Finn stopped Beatrice next to a big tree with windows, decks, and bridges. Once he dismounted he brought her to a little stable where he took off his bag, her saddle and bridle; then brushed her down and placed a pan of water for her. Once he had finished with her grooming, he put a blanket over her picked his bag up, and pet her.
"Goodnight, Beatrice," He pet her head then closed her stable. He had about left when she bit onto his coat and stopped him. her head began to bob, and He realized what was wrong. "Oh! Sorry." He went to a trashcan and scooped up some oats then placed them in her stable on a bowl. "Enjoy."
She began to eat the treat giving Finn permission to leave. He sighed a few times tiredly as he left the stable for a door in the tree house. He climbed a series of ladders then finally made it to the living room where he saw a dog and a little computer sitting at a table.
"Finn!" The dog threw his arms up, "Just in time for dinner. I made some bacon sandwiches since we don't have anything else. Gotta go 'shopping' later." He jested as he pointed at Finn and laughed.
"Well, I just got paid for my first job. If you want anything exotic you can go to Choose Goose. But I can tax some of the merchants and get some stuff." Finn dropped his bag of equipment in a random place and sat at the table, taking off his shroud, cowl, and gloves. He reached for a sandwich, but Jake slapped his hands.
"Wash your hands, dude. Who knows what you had to touch when you killed that demon. I don't want none of that junk on my cooking."
Finn laughed and put his hands up, "Okay, Jake. I'm going." Finn put his hood on but left his shroud at the table then went out a door over a bridge to another building. Inside was a full bathroom that he used to wash his hands with and look in the mirror. He let down his cowl and looked at his face and hair. His head was greasy enough to matt together. Finn sighed and shook his head as he ran his fingers through it to hopefully improve the look somewhat, but it was also to cool down. It was a warmer day today and that wasn't talking about the weather. His mind wandered to the souls who waited in that line and burned in the lakes and lived in the twisted buildings and the endless scorching heat. One day, that would be his fate… And where he would be, he had no clue. Would he be standing in that line for an eternity, hoping to get his petition heard but never to be? Would he burn forever in the lakes or live in torment like the legends told? Or maybe he'd get lucky and Hunson would have him work for him and he'd just have to give up his morals to torment the others. It's not a step too far from being an executioner.
Finn ran some water over his face to stop thinking about it. the cool water did little to remind him he wasn't there, and he needed to enjoy the now. But his mind kept returning to that place. If he'd stayed longer, would he have found his forefathers? The ones who came before him. Would he have found the man responsible for their curse? Maybe he'd even see his mother and father there… He suddenly wondered if they recognized him. maybe they called out to him. hoped to see him one last time before he'd join them. Then again, it wasn't the first time he'd been in the Nightosphere. He had to execute two others who were there. Those were public though. Examples to the souls who were given a lesser damnation, but took it for granted. He needed neither blade nor gadget for that. He simply took the place of demon who threw a poor soul into a greater damnation, a greater pain for their insolence against their new king. He didn't even know why he was there to do it. Maybe so Hunson could taunt him.
Finn finished washing his hand and wiped them dry along with his face. His cowl went back on, and he walked past the bridge to join Jake again.
"You want another sandwich, BMO?" Jake asked.
"Yes please," The little consul replied. Jake placed another sandwich over the one it had already. Both remained untouched.
"All washed up," Finn said showing his hands as if to prove it then removing his cowl again.
"So, how did the execution go? Was it a beheading or…"
"It was a silent execution. I just stabbed a high-ranking demon in the heart and beheaded him then presented it to King Abadeer."
"Wait, you went to the Nightosphere?" Jake shivered. "Glad I sat this one out."
"You sat the last seven before that out too," Finn teased while taking a bite from his sandwich. "Hey, do you have the hot sauce?" Jake handed it to him. "Thanks."
"I had to sit them out. Lady wanted to spend some time with me. You know me, I can't say no to Lady.'
"Just teasing, Jake," Finn chuckled. "So, what all do we need on the grocery list?"
"I've been thinking on makin' some apple-beef stew. Just heard about it and I bet it'd taste great with my cinnamon bread. Lunch and dessert in one dish. Ah? How 'bout it?"
Finn chuckled again. "Sure, I can get stuff for that."
"Great, here's the list of what I need. Plus, some stuff for when we want a snack and stuff."
