular group was divided into five sets. Original Catalyst, College, Juniors, Future, and Magic High. Currently College and Juniors had an X through them.
"The College group split," Rick said proudly. "Literally down the middle over the vampires. That dhamphir Duke apparently stood up to the Moreland hunter. Guess he chose family over friends and those friends picked sides. Dividing them, it's going to be easy pickings going forward."
"And what about the Juniors?" Casseus asked.
"Well," Rick smirked. "The Moreland's little brother Connor is going to be laid up for months. Same goes for the Morelands fairy. Apparently she and that kid are an item. She's more concerned with his recovery than stopping us. The twins, the Desotos, also got caught up in this. The family freaked out. Those kids ain't going nowhere anytime soon. We cut their numbers in half accidentally and I fully intend on taking them out myself."
Casseus frowned, understanding why Rick would want to go after them. He had been obsessed with stealing the son of Life and Death's power since the beginning of the school year. With the Juniors numbers cut in half, he would have a much easier chance of accomplishing that goal. Melissa's words now echoed through his mind. He wouldn't let Rick up stage him.
"With S.P.E.A.R, the vampires, and the fairies dealing with internal issues" the Boss continued, shaking Casseus from his musings. "The time to strike is now. I'm sending Hinata, Choon Hee, and the Dark Garden to deal with Magic High and the Guardians. Rick and Demeter will finish off the remaining wizards in this timeline."
"If it's all the same to you Boss," Casseus said. "I think I should accompany Rick on his mission." The Boss paused, despite the hood he wore Casseus could tell he was curious. Rick, however, scowled at the dark wizard. "What? Afraid I can't handle a couple of teenagers and soccer moms?"
"Yes Rick, I am."
The reddish blush in Rick's cheeks soothed Casseus ego. Melissa was right, he needed to assert himself. Especially when it came to the original wizards. "You maybe able to handle some 'teenagers' Rick," he said. "But the others are far beyond your abilities. I should know, I've faced them before." Rick scowled, turning to the Boss who simply shrugged. "He's right Rick," he said.
"And that's why you will need my help," Casseus continued. "I know them. I know their strengths...and their weaknesses. For the plan to succeed you will need mine and Demeter's help."
"Fine," Rick huffed, folding his arms across his chest. "But what about the kitsune and the Catalyst?"
"Leave them to me," the Boss replied menacingly. "I have something special in store for them."
Casseus nodded, the first steps towards the endgame now beginning. Plans would need to be made beforehand but, he had little doubt that when everything is said and done, he would be the only one emerging victorious.