Chapter 8: Floor 8
Ira
Anger, like the flames of hell, ebb and devour ones sanity… We all must learn that anger is the catalyst for destruction and the harbinger of despair…
As soon as he crested the stairs, he stopped and looked down the torch lit corridor with caution. He knew that if an attack were to be initiated, chances were, it would be set up in the narrow corridors. He scanned the hallway with a cursory glance and then proceeded slowly down the passage. Although his eyes registered no threat, his body was still on high alert, for he knew that in Simulacrum, what you DIDN'T see presented a problem. The huge, wooden door at the hallway loomed ever closer as Gallows' feet shuffled reluctantly toward it. The young Baskar was not to fond of the fact that he seemingly had no control over his hurried pace, in fact, if truth be told, the discomfort that he felt was truly unnerving.
"Hey Roka, I think this is the last floor.. Do you think that we can leave once we finish here?" mused Gallows quietly. He was not to content with the silence that followed his query.
(Damn it, since when have you NOT had something smart to say?)
The demon still did not respond to his son, so Gallows dropped the subject.
(I really don't like what I'm feeling from that door… It feels cold, like someone's put an ice cube down my shirt… I really hate this place…)
Well, the sooner you go through that door, the sooner this will all be over…
Gallows stopped abruptly and squeezed his eyes shut angrily.
(And tell me, what difference would it make one way or the other? Hm? You're planning on offing me once this is all over, so why should I listen to your encouragement? More accurately, why should I listen to you? Roka, your way of thinking is nothing short of incredibly selfish…)
You know, I feel that your ranting does not even deserve a comment, and if truth be told, yes, I'm planning on killing you, but that should not restrain you from going through that door. In fact, I would think that you would desire to face whatever is there so you can face off against me!
Gallows said nothing but the expression in his eyes spoke of the horror that he and Rsalis shared. How did Roka find out?! Gallows did not say a word as he started to walk again, his mind spinning a hundred thoughts and his heart beating seemingly a thousand beats a second.
(Through this door lies another challenge.. and then… )
Gallows thoughts switched off as soon his trembling fingers made contact with the huge wooden door. The warped, carved frame felt dry and hot under his sweating palms, and he really didn't want to know why that was. He really didn't care much for the feeling of a spiritual antipode.
Open the door, we have no time to lose.. Beyond that door lies our destiny.
"… Destiny.." mumbled Gallows as he pressed his hand against the door and gave the door a hard shove. The door opened without a sound and Gallows gazed into the darkness.
(The darkness can hold salvation or damnation.. Which path do I choose and is it even really my choice?)
(Gallows, don't act so helpless, you know what you are capable of)
(I know.. but I still can't help but feel like I'm just a spectator to a very twisted game…)
(…..)
The first thing that Gallows saw when his eyes adjusted to the darkness was a pile of something in the middle of the room and he felt a burning ball of fear form in his stomach.
MOVE IT! We do not have.. Roka was interrupted by a gale of insane laughter followed by a series of loud gun reports. The space several feet in front of Gallows exploded in a bright burst of bluish light and Gallows instinctively fell back and shielded his eyes.
"W-what?!" stuttered Gallows as he removed his defending arm from his eyes.
There was another wave of insane laughter and then silence, Gallows did not know how to feel about the silence, it was somewhat of a relief and fairly terrifying.
"You walked into the darkness only to find the true light. Welcome Gallows…" said a voice that sounded frighteningly like his own. The room flickered with blood red light in a rapid cadence, causing the shadows on the wall to move in seemingly slow motion.
(Shadow, shadow, on the wall, perhaps you are not a shadow at all….)
"Welcome to my world, Gallows Carradine, do you feel alive..? " said that VOICE!
Gallows did not know how to respond to this question, for one, he was somewhat disturbed that he possibly could be talking to him self, and secondly he honestly didn't know how to answer it.
(Do I really feel alive? I feel as if everything is so clear now. Halle made my life a living hell.. She sent me on a suicide mission. She's my poison… And so is the rest of them! Virginia, Jet, and Clive! They're all against me! They all need to DIE!) as Gallows thought these venom laced thoughts an amorphous form slunk up slowly behind him and placed a withered hand on his shoulder.