Finn looked it over and stuffed it in a pouch. "Okay, I'll take care of it tomorrow."
There was a knock on the door. Both Finn and Jake looked over towards the latter. Finn looked at Jake who shrugged. "I wasn't expecting anyone. But I'll get it."
Finn started tying his shroud and BMO jumped off the table. "I will go too."
"Okay, BMO," Jake said as he picked up the little console. Both of them went down the ladder in a seconds as Jake stretched down and returned to normal as soon as he made it to the ground floor. He looked outside and then opened the door. "Yello, this is the Executioner's residents. Official business only. Can I help you?"
A well-dressed fire entity cleared his throat then opened a burning parchment. "By royal command of the King of the Fire Kingdom, the services of the executioner are requested for the execution of three guilty individuals on the charges of…"
"Yeah yeah, I get it," Jake said waving his hand and taking out a clip board. "Time and date?"
"Oh uh…" The fire person cleared his throat and replied. "Tomorrow, at noon."
"Uh huh, how many again?" Jake asked as he scribbled on the form.
"Three…"
Jake scratched his chin with the pencil, "Uh huh… and has the Princess of the Candy Kingdom been notified?"
"Yes, well uh…I had a permission slip."
Jake raise da brow. "Well, where is it?"
The fire person was silent. "…I burned it."
Jake sighed. "Okay, we'll get this cleared up with her then let you know if we can support your executions." Jake bit his pencil and checked the rest of the paperwork before taking it in his hand and going across the other question. "Fire Kingdom… public… no, no and no… any underage or juvenile?"
"Er, no."
"Okay, immortals?"
"No."
"All are elementals?"
"Yes, of course."
"Fire I take it," Jake scribbled yes before he could even reply.
"Yes."
"And what kind of executions are these? Beheading? Boiling? Hanging…?"
"Oh…the… king was unclear." The fire person scratched his head.
Jake sighed again. "It's too late for this… alright, I'll put other for now and keep it unspecified. Did the king agree to pay the execution fee?"
"Yes he has prepared payment," The fire person replied.
Jake marked the last box and looked at the fire person. "Eh… I was gonna have you sign this but… I'll just put an 'X' on the spot and date it myself. The Executioner will do as you have requested granted the Princess of the Candy Kingdom has sanctioned it. He will be expecting to complete the execution at the appointed time on the dot. Any delays may forfeit his services. You good?"
"Er… I think so."
"Any questions?"
"No…I."
"Great. Goodnight." Jake closed the door and exhaled. He looked down at BMO who was smalling the whole time. The fire person's glow left the front door and Jake picked BMO back up. "You'd think they'd have come in earlier today. Coming in this late is just rude."
"Yes, very rude," BMO agreed crossing its arms.
They made their way back to the living room. Finn was just about to come down. "Hey, Jake, I was just finishing up up here. Who was it?"
"Your services have been requested in the Fire Kingdom." Jake gave him the form and Finn mumbled through it.
"Fire Kingdom… three… public executions… That's nice… No kids, always a good sign. They didn't specify what type of execution?"
"Nope. They don't request you often enough man. The guy thought he could just walk up and read a citation off. He said he got a permission slip from PB but… he didn't have it on him. I mean, he's a fire person, you'd think Princess Bubblegum would know to enchant the paper or something."
"I'll check in with her before I go," Finn nodded taking off his shroud and cowl again. "I know how moody she gets when I do these on my own volition."
"Doing anything on your own volition is dangerous, Finn. Especially for you," BMO said worriedly.
"Whatever you say, BMO," chuckled Finn.
"I'll get the rest of the dishes. I bet you've had a busy day, Finn. You should go freshen up."
"Thanks, Jake," Finn said as he stretched. "I think I hurt my arm in that last one though. I twisted the blade too many times and might've pulled a muscle."
"Uh oh, hope that doesn't donk your swing, dude," Said Jake as he turned away from the sink and downed a glass of water.
"I should be fine," Finn assured as he stretched it out. "It's only three guys."
"Gee, bro, you don't have to sound so cool about it. You're going to kill these guys for some serious stuff," Jake said lifting his brow.
"I've done this job for a while now, Jake. Cool is all I feel about it," Finn climbed the ladder to their room before Jake could retort.
Jake shook his head and sighed. "That's just wrong, man." Jake wiped a plate dry and put it away. "I don't know how he does it, BMO. I think doing this job this long would get to you eventually."
