Chapter theme: Nessun Dorma; /Uau48wh5CeI
Terminology:
SDT: SUBTERRANEAN DEMON TRIBE, often used to describe sentient and non-aggressive demons.
USF: UNITED SUBTERRANEAN FRONT, the recognized sovereign citizens of the Ebott. Valley demon association.
NNH: New New Home, the town's name. The only city located in the USF.
Central: Central Government, central city, main human settlement where the Grand Senate is instated.
WG: World Government, The coalition of governments, cities and island states, headed the Grand Senate.
WM: World Military, the standing widespread military for the entire world bar a few states and countries.
OTS: Order Of The Sword, a religious faction mainly situated in the city of fortuna, radical Sparda worshippers.
Disclaimer: Certain aspects of this story are based on a loosely fictional and exaggerated version of reality, of what is possible, of what could be, to understand this is to understand that there is no agenda… Make your own conclusions, what you think is right.
I own nothing.
Sin Trigger
'Systems diagnostic… Circuit functions 100%... Body integrity… 100%… partial damage to right arm… Repaired… Not Urgent… Body fully functioning…'
Cyan eyes whirring to life, his vision returned to him first. Taking in the view of a well lit room with various styles of decor, well lit and fancy… The next sense to come was his hearing, artificial ears intaking the sound and melody of the operatic chorus, like a flowing honey against his artificial skin… His feeling of touch returned, and he flexes each finger individually to make sure each is in working order… There's no more blood.
Beyond the reach of his hands lies a single, motionless figure leaned against the doorway to the outside world, the sun setting in the distance and shadowing the figure in a dark light. It's almost poetic, the shine of the setting sun with the operatic choir in the background.
Blooke rubs his head, 'Where… Where am I? What happened to me?' His memory facilities were rebooting, all he could remember was the feeling of anger… And then.
Blood.
"Ah, you're awake."
Snapping to attention, the SDT catches the red-eyed glow of His host and tries to get up only to sluggishly keel over. The figure is draped in teal dress, a cuffed suit and tie… A regal disposition.
The influential CEO sighs, "Don't push yourself, friend… Take a moment, and then come to me." Blooke could only blink at the request, his first instinct is to view him with distrust but… There's something about his voice…
Using the mahogany table to steady himself, Blooke eventually regains the stability in his legs… He then feels around his body and realizes that… He lacks any clothing.
Face flushing blue, only his angular exoskeleton is visible now… Various circuits and wiring coils around and over his body, with a dark heart held in a glass container in the core of his chest…
Andrei notices his discomfort, raising his cane. "Do you feel exposed, my friend? Hm…" Clapping twice, two men stumble into the room and give a comical salute to their master.
They are young, almost innocent. Dressed in servant garb, "Sup boss/What's up?" They chorus, elbowing each other with small grins on their faces before snapping to attention.
Andrei rolls his eyes, not impressed. "Evening boys, I need you to get this marvel of engineering his clothes from the wash, I don't think he finds his current predicament… Pleasing." He drawls, taping his cane against the floor. "Make haste won't you?"
They salute again before "Yes sir!/Sure Sir!" Leaving as quickly as they came, the two young men almost trip over one another trying to see who can leave the quickest. Andrei Royai only sighs and shakes his head before sitting on the sofa opposite Blooke, grumbling.
A smile etches across his regal and friendly features, he suddenly extends an arm out. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blooke. From what I can gather, you've worked with Mettaton in the past?" He questions, refusing to frown when Blooke doesn't shake his hand.
This is Andrei Royai, he clearly knows about his connection to RISE… And yet…
Blooke eyes his gesture, furrowing his brows. "... Why are you being so nice to me?"
…
Andrei wasn't expecting that and merely smiles, "Kind? It's just courtesy, what did you think I was going to do?" He didn't know much about the man sitting across from him, only that Vergil didn't seem to like him much… And that he was associated with the OTS, and that Mettaton knew him vaguely from what he'd heard from his cousin.
