《Smile Like You Mean It (Hazbin Hotel/Disco Elysium Inspired)》


 Prologue

    Smile Like You Mean It: Prologue


    --- ??? ---?


    The world was on fire, and all he knew was agony as his skull was pierced.


    For an eternity the flames continued, eating away and devouring his mind, body, and soul as they left nothing behind. Inflicting a level of pain and agony unending so great that his mind shattered again and again as it tried to futilely piece itself together.


    But it was in this state of shattered sanity, that some tangential part of him had looped around through the pain, feeding the rest of his mind into the flames in an attempt to try and salvage some piece of himself, retaining only that which he would never give up even if it meant the death of everything that made him, him.


    Those things were far more important to him than any thought in his head, any bit of personality that described his ego, or even all of the power that he''d accumulated over the years.


    Which is why the hellfire consumed all of it, everything he was, before they could touch that which was precious to him.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Sadly though, this was not enough to stop the hellfire from eating away at these things that he clung to more in insane instinct than any conscious thought. Dimming recollections of what he was after, what he desired more than life itself, what he''d make his own even if he had to raze all of heaven and hell to the ground to do so.


    But still he clung on to what he could, even as all that remained was the knowledge that there was something out there that he desired with all of his being, something that he could acquire if he found it once more.


    Something that he knew he would find so long as the desire to do so remained, that longing emptiness that would drive lesser men to the abyss, it would push him to find what he could not even remember any more and he would make it his.


    Which is why, as he hit the ground, his consciousness fading into the darkness, his power brought down to that of a lowly worm, his sanity a figment of the imagination, his body broken utterly, and his soul barely a spark of existence¡­


    He couldn''t help but smile.

 Ira Invidia (I): A Warm Open

    Ira Invidia (I): A Warm Open


    --- ??? ---


    When an eternity of hellfire finally came to an end he found himself fading in and out of consciousness, the shambles of his mind trying to stitch itself back together.


    In these intermittent bouts of darkness and thought he saw a number of things, and thought about an even greater number of things as his body refused to work for him.


    The first of these things was the graffiti covered brick wall of whatever filthy gutter he found himself thrown in, his body clearly left to the rats by whatever power thought him dead.


    (But I¡¯m not dead¡­ I won¡¯t die¡­ until I can do so with a smile¡­)


    It was a powerful thought, and arguably the first real revelation about who he was as an individual.


    The second revelation was the fact that it was the only thing he knew about himself, the agony of whatever had left him in this alley having devoured every other thought and memory in his head, save for those that had formed in said alley. (Troubling¡­)


    It was this second revelation that allowed him to realize his third, namely that whatever he¡¯d forgotten was important because of¡­ reasons he wasn¡¯t actually all that sure of, beyond a bone deep longing of sorts.


    These were quite the big thoughts for what in some ways could be considered a newborn mind, which is likely why the darkness so gracefully dragged him back into slumber so that mind could cook just a little longer.


    ---


    When consciousness next returned he found himself looking up at a young woman bundled up in an oversized coat. Her gracious green eyes glittering out from beneath long brown hair in a mix of compassion and desperation as she regretfully attempted to rob what she thought to be a dead man.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry about this¡­¡± She told him as she dug through his pockets. ¡°I know you¡¯ve already had a bad day because of the Smiling Man but I¡­ I really need to get out of here¡­¡±


    (The Smiling Man?) He thought, a sense of familiarity coming from the title. One that filled him with an odd mix of satisfaction, admiration, boredom, hatred, and perhaps most curiously hunger¡­


    For the first time since arriving in this alley, who knows how long ago, he found his fingers twitching, wishing to reach out and¡­


    He wasn¡¯t quite sure but part of him wanted the girl to flee (protect your innocence¡­) While another part wanted her to stay (don¡¯t leave me alone!) And yet another wondered (what does your flesh taste like?)


    It was a disconcerting set of feelings to say the least.


    A sentiment the girl clearly shared if the way she stumbled back with wide eyes meant anything.


    ¡°You¡¯re waking up?¡± The girl clearly grimaced, despite how much of her face was covered. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡± Was her response before running off on her own.


    Whether that was rude, smart, kind, or cruel he wasn¡¯t sure. His understanding of those concepts¡­ still a little mixed at the moment. (Something is clearly wrong with my head right now¡­)


    A worrying thought, given how his mind was the only thing with any sort of power at the moment as he was just gaining the ability to move his fingers.


    Thankfully, the darkness decided to force upon him another comforting map before he could become too distressed by that point.


    ---


    Once more his mind struggled free of the comforting embrace of nothingness, the empty feeling inside of him beginning to gnaw at him in a way it hadn¡¯t while he was distracted by that girl from earlier. A gnawing that was quite painful in truth, as he found it wasn¡¯t quite limited to the emotional sense of the word. (Need to¡­ need to find a distraction¡­ Something to numb the emptiness¡­)


    Believing this to be quite the brilliant idea he began testing his limbs, finding them to be much closer to working order than they had been during his previous bout of consciousness, for this time he was actually able to use his long limbs to pull himself to a standing -if slightly uncoordinated- position by leaning against the wall he¡¯d been propped up against.


    Actually walking proved a¡­ more difficult task than he¡¯d initially assumed, if only because of how his limbs seemed to want him to act like some newborn lamb rather than a fully grown¡­ (human?)


    He paused at that, wondering why that thought seemed to be a question rather than a statement of sorts. (I mean, of course I¡¯m a human¡­ aren¡¯t I?)


    In front of him was a window, the glass dark and dusty due to both the light and disuse, but thankfully seemed to reflect the alley proper.


    Meaning when he stepped in front of it he was able to quite clearly see what he believed to be a handsome enough man with short -albeit long for a male- hair, his bangs covering his forehead even if they did nothing to hide his dark eyes. (See a human.)


    Sadly the makeshift mirror and the alleyway were both too dark to be too precise with the coloring of anything, but from what he could see of his own scarred skin by rolling his pale sleeves up to a position he was more comfortable with at the moment, he was of a tone that could pass for a tanned white man or a pale black man beneath the paler scarring that littered his arms.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    (I wonder which one it is?) He considered his limbs for another moment before taking another glance at his reflection.


    Only instead of a somewhat handsome human he found himself staring at a dark brown rabbit man with glowing red eyes and a pair of horns.


    A brief inspection behind him proved he was alone. And a second of his clothes proved that he was wearing the same half-charred white button up he¡¯d seen on the rabbit man.


    Returning his gaze to this new reflection he found himself staring at a now white rabbit with red eyes, dark stitchwork visible all over his fur.


    He raised a hand to his cheek, feeling smooth flesh even as his rabbit reflection ran clawed fingers over the stitches on its cheek, the motion pulling the fur slightly, and revealing something hidden beneath the fur.


    Rather than being intimidated by this he found himself thinking (interesting) even as a blink of the eye returned the reflection to that of a human.


    ¡°So I¡¯m either not actually human or I¡¯m insane¡­¡± For some reason he felt completely comfortable with both of those possibilities.


    It was as he pulled back from this closer inspection that he realized he had a smile on his face, one that he hadn¡¯t even been aware of, one that now that he noticed it filled him with (love/hate/fear/hunger/joy/despair/acceptance).


    He blinked, not having expected such an extreme reaction from just noticing the smile.


    It was the extremity of this reaction that had him do something that he¡¯d come to realize was the height of foolishness¡­


    Namely¡­


    He tried to stop smiling.


    (The pain kept coming, but he¡¯d keep smiling because¡­)


    (Her smile made the pain go away¡­)


    (And it came back when she finally stopped¡­)


    (He smiled, his eyes wide as he realized that monster¡¯s smile was the same as his¡­)


    (Despite the whole building burning around him¡­ he couldn¡¯t help but smile¡­)


    (Two fingers pressed up against his cheeks, forcing them into the shape of a smile he didn¡¯t feel¡­)


    (And so he¡¯d continue to smile because if he didn¡¯t¡­ well¡­)


    The Smile Didn¡¯t Like That¡­


    Shattering glass and pain snapped him out of it as he found his fist half way through the glass, sending massive cracks through it and fragmenting his reflection into seven very different eyes, before turning into seven reflections of a man who was very clearly shaken in spite of the smile on his face.


    ¡°Right¡­ not doing that again¡­¡± He chuckled, leaning a little more towards the insanity diagnosis than just a few moments prior.


    Pulling his hand free of the glass, he found he¡¯d done quite the number to the poor thing.


    He also found his flesh pushing the glass free through no action of his own, the small cuts they left behind quickly stitching themselves shut. (And that¡¯s a point in the ¡®not a human¡¯ direction as well¡­)


    ¡°Come on, I think it was over here.¡± A voice called from one end of the alley.


    ¡°And I don¡¯t get why we¡¯re heading towards the broken glass.¡± A second added. ¡°People are breaking into shit all the time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but around here our people. Meaning either it could be some of our boys who we can a cut for helping or it could be some other fucks thinking they can do something in our territory.¡± The first voice explained with something resembling logic.


    (Need to hide.)


    (Or charm them.)


    (Easier to just kill.)


    (Am getting hungry.)


    (Could play dead.)


    (Bargain maybe.)


    (Too many unknowns.)


    He stuttered a step, the cacophony of his own thoughts far more disorienting than he¡¯d been expecting as his mind went in more than half a dozen directions at once.


    Unfortunately, given how he was still getting used to ¡®walking¡¯ that single stuttered step was enough to send him crashing to the ground.


    ¡°Huh, who is this asshole?¡± One of the voices asked.


    ¡°Probably just some junkie drugged out of their mind.¡± The other dismissed him, (how dare he?!)


    He blinked, not sure why he was so offended by that when (better they underestimate than over, it¡¯ll make things easier.)


    ¡°Bet this is the one breaking glass and shit.¡± One of them said, as he felt a kick to his side. ¡°Fuck, man looks like a fucking Smiler¡­¡±


    Several of his thoughts aligned at once, with the single plan to (kill them both.)


    Not even really thinking about it he reached out with one of his hands and pulled on the leg of the man who kicked him with an amount of force that he hadn¡¯t expected from himself as scrawny as his reflection had been.


    Still it provided him with an opportunity he wasn¡¯t quite willing to throw away as it brought his attacker down to his level, where with surprising ease he grabbed the man¡¯s throat before ripping it out with a clawed hand.


    He felt a burst of something inside of him as he watched the man rapidly bleed out, almost as if the life was leaving the man and instead entering him.


    With far more ease than before he managed to climb to his feet, where his (victim¡¯s) compatriot punched him across the jaw.


    A few moments prior this would¡¯ve been enough to knock him back to the ground.


    Now it just made him growl in rage/hunger/excitement.


    Faster than either of them realized he grabbed the man by both his shoulder and his head before burying his teeth, his fangs, into the man¡¯s throat and ripping it out.


    Once more he felt a burst of something filling him with energy he hadn¡¯t had prior, even if the sensation was less noticeable than the first time. (Because you were weaker/emptier/poorer/hungrier.)


    He shook his head as another wave of thoughts crashed down on him, and he tossed the man to the side as he tried to steady himself against the brick wall rather than once more falling to the gutter like the two men he¡¯d just killed.


    For whatever reason be it that they struck him first, that they were clearly ne''er do wells, or simply because he wasn¡¯t human he found he wasn¡¯t all that guilty or concerned about the killing bit. In fact some part of him wanted more of it.


    His eyes drifted to another nearby alley window, where he once more saw his reflection.


    Only this time he saw a smiling man with a bloody maw full of fangs and a hole filled with flickering static beneath his now parted bangs. The entire visage quite clearly answering the question of ¡®is he a monster or is he just insane?¡¯ (Clearly it¡¯s both.)


    And he couldn¡¯t help but smile at that.

 Ira Invidia (II): The First Hunt

    Ira Invidia (II): The First Hunt


    --- ??? ---


    (G???????: We need to leave.)


    His eyes darted around the alley, searching for the source of the voice he¡¯d heard.


    (E???: We¡¯re not even going to pretend to be sane are we?) A second voice drawled, almost mockingly.


    (S????: That would be too much work for too little gain.) An exhausted third pointed out.


    Once more he checked all around the alley, but no matter where he looked he couldn¡¯t find the source of these voices. At least not until he noticed his fractured reflection staring at him and telling him exactly where the speakers had disappeared as his eyes changed color flickered between several colors.


    ¡°Voices in the head¡­¡± He huffed in amusement. ¡°What fun!¡±


    (P????: Yes, yes, we¡¯re insane. We¡¯ve already discovered this, but there¡¯s more new things to learn! I mean, look! There¡¯s something odd about these two¡­ Why aren¡¯t you investigating!) A fourth (more sophisticated) voice cried.


    Part of him -(the one you should absolutely ignore)- wondered if it was a good idea to heed the words of these voices, but given how they were him in a sense he decided to listen to them in so long as the ideas they voiced were intelligent or beneficial to him at the moment. (Smart man!)


    (G???????: No, we need to leave before someone finds us with these bodies.) The first voice growled.


    (W????: He has a point, if we don¡¯t leave people will seek vengeance.) A fifth agreed. (We aren¡¯t in a condition where we can fend off everyone who seeks us.)


    (G???????: We need to learn more about our prey before we hunt them down.)


    (P????: Oddly reasonable for you two, but I¡¯m always in favor of bettering ourselves. We can learn on the move.)


    ¡°So that¡¯s three in favor, out of¡­ how many?¡± He asked.


    (L???: There¡¯s seven us in total!) A chipper voice answered. (Oh, and you don¡¯t have to listen to us if you don¡¯t want to!)


    (G????: He¡¯s right, for once, you should just ignore everyone else and search this lots¡¯ pockets. We can¡¯t afford to be wasteful in a world like this!) The final voice threw out.


    (E???: We also can¡¯t afford to be caught until our work is done.)


    ¡°That one has a very good point.¡± He admitted before looking down both ends of the alley. ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure which way we should go to avoid attention.¡±


    (L???: Ooh, ooh, go the way the girl went!)


    (G???????: He¡¯s got a point¡­ The men you killed came from the other, if someone sees you walking out covered in blood they might put two and two together.)


    (L???: Oh, no, I just wanted to make a new friend!)


    ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s a good enough direction.¡± He decided before heading in the same direction as the girl, only to pause as he came to a street with more people than he¡¯d been expecting. (Or perhaps not¡­)


    (G???????: No look at them. More than one person is covered in blood or openly carrying a weapon¡­ They¡¯re all ready for violence, but look at them¡­ They watch their fellows with fear hidden behind anger¡­ They¡¯re merely prey pretending to be predators¡­ How delectable¡­)


    He found himself salivating as he boldly stepped onto the street, his eyes meeting a man who startled at his sudden appearance before putting on a bold facade as if the man wasn¡¯t scared.


    (G???????: Go ahead¡­ Take a bite¡­ Show everyone here what a real predator looks like!)


    He began to open his mouth, feeling his teeth itch as they turned into fangs ready to rip into the meat and-


    (P????: Now isn¡¯t the time for bestial violence!)


    His mouth snapped shut as he shook his head clear and started in the direction opposite the man. ¡°What was that?¡±


    (E???: That is what happens when you lean too hard into one of us. You start to behave the way we would, were we the ones in control.)


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± He wasn¡¯t sure if that was something to be concerned about or not. (After all, they¡¯re already me and they¡¯re already in my thoughts, so who could say who is really in control.)


    (P????: An interesting philosophical, but right now we should focus on the actual project at hand¡­ Look around and we¡¯ll see what we can learn shall we?)


    He nodded to himself, before taking a proper look around as he wandered through the streets. All around him were a number of tall buildings made of concrete underlining that he was in a rather dense city of some kind. The architecture all painted various hues of red and black while also being oddly pointy and damaged to the point where the buildings should¡¯ve been abandoned but for some reason were not.


    It was while looking at this that he noticed the blood red sky up above, alongside what appeared to be some kind of runic script. (Is that real, or merely another hallucination?)


    (E???: It¡¯s real. It¡¯s also a spell circuit¡­ Too big to read from here -can¡¯t even take a guess at what it does- but it¡¯s probably not why the sky is red.)


    (P????: Perhaps it¡¯s a reaction similar to how water particles normally turn the sky blue¡­ Though that wouldn¡¯t answer what particulate is causing the red¡­)


    (G???????: Blood¡­ Can still taste it in the air despite leaving the alley¡­ There¡¯s been so much bloodshed it¡¯s stained the very air¡­ Not as good as true blood, but still a mouth watering flavor, wouldn¡¯t you agree?)


    ¡°I do¡­¡± He admitted, unable to help but lick his lips.


    As his gaze came back down to street level, he found his eyes locking onto an odd insignia of an X of sorts with an additional line capping the end of each that was hanging off of banners here and there, or painted onto the buildings if they lacked said banners. A symbol that he found quite common on those who walked near him, be it stitched into their clothing or tattooed onto their flesh.


    (P????: Clearly every person or business here affiliates with whatever organization this represents, but what does the symbol actually mean?)If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The answer was staticy feeling in his mind as if he remembered it, less by definition and more with his emotions towards it, emotions that were most clearly defined as (annoyance/disgust/rage.)


    He frowned. ¡°Well that wasn¡¯t very clear at all¡­¡±


    Regardless of clarity of definition, he felt like even associating with whatever this symbol represented was sapping at his own intellect, as if whatever it represented was such an extreme form of stupidity that it was somehow contagious.


    (W????: The symbol is for idiots and pathetic wretches who¡¯d rather blame the innocent than take responsibility.) An angry voice growled, filling his mind with red.


    (P????: Now, now, we need a clear head to think. I¡¯m noticing another oddity on the fellows surrounding us.)


    He blinked before taking another subtle look at the people around him, for a moment thinking them no different than an ordinary person before spotting the thing the voice was talking about.


    Namely that while the people around him for the most part looked human, almost everyone also had several traits that were distinctly not. The most common of which were claws and fangs, glowing eyes, and in a few instances even horns and tails. (At the very least I shouldn¡¯t stand out too much.)


    (P????: I¡¯d think not. They¡¯re all like us, both human and not¡­ Though with a less clear divide between the two¡­) The other voice mumbled, piecing together his thoughts for him. (Nice of him to do that.) (You¡¯re welcome, still this means that they can''t turn off whatever phenomenon causes our transformation¡­)


    (E???: We can only manage that because everything is so shattered in here, and even then only just barely.)


    (G???????: Should just cut loose, restraint is pointless. Revel in the Madness of it all.)


    ¡°That does sound fun¡­¡± He admitted, thinking about loosing his claws and fangs into those near him.


    (E???: It may be fun, but it won¡¯t see our work get done.)


    ¡°A valid argument.¡± He sighed, feeling smaller than a moment before as he felt a sort of longing in his chest for something he couldn¡¯t quite name.


    (L???: Oh, oh, I¡¯ve got an idea!) The happiest of his voices shouted.


    ¡°Oh, do tell!¡± He grinned.


    (L???: Well, we¡¯ve got no direction at the moment, right? So why don¡¯t we try talking to the people around us, maybe they¡¯ll give us some?)


    (P????: No. Caring about strangers¡¯ opinions is how you end up tied to a worthless organization full of idiots.)


    (S???: Though getting someone else to do some of the work for us would be nice.)


    ¡°The question is who?¡± He wondered, taking another look at those around him and finding all of them wanting be it due to either their affiliation with that (annoying/stupid/vile/disgusting) pinwheel or because they were just bland and blended into the scenery.


    (L???: Well what about that girl that we woke up to? She seemed nice in a ¡®desperate street rat trying to survive¡¯ kind of way.)


    ¡°Well, at the very least she was more interesting than anyone here.¡± He noted with a wry grin, before taking another look around. ¡°But how are we supposed to find her when she¡¯s run away and we¡¯ve moved in a different direction?¡±


    (G???????: Hmm, it¡¯s more fun when they run¡­ The fear makes their meat so much sweeter.) That one purred as his stomach growled.


    (Are we a cannibal?) He idly wondered, while considering his delight in the taste of blood.


    (P????: That would depend on your definition, but¡­ probably.)


    (W????: You¡¯re not eating her, she¡¯s innocent.)


    (L???: Yeah! She¡¯s going to be a friend not food!)


    (G????: Innocent? She stole from us! That¡¯s worthy of a death sentence!)


    The red voice scoffed. (W???: She stole nothing of value.)


    (G????: Nothing of- Everything is of value as long as it''s ours!)


    ¡°Regardless! None of this explains how we¡¯re going to find her.¡± He pointed out as he came to a stop, uncaring for the various eyes on the mad man talking to himself in the middle of the street.


    (G???????: Hmm, her scent ¡®s in the air, still fresh enough that the blood and filth of humanity has yet to consume it. The innocence makes it stand out against the rabble.)


    He inhaled, but (I can¡¯t smell anything¡­)


    (W????: I smell the blood of the innocent and the damned alike, but not the girl.)


    (G???????: Grrah, need to feel the beast¡­ let it guide you on the hunt¡­) The feral one growled as his skin began to feel a little too tight on his bones.


    (E???: Dangerous route this one, be careful not to over indulge it lest it consume you.)


    (W????: True but the Beast has purpose, value we shouldn¡¯t neglect.)


    ¡°Alright, the ¡®beast¡¯-¡± (It uses a capital B.) ¡°Ah, apologies.¡± He coughed into his hand. ¡°Ahem, the Beast is a valuable tool, but that doesn¡¯t tell me how to use it.¡±


    (E???: The Beast is a state of mind. Leave it to the unconscious mind, you¡¯ll just direct it as the conscious mind.)


    (P????: So long as you remain more man than Beast at least.)


    Before he could parse that ominous thought, he found himself hunching over as his stomach began to growl, the tightness of his skin growing even worse as his mouth began to water. All around him the world grew brighter, the darkness fading so that he could see through the darkest of shadows as well as the shadows cast by every person he saw.


    (G???????: Not the time. Time to hunt!)


    His heart began to pound in his chest and he began to move, his eyes taking note of recent scuffs picking apart the ones that were too big and too heavy, before seeing the ones that were smaller than the rest. Small enough to be the (prey/friend/girl) he was after.


    Moving in pursuit his calm walk slowly shifted into a spiraling sprint as he sought out his (prey) not caring in the slightest about the people around him or the fact that several flinched away from his bloodstained form and snarling maw, (all that matters is the hunt!)


    A trail of something floated through the air, unseen by all but the mad man following it, through back alleys and streets as he barely took notice of the people and things that surrounded him. Details that in a clearer state of mind might¡¯ve meant something or triggered some sort of response from the voices in his head but currently meant nothing in the face of his growing (hunger.)


    Coming into an alley walled off by a chain link fence, he easily leapt over said fence in spite of it being as tall as he was, before finding that the cloud of (scent/emotion/madness) that he¡¯d been following expanded into such a large thing that it consumed his vision.


    (She¡¯s nearby¡­) He growled both internally and ex at that thought, not sure whether it was him or the voices making the sound.


    His eyes darted around the brickwork alley, taking note of the various filth and debris that littered the ground, the torn up posters depicting odd imagery, and the overflowing dumpsters before falling on a large wooden board lying against the brickwork, too close to really hide anything of import and yet¡­


    (G???????: The rabbit¡¯s den is buried, need to dig it out.)


    The voices seemed to disagree.


    The only places he could see the girl hiding would be inside the dumpster, which while viable in the short term was not somewhere he could see her staying in long enough to cover this entire alley in¡­ (whatever I was tracking.)


    ¡°Which leaves you¡­¡± He smiled, before grabbing the edge of the board and tossing it aside to find a small alcove in the alley brickwork.


    An alcove just big enough for a sleeping bag, a backpack, and a terrified green eyed girl who could be no older than ten and four bundled up in a heavy scarf and jacket.


    (G????: There¡¯s the thief!)


    (G???????: Food!)


    He growled, ready to rip into her throat and- (Enough/Enough/Enough!)


    The voice¡¯s echoing presence was enough to force him to flinch.


    (W????: She¡¯s a child!)


    (L???: Friend not food!Friend not food!!!)


    (E???: What would your mother think of this behavior?)


    He found himself flinching once more as the voices that weren¡¯t all for killing the girl reprimanded him.


    (P????: As I said, will you be a savage beast or a proper gentleman?)


    (Right¡­) He inhaled, before exhaling. (Need to be sure of whatever choice I make¡­)

 Ira Invidia (III): Considering Questions And Offers

    Ira Invidia (III): Considering Questions And Offers


    --- ??? ---


    (First and foremost I suppose¡­)


    ¡°Hello, child. It was so terribly rude of you to run off earlier.¡± He greeted, forgoing his own introduction due to not actually having a name to give at the moment. ¡°Now then, I believe you and I could have quite the intriguing conversation¡­ So long as you know not to run this time?¡±


    The young woman shivered, not answering his mostly rhetorical question as she tried to make herself as small as possible.


    ¡°Glad to see you agree.¡± He grinned, enjoying the way she squirmed as he looked down on her.


    (En??: You¡¯re scaring her.)


    (Lu??: Don¡¯t be a meanie. Give her a smile and assure her you aren¡¯t going to hurt her.)


    (Gr???: Yet.)


    (Glu?????: Heh, fear makes the meat taste so sweet¡­)


    (Sl???: Whatever we¡¯re doing, scare her too much and she¡¯ll stab you. Street rats are like that.)


    (Lu??: If we want to calm her down, we need to start with something simple and non threatening.)


    He considered that for a moment, the girl saying absolutely nothing as he considered her, the only sound coming from her being her frightened breathing. ¡°Come now child, aren¡¯t you going to introduce yourself?¡±


    The girl audibly swallowed, visibly considering whether or not she should lie to him as her face creased in worry before letting out a quiet, ¡°Lydia¡­¡±


    ¡°Lydia.¡± He repeated, tasting the name and wondering if the flavor would ignite any memory of his own.


    (Pr???: Still can¡¯t recall our name, but I can tell you that Lydia means-) ¡°Noble one, or beautiful one¡­ I wonder which your parents meant for you?¡± He idly asked, dismissing the more boring meaning of ¡®from Lydia¡¯ while not actually expecting an answer to his question.


    Not that that stopped him from noticing how the girl flinched at the word ¡®parents¡¯. (Interesting¡­)


    ¡°Now then¡­ Lydia, while I may not have been or currently be in the rightest of minds, I am aware of the fact that you took something from me.¡± He growled, not quite meaning to as he felt the desire to-


    (Gr???: Kill her and just steal it back from her corpse already!)


    (Glu????: Eat her while we¡¯re at it¡­ She may be more bone than meat, but we haven¡¯t had a proper meal in who knows how long.)


    (Lu??: Hey, let¡¯s at least give her a chance to give them back, please?)


    (Well since you said please.) He ignored his more violent thoughts as he leaned down at the waist, taking not of just how much taller than her he was before sticking his hand out and kindly requesting, ¡°May I please have my things back?¡±


    He liked to think that the ¡®before I take them back¡¯ was best left unsaid, and the fact that she cautiously put something in his hand meant that it was rightly heard.


    ¡°This, this is all I got¡­ and the, the Sin from stealing it.¡± Lydia promised, her voice soft and fearful as she quickly withdrew her hand, almost as if she were afraid he¡¯d bite the hand off.


    (Glu?????: We still could.)


    Standing back up, he inspected the object she¡¯d returned to him.


    Fitting perfectly in his long fingered hand was a silver pocket watch with two rabbits chasing each other on the cover, one with antlers and one without. A number of chains circled and connected the two in an intricate knot that would bind them together forever even as they were both slowly choked to death by the bond.


    His thumb traced the chains as he felt a set of emotions he couldn¡¯t quite name.


    (Glu?????: Longing¡­)


    (Wr???: Guilt¡­)


    (En??: Regret¡­)


    (Lu??: Love¡­)


    (Sl???: Peace¡­)


    (Pr???: Acceptance¡­)


    (Gr???: Satisfaction.)


    More on reflex than anything else, bloodstained fingers gripped the lid of the watch. His index and middle finger pressing down before pulling up and snapping the watch open to reveal the engraving hidden on the other side of its cover


    Booker H. Freeman.


    You are both the second worst and the


    second greatest thing to ever happen to me.


    I will always hate and admire you,


    Emilia Lafayette.


    The watch snapped shut once more, the storm of emotions inside of him far wilder than anything he¡¯d felt in the short time since his awakening. With emotions so complicated that he found himself desperate for anything else to think about.


    A shifting brought his attention back to the young woman in front of him, looking like she wasn¡¯t sure if she should flee while he was distracted or stay still in case it angered him once more.


    ¡°Thank you, my dear.¡± He told the girl with no small amount of honesty as he slipped the watch into one of his pockets for now, deciding to deal with those feelings when he was alone and knew more about his situation.


    (Lu??: Oh, oh, introduce yourself!)


    ¡°Ah, yes! It occurs to me that I¡¯ve yet to introduce myself, Booker H. Freeman at your service.¡± He informed her as he bowed with both a smile and a theatrical flourish of his hand.


    While it wasn¡¯t overly apparent, he could tell by the slight relaxing of the girl¡¯s shoulders that this introduction had done something for her nerves even if he wasn¡¯t quite sure what.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve put this unfortunate business behind us, perhaps you can help me with another issue plaguing my person?¡± He asked, taking a step back so that he wasn¡¯t quite looming over the girl any more.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Lydia watched him cautiously, her eyes darting around a bit as she climbed to her feet. ¡°What, what exactly do you need help with?¡±


    ¡°Well as embarrassing as it is to admit, I¡¯m currently missing a few¡­ memories involving the where, why, and hows of how I found myself in that alley earlier.¡± He explained, keeping the fact that he¡¯d forgotten far more than that to himself.


    The girl stared at his face for a moment, more specifically his mouth before asking him if, ¡°Can you, uh, stop smiling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡± He confessed, some instinct telling him that to do so was a terrible mistake.


    ¡°Then you, uh, you might be a victim of the Smiling Man?¡± Lydia offered, looking uncomfortable.


    He tilted his head. ¡°You mentioned him before, and those ruffians you fled from called me a Smiler I believe?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the Smiling Man is a, a Demon that runs around these parts feeding on people and leaving them as little more than smiling husks.¡± Lydia explained with a shiver. ¡°Though I haven¡¯t heard of any of his victims being able to talk once he¡¯s done with them.¡±


    (Pr???: The question is whether that¡¯s because you¡¯re the exception or the cause? The fact that you don¡¯t doubt her when she calls him a Demon could be a point in either direction.)


    (En??: The Beast makes it pretty clear which direction we should be leaning.)


    (Glu?????: Smiles are nice, but they don¡¯t matter nearly as much as the hunt, the kill, or the feast.)


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Taking all of that into account, he decided it was best to point out that, ¡°If none of the Smiling Man¡¯s other victims can talk, then there¡¯s no telling if he¡¯s responsible for my memory loss or merely someone who exploited said memory loss.¡±


    ¡°On the uh, bright side, if you¡¯re walking around you should get your memories back once you¡¯re done healing.¡± Lydia offered with a wry grin of her own.


    (Lu??: Aw, she¡¯s trying to give us hope. How cute!)


    (Sl???: People like us don¡¯t deserve hope.)


    (En??: Everyone deserves hope. The good to get them through the day, and the wicked to make their suffering all the greater.)


    (Sl???: Show her your bullet hole. Street rats are made of stern stuff. Might be able to point us towards a back alley doc to get it fixed.)


    ¡°A valid point.¡± He nodded, before parting his hair over the hole in his skull. ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure how long this¡¯ll take to heal.¡±


    Lydia grimaced, but didn¡¯t flinch away as would normally be expected of a child her age. (Told you.) ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s, uh, that looks like you¡¯re still under something¡­ surprised you¡¯re walking around with that¡­ Especially after the Smiling Man got to you.¡±


    ¡°So the two aren¡¯t connected then?¡± He asked, letting his hair fall since it clearly made the thus far helpful child uncomfortable.


    ¡°Not as far as I know, but¡­ I don¡¯t normally go looking for Smilers.¡± Lydia admitted, looking away as she guiltily brought up the point about robbing his incapacitated corpse.


    (Gr???: Still say we should gut her for that.)


    (Priorities.) He told himself, before asking the girl if, ¡°Given my little¡­ problem here, I don¡¯t suppose you know where I can find someone nearby to mend this injury of mine?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no¡­¡± Lydia frowned, causing his eye to twitch once more. ¡°Healers aren¡¯t common around here¡­ And I haven¡¯t really left Ira Invidia since my¡­ dad brought me here.¡±


    ¡°Now, now. No need to frown just because you can¡¯t help me child. You¡¯ve been plenty of help as you are.¡± He assured Lydia, getting a weak smile out of the girl. (Better¡­ shame we¡¯ll have to end it.) ¡°In fact, as helpful as you¡¯ve been I can¡¯t help but be curious as to why you felt the need to steal from me during my incapacitated state?¡±


    That got a flinch out of the girl as she refused to meet his eye, instead rubbing at her wrists as she looked at the ground. ¡°Sorry¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ I, I don¡¯t want to be here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, am I such terrible company?¡± He grinned, knowing that wasn¡¯t what she meant but not having the context behind what she actually meant.


    Unexpectedly, the girl glared at him for a moment, ¡°That¡¯s not-!¡± before flinching once more. ¡°Sorry¡­ I meant, Ira Invidia¡­ I¡¯m not, I¡¯m only here because my dad dragged me here¡­ I don¡¯t believe in that stuff.¡± Lydia tried to explain as she gestured towards a poster with that windmill insignia or the one beside it bearing before more quietly confessing that, ¡°I¡¯m not a nazi¡­¡±


    The girl flinched once more at that confession as if she was expecting him to physically lash out at her, only to relax near completely when he didn¡¯t. (Interesting¡­)


    (Pr???: Based on context, Nazi is likely the name of those represented by that idiotic windmill.)


    (Wr???: They¡¯ve also hurt her. She¡¯s more scared of them than of a strange man covered in blood cornering her in an alley.)


    (Gl?????: Insulting. We¡¯re clearly more intimidating than those maggot filled wretches.)


    ¡°Quite right.¡± He smiled, more to himself than anything though by Lydia¡¯s grateful smile she seemed to think he was encouraging her.


    (Sl???: Let her think what she wants as long as it keeps her loyal.)


    ¡°Any, uh, anyway you need a lot of Sin to buy your way out of Ira Invidia.¡± Lydia continued to elaborate. ¡°It¡¯s cheaper because I¡¯m still young but if I can¡¯t get the Sin in another year or two¡­ It might as well be impossible after that.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ So I¡¯m guessing my exit from this place will be ¡®impossible¡¯ as you put it.¡± He guessed with a tilt of his head, fairly certain that just because something was impossible to the girl didn¡¯t mean it was impossible for him.


    (Pr???: It really doesn¡¯t.)


    ¡°Maybe?¡± Lydia grimaced once more. (That¡¯s such an annoying habit¡­) ¡°Um, you¡¯re uh, you¡¯re not from Ira Invidia, right? I mean I don¡¯t think you are but¡­¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not.¡± He answered, fairly certain that if he was he¡¯d have killed more people and burned down any building clinging to those annoying symbols.


    (Wr???: We¡¯d have burned them all alive.)


    (En??: Needless to say, you¡¯re not here because you live here.)


    (Glu?????: Though this wouldn¡¯t make the worst hunting ground with all the prey wandering about.)


    Lydia smiled, (looking much better) as she told him, ¡°Then you should be able to buy your way over the wall¡­ I think¡­¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ll need a decent amount of¡­ Sin,¡± He was assuming that was the local currency based on what she¡¯d said, ¡°to get anything done.¡±


    ¡°Uh, we?¡± Lydia asked, looking like she was once more ready to flee. An extreme shift from her previous countenance to say the least. (I wonder why?)


    (Sl???: She¡¯s scared we¡¯re going to take the Sin she¡¯s saved up already. Losing what little they have is the greatest fear of all street rats.)


    (Gr???: An option for quick funds, but probably not the most profitable in the long term. As much information as she¡¯s given it might be better to make her work off that debt of hers.)


    (Pr???: Yes, a source of information would be invaluable given the current lack of memories.)


    ¡°Look, you uh, you seem like a nice enough guy but there is no us¡­ I, I felt bad for stealing your watch, that¡¯s the only reason I¡¯m helping you now.¡± Lydia lied, not bringing up her blatant fear of him after how easily he¡¯d tracked her down. ¡°And as is, I¡¯m thinking we¡¯re just about even on that.¡±


    (Gr???: Regardless, she¡¯s not going to go anywhere with you unless you can offer her something she wants. Only idiots work for free after all.)


    (The question is what to offer her?)


    (Lu??: Ooh, ooh! We can offer to be her best friend forever!)


    (Wr???: She¡¯s hurt and scared. The honorable thing would be to aid her.)


    (En??: Or we can teach her how to help herself. Give her the power to fight her own battles without us.)


    (Glu?????: Hmm, rats are predators to some creatures. Might be entertaining to teach her she doesn¡¯t have to be a scavenger.)


    (Sl???: Both of those options are too much work. All we need to do is take her with us when we leave and she¡¯ll be ours for no extra work.)


    (Pr???: Yes, she¡¯ll merely be a tool to our goals. No need to become too invested in her.)


    (Lu??: Or, we can become super invested and work our magic a bit.)


    (Gr???: Doubt she¡¯d say no if we do that, but the question is if it¡¯s worth the price.)


    (What do you mean?)


    (En??: You¡¯ve got more tricks than just the Beast, if you want you can draw on them but you¡¯ll need to be careful lest they turn you into a slave to your own power.)


    (Lu??: Oh, don¡¯t scare him like that. This is just us giving our offer a little more razzle dazzle to get her to say yes.)


    (En??: Addiction is always a slippery slope with consequences we can¡¯t see.)


    (Glu????: Better to indulge while you can, rather than waste your life on regrets.)


    (Pr???: Philosophies aside, you need to make a decision. You might think faster than most but time is still passing for the girl.)


    His mind snapped into focus as he looked at Lydia as the girl began to creep away from him.


    (Gr???: Don¡¯t let her run.)


    ¡°Stop.¡± He said, causing the girl to freeze in place as he offered her a hand and a smile full of teeth. ¡°Tell me child, how would you like to make a deal?¡±

 Ira Invidia (IV): Start Of A Metamorphosis

    Ira Invidia (IV): Start Of A Metamorphosis


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    Lydia stared up at him, her caution and fear plain for all the world to see, ¡°Do¡­ do I have a choice?¡±


    His eyes widened in shock that she would think him so ungentlemanly, before putting on an amicable smile to reassure/disarm her. ¡°Why of course you do! You¡¯re free to leave whenever you want, all I ask is¡­ that you hear my offer before you do.¡±


    (Gre??: We¡¯re not really going to let her go with her debt unpaid are we?)


    (Of course we would, it¡¯d be rude to hold a young maiden captive!)


    (Slo??: Besides we lack the resources to hold her captive.)


    (That too.)


    Lydia gave him another once over, her eyes darting to each side as she searched for a way to escape before she eventually swallowed and asked, ¡°What offer?¡±


    He straightened out his clothes to try and make himself a little more presentable, a means of stalling for a moment as he in turn asked himself, (How do I do this¡­ razzle dazzle, as it were?)


    (En??: We¡¯ll take care of the actual ritual here, all you¡¯ll have to do is direct it and keep it going. If you stop too early we¡¯ll face both a backlash and be unable to start it up again without an even greater cost.)


    (Gre??: Which¡¯ll make this investment a little too expensive, for multiple reasons.)


    (And again, how do I start this¡­ ritual?) He wondered, not quite sure what he was working with yet but willing to trust the voices for the moment.


    (Lu??: With style of course! Snap your fingers twice and then just follow the flow!)


    (En??: There¡¯s a lot more to it than that but¡­ we can talk about that later.)


    ¡°Well?¡± Lydia frowned with an impatience born more from anxiety than anything else.


    Giving his audience a smile, he raised one hand into the air as if it were a centuries old habit and told her, ¡°How about a little¡­ demonstration of what I can offer you?¡± before snapping twice and feeling an immediate shift in the ether around them.


    Something that the girl clearly felt too given the way she was looking around. ¡°W-what are you doing? What¡¯s that sound?¡±


    He tilted his head and raised an ear before noticing that there was in fact a jazz sort of tune slowly building. (I¡¯m curious about that too¡­)


    (Pri??: Our power is vibrating the air molecules around us, thus generating a sound indistinguishable from music.)


    (Lu??: The real fun is how the song changes based on what we¡¯re doing!)


    (En??: Speaking of, you really should start directing the power before it slips us.)


    (How?)


    (Lu??: By singing of course!)


    He blinked, drawing a blank at that even as the magical music began to build in power.


    (En??: You¡¯ve got five seconds to start singing before we explode.)


    It was at this moment that he also realized that the young Lydia had pulled a knife on him, her hands shaking with clear fear at what she could feel coming from the air around her.


    ¡°Now, now, there''s no need for that, my dear. I assure you that with this offer there is nothing to fear.¡± He promised, feeling the power around him shift as he wagged a finger through the air before pushing aside the blade. ¡°I¡¯m aware that your situation here is rather quite severe, but don¡¯t worry because I''m here to make all your problems disappear!¡±


    ¡°And how do I know you¡¯re sincere?¡± Lydia asked in song before blinking and gaining a panicked look. ¡°Wait, why am I singing?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be irate for it won¡¯t be too long, just while we¡¯re clinging to the power of the song¡± He assured her as the music dimmed. ¡°But let¡¯s reinstate the actual point, because I¡¯d hate to disappoint.¡±


    ¡°Now then,¡± he coughed into his hand as he led her from the alley as the song once more began its rally. ¡°From where I stand, you seem to be in dire need of a friend. An ally upon whom you can depend to help you ascend from this pit full of those who do nothing but offend.¡±


    In front of them a group of men covered in those windmills walked down the street with weapons in their hands so as to force all who crossed them to meet their demands.


    Lydia pulled away from him. ¡°Don¡¯t condescend, I don¡¯t need you to protect me from them¡­ This offer of yours you can just rescind!¡±


    (Slo??: Look at the way she trembles, she¡¯s clearly lying.)


    (Lu??: Right, everyone needs a friend, we just need to keep trying!)


    (En??: No, she resembles someone pretending they don¡¯t spend their nights crying in fear of the creatures lurking near.)


    He grit his teeth at this new insight. ¡°Quite right, I didn¡¯t mean to slight. I can see that all you need from me is someone to help set you free from the world that brings you so much fright.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anything from you!¡± Lydia growled, beginning to march to their right.


    ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s true.¡± He confessed, as he moved to pursue her down the street. ¡°But allow me to offer you another view in case we never meet again?¡±


    Lydia simply ignored him, his power dimming as she continued to walk.


    (Gre??: You¡¯re losing her, we need something that won¡¯t make her balk. Hold on¡­)


    ¡°Hey you!¡± A voice squawked, drawing their attention to one of the men from before. ¡°I know you!¡±


    (Ugh, what a chore¡­) He growled through his smile. ¡°That¡¯s clearly untrue, just looking at you I can tell that down to your core you¡¯re something to abhor.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Not you!¡± The man snarled, before pointing at Lydia. ¡°Her, I know her¡­¡±


    The girl squeaked, trying to make herself small as the men¡¯s friends turned their attention towards the pair.


    (Gre??: Perhaps this is how we¡¯ll ensnare¡­)


    ¡°From her reaction I can infer that you¡¯re but a source of despair. So kindly leave.¡± He told the man, hoping to repair his standing with Lydia.


    The man gave him a disgusted look. ¡°The fuck are you talking like that for? Doesn¡¯t matter, you can go ahead and scatter she¡¯s what I¡¯m after.¡±


    (Wra??: Which is why we should send him to the hereafter.)


    Lydia flinched away as the man unswayed reached for her, though not as if to attack.


    Regardless and without a thought, his hand shot to the man¡¯s wrist before pulling it back.


    ¡°You know Lydia, I just realized what it is you really need to be freed.¡± He grinned through a smile full of fangs as the man began to grimace and the child stared on as if in a trance, one borne of fear, awe, and most importantly envie.


    Now with something he could levy, the music began to advance once more as he felt his power re enhance with this brand new chance to seal this deal.


    ¡°Right now, my dear, you¡¯re so filled with fear.¡± He sighed as he stomped the man¡¯s knee and forced him to kneel. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, with me here we¡¯ll make this fear disappear like this easy kill here.¡±


    He grabbed the man¡¯s throat and tore it out in a single swipe, uncaring of the many witnesses that may gripe.


    ¡°What did you just do?¡± Lydia gasped.


    ¡°Something that you could do too.¡± He laughed, before turning towards the crowd rushing towards them, taking longer than they should¡¯ve thanks to the curse of the current verse.


    ¡°Right now my dear you¡¯re filled with fear, but don¡¯t you worry with me here, will make all that fear just disappear.¡± He promised with a smile as he felt the power flow. ¡°You see, I¡¯m a dangerous foe, while you are a defenseless little doe, but don¡¯t you worry and don¡¯t you woe because I can tell this is the start of something great! Oh, I can¡¯t wait!¡±


    ¡°Wait? For what?¡± Lydia frowned, looking between him and the men in the distance. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°The start of your metamorphosis my dear!¡± He grinned, taking the girl¡¯s hand in his and giving her a spin. ¡°The way you are is such a sin, that in order for you to win we really must begin!¡±


    ¡°Begin what?!¡±


    ¡°Your metamorphosis!¡± He answered once more as he let the first man come to fore. ¡°You see you can be dangerous, but you need to change for this!¡±


    The man swung on him but he easily danced around the strike, and kicked the man¡¯s knee out like he had with the first.


    Moving on instinct he swiped Lydia¡¯s knife from where she hid it before putting it in her hands. ¡°Now, you¡¯ve a knife. Tell me, can you use it? Or will you recuse it for the rest of your life?¡±


    ¡°I-I¡¯m not going to kill him!¡± The girl told him, backing away until her back hit a store front.


    He shook his head and gave her an affronted smile. ¡°Not with that attitude you won¡¯t!¡± Which is why he killed the man for her and began pushing more power into his magic.


    Dropping into a crouch so that he was eye level with Lydia he asked, ¡°Tell me child, aren¡¯t you tired of being afraid? Don¡¯t you want that terror to end? To do this you must learn to defend!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re insane¡­¡± The girl (finally) realized.


    ¡°True, but not the point.¡± He reminded her, before standing back up. ¡°Allow me to appoint myself as your mentor, your tutor on how to deal with your tormentors! Like these two!¡±


    Lydia looked down at the two men on the ground before turning to the crowd of men who had stopped trying to get closer, but were talking amongst themselves while glaring their way. Eventually the girl¡¯s eyes drifted to one of the larger windmills on a building near them, the same one that marked most of the buildings around them, before finally meeting his eyes with a determined look.


    ¡°What do I have to do?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile, as the music suggested he started up the chorus.


    ¡°Right now my dear you¡¯re filled with fear, but don¡¯t you worry with me here, will make all that fear just disappear. You see, I¡¯m a dangerous foe, while you are a defenseless little doe, but don¡¯t you worry and don¡¯t you woe because I can tell this is the start of something great! Oh I can¡¯t wait!¡± He laughed, while searching the bodies of the two he¡¯d killed. ¡°This is the start of your metamorphosis!¡±


    He gave Lydia a meaningful look, as he briefly paused and let his magic begin to bubble beneath the surface.


    Lydia licked her lips before swallowing and admitting that, ¡°The way I am is such a sin, that in order to win we really must begin!¡± allowing his magic to wrap around her and sink its hooks in.


    ¡°Yes! This is the start of your metamorphosis! You can be dangerous but you need to change for this!¡± He felt his magic twitch before finding an old flintlock on one of the bodies. ¡°Ooh, a gun, what fun! Here you take it!¡±


    ¡°W-what am I supposed to do with it?¡± Lydia asked as she fumbled the gun between her hands.


    He rolled his eyes, before swiping the gun back and pointing it at the various windmill wearing men. ¡°You take it and you go bang, bang with it!¡±


    One of the men dropped to the ground, as the rest jumped at the sudden sound, before returning their attention to him and the girl that was now holding the gun again. ¡°Your turn! I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get the hang of it!¡±


    Lydia held the gun up and shook her head. ¡°I-I can¡¯t!¡±


    He gave her a kind smile and a pat on her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s fine, you can learn. After all, this is just the start of your metamorphosis!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure I can be dangerous?¡± Lydia frowned up at him, not noticing how he was letting the thugs rush towards them.


    The first man reached him with a bat full of nails raised, and he caught the bat before ripping it away and slamming the nails into the hooligan¡¯s face.


    ¡°Right now my dear you¡¯re filled with fear, but don¡¯t you worry with me here, will make all that fear just disappear.¡±


    Another man tried to get Lydia before having the hooligan¡¯s back broken by the bat.


    ¡°You see, I¡¯m a dangerous foe, while you are a defenseless little doe, but don¡¯t you worry and don¡¯t you woe because I can tell this is the start of something great!¡±


    The third stumbled back in his tracks after seeing how quickly his friends were dispatched by the smiling mad man and swiftly deciding to try running instead.


    ¡°Oh I can¡¯t wait!¡± He laughed, before swinging the bat and removing the man¡¯s head. ¡°This is just the start of your metamorphosis!¡±


    He gave Lydia a confident smile, only to find the poor girl staring down at the ground with a frown. ¡°The way I am is such a sin, even if we begin, could I possibly win¡­ I-I don¡¯t think I can be dangerous¡­¡±


    Booker gave the girl a considering look before noticing what was behind her. ¡°Hmm, I have an idea for this problem¡¯s panacea!¡±


    With a quick step and a swing he broke the window open, an act that surprisingly required a decent amount of magic, before stepping over the broken glass and grabbing a bottle of alcohol and some cloth.


    ¡°This is merely the start of your metamorphosis my dear, there¡¯s no need to fear. I think you just need to change your mindset for this.¡± He explained as he lit the cloth. ¡°Perhaps some fire will inspire you to be a little more dangerous? If you can¡¯t kill yet, perhaps you can burn this?¡± He pointed to one of the windmill banners. ¡°I doubt it¡¯s something you¡¯ll regret.¡±


    Lydia stared at the offered incendiary before taking it from him with shaky hands, and glaring up at the windmill. ¡°I hate everything that swastika stands for, I¡­ I want to burn it and so much more¡­¡±


    ¡°Then do it.¡± He encouraged the girl, before reaching down and pulling up a bag of marshmallows. ¡°We can roast smores as the fire roars!¡±


    ¡°Right now I¡¯m filled with fear, but I won¡¯t worry with you here, we¡¯ll make all that fear just disappear.¡± The scared girl promised herself. ¡°I see, you¡¯re a dangerous foe, while I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m a defenseless little doe, but¡­ I¡¯m not going to worry or woe because¡­ Because I can tell this is the start of something great!¡± Lydia smiled a grin full of fangs before laughing as she threw the incendiary. ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t wait!¡±


    He felt his magic twist propelling the bottle further than it should¡¯ve gone before smashing into the banner and setting it on fire.


    ¡°This is the start of my metamorphosis!¡± Lydia grinned at him as she took his hand and he gave her a spin. ¡°The way I was was such a sin, and now that we¡¯ve begun my battle will be won!¡±


    ¡°This is the start of your metamorphosis!¡± He agreed as they continued to twirl to the music his magic produced.


    ¡°I can be dangerous, I just need to change for this. I won¡¯t be filled with fear, with you here, we¡¯ll make all that fear disappear. I won¡¯t be a defenseless little doe, I¡¯ll become their most dangerous foe, I¡¯ll become the source of their worries and woes!¡± Lydia sang as she spun. ¡°This is the start of something great!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t wait to see how dangerous you become.¡± He told her as they both stared up at the fire while surrounded by the bodies of the people he killed, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°After all, this is but the start of your metamorphosis, my dear!¡±

 Ira Invidia (V)- End Of The First Day

    Ira Invidia (V)- End Of The First Day


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°So¡­ what was the deal with all of that singing?¡± Lydia asked as she squished a half melted marshmallow between two graham crackers.


    ¡°What, you didn¡¯t like my singing?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but wonder with a smirk before plopping his own smore into his mouth. ¡°I quite liked your little verse myself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Lydia scoffed, before stuffing her own treat into her mouth with a touch of color to her cheeks that was from neither the fire nor the blood of the bodies that littered the street around them.


    (Lust: She¡¯s embarrassed, but she really does have a nice voice. Bit unrefined but we can work on that.)


    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± He admitted, before explaining that. ¡°It was a ritual of sorts, that allowed for¡­ an alternative use of the power I had on hand.¡±


    Lydia considered that for a moment before swallowing her snack. ¡°Okay¡­ I get what you¡¯re saying, but¡­ you started using it on me before those guys started causing trouble.¡±


    (Greed: Good thing too, otherwise we wouldn¡¯t have gotten our claws in her.)


    (Hmm, is the magic that invasive?) He wondered.


    (Envy: It¡¯s more the idiot¡¯s domain than mine, but the Sinner¡¯s Song is a means of manipulating casualty in our favor. The more we need to do so the more power it costs.)


    (Lust: Don¡¯t worry, the song can¡¯t force people to do things they don¡¯t want to. In fact if people sing along they can even use it to nudge things in their own favor!)


    He couldn¡¯t decide whether that soothed or troubled his thoughts on the matter.


    (Greed: The fact that it costs us something for something that might not even get us anything makes it a fool¡¯s deal.)


    (Sloth: Then again, empowering our allies will make it so that we don¡¯t have to do as much work ourselves.)


    (Envy: Be it this or the beast, power always has a price.)


    (Lust: At least my way we can make friends.)


    (Valid points. Valid points.)


    (Pride: In case you¡¯ve forgotten, the girl is still waiting on an answer.)


    He blinked before turning his attention back towards Lydia. ¡°Ah, apologies, my dear. During our initial debate, you were quite reluctant to hear me out so I began my¡­ song so as to prevent you from exiting before my offer could be made.¡±


    Lydia frowned. ¡°So you used a slaver effect on me?¡±


    ¡°NevER.¡± He snarled, ready to rip impudent whelp¡¯s throat out for suggesting that-


    (Wrath: That¡¯s not what she meant.)


    He felt his rage immediately evaporate as he caught sight of the terrified girl in front of him, before coughing into his hand. ¡°Ah, apologies, my dear¡­ I have issues with¡­¡±


    (Lust: A lack of consent.)


    (Gluttony: Kleptoparasites.)


    (Greed: Theft of person.)


    (Sloth: Forced labor.)


    (Wrath: Strawman beatings.)


    (Envy: Enforced misery.)


    (Pride: Stunted potential.)


    ¡°All of that¡­¡± He summarized, a bit surprised by the strength of these varied reactions but far more curious about what those reactions said about him.


    (Envy: We may be a mad monster¡­)


    (Pride: But we¡¯ve standards thank you!)


    ¡°I¡­ I think I get it¡­ I mean if someone called me a nazi¡­¡± Lydia grit her teeth as she glared at one of the nearby corpses before shaking her head.


    The young woman reached for another marshmallow to console herself of whatever thoughts were in her head before finding the bag empty. ¡°We¡¯re out¡­¡±


    (Lust: Aww¡­)


    ¡°I suppose that means it¡¯s time to get to work.¡± He nodded as he began examining their surroundings.


    (Sloth: Aww¡­)


    ¡°What did you have in mind?¡± Lydia asked, doing the same as she tossed the bag into the fire. ¡°Looting the bodies?¡±


    (Greed: Yes.)


    ¡°Hmm, tempting.¡± He admitted, eyeing the various fallen ¡®nazis¡¯ he¡¯d killed during his little song.


    (Sloth: No, we need to move.)


    He paused. (Why?)


    (Sloth: People like this, they find safety in numbers. If their friends show up, they¡¯ll keep showing up until we¡¯re dead.)


    (Greed: A sunk cost fallacy that¡¯ll leave them dead and us broke. If we¡¯re lucky.)


    (Wrath: Unless we slaughter them all. With the way the girl acts around them, I¡¯m sure they deserve it.)


    (Envy: We were only so dangerous due to the song. If more people show up we¡¯d have to actually fight them at a disadvantage.)


    (Gluttony: They¡¯d be lambs to the slaughter if you gave into the HuNgeR¡­)


    (Envy: Hmm, we¡¯ve enough sin to do it but¡­ I¡¯m not sure it¡¯d be worth the cost¡­ Then again, none of us are in charge here are we?)


    No they weren¡¯t.


    As insane as he seemed to be he was still cognizant enough to make his own choices, which is why he decided that, ¡°It¡¯s best if we find somewhere to lay low for now. We¡¯ve been here for a while and the last thing we need is for one of their friends to find us.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you just kill them like you did these guys?¡± Lydia frowned, looking quite ugly as she did so.


    (Lust: Ah, she thinks we¡¯re stronger than we are!)


    (Sloth: We need to keep her thinking that. Turn it around, make it about her rather than us.)


    He nodded more to himself than to her question. ¡°I could but the real question is if they¡¯ll be smart enough to bring reinforcements after seeing us surrounded by the dead. While I could handle a decent number of them, at a certain point their numbers may overwhelm my ability to protect both of us, and I prefer an outcome we¡¯re both in favor of.¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡± Lydia nodded back, looking at their surroundings with a little more caution.


    (Sloth: Good it¡¯ll keep her alive.)


    ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯ve somewhere we can properly reconvene and discuss how we¡¯re leaving this city? I¡¯m sadly not very familiar with this locale at the moment.¡± He confessed, as he took in their surroundings with some distaste. ¡°Preferably somewhere without that¡­ insignia you burned.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that, just about everyone here is a racist asshole.¡± Lydia warned him as she rubbed her shoulders. ¡°I¡­ I had my alley nook, but¡­ it barely fit me let alone someone as tall as you.¡±


    (Pride: And we¡¯ve yet to fall so far as sleeping next to the trash.)


    (Envy: But we have fallen low enough to not be picky.)


    (Greed: Doesn¡¯t matter where we stay so long as it¡¯s ours.)


    (Sloth: Preferably a place we won¡¯t have to work to maintain.)


    ¡°There might be some abandoned buildings or something nearby.¡± Lydia offered anxiously as his silence dragged on. ¡°People tend to avoid refilling wherever the Smiling Man is roaming until he¡¯s moved on.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°A fantastic idea!¡± He assured the girl with a smile. ¡°Barring my own situation, I don¡¯t suppose you know where he was most recently active?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I might, but¡­¡± Lydia shook her head. ¡°Nevermind.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± He prodded with an encouraging grin.


    ¡°But it might be dangerous¡­ or at least it would be for me.¡± The young woman admitted. ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen you should be safe.¡±


    ¡°I should be.¡± He agreed, giving the girl a smile. (Especially if I am in fact the Smiling Man brought low.) ¡°Why don¡¯t you lead the way, my dear?¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡± Lydia nodded as she took one more look around them before setting off. ¡°It should be over this way.¡±


    He easily followed the young woman, finding that thanks to their height difference his long stride allowed him to keep up with her jog while maintaining a brisk walk.


    After several minutes of wandering through the streets Lydia slowed her pace with a(n ugly) grimace on her face. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re in the right area now¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, how can you tell?¡± He wondered, unable to really tell this area apart from any of the previous ones.


    (Envy: I can feel it¡­ The shadows are deeper here than elsewhere.)


    (Pride: That could just be the passage of time and the setting of the sun.)


    (Envy: No. There¡¯s something here. A lingering darkness¡­ It feels like home.)


    Rather than pointing any of this out Lydia gestured to the ground where a number of bloodstains streaked off into an alley. An alley that upon closer inspection was filled with a pile of dead bodies.


    (Sloth: Corpses swept to the side because it was easier than stepping around them. Human apathy at its finest.)


    (Wrath: To be fair, dishonorable curs like them deserve little better.)


    ¡°People may kill each other left and right down here but¡­ you only see piles like that where the Smiling Man has been.¡± The young woman explained with a shiver. ¡°If we keep moving we¡¯ll probably see some more in the other alleys.¡±


    ¡°And how do you know it isn¡¯t simply a little bit of street violence like our own little slaughter this morning?¡± He asked her, wondering if the bodies they¡¯d left littering the street would be swept into a pile like this.


    ¡°Because when someone kills you it only takes like a day to wake back up but when the Smiling Man kills you¡­ you stay dead for a lot longer than that.¡± Lydia elaborated before shaking her head as she started once more. ¡°Better than being left a Smiler I guess.¡±


    ¡°Quite.¡± He agreed more to add a somber silence to the conversation as he instead asked the voices in his head, (Did she just say people wake back up after dying?)


    (Pride: She did. Curious¡­ Especially since she mentioned it as if it were common knowledge, almost.


    (Envy: Maybe that¡¯s what the circle in the sky is doing? Bringing people back to life?)


    (Gluttony: A hunt eternal. A buffet unending¡­ How delectable.)


    (Greed: No meal is free, there''s a price we¡¯re not seeing.)


    (Envy: If that¡¯s the case the shadows could be something suppressing the effect? Putting the payment on pause?)


    (Wrath: A pause to the cycle of violence. Tch, a mercy they don¡¯t deserve.)


    (Sloth: Unless it¡¯s tactical. Dead hands aren¡¯t working hands.)


    (Pride: There¡¯s too little information for a proper hypothesis.)


    ¡°Okay, this should be far enough.¡± Lydia noted, drawing him from his thoughts as he found himself looking at a hotel of sorts composed of red brickwork and gray cement in a style that lacked much in the way of flash.


    ¡°Hmm, yes, I do believe this will do quite nicely for our purposes.¡± He grinned in agreement as they stepped into the lobby and found it empty of both patrons and staff alike. ¡°Though I will admit I didn¡¯t quite believe you about them abandoning the area on this scale.¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah, like I said, everyone is scared of ending up in a body pile. I¡¯ve never had it happen to me but I¡¯ve heard plenty of horror stories about people having to climb out from the bottom.¡± Lydia nodded as she ran behind the counter and began searching through everything.


    He rang the hotel bell before asking her if she, ¡°Found anything of value, my dear?¡±


    ¡°Register is open and empty so someone already got the stacks of sin, and the place is old school¡­ but it looks like whoever was staying here ran with the keys.¡± Lydia gave an unseemly frown in frustration as she continued searching.


    He wasn¡¯t entirely sure what she meant by ¡®old school¡¯ (whatever that is) but he wasn¡¯t overly worried, knowing they could simply break down a door or two if it came down to it.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Found some!¡± Lydia cried in triumph as she held up a pair of keys.