"Maybe that's why he's used to it, Jake. When a lifestyle becomes normal to a person, and they know it won't change, they accept it and adapt."
"Sure, but… doesn't all that catch up once in a while? I mean, these aren't just your monsters in a dungeon we're talking about. We're talkin' about people with families." Jake sighed. "I'm surprised no one's gone after him for killing someone in their family."
"A person with the Curse of the Executioner has only one recently recorded killer. But that person was dragged into the Nightosphere in front of ten witnesses! Worst off, the executioner had no heirs." BMO exclaimed with its arms up. "From that day on, no one's made an attempt on an Executioner's life."
"I thought killing the Executioner without a next of kin alive to take the curse would inflict your family with the curse." Jake put his arms to his hips and scrunched his brows.
"It does, Jake…"
Jake's expression softened. "Oh…" Jake looked at the ladder to his and Finn's room. The implications of BMO's words bore heavy weight. "So…what do you have on the curse's origin?"
"It was said, in the Book of Larry, that an entity of justice, possibly a god, had punished the first murderer in the world with the curse. The great entity gave him an ultimatum. Live eternally in torment, or prolong his sentence by punish the evil he unleashed on earth. So, when people began murdering each other he was forced to carry out their execution, under the authority of a judge. Today's justice system is based around the laws written in this book. But there is only room for one executioner. It has passed from many bloodlines since to punish the next bloodline for killing the tool of justice or attempting to end the curse. And executioners that act on their own volition and take innocent blood will suffer a greater damnation than one who lives justly."
"But why doom an executioner to an afterlife of torment?" Jake shrugged, "Isn't that a bit overkill?"
Jake and BMO were silent as Finn climbed down with a towel over his head and around his shoulders with nothing but a pair of boxers. He waved at them with a smile then left for the bathroom.
Jake turned back to BMO who then answered. "According to the tenants of justice, written in the book of bob, the murder's life must act as payment the life of the victim's. But the first murder begged for his life and the entity of justice had pity on him. The price has yet to be paid. Even though Finn takes life justly, the life of the victim all those years ago has not yet been given justice. No one can die in the place of a murderer. All must pay for their own crimes. And when an executioner kills in the name of justice, his death will eventually become worthless because his good deeds outweigh the evil within. But he is still a murderer with unpaid crime, so he cannot enter into any paradise. It is a loophole that the entity of justice inflicted on the wicked man for his heinous crime."
Jake sighed and sat at the table. "All of that sounds complicated. I didn't even understand half of it."
"The world requires balance, Jake. The blood of the innocent is equal in weight of the blood of the guilty. For balance to return, the innocent blood spilt must be met with the guilty to compensate. At least, that is popular belief."
Jake sighed and looked at the door leading to their bathroom. "I can't imagine what that feels like. That forever impending doom looming over your head. No matter what you do, you're doomed to eventually live in eternal torment…"
"There is a common belief that being near the executioner will taint your soul and you can be doomed too," BMO added, "If its true, at least you'll be down there with him. He won't be alone."
Jake sputtered. "I don't believe in that poobrain stuff. That's silly superstition some mad dude came up with. Besides…" Jake looked at the symbol of justice nailed on their wall above their stove. "Clerics and priests can protect and purify theirs and others' souls."
"The idea istself doesn't show up in any religious texts. So, you might be right," BMO smiled then frowned. "But then, Finn will be all alone."
"Yeah… but I've been thinking about that," Jake said leaning in with a sneaky grin. "I bet, when the day comes, we can get Marceline to let us in, we can find Finn, and help him escape! Whoo-hoo" Jake threw his arms up is celebration.
BMO smiled and threw its arms up too. "Yay, Jake!"
Finn returned with the towel around his waist and over his head like a hood. He was rubbing his hair dry. "Left some hot water for you, Jake. Not sure how long it will last, though."
"It's cool, thanks, bro." Jake said with a thumbs up.
Finn started climbing up the ladder but turned around to return his gesture, "Anytime, man."
