Who are you in the dark?

Disclaimer: I don't own DC or any other work of fiction.

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Quick Author's Note. This is not the fate world, so don't quite expect the rules from that place. It is primarily a DC setting with Fate elements and history mixed in. So do not expect the Clocktower or any characters from Fate Stay Night to show up anytime soon.

The Mana/Prana/Od distinctions will also not show up. Reference to the mechanics will show up, but I'm not going to say it works this way for everyone. Secondly, The Ainsworth Family has been around in DC for quite some time and has broadened their horizons. So making mystic codes that can use their signature magic is not out of the question.

Now then. I hope you enjoy the chapter. I'm also going to up the pacing a bit now. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 6: Extension

Sewers of Gotham City

Alexandria Ainsworth

This was not how I was expecting the evening to go. When the woman raced towards me, I was sure that a hail of bullets would kill her. Even as she jumped about when I started firing, I thought the tunnel we were in would serve as an adequate chokepoint. You can only dodge so much before the one with the gun adjusts their aim and gets you after all.

And that is what I did, but luck really wasn't on my side today. When I got back into the sewers, some dirt and waste had gotten onto the gun, and some of it got into the inner workings when I used it. What this meant for me was that the weapon jammed up again in the moment of truth.

…So I threw the gun away and decided on another idea I had been keeping in case of someone like Batman showing up. This wasn't Batman, but I felt like my chances were just as slim against her. I didn't know martial arts, nor did I have the patience or discipline to learn one. While not a problem against most people, it did mean that any skilled fighter could probably wipe the floor with me…so I came up with something of a….well, one could call it a plan.

When coming up with a method to fight Batman or someone similar up close and personal, I was reminded of those old action movies I used to watch with Barbara.

The ones where a guy half the size of his opponent wins because he 'can redirect the force of his opponent blows'.

I wondered if that idea holds up if someone punches you with the force of a truck.

The spell I decided to use would not entirely give that result but was still needed for it. The only time I ever used the spell, it ended with me nearly lobotomising myself. Mom was furious that I even tried it and forbade further experimentation on my own.

But she wasn't here now. I was on my own and no one would help or stop me.

Show the might of Ainsworth/Yourself

I activate my circuits and grit my teeth as I begin casting. The sensation was not unlike that of reinforcement magic, but it was very different. Because now, it was being directly applied to my brain.

Thought Acceleration was a spell mainly used by alchemists like us and those of Atlas. I never knew much of them, but apparently, they were the cream of the crop when it came to our kind.

They used the ability to further their research... I will use it to fight some ninja chick.

My senses sharpen and my perception of time sped up. The woman's sprint becomes slower and slower as if I am looking at a slow-motion video.

I feel the beginnings of a headache due to the magecraft.

It is an expected consequence, but one that limited my time more than I thought at first. So I begin running forward and pull out one of the revolvers from my jacket. They weren't loaded, but the woman doesn't know that. So when I aimed at her, she quickly dodged to the side in preparation for my attack. She had done the same earlier as she obviously can't dodge bullets but rather predict where they will go. So she did the same now as I pulled the trigger. She couldn't properly react to the sound of the hammer knocking against an empty shell as my real plan came to fruition.

My real focus was actually directed at the space she was dodging towards. I didn't dare to try and predict her actions, so I reacted to them instead. Her feet don't touch the ground and instead, fall through a portal I created. I skid to a halt as the portal opens on the space in front of me and the woman falls upwards, feet first. This is in slow motion to me, but it is instantaneous to her. So even this woman, whoever she was, couldn't predict the ground vanishing, gravity inverting and me appearing in front of her with my reinforced fist racing towards her head.

Of course, she still did something, even if it wouldn't save her. She had raised her arms in defence and tried angling her body away. It does nothing as my punch breaks her arms like twigs. The impact still travels into her skull and without a doubt gave her a concussion.