    ¡°Very good.¡± He applauded with a grin since the girl seemed to deem this some kind of achievement even if he didn¡¯t quite see it himself.


    (Sloth: Encouragements keep the minions working so you don¡¯t have to.)


    (Lust: It¡¯s also the friendly thing to do!)


    With a theatrical half bow he gestured towards the nearby stairs. ¡°Shall we find our rooms, my dear?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­¡± Lydia nodded, looking a little off put for some reason he couldn¡¯t quite decipher.


    Instead of moving towards the stairs Lydia instead moved towards a set of handless double doors and pressed a button on the wall, causing them to open what he believed to be an elevator.


    He couldn¡¯t help but blink as he followed her before watching as she pressed another button causing the elevator to begin moving before stopping and opening on another floor after a few moments. ¡°Ha, quite the little elevator operator aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Lydia gave him a confused frown, but didn¡¯t let whatever was bugging her keep her from stepping into the hotel hall and looking for their room.


    Once it was found Lydia seemed to pause before glancing his way with something a little nervous as she opened the door.


    With the door open he could almost understand her nervousness. ¡°Hmm, not the greatest of accommodations¡­¡±


    The room itself was serviceable with a bed big enough for two, a small table and chair, balcony, and some glass box on the wall. Off to the side was a doorless lavatory with what he believed to be a shower off to the side. (Perfectly fine for a gentleman on his own, but definitely not for a young woman on the road.)


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ it¡¯s definitely nicer than the alleys I usually crash in.¡± Lydia argued, sounding a bit depressed as she did so before giving an (ugly) frown at the photo on the wall of a parade surrounded by banners of that (idiotic) windmill he¡¯d been seeing everywhere. A photo that Lydia promptly grabbed and threw out over the building.


    An act that left her with a beautiful grin on her face, at least until she saw the newly revealed bloodstain on the wall. ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s much safer honestly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry if anything causes us trouble, I¡¯ll¡­ deal with it.¡± He promised unable to hold back a smile full of teeth. ¡°For now we should get some rest. We¡¯ve a big day tomorrow after all!¡±


    ¡°Working on getting out of Ira Invidia, right?¡± The girl checked once more, an almost desperate edge to her voice as she held onto the edge of her jacket.


    ¡°That was our deal I believe.¡± He chuckled, amused by her paranoia and the fact it would likely grow worse until he delivered on extracting them from this city.


    ¡°R-right¡­ this is for getting out of Ira Invidia¡­¡± Lydia told herself once more as she removed her jacket with a resigned look.


    ¡°Quite right.¡± He nodded, before spotting a magazine with a woman wearing far too little clothing on the cover and a fake smile.


    (Lust: Eww, gross.)


    He glanced at the young lady¡¯s way before subtly throwing out the magazine and hoping she hadn¡¯t seen such deplorable material.


    (Lust: I don¡¯t get why people like that stuff.)


    (Gluttony: There¡¯s no artistry to it. No emotion to revel in.)


    (Lust: Yeah¡­ Sex is boring.)


    ¡°So¡­ how are we doing this?¡± Lydia asked him, fiddling with the hem of her shirt as she stood there looking deeply uncomfortable with his silence.


    ¡°Ah, well, I suppose I¡¯ll sleep in the chair while you take the bed.¡± He answered with a terse grin as he realized just how uncomfortable these chairs looked.


    Lydia blinked before turning to him. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not¡­¡± She made a gesture towards the bed.


    ¡°What? No, no, no.¡± He wagged his finger at her. ¡°It would be truly improper for a young lady such as yourself to share a bed with a non-relative. As is, we''re already pushing the boundaries of decorum by sharing a room, but needs must given our current situation.¡±


    Truthfully, he was still considering breaking down a door but if he could sleep in a room with a lock then that would be far safer for both of them.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Lydia said, looking stunned for some reason. (Why, it¡¯s almost as if she¡¯s never met a proper gentleman!)


    (Wrath: Given what we¡¯ve seen, that''s fully possible.)


    (Pride: Something we¡¯ll have to rectify!)


    ¡°Um, uh, if¡­ if you want I¡­ I grabbed a second set of keys for af¡­ nevermind.¡± Lydia half way explained, refusing to meet his eyes as she held the keys out.


    (Why didn¡¯t she mention this before?)


    (Envy: You don¡¯t want to know.)


    (Sloth: You really don¡¯t.)


    ¡°Al-right.¡± He accepted the keys, deciding to let it go as he checked the room number before realizing, (Ah, this is on a completely different floor. That¡¯s why she didn¡¯t share them, she was worried about us being too far from each other!)


    ¡°Yeah, just¡­ just get out of here so I can, uh, bathroom!¡± Lydia shouted in embarrassment.


    ¡°Oh, of course.¡± He nodded, not wanting to be anywhere near any of that.


    He quickly departed, not feeling an ounce of offense when Lydia promptly slammed the door behind him.


    Deciding to completely ignore the matter, and not trusting himself to operate the elevator, he made his way to the stairs before locating his room. All while either ignoring the various stains on the walls and carpet or admiring the ones he was fairly certain were comprised of blood.


    (Pride: That one was¡­ three gunshots. First one merely clipped and the last was to make sure.)


    (Sloth: Ugh, headshot would¡¯ve been less work.)


    (Gluttony: Claws on that one. Tackled them to the ground and ripped them apart.)


    (Envy: Hmm, looks like someone was crucified there.)


    (Wrath: No, they just impaled them. Crucifixion requires the entire pose.)


    (Lust: The splatter makes such a pretty color¡­)


    (Greed: Cheaper than paying for paint I guess.)


    Eventually he did locate his room and found it to be basically the same as the one he¡¯d left Lydia with. More so once he removed the painting and yet another one of those magazines of ill repute. (Well, at least if I ignore the lack of bloodstain.)


    (Lust: I wonder if she¡¯ll trade rooms with us?)


    (No, no. Let¡¯s leave her the good room. She¡¯s clearly had a rough time of it and deserves it.)


    (Lust: When you¡¯re right, you¡¯re right.)


    (Pride: Of course.)


    After a moment of simply standing there, he realized that this was quite possibly the first time he¡¯d found himself both alone and without a goal of some sort since first waking up.


    With nothing to do but take in the world around him, he stepped out onto the hotel balcony and took a deep breath of that bloodstained air as he took in the city in front of him.


    A place with blood red skies, crumbling buildings, where bodies seemed to litter the streets, and the smoke of burning flames seemed to dance their way into the air much like the sound of screams and gunshots echoing all around.


    To most people all of this would scream of something nightmarish, but him, he couldn¡¯t help but smile as he looked out at this city full of opportunity and said, ¡°Laissez le bon temps rouler.¡±

 Memories Of A Monster: A Child鈥檚 Aspirations

    Memories Of A Monster: A Child¡¯s Aspirations


    --- Booker H. Freeman, Past ---


    He woke up slowly to the sound of someone humming a faint little tune that he couldn¡¯t help but love and even if he couldn¡¯t remember the name or words of it, he knew that he always would love it.


    As tired eyes opened he found himself staring up at a wooden ceiling covered in little hanging trinkets that glittered and glowed in the air, like his own personal collection of stars.


    Sitting up he pushed off a number of blankets spun with love and care over a years time, before sitting up and looking around the relatively small wooden cabin he lived in. With another bed opposite the one he slept in and a table with three chairs between them and a small kitchen and fireplace in the back away from the front door that never closed quite right.


    It was in the kitchen that he watched a beautiful dark skinned woman flutter about. Her long curling hair held back by a cloth with several flowers tucked into it and a smile on her face as she continued to hum that comforting song of hers.


    He was content to simply watch her work as he childishly swung his legs by the edge of the bed, his little legs unable to meet the ground just yet, as he tried to hum along to her song.


    This off-note humming was what finally drew the woman¡¯s attention to him, causing her smile to grow from a passive contentness to a far more active joy. ¡°Booker, you finally awake sleepyhead?¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± He nodded, before letting loose a yawn.


    The woman gave him an amused huff, before shaking her head with that beautiful smile of hers. ¡°Come on now, you were only allowed to sleep in because it¡¯s your birthday. If grandad comes back from catching rabbits for supper, then you know how cranky he¡¯ll get. Now go on and get dressed, today¡¯s a big day after all!¡±


    ¡°Yes, mama!¡± He smiled back before climbing out of bed and picking up his clothes from the day before -his only clothes- and putting them on.


    ¡°Do you need any help with your breeches?¡± His mama asked.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m a big boy!¡± His grandad had made sure to tell him that when teaching him how to put on pants, and he didn¡¯t want to disappoint his grandad.


    This desire did little to help him with the buttons on his overalls.


    ¡°Come on, don¡¯t be stubborn like your grandad.¡± His mama told him as she picked him up and sat him on the bed before fixing his buttons and rolling up his pants legs since he was still a bit too small for them. But his mama and grandad assured him he¡¯d grow into them when he got even bigger like them! He would¡­Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    ¡°There we go.¡± His mama nodded once his clothes were straightened out before tilting her head as she looked at him. ¡°Wait, you''re missing something¡­¡±


    He blinked in confusion before looking down at his clothes and seeing everything they¡¯d given him. ¡°What am I missing mama?¡±


    ¡°Why a smile baby boy!¡± His mama grinned while pushing the corners of his cheeks up.


    ¡°Mama!¡± He laughed.


    ¡°You can forget your shirt or your shoes but you should never forget your smile Booker!¡± His mama told him as she lead him over to the kitchen table before helping him into a chair and taking the seat next to him. ¡°Now then tell me, sweetie, do you remember how old you are today?¡±


    He excitedly raised all the fingers on one of his hands. ¡°I¡¯m five!¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are!¡± His mama laughed, with a clap. ¡°Keep that up and you¡¯ll be even better at your numbers than me or your grandad!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but giggle when she poked his belly.


    ¡°Now since today is your birthday that means you get something special today.¡± His mama whispered.


    ¡°What do I get?¡± He asked excitedly.


    ¡°Today you get birthday magic.¡± His mama answered, wiggling her fingers and letting fireflies loose into the air.


    ¡°What¡¯s birthday magic?¡± He wondered innocently.


    ¡°Birthday magic is a very special kind of magic for little boys on their birthday. Special magic that can be used to make any wish you can think up come true!¡± His mama explained with a light tap to his nose.


    ¡°Any wish?¡± He blinked with no small amount of awe.


    ¡°Any wish.¡± His mama confirmed with a nod.


    ¡°Wow!¡± He said.


    His mama chuckled. ¡°Wow indeed-y, but you¡¯ve got to tell me your wish so that I can make it happen.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± He thought about this, wondering what he could wish for. After all this was a big decision and he couldn¡¯t let it go to waste¡­


    ¡°I wish¡­ to know how to use birthday magic!¡± He eventually decided.


    Now it was his mama¡¯s turn to blink. ¡°Oh? You¡­ want to learn birthday magic?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He nodded. ¡°That way I can use it to make you and grandad happy on your birthdays by giving you wishes!¡±


    ¡°Aw, baby¡­¡± His mama wrapped him in a hug and held him close. ¡°Everyday with you I¡¯m getting my every wish come true.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really, really.¡± His mama nodded.


    ¡°Then¡­ I still need to learn it to make grandad happy instead of grumpy.¡± He figured.


    His mama let out a laugh. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love that, but¡­ you¡¯re still a little little to be learning any kind of magic, baby.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± He frowned in disappointment.


    ¡°But!¡± His mama cut in. ¡°When you¡¯re bigger, if you still want to learn, we¡¯ll see if we can¡¯t teach you the same magic my mama taught me. Alright? Then you can make everyone¡¯s wishes come true.¡±


    ¡°You promise?¡±


    His mama cupped his cheek with a gentle smile. ¡°I promise, my beautiful baby boy. You¡¯re going to make everyone as happy as you make me every single day.¡±

 Ira Invidia (VI): A Start To Many Things

    Ira Invidia (VI): A Start To Many Things


    --- Booker H. Freeman, Present ---


    He shot awake, a cold sweat soaking his skin as his heart pounded away in a desperate bid to escape his rib cage.


    A reaction in complete contrast to the dream -(No, the memory)- he¡¯d awoken from.


    He¡­ he could remember his mother¡­


    The memories were filled with massive gaps, and aside from that one memory everything else was caked in static and darkness so thick that it might as well be a part of the blackest abyss.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I remember?¡± He growled through a smile full of fangs.


    It had been one thing when he had no memories to recall whatsoever, but to only have that one core memory? It made the absence of the rest far too prominent to ignore. Especially given how he could feel the whispering recollection of other memories, things that he both did and did not know, memories just barely out of his reach.


    (Envy: After what was done to you? The fact that you¡¯ve regained any memories is a miracle in itself.)


    ¡°What was done to me?¡± He asked with a tense grin, the closest to a frown he could manage without triggering that terrible flood of insanity.


    (Pride: Something extraordinary!)


    (Envy: The worst thing possible¡­)


    (Wrath: What we deserved.)


    (Greed: What we were owed.)


    (Lust: A story deserving of song!)


    (Gluttony: The end and the beginning.)


    (Sloth: None of us actually know.)


    He couldn¡¯t help but let loose a derisive huff at that last thought.


    ¡°What do you know?¡± He scoffed, his thoughts drifting to his only memory of his mother, one strong enough that he knew he¡¯d never forg- (...)


    (Pride: That was a core memory. The foundation of an individual¡¯s personality. An anchor to the very essence of their being.)


    (Envy: It was a part of me of you¡­ You dug it up from where I buried it¡­)


    ¡°Why would you bury it? Bury her.¡± He wondered in disgust, his eyes drifting towards the glass box on the wall where his faint reflection refused to meet his eyes.


    (Envy: I¡­ I don¡¯t remember¡­)


    There was a shame to the voice¡¯s words that made it impossible to tell whether this was truth or lie, merely that it was all he was going to be given on the matter.


    ¡°Do the rest of you have my memories buried as well?¡± He growled at his reflection.


    (Pride: Knowledge should be shared!)


    (Gluttony: ¡­)


    (Lust: I would never!)


    (Wrath: Those thoughts hurt¡­)


    (Greed: They¡¯re ours!)


    (Sloth: Probably.)


    With a snarl he slammed his fist into the glass box, shattering his shifting reflection in a dense webs of cracks as his knuckles were ripped open by the broken glass.


    He stood there for a moment with his fist still embedded in the glass huffing to himself, as he tried to process what he¡¯d learned about his memories being buried within himself.


    Eventually, he removed his hand from the glass and proceeded to straighten out his clothes, because (my memories are there, I just need to figure out how to reclaim them¡­)


    All in all, it wasn¡¯t something worth getting so worked up over. (Not when I now have some direction going forward.)


    (Lust: Feeling better now?)


    ¡°Quite.¡± He nodded to himself, before considering the shattered glass next to him and faintly remembering one of the first ¡®lessons¡¯ his dearest mother had given him.


    Pulling on something within him, he snapped his fingers and directed that something towards the broken glass.


    After a moment the web of fractures began to slowly shrink as the glass sealed itself good as new. With not a single crack to be felt as he ran his finger over the newly smoothened surface.


    He couldn¡¯t help but smirk at this new tool provided to him by his mother, one that would inevitably make things significantly easier for him in this place.


    (Envy: Even if I can only recall the basics right now¡­)


    As he stepped into the hallway he started making his way towards Lydia¡¯s room, sure that the young lady was bound to be up and about by now. (I mean the sun is nearly risen after all!)


    (Sloth: Ugh, let her and you sleep. Please?)


    ¡°And waste the whole day? I think not!¡± He scoffed.


    (Lust: Ooh, how about we make her breakfast in bed then!)


    ¡°Oh, now that is a splendid idea!¡±


    ---


    The hotel¡¯s kitchen, while perhaps not the most splendidly stocked with the freshest ingredients, was however stocked with enough that he was able to put something together using the memories that his dearest mother had left him given the power hidden within ¡®the magic of cooking¡¯. Something he quite enjoyed as he hummed the tune that followed his mother everywhere.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    (Gluttony: You¡¯re not alone.)


    His ear twitched, before he caught sight of young Lydia cautiously making her way into the kitchen.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re just in time for breakfast my dear!¡± He smiled, setting another plate loaded down with food on the counter. ¡°I¡¯m unaware of your preferences so I¡¯ve just made a little bit of everything.¡±


    Lydia licked her lips with a clear hunger as she looked at the food on the counter, before repeating. ¡°A little bit of everything?¡±


    ¡°Well, everything they have here at least. Feel free to help yourself.¡± Before the last word left his mouth, Lydia had already begun doing just that, tearing into her food as if it were the dust bowl.


    (Sloth: Heh, street rat¡¯s hungry.)


    (Gluttony: Hunger is one of the great motivators.)


    He shrugged and simply wrapped up what he¡¯d left cooking before joining her, if with a touch less enthusiasm while always leaving the last bites for the hungering child.


    After a moment, when Lydia¡¯s eating had finally begun to slow he noticed her eyes flickering towards him with an unspoken curiosity.


    (Pride: And curiosity is always a good thing.)


    ¡°Yes, my dear?¡± He prodded, when she didn¡¯t voice her questions of her own free will.


    ¡°Oh, um,¡± Lydia seemingly winced to herself at having been caught staring. ¡°We, uh, we¡¯re going to start working on getting out of here today¡­ right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He confirmed. ¡°That said, I would enjoy having a little more information to work with about our situation.¡±


    Lydia blinked. ¡°Uh, what kind of information?¡±


    ¡°For one, how much Sin will a ticket out of this place cost us?¡± He wondered. ¡°I¡¯m aware mine will be more than yours, but that doesn¡¯t do us much without hard numbers to work towards.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know for sure.¡± Lydia confessed with a rather ugly grimace. ¡°The most annoying part about Sin is how it weighs differently for different people doing different things.¡±


    (Greed: That¡¯s the difference between classes speaking. Money is worth less to the rich because they¡¯ve got more than enough to buy and sell a soul.)


    ¡°Some people can gather it so easily, but when I do the same things I¡­ I get nothing from it.¡± Lydia grumbled, playing with her food before her expression brightened as she looked his way. ¡°Maybe¡­ Have you figured out why it works differently for different people?¡±


    (Pride: The observer effect?)


    (Greed: Financing skills?)


    (Sloth: The law is rigged?)


    He got the distinct feeling none of those were the answers the child was looking for so instead said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, I¡¯ll be able to sort that out easily enough should we take that route. I simply wish to know if your way is the only means of securing our passage out of the city?¡±


    ¡°As far as I know, yeah.¡± Lydia shrugged.


    ¡°Yes, well, you¡¯ll find my dear that I have few more means at my disposal than you.¡± He reminded her, while using his magic to move the leftover food from their plates and into containers to take with them.


    (Gluttony: Need to eat whatever you can whenever you can¡­)


    Despite being a mere parlor trick compared to the secrets that he knew were out there, Lydia stared in awe as if it were some fantastical feat.


    ¡°Right¡­ You¡¯ve got magic¡­¡± Lydia remembered. ¡°That song wasn¡¯t just you being¡­¡± She trailed off with a wince.


    ¡°Crazy?¡± He finished, before leaning forward as he pinched two fingers together. ¡°I should probably warn you that I am in fact just a little crazy.¡±


    (Envy: Just a little?)


    (Pride: We¡¯re an eccentric genius is all.)


    Unaware of this little aside, Lydia gave him a beautiful little smile as she accepted one of the leftover containers.


    ¡°Well¡­ If you want to see what you¡¯re working against, then I guess you should probably see this side of the Wall.¡± Lydia told him as she packed the food away in her backpack.


    ¡°The Wall?¡± He repeated curiously.


    ¡°Well, I mean, I guess it¡¯s ¡®The Wall-s¡¯.¡± Lydia corrected herself.


    ---


    ¡°Ah, the walls.¡± He acknowledged looking up at the two large structures that went off as far as the eye could see in either direction, seemingly encircling this entire city.


    One wall was a massive concrete structure far larger than any of the nearby buildings, and possibly larger than any building within Ira Invidia with a handful of metal windows, firearms, and spotlights.


    All of which was aimed down towards a much smaller and less intimidating wooden wall and fence that looked like it could be blown over by whatever wind the larger wall wasn¡¯t shielding it from.


    ¡°Yeah, the walls.¡± Lydia nodded in agreement. ¡°Everyone can see the big one but I guess it makes sense that people on the outside don¡¯t know about the smaller one.¡±


    ¡°And¡­ what is the point of the smaller one?¡± He found himself asking with no small amount of curiosity.


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard on the streets? The smaller wall was made because a bunch of racist idiots thought they could keep out the ¡®immigrants¡¯ or some garbage like that. They won¡¯t admit it but I think this is as good as it ever got.¡± Lydia explained before lightly kicking one of the smaller wall¡¯s supports and causing it to collapse alongside a small section of this lesser wall.


    They were both silent for a moment before he gestured towards the much more impressive wall. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you know how the larger wall came to be?¡±


    ¡°Uh, those ¡®immigrants¡¯ -which, ya know, were everyone outside of Ira Invidia- saw the wall meant to keep them out and decided to build a better wall to keep everyone in Ira Invidia.¡± Lydia shrugged with a shake of her head. ¡°Which basically turned Ira Invidia into its own prison while reminding the nazi¡¯s that they were the minority down here.¡±


    ¡°How delightfully petty.¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d be laughing about it if it wasn¡¯t screwing me over.¡± Lydia agreed, ¡°So any ideas?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, give me a moment to think.¡± He requested as he began looking the wall over. (The larger one of course. (Not the sad pathetic one made by clearly inferior nazi engineering.))


    (Pride: I¡­ can not see any integrities from here.)


    (Envy: Yeah, and I can definitely feel a barrier or something.)


    (Lust: That means it¡¯s technically three walls! That¡¯s like fifty percent more wall! Oh, Lydia is going to be so discouraged!)


    (Sloth: We could just, not tell her.)


    (None of that matters at the moment.) What did matter was the fact that Lydia was looking at him expectantly, if with a tint of worry. (We need to figure out how to get past this.)


    (Greed: Much as I hate to admit it. We might need to just buy the tickets and get out.)


    (You¡¯re suggesting we give something up?)


    (Greed: We¡¯re not giving anything up. Like any smart capitalist we¡¯re simply trading something of lesser value for something of greater value. Namely our money for our freedom.)


    (Sloth: If we weren¡¯t broke, that would be the easiest method.)


    (A valid point on both counts.) He had to admit.


    (Wrath: We could simply fight your way out?)


    (Sloth: Better yet, make these ¡®nazis¡¯ Lydia despises do it for us. That way we don¡¯t have to work at all.)


    (I¡¯m sure Lydia is street smart enough to know someone we can send to their deaths in our place¡­ Barring her of course.)


    (Pride: Alternatively, we could try side-stepping conflict altogether by taking a more thorough look at this wall. If we walk it we might find something we¡¯re missing.)


    (Envy: While we¡¯re at it we might as well inspect the barrier for any weaknesses as well.)


    That did sound like the least dangerous method, though it felt like the one that would have the least¡­ wiggle room for him to take advantage of as well.


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh! Can¡¯t we simply talk to the guards? Explain that us being here is a mistake? That Lydia is just an innocent child? I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll let us out if we¡¯re polite enough.)


    (All: ¡­)


    (Greed: You¡¯re an idiot and you¡¯re going to get us killed.)


    (Lust: You don¡¯t know that. I mean strangers are just friends you haven¡¯t met yet!)


    He was pulled from his thoughts by Lydia tugging on his shirt. ¡°Uh, Booker, I should probably warn you that if we¡¯re this close to the wall when they do their security check, they¡¯re probably going to shoot at us.¡± The young maiden warned him.


    ¡°Ah, in that case we should..."

 Ira Invidia (VII): The Wall Attempts Murder (Twice)

    Ira Invidia (VII): The Wall Attempts Murder (Twice)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    (Gluttony: Duck.)


    ¡°Duck?¡± He blinked, tilting his head to the side just as a loud bang tore through the air and something cut along his cheek.


    ¡°Shit, run!¡± Lydia yelled, tugging at his arm and dragging him away from the walls as another bang tore through the air and he felt something piercing through his arm.


    (Gluttony: Running is good too.)


    With a growl he sprinted after Lydia as she ducked into a nearby alley, one with a number of holes right along the edge of its opening.


    ¡°This¡­ this should be far enough.¡± His ward informed him with a slight pant. ¡°They tend to stop firing once you get moving.¡±


    ¡°And why did they shoot me?!¡± He growled, shifting the cloth of his shirt to see how bad the injury was.


    (Sloth: Looks like a through and through.)


    ¡°Because Ira Invidia is one massive prison?¡± Lydia scoffed, before giving his arm a worried glance. ¡°Are you going to be okay?¡±


    He considered the bleeding hole once more, and took note of how it wasn¡¯t actually bleeding.


    (Wrath: It won¡¯t stop our work.)


    (Gluttony: It¡¯ll just make us hungrier for the kill.)


    Taking a calming breath he gave the child a reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Doesn¡¯t even hurt.¡±


    (Envy: It does. You¡¯ve just had worse.)


    (Gluttony: The pain means we¡¯re still alive.)


    It seemed to work as Lydia gained a relieved sort of look. ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°Now then.¡± He coughed, in an attempt to regain some of his previous decorum. ¡°While a little late, I don¡¯t suppose you know much about the Walls¡¯ defenses?¡±


    ¡°I know they¡¯ve got guns and guards.¡± Lydia shrugged, before adding that. ¡°Most people just need them to kill you once to learn to stay away.¡±


    ¡°Experience?¡± He wondered.


    His companion refused to meet his eyes as she answered, ¡°Not mine.¡±


    (Sloth: Good, she knows to let others make mistakes for her.)


    (Pride: The ability to learn is such a dreadfully rare skill.)


    (Speaking of¡­) ¡°If we want to overcome the wall then we¡¯ll need to study it a bit more.¡± He told Lydia as he started down the side of the alley opposite the way they¡¯d entered.


    ¡°Is¡­ is that a good idea?¡± Lydia asked with one of her hideous frowns as she caught up to him. ¡°I mean, they just shot you.¡±


    ¡°True.¡± He conceded, because facts were facts. ¡°But I sincerely doubt two lurkers who fled are enough to send them on high alert. Still we won¡¯t be getting as close as we were, we¡¯ll simply follow along at a distance to see if we can¡¯t find an advantage of sorts to make use of.¡±


    ¡°Uh, I don¡¯t¡­ think that¡¯ll work the way you think it will.¡± Lydia confessed.


    (Sloth: She knows something. Ask her what.)


    ¡°Oh?¡± He smiled, even as the girl shrunk away. ¡°Do tell.¡±


    ¡°Everyone who wants out tries walking the wall. It was¡­ It was one of my first attempts at getting out of here. I loaded my backpack with enough supplies to last a week or two on the outside and walked the wall for something other than the main gate.¡± Lydia explained. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like they could wall up the entire city, r-right? There had to be a hole or a weak part of the fence I could find my way through.¡±


    ¡°Given the way you¡¯re talking¡­¡± He found the edges of his smile drooping, even if they remained in the shape of a grin.


    ¡°I ran out of supplies without even lapping the city, and I¡¯d spent every day just walking for two weeks straight.¡± Lydia grimaced.


    (Pride: Given the average human walking speed, even if she only walked for three hours a day, that¡¯s still a perimeter of eight-four miles¡­ If she actually spent all of her time walking then, that would easily swell to over three hundred miles most likely more¡­)


    (Sloth: I will go on strike if you attempt to walk that far.)


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ troubling.¡± He admitted as he slowed to a stop.


    ¡°Yeah, the weirdest part of it is that when I finally gave up and started back home? It didn¡¯t even take me an hour to get home.¡± Lydia chuckled mirthlessly. ¡°Almost like this place was taunting me about how pointless it all was.¡±


    ¡°Very troubling.¡± He corrected himself, as his eyes drifted to the greater wall.


    (Pride: It also sounds¡­ impossible, from a purely logistical perspective.)


    (Envy: Not if we¡¯re throwing magic in.)


    He found his eyes drifting higher to the massive magic circle in the sky.


    (Pride: You¡¯re right. Is this an effect of the barrier or the spell circuit, perhaps? When Lydia brought us to the wall from the hotel, that didn¡¯t even take an entire hour. I¡¯d dismissed it due to our unfamiliarity with the region but¡­ does all travel simply take an hour?)The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    (Envy: Spatial compression is¡­ dangerous but possible. On a smaller scale than a city¡­ then again that circuit is covering a lot more than this city¡­)


    (Pride: Oh, so many delightful questions to ask¡­ But we¡¯re going to need more data to figure the answers out.)


    (Meaning¡­) ¡°I need to get closer to the wall.¡± He realized before redirecting his path once more towards the object of his current fascination.


    ¡°What? Why?!¡± Lydia stumbled as she raced to cut him off. ¡°They just shot you!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a barrier of some kind connected to the wall. I need to get closer to figure out what it¡¯s doing.¡± He explained as he walked around her. ¡°I was willing to leave it be for a more mundane study, but given how fruitless that appears to be, I¡¯ll have to take a more direct approach to figure out how much of a hindrance it will be.¡±


    Lydia glanced between him and the greater wall before groaning. ¡°Of course the super wall has magic¡­ Oh¡­ fine! But we¡¯re going to have to be careful. I can¡¯t afford the cost of dying here.¡±


    (Greed: We really can¡¯t. Time, Sin, or whatever else, dying now would be too expensive.)


    (Pride: Which is why we¡¯ll just be doing a quick inspection.)


    (Envy: Even remembering the basics I doubt we could manage much more than that.)


    Reaching out with what he could recall of his magical senses, a sensation that left him feeling a metaphysical weight upon him as a faint symphony of sound began to play around him. Discordant orchestra of a thousand competing musicians, with one nearby song playing loud enough to overwhelm everything else. The sound of the wall itself.


    He could piece parts of the song together and their meaning, but it was as if he could only recognize half of the instruments playing through the air. The others weaving and blending in such a way that he knew he¡¯d be wrong if he attempted to name them.


    ¡°Uh, Booker?¡± Lydia asked, tugging at his shirt once more.


    ¡°Give me a moment, I¡¯ve almost got it¡­¡± He assured her, his ears twitching as he grew ever closer to the wall.


    (Lust: Oh, I am loving this sound!)


    (Pride: A whole spectrum of existence just beneath the surface¡­)


    (Sloth: It¡¯s a pretty sound but not much more.)


    (Greed: Agreed.)


    (Gluttony: Do you smell that?)


    (Wrath: She would¡¯ve liked it¡­)


    (Envy: Working on it just let me adjust the sound a bit and focus things¡­)


    ¡°Booker!¡± Lydia yelled, her tugging coming quite close to an attempt at ripping his arm out of socket.


    The symphony of sounds began to narrow down, still largely indecipherable in purpose and power but as all sounds outside of the wall fell apart he found that there were two other songs playing off of the wall¡¯s tune.


    ¡°Got it!¡± He smiled as he allowed the child to pull him away from the wall.


    A sudden sweltering heat had him freeze in place before slowly turning back to the wall, where in an escalation of firepower a wall of flame was pouring out of the greater wall.


    ¡°Oh, my!¡± He couldn¡¯t help but exclaim even as he followed Lydia.


    (Envy: Well that explains why there wasn¡¯t a smaller wall here.)


    (Pride: I wonder how many weapons are built into this wall?)


    ¡°Shit!¡± Lydia cursed, continuing to drag him along in spite of their current safety. ¡°I-I thought those were just¡­ just a rumor!¡±


    ¡°Well, apparently not.¡± He noted watching the flames dim until he could just barely make out the small holes in the wall that they had erupted from.


    ¡°Right, no more messing with the wall.¡± Lydia decided with a shake of her head. ¡°That¡¯s twice now you¡¯ve nearly died.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡± He laughed, taking the hand the young maiden was dragging him by and using it to give her a twirl. ¡°Isn¡¯t it exciting?¡±


    (Gluttony: It is.)


    (Sloth: It isn¡¯t.)


    Lydia stumbled out of her spin before taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out.


    (Lust: I don¡¯t think she¡¯s happy with us¡­)


    After a moment she tersely asked him, ¡°What¡­ what did you find out? I mean, you had to figure something out, after all of that, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve discovered two separate songs, I mean, spells playing off of the barrier.¡± He explained, still able to hear the songs in the air despite Lydia¡¯s insistence on putting distance between them and the wall. ¡°The first one is¡­ the same as the wall, just in the opposite direction.¡±


    Lydia frowned quite grotesquely. ¡°You mean¡­ like the other side of the wall?¡±


    ¡°No, no¡­ If it were the wall I¡¯d hear it from all directions if it truly encircles the city. The fact that I¡¯m only hearing it from one direction means it¡¯s something else¡­¡± He explained, subtly directing his companion in that direction because¡­


    (Envy: It¡¯s either the same spell or a connection to its system.)


    (Pride: Something worth investigating either way.)


    ¡°And the¡­ other spell?¡± Lydia asked, beginning to follow him now.


    ¡°That one is¡­ interesting¡­¡± He smiled almost wistfully. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ familiar in a way that I can¡¯t quite place¡­¡±


    ¡°Is¡­ is that a good thing?¡± His companion wondered.


    ¡°I have no idea!¡± He admitted with a laugh. ¡°What I do know is that in this sort of situation, interesting means opportunity!¡±


    (Greed: And opportunity means profit.)


    (Envy: Or ruin.)


    (Pride: Don¡¯t be such a downer. Where¡¯s your sense of curiosity?)


    (Envy: Focused on the thing we know is connected to our escape.)


    (Pride: Valid point.)


    ¡°So, which are we going to look at?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± He blinked, drawn out of his thoughts. ¡°Pardon?¡±


    Lydia let out a huff, before repeating herself. ¡°Which of these ¡®spells¡¯ are we going to look for?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a preference?¡± He wondered, if only to be polite.


    His companion shook her head. ¡°No. I mean, they¡¯re both connected to the wall, right?¡±


    ¡°They are.¡± He confirmed, mentally dissecting the songs. ¡°The first makes sense as a focal point for the magic to take effect, an anchor for the spell work within the area of its barrier. The second though¡­ that one is interesting because it isn¡¯t a part of the main spellwork despite making use of it.¡± Or that¡¯s what he could piece together from the bits of magical theory he could remember as of that morning.


    ¡°Right.¡± Lydia nodded back, seemingly considering his words. ¡°In that case, one of them is probably part of the actual¡­ prison system, while the other is probably¡­ a backdoor someone built into it.¡±


    ¡°An apt summary.¡± He believed.


    ¡°Then it doesn¡¯t matter which we go for, just so long as it gets me closer to getting out of this hell hole.¡± Lydia admitted, looking a little antsy as her eyes drifted around them. ¡°So just pick whichever one you think will make that easier for us.¡±


    (Pride: Honestly, there¡¯s no telling which that is until we get to it.)


    (Greed: Nah, that backdoor you¡¯re talking about. It screams of a smuggler''s tunnel, and whoever owns that might be willing to do more profitable business than the guys running the wall.)


    (Wrath: It would also be illegal by whatever laws this place has.)


    (Greed: Do we actually care?)


    (Not particularly.)


    (Wrath: I meant, in the sense of later problems. When the one who wrote the laws comes looking.)


    (Sloth: That only matters if we¡¯re caught.)


    (Greed: And a bribe or two is just the cost of doing business if we are.)


    (Envy: Actually, discretion might be the better part of valor here.)


    (Pride: Either way, I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll get enough answers to sate our curiosity for the moment.)


    ¡°So, uh, just to fill the silence¡­ where are we going?¡± Lydia asked him, having silent followed him for the last few minutes as he made he followed the song most probably leading to

 Ira Invidia (VIII): A Threat, A Mystery, And The Conflict They Bring

    Ira Invidia (VIII): A Threat, A Mystery, And The Conflict They Bring


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°This¡­ is not one of the better neighborhoods around here¡­¡± Lydia warned him as they continued to follow the spellwork that did not sound like it belonged to the rest of the Wall¡¯s magic.


    ¡°Really? I legitimately couldn¡¯t tell.¡± He confessed, their half destroyed surroundings barely looking different from the rest of the city they¡¯d been walking through for the last hour. ¡°If anything it seems like there¡¯s less fire than everywhere else.¡±


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s kind of my point¡­¡± Lydia grimaced as she cautiously watched their surroundings. ¡°Everywhere else I¡¯ve been has either been freshly repaired or in the middle of being torn down. This place though¡­¡±


    (Sloth: These are slums¡­ The kind gutter rats should be swarming but¡­)


    (Pride: The cars on the street and the televisions on display are all long since broken¡­)


    (Greed: Abandoned when a neighborhood like this should¡¯ve stripped them for parts.)


    (Gluttony: The scent of rot is in every breath¡­)


    (Envy: And the shadows grow darker with every step we take¡­)


    (Lust: There aren¡¯t any friends to be made here¡­)


    (Wrath: Anyone here is long since dead.)


    ¡°I¡­ see what you mean.¡± He admitted, taking in everything the voices told him as he took in the disrepair, and more importantly how old all of it was. ¡°This district has been outright abandoned compared to the rest.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Lydia nodded. ¡°And given how we¡¯re all crammed in here¡­ That¡¯s not normal.¡±


    ¡°Which makes me wonder about the state of whatever we¡¯ll find at the end of this spell song.¡± He smiled almost maniacally as he thought about how interesting all of this was, before pausing as he found something  that was¡­ ¡°Well, that¡¯s mildly concerning.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡± Lydia hideously frowned as she followed his gaze only to freeze at the sight before them. ¡°What the fuck!?¡±


    ¡°Language my dear.¡± He chided as he stepped up to the corpse in front of them. ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m guessing based on your reaction this isn¡¯t a common sight around these parts?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡­ Dead bodies are everywh-Why hasn¡¯t he regenerated?!¡± The young woman panicked.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He considered that for a moment as he gave the body a proper once over.


    (Pride: The body in front of us is male going off of the shape of the shoulders and hips. Cause of death is, quite obviously, whatever is latched onto the face. And from what I can tell the body is¡­ Odd.)


    (Going by Lydia¡¯s reactions I devised as much.) He thought as he gave into the voice¡¯s prodding and lifted one of the body¡¯s limbs before letting it fall.


    (Pride: Quite, but I¡¯m talking about the fact that the body is suffering advanced decomposition in some places and yet rigor mortis hasn¡¯t even set in on the rest¡­ Which isn¡¯t how the process works¡­)


    (Gluttony: Meat is spoiled and fresh? Will make you sick if you eat it.)


    (Well, that goes without saying.) He huffed with a touch of amusement.


    (Envy: There¡¯s magic here. There has to be if the rot is fighting whatever is healing people but¡­ I can¡¯t tell what it¡¯s actually doing¡­ It¡¯s at least partially connected to the magic coming from the circle in the sky but¡­ I don¡¯t know.)


    (Wrath: The nail¡­)


    (The nail?) His brow furrowed, as he moved his curiosities onto the black metal device that was latched onto the body¡¯s face.


    At first glance the object looked to be a black metal plate large enough to obscure the man¡¯s face, but when he examined the side of the plate he found that much like he¡¯d assumed the other side of the object was impaled through the man¡¯s face.


    What was more interesting however was the fact that (he¡¯s smiling.)


    (Lust: Ah, he died with a smile on his face! Heh-heh, what a way to go!)


    (Sloth: Probably best not to point that out to the girl.)


    He ran a thumb over the edge of his own smile and couldn¡¯t help but agree.


    ¡°Did you find something?¡± Lydia asked him, looking distinctly uncomfortable.


    ¡°Possibly¡­¡± He admitted, before moving to grip the nail and- ¡°Grah!¡± -promptly pulling his hand away as it was struck by violently violet light.


    ¡°Booker!¡± Lydia cried.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± He growled, shaking his hand out as he hid it from her.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    (Pride: Hmm, phalanges are visible.)


    (Gluttony: The flesh is burned but mending.)


    (Greed: But fixing things like this is starting to cost us. So don¡¯t waste what we¡¯ve got.)


    (Pride: Oh, and our bones are sharper than a human¡¯s.)


    He forced himself to take a calming breath as he felt a sliver of his power drain just before watching his flesh begin to creep up the bone.


    ¡°How¡­ how bad is it?¡± Lydia frowned with a disgusting amount of concern.


    ¡°Nothing worth frowning over.¡± He assured her with a smile as he showed off his freshly healed hand before cautiously glancing back at the corpse. ¡°That said, I wouldn¡¯t touch that metal if I were you.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t planning on it.¡± The poor girl grimaced, before gesturing towards the body. ¡°Do you¡­ do you at least know what caused¡­ this? This guy¡¯s been dead for¡­ a lot longer than people here stay dead for¡­¡±


    ¡°Magic. I¡¯m not sure what type of magic per say, but I can tell that the nail is the anchor for this effect whatever it may be.¡± He answered, before straightening himself out and once more listening for a particular spell song. ¡°Though unfortunately, while I would love to indulge my curiosity on this matter further, we were already on the hunt for a separate bit of spellwork. One a little more pressing to our personal goals.¡±


    ¡°R-right¡­¡± Lydia nodded, moving to follow as he left this particular mystery for another day. ¡°But let¡¯s be quick, I¡¯d rather not spend more time around¡­ this than I have to.¡±


    (Envy: That¡¯s going to be a bit of a problem¡­)


    ¡°Oh, my¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t help but utter as he found himself stunned by the street in front of him, where dozens if not hundreds more corpses waited nailed to the walls around them.


    ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± His companion gasped as she took in the horrific scene before them.


    He didn¡¯t bother chastising her language this time, for he felt regardless of crassness it did at least mildly fit the moment.


    (Gluttony: The source of the rot¡­)


    ¡°I-I think I¡¯m going to be sick¡­¡± Lydia groaned.


    He also wasn¡¯t going to judge her for that, as it was an equally fitting response for someone unused to corpses. (Which leaves me wondering why I¡¯m not-)


    (Gluttony: Do you really need to ask that?)


    (Point.) He conceded to himself as Lydia emptied her stomach nearby.


    (Sloth: This many corpses left on display like this? Someone is leaving a message.)


    (Pride: The question is what is the message?)


    (Sloth: Stay away.)


    (Lust: It¡¯s not the nicest message¡­)


    (Envy: No it¡¯s not¡­ We sure we want to keep going this way?)


    He considered that question for a moment.


    (Sloth: Yeah, no. I¡¯m not walking all the way back to the wall if I don¡¯t have to.)


    (Greed: We¡¯ve already come this far, and if someone is going to these lengths to keep something hidden then it must be quite the treasure.)


    (Pride: Or at the very least quite the secret.)


    (Wrath: We can¡¯t ignore a threat like this.)


    (Gluttony: People run from us, not the other way around.)


    (Envy: Right¡­ Of course no one objects to this¡­ Fine, let¡¯s go. What do I care¡­)


    (Lust: Uh, before that we should probably check on Lydia?)


    He paused, before glancing towards the girl in question as she stood hands on her knees gasping to the side. ¡°Are you alright to continue, child?¡±


    ¡°Continue?¡± Lydia coughed, turning to him with wide eyes. ¡°You want to continue through¡­ this shit?!¡±


    His smile softened. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, it¡¯s probably not the wisest idea but¡­¡±


    (Envy: The source of the spell is in that building at the end of the street.)


    He blinked, before pointing at said building with a wide grin. ¡°Our goal is right there.¡±


    ¡°In the¡­ In the building with bodies¡­ mounted all around it?¡± Lydia checked with no small amount of reluctance.


    He took another look at the building. ¡°Ah, yes. It would appear so¡­¡± (There is a notably greater number of bodies in that direction¡­)


    (Envy: Meaning the bodies and the building are probably linked¡­)


    (Pride: A probable correlation.)


    (Envy: I¡¯m going to check something¡­)


    (Sloth: Careful. The girl is looking ready to bolt.)


    (Lust: She¡¯s scared¡­ We should comfort her!)


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry my dear. Remember there¡¯s nothing for you to be afraid of while I¡¯m near.¡± He assured his young companion.


    Lydia gave him a look before shaking her head. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t care how strong you are, you can not tell me going into the middle of this shit is a good idea!¡±


    ¡°Well, I did concede that it isn¡¯t.¡± He reminded her, before tilting his head. ¡°Would you prefer to wait here while I go and inspect that building by myself?¡±


    Lydia looked at him as if he were crazy (which, fair.) ¡°You want me to stay here? By myself?¡±


    ¡°No. I was asking if that was what you would prefer, my dear.¡± He was sure to clarify. ¡°Given how deserted this district is I have no doubt you can handle yourself for however long it takes me to find what we¡¯re looking for. I have no intention of forcing you to do something you do not wish to here.¡±


    ¡°And what if I, what if I wanted to go do¡­ anything other than dealing with this creepy Vlad the Impaler shit?!¡± Lydia asked him.


    ¡°Then I would-¡± (Envy: Wait.)


    He paused what he was saying a symphony of music washed over him, though unlike the chaotic cacophony of before virtually every song he could hear was in some way playing off of every other song he could hear.


    (Envy: I just checked the spell work on these nails again. I still can¡¯t make heads or tails of them, but all of them are leading to the same anchor point as the spell from the wall.)


    (Pride: So the two are connected.)


    (Envy: Yeah, and it¡¯s making all of this spell work look really familiar¡­ A little more and I might be able to tell you what it all means.)


    (Pride: Ah, answers are at hand!)


    (Lust: But wait, wouldn¡¯t that mean leaving Lydia behind?)


    (Ah, I doubt she would appreciate that.)


    (Pride: An unfortunate price, yes¡­ but a necessary one if we are to unravel this mystery!)


    (Greed: It also means we won¡¯t have to split any profits with her.)


    (Sloth: Or it means we¡¯ll have to remind her that we¡¯re not her minion, she¡¯s ours.)


    (Lust: That sounds mean¡­)


    (Envy: In case you¡¯ve forgotten we¡¯re not a good person¡­)


    (Wrath:¡­)


    (Lust: Just because we¡¯re not a good person doesn¡¯t mean we have to be mean¡­)


    ¡°Well?! Then you would what?!¡± Lydia practically growled, dragging him from his thoughts as she pressed him for an answer.

 Ira Invidia (IX): A Hellevator And A Demon

    Ira Invidia (IX): A Hellevator And A Demon


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    He watched the shaking young woman in front of him for a moment before assuring her that, ¡°I would assist you as best I can, as promised. If that means changing our current endeavor then so be it.¡±


    (Lust: Yay!)


    (Pride: Foolish.)


    (Envy:¡­)


    (Greed: Gah, should¡¯ve ditched her and pocketed the profits for ourselves.)


    (Sloth: Well, at least the help will be happy I suppose¡­)


    Lydia stared at him for a moment as if shocked by what he¡¯d said. ¡°You¡­ you really mean that?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± He may¡¯ve been a monster, but he was a monster of his word. And, ¡°I told you I would help you, and so I shall.¡±


    With that established he started back the way they¡¯d come from, before after several steps realizing, (Gluttony: She¡¯s not following.)


    He turned back to where Lydia was still standing, her eyes on the ground and her face scrunched up in a rather distasteful expression. ¡°Lydia?¡±


    The young woman continued to stand there for another moment before violently running her hands through her hair. ¡°Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡± He asked, taken aback by this outburst.


    ¡°I am so going to regret this¡­¡± Lydia whined, before looking at him with a resigned expression. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s check out the stupid death building.¡±


    ¡°Are¡­ you sure?¡± He felt the need to check.


    ¡°No, but¡­ Just, let¡¯s get moving before I change my mind.¡± Lydia grumbled as she started marching off without him.


    (What was that all about?) He couldn¡¯t help but wonder as he used his longer legs to catch up to his companion.


    (Pride: I have no idea¡­)


    (Lust: We just proved we¡¯re a good friend!)


    (Sloth: Loyalty begets loyalty?)


    (Envy:¡­)


    (Gluttony: Can we find something to kill now?)


    (Greed: Or someone to rob?)


    Once he¡¯d caught up to her, Lydia warned him that, ¡°Since this is your idea if something tries to kill us in here I¡¯m running while it tries to eat you.¡± as her eyes drifted between the various corpses around them.


    ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡± He smiled, before stepping forward and opening the door to their goal for her. ¡°Ladies first.¡±


    ¡°And survivors last.¡± Lydia scoffed.


    (Lust: Ooh, she¡¯s sassy when she¡¯s scared.)


    ¡°Unless the monster is behind us.¡± He pointed out, enjoying the way she became twitchy, her eyes darting around the corpse filled street.


    ¡°I fucking hate this¡­¡± The young maiden groaned before forcing herself past the door¡¯s threshold. ¡°There happy?!¡±


    ¡°Amused is more appropriate.¡± He thought as he stepped inside, sure to close the door behind him.


    The room itself was large, but relatively empty with an elevator in front of them and a set of stairs leading upwards. Along the walls were a number of torn and faded posters and paintings, a number notably looking like they¡¯d been ripped to shreds by something with claws strong enough to dig through concrete.


    (Wrath: As they deserve showing off such a wretched ideology¡­)


    ¡°Fuck it¡¯s dark in here¡­ give me a minute¡­¡± Lydia told him as she began rummaging through her bag.


    ¡°Take your time, I can see well enough.¡± He assured her as he took note of the dark stains on the ground leading from the door to the elevator.


    (Gluttony: Something¡¯s bringing its prey home to eat.)


    ¡°Of course you can.¡± His companion grumbled before pulling out a flashlight and using it to cut a path of light through the darkness. ¡°Oh, fun¡­ This place is even more murdery than I thought.¡±


    ¡°I know, isn''t it delightful.¡± He laughed, starting towards the elevator that he could now see was missing its guard gate.


    ¡°Uh, why don¡¯t we uh, check out the stairs before getting in the Hellevator?¡± Lydia suggested, her light locked onto what was very clearly dried blood in front of the elevator.


    (Pride: Hmm, this elevator has been refurbished. Look at the control panel, it¡¯s been gutted and rewired to this lever for some reason.)


    ¡°Come now, this is clearly a path straight to our goal.¡± He told her as he grabbed the lever next to the elevator and pulled it.


    ¡°And what is our goal exactly?¡± Lydia asked, her light moved around the walls. ¡°Because everything I¡¯m seeing is saying this is where you go to get murdered.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll kill anything that tries and kills us.¡± He promised as the elevator proper came into view and the lever snapped back into place. ¡°I¡¯ll even make sure it suffers before it knows the mercy of the pale lady.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ No.¡± Lydia decided, immediately turning to the stairs as she caught sight of the elevator completely covered in bloodstains from the waist down.


    (Envy: You do know if you leave her alone she probably is going to get murdered in here, right?)


    (Sloth: Minions are supposed to give us less work not more¡­)


    Unable to help but roll his eyes, he followed after the delicate maiden who apparently couldn¡¯t handle a bit of blood before wincing as she briefly flashed her light at him.


    ¡°You, uh, you didn¡¯t say what we¡¯re looking for¡­¡± Lydia reminded him, her voice a touch softer as her light leapt away from him.


    ¡°Something magical.¡± He assured her, before clarifying that, ¡°With all of those bodies out there there should be a Spell Anchor of some sort in here that will connect them to the Wall. I¡¯m hoping that anchor will be a smugglers tunnel of some kind that we can use to escape this city.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, that¡­ that makes sense.¡± Lydia nodded, her flashlight darting between several offices full of broken furniture. ¡°Can you¡­ do that thing you used to track the magic here?¡±


    He listened to the world around him before-


    (Lust: Okay, I like music but that¡¯s too loud!)


    (Gluttony: Skree!)


    (Envy: There¡¯s too much spell work here!)


    -wincing at the deafening sound, and shaking his head. ¡°No, there¡¯s too much magic here. The Spell Songs are too similar to sort through.¡±


    ¡°Spell Songs¡­¡± Lydia repeated as they continued their search. ¡°So, uh, magic is music?¡±


    (Sloth: She¡¯s asking because she¡¯s scared and hoping you¡¯ll distract her.)


    ¡°If unleashed upon the air, it will vibrate and generate sound often indistinguishable from music.¡± He confirmed before noticing a few dark streaks on the floor. ¡°That said, humans aren¡¯t built with an inherent sense for magic so if one attempts to observe it they¡¯ll often receive a state of synesthesia as their mind tries to process it.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    (Envy: We just hear it more than anything else because¡­)


    (Lust: Music is its own magic!)


    (Envy: Sure, let¡¯s go with that¡­)


    (Gluttony: Don¡¯t forget you can still see, taste, smell, and feel the world around you. If you quit ignoring what Nature gave you you¡¯d be able to see a world beyond magic and music.)


    ¡°Uh, Booker¡­ is that what you¡¯re looking for?¡± Lydia asked, her light shining past him and into an office ahead of him where he could vaguely make out something written on the wall.


    ¡°Possibly¡­¡± He answered as he made his way closer to what seemed to be a pair of circles with a star in the center, runic script written around the circle with a more complex piece in the center of the circle.


    (Gluttony: It¡¯s written in blood. Both old and new.)


    (Yes, but what does it mean?) He knew it was a Spell Circle but beyond that¡­


    (Envy: It¡¯s a beacon relay. It doesn¡¯t tell us what the spells are doing but this is likely a focal point connecting all of the corpses outside to something in here¡­ There should be another one of these somewhere, or a few of them, with the core of the spell being at the end of the chain.)


    ¡°Shine your light around we need to find another one of these and then follow it back to the source.¡± He told Lydia as he backed away from the Wall before taking a look around the floor they were on. ¡°Wait, up there. Above the elevator.¡±


    Lydia shined her light where he said and revealed another Circle drawn, this one ever so faintly glowing in the light.


    ¡°Fuck¡­¡± His companion cursed. ¡°We¡¯re getting in the Hellevator aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°It would seem so.¡± He nodded, crossing his hands behind his back as he started towards the elevator, only to pause as he found a pile of desks in the way. ¡°Though it seems this floor is blocked for some reason¡­¡±


    ¡°Great¡­ Maybe that¡¯s a sign that we shouldn¡¯t get in the elevator?¡± Lydia weakly suggested.


    He gave her a smile and a pat upon the head as he passed her by. ¡°Now, now dear. You¡¯ll never gain anything if you aren¡¯t willing to take any risks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to take risks if they won¡¯t kill me.¡± Lydia argued quietly as she followed him down the stairs and into the elevator, or rather she stopped just outside of it.


    He tilted his head as he watched her staring at the elevator with no small amount of fear. ¡°How many times must I remind you dear¡­ There¡¯s nothing to fear so long as I am near.¡±


    Lydia closed her eyes before quickly marching into the elevator without opening them. ¡°Just¡­ tell me when we get off this thing.¡±


    He gave her a soft smile even though she couldn¡¯t see it before gripping the elevator¡¯s control lever and asking, ¡°Up or down?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know and I don¡¯t care. I just want this over with.¡± His companion told him tersely with her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes firmly shut.


    (Pride: Wait. There¡¯s a lock on it. The lever won¡¯t go further up than this unless it¡¯s removed and this mechanism will require a tool of some kind.)


    (I see¡­) ¡°Then given how this is a place full of secrets¡­ Let¡¯s search the basement first.¡± He decided.


    ¡°Yeah, the murder basement where they bury the bodies of their victims, heh.¡± Lydia joked, sounding more than a little stressed at the moment.


    ¡°Oh, please. The basement is a terrible place to bury bodies. That¡¯s just asking to be caught while also limiting the capacity of your home with each kill.¡± He scoffed as he pushed the lever causing the elevator to begin moving just before spikes erupted from the lever ripping his hand to shreds.


    ¡°What was that?!¡± Lydia cried, her eyes snapping open as her flashlight nearly blinded him.


    (Sloth: She¡¯s on the verge of running.)


    (Envy: To be fair I think anyone would right now¡­)


    ¡°Nothing worth worrying about.¡± He assured her hiding both his hand and the lever from her view. (Why is it always my hands!?)


    (Gluttony: They¡¯re half the reason humans are on top of the food chain.)


    (Pride: Whoever built this also designed it to mangle one¡¯s hands once used so as to prevent it from being used twice.)


    (Gluttony: Which means this is someone¡¯s hunting grounds.)


    (Lust: Ooh, Lydia was right! This is a murder basement!)


    ¡°Lovely.¡± He sighed as they were bathed in a crimson light from above.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve officially hit my ¡®we need to run¡¯ point!¡± Lydia told him. ¡°Turn the lever and get us the fuck out of here!¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ there¡¯s a slight problem with that¡­¡± He confessed, just a touch bashfully.


    ¡°Booker¡­ Why is the control lever spiked?¡± Lydia asked. ¡°And why is it dripping blood?!¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha, well, you see that is something of a comical story.¡± He chuckled, knowing full well that his companion would probably disagree with that assessment.


    Which is why he found himself quite grateful that this was the moment the elevator opened to reveal a concrete hallway with another relay circle.


    ¡°Oh, would you look at that, we''re going the right way!¡± He smiled, stepping out of the elevator and looking to either side, finding each way to be bathed in faint crimson lights every few steps.


    ¡°Booker!¡± Lydia called in a panicked voice.


    (Sloth: Ignore her, there''s no winning this.)


    ¡°Might as well keep that winning streak going.¡± He told his companion as he started down the right path, his eyes drifting towards the crimson lighting.


    (Pride: Emergency lighting. I suppose if the elevator is active then it makes sense these are too, but look at the way they¡¯re installed¡­ They¡¯ve been added in just like the elevator lever.)


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit!¡± Lydia cursed as she chased after him, refusing to be alone in this situation. ¡°Oh, I knew coming in here was a bad idea! Why did I let you talk me into this?!¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t?¡± He reminded her with a confused brow. ¡°I was fully set to change our plans for your sake and then you changed your mind about coming in here.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! I¡¯m only here because of you!¡± Lydia snapped with a (hideous) scowl as her eyes darted around and behind them, her breath coming out in short huffs as they made their way through the labyrinthian halls.


    (Sloth: Just let her have this.)


    (Envy: It is our fault she¡¯s here¡­)


    (Gluttony: Wait¡­ To our left.)


    He paused as he caught sight of a door, hidden by shadows as the crimson light in this section of the hall proved itself broken. ¡°Hold on a moment.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what is it now?¡± Lydia groaned as she turned her flashlight on him.


    The door opened with little fuss and as he stepped inside he switched the lights on with ease, revealing a rather mundane work room in perfectly normal lighting. Along the walls were several lockers lined up next to what appeared to be a restroom with a torn up couch and a small table on the other side of it. Across from these was a large machine with a number of glass panes climbing up the wall showing off images from across the building.


    What made this room truly interesting however was the large Spell Circle drawn onto the ground, with a large nail driven into each of the star¡¯s five points, and and several more circling it to contain the bright crimson glow even as the rampant magic caused the air above the circle to flicker black and white.


    ¡°I believe this is what we¡¯ve been looking for.¡± He smiled as he walked up to the circle, never quite crossing its threshold.


    (Envy: So much power and yet we couldn¡¯t sense it¡­ All of the relays, they¡¯re designed to hide this. Flood the building in enough power that this is buried.)


    (Greed: Meaning that whatever this is it has to be valuable, right?)


    (Envy: In the right hands, very.)


    ¡°O-okay¡­ I, I haven¡¯t seen anything like this before.¡± Lydia admitted, her fear slowly being consumed by awe as she stared at the spell work in front of her. ¡°What is this?¡±


    His eyes roamed the runic script of the circle to try and translate it.


    (Envy: Alright, this one is significantly easier to understand than everything else, it¡¯s-)


    ¡°A battery.¡± He answered, finishing his otherself¡¯s thought. ¡°One containing¡­ quite a large amount of power.¡±


    Lydia licked her lips, her eyes darting between him and the static in the air. ¡°Can you¡­ can you use it?¡±


    ¡°If I can find the control point.¡± He grinned as he walked around the circle, only to have his cheeks begin to twitch because, ¡°It¡¯s not here.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lydia frowned, and as much as he hated it he couldn¡¯t blame her.


    ¡°The control point. It¡¯s not here.¡± He growled, the teeth of his smile grinding together.


    ¡°Where, where is it then?¡± His companion asked, looking somewhere between confused and frustrated.


    (Envy: It can¡¯t be far. The further you get the less stable it would become, even with the relays expanding that distance.)


    (Pride: Then it¡¯s most likely in the building somewhere. Check the cameras.)


    (Where?)


    (Pride: The wall of windows!)


    Listening to his inner voice he made his way to the machine covered in glass and let his eyes drift between all of the windows, finding his teeth clenching tighter and tighter as he found nothing. ¡°Where is it?¡±


    (Sloth: The broken one.)


    His eyes snapped to the only camera that was shattered. (But where does it lead?)


    ¡°Booker,¡± Lydia called. ¡°There¡¯s another circle above you.¡±


    He looked up and found another relay before realizing, ¡°Up.¡±


    ¡°Up?¡± Lydia repeated as he started towards the door.


    ¡°The battery is down here but the control is at the top of the building.¡± He explained. ¡°We¡¯ll need to adjust the lever on the elevator but if I can get the control then-¡±


    A grumbling growl echoed down the hall just as he crossed the threshold to the room, seemingly causing the building itself to shake.


    ¡°That¡­ sounds like a problem.¡± He admitted, before turning back to Lydia to find her looking the cameras over with a pale face.


    ¡°Oh, no. No, no, no!¡± Lydia cried as she backed away from the machine.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He asked, catching her with a hand on her back before she could fall.


    Lydia raised a shaking finger towards the screen as she tried and failed to answer, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s¡­¡±


    His eyes quickly began to roam the glass panes in search of what had frightened her so badly. Eventually he found a massive shape moving across one of the cameras, before moving onto the next.


    The creature on the camera could in no way be described as human, the monster crawling through the hall that just barely fit it as its claws scraped deep grooves into the walls to drag itself along them.


    While he couldn¡¯t make out much about the beast from the way it moved between the cameras, he was able to make out one detail that he¡¯d have to be blind to miss.


    Across the monster¡¯s face was a visage of sharp fangs, each as long and dangerous as any knife, stretched out and arranged in a twisted shape that could only be called a-


    ¡°It¡¯s the Smiling Man¡­¡±


    (What?)

 Ira Invidia (X): Battle Between Beasts

    Ira Invidia (X): Battle Between Beasts


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    As his eyes watched the monster creeping ever closer across the cameras, he found that he had only a single thought in his mind. (I thought we were the Smiling Man?)