Frowning, Blooke shook his head and dispelled his musing. "You are an ally to the OTS… And my team is trying to bring them down… I don't understand…" The two young men from earlier return at that moment, dropping his freshly washed and dried clothing over the sofa.
Andrei gives him a deadpan before shutting his eyes, grunting. "Come, walk with me after you get your clothing on." He stands to his fool height, tall… But not overwhelmingly so, not like Vergil. He stands there patiently as Blooke does what he asks.
Nodding and turning towards the setting sun, "Come, let's talk." Seeing as he's in an unfamiliar environment… With no way out… The SDT can only oblige.
But…
Speaking with actual authority for the first time, "I have a question, what happened to that woman? And… Your men…" Andrei stops, silent for only a moment… Before turning around with a grimace.
He's not angry at Blooke's question, "She'll be fine… But she's suffered a concussion, do not worry… I shall have my team disciplined severely for their actions, against you as well." Sighing, he walks ahead into the sun's gentle rays.
'He… Didn't intend to harm me?'
Blooke bites his lips, and then follows the man out onto the balcony… Witnessing the entire city from a view so high in the air. His eyes widened as he took in the view of the golden city, all of its immensity… He can see the entire skyline and more, all the districts. From the bustling renaissance architecture, to the urban cityscape, to the suburban districts… One can see it all from here.
Andrei raises his cane and points to the city below, "What do you see?" He asks with a calm intone, an honest question meant for the SDT.
…
"I see… A city."
"Hm… Not wrong of course, but there must be more to it… Hm?"
"Like what?"
"Well…" He cups the setting sun in his palm, blocking it from sight. "I see a world of possibility… I see a living breathing organism. I see freedom, paradise, the call to growth and change…" He then waves the star away, rejecting its change.
Andrei spreads his arm over the city as if he is greater than it all, the view is magnificent and golden. "I see everyone, individuals acting along the great chain of industry, it's not something you can touch, or even feel… But through our actions as men, we pull it, push it, yank it, all In response to our action." Andrei lets his voice trail off… Pulling his arms close to his chest.
Clenching a single fist, "But most of all, I see a promise… A promise to fortune."
"Is that all that matters to you?" Blooke questions, awkwardly standing in the door-frame.
Andrei sighs, "No, well… In a literal sense, perhaps. But let me ask you this, what is fortune? What is a profit?"
"... Acquiring money?" Andrei only laughs.
"No."
Raising a finger, "Profit is more than just a number, it's a feeling, it's a psyche, it's the essence of our existence… We profit through people when we create friendships, partnerships, or lovers… We profit AS people when our investments into ourselves pay off… Profit is more than just a number."
Blooke shuffles, looking away from his gaze. "Then… Why are you so focused on money…? Why not build a charity… I don't know."
He shrugs, "I could, I have the means… But tell me… Would I be doing anyone a favor?"
Andrei gestures towards Fortuna, "After all, money isn't what makes one successful… Be careful of charity and kindness, lest you do more harm with open hands than a clenched fist."
Blooke shakes his head, "I don't understand… Kindness and charity can only help… Vergil taught me that a long time ago…"
That interested him, "Vergil you say? I'm assuming you're quite well acquainted, aren't you?" Blooke didn't answer, leaving Andrei with only his silence as confirmation.
Crossing his arms, he strokes his chin. "Hmph, I've only spoken with the man once myself… He's principled, an ideologue for might based altruism… But he does not understand…"
Andrei sighed and shook his head, leaning into the rail separating him from death. "If you seek to aid every single person that suffers in this world, you will only weaken yourself... and weaken them, place them on an imaginary pedestal that they have no will or calling to maintain…" He trails off.
The businessman slammed his fist against an open palm, silencing his inner thoughts. "No, It is the internal struggles, when fought and won on their own, that yield the strongest rewards, only that can bring a man out from his rut."
Filled with a flaming essence, he grasps the air, resolving to fill his lung with strength. "We men evolve, hyperraitonal creatures that seek our best interest above all else… Knowing this, how can you blame me for the failures of those not as successful as I?"
Too defensive.