Her body flies away and lands in the dirty water of the sewers. With her form lying limply there, I drop the thought acceleration and almost fall to my knees from the sudden disorientation. The headache that started after that isn't much better, but I have to live with it.

I saw a bit of movement from the prone woman's body and quickly got back onto my feet in response. My outfit was already dirty, so I didn't mind dropping into the water myself. I continued moving as the woman tried to push herself up, but her injuries were making it quite an issue…Not as much as it would for most people though as she eventually does manage to get onto her feet and rip out of the water.

I freeze in my tracks as I see her turning towards me. Her arms were hanging limply by her side, a bone sticking out of an elbow. What truly grabbed my focus was the furious expression on her face.

Take her down now

I was running on fumes now, but I still had enough to reinforce my limbs. With a burst of speed, I rush towards the woman. I threw my gun to the side as it was only in the way now as the trick had already been used. I wasn't even certain if I had enough energy to cast another spell like that.

To my surprise, the woman reacts in time and her leg swings out heading straight towards my temple. I'm able to raise my arm to block the attack, but it does knock me off balance

Take her with you

The arm I used to defend myself grabs hold of her leg and I grab onto her waist with my other, pulling us both into the dirty water. Getting a mixture of chemicals, sewage and rainwater into my face was not a pleasant sensation.

Naturally, I try to regain some balance, not unlike my attacker. Due to her lack of usable arms, she is faring much worse. It gives me the opportunity to tackle her body and quickly spin her around so that her back is pressing against my chest. With her legs stuck on the floor, she is incapable of kicking me. It makes it so much easier for me to wrap my arm around her throat and pull with all the force that my reinforced arms can muster.

She struggles and resists to a rather amazing degree. She tries using her arms to struggle free and even attempts to stab me with her exposed bone. It made me fear this woman even more and I honestly count my blessings in the fact that she wasn't a meta-human.

A few seconds or even minutes pass, but her resistance eventually fades. Her struggling comes to an end as unconsciousness finally takes her. As I feel her body fall limp into my chest, I breathe out in relief.

Good work

I was glad that that was over at least. The issue, for now, was on what to do with the woman. Should I kill her? It would probably be the best idea if I'm honest. She already tried to kill me and I don't want to have her come back with whatever grudge she got from this.

My pondering is interrupted by the sound of large footsteps approaching me from the tunnel behind. It was still a considerable distance away, but the splashing of water was something I naturally detected. The strange sensation of…that wrongness that was the sound of…decay and mold, as strange as it sounds, made it very clear as to who it was.

"Born on a Monday…" a growling voice utters.

I turn my head and give the hulking zombie a little wave as he approaches me, "Hey Grundy. I got held up a bit with…whoever this is…I'm kinda exhausted right now, so I'm just gonna sit here for a bit." Even if I wanted to, my mana was essentially empty and I did not have the muscle mass to carry this woman in my current state.

Before I could complain further in my mind, the woman's weight is quickly removed as Grundy lifts her up by grabbing her torso. He stares at her face before grumbling, "...Shiva…"

I was surprised to hear a name being uttered. Can't say I recognize who it is supposed to be though. I get back on my feet and wring out some of the liquid from my coat as I ask him, "Shiva, like the god?"

He shakes his head before shaking his head with a growl. I shrug in response as I consider what to do next. As much as I wanted to kill her, she knew who I was and what I was doing tonight. I don't want to admit it, someone else could know about this. I need to find out who she is and what she wants with me.

I look back to Grundy and ask, "Could you bring her back with me to the house?"

He slowly nods in response before lifting the woman and slinging her over his shoulder. Her arm was poking in a weird direction, but I doubted the damage would get any worse for now.

I step out of the water and onto the walkway of the tunnel and pick up the guns I had dropped earlier. The revolver goes back into the holster and the machine gun ends up slung over my back. It was honestly a bit of a crap gun, but it got the job done….sorta. I had no one but myself to blame for it jamming up, but I was still feeling a bit angered with the matter.