    (Pride: That was our working hypothesis¡­)


    (Envy: One that looks like it¡¯s wrong.)


    (Sloth: So wait, wait¡­ We''re stuck smiling because of this guy, rather than ourselves?)


    (Greed: And more importantly he¡¯s why we woke up broke in a back alley!)


    (Lust: That wasn¡¯t nice of him¡­)


    (Wrath: No. It wasn¡¯t.)


    (Gluttony: Why don¡¯t we show him who the true apex predator is.)


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile at that thought.


    (Sloth: Wait, didn¡¯t he stomp us the last time we fought him?)


    (Pride: We may have lost, but I would like to believe that we gave as good as we got at the very minimum.)


    (Sloth: So good we ended up left for dead in an alley.)


    He ground his teeth at that, because as much as he hated to admit it, if the Smiling Man was the one responsible for his current state of affairs, then in all likelihood he had lost while at the top of his game.


    (Sloth: Then you get why we need to run now, right?)


    (Gluttony: CoWaRD!)


    (Wrath: I dislike agreeing with beast but to retreat now would be dishonorable.)


    (Sloth: Better dishonorable than dead.)


    (Pride: Have you no pride man?)


    (Sloth: No, that¡¯s your job.)


    He inhaled before exhaling as he decided. ¡°We won¡¯t be running from this.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Lydia asked, her voice sounding hollow.


    (Sloth: Fine, get us killed. I¡¯m going to go take a nap. Die in my sleep or whatever¡­)


    (Wrath: Good choice.)


    ¡°Now the question is what will we be doing?¡±


    ¡°Why, why aren¡¯t we running?¡± Lydia frowned with her worrying frequency.


    ¡°Several reasons.¡± He answered, not sure if he could properly summarize the¡­ sinful desire that had begun to build within him.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­¡± Lydia let out a rather pathetic sounding laugh as she fell to her knees. ¡°I¡¯m going to die because you¡¯re on a vengeance kick¡­ I should¡¯ve known this was all too good to be true¡­ Some stranger coming to fix all my problems¡­ I should¡¯ve known better¡­¡±


    (Lust: Oh¡­ We shouldn¡¯t force her to stay with us¡­)


    (Envy: Tell her to run. We¡¯ve dragged her along long enough¡­)


    (Wrath: It would be the honorable thing to do.)


    He considered that for a moment before looking around the room. (Given our previous loss, how can we turn this fight to our advantage?)


    (Pride: Well, it¡¯s obvious we¡¯ll be going into this at a disadvantage. And evidence says we¡¯ll lose if we fight the Smiling Man head on, meaning it would be best to set a trap of some kind and attack him from there.)


    (A good idea in theory, but¡­) His eyes darted around the room finding it sparsely supplied. (I doubt we have the materials necessary to make that particular idea work.)


    (Pride: I¡¯m sure we could come up with a creative solution.)


    He wasn¡¯t as sure, and given how the cameras showed the Beast making its way down the elevator shaft he also wasn¡¯t sure he had the time to assemble a proper trap.


    (Envy: Well, what we do have on hand is a large power source right there and while I can¡¯t control it without its spell anchor, it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to just dump it all in the Smiling Man¡¯s face.)


    (Greed: Meaning we would¡¯ve gone through all of this for nothing.)


    (Wrath: Except for our pound of flesh.)


    (Gluttony: And a gallon of blood in interest.)


    (Greed: ¡­ Point.)


    He ran his hand through the air above the circle of blood, feeling a faint static along his fingers as he touched the edge of the contained magic. (And how safe would this method be? From what I recall unleashing raw power, so much greater than our own, isn¡¯t exactly a safe practice.)


    (Envy: Between blowing up the building and a fight with something that likely sees us as food¡­ I¡¯d take the magical explosion.)


    (Let¡¯s just put a pin in that for now.) He felt he was a risk taker, but not in so much as to be willing to set off an explosive while he might be in the blast radius.


    Though he¡¯d still do it in spite if there truly was no other way.


    (Envy: Well, you¡¯re not leaving us many options¡­)


    (Lust: Oh, you think Lydia has any ideas?)


    (Given how she seems to be in the middle of a panic attack I believe¡­ not.) He grinned through his grimace as he watched the near lifeless girl stare off into space.


    (Gluttony: If we¡¯re going to show this knock off its place on the food chain, then all we need is claw and fang.)


    (Pride: That is¡­ several different kinds of foolish. Especially given how we¡¯ve already established we lost our previous conflict with this Smiling Man.)


    (What if we were to use our Sin in a manner similar to the Sinner¡¯s Song?) He wondered as he began to hum in thought as a glance towards the cameras revealed his foe had finally entered the basement alongside them.


    (Lust: Nope. Not going to work here. I am not feeling it. The Smiling Man¡¯s song would overwrite anything we try to do here.)


    (Envy: That¡¯s probably the power from this thing mudding the air.)


    (Wrath: If we¡¯re to duel this monster then take one of those nails in hand. We do not want to face a foe like this unarmed.)


    (Envy: And the nails seem to be helping contain the power here. Removing one might be little better than my own idea.)


    (Gluttony: Meaning we get to do this the fun way, and feel its BlOoD oN oUR hANdS!)


    The idea left him feeling giddy, an odd sort of hunger began to fill his stomach as his teeth began to itch and his fingers began to burn.


    (Sloth: Don¡¯t forget the minion.)


    (Lust: Weren¡¯t you going to sleep?)


    (Sloth: Shut up.)


    As once more made his way towards the door, he found himself pausing as he took one last glance at his currently lifeless companion.


    ¡°Lydia.¡± He called, causing her eyes to drift his way. ¡°Given the lack of options, I¡¯m going to fight this Smiling Man head on. If you see an opportunity, take it and do not regret your decision.¡±


    What that opportunity was, and what she¡¯d decide to do with it he had no idea whatsoever. (But she¡¯s a resourceful young woman. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll figure something out.)


    The moment he stepped out into the crimson lit halls, that hunger in him began to grow painful as he found himself stumbling against the wall, his heart pounding against his rib cage in search of escape. His bones began to ache, feeling far bigger than his flesh could contain, pulling his own skin taught as every step down the hall became longer, more lopsided, more¡­ feral.


    (Gluttony: Don¡¯t fight. Give in. Let the Beast take over.)


    His tongue darted out across a grin full of fangs, tasting the air. The blood, the sweat, the rot, and most importantly the fear and hate in the air as he began to track his quarry through the dark labyrinth, as he himself was hunted by his would-be prey.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    (Gluttony: Wait¡­ Listen!)


    A frantic sort of scraping in front of him had him pausing, before instinct had him darting into a small alcove, hidden away in the darkest corners where the crimson lights refused to touch.


    There he stood inhumanly still, not even breathing as he stared unblinkingly at the corner ahead of him¡­ watching¡­ waiting¡­ hunting¡­


    Eventually five fingers slowly wrapped themselves around the corner, each ending in a knife-like claw so well used that the very flesh around them was stained red by blood as they left crimson streaks in the concrete they cut through.


    The hand pulled against the corner and from around it a smile crept forward, dark shadows that could only be blood covered its gator-like teeth, all held in place by pitch black gums as rotted as its soul. This (horrific/disgusting/wretched) smile took up most of its host¡¯s pale scar covered face, leaving little space for two unblinking red eyes only visible through a mop of shaggy untamed hair due to their unholy glow.


    As the Smiling Man came into view, its corpse took up most of the hall, its hunched back scraping against the ceiling as it crawled forward on its hands and knees like a rabid beast to be put down. Its torso was covered in a dark crimson suit, one that had likely once been an entirely different color before decades of bloodstains had ruined the craftsmanship that had gone into it. Around this suit were iron chains shaking and bound, a number of locks hanging from them as they did seemingly little to keep the beast contained or controlled.


    Closer to his little alcove the monster crept, far slower than it had when moving across the cameras, almost as if it sensed his presence lurking there in the dark.


    Still he did not move.


    The Smiling Man inhaled, sniffing the air in search of its prey¡¯s scent as it grew closer to his corner placing its claws to either side of his burrow pinning him in if it truly knew he was here.


    Still he did not breathe.


    The monster began to open its massive maw revealing more than a single row of teeth as it stretched large enough to consume him in a single bite, a serpentine tongue darting between it all.


    Still he did not fear.


    A sound rattled down the hall and the monster¡¯s gaze snapped towards, (Lydia making her escape.)


    Not that mattered after all¡­ as he was¡­ He could only hunger¡­


    His teeth dug into the Smiling Man¡¯s throat, fully intent on ripping it out and filling the gnawing all consuming hunger.


    The Smiling Man did not screech at this, instead grabbing him with claws that dug into his flesh before ripping him off and flinging him down the hall.


    He swallowed the (delicious) copper tang before he even hit the ground and rolled twice in the time it took his claws to catch the ground and bleed his momentum.


    From half a hall away, these beasts stared each other down with mirrored glowing rabid red gazes that glared into each other with nothing but a mutual hate¡­ and hunger to devour the other.


    They both shot forth with little regard for any threat the other may pose, their only desire to see the other dead and devoured.


    The Smiling Man swung first its massive claw rending gashes in the wall, the dust trailing behind it as he ducked beneath the deadly swing that whistled above him and instead drove his own hand into the monster¡¯s stomach.


    Only to find his claws finding no purchase as they scraped uselessly along the Smiling Man¡¯s coat, leaving little more than bruises if he was lucky.


    Unfortunately, as he realized the coat was coming closer he wasn¡¯t what one would consider lucky. The Smiling Man seeking to crush him beneath its massive weight.


    Reacting swiftly, he grabbed onto the (Chains That Bind) the beast and used them to pull himself out of danger by both climbing up and leaping away from the Smiling Man¡¯s body.


    Not that this stopped him from being slammed into the ground as the creature¡¯s shoulder trapped his legs, smashing them between bone and concrete breaking them alongside the floor.


    As the Smiling Man began to pick itself off the ground, he clung onto its chains as his flesh and bone were stitched back together. Thus allowing him to pull himself onto the creature¡¯s shoulder where he pulled an arm back and drove his claws into one of the beast¡¯s eyes.


    The scream that tore itself from the Smiling Man¡¯s throat shattered his ear drums as they erupted into a piercing pain.


    While he was stunned by this the Smiling Man grabbed onto him and slammed him into the ground over and over in a series of dazing blows that his mind fading in and out of consciousness. His power just barely keeping him conscious.


    (Pride: I knew this was a bad idea¡­) One of the voices noted through the haze in his mind as the Smiling Man lifted him off the ground once more.


    Spots flooded his vision as he struggled to focus, his concussed mind just barely putting together the fact that the Smiling Man was raising him over its open maw, preparing to devour him whole.


    (Sloth: Should¡¯ve run while we could¡¯ve.)


    (Wrath: Or at the very least grabbed a weapon¡­)


    (Envy: Come on, I know you¡¯ve got more than this!)


    That¡­ didn¡¯t sound like it was directed at him¡­


    (Gluttony: Grr-ah! Rip aNd TeaRrr!)


    His eyes shot open as the hunger in his stomach became a thousand knives stabbing through him, the hollowness demanding he eat whatever he could reach!


    In depraved instinct his hand shot forward grabbing the Smiling Man¡¯s tongue and tearing into it with his teeth.


    The gaping maw that had been about to devour him snapped shut biting off the creature¡¯s tongue as he and it were flung away from his screaming adversary.


    Not that any of that mattered as his teeth continued to dig into and devour the only meat within his reach.


    But it was not enough¡­ (It will never be enough!)


    His eyes shot to the Smiling Man as it roared at him, and all he could see was the meat moving in front of him. (I wAnT It tO sqUIrM iN mY teETh!)


    On all four he shot forth, his claws scraping at the ground as it cracked beneath every step.


    The Smiling Man swung its claws at him, and leapt over them, clinging onto the wall as he dug his claws into it.


    A massive fist moved to squish him in a backhand the size of his body, only to be used as a platform to crawl his way ever closer to his food. ¡°HuNgRy!!!¡±


    His teeth dug into the Smiling Man as it toppled backwards, uncaring for the bits of the creature¡¯s coat that he had to tear through to do so. And all the while the creature that sought to eat him swiped at him, desperate to rid itself of the thing slowly eating it alive only to tear into its own flesh as it tried to stop him from finishing his meal.


    With each failed strike, and each chunk of flesh devoured, the Smiling Man slowly realized that rather than being a predator on the hunt. That in truth¡­ it was little more than prey to be devoured.


    It was with this revelation came desperation, and with desperation, progress.


    The Smiling Man rolled itself off of its toppled back, no longer caring to fend off his relentlessly hungering assault and instead tried to flee while slamming itself against the walls in the hopes of trying and failing to get him off of it.


    As the terrified creature continued to run, flame erupted in front of it with the familiar sound of broken glass.


    Rearing back in fright the Smiling Man left itself open for another molotov cocktail to strike it across the chest.


    Not that any of this mattered to him as his endless hunger demanded that he continue to devour his now cooking prey, uncaring for the danger the flames may pose to him in his own desperation to sate this never ending hunger.


    Fending off the flames, the Smiling Man once more toppled backwards, and in a twisted mix of instinct and reflex he leapt away from the creature as it fell, pausing his meal to keep from being crushed.


    Shaking himself off he gazed down at his fallen prey, before slowly stalking forward. Fully intent on finishing his meal and devouring the entirety of the burning beast as he continued to feed the black hole in his stomach.


    Only his prey still lived.


    Desperately the Smiling Man lunged its mouth opening wide to try and devour him in an action so sudden, he kicked off the ground to avoid this fatal blow only to have his blood-caked shoes slip on the debris riddled floor.


    With a grin larger than ever the Smiling Man¡¯s teeth snapped shut, cleanly severing his arm off.


    Instinctively he pulled on the same power he had every time he¡¯d been injured this day, only to find nothing there to grasp, his arm refusing to regenerate.


    (Gluttony: I¡­ I¡¯ve got nothing¡­)


    A loud gulping drew his attention back to the Smiling Man as it began to pick itself off the ground, the flames that had been eating it alongside him slowly being snuffed out by the creature¡¯s own healing factor used his arm for fuel.


    As he sat there, blood poured from his missing limb as the roles of predator and prey once more found themselves switched.


    The Smiling Man looked down on him as it stood over its fallen prey, ready to return everything done to it ten times over as it devoured its pound of flesh straight out of his hide.


    What neither of them accounted for however, was the third member of this fight.


    ¡°Yaahhh!¡± With a yell that echoed off of the halls Lydia ran forth and drove her knife into the Smiling Man¡¯s back, doing much as he had and clinging to the creature¡¯s chains as she drove her blade in over and over again. ¡°Booker!¡±


    Snapping out of it, he forced himself back onto his feet as the Smiling Man swung around trying to reach yet another welp clinging to it.


    And with only one arm to him, he rushed forward with just as much determination as his young companion, using one of the creature¡¯s legs to climb up its body before driving his claws straight into the Smiling Man¡¯s throat.


    The creature¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto him with a rumbling growl, completely forgetting about Lydia as it moved to smash him between its hands. Thus leaving it open for the young girl to drive her knife into its neck from the opposite side of him.


    Slowly, the Smiling Man¡¯s growl began to fade much like the crimson glow of its eyes.


    ¡°Is¡­ Is it dead?¡± Lydia eventually dared to ask, her shaky voice echoing in the now deathly silent hall.


    He swallowed, his head growing foggy as the adrenaline slowly faded. ¡°I¡­ I believe so¡­¡±


    Lydia stared at him, her eyes blinking uncomprehendingly, ¡°We¡­ we killed the Smiling Man¡­¡±


    He gave her a soft smile as he felt his once taut muscles begin to go limp. ¡°I¡­ I believe we have¡­¡±


    The young woman¡¯s eyes went wide before she grew a beautifully manic smile. ¡°Holy shit¡­ We killed the Smiling Man!!!¡±


    Sadly¡­ he could not join her celebrations¡­


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°We killed the fucking Smiling Man!¡±


    As blood loss claimed him¡­


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°Booker?¡±

 Memories Of A Monster: Rabbit Stew

    Memories Of A Monster: Rabbit Stew


    --- Booker H. Freeman, Past ---


    ¡°Alright, now I set some snares around here a few days ago so by now we should be able to find a few of them rabbits you¡¯re so fond of easily enough.¡± His grandad assured him, the old man¡¯s gaze looking around the forest with no small amount of caution. ¡°But there are a number of critters out here that¡¯ll happily make rabbit stew out of you boy, so you¡¯ll wanna be quiet around here boy less you stir up trouble we don¡¯t need.¡±


    ¡°Yes, grandad.¡± He nodded, his eight year old legs straining to keep up with the older man¡¯s longer limbs while also avoiding the various plants getting in his way.


    ¡°Oh, and watch your step, we¡¯re getting close to the swamps and I don¡¯t need you getting stuck in the muck boy.¡± His grandad added, kicking at some of said muck.


    ¡°Yes, grandad.¡± He nodded once more, knowing that it was easier to go along with the old grump than to point out that he played in these forests enough to know how to handle himself even if he wasn¡¯t as big as the older man. (That would just make grandad angry¡­)


    The older man didn¡¯t say much else after that, his grandfather rarely one for words if they weren¡¯t towards Booker¡¯s mama who his grandad could spend all day talking to. (Unlike me¡­)


    He shook his head at that thought. (No. Grandad is taking me hunting for rabbits. That means he wants to be around me, he¡¯s just¡­ rough like mama says, and mama is never wrong!)


    With a bit more pep to his step he continued to silently follow after his grandad, until the older man came to a stop. ¡°You hear that boy?¡±


    He tilted his head and listened to the sounds around them, sorting through the sounds he was so used to hearing in the forest before eventually noticing a squeaking sound of some kind underneath it all. ¡°The squeaking?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the squeaking. That¡¯s a rabbit.¡± His grandad explained, before telling him,  ¡°Keep up boy.¡± and heading towards the sound.


    He¡¯d never actually heard a rabbit before, sure he¡¯d seen a few from a distance while playing in the forest, but they always ran from him before he could get close enough to catch them. (But this one¡¯s being loud rather than sneaking around.)


    That was going to make catching them so much easier!


    Only¡­ as he got closer he slowly realized that the squeaking wasn¡¯t so much squeaking as it was¡­ screaming¡­The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    When he actually caught sight of the little rabbit with a wire wrapped around its throat, and sounding like it was in no small amount of pain, he couldn¡¯t help but grimace.


    ¡°Does¡­ does this happen a lot?¡± He frowned, wincing from how much the rabbit¡¯s screaming¡­ hurt, and how painful it


    ¡°Sometimes.¡± His grandad shrugged before crouching down to inspect the snare. ¡°Usually they¡¯re already done struggling by the time I find ¡®em, but this one seems to have knocked the snare too low when it caught him.¡±


    The older man paused after pulling out a knife, his gaze falling on Booker for a moment. ¡°You know what, this¡¯ll be a good lesson for you. Come here.¡±


    ¡°What lesson?¡± He asked, unable to keep his eyes off the panicking rabbit even as he got closer to his grandfather.


    ¡°If you¡¯re old enough to hunt, then you¡¯re old enough to kill what you hunt.¡± His grandad told him as he put the knife into Booker¡¯s hand.


    His eyes slowly drifted between the knife, the rabbit, and his grandfather. ¡°You¡­ you want me to kill it?¡±


    ¡°Well, do you want rabbit stew tonight?¡± The older man asked. ¡°Because we need that rabbit there if you do.¡±


    He looked back down at the knife in his hands before once more looking at the frightened rabbit trying to run from him just like he tried to run from the other kids in town. ¡°Can¡¯t¡­ can¡¯t we let him go? I¡­ I¡¯m okay not eating¡­¡± He swallowed. ¡°rabbit stew¡­¡±


    For a moment he thought he¡¯d said something to upset the older man as his grandfather frowned down at him, before his grandad¡¯s leathery skin softened and he crouched down. ¡°Boy, this ain¡¯t exactly a nice lesson, but it¡¯s one every young man needs to learn. Sometimes if you want to eat, you¡¯re going to have to eat something else.¡±


    ¡°But I¡­ I don¡¯t want to eat¡­¡± He admitted, feeling his eyes start to water.


    ¡°Hmm, and what about your mama?¡± His grandad frowned, like he did whenever Booker cried. ¡°Do you want her to be able to eat? Remember, she likes rabbit stew just as much as you. Or do you want her to go hungry?¡±


    He wiped at his eyes as the tears grew worse. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t want mama to¡­ to go hungry¡­¡±


    ¡°Then stop your crying, and do what you¡¯ve got to do.¡± His grandfather growled before grabbing his hand and the knife and putting it to the rabbit¡¯s throat without killing it. ¡°Remember this boy, a hunter¡¯s job is to kill so people don¡¯t go hungry. If you want to be a hunter then you need to man up and kill this rabbit so your mama doesn¡¯t go hungry!¡±


    He fought to breathe before underneath his grandad¡¯s glare, he closed his eyes and pushed the knife forward, unable to watch as the rabbit continued to struggle before slowly going still.


    ¡°Good job boy.¡± His grandfather nodded with approval as he stood up.


    (It¡­ it doesn¡¯t feel like I did a good job¡­) He thought feeling hollow as he looked down at the blood on his hands.


    Later that night, when his mama had cooked the rabbit into a stew, he couldn¡¯t help but stare at his food with no appetite.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong baby?¡± His mama asked him in concern. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry?¡±


    He found his eyes drifting towards his grandfather watching him, before remembering the older man¡¯s words and asking his mama, ¡°Do¡­ do you like rabbit stew mama?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± His mama assured him with a beautiful smile before taking a bite of her own food and swallowing. ¡°And it tastes even better knowing my little hunter brought it to me.¡±


    He nodded, once more staring down at his food before taking his spoon and eating the rabbit stew.

 Memories Of A Monster: The Red Eyed Rabbits

    Memories Of A Monster: The Red Eyed Rabbits


    --- Booker H. Freeman, Past ---


    The face of a white rabbit with red eyes grinned at him from the car¡¯s window as he made himself presentable to his coming audience, just like he had for every other audience before this.


    Stitchwork crissed and crossed all over the rabbit¡¯s face, making it look like an elaborate mask to anyone who saw it, a mask made from the dozen¡¯s of rabbits he killed over the years. (Then again that isn¡¯t too far from the truth.) Even if it was technically his real face.


    Off to the side a dark figure with glowing red eyes waited for him, as he straightened his duster out and put a cigar to his lips before snapping his fingers.


    The dark figure lit a match and with it his cigar, before stepping back and acting as the muscle he¡¯d been brought along for.


    He took a long drag of the cigar, hoping that this new brand would offer him something that all the brands he¡¯d grown bored of couldn¡¯t, only to find it lacking. (Let¡¯s get this over with¡­)


    Turning on his heel, he started walking along the wooden boards of the docks, illuminated by the occasional lamp hanging several feet above opposite from the dark river rushing several below him.


    When he got to the warehouse he snapped his fingers again and his muscle stepped forward before gripping the metal door and dragging it open with a single hand.


    ¡°Oi, the boss is here!¡± A young voice called, making the smile on his face a little more genuine as he made his way inside.


    A young boy of maybe fourteen ran up to him, wearing a button up white shirt, suspenders, a paper boy cap, and most notably a black leather rabbit mask with red eyed lens that the boy had spent far too much on to fit in.


    ¡°Me and the boys found the guy boss!¡± The boy audibly smiled up at him.


    ¡°Good job, lad.¡± He smiled at the young man, knowing that while the boy had ¡®led¡¯ this little task, it was ¡®the boys¡¯ who did the heavy lifting.


    Walking past a number of figures shrouded in darkness save for their glowing red eyes he made his way to the center of the warehouse where he found a man sitting unconscious and looking more than a little roughed up beneath the single light hanging from the ceiling.


    ¡°This the guy?¡± He asked redundantly, already knowing the answer. (But the performance must go on¡­ No matter how many times¡­)


    ¡°Yeah, boss. Took us a minute to track him down, but once they saw the rabbit mask everyone knew to answer all our questions.¡± The boy assured him while looking quite proud of himself.


    ¡°As it should be.¡± He nodded, having long since cultivated his reputation within his territory. The fact that the kid could borrow it was just an extra benefit, he was happy to allow the lad to indulge.


    He snapped his fingers and said. ¡°Wake him up.¡±


    One of the figures stepped into the light, revealing a muscular man in white and suspenders wearing what appeared to be a black rabbit with red eyes over his head, before punching the bound man in the stomach and holding it there for the second it took the lack of breathing to wake the man up.


    The man in the chair started coughing as consciousness returned, unaware of the rabbit man who with his orders done stepped back into the darkness where they belonged, red eyes the only thing still visible.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re the man who thought he could break my rules in my territory!¡± He smiled with no small amount of false cheer as he stamped out his (boring) cigar under heel.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Wha- Who, who are you?¡± The figure asked, still clearly concussed from where ¡®the boys¡¯ had roughed him up.


    ¡°Oh, I thought my award winning smile made me quite well known around these parts.¡± He admitted, pinching his chin as he stepped into the light like he¡¯d done (a thousand times before¡­)


    The man¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. ¡°You¡¯re the Red-Eyed Rabbit¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s one of my many titles.¡± He admitted beginning to pace and deciding he just didn¡¯t feel like listing them all out today. ¡°But they¡¯re not important right now! No¡­ what¡¯s important is you broke my rules!¡±


    His yell echoed throughout the warehouse, before he straightened himself out easily enough because while he was upset, he wasn¡¯t ¡®no survivors¡¯ upset, and the man in front of him very likely was too unimportant to ever push him to that point. (Just like everyone else before him¡­)


    ¡°W-what? You can¡¯t be upset about this! I mean you¡¯re a Dealmaker!¡± The man (pointlessly) tried to defend.


    ¡°True, but my deals are entered willingly while knowing the price.¡± He pointed out. ¡°And none of them are as¡­ indefinite as your own form of¡­ employment.¡± He spat out that word that did not fit the situation at all.


    ¡°W-why do you care about a few worthless Sinners, they¡¯re nobody important!¡± The man yelled.


    ¡°Nobody important¡­¡± He repeated with no small amount of distaste, before catching sight of the boy watching him and deciding that a¡­ correction was in order as he slipped a fang filled smile onto his face. ¡°Did you know everybody who lives in this district knows me? That I have talked with everyone here to make sure that they deserve to be under my power. And I¡¯ve decided that each and every last one of them, does for one reason or another. Which is why it should go without saying that each and every last one of them is important, because they¡¯re my PEOPLE!¡±


    The entire warehouse was flooded in his power as everyone was reminded of why the Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbit was so feared, before he pulled it all back in with an inhalation and let none of it out as he exhaled.


    ¡°But given how that apparently needed to be said, I¡¯ll also go ahead and tell you that you need to be punished for breaking my rules, and what that punishment would entail.¡± He concluded, being sure to note how the boy was watching him in awe apparent even with that mask.


    ¡°So what, you¡¯re going to kill me?¡± The man asked, looking nervous but unafraid.


    ¡°No. In a place like this where death is¡­ ephemeral, I¡¯ve come up with a special punishment for people like you.¡± He confessed, as on cue his men brought out a couple of cement blocks.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to drown me?¡± The man frowned hideously in confusion. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± He chuckled. ¡°You know on earth, dying is considered a peaceful way to go, but that is of course ignoring the way your lungs slowly burn for oxygen, the biting cold eating away at your limbs, and the choking of water with every breath that brings you closer to death.¡±


    ¡°And the best part?¡± He leaned forward with a whisper and a grin. ¡°It kills you slow enough that this place heals you just as fast so none of that ever ends. I wonder how long you¡¯ll drown for before the rope snaps? Days, months, years, decades?¡±


    Now his victim looked suitably scared.


    ¡°You-you can¡¯t do this!¡± His victim pointlessly cried.


    ¡°Oh, I can, but I¡¯m not going to be the one doing it.¡± He admitted, before snapping his fingers. ¡°That¡¯s what this lot is here for.¡±


    From the shadows over a dozen men with black rabbits for heads stepped into the light each of them grabbing onto the bound man before dragging him off for a suitable punishment.


    And so with the knowledge his victim knew exactly who was responsible for this he turned to the boy. ¡°You handle this.¡±


    The lad gave him a salute and a cry of ¡°On it boss!¡± before rushing to make sure the man was properly executed.


    Once alone in the warehouse, the rabbit he brought with him offered another cigar and he couldn¡¯t help but sigh as he accepted it. ¡°How many times do we have to go through this song and dance I wonder?¡±

 Ira Invidia: The Runaway And The Rabbit

    Ira Invidia: The Runaway And The Rabbit


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    Once more she found her tired eyes shifting between the various screens in front of her, desperate to keep another surprise like the Smiling Man from showing up while they were in such a state.


    As was she wasn¡¯t entirely sure they were safe from the Smiling Man given how no one seemed to stay dead in this hell hole. (Which is probably a good thing right now¡­)


    She glanced at an unconscious booker laying on the security room couch, his long limbs half off after she¡¯d fought to get him onto it in spite of his dead weight.


    The fact that he was simply dead from blood loss had her hoping that he¡¯d heal fast, or at least faster than whatever was going on with the Smiling Man. (Never seen that happen to someone¡¯s corpse before¡­ maybe a side effect of whatever he did to those people on the streets?)


    It would make sense that stopping other people from resurrecting would slow his own, (I¡¯m just hoping Booker isn¡¯t affected by whatever caused that¡­)


    Just to check she made her way over to him and checked his severed arm with a grimace as she pointedly ignored the smile still on his face. Creeping black tendrils of something crawled all over the injury, assuring her that something was happening even if she¡¯d never seen any injury heal like this.


    (Maybe it¡¯s a side effect of his magic?) She¡¯d known magic was real, this place being ten different kinds of proof, but she¡¯d only seen a handful of people able to use it and none quite in the way that Booker did. Be it his more casual displays or that whole musical performance he¡¯d put on to convince her to sign on with him, there was a certain showmanship to him that she hadn¡¯t seen in the few gangers throwing around fire on the streets.


    And as much as he was grating on her -something about his personality and presence, just¡­ wrong- Booker was still doing more for her than anyone else she¡¯d met down here having dealt with the men that he sent after her, helped her find her spine again, possibly an exit out of this hell hole, and to top it all off he fought the Smiling Man so that she could escape.


    (All of which he did without asking for anything in return¡­) She thought, remembering how she¡¯d expected things to play out at the hotel. (I¡­ I can¡¯t believe I was that desperate¡­)


    She knew she was the last few months having eaten away at the will that helped her run away but¡­ (That doesn¡¯t make it any better to admit¡­)


    ¡°Really now that is not a face to wake up to¡­¡± A pained voice groaned.


    ¡°Booker!¡± She smiled with no small amount of relief.


    ¡°And that is a significantly better one.¡± Booker told her as he tried to sit up with a grin that looked more like a grimace. ¡°You¡¯ve pretty smile dear, you really use it more.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯re you feeling?¡± She asked, before explaining that, ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell if the Smiling Man¡¯s magic had stopped your healing or not.¡±


    Booker¡¯s cheek twitched as he looked at his missing limb for a moment. ¡°Well¡­ as disarming as it may be, this shouldn¡¯t be too problematic. My arm is healing, just¡­ slower than I am used to.¡±


    ¡°Is it permanent?¡± She frowned, because despite not knowing how good his healing was she knew he¡¯d walked off more than one injury that would¡¯ve put her down for the night.


    The older man slowed for a moment in thought, something she¡¯d noticed he seemed prone to. ¡°Mm, I don¡¯t believe so¡­ Even if it does not wear off on its own I should have¡­ means of undoing whatever curse was left upon my person.¡± Booker paused with a wry grin. ¡°Well, once we¡¯re out of here at least.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good¡­¡± She sighed in relief, unsure of what she¡¯d have done otherwise. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re good to get moving or¡­?¡±


    ¡°I should be.¡± Booker nodded as he sat up before glancing at the static filled space that was half the reason she couldn¡¯t sleep through her own adrenaline crash, or rather at the camera screens on the other side of it. ¡°Is it safe to leave, or is our foe on the mend as well?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it should be safe?¡± She guessed, her face scrunching up as she remembered the ending of their fight. ¡°The Smiling Man, a bit after you passed out his body it¡­ burned away?¡±


    ¡°Burned away?¡± Booker repeated skeptically.


    ¡°Y-yeah, he, like, turned into cinder and ash until his body was just¡­ gone.¡± She explained, still more than a little confused by it all. ¡°Since we didn¡¯t even get any Sin out of it, I figured it was a magic thing or something and have been watching the cameras to see if he¡¯s still here¡­ but uh, I haven¡¯t actually seen anything, so¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Booker admitted as he began to stare off into space once more before telling her, ¡°Concerning, but ultimately not something we can do anything about at the moment.¡± as he stood up. ¡°What we can do however is see if we can¡¯t get that elevator working again.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± She nodded, not wanting to think about what they¡¯d do if they couldn¡¯t get it working. (There¡¯s got to be stairs or something out of here somewhere¡­)


    Apparently not one to take it slow Booker immediately set off and she found herself rushing to grab her backpack and follow after him. A little less scared of the blood red halls now that she was no longer alone.


    The basement tunnels were still as much a maze as before, but Booker apparently found them easy enough to navigate as he moved with purpose and confidence that she knew her own half hunched form was lacking. Or rather he was moving with purpose and confidence until he came to a part of a tunnel that was covered in claw marks, shattered concrete, and bloodstains.


    Booker seemed to take all of this in for a moment, before letting his hands drift across some claw marks on the wall that were far too small for the Smiling Man. ¡°Out of curiosity¡­ how much of my fight with the Smiling Man did you see?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± She frowned as she tried to remember. ¡°I saw you start fighting him on the cameras and then left the security room¡­ By the time I circled around you seemed to have him on the ropes¡­ didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever see him run like that.¡±


    ¡°And that would be when you started throwing your fire bottles at him.¡± Booker nodded as he continued down the hall once more with his remaining hand crossed behind his back. ¡°Thank you for that, and the¡­ distraction when he managed to¡­ deceive me into letting my guard down.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem.¡± She told him, unable to meet his eyes as she hid the fact that before seeing the Smiling Man on the run she¡¯d fully intended on abandoning Booker for the safety of escape. (Because I deserve to be here after all¡­)


    Wanting a change of topic she decided to ask Booker, ¡°What was up with the uh, rabbit thing?¡±


    ¡°The¡­ rabbit thing?¡± Booker repeated, his voice ¡­ off, even if she couldn¡¯t figure out how.


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ I didn¡¯t see it too well with the lights and fire, but until the Smiling Man¡­ got you, you were looking like a white rabbit¡­ man thing.¡± She tried to explain, because while it was a rabbit she was pretty sure it was a rabbit with fangs. (Maybe he¡¯s the Rabbit of Caerbannog?)This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Ah, that rabbit thing.¡± Booker grinned, sounding relieved.


    (There¡¯s more than one rabbit thing?) She blinked, as Booker seemed to think about how best to answer her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ve noticed more than a few of our compatriots have certain¡­ animalistic qualities.¡± Booker began, his already sharp teeth looking even more predatory.


    ¡°Yeah, the uh, fangs and claws,¡± (fur spread across his flesh as he grabbed her by the throat.) ¡°And other things¡­¡± She swallowed, pushing that memory back down as she just now realized the similarities between that and what had happened to Booker.


    ¡°Quite.¡± Booker confirmed his teeth returning to normal as he raised his good hand for her to see. ¡°Well, I am capable of¡­ controlling the growth of those qualities.¡± The tips of Booker¡¯s fingers turned into claws before turning back to normal. ¡°The state you saw me in takes more effort but also grants me far greater abilities in exchange.¡±


    ¡°So¡­ that means you know what¡¯s making people change?¡± She realized with a touch of excitement. ¡°No one has been able to figure out what is causing it!¡± She¡¯d always been afraid this place was going to eat away what made her human but (if Booker knows how to control it¡­)


    ¡°Hmm, well the base transformation is caused by¡­¡± Booker paused, tilting his head to the side, probably figuring out how best to explain magic to her. ¡°Well, there¡¯s a few ways to cause it, mutation being quite common with exposure to certain¡­ dangerous types of magic. I¡¯ll admit I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s caused by the ambient magic, the spell circle in the sky, or just natural talent.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ is that something someone can learn?¡± She asked, not sure whether she wanted to know how to stop the transformation or¡­ cause it.


    ¡°Of course, you¡¯ll find with magic on hand virtually anything is possible.¡± Booker laughed, his mouth opening further than a normal person. Something she wasn¡¯t sure whether it was the Smiling Man¡¯s fault or just a natural part of the man.


    Before she could ask another question Booker let out an, ¡°Ah, it seems we¡¯ve reached our destination!¡±


    She glanced at the elevator, unsure whether she should be relieved or disappointed by its presence.


    Just like before Booker walked into the elevator completely uncaring for the blood and gore that covered it. (Then again, I guess we did kill the Smiling Man so¡­ this is nothing by comparison.)


    Which is why she was able to step into it without her previous worries, and had her eyes open to watch as Booker examined the lock on the lever that controlled the elevator. Though she still pointedly avoided looking at the spike covered handle of the lever.


    ¡°Uh, if we need a key I¡¯ve got a couple things we can maybe use.¡± She told him starting to pull her backpack off as she tried to look at the device holding the lever in place only to frown when she caught sight of it.


    Instead of an actual key slot for her to try and work open, there was some kind of empty cylinder hanging off the side, almost as if there was a second lever required to open the first.


    Booker tried pushing and pulling the empty cylinder for a moment before letting out a growl of frustration. ¡°We need something to push it down with, that we can then use to pull it out, and slide it to the side. I¡¯d use my magic but there are too many moving parts to manage.¡±


    She looked at the whole thing for a moment before reaching into her backpack and pulling out her flashlight, a heavy duty thing she¡¯d stolen from some hardware store months ago, and shined it down on to try and get a better look at the lock.


    ¡°Brilliant!¡± Booker cheered before she could even flicker it on as he swiped her flashlight and proceeded to stick it into the lock. ¡°The fit is a bit off, but I think with a. Bit. Of. Elbow. Grease. It. Will. Ah-ha!¡±


    The lock snapped open and when it did the elevator lever promptly shot to the otherside without them touching it, causing the whole elevator to shutter as it started to move upwards.


    ¡°Ha, well done, my dear!¡± Booker smiled at her as he pried her flashlight loose.


    ¡°Uh, no problem.¡± She wryly grinned back as she accepted her -now slightly bent metal- flashlight. (How much force would that take? I mean, I could use this thing as a club if I had to!)


    Deciding it wasn¡¯t worth thinking about -at least once she confirmed she could still turn it on- she slid the flashlight back into her backpack before noticing the first floor pass them by.


    ¡°Uh, where is this taking us?¡± She frowned, as she tried to remember everything Booker had said before the Smiling Man showed up.


    ¡°My guess is the top floor.¡± Booker answered. ¡°Hopefully, we¡¯ll be able to find the controls for all of that power building in the basement.¡±


    ¡°And we should be able to use that to get out of Ira Invidia, right?¡± She was willing to stick with Booker even if there were a few more steps after this but (I really want out of this place.)


    ¡°We should be able to do a lot with that kind of power.¡± Booker smiled almost manically. ¡°Escape is but the minimum on that list.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± She nodded, forcing herself to ignore the wrongness once more, since she was fairly certain that none of it was directed at her.


    Not that that kept her from letting the elevator lapse into silence until it finally began to slow down. When it did come to a stop she found herself looking out into a room far nicer than any she¡¯d seen in this life or the last.


    The floor was a clean and soft carpet, the windows had silk curtains framing a balcony that stared out upon the rest of Ira Invidia. Along one wall was a fully stocked bar filled with a number of glasses and bottles, and along another was a fireplace of all things burning away without a care as it warmed the armchair in front of it. Opposite the fireplace was a large bed with bookshelves to either side of it. All of this was done in a mix of red and black tones that somehow blended into something semi-comforting rather than the feelings those colors usually invoked in her.


    She couldn¡¯t help but spin as she took all of this in. ¡°This is amazing!¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡± Booker smirked, before his eyes softened as he made his way towards the fireplace and the portrait that hung above it.


    ¡°Booker?¡± She frowned, as she wandered over to see what had him so enraptured.l


    The portrait itself was of a pale woman with white hair and red eyes sitting in a silver suit with black undertones and a red tie. Across her lap lay a golden violin and next to her chair was a tall thin man standing in a red and black suit and a face that looked like someone had started stabbing the painting and didn¡¯t stop until the man¡¯s face was gone.


    ¡°Who do you think she was?¡± She wondered.


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know.¡± Booker admitted as he played with his watch before letting out a bitter chuckle. ¡°Perhaps we¡¯re looking at one of the few people to love the Smiling Man¡­¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but grimace at that. ¡°Then we probably don¡¯t want to run into her.¡±


    ¡°Heh, probably not.¡± Booker agreed, before shaking his head. ¡°Regardless, we came here for a reason beyond basking in opulence and artistry.¡±


    ¡°Right, the control thing¡­ Any idea where that¡¯d be?¡± She asked, looking around the room.


    ¡°Hmm, the ceiling.¡± Booker answered after a moment as he pointed to the ceiling that would take four of her to touch.


    ¡°Oh, just like in the basement.¡± She realized as she saw the large star filled circle drawn in what she was ninety-percent sure was dried blood.


    ¡°Just like in the basement.¡± Booker confirmed as he moved to stand directly under it. ¡°Now let¡¯s see here¡­¡±


    The magic user closed his eyes and tilted his head, likely listening for the ¡®Spell Song¡¯ he¡¯d mentioned several times before as he moved his hands through the air as if conducting some unseen orchestra. (I kind of wish I could hear it¡­ Maybe¡­ Maybe Booker could show me?)


    ¡°And¡­ that¡­ is mildly disappointing.¡± Booker admitted as he opened his eyes.


    ¡°What is?¡± She frowned, wondering (what¡¯s wrong now?)


    ¡°It turns out this spell is even more complicated than I thought, meaning that I can¡¯t actually redirect it for as many means as I thought I could.¡± Booker told her looking a little frustrated by this in spite of his smile.


    ¡°So¡­ all of this was a waste?¡± She sighed, feeling a little hollowed out because (of course it was¡­)


    Booker shook a finger through the air. ¡°Not quite. As I said, things are only mildly disappointing and our escape is in sight.¡±


    She perked up. ¡°It is?¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± Booker nodded, before several red lights began to swirl in front of him. ¡°It turns out that the Smiling Man did in fact build a backdoor in and out of this city, and while controlling the destination is unfortunately beyond me I can still open the door he made.¡±


    ¡°So you can get us out of here?¡± She smiled.


    ¡°I can.¡± Booker smiled as the lights collided into a crimson portal next to him. ¡°Admittedly, I¡¯ve no idea what¡¯s on the other side but¡­¡±


    ¡°Anywhere is better than this hell hole.¡± She finished for him.


    ¡°That is!¡± Booker laughed, before looking around the room. ¡°Though if we are going into the unknown we should probably raid the Smiling Man¡¯s abode for anything of value.¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah, right. That¡¯s a good idea.¡± She agreed, before glancing at the portal and the city skyline behind it. ¡°Is¡­ is the portal one way?¡± She found herself asking for some reason.


    ¡°No, of course not.¡± Booker scoffed. ¡°Both sides are locked in place allowing the user to come and go as they please, why? Were you thinking of stealing this little apartment for ourselves?¡±


    She glanced at Ira Invidia where he still was running around as if he¡¯d done nothing wrong, before glancing at Booker. The man who casually threw around magic and could transform into something dangerous enough to fight the Smiling Man. (A man who said that power could be learned.)


    ¡°No. I¡¯m just thinking of all the things I can do now.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but smile.

 Extra: The Philosophy of Sin

    -Pride: Isn''t simply arrogance, or false platitudes, but the ignoring consequences and the pushing of boundaries, the rejection of a natural order, an embracement of the idea that you know what''s best for the world. Those on top here are not on top because of inheritance, they''re on top because they refused to be anywhere else. Demanding that the best and settling for nothing less, forming an influence that is a mix of meritocracy, technocracy, and nobility all rolled together for those believing they can thrive in it''s cutthroat domain that advances the limits of society regardless of the fallout.


    -Greed: Is all about wanting more and making sure no one dares to take what is yours. Empty greed is the desire to simply horde everything you can to the point that your treasure becomes worthless fool''s gold, but true greed is to know that treasure is in the eye of the beholder, and that true treasure is something only you can define. Those who thrive in this society are either the thieves willing to risk anything to possess what they covet, or the business men who have learned the key to maximizing profits is to invest and claim the diamonds as they emerge from the mud and blood.


    -Lust: Isn''t simply the desire for sex, in olden times it was a desire for anything that brought you further from god and in modern times it is often simply loving someone others think you shouldn''t. While those within the domain of lust often are more open about things, they''re also the ones most willing to accept outsiders and outcasts so long as they''re accepted in turn. This has created a society that revolves around love, sex, and the furthering of both without care for what others may think of them a place where love and sex are both freedom and power and the world is a cult of personality.


    -Envy: Often defined as sadness at another person''s joy, is also to see someone else and aspire for more than what you have now. It is to see someone doing well and cripple them for it, or to surpass them and become more. To commit this sin is to motivate yourself not for yourself, but those around you as you''re unable to see yourself. Vengeance, punishment, inspiration, and spite are what thrive in this society where Social Media has given everyone a thousand eyes both on them and on everyone else. Here either you either turn into a self-hating husk or you become better than you are.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    -Gluttony: Is once upon a time the polar opposite to Lust, being more about embracing physical desires and consuming whatever you can in this mortal plane without thought of the spiritual. This sin represents the basest instincts, the parts of people that are still animals deep down. If gluttony is involved then something is being consumed by someone, or being cultivated for the day it is inevitably devoured. Those of this Sin see what feels good, what tastes good, and make it theirs reveling in the splendor and feasting upon it all while wearing a mask that hides the animal inside.


    -Wrath: is to rage, to choose conflict over compromise, to fight for victory rather than settling for defeat, but these aren''t simply the angry warriors, the ruthless rogues or the violent murderers, these are the sports lovers, the gamers, those who rage and riot at the thought of defeat and lash out at anything that may cause it. This is a society for those born to compete, where war, sports, and fun are all the same thing and of course in a world where life and death are cheap what better competition is there than the kind to leave one''s body bloody and bruised and their opponent dead on the floor.


    -Sloth: Often is seen simply as laziness, a refusal to keep up and act, but is sometimes something that is needed to keep a person from breaking under the physical or mental stresses of the world, even if it may result in an apathetic gloom falling over one''s perception of their reality. Those who embody this sin are either those who entertain and heal the wary body and souls of the masses or are those who ignore reality around them, refusing to change, to act, and simply doing as they always have. In this society you''re either a drone with no purpose or the one keeping the drones going.


    ---


    "At the very least this sounds like it''ll be more fun than the old man''s silver city. After all, if you aren''t Sinning then you aren''t Winning."


    -The Morning Star, King of Pride

 Avarus Invidia (I): A Whole New World

    Avarus Invidia (I): A Whole New World


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°How do I look?¡± He asked his companion as he showed off the red suit he¡¯d stolen from the lavish apartment they were in.


    ¡°You uh, you kind of look like the Smiling Man¡­¡± Lydia admitted, a wry grin masking the young woman¡¯s grimace as she looked away from where his arm had regrown all but his hand, an ailment that what bits of magic he knew were able to minimize. ¡°The one in the portrait, I mean not the, uh, monster one.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t quite hide the way his eyes darted towards the mangled portrait, more specifically the woman of silver and red sitting next to the faceless man.


    (Pride: An intelligent woman, a spark of cunning plan even now.)


    (Greed: That suit costs a small fortune. That violin, ten times that.)


    (Lust: Speaking, of she can probably play such beautiful music on it.)


    (Envy: Not that she¡¯d want to play for us after what we¡¯ve done to her.)


    (Gluttony: Look at those eyes, she knows what it means to eat or be eaten.)


    (Wrath: That doesn¡¯t change how we¡¯ve hurt her¡­)


    (Sloth: Ugh, let¡¯s just avoid her then. Everything else is too much work.)


    (I suppose that is all we can do right now.) He sighed at the voices in his head, all of them having some sort of fascination with the painting.


    And so he took one last look at himself in the mirror and thinking (the suit really does compliment my darker skin) before adjusting his glasses and giving his reflection one of his ever present smiles. Something that had not gone away when he killed the Smiling Man.


    (Greed: Since we killed him, that means we can just take his title for ourselves.)


    (Lust: Yeah, every performer needs a moniker to be remembered!)


    (Sloth: We already have those.)


    (Envy: The Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbit¡­ Wonder what sins we committed to get that?)


    (Gluttony: The kind that make your mouth water.)


    (Regardless, it''s a starting point for figuring out who we are.) He told his amnesiac self, before turning his attention back to Lydia, and taking note of how she was still wearing her clothes from before. ¡°Nothing here catches your fancy?¡±


    ¡°None of the clothes really fit me.¡± Lydia shrugged, as she fiddled with the hem of her hoodie. ¡°Besides I¡¯ve already stuffed everything of value into my backpack, though I still haven¡¯t gotten any Sin.¡±


    ¡°Frustrating I¡¯m sure.¡± Her tone made that much more than apparent. ¡°But at the very least all of this is merely a bonus to our actual prize.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The young woman smiled (adorably) as her green eyes darted towards the swirling red portal nearby. ¡°Still can¡¯t believe it¡¯s actually happening¡­ I¡¯ve been dreaming of getting out of Ira Invidia since I got locked in here.¡±


    ¡°Well, then I believe we¡¯ve kept your dream on hold long enough, don¡¯t you?¡± He grinned as he took a half bow to the portal. ¡°Let¡¯s make the young lady¡¯s dream come true.¡±


    (Pride: And guinea pig her for if the portal is actually safe.)


    (Envy: It is. There¡¯s no security beyond everything we¡¯ve already dealt with.)


    (Sloth: I really hope not¡­)


    Unaware of these thoughts Lydia gave him one last (dazzling) smile before rushing into it, completely uncaring -or just unaware of- the dangers.


    He gave it a moment to see if anything bad would happen before stepping through and after feeling a brief but intense heat across his body, found himself in a room very similar to the one he¡¯d just left.


    ¡°Did¡­ did we actually go anywhere?¡± Lydia asked him as she looked around with a (hideous) frown of confusion.


    (Pride: The worst kind.)


    (Envy: And we did. Turn around.)


    Doing just that he watched the portal snap shut as the voice in his head hit the part of the Spell intended to shut the portal down, and promptly saw what it meant.


    ¡°I do believe that is a very different skyline.¡± He noted as he stepped out onto the balcony and took in their city surroundings.


    Ira Invidia had been a delightful hellscape of ruined and burned out buildings sending smoke into the red skies and partially obscuring the massive spell circle in the sky. A lovely view only marred by those dreadful windmill crosses people decided to leave all over the place.


    Wherever they were now was very different, as while the buildings were still very distinctly that of a city they were also significantly taller and virtually unmarred skyscrapers that took up much of his view. Though upon stepping outside and looking up he could see that they were still under the encircled star he¡¯d seen in Ira Invidia¡¯s sky, only here the sky behind it was a more greenish hue with violently violet clouds drifting about.


    ¡°Ha! We¡¯re really outside¡­¡± Lydia laughed, her breath stolen by the -in his opinion (lackluster)- view.


    ¡°Yes, it seems that this decor is simply the preferred of our deceased host.¡± He explained, before examining the spell circle with what bits of magic he retained outside of the voices in his head.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Does that mean this place is going to have a murder basement too? Or a death street?¡± The young woman asked as she peeked down over the balcony¡¯s edge before letting out a sigh of relief. ¡°Nope no death street.¡±


    ¡°Quite¡­¡± He nodded as he began to notice a handful of differences between this circle and the one in Ira Invidia, though he had no idea what they meant on his own.


    (Envy: For one there¡¯s not going to be a massive power supply stored in the basement. Instead it seems like this circle has a constant connection to the other and is siphoning power from there. We haven¡¯t put enough of our mind together for me to tell you much else.)


    (Shame¡­)


    Deciding it was best to focus on a more positive note he turned back towards his companion who was taking in the sights with an awed sort of look. ¡°Come now. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s a wonderful sight, but don¡¯t you desire a closer look at everything?¡±


    ¡°R-right, heh¡­¡± Lydia smiled bashfully as she followed him towards the front door, which unlike their previous abode was not an elevator.


    Instead they found themselves in what appeared to be an office building of some sorts, numerous all over forming small rooms that were each filled with a phone, desk, chair, and a mechanical box with a screen on it. What all of these little rooms were notably missing however was-


    ¡°Where are all the people?¡± Lydia asked as they made their way through these small rooms. ¡°I mean an office like this should be filled with people right?¡±


    (Gluttony: It¡¯s all a deception.)


    (Lust: Yeah, dress something up just right and everyone will assume what¡¯s here instead of seeing what it really is.)


    (Sloth: People are lazy like that.)


    ¡°I see, all of this was set up to keep people from investigating deeply enough to find the Smiling Man¡¯s room.¡± He said, voicing the realization as much for Lydia as himself.


    ¡°Okay, a fake office¡­ Well it¡¯s better than covering a building in blood and corpses.¡± Lydia told him.


    ¡°Mm, agree to disagree.¡± He decided, as he instead noticed a bit of magic subtly singing through the air around him.


    (Lust: It doesn¡¯t actually catch the attention. Kind of just blends into the background.)


    (Envy: And there is the actual security, it has a perception filter to it. Nothing too invasive but it makes the room look like there¡¯s nothing wrong with it.)


    (Then how did Lydia notice something was wrong with it?)


    (Lust: Because our song is better than this.)


    (Envy: We¡¯re causing some kind of interference. Slowing how fast it can dig into her. Probably wouldn¡¯t work if it was a concentrated push, but for now¡­)


    (Lust: We¡¯ll protect our friends.)


    (Greed: Because they¡¯re ours.)


    ¡°Finally, an elevator¡­¡± Lydia sighed as they came across a set of silver doors with a medium sized welcome mat in front of it.


    ¡°Hold on a moment.¡± He warned, blocking her path as he glared at the welcome mat.


    (Envy: And there¡¯s the concentrated push.)


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± His companion frowned (disgustingly).


    Gently he reached down before flipping the mat over to reveal a spell circle on the underside.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s some kind of trap?¡± Lydia asked, eyeing the mat warily.


    (Envy: It is. Easily noticeable however. Wouldn¡¯t work on anyone with even a basic sense of magic, and even then it barely does anything.)


    (Gluttony: Another distraction.)


    (Sloth: A token effort to protect things. With the other spell it¡¯ll make people think that¡¯s all there is.)


    (Gluttony: Leaving them docile as lambs to the slaughter.) His most feral voice growled hungrily, earning a matching one from his stomach in spite of the fact that they¡¯d eaten what rations Lydia had stored in her bag back in the Smiling Man¡¯s home while recuperating.


    ¡°A subtle thing, but nothing worth worrying over.¡± He was sure.


    ¡°Right¡­ let¡¯s just get out of here before we find something that is worth worrying about.¡± Lydia suggested as she clicked a button to call the elevator to them.


    ¡°Ooh, we¡¯re on the thirteenth floor.¡± He realized with a touch of delight.


    ¡°Yeah, that feels like where the Smiling Man would be.¡± Lydia scoffed, with a sort of sardonic humor as the doors opened. ¡°Unlucky thirteen.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s feeling lucky to me.¡± He argued as they stepped into the empty elevator. ¡°I mean, if he was using thirteens then the portal was likely on that floor in Ira Invidia as well. Meaning thirteen led us to both freedom and a brand new adventure, and isn¡¯t that lucky, my dear?¡±


    His young companion let out a snort, looking away with an amused grin as she hit the first floor button. ¡°I guess it is.¡±


    As they rode the elevator down, he began to inspect his missing hand knowing that it was likely to be needed soon enough.


    ¡°How¡¯s your hand healing?¡± Lydia questioned, her face crinkling in concern as she caught sight of the wriggling black tendrils that seemed to make up his insides.


    (Sloth: We¡¯ll walk it off by nightfall.)


    (Gluttony: Faster if we had something to eat¡­ something still moving¡­)


    ¡°Should be healed by day¡¯s end.¡± He answered, keeping that second thought in mind for if he found someone that looked particularly tasty.


    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Lydia nodded. ¡°Was scared he cursed you like with whatever he did to those people back in Ira Invidia. Glad we¡¯re away from that hell hole.¡±


    ¡°As am I.¡± He smiled, just moments before the doors opened to a lobby of some sort where they found a handful of men in suits standing around with small black boxes next to their ears, their features just as warped as those from Ira Invidia.


    (Gluttony: More wannabe predators¡­)


    (Pride: They¡¯re using some sort of communication device¡­)


    (Greed: Which isn¡¯t as important as the fact these are all businessmen. Money makers.)


    (Envy: A couple of them are also side-eyeing the kid.)


    (Sloth: Dirty street rats stand out in the clean palaces of the rich.)


    Of course, if Lydia noticed any of this she ignored it instead running for the front doors with an excited smile and leaving him to chase after her with his long legged walk.


    ¡°Booker, look at¡­ everything!¡± The young girl laughed as she spun on the pavement leading to the building they¡¯d just exited.


    ¡°I am.¡± He assured her with an amused grin as his hand shot out and pulled her out of the street just before a car could hit her. ¡°Though I do believe you should be more careful about where you¡¯re looking.¡±


    ¡°R-right¡­¡± Lydia chuckled in embarrassment. ¡°I, uh, yeah¡­ I¡¯ll do that.¡±


    With her mood brought low, and her smile fading -(something that we can¡¯t be having)- he took his own look at their surroundings to try and find something to keep his companion smiling.


    ¡°Do you recognize where we are?¡± Lydia asked him.


    ¡°I do not.¡± Which wasn¡¯t a surprise given how for all intents and purposes he only really remembered the last three(-ish) days. (I¡¯d be more surprised if I recognized anything.)


    ¡°Then how are we going to figure out where we are? Ask someone?¡± Lydia frowned, (which just will not do!)


    (Sloth: Don¡¯t bother. That¡¯s just asking to get conned.)


    (Pride: Besides, it''ll be far more interesting to learn on our own.)


    (Lust: Yeah! It¡¯ll be an adventure!)


    ¡°Hmm, how about we have some fun with it and wander for a bit?¡± He suggested, spreading his arms. ¡°See what our new found freedom has left us to explore?¡±


    Lydia gave him an amused smirk, (which is an improvement!) ¡°Yeah, you know what? Why not?¡±


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± He cheered before spinning on his heel until he faced a random direction. ¡°Then off to adventure!¡±

 Avarus Invidia (II): A Demon鈥檚 Bread And Butter

    Avarus Invidia (II): A Demon¡¯s Bread And Butter


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Hey, uh, Booker?¡± Lydia started, her eyes darting around at the various people walking the same way as them. ¡°Is it me or are there a lot of people with, uh, weapons around here?¡±


    ¡°Well given my claws and your knife, I very much doubt they¡¯re all that unique.¡± He chuckled, briefly picturing ripping out the throat of the nearest man and using it to fuel his hand¡¯s regeneration.


    (Gluttony: There¡¯s an alley right there. Drag him in and no one will care if only you walk out. Especially if you¡¯ve blood on your mouth¡­)


    The way the man shivered in place before picking up the pace left him with an amused smile on his face.


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­ are things really so bad that people have to be armed like this?¡± Lydia asked, her hands gripping at the straps of her backpack.


    ¡°Perhaps, but we do live in a dangerous world my dear.¡± The fact that he lived in this world was proof of that.


    Lydia¡¯s face became marred by the most wretched of frowns. ¡°I-I thought things would be less¡­ violent outside of Ira Invidia¡­¡±


    Not standing for that frown for even a second he flicked the girl¡¯s nose, causing her face to scrunch up as she glared at him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget what I told you¡­ There¡¯s nothing to fear as long as I¡¯m near~¡± He sung lightly, without breaking into a full blown musical number.


    ¡°Yeah, this is the start of my metamorphosis.¡± Lydia nodded, not singing her own verse.


    ¡°Quite right, my dear.¡± He smiled, before noticing something a little further ahead. ¡°At the very least you don¡¯t need to be concerned with people randomly arming themselves. After all, everyone here seems to be going to the same place.¡±


    A little further down the street were a set of stairs leading up to a building with a temple like design, a massive spell circle spinning a violent violet above the entryway. Upon these stairs were a number of people coming and going with all sorts of weapons on display.


    (Pride: Look at those firearms.)


    (Wrath: Those blades are well worn¡­)


    (Lust: Ooh, listen to all of those spell songs in the air!)


    ¡°Tell me, would it reassure you to know why all of these people are armed?¡± He asked his frightened little companion.


    Lydia looked ahead at the building for a moment before eventually nodding. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, I think it would.¡±


    ¡°Then find out you shall!¡± He declared as he led the way to their destination, moving with a purpose his previous wandering had lacked.


    ¡°W-wait up!¡± Lydia called after him, caught off guard by his sudden acceleration.


    (Envy: Wait, that spell circle¡­)


    He slowed as he came to the stairs, his eyes drifting up to the circle on display for anyone to see. (See something interesting?)


    (Envy: Something about [Discretion], [Neutrality], and [Binding]... It¡¯s too dense to make out the rest without sitting down and hearing the song out.)


    (Sloth: I could do with a sit down.)


    (Pride: Oh, is your curiosity not piqued by this mystery?)


    (Greed: Hmm, something about this place is¡­ familiar¡­)


    (Memory familiar?) He wondered, his interest piqued by that mystery.


    (Greed: Gah, can¡¯t remember¡­ But my gut says there¡¯s a profit to be made here.)


    (Envy: There¡¯s also a lot of magic being thrown around in there.)


    ¡°This place¡­ kind of looks like a bank¡­¡± Lydia said as they looked around the room consisting of white marble floors and pillars with several lines filled with armed individuals waiting in line to get to a number of people lined up behind a glass window.


    ¡°Perhaps, but a bank that you bring your weapons to?¡± He asked in amusement, noticing how several people were going to mechanical boxes on the walls before heading down one of several halls lined with doors.