" Do you feel alive?" asked the voice, breathing a cloud of pus and blood filled breath across Gallows' face. Gallows blinked and cringed a little at the smell.
(Must all things in Simulacrum smell so bad?)
"Alive? Tell me, what is you version of alive? To be stiffled by a bitch of a grandmother who knows nothing of my true feelings? Or are we talking about being stiffled by my teammates who are probably talking behind my back as we speak? Tell me, what is "alive" or are you full of that "poison" too?"
Hissed Gallows as he reached for the Zanzir. The vestige of what was Gallows slowly started to edge toward the brink of insanity He felt himself slipping and he didn't care. It was so peaceful just to let his anger flow through him, like the flames of an internal fire… Like the touch of divine….
The flickering of crimson light reflected in Gallows' blank orbs, turning them an uneven purple. His pupils were dilated to the point of almost not being visible and his body was perfectly limp.
(Free.. from them all… From them.. The ones that poison me with their cruelties.. )
VVVV
Virginia looked at him from across the table, anger pooling within her eyes icy depths.
"You're worthless" said her cold orbs, but only for a moment, and then those fiery eyes closed and a disgusted look crossed her face.
"Don't you hate it when people don't pull through when you really need them to?" she huffed, moving her shoulders in a disgusted shrug. Everybody looked at him with disgust. They always looked at him with disgust. Always, it never failed. If someone was to blame it was always him.
(It was like I was their disease….BUT THEY ARE THE POISON!)
The scene faded but the hatred remained, constricting, burning, and devouring him slowly.
VVVV
The darkness slow dissipated and Gallows found himself standing beside Virginia, his hand on her shoulder, his eyes set straight ahead. He was determined but he knew not why. Was he to protect her?
(But why should I protect my plague? Why do I even care?)
A sound of laughter caused the scenery to waver and break apart, and a wave of dark loneliness crashed into the young man, causing him to nearly to scream out his anguish.
(Why did they leave me alone? Why am I alone? I want to be with someone.. Anyone… I don't want to be so lonely! I want to be with….)
A fading shadow of Virginia reached out toward him longingly, only to be devoured by the darkness that once again surrounded him.
"Vir--- ginia? Don't leave me…." Cried Gallows as he slowly sank down to his knees and wept into his blood covered hands.
VVVV
The young Baskar removed his drenched hands to find himself once again surrounded by his team. Each one battle weary and exhausted. He watched in slow motion as Virginia leapt into the arms of that MAN! A feeling of pure rage, poured through his veins like lava and he wanted nothing more than to rip the boy's face off and drive his boot into it.
(Fuck you. I hate you. You stole her!)
He looked so surprised.. as if he didn't KNOW what she was doing! But he KNEW and so did she.
(Oh yes, she knew.. and so did he. I bet they're off together making out. Yeah, and here I am in hell. Thanks a lot..)
It scared Gallows to feel such a variation of emotions… He wanted to sink into the ground.. To feel no pain. To feel nothing at all.
Nothing at all.
VVVV
The darkness did not fade this time, if anything, it became more oppressive and threatening. Gallows' heart thumped noisily in his chest and his scarred lungs burned with anger and pain.
But no one would care. He was here, alone, and it didn't matter to anyone, the silence and the apathy that filled the air made that abundantly clear. Gallows was swallowed by this darkness, cold and alone, but, it actually starting to feel GOOD. He felt as if he didn't NEED anyone now. He was free.
(Freedom is what I want. And freedom is what I will get. THEY, my plague, will not stand in my way!)
The sound of distant laughter made him deviate his icy gaze in that direction.
(What is so damn FUNNY!)
"And Gallows said that he KNEW that! Can you BELIEVE it?!" Howled Virginia's voice as the group came into focus. Gallows' eyes narrowed and his face darkened as he watched his teammates degrade him with their cruel words.
"Yeah," Jet added, mimicking Gallows' voice "I'm so SMART! Look! I can tie my SHOES!" this was proceeded by more raucous laughter. The young priest's eyes were now nothing but angry slits and his hands trembled with unfettered fervor.