I probably won't be using it anymore.

It takes a bit for the two of us to arrive at the access to my basement, but it is done before the night is over. The issue now was, what to do with her? The woman was no good in her current state. Her injuries were severe and the sewage would infect them rather quickly….And I had no idea what to do about that…or where to put her for that matter.

Grundy notices my distress and asks, "What… wrong?"

I look up at his face and say with a sigh, "I got to keep her somewhere hidden, and this place isn't exactly ideal for that."

The zombie grumbles for a few seconds before stating, "What…about...secret… room?"

I quickly scoff at the idea before pointing towards the wall behind which my workshop was hidden, "Yeah, not happening. Other than you, I'm not letting anyone else in there…ever. And I only trust you cause I know you wouldn't use what was in there against me. Kinda….well, you get the point."

I make my way towards the stairs and gesture for Grundy to follow.

"Meant…other…Room"

I freeze on the spot as I hear that. Turning around, I see him looking at the wall underneath the stairway. To my knowledge, nothing was supposed to be there.

"What do you mean, another room?" I quickly ask him as I walk down the stairs and to his side to inspect the wall. Nothing was out of place and I couldn't hear anything from behind it. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like a completely normal wall.

As if hearing my thoughts, Grundy raises his fist and slams into the wall, creating a large hole in the process.

After the dust settles, I see that he was in fact correct. There was another stairway leading deeper underground. As I look at the remnants of the wall, I quickly realise that this was hidden by another bounded field. It was old and hadn't been touched in ages. It was fueled by ambient mana beneath the property and didn't need any maintenance apparently.

Now that it was broken, I could sense what was inside of it. Grundy followed me as I slowly made my way down the stairs. I trusted my ears more than my eyes in the dark environment. Due to this, I could sense what I was about to find.

We are coming up on a large room, almost as large as the building on top of us. It seemed to be completely empty with the exception of something…large and strange in the centre. I thought it was another structure at first, but the fact that it was suspended in mid-air kinda dashed through that idea. I was guessing it was a mystic code or something.

Probably something that belonged to the family but was hidden to us as well. Traversing the steps, we find two large double doors which Grundy quickly opens for me. Before us there was, as expected, a large stone room with nothing in it but a….

It is too early

My headache starts up again and I nearly blackout from the pain. The sensation fades after a while though, and I can give the thing in the room a proper look.

It was…It's a cube, black in colour and…one could see parts of what was within. I could see wisps of colour, but nothing was clear. It was suspended in the air and I could not tell from what…but what I could tell was that this was more than just a mystic code…

Whatever this was, it was powerful.

I could feel the energy radiating from within the cube and I knew it contained something…something else…

Look away

Another pang of pain hits my head…. I really needed to get that checked out.

Behind me, I hear Shiva grumbling and I focus on the injured woman once more. I don't want to really leave her here, but all things considered, it seems like the best place. No way am I letting her see whatever this is though.

The last spell that I cast tonight was a simple addition to the bounded field. It was a simple barrier and mirror illusion that would keep the Black cube away from sight. The barrier would essentially cut it off from the outside and would simply appear to be a column with a mirror plating. Nothing too complicated.

My headache increases before suddenly ceasing. I don't quite understand what just happened, but I wasn't complaining… Though, if I'm being honest something was…strange, it feels as if… my mind… was…

"Grundy…hungry"

My attention is quickly pulled by the hulking zombie standing behind me. I guess I needed to wrap things up real quick. Turning around I focus on the woman once more. Her injuries were bad, worse than I imagined at first. I send Grundy back up the stairs so he can go to the fridge in the basement. It's not big, but it's fully stocked and should be enough for him right now.

I began undressing the woman, quickly removing any weapons she still had on her. The outfit itself was rather intricate and I actually quite liked the texture. When I finally had her down to underwear, I noticed something else. A slight twinkling sound hit my ears. I quickly noticed that the noise came from her bra. Reaching around her back I unclasp the piece of clothing and her large breasts bounce free.