Blooke looked away from his scalding red gaze, "I… I'm not blaming you… But you could help, you could inspire others instead of turning a blind eye to them…"
Andrei scoffed at the idea, "And would I be doing them any favors? Give a man a dinner, and the next time he sees you, he'll ask again…" He'll grow entitled, he'll grow complacent and weak…
Andrei shakes his head, "What I do is allow men and women WHO REALLY want to ascend as their own personal Gods, to become uber-mensch… I give them the chance, it is up to them to take it."
But… He didn't recognize those who couldn't manage such, did he?
Blooke's gaze only shadowed more, "And to those who aren't capable? Will you… Ignore their suffering?"
Andrei frowned and waved him off, "You cannot blame me for that either. It is in our nature as humans to ignore the suffering of those lesser than us… I simply appeal to this nature." The people of Fortuna had no choice, this was the reality of living, of human existence.
And yet… "You're wrong… People can change… People can be inspired to do good… I know it's true…"
Andrei shook his head, "When given the choice between comfort and struggle, humanity will always choose the former… It is no crime to avert your eyes." Denying his statement, the tycoon looked away.
"Maybe not… But shouldn't we help anyways? To be… Better?"
Groaning with his back turned from his prospect, "Don't seek to help when all you'll do is harm. Much like the WG and their inept senate… They crush those with a superior competitive force, those who threaten their forced altruism…" His voice lost some of its mirth, gaining a deadly edge.
A sigh, he pinches the bridge between his nose. "Men have this erroneous idea that we can have despots with dignity, that there's a proper way to control someone. It is absurd. It is anesthetic. Insane… We need it to endure the absurdism of spontaneous order and peace. The only actions that are correct follow the whims of the people, of those actors who function through transaction… Not by an attempt at control, by majority or minority." Andrei finished his spiel, each passing second his voice growing more and more passionate.
He continues, "I do not fight this war solely for greed… I fight because to truly be free… We must be free from obligation, from force!" Turning to his prospect, he let his word settle in the air.
Blooke caught his gaze head on, "But… You still support the order of the sword… Can't you tell…" Trailing off, unsure… Blooke shakes his head. How can he convince him?
It's cold… The idea that this man before him despite all of his pleasantries and warmth, despite the way he carried himself as some arbiter of good will… He would willingly support such a thing…
His mechanical body shudders, "I don't get you, Andrei… I know I'm not the smartest demon but-"
Andrei flanks his right, circling around him. "You misunderstand… I don't support the OTS, in fact I'd prefer they disappear… But as of now, they are the largest force on this island… To go up against them is suicide, as long as they maintain their stance on non-intervention… We shall have no issues…"
"Even when they kidnap children?"
"Do you want to blame me for that too?"
"... I will… You propped them up… You support them… Don't you?"
As if speaking prophetically, "The eye of the market is blind to such things, to attribute common morality… It's a failing matter."
Scowling, "I can't agree… Not after everything I've seen in my life… I'm not the smartest, or the wisest, or the kindest… But…" a wistful smile appeared across his lips in place of a scowl, "I've experienced true kindness… A true act of good… And I can't reject that… Sorry…." Looking away for a small moment before his eyes dart to catch Andrei's, the SDT clenches his fist.
"Once you've seen the power of a true act of good will… Tell me if you still really think that…" His eyes blare with a flimsy confidence, although it will be enough.
"That we should ignore others…"
The silence held for what felt like a few moments, Blooke felt the temperature drop ever gradually around him and this… This force of nature.
His voice was no longer warmth, the opposite. "That's a shame… I was going to allow you to become a member of this fine facility, your skills and robotic nature could be incredibly useful to me… However, since our souls are at odds, I'm afraid I must let you go."
The influential tycoon claps twice and without warning two voices begin to sound out in the distance… The two young men from earlier arrive just by the door into the penthouse.
"Take this poor sap and escort him from these premises boys, he's not interested in my offer after all." Andrei waves them off, stewing in a slight frustration.
"And don't worry, my robotic friend, I've not tampered with your systems… Rather impossible really, Doctor Alphys is quite the… Genius."
That she is.