    ¡°You¡¯re right there¡¯s got to be it¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes narrowed as she took a closer look at things. ¡°Have you been anywhere like this before?¡±


    (Not as far as I can recall.) But he wasn¡¯t planning on letting Lydia know he was amnesiac anytime soon.


    (Sloth: Minion might start getting ideas¡­)


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how many buildings look like this on the inside¡­¡± He instead answered. ¡°We¡¯ll have to actually get in line if you want to know for sure.¡±


    Lydia glanced at the lines for a moment before letting out a sigh. ¡°Well, I guess enough people are doing it without being shot at¡­¡±


    ¡°Ooh, that would make the bureaucracy more fun wouldn¡¯t it!¡± He chuckled, before moving for a line that was nearly empty, and actually so by the time they made it to the window.


    The clerk at the counter was an interesting sight, a red-skinned woman with horns sticking out of her black hairline and with glowing cat eyes visible behind her glasses even if she didn¡¯t look their way.


    (Pride: Interesting, is this a mid-point of our transformation?)


    (Envy: No¡­ This woman was never human to begin with.)


    (Lust: But we¡¯re still going to treat her like a lady, right?)


    (Of course, we may be a murderous cannibal but we¡¯re a gentleman  of a murderous cannibal!)


    After a moment the woman let out a sigh before asking. ¡°Name?¡±


    Seeing no reason not to give it, he answered with a smile, ¡°Booker H. Freeman.¡±


    The woman¡¯s clawed fingers tapped away at a keyboard before a light from the screen of the mechanical box in front of her caused her eyes to slowly widen before darting him with contracted pupils as she began to shake in place.


    ¡°Is there a problem dear?¡± He asked with what he hoped was a reassuring grin.


    Only instead of doing as intended the woman began to hyperventilate before suddenly standing and rushing off with a call of, ¡°I¡¯ll bring you my manager!¡±


    His companion gave him a confused look. ¡°Uh, what was that about?¡±


    Uncaring for the numerous eyes on him after that little spectacle he reached through a hole in the window and tilted the screen his way, revealing a rather dashing picture of him with a fang filled grin for the camera.


    (Oh, a clue to our identity!) He smiled widely before realizing-


    (Pride: None of this is in a language we remember.)


    (So close.)


    ¡°Uh, what¡¯s it say?¡± Lydia frowned (grotesquely) apparently as illiterate here as he was.


    ¡°It appears I am in fact a repeat customer.¡± He told her, pushing the screen back and retrieving his hand. (I¡¯ve only the one right now after all.)


    ¡°So you know what this place is then?¡± Lydia pressed.


    (Pride: No idea beyond the Greek architecture.)


    (Envy: All sorts of security magic. Too much for me to pick through, and too general to narrow it down.)


    (Greed: I know this place falls under my domain, but¡­ Why can¡¯t I remember?)


    (Envy: Because body boy isn¡¯t resonating with you.)


    (Pardon?) He felt that was directed at him.


    (Envy: It was.)


    (Pride: I see¡­ We¡¯re all aspects of the same person, but based on the animal and the layabout, we¡¯re regaining our memories and powers whenever you behave in line with us.)


    (Greed: And this idiot barely listens to me¡­) The orange thoughts growled.


    (Well, if this truly is your domain then I suppose you better advise me well.) He thought, before giving Lydia a grin and telling the girl that, ¡°I think I¡¯m going to leave this a surprise.¡± as he raised a finger to his lips.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Of course you are¡­¡± His companion huffed, before like him waiting to see how all of this was going to play out.


    Eventually a short man in a black suit rushed out, looking much like the clerk with his red skin, horns and glasses, but also different given his shorter stature and snow white hair. (Though he looks just as frazzled as the clerk from before¡­)


    ¡°M-Mr. Freeman!¡± The clerk smiled, though his eyes screamed of panic. ¡°It is such an honor to have you visiting us here at this branch of our fine institution!¡±


    (Greed: Alright, if you¡¯re actually going to listen to me¡­ We¡¯ve an advantage right here. He¡¯s clearly scared of us and desperate to keep us happy. Keep both of those in mind if you don¡¯t want him to keep you from getting what¡¯s yours. Whatever that is.)


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it is.¡± He smiled back. ¡°I happened to be in the area and decided to stop in and¡­ check on things.¡±


    ¡°O-of course sir!¡± The manager bowed and groveled, before gesturing towards a door behind the counter. ¡°Why, why don¡¯t we take this to a private room worthy of a customer of your highest standing.¡±


    (Pride: Does this man have no pride?)


    (Gluttony: He does but the scent of fear masks it.)


    (Sloth: Pride doesn¡¯t mean much when your life is on the line.)


    He glanced at Lydia watching them in a curious sort of concern. ¡°And I¡¯m sure my companion can accompany us.¡±


    The manager glanced towards Lydia and while his eye twitched as he gave her a once over, he never stopped smiling as he answered, ¡°Of course not sir.¡±


    Once on the other side of the counter the manager moved to lead them, his short legs practically running to keep ahead of Booker¡¯s long legged gait.


    ¡°Seriously, Booker, what¡¯s going on?¡± Lydia whispered next to him.


    Having no idea what was actually going on (Greed: Beyond us being in charge) he simply put his finger back to his lips.


    After a number of twists and turns through winding halls and a short trip up an elevator, he and Lydia found a room full of lavished furniture of violet and gold with a small bar, and a glass table with a couch to either side of it. At the end of the couches were a pair of those machines from the lobby standing between the furniture and a spell circle carved into the very floor of the room.


    ¡°I apologize if this isn¡¯t to your usual standards sir, but this is the best that our humble branch has to offer.¡± The manager assured him once more bowing.


    (Greed: Apparently he¡¯s small time compared to whatever we used to work, that advantage from before is a lot better than I was thinking.)


    (Pride: Of course an individual of our caliber would have earned this kind of treatment.)


    (Envy: Yeah, and who knows how many people we stepped on to do it¡­)


    (Sloth: No one who didn¡¯t deserve it.)


    (Wrath: ¡­)


    ¡°Mm, this will do.¡± He told the manager after giving the room a slow once over with his hands behind his back..


    (Greed: We need to make a power play before we can get down to business, make sure he understands he¡¯s on the back foot here.)


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh, sit on the couch.) He did. (Now you¡¯ve got to lounge. Lean back, arms spread over the back, and cross a leg over your knee. Yes, like that! Oh, and don¡¯t forget the grin that says ¡®I am in complete control here¡¯. Good, good¡­ Now we just need a script to put on a proper performance here. Give me the lines and I¡¯ll direct!)


    (Greed: Alright, here¡¯s what you need to say¡­)


    ¡°Lydia, why don¡¯t you find yourself a treat? After all, it¡¯s free isn¡¯t it Mr¡­?¡±


    ¡°Hemingway.¡± The manager filled in with a tense smile as he kept glancing at Lydia. ¡°And¡­ yes¡­ anything you want will be¡­ comped with all our business today.¡±


    (Gluttony: Ha! That sounded so delightfully painful~)


    (Greed: That¡¯s right, get a taste of the goodlife boys this is how we¡¯ll be living with me in charge.)


    (Envy: Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. You haven¡¯t actually earned any of this yet.)


    (Sloth: And I could do a lot of this too¡­ I just don¡¯t feel like the work.)


    (Greed: Tch¡­ Then I¡¯ll just show you what I can make us¡­)


    At the voice¡¯s prodding, he went ahead and spoke up, ¡°Speaking of business, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have no problem telling me which¡­ services this branch of yours has. I understand that it¡¯s a little¡­ smaller than what I¡¯m used to but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve something that we can work out.¡±


    ¡°Of course sir!¡± Hemingway nodded before rushing over to the machines and picking up a small glass pane from a slot on the front and causing it to be filled with text of all kinds.


    (Pride: And -while this is a bad angle- I do believe we can read that script.)


    ¡°Now while we may be smaller, we¡¯ve all the standard functions of our parent company and can, with your permission, easily access your standing accounts with us for inspection.¡± The manager assured him before handing over the tablet as it revealed a small spinning spell circle on it. ¡°And of course for your privacy, your account is locked behind your preferred method of security.¡±


    He was sure not to move an inch as he asked himself, (What is our preferred method of security?)


    (Gluttony: Blood.)


    (Envy: Magic.)


    (Lust: Music.)


    (Wrath: Feelings.)


    (Pride: Secrets.)


    (Sloth: Minions.)


    (Greed: A key.)


    None of that was helpful, because in the face of a spell circle all of those were valid answers. (Might as well try it all then!)


    He bit his thumb until the skin broke, the taste of his blood distinctly off from what a normal person should taste like, enough so that it actually soured his ever present hunger.


    At the same time he reached out with his magic while humming a tune, one from a sweet memory of childhood, seeing if the song unlocked some missing piece within the tablet.


    (That leaves a secret, minions, and a key¡­ Do we have any of those?)


    (Sloth: Well, we¡¯ve got Lydia as a Minion.)


    (Pride: Meaning she probably can¡¯t open it given how we just met her. And aside from our amnesia I can¡¯t think of any secrets¡­ Though given the nature of magic our stopwatch might be the key.)


    He paused before reaching into the pocket of his vest and pulling out his stop watch from one Emilia Lafayette. His eyes fell upon the two rabbits on its silver cover -one with horns and one without- before he reflexively popped the cover and read the engraving within, filling his chest with¡­ something he couldn¡¯t put into words.


    One of these acts did something right, as the glass pane in his hands beeped once before letting out a flash of light and putting a picture of his smiling face on the screen.


    A moment later the screen cleared to show a list with each line divided into: Name, Contract Date, Summoning Date, and Anima Account Balance.


    ¡°Paranoid much?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice scoffed from behind him, apparently having mistaken all of his actions as putting multiple locks on his things.


    (Greed: Which is a good idea. Keeps people from taking what¡¯s ours.)


    (Lust: Oh, roll with it, roll with it! Don¡¯t let them know you¡¯re faking it!)


    He gave his companion a smile. ¡°You can never be too careful my dear.¡±


    ¡°Quite right sir.¡± Hemingway nodded as he adjusted his glasses. ¡°Well now that you¡¯re in sir, you can choose to access any of your numerous contracts and our spell circuit will teleport you there. At which point upon completion of your summoning terms we will gather the paid Anima from the Arcane Nexus and convert it into Sin for you to use at your own discretion. We also of course allow you to control the Dimensional Drift with utmost efficiency so that you can access any of your contracts on your time rather than theirs as part of our transaction fee.¡±


    (Sloth: Meaning we go out whenever we please and fully rested.)


    (Greed: While making ourselves a pretty profit.)


    (Lust: And new friends!)


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s all well and good¡­ Except there seems to be a problem.¡± He admitted, because while he had no idea how any of this worked he was aware of the fact that this list should not look like this.


    ¡°A, a problem?¡± Hemingway gasped, his smile tense and his eyes panicked. ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± He drawled before showing the manager his list, or rather the lack of one. ¡°For some reason, there are no accounts listed here.¡±


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Hemingway whispered, briefly losing his smile before putting it back on as he took the tablet and began to fiddle with it. ¡°It, um¡­ It seems that¡­ our small branch is having a bit of¡­ trouble accessing your¡­ main account¡­ I apologize for the inconvenience¡­ but I assure you we will have this problem sorted out before you leave here today.¡±


    (Greed: Make him sweat, the more he does the more we¡¯ll profit.)


    He stared at the supposed manager of this establishment with narrowed eyes and a thin smile. As he slowly stood from the couch and made his way over, he could see the sweat beginning to visibly pour off of the little red man thing.


    (Lust: Any more and you¡¯ll break him~)


    With a put upon sigh, he began to buffer out his nails on his coat. ¡°I suppose for now I¡¯m just going to have to make a new contract to try and keep my time from being wasted.¡± His eyes shot back to the manager¡¯s. ¡°Unless that will be a problem too?¡±


    ¡°N-n-no sir!¡± Hemingway stuttered out, before promptly pulling up something on the screen and letting out a relieved, ¡°Oh thank Lucius¡­¡±


    The manager showed him a screen with what appeared to be four overlapping boxes of text. ¡°It seems that, using your usual preferences for our more¡­ interesting cases, you have four viable contracts that we will of course be reserving for you so that no one else may take them in between your outings.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see how interesting these really are¡­¡± He told Hemingway as he began to figure out how to use the screen-


    (Pride: Alright, I think I¡¯ve got it. It¡¯s all touch based, and sliding your fingers moves things, holding down opens options, and double clicking confirms.)


    -before going over the files that were rather interesting. (Old us had good taste.)


    The first file was apparently a short term contract summoning for a good old fashioned game of Murder, Death, Kill. In which a young summoner and their contracted partner would eliminate all of their competition in pursuit of a powerful magical artifact that the summoned would have a certain claim to.


    (Greed: There¡¯s fine print, while we¡¯d have a claim to it they¡¯ll probably only pay us in the Anima all the losers would¡¯ve gotten. Still valuable as broke as we are but not as good as advertised.)


    (Gluttony: But it¡¯s a fight and a feast, what more could we ask for?)


    (Wrath: Yes, an honorable competition would be a fine way to sharpen our lost skills.)


    The next file, while not as fun as a murder game, still had potential. In fact based on this report his summoner actually had the potential of dozens of people, and all that was asked for was him to take on a mentoring role and help them access the dark magics unavailable without otherworldly assistance.


    (Envy: Meaning we could learn new magics as well, and keep someone from making our mistakes¡­)


    (Pride: Ooh, an exchange of thoughts and ideas. A collaboration for the advancement of all!)


    (Sloth: All while getting us a minion on the mortal plane. Not sure what that¡¯s good for but¡­ it¡¯s got to be worth something.)


    (Greed: Not much, financially speaking.)


    The third file was apparently flagged due to his old self having a taste for punishing arrogant summoners. Apparently the person who cast the ritual did so by sacrificing a good thirteen souls in a demonic ritual that would bring forth a Demon capable of offering great power.


    (Greed: Payment¡¯s good, and the terms are vague enough that as long as we don¡¯t kill the guy we can do whatever we want to him.)


    (Envy: Including taking a monster in the making off of the board before someone else can make use of them.)


    (Wrath: Yes, if you kill you should be prepared to be killed.)


    The final one however is one that made him pause, because according to these documents this one was reserved solely to him due to the fact that this summoner was a blood descendant of him. (We have a descendant?)


    (Lust: Ooh, family! We have to help the family!)


    (Greed: Even if they¡¯re a cheapskate paying pennies on the dollar?)


    (Wrath: Yes, we¡¯ve too little family in this world. We must aid them however we can.)


    (Envy: It¡¯s only fair. Even with what little we remember, family is important.)


    (Pride: As weak as we are it might be better to make use of that Dimensional Drift to be summoned at a later date. The last thing we need to do is embarrass ourselves in front of our mortal heir.)


    (All valid points¡­) He admitted to himself as he looked up from the documents.


    ¡°Well, sir?¡± Hemingway inquired, a tense smile fixed in place beneath desperate eyes. ¡°Does anything catch your eye?¡±

 Avarus Invidia (III): Demon Summons And Other Dark Rituals

    Avarus Invidia (III): Demon Summons And Other Dark Rituals


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    While the Death Game could be fun, regardless of whether or not death was temporary he would only enter if he knew he could win.


    (Envy: Which we might not as reduced as we are.)


    A similar reasoning prevented him from either aiding his descendant or taking on a student under the current circumstances, and thus ¡°While there are some intriguing options, I think I¡¯ll go with the summoner with the sacrifices.¡± He told Hemingway as he handed the glass device back. ¡°That seems like the one most fitting for my current purposes.¡± (After all, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve killed anyone today.)


    ¡°Of course sir.¡± The red manager bowed with a smile before moving back to the machine. After a moment the spell circuit on the ground began to glow with a violet light. ¡°There you are sir. I hope you have a profitable summoning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I will.¡± He smiled back as Hemingway turned to leave.


    (Greed: Don¡¯t let him forget what we¡¯re owed.)


    ¡°Just as I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have my things sorted by the time I get back.¡± He added with narrowed eyes before the manager could leave.


    ¡°O-of course sir.¡± Hemingway squeaked, both visibly shaking and sweating in fear.


    ¡°Good~¡± He grinned with a mouth full of fangs.


    (Lust: Oh, and don¡¯t forget about Lydia!)


    He turned towards his companion with a much more genial smile, ¡°Is there anything you¡¯d like while he¡¯s out, my dear?¡±


    ¡°Uh,¡± Lydia blinked, put on the spot, her eyes darting between him and the cowering Hemingway. ¡°Do¡­ do you have any ice cream? Or pizza?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that does sound lovely.¡± He chuckled, not actually knowing what pizza was, but recognizing ice cream as a frozen treat. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it, Hemingway?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes sir.¡± The manager nodded.


    ¡°Then go get the girl her treats.¡± He ordered with a nod towards the door.


    ¡°R-right away sir!¡± Hemingway shouted before fleeing, allowing the doors to slam shut behind him.


    The room was silent beyond the sparking of the spell circle in the center of the room as he watched Lydia fiddle with some drink she¡¯d pulled from the ice box.


    ¡°So, uh, you¡­ you¡¯re really some kind of big shot around here, huh?¡± The young woman eventually asked.


    (Pride: Of course we are.)


    (Greed: It¡¯s what we¡¯re owed.)


    (Sloth: We¡¯ve put in more than enough work for it.)


    (Envy: And paid plenty of blood that isn¡¯t ours¡­)


    ¡°Hm, it would appear so wouldn¡¯t it.¡± He smiled with a wry grin, having just realized what she had. ¡°Though as he said, I haven¡¯t been to this particular branch before.¡±


    ¡°Branch of what?¡± Lydia pressed, her eyes locked onto him. ¡°I mean, you were talking about accounts and turning¡­ Anima into Sin?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes¡­ well¡­¡± He tapped his chin, trying to piece together the memories of magical theory he¡¯d just regained a few days prior. ¡°Have you ever heard of Demon Summoning or the similar?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Lydia glanced at the circle and then him. ¡°You¡¯re the Demon someone is summoning?¡±


    ¡°Well, what else would I be?¡± He wondered with a touch of amusement, after all, (The fact that I¡¯m a Demon might be the first thing I remembered about myself.)


    (Envy: Well, that and the insanity.)


    (That too.)


    Lydia¡¯s eyes were locked onto the circle with an intense gaze. ¡°So¡­ that circle, it¡¯ll take you back to¡­ back to earth?¡±


    (Lust: She¡¯s desperate for a way home¡­ Her real home¡­)


    (Envy: You¡¯re going to have to break her heart¡­)


    (Sloth: Better to rip the bandage off now¡­)


    (Gluttony: The pain will make her stronger¡­)


    (Greed: A fair trade in this world.)If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°For a time.¡± He sighed, his own eyes drifting towards the circle. ¡°The summoner uses magic to call forth an entity -not always a Demon- to help them in exchange for Anima, life, magic, power, money, favors¡­ The payment varies, but the moment the magic spent on the summoned entity will return from where they came from.¡±


    (Envy: There are ways to extend that stay but¡­)


    (Greed: There¡¯s a price on that time and¡­)


    (Gluttony: Death hungers for what¡¯s hers.)


    (How delightfully ominous¡­) He smiled to himself.


    ¡°So even if I could go back I couldn¡¯t¡­¡± Lydia trailed off with a dreadful frown before shaking her head and giving him a determined look. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. What do I have to do to go back, just for a day?¡±


    (Pride: Intelligence and drive.)


    (Greed: Lots of money.)


    (Lust: Friends don¡¯t hurt.)


    (Envy: Magic doesn¡¯t hurt¡­)


    (Gluttony: Savagery and dignity.)


    (Wrath: Strength of will.)


    (Sloth: Minions to do the work for you.)


    ¡°Well¡­ I suppose you¡¯d have to have a certain level of¡­ ability that someone would want to summon you for whatever reason they may have for your talents.¡± He summarized his scattered thoughts, before waving a hand at the lavish room around them. ¡°At that point you register with this lot and they middleman the whole affair for you, collecting service fees for successful contracts and similar. Though you will have to work your way up to all of this.¡±


    He was sure there was significantly more to it than just that, -(Envy: There is.)- but given how he was working off largely theoretical magical knowledge and his own observations since arriving, that was the best he could offer his young companion at this time.


    Lydia nodded as she licked her lips in thought before giving him another look. ¡°And what do people summon you for? What are your ¡®talents¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Why, my dear, haven¡¯t you figured that out yet?¡± He smiled with a mouth full of fangs before letting out an amused huff as he thought about the contracts he¡¯d seen. ¡°People summon me when they want the power to do something they can¡¯t.¡±


    (Envy: Defining pretty much every summon there is.)


    (Lust: Shh, you¡¯re ruining the dramatic flair!)


    His young companion looked like she was about to ask something else, when the doors opened and another of the horned folk -neither the clerk from earlier nor Hemingway- walked in with their head bowed and a bucket of ice cream and a large square box of something else in their hands. ¡°N-neopolitan and p-pepperoni!¡±


    ¡°Uh, thanks?¡± The moment Lydia accepted the box, the deliverer promptly fled without another word. (How rude.) ¡°That was¡­ fast.¡±


    ¡°Really? I¡¯ve never ordered pizza before.¡± He confessed as Lydia set the ice cream on the counter.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I didn¡¯t even know there was pizza down here.¡± Lydia admitted herself with a perplexed look before opening the box and peeking inside. ¡°And it looks like normal pizza¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll just have to try some. After all, I do so enjoy eating.¡± He smiled, feeling that gnawing ache in his belly as his mouth began to water at the smell of the pizza.


    (Gluttony: Maybe it¡¯ll go well with the aftertaste of our summoner¡¯s flesh~)


    ¡°Heh, why, my stomach practically has a mind of its own!¡± He laughed.


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­¡± His companion nodded with a (beautifully) wry grin as she set the box on the counter. ¡°There¡¯s plenty here for both of us.¡±


    ¡°And you should be sure to eat your fill. It¡¯ll give you something to do while I work up my own appetite.¡± He told her as turned towards the spell circle while adjusting his attire. (I have to make a proper first impression.)


    He paused before glancing down at his hand and noting that while his skin wasn¡¯t exactly skin yet, the black tendrils had loosely formed the shape of a hand and did have skin up to his wrist. (Almost but not quite. Still¡­)


    ¡°It¡¯s time to make some Sin and leave some smiles!¡± He grinned as he stepped into the center of the circle and immediately heard a spell song begin to thrum through the air.


    The violently violet glow of the spell circle grew brighter as the shadows grew darker, the electricity dancing along its surface draining the light with crackling glee. Its power building as the light of the circle beneath him seemed to spin faster and faster, the song bound to it growing to an ever higher crescendo before in a flash of light he felt a wave of heat wash over him.


    When the heat cooled he realized he was in a place significantly different from where he¡¯d just been, and in a state that while familiar was unintended.


    Crossing his stitched furred hands behind his back he took a gander around the room with crimson eyes, taking in the dark chamber lit by candles, and the spell circle beneath him that was written in blood, and the fact that said bloody circle branched off towards twelve metal coffins of some kind, each propped up with chains hanging down from the ceiling.


    (Envy: There¡¯s power in them. The dark kind.)


    (Greed: That would be our payment.)


    (Pride: A payment contained by coffins made of¡­ a composite of iron and silver? Wait, there¡¯s also¡­ salt on the ground?)


    (Envy: Salt works as a purifying agent, and can lock the borders between physical and spiritual. The unrefined iron tends to burn anything unnatural to the world. And silver works as a magical conductor. Can¡¯t tell what¡¯s in them, but they¡¯re giving off a lot of power.)


    His stomach growled and his mouth watered just from the feel of what was in those coffins.


    (Gluttony: Making me¡­ HuNgRy¡­)


    (Lust: Don¡¯t forget. We¡¯re not alone in here¡­)


    With an act of will his eyes moved from the coffins and to his would be summoner, a pale sickly man roughly in his thirties with dark brown hair and a light beard laid before him wearing a white button up shirt, vest, and glasses. Attire not too dissimilar to his own upon his awakening in the alley Lydia found him. (Though there is one very important difference between us, I believe.)


    Namely that while he had survived the attempt on his life, this man had not.


    (Pride: A clean incision if a bit rough through the back. Piercing both the kidney and liver at the very least. With the blade removed he¡¯d fall unconscious within seconds, and be dead within minutes.)


    (Gluttony: Heh, good instincts.)


    (Envy: And both our dark practitioner, and our thirteenth sacrifice. I wonder if he even realizes what he¡¯s done¡­)


    (Wrath: What needed to be done.)


    Booker looked up from the dead man and at the boy -roughly Lydia¡¯s age- who in spite of the tears running down his face, protectively held onto an unconscious blonde girl with one hand while using the other to point a bloody blade at the Demon in front of him, at him!


    Seeing this, he found that he couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°My, my, now isn¡¯t this interesting?¡±

 First Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (I)

    First Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (I)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Wh-who are you?!¡± The pale boy stuttered out, the knife in his hand shaking almost as much as he was.


    Booker considered this for a moment, wondering, (how best to proceed?)


    (Greed: Since the boy did the final kill, he¡¯s technically our summoner.)


    (Lust: Meaning we should play nice with him!)


    (Gluttony: Even after he stole our kill? Our meal?)


    (Lust: Yes! Besides, can''t you still eat him?)


    (Gluttony: It wouldn¡¯t be the same¡­)


    (Wrath: Regardless, he meant us no ill will with this¡­)


    (Greed: And none of this matters, we¡¯re getting paid either way.)


    (In that case, there¡¯s no reason to be rude.) He smiled, before taking a half bow with a hand to his chest. ¡°My name is Booker H. Freeman, The Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbit, and you my boy seemed to have done me something of a service.¡±


    ¡°A, a service?¡± The boy asked, his brown eyes darting towards the nearest coffin with a look of guilt and regret.


    (Envy: He knows what was done to make those coffins¡­)


    (Lust: Aw, you should reassure him that that¡¯s not what we mean!)


    ¡°No, no, my boy. That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± He chuckled, before looking down at the corpse before him. ¡°I meant the spineless sorcerer who didn¡¯t understand that making a sacrifice, does not mean what he thinks it does.¡±


    (Envy: To sacrifice you must give up something you value.)


    (Wrath: Or do something you do not wish to for another¡¯s sake.)


    (Gluttony: This man enjoyed the slaughter as much as we would¡¯ve~)


    (Greed: Payout would¡¯ve been bigger for us if he followed the rules. Speaking of rules, they say we¡¯ve still got to fulfill our end of the deal to get paid.)


    (And given how killing the boy is a waste, what exactly were the terms of this deal? A vague offer of power I believe?)


    (Greed: Wording is vaguely along the lines of ¡®Granting power negotiable upon summoning based on the entity in question¡¯. If we leave early, we forfeit our payment back to the summoner. However, there were no real protections on the summoner¡¯s part beyond an inability to kill. In which case payment will be fully forfeited on our part.)


    (Pride: Meaning we could¡¯ve fulfilled our end by giving him the power of wisdom.)


    (Sloth: More accurately the wisdom not to summon a Demon.)


    (Gluttony: A few bites could¡¯ve gotten the point across.)


    He let out a dark chuckle at that thought, causing the boy to jump and drawing his attention back to his audience. ¡°But imagine my surprise when I find my work has already been completed more thoroughly than I could¡¯ve managed under my current restrictions!¡± He tapped his lips before giving the boy a smile full of fangs. ¡°I suppose this means I owe you a favor, my boy.¡±


    The boy flinched, before looking down at the man he¡¯d killed. ¡°Can you¡­ can you save him?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but blink in surprise at that. ¡°You want me to help him? Whyever would you want that after going through the trouble of killing him?!¡±


    The boy flinched once more, unable to meet his eyes as he stumbled over his words, holding the girl ever closer. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ I just¡­ I just didn¡¯t¡­ I didn¡¯t want him to¡­ I-I had to stop him¡­¡±


    (Wrath: He did it for her¡­ To protect her.)


    (Lust: Oh! Is this a love story? A dark apprentice falling in love with his mentor¡¯s next victim, only to save her at the cost of betraying all he¡¯s ever known?!)


    (Envy: You¡¯re an idiot¡­ and they¡¯re too young for those kinds of thoughts.)


    (Lust: Ho! Their first love perhaps?!)


    (Envy: Just ignore him¡­ and tell the kid the truth.)


    (Wrath: There¡¯s blood on his hands now. He can¡¯t wash that away.)


    ¡°Hmm, well sadly, bringing back the dead is beyond my many abilities.¡± He sighed with a sad smile as he interrupted the still rambling lad.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± The boy whispered, his voice hollow as he stared down at the corpse in front of him, his hold on the girl becoming tighter the longer he did so.


    (Envy: There¡¯s a thought.)


    He stepped outside of the summoning circle and towards the boy. ¡°While I may not be able to help you with him, perhaps I can help you with your friend there?¡±


    The boy blinked beneath brown hair, his eyes slowly drifting from the dead man on the floor to the living girl in his arms. ¡°R-right, I¡­ I need to¡­ I need to get her back to her family¡­¡±


    (Greed: You need him to ask for something from you specifically.)


    He tilted his head and watched with narrowed eyes as the boy struggled to stand with the girl he could barely lift.


    (Greed: And there¡¯s your in.)


    With a smile he bowed down and offered his arms to the wary child. ¡°You look like you¡¯re having trouble lifting her, would you like me to lend you my strength until your task is complete?¡±


    The boy stopped, before glancing up at him with wide eyes. ¡°You, you¡¯re a demon¡­¡±


    ¡°True, but irrelevant.¡± He nodded. ¡°What is relevant however, is that I must assist whomever summoned me. Which currently is you, my boy.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you can¡¯t trust Demons.¡± The boy told Booker, while doing what he could to drag the still unconscious girl away.


    ¡°Except, when they¡¯re bound by a deal.¡± He pointed out. ¡°And our deal clearly states that I cannot kill you.¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes narrowed as he pulled the girl close with a (grotesque) frown. ¡°You can¡¯t kill me?¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    (Sharp.) He grinned, because there really wasn¡¯t anything keeping him from killing-


    (Greed: Actually, remember when I said an inability to kill? That wasn¡¯t limited to just the summoner.)


    (Wrath: He was protecting the boy.)


    (Envy: Or just putting down a basic protection.)


    (Sloth: Either way, kid should know¡­)


    ¡°I can¡¯t kill anyone while I¡¯m here.¡± He confessed, doing his best to contain what irritation he could.


    (Gluttony: Killing a man has been a human right since Cain and Abel!)


    (Envy: We aren¡¯t exactly human though.)


    (Gluttony: Carnivores have had the right even longer!)


    In contrast to his feelings on the matter, the boy looked somewhat relieved as he gave the corpse another guilty look. ¡°Of course he wouldn¡¯t be that stupid¡­¡±


    Seeming to trust his dead mentor more than he did Booker, the boy finally relented and told him, ¡°You can carry her but I want you to stay nearby.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± He smiled as he picked the girl up with far less trouble than the boy had had. ¡°Now then, why don¡¯t you lead the way?¡±


    The boy gave him another glance before nodding and making his way up a set of nearby stairs.


    Following after, he soon found himself in a workshop of some sort filled with a number of what appeared to be metal skeletons lining the walls in various states of dress, and more of those screens like the kind he¡¯d seen while in the basement of the Smiling Man¡¯s home in Ira Invidia.


    (Pride: So much interesting technology¡­ Do you think we can sneak any of this back home with us?)


    (We¡¯ll see¡­) He thought, drawing his eyes away from the numerous tools that he could not name lining a table and back to the boy in front of him.


    (Lust: Aren¡¯t you getting tired of calling him ¡®the boy¡¯?)


    (A little.) He admitted. ¡°Tell me boy, what is your name?¡±


    The boy paused at a door. ¡°My name¡­ why do you need my name?¡±


    ¡°For civil conversation?¡± He offered as way of a confused answer. ¡°Unless you wish for me to simply refer to you as ¡®boy¡¯?¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes drifted around the room, before settling on one of the skeletons wrapped in brown fur of some kind. ¡°Bugsby¡­ you can call me Bugsby.¡±


    (Greed: He¡¯s lying.)


    (Envy: Names have power.)


    (Sloth: At least if they¡¯re the right names to the right people.)


    Deciding it wasn¡¯t going to hinder him in any way since the boy¡¯s name meant nothing in his hands, he allowed this alias with no protest. ¡°Well then Bugsby. If you don¡¯t mind me asking, where exactly are we taking this girl?¡±


    Bugsby was quiet for a moment, his hand on the door. ¡°Back to her family and¡­ away from all of this.¡±


    With that said the boy pushed the door open and held it open as Booker stepped out into a parking lot behind a building and caged in by a chain link fence. The night sky above, while filled with a number of dark clouds, also possessed a clear view of a nearly full moon looking down on them.


    A chill swept through the air and Bugsy pulled his coat closer.


    ¡°Come on¡­ It¡¯s just a few blocks away, try not to draw attention¡­¡± The boy looked at him before looking away. ¡°We¡¯re so lucky it¡¯s Halloween.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡± He smiled as he followed after. ¡°I wonder if there¡¯s a mass in the cimeti¨¨re? Or a party in the speakeasies.¡±


    While he couldn¡¯t remember the holiday proper, he knew it was a day-


    (Envy: -to respect the dead.)


    (Lust: And party like you¡¯re dying!)


    ¡°Probably?¡± Bugsby (hideously) frowned in confusion. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter though.¡±


    ¡°It matters if you intend to live and laugh, my boy!¡± He chuckled, a faint sway to his hips as he remembered a tune that would make any Baron dance.


    ¡°Yeah, those aren¡¯t big things in my family.¡± Bugsby scoffed, as they started walking through streets filled with decorations.


    (Envy: Ominous¡­)


    ¡°Oh, and what does that mean?¡± He wondered, sure that the events that led to the interesting scene in that basement were just as if not more interesting.


    ¡°It means they¡¯re all dead, because I¡­ because I didn¡¯t stop him in time!¡± Bugsby spat, more at himself than Booker. ¡°I knew something weird was going on and I-I did nothing until¡­ until everyone else was¡­ I did nothing¡­¡±


    (Pride: So he wasn¡¯t the ritualist¡¯s apprentice, but rather one of his victims.)


    (Gluttony: The boy is a survivor. The last man standing.)


    (Lust: He¡¯s also all alone¡­)


    (Sloth: There are different kinds of ¡®alone¡¯. Which is he?)


    ¡°You truly have no one?¡± He asked, not quite empathizing with the boy given how in all his memories he¡¯d never been alone, and not quite sympathizing given his lack of pity for a stranger but still feeling something.


    Bugsby was quiet for a moment, his unspoken answer clearly eating at the lad. ¡°Maybe, maybe a friend of¡­ a friend of my father¡¯s but¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    The boy looked back at him, or rather at the girl in his arms before sighing. ¡°All I know is that she¡¯s got a family still and I need to get her back to it.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± He nodded in understanding, his eyes drifting to a number of children wearing costumes of all sorts, their parents trailing a short distance behind. Something that the boy in front of him would never experience again.


    His eyes stayed on the parents for a moment longer as he wondered, (have I ever experienced that?)


    What few memories he¡¯d managed to regain had focused either on his childhood in the country or his time as the leader of the Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbits gang. The fact that he had a descendant told him he must¡¯ve had children or at least a child at some point, but¡­ (I can¡¯t remember¡­)


    (Envy: A family¡­)


    (Pride: Their names¡­)


    (Lust: Their love¡­)


    (Gluttony: Their life¡­)


    (Wrath: Their warmth¡­)


    (Sloth: Their laughter¡­)


    (Greed: We have nothing¡­)


    Maybe he did know something about loneliness after all.


    Feeling his smile begin to droop he forced his smile back to peak cheeks and turned his attention back to the nearest distraction at hand. ¡°Given the situation at hand, I can¡¯t help but wonder how you got into that basement?¡±


    Bugsby was quiet for a moment, a long one in which Booker thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, before finally saying, ¡°He let me in¡­ Taught me things I didn¡¯t understand¡­ He thought I was like him¡­ Heh, and I guess he was right since I¡­ since I killed him, heh¡­¡± The boy¡¯s laugh was hollow in a way no laugh should be.


    (Pride: So he is the summoner¡¯s apprentice then?)


    (Wrath: Difficult to say.)


    (Lust: The feelings are fresh. This kind of stuff takes time to heal.)


    (Sloth: If it ever does.)


    (Envy: And if he ever forgives himself.)


    ¡°This is the place.¡± Bugsby told him after a moment, the pair of them standing in front of a house covered in decorations of all sorts in spite of all the lights being off. ¡°Leave her on the porch, in front of the door.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± He nodded, before making his way up the cement path as Bugsby stayed by his side.


    Once he set the girl on the ground, Bugsby stared at the door for a moment before raising a hand and banging his fist on the door with enough force to wake the neighborhood. An act he repeated until some of the lights inside began to turn on.


    ¡°Alright, we need to go before anyone sees us here.¡± The boy told him, taking off in a sprint.


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t intend to take credit for your good deeds?¡± He wondered, as he easily followed after with his long legged gait. ¡°I mean why run when you saved the girl¡¯s life?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m the reason he even managed to catch her.¡± Bugsby answered as he slid into a hiding spot and turned to watch the house behind them.


    Following suit, they both watched as a dark haired man and a blonde woman step out of the house, the pair breaking down into tears upon finding the girl -their daughter- unconscious on the ground, before slowly panicking as she didn¡¯t wake.


    ¡°Alright, from here her parents will take her to the hospital and they¡¯ll take care of the drug¡­ he used on her.¡± Bugsby assured him, only stepping into the open once the couple had run back inside. ¡°All that¡¯s left is to¡­ clean things up in the basement¡­¡± The boy looked his way with eyes so very tired for one his age. ¡°Can you¡­ can you help with that?¡±


    (Pride: We could melt the body with some household chemicals.)


    (Greed: Or sell it on the black market.)


    (Lust: Ooh, we could frame it as an accident!)


    (Envy: Magic can do a lot with a bit of time.)


    (Gluttony: I¡¯m still hungry. Let¡¯s just eat the thing.)


    (Wrath: Fire tends to work when there¡¯s a lot of evidence.)


    (Sloth: Easiest way is to just take it and dump it somewhere.)


    ¡°I do believe that¡¯s within my skill set.¡± He grinned.

 Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (II)

    Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (II)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    Returning to the scene of his young summoner¡¯s crime was a quiet affair, the boy clearly not wanting to do this but feeling like he had to.


    (Wrath: It¡¯s something we can respect.)


    (Pride: After all, if something needs doing then someone needs to do it.)


    Still, this return trip allowed him to actually see the public front of the building they were working out of, and as he saw the sign with some kind of delightfully smiling bear mascot he couldn¡¯t help ask, ¡°Bugsby¡¯s Arcade And Biz?¡±


    Bugsby the boy, grimaced and told him to ¡°Shut up.¡± before heading towards the back entrance.


    He merely followed with an amused grin as they re-entered the workshop full of machinery he could not recognize. Be it due to his lacking memories or just not having seen them before, he didn¡¯t know.


    (Pride: It¡¯s hard to tell, but I can tell it¡¯s all more advanced than anything we saw in Ira Invidia at the very least.)


    ¡°So¡­ what now?¡± The boy asked him, looking clearly overwhelmed as he took everything in, his eyes never quite reaching the stairs leading towards the corpse he¡¯d made.


    (Gluttony: He reeks of fear.)


    (Envy: Can you really blame him?)


    (Lust: He¡¯s just a kid and he¡¯s been through so much¡­)


    (Sloth: Kids can grow up fast¡­)


    He gave the boy as comforting a grin as he could manage. ¡°Well, that depends on a few factors given the¡­ nature and circumstances of my arrival.¡±


    Bugsby narrowed his eyes. ¡°What kind of factors?¡±


    ¡°Well, given how -if I¡¯m understanding things correctly- you were the man¡¯s apprentice, then you have a certain claim to everything in this workshop and an even greater one to the things in the ritual room.¡± He explained.


    (Greed: Especially since you keep what you kill in this world.)


    The boy was quiet for a moment as he finally looked at the stairs into the abyss before swallowing, and asking, ¡°Meaning I can set them free?¡±


    He paused at that question, before asking his own. ¡°Set who free, my boy?¡±


    Bugsby¡¯s eyes darted towards him nervously, before looking away. ¡°Do¡­ do Demons eat souls?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but tilt his head at that question, finding himself curious given what little he knew about Demons himself. (Well?)


    (Envy: The soul is¡­ ephemeral? It¡­ can be anchored but not touched¡­ I think? Um, Death deities definitely don¡¯t like people messing with them directly.)


    (Gluttony: We could try eating but¡­ Flesh and blood taste sweeter¡­)


    That was the most unsure his more mystic voice had been thus far, and the most reluctant to eat someone the feral one had ever been. (Which likely means,) ¡°It¡¯s possible, but not the wisest idea¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay¡­¡± Bugsby nodded, looking like something inside him was beginning to firm before he took a look around the room. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t care about what happens with all of this junk. We can sell it for all I care, but the stuff in the basement¡­¡±


    Rather than continuing his thought the boy started making his way down the stairs, leaving Booker to once more follow the lad if he wanted to get anything done tonight.


    (Sloth: Getting tired of following¡­ Didn¡¯t you say that all we had to do was help get the girl home? Haven¡¯t we done our half of things?)


    (Greed: You forgot our deal is ¡®Granting power negotiable upon summoning based on the entity in question.¡¯ When the guy in the driver¡¯s seat agreed to help dispose of the body that got added to our contract terms.)


    (Sloth: And you didn¡¯t stop him?!)


    (Greed: I¡¯m not scared to earn what¡¯s mine.) His greediest voice scoffed. (So long as everyone gets paid I¡¯m not going to stop anyone from doing anything they want.)


    (Hmm¡­) He¡¯d need to be careful about agreeing to anything else as long as he was bound by that particular clause.


    Stepping into the basement proper, he found Bugsby looking down at the corpse of his former mentor with a mixed expression. When the boy finally noticed Booker¡¯s presence he said, ¡°We¡­ we need to seal the body in one of these coffins¡­¡±


    His brow furrowed. ¡°Might I ask why?¡±


    ¡°Because Da- Because he was a necromancer, and¡­ and I don¡¯t doubt he¡¯s got some way of coming back.¡± Bugsby explained with a frustrated look. ¡°Sealing his¡­ his body in the coffin means he, it means it won¡¯t be as easy for him to come back. Is¡­ is that something you can do?¡±


    (Envy: Maybe¡­ Given what little I can piece together, the theory at least makes sense. If the coffins were built to keep something in, then they can just as easily keep something out.)The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    (Is there anything we need to do that?)


    (Greed: Another coffin for one, otherwise we¡¯ll be throwing away a decent cut of our pay.)


    (Pride: And I doubt bathing a necromancer¡¯s corpse in power will work out for us.)


    (Envy: It won¡¯t. Which is why we¡¯re also going to need more salt to form a new circle.)


    (Anything else?)


    (Envy: Other than keeping people away from the body? I don¡¯t think so.)


    ¡°I¡¯ll need an unused coffin and a fair amount of salt.¡± He summarized as he took another look around the room before finding a couple of coffins stacked in a dark corner and making his way over. ¡°These should do for the first part, but I¡¯ll still require salt.¡±


    Bugsby nodded. ¡°Right, um, the kitchen should have salt.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll arrange things while you find it.¡± He told the boy as he tried to pick the coffin up, only to find it significantly heavier than he¡¯d been expecting.


    (Pride: You¡¯re going to have to use the chains and pulleys above you.)


    He looked up before finding a series of tracks hanging from the ceiling like a meat locker. Tracing these tracks with his eyes he found a chain and clamp dangling near a switchboard of some kind on the wall.


    With a bit of trial and error he was eventually able to move the chain around the room and secure it to the coffin, before using the switchboard to get it into the center of the room. Once there he proceeded to undo a number of switches and latches on the coffin to open the coffin, before turning his attention to the corpse in the room.


    (Gluttony: Wait.)


    He paused, his hands inches from the body.


    (Gluttony: You feel that?)


    (Lust: Feel what?)


    His stomach began to growl.


    (Gluttony: You¡¯re hungry.)


    He was.


    (Envy: Really? You¡¯re doing this now?)


    (Gluttony: Ignore them. You¡¯re talking to me right now.)


    He saw no reason not to.


    (Pride: I see several.)


    (Gluttony: Look, you¡¯ve got meat right in front of you, don¡¯t you?)


    He did.


    (Gluttony: Surely no one will notice if you take just a nibble.)


    He licked his lips as his mouth began to water. ¡°Surely¡­¡±


    (Gluttony: After all, it¡¯s just a nibble.)


    ¡°It¡¯s just a nibble¡­¡± He agreed, as his mouth slowly opened wider than any human could manage.


    (Gluttony: That¡¯s right, so go ahead and dig in.)


    The flavor was odd, at least compared to what he¡¯d tasted during his time in Ira Invidia. Oh, it still had the sweet taste of copper, but at the same time it almost seemed to¡­ lack something that his previous meals had had. A certain something that always did to refill the well of power within his stomach, the one that had allowed him to heal the many many injuries he¡¯d received during his time in Ira Invidia.


    Instead the meat held a different flavor, a different power that while not quite as potent as what he¡¯d grown used to still held something¡­ less filling in his belly. A problem easily resolved by continuing to eat.


    (Gluttony: What was that?)


    He froze, his ears twitching as he heard something nearby, not close enough to witness his fiendish frenzy, but still close enough to become one if he wasn¡¯t careful.


    (Gluttony: Clean up. Meal time is over. We can¡¯t be caught now.)


    Moving with a swiftness, he easily picked up the body and shoved it in the metal coffin, the corpse tilting lopsidedly as it was now missing a kidney and one of its legs, bone and all.


    (Gluttony: Your face.)


    His tongue shot out and instinctively lapped at every drop on his face as he slammed the coffin shut and sealed it tight, hiding away his latest crime just as young Bugsby entered the room with a large bag in his hands. ¡°Will this do?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I believe it will.¡± He smiled at the lad as he accepted the bag, before slowly pouring it out in a circle around the new coffin. ¡°So long as no one opens the coffin, then there should be nothing to worry about.¡±


    (Envy: For him or for us.)


    (Gluttony: Does it really matter?)


    ¡°Right.¡± Bugsby nodded, his eyes never leaving a small glass pane in the coffin allowing his mentor¡¯s face to be seen. ¡°This basement can be sealed so¡­ So they shouldn¡¯t find him any time soon. There¡¯s just one thing left before¡­ before lock this place away for good.¡±


    ¡°And that is?¡± He inquired upon noticing the boy had turned his attention to the Demon.


    ¡°The¡­ the souls in the coffins¡­¡± Bugsby answered plainly.


    He blinked for a moment, his mind suddenly racing as he glanced towards the coffins full of power, (full of souls¡­)


    (Envy: That explains why they¡¯re border is bound so tightly. To force the souls to remain anchored instead of letting them move on. That¡¯s¡­ dangerous.)


    (Dangerous how?)


    (Envy: I¡­ I¡¯m not sure. I know I should know. I know that souls are part of my domain but I¡­ I just can¡¯t remember.)


    (Wonderful¡­) He smiled tersely, as he turned his attention back to Bugsby. ¡°And pray tell what do you want to do with my payment?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t actually sure what he could do with souls, but he saw no reason to let the boy know that.


    ¡°I¡­ I want to make a deal.¡± The young Bugsby stuttered out. ¡°A different one from the one that brought you here.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯m curious as to what you think you have to offer that has more value than a good dozen souls.¡± He admitted, crossing his hands behind his back as he looked down on the boy, more because he liked watching the young man squirm than any actual opinion.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Bugsby stuttered, before taking a deep breath and giving Booker a determined look. ¡°I want to take their place.¡±


    ¡°You want to take their place?¡± He repeated with just a touch of surprise.


    The boy nodded. ¡°Y-yeah. You¡¯re a Demon, you, you can¡¯t get to the mortal world without a summoner, and, and¡­ the old man, he, he taught me some things about Necromancy and other magic. And my family owns¡­ a business that¡¯ll go to me since I¡¯m the last one alive.¡±


    ¡°An interesting proposal¡­¡± He confessed as he tapped his clawed fingers on his teeth. (Thoughts?)


    (Sloth: A mortal minion could be valuable. Though as young as he is we¡¯ll have to work on building him up a bit more.)


    (Greed: If the runt¡¯s being honest he¡¯ll be worth a decent amount in the future. Question is if he¡¯s worth the cost given how ¡®money today is worth more than money tomorrow¡¯.)


    (Envy: We don¡¯t really have any means of containing a soul. In fact, while setting them free might cost a lot of the power in the coffin, we should be able to keep anything they¡¯ve left by being trapped for so long.)


    (Greed: And how much is that?)


    (Envy: Anywhere from a fourth to half? I¡¯m working with only half the book right now.)


    (Pride: Problem to be sure¡­)


    (Greed: Still at the very least that means we won¡¯t be working broke anymore¡­ In the end you¡¯re the one making the choice. We¡¯ll profit one way or the other here, it¡¯s just a matter of which you think is more valuable. Money today or more money tomorrow.)


    He gave Bugsby a considering look, measuring his actual worth here before coming to a decision.

 Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (III)

    Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (III)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°You know what? Why not?¡± He laughed, appreciating the boy¡¯s gumption. ¡°One permanent contract between you and I, and I¡¯ll set all of these souls free.¡± He agreed, offering his hand and a smile full of fangs.


    The boy Bugsby, swallowed clearly sensing the weight of what he was about to do. A hesitation that lasted for but a moment before the boy slapped his hand against Booker¡¯s.


    (Greed: Alrighty then, let¡¯s do this!)


    Power -one so very different and yet so similar to his omnipresent hunger- surged out from within his core, crawling down long limbs, and into the palm of his hand where he grasped the (foolishly) heroic boy¡¯s.


    Busby¡¯s face twisted as the power creeped into the boy¡¯s flesh, slowly signing their dark pact as the power accumulated on the back of the boy¡¯s hand.


    (Greed: Watch close now¡­)


    He twisted the boy¡¯s hand so that he could watch with dark fascination as black and red lightning danced upon the boy¡¯s skin, his power creeping into the Bugsby¡¯s flesh and slowly signing their dark pact in the blackest of inks as a pair of rabbits one with antlers and one without formed on the back of the boy¡¯s hand. (The same emblem on my watch¡­)


    (Pride: Our emblem.)


    As the flow of power came to an end he let go of Bugsby¡¯s hand with a grin, clearly able to feel a connection between his power and the boy. A connection that while but a trickle, he could tell was slowly feeding into his own power once more.


    (Greed: This¡¯ll do nicely~)


    (Envy: He has no idea what he¡¯s signed on for¡­)


    (Lust: A new friend!)


    (Sloth: A new minion.)


    Bugsby rubbed at his hand, before giving a (hideous) grimace upon catching sight of the mark on the back of it.


    ¡°Come now my boy, put on a smile!¡± He told the lad with a maddening grin. ¡°After all, it¡¯s not every day that you save a dozen souls from a delightfully demented demon!¡±


    (Envy: Not that we could¡¯ve really done much with them.)


    (Wrath: Better to leave such things to their natural cycle.)


    ¡°Speaking of¡­¡± He turned towards the nearest coffin not harboring a deceased necromancer. (How do I free these without letting all of their power loose?)


    (Envy: Just open the coffin and break the salt line. In that order if you want to siphon as much power as you can.)


    Keeping that in mind, he stepped up to the coffin and began undoing its latches in reverse order of how he¡¯d done the necromancer¡¯s prison.


    Upon cracking the coffin open a smidge he was flooded with a warm light that, (Honestly, that kind of burns¡­) He grinned through grit teeth.


    (Wrath: This soul truly was innocent.)


    (Envy: And that innocence is why it burns.)


    (Gluttony: It¡¯s not ripe enough¡­)


    (Greed: Are we at least getting something out of this?)


    (Envy: Something, but not a lot¡­ The heat is rising though. So we might want to break the circle before it becomes too much.)


    He slid his foot back and broke the salt circle, allowing the warmth to rush past him like a hot summer breeze, and allowing him in turn to regain his sense from such an odd experience.


    (Do we have any idea what caused that?) He wondered, as he used the coffin lid to maintain his balance while he shook his head clear.


    (Envy: Given our own¡­ Demonic nature, and our use of Sin, it¡¯s possible that a true innocence is¡­ an anathema of sorts¡­ maybe?)


    (Pride: You sound unsure of your hypothesis.)


    (Envy: I reiterate that I¡¯m working with only half the book.)


    (Yes, but how could a soul be so innocent?) What little he could remember of humanity, said that wasn¡¯t normally possible. Even ones as young as Bugsby and Lydia lacked this much innocence.


    (Wrath: Suffering brings refinement¡­)


    (Gluttony: Or corruption.)


    (Meaning?) He stepped away from the coffin, allowing it to open. (Oh¡­)


    Inside the steel tomb was a body, one old, decayed, and so very small¡­


    His eyes drifted to the other eleven coffins as his mouth began to twitch, before falling on the last one in the center of the circle where he could just make out the deceased necromancer¡¯s face behind the glass.


    (Wrath: He didn¡¯t suffer nearly enough.)


    (No. He did not.)


    (Sloth: Nothing we can do about it right now.)Stolen novel; please report.


    (Envy: Beyond letting the rest free.) A task he wasted no time in completing fully aware of the fact that Bugsby¡¯s eyes were on him the entire time he spent opening the coffins and breaking the circles.


    Something that became more apparent the longer he took, until with a grin strained from the constant burning exposure to innocence he found himself turning towards Bugsby. Only to freeze as he caught sight of the pale lady with midnight black hair and dark clothes lined with silver standing behind the boy.


    His heart pounded within his chest, the organ desperate to escape the bones that caged it as his mouth somehow went dry and watered at the same time as he stared at the (beautiful/terrifying/amazing/wretched/delightful) woman in front of him, his every instinct assuring him that she was in no way whatsoever human.


    ¡°Who¡­ who are you?¡± He asked, his question making the pale lady¡¯s smile grow.


    Bugsby followed his gaze before looking back at him with a look of confusion. ¡°Who is who?¡±


    The pale lady disappeared from behind the boy before suddenly reappearing in front of Booker and forcing him to take a step back. Pinning him against the necromancer¡¯s coffin as she put two fingers to his torso.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie, I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you tonight.¡± The woman told him, her voice feeling him with (fear/awe/hate/love) as she walked her fingers up his torso. An effect that made his heartbeat all the more apparent with each step, even more so as they went up his throat. ¡°You know, usually I take issue when people cheat me but¡­¡±


    The pale lady stared into his eyes and he could feel something inside of him writhing under her gaze, her smile taking on a (fascinating/horrifying/loving) edge. ¡°You broke in such a beautiful way, I can¡¯t wait to see what you become after stagnating for so long.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± He stuttered out with a nervousness he hadn¡¯t once felt since awakening in that alley.


    The pale lady pulled his chin down until their lips were mere inches apart. ¡°It¡¯ll make it all the greater when I finally make you mine again.¡±


    He blinked and the woman was gone, leaving him with wide eyes, a pounding heart, and a manic grin as he tried to gather himself. ¡°Who¡­ who was that?!¡±


    (Pride: The keeper of all secrets¡­)


    (Greed: A collector of the finest things¡­)


    (Lust: A friend who¡¯ll always be there in the end¡­)


    (Envy: The one to accept you no matter your sins¡­)


    (Gluttony: A connoisseur who puts our hunger to shame¡­)


    (Wrath: The only true fairness in this world or the next¡­)


    (Sloth: Where wary souls can finally lay their heads to rest¡­)


    ¡°Death¡­¡± He realized breathlessly. ¡°But why was she here? Now?!¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± A voice asked.


    His eyes snapped to Bugsby, watching him with an odd mix of fear, concern, and confusion as the boy reminded him that he was not alone with himself.


    ¡°Who was here?¡± Bugsby repeated.


    He wasn¡¯t entirely sure how to answer that question, especially as flustered as he currently was and the fact that it was clear the boy hadn¡¯t seen what he had.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter.¡± He smiled at the boy, fully aware it was even more crazed than his usual one. ¡°What does matter however is that I believe I have now fulfilled my end of our little bargain¡­ Unless you¡¯ve more coffins stored away somewhere?¡±


    ¡°I hope not¡­¡± Bugsby practically whimpered.


    (So do I¡­) He wasn¡¯t really up for continuing to burn himself alive at the moment.


    A solemn sort of silence fell over both of them, the Demon and Practitioner both unsure of how to feel about recent events. At least until the Practitioner broke the silence.


    ¡°So¡­ what now?¡±


    He blinked before considering the question. (Is¡­ is there anything else to do here?)


    (Greed: Nope. Our deal is binding, and we¡¯ve fulfilled our end of it already. We¡¯ve also got a decent amount of¡­ something to take back with us.)


    (Envy: It¡¯s Anima, a form of life energy. Most mortal magic -or the safe ones at least- use it.)


    ¡°Well, I do believe I¡¯ve accomplished everything I¡¯ve set out to do for now.¡± He admitted, seeing no other reason to stick around. ¡°Unless there¡¯s something else you wish to ask of me?¡±


    ¡°No I meant¡­ What, what do I do now?¡± The boy asked while raising the emblem on the back of his hand. ¡°What does this mean?¡±


    (Greed: It means he can summon us whenever he wants to make a deal, or whenever we feel like collecting on one of his debts. Though that investment will take time to mature.)


    (Pride: Perhaps that Dimensional Drift phenomenon will aid us with speeding that up a bit.)


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh, or we can take him back with us so Lydia has a friend!)


    (Envy: Which would mean uprooting him and taking him from everything he knows when he¡¯s already in a bad spot.)


    (Lust: Oh, that would be bad wouldn¡¯t it?)


    (Greed: Not just because it means we¡¯d probably be tossing away half his value.)


    (Sloth: Yeah, he¡¯s more useful as a mortal minion than one back home. Here he can do work that we can¡¯t. Maybe even make things easier for future deals.)


    (In that case¡­) ¡°It would be best for you to return to your normal life for now. Should you wish to make another lesser deal you can now call me whenever you please, though I may pop in to see how things are progressing should the mood strike me.¡± He explained to the lad.


    (Lust: Oh, you really should not have said it that way¡­)


    (Sloth: This is going to be a pain¡­)


    (What do you mean?)


    ¡°Return to my normal life?¡± Bugsby repeated as the boy began to shake. ¡°How am I supposed to go back to my normal life when there¡¯s nothing left of it?! I mean, my family¡¯s dead and I¡¯m, I¡¯m the one to blame! Me! I could¡¯ve stopped this but I didn¡¯t and now! I¡¯m a murderer now, no better than-than, him!¡± The boy glared at the coffin next to Booker before turning it onto him. ¡°And to top it all off I¡¯m now bound to you, a Demon who was happy to eat the souls of a bunch of kids I helped gather! So tell me, how the fuck am I supposed to go back to a normal life now?!¡±


    (Ah¡­) ¡°Perhaps there was a better way to have phrased that.¡± He admitted, as he ran a hand through his hair, not quite sure how he was supposed to handle the crying child in front of him.


    (Pride: He needs a purpose. A direction to keep him moving towards. Without one, he¡¯ll continue to blame himself and never work through these issues.)


    (Envy:¡­)


    (Sloth:¡­)


    (Wrath:¡­)


    (Alright, but¡­ what kind of purpose?)


    (Lust: Oh! He could make some friends to help make the hard times better! That way he doesn¡¯t sit alone thinking about all the thoughts that make him want to cry when no one is looking!)


    (Wrath: Given what he did tonight. Perhaps a form of penance will sate him. We could show him how to properly deal with those that dare to harm the innocent.)


    (Gluttony: Yes, we¡¯ll show him how to hunt down the monsters as the prey they are.)


    (Pride: That¡¯s perhaps a bit much for one so young. Why not start him off with something more intellectual such as learning to use the workshop above to build something from the pain?)


    (Envy: If we¡¯re going to be teaching him things¡­ Maybe teaching him magic -the lighter things- will help him handle all of this. Show him there¡¯s still something good beyond the darkness.)


    (Good ideas all around.) He wanted to suggest all of them, but-


    (Sloth: Kid can only split himself so thin before he overworks himself and breaks. If he tried to do more than one, maybe two, of these he¡¯d end up doing more harm than good.)


    He turned his attention back to the lad who had spent the last few moments sobbing awkwardly, before suggesting that the boy try [Insert Scene Choice]

 Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (IV)

    Fun fact: on Royal Road my total unique readers on that site -between all of my stories- hit 666 today. Given how Halloween is this month and this is a Demon Quest I just thought that was neat.


    ---


    Infernal Contract: Bugsby, The Dark Apprentice (IV)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°You need a purpose.¡± He told the boy.


    ¡°W-what?¡± Bugsby blinked through his ugly tears.


    ¡°You need a purpose, something to throw yourself into while you try and sort out all of these¡­ messy emotions.¡± He attempted to explain. ¡°Which is why I shall be tutoring you on anything and everything that may help you find that purpose you require!¡±


    (Sloth: I just want to say, I¡¯m against this plan.)


    (Pride: Yes, well your opinion is noted and dismissed as unimportant.)


    ¡°Tutor me?¡± Bugsby repeated in confusion.


    ¡°Quite right!¡± He smiled, as he began leading the boy away from the basement filled with the dead. ¡°As I said, with that contract you can summon me whenever you require but to help you divert these negative emotions into something constructive with free lessons!¡±


    (Greed: Up-up!)


    (That will increase your overall worth to us in the future.) He mentally added with a roll of his eyes.


    (Greed: Better.)


    ¡°Something constructive?¡± Bugsby (hideously) frowned.


    ¡°Yes! Why, there are all sorts of things I could teach a strapping young lad such as yourself!¡± He assured the boy as they exited the stairwell into the building workshop. ¡°Might, magic, technology, manipulation, and more!¡±


    ¡°And how is any of that supposed to help me?¡± Bugsby glared at him.


    ¡°Well, for one it¡¯ll teach you how to actually intimidate someone.¡± He noted, unimpressed with the boy.


    (Lust: Yeah, like how we just lean forward a bit and flash our eyes red as we look down on him. Nothing too aggressive, we just need some implication of violence.)


    (Gluttony: A reminder of the fact that they¡¯re just food to be eaten.)


    (Wrath: Or about the pain they must suffer to balance the scales.)