I could feel a blush forming on my face but I had to focus on the bra itself. At first, I thought the wire was a bit thicker than it should be but I quickly noticed that some sort of mechanism was hidden within. I find a small button and after pressing I notice small blades and needles being released from a small hidden compartment.

I guess this woman came prepared… fucking hell, I am not equipped to hold a ninja.

If I was being honest, I had to be very extreme with her containment if I wanted to prevent escape. So I will need to improvise something. After removing her panties as well, I moved my hand over her belly and cast a basic structural analysis. To my luck, she had no hidden weapons or tools within her bowels. That would have been rather annoying to remove.

With her now completely naked I had to admit she was damn attractive. I was a bit ashamed to admit but my blush only increased its intensity. I didn't parade around, but I swung both ways. I don't exactly have much experience in dating but I did know this to be a fact. I first discovered it when working on my mother in a state of undress after…an eventful morning with my father.

The site had left me incredibly aroused and I couldn't put the image out of my mind all day. My second lewd encounter with the fairer sex was with Barbara Gordon. I myself was never very active in PE, but she was certainly the go-getter. She wanted to become an Olympic gymnast after all. And it just so happened that I was there in the changing room when she came back, sweat dripping from her outfit and glistening along her body. After she removed her top, I quickly left the changing room. It was safe to say, I went home that day while pretending to have a fever.

Ever since, I have made an effort not to be caught in situations like that. But it will raise my hopes or fuel any fantasies. Mainly because she was my friend, something I didn't want to jeopardise. And besides, she was already taken. I myself was with Jason at the time and….Well, I'd rather not think about that these days.

But now, seeing this woman? It brought those old feelings back to me and I wasn't sure what to think. However, my building arousal is quickly broken when I see the condition of her injuries again... That was something that needed to be handled. Most importantly for now, I needed a way to tie her up.

I've always had an interest in strange and obscure knowledge and occasionally it came to use. This was one of these occasions.

I rip apart the bra to remove the wire within and break it off in the middle. The first half of the wires were taken and wrapped around her thumbs in order to make restraints. I put a few knots into the metal and also twirled It around in order to make the only way to remove them require side-cutters. It wasn't quite required with arms broken to such a degree but I didn't want to take any risks.

The second half of wire was used on her feet to tie her toes together. It's certainly painful, but that isn't really an issue right now.

Now the hard part has started. I need to give her medical treatment and I fully admit I have no idea what to do. Her arms came in contact with extremely infectious material after all.

So I actually need some professional help. Considering the fact that it was a bit chilly down here, I had the decency to at least cover her with her own clothes to make sure she didn't freeze when she woke up. After that, I begin making my way up the stairs again.

Reaching the top, I quickly noticed that the bricks and stones from the hole that Grundy had made were somehow repairing themselves…Actually no…It wasn't quite repairing, but rather it was taking from the bits and pieces left in the ground and placing them back into the original place. This was an advanced form of displacement and definitely out of my ability.

But seeing this bounded field now in its raw and hidden form allows me to at least worm my way into its security. It also helped that the essential enchantments and magic circles were lined on the stairway. With the changes, I'm able to open the true secret door which happens to actually fold out of the staircase above itself.

This was definitely a weird design.

But it wasn't one I would put any more thought into right now. I give a quick glance to the basement and see Grundy making himself comfortable on a couch I had placed down here. Right, I forgot it was thanksgiving… I should have prepared something for him honestly… Considering That I am probably the only person who actually thinks of him as more than just a zombie. And he saved my skin more than once now, I do owe him.

Looking over to him, I grew happy and amazed to see that he hadn't ripped the fridge away from the wall this time. Last time, the appliance didn't get so lucky. 'I guess I was breaking him in,' I think to myself with a chuckle.

I make my way up the stairs and head to my father's….well…my office. As I enter the two doors hiding away the fancy room, I quickly grab hold of the landline and dial-up a number.