Blooke narrows his eyes slightly at the business tycoon before turning towards the two young men with their light hearted features quickly being replaced by cold demeanors.
Andrei was now staring away, uncaring. "Just remember, I extended my hand… And you rejected me." They caught eyes just at that moment, Andrei gripping the handle of his cane tightly.
His crimson red eyes bled into fury, "You can only blame yourself for what happens next." He spat out, snapping.
Blooke gave the man his own wavering glare, refusing to back down and as a testament to his newfound will… He would not back down in what he believed, nor would he turn his back on his friends for an offer so poor and artificial…
He wondered if Mettaton knew Andrei personally, he knew he was somewhere… But he hasn't had much contact with his cousin since they first came here.
He hopes he's alright.
It was an odd thing… To be captured, only to be freed by the man who ordered it. A man who by all accounts had intended to invite him into the world he lived in, to be a part of that incredibly prestigious world… But Blooke knew where his heart lied.
Still, he couldn't help but consider what the man had said to him… 'What caused you to feel this way Andrei… Why do you reject the idea that we can be kind… Why?' The mechanical devil can only ponder as the two servants escort him out of the penthouse and into the elevator…
The tuneless humming of the contraption whirs in the background for only a moment until reaching the bottom floor of… this place… The Tower Of Babel.
The Tower at the heart of the city, the jewel of life for everything that flowed through markets, countless upon countless businesses littered the many layers of this tower, one could find themselves lost in it for hours upon hours if they let their mind and purpose dally.
The two young men had long left his side, leaving Blooke in a crowd of men and women hustling through the walkway of the tower plaza… Dozens of businesses and markets built into the base of the tower, one of the largest of Fortuna's landmarks… It was overwhelming on his senses, the bustling men and women brushing past him like twin waves against a lone rock.
'Wait…' Could they not wait just one moment?
Their bustling energy, rambunctious force of stampeding men, of sirens screeching… Utter chaos within their eyes, Blooke can't seem to gain his bearings in this river of bodies and crashing heat signatures… He can feel their stampeding urgency, each one clawing to get through, to get past him…
'... please… move.' He begs them all, protecting his face from the incoming elbows and shoulders.
He has to get out of here.
It's building up all around now, he can't see straight, the ground is shaking and vibrating along the frequency of each foot step…
'MOVE!'
Taking a step forward, Blooke feels his breath pick up as the crowd becomes more bustling… Almost as if being held captive by busybody after busybody. He trips over a few people and brushes them out of the way with a mild panic, the SDT is lost in this maze of hands and limbs pushing and shoving to get through the small walkway and reach various elevators and escalators.
Reaching out with his hand, Blooke desperately tried to escape from the chaining crowd… But he could not without hurting them, without using his body to do great harm once more… Something that made him sick thinking about after… After what he did.
"Hey, grab on! I gotcha!"
His eyes open fully to see the struggling and red face of… Of Reno? The young man stared at him with half closed cyan eyes, pulling desperately at his arm and trying to get Blooke out of the path of the workers and wagers; it was akin to fighting against a wall of bodies crushing against you.
Finally, the two managed to squeeze out of the massive walkway and into a more temperate calm balcony area; Reno lets out a breath of relief as he leans against a wall, wiping his forehead.
A small chuckle, "Jeez, I knew it gets busy during the closing hours but damn." He then turns to Blooke, his eyes showing a flicker of panic.
Only to quickly be replaced with worry, "How the hell did you manage to get tangled up here? Brandon said you were grabbing some snacks, I don't think Babel is the best place to get scones..m" His patient cyan eyes gaze towards Blooke, questioning and curious.
'What was that look in his eyes before?' Blooke wondered to himself before shaking his head and stuttering.
"Uhm…"Booke dusted off his hoodie before glancing away, "I'm… It's a long story… I guess…" His body felt perfect…
Reno giggled, punching him on the arm. "You guess? Boy, I'm sure it is then!" His boyish features seemed to light up, almost childishly… But perhaps that made sense, hardly on the cusp of adulthood. "Well, I was heading up to the residential area to snoop around for information about Credo; I saw you and jumped into action of course." Blooke smiled at his eccentrics.