(They ALWAYS laughed… But.. they won't laugh at me now… THEY WILL NOT LAUGH!)
"It hurts when they laugh at you, doesn't it?" came a smooth voice from behind him as the scene in front of him faded. Gallows opened his eyes and turned around slowly to see for himself who this mysterious man was. He was both shocked and a bit afraid when he found himself looking into his own eyes. Gallows stumbled back and glared at his doppelganger, who was at the time smiling at him sweetly.
"They should not laugh at you. You're to good of a person to have to put up with that!" snapped pseudo Gallows, pointing to the pile in the middle of the room. Gallows narrowed his eyes and tried to make heads or tails out of the pile.
"W-what's that over there?" inquired Gallows, looking at his double once again. His counterpart simply shut his eyes and his smile evolved into a full fledged superior smirk.
"That, my friend, is your plague.."
VVVV
Virginia, hurried up the stairs and through the door that lead to the hallway of mirrors, praying to the Guardians that she was not to late. There were many things that she wanted to ask him… so many words that she wanted to say. But she knew that if she did not hurry she might be too late to say ANYTHING to him. "And that," she said to herself "Is NOT what I want! Gallows, hold on.. I'll be there.. just as I promised.."
VVVV
Jet and Clive leaned patiently against the wall, hoping for some sort of reaction from Simulacrum. True, they did not want it to be NEGATIVE, but, in their opinion, ANY type of reaction would give a good indication of Virginia and Gallows' current situation.
"So, do you think that Virginia caught up with him?" asked Jet after a long moment of silence. For a moment, Clive was silent and then: " If she is as determined as I think she is, then the answer is "yes". However.." he added, his brow furrowing "I seem to be getting some bad sentiments from that building.. I just hope it's not from Gallows himself.." Jet concurred with a nod and continued to watch the building, feeling very scared for both of his comrades.
( I guess what I felt at Deus ex Machina was real.. I guess I CAN truly feel. Because.. because.. I actually feel SCARED.. and maybe even alone. I don't want either one of them to die. Virginia is like a sister… or perhaps… Yes, a sister. And Gallows is like an annoying older brother that is constantly in my business. But, damn it, I care for the big goof) Jet smiled a little at this last comment and chuckled.
"They better come back alive, Gallows still owes me a meal.." he quipped, now smiling at Clive. Clive simply looked at Jet, chuckled, and then looked back toward Simulacrum.
VVVV
"So, my friend, what are you going to do about these plagues? Hm? Are you going to let them keep on destroying you from the inside out? Come on Gallows, I know you want revenge. Wrath is for the righteous, and you, my friend, are the righteous one."
Gallows cocked his head at this sentence and smirked, his eyes turning icier by the moment.
"What do you intend for me to do? I can' t take them ALL on, you know?"
The counterfeit Gallows simply laughed at this sentence and snapped his fingers, causing the flickering red light to brighten and cease its pulsation.
"Observe and rejoice, for today is the day of vengeance!"
In the middle of the room laid Gallows' three unconscious allies.
"There lies your plague, who do you wish to destroy?"
Gallows said nothing but the snarl on his face seemingly answered his alter egos question.
VVVV
Virginia let out a cry of exasperation when she saw several numerical and symbolic locks on the heavy wooden door that stood before her. She touched one of the locks and gasped when it burned her hand. With a snarl, she yanked her hand away and pulled out her guns, fully intent on blowing the locks off. She was stopped by a feeling of alarm emanating from Rnaia.
Child, do NOT blow the locks off! You will alarm them to your presence! Allow me to help you!
Virginia agreed and looked at a small inscription that seemingly appeared below all the locks.
"This lock of heart, holds the key to a man apart. From the North, a quake threatens destruction whilst from the South a fire burns! But is it from resolve or hatred? From the East, the air reeks of blood even thought the water from the West tries to gently wash it away. Succeed in solving this puzzle and the answer will be revealed!" Virginia sighed and glared at the runic symbols. They seemed familiar somehow.