"Hello? I would like to speak with Mr Cobblepot please."

Penthouse, East End, Gotham city

Batman(Bruce Wayne)

Looking over the crime scene, Batman can't help but grumble in annoyance. The sight of bodies around him simply angers him even more, considering how the night has been going.

Gordon approaches the scene and steps over police tape. As he reaches Batman's side he asks, "A lot of bodies tonight. You think they are related?"

Batman walks around the scene and analyses the bodies with a portable scanner of sorts. He focuses on the bodies of Anatoli Knyazev, KGBeast and the new Black Mask specifically.

After inspecting the bodies riddled with bullets, he finally states, "We have two killers on the loose with a sick sense of timing. The murder of Mickey Chen and his men are without a doubt related to the murder of Johnny Viti. The same murder weapon and motive at the scene clearly points to that….

This however is something else, Gordon. This was a hit, as unprofessional as it was….. What are your witnesses saying so far?"

Gordon pulls out a file he had been keeping tucked under his arm. , "It's definitely someone new. A woman, average build, dressed head to toe in a victorian-style outfit. Odd thing is the facemask containing eight lenses for sight. Possible Night-vision or magnification there, but we can't know for sure. Knowing the crazies of the city, it could also just be for purely aesthetic reasons.

We can definitely be assured this was in fact a newbie due to the fact that she wasn't even sure of her alias before saying it out loud. It was "Magister" by the way. We don't have any connection so far to the name, but the interesting thing that stood out so far was the weapons she used."

Batman gives a look of understanding as his scanners finally give him some information.

"Judging by the bullet size and amounts of ammunition used, I'm guessing she used a light machine gun as well as two .44 revolvers… Though I noticed something odd on Knyazev's body concerning those wounds. What can you tell me about the weapons?"

Gordon nodded before turning to a page with this strange gun depicted, "One of the witnesses stuck around to give us a detailed description of a weapon. Apparently, they are modified revolvers, but the lighting and extra plating indicate a secondary function. You have any idea what it could be?" He says while holding the picture towards him.

Batman gives a look before giving a low hum.

"I've never seen something like this in Gotham, but I have seen it before. One of Flash's villains from Central city, Mirror Master, uses weapons of a similar appearance. As you can imagine, like most of the villains that Flash has to deal with, he doesn't exactly go for the lethal route… But the chances of his technology being stolen are there. And it would also explain what I found in KGBeast's body."

This scanner project is a holographic view of the bullets entering KGBeast's body, "These rounds hit Knyazev almost simultaneously but came at entirely different angles. The shooter would have had to be clinging from the ceiling while also standing in point-blank range to him. All in all, it looks like dimensional manipulation similar to what he can do. Though Mirror Master required mirrors for most of his esoteric effects, his weapons were capable of producing similar results on their own."

Batman puts away the scanner and gives the crime scene one last look, "What stands out to me are the strange circumstances of this hit. The perpetrator was without a doubt inexperienced but was still capable of taking down some rather skilled combatants. Deadline may not have been well known, but he was still quite the threat. And I don't have to tell you about what KGBeast has done in the past."

Gordon scoffs in response with a miffed tone, "You can say that again. The guy was lethal in all measures. It didn't help that the feds always came and took him away before we could lock him up ourselves. "

Batman nodded in understanding. He knew more about the situation than Gordon did, but he wouldn't share Amanda Waller's activities any time soon. Gordon was an upholder of the law and if he heard of Waller's "suicide squad", he would undoubtedly try and take it down. Batman knew that something like that would be completely futile and Gordon would end up being taken out of the picture.

He couldn't risk that until we had a plan against Waller. But that shouldn't be his top concern right now.

He turns back to Gordon "As I mentioned, whoever this was, they are extremely skilled but new in the business. I haven't found any traces on the scene regarding their identity…for now, I think we should focus on who would want these people dead."