"... Did you… Did you find anything?" He inquired hopefully, trying to forget about his previous encounter.
Reno sighed and shrugged, looking away suddenly. "Not yet, like I said I was going to the residential area above us on the second layer." Blooke gave a confused glance, wondering…
Reno raised a finger, interrupting any musing. "You got the bottom layer which is where all vehicles are stored, and then the first layer where all the businesses are at. The second layer which is where we are right now… And all the rich folk hang out on the third layer. But the fourth layer? Now that's Andrei's personal playground, whatever you can think of… Crazy shit." Not many saw the uppermost layer of Babel, not many people knew just what Andrei was working on up there.
"I'm sure it's nothing good."
Blooke shivered, glancing towards the tallest portion of the tower. "... I've noticed…" Whispering too quietly, Reno gives him a questioning grunt to which Blooke raises his hands nervously, "Ah… Nothing… But Erm… How do we…" Glancing towards the still hustling crowd.
He gulped, "leave?"
Reno chuckled dryly before placing a hand over the SDT's shoulder, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. "Patience is key my friend, unfortunately these guys are going to be running around like headless chickens for a while, they don't know how to relax…"
They can't stop moving, to stop moving is to stew on what must be done… To reflect on the monotonous nature of your life. It was sad.
Reno held his hand above the crowd, accentuating their hurry. "Well off folk aren't so rare in this city…" He then used his finger to draw circles in the air, "But it ain't that well off I'd say to be so unhinged." Reno said, laughing.
Blooke could only agree with how densely packed the entire superstructure was, millions of people could be inside at once. "... Yeah…" Sighing before leaning against the wall, Blooke slowly slid down to the ground to sit down; stewing in his frustration.
'Why would he go through all that trouble to capture… Only to let me go?' His mind was occupied… He didn't even notice the thinly teenage boy sliding down next to him.
The stout boy tried reasoning with the SDT, "Y'know, I get it… I'm pissed too… I feel ya and I feel Crono, he's like my big bro… He taught me everything I know all them years ago." He spoke almost as if trying to give advice… But he was unawares of the issue at hand, unaware of why Blooke was mourning…
And so he could only stare, Reno continuing his spiel. "So I know more than anyone…" Blooke felt a disturbance in him, but didn't comment.
Reno brightened up suddenly, his boyish energy returning. "But we gotta keep hoping for the best, Bianca is praying and hoping that Vergil can find him, tough chance…"
"He will… If you knew half of what he was capable of, you'd have as much faith as I do." Blooke smiled in recollection, a memory of flashing light and freedom.
Reno gave him a half glare, "We're taking a huge risk by lettin y'all run your ops at the bar, so forgive me for being a little antsy." Reno scoffed, Blooke nodded despite it.
Reno then shrugged, "He needs to play it safer, that's all I'll say. Andrei isn't an easy man to trifle with."
Blooke knew more than anything what Vergil was capable of, but even he wasn't omniscient… And running a warpath through the city in order to find Credo… It wasn't something he'd do.
'I think…'
Truth be told, Vergil was an enigma to him even after all this time.
Reno was unaware of his internal monologue, "When Bianca lost her younger brother, she had to turn to desperate measures… But Crono was there for her back then even when he was tryna make his own way in the world, she never forgot that…"
He shook his head, "And flash forward a couple years and they have a kid… Young as hell too…" Reno speaks from experience, he was there all along watching them and following them.
"If Vergil doesn't play his cards right, I'm scared Credo might end up just like Bianco." Reno sighed.
'The name of her lost brother?' Blooke realized, his mouth opening slightly.
"Then… Then…" His tongue was tied, he had to remind himself to take a deeper breath.
Blooke nodded at the reminder, "We… We can't let Bianca lose another loved one… Credo is just a small boy too, but I'm sure Vergil… I'm sure Vergil will save him…" Memories flew by suddenly in the thought of the White-haired devil, his sacrifice of his ultimate ambition… To save all of the underground.
"He's a hero."
