The Wu Tang dynasty great city is often called the Stone City by it’s inhabitants, because of the heavy presence of magic stone usage within the nation,

To them the gems are like currency, with the more common ones being worth little in comparison to the stones containing much rarer magic, 

The people here are anything but giving, if you ask for something expect to be demanded a few magic stones in exchange, 

This has been the norm here for centuries an economic system partially unique to the Wu Tang, I say partially because in recent times their influence has started spreading to other smaller towns,

Many seeking infrastructural aid would come to Wu Tang only to be demanded stones, of these many towns the biggest one that stands out is Furlheim city, 

On the surface it’s ran by it is ran by its people independently of any other country, but behind all that Furlheim was being assisted by the Wu Tang throughout the latter half of it’s entire lifespan, that it was able to grow so quickly from a small town to a big city,

Everything from it’s weapons to concrete was provided by the Wu Tang, in exchange they would trade magic stones of course, but the ones they traded weren’t ones naturally developed in the earth over the course of centuries

The ones they traded were created from fresh bodies drained of all their magic, turned to stone

A feat only possible with the use of the object that can break all natural laws, the requiem.

Furlheim city, often called Sweepstake city was perhaps a Sweepstake of magical gems for the people of the Wu Tang Dynasty.

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“Three wind?

I only have a fire and two earth.”

“Well I need some wind stones right now so I can’t help you sir.”

“Come I’m sure we can compromise something.”

“No can do.”

“burrrppp!” Claude belches loudly

“At this point, I don’t even trust the ground itself anymore.” He says

“I feel like recently everything I’ve know has been a lie or has more layers to it that I’d known.”

“That’s the excitement of life my friend,” replies Pinoki

“More secrets to uncover means more adventures await,”

“Wait till Mf returns.” Shiryu speaks in standing up, 

Him along with Pinoki and the twins sit around a table in a café in the Stone City,

A few days has gone by since taking over the nation,

(Well not actually taking it over)

The vampire Lamia, one of her abilities lets her manipulate the minds and memories of humans, and for some reason she decided to make so that the governing body of the Wu Tang, the clan, they now remember themselves voting Aki as the new empress and priority leader of the country,

Emperor Cash still lives and is revered by the regular citizens who have not been manipulated, but to the entire household of the imperial castle Aki is now the leader.

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****

“Our stone trading industry has taking significant losses without the Medusa requiem and the people from Furlheim city using it, empress.”

“I heard the last two spearheads of that operation we’re killed in the dead of the night, 

I take that as a sign that we should end that system, the Vampires have already taken the requiem, 

Give Furlheim the aid they need, the people of this city could survive without magic stones, they’re aren’t anything besides a symbol of value here anyway,” states the former chief now empress Aki, 

Strolling along the concrete roads of the stone city she discusses with Rae-kwon the matters of the city,

“What I really need to get dealt with is that flood in Bakufu,” She stops in front of a commercial building about the size of a small house it’s exterior painted a soft peach with colorful paper streaks hanging from it’s open entrance, blowing peacefully in the breeze of the stone city,

“Go get my siblings and tell them to meet me here, Rae,” 

“Very well, I’ll do just that.” The man bows politely trotting back up the street to the picturesque castle looming in the distance 

Aki turns into the–

“Aki?” Shiryu says exiting the café with his three companions

“I was just coming to see if you’re still here,” she turns back away no longer intent on entering the café

“Walk with me, I have some things to discuss.”

“..O.. ok…” Shiryu awkwardly stutters following behind the woman

Pinoki and the twins wait a while for the two to get going before also following but from a distance

“So…”

“Those vampire friends of yours, 

I need you to get that Medusa requiem or whatever it’s called,

The ability to turn people to stone is to dangerous to let loose especially with the beasts.” Aki briskly informs not letting Shiryu attempt to start up a regular conversation 

“Dracula, Lamia, I don’t think you have to worry about them, 

See they may seem highly intelligent and sophisticated but like all beastmen they are driven by primal wants,”

“Oh now I definitely feel much better about them holding on to q dangerous artifact.” Comes a sarcastic response

“Let me finish,

The vampires want nothing but control, incontestable control, that’s why they don’t or haven’t been out attacking humans or taking over cities, 

They want control but hate the spotlight, 

Dracula wants to control by fear and Lamia by manipulation, they both want to do this from the shadows, see where I’m getting at Aki?

If Dracula wanted he could have been massacred this entire city, but chose to let you have it,

Lamia could manipulate your mind the same she did with the clan, they only came because they wanted the requiem, they’re not a threat as of now.”

“If you say so Shiryu, but then again you could just be under her spell to say this,”

“I’m not, but Aki can we talk about us?”

“Us? 

Be serious Shiryu, I have a lot to deal with, our friendship was temporary and served it’s purpose,

What I’m focused on now is dealing with the threat that will come from the flood,”

“….Bu…” Shiryu hesitates on what to say

….

“…We don’t even know if anything is even going to come of it,” he answers decidedly steering away from the topic he brought up

“Everyone is saying war, before any of this happened the Wu Tang were already making preparations, 

There are other people out there, ones that none of us know anything about, except you Shiryu,

That’s why I still need you,”

(Use me)

“I’ll do what I can to help” Shiryu mutters under his breath

(To make you love me)

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