Later that night, both of them were laying in bed and trying to get to sleep. Finn was struggling to get any sleep since he kept thinking about the things he saw. The future he was doomed for. The future he had no choice but to accept. It all taunted him. The smell, the screams, the moaning of grief, the heat, and the monsters all sneering at him, the souls unaware of his presence yet cognizant of who he was. His mind drifted to the possibilities of his suffering. Never to end. Never to escape. Hunson would probably be indifferent to him. All dead were the same in his eyes. Even if he had provided his service to him a few times. Perhaps it would give him a break or two, or a favor, of at least a petition.
Finn sighed and turned in his bed. He'd rather think of nicer things. Princess Bubblegum for instance. She was so fearless. She cared for him consequences be damned. She was willing to care for him even if it meant it could taint her soul and send her to eternal suffering with him. even Marceline. She probably didn't care as much for him spiritually than she did physically. She was friend to him where there were none, but she was so invested in carnal pleasure that he wondered if she would care if he died. Would she try and visit him? Could prisoners of the Nightosphere receive visitors? Finn sighed and turned again. This wasn't helping. Finally, he sighed exasperatedly and sat up.
"Why is this bothering me so much?" he gripped his head nearly in tears. He reasoned that it had to be he was scared. Scared of dying, suffering, and the unknown. He couldn't ask Hunson what it would be like. He would only make things worse. Finn ran his fingers stressfully through his hair and took shaky breaths. "It's a long way off. Don't worry about it now… it's a long way off." Finn took deep breaths and laid down. "Just go to sleep."
As soon as Finn laid back down, Jake turned his head and watched as his brother continued to wrestle with sleep. He was just as worried as Finn was about this. The idea that his best friend would die and live in torment for eternity was unbearable. There had to be some way to break this curse. And he was going to find it.
In the morning, Finn woke up, a bit surprised he managed to get any sleep at all. He got out of bed and checked a clock. He exhaled and shook his head. "If I want to make it to the fire kingdom, I'd better move now. Still need to confide in Princess Bubblegum." Finn got dressed and climbed down the ladder. He didn't worry about grabbing anything to eat. Instead, he just grabbed his bag and swung it around his shoulder.
Jake had then climbed down as well with a big smile. "Morning, Finn. Breakfest?"
"No time this time, Jake. I need to make two trips to two kingdoms, and I don't want to push Beatrice too hard to play catchup."
"That's fine, I'll take you. That way you can be there in seconds. So come on, let's have some breakfast," Jake offered.
Finn lifted a questioning brow. "You sure, Jake? You get pretty squeamish when I… you know. Do my thing?"
Jake waved his hand, "Yeah yeah, but we're bros. I can take a few heads rolling around for a few seconds of the day."
Finn looked the paper over and hummed. "I wonder why it's so late in the day thought. Usually, executions are int the morning. This ones at noon."
"The Fire Kingdom doesn't usually need your services, Finn. Maybe they are still figuring this whole execution thing out."
"I've done twenty executions in total in the Fire Kingdom, Jake. I hardly think they are uninformed about proper execution etiquette. Less so that they would believe it's uncommon to do them in the morning. Usually at dawn to get it out of the way… Maybe he's waiting for someone…"
"Maybe" Jake shrugged, "All will be revealed in time, Finn. Just don't forget we need to get groceries."
Finn chuckled. "Sure thing, Jake. I'll keep it at the foremost front of my mind just behind the three people I need to execute."
Jake squirmed. "Blech."
Finn chuckled again watching Jake get grossed out by the thought of rolling heads and dangling bodies or boiled corpses. Finn had performed all manners of executions by the command of the royalties. Including some rather creative ones depending on the culture and people. The Fire Kingdom for instance had an execution called dousing. Probably the simplest one that existed in Finn's repertoire. He's taken a bucket of water, and pour it over the victim. Slowly. The victim would flicker and scream, then turn into ash. However, Finn had a knew method that had fallen to his lap when he was given a river blade as a tribute by a water nymph. It could be said she didn't actually understand his curse and while the gift was appreciated he did her a favor and let her down easy. Although she was too embarrassed to take it back, Finn attempted to give it back anyway. Now it rested in his bag as part of his collection of weapons to use for any purpose deeming it necessary.
"Here you go, bro. Fresh bacon. We… ran out of bread. And we don't have anything else. So yeah… just bacon. And we ran out of that too."
"Yeah, groceries are definitely on the to do list," Finn sighed as he took a strip and munched on it. "Speaking of lists. You have the grocery list you compiled last night?"