Something that Blooke knew that he could never be…
Reno rolled his eyes and shrugged at him, "Ain't that so, that's what the stories be saying anyways." Reno recalled the reports on the news, drawing a slightly more exaggerated grin from Blooke.
The blue eyed teen used his fingers to make quotations, "'A one man PMC' they call him, wonder how he got so strong anyways." Blooke wishes he could answer, but the truth was only for Vergil to share.
Not him, he would never betray Vergil, never abandon his faith in him.
Still, he looks towards the ceiling to see the residential area hanging just above… And hundreds of meters above that… Andrei remained in his isolated place above the rest of the world.
'... I hope you see it someday, Andrei.' He thought to himself, sighing; you couldn't force a man to change, the harder you tried to beat something into the head of a man… The more he would reject it.
But… Sometimes all it takes is a single action, a single man. And maybe, just a little help.
Gliding through the empty streets of the Tower of Babel as the sun finally set fully, the darkness of the outside world sleeping in through the glass portions of the superstructure. Blooke and Reno both take an elevator to the lower levels of Babel in order to reach the exit.
The words of Andrei however, still linger in his mind.
'When given the choice between comfort and struggle, humanity will always choose the former… It is no crime to avert your eyes.'
Blooke clenches his fingers into a fist, remembering just what led him to this place to begin with. Those men, women… They just watched as he was attacked, and Travis? He didn't even try to help, just averting their eyes… He couldn't accept that, not…
His eyes flash in a realization.
'It is Andrei isn't it? He's molded this city, the people look to him for guidance in this place… And… I couldn't change his mind…' He admitted quickly, it wasn't so much of a surprise after all. He couldn't do anything proper, he lost his cool, and now he was suffering the consequences… The ire of Royai.
All he could do now, is leave it up to his cousin and Vergil.
Exiting through the main gate of the superstructure, Blooke was not prepared to see what awaited them… His artificial skin chilled at the sight, hands clenching and enchong as Blooke tried to stay calm.
Dozens of swords raised towards them at once, their shimmering steel blades reflecting in the city light. Danger. Dozens upon dozens of OTS Knights standing with their swords ready to do battle, at the head of it all…
Sanctus, The great leader.
He spoke slowly, calmly. His eyes were red, his lips were settled, not a single hint of nerves or apprehension, a complete wall…
And when he speaks, all would listen. "Well… I hope you don't find this arrangement disturbing my infernal friend, but you're going to be coming with us now." The holy leader speaks as a statement of fact, not a request. It was nostalgic…
Reno stiffens behind the SDT, trying to avert his gaze and seem smaller. "This is bad… Why Sanctus…" He did say that these SDTs were not enemies, but then again… He could've easily lied just like Crono said, combine that with the fact that they willingly and openly stole Credo…
It made Reno's blood boil.
Pushing Blooke out of the way, the young man no taller than the very SDT he was trying to protect… His youthful cyan eyes blazing in defiance as he raised his arms protectively, trying to make himself seem bigger against the onslaught of swords and characteristic sneers.
'I… I can't let them take him, not after everything…'
Reno's voice cracked, "Go! Run and get out of here, I'll… I'll bear the exile!" His body shaking as he caught eyes with the leader of their entire organization, Sanctus himself had personally come to arrest Blooke for whatever reason…
How could he let that happen? The Order has gone too far!
The holy leader merely grinned towards the young man, "Ah, Reno isn't it? It's been quite some time, a pity you'd go up against us like this… Especially with your future career ahead of you, a prestigious knight of the Order…" He trailed off, shaking his head almost in a mocking sense of sorrow.
'Bullshit, you never intended to make me or Crono a Knight… Smart move, Sanctus.'
Reno didn't even check to see where Blooke had gone, he was wondering why none of the knight's were moving against him….
"A pity indeed, but no matter…"
Sanctus' smile grew twice fold, almost inhumanely. His red eyes flickering in delight, "After all, we have our own allies here don't we?"
Reno's eyes widened as he realized just why no one made a move against him, turning his gaze to where he and Blooke exited the superstructure from…
His young face paled as he realized, two footsteps, to pairs, one robotic, but one… One human.