"Hey!" she said after a moment of studying "These symbols represent signs of the Filgaian Zodiac! This symbol here represents the" A' indar" or the "Bird of Air" so.. if I just move this dial to face the East.." As Virginia spoke she moved the dial and heard a satisfying click, indicating that she had gotten that part of the puzzle right.
"All right, on to the next symbol!"
VVVV
Gallows walked up to the innate forms of his teammates and scowled down at them.
(I'm the one that has control now!) he pulled out the Zanzir and dug it into the ground next to Jet's head.
"You always thought that you had it tough, you little bastard! Always thought that everyone should just pity you! Well, guess what? I don't think you deserve pity! I don't think you even deserve the right to LIVE!…" at this point, Gallows' face softened and he unearthed the Zanzir from the ground and let it rest against his shoulder. "However, no matter how much I hate you… I can not loathe you whole- heartily, because, like it or not, you are a part of Virginia's heart…You live…" as he walked toward Clive, his alter-ego stepped up behind him and put his hand on Gallows' shoulder.
"Ah, here is Mr. Know- it- All!" Wouldn't you just LOVE to run your sword through him? Just imagine the feeling of.." he stopped when Gallows whirled around and glared at him, his eyes full of malice and disgust. His duplicate smiled resignedly and put his hands up in front of him as a sign of truce.
" Shut up and allow me to do this my way!" he snarled, driving the Zanzir inches away from Clive's head.
" I really do not have any quarrel with you. However, the fact remains that not once did you come to my defense.. Not that I really expected you to.." Gallows closed his eyes and once again retrieved the Zanzir . " But I can't take a father away from his child and wife. That goes against everything I've held dear. You live, just be glad that you're a father…."
Gallows did not sheathe the Zanzir as he walked over to Virginia, in fact, he looked down at her with both anger and love, these two emotions clashing together in a colossal war within the coliseum of his soul.
"You can destroy me or heal me with your words.. You can create or destroy my world with your actions. I don't want to be hurt by anyone any more…" Gallows' eyes faded to a dull blue and he lifted the sword above his head in a striking motion, causing his doppelganger to smile with satisfaction.
" So you have chosen your plague?" whispered the double as he wrapped his hands around Gallows'.
"Yes… I have chosen my plague.." rasped Gallows, his arms shaking as he held the sword above his head.
VVVV
"All RIGHT! Fala A'ire, the fire serpent is facing South, Teranis, the earth golem, is facing North and Aguias, the nymph, is facing the West! Now we should be getting the numbers to unlock the other two locks! Thank you so much for your insight, Rnaia, I couldn't have done it without you!"
Save the thanks for later, I fear that Gallows is in danger! We must move quickly!
Virginia nodded her acknowledgment and watched as the numbers to unlock the lock appeared in front of her. She tapped her foot impatiently, it seemed like these numbers were taking FOREVER to form!
(Gallows, please be all right! Please don't do anything rash.. and please don't leave me alone… ) thought Virginia, her heart thudding in her chest as she watched the remaining three numbers materialize.
VVVV
Gallows looked down at Virginia one last time before he swung the blade down, a single, silent tear falling down his face as he stabbed the Zanzir through his stomach, not really paying attention to the agonizing flames within the depth of his abdomen.
"NOOOOO!" screamed the pseudo Gallows as small pinpoints of red light poured from his body like blood.
"You… lose." Whispered Gallows as he drove the blade all the way through his stomach, feeling the cold hilt touch his blood covered skin.
"B-but WHY? I thought that you had found your PLAGUE! I thought that you were going to kill HER!" shrieked the twin as his jaw melted off and fell to the floor. Gallows coughed wetly and watched as waterfall of blood flowed from his mouth.
"My plague was not my teammates… it was my own indiscretion. Do you really think that I…" he coughed a little more and felt himself lurch forward, noting that the constant hum in his head started to get louder.
"That I would kill her? I promised her…." Another cough, another stream of blood followed by a cryptic smile. " That I would protect her.. even if it meant…" the rest of his sentence was cut off by a heave of pain and then he heard the final scream of his demon… his own plague, himself.
Stay tuned for Chapter 9: Ulitmus Saltātiō
Note: These "VVVV" stands for the page break... sorry for the inconvenience