"Yup, right here," Jake replied, pointing at the paper in his hand. He stuffed it a "pocket" where it disappeared from sight. "We can probably tackle it when we go to the Candy Kingdom, right?"
Finn shook his head, "No, I'm only going to be there briefly. I may not even see the princess. Besides…" Finn paused as he thought about the words he had yet to say. "I want to get to know the people I'm about to execute. It makes it more… meaningful. I don't want them to feel like they won't be remembered."
"Uh… okay," Jake scratched his head, "Doesn't that make it harder?"
Finn sighed and munched on another piece of bacon. "It used to… But now? I guess I'm over it."
Jake nodded in understanding. "Huh…" But he turned away after and tensed. He couldn't imagine killing someone he'd gotten to know. Finn might have been his closest friend, and he still had a hard time comprehending his work. It was hard to believe that Finn has taken this position willingly… even if technically he didn't have a choice. But he was there for the ceremony. He could remember as Finn's hand was cut and marked to seal his fate. The alternative wasn't any better anyway. If one was given a chance to delay their life of eternal torment, they would take it. And Finn was no different as a young fifteen-year-old... He was twenty-five now.
After their small breakfast they traveled to the Candy Kingdom in mere seconds thanks to Jake's powers. Finn requested an audience with the princess, and it was granted quickly. To waste an executioner's time was disrespectful and bared consequences. At least, according to the common superstition. Finn was permitted into the antechamber, but Jake waited outside as he was instructed to do so.
"The Royal Executioner is on his way!" Echoed the call. And any who were there scurried away and lowered the blinds.
Peppermint Butler held the door open for Princess Bubblegum as both entered the antechamber. He tread behind her as she took the lead. "The Executioner… you have requested my presence? Guards, leave us."
"No, My lady," He started with a low voice, but it was no matter. The guards were gone. All that remained were the three.
"Finn, I'm glad you came," She approached him for a hug, but he lifted a hand.
"I wish I could spend time with you, PB, but I have important business. A caller of the Fire Kingdom was at my door last night declaring you have given me leave to serve the Fire Kingdom today. Is this true?"
"Yes, I tried enchanting the citation but… it didn't go so well. I had forgotten about that… I was hoping you could stay a little longer…"
"I know, PB," Finn nodded, "And it's always an honor to accompany you, but my duties must come first. As you are well aware, I believe."
Princess Bubblegum sighed. "Of course. We must all do our duty to our kingdom. And yours the kingdoms. I wish you well, Finn… and I do hope you can visit."
Finn bowed, "Another time. And I also must insist you stop using my name. I think we talked about this."
"We did," She grinned and turned around. "Speaking of which, Marceline wouldn't stop bothering me about it this morning. I have never seen her up this early before. And…" She crossed her arms and glared, "She was quite vocal about what happened while you were there…" Finn shuffled uncomfortably. "She said something about being more open to sharing too…"
"You did say that you didn't care who wanted a scandal on their hands," Finn smiled nervously but shrugged defensively.
Marceline looked away and seemed to have gotten even moodier. "But Marceline…?"
"Is she an exception, PB?" Finn asked half-jokingly.
She just sunk deeper into her grumpy mood. "Yes."
Finn dropped his smile for a look of surprise. "Oh… Well, how does that make sense?"
Princess Bubblegum approached him and leaned forward so they were inches apart. 'me or Marceline? Who do you like more?"
"Er… well… I…"
"Forget it. Me or Breakfast Princess?"
"Oh, you," Finn replied with a more confident smile. "She's beautiful but… your…"
Princess Bubblegum seemed to trade her condescension for flattery. Her hands went ot her side as she blushed. "Go on…"
Finn chuckled nervously. "Well, you were there for me. Before I was the Executioner. I don't understand…"
"With the other princesses, Finn, your heart belongs to me. But when Marceline comes into the picture. Your conflicted. You can't choose… That's why." Princess Bubblegum frowned and turned away. "I hope for swift judgment to be delivered by your hands, Executioner. And may you live forever."
She left and Peppermint Butler bowed at Finn. "Good day, Master Finn."
Finn bowed ever so slightly back. "Bye, Pep…"
"Executioner, departing!"
Finn realized the antechamber was being packed with people who had business with the princess. He snapped out of his stupor and turned towards the entrance then left with a new thought to meditate on.
"PB or Marcy…?" Finn froze realizing the question had him stuck. "…She was right…"