Andrei… Royai. "It's been some time since we've met face to face, Sanctus." The two beings walked closer to each other, their crimson red eyes flaring in the dark of night.
Reno felt his breath hitch as the two red souls came up next to another, their auras of determination almost… Clashing.
He felt sick.
Andrei had Blooke motionless, an almost dehumanizing collar had been wrapped around his neck… The robotic devil was motionless, still, the usual nervous gaze he gave everything and everyone… Was gone.
Slapping his metal face around a few times, "The collar will disable his basic functions for a few hours, the perfect amount of time to transport him, no?"
Standing only a short distance away, Sanctus had to look up to catch Andrei's gaze… The tycoon was taller, but even now… With the legion of wordless knights behind him.
Sanctus seemed bigger.
His presence was invisible, his motive, his inclination. You couldn't see or feel it like you could Andrei, the taller of the two kept his intentions written on his sleeve. But… Sanctus?
Sanctus merely smiled. "So, you have what we want, but that isn't like you Andrei… What is it that you want?" The way he worded that seemed… Almost dangerous. "It's not easy to give to the man who has everything, but I'm sure we can come to an agreement."
'I would've taken the machine myself to study in some sort of program, but since he is unwilling...' The tycoon mused, chuckling.
Andrei rolled his eyes at the theatrics of his mirror merely flaring his own determination, "It's amusing you think you could offer me something more than a payment of goods, but I'll humor you." He pushed the robotic SDT down and kicked him in the back, sending Blooke crashing to the ground.
His eyes dimmed in a cold fire, "I want you to get Central off my back, just last week I captured another one of their spies… Let them know how easily I could cripple their economy." A resolute request, born of intense opposition…
Gesturing for his knights to grab the fallen machine, he nods. "Consider it done…" Sanctus says without hesitation, Andrei then turns away and places a hand behind his back.
"However."
Sanctus smirks at Andrei's flinch, he growls as Sanctus comes closer.
"I ask for one favor."
"Name it."
"I want Vergil gone, can you do that?"
Andrei's eyes shot open, his fists clenching. "Vergil is a threat, yes.."
'But it isn't smart to challenge an Ubermensch… As much as I want to wipe that confident self righteous look off his face.' The tycoon doesn't relay this verbally, he doesn't have a choice but to accept with Sanctus.
You can't say no to him.
Andrei narrows his eyes, "What did you have in mind?"
His holiness smirks.
"If I do this… You'll get Central off my back?"
"And you'll take care of our mutual problem, yes."
Andrei nods, smirking at the prospect. "Have it delivered soon then, I expect our 'friend' will be quite agitated after he learns of our transaction here."
Sanctus returns the nod, gesturing for his men to pick the SDT up from the ground. "Consider it done then, we spring from the same roots you and I… We want this man gone. And after we discover the ability we seek, the ability to bring machine to life… To create a conscious living entity of grand power…" Sanctus whispered the last part, vaguely and quietly.
"Not even he will be strong enough to stand against the saviour…"
Andrei merely furrowed his brow at the religious platitudes, nodding curtly before returning whence he came. Sanctus followed shortly after, retreating into a luxury car with the SDT right by his side… Muted and motionless.
Reno was in a state of shock still, being crushed against two opposing forces of nature… Two of the most influential men in this city, his face turned green suddenly before he keeled and released the contents of his stomach all over the floor…
'Vergil… Vergil is what?' He shook his head, focusing.
'I let them take him… First Credo, now Blooke… Dammit!' His knuckles bleed after grinding them against the hard floor, crimson red drenching his arm.
The night fell.
Sanctus stopped suddenly, "Oh and captain!" He gestured to a large knight standing to his side, masked and hooded by his white uniform.
Sanctus gave him a soft smile, "Take care of this traitor, do as you please… We should not tolerate defilement towards the saviour now, should we?" The knight nodded with a chuckle, turning towards Reno with burning orange eyes behind his mask.
Reno's heart stopped.
Funny tidbit, I typed this all out on my phone,
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