    (Envy: Bit of darkening shadows won¡¯t hurt.)


    Bugsby whimpered, and he blinked before patting the boy¡¯s head with a large smile. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry you¡¯ll get the hang of it eventually! And if that isn¡¯t a skill you want to learn why you could still do all sorts of things with my teachings! You could become a powerful warlock, a genius inventor, the star of the show, a punisher of the wicked!¡±


    ¡°Punisher of the wicked?¡± The boy repeated, before shaking his head. ¡°W-why would I want to do something like that?!¡±


    He tilted his head in his own confusion. ¡°Because there are monsters in this world who deserve to be eaten by bigger monsters?¡± (Isn¡¯t that obvious.)


    (Gluttony: The food chain is only natural.)


    (Wrath: And all monsters shall burn in the end.)


    (Envy: Karma is a thing.)Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    (Sloth: And when it isn¡¯t, well¡­ The extra work is just another reason to hate them.)


    (Pride: Now, now. The lad is young. Uneducated. We can¡¯t blame him for being the very thing we¡¯re trying to fix. That would be dreadfully unfair of us.)


    (True.) If the boy failed to meet his standards after being educated that would be an entirely different thing. ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s just an option. Not one you need to take. After all, I will not be taking away your freedom of choice my boy, I¡¯m merely offering you the power to realize whatever potential you desire.¡±


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t want anything to do with you or¡­ any of this?!¡± Bugsby practically growled as he gestured to the room around them. ¡°Da- He convinced me that all of this was fun and games. That we were having fun and learning new things together not, not all that shit in the basement! How are you any different?!¡±


    (Greed: He¡¯s been burned on a deal like this. He doesn¡¯t trust it. Doesn¡¯t realize we can¡¯t actually break our end of the deal without penalty.)


    (Lust: Oh, oh! That¡¯s our in.)


    He gave the boy a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯m different because I cannot break the terms of our deal. Whatsmore, should I ever break my end of our little agreement then that mark on your hand will fade into nothingness.¡±


    (Greed: We¡¯ve a lot more wiggle room than that since we did free those souls. Honestly, that mark is going nowhere unless we specifically stake it in a future deal.)


    (Ah, good to know!)


    (Greed: You¡¯re not stupid enough to let the kid know that right?)


    (Of course not!) He was almost offended a part of him thought he was.


    While he had these thoughts, Bugsby stared at the emblem on his hand and licked his lips, before shaking his head and turning back towards the exit. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t deal with this right now¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve all the time in the world my boy.¡± He smiled.


    Rather than being reassured Bugsby merely gave him another glare before the boy¡¯s eyes darted towards the basement. ¡°There¡¯s a handle near the roof, I can¡¯t reach it¡­ Pull it down so no one can find the basement¡­¡±


    He narrowed his eyes at the order, before glancing up and finding the lever. At which point he also noticed something else.


    (Envy: There¡¯s magic coming from it.)


    Letting his curiosity get the best of him, he gripped the handle and pulled the door down, ceiling the basement behind a wall painted to match the brickwork of the rest of the room.


    In the dark one wouldn¡¯t be able to see the difference, but in the light anyone could tell there was a difference between the two.


    (Envy: Or they would if it wasn¡¯t for the magic working as a perception filter. A lot like the one at the Smiling Man¡¯s building. It¡¯s not working on us, but it would be enough to keep anyone mundane from finding the basement without knowing it was there.)


    (Sloth: Making sure no one will find where the bodies are buried.)


    (Interesting, and handy!) He had to admit as he made a note to find such a useful spell for himself.


    (Envy: We probably know our own version, we just can¡¯t remember it.)


    He heard the sound of the door opening and felt his eye twitch as his smile grew tense, before following the boy back into the night.


    Once he caught site of his wayward contractor he reached out and grabbed Bugsby with his magic, the threads of power rapidly fraying as the boy struggled in place.


    (Envy: We don¡¯t have that much power without burning Sin¡­ Not yet anyways.)


    (Lust: We¡¯ll have to be careful if we want to maintain our role as a powerful Demon.)


    Keeping all of that in mind, he used his long legs to quickly walk in front of the boy while doing his best to make it look like he was moving at a languid pace. ¡°Now, now, where are you going, my boy? We still have so much to discuss!¡±


    ¡°I told you I¡¯m not-¡± Bugsby gave him a pained grimace. ¡°I can¡¯t deal with this¡­ Not tonight¡­¡±


    (Envy: He has been through a lot tonight¡­)


    (Wrath: The first kill is the hardest.)


    (Lust: Especially if the Necromancer was his friend¡­ who was trying to kill his other friend.)


    (Sloth: I told you the kid is overworked.)


    The boy looked at the emblem on his head before meeting Booker¡¯s eye. ¡°If you¡¯re serious about not taking away my¡­ my freedom of choice with this thing then just¡­ leave me alone¡­ For tonight at least¡­ Please¡­¡±


    He considered the boy in front of him, one who had very well gone through hell this evening.


    (Sloth: If you keep pushing him he¡¯s going to snap.)


    (Wrath: People in pain are the first to lash out.)


    (Envy: And the ones to hold the longest grudges.)


    Deciding that for the sake of his future contract, he should withdraw for the moment he began to pull on the power that had been tugging at his core since completing his initial contract.


    ¡°If that¡¯s your wish then so be it.¡± He nodded as he bowed with a hand across his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting when you¡¯re ready to talk.¡± He looked up to meet his contractor¡¯s eyes. ¡°Just don¡¯t take too long, my boy.¡±


    With that said he felt a wave of heat wash over him once more as he was dragged back to his own hell so different from the boy¡¯s. Namely in the fact that while he boy¡¯s left him pained and alone, his own returned him to his young companion with a smile on his face.

 Avarus Invidia (IV): Contracts, Conmen, Congratulations, And Collections

    Avarus Invidia (IV): Contracts, Conmen, Congratulations, And Collections


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Huh, thought that would take longer?¡± A familiar voice noted as he once more found himself back in the VIP room that Hemingway had given to him and Lydia.


    ¡°Did you?¡± He smirked, dusting himself off as the last of the heat from his transportation faded away.


    ¡°Yeah, I mean you were gone for what? Fifteen minutes?¡± Lydia answered, causing him to pause.


    (Fifteen minutes?)


    (Pride: A measurement of time, one that is fairly inaccurate due to our previous outing taking at least an hour to accomplish. Perhaps this has to do with that Dimensional Drift we were discussing earlier?)


    (Greed: If time is money, having more time would mean more money.)


    (Interesting.) No matter how he looked at it it was something worth taking advantage of at a different time. (But for now¡­)


    ¡°This was merely business as usual for me.¡± He assured the young woman as he took a seat on the other side of the couch from her. ¡°Nothing too complicated.¡±


    ¡°So, uh¡­ what exactly did you have to do?¡± Lydia asked, her eyes everywhere but him.


    (Greed: She wants to know what she¡¯d have to do if she was fulfilling the contract.)


    (Sloth: Sanitize the bits involving souls, but talk up the rest. People like to think they¡¯re working for the good guy.)


    (Envy: And she¡¯s sadly naive enough to believe we are one.)


    (Lust: We don¡¯t have to be the good guy so long as we¡¯re a nice guy!)


    (Gluttony: Morality and etiquette are completely unrelated.)


    (That they are!) He agreed, before explaining that. ¡°It was a relatively simple job I believe. A necromancer thought to summon a Demon, and I fully intended to make him regret that decision. So imagine my surprise when I discover that the necromancer had been slain by his apprentice, the boy having turned to betrayal so that he could protect the final victim of the ritual!¡±


    Lydia¡¯s (hideous) frown made him pause his story, his smile growing tense. ¡°Do all¡­ Demon summonings require someone be¡­ sacrificed?¡±


    (Envy: Yes and no? It depends on the type of Demon.)


    (Greed: Treasure is in the eye of the beholder.)


    (Gluttony: Everyone hungers for different things.)


    (In that case why did it summon us?) While it was fully possible that he could go for a bout of human sacrifice -the whole thing being amusingly ironic, especially if he ¡®sacrificed¡¯ his summoner in turn- he didn¡¯t think he¡¯d appreciate it enough to make it a requirement to summon him. (That would be so limiting.)


    (Envy: Which is why it probably wasn¡¯t.)


    (Greed: That contract was offered to us, not specifically summoning us. Anyone coming here could¡¯ve taken it for themselves if this place wasn¡¯t trying to bribe us.)


    (I see, in that case¡­) ¡°It¡¯s not a requirement, but it does influence the type of entity you summon and deal with. Due to my clout here, I can divert some of these contracts my way and then have a¡­ chat with these men rather than having them go towards someone more¡­ rewarding of their efforts.¡± He explained, being sure to continue to imply that he was the better man in these situations, something he sincerely doubted.


    (Sloth: Keep doing that and she¡¯ll eventually start justifying our actions for herself.)


    (Envy: Until you cross a line she can¡¯t forgive.)


    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Lydia sighed, giving him a (beautifully) relieved smile.


    ¡°It is.¡± He nodded before noticing the box full of some circlish dish on the table, half of it already missing. ¡°Though I¡¯ve no idea if it is as good as your pizza here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, uh, yeah! The pizza was great!¡± His young companion assured him. ¡°Do you, uh, want to try some?¡±


    ¡°Why I would be delighted!¡± He smiled at the offer, his stomach growling in spite of his recent meal.


    (Gluttony: You should always eat while you can. Never know how long it¡¯ll be before your next meal¡­)


    Seeing the wisdom in that thought, he went ahead and collected a section of the pizza before taking a bite of the unfolded side.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± After a moment of chewing he swallowed, and told Lydia, ¡°While not quite to my usual tastes I do quite like the seasonings they¡¯ve added to the tomato paste, and the cheese gives it a nice buttery addition even if overpowered by the bread¡¯s flavor. The meat though, that is an interesting highlight for me if I could just place what kind of meat it is.¡±


    ¡°Uh, I¡­ never really thought about any of that.¡± His companion confessed, looking bemused. ¡°I guess you really do like eating don¡¯t you?¡±


    He considered both his current meal and his previous one, before licking his lips. ¡°I really do~¡±


    ¡°Well, uh, help yourself I mean¡­ technically you paid for it?¡± Lydia shrugged with a wry grin.


    (Greed: And now she¡¯s beginning to get it.)


    ¡°My how generous of you.¡± He grinned back with a touch of his own amusement.


    ¡°Right, um, you were talking about your summoning, so uh, what happened after the kid killed his mentor?¡± Lydia prodded.


    Deciding to pick up where he left off, he continued his story by explaining that, ¡°Well, I arrived after the killing and helped him bring the poor sacrifice home, given how he couldn¡¯t lift her himself. Though we did not stick around beyond watching her parents find her from a distance. At which point we returned to the ritual room and I helped him seal away the necromancer, as the boy was somewhat scared of his mentor resurrecting for some reason.¡±


    ¡°Resurrecting?¡± His young companion repeated in confusion before her eyes went wide. ¡°Like back on earth?¡±


    (Envy: Theoretically? I think, this falls into the same category as souls¡­)


    (Meaning we know the answer but don¡¯t remember it.)


    (Pride: Gah, is there a worse curse than losing one¡¯s mind?)


    (Envy: Several.)


    Hedging his answer, he told her that, ¡°It¡¯s possible under the right conditions, but not really something I¡¯ve looked into given how hard it is to stay dead in our world.¡±


    ¡°R-right, that makes sense.¡± Lydia admitted, looking more than a little disappointed by that fact.


    ¡°Indeed.¡± He agreed, before wrapping his story up. ¡°After that, I did my best to mitigate the damage caused by my original summoner before offering the boy a secondary contract to fill in the hole left by his previous mentor¡¯s death.¡±


    His companion¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°So you¡¯ll be going back to check on him?¡±


    ¡°The boy has potential. That would be such a dreadful thing to waste.¡± He confessed, his mind thinking of how that potential could best help him.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    (Greed: Have to maximize those profits somehow.)


    ¡°And¡­ what about me?¡± Lydia frowned (grotesquely) her eyes once more nowhere near him. ¡°Do I have potential like him?¡±


    (Lust: Aw, the poor girl is insecure¡­ Cheer her up!)


    (Pride: Just like the boy, she lacks purpose. Especially now that she¡¯s achieved the freedom she so desperately sought.)


    (Sloth: Forgot how much work minions are to keep around¡­)


    ¡°Lydia, my dear, have you forgotten already we¡¯ve but just begun your metamorphosis into something so much greater than what you were.¡± He reminded the poor girl. ¡°These things take time though. I mean we¡¯ve known each other for perhaps three days. I may be powerful but even I have my limits, my dear.¡±


    (Envy: Such as the lack of any memories prior to meeting her.)


    (Lust: We are a fantastic actor!)


    ¡°Yeah, but why are you putting so much effort into helping me?¡± Lydia frowned (horrendously). ¡°I mean, we¡¯re out of Ira Invidia. There¡¯s not much I can really offer you.¡±


    (Lust: Maybe a bit of honesty is best here.)


    (Envy: Really? You¡¯re suggesting we be honest with her.)


    (Lust: Yep.)


    (Sloth: Yeah, he¡¯s got a point. As long as we aren¡¯t too honest¡­)


    He considered that for a moment, before letting out a sigh as he rolled his eyes. ¡°My dear, I really am not putting as much effort into this as you seem to think. Aside from going out of my way to recruit you, I haven¡¯t actually done much that I wouldn¡¯t have done on my own. After all, if you recall, I was just as trapped in Ira Invidia as you were and I¡¯ve no goals that need my immediate attention either. So you ask me why am I helping you, and I ask you why not?¡±


    Lydia looked down at that, the girl seemingly getting lost in her own thoughts. Which was a good thing as the (handsomely) smiling Hemingway took this moment to return, the jacket of his suit missing and the button up beneath it covered in a growing number of stains.


    ¡°Sir, I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate you on your successful expedition!¡± The horned man told him, before quickly picking up the glass pane from before and once more handing it to Booker. ¡°And I wanted to assure you that your newest account has gone through and we are working to convert all resources gathered into Sin whenever you desire. Without our usual fees as an apology for the inconvenience of it all, of course.¡±


    (Greed: He¡¯s buttering you up¡­ Ask about the status of those missing accounts.)


    ¡°Of course.¡± He felt his eyes narrow at the man as he stood up, passing the pane off to Lydia as he did so. ¡°Tell me, how goes the investigation into this little inconvenience?¡±


    Hemingway froze, his eyes going wide. ¡°It is progressing apace sir. N-nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing at all. Why, we should have it all sorted out by the time you finish your work today.¡±


    (Greed: He¡¯s lying.)


    He began idly inspecting his nails. ¡°And if I were to decide to wrap my business up right now?¡±


    The little red man-thing froze. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ Sir¡­¡±


    (Lust: Come now, if you keep pressing you¡¯re going to give the poor man a heart attack.)


    He smiled at that amusing thought, before turning back to the little clerk. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m more than aware that you need time to sort this little discrepancy out¡­ Even if my personal plans would prefer otherwise.¡±


    ¡°O-oh?¡± Hemingway asked, with a relieved smile far less tense than his previous one.


    (Greed: You can¡¯t let him get away too easily.)


    (Sloth: We¡¯ve apparently a reputation to maintain.)


    (Pride: And what is a man but his reputation?)


    ¡°Quite.¡± He nodded, his thoughts filling with what vengeance was most appropriate here.


    (Lust: Careful, we need to maintain appearances with Lydia!)


    (Sloth: And if he¡¯s too injured he won¡¯t be able to work.)


    (Envy: To maintain Dimensional Drift takes magic; more the longer you hold it.)


    (And?)


    (Envy: And they make their money from magic.)


    (Greed: Ah, hurting him in the wallet. Almost feels too cruel~)


    He chuckled to himself before giving the hopeful Hemingway a sympathetic grin. ¡°Unfortunately, I had been planning on making this a quick trip so I¡¯ll come back¡­ tomorrow I suppose, to check on your progress.¡±


    ¡°O-of course sir.¡± The clerk manager nodded enthusiastically, clearly happy that the few hours that he thought he had to settle this had become an entire day. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have everything sorted by then.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± He nodded back. ¡°Just as I¡¯m sure these interesting contracts you brought me will still be sitting here whenever I feel like getting to them. All expenses compensated, of course?¡±


    Hemingway¡¯s face froze for a moment, before the man slumped with an, ¡°Of course sir¡­¡±


    ¡°Very good.¡± He smiled, enjoying the way the man squirmed before turning his attention back to his companion staring at the glass device with wide eyes. ¡°I do suppose that concludes our business for today. Shall we take our leave, my dear?¡±


    Lydia jumped her eyes snapping to him as she seemingly swallowed before getting out of her seat. ¡°Uh-yeah, that sounds¡­ good¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t forget you food my dear.¡± He reminded the child before meeting Hemingway¡¯s eyes and showing off his fangs. ¡°You never know where you¡¯ll find your next meal after all.¡±


    The little clerk stiffened.


    (Pride: It seems that reputation of ours does include cannibalism.)


    (Gluttony: Good~)


    ¡°H-have a good after-afternoon sir!¡± The ever professional manager managed to squeak out.


    ¡°And to you. After all, I¡¯m sure your afternoon will be just as productive as ours.¡± He called back as he escorted young Lydia out of the room.


    ¡°Uh, Booker?¡± His companion started once they were alone.


    ¡°Yes?¡± He prodded, coming to a stop when the hallways they¡¯d been moving through remained silent.


    ¡°The, uh, the Sin you made on that contract was, was that a lot or?¡± Lydia trailed off.


    He couldn¡¯t help but tilt his head in confusion. ¡°Don¡¯t you already know about all that, my dear? As I recall your plan to escape Ira Invidia was to gather enough Sin to buy a pass out.¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah, but¡­¡± The young girl swallowed. ¡°You just made as much Sin in fifteen minutes as I was making in a month.¡±


    (Greed: Before or after expenses?)


    That was a very good question, which is why he asked it.


    ¡°After but¡­ that tablet said you altered the terms of your contract to get paid less.¡± Lydia tried to explain.


    (Sloth: Careful. You don¡¯t want her to know why we were paid less.)


    (Lust: We were paid less because we got a new friend!)


    ¡°Well, there are different kinds of contracts so when I changed things to a more long-term contract, the initial upfront payment was obviously decreased.¡± He shrugged, acting nonchalant about the whole thing.


    ¡°Right, but still they, they were expecting you to do three more contracts like that¡­ If I wasn¡¯t there you could¡¯ve made what would take me half a year in barely an afternoon!¡± Lydia practically yelled.


    (Greed: She¡¯s not used to seeing this much money change hands.)


    (Sloth: Street rats aren¡¯t used to having much.)


    (Envy: Lots of people aren¡¯t.)


    ¡°Yes, well I¡¯d like to think I¡¯ve taken great pains to achieve what I have.¡± He told his companion, because even if he couldn¡¯t remember it all, given what he could recall of his upbringing it would take both time and effort to get to the point he seemed to be at prior to his memory loss.


    (Pride: Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll always be a self-made man.)


    ¡°And you think I can do the same?¡± Lydia frowned (hideously).


    ¡°Of course you can! With a bit of time, violence, and elbow grease, who knows what kind of chaos a determined young woman such as yourself could raise!¡± He assured the girl with a smile.


    While Lydia didn¡¯t meet his eyes again, she did let out a delightful little grin. (Which is such an improvement.)


    Patting the girl on her head he gave her a prompt nod. ¡°Now then, let¡¯s do away with these little doubts of yours and figure out what we¡¯re going to be doing with the rest of our afternoon shall we? Why, I¡¯ve a whole bundle of Sin burning in my pocket waiting to be used!¡±


    (Greed: Actually we haven¡¯t had our payment converted.)


    (Pride: Do any of us have the answer to that question?)


    (Envy: Feel like I know something, but¡­ no.)


    (Sloth: Sounds like a lot of work.)


    (Gluttony: I don¡¯t but I know prey that might.)


    His eyes darted down the hall to where Hemingway was just stepping out of the ritual room he¡¯d been working out of. ¡°Actually, I just realized something Lydia¡­ Oh, Hemingway~¡±


    Even from a distance he could hear the little clerk let out a little ¡°Oh no¡­¡± before promptly putting on his widest grin. ¡°What can I do for you sir? I thought you were on your way out.¡±


    (Lust: Remember to play your part here. You¡¯ve established a role, so don¡¯t break it.)


    ¡°Yes, we were.¡± He nodded in disappointment. ¡°But well given the¡­ situation with my accounts, I¡¯m feeling a little uncertain about my current withdrawal methods¡­ you understand of course? I mean, I would be so dreadfully frustrated if I were to try it and it failed, after everything else. Why can you just imagine what that would be like?¡±


    Hemingway¡¯s eyes went wide as the little red man shivered before nodding. ¡°Of course sir. I¡¯ll get you a new Collections Crystal promptly and make sure it contains everything from your recent acquisition.¡±


    ¡°Good, we¡¯ll be waiting by the entrance when you have it ready.¡± He told the clerk manager as he patted Lydia¡¯s back to get her moving once more. ¡°I¡¯d hate to delay our afternoon plans any more than I absolutely have to.¡±


    Needing nothing else said, Hemingway sprinted away to get him whatever a Collections Crystal was leaving Booker and Lydia with something of an awkward silence.


    ¡°So, uh, what are our afternoon plans?¡± Lydia eventually asked.


    ¡°Oh, that is a good question.¡± He admitted, not really having thought about it. ¡°Given how my main accounts seem to be frozen for the moment, how about we¡­¡±

 Avarus Invidia (V): Shopping In Hell (Surprisingly Delightful)

    Avarus Invidia (V): Shopping In Hell (Surprisingly Delightful)


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Is this really the best idea?¡± Lydia asked with her (hideous) frown as they walked through the streets. ¡°I mean, your accounts are frozen, is now really the best time to go shopping?¡±


    ¡°Well that depends my dear, does wealth have any point beyond spending it on the things you want?¡± He argued with his own question as he twirled the crimson crystal Hemingway had given him between his fingers.


    (Greed: Wealth is power, but simply hoarding it away makes it worthless.)


    ¡°That sounds a little¡­ spend thrifty.¡± Lydia grimaced, looking like she wasn¡¯t at all pleased with the idea.


    ¡°Perhaps, but you also saw how easy it is to make more Sin in a pinch.¡± He reminded his companion, pointedly not mentioning that the whole affair was actually more work than he was making out to be.


    (Sloth: Please don¡¯t blow all our money, we¡¯ve worked enough for today¡­)


    (Wrath: Our work will never end.)


    (Sloth: I know¡­)


    ¡°I guess that makes sense. I''m just¡­ not used to spending money when I don¡¯t have to.¡± His young companion confessed.


    ¡°Understandable.¡± He nodded, before putting on a proper smile. ¡°But with me here you won¡¯t have to worry about that quite as much. If there is anything you desire, then it is my duty to help you acquire it!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t actually know what I want¡­¡± Lydia admitted as she messed with the hem of her shirt. ¡°I mean, in Ira Invidia we kind of just used whatever we could get our hands on. Based on what people said, there hasn¡¯t really been anything ¡®new¡¯ there since the wall went up.¡±


    ¡°All the more reason to get you some new things.¡± He assured her with a pat of her head. ¡°After all, as they say, ¡®clothes make the man¡¯... or woman as the case may be. And you are so much more than what your current clothes make you out to be.¡±


    (Pride: Especially if she is to be our companion.)


    Lydia looked down with her (delightfully) bashful little smile as they continued through the area Hemingway had directed them towards. An area he took in with interest.


    While they had yet to leave the area the locals seemed to refer to as Avarus Invidia, their current surroundings were notably different from what he could make out of the rest of the district.


    The majority of Avarus Invidia seemed to be filled with various business buildings that made the whole city look like one massive downtown district the likes of which could usually only be heard of in megacities such as New York. The many skyscrapers only broken up by the occasional bank or businesses that had decided to adopt a more Greek architecture, or the many suited individuals walking between them all as they rushed from one appointment to another.


    (Greed: Business never stops. There¡¯s always money to be made, and they¡¯re the ones making it. More than most people will ever make in their lives.)


    (Wrath: How much of it is actually earned and how much is snake oil is debatable.)


    (Sloth: Regardless, most of them won¡¯t see a nickel on the dollar compared to the big man on top.)


    (Gluttony: In the end they¡¯re all just pigs fattening themselves up for the slaughter.)


    By contrast to all of that their current locale was filled with a number of boutiques and shops in something of a shopping district that was notably shorter than the skyscrapers visible on all sides. Each store possessing enough character to make their wares more than obvious to all who passed them by, be it food, clothes, jewelry, or even a fine selection of weaponry.


    (Greed: If someone is going to make money, someone else needs a place to spend it.)


    (Lust: There are so many fun things here!)


    He found his eyes drifting between a number of the shops openly displaying clothes, weapons, books, and so much else within each, before eventually spotting a few burlier men and women lurking here and there. Each of whom had far more animalistic qualities than anyone amicably walking between the shops with their associates.


    (Sloth: Guards to take care of any would be trouble makers. Probably a protection racket¡­ No idea if it¡¯s just one gang or a number of them.)


    (Greed: One. Gangs want a monopoly. Other areas might have different ones, but this place only has the one.)


    ¡°Are they going to be something we have to worry about?¡± Lydia asked, her eyes on the same men he¡¯d noticed.


    (Sloth: Right, as a street rat she¡¯s probably more aware of gangs than most.)


    (Pride: Her information is likely dated though given the)


    ¡°Not so long as we don¡¯t cause trouble.¡± He assured her. ¡°They¡¯re gang is merely working security for the local shopkeeps as it were. I doubt they¡¯re quite like the ne''er do wells you¡¯re more familiar with.¡±


    (Sloth: They won¡¯t start anything because as long as nothing happens this is easy money for them.)


    (Greed: The best kind.)


    ¡°Right, that makes sense.¡± Lydia nodded, her shoulders looking a little less tense. ¡°They¡¯re just security guards, that¡¯s all.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    (Wrath: Not quite.)


    (Gluttony: Civility is a lie to let the wolf walk with sheep.)


    That was a sentiment he understood quite well even as he wondered how much effort it would take to kill the various guards he could see.


    (Wrath: More than it¡¯s worth.)


    (Gluttony: Their meat isn¡¯t sweet enough yet.)


    ¡°So, uh, where are we starting?¡± Lydia wondered.


    ¡°Mm, I¡¯d like to acquire you some new clothing, but I¡¯m not sure if I trust any of these tailors to give you the kind of outfit you deserve.¡± He admitted, before tugging at his own clothing. ¡°And I very much doubt we¡¯ll get quite as lucky as we did with me and what we pilfered from the Smiling Man¡¯s lair. His taste really was impeccable I must say.¡±


    His companion¡¯s face twisted at that. ¡°Yeah, I guess¡­ But as long as it fits and doesn¡¯t look too stupid I¡¯m willing to wear whatever¡­ Except a skirt.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough my dear.¡± He accepted, before considering things. ¡°Now then what else could be useful at our current junction?¡±


    (Pride: Books or tools.)


    (Greed: A sale?)


    (Lust: How about some sweets?!)


    (Envy: I doubt there¡¯s much magical here¡­)


    (Gluttony: Food is good.)


    (Wrath: A weapon of some kind.)


    (Sloth: Whatever gets us out of here faster.)


    ¡°I, uh, I don¡¯t really know¡­¡± His companion confessed. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you have a better idea of all that than me?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, well I do have a few ideas, but given how this little trip is more about setting you up than it is about reinforcing me, your opinion matters.¡± He explained, because while he could build himself up some with a few trinkets here and there holding onto his Sin and the power it provided could be far more valuable at this time. (At least until I find out wherever our rabbits are based out of.)


    Lydia was quiet for a moment, before telling him that, ¡°I¡¯m good with pretty much anything, I mean this is your Sin your spending. Honestly, I¡¯d rather you just save it.¡±


    (Greed: Sensible, but pointless. She¡¯s an investment that we need to invest in if we want her to properly help us.)


    (Sloth: An ill equipped minion is a dead minion.)


    (Lust: Which is why we should spoil her!)


    ¡°Well, regardless we should get you some clothes. Ones far more durable than the ones you¡¯re wearing right now.¡± He told her, a hand to her back as his eyes drifted over the various clothing stores around them.


    (Envy: Hold on, do you hear that?)


    (Lust: The music of magic?)


    He could hear it in the air now that he was looking for it, most shops had it on some level, but there were a few that really stood out from the rest.


    (Greed: Those will be the ones offering higher quality products.)


    ¡°Ah, this one should do then.¡± He decided, upon finding a clothing store with a particularly riveting song to it.


    The interior of the store was lined with numerous fabrics, and mannequins wearing a number of outfits, but no actual clothes were left lining the sidelines.


    (Pride: A proper tailor shop rather than some generic old store.)


    (Greed: Just what we¡¯re looking for.)


    ¡°There aren¡¯t really any clothes here.¡± Lydia noted as she walked around the room.


    ¡°Because they¡¯re going to make them for you.¡± He grinned as he ran a claw over one of the mannequins, listening to how it caused the spellsong weaved into its very fabric to shift.


    (Envy: It¡¯s enchanted. Not quite sure what with, but definitely something defensive.)


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± He smiled. ¡°Yes, I do believe that this shop will do quite nicely for our purposes.¡±


    A feminine laugh echoed through the room. ¡°Oh, if that old thing impresses you then you should see some of my more recent work.¡±


    He turned towards the front as a woman with gray skin and pale hair stepped out from behind a curtain while wearing a rather elaborately made dress.


    When he caught sight of her smile full of fangs, he couldn¡¯t help but match it with one of his own as he assured her that, ¡°That is precisely the reason we¡¯re here!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± The woman prodded with a tilt of her head without losing her smile.


    (Greed: Ah, more business. Let me do the talking.)


    (Lust: Ah-ah-ah! I¡¯m pretty sure fashion is part of my domain?)


    (Pride: I assure you you¡¯re both wrong.)


    (Envy: Just¡­ start talking and we¡¯ll sort this out.)


    ¡°Yes, you see my young companion here has recently found her way out of a rather terrible situation for such a fine young woman to find themselves in. As such, I¡¯ve decided to take her under my wing and help her to achieve her full potential, which of course begins with being properly dressed!¡± He explained to the seamstress.


    ¡°Of course!¡± The woman clapped, before turning her attention towards young Lydia. ¡°Now of course, the most appropriate attire is entirely dependent upon the sort of events you intend on wearing it to¡­¡±


    Lydia glanced towards him looking more than a little confused.


    (Sloth: Do I even need to tell you she¡¯s never had anything like this?)


    Seeing Lydia¡¯s confusion, he answered the seamstress¡¯s unspoken question for her. ¡°Given our adventures thus far¡­ we¡¯re likely to see more than a little bloodshed, a few harsh negotiations, and things of a similar sort.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, a burgundy color would do quite nicely at covering up any bloodstains, it should also compliment your eyes, making the green stand out like sparkling emeralds.¡± The woman who clearly knew her trade assured his young companion. ¡°Though making it the primary color of the composition, may cause it to clash with the shade of her hair. Do you have any particular preference child?¡±


    ¡°Uh, no?¡± Lydia answered questioningly.


    ¡°In that case we¡¯ll have to try a few different colors during your fitting.¡± The seamstress told her, before turning back towards him. ¡°Given everything, I¡¯ll likely have a rough sample ready within an hour or so.¡±


    ¡°Plenty of time for me to run a few other errands nearby.¡± He smiled as he pulled out and twirled his stopwatch. ¡°After all, one must accessorize to bring it all together!¡±


    ¡°Oh, they absolutely must!¡± The shopkeeper laughed, before suggesting that, ¡°Why don¡¯t you go see Franklin a few shops down? He¡¯s a bit new to the lane but I do believe he should have something that¡¯ll work for our young friend here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do just that.¡± He nodded.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving me here?¡± Lydia (grotesquely) frowned.


    ¡°Now, now my dear. It would be simply improper for a man to be present during a young woman¡¯s fitting!¡± The seamstress warned.


    (Lust: Yeah, I¡¯d rather not see anyone in their underwear.)


    ¡°Absolutely right.¡± He agreed. ¡°That said, I won¡¯t be too far and I assure you that a true professional would never harm their clients.¡±


    (Pride: Their own self-respect simply wouldn¡¯t allow it!)


    ¡°Not so long as those clients are paying of course!¡± The seamstress chuckled.


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll be footing the bill in full. Though it does pain me to say that we¡¯ll have to focus more on speed than quality.¡± He admitted, with a sigh as he took another look around the shop. ¡°Which is truly dreadful given the quality of what I¡¯m seeing here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I understand completely.¡± The shopkeeper assured him with a sympathetic smile before turning it on Lydia. ¡°In fact, because this won¡¯t be my best work I¡¯ll even give you a discount as a first time customer dearie.¡±


    ¡°Uh, thanks?¡± His young companion smiled back, if a little unsurely.

 Avarus Invidia (VI): Fun And Fiendish Finds

    A/N: Due to a tie I compromised and rolled a¡­ haggling check we¡¯ll call it.


    ---


    Avarus Invidia (VI): Fun And Fiendish Finds


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    With Lydia occupied by her fitting, he decided to heed the Seamstress¡¯s advice and inspect the wares of this Franklin fellow. Which is how he found himself in a store with a surprising amount of clutter for one trying to get rid of their merchandise. (Something this man clearly needs to do¡­)


    (Greed: Hopefully there¡¯s some kind of treasure hidden amongst all this trash.)


    (Is there anything of note?) He wondered as he drifted past numerous blades, firearms, and blunt objects of all shapes and sizes.


    (Envy: I¡¯m hearing songs from a few of these, but nothing that really stands out.)


    (Gluttony: The blades are fresh, no blood. No history of violence.)


    (Wrath: Mettle untested in the end.)


    (Pride: For firearms most of these are cheap and mass producible, not the sort of thing to earn a name for itself.)


    (Sloth: Point of a gun is an easy kill, not a memorable one.)


    (Lust: But if we¡¯re going to get a weapon it needs to be something showy! The kind of thing people will remember for years to come.)


    (Pride: Exactly.)


    (I suppose that just means we won¡¯t be getting any weapons for ourselves then.) He figured, his claw leaving a deep scratch as he ran one across a metal surface. (Then again I don¡¯t think we need a weapon.)


    (Gluttony: Not when we can feel the blood on our hands~)


    (Pride: A weapon is a tool, while something memorable would be preferred for ourselves it still possesses value in the right situation.)


    (Envy: No different than magic, if a little more limited in application.)


    (Wrath: Magic has a cost, might less so.)


    (Sloth: Can¡¯t we just let someone else fight for us?)


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh, I¡¯m sure Lydia will like a gift.)


    (Greed: We¡¯ve Sin to burn, but I refuse to go broke over something idiotic.)


    (A fine point¡­) While he could easily make more Sin by completing another Contract, he very much doubted that would help him much in advancing his own goals of reclaiming what was his.


    ¡°Eeep!¡±


    His eyes snapped to figure with large pointed ears and curly black hair that nearly covered their eyes as the man dropped a box full of weapons on the ground.


    ¡°Why hello there!¡± He smiled in greeting.


    For some reason this did little to reassure the man as he stumbled back into the wall.


    ¡°P-p-please don¡¯t kill me!¡± The strange fellow shouted, blocking his head.


    ¡°Oh, why ever would I kill you?¡± He wondered with an amused chuckle as he thought of the single line on the list of reasons he could have, namely because (I might feel like it.)


    (Sloth: Please tell me you¡¯re not going to pick a fight when we were just talking about the security around this place?)


    (Pride: We could take them.)


    (Gluttony: They¡¯re all just lambs to the slaughter~)


    ¡°If-if you¡¯re not here to kill me, then why?¡± The timid man trailed off, hand in front of his face.


    ¡°Well is this not a shop of fine arms?¡± He tested a blade on his claw and shaved some of the metal away. (Or something like that¡­)


    ¡°Y-yes sir.¡± The man nodded, acting in a way he was growing to find delightfully familiar.


    (Lust: He¡¯s scared of us like Hemingway! Oh, do you think he knows who we are?)


    (Pride: Ah, our reputation must stretch quite far!)


    (Greed: Which¡¯ll make it all the easier to haggle our prices~)


    ¡°Wonderful!¡± He grinned, causing the man to flinch once more. ¡°I¡¯m assuming that you are the ¡®Franklin¡¯ that owns this shop?¡±


    Franklin mumbled a horrified ¡°He knows my name.¡± before more audibly answering, ¡°Yes sir!¡±


    ¡°Good! Your store comes well recommended and I do so hope your wares aren¡¯t all so¡­ disappointing¡­¡± He admitted as yet another piece of metal failed to keep up with his claws.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ve got some better things in the back!¡± The shopkeep assured him with a nervous smile. ¡°The-the stuff out here is just the cheap stuff, for people who don¡¯t know their weapons and to keep thieves from stealing anything of value.¡±


    ¡°Smart!¡± He laughed, before tilting his head. ¡°At least until someone comes expecting better quality merchandise. That lot would probably be quite frustrated with the goods you¡¯ve left on display here.¡±


    ¡°J-just give me a moment sir!¡± Franklin requested before disappearing behind a curtain and into the back of the shop, leaving Booker to once more meander through the poor quality items littering the cluttered store.


    The longer he was forced to wait, the more of said trash he went ahead and kindly disposed of it for the timid shopkeep, even if he did leave the waste on the ground. At least until he came across a mannequin with armor of some kind.


    (Pride: It¡¯s almost offensive just how low of a quality this is when compared to the work of that delightful seamstress a few stores over.)


    (Greed: Her work is worth the money, these rags aren¡¯t.)


    (Lust: They¡¯ve no style. No flair!)


    When Franklin returned with a stack of boxes, he informed the man that, ¡°If this is the quality of your more defensive goods perhaps you should rethink the wares you sell.¡±


    The shopkeep winced. ¡°Oh, uh, if you wanted armor I¡¯ve got better stuff in the back.¡±


    ¡°No, no. If I want clothing, I¡¯ll go to this delightful seamstress a few stores over.¡± He assured the man.


    ¡°A few shops over¡­ You mean, Leslie?¡± Franklin frowned (hideously), a sharp contrast to the seamstress -Leslie¡¯s- charming grin.


    ¡°Yes, her¡­¡± He nodded slowly, thinking about (gutting) the shopkeep in front of him, but wanting to maintain at least a semblance of professionality on this little shopping trip. ¡°You know, when you compare your goods to each other, the quality disparity is really quite obvious. Why if it weren¡¯t for her vouching for the quality of your goods, I¡¯d think you unworthy of being her competitor.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°O-oh¡­¡± The shopkeep paled, his eyes wide as he realized the depths of his errors.


    (Pride: Hopefully, he¡¯ll treat this as a wake up call and improve his merchandise.)


    (Sloth: Or get out of the game altogether.)


    ¡°Now then I believe you had something superior to everything else out here?¡± He inquired with a skeptical grin as he moved to look at the cases Franklin had brought out.


    ¡°Y-yes, sir¡­¡± The shopkeep nodded, before lining the boxes up side by side and opening them one by one to reveal¡­


    (A flintlock?)


    (Pride: A classic, albeit one modified.)


    (Sloth: Ammo and reload won¡¯t be too practical though.)


    He went ahead and snapped the box shut, enjoying the way Franklin jumped at the sound before moving onto the next case.


    (Ooh, a gentleman¡¯s cane?)


    (Gluttony: The illusion of civility, before bashing a man¡¯s skull in.)


    (Lust: We¡¯d look so dapper with it!)


    (Envy: A bit simple though given our existing options.)


    He shut the lid, and continued down the line, pausing as he caught sight of a circular object made of something pale with black sigils carved into it.


    (Envy: Now this one is interesting. A bone talisman of some kind, could help direct our magic into something more¡­ offensive.)


    (Lust: Oh, we could also use it to teach Lydia some tricks too!)


    That was a very good point, which is why he left that particular case open. Something that earned a sigh of relief from Franklin even as Booker went on to examine the next case which contained a deck of cards.


    (Envy: Magic here too, but¡­ not as strong or as controlled.)


    (Greed: A gamble, could be fun, could be a waste.)


    (Lust: Uh, we could teach her card tricks? Actually, do any of us know card tricks?)


    (Greed: A couple, but nothing fancy.)


    He went ahead and closed that one, before pausing at a black book of some kind and removing it from the case to examine the pages. (Is it magical?)


    (Envy: Somewhat, but nothing too advanced.)


    (Pride: There¡¯s also some technological diagrams here.)


    (Interesting,) but ultimately something he could get from a library if he needed to, which is why he returned it to its case before closing it.


    Next were a trio of knives of a notable quality, one particularly sharp, one serrated, and one giving off a faint spell song.


    (Lust: Ooh, doesn¡¯t Lydia like knives?)


    Now that he thought about it she did possess one, even if his recollections did reveal it to be looking a little worn and rusted.


    (Wrath: One should always maintain their weapons.)


    (Pride: It¡¯s a matter that I¡¯m quite familiar with.)


    (Sloth: She¡¯s probably not ready for anything too fancy yet. Keep it simple.)


    He removed the sharpened knife with a simple edge, giving it a claw test, before setting it on top of the case when he closed it.


    The last two cases that Franklin had brought out, weren¡¯t so much cases to contain items so much as they were more kits of some kind. One filled with a number of bandages and medicines and the other a number of chemicals and plants.


    (Pride: A first aid kit, simple but efficient for mending wounds.)


    (Gluttony: Also unnecessary with a healing factor.)


    (Envy: Unless you¡¯re in a hurry.)


    (Greed: Or want to save some Sin.)


    (Sloth: The poison kit is more my speed honestly. Slow and steady, just waiting for the hit to drop.)


    (Gluttony: Unless they¡¯re more poison than blood.)


    Both kits could be useful, but ultimately weren¡¯t something worth spending Sin at the moment given how much he had and how much he already wanted to get.


    ¡°The knife and the talisman.¡± He told Franklin as he withdrew his Collections Crystal from his suit jacket.


    ¡°Sure thing sir.¡± The shopkeep nodded with a relieved smile before offering his hand.


    He stared at it for a moment, before glancing at his crystal. (Do I give him this?) He was about to do just that before-


    (Greed: Actually, let me handle this. Give you another show of why you should be listening to me more often.)


    He reached out, wrapping his long fingers around the shopkeep¡¯s hand. Not even a moment later, he began to feel a stream of power flowing out of his Crystal into the small pool of power within him before moving from his chest, down his arm, and into Franklin¡¯s hand, where it began to feel in a void he was tangentially aware of.


    (Greed: And that should do it.)


    The shopkeep¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion as the flow of power stopped just shy of filling the void. ¡°What? Uh, sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± He smiled, not entirely sure what was going on.


    (Greed: Repeat after me: I¡¯m just paying what your goods are worth. Don¡¯t you agree?)


    (Sloth: Didn¡¯t we talk about not starting anything here?)


    Franklin once more paled as he relayed the message with a smile and a tilt of his head, all while wondering how hard it would be to kill and hide the body in front of him. How long it would take for someone to find the rotting me-


    ¡°Y-you¡¯re completely right!¡± The shopkeep gasped, gripping his wrist as his face twisted in pain.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you agree!¡± Booker laughed as he removed his claws from the man and let Franklin¡¯s hand go. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be competing with higher quality shops such as dear Leslie¡¯s then you need to lower your prices, improve your quality, or close up shop!¡±


    ¡°U-understood sir.¡± Franklin nodded, clutching his hand to his chest with a (miserable) frown.


    ¡°Wonderful.¡± He smiled as he collected his purchases, before making his way back to a far superior shop, after a quick detour to pick up a more edible treat for his young companion of course.


    One whose seller had a fantastic if tense smile to their face as they took his order and quickly brought it to him while insisting it was on the house when he offered his hand to pay.


    It wasn¡¯t even a whole moment after returning before the seamstress -Leslie- stepped out from the back. ¡°Ah, Booker! How was your shopping trip? Did you happen to check Franklin¡¯s shop?¡±


    (Lust: Hmm?)


    ¡°Yes, though sadly most of his merchandise was lacking a quality I was willing to purchase.¡± He admitted with a shake of his head. ¡°I¡¯m aware you sent me his way to try and help the poor boy, but unless he improves his merchandise I doubt he¡¯ll find much in the way of customers.¡±


    ¡°I know, the boy purchases low quality cheap and then tries to sell it at a higher price. I can appreciate the business acumen but the Lanes are not some backstreet pawn shop.¡± Leslie sighed before putting on a sympathetic frown. ¡°If he wants to compete here he simply must hold himself to a higher standard lest he offend the sensibilities of a Sinner the guards won¡¯t protect him from.¡±


    ¡°Too true, too true.¡± He nodded back. ¡°Luckily he did have a couple of things that I think young Lydia would appreciate, even if only to ease her into things.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad.¡± Leslie smiled. ¡°As I said, the boy has potential he just needs to reach for it like your latest companion is trying to do. You¡¯ve an eye for talent you do!¡±


    (Lust:...)


    He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You flatter me.¡±


    (Pride: Oh, do continue.)


    ¡°Oh, but speaking of young Lydia,¡± Leslie began, ¡°she wasn¡¯t quite comfortable with the finest wares I could offer her and I wasn¡¯t quite comfortable with the purely practical wear she requested so I did my best to compromise between our visions.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your work will be impeccable.¡± He assured her.


    The seamstress waved him off with a titter. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve no doubt of that. It was a delightful little challenge. While I do love my extravagance it¡¯s still nice to flex my creative muscles in new directions. Boredom is the greatest enemy after all!¡±


    ¡°Ha! Couldn¡¯t agree more!¡± He laughed.


    (Lust: Oh, that¡¯s fun.)


    (What is?) He wondered.


    (Pride: That our friend here is a delight?)


    (Lust: Ah-ah-ah!)


    ¡°So uh, how do I look?¡±


    His eyes snapped to the side as he realized, Lydia had walked out of the back wearing new clothes that while not quite as dapper as his own outfit, was still a higher quality than her previous clothing. The pants she wore were strong material, her shirt a comfortable button up, and her coat a delightful burgundy coat that he could hear a faint spell song pouring out from. The thing that stole his attention however was a black half-mask on her face, one in the shape of a rabbit.


    ¡°You look fantastic dear, though I do have to wonder about the mask?¡± He admitted with a tilt of his head.


    ¡°Uh, she suggested it¡­ said something about rabbits being your thing.¡± Lydia shrugged as she removed the mask. ¡°And I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    He gave Leslie a curious look, even as the seamstress gave him an innocent smile.


    ¡°Oh, you said you were taking her under your wing and making one of your masks was no grand effort.¡± Leslie explained.


    It finally clicked in his head that, (She knows who we are.)


    (Lust: Yeppers!)


    (Pride: That¡¯s no great revelation. From what we¡¯ve seen with Hemingway and Franklin, we do have something of a reputation.)


    (Lust: We do, but she knows more about us than they do.)


    (Pride: The question is how much more?)


    (Lust: No idea! That¡¯s what makes it so much fun!)


    (Envy: And the idiot is unhelpful.)


    (Lust: Well, we could ask her what she knows?)


    (Pride: Though that risks revealing our¡­ current predicament both to her and Lydia.)


    (Sloth: Street rat is willing to follow us, but no idea how far she¡¯ll follow when she realizes we¡¯re faking it.)


    (Greed: We can¡¯t risk losing that investment, not yet. We¡¯ve put too much into this for that.)


    (Pride: But we also can¡¯t risk losing this opportunity for answers either¡­)


    (Sloth: I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s not my job to deal with people.)


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh, that¡¯s my job!)


    (Sloth: ¡­ Welp, I¡¯m going to go sleep through this embarrassment, you guys can handle this garbage fire. Right?)

 Avarus Invidia (VII): Early Rumors Around Hell

    Avarus Invidia (VII): Early Rumors Around Hell


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    (Lust: Ha! And they call me a drama queen~ Now then, we need to be calm, be loose, ready to adapt to our part! Perform without the audience realizing we¡¯re making it up as we go.)


    (So exactly what we¡¯ve been doing?)


    (Lust: Exactly what we¡¯ve been doing~)


    ¡°Booker?¡± Leslie asked with an odd tilt to her voice.


    (Pride: Right, time is still passing. Whatever plan you two are cooking up I¡¯d get to it.)


    ¡°Ah, apologies.¡± He laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve found I¡¯ve been getting lost in my thoughts a lot lately!¡±


    ¡°Oh, you alway have been the plotting sort with all the mischief you get up to.¡± The seamstress confessed with an amused grin, whether because she actually knew him or just his reputation he did not know.


    ¡°Exactly my problem, my dear!¡± He admitted. ¡°My recent mischiefs as it were are what led me to meeting young Lydia here in Ira Invidia.¡±


    ¡°Ira Invidia?¡± Leslie interrupted in surprise, her eyes wide as they darted between him and Lydia. ¡°Whatever were you doing in that dreadful place?¡±


    ¡°Oh, a bit of this, a bit of that, a little killing, a little rioting, and all that sort of fun.¡± He explained without really explaining anything. ¡°Now while getting out was no grand trouble, it did leave me cut off from the wider world for a touch longer than I like.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d think so, given how it¡¯s been a few years since you last made the gossip wheel.¡± Leslie informed him with a wry grin. ¡°Which is quite odd for someone such as yourself.¡±


    (A few years?) He repeated to himself.


    (Envy: The question is if we¡¯ve been gone for a few years or it¡¯s just been a few since we¡¯ve done anything of note.)


    (Pride: Please, this is us. Can we go one day without doing anything of note?)


    (Lust: Yeah, the world''s a stage and we are its greatest performer!)


    (Envy: Right¡­)


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry my dear, I fully intend on fixing that little problem.¡± He chuckled darkly. ¡°I¡¯ve got something of a new lease on life. All sorts of fun thoughts are bubbling up in my mind, just waiting to steal back the spotlight, there¡¯s just one little problem¡­ I¡¯ve no idea where to start the fun!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± Leslie asked with a bit of intrigue as her smile grew wider.


    (Lust: She loves the idea of the drama we¡¯re going to stir up~)


    That thought made him grin, even as he explained that, ¡°As I said, I was cut off from things for a bit there, and I did take on young Lydia here. So I¡¯m wondering whether or not you might know of any interesting going ons nearby, the sort of thing where I can have a bit of fun while introducing the dear to the wider world as it were.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let me think¡­¡± Leslie requested, her eyes taking on a gleam as she looked between him and his companion once more.


    (Greed: She¡¯s trying to figure out how best to profit from this.)


    (Envy: How best to take advantage of the chaos we¡¯ll create¡­)


    (Lust: The entertainment we¡¯ll provide~)


    ¡°Well, if we limit things to the nearby districts¡­ All of Wrath is getting ready for the Grand Assassin Games.¡± The gossip told him.


    ¡°Assassin Games?¡± He inquired, thinking about the death game he¡¯d been offered by the Contracting Consortium earlier in the day.


    ¡°Oh, not the bland old Assassin Games they hold every year, but the Grand Assassin Games!¡± Leslie clarified. ¡°Every district of Wrath will be involved in one way or another in these.¡±


    ¡°Even Ira Invidia?¡± Lydia asked, a conflicted -and (hideous)- frown on her face.


    Leslie stiffened as her eyes darted to him, for some reason.


    (Gluttony: She¡¯s scared~)


    Slowly the seamstress relaxed before answering that, ¡°Yes, even Ira Invidia. Ever since the Kings of Sin sealed it off, they¡¯ve opened it for the Grand Assassin Games as a sort of ¡®Who¡¯s the best killer¡¯ with whoever kills the most nazis and racists winning that round.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Jolly good fun that!¡± He laughed, imagining the chaos in the streets.


    ¡°Ah, yes, that was the one you did best in when you tried the games back in the day isn¡¯t it?¡± Leslie noted.


    ¡°You were in these Games?¡± Lydia asked him, a question that he had as well.


    (Gluttony: If it let us kill freely why wouldn¡¯t we enter?)


    (Pride: Especially if they¡¯d applaud our name for it.)


    (Wrath: There¡¯s honor in keeping it sporting.)


    ¡°Yes, though all of that was a while back.¡± He admitted, hoping to keep things vague enough to not give himself away.


    ¡°True, you did skip the last few Games and even before then you were participating in fewer and fewer of them.¡± Leslie nodded before giving him a curious look. ¡°Why ever did you fall off? That always seemed like the sort of fun you¡¯d love to have.¡±


    (Sloth: You can grow bored of anything with enough time¡­ Even the things you love.)


    He considered that for a moment, before saying that, ¡°You¡¯re right, it does sound like the sort of fun I¡¯d love to have. In fact, it might be worth entering once more this year, give a proper go of it!¡± He smiled before glancing at his companion. ¡°Why if they have a junior league maybe you¡¯d like to try your hand at it Lydia?¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The young woman gave him a wry grin. ¡°Uh, maybe but¡­ probably not? I mean, I¡¯m still figuring things out and¡­ stuff.¡±


    ¡°Well there are other things you can do in the Wrath districts such as Gluttony¡¯s hunting, or Sloth¡¯s amusement parks.¡± Leslie assured her before glancing his way. ¡°But if none of that sounds to your liking¡­ Invidia Gula is nearby and is always fun in its own way, especially since a lot of Overlords seem to be trying to move in and turn it into their base.¡±


    ¡°Overlords?¡± His eyes narrowed, because that sounded like a rank of some sort.


    ¡°Yes, I thought that would catch your attention.¡± Leslie smiled with all her sharpened teeth. ¡°At least four notable Lords have been seen in the area, building up their power bases. Word is they¡¯re hoping to form a new Sin Cadre!¡±


    ¡°Interesting¡­¡±


    (Pride: If only because of how many questions that leaves us.)


    ¡°Very much so.¡± Leslie agreed, before noticing Lydia watching them with confusion. ¡°Ah, an Overlord is a Greater Demon. A sinner who has gained enough power that at least one of the Sins has acknowledged them as a Lord of the territory they hold. So long as they can hold it at least.¡±


    ¡°The sort of people who make for great friends and foes alike.¡± He nodded.


    ¡°Often both.¡± The seamstress laughed while giving him an amused look.


    (Were we an Overlord?) He wondered.


    (Pride: Of course we were.)


    (Sloth: Sounds like a lot of work.)


    (Envy: None of us are going to actually remember.)


    (Lust: Or maybe she¡¯s an Overlord?)


    ¡°Regardless it is something I¡¯ll have to look into at some point, but¡­¡± He trailed off trying to think of how best to word this.


    Leslie¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°But that feels more like work than anything else.¡± He tried to explain, while covering for his general lack of knowledge. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me wrong I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be entertaining in its own way, but I was hoping for something more unique than the same old, same old. I mean, how many Overlords have popped up over the years, how many Assassin Games have there been?¡±


    The gossip¡¯s eyes narrowed in thought.


    (Lust: Tch. She can tell we¡¯re acting out of character.)


    (Sloth: Told you this was going to be a garbage fire.)


    (Lust: No, no. I know how to salvage this, just tell her that) ¡°If I¡¯m going to retake the stage then I need to be something people haven¡¯t seen from me before.¡± He spun on his heels and spread his arms wide. ¡°Something new, something unexpected! A whole new show to leave them gaping!¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Leslie nodded slowly, the edges of her smile twitching.


    (Greed: This is harder for her to spin a profit on.)


    (Pride: She was hoping we¡¯d stick to our existing reputation.)


    (Envy: That way it¡¯d be easier for her to use us.)


    (Lust: Don¡¯t worry, I know our friend won¡¯t risk disappointing us~)


    The seamstress took a deep breath before nodding once more. ¡°In that case you may want to take a look around the Sloth districts. There¡¯s word of one of the Royals doing something down that way, but I¡¯ve no idea what it is or where. Perhaps it¡¯s the sort of thing you¡¯re looking for¡­ Though I will admit it¡¯d be a bit disappointing if you went that route.¡±


    ¡°Disappointing?¡± He tilted his head. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve so many fans.¡± Leslie explained, running a finger on the counter as she refused to look his way. ¡°A reputation built on nearly a hundred years of work, and while I¡¯m sure a new performance could be interesting, you¡¯d be going against all those who follow your work ever so closely.¡±


    ¡°Such as yourself?¡± He grinned.


    The seamstress met his eyes with a coy grin. ¡°Such as myself.¡±


    (Pride: Well, we can¡¯t disappoint one of our fans~)


    (Envy: She¡¯s manipulating you¡­)


    (Pride: Is it manipulation if I allow it to happen?)


    (Greed: Conman doesn¡¯t care as long as you hand over your wallet.)


    (Gluttony: Neither does the beast as long as it gets to feast.)


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a point worth considering.¡± He conceded, if in word only. ¡°Though if I were to go with something more classic to my style I might need to take a bit more time to make sure my return is properly spectacular.¡± (Time that I can use to try out those other contracts I have Hemingway holding for me and build up a little more power.)


    ¡°Oh, I completely understand.¡± Leslie assured him, her smile losing all tenseness. ¡°After so long away you¡¯ll need to make a proper splash to take over the rumor mill.¡±


    ¡°That I will.¡± He agreed, before turning towards Lydia who¡¯d been quiet for a moment. ¡°Though I do believe I have other more immediate priorities.¡±


    ¡°Of course, of course.¡± The seamstress nodded with raised hands. ¡°After all, what is more classically you than bringing forth the¡­ monstrous potential within those you take under your wing.¡±


    (Envy: There¡¯s something about the way she said that¡­)


    (Gluttony: She understands that civility is merely a mask for the Beasts that HuNgEr~)


    ¡°Very good.¡± He nodded back before making his way towards the exit. ¡°Come along Lydia, we¡¯ve had a busy day and we¡¯ve plans to make for our next.¡±


    ¡°Uh, r-right.¡± His young companion called as she followed him onto the street, after taking a brief moment to thank their host.


    ¡°So what do think?¡± He asked her, as much as himself.


    (Pride: We¡¯ve a reputation to maintain, but also one to grow. So long as we learn and excel -which we, of course, shall- nothing else matters.)


    (Greed: There¡¯s opportunities a plenty. The Games likely have a prize, and that thing with the Royal might be an opportunity, but we¡¯re also a bit low on funds after all our spending today. Overlords probably aren¡¯t worth the investment right now though.)


    (Lust: Games, royals, overlords, and contracts! So many new friends to make~)


    (Envy: Contracting is power, beyond that we don¡¯t have the memories to know which way to go. Royals and Overlords are probably the same thing, and a killing game¡­ A monster like us would be good at that sort of thing.)


    (Gluttony: Let¡¯s play the killing game, or hunt for those big fish in the little pond. The bourgeois and the contracts will fatten until we¡¯re ready to hunt them too.)


    (Wrath: There¡¯s honor in sport. Though leaving the Overlords alone could be dangerous¡­)


    (Sloth: All of this is going to be so much work¡­ We need more minions to do it for us.)


    ¡°You¡­ want to know what I want to do?¡± Lydia carefully asked, unaware of all the thoughts convening in his own mind.


    ¡°Of course!¡± He smiled. ¡°After all, you¡¯ll be by my side whatever we decide to do, I assume?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah.¡± Lydia nodded, before taking a moment to think to herself and eventually telling him that, ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think I know enough about everything out here to be making a decision on this kind of thing.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, but which of our paths sounds more interesting: Assassins, Royals, or Overlords? Or if you want more time to think it over I could chip away at another contract or two?¡± He wondered. ¡°As I told Leslie inside, I need something fresh and exciting to make a proper comeback! Something to tell everyone that the Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbit is back!¡±


    His young companion was quiet for another moment. ¡°If¡­ If you want to make the most of this after being gone for¡­ however long, then you should probably do some more scouting? You know, get a better idea of what¡¯s going on while you were gone.¡±


    (Pride: Knowledge is power, and we¡¯re unfortunately lacking both at the moment.)


    ¡°True.¡± He admitted. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to blow my chance because I was impatient, and I really don¡¯t know how things have changed since¡­ my time away. Though if I¡¯m too hesitant I might let more opportunities slip through my fingers than the ones I gain¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ve only been out of Ira Invidia for a day. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ve got a bit of time before any of that stuff she was talking about comes to a head.¡± Lydia shrugged, her hands in her pockets.


    ¡°Another valid point my dear.¡± He nodded, his eyes drifting towards the sky that while still visible had dimmed a fair amount since they¡¯d set out that morning. ¡°Given the apparently late hour, let¡¯s find something to eat before taking the night to think it over and reconvening in the morning.¡± He remembered something. ¡°After making sure they fixed my accounts at the consortium of course.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, probably can¡¯t do much if your stuff is still shut down.¡± Lydia agreed.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry there¡¯s still plenty I can do even if short on money.¡± He assured his companion with a smile full of fangs.

 Memories Of A Monster: Clothes Make The Man

    Memories Of A Monster: Clothes Make The Man


    --- Booker, Past ---


    As he stood there, the tailor walking around him talking about this and that in such a way that he barely understood half of it he found himself thinking about clothing. Not the clothing he was receiving but the clothing that he¡¯d seen and worn over the years.


    Like most people -especially his people- he only really had a single set of clothes for the day to day. And given his family¡¯s poorer stature, he didn¡¯t even have the Sunday best that many others wore to church or other special occasions.


    Not that he faulted his mama or grandad for that, he understood why things were so¡­ difficult for them, and why they lived the life they did, but¡­ He wanted more, not just for him but for them as well.


    Sure grandad had passed but¡­ (By the time I¡¯m through I¡¯ll make sure that mama has more dresses than even Emilia¡­)


    Of course, if things went the way he wished -even though he knew why they wouldn¡¯t- he¡¯d be giving her just as many dresses, (and flowers, and sweets, and everything else she risks just by talking to me¡­)


    He¡¯d always felt self conscious about the difference in their clothes, not when they were younger, but as the years dragged on. He noted the patches and holes in his own hand-me-down clothing so different from the elegant put together styles of her made just for her clothing. A constant reminder of the differences between their stations¡­


    (Stations that I will be bridging.) He¡¯d worked hard to make it this far, to save up what scraps he could to come all the way out here and perhaps he was wasting some of his money on making arguably the finest clothing he¡¯d ever owned but (I need to make a good impression with the college.)