Gordon pipes in after this, "She mentioned she was here for Black Mask and did remove his own mask after all was said and done. I'm guessing this was meant for proof That she finished the hit. Though I'm not sure why she took deadline's and KGBeast's well."

Batman ponders the question, "I'm guessing to get a raise or something from their employer… If one considers who has been gunning after black Mask's territory the most…I think Penguin would be my first suspect…"

Batman stills as a particular suspect comes to mind. Someone who has been related to the black mask killings and has been on his mind for quite some time. Alexandria Ainsworth….The league of shadows certainly ensured that he no longer suspected her, but this new occurrence certainly raised his suspicions once more.

He guessed it was time to check in on her once more. And this time he would go himself. Ra's Al Ghul be damned.

"You figure something out?" Gordon asks next to him, breaking him away from his thoughts.

Batman gave him a small look before stating, "I've got a few ideas in mind to investigate this further…. but we can't let the murder of Mickey Chen go ignored…. With the new Black Mask dead, chances of us getting any more information on this killer are minimal. But our "Holiday killer" is only getting started… We need to go to Arkham. There is someone we should pay a visit so we can get to the bottom of this."

The next morning

Ainsworth estate

Alexandria Ainsworth

All things considered, last night had been successful. Sure we had some bumps and some issues… You know, Like some Ninja assassin showing up. That definitely wasn't part of the plan.

What came after wasn't exactly planned either. Penguin sent over some medics who quickly started taking care of the woman but also froze immediately after seeing her.

It was safe to say I would be getting quite the lecture from Penguin later on taking on this "League of Shadows". Apparently, they were quite a big deal. They also happen to be run by this so-called Ra's al Ghul to my surprise. At least that's what Penguin's men told me.

After hearing that, I had grown quite worried that this entire event may ruin whatever relationship I was going to have with "Mr Ghul" and his supposed organisation.

For now, Shiva was locked up in the chamber with the large magic cube. A bed has been moved down there and all the required medical treatments have been finished. Her arms won't rot, and that's all that matters. Penguins men were even able to make casts for her.

Speaking of which. The Mob Boss may have been angry at me calling him during Thanksgiving but he still came through. I gave his men the new "Black Mask" as well before showing them the way out. After that, I got the call confirming that our business was now over. Strangely enough, he wasn't too angry with me taking down Shiva. If anything, he was impressed.

She was apparently one of the strongest women in the business and was known for her skill in taking down any opponent. I quickly told him that I primarily won due to the fact that she wasn't expecting a fight or that she didn't know anything about my capabilities. Though, based on what Penguin said, Shiva apparently even kicks ass in those situations.

Either way, I was happy, I was done, and I was even feeling a bit prideful.

Looking outside the window, I see the early rays of the morning already shining through the city. May as well check in on the basement. I make my way through the hallways and foyer before reaching the back of the kitchen. The hatch hiding away the staircase to the basement wasn't exactly well hidden, but it wasn't obvious either.

I open up the hatch and make my way downstairs. The first thing I noticed there was my good friend Solomon Grundy staring around the place with a dirty plate in his hand. It seemed as if he was searching for something.

As he catches sight of me, he quickly approaches me with a plate held up.

I put a hand on my hip and asked in a questioning tone, "Not that I don't mind providing for you, aren't you still full from yesterday?"

He grumbled before shaking his head, "No… Not hungry… Want… Clean…Food..was from Batman"

My eyes widen from the new information. 'Never thought that guy could be so kind' was the first thought in my mind. The second was the fact that someone else actually knew to be kinder to Grundy. It surprised me as Batman was one of the people who often beat him up and all that.

I beckoned Grundy for him to follow me and led him up the stairs towards the kitchen. I don't know when he would return it to Batman, but I'm gonna respect it. The Bat did something kind to the old zombie and I'm not going to abuse that. Besides, I doubt it'll help me find out his identity.

Speaking of which. I've considered the addition of a bounded field I made with Robin's blood, and have been reading up on some of the simpler forms of Magecraft.

