[i] memory fades out
The Hermit stares glassy eyed at the end of the alley way. His cart, full of "trash" and screws/bolts; lies just ahead rusted, and in need of some WD-40.
He picks up a nearby can, and chucks it toward the cart. Oddly enough, the can bounces back, as if acted upon by some unknown force.
"There you are, my precious No-thing." Said the Hermit.
A hissing sound is heard as what appears to a large semi-transparent serpent makes his way toward the Hermit.
"Damn you Ma'teal, I figured you'd be too stupid to notice me!" The serpent slithers closer.
"Surely you thought me better than some run of the mill magician."
Ma'teal removes the Hermit disguise, and a light begins to envelop him.
Rays of different colors shoot out in either direction. Allowing Ma'teal to receive his dramatic entrance.
"A bit full of yourself, as always Vagabond" the No-thing hissed.
A ornate sword is thrust into the cold ground beneath him. The symbols on the sword light up and remove themselves from the blade. They circle around the No-thing, entrapping it.
"Fiurne d'iruma fes". Ma'teal cried
The symbols catch fire, and viciously swirl around their target.
Unable to breathe, the No-thing coils up as tight as it can. The flames sear its scales, and the flesh hidden beneath it. The No-thing changes form multiple times before burning up. The last form it took was of a man with a missing foot.
Ma'teal remembered this man, from when he was possessed by the No-thing so many years ago.
He wept tears for the man, as he recalls that Synwe didn't get to him in time. He may have seared the wound, but unfortunately; the man died of a premature heart-attack.
"Zifal re yu-to"
The flames chained up the No-thing's last form, leaving nothing but a skull behind.
Ma'teal walks up to pick up the familiar skull. To his dismay, the skull crumbles into ash as soon as he lays a finger on its surface.
Ma'teal stumbles to his knees. With a handful of ash, he grips it tightly.
"I realize this is only a trick, but God Damnit it feels like a knife between twisted in a wound."
"I saw that man get tortured, and I was unable to stop it. The No-thing's dark energy held me comatose. He tore apart my jaw, presumably killing me; but for some reason my soul stayed in-tact."
Now I know it was so that I may receive a second chance to prove myself. I lived a life that revolved around myself, and only so.
Upon seeing that man's light flicker out from the horror he had to endure... it changes you.
Changed me even.
A wispy smoke rolls in, winding up Ma'teal's leg.
"I see you successfully destroyed your target, Ma'teal. I watched from the light of that near-by street light."
[i] he points to a rickety rusty lamp stand.
"It seems you may be ready for your next task."
Ma'teal stood silent.
"It seems there is a Doppelgänger that is wreaking havoc in Hollywood. Sure, it's a superficial shithole; but it's destroying celebrities lives. Presumably a clever No-Thing, you are to address this being with extreme caution."
[i] a suitcase appears in Synwe's hand
"Oh, and you'll be needing this. It will ensure success, should you approach this situation professionally."
[i] Ma'teal is handed the suitcase. He opens it
Inside are bundles of ones, fives, and tens. It was the smell however, that really got his attention. It reminded him of his darker days.
"That's right Ma'teal, I'm sending you to a strip club! The Doppelgänger is impersonating celebrities as a stripper. Presumably blowing up the buzz on the internet with all kinds of affairs, and scandalous mishaps.
Some celebrities are okay with it, as they presume they were black-out drunk anyway; and just chalk it up to being rich and 'having a few to celebrate.' "
But, Synwe.. should I find this doppelgänger, how do I get close to it? Ma'teal sheepishly asks
Ma'teal, it's a strip club, and you have a suitcase full of singles. You can figure the rest out. Synwe scoffs
[i] Ma'teal bows his head in shame.
A