    It was something he¡¯d picked up from watching people of all walks as he had since realizing he was¡­ an outlier from the norms of his peers. Clothes weren¡¯t just to keep one socially decent, or warm during the colder months, they could also aid in one¡¯s actual work or function as a status symbol of sorts with the people around him.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Just from what he¡¯d with Emilia¡¯s father and the way the man¡¯s face twitched ever so slightly when looking at those who wore clearly inferior clothing -regardless of the paleness of their skin- he knew there was a social element there that could make things easier for him when dealing with others.


    Which is why he was having clothes tailored for the specific purpose of looking his best, that way he¡¯d gain an advantage when charming his way into the college and maybe convincing a club or two to let him work there when his current funds began to run low. (No, I should look for work as soon as I can. Mama is going to need me to send something to help her with both me and grandad gone¡­)


    And should he be unable to find work in the upper side of african society, be it a musician or a simple shopkeep, then he¡¯d just have to make use of the work clothes he wore now to help him get a more labor based profession. (And should all of that fail, perhaps I can make something work with my hunting skills.)


    He was a bit far from the forest and swamplands his grandad had taught him to hunt in but the local terrain was close enough that he thought he could make it work if he had to. (In the end all that matters is taking care of mama like grandad told me.)


    Admittedly, he felt a bit guilty running off to the big city like this but he was sure there was opportunity here both for profit and to let him become a man that could take care of the people important to him. To give them the lives they deserved.


    They¡¯d been there for him in his darkest hours, which meant they deserved the world. (And I will give it to them.)


    ¡°So what do you think?¡± The tailor asked as he stepped away from Booker. ¡°It might not be my best work but it¡¯s definitely better than you¡¯ll find anywhere else in the Trem¨¦.¡±


    He looked himself over in the mirror, standing there nearly grown at fifteen years old in a simple black suit and vest he found he looked far better than he ever thought he would. (Far better than any of the boys from back home at least.)


    It wouldn¡¯t be nearly enough to actually get him to his goals, but he had no doubt that the clothes would be a massive boon. Enough so that it had him recalling one of the articles Emilia had slipped him from the North American Review a few months before he¡¯d left, admittedly one that had played a large influence in his decision to risk his finances on this outfit.


    He nodded at his reflection as he thought of Czars, humanity, and the influence one held over the other, before telling the tailor, ¡°I think clothes make the man and naked people have little influence on society.¡±

 Memories Of A Monster: Stage Fright

    Memories Of A Monster: Stage Fright


    --- Booker, Past ---


    His heart pounded in his chest as he stood off to the side, he hadn¡¯t even stepped foot on it, yet his nerves continued to eat away at him as he waited.


    While he had secured his work at a bookshop -an irony with his name- granting him all that he could read in between customers and a pay he could use for his tuition -something far more expensive than he¡¯d been expecting- it didn¡¯t leave him with much to send back to his mama.


    It had taken him some work, and charming a few people when his associates dragged him out for drinks he refused to partake in so long as they¡¯d drain the money he could send his mother, but he¡¯d finally convinced one of the local bands to give him a chance. If only because their actual singer was running late and those present were growing bored.


    Admittedly the pay wasn¡¯t much, but it was a chance for something he could easily maintain even with him attending university and working at the bookshop. Whatsmore after so many nights listening to the band''s play, his mind kept drifting back to when he¡¯d first seen a true live musician and he¡¯d wanted that. A childish dream maybe but one that he¡¯d finally be fulfilling with someone other than Emilia and with an audience beyond his mama.


    That thought, those memories, were enough to slowly steady his heart.


    ¡°You doing okay kid?¡± One of the band members asked.


    He took a deep breath before nodding. ¡°Yeah, just¡­ nerves I suppose, I¡¯ve never played for a crowd this large.¡±


    ¡°But you have played before?¡± The band member checked for the umpteenth time.


    ¡°Yes. A¡­ friend taught me how to play piano and I¡¯ve been singing for years.¡± He confirmed for the same number.


    ¡°Well, a crowd isn¡¯t the same as playing for your friends and family, but at the very least no one is expecting you to be Mozart out there.¡± The band member assured him. ¡°Though if you tried playing him, they¡¯d probably start a riot since that¡¯s not what they¡¯re here for. You do know the kind of thing people are after, right?¡±


    ¡°Ragtime or that one style that¡¯s been catching on, uh, Jazz, I believe it¡¯s being called.¡± Which one the crowd was filling would probably change as the night dragged on.


    ¡°Good.¡± The band member nodded before taking a look around the club and letting out a sigh. ¡°Damn. No offense kid but I was kind of hoping Richie would¡¯ve gotten here by now.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± He assured the man. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯d rather be playing with your friend than with some stranger you just met.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Yeah, but the boss likes you so we¡¯ll give you a chance.¡± The band member promised. ¡°Normally we¡¯d all agree on a song to play, but since you¡¯re both our singer and our pianist you¡¯ll be taking the lead. Since it¡¯s your first time playing, just pick whatever you can play and we¡¯ll follow along.¡±


    ¡°Is that wise?¡± He wondered with a frown. ¡°What if you don¡¯t know the song I play?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry kid, as long as you don¡¯t try anything too fancy I doubt you know anything we don¡¯t. And even if you did, the boys and I can play it by ear if we have to.¡± The band member explained. ¡°Either way, as long as the boss man likes what you play you¡¯ll get paid at the end of the night.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± That was important, arguably more so than getting to play given his situation, (but¡­) His eyes drifted across the club goers, most of them looking bored at their tables as they nursed their drinks.


    ¡°Looking like we should get started then.¡± The band member told him with a pat on his shoulder.


    ¡°R-right¡­¡± He repeated, not sure what else he could say as his heart began to once more pound in his chest and he found his legs refusing to move.


    ¡°You coming or not kid?¡± The band member asked when he realized Booker wasn¡¯t following.


    (I need to do this.) He told himself before nodding and taking his first steps. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Once he sat at the club piano he glanced once more at the crowd watching boredly, a few of them shifting to give him at least a semblance of interest as they realized he wasn¡¯t the usual player here.


    He swallowed before turning back to the piano and placing his fingers on the keys as he decided on what song to play. Only to find his usually overactive mind going blank, every piece of music he knew slipping out of memory and leaving him with nothing to play.


    ¡°Kid?¡± Nearest musician whispered after a moment. ¡°Play something.¡±


    (But what do I play?) He wondered, his pounding heart growing desperate to escape his chest.


    ¡°I knew this was a bad idea¡­¡± One of the others grumbled, audible only because of how close they all were.


    (Come on, you¡¯ve played before for your mama and Emilia both. Why are you panicking now?!) He asked himself as he closed his eyes and tried to forget about the people watching him.


    For a moment he wondered what they¡¯d think, seeing him freeze like this at a task he¡¯d accomplished a hundred times. (Am I really going to fail so easily?)


    He thought about everything he¡¯d fail to accomplish if he froze here. He¡¯d fail his performance. He¡¯d fail to take care of his mama. He¡¯d fail to be with Emilia. He¡¯d fail to-


    (No.) He growled to himself (No, I will not fail!)


    He pressed all of his fingers down on the keys, a discordant note that was more to vent his rage than to actually play, something that had all of the musicians on stage wincing. Not that he let that stop him as his fingers began to dance along the keys, not to any particular song but just to whatever sound felt good, felt alive.


    Eventually the band began to follow his lead even if they very clearly had no idea what song he was playing. Somehow this chaotic sound, so very different from what others would perform, caught the interest of the audience, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile as he reveled in the chaos and began to sing whatever words came to mind.

 First Infernal Contract: The Ashes That Remain, And What Rises

    First Infernal Contract: The Ashes That Remain, And What Rises


    --- Malcolm ¡°Bugsby¡± Morgan ---


    (Every step echoed around him in beat with his pounding heart as he followed the man into the darkness below.


    The man¡¯s face smiled, teeth all pointed as he explained what he¡¯d been working on, what he¡¯d been helping the man to do.


    His stomach rolled with every word as the edges of his vision slowly blurred, and his insides hollowed themselves out.


    They stepped into the room, the graveyard filled with coffins, a blonde girl laying in front of them looking so much like his sister. The reason he hadn¡¯t been able to turn her away when she tried to befriend him¡­


    Not that that bothered the man, in fact it may have even been the point from what little he understood.


    The man handed him a knife, assured him that they were on the verge of something great, something that he wanted the boy to be a part of.


    His heart echoed throughout his skull as he looked down at the blade, his eyes slowly drifting to the girl he¡¯d thought of as a new friend, before drifting to the metal coffins.


    The revelation was slow, something his mind actively refused to comprehend, but it was something that he had to¡­ So eventually he did.


    Over the last few years every friend he made disappeared, he¡¯d always thought it was just them getting sick of ¡®the freak¡¯, but no¡­


    His eyes fell on the man, the man who meant so much to him, the man who was all he had now that his mom and sister were gone¡­


    The man who was a monster¡­


    If he didn¡¯t do anything the girl would die¡­ There was no arguing that fact.


    If he did something the man would¡­


    His hand tightened around the blade, as he thought about his mom and sister, wondering what they¡¯d say if they saw the man now¡­


    Then he thought, (I wish they hadn¡¯t died¡­ this wouldn¡¯t be happening if they didn¡¯t die¡­ If they didn¡¯t dis¡­ appear¡­)


    His eyes shot to the man, feeling so very empty as a thought he really didn¡¯t want to consider flashed through his head.


    The thought that, (is he responsible?)


    A white hand covered in stitchwork wrapped around his hand, as a voice whispered, ¡°You know he is~¡±


    ¡°No¡­ No¡­ He, he can¡¯t be¡­¡± He practically begged.


    ¡°But you know he is~¡± The voice disagreed as a hand gently pushed him forward, until he was standing behind the man fiddling with the magic writings all around the room. ¡°And you know he won¡¯t stop. Not unless¡­¡±


    ¡°Unless?¡± He glanced to his side, and looked at the owner of the voice, a rabbit man with glowing red eyes and stitched together white fur.


    The rabbit smiled a maw as twisted as the man¡¯s, ¡°Unless you make him~¡±


    He swallowed as the rabbit wrapped both his hands around the blade and aimed it at the man¡¯s back before stepping away. Leaving him free to drive the blade into the back of his fa-)


    Malcolm shot awake with a scream, his breath coming out in pants as wild eyes looked around the room, slowly taking in the fact that he wasn¡¯t in that basement anymore. (It was just a dream¡­ Just a nightmare¡­)


    He fell back and stared up at the ceiling, just as he had every other time he¡¯d had that nightmare. The same nightmare that had been haunting him for the last year¡­


    Knowing that he wasn¡¯t going to be able to sleep he went ahead and rolled out of bed before making his way towards the kitchen, figuring he might as well try to get a start on the day.


    The halls of his home were covered in photos of his family, duct tape on all of them blocking out everyone other than his mom and sister. A faint layer of dust hung over all of the furniture, bits that somehow always went amiss when he tried to keep everything as clean as his mom used to.


    Breakfast was¡­ edible if a half burnt affair of eggs and toast that had him missing the meals prepared by his mom or da-


    Dumping what was left on his plate, he checked his phone to see he still had a few hours before school. So with more time to kill than he cared for he went ahead and went to the workshop room that used to belong to his mom. The walls lined in cartoonish characters that he¡¯d taped over and fabrics of all kind.


    Some of which -of the appropriate color- he gathered together alongside some cotton, before wrapping it around the cotton and stitching it all together by hand. A process he¡¯d grown extremely familiar with after his therapist had suggested he get a hobby and he went for the one thing both of his par-


    He stabbed his hand with the needle.


    (Deep breaths. Countdown from ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One¡­) He exhaled, before grabbing a small patch of cloth and gluinging it on top of the stuffed animal that he¡¯d designed in the shape of Bugsby the bear.


    With the doll as finished as it was going to get he picked it up, took it to the fireplace, and doused it in lighter fluid before setting the thing on fire.


    He watched the bear burn, wishing he could burn the actual mascot that reminded him of that night and everything else involved in it.


    When the doll was more cinder and ash than fabric he went ahead and turned his back on the mascot before going to his computer and getting started on his schoolwork. The home schooling program was fairly easy to knock out given how ¡®work at your own pace¡¯ meant no busy work to make sure you memorize the subject.


    Enough so that after just three months in the program he was already a year ahead on his course work, far faster than he¡¯d managed in actual school. Especially with how everyone looked at him once it came out that his da-


    He turned the computer off and saw that his phone had a message from one of the only two people who called him. Or at least one of the only two he hadn¡¯t blocked for trying to get an exclusive inter-


    The voice message started playing, ¡°Hey, kid. Hope you¡¯re doing alright. I know I said I was coming by today, but some things came up with the company and I¡¯ll have to push it back a few days. Sorry. And while I¡¯d prefer to talk to you, I get why you¡¯re not answering the phone. I uh, I talked with your therapist and she says you''re making progress and to just give you space as long as you need it. So, uh, I guess just let me know if you need anything. I know you¡¯re pretty self-sufficient but I still feel weird leaving a kid your age alone so much. So just, call me, I guess¡­¡±


    He took another breath, before deleting the message that was basically the same that he¡¯d gotten every few days from his ¡®uncle¡¯. The man being his legal guardian more due to him refusing to leave his home and knowing his family had enough money that his ¡®uncle¡¯ could claim guardianship even if the man wasn¡¯t actually related to him.


    The fact the man hadn¡¯t just run off with all of his family¡¯s money was enough of a reason for him to put up with the man. Even if it did mean he had to make weekly visits to a therapist. (Thinking of¡­)


    He checked the time before gathering his things and calling a ride service.


    If it was up to him he wouldn¡¯t be bothering with any of this but it was one of the conditions for his ¡®uncle¡¯ to let him stay in his family¡¯s home.


    The trip there was quiet, the driver eyeing him on and off throughout the trip as if trying to place where he¡¯d seen Malcolm before. A downside of not taking his ¡®uncle¡¯ up on the offer to move to another town, one where his name wasn¡¯t tied to¡­ things.


    As always the therapist he saw had a relatively empty waiting room full of toys of all kinds. The town not really seeing the value of a child psychiatrist, outside of the police occasionally calling them in to help with children, similar to how she¡¯d been called in to help with him back when¡­ things happened.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The secretary didn¡¯t really say anything to him, the lady he never bothered to learn the name of knowing it was best to just leave him be. Which is why she didn¡¯t say anything even as he walked into Dr. Clearwater¡¯s office without so much as a knock.


    He didn¡¯t feel up to sitting in a room full of halloween decorations trying to make the place semi-festive for the few kids that did regularly see the doc.


    ¡°You do know it¡¯s polite to knock, yes?¡± His therapist asked without turning to look at him as he went ahead and flopped on her couch.


    ¡°Why bother? We both know I¡¯m your only client today.¡± That particular service was why he offered to pay her triple her normal rates, not wanting to risk the possibility of her business picking up because she¡¯d taken on the most infamous teen in town as a client.


    The good doctor just sighed before getting up from her desk and moving to her actual therapist seat. ¡°So I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re having another one of your ¡®episodes¡¯?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not an episode.¡± (If anything it¡¯s an entire season given how long this has lasted¡­)


    ¡°Are you still taking the meds we talked about?¡± Dr. Clearwater checked, like she did every visit after his ¡®uncle¡¯ told her he wasn¡¯t taking them.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He answered, not elaborating that he was taking them and tossing them given how much worse they made his insomnia which in turn made the night terrors even worse when he did manage to sleep.


    The doctor stared at him for a moment, trying to determine whether or not he was lying, before eventually admitting, ¡°It makes sense you¡¯re feeling the way you are, given what¡¯s coming up soon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± He scoffed, not wanting to admit that tonight was the night of the anniversary. The anniversary she was thinking of being the anniversary of when he made everything so much worse.


    ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡± She asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡± (But you¡¯re probably going to make me¡­)


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about how bottling up your feelings won¡¯t help you¡­¡± Dr. Clearwater reminded him.


    ¡°I remember, and I am working on a creative outlet.¡± He reminded her.


    ¡°Right, your dolls¡­¡± The Doctor clearly wanted to say something else there, his ¡®uncle¡¯ likely having snitched on what he did with those dolls, but luckily for him she was apparently choosing her battles today. ¡°How is your schoolwork going?¡±


    ¡°Good. Already a whole year ahead of where I should be.¡± Give him another year and he could probably graduate if he wanted.


    ¡°Perhaps, though I do feel like you¡¯re still missing out on some important aspects of going to high school.¡± Clearwater confessed.


    He gave the woman a pointed look. ¡°Like being stared at as everyone wonders just how much I knew about what he was doing? About how far the apple really fell?¡±


    ¡°We both know you¡¯re nothing like¡­ him.¡± Clearwater frowned, knowing how he¡¯d react if his¡­ relationship with that man was brought up in any real detail.


    ¡°Maybe, but no one thought the founder of the best arcade in town was a monster.¡± He pointed out with a sarcastic smile. ¡°If that was all a con, then maybe I¡¯m conning everyone too?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not.¡± The doctor told him in a tone that rejected any argument. ¡°If not for you none of those families would¡¯ve known what happened to their kids, Malcolm.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The fact that he¡¯d been trying to cover things up and screwed the whole thing up was a detail he¡¯d be taking to his grave. (At least I managed to hide his coffin¡­) ¡°Well, everyone thinking he¡¯s still out there doesn¡¯t help anything¡­¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t?¡± Clearwater asked, her tone carefully neutral.


    (Fuck¡­) He should¡¯ve kept his mouth shut, he swallowed trying to think of something he could say without digging the knife too deep, before stuttering out that, ¡°If¡­ if he was alive he¡¯d¡­ he¡¯d find me¡­ but with the blood they found¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re convinced he¡¯s dead, that he didn¡¯t abandon you.¡± Clearwater realized with a mix of pity and sympathy that disgusted him, if only because (I don¡¯t deserve that¡­)


    He took a deep breath before letting it out. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡­ He¡¯s gone, and I¡¯m being blamed for his mess¡­¡±


    The doctor was quiet for a moment, letting him find his mental footing again, before telling him, ¡°Things are¡­ they¡¯re going to become more difficult the closer we get to the anniversary of¡­ everything. Especially given your¡­ lack of closure.¡±


    ¡°You never know, it could be easier.¡± He shrugged, thinking that as hard as today was, it wasn''t his¡­ worst day.


    His fingers ran over the bandage he kept wrapped around his hand.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯re at risk of¡­¡± Clearwater trailed off, having caught the gesture.


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t hurt myself again. It was a one time thing¡­¡± (After all, it didn¡¯t help get rid of the stupid mark¡­)


    ¡°You know you have people here for you if you need us, right?¡± Dr. Clearwater made sure. ¡°You can call any of us if you need help.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He assured her, despite knowing that that was bullshit, they told him because they were worried about him and of those people he had the doctor who he paid to care, his ¡®uncle¡¯ who made money by being his guardian, and¡­


    His fingers dug into the mark on his hand.


    The people who cared about him without wanting something for themselves were all dead and buried.


    Even if the rest of the session went nowhere fast, it did start several thoughts bubbling inside of his head. Bad thoughts that he¡¯d be an idiot to even truly consider, but¡­ (I¡¯ve more than proven I am an idiot¡­)


    Given how there wasn¡¯t really anyone in his life to stop him, he waited until nightfall before leaving his house, the ride service taking him out to an old building with all of the lights turned off. The place having been long since shut down after everything that was discovered about the building.


    ¡°This some kind of Halloween dare or something?¡± The driver asked when they realized where they were dropping him off. ¡°You¡¯ve got friends or something meeting you here? Cause with this place¡¯s reputation, not sure I feel right about dumping a kid here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something like that¡­¡± He wanted to ignore the driver, but found that he couldn¡¯t given how much pain he¡¯d already caused because of this place. Enough so that someone was worrying about him without a payment involved, which is why he went ahead and told the driver, ¡°And don¡¯t worry I am meeting someone here.¡±


    ¡°Alright, if you¡¯re sure, kid.¡± The driver shrugged, what little care he had for a stranger now spent.


    The easy dismissal left him feeling cold even as he waved the driver off.


    With a deep breath he counted to ten before turning back to the building, his eyes immediately locking onto the depowered image of a bear mascot smiling at the world, uncaring of the things it had covered up, the children it had helped lure to their demise.


    He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and went to the front door, part of him wanting to stall this even if he was determined to do it.


    Of course, the keys proved worthless when he found the lock to the place had been broken already, leaving the door unlocked.


    Thinking about what the driver had said about Halloween dares, he really hoped he wasn¡¯t going to find anyone in here tonight. Not actually caring about how vandalized the place was otherwise.


    Because it was vandalized. Graffiti, trash, and broken glass were all over the floor, several of the abandoned games having been further broken or outright toppled after the arcade failed to retain enough business to stay open in the wake of everything coming out.


    The only reason the franchise itself wasn¡¯t dead was because of opening arcades in other towns outside of Gravesfield. Places that were far enough away to not connect the arcades to a serial killer when they had their own problems to deal with.


    Even with him stalling, and taking the time to let his mind drift to bittersweet memories about all of the games he¡¯d played here over the years, he still found his way to the infamous wonder workshop where both dreams and nightmares had come to life.


    The workshop had been mostly cleared out, more thoroughly so than the rest of the arcade his ¡®uncle¡¯ still hoped to one day reopen due to some vain sentimentality. The only things that still remained were the animatronics that had been cleared after ¡®Bugsby¡¯s¡¯ darkest secret was discovered.


    With a deep breath he made his way towards the wall that once hid the basement that would become publicly known as ¡®Morgan¡¯s Morgue¡¯. And much like he had years ago when the police had begun pressing him for his father¡¯s whereabouts after his disappearance he opened the basement that was better left sealed.


    Only unlike last time where he accidentally led the police here though, he knew he was alone tonight and that only he was going to know what happened here.


    He stared down the stairs and into the dark abyss that he¡¯d personally entered exactly three times before, the sight having been the center of more than one of the night terrors that had haunted him since that night.


    With a deep breath, he decided that, (It¡¯s time to get closure.) and started down the steps.


    The basement had long since been cleared out by the police, the ritual circles on the ground having been scraped and scuffed into near oblivion, and the metal coffins all gone.


    His eyes drifted towards a segment of wall, one that was covered in hasty script written in his own blood, before deciding that that door was going to remain sealed alongside all of the salt he¡¯d dumped in there.


    Instead he looked down at the dried bloodstains on the floor before steeling himself and undoing the bandages on his hand.


    The back of his hand was still scared from where he¡¯d tried to mangle the flesh, but that did nothing to damage the mark of two rabbits, one horned, chasing each other in a circle and bound by chains.


    Remembering lessons he wanted to forget, he began to pull on the power around him, the magic that still lingered in this room, forever stained by death. A power he pushed into the mark on his hand as he did something arguably stupider than when he¡¯d panicked and led the police to the scene of all these crimes.


    The mark on his hand began to burn as the power within it built up, before reaching a point he could no longer contain as his fingers were forced apart and he shoved the power forward.


    In a surge of red light born of both crimson cinders and scarlet electricity, a humanoid figure appeared before him looking exactly as it had a year ago. The same red and black suit, the same stitched together white fur, the same rabid red eyes, and the same terrifying maw full of fangs. All of it the same as if not even a day had passed for the Demon in front of him.


    ¡°My, my it has been some time, my boy, hasn¡¯t it?¡± The Demon smiled.

 Episode 3: Prologue

    Episode 3: Prologue


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°I do apologize my good sir but do care to repeat that?¡± He snarled as he grasped the little imp by the throat and slammed him into the wall.


    The terrified little red man stuttered and wheezed, unable to repeat what he¡¯d just told Booker.


    (Envy: Killing the messenger is in poor taste.)


    (Gluttony: Debatable.)


    (Sloth: Less so when it means putting the work in to find someone willing to talk to us.)


    (Greed: No. No. No. No! This little blighter just told us he lost all of our contracts. All of our deals. AlL oF OuR mOnEY!!!)


    (Wrath: Of which he had no realistic control.)


    (Envy: Given what we know it was likely caused by whatever shattered our mind. Scars that reach soul deep if you will.)


    (Pride: Which just makes me all the more curious of what could¡¯ve done this to us.)


    (Lust: Does it really matter if we¡¯ve lost everything?)


    (Greed: Yes?!)


    (Lust: But this is our chance to start over! To reinvent ourselves into something even greater than what we were!)


    (Pride: Ooh, I like the sound of that.)


    (Sloth: It sounds like a lot of work¡­)


    (Envy: We¡¯ll just end up being the monster we always were.)


    (Gluttony: The monster we are you mean?)


    (Lust: Eh, fake it until you make it¡­ Also I don¡¯t think Hemingway can breathe right now.)


    He shook his head clear, before lightly pressing up on the Consortium Manager¡¯s chin and releasing him.


    With the voices in his head silent for the moment he took a deep breath before letting it out and turning to Hemingway, feet three feet from the ground and his body held up by the horns currently stuck into the wall.


    ¡°You know what? I think I¡¯ll accept this challenge amicably.¡± He decided as he straightened out his crimson suit.


    One of Hemingway¡¯s eyes opened through the pain the imp was clearly in. ¡°R-really sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Why this isn¡¯t a setback, this is simply an opportunity to build myself back up to compare myself to the me of yesteryear and see just how long it takes me to become a self-made man once more!¡± He grinned, quite enjoying that idea.


    (Greed: We¡¯re really letting him off this easy?!)


    (Oh, no! Of course not!) He chuckled to himself. ¡°And the first opportunity will of course be with those lovely contracts you found me the other day¡­ Though I will admit I¡¯m not quite feeling up to collecting them after so much emotional turmoil today. You understand?¡±


    Hemingway swallowed before nodding, or at least trying to. ¡°O-of course sir. We¡¯ll¡­ we¡¯ll keep the Contracts reserved and in stasis for¡­ for as long as you desire¡­ all expenses paid. Sir¡­¡±


    (Greed: That¡¯s no different than what we were already getting! I want more!)


    He tapped a claw to his many fangs before asking, ¡°And should any other contracts come up that I may be interested in?¡±


    The Consortium Manger¡¯s face twisted around a smile that was clearly forced. ¡°We¡¯ll¡­ we¡¯ll reserve those as well¡­ sir¡­¡±


    ¡°Jolly good show old boy.¡± Booker smiled, before giving the little man a head pat that did nothing to dislodge him from his place on the wall.


    (Greed: Well it¡¯s something at least¡­)


    With his business here done for the time being he made his way out of the consortium hall and towards where young Lydia had chosen to attend to her own bit of business of selling off the various goods they¡¯d raided from the Smiling Man¡¯s abode.


    The shopping district that they¡¯d been to the day prior was just as busy as before, a number of shops showing off their wares. Guards hired from the locals gangs keeping everyone -themselves included- from stealing in exchange for their security payments.


    He briefly considered tracking down his companion, hoping that with his assistance at least one of them would be able to earn a profit this day.


    (Sloth: Don¡¯t. The point of minions is for them to give us less work not more.)


    (Greed: She needs to prove she¡¯s worth our continued investment.)


    With little else to do he pulled out the Bone Charm he¡¯d purchased during his little shopping trip, and began working his magic through the circular foci.


    (Gluttony: The guards are watching us.)


    (Sloth: Remember, as long as we don¡¯t start anything they won¡¯t either.)


    Dismissing the security as a non-threat, he turned his attention back to the charm, testing it. Seeing how much he could actually do with it, as his magic flowed through the black markings.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    (Envy: You can feel it in your bones can¡¯t you? The way calls on our magic to fill a void within it. All while flavoring it death and darkness, a curse upon those who we touch with it. A hex to make them pay for every sin they¡¯ve committed as vengeance is paid, blood for blood and eye for eye.)


    He couldn¡¯t help but grin at that imagery, bits of black electricity dancing along the charm and his hand.


    (Gluttony: Heads up. The girl approaches.)


    Withdrawing his magic he turned his attention towards Lydia walking up to him with a curious eye. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°A simple magic foci.¡± He answered, because while he could feel its power he got the distinct impression that¡­


    (Envy: Magic is capable of so much more¡­)


    (Sloth: Still she doesn¡¯t know that, and just what we have is enough to keep her following us.)


    He shook his head. ¡°I believe it¡¯ll make a good training tool for a newcomer such as yourself. I simply need to¡­ familiarize myself with one of these. It¡¯s been quite a while since I¡¯ve used one of these after all.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re going to teach me magic?¡± Lydia asked, a certain hunger to her eyes that made him smile.


    ¡°Of course my dear, I just need to figure out how best to teach you with the resources on hand.¡± He explained, buying himself time to learn whatever he was going to teach her.  (All I really know is what I learned from mama but¡­)


    He loved his mother -what could remember of her at least- but something told him that the magick she taught him¡­


    (Envy: It was the work of a hedge mage trying her best.)


    (Greed: She gave us the best she could.)


    (Pride: Which why we¡¯ll do her proud as our teacher.)


    (Quite right!)


    He gave Lydia a smile. ¡°I¡¯ll have you slinging spells in no time at all.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡± Lydia (beautifully) smiled back.


    ¡°For now though we should focus on getting you more acclimated to the world outside of Ira Invidia as we discussed last night.¡± He reminded his companion, before setting off a vague destination in mind.


    ¡°Right.¡± Lydia nodded as she moved to follow, trusting he knew where he was going. (The foolish girl.) ¡°I still don¡¯t have much of an opinion on any of that since I don¡¯t know how things work out here, but I¡¯m up for seeing more of the world now that we¡¯re out of Ira Invidia.¡±


    ¡°As am I!¡± He agreed with a nod of his own.


    ¡°Yeah, so uh, if we¡¯re going to check out those rumors Leslie told us, how are we reaching them?¡± His companion inquired with a wry grin. ¡°I mean, I know they¡¯re supposed to just be a district over but¡­ given how far I¡¯ve walked in Ira Invidia while getting nowhere¡­¡±


    ¡°An understandable question.¡± He admitted, as he considered the matter.


    (Pride: Based on previous experiments, and evidence I¡¯ve been compiling in the background. So long as we have a vague destination in mind it does in fact only take an hour or so to reach said destination regardless of what path we take.)


    (Envy: Meaning somehow everything is under some kind of spatial manipulation¡­ And we don¡¯t have the memories to piece together anything else about it.)


    (Interesting¡­ Then by this merit it should be as simple as thinking about a rumor for us to reach it.) He figured.


    (Pride: That is likely too vague a parameter to properly test.)


    (Envy: Especially when dealing with unknown magic.)


    (Really so simply wandering about and thinking ¡®somewhere interesting¡¯ won¡¯t do anything?)


    (Sloth: Nothing is ever that easy.)


    (Shame.) He noted Lydia watching him curiously. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry too much. You¡¯d be surprised how far you can get in an hour just so long as you¡¯ve a destination in mind.¡± (Or no destination at all.)


    His young companion slumped. ¡°So we¡¯re walking¡­¡±


    ¡°Come now, my dear¡­¡± He tsked at that attitude. ¡°Exercise invigorates the body as well as the mind!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d still prefer to just take a taxi or something.¡± Lydia confessed, her eyes on the street where cars could occasionally be seen driving by.


    He noticed something on the other side of the street. ¡°Hmm, well while it¡¯s not exactly a ¡®taxi¡¯¡± (whatever that is) ¡°there does seem to be a bus on the other side of the street.¡±


    ¡°So we just go wherever their line connects?¡± Lydia (hideously) frowned.


    ¡°Ooh, a mystery!¡± He laughed, happily leaving her frown behind and making his way to the latest curiosity.


    (Pride: As we should!)


    Coming closer to the bus he read a bullet-pocked advertisement on the side, (Infernal Guides, One Hell Of A Tour.)


    ¡°Oh¡­ it¡¯s a tour bus¡­¡± Lydia grimaced, reading the same thing.


    ¡°Perhaps they can give us a tour of the area? Find us something interesting. After all, that is our goal is it not?¡± He smiled, amused by the discomfort she was showing her own idea.


    ¡°Yeah, but tour guides are scams.¡± Lydia pointed out, before gesturing around them. ¡°Especially in a place like this.¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey! We are not a scam!¡± A voice cried from above, drawing their attention to a short red skinned man leaning over the roof of the bus with a cap between his horns. ¡°Why, we are the best guides in all of Infernus! We know this city better than the Morningstar himself!¡±


    ¡°Then why is your bus empty?¡± Lydia scoffed.


    ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s our¡­ union mandated lunch break!¡± The red man explained.


    (Greed: Yeah, he¡¯s lying. This is a business and it¡¯s clearly floundering.)


    ¡°And when praytell will your break end?¡± He asked, more amused by this situation than anything.


    The man blinked. ¡°Uh, why are you asking?¡±


    (Pride: Don¡¯t admit our ignorance. Make it seem like we¡¯re doing this for our young apprentice.)


    ¡°Well, you see my associate here is new to the area as it were and I felt giving her a lay of the land could only prove beneficial. Especially since she¡¯s apparently grown tired of walking everywhere.¡± He underlined, giving the teenager a look. ¡°Unless that¡¯s changed?¡±


    Lydia gave him a dry look back.


    ¡°Oh shit your actual customers!¡± The red man blinked with wide yellow eyes before hopping off the bus and landing in front of them. ¡°Well you are in luck today! Our bus is running a special today and today only! Where we will offer a tour of wherever the fuck you want to go!¡±


    ¡°That is lucky!¡± He grinned.


    (Sloth: Oh, he is desperate for business.)


    (Greed: We can make this work for us.)


    ¡°Well, unluckily we don¡¯t actually know where we want to go. Oh, we¡¯ve a few rumors here and there that might be interesting to chase down but we¡¯ve been having trouble finding anything appropriately¡­ interesting.¡± He explained.


    ¡°Interesting you say?¡± The tour guide rubbed his chin with a growing grin. ¡°Now when you say interesting do you mean ¡®interesting¡¯ or ¡®interesting¡¯?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but grin back. ¡°I¡¯m thinking something interesting.¡±

 Unidentified Sins (I): Beez鈥檈l鈥檚 Infernal Tour Guides

    A/N: Alright, Lore first. (+1 Pride, Pride Level Up. Upgrade Pending.)


    ---


    Unidentified Sins (I): Beez¡¯el¡¯s Infernal Tour Guides


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± The little red man gave them both a once over. ¡°If you want something interesting then I think I¡¯ve got something you might like! Come on!¡±


    Without another word the imp leapt for an open window on the bus before crawling inside, leaving both Booker and his companion to look on.


    ¡°Shall we walk around?¡± He suggested, already moving.


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­¡± Lydia slowly nodded, before shaking her head and following after. ¡°Uh, are you sure this is a good idea?¡±


    ¡°No telling!¡± He admitted with a delighted grin. ¡°That said, it¡¯s not as if he¡¯s an actual threat. At worst this is as you said a scam, and if not then perhaps this will lead to that unique stage I¡¯m looking for?¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡± The teenager drawled, clearly unconvinced.


    Once they reached the actual door to the bus, they watched through it as the imp pulled a lever while seated in the driver''s seat, shuttering the doors open.


    ¡°Welcome to Infernal Guides, where you will be introduced to the hottest spots in all of  Infernus!¡± The imp told them with a delighted flourish. ¡°Watch your steps and let¡¯s get this shit show on the road!¡±


    Stepping onto the bus he found trash all over as well as what looked to be a bundle of dirty laundry piled in the back.


    (Pride: Does¡­ does he live in this bus?)


    (Envy: Some people do what they have to.)


    (Sloth: Or that¡¯s just what they tell themselves¡­)


    He shook his head, before being caught off guard as the bus began to move.


    ¡°Alright, so the place I¡¯ve got in mind is a bit away even by bus, but trust me it will absolutely be worth it or my name isn¡¯t Beez¡¯el Baz¡¯el!¡± Their guide assured them with a confident grin that he couldn¡¯t help but believe.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s¡­ a name¡­¡± Lydia wryly grinned.


    ¡°That it is!¡± Beez¡¯el laughed.


    (Greed: And this is clearly going to be a waste of money.)


    (Pride: Oh, where¡¯s your sense of adventure!)


    (Greed: Back home with my wallet.)


    (Lust: I vote for adventure!)


    (Sloth: As long as it means we aren¡¯t walking I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s a scam or not.)


    (Gluttony: If it is, we can just eat him.)


    (Envy: He hasn¡¯t even asked us for money yet¡­)


    (Greed: If he does, we''re making the kid pay for dragging us into this¡­)


    Thinking of her, Booker noticed his young companion shifting in her seat as she stared at their guide.


    Something Beez¡¯el seemed to notice too, as he took his eyes off the road to turn to his passenger and leaned one arm over his seat. ¡°If you need me to pull over for a bathroom break it¡¯s going to be a minute.¡±


    ¡°Uh, eyes on the road?¡± Lydia said with just a touch of panic.


    ¡°I¡±m not going to hit anything-¡± The entire bus shook as their was a faint screeching. ¡°-else. I¡¯m not going to hit anything else.¡± Beez¡¯el chuckled nervously, eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. ¡°Still if you weren¡¯t a kid I might be offended by the way you¡¯re looking at me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ You know, I¡¯m still not used to seeing people who look like¡­¡± Lydia made a gesture towards their guide.


    Beez¡¯el¡¯s eyes narrowed, hands tensing on the wheel. ¡°Who look like what?¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Lydia winced, clearly realizing her social faux pas. ¡°It¡¯s just you look like a devil you know? I mean, I¡¯ve seen a few people who look like that since¡­ meeting Booker but they never really stuck around and now¡­ I¡¯m wondering if that¡¯s how I¡¯m going to start looking if I spend enough time down here¡­¡±


    Their guide¡¯s face twisted in confusion before Beez¡¯el suddenly broke out in a laugh. ¡°Oh shit! You are fresh meat!¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Lydia blinked, taken aback.


    (Pride: Ah, I see the problem.)


    (What problem?) Booker wondered, a touch confused himself.


    (Gluttony: She thinks he¡¯s like us, but he¡¯s a different beast altogether.)


    ¡°Okay, okay. I know you Hume have got that weird shape shifting shit going on, but you can¡¯t turn into an Inferni no matter how hard you try.¡± Beez¡¯el explained, looking far less tense. ¡°Same for Avaricians, and whatever the fuck the Morningstar is.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ an Inferni?¡± Lydia checked, eyes darting his way.


    Unfortunately, as far as his actual memories went¡­


    (Pride: I¡­ am aware that the Inferni aren¡¯t human, and have several sub-classifications but beyond that¡­)


    (Greed: I¡¯ve got nothing.)


    (Lust: They seem fun.)This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    (Envy: They¡¯re related to magic somehow¡­ can¡¯t remember the how though.)


    (Gluttony: Unlike humans they don¡¯t hide behind a mask of civility.)


    (Wrath: An honorable sort, but one unafraid of violence as a tool.)


    (Sloth: Common minions for everyone.)


    Well, he wouldn¡¯t be relying on his memory. (In fact.) ¡°I feel like it¡¯s better to get that answer from a member of their race rather than an outsider. If you don¡¯t mind Mr. Baz¡¯el?¡±


    ¡°Oh, please call me Beez!¡± Said Inferni preened. ¡°But yeah, if you¡¯re going to find out about Inferni you should hear it from one of us. Alright, where to start¡­¡±


    ¡°The beginning is always a good place.¡± He suggested. ¡°Historically speaking I mean.¡±


    (Pride: We can figure out the biological differences ourselves.)


    (Gluttony: Wonder if they taste like human?)


    ¡°Eh, history ain¡¯t really my thing but¡­¡± Beez¡¯el shrugged, a grin showing he was just glad to be telling the tale. ¡°So, a long fucking time ago Inferni were part of a great society legends greater than you¡¯ll hear anywhere those pompous asshole Avaricians are in charge of, and it was fucking awesome. Then shit got fucked.¡±


    ¡°Um, pardon?¡± He blinked, not quite having expected such crass language.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t done shit yet.¡± Beez¡¯el waved him off clearly misunderstanding. ¡°So anyway, something happened with our home world -no fucking clue what- but it left a ton of us stranded in this hell hole. Or a bunch of hell holes if rumors are true. It was a kick in the teeth yeah, but we Inferni are kick ass enough that we decided we¡¯d just build our kick ass civilization again. And we were on our way to a few villages here and there when the Morningstar fell.¡±


    ¡°The Morningstar?¡± Lydia (hideously) frowned, before her eyes went wide. ¡°Wait, like the devil?!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, ol¡¯ Lucious. Great guy.¡± Beez¡¯el nodded. ¡°Guy got stranded here, confused and out of it after some shit with his asshole family, but he decided to help us out. Really start building somethin¡¯ ya know. And it was slow going but things were going great until uh¡­¡± The Inferni glanced their way. ¡°You guys showed up.¡±


    ¡°Humans are a terrible sort.¡± He nodded in understanding, after all¡­ (Envy: We¡¯re living proof of that¡­)


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re not responsible for the assholes you¡¯re related to. And there are plenty of great humans out there.¡± Beez¡¯el assured him, before mumbling, ¡°Even if you¡¯re all weirdly stiff in the sack.¡±


    ¡°What did humans do?¡± Lydia asked.


    ¡°Hmm, oh, uh¡­ Well, you humans are a little more¡­ magical than us Inferni. I mean we¡¯ve got some, but you guys are like made of the shit.¡± Beez¡¯el answered. ¡°Lucious tried to protect us, but when more and more of you started showing up he couldn¡¯t do it by himself. Got distracted, focused on you guys and ignored the Avaricians when they started popping up. After all, what¡¯s a few dozen birds to a few million Hume?¡±


    The Inferni let out a scoff, his tone gaining more frustration. ¡°By the time he got shit under control those feathered fucks had already tricked us into putting them in charge, because they said they¡¯d protect us like him. Fucked us over bad enough that even when Lucious and the Sins came back, that even with them in charge again things were still shit for the Inferni. Everyone¡¯s boots on our necks.¡±


    (Pride: I get the distinct feeling we¡¯re hearing only one side of this story.)


    (Wrath: We asked him the tale of his people, and from his perspective his people were wronged repeatedly. He¡¯s a right to be angry about that.)


    (Still¡­) ¡°No one should live with a boot on their neck.¡± He told Beez¡¯el, the feeling of phantom chains pulling on him, reminding of¡­ (What?)


    ¡°Yeah.¡± The inferni nodded in agreement, an appreciative glance at Booker¡¯s reflection. ¡°Anyway, moving past all of the heavy shit, we Inferni and some of you Hume eventually reached an understanding. And between your power and the sheer fucking refusal of Inferni to stay down when we get kicked down, we all built this great city together. Don¡¯t get me wrong, there¡¯s still fuckers that try and ruin it for everyone but if we¡¯re honest we¡¯re all assholes deep down inside.¡±


    ¡°A bit crass, but I can¡¯t quite disagree.¡± He admitted.


    ¡°See you get it.¡± Beez¡¯el nodded, with a grin. ¡°Luckily enough though, aside from those Elysian fuckers anyone that tries to fuck around always finds out when the Kings find out. And while it¡¯s rarer whenever the Morningstar comes out of his castle to smack a bitch it is a fucking show.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡± He grinned, knowing full well that sometimes¡­


    (Sloth: You¡¯ve got to put on a proper demonstration.)


    (Wrath: When the innocent are harmed.)


    (Gluttony: When beasts run rampant.)


    (Envy: When the suffering must stop.)


    Off to his side he noticed Lydia was staring off into space with a scrunched up brow, the girl clearly lost in thought about something.


    (Pride: Leave her be. Sometimes you need to process new information. Especially when it requires realigning everything else you know.)


    ¡°Alright, looks like we¡¯re nearly there.¡± Beez¡¯el commented after a few moments of silence.


    ¡°Nearly where?¡± He wondered, looking out the window and not recognizing anything.


    ¡°Okay, well you¡¯re Hume and I know how you fuckers are with magic. And while there¡¯s magic fucking everywhere these days with all that electricity shit you guys made, you guys still love the wilder shit.¡± Their guide explained. ¡°And while I could take you to any old magic place and con you out of some Sin, I saw that smile and just knew you¡¯ve got fangs. You want the real shit you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°Possibly.¡± He thought, finding himself curious.


    ¡°Right, well despite what all those tourist shops and bullshit will tell you, when it comes to magic the real shit ain¡¯t something that can be bought in any old store or studied at any of those fancy schmancy schools.¡± Beez¡¯el scoffed, before giving Booker a proper grin. ¡°But we both know that the interesting stuff can only be found underground, don¡¯t we? Places where the Avarician¡¯s asshole rules aren¡¯t followed and where those pricks wouldn¡¯t be caught dead.¡±


    (Greed: He¡¯s talking about a black market~)


    ¡°That could prove interesting.¡± He agreed, before grimacing. ¡°Though if we¡¯re going to a black market, I doubt my funds are quite good enough to make full use of this opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re broke?¡± The Inferni (horrifically) frowned, as he hit the brake, uncaring of the various horns going off around them as the bus came to a harsh stop.


    (Sloth: He thinks you¡¯re going to stiff him.)


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m ¡®broke¡¯ as you put it. It¡¯s simply that the Contracting Consortium has informed me that the majority of my accounts are currently frozen.¡± He explained, feeling offended that someone would think he¡¯d be rude enough to short someone for their service.


    (Greed: Just because we¡¯re greedy doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re going to wreck the economy!)


    ¡°Double wait.¡± Beez¡¯el blinked, an odd look in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a Contractor!¡±


    (Lust: Triple wait! There¡¯s something about his tone¡­)


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± He cautiously nodded.


    ¡°How high ranking of a Contractor?!¡± The Inferni blurted.


    (Lust: Oh!)


    ¡°Uh, he was good enough that they gave him his own VIP room and ran out to get whatever he asked for?¡± Lydia offered in his place.


    ¡°Ooh!¡± Beez¡¯el squealed.


    (Lust: He¡¯s a fan~)


    ¡°This is so cool!¡± The Inferni cried. ¡°I¡¯ve got a VIP Contractor in my bus! Oh, this really is my lucky day!¡±


    ¡°While I appreciate the enthusiasm, it unfortunately doesn¡¯t change my shortness of funds, at the moment. And sadly that¡¯s not something likely to change until I¡¯ve worked out a few more Contracts.¡± He reminded the Inferni.


    Beez¡¯el narrowed his eyes at Booker, a grin slowly growing on his face. ¡°Well, if you really need some Sin, then I might have a couple ideas for making them fast. I can¡¯t normally do them myself, but if I¡¯ve got a hot shot Contractor with me¡­ Well~¡± The smile on the Inferni¡¯s face was the exact reason his species was so often mistaken as Devils.

 Gula Invidia-Black Market (II): Planning An Assassination

    Gula Invidia-Black Market (II): Planning An Assassination


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    With their bus pulled over in an indiscriminate lot, Beez¡¯el gave them his pitch. ¡°Okay, so like we were just talking about there are a ton of shitbags down here that are making everyone¡¯s life worse. People who have done enough fucked up shit that other people are willing to pay other people to make them quit making things worse. Permanently.¡±


    ¡°You mean like an assassin?¡± Lydia grimaced, her face twisting.


    ¡°Eh, I was thinking more vigilante for hire.¡± The inferni admitted before gesturing towards Booker. ¡°It¡¯s not that different from what Contractors do. Just a little grungier and less exotic than other worlds. You know more a local charity type of deal than professional work.¡±


    (Sloth: No matter how he dresses it up, a hit is a hit.)


    (Gluttony: And killing is killing.)


    Lydia bit her lip as she glanced his way before looking back at their guide and asking, ¡°But what¡¯s the point of killing someone if they can just come back?¡±


    (Sloth: If that¡¯s a problem you can just make it difficult to come back.)


    ¡°If you were to hinder a person¡¯s regeneration, similar to what we saw the Smiling Man doing, you could incapacitate a person indefinitely.¡± He told his young companion. ¡°And that¡¯s on the more complex end of things. Sometimes a simple cinder block and river can work for years.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather something more permanent but¡­¡± Beez¡¯el made a face before letting out a sigh. ¡°Beggars and choosers I guess¡­¡±


    His younger companion¡¯s eyes darted between Booker and Bee¡¯zel, before she eventually asked, ¡°How, uh, how bad is this guy exactly?¡±


    ¡°A real shit bag.¡± Beez¡¯el assured them before pulling out a small device from his pocket, and after a moment of fiddling with it showing them several pictures of Inferni and Hume alike looking worse for wear. ¡°This asshole Hume has been running a fight club, nothing too bad given how people from Wrath and Gluttony are, but he¡¯s been forcing a lot of people into making Deals. The kind you can¡¯t back out of.¡±


    (Greed: Holding someone to their deals is one thing, but¡­)


    ¡°When you say ¡®forcing¡¯?¡± He practically growled.


    Beez¡¯el nodded, with a frustrated look on his face. ¡°Word on the street is that this guy combs through the lower districts, finds people on their lonesome, and then beats the shit out of them before dragging them off. They haven¡¯t found too many bodies but shits fucked enough that Inferni are afraid to step outside on their own¡­:¡±


    Their guide paused for a moment, before grimacing with a shake of his head. ¡°Heard they¡¯re also pulling something similar with any fresh meat that falls down here, but¡­ I never dug too deep on that side of things since it¡¯s a Hume problem.¡±


    (Envy: He was more worried about his own people.)


    (Wrath: Not something he should be faulted for.)


    ¡°Morally I¡¯ve no objections to this path. In fact in some ways I¡¯m even eager for the kill.¡± He confessed.


    (Gluttony: When are we not?~)


    (Sloth:... If we¡¯re taking this job we need more details. Don¡¯t want to botch it.)


    (Gluttony: See?)


    (Sloth:...)


    ¡°Unfortunately, given the apparent scale of this operation and our current state of affairs, I do believe more details are necessary for us to make a plan forward.¡± He added when he noticed Lydia looking at him.


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Beez¡¯el nodded, with a grin. ¡°Professionals have to maintain their standards after all!¡±


    (Pride: Yes they do.)


    ¡°So the Fight Pit is in one of the Gula Invidia Black Markets, a lot deeper in than I¡¯m willing to go by myself but the Market itself ain¡¯t so deep that it¡¯s got an Overlord we need to worry about.¡± Beez¡¯el told them. ¡°That said, I¡¯ve got some people I can ask for more details about everything when we get there. What I do know though is that the asshole running the place has this pretentious little office where he can look down on his little shitshow and everyone that attends it.¡±


    ¡°Uh, if it¡¯s his fight club isn¡¯t he going to have a lot of people there? Like security guards and stuff?¡± Lydia (wretchedly) frowned in concern as she glanced his way. ¡°That feels like something we should be worried about. I mean¡­ you said there¡¯s a limit between how many people who can fight while also protecting m-er, us?¡±


    (Envy: We did say that¡­)


    (Pride: Really? Because it sounds like nonsense.)


    ¡°Well, he has to be a serious hotshot if he¡¯s a Consortium VIP. I¡¯m sure that if you and I hang back, he could easily kill everyone there.¡± Beez¡¯el pointed out.


    (Envy: We could not.)


    (Gluttony: We don¡¯t have enough Sin to heal¡­ We need smaller hunts to prepare for the larger one. And during that time our true prey may escape.)


    (Wrath: Or rally a counter.)


    (Sloth: Meaning the direct approach is more work than it¡¯s worth.)Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    (Greed: And would cost more than we¡¯d make.)


    ¡°A direct assault -while fun- could prove problematic for multiple reasons.¡± He admitted with a bit of internal debate. ¡°We need a means of sidestepping his defenses, at least temporarily.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­¡± Beez¡¯el agreed, sounding a bit disappointed as his tail began to twitch.


    ¡°Is there any way we can get close without putting his guards on watch?¡± Lydia asked their guide/accomplice.


    Beez¡¯el seemed to consider that for a moment. ¡°Well, while I know some guys I don¡¯t think anyone will tell me anything that¡¯ll get them killed. Best I can do on that way is get us into the club without too many questions¡­¡± The Inferni sighed before suddenly perking up. ¡°Oh, wait! I thought of something!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± He prodded.


    ¡°So, the prick running this place is an arrogant asshole, and he¡¯s got to force people to fight for him, right?¡± Beez¡¯el checked, despite him knowing the answer better than either of them. ¡°Well, he¡¯d probably want to meet someone who wanted to fight for him and could fight well. Like Contractor well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re proposing I enter and fight until he wishes to meet me?¡± Booker realized.


    (Sloth: Could work.)


    (Greed: Would want to inspect the money-maker. )


    (Gluttony: Or the threat.)


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that mean he has to fight the boss and his personal guards while tired from all the fighting?¡± Lydia (grotesquely) frowned.


    ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t see you coming up with any ideas half-pint.¡± Beez¡¯el scoffed.


    Lydia¡¯s face twitched in irritation before apparently taking that as a challenge. ¡°You said there¡¯s a bunch of fighters who are there against their will, right? Is it possible we could get them to help us? A way to free them from the Deals and have them go after everyone I mean?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just break a Deal kid.¡± Beez¡¯el disagreed with a shake of his head. ¡°Once they¡¯re made they¡¯re until fulfilled or killed. And I mean that permanently Hume.¡±


    (Envy: Not necessarily¡­)


    (Oh?)


    (Greed: Yeah, wording is important in any contract. Poor wording and people can be tricked into a lot of things¡­ or get out of a lot of stuff.)


    (Envy: Intent and emotion are important too. A ¡®Deal¡¯ is really just a Geas powered by Willingly agreeing to it. The better they understand it, the more binding it is.)


    (Sloth: Something they probably didn¡¯t )


    (Greed: And when you take that out, the loopholes get a lot bigger for the Deal Signer. Sometimes big enough to unravel the whole thing.)


    (Wrath: Malicious compliance also works at times.)


    (Interesting¡­) ¡°Her idea is not without merit, even if the details of the contract are important to how viable it actually is.¡± He went ahead and interrupted to Beez¡¯el¡¯s shock and Lydia¡¯s joy. ¡°Whether they can simply tell us about our prey¡¯s secrets thus cornering him, or outright help us by distracting the guards, is difficult to say so far away.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Beez¡¯el made a complicated expression before shaking his head. ¡°No. I might want to break their deals but we don¡¯t know that will work. Taking this guy out will work.¡±


    ¡°Unless he comes back in a few years, meaning everyone will be back on the hook.¡± Lydia argued. ¡°Getting them to turn on him now will help everyone turn on him when he comes back.¡±


    ¡°Kid¡­¡± Beez¡¯el ran a hand down his face, before glaring at Lydia with something¡­ regretful. ¡°Kid, that sounds nice and all but you don¡¯t get it. These guys are beaten and chained down, they aren¡¯t going to fight back even if given the chance. They don¡¯t have the Wrath for that anymore. If we can just¡­ remind them what they¡¯ve lost maybe¡­ Maybe the Envy can give them the kick in the ass they need to do¡­ something.¡±


    (Wrath: He¡¯s speaking from experience¡­)


    Something Lydia seemed to realize as well, her own fight slowly leaving her with little more than a bitter expression.


    (Envy: Neither of them is going to stand down.)


    (Sloth: You¡¯re going to have to make the choice here, boss.)


    (Is there a way to get to the boss and aid the fighters?) The idea of leaving the boss free, and the fighters enslaved did not sit well with him.


    (Sloth: Delegation. Send these two to deal with the fighters, while we deal with the actual pit. It¡¯ll mean we¡¯re all on our own should things go sideways but we¡¯ll be able to chip away at both targets.)


    (Envy: Surprised you¡¯re offering to do more work.)


    (Sloth: Sometimes the boss has to get his hands dirty to get things done.)


    (Wrath: An honorable outlook.)


    ¡°How difficult would it be to get to where the enslaved fighters are being kept?¡± He checked, wondering how viable any of this really was.


    Beez¡¯el gave him a look before letting out another sigh. ¡°Hard to say, with all three of us though¡­ not easy. All we need is one of the loyal guards to see us or hear us talking and we¡¯ll be surrounded and fucked¡­ without lube mind you! And I am not anywhere near drunk enough for that¡­¡±


    Ignoring the vulgarity, he instead asked. ¡°Would that be easier if it was just the two of you? Particularly, if I were to cause something of a ruckus in the fight pit.¡±


    Beez¡¯el gave him a considering look. ¡°That depends on what you¡¯re thinking?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking I could distract the guards with something particularly showy, cause enough of a riot to keep their eyes on me, you understand.¡± He began. ¡°Meanwhile you two could sneak into the slave room and try to convince them to break their chains and leave, before sneaking out regardless of the results.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a bad plan, I¡¯m fine with hedging our bets even if I still think little bitch is going to get her heartbroken.¡± Beez¡¯el admitted. ¡°Getting me and her out would be easier, and as long as we take a shot at the boss I won¡¯t complain.¡±


    ¡°But wait, won¡¯t causing enough of a distraction to draw the guards mean the boss is on guard? He might not even want to see you if you make a big enough mess.¡± Lydia (hideously) frowned.


    ¡°Or I could create enough of a mess that he absolutely would want to see me.¡± He grinned right back. ¡°The fight would be harder, but if I make him lose enough money on a newcomer¡­¡±


    ¡°He¡¯d want to take it straight out of your hide.¡± Beez¡¯el laughed with a clap. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve got brimstones boss.¡±


    ¡°That sounds dangerous¡­¡± Lydia confessed with a fair bit of concern. ¡°Especially if there¡¯s no one to back you up, I mean back against the Smiling Man if I¡¯d ran instead of backing you up you might¡¯ve died.¡±


    ¡°True¡­¡± As much as it irked him to admit as much.


    All three of them were quiet for a moment before Beez¡¯el stuck his tongue out and made a sound. ¡°Look I don¡¯t know what happened with that smiling fucker, but if you¡¯re smiling friend says he can handle himself then as Contractor I¡¯m sure he can kick all kinds of ass. If he thinks he needs back up to deal with pit boss then we back him the fuck up it¡¯s that easy.¡±


    Lydia narrowed his eyes. ¡°And if he wants to try freeing the fighters instead?¡±


    ¡°Then I guess that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do.¡± Beez¡¯el glared right back, before spinning in his seat and starting the bus once more.


    An awkward silence descended upon them after that, and he found himself looking out the window as the greens and purples of Gula Invidia passed them by. Weighting the risks and rewards of each path open to them as he planned this job.

 Gula Invidia-Black Market (III): A Favor For A Favor

    Gula Invidia-Black Market (III): A Favor For A Favor


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Alright, this is the place.¡± Beez¡¯el informed them after a ten minute walk from where the Inferni had parked.


    ¡°This is a Black Market?¡± Lydia asked, eyeing the abandoned train station in front of them.


    ¡°It¡¯s one of the entrances.¡± Beez¡¯el confirmed while adjusting his leather jacket. ¡°Bunch of assholes tried making a monopoly with the subways, which meant they killed every other asshole trying to do the same. Eventually there were a lot more empty rails than working trains and the squatters moved in.¡±


    ¡°Fascinating.¡± He admitted, following the Inferni inside.


    (Pride: Greed truly is the source of innovation.)


    (Gluttony: So long as you eat the rich before they get fat.)


    (Greed: I don¡¯t know how I should take this.)


    ¡°Is there security we need to worry about?¡± He wondered, using a claw to trace some of the graffiti lining the brickwork walls.


    ¡°Not unless you try some shit in someone¡¯s place, beyond that it¡¯s your job to keep yourself safe and if you know where the market is then you know that too.¡± Beez¡¯el answered, hopping over a turnstile with ease.


    (Gluttony: Laws of the jungle then~)


    ¡°I see.¡± He nodded, kicking his own turnstile off of its hinge before stepping through, Lydia following just a step behind.


    ¡°So before we get into shit, you decide on how you want to do this?¡± Beez¡¯el asked, hopping off the waiting platform and onto the rails. ¡°And watch your step, third rail ¡®s still live.¡±


    (Pride: The larger rails in between the main tracks. They¡¯ve a fair amount of voltage running through them. Can practically taste it in the air.)


    ¡°Yes, I believe the best solution to our current objective is to split our focus. I¡¯ll focus on the direct route while you two split off and take care of what you must in the background.¡± He explained, easily walking off the ledge. ¡°Hopefully, you can inspire a secondary rebellion, and if not you can arrange some other distraction once I get close to our patreon this evening.¡±


    (Lust: Don¡¯t forget Lydia!)


    ¡°Are you going to be able to handle everything by yourself?¡± Lydia asked, as he spun to help her off the platform. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m sure you can put up a fight but¡­ you¡¯re going to have to be¡­ something to keep all eyes on you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am nothing if not a performer my dear!¡± He chuckled, before raising the bone charm and pushing a bit of magic into it. ¡°And don¡¯t forget I¡¯ve a number of tricks I¡¯ve yet to share, my dear.¡±


    Beez¡¯el and Lydia both stared at the charm sparking with power in his hand, and despite the different looks on their faces he could easily make out the envie each was feeling.


    (Envy: They know what it¡¯s like to be beaten down, and want the power to return the favor¡­)


    (That could be fun~) He thought to himself, a vague grin on his face as he imagined his compatriots in this venture collecting their own pounds of flesh. It made his stomach rumble¡­


    (Gluttony: Can¡¯t wait to get to the buffet¡­)


    After a few minutes on the track they found their way to a collection of railcars of all shapes and sizes their cars open, each stacked with a number of passengers and wares alike and illuminated by glowing crystals and burning bins scattered between it all.


    ¡°There¡­ there are a lot more trains here than I thought there¡¯d be¡­¡± Lydia mumbled, taking it all in with an awed if guarded expression.


    ¡°Guys who ran the lines didn¡¯t trust their trains to be safe above ground so they built the yards underground where only they could get to them. At least until they got into their pissing contest.¡± Beez¡¯el explained as he led them through the market. ¡°Now each yard is a Black Market while half the stations have been turned into gang hideouts.¡±


    ¡°A whole world hidden by an underground railroad.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure why but the idea tickled something in him.


    Beez¡¯el spun on heels and started walking backwards as he spoke. ¡°Alright, like I said earlier I¡¯ve got an idea of who we¡¯re looking for but I¡¯m still going to have to pull a few favors if we want to actually track this fuck down.¡±


    ¡°Anything you require our aid for in this hunt?¡± He checked, some part of him not liking how he wasn¡¯t doing the hunting himself.


    (Wrath: It loses the sport.)


    (Gluttony: Dulls our fangs.)


    (Pride: We need to earn it.)


    (Sloth: You do realize doing the tedium is the whole point of minions, right?)


    ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Beez¡¯el admitted before turning and glaring further down the tracks where a pair of men were seemingly wrapping up a beating involving an Inferni in rags. Something no one in the immediate vicinity was moving to do anything about.


    (Gluttony: A bit stringy, but they could make a nice snack.)


    As the men walked past them Beez¡¯el¡¯s tail shifted through the air, lashing towards the men¡¯s back but not quite striking them. Instead his tail retracted, now coiled around a crimson light. One that the Inferni tossed towards his fallen brethren.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    (Greed: Now that¡¯s a trick I wouldn¡¯t mind learning~)


    ¡°What did you just do?¡± Lydia asked, eyes darting back as the downed Inferni brought the light to their chest some of their injuries seeming to fade.


    Beez¡¯el glanced back with a smug grin. ¡°What? Never seen someone pick a pocket?¡±


    ¡°Not like that.¡± His younger companion confessed. ¡°I mean you just reached out and¡­¡± She closed her hand on air.


    ¡°You Hume burn and make Sin like nobody¡¯s business, Shaving a bit off the top while a fucker is still making it is easy.¡± Beez¡¯el explained with a fanged grin.


    ¡°If you can do that, why bother with the Tour Guide thing?¡± Lydia frowned (grotesquely).


    ¡°Picking pockets is chump change, and no one respects chumps for long.¡± Beez¡¯el grumbled with a dark look, his hand reaching for something near his neck. ¡°If you want to make it big you¡¯ve got to do something big. Otherwise they¡¯ll just treat you like trash to be tossed aside.¡±


    (Envy: True.)


    (Pride: Very true.)


    After a few more minutes of walking they stopped at a train with a bass oriented music flowing from within and colorful lights shining out through cracks in the painted black windows.


    (Lust: Ooh, they turned the train into a club!)


    ¡°This is the place. Stick close and let me do the talking.¡± Beez¡¯el told them as he walked past a number of animalistic humans smoking just outside the gangway between train cars. Slitted eyes watching them all the while.


    When Beez¡¯el opened the door Booker couldn¡¯t help but flinch at the sudden overwhelming blast of music, lights, smoke, and the stench of bodies.


    (Gluttony: Gah, too much!)


    (Lust: No such thing!)


    He hesitated to follow the Inferni inside as his guide shoved into the throng of bodies, his face twisted into something between a grin and a grimace.


    In spite of his discomfort he still caught Lydia grabbing onto his tailcoat, the small dear staring ahead with wide and anxious eyes that darted all about.


    (Lust: Ah, she¡¯s scared of the crowd¡­)


    (Sloth: Keep her where we can see her.)


    (Gluttony: We might need her to serve a distraction.)


    He reached out a hand on the girl as he gently pushed her in front of him, before telling her, ¡°Stay where I can see you and remember I¡¯m right behind you.¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡± His companion nodded before swallowing down her apprehensions and starting forward.


    It took them a few minutes to catch up to Beez¡¯el but when they did they found him sitting a cart over at a bar talking to the female staff -a notably taller Inferni whose skin was more pink than red- with a strained smile.


    ¡°Come on, V, I¡¯m not asking for much here!¡± Their guide practically whined.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see you for three months and when you come back you¡¯re asking me to not only tell you where a club blacklisted for Inferni is, but also to get you an introduction!¡± The bartender -¡®V¡¯- argued as she flitted about the bar. ¡°That sounds like a fucking lot to me!¡±


    ¡°Look okay, if this is about the money, this is about money a lot of money!¡± Beez¡¯el tried to explain.


    ¡°Oh, right, I¡¯d completely forgotten how you left me on the hook for two months rent without any warning because you blew the money on your fucking bus!¡± V hissed, her slitted eyes glowing yellow.


    ¡°Hey, my bus is always an investment fuck you very much!¡± Their guide growled back with an affronted look.


    ¡°We both know I¡¯d just be disappointed.¡± V scoffed with a dismissive look, before turning towards Booker and Lydia with a smile completely ignoring Beez¡¯el response.


    Ever so briefly the Pink Inferni¡¯s eyes darted between him and Lydia, an ever so slight strain entering her gaze.


    (Lust: She¡¯s suspicious of the way we¡¯re holding onto Lydia. Thinks we might be a predator of some kind.)


    (Gluttony: We are~)


    (Envy: Not the kind she¡¯s thinking.)


    Refusing to entertain that particular thought, he picked Lydia up and sat her on a stool before patting her on the head and taking a step towards Beez¡¯el. ¡°I¡¯m assuming this madam is your contact on this little venture of ours?¡±


    ¡°Madam?¡± The bartender repeated with a touch of amusement, before narrowing her eyes at Beez¡¯el. ¡°Who the fuck is this Beez?¡±


    ¡°This is a VIP Contractor who is interested in competing in that thing we were talking about. Even offered me a cut of the profits to guide him there.¡± Beez¡¯el explained, omitting several facts of the matter. ¡°And if you help us out I¡¯m sure I can pay you back some of that money I owe you with all the Sin we¡¯ll be making.¡±


    Miss V gave him another once over, her eyes once more glancing at Lydia, sitting there looking fairly skittish.


    (Lust: Which is doing nothing for reassuring the woman.)


    ¡°Alright, you know what?¡± V asked after a moment. ¡°I will help you.¡±


    ¡°R-really?¡± Beez¡¯el blinked, clearly not having expected that.


    (Greed: There¡¯s going to be a catch.)


    ¡°Yeah, but only if you do me a favor first.¡± V nodded.


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°What kind of favor?¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m sure you know the rules of the market mean everyone¡¯s responsible for their own safety, right?¡± V began, her clawed fingers tapping against the counter. ¡°Well some fuckers are taking this to mean that they can do whatever they want against those that have a harder time fighting back. Johns hiring some of the girls for rougher stuff and then robbing them while they''re still bruised up.¡±


    ¡°Deplorable.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but growl, already imagining what he was going to do to the lot.


    ¡°Yep, which is why if you want me to get you an in to the club, you¡¯re going to make an example of these fuckers.¡± V told them, her eyes moving between each of them before pausing on Lydia. ¡°Also the girl stays with me.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Lydia jumped. ¡°Why?!¡±


    ¡°You look like you could use some girl talk.¡± V winked with a reassuring grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care for hostage takers.¡± He confessed with a grin of his own.


    V gave him a rather unkind look.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey!¡± Beez¡¯el interrupted before either of them could act. ¡°How about I stick with V and mini-bitch. I mean, you should be able to take care of some assholes by yourself, right?¡±


    (Gluttony: Easily.)


    ¡°I should, yes.¡±


    (Lust: Shouldn¡¯t you ask Lydia¡¯s opinion?)


    (Yes, I should¡­) He realized.


    Booker turned towards his young companion and asked. ¡°Your thoughts my dear?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lydia frowned in a way that made his face twitch.


    ¡°If you¡¯d rather I not leave you here, then we can figure something else out.¡± He explained.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Lydia looked between all of them before swallowing as her eyes fell on the wall of alcohol behind miss V, at which point his companion proceeded to shake her head. ¡°No. I¡¯ll be alright on my own¡­ I¡¯ve uh, I¡¯ve got an evac if I need it¡­¡±


    ¡°Very good.¡± He smiled with an encouraging pat of her head, before looking at the pair of Inferni. ¡°And should we be separated¡­ I will find you.¡±


    Both Inferni shivered.


    With his first message received, he proceeded to straighten himself out, before asking, ¡°Now where shall I be delivering this message of yours to?¡±


    And what kind of message will you be delivering?


    []-One Written In Blood. (+Lust)


    []-A Dinner Invitation. (+Gluttony)


    []-Broken Bodies And Bones. (+Wrath)


    []-One That Will Last. (+Sloth)


    Lydia is on her own with a pair of Street Smart Inferni. What do you think she¡¯d feel like asking?


    []-Write-In

 Gula Invidia-Black Market (IV): Sending A Message

    A/N: Going to warn you, I tried to tone it down but the ending is still a bit dark even if it does fade to black. (Remember Booker is the Horror Movie Monster.)


    ---


    Gula Invidia-Black Market (IV): Sending A Message


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    Exiting the train cart, and now free of the various gyrating bodies within, he straightened out his clothing and took a look around the area.


    Beez¡¯el¡¯s associate V had warned him that while she couldn¡¯t give him many specifics herself, the various ¡®working girls¡¯ could provide him with more information if he dropped her name.


    Finding the ¡®girls¡¯ was relatively easy, a mix of animalistic humans and Inferni both like Beez¡¯el and V gathered in small clusters around burn barrels, each wearing far too little clothing.


    (Sloth: There¡¯s safety in numbers.)


    (Greed: But too many too close hurts their profit lines.)


    His eyes drifted to a number of bruises across the girl¡¯s flesh, wounds half hidden by make-up and unrecognizable if not for an almost instinctive familiarity with damaged flesh.


    ¡°Like what you see Smiles?¡± One of the girls -a human with almost feline features- asked, upon noticing his gaze before striking what he assumed was meant to be an attractive pose for most.


    His eyes didn¡¯t stray from the fake smile masking so much pain.


    (Lust: Poor girls¡­ Beauty marred by villains who can¡¯t truly appreciate it.)


    (Pride: Their potential crippled by those who deny their humanity.)


    (Gluttony: Themselves ittle more than beasts fat from their feast.)


    (Wrath: Someone needs do something¡­)


    (Envy: That¡¯s why we¡¯re here.)


    (Quite right.) He inhaled before nodding with a grin filled with so many sinful thoughts.


    The woman in front of him shifted, a faint caution in her eyes as she realized there was something different between him and her usual clientele. Something dangerous.


    (Gluttony: Her instincts are good~)


    (Sloth: Likely the only thing keeping her alive on the streets.)


    ¡°Apologies my dear, but I am not here for your¡­ services this evening.¡± He assured the woman, leaving the ¡®or any other¡¯ unspoken for edict¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Then you mind leaving? You¡¯re scaring off our actual customers.¡± The woman (grotesquely) frowned.


    ¡°Why I believe that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve been hired to do.¡± He confessed with a chuckle, his eyes drifting towards the woman¡¯s bruises. ¡°A mutual associate of ours has asked me to handle a problem with certain men becoming too aggressive during your¡­ business exchanges.¡±


    ¡°People pay extra if they get to be rougher than their wives let them.¡± The woman shrugged, seemingly uncaring as she pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her purse.


    (Sloth: Clients want privacy. Snitching is a quick way to end up in a ditch.)


    (Greed: Then all you need to do is point out how these people aren¡¯t ¡®clients¡¯.)


    ¡°I see¡­¡± He nodded, before examining his nails. ¡°So if the ¡®people¡¯ refuse to pay, then I assume that¡¯s not an issue either?¡±


    The woman narrowed her eyes at him, his question frustrating her almost as much as the lighter she was struggling with.


    (Lust: I do believe the lady needs help.)


    ¡°Allow me.¡± He offered, putting his thumb and middle to the end of the cigarette before snapping and lighting it. Something that was far easier than conjuring a proper flame.


    Having done its job, the parlour trick had the woman giving him another look. This one far more considering than the first, which is why she eventually asked him, ¡°Who did you say this ¡®mutual associate¡¯ of ours was?¡±


    ¡°A miss ¡®V¡¯ from the club just around the corner.¡± He answered, given how he¡¯d specifically been told to mention her.


    ¡°Right, her¡­¡± The woman sighed before taking a long drag on her cigarette, seemingly thinking things over. ¡°What exactly did she ask you to help with?¡±


    ¡°She wanted me to¡­ deal with those responsible. Make sure that they won¡¯t be a problem going forward.¡± He vaguely explained, since he was still figuring out how best to handle the matter himself.


    (Sloth: We need to send a message.)


    (Gluttony: Let¡¯s eat them.)


    (Lust: Eh, let¡¯s just have fun with it and see where we end up?)


    (Envy: So long as we make them pay¡­)


    (Oh, we will~ We can¡¯t keep Lydia waiting after all!) He smiled as the woman he was speaking to waved a few other girls over, each with their own bruises covered up by makeup.


    (Wrath: Then again, I¡¯m sure our new friends can keep her entertained¡­)


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    The bartender ¡®V¡¯ pushed a drink in front of her, filled with she didn¡¯t know what. ¡°So what¡¯s the deal with tall, dark, and creepy?¡±


    Beez¡¯el puffed up as Lydia pushed the drink to the side. ¡°Well, like I said he¡¯s a VIP Contract-¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking you.¡± The pink Inferni interrupted with a glare, before turning a softer look Lydia¡¯s way. ¡°I was asking her.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ what do you mean?¡± She frowned, starting to wonder if she¡¯d made the right call staying behind while Booker went ahead. (No, if you can handle the streets of Ira Invidia you can handle a single bartender¡­)


    ¡°What I mean is do you need an out?¡± V explained, leaning on the counter. ¡°That guy is clearly ten different kinds of bad news with the sheer Malice rolling off of him. And with the way he was pushing you around¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! Oh¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t help but grimace as she realized what the older woman(?) was getting at. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ This place has a lot of light and noise.¡± It wasn¡¯t as bad around the bar, but the rest of the train was just (it¡¯s just too much¡­) ¡°Booker was making sure no one would bump into me.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re sure about that? There¡¯s a lot of creeps in Infernus.¡± V warned her. ¡°Creeps that would see someone like you and¡­ do a lot of fucked up shit.¡±


    She¡­ didn¡¯t need to be told that, having seen plenty of bad things while stuck on the streets. Things that had scared her a lot worse than the ¡®Death Street¡¯ they¡¯d found.


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that¡­ from him at least¡­¡± She admitted, her mind drifting back to the hotel. ¡°I don¡¯t think that sort of thing has even crossed his mind¡­ He¡¯s helping me with¡­ everything.¡± She tried to explain.


    ¡°Right, she¡¯s pretty fresh as far as Sinners go.¡± Beez¡¯el added as he sipped at the drink V had given her, unconcerned for whatever was inside it. ¡°Didn¡¯t even know what an Inferni was until I explained it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just more worrying¡­¡± V sighed, looking around the bar with an odd look. Especially when her eyes fell on a couple of girls sitting next to or in the laps of the male club goers. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of people who¡¯d take advantage of a newbie without them even realizing it.¡±


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She¡­ didn¡¯t need to be told that either, her mind drifting to the things she¡¯d been dragged into, the things she¡¯d done even before ending up in this hellhole. ¡°Those kinds of people aren¡¯t just down here¡­¡±


    Both Inferni grimaced, making her realize what she¡¯d just said.


    Speaking quickly she elaborated that, ¡°Booker¡­ Booker got me out of a bad place, fed me, got me these fancy clothes, and has been teaching me about stuff down here. I¡¯m not stupid enough to think that he¡¯s a good person but he¡¯s a hell of lot better than some of the other people I¡¯ve met. I mean, hell he saw my rusted knife and got me a new one!¡± When she reached to pull that knife out, still unused to the pockets on her suit jacket, she also knocked out the rabbit mask Leslie had given her onto the bar.


    As she reached to pick the mask back up she noticed the way V was staring at it, before realizing the Inferni was mumbling. ¡°Oh, shit¡­ Oh shit. Oh shit!¡±


    ¡°W-what¡¯s wrong?¡± She frowned, hesitantly picking the mask up.


    Rather than answering her the Inferni turned on Beez¡¯el with a look halfway between panic and rage. ¡°You brought a fucking Red-Eyed Rabbit here?!¡±


    ¡°W-what? No!¡± Beez¡¯el stuttered out, looking between V and the mask with a growing look of horror. ¡°Oh, fuck¡­¡±


    ¡°W-what¡¯s wrong?¡± She repeated with an ominous feeling. ¡°What¡¯s a Red-Eyed Rabbit?¡±


    The pair of Inferni looked between each other as if they weren¡¯t sure how to answer, before explaining exactly who the Rabid Red-Eyed Rabbits were. And more importantly what they were capable of¡­


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    He wandered through the trainyard with a smile and a faint skip in his step.


    After following the instructions the working girls had given him, he found his way to a nearby passenger train. One that had had its various cabins repurposed into a hotel of sorts, and was in turn frequently used by the workers of the oldest profession to host their clients.


    Unfortunately, his prey wasn¡¯t there upon his arrival, meaning he had to spend a fair while removing spikes from the railroad, while wondering how many it would take to topple a train.


    (Pride: A few more than we managed to remove.)


    Eventually however his prey did eventually arrive as he spotted a man fitting the description he¡¯d been given of one of his targets. Namely the ¡®handsome face¡¯ that got the girls to let their guards down as he brought them to a cart where his friends were lying in wait.


    Which is why he was swift to follow the pair onto the train before this vile trap could be sprung. His long stalking gait allowed him to easily keep pace with the pair and then reach them before his prey could lead the poor girl to a bad ending for this night.


    ¡°Apologies but I do believe I must interrupt this little rendezvous.¡± He smiled as he walked up to the pair.


    The man who didn¡¯t appear to have any animalistic traits glared at him, while the girl -a young thing with feathers in her hair- gave Booker a (hideous) frown. (And that just won¡¯t do~)


    ¡°Look buddy-¡± Whatever the reprobate was going to say was cut off by Booker grabbing him by the throat.


    ¡°You see my dear, this man here is a rather fiendish individual that I¡¯ve been asked to¡­ deal with by several ladies of the night as it were.¡± He explained to the frightened girl as the man struggled against his grip while banging a fist against the door. ¡°In this room here are three more of his friends looking to corner a sweetling such as yourself and-¡±


    With fortunate timing the door opened and another man -this one with tusks- stuck their head out before widening his eyes upon seeing Booker holding the man up.


    ¡°I do believe it is in your best interest to flee miss.¡± He finished with a feral grin as the tusked man ducked inside to alert the rest of Booker¡¯s prey.


    (Gluttony: Their fear makes the meat so much sweeter~)


    The woman slowly backed away with wide eyes, quickly seeing the reason in his advice when the reprobate he was strangling opened his mouth as wide as a snake before spitting out something that burned.


    ¡°Now, now, that¡¯s just rude!¡± He growled, letting the man go just long enough to reach inside the snake¡¯s mouth and rip out his tongue.


    The viper screamed just as his compatriots rushed out of the room and into the small space of the train¡¯s hall.


    (Wrath: Not much space. It means they¡¯ll have to come one at a time rather than all at once.)


    (Sloth: Don¡¯t forget to double tap. Don¡¯t need a knife in our back.)


    He raised his foot and brought it down on the back of the viper¡¯s neck, which while perhaps not enough force to kill the man was enough to knock the snake unconscious as his face hit the ground.


    Spinning on his heels, he turned towards the newcomers, he gave his prey a smile as he spread his arms wide. ¡°Shall we boys?¡±


    The tusked man was the first to rush him, throwing out straight back by a muscular and meaty arm.


    One that was easily avoided by stepping back, and then crippled as he lunged forward with a maw full of fangs before taking a chunk out of the man¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± The tusked man screamed, stumbling back with wide eyes. ¡°The-the fucker bit me!¡±


    He swallowed before licking his lips. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, I intend to do so much more than that!¡±


    Another of his prey stepped forward, dragging the bleeding man back. This one pulling a knife out in one hand and showing off his claws on the other. ¡°Back the fuck up you freak!¡±


    ¡°Freak?¡± He repeated with a tilt of his head, the word stirring something he could not remember. ¡°I do believe you¡¯re mistaken, lad.¡±


    He stepped forward and the claw man rammed the knife into his chest.


    (Wrath: Which is ultimately pointless.)


    He grabbed either side of the man¡¯s head and lifted so that Booker could look him in the eye. ¡°After all, I¡¯m so much worse than any ¡®freak¡¯ you¡¯ve ever met~¡±


    Pulling back just a step, he buried his teeth into the man¡¯s throat before ripping it out and tossing him to the side, uncaring of the blood spatter as he continued his meal.


    (Lust: It actually blends quite nicely with our clothes.)


    He chuckled as he stepped forward to a rather man with a rat¡¯s tail.


    The frightened rat took a step back just before Booker grabbed the side of his face and slammed it against the train window with enough force to send it through the glass.


    Reaching out he grabbed the rat¡¯s tail as it fell, before ripping the appendage off so that he could give the thing a curious bite.


    (Gluttony: Hmm, too boney.)


    Dropping the tail he continued on to his final cowering prey, amused by the way that the frightened pig had tripped and fallen to the ground.


    ¡°Wh-what did we do? Why-why are you doing this?¡± The pig asked, trying to crawl away.


    ¡°Oh, nothing to me.¡± He shrugged before grabbing the man by his tusks. ¡°That said, you really shouldn¡¯t have hurt so many working girls. That was quite ungentlemanly of you my good sir.¡±


    With that message given, he pulled on both tusks to better slam his knee into the man¡¯s face, a feat that broke both tusks off in his hands.


    He boredly dropped the tusks on the ground before taking a deep breath and centering himself.


    All down the hall a number of heads were sticking out wondering what all the ruckus was about, and they all wisely looked away when he met their gazes. And thus he found himself alone with four half-dead corpses.


    (Sloth: Job¡¯s only half done.)


    (Envy: If we stop now they¡¯ll only get up in a couple hours and start this whole thing up again. We need something more¡­ lasting¡­)


    (Sloth: Let¡¯s get this over with¡­)


    He considered the corpses before him for a moment, before getting an idea on how to make sure the women of the night were safe from the harassments of further ne''er do wells, if only for a little while.


    Which is why he found himself awkwardly carrying all four bodies to the entrance of the black market that Beez¡¯el had introduced to him earlier. A place where his message would be well received by all who entered.


    During this awkward trek no one else hindered him, everyone stumbling out of his way. (The polite thing to do would be to offer help would it not?)


    (Gluttony: People just don¡¯t have manners anymore¡­)


    Still even if it took some effort he was able to drag the four bodies to the entrance and took a look around at the relatively open space.


    (Sloth: It¡¯d be better if we had a ladder but we can make this work.)


    With that confirmation he got to work on something he could vaguely recall from the various executions he¡¯d done for violators of his territory¡¯s rules. Albeit something he needed a little more effort for as it wasn¡¯t quite as simple as throwing a pair of concrete boots in a river.


    It was as he was wrapping things up, that whatever power that fueled everyone¡¯s resurrection ability decided this was the ideal time to wake the snake up.


    ¡°What?¡± The man gasped, blinking around in a daze, before trying to move only to find his arms pinned. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re awake!¡± Booker couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°I was thinking you lot were going to sleep through this whole thing!¡±


    ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡± The snake asked, looking around with eyes that were slowly growing in horror.


    ¡°Oh, just sending a message.¡± He answered cheerily, before gesturing to where the other three were also pinned to the walls of the entrance, their bodies surrounded by numerous messages carved into the brick work explaining exactly what the quartet were guilty of. ¡°As you can see I¡¯ve already taken care of your friends and am almost done with you!¡±


    ¡°W-what? No, no! You can¡¯t do this!¡± The snake screamed, trying to struggle to little effect.


    ¡°You know I can¡¯t help but wonder how many of our victims have told us that exact same thing?¡± He wondered, tapping on his chin before narrowing his eyes and giving the snake a knowing grin. ¡°And I wonder how many times that actually stopped you?¡±


    The man¡¯s silence was damning.


    ¡°Oh, look on the brightside!¡± He told the snake as he tossed another rail spike into the air before catching it. ¡°You can start making up for all those you¡¯ve hurt by being a message to make sure no one else hurts them!¡±


    Booker lined the nail up beneath the snake¡¯s mouth, to make sure that he couldn¡¯t use that regrown tongue to convince anyone to let him down. ¡°Now then why don¡¯t you be a gent and smile like you mean it?¡±

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (V): Acquiring An In

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (V): Acquiring An In


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    With his work finished and his struggling victims all properly pinned in place, he took one last considering look around the tunnel.


    (Lust: Hmm, are we sure this will leave a proper message? I mean crucifixions are so¡­ last season. We don¡¯t people thinking our act is stale before we¡¯ve even truly begun!)


    (Wrath: No, it felt¡­ right¡­ Though¡­ perhaps it could have used a bit more fire? Or maybe some barbed wire?)


    (Gluttony: I think the deranged claw marks all over the wall are a nice touch.)


    (Envy: None of that matters so long as the point gets across.)


    (Sloth: Which it will.)


    Deciding that his message was well enough delivered and apparent for all to see, he went ahead and made his way back to the club while humming a tune that he could only vaguely recall. His spirits much higher than he could recall, especially once he felt a bit of Sin flowing through his veins after his latest hunt.


    (Gluttony: Enough to wet our appetites but not enough to sate it¡­ We should¡¯ve just eaten the lot of them¡­)


    (Sloth: That wouldn¡¯t have gotten our message across.)


    (Greed: And a long term community investment may prove more valuable than a short-term personal payout.)


    (Envy: Hopefully this¡¯ll keep those girls safe at the very least¡­)


    (Pride: Actually, all of this does bring to mind a curiosity¡­ What happens if a body is completely destroyed? How do people resurrect from that?)


    (Something to test at some point.) He grinned as he climbed up the steps to the train segway, the nearby club goers all giving him a polite distance that they hadn¡¯t earlier.


    (Lust: Ooh, maybe miss V told them to treat us right since we¡¯re helping her out!)


    (Envy: Doubt it.)


    Whatever the reason, it wasn¡¯t something that he was going to complain about.


    Upon returning to the others, he found the trio of Beez¡¯el, V, and dear Lydia all sitting quietly. Or at least as quietly as it could get in a club as lively as this one.


    Deciding to give them something to talk about he happily informed them that, ¡°Those ruffians will no longer be accosting your poor associates.¡±


    All three of the others jumped upon his declaration, their eyes wide as they all stared at him.


    ¡°What do I have something on my face?¡± He wondered, running a few fingers across his face only to find blood on them. ¡°Oh! I do¡­¡± (How embarrassing!)


    (Pride: Ugh, we should¡¯ve cleaned up. We must look our best after all!)


    (Lust: If we¡¯re lucky the angle it hit our face it might even be tasteful)


    (Gluttony: A bloody grin they won¡¯t forget.)


    ¡°It seems my business was a little messier than I¡¯d initially believed.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but laugh the event off.


    ¡°You, uh, you took care of¡­ the¡­ thing?¡± Miss V asked, sounding a touch odd.


    (Then again, I don¡¯t really know her.)


    (Lust: Doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t get to know her!)


    (Sloth: Speaking of, she¡¯d probably like to know that) ¡°They won¡¯t be a problem for quite some time I think.¡± Booker assured her with a grin.


    For some reason that didn¡¯t seem to reassure the Inferni.


    ¡°If you¡¯d like I can take you to see the message I left for all who would see your girls harm.¡± He offered instead, knowing that if they wanted to get paid for their efforts then she needed to believe the job was in fact done.


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    V¡¯s face twisted. ¡°No that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m sure whatever¡­ message, you left will scare people for a good long while¡­¡±


    (Pride: Of course, after all we¡¯re the ones who left it!)


    ¡°Then I doubt you¡¯ll have any problem aiding us in this little venture of ours?¡± He smiled.


    V shivered. ¡°No I, uh¡­¡± The Inferni licked her lips. ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­ I¡¯m going to need¡­ a few minutes to make some phone calls¡­¡±


    ¡°Take your time dear, I¡¯ve plenty of it to spare.¡± He chuckled as he took a seat between Lydia and Beez¡¯el, both of whom were watching him with wide eyes as if he were some kind of rabid animal.


    (Gluttony:?)


    (Valid point.)


    (Lust: Heh~)


    With a rather quick step, V hurried away seemingly uncaring for the fact that she was leaving her station unattended.


    Something Beez¡¯el apparently had no problem taking advantage of as the small Inferni reached across the counter and pulled out a bottle of something.


    Upon noticing his gaze, their guide flinched before offering the bottle. ¡°Uh, want me to pour you something?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± He tried to recall a drink he might appreciate. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you know how to make a¡­ Sazerac?¡± He wasn¡¯t sure what that was, but-


    (Pride: A Sazerac was one of the most common cocktails within New Orleans, prepared by blending two cold drinks rye whiskey, bitters, absinthe, and sugars. Modern variety frequently replaces the absinthe with herbsaint due to a shortage within the States.)


    (Lust: It¡¯s got a sweet taste almost like ice tea with a licorice finish if done right.)


    ¡°I do¡­ not¡­¡± Beez¡¯el slowly admitted. ¡°But I can pour you a shot of¡­?¡± Their guide checked the bottle. ¡°Vodka? If you want?¡±


    (Lust: Ew, where¡¯s the flavor?)


    (Envy: We¡¯ve still got work to do. We can drink until we pass out when we¡¯re done.)


    Not quite sure if he agreed with that opinion, he still decided that it would be best if, ¡°I¡¯ll abstain for the time being then. Little indulgences are all fine and dandy but we still need to keep a clear head for our work.¡±


    ¡°Uh, right¡­¡± Beez¡¯el nodded, looking just a little disappointed.


    ¡°I did say you could still indulge, just with moderation.¡± He reminded the Inferni.


    ¡°Oh, in that case¡­¡± Beez¡¯el went ahead and poured himself a glass.


    While their guide did that, Booker turned towards Lydia. ¡°Same for you my dear if there¡¯s anything you¡¯d care for.¡±


    His young companion blinked. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m under twenty-one?¡±


    Which had him blinking back. ¡°What¡¯s that have to do with anything?¡±


    ¡°Uh, the¡­ drinking age?¡± Lydia answered, more as a question than anything.


    ¡°The fuck is that?¡± Beez¡¯el asked in his place, if perhaps far more crassly than he would¡¯ve.


    Rather than explaining, Lydia merely stared at them for a moment before eventually running a hand down her face. ¡°Right¡­ why would you have that down here?¡±


    He glanced towards his tour guide in askance, only to receive a shrug.


    ¡°So is that a yay or a nay on the drink?¡± He tried once more.


    Lydia gave the bottle a complicated look before shaking her head. ¡°No. If we¡¯re sneaking into a gang hideout now probably isn¡¯t the best time for a first drink¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can get you one when your half of the plan fails.¡± Beez¡¯el nodded in agreement as the Inferni poured himself a second glass.


    One that was promptly stolen as V came back to the counter before downing the glass in a single go and wiping at her mouth.


    ¡°You¡¯re paying for the whole bottle.¡± She warned her fellow Infeni with a glare, before turning towards Booker and Lydia. ¡°Alright, it took some string pulling but I¡¯ve got you guys an in.¡±


    ¡°That was quicker than expected.¡± He admitted, a touch impressed.


    ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how helpful people are when they think it¡¯ll get them laid.¡± V smirked a hand on her hip.


    (Lust: I really don¡¯t¡­)


    ¡°Anyway, this perv that¡¯s been bugging me all month apparently works for the fight club. He¡¯s been trying to convince me to go with him so that he can show off in the hopes that I¡¯ll put out, but given how he¡¯s all talk he can and probably will go fuck himself.¡± V explained before adding that. ¡°This means I¡¯ll have to go with you but talking him into letting in a new fighter won¡¯t be that hard.¡±


    Beez¡¯el made a face. ¡°Is this the only way you can get us in?¡±


    ¡°Without making enemies I don¡¯t want, yes.¡± The pink Inferni grimly nodded. ¡°And I like it even less than you, who put me in this situation.¡±


    Beez¡¯el could only grimace.


    (Lust: That¡¯s no good¡­)


    (Sloth: People do what they have to to get by¡­)


    (Envy: That doesn¡¯t make it right. Especially when we¡¯re the ones responsible for their suffering¡­)


    ¡°If you require, I can send this gentleman a¡­ message just for him?¡± Booker smiled already imagining the feeling of blood on his hands.


    V¡¯s face twisted unbecomingly, even as she seemed to actually consider the offer. ¡°I can handle him, but if he¡¯s got ¡®friends¡¯... Well I won¡¯t say no to help as long as there aren¡¯t any strings attached.¡±


    ¡°As you so desire, my dear.¡± He shrugged, aware that he¡¯d be getting all the violence he could want soon enough.


    Nodding back to him, V began to move around the counter as she told them, ¡°Either way, the actual fighting won¡¯t be until later tonight and I¡¯ve still got a couple hours left on my shift. So either buy something or figure out something to do because you aren¡¯t getting in without me and I¡¯d rather not lose my job if I can help it.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, I¡¯m sure we can figure out something.¡± He grinned.

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (VI): Preparing To Cause A Scene

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (VI): Preparing To Cause A Scene


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°So, uh, is there a reason we¡¯re collecting railroad spikes?¡± Lydia asked him, bag in her arms as he dropped another spike into it.


    ¡°Hmm, well¡­¡± He reached down and removed another spike, before tossing it up and down in his hand. ¡°They¡¯re surprisingly useful tools, when you know how to use them.¡±


    (Sloth: Pretty sure if you mention what we used them for you¡¯ll scare her off.)


    (Lust: Oh, that won¡¯t do.)


    (Wrath: Then allow me to list the more palatable uses of such a fine tool¡­)


    ¡°First off,¡± He caught the nail and wrapped his fist around it. ¡°They can give your punches more weight to them.¡± He slid the nail in his grip slightly. ¡°Or you can use them as a bludgeon of sorts on harder materials.¡± He spun the metal in his hand so that sharp point was away from him. ¡°The point can also make for a fair dagger in an emergency.¡±


    (Wrath: Though in the later cases it¡¯d be better if they were a bit longer.)


    ¡°So you¡¯re collecting them as¡­ weapons?¡± Lydia (hideously) frowned in confusion.


    ¡°Quite, right.¡± He grinned, hoping she¡¯d mimic the expression.


    Instead she asked him, ¡°Then why do you need so many?¡±


    (Wrath: How about we try something¡­ entertaining for the child?)


    (Lust: Ooh, ooh, show off! I insist! You must!)


    With a smile he quickly threw the railroad spike towards the nearby brick work, partially lodging it inside of the stone. He then shot forward before slamming his fist into the spike, driving it even deeper into brickwork. Deep enough in fact that, (I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to retrieve this one.)


    He could almost swear he could hear a clapping sound inside of his head as he examined the cracks that had spread out from the point of impact.


    (Lust: Ooh, well done! And you left such a beautiful signature upon the wall!)


    (Wrath: If these weren¡¯t of such cheap material I likely could do more with them, but¡­ it is what it is I suppose.)


    He turned away from the cracks and back towards his young companion. ¡°As you can see, depending on how you use them, you can go through quite a few of these little darlings surprisingly quickly.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah¡­¡± Lydia nodded, her wide eyes on the hole the spike had gone through.


    ¡°Knowing that little fact, my current shortage of supplies, and how many foes I¡¯m likely to face during our coming endeavor I felt that it was best to prepare at least a little for the coming battle.¡± He explained, as he collected another spike from the ground. ¡°That said¡­ There¡¯s only so many we can carry, and so many we can take before they¡¯re missed.¡±


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    The question of whether or not the people doing the missing could actually do anything to him -(Pride: They can¡¯t.)- was an entirely separate matter.


    (Envy: How about instead of risking derailing a train we remember how to use our magic in combat?)


    (A valid course of action.) He admitted, putting away the spike he had in hand and taking the Bone Charm in hand. Something that he knew immediately caught Lydia¡¯s notice.


    The girl didn¡¯t say anything but he could see the desire in her eyes as they stayed locked onto the charm, clearly wanting to know its many secrets.


    (Envy: Secrets that we need to re-discover for ourselves.)


    (Pride: What fun!)


    Much like he had earlier in the day he began to pull on the magic stored within his very bones, draw out through his blood, and push it into the charm, sending black electricity dancing across its surface.


    (Envy: Yes¡­ Now feel the power, pull it out of the charm and into your hand¡­)


    He placed a hand over the charm, his fingers half curled towards it as if physically plucking the magic stored within.


    (Envy: No.) The voice in his head chided. (Don¡¯t simply reach out for it. Don¡¯t expect it to simply do what you ask, what you think it should. No!)


    He could feel the power beginning to flow around him, the building power dancing across his skin.


    (Envy: Magic is a malicious mistress. She may do what you ask if you beg and plead, but she will never respect you unless you dEManD it. You will it so thoroughly that reality itself bends the knee, because your will shall not be denied!)


    A manic grin began to twist onto his face as his very shadow seemed to come alive, growing in the light cast by the eclectic claws digging into his flesh, seeking both bone and blood.


    (Envy: No! You shall not simply lie there and take it as the world puts its boot on your neck! No! You¡¯ll buck and fight, throw it from your corpse, and stand your ground even as reality itself demands you give into its will! And will make it pay for every filthy indignity it has forced upon us!)


    He reached out and grasped the magic by its throat, before ripping it out of the charm and holding the dark power in his hand. Holding it in place even as it fought tooth and nail to escape his tightening grip, a smile on his face as he reversed their places made it bow to his cruel whims rather than being but a slave to its power.


    With a mad gleam to his eyes he threw the magic out, knowing that it would obey him or else. And the bolt struck the wall leaving a black burn across the wall.


    (Envy: Is that all you have?)


    (No.)


    He continued to draw on the magic gathered on the charm, sculpting it and casting it out again and again in a variety of shapes and patterns. Quick bolts, bolts strong enough to shatter steel, and even a constant stream of the dark magic, eating away at the brickwork.


    Again and again he cast, slinging it around until he didn¡¯t even need the charm to draw the magic to him, even if it took even more will to drag the magic to him. But even then, reality was not enough to deny him the power to make the world pay.


    When the brick wall was covered in scorch marks far and wide, he found himself taking a deep breath before letting it out through a satisfied smile.


    Turning around he found that a small crowd of the market goers had gathered to watch him, but he ultimately decided they weren¡¯t worth his time. Instead he focused on his young companion watching him with wide eyes, before offering her the charm.


    ¡°Care to take a try, my dear?¡±

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (VII): Magic Training And Train Boarding

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (VII): Magic Training And Train Boarding


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Draw the power in, feel it flow through your very bones, and then will it to do what you wish.¡± He tried explaining once more.


    And to her credit he could tell that Lydia was in fact trying to do as he said, no matter how much she struggled, faint sparks of power building but never quite forming either.


    (Wrath: Will is not the aspect of this she is lacking.)


    The fact that she was still trying in spite of her clear failure.


    (Pride: She¡¯s willing to improve herself, and that does deserve credit, but¡­)


    (Envy: But she has next to no affinity for Curse magicks.)


    After a few more moments, he placed a hand upon the bone charm and gently pushed it down. Preventing his young companion from continuing on with her exercise in futility.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s wrong? I¡­ I almost had it.¡± The poor girl lied, a (hideously) worried frown marring her face.


    ¡°No, you did not¡­¡± He sighed with a shake of his head. ¡°It¡¯s a shame, but ultimately a common enough problem with this sort of thing.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡± Lydia swallowed, as if expecting him to deliver a death sentence when she finally managed to ask, ¡°What problem?¡±


    (Envy: Let me explain. We¡¯re going to need a bit more detail than what you¡¯re aware of¡­)


    (Alright, give me the lesson to teach.)


    ¡°Every school of magic possesses a different¡­ mindset. A mindset so ingrained into a person that it influences all magics that they are capable of, accelerating their ability to use some while making others near impossible.¡± He explained, before drawing a bit of cursed energy into his hand, not quite forming a Shadow Bolt. ¡°Curse magic, the kind both this bone charm and myself revolves around ¡®suffering¡¯, ¡®vengeance¡¯, and ¡®rebellion¡¯ each being¡­ not quite a sub-affinity, but still a piece of the overall puzzle. Do you follow so far?¡±


    Lydia licked her lips as her face scrunched up in thought. ¡°Curse magic¡­ the stuff you¡¯re trying to teach me¡­ I need to know about¡­ suffering, vengeance, and rebellion to use?¡±


    (Envy: Yes, but no¡­)


    He considered how better to explain this. ¡°You don¡¯t simply need to know of them, or have experienced them, you need to understand them in a way that is a step further than simple sympathies. And even then you don¡¯t need to understand all of them, truly understanding just one aspect is more than enough. Though understanding each will offer greater power, that¡¯s more of a long term goal than we¡¯re currently looking at.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I lived in Ira Invidia, I know what suffering is and I¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I know about vengeance and rebellion.¡±


    (Lust: Ooh, someone has a story~)


    (Gluttony: A fun one.)


    (Sloth: Not the time.)


    ¡°As I said, it¡¯s not a matter of simply knowing them you must understand them.¡± He tried to reiterate. ¡°For instance to use, fire magic¡­¡±


    (Lust: You need to understand the warmth of life! To exist and burn for that fleeting moment of joy!)


    ¡°For ice¡­¡±


    (Wrath: You must feel the creeping cold that chills the veins, and keeps you in control even as its bitter bite nips away at your mind.)


    ¡°Electricity¡­¡±


    (Pride: Is movement and power, both fueling the ever growing progress of one¡¯s will. A refusal to still one¡¯s self even if it burns you out.)


    ¡°The might of nature¡­¡±


    (Gluttony: Is but the beast within, the instincts engraved into your blood and bones. Your place in the food chain, be it predator or prey.)


    ¡°Mind magicks¡­¡±


    (Greed: Are not some physical force to be bended, but a subtle influence meant to inspire both one¡¯s greatest heights and falls in pursuit of the perfect deal for the moment.)


    ¡°Arts of the soul¡­¡±


    (Sloth: Use your own as both fuel and power as you walk a too long road not meant for mortals, but still the easiest way to the most impossible of dreams¡­)


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    He blinked, his mind suddenly coalescing after shattering upon those rolling thoughts, words spoken more out of instinct than intent.


    After a moment to process his own words, he turned towards his young companion, and asked, ¡°Does any of that resonate with you?¡±


    Lydia was pensive for a moment. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t.¡± He assured her. ¡°While these are the paths I¡¯m most familiar with, they do not represent the only paths to power. Each affinity has many routes to its core, and there are many many affinities that could call to you my dear.¡±


    (Envy: Sixty-seven thousand, seven hundred and eighty three and counting¡­ I think¡­ I¡¯m not actually sure where that number came from?)


    He had no idea, he was honestly still trying to catch up with his own thoughts from before let alone whatever obscure little facts his voices could only half-remember.


    ¡°Regardless, we¡¯ve plenty of time to sort out which magicks best call out to you. The fact that one I¡¯m well suited to doesn¡¯t is a shame, but not some impossible impasse.¡± He promised his young companion with a confident grin. ¡°In fact I¡¯m sure with a bit more work we could even overcome this block of yours, regardless of your actual affinity.¡±


    (Gluttony: Heads up.)


    ¡°Though I do believe that lesson will have to wait a bit longer.¡± He admitted, before turning towards the Inferni approaching them. V notably carrying a large bag on her hip.


    ¡°Shit, the fuck did you two do here?¡± Beez¡¯el asked, looking over the wall covered in carvings and more.


    ¡°Oh, just a bit of magic practice.¡± He smiled, with a pat of Lydia¡¯s head. ¡°The kit is still learning after all.¡±


    ¡°Huh, maybe this isn¡¯t such a shit idea after all.¡± V said as she considered the damage to the wall.


    ¡°Ha! Told you!¡± Beez¡¯el preened.


    ¡°I said maybe, this all could still turn to shit.¡± The pink Inferni warned. ¡°The people fighting in the pit are going to hit back a lot harder than a brick wall.¡±


    (Gluttony: They¡¯ll also bleed a lot more.)


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I can handle it.¡± He grinned as he straightened out his clothes. ¡°That said, if you¡¯re here I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re ready to leave.¡±


    ¡°As ready as I¡¯ll ever be for this shit show.¡± V groaned with a shake of her head, before motioning for them to follow. ¡°There¡¯s a train moving to one of the other markets, it¡¯ll be passing by the station the pit ¡®s built itself into. We¡¯ll have to hop off quick but it¡¯ll still get us there.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic!¡± He laughed, following after.


    ¡°Say that if no Hellbeasts have spawned wherever we hop off.¡± V scoffed.


    ¡°Hellbeasts?¡± Lydia (hideously) frowned.


    V gave his young companion a considering look, before sighing. ¡°Hellbeasts form wherever there¡¯s a dense and unused bit of magic. Topside or in any settlement really, they aren¡¯t too bad since people mess up whatever is going on there, but the places that don¡¯t have people¡­ they have Hellbeasts instead. And Hellbeasts don¡¯t like people.¡±


    ¡°They also aren¡¯t shit worth worrying about.¡± Beez¡¯el added, disrupting whatever warning the other Inferni was trying to form. ¡°I mean look at that shitshow over there.¡± Their guide pointed at the front of a nearby train, one that had a spiked guard covered in various bits of dried blood and half-rotted meat. ¡°The ones outside the city walls can get big, yeah, but the ones that form on the tracks are just waiting to become roadkill.¡±


    ¡°How delightful!¡± He grinned, just imagining the gory little explosions that resulted in such a mess.


    (Lust: Oh, yes very intriguing. I mean if we could splash that onto a canvas¡­)


    (Gluttony: It¡¯d be a waste of good meat.)


    (Pride: I¡¯d like to think we¡¯re above eating roadkill please.)


    (Gluttony: Spoken like someone who''s forgotten their hunger.)


    After a few minutes of walking, V stopped them in front of a train covered in graffiti of all kinds. ¡°Right, this is the one we¡¯re taking.¡±


    ¡°A merchant¡¯s track?¡± Beez¡¯el (grotesquely) frowned.


    ¡° Pulled a favor to find an empty cart passing the pit.¡± The female Inferni explained, before grabbing the door to one of the carts and struggling to open it. ¡°Hrr¡­ The fewer people who can trace me to the coming clusterfuck¡­ the better¡­¡±


    (Wrath: Be a gentleman would you?)


    Stepping forward he grabbed onto the cart door, prompting V to take a step back, before wrenching the thing open enough for all of them to enter.


    ¡°Oof, a regular Sa¡¯tyr aren¡¯t you big man?¡± Beez¡¯el laughed, pushing past V and leaping inside the cart.


    With a grin he offered a hand towards V who simply rolled her eyes and climbed aboard on her own.


    Lydia by contrast let him help her onto the cart, with him following shortly after to find the dark cart illuminated by a pair of lights coming from this dark squares in the hands of the Inferni.


    ¡°Tch, nothing worth swiping in here.¡± Beez¡¯el grumbled, looking around.


    ¡°I¡¯d stop you even if there was. Unlike you I don¡¯t like burning bridges.¡± V told the smaller Inferni, before turning towards him and Lydia. ¡°Once the train gets moving we¡¯re about ten, maybe fifteen minutes from the pit. We¡¯ll hop off quick, get to the door, I¡¯ll talk you three in, and then get out. Whatever happens after that, you lot are on your own.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more than fair.¡± He nodded.


    (Greed: Really, because I figure with everything we did to get this ride we deserve a little more.)


    (Envy: She¡¯s taking a risk for us. Arguably a bigger one than we took for her given what we¡¯re planning.)


    (Sloth: Besides, getting her out would just be more work for us later.)


    ¡°Right, now then Smiles turn around.¡± V ordered, reaching into her bag and pulling out a large piece of fabric. ¡°If I¡¯m talking you idiots in, I''m going to need to be dressed for the part and I¡¯m not letting you perv on me.¡±


    ¡°Ah, of course!¡± He nodded, spinning on his heel so that his back was respectfully to the changing female.


    (Envy: Don¡¯t forget the idiot.)


    (Lust: Hey! I¡¯m the last one to want to look!)


    (Envy: I meant the other idiot.)


    (Lust: Ah.)


    His hand shot out and grabbed Beez¡¯el by the scruff of his neck before forcibly turning him away from their female companion.


    ¡°Blood and brimstones!¡± The male Inferni cursed. ¡°It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen it all before!¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re not dating so you won¡¯t see it ever again asshole!¡± V shot back, a clearly (beautiful) sadistic smile to her voice.


    ¡°Like I¡¯d want to, you may be hot but you''re nowhere near hot enough to put up with that attitude of yours, bitch!¡± Beez¡¯el scoffed, beginning to struggle in Booker¡¯s grasp as the pair began to bicker.


    Still his grip remained like iron, even as the train around them began to move them deeper into the darkness of the railways.

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (VIII): Arriving At The Pit

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (VIII): Arriving At The Pit


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    ¡°Alright, by my count we should be getting close to the Pit¡¯s station.¡± V announced after about fifteen minutes.


    ¡°Does that mean I can get down now¡­?¡± Beez¡¯el asked from where Booker was still holding him in the air, both facing a wall. ¡°My legs are starting to feel weird as shit¡­¡±


    ¡°Mm¡­ I guess¡­¡± V reluctantly sighed, her voice tinged with amusement.


    ¡°Wonderful!¡± Booker grinned, dropping the male Inferni and promptly spinning on his heels to face the girls after both had finished making their preparations for infiltrating the Pit.


    (Lust: Finally! I was getting so bored¡­)


    (Wrath: Now, now, patience is an important talent.)


    (Gluttony: Waiting for the right moment to strike.)


    (Sloth: And leaving yourself with too much time to think¡­)


    (Pride: No such thing!)


    ¡°So, um, how exactly are we doing this?¡± Lydia asked, now that everyone was starting to move. ¡°I mean, you said something about us sneaking on to hitch a ride so are we going to have to sneak up the tracks or something?¡±


    V considered it for a moment as she made her way to the cart door. ¡°Something like that. You mind Smiles?¡±


    Not minding at all, he pulled the cart door open revealing the dark moving walls of the underground rails, illuminated by the faint lights given off of the Inferni¡¯s strange black squares.


    ¡°Rough, but not too bad.¡± V nodded, before glancing at him and Lydia. ¡°Don¡¯t think the kid can make the jump, you?¡±


    ¡°Jump?!¡± Lydia repeated.


    He glanced at the moving rail.


    (Wrath: We should be able to take it.)


    (Gluttony: If not we can walk it off.)


    (Lust: Either way, you¡¯ll probably want to keep a grip on Lydia.)


    ¡°It¡¯s doable.¡± He assured V, picking Lydia up and tucking her under his arm.


    ¡°Wait! What¡¯s happening?!¡±


    ¡°Nothing to worry about!¡± He assured his ward with a smile and a pat atop her head as he took a stand next to the stretching Inferni.


    A flash of lights and sound briefly illuminated a colorful station that the train quickly passed by.


    ¡°Ooh, actually I think that was us!¡± Beez¡¯el admitted, sticking his head out to check. ¡°Yep, that was our stop! Move it bitches!¡± With that final declaration the Inferni jumped out of the car door.


    ¡°What?¡± Lydia blinked, before watching as V quickly followed after the Imp. ¡°Oh no! No! No! No!!!¡±


    (Gluttony: Yes, yes, yes!)


    Ignoring her he leapt off the cart, aiming for the brick wall across the tracks, before giving into instinct. His hand shifting into a claw and digging into the brickwork to bleed his momentum, as he took the brunt of Lydia¡¯s upon his side.


    Once he slowed enough, he pushed off with his claws, ripping them out of the brickwork and launching himself closer to where their Inferni companions had landed.


    Upon landing on the ground, he rolled his shoulders, shaking off the influence of his wilder side and quickly spotting both V and Beez¡¯el a bit further down the tracks and getting their bearings.


    Stepping between the two he gently set a shivering Lydia down, before putting on a proper smile as the rest of his party got their bearings.


    ¡°Shit, I think I see something mo- Oh, shit!¡± Beez¡¯el screamed once the light from his little black box flashed on illuminating Booker¡¯s face.


    Beez¡¯el leapt back before shaking his head. ¡°Shit! You are not someone to bump into at night¡­¡±


    (Gluttony: But we are what goes bump in the night~)


    He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the Imp¡¯s reaction before turning his attention back to V and Lydia. ¡°And you ladies? How are you handling our landing?¡±


    ¡°Just¡­ just give me a second¡­¡± Lydia answered, still hunched over despite offering a weak thumbs up.


    ¡°Think I chipped a nail, but nothing that I can¡¯t fix with a file.¡± V confessed, while examining her claws.


    ¡°Ugh, hate when that happens.¡± Beez¡¯el grimaced, quick to check his own nails.


    (Gluttony: Especially when it pulls on the quick¡­)


    (Pride: Isn¡¯t that always a risk when using claws?)


    (Gluttony: Not when your flesh heals faster than it can tear.)


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    (Wrath: Especially if you reinforce the muscles around the nail at the same time.)


    (Pride: Interesting¡­ And now I¡¯m curious about the biological differences of our claws from an Inferni¡¯s.)


    (Sloth: Focus. We¡¯ve got a job to finish, then we can mess around.)


    With that reminder, he glanced down the tracks noticing something faintly moving through the dark. ¡°The station should be that way, yes?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, think I can see the lights from it still so we aren¡¯t too far out, but¡­¡± V (hideously) frowned, her eyes narrowing into the dark. ¡°Beez, Imps got better vision than Cubi, you see something moving out there?¡±


    Beez¡¯el¡¯s eyes seemed to faintly glow as he spun his light further down the tracks. ¡°I¡¯m seeing something but I¡¯m can¡¯t get a lock on-¡± With an ear piercing screech a bundle of fur, fangs, and claws leapt at the light.


    (Gluttony: Got it.)


    His hand shot out, catching the oversized rat, his claws digging into its flesh and slowly killing it as he examined the beast that really did look like a rat with red and black fur. Small bone ridges protruding from its spine, and a maw full of fangs nipping at his flesh.


    With a squeeze he forced the little beast to let him go, before giving it a taste of its own medicine and biting its head off.


    A shiver of power ran down his spine as he felt a sudden rush into his soul, one so very similar to the one he got whenever he killed someone or gathered Sin. (Curious¡­)


    He spat out what was in his mouth, the bones getting stuck in his teeth, before taking a bite out of his prey and considering the taste.


    (Gluttony: Not sweet enough. Beast wasn¡¯t ripe, too bland.)


    There was still a faint trickle when he swallowed, but nothing quite like what he¡¯d gotten from dealing with those hooligans for the ladies of the night earlier. Nothing to make it worth the flavor, or work of picking the bones out of his teeth. Which is why he simply tossed it to the side.


    It was then that he noticed the rest of his party staring at him.


    ¡°Yes?¡± He smiled with just a touch of confusion.


    For whatever reason all three of his companions shivered, before Beez¡¯el informed him that, ¡°You are one creepy fucker you know that?¡±


    ¡°Whatever do you mean?¡± He was legitimately curious. (I¡¯m not doing anything that odd am I?)


    (Gluttony: No.)


    (Envy: Yes.)


    (Lust: Just keep being yourself.)


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter.¡± V answered with a shake of her head. ¡°The sooner I get you three into the Pit the sooner I can forget about this whole mess. Hopefully that rat was the only beast we¡¯ll find down here.¡±


    As they started down towards the station he could vaguely make out the echoing bass of thumping music so very similar to that of the club V worked at, steadily growing louder with every step they took. Until reaching a crescendo just short of deafening as they came to the station proper, and with it a set of concrete stairs leading onto the station platform.


    While they could easily hear the Pit¡¯s music, and make out the lights coming from within it, their actual access was blocked off by a wooden barricade of sorts. One that was covered in glowing paint and that he could vaguely see tendrils of smoke curling over the ledge of.


    (Envy: Don¡¯t be fooled, the paint is a cover for a number of defensive spells that would slow us down for a fair while.)


    (Sloth: Don¡¯t suppose we could just jump over it.)


    (Envy: No, I¡¯m seeing some kind of motion based cutting spell if we try that.)


    (Sloth: Shame, would''ve made things easier.)


    In front of this defensive structure were a number of guards clearly there to prevent any intrusions, whether due to its would-be patrons or Hellbeasts worse than the one they¡¯d encountered, he could not tell.


    (Greed: If it was just to ward off bad customers they wouldn¡¯t be paying for so much security.)


    V took a deep breath before letting it out. ¡°Alright, let me handle getting us in.¡±


    With that the female Inferni put on a clearly fake smile -making her look far less appealing than the wicked smirk she¡¯d almost defaulted to before this- before making her way towards the guards next to the entrance.


    ¡°Ugh, hate watching this shit.¡± Beez¡¯el groaned, arms crossed in front of his chest and eyes anywhere other than V. ¡°Hate the way people treat Cubi.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lydia (concerningly) frowned.


    ¡°Everyone treats Cubi like they¡¯re bubbly idiots that can be talked into an easy fuck.¡± Beez¡¯el explained with a frustrated look, as if he was thinking of how best to kill the man V was half hanging off of. ¡°Most learn how to make it work for them, and hey I can respect the hustle, but¡­ it just sucks¡­ Especially since other Inferni started treating them the same way.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ It is rather distasteful.¡± He agreed, noting how the guard had opened the door for V who was now gesturing towards the rest of their little party. ¡°If you¡¯d like we could just kill them all and walk through the front door?¡±


    (Gluttony: We¡¯d enjoy it~)


    ¡°Ha!¡± Beez¡¯el laughed, before putting on a wistful grin. ¡°I wish¡­ Even if you are a Contractor I don¡¯t like me or mini-bitch¡¯s odds of getting past this many guys.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± He shrugged, eyes drifting over the guards and wondering how many he could kill before reinforcements arrived.


    Idly he noticed V begin to clap while hopping in place before kissing the guard on the cheek and running over.


    The moment she returned to their group she lost her smile and for once he didn¡¯t overly care. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got us in, and I lucked out in the guards not calling that creep. Apparently, his whole ¡®get you in¡¯ shit was him just trying to get in my pants. Reading between the lines, they¡¯ve no issue letting women in and if you tell them you¡¯re here to join the fights they¡¯ll let you in too Smiles.¡±


    ¡°Fantastic.¡± He smiled, glad this had worked out easy enough as they made their way back to the door in a group, V¡¯s smile this time only half faked.


    As they neared the guard, a large muscular man with fangs and a vaguely canine appearance gave him a once over, ¡°You the one who wants to fight?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct my good sir!¡± He nodded with a smile.


    For some reason the man¡¯s eyes narrowed as he gave him another once over. ¡°I know you from somewhere?¡±


    He blinked before honestly answering. ¡°Not that I can recall?¡±


    ¡°Um, he competed in some of the Assassin¡¯s Games a while back, was pretty big for a minute.¡± Lydia offered when their staredown began to drag on a bit.


    ¡°Ah, that might be it.¡± He realized, not actually sure how well known that would make his face.


    (Pride: Unless they stamped our face on posters in promotion of the games?)


    (Lust: We would put on a killer performance~)


    ¡°Oh, someone from the games?¡± The bouncer gave him a considering nod. ¡°You know the boss just might like that. If you put on a good enough show he might even bring out his best fighter, make tonight a real event.¡±


    ¡°That sounds simply delightful.¡± He grinned, sure that ripping the ¡®best fighter¡¯ limb from limb would be more than enough to get him an invite to meet his target.


    (Gluttony: Someone to sharpen our claws on.)


    (Sloth: Or someone to tire us out before we reach the target.)


    With that settled the bouncer opened the door for them, a cloud of smoke blinding them to the depths of the Pit they were entering.

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (IX): A Fourth Accomplice

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (IX): A Fourth Accomplice


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    Past the barricade was a set of set stairs filled with a sweet smelling smoke and leading up to a bluish-grey cloud with beams of light strobing throughout. This in itself was not overtly notable given how it seemed at least in part to match the club style of the locals. What was notable however was the fact that (Envy: The walls are covered in more spell script.)


    The neon paint on the walls gave off an ever so subtle spell song, one that if he hadn¡¯t known about the spell work on the barricade he would not have known about here.


    He idly traced a finger across the paint, seeing if he could decipher anything else.


    (Envy: More traps if I had to take a guess, though unlike the ones on the barricade these aren¡¯t armed at the moment.)


    (Greed: Why burn their power keeping them running when they¡¯re not in use.)


    (Sloth: Better to save it for when you¡¯re being invaded.)


    (Gluttony: Or to trap your prey indoors.)


    (Pride: Tch, magic. Whatever happened to a good old fashioned murder machine?)


    Behind him he idly heard the Inferni pair bickering once more, namely Beez¡¯el¡¯s affrontment towards the fact that, ¡°You didn¡¯t have to give him your number!¡±


    ¡°If it makes him friendly while we¡¯re here then it¡¯s worth it.¡± V argued as she used a file on one of her nails. ¡°Besides I didn¡¯t give him my actual number. Just a fake so that he doesn¡¯t call the asshole on me until I get out of here.¡±


    Uncaring for this, Lydia instead focused on him, ¡°You find something?¡±


    ¡°This hall is a death trap.¡± Booker happily informed everyone, before started up the stairs.


    ¡°Uh, the fuck you mean by that?¡± Beez¡¯el hesitantly asked him as everyone stayed at the base of the stairs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re not armed¡­ yet.¡± He grinned, knowing that it was probably something they were going to have to deal with before they could get out of here.


    (Sloth: Access key is either in the boss¡¯s office or a security room. Depends on how much he trusts his guys.)


    Apparently trusting him (the foolish girl) Lydia was the first one to follow him, even if she did keep her eyes on the wall. ¡°How uh, how dangerous is this hall exactly?¡±


    ¡°Harmless right now, less so should we make an ill timed exit en masse, you understand?¡± He glanced at his young companion, her (wretched) grimace telling him she did.


    ¡°Can you use your magic to disarm it?¡± Lydia quietly asked, her eyes shifting about.


    (Gluttony: She¡¯s looking for witnesses.)


    (Pride: Which is possible based on those glass screens we found in the Smiling Man¡¯s basement.)


    (Sloth: Making the work of ten men, one.)


    (Gluttony: Either way I don¡¯t see anything.)


    His own eyes drifted across the walls trying to decipher what he could.


    (Envy: The magic is fairly simple but¡­ it¡¯s all connected. Disabling it isn¡¯t hard but, set one domino off and the whole thing will go off. Meaning it¡¯ll take time.)


    (Sloth: And someone will notice us poking at what we shouldn¡¯t for that long.)


    ¡°It¡¯s possible, though not the wisest choice or the fastest at the moment.¡± He summarized for his companion¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Lydia nodded, before glancing back at Beez¡¯el and V a fair bit behind them. ¡°So uh, what is the plan?¡±


    ¡°As we decided earlier, I¡¯ll fight while you and Beez¡¯el investigate things.¡± He reminded her.


    ¡°I know that I meant¡­¡± Lydia trailed off as they came to the top of the stairs and in turn the club proper.


    The smoke that had clouded the stairs was visibly prevalent all around, the large room they were in only vaguely recognizable as a train station of some kind. The floors now covered in some kind of colorful light tiles and a number of circular booths lining the neon painted walls, each booth with a hookah in the center of most.


    While the place wasn¡¯t quite as crowded as V¡¯s club, that was more due to how much space was here rather than a lack of clientele. Clientele that he vaguely noted as majoritively being humans with bestial mutations, a distinct difference from the population split he¡¯d noticed everywhere outside of Ira Invidia.


    (Envy: Given their whole slavery scheme, is it really any wonder there are no Inferni here?)


    (Sloth: Which also means that Beez¡¯el and V are both going to stand out.)


    (Lust: There¡¯s a few serving girls that are Inferni, V could pass as one of them given her similar clothing even if she¡¯s somehow more conservatively dressed. Beez¡¯el though¡­ there are no male Inferni here¡­ Quick, take Lydia¡¯s hoodie.)


    ¡°Pardon my dear, we will be needing this.¡± He informed his young companion, as he promptly removed the hoodie Lydia had been wearing when he met her.


    ¡°W-what?¡± The young girl blinked in confusion as he dragged her several steps back, before watching as he threw the hoodie at Beez¡¯el.


    ¡°Put that on, quickly now.¡± He ordered. ¡°And pull the hood up.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Beez¡¯el (grotesquely) frowned, removing his own jacket before slipping on Lydia¡¯s.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to stand out far more than I was hoping.¡± He explained, keeping an eye out for anyone who may over hear. (Gluttony: We¡¯re clear.) ¡°Miss V might pass as a waitress, you on the other hand will not.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, you¡¯ve never seen me in a skirt. I could probably pull it off.¡± The male Inferni chuckled with an otherwise grim look, clearly understanding what he was actually getting as he pulled up Lydia¡¯s hood before tossing the girl his jacket.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Fuuuck.¡± V cursed, taking a look around the room just beyond them and quickly realizing what he had and what it meant. ¡°I knew this was a bad idea! We aren¡¯t even in the club yet and we¡¯re in danger!¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey! You said that guy at the front was cool with fighters. That he wouldn¡¯t stop us here.¡± Beez¡¯el reminded his companion. ¡°As long as I keep my head down we can make this work.¡±


    ¡°Keep your head down? You?!¡± V asked with no small amount of incredulity. ¡°You¡¯re the biggest show boat I know! No, what we¡¯re doing is leaving now!¡±


    With that declaration, V grabbed Beez¡¯el¡¯s arm and started down the steps.


    ¡°No, we¡¯re not!¡± Beez¡¯el growled, ripping his arm free of her grasp. ¡°We¡¯ve got shit to do here!¡±


    V rolled her eyes. ¡°Come on Beez, you know the first rule of the streets. The Sin ain¡¯t worth your life. You take the safe risks not the suicidal ones!¡±


    Beez¡¯el growled once more, his eyes darting between V and Booker.


    Something the pink Inferni immediately noticed as her eyes narrowed. ¡°Is he forcing you to come here? Shit, is this the trap they¡¯re using on people?¡±


    ¡°No. No! This is just¡­ this is business V!¡± Beez¡¯el hastily answered, raising both hands in a half panic before slowly gaining a determined look. ¡°You can go but we¡¯ve got to do this.¡±


    V ran a hand down her face. ¡°Is¡­ is this about the money you owe me? Because you¡¯re worth more than that asshole. I¡¯d happily wipe the debt if it¡¯ll keep you from getting yourself killed. Or¡­ or do you owe someone? I¡¯ve got¡­ some sin saved up, maybe we can work something out.¡±


    ¡°No, Ver¡¯osha, I¡­¡± Beez¡¯el gained a pained grimace.


    ¡°We¡¯re, we¡¯re trying to rescue the Inferni here.¡± Lydia interrupted, drawing all eyes to her. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s why he can¡¯t leave. We¡¯re here to free the Inferni they¡¯re kidnapping.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The pink Inferni simply stared at the younger girl dumbfounded, her eyes slowly drifting over everyone. ¡°You¡¯re what?¡±


    ¡°That is one of our goals.¡± He confessed. (Even if it isn¡¯t quite the primary one.)


    (Gluttony: That would be the coming slaughter.)


    (Envy: Some of us prefer the other goal thank you.)


    (Lust: Yeah, assassination sounds so much more attractive than an ugly slaughter.)


    (Envy: ...)


    ¡°Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit!¡± V cursed, before cursing some more as she began to pace side to side on the steps and rant at Beez¡¯el. ¡°Is this about your stupid Contractor thing? I¡¯ve told you those heroic delusions of yours are bullshit. Contractors are not¡­ fuck!¡±


    V dropped her face into her hands -which were slowly fisting in her hair- before pulling back and taking an audibly deep breath. As she let it out she turned upon Beez¡¯el with a glare. ¡°You are a fucking dumbass and you are going to get yourself killed.¡±


    Rather than being dissuaded Beez¡¯el merely glared back. ¡°You can say whatever you want but I¡¯m not going to let these assholes kick our people while we¡¯re down. Not without giving them a black eye at the very least.¡±


    The pair continued to glare at each other for another moment before V eventually turned towards Booker and asked, ¡°What is your plan?¡±


    (Sloth: Might be for the best to focus on ¡®freeing the Inferni¡¯, if she knows we¡¯re focusing on the boss that bit of focus on her might be enough to scare her off.)


    (Lust: Not if she¡¯s doing this for Beez¡¯el. Love is a powerful motivator~)


    ¡°I¡¯ll enter the tournament, and prove to be a more¡­ lively contestant than they are used to. At which point, Lydia and Beez¡¯el would make their way into the back. And upon finding the trapped Inferni work on breaking their chains.¡± He explained, not lying but still holding back the parts that didn¡¯t concern her.


    ¡°And how are you going to do that?¡± V pressed unaware that it was the same point that Beez¡¯el had when they¡¯d first discussed their options. ¡°People can¡¯t break contracts.¡±


    ¡°Yes they can.¡± Lydia interrupted once more, before gesturing towards him. ¡°Booker has a bunch of Contracts, and he says they can be broken and bent.¡±


    V gave him a skeptical look. ¡°And how exactly do you break a contract?¡±


    (Envy: Let me convince her.)


    (Lust: Really? You¡¯re not what I¡¯d call¡­ friendly.)


    (Envy: But I do know magic.)


    (Greed: I¡¯ll workshop it with him.)


    (Lust: Ooh, we can make it a group project!)


    Leaning into the voices¡¯ power, he tapped at his smile, gathering their thoughts before finally explaining that. ¡°A contract is a magical geass fueled via a person¡¯s willing agreement. The power of said agreement is determined by how aware of the contract¡¯s terms the signer is. And in a similar manner, should it be coerced then there will be¡­ added unwritten terms that the methods of coercion would stop.¡± He gave V a pointed look. ¡°Which given their current treatment is something I very much doubt.¡±


    Rather than accepting his explanation, V continued to press. ¡°That sounds nice, but I¡¯ve seen plenty of dealmakers go back on their end of the deal and keep things going until they die.¡±


    ¡°Ah, there is a slight caveat or two to the previous terms.¡± He admitted, with a carefree grin. ¡°First, while the main power of the deal is through the willing agreement, this does not mean that a dealmaker cannot spend their own magic to keep the deal active. That said, keeping the implied number of contracts here active with one¡¯s own power is highly inefficient and not sustainable without a level of power I very much doubt our foe possesses.¡±


    (Sloth: Otherwise we¡¯re biting off something we very much cannot handle.)


    (Pride: Nonsense!)


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s say you¡¯re right for a moment. Both in all of this bullshit about Contracts, and about the boss of the pit not being strong enough to support them all.¡± V offered, humoring him for at least the moment. ¡°If that¡¯s the case what¡¯s keeping all the Inferni from walking away the moment their contract runs out of power?¡±


    ¡°That would be the second caveat, the chains not made from magic but one¡¯s own mind.¡± He grimaced through his grin, the very concept disgusting him. ¡°Even if the magical aspect of the contract runs out, if the signer still believes it¡¯s active they won¡¯t try to break it, fearful of the repercussions. And why bother trying to break it, when as your own words said ¡®Contracts can¡¯t be broken.¡¯. Especially when no one tries.¡±


    V seemed to think about what he was saying, considering his words far more than Beez¡¯el had during their previous planning phase.


    Something that even said red Inferni was now doing, if the growing frustration on his face was any indicator. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is this bastard, he forces some poor Inferni into a contract, then fuels it himself until they quit fighting, and then he doesn¡¯t have to do anything else once the contract fucking expires.¡±


    ¡°That is my working hypothesis, yes.¡± He nodded.


    Beez¡¯el snarled, before punching the wall and beginning to pace far more aggressively than his companion had. ¡°That motherfucker! No, no, not just this motherfucker. All the motherfuckers! How many of them have been pulling this scam on us, and for how long?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, as much of this is circumstantial.¡± He confessed, less concerned with Beez¡¯el¡¯s aggression than the thoughts of the pink Inferni he was looking at.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m in.¡±


    Beez¡¯el froze, his rage rapidly fading, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in.¡± V repeated, with a determined look. ¡°I still don¡¯t trust you, not really, but you¡¯ve got Beez working with you and I¡¯m not going to let his ass go into the fire alone.¡±


    Beez¡¯el blinked, eyes looking a little watery. ¡°V, you don¡¯t have to¡­¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not leaving, then I might as well be here to bail you out when things get fucked.¡± V told him, not quite meeting the other Inferni¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Ah, you tsundere bitch!¡± Beez¡¯el (beautifully) smiled arms wide, right up until a fist crashed into his face. ¡°Ah, you tsundere bitch!¡±


    Alright, now V has joined the party. (The background rolls went really well for you.) What is she doing?


    (Note: She¡¯s a Social/Information unit, not a fighter.)


    []-Stay with Booker.


    []-Go with Lydia and Beez¡¯el.


    How does Booker start getting attention?


    []-Start a bar fight.


    []-Bet big on himself. (More than he actually has.)


    []-V bluffs us up.  (Requires V stay with Booker.)


    []-¡°Oh, it¡¯s that guy¡­¡± (Requires V stay with Booker.)


    And while that happens how does everyone else get into the backrooms?


    []-Just try to sneak past while everyone is distracted.


    []-Maybe a guard is willing to take us to the prisoners. (For pity/a bribe.)


    []-Let V charm and distract a guard. (Requires V join Beez¡¯el and Lydia.)


    []-Maybe V can talk to the serving girls? (Requires V join Beez¡¯el and Lydia.)

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (X): A Defenseless Doe, And Something Dangerous

    A/N: Okay there was a cross-site tie between two plans so I flipped a coin, and this one won.


    ---


    Gula Invidia: Black Market (IX): A Defenseless Doe, And Something Dangerous


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    (Lust: What¡¯s a tsundere?)


    (Pride: I¡¯ve no idea.)


    (Sloth: Does it actually matter?)


    The fact that Beez¡¯el was walking off the punch to his face implied that (probably not.) Especially when one considered everything else going on at the moment.


    ¡°Okay, so if Beez and the kid are going to free the other Inferni then that means you and I are creating the distraction.¡± V decided, causing the other Inferni¡¯s eyes to go wide.


    ¡°Uh, is that really the best idea? I mean if smile¡¯s plan is to cause a shitstorm, you might get dragged into it. And if they try to hold you hostage or something¡­¡± Beez¡¯el trailed off.


    ¡°I could handle it.¡± Depending on his priorities at the time.


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯d rather she be where I can see her and where you can do what you¡¯ve got to do without worries?¡± The Inferni told him.


    (Sloth: He thinks she¡¯ll get in the way of the hit.)


    (Lust: Well, he does want to protect her but¡­ yeah, that too.)


    ¡°I can handle myself Beez, you know that. I¡¯ve been running these streets longer than you.¡± V pointed out to her companion unaware of any ulterior motives.


    (Sloth: If he thinks she should go¡­)


    ¡°Perhaps, but I would feel more assured if Lydia had more protection than a single man in such a dangerous place.¡± He admitted, in half-truth as he patted the lass¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, my dear?¡±


    Lydia blinked at him for a moment before her eyes went wide and she nodded. ¡°Uh, yeah. And besides uh, the Inferni here might be more willing to listen to you guys than they would me.¡±


    V made a bit of a face at that before shaking her head with a sigh. ¡°Whatever. I wouldn¡¯t trust half-pint alone with the idiot either.¡±


    Despite their attempts to dissuade her from following Booker, Beez¡¯el still let out an affronted, ¡°Hey!¡±


    Ignoring him, V continued by telling them that, ¡°If all the serving girls here are Inferni I might be able to convince one of them to help us into the back or take us to where they¡¯re holding everyone. Though I doubt they¡¯ll be able or willing to do much until you get all eyes on you. Speaking of, what¡¯s your plan for that?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He peeked outside of their little alcove trying to find something capable of a proper distraction, before finding his eyes drawn to an old bar filled with drinks.


    (Gluttony: Easiest move is to just walk up to someone and slug them.)


    (Wrath: Starting up a proper riot could draw all the attention we need.)


    (Sloth: Or it could get us kicked out before we finish our job.)


    (Greed: If we really want to irritate them then we need to hit them somewhere it¡¯ll hurt.)


    ¡°I may have an idea¡­¡± He nodded to himself. ¡°I suggest we split off here, given the time it takes to work a crowd and the current circumstance, well¡­ I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll know your signal when you see it~¡±


    With that established he set off in search of the club¡¯s fight pit and with it, hopefully a bookie that was about to absolutely hate him.


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    ¡°Is he always like this?¡± V frowned as they watched Booker wander off into the club, easily sidestepping anyone who happened to get in his path.


    ¡°Like what?¡± She cautiously asked, unable to deny that Booker was a bit off, even if she hadn¡¯t seen any of that offness here.


    V glanced at her before shaking her head. ¡°Nevermind, let¡¯s just focus on our part.¡±


    ¡°Getting one of the girls here to help us?¡± She double checked, feeling nerves similar to when they¡¯d gone to the Smiling Man¡¯s basement, the kind that told her she was doing something dangerous in an even more dangerous place. (But I don¡¯t need to be afraid¡­ Not while Booker ¡®s here.)


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± V grimaced as her eyes drifted around the room, where a number of the club goers seemed to be getting handsy with the serving girl. ¡°I hate to pile on someone, but we need to grab them while they¡¯re alone and coming away from these assholes.¡±


    ¡°Or we can help them get away from these assholes?¡± Beez¡¯el suggested. ¡°They might be more willing to help us if we help them get away from all this bullshit.¡±


    ¡°And how¡¯re we going to do that? If you remember, Smiles is supposed to be the one making a scene.¡± V reminded the other Inferni.


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    ¡°Don¡¯t need to make a scene just¡­¡± Beez¡¯el¡¯s eyes narrowed as he licked his lips, before glancing at Lydia. ¡°Mini-Bitch, how sneaky are you?¡±


    Having been called worse by people she¡¯d known far longer, she ignored her continued annoyance at the nickname, before answering that, ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last couple years as a pickpocket on the streets while running from a gang that wanted me¡­¡±


    ¡°And given those lessons we interrupted I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t have much sinner magic yet?¡± The Inferni pressed.


    She bit her lip at the reminder of how she¡¯d been so close to power, real power, only to have it slip through her fingers due to lacking an affinity for it. ¡°No. I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You kill anyone yet?¡± Beez¡¯el continued, pulling out a knife from his boot.


    (Her breaths came out in shaky gasps, her entire body trembling as she stared down at the too still body in front of her. Blood slowly pooling around them, reaching out towards her as if to stain her more than the blood already clinging to her hands.)


    She took a breath, blatantly pushing that night from her memory, before nodding. ¡°Yeah, I have.¡±


    Despite her best efforts Beez¡¯el must have seen something on her face as he grimaced. ¡°Right, I¡¯ll take care of that part then.¡±


    ¡°Beez we can¡¯t just drop someone in the middle of a club!¡± V hissed, eyes darting to make sure no one could hear them over the music. ¡°Are you trying to get us perma-killed? Or worse?!¡±


    ¡°All we¡¯ve got to do is take them out and make it look like they had too much of the good stuff. We make it look like we¡¯re dropping them off somewhere to sleep it off, and by the time they get back up we¡¯ll be long gone.¡± Beez¡¯el explained, before pointing at a pair of men harassing a clearly uncomfortable but resigned pink Inferni. ¡°I¡¯ll kill the guys. A quick knife to the throat and a hand to his mouth to cover up the gasping. You charm the other guy, and then talk the girl down while I deal with the other.¡±


    ¡°Wait, won¡¯t blood glow under all these black lights?¡± She interrupted.


    V shook her head. ¡°Blood doesn¡¯t glow under club lights, not without spilling other stuff on it at least.¡± The older woman turned a glare on Beez¡¯el. ¡°What we¡¯d really have to worry about is that I can¡¯t talk the girl down while keeping that guy Charmed.¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re quick enough then it won¡¯t matter.¡± Beez¡¯el tried to argue.


    ¡°We won¡¯t be quick enough if the girl screams the moment you or I stab these assholes.¡± V disagreed.


    ¡°What if I do it?¡± She asked, before steeling herself as both Inferni turned towards her with mixed expressions. ¡°What if I kill the other guy while V handles the girl?¡±


    The older pair looked at each other and seemed to have a silent conversation between them, with several vague gestures and expressions both towards each other and her before V leaned towards her. ¡°Are you uh, are you sure about this Lydia? You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re¡­ I mean I know Sinners tend to be rough, but¡­ Killing someone like you have and like this are two completely different things.¡±


    She looked at her hands, ever so briefly seeing the blood from that night, before taking another breath and letting it out as she also remembered killing the Smiling Man with Booker. Two kills that were under completely different situations, situations that assured her that, ¡°If we have to kill him to protect people then, that is completely different too. Especially if he¡¯ll still get back up after.¡±


    While V didn¡¯t look convinced, Beez¡¯el gave her a grin full of fangs and light punch to the shoulder. ¡°Good of you to step up kid.¡±


    ¡°This is still a shit idea.¡± V grumbled, before admitting that, ¡°That describes this whole night so¡­ Let¡¯s just get this over with. You two stay a step behind me, and move fast once I sit down.¡±


    ¡°R-right.¡± She nodded, a moment too late for V to see as the older woman started towards the other pink Inferni.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry we¡¯ve got this.¡± Beez¡¯el assured her with a pat to her shoulder.


    (I hope so¡­) She grimaced before following after the Inferni pair, only stopping when Beez¡¯el motioned for them to split around the seating arrangement while V made her way to the table proper.


    With a pounding heart, her eyes darted around the room, unable to help but try and find whatever security they had here. Hoping that the smoke, lights, and music would be enough to keep the guards from noticing what was about to happen.


    ¡°Do you boys mind if I join you?¡± She barely made out V asking, the older woman with a seductive smirk on her face as she looked at the two Sinners who couldn¡¯t look away from her in turn.


    The pair of sinners glanced at each other, as both Lydia and Beez¡¯el pressed themselves against their respective walls trying to keep out of sight, a knife in each of their hands.


    ¡°Of course we wouldn¡¯t say no to a little more company.¡± One of the men nodded, a skeevy tone to his voice.


    V¡¯s face didn¡¯t so much as falter, even if her eyes did briefly dart between Lydia and Beez¡¯el as the pair made room for her.


    Knowing the time had come she took a deep breath before creeping towards the sitting area, trying her best to keep out of sight as V took a seat and wrapped an arm around the other Inferni who was now close enough that Lydia could see how much thinner she was than V or Beez¡¯el.


    Her hand tightened on her knife, remembering the things she¡¯d seen in Ira Invidia, the things she¡¯d pretended weren¡¯t happening around her¡­


    When one of the Sinners reached for V, Lydia was the first to move, driving her knife into the man¡¯s throat and wrapping an arm around him to hold his mouth shut.


    Across the way she idly noticed Beez¡¯el, doing much the same, if quicker and cleaner as the Inferni also hopped over the couch to sit next to his victim.


    From beside her V reached over with a playful laugh to cover up the fact that she was helping Lydia hold the struggling Sinner in place. A struggle that was halved when the Inferni¡¯s eyes flashed pink as she looked into the Sinner¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Lydia! Why don¡¯t you take a seat and join us?¡± V smiled, her face straining as her eyes continued to glow.


    She glanced at the serving girl next to V, remembering that was why V hadn¡¯t killed this man herself, and found Beez¡¯el had wrapped his tail around the other woman¡¯s. The pink Inferni taking several shaky breaths and looking mere seconds from a panic attack.


    With no small amount of trepidation she let go of the man¡¯s neck, leaving her knife in place as V slid her hand over Lydia¡¯s, before walking around and sitting next to the man she¡¯d just stabbed.


    Her eyes darted to the man¡¯s face without any real thought on her part, and she saw his eyes were glowing the same way V¡¯s were, a trail of black slowly flowing out from the man¡¯s nose. And from so close she could see as the glow slowly faded, leaving the man glassy eyed, and her without any doubt that he was no longer ¡®alive¡¯.


    Something that was only underlined by the rush of Sin flowing into her, more than she¡¯d felt in a long time from anything she¡¯d done on her own. The sudden rush of power leaving her heart pounding from more than simply the anxiety of what they¡¯d just done.


    ¡°Who¡­ Who are you people?¡± The serving girl practically whimpered.


    Needing something to distract herself from the blood on her hands and not wanting to be herself she did her best to channel a certain madness she¡¯d been growing increasingly familiar with these last few days, and told the defenseless little doe, ¡°I believe we¡¯re the start of something dangerous. A metamorphosis~¡± She couldn¡¯t help but smile.

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (XI): Cold Comforts And Furious Blows

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (XI): Cold Comforts And Furious Blows


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    ¡°I thought¡­ I thought I was just serving a regular John, I didn¡¯t expect all of¡­ this¡­¡± The serving girl -Sar¡¯ren- told them, V having gotten the other woman to open up about everything while assuring her that they were here to help.


    Something that was made a bit more difficult by the way Beez¡¯el was occasionally messing with the bodies whenever someone else came near their booth. The Inferni doing a morbid Weekend at Bernie''s recreation to cover things up.


    For some reason she thought Booker would find this situation hilarious, even as her own confident grin repeatedly twitched.


    ¡°The collars are going to be a problem¡­¡± V confessed, gently running her fingers over the black choker around the girl¡¯s neck. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you know where the keys to these are?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if there is one¡­¡± Sar¡¯ren admitted, looking so very tired. ¡°I mean why make a key for the thing keeping everyone in line¡­¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d need a key in case one of their guys got it¡­ I doubt they¡¯d like any of their guys losing their heads.¡± She pointed out, trying to be optimistic instead of focusing on the fact that (plenty of people down here would still risk it.)


    Sar¡¯ren shook her head. ¡°The collars only work if you¡¯ve made a contract with their boss and¡­ you can¡¯t break a contract¡­¡±


    ¡°Booker can.¡± She argued, just as she had when V brought the subject up.


    ¡°No he can¡¯t¡­ No one can¡­¡± The serving girl gave her a bitter look, before letting out a sigh and turning back to V. ¡°Look I appreciate what you two are trying to do, but¡­ you can¡¯t save us¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe not but¡­ if burn this place down, then all you have to do is scatter and this fucker won¡¯t be able to hurt any of you.¡± Beez¡¯el pointed out, the Inferni playing devil¡¯s advocate. ¡°Your contract doesn¡¯t say anything about coming back when you get out, just that you have to do what they say, right?¡±


    ¡°And that we have to keep the collars on, which will go off if we try to leave.¡± Sar¡¯ren tiredly reminded them. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it happen before¡­ multiple times¡­¡±


    ¡°Then that means there¡¯s an anchor for the spell somewhere.¡± She noted, vaguely remembering some of what she¡¯d picked up from Booker about how the Smiling Man¡¯s whole teleportation setup had worked with the barrier around Ira Invidia. ¡°In order for a proximity based spell to work, there needs to be an anchor point that if disrupted will mess the spell up.¡± (Which is probably why the entrance hall was covered in so much graffiti, anchors for the traps.)


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case then the anchor is probably in the pit boss¡¯s lounge which¡­¡± Sar¡¯ren shook her head with another sigh. ¡°He¡¯s in there right now, and I doubt you can mess with it while he¡¯s watching.¡±


    She and Beez¡¯el shared a glance, both of them thinking the same thing. (If things go to plan he won¡¯t be there to watch.)


    Admittedly getting the body out to prevent his resurrection like Booker had explained to them, was probably going to be harder than they thought given this club¡¯s layout but¡­ (we¡¯ll figure something out.)


    ¡°Look, I know you don¡¯t believe we can help.¡± V admitted, gently running her fingers through the other Inferni¡¯s hair as she straightened it out. ¡°But maybe if we can get into the back we can figure out something to do with these collars.¡±


    Sar¡¯ren pulled away from V¡¯s touch. ¡°Or you¡¯ll just end up collared yourself while I¡¯m punished for helping you.¡±


    ¡°Not if we cause a big enough distraction that they don¡¯t realize you¡¯re helping us.¡± Beez¡¯el tried.


    ¡°It¡¯d have to be a pretty big distraction for me to be willing to do that.¡± The serving girl warned them with a dry laugh, she clearly wasn¡¯t feeling.


    Lydia briefly remembered everything she¡¯d seen from Booker over the last few days, before letting out a dry laugh, she was feeling. ¡°With Booker doing the distracting¡­ He¡¯ll have all eyes on him by the time he¡¯s done.¡±


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    His eyes drifted around the current room, roughly the same size as the main club had been, but with a notable difference in the large cage in the center of the room. One large enough to fit the two men currently beating each other senseless to the roar of the watching crowd. Each and every member of it, just as bloodthirsty as him.


    (Wrath: And yet none have the will to spill that blood themselves.)


    (Gluttony: More prey pretending to be predators¡­)


    (Sloth: In a way they still are preying upon the weak¡­)


    (Envy: Which is why we¡¯ll square things up, right and proper.)


    (Gluttony: Eyes up.)


    He looked above him and found a large window looking down on the pit, just like Beez¡¯el had told him. Only unlike what he¡¯d been expecting it wasn¡¯t so much a window as it was a glass floor. And while he couldn¡¯t see anyone standing on the floor he could see a few tables and chairs just off of it, a handful of people clearly looking down and watching the proceedings.


    (Sloth: He really is just looking down on everyone isn¡¯t he?)


    (Envy: We¡¯ll be the ones looking down on him soon enough.)


    (Greed: Speaking of, I smell money to our left.)


    He looked that way and found a pair of muscular guards watching over a heavy-set man smoking while going over a handful of Collection Crystals similar to his own.


    (Greed: Not quite¡­)


    (Envy: Their spellsong is ever so slightly different. Same function for the most part but¡­ something is different.)


    (Greed: Less a bank and more a wallet as far as money goes. Likely what people are paying their gambling debts with.)


    Both guards eyed him as he made his way over to the bookie, before easily dismissing him as harmless given his lack of aggression and obvious weapon.


    (Lust: An amateur mistake.)


    (Gluttony: Which is why they¡¯re just prey.)


    (Sloth: They¡¯ve got guns on them. Might want to watch out for that.)


    (Pride: Handguns of a fairly low caliber, at least by our standards.)


    (Wrath: We can handle the damage, and we¡¯re close enough that we could overpower them if we need to.)


    (Greed: But business first.)


    ¡°Hello my good sir, this is where the gambling takes place, yes?¡± He asked with a dapper grin, hoping to disarm the man.


    The bookie gave him a dry unimpressed look before nodding. ¡°Yeah, this your first time here?¡±


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    ¡°That obvious?¡± He chuckled, before glancing at the cage where a pair of guards were entering to pick up an Inferni whose face was a swollen, blood dripping mess. ¡°Given how this is my first time here, is it legal for fighters to bet on themselves?¡±


    ¡°If you want.¡± The bookie answered, his eyes briefly darting towards the guards who each gave brief nods, before holding up a low number of fingers.


    (Pride: They are severely underestimating us.)


    (Gluttony: Let them. With their guard down we¡¯ll feast.)


    ¡°If you want to try the pit we won¡¯t stop you, hell you can even fight that guy if you want.¡± The bookie told him pointing towards the current fighter, a sinner with horns, as the crowd cheered for the man. ¡°How much are you looking to bet?¡±


    (Envy: We can¡¯t bet much. We¡¯re going to need the Sin for our fight.)


    (Greed: Given how we¡¯re going to win, we could bet collateral. If there¡¯s a difference between our Collection Crystal and these, any business man should be able to see it.)


    He withdrew his crystal, while giving his opponent an appraising look and pretending not to notice how the bookie¡¯s eyes locked onto the crystal with a fair bit of interest. ¡°Do you mind if I ask a few questions first?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± The bookie assured, sounding notably more friendly.


    (Greed: Because he¡¯s bitten the bait.)


    (Lust: We just need to reel him in~)


    ¡°Are weapons allowed in the arena?¡± He checked, thinking of his nails and whether to save them for later or use them now.


    ¡°Knives and bats are fine, but anything ranged is out. Can¡¯t risk you shooting the crowd by accident.¡± The bookie answered easily enough, if with a faint narrowing of his eyes as he typed away at one of those glowing black boxes both Beez¡¯el and V possessed as well.


    (Sloth: He knows we¡¯re trying to pull something¡­)


    He let out a falsely put upon sigh. ¡°I¡¯m assuming, magic is under similar restrictions.¡±


    This time the bookie¡¯s eyes did narrow as he puffed on his smoke, before fiddling with the box some more. ¡°You can use it, but if anything touches the crowd we¡¯re taking it out of your hide.¡±


    (Sloth: He¡¯s adjusting how much of a threat we are.)


    (Pride: As he should.)


    (Gluttony: Not if it makes him run before we¡¯re done.)


    (Greed: You need to reel him, back convince him he can make more money than he¡¯ll lose, because he knows he¡¯ll lose on the current bet.)


    ¡°Fair enough.¡± He nodded both to the man and his thoughts. ¡°Last question, if I were to bet, say¡­ the entire contents of this crystal on myself winning every fight you put in front of me tonight. How much Sin would I win?¡±


    ¡°That would be¡­ some steep odds.¡± The bookie licked his lips looking between the black box, the crystal, and Booker¡¯s grin. ¡°You¡¯ve got a reason to believe you can make them?¡±


    He smiled a mouth full of fangs at the man. ¡°I¡¯m a confident sort.¡±


    The bookie puffed at his cigar for another moment before the black box let out a sound, and after checking it, the other man nodded before offering his hand, a faint hum of magic within it. ¡°It¡¯s a bet. You stay in the pit and win every fight we send your way tonight and you¡¯ll walk away with a lot of money. You lose, we take everything in that crystal.¡±


    (Greed: ¡®A lot of money¡¯ is vague. He¡¯s trying to get one over on us. If we¡¯re trying to make him mad we¡¯ll need to tweak the deal.)


    ¡°Wonderful!¡± He laughed, tossing the empty crystal in the air before catching it and taking the man¡¯s hand, letting his own power flow into the deal, twisting it as he added that, ¡°For clarification: A lot of money, means at least the amount on the crystal times every fight I win.¡±


    The bookie grimaced, his eyes going wide as he lost control over the magicks of the deal.


    As he let the man¡¯s hand go, the guards on either side of them shifted, unsure of what just happened but aware something had happened. Something that the bookie was fully aware of as he lunged once more for the box with a panicked look.


    (Greed: That¡¯ll have them gunning for us after a round or two~)


    With a skip to his step, he spun on his heels and started making his way towards the cage where another guard was waiting.


    ¡°I do believe I¡¯m the next contestant.¡± He told the man.


    The guard gave him a curious once over before shrugging and opening the cage. ¡°Your funeral.¡±


    ¡°More like my massacre.¡± He corrected with a chipper grin as he stepped into the cage.


    Across from him stood a large muscular shirtless man with what looked to be bull horns on his head and a vague brown fur growing across his upper body.


    (Pride: He looks like a proper minotaur.)


    ¡°Huh, been a minute since I fought something other than an Inferni.¡± Said minotaur confessed. ¡°Though you don¡¯t look like you¡¯ve much more going for you. You sure you want to be here string bean?¡±


    (Pride: Why I never!)


    ¡°I assure you I am more than enough to handle this challenge.¡± He disagreed as he straightened his tailcoat.


    All around them the cage began to let out a faint buzzing hum of some sorts that had him looking around curiously. (What is that?)


    (Gluttony: Smells like a thunderstorm without the rain.)


    (Pride: Have they electrified the cage?)


    This question distracted him just long enough for the minotaur to punch him in the face. Now from a normal person this would do nothing to him, but from the massive Sinner in front of him it was enough to launch him off of his feet and into the cage behind him. The electrified cage behind him.


    While he didn¡¯t scream a painful burning numbness tore across his back for the brief moment it took for him to push off of the fence. (Right, let¡¯s¡­ not do that again¡­)


    He stood there in a faint daze, his head spinning from the punch, hard enough that he was fairly certain it had at least partially cracked his skull. A ringing in his ears that he couldn¡¯t tell if it was from within or the roaring of the crowd on the out.


    (Sloth: Great, think this guy might be a bit tougher than the usual thugs we deal with.)


    (Gluttony: Still prey, just prey with horns¡­ Give into the Beast and wE¡¯Ll eAt hIM aLIvE.)


    (Envy: There¡¯s enough suffering here that I can make him hurt like all the people he¡¯s hurt. Make him feel the weight of his sins crawling on his back.)


    (Lust: There¡¯s no need to get so serious about this. We¡¯re on a stage, we¡¯ve got a crowd, let¡¯s have fun with this~)


    (Wrath: No. We need to be in control of ourselves. Lydia and the others need us to focus. Not lose ourselves to our emotions.)


    He felt that that last one had a point. (I can¡¯t lose sight of the goal just because of one bad blow. I need to stay focused, in control.)


    (Wrath: Take everything you¡¯re feeling, all of your emotions and compress them. Push them to the side until we¡¯ve time to deal with them.)


    He took a deep breath as he ignored the pain, aware that he¡¯d felt worse and what damage he¡¯d taken would heal soon enough. Instead he focused on the minotaur before him, a faint chilling numbness flowing through his veins and pushing his heat down deep inside.


    (Wrath: Pain, rage, hunger, misery, joy, and guilt all serve a purpose, but they¡¯re a temptation. A lack of control can harm you and those you protect.)


    He stepped forward, his back straightening, as his smile dimmed a touch even if it didn¡¯t leave his face. Until he stopped just in front of his opponent and once more straightened out his tailcoat, the jacket doing nothing to warm the chill creeping across his flesh.


    (Wrath: Don¡¯t let yourself become frustrated, angry, or hurt. Compartmentalize it until you need it. Don¡¯t let it get in the way.)


    He took another calming breath before looking his foe in the eye. ¡°Let¡¯s try that again, shall we?¡±


    (Wrath: Endure all the world throws at you.)


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± The minotaur chuckled, before once more punching him in the face to crowd¡¯s roar of approval.


    Only this time, he stood firm.


    ¡°What?¡± The sinner asked with wide eyes.


    He gave the man a cold, bored look. ¡°Is that all?¡±


    (Wrath: Endure.)


    The minotaur¡¯s face twisted before he pulled back his fist and drove it forward once more into Booker¡¯s face. An act he repeated again and again, not waiting for Booker¡¯s reaction as the sinner continued to pummel away at him with a level of force that faintly shook the room with every punch. Ever driving the crowd to an ever higher fervor as they felt it in their very bones.


    (Wrath: Endure it all.)


    Still¡­ he stood firm.


    After a few more moments, the minotaur pulled back faintly gasping for air. The crowd silent as one and all stared at Booker in shock.


    ¡°Done already?¡± He cooly asked.


    (Wrath: And then¡­)


    ¡°The fuck?¡± The other sinner blinked at him.


    ¡°I suppose that means it¡¯s my turn now.¡± He nodded, adjusting his coat once more.


    (Wrath: When you can endure no more¡­)


    After setting his folded tailcoat on the floor Booker gave the minotaur a kind smile, before grabbing the wretch by his horns and throwing him face first into the ground. At which point he placed a boot on the minotaur¡¯s back and grabbed the sinner by his horns, before slowly pulling back as he pressed down.


    He took no satisfaction in the ripping of flesh, the tearing of meat, simply doing what needed doing.


    With a calming breath he stood, holding his victim up by one of their horns as he looked them in the eye, their lifeless corpse at his feet, before finally letting his cold gaze sweep across the silent crowd.


    (Wrath: You do what you must¡­)

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (XII): An Infernal Pit And The Sin Within

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (XII): An Infernal Pit And The Sin Within


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    The cheers of the crowd roared forth in his favor, their meaningless clamoring barely dimming as the guards removed the minotaur¡¯s remains, and only redoubling when another contestant entered the cage with a knife.


    A knife that without his intervention found its way into Booker¡¯s heart. For most this would prove a fatal wound, but for him¡­ he didn¡¯t even feel it beyond the cold numbness that crawled across his skin.


    Just as he felt nothing as he grabbed his foe¡¯s arm before breaking it, removing the knife, and relocating it into the man¡¯s neck where he proceeded to saw the sinner¡¯s head off in brutal execution.


    More cheers echoed even as he gave the crowd a cold shoulder, as the pattern began to form, as the pit did its best to break him. Their growing desperation becoming more and more apparent with every execution, every judgement delivered upon the sinners.


    After his third victim they quit collecting the bodies, instead letting them pile across the cage¡¯s floor.


    Upon finishing the fourth they began sending them two at a time. Adding another with each round in the hopes of burying him under the mountain of bodies that began to surround him.


    His foes used weapons of all sorts, blades, bats, and more in their attempts to break him.


    But he endured.


    The began unleashing magics upon him, fire, lightning, and curses galore hoping to find something that would stop him.


    But he endured.


    And with every foe that crossed him, he returned their every slight tenfold over. Making a violent spectacle of every kill, be it ripping his victims limb from limb, or holding them against the cage until their hearts gave out. He executed them all in a gory fashion that the wretched crowd of Sinners applauded with every death, a casually callus coldness that he was more than familiar with.


    Eventually though a hush fell over the crowd as rather than a small horde of sinners rushed the cage, instead a single one came forth. One that was clearly intoxicated based on the faint sway to his steps and the bottle in his hand.


    (Pride: Has this man no shame?)


    (Sloth: They must be nearing the end of their rope. Might be stalling for time to act.)


    (Envy: Something about him is¡­)


    (Wrath: You feel it as well.)


    (Lust: No, it¡¯s something else¡­)


    Booker gave the drunken man before him a once over, his face had long dark sideburns and scruff that covered his head. The clothes he was wearing were an old white button up with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of faded black pants held up by a set of suspenders.


    While his intoxication was a surprise, what was more surprising was the fact that he had arguably the fewest animal features of all the wretches Booker had fought this night. The only thing that made him stand out as a fighter was the fact that his flesh was covered in both scars and muscles.


    ¡°Made one hell of a mess in here¡­¡± The man noted, taking in the many many corpses littering the floor.


    ¡°Truly? Because in some ways it feels like I¡¯m taking out the trash.¡± Booker confessed.


    (Gluttony: They were just lambs to the slaughter~)


    (Wrath: No, rabid dogs to be put down.)


    ¡°Fair.¡± The scruffy man admitted, before putting the bottle to his lips and finishing off its contents. Once the bottle ran dry, he shook it trying to get out a few more drops before carelessly tossing it to the side and taking a boxing stance as the glass shattered. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s.¡± He agreed, stepping up to his foe.


    The drunken man blearily blinked up at him as he got closer, a faint glaze to his brown eyes. ¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯re a rabbit man¡­¡±


    He took a moment to look at the bloodstained white fur on his hands, having not even noticed his own transformation. ¡°So I am.¡±


    (Envy: Our magicks may be fractured, but they¡¯re still bound to the same core soul.)


    (Gluttony: No matter the colors we wear, we¡¯ll always be the same beast within.)


    ¡°Explains¡­ why they made me come in.¡± The man slurred.


    ¡°Oh?¡± He asked, giving the man another unimpressed once over.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The man nodded as his eyes turned a violent violet.


    (Envy: Oh no¡­)


    Faster than Booker could react, a massive clawed hand grabbed onto his skull, before picking him up and slamming him into the ground, cratering it around him.


    He endured of course but¡­ he actually felt that through the cold.


    A clawed hand wrapped around his leg before Booker found himself being swung off the ground, and thrown into the electrified cage.


    (Wrath: This is nothing.)


    The cold kept him from feeling the cage, but it didn¡¯t prevent the daze that washed over him as he blinked at the man who had tripled in size. Turning into a mountain of muscular flesh, now wrapped in dark fur and a faint violet haze that he could hear the magic of thrumming through the air like an old blues song.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    (Lust: Oh¡­)


    (Envy: That¡¯s a problem¡­)


    From above a grinning elongated maw full of fangs, a pair of glowing violet eyes looked down on him. ¡°What? You didn¡¯t think you were the only one capable of really using Sin did you?¡±


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    The last few minutes had been tense, waiting for Booker¡¯s signal while trying to keep the serving girl calm and everyone else from realizing they were sitting with two dead bodies.


    Which is why it was such a relief when Beez¡¯el said, ¡°Hey, something is going on.¡±


    Looking up with a frown, she saw several muscular men covered in tattoos, talking to each other before moving towards a doorway that led further into the club.


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s Booker?¡± While he¡¯d told them they¡¯d know their signal¡­ she actually didn¡¯t know if this was supposed to be that signal.


    ¡°Where does that door lead?¡± V asked Ser¡¯ren, hoping the serving girl would tell them.


    ¡°That leads to a few place but¡­ the big one is the Cage where Sinners fight, and if they don¡¯t have Sinners¡­ they send Inferni¡­¡± Ser¡¯ren explained with a pained expression.


    ¡°Then that¡¯s where Booker went.¡± Lydia pointed out. ¡°And if he¡¯s drawing the guards that way then¡­¡±


    ¡°We get this shitshow moving before we end up with an even bigger clusterfuck.¡± Beez¡¯el nodded as he hopped off the couch. ¡°Mini-bitch, grab the other guy and I¡¯ll grab this one.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help but grimace as she looked at the man that she killed. ¡°Why do we need to grab them?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to use them as an excuse to sneak into the back, say we¡¯re looking for a place for the assholes to sleep it off since the tunnel ¡®s infested with Hellbeasts.¡± Beez¡¯el answered, his body already half carried. ¡°Fuck this guy need to lay off the doughnuts.¡±


    Unable to come up with a better plan she tried to pick up the guy before finding that, ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t lift him¡­ He¡¯s too heavy.¡±


    ¡°Just because Sinners can come back doesn¡¯t keep their bodies from being deadweight.¡± V sighed, before grimacing at the body, and throwing the other arm over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m going to need so many showers after this¡­¡±


    ¡°You three are insane.¡± Ser¡¯ren told them. ¡°I-if anyone finds you three roaming in the back they¡¯ll catch all of you.¡± The Inferni turned towards V. ¡°Especially when they realize you¡¯re not wearing a collar!¡±


    ¡°True¡­¡± V admitted before digging through her purse and pulling out a tube of lipstick. ¡°This shade was such a nice contrast with my skin¡­¡± With that last comment V began to smear the lipstick across her neck, creating a vaguely collar looking mark upon her skin. ¡°That look passable?¡±


    ¡°With the black lights yeah, fifty-fifty in regular lights though.¡± Beez¡¯el frowned, before fiddling with Lydia¡¯s hoodie on his head. ¡°Think I should put some on me, or will that sell the whole fake hume thing.¡±


    ¡°The¡­ the male Inferni are only allowed out for the pit or¡­ for guest services¡­¡± Ser¡¯ren grimaced, an expression they all matched.


    ¡°Yeah, he may be fuckboi but¡­¡± V¡¯s twisted face shook. ¡°No, you¡¯re better off faking a half-pint hume.¡±


    Ser¡¯ren¡¯s eyes frantically dashed between all of them as they stood up with the pair of dead bodies before putting her head in her hands and letting out a low pitch whine.


    ¡°Uh, you¡­ alright?¡± Beez¡¯el checked, glancing unsurely towards V and Lydia.


    ¡°Do¡­ Do you really think you can get us out of here?¡± Ser¡¯ren asked, looking up with a desperate expression.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Beez¡¯el took a deep breath before gaining a serious expression. ¡°Things won¡¯t change unless we make them change. I can¡¯t promise we¡¯ll get you out of here but¡­ I can promise things will change tonight.¡±


    Ser¡¯ren stared into Beez¡¯el¡¯s eyes for a moment before slowly nodding. ¡°Alright¡­ I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll get you to the other Inferni¡­ After that though¡­ I can¡¯t do anything else.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more than enough.¡± V assured the serving girl. ¡°You show us the way there and we¡¯ll¡­ we¡¯ll figure out the rest.¡±


    Ser¡¯ren nodded, before standing up. ¡°F-follow me¡­¡±


    Carrying the bodies between them, with Beez¡¯el occasionally grumbling about ¡®drunken assholes¡¯ whenever they passed by another group, they followed after Ser¡¯ren. The serving girl leading them through a fabric divider and into the back rooms of the club where the lights shifted from blacklights into something more common. (You can tell this part used to be an abandoned subway¡­)


    The white tiles and brickwork covered in fading paint, torn posters, and graffiti looked distinctly less elegant than the rest of the club. (But I guess this isn¡¯t the part they want people to see¡­)


    More than once they had a close call where they had to hold back as the sound of hurried footsteps rushed past them, all heading in the same general direction. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know what your distraction is doing but they¡¯re gaining a lot of attention. I¡­ I¡¯m not sure how many guards are left over here.¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s what happens when you bring a VIP Contractor.¡± Beez¡¯el smugly declared.


    ¡°That¡¯s not important.¡± V argued with a roll of her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s important is that Smiles is doing his job. How much further are we from the prison?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s just ahead¡­¡± Ser¡¯ren admitted, only to stop at a door a few moments later. ¡°This¡­ this is it¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no guard?¡± V frowned, looking around with no small amount of suspicion. ¡°Smiles couldn¡¯t have done that good of a job drawing everyone.¡±


    ¡°Why bother with a guard?¡± Ser¡¯ren sadly chuckled as she tapped her collar. ¡°It¡¯s not like we can leave.¡±


    ¡°You can.¡± Lydia told her. ¡°We¡¯re going to make sure of that.¡±


    ¡°Sure you are¡­¡± Ser¡¯ren scoffed, her eyes glancing at the door before looking away. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t follow you in there¡­ Not, not after everything I¡¯ve done to not be in there¡­¡±


    Her mind drifted back to everything that she¡¯d been willing to do to get out of Ira Invidia, the things she¡¯d been on the verge of doing before Booker had found her.


    ¡°W get it.¡± V assured the other Inferni with a soft smile. ¡°You¡¯ve done plenty. Try to find somewhere safe, I¡¯ve got a feeling things are going to get worse before they get better.¡±


    Ser¡¯ren nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll try¡­ and¡­ thank you¡­¡±


    With that the Inferni left them, standing in front of the door giving them all an ominous feeling.


    ¡°This is going to suck isn¡¯t it?¡± Beez¡¯el sighed.


    ¡°You know the answer to that¡­¡± V grimaced, before letting out a sigh of her own. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    Pushing forward they found themselves in a large dark room filled with what looked like a couple dozen animal cages and a scent that was the twisted mix of unwashed bodies, waste, and rot.


    Tossing the bodies they were carrying to the side, Beez¡¯el and V both pulled out their phones while holding a hand over their noses and mouths before using them to light up the room.


    With the faint light, illuminating the darkness before them and somehow making the whole room worse as they were actually able to make out the people looking out from the cages. Many of them covered in a number of injuries and torn clothing, and all flinching away as the light found them.


    A reaction she felt was completely justified given the dark stains on the concrete floor leading further back into the darkness, where she was sure she could hear the buzzing of flies.


    ¡°Shit¡­¡± Beez¡¯el softly cursed, his hand grabbing V¡¯s, the other Inferni unable to give a response of her own as she stared on in shock.


    As for Lydia, as she took all of this in, she felt something inside of her snap as she understood what Booker had been trying to tell her earlier during his lesson on magic. Which is why she swore, ¡°We¡¯re going to burn this place to the ground.¡±


    She would accept no other reality.


    Scene Consequences


    -Lydia has leveled up Dark Kit.


    What is Lydia¡¯s group doing? (Besides freeing everyone.)


    []-Try to convince the prisoners to rebel. (Hard)


    -[]-Write-in An Argument.


    []-Look for that security room.


    []-Regroup with Booker.


    []-Just start setting things on fire.


    And how is Booker going to handle that Bear of a Sinner?


    []-Write-In.

 Gula Invidia: Black Market (XIII): Losing Control Of The Situation

    Gula Invidia: Black Market (XIII): Losing Control Of The Situation


    --- Lydia ¡®Smith¡¯ ---


    Freeing the Inferni was¡­ (it wasn¡¯t pointless¡­) but it did drive home what Beez¡¯el and V had been afraid of. The thing she¡¯d been rejecting, refusing to believe them about.


    Even with their cages open, the Inferni still refused to leave. Even going in so far as to flinch away from her anytime she tried to talk them into leaving.


    The fifth time it happened, she found that the room had become too much for her to bear and stepped back out into the station halls. Fighting down tears, wondering (why did I think I could inspire these people?)


    A smile flashed in her mind.


    (Right, because Booker managed to inspire me¡­) Too bad she wasn¡¯t Booker¡­


    A hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to jump and face Beez¡¯el who had his hands raised with a grimace. ¡°Sorry mini¡­ Lydia.¡±


    She crossed her arms over herself, not sure what the Inferni wanted and not sure she wanted to deal with it.


    ¡°We¡¯re uh, V is opening the last of the cages now.¡± Beez¡¯el told her, a hand on the back of his neck. ¡°Figured we need to figure out what we¡¯re doing next¡­¡±


    She ran a hand down her face, trying to muster up the rage she¡¯d been feeling a few moments ago. The rage she thought she could get the Inferni to feel as well before giving up on it. ¡°What¡¯s the point? I mean, you were right, they won¡¯t¡­¡±


    The prisoners had long since had the fight beaten out of them.


    ¡°You were right¡­¡± She repeated, unable to say much else.


    Beez¡¯el winced. ¡°Maybe but¡­¡± Beez¡¯el frowned. ¡°No, you know what I was right!¡±


    She grimaced, ready for the Inferni to call her out on her naivety.


    ¡°Which is why it¡¯s important we don¡¯t stop until we finish the job.¡± Beez¡¯el told her instead. ¡°Like I told you before, these guys have had the Wrath beaten out of them, but all we need to do is give them a bit of Envy! Maybe a bit of sloth to patch themselves up, but just because they¡¯ve given up the fight doesn¡¯t mean we need to. Just because they lost their Wrath doesn¡¯t mean you have to lose yours.¡±


    (I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ve got much fight after¡­ that¡­) She admitted to herself, even if she couldn¡¯t admit it to him.


    Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Beez¡¯el grabbed her by the shoulders. ¡°Don¡¯t. We¡¯ve still got a job to finish. Even if they¡¯re broken right now we can still free these guys, all we have to do is kill the assholes in charge. That¡¯s what Smiles is working on, right? You going to quit on my just because the feel-good option didn¡¯t work out for you mini-bitch? Or are you going to put on your big girl panties, grow some ovaries and kick some ass?!¡±


    She couldn¡¯t help the bitter laugh that got out of her, or the wry grin it left on her face. ¡°You¡¯re an asshole, you know that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been called worse.¡± Beez¡¯el shrugged. ¡°Still what¡¯s it going to be?¡±


    She took a deep breath, focusing on the rage she¡¯d felt her desire to (burn this whole shithole to the ground) and while there was a fair amount of gloom still clinging to her she still found herself nodding. ¡°I think¡­ I think we¡¯ve still got a job to do.¡±


    ¡°Damn straight we do.¡± Beez¡¯el grinned with a mouth full of fangs.


    ¡°And how are we going to do that job without Smiles here to break the contracts?¡± V asked, apparently having stepped through the door in the middle of Beez¡¯el pep talk. ¡°He even said it himself, they need to be willing to break the contract to do it, and¡­ this was a lot worse than I thought it¡¯d be. I mean there aren¡¯t any guards yet they¡¯re so scared of those collars that they aren¡¯t doing anything¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Beez¡¯el agreed, before wincing and quickly glancing Lydia¡¯s way.


    But she was focused on what V had said. ¡°Do you¡­ do you think if we get the collars off they¡¯d be willing to run?¡±


    ¡°Maybe? I mean they¡¯re¡­¡± V sighed, crossing her arms. ¡°No one in there is in good shape¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, better to rage with Wrath than roll over with Sloth, am I right?¡± Beez¡¯el declared, getting a smile out of V from whatever that meant.


    ¡°Right, so¡­ Ser¡¯ren was pretty sure the anchor spell was linked to the pit boss¡¯s lounge and going in there would be suicide¡­¡± Which is why Booker was doing it instead of them.


    ¡°So what¡¯s our plan B? Get Smiles and try to get him to break the collars?¡± V asked. ¡°I doubt he¡¯s going to be able to get back here with whatever shitstorm he¡¯s stirring up.¡±


    Suddenly she recalled the set up for the Smiling Man¡¯s operation. ¡°Actually¡­ There might be another way¡­ Just because the anchor is in the boss¡¯s lounge doesn¡¯t mean the actual control for it is.¡±


    ¡°And if this asshole is the boss then he¡¯s not going to want to be bothered over every little thing.¡± Beez¡¯el pointed out. ¡°Meaning they probably put it somewhere else so that the guards can handle it instead.¡±


    ¡°Like the security room. Which they¡¯ve got to have somewhere since they had all those traps at the entrance.¡± V nodded, before looking around. ¡°But where are we going to find that? This place is like a fucking maze.¡±


    She thought about it before shrugging. ¡°If the security room, then¡­ Well¡­ they repurposed the station into a club, maybe they did the same with the security room?¡± (If it was already inbuilt why change it?)


    ¡°As good an idea as any.¡± V nodded as they all started to move. ¡°In which case it would be closer to the main station or the topside entrance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m betting topside.¡± Beez¡¯el told them. ¡°The station has the gate and everything, and they had to cave the top entrance in to keep anyone from coming in that way, right?¡±


    V pointed at a faded and scratched up sign on the wall. ¡°Meaning we¡¯ve just got to follow the old exit signs.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s get moving. I doubt Smiles can keep security busy all day.¡± Beez¡¯el agreed.


    --- Booker H. Freeman ---


    Sinful Boss Tutorial:


    -Certain boss enemies are capable of using Sinful Boosts just like Booker. Now of course the question becomes, what happens whenever two units with a power that guarantees they succeed clash.


    -In these cases there will actually be two clashes, the first decides who the base winner is and how much Sin needs to be spent by both combatants.


    -The second clash is then a re-roll of the first winner¡¯s dice, and should they manage to roll higher and thus beat the first boosted Sin then they win.


    -This continues until a unit either runs out of HP, Sin, or something interrupts.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    (Pride: Alright, magic is not my domain. What exactly does this mean for us?)


    (Envy: I don¡¯t have all of the memories for this but¡­ if we want to stay competitive we¡¯re going to burn through a lot more sin here.)


    (Sloth: You said ¡®stay competitive¡¯ not ¡®win¡¯ there¡­)


    (Envy: It doesn¡¯t matter if we burn sin to overpower them, if they burn just as much to overpower us. And I can¡¯t adjust the flow after I¡¯ve set it, not unless we want to burn ourselves out.)


    (Sloth: So it¡¯s a war of attrition¡­ slow and painful for all involved¡­)


    (Wrath: We will endure. For that is all we can do.)


    (Gluttony: That and ripping out his throat¡­)


    He couldn¡¯t help the mad laughter that bubbled up his throat as he stood up once more, an insane grin pulling at his lips that not even the coldness flowing through him could repress. A roiling power bubbling just beneath the surface, coiled tighter and tighter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll admit this a surprise, but-¡± He was forced to raise both of his arms to block the impact to his face, one hard enough that he could feel it throughout his body.


    The ground beneath him creaked and cracked as he was pushed backward but he held firm.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to fight and get paid. Talking just drags it out.¡± The sinner told Booker, its massive weight pressing down on the rabbit as violent violet eyes met icy blue.


    ¡°So be it¡­¡± He ground out, before throwing the bear¡¯s arm to the side, gripping his hands together, and smashing it into the bear¡¯s jaw.


    The loud cracking of bones echoed through the arena, as both broke bones, but neither fell.


    Rebounding, the bear slashed out with its claws ready to eviscerate the rabbit and feast on his entrails. But the rabbit had claws of his own, quickly pulling a large nail from his coat and catching the bear¡¯s paw by running it through with the nail.


    ¡°Fucker!¡± The bear roared, recoiling in pain, before raising both of its massive fists and dropping them with enough force to crater the ground.


    Not willing to gamble such a clash the rabbit hopped backwards, out of the way even as the force dragged at him. Taking the opportunity to quickly throw one of his nails at his opponent, the metal biting into the bear¡¯s flesh.


    Undeterred, the bear used its claws to dig into the concrete and pull its massive weight with far more force than its legs could produce to launch itself in a flying tackle. One that smashed the rabbit between its hulking mass and that of the electrified fence, even if it meant burning itself in the process.


    The rabbit pulled on the coldness within to endure and numb the pain, to keep moving even as the nail he raised burned in his hand, before driving it up into the bear¡¯s throat.


    The bear stumbled backwards, arms swinging through the air as he tried to grab at the nail in his throat, even as he left the rabbit gasping on the ground.


    A state the rabbit refused to let stand as it spat out the blood pooling from where it had bit its cheek, and marched forward with a dark purpose.


    Finally the bear removed the nail from his throat, granting himself enough time to take in one deep breath of air before a small fist hit him with far more force than it should be capable of. Sending his whole body rolling across the ground, stopping only upon crashing into a pile of the rabbit¡¯s past victims.


    A nail spun in the rabbit¡¯s hand as it continued its march with a smile on its face, ready to do away with the one in front of it.


    The rabbit did not expect the body that was flung at him like a bludgeon, forcing him back a step as he lost balance to the surprise attack. A state that was made worse by the second being thrown straight at him before he could regain said balance.


    Something the bear had no problem exploiting as it leapt into the air, both arms raised with a dark magic crackling around them.


    The rabbit could do little more than grit his teeth and brace for impact as he tried to catch the bear¡¯s claws, a desperate attempt to try and keep the grinning bear from overpowering him.


    One that was slowly failing, as he was forced to drop to a knee, the scent of burning fur filling the air as his hands continued to burn under the power coating the bear¡¯s claws.


    (Wrath: Endure. Ignore the pain. Do not let the heat consume you. You cannot afford to lose control.)


    The rabbit took in a strained gasping breath, before breathing out a freezing mist.


    With wide eyes the bear felt his claws being pushed back, the rabbit beginning to stand once more.


    The rabbit no longer felt the burn of the bear¡¯s magic as frost began to form where it held onto the bear¡¯s claws, freezing the magic dead where it tried to reach the rabbit.


    A grimace marred the bear¡¯s face as he felt the cold bite of the rabbit¡¯s own magic, one that was steadily forcing him back.


    Something it couldn¡¯t allow.


    The bear pulled back, arms raised into a hunched boxing stance similar to the one it had taken in its more human form.


    Under normal circumstances this would¡¯ve humored the rabbit, but it couldn¡¯t feel much of anything past the cold right now.


    The bear¡¯s fist shot out with a speed and force the rabbit could not avoid, not enough to break its defense as frost began to creep across the rabbit¡¯s face but enough to chip at it, the rabbit¡¯s head tilting ever so faintly.


    Before the rabbit could try and muster a defense a second fist shot out, then another and another, the bear firing off a flurry of fists as its massive body swayed around the rabbit with a grace its massive size should not be capable of.


    And while the blows did little to actually hurt the rabbit, each blow chipped away at the icy power under its control as the bear continued to dance around it, attacking faster than the rabbit could react.


    With one last swing, the bear stepped forward, driving its entire mass into the straight that sent the rabbit flying into and through the electrified cage that contained them. Shattering it much like the cold of the rabbit.


    (Hate¡­)


    The crowd scattered from the rabbit, laying there in agony, not all of them so lucky as to avoid being crushed and killed by the initial impact.


    (Hate.)


    Dazed eyes looked up at the bear as it tore its way out of the electrified cage, a grimace on its face. ¡°Boss ain¡¯t going to be happy about this.¡±


    (Hate!)


    The bear kicked the half-dead rabbit with a frown.


    (Hate! Hate! Hate!)


    ¡°Are you happy-¡± A fist shot at the bear¡¯s face, sending it flying back.


    (Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!)


    ¡°The fuck?¡± The bear gasped, staring at the rabbit, its eyes glowing hellfire red.


    (Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!)


    The rabid red-eyed rabbit rushed forward with a force its size could not be capable of, tackling the bear into the electrified cage before slamming its fists into the bear¡¯s face. (Hate.)


    Its blood was on fire, burning through its veins without the coldness that had kept it sane, filling its mind with one thing and one thing alone. (Hate.)


    Its mind was on fire, burning with but a single thought as it continued to punch the bear over and over again, its fists moving with enough speed and force that they were catching on fire. (Hate!)


    Bit by bit it burned its own flesh away with every uncaring blow as its rabid mind focused on one simple thought. (Hate!)


    A thought that consumed it completely and utterly now that nothing held it back, completely uncaring of everything but¡­


    (Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!)


    Time was¡­ murky in this state, Booker barely able to tell what was happening until the¡­ hate¡­ began to fade, its burning flames slowly giving way to a cold feeling. (What¡­?)


    He looked around, his mind foggy as he tried to stand, finding the act far harder than it should be. Everyone was staring at him with looks of horror, for some reason he couldn¡¯t quite fathom.


    Looking down he saw his hands were¡­ not really hands anymore, and his skin once more flesh rather than stitched together fur.


    In front of him he saw that the bear sinner had reverted to a more human appearance, even if the man¡¯s face barely looked human. The fact that the man was still breathing¡­ he wasn¡¯t sure what it meant¡­


    Just like he didn¡¯t know why the man¡¯s face felt so painfully familiar.


    He stumbled back, his skin feeling hot. Far too hot as he struggled to understand what was happening to him.


    (Wrath: You¡­ We lost control again¡­)


    That was his last thought, before his mind sank into the comforting cold of the dark, barely even hearing the faint horror filled, ¡°Booker?¡± that followed him into it.