Tracking someone based on their blood alone should be possible but I'm honestly not sure where or how to start. My focus is displacement and I've learned that I have quite the knack for it. Also got the basics down, but I will admit my main focus, for now, was at least improving some alchemy.

I've considered making more bounded fields across the city that would alert me to Robin's presence, but the sheer effort and cost in making these are simply not worth it.

As I finish cleaning the plate and handing it back to Grundy, the bounded field alerts me to someone approaching the front door. I quickly direct Grundy back down into the basement and state, "Grundy, hope you had a good night but ahh, take care for now. I've got no idea who this is and I probably need to take care of it…. Take care of yourself okay?"

Grundy nods in understanding and I thought for a second I saw flickers of a smile as he turned away and walked down the stairs.

I closed the basement hatch behind him and tidied up my clothes. I truly appreciated the fact that I showered last night and put on a fresh pair of clothes before I did anything else. I can't exactly welcome any guests whilst smelling like Gotham's underbelly after all.

Put on a spare pair of glasses and make my way towards the entrance. I hadn't been wearing them much these days, mainly due to the fact that a bit of reinforcement to my eyes already did the trick.

Getting close to the front door, I get a sense of who exactly is standing in front of it. By the looks of things, they weren't armed, nor did they have any bodyguards with them….But something was… Odd about them. The breathing was normal, nothing seemed out of place, but I could hear just a small tingle emanating from them…

After opening the door, I was actually quite surprised by the sight of the elderly couple standing in front of me. They were my neighbours, The Kimberley Family. Their own mansion was just across the street and had been outshining the Ainsworth estate for quite some time. But I guess with the site of recent construction and renovations going on here, they definitely grew curious.

They too were part of Gotham's old blooded elite and made their fortune through real estate. Our families didn't know much of each other, even though we have been next to each other for literal centuries.

The old woman, "Gretchen", was the first to break the silence, "Angelica darling, it's been far too long. We should have visited far sooner, but you know how busy life can sometimes get."

I could practically hear them sniffing out my money. It was no secret that my family's company was being resurrected from the ashes. The company came back out of nothing and was already making decent profits without any indication of going under once more. So it was only a matter of time before someone like this came along.

I tried to give a small smile in return, but honestly felt quite a bit of difficulty in trying to suck up to these people. For all the expressions soured a bit before the husband, I think his name was David, spoke up, "Aren't you going to welcome us in Alex?"

Any attempt of a smile finally drops my face as I quickly answer, "It's Miss Ainsworth to you, Mr Kimberly. And I would let you in if I wasn't about to leave in five minutes. So please tell me whatever business you have of me right now or make an appointment beforehand if you're here for breakfast."

The old man's face reddened with anger, "Now listen here you little brat, you best remember to respect-" He is cut off by his wife suddenly slapping him across the arm. The motion made me notice something off…their mannerisms and the way they moved…It felt wrong somehow…

She gives him a sour look before adorning a fake smile once more. She gives me an odd stare before saying, "I think we got off on the wrong foot. You see Ale- Miss Ainsworth, there is something of an event going on later in the Fox Gardens… We wanted to invite you to this. A lot of members of our circles will be there. It is quite fascinating, honestly, I'm sure you will love it. Deacon Blackfire, a good friend of ours, will be hosting it."

As her eyes focused on mine, I noticed something. In a snap second, I reinforced my eyesight and saw that something was moving behind her pupil….There was something going on with them…

"I'm confident you will meet some fascinating people there who will undoubtedly aid Ainsworth Incorporated in order to prosper. Though that is really up to you… The meeting starts at eight. I do hope we'll be able to see you." She says as she turns around with her husband and makes her way back to their mansion.

….The hell was that about?

Author's Note: In case I don't finish another chapter before Christmas.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Note: Grundy found the hidden chamber due to his own esoteric nature and the fact that bounded fields would not account for that. He is an avatar of the black and a partial one of